Author: Torosian Aram

ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION ON "THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN MODERN LEGAL STATES" TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
30.10.2008 15:05

A round-table discussion on "The role of religion in modern legal
states and the freedom of conscience and religion in Armenia" will
take place in Yerevan on 31 October.

The round-table discussion organized by Collaboration for Democracy
Centre NGO with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan is aimed
at further promotion of religious tolerance in Armenia.

The Head of the Government Department of Ethnic Minorities and
Religious Affairs, Vardan Astzatryan and other representatives of
state bodies, Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, different religious and
national minority communities and non-governmental organizations will
discuss various legislative issues related to religious organizations.

HOVIK ABRAHAMIAN: CRIMES LIKE OCTOBER 27 HAVE NO LIMITATION PERIOD

Noyan Tapan
Oct 27, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. A commemoration ceremony of
the victims of the terrorist act committed on October 27, 1999,
Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian, NA Speaker Karen Demirchian, NA
Vice-Speakers Yuri Bakhshian and Ruben Miroyan, deputies Henrik
Abrahamian, Mikayel Kotanian, Armenak Armenakian, Minister of Operative
Affairs Leonard Petrosian took place on October 27 in the RA National
Assembly yard. The NA leadership, deputies, including Y. Bakhshian’s
widow, Anahit Bakhshian, the Chairwoman of Zharangutiun (Heritage)
party Board, a member of party’s parliamentary faction, as well as
K. Demirchian’s widow, Rita Demirchian and son, PPA Chairman Stepan
Demirchian, the NA staff laid flowers to the memorial of the victims
of the terrorist act.

NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamian said in his speech that every year by
paying the tribute of our respect to the memory of the cruel crime of
1999, "we once more say our resolute "No" to terrorism, intolerance,
and hatred." "And though 9 years have passed from the October 27 crime,
any of us during his whole life will bear this pain and suffering
the whole our nation felt on this October day of 1999. Nine years
later we again state that such crimes have no limitation period,
and we should do our best to exclude recurrence of such crimes,"
the NA Speaker said. According to him, every time gathering near this
memorial let us again certify that our strength is in our unity and
together we will be able to build more honorable and well-off Armenia,
which was also the dream of the victims."

Interfax News Agency, Russia
Oct 24 2008

Azerbaijan will get its occupied lands back- President Aliyev

BAKU Oct 24

Nagorno-Karabakh will never be independent, Azerbaijan President Ilham
Aliyev said in his speech at the inauguration ceremony in Baku on
Friday.

"Karabakh will never be independent. Azerbaijan will never recognize
it. Neither in five, nor in ten or 20 years, never," Aliyev said.

Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are being held in the framework
of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, he said. "The steps that have
been taken until now led to our position getting stronger.

Today the world understands that conflicts in this region have to be
resolved. This can only happen in the framework of international law.

This can only happen in the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity," Aliyev said.

"Azerbaijan will never agree to secession of its indigenous lands, by
strengthening our territorial integrity we will get our occupied lands
back. International law and historical justice are on Azerbaijan’s
side. As long as the lands are occupied, there can be no talk about
cooperation with Armenia," Aliyev said.

The potential of peace negotiations has not been exhausted, he
said. "So far we are keen to continue the talks, our hopes have not
yet faded away, we still believe that talks might lead to a fair
solution," Aliyev said.

"Our political and economic potential, our economic power,
international law and justice are on our side, strengthening our
positions," said the Azeri leader.

Over the past five years Azerbaijan’s army potential has been much
strengthened, he said.

OWN CAPITAL OF INSURANCE COMPANIES TOTAL 7.4BLN DRAMS IN ARMENIA BY END OF SEPTEMBER

ARKA
Oct 24, 2008

YEREVAN, October 24. /ARKA/. Own capital of the eleven insurance
companies operating in Armenia had totaled 7.4bln Drams by the
end of September this year against 7.1bln Drams at the end of the
second quarter, the Press Service of the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) reported.

Accumulated earnings of insurance companies were 593.5mln Drams at
the end of the third quarter, including 547.7mln of profit of the
current period.

Total volume of authorized stock of these companies had amounted
to 6.6bln Drams by the end of September against 6.3bln Drams in the
beginning of the year.

Aggregate assets of Armenian insurers had totaled 11.5bln Drams by
September 30 against 11.6bln Drams at the end of June with cash assets
totaling 25.7mln Drams against 32.3mln Drams in the beginning of the
third quarter.

Liabilities of Armenian insurance companies totaled 4.2bln Drams with
insurance funds amounting to 2,152.4mln Drams.

Since January 1 2006 the Central Bank of Armenia has been implementing
control over the insurance market through the unified financial
supervision system.

Today eleven insurance companies and five insurance brokers operate
in Armenia. ($1=309.11Drams).

ABDULLAH GUL: SERZH SARKISIAN OFFERED TURKEY’S MEDIATION IN THE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency
23 Oct 2008 11:53
Azerbaijan

Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva – APA. "We want the problem between Azerbaijan
and Armenia to end. We sincerely want this, and we are ready to
contribute to the process," Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul told
American journalists, APA reports.

Abdullah Gul said that he had not offered Turkey’s mediation in the
settlement of the conflict, Serzh Sarkisian offered this.

"I did not offer it. Serzh Sarkisian offered during our meeting in
Yerevan. I said that any problem in the Caucasus does not just affect
the two countries directly involved, but affects the entire region. I
gave him the example of the recent happenings in Georgia," he said.

Abdullah Gul noted that the solution of any problem in the Caucasus
might result only in progress.

"There is a significant progress after my visit to Armenia. After
Armenia I visited Azerbaijan and met with my counterpart Aliyev. Later,
Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey met in New York,"
he said.

Turkish President also noted that there were important energy pipelines
between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

"I have always stated that as soon as the problems with Armenia are
solved, these projects will be open to the country as well," he said.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT ARRIVED IN ARMENIA – WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE REGION AFTER THE CAUCASIAN WAR?
By Armen Manvelian

AZG Armenian Daily
22/10/2008

Armenia-Russia

We can write about Armenian-Russian relations long, as they have a
history of centuries and even thousand years. Today it is evident
that Armenians had trade relations with then Kiev Russia. Times
are different but bilateral close economic, political and cultural
relations have always been on high level. Though as sovereign states,
real relations were established only after the collapse of the Soviet
Union and independence of Armenia. That period may be considered as
difficult, especially the first years of 1990s. Today the difficulties
are overcome and bilateral relations are at the highest level during
the all history of relations between the two countries and peoples.

Last year was the 10th anniversary of establishment of military and
friendly relations between the two states.

Consequently, we might count the two-day visit of the Russian President
to Armenia as recurrent one, if not the five-day war in the South
Ossetia that substantially changed the geopolitical balance in the
region. We can unequivocally assert that the Russian President arrives
in a region of a new geopolitical status.

The South Caucasus is no longer the region that was two months ago;
today, new developments take place in the region. Russia tries to
restore its previous influence, and the West, especially the USA
fight against it.

Besides, for Russia the South Caucasus consists of five republics, as
recently Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent
states. Consequently, Russia deals with the region in the context
of the mentioned developments. Therefore, President Medvedev’s visit
to Armenia aims at not only strengthening of bilateral relations but
also strengthening of the official Moscow’s position in the regional
struggle.

We have already mentioned in our recent issues that after the last
war in the Caucasus, weakening of Georgia’s position has definitely
contributed to strengthening of Armenian position in the region that
in its turn has led to aggravation of struggle between Russia and
the USA for the influences in Armenia. During the last two months,
two big military exercises were held in Armenia. It is explained
by the geopolitical position of our country; for the West Armenia
is an alternative to export the Caspian power-bearing substances,
and for Russia – a strategic ally to keep up its own influence.

Though the South Ossetian war strengthened the Russian position, at the
same time it weakened Russian influence over Georgia. Consequently,
Russia should compensate for it with strengthening of its positions
in Armenia. In this sense, Russia takes a serious step substituting
the political factor of influence with an economic one. During the
last years, Armenian-Russian trade turnover has increased to about
1 billion US dollars. Besides, the presence of the Russian capital
increased here. The volumes of the Russian companies’ investments
increase at high speed leading to deepening and development of
Armenian-Russian bilateral economic relations.

Russia is important to Armenia not only from the aspect of economic
development but also from the aspect of security. Being surrounded
by Turkey and Azerbaijan that are full of enmity, the presence of the
Russian military base in Armenia has a serious role in our country’s
security system.

Anyhow, Russian President’s visit will certainly be a serious stimulus
to subsequent development of Armenian-Russian relations. We welcome
it and hope that it will be a sign of strengthening of bilateral
strategic relations.

MEMORABLE ARMENIAN FOLK SONGS CARRY THE DAY
By Joel Brown

Boston Globe
Music Review
United States

Isabel Bayrakdarian performed songs by Gomidas Vartabed. (Dario acosta)

Maybe Armenian folk music idioms aren’t your cup of tea. But make
sure you get a ticket to hear soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian the next
time she comes to town, no matter what’s on the program.

Manitoba Chamber Orchestra

Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano; Serouj Kradjian, piano; Hampic
Djabourian, duduk; with Anne Manson conducting.

Part of the Celebrity Series of Boston.

At: Jordan Hall, Sunday The Canadian Armenian singer is spreading
the name of Armenian priest, composer, and ethnomusicologist Gomidas
Vartabed, whose work has preserved and uplifted the music of his
native land. Gomidas, as he is known, was arrested and deported by
the Turkish government during the genocide in 1915, when he was in
his 40s, and though he survived, he was left a broken man and did no
further composing.

Bayrakdarian has a new album, "Gomidas Songs," with the composer’s
works orchestrated by her husband, pianist Serouj Kradjian, and
performed with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra conducted by Anne
Manson. They all came to Jordan Hall on Sunday afternoon for a
Celebrity Series of Boston performance that featured groups of
Gomidas’s songs alongside similarly rooted pieces by Bartok, Ravel,
Nikos Skalkottas and Gideon Klein.

Many in the audience were noticeably moved to hear familiar
melodies. But even those unfamiliar with Gomidas’s work found plenty
to savor in Bayrakdarian’s ravishing performance. The program of many
short songs allowed – or required – her to reach heights of pathos
one moment and sing almost playfully the next.

After one jaunty, upbeat number, Bayrakdarian gave a little combination
shrug and hop, as if to say, "How ’bout that!" Charming. But her
most emotional moments – on "Without a Home," "The Crane," and a
heartbreaking lullaby that was one of four encores – achieved a
riveting purity.

Given the format, it was a surprisingly coherent program, with
ethnic roots clearly showing through the orchestral arrangements,
and an underlying solemnity appropriate for a tour sponsored by the
International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies. The
orchestra gave an enthusiastic performance of Bartok’s Romanian
Folkdances and Skalkottas’s Greek Dances, and was joined occasionally
on the Gomidas songs by Hampic Djabourian on the traditional instrument
called a duduk. Kradjian also delivered a short solo set of Gomidas
pieces on piano.

NATO EXERCISES HELD IN ARMENIA HAVE SHOWN THAT ARMENIA IS FULLY READY TO BE MEMBER OF ‘PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE’ PROGRAMME: ROLAND KATHER

ArmInfo
2008-10-20 11:01:00

ArmInfo. Armenia is fully ready to be member of the ‘Partnership for
Peace’ programme, Commander of the land component of NATO’s allied
forces "Heidelberg", Lieutenant-General Roland Kather said during
a demonstrative operation on response to crisis situations, held on
the shooting ground of the Military Institute after Vazgen Sarkisyan
of Armenia’s Defense Ministry, within the frames of the exercises
‘Cooperative Lancer-2008′ held in Armenia. Armenia’s Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan also watched the demonstrative operation together with
the American General. He said his deputy, Lieutenant-General John
Gardner confirmed that the government and Defense Ministry of Armenia
made great efforts for successful conduct of the exercises.’I thanked
the Armenian DM for assistance in successful conduct of exercises’,
the General said.

To note, the exerбises ‘Cooperative Longbow/Lancer-2008’ are held in
Armenia within the frames of NATO programme ‘Partnership for Peace’
and Istanbul cooperation initiative.

–Boundary_(ID_iKFKOjulxKPv2x7P0BF83w )–

ARMENIA INTERESTED IN ENHANCING RELATIONS WITH THE US

armradio.am
18.10.2008 11:10

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received US Assistant Secretary of
State Daniel Fried. The President said that Armenia is interested in
enhancing relations with the United States and views them as a strong
guarantee of the economic development, strengthening of democracy
and regional stability.

The parties spoke about the Armenian-American cooperation, prospects
and opportunities of its development, exchanged views on the issues
of regional security, and the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh
conflict.

Both sides agreed that the negotiations in the framework of the OSCE
Minsk Group are the most efficient format for the resolution of the
conflict. They also agreed that the resolution of the conflict must
be based on the basic principles of international law.

The President of Armenia and the Assistant Secretary of State spoke
also about the possibilities of improving the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

Discussed were issues pertaining to the post-election developments in
Armenia, investigation related to the March 1 events, and persons in
custody. The importance of the strengthening democratic institutions
in Armenia was emphasized.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES U.S. ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY

ARMENPRESS
Oct 17, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
received today U.S. Assistant State Secretary Daniel Fried.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that during the meeting the
president said that Armenia is interested in boosting relations with
the United States and considers them an important factor for economic
development, consolidation of democracy, and regional security.

The interlocutors spoke about Armenian-American partnership, prospects
and opportunities for its development, exchanged thoughts over regional
security issues, Armenian-Turkish relations, Nagorno Karabakh conflict
regulation issue.

The sides considered the negotiations within the frameworks of
the OSCE Minsk Group as the most effective format and agreed that
the conflict regulation must be based on the basic principles of
international right.

The interlocutors also referred to the opportunities of improvement
of Armenian-Turkish relations.