Author: Karagyozian Lena

TURKISH PRESIDENT JOINS IN CRITICISM OF PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW

Asbarez
Dec 22nd, 2009

ANKARA (Today’s Zaman)-President Abdullah Gul on Monday joined
the government’s harsh criticism against Greek Orthodox Patriarch
Bartholomew, whose remarks, in which he likened his treatment by the
government in Turkey to crucifixion, have angered Ankara.

Speaking in an interview with CBS’ "60 Minutes" for a story broadcast
in the United States on Sunday night, Patriarch Bartholomew said
Turkey’s Greek Orthodox community does not enjoy complete freedom as
Turkish citizens and are treated as "second-class citizens."

Asked whether he would consider going to Greece, he said he would
stay in Turkey. "This is the continuation of Jerusalem and for us an
equally holy and sacred land. We prefer to stay here, even crucified
sometimes," said Bartholomew. Asked if he feels crucified, he replied,
"Yes, I do," according to excerpts published by CBS on Friday.

Ankara’s response was swift, as Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on
Saturday told reporters: "We consider the crucifixion metaphor an
extremely unfortunate metaphor. In our history, there have never been
crucifixions, and there never will be. I couldn’t really reconcile
this metaphor with his mature personality." President Abdullah Gul,
speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of his departure
from Ankara for an official visit to Kuwait, was reminded of the
controversial remarks by Bartholomew.

"The foreign minister spoke of the issue extremely well. There is
nothing further to say on the issue," Gul responded briefly.

Ankara’s criticism towards Bartholomew had already garnered a response
from Athens on Sunday when Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gregory
Delavekouras issued a statement saying that among Turkey’s obligations
for joining the European Union is "that respect for freedom of religion
and for the rights of minorities takes precedence."

"It is the duty of all, and mainly those who are responsible for
the situation of the ecumenical patriarch and the Greek minority,
to pay attention," Delavekouras said.

Bartholomew’s remarks sparked further criticism from both the
government and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)
on Sunday.

In Izmir, speaking at a conference organized by the ruling Justice
and Development Party (AK Party), Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc
called the patriarch’s criticism "unacceptable," while reiterating
that Turkey doesn’t consider the patriarchate to be ecumenical in
line with the Lausanne Treaty of 1923, which governs the status of
the Greek Orthodox Church in Turkey.

Arinc recalled a rare meeting during which Bartholomew and leaders
of the small Armenian, Jewish, Syriac Orthodox and Syriac Catholic
communities had lunch with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and senior ministers, including Arinc, on Buyukada, an island near
mainland Istanbul.

At the meeting held in August, Erdogan promised democratic reforms,
highlighting the issue of minority rights, a key stumbling block
in Turkey’s EU membership bid. Arinc said all religious leaders
attending the August meeting, including Bartholomew, then stated that
they enjoyed their religious rights during the AK Party government
and thanked them for that. "If a speech like this is delivered four
months later, then it is an unfortunate speech," Arinc said.

The CBS interview was recorded in May, months before the Buyukada
gathering.

In Ankara, CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Oymen released a statement in which
he criticized both the patriarch and Davutoglu. Calling Bartholomew’s
remarks "inappropriate," Oymen suggested that Davutoglu’s response
to those remarks was "too weak."

news.am, Armenia
Dec 19 2009

Safar Abiyev’s mental health, OSCE MG Co-Chairs’ visit to NKR¦: weekly review

11:38 / 12/19/2009Domestic policy

This week has seen interesting developments involving the
parliamentary factions of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP): almost 20 of the Parliament members
representing the parties forming the ruling coalition put their
signatures to a petition for the release of their former colleague
Sasun Mikaelyan. He was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment on a
charge of organizing riots during the post-election period last year
and of illegal possession of weapons. Mikaelyan was recently taken to
hospital and operated on. Most of the signers are either Karabakh war
veterans or businessmen. The petition caused a rather serious
confusion within the ruling coalition. The opposition press
immediately reported that the signers were summoned to the RA
Presidential Administration and tongue-lashed. As regards the RPA’s
official position, the party leaders referred to the lack of legal
underpinnings for dealing with the matter. In any case, the fact that
a number of MPs representing the principal ruling parties signed the
aforementioned document can only be welcomed as showing signs of
political culture, when narrow party interests pass into the
background. So the fuss kicked up over this by the two political camps
was excessive.

The conflict within the ranks of the Social-Democratic Party Hnchakyan
(SDPH) is developing. The disagreements between the SDPH officials in
Armenia and the SDPH leaders have recently developed into open
confrontation. After two members of the SDPH Board in Armenia and some
representatives of SDPH regional chapters issued a joint statement,
SDPH Chairwoman in Armenia Lyudmila Harutyunyan accused SDPH Chairman
Sedrak Achemyan of being in collusion with the Armenian authorities.
According to her, Achemyan is pursuing a divisive policy, trying to
cause the party to withdraw from the Armenian National Congress (ANC)
led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan. She also stressed that most of the
political forces that signed a statement on a special congress to pass
a vote of no confidence in the SDPH Chairwoman in Armenia were
dissolved long ago or never existed at all. Considering the fact that
the SDPH congress was scheduled for January 9, 2010, the following
supposition seems to be most reasonable: the opponents of the party’s
`opposition policy’ and of its main champion Lyudmila Harutyunyan came
to realize they are in minority and can hardly hope for success at the
January 9 congress. That is the reason for their `offensive’ and
attempts to simulate a congress with the authorities’ assistance and
elect new leaders. A closed congress in Tsakhkadzor, where the
opponents of Lyudmila Harutyunyan elected new leaders, corroborated
this supposition: no one ever knew who was present at the congress and
whether those people were party members or not. It is difficult to
forecast the end and which party will come off winner. One thing that
can be said is that the developments are part of the continuous
attempts to form a new political force from the traditional national
parties, which would be loyal to the Armenian authorities. As regards
Lyudmila Harutyunyan’s radical position, it is a serious obstacle to
the political project.

The participation of the Marxist Party of Armenia (MPA) ‘ with its
nearly only member, Secretary General David Hakobyan, who is famous
for his eccentric behavior ` in the ANC is clear now. The whole story
resembles a tragicomedy: Hakobyan used to make statements which had
nothing in common with the ANC’s official position. Thus, the
left-wing ANC members proved to be right ` they warmed Levon
Ter-Petrosyan that admitting the `chief Marxist’ to the ANC would only
be a headache for him. The problem is that the ANC’s Regulations do
not provide for the exclusion of parties or public organizations.
However, David Hakobyan `gave a present’ to the ANC and, seeking
`official registration’ of his dissociation from the ANC over the
recent months, stated that the MPA is leaving the opposition bloc.

Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and region

This week a Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentary delegation has visited
Yerevan. Top-ranking officials made a number of most important
statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh process. They reaffirmed the
Armenian side’s readiness for a peaceful settlement of the conflict by
means of mutual, but painful, concessions.

At his meeting with the Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentarians, RA
President Serzh Sargsyan expressed the confidence that a pragmatic and
fair solution to the problem will be found. `We have repeatedly stated
that such solutions must be found as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process, which will not cause new deportation or ethnic
cleansing. Solutions are available, and the only thing for people to
do is to see them, differentiate dreams from reality, fair solutions
from ambitious ones. I am sure that time will leave no alternative,’
the Armenian leader said. An interesting detail, however, was
overlooked by many: President Sargsyan’s appeal was obviously intended
for two antagonist addressees. His statement on the necessity for a
realistic position at the negotiations was first of all intended for
the Azerbaijani authorities, which are in the habit of making
bellicose statements capable of thwarting the peace process. It is
obvious for all the mediators, key geopolitical players, that it is
the Azeri authorities’ position that remains the only obstacle to a
comprehensive peace agreement. The second addressee of Serzh
Sargsyan’s message is the Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentarians. The
Armenian President must have pointed out the non-constructive position
assumed by some political forces in Nagorno-Karabakh ` the
unacceptability of any territorial concessions to Azerbaijan,
especially concessions involving the security zone round the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). President Sargsyan also addressed the
NKR’s participation in the negotiations. According to him, the
negotiations will be crowned with success provided Nagorno-Karabakh is
immediately involved in them. Thus the Armenian leader once more
showed his dissociation from his predecessor Robert Kocharyan’s
policy, which resulted in the NKR being ousted from the negotiation
process.

During the Nagorno-Karabakh delegation’s visit to Yerevan, the sides
exchanged views on the details not available to the public. Of note
is, however, the constructive and even optimistic opinion voiced by
Speaker of the NKR Parliament Ashot Ghulyan. `The Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process is actually at its active stage. Certain agreements seem
more likely to be reached. On the other hand, the issue of NKR’s
full-scale participation in the negotiations has not yet been
specified. This is of fundamental importance, as it is only the NKR
people’s consent that is a guarantee of executing final decisions,’
Ghulyan said. It was for the first time that a top-ranking NKR
official expressed cautious, but healthy, optimism.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev is hardly `running the risk
of’ enjoying good health, especially mental health. It cannot be
helped: that person imagines he is a parrot and, at all of his
meetings, including the ones with representatives of states that have
nothing in common with the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, is
incessantly speaking of the inevitability of military operations if
the negotiations fail. Of course, he finds it difficult to say how
much of its territory Azerbaijan will lose is case hostilities resume.
The Armenian side hardly responds to the Azeri Minister’s statements,
and it is right! However, Safar Abiyev’s persistence makes his
Armenian counterpart respond from time to time. `The threats to settle
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a military way issued by the
Azerbaijani President and other top-ranking officials do not mean
anything at all, as those planning a war do not warn about it,’ RA
Minister of Defense Seiran Ohanyan told NEWS.am. `I do not think the
resumption of military operations by Azerbaijan is likely, and our
surveys confirm this. Azerbaijan is not ready for war now, but we, the
military, must be always ready,’ Ohanyan said.

In his interview with Azeri media outlets, Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, made interesting
comments on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ latest visit to the
region. According to him, the mediators were unable to visit Yerevan
for lack of time. He pointed out that the place of the next
Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting has not yet been specified.
It was not the first time that international mediators had stated, to
put it mildly, unconvincing reasons for their not visiting one of the
countries of the region. The most absurd was the reason for their not
visiting Stepanakert ` bad weather. As regards the true reasons why
the OSCE Minks Group Co-Chairs visited Azerbaijan alone, they were
well aware of the fact that official Yerevan clearly outlined the most
substantial concessions the Armenian side is ready for. It is Ilham
Aliyev’s turn now. Considering the developments in the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the conclusion is that the mediators
visited Baku to persuade the Azeri authorities into changing their
position.

Economy and social life

At his meeting with journalists this week, Aristomene Varoudakis, Head
of the WB office in Yerevan, reported that a U.S. $29m credit program
is being prepared for the Armenian telecommunication sector. A credit
agreement is most likely to be signed next September. Varoudakis
pointed out that the main WB programs provide for reforms in the
Armenian, taxation, customs and telecommunication systems. He pointed
out that U.S. $105m of the Russian loan and U.S. $50m of the WB funds
will be channeled to the private sector. It will help Armenian
businessmen to overcome the crisis. A total of U.S. $10m have been
channeled to the capital construction sector for the certain
construction projects to be completed.

RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s meeting with the rectors of Armenian
higher schools discussed reforms in the higher education system and
further steps. President Sargsyan pointed out regular meetings will be
held from now on. The Armenian leader stressed the importance of
higher-quality education for Armenia’s future. The meeting
participants particularly discussed the problems of acceding to the
Bologna process and introducing a three-stage education and credit
systems. The meeting discussed the organization of foreign citizens’
education. The Armenian President stated he expects the rectors to
advance initiatives and carry out consistent work to successfully
implement the reforms of Armenia’s higher education system.

This week the RA Commission for Lake Sevan held its regular sitting.
Participating in the meeting was Head of the RA Presidential
Administration Karen Karapetyan. Commission Chairman Vladimir
Movsesyan reported on the Commission’s activities this year and
presented a draft work plan for next year. The Commission held a
detailed discussion and proposals for improving the situation.
Relevant construction documents for the renovation of the damaged
3-km-long section of the Arpa-Sevan tunnel were prepared and the work
got under way. Work was also carried out to reduce the water discharge
from Lake Sevan for irrigation and suspend the transfer of the Ararat
Gold Recovery Company to the Sotk basin of the lake.

T.P.

13 More Militants were Provided with Apartments

&p=0&id=1097&y09&m=12&d
18.12. 09

The issues of providing militants with apartments are at the centre of
the attention of the RA Government and the Ministry of Defence. In the
last two years over 30 apartment-buildings with hundreds of apartments
have been handed over operation. On the 17th of December the opening
ceremony of the recurrent building took place in the frames of the
process of providing militants with service apartments. This time 13
militant and 3 socially insecure families celebrated a housewarming
party. Congratulating the families celebrating a housewarming, the RA
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stated, that the Government is obliged
to the social issues of the militants: feeling the state care upon
their backs the militants will take up the sacred duty of providing
the security of the country with more responsibility.

The RA Prime Minister gave the militants the keys to the apartments
and the certificates. In his turn, congratulating the militants and
their family-members celebrating a housewarming, the Minister of
Defence Seyran Ohanyan wished them service success, family happiness
and warmth. The reconstructed building, which consists of 8 two-room
and 8 three-room apartments, meets the modern living standards.

RA MoD Department of Information and Public Affairs

ARMENIAN LIVESTOCK DUFFS FOR AZERBAIJAN

news.am
Dec 18 2009
Armenia

Dec. 16, a duff case was registered in Tavush region, Armenia. The
thieves reaved the cattle to Azerbaijan.

It emerged that on Dec. 16 at 4:00 a.m. an alarm call was received
with information that 3 armed men are reaving the livestock towards
Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which was noticed by policemen, Police
press-service informs NEWS.am.

In the course of identity establishment, the thieves attempted to use
weapon. The policemen opened warning shot and the criminals fled the
location leaving the small cattle on railway road (11 heads).

The same day at 06:15 a.m. the upstater of Ditavan, Arshak S. told
police officers that the strangers stole his horse and small cattle
(15 heads). Investigation on the case is launched.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

December 17, 2009
PRELATES CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Archbishop Oshagan issued his 2010 Christmas message this week. With
the theme The Good News of the Sun of Righteousness, His Eminence
writes about the birth of Christ which illuminated all Mankind. That
light, he says, penetrates the soul, heart and mind of all Christians
to make them more faithful, more benevolent, and more righteous in
their thoughts and deeds. The Sun of Righteousness, like justice
itself, represents eternal truth and is Gods presence in us and
amongst Mankind to see and do His will. During the days preceding the
festive days many and various thoughts and concerns come to us. The
most beautiful thing we can do is to be introspective and to see in us
the fullness of Jesus presence and to see ourselves with Him, so that
the light He brings with His birth never diminishes or darkens within
us.
To read the Prelates Christmas message in Armenian click here
(
897/24882/goto: es/prelacy/PDF/2010christmasmessagearmenian.pdf
).
To read the Prelates Christmas message in English click here (
4882/goto: /news/press-releases/86-pr121709
).
SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT PRELACY
Last Saturday members of the Sunday school youth group of
Sts. Vartanantz Church of New Jersey visited the Prelacy offices where
they were welcomed by the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, and the Vicar,
Bishop Anoushavan.
ARMEN RUSTAMYAN VISITS PRELACY
Last Saturday afternoon, Armen Rustamyan, member of Armenias National
Assembly and representative of the ARF in Armenia, paid a courtesy
visit to the Prelacy where he met with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
and Executive Council members Zohrab Tazian and Raffi Ourlian. In the
photo, left to right: Raffi Ourlian, Hrair Baronian, Archbishop
Oshagan, Valout Atakhanyan, and
Armen Rustamyan.
SENATE CANDIDATE VISITS PRELATE
Tuesday afternoon, December 15, Daniel John Tarkanian, a candidate for
the U.S. Senate in the state of Nevada, visited the Prelacy where he
met with the Prelate. Also in attendance were Rev. Fr. Mesrob
Lakissian, Jerry Agajian, and Setrak Agonian.
2010 DIARY PUBLISHED
By now most of you have received the Prelacys 2010 pocket diary. The
2010 diary is dedicated to the Great House of Cilicia, which in 2010
is marking the 80th anniversary of its re-establishment in Antelias,
Lebanon after the centuries-old Catholicosate was forced to leave its
home in Cilicia.
ARTICLE IN CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
FOCUSES ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The Chronicle of Higher Education in its December 8, 2009 issue
published an article entitled Of Minarets and Massacres, by Carlin
Romano. The article is about the Swiss vote last month banning
minarets on Mosques. The lengthy article focuses on the Armenian
Genocide.
The author writes Forgive me if I, too, do not weep that 57.5
percent of the Swiss, now hosts to a largely moderate Muslim
population of Turks and former Yugoslavs, want to keep their country a
quiet car among nations. I am still busy weeping for the Armenians,
the first people in their corner of the world to officially adopt
Christianity, almost eliminated from history due to regular massacres
by the Muslim Turks among whom they lived for centuries.
If you would like to read the entire article click here (
4882/goto: Massacres/49393/
).

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, December 17, are: Wisdom 3:1-8;
Jeremiah 30:18-22; 1 Peter 4: 12-19; John 15:17-25.

Thus says the Lord:
I am going to restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob, and have
compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be rebuilt upon its mound,
and the citadel set on its rightful site. Out of them shall come
thanksgiving, and the sound of merrymakers. I will make them many, and
they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be
disdained. Their children shall be as of old, their congregation shall
be established before me; and I will punish all who oppress
them. Their prince shall be one of their own, their prince shall be
one of their own, their ruler shall come from their midst; I will
bring him near, and he shall approach me, for who would otherwise dare
to approach me? Says the Lord. And you shall be my people, and I will
be your God. (Jeremiah 39:18-22)

For listing of this weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/dbr2009-12.pdf
).

KING ABGAR
This Saturday, December 19, the Armenian Church remembers Saint Abgar,
a first century king, who was afflicted with a rare skin disease.
According to tradition, King Abgar wrote to Our Lord Jesus Christ
asking for help. Our Lord wrote back promising to send one of His
disciples, and sent to the king a cloth with His image. After the
Crucifixion and the Resurrection, St. Thaddeus, one of the apostles to
Armenia, went to see the King and the King was cured. Subsequently
King Abgar and his family accepted Christianity, and he wrote letters
to his cousin King Sanadrook of Armenia and other monarchs with the
news of his miraculous recovery and urged them to accept Christianity.

WINTER BEGINS TUESDAY
The winter solstice is this Monday, December 21, the first day of
winter, and the shortest day and longest night of the year.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
KAREKIN I: THE GIFT OF FAITH
Iris Papazian, editor
This beautiful 320-page hardcover book was published on the occasion
of the tenth anniversary of the passing of His Holiness Karekin I,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The book includes a
detailed biography of His Holiness along with hundreds of photographs
in color and black and white, as well as some excerpts of the
Catholicos prolific literary output.
This volume is part of the Karekin I Theological and
Armenological Studies Series, published by the Haig and Elza Didizian
Fund. This tenth anniversary memorial remembrance is the 9th volume
in the series.
$40.00, plus shipping and handling.
TO ORDER THIS BOOK OR FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OR OTHER ITEMS AT THE
BOOKSTORE VISIT THE PRELACYS WEB SITE, (
4882/goto:http://
), OR CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE AT [email protected]
(mailto:BOOKS@ARMENIANPR ELACY.ORG) OR BY TELEPHONE, 212-689-7810.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 20St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday School Christmas
Pageant.
December 31St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, New Years Eve
celebration, Seroonian
Community Center.
December 31Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. New Years
Eve Dinner-Dance.
February 6St. Stephens (Watertown, Massachusetts) Ladies Guild, Mardi
Gras celebration, 7 pm at church hall. Costumes optional; masks are a
must. For information: Mary Derderian, [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) or 781-762-4253.
July 17A Hye Summer Night V, dance hosted by Ladies Guild of
Sts. Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode
Island. Watch for details.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.
To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to
your address book.
Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

SEYRAN OHANYAN: CSTO OBLIGED TO RENDER MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA IN CASE OF MILITARY AGGRESSION AGAINST OUR COUNTRY

ArmInfo.
2009-12-16 10:51:00

ArmInfo. CSTO obliged under the alliance treaty with Armenia to render
military assistance to our country in case of military aggression,
Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan says in an interview with
Yerevan-based Azg newspaper.

"This is the response to the question if the CSTO will support
Armenia in case of war with Azerbaijan since we are a member of that
organization unlike Azerbaijan. In addition, a country that wants
to war never declares about its intention beforehand. Therefore, the
militarist statements by the Azerbaijani authorities are senseless. As
regards the Azerbaijani president’s call for war, the president of a
country must always rule out the settlement of the problem by force
preferring peace methods in compliance with the International Law,"
the minister says.

The minister said Armenia’s surveys show that Azerbaijan is not ready
for war yet. Nevertheless, the Armenian army must be ready for war.

"Even if Azerbaijan unleashes war, we will not only make a proper
counterblow but will do much more if need arises," he said.

RA MINISTRY OF FINANCE: 10 AUDITORS OBTAINED QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES IN ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
16.12.2009 17:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Ministry of Finance of Armenia published the
results of regular qualifying examinations for auditors.

10 out of 15 applicants passed the exams and were awarded qualification
certificates by Auditors’ Qualification Commission.

During 2009, 16 qualifying examinations for auditors were held and
112 auditor certificates were granted, the Ministry’s press office
reported.

As of 16 December, 232 auditors have qualification certificates
in Armenia.

"ARMENIAN-INDIAN ITT STUDY CENTER" WILL FUNCTION IN YEREVAN IN 2010

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: "Armenian-Indian ITT Study Center"
will function in Yerevan in 2010. The works on establishing the
center are being carried out within the framework of the agreement,
signed between Armenian and Indian governments, which is called to
boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries in information
and telecommunication technology spheres. From Armenia the works are
coordinated by the "Enterprises Incubator Foundation" and from India by
"Calculating Leading Developments Center."

Armenian Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan said today at a meeting
with reporters that the IT sphere is one of the developing branches of
economy in the two countries and in case of exchange of experience,
knowledge, serious success may be achieved. He considered not less
important the Diaspora of the two countries which is an important
factor in the development of IT sphere.

According to Yeritsyan, the center will be created in the Yerevan
State University but will be available for all the researchers. It will
create a platform for expanding the business-university ties, exchange
of specialists. It is technically equipped and will have difficult
programs which will allow solving complicated scientific-research
issues.

Indian ambassador to Armenia Achal Kumar Malhotra noted that during
the last 20 years in the ITT sphere their country registered a notable
progress. "This project is a part of policy adopted by the Indian
government – exchange of experience with developing countries. We are
ready to be reliable partner for Armenia, we want to boost bilateral
relations more. I am completely sure that with the support of the
minister this project will be implemented in the planned timeframe
and will have a long life," the ambassador said.

Director of the "Enterprises Incubator Foundation" Bagrat Yengibaryan
noted that in January 2010 Armenian professors will leave for India for
training after which they will conduct training classes for the local
specialists in Armenia. Besides three specialists from India will be
in Armenia for a year and support in the creation and consolidation
of the center.

SEVAK ARTSRUNI: VAHAGN IS GOING TO WIN

Lragir.am
16/12/09

Three important events took place related to Chakhalyan case as well
as in general the problems of the Armenians from Javakhk, said the
head of the Yerkir union Sevak Artsruni.

First was the letter of the Yerkir union addressed to the EU special
representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby in connection with
one of his interviews where he said that the national minorities of
Georgia have social and economic development problems. According to
Artsruni, this does not totally reflect the reality but the important
is that for the first time a European high-ranking official accepted
in public the existence of such a problem.

The second is the speech of the Georgian foreign minister Grigol
Vashadze addressed to the French Senate parliamentarians where he
publicly lied saying that Vahagn Chakhalyan was judged for giving
information to a third country without noting what country it is. In
reality, Chakhalyan was accused of having illegal weapons and causing
mass disorders. And the third event is that after the complaints of
Yerkir union, the report of the Georgian embassy to France related to
Vahagn Chakhalyan and the problems of the Armenians living in Javakhk
was released.

The member of Yerkir union Robert Tatoyan said in turn that all the
information of the Georgian embassy’s letter was mutated as if there
are no social, educational, religious, cultural problems in Georgia in
relation with the Armenians living in Javakhk. Chakhalyan is noted to
be judged in Akhalkalak while in reality he was judged in Akhaltskha.

The fact that Vahagn’s brother and father were beaten up, and Vahagn
himself was beaten up in prison is not mentioned.

According to Artsruni, Georgia has to answer. They do not manage to
hide the case any longer. The repression on the Georgian authorities
was enhanced not only by Armenians but also by international circles.

A headquarter where the future actions will be discussed was set up
in France. There will again be political statements, negotiations
with the board coordinating French-Armenian organizations are
underway to present a protest against Vashadze because of his
statements. Sevak Artsruni said there are going to be meetings with
French parliamentarians.

According to Artsruni and Tatoyan, thanks to their active work the
trial was rendered a political case. From 10 years of imprisonment,
Chakhalyan got 9 years for political activities and 1 for illegal
weapons.

The head of the Yerkir union noted that they are going to appeal to
the court of appeal and after to the European court.

There are signs proving that the Georgian government is going to accuse
Chakhalyan of new articles. Chakhalyan will be set free in the end,
he is not going to stay in prison for 10 years, says Artsruni.

Dwelling on the media problem, Tatoyan noted that the Georgian press
does not dwell on this issue at all but serious discussions take place
in blogs which means that in Georgia they are aware of the problem.

The human rights office is an organization which dwells on this issue
and supports Vahagn. Turkish and Azerbaijani press also dwell on
this issue supporting the Georgian government. Abkhazian and Ossetian
press also touch upon this issue, noted Robert Tatoyan.

AZERBAIJAN UNDERMINED THE MONITORING

Lragir.am
15/12/09

The scheduled-for-December 15, 2009 monitoring of the south-east
section of the Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces’
contact-line to be implemented by the OSCE Mission was stopped, due
to a single submachine gun shot towards the group implementing the
monitoring from the positions of the NKR Defense Army.

The incident was caused by the fact that the Azerbaijani party hadn’t
led the OSCE observers to its borderline, thus violating the earlier
achieved arrangement.

The shot was fixed by the monitoring group members – the OSCE Office
Coordinator, Lieutenant-Colonel Imre Palatinus (Hungary), Field
Assistants of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office’s Personal Representative
Irge Aberle (Czechia) and Vladimir Tchountoulov (Bulgaria) who decided
to stop the monitoring, for security purposes.