Author: Virabian Jhanna

NKR PRESIDENT’S MEETINGS IN NEW YORK

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department
November 24, 2008

On November 22, in New York, within the framework of his visit to
the USA, the NKR President Bako Sahakyan had a meeting with the USA
Congressman, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
Frank Pallone.

A wide range of issues concerning the settlement of the
Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, recent developments in the Caucasian
Region, Artsakh-USA contacts, and the NKR social-economic situation
was discussed during the meeting.

Bako Sahakyan highly estimated the Congressman Pallone’s activities
in supporting and objectively elucidating the Armenian issue and the
Nagorno Karabakh problem. Frank Pallone in his turn expressed readiness
to continue his activities with the same ardour and to contribute to
the further development and expansion of USA-Artsakh contacts.

On November 22, the NKR President Bako Sahakyan also met with the
representatives of the Eastern USA Central Committee of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Party Hovsep Avagyan and Karo Ketsemanyan. A
wide range of issues concerning the NKR social-economic situation,
the current stage and perspectives of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement, the further development of Artsakh-Diaspora contacts was
discussed during the meeting.

President Bako Sahakyan attached importance to putting fresh impetus
into the relations with the Diaspora, particularly to making the
participation of the Diaspora in the life of the Motherland more
active.

According to Bako Sahakyan the realization of this aim requires an
implementation of activities in a systematized manner, establishment
of permanent and stable relations between all the three parts of the
Armenian nation. The Head of the State underlined that the resolution
of problems presenting national significance requires further
consolidation and extension of the Artsakh-Armenia-Diaspora trinity.

On the same day, President Bako Sahakyan visited the Armenian National
Center of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church of the Eastern
USA Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church , where he met with
the representatives of the local Armenian community. Bako Sahakyan
introduced the social-economic situation in the Republic, the current
stage and perspectives of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
process to the members assembled and answered the questions raised
by the participants of the meeting.

On November 23, the delegation headed by NKR President Bako Sahakyan
arrived in Los Angeles,- the Central Information Department of the
Office of the NKR President informs.

POSITIVE CHANGES IN NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF ARMENIANS: PRESIDENT OF SOCIAL RESEARCH FUND

TREND
Nov 25 2008
Azerbaijan

Rashad Rzaguliyev, President of Social Research Fund of Azerbaijan
especially for Trend News

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan’s visit to Turkey
accompanied by enthusiastic and optimistic statements of the latter
on prospects of inter-governmental cooperation can be considered one
of those done forcibly and forcedly.

The pictures of a demonstration of Armenian diaspora in Lebanon
dated for the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit
to Beirut held under the slogan of "We did not invite beasts" still
stick in my mind. But today we can see quite opposite of it. I would
describe it as a radical civilized progress in national consciousness
of Armenians. Opening of borders and establishing direct diplomatic
ties with Turkey and elimination of an almost century-long mythology
about so-called "Armenian genocide" becomes priority and almost fixed
idea of Yerevan.

What is the reason? Probably prospective full isolation of expansionist
Armenia because of changing political situation in wake of well-known
events in Georgia and demands of a certain geopolitical center in
fairway policy which contained key coordinates of a foreign policy
conception of Armenia.

I think concerns of many domestic politicians and experts over the
format of Turkish-Armenian contacts are groundless. Possibility of
restoring activities of Armenian-Turkish Commission on "genocide"
and other indirectly announced measures gives hopes for lifting
regional karmas of "hatred" and if sides are dynamic and systematic,
they can bring nothing, but benefit for all.

Drastic changes in architectonics of forces in the region of the South
Caucasus, of course, can cause quite interesting results. The fact
of interests of Moscow and Ankara coming closer in the region created
prospects of formation new realities, which can be very advantageous
for Azerbaijan. The opposite is possible by definition. Because of
the simple reason that framework of a new regional construction will
be coordinated with the interests of Azerbaijan. Otherwise, they will
not simply take place.

ARMENIA: CAUCASUS NEEDS IRAN FOR PEACE

press tv
Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:11:27 GMT

Arthur Baghdasaryan (L) and Saeed Jalili (R), Tehran, Nov 23 A senior
Armenian official has called for Iran’s active cooperation in any
collective effort to establish security in the Caucasus region.

It is vital that Iran plays an active role in all significant aspects
of the region’s development, including security, Secretary of the
Armenian National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan said in a
Sunday meeting with his Iranian counterpart Saeed Jalili.

Baghdasaryan’s comments come as the Caucasus region remains divided
on two issues: the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the
conflict between Russia and Georgia.

During the past decades, Iran has launched several efforts to build
bridges between countries of the region, especially its northerly
neighbors Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"Iran’s policy is to support stronger peace and security in the region
and prevent crisis," Jalili told the visiting Armenian official.

The meeting between the two officials came days after Armenia and
Azerbaijan signed a joint declaration calling for a peaceful resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute.

"…[Both sides] continue their work… to agree on a political
settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," said the declaration,
which was signed in Moscow on November 2.

Both Azerbaijan and Armenia claim the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh,
whi ch is populated by Armenians but is located within Azerbaijan.

Ethnic Armenian troops occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding
regions during a war in the early 1990s. Thousands lost their lives
in the clashes and nearly a million people on both sides were forced
to leave their homes.

The dispute continues to remain unsettled, despite a ceasefire the
two sides signed in 1994. Sporadic clashes often erupt between Azeri
and Armenian forces along the case fire line.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CURRENCY IS 15 YEARS OLD

Messenger.ge
Nov 24 2008
Georgia

15 years ago the Armenian national currency, the dram, was
introduced. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian, who was the
head of the Armenian Central Bank for a long time, has said that
Armenia has a stable and reliable currency. He says this has been
proved by the durability the Armenian banking and finance system has
shown during the financial crisis. According to the Prime Minister,
it is important that the banking culture of the developed countries
has been established in Armenia.

The introduction of the dram has not been so pleasant for the Armenian
population. 200 rubles were exchanged for 1 dram at that time, and
14.5 drams equaled 1 USD. Many think that the initial ruble/dram
exchange rate was too low and has devalues the bank savings of the
population. Soon after the dram was introduced it devalued against
the dollar. Along with the population and economists, designers
also criticized the dram – harsh mistakes were made in its design,
and linguists claimed that there was a mistake in spelling of its
name in the Armenian language.

In 2003 the rate of dram to dollar was 600 dram to 1 USD. Since then
the rate has been stabilized. Many consider this to be artificial,
however the Government says that the stabilization has been brought
about by the large amount of private transfers. Currently 300 dram
equals 1 USD.

THEY CUT VEINS TO AVOID CALL-UP

A1+
[01:28 pm] 24 November, 2008

The Central Draft Board continues testing army recruits to find out
whether they are fit for military service.

Young people from Shirak and Lori visit the military registration and
enlistment office of Gyumri. People found fit for military service
will soon enlist in the army and those who have health problems get
draft deferment.

Some undergo medical examination for the first time. They are diagnosed
with different deseases strating from dystrophy to mental disorder.

There are still some who deliberatly harm themselves to avoid
call-up. In such cases the youth are given a chance to undergo
medical treatment but in most cases they don’t want to. To avoid
further complications the board threatens to sue them.

Recently young people began cutting their veins. One of them even
tried to cut his throat to prove his nervous breakdown.

‘MIATSUM’ INITIATIVE APPLIES TO ARMENIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER CONCERNING RUMOURS ABOUT CEDING OF TERRITORIES OF SECURITY ZONE AROUND NKR

ArmInfo
2008-11-21 17:35:00

ArmInfo. ‘Miatsum’ Initiative (‘Unity’) has applied to Foreign
Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan concerning the rumours about
the territories of the security zone around the NKR.

The authors of the appeal emphasize inadmissibility of any territory
ceding and say this will lead to negative consequences from the
viewpoint of defense capacity, as well as from moral, psychological
and economic point of view. As they said, in this case no international
guarantees can prevent resumption of military actions by Azerbaijan.

‘Miatsum’ Initiative warns the Foreign Ministry of Armenia that
supposed ceding of any section of the liberated territories is a grave
crime against the basis of the Armenian state and an encroachment upon
the life of Armenian citizens. ‘Miatsum’ requires to take quick and
decisive steps for resettlement of the liberated territories, as well
as recovery of Armenia’s sovereignty in the whole territory of the NKR.

To note, ‘Miatsum’ Initiative organized a protest action in front of
the building of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry on this problem.

ACCORDING TO GALUST SAHAKIAN’S ESTIMATION, DISCUSSION WITH PARTICIPATION OF LEADERS OF 50 PARTIES IS A GOOD PRECEDENT

Noyan Tapan

Nov 21, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The discussion over the Nagorno
Karabakh settlement held with the participation of leaders of 50
parties on the initiative of the RA President is a good precedent,
which formed the model of public discussions. Galust Sahakian, the
head of the RA National Assembly RPA faction, stated at the November
21 press conference adding that such discussions will be permanent
henceforth.

He did not agree to the observation of the journalists that no
representatives of opposition took part in the discussion and said that
the opposition took part in the meeting. "As to the parties involved
in the Armenian National Congress I think these forces have not been
taking part in anything for a long time. They just sent "messages"
to society that the problem will be already solved in December and
tried to ensure political progress that way, but their hopes were
not justified after yesterday’s event," G. Sahakian emphasized.

He said that naturally, there were contradictions in the views of
parties taking part in the discussion, but everybody held the same
opinion that Karabakh can never be part of Azerbaijan. "I think the
Nagorno Karabakh problem should be solved by the package variant and
the issue of Karabakh status should be in the focus of it," the RPA
faction head stated.

DELEGATION HEADED BY ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN TO LEAVE FOR IRAN ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT

ARMENPRESS
Nov 21, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: Delegation headed by the Secretary
General of the Armenian National Security Council Arthur Baghdasarian
will pay an official visit to Islamic Republic of Iran November 23-24.

Press service of the Armenian president told Armenpress that the
delegation consists of the deputy foreign minister Gegham Gharibjanian,
MPs Hovhannes Margarian, Sukias Avetisian and other officials.

During the visit the delegation is expected to meet with Iranian
President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, Speaker of the parliament Ali Larijani,
Secretary of the National Security Highest Council Said Jalili and
with other high-ranked officials

JOURNALIST BEATEN UP IN YEREVAN

Interfax
Nov 18 2008
Russia

Police are searching for assailants, who attacked journalist Edik
Bagdasarian, the 46 year-old chairman of the Journalists Investigating
public organization, in the center of Yerevan on Monday.

Bagdasarian sustained serious skull injuries and was hospitalized,
the Armenian police informed Interfax.

The three assailants fled.

Police are investigating.

AZERI PRESIDENT MEETS OSCE’S KARABAKH MEDIATORS

Azartac news agency
Nov 13 2008
Baku

13 November: On 13 November, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
received OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Bernard Fassier (France), Yuriy
Merzlyakov (Russia) and Matthew Bryza (the USA), and Special Envoy
of the OSCE chairman-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The discussions focused on the current state of and prospects for the
talks related to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Nagornyy Karabakh.