Author: Torosian Aram

NKR PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN OF CALIFORNIA

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 22 2006

LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues
relating to development of cooperation between Artsakh and U.S. West
Coast Armenian community and extension of contacts between them
were discussed at the November 21 meeting of NKR President Arkady
Ghoukassian with Armenian businessmen and a number of representatives
of NGOs of U.S. state of California.

As NKR President’s Acting Spokesperson reports from U.S., the
conversations mainly developed around issues of restoration of NKR
Hadrut region and the Artsakh Revival program, as well as Artsakh’s
socio-economic condition and prospects of country’s development.

During his meetings with entrepreneurs Vazgen Kaypekian and Ara
Aslanian, businessman Mher Tavitian, as well as benefactors Petros
Arunjakchel and Zaven Khanjian Arkady Ghoukassian registered with
satisfaction growth of Diasporan Armenians’ interest in Artsakh
present and future, as well as expressed gratitude for assisting the
traditional telethons organized by the Haysatan All Armenian Fund
and for participating in them.

In the evening the same day NKR President took part in the dinner
organized by sponsors of Martakert regional hospital’s therapeutic
department, businessmen Levon and Grigor Termenjians. The Termenjian
brothers confirmed their readiness to continue assisting Artsakh in
the future. Leader of Artsakh Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church,
Pargev archbishop Martirosian also took part in the event.

It is noteworthy that the previous day NKR President visited RA
Consulate General to Los Angeles, where he met with the office staff
headed by Consul General Armen Liloyan.

PEACE RESOLUTION ADOPTED

A1+
[06:00 pm] 21 November, 2006

Tigran Torosyan, RA NA Speaker, participated in the session of the
CIS Parliamentary Summit held in Saint Petersburg. Mr. Torosyan was
astonished at the haste of decision making. On the whole, the work
speed and the limited range of questions seemed strange to the speaker
of the National Assembly of Tigran Torosyan, who participated in the
meeting for the first time.

Ten laws were passed during the summit. Besides, the summit
participants celebrated the heads of the CIS member countries in
connection with the fifteenth anniversary of CIS.

Tigran Sargsyan later participated in the session of the PACE Standing
Committee. During the meeting a resolution on stability in the South
Caucasus was adopted.

According to the RA NA Speaker, there is a precedent of such a
resolution on the Balkan states. The resolution only sets down the
idea; a country does not assume any obligation. "To help countries
find common points on the shared purpose of membership to the EU
and set up relations on the basis of this shared purpose. For this
purpose, the countries are ready to improve their relations and make a
compromise to achieve the results that would enable implementing this
purpose." Nevertheless, the resolution states that the countries of
the South Caucasus do not have prospects to enter the EU soon and,
therefore, it is proposed to create in the South Caucasus "a smaller
model of the EU and place it in the core of relations with these
countries."

Tigran Torosyan considers the resolution important because the
European organizations are clearly defining their stipulations for
the countries on the track for European integration. "However, the
resolution is only a small part of the work. The resolutions need to
be implemented, for only in this way we can be hopeful that the goals
set in the resolution will be reached. There is still much more to do."

There is no reference to inadmissibility of militaristic announcements
and rearmament.

The resolution is an attempt to create a small model of the EU where
the countries will have the same objectives and will co-operate in
this respect with the EU criteria.

Georgia had certain reservation in connection with the resolution and
Azerbaijan was against suchlike model of co-operation. Nevertheless,
the resolution was finally adopted. Provided the resolution works,
it will ensure peace and stability in the region.

Today Tigran Torosyan also spoke of his forthcoming visit to
Moscow. The Armenian and Russian parties will discuss the issues of
cooperation activization between the two countries’ parliaments. A
photo exhibition will also be held in the RA State Duma in connection
with the fifteenth anniversary of the Armenian independence.

TURKISH TROOPS AWAIT ORDERS IN SOUTH LEBANON

Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates
Naharnet, Lebanon
Nov 18 2006

SHAITIYEH, Lebanon – Nearly a month after setting up their base near
this small village in southern Lebanon, Turkish troops – the first
force from a Muslim country to join the beefed-up UN peacekeeping
presence here – are ready for their first mission.

"The operational preparedness of our force is at its utmost," the
contingent’s commander, Major Serdar Fatih Yilmaz, told reporters at
the Turkish base perched on a hilltop some 7.5 kilometres (five miles)
from the port of Tyre.

"We expect to be given a task after the first evaluation of our
operational capacity on November 21," he said, adding that their
first mission would likely be building another base for United Nations
Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The 261-strong Turkish contingent consists mainly of army engineers
who will help with reconstruction after the 34-day war between Lebanon
and Israel, which claimed the lives of more than 1,200 Lebanese,
mostly civilians.

Turkey says the number of its troops serving in UNIFIL will ultimately
reach 681, including those serving on three vessels to be part of the
German-led navy task force patrolling the Lebanese coast to prevent
arms being smuggled to Hezbollah militia.

But the Turkish government, which obtained parliamentary approval
to send peacekeepers to Lebanon despite strong public opposition
and street protests, has underlined that its soldiers will not be
a combatant force and will not be involved in the disarming of the
Hezbollah.

Many opponents of the deployment were concerned that Turkey, a
mainly Muslim but strictly secular ally of Israel, would be drawn
into fighting Muslims. Yilmaz saw no risk of that.

"There is no threat whatsoever in this region," Yilmaz asserted. "We
have no fear of any attacks. There is no threat evaluation against
the Turkish soldier."

For Corporal Fatih Sahin, the base is as safe as home.

"My family thinks that I am in a war zone and that I may be facing
danger, but in fact I am just as safe here as I am in Turkey," he said.

The base is home to a demining team, but Yilmaz underlined that their
task would be to sweep areas where the Turkish engineer corps are
to work.

"They will have no role in the general clearing of Israeli
sub-munitions," he said against the backdrop of occasional explosions
coming from the fields surrounding the base where a UN-led operation
is underway to remove unexploded ordnance.

So far busy with developing their base, Turkish troops appear eager
for the go-ahead from UNIFIL headquarters to fully involve themselves
in the force’s operations.

"What is important for us is to serve peace. We are ready for any
task that they will give us," Sergeant Dogan Baskaya said. "Our only
problem is being away from our loved ones."

The contingent are the first Turkish troops to have set foot on Arab
soil since the defeat of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War
I and its subsequent collapse, ending four centuries of dominance of
the Arab World, often marked by difficult relations.

The return of Turkish troops has led to resentment in Lebanon,
particularly among the country’s 140,000-strong Armenian community who
accuse Ottoman Turks of genocide against their kinsmen in 1915-1917.

But Turkish officers say they are on good terms with the locals.

"When we are on duty, those who pass by often wave or smile at us,"
corporal Sahin said.

Base commander Yilmaz also spoke of good ties with the villagers and
underlined that his troops were currently building a football pitch
for the locals after the mayor requested one.

"We act under a principle of impartiality. We do not differentiate
between Muslim or Christian or Armenian," he said.

ESF TO BESTOW GRADUATE OF DISTINCTION AWARDS
Curtis H. Bauer, Col. Richard P. Wagenaar, Steven Anlian

SUNY-ESF Headlines, NY
Nov 16 2006

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
(ESF) and its Alumni Association will bestow Graduate of Distinction
honors on three of its alumni during convocation ceremonies Dec. 8.

Being honored for contributions to their communities and ESF are
Curtis H. Bauer, Col. Richard P. Wagenaar and Steven Anlian.

A 1950 graduate of the forestry program at ESF, Curtis H. Bauer founded
a consulting forestry business and built it into the largest in New
York state.

Three years after graduating from ESF, Bauer founded his consulting
forestry firm. By the time he sold the Jamestown-based business in
1991, Forecon, Inc, counted among its clients some of the largest
industrial forest products firms in the country. Over the decades
he employed numerous ESF alumni, giving them a start in their own
natural resource careers.

Bauer’s list of professional honors and affiliations reflect his
long-standing passion for, and commitment to, his field. He was
elected a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) in 1985,
due to his prominence in his profession. The New York Chapter of the
SAF recognized him with its prestigious Heiberg and "Forester of the
Year" awards.

Bauer has served on the college’s board of trustees for 30 years,
including several years as its chairman. He has also served on the
ESF College Foundation and chaired or served on advisory committees
for the Faculty of Forestry and Natural Resource Management.

Bauer will be presented with ESF’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Col. Richard P. Wagenaar, a 1982 forest and natural resource management
graduate, has served his country in many capacities through the
U.S. Army and its Corps of Engineers. In his latest position his
work is influencing the lives of countless residents as leader of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for New Orleans.

Wagenaar was only six weeks into his new job when Hurricane Katrina
hit southeastern Louisiana. Now working with a massive $3 billion
budget, he is responsible for a jurisdiction that includes 2,800
miles of navigable waterways, 1,300 miles of levees and floodwalls,
six major flood control structures and other projects to protect
coastal wetlands and the city of New Orleans.

Wagenaar uses his ESF background to bring an environmental scientist’s
point of view to the job thereby looking not only at obvious safety
concerns, but also ensuring the protection of marshes and the
availability of fresh water.

A decorated military officer, he has eight meritorious service
medals and three Army commendation medals among many other honors. He
graduated from several elite military education programs such as the
Industrial College of the Armed Forces and holds two master’s degrees.

Wagenaar will be presented with the Alumni of Distinction Award.

A 1975/76 graduate of the landscape architecture program Steven Anlian
has dedicated himself to helping rebuild homes, cities, and lives as
an expert in disaster relief.

Anlian took a leave of absence from his position at HOH Associates,
a nationally recognized urban planning and landscape architecture
firm, to volunteer with Armenia’s national planning agency after
the devastating earthquake there in 1989. He did this as a Fulbright
scholar. For his work, he was appointed an honorary member of President
Gorbachev’s Commission on Armenian Recovery.

In 1991, recruited by the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID), he served as resident advisor to the newly independent
Government of Armenia to assist with its rebuilding.

In 1998, returning to Armenia, Anlian developed the "New Strategy
for Armenia’s Earthquake Zone," which presented innovative solutions
to providing permanent shelter for the displaced families in the
earthquake region and jump-started stalled recovery efforts. This
guided USAID in programming $34.2 million for the recovery program.

In July 2006, Anlian returned to Washington, D.C. as the director
of infrastructure in the department of operations for the Millennium
Challenge Corporation, the new federal corporation redefining American
foreign assistance. Thus he will assist with future natural disasters.

Anlian will be honored with the Graduate of Distinction Award.

6.distinction.htm

Robert Kocharyan: Formula for Kosovo conflict settlement can be applied to Nagorno Karabakh

Azeri Press Agency, Azeraijan
Nov 17 2006

[ 17 Nov. 2006 16:58 ]

"An aspirant to the EU, Turkey should pursue a more positive policy
in the region.

We have many times proposed to establish diplomatic relations but
have not received a reply do far. We suppose that neighbor states
should build relationships without preconditions and moreover without
advancing the demand of a third state," Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan said when addressing the Bertelsmann Fund in Berlin,
APA reports.

Touching on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Robert Kocharyan said that
Karabakh gained its independence after USSR collapse.

"The independence of Nagorno Karabakh was obtained after the collapse
of the Soviet Union. Nagorno Karabakh has never been a part of
independent Azerbaijan. Successfully building its state system the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic has probed its right to existence. If Kosovo
conflict is solved, the elements of this formula can be applied to
the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict," he claimed.

/APA/

PRESS RELEASE

ARMENPAC, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee
421 E. Airport Freeway, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75220
Contact: Jason P. Capizzi, Esq.
Tel: (972) 635-5347
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

RESULTS ARE IN: ARMENPAC ENDORSEMENTS OVERWHELMINGLY SUCCEED IN 2006
MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Irving, TX – On November 7, 2006 Americans across the country cast
their votes in the federal midterm elections – and Armenians in
our native homeland, Nagorno Karabakh, and the Diaspora emerged as
winners. "ARMENPAC is pleased to announce an overwhelming success for
its political endorsements, and extends its congratulations and best
wishes to the newly elected officers. Furthermore, ARMENPAC would
like to thank the members of the Armenian-American community that
exercised their democratic right to vote and contributed to this
success", said ARMENPAC Co-Chairs Annie Totah and Edgar Hagopian.

In order to ensure a bright future for the people of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh, ARMENPAC holds true to the belief that knowledge
is power, setting forth all efforts to educate itself, congressional
candidates, and the Armenian-American community at large. Through
its 2006 Congressional Candidate Questionnaire initiative, ARMENPAC
was the first Armenian-American advocacy organization to educate
all federal candidates who may have otherwise been unfamiliar with
the pressing issues that are important to Armenian-Americans, while
simultaneously providing them with a forum to share their opinions on
these fundamental issues. In its continued effort to raise awareness
of, and advocate for, policies that help create peace, security and
stability in the Caucasus region, ARMENPAC investigated the positions
of all 1,944 candidates for the United States Senate and the United
States House of Representatives on current issues of importance to the
Armenian-American community. The results of this investigation served
to empower Armenian-American voters with the fundamental knowledge
necessary to make an informed decision on Election Day.

ARMENPAC Activist Lisa Ohanian of New York took more than knowledge
with her to the polls. "In the past, I was a voter whose selections
were driven by candidates’ public service announcements and whatever
else the media dished to the community. But this year was different. By
reading the results of ARMENPAC’s survey, I knew the point of view
held by the political candidates in their own words.

So this year, I entered the voting booth, pulled out ARMENPAC’s list
of endorsements that I had printed off their website, and checked
off the ballots. I left feeling confident in having made educated
decisions based on the information provided by ARMENPAC, which has
emerged as our community’s most credible and reliable source for
election information."

Upon review of the positions of the nearly 400 survey respondents,
as well as the established voting records of incumbent candidates,
ARMENPAC made an informed decision in considering which federal
candidates have earned its endorsement in the upcoming elections.

One third of the seats in the United States Senate (i.e., thirty-three
(33) Class 1 seats) were up for election this year.

Holding six-year terms, these members of the United States Senate
will serve from January 3, 2007 through January 3, 2013.

ARMENPAC is pleased to announce that the following 10, of the 13
candidates endorsed by ARMENPAC for the United States Senate have been
elected to Class 1: CALIFORNIA: Diane Feinstein (D); MAINE: Olympia
Snow (R); MARYLAND: Ben Cardin (D); MASSACHUSETTS: Edward Kennedy
(D); MICHIGAN: Debbie Stabenow (D); NEW JERSEY: Robert Menendez
(D); NEW YORK: Hillary Rodham Clinton (D); OHIO: Sherrod Brown (D);
WASHINGTON: Maria Cantwell (D); and WISCONSIN: Herb Kohl (D).

All of the seats in the United States House of Representatives (i.e.,
four hundred thirty-five (435) seats) were up for election. The
new United States House of Representatives emerges with a Democratic
leadership whose reputation as staunch supporters of Armenian-American
issues will leave all Armenians hopeful for the future. Members
of the United States House of Representatives hold two-year terms,
and those elected will serve in the 110th Congress from January 3,
2007 through January 3, 2009.

ARMENPAC is pleased to announce that the following 152, of the
167 candidates endorsed by ARMENPAC for the United States House of
Representatives have been elected to the 110th Congress: ARIZONA:
Rick Renzi (R-1), Raul Grijalva (D-7); CALIFORNIA: Mike Thompson
(D-1), Doris Matsui (D-5), Lynn Woolsey (D-6), George Miller (D-7),
Nancy Pelosi (D-8), Barbara Lee (D-9), Ellen Tauscher (D-10), Pete
Stark (D-13), Anna Eshoo (D-14), Michael Honda (D-15), Zoe Lofgren
(D-16), Dennis Cardoza (D-18), George Radanovich (R-19), Jim Costa
(D-20), Devin Nunes (R-21), Lois Capps (D-23), Elton Gallegly (R-24),
Howard McKeon (R-25), David Dreier (R-26), Brad Sherman (D-27), Howard
Berman (D-28), Adam Schiff (D-29), Henry Waxman (D-30), Xavier Becerra
(D-31), Hilda Solis (D-32), Diane Watson (D-33), Lucille Roybal-Allard
(D-34), Grace Napolitano (D-38), Linda Sanchez (D-39), Edward Royce
(R-40), Gary Miller (R-42), Joseph Baca (D-43), Loretta Sanchez (D-47),
Darrell Issa (R-49), Bob Filner (D-51), Duncan Hunter (R-52), Susan
Davis (D-53); COLORADO: Mark Udall (D-2); CONNECTICUT: John Larson
(D-1), Rosa DeLauro (D-3), Christopher Shays (R-4); DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA: Eleanor Norton (D-DL); FLORIDA: Michael Bilirakis (R-9),
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-18), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-21), Tom Feeney
(R-24); GEORGIA: Sanford Bishop, Jr. (D-2); ILLINOIS: Bobby Rush
(D-1), Jesse Jackson (D-2), Dan Lipinski (D-3), Luis Gutierrez (D-4),
Danny Davis (D-7), Janice Schakowsky (D-9), Mark Kirk (R-10), Jerry
Weller (R-11), Jerry Costello (D-12), John Shimkus (R-19); INDIANA:
Peter Visclosky (D-1), Mark Souder (R-3); KANSAS: Jerry Moran (R-1),
Dennis Moore (D-3), Todd Tiahrt (R-4); KENTUCKY: Ben Chandler (D-6);
LOUISIANA: Bobby Jindal (R-1); MAINE: Thomas Allen (D-1); MARYLAND:
John Sarbanes (D-3), Albert Wynn (D-4), Steny Hoyer (D-5), Roscoe
Bartlett, Jr. (R-6), Christopher Van Hollen (D-8); MASSACHUSETTS:
John Olver (D-1), Richard Neal (D-2), James McGovern (D-3), Barney
Frank (D-4), Martin Meehan (D-5), John Tierney (D-6), Edward Markey
(D-7), Michael Capuano (D-8), Stephen Lynch (D-9), William Delahunt
(D-10); MICHIGAN: Vernon Ehlers (R-3), Dave Camp (R-4), Dale Kildee
(D-5), Fred Upton (R-6), Michael Rogers (R-8), Joe Knollenberg (R-9),
Candice Miller (R-10), Thaddeus McCotter (R-11), Sander Levin (D-12),
Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-13), John Conyers (D-14), John Dingell (D-15);
MINNESOTA: Betty McCollum (D-4); NEVADA: Shelley Berkley (D-1),
Jon Porter (R-3); NEW JERSEY: Robert Andrews (D-1), Frank LoBiondo
(R-2), Jim Saxton (R-3), Christopher Smith (R-4), Scott Garrett
(R-5), Frank Pallone (D-6), Mike Ferguson (R-7), Bill Pascrell (D-8),
Steven Rothman (D-9), Donald Payne (D-10), Rush Holt (D-12), Albio
Sires (D-13); NEW YORK: Timothy Bishop (D-1), Steve Israel (D-2),
Carolyn McCarthy (D-4), Gary Ackerman (D-5), Joseph Crowley (D-7),
Anthony Weiner (D-9), Nydia Velazquez (D-12), Carolyn Maloney (D-14),
Charles Rangel (D-15), Eliot Engel (D-17), Nita Lowey (D-18), John
Sweeney (R-20), Michael McNulty (D-21), Maurice Hinchey (D-22); OHIO:
Marcy Kaptur (D-9), Dennis Kucinich (D-10), Stephanie Tubbs Jones
(D-11), Steven LaTourette (R-14); OREGON: Earl Blumenauer (D-3),
Darlene Hooley (D-5); PENNSYLVANIA: Chaka Fattah (D-2), Phil English
(R-3), Jim Gerlach (R-6), Allyson Schwartz (D-13), Mike Doyle (D-14),
Charles Dent (R-15), Joseph Pitts (R-16), Tim Holden (D-17); RHODE
ISLAND: Patrick Kennedy (D-1), James Langevin (D-2); SOUTH CAROLINA:
Joe Wilson (R-2); SOUTH DAKOTA: Stephanie Herseth (D-At Large); TEXAS:
Kenny Marchant (R-24), Lloyd Doggett (D-25), Eddie Johnson (D-30),
John Carter (R-31); VIRGINIA: Eric Cantor (R-7), James Moran (D-8);
WASHINGTON: Jim McDermott (D-7), Adam Smith (D-9); WISCONSIN: Paul
Ryan (R-1), Tammy Baldwin (D-2). Note: the results of Connecticut’s
second Congressional District and Georgia’s twelfth Congressional
District races have not yet been certified).

But this is just the beginning. The results of the midterm elections
have proven that our voices have been heard, yet they are now
a thing of the past. It’s imperative to focus on action in the
present. To help ensure the sound of the Armenian voice resonates
throughout the halls of Congress, ARMENPAC calls upon the continued
support of its Armenian-American compatriots. It is critical for
the Armenian American community to support ARMENPAC’s efforts to
attend and represent Armenian-American issues at events in support
of pro-Armenian congresspersons. ARMENPAC’s ongoing presence at such
events sparks recognition among congressional and administration
leasers, and eases the burden of garnering their support on issues
of importance to the Armenian-American community when they arise.

Together, we can ensure a bright future for Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh,
and the greater Armenian-American community.

ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee
with a nationwide membership. ARMENPAC raises awareness of,
and advocates for, policies that help create peace, security and
stability in the Caucasus region, while providing financial support
to federal officeholders, candidates, political action committees
and organizations that actively support issues of importance to
Armenian-Americans. For more information and how to join ARMENPAC,
please call (877) 286-1046 or visit

###

ARTSAKH MUST BE INDEPENDENT

A1+
[08:50 pm] 13 November, 2006

"The people of NKR will not give up their independence. For the sake
of lasting peace, stability and economic development of the region
we are ready for serious dialogue with all the interested sides",
announced NKR President Arkadi Ghoukasyan in the USA in an interview
with newspapers "Novoe Russkoe Slovo", "Inner City Press", as well
as with journals "Ararat" and "AGBU".

Speaking about the present stage of the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, Arkadi Ghoukasyan pointed at the non-constructive approach
of the Azeri President, particularly the fact that he refuses to
directly negotiate with Nagorno Karabakh which hinders the final
settlement of the conflict.

It is noteworthy that NKR President Ardaki Ghoukasyan is in the USA
in connection with the November 23 telemarathon dedicated to the
welfare of NKR.

Within the framework of the event Arkadi Ghoukasyan has visited
the Primacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church North America Eastern
diocese. He has also had meetings with other officials.

FRAGMENTATION OF IRAQ CANNOT BE A WAY OUT, GUL

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Nov 15 2006

ANKARA – "Some circles try to show fragmentation of Iraq as a way
out. Such an approach, which will certainly drag Iraq into a chaos,
cannot be Turkey’s policy. The mistake that were made at the beginning
of Iraq war cannot be repeated," Turkish FM & Deputy PM Abdullah Gul
said on Tuesday.

Commenting on Turkish-U.S. relations, Gul said, "our relations with
the USA cover a wide range and are directed towards similar targets."

He said fight against terrorism was the main concern of Turkey and
the USA.

Briefing MPs at the parliament about recent developments in Iraq, Gul
said Turkey, from the very beginning, did its best for a democratic and
well-administered Iraq, which also preserve its territorial integrity
and political unity.

"Unfortunately, we are sorry to see that sectarian acts of violence
escalated in Iraq and the security, generally speaking,is worsened,"
Gul noted.

"Another issue on which Turkey feels uneasy is the future status of
Kirkuk," Gul indicated, and noted that the ambitious policies carried
out on this matter were very dangerous.

-PKK/KONGRA-GEL-

Pointing to the presence of members of PKK/KONGRA-GEL terrorist
organization in (northern) Iraq, Gul said fight against terrorism
can only succeed in case all support coming from abroad is stopped.

-MIDDLE EAST-

Underscoring that Palestine-Israel conflict was on the basis of the
problems in the Middle East, Gul said Turkey believed that the only
way out was through (the establishment of) two-states (Palestine and
Israel) living side by side.

Commenting on sending of Turkish peacekeepers to Lebanon, Gul
added, "not only military but also members of NGOs and humanitarian
organizations were sent to this country. This proves that Turkey is
a reliable partner as regards preventing clashes and human tragedies
in its region."

-IRAN-

"Turkey closely monitors the developments regarding Iran’s nuclear
program. Turkey exerts efforts to solve this problem through diplomatic
means" Gul said.

"Turkey supports the right of all countries to take advantage from the
nuclear technology for civilian purposes," Gul said, indicating that,
"Turkey deems proliferation of nuclear weapons as a serious security
threat."

-ARMENIA-

Touching on relations with Armenia, Gul said, "Turkey expressed its
willingness to normalize relations with Armenia within the framework
of good neighborhood, mutual interest and respect to territorial
integrity. Armenia has not yet displayed a similar approach."

-RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA-

Gul said Turkey considered relations with Russia from a positive
point of view, noting that recent reciprocal high ranking visits
strengthened mutual confidence.

Turkish FM indicated that Turkey has become Russia’s second biggest
trade partner last year with a trade volume of 15-billion USD . "We
hope to raise this figure to 20 billion by the end of this year and
to 25 billion USD in 2008," he said.

-GREECE-

Gul said Turkey deployed efforts to solve problems with Greece
through dialogue and underlined that Turkey’s objective is to raise
the bilateral trade volume with this country to 5 billion USD.

TRADE IN BIG-BOX CHRISTMAS FOR SOMETHING FAIRER
By Susan Semenak, The Gazette

The Gazette (Montreal)
November 13, 2006 Monday
Final Edition

Social Justice Group holds sale of exploitation-free goods

Looking to get a headstart on Christmas shopping? Want to do some
good while you’re at it?

[parts omitted]

A group of young Montrealers of Armenian descent are doing their part
to make a difference. The Armenagan youth club of the Tekeyan Cultural
Association of Montreal held a very successful Bal des Debutantes on
Nov. 4.

This young group, led by the dedicated Florida Balian, worked for
more than two months to prepare and organize the gala event, during
which 10 young couples were presented to the audience.

It wasn’t just for fun, either. The ball was organized to raise funds
for the youth group’s trip to Armenia next summer. Their aim is to
participate in a construction or renovation project in one of four
Tekeyan schools in Armenia.

The funds raised in Montreal will be used for the purchase of materials
as well as the hiring of local professionals.

Tax-free donations can be made to the Tekeyan Cultural Association
(Armenia project) and sent to 825 Manoogian St., St. Laurent H4N 1Z5.

Seats are filling up fast for another Armenian community event: the
Armenian General Benevolent Union’s 514 Poker Series. The no-limit
Texas Hold’em charity poker tournament will take place at Armina
Reception Hall in Laval (1003C Cure Labelle Blvd.) on Saturday, Nov.

18, at 6 p.m.

The grand prize is a trip for two to Las Vegas and a seat at the Main
Event at the 2007 World Series of Poker. The top 10 finishers will
also receive prizes.

The player fee for the tournament is $125, which includes cocktails
and sandwiches.

For information and tickets, call Admission at 514-790-1245, visit
its website at or email AGBU at [email protected].

Zerkalo, Baku,
10 Nov 2006 pp 1, 2

AZERI DAILY PAINTS GRIM PICTURE OF US TIES AFTER DEMOCRATIC WIN

The victory of Democrats in the mid-term election to the US Congress
will mark "tough times" in the relationship between Baku and
Washington, Azerbaijani daily Zerkalo has said.

Zerkalo said that the possibility of pro-Armenian lawmakers taking
over the leadership in the Congress could lead to a worsening of
relations in the future.

"The pro-Armenian group will take the leading posts in the Congress,
including the posts of committee heads," the paper said. "The
criticism of the US administration’s support for undemocratic
governments that violate human rights has been a favourite
hobby-horse for the Democrats. The Armenian lobby of the Congress
will naturally use this factor against Azerbaijan. In view of this,
the White House will be forced to make changes to its policy
vis-a-vis Azerbaijan."

Now that the White House will have to negotiate its foreign policy
with the Democratic majority in the Congress, the US administration
might make "sacrifices" on minor issues, like relations with
Azerbaijan, in order to reach consensus on more important problems,
Zerkalo said.

The paper noted that it was no coincidence that the first visitor
from Washington after the election would be Assistant Secretary of
State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Barry Lowenkron.

"He is likely to tell the Baku government that in the next two years
it will be difficult for the White House to turn a blind eye to
Azerbaijan’s problems in the relevant fields," Zerkalo said.

Finally, Azerbaijan has failed to live up to the US administration’s
expectations and achieve a breakthrough in the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict settlement in 2006, the paper concluded.

In the meantime, opposition Azadliq newspaper has said that the
weakening of the Republicans’ position can come as a "nasty surprise"
to the Ilham Aliyev government. The oil and economic lobbies of the
Republicans will be no longer able to support the Aliyev
administration as strongly as before, Azadliq said.