Author: Toganian Liana

NKR MORTGAGE LENDING POLICY IS THE BEST IN THE REGION

Azat Artsakh Daily – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
09-02-2007

To solve the problem of housing, two years ago the government drafted
a mortgage lending policy, and even in 2006 200 million drams were
allocated for this purpose. However, since mortgage lending is novelty
in Artsakh, the implementation of this policy proved difficult, and
was delayed. In 2007 another 500 million drams was added to the
previous 200 million. On January 30 the NKR government confirmed the
order of mortgage lending. The policy will be implemented by Artsakh
Development Agency. The size of the loan can be up to 15 million drams
but it should not exceed 80 percent of the value of the apartment or
costs of the construction of a house. The other 20 percent is paid by
the borrower. The term of the loan is 20 years with an annual 6
percent interest.

The borrower must have a monthly income of 20 thousand drams in
Stepanakert and 10 thousand drams in rural areas. A citizen can borrow
mortgage loan only once. In an interview with the Azat Artsakh the
director of the agency Armen Avagian said considering the debates over
the order of mortgage lending, interest on behalf of the population
and numerous inquiries, it was a longed-for policy. `It should be
noted with regard to the terms and conditions that this policy is one
of the best in the region.’

NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
09-02-2007

INTERVIEW WITH NKR PRIME MINISTER SOON

Azat Artsakh Daily – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
09-02-2007

NKR Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian is the guest of the Azat
Artsakh web page. On March 1, on the occasion of the end of the fiscal
year, NKR Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian will be hosted by the
Azat Artsakh web page. The Armenian and foreign readers have an
exceptional chance to ask questions to the prime minister and get
irrefragable answers. Send your questions to Azat Artsakh Office, 32
Knunyants Street, Stepanakert, NKR, or e-mail [email protected]. Please
note your name, occupation and the place where you live.

"A.A.".
09-02-2007

LENMARKER HOPES THE KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL BE RESOLVED BY THE END OF THE YEAR

ArmRadio.am
08.02.2007 16:52

"I have great hopes that by the end of the year the Karabakh conflict
will be resolved," President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Goran
Lenmarker said in Baku.

He noted that it is necessary to find a rapid reconciliation between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. "I think that agreement between the two
countries can be reached between the two countries after the
parliamentary elections in Armenia."

In his opinion, now the Foreign Ministers of the two countries should
solve issues connected with joint residence of people in Nagorno
Karabakh. "It should be taken into consideration that Azerbaijan and
Armenia are neighbors. I think both parties understand the importance
of coming to an agreement," said Lenmarker.

PREPARATION OF A NEW REPORT ON KARABAKH NOT AN URGENT ISSUE

ArmRadio.am
08.02.2007 17:35

I hope an agreement will be reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan
before the discussion of the report on Nagorno Karabakh at the
summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. OSCE PA President,
Rapporteur on Nagorno Karabakh Goran Lenmarker made this optimistic
prediction, adding that "in any case the parties should aspire
to that."

Is it possible that a new report will be prepared on Nagorno Karabakh
connected with dissatisfaction of Azerbaijan? Mr. Lenmarker said the
question is not an urgent one now. "The settlement process is more
important than the report," said the OSCE PA President.

CAN TURKEY USE DINK TRAGEDY TO OPEN DIALOGUE WITH ARMENIA?
By Lale Sariibrahimoglu

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 6 2007

The tragic and devastating 1999 earthquake that hit western parts
of Turkey, killing thousands of people, which was followed by a
relatively minor earthquake in neighboring Greece brought the two
countries closer in what was dubbed "earthquake diplomacy." Though
deep rooted sovereignty disputes in the Aegean Sea and over Cyprus
continue to deter complete normalization of relations between NATO
members Turkey and Greece, at least we are witnessing more mature
relations between both the military and the political leaders of the
two countries. It was the 1999 earthquake tragedy that paved the way
for opening a dialogue between Ankara and Athens.

Now is it possible for Turkey and Armenia to open a dialogue, moving up
from the existing undersecretariat levels to, for example, ministerial
levels, following the tragic murder of prominent Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink in January?

The Turkish people have already helped to create a positive image by
displaying their disgust with the murder when hundreds of thousands
attended his funeral, strongly protesting his slaying and carrying
placards in many cities of the country condemning this ethnic violence.

However, we have not yet seen the reflection of the Turkish people’s
outcry against the Dink murder at the official level, a reflection
which could be demonstrated, for example, by opening a high level
dialogue between the two neighbors in an attempt to make something
positive out of the tragedy of Hrant’s slaying. Perhaps we may see some
gestures on both sides following the end of the 40 days of mourning for
Hrant Dink. Who knows? The 40-day mourning period for Dink will come
to an end soon. But we may also soon see the adoption of an Armenian
genocide resolution by the Democrat Party-dominated Congress, carrying
the potential of inflicting another blow on relations between Turkey
and the USA. The two NATO allies have had to heal the wounds of the
Turkish rejection of a decree in March 2003 that did not allow the
opening of a second front for US troops invading Iraq from the north
through Turkey.

Turkey denies allegations of genocide while urging Armenia to sit
at a table and discuss the issue with Turkish historians. But the
balance in both the US Senate and the House of Representatives has
changed in favour of the Democrats following the November mid-term
elections last year, increasing prospects for the adoption of the
so-called Armenian genocide bill by US lawmakers.

Turkey recognized Armenia together with all the other states of
the Caucusus and Central Asia that declared independence after the
dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, Turkey has not yet
resumed diplomatic ties with this country due to Yerevan’s ongoing
claims over some parts of the Turkish territory, as well as Armenia’s
participation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan,
with whom Turkey attaches special importance in relations.

Nagorno-Karabakh is an Armenian-dominated enclave officially located
within Azerbajian and had been the scene of fierce clashes between
Yerevan and Baku until a ceasefire was announced in May 1994.

Though at the moment there are several thousand Armenian workers based
in Turkey and charter flights are flying between Yerevan and Ýstanbul,
because of the above mentioned disputes the Turkish-Armenian borders
remain closed, standing as one of the main factors preventing humane
interaction between the two neighbors.

Despite the Turkish constraints on opening a tangible dialogue with
Armenia, the Turkish-Greek rapprochement following the tragic 1999
earthquake could set an example for both Ankara and Yerevan to start a
high level dialogue. After all, Turkish-Greek "earthquake diplomacy"
has not yet contributed to the resolution of deep-rooted disputes
but at least helped both countries to solve disputes through dialogue
rather than threats.

If we could not prevent Dink’s murder then we must develop our
capacities and, despite this tragedy, open a dialogue with Armenia.

Equally, Armenia should act sincerely in improving ties with Turkey
that would benefit the peoples of both countries.

–Boundary_(ID_Jgl9qTi2LprmMFXJCH/gqw) —

TURKISH OFFICIALS SACKED IN PROBE INTO KILLER VIDEO

Gulf Times, Qatar
Feb 6 2007

ANKARA: Two Turkish security officials lost their jobs yesterday in
a widening investigation into video footage that appeared to portray
as a hero the teenage killer of a prominent Turkish-Armenian editor.

The state-run Anatolian news agency said authorities in the Black Sea
city of Samsun had sacked a fifth policeman and transferred a fifth
member of the paramilitary gendarmerie to other duties following
similar dismissals last Friday.

The news agency said that the dismissals were made at the request of
a government inspector but gave no further information.

The video footage showed Ogun Samast, 17, posing in front of a Turkish
flag with security officials shortly after his arrest last month
on suspicion of killing the editor Hrant Dink outside his newspaper
office in Istanbul. He has confessed to the crime.

Dink’s funeral drew 100,000 mourners onto the streets in protest at
the militant nationalism that apparently inspired his killer. Seven
others have also been charged in the Dink case.

Dink had infuriated Turkish nationalists by urging Turkey in his
writings to face up to its responsibility for the mass killing of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915.

The video footage has revived fears in Turkey of a shadowy "deep state"
working in collusion with criminal gangs.

The "deep state" is code for hardline nationalists purportedly based
in the security forces who are ready to break the law if need be in
defence of their ideology.

Last week, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, under pressure in an
election year for failing to combat crime, vowed to tackle what he
called "gangs within state institutions".

Social/News

Armenia Tree Project Plans Forest in Memory of Hrant Dink

A1 Plus
2 February 2007

Soon after the tragic death of Armenian editor and journalist Hrant Dink, a
group of donors contacted Armenia Tree Project (ATP) expressing interest in
planting a special forest in his memory.

Last week, Armenians from Istanbul to Glendale were shocked and
grief-stricken to learn of the tragic murder of Hrant Dink, the editor of
the bilingual, Istanbul-based Agos newspaper. Hrant Dink, who was convicted
under Turkey~Rs Article 301 for ~Sinsulting Turkishness~T because of his frank
discussion of the Armenian Genocide, had been receiving death threats from
right-wing nationalists in Turkey for months. On January 19, a young man
made good on the threats, stalked Hrant Dink, and shot him several times in
the back of the head.

The killing has led to international outrage and expressions of sympathy. On
January 23, over 100,000 people in Turkey joined Hrant Dink~Rs funeral
procession. As they marched through the streets of Istanbul carrying signs
that said ~SWe are all Hrant,~T they chanted ~SWe are all Hrant, we are all
Armenian.~T For more information about Hrant Dink, visit the web site

Hrant Dink named the newspaper he founded Agos, which in Armenian means
furrow. ~SA furrow is for planting and with the encouragement of donors who
have already come forward with initial funding, we will plant a forest as a
tribute to Hrant Dink,~T said ATP Executive Committee member Nancy Kricorian.

Armenia Tree Project (ATP), a grassroots-supported non-profit organization
based in Watertown and Yerevan, conducts vitally important environmental
projects in Armenia~Rs impoverished and deforested zones and seeks support in
advancing its reforestation mission.

Since 1994, ATP has made enormous strides in combating desertification in
the biologically diverse but threatened Caucasus region. Nearly 1.5 million
trees have been planted and restored, and hundreds of jobs have been created
for Armenians in seasonal tree-regeneration programs. For more information
or to support the forest in memory of Hrant Dink, visit

ge=issue&iid=45092

ANC-PAC CONDEMNS CHENEY’S EFFORTS TO BLOCK GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

ASBAREZ
2/6/2007

LOS ANGELES–The Armenian National Committee-Political Action
Committee forcefully condemns the Administration’s heavy-handed and
undemocratic efforts to block a Congressional consideration of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution.

Earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson sent email
messages to Turkish news organizations announcing the Administration’s
efforts to oppose the resolution. The human rights legislation was
introduced last Tuesday by Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George
Radanovich (R-CA), along with Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and House Committee
on Foreign Affairs members Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Thaddeus McCotter
(R-MI). Within a day of its introduction, the measure was cosponsored
by over 160 additional U. S. Representatives.

"It’s a testament to the staggering moral bankruptcy of the
Administration’s position that our Ambassador in Turkey, Ross Wilson,
praised Hrant Dink as a great advocate of free speech on the day of
his funeral, and then, the following day, launched a preemptive attack
to prevent the U.S. Congress from even discussing legislation marking
the Armenian Genocide – the very crime Hrant Dink was murdered for
recognizing," commented an ANC-PAC spokesperson.

"The Administration’s heavy-handed approach – fueled by Vice President
Cheney and his neo-conservative allies in the departments of State
and Defense – has more in common with Article 301 of the Turkish
Penal Code than with the proud American tradition of free debate and
democratic decision-making. It is time for the Bush Administration
to scrap its version of Section 301 and allow Members of Congress to
vote in favor of properly recognizing and commemorating the Armenian
Genocide," added the spokesperson.

Article 301 is the law under which Istanbul-based Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink was sentenced for speaking openly about the Armenian
Genocide. He was murdered outside his newspaper’s office on January
19th.

Ambassador Wilson’s comments and the Bush administration’s opposition
of the Armenian Genocide Resolution further strain Armenian American
relations with the White House. President Bush’s re-nomination of
Richard Hoagland, an Armenian Genocide denier, as U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia is overwhelmingly opposed by Armenian-Americans as evidenced
by a recent poll showing 97% of Armenian-Americans opposing his
confirmation.

Though the Armenian Genocide Resolution has enjoyed overwhelming
support in the U.S. Congress for more than a decade, the selection of
Nancy Pelosi, a strong advocate of properly recognizing the Armenian
Genocide, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has made
official recognition by the U.S. House of Representatives considerably
more likely.

The ANC-PAC is a non-partisan federally registered political action
committee established to support campaign committees for Members of
Congress who share the values of the Armenian American community. The
ANC-PAC is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the voice of
the Armenian American community is clearly heard in our nation’s
capital. The ANC-PAC continues a century old tradition of Armenian
Americans engagement on the public policy issues facing national
political leaders, both in the U.S. Congress and the White House.

MICROSOFT TO START SELLING ARMENIAN LOCALIZATIONS OF ITS MOST POPULAR SOFTWARE IN ARMENIA BY LATE 2007

Noyan Tapan
Feb 06 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Microsoft is taking measures so
that in Armenia computers will be sold with the company’s licensed
software. Grigor Barseghian, Director of Microsoft RA company –
Microsoft’s Armenian representative, stated this at the February 6
press conference, adding that 25-30 thousand computers are sold in
Armenia each year. According to him, by late 2007 Microsoft will
offer the Armenian consumer the Armenian localizations of Windows
XP Professional operational system, Windows Vista new operational
system and Microsoft Office 2007 software. It was noted that in case
of retail sale of computers with the licensed software, the software
will cost a sum equivalent to 150-200 dollars, while in case of
selling the same software in a separate package it will cost twice
as much. G. Barseghian said that the fight against use of unlicensed
software will be conducted through explanatory work.

pRESs Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHRISTIAN
LEAGUES OF LEBANON

His Holiness Aram I received a senior delegation from the Christian Leagues
of Lebanon in Antelias on February 1. The ten representatives, among which
the representative of the Armenian Orthodox community, Dr. Jean Salmanian,
wanted to discuss with the Pontiff the results of their meetings with senior
Lebanese officials in the last few weeks and enquire His Holiness’ views on
the situation in the country.

The Catholicos expressed his pain and resentment of the uncertain political
situation in the country. "If the politicians are not the primary reasons
behind the creation of this situation, they are the reasons for its
continuation. There’s a political conflict in the country. Instead of
government ignoring this fact and going on with its usual business, and the
opposition taking to the streets, the two should talk to one another and
find acceptable solutions," said His Holiness.

Referring to his recent statements about the conflict, the Pontiff said:
"Our viewpoint remains the same: we respect the other, but for us Lebanon is
above all else. It is with this principle and perspective that we should
work. It’s the people who are suffering. We don’t have the right to inflict
this situation upon them. The country won’t be rescued by thrashing one
another through the media. The path to Lebanon’s salvation is internal unity
and internal unity can be strengthened through mutual trust and
understanding."

His Holiness asked the representatives from the Christian League to pass
these viewpoints on to the political and communal leaders.

##
View the photo here:

*****

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
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.