Author: Tumanian Talar

PROGRAMME OF NKR PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER HAS SOCIAL DIRECTION

ArmInfo
2007-06-27 10:23:00

Election campaign of NKR presidential contenders continues in the
republic.

"I think that construction of housing is one of the most important
tasks.

There are many young families which are anxious about the housing
problem.

This problem is topical not only for the young people but for the
whole population. Special attention should be paid to the problems of
repair of apartment houses", NKR presidential contender Bako Sahakyan
said on the Public TV-Radio Company when talking about the problems
of NKR capital. He thinks that provision with water, creation of new
workplaces and others are among the questions of top priority. In
general, the programme of B. Sahakyan has social direction and
envisages solution of problems of wide sections of the population.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER APPEALS TO BANKERS TO JOINTLY ADDRESS URGENT ISSUES ON THE BASIS OF PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

ArmInfo
2007-06-25 20:46:00

Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan appealed to the Armenian bankers
to jointly address economic issues of current importance. During the
June 25 annual meeting of the Union of Banks of Armenia, the Prime
Minister noted that the Armenian banking system has passed a hard way
of establishment over the past 15 years, it is rapidly integrating into
the international banking community and applying the best standards
of the international banking practice. "We have passed a long way of
reforms. Structures, which either failed to stand competition or broke
the rules of the market discipline, had to leave the system. Today
the banking system of the country is stable and the confidence in it
is increasing with every passing day," S.Sargsyan said.

A growth of the banking system’s indices outstripping GDP prove this,
and, first and foremost, such factors as introduction of corporate
management system, creation of banking infrastructure, establishment of
such institutes as the Fund for banking deposits guarantee, National
payment system, credit bureau, contributed to this. "However, a lot
has still to be done. The indices of financial mediation are still
low. The banks’ aggregate provision of crediting do not exceed 10%
of GDP, this means that the banks’ participation in development
of the country’s economy is not yet at a satisfactory level. This
is the reality that troubles us most of all. We should make credit
funds available for wide layers of population, so as any citizen can
have an opportunity to improve his or her living conditions by means
of credits. The availability of credits would allow young people to
study at educational institutions," S.Sargsyan said.

The Prime Minister noted that the Armenian government has worked out
a program for economy development for the next 5 years. This program
will be discussed at the National Assembly on June 26. The program
reflects the tasks concerning the banking system as well. "In the
program we suggest implementing the principles of public private
partnership. In this case, it means that the government, the Central
Bank and the Union of Banks will jointly work out and implement
important economic programs. And the state is to create favorable
conditions for the private sector and implement important projects
on the basis of mutual understanding and respect," he pointed out.

S.Sargsyan formulated a number of urgent problems. First of all, we
must make Armenia the financial center of the region. We have real
prerequisites for so doing. The second problem is uneven banking
development of the country. In Armenia banks are concentrated in
Yerevan. As a result, the greater part of our population has no access
to banking services.

"I think it is time for you to consider this problem. Perhaps, the
CB should pick some regional city, for example, Dilijan, and make
it a financial center. This will be a good stimulus for the whole
region." The banking system must become the locomotive of the real
sector development. "You should actively develop new technologies,
introduce a wide range of financial services, particularly, asset
security, leasing and business development support."

S.Sargsyan said that today most of reformers work in the Central
Bank . "Our banking system must become a bright example of efficient
real sector manager applying effective mechanisms of corporate and
business process management, financial administration, etc.. One
more problem is social policy: banks are public institutions and
are responsible for social problems. However, you must not confuse
charity with social programs."

In conclusion, S.Sargsyan said that banker’s word is generally
regarded as a word of honor and expressed hope that the same is true
for Armenian bankers.

"We have a long way to go and the Government is ready for a
constructive dialogue. So, I urge you to thoroughly consider the
above proposals and to draw relevant conclusions," Sargsyan said.

GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAM PRESENTED TO THE NA

ARMENPRESS
Jun 26, 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS: The program of the Armenian government
was presented today to the NA.

Presenting the document the Prime Minister Serzh Sargsian said that
it has a purposeful nature and is directed towards solution of prior
issues of the country which on its turn will ensure continuative
progress.

He singled out five prior directions: first is ensuring national
security and stable development, second is formation of effective
system of government, third comes education and science, forth is
equal development of territories and the fifth is social protection
of the Armenian citizens.

Sargsian said that the program presented to the parliamentarians is
quite demanding i.e. it demands tensed work from all the officials
of the governmental bodies.

"In the implementation of programs we are essentially refreshing
our approaches: every new project will be presented to the public,
will be discussed with all the interested sides and which is the
most important it will be carried out on the basis of state-private
partnership," the prime minister noted.

Parliamentarians of oppositional "Orinats Yerkir" and "Heritage"
factions participated in the discussion.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
June 26, 2007

His Grace Bishop Norvan Zakarian Elected First Primate
of New Armenian Diocese of France

On June 22, during a diocesan assembly convened for the newly established
unified Armenian Diocese of France, the first elections for Primate were
held in the hall of the Saint John the Baptist Armenian Cathedral of Paris. 
The assembly was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Kude Nakkashian,
Pontifical Legate to Western Europe; and chaired by Mr. Garbis Jrbashian. 
The three candidates for the post of diocesan ordinary were His Grace Bishop
Narek Shakarian, His Grace Bishop Norvan Zakarian and Very Rev. Fr. Komitas
Hovnanian.

The assembly voted by secret ballot and elected Bishop Norvan Zakarian as
Primate of the Armenian Diocese of France.  He previously served as Vicar of
the Pontifical Legate for the district of Lyon.

The new Diocese of France was established by the Encyclical of His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, in December 2006.   Prior to 2006,
the Armenian churches and communities of France was administered by the
Pontifical Legate of Western Europe and divided into three geographical
districts (Paris, Lyon and Marseilles).

The headquarters of the new diocese will be the Saint John the Baptist
Armenian Cathedral of Paris.  Two vicarages and 24 parish communities
currently function under the auspices of the diocese.

On June 23, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, sent a letter to the Armenian Diocese of France, ratifying the
results of the election held the previous day.  In the letter, His Holiness
states, `We confirm the election of His Grace Bishop Norvan Zakarian as
primate of the Armenian Diocese of France with our pontifical blessing, and
hereby direct that the name of the newly elected primate be remembered
during Divine Liturgies celebrated in Armenian churches within the Diocese
of France.’

His Holiness further extended his appreciation to the members of the
diocesan assembly and the diocesan council for organizing and conducting the
election of the new primate under the direction of Abp. Kude Nakkashian. 
The Armenian Pontiff expressed his confidence in the abilities of the new
primate to utilize his many years of experience and devoted efforts for the
benefit of the Armenian faithful of France and the strengthening of the
diocesan and parochial communities.

V. OSKANIAN: BSEC CAN BE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR REGIONAL STABILITY

Noyan Tapan
Armenian Today
Jun 25 2007

ISTANBUL, JUNE 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 15th Summit
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization presided over by
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer starts at the Ciragan Palace of
Istanbul today.

Presidents of the BSEC member and observer states and government
members will take part in the Summit. Armenia is represented by RA
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian.

According to the Milliyet daily, the sitting of BSEC member-states’
Foreign Ministers has already started. RA Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanian has given a speech at the sitting. The Foreign Minister
said that he believes that BSEC can be of great importance not
only for economic activity, but also for regional stability and
prosperity. "Everything can be changed except geography. The Black
Sea has united us for many centuries. We have again met and thanks to
it we should highly evaluate this occasion," the Foreign Minister said.

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

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE WCC PEACE CONFERENCE IN
JORDAN

The World Council of Churches (WCC) organized an international conference
on June 18-20 in Amman entitled "Churches in the service of peace and
justice in the Middle East".

Bishop Nareg Alemezian (Ecumenical Officer) and Dr. Nora
Bairakdarian-Kabakian (lecturer of political science at the Lebanese
University) represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia at the conference.
Bishop Nareg was also a member of the conference’s steering committee.

Over 130 attendants from the various corners of the world participated in
the conference. Archbishop Avak Asadourian represented the Churches of Iraq
and Archbishop Aris Shirvanian attended the conference as a member of the
delegation representing the churches of Jerusalem.

The conference brought under the spotlight the Palestinian cause and drew
parallels between various cases of human rights violations in different
countries both in the past and the present.

In this context, Dr. Bairakdarian-Kabakian presented a paper on June 19
entitled "The Armenian Genocide: Denial and Impunity", talking about the
bitter experience of the Armenian nation and the important role of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in the efforts to pursue the Armenian cause.

The conference launched the "The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum", in
which the Catholicosate of Cilicia will have an important contribution.

The conference ended with a visit to the Jordan River where Jesus Christ
was baptized. As a symbol of peace, an olive tree was planted on the
riverbank by WCC General Secretary Dr. Sam Kobia, Bishop Mounib Younan of
the Lutheran Church as well as Bishops Aris and Nareg.

##
View the photos here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities 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.

TERRY DAVIS: NAGORNI GARABAGH – LEGAL INTEGRAL PART OF AZERBAIJAN

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
DemAz.org
June 25 2007

AzerTaj informs referring to site "Georgia Online" that Secretary
General of Council of Europe, Terry Davis, during interview for
Armenian TV channel A1+ declared that Nagorni Garabagh is legal
integral part of Azerbaijan.

In the course of conversation with Armenian journalist he said:
"To date Nagorni Garabagh is considered to be occupied territory
and part of Azerbaijan. I advocate territorial integrity of Caspian
countries including Azerbaijan and Armenia. However, Nagorni Garabagh
is not part of Armenia. In Georgia there are Armenians, however, it
is not reason to recognize this part of Georgia as Armenian territory".

Secretary General underlined that presidential elections held in
Nagorni Garabagh won’t be recognized by any international structure.

He said: I would like to witness soonest solving this problem. I see
that many people in Azerbaijan and Armenia are longing for solving
this problem. And I agree with them. Regulation of conflict is delaying
too long. I hope this problem will be solved very soon.

–Boundary_(ID_uB/doywp2+Xo/1tmQhRWBQ)–

Presidential candidates in breakaway Azeri region appeal to voters

Arminfo
23 Jun 07

Yerevan, 23 June: In the past, many programmes [presented by
presidential candidates] could not be implemented although they were
reflective of the problems of the Karabakh people. This was because of
a lack of a personality or personalities, presidential candidate Bako
Sahakyan, former head of Nagornyy Karabakh’s national security service,
told Nagornyy Karabakh’s Public TV.

"Therefore, I support the principles ‘programme through personality’ or
‘personality with its platform’," Sahakyan said. He called on the
candidates to respect each other and the voters.

"By doing so, we will help hold a high-level election. Our people have
always been committed to democratic principles. They have behaved in
elections of various levels in a way that international missions and
observers have unanimously noted not only high level organization of
elections. I think that we will keep to our traditions in this election
as well," Sahakyan said.

Another front-runner of Nagornyy Karabakh’s presidential election,
former deputy foreign minister Masis Mailyan, mentioned during his
speech on Public TV that he was not satisfied with the present pace of
the country’s development. "We have programmes and aims, as well as
will and decisiveness to realize these programmes. By this, we will
make out country even more powerful. We should build a state, living in
which should be an honour to all of us. If you support real reforms, if
you want to change your life and enjoy your rights, we must be
together," Mailyan said.

The following people are running for Nagornyy Karabakh’s president: MP
Armen Abgaryan; professor of the Artsakh State University Vanya
Avanesyan; Nagornyy Karabakh’s deputy foreign minister Masis Mailyan;
leader of the Communist Party of Nagornyy Karabakh, Hrant Melkumyan;
and the former head of Nagornyy Karabakh’s national security service,
Bako Sahakyan.

BAKU PERFECTLY REALIZES THAT NUMBER OF PLANES AND TANKS DOESN’T PREDETERMINE OUTCOME OF WAR

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.06.2007 18:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Baku’s statements on resumption of hostilities in
Nagorno Karabakh are nothing but pseudo-patriotism, RA NA Speaker
Tigran Torosian told a news conference June 22. "The Azeri leadership
doesn’t really wish resumption of war. Baku perfectly realizes that
number of planes and tanks doesn’t predetermine outcome of war," he
said. "When the war started they had advantage against Armenia and
Karabakh. Azerbaijan targeted gigantic stores of ammunition and tank
columns against Karabakh, everything in vain," the Speaker said.

He bound the frequency of militaristic statements in Azerbaijan with
the forthcoming electoral processes.

Baku doesn’t want settlement of the conflict, since it knows that
Karabakh will never be a part of Azerbaijan, Torosian said. Besides,
the Azeri authorities direct the flows of petrodollars to the
military budget, at that explaining the poverty of the people by the
unsettlement of the conflict, he said.

When touching upon the prospects of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement Tigran Torosian said that giving up or at least considerable
reduction of anti-Armenian propaganda may create a precondition for
it, IA Regnum reports.

NEWS & VIEWS

A Study Tour in East Anatolia
from

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Alberto Boralevi reports: Travelling in East Anatolia after the ICOC
in Istanbul with a group of twenty Italian friends, I had the
opportunity of visiting some of the most interesting Seljuk
architectural monuments of Turkey. This included the outstanding
Mosque of Divrigi, where some of the most important rugs of Istanbul
Vakiflar Museum were discovered.

>From our Istanbul we flew to Sivas where a bus was waiting to take us
to our first stop: Tokat. There we visited the old town and the newly
opened Vakiflar Museum in a recently restored building, formerly a
dervishes house. We got to see some interesting pieces, mainly of
Kurdish work from the Sivas and Tokat area

In Sivas we admired the 13th century Buruciye Medrese, the Sifaiye
Medrese, the Cifte Minare Medrese and the Gok (blu) Medrese with its
extraordinary blue tilework and brick designs. From Sivas we drove to
the World Heritage Site of Divrigi, a mountain village that possesses
a beautifully restored complex of 13th century Seljuk buildings. The
complex is made up of the Ulu Camii and Darussifa (hospital). The
northern entrance to the Ulu Camii is one of the most spectacular
architectural sites in Anatolia. Inside there are still many carpets,
but these are sadly modern and not worth any consideration.

Driving eastwards we stopped in Kemah on the river Eufrathes to visit
an ancient Seljuk Mausoleum, the Sultan Melik Gazi Türbesi. We then
spent the night in Erzincan.

On route to Erzurum we will stopped in Tercan to visit the 12th
century Hatun Kumbet, the only Seljuk tomb in Anatolia, built in a
rosette shape. This tomb belongs to a Seljuk Princess who helped
Saladin. In Erzurum we saw the 12th century Ulu Camii built in a
simple and elegant style. The mosque has an impressive stalactite
ceiling. Next to the Ulu Camii is the Cifte Minareli Medrese (Double
Minarets Madrasa). This Seljuk building has a wonderful façade and
interior main courtyard. The Yakutiye Medrese with its 13th century
Mongolian seminary was our next stop. This building now hosts the
Erzurum’s Turkish and Islamic art Museum. It has no connection to the
Istanbul museum of the samename, but it was still interesting even if
there were no carpets, just few semi-antique kilims.

The following day we arrived at the border with Iran near the Ararat
Mountain. Here we went to the Ishak Pasa Palace in Dogubeyazit. Built
in the late 18th century as a small replica of Topkapi Saray, it is
located in an outstanding mountain surrounding.

Our last stop was Van with its beautiful lake, its strange cats with
two-coloured eyes and the splendid Akdamar Island with the newly
restored outstanding Armenian Church.

It was a gorgeous trip, not considering the three days spent in
Istanbul visiting the many ICOC official and private exhibitions. The
weather was incredibly good and we have been very lucky all the
time. I will never forget the beauty of the Akdamar Island with its
flowering almond and peach trees, surrounded by the emerald green
water of Lake Van, and with white, snow covered mountains in the
background. All the friends travelling with me had a similar feeling
and they were very satisfied with the tour.