Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

GEORGIAN AZERBAIJANIS ASK BARACK OBAMA TO VETO CONGRESS’ DECISION

Today
58451.html
Dec 23 2009
Azerbaijan

The Congress of Georgian Azerbaijanis has sent a letter to the US
President Barrack Obama asking him to veto the Congress’ decision to
allocate $8 million to the Nagorno-Karabakh separatists.

The letter says: "We are deeply concerned with the US Congress`
plans to give the financial assistance to the separatist regime. And
we regard this not a humanitarian, but a moral support to separatism
and the aggressors who occupied the Azerbaijani lands."

"If one insists that it is the humanitarian aid then it raises a
question: If the United States of America recognizes Azerbaijan`s
territorial integrity, then the financial assistance allocated to
the Nagorno-Karabakh, an integral part of Azerbaijan, would have to
be part of the funding given to Azerbaijan."

‘PARTY CLOSURES NOT CONDUCIVE TO DEMOCRACY’

Today’s Zaman
Dec 22 2009
Turkey

A former US ambassador to Turkey has said that party closures and
bans on political leaders do not encourage democracy from an American
viewpoint.

Answering questions from the Anatolia news agency in Washington,
current Ambassador James Jeffrey’s predecessor, Ambassador Ross
Wilson, said that the closure of the Democratic Society Party (DTP)
has both legal and political grounds. He added that he does not have
anything to say regarding the legal grounds but politically it is
not in parallel with the American way of thinking.

Regarding the formation of a new party and DTP deputies’ decision
to join that party, Wilson said the move could contribute to the
continuation of Turkey’s democratic initiative.

Wilson also said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent
visit to the White House was productive. Regarding the "model
partnership" concept coined by US President Barack Obama during his
visit to Turkey this year shortly after taking office, Wilson said
Turkey and the United States share a number of mutual interests and
should work on their relationship to increase their cooperation.

About the "axis shift" regarding Turkey’s foreign policy orientation,
Wilson said that Turkey’s steps to improve its relations with Iran,
Syria and other Middle Eastern countries and its rapprochement
with Armenia are all good and not a sign of a decrease in Turkey’s
inclination toward the European Union and NATO.

In regards to Turkey’s relations with Iran, Wilson said Turkey has
been quite clear in its messages to Iran. He added that Turkey does
not want proliferation of nuclear weapons in its region and wants Iran
to be integrated into the international community. Wilson stressed
that Turkey is in a position to help those states that are concerned
about Iran’s actions in a region where there are already many problems.

ALBANIA DEFENDS THE RIGHT OF PEOPLES TO SELF-DETERMINATION

armradio.am
21.12.2009 18:45

The newly appointed Ambassador of Albania, Vili Minarolli (seat in
Athens), today presented his credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan.

President Sargsyan congratulated the Ambassador on appointment and
attached importance to the importance of intensification of the
political dialogue between the two countries.

The parties agreed that there are no obstacles for the development
of relations between the two countries.

President Sargsyan and Ambassador Minarolli exchanged views on a
number of regional issues. Touching upon the Karabakh issue, President
Sargsyan underlined that it’s an issue of self-determination of the
people of Nagorno Karabakh and has no religious component.

Ambassador Minarolli said "Albania constantly defends the right of
peoples to self-determination."

Azad Azarbaycan TV
Dec 16 2009

Azerbaijan unhappy with US aid to breakaway Karabakh

[Presenter] Baku is concerned about the traditional assistance
provided by the United States to the separatist Nagornyy Karabakh
regime. However, this concern cannot be described as anti-US
propaganda inside the country, a department head at the Presidential
Administration, Ali Hasanov, has said.

[Hasanov, speaking to reporters] We are not against assistance to
people suffering in Nagornyy Karabakh who need help. But if there are
people who need this assistance in Nagornyy Karabakh, it is members of
the Azerbaijani community who have been displaced from Nagornyy
Karabakh and who have been forced to live in inhumane conditions in
tent camps for years. All our demands and appeals are that the same US
Congress, the same congressmen who raised this issue at the Congress,
and the American public who supported it should take account of these
circumstances. No matter who receives this assistance, it helps
strengthen the ethnic separatist regime in Nagornyy Karabakh. In any
case, it helps strengthen the uncontrolled military entity in Nagornyy
Karabakh and therefore – [clip cut mid-sentence]

[Presenter] As is known, an appeal was made yesterday to the US
president and Congress on behalf of Azerbaijani parliament over the
issue. The deputy speaker of the Milli Maclis [Azerbaijani
parliament], Bahar Muradova, believes that the MPs tried to make it
clear to Washington that it did not take a fair position in the first
place.

[Muradova, speaking to a reporter in her office] These are statements
we have always been hearing from the USA and US officials concerning
world policies – bringing peace, stability, exporting democracy to
different parts of the world – these are America’s priorities, its
objectives. But if we look at the decision from any of these angles,
it is absolutely not fair. From this standpoint in the first place,
there is disbalance and discrepancy between what the USA declares and
its actions and decisions. In view of this, I believe that when
adopting this decision, the US Congress failed to act in accordance
with the principle of justice, the principle of territorial integrity,
independence, strategic partnership, cooperation, or signed
agreements.

[translated from Azeri]

POLITICAL "DIVORCE": HUNCHAKIAN PARTY MEMBERS ACCUSE THEIR LEADER OF WASHING DIRTY LINENS IN PUBLIC

hnchakian_party_splits
17.12.09 | 17:14

The chairwoman of Hunchakian party Lyudmila Sargsyan has been dismissed
from the party.

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A serious split is taking place within the oldest Armenian political
party, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP). At the special session
of the party a decision was made to dismiss the chairwoman of the
party – Lyudmila Sargsyan.

The split started still in autumn, when some of party members accused
Sargsyan of not being able to keep party secrets, and of passionately
spreading inter-party controversies in mass media.

One of Sargsyan’s main opponents, Narek Galstyan, head of the youth
branch of SDHP, stated that he and his supporters had to express
dissatisfaction, because "they had run out of patience."

"She has been insulting her party colleagues through mass media for
months. We think that Sargsyan is not able to keep party secrets. She
has started destroying the party," Galstyan said.

(The main part of SDHP supporters live abroad, and have a branching
structure among the communities in the Armenian Diaspora. In 2008,
the party moved to a radical oppositional position, the main initiator
of which was Chairwoman Sargsyan.)

At a press conference on December 17 Sargsyan called the session
(held the previous day, when she was dismissed) illegal.

"If anyone dare introduce himself or herself as member of the [party’s]
Armenia governing body or chairman/chairwoman of the party, then
he/she must end up in court. On January 9, 2010, the next session of
the party will take place. It will elect the governing body of the
party, and those who will try to argue its decision, will also end
up in court," she said.

Sargsyan also reported that three members of their party are dismissed
from SDHP (including Galstyan).

VARDAN KHACHATRYAN: SDPH READY FOR FURTHER COOPERATION WITH ANC

NEWS.am
16:48 / 12/17/2009

"We do not want to withdraw from the Armenian National Congress
(ANC), but we will cooperate with it if it does not object," Vardan
Khachatryan, the former member of the Heritage Party, who was recently
elected a Board member, Social-Democratic Party of Hnchakyan (SDPH),
told reporters on December 17. He pointed out that, at the SDPH’s
special congress yesterday, no changes were made to the resolution of
cooperation with the ANC adopted at a congress held 45 days ago. If
any changes are introduced, an official statement will be made.

NEWS.am reminds readers that the SDPH held its 7th special congress
yesterday. The congress elected Gevorg Perkuperkyan SDPH Chairman
and the RA Parliament member Vardan Khachatryan SDPH Board member.

AUCTION OF TREASURY SHORT-TERM BONDS WITH 52-WEEK MATURITY HELD ON DECEMBER 15

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 15, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. An action of state (treasury)
short-term bonds (AMGT5214C102 issue) with a 52-week maturity was held
on December 15. The amount of bonds subject to placement was 1 billion
drams, the demand amounted to 2.22 billion drams. The placement of
bonds made 1 billion drams, the revenues from placement amounted to
918 million 354 thousand 518 drams. The weighted average yield of
the placement is 8.7927%, the limit yield is 9.1875%.

According to the press service of the RA Ministry of Finance, 10
dealers participated in the auction.

ARS ISSUES HOLIDAY APPEAL; URGES COMMUNITY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

Asbarez
Dec 14th, 2009

Children at the ARS Sosse Kindergarten in the Ashan village of Karabakh
receive Christmas gifts collected for them from the United States. 2008

GLENDALE, Calif.-The Armenian Relief Society of the Western US
has issued an appeal to the community this holiday season, urging
Armenian-Americans to participate in a charity drive to help the
less fortunate.

"Responding to the needs of the community and giving to those in need
has been the guiding principle of the ARS," said Sossie Poladian,
ARS Western USA Regional Executive Board Chairperson.

Poladian said the ARS has been carrying out an ambitious campaign to
collect donations from community members and ARS supporters to help
those who need help the most this year.

"The first mailed ARS appeal has already reached the communities
closest to Glendale, and others will follow," Poladian explained. "It
is hoped that ARS supporters will respond with small or large donations
to make up for the shortfall many are expected to face this Christmas
season.

Poladian said the ARS has already witness a "generous" and "uplifting"
outpouring of community support for the campaign, despite economic
downturn.

ARS Received donation from Smart & Final. From left to Right: Randall
Oliver, Asdghig Chitilian and SOssie Poladian.

Since its inception in 1910, the ARS has worked to serve, from helping
Armenian refugees coming into Elis Island to caring for the elderly,
orphans, widows, widowers and students, according to her.

Alongside the mailer, the ARS has also been organizing canned food
drives throughout the community.

In November, the ARS helped a class of 4-year olds at St. Mary’s
Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool to organize a canned food drive.

Through the coordination of preschool Director, Arsine Aghazarian
and homeroom teacher Seta Hagopian, 80 children at the preschool were
able to participate in the drive, collecting canned and boxed goods
to be donated this Christmas.

Dinners and luncheons have also been organized at the homes of ARS
members, encouraging guests to make donations to the ARS.

"The children learned about giving to other children, who may be
hungry, and the parents were happy that their children were learning
to share and care," said Hagopian, who is a member of the Glendale
"Sepan" ARS Chapter.

The Hoover High School Armenian Club also held a canned food drive
for the ARS campaign. Club member Talin Fakhourian, explained that
the highschool students took part in the drive "to give back to the
Armenian community during Christmas time."

Christmas gifts are also being collected at schools and community
centers for children served by local ARS Social Services offices in
the Diaspora, Armenia and Artsakh. The ARS is welcoming donations
of clothing and educational toys, which it will give to children
on Christmas.

ARS members and Tufenkian Presschool staff collect canned foods for
the less fortunate.

The ARS Western USA is also taking part in the global "Amanor"
campaign run by the international ARS, as well as shipping boxes of
toys, clothing and shoes to the children in Armenia and Artsakh.

Alongside grassroots efforts, the ARS was also able to tap large
corporate donors to help its holiday campaign, gaining a generous
donation from the Smart & Final Charitable Foundation. The Foundation
gave the ARS Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center $2,500 dollars
to help provide therapy and counseling for the needy during the
difficult holidays.

The Smart & Final Charitable Foundation donated $2,500 to the ARS
Child, Youth & Family Guidance Center. Randall Oliver handed the
check to Sossie Poladian, Chair of the ARS of Western USA, Regional
Executive, who was accompanied by Asdghig Chitilian. Being freed from
anxiety issues through therapy could be the best gift for a child
and a family. The ARS Chapters provide most of the support for the
counseling center located at the ARS Glendale headquarters.

"The Armenian-American community has an impressive history of
responding to the charitable needs of people all over the world,
wherever the needs may be," Poladian exclaimed. "All dedicated and
compassionate ARS supporters are urged to make a donation. Any amount
will make a difference."

To contribute, send donations to the ARS of Western USA, Regional
Executive, 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202-2812. Credit
card donations are also accepted by phone or on-line at

No single barrier for Upper Lars’ opening, says Medvedev

Aysor.am
09/12/09

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said there is no single barrier for
renewal of the direct flights between Moscow and Tbilisi. `The
problems you mentioned, and the matter of the direct flights between
Moscow and Tbilisi, and the Upper Lars checkpoint’s opening – all
these matters are completely normal items for discussions. By and
large, I don’t see a single barrier here,’ said Russian President at
the press conference after European and Eurasian Media Forum.

`Russia and Georgia have to hold in trust every positive thing that
was done,’ he added.

NALBANDIAN TO ATTEND OIF FOREIGN MINISTERS CONFERENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.12.2009 12:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
will attend a conference of Foreign Ministers of the International
Francophone Organization (OIF) due in Paris from December 14 to 16. He
will also convene a meeting of RA Ambassadors to European countries,
RA MFA press office reported.