Author: Torgomian Varazdat

Azeris Building Center to Honor Late Leader
By Lada Yevgrashina

Reuters
Tuesday, February 19, 2008. Issue 3845. Page 9.

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Azerbaijan’s ruling elite has grown rich from oil,
and now it is to acquire the ultimate status symbol: a monument to the
president’s father designed by one of the world’s most sought-after
architects.

The Azeri government has commissioned Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-born
Briton best known for designing a cutting-edge plant for carmaker
BMW in Leipzig, to build a cultural center in honor of Heidar Aliyev,
the man who founded the ruling dynasty.

The undulating glass and aluminum structure will rise up alongside
oil-blackened Soviet-era factories in the capital of a country
that just a few years ago was in economic chaos and reeling from a
territorial war with Armenia.

It will also deepen the posthumous cult of personality around the
former KGB officer who ran Azerbaijan for three decades until his
death in 2003. His son Ilham Aliyev, a reformed playboy, took over
the presidency.

"This center will be an example of respect for the legacy of Heidar
Aliyev and become a symbol of Azerbaijan’s modern capital," Ilham
Aliyev said at a ground-breaking ceremony.

The Baku cultural center will be the most distinctive building to go
up in the Caspian Sea city in a generation.

Slated for completion by the end of 2009, it will house a concert hall,
a library, a museum and underground parking, the developers said.

Although they refuse to reveal how much it will cost, the project,
to be paid for by the government, is likely to run to tens of millions
of dollars.

It will be a major outlay for a country where, according to the World
Bank, the average monthly income is about $250 and 29 percent of the
population live in poverty.

Hadid is hailed as one of the world’s most important contemporary
architects. In 2004, she became the first woman to receive the Pritzker
Prize, the architecture world’s top award.

EUbusiness (press release), UK
Feb 18 2008

Bulgaria ready to recognise Kosovo’s independence: minister

18 February 2008, 18:52 CET

(SOFIA) – Bulgaria said Monday it ultimately was prepared to
recognise Kosovo’s independence, even if it would not do so
immediately.

"Led by the principle for the necessity of stability in the region
and for solidarity with our partners in the European Union, I will
propose to the Bulgarian government to take a decision for
establishing diplomatic relations with the authorities in Kosovo,"
Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin said in a statement.

But he said Bulgaria’s recognition of Kosovo would not come
immediately.

"This decision will be closely linked to how the situation develops
in Kosovo over the coming weeks," Kalfin said.

Kalfin had warned in a newspaper interview published earlier in the
day that Kosovo’s declaration of independence Sunday threatened
Balkan stability and risked triggering a new cycle of violence.

"There are quite a few risks," he told the daily Monitor.

"The first is destabilisation and a return of violence to the Balkans
… which is extremely dangerous."

"A second risk, which should also not be underestimated, is the
emergence of a major frozen conflict in the Balkans, similar to those
seen in northern Cyprus, Transnistria, Abkhasia, South Ossetia and
Nagorno-Karabakh," the minister said, referring to other
independent-minded regions.

At a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels Monday,
the EU stressed that its 27 member nations should decide individually
whether to recognise Kosovo.

President Georgy Parvanov said his country’s position would depend on
a number of factors, such as what measures Kosovo takes to guarantee
the rights of minorities, including Serbs and Bulgarians.

For his part, Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev said Bulgaria
considered it important for the EU to keep the door open for Serbia
to join the bloc.

Bulgaria’s primary goal was to uphold a "European perspective" and
would push for "talks to sign a Stabilisation and Association
Agreement with Serbia," he said.

The so-called SAA is seen as the first step towards Serbia joining
the EU.

Stanishev travels Wednesday to Slovenia, which currently holds the
rotating EU presidency, for talks on Kosovo with his Slovenian
counterpart, Janez Jansa.

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 16 2008

Khazar Ibragim: "Absence of control over Nagorno Karabakh by
Azerbaijan creates favorable conditions for PKK terrorists"

16 February 2008 [11:33] – Today.Az

The information about PKK terrorists’ intention to settle in the
occupied lands of Azerbaijan proves official Baku’s concerns over the
use of these uncontrolled lands by international terrorists for
dislocation and preparation of various operations.

The due announcement was made by Khazar Ibragim, spokesman for
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry.

He reminded Azerbaijan’s repeated announcements that Armenia with its
historical traditions of terrorism, used to suppress internal and
external enemies, can become a good protection for international
terrorists, willing to hide in the Azerbaijani territories occupied
by this country.

"We should do everything possible for the world community to become
aware of the threat posed by the fact that Azerbaijan does not
control the territory of our country, occupied by Armenia, as to the
development of international terrorism. In particular, this issue has
been discussed during the recent visit of one of the senior
representatives of the US Department of State to Baku. We intend to
continue informing the world community of the truth and of the
terrible consequences and spread of international terrorism due to
the unsettled Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh,
which results in Armenia’s control over these territories."

He does not exclude that movement of PKK terrorists to Nagorno
Karabakh would be impossible without agreement of Armenia’s
government.

"The Azerbaijani lands have been occupied by a country, led by a
person, who stated the genetic incompatibility of Azerbaijanis and
Armenians and took part in the genocide of Azerbaijanis in Khojali.

He said commenting on Armenia’s recent announcement according to
which there are no terrorist bases in Nagorno Karabakh that the
development of events in the region and frequent receipt of
information about the presence of PKK bases on the Azerbaijan’s
occupied lands, evidence that Armenia’s external policy is based on
lies and falsifications.

"Thus, Armenia is playing a game, which will lead to its defeat, as
the rules of this game are well known: it is impossible to tell lie,
ignoring numerous proofs of the falseness and injustice of the
position, this country adheres to. The sooner will the working
leadership of Armenia recognize the falseness of the position it
occupied, the sooner will the threat of terrorism be lifted from our
region and the sooner will it lead to peace", he concluded.

/Day.Az/

URL:

"IF YOU ARE NOT WITH US, YOU ARE NOT GOOD" APPROACH IS CHARACTERISTIC OF CRIMINAL WORLD," HRANT MARGARIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 15, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. Hrant Margarian, the representative
of the ARF Bureau, considers the thought voiced by Levon Ter-Petrosian,
the first President of the Republic of Armenia and a candidate running
for the post of the RA President, in Meghri on February 14, according
to which all the other candidates, who do not join him "are harnessed"
to the "cart" of Serge Sargsian, the candidate of the authorities,
as inaddmissible. As Hrant Margarian stated at the press conference
held on February 15, there are people today, who "having fat necks
and arms", believe that they can impose opinion on everybody by
threatening: "if you are not with us, you are not good." Such an
approach, according to the representative of the ARF Bureau, is an
approach characteristic of the criminal world. "According to him
(Levon Ter-Petrosian – NT), Arthur Baghdasarian is good if he is
with him and a traitor, if he is not. If an oligarch is in the camp
of the rival, he is a criminal, if he is in his camp, he is good,
even if he does not pay taxes," Hrant Margarian said.

In his words, they received Levon Ter-Petrosian in the ARF Bureau
as a guest before the campaign hoping that he is ready to lead a
civilized struggle.

However, today the latter declares that all the candidates are working
for Serge Sargsian. In the conviction of Hrant Margarian, Levon
Ter-Petrosian is going the wrong way by speaking with the political
figures in the language of blackmail. "That political force is against
our country, our people and we will not allow it to come to life,"
the Leader of Dashnaktsutiun declared. At the same time, he mentioned
that the ARF Dashnaktsutiun, not excluding post-electoral clashes,
calls to everybody for being quiet and sober.

RA CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL AVIATION ORGANIZATION

Noyan Tapan
Feb 14, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. For the purpose of clarifying the
reasons of the aircraft accident, which took place in the Zvartnots
airport on February 14, the RA Civil Aviation Department is going to
apply to the assistance of the International Aviation Organization. It
should be mentioned that the CRG-100 airplane of the Belavia company
produced in 1999 hit the air strip with its left wing when implementing
the Yerevan-Minsk flight and took fire. There are no victims, only four
out of the 18 passengers have been taken to hospital with different
degrees of burns. The rest received medical assistance on the spot.

As Artyom Movsesian, the Head of the Civil Aviation Department,
stated in the press briefing held on the same day, he has reported
to the RA President in connection with the case, and the latter has
given instructions to the corresponding departments.

In the words of A. Movsesian, due to the collaborators of the
department and the airport it has been possible to avoid victims. He
stated that the airplane was technically in order.

At this moment the airport has restarted its work.

San Gabriel Valley Tribune (California)
February 14, 2008 Thursday

Youthful hearts of charity

By Daniel Fritz, Staff Writer

Some might say the heart of charity is embodied by two major
characteristics: willingness and selflessness.

Students at Sierra Vista Middle School in Covina have repeatedly
shown these telling signs of a charitable heart through their
constant, good-hearted volunteer work in the Covina community.

Want proof?

In the past two years, a total of 320 Sierra Vista eighth-grade
students have logged about 16,000 hours of community service.

Sheila Edwards, an eighth-grade American history teacher at Sierra
Vista, has certainly helped instill a philanthropic attitude in these
kids. Her curriculum, one which advocates "civic responsibility,"
requires students to log a minimum 10 hours of community service a
year.

There are many opportunities for children to fulfill this requirement
right there at the school.

Three times a year she leads a group of Sierra Vista students to Los
Angeles’ Skid Row to pass out blankets and clothes to the estimated
8,000 homeless people in that area. Their last trip was on Dec. 20,
2007.

Students are also taking part in Cellphones for Soldiers, a donation
program that aims to provide troops overseas with a way to keep in
touch with friends and family.

Now the kids have found yet another way to be of service.

Project Linus, a national nonprofit organization that aims to provide
ill or traumatized children with the comfort and security of new or
handmade blankets, finds demand often outweighing supply.

In early January, a few students saw a newspaper article about the
organization’s blanket shortage and quickly stepped up, suggesting
this be their next community service project.

"We saw the article and thought it would be a good idea to make
blankets for the children," said Reem Aranki, 14. "I like giving back
to the community and children in the hospital to make them feel
better."

They call it the "Blanket Them With Kindness Program."

After students donated $10 each and gathered the necessary materials,
they were ready to go.

On Wednesday, Feb. 6, all five of Edwards’ eighth-grade American
history classes used their period to make as many brightly colored
fleece blankets as possible.

"Doing this makes me feel good because I know I’m helping people,"
said Sofia Klof, 13.

Edwards’ students made a total of 56 blankets at the end of the day.

Project Linus will then distribute the blankets to organizations such
as the Ronald McDonald House, Schlessinger Foundation, the Red Cross
and various hospitals across the country.

Aside from these various service projects within the school, many of
Edwards’ students are active outside of the classroom in their own
community.

Victoria Djabourian, 13, volunteers at the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) for 10 hours a week teaching children how to
play basketball and educating them about their personal heritage.

"I wanted to volunteer for something that not many others are
volunteering for," she said.

Edwards said that much of what motivates her students to be active
community advocates revolves around the necessity to stand out from
the masses when considering higher education.

"They use the Presidential Volunteer Service Award to set them apart
when it’s time to go to college," Edwards said.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award program was created in 2003
"as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated
commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer
service," according to the program’s Web site.

To receive the award, volunteers must complete 100 hours of community
service within the year.

In Edwards’ nine years as a teacher at Sierra Vista, about 482
students have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She
estimates that between 60 and 100 will be awarded at the end of this
year.

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Feb 14 2008

New British envoy meets Armenian deputy foreign minister

Yerevan, 14 February: The newly-appointed British ambassador to
Armenia, Charles Lonsdale, presented copies of his credentials to
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Bayburdyan.

As Mediamax was told at the press service of the Foreign Ministry,
Armen Bayburdyan said during the meeting that the Armenian side
attaches importance to the process of development of bilateral
relations and intends to deepen and consolidate those relations.

Charles Lonsdale expressed content in connection with the active
contacts of Armenia and Britain and said that he will take all the
efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.

EU LAWMAKER SAYS THOSE WHO ARE BEHIND THE KILLING OF TURKISH ARMENIAN JOURNALIST SHOULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE JUSTICE

Turkish Press
Feb 13 2008

ISTANBUL – A European lawmaker said Monday that "forces" behind the
killing of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink should be brought
before justice.

"The important thing is that those who masterminded this incident
should also be tried in this court," Joost Lagendijk, a member of
the European parliament and co-chairman of an inter-parliamentary
committee between Turkey and the European Union, told reporters outside
an Istanbul court house where 19 suspects of the case were heard.

Lagendijk also said the disclosure of the forces who are believed to
stand behind the Dink murder was an important development for Turkey
as a rule of law.

"Turkey`s credibility as a rule of law might be seriously harmed at
the international level unless the reality was brought to the day
light," Lagendijk said.

Dink was shot dead outside the offices of his Agos newspaper in
January 2007.

PACE to observe presidential election in Armenia

Strasbourg, 14.02.2008 – A 27-member delegation of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), headed by John Prescott
(United Kingdom, SOC), will visit Armenia from 18 to 20 February 2008 to
observe the presidential election together with observers from the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and the European Parliament.

The delegation members will meet the candidates in the election, the
Chairman of the Central Election Commission and representatives of NGOs
and the media; they will then travel to various parts of the country to
observe the conduct of the poll on 19 February.

A PACE pre-election delegation which visited Yerevan from 29 to 31
January 2008 said that it was "heartened by the clearly expressed will
of the authorities to hold fully democratic elections in line with
Armenia’s commitments to the Council of Europe". But it felt that
continued efforts were needed in organising the elections so as to
ensure public confidence in the electoral process.

The observers will present their conclusions at a joint press conference
at 3pm on Wednesday 20 February (to be confirmed) at the Armenia
Marriott Hotel (1 Amiryan Street, Yerevan).

Link to full text of pre-election statement (31 January 2008)
< essView.asp?ID=3D2003>

Link to provisional list of delegation members
< Manager/defaultArtSiteView.asp?ID=3D740>

Conta ct:
PACE Communication Unit: Nathalie Bargellini, tel. +33 (0)6 65 40 32 82

Press Release
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 113a08
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
[email protected]
internet:

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 members from the national
parliaments of the 47 member states.
President: Lluís Maria de Puig (Spain, SOC) ; Secretary General of the
Assembly: Mateo Sorinas.
Political Groups: EPP/CD (Group of the European People’s Party); SOC
(Socialist Group); EDG (European Democratic Group);

ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe); UEL (Group of the
Unified European Left).

ARMENIAN COURT THROWS OUT OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE’S SUIT

Public TV
Feb 11 2008
Armenia

The Armenian Constitutional Court has not upheld former President
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s complaint accusing Armenian Public TV of a
smear campaign against him. The campaign has created "insurmountable
obstacles" for his presidential campaign, Ter-Petrosyan said, asking
to postpone the presidential election scheduled for 19 February. The
following is the text of a report on state-owned Armenian Public TV
on 11 February:

[Presenter] The Armenian Constitutional Court today began hearings
into the case filed by presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan,
requesting the court to recognize as insurmountable the obstacles for
presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan in the 2008 presidential
election.

Ter-Petrosyan’s representatives Artak Zeynalyan, Ruben Torosyan and
Ruben Sanoyan argued in the court that reports portraying Levon
Ter-Petrosyan in a negative light were broadcast by Public TV’s
"Haylur" news bulletin in violation of Armenian legislation. The
plaintiff also claimed that election broadcasts of the candidates on
H1 [Armenian Public TV], which are aired at unsuitable times for TV
viewers, do not help offset the negative advertising by "Haylur".

The plaintiff said that for the first time ever, one of the candidates
had found himself in a situation whereby he could not campaign
equally with the other candidates and asked the court to recognize
the obstacles as insurmountable.

The Constitutional Court members, after hearing all the arguments by
the candidate’s representatives, went to the consultation room for a
consultation behind closed doors. After the consultation, which lasted
several hours, Constitutional Court chairman Gagik Harutyunyan read
out the ruling, according to which the arguments cannot be deemed
insurmountable obstacles.

[Gagik Harutyunyan, reading out the ruling] Based on the results of
the study of the case, and in compliance with Article 52, Section 4
of Article 100 and Article 102 of the Constitution of the Republic
of Armenia, Articles 63, 64 and 75 of the Law on the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Armenia, the Constitutional Court of the
Republic of Armenia rules: Number one – the arguments presented by the
plaintiff cannot be deemed insurmountable obstacles for presidential
candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan in the 2008 presidential election in
the Republic of Armenia as in line with Articles 52 and 75 of the
Republic of Armenia Law on the Constitutional Court. Number two –
under Section 2 of Article 102 of the Constitution of the Republic
of Armenia, this ruling is final and shall be enforced immediately.