Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

CBA ISSUES "PISCES" SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COIN

Noyan Tapan
Dec 21, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)
has put into circulation the "Pisces" silver commemorative coin with
a depiction of the Pisces zodiacal sign. The coin was issued under
the numismatic program "The Zodiacal Signs". According to the CBA
press service, commemorative coins depicting all the 12 signs of the
zodiac will be issued in this series.

The coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia is depicted in the middle
of the obverse of the coin. Below the coat of arms, the nominal value
of the coin is inscribed: "100" and "DRAMS" in Armenian and English
in a circle. The date of the coin’s issue – "2007" is inscribed above
the coat of arms. All this is enclosed in a striped circle. There
is another striped circle between the indicated circle and the
edge. The surface of the coin’s obverse between the two circles is
divided into 12 equal parts, in which the 12 zodiacal symbols are
depicted. "REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA" in Armenian and English is inscribed
in a circle along the edge of the coin.

The reverse of the coin has a depiction of the Pisces zodiacal sign
against the background of the starry sky. There is also a star made
of zirconium.

Below on the right, the Pisces zodiacal sign is depicted. All this
is enclosed in a striped circle. In the surface between this circle
and the edge, the name of the zodiacal sign is inscribed in Latin
(PISCES) in the top part of the coin and its name is inscribed in
Russian (RYBY) – in the bottom part. Color paints have been used for
the design of the reverse.

The commemorative coin was minted at the Polish Mint.

The nominal value of the commemorative coin is 100 drams, it is made
of silver (925 alloy). Its weight is 28.28 grams, diameter – 38.61 mm,
the number of the coins – 12 thousand.

VARTAN OSKANIAN: TURKEY MISSED TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO SPREAD ITS INFLUNCE IN REGION

Noyan Tapan
Dec 19 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Over the past 17 years, Turkey has
missed two historical opportunities to make its positive contribution
to the establishment of peace and stability and the economic
development of the South Caucasian region. The Armenian foreign
minister Vartan Oskanian stated this in his speech at the December
19 parliamentary hearings "Armenian-Turkish Relations. Problems
and Prospects".

According to him, in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union,
there was a vacuum in the region: Russia was weak and unable to spread
its influence, and the competition was going on between Turkey and
Iran. However, as the West opposed Iran’s penetration into the region,
the field was open to Turkey. But Turkey failed to subdue regional
strategic interests to its narrow ethnic interests and so missed this
opportunity. Turkey not only failed to acquire a positive influence
in the region but also in those years it formed its public opinion
in such a way that the authorities found themselves in a situation,
from which it was actually impossible to get out.

Besides, there was Azerbaijani pressure – not to open the
Armenain-Turkish border and not to establish diplomatic relations
with Armenia.

According to V. Oskanian, in order to get out of this situation,
Turkey could have used the second opportunity when negotiations on
its membership of the European Union started. Turkey could have told
its people and Azerbaijan that EU membership is the country’s supreme
task and so it is necessary to settle problems with Armenia. However,
Turkey did not take this step.

V. Oskanian said that Turkey’s joining the EU is in the interests of
Armenia just for the reason that in this case Armenia would have a
border with the EU. Armenia is concerned about whether the decision
of the EU on Turkey’s membership will be as fair as in case of other
countries or for certain reasons the EU will make a political decision.

TURKISH SCHOLARS DIDN’T ARRIVE IN YEREVAN OVER RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY?

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.12.2007 19:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There is no political motive for Turkey’s refusal
to participate in parliamentary hearings in Armenia, EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said in Yerevan.

"The date of the hearings coincided with one of the Islamic religious
holidays. Religion plays an important role in Turkey’s decision not
reject Yerevan’s invitation," he said. "I am hopeful that hearings
of the kind will be continued, since they provide the possibility to
speak of disputable issues.

The public of the two states should be prepared for a normal dialogue
and the EU will contribute to the process."

ARMENIA HONORS COLGATE PROFESSOR

Utica Observer Dispatch, NY

Dec 18 2007

HAMILTON – The government of Armenia has presented a Colgate University
professor with one of its highest civilian honors.

During a ceremony in November at the Embassy of Armenia in Washington,
Peter Balakian was awarded the Movses Khorenatsi Medal.

The medal is presented to individuals for their contributions in the
fields of culture, arts, literature, education and humanities.

Balakian is the Constance H. and Donald M. Rebar Professor in the
Humanities and professor of English at Colgate.

Balakian has spent decades unraveling his Armenian ancestry and
educating the world about the atrocities of the Armenian genocide.

Balakian is the author of eight books including "The Burning Tigris:
The Armenian Genocide and America’s Response," a New York Times
notable book and best seller.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE PARTICIPATION OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND
CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE MEETINGS IN GENEVA

Two international conferences were held in the Geneva headquarters of the
World Council of Churches on December 5-7 and 8-10 respectively. Archbishop
Sebouh Sarkisian (Primate of the Diocese of Tehran) represented the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in these conferences. Archbishop Avak Asadourian
(Primate of the Diocese of Iraq) attended on behalf of the Catholicosate of
All Armenians in Holy Etchmiyadzine.

The first conference was dedicated to the protection of human rights and
integrity, particularly during conflicts. About 40 representatives from
several countries in the world participated in the conference, especially
from those countries where Christianity forms a minority.

During the conference, Bishop Sebouh delivered a lecture on the status of
Christians in Iran starting from historic periods. In this context, he spoke
about the centuries-old presence of Armenians in Iran and their constructive
participation in the country’s political, cultural, social and educational
life. The conference discussed the peace and the establishment and
protection of human rights. In this respect, Archbishop Sebouh talked about
the neglected issue of the Armenian Genocide.

The second conference was dedicated to Christian-Muslim dialogue. It
attracted 30 clergy and lay delegates. General Secretary of WCC Dr. Sam
Kobia delivered the opening remarks. Speaking during this conference,
Archbishop Sebouh presented the various aspects of Christian-Muslim
relations in Iran. He particularly touched on the rights of minorities in
Iran and their protection by the state.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

KAZAKHSTAN INTERESTED IN ARMENIA’S ENERGY SECTOR

ARKA News Agency
Dec 11 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, December 11. /ARKA/. Kazakhstan is interested in Armenia’s
energy sector, said Charge d’Affaires of Kazakhstan to Armenia Yerlan
Kubashev. The country focuses on the delivery of pipes for Armenia’s
gas pipeline, implementation of energy projects and Armenia’s energy
sector, according to him.

The Kazakh party is studying a number of projects and is planning
to organize a meeting in the RA Ministry of Energy. The purpose of
the meeting is to attract Kazakh investors to Armenia, the Charge
d’Affaires said.

He pointed out that Kazakhstan does not rule out the possibility of
increasing oil exports to Armenia by constructing a new petroleum
terminal in Georgia and using the purchased Romanian petroleum
terminal. "We do not rule out the possibility of exporting oil to
Armenia by means of both terminals," Kubashev said.

45,000 small Armenian enterprises with 21 joint corporations were
registered in Kazakhstan in late 2006. Their main directivities are
trade, production and sales of construction materials.

Armenian-Kazakh trade turnover totaled $191.3mln in January-October
2007 – 62.4% increase. Armenian exports to Kazakhstan totaled $6.6mln –
80.4% increase as compared to January-October 2006.

Kazakh imports to Armenia totaled $184.7mln – 61.8% increase in the
reporting period. Imports from Kazakhstan increased thrice to $4.2mln.

The share of Kazakhstan in Armenia’s foreign trade turnover was 5.5%
in January-October 2007.

WITHIN ONE YEAR, RA FOREIGN NATIONAL DEBT INCREASES BY 153.4M USD AND DOMESTIC DEBT BY 3BN 798M DRAMS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 11, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. As of late September, 2007, the
RA foreign debt amounted to 443bn 751m drams or more than 1bn 321.5m
USD. In late September, 2006, it made nearly 1bn 168.1m USD. Thus, the
RA foreign national debt has increased by 153.4m USD within one year.

According to the data of the RA National Statistical Service, as of
late September, 2007, the RA domestic national debt amounted to 61bn
761.2m drams. As of late September, 2006, it totalled 57bn 962.8m
drams. The RA domestic national debt has increased by 3bn 798.4m
drams within one year.

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY – BRIDGE BETWEEN LEBANESE OPPOSING SIDES

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.12.2007 16:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Speaking of position of the Armenian community of
Lebanon, we should take account of three parties – AFR Dashnaktsutyun,
Ramkavar-Azatakan and Hnchakyan – functioning in the country. All
three differ in their approaches.

However, when a political dialogue is needed, these three parties
are reasonable enough to take a common stance, thus preventing any
split among the community, which has always served as a peaceful
bridge between opposing sides," editor-in-chief of Beirut-based
Azdak newspaper Shahan Kankhadaryan said in an interview with
PanARMENIAN.Net.

"True, we are not safe now and the political field in Lebanon is
dissociated. However, when speaking of the Armenian community, Lebanese
politicians always point to the capability of the Armenian parties
to highlight the interests of the state. As to common Armenian issues
such the Genocide, NKR recognition, prevention of Turkey’s scheming,
Lebanese Armenian demonstrate perfect unity," he said.

"ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND SERVILITY HAS BEEN FORMED IN ARMENIA AND AUTHORITIES OF ARMENIA ARE TO BLAME FOR IT," ANAHIT BAKHSHIAN BELIEVES

Noyan Tapan
Dec 7, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. A round table was dedicated to
the discussion of the interpolitical situation on the threshold of
the presidential elections and the role of society in the electoral
processes on December 7, which was organized by the National Press
Club together with the National Democratic Institution within the
frameworks of the program "Armenia and elections."

In the opinion of Galust Sahakian, a member of the Board of the
Republican Party of Armenia and an MP of the National Assembly, the
results of the presidential elections are pre-determined and society
played a decisive role in that by voting for the Republican Party
of Armenia during the parliamentary elections. He did not agree to
the allegation, according to which there is no atmosphere of free
elections in the country and that voters are afraid. Galust Sahakian
expressed conviction that from the point of view of the activization
of the public factor in the electoral processes, the forthcoming
presidential elections will be a step forward.

Anahit Bakhshian, a representative of the Zharangutiun (Heritage)
party and an MP of the National Assembly, expressed an opposite point
of view and stressed that the Armenian society has lost its ability for
a free and independent election. In her words, an atmosphere of fear
and servility governs in society. In her conviction, the authorities of
Armenia are to blame for it. Anahit Bakhshian mentioned that society
is not a factor in the interpolitical developments but an instrument
for the Armenian authorities in the provision of their reproduction.

EUROPEAN MONITORS MEET WITH ARF REPRESENTATIVES

YERKIR
06.12.2007 17:09

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The delegation of the Council of Europe’s
Parliamentary Assembly monitoring committee, headed by co-rapporteur
George Colombier, met on December 6 with the members of the ARF
faction in parliament.

The committee has been following the Armenian elections since this
spring and now focuses on the upcoming presidential election. Vahan
Hovhannisyan, a National Assembly deputy speaker and a member of
the ARF faction, said that the party denies personalized clashes
and negative advertising, adding that the party will do whatever it
takes to hold elections on the political level and have a healthy
competition of ideas. He said that the Election Code still has serious
shortcomings, including possibilities for multiple voting and the
fact that the lists of voters who have participated in the cote are
not available.

The parliament voted recently in favor of an ARF amendment to the
code to put a stamp in the passports of people who have already voted:
this measure will make it hard to vote again.

Atiusha Shahbazian, the secretary of the ARF faction, said that usually
the Election Code is amended right before elections; the ARF proposes
to improve the code in full.

In response to Colombier’s request to comment on the impartiality
of the media, Hovhannisian said that the print media looks to be
fine. This cannot be said about the broadcast media, he said, because
the TV’s are truying to avoid pressures from tax authorities in case
they air programs with opposition politicians. "We can speak about
TV channels’ political independence only if they are economically
independent," he added.

Colombier promised to take the voiced proposals into account in
future discussions.