Author: Talalian Arpi

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II Emphatically Refuted Invitation
to Participate In Ceremony of Opening of Surb Khach Church on Akhtamar
Island in Turkey

Arminfo
2007-03-27 11:09:00

The Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the Second will not
participate in a ceremony of opening of a restored Surb Khach Armenian
church on Akhtamar island in Turkey to be held on March 29.

As the press-service of Holly Echmiadzin told ArmInfo today, an
invitation was received from the Governor of Van region addressed to
the Supreme Patriarch via RA Foreign Ministry to take part in a
ceremony. In view of the fact that the church of Surb Khach, restored
by the Turkish authorities, will be turned to museum and will not
function as a church under patronage of the Armenian Patriarchy in
Constantinople, and the ceremony of opening will not be held in the
spirit of traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church but by secular
canons, the Holly Echmiadzin will not take part in the ceremony, the
message says.

The event, scheduled for March 29 and aimed against the Christian
feelings of the Armenian people, cannot be perceived as a positive
step on the way of rapprochement of the Armenian and Turkish peoples,
especially in the context of a universal strive for cooperation
between the peoples and a dialogue between the religions and cultures,
the message says.

Panorama.am

17:57 26/03/2007

SERZH SARGSYAN TO REPLACE ANDRANIK MARGARYAN AS HHK CHAIRMAN

After the death of Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, Serzh
Sargsyan, Armenian Republican Party (HHK) board chairman, will take up
the post of HHK chairman. On March 26-29, the defense minister had to
make an official trip to China. Sargsyan returned back from his way to
China.

Source: Panorama.am

A1+

BALANCE BROKEN
[03:38 pm] 26 March, 2007

Aram Manukyan, member of the All-Armenian National
Movement, condoles with Andranik Margaryan’s family
and friends. He maintains that the prime minister’s
premature decease is a great loss for the political
sphere of the country.

`Regardless of the fact that the All-Armenian National
Movement often criticized the prime minister’s
actions, Andranik Margaryan was capable of balancing
the pro-governmental forces and finding a common
language,’ Mr. Manoukyan told A1+. Andranik
Margaryan’s death will affect on the dialogue between
various political powers

`Andranik Margaryan’s activity guaranteed tolerance in
the political sphere. He never criticized any party
explicitly and always created an atmosphere of mutual
respect and understanding,’ claims Aram Manukyan.

Mr. Manukyan is convinced that Andranik Margaryan’s
death will have its negative impact on the May 12
parliamentary elections. `The equilibrium will be
undermined as currently two parties are struggling
with each other; Republican Party and Prosperous
Armenia’.

Turkish Press
March 23 2007

Press Review

MILLIYET

MESROB II: `THE IMPACT OF ARMENIAN RESOLUTION WOULD BE NEGATIVE’

The resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide now before the US
Congress will be of no use to anybody, said Patriarch of Turkish
Armenians Mesrob II yesterday. Mesrob II added that no move that
would have a negative impact on dialogue between the two nations
could be called reasonable. /Milliyet/

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
March 23 2007

In 2006, the volume of the mortgage credits, provided in Armenia,
grew for 120%

Yerevan, March 23 /Mediamax/. In 2006, the volume of mortgage
credits, provided in Armenia, grew for 120%, as compared to 2005.

Mediamax reports that Chairman of the Association of mortgage market
participants of Armenia Ashot Osipian said this today during the
annual meeting of the organization.

According to him, among the achievements, one should note the
formation of a standard of mortgage crediting in Armenia. Ashot
Osipian stated that the availability of mortgage credits has
increased as well. At the same time, he noted, if one compares the
correlation of mortgage crediting volumes in Armenia to the GDP of
the country with the same correlation in developed countries, the
image will not be a very happy one.

Ashot Osipian also noted that the main tasks of the organization
today are the increase of the terms of mortgage crediting, the
decrease of interest rates and the implementation of mortgage
crediting in all the regions of Armenia.

ARMENIAN DELEGATION HEADED BY DEPUTY MINISTER OF CULTURE GAGIK GYURJIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN REOPENING CEREMONY OF SURB KHACH CHURCH

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian delegation headed by
the RA Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Issues Gagik Gyurjian
will participate in the reopening ceremony of Surb Khach Church
on the island of Aghtamar of Lake Van. The deputy minister told NT
correspondent that the delegation’s composition, as well as the day
of departure and route have not been finally determined yet. In his
words, the delegation will not go to Turkey by air. He also ruled out
the version of crossing the border through the Margara crossing point.

VAZGEN MANUKIAN: I WANT SERGE SARGSIAN TO RECEIVE A STRONG BLOW

Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. During his recent visit to Syunik,
RA MP Vazgen Manukian, Chairman of National Democratic Union, was
not given a room at hotels and was not provided a hall for meeting
with local population. As V. Manukian stated at the March 20 press
conference, directors of hotels were terrified and were made "not
to give room to enemy" and and he received threats through anonymous
telephone calls.

In his words, this visit showed that the people is not broken and
the authorities are afraid that representatives of opposition can
come and raise the people and in this case they will have no salvation.

The NDU Chairman said that he does not pursue the goal to raise the
people, but will continue visiting various regions to see what is
taking place in the country on the threshold of the elections. "I am
engaged in politics not for becoming an MP," V. Manukian said.

He stated that during the elections NDU will support any opposition
force or figure who will express such willingness. In particular,
all NDU structures will work in favor of PPA.

As regards former Commander of NKR Defence Army Samvel Babayan who
has been nominated by majoritarian electoral system in Goris, in
V. Manukian’s words, supporting his candidature is not connected
only with his personality. In NDU Chairman’s words, the brother
of Defence Minister Serge Sargsian has been nominated at the same
electoral district. He "is a real nothing" and does not enjoy people’s
confidence. "If Alexander Sargsian is defeated, this will be a strong
blow for Serge Sargsian: I want Serge Sargsian to receive a strong
blow," V. Manukian stated.

Sevak Mkhitaryan winner of Sao Paolo chess championship

ArmRadio.am
19.03.2007 12:43

Armenian chess player residing in Brazil Sevak Mkhitaryan became the winner
of the open chess championship held in Sao Paolo, gaining 7 points out of 7
possible.

Earlier he had occupied the second place in the open chess championship of
Brazil held in capital Brasilia.

85% of Azeris consider Turks their frirnds and allies

ArmRadio.am
16.03.2007 11:00

Public opinion polls revealed that 85% of Azerbaijani citizens
consider Turks their friends and allies, the Journal of Turkish Weekly
reports. Russia and Georgia follow Turkey. Armenia is the first in the
list of enemies.

The survey was conducted the `Frederic Eberti’ Fund among 1 000
citizens from 12 cities of Azerbaijan. More than 59% of the
interviewee does not accept the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.

LEVON ARONIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT OF SPEED AND
BLIND CHESS IN MONTE CARLO

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, NOYAN TAPAN. An international tournament with
participation of 18 strongest chess players of the world will start in
Monte Carlo on March 17. It consists of 11 stages. The rivals will
play with each other one speed and one blind chess match at every
stage. From Armenia Levon Aronian will participate in the tournament.