Author: Nahapetian Samvel

MILITARY PERSONNEL AWARDED

A1+
28 January, 2008

Under a January 25 decree of President Robert Kocharian a number of
employees of the Ministry of Defense and soldiers of the war were
awarded with medals and orders of the Republic of Armenia on the
occasion of the Army Day.

"Vardan Mamikonian" order was conferred on Commander of the Military
Unit # 37082, Major General Levon Yeranossian.

First-rank medals for Service to Motherland were conferred on RA Deputy
Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Yuri Khachaturov, Commander of
the Military Unit # 5576, Colonel Armen Mzikian, Commander of the
Military Unit #60913, Colonel Andranik Piloyan.

Second-rank medals for Service to Motherland were conferred on
Commander of the Military Unit #12788, Major-General Armen Baburian,
Commander of the Military Unit #13742, Major-General Martin Karapetian,
Commander of the Military Unit #24939, Major-General Sergey Chalian,
Deputy Commander of the Military Unit #41783, Colonel Serge Arushanian,
Commander of the Military Unit #, Chief of Staff, Colonel Nikolay
Babayan, Commander of the Military Unit #11556, Colonel Artak Davtian,
Commander of the Military Unit #31549, Colonel Sahak Iskandarian,
Commander of the Military Unit #28920, Colonel Andranik Makarian,
Military Commissioner of Arabkir community Vardan Minassian, Commander
of the Military Unit #35383, Colonel Hayk Sargsian, Deputy Commander
of the Military Unit #15361, Colonel Nelson Soghomonian, Commander
of the Military Unit #29130, Lieutenant Colonel Samvel Harutiunian,
Commander of the Military Unit #38043, Lieutenant Colonel Vladik
Mangasarian, Commander of the Military Unit #84682, Lieutenant
Colonel Gevorg Movsissian, Commander of the Military Unit #84682,
Captain Garegin Gasparian.

A medal for courage was posthumously conferred on serviceman of the
Military Unit #27527 Khachik Stepanian.

A number of employees of the Ministry of Defense and soldiers of the
liberation war were awarded Medals for Military Service.

OSKANIAN IS OPTIMISTIC

AZG Armenian Daily
29/01/2008

Karabakh conflict

RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said in the interview to the Azeri
APA news agency that "In 2008 also they believe that there are chances
to achieve substantial progress." At the same time, he emphasized
that there are always factors that influence the negotiations for the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, for example, in the given case,
such factor is the presidential elections in Armenia, and logically
the further meetings are likely to be a bit problematic. Touching
upon the further visits of the OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs, RA Foreign
Minister stated that the parties took as much time as they needed.

According to him, notwithstanding the fact that no meeting is
scheduled, he has hopes for certain progress to be fixed in the
negotiations.

Presidential candidate Arman Melikian and representative of
`Dashnaktsutiun’ agreed that `corruption flourishes’ in Armenia

January 28, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Presidential Candidate Arman Melikian and the
representative of `Dashnaktsutiun’ party Kiro Manoyan agreed today that
in Armenia `corruption flourishes and the new president should realize
system changes and give a strategic solution to this problem’.

Mediamax reports that Melikian and Manoyan held a discussion today
around certain items of the pre-election programs of the candidates for
the position of the President.

Arman Melikian stated that `Dashnaktsutiun’ does not have a concrete
stance concerning the liberated territories, and `concrete ways to
solve this issue are not presented’ in the pre-election program of
Vahan Hovhannissian.

Kiro Manoyan did not agree with this statement, noting that
`Dashnaktsutiun’ and Vahan Hovhannissian repeatedly stated that Armenia
should not return the territories and should strive to reach the
proclamation of NKR independence.

The issue on the right for voting for the citizens of Armenia, who are
abroad, became a topic of discussion between the sides. Arman Melikian
stated that in the process of consideration of the law `On double
citizenship’, the deputies from `Dashnaktsutiun’ did not defend the
voting right of the Armenian citizens, who are abroad.

In this connection, Kiro Manoyan noted that in the course of
discussions, the party had to take a compromise, however `later on we
are planning to forward an initiative on making changes in the law
concerning the right for participation in the elections’.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 28 2008

U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama’s foreign policy program has
no item on Azerbaijan and generally Caucasus

[ 28 Jan 2008 16:24 ]

Barack Obama’s field officers in San José have not heard about
so-called Armenian genocide

APA U.S. bureau correspondent’s special report from Barack Obama’s
office in San José

US Democratic Party’s primaries scheduled for February 5 should be
decisive, as they will be held in 20 states simultaneously.
California, which was historically considered the state inclined to
democrats, is the first address attracting attention of presidential
candidates. It has several causes. First of all, California will send
most delegations to the congress of Democratic Party. Secondly, about
600,000 Armenian voters have been registered in this state. There are
not so many Armenians in other states. Taking into account that the
territory of California – the Golden State of the US, is
approximately five times larger than Azerbaijan, we can understand
why 47-year-old Illinois senator Barack Obama opened five offices
here. Two of the offices are located in the south of the state – Los
Angeles and San Diego, the rest three in the north of the state –
Auckland, Sacramento and Palo Alto. Besides, Obama has field offices
in California. APA’s US bureau correspondent prepared a special
report from one of these field offices in the City of San José,
Capital of Silicon Valley.

Barack Obama’s field office in the center of San José, had been the
library of Spanish and local Hindu writers. Obama rented the office a
month ago. As you approach the office you see Obama’s slogan `Changes
start with you’. One can see posters with this slogan in some other
places of the office. The field office is decorated with Obama’s
photos and U.S. flags. Any person entering the field office – can
acquaint himself with the achievements of Barack Obama beginning from
his childhood till the latest results of his election campaign.
Special stand covers the senator’s program on the presidential
elections that will be held in November, 2008. The program is
all-round and makes clear all the issues that interest an ordinary
voter. It covers the issues such as U.S. foreign policy, Iraq war,
policy concerning youth, religion, rights of women and nations of
Spanish origin, and even human and animal cloning.

It is interesting that there is not word neither about Azerbaijan,
nor Caucasus in the program of foreign policy of Obama. But potential
president promises that they will withdraw 2 military brigades from
Iraq every month and return American soldiers to their motherland
till the end of 2008 after he achieves supreme post. The black-skin
candidate noted that raising foreign influence of US as one more
purpose of foreign policy is priority. Taking into account, if Obama
is elected president, 3 months will remain to the completion of 2008
and it will be impossible to remove 120,000-army from Iraq within
this period, it is not difficult to perceive that senator’s statement
will be of populist character. Nobody answered to questions given in
the office regarding it. You can see support letter of Congressman
Zoe Lofgren who was elected to Lower House of the Congress from San
Hose among reports posted in the favor of Obama. Congressmen and
other influential persons’ supporting candidates is one of the
election traditions in US. The main momentum which attracts attention
in the letter of Mr. Lofgren is to strike out his main rival from
Democratic Party Hillary Clinton along with blowing up Obama’s
achievements. Congressman said in his letter that Obama has
functioned in the Congress for a long time and he is 5 years elder
than John Kennedy’s presidential age. (Mr. Kennedy was elected
president when he was 42). These facts reply to statements on Ms.
Clinton’s rival’s being young and inexperienced. The main attention
is paid to negative attitude to Ms. Clinton more than Republican
candidates in Obama’s office. Volunteers in the office sound epithets
`fascist of modern period’, `George Bush’s liberal version’ and `doll
of large corporations’.

As to those who work in the office, all of them are volunteers.
Nobody knows the exact number of the volunteers, they have no exact
program and strategy. The main purpose is to meet a lot of people and
phone them. That is why phone sets in the office always work.
Volunteers phone nearly 100 people every day. They start to work in
the evening, as potential electors are at home that time. Each of the
democrats has phone numbers and addresses of the electors supporting
Party on each state. The important message they give in the meeting
with people is slogan `Barack Obama will not change U.S., he will
give you, especially youth chance to do these changes’.
John Kennedy used this slogan once. Obama tries to compare himself
with John Kennedy.

Teacher Helen Sims, working in the office explained her love for
Obama. She said that he did not receive material endowment form
larger cooperations and understands what Americans want. Asked how he
knows about it Obama said that he gave free legal advices in southern
Chicago where Negroes lived, before entering faculty of law at
Harvard University. Ms. Sims believed that he will bring a new breath
to White House. Therefore she noted that people standing behind
Hillary Clinton are those who took higher posts during Bill Clinton’s
tenure.

`I was bored to see old faces in the policy,’ Ms. Sims stressed.
22-year-old Taylor Wood, studying psychology at San Jose State
University stated that he is a head of community at the university
that supports Obama. He decided to support Obama after reading his
book Courage of our Convictions. Mr. Wood noted that, unlike other
politicians, Obama is very sincere person and never changes his
position. Young student supports Obama’s position on immigration,
Iraq conflict, especially Darfur (Sudan) genocide. But how is his
position to Obama’s last statement on Armenian genocide? Wood stated
that he has never heard about Armenian genocide. Other volunteers
also repeated the same words in the office. Jizel Shmitz, heading
offices noted that he has heard about 1915 events little. He is also
unaware of who fought during these events. They got information from
me about Obama’s last statement on Armenian genocide. Ms. Shmitz
stated that though Armenians live in the northern California, there
is no special interest for them. There is a special interest for
Spanish voters. Therefore, Spanish volunteers work in the offices.
They thought that, 36 %(12.5 million) Spanish voters will change the
situation in Obama’s favor in California.42 % electors of California
will vote for H.Vlinton,28% Barack Obama and 13% for John Edward
according to latest survey./APA/

DASHNAKTSUTYUN HIGHLIGHTS POLITICAL COMPONENT OF JAVAKHETI

Lragir
Jan 25 2008
Armenia

The Armenian presidential candidate Vahan Hovanisyan thinks the
problem of Javakheti is a milestone in the relations of Armenia and
Georgia, stated Artashes Shahbazyan, member of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun
and Vahan Hovanisyan’s team on January 25 at the National Press Club,
who presented Vahan Hovanisyan’s approaches toward the foreign policy
of Armenia.

Artashes Shahbazyan said they think the problem of Javakheti is
not only social and cultural but also political, and evidence to
this is the issue of the status of the language of the population of
Javakheti. Artashes Shahbazyan said these problems should be brought
up and solved together. The ARF Dashnaktsutyun activist who presented
the approaches of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s presidential candidate
Vahan Hovanisyan said when a country’s territory includes an ethnic
unit of the neighbor country, the problems relating to it are solve
together with the neighbor.

According to Artashes Shahbazyan, from an area of instability Javakheti
should be turned into an area of Armenian and Georgian friendship
and cooperation.

DASHNAKSUTIUN TOO TO DEVELOP REGIONS

Panorama.am
14:13 26/01/2008

During the campaign in Tavush region, presidential candidate Vahan
Hovanisyan was accompanied by co-party fellows and sympathizers,
among them Aghasi Arshakyan and composer Ruben Hakhverdyan.

On January 25, Artsvik Minasyan, member of Armenian Revolutionary
Federation block and NA deputy, presented the platform of their
candidate underscoring two points, one of them relating to the
development of borderline areas. He suggests specializing the
production of those commodities that are able to ensure a large field
of employment on one hand and will boost export on the other hand.

He further suggests pursuing regional tax policy aimed at tax
privileges to borderline regions. "These approaches will enable to
eliminate the inequalities that exist between the borderline regions
and Yerevan," Dashnak deputy said.

ARMENIAN TAX REVENUES UP IN 2007
By Hovannes Shoghikian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Jan 24 2008

The Armenian government successfully implemented its record-high
budget for last year by ensuring a more than 31 percent increase in
its tax revenues, Finance and Economy Minister Vartan Khachatrian
said on Thursday.

According to official statistics cited by Khachatrian, the government
collected 505.5 billion drams ($1.65 billion) in various taxes and
customs duties, compared with 385.1 billion drams collected in 2006.

Its tax revenue target for 2007 had been set at about 459 billion
drams.

Khachatrian said the State Tax Service (STS) and the State Customs
Committee exceeded that target thanks to their more efficient work
and continuing robust economic growth which the government says made
up 13.8 percent in 2007. "Thus, sufficient grounds are in place
to continue effective macroeconomic management and concentrate on
sustaining steady medium-term growth, reducing unemployment and
managing inflation," he told a news conference.

The tax revenues also rose as a share of Gross Domestic Product from
14.5 percent to 16.1 percent between 2006 and 2007. But with tax
evasion remaining widespread in Armenia, the proportion is still one
of the lowest in the former Soviet Union.

Many local companies, especially large and lucrative ones, continue to
underreport their earnings, owing to their owners’ strong government
connections. The government’s stated crackdowns on tax fraud have so
far primarily targeted small and medium-sized firms.

Many of them say they are being arbitrarily forced to pay higher
taxes, a claim that was denied by the STS chief, Vahram Barseghian,
on Wednesday.

The government plans to achieve a similar increase in tax revenues
this year in accordance with Armenia’s 2008 state budget which calls
for government expenditure to reach a new high of 820.8 billion drams
($2.67 billion).

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN PLEDGES TO CUT DOWN TAXES IN CASE HE IS ELECTED ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

Mediamax
January 23, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Candidate for the position of the President,
Leader of "Orinats Yerkir" Party (OYP) Artur Baghdasarian stated in
Yerevan today that "in case the present situation in the country
is preserved" after the presidential elections of February 19,
a considerable growth of prices will take place in Armenia.

Speaking today during the meeting with the Union of Entrepreneurs of
small business, Artur Baghdasarian expressed concern in connection with
the "continuing oligarchization and monopolization of the country’s
economy, which has negatively influenced the state of small and medium
enterprise in Armenia". According to him, these processes do not take
place without the participation of the present authorities.

Leader of OYP stated that in case he wins during the elections,
he plans to cut down taxes and duties and take efforts to develop
small and medium enterprise and improve the business-atmosphere in
the country.

Artur Baghdasarian reminded that the very reduction of fiscal
collection led to the growth of economy in the USA and increased the
income of the U.S. treasury under the rule of Ronald Reagan in the
80s of the previous century.

AN APPOINTMENT

Azat Artsakh Tert
Jan 23 2008
Nagorno Karabakh Rep.

By a decision of the Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunian, Hrant Melkumian
has been appointed an advisor of the NKR Government’s Head, relieving
of the post of the chief of the NKR Prime Minister’s Control Service.

PRESS RELEASE
Date: January 23, 2008
Armenian National Committee of South Florida
931 NE 48th Street
Oakland Park, FL 33334
Contact: Albert Mazmanian
Tel: 561-628-8982

HUNDREDS OF ACTIVISTS GATHER TO OPPOSE
CONG. ROBERT WEXLER’S DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Boca Raton, FL – Hundreds of activists from around the country, and
>From as far as Australia and Argentina, joined together in the 19th
District of Florida to rally against genocide denier Cong. Robert
Wexler (D-FL-19), and stand in support with democratic primary
candidate Dr. Benjamin Graber on Saturday, January 12, 2008
reported the Armenian National Committee of South Florida (ANC of
S. FL).

"The ANC of South Florida felt it was time to voice our concerns
about Congressman Wexler. Enough is enough. It is time for change,
and to elect someone who will represent Florida’s 19th District. We
now have a candidate who is the right man for the job, and the
Armenian and Greek communities stand by him one-hundred percent,"
commented Albert Mazmanian, Chairman of the ANC of S. Florida.

The event, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), and
co-hosted by the Armenian National Committee of South Florida the
Armenian Student Association (ASA), and the Cyprus Action Network
of America (CANA) amounted to a great success. Also present at the
rally was Dr. Benjamin Graber, the democratic primary challenger to
Cong. Wexler in the 19th district, as well as his family.

For over two hours, activists held up signs and chanted "Vote
Graber 2008" and "Wexler Out of Congress." Following the rally, a
program was organized with the following participants offering
remarks and motivating activists to take action: Isabel Ohanian,
chairwoman of the AYF Central Hai Tahd Committee; Albert Mazmanian,
chairman of the ANC of S. Florida; Nikos Taneris of CANA; John
Bosnitch of the Serbian community; Dr. Benjamin Graber; and Karine
Birazian, Executive Director of the ANCA Eastern Region.

During his speech, Graber commented: "The world needs leaders who
are fair, calm, and intelligent. The time for war should be over. A
new era of peace, understanding, and cooperation amongst people and
nations needs to begin. The leaders of the status quo like Robert
Wexler need to retire and make room for the agents of change who
will lead us into a secure and stable future. I am an agent of
change, a believer in peace and a mediator of ideas. I will
develop consensus and accomplish our goals. That’s why I am
running to be your congressman."

Several thousand Greeks and Armenians reside in Florida’s 19th
District and have already begun taking action against Cong. Wexler.
His past actions on the Cyprus issue as well as his denial of the
Armenian Genocide have concerned several constituents and have led
them to join Graber’s campaign.

The democratic primary contest between Graber and Wexler is to take
place on August 26, 2008. For more information about Benjamin
Graber and his campaign, please visit

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
####

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Activists surrounding Congressional Candidate Dr. Benjamin
Graber following the rally

Photo 2: (L to R) ANC of S. Florida activists Bedros Der
Bedrossian, Chairman Albert Mazmanian, Dr. Benjamin Graber, and ANCA ER
Director Karine Birazian