LEBANON IN SHOCK AFTER KILLING OF CHRISTIAN POLITICIAN
Ekklesia, UK
Nov 22 2006
The normally jammed-packed streets of Beirut during rush hour were
even more frantic as residents scrambled following the news that
Christian politician Pierre Gemayel had been gunned down and killed
in the streets of a Beirut suburb on Tuesday 21 November 2006 –
reports Ecumenical News International.
Horns blared, sirens screeched and a thick air of apprehension took
hold as people struggled with the news. For a while, mobile phones
were inoperable as hordes of people tried to dial out at once.
Other commentators confirm 34-year-old’s cabinet minister’s killing
was especially jarring for some in the diverse Christian community
here, with fears that the assassination may lead to more violence.
Beirut is one of the most religiously diverse cities in the Middle
East, with Muslims (Sunni and Shi’ite), Christians (Maronite Catholics,
Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholics,
Roman Catholics, Syriacs, Copts and Protestants) and Druze all having
a significant presence.
But tensions are now running high, criss-crossing ethnic, political
and religious demarcations.
The murder of Mr Gemayel comes as a deep political crisis grips the
country following the resignation of six Shi’ite Hezbollah cabinet
members.
Syria itself, which some have immediately accused of involvement,
came out quickly to denounce the assassination, describing it as a
“despicable crime”.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair joined many other world and civic
leaders in strongly deploring the murder of one of Lebanon’s leading
politicians. “We condemn this murder utterly. It is completely without
any justification at all,” he declared.
Matthias Gebauer of the German paper Der Speigel, writing from Beirut,
observed poignantly: “It doesn’t take long to become a martyr in
Lebanon. It is Wednesday morning, ten o’clock. Minister of Industry
Pierre Gemayel hasn’t been dead for 24 hours, but his larger-than-life
picture is already displayed at every street corner in Beirut and
its suburbs.”
“In the picture, the politician – just 34 when he died – is smiling.
It is a product of Lebanon’s ubiquitous cynicism that such an
appearance is usually only accorded to the dead. And Gemayel is only
the most recent Lebanese politician to be murdered in the last couple
of years.”
The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in
2005 also shook the whole country. The last Syrian troops withdrew
from Beirut in April 2006, but its influence is still powerful. Over
the summer the country was racked by Israeli attacks following a
dispute with Hezabollah and has had little time to recover before
the latest blow.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE YEAR ENDS IN AN OPTIMISTIC MOOD: OSCE MINSK GROUP MEDIATORS
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair, Russian Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov,
stated in Yerevan on 22 November that the meeting of mediators and
the President and Foreign Minister of Armenia was effective, Trend
reports citing Mediamax News Agency.
During his interview with journalists at Zvartnots Airport prior to
his flight to Baku, Mezlyakov stated that Armenia gave its approval
to conduct a meeting with the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
in Minsk on 28 November 2006 within the framework of the CIS Summit.
Merzlyakov said the mediators are awaiting approval from the
Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev in Baku, although earlier the
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister made a statement confirming the same.
Merzlyakov said that the absence of the U.S. Ambassador, Matthew Bryza,
at the mission which is currently touring the conflict region was
linked with the agreement between the co-chairs on the distribution
of duties and he is going to meet with Arkadiy Gukasian [leader of
Karabakh Armenians], who is currently on a visit to the United States.
“In general the year is ending optimistically and if we succeed in
maintaining this attitude we will meet 2007 with a positive outlook.
Nevertheless, the elections have a deterrent impact on the negotiations
and we presume the achievements that we have had this year will
enable the pre-election period to pass easily, the Russian Ambassador
emphasized.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH OF TOURISTS VISITING ARMENIA IN RECENT YEARS MAKES 25%
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The average annual growth of
tourists visiting Armenia in recent years has made 25%. The RA Deputy
Minister of Trade and Economic Development Ara Petrosian said during
the November 22 press conference that in January-September 2005,
318,563 tourists visited Armenia, or by 21.3% more than in the same
months of the previous year. This growth rate was maintained in 2006
too: 372 thousand tourists visited Armenia in January-September of this
year, which exceeds by 18% the index of the year 2005. According to
A. Petrosian, if this growth rate continues, in 2-3 years the number
of tourists will reach 500 thousand.
Ara Petrosian said that in parallel with the development of
international tourism, internal tourism is also developing rapidly,
which shows that the living standard of the population has risen. In
1997, the number of internal tourists made 53 thousand, whereas in
2005, it made 268,664.
According to the deputy minister, 4-5 years ago, Armenians made up 75%
of the visitors to the country, while in the past 1-2 years, foreigners
made up 30-25%. Among visitors to Armenia are not only those from EU
countries, Russia and the US but also from South America, South-East
Asia and Eastern Europe. The average time of tourists’ stay in Armenia
is 5-6 days, during which each tourist spends about 1,000 dollars.

CNN COMMERCIALS ADVERTIZING ARMENIA AS TOURISM COUNTRY MAKE GREAT IMPRESSION ON VIEWERS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The commercials advertizing Armenia
as a tourism country, which have been shown on CNN since September
2006, have made a great impression on viewers. The RA Deputy Minister
of Trade and Economic Development Ara Petrosian said at the November 22
press conference that these commercials play quite a serious role not
only in terms of the country’s recognition but also for presentation
of its tourism opportunities.
According to him, these commercials will be shown in 2007 too. A
minute of a commercial’s broadcasting costs 1,000 US dollars.

NKR PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN OF CALIFORNIA
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues
relating to development of cooperation between Artsakh and U.S. West
Coast Armenian community and extension of contacts between them
were discussed at the November 21 meeting of NKR President Arkady
Ghoukassian with Armenian businessmen and a number of representatives
of NGOs of U.S. state of California.
As NKR President’s Acting Spokesperson reports from U.S., the
conversations mainly developed around issues of restoration of NKR
Hadrut region and the Artsakh Revival program, as well as Artsakh’s
socio-economic condition and prospects of country’s development.
During his meetings with entrepreneurs Vazgen Kaypekian and Ara
Aslanian, businessman Mher Tavitian, as well as benefactors Petros
Arunjakchel and Zaven Khanjian Arkady Ghoukassian registered with
satisfaction growth of Diasporan Armenians’ interest in Artsakh
present and future, as well as expressed gratitude for assisting the
traditional telethons organized by the Haysatan All Armenian Fund
and for participating in them.
In the evening the same day NKR President took part in the dinner
organized by sponsors of Martakert regional hospital’s therapeutic
department, businessmen Levon and Grigor Termenjians. The Termenjian
brothers confirmed their readiness to continue assisting Artsakh in
the future. Leader of Artsakh Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church,
Pargev archbishop Martirosian also took part in the event.
It is noteworthy that the previous day NKR President visited RA
Consulate General to Los Angeles, where he met with the office staff
headed by Consul General Armen Liloyan.

JAVAKHK ARMENIANS’ RALLY PASSES IN PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES’ PROVOCATIONS, UNITED JAVAKHK REPORTS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
NINOTSMINDA, NOVEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The rally of
Javakhk Armenians at Bavra checkpoint passed in a “civilized, peaceful
and organized” atmosphere. This was mentioned in the statement spread
by the United Javakhk Democratic Bloc. We should remind that the
rally was organized on November 20 in protection of member of Bloc
presidency, Vahagn Chakhalian and with the demand of legislative
stipulation of passport and customs simplified order of crossing RA
state frontier.
According to the A-Info agency, the same day a special armed detachment
of Georgian internal troops consisting of 150 persons was brought
into Javakhk.
“Employees of regional police and national security departments of
Akhalkalak and Bogdanovka made an attempt to hamper the action of
protest at Bavra check-point by instigating provocations towards
demonstrators. But against the pressure exerted by Georgian power
structures, the rally passed in an organized and peaceful atmosphere,”
the United Javakhk’s statement read.

JAVAKHK BUSINESSMEN “DONATE” HOTEL ABASTUMAN HEALTH RESORT TO STATE
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
AKHALKALAK, NOVEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Hotel
Abastuman health resort was returned to the state in the settlement
of Samtskhe-Javakhk, the A-Info agency reports.
Several years ago the health resort was privatized by Georgian
businessmen Anton Merabishvili and Genady Yendeladze residing in
Russia. According to official information, the above mentioned
businessmen “donated” the health resort to the state of their own
accord. But, according to A-Info’s source, they were compelled to
make the “donation.”

TURKEY WILL RECOGNIZE OR WILL COLLAPSE
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
Kiro Manoyan, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, in charge of Hay Dat and political
affairs, stated November 22 in Yerevan that the U.S. House or the
Senate have adopted three resolutions in the past 30 years condemning
the Armenian genocide, however the U.S. government has always avoided
using the word genocide to refer to the Armenian Genocide in 1915.
Matthew Bryza, the U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, a
high-ranking State Department official, stated they are against
that the U.S. Congress adopt a new resolution, but the Democrats are
majority in the Congress, and it is possible that such a resolution
will be adopted, stated Kiro Manoyan. Like the previous three, the
fourth resolution will be a mere tool for pressure on Turkey.
Kiro Manoyan notices that the U.S. government is not doubting the fact
of the genocide but it does not speak about it not to exercise pressure
on Turkey. Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Armenia Richard Hoagland
doubted the fact of the genocide. “This is Hoagland’s fault,” stated
Kiro Manoyan, who thinks that the best solution of this problem
would be appointing another person ambassador to Armenia. Or at
least announce clearly that the United States does not doubt there
was a genocide.
The U.K., which is closer to the political line of the United States,
is against adopting resolutions on the Armenian genocide. Kiro
Manoyan thinks that the U.K. also does not want to exercise pressure
on Turkey because it views Turkey as bridging dialogues between the
civilizations. But “Turkey became a Turkish Republic, dismissing
the question of the genocide, and founded this republic on this
purification acknowledging their guilt, and will continue living with
this feeling until it collapses one day,” stated Kiro Manoyan.

ADVERTISING ARMENIA ON CNN COSTS 400 THOUSAND DOLLARS
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
The deputy minister of trade and economic development Ara Petrosyan
stated in a news conference on November 22 that the government is
implementing a number of serious projects. One of these projects
is advertisement of Armenia on CNN since September 2006. One of the
advertisements presents Armenia as a place tourists can visit. The
second tells about the country. As for the question how much was
spent for each show, “1000 U.S. dollars for each show,” says Ara
Petrosyan. It is foreseen to show the ads 400 times, 30 times within
8 days. Hence, 400 thousand U.S. dollars was spent on advertising
our country on CNN.

READY TO TAKE OUR SHARE
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
Kiro Manoyan, ARF, responsible for Hay Dat and political affairs,
stated November 22 at the Pastark Club that over the upcoming 5 or
10 years he does not expect that Turkey will recognize the Armenian
Genocide and at the same time he said he believes the day will come
when not only the Turkish state but at least the Turkish society will
speak about that period in their history more calmly and they will not
punish those who speak. Today “the Turkish state or the government is
to blame. They do not prepare the society, they prevent discussion
of the issue.” Kiro Manoyan did not exclude that over the past 5
or 10 years Turkey will say something formal which will satisfy the
international community.
Kiro Manoyan believes that the pressure of the international community
on Turkey regarding the Armenian Genocide has a positive influence,
however, the pro-Armenian resolutions adopted by one country or
another or any international organization are political values which
do not have legal force. “If Turkey states that these resolutions
do not influence it, these will not have a value as a political
document. However, Turkey becomes nervous after every resolution
recognizing the Armenian genocide. After the bill adopted by the
French Senate and the victory of the Democrats in the U.S.
Congress Turkey is again worried, and Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gyul has stated that the problem of the Armenian genocide is going
to be the prime foreign political issue of Turkey. Of course, Turkey
tries to oppose to pro-Armenian resolutions and refuses to buy French
goods. “But these boycotts end up in restoring economic ties because
these ties were not set up out of love for France but these companies
were lucrative for Turkey.”
Besides breaking economic relations for a short time now Turkey is
trying to raise the question of the Armenian Genocide in different
international organizations, Kiro Manoyan stated, adding that today
Turkey focuses on appealing to the international tribunal although
“the new tactics of Turkey is the same as the former.” And according
to Kiro Manoyan, they can appeal to the international court, which
can only clarify “how many people died during the genocide, how many
were taken to hospital, what the Turks did to the Armenians, and
what the Armenians did.” According to Kiro Manoyan, Armenia should
not argue with Turkey from this rostrum. It simply needs to have a
package of documents, most importantly, the agreement of Sevres and
appeal to international organizations in a corresponding political
atmosphere. Kiro Manoyan thinks that we can use all the means to
exercise pressure on Turkey, economic, military, etc. “But I do not
mean waging a war now. The possible establishment of the Kurdish
state in Iraq worries Turkey. There are rumors that the map of the
Near East will change. It is not necessary to undertake change. We
must be ready to take our share when change takes place.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress