Author: Nahapetian Boris

ARMENIA MISSES THE TRANS-CAUCASUS TRAIN

Turkish Daily News
July 25 2008
Turkey

Turkish stretch of a strategic railway project excluding Armenia
inaugurated in Kars at a time when Ankara signals positive moves to
normalize ties with Yerevan. ‘The project is open to all countries
in the region,’ says Gul

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

Turkey joined with two other regional leaders in a show of power
yesterday in inaugurating the 76-kilometer Turkish section of a
strategic railway that bypasses Armenia, which has long opposed
the project.

The presidents of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan launched the railway
project, which is considered a potential source of isolation and an
economic setback for Armenians, in the eastern Anatolian province of
Kars. The inauguration of the long awaited project comes at a time
when Ankara has gestured positively towards mending fences with
Yerevan through secret diplomatic negotiations, raising questions
about the viability of a rapprochement.

"The project is open to all countries in the region who want to
contribute to good, neighborly relations, peace and prosperity,"
President Abdullah Gul said in Kars, a Turkish city near the Armenian
border.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad excludes Armenia, which has long
opposed the project. Yerevan has argued that there is already a
railway running from Kars to the northern Armenian city of Gyumri and
that the Kars-Gyumri link, which has stood idle for over a decade,
could be used to build a trans-Caucasus railroad.

But Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia have pressed ahead with plans to
realize the long-awaited project, a move that is expected to cast a
shadow on Turkey’s recent opening toward Armenia.

"The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad project will revive the historic
Silk Road," Gul said during yesterday’s ceremony, also attended by
the presidents of Azerbaijan and Georgia, Ilham Aliyev and Mikhail
Saakashvili. He said the railroad, also known as the Iron Silk Road,
would not only link Turkey’s rail network with that of Georgia
and energy-rich Azerbaijan but also connect Central Asia and China
to Europe. The Georgian section of the 180-kilometer project was
completed in 2007. With an estimated cost of $450 million, the project
is expected to be complete in 2010. The railroad will carry one million
passengers and 6.5 million tons of freight annually, while the number
of passengers it will carry will reach three million in 2034, private
NTV television reported. Parallel to the Marmaray Project to link
the European and Asian halves of Istanbul by an undersea rail tunnel
across the Bosporus, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project will pave the way
for transfer of freight from Europe to China, so that the freight
transfer between Europe and Central Asia will shift to the railways.

Railroad creates economic zone, says Gul Gul said the project was
revived in 2004 and after negotiations between the three countries
and strong political will it is becoming a reality. He noted that
Kazakhstan and China have extended strong support for the project. The
relevant ministries of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan will be in charge
of following up on the project and will write periodical reports to
the presidents, informing them of all phases of the railroad work. "The
project somehow created a new economic zone that has not been named,"
said Gul. European Union candidate Turkey sees such infrastructure
projects as boosting its role as a bridge for trade and energy between
the East and the West.

ARMENIAN LEADER, PACE CHIEF DISCUSS DEMOCRATIC REFORMS

Arminfo News Agency
July 25 2008
Armenia

The fulfilment of proposals listed in PACE resolutions No 1609 and 1620
by Armenia stems not from compulsion, but from internal conviction,
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at a meeting with the president
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe [PACE], Lluis
Maria de Puig, today.

The two men discussed the pace of implementation of the reforms
proposed by PACE resolutions No 1609 and 1620. Sargsyan noted Armenia’s
determination in the implementation of provisions put forward in
the PACE resolutions. He said that these provisions have also been
reflected in the Armenian president’s pre-election manifesto and in
the memorandum signed by the four members of the political coalition.

"The fulfilment of these provisions does not stem from results of
pressure, but from internal conviction," Sargsyan said. He added:
"I am deeply convinced that Armenia has no other way apart from a
consistent movement on the path of democracy".

The PACE president said that the goal of his visit [to Armenia] is to
speed up the implementation of the PACE resolutions. He pointed out
that certain progress in this regard has already been made and this is
welcome. He added that both the Armenian authorities and opposition
bear responsibility for country’s future. The PACE president noted
that the Council of Europe respectably refers to the Armenian people’s
choice and called on the opposition to recognize the results of the
election which has been reflected in the PACE resolution too.

"TURKISH POLICE, GENDARMERIE FAULTY IN DINK MURDER"

Hurriyet
July 23 2008
Turkey

Turkish police department and gendarmerie had negligence, fault and
lack of coordination in the assassination of a Turkish-Armenian
journalist, a sub-commission of the Parliament said in a report
on Wednesday.

The sub-commission under the Human Rights Commission was founded last
year to investigate the murder of journalist Hrant Dink.

Dink, editor in chief of Agos newspaper, was shot dead outside the
offices of the paper in Istanbul in January, 2007. Police arrested
the gunman and a suspected associate who was identified as Yasin Hayal.

Lower-ranked police officials and gendarme forces told during the
investigation they had informed their superiors about intelligence
regarding Dink’s assasination prior to the incident.

There was no accusation against individuals in the 180-page report,
Mehmet Ocaktan, head of the sub-commission, told a press conference.

ARMENIA UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF STABLE GEORGIA
M. Alkhazashvili

The Messenger
July 23 2008
Georgia

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisyan underlined the importance of
political stability in Georgia at a July 21 press conference, the
news agency Regnum reports. Sarkisyan said Armenia is dependent on
Georgia as an export route.

"I will have opportunities to meet Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili in the near future with the aim of finding new
possibilities [for cooperation]," he said.

IRAN CAN BRING ABOUT RECONCILIATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA

armradio.am
21.07.2008 16:07

Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Friday evening expressed
hope that the positive developments taken place in Armenia-Turkey
relations would help strengthen regional peace and friendship, IRNA
agency reported.

Mottaki made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Armenian
counterpart Edward Nalbandian.

The two foreign ministers called for further expansion of
Tehran-Yerevan relations in all areas.

Welcoming Iran’s constructive cooperation, the Armenian foreign
minister expressed his satisfaction with the growing trend of bilateral
cooperation.

He also appreciated the great efforts the Islamic Republic of Iran
has made to strengthen relations among regional states.

Political observers believe that the Islamic Republic, as a powerful
and stable country in the region, can bring about reconciliation
between Turkey and Armenia.

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

THE SECOND PAN-DIASPORA CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION IS LAUNCHED IN ANTELIAS

The second Pan-Diaspora Conference on Education was launched on July 17 in
the Saint Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya. The conference brings together
some 100 Armenian community officials from around the world involved in the
field of education, including principals of Armenian schools and teachers of
Armenian Language, Literature, Religion.

The official opening of the conference in the "Prapyon Doumanian" Hall of
the Seminary followed the morning service in the Saint Asdvadzadzine chapel.

In his speech the Pontiff praised the commitment of the Armenian school and
its dedicated teachers to the spiritual and intellectual formation of the
new Armenian generations. Referring to the discussions of the first
conference on education held four years ago in Antelias, His Holiness talked
about those proposals, which had been brought to life as well as the
shortcomings in realizing some others.

Outlining his vision of the second conference’s discussions, His Holiness
advised that it should be unique in its kind. "This is not only a conference
to share our difficulties and concerns with one another. We have come here
to talk about re-organizing the teaching of Armenological topics,
particularly Armenian Language, Literature, and Religion. We live in
different circumstances. In some countries there are difficulties with
regard to classes, textbooks and even teachers. Therefore, the exchange of
viewpoints and your proposals are essential for the coordination of our
collective efforts. Finally, His Holiness called up the participants to work
collectively.

The sessions of the first day featured discussions on the status of the
above-mentioned topics in each of the Dioceses and other concerns. The
conference will continue over the next two days.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos286.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.

Mottaki hails positive developments in Armenia-Turkey ties

Ankara, July 19, IRNA
Iran-Armenia-FMs

Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Friday evening expressed
hope that the positive developments taken place in Armenia-Turkey
relations would help strengthen regional peace and friendship.

Mottaki made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Armenian
counterpart Edward Nalbandian.

The two foreign ministers called for further expansion of
Tehran-Yerevan relations in all areas.

Welcoming Iran’s constructive cooperation, the Armenian foreign
minister expressed his satisfaction with the growing trend of bilateral
cooperation.

He also appreciated the great efforts the Islamic Republic of Iran has
made to strengthen relations among regional states.

Political observers believe that the Islamic Republic, as a powerful
and stable country in the region, can bring about reconciliation
between Turkey and Armenia.

SERZH SARGSYAN’S ADDRESS ON THE 100TH DAY OF PRESIDENCY

armradio.am
18.07.2008 18:25

"Dear compatriots,

Today is the 100th day of my presidency. Hundredth day, which is only
a symbolic occasion to sum the work done and once again set the agenda
of the priorities of the development of our state. During the passed
100 days the aim of my activity was to refer to the expectations of
hundred thousands of our compatriots, their hopes and demands, create
bases for continuing the changes which are the direct imperatives of
the further development of our state.

What I said refers to all the spheres of activity, domestic and foreign
policy, improvement of security and armed forces, the activity of the
police and the judicial system, effective economic policy including
the work of tax and customs bodies. There are spheres where we have
managed to achieve results in a short period of time. In other fields
the results will also be obvious in the near future.

I have started the implementation of my platform which has been
approved by many of you and includes the solution of important and
concrete issues. The past 100 days showed that we will implement part
of them much sooner than we expected, for the others we need longer
time, longer, but not longer than we have planned.

I do not say you must be patient, believe me, I am not patient too,
I want to see all our issues solved a day bef ore – see the positive
results of fighting against injustice, indifference, corruption
and poverty.

At the end of the 100 days of the presidency I want to apply to you
with a request – I ask each of you to answer for yourself to the
following question – what changes have been registered in our country
during this period? Ask your friend, relative and neighbor.

Unfortunately, some people speak with mistrust about the work
carried out today. With my successiveness I am going to turn their
pessimism. What happens now is not – "a month of secure traffic" or
"clean hands" events. Our work will not be limited to any "hundred
days." We will make this working style our natural norm of life.

I have always spoken with you openly and frankly, and today I expect
the same frankness from you, frankness, because we need optimism for
passing to the implementation of greater projects and programs.

Even for doing a minor work a person must be on a right mood and we,
as a society, must have relevant mood for doing our work, must be
ready and have mood for changes, assess the development pace of our
statehood, pass the whole way of curing the public – from diagnosing
to full treatment.

Always remember that you are free citizens of independent Armenia
and today we write together a new page in our history. What will be
written depends n ot only on the president but on all of us. The next
page will be written by our children and grandchildren. The pages they
will leave depend on us, on the country where they live and will live.

My wish and the aim of my activity is that they live in free Armenia,
democratic, developed and strong Armenia.

We will work together to create such Armenia."

BUSINESSMAN SAMVEL KARAPETIAN READY TO INVEST 250 MLN USD

AZG Armenian Daily
19/07/2008

Armenia-Diaspora

RA President Serge Sargsian made an address to the RA citizens and
world spread Armenians during "Baze" All-Armenian youth gathering
calling on them to be more active and full of initiative to flourish
the motherland with joint efforts.

Russian-based Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetian first responded to
the call of the President, Armenpress reported. In his letter addressed
to the Armenian President he wrote that Armenia is the motherland of
all Armenians, and independent of geographical position a part of each
Armenian’s heart and soul is always in the motherland. The businessman
regards himself as a supporter of the initiative, as independent of
financial ability each Armenian’s pride is the motherland and the
Armenians will be rich only when they see their motherland prosperous
and flourishing. The businessman says that he is ready to invest 200
mln USD in the business and social projects and another 50 mln USD
in any symbolizing project in Armenia.

Chairman of the board of directors of "Mon Ar" company Sergey
Hambardzumian also responded to the call of the Armenian President. He
is ready to provide 10 mln USD.

THE "LOCOMOTIVES" PAID FOR REVOLUTION
Vrezh Aharonyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on July 16, 2008
Armenia

How are the activists funded?

The press has spoken a lot on how the centers of "colored revolutions"
provide funding to the youth pro-opposition movements – the so-called
"locomotives", which were founded by their own initiative.

We won’t be mistaken if we say that the most active part of the
pro-Ter-Petrosyan opposition has now focused on founding this kind
of organizations or extending the scope of their activity.

We possess reliable information that the first pro-Ter-Petrosyan
youth movement known as "Sksela" (begins) was founded and financed
by "Transparency International" and "Counterpart International"
organizations which spent around 150000 US Dollars for bringing the
movement into exisitence.

Seeing that the youth movements were increasing the efficiency of their
work in Armenia and really had pretensions to become the locomotives
of the Armenian "DVD revolution", the leaders of the pro-Ter-Petrosyan
opposition and their Western sponsors decided to found new movements
("Hima", "Ver Kats", "Hatouk Goond" etc.) on the bases of "Sksela",
a youth organiztion consisting of 70-80 activists.

At the initial stage, Arsen Kharatyan, one of the leaders of
"Sksela"20 movement, received special trainings in one of the centers
of Washington.

Later Izabella Sargsyan, another activist, received similar trainings
in London, and then the other members were trained in Macedonia. In
the whole period, the activists received funding in huge sums.

During and after the 2008 presidential elections, the above-mentioned
youth movements directly found themselves in the center of the
developments, and the primary task at this stage was to provide them
with funding and give them instructions. The instruction was given
to Arman Mousinyan, a former NDI activist trained in the centers
of Washington, and the task of providing funding was given to Levon
Zourabyan.

With the purpose of financing the youth movements, "Glandale KIA"
company (engaged in automobile business in Los Angeles) sent 110
thousand US Dollars to Armenia in June 2008. The sum was transferred
through L.

Ter-Petrosyan’s assistance office situated in the United States,
and Onik Mehrabyan, Head of the firm, formulated the transfer as
a donation.

Such is the accepted custom: while preparing for a revolution, the
well-known political centers send the sums to the target countries
via such organizations which act as mediators.

Every week, L. Zourabyan pays salaries to the activists of the newly
established "Ver Kats" (Get up!) movement which is headed by Ms.

Gayane Ghazaryan, the daughter of Rafayel Ghazaryan. Th e weekly
salaries, which make up 2000 US Dollars, are paid from the sums
received from the United States and other countries. Having received
the money from Levon Zourabyan or Avetis Avagyan in the Northern
Avenue, Gayane Ghazaryan got down to revolutionary activities together
with her mother Grizelda Ghazaryan and her brother Vazgen Ghazaryan.

"Hatouk Gound" (special regiment), another active youth movement,
is headed by Ms. Shahane Hakobyan, Hrant Bagratyan’s niece, and the
funding is provided by Mr. Bagratyan himself.

Hrant Bagratyan periodically leaves for Kiev, Ukraine on long-term
visits and there, based on arrangements and elaborated procedures,
he receives huge sums from his bank account and sends them to "Hatouk
Gound" youth movement in the amount of 10 thousand US Dollars per
month.

The same is the situation with "Hima" (now) youth movement which is
coordinated by Narek Hovakimyan. Their money is transferred every week
in the same amount, and the transfer is made through Mr. Patvakan
Hovakimyan, Narek’s father who is the lawyer of L. Ter-Petrosyan’s
central headquarters.

Paying up to 30 thousand US Dollars per month, the pro-Ter-Petrosyan
opposition and its activists manage to keep 300 young people in
"good shape", making them comply with their instructions in an
unreserved manner.

There gradually emerge more and more young members of such
movements,=2 0 and the pro-Ter-Petrosyan centers have decided to
increase the allocated sums up to USD 50-60 thousand. This is planned
for September-October as this is a period when one may find a lot of
students in Yerevan desiring to slip away from lessons.

And those youth movements and their leaders are engaged in fruitless
work and do not absolutely care that they have cut a foolish figure
in public.

The most important thing is that they receive their money on regular
basis.