DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 10 2006
NKR PARLIAMENT SPEAKER URGED YOUTH TO MORE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN
THE REFERENDUM’S PREPARATION
On the eve of the World Youth Day the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
National Assembly Head Ashot Gulian received the representatives of
the Republic youth organizations.
Having congratulated the meeting’s participants and the Republic’s
youth as a whole, the Speaker mentioned the importance of the role
and significance of the youth organizations in the civil society’s
construction and the democratic principles’ establishment in the
various spheres of the country’s vital activity.
According to the Speaker, the Republic leadership, including the
legislative organ, is ready to promote the process of formation of
the country’s youth field.
Ashot Gulian answered numerous questions referring to strengthening
state control over the new generation’s spiritual upbringing,
ensuring the youth’s employment, improving the young families’ living
conditions and establishment of the youth parliament in the NKR.
The Karabakh Parliament Head urged the youth’s representatives to
more actively participate in the preparation and propaganda of a
referendum on the NKR Draft Constitution, the NKR MFA Press Centre
reports.

The Messenger, Georgia
Nov 10 2006
United Javakh leader warns of protests if Kars-Akhalkalaki railway
goes ahead
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Tiko Giorgadze)
The United Javakh NGO is against the construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki railway project, a segment of railroad that will
extend from Turkey into Georgia via the Armenian populated Javakheti
region.
United Javakh, which calls for greater autonomy for Javakheti, is
often characterised as a radical organisation, and sometimes held to
have links to Russia, one of the organisations leaders has warned of
large scale protests if construction goes ahead.
A railway already exists linking Turkey to Azerbaijan via Armenia;
however this route is unusable due to the Turkish government’s
closure of its border with Armenia in response to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia is against the construction of the
new railway, saying it further isolates the country and further
reduces the chances of settling its problems with Turkey.
At the meeting of foreign ministers at the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (BSEC) summit last week, Armenian Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Vardan Oskanian, stated that the construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki railway should not go ahead, and called on the
Georgian government to not participate in the project.
On a recent visit to Moscow, Oskanian said that new transport routes
were being constructed without the participation of several BSEC
member countries, and already existing routes were being completely
ignored.
United Javakh leader, Vagan Chakhalian, has expressed concern that
violent protest might erupt in the area. Last month Armenian police
detained Chakhalian for illegally crossing the Armenian border. He
was released only after several political organizations held protests
in Yerevan demanding his release. Chakhalian has been making more and
more radical statements since his release.
Kote Gabashvili, chair of the parliamentary Foreign Relations
Committee, says there will not be any confrontations or conflict
between the people of two friendly nations, but at the same time he
adds that provocative statements and actions of this kind should be
prevented in the provinces. It is worth stressing that the
construction of the railway will bring much needed jobs to the area,
which is one of the poorest in Georgia.
Political analyst Ramaz Sakvarelidze says that the issue of Javakheti
is often raised when Georgian-Russian relations becomes tense. He is
concerned that Russia will encourage the Armenian side to create
problems in Georgia.
According to Sakvarelidze some steps should be taken to ease tensions
locally, but the Georgian government should also pay attention to its
relationship with the president of Armenia, because the population of
Javakheti always listens to Yerevan’s opinion.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
Georgian scientists appeal to President Saakashvili
[ 10 Nov. 2006 12:27 ]
60 Georgian scientists declared that Armenians commit genocide
against Georgians, APA East European bureau reports.
Georgia National Assembly appealed to Georgia president Mikhail
Saakashvili and asked to recognize the genocide committed by
Armenians. The appeal says that Armenian military unit Bagramyan
fought together with Abkhazians against Georgian army in 1993 and
killed Georgians living in Abkhazia.
`There was any Armenian in Chavakhetiya region before that Tzar
Russia replaced Armenians in this region. But today Chvakhetiya is
shown as a part of Armenia. Armenians destroyed some Georgian
monuments in the region. All these are their systematic work and
should be recognized as Georgian genocide.’
Abkhazian parliamentarian in exile Akaki Gasviani stressed that
Armenians had great role in Abkhazian separatist regime. /APA/

TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
Azeri Delegation to Participate in NATO PA Session

Source: Trend
Author: E.Huseynov

10.11.2006

The delegation of Milli Majlis [Azerbaijani Parliament] left for
Canada to participate in the 52nd session of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly scheduled to take place from 14-17 November. The delegation
included the first Vice Speaker, Head of the Azerbaijani delegation
to NATO, Ziyafet Askerov, and his Deputy, Siyavush Novruzov, Trend
reports with reference to Milli Majlis.
Within the Conference, meetings will be held of the Political
Committee, Defense and Security Committee, Economic Committee,
Committee for Science & Technology, as well as the Political Group
and Permanent Committee. During the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee
`Future Possibilities of Security and Defense’ and Defense and
Security Committee, a report will be delivered on the topic `Role of
NATO in the region of South Caucasus’, an exchange of views will be
held on the situation in the countries of the region, the development
of relations with NATO, work carried out with regards to individual
co-operation and other issues. The event will also focus on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In addition, the session intends to consider the Declaration of the
NATO Riga Summit, which reflects the importance of providing
assistance to the countries of South Caucasus and Balkan and
following of the democratic standards in the member-countries.
Azerbaijan deputies will also participate in discussions and present
the position of the Azerbaijani side.
The visit will conclude on 19 November.

ARKA News Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES TO REDUCE SHADOW ECONOMY
YEREVAN, November 9. /ARKA/. Government structures must deal with the
problem is reducing the share of shadow economy, President of the
Union of Jewelers of Armenia Gagik Abramyan told reporters.
“The observation of laws and timely tax payments must be demanded,”
he said.
In his turn, President of the MIKA Armenia Trading Company Mikael
Bagdasarov pointed out that “right laws” should be applied in
battling shadow economy. “The Armenian Parliament and Government must
combine their efforts in elaborating such mechanisms that would put
an end to shadow economy,” Bagdasarov said. He stressed the
importance of transparency of this process. P.T. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
RUSSIAN BUSINESSMEN INTERESTED IN LARGE-SCALE INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, November 9. /ARKA/. Russian businessmen are interested in
large-scale investments in Armenia, President of the Union of
Jewelers of Armenia Gagik Abramyan told reporters.
“Russian businessmen, irrespective of their nationality, have
recently been greatly interested in making investments in Armenia,”
he said.
He said that many Russian companies intend to implement investment
programs in Armenia.
In his turn, President of the MIKA Armenia Trading Mikhail Bagdasarov
pointed out that Russian businessmen are interested in expanding
their business throughout the CIS now.
“Russia is the richest country in the post-Soviet area, and Russian
business has extremely intensified its activities in Belarus,
Ukraine, Armenia, Uzbekistan and even in Georgia,” he said.
The RA Statistical Service reports that Russian investments in
Armenia totaled $19,220.9ths in January-June 2006 – a 41.9% increase
compared to the corresponding period of last year.
A total of $11,679.5ths (60.76%) of Russian investments were directed
to the metallurgical industry, $2,963ths to the recreation sphere,
$1,318.5ths to private services, $1,335ths to production and
distribution of electric power, gas, water and steam, $853.9ths to
computer-related activities, $861.2ths to trade (except trade in cars
and scooters), and $192.7ths to other sectors of mining industry.
In January-June 2006, Russia made the third largest investments in
Armenia’s economy after Lebanon and Greece.
A total of 589 enterprises with Russian capital are currently
registered in Armenia, about 300 of them actively working. P.T. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
MIGRATION FROM ARMENIA TO POLAND REDUCED TO MINIMUM
YEREVAN, November 9. /ARKA/. Migration from Armenia to Poland has
recently been reduced to a minimum, Marshal of the polish Senate
Bogdan Borusevich told reporters.
He said that quite a few Armenians came to Poland in 1990s, the
reason being the Karabakh war and general instability.
“The current situation is stable in Armenia, and economic factors
mostly account for Armenians’ migration,” he said.
Borusevich added that there is no large Armenian Diaspora in Poland
now.
“Some of the migrant returned to Armenia and others went to better
places – Germany or France,” Borusevich said.
He pointed out that Poland is a liberal country for migrants even if
they violate the country’s legislation.
“We do not practise what other countries do – hunting for foreigners
and repatriating them,” he said.
He also pointed out that Poland’s migration legislation must be
regulated because the country intends to join the Schengen zone and
must observe the established standards.
A total of 100,000 currently reside in Poland. P.T. -0–

Watertown TAB & Press, MA
Nov 10 2006
Mayrig & Me
By Jillian Fennimore/ Staff Writer
Friday, November 10, 2006
Whether the sound a dog makes when it barks is “huff huff,” ”ruff
ruff” or “how how” in Armenian, attentive toddlers at St. Stephen’s
Armenian Preschool easily learn to make that connection once they see
a stuffed puppy dog in the arms of their teacher.

Sitting with legs crossed on the floor of a colorful classroom,
parents and their children watch a teacher make a sparkly fish float
from face to face of each student, and a bird flutter to the sound of
the music.

Well into the school’s inaugural preschool program “Mayrig & Me”
– an Armenian toddler music and movement class first of its kind in
Watertown – turnout has been high and skills are certainly growing.

Mayrig may mean “mother” in Armenian, but Assistant Principal
Heather Krafian said they have welcomed fathers and grandparents into
the mix, too.

“It really varies,” she said.

With an age range from 17 months to 3 years of age, Krafian said
they first estimated about six to eight children per class, but now
have 13 in both morning classes each Wednesday.

The new program, which kicked off its fall session on Oct. 18,
plans to end on Dec. 22, with winter classes slated to start the
third week in January.

Funded with support from the Watertown Family Network, and a
grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care,
Krafian said the program targets listening and Armenian language
skills, rhythm and beats, along with creativity and physical
coordination through an engaging musical experience.

“If children are not fluent in Armenian, they get the exposure
here,” she said.

Mayrig & Me instructor Maro Arakelian holds one-on-one
interactions with the children, while incorporating instruments and
props, speaking and singing in Armenian and witnessing their change
in demeanor and confidence.

“They are very active now,” she said. “I see them as more social,
getting up and moving across the room.”

Arakelian also teaches “Music & Movement” to preschool students
at St. Stephen’s, in addition to a bi-weekly music class.

CNN News
Nov 10 2006
Nobel novelist reflects on Turkey
POSTED: 0341 GMT (1141 HKT), November 9, 2006
NEW YORK (AP) — In another life, Orhan Pamuk could have been an
escape artist.
Spend an hour with him, and you quickly wonder if he wants to be
somewhere else, or even someone else. Ask him, and he’ll admit that
not being Orhan Pamuk is a constant fantasy.
But Pamuk has good reason to be himself these days. For years, he has
been regarded as a novelist of exceptional talent. Now, he’s a Nobel
Prize-winning novelist of exceptional talent.
What does that mean for a man who wrote he once believed there was
another Orhan somewhere?
Mostly just relief.
“The beautiful part of this prize is that I’m pleased from now on
nobody else will ask me, ‘Will you get the Nobel Prize?”‘ Pamuk says,
laughing.
The Nobel is a coda to an extraordinary decade in the 30-year career
of Turkey’s most famous writer — one of steep rise in global
exposure.
His works have now been translated into more than 40 languages. He
has traveled to more than 20 countries to promote them. Along the
way, he has made his share of political statements, one of which led
to a trial in Turkey on the charge of “insulting Turkishness.”
Meanwhile, the drumbeat for the Nobel grew louder and more maddening.
In a recent interview at Columbia University, where he is a fellow,
Pamuk insisted that the Nobel would not change his character or work
habits, but he also expressed exhaustion with the people who comb
everything he says and writes for controversy. He seems unsure if the
Nobel will be more of a shield or a magnifying glass.
“Politics do not influence my work; politics have influenced my life,
actually,” he says. “In fact, I am doing my utmost to preserve my
work from politics.”
Pamuk is a tall, slender 54-year-old, with a slightly pudgy face,
almond eyes, ill-fitting glasses and rumpled hair. He laughs loudly,
isn’t above wagging his finger over questions he deems objectionable,
and describes himself as a lover of solitude with a restless
imagination.
“I have this urge to stop this life and start afresh,” he says. “I am
in a train, and the train goes into a town, or it passes close to
houses. … You see inside the house where a man, a family, a TV is
on, they’re sitting at a table. You see a life there. There’s an
immense impulse to be there, to be them, to be like them.”
Pamuk was born into a wealthy family in Istanbul, and defines himself
as Muslim “culturally,” with religion never playing much of a role in
his upbringing. In his early 20s, disillusioned with his architecture
studies and painting aspirations, he decided he would write. It was
nearly a decade before he was published.
“Till the age of 30, my father gave me pocket money,” he says.
His artistic skills have influenced his structurally complex,
visually piercing novels. He counts among his inspirations Proust and
Tolstoy, and says he loves philosophically and emotionally layered
works such as “The Possessed” and “Anna Karenina”
His own lyrical, dreamlike stories — often drenched in melancholy —
seek harmony in discord, but don’t always find it.
In “Snow,” his most overtly political novel, Pamuk writes about the
plight of young Muslim girls who wished to wear headscarves in school
but faced legal obstacles in secular Turkey. In the book, published
in the United States in 2004, every character’s point of view seems
to have merit, and in it, both secularists and Islamists in Turkey
found much to like and hate. The topic was especially touchy,
considering the ongoing debate in Turkey over the country’s bid to
join the European Union, a move Pamuk has openly supported.
The push and pull in Turkey, a country that straddles two continents
and has deep religious and secular convictions, haunt Pamuk’s work.
Besides “Snow,” his best-known novels in the United States are “The
Black Book” and “My Name Is Red.” Another well-received book,
“Istanbul,” is part memoir, part history of the home city Pamuk
adores.
Writing in longhand
Pamuk spends years exploring themes before an idea is transformed
into a book. He plans, designing a blueprint for each section. He
still writes in longhand with a fountain pen.
“One of the wonderful joys of writing novels is not the writing, but
fantasizing about other novels one day you will write,” he says. “I
have notebooks, notes, so much material about the novels I may
someday write. Then, of course you realistically know you cannot
write all of these novels. But it’s like fantasizing another life.
… I like doing that.”
He doesn’t believe his best work is behind him, but says the Nobel is
unlikely to be a crutch.
“I’m sure that after two months when I write a page that I’m not sure
about the quality, that I will be upset,” he says. “I will be
tormented again if I think that the sentence I’m writing is not good.
No Nobel Prize — no nothing helps that. You’re alone there.”
He hopes the Nobel, Turkey’s first, has a positive impact on other
Turkish writers, but he is not convinced that it will protect him
from future political persecution, noting that he was already very
famous when he was put on trial last year.
Pamuk was charged after telling a Swiss publication that Turkey was
unwilling to deal with painful parts of its history involving the
massacres of Armenians during World War I, which Turkey insists was
not a genocide, and the killings of many in its Kurdish population.
The charge was dropped on a technicality in January.
He insists that he is merely “a novelist” writing about what he knows
and what interests him, but that others have interpreted his works as
political commentary during what are tense times between the West and
the Muslim world.
Still, it doesn’t take much to make him say something political. It
is as if he can’t bear to not be honest.
“It’s a conscience,” said Maureen Freely, who has known Pamuk for
many years and served as a translator for him. “If it’s important,
he’ll say something. It’s something he regards as a duty he can’t run
away from.”
When he won the Nobel, some countrymen denigrated him, saying he was
tapped not for his writing but for his politics. His mother’s
happiness was tempered by concern over how Turkish right-wingers
would respond.
“I embrace them,” Pamuk says of his detractors. “This is a day of
celebration for me and for Turkey. I’m not going to answer back.”
For the last four years, Pamuk has been constructing a novel that “is
not political, not historical.” It is a love story about a rich
Istanbul man’s obsession with a poor relative. The working title is
“Museum of Innocence.”
But it is something else he is writing that is getting unwanted
attention: his Nobel-prize acceptance speech. He is still thinking
about what to say.
Perhaps when he is officially honored, on December 10 in Stockholm,
Sweden, he will wish to be somewhere else, someone else.

United Press International
Nov 10 2006
UPI Energy Watch
By ANDREA R. MIHAILESCU
UPI Energy Correspondent
Gazprom secures pipeline deal with Iran, Armenia
Russian gas giant Gazprom has acquired control of the
Iranian-Armenian gas pipeline, in move industry experts say is an
attempt to secure its leverage on the European gas market.
In 2005, Gazprom inked an agreement in which Armenia would pay only
$110 per cubic meter of gas, which is approximately half the market
price, in return for Gazprom taking a 45 percent stake in the
ArmRosGaz joint venture, which controls both Armenia’s domestic gas
distribution network and the soon-to-be-completed gas pipeline from
Iran, The Times of London reported.
Armenian and Gapzrom officials met last week to discuss Gazprom’s
interest in raising its stake in ArmRosGaz to 58 percent by
purchasing an additional $119 million of shares in the company.
With a control over the Iran-Armenian pipeline, Gazprom would be the
first to supply Iranian gas to Europe. The pipeline could have become
a rival source of gas for Western Europe, which is increasingly
dependent on Gazprom.
Alexander Medvedev, deputy chairman of Gazprom, told The Times: “It’s
a profitable project for us. We hope to use the joint venture to
become involved in extraction and development, and possibly help
supply gas through the joint venture to Western Europe, as well as
Pakistan and India.”