ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

RA PARLIAMENT VICE SPEAKER: REASON OF ALL-ROUND SPREAD OF CORRUPTION
IN ARMENIA IS THAT BRIBER IS NOT SUBJECT TO OBSTRUCTION

The reason of an all-round spread of corruption in Armenia is that
the briber is not subject to public obstruction, RA Parliament vice
speaker, the member of ARF Dashnaktsutiun, Vahan Hovannesyan, said at
today’s press-conference in the "Urbat" discussion club.

According to him, as for the ARF Dashnaktsutiun party, which had
claimed in 1998 of its support of Robert Kocharyan provided that he
will efficiently fight with corruption, "we were optimists then, now
we have become realists. Robert Kocharyan as well. It became clear
that the problem cannot be resolved by public calling the briber
names, another ways are necessary", V. Hovannesyan said.

He is sure that after the Parliamentary elections in 2007, the
present alignment of intra-Parliament forces will hardly sufficiently
change and ARFD will gather the necessary percents of votes to pas to
the Parliament. The party does not rule out the possibility of
pre-election and post-election cooperation with any political force,
V. Hovannesyan said .

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

RA PARLIAMENT VICE SPEAKER: COMING MEETING OF PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA
AND AZERBAIJAN IN MINSK NOT TO HARM SETTLEMENT PROCESS

The coming Minsk meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan,
Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev, within the frames of November 28
CIS Summit will not harm the settlement process, RA Parliament vice
speaker, the member of ARF Dashnaktsutiun, Vahan Hovannesyan, said
today in the "Urbat" discussion club. According to him, the dynamics
of the Presidents’ meeting is of no threat to Armenia. "It is
difficult to say now if the coming meeting will give any result. In
any case, it is necessary to meet", he said.

To remind, an agreement on meeting of the two states’ Presidents was
reached during the recent visit of OSCE MG Cochairs, Yuri Merzliakov
and Bernard Fassier, to the region.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

APPLICATIONS FOR A UNITED KINGDOM VISA IN ARMENIA: BIOMETRIC
FINGERSCANS

>From 1 December 2006 the British Embassy in Yerevan is introducing
biometric data collection (fingerscans), the press-service of the
British Embassy told ArmInfo.

This is part of a world-wide biometric identification process,
designed to protect an individual’s identity, facilitate future entry
to the UK, combat visa fraud and abuse of the UK’s immigration and
asylum systems. With effect from 1 December 2006 all visa applicants,
irrespective of nationality, will have to apply in person at the
British Embassy in Yerevan and have their fingerscans taken.

All visa applicants must have their fingerscans taken, with the
exception of children under the age of five. An exception may also be
granted to applicants, who for genuine medical reasons cannot provide
fingerscans. The following categories of applicant are also exempted
from providing their fingerscans: Holders of Diplomatic passports and
accompanying dependants travelling on official government business.
Holders of Official passports who are travelling on official
government business in the United Kingdom. United Nations officials
holding UN Travel Documents who are travelling on official UN
business. Commonwealth and NATO armed forces personnel posted for
service in the UK Holders of a certificate of entitlement confirming
right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Fingerscans will be collected from each applicant by using an
electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical will be used and the
procedure will take no more than two minutes to complete.

If an applicant refuses to provide fingerscans, the application
cannot be processed.

All applicants should ensure that their fingertips are free from any
forms of decoration (henna, for example), abrasions or other markings
prior to attending the British Embassy as these may affect their
ability to provide acceptable fingerscans. Visa applications cannot
be processed until applicants are able to provide acceptable
fingerscans.

For further information about the application process please contact
us on +374 (010) 26 43 01 or by email at [email protected]

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT VISITED THE WALL DIVIDING CYPRIAN CAPITAL INTO
GREEK AND TURKISH PARTS

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Mayor of Nicosia, the capital
of Cyprus, Michalakis Zampelas met in the municipality of Nicosia,
Friday.

After a short conversation, the Mayor of Nicosia thanked the Armenian
President for his visit and awarded a golden key of the city and a
diploma to him. The head of the city noted that the large Armenian
community living in Nicosia makes an important contribution to the
public, political and economic life of the Cyprian capital. In his
turn, Robert Kocharyan thanked the local authorities for their
attitude to the Armenian community and expressed hope that Nicosia
will be united again, as the Cypriotes want. The Mayor accompanied
the Armenian President to the old city. Near the cease-fire line
there is a wall dividing the city into Greek and Turkish parts.
R.Kocharyan made a note in the mourning book. Today, the delegation
led by R.Kocharyan will visit the St.Virgin Church and will meet with
the Armenian community.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

ANM LEADER WARNS ARMENIAN PUBLIC AGAINST DISTINCT MESSAGES OF RUSSIA

Russia once again threatens Armenian independence, Aram Manoukyan,
one of the leaders of the Armenian National Movement ruling in
Armenia in 1990s, said at a press-conference, Friday.

A.Manoukyan noted that on the threshold of parliamentary elections in
Armenia, Russian "groupings" have sharply activated their work in the
political field of the republic. Though this has a negative effect on
political processes of the country, Armenia, however, will continue
to be on friendly terms with Russia. The latter tries to put all the
countries under its supervision. The case of Georgia is a distinct
message for all of them who doesn’t want to maintain good relations
with it, Manoukyan noted. According to him, there started a real
struggle between Armenian politicians trying to prove their devotion
to Russia. Leaders of practically all the parties stand in queue to
get Moscow’s approvement of their activity, though the country’s
independence should be superior to the party’s interests, he said.
A.Manoukyan connected the process of rapid "russification" of
Armenian politicians with the pre-electoral race, in the course of
which leaders of Armenian parties try "to build themselves up".
Particularly, he pointed out the hunting of people carried out by the
"Prospering Armenia" and the Republican Parties of Armenia which
fight for greater number of followers. A.Manoukyan said that he
himself would like to know the real results of the parliamentary
elections. He said that even if honest and transparent elections are
held in spring 2007, both Serzh Sarkisyan and Gagik Tsarukyan will
fail to get the overwhelming majority of votes, as no citizen of the
Republic will vote for them voluntarily.

At the same time, A.Manoukyan admitted that the action of
"distributing potatoes", implemented by Gagik Tsarukyan, the leader
of "Prospering Armenia", may have a considerable effect on the
pre-electoral mood of dwellers of the Armenian remote regions, and
this will turn the Armenian Parliament into "an assembly of people
having thick necks and thick wallets" and "not knowing how many
letters the Armenian alphabet has". He expressed hope that one day
the Armenian Parliament will consist of deputies having at least
distinct political views.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: RECOGNITION OF OWN HISTORY BY TURKEY WILL BE A
DIFFICULT WAY TO PASS

"The readiness to normalize relations with the neighbors that Turkey
will express will influence also Armenian-Turkish relations."
President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan made this statement in Nicosia,
Thursday, commenting on the fact that Turkey must revise its position
regarding Cyprus. Afterwards, EU will express its position on the
continuation of the talks for Turkey’s membership of the EU.

Asked about Armenia’s position on Turkey’s admission to the EU in
conditions when Turkey denies the Armenian Genocide, Robert Kocharyan
said peoples must recognize their own history. "We hope that the
membership process will create a new situation due to reforms when
the discussions on this issue in Turkey will be more open. This will
allow the Turkish public to voice the question. We understand that it
will be a difficult way to pass. Nevertheless, we hope that the
Turkish people will pass it itself and that the international
community and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by other
countries will help the Turkish people pass this way," Robert
Kocharyan said.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

ARMENIAN MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE IS PLEASED WITH FIRST
STAGE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF BOLOGNA AGREEMENT

On December 14, in Strasbourg, an Armenian delegation led by Levon
Lazarian, the Armenian Minister of Education and Science, will
present the first report on implementation of the Bologna agreement
in Armenia, L.Lazarian said at a press-conference, Friday.

During the meeting with journalists, the Minister pointed out some
positive results the Armenian side has reached since joining the
Bologna agreement in 2005. Particularly, Armenian teachers have
already passed the advanced training course in a number of European
countries. Besides, due to the Armenian-German program on pupil
exchange, next year several Armenian pupils will get an opportunity
to live and study in Germany. L.Lazarian noted that serious work
will be done to raise the quality of teaching the German language in
Armenian educational institutions. The Minister also expressed hope
that in the future it will be possible to establish an
Armenian-Chinese cultural and educational center in the republic due
to the cooperation of Armenia and China in the sphere of education.

L.Lazarian said that it is planned to publish a book about Armenia’s
obligations under the Bologna agreement, as well as training aids on
test system of passing the Armenian language and Literature exam for
university entrants. The Minister emphasized that all the 50 thousand
copies of the edition will be given to senior pupils free of charge.

To note, the first official report on implementing the Bologna
agreement in Armenia will be published in London in spring 2007.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER AVOIDS CALLING ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES "THE
MOST COMBAT- EFFECTIVE" IN REGION

Serge Sargsyan, Secretary of the Armenian Presidential National
Security Council, Defense Minister, stated in an interview with the
Armenian Public Radio that he prefers avoiding the phrase "the most
combat-effective army in the region" when speaking of Armenia’s armed
forces.

Speaking of the region, one should not forget that besides Georgia
and Azerbaijan, there are also Iran and Turkey in the region, the
minister said. "I prefer saying that the Armenian army is an army
that has fulfilled its task. But for the fighting capacity of the
Armenian army, Azerbaijan would easily settle the Karabakh problem by
force in its favor," the minister said.

ARMENIAN DM: COUNTRY WHICH STARTS MILITARY ACTIONS WILL INEVITABLY
SUFFER CONSIDERABLE LOSSES

"One can not say that today there is no threat of military actions of
Armenia and Azerbaijan," Serge Sargsyan, Secretary of the Armenian
Presidential National Security Council, Defense Minister, stated in
an interview with the Armenian Public Radio.

He said a defense minister must always think that military actions
may start already tomorrow. "Nevertheless, I think that military
actions are unlikely to start in foreseeable future. First, the
Azerbaijani army is not ready for military actions now. Second, OSCE
Minsk Group Co-chairs will perceive the start of military actions by
Azerbaijan as a slap in the face. Third, the country which starts
military actions will inevitably suffer considerable losses. This,
first of all, concerns Azerbaijan," the minister said.

The Gazette (Montreal)
November 25, 2006 Saturday
Final Edition

Arak delivers anise flavour with fire and ice

by SARAH MUSGRAVE, The Gazette

The sip: Chateau Kefraya arak
The price: $7.50 for a shot

The smell: A strong scent of anise greets the nose, with barely a
whiff of alcohol beneath it.

The look: It’s a three-parter, comprising a glass of colourless
liquid, another of ice cubes and a bottle of water. When the spirit
is diluted, it turns cloudy and changes from clear to milky white.
The ice is always added afterward.

The taste: The aniseed flavour is unmistakable and concentrated, but
surprisingly smooth and rounded. At 53 per cent alcohol, it’s a quiet
fire, one that doesn’t burn the throat on the way down.

The story: Distilled from fermented grapes and aniseed, arak is
thought to have been developed by non-Muslim minorities in the Middle
East. Traditionally, grapes were harvested in the fall, with
distillation taking place in November. Although Islamic law has long
prohibited the consumption of alcohol, the art of distilling was
greatly advanced by early Arab scientist Jabir ibn Hayyan, who
invented the alembic in the 700s, making the process of chemically
separating substances far more efficient, systematic and safe.

The source: Le Petit Alep (191 Jean-Talon St. E., 514-270-9361) is a
busy Syrian-Armenian bistro that stocks three kinds of arak, with the
Lebanese brand Kefraya considered to have the highest quality of the
bunch. It’s usually served with a range of mezze from the region, as
it pairs particularly well with aromatic dips, zatar and pita bread.

The twist: Arak finds variants in such anise-flavoured liquors as
ouzo in Greece and raki in Turkey, as well as the somewhat sweeter
French pastis.

Something worth sipping? Send suggestions to [email protected]

The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan)
November 25, 2006 Saturday
Final Edition

JOSE CARRERAS COLLECTION
Montserrat Caballe & Jose Carreras
ArtHaus Music
Rating 4 (out of five)

I had the impression that it was the delightful Three Tenors series
that brought Jose Carreras back to the stage after his battle with
leukemia. However, the beloved Spanish tenor had returned for the
Salzburg Festival of 1989, just three weeks after he was pronounced
recovered. A month later, as captured in this DVD, he sang a benefit
concert in the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre with his mentor and compatriot
Montserrat Caballe. The performance was for the aid of victims of the
great Armenian earthquake the previous winter.

The recording is a gem, visually and acoustically, giving a good view
of the Bolshoi’s glittering ballet theatre. Above all, it is the
fidelity of the singers’ voices that is important, and the fine,
sensitive piano accompaniment by Miguel Zannetti. Carreras and
Caballe sing a variety of Spanish and Italian solos and duets, with a
scattering of operatic arias, including the show-stopping "O Mio
Babbino Caro," from Puccini’s "Gianni Schicchi."

— David Green