Author: Khoyetsian Rose

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 30 2008

Armenians most TV-watching nation
30.12.08 13:29

The analysis of TV and advertisement market in Armenia carried out by
TV MR AM representing AGB Nielsen Media Research company showed that
TV is more popular in Armenia than in other countries – Armenians
spend 316 minutes before their TV sets, reported ARKA.

Marketing Manager Vigen Gabrielyan told journalists that despite the 6
minutes’ reduction in time spent by Armenians before TV sets as
compared with 2007, still the indicator remains the highest among 80
countries where the study was conducted.

According to the results of the study, the smallest time ` 128 minutes
– is spent before TV sets by residents in some Chinese provinces. The
average time is 3 hours throughout the world.

TV MR AM company was founded in 2005 and represents AGB Nielsen Media
Research in Armenia. It conducts surveys of TV audience and provides
monitoring data to TV companies and advertisement agencies.

AGB Nielsen Media Research is a world’s biggest company engaged in TV
market reserach. It was established in 2004 through a murger of AGB
Group and Nielsen Media Research International. The company’s
headquarters are situated in Switzerland. The company has
representative offices in 28 countries.

Contactmusic.com, UK
Dec 27 2008

CHARLES AZNAVOUR – AZNAVOUR AWARDED ARMENIAN CITIZENSHIP

Veteran French singer CHARLES AZNAVOUR has been granted Armenian
citizenship by presidential decree.

The 84-year-old singer – born Shahnur Aznavourian – was born in Paris,
France to Armenian parents.

He serves as Armenia’s permanent delegate to the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Aznavour also set up a foundation and organised a series of charity
concerts to help earthquake victims in the country, ravaged by the
1988 disaster which left 25,000 people dead.

The presidency of the ex-Soviet republic said on Friday (26Dec08):
"Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has signed a decree granting
Armenian citizenship to the prominent singer and public figure, a hero
of the Armenian people, Charles Aznavour."

nsf/article/aznavour%20awarded%20armenian%20citize nship_1090309

PROFESSIONAL ALL-ARMENIAN NETWORK TO BE CREATED IN 2009

Noyan Tapan

Dec 26, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Diaspora among
2009 programs attaches most importance to holding of all-Armenian
conferences.

Minister Hranush Hakobian reported at the December 26 brief press
conference adding that in 2009 April it is envisaged holding
conferences of Armenian architects, in September Armenian lawyers,
then of Diasporan Armenians graduating from a higher educational
institution in Armenia. Besides, according to H. Hakobian, events
should be organized dedicated to Armenian National Hero Charles
Aznavour, Kirk Kerkorian, and Alex Manoogian for "presenting them
properly" both in the country and in the Diaspora.

The most important program to be implemented in 2009, according to H.

Hakobian, will be creation of an all-Armenian professional network
within the framework of the Diaspora-Armenia cooperation. As she
affirmed, thanks to that network it will be possible to efficiently
use nation’s mental potential.

The Minister said that within the three months of its activity
the Ministry has worked out and presented to various departments
and Armenian and Diasporan organizations a draft conception of
Armenia-Diaspora Partnership Development. According to H. Hakobian,
positive responses have been received on it from different corners
of the world. The draft will be submitted to RA government’s approval
in 2009 February.

H. Hakobian also said that the experience of work organization with
diasporas of various countries, in particular, Greece, Serbia, India,
Israel has been studied. For instance, as the Minister emphasized
it, Armenia will need the experience of Greece when adopting laws on
Diasporan Armenians.

Among the work done H. Hakobian also mentioned the launching of
the movement Armenians without Smoking in the Diaspora and Armenia,
preparation of all-Armenian Olympic Games.

COMMISSION FORMED TO DEAL WITH ISSUES OF LAKE SEVAN

A1+
[04:39 pm] 26 December, 2008

On December 25 Serzh Sargsyan signed an order on establishing a
commission dealing with the issues of Lake Sevan. The order sets the
structure of the Commission.

Vladimir Movsisyan, Executive Director of the Forest Reforestation and
Development Fund has been appointed President of the Commission. Yuri
Javadyan, Director of the Hayjrnakhagits Institute is the Vice
President.

Today the President of the Republic held working consultations with
members of the Commission.

Noting that the consultations are aimed at launching the activity of
the Commission and coordinating its principles, Mr. Sargsyan said:
"I do not consider it necessary to dwell on the issue of importance of
Lake Sevan for Armenia. The issues connected with Sevan are of vital
importance for us. It is directly or indirectly linked to a number of
spheres – environmental protection, agriculture, energy, fish breeding,
drinking water, etc. It’s easier to say what it is not connected with.

Without any exaggeration, Sevan is one of the most valuable resources
of Armenia, and its importance will only be growing during the years
to come. We must be able to properly preserve and develop this gift
of nature. On the other hand, we should be able to make a reasonable
and full use of it. It is our duty.

I should note with appreciation that a great work has been done in
the direction of protecting Sevan over the past ten years. Today we
must make greater efforts to solve the issues Sevan faces. I think
the Commission is going to become a powerful engine of it. These are
my expectations. We must be able to achieve essential results in this
direction in 2009."

Serzh Sargsyan pointed to several issues that should be the main task
of the commission. He said it’s necessary to control all kinds of
economic activity that can have a negative influence on the ecosystem
of the lake.

President of the commission, Executive Director of the Forest
Reforestation and Development Fund Vladimir Movsisyan said the
establishment of such commission speaks about the resoluteness of
the Armenian authorities to solve the existing problems. According
to Vladimir Movsisyan, members of the Commission are professionals,
who have the experience and ability to solve the issues.

DJIGARKHANYAN CAREFUL WITH HIS ROLES

Panorama.am
15:32 26/12/2008

Armenian actor Armen Djigarkhanyan says he is careful with his roles
because he does not want to blush for them. It is evident that few
and few films are shot where Djigarkhanyan plays. The actor explains
that the film production has become unqualified. For the actor to
play many roles is something shameful.

"Once, they called me and offered a job, promised good money. It turned
out that a huge industry creates films on wedding parties, birthday
parties and funerals. My role was to say: "Dears, today we have
gathered to say good buy to Grigor Petrovich…" and full screen for
30 seconds. I thought if I took that role I should have to leave the
theatre, cinema and to change my surname at all," said Djigarkhanyan.

ARITMAN SHOULD APOLOGIZE OR RESIGN, SAY EUROPEAN LEADERS

Today’s Zaman
Dec 25 2008
Turkey

European deputies have reacted strongly against Republican People’s
Party (CHP) deputy Canan Arıtman’s remarks on President Abdullah
Gul’s ancestry.

Arıtman, criticizing the president’s silence regarding an apology
extended by some Turkish intellectuals to Armenians for the incidents
of 1915, called for investigation of the ancestry of Gul’s mother,
in a statement implying that she was of Armenian origin.

The most powerful reactions have come from the Socialists, the sister
party of CHP in Socialist International. Hannes Swoboda, a vice
chairman of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, labeled
Arıtman’s remarks as "racist, nationalist and unacceptable." Another
Socialist heavyweight, Jan Marinus Wiersma, another vice chairman of
the Socialist Group, said the CHP deputy’s statements have a racist
undertone. Co-Chairman of EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee
Joost Lagendijk said every political party should be ashamed of
such statements.

Hannes Swoboda, the Vice Chairman for Socialist Group said Artıman’s
assertion was uttered in a "racist fasion." Swoboda said, "First of
all, the question is whether it is true or not; I mean, does President
Gul have Armenian blood? But even if it is true that President Gul has
Armenian blood in his veins, this is not an argument at all. These
kinds of remarks are racist, nationalist and unacceptable. Even if
it is true, the remarks have been used in a racist fashion. It is
totally unacceptable. She either has to apologize or resign. These
two alternatives would be the choices of politicians in a democratic
country. Also in a democratic country, if she would resist resigning,
the party leader could ask her to resign or she could be evicted by
the party caucus. It shows that the CHP and its present leadership
are far from European standards."

He also added that even if Gul had Armenian blood, that would
mean nothing, highlighting the fact that Turkey has many citizens
of Armenian origin. "They are full citizens and have the right to
become everything," he said and gave other examples, "Hikmet Cetin
has Kurdish roots; you have politicians from Arab descent. The French
president is from Hungary, and he has many ministers from Africa in
his cabinet. The meaning loaded on "Armenian" is a huge disgrace for
Turkey. In Europe, a politician who would make such racist remarks
would at least have to apologize."

Joost Lagendijk, the co-chariman of the EU-Turkey Joint
Parliamentary Committee said the CHP should be embarrased about the
remarks. Lagendijk told Today’s Zaman, "No political party should be
proud of having such deputies. These remarks are scandalous, and one
should be ashamed of making such statements. I can fully understand
the huge reaction shown to Ms. Arıtman. Each political party should
be ashamed of such statements and in particular the CHP, of course. I
think the best thing for [CHP leader Deniz] Baykal would be to clearly
state that Arıtman’s tone was not the party line and instead give his
reaction to the debate. I am not interested at all in whether Gul’s
mother has Armenian origins or not. What he did was courageous, and
others should follow suit, and political parties should welcome it."

However, Lagendijk also crticized a complaint filed by President
Gul against Arıtman. "If he would have stated that he is Muslim and
Turkish and has no Armenian blood and added that what if he had an
Armenian mother, it would be nice, but I understand it would be too
strong for him. Having an Armenian mother is not a shame. Taking her
to court would not be my first reaction. I am afraid it could imply
that he felt insulted by the claims that he could have had an Armenian
mother," he said.

Jan Marinus Wiersma, the vice chairman for the Socialist Group,
said President Abdullah Gul’s approach to the issue has been very
wise. "That is what we always say; Turkey needs an open debate on the
issue; that would be the best answer. I have always been careful about
the Armenian history in Turkey and when we in the European Parliament
table resolutions or amendments on the events of 1915. I am still of
the opinion that politicians should stay out of the debate."

He continued his criticism saying, "What deputy Arıtman has said is
totally contrary to the spirit we want to see in Turkey when debating
the events of 1915. They should have done the opposite as Gul’s stance
was positive. I would appeal to the CHP to approach this debate in
an open way. Of course there is a racist undertone to Ms. Arıtman’s
remarks. Whether Gul’s mother is of Armenian origin or not has no
importance at all. So what? I am unpleasantly surprised by Arıtman’s
statements. We would like to see a debate in Turkey as we now see
in Hungary and in many of the Balkan countries by intellectuals,
writers and, from time to time, politicians."

–Boundary_(ID_l2Qjhbxrsb3uPrD SDsE/rw)–

EUROPE REACTS STRONGLY AGAINST TURKISH DEPUTY’S REMARKS ON PRESIDENT ABDULLAH GUL’S ANCESTRY

ArmInfo
2008-12-25 17:22:00

Europe has reacted strongly against Republican People’s Party (CHP)
deputy Canan Aritman’s remarks on President Abdullah Gul’s ancestry.

European deputies think that she either has to apologize or resign.

As the Turkish newspaper Today’s Zaman says, Hannes Swoboda, the Vice
Chairman for Socialist Group said Aritman’s assertion was uttered in a
"racist fasion." Swoboda said, "First of all, the question is whether
it is true or not; I mean, does President Gul have Armenian blood? But
even if it is true that President Gul has Armenian blood in his veins,
this is not an argument at all. These kinds of remarks are racist,
nationalist and unacceptable. Even if it is true, the remarks have
been used in a racist fashion. It is totally unacceptable. She either
has to apologize or resign.

These two alternatives would be the choices of politicians in a
democratic country. Also in a democratic country, if she would resist
resigning, the party leader could ask her to resign or she could be
evicted by the party caucus. It shows that the CHP and its present
leadership are far from European standards".

He also added that even if Gul had Armenian blood, that would mean
nothing, highlighting the fact that Turkey has many citizens of
Armenian origin.

"They are full citizens and have the right to become everything,"
and added that in Europe a politician "who would make such racist
remarks would at least have to apologize."

Another representative of the Socialist Group, Jan Marinus Wiersma,said
President Abdullah Gul’s approach to the issue has been very wise.

Joost Lagendijk, the co-chariman of the EU-Turkey Joint
Parliamentary Committee said the CHP should be embarrased about the
remarks. Lagendijk also crticized a complaint filed by President Gul
against Aritman. "Having an Armenian mother is not a shame. Taking
her to court would not be my first reaction. I am afraid it could
imply that he felt insulted by the claims that he could have had an
Armenian mother," he said.

AZERBAIJAN: SKEPTICISM ON A POTENTIAL KARABAKH SETTLEMENT IN 2009
Shahin Abbasov

EurasiaNet
Dec 25 2008
NY

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – the organization that is
overseeing the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process – seem increasingly
optimistic about the chances for a settlement in 2009. But experts
in Baku remain cautious that the long-running dilemmas that have held
up a settlement can finally be solved in the coming year.

While political experts in Baku believe that there is long way to
go to reach comprehensive resolution, they emphasize two important
results of the end of 2008: Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia caused Western powers to understand that it is dangerous to
keep the Karabakh conflict frozen. [For background see the Eurasia
Insight archive]. In addition, Azerbaijani officials have come to
understand that attempting a military solution to the conflict could
create more problems than it solves.

Meetings on December 4 involving the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign
ministers, along with representatives of the Minsk Group, resulted in
a declaration in which all sides pledged to work for a comprehensive
agreement on outstanding issues within the next few months. "We call
for intensification of efforts to complete the process of harmonization
of basic principles of resolution in the upcoming few months and then
to start work over the draft of comprehensive peace agreement between
Azerbaijan and Armenia," the document reads.

The co-chairs countries also called Baku and Yerevan to work with
each other for stabilization of a ceasefire regime on the frontline
and other measures to strengthen mutual confidence.

Matthew Bryza, the US co-chair in the Minsk Group called the
declaration "an important document," but added that it would not be
accurate to call it a "crucial point."

"The process is going in the right direction and we all see progress,"
Bryza was quoted as saying by the Turan news agency in Helsinki on
December 4. "However, there are still serious disagreements."

Armenian and Azerbaijani officials are still engaging in mutual
recrimination. For example, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in an
interview broadcast by the Italian RAI channel said that he would not
rule out the use of force as a means to solve the conflict. Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, in turn, criticized Aliyev for
not disavowing a military option. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov later insisted that the framework under discussion
specifies that a settlement will be rooted in the principle of
preserving Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. [For background see
the Eurasia Insight archive].

Details of the negotiating framework remain sketchy. But the talks are
widely believed to be revolving around a deal in which Azerbaijan’s
occupied territories are returned in exchange for a deferred referendum
on the future political status of Nagorno-Karabakh. [For background
see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Despite the ongoing maneuvering, Minsk Group representatives are
optimistic that a settlement can be found. Bryza said on December 9
that contacts between President Aliyev and his Armenian counterpart,
Serzh Sargsyan, are better far better than they had been with
Sargsyan’s predecessor, Robert Kocharian. "It is obvious," he said.

Bernard Fassier, the French co-chair of the Minsk Group also said to
EurasiaNet in Paris on December 6 that there is mutual trust between
Aliyev and Sargsyan. Fassier said that foreign ministers of the United
States, Russia and France have offered an approximate schedule for the
completion of work on basic principles, with the aim of wrapping up
that stage by mid-2009. "Then the work over a draft of a comprehensive
peace agreement could begin," the French diplomat said.

However, political analysts in Baku express doubts that a peace treaty
can be finalized in 2009. Elhan Shahinoglu, head of the Atlas research
center, a Baku-based think tank explains that both Azerbaijan and
Armenia may lack the political will to make necessary compromises. "The
sides are even differently interpreting the ‘Madrid principles’
that shows that we are still far from any comprehensive resolution,"
Shahingolu said in a December 21 interview. [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive].

Another expert, Rauf Mirkadirov, a political columnist of the
Baku-based Zerkalo daily, is also cautious about a breakthrough in
2009. "The remaining issues – Nagorno-Karabakh’s status and a land
corridor between Armenia and Karabakh – will hardly be easy to solve
in the near future," Mirkadirov said.

Editor’s Note: Shahin Abbasov is a freelance correspondent
based in Baku. He is also a board member of the Open Society
Institute-Azerbaijan.

TURKISH MEDIA: ARMENIA THANKS TURKEY FOR HELP AFTER 1988 EARTHQUAKE

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.12.2008 18:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter
to his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul to thank Turkey and Turkish
citizens for their help after the 1988 earthquake, the Anatolian news
agency reported.

"The entire world helped Armenia overcome the tragedy. We are grateful
to everyone who was by our side at that time. We thank Turkey and
Turkish citizens for their help after the devastating earthquake and
are sure that it will always be remembered," President Sargsyan said
in his letter.

On December 7, 2008, Armenia marked the 20th anniversary of the
devastating 1988 earthquake that leveled the towns of Spitak and Gyumri
and left 25 000 people dead, 100 000 wounded and 500 000 homeless.

TRANSPORT MINISTER OF ARMENIA SATISFIED WITH THE WORK DONE IN 2008
Hasmik Dilanyan

"Radiolur"
23.12.2008 16:52

The Minister of Transport and Communication of Armenia, Gurgen
Sargsyan, told a press conference today that they have fulfilled almost
all the programs envisaged for 2008. Next year they will continue
the incomplete projects, nothing will hamper their implementation
even the world financial crisis.

The road construction on the financial means provided by the Millennium
Challenge Corporation will continue in 2009. What will be the fate
of the rest 280 km if the Corporation suspends the financing? The
Minister is optimistic.

A number of changes have taken place during Gurgen Sargsyan’s tenure in
office. In particular, the Armenian Railway was given to the Russian
Railways Company for concession management. The third cell operator
entered the Armenian market. "orange" Company of France Telecom won
the tender among three main contenders. However, no change in fees
is expected, since, according to the Minister, one should not expect
a revolution from the entry of the third cell operator.

Changes were implemented in RA Law on State Due, as a result of
which individual taxi drivers have to pay 25 thousand AMD instead of
200 thousand.

The process of licensing was suspended until January 15,
2009. According to Gurgen Sargsyan, a number of taxi drivers have
already applied and received=2 0licenses. In a few days it will become
clear whether the drivers are content with the Ministry of not.

Next year the incomplete projects will be continued. This refers to
the Iran-Armenia railway, as well as the Yerevan-Batumi highway.