Author: Vasilian Manouk

EXPERT: WASHINGTON GOING TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH IRAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.07.2007 14:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Near East is of great interest for
Washington. It specifically refers to the Caucasus, Professor of
international relations and politics of the Universidad de San Andres
in Buenos Aires, Dr Khachik Ter-Ghukassian said in an interview with
PanARMENIAN.Net.

"The U.S. is perfectly aware that war with Iran will redouble
instability in the region while Washington needs "an arc of stability"
from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. First of all, it concerns
oil. The U.S. stands for cooperation but the situation is tensed,
if not explosive. Although, Washington has intentions to improve
relations with Iran.

However, certain difficulties may cause internal developments in
the Caucasus. It’s quite possible that the map of the Near East may
change. Anyway, there are some preconditions for it. The U.S. plans
a "mild" division of Iraq with further formation of independent
Kurdistan. At the same time I should stress that U.S. presence in
Iraq doesn’t alleviate tension.

Unfortunately, the Arab world lacks either political or intellectual
force capable to change the situation," he said.

Armenia Tree Project
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE (8733)
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
July 16, 2007

ATP Experts Visit Lebanon to Help Start a New Program in Armenian Village of
Aanjar
By Bella Avetisyan and Rebecca Jarvis

Two senior Armenia Tree Project (ATP) staff members from Yerevan–Anahit
Gharibyan and Samvel Ghandilyan–were invited to Lebanon this Spring to
provide training for a new tree planting project founded by the Initiative
for Biodiversity Studies in Arid Regions (IBSAR) at the American University
of Beirut (AUB). IBSAR was launched in 2002 by AUB faculty who are working
to protect semi-arid ecosystems and promote their sustainable use and
conservation.

The purpose of the visit was to share ATP’s methodology and practical
experience in establishing tree nurseries and community tree planting
initiatives. It was the first time ATP specialists had provided
international training and consultation based upon the organization’s 13
years of professional experience and knowledge. The ATP specialists helped
IBSAR establish a nursery in the village of Aanjar, supervised a local tree
planting initiative, and met with university students to discuss protecting
the Baabda Forest.

IBSAR’s mission is to launch activities in research, development, training,
and information exchange to promote the conservation of biodiversity in arid
regions, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa. They have partnered
with organizations such as ATP in other regions to have a more global
perspective.

ATP specialists were contacted by Arbi Sarkissian, IBSAR Outreach Project
Coordinator and Research Assistant, who organized the visit. `The visiting
ATP experts pointed out the need for us to reach out to poorer communities
in need of activities that have potential economic incentives for the
locals,’ explained Sarkissian. `Hence, our hopes are to use Aanjar as a
research and training center where experienced members can teach others the
basics of tree production, nursery managing, tree planting, and monitoring.’

What ATP’s visit demonstrated, he added, is that `the potential for
reforestation in Lebanon depends largely on community participation and
long-term management and monitoring of trees’ and that `site preparation and
proper planning are essential for making reforestation and community tree
planting successful.’

Based on his experience establishing and managing ATP’s nurseries in Karin
and Khachpar, Samvel Ghandilyan presented detailed information about how to
set up a nursery. The next step was to travel to Aanjar and help create the
nursery. Later there was a presentation at the St. Paul Church to explain
ATP’s mission and programs. During the meeting, which was attended by 70
residents, mostly youth, an announcement was made about the community tree
planting being organized the following day.

Aanjar is an exclusively Armenian village with population of about 2,000
people. It has a city hall, public center, cafes and restaurants, as well as
historical ruins dating back to the Roman Empire. The village was founded in
1939 when the French, who owned the land, gave it to the Turks. The
Armenians who had been living there settled in tents on the desert-like land
they called Aanjar–which in Arabic means `water holes emerging from rocks.’

Over time, buildings were constructed and the village began to organize its
institutions. In 1947 about half of the population of Aanjar moved to
Armenia. The remaining residents transformed the village into an area
covered with fruit trees and forested zones. During the Lebanese Civil War,
Aanjar was a relatively safe place to live, and it became a shelter for
thousands of Lebanese Armenians.

Gharibyan and Ghandilyan met with agricultural engineer Yesayi Havatian, who
is a member of the Aanjar Development Committee. Havatian organized a tour
of the village and introduced the ATP representatives to the architect of
the village, Karo Antonian, who was given responsibility for establishing
the tree nursery in Aanjar.

The following morning 30 Judas trees (Cercis siliquastrum) and 10 Syrian
maples (Acer syriacum) were brought from AUB’s Agricultural Research
Environmental Center (AREC) and planted on a specially prepared plot. The
villagers–including many children who wanted to become stewards of the
environment–helped to dig holes and followed instructions from ATP and
local specialists. The adults showed the children how to properly plant and
care for the seedlings in order to grow healthy and strong trees.

Shortly thereafter, Gharibyan and Ghandilyan traveled to Beirut where they
were invited to the Agricultural Landscaping Department for a presentation
on projects aimed at preserving the Baabda Forest. The Baabda Forest issue
is very similar to that of the Shikahogh Reserve, which Armenian citizens
with the help of the Diaspora, successfully saved from destruction by a
planned highway in 2005. The forest of Baabda is situated east of Beirut,
and it is the closest woodland to the capital with open land spaces, shaded
areas, rich biodiversity, and unique wildlife.

When the government announced plans to build a highway through the densely
grown forest, students were given the task of presenting alternatives for
the preservation the magnificent forest. The best plans for protecting
Baabda Forest will be presented to the Lebanese government.

`It was an honor to be the first ambassadors of ATP in a foreign country,’
stated Gharibyan. `We had a wonderful time in an atmosphere of friendship
and amazing hospitality. We met with Lebanese families with beautiful
traditions and enjoyed the company of highly educated people.’

Ghandilyan said, `I am happy that we could share with IBSAR our knowledge
and experience, which came as a result of many years work in establishing
nurseries and implementing tree-planting projects. And I am very grateful to
all those who helped make our visit to Lebanon so interesting and
productive. It was really an unforgettable adventure.’

About Armenia Tree Project (ATP)

Based in Watertown and Yerevan, ATP has made enormous strides in combating
desertification in the biologically diverse but threatened Caucasus region.
Over 1.5 million trees have been planted and restored, and hundreds of jobs
have been created for Armenians in seasonal tree-regeneration programs.

ATP works to further Armenia’s economic and social development by mobilizing
resources to fund reforestation as these vital new trees provide food, wood,
environmental benefits, and opportunities for economic growth.

To enhance public awareness of Armenia’s critical environmental challenges,
ATP co-produced, with several partner organizations, a series of documentary
films aired on Armenian TV and viewable online at ATP’s Web site:

PHOTO CAPTION: ATP staff Anahit Gharibyan (pictured right) and Samvel
Ghandilyan were invited to Lebanon to provide training for a new tree
planting project founded by the Initiative for Biodiversity Studies in Arid
Regions at the American University of Beirut; the program was lunched with a
planting by children and other residents in the Armenian village of Aanjar

Bella Avetisyan is ATP’s Outreach Coordinator and Rebecca Jarvis is a summer
volunteer for ATP in Armenia.

VARTAN OSKANIAN MET WITH OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS

armradio.am
11.07.2007 13:42

On July 10 in Paris RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with
the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov and Bernard
Fassier. The meeting was attended by the Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk and representative of
the US Department of State Elizabeth Rood.

During the meeting the results of the Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents in Saint Petersburg were assessed.

OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY CALLS ON OSCE COUNTRIES TO FULFILL INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS

A1+
[07:55 pm] 09 July, 2007

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly ended its 16th Annual Session in
Kyiv today by adopting a Declaration that expresses regret at the
lack of progress in resolving so-called ‘frozen conflicts’ in the
OSCE region and recommends strengthened action in several fields
including migration and energy and environmental security.

The Kyiv Declaration, representing the collective voice of OSCE
parliamentarians, will be sent to the governments of all 56 OSCE
participating States. It is the result of five days of work by the
250 parliamentarians participating in the Annual Session in the
Ukrainian capital.

The Declaration expresses support for all efforts to achieve a peaceful
settlement of the ‘frozen conflicts’ in Moldova and Georgia based on
the principles of territorial integrity.

Reaffirming the crucial importance of all democratic values,
the Declaration calls on Belarus and governments of other OSCE
participating States to pursue their international commitments and
principles linked to the notion of each being a free and democratic
country.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, addressed the meeting.

The Declaration urges all OSCE participating States to sign and
ratify the Energy Charter Treaty and the Kyoto Protocol. It also
calls for greater action on migration and against human trafficking,
especially children, and for the dismantling of criminal networks
which facilitate illegal migration. In addition, it contains provisions
on women, peace and security; cluster bombs; environmental security;
human rights and intolerance.

The Declaration emphasizes that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is the
OSCE’s most valuable asset in enhancing the credibility of the OSCE’s
efforts to promote democracy and the establishment and improvement
of parliamentary institutions.

It reiterates the relevance of OSCE Electoral Observation Missions and
states that parliamentarians contribute a wide range of professional
political experience and visibility to these missions.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Goran Lennmarker of Sweden was
re-elected unanimously to a second one-year term. The Parliamentary
Assembly also elected Anne-Marie Lizin, Belgium; Jerry Grafstein,
Canada; Kimmo Kiljunen, Finland; and Panos Kammenos, Greece as Vice
Presidents and Hans Raidel, Germany as Treasurer.

THE BEST OF THE WEEK’S ACTION
The Daily Record
Published: Jul 07, 2007

GOLF: SCOTTISH OPEN BBCTWO, THURSDAY

Several of the world’s leading players descend on Loch Lomond this week
for the Scottish Open, the traditional warm-up event for the Open.

The tournament is one of the most prestigious in its own right, but the
top-class field will also be keen to get their game in order ahead of
the third Major of the year at Carnoustie. Johan Edfors continued a
remarkable 2006 by taking the title last year and the Swede is back to
defend his title, although he will also face stiff opposition from many
leading lights. Phil Mickelson (left) has decided to test his wrist
injury by making the journey across the Atlantic to play, aiming to
better his highest position here of seventh. The left-hander has been
hampered by his injury for much of the year and may not be among the
favourites this week, but the experience of playing four rounds here
should stand him in good stead for next week.

Other notable entrants include two-time champion Ernie Els, Colin
Montgomerie – the last British winner in 1999 – and Luke Donald. Monty
was disappointed with his performance at the US Open – where he missed
the cut – and will be hoping to get back on track among his ain folk.

But his great aim still remains – to win that elusive first Major.

WIMBLEDON 2007 SUNDAY, BBC ONE

Sue Barker introduces coverage of the men’s singles final at the All
England Club, won by Roger Federer for the last four years.

The Swiss star (right) has dominated the Grand Slam since his last
defeat here in 2002 and started the tournament as favourite to become
the first man since Bjorn Borg to win five consecutive titles. Federer
has broken many records in recent years and has reached the last eight
Grand Slam singles finals, as he closes on Pete Sampras’s record of
seven Wimbledon singles titles.

LIVEINTERNATIONALCRICKET SATURDAY, SKY SPORTS 1

The West Indies’ tour of England reaches a conclusion with the final
one-day international at Trent Bridge.

The tour hasn’t exactly been regarded as a success, with few Windies
players covering themselves in glory, including one-day captain Chris
Gayle, who has been censored for his comments regarding the captaincy
by the West Indian Cricket Board.

England came out on top in the Test series and they could be forgiven
for having one eye on the series against India. That challenge should
be a tougher one than they have faced this year and several players
know there are places in the Test squad up for grabs.

With the bowling attack still not quite firing on all cylinders, and
opener Andrew Strauss under pressure to perform, a good performance by
the likes of Stuart Broad could force the selectors into changes for
the First Test.

RUGBY SAT, SKY SPORTS 2

Australia and South Africa face each other in the fourth match in this
year’s Tri-Nations series at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney. The
Springboks have taken a weakened side Down Under, much to the
Wallabies’ dismay, with both sides keen to test their squads ahead of
the World Cup.

BOXING FRI, SKY SPORTS 1

Coverage of the bout between Armenian Leva Kirakosyan and Carl
Johanneson of Leeds for the European Super Featherweight title at the
Metrodome Sports Centre in Barnsley.

PanARMENIAN.Net

A festival dedicated to Marc Chagall to be held in Yerevan 7-17 July
07.07.2007 13:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A festival will be held in Yerevan dedicated to the
120th anniversary of famous painter Marc Chagall 7-17 July. `Taking
into account the utmost necessity and actuality, as well as importance
that OSCE gives to issues concerning tolerance, nondiscrimination,
struggle against xenophobia and spread of tolerance principles in
modern world community, the OSCE Yerevan Office together with state
and non-governmental organizations of Armenia, including `Menora’
Cultural Center, supports and in every way assists the realization of
a long-term project, titled `Through Culture to Tolerance’,’ Head of
OSCE Yerevan Office Jeannette Kloetzer stated.

Presentation of a book by Karen Grigoryan entitled `Marc Chagall’ and
premier of a short film -`Angel under Roofs’ (music by Armenian
composer Villy Veiner) is scheduled in the framework of the
festival. V. Veiner said, the Armenian nation has unique traditions
of ancient national culture, music, architecture and fine
arts… `This nation has a highest taste for everything beautiful and
is capable to estimate the real culture at its true worth. Not long
ago together with Armenia the whole world marked the 100th anniversary
of world-famous Aram Khachaturian. Today Armenia pays tribute to great
Chagall together with the whole world,’ the composer underscored
during his interview to the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist.

RE-OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER TO CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVEMENT OF SITUATION IN REGION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 6 2007

YEREVAN, July 6. /ARKA/. The re-opening of the Armenian-Turkish border
will contribute to the improvement of the situation in the region, said
Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan during his report
on "Modern condition of Armenian-Turkish relations" within the Summer
School in Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, on July 1-8, 2007.

He pointed out that because of having only two open borders with
Georgia and Iran, the Armenian economy has changed its infrastructure,
and the country as a whole only depends on transportations, mainly
through Poti and Batoumi harbors.

"The railroad with Turkey, built in the soviet times and through which
humanitarian cargo used to arrive in Armenia in the first years of
independence, does not operate any more," he said.

In this connection Kirakosyan said that the re-opening of this branch
of the railroad may contribute to the development of the regional
economic cooperation, improvement of the political atmosphere in the
region. He added that negotiations were conducted on the non-levy of
tariffs for transit transportations to Georgia.

"If the heads of Turkey and Azerbaijan solved the issue in the
political sphere, it would have been a positive economic step for
Georgia from the viewpoint of railroad communication with Turkey," he
said and added that instead the agreement on constructing Kars-Tbilisi
railway, again by-passing Armenia, was signed.

In this connection Kirakosyan pointed out that, in fact, Armenia’s
blockade continues and that Armenian businessmen bear enough losses
for the turnover being executed through third countries.

"However, there exist non-official economic relations between Armenia
and Turkey, but the trade balance is not big – it does not exceed
$100mln per year," he said.

On February 7, 2007, in Tbilisi, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey
signed an international framework agreement on creating international
transport railroad corridor Kars-Tbilisi-Baku, which envisages
construction of a 98-km railroad, as well as rehabilitation of the
railroad Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi.

The project costs $600mln. The annual cargo traffic by
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railroad corridor will make 2-3mln tons during the
first years with the perspective of being increased up to 5-8mln tons.

The USA does not approve of the project, as it will contribute to
Armenia’s economic isolation in the region.

The railroad joining the Armenian city of Gyumri and Turkish city of
Kars stopped operating in 1993.

The Armenian-Turkish border closed inn 1993 on the initiative of
official Ankara. These countries have no diplomatic relations.

HOW IS PEOPLE’S DIPLOMACY EXERCISED VARDAN GRIGORYAN

Hayots Ashkharh Daily – Armenia
06 July 07

The atmosphere of shock and the attempts to charge the activists
of educational and cultural sphere with treachery, prevalent in
Azerbaijan, after the visit of Armenian and Azerbaijani intellectuals
to Nagorno Karabakh, Yerevan and Baku are gradually followed by rather
discreet and realistic evaluations.

Moreover, as the rector of the Slovenian University in Baku Kyamal
Abdullah says lots of people call him, expressing a desire to arrange
another visit to Nagorno Karabakh. This means people become more and
more inclined to establishing bridges of dialogue between the two
countries or simply to satisfy their curiosity.

But the latest announcements of Azerbaijani intellectuals and mostly
the state officials that improved the undertaking prove that the
principle achievement of the visit of the delegation headed by Polad
Byulbyulogly and the stipulation to continue this policy is based on
quite different starting point, from the point of view of Azerbaijan.

Firstly it is observed as an attempt of elaborating a new model
of relations with Nagorno Karabakh, which is well known in the
international practice as "mild policy".

It is not accidental that recently Azerbaijani analysts, in detail,
touch upon the fact of the triumph of the USA over the Soviet Union
through economic competition in the " cold war". This exemplary
experience is observed as a wonderful opportunity to be triumphant
in Armenian – Azerbaijani confrontation without blood, taking into
account the increase of oil profits and in general Azerbaijan’s wider
economic opportunities.

The following idea is advanced in such circumstances – the denial of
direct ties with Nagorno Karabakh is not the best method to possess
it, as the isolation barrier interferes with the strengthening of
the so-called pro-Azerbaijani dispositions there. Particularly,
substantiating the inevitability of the visit of Azerbaijani
intellectuals to Nagorno Karabakh from the point of view of solving
the problem of "Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity", Rector of the
Slovenian University in Azerbaijan Kyamal Abdullah underscored,"
We must be informed whether there are powers there, with whom in
future we can speak about the improvement of the life. This is the
main point of the issue."

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamediarov formulated the same
reasoning in a harsher and official "package", "Nagorno Karabakh
belongs to Azerbaijan and the people living there are Azerbaijani
citizens.

Azerbaijani citizens must leave for Shushi and Khankendi, the same
way as they leave for Ghuba and Shamakhi."

That is to say if before Azerbaijan used to do its best to prevent not
only their citizens but also foreigners from entering Nagorno Karabakh,
at present, just on the contrary, they are trying to separate the
political and the humanitarian standpoints.

On the first plane Azerbaijan intends to keep on dealing with Armenia
only, representing Karabakh conflict as a manifestation of territorial
demands from Azerbaijan by the Republic of Armenia.

On the second plane – just the other way about – the latter tries
to transform from isolation policy into gaining the favor of their
"own citizens", that is to say NKR people.

Azerbaijan perceives the latest announcements of international
structures about not recognizing NKR as an independent state, as a
predetermination of Artsakh’s international-legal status that is why
they try to bring back through "mild policy", what they have lost
during the war. Thus the expected new attempts to make the people’s
diplomacy more and more active should be evaluated as a start of a
peaceful attack from Azerbaijan.

And the confrontation of the attack demands clarification of the
format of relations between our countries.

People’s democracy is quite functional as an opportunity to establish
unconstrained relations between the citizens of Azerbaijan and Nagorno
Karabakh and not as a dialogue between the Azerbaijani and "Armenian
citizens" of Azerbaijan on restoring Azerbaijani SSR.

NEXT VISIT TO NEW SHAHUMIAN REGION
Nikolay Baghdasarian.

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
05-07-2007

According to a fixed time-limit, on July 2, the NKR presidential
candidate Bako Sahakian was in New Shahumian region. The first meeting
was in Dadivank. The inhabitants of Erkage, Havsatagh, Chareqtar,
Zaur villages were presented here.Introducing the supreme directions
of his pre-election program, the presidential candidate pointed out
the improvement of roads, gasification works caused for resolving the
social-economical problems of the region. B. Sahakian assured that
everything would be done for rendering public purposeful assistance
to the inhabitants of regions. As a result of this, the social
tension will be certainly weakened. Before travelling to the next
settlement, B. Sahakian accompanied by some members of his pre-election
headquarters, was in Dadivank monastic complex. The specialists worked
there, introduced the presidential candidate the results of latest
diggings and archeologist Hamlet Petrosian attached importance to the
case of public assistance, which B. Sahakian took in understandingly,
pointing out that there was a special approaching to the problem
of public assistance for protecting historical architectural
monuments. Next visit was in Karvachar village. Besides economical and
social problems, the problems of normalization of moral psychological
atmosphere excited the inhabitants of the village. B. Sahakian pointed
out that all the society must be united around one idea, become serious
associate of authority. And the warp of his pre-election program is
built by accounting the primacy of solving problems.

ARMENIAN YOUNG FOOTBALLERS DEFEATED IN FIRST SPORTS GAMES OF BLACK SEE
ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION MEMBER COUNTRIES

TRAPIZON, JULY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The first sports games of the member
countries of the Black See Economic Cooperation Organization started in
the city of Trapizon in Turkey. Representatives from 12 countries take
part in these games. The delegates of Armenia take part in competitins
of 5 out of 15 kinds of sport: football, free-style and Greco-Roman
wrestling, athletics, and taekwondo.

Six teams form 10 countries, which are divided into three groups, take
part in the football tournament: in the first group Armenian
footballers will compete with the teams of Russia, Moldova, and
Azerbaijan. The Armenian team were defeated by the representative team
of Moldova with a score of 0:2 in the first game. The next rivals of
the Armenian representative team are the Russian footballers.