Author: Kalashian Nyrie

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN COMMENTS ON RADAR, TIES WITH IRAN

Day.az website
22 Aug 07
Baku

Azerbaijan is ready to accept any initiative that will contribute to
stability in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesman Xazar Ibrahim said,
commenting on the possible joint use of an Azerbaijan-based radar
station by Russia and the USA. He also spoke in favour of expanding
relations with Iran. The issue of ethnic Azeris’ rights in Iran was
not raised during the Iranian leader’s visit to Baku since Azerbaijan
does not want to interfere in its neighbour’s internal affairs, Ibrahim
said. The following is the text of Ilya Faynzilberg’s interview with
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Xazar Ibrahim on Azerbaijani
website Day.az on 22 August:

[Correspondent] Xazar muallim, the Iranian president’s visit
to Azerbaijan began yesterday. This is why my first question is
quite anticipated: what is your opinion about the current stage of
Azerbaijani-Iranian relations?

[Xazar Ibrahim] Azerbaijan and Iran are neighbouring countries
whose relations are on a high level and friendly. Political,
economic and cultural ties between our countries are developing
dynamically. Currently, we are working to further deepen relations
between our countries.

[Correspondent] How would the information that Iran is practically
finishing the construction of a dam on Azerbaijan’s occupied
territories despite Baku’s protest affect those relations?

[Xazar Ibrahim] We are aware of it and I can say that the situation
is not as simple as it is presented in some of the domestic media
outlets. As is known, this project was agreed upon in the Soviet era
and was very important in terms of developing our agriculture.

However, taking into account the fact that Azerbaijan’s Cabrayil
District is now under Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan has informed
Tehran of its position, which is that the country that has occupied
the territory of our country should not benefit from the project. Iran
agrees with Azerbaijan’s position.

[Correspondent] How does Baku react in general to constantly developing
relations between Iran and Armenia?

[Xazar Ibrahim] Building relations between two sovereign countries –
like Armenia and Iran – is their own business.

On the other hand, one should not forget that Armenia is also an
aggressor country which has occupied 20 per cent of another country’s
territory.

That’s why we hope a lot that the development of relations between
Iran and Armenia would not result in Armenia’s escalation of its
aggressive policy towards the neighbouring countries.

[Correspondent] Why the situation of Azeris in Iran is not discussed
during the visit of that country’s president?

[Xazar Ibrahim] Azerbaijan is of course concerned about the fate of
compatriots living in Iran and other countries as well. But Azerbaijan,
unlike Armenia, is not in a habit of interfering in the internal
affairs of the neighbouring countries.

Our position is that we have to further deepen positive
Azerbaijani-Iranian relations.

[Correspondent] What is Iran’s stance on the prospect of the joint
use of the Qabala radar station by the Americans and Russians?

[Xazar Ibrahim] I cannot comment on Iran’s position but I should
say that Azerbaijan’s position is that any initiative that would
contribute to stability in the region should be utilized.

PRESIDENT AND STS CHIEF DISCUSS EMPLOYMENT OF TOUGHER TAX ADMINISTRATION

ARMENPRESS
Aug 22, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian discussed
today a set of issues designed to toughen tax administration with
the new head of the State Taxation Service (STS) Vahram Baghdasarian.

Kocharian’s press office said the two men also spoke about meeting
2007 budget revenues collection targets. The press office said they
spoke also about a package of tax legislation amendments to be sent
to parliament, developed to support sustainable revenues growth.

The STS head was said to assure the president that all projected
targets will be met.

ARMENIAN PEOPLE’S PAINTER EDWARD ISABEKIAN HAS DIED

Noyan Tapan
Aug 20, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Edward Isabekian, an Armenian
people’s painter, a professor, a laurate for a state prize, a citizen
of honour of Yerevan, died at the age of 93 in Ashtarak on the morning
of August 19.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA Union of
Painters, the dirge of the painter will take place in the appartment
20, Sayat Nova 51, Yerevan at 18:00 on August 21. Art loving society
will take its final leave of the painter in the Yerevan Chamber Music
House on August 22.

Edward Isabekian was born in Igdir in 1914. In 1931 he graduated
from the Geghard technical college and in 1941 the Art Academy of
Tbilisi. He taught in the Yerevan Art Theatre Institute between 1945
to 2000. He was the head of the Armenian National Gallery from 1967
to 1986.

ARMRîSGASPROM: RUSSIAN GAS FLOW TO ARMENIA TO BE CEASED BECAUSE OF KAVKAZ-ZAKAVKAZIE PIPELINE REPAIR

ARKA News Agency
Aug 20 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, August 20. /ARKA/. Russian gas flow to Armenia will be ceased
because of Kavkaz-Zakavkazie pipeline repair, Shushan Sardaryan,
press secretary of Armenian-Russian ArmRosgaspeom CJSC, said on Monday.

She told ARKA News Agency that the gas supply was ceased on Monday
and will be resumed in six days.

Armenian consumers will have their gas supply uninterrupted – they
will receive gas from Abovyan underground depot.

Sardaryan said that on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 23:00 p.m., Yerevan’s
some districts and two villages in Kotayk will do without gas. But
cutoff here is due to the work on gas-conveying network enlargement,
not Russian gas supply.

"This is a mere coincidence, and is not caused by gas pipeline
breakdown", the press secretary said.

ArmRosgasprom CJSC enjoys monopoly on importing and distributing
Russian gas in Armenia.

Russian gas comes to Armenia through Georgia. The company was
established in 1997. Its capital totals $398.8mln.

The company’s shares belong to Russian Gasprom (57.59%), Armenian
Energy Ministry (34.7%) and Itera Oil and Gas Company (7.71%).

–Boundary_(ID_2VP/7l8dCDVX5YEnIk/t6w)–

EXCAVATIONS AT TIGRANAKERT CONTINUE

Lragir.am
20-08-2007 12:54:08

The Yerkir Union of NGOs for repatriation and settlement reported the
excavation of Tigranakert, Artsakh continue. The archeologists revealed
parts of the big and powerful town built by King Tigran Great and the
rich culture. Excavations started in 2005 when the location of the town
was identified, afterwards in 2006 part of the wall of the citadel,
the wall of one of the neighborhoods and part of an early Christian
basilica were discovered. The project is funded by the Yerkir Union
and the NKR government and is assisted by the Institute of Archeology
and Ethnography of the National Academy of Science.

In 2007 digging continues at three main spots. 15 meters of the
dovetailed wall of the citadel was revealed which is up to 4 meters
high at some parts.

Colored ceramic objects dating from 1-2 centuries AC, a fragment of
an early Christian cross and reliefs were found.

An 80 cm fragment of the fundament carved 400 meters in the rocks was
revealed, the digging of the Christian basilica dating from 5 or 6
centuries in the center of the town continue. The eastern half of the
nave, the inside of the conch, the northern and southern entrances,
and the inside of the southern wall were revealed.

DARCHINYAN TO FIGHT FEDERICO CATUBAY

Panorama.am
16:29 20/08/2007

Vic Darchinyan, IBF flyweight title ex-champion, will stage his first
combat in Sydney on October 20.

According to Allboxing.ru, Darchinyan’s rival will be Filipino Federico
Catubay, a 28-years-old boxer.

The fight will run to win champion’s belt in IBO light weight title.

Reminder: Darchinyan lost his title last month being knocked down
by another Filipino, Nonito Doner, in the fifth round. After several
fights, Darchinyan is going to invite Doner to a reply match.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

CATHOLICOS ARAM I MEETS WITH PATRIARCH SFEIR

His Holiness Aram I met with Patriarch Sfeir on August 17. The two spiritual
leaders had held a phone conversation last week. Discussions during the
meeting revolved around the current situation of Lebanon. The Armenian
Pontiff was then invited to have lunch with the Maronite Patriarch.

Before leaving the Patriarchate, Catholicos Aram I stated the following to
the press.-

"On the basic challenges confronting Lebanon, Patriarch Sfeir’s and our
viewpoints are similar. We support His Beatitude and find it important for
all the spiritual leaders to work together to bring Lebanon out of its
current uncertain situation."

Speaking about the presidential election, he said: "All efforts must be
exerted to elect a new president within the time-period specified by the
constitution. The new president should be elected in Lebanon, by the
Lebanese and by consensus of all sides. The new president should be someone
who builds bridges of mutual understanding and trust between the different
sides; someone who works for the integrity, sovereignty and independence of
Lebanon."

On the parliamentary by-elections held in the Metn area last week, His
Holiness underlined the necessity of "looking at events and issues from a
wide angle and with a correct perspective." He said: "The source of evil is
the current election law. Clearly, this law, which was forced in 2000, led
to injustice and an unbalanced representation. At the time we expressed our
criticism and we reaffirm our position today. The election law should be
balanced."

The Pontiff also referred to the role of the Church, saying: "The Church can
not be apolitical. However, it can not be politicized either. The church
should not become one with a political entity, a political agenda or
direction. It should not be involved in "petty politics". However, the
church should have its say on the major issues affecting the homeland and
the nation. The church is the voice of truth, the apostle of justice and
peace, the will of the people, the promoter of moral values, the preacher of
love and unity. Christian politicians should be humble enough to listen to
the voice of the church."

The Armenian Spiritual Leader added: "Lebanon is not merely a coexistence of
communities. It is a state built upon the harmonious coexistence of
communities. Therefore, we should work with the concept of statism rather
than the narrow mindset of confessionalism. When communities are strong and
harmonious in their coexistence, the state becomes strong and vice versa."

Concluding his statement, the Catholicos called on everyone- the majority
and the minority- to transcend the temporary interests; stay away from the
valueless political culture dominant in the country; gather around Lebanon’s
basic values and priorities; and work together for strengthening the unity,
sovereignty and integrity of Lebanon.

##
View photo here:
tos/Photos28.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

LIFELINE ROADS TO BE RENOVATED

Panorama.am
21:30 15/08/2007

"As part of the five-year program of Millennium Challenge, a strategic
investment of finances and technology will be given to renovate
Armenia’s rural irrigation systems and village roads, to assist in
the advancement of the economy and agro business in rural areas." This
was announced today at a press conference by Ara Hovsepyan, director
of the Armenia Fund office.

In his words, the program will ensure the village population by
75%. "This program will lower the amount of poverty in the villages,
while increasing yearly incomes."

Hovsepyan points out that 67 million dollars is foreseen to renovate
943 kilometers of roads, of which one third are considered as lifelines
for the rural communities. He stressed that this would give every
village community a road to the marketplace, also noting that the
Armenian government is bound by the program to provide funds for
future upkeep of the roads.

Hovsepyan also informed that a separate fund of 146 million dollars is
planned to assist in the improvement of irrigation systems, increased
production, new technologies, and improve the competition field for
250,000 farm families.

Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute
RA, Yerevan 0028
Contact: Arevik Avetisyan
Tel: (374 10) 39 09 81
Fax: (374 10) 39 10 41
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http: //

PREES RELEASE

August 17, 2007

Online exhibition at

In occasion of the Forth Pan-Armenian games to be held in Yerevan in
August 18-26, 2007.

The history of Armenian sport and Armenian participation in the Olympic
games have deep roots. It’s known that in ancient Armenia were organized
Navasardian Games. Armenian kings Trdat and Varazdat from Arshakuni
dynasty where the first Armenians who participated in the Olympic games.

Despite the segregationist and discriminative nature of the Ottoman
governments Armenians played significant role in the social, economical
and cultural, as well as sport life of the empire.The tradition of sport
activity revived among the Ottoman Armenians especially in the beginning
of the 20th century, before the genocide plan of Young Turkish
government was implemented as a result of which the whole Armenian
nation on the territory of the Ottoman Turkey circa 1915 was eliminated.

For the first time in the history of Turkish Olympic games, two Armenian
athletes Vahram Papazyan and Mkrtich Mkryan had participated in the
fifth international Olympic games in Stockholm in 1912.

Many Armenian teams and individuals permanently scored victories and
records in the multinational and intercommoned competitions and
championships.

The reason of the participation of the Armenian sportsmen in the Olympic
games aimed to remind the world about the existence of Armenian nation
suffering under the Ottoman Turkey.
It’s interesting enough that from 1911 to 1914 four "Armenian Olympic
games" were organized with the participation of all Armenian sport
clubs. Winners of the competitions were awarded with silver medals.

Many Armenian sportsmen became victims of the first genocide of the 20th
century.

TO THE WORKERS OF NKR SPHERE…

Azat Artsakh Tert, Nagorno Karabakh Rep.
Aug 13 2007

Dear compatriots! On behalf of NKR NA and my own I congratulate you
in connection with the special holiday – the day of a builder. The
work of the builder is one of our ancient national professions and
as a sphere of native construction, in all times it has been worthy
of general respect and honour. Preserving this tradition, today
our people estimate worthly your work directed to the enriching of
the country. Your investment is very important, especially in the
present stage of the process of building the independent statehood of
Artsakh, when the works of rebuilding and restoring of a dwelling fund,
spiritual and educational-cultural hearths, and especially the works
of country building are run up year after year. I’m sure, that you –
the workers of this sphere, will continue in future to solve with
success the problem of public significance, to realize the growing
sizes of the building works satisfying a high qualitative level. My
dear friends I congratulate you on this holiday. My best wishes to
you. Ashot Ghoulian The Speaker of NKR NA.