Author: Nalbandian Eduard

RUSSIA WILL ASK NOBODY TO RECOGNIZE THE INDEPENDENCE OF SOUTH OSSETIA AND ABKHAZIA

AZG Armenian Daily
21/11/2008

International

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev during a conversation with the
journalists announced that Russia will establish relations with South
Ossetia and Abkhazia in full program including provision of security
and allocation of military bases in those republics.

Medvedev mentioned that it is not dramatic that only a few countries
recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "We are
not going to ask anybody. They who take similar decision will help us,
but it will not harm their international status", stated the President
of Russia adding, "It is only a matter of time".

CATHOLIC CHURCH RECEIVES SECOND VISIT FROM ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH THIS YEAR

Catholic News Agency
04
Nov 21 2008
CO

Vatican City, Nov 21, 2008 / 11:16 am (CNA).- Ecumenical relations
between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church are
continuing to progress as the Vatican announced today that a high-level
leader from the Armenian Church will visit the Pope.

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians, whose See
is located in the Lebanese town of Antelias, is scheduled to make an
official visit to the Pope and the Church of Rome from November 23-27.

As Catholicos of Cilicia, Aram I presides over a large sector of
the Armenian Apostolic Church which includes Syria, Cyprus, Iran,
Greece and Lebanon. The term "Catholicos" is used in the Armenian
Apostolic Church to refer to the chief bishop of a region.

In May of this year, Pope Benedict XVI received Karekin II, the head
of the whole Armenian Apostolic Church and held discussions about
the necessity of prayer for increasing unity amongst Christians.

The upcoming visit by Catholicos Aram I will begin with a visit to
St. Peter’s Basilica and the tomb of Pope John Paul II on the morning
of Monday, November 24.

Following his visit to the late Pope’s tomb, Aram I will visit the
Patio of St. Gregory the Illuminator to pay homage to the saint
considered to be the apostle of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He
will subsequently be received in audience by Benedict XVI.

On November 26, the Catholicos, his entourage, and a group of around 50
Armenian lay people who have come to Rome for the visit will attend the
weekly general audience that Pope Benedict XVI holds each Wednesday.

The Catholicos also has other important events on his schedule
including attending a liturgy on Monday at the basilica of St. Paul’s
Outside-the-Walls, which will be led by Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza
di Montezemolo, archpriest of the basilica.

On Tuesday, he will attend Vespers in the basilica of St. Bartholomew
on the Isola Tiberina in Rome, where he will offer a relic of Armenian
martyrs. Later the same day he will participate in a prayer meeting
at the basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, a communiqué from the
Vatican press office says.

Aram I will also participate in an academic ceremony to be held in
his honor at the Pontifical Urban University, and meet with Cardinal
Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity, and other officials of that dicastery.

–Boundary_(ID_/GFMLdpB/QqDxZyGtCchDw) —

KARABAKH PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN VISITS THE US

armradio.am
20.11.2008 16:16

President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan is visiting
the US to take part in the annual fund rising organized by the
"Hayastan" All-Armenian fund.

On 19 November Bako Sahakyan met at the central headquarter of
the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) representatives of the ARS,
the Armenian National Committee – Eastern Region, Youth Union of
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Homentmen and "Hamazgayin"
Cultural Union, Central Information Department of the Office of the
NKR President reported.

Issues related to different projects being carried out in the NKR,
socioeconomic development of the republic and Artsakh-Diaspora
relations were discussed during the meeting.

Bako Sahakyan underlined that new format of relations with different
Diaspora organizations, in particular with the ARS, has already brought
positive results. According to Bako Sahakyan, the new format based
on close cooperation between different Diaspora organizations and the
government of the NKR is a solid guarantee of effective cooperation.

The parties stressed the need for deepening the Artsakh-Diaspora ties
and giving them new impetus. Within this context President Sahakyan
paid special attention to the issue of further strengthening ties
between Diaspora youth and Artsakh, to the importance of frequent
visits to Artsakh.

On November 19 NKR President Bako Sah akyan met President of the
Board of Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) Carolyn
Mugar, Vice-chairman Anthony Barsamyan, Executive Director of the
organization Bryan Ardouny and member of the Board of Trustees of
the AAA Van Krikoryan.

Issues related to the current level of cooperation between the AAA
and Artsakh and prospects of deepening and enlarging it were discussed.

Bako Sahakyan rated high the role of the Assembly in the development of
Artsakh and support shown to it and noted that today it is necessary
to pay special attention to the development of science technologies
and education, as well as to preparation and training of different
specialists.

After the meeting the Head of the State partook at the New England
Annual regional meeting of the Armenian Assembly of America. The
leadership of the Assembly at the head of chairman of the AAA’s Board
of Trustees Hirair Hovnanyan, representatives of Armenian community
of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were present at
the meeting.

Bako Sahakyan introduced to the participants the current socioeconomic
situation in the republic, recent developments in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement process and answered questions raised during
the meeting.

President Sahakyan met a group of Armenian entrepreneurs from
Massachusetts.

A wide range of issues related to investments and realization of
different projects in Artsakh were discussed at t he meeting.

On the same day Bako Sahakyan met in Boston journalists from Boston
Globe daily, Armenian Mirror Spectator and Hayrenik weekly newspapers.

The President gave answers to a wide range of issues related to the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, recent development in the South
Caucasian region, bilateral ties between the United States of America
and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, socioeconomic situation in the
republic and Artsakh-Diaspora relations.

Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Pargev, NKR Finance Minister Spartak Tevosyan and other officials
partook at the NKR President’s meetings in Boston.

GEORGIAN MASS MEDIA: "AZERBAIJAN IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PLANS TO REPAIR ARMENIAN MILITARY TECHNIQUE IN GEORGIA"

Today.Az
olitics/49097.html
Nov 19 2008
Azerbaijan

Georgian mass medias report that Azerbaijan voices concerns about
Georgia’s plans to repair the military technique of the Armed forces
of Armenia.

According to them, during the recent visit of the Armenian Defense
Minister to Georgia, the sides agreed not only on the transit of
military cargo for Armenia via Georgia, but also on the repair of
military technique. Earlier, the Armenian military technique was
repaired in Tbilisi at the former armored tank repair plant of the
group of Russian troops in the South Caucasus, withdrawn from Georgia
in 2006.

According to Georgian mass medias, the relations between Baku and
Tbilisi may deteriorate if information about repair of the Armenian
military technique is confirmed.

The Georgian Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the said
information.

According to military expert Georgy Tavdgiridze, Tbilisi must not
cooperate with Yerevan considering the situation in the region.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF HUNGARY, MRS. KINGA GONCZ

=290
Nov 18 2008

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan received the Foreign Minister of
Hungary, Mrs. Kinga Goncz and her delegation.

Welcoming the high guest, the President of Armenia highlighted the
importance of expanding the bilateral as well as the multilateral
relations and the cooperation in the framework of international
structures.

The Head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed her
country’s warm feelings toward Armenia and their desire to translate
them into a practical cooperation in different areas.

Noting, that the political dialogue between the two countries
intensifies, President Sargsyan said that there were at least three
important prerequisites for a more rapid advancement: mutual respect,
the Armenian-Hungarian community, and Armenia’s determination to get
closer to Europe.

Mrs. Goncz expressed confidence that the agreement signed today with
her Armenian colleague would become an excellent base for experience
exchange between the two countries. Assessing the economic growth of
Armenia as impressive, she stressed the importance of invigorating
cooperation in the economic area, encouragement of cooperation in the
area of education, and implementation of the student exchange programs.

The President of Armenia mentioned that the creation of the adequate
legal field was necessary for the efficient cooperation and better
understanding of each others potential. He attached great importance
to the enhancement of cooperation between the Commerce Chambers of
Armenia and Hungary.

The two sides discussed also the possibility of cooperation in the
framework of the EU Eastern Policy initiative. According to the
Minister, the European Union comes to a better understanding of the
region’s rising role in providing for Europe’s energy and economic
security, as well as its stability.

The President of Armenia hailed Hungary’s consistently balanced
approach in the international structures toward the resolution of
the NK conflict, as well as the principled stance of the Hungarian
justice regarding the Azeri officer who had viciously murdered the
Armenian officer in Budapest.

SERGE SARGSYAN WILL OPEN THE BRACKETS

Lragir.am
14:28:13 – 19/11/2008

During the meeting of Serge Sargsyan with the leaders of parties
registered in Armenia at the presidential office on November 20 to
discuss the settlement of the Karabakh issue Serge Sargsyan will
open the brackets and reveal the present proposal on settlement, said
Jirair Sefilyan on November 19 at the Friday press club. According to
him, Serge Sargsyan had asked the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs not to
reveal it, which they were going to do during their news conference
in Yerevan, and promised to do that himself.

That is why, according to Sefilyan, Sargsyan has initiated a meeting
with the political parties. Sefilyan thinks Sargsyan will present how
the Armenian force will be withdrawn from the liberated territories,
how the Russian peacekeepers will be deployed there, and other
details. Jirair Sefilyan commended the decision of the opposition to
decline the invitation.

As to the Heritage Party, Zaruhi Postanjyan who is a member of
the Heritage Party says there is nothing bad about declining or
participating, but there is no decision of the Heritage Party,
whenever there is a decision, they will inform.

TEHRAN: PROBLEMS BETWEEN IRAN AND U.S. CAN’T BE RESOLVED THROUGH A THIRD COUNTRY’S MEDIATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.11.2008 16:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Problems between Iran and U.S. can’t be resolved
through a third country’s mediation, said a spokesman for the Iranian
Foreign Ministry.

"These problems are too deep to be resolved with assistance of any
third state. To start a dialogue, the U.S. should first of all change
its policy toward Iran," Hassan Gashgavi said, iran.ru reports with
reference to Mehr-news.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country could
mediate tensions between the United States and Iran.

"We are ready to mediate and we can be useful. Ankara is concerned
about the Iran-U.S. relations and stands for resolution of problems
through diplomatic talks. War is not a solution," he said.

HAVE THEY ASKED PEOPLE OF KARABAKH?

Lragir.am
15:58:50 – 17/11/2008

Have the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs who speak about the withdrawal
of the Armenian force from the security belt around Karabakh, and
announce that it is impossible to solve the issue without the people
of Karabakh, asked for the opinion of the people of Karabakh? The
Armenian reporters asked this question to the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs on November 17 in Yerevan.

The French co-chair answered the first, noting that whenever
the security of the people of Karabakh is concerned, it is taken
into account that the people of Karabakh must have guarantees of
security. Fassier explained what the co-chairs mean. They mean
that the security of the people of Karabakh should be guaranteed by
international guarantees and the agreement of Azerbaijan.

According to the U.S. co-chair Matthew Bryza, it is highly important
to be word-conscious. He stated that the co-chairs do not mean
demilitarization of the territories. He says demilitarization is
quite another thing, and the people of Karabakh must have guarantees
of both military and economic security.

The Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group said Serge Sargsyan said
best of all. The Russian co-chair cited the idea that the territories
will not be returned just so. According to Merzlyakov, today the
territories guarantee the security of the people of Karabakh and
will be returned in case there is an equal guarantee of security. And
nobody has asked the opinion of the people of Karabakh on this yet,
Merzlyakov said.

VLADIMIR ZAKHAROV: TURKEY’S REGIONAL INITIATIVES MERE INTENTION TO ROOT ITS POSITIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.11.2008 15:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s aspiration to join the Karabakh talks and
its Caucasus stability and cooperation pact is merely an intention
to root its positions in the region, a Russian expert said.

"Ankara’s initiatives will remain on paper," Vladimir Zakharov, the
head of the Center of Caucasus Studies at Moscow State Institute of
International Relations (MGIMO), told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

After the war in South Ossetia, Turkey proposed a Caucasus stability
and cooperation platform supposed to bring together Russia, Turkey,
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Besides, Turkish President Abdullah Gul announced his intention
to mediate between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents. "The
OSCE Minsk Group failed to produce effect during 17 years of its
mediation. Turkey-Armenia and Azerbaijan-Armenia issues are not
only bilateral but also territorial. The situation in the region has
changed. Resolution of conflicts will lead to political and economic
stability," he said.

ARMENIA OFFERS TURKEY TO ESTABLISH RELATIONS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS, BUT IT’S STILL UNCLEAR WHAT TURKEY WANTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2008 16:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The recent statement by the Turkish Defense Minister
is typical for this country’s mentality, AFR Dashnaktsutyun Bureau
representative said.

Progress in the Armenian-Turkish relations is hardly possible unless
Turkey acknowledges its past, Aghvan Vardanyan told a news conference
in Yerevan today.

"Armenia holds a dialogue with Turkey and offers to establish relations
without preconditions, but it’s still unclear what Turkey wants,"
he said.

On November 10, Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said in Brussels,
"Would we be the nation-state we are today if the Greeks in the Aegean
region or the Armenians here and there continued to stay in Turkey?"

Gonul drew harsh criticism from intellectuals and civil society
organizations for expressing ideas in a way that could be taken for
justifying ethnic cleansing.

The Armenian community of Istanbul sent a letter to PM Erdogan to
remind that the Turkish Constitution says that Turk is a citizen of
Turkey, irrelative of the nationality.