Author: Virabian Jhanna

VICTORY OF ERDOGHAN’S PARTY IS FAILURE OF POLITICAL FORCES SUPPORTING TURKISH ARMY, INCLUDING TURKISH PRESIDENT’S STAFF
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily
18/08/2007

On August 16, Turkish Prime Minister Rejep Taip Erdoghan submitted
the list of the new government shaped from "Justice and Prosperity"
party to Turkish President Ahmed Nejdet Sezer. Without looking through
the list, Sezer told Erdoghan to submit that to the new president of
the republic.

The political forces who support the Turkish armed forces, considered
this step of Sezer as a act of compromise to Erdoghan, grounding
this by the fact that the plenipotentiaries of the acting president
completed in early May.

One couldn’t agree with the position of the abovementioned forces,
if not the fact that the erdoghan’s new government was shaped by the
August 11 decree of Sezer. Moreover, from early May Sezer managed
to make many other appointments, including 15 university rectors,
members of the Supreme Educational Board and the Constitutional Court.

At the same time, the opponents of the abovementioned forces consider
that by this step Sezer was an act of resistance against Erdoghan and
"Justice and Prosperity" party.

They think that having refused to get familiarized with the structure
of the newly shaped government, Sezer obviously tries to avoid
implementing his constitutional duties and the Democratic-Republican
party violates the article #102 of the current constitution by
boycotting the presidential elections.

It’s worth mentioning that rejecting the candidacy of Abdullah Giul
for the presidential position, the headquarter of the Turkish Armed
forces violate their plenipotentiaries. This means that the victory of
Erdoghan’s "Justice and Prosperity" party in the July 22 parliamentary
elections had a crucial impact on not only the Democratic-Republican
party and the Presidential Staff, but also on the headquarter of the
Turkish armed forces that support some electoral circles.

Perhaps, that’s why, there are rumors circulating in Ankara, saying
that in case Giul is elected Turkish President, General Yashar
Buyukanter, head of the headquarter of the Turkish Armed Forces,
will resign.

It’s worth mentioning that in response to a journalists’ question on
his resignation, Buyukanter stated that he had no answer , he is no
beginner and he has no idea who had spread such news. He added that
some people try to make him feel guilty by spreading such news. He
underscored that he will resign only in case, the resignation is in
the interests of Turkey.

34 UNITS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT WILL BE WITHDRAWN FROM BATUMI TODAY

ImediNews, Georgia
Aug 16 2007

Railway mounting will depart from Georgia to the direction of Giumri
military base today. 34 units of military equipment will be withdrawn
from the twelfth dislocated Russian military base of Batumi to
Armenian territory.

According to the information of Russian Ministry of Defense, the
seventeenth train loaded with Russian military equipment will leave
Georgian territory till the end of August. Also 3 railway mountings
and one auto carrier is planned to be taken from Batumi to Giumri
military base till the end of this year.

The twelfth Russian military base of Batumi in accordance to the
agreement signed between two Governments will be closed in the
next year.

ARMENIA AROUSES NO INTEREST ABROAD

Lragir, Armenia
Aug 15 2007

There will be little influence on the Armenian presidential election
of 2008 from the outside, which will not be deciding, stated the
Republican member of parliament Galust Sahakyan, who held a news
conference on August15 at the Pastark Club. Sahakyan advised not to
liken Armenia with Georgia and Ukraine because from the geopolitical
aspect these countries are more important to the great powers.

Besides, Galust Sahakyan repeated that the change of government after
the national elections slowed down development in those countries.

By the way, Galust Sahakyan forecast that if about ten candidates
are names for the upcoming presidential election, there will be a
second round. But with three or four candidates the president will
be elected in the first round.

AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN: I HOPE TRANSPORTATION OF AZERBAIJANI OIL TO ISRAEL WILL BE AGREED

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 14 2007

Israeli Deputy Prime Minister: I hope Azerbaijan-Israel Chamber of
Commerce will operate soon

Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Strategic Affairs,
Avigdor Lieberman’s interview to APA

-What is the aim of your upcoming visit to Azerbaijan?

-I have twice visited Baku. I visited Baku as the chief of Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in 1997. I met with the then
Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev at his residence near the Caspian
Sea at that time. We had a long talk with him and his accurate
and profound approach towards the ongoing processes in the world
amazed me. I felt his hot attitude to Israeli nation. Success of
Azerbaijani-Israel relations is the result of it. We are interested
in the development and continuation of Israeli-Azerbaijani relations.

Economic relations between the two countries are developing
continuously at present, trade turnover is rising. Big organization
of the migrants from Azerbaijan has been established in Israel,
parliamentary group regarding Azerbaijan is operating in Israeli
Knesset, and the number of high-level official visits between the two
countries has increased. My visit to Azerbaijan will serve further
development of these relations. Meeting with Jewish community in Baku,
opening of Jewish Center is expected in the framework of the visit.

-What issues will be discussed during your visit?

– Joint fight against terrorism, cooperation in energy, simplification
of visa regime between the two countries will be focused on. I hope
an agreement will be reached on the transportation of Azerbaijani
oil to Israel, I will have several meetings regarding it. I will meet
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament
Ogtay Asadov, and also have meeting with several ministers regarding
intercommunity relations during my visit.

-Are you going to discuss Iran’s nuclear program with Azeri officials?

-Our position on Iran’s nuclear program is the same as that of world
community. For the time being, Iran’s nuclear program is discussed at
the UN Security Council. It is not only Israel’s problem. It has to
be solved within the framework of dialogue held by the UN Security
Council, International Atomic Energy Agency, and European Union
with Iran.

-What do you think of Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict?

-Our position on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict remains the same. The
conflict should be solved within the framework of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and sovereignty. The conflict is to be solved
by means of negotiations mediated by the UN and other international
associations.

-Will you debate on opening Azerbaijan’s embassy in Israel?

-We understand all geopolitical hurdles on the way of
opening Azerbaijan’s embassy in Israel. I hope for establishing
Azerbaijan-Israel Chamber of Commerce at least. I highly appreciate
our cooperation in humanitarian and cultural spheres.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S SPOKESMAN: EXISTENCE OF NAGORNY KARABAKH REPUBLIC A SIMPLE FACT AND NO SUBJECT FOR BARGAINING

arminfo
2007-08-13 14:12:00

‘It is difficult to make a unique assessment of the present stage of
negotiations. I’d refrain from any loud definitions, especially when
the assessments by the negotiating parties regarding the process are
usually subjective, ‘ Press Secretary of the Armenian President Viktor
Soghomonyan says.

Commenting on the statements by official Baku that the negotiations
have faced a deadlock, V. Soghomyan says: ‘It is a fact that the
negotiations have not brought a result so far. The reason of such
state of affairs is clear to the Armenian party. Thus, it is the
unconstructive position of Azerbaijan, the growing illusion that
the history can be rewritten and it will be possible to go back to
the situation of 1988. The existence of Nagorny Karabakh Republic
is a fact and not a subject for bargaining. That is why, given the
unconstructive position of Azerbaijan, the President of Armenia has
repeatedly expressed hope that the negotiations will be a success.’

As regards the regular allegations by President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev against Armenia in an interview with a Kazakh newspaper,
the spokesman says: ‘Unfortunately, as you can see, Mr. Aliyev’s
political will and bravery were enough just for making a regular
incorrect statement. I will not comment on these statements. I just
say that there are people to care for Armenians and the future of
Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh Republic. Mr. Aliyev is better care for
his own problems.’

To recall, Ilham Aliyev stated, ‘Armenia is not sincere and tries
to protract tine and deceive the mediators.’ He also said that if
‘Armenia stops the policy of occupation, the relations of Baku and
Yerevan will be normalized and Armenia will gain more cooperating
with Azerbaijan than from foreign charities.’

RUSSIAN DIAMONDS FOR ARMENIA

Mining Journal Online, UK
Aug 9 2007

The government of Armenia has secured a supply of rough diamonds
from Russia for the country`s cutting and polishing plants. Under
the agreement, Alrosa will provide Armenian companies with part of
its rough-diamond production that is not economically viable to be
cut in Russia.

The agreement was signed during a visit to Yerevan this week by
Alrosa`s president Sergey Vybornov, who met with Armenia`s president
Robert Kocharyan and prime minister Serzh Sargsyan. Armenia`s minister
of trade and economic development, Nerses Yeritsyan, explained that
the agreement will allow for renewed diamond-cutting activities,
and that, longer term, Alrosa would extend the co-operation to the
jewellery sector.

In the recently published `From Mine to Mistress` book, Chaim
Even-Zohar notes that planned (but unattainable) polished exports for
2006 from Armenia were US$400 million. In actuality they only reached
US$245 million, which still represents over 30% of the nation`s
overall exports. This dependency on diamonds led the International
Monetary Fund to warn of a "serious threat to Armenia`s overall
export performance".

Diamond sales by Alrosa to Armenia is not a new development; Alrosa
has previously been committed to sell the country 450,000 ct/y of
gem-quality rough, supposedly at `attractive` prices. However, as Mr
Even-Zohar notes, Russia has previously reneged on that undertaking.

In 2005, Armenia processed some 800,000 ct of rough, of which only
180,000 ct were supplied by Alrosa.

The most important foreign diamond investors that are operating
in Armenia include Lev Leviev (Israel), Tache (Belgium), Rosy Blue
(Belgium) and Arslanian Brothers (Belgium).

OSKANIAN: EACH CONFLICT IS UNIQUE

armradio.am
07.08.2007 16:20

"We suppose that each conflict is unique and the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict is not an exception. Peculiarities of each conflict should
be taken into account," Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
told Russian news agency Interfax.

Karabakh is moving towards self-determination irrespective of decisions
that may be taken on other conflicts, Oskanian said.

"Let us not forget that unlike Kosovo, where the international
forces and NATO put an end to the war and where the UN and EU have
been founding state structures for seven years, Nagorno Karabakh has
been overcoming the consequences of the aggression imposed on it and
achieving success in state building for 20 years already. Despite
of Kosovo decision Nagorno Karabakh will press for international
recognition of its independence," Oskanian added.

Daily Star – Lebanon
Aug 6 2007

Supporters, voters turn out in droves for peaceful ballot casting in
Metn

By Iman Azzi
Daily Star staff
Monday, August 06, 2007

METN: Church bells were drowned out by car horns honking political
melodies in the Metn on Sunday as tens of thousands of Lebanese cast
ballots in the by-election to fill the seat of assassinated Industry
Minister Pierre Gemayel. Across the region, white roses were handed
to voters by campaigners for former President Amin Gemayel, running
for the seat of his son Pierre, who was gunned down in Beirut last
November.

"So far, so good," said Bechara Hajj Boutrous, 47, a resident of
Bikfaya whose shop is two blocks from Gemayel’s house. He said
retired General and Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader MP Michel
Aoun’s war against Lebanese Forces head Samir Geagea "split the
Christians during the Civil War. I think the politicians are making
the same mistakes again."

While most residents and political analysts said during the day on
Sunday that the race was too close to call, Gemayel had an
overwhelming advantage in the numbers of posters and flags promoting
him on streets in much of the Metn.

Bikfaya’s main street was more of a pro-Gemayel and pro-March 14
Forces car parade than road. Lebanese flags and even the occasional
US stars and stripes swayed from passing vehicles, not just in
Gemayel’s Bikfaya seat but throughout the region.

Some car passengers waved flags, others gave a hand sign displaying
the thumb, forefinger and middle finger to represent God, family and
Lebanon. The three-finger gesture of support for Gemayel’s Phalange
Party often turned thumbs-down when cars sporting FPM orange drove
by.

"I’m so happy," 16-year old Sabine Sakr said as the noise of horns
droned on. "It’s important because Pierre Gemayel was killed, and it
wasn’t an accident. His seat needs to be replaced with someone who
can help the Christians here. I don’t know why Aoun is entering these
elections. The Metn is not his home. Lebanon is not even his country
anymore."

Too young to vote, Sakr was dressed in a Phalange Youth T-shirt and
sat watching the convoy of cars with her friends.

Other youth marched through the streets with flags or hung posters.
Some children had painted on their arms and cheeks the words Amin,
Pierre and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, orange scarves, T-shirts, sunglasses and baseball hats
proclaimed support for FPM candidate Camille Khoury.

"This is not a fight for today – this is a fight for the presidency,
for our future. It’s an important day for the whole Metn and the
country," said Milad Saliba, 24, in Bteghrine, hometown of Change and
Reform bloc MP Michel Murr. "Aoun will be our president."

The elections in Beirut’s second district on Sunday were less
competitive. Future Movement candidate Mohammad Itani seemed assured
of victory, as many voters were unaware there were other options on
the ballot.

In Moseitebeh, a People’s Movement representative calling himself
Jihad said, "as many people as we bring in, the Future [Movement]
will bring in double than that, if not triple. They have money we
don’t."

In Burj Hammoud, supporters of Aoun and Gemayel gathered on the
sidewalk opposite the polling booth, divided by party. Despite the
Armenian Tashnag Party recently aligning with the FPM, Phalange Party
volunteers said they would draw well in the predominantly Armenian
quarter, too.

Metn residents seemed happy to keep political disagreements limited
to the ballot box and not in the streets, and most said they hoped
the peace would hold after the results were announced and politics
would not deepen the divide between neighbors.

"We see them, we greet them, and we’ve been joking with them. At the
end of the day, they are our neighbors. We are family," said
65-year-old Aoun supporter Bechara Abboud outside a polling station
in Mtaileb, near Rabieh.

States News Service
August 3, 2007 Friday

CONGRESSMAN SCHIFF EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR WITHDRAWAL OF RICHARD
HOAGLAND’S NOMINATION TO BE NEXT AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

WASHINGTON

The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Adam Schiff:

Today, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) expressed his support for the
White House’s withdrawal of the nomination of Richard E. Hoagland’s
to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. Mr. Hoagland had been
nominated to replace Ambassador John Evans who was pushed to retire
from his post by the Bush Administration. Congressman Schiff and many
of his Congressional colleagues believe Ambassador Evans was recalled
for his comments made in February of 2005 in which he publicly
recognized the Armenian Genocide.

The President was right to withdraw Mr. Hoagland’s nomination, Schiff
said. During his confirmation hearings, Mr. Hoagland continued to
deny that the massacre of a million and a half Armenians between 1915
and 1923 was genocide, thereby compounding the injury done to the
Armenian people and, especially, the few remaining survivors of the
first genocide of the Twentieth Century. I hope that the President
will soon nominate a new ambassador who will be more forthcoming in
discussing the Armenian Genocide

On March 21, at an Appropriations hearing before the Subcommittee on
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Schiff pressed
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her opposition to recognizing
the Armenian Genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire between 1915
and 1923. In his pointed questioning, Schiff repeatedly asked the
Secretary of State if she believed that the murder of 1.5 million
Armenians could be characterized as anything other than a genocide.
The Secretary did not directly respond.

Rep. Schiff was appointed to serve on the House Appropriations
Committee in the 110th Congress and is a member of its Commerce,
Justice, and Science Subcommittee, the State Department and Foreign
Operations Subcommittee, and the Financial Services Subcommittee. He
also serves on the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel and the House
Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet,
and Intellectual Property. He represents California’s 29th
Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra,
Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale,
Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.

ROBERT FISK: MIDDLE EAST IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.08.2007 15:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Historically the conflict between Nagorno Karabakh
and Azerbaijan was unavoidable," The Independent’s journalist Robert
Fisk stated in his lecture at the American University in Yerevan. He
said the Nagorno Karabakh issue is a part of the Armenian Question
("Hay Dat"). At the same time the British journalist noted this issue
is somewhere on the 13th place for the world community. "Today the
world is much more concerned over developments in the Middle East. The
Middle East is more dangerous than Karabakh.

The borders of countries, which emerged after the collapse of the
Ottoman Empire, were drawn by France and Great Britain ad arbitrium
proceeding from their own interests. Those borders are the most
dangerous ones for residence," Fisk noticed.