Author: Khoyetsian Rose

ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS ONE MORE YEAR IN IRAQ. ITS RESULTS

Panorama.am
23:08 03/12/2007

Today Mikael Harutunyan, Defense Minister had a speech in the
Parliament and announced about the president’s proposal to leave
Armenian peacekeepers one more year in Iraq. The Minister said that
Armenian peacekeeping forces went to Iraq in 2005 and 276 Armenian
soldiers serve there. According to him there are no victims till now.

Viktor Dallakyan, an independent deputy asked the minister what would
happen to Armenia when the democrats gain the elections in the USA
and took out the troops from Iraq. "The question will be discussed
when a democrat candidate is elected in America. But I am sure that
it is not right to take out the troops from Iraq, as the questions,
which are solved by the peacekeepers, are human and they resist civil
war start," answered the minister. V. Dallakyan was also interested
in the following: what the participation in such big projects will
give Armenia and how the main problems of Armenian nation will be
solved. According to the deputy Armenia being a small country has to
participate in those big programs, especially in "Iraq Company".

Dallakyan said that he worries that the existence of Armenian
peacekeeping forces in Iraq will harm the adoption of 106th
resolution. "Turkey invaded Iraq; the USA tries to create Kurd
country in Iraq and the delay of the resolution adoption lies under
Armenian-American, Kurd-Turkish, and American-Kurd context," announced
the independent deputy and continued that they want Armenia to be a
democratic country, not an organized one.

Only the "Republican" and "Prosperous Armenia" parties voted for
the proposal.

PUBLIC TV AND RADIO COMPANY MAKES PUBLIC TARIFF FOR ONE MINUTE OF POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

Noyan Tapan
Nov 14, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. TV companies giving air to
candidates for the election campaign of the 2008 February 18
presidential elections, irrespective of the ownership form, should
make public the price for each minute of air until November 19. As
Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by Abraham Bakhchagulian, the
Secretary of the Central Electoral Commission, the Electoral Code
does not compel the above mentioned companies to officially inform
the Commission about the determined tariff, but they should publicize
it by their own air. According to him, as of November 14, CEC knows
only the decision made lately by the Public TV and Radio Company.

According to that decision, one minute of political advertisement by
Public Television will be 80 thousand drams, including VAT, and by
Public Radio 20 thousand drams (nearly 62 USD). It should be mentioned
that the same tariffs operated during the parliamentary elections of
the current year.

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY CALLED FORTHCOMING GEORGIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FARCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.11.2007 19:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The impression that the preterm elections in Georgia
will turn into a naked farce is corroborated, says a comment issued
by the department of information and press at the Russian Foreign
Ministry.

"Mikhael Saakashvili’s recent statements came as start of his election
campaign despite demands of the international community to lift
the emergency rule and stop persecution of oppositionists… The
date for the elections was fixed in an intention to deprive
the opposition leaders from any possibility to organize a proper
campaign. Furthermore, the authorities staked on low appearance of
the voters which will be conditioned by the New Year and Christmas
holidays," the statement says.

"Undisguised Russophobia becomes the core of the election campaign,"
it says.

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: WITHIN ITS POWER TURKEY GIVES EVERY SUPPORT TO AZERBAIJAN IN NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT – EXCLUSIVE

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 13 2007

The most important issue for Azerbaijan and Turkey is to strengthen
and deepen relations through strategic and economic projects

Exclusive interview of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
to APA’s local bureau

– The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the bill on the
so-called Armenian genocide in October this year. As it was expected,
Turkey’s position was so severe that some democratic congressmen
withdrew their signatures from the bill. Will Turkey be committed to
this position against the legislative body of the US, Turkey’s friend
and ally for long years?

– Adoption of the draft Resolution 106, which characterizes the events
of 1915 as genocide, by the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs
on October 10 is very regretful. The adoption of this bill caused
fair protest of both our government and the people. US government’s
decisive move to prevent the House of Representatives from putting the
unjust and groundless bill on the agenda is praiseworthy. The recent
processes show that some members of the Congress, who supported the
bill, also understand our anxiety and fair arguments. In this regard,
I would like to underline that I believe the members of the Congress
will act with the responsibility of Turkish-American friendship and
that we will continue our activity for preventing the adoption of the
bill, which may damage our relations with the US. Turkey put forward
constructive proposals for revealing historical truths. We offered
Armenia to establish a joint historical commission for investigating
the events of 1915, to search the archives in Turkey, Armenia and
third countries and inform the international community about the
results. We will not forget that instead of accepting our proposal,
which we believed will establish friendship and cooperation in the
region, Armenia pursues purposeful policy, directed towards the
adoption of the bill, both behind the curtains and openly.

– The letter your wrote to Armenian president in May in 2005 and your
goodwill was not reacted analogously. The government’s program does not
touch on this issue either. Did you think of reviewing the relations
with Armenia after the decision of the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs? Armenian president and foreign minister greeted this decision.

– We proposed establishment of joint historical commission, opening
of archives, establishing condition for historians’ investigations in
these archives taking step on strengthening relations with Armenia in
2005. But Armenia did not reply to our gesture. On the contrary we saw
that Armenia supported decision of US House of Representatives Foreign
Affairs Committee. This approach does not coincide with neighborhood
policy. We are taking several steps unilaterally, but do not see its
response. Can we hope in normalizing relations in such a situation? Our
relations can not be normalized if Armenia raises issues between the
two countries in the Parliaments of the third countries.

-Withdrawal of Armenians who occupied 20% of Azerbaijani lands caused
vain of the settlement of the conflict in the framework of OSCE Minsk
Group. But Azerbaijan states that it will use all means for liberating
its lands. Is it not time for signing security cooperation between
Turkey and Azerbaijan?

-You know Turkey’s position on the occupation of Nagorno Karabakh
and 7 surrounding regions of Azerbaijan by Armenians. Turkey always
supports Azerbaijan in the framework of its capabilities. Turkey
continues to support efforts on eliminating invasion fact which is
opposed to international law norms as a member of OSCE Minsk Group.

Our support in this direction will further continue. We believe
in the necessity of solving problem peacefully and in the frame of
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Turkey and Azerbaijan cooperate in many fields, namely in political,
military, economic, commercial, cultural and other sectors. We
achieved development and strengthening of mutual cooperation through
mutual respect and activity. We think that our cooperation sticks to
strong legal bases. We are proud of Azerbaijan’s taking estimable
place in world and region through reforms Azerbaijan carries
out in economics, democracy and human rights, Azerbaijan’s rich
energy resources. We continue our activity for implementing railway
project Baku-Tbilisi-Kars after pipelines Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum we implemented jointly with fraternal Azerbaijan
and neighbor Georgia. The main issue is to strengthen and deepen our
relations with such strategic and economic projects.

– How do you assess significance of 11th Friendship, Brotherhood and
Cooperation Congress of Turkic States and Communities to be held in
Baku on November 17-19 with your participation?

– Role of NGOs is great in the formation of public opinion in Western
countries. Decision was made on uniting principles and purposes
of Turkish and Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in the 1st Forum
of Turkish-Azerbaijani Diasporas I attended along with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev held in Baku on March 9, 2007. I believe that
11th Friendship, Brotherhood and Cooperation Congress of Turkic States
and Communities to be held in Baku on November 17-19 will be right
step to be taken in this direction.

WHITE HOUSE TO WORK WITH TURKEY
Rachel Martin

National Public Radio (NPR)
November 6, 2007 Tuesday

Hey, good morning, everyone. President Bush is pledging to boost
cooperation with Turkey in its fight against Kurdish rebels in Northern
Iraq. The Kurdish guerilla group called the PKK has been waging attacks
on Turkey from the northern mountainous region in Iraq. And Turkey’s
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was in Washington yesterday to try to get
the U.S. to intervene before Turkey wages military action. Speaking
to reporters alongside Erdogan and his translator, Bush said the
U.S. would give Turkey information and support to fight the PKK.

President GEORGE W. BUSH: We talked about the need to have better
intelligence- sharing.

Unidentified Woman: (Turkish spoken)

Pres. BUSH: In order to chase down people who murder people, you need
good intelligence.

MARTIN: While Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s long alliance with the U.S.,
he took the opportunity again condemn recent efforts by Congress to
accuse Turkey of genocide against Armenians during World War I. Here’s
what he said through an interpreter.

Prime Minister TAYYIP ERDOGAN (Turkey): (Through translator) Our
documents indicate that there is no genocide that has taken place. In
fact, our values do not allow our people to commit genocide. It does
not allow it, and there is no such thing as a genocide. Those who
claim it must prove it.

MARTIN: Congressional Democrats have shelved the Armenian Genocide
bill for the time being after Turkey objected. Meanwhile, Erdogan said
yesterday Turkey may still invade Northern Iraq to stop PKK rebels.

And today’s a big day for U.S. attorney general nominee Michael
Mukasey. Today’s when he’ll find out if he’s the lucky man who will
take over the embattled U.S. Department of Justice. A Senate panel is
set to approve his nomination today. Mukasey’s confirmation was called
into question after he refused to define waterboarding as torture
during his confirmation hearings last month. But last week, two key
Democrats on the committee turned in support of Mukasey. If confirmed,
Mukasey will inherit a Justice Department that has weathered a lot
of controversy under former AG Alberto Gonzales, from the political
firings of U.S. attorneys to the Bush administration’s warrantless
domestic spying program.

Finally, so you know all that personal information you’ve got on
your Facebook or MySpace page? Not just your taste in music and
movies, but details like where you work, where you hang out with
your friends? Well, that’s the stuff of advertiser’s dreams, and the
social networking sites want to make the most of it. MySpace yesterday
announced an expanded targeted advertising plan, And today, Facebook
is also set to announce an expansion of its advertising system called
social ads. The program will track information consumers put on their
pages along with the Web sites they visit.

Then the data will be use to deliver ads that are personally tailored
to that person. Consumer privacy groups have raised some red flags,
saying consumers should be able to opt out of the advertising system.

That’s the news, and it’s always online at npr.org.

WOLFF: This is NPR.

MARTIN: Luke and Alison, what do you have on your MySpace page?

BURBANK: I don’t have MySpace anymore. I have a page, but now it’s
all in Facebook, you know.

STEWART: I’m a Facebook gal, yeah.

BURBANK: And every once in a while, you get an e-mail from MySpace
telling you something and you go back and check your old MySpace
account which you haven’t been to in months, and it’s like a bad
neighborhood.

(Soundbite of laughter)

BURBANK: You’re, like, oh, this has really gotten run down.

STEWART: It’s one of those neighborhoods that everything has been
foreclosed on.

BURBANK: Yeah, you’re like…

STEWART: A ghost town.

BURBANK: …oh, gosh, this got really crappy.

STEWART: Ouch.

BURBANK: Sorry, MySpace. I’m with Facebook now.

ARMENIAN TRAFFIC POLICE APPLY TO WORLD BANK FOR CREDIT TO BUY HELICOPTERS

2007-11-12 22:34:00

ArmInfo. The Traffic Police of Armenia applied to the World Bank (WB)
for credit to buy patrolling helicopters, a well-informed source told
ArmInfo correspondent.

According to the source, the WB rejected the policemen’s application,
as it was ungrounded and the project was inexpedient. The police
asked the bank for over $40 mln. The funds also were to be spent
on acquisition of security cameras and sign boards. Earlier Chief
of Armenian Traffic Police Ishkhan Ishkhanyan told journalists no
specific reason of the WB’s refusal. He added that in this connection,
the police have been deprived of necessary funds to hold reforms and
have to hold the reforms at their own expense.

To note, the WB mission, which is currently in Armenia, is considering
the possibility of providing up to $10 mln credit to improve the
control over traffic in Yerevan. However, the WB is negotiating with
not the Traffic Police, but the Ministry of Transport and Communication
of Armenia.

AGHVAN HOVSEPIAN: THERE ARE GROUNDS AND INFORMATION FOR DISCLOSING
MURDER OF CHAIRNAN OF UNION OF ARMENIAN HUNTERS

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. All urgent investigation measures
have been taken in connection with the murder of the chairman of the
Union of Armenian Hunters Sayat Davtian, the RA prosecutor general
Aghvan Hovsepian stated on November 1, expressing an opinion that
"there are grounds and information, the use of which will allow the
police to disclose this crime".

To recap, S. Davtian died on November 8 after receiving three bullet
wounds in the head.

A. Hovsepian also said that the RA prosecutor general’s office has
received the RA environmental protection minister’s letter with a list
of natural monuments of Armenia. According to him, the government will
approve this list soon and "we will be able to use the norms envisaged
by law, taking the respective punitive measures against persons
breaking the law". The Code of Administrative Infringements and the
Criminal Code envisage responsibility for damaging natural monuments
and violating the special regime maintained by the state. To recap, the
state interest protection department of the RA prosecutor general’s
office conducted an examination in connection with alarm calls about
many stone cuttings in the "Stone Symphony" rock massif in Garni, as a
result of which it was revealed that the list of natural monuments is
not approved in Armenia. The RA prosecutor general applied to the
Armenian prime minister regarding this issue. By instruction of the
prime minister, the list of natural monuments has been prepared by the
environmental protection ministry.

U.S. EMBASSY DONATES LABORATORY EQUIPMENT TO RA NATIONAL BUREAU OF EXPERTISES (FORENSICS LAB)

Noyan Tapan
Nov 9, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. On November 8, the U.S. government
donated approximately 0,000 of forensics laboratory equipment to the
National Bureau of Expertises. According to the information provided
to Noyan Tapan by the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Armenia,
the donation letter was signed by the U.S. Charge d’Affairs Joseph
Pennington and RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepian.

The new equipment was bought by the International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. The
donation includes two items of particular importance: a most
modern ballistics comparison microscope and a bullet recovery
system. This equipment will enable the Bureau’s firearms examination
unit to identify spent ammunition and test a variety of firearms. A
representative of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives is in Yerevan to train lab personnel. Members of Georgia’s
forensic laboratories arrived this week to work and train with their
Armenian and American colleagues.

Total U.S. government assistance to the National Bureau of Expertise
now exceeds 0,000. In addition to the equipment donated today,
the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section funded the
renovation of one of the laboratory’s buildings, arranged for training
for Bureau personnel in Armenia and abroad, as well as funded various
visits by an American Forensics Advisor to Armenia.

AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT RECEIVES AIPAC DELEGATION

"Trend" news agency
09.11.2007 19:55:18

Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr K. Zarbaliyeva / President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev met the delegation of the American Israel Public Affairs
Committee (AIPAC) on 9 November.

Noting successful development of the bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and the United States and Israel, the Head of the
Azerbaijani State said the visit of the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee’s delegation would certainly contribute to further
widening of these relations. Speaking of the high religious tolerance
in Azerbaijan, the President noted that representatives of different
confessions have lived in mutual co-existence in Azerbaijan for ages.

Updating on the latest accomplishments in socio-economic and political
life of the country, President Aliyev said the country’s national
economy successfully integrates to the world economy. Implementing
global energy projects, Azerbaijan joins the world energy markets. The
economic success enabled Azerbaijan to become a leading state in
region, President of Azerbaijan emphasized.

The President recalled participation of Azerbaijan in the anti-terror
coalition, noting all-round cooperation between the United States
and Azerbaijan.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
President Aliyev informed on the consequences of the aggression of
Armenia against Azerbaijan. Head of the delegation of the American
Israel Public Affairs Committee, Ron Barness expressed gratitude to the
President for warm reception. He stressed existence of tolerance and
attention to the representatives of different confessions, including
representatives of Jewish community, in Azerbaijan. He expressed
pleasure with continuation of this policy by incumbent President.

Ron Barness, on behalf of the delegation of the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee, presented to President of Azerbaijan a special gift
with description of the Capitol, the Congress building in Washington.

Then, President Aliyev answered the questions of the members of
delegation.

The delegation and Azerbaijan President were taken their photos
in memory.

–Boundary_(ID_KwarcAzVHX1v9TaJ9OADkw)–

PUTIN AWARDS MEDALS

A1+
[06:21 pm] 05 November, 2007

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin gave a Pushkin medal to Marietta
Matghashian, the Headmaster of Yerevan School N8 after Pushkin.

Putin conferred medals to six foreign citizens for "unique contribution
to cultural democracy during a ceremony in the Kremlin on the occasion
of the Day of National Unity. Awards were handed to representatives
of Armenia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Japan.