Author: Nadirian Emma

"MIKA YEREVAN" WINS BRONZE MEDAL IN EUROPEAN COMPETITION

Panorama.am
18:07 10/10/2007

In the group chess championships in Turkey the Mika Yerevan women’s
group won a bronze medal. The Armenian team won in the seventh round
by a score of 3:1 over the Georgian team "Interplast Tbilisi." The
team from Monaco won first place, followed by the team from Russia.

As informed by the Armenian chess federation, the Armenian male
team "Benk King" played to a 3:3 draw with "Vesniak Gran" from
Belarus. Leading the male teams was "Lineks Mejik Merida," from
Spain, followed by Russia’s "Ural Sverdlovskaya," with the top three
including Germany’s "Baden-Baden." Armenia’s team took the 9th spot
in the competition.

We note that 56 Armenian male teams took part in the competition,
and 18 female teams. The European chess team championship, in the
Turkish city of Kemer Antalya, kicked off on October 3. Closing
ceremonies took place today.

Pontifical Visit Media Advisory

His Holiness Karekin II
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
Pontifical Visit of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue New York, New York 10016
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
Pontifical Visit
Media Relations Office

Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, Ph.D.
Director
Telephone: 212.686.0710 ext. 154
[email protected]
Facsimile: 212.689.1934
Cellular: 212.533.0335

Sylvie Keshishian
Public Relations Director
Telephone: 212.686.0710 ext. 160
[email protected]
Facsimile: 212.689.1934

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 October 2007

His Holiness Karekin II Prays and Lays Wreath at Holocaust Memorial in
Boston – Joined by Rabbi Moshe Waldoks & Boston Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Leader Andrew Tarsay

Massachusetts Council of Churches & Sean Cardinal O’Malley Affirm Armenian
Genocide & Support for Boston Genocide Memorial

Boston – His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all
Armenians visited the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston today to pay
his respects, lay a wreath and pray for the victims of the Jewish Holocaust.
The Catholicos of All Armenians was joined by: Reb Moshe Waldoks, Spiritual
Leader of Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts; the New England
Regional Director of the ADL, Mr. Andrew Tarsay; and His Eminence Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern).

His Holiness began his visit to the Holocaust Memorial by laying flowers at
a shrine dedicated to the memory of Holocaust victims. Together with Reb
Waldoks he offered prayers for those who perished and petitioned that such
crimes against humanity never again be perpetrated on any people. Both
religious leaders expressed their concern that recognition, condemnation and
prevention of such atrocities must be unequivocal, especially for the people
of Darfur who are currently enduring a genocide.

The Catholicos listened intently as Reb Waldoks described the meaning of
each element of the Holocaust Memorial, recalling the significant
contributions to humanity and culture that the Jewish people have made and
how too often pogroms and intolerance marked their experience. The profound
respect each man has for the other, and for their respective peoples, was
demonstrated in the affection and respect they showed one another.

Upon the completion of the tour of the Holocaust Memorial His Holiness took
the opportunity to thank Mr. Andrew Tarsay for his condemnation of those who
refused to proclaim the Genocide of the Armenians, calling such conduct
"morally indefensible." The Catholicos also took time to thank the
Immediate Past President of the American Jewish Committee, Mr. James D.
Kaufman, for his contributions to the betterment of humanity.

"We are deeply honored that His Holiness Karekin II has come to pay his
respects to Holocaust Victims here in Boston," said Mr. Kaufman. "We deeply
appreciate his demonstration of solidarity with us and in turn we want Him
to know that we stand in solidarity with him and the Armenian people who
suffered a cruel genocide of 1.5 million souls between 1915 to 1918."

Mr. Kaufman continued, "Our two peoples share a common history of
oppression, first at the hands of the Babylonians, then the Romans and
throughout the ages. Even in recent decades we shared a history of
oppression at the hands of the Soviet Union. The Armenians were subjugated
to Soviet rule and the Jewish people suffered restrictions on the practice
of their faith and freedom of movement. I am pleased to see the Armenian
homeland free and re-established. I hope today’s events are just another
step in the strong relationship between Armenians and Jews."

Mr. Anthony Barsamian of the Armenian Assembly of America was also present,
adding, "At the beginning of the 20th century, and again in its midst, there
were those who tried to annihilate and exterminate our two great peoples.
The century concluded with the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and this
century commenced with the genocide that still rages on in Darfur. We stand
together with our brothers and sisters in the Jewish community to mourn
humanity’s losses and recommit ourselves to the unequivocal and unified
condemnation of crimes against humanity with one, resounding voice so that
some day mankind might no longer suffer such evil and injustices." The
Armenian Assembly has been a leader in the effort to have the United States
Congress pass a resolution acknowledging and condemning the Armenian
Genocide.

Sean Cardinal O’Malley and Massachusetts Council of Churches Affirm Genocide
and Efforts to Build a Genocide Memorial in Boston

His Holiness Karekin II began the day at a breakfast for ecumenical leaders
being hosted by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, Sean Cardinal
O’Malley. During the breakfast, The Rev. Jack Johnson read to the

assembled audience a resolution stating:

The Massachusetts Council of Churches unequivocally recognizes the Armenian
Genocide, launched on April 24, 1915 and continued through 1923, which
resulted in the annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians in Ottoman Turkey and
the deportation of almost the entire Armenian population from its ancestral
lands in Asia Minor. The Armenian Genocide marked the first modern instance
of genocide conducted as a policy of state..

The Massachusetts Council of Churches resolves.

to resist and rebuke the deniers of genocide (whether these are criminally
complicit; politically expedient; purveyors of pseudo-scholarship; or merely
apathetic) in the certain knowledge that any denial of genocide will only
encourage attempts of genocide in the future;

to remembers the souls of those who perished in the horrors of the Armenian
Genocide, and pray for the peace of those who survived; and to pray, most
emphatically, that in the century just beginning, God will free humankind of
the scourge of genocide once and for all;

The Massachusetts Council of Churches is comprised of seventeen Orthodox and
Protestant Churches and has the participation of the Roman Catholic Church
as an observer. The Rev. Jack Johnson, Executive Director of the Council,
read the resolution before presenting it to His Holiness Karekin II.

Sean Cardinal O’Malley welcomed His Holiness, speaking of the fraternal love
between the Roman Catholic and Armenian Churches, recalling the visit of
several Armenian priests to his office when he was first appointed the
Archbishop of Boston. In a solemn and moving moment, His Eminence Sean
Cardinal O’Malley directly addressed Catholicos Karekin II and Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, saying "I want to go on
record as affirming my acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide and the
suffering it has caused the Armenian people and make clear my support for
your efforts to memorialize the Genocide here in Boston."

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority had given permission to construct an
Armenian Genocide Memorial on the Greenway in Boston. However, at the
eleventh-hour a proposal was made to thwart the effort.

His Holiness Karekin II, deeply moved by the support voiced by Sean Cardinal
O’Malley, embraced him as a sign of warm affection. Much to the approval
and smiles of all in attendance, the Catholicos ended the breakfast by
presenting Cardinal O’Malley with an ornate, gold, Armenian Cross and
inviting the Cardinal and the Rev. Jack Johnson to be his guests in Holy
Etchmiadzin.

His Holiness Karekin II began his pastoral visit to his flock in the United
States with a visit to California and the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America and continued his visit in the Eastern Diocese beginning
two days later in New York. During the course of the Pontifical Visit, His
Holiness Karekin II will visit 18 cities in 14 different states (a complete
list of visits can be found online at: <;
www.pontif icalvisit.org).

Daily coverage of the Pontifical Visit can be found online on the official
Pontifical Visit Web Site ( <;
www.pontif icalvisit.org). The site provides a wealth of information about
His Holiness Karekin II, the Armenian Church, and the Diaspora and includes
daily photographic and video updates to allow the faithful throughout the
United States and the world to stay abreast of events, activities and
worship services.

For more information on the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II,
including supplemental media advisories and background papers, please visit:
<; and
<;

ADL Leader Andrew Tarsay with His Holiness Karekin II at the Holocaust
Memorial in Boston

Rabbi Moshe Waldoks and His Holiness Karekin II at the Holocaust Memorial
in Boston

# # #

32 CLUB: IT WAS PART OF THE SCENARIO

ArmRadio – Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 8 2007

The first program of the 32 Club in the new season of the Public
TV received an unprecedented feedback. The reason is the argument
between members of the 32 Club and an uninvited guest, which later
turned into close fight.

Today producer of the 32 Club Karen Babajanyan told Radiolur that
the new season of this daring and scandalous project could not start
in an ordinary manner. In reality, the program was not aired live,
and the squabble was part of the scenario. The uninvited guests were
stuntmen. Vahag, member of the Club, is not at Erebuni hospital as
it was announced earlier, but is doing his usual work. In fact, it
was a staged joke. In the next program the 32 Club will present the
details and the cadres that were left out from the first program.

Producer of the 32 Club Karen Babajanyan has already heard different
comments on yesterday’s scenario. In particular, rumors say the 32
Club is closing down. However, the broadcasts of the 32 Club will
continue on Channel First. The guys promise that the new surprises
will be as interesting and unpredictable.

"Soon everything will fall into place. We are again on air and let’s
say this was our greeting. The 32 Club is unique in its kind and I
think, this step must be forgiven," the producer said.

Yesterday’s program of the 32 Club is at the core of today’s
discussions. Everyone is trying to find out what’s happening in
reality.

"I want to give advice. Don’t attach that much importance to this
incident. There are much more important problems in the country,"
Karen Babajanyan said.

HARMAN FLIP-FLOPS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

Los Angeles Times, CA
an-flip-flo.html
Oct 6 2007

In the long, unhappy life of the congressional resolution to officially
recognize and commemorate the Armenian genocide, there have been many
moments (from the Armenian point of view, which I broadly share)
of parliamentary treachery — then-House speaker Dennis Hastert
withdrawing the resolution at the last minute in 2000, both presidents
George Bush vowing as candidates to officially recognize the genocide
then dropping the pledge once in the White House, and so on.

Now we can add to that list … hawkish South Bay Democrat Jane
Harman! Even though Harman is one the bill’s 226 co-sponsors, she
nonetheless wrote a letter to House Foreign Relations Committee Chair
Tom Lantos Wednesday urging him to withdraw it from consideration,
and announcing that she will oppose the very resolution she affixed
her name to. Excerpt:

My father was a refugee to the United States from Nazi Germany. I
understand the consquences of ethnic and racial persecution, and am
comitted to fighting and condemning acts of genocide wherever they
occur. That is why I agreed to cosponsor H. Res. 106. I am convinced
that a terrible crime was committed against the Armenian people. That
crime should be recognized and condemned.

However, following a visit to Turkey earlier this year that included
meetings with Prime Minister Erdogan, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarch
and colleagues of murdered journalist Hrant Dink, I have great concern
that this is the wrong time for the Congress to consider this measure.

Due to my security focus in the House, I have made 18 trips to the
Middle East region over the past 14 years and am persuaded that Turkey
plays a critically important role in moderating extremist forces
there. Given the nature of the threat, I believe it is imperative to
nurture that role — however valid from the historical perspective,
we should avoid taking steps that would embarrass or isolate the
Turkish leadership.

In other words, the Turks are wrong, but they’re just too important
to piss off. Jane’ll fight tomorrow’s genocide, but would rather not
talk about yesterday’s. Still, the Foreign Affairs Committee has
scheduled a vote for next Wednesday, and Democrats are predicting
the bill will pass the House.

I wrote about the bizarre politics of saying "genocide" back in April.

BUSH BACKS TURKEY ON ARMENIANS

Canberra Times
October 7, 2007 Sunday

UNITED STATES President George W.Bush has opposed moves to legally
term the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Armenians during the
Ottoman Empire a genocide, backing Turkey’s stand on the issue.

"The President has described the events of 1915 as ‘One of the greatest
tragedies of the 20th century’, but believes the determination of
whether or not the events constitute a genocide should be a matter
for historical inquiry, not legislation," White House spokesman Gordon
Johndroe said.

The comments came after Mr Bush talked with Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discussed legislation before the US
Congress, which describes the deaths of Armenians from 1915 to 1923
as genocide. Turkey is a key Muslim ally for the US and a member of
NATO.

The Library of Congress
S.RES.106
Title: A resolution calling on the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide.
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 3/14/2007)

Related Bills: H.RES.106
Latest Major Action: 3/14/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

COSPONSORS(32), BY DATE [order is left to right]:
Sen Ensign, John [NV] – 3/14/2007Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] – 3/14/2007
Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] – 3/14/2007Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] – 3/14/2007
Sen Coleman, Norm [MN] – 3/14/2007Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] – 3/14/2007
Sen Sununu, John E. [NH] – 3/14/2007Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] – 3/14/2007
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] – 3/14/2007Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] – 3/14/2007
Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] – 3/14/2007Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] – 3/14/2007
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] – 3/14/2007Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] – 3/14/2007
Sen Reed, Jack [RI] – 3/14/2007Sen Allard, Wayne [CO] – 3/14/2007
Sen Dole, Elizabeth [NC] – 3/14/2007Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] – 3/14/2007
Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] – 3/14/2007Sen Klobuchar, Amy [MN] – 3/14/2007
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] – 3/14/2007Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] – 3/14/2007
Sen Levin, Carl [MI] – 3/19/2007Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] – 3/20/2007
Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] – 3/21/2007Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] – 4/11/2007
Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] – 4/16/2007Sen Reid, Harry [NV] – 4/18/2007
Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] – 4/19/2007Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] – 5/7/2007
Sen Murray, Patty [WA] – 9/18/2007Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] – 10/4/2007

AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENTARIAN FROM KARABAKH AGAINST MEETINGS AND CONTACTS WITH ARMENIAN SEPARATISTS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 5 2007

"I will not visit Karabakh, if offered, as we are defeated party,
though temporarily, and Armenia is a winning party. How could
we face the winning party? How could we ground our visit?" Elman
Mammadov, parliamentarian of Shusha-Fuzuli-Khojaly-Khojavand election
constituency #124, one of the representatives of "Nagorno Karabakh’s
Azerbaijani Community" public union said, in response to the question
whether he will join the second visit of Azerbaijani intellectuals
to Nagorno Karabakh, APA reports.

The parliamentarian said he does not understand the aim of this visit,
he is against these meetings and contacts and underlined that he will
never visit the occupied territories as a defeated party.

"I will visit these lands, when Azerbaijani Army liberates them. I
will only visit Nagorno Karabakh as a winner," he said.

POLITICAL SITUATIONS – NOT MANNA FROM HEAVEN
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Oct 5 2007

NAIRA ZOHRABRYAN, member of "Prosperous Armenia" parliamentary faction
gives answers to our questions regarding the unusually peaceful
daybreaks of the pre-electoral autumn and the second advent of the
ex-President, a more or less outstanding event in this dull panorama.

"How do you account for the Opposition’s passive posture and the
widespread uncertainty prevailing in this field several months prior
to the elections?"

"I wouldn’t say that there is uncertainty prevailing inside the
Opposition camp. The situation that prevails inside there now
is the one we have eye-witnessed so many years. That is, the same
disorientation, disorganization, incomplete awareness of one’s goals
and activities, roughly speaking – the same uncertain situation.

This has already become a characteristic atmosphere in which they
manage to survive quite well. I think this situation will continue
both in the pre-election period and after the presidential elections."

"However, agree with me that the pro-Opposition leaders have never
had such a modest conduct. They all seem to be in a kind of expectant
situation, they are trying not to show off, so to say."

"The thing is that a slight positive development was really observed
in the Opposition’s conduct during the recent years; they realized
that the times for staging revolutions and climbing up the barricades
are past, and by appointing hours for revolutions (e.g. at 12:45 or
13:47 p. m) they have scattered the small number of the resources they
had among the public. Perhaps, they already realize themselves that
in case they go on like that, they may become not only unconceivable
but also ridiculous. Perhaps this is the reason they are trying not
to show off too much.

I believe there certain tendency of livening will, nonetheless, be
observed in the pre-election period. But I am sure that this will
not be the same livening that existed prior to the 2003 presidential
elections, because a considerable part of the people still trusted
the Opposition then and had some hopes for them. Unfortunately, the
Opposition itself reduced the level of public trust almost to zero."

"Whereas the public layers supporting the Armenian pan-National
Movement are convinced that in case of joining the electoral campaign,
the ex-President will spoil the game, creating a qualitatively new
situation both inside the pro-Government and the pro-Opposition camp."

"New political situations are not manna from heaven, and the
developments that serve as a turning point never spring from
statements, decrees and declarations. Political pre-requisites are
required for changing the political situation. Presently, I don’t
see the political pre-requisites that can drastically change the
situation of the pre-election period and establish new game rules on
the political arena. Levon Ter-Petrosyan has only submitted a claim
for participating in the upcoming political processes.

Nevertheless, the conversations that the ex-President will come with
a new political team are at least strange to me in the present-day
situation, because likewise political situations which are not
manna from heaven, the political teams are never set up without
any background. In any case, I didn’t see new faces among the
people standing behind Levon Ter-Petrosyan in "Marriot-Armenia"
hotel. Perhaps, this is the ‘surprise’ that the first President
prepared for us. Therefore, let’s wait and not run ahead of time.

If we are speaking about the political situation that exists at
the present moment, I really don’t see the turning points that can
change the coalition’s action plan during the upcoming presidential
elections."

"Anyway, isn’t it strange that Levon Ter-Petrosyan announces, on the
one hand, that the ‘settlement’ of the Karabakh Issue is the only clue
providing solution to all the problems of Armenia, and he hasn’t yet
decided what to do because he has no such solution and, on the other
hand, he visits the office of Dashnaktsutyun after a short while and
‘confirms’ his intention of running for presidency? In such situation,
which is the true alternative with which the Armenian pan-National
Movement is going to make a public appearance?"

"Yesterday I addressed the same question to one of Levon Ter-Petrosyan
team members, leader of the Armenian Liberal Progressive Party
Hovhannes Hovhannisyan. He said that the first President will, in
the near future, introduce his doctrine, i.e. what solution he sees
to all the problems. And that time they will give the answer to the
questions the public is interested in.

Anyway, I didn’t see any solution, any program in Mr. Ter-Petrosyan’s
September 21 speech. Perhaps, he has that program.

The assessments can be made only after he makes a final decision on
his nomination and introduces the conceptual approaches and ideas
regarding the solution to the existing problems and first of all –
the Karabakh issue.

NET FOREIGN DEBT OF ARMENIA DECLINES BY 36.4 MILLION DOLLARS TO 707.16 MILLION DOLLARS IN SECOND QUARTER OF 2007
Author: Editor: Eghian Robert

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The gross foreign debt of Armenia
made 2 bln 261.26 mln USD in late June 2007, growing by 149.8 mln
USD as compared with the index of late March 2007.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, 48.08% of
gross foreign debt formed in the state governance system, 19.65%
– in the private sector, 8.02% – in monetary and credit regulation
bodies, 11.62% – in commercial banks, and 12.64% were foreign direct
investments in the form of interfirm credits received by organizations
in verious sectors of economy.

Gross foreign assets of Armenia made 1 bln 554.10 mln USD in late
June 2007, growing by 186.20 mln USD in the second quarter of 2007.

As a result, Armenia’s net foreign debt declined by 36.4 mln USD to
707.16 mln USD.

301 CONCERNS RESURFACE IN DINK TRIAL

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2007

( Todayszaman ) The Istanbul 14th Criminal Court on Monday resumed the
trial of suspects in the killing of Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant
Dink in a case that brought up discussions on the Turkish Penal Code’s
(TCK) Article 301, under which Dink was convicted and which is also
seen as a test of the judiciary in investigating possible negligence
by authorities.

Demonstrators at his funeral in January carried banners reading
"301 is the murderer," after Dink was shot dead in broad daylight in
front of his newspaper Agos ‘ office. " Hrant Dink’s death is linked
to 301," said Claudia Roth, a leader of the German opposition Greens,
who is in Istanbul to attend the hearing. "It was 301 that killed him,
and that’s why I am here."

European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn also made a statement
on Monday emphasizing the EU’s sensitivity about changing 301. He
said the European Union has been waiting for a change since 2004 and
called on the government to either abolish the article or review it
as necessary without further delay.

Article 301, which criminalizes "insulting Turkishness ," is seen
as a serious obstacle to freedom of speech in Turkey by Turkish
intellectuals and the European Union. In addition to Dink, Nobel
Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and novelist Elif Safak stood trial under
Article 301; however, the government has still not made any visible
moves to amend it.

But that situation might be changing, sources close to the government
indicate, claiming that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
is considering changes to the infamous article. The AK Party has
reportedly sought alternative texts for the article from two prominent
jurists, Former dead of the Supreme Court of Appeals Sami Selcuk and
Professor Izzet Ozgenc , one of the architects of the TCK.

The government is now expected to replace Article 301 by one of two
alternative texts, or combine the two, which are very similar, in a
new paragraph.

One of the points common to Article 301 in the alternative paragraphs
proposed by Selcuk and Ozgenc is replacing the concept of " Turkishness
" with the word "Turkish nation," and replacing the word "Republic,"
with the expression "the State of the Turkish Republic."

Both jurists believe that prosecutors should require special
permission from a higher authority to start a probe under 301, but the
authorities they point to differ significantly. While Selcuk believes
this authority should lie with the president as the head of state,
Professor Ozgenc defends that it should lie with the minister of
justice, as it previously used to. In January of last year, the
government requested all civil society organizations to agree on
an alternative paragraph to modify the article, but civil groups
failed to reach consensus on a single text. Most experts propose one
of two possible methods to alleviate the problems caused by 301. A
number of legal experts and a significant number of civil society
organizations would like to see the article abolished entirely. The
European Union is also of that opinion. A second opinion is to amend
the article instead of removing it from the penal code, which is what
the government is likely to opt for.