Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

TURKEY’S FIRST TV CHANNEL TO TRANSMIT FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY ON DIRECT ETHER

Trend News Agency
Sept 4 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 4 September /corr. Trend News R.Ergun / The football
match of the teams of Armenia and Turkey, which will take place within
the framework of the selection stage of the World Championship, will
be transmitted on direct ether of the first channel of Turkey TRT1.

The match between the teams Turkey and Armenia will take place on 6
September in Yerevan. On the Baku time, the game will begin at 21:00.

The President of Turkey, Abdulla Gul, will also leave for Yerevan to
watch the match.

Recently youth teams of Armenia and Turkey (U – 21) met in
Yerevan. Game completed with the victory of Armenia with the score
of 2:1.

N.Y. LIFE SET TO PAY MILLIONS IN NEARLY CENTURY-OLD CLAIMS

New York Daily News
Sept 5 2008
NY

New York Life is digging deep into its past to make good on claims
nearly a century old.

The insurer said it will seek out and compensate the heirs of Greek
policyholders that lived in the Ottoman Empire before 1915, at a cost
of up to $15 million.

The Manhattan-based insurer said it discovered unpaid policies held
by Greeks in the precursor of modern-day Turkey, in the course of
research into policies sold to Armenians who died after 1914.

The insurer, founded in 1845, will pay all valid claims on about 1,000
insurance policies issued to Greeks before 1915 that remain unpaid,
as well as $1 million to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

In January 2004, New York Life agreed to pay $20 million to settle a
lawsuit over unpaid life insurance benefits for Armenian policyholders.

Similar suits have been filed by Holocaust survivors and their heirs
against European insurers.

HURRIYET: GUL TOOK BRAVE AND HISTORIC DECISION

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.09.2008 13:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President Abdullah Gul will on Saturday become
the first Turkish head of state to visit Armenia, his office said,
taking an important step to restart diplomatic relations between two
neighboring countries, Hurriyet daily reports.

Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan invited Gul last month to attend the
qualifying match for the 2010 World Cup finals to mark "a new symbolic
start in the countries’ relations". Turkish diplomats and security
officials have been in Yerevan this week making final preparations.

"A visit around this match can create a new climate of friendship in
the region," the Turkish presidency said in a statement posted on its
website. "It is with this in mind that the president has accepted the
invitation. This match could lift the obstacles blocking the coming
together of two peoples who share a common history and can create a
new foundation," it said.

Gul will arrive in Yerevan two hours before the match and go directly
to Sargsyan’s office. The meeting of two presidents is expected to
last for one hour. They are expected to discuss the Nagorno Karabakh
issue and Turkey’s Stability and Cooperation Pact.

The Turkish delegation will leave Yerevan as soon as the match ends.

"Turkish President has made a brave and historic decision," Ertugrul
Ozkok, editor-in-chief of Hurriyet daily, wrote in his column
Thursday. "Turkey must know how to face issues that cloud its days,
by taking such brave decisions," he added.

Ozkok wrote that he believed football would crack the ice walls that
stand between the two countries. "The winner of Saturday’s game is
clear today. The winners of this match are the Turkish and Armenian
people," he concluded.

HAYASTAN ALL-ARMENIAN FUND COMPLETES WATER PROJECTS IN HADRUT CITY, VANK AND SPITAKASHEN VILLAGES

armradio.am
04.09.2008 12:12

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is pleased to announce the completion of
the water supply projects in Hadrut city, Vank village of Martakert
region and Spitakashen village of Martuni region. "Water supply is
critical to the whole of Nagorno-Karabakh. Crucial to the survival
of the residents, water is a basic need rather than an indulgence for
most of the residents in the country. This explains the great sense of
responsibility and individual approach of the Fund to each of its water
supply project", says the Fund Acting Executive Director Ara Vardanyan.

The Hadrut city water main project with the total cost of around 420
million AMD was implemented within the Telethon 2006, and was mainly
sponsored by the Fund’s French local committee. The water main was
essential to Hadrut city which is located in the very heart of this
mountainous region.

People of the city were looking forward to the construction of
this water main, which stretches for about 22 km from Hadrut to
Arjaghbyur. Within the project the wells were restored, as well as
the daily regulation reservoir was reconstructed: it now provides
water to the city households through the inner network.

Construction of the Kaghartsin-Spitakashen 8 km long water main is
over, too. Ð~P captage was constructed and the existing reservoir20was
reconstructed. The project worth about 80 million AMD was sponsored
by the Hayastan Fund Argentine local committee. Water is no longer
an issue for the community of Spitakashen of 471.

The community of Vank experienced serious problems due to the lack
of freshwater, too. The inner network was built in 1956 and although
partially reconstructed now and then, it was no longer in the state to
supply freshwater at regular hours. Apart from that, the on-the-ground
pipes of about 2 km from the springs were in poor technical condition
and no good for provision of potable water.

"We have been waiting for this moment for a long time and were
delighted to learn about the Fund’s commitment to this project. At
last we’ll have regular supply of good quality water. Even bad weather
conditions did not interfere with construction works for which we are
so grateful to the Fund …the villagers can not afford paying for the
pipes at the moment and it will take some time before the households
will be connected to the inner network. At least we know that the
water is on the way", says the head of the Vank community. The project
with the total cost of 169 million AMD has been jointly undertaken by
the Boghossian Foundation; Hayastan Fund USA East Coast and French
affiliates, and St. Sargis Charity Trust (London). The community of
370 households, with 1650 people in it, has benefited from the project.

The water supply project will also contribute to the socio-economic
and community development activities implemented by the Moscow-based
businessman Levon Hayrapetyan. The access road to the stunning
historical monument of Gandzasar Monastery of the 13th century passes
through the Vank village.

Availability of water in the community and its advancing economy
will support the development of tourism in a location such as this,
famous for its spectacular countryside.

"The Fund has implemented an impressive number of water supply
projects.

Challenges and surprises are inevitable and very often unpredictable,
particularly, when they are being implemented over an intricate
landscape.

Challenges were more than enough when we were doing the Martakert
water main, but we coped well with them", comments Ararat Khlghatyan,
the deputy executive director of the Hayastan Fund.

A number of other vital projects in the Hadrut region are approaching
their completion. These include reconstruction of the Hadrut regional
hospital, construction of the Hadrut gas pipeline, and reconstruction
of the secondary school in Togh village. Better living conditions in
communities of the region will be in place before long.

–Boundary_(ID_f9ZptlffALZ1uZViJ8U1Gg)–

ARMENIA TO ENHANCE CSTO’S EFFICIENCY

ARKA
Sep 3, 2008

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. As a country to chair the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Armenia will lay emphasis on
enhancing the CSTO’s efficiency, RA President Serge Sargsyan stated
at his meeting with the Secretaries of the CSTO Security Councils,
who are in Armenia to take part in a meeting of the CSTO Security
Councils’ Committee.

The RA presidential press service reports that President Sargsyan
expressed his satisfaction over the level of cooperation within the
CSTO. He stressed the obvious importance of cooperation in dealing
with such security problems as possible aggression, illegal migration,
corruption control, which, according to him, deny any formal approach.

Speaking of the recent events in South Ossetia, President Sargsyan
said that the events proved the danger of coercive methods of solving
interethnic conflicts in the South Caucasus. The RA President expressed
the confidence that any attempts to settle conflicts by force are
doomed to failure, and "the events in South Ossetia will have a
sobering effect on those having such illusions, consolidating their
military and making militaristic statements." "In the South Caucasus
any attempts to force solutions on nations are pregnant with serious
military and geopolitical consequences," President Sargsyan said.

The participants in the meeting pointed out its effectiveness as they
discuss ed the trends in the CSTO zone and neighboring regions, threats
to collective security and the current situation in the Caucasus. On
September 5, Armenia is to take over the CSTO chairmanship. P.T. -0–

IF ARMENIA RECOGNIZES THE INDEPENDENCE OF ARTSAKH TODAY, IT WILL HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH GREAT STATES,- BAKOUR KARAPETIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. "Though we gained a victory in
Artsakh war, we failed to gain the maximum in that war," announced
Bakour Karapetian, writer, publicist, president of the Shoushi Fund
at the press conference dedicated to the 17th anniversary of the
independence of the NKR.

In his words, winning a war is half the job, everything should be done
so that the independence of Artsakh will be recognized by the world.

Answering the question about what position Armenia should have in the
issue of recognition of Artsakh, the publicist noted that Armenia de
facto recognizes that independence of Artsakh, but if this is done de
jure, then Armenia will have rather serious problems not only with
Azerbaijan and Turkey but also with great states. "At present this
recognition is dangerous. We are united, and the recognition is a
matter of the future," Bakour Karapetian said, adding that Armenia
should display prudence in that issue.

B. Karapetian mentioned that today Artsakh is a really democratic
state with all infrastructures.

THE ADDRESS OF NKR PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE DAY OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC

armradio.am
02.09.2008 12:54

"Dear compatriots,

On September the 2nd we celebrate the day of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, a holiday which has a special significance for our
nation. On this very day a new chapter in the history of Artsakh
was opened. It became the commencement of restoration of independent
Armenian statehood.

17 years ago the people of Artsakh set about to realize their
century-long dream of building free and independent, democratic and
social state. We have been able to overcome this extremely difficult
path due to the unbreakable will, unity and cohesion. Artsakh has
become the symbol of rebirth of the triumphant spirit of the Armenian
people.

In the course of recent years we have succeeded both to reconstruct
the economy ruined by war and also lay a solid foundation for
further development of the state. Deepening and strengthening
Artsakh-Armenia-Diaspora relations, combining efforts and potential
of world-spread Armenians, we have begun to find effective solutions
to various problems our republic faces, improve lthe iving standards
of the population and develop construction and infrastructures.

Today we can proudly state about strong and efficient army,
harmoniously developing country that meets international norms and
standards and is considered to be one of the key factors of stability
in the region.

We should always remember what price has been paid for the present free
and peaceful life, what losses and hardship our nation did suffere on
its way to independence. The best sons of the nation gave their lives
to the defense of the Motherland. Everlasting glory and honor to them!

We are obliged to fulfill the cherished dream of our martyrs and
gain international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and
leave for the generations to come strong and independent, peaceful
and prosperous Motherland. Be confident, it is a matter of time.

The NKR authorities are committed to the idea that conflicts should
be settled exclusively by peaceful means through a direct and frank
dialogue.

Everybody should realize once and forever that the independence of
Artsakh has no alternative and is not subject to speculations.

Dear people of Artsakh, I cordially congratulate all of us on this
symbolic holiday and wish good health, happiness and further success
to the glory of the bright and serene future of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic."

PM TIGRAN SARGSYAN TO VISIT STEPANAKERT

armradio.am
01.09.2008 16:41

On September 2 RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan will leave for the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic to participate in the celebration of the
17th anniversary of the proclamation of NKR independence, Information
and Public Relation Department of RA Government informed.

The delegation headed by PM Tigran Sargsyan comprises the Ministers
of Finance, Economy, Transport and Communication, other officials.

RUSSIA HAD NO CHOICE ON RECOGNITION OF GEORGIAN REGIONS: BELARUS

Agence France Presse
August 28, 2008 Thursday 3:20 PM GMT

Belarus said Thursday that Russia had no choice but to recognise the
independence of two Georgian regions, a statement from the presidency
said, but it did not indicate whether the country would follow suit.

"Russia had no moral choice but to support the appeal of the
peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to recognise their right to
self-determination," the statement said.

Russia is facing an avalanche of condemnation from the West over its
decision to recognise the independence of two Georgian secessionist
regions at the heart of the conflict that erupted in the ex-Soviet
republic this month.

No other country has followed Russia’s lead in recognising the regions,
and the statement from the Belarussian presidency was one of the
strongest statements of support so far.

"The Republic of Belarus remains a reliable and consistent partner
for Russia," the statement said.

The statement also called for the regional group, the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), to make a joint statement on
the conflict at its meeting on September 5.

The CSTO comprises Russia, Belarus, Armenia and the ex-Soviet Central
Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The president of CSTO member Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, on
Thursday said he related "with understanding to all the measures that
have been taken by Russia" but did not specifically mention the move
to recognise the regions’ independence.

ERDOGAN AND ALIYEV HOLD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

Turkish Press, MI
Aug 26 2008

BAKU – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday
Azerbaijan supported Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform.

Erdogan had a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in
Baku. Erdogan and Aliyev held a joint press conference after their
meeting.

There has been an important cooperation platform among Turkey,
Azerbaijan and Georgia and it should be improved more, Erdogan said.

Erdogan said he brought up Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform
in the meeting and he was pleased that Aliyev also welcomed the
proposal of Turkey.

"We believe that steps will continue in order to make Caucasus region
a stability, peace and prosperity center," he said.

"It should be a geography-based platform. It must target regional peace
and security, and include economic cooperation and energy security,"
Erdogan told a joint news conference with Azerbaijan`s President
Ilham Aliyev in Baku.

"It must be based on the principles of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe and cover a joint mechanism of problem
solving and management," Erdogan said.

Erdogan said Russia and Georgia welcomed his proposal, adding that
Turkey was pleased as Azerbaijan joined these countries too.

Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia has carried out Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad, Erdogan recalled and said
these projects could be described as "historic" and biggest projects
of the century.

"Peace and stability are of vital importance for our region. Recent
developments could affect or even threat peace, stability and
prosperity," he said. "Recent conflict also showed once again how
volatile is the security climate in southern Caucasia. We believe
that we should concentrate our energy on ending hostility between
the peoples of the region."

In his part, Azerbaijani President Aliyev said his country had good
relations with Russia and Georgia, and expressed his wish for friendly
relations between these two countries.

Following the news conference, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan left
Azerbaijani capital Baku for Turkey.