Author: Varosian Antranik

SOUTH CAUCASUS SHOULD BE TURNED INTO A COMMON ECONOMIC FIELD TO ENSURE STABILITY THERE, NA DEPUTY SHIRAK TOROSIAN CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan

Nov 18, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The South Caucasian region should be
turned into a common economic field to ensure stability there. Shirak
Torosian, a RA National Assembly deputy, the Chairman of the Javakhk
compatriotic union, expressed such an opinion at the November 18 press
conference. According to him, thus the regional countries will solve
the problems of the region by keeping the mutual interests and will
ensure all-round development of all states.

According to S. Torosian’s estimation, Russia, the United States, EU,
and Turkey are interested in the South Caucasian problems today, as
each of them strives for strengthening its positions in the region,
which is very alarming for the regional countries. According to the
deputy, the main factor of creation of the unsteady situation fraught
with conflicts in the South Caucasus is Georgia with its foreign
political orientation at NATO.

And it, according to him, is not in Russia’s interests, and the latter
will do its best, even will take extreme steps, including military
operations, to prevent it.

According to S. Torosian’s prediction, to avoid such conflicts Georgia
even if temporarily should adopt a policy of renouncing the idea of
joining NATO.

MATTHEW BRYZA REFUTES INFORMATION ABOUT PREPARATION OF A "SECRET PROTOCOL"

Noyan Tapan

Nov 17, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair,
Ambassador Matthew Bryza considers the current visit of OSCE Minsk
Group Co-chairs to the region constructive and successful. He stated
this at the November 17 press conference.

Matthew Bryza refuted information about preparation of a "secret
protocol binding the Armenian side" spread by some sources. In his
words, such rumors do not correspond to reality.

He specially mentioned that the mood of the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan has considerably changed for the better after the November
2 meeting in Moscow. "Mutual respect by both Presidents constantly
grows. In order to outline the further settlement ways they start
looking at the process with each other’s eyes," the American Co-chair
stated.

Matthew Bryza assured that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs have much
work to do. In particular, the work with the Presidents and Foreign
Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be continued. "We are content
with the fact that both Presidents instructed their Foreign Ministers
to start working in the spirit of pragmatism," Matthew Bryza stated.

In his words, the most important is that none of the sides undertake
measures that can endanger the settlement process. The American
diplomat expressed deep concern with the information about the
military incident not far from Fizuli, about which he learnt the day
before. That incident once more shows the necessity to deepen the
confidence measures, as it is confidence that should help to prevent
such incidents. A. Bryza reminded that according to one of the points
of the Declaration signed in Moscow, the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict should be peaceful and political.

As regards the statements he made in Baku about the necessity to
withdraw the Armenian armed formations from the territories adjoining
Nagorno Karabakh, the American diplomat mentioned that there is a
tendency in Baku to cover any issue one-sidedly, be it the Nagorno
Karabakh problem, agricultural or some other issues. "I said in my
interview to Azeri journalists that a balanced solution is needed,
but the journalists wanted to provide information in favor of them,"
M. Bryza stated.

DIPLOMACY IN CAUCASUS TO SPEED UP, FM

Hurriyet
Nov 13 2008
Turkey

ANKARA – Foreign Minister Ali Babacan says the upcoming days will see
intense diplomatic contacts in the Caucasus and announces his Armenian
counterpart will soon visit Turkey. The visit will be a follow-up to
the landmark meeting of the two countries’ presidents

Armenia’s foreign minister, Edward Nalbandian, is expected to visit
Turkey some time soon, his Turkish counterpart, Ali Babacan, said
yesterday.

The visit will be a follow-up to the landmark meeting of the two
countries’ presidents in September.

He said the upcoming days would see intense diplomatic contacts in
the Caucasus, adding that he would visit Azerbaijan but noted that
the exact time of the visits was not certain.

Turkey presented a proposal to establish a Caucasus platform in the
wake of the Georgia-Russia war last summer. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan
are backing the Turkish initiative for stability in the region. The
platform will give Yerevan and Baku an opportunity to iron out their
differences over the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Babacan voiced support for Russia’s role in improving ties between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. "The Russian role is important. Russia
will make important contributions to the normalization of
Azerbaijani-Armenian relations," he told a joint press conference
with his visiting Algerian counterpart.

Hosted by Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev, the presidents of Azerbaijan
and Armenia, Ilham Aliyev and Serge Sarkisian met near Moscow recently
and signed a joint declaration asserting their desire for a political
settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Babacan also commented on a bilateral meeting between Sarkisian and
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who paid a landmark visit to Yerevan
in September to watch a football match between the Turkish-Armenian
national teams. He said the Armenian president did not need to wait
for another football occasion to visit Turkey and added he expected
the meeting between Sarkisian and Gul would take place in a short
period of time.

Asked about a question on a trilateral summit between the foreign
ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, Babacan said the three-way
talks occurred on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meetings
in New York and that all the sides were in agreement to press ahead
with three-way talks.

WORLD NOT TO SUFFER FROM SMALL COUNTRIES

Panorama.am
16:53 10/11/2008

"All the small nations try to declare their independence, and
especially dominant countries are furious about it," says Bakur
Karapetyan, the President of "Shushi" charitable foundation and
adds that those movements are dictated by the global development of
the world.

According to him, those nations should be declared independent to
have opportunity to choice their relationship with different countries.

B. Karapetyan says that bigger countries don’t want to accept the
independence of smaller nations; because they are afraid they will
become more and more. "To me it is wrong to think so, as even if they
grow in number world won’t suffer from it," he says.

RENOWNED MUSICIANS WILL PERFORM IN JIVAN GASPARYAN AND FRIENDS SHOW

Lragir.am
15:42:03 – 08/11/2008

A number of renowned musicians of the world will perform in Yerevan,
marking the beginning of the series of shows honoring Jivan Gasparyan.
The show will take place at the Karen Demirchyan sports and music
complex on November 11 at 7.30. Such world famous musicians as
Zucchero, Alan Parsons Live Project and the Planet X will perform,
celebrating Jivan Gasparyan’s achievements through his long career and
marking the start of a series of shows which will last till Friday,
November 14, 2008.

For the first time in the history of Armenia, stars from all over the
world will gather in our capital to perform in one evening. Besides the
abovementioned musicians, Armenia will host such stars as Pedro
Eustache, Andreas Vollenweider, Boris Grebenshikov, Yevgeni Petrosyan
and other. From Armenia Anna Mayilyan, Flora Martirosyan, Ararat
Petrosyan and Jivan Gasparyan Jr. will join them, as well as Levon
Malkhasyan’s jazz band, and the Berd and Tatul Altunyan’s dance
troupes. The hosts of the show which will last for three hours will be
Gohar Gasparyan and Dmitry Dibrov.

Zucchero, Alan Parsons Live Project and the Planet X will also have
additional concerts in Armenia. Zucchero will perform on November 12,
on November 13 Alan Parsons Live Project will perform, followed by
Derek Shirinyan and his new band, the Planet X.

BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER BRIEFED RA PRESIDENT ON EU ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.11.2008 18:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met Thursday with
EU Commissioner for External Relations, Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner
to discuss a wide scope of issues referring to regional developments
and Armenia’s progress in integration into European structures,
the RA leader’s press office reported.

Ms. Ferrero-Waldner briefed the RA President on EU assistance programs
in Armenia and voiced hope that the activities of a new-founded
EU consultation group in the republic will give an impetus to
implementation of the ENP action plan.

Earlier that day, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and
Benita Ferrero-Waldner signed an agreement on dispatch of an EU
consultation group to Armenia to promote the process of reform.

RA PRESIDENT PAYS VISIT TO BELGIUM

Noyan Tapan

Nov 6, 2008

BRUSSELS, NOVEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Within the framework of his
visit to Belgium RA President Serzh Sargsyan, on November 5, met
with Chairmen of Belgian Senate and House of Representatives Armane
de Deker and Herman van Rompo. During the meetings the President
expressed satisfaction with both bilateral political, economic and
many-sided cooperation, as well as cooperation within the framework
of international organizations.

Regional problems, Nagorno Karabakh settlement, Armenian-Turkish
political dialogue were touched upon during the meeting. S. Sargsyan
thanked the Belgian government for supporting the efforts of OSCE
Minsk Group and its constant balanced approach in the issue of Nagorno
Karabakh settlement.

S. Sargsyan also touched upon Armenian-Belgian economic partnership
mentioning that among EU countries Belgium takes a leading position
by the level of commodity circulation with Armenia.

During the meeting both sides attached importance to development of
interparliamentary contacts as an important component of deepening
bilateral relations. The sides mentioned that the latest events in
the South Caucasian region once more proved that the military way of
solving conflicts has no prospects, and the current problems should
be solved exclusively through a political dialogue.

Issues related to European Union-Armenia relations, Actions Plan
within the framework of the New Neighborhood Policy and process
of implementation of democratic and economic reforms in Armenia,
negotiations process of Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement,
Armenian-Turkish political dialogue were discussed during the
meeting with Javier Solana, the Secretary General of the Council of
the European Union. They also touched upon various issues regarding
regional security and issues of international significance, discussed
other issues related to cooperation prospects.

The sides positively estimated the process of implementation of
the Actions Plan. S. Sargsyan considered it the main basis of
Armenia-European Union cooperation presenting Armenia’s vision of
the cooperation in 2009-2010.

Considering stability and peace in the region an important precondition
for development and prosperity, J. Solana expressed support to
the negotiations process of Nagorno Karabakh settlement and to
Armenian-Turkish dialogue.

Serzh Sargsyan met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on
November 5 in Brussels. During the meeting the sides discussed issues
regarding Armenia-NATO cooperation, negotiations process of Nagorno
Karabakh settlement, Armenian-Turkish political dialogue, regional
security problems and cooperation in the sphere of implementation of
peacekeeping mission.

They highly estimated the current level of Armenia-NATO cooperation
and expressed satisfaction with the process of implementation of
the Individual Partnership Actions Plan. The latest exercises held in
Armenia were also estimated positively. S. Sargsyan attached importance
to cooperation with NATO as a component of Armenia’s security.

NATO Secretary General highly estimated the positive shifts recorded
in the issue of Armenian-Turkish dialogue and Nagorno Karabakh peaceful
settlement and expressed support to those processes.

Then S. Sargsyan met with Jacques Barrot, the Vice-Chairman of the
European Commission, the Commissioner for Justice. S. Sargsyan and
J. Barrot discussed issues regarding cooperation prospects in the issue
of court and legal reforms and fighting corruption, international legal
settlement of citizens’ readmission, possibilities of facilitating
the visa regime.

At Commissioner’s request the President of Armenia presented steps
undertaken in the direction of court and legal reforms and fighting
corruption mentioning that only the efficient combination of reforms
with intolerance to corruption in public consciousness can be a
guarantee for achieving the desired results.

The European Commission Commissioner for Justice expressed readiness
to provide proper expert and technical assistance to the efforts and
initiatives undertaken by the Armenian authorities in this sphere.

Various issues regarding legal-contractual sphere between the Republic
of Armenia and the European Union were also touched upon during the
meeting of Serzh Sargsyan and Jacques Barrot.

The RA President also met with the Commissioners for Transport and
Trade in the European Commission.

During the meeting with Antonio Tajan, the European Commissioner for
Traffic and Transport, Serzh Sargsyan in detail presented Armenia’s
initiatives aimed at developing alternative ways of regional
communication.

The Commissioner welcomed both the initiative of building Iran-Armenia
railway and the agreements achieved between the Presidents of Armenia
and Georgia on construction of new alternative ways connecting the
two countries.

The sides agreed to make active the joint work in the issue of
development of the regional communication network.

The subject of discussion with Catherine Ashton, the European
Commissioner for External Trade, was the process of our country’s
joining the Free Trade Agreement.

The President stressed Armenia’s willingness to sign such an agreement
with the European Union as soon as possible. Catherine Ashton proposed
continuing the discussions in that direction and providing expert
assistance in a new format. An agreement was reached to establish an
exact schedule of the process during the Commissioner’s coming visit
to Armenia.

S. Sargsyan had meetings with representatives of the Armenian community
of Belgium in the evening of November 5 in the hall of the La Plaza
hotel in Brussels.

The same day President S. Sargsyan also visited the RA Embassy in
the Kingdom of Belgium, met with a group of deputies of the European
Parliament.

SCHIFF HEADED FOR RE-ELECTION
By Dan Abendschein

Pasadena Star-News
176
Nov 5 2008
CA

Incumbent Rep. Adam Schiff appeared headed for re-election Tuesday
night in the 29th Congressional District, early returns showed.

Reached by phone – and with only preliminary results in for his race
– Schiff, D-Pasadena, said he was more elated by Sen. Barack Obama’s
presidential victory than by his own early lead.

"I am thrilled to have the chance to work with the president-elect,"
said Schiff, an early Obama supporter. "This is a historic moment
for the nation."

The largely Democratic district gave the party’s last presidential
candidate, John Kerry, 61 percent of the vote in 2004.

Schiff’s Republican opponent, Charles Hahn, a financial advisor from
Burbank, ran heavily on his opposition to the $700 billion financial
bailout bill, which Schiff voted for.

He also advocated eradicating inheritance taxes and reforming Social
Security to give more retirement money to teachers. If elected,
he vowed, he also would push for tort reform to make it harder for
patients to sue health-care providers.

But Hahn might have alienated Armenian Americans in the district after
receiving campaign contributions from a group that has criticized
Schiff for pushing federal legislation to officially recognize the
Armenian genocide.

Also running was Libertarian candidate Alan Pyeatt, who carried the
banner for traditional Libertarian positions – protecting civil
liberties, minimizing military commitments abroad, and cutting
government spending.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

November 04, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

ASSEMBLY CONGRATULATES OBAMA-BIDEN VICTORY
HAILS END OF ANTI-EVANS DOCTRINE, ANTI-ISOLATION POLICY AND NEW ERA FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENOCIDE PREVENTION

Washington, DC – "Change" – it has been the driving theme of the 2008
Presidential election with both candidates promising to change how
things are done in Washington. Across the board on issues important to
Armenian-Americans and their friends, Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and
Joseph Biden Jr. (D-DE) in their rhetoric and their records represented
positive change, bringing the United States back in line with the
historic principles that made our country great and the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly) congratulates them on a hard fought
election victory. This release will be updated as developments continue
to unfold, including with respect to the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues.

Several key issues to the Armenian-American community include reversing
the Anti-Evans Doctrine, ending attempts to isolate Armenia, ending
genocide denial, ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights
consistently around the world, and a peaceful and just resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. While Senator John McCain was an early
supporter of self-determination and fundamental freedoms for the people
of Nagorno Karabakh, in recent years he sided with Turkey and Azerbaijan
to oppose reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide and turned a blind eye
to Azerbaijan’s human rights record.

"By all accounts this was an historic election which provides a
tremendous opportunity for all Americans," stated Assembly Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. "The new Administration will have a far-reaching
impact over the next four years. The Assembly looks forward to the
immediate revocation of the Anti-Evans Doctrine, and in its place ensure
that all U.S. diplomatic and foreign policy personnel are made fully
aware of the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide and are allowed
to speak the truth freely," continued Bryan Ardouny.

The Anti-Evans Doctrine was formulated by the Bush Administration to
remove Ambassador John M. Evans after he acknowledged the Armenian
Genocide in 2005. Ambassador Evans’ statement, however, was consistent
with former President Ronald Reagan’s 1981 affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, as well as George W. Bush’s acknowledgement by reference to
the International Center for Transitional Justice analysis on the
Armenian Genocide. In 2007, the Armenian Assembly bestowed upon
Ambassador Evans the distinguished Henry Morgenthau Award for
Meritorious Public Service. The award, established in 1996, recognizes
those individuals who exemplify the courage embodied by Ambassador Henry
Morgenthau, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire
during the time of the Genocide. Morgenthau was the first American to
alert the world of the Armenian Genocide and later established the Near
East Relief Society to help provide relief assistance for the survivors.

Ambassador Evans’ remarks were also consistent with President George W.
Bush’s campaign promise, U.S. policy and legal precedents. However, the
Bush Administration removed Evans for his public acknowledgement of the
Armenian Genocide and disallowed State Department officials from
accurately reflecting U.S. policy. Ambassador Evans is currently working
on a much anticipated book regarding his experience.

The Obama-Biden ticket has consistently demonstrated a rejection of the
Bush Administration’s fundamentally flawed policy on this critical human
rights issue. Specifically, during their tenure in the U.S. Senate and
with respect to the removal of U.S. Ambassador John M. Evans, and the
subsequent nominations that ensued, both Senator Obama and Senator Biden
have pressed for affirmation of the Genocide.

Last week Senator Obama stated "Joe Biden and I believe that the
Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point
of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an
overwhelming body of historical evidence." Senator Biden as Chairman of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee not only cosponsored S.Res. 106,
the Armenian Genocide resolution, but also spearheaded legislation,
S.Res. 65, honoring the legacy of Hrant Dink and calling for the repeal
of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which punishes discussion of
the Armenian Genocide. Senator Biden has a career long commitment of
integrity on Armenian issues.

Over the course of the U.S. Presidential race, Turks and Azeris panicked
over the prospect of the election. A senior foreign official issued a
warning to both campaigns that the U.S.-Turkey partnership would end if
they supported affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey has bluffed
before and other countries have called Turkey’s bluff. Given Senator
Obama’s and Senator Biden’s strong record with respect to affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide Given, Turkey should heed calls to come to terms
with its genocidal legacy.

The Assembly also expressed the expectation that the Bush "Anti-Evans
Doctrine," which penalized the mere acknowledgement of the Armenian
Genocide by U.S. diplomats will be summarily revoked. In a separate
letter to the Bush Administration, the Assembly specifically requested
that the Bush Administration revoke this fundamentally flawed policy
prior to the inauguration of the next President, and called on the
Administration to instead embrace former President Ronald Reagan’s
policy of Genocide affirmation. This Administration, as Reagan’s did,
can avoid the annual exercise of congressional consideration of a
genocide resolution by simply using their constitutional powers to
reaffirm U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

To view a comprehensive record of the Obama-Biden ticket with respect to
Armenian issues, please visit the Assembly Website. In addition, the
Assembly will issue a comprehensive analysis of the congressional races
and notes that at the time of this release, Armenian Caucus Members with
some exceptions are faring well. Long-time Armenian issues supporter
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been projected the
winner, while supporters Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and John Sununu
(R-NH) are projected to lose their re-election bids.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR#2008-080

GDP INCREASED BY 10,3 PERCENT

AZG Armenian Daily
04/11/2008

Economy

Armenian GDP increased by 10,3 percent to AMD 2 trillion 604 billion
602,7 million (about 8 billion 516,8 million USD) in January-September,
2008, compared with the same period of last year. The index-deflator
of GDP was 110,5 percent.

According to the Armenian National Statistical Service, in
January-September of 2008 the volume of industrial output increased
by 3,4 percent to AMD 570 billion 232,2 million compared with the
same period of last year.

Volume of gross agriculture output grew by 4,2 percent to AMD 474
billion 331,4 million.

Volume of construction increased by 12,1 percent to AMD 604 billion
295,4 million.

Retail trade turnover rose by 7,5 percent to AMD 690 billion 58,7
million, volume of services -14,5 percent to AMD 523 billion 14
million.

External trade turnover increased by 27,2 percent to USD 3 billion
837 million.

Export decreased by 1,8 percent to USD 813,8 million, import increased
by 38,3 percent to USD 3 billion 23,2 million, "Noyan Tapan" reported.