Author: Madatian Greg

Day.Az, Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2008

Azerbaijan runs Georgian gas network, owns pipeline to Armenia –
expert

"Mubariz Ahmadoglu: `The latest problems in the Southern Caucasus are
connected with wrong regional policy of Georgia’"

A Day.az interview with the head of the Centre for Innovations and
Political Technologies.

[Correspondent] We’d like you to comment on information that Georgia
would make available its opportunities for the repair of military
hardware of the Armenian army.

[Ahmadoglu] One of the main sources of the latest problems in our
region is that Georgia cannot determine parameters of its regional
policy. The talk is not about declaration of its integration into the
European Union or NATO. Georgia’s regional policy is full of
mistakes. Up until now, official Tbilisi wants to integrate into NATO
and is punished for this by Russia. On the other hand, Georgia has
closer relations with Armenia, which, in its turn, is an executor of
Russia’s policy in our region. Georgia allows Armenia to use its
territory to get access to the [Black] sea.

Armenia has been recently aggravating the ethnic situation in
Samtskhe-Javakheti, in exchange for this, the Georgian president
awards the Armenian president an order. Armenians wish to eliminate
Orthodoxy in Georgia and establish Catholicism, in a reply to this,
Georgia is creating conditions for Armenia to deliver Russian weapons
[to Armenia]. It is also obvious that the destination of the Russian
military base in Armenia is changing as official Moscow is in more and
more friendly relations with Turkey and wants to further establish
more solid ties with Azerbaijan. Everyone knows that Russia’s enemy in
our region is Georgia. If one fine day NATO troops arrive in our
region, then this country would come under double blow on the one
hand, Russia, on the other hand Iran. One should remember that during
the war in South Ossetia, Georgia received double blow from Russia and
Armenia.

All these take place only for the reason of uncertainty of Georgia’s
regional policy. Actually, Armenia is not a regional country, she is
only a neighbour of this region. Georgia, making manoeuvres with
regard to Armenia, as if wants to bare its fangs to
Azerbaijan. Exactly this policy has led the Georgian leadership to the
current sad realities.

[Correspondent] What is the point? Why is Georgia trying to prove or
show something to Azerbaijan? We give them everything, do not we gas,
oil, low interest credits and so on?

[Ahmadoglu] All these are connected with ambitions of the current
Georgian leadership. In fact, for its resources both natural and
human, for economic figures and others, Azerbaijan is the leader of
the region. However, Georgia wants that the region is ruled from
Tbilisi. Exactly, for this reason, they want to prove something to
Azerbaijan.

[Correspondent] What should be our position then?

[Ahmadoglu] I have already said that the current problems of Georgia
are results of its ambiguity. We should remember that some two-three
years ago, Georgia even did not let closer the Azerbaijani investment
[in its economy]. One should also recall that as soon as Mikheil
Saakashvili came to power, his wife and the mayor of the town of Poti
visited Armenia to ask them to mediate in the issue of investment in
Georgia by the Armenian lobby. However, they failed to be successful.

Georgia tried to attract investment from Europe and nothing came out
of this. Georgia managed to attract investment from Kazakhstan but it
was not at a sufficient level. Now for about two years, Georgia treats
the Azerbaijani investment loyally. A contract on supplies of
Azerbaijani gas to Georgia has already been signed and the price for
gas is in keeping with world rate. That is to say, we export
relatively cheap gas and in exchange for this, Azerbaijan will own the
whole gas network, which belonged to Russia in this country, for five
years. The gas pipeline going to Armenia through Georgia will also be
Azerbaijan’s property. The current policy of Azerbaijan is relevant to
Georgia’s policy and I think that this policy should be continued.

[Correspondent] Well, what is a way of warning the Georgian side about
inadmissibility of implementing plans for the repair of military
hardware of Armenia in Georgia?

[Ahmadoglu] I think the fact that the Azerbaijani press is reporting
about it is a warning to official Tbilisi.

EBRD delegation to visit Armenia next week

armradio.am
28.11.2008 17:01

Representatives of the shareholders of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development are arriving in Tbilisi on Monday for a
five-day visit to Georgia and Armenia, EBRD Press Service reports.

During their visits, the EBRD Board Directors will meet with government
representatives, members of the diplomatic and business communities and
representatives of civil society. They will also have the opportunity
to visit EBRD projects in both countries.

Representatives of the Board in the delegation will be Alain de
Cointet, representing France; Carole Garnier, representing the European
Community; Ib Katznelson, representing Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, and
FYR Macedonia; David Martinez Hornillos, representing Spain and Mexico;
Kalin Mitrev, representing Bulgaria, Poland and Albania; Hans
Sprokkreeff, representing the Netherlands and Mongolia; Joao Cravinho,
representing Portugal and Greece; and Igor Podoliev, representing
Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia. During their visit, the
Board Directors will be accompanied by Michael Davey, EBRD Director for
the Caucasus and Belarus.

In Georgia, the Board Directors will meet government representatives
headed by Finance Minister Nika Gilauri, who is also the EBRD Governor
for his country. In Armenia, where the EBRD delegation will start its
mission on Thursday, meetings have been scheduled with President Serzh
Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Minister of Finance and
EBRD Governor Tigran Davtyan.

The EBRD has significantly increased its activities in Georgia and
Armenia in recent years and invested more than $400 million in Georgia
and almost ??¬200 million in Armenia in all sectors of the economy. Both
countries are part of the Early Transition Countries Initiative,
launched in April 2004, which is using a streamlined approach to
financing to mobilise investment and encourage economic reform.

ARMENIAN AND ABKHAZIAN MILITANTS TO BE DEPLOYED AT ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY LINE OF ABKHAZIA

Daily Georgian Times
Nov 26 2008
Georgia

Russian military units deployed at the boundary line of Abkhazia were
transferred to the territory of Shesheleti- Ochamchire – Achigvara
yesterday. Abkhazian and Armenian militants have been deployed at
the check posts at the boundary line of Abkhazia now.

Media centre of autonomous republic of Abkhazia reported InterpressNews
regarding this.

According to the information of the locals of Gali region, the
redeployment of Russian militants with Abkhazian and Armenia ones
has been implemented for a week; and was completed yesterday.

HISTORY HAMPERS ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIALOGUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.11.2008 14:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s history that hampers Armenian-Turkish dialogue,
according to a Turkish expert.

"Armenia has not recognized the Kars and Moscow Treaties’ provisions
on borders so far, while Turkey sets it as a precondition for
establishment of diplomatic relations. True, the declaration on
Armenia’s independence reads that Armenia doesn’t set territorial
claims to Turkey. However, Eastern Turkey is fixed there as Western
Armenia, what is inadmissible for us," Aybars Gorgulu, expert at
Sabanci University and Assistant Program Director of TESEV Foreign
Policy Program, said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"I would like to remind that article 11 of the declaration says that
Armenia supports the campaign for worldwide recognition of the Armenian
Genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Meanwhile, present-day
Turkey has nothing in common with the Ottoman Empire and is not its
legal successor. In short, recognition of Turkey’s borders is an
important prerequisite for normalization of bilateral relations,"
he said.

MIDEAST PEACE REQUIRES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, POPE TELLS ARMENIAN LEADER
By Cindy Wooden

Catholic Weekly
s/0805940.htm
Nov 24 2008
MI

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Peace in the Middle East and religious freedom
for all the region’s inhabitants will not be achieved without respect
for other religions and self-determination for the nations involved,
Pope Benedict XVI said.

Meeting the Lebanon-based Armenian Catholicos Aram of Cilicia Nov. 24,
the pope said, "I cannot fail to assure you of my daily prayers and
deep concern for the people of Lebanon and the Middle East.

"How can we not be grieved by the tensions and conflicts which continue
to frustrate all efforts to foster reconciliation and peace at every
level of civil and political life in the region?" the pope asked
at the end of a midday prayer service with the Armenian patriarch,
nine of his bishops and about 50 of his faithful from Lebanon, Syria,
Iran, Cyprus, Italy, the United States and Canada.

The pope said all Christians have been saddened by "the escalation
of persecution and violence against Christians in parts of the Middle
East and elsewhere."

"Only when the countries involved can determine their own destiny,
and the various ethnic groups and religious communities accept
and respect each other fully, will peace be built on the solid
foundations of solidarity, justice and respect for the legitimate
rights of individuals and peoples," the pope said.

Pope Benedict and Catholicos Aram spent 25 minutes speaking privately
in the papal library before joining the rest of the delegation from the
Armenian Apostolic Church in the Vatican’s Redemptoris Mater Chapel.

Surrounded by the vibrant, modern Eastern-style mosaics that decorate
the chapel, the Armenians chanted their traditional hymns and read
the Psalm and Gospel in Armenian.

The pope used English for most of the prayers he recited, but "ahs"
of appreciation were heard when he said, "Khaghaghutiun amenetzun,"
which is Armenian for "Peace be with you."

Pope Benedict also praised the catholicos for his church’s leadership
in the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox ecumenical dialogue, which, he said,
"promises to clarify theological issues which have divided us in the
past but now appear open to greater consensus."

In his remarks to the pope, the catholicos said Christian unity is
essential "in a world in dire need of the life-giving message of
the Gospel."

"The united voice and the common witness of the churches in a polarized
world is the call of Christ, which is more imperative and urgent
today than ever before," he said.

While the pope paid tribute to the "unspeakable suffering" of the
Armenian people in the 20th century, Catholicos Aram said it was
essential that religions and governments explicitly acknowledge the
Armenian genocide and work to prevent new genocides "by affirming
the rights of all people to dignity, a dignified life, freedom and
self-determination."

An estimated 1.5 million Armenians — more than half the Armenian
population at the time — died in a forced evacuation by Ottoman
Turks in 1915-18. Turkey rejects the accusation of genocide, saying
the deaths were due largely to disease and famine.

Catholicos Aram also told the pope that Christian churches must
engage in "a responsible interfaith dialogue" because "we are
living in a globalized world characterized by interdependence and
interaction." he said.

Responsible dialogue, he said, "preserves and articulates the integrity
and uniqueness of Christian faith" while at the same time respecting
the "traditions and values" of others.

The catholicos said Lebanon is a country where such dialogue takes
place between Christians and Muslims.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN TURKEY
By Murad Sezer

PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)
Nov 24 2008
Austria

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) – The Armenian foreign minister urged Turkey on
Monday to reopen their countries’ common border, saying there were
no real obstacles to improving relations that have suffered amid a
dispute over of WWI-era killings.

Edward Nalbandian said bettering Turkish-Armenian ties would boost
regional peace and stability.

"Relations should be improved without any preconditions," he told
a news conference in Istanbul. "I think reopening the border is
also among Turkey’s priorities; it is important for both countries’
interests.

Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic relations, and have faced off
over Armenian demands that the WWI-era deaths of 1.5 million ethnic
Armenians should be recognized as genocide. Turkey says the death
toll is inflated and the deaths resulted from civil unrest during
the Ottoman Empire’s collapse.

The countries’ shared border has been closed since 1993, when Turkey
protested Armenia’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey backs
Azerbaijan’s claims to the disputed region, which has a high number of
ethnic Armenian residents but is located within Azerbaijan’s borders.

In recent months, Turkey and Armenia have taken steps to repair their
relationship. In September, President Abdullah Gul became the first
Turkish leader to visit Armenia, where he and Armenian President
Serge Sarkisian watched their countries’ soccer teams play a World
Cup qualifying match.

Turkey and Armenia are both pushing for the establishment of a
regional cooperation group to stabilize the Caucasus, and possibly
to help solve the Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Nalbandian planned to meet Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan during
his trip to Istanbul, where he was visiting the headquarters of the
Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

Nalbandian _ chairman of the regional group for the next six months _
urged his Black Sea neighbors to cooperate more on transportation
and energy issues in order to minimize the regional impact of the
global economic slowdown. He said building a highway linking Black
Sea countries was a priority.

NKR PRESIDENT’S MEETINGS IN LOS ANGELES

armradio.am
24.11.2008 10:42

In the framework of "Hayastan" All-Armenian fund’s forthcoming
telethon, on 23 November NKR President Bako Sahakyan met in Los
Angeles Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Hranoush
Hakobyan. Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR
President reported.

Issues related to Diaspora-Motherland relations were discussed
during the meeting. The key role of Artsakh in further cementing
these relations was mutually underlined.

On the same day the President met members of the governing body of
the Western USA Hnchakyan Social-Democratic Party at the head of
Chairman Hambig Safaryan.

A wide range of issues related to Artsakh-Diaspora relations, Nagorno
Karabakh problem and socioeconomic situation in the NKR were discussed
during the meeting. The Head of the State underlined that it was
necessary further strengthen ties between the Diaspora and Artsakh, do
everything to form an atmosphere of constructive cooperation between
different political forces. It was mutually noted that Artsakh and
its future represent one of the most important components of cohesion
and unity.

On 23 November President Sahakyan had a tete-a-tete meeting with
American -Armenian philanthropist Vahe Karapetyan. Issues related
to the realization of different projects in Artsakh were discussed
during the meeting.

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

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I GRANTS THE MEDAL OF "ST. MESROB MASHDOTS" TO HAGOP
BALIAN

A special event to celebrate the work of Hagop Balian, writer and
editor-in-chief of the literary "Pakin" publication was held in the
Catholicosate of Cilicia on November 21 under the auspices of His Holiness
Aram I. Community representatives and religious officers attended the event.

In his opening remarks Father Sahag Yemishian underlined that for centuries
Armenians have preserved their identity and survived as Armenians. As an
active supporter of Armenian culture, the Catholicosate of Cilicia has not
remained passive towards those individuals who have, in various ways,
contributed to the preservation and development of Armenian cultural and
national values. Father Yemishian asserted that Hagop Balian was the sort of
intellectual and Armenian persona, who became a speaker for Armenian
culture.

The keynote speaker, Garo Hovhannesian, presented a brief biographical
sketch of Balian, focusing on his contribution to Armenian literature and
culture. Hovhannesian stressed that one of Balian’s primary concerns has
been the Armenian language, a fact that is reflected in all his articles.

"For him, the Armenian Language is before anything else a national ideology,
without which the nation does not exist," said Hovhannesian, adding that in
the "Mayrenin Hayrenik" volume published on the 1600th anniversary of the
creation of the Armenian alphabet, Balian discusses the various issues of
the Armenian Language. The speaker observed that for Balian the Diaspora,
particularly in the present, is an urgent issue, given that "historical
experience showed that the philosophy of returning to the homeland remained
on paper." Hovhannesian added that Balian’s aim was to transform the
Diaspora into the guarantor of the nation’s survival.

Hovhannesian underscored that the role of intellectuals and particularly
Armenian intellectuals is notable in the Balian’s writings. He points out
that Balian is an exceptional intellectual, who is brave, bald and has his
unique style and manner in discussing issues. The speaker concluded his talk
with the following thought. "Hagop Balian: the committed intellectual. A
true intellectual. A phenomenon."

A well-prepared cultural program was presented after the lecture, featuring
the performance by Zakar and Camilla Keshishian of two musical pieces from
Khatchadour Avedissian’s repertoire.

In his address, His Holiness Aram I assured that in his work, Balian did not
pay his dues to individuals, positions or interests, but to values. "He
guarded values, pursued values, served for values and aimed at perfecting
out national, cultural, educational and spiritual values in the life of our
nation," stressed the Pontiff, adding that for Balian, "Armenia, the Church,
the Diaspora, Armenian culture and the Armenian school were values about
which he spoke, for which he suffered and about which he spoke." Said His
Holiness: "He was sometimes extreme in his viewpoints but always remained
respectful, polite and realistic."

His Holiness assured that "what is being honored today is no the person, but
those values which Hagop Balian served." He pointed out that today we face
the need for intellectuals, those who express opinions and positions,
critics who provide constructive criticism, people with realistic
approaches, not those with shallow and one-sided opinions. Criticism begins
with self-criticism, emphasized His Holiness. "We need that kind of people
both in Armenia and the Diaspora," he stressed, adding that through
criticism our culture evolves, our homeland becomes strong, our church grows
and our nation experiences progress.

Addressing Balian, His Holiness said: "It is with this realization, with
this responsibility that you became an intellectual, a teacher, the servant
of Mesrob Mashdots, St. Gregory the Illuminator and all the intellectual and
spiritual giants of our history."

The Pontiff then decorated Balian’s chest with the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s
"St. Mesrob Mashdots" medal. Bishop Norayr Ashekian read the Pontiff’s
Letter of Blessing, which was later handed to Hagop Balian.

Taking to the stage, Balian pointed out that such events become forums for
the expression of pan-national content towards those people who overcome
what is shallow, what is immediate, what serves their interests and the
desire to boast; those people who serve with loyalty to the course of
Armenian identity and its preservation.

Concluding his remarks, Balian expressed his gratitude to the Pontiff and
added that he would succeed if the Armenian Language, letter and books enter
every Armenian Home.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos329–.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission 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.

WD Newsletter
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church

His Eminence Archbishp Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Western
Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, is pleased
to announce that the Honorable Dennis P. Zine, Los Angeles
City Councilman, representing the Third District, will be
the Guest Speaker at a Prayer Breakfast on Saturday,
November 22nd at 9:30 a.m. The Prayer Breakfast, to be
held at the Diocesan Complex in the Armen and Gloria Hampar
Reception Room, will afford members of the Armenian
community an opportunity to hear firsthand from Councilman
Dennis Zine his priorities, goals and objectives as a
representative of the residents of San Fernando Valley. His
district includes the communities of Canoga Park, Reseda,
Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills.-a
population of nearly 300,000 residents.

The Prayer Breakfast is organized by the members of the
Diocesan organization, the Government Relations and Protocol
Committee. Archbishop Derderian initiated the establishment
of this committee to improve communication, to share
dialogue, and to develop an ongoing relationship and
partnership between the Diocese and all levels of Government
to better serve and represent the community.

Councilman Zine was born, raised and educated in Los
Angeles and was first elected to represent the Third Council
District in 2001 and reelected in 2005. He began his public
service career over 30 years ago when he joined the Los
Angeles Police Department eventually reaching the rank of
Sergeant. Within the LAPD, he was elected three times to
the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective
League. Furthering his commitment to public safety,
Councilman Zine was sworn in as a Los Angeles Police
Department Reserve Officer in 2001 assigned to the Fugitive
Warrant Detail where he is involved in the apprehension of
felony suspects.

Councilman Zine’s priorities as an elected official include
improving quality of life, reducing crime, increasing public
safety and addressing transportation issues. In San
Fernando Valley, to improve the quality of life for all
residents, he formed the P.O.S.S.E.

(People Organizing a Safe, Secure Environment), a volunteer
group comprised of over 400 concerned citizens who are
professionally trained to go out into their communities and
rid them of blight such as graffiti, abandoned cars,
potholes, unkempt properties, and illegal sign postings.

Councilman Zine currently lives in the West San Fernando
Valley and has two sons, Chris, who is an officer in the Los
Angeles Police Department, and Eric, who is preparing to
join the Air Force.

The event is free and open to the community. For further
information, please contact the Western Diocese at
(818)558-7474.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America, providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the
Armenian Apostolic community, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit,
tax-exempt organization comprised of more than 50 churches
in 16 western states. It was established in 1898 as the
Diocese of the Armenian Church encompassing the entire
United States and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was
formed to exclusivly serve the western United States.

TURKEY, ARMENIA FM MEET ON NOVEMBER 24 IN ISTANBUL

Focus News
Nov 20 2008
Bulgaria

Yerevan/Istanbul. The Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Armenia Ali
Babacan and Edward Nalbandian are to meet on Monday, November 24th, in
Istanbul, the electronic edition of the Turkish Milliyet daily writes.

Edward Nalbandian arrives in Istanbul as a holder of the rotation
presidency of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Armenia took on
the rotation presidency on November 1st.