Author: Maghakian Mike

MOSCOW BELIEVES IT IS TOO EARLY FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH TO PARTICIPATE IN NEGOTIATIONS

Trend News Agency
May 21 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 20 May /Trend News corr M. Aliyev/ Russian
co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group which is engaged in settling
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict believes that is too early for
Nagorno-Karabakh to participate in the negotiations.

"After the basic principles of conflict settlement are approved,
nothing will prevent representatives of the region from participation
in development of the agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh," Russian co-chair
of the Minks Group Yuri Merzlyakov said to Trend News in a telephone
conversation from Moscow on 20 May.

"Nagorno-Karabakh must independently participate in the negotiations
on peaceful settling of the conflict with Azerbaijan," Bako
Sahakyan, President of so-called Nagorno-Karabakh republic, said to
Vedomosti. "There is the main side of the conflict – independent
Nagorno-Karabakh republic having the same priorities as other
countries," Sahakyan said.

In its turn, official Baku rejects negotiating with the Armenian
community of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"From the early start, the talks on the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were held with Armenia as an aggressor
country, but not with those who are populated in Nagorno-Karabakh
to serve as a screen," Khazar Ibrahim, the spokesman for the Foreign
Ministry of Azerbaijan said to TrendNews earlier.

The first meeting of the Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov
with the Armenian foreign minister Artur Nalbandyan was held in May
after which the meeting of the presidents was announced to be possible.

The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is scheduled to meet with
the new President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan for the first time in
St Petersburg on 6 June within the informal summit of the CIS head
of states.

According to Merzlyakov, the new president of Armenia is well-informed
of the process with Nagorno-Karabakh. "I think, the meeting will be
very businesslike if all sides are constructive and they are ready to
discuss basic principles of the settlement of the conflict," he said.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since
1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful
negotiations.

CENSORSHIP: TORONTO SCHOOL BOARD PULLS ANOTHER ONE; ALDANA SPEAKS OUT
By Derek Weiler

Quillblog
g/index.php/2008/05/20/toronto-school-board-pulls- another-one-aldana-speaks-out/
May 20 2008
Canada

As the Toronto Star reports, the Toronto District School Board has
removed a Barbara Coloroso book from its high school curriculum.

Barbara Coloroso’s Extraordinary Evil: A Brief History of Genocide
had been selected as a resource for a new Grade 11 history course
about genocide and crimes against humanity, but the book and the
course came under review after they were challenged by members of
the Canadian Turkish community.

While the board’s review committee decided to remove Coloroso’s
book from the curriculum, deeming it "far from a scrupulous text,"
the Armenian genocide will still be taught in the course.

The move comes two years after the same school board limited access
to Deborah Ellis’s Three Wishes (Groundwood Books), a book about the
Israel-Palestine conflict, to students in Grade 7 or older. There’s
been no comment or statement on the Extraordinary Evil situation
from the book’s publisher, Penguin Canada, which had not returned
messages from Q&Q at the time of this post. But Groundwood publisher
Patsy Aldana has released an open letter to the board; it appears in
full below.

Dear Trustees and staff of the TDSB,

As the publisher of Groundwood Books I am suffering from déja vu. Once
again you are succumbing to pressure and pulling a book. This is the
THREE WISHES controversy all over again.

I am also the publisher of a different book on genocide currently
listed for your course. In light of this decision I have to wonder
for how long. Our book GENOCIDE: a Groundwork Guide by Jane Springer
presents a different definition of genocide from Coloroso’s though
our book also describes the events in Armenia as genocide. As in the
case of THREE WISHES it would seem that Coloroso’s book among others
was originally selected by knowledgeable people for a reason. Now
all of a sudden it’s "inappropriate."

What is offensive in your decision is that it reflects what seems
to have become the TDSB’s habitual response to pressure – get rid
of books that are "problematic." This is a Grade 11 course – thus
obviating the weasel words "age inappropriate" used in the THREE WISHES
case. Is Barbara Coloroso’s argument unworthy of being considered,
discussed, debated? Bernard Lewis is a noted Islamophobe and yet you
seem to have included him in your course. Why not – isn’t the point
of education to stimulate critical thinking? Or have you already
decided what kids should think about this difficult topic in advance?

As a citizen of Canada, as a resident of Toronto, as a book publisher,
as a human being I find the TDSB’s reflexive instinct to censor
problematic, contentious, or (in the view of one group or another)
incorrect books and their points of view deeply disturbing. Have
you learned nothing? Our children need, urgently, to be educated to
be critical thinkers capable of drawing their own conclusions based
on a range of ideas. TDSB does not seem to embrace this principle,
quite the contrary. You are once again doing the children you have
been charged with educating a terrible injustice.

I condemn your withdrawal of this book. It is deplorable. It is
inexcusable. And I wonder what book will you be afraid to give to
our children next?

–Boundary_(ID_0tN71r4innne6FSFdoCFuA)–

HRANT MARGARIAN: COALITION IS NOT AN END IN ITSELF FOR DASHNAKTSUTYUN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. In the opinion of respresentative of
the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau Hrant Margarian, Dashnaktsutyun failed
at the presidential election but not because of its wrong policy or
incorrect activities. According to him, there were bloody clashes
during the presidential elections in 1996 and 2008 in an atmosphere
of social polarization. "Was it an accident that the same person was
the same major player – participant in both elections," H. Margarian
asked at the 30rd general assembly of the ARF on May 21.

In his words, after ten years of silence, a person whose presidency
years people recall with hatred, came to the political field. Having
united the opposition around himself, this person, according to
H. Margarian, created a strained and polarized atmosphere instead of
starting an ideological struggle. "The election was no longer among the
candidates, it was between the former and current authorities. Those,
who feared the return of the former authorities, voted for the current
ones, while those displeased with the current authorities, voted for
the former ones," the ARF Bureau member said.

According to him, what happened in the country was an attempt to
carry out a colored revolution, which was organized by outside forces
and headed by the opposition candidate for presidency. When this
attemp failed and all means of peaceful struggle were exhausted,
the tragic March 1 events occured, from which neither the people
nor the authorities benefited. "There was only one person (NT: Levon
Ter-Petrosian) to benefit from it, and, unfortunately, he achieved it".

H. Margarian said that two poles formed in the country: on one pole
there was the opposition whose goal was not power but "getting rid of
the Karabakh problem", while on the other pole were the authorities
which "did not win through clean election", but the international
community did not object to their election. According to H. Margarian,
it was the necessity to confront both external pressure and domestic
dangers that made Dashnaktsutyun form part of the ruling coalition. At
the same time he pointed out that the coalition is not an end in
itself for the Dashnaktsutyun. "While the danger is not over, our
remaining in the coalition is understandable. However, the duration
of the coalition is conditioned by clear-cut tasks, and from time to
time we will assess the efficiency of cooperation," he said.

Lake Van is Dying, Say Scientists

Asbarez Online
May 15, 2008

VAN (Combined Sources)–Scientists in Turkey have warned that Lake Van
in the southeastern part of the country will disappear in the next
10-15 years if no radical measures are applied to save it. Lake Van is
regarded the fifth biggest lake in Europe.

Lake Van, in the historic Armenian province of Vaspurakan, is the
cradle of Armenian civilization and has been the capital of various
Armenian Kingdoms throughout history. It is regarded as the fifth
largest lake in Europe.

The warning came from the Turkish Marine Environment Protection
Association (TURMEPA).

"According to expert reports…Lake Van will become a source of
pollution and will not be suitable to swim in," said TURMEPA Chairman
Esref Cerrahoglu. "Taking some urgent measures could save the lake,
which is an example of the very significant, historic and ecological
richness of the region. This is why we are also working for Lake Van
as well as our coastlines."

TURMEPA said its goal is to preserve the lake for coming
generations. It will organize special lectures for over 105,000 school
and university students and organize extensive clean-ups of the lake’s
shores.

As part of a project called "Limitless Blue," for the last two years
TURMEPA has been giving courses on the protection of the seas to
primary school students living on the coastlines. There were 105,000
students from Van who participated in one of the courses last week,
the Turkish Daily News reported.

TURMEPA currently works to safeguard a coastline of 8,333 kilometer
from Hopa to Iskenderun.

warticle=30804_5/15/2008_1

YURI KHACHATUROV WILL PARTICIPATE IN NATO SITTING OF THE CHIEFS OF GENERAL STAFFS

;p=0&id=471&y=2008&m=05&d=15
14.05 .08

On May 14, 2008 the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces
of the Republic of Armenia, First Deputy Defense Minister, Colonel
General Yuri Khachaturov will participate in the spring sitting of
the Chiefs of General Staffs of the Armed Forces of NATO member states
and partner countries to be held at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

The sitting will feature Chiefs of Generals Staffs of about 60
countries from NATO member and non-member states, from the Partnership
for Peace and the Mediterranean Dialogue, Ukraine and Russia. The
meetings are aimed at exchanging experience and forming military
opinions on the high level.

Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov will participate also in the sitting
of the Military Committee of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
and the sitting on Kosovo behind closed doors.

REP. COSTA CALLS ON NEW U.S. NOMINEE TO RA MARIE YOVANOVICH TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Congressman
Jim Costa sent a letter to Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovich, the
new nominee to be the United States Ambassador to the Republic of
Armenia, asking to answer questions about her feelings on the events
that happened in Turkey between 1915 and 1923. "It is important that
the United States fill this empty diplomatic position in Yerevan,"
said Costa. "But before she is confirmed by the United States Senate,
it is critical for my constituents and me to know her thoughts on
the first genocide of the 20th century: the Armenian Genocide."

PLANNING CONFERENCE OF THE COOPERATIVE LONGBOW/LANCER 08 EXERCISES TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
13.05.2008 13:31

The main planning conference of the cooperative longbow lancer 2008
exercises in the framework of NATO’s Partnership for Peace Program
will be held in Yerevan on May 14-16, Press Secretary of the Minister
of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan
informed.

ACCORDING TO PRIME MINISTER, IT IS ENVISAGED TO KEEP HIGH TAX COLLECTION RATES

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 12, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Despite the fact that 2007 was a year
of parliamentary elections and preparation for the presidential
election, a 33% growth of budgetary revenues was registered, the RA
prime minister Tigran Sargsian stated at the May 12 joint sitting of
the RA National Assembly standing committees. In 2006, the growth of
revenues made 16%. The share of taxes in GDP grew by 1.6% – against
the programmed 0.4% growth. There were some structural changes in the
expenditures which grew by 32%: some additional funds were allocated
to the social sector, science, education and health care.

According to T. Sargsian, it is envisaged to keep high rates of tax
collection – about 0.5% a year, as well as to increase the share of
taxes in GDP and improve tax administration with the aim of reducing
shadow economy and ensuring a competitve field.

US Secretary of State congratulates FM Edward Nalbandian

armradio.am
09.05.2008 12:16

Congratulations continue coming in on the occasion of Edward
Nalbandian’s appointment to the post of Prime Minister of the Republic
of Armenia.

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received a congratulatory message
form US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The message states, in
part: `I congratulate you on your appointment as Foreign Minister of
Armenia. I’m looking forward to meeting with you and I hope that due to
joint work we shall reinforce the friendship between our countries. We
have a lot of work to do in the direction of the final shaping of the
basic principle so the Karabakh conflict resolution, as well as
assisting Armenia in the normalization of diplomatic and economic
relations with neighbor countries. We hope that Armenia will take
decisive steps to give new momentum to the implementation of democratic
reforms and restoring political freedoms, which are universal values
which lay in the basis of the relations between our countries.

Reuters
May 8 2008

Fairmont to sell Singapore’s Raffles Hotel

Thu May 8, 2008 3:21pm IST
(Updates with confirmation of sale from Fairmont)

SINGAPORE, May 8 (Reuters) – Fairmont Raffles Hotels International
said on Thursday that it will sell its stake in Singapore’s landmark
Raffles Hotel to a consortium led by ex-Credit Suisse banker Mark
Pawley.

Fairmont, which is controlled by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and
U.S. private equity firm Colony Capital, did not disclose the selling
price, although Singapore media said the figure was around S$650
million ($471.7 million).

Fairmont did not name the members of the consortium. Pawley is CEO of
Singapore-based private equity firm Oxley Capital that specializes in
real estate, though an executive at Oxley told Reuters the firm was
not the buyer.

Singapore’s Business Times cited unnamed sources as saying the
overseas buyer was linked to a European family.

Colony bought the 121-year-old hotel for about S$200 million in 2005
as part of a bigger S$1.7 billion acquisition of the Raffles Holdings
hotel chain, the Business Times said.

Raffles Hotel, a Singapore national monument, was founded in 1887 by
four Armenian brothers. In its colonial heyday, its guests included
luminaries such as authors Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling and Somerset
Maugham.

Fairmont, which operates 88 hotels globally under the Raffles,
Fairmont and Swissotel brands, said in a statement it will continue to
manage the Singapore hotel after the sale. (Reporting by Daryl Loo and
Kevin Lim, editing by Neil Chatterjee)