Sunday, August 20, 2006
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Some of my very best friends (no poetic license intended) have become my worst enemies (ditto) because they disagreed with something I said. So much for Armenian friendship, tolerance, dialogue, and Ottomanism….
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One can speak of facts and nothing but facts and one can lie; all one has to do is ignore other equally valid and important facts.
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Since I was brainwashed to believe I was smart, I thought I was being smart even when I behaved like an idiot. That’s what propaganda does to innocent and defenseless minds.
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Readers, who have programmed themselves to disagree with you, will contradict you even when they agree with you. It is almost as if they preferred to disagree with themselves rather than agree with a mortal enemy.
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When it comes to writing about Turks, the challenge for an Armenian is to be readable by Turks without running the risk of being dismissed as another unforgiving victim with a score to settle.
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Anyone can persevere if he thinks he has even a remote chance to win. The trick is persevering when you know you will lose.
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Monday, August 21, 2006
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THE FIRE NEXT TIME
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Since they couldn’t save us from the massacres, they now want to make up for it by convincing the world that we were massacred. First they bite more than they can chew and now they expect us to chew on an imaginary carrot…as the massacre continues.
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There is a tendency in all of us to pretend to know more than we do, except when we run the risk of testifying against ourselves. And yet, it is in our efforts to avoid confessing that we confess.
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If you are going to plead “Not guilty,” make sure not to sweat bullets. The body language of bad liars invariably contradicts their words.
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Propaganda is the body language of nations.
Even as they assert Armenians victimized them, they go about victimizing Kurds and anyone else who dares to deviate from their propaganda line.
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To be born again sometimes consists in replacing one racket with another. I am personally acquainted with an academic who taught atheism in Yerevan, but after the collapse of the USSR he came to America, saw the light, and is now making a comfortable living as a minister praising the Lord from Whom all blessings flow.
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The more you sermonize, speechify, and editorialize the less you act. Action and palaver are mutually exclusive. I speak from experience. Palaver is my racket.
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The Chinese say of the 36 (or is it 63) ways to fight, running away is the best; and we say of the 36 or 63 ways to solve a problem, procrastination is the best. That’s because Father Time is the universal problem solver and God is an Armenian.
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A headline in today’s paper reads: “Arab leaders discuss rebuilding Lebanon.” Either they are jumping the gun or they have so much money that they don’t know what to do with it…a clear-cut case of the triumph of hope over experience, or the triumph of illusion over reality, or the triumph of garbage over the Word, or that which is said to have been at the beginning of all things.
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Tuesday, August 22, 2006
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ON FUNDAMENTALISTS,
FANATICS, AND RIFFRAFF
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When it comes to ideologies, religions, and metaphysical systems in general, a truly civilized and tolerant person does not say, “I am right,” but “I could be wrong.”
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Dogmatism and intolerance promote the kind of mindset that says, “My belief system is the only true one and all others are heresies”; or “My values and ideas are positive and the values and ideas of those who disagree with me are negative and should be anathematized.”
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Muslim fundamentalism is the central theme of Oriana Fallaci’s LA FORZA DELLA RAGIONE (The Force of Reason), now available in English (New York, Rizzoli, 2006). Far more dangerous than Muslim terrorism, Fallaci writes here, is Muslim immigration because “Muslims breed like rats.” She quotes the Orientalist Turcophile Bernard Lewis to the effect that in less than a hundred years “Europe will be numerically dominated by Muslims.” Further down she argues that there is not and cannot be such a thing as a moderate Muslim because all Muslims believe in the suras of the Koran, five of which clearly state that infidel dogs don’t deserve to live. The real ambition of all Muslims, she explains, is to dominate Europe, which is not a recent development but a policy that has a millennial history.
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Fallaci is fair enough to also point out that fundamentalism is not an exclusively Muslim aberration and that all closed systems of thought (like Mussolini’s Fascism, Hitler’s National Socialism or Nazism, and Stalin’s Bolshevism) spawn fundamentalist riffraff who adopt an ideology or religion only to legitimize their murderous instincts and bloodthirsty disposition.
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When Marx said he was not himself a Marxist, he meant to say that he was not a killer but a thinker whose theories attempted to explain a fraction of reality that had been misinterpreted or neglected by his predecessors. By contrast, Stalin’s commissars were not thinkers but killers in search of a belief system that would allow them to murder with a clear conscience. Something similar could be said of our own phony patriots and partisans who pretend to be on a mission from God and armed with that conviction they feel authorized to silence or insult anyone who dares to contradict them. But as Fallaci says and repeats like a mantra, “Their insults are my medals.”
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Wednesday, August 23, 2006
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OF CABBAGES AND KINGS
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It is said of Augustus II, The Strong, king of Poland (1670-1733) that his illegitimate children numbered exactly 354 and some of his many daughters became his mistresses who also had affairs with their half-brothers. Since he ruled by divine right and with the approval of the Church, my guess is, his conduct did not attract media attention, his approval rate didn’t go south, and no one dared to whisper the word impeachment in his presence. If you consider the abuse leveled at Clinton and Woody Allen, you may have to conclude that the masses and the media today have higher moral standards than the Good Lord and his representatives on earth.
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What do we know about our own kings and “betters” in general? How many Armenians know that Calouste Gulbenkian believed fornicating with young girls would prolong his life?
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I remember to have read somewhere that old age has three consolations: power, wealth, and fame – provided of course one is not saddled with impotence, Alzheimer’s, and scandal. Tolstoy had more fame than anyone else, except perhaps Napoleon and Elvis, but he had a very miserable old age. In his eighties he ran away from home and died in the middle of nowhere in the house of a total stranger.
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We expose ourselves as dupes and unreliable witnesses when we expect people to believe that our leaders don’t make mistakes, they don’t lie, mislead and propagandize, lust for power is a vice alien to them, and butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth or anywhere else.
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ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/22/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1. Azerbaijan Threatens To Halt Visitors to Karabakh 2. OSCE Chairman Against Military Resolution to Karabakh Conflict 3. Karabakh Announces 2005 Census Results 4. Education Minister Rules Out Unprofessional Approach In Admission Commission's Work 5. Turkey Bars Aircraft From Flying to Lebanon 1. Azerbaijan Threatens To Halt Visitors to Karabakh BAKU (Armenpress)Azeri foreign ministry spokesman said in an interview Tuesday that Azerbaijan will require all visitors to Nagorno-Karabakh to obtain official permission from the Azeri government. Evidently, Azerbaijan is concerned about upcoming celebrations for the 15th anniversary of Armenia's independence which are going to take place in Nagorno Karabakh. The Azeri foreign Ministry spokesperson Tayir Taghizade told the Echo newspaper that "any person who visits Nagorno Karabakh must know that without the permission of the Azerbaijan, visits to Azeri territories not controlled by the Azeri government may have the most serious consequences, including denial of entrance visas to Azerbaijan." At the same time he expressed "assurances" that the guests who are going to participate in the events will be private citizens and not officials. 2. OSCE Chairman Against Military Resolution to Karabakh Conflict YEREVAN (Armenpress)In an interview with Armenpress Tuesday, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Karel De Gucht said the organization's Belgian Chairmanship, in co-operation with the co-chairmen of the Minsk group, will continue to do the utmost to move the Karabakh conflict resolution process forward. "There seemed to be a window of opportunity earlier this year for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, the meetings of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Paris and Bucharest failed to confirm that opportunity. It will take time and a lot of wisdom and courage on the parts of both presidents to overcome them," Karel De Gucht said. Speaking about a military resolution of the conflict, the OSCE Chairman said "The international community, the OSCE and the co-chairs of the Minsk group, all want a peaceful resolution of the issue. Statements that go against this line and call for military solutions are not helpful. I hope parties realize that a military scenario would be a disaster not only for the parties, but for the population and especially for the region as a whole. The international community will judge severely the party that resorts to violence." Meanwhile in Karabakh, the OSCE conducted a routine monitoring of the Azeri-Karabakh border Tuesday. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress that the monitoring from the Karabakh side was conducted by the personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk and his aide Irzhi Aberlen. From the Azeri side the monitoring was carried out by aides Gunter Folk and Peter Kin. The monitoring has been conducted according to the planned schedule and no violation of cease-fire regime has been registered. 3. Karabakh Announces 2005 Census Results STEPANAKERT (Lragir)According to the October 2005 census, there are 137,737 people living in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, reported the Census Department Tuesday when it publicized the final results. Women comprise 51.7 percent of the population, while 48.9 percent of the population are men. According to the census, 70,512 people live in cities, while 67,225 live in villages. The regional composition of the population is as follows: Stepanakert: 49,986; the Askeran Region: 16,979; Hadrut: 12,005; Mardakert: 18,963; Martuni: 23,157; Shahumian: 2,560; Shoushi: 4,324; and Kashatagh: 9,763. 4. Education Minister Rules Out Unprofessional Approach In Admission Commission's Work YEREVAN (RFE/RL)With higher school entrance examinations in Armenia over, the education minister has praised the work of the admission commission, putting down some complaints and dissatisfaction from applicants to its 'strict criteria rather than unprofessional approach.' "Perhaps they were a bit strict in their criteria, but these criteria were universal for all applicants," Levon Mkrtchian told reporters on Tuesday. Entrance examinations to higher schools ended in Armenia this week, with many teenage applicants and their parents feeling unhappy with the way they were handled. In particular, people complain that at certain examinations officials helped hand-picked entrants with prompts, in other cases they put psychological pressure and subjectively graded applicants, especially during oral exams. Ruzanna Hovannisian is convinced that her daughter, Mariam Ohanian, was treated unfairly at the oral English language examination. "She had high marks from the two previous examinations and was subjected to psychological pressure from the admission commission at her oral examination. Perhaps her high marks annoyed some people," Hovannisian told RFE/RL, adding that she had addressed a letter of complaint to the minister. Minister Mkrtchian admits that it is difficult to find a means of effective struggle against subjectivity in oral examinations. "I feel that the parent is perhaps right, but we have no solution. The degree of subjectivity in oral examinations is very high," he said. As was expected, the threshold for entering an institute or university faculty has lowered a little this year as compared to the previous years, with the exception of competitions for the law departments at the Yerevan State University, Armenia's biggest and most prestigious higher school. To gather 57.5 points (out of 60) is likely to be enough for an applicant to become a student at the University's law department studying free of charge. To be admitted to the paid section of the department one is likely to score at least 55 points. The sufficient points for the free sections of the University's English language, economics and history departments are likely to be 58, 57.5, and 55, respectively. The highest score for the world economics department of the University of Economics is expected to be 55. And for the Medical University's therapy department it is likely to be 36.5. The minister expressed his concern over the dropping competition for some departments of the Engineering University. Competition is particularly low for natural sciences departments, where satisfactory marks from two examinations are enough for admission. "Sending their children to train as economists, lawyers or diplomats parents in fact condemn them to future unemployment, as, for example, our small country hardly needs more than a hundred diplomats every year," Mkrtchian stressed. The final results of the entrance examinations will become available on August 24. Earlier this month, the education minister met with President Robert Kocharian to discuss the entrance exam process. 5. Turkey Bars Aircraft From Flying to Lebanon ANKARA (UPI)Five Iranian and one Syrian aircraft were barred from flying into Lebanon by Turkey, which claimed they were ferrying arms for Hezbollah militants. The Turkish Hurriyet newspaper reported Monday the last flight diversion was Thursday when an Iranian airlines Parsair flight was forced to land at Diyarbakir military airport in eastern Turkey. The newspaper said US intelligence reports indicated the plane carried three missile launchers and containers with Chinese C-802 land-to-sea missiles, and it was ordered to turn around. Meanwhile in Damascus, Syria, Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Tuesday that the recent war in Lebanon could help create the conditions for Middle East peace. "After this catastrophe there is an opportunity to achieve peace. Every one must learn a lesson from the recent events," Gul said after meeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Gul added that Assad shared his view. The Syrian leader said last week that Israel must return all Arab land it has been occupying since 1967 or face more hatred from the Arab populations surrounding it. NATO member Turkey, which hopes to play a larger role in the region, has good ties with both Israel and with Syria, which is a key supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement. Last month, a Turkish envoy held talks in Damascus with members of the exiled leadership of the Palestinian movement Hamas and Ankara is also mulling whether to send troops as part of an expanded UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon. "Turkey has not made a final decision regarding troops, but the Syrian side welcomes such a decision if we take it," said Gul, who has also visited Israel and Lebanon in recent days. Turkey says it will not send any combat troops or take part in any operations to disarm Hezbollah, which fought Israeli forces for over a month before a truce took effect on Aug. 14. Israel invaded south Lebanon after Hezbollah fighters captured two Israeli soldiers and killed several others in a cross border operation on July 12. The Istanbul-based Marmara Armenian newspaper reported that the Turkish Security Council Monday has drafted clear guidelines regarding the troops that might be sent to Lebanon. Per the decision, the Turkish troops will be forbidden to engage with any grouping in Lebanon. The troops also cannot engage in disarming of Hezbollah forces. According to the Security Council, the Turkish troops should also be involved in providing assistance in reconstruction, relief, education and healthcare efforts, as was the case in Bosnia and Kosovo. Gul visited Israel Sunday and was in Lebanon last Wednesday where he discussed possible Turkish participation in an enhanced United Nations peacekeeping force. Gul was scheduled to brief Monday's session of National Security Council. It is reported that the Government will clarify its final decision on troop deployment after Gul's visits and the NCS meeting. However, Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes the immediate announcement of the decision on the grounds that it might help Turkish troops assume the task that Ankara prefers. Israel wants Turkish troops to join the international peace force. Defense Minister Peretz, who met with Gul, expressed the Israeli view, saying that "I want Mr.. Gul to send Turkish troops to the region." All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

MILLION IN LOBBYIST BASKET
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
23 Aug 06
It was hard to imagine that appointing ambassador to Armenia would
become such a complicated issue for the U.S. government. The impression
is that the United States has two underlying and seemingly unsolvable
issues: stability in Iraq and appointment of a new ambassador to
Armenia. The Armenian lobby in the United States will certainly correct
us that these problems are not interrelated. In other words, the
Armenian lobby is not related to the problem of Iraq and the Armenian
lobby is related to the appointment of the new ambassador. In other
words, the Armenian lobby is to blame for the trouble of Hoagland. The
cause of the trouble is known to everyone.
Hoagland is asked to make a clear statement on the genocide, whereas
he resists bravely, we could even say in a manly manner, if there were
not for the well-known circumstance. However, the private life of the
new ambassador or the candidate is not our problem, our problem is the
situation that occurred in Armenia with regard to the appointment of
the new ambassador of the United States. It would not be a problem
for us but the United States is a too important country, therefore
the question of the ambassador of this country to our country is
highly important. And in this connection, it is amazing that so
far the Armenian lobby in America did not demand that the previous
ambassadors utter the word Genocide, or did not demand with as much
ardor as from Hoagland. Meanwhile, none of the former ambassadors has
used this word. The determination of the Armenian organizations in
connection with the new U.S. ambassador is at least strange. It is
possible that formerly the Armenian lobby was not strong enough to
suspend the naming of the new ambassador. However, another question
occurs how the Armenian lobby became stronger.
It is perhaps worthwhile to mention a relevant nuance, which is rather,
even extremely important. Do the Armenian lobbyist organizations work
in accord with the Armenian government? Logically, it should be so,
since the Armenia – U.S. relations are concerned, because ambassadors
have a rather big role in interstate relations. If the Armenian lobby
did not act in accord with the Armenian government, this is already
a problem of national security.
Even if the Armenian organizations are concerned, it is
nevertheless unusual that some organizations may interfere with the
Armenian-American relations and suspend the appointment of ambassadors
mediating these relations. In other words, an underlying question
occurs if the suspension of appointment of Hoagland is favorable for
official Yerevan.
On the other hand, it is highly probable that the problem is not
Hoagland but Evans, the present U.S. ambassador to Armenia. Most
probably, official Yerevan is interested in prolonging the office of
the old ambassador rather than appointment of a new ambassador. And
it becomes clear on following the activities of John Evans. He,
the ambassador of the United States, the flagman of democracy has
never made a clear statement on violence, corruption, the criminal
government, restriction of freedom of speech, etc. in Armenia.
Instead, the ambassador is known for his close relations with the
Armenian high-ranking officials, who are thought by the majority of
the Armenian society to be the parent or offspring of this criminal
system. In this case, it is clear that his recall is not favorable
for official Yerevan. But since they understand here that nothing is
eternal in the world, they simply prefer delaying his recall as long
as possible.
It is a subconscious, an instinctive compulsion rather than a conscious
step. After all, what is the difference, a month earlier or a month
later? It is also notable that the efforts of the Armenian lobby and
official Yerevan are effective especially in instinctive matters or
only in instinctive matters. Meanwhile, conscious compulsions are
usually preferable for the state. If these were dominant, the elite
in Armenia and the Armenian organizations in America would realize
that the appointment of an ambassador to Armenia would not change
the U.S. policy on the issue of the genocide. And generally, it is
high time to understand that it is impossible to measure everyone by
one’s own bushel. The United States is not the kind of country which
sacrifices the national interest for several million dollars. And if
the Armenians realized this, they might have saved the millions they
spend for the needs of some senators and used them for the needs of
the Homeland, because sooner or later the United States will appoint
an ambassador, and the word Genocide will not sound at all.
It is also possible, however, that the Armenian lobby in America
prefers spending millions on Senators. At any rate, they will lose
them if they send them to the Homeland. They will be lost if they are
spent on Senators, but at least they will know where the money is lost.

CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II WORK PROJECT- ARMENIAN BUILD ON FAITH
HFH Armenia
Lragir.am
23 Aug 06
On April 20, 2006 a Memoraundum of Understanding was signed between
Habitat for Humanity and Armenian Holy Apostolic church.
The first “His Holiness Karekin II work Project: Armenian Building
on faith” starting upon the agreement to house 37 needy Armenian
families in their safe and decent homes. The 37 homes symbolize 36
Armenian Dioceses and the Holy Chair.
>From September 4 to 9 volunteers from different countries (USA,
Europe and Canada), different backgrounds (church dignitaries and
high ranking officials) churches (Armenian Apostolic and NCCCA)
ages and occupations will come together to finish construction of a
24-unit condominium building in Gavar, region of Gegharkunik in the
frame of the Armenian Building on Faith 2006.
In the number of International volunteers will be coming to Armenia
a team of National Council of Churches led by the General Secretary Dr.
Bob Edgar, Chair of the International Board of Director Dr. Nic
Retsinas and the Chair of the Board of Directors for Europe and
Central Asia Area Paul Eckelshot and of course the Catholicos and
Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II.
The beginning of the volunteer works will be announced by His Holiness
Karekin II on September 4th in Armenia Marriott Hotel at the official
ceremony of blessing and opening of the event.
The construction works will begin on the next day September the 5th
in Gavar where the army of international and local volunteers will
join HFH Armenia homeowners to help them accomplish construction of
their homes.
On September the 6th His Holiness Karekin II will be joining the
volunteers in the volunteers at the Building Site in Gavar.
On September 9th the official ceremony of house blessing and dedication
will take a place with participation of all the volunteers and high
ranking officials.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEW RADIO TO OPEN IN JAVAKHETI
Lragir.am
23 Aug 06
A-Info, Akhalkalaki, 23 August. Since October 1 a new radio station
will start operating in the region of Ninotsminda, Javakheti. The
radio station was set up by the Tbilisi office of the BBC.
The radio station of Ninotsminda will broadcast news, music,
sport programs, programs for women. The staff including 13 people
participated in trainings by a number of experienced journalists.
Laura Varjapetyan is the coordinator of the radio, Ararat Ptetyan is
the editor.

MINISTER GAVE A SURPRISE TO U.S.
Lragir.am
23 Aug 06
The sources standing close to the U.S. government say the Bush
administration was surprised by the aspirations of the defense minister
of Armenia to presidency. The United States were especially amazed
by the willingness of Serge Sargsyan to make any concession to reach
his goal. This information worried the Command of the Armed Forces
of Armenia considerably, and some representatives of the Command
are said to have announced in a narrow circle that long before
the standpoint of the United States they had been worried by the
measureless willingness of the defense minister to make concessions
for the sake of his political ambitions.

AMBASSADOR OF USA TO ARMENIA ENDS HIS MISSION AND LEAVES FOR MOTHERLAND IN BEGINNING, SEPTEMBER
Yerevan, August 22. ArmInfo. The Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of USA to RA, John Evans, ends his mission in Armenia
and leaves for the motherland in the beginning of September, John
Evans told ArmInfo correspondent when asked about the specific terms
of hid mission completion.
At the same time, he refused to comment on the prolonged discussion of
the candidacy of the new Ambassador to RA by the USA Congress. To be
reminded, the hearings in the Congress regarding this issue are put
off till September 7. “I will not discuss the Congress activities”,
J. Evans said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THERE ARE INSURMOUNTABLE CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN THE ‘ORINATS YERKIR’ PARTY AND THE PRESENT AUTHORITIES OF ARMENIA
Yerevan, August 22. ArmInfo. There are insurmountable contradictions
between the ‘Orinats Yerkir’ party and the present authorities of
Armenia, said to ‘Haykakan Jhamanak’ (Armenian Times) opposition
newspaper Arthur Bagdasarian, leader of the ‘Orinats Yerkir’ (Country
of Law) party and former Speaker of the National Assembly. He
said that the contradictions mainly concern the ways of Armenia’s
development. The party is also against the fear and oppression
atmosphere, created by the authorities of Armenia. Mr. Bagdasarian
said that he and his party are intended o strive for democracy and
progress. He denied all the accusations to his address for crimes
committed in his office’s term.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL WITH PARTICIPATION OF SOUTH CAUCASIAN REPRESENTATIVES TO TAKE PLACE IN KARS ON 13-15 SEPTEMBER
Kars, August 22. ArmInfo. A traditional festival with participation
of South Caucasian representatives will take place in Kars on 13-15
September, said Azerbaijani Consul General in Kars, Hasan Zeynalov,
Azerbaijani media report.
H. Zeynalov said the event is initiated by the pro-Armenian forces of
Turkey and is aimed at opening of the Turkish-Armenian border. “Every
year this event is held on the initiative of the Kars Municipality,
Norwegian Embassy in Turkey and the Organization of Armenian-Turkish
Cooperation. Representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and
Turkey are invited to the festival. The festival participants say that
the peoples of 4 countries are reported to want the opening of the
border. Then they apply to relevant organizations for this purpose.”
H.Zeynalov said the flags fluttering at the event are mainly
Armenian. Azerbaijanis participated in the event two years ago.
However, as soon as they understood the goal of the event, they
stopped attending it, H. Zynalov said.
To note, Head of the Government of Gyandja, the twin-town of Kars,
Eldar Azizov, is invited to the upcoming festival. Acting Press
Secretary of the Armenian Foreign Minister Vladimir Karapetyan
confirmed the existence of such festival and added that the Armenian
party has not been invited to the event so far this year.

EURASEC MEMBERSHIP WILL HAMPER ARMENIA’S INTEGRATION WITH EUROPE
Yerevan, August 22. ArmInfo. EURASEC membership will hamper Armenia’s
integration with Europe, said to ArmInfo correspondent political
scientist Sergey Sarkisian, member of the SPECTRUM center.
To the opinion of the analyzer, delaying the talks with the WTO Russia
enhanced its activity in EURASEC. The latter, being founded in 2000,
provides establishment free trade regime and single tax tariff between
its member states. It also requires its members to make agree their
programs with the WTO. S. Sarkisian said that in spite of all critics,
EURASEC in the most progressive of all organization of the post-Soviet
area. The last EURASEC summit made a decision to establish a Customs
Treaty of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan, which later can be joined
by the rest of EURASEC members. Mr. Sarkisian said that membership in
both WTO and EURASEC is possible due to applying the loss compensation
mechanism. The political scientist emphasized the decision of the
last summit about creating a unified energy market. Unification of
transport and energy carriers tariffs and including in its structure
Ukraine and Uzbekistan will provide EURASEC the opportunity of becoming
the heir of CIS. He did not exclude the opportunity of merging EURASEC
and CIS into one.
To the opinion of Sergey Sarkisian the EURASEC will permit
to establish much higher preferences for energy than bilateral
partner agreements. He considers that this organization provides
Russia a brilliant opportunity of starting the integration of the
post-Soviet states into a single organization with political and
military implication and an essential economic background. Taking into
consideration all the abovementioned facts Armenia, Armenia cannot
remain just a spectator in EURASEC, being an active member of the
CSTO. On the other hand the EURASEC membership may hamper Armenia’s
integration in EU, that is why the Armenian diplomacy must use all
its skill to find the balance between the West and the EURASEC.