Author: Vardanian Garo

ABKHAZIA, S. OSSETIA PLAN TO APPLY TO JOIN POST-SOVIET ORGANIZATIONS

RIA Novosti
19:07 | 17/ 09/ 2008

MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti) – Abkhazia and South Ossetia plan
to apply for membership of the CIS, the Russia-Belarus Union State,
and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Abkhazian
leader said on Wednesday.

Russia has traditionally dominated all three of these post-Soviet
organizations.

"We will send membership applications to these structures, and we
hope they will be accepted," Sergei Bagapsh said at a joint news
conference with S. Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity in Moscow.

Kokoity said that he fully supported the statement of the Abkhazian
president.

"This is a logical step in the development of our states. We will
strengthen these relations with time," he said.

Russia signed friendship and cooperation treaties with the rebel
Georgian republics earlier on Wednesday, promising them military and
economic support.

Georgia served notice of its withdrawal from the CIS, an alliance
of former Soviet republics, on August 18, 2008, following a 5-day
war with Russia over S. Ossetia. Its withdrawal becomes effective on
August 17, 2009.

The CSTO is a security grouping comprising Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The Russia-Belarus Union State is a supranational entity consisting
of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. It was formed
in 1996 "with the intention of providing greater political, economic,
and social integration."

Moscow recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states
on August 26. Most residents of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia have
had Russian citizenship for several years.

Russia pledged in the friendship and cooperation treaties to help
the two republics to protect their borders. The pacts also permit
Russia and South Ossetia, as well as Russia and Abkhazia, to set up
military bases on each other’s territories.

The treaties also formalized economic cooperation between Russia and
the republics, and cleared the way for dual citizenship for Russian,
Abkhazian and South Ossetian nationals. Russia agreed to unify its
transportation, energy, and communications infrastructure with the
two republics.

South Ossetia and Abkhazia have so far only been recognized by Russia
and Nicaragua. Belarus has pledged to follow suit in the near future,
and Venezuela has voiced support for Russia’s recognition of the
two republics.

EDUARD SHARMAZANOV: MANY FIGURES RESIGNED, BUT DID NOT LEAVE RPA

Noyan Tapan

Se p 17, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The decision to nominate the
candidature of former head of RA President’s Administration Hovik
Abrahamian to the post of RA National Assembly Speaker was confirmed at
the RPA Board September 16 sitting. RPA Spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov
said at the September 17 press conference. Answering the observation of
a journalist that H. Abrahamian is a figure unacceptable for society,
E. Sharmazanov said that even such mighty figures as Charles de Gaulle,
Francois Mitterand or Robespierre were accepted "equivocally" by their
countries’ societies for some time. The RPA Spokesperson confirmed
party Chairman Serzh Sargsyan’s statement that RPA members did not
have a goal to remove NA Speaker Tigran Torosian from his post:
their goal was to see T. Torosian in another sphere.

Touching upon the thoughts and evaluations of T. Torosian voiced at
the press conference held the day before, E. Sharmazanov stated that
before that RPA members had never heard about his disagreements with
them from him. As regards T. Torosian’s advice to RPA members to take
thirty silver coins and to continue their way, E. Sharmazanov said that
when a person passes a long way with his colleagues for many years he
should not name them "people sold for thirty silver coins." "It is
a pity that my elder colleague did such a thing. A political figure
should have some correctness.., Many RPA figures resigned formerly
but did not leave the party," E. Sharmazanov said. And as regards
T. Torosian’s statement that black PR is carried out to him, the
RPA Spokesperson said: "If a person says that he undergoes black PR,
he should mention concrete names."

AHMADINEJAD WARNS AGAINST NATO TALKS

United Press International
Sept 17 2008

TBILISI, Iran, Sept. 17 (UPI) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
says NATO should not interfere with the Caucacus states following
Russia’s recent incursion in the Republic of Georgia.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,
is heading a delegation of envoys from the 26 members of the military
alliance, to Georgia this week, Fars News Agency reported.

The delegates are in Georgia to discuss Tbilisi’s possible membership
in NATO.

"Countries in the Caucasus region can solve their own problems without
the interference of NATO or others," Ahmadinejad said Tuesday at a
meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan.

"Such interference will only worsen the situation in the Caucasus,"
the Middle Eastern nation’s leader said.

70th ANNIVERSARY OF REGIONAL CENTER KAPAN MARKED IN SYUNIK

Noyan Tapan

Se p 16, 2008

KAPAN, SEPTEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The 70th anniversary of foundation of
the town of Kapan was marked on September 13 with the participation
of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian, Minister of Youth and Sport
Armen Grigorian, RA NA deputy Hovik Abrahamian. Syunik Regional
Governor Surik Khachatrian and Kapan Mayor Armen Karapetian met them
at Kapan airport. After the unveiling of the monument symbolizing
town’s entrance the high-ranking guests took part in the ceremony of
opening of Kapan sports school repaired with 135m drams allocated from
the state budget. There the Prime Minister conveyed RA President’s
congratulatory message to Kapan residents.

T. Sargsian with Syunik Regional Governor and Kapan Mayor walked
about streets decorated on the occasion of the festivity, talked with
Kapan residents, laid flowers to G. Nzhdeh’s memorial. Sharing his
impressions from Kapan in his interview to journalists, the Prime
Minister said: "One cannot but notice the change of people’s social
living standard, construction of new entities." He said that equal
development of regions is on government’s agenda. The Prime Minister
also said that next Thursday government’s sitting will be held in
the Vayots Dzor region and the next is likely to be held in Kapan.

Then the Prime Minister also visited Kajaran, the foundation 50th
anniversary of which was marked last year.

VIVACELL-MTS FINDS SOLUTIONS TO DRINKING WATER PROBLEM

Panorama.am
14:51 15/09/2008

Rural administration of Armenia are facing serious problem of drinking
water insufficiency. Being aware of the problem and being concerned
to create healthy living conditions for the people, Viva-Cell-MTS has
taken an initiative to make social investments in the field. By 10
mln AMD granted by the company water pomp has been built in Artashavan.

Besides, the company has invested 10 and 20 mln AMD in the region
of Aragatsotn, in Ushi and Parpi villages to build water pomps
there. Anther investment of 12 mln AMD has been disposed to Aparan
local church for the water and heating system placement.

NEW YORK LIFE LAUNCHES VOLUNTARY PROGRAM TO REACH OUT TO HEIRS OF GREEK POLICIES

Greek News
me=News&file=article&sid=9092
Sept 15 2008
New York

New York–(Business Wire)– New York Life Insurance Company announced
an outreach program to locate and compensate heirs of approximately
1,000 life insurance policies issued to Greeks in the Ottoman Empire
prior to 1915. As part of the Greek Life Insurance Policy Program,
New York Life will publish notices in national and international
newspapers about the claims review process so that heirs can submit
claims relating to these policies. The company said it will also
contribute $1 million to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,
since descendants of many of those displaced from their ancestral
homelands are now members of the Archdiocese. The total value of the
voluntary program is $12-15 million, including administrative and
other costs.

"In the course of research associated with another historical matter
regarding policies sold to Armenians who perished after 1914, the
company became aware that Greek policyowners were evidently victims
of the same violence in the Ottoman Empire. With the Armenian policy
matter now successfully completed, involving benefits paid to heirs
of 2,300 Armenian policyholders, New York Life conducted additional
archival research and verified that there are Greek policies that may
remain unpaid from 1915. We will offer heirs to the Greek policies the
same benefits as those provided to persons claiming under the Armenian
policies," said William Werfelman, a spokesman for New York Life.

"As with the Armenian policies, records confirm that the company
succeeded in paying benefits in nearly half of the Greek policies. New
York Life paid those benefits to heirs in the months and years
immediately following the violence of 1915. However, New York Life
received no claims and thus paid no benefits or cash value on 1,000
other Greek policies. Our company’s value system is rooted in humanity
and integrity, and our willingness today to resolve these policies
from 1915 shows that we still adhere to these values today."

The voluntary program uses the same criteria used to resolve the
Armenian policy matter, including a multiplier of ten times the
original face amount for those who can demonstrate that they are the
rightful heirs to the policy proceeds. The public notices will commence
in September. Descendants of persons insured under any of the Greek
Policies may submit claims for benefits for a six month period ending
on February 28, 2009. Individuals who want to learn more can do so
by visiting the program’s website at or
by calling toll-free 1-800-922-2973. In Greece the toll-free number
is 00 800 33 311144.

In addition to providing benefits to heirs of its Greek insurers, New
York Life will contribute $1 million to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
of America. With these funds the Archdiocese plans to establish an
endowed chair for the study of Hellenism in Pontus and Asia Minor at
its Holy Cross Theological Seminary in Brookline, MA.

New York Life expressed gratitude to Archbishop Demetrios, the leader
of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, for his personal involvement
in assisting with various aspects of the voluntary program.

Archbishop Demetrios, said, "The events in the Ottoman Empire
and after led to the loss of countless lives and the expulsion of
1,500,000 Greeks from their ancestral homelands. New York Life is one
of those rarest of companies today, a company of responsible action
that believes in setting the record right, even if it means reaching
back to the beginning of the Twentieth Century. The Greek Orthodox
community gratefully applauds New York Life for establishing the Greek
Life Insurance Policy Program and its very generous contribution of
$1 million, which will be used to enlighten people about the long
and rich history and culture of Hellenism in Pontus and Asia Minor."

The company said it worked with attorney Vartkes Yeghiayan, one of the
attorneys involved in the Armenian insurance settlement, to develop
the voluntary program relating to Greek policies.

New York Life Insurance Company has been headquartered in New York City
since its founding in 1845. The company began selling policies in the
Ottoman Empire in 1882 and withdrew from the region during World War I.

BÄ°A, Turkey
Sept 12 2008

Writer And Journalist Ahmet Altan Charged With Insulting Turkish Nation

Although the Ministry of Justice stops some of the article 301 cases,
it still gives many permissions for trial under this article. Writer
and journalist Ahmet Altan may become the next victim for insulting
the Turkish nation.

Bia news center – Istanbul-ankara
12-09-2008
Erol Ã-NDEROÄ?LU – [email protected]

Article 301 continues to create victims, although some do escape
prosecution `thanks to’ the decision of no permission to some trials
under article 301 by the Ministry of Justice.

The right to give permission to be prosecuted under article 301 was
given to the Ministry of Justice with the revision in article 301 on
May 8.

In its present form the revised 301 forbids `denigrating Turkishness,
the Republic, the institutions and organs of the State.’

The latest victims of article 301 are Ahmet Altan for his article `Ah
Ahparik’ (‘Oh brother’ in Armenian) and director and authorized
representative of the newspaper Taraf Adnan Demir. The complaint was
filed by the Ankara branch of the Great Union Party (BBP).

The BBP representatives claim that the writer who wrote `the Unionists
[of the Ottoman era] conducted a cruel genocide’ shows the Turkish
nation as genocide-seekers, barbaric and immoral.

The ministry did not give permission to BoÄ?atekin’s prosecution
On the other hand, the Ministry of Justice did not give permission for
the prosecution of owner of the newspaper `Gerger Fırat’
Hacı BoÄ?atekin, who had criticized Turkey’s past social
policies with his article titled `Turkey made a mistake.’

The Ministry’s reasoning was that the said article was simply a
reflection of the writer’s opinions and thoughts.

After the revision of article 301, 249 files have been sent to the
Ministry of Justice for permission. The most recent permission given
was the one for Temel Demirer’s case; his case was deemed prosecutable
under 301. Mehmet Ali Å?ahin, Minister of Justice, have denied
permission for 115 case, but did the exact opposite for 36 cases. 98
files are still under inspection.

Pamak and Tanrıverdi are waiting for the decision of the
ministry President of the Scientific and Cultural Researches
Foundation (Ä°LKAV) Mehmet Pamak and President of the Teachers
Union Yusuf Tanrıverdi are waiting for a similar permission
decision to be (or not) prosecuted under article 301 from the Ministry
of Justice for their alleged denigration of the Republic and the armed
forces. Since the ministry’s reply is not back yet, their hearing is
delayed to November 17. (EÃ-/EÃ`/TB)

ish/kategori/english/109701/writer-and-journalist- ahmet-altan-charged-with-insulting-turkish-nation

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES FINN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
Sep 12, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS: Newly appointed Finn ambassador
to Armenia handed over his credentials to Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that S. Sargsyan
congratulated the diplomat on his appointment and said that he views
Finland as a model partner and is interested in further development
of relations and is planning to open Armenian embassy in Helsinki.

Pointing out the high level of dialogue between the two countries
and effective partnership in international organizations, the sides
underscored the activation of economic ties and full usage of the
existing potential.

The president and the ambassador exchanged thoughts over the recent
developments in the Caucasus. Noting that Armenia may become a
stabilizing factor in the region, the diplomat said that his country
greets the visit of the Turkish president to Armenia at the invitation
of Serzh Sargsyan as well as the political will of the two countries
to regulate the existing issues, establish stability, peace, trust
and cooperation in the region. "Our aim is that stability, security
be established in the region and cooperation becomes source of welfare
of our peoples," Serzh Sargsyan said.

During the meeting the sides also referred to the EU’s eastern policy.

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: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH SYRIA’S GRAND MUFTI

His Holiness Aram I met with Syria’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Badr al-Din
Hassoun in his Damascus headquarters on Wednesday.

Welcoming the Armenian Pontiff, the Mufti of the Republic recalled his visit
to Antelias and the long-standing friendship that ties him to His Holiness
Aram I. The Mufti spoke about the important role of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia in the ecumenical and Christian-Muslim dialogue spheres. The Mufti
said: "Catholicos Aram I has played an important role in this regard and we
are confident he will continue with renewed efforts, becoming the translator
of Christian-Muslim coexistence in the Middle East." His Holiness praised
the positive efforts of the Mufti to give a push to Christian-Muslim
dialogue in Syria and the Middle East generally. His Holiness also stressed
the importance of spiritual and moral values in the life of society and the
mission of religions in this respect.

Attending the meeting alongside His Holiness was a delegation, which
included the Primate of the Diocese of Aleppo Bishop Shahan Sarkisian,
Deputy Sounboul Sounboulian, Chairman of the Lay Council of the Diocese of
Aleppo Mr. Daron Avedissian, Mr. Levon Yedalian, Mr. Zareh Poladian, Mr.
George Tufekdjian and Mr. Hovig Terterian, Mr. Harout Vartanian from
Der-Zor, the representative of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Damascus Mr.
Mesrob Shirinian, Mr. Noubar Melikian from Damascus and staff-bearer Father
Mesrob Sarkisian.

After the official meeting, His Holiness and the Mufti of the Republic held
a private meeting. Bishop Shahan Sarkisian was also present.

In the evening, His Holiness organized an Iftar in honor of the Mufti. All
the Christian and Muslim spiritual Leaders of Syria, high-level community
and political officials, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia Dr.
Arrshag Poladian, Primate Bishop Sarkisian, members of the Diocese’s
Political Assembly from Damascus and other community members were invited to
the luncheon.

In his address to the attendants, His Holiness said: "In Islamic tradition
Iftar is an opportunity for self examination. It is a call to the Muslim
faithful to embrace spiritual and moral values just as the 40-day Lent
preceding the resurrection of Christ is an opportunity for the Christian man
to open up to moral and spiritual values."

Then Aram I said: "Christianity and Islam are based on the principles and
values of love, justice, peace, mercy and tolerance. These values are not
theories. They are relevant to our everyday life and our two monotheistic
religions attach great importance to them. Let us not forget that religion
is not a combination of teachings or philosophical ideas. Religion is a
quality of life, a way of living in which God is a constant presence. God is
not only the creator of life, but also its pivot and purpose".

Concluding his remarks, Catholicos Aram I said: "Today’s world, its
conflicts and its difficulties, challenge us to get involved more deeply and
seriously in frank dialogue, in building together to mutual respect and
understanding community in which we can live together as neighbors".

Responding the Pontiff’s address, the Mufti of the Republic emphasized the
importance of spiritual and moral values. He welcomed His Holiness’ strong
emphasis on living together as neighbors, reminding that Middle East is a
concrete example in this respect. He praised His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s
important role in international circles, in the context of strengthening
mutual understanding and collaboration among religions and cultures.

##
View photos here:
c/Photos/Photos310.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos311.htm
*****
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.

BABACAN DISCUSSES ARMENIA VISIT, CAUCASUS WITH RICE

Today’s Zaman
Sept 12 2008
Turkey

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan initiated a telephone conversation with
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday evening during
which the two discussed recent developments in the Caucasus.

Earlier on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon telephoned
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the two also discussed the
recent developments in the Caucasus in the aftermath of a brief war
between Russia and Georgia last month.

Babacan briefed Rice on a recent visit paid by President Abdullah
Gul to Yerevan to watch a World Cup qualifying match between the
national teams of the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Burak Ozugergin yesterday told the Anatolia news agency. Babacan
accompanied Gul during the landmark visit, which took place at the
invitation of Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan and which made Gul
the first Turkish president to visit Yerevan since Armenia became
independent in 1991.

Ozugergin said that during his conversation with Rice, the foreign
minister reiterated Ankara’s support for the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Minsk Process which aims to find
a political solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will have a positive impact
on Turkish-Armenian relations, Babacan also told Rice, Ozugergin said.

In response, Rice said the US has found Turkey’s efforts within this
framework "meaningful" and that Washington would lend support to
these efforts, the spokesperson added.

As for the conversation between Ban and Erdogan, Anatolia said,
citing anonymous sources, that the UN secretary-general expressed
appreciation over Ankara’s initiative for establishing a Caucasus
Stability and Cooperation Platform, a scheme that is planned to bring
together Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The initiative aiming at resolving regional disputes came following
last month’s war between Georgia and Russia.

In response, Erdogan told Ban that Turkey would continue its efforts
for contributing to regional stability, Anatolia reported.