Author: Navasardian Karapet

THIS MAY HAPPEN IN 15-20 DAYS
by Lusine Barseghyan

Haykakan Zhamanak
Nov 18 2008
Armenia

An interview with a former Foreign Ministry spokesperson and currently
a member of the [opposition] Armenian National Congress, Vladimir
Karapetyan.

[Correspondent] Mr Karapetyan, where do you think these processes
are leading to; may everything really result in [Armenian President]
Serzh Sargsyan ceding Karabakh?

[Karapetyan] I believe there is no talk about ceding. We are just
facing another challenge: at present the negotiations process is
entering a new stage where the conflicting sides are required to
specify approaches regarding the settlement of the conflict; the
mediator countries, each being guided by its own interests, are
sending more precise messages regarding what should be recorded in
the settlement document in the future. This is the reason they are
saying more frequently at present that certain agreements can be
reached in the Karabakh issue in the future.

However, there is a fine point here, which has not been
lately discussed much either by opposition or government
representatives. Although at issue is a contract or an agreement,
this is only part of the peace process: the Madrid document consists
of settlement principles, and the sides are expected to agree on
those. I can see danger in agreement on those principles in their
current form. Representatives of the government say that a quick
settlement of the conflict is not possible at present. In fact,
a comprehensive agreement on the settlement of a conflict can be a
very voluminous document, which encompasses all elements and aspects
of the settlement. However, this kind of agreement is not discussed
at all at present. What we are talking about and what the sides are
negotiating at present is a document on settlement principles.

[Passage omitted: Karapetyan speaks about importance of the document
on settlement principles]

[Correspondent] Mr Karapetyan, now in effect the public and also
political circles are not familiar with the "Madrid principles",
do you know what they are about?

[Karapetyan] I myself do not know, even if I knew, taking into
consideration my former position, I would not have liked to speak
about provisions which are not public. At the same time, as there are
provisions, which have been announced in public, I will speak about
those. It was announced in 2006 that there is no agreement on ceding
two districts that are important for us – Lacin and Kalbacar.

[passage omitted: background]

No-one has spoken to us about these important issues since that
time. Only recently some mediators and senior Turkish officials
spoke about the readiness of the current Armenian government to
cede all of the seven districts [Armenian-controlled territories
around Karabakh]. Neither [President] Serzh Sargsyan nor the foreign
minister have so far dispelled our anxiety regarding these problems,
especially concerning Kalbacar. If it turns out that Sargsyan has gone
for concessions in the issue of Kalbacar and Lacin, then explanations
should be given to Armenia’s population regarding the reason for the
already defeatist policy. Also it should be clearly said why Sargsyan
is doing something that [former presidents] Levon Ter-Petrosyan and
[Robert] Kocharyan did not do.

The [opposition] Armenian National Congress said that it is not against
a settlement within the framework of the "Madrid principles"; but at
least these two problems, as well as precise details of a referendum
– its date, participants, all technical and organizational issues –
should be clear, as there is a concern that the return of Azerbaijanis
will negatively affect the demographic situation in Karabakh,
in particular. That is, the issue of Kalbacar should be clear,
Lacin must have the same status as Karabakh and all organizational
and technical issues connected with the referendum should be very
precisely presented. This is a very important issue.

[Passage omitted: minor details]

[Correspondent] Taking into consideration Serzh Sargsyan’s positions,
what concerns do you have and what can be the format of this agreement?

[Karapetyan] The concerns are mainly conditioned by the speed with
which the process started to develop. That is Serzh Sargsyan visited
[Nagornyy Karabakh’s capital] Stepanakert [Xankandi] twice within a
very short period of time, a tripartite meeting between the foreign
ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and – I do not know why – Turkey
took place. We and Azerbaijan have nothing to discuss except for the
Karabakh issue, as they are rejecting any other cooperation with
us unless the Karabakh issue is settled. What does Turkey have to
do here, if we are not discussing anything else? The Karabakh issue
was raised during Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Paris and Brussels after
visiting Moscow.

The most important thing is Armenia’s current vulnerable
situation. Especially that we are now required to implement resolutions
1609 and 1620 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe, which say in black and white that there is a question mark
over Armenia’s reliability as a Council of Europe member until these
requirements are carried out. These requirements have not been carried
out, and thus Armenia’s reliability is questioned. That is, we are
discussing a vital issue while currently being in a vulnerable
situation. That is, now Serzh Sargsyan is not in a position to
oppose challenges and problems which will emerge in the process of
negotiations. Our concern is connected with this. If he was more
self-confident, if he had a corresponding reserve of legitimacy,
he would have no problems, and the people would not have so many
concerns, they would have been very confident that the government
will take into consideration all of their problems and concerns and
that the state interests of Armenia will be clearly defended.

[Correspondent] In fact, they say that the next meeting is scheduled
to be held in Washington in December. Do you think a document may be
signed during that period?

[Karapetyan] What I am concerned about is that the government and
the media that serves the government, of course, within acceptable
limits, do not speak about the current process. They have established
an atmosphere as if nothing is happening, [as if] there is no new
developments in the process, and everything is as usual. Actually,
quite deep processes are taking place and it cannot be ruled out
that the sides will come to an "agreement" under some pressure. This
may happen in the coming 15-20 days. The visit of the [OSCE Minsk
Group] co-chairs, which immediately followed the meeting in Moscow,
is explained by this.

ARMENIA WON’T STOP EFFORTS TO GET GENOCIDE RECOGNIZED

Interfax
Nov 25 2008
Russia

Armenia will never abandon efforts to get the 1915 killing of Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire recognized internationally as genocide, Armenian
Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandian said in Istanbul.

"Armenia has never said and it will never say that it will drop the
process of international recognition of the genocide of Armenians,"
Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balaian told Interfax,
quoting Nalbandian.

The Armenian foreign minister also said, Balaian continued, that,
"Yerevan will never demand that the Armenian diaspora halt efforts
to achieve the international recognition of the genocide."

The Armenia leadership wants to continue the talks on settling
relations with Ankara, he said.

Turkish mass media, meanwhile, alleged on Tuesday, citing the Armenian
foreign minister, that "Armenia’s position has changed and Yerevan has
a normal attitude to Turkey’s proposal to form a friendly bilateral
commission to investigate the genocide on the basis of historical
evidence."

Nalbandian was in Istanbul on a one-day visit within the framework
of Armenia’s current presidency of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
Organization.

Armenia and Turkey currently have no diplomatic relations. The
Armenian-Turkish border was closed in 1993 on Turkey’s initiative.

Turkey demanded as a term for settling relations that Armenia drop
international efforts to get the genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire in 1915 recognized internationally and that troops be removed
from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia has said on several occasions that it was ready to establish
diplomatic relations with Turkey without preliminary terms.

KARABAKH PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN DELIVERS A SPEECH AT "HAYASTAN" FUND’S GALA

armradio.am
24.11.2008 13:59

On 23 November NKR President Bako Sahakyan delivered a speech at the Gala
Dinner Party organized by the "Hayastan" All-Armenian fund in Los
Angeles within the framework of the "Telethon -2008."

The full text of the speech is presented below:

"Respected compatriots,
Dear friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very much happy to have an opportunity to welcome you once
again at this overcrowded hall. This is the best evidence of the
fact that Artsakh and Diaspora are united and consolidated, that
Artsakh-Armenia-Diaspora trinity has been strengthening and becoming
more practical day by day.

First of all, I congratulate you as citizens of the United States
of America on electing new president. Indeed, the victory of Barack
Obama is an important event in the history of America and world
democracy. I hope that his readiness to address issues the Armenian
people face will contribute to further strengthening and diversifying
of relations between our countries.

I would like also to thank all of you that even today when the USA
faces financial crisis you are ready to contribute to the development
and prosperity of your Motherland. We are grateful to you for such
a great devotion and kind-heartedness.

A full year has passed since our previous meeting. I would=2 0like
to introduce to you the changes, which have taken place in Artsakh
within this time period. In virtue of your immediate assistance in
different settlements of the republic new schools, kindergartens,
medical institutions and water pipes have been built and reconstructed;
a number of programs are in progress. Practical and realistic programs
have been carried out to solve social problems, to improve the living
conditions of people and the demographical situation, a strategically
important sphere for our state.

Recently we solemnly celebrated an unprecedented event – the Grand
Karabakh Wedding. As a result nearly 700 new families were formed in
Karabakh. This undertaking was carried out under the patronage of our
compatriots from Russian and its goal was to stimulate birthrate. This
is very important for the future of our people and republic. In this
respect I would like to introduce an important figure: the programs
being carried out resulted in nearly 3 000 marriages registered
within the 10 month period of the current year. This is against the
background of 750 to 800 marriages, which were registered annually
in the last five years.

Considerable changes have taken place also in the size and structure
of the state budget. The 2008 state budget exceeds that of the previous
year more than 1.3 times. The money allocated to agriculture, forestry
and water industry by current year state budget exceeds that of the=2
0 2007 with more than 3.8 times, in the sphere of social security –
1.5 times. In the spheres of education and science the difference is
27%, in capital investments it is 22%, and in the sphere of culture
it is around 29 percent.

Reforms have been implemented in the spheres related to investments
and entrepreneurship too. As a result of these reforms the country’s
economy has received more than 10 million dollar foreign investments
in the current year.

In spite of positive changes it must be noted that the current year is
a quite difficult one for our republic. Almost all settlements of the
republic have suffered from unprecedented frost and strong winds. It
caused several million dollar damage to our economy. However, the
people of Artsakh were able to cope with those difficulties also and
came off with flying colors.

It became possible by dint of exerting every effort, systemized and
consolidated work of the population, personnel of the armed forces
and authorities of the republic.

Artsakh people are well aware that only through diligent work they
can build and enrich their country, make the land of their ancestors
flourishing and prospering, leave free and independent, strong and
invincible Motherland to the generations to come. You, our world-spread
compatriots, our sisters and brothers, who are always ready to be
useful to their Motherland and nation on the other side of the ocean,
have im portant role to play too.

The best proof of this can be considered the annual telethons organized
by "Hayastan" All-Armenian fund. The entire Armenian people have
been united around this idea. I want to assure you that every cent
you contribute to the Motherland will give its worthy result, will
be multiplied and serve its very purpose. Your kind deeds will be
memorized and passed from generation to generation.

Compatriots, the "Telethon-2008" is again devoted to the development
of Armenian and Artsakh economy especially to the revival of the
countryside, securing development of villages and rural settlements
and improving living standards of the population. The sums collected
during the already traditional telethons will be spent on building
and reviving state infrastructures, as well as on securing normal
living conditions for people.

The top priorities of our economic development are the spheres
of education, science, culture, health protection, capital
construction. The solution of problems related to the security of
our republic is of great importance too.

Strong and efficient army is the most important guarantee of security
of our people. The authorities of the state are have been doing
everything possible to keep the army always ready to fulfill the
tasks put before it.

I am very much confident that we will continue to build our country
together, do our best so secure quiet, peaceful and wor thy life for
the people of Artsakh on the land of their ancestors land and make
their homes and the Motherland prosper.

This year we have celebrated the 20th anniversary of Artsakh Heroic
Movement in a great way and reiterated publicly that we are resolute
in our choice.

The land of Artsakh has been and will always be an Armenian. We have
paid a too high price to live a free, independent and secure life in
our own land and not even for a moment we have right to forget about
blood that has been shed by the best sons of the Armenian people. The
best perpetuation of the memory of our martyrs will be the strong
and prosperous Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

We said many times before and will always say that the independence
and security of Artsakh are of exclusive values and cannot be subject
to any speculation.

Dear compatriots, the future of Artsakh is a task for the entire
Armenian people and only being united and consolidated we can realize
our national goals, only together we can secure bright and radiant
future for dear to all of us Artsakh and the worldwide Armenians.

Thank you and all the best!"

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

30 October, 2008

Armenia Fund Signals Completion of Phoneathon 2007

Charity Concert "For You, Armenia" to Support Hayastan All Armenian Fund
Telethon 2008

Yerevan, November 21, 2008 – Hayastan All Armenian Fund is pleased to
announce that on November 24, a charity concert titled "For You, Armenia" is
to take place in Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall with participation of the best
students of Arno Babajanyan Music College, Konstantin Sarajyan Music School
and Haikanush Danielyan Art School. Proceeds from the concert will be
donated to the Hayastan Fund Telethon 2008.
This initiative is our young musicians’ contribution to the Hayastan Fund
Rural Development Program, within which vital infrastructures – schools,
kindergartens, and water and gas pipelines – will be constructed and
rehabilitated in Armenia and Artsakh.

The concert will feature favorite pieces of Armenian and Western European
composers performed by the choir and best students, among them laureates of
international contests.

"It’s not the first time our students are participating in charity concerts
supporting Hayastan Fund fundraising activity. I think each and every
Armenian should recognize his duty of National Giving and it is events like
this that instill patriotism and devotion to the Homeland."- says Armen
Harutyunyan, acting director of Babajanyan Music College, professor of
Yerevan Conservatory.

For years now, within its educational projects, Hayastan Fund has been
supporting students of Armenian and Artsakh music schools by providing them
with musical instruments for temporary use. Some students of the above
mentioned schools have been among the beneficiaries too.

"We believe that these initiatives help young people to realize that
education is a powerful tool that helps to love and appreciate one’s
homeland, as well as stretch out a hand when needed", points out Hayastan
Fund Acting Executive Director Ara Vardanyan.

The charity concerts and performances that took place in Armenia and abroad
during the few months come to prove that the Fund has gained widespread
recognition and appreciation for successfully meeting the needs and
aspirations of the time.

Hayastan All Armenian Fund

EXCERPT: ‘AWARENESS’

ABC News
6292705&page=1
Nov 20 2008

RSS Designer Kenneth Cole has edited a book on global issues, including
poverty, genocide and climate change. "Awareness: Inspiring Stories
About How to Make a Difference" is a collection of 86 stories and
conversations by 90 individuals who were inspired to do their part
to bring about social change.

The designer’s new book profiles people who are making the world a
better place.

Chris Gardner On Giving + Getting Second Chances

Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner’s struggle to overcome homelessness was the subject of
the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness, based on his memoir by the
same name. Now the owner and CEO of Christopher Gardner International
Holdings and a highly successful stockbroker and entrepreneur, he is
also a committed philanthropist and speaker, working with a number of
organizations to help the homeless, including Glide Memorial Church
and CARA, among others. glide.org; thecaraprogram.org.

I am living proof that a few small decisions, mixed with some bad
luck and bad timing, can mean the difference between having a home to
sleep in at night and being homeless. In the early 1980s I was a single
parent caring for my son, Chris, Jr., in San Francisco. I was employed,
working hard, and doing all I could to care for my child, but like so
many people I slipped through the cracks. We lost our rental apartment
and my son and I had no choice but to sleep in the park or sometimes a
locked public bathroom. Then I learned about Glide Memorial Church and
Reverend Cecil Williams, who runs its shelter, kitchen, health-care
services, job training center, and other resources for the poor and
disenfranchised. He saved our lives. I know for sure there wouldn’t
be a Chris Gardner today if there wasn’t a Reverend Williams back
then. Glide is truly an oasis in a desert of hopelessness, a place
where old, destructive ways are thrown out and new ones created.

They serve over a million meals a year and provide the services that
get people back on their feet.

I live in Chicago now, where I work with the CARA program, which
assists the homeless and at-risk populations with comprehensive
job training and placement. I believe in CARA’s philosophy of second
chances and helping people who are trying to help themselves by giving
them the necessary tools and skills. In fact, one of my most trusted
employees is a graduate of CARA.

I never could have imagined that telling my story in the book and
movie The Pursuit of Happyness would help others. I am humbled
that people all over the world write to tell me that I’ve given
them hope. And I’m proud to have put a face on homelessness–and
it’s not the face of a drug addict or a convict. It’s the face of a
workingman who lost everything except the will to survive, succeed,
and make a better life for his children. It is estimated that twelve
percent of the homeless population in the United States is employed;
in some communities that estimate is as high as 30 percent. There is
often a fine line between getting by and not having anything.

While it’s important to make donations to reputable organizations like
Glide, CARA, and others I support such as HELP USA, Covenant House, and
Common Ground, I try to give my time and reach out to others so they
become involved too. I do everything from speaking at events for Glide,
attending counseling sessions, and donating clothes and shoes. A little
goes a long way with people who have nothing. When I’m traveling, I try
to see if I can make contact with a local church or shelter. I know
that sometimes just shaking a man’s hand or hugging a child, telling
them that they will make it, is the push they need to get through
the day. It doesn’t cost a dime or take any time to acknowledge them
and make them feel human. I try to give back however I can, because
I was fortunate enough to receive help when I desperately needed it.

Fact Today Chris Gardner is involved with homelessness initiatives
assisting families to stay intact, and assisting homeless men and
women who are employed but still can’t get by. He helped fund a $50
million project that created low-income housing and opportunities for
employment in the notoriously poor Tenderloin area of San Francisco,
where he was once homeless.

Jacqueline Murekatete On Genocide Prevention

A survivor of the 1994 Rwandan Tutsi genocide, Jacqueline Murekatete
is the founder and director of Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner,
a genocide-prevention education program under the umbrella
of Miracle Corners of the World, a New York-based nonprofit
organization. miraclecorners.org/programs_partner_jacqueline

Wh at does a young girl do when her innocence is taken away, her whole
world is changed, and she finds herself in an environment in which she
is told that she is no longer a human being, a child, but an enemy
of the state, a cockroach needing to be exterminated? What does a
young girl do when her childhood is shattered, her parents, siblings,
uncles, aunts, friends murdered by their neighbors, and she finds
herself in an environment in which more than a million innocent men,
women, and children are murdered simply because of their ethnicity?

When I was just nine years old, in 1994, the Tutsi genocide in my
country exposed me to horrors that no child or adult should ever
have to see. During the approximately 100 days of Tutsi massacres,
I was forced to watch as men, women, and children were dragged down
the streets on their way to be murdered, to listen to the screams
of toddlers and infants whose arms or legs had been hacked off with
machetes, and to get up not knowing whether I would live to see the
next day. The genocide in my country exposed me firsthand to the worst
of man’s inhumanity toward man, and the worst human-rights violation
that there is–the violation of every man’s basic right to exist. My
life would never be the same again.

The period after the genocide was a very difficult one, as I struggled
to understand what had happened in my country. I spent many days crying
for the parents, six siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends whom
I would never see again, and at night I was haunted by nightmares. For
six years after the genocide I found no words to express the horrors
that had occurred in my country, and I was unable to talk about how
my family had died. After arriving in the United States at the end of
1995, I kept to myself, and spoke very vaguely about my previous life
in Rwanda to my new classmates and friends. The turning point for me,
the moment when I made the transition from victim to activist, came
at the beginning of high school. I began learning about the Holocaust
and how other countries had gone through genocides. I was struck by
the similarities between these genocides and the one in my country,
and I was appalled to learn that the silence and indifference displayed
by the international community as my people were being massacred was
the same type of silence and indifference that had been the response
to other genocides, before Rwanda.

After I learned about the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, the
Cambodian genocide, and the Bosnian genocide, it became clear to me
that what had happened in Rwanda in 1994 was not unique to Rwanda,
that genocide had happened before and could happen anywhere. I realized
it was a cycle that would continue to repeat itself for as long as
we permitted it by our silence, indifference, and lack of actions to
prevent it. Genocide can be prevented, but it requires the collective
effort of all human beings around the world.

And so, in 2001, after listening to the experiences of David
Gewirtzman, a Holocaust survivor who has since become a good friend
and mentor to me, I made the decision to create awareness about the
genocide in my country. I knew that sharing my experience and speaking
out would not be easy, but that it was work that had to be done.

One important thing that people often fail to realize about the work
of genocide prevention and human rights is that while we are often
overwhelmed by the number and variety of human-rights violations around
the world, and while we often feel paralyzed by the enormity of it all,
all it takes to end major violations and to have a positive impact
on the world is the hard work, determination, and efforts of ordinary
individuals who use ordinary resources like their voices and time.

When I began my activism in genocide prevention and human rights, I
did not know that I, a girl of sixteen, could make a difference. But
as a result of the more than 300 presentations I have delivered
in the past seven years, my genocide-prevention education work has
been embraced by hundreds of U.S.-based schools, universities, and
faith-based communities, and by diverse groups of people all over the
world. As a result of my decision to make a positive impact on the
world, others have followed my lead, investing their resources in my
work and joining me to educate people, young people in particular,
as to how to transform hate and achieve personal goals in ways that
foster peaceful coexistence among all human beings. My team has
grown to include students, global leaders, entertainers, educators,
and noteworthy Holocaust/genocide scholars and human-rights activists
worldwide.

There is no doubt that many significant improvements have been made in
genocide prevention. More than ever before, human beings are realizing
how interdependent we are and are finally waking up to the fact that
a more peaceful world can be achieved only through the collective
efforts of individuals. And whether change is institutional, such
as the creation of the UN’s Office of the Special Advisor on the
Prevention of Genocide or of an international-relations concept
like the Responsibility to Protect (both of which were conceived in
an effort to determine the best way to intervene and deliver aid to
people in grave conflicts around the world), or change is effected by
the involvement of young people in student anti-genocide organizations
and clubs like STAND or the Genocide Intervention Network, I and
other human-rights activists know that progress is being made, that
our time and daily efforts are not being wasted.

Unfortunately, with hate crimes continuing to take place in the United
States, child soldiering and crimes against humanity in northern Uganda
and Congo, and religiously and ethnically motivated violence in the
Middle East and the Balkans, we also know that our work is anything
but done. Even in the twenty-first century, genocide or the intent
of governments to commit genocide remains a reality that we cannot
afford to ignore, as the current situation in Darfur illustrates. The
work of genocide-prevention education is more necessary than ever.

I remain optimistic that a world without genocide is possible. Genocide
is not a crime that arises in a vacuum or happens overnight, as I
often tell my audiences. There are warnings, and thus there are always
opportunities for us to intervene, by fighting the conditions that
allow genocide to take place. Before being systematically murdered,
a group is usually victimized by state-sanctioned discrimination,
prejudice, dehumanization, and individual murders, with impunity
for the murderers. This was the case for Rwandan Tutsis before the
genocide in 1994, as it was the case for the Jewish people before
the Holocaust and for other victims of genocide before Rwanda.

Therefore, in seeking to create a world without genocide, we must look
out for these conditions, these warnings, in our own countries and in
the world at large. We must speak out against these injustices whenever
and wherever we identify them, and every day each and every one of us
must work to create more equitable, democratic, and tolerant societies
around the world. Only by doing this can we really hope to transform
the "never again" said after the Holocaust from promise into practice,
from hope into reality.

GET INVOLVED There exist numerous things that each of us can do to
help advance the work of genocide prevention and human rights. As an
individual and a citizen of any country, make a daily effort to be
aware of the various injustices and major human rights violations that
go on in our world. Be aware of the precedents of genocide, such as
state-sanctioned discrimination, dehumanization of certain groups of
people, racism, anti-Semitism, and hate, among other precedents. And,
aware of these injustices, make an effort to mobilize others and begin
a collective effort to fight these things, whether in your school,
community, or in a distant country.

MODERN DAY GENOCIDES Armenian Genocide (1915-1923) caused 1.5 million
deaths.

The Holocaust (1933-1945) caused the deaths of an estimated 6
million Jews, at least 1.5 million non-Jewish Polish citizens, 200,000
individuals with mental or physical disabilities, approximately 10,000
homosexuals, and 20,000 Roma or Gypsies.

Cambodian Genocide (1975-1979) The Khmer Rouge killed approximately
2 million people.

The Rwandan Genocide (April-July 1994) caused more than 1 million
deaths.

The Darfur Conflict (2003-present) has caused an estimated 400,000
deaths to date.

The Srebrenica Massacre (July 1995) Serbian forces killed an estimated
8,000 Muslims in Bosnia.

AZERBAIJAN-TURKEY HISTORICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (ATAF) TO HAVE REPRESENTATIONS ABROAD

BSANNA NEWS
Nov 18 2008
Ukraine

BAKU, November 18. (AzerTAj). As earlier reported, on 15 November the
Azerbaijan-Turkey Historical Research Foundation (ATAF) Trusteeship
Council held its second meeting in Baku.

The event was attended by representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish
governmental bodies, NGOs, businessmen, authoritative public figures.

A news conference held at the office of the Azerbaijan-Turkey Business
Association (ATIB) in Baku was dedicated to this event.

Deputy Chairman of ATAF`s Board of Trustees and Chairman of
Azerbaijan-Turkey Business Association (ATIB) Ahmet Erentok informed on
new members of the Trusteeship Council. As stated, Draft of the Final
strategic document of the Conference was discussed. It was decided to
hold the First International Azerbaijan-Turkey Historical Congress in
Baku in June next year. Appropriate Organizational Committee was set
up. Meeting of the Trusteeship Council will also be held on sidelines
of the Congress.

Member of Azerbaijan Parliament Asim Mollazade said one of the
key goals of ATAF is to reveal historical truths, mobilize the
relevant structures to prevent the falsified Armenian question and
expose Armenian lies. According to him, ATAF will soon have its
representations in Russia, France and Belgium.

Speakers stressed necessity of strengthening of the efforts to bring
the truth on the Armenian centuries-old atrocities to the notice of
world communities.

Reportedly, ATAF will have its website soon.

ATAF was founded on the basis of cooperation protocol signed among
Turkish Historical Society, the History Institute of Azerbaijan
National Academy of Sciences, Baku State University (BSU) and
Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen Association (ATIB).

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT BRIEFS CABINET ON TIES WITH EUROPE

Mediamax
Nov 13 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 13 November: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan today discussed
the whole spectrum of relations between Armenia and the European Union
(EU) at the meeting with the members of the National Security Council,
the Armenian cabinet and the heads of agencies.

The president’s press service reported that Sargsyan briefed them
on his visit to Brussels and suggested steps on further development
of relations with the EU. Sargsyan said that following the results
of meetings in Brussels, he had the impression that the European
institutions are pleased with the level of cooperation with Armenia
and the work completed, and demonstrated the wish to deepen relations
and implement more ambitious projects. Stressing Armenia’s willingness
to establish closer relations with Europe, Sargsyan stated that "as
the first step, Armenia proposes to make the communication of our
citizens easier by means of simplifying visa rules and establishing
equal conditions for trade through recognizing Armenia as a market
economy and signing an agreement on free trade". He said that during
the visit an agreement had been reached on simplifying the visa regime,
and at the meeting with the EU trade commissioner, a decision had
been passed to send a group of experts to Yerevan in December to
develop an action plan together with Armenian colleagues.

Sargsyan said the new action plan will most likely be worked out
within the framework of the EU’s Eastern Policy and will have two
peculiarities. First of all, it will clearly outline the frameworks of
regional cooperation, and second, the participants in the programme
will be offered various formats of interrelation, depending on the
level of their readiness.

RA PRESIDENT HELD TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH U. S. SECRETARY OF STATE

De Facto
Nov 19, 2008

YEREVAN, 19.11.08. DE FACTO. On November 18 the RA President Serzh
Sargsian held a telephone conversation with the U. S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice, on the latter’s initiative.

According to the RA President’s Press Office, the issues of mutual
interest were discussed in the course of the telephone talk.

SERGE SARGSYAN SURPRISED PEOPLE OF KARABAKH

Lragir.am
14:05:23 – 19/11/2008

In his recent three-day visit to Karabakh Serge Sargsyan took
unprecedented measures of security surprising the people of
Karabakh, stated Alexander Kananyan, a member of the Miatsum National
Initiative. He also said he had reliable information about a secret
meeting of Serge Sargsyan with the Karabakh government and military
command, during which he said with an air of defying objections that
he has decided to resolve the Karabakh issue, the settlement will
be based on the principles of Madrid, the Armenian force will be
withdrawn from five regions, and in two years, which is a new idea,
Alexander Kananyan says, a referendum on status will be held after
which Kelbadjar will also be yielded to Azerbaijan.

Besides, Kananyan said Serge Sargsyan is already trying to disseminate
this approach among the people of Karabakh through the police and
mayors of villages, making them believe that in case of disagreeing
to this the war may ignite. However, Alexander Kananyan says the
people of Karabakh will not give in to this deception because they
are aware that the probability of war increases in case of such a
settlement, especially that Azerbaijan actually acquires strategic
advantage. Alexander Kananyan says perhaps this awareness of the people
of Karabakh was the reason why Serge Sargsyan took unprecedented
measures of security as a result of which life in the capital of
Karabakh was paralyzed, and the citizens who were unable to get to
their workplace wondered why Sargsyan is afraid among his compatriots.

Alexander Kananyan also stated that there is no external pressure
on the Armenian government, and the Armenian government chooses this
settlement voluntarily, since it is led by mercantile interests rather
than national interests, and is anxious for a rapid opening of the
Armenian and Turkish border to the detriment of the national interests.

NO LABEL FOR BREAD WEIGHT

A1+
[08:40 pm] 18 November, 2008

When we tried to find out the weight of bread in some stores in central
Yerevan, store clerks told us to weigh the bread on a scale. However,
starting from November 15, the stores where bread is sold without
the required label (including weight and price) must be fined and
the fine ranges from 50,000 to 300,000 drams.

Let us recall that this is what head of the State Veterinary Service
of the Ministry of Agriculture Grisha Baghiyan stated a couple of
days ago.

According to him, if the label doesn’t include the weight and price
of bread, the one responsible for that is the bread store owner. If
it turns out that the weight of the bread is less, the person held
accountable is the bread producer.

Out of the 10 stores that we visited, four stores did not have
the label.

"We don’t know about that. Nobody told us. Let them bring the prices,
give the weight and we will put the label," said Anahit, one of the
store clerks.

Aren’t you afraid of fines? In response to that, one of the store
clerks said: "They don’t do everything they say they’re going to
do. They might not even know where we are. What do consumers have to
say about this?"