Author: Varosian Antranik

DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HOLDS MEETING IN BAKU

Trend
12.09.2007 11:21:12

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend K.Ramazanova / A delegation of the
European Parliament is holding meetings in Baku with representatives
from the civil society and journalists of Azerbaijan.

The visit is held within the framework of the 8th meeting of the
Committee on Interparliamentary Cooperation of the European Union –
Azerbaijan.

The European delegation led by Marie Anne Isler Beguinm fro m France,
includes Arpad Duka- Zolyomi from Slovakia), Alessandro Battilocchio,
from Italy, Marian-Jean Marinescu from Romania, Lydie Polfer from
Luxemburg and Johannes Swoboda from Austria.

The meeting is centered on the freedom of word, transparency in the
parliament. A meeting of the Committee and a news conference will
be held at the Milli Majlis [Azerbaijan Parliament] on 12 September,
whereas a meeting with the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is also
on schedule.

On 13 September meetings will be held with the Ministers of foreign
affairs, defense, justice, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims
Clerical Board, as well as leader of the Azerbaijani community of
Nagorno-Karabakh. The European parliamentarians intend to meet with
journalists in custody and representatives of the Forum of Azerbaijani
students in Europe.

A new conference will be held on 14 September with the participation
of representatives from the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan and
the UN High Commissariat for Refugees, visit to Sumgayit, meeting
with representatives of BP Azerbaijan, and tour of the Sangachal
oil terminal.

The meeting will discuss an Agreement on cooperation and partnership
between the EU and Azerbaijan, the current state of cooperation within
the framework EU’s European Neighborhood Policy, as well as energy
partnership. The agenda of discussions include the political situation
in Azerbaijan and constitutional issues, the 2008 presidential
elections, democratic reforms, human rights, freedom of word and
press, legal reforms, Azerbaijan’s obligations in the sphere of stable
development. Moreover, it is planned to mull economic development
of the country, environmental protection, social issues and poverty
reduction, energy security in the Asian and Black Sea regions.

The meeting will also focus on the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The previous 7th meeting of the committee was held in Strasbourg on
13-14 December 2006. The committee was established in 1996 and is
comprised of Azerbaijani MPs and members of the European Parliament.

AFTER PLAYING ALL THE GAMES
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
11 Sept 2007

Logically, the Russian capital which already controls all the spheres
of the Armenian economy should not leave out the gambling business. In
this sense, the intention of one of the major Russian gambling business
investors to spend 300 million dollars on an entertainment center is
justified. Like any other major investment, this one also has its
political and economic justifications. Let us observe both aspects
of those 300 million dollars.

Economically, it arouses doubt. The Armenian market of the gambling
business is highly limited: a few hundred adolescents, a few dozens
of officials, a few hundred tourists. No doubt a few dozens of
officials may replace a few thousand or maybe even a few tens of
thousand customers. Not because they gamble more money but because
they gamble all the time, even in working hours. However, even with
these customers the Armenian market is highly limited, therefore, a
300 million dollar investment is amazing. On the other hand, however,
the Russian capital is wasteful due to its mechanisms of accrual. The
less effort and the more ruse and protectionism, the easier the capital
risks. In this particular case, it is not even a matter of risking;
simply a normal businessman would think that 300 million dollars
in the Armenian gambling business is idle capital because it may
not generate profit even in 300 years, while a Russian businessman
thinks he has much more than this, so let this 300 million idle
about a little. "Who said money doesn’t like to rest?" the Russian
businessman perhaps thinks. In other words, not only the Diasporans
like to rest in Armenia but also the Russian money.

Or maybe the Russian businessman is not thinking of investing 300
million dollars in Armenia, but the Russian official is thinking. It
is clear who or whose friends are meant by the collective noun of
Russian official. This is already the political aspect of the issue.

Some people may think there is no political aspect because Russia
has already gained the energy sector of Armenia which provides the
biggest political influence. The problem is, however, that the gambling
business helps Russia solve an important political issue. For instance,
when the Kremlin asks some Yerevan officials why they visit Western
cities so often, our officials say they visit these cities where there
are modern casinos because they are human too and they also want to
gamble. Meanwhile, Moscow may doubt that the Armenian officials go
there for gambling only. Consequently, by building a modern casino
in Armenia Russia deprives the Armenian officials of the excuse for
visiting Western cities. Now they cannot say they do not go to gamble
in the West because there are no casinos in Armenia.

The question may rise why to build in Armenia if it is possible
to show the Armenian officials to the luxurious casinos in Moscow,
especially that most Armenian officials know and help these casinos
to prosper. However, this question also has an answer. The Russians
think Moscow is not a place for Armenians to play.

AN ACTION STARTED AGAINST MICHAEL DANIELYAN?

A1+
[08:34 pm] 11 September, 2007

Head of the Helsinki Association Michael Danielyan considers that the
RA General Prosecutor’s Office has started an action against him. The
reason is that they have accomplished certain results in regard with
Levon Gyulumyan’s case and the General Prosecutor’s Office wants to
dismiss them by suppressing.

"I suppose I will be accused of defamation and hampering the activities
of justice",- announced Michael Danielyan. He also informed that the
Prosecutor’s Office decided to delay the investigation of Gyulumyan’s
case for two months. We remind that the corpse of Levon Gyulumyan, who
was invited to Shengavit police station as a witness, was found under
the windows of the police station. Michael Danielyan was entrusted to
protect the interests of the relatives of the victim. Mr Danielyan was
invited to the Prosecutor’s Office after his appeal to the RA General
Prosecutor’s Office, Justice Ministry and the Human Rights’ Defender.

He noted that after Levon Gyulumyan’s assassination, Marine Grigoryan
and Hayk Melkumyan who were the witnesses, were tortured and detained
illegally in Shengavit police station. As Mr Danielyan said, the
witnesses were again invited to the Prosecutor’s Office after his
appeal. Afterwards, Michael Danielyan was invited to the General
Prosecutor’s Office. "They said I was invited in regard with my massage
and that they were preparing materials for the case. I have not sent
any message; I have only submitted an appeal.

They said why I had mentioned that Marine Grigoryan and Hayk Melkumyan
were brought to the police station by force, while they were invited
on the phone. The responsible body of the Prosecutor’s Office did not
notice that by inviting someone to the police station on the phone was
breaching the legality of the investigation, but still he accuses me",
said Danielyan.

The lawyer pointed out that the Prosecutor’s Office was not taking
proper measures to reveal Gyulumyan’s murder and wants to isolate those
who are engaged in the investigation of the case. He is confirmed that
the General Prosecutor’s Office was collecting materials to start an
action against him.

In respond to Michael Danielyan’s announcement, Sona Truzyan,
Press Secretary to the RA General Prosecutor informed A1+ that the
Prosecutor’s Office was not going to start any action against him. "He
was invited to the General Prosecutor’s Office in regard with his
appeal. Not only the witnesses mentioned in Danielyan’s appeal,
but also the authors of the appeal were invited to the General
Prosecutor’s Office".

ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS’ VICTORY IN CZECH REPUBLIC

A1+
[01:50 pm] 10 September, 2007

Armenian chess players Arman Pashikyan and Georgian Armenian David
Harutyunyan played excellently at the International Chess Tournament
held in Turkey. They gained 7.5 points and took the 2nd-12th places.

Michael Gurevich, Turkey, became the winner of the tournament with
8 points.

Levon Babujyan and David Kalashyan gained 7 points and Georgy
Arzumanyan – 6.5 points.

The International Chess Tournament held in Italy also drew to an
end. Armenian chess player Karen Movsisyan took the 3rd place with 7
points. Vladimir Burmakin, Russia, became the winner of the tournament
with 8 points.

Another International Chess Tournament kicked off in the Czech
Republic with the participation of Vladimir Hakobyan and Slovak
Armenian Sergey Movsisyan.

At the first round the Armenian chess players competed with each
other and tied the meeting. At the second round both of them enjoyed
victory. Vladimir Hakobyan beat Victor Lazinchka and Sergey Movsisyan –
Victor Korchnoy.

Armenian opposition leader upbeat on former president’s chances to win
polls

Arminfo
8 Sep 07

Yerevan, 7 September: The first Armenian president [founder of the
Armenian Pan-National Movement], Levon Ter-Petrosyan, yesterday met the
leader of the Social Democratic Hnchak Party [SDHP], Lyudmila Sargsyan,
the SDHP leader has told journalists.

"During the conversation with the first president, I once again assumed
that this person has great political and human will," Sargsyan told our
correspondent. She said that at the first meeting with the former
president, it was clear that Ter-Petrosyan is exactly the presidential
candidate who can beat his rival from the current authorities if he is
nominated for the presidency.

[Passage omitted: Ter-Petrosyan also held a meeting with the leader of
the opposition People’s Party of Armenia, Stepan Demirchyan, and the
leader of the National Unity Party, Artashes Gegamyan]

ELIN SULEYMANOV: AZERBAIJANI DIASPORA SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVE IN POLITICAL LIFE OF THE US

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 7 2007

Azerbaijani Consul General to Los Angeles Elin Suleymanov’s interview
to APA

– How many Azerbaijanis live in the western coast of the US? Do all
of them have US citizenship?

– There is no statistics on the number of Azerbaijanis living in
that region, so it is difficult to say something about it. People
are regularly registered in the US, but Azerbaijanis are very
passive in this process. On the other hand, very few Azerbaijanis
introduce themselves as Azeris during population census. The great
mass of Azerbaijanis has concentrated in Washington, New York and
Los Angeles. Azerbaijanis have three organizations in California –
North California Cultural Center, Azerbaijan Council of America
and Azerbaijani Hearth. Besides, a lot of Azerbaijanis from South
Azerbaijan are living in this State. The majority of them consider
themselves Iranian, not Azerbaijani. We are not against it or voice
separatist ideas, but they would rather support us on cultural issues,
or the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Not all the Azerbaijanis living in
the US have the country’s citizenship, the majority of them live in
the US through Green Card.

– Do the Azeris living in Los Angeles have any problems? Do they have
problems with Armenians?

– The existing problems are mainly of technical character. Our
citizens sometimes need to change passports, and this is a very long
process. Of course, these are problems that can be solved, but they
need some nerves. As regards Armenians, there are many of them in
California. There are cities where the majority of its people are
Armenians. Our Diaspora can not withstand them – our Diaspora is
young and weakly represented in political circles. Armenians are
sufficiently represented in the local authorities and state bodies. I
think that the representatives of our Diaspora should be more active
in the political life of the US, and even in the issues that are
not directly connected with Azerbaijan – they should be active in
humanitarian, ecological actions. We want our Diaspora to support us
more. By the way, unlike Armenia we do not need financial support,
what we need is only solidarity.

– Do you conflict with Armenian Diaspora? What about the relations
with Turkish Diaspora?

– I would not call these conflicts. One of such events occurred on
May 28. That day is marked as a Republic day both in Azerbaijan and
Armenia. U.S. marks this day as Commemoration Day. Northern California
Culture Center of Azerbaijanis was established that day.

Armenians protested against the event of Azerbaijan, instead of marking
their own or U.S. holiday. The momentum that surprised me much was
that Armenians’ territorial claims to Nakhchivan prevailed in the
posters they raised. Such problems should worry Armenian Diaspora
at the same time. As to Turkish Diaspora, I want to say that we have
close relations with this community as well as Turkish Consulate in
Los Angeles. They are actively participating in the events we organize
and we are also participating events they organize. We always supported
each other. Moreover, we have good relations with Jewish community.

– Are any economic or cultural events held in Los Angeles regarding
Azerbaijan?

– Of course. Economic Development Ministry of Azerbaijan has recently
held a business forum in Los Angeles. Fund of Friends of Azerbaijani
Culture organized a meeting with writer, publicist, political scientist
Thomas Golts. Karen Koblich, who visited Azerbaijan, will organize
a carpet exhibition in Los Angeles on September 8. We also intend to
send Azerbaijani musicians to that event.

– The famous Silicon Valley is situated in the western coast of the
U.S. Do the organizations functioning there want to cooperate with
Azerbaijan?

– Yes. I want especially underline the activity of Azerbaijani
Communication and Information Technologies Minister Ali Abbasov. He
visited California twice, had meetings in San Hose and Los Angeles
and negotiated with CISCO, HP, Intell, Microsoft. I regard that these
negotiations will pave a way to a fruitful cooperation.

– Is local media interested in Azerbaijan?

– Of course, they are interested in Azerbaijan. I have been many
times interviewed by local radios, my interview was also published in
"Ontario" newspaper. Journalists are mainly interested in Azerbaijan’s
relations with Iran and Russia, Gabala radar station, cooperation
with Israel, Islam in Azerbaijan and some other issues.

ARMMONO 5th INTERNATIONAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRICAL FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 12 IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Sep 7, 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The 5th international Shakespeare
Theater Festival of Monoperformances will start at Yerevan Theater of
Young Spectator with the performance "Treatise About the Handkerchief"
(producer Hakob Ghazanchian) of Shota Rustaveli State National
Theater. Directors and founders of renowned theater festivals have
been invited to take part in the festival to be held September
12-18. They will arrive from many countries, including Australia,
Russia, the Ukraine, Georgia, Iran.

Hakob Ghazanchian, the Art Director of the Theater of Young Spectator,
at the September 7 press conference, said that the festival held for
the 5th time is not only fully-fledged, but also has its place among
other international theatrical festivals. It was mentioned that within
the framework of the festival the Armenian spectators will have a
possibility to watch a number of interesting performances. One of
them, "…To Be" performance of Kiev Ivan Franko National Theater,
is dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of great Armenian actress
Siranuysh. The monoperformance performed by the People’s Artist of
the Ukraine Larisa Kadirova has been staged by Hakob Ghazanchian.

According to H. Ghazanchian, many Armenian actors and producers taking
part in Armmono in the previous years have been invited to other
festivals and have returned with prizes. "I think this opportunity
is very important today for Armenian actors and producers to go on
tours and to become known abroad," he is convinced.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN DEPARTED FOR STEPANAKERT TO PARTICIPATE IN NKR PRESIDENT INAUGURATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2007 16:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian departed for
Stepanakert to participate in the ceremony of inauguration of newly
elected NKR President Bako Sahakyan.

The Armenian leader is accompanied by Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian,
Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan, MPs Armen Rustamian and Hranush
Hakobian as well as Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharyan.

Delegations from Abkhazia and South Ossetia will also take part in
the ceremony, Novosti Armenia reports.

SALARY OF ARMENIAN DIPLOMATS TO INCREASE BY 20% IN 2008

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 6 2007

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. The salary of Armenian diplomats is to
increase by 20% in 2008, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan
Oskanian told journalists in the Parliament Thursday.

According to him, the Foreign Ministry intends to increase its request
for financing for 2008 with the increase of diplomats’ salaries being
the main item of expenditures.

Oskanian also pointed out that considerable part of their requests
are met, and every year the budget of the Foreign Ministry exceeds
the levels of the previous year budget by 10-20%.

He also said that the problem of salaries of diplomats working in
the European zone is partly solved, but the issue of increasing the
salaries of diplomats inside and outside the country in connection with
inflation and improvement of housing conditions still remains unsolved.

"We should provide worthy living standards of our diplomats; besides,
in order to retain our specialists we need to ensure competitiveness
of the salaries," FM said.

AMD 4bln 149mln was provided for the Foreign Ministry under the 2006
budget. AMD 19.9mln was allocated under the "Partnership for Peace"
program, AMD 97.5mln for maintenance of military attaches, AMD 856mln
for trade representations with only AMD 59mln spent.

PRESS RELEASE
Office of Assemblymember Paul Krekorian
Adrin Nazarian, Chief of Staff
620 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 403
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 240-6330
(818) 240-4632 fax
[email protected]
Contact: Adrin Nazarian

September 7, 2007
(818) 240-6330
(818) 512-4045 cell

Assemblymember Paul Krekorian Announces Sponsors and Entertainment for
Burbank Community Block Party on Saturday, September 8

Burbank, CA- State Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) is hosting
a festive, family-oriented Community Block Party from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00
p.m., tomorrow, September 8, on San Fernando Blvd., between Olive and
Verdugo, in downtown Burbank. Everyone is welcome to join the fun!

"The essence of community is people coming together to enjoy themselves,
along with their families, friends and neighbors," Assemblymember
Krekorian said. Co-hosted by the City of Burbank and the Boys and Girls
Club of Burbank, "this fun-filled party is free for everyone, and will
feature refreshments and entertainment, face painting, a pet adoption
center and moon jump for children, child safety seat inspection provided
by CHP, renters’ assistance information by the Franchise Tax Board, and
other informational booths representing the city, as well as numerous
local community and commercial organizations," the Assemblymember noted.

Entertainment includes the Burbank High School Dance Team, the John
Burroughs High School Choir, The Red Chair School of Performing Arts,
Showcamp, the Media City Ballet, the Silverangel Singers from the
Burbank Jocelyn Center, Shakespeare at Play, and local bands "Without
Warning," "Indetention" and "Skin & Bones" presented by the Burbank
Music Academy.

Besides the City of Burbank and the local Boys and Girls Club, the
Community Block Party is sponsored by NBC Universal, Woodbury
University, L.A. Care Health Plan, Glendale Community College, Walt
Disney Corporation, State Farm Insurance, Curves Burbank NE, Burbank
Airport Marriott, Keller Williams Realty, Pickwick Gardens, Southern
California Gas Company, Burbank Firefighters Local 778, Union Bank of
California, Costco Wholesale, and the Burbank Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about this event, please contact Assemblymember
Krekorian’s District Service Office at 818-240-6330. The event is
free and open to all.

Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) represents the cities of
Burbank and Glendale, and the Los Angeles communities of Atwater
Village, Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley
Glen, Valley Village and Van Nuys.

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