Author: Vasilian Manouk

IRAN TO PUMP 3 MILLION CM GAS TO ARMENIA

Moj News Agency
September 23, 2008 Tuesday
Iran

In an interview with ISNA, head of National Iranian Gas Export
Company (NIGEC), Reza Kasaeizadeh said that Iran is able to pump 2
million cubic meters of gas to Armenia during this winter. Recently
the Armeniaian Minister of Energy had announced that the annual
capacity of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline project would increase to
2.5 billion cubic meters. Announcing that Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
will guarantee the energy safety of Armenia, he said that the aim
will be achieved by increasing the capacity of the Kadzharan-Yerevan
section of the pipeline by November, 2008. Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
project was started on March 19, 2007 and it will provide Armenia
with an alternative to the gas it now imports from Russia. The 140
kilometer project is valued at $220 million which is to be financed
by the two countries.

IS TIGRAN SARGSIAN UNSERIOUS?

A1+
[07:42 pm] 09 October, 2008

"For years, Tigran Sargsian announced that Armenia’s bank is
well-developed and has integrated into the international banking
market. Now, Sargsian is not serious when he announces that the
world economic crisis will not affect Armenia. Only an unserious
person could say something like that," says former prime minister,
economist Hrant Bagratian.

During a press conference held today at the National Press Club,
Hrant Bagratian did not exclude that the economic crisis is milder in
Armenia due to Armenia’s isolation. "However, no matter how isolated
Armenia is, we are also a part of the world and it would be better
if we felt those economic ups-and-downs. The oligarchies had to feel
those ups-and-downs first and not the people."

Will the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border endanger Armenia’s
economic development? In response to that Hrant Bagratian said: "We
will experience a small, brief shock. If we really set our minds to
creating, after three years the Turks will be the ones complaining
about the opening of the border."

Hrant Bagratian briefly touched upon Tigran Sargsian’s intention to
create an international pan-Armenian bank. "He is creating a new job
for himself."

Bagratian also touched upon the state budget and said: "In 1995,
the budget had a 3-4% deficit; thirteen years later that deficit has
gone down by two percent. Do you call that development?"

FOREIGN MINISTRY OF RUSSIA: "NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT NEEDS PATIENCE"

Panorama.am
18:06 09/10/2008

During the presidential elections in Azerbaijan the negotiations on
Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be stopped but with the perspectives to
be continued and Russian side is ready to take part in the negotiating
process, announced Andrey Nesterenko, the representative of Foreign
Ministry of Russia.

"To me there is no escalation in the negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, although negotiations are being implemented with all the
interested sides. Russia has serious participation in this process,"
said Mr. Nesterenko. According to him, the international practice
has proved that patience is needed in this part of the conflict.

Remind that the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov has announced
that "2-3 questions remained unsolved in Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and the key point is Lachin corridor".

"As a side of negotiations we feel that the solution is realistic,"
he said.

THE DOCTOR IS OUT

AZG Armenian Daily
08/10/2008

Diaspora

Dr. Jack Kevorkian Presents Paintings and Political Platform at
Boston-Area Museum

Watertown, MA–While Jack Kevorkian may be best known for serving eight
years in prison for his controversial death with dignity practices,
the former pathologist is also a musician, composer and artist whose
paintings, unsurprisingly, explore some of the darker aspects of human
nature. Following his recent release from prison, Dr. Kevorkian will
visit the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) in Watertown,
Mass. from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 5 to mark the opening of
"THE DOCTOR IS OUT: The Art of Dr. Jack Kevorkian." The exhibit,
which features 16 of Kevorkian’s dramatic creations, will also give
the artist and social activist a stage to discuss the inspiration
behind his paintings and his independent campaign for U.S. Congress.

Born in 1928 in Pontiac, Michigan to survivors of the Armenian
Genocide, Kevorkian moved to California in 1976, where he worked
as a pathologist and found time to explore his keen interest in
art. His finished paintings, among other personal possessions, were
eventually stolen from the California storage facility that he placed
them in. Discouraged, but not one to give up, Kevorkian began painting
again in 1993. He successfully recreated some of the 18 pieces of his
stolen art, which he later donated to ALMA prior to his incarceration.

As author Michael Betzold describes in his book, Appointment
with Doctor Death, "Kevorkian’s art is as bold and strident, as
critical and unforgiving, as pointed and dramatic as Kevorkian’s own
fighting words." He continues that Kevorkian’s works "are strikingly
well-executed, stark and surreal –and frightening, demented and/or
hilarious, depending on one’s point of view."

Kevorkian refers to his paintings as "pictorial philosophy" social,
political and medical commentaries that should provoke thought
and discussion on aspects of life that may be disagreeable but
are universal. "It is not for art’s sake, so do not criticize me
for the art," says Kevorkian. "The paintings are often political
commentaries. I use bright colors to get people’s attention and to
try to make them think."

The OPEN HOUSE WITH DOCTOR JACK KEVORKIAN will take place from 3
to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 5 at ALMA’s Bedoukian Hall. (Regular
admission applies.) The exhibit will be on display through December 5,
2008. This is the second exhibit of Kevorkian’s paintings at ALMA. The
first one was held in 1999, following the donation of the art to the
museum. At the time, Kevorkian did not attend the exhibit since he
was awaiting trial in Michigan.

For more information about ALMA and for the schedule of events and
exhibits please visit, or call (617) 926-2562.

INSTITUTE FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES IN ANKARA

"Noravank" Foundation
06 October 2008
Haykaram Nahapetyan

In summer 2001 in Ankara was founded the Institute for Armenian Studies
Organization. It works in cooperation with Turkey’s "Eurasian" Center
for Strategic Studies. The latter one is one of the biggest centers in
Turkey carrying out strategic researches. According to some information
the structure is patronized by the Turkish "Nationalist Movement"
Party (MHP).

The structure is located at 550, 61 Konrad Adenauer Street, in Ankara’s
Cankaya district. In the very district is located the President of
Turkey’s office. It is quite ridiculous that the organization spreading
denial is located in the Avenue after Konrad Adenauer, which, as it
is known, set the policy of "confronting" and "confessing" fascist
crimes in post-war Germany.

In 2002 and 2004 the structure has organized a Congress on Armenian
Studies.

The structure also has a working library on the subject of the Armenian
Question which has French, English, German, Russian, Amenian and
Turkish literature. It has also a video archive on the subject. In
summer months in the institute is organized working practice of
Turkish students.

The structure is presently headed by Omer Engin Lyutem.

Although the structure is called the Institute for Armenian Studies,
however, by its functions it doesn’t20completely coincide with
its name.

One can not even speak about objective researches on the subjects of
Armenian civilization, culture and history. The structure is mainly
engaged in carrying out works of denying character in the issue of the
Armenian Genocide and conducts researches to reveal propagandistic,
social-political activities and economic capabilities of the Armenian
Diaspora. As it is mentioned in the organization’s site "The institute
has an objective to embrace the issue taking into consideration
historical, psychological, legal and international elements of the
Armenian Question."

In 2007 the structure published the work "The Armenian Question:
main data and documents" where are presented the Turkish and American
"historians’" articles of denying character referring to the "Great
Genocide." In particular Justin McCarty presented the articles
"Armenian rebellions and Ottomans" and "Let historians judge." There
is also a page on the subject of the NKR conflict, where one can read
the work by Omer Lyutem "Nagorno-Karabakh issue."

It is noteworthy that since the time the structure has been functioning
there was a short period when an attempt was made to refuse "radical
denying" policy and not to limit the researches on the Armenian
subjects by mere denial. In 2003-2004 the organization was headed
by Hasan Oktay, who, according to some information, made an attempt
to make some corrections in that extremist approach. On August 2004
Oktay came to Yerevan and visited the monument to the victims of the
Armenian Genocide and the Genocide Museum.

During the meetings he was speaking in favor of certain liberation in
Turkey. Under the leadership of Oktay the research institute organized
the Second Congress of Armenian Studies, where, together with works
of mere denying character, were also voiced reports relating to other
periods of the Armenian history, in particular, early medieval period.

According to the information at hand, Oktay’s liberal approaches
caused serious discontent among Turkish extremists; the relations
between the Institute for Armenian Studies and Turke’s Historical
institute became tense. Three months after he has returned from
Armenia, at the end of 2004, Hasan Oktay was dismissed.

Hasan Oktay’s name can not be put in the same rank together with
Turkish intellectuals and human rights advocates with liberal
ideas- Halil Berktay, Elda Ozjan, Orhan Pamuk etc. Oktan just
had more moderate approaches and was aspiring not to appear among
the oppositionists and work with governmental circles to ensure
liberalism of certain extent to the Armenian Question. Oktay failed
in his efforts because of striking discrepancy with officials with
tough and extremist approaches.

It is also noteworthy the page of the Institute’s site20where one
can find information on the Armenian subject-matter in other Turkish
publications. In particular here are represented the studies on
"Turkish facts against Armenian confirmations" published by Turkish
Great National Assembly which was made ready for publication by the
head of the Department of Armenian Studies of Turkish Historians
Union Hikmet Ozdemir.

The General Directorate of State Archives has published
"Armenian-American relations in Ottoman documents" two-volume edition,
the state administration of Bitlis – volumes about "massacres"
allegedly perpetrated by Armenians in Bitlis against Turks and Eldar
Ilter – the book "Great treachery: Armenian Church and terrorism." In
reality it is the republished version of Ilter’s book "Armenian
Church and terrorism" published in 1997. Ilter is well known by his
extremism. According to him, in the above mentioned work the Armenian
party massacred for about 2,5 million Turks. Ilter doesn’t detail how
such a limited number of Armenian units located in limited territories
could perpetrate such a hideous massacre, if, putting aside the
historical part of the story, it was not even possible mere technical
realization of it. In the site one can also get information about
English language editions published in the US and Turkey, such as the
work "Armenian rebellions in Van" published by the University of the
US Uta h State. The authors of the work are "American representatives"
of Turkish denial Justin McCarty and a group of Turkish Authors –
Esat Arslan, Jemaletin Tashqra, and Omer Tura. In the site is also
represented the work of another American "denier" Hyunter Levi titled
"Armenian massacres perpetrated in the Ottoman Turkey."

Special attention is to be devoted to the Armenian language manual "I
learn English" published in Ankara in 2007 by Birsen Karajan. According
to the site, it is the first manual of Eastern Armenian published
in Turkey.

It consists of 160 pages and 18 separate lessons. It is also noteworthy
the "Eastern Armenian-Turkish" dictionary published by the very Birsen
Karajan. It consists of 372 pages.

It is to be mentioned that the Armenian party has some privileges over
Turkey today, as for the last decades Turkology has been developed
in Armenia and at present there are some specialists working in
the mentioned direction. However, in Turkey Armenology has not been
developed. Publication of the mentioned books, rising interest to
Eastern Armenians and involving of the Armenian language into Turkish
higher educational system have come to prove that Ankara aspires at
filling up the gap.

Other issues of author

PROPAGANDISTIC ACTIVITIES OF AZERBAIJANI "DIASPORA" [07.07.2008]
DISCUSSIONS ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION DAY IN TURKISH
MASS MEDIA [19.06.2008] ON THE PROBLEM OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF
AZERBAIJANI WEB-SITES IN THE INTERNET [31.01.2008] ON PURPOSEFUL
DISINFORMATION ACTIVITY IN AZERBAIJAN [03.09.2007] The dynamic of
carrying on the Azerbaijani lobbing [16.05.2007] The process of the
making of Azerbaijani lobbing: general data [26.04.2007]

TERRY DAVIS: "KOSOVO IS NOT ABKHAZIA OR KARABAKH"

AZG Armenian Daily
02/10/2008

Regional conflicts

"I continue to be a supporter of territorial integrity of the Council
of Europe member countries", announced Secretary General of the
Council of Europe Terry Davis in Strasbourg September 30 at a press
conference held in the framework of the PACE session.

Terry Davis, who blamed Russia for recognition of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia, didn’t have similar attitude towards the unilateral
declaration of Kosovo’s independence clarifying that there are many
differences between Kosovo and other conflicts.

According to him, South Ossetia, Abkhazia or Karabakh are different
from Kosovo.

H. ABRAHAMYAN RECIEVES CONGRATULATIONS FROM PRIME MINISTER AND SUPREME PATRIARCH

Panorama.am
16:07 30/09/2008

The Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan sent a congratulatory
message to the new selected Chairman of the National Assembly Hovik
Abrahamyan. The Prime Minister’s message says that most hopefully
the Chairman’s experience and skills will be invested to make the
Parliament’s activities more effective, to strengthen the relationship
of executive and legislative bodies of Armenia.

The Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians Garegin II has also sent
his congratulatory message, which says that in various responsible
positions Mr. Abrahamyan served his potential in the name of country
and our nation. Currently as the Chairman of the NA he should continue
his efforts to contribute to the development and achievements of
Armenia.

CYPRUS PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

yprus_and_World_News/11777
September 29, 2008

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias held, on
the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, two separate
meetings with the Presidents of Armenia and Serbia.

President Christofias briefed his Armenian and Serbian counterparts
on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue and the ongoing
process, which began under UN auspices with a view to reunify Cyprus,
divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

During the meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, they
discussed how to further enhance the friendly relations between Cyprus
and Armenia.

The Armenian President expressed his country’s full support towards
Cyprus and informed President Christofias about his recent meeting
with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

During his meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic, President
Christofias referred to the Cyprus issue and Tadic expressed his
country’s gratitude for Cyprus’ stance regarding the Kosovo issue.

The Cypriot President agreed with his two counterparts to exchange
visits

OSCE MG: THIS ROUND OF MEETINGS REFLECTED PARTICULARLY CONSTRUCTIVE SPIRIT

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.09.2008 14:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the margins of the UN General Assembly session in
New York, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov,
Russian Federation; Ambassador Bernard Fassier, France; and Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, United States) and the
Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador
Andrzej Kasprzyk, met on September 24 with the President of Armenia,
Serzh Sargsyan, and organized a meeting on September 26 with the
Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, and the Foreign
Minister of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, the U.S. State Department’s
office of the spokesman told PanARMENIAN.Net.

On September 24, the Co-Chairs also briefed the Special Representative
of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, on the
latest developments in the negotiations in anticipation of the next
OSCE Ministerial Conference in Helsinki. This round of meetings
reflected a particularly constructive spirit and a desire by the
parties to invigorate the negotiating process. The sides discussed
the possibility of a meeting of the two Presidents in the nearest
future. With this in mind, the Co-Chairs reiterated the position of
their governments and the OSCE that there can be no military solution
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA PLAN TO CONTINUE TRILATERAL MEETINGS

Hurriyet
HotNewsTurky.com
September 27, 2008 15:36
Turkey

Turkish, Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers held a trilateral
meeting on Friday in New York, raising the hopes for addressing the
regional problems. Before the meeting Armenian and Azerbaijani top
diplomats met to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. (UPDATED)

Armenian Foreign Ministry press-service reported Nalbandyan met his
Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammedyarov Friday in New York.

OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs Matthew Bryza, Bernard Fassier and Yuri
Merzlyakov and OSCE CIO Personal Representative Envoy Andzej Kasprzyk
also attended the meeting, Arminfo News reported on Saturday.

The negotiations for settlement of Karabakh conflict on the basis of
Madrid Proposals made in 2007 were on agenda of the negotiations. The
parties confirmed the necessity of peaceful settlement of the conflict,
the report added.

Afterwards, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan met
vis-a-vis and discussed the ways to bring the stances of the parties
closer and the possibilities of organizing a new meeting of Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

TRILATERAL MEETING

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Friday that Armenian
Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian and Azerbaijani Foreign minister
Elmar Mammadyarov suggested him to continue tripartite talks to
establish a better political dialogue and an understanding forum.

The three foreign ministers made a press release after the historical
meeting in New York.

"I met Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers today to assess
regional matters. We believe that Caucasus has a very big potential. We
also believe that we will be able to achieve success in case we
manage to restore peace and stability in the Caucasus. This will be
very good for the welfare of our peoples and at the same time will
assist regional stability and peace," Babacan was quoted as saying
by the Anatolian Agency.

"We discussed Caucasus Cooperation and Stability Platform, an
initiative suggested by Turkey, and started to negotiate some specific
regional matters during today’s meeting."

Armenian Foreign Minister Nalbandian said his country welcomed the
initiative on Caucasus Cooperation and Stability Platform suggested
by Turkey.

Referring to his meeting with Babacan that took place prior to the
tripartite meeting, Nalbandian said stability, security and cooperation
in the region lie under the idea of this Caucasus Stability and
Cooperation Platform.

He said they also discussed the steps that were and would be taken
to fully normalize bilateral relations.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Mammadyarov in his statement said they
discussed Turkey’s suggestion for the platform and the recent ongoing
developments in the region.

Mammadyarov said everybody was aware that there were risks and
difficulties in the region. "The problems should be overcome. We
think this initiative is timely. We may establish a more understanding
regarding how to cope with the important developments in the region."

Asked when the next meeting would take place, Armenian Foreign Minister
said, "very soon".