Author: Virabian Jhanna

ARMENIAN MP VARTKES MAHDESSIAN ADDRESSES GIBRAHAYER ISSUES IN INTERVIEW WITH CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Financial Mirror
July 10

Representative of the Armenian religious group at the House of
Representatives Vartkes Mahdessian will not be raising an issue
of right to vote in the parliament so as not to complicate matters
regarding the Cyprus problem with the changes to the Constitution
that this move would demand, but intends nevertheless to discuss his
participation in meetings of the House Defence Committee after the
decision for obligatory army service of male members of religious
groups.

In an interview with CNA, Mahdessian describes his seat in the
parliament as iconic but notes that much progress has been made and
expresses hope that over the remaining three years of his term he
would manage to meet the aims set out by the religious group.

He adds that a quarterly bulletin is posted to all members of the
religious group, containing his activities, and that he operates a
well-equipped office with full-time staff, while committees of the
religious group have been active in various fields and have produced
results.

Asked if the representation of the religious groups in the House of
Representatives is satisfactory, Mahdessian notes that "sometimes I
feel our presence is iconic."

"We participate in the House Education Committee and I must admit that
its Chairman, in all meetings, gives us the floor, but we cannot submit
draft legislation, we cannot vote in the Committee or the Plenary,
and these are disadvantages," he points out.

Mahdessian wants the criterion for knowledge of the Greek language in
order to qualify for a position in the civil service and other sectors
to be revised, so that the members of the Armenian religious group
are not at a disadvantage compared to the Greek Cypriot applicants.

He also requests the reappointment of the Presidential Commissioner
for Religious Groups, who will coordinate and monitor the course of
various problems faced by the religious groups, namely the Armenians,
Maronites and Latins.

Mahdessian says the decision of the University of Cyprus to enroll
students with international exams opens new horizons, adding that
Cyprus should learn to behave as a European country.

He furthermore expresses hope that Melkonian, the Armenian school,
and the woods around it, with each tree being planted by an orphan
whose parents were killed during the Armenian Genocide, will be
spared from commercial construction. Mahdessian notes that for the
time being the issue is at a standstill, since it is being used to
host a state school.

Mahdessian says the Armenians of Cyprus did not have a say in the final
decision, since the decision-making centre is in New York. However,
he managed, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, to
register Melkonian as a protected building.

Replying to questions, Mahdessian said a total of 165 children are
enrolled at the Nareg junior schools in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca.

Regarding the Armenian monastery in the Turkish occupied areas,
Mahdessian notes that it is dilapidated with no immediate prospects
of restoration, adding that for the first time since the 1974 Turkish
invasion about 250 Armenians were allowed to organise a pilgrimage
to the monastery, not without obstacles.

Asked about his relationship with Yerevan, capital of Armenia,
Mahdessian says efforts were being made to promote contact with the
Armenian Ambassador in Athens, who is however accredited to other
countries as well.

"Armenia is a new state and is facing huge problems but we are trying
with all our might to further improve the relationship between Cyprus
and Armenia, which is friendly," he points out.

NO SIGN OF BROTHERS, ABDUCTED CHILDREN
Miriam Hernandez

abc7.com
July 23 2008
CA

There’s still no sign of two brothers accused of abducting their
own children.

Police are looking for John Silah and his brother George Silah, who
both failed to return their sons to their ex-wives after a parental
visit. The mothers have custody of the boys.

Click here for a slideshow of the missing children and their two
fathers The LAPD said it uncovered evidence of a scam operation in
the brothers’ home where the boys were last seen. Police believe
the men were conning members of their own Armenian community and may
have enemies.

John Silah operated a real-estate consulting business and his brother
George Silah had a check-cashing operation.

They abandoned their Westchester rental property where police
found an empty gun case and evidence of an operation to make fake
identification.

"He is running away from the Armenian mafia, so I am afraid my son
will be caught in between two fires," said Chrstine Jeanbart, mother
of abducted 9-year-old son Greg Silah. "And that is why I am panicking
at this point."

Inside the house, police found documents in a shredder: photos of
immigrants, passport applications, her husband’s current driver’s
license.

"I know that they are running away with a lot of money, thousands
and millions of dollars," Jeanbart said.

Greg left for a parental visitation with his father and hasn’t been
seen since.

"Greg, it’s mommy," Jeanbart said. "Sweetie, I am going to come and
get you, no matter what. Just hold on tight."

Just as frantic was the mother of Greg’s cousins, 8-year old Zaven
and 12-year-old Alexander.

"My worst fear is that they are in pain, they are unhealthy, they’re
worried, they don’t understand what’s going on," said Zanni Meguerian.

The boys’ fathers are wanted by LAPD on suspicion of child abduction.

The ex-wives believe the men are in cars stolen from people in
Glendale. There’s information that George Silah crossed the border into
Mexico days before the boys disappeared, but then returned to the U.S.

"I don’t know where they are in this world, I don’t know if they’re
still in the country, or out of the country, and what they must be
thinking and going through is really what hurts and what makes me
really worried and concerned," said Meguerian.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of this family, you’re
asked to call LAPD detectives at Pacific Division: (310) 482-6313.

The ex-wives say the two men are very friendly, very sociable. They
say they’re also very deceptive. LAPD tells Eyewitness News the men
are simply con artists.

AMERICAN-ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF "METALPRINCE" COMPANY RESPONDS TO CALL OF SERZH SARGSIAN

ARMENPRESS
JULY 22

American-Armenian businessman, executive director of "Metalprince"
company Serob Ter-Poghosian responded to the address of the
Armenian President Serzh Sargsian made at "Baze" all-Armenian youth
gathering. In the letter addressed to the president, S. Ter-Poghosian
wrote, "Dear President, With great inspiration I listened to Your
call directed towards Armenians around the world to contribute to
the development of Armenia’s economy which is the only guarantee of
maintenance of our independence and security agreed with the challenges
of the contemporary world. Many Armenians will respond to Your call
and I am obliged to be among their rows.

The life of our citizens living in the Armenian provinces must not be
worse than of those living in the capital. We know that the development
of provinces is among Your prior programs, thus, dear President,
I have a great honor to inform You that in the coming three years me
and my partners are ready to invest 50 million USD in Lori province
for the development of its industry and tourism spheres. Currently
we are discussing the opportunity of making big investments in other
provinces of Armenia as well. I hope that in that case the sum of
the investment will be trice larger."

WILL PRICE FOR BREAD DROP OFF?

A1+
22 July, 2008

It is already 2 months since the price for wheat dropped off in the
world market but it did not have a proper reflection on the Armenian
market.

Today the RA State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition
held a discussion-consultation with participation of economic managers
in the market of wheat and flour.

Representative of "Manana grain", "Arsen and Yervand", "Verfar"
companies participated in the discussion. However most of the invited
companies did not turn up.

Ashot Shahnazarian, who conducted the discussion, dwelt on the current
state of wheat and flour in the international and Armenian markets,
as well as on the market dynamics, which cause anxiety from the angle
of economic competition.

According to the survey in the international market price for wheat
and flour has decreased by about 40%, while in the Armenian market,
according to the analysis of the World Bank, the average importing
price increased twice. The World Bank related it to the limited
competition between flour mills and wheat importers.

Representatives of "Manana grain" and "Verfar" companies noted that
they face a great problem in transportation since the prices are high,
there are no enough compartments and sometimes they have to pay great
taxes as the freighter’s disembargation is delayed.

However, Head of the Commission Ashot Shahnazarian did not agree to
the statements on the grounds that the component of transportation
is only 12% in the cost of goods, and non-reflection of the 40%
decrease of international costs is not acceptable.

In the end of the discussion economic agents were given 15-20 days
to review their attitude.

FREEDOM OF PRESS DEBATED IN BOZCAADA

Turkish Daily News
July 21 2008

If you are a national journalist in Turkey, your chief worry is
the heavy hand of press law. If you work for a local newspaper,
the lament is the heavy hand of the very few advertisers whose clout
keeps scribes in line.

Such was the summary of complaints among journalists of both big
press outlets and small who gathered Friday at a workshop on the
Aegean island of Bozcaada to debate the meaning and state of freedom
of the press and speech in Turkey.

Economic difficulties constrain local newspapers’ freedom, while
media as a whole is trying to continue its work with restrictions
on freedom of press and speech, said journalists and some of their
lawyers who were also in attendance.

Freedom of press should be regarded as the freedom of people to receive
news, said Turgay Olcayto, the vice president of Turkey Journalists’
Community, or TGC, at the start of the workshop that was organized by
the Press Institute Association. Journalists debated Article 301 of the
Turkish penal code, which has been heavily criticized for restricting
freedom of speech. Prominent Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink,
who was assassinated in 2007 was convicted under Article 301 for
insulting Turkishness. The article has been amended and "insulting
Turkishness" has been changed to "insulting the Turkish nation." What
is important is that society digests the law, said lawyer Turgut Kazan
from the Istanbul Bar, otherwise an article from any law can be found
to convict people. Yucel DöÅ~_emeci, another lawyer from the Istanbul
Bar said the problem about Article 301 is about implementation.

Local media in difficulties

Representatives of local media in nearby western city of Canakkale,
which has seven weekly and five daily newspapers shared their problems
at the meeting. Aynur Narler, from Canakkale Olay newspaper said
political pressure, the problem of finding educated personnel, and
economic problems make it difficult for local media. It becomes easy
to corner [a newspaper] in the local domain, said IÅ~_ık Narler, the
editor-in-chief of the newspaper. Education of newspaper personnel
is another critical problem for local media, said Ä°lker YurttaÅ~_,
the owner of Kalem newspaper. Support to local media for training
personnel was discussed as well. However, Omer Faruk Mutan, the
head of Health Employees Trade Union’s, or SES, Canakkale branch,
criticized local media owners for not acting together. Local media
members emphasized as well that they would face serious financial
problems in the near future if a new law ends state institutions’
obligation to announce public bids via local papers.

Apoyevmatini needs money to survive

Apoyevmatini, an 84-year-old Greek language local newspaper in Istanbul
is facing financial difficulties like its other local counterparts. The
archives of the newspaper face the danger of disappearing, said Mihail
Vasiliadis, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper. He is trying to
publish the newspaper by himself without any other employee at the
paper. "We need 35,000 euros to take photographs of the old issues
and make a digital archive," Vasiliadis said. The newspaper is an
extremely significant historic source for the Greek community in
Turkey. Vasiliadis highlighted that Apoyevmatini has not been able
to receive the announcements of public bids for 84 years, which would
help the paper survive.

–Boundary_(ID_fOuY0kYELfUnwLhg8Tts+g)–

RUSSIAN-BASED ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN CONTINUE RESPONDING TO PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

ARMENPRESS
JULY 17

Armenian President Serzh Sargsian addressed to the participants of
"Baze" All-Armenian youth gathering – both Armenian citizens and young
people from all parts of the world – calling on them to be more active
and initiating and contribute to the flourishing of the homeland.

Russian-based Armenian businessmen are quickly responding to the
address of the president. The founder and chairman of the board of
directors of "Mon Ar" company Sergey Hambardzumian also responded to
the call of Serzh Sargsian. In the letter addressed to the president
he wrote, "Dear President, With great enthusiasm I listened to
Your address in "Baze" All-Armenian youth gathering directed to
Armenian citizens and the whole nation. We really have a lot to do
and as a first step, for the development of Matenadaran complex and
construction of new additional building for it I am ready to provide
10 million USD."

FELIX PIRUMYAN APPOINTED PRESIDENT’S ADVISER

armradio.am
17.07.2008 13:05

According to RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s decree of July 16, Felix
Pirumyan was appointed Adviser to the President of the Republic of
Armenia, President’s Press Office reported.

OBAMA’S COLOURED POLICY IS THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE A FRIEND OF DEMOCRATS OR ARMENIANS?

Zahid Safaroglu

Yeni Musavat
Jule 20 2008
Azerbaijan

It seems that Barak Obama, who is of Muslim origin, is elected
president of the USA, the Armenians will achieve their longstanding
objective. The objective is to secure official recognition of the
fabricated Armenian genocide. The major Democratic candidate has
been insisting on this issue. It does not look like Obama gives a
vain hope. He demonstrates a will and calls on others to follow him.

The black candidate has recently reiterated his black intentions and
spoke about the importance of recognition [of the 1915 killings of
Armenians as genocide]. In a letter to the head of the Armenian
National Committee of America, Ken Hachikyan, Obama mentioned
"the necessity of the recognition of the events that took place in
the Ottoman Empire in 1915-23 as genocide" and called everybody to
recognize it. He criticized the Bush administration for delaying the
recognition. "There have been no ground for the administration to
delay it up to now," said Obama.

One can argue that many US presidents did make similar statements
while they were candidates. But they forgot about their promises after
gaining the votes of Armenians in the USA. Some observers predict
a similar end this time as well. However, this forecast cannot be
100 per cent true any more. Unlike the Republican candidate, [John]
McCain, who did not promise recognition of the "genocide" and could
not secure Armenian votes, Obama not only gives promises but also
endeavours to prove his willingness.

There is a serious ground for Turkey and Azerbaijan to worry about
this. Recognition of this fabricated issue by a super power like the
USA will motivate Armenians to deal a blow to Turkey and Azerbaijan. It
will give the Armenians an extra argument and will strengthen their
positions in the Karabakh problem. It will improve the image of the
"poor and oppressed Armenians". The struggle of our treacherous
neighbours for independence of Karabakh will be more positively
accepted by the world. The just voice of Azerbaijan will not be heard.

The fact that Obama is the candidate from the Democratic Party
increases our concerns. Azerbaijan and Turkey have suffered a lot
from the Democrats (though we have suffered from the Republicans
as well author’s note). The Amendment 907 [that bans US government
aid to Azerbaijan] was adopted during Bill Clinton’s Democratic
administration. The amendment has not yet been removed. The Democratic
majority in the US Congress has recently introduced a bill on the
recognition of the fabricated genocide. That proposal is still on
the agenda.

On the other hand, there is an opinion that US Democratic presidents
respect fundamental freedoms better [than Republican presidents]. If
the Democrats recognized the Armenians’ unjust claims, that respect
would have no sense for Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Another factor increasing the threat is that Obama is of Muslim origin
but pretends adhering to Christianity. In order to demonstrate that
he is not a Muslim, Obama might deal a blow to Muslims and Turks. He
may recognize the fabricated genocide with that purpose. Stalin also
used to promote Russian interests to the detriment of the Georgians.

While enemies of Turkey and Azerbaijan are getting active in the
world, there is an unfortunate political crisis in regards to the
possible closure of the AKP [the ruling Justice and Development
Party in Turkey]. The infighting prevents Turkey from focusing on
the foreign threats. We do not even mention the insipid policy of
the Azerbaijani authorities.

We hope that if Obama is elected, the process will not get to the
point which I have mentioned. (It is also realistic that John McCain,
who is a more appropriate candidate for Azerbaijan and Turkey,
will be elected author’s note). There is a hope for Turkey’s and
Azerbaijan’s growing importance for the USA’s geopolitical, regional
and energy interests. Despite the colour of their skins, no future
owner of the White House can ignore this importance. This importance
prevails over dividends that a president might gain from the Armenian
benevolence. The above mentioned factor also makes the Democratic
majority in the Congress to doubt the recognition of the "genocide".

U.S. HOPES GUL WILL ACCEPT ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S INVITATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.07.2008 18:37 GMT+04:00

The U.S. administration hopes Turkish President Abdullah Gul to accept
the invitation of his Armenian counterpart to watch a qualifying
football game in Yerevan in September, Hurriyet daily reports.

Officials said if Gul accepts the invitation and visits Yerevan to
watch the football game between the Turkish and Armenian national
teams, then this would a "great opening."

"We want those two neighboring countries to speak to each other, to
get closer, and to normalize relations between Ankara and Yerevan. We
hope President Abdullah Gul accepts the invitation and visits Yerevan
to watch the game," an official was quoted as saying.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan invited in early July Turkish
President Abdullah Gul to watch the football match in Yerevan between
the two countries on Sept. 6 for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers to
mark "a new start in relations". Gul is yet to declare his official
decision on the invitation as the evaluation of the Turkish foreign
ministry continues.

Turkey is among the first countries that recognized Armenia when it
declared its independency. "However there is no diplomatic relations
between two countries, as Armenia presses the international community
to admit the genocide claims," the newspaper says.

However, a warm exchange of letters between Sargsyan and Gul in late
April raised optimism for a fresh initiative to normalize relations,
while Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan then expressed his
hope that Sargsyan’s election victory will "lead to a new period
in relations."

ARMING FOR ASYMMETRIC WARFARE: TURKEY’S ARMS INDUSTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

AZG Armenian Daily
15/07/2008
Turkey

Executive Summary

Located at the strategic crossroads of Europe, Asia, the Caucasus
and the Middle East,Turkey still maintains a vast conscript army of
over one million men, the second-largestin NATO and the largest in
Europe. Major reforms to the military are underway whichwill reduce
its overall size by 20-30 percent while increasing its professionalism,
trainingand technological capabilities.

Turkey’s drive for self-sufficiency in arms has brought about
administrative,financial, political and military reforms designed to
enable Turkey to remain aregional power capable of independent action
outside its borders if it feels itsnational integrity is threatened.

Turkey is the world’s fourth-largest importer of arms and the world’s
28th largestarms exporter. Turkey is aggressively seeking to increase
its market share,expecting to increase its annual exports to $1.5
billion in the next three years.Turkey is also seeking to increase
its share of domestically produced militaryequipment from the current
25 percent to 50 percent and its share of NATOprojects from 4 percent
to 20 percent by 2011.

Turkey’s arms program is designed to address the armed forces’
requirements intwo main areas: Conventional warfare in cooperation
with its strategic allies inNATO and the new challenges posed by
asymmetrical warfare (insurgencies,terrorism, guerrilla warfare, etc.).

Turkey faces internal security threats from right-wing, left-wing,
religious andethno-nationalist extremists. These groups include the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party(PKK), al-Qaeda, Turkish Hizbullah and the
Great Eastern Islamic Raiders’ Front(IBDA-C).

Turkey’s arms sector continues to be tightly controlled by the
state, thoughprocurement is jointly handled by civil and military
authorities. Institutions likethe Undersecretariat for Defense
Industries (SSM) and the Turkish Armed ForcesFoundation (TSKGV)
have recourse to financing outside the state budget in theirefforts
to coordinate the activities of Turkish defense industries with
Turkishmilitary requirements and encourage the development of new
enterprises andtechnology.

Licensed production and joint projects are seen as stepping
stones to eventualTurkish independence and self-sufficiency in arms
production. To this end,technology transfer plays a critical part in
the awarding of foreign arms andequipment contracts.

Foreign debate on issues like the alleged Armenian genocide of World
War I andTurkish methods in repressing militant Kurdish separatism
have come toinfluence the award of arms contracts. Turkey has begun to
look further afield fornations that are willing to meet its military
needs without feeling the need tobecome involved in internal political
or historical issues.

Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and information management
areviewed as the keys to military success in the 21st century,
especially in meetingthe challenge of asymmetrical threats.

The Turkish defense establishment is pushing the Turkish arms
industry in thedirection of independent production of high-tech
weapons. Mastering thesetechnologies will allow Turkey to expand its
export market, which will in turnhelp finance arms production for
Turkey’s internal needs.