Author: Madatian Greg

REGROUPING OF INTERESTS BEGINS IN THE REGION
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.05.2009 GMT+04:00

The only thing Armenia should endeavor to avoid is to be squashed
between the upper and the nether millstones of geopolitics, especially
because she has already such an experience.

The Islamic world surrounding Armenia can be divided into two
groups. By the way, we have considered only those countries, which
have the chances and the potential to become regional leaders
not only within the confines of the Great Near East, but also in
the entire Southwestern Asia. Thus, if we divide the potential
leaders into groups, the following picture is obtained: Turkey,
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on the one hand, Iran, Syria and Egypt –
on the other. Division into two groups is conditional and reflects
the attitude of these states towards Armenia.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Let us consider these countries one by one. In
the foreseeable future the first three countries will hardly
change their attitude towards Yerevan because of the uncompromising
position of Turkey (and Azerbaijan) in every issue, starting with
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and concluding with the difference
between religions. Under such circumstances it is necessary to note
that Islam, on the whole, is not such an important constituent in
the relations with Christian Armenia; however, when necessary, it
is put in the forefront. There is one more aspect to be considered –
the difference in civilizations: nomadic and settled. Regarding Turkey
and Azerbaijan this aspect is most clearly expressed, while in Saudi
Arabia and Pakistan it is not so apparent.

The position of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan proceeds not only from
the Islamic solidarity and the support of Azerbaijan, but also to
spite Iran, which together with Turkey is a basic pretender to the
leader’s position in the region. The Kurds, or, to be more exact,
the relation of Yerevan towards them plays an important role in this
plan too. Having been an instrument in the hands of the Ottoman and
Persian Empires for several centuries, the Kurds now pose a serious
threat to the integrity of Turkey. It is a very serious factor, even
further straining the negative relation to Armenia, which by the Sunni
Islamic world is considered to be almost the central supporting base
of Kurdish separatism. As we have already noted, religion is only
a pretense; the main reason is that in the course of its history
Armenia has prevented the propagation of Islam, and before it –
the propagation of Zoroastrianism. This principle did not work in
the case of Iran; most apparently the common Parthian origin of our
nations subconsciously played its role. But we’ll reflect on Iran a bit
later. The second serious pretender to the position of the regional
leader is Pakistan, possessing nuclear weapons. Naturally, no one is
going to employ them, but as a deterrent it works well. Regarding
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Pakistan has been on the side of
Azerbaijan since earliest times, and there are facts proving that
Pakistani militants joined the Afghan and Chechen mujahideen in the
war against the NKR. The possibility of dominance of Saudi Arabia
is somewhat problematic because of the military presence of the USA
during the war with Iraq for Kuwait, and in this case it may play
its negative role. However, this factor is not that important.

As far as the Moslem countries are concerned, which traditionally
support Armenia, the presence of Egypt, Syria and Iran in this list
is more than reasonable and justifiable. First of all, rather an
important role is played by the strong Armenian Diaspora. It should
be remembered that Armenia, Egypt and Syria are also "friends by
a concourse of circumstances"; Egypt and Syria gained independence
as a result of collapse of the Ottoman Empire, just as Armenia to
a certain extent. With respect to Yerevan, Syria and Egypt attempt
to conduct a policy, more independent from the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC), and Iran will never obey the dictates of
Turkish-speaking countries in OIC. The only thing Armenia should
endeavor to avoid is to be squashed between the upper and the nether
millstones of geopolitics, especially because she has already such
an experience. There is no guarantee whatever that Armenia will
not again be sacrificed to the interests of the powers: both old and
new. Although there is some guarantee and no matter how strange it may
sound, it is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Until the conflict gets
final settlement on those conditions, which satisfy the conflicting
parties to a greater or lesser extent, it is possible to live in
a relative peace. But since there is no compromise in the air –
similar conflicts cannot be solved without blood in the favor of
this or that side. Almost no one doubts that sooner or later there
will begin a war in the region. Simply time is required to integrate
forces and finally clear up who against whom will "befriend". However,
it will become clear in no less than five years. By that time it will
be clear how the gas will go to Europe and what ending the infinite
trading between Russia and the West will have. Everything may also
occur considerably earlier: however, nothing essential will occur
in the region before 2012, i.e. the time when Nabucco is launched
and the railroad Baku- Tbilisi-Kars is built. There will be episodic
diplomatic wars and state!

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 30 2009

Political scientist: Visit of ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Armenia to
Karabakh depends on the meeting of the presidents of the two countries
in Saint-Petersburg

30 May 2009 [10:54] – Today.Az

"The visit of the Azerbaijani and Armenian ambassador in Russia to
Karabakh is possible and it depends on the constructiveness level of
the Saint-Petersbug meeting between the presidents of two countries,
said famous political scientist Rasim Musabeyov.

"If it is the same as in Prague, I doubt that this initiative will be
implemented", noted he.

According to him, if positive shifts are recorded and there will be a
need to create a positive atmosphere in the society, such a visit
might take place. Moreover, a meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
civil activists is planned in Moscow in July in frames of the
International Alert.

"Art and scientific figures might be represented at this meeting. I
would like to repeat that the visit of the ambassadors is possible
only in case positive changes are recorded during the Saint-Petersburg
talks of the presidents", concluded Musabeyov.

/Day.Az/

URL:

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

SEMINARY STUDENTS CELEBRATE 91st ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE

The Student Council of the Seminary concluded its activities for the
scholastic year 2008-2009 with a celebration dedicated to the 91st
anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

Celebrations began with a historical introduction on 28 May 1918 the date of
independence. After singing the national anthem the students watched a
documentary covering the period 1917-1920. The speaker of the day was Mr.
Vicken Avakian the history teacher. After commenting on the documentary,
told the students that one could not shape the present unless had a good
understanding of past happenings.

At the end of the evening, the Dean of the Seminary, Bishop Shahé Panossian
thanked the speaker and the members of the Student Council for their
activities. He said that these activities not only enriched life in the
seminary, but also deepened the students’ knowledge about the church and its
traditions, the Armenian nation and its cultural heritage.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos385.htm#8
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK HEAD TO PARTICIPATE IN MEETING OF CENTRAL BANK MANAGERS OF CENTRAL ASIA, BLACK SEA REGION, BALKAN COUNTRIES

/ARKA/
May 28, 2009
YEREVAN

The Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Artur Javadyan is
to participate in the meeting of the club of central bank managers
of Central Asia, Black Sea region and Balkan countries on May 28-31.

The CBA press service reports that the following issues are to be
discussed at the meeting – global review of economy and finance and
problems face by developing countries, regress of assets and possible
advantages of the USA, Europe and China if they follow the example
of Japan of 1990-2005,a s well as monetary and credit policy under
instability conditions.

IMF Managing Director Takatoshi Kato, chief economist of Nomura
Institute Richard Koo and professor on economy of Columbia University
Giliermo Calvo are to make reports at the meeting, says the press
release.

RA PRESIDENT DOESN’T RULE OUT AMNESTY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
28.05.2009 20:58 GMT+04:00

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan called on political forces, NGOs
and Public Council to request him to pardon those arrested or under
examination in March 1 case.

The announcement was made in Sardarapat today.

"If I receive such, I can address the National Assembly. However, the
application should be legally grounded so I can use my constitutional
right to amnesty," President Sargsyan said.

RA OMBUDSMAN LOOKS FOR GLADIATOR TO SEND HIM TO FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE

Noyan Tapan
May 27, 2009

YEREVAN, MAY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. If Vahe Stepanian, the head of the
RA Ombudsman’s office staff, leaves the fact-finding committee on
study of the March 1-2 events, the Ombudsman will introduce his new
representative. RA Ombudsman Armen Haroutiunian reported on May 27,
in his interview to journalists. "However, I am already looking for
a gladiator to work with them," the Ombudsman said mentioning that
the atmosphere in the committee is strained.

A. Haroutiunian regretted to say that in its time when he reported
about the pressures upon witnesses on the March 1 cases, he was
told that it is not grounded. According to the Ombudsman, if in its
time the Prosecutor’s Office and the Special Investigation Service
responded properly, "we would not appear in this situation today."

PEAK OF THIS TYPE OF OPPOSITION

LRAGIR.AM
15:09:37 – 27/05/2009

Armen Aghayan, the political secretary of the ‘Liberated Territory
Protection’ Civil Initiative, who is the initiator of the party,
which is conditionally called "Armenia’s choice", stated that the
latest manifestation of the present type of opposition is what is
present in the political field now. That kind of opposition has been
acting since Vazgen Manukyan became opposition.

"I mean opposition, which is composed of ex-governmental members,
which does not pose clear and ideological problems, but only
forms an opposition to restore the legality, which does not have
organizational structures, an opposition where the leaders are not
chosen but are presented as idols but there is one positive feature:
it works directly with the people. Today, we have reached the peak
of this kind of opposition. If we assume that Levon Ter-Petrosyan
fails, who will dare to form such kind of opposition again? Or,
if we assume that he successes, its opposition cannot have such a
behavior. Consequently, we attach great importance to the new style
of the future political parties", stated Armen Aghayan.

"EUROSET" STOPS PURCHASING IN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
12:14 26/05/2009

Famous Russian company purchasing cell phones "Evroset" leaves the CIS
countries. Leaving some Baltic countries, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan,
the directors’ board made a decision to close their branches in
Armenia and Moldova also.

Alexander Malis, the director of the company told "Kommersant"
that they were going to close 12 shops in Armenia and 32 in
Moldova. According to the director the company will close its shops
in Kyrgyzstan and Belarus also.

"That was a strategic mistake to purchase in those markets, as the
former shareholders thought that expending the net the cell phones
would be more expensive," Malis told.

DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION CONFERENCE UNDERWAY IN YEREVAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
26.05.2009 23:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Parties, members of International Union of Socialist
Youth (IUSY) from Black Sea countries, are participating in an
international conference.

The event brought together young leaders from Armenia, Moldova,
Ukraine, Georgia, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Iran, Cyprus, Canada and
Syria.

Chairman of Dashnaktsutyun youth wing Artak Zargaryan told a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that the goal of the conference is to unite
young leaders and organizations.

"We must establish contacts because these are the people who will
soon form the political elite of their countries," Zargaryan said.

BANKING ON ARMENIA’S DIASPORA

business new europe
ing_on_Armenias_diaspora
May 26 2009

Armenia’s best export is its people and the government is hoping to
tap its wealthy diaspora by setting up a global retail bank that can
funnel some of their money into projects back at home.

There are three times more Armenians living outside the country than in
it and remittances make up the single biggest hard currency earner for
the country; it seems no matter how far Armenians travel, their hearts
remain at home. The government wants to capitalise on this loyalty
and instead of waiting for the money to be sent home, it will go out
and get it by setting up a bank with branches all over the world. "It
is a global retail bank that will target Armenians living overseas,"
Armenia’s minister of economy, Nerses Yeritsyan, tells bne during May’s
annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
in London. "Imagine: if only 1% of all Armenians take a credit card
from the new bank, then that will generate enough money for us to
say goodbye to [international financial institution] funding forever."

The inflow of remittances is already worth billions of dollars a
year, but this is only the tip of the asset iceberg and a fraction
of the personal wealth of successful Armenia’s who live overseas,
most of which is deposited in local banks. With large populations
concentrated in places like Moscow, London and Los Angeles – pop
music diva Cher is an ethnic Armenian – the locations for the first
branches are pretty obvious.

Home role

The government contributed $20m to the capital of the bank, which
has already been set up, but isn’t operational yet. The plan was to
raise another $80m from Armenians around the world. "The other half
of the equation is the resources the bank mobilises and will invest
into targeted projects back in Armenia. It is a way for our diaspora
to take a more active role in the development of the country and at
the same time earn a good return on that growth," says the minister.

However, the crisis threw a wrench into the plans, as most of the
commitments – which came from both large Armenian-owned businesses
and private individuals – have been put on hold after markets
crashed around the world at the end of last year. "We took the
bank on a road show last year and found there was a lot of support
amongst the diaspora," says Yeritsyan. "However, these commitments
have been withdrawn for the moment while everyone is assessing their
position. But we are confident that they will return and we can push
ahead as planned with the bank."

In the meantime, the government has hired head hunters to find a top
quality international CEO, as the tricky bit of making a global retail
bank work is that it will have to compete with high street banks in
the US and UK in terms of the quality of its service. It won’t be easy,
but Yeritsyan is literally banking on the loyalty that Armenians feel
towards their homeland to give the bank a competitive edge.