Author: Kanayan Tamar

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Feb 3 2007

Kosovo scenario to influence Karabakh settlement

Any decision on the status of Kosovo will have an impact on the talks
on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the Armenian
news agency Mediamax has said in its weekly analytical edition.
Although these two conflicts have own peculiarities, Kosovo may
become a precedent as seen by one of the mediator countries, Russia.
The agency however criticized the latter for "double standards" with
regard to Nagornyy Karabakh and other conflicts in the post-Soviet
area. The following is an excerpt from report in English by Armenian
news agency Mediamax headlined "Russia, the USA, Kosovo and Nagornyy
Karabakh"; subheadings inserted editorially:

On 2 February, the special representative of the UN
Secretary-General, Martti Ahtisaari, presented his plan on the
settlement of the Kosovo conflict. According to the presented
formula, Kosovo will not become automatically independent, but will
gain many rights of an independent state, in particular, the right to
sign agreements with other states and to get membership in
international organizations. It is expected that in February Belgrade
and Pristina will prepare comments and proposals, which Ahtisaari
will try to include in his plan. The next round of consultations is
to take place on 13 February, and in March, the document will be sent
to the UN Security Council, which will determine the future of
Kosovo.

It is obvious that the discussions of the Kosovo problem in the
Security Council will not be facile, just taking into consideration
the fact that Russia and the USA stick to diametrically opposite
stances. Moscow thinks that the Kosovo decision will become a
precedent, and Washington strongly rejects that prospect.

No return to previous status both in Kosovo and Karabakh

The Armenian authorities openly declare that the Kosovo independence,
proclaimed in this or that wording, is an expected event, at the same
time noting that they do not expect it to have direct influence on
the process of the Karabakh conflict settlement.

[Passage omitted: the Armenian president and foreign minister have
spoken on the issue]

We should note that there is really no sense drawing direct
comparison of the conflicts in Nagornyy Karabakh and Kosovo, because
of a number of reasons. At the same time, it is obvious that a number
of approaches to the settlement of the situation in Kosovo can be
referred to Nagornyy Karabakh also – not wishing to blindly copy the
reached solutions, but basing on common sense.

For instance, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and
Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried stated this January that while
determining the Kosovo status, there could be no return to the
situation that was present before 1999. We believe that no one will
argue that in the case with Nagornyy Karabakh, there cannot be a
return to the situation which was before 1988, that is, there can be
no return to the autonomy. The difference lies in the fact that as
opposed to Kosovo, they do not state it openly here: neither the
mediators, nor especially the Azerbaijani leadership.

OSCE mediators differ on Kosovo "precedent" for Karabakh

The fact that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have different opinions
as to the "precedent nature" of Kosovo, is proved by their last visit
to the region. Answering the questions of the journalists after the
meeting with the leader of Nagornyy Karabakh, Arkadi Ghukasyan,
Russian co-chair Yuriy Merzlyakov stated that the decision on Kosovo
"will make a precedent, as for the first time in the European
territory the case concerns a former autonomy". However, the French
and the US co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Bernard Fassier and
Matthew Bryza, opposed using the Kosovo settlement model as a
universal one. "Each conflict has its peculiarities and complications
and for each of them a certain solution should be found," Matthew
Bryza stated.

[Passage omitted: comments of the same nature by the co-chair
countries]

At the same time, we should note that, insisting during the year of
2006 on the "precedent nature" of the Kosovo case, Russia continually
drew analogies with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, more seldom with the
Dniester region and almost not once with Nagornyy Karabakh. In this
case, Moscow can also be suspected of double standards; as such
analogies were used by Russia mainly to put pressure on Georgia and
Moldova. A circumstantial evidence of that can be the fact that in
the whole course of 2006, the Russian Foreign Ministry not once in
this or that form expressed support for the elections and the
referendums in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and the Dniester region.
However, it did not show such an attitude as to the referendum on the
constitution in Nagornyy Karabakh.

No matter what the decision on the Kosovo status is, it will
undoubtedly have a direct or indirect influence on the settlement of
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. However, the most important in the
given situation is that the discussion on the degree of this
influence does not distract the sides of the conflict from the very
talks. An experience shows that very often the sides just look for an
occasion to avoid the real negotiations. Kosovo can perfectly become
such an occasion.

A1+

`LINCY’ HAS STARTED
[08:44 pm] 02 February, 2007

In today’s session of the program control council of
the Lincy fund the course of the projects financed by
the fund has been discussed. The session was presided
over by head of the President’s administration Armen
Gevorgyan.

The heads of the offices realizing the projects have
informed that the works have recommenced and are duly
financed by the fund.

The head of the council mentioned that the works must
be carried out properly and in time.

La Tribune
2 février 2007

SARIAN, L’ARMÉNIE EN COULEURS

Dans le cadre de l’année de l’Arménie en France, le musée de la Carte
à jouer d’Issy-les-Moulineaux présente une rétropective Martiros
Sarian (1880-1972), le père de la peinture moderne arménienne.
Paysages, natures mortes, portraits, décors de thétre et
illustrations de contes et récits traditionnels… témoignent de sa
grande maîtrise de la construction et de la couleur.

Jusqu’au 31 mars. Tél.: 01.41.23.82.67. Site :

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

February 2, 2007
___________________

ARMENIAN CHURCH JOINS ORIENTAL ORTHODOX SISTERS FOR MEETINGS WITH CATHOLIC
LEADERS

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
has appointed Archbishop Mesrob Krikorian, Pontifical Legate to Central
Europe, and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), as the permanent representatives of
the Armenian Church in the ongoing dialogue. The two bishops are currently
at the Vatican participating in the fourth set of meetings.

During the week-long session, Archbishop Barsamian and the other religious
leaders met with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. During the audience, the
Primate conveyed the warm greetings and good wishes of Catholicos Karekin
II. The Pope, in return, asked the Archbishop to convey his brotherly love
and greetings to the Catholicos.

The sessions in Rome have included papers and talks on a number of issues.
Archbishop Barsamian presented a paper titled: "Mission, Witness, Service
and the Problem of Proselytism."

In his remarks, the Primate spoke about the "contemporary" problem of
proselytism. He addressed concerns from some Oriental Orthodox Churches
that efforts by the Catholic Church can be "perceived – whether rightly or
wrongly – as encroachments, endeavors on the part of the stronger to engulf
the weaker."

The Primate stressed that Christian churches share a common devotion to
Christ. Instead of competing, he said, churches should work together to
spread the word of Christ.

"There should be no attempts to encourage Christians who belong to a church
to change their adherence," he said. "Such efforts to proselytize diminish
trust in the common mission and witness of the church, making it a divided
mission and witness: one mission and witness for Christians of other
persuasions, and another mission and witness for non-Christians."

A full-text PDF version of the Primate’s remarks can be found on the
Diocesan website here:
rsamianRome.pdf.

— 2/2/06

# # #

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 31 2007

Jonathan Henick: `The Kosovo model shouldn’t be taken as an example
for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution’

[ 31 Jan. 2007 15:59 ]

The Head of Public Affairs Department of US embassy in Baku Jonathan
Henick interviewed by the APA

– How will develop the relations between Azerbaijan and USA during
this year?
– Our relations continue to be very strong and continue to develop.
To give you an example, next week we will have an Economic
Partnership Commission meeting here in Baku. We believe that it is
time to take our cooperation and dialogue on economic issues to a
higher level. This new commission will be chaired by Finance Minister
Samir Sharifov and on US side by Assistant Secretary of State on
Economic, Energy, and Business affairs Dan Sullivan. Participants
will include senior officials from a number of different agencies.
The commission meeting will take place next week on February 7th. We
continue working very closely on energy, military and security
issues. There should be some discussions on energy issues as part of
the commission. In coming several weeks we will also have discussions
on military and security issues. And, of course, the US continues to
be very active in working with the Minsk Group of OSCE to find the
resolution to the conflict.
– Is it possible that section 907 will be annuled?
– It is difficult to comment on this issue. The US administration
believes that section 907 is an obstacle to cooperation and bilateral
relations between our countries. And we favor the complete
elimination of section 907. At the same time this is part of US
legislation and so only the US congress can make a decision on
whether to completely repeal 907. I have no information about the new
Congress’ intentions on this issue. However, the administration
remains committed to continue to waive the provisions of 907 each
year.
– USA doesn’t approve the construction of
Baku-Tbilisi-Axalkalaki-Kars because Armenia is not participating in
it. Did USA offer Armenia that if the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is
solved with Azerbaijan’s territory unity condition Armenia could join
the project?
– There are no such discussions that I am aware of. I will repeat
what Deputy Assistant Secretary Bryza said the last time he was here
– that the US doesn’t oppose the construction of this railroad. In
fact we are taking no measures of any kind to slow down this project.
There was a misunderstanding created by a legislative measure. This
measure was adopted by the Congress and signed by the President as
part of the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act. What that measure
did was to prohibit any official assistance that the US government
could provide, but this does not mean that the US opposes the
project. Projects like this, for example the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline, are financed by private companies, these are not projects
financed by governments. So if this project is commercially viable
then I see no obstacles to the successful implementation of the
project. But US government will not provide official assistance.
– The co-chairs valued 2006 as a year of solving the Nagrno-Karabakh.
How are the hopes of 2007 valued?
– One of the reasons why there was so much optimism in 2006 is
because this was one of the few years when there were no elections in
either country. Obviously it is now 2007 and there is still no
agreement or visible progress on ground. The responsibility for this
is shared not only by the MG, but by the parties as well. A lot of
progress was made and there is every reason to be optimistic that a
solution is not far away. When such an agreement will be reached is
difficult to say – this is an election year for Armenia – but if both
parties show political will there is no reason not to expect a
resolution in the near future.
– The co-chairs called on the leaders to prepare their population for
compromises…
– This is not the first time that the co-chairs have called the
parties to begin to prepare for compromises. Any solution that can be
reached at a negotiating table will involve difficult compromises on
both sides. It is important that the leaders explain their position
to their populations, so that when the time comes – they will have
the necessary public support. Last June the co-chairs released some
of the basic principles that were being discussed during the
negotiations. That led to a healthy dialogue on general issues. It
would be useful to continue such a dialogue in both countries to
prepare both countries for peace. What specific compromises will be
required depends on the negotiations. It is up to the two presidents
to know what their key interests are and where they can make
compromises. Those are not decisions that the MG Co-Chairs can make.
– But both Azerbaijan and Armenia presidents promised not to change
their oppinions…
– It is very easy to look at public statements and decide there is no
room for compromise. But the two presidents have invested a lot of
time and energy in these negotiations, and that demonstrates that
they believe there is room for compromise. I hope that both the
compromises and the achievements of such negotiations will soon be
presented to the publics.
– Russian co-chair stated that the Kosovo model could be possible for
Karabakh conflict. What does USA think about that?
– I spent two years working on these issues as an adviser to the U.S.
Co-Chair. During that time we looked all over the world at examples
and models that might give us useful ideas for helping to resolve the
Nagorno Karabakh issue. At the same time, we also recognize that
every conflict – whether it is in Palestine or Kosovo or somewhere
else – has unique circumstances. So while you might be able to borrow
specific ideas, it is impossible to take one model and apply it to
another conflict. The Kosovo model might be of some interest, but we
shouldn’t assume that it can be used in Nagorno-Karabakh or any other
conflict situation. /APA/

PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED IN NKR REGION OF MARTAKERT BY "HAYASTAN"
ALL-ARMENIAN FUND TO COMPLETE IN AUTUMN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Hayastan" (Armenia)
All-Armenian Fund continues implementation of the "Re-Birth of
Artsakh" program in the NKR. As the Noyan Tapan correspondent was
informed by the fund’s Public Relations Department, the most part of
programs will complete in the region of Martakert this summer, and the
regional hospital reconstruction and some other programs will finish
in the autumn. A competition will be announced in future for
implementation of reconstruction of the water supply system of the
village of Vank.

Securing during the "Telethon-2006" means necessary for development of
the region of Hadrut, the fund defined the programs to be implemented
here and initiated order of drafts. A competition has already been
stated for construction works of 21 km water pipe. Drafts for
construction of the 18 km gas pipe line of middle pressure, hospital
of the city of Hadrut, school of the village of Hakaku are being
formed.

It was also mentioned that the fund started preparatory works on
organization of the annual sitting of the Board of Trustees of the
fund to take place on May 8. The program will be decided in the
sitting for what donations will be gathered during the
"Telethon-2007."

Sabah, Turkey
Jan 31 2007

Orhan Pamuk cancels trip to Germany for concerns for personal
security

Nobel-prize winning Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk has cancelled a trip
to Germany at short notice, his German publisher said on Wednesday,
as concerns for his personal security grow. Pamuk’s safety became an
issue after the murder this month of prominent Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul.

A key suspect in that murder, escorted by police into a court house,
warned Pamuk to be careful. Pamuk, who won the Nobel Prize for
literature in October, had been due to visit several German cities,
including Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Munich on a book reading
tour starting at the end of this week.

"We heard from him yesterday afternoon that he had decided to
cancel," said a spokeswoman for Hanser publishers in Munich.

German media reported the writer had been worried about a possible
attack although Berlin police said they were unaware of any threat.
The government declined to comment other than to say they did not
know the reason for Pamuk’s decision. The murdered Dink had been a
hate figure for ultra-nationalists because he had urged Turks to
acknowledge the mass killing of Armenians on Turkish soil in 1915.

Both Dink and Pamuk have been prosecuted under laws restricting
freedom of expression in Turkey, which wants to join the European
Union. In what was seen as a test case for freedom of speech in
Turkey, Pamuk was tried for insulting "Turkishness" after telling a
Swiss paper in 2005 that 1 million Armenians had died
in Turkey during World War One and 30,000 Kurds had perished in
recent decades.

"ONE WINDOW" SYSTEM TO WORK IN 12 YEREVAN COMMUNITIES, TOO IN FIRST
QUARTER OF 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The "one wondow" system of accepting
and studying citizens’ applications working in Yerevan Mayor’s Office
since 2006, works completely at present," Grigor Melkumian, Head of
Yerevan Mayor’s Office Staff, reported at the January 29 press
conference. He said that currently they work in the direction of
introducing this system in 12 Yerevan communities, too. In
G.Melkumian’s words, necessary modern equipment has been purchased for
all communities with financing of Mayor’s Office, communication system
has been installed, internal local network operates. Besides, two
employees from each community took part in two-week courses held in
Mayor’s Office. It is envisaged to put the system into operation in
communities in the first quarter of 2007. G.Melkumian said that
currently the "one window" system operates experimentally in nine
communities and in the rest of three communities – Kentron, Achapniak
and Nor Nork, it will be experimented during the coming fortnight.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
January 29, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]

REPRESENTATIVE CROWLEY INTRODUCES RESOLUTION IN CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE
ASSASSINATION OF HRANT DINK

Washington DC – The Armenian Assembly today commended Armenian Caucus
Member Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) for introducing a resolution in the
House of Representatives condemning the assassination of Armenian
journalist and citizen of Turkey Hrant Dink. Prior to his murder he was
convicted under Turkish Law for his public comments on the Armenian
Genocide.

"It is of utmost importance that the U.S. Congress adopt this resolution
condemning the brutal killing of Hrant Dink and send a message that
Turkey must protect the rights of all religious and ethnic minorities
indiscriminately," said Representative Crowley. "It is past time for
Turkey to abolish Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code which
precipitated this heinous crime."

The bipartisan resolution calls on the House to strongly condemn the
tragic murder of Hrant Dink, as well as urge Turkey to continue its
investigation and prosecution of those individuals responsible for his
death. Furthermore, the legislation encourages Turkey to take
appropriate action to protect freedom of speech by repealing Article
301, which criminalizes public discussion on the Armenian Genocide.

"The Assembly thanks Congressman Crowley for introducing this timely and
appropriate legislation condemning this deplorable crime," said
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Hrant Dink was a fierce defender of
freedom of the press and an outspoken advocate for democratic reform.
His death should serve as an impetus for true and honest reforms in
Turkey. Denial of the historical truth is not in anyone’s best interest
and affirmation of the truth will provide a basis to move forward. We
just witnessed the worse consequence of denial with the murder of Hrant
Dink in Turkey."

Cosponsors of the resolution include: Joe Baca (D-CA), Lois Capps
(D-CA), Michael Capuano (D-MA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA),
Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Mark S. Kirk (R-IL), Joseph
Knollenberg (R-MI), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ),
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James P. McGovern (D-MA),
Michael R. McNulty (D-NY), Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ), Jon C. Porter (R-NV), George P. Radanovich (R-CA), Dana
Rohrabacher (R-CA), Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA),
Fortney "Pete" Stark (D-CA), Diane Watson (D-CA) and Anthony D. Weiner
(D-NY).

The Assembly has been mobilizing its grassroots activists to honor Hrant
Dink and his vision, through their support of congressional actions and
participation in various memorial services and vigils across the
country. As a part of this effort, the Assembly last week placed a full
page ad in Roll Call – a leading Capitol Hill newspaper – encouraging
congressional passage of this resolution.

To contact and encourage your Member of Congress to cosponsor this bill
as well as the Armenian Genocide Resolution, which will be introduced
tomorrow, go to the Assembly’s Web site at , enter
your zip code in the Contact Congress box and click "Go." For more
information on Hrant Dink, please visit the Hrant Dink Resource Page on
the Assembly’s Web site at

Th e Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2007-021

Editors Note: Below is the full text of the Crowley Resolution, which
was introduced today in the House of Representatives.

110TH CONGRESS
H.Res.102

Condemning the assassination of human rights advocate and outspoken
defender of freedom of the press, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink
on January 19, 2007.

Whereas, on January 19, 2007, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was
murdered as he exited the Istanbul, Turkey, office of Agos Newspaper;

Whereas Hrant Dink was a fierce defender of the freedom of the press and
speech, an outspoken advocate for democratic reform, and a champion of
human rights and tolerance;

Whereas Hrant Dink was a man of conviction and principle who believed in
democratic ideals and peaceful change;

Whereas, in Istanbul in 1996, Hrant Dink founded a bilingual newspaper
called Agos, in part to foster dialogue and understanding between
Armenians and Turks;

Whereas Hrant Dink was honored by his media colleagues around the world
for his courage and principles and was awarded the prestigious Bjornson
Prize for Literature for his publications on the Armenian Genocide;

Whereas Hrant Dink was prosecuted and convicted under Article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code for speaking about the Armenian Genocide; and

Whereas the United States was founded on the principles of democracy and
liberty where freedom of expression is cherished and protected: Now,
therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives –

(1) strongly condemns and deplores the assassination of Hrant Dink;

(2) urges the Government of Turkey to continue its investigation and
prosecution of those individuals responsible for the murder of Hrant
Dink and

(3) urges the Government of Turkey to take appropriate action to protect
the freedom of speech in Turkey by repealing Article 301 of the Turkish
Penal Code and by unswervingly opposing intolerance, intimidation, and
violence against individuals who are exercising their natural right of
freedom of speech.

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

/2007-021-1.jpg

Caption: Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY).

Berd-Chambarak road closed

armradio.am
29.01.2007 11:49

Because of heavy snowfall Berd-Chambarak road is closed, Selim pass and
arts of Sevan highway are difficult to traverse. All other highways of
republican and interstate importance are open and passable.

Public Relations Department of RA Ministery of Tranpsport and
Communication told Armenpress that some regions of teh republic are
cloudy. The snowfall continues in some places, particularly the Ararat
Valley.

Roads are being cleaned.