Author: Karapetian Hovik

ARMENIA TO BE CAUTIOUS IN ITS RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
Gevorg Haroutyunyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
12 Sep 2008
Armenia

Interview with VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN, member of the ARFD Bureau and Head
of the ARFD parliamentary faction

"The ARFD Bureau convened an extraordinary plenary session in
Yerevan on September 9-10, with agenda issues concerning the complex
political-military situation in our region and the Armenian-Turkish
relations. What was the urgency of touching upon these issues once
again?"

"There are practically no Armenian-Turkish relations at present. Turkey
is trying to penetrate into our region in the role of a conciliator,
coordinator and a bearer of a new concept. It proposes its conceptual
platform of stability and security. However, such role can be assumed
only by an impartial force having no bias in the region. The aim of
all our demands is to have Turkey prove the unbiased and impartial
nature of its role and activities.

If Turkey desires to assume the role of a conciliator in our region,
it should first of all prove its impartiality in the context of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

Turkey has become a direct party to the Karabakh-Azerbaijani
conflict. It is the supporter of Azerbaijan, its military ally; it is
a party implementing Turkey’s hostile, anti-Armenia policy. Blockade
is nothing more than an act of hostility. As to Georgia, the second
state in the

region, Turkey involves it in its various anti-Armenian political
and military programs.

In this respect, Turkey’s role as a conciliator in the region is
incomprehensible. And if Turkey is going to establish relations
with our country in this context, it should first of all waive its
anti-Armenian posture.

Turkey’s anti-Armenian policy has two trends. First, it is directed
against Armenia. Turkey has encircled Armenia, deprived it from
energy corridors or has done its best to prevent those corridors
from entering the territory of Armenia. As to the second trend, it is
directed against the Armenians in general. Turkey denies the fact of
the Armenian Genocide and continues the same genocide at present by
way of destroying the Armenian monuments and rooting out everything
that has Armenian origins throughout the territory of Western Armenia.

If Turkey changes its posture with regard to these two manifestations,
we will see that there has been a positive progress in the neighboring
country’s policy in relation to Armenia and the Armenian nation.

In the statement released after the plenary session of the ARFD Bureau,
we have particularly mentioned one of our fundamental positions:
the meetings between the Presidents and Foreign Ministers of both
countries should be followed by some positive steps by Turkey.

In response to our President’s gesture of tolerance, the President of
Turkey may offer the Euro pean Union a ‘high price’ for its posture,
pretending that it is far from its prejudices of the past and is
tolerant. Whereas Turkey should continue making steps. And if it
doesn’t, that will mean that the Turkish President responded to our
President’s gesture of tolerance solely with propaganda purposes."

"Mr. Hovhannisyan, can the current situation in our region push
Turkey to recognizing the Armenian Genocide, revising its attitude
towards the problem of Artsakh, establishing diplomatic relations
with Armenia and opening the border?"

"I think the solutions you pointed out should be classified into two
main groups. We have never denied the fact that the opening of the
borders, the communication channels and the energy corridors can be
useful for Armenia. Clearly, it also gives us economic opportunities
and so on and so forth. However, there are also risks here, and it
is not known to what extent those risks are estimated, and to what
extent our economy is ready to resist new challenges. The positive
will also be accompanied by what is harmful and dangerous, but this
balance has not yet been clarified by anyone.

Turkey will have no less if not more economic advantages in comparison
with us. The thing is that Turkey is solving the same economic problem:
it is creates a stimulus for developing the stagnant regions of Western
Armenia and gets the opportunity to reach the oriental markets via
the transit corridors of Armenia.

As to Turkey’s political interest, it is just incomparable with our
expectations. The thing is that Turkey is, in this way, eliminating
one of the most important obstacles towards the EU membership. Our
political interest, as mentioned in the release of the ARFD Bureau,
should be the change of Turkey’s attitude towards the problem of
Artsakh and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We do not even
assume that those steps should be made in a very quick manner and
in a single stage as we realize that the Turkish society may not be
ready for such an abrupt turning.

But this means that the Turkish elite should prepare its society,
as well as the society of Azerbaijani for this political change."

To be continued

ADC COMPANY TO EXPAND SERVICES IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Sep 12, 2008

YEREVAN, September 12. /ARKA/. Armenian Datacom Company (ADC) plans
to expend services in Armenia.

The RA Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) this week licensed
the company for offering internet services in Kotayk Region.

Armenian Datacom Company" CJSC (ADC) is an Armenian-Norwegian
joint venture formed in April 2006. The company has formed its
own and exclusively independent network applying modern IP/MPLS
technologies. ADC provides its customers with always-on broadband
Internet services with no traffic limitations. ADC offers a large
range of symmetric and asymmetric connectivity options including
guaranteed bandwidth capacities.

The company’s short-term objective is to bend to north to the
Armenian-Georgian border.

ARONIAN IS IN THE TRIPLET

Panorama.am
17:49 10/09/2008

Armenian grand master Levon Aronian won Bulgarian Veselin Topalov
in the 7th round of the "Grand Slam" championship. As Sport-Express
reports Magnus Carlsen had also lost the game playing with Vassily
Ivanchuk. No winner had been registrated in the game between Teimour
Radjabov and the active champion Viswanathan Anand.

According to the results of the 7th round Carlsen has 11 points,
Topalov-10, Aronian-9, Ivanchuk-8, Anand and Radjabov have 6 points
each: The "Grand Slam" championship is taking place in Bilbao (Spain)
and will come to an end on the 13th of September.

VIVACELL MTS SPONSORS YEREVAN SHAKESPEARE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

RIA OREANDA
Sept 9 2008
RUSSIA

Yerevan . ">OREANDA-NEWS . Yerevan Shakespeare International Festival
already acknowledged as a main pillar of Armenias cultural identity,
again is amazing us this year with new pieces of art. This wonderful
theatrical event started on September 7 by celebrating the 70th
jubilee of the creative director Robert Sturua. During the opening
ceremony of the Festival, for the continuous and comprehensive
support to the preservation and development of Armenian culture, the
Union of Theatrical Workers of Armenia awarded the General Manager
of VivaCell MTS Ralph Yirikian with the Medal of the Union. In his
speech Ralph Yirikian said: We as a nation have a great cultural
heritage, every one of us should contribute to its preservation and
further development. As a corporate citizen, VivaCell contributes
to continuous projects investing in the consolidation of peace
and solidarity and cultural exchange between people. I wish you
all the best. Thanks to the festival the Armenian audience has an
opportunity to get acquainted with well-known actors and directors
as every year more and more famous troupes and actors take part in
the Festival. The theme of the Festival is very close to Armenian
audience as Shakespearean plays are always staged in Armenia and
they are really loved. It is believed that great writers works were
spread in East due to Armenians. Shakespearean motives are immortal
and they can always be interpreted. Thus the festival will have a
long life. That is the reason why VivaCell MTS greatly appreciates
this magnificent event and supported its realization by providing
AMD 15 million for the organization of the Festival.

DUDUK PLAYER JIVAN GASPARIAN’S 80th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY TO BE MARKED IN AUTUMN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. RA People’s Artist Jivan Gasparian
took part in the Francisco international competition on August 30 in
Italy and was awarded the only prize instituted by the competition. And
on August 31 the famous duduk player performed in Turkey, during a
concert dedicated to establishment of peace between Armenian and
Turkish peoples and received a warm welcome. J. Gasparian stated at the
September 5 press conference that he positively estimates steps aimed
at improving Armenian-Turkish relations adding that the problems should
be solved by peace.

As regards his plans for the future, J. Gasparian will have concerts in
Vienna, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, and Murmansk by the end of the year.
Besides, the world-famous duduk player turns 80 on October 12, and a
jubilee concert will take place on that occasion at Karen Demirchian
Sports and Cultural Complex on November 11. Foreign musicians will also
take part in the concert.

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
04 September, 2008

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Completes Water Supply Projects in Hadrut City,
Vank and Spitakashen Villages in Nagorno Karabakh

Yerevan, September 4, 2008 – Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is pleased to
announce the completion of the water supply projects in Hadrut city, Vank
village of Martakert region and Spitakashen village of Martuni region.
"Water supply is critical to the whole of Nagorno-Karabakh. Crucial to the
survival of the residents, water is a basic need rather than an indulgence
for most of the residents in the country. This explains the great sense of
responsibility and individual approach of the Fund to each of its water
supply project", says the Fund Acting Executive Director Ara Vardanyan.

The Hadrut city water main project with the total cost of around 420 million
AMD was implemented within the Telethon 2006, and was mainly sponsored by
the Fund’s French local committee. The water main was essential to Hadrut
city which is located in the very heart of this mountainous region. People
of the city were looking forward to the construction of this water main,
which stretches for about 22 km from Hadrut to Arjaghbyur. Within the
project the wells were restored, as well as the daily regulation reservoir
was reconstructed: it now provides water to the city households through the
inner network.

Construction of the Kaghartsin-Spitakashen 8 km long water main is over,
too. á captage was constructed and the existing reservoir was reconstructed.
The project worth about 80 million AMD was sponsored by the Hayastan Fund
Argentine local committee. Water is no longer an issue for the Spitakashen
community of 471.

The community of Vank experienced serious problems due to the lack of
freshwater, too. The inner network was built in 1956 and although partially
reconstructed now and then, it was no longer in the state to supply
freshwater at regular hours. Apart from that, the on-the-ground pipes of
about 2 km from the springs were in poor technical condition and no good for
providing good quality drinking water to consumers.
"We have been waiting for this moment for a long time and were delighted to
learn about the Fund’s commitment to this project. At last we’ll have
regular supply of good quality water. Even bad weather conditions did not
interfere with construction works for which we are so grateful to the
Fund :the villagers can not afford paying for the pipes at the moment and it
will take some time before the households will be connected to the inner
network. At least we know that the water is on the way", says the head of
the Vank community. The project with the total cost of 169 million AMD has
been jointly undertaken by the Boghossian Foundation; Hayastan Fund USA East
Coast and French affiliates, and St. Sargis Charity Trust (London). The
community of 370 households, with 1650 people in it, has benefited from the
project.

The water supply project will also contribute to the socio-economic and
community development activities implemented by the Moscow-based businessman
Levon Hayrapetyan. The access road to the stunning historical monument of
Gandzasar Monastery of the 13th century passes through the Vank village.
Availability of water in the community and its advancing economy will
support the development of tourism in a location such as this, famous for
its spectacular countryside.

"The Fund has implemented an impressive number of water supply projects.
Challenges and surprises are inevitable and very often unpredictable,
particularly, when they are being implemented over an intricate landscape.
Challenges were more than enough when we were doing the Martakert water
main, but we coped well with them. People have access to good quality water
and that is what really matters", comments Ararat Khlghatyan, the deputy
executive director of the Hayastan Fund.

A number of other vital projects in the Hadrut region are approaching their
completion. These include reconstruction of the Hadrut regional hospital,
construction of the Hadrut gas pipeline, and reconstruction of the secondary
school in Togh village. Better living conditions in communities of the
region will be in place before long.

###

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund

PRESIDENTS MEET IN SOCHI

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
03 Sep 2008
Armenia

By the invitation of the RF President Dmitry Medvedev, President
Serge Sargsyan yesterday left for Sochi.

Welcoming the Armenian President, the Russian leader noted that the
meetings between the two countries’ Presidents are held at regular
intervals, "Last time we communicated with each other during your
visit to Moscow.

The visit was meaningful, and the dialogue continues at present."

The Russian President presented his considerations on the urgent
international issues and foreign policy. He pointed out that the
member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization will
elaborate their attitudes with regard to the developments in South
Ossetia during the summit to be held in Moscow at the end of the week.

In his speech, President Serge Sargsyan particularly mentioned that
"the working meetings between the Armenian and Russian Presidents
in Sochi have become a good tradition. This is a good opportunity
for discussing issues concerning both bilateral and multilateral
cooperation in a peaceful atmosphere. Besides, Armenia is to take
over the CSTO chairmanship in a few days."

"Rubezh 2008" military trainings for headquarter commanders and the
session of the CSTO Defense Ministers were organized in Armenia quite
recently, and the session of the Secretaries of the Security Council
is to take place20tomorrow.

I would like to discuss economic issues, the questions concerning
the further strengthening and extension of our relationship within
the frameworks of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and of
course, the current situation in the South Caucasus. This is our first
meeting after the developments in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia.

I would like once again to express my condolences to a number of people
for the death of the Russian citizens and peacekeepers. I am sorry
that the events developed in this way, and I do want the aftermaths
of the humanitarian disaster to be eliminated speedily. By the way,
it is already two weeks that schoolchildren from South Ossetia are
expected to arrive in Armenia. We want to make all the possible
efforts for eliminating the aftermaths."

During the tête-a-tête, the Presidents of the two countries
expressed satisfaction with the high level of the mutual cooperation
and political dialogue between the two strategic allies -something
which derives from the interests of the two brother nations.

During their meeting, Presidents Serge Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev
touched upon the situation in the South Caucasus. Both parties
expressed conviction that the restoration of peace and stability in the
region derives from the interests of all the countries. The Presidents
emphasized that such development of events is an additional proof
that the military settlement of the conflicts in the South Caucasus
has no prospects, and it leads to unpredictable consequences.

Presidents Serge Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev also discussed issues
concerning the prospects of the bilateral and multilateral cooperation
in security and technical military spheres within the frameworks of
the Collective Security Treaty Organization. President Serge Sargsyan
pointed out that the Republic of Armenia, which is soon going to take
over the chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization,
desires to use that time period for the purpose of increasing the
effectiveness of the organization’s work still further.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed questions regarding
the process of the settlement of the Nagrno Karabakh conflict. Dmitry
Medvedev reiterated his attitude with regard to the settlement of the
conflict exclusively through negotiations and expressed his support
to the ongoing negotiation process within the frameworks of the OSCE
Minsk Group.

During their meeting, Presidents Serge Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev
also had a discussion over a broad framework of issues concerning
economic cooperation. The Presidents expressed satisfaction with the
volumes of the good circulation between the two countries and the
recent years’ growth of the Russian investments in the economy of
Armenia. During the meeting, the Presidents also discussed questions
concerning the prospects of the implementation of the joint regional
programs in the spheres of energy and transport.

The discussions between the two countries’ Presidents continued during
the lunch; thereafter, Serge Sargsyan returned to Armenia.

P.S. We believe it was not absolutely accidental that the meeting
between the Armenian and Russian Presidents took place on September 2,
the day of the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

PRESS SERVICE OF THE PRESIDENT

–Boundary_(ID_bDI/KLnuLRgISTsTwG4Lqg)- –

GRETA KHNDZRTSIAN TO REPRESENT ARMENIA AT PARALYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJING

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Paralympic Games (with the
participation of disabled sportsmen) will be held in Beijing on
September 6-17.

Greta Khndzrtsian (48 kg) of Gyumri will represent Armenia at
powerlifting competitions. She won a silver medal of Europe, her
coach is famous weightlifter Hakob Pilosian. The 4-member delegation
of Armenia will leave for Beijing on September 3.

ADDRESS OF NKR PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKIAN ON THE OCCASION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC’S DAY

De facto
2008-09-02 17:34:00

Dear compatriots!

On September 2 we celebrate a remarkable day for our nation –
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s Day. This day opened up a new page in the
destiny of Artsakh and laid the foundation of independent Armenian
statehood’s restoration.

17 years ago Artsakh people embarked on the road of realization
of their long-standing dream to construct a free and independent,
democratic and social state. We have managed to overcome the thorny way
due to an unflinching will, unity and solidarity. Artsakh has become
a symbol of revival of Armenian nation’s invincible spirit. For the
past years we not only managed to restore economy destructed by the
war, but also laid a reliable foundation for the country’s further
development. Strengthening and deepening ties between Artsakh, Armenia
and Diaspora, consolidating efforts and potential of Armenians living
in different countries of the world, we began efficiently solving the
problems the Republic faced, raise the people’s well-being, construct
and restore infrastructure. Today we can proudly state that we have a
strong and efficient army, a progressively developing country, which
corresponds to the world standards and norms and is one of the main
factors of maintaining stability in the region.

Friends, we should always remember the price we have paid for our
current free and peaceful life, of losses and privations our people
have overcome while constructing an independent statehood. The
best sons of Armenian nation gave their lives for their Homeland’s
freedom. Eternal glory to the heroes!

We must realize our friends’ cherished dream – to secure
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s international recognition and bequeath
succeeding generations a strong and independent, peaceful and
prosperous Homeland. Be sure that it is just the matter of time.

The NKR authorities are adherent to the principles of existing
conflicts’ peaceful settlements. All discords should be settled
via a direct dialogue. Everyone should once and for all realize
that Artsakh’s independence has no alternative and is not subject
to speculations.

Dear Artsakh people, I cordially congratulate you on this symbolic
holiday and wish you strong health, happiness and further successes
to the glory of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s bright future.

September 2, 2008.

The city of Stepanakert.

RAISING OF ISSUE OF JAVAKHK AUTONOMY TODAY IS NOT IN ARMENIA’S INTERESTS, NA DEPUTY HAYK SANOSIAN CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Today it is not urgent and topical
to raise the issue of Javakhk’s autonomy. Hayk Sanosian, a RA National
Assembly deputy, the Co-chairman of the Union of Georgian Armenians
NGO, reported at the September 2 press conference. According to him,
raising such issues in Javakhk is not in Armenia’s interests. "Such
issues cause great shocks and I do not consider that Armenia is
ready to resist them. "The events in Javakhk have a direct impact on
Armenia’s foreign policy, as well as economy," H.

Sanosian said adding that "Armenia-Georgia-Javakhk" is an interrelated
system, therefore we should treat such issues very delicately. Besides,
the NKR problem is not solved yet and we should not let one issue
incomplete and pass to the other.

In response to the question of why information was spread by Russian
media that allegedly Javakhk is going to raise the issue of its
autonomy, the deputy said: "Maybe Georgia’s having a problem with
other national minorities is beneficial for the Russian side."

In H. Sanosian’s opinion, Armenia’s position over the latest regional
events should not be neutral. "Armenia should be active and call the
two states for sitting at the negotiations table," he said.