Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

Interfax, Russia
Dec 15 2009

Iran wants resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible
– Ahmadinejad

BAKU Dec 15

Iran is willing to support efforts to establish peace in relations
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
said at a meeting with Azeri President Elmar Mammadyarov in Tehran,
the Azeri Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Ahmadinejad said Iran wants the soonest possible resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. Cooperation between the two countries has
deep historic roots, and Iran is grateful to Azerbaijan for supporting
it in international organizations, which can be seen as an example of
true brotherhood, he said.

Mammadyarov mentioned successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and
Iran in all areas and said this cooperation is progressing. Having
informed Ahmadinejad of negotiations on settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem, the minister thanked him for supporting Azerbaijan in this
conflict on the international arena.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and the Iranian National
Gas Export Company signed two documents during the visit. The first
document stipulates that, within two weeks from its signature, the
parties have to start negotiations on selling gas to Iran for five
years, with the option of extending this contract. In line with the
second document, Azerbaijan will sell gas to Iran in winter 2010 so
that it be consumed in northern regions of that country.

Turkey and Israel Resolve to Restore Relations

Tert.am
14:33 – 19.12.09

Turkish President Abdullah Gul will visit Israel in an effort to
repair strained relations between the two countries, a statement by
Israeli President Shimon Peres’s office said on Friday, reports
Reuters.

The two leaders met at the U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen on Friday
and the statement, issued in Jerusalem, said they had resolved "to
restore Israel-Turkey relations to their stable, positive past." It
did not say when the visit might take place.

Relations between the two regional powers have soured since Israel
launched an three-week military offensive in the Gaza Strip last
December.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, whose ruling party traces its
roots to a banned Islamist movement, has repeatedly criticised the
operation, even having a public shouting match with Peres during a
panel discussion in Switzerland in January.

THE SPORTIVE DAY OF THE ARMENIAN HUMANITARIAN SEMINARY

Aysor
Dec 18 2009
Armenia

On December 17, before the winter holidays, in the Humanitarian
Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin (Calcutta, India)
was celebrated the day of the sport.

The formed four teams are traditionally named after the Armenian
forefather Hayk and the prominent Armenian kings Tigran, Levon
and Trdat.

In the teams, together with the students were included also teachers.

The games were launched by choir of the seminary.

"Trdat" team became the winner. The best sportsmen of the year became
Hayk Poghisyan, informs the Armenian Humanitarian seminary of Calcutta.

FORUM THEATRE AS TOOL FOR TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIAL ISSUES

Tert.am
17.12.09

In January 2010, Theatre for Changes NGO, in collaboration with
International Center of Intercultural Research, Learning and Dialogue,
presents a course of study, supported by the British Council in
Armenia, on "Forum Theatre as a tool for the transformation of
social issues."

Students between the ages of 18 to 30 can participate in the seminar.

Participants will be introduced to the specifics, the structure,
the dramaturgy, actors’ unique skills, contemporary theories
of intercultural study, and the principles of interpersonal and
intercultural collaboration of Forum Theatre.

The seminar will be conducted using informal methods of study:
interactive exercises will be combined with the presentation and
discussion of visual material. After the completion of the course,
participants will be provided with certificates of completion and a
script to present to the Forum, the successful performance for which
a competiton is planned.

Forum Theatre is a type of theatre created by Augusto Boal as part
of what he calls the "Theatre of the Oppressed."

THE 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOMITAS MARKED CALCUTTA, INDIA

ArmInfo.
2009-12-16 12:50:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian Humanitarian Institute of Calcutta, West Bengal
India, marked the 140th Anniversary of the great Armenian composer
Komitas. Head of the Institute Khoren Hovhannissyan and Armenian
Ambassador to India Ara Hakobyan attended the event, the press-service
of the Armenian Humanitarian Institute reported.

The teachers and students of the institute performed the compositions
by Komitas. Addressing to those present Khoren Hovhanissyan highlighted
the invaluable contribution by the great composer to the religious and
cultural life of the Armenian people. "Enjoying the music by Komitas
the gentiles become devout and the strangers return to their homes,"
he said.

ARMENIAN-INDIAN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION CENTER OPENS

Aysor.am
16/12/09

Today, Armenian and Indian governments and Enterprises Incubator Fund
have signed an agreement on establishment of the joint information
and communication training center.

The chief objectives of the training center are forming of a new
science specialists’ generation, establishment of jobs, calling in
the investments into the Armenian market, cooperation in the field
of bilateral research spheres.

Indian government is technically contributing to the center; it is
responsible for the retraining of Armenian specialists in India, and
will send the Indian professionals to Armenia for retraining courses,
and will provide the center with publications, books, etc.

DIASPORA – TARGET AUDIENCE FOR ARMENIAN TOURISM

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.12.2009 18:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Diaspora representatives, striving to visit
their native country, are the target audience for Armenian tourism,
"Armenian National Tourist Office in CIS states" organization director
Maria Atayan said.

As she noted at today’s news conference, the organization will start
active collaboration with Russian regions, specifically Krasnodar,
with major Armenian population. There is also great potential for
Armenian tourism promotion in Ukraine.

In future Armenian also plans to enter European market.

To promote Armenian tourism, National Tourist Office is collaborating
with Armavia national air carrier and Jasuta tourist company
representing NTO in Armenia.

As Armavia spokesman, Nana Avetisova, stressed, the airway company
supports the National Tourist Office creation, being confident that
tourism can become an alternative way of development in RA.

ARMENIAN PM SAYS ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE NECESSARY TOOLS TO MANAGE ANY RISKS RELATING TO NATIONAL SECURITY

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 15, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: The opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border in long-term prospect will have an essential and notable
impact on the structure of Armenia’s economy, Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan told Armenpress. According to him, having alternative
communication opportunities, railway, infrastructures will promote that
certain branches of the economy which do not bring income now and are
considered not having prospect become profitable and attractive for
investments. The opening of the border will be an impetus for serious
structural changes and diversification. "This step contains serious
promoting mechanisms for economic growth," the prime minister pointed
out, sharing the opinion of some economists that the opening of the
border will have a positive impact on the growth of Armenia’s GDP. On
the other hand, according to T. Sargsyan, the opening of the border
will promote the competitiveness: "Today we are all complaining of
low level of competitiveness. As a result we, our citizens will win
and our economic system will be more contemporary," he said.

In case of the opening of the border in short-term prospect the prime
minister sees certain risks. "Our entrepreneurs need time to get
prepared to the new situation, to make changes in their activity, to
be ready to competition. Naturally, some businessmen will probably not
stand the trial, yielding their place to other companies. This means
that we must exert greater efforts so that our companies be ready for
competition and our economic system be able to confront new risks," T.

Sargsyan said.

The prime minister also referred to the issue of public concern that
Turks may possibly buy much land in borderline regions which may be
of serious danger. "The state has enough tools to regulate the land
issues – taxes, obligatory payments, ecological payments, applying
of differentiated fees and special standards of land categories. This
tool-group varies, and Armenian authorities have these tools to manage
any risks relating to national security. Our citizens may be calm:
in this case no uncontrolled, dangerous processes can take place,"
the prime minister pointed out.

MARKOV: ARMENIA WOULD HARDLY DECLARE OFF MOSCOW’S BACKING

Aysor.am
15/12/09

Russian State Duma Deputy Sergey Markov has told in his interview
with ‘Segodnya’ that version of the mutual neutrality by Armenia and
Georgia is not considered in U.S.-Russia negotiations.

"This is nothing more than rumor that Mikhail Saakashvili’s
spokespersons spread to hold Georgia-related news at international
media highlights. Under Saakashvili’s ruling they won’t refuse of
NATO, and it’s already clear that the U.S. won’t step to overthrow
Saakashvili as his opposers’ status is so weak that change of power
would plunge Georgia into chaos," said Markov.

Armenia, in its turn, would hardly declare off Moscow’s backing
as there are concerns that if so Azerbaijan will try to fight for
Karabakh through war, he added.

SEYRAN OHANYAN "IN ANY TIMEFRAME WE WILL GIVE RELEVANT RESPONSE IF AZERBAIJAN APPLIES AGGRESSION AGAINST ARMENIAN PEOPLE AND NKR"

ARMENPRESS
Dec 14, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS: "The military rhetoric of Azerbaijani
leadership and particularly of the Azerbaijani Defense Minister has
become quite usual for us. Usual, in respect that to speak much,
say much does not yet mean to do, and we have always responded them
and advised that it is better to direct efforts toward the today’s
negotiation process, giving solution to the issue through dialogue
as we find that an alternative solution – military way of settlement
of the conflict – once was given, and what war means the Azerbaijani
side knows better than we do and particularly their defense minister,"
Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said in December 11 interview
to the Armenian Public TV.

According to him, the leadership of the defense establishment is the
most one to want peace as during war the servicemen suffer more.

"Nevertheless, we do relevant conclusions and are ready to any
challenge," the minister said.

Referring to the issue that the Azerbaijanis are incessantly stating
that they are upgrading the army with the oil-money and release for
the army sums amounting to Armenia’s budget, the Armenian minister
said that not only we but the international analysts as well give
assessment about the level of Armenia’s army, and "I think that with
the level of our preparedness we do not yield to the region.

Moreover, we are more organized and implement the issues we are
facing with more dignity and pride. As to the budget issues of
our army, of course, under the monitoring of the international
community, Azerbaijani leadership is spending big sums on the army
but another thing is to use it effectively. And under this glance of
the international community they violate agreements, attempting to
create misbalance in the region," the minister said.

Recently Armenian President stated at the assembly of the Armenian
Republican Party that the Armenian side will never let any
encroachments against Nagorno Karabakh and is ready to respond to
any encroachment with the strictest means.

In response to the questions whether the Armenian side has the
strength, and can the defense minister confirm it, Seyran Ohanyan said
"We know the sources of that oil-dollars and in any timeframe will
give relevant response if Azerbaijan applies to aggression against
the Armenian people and people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
will go in a way it tried to pass from 1988-1994, responding to the
so kind will of self-determination of the Nagorno Karabakh people".