Author: Virabian Jhanna

Interfax, Russia
Nov 5 2008

Moscow talks on Karabakh will facilitate peaceful settlement – Aliyev

BAKU Nov 5

A joint declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh, signed in Moscow, provides a
good foundation for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh problem,
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said after talks with his Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul in Ankara on Wednesday.

"The idea of the declaration is that it reflects international law,
and supports the decisions and resolutions adopted in compliance with
international law. It also gives attention to a step-by-step
settlement of the problem," he said.

The Azeri president also underscored Turkey’s role in settling this
problem. "We thank Turkey for the efforts being made to settle this
problem fairly, and welcome its active role in these processes," he
said.

The Turkish president in turn said that the meetings, the dialogue and
the conditions being created would facilitate the settlement of
problems in the Caucasus.

"The Karabakh conflict ranks first in this context, of course. I would
say a new stage is beginning in the settlement. Turkey supports
meetings between presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan in Moscow, and hopes
this practice will be continued. We would like each party to do all it
can in this direction," Gul said.

The Russian, Azeri and Armenian presidents met in Moscow on Sunday and
signed a declaration on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, earlier reports said.

The parties "will work to improve the situation in the South Caucasus
and to create an atmosphere of stability and security in the region by
way of political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on
the principles and norms of international law," the document says.

The parties have agreed that "the attainment of peaceful settlement
must be backed by legally binding international guarantees for all its
aspects and stages," the declaration says.

TURKEY’S BABACAN SAYS SOME OF EU CRITICISM IS UNFAIR

Nov 5 2008
Turkey

EU officials said that Turkey has been too slow in its reforms
last year.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Ankara thought some of the
criticism was unfair during his visit to Rome.

EU aspirants must undergo wide-ranging political, economic, social and
regulatory reforms to adopt EU laws and be on par with other members.

The EU executive said in an annual enlargement report on Wednesday
that Turkey needed to step up work on issues such as human rights,
judicial reform, on civilian oversight of the powerful military and
drafting a new constitution.

The Chairman of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee Joost
Lagendijk and European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Turkey Ria
Oomen-Ruijten said Wednesday that Turkey has been too slow in its
reforms last year.

"Turkey has been too slow in its reforms and I regret that the European
Commission has not made this lack of progress clear enough in its
report. The European Commission should have given Turkey a clear
warning. Turkey’s lack of reform could jeopardize their chances of
EU membership," Lagendijk said.

"The European Commission report focuses on Turkey’s strategic
importance to the region. The EU welcomes the progress recently made by
Turkey with its neighbor Armenia. This is a positive development. But
the European Commission and the Turkish government risk placing too
much emphasis on Turkey’s strategic importance. The EU must make clear
that progress made in foreign policy is no excuse for Turkey to drag
its feet on internal reforms, especially where freedom of expression
and human rights are concerned," Lagendijk said.

"One of the inadequate internal reforms is this year’s modification
of Article 301 regarding "insulting the Turkish nation". The EU
anticipated that this would lead to fewer charges, but this was
unfortunately not the case," Lagendijk said.

Ria Oomen-Ruijten is uncertain if the Turkish Government still intends
to continue with its reform process.

"As the Commission concludes in its report, progress in the last
year has been very limited. Very few of the issues highlighted in
the European Parliament’s Resolutions have been addressed. Looking
back at the developments in Turkey in the last year, I wonder whether
the Turkish Government is still willing to continue with the reform
process. There has been no update of the national reform plan which
was adopted several years ago," Oomen-Ruijten said.

"I am concerned by the ongoing polarization of the Turkish society. I
urge the leaders of the political parties to seriously seek dialog
and to agree, in the spirit of compromise, on a reform agenda for
the modernization of Turkey," Oomen-Ruijten said.

"Impatience in the European Parliament is growing. We need a clear
signal from Turkey that it wishes to continue with the integration
process to which it committed itself in 2005," Oomen-Ruijten also said.

HOVHANNISIAN: DECLARATION STATES MINSK GROUP IS MAIN PLACE FOR SETTLING CONFLICT

Yerkir
05.11.2008 17:37

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Vahan Hovhannisian, a member of the ARF Bureau and
the leader of ARF faction in parliament, says that the declaration
signed by the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents contains
positive trends but it also has points that raise concerns.

"We see the declaration signed by the three presidents positive in
general," Hovhannsian said. He said that the declaration states that
the conflict should be settled by peaceful means.

"During my presidential campaign, I kept saying that the most important
factor in the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations would be an agreement
of not attacking each other which could help discussing the problems
in a normal environment," Hovhannisian said.

The other key thing, which is stated in at least two points, is
that the OSCE Minsk Group is deemed as the main place where the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be settled. He pointed to one
more point, which says that any settlement should be guaranteed
internationally. "If NKR, before reaching the final independence,
is granted an interim status, then this status is guaranteed
internationally, which means that Azerbaijan will not change its mind
in the midst of a process," Hovhannisian said.

As for the points that raise concerns, Hovhannisian said that he
refers to the Madrid principles. The ARF has serious concerns in
this regard. Any territorial concession is unacceptable to the ARFT
especially that there is no real concession from Azerbaijan.

The second concern is that the declaration contains a point, according
to which, the peaceful settlement allows for developing economic
and other relations. "This point is rather an Aliyev approach which
means that no economic and other relations are possible until the
settlement," he said.

He also said that it is concerning that Nagorno-Karabakh is not
involved in the talks as a party but also expressed hope that the
Maindorf document gives such hope.

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

November 5, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ARMENIAN AMERICAN VOTERS HELP DELIVER OBAMA/BIDEN VICTORY

— ANCA, Armenians for Obama Deliver Unprecedented Grassroots
Armenian American Support to the Winning Ticket

— 94% of ANCA-Endorsed Congressional Candidates Elected to Office

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
welcomed President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe
Biden’s historic win yesterday as a new and powerful opportunity
for American recognition of the Armenian Genocide, stronger U.S.-
Armenia relations, and U.S. support for a settlement of the Nagorno
Karabagh conflict that respects its citizens’ right to self-
determination.

The ANCA also welcomed the election yesterday of 94% of the
Congressional candidates it had endorsed in House and Senate races.

"The victory of Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden stands as a
testament to the strength of grassroots activism across the United
States committed to change," stated ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.

"Starting with the ANCA’s endorsement of Senator Obama in January
of this year, Armenian Americans in battleground states – organized
by an extremely effective and far-reaching Armenians for Obama
operation – played a critical role in bringing Armenian American
Democrats, Independents and a surprisingly large percentage of
Republicans to the Obama-Biden ticket on Election Day. Our pre-
election polls showed between 80 and 85% support for Obama-Biden in
our community, a very strong showing, particularly in a community
well represented across the American political spectrum, and a
testament to the fact that Armenian Americans are willing to cross
party lines to support pro-Armenian candidates."

"In many ways, this election marked the emergence of the Armenian
American community as a powerful and broadly respected Presidential
election constituency, one that is able – through grassroots
efforts, campaign professionals, fundraising, media outreach, and
get-out-the-vote – to help tip the balance in a close national
contest toward the candidate best positioned to reflect our views
and values," concluded Hachikian.

President-elect Obama was consistently strong in his outreach to
Armenian American voters, issuing a powerful statement in January,
2008, voicing his vigorous support for passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution and pledging that, as President, he would
recognize the Armenian Genocide. The Presidential hopeful also
reaffirmed his support for a strong "U.S.-Armenian relationship
that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian
democracy." Unlike other candidates, he also pledged to "promote
Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani
blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of
the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and
based upon America’s founding commitment to the principles of
democracy and self determination." President-Elect Obama restated
his pledge on two subsequent occasions, the last one in the form of
a fact sheet issued just four days before the Presidential
election, which stated in no uncertain terms "Barack Obama strongly
supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and
S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide."

Senator Obama and Biden’s records on Armenian American concerns can
be read at:
ecord.pdf

Despite his 15% deficit in the polls in the Democratic primary, the
ANCA endorsed President-Elect Obama in the January 2008 in the
weeks leading up to the crucial Super Tuesday primary elections.
In the months following this endorsement, ANCA chapters worked with
a network of Armenians for Obama activists spanning the country –
from the battleground states of Nevada to New Hampshire — showing
unprecedented community participation in all levels of the campaign
activity. Volunteers in the traditionally large Armenian American
communities of California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey –
traditional democratic strongholds – reached out to the swing
states of Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, New
Hampshire, and Virginia in pursuit of an Obama victory. The
Armenians for Obama Facebook group had close to 3000 activists, and
nearly 9,000 people watched author Samantha Power’s YouTube video
in support of the Obama campaign.

94% of ANCA Endorsed Congressional Candidates Elected; Several Key
Races Still Too Close to Call

ANCA endorsed candidates won overwhelmingly in the House, with 201
of 211 endorsed candidates securing decisive wins. Among those
winning in tight House races, with the Armenian American support,
were Armenian Genocide Resolution supporters Mike McCaul (R-TX),
Mark Kirk (R-IL), Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Tim Walz (D-MD) and
Florida Representatives Lincoln Diaz Balart (R), Mario Diaz Balart
(R) and Ron Klein (D-FL). Among those losing highly competitive
races were Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Tim
Walberg (R-MI) as well as House Foreign Affairs Committee member
and supporter Steve Chabot (R-OH). Armenian American Congresswomen
Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) won their reelection
bids overwhelming with 70% and 75% respectively. ANC OH chairman
Dave Krikorian (OH-2) garnered an impressive 18% in his independent
Congressional bid, laying a solid foundation for future electoral
campaigns.

In the Senate, 11 of 15 ANCA endorsed candidates won their election
bids, with the Minnesota Senate race featuring ANCA endorsed Sen.
Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Democrat Al Franken as well as the Oregon
race between Sen. Gordon Smith (R) and ANCA endorsed Jeff Merkley
(D) still too close to call. Winners included Armenian Genocide
Resolution lead sponsor Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Kerry (D-MA),
Jack Reed (D-RI), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI) as
well as Mark Udall (D-CO) and Tom Udall (D-NM), who moved from the
House to the Senate. Sen. Joe Biden also won his Senate seat;
however, with his election to Vice-President, Delaware Governor
Ruth Ann Minner will appoint his successor. Among Senate supporters
who lost their election bids were North Carolina Senator Elizabeth
Dole (R) and New Hampshire Senator John Sununu (R).

Key Opponents of Armenian Genocide Legislation Defeated

Among key opponents of Armenian American concerns leaving Congress
at the end of this term are Reps. Nancy Boyda (D-KS), Thelma Drake
(R-VA), Phil English (R-PA), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), and Chris Shays (R-
CT) – all of whom lost their re-election bids yesterday. Armenian
Genocide resolution opponents retiring this term are
Representatives Bud Cramer (D-AL), Terry Everett (R-AL), James
Saxton (R-PA) and Tom Tancredo (R-CO).

ANCA / Horizon TV Provide Live Election Night Coverage

Armenian Americans in Southern California and around the nation
followed the election returns live with the ANCA and Horizon
Television team during a five hour Horizon cable and satellite
broadcast and simultaneous webcast on the ANCA website
() Hosted by Horizon TV’s Manoug Seraydarian and ANC
Western Region Representative Ani Garabedian, the program featured
on-site elections updates by ANCA activists from Hawaii to New
York, phoning in live from Congressional election events across the
country. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Assemblyman Paul Krekorian
(D-CA) provided their insights as well as The Politico’s National
Politics Editor Charlie Mahtesian along with a host of ANCA
national and regional board members and staff.

The complete list of ANCA Endorsed candidates and
their election results is provided below.

#####

2008 ANCA CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS AND ELECTION OUTCOMES

Alabama

District #7: Artur Davis (D) – won election

American Samoa

District #AL: Eni Faleomavaega (D) – won election

Arizona

District #4: Ed Pastor (D) – won election
District #7: Raul Grijalva (D) – won election
District #8: Gabrielle Giffords (D) – won election

California

District #1: Mike Thompson (D) – won election
District #3: Dan Lungren (R) – won election
District #5: Doris Matsui (D) – won election
District #6: Lynn Woolsey (D) – won election
District #7: George Miller (D) – won election
District #8: Nancy Pelosi (D) – won election
District #9: Barbara Lee (D) – won election
District #10: Ellen Tauscher (D) – won election
District #11: Jerry McNerney (D) – won election
District #12: Jackie Speier (D) – won election
District #13: Pete Stark (D) – won election
District #14: Anna Eshoo (D) – won election
District #15: Michael Honda (D) – won election
District #16: Zoe Lofgren (D) – won election
District #17: Sam Farr (D) – won election
District #18: Dennis Cardoza (D) – won election
District #19: George Radanovich (R) – won election
District #20: Jim Costa (D) – won election
District #21: Devin Nunes (R) – won election
District #22: Kevin McCarthy (R) – won election
District #23: Lois Capps (D) – won election
District #24: Elton Gallegly (R) – won election
District #25: Buck McKeon (R) – won election
District #26: David Dreier (R) – won election
District #27: Brad Sherman (D) – won election
District #28: Howard Berman (D) – won election
District #29: Adam Schiff (D) – won election
District #30: Henry Waxman (D) – won election
District #31: Xavier Becerra (D) – won election
District #32: Hilda Solis (D) – won election
District #33: Diane Watson (D) – won election
District #34: Lucille Roybal-Allard (D) – won election
District #35: Maxine Waters (D) – won election
District #37: Laura Richardson (D) – won election
District #38: Grace Napolitano (D) – won election
District #39: Linda Sanchez (D) – won election
District #40: Edward Royce (R) – won election
District #41: Jerry Lewis (R) – won election
District #42: Gary Miller (R) – won election
District #43: Joe Baca (D) – won election
District #44: Ken Calvert (R) – won election
District #45: Mary Bono Mack (R) – won election
District #46: Dana Rohrabacher (R) – won election
District #47: Loretta Sanchez (D) – won election
District #48: John Campbell (R) – won election
District #49: Darrell Issa (R) – won election
District #50: Brian Bilbray (R) – won election
District #51: Bob Filner (D) – won election
District #53: Susan Davis (D) – won election

Colorado

Senate: Mark Udall (D) – OPEN SEAT – won election

District #1: Diana DeGette (D) – won election
District #3: John Salazar (D) – won election
District #4: Marilyn Musgrave (R) – Defeated
District #7: Edwin Perlmutter (D) – won election

Connecticut

District #1: John Larson (D) – won election
District #2: Joe Courtney (D) – won election
District #3: Rosa DeLauro (D) – won election
District #5: Chris Murphy (D) – won election

Delaware

Senate: Joe Biden (D) – won election

District of Columbia

District #AL: Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) – won election

Florida

District #4: Ander Crenshaw (R) – won election
District #9: Gus Bilirakis (R) – won election
District #17: Kendrick Meek (D) – won election
District #19: Benjamin Graber (I) – CHALLENGER — Defeated
District #21: Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) – won election
District #22: Ron Klein (D) – won election
District #25: Mario Diaz-Balart (R) – won election

Georgia

District #1: Jack Kingston (R) – won election
District #5: John Lewis (D) – won election
District #8: James Marshall (D) – won election
District #12: John Barrow (D) – won election

Guam

District #AL: Madeleine Bordallo (D) – won election

Hawaii

District #1: Neil Abercrombie (D) – won election
District #2: Mazie Hirono (D) – won election

Illinois

Senate: Richard Durbin (D) – won election

District #1: Bobby Rush (D) – won election
District #2: Jesse Jackson (D) – won election
District #3: Daniel Lipinski (D) – won election
District #6: Peter Roskam (R) – won election
District #7: Danny Davis (D) – won election
District #8: Steve Greenberg (R) – CHALLENGER — Defeated
District #9: Janice Schakowsky (D) – won election
District #10: Mark Kirk (R) – won election
District #11: Debbie Halverson (D) – OPEN SEAT — – won election
District #12: Jerry Costello (D) – won election
District #13: Scott Harper (D) – CHALLENGER — Defeated
District #14: Bill Foster (D) – won election
District #16: Donald Manzullo (R) – won election
District #17: Phillip Hare (D) – won election

Indiana

District #1: Peter Visclosky (D) – won election
District #3: Mark Souder (R) – won election

Iowa

District #1: Bruce Braley (D) – won election

Kentucky

Senate: Mitch McConnell (R) – won election

District #3: John Yarmuth (D) – won election

Louisiana

District #3: Charlie Melancon (D) – won election

Maine

Senate: Susan Collins (R) – won election

District #1: Chellie Pingree (D) – OPEN SEAT – won election
District #2: Michael Michaud (D) – won election

Maryland

District #3: John Sarbanes (D) – won election
District #5: Steny Hoyer (D) – won election
District #8: Christopher Van Hollen (D) – won election

Massachusetts

Senate: John Kerry (D) – won election

District #1: John Olver (D) – won election
District #2: Richard Neal (D) – won election
District #3: James McGovern (D) – won election
District #4: Barney Frank (D) – won election
District #5: Niki Tsongas (D) – won election
District #6: John Tierney (D) – won election
District #7: Edward Markey (D) – won election
District #8: Michael Capuano (D) – won election
District #9: Stephen Lynch (D) – won election
District #10: William Delahunt (D) – won election

Michigan

Senate: Carl Levin (D) – won election

District #4: Dave Camp (R) – won election
District #5: Dale Kildee (D) – won election
District #7: Tim Walberg (R) – Defeated
District #8: Mike Rogers (R) – won election
District #9: Joe Knollenberg (R) – Defeated
District #10: Candice Miller (R) – won election
District #11: Thaddeus McCotter (R) – won election
District #12: Sander Levin (D) – won election
District #14: John Conyers (D) – won election

Minnesota

Senate: Norm Coleman (R) – Race too close to call

District #1: Timothy Walz (D) – won election
District #4: Betty McCollum (D) – won election
District #5: Keith Maurice Ellison (D) – won election
District #6: Michele Marie Bachmann (R) – won election
District #7: Collin Peterson (D) – won election

Mississippi

District #2: Bennie Thompson (D) – won election

Missouri

District #1: William Clay (D) – won election
District #5: Emanuel Cleaver (D) – won election

Nevada

District #1: Shelley Berkley (D) – won election
District #3: Jon Porter (R) – Defeated

New Hampshire

Senate: John Sununu (R) – Defeated

District #1: Jeb Bradley (R) – CHALLENGER – Defeated
District #2: Paul Hodes (D) – won election

New Jersey

Senate: Frank Lautenberg (D) – won election

District #1: Robert Andrews (D) – won election
District #2: Frank LoBiondo (R) – won election
District #4: Christopher Smith (R) – won election
District #5: Scott Garrett (R) – won election
District #6: Frank Pallone (D) – won election
District #9: Steven Rothman (D) – won election
District #10: Donald Payne (D) – won election
District #11: Rodney Frelinghuysen (R) – won election
District #12: Rush Holt (D) – won election
District #13: Albio Sires (D) – won election

New Mexico

Senate: Tom Udall (D) – OPEN SEAT – won election

New York

District #1: Tim Bishop (D) – won election
District #2: Steve Israel (D) – won election
District #3: Peter King (R) – won election
District #4: Carolyn McCarthy (D) – won election
District #5: Gary Ackerman (D) – won election
District #7: Joseph Crowley (D) – won election
District #8: Jerrold Nadler (D) – won election
District #9: Anthony Weiner (D) – won election
District #11: Yvette Clarke (D) – won election
District #12: Nydia Velazquez (D) – won election
District #14: Carolyn Maloney (D) – won election
District #15: Charles Rangel (D) – won election
District #16: Jose Serrano (D) – won election
District #17: Eliot Engel (D) – won election
District #18: Nita Lowey (D) – won election
District #19: John Hall (D) – won election
District #20: Kirsten Gillibrand (D) – won election
District #22: Maurice Hinchey (D) – won election
District #23: John McHugh (R) – won election
District #24: Michael Arcuri (D) – won election

North Carolina

Senate: Elizabeth Dole (R) – Defeated

District #1: G.K. Butterfield (D) – won election
District #12: Melvin Watt (D) – won election

Ohio

District #1: Steve Chabot (R) – Defeated
District #2: David Krikorian (I) – CHALLENGER – Defeated
District #10: Dennis Kucinich (D) – won election
District #13: Betty Sue Sutton (D) – won election
District #14: Steven LaTourette (R) – won election
District #17: Tim Ryan (D) – won election
District #18: Zachary Space (D) – won election

Oregon

Senate: Jeff Merkley (D) – CHALLENGER – Race too close to call

District #1: David Wu (D) – won election
District #3: Earl Blumenauer (D) – won election
District #4: Peter DeFazio (D) – won election

Pennsylvania

District #1: Robert Brady (D) – won election
District #2: Chaka Fattah (D) – won election
District #6: Jim Gerlach (R) – won election
District #13: Allyson Schwartz (D) – won election
District #14: Mike Doyle (D) – won election
District #15: Charles Dent (R) – won election
District #16: Joseph Pitts (R) – won election

Rhode Island

Senate: Jack Reed (D) – won election

District #1: Patrick Kennedy (D) – won election
District #2: James Langevin (D) – won election

South Carolina

District #2: Joe Wilson (R) – won election

South Dakota

Senate: Tim Johnson (D) – won election

District #AL: Stephanie Herseth (D) – won election

Tennessee

District #3: Zach Wamp (R) – won election

Texas

District #9: Al Green (D) – won election
District #10: Michael McCaul (R) – won election
District #18: Sheila Jackson Lee (D) – won election
District #20: Charlie Gonzalez (D) – won election
District #23: Ciro Rodriguez (D) – won election
District #24: Kenny Marchant (R) – won election
District #25: Lloyd Doggett (D) – won election
District #29: Gene Green (D) – won election

Utah

District #2: Jim Matheson (D) – won election

Virgin Islands

District #AL: Donna Christian-Christensen (D) – won election

Virginia

District #3: Robert Scott (D) – won election
District #7: Eric Cantor (R) – won election
District #8: James Moran (D) – won election
District #10: Frank Wolf (R) – won election
District #11: Gerald Connolly (D) – OPEN SEAT – won election

Washington

District #3: Brian Baird (D) – won election
District #5: Cathy McMorris (R) – won election
District #7: Jim McDermott (D) – won election
District #8: Dave Reichert (R) – won election

Wisconsin

District #1: Paul Ryan (R) – won election
District #2: Tammy Baldwin (D) – won election
District #3: Ron Kind (D) – won election
District #5: F. James Sensenbrenner (R) – won election
District #8: Steven Leslie Kagen (D) – won election

GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL PRICES FALL BY 6.1% AND 7.5% RESPECTIVELY IN ARMENIA IN OCTOBER 2008

Noyan Tapan

Nov 3, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Gasoline and diesel fuel prices fell
by 6.1% and 7.5% respectively in Armenia in October on September 2008.

Nevertheless, according to the RA National Statistical Service, there
was a growth in the prices of gasoline (10.7%) and diesel fuel (20.2%)
in October 2008 on December 2007. The prices of gasoline and diesel
fuel grew by 23% and 34.1% respectively in October 2008 on the same
month of 2007.

CONCERT DEDICATED TO JIVAN GASPARIAN’S 80th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY TO TAKE PLACE IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Nov 3, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. A concert dedicated to the 80th birth
anniversary of internationally-famous duduk player and author of songs
Jivan Gasparian will take place on November 11 at Yerevan K. Demirchian
Sports and Concert Complex. Zucchero, Alan Parsons Live Project, and
Planet X will take part in the concert. The latters will also have solo
concerts in the days following the concert in honor of J. Gasparian.

Concert’s goal is to once more glorify the master of duduk, as
Armenian duduk got international fame thanks to J. Gasparian’s
exclusive performing talent. It should be mentioned that the duduk
player is a medal-winner of four contests held by UNESCO. Duduk
performed by him sounds in Hollywood and European films, including
Gladiator and Siege. J. Gasparian today travelling about the whole
world and performing with talented foreign musicians continues
spreading Armenian music.

MILITARY HELICOPTER ACCIDENT

A1+
[10:53 pm] 04 November, 2008

According to the information of the press service of the RA Defense
Ministry, on November 4 at around 2 p.m. the MI-24 military helicopter
belonging to the RA Armed Forces turned around and collided in
the Erebuni airport of Yerevan as it was preparing for another
sport/instructive flight. Pilot, Captain Arshak Nersisyan died as a
result of the crash. A case has been brought up and legal proceedings
are underway.

The RA Defense Ministry expresses deep condolences to the family and
friends of Captain Nersisyan.

INTERNAL POLICY POSES DANGER TO KARABAKH
James Hakobyan

Lragir.am
11:39:24 – 04/11/2008

Part of the society concludes from the declaration signed by the
presidents of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan that Armenia has already
returned the liberated territories and even Karabakh. It is not quite
clear which point of the declaration has caused such concern but the
problem is that the declaration signed in Moscow contains nothing
new about the process of settlement of the conflict and particularly
the stance of the government of Armenia. Consequently, if there are
worries that the government of Armenia has returned the territories
and Karabakh, these worries should have been much earlier than the
declaration of Moscow and Serge Sargsyan’s presidency, and maybe even
earlier than Robert Kocharyan’s presidency.

The reason for worry about returning the territories and Karabakh
should not be the declaration of Moscow but the fact that the liberated
territories have turned into duty-free estates for generals and
high-ranking officials.

The reason for worry about returning the territories should not be the
declaration of Moscow but the "patriotic" election in Karabakh and
the eradication of the last morsels of opposition and dissent, when
they become president by 88 percent of votes only in two countries of
the world, Azerbaijan and Karabakh, and maybe also in Venezuela. The
reason for worry about returning the territories and Karabakh should
be the mechanism of internal life, public and political relations,
the shaping of government, which has been successfully working in
Armenia and conscientiously sold abroad for over one and a half decade.

If the worry about all this is less than about a statement by a
co-chair or a resolution and a declaration, the value, or more exactly
the weight of that worry is zero. The Karabakh issue, the issue of
the territories, the independence of Karabakh and the security of
Armenia and Karabakh are not determined in Moscow, by a declaration
or a resolution, or by anything else but by the quality of states
built in Armenia and Karabakh. If anyone is interested in the fate
and security of Karabakh, they should first of all take interest in
the quality of states in Armenia and Karabakh.

No doubt, the declaration of Moscow does not suppose more than there
has been before in terms of returning the territories or Karabakh. In
reality, the declaration brings the danger posed to Karabakh and the
territories neither closer nor farther. The danger comes from the
internal policies in Armenia, which have not changed for a decade and
a half, and they have started affecting Nagorno-Karabakh as well. All
the developments relating to Karabakh are the consequences of the
internal policy which do not act in full detriment to us only because
they overlap with the interests of not all the mediators.

AZERBAIJANI POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS’ REACTION TO MOSCOW DECLARATION

Azeri Press Agency
Nov 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammadli -APA. Azerbaijani opposition parties made
statements on the tripartite meeting of Azerbaijani, Armenian and
Russian presidents in Moscow and Declaration issued by them. Musavat
Party’s Divan discussed on Monday the Russian latest steps toward
the Nagorno Karabakh issue and issued statement which said that
joint declaration and its points about the Madrid proposals caused
unacceptable condition for Azerbaijan about the future status
of Nagorno Karabakh. "Solving the Nagorno Karabakh problem on the
basis of Madrid proposals put the issues of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity and sovereignty under the serious question".

Press service of All Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (BAXCP) told
APA that it is impossible to reach fair solution of the problem via
Russia’s mediation. BAXCP leadership stated that Azerbaijani lands
were occupied by Armenia with the support of Russia. "Any referendum
in the concrete territory about determination of Nagorno Karabakh
status is violation of Azerbaijan’s Constitution and losing of Nagorno
Karabakh. It is impossible to expect benefit from Russia". BAXCP
considers that concrete time should be given to Armenia to withdraw its
forces from the occupied lands for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
and to the international organizations to pressure upon the occupants.

Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) valued the Moscow talks and Russia’s
attempt to take the initiative unilaterally as a revenge for the Minsk
Group members’ intentions to dismiss Moscow for its action against
Georgia. ADP argued that 2007 Madrid principles are contrary to the
international law and solution of the problem on the basis of these
principles has no prospects and doesn’t guarantee the long-term peace
in the region.

Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) also negatively reacted to the
Moscow Declaration. KLO said in the statement on Monday that Russian
leadership tried to force Azerbaijan to make concessions. "Organizing
meeting and signing declaration in Moscow don’t meet Azerbaijan’s
interests for a number of its points. Russia does not make secret
that it takes the initiative and tries to develop this initiative
monopolizing the Nagorno Karabakh conflict". KLO stated that Azerbaijan
should leave this process, which meets the Armenian and Russian
interests and creates serious threats for Karabakh’s fate. "Azerbaijan
can sign any joint document only after the withdrawal of Armenian
forces from all occupied lands".

Europe-East, Belgium
October 27, 2008

EU/AZERBAIJAN : BAKU SEEKS STRONGER COOPERATION WITH EU

No. 0217

The European Union should broaden its offer towards Azerbaijan in
order to deepen its cooperation with the country following the
Georgia-Russia war, which has radically destabilised the whole region,
a top Azeri official believes. "New opportunities and ideas of
cooperation should be put on the table," Araz Azimov, Azerbaijan’s
deputy minister for foreign affairs said, insisting in particular on
the need for Azerbaijan to be "included in the EU’s trade and
transport systems".

Speaking at a conference organised by the European Policy Centre, on 8
October in Brussels, Azimov urged the EU to thoroughly implement all
elements of the memorandum on strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in
the field of energy, signed in November 2006. "Areas other than energy
included in the memorandum should be also implemented," Azimov
argued. "Now, we have to move towards deeper trade relations, more
intensive people-to-people contacts and we should engage in more
enhanced cooperation, for example in education and research," he
added.

Amid fears that the Georgia-Russia war could derail the project,
Azimov renewed Azerbaijan’s commitment towards the EU-backed Nabucco
gas pipeline. "We still talk with the EU on diversification and the
Nabucco project," Azimov said. He indicated, however, that the EU
itself should be more united and active in promoting the pipeline,
especially after the Georgian crisis, which called the project into
question. "The EU is economically powerful but unity is still not
there when it comes to a decision making mechanism in the area of
energy security," Azimov said. Referring to this remark, Peter
Semneby, the EU’s special representative to the South Caucasus,
underlined growing "awareness in the EU about the need to act more
coherently in the area of energy". The Nabucco pipeline is intended
to bring gas to Europe from the energy-rich countries of the Caspian
Sea region, including Azerbaijan, bypassing Russian territory and thus
reducing the EU’s dependence on Russian supplies.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

According to Azimov, the Georgia-Russia war over South Ossetia and
Abkhazia has increased the need for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to
be solved in the nearest future. "The opportunity is there," he said,
declaring his country’s full commitment to the settlement. "We will
engage in solving the problem," Azimov said, underlining the need for
certain confidence-building measures, such as a withdrawal of Armenian
troops from Nagorno-Karabakh and a return of displaced people, to
accompany the process.

Commenting on the EU’s potential engagement in the settlement efforts
with Armenia, Azimov called into question the Union’s ability to act
efficiently due to the current divisions between member states on the
region. He stressed, however, that the EU could play an important role
during the agreement’s implementation stage. Responding to this
statement, Semneby underlined the Union’s firm commitment to the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "The EU remains fully
supportive of the work of the Minsk Group(1)," Semneby said,
expressing confidence that the EU will be able to act
appropriately. "Our response to the war in Georgia shows that the EU
is very much able to demonstrate political will," he stressed.

Both the Azeri and the EU officials welcomed the recent Turkish
initiative to create a platform for stability and development in the
Caucasus, which would include all the region’s countries (Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia), Turkey and Russia. "We believe that it is a
positive sign that Turkey is using an opportunity to play a role in
the region," Semneby said. Assessing the Turkish initiative as
positive, Azimov noted that its implementation would be difficult
given the fact that some of the platform’s potential members are still
in conflict (Russia-Georgia, Armenia-Turkey, Armenia-Azerbaijan). Both
officials agreed, nevertheless, that the Turkish initiative could, in
the nearest future, play a positive role in the rapprochement between
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

(1) The Minsk Group, made up of the US, the UK, Russia and France, is
charged with overseeing the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.