Author: Vasilian Manouk

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER: FINDING SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICTS IN THE CAUCASUS IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE

ArmRadio – Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 4 2007

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer declare din Tbilisi
today that "finding solution to the conflicts in Georgia and the wider
Caucasus is of vital importance for the security of the Euro-Atlantic
region."

Speaking at the Tbilisi State University, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said
" NATO has repeatedly expressed its support for the independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and its other Partner
countries in the Caucasus."

"But the mandate and expertise to try and resolve the conflicts in this
region rest with the OSCE and the UN, not with NATO. And the Alliance
does not seek stronger involvement," the Secretary General noted.

Group holds closed-door meeting to discuss ADL involvement

Ian B. Murphy/Staff Writer

Thu Oct 04, 2007, 06:50 AM EDT

BOSTON – Lexington’s No Place For Hate steering committee met behind
close doors Monday with Anti-Defamation League (ADL) regional director
Andrew Tarsy in an effort to gather as much information as possible
before it must decide its own fate.
The Board of Selectmen will discuss whether the committee should
disassociate with the ADL at its Oct. 15 meeting. Selectmen heard
pleas from several Armenian-Americans at their previous meeting Sept.
24. The Armenians objected the national ADL’s position on the Armenian
genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turks during World War I, and ask
the town to sever its ties with No Place For Hate, which is sponsored
by the ADL.
On Monday, three Armenian-American residents were turned away from the
steering committee’s meeting, prompting questions as to whether No
Place For Hate violated open meeting laws. Those laws affect
governmental bodies and town committees, and the No Place For Hate
committee is neither though it consists of town employees and elected
officials, it has a page in the annual town report, and it has
information on the town’s Web site, according to Town Manager Carl
Valente.
Valente said that since Lexington occasionally asks No Place For Hate
to reach out to victims of hate crimes, citing when an Asian woman was
brutally beaten in Lexington Center earlier this year as an example,
its often better to keep victims’ names out of the public eye.
"They’re not part of the town government," said Valente. "Because of
the confidential nature of their work, they felt they’d be more
effective outside of the town structure."
Monday’s meeting, however, contained no confidential information of
that sort. According to Linda Vine, Lexington’s assistant town manager
and a member of the group, she asked the people to leave because she
felt their presence would hinder frank discussion among the No Place
For Hate steering committee members.
"We felt we needed a meeting where we could just sit and hash this all
out," said Vine. "We were fact-gathering, and the steering committee
wanted an opportunity to ask questions of [Tarsy] and Jen Smith [No
Place For Hate’s program coordinator], and to have an opportunity for
the group to talk among the membership."
Vine said the steering committee had already had a meeting with the
Armenian community, and now it was Tarsy and the ADL’s turn.
According to Tarsy, he had no knowledge that any Lexington residents
had been turned away from the meeting, and there were no secret doings
behind close doors. He was simply there to answer questions about the
ADL and its stance on the genocide.
"I explained ADL’s point of view on the issue, and I was there to
answer questions and that was about it," said Tarsy. "It was a very
ordinary conversation. We’re obviously talking to a lot of people
about this."
When asked what made the ADL’s involvement in what is supposed to be a
local, grassroots anti-hate organization, he pointed to the years of
experience the ADL has had of understanding and diffusing difficult
situations.
"The content and substance of the [No Place For Hate] program is an
ADL creation," said Tarsy. "We have been advising and assisting
localities in creating anti-bias programs all over the state. In many
places, there was nothing before them [providing the same function]. I
think we bring a lot of expertise, and a lot of personal involvement.
It’s very hands on, very practical."
In a statement from the Armenian National Committee of Eastern
Massachusetts after the meeting, Lexington resident Bella
Khachatourian said, "The closed door meeting today erodes the faith
that we as residents of Lexington have in the process."
Vine said that there was no ill-will intended towards the Armenian
community, and no secret goings-on to hide, but she understood why the
Armenian residents were upset.
"Underneath it all, I guess it’s a trust issue," she said.

Source: 252

SECOND STAGE FINANCIAL MARKET REFORMS UNDERWAY IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo Agency, Armenia
Oct 3 2007

ArmInfo. The second stage of the Armenian financial market reforms is
underway, Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan said
at the Armenian parliament, presenting the draft law on securities
market and the related package of draft laws in the first reading,
Wednesday.

T.Sargsyan said the reforms are aimed at transition from the the
securities market regulation system to the concept of commercial
system. He added that up to this moment, the American model
has been used as a basis of reforming the securities market in
Armenia. Now the government proposes transition to the European
model. In particular, this implies several changes in the organized
securities market. Firstly, the stock market should include the
companies that make initial public offerings (IPO) or have quoted
securities. In other words, the matter concerns the companies, which
publicly collect free cash on their own initiative. Secondly, banks
and credit organizations should have the right to take a direct part
in the securities market without any additional license. Given that
now commercial banks are the key players in the securities market,
this change may have a real impact on development of the equity market.

There should be a single-whole policy of control and regulation of
financial institutions, and this is extremely important to small
countries. T.Sargsyan thinks that this will help avoiding new risks
that may expand from the securities market to the credit one, then to
the insurance market and, finally, affect the whole financial market
of the country. The Central Securities Depositary is to serve also
as a commercial organization contributing to attraction of foreign
investments.

Armenia has already signed a memorandum of mutual understanding with
the Swedish exchange operator OMX whereby the company became the
owner of the Central Securities Depositary and the Armenian Exchange.

Under the memorandum, the Swedish company is to participate in the
development of the republic’s financial market. This required changes
in the legislation of Armenia i.e. transition to the European model
of the securities market regulation. Particularly, the experience
of Estonia and Slovenia was used. As a result, a number of items
have been included in the law, which made the regulation of the
securities market more flexible and efficient. In its turn, this will
allow the Armenian financial market getting integrated into European
stock exchanges. In particular, this will allow Armenian companies
selling their shares in the leading European stock exchanges without
additional serious funds. According to the CB research, at the moment,
20 Armenian companies, which dealt with OMX, have been allowed to
this program. The draft law also solves the problem of compulsory
registration of companies’ issue prospectus only in case of public
offerings and stock floatation.

At the same time, there are more exceptions which aim to facilitate
the companies’ activity. In addition, more serious attention will be
paid to the companies which are to make IPO. The draft law stipulates
a programmed issue of shares, which is banned by the current law.

This means that a joint-stock company has the right to submit one
application to the regulating body for issue of shares, as well
as the time and volume of the issue, and not to apply constantly
to the regulator with the same request. The circle of professional
participants also increases in the market due to banks and credit
organizations.

Thus, 5 companies have already issued their bonds. The order of
internal safety of the issued securities and the responsibility
for price abuse has already been established. The Central Securities
Depositary serves as a joint-stock company, and its activity is subject
to licensing by the regulating body. This will allow the Central
Securities Depositary becoming a profit organization, which will lead
to attraction of investments and development of the financial market.

The parliament approved the draft law in the first reading.

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF HUNGARY HAS ETHNIC SOVEREIGNTY

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 2 2007

The Armenian community of Hungary has ethnic sovereignty, stated
the ambassador of Armenia to Austria, Hungary, Czech and Slovakia
(residence in Vienna) Ashot Hovakimyan in a news conference on
Tuesday. "Hungary is the only European country with such a precedent,"
he said, News Armenia reported.

According to Ambassador Hovakimyan, the Armenian community counts
about 3000, it has a history of centuries and is a traditional ethnic
minority.

STATEMENT OF US FORMER SECRETARY OF STATES IS AIMED AT PROTECTION OF US INTERESTS FIRST OF ALL: AZERBAIJANI FM

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 2 2007

ArmInfo. "The statement of US former Secretaries of State is aimed
at protection of the United States’ interests, first of all. They
are experiences politicians and, making such statements, they
think about protection of the USA’s interests. Their activity as
Secretaries of State allows to talk of their professionalism, Head
of the press-service of Azerbaijani FM Hazar Ibragim said at today’s
briefing, the Day.az reports.

He also said that the US Congress should also come forward in this
context. "Very often, the congressmen, influenced by the Armenian
lobby and a number of other factors, take decisions, which are aimed
against Azerbaijan", H. Ibragim said. He added that the "euphoria of
the Armenian lobby remained in the past, and it cannot but trouble
the Armenian authorities". "Strategic relations are observed today
between Azerbaijan and the USA. If compare the USA-Armenia relations
with the USA-Azerbaijan ones, it becomes clear that the latters are
much ahead", H. Ibragim said.

"I REGRET IT," DINK’S MURDERER SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2007 14:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The second trial for the murder of Agos newspaper
editor-in-chief, Hrant Dink was held yesterday at Istanbul’s Fourth
High Criminal Court.

The suspect in the murder, Ogun Samast, was brought to the court with
an official vehicle bearing a sticker which said, "either love it or
leave it."

"I took an ecstasy pill from Yasin Hayal on the day of the murder. I
did not know Hrant Dink had a family, I regret it," the accused stated.

The trial was not open to the press as the suspect is under the age of
18. Samast claimed that Yasin Hayal threatened him and his family. "We
planned the event with Erhan and Yasin. Yasin knew that Erhan was a
police informer; so he told me not to speak about all of the details
when he was around."

The next court session is due February 11, 2008, Sabah newspaper
reports.

Hrant Dink was gunned January 19, 2007 at his newspaper premises in
Istanbul. Ogun Samast and a dozen of Trabzon residents were detained
a day later.

The prosecution demands a life sentence for the murderer and 18-24
years of imprisonment for the other involved.

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
Email: [email protected]

DR. GEORGE BOURNOUTIAN TO SPEAK
ON TIGRAN THE GREAT IN TWO LA TALKS

Dr. George Bournoutian will give two Los Angeles-area
lectures and book signings in connection with the publication of his
newest work, Tigranes II and Rome. Bournoutian will speak at Abril
Books, 415 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA, on Saturday, October 6, at 8:00
p.m.; and at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105 Mission Hills Road,
Mission Hills, CA, on Sunday, October 7, at 4:00 p.m. The talks will be
co-sponsored by the hosting organizations and the National Association
for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).

Tigranes II and Rome is the first English translation of an
important work of Armenian historiography and was recently published as
part of Mazda Publishers Armenian Studies Series with a major grant from
NAASR and other funders.

Speaker To Draw Timely Comparisons

In this lecture, Bournoutian will also draw comparisons
between Roman and U.S. imperialism in the Middle East, as well as
consider the varying historical pictures of Tigranes in Armenian and
non-Armenian sources.

Bournoutian is also the author or translator of numerous
other books, including A Concise History of the Armenian People (2002),
Two Chronicles on the History of Karabagh (2004), and The Travel
Accounts of Simeon of Poland (2007). He is Senior Professor of History
at Iona College and has taught Armenian history at Columbia University,
Tufts University, New York University, Rutgers University, the
University of Connecticut, Ramapo College, and Glendale Community
College.

Tigranes II and Rome was written by Hakob H. Manandyan
(1873-1952) in Armenian and published in Yerevan in 1940. Manandyan
is revered as one of the major Armenian historians of his era but very
little of his work has appeared in English. His book on Tigranes
represents the first serious attempt to examine the 1st century
B.C. Armenian monarch without appealing to patriotic sentiments and
with a grounding in Greek and Roman sources.

Armenian Monarch Forged An Independent and Powerful State

Tigranes II, well-known to Armenians as Tigran the Great, is
the sole Armenian monarch who not only succeeded in unifying all the
lands inhabited by the Armenians but also extended Armenian rule into
Syria and northwestern Iran. He created an Armenian empire which lasted
for some two decades, taking the title of "King of kings," which until
then was only held by the kings of Parthia. Tigran’s greatness lay in
his attempt to forge an independent and powerful state and to break away
>From the constraints imposed upon Armenia by its geography as he tried
to free Asia Minor from Persian military and political threats in the
east and those of Rome in the west.

Making Available Work of An Important Scholar

According to Bournoutian, "the inspiration for this book
came from Dr. Nina Garsoian’s translation of Manandyan’s The Trade and
Cities of Armenia in Relation to Ancient World Trade, which is the only
other work of his in English." Bournoutian continues, "Manandyan’s
scholarship is great and he has numerous important works. I felt
students could benefit from such a translation. It may encourage others
to translate more of his works."

NAASR Board Chairman Nancy R. Kolligian stated that "NAASR
is very pleased to have helped make this important publication possible.
Dr. Bournoutian continues to make important works accessible to the
English-language reader, which has always been an important part of
NAASR’s mission. The fact that this is the first scholarly book on its
subject in English makes it all the more significant."

More information about Bournoutian’s lectures, Tigranes II
and Rome, or NAASR and its programs for the furtherance of Armenian
studies, research, and publication may be had by calling 617-489-1610,
faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing to NAASR, 395
Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

VARDAN OSKANIAN: DECISION ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF BAKU-TBILISI-AKHALKALAK-KARS RAILWAY IS OF POLITICAL CHARACTER

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 1 2007

It is clear that the decision on the construction of
Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalak-Kars railway was made due to political
conclusions with the participation of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said in an interview to "Ayrenik"
newspaper, APA reports.

He said that this project can not damage Armenian economics as well
as Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipelines.

"But this project can establish bad atmosphere in the region from
political point of view. This project aims to construct parallel
line to existing Gumru-Kars railway. As to Georgia, I should say
that no country should refuse advantageous terms related with the
reconstruction of transport system and construction of new lines.

Georgia regards this project as a communication means connecting center
with the regions besides economic development and financial profit,"
he said.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Georgian population thinks change of dictators will lead to no good
29.09.2007 14:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Representatives of the Armenian community of
Georgia, who are in Mikhael Saakashvili’s team, support the
President,’ leader of the Armenian community of Georgia, chairman of
the civil movement of multinational Georgia Arnold Stepanyan told a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

`Ordinary people, irrespective of nationality, are disappointed by the
Georgian leadership’s policy. Some 4 thousand people gathered at
Rustaveli Avenue to oppose Saakashvili rather than to support
Okruashvili,’ Stepanyan said adding that the Georgian population
thinks change of dictators will lead to no good.

Former Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was detained in
Tbilisi yesterday. He is accused under 4 articles of the Georgian
Penal Code: extortion, money laundering, abuse of authority and office
negligence.

Once being Saakashvili’s closest ally, Irakli Okruashvili went into
opposition and later accused the President of organizing the murder of
well-known businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili.

PanARMENIAN.Net

OSCE CiO: settlement of Karabakh, South Ossetian and
Transdnistrian conflicts significant
29.09.2007 14:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When addressing the 62nd session of the UN General
Assembly, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel
Angel Moratinos marked out the OSCE’s significant role in
implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions.

`The resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh, South Ossetian and
Transdnistrian conflicts is significant. It’s not enough to sign
documents. Foundation for dialogue and understanding should be
laid. Public opinion should be also taken into account,’ Mr Moratinos
said, APA reports.