AZERBAIJAN’S MILITARY HELICOPTERS MAKE FLIGHTS OVER CONTACT FRONT LINE
Today.Az
31 July 2008 [14:06]
Military helicopters owned by Azerbaijani Armed Forces have made
flights over the contact front line today.
APA’s Karabakh bureau reports that about 12 helicopters flied from
Fuzuli towards Terter and Goranboy.
The press service for Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told APA that they
have no information about the flights.
SCARS ON BROADWAY SHOW OFF "CRAZY ENERGY" AT LOS ANGELES TRAIN STATION
Rolling Stone
008/07/29/scars-on-broadway-show-off-crazy-energy- at-los-angeles-train-station/
July 29 2008
On Monday night, singer-guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John
Dolmayan of System of a Down gave fans another vivid glimpse of their
new band, Scars on Broadway, at a special show at Los Angeles Union
Station, a 1930s-era landmark in the band’s hometown. On the eve
of today’s release of their self-titled Interscope debut, Scars on
Broadway performed a 40-minute set in the monumental north wing of
the train station, as fans moshed on a dancefloor of polished marble
and clay.
It was only the band’s ninth show ever, following a brief promotional
tour of Europe and sets at Coachella, KROQ’s Weenie Roast, a benefit
in L.A. with Metallica, and its unannounced April debut at the Whisky
a-Go-Go. In the band’s trailer before the show, drummer John Dolmayan
said, "We’ve got something special. We’ve got a good live vibe. The
energy is crazy. We’re playing with three guys that are very hungry,
and we’re very hungry."
The show-closing rocker "They Say" was well-known to the crowd after
months of local radio airplay, but the set also introduced several
contemplative, angry hard rock songs from the new album. The crowd
clapped along to the anxious beat of "Chemicals," and Malakian opened
his arms wide during "Universe," looking up and singing, "Mother,
are we flying through the universe? Are we dying in the universe?"
After a driving, dreamy "Enemy," Malakian’s floppy hat and mirrored
shades flew off during the headbanging instrumental "Scars on
Broadway," which is not on the new album and can only be heard live
(and maybe on YouTube) as the band riffs through some thundering,
Sabbath-like gloom. Malakian’s eyes widened as he wailed the
high-tension "Whoring Streets," and one fan held up an Armenian flag
of red, blue and orange.
He then began an impromptu take on "China Girl" (the David Bowie/Iggy
Pop standard), singing and playing alone on guitar and adjusting
the lyrics: "I’ll give you a man who wants to fuck the world!" He
was soon joined by guitarist Franky Perez doing his best Stevie Ray
Vaughan licks and keyboardist Danny Shamoun adding playful organ riffs.
Along with bassist Dominic Cifarelli, Scars already sound like a tight
hard-rock unit, not unlike what Malakian and Dolmayan enjoyed with
the other members of System, now on indefinite hiatus. "One thing they
have in common with Serj [Tankian] and Shavo [Odadjian] is that they’re
good people, they’re family people. We feel a family vibe from them,"
said Malakian backstage. "I felt momentum from the first show — right
away great energy at the Whisky. And it’s been consistent ever since."
"ELECTRIC NETWORKS OF ARMENIA" NOT PLANNING TO RAISE PRICES
ARKA
July 28
Electric Networks of Armenia is not planning to apply to the Public
Services Regulatory Commission for raising the electricity prices for
end users in the country, the General Director of the Electric Networks
of Armenian closed joint stock company Yevgeniy Gladunchik said.
"We are not going to increase the prices even if the Russian natural
gas becomes more expensive for Armenia," he told a press conference.
In 2011 "Gasprom" holding is to start supplying gas to Armenia
at European prices. The Armenian side reached an agreement for
a mid-term contract to have a gradual rise in prices bearing in
mind the high level of strategic partnership and the strengthening
of Gasprom’s positions in Armenia. In April 2006 the price for the
Russian natural gas supplied to Armenia was raised from $56 to $110
per 1,000 cubic meters.
The current electricity is 25 Drams (about 8.3 U.S. cents) in daytime
(from 7:00 to 23:00) and 15Drams (about 5 cents) at night in Armenia.
According to Gladunchik, the price is high even now – raising it may
make it difficult to collect bills against energy consumed. "We are
not interested in increasing the tariffs," the General Director.
Russian INTER RAO EES holds 100% of the shares of "Electric Networks
of Armenia" CJSC.20Distribution and sale of electricity is the main
activity of the company. The company provides services to approximately
913,000 consumers.
DELIVERY IS UP IN ARMENIA
A1+
28 July, 2008
In the first half of 2008, 7014 children were born in Yerevan’s
maternity hospitals which is up by 5 percent compared with the same
period of last year, said Armen Soghoyan, Head of the Department of
Health and Social Issues of the Yerevan City Hall.
>From July 1, 2008, state certificate of maternity care was introduced
in the country. "After the 22nd week of pregnancy a pregnant woman
gets a certificate of maternity care at the antenatal clinic, and
extends it to maternity hospital where she gets all services free,"
added Soghoyan. Antenatal clinics have received 3915 certificates
from the City Hall and the Ministry of Health since July 1 to 24
which were issued to pregnant women.
The Department of Health and Social Issues has set up a hot line. RoA
citizens can call 544058 to get answers to their questions.
ARMENPRESS
`ARMENIA’S GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS NATIONAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMS’
BUSINESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN TSAKHKADZOR
YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS: `Armenia’s Global Competitiveness
National Investment Programs’ business conference will be held July 26
in Tsakhkadzor.
Press division of the Armenian Economy Ministry told Armenpress
that present will be Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian, Health
Minister Harutyun Kushkian, Finance Minister Tigran Davtian, Economy
Minister Nerses Yeritsian and others.
At the event reports will be presented on the concept of creation
of Armenian National Competitiveness Foundation and All-Armenian Bank.
Health Minister Harutyun Kushkian will present report on making
Armenia regional health center and will refer to the eight main
established directions.
The participants will also discuss program on making Armenia
regional finance center which will be presented by the Finance
Minister Tigran Davtian, on his part, the Economy Minister Nerses
Yeritsian will present a program on making Armenia regional business
and rest center. They will also refer to a number of other programs on
making Jermuk a regional health center, creation of techno park in
Gyumri etc.
KARS-AKHALKALAKI RAILROAD: CONSTRUCTION STARTS WITH BLOODY DEVELOPMENTS
VARDAN GRIGORYAN
Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on July 26, 2008
Armenia
The dramatic events that occurred in Javahk on the eve of the official
launch of the construction of the Kars-Akhalaklaki railroad testify to
the fact that the Turkish-Azerbaijani peaceful economic initiatives are
going to end in a bloody battle for us, the Armenians.
It is more than obvious that the conflicts which started in Akhalkalaki
on June 17, prior to the beginning of the construction of the Kars
Akhalkalaki railroad, are the result of the primitive provocations
initiated by the Georgian intelligence services. They pursued a goal to
demonstrate the Georgian government’s decisiveness in realizing the
construction of the railroad on the territory of Javahk.
Therefore, no matter to what extent the methods of struggle chosen by
the `United Javahk’ company corresponded to the new developments in the
region, the activists of the organization could not but act as
`scapegoats’ in the given spectacle.
This testifies to the fact that starting the construction of the
Turkish section of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad is fraught with the
threat of introducing `highly-explosive’ elements in the situation of
the region, which is tense, as it is.
Georgia is in the focus of Russia’s serious political-military
pressures which will reach their culmination before December 2008, a
period when the official Tbilisi anticipates obtaining full rights to
NATO membership. And it is not absolutely accidental that at the time
when the Georgian, Azeri and Turkish Presidents were laying the
foundations of the new `Silky Road’ in Kars on the 24th of July,
large-scale military trainings were being held in the countries
situated to the north and south of Georgia.
The existing situation makes the Armenian leadership avoid the
temptation of making hasty assessments on the recent developments.
However, it is necessary to keep in mind that there has never been any
serious economic and technical justification for the construction of
the Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad. This is a lever of political pressure
against Armenia. The high-flown words delivered by the top figures of
Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan are, as a matter of fact, a simple veil
for the whole civilized world.
With the purpose of `embellishing’ them more, the Turkish President
announced in Kars that the given project was open to all the countries
of the South Caucasus. Along with the hint obviously directed to
Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan implicitly remind about the well-known
preconditions they have imposed on our country.
So what `open projects’ do the Turks and Azeris speak about in a
situation when Armenia is offered to put aside its historical
recollections and achievements in order to participate in them?
Clearly, such propaganda show is initiated with the purpose of
maintaining `one’s own image’ in the atmosphere of the non-official
Armenian-Turkish relations which have livened up recently.
Thus, before the year 2011, a time when it is planned to hand over the
Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad for operation, the territory of Javahk may
serve as a means for exerting pressure upon Armenia and organizing
political provocations. The Azerbaijani company which has undertaken
the responsibility of carrying out the construction will be certainly
involved in such provocations as this may serve as a tool for spoiling
the Armenian-Georgian relations.
The Turkish intelligence services will also initiate active work in
Javahk in an attempt to drive a wedge in the Armenian-Georgian
relations, speeding up the return of the Turkish-Meskhets.
Georgia in turn will find itself in an ambiguous situation because, by
making its territory a theatre of geo-economic experiments containing
obvious elements of bluff, it will sooner or later have to taste the
bitter fruits of such tricks.
Moreover, no matter how much the countries launching the construction
of the Kars-Akhalakalaki railroad may try to advertise the economic
`advantages’ of their project, it is becoming more and more obvious
that they will need new financial resources for accomplishing the
activities in time. Today, it is already clear that the project will
`swallow’ 600-700 million US Dollars instead of the previously
announced sum of 400 million US Dollars, but the expenses will not be
limited to that.
Disguising the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad behind the
signboard of a large-scale economic program, Turkey is introducing
elements of internal tension in the region. And the following question
comes up: who is it advantageous to? Armenia and the Armenian diplomacy
are required to do their utmost to prevent the launch of the
construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad from developing into a
proper occasion for clashes and arrests in Javahk. It is necessary to
win time, at least till the end of the current year when certain
clarifications are expected both in the Russian-American relations and
in Georgia’s plans for NATO membership. It is also quite possible for
such clarifications to be accompanied by the weakening of the current
tension around Abkhazia and South Osia.
In conditions of the current unfavorable geo-political developments,
the most important thing to do is not to become a `party’ to the
`competition’ of the interested superpowers and at the same time, win
their approval with regard to the issue of raising the blockade of
Armenia. This will be followed by the moment when they will attach
importance to the role and significance of the Armenian factor in
suspending Turkey’s program aimed at invading the South Caucasus.
We believe that at the beginning of 2009, Armenia and the Armenian
diplomacy will be given the opportunity to undertake active and
initiatory steps for overcoming the circle of blockade and provocations
resulting from the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad.
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 THE PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS
His Holiness Aram I paid an official visit to the President of Cyprus, His
Excellency Dimitris Christofias, on July 21. His Holiness was accompanied by
the Pontifical Vicar in Cyprus Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Hagop Ateshian
from the Central National Committee, Vartkes Mahdessian from the Armenian
community of Cyprus, Dr. Antranig Ashdjian, chairman of the Armenian
National Committee and Sebouh Tavitian, chairman of the committee.
The first ever meeting between President Christofias and the Armenian
Pontiff included several items on its agenda. In the first instance, His
Holiness congratulated the President on the occasion of his election.
Discussions revolved around several issues of interest to the Armenian
community of Cyprus. In light of the negotiations for the island’s
unification, His Holiness talked about the Monastery of Magar, the old
prelacy and the Armenian Quarter situated in the Turkish part of Cyprus. The
Cypriot President explained to His Holiness the details of these
negotiations.
Prior to his departure from Lebanon His Holiness held a phone conversation
with the President of Lebanon, His Excellency Michel Suleyman, whose
greetings the Pontiff later conveyed to the Cypriot President. The Pontiff
and the President also talked about the internal situation of Lebanon and
the prospects for the improvement of relations between the two churches.
President Christofias spoke in praise about the Armenian community of Cyprus
and welcomed the stabilization of political life in Lebanon. The
centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Greek people was another
topic on the agenda.
Given the shared historical experiences between the two nations, His
Holiness stressed the importance of Cypriot support for the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.
##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos291.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission 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.
AGGRESSION AGAINST A CSTO MEMBER TO BE CONSIDERED AS AGGRESSION AGAINST WHOLE ORGANIZATION
NOYAN TAPAN
JU LY 23
According to the Collective Security Treaty, aggression against one
of the Organization member-states is considered as aggression against
all CSTO members. Nikolay Bordyuzha, the CSTO Secretary General,
stated answering Noyan Tapan’s question about threats to Armenia
voiced by Azerbaijan. "Agreement on special assistance to a state
undergoing aggression operates within the framework of CSTO. In case
one of the states undergoes aggression by third countries, naturally,
the mechanism of providing assistance will be used," he said.
According to N. Bordyuzha, CSTO treats quietly Armenia’s cooperation
with NATO and training planned in the country within the framework of
that organization. He said that any state has a right to solve such
issues on its own. Meanwhile the CSTO Secretary General expressed
confidence that mechanical expansion of NATO will not result in rise
of stability in the world. "There are also other ways of creating
collective security systems both in Europe and in the whole world,
and they should use these variants and not involve them mechanically
and sometimes just thrust membership to NATO upon some states,"
N. Bordyuzha said.
GUL SHOULD GO TO YEREVAN FOR THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL MATCH
Mehmet Ali Birand
Turkish Daily News
July 22 2008
I am sure you know about it. The new Armenian President Serj Sarkisyan
invited President Gul to Yerevan some time ago. The occasion is the
Word Cup qualification game to be played between Turkey and Armenia
on Sept. 6.
Ankara has yet to make up its mind about this invitation. Nor has
the Foreign Ministry announced its views on the matter. As you might
have guessed, the idea of our president going to Armenia in response
to an invitation from their president has made some hairs stand on
end. Awakened fears and suspicions as well as patriotism began to
take over.
The capital of ‘our enemy’:
Some said, "That is impossible. The Turkish president cannot go to the
capital city of our biggest enemy…" An increased number of people
spread fear out of various concerns… "We cannot let them swear at our
president…they will try to assassinate him…they will throw eggs…"
Cool-headed reflection, however, will show that it would be very
appropriate for President Gul to go to that game.
I don’t think that I need to explain to you at length the tight corner
that Turkey happens to be in on the international scene.
The genocide allegations have been accepted by a great majority of
Western countries. Furthermore, we have not been able to supply any
tangible or convincing evidence to refute these allegations. All
Ankara does is try to buy some time. That’s why it suggested forming
a commission of international historians, which did not please the
Armenians at all. According to them, the genocide wins a lot more
acceptance each day, and there is no need to jeopardize this "fact"
by establishing a commission. Both Turkey and Armenia are bidding for
favorable international public opinion. Each one wants to get its own
view accepted by looking as sweet and justified as possible. It was
in the midst of such circumstances that Armenia’s president issued
this invitation to Yerevan, maybe as a tactic or a genuine gesture
for rapprochement.
Yerevan has thrown out this invitation. Now I ask you: Would it be
better to go or not to go?
Let’s start with the easier option. Not to go would not come as a
surprise to anyone. This is the impression of Turkey that Armenians are
trying to promote, which many countries have already accepted as true:
A country that looks down upon and intimidates this tiny Armenia and
punishes it by closing its border gate in addition to having mistreated
as well as killed so many Armenians; a country that even refuses to
accept having effected a genocide.This being our image, nobody will
be surprised if we refuse this invitation to go to Yerevan, for that
is exactly what Ankara is expected to do. A country that pushes away
all Yerevan’s attempts for reconciliation…
If Gul goes:
On the other hand, everybody will be surprised if President Gul does
accept this invitation to go to Yerevan. This unexpected gesture will
lead them to listen to what Turkey has to say instead.They may think,
for the first time, that Turkey might be acting in good faith. They
might, also for the first time, recognize the good intention behind
the suggestion to form an international commission. Word will spread
that Turkey’s objective is not to harass Armenia, but to look for
a compromise.
Then there’s the Turkish team to consider… To see their president on
the tribunes is bound to build up their morale and provide them with
extra support during this game that they will probably be playing
in a hostile atmosphere. Furthermore, dramatic as they may be, such
developments could really lead to a rapprochement or a dialogue
between the two countries or even to a solution of this alleged
genocide situation. Sports have always played a part in diplomatic
relations. Games have been known to lead to diplomatic discussions that
in turn have led to agreements. This opportunity must not be missed
on account of a cheap show of patriotism. What’s more, President
Gul has the capacity to make the most of this opportunity. Finally,
Armenia must not be refused even if none of these expectations were
to come true.
Why get mad at Parris?
The words of Mark Parris, America’s former ambassador to Turkey,
caused a storm last week. Returning to Washington after having
consulted political observers and local foreign experts in Turkey,
Parris conveyed his impressions and answered questions at a conference
at the CSIS, or Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Parris had apparently read Ankara well, for his impressions as well
as his predictions were right on target.
The gist of what he said was that despite the still strong possibility
of the AKP’s closure, the last few weeks had brought some change
of atmosphere, in the way that other alternatives were also being
mentioned.
Was he wrong? He was dead right…
He then said that the Constitutional Court would probably announce
its decision during the first half of August and on a Friday to avoid
upsetting the stock exchange.
Wrong? Aren’t we making the same predictions? Well, you’d think
that all hell had broken loose.How come the American knew all
that?… Americans were telling us what to do… The ambassador
was dictating a date to Ankara… He was being disrespectful to the
Constitutional Court…
However, we do all that, too. I fail to understand the reason for all
that anger toward Parris. It must originate from our "this country
is run by America, the Americans know everything" complex…We tend
to forget that Parris is an expert that knows Turkey best and has
good relations with a number of sound sources. Isn’t it as natural
for him to state his views as it is for us to make these predictions?
RA PRESIDENT: POSSIBILITIES FOR KARABAKH CONFLICT’S PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT NOT EXHAUSTED
DeFacto Agency
July 21 2008
Armenia
The possibilities for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’s peaceful settlement
have not been exhausted, RA President Serzh Sargsian stated at a press
conference held on July 21, while commenting his first meeting on the
conflict’s settlement with AR President Ilham Aliyev held within the
frames of OSCE MG.
Armenian President noted that in the course of the meeting Aliyev
had expressed readiness to continue the talks. Serzh Sargsian voiced
confidence that Karabakh issue could be settled via talks.
Commenting on the fact that Azeri party periodically criticized OSCE
MG, Serzh Sargsian noted that if Baku complained, Armenia could be
calm. At that he underscored it was small cunning Azerbaijan resorted
to make mediators soften their position or satisfy one or another
question. "We are ready to continue the talks on the basis of Madrid
principles, while the OSCE MG is the format that can lead the parties
to the problem’s peaceful settlement", RA President underscored.
Touching on the issue of Azerbaijan military budget’s buildup, Armenian
President stated that Armenian party had never forgotten that until
a peace agreement was signed with Azerbaijan at least two people in
the country should be ready for military operation’s resumption –
President and Defense Minister, Regnum reports.