Tony Blair Got 90,000: The Guardian

TONY BLAIR GOT 90,000: THE GUARDIAN

News from Armenia – NEWS.am
15:25 / 12/14/2009

"The former prime minister did his homework on formaldehyde and
other fascinating byproducts of methanol’s industrial process ahead
of a speech to open a new methanol power plant in Azerbaijan," The
Guardian reports, commenting on former UK Premier Tony Blair’s visit to
Azerbaijan. The source says he was paid £90.000 for a 20-minute speech.

"To be honest, until I looked at the list of what formaldehyde does, I
had no idea of how many parts of my life were governed by the existence
of this thing. When I go back home, I will tell my nine-year-old boy:
‘Stop all other studies and concentrate on formaldehyde and you will be
fine!" the daily quotes Blair and wonders "what career opportunities
might lay before Leo Blair should he choose to follow his father’s
advice."

"But what Blair somehow forgot to mention is that formaldehyde has
its downsides," the Guardian reads, specifying that concentration
of formaldehyde in the air causes sensations in the eyes, coughing,
nausea and skin irritation.

Ankara’s attempts to link Karabakh to Protocols doomed to failure

Ankara’s attempts to link Karabakh to Armenian-Turkish reconciliation
doomed to failure
10.12.2009 15:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ankara’s attempts to link Karabakh issue to the
Armenian-Turkish reconciliation are doomed to failure, RA President
said.

`We are grateful to all states and politicians who contributed to
dialogue between Armenia and Turkey. But I would like to emphasize
that only Yerevan and Ankara will be responsible for success or
failure of the Armenian-Turkish process,’ Serzh Sargsyan said at a
joint news conference with his Latvian counterpart Valdis Zatlers.

President Sargsyan also said he welcome U.S. President Barack Obama’s
position on normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

The Experts’ Group In NATO Military Education Sphere Was In The RA M

THE EXPERTS’ GROUP IN NATO MILITARY EDUCATION SPHERE WAS IN THE RA MOD NATIONAL STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE

amp;p=0&id=1081&y=2009&m=12&d=10
0 2.12.09

On the 2nd of December, 2009 in the RA MoD National Strategic Research
Institute discussions were held about the issues of "Transforming
the RA MoD National Strategic Research Institute into a RA MoD
National Defence University through phased development". Also,
matters concerning the perspectives of the National Strategic Research
Institute and some other issues were discussed. The members of experts’
group in NATO military education sphere in Armenia – the former dean of
the Defence Academy in Canada, Doctor Jim Baret (head of the group),
lecturer of the Defence Academy in Canada, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew
McNail, expert of NATO International Secretariat, Lieutenant-Colonel
Rene Kung, lecturer of the educational centre for peacekeeping
activities located in Sarajevo, Mr. Vetschera and the coordinator of
educational matters in NATO International Secretary, Mr. Jan Dandura
took part in the discussions.

The head of the National Strategic Research Institute, Councillor of
the RA Minister of Devence, Major-General Hayk Kotanjyan introduced
the members of the experts’ group to the structure of the Institute,
to the present activities and to its future plans. He gave a report on
"The transformation program of the RA MoD National Strategic Research
Institute into a RA MoD National Defence University being an element
of the defence education reforms in RA MoD system." He emphasized
the necessity of the suggestions made by the expert on the way of
transforming the RA MoD National Strategic Research Institute into a
RA MoD National Defence University. The meeting went in a constructive
atmosphere of exchanging professional ideas.

RA MoD Department of Information and Public Affairs

http://www.mil.am/eng/index.php?page=2&

Buzand Street: Target For Urban Development Results In One More Fami

BUZAND STREET: TARGET FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT RESULTS IN ONE MORE FAMILY LEFT WITHOUT SHELTER

Tert.am
17:29 ~U 09.12.09

Today, the Compulsory Enforcement Service (CES) of Court Decrees
attempted to remove the inhabitants of one of the houses on Buzand
Street. Homeowner Nune Baghdasaryan’s attorneys had been at the
scene before the CES workers. Rights lawyer Edgar Badeyan stated that
the plans to demolish the building illegally had been substantially
presented to the court. The court, taking the legal justifications
as its basis, accepted the statement of claim.

"We presented the notice of the judicial acts, where it is stated that
today at 11 pm they will come and raze the building. We asked that
a temporary ban be placed on this house, and that nothing be done
until a court decision is made, but the court refuses our mediation
without any reasons whatsoever," the rights attorney stated.

After speaking with the rights defender and journalists, CES
workers arrived at the scene and without showing a notice of the
corresponding decision, they started to remove property from out of
the house. The owners of the house and their neighbours attempted to
stop such actions, but this only resulted in a skirmish. At that time,
president of Community and Rights NGO, Samvel Lazarian, arrived at the
scene and also said that CES workers are committing illegal actions,
but those same Compulsory Enforcement Service workers pushed Samvel
Lazarian aside.

One of the CES workers refused to answer journalists’ questions,
saying that all questions should be directed to their press secretary.

A bit later on, the Republic of Armenia Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan
arrived at Buzand Street. After his arrival, CES workers ceased their
actions. Homeowner Nune Baghdasaryan stated that for the moment she
will not be driven out, and it is possible that the decision will be
made today. She also said that they have decided to fight till the
end and if their voice is not heard in our republic, they are going
to turn to the European Court of Human Rights.

After coming out of the house, CES workers headed for the neighbouring
house, from where they forced out those inhabitants. The homeowner
got so nervous that she almost fainted. Paramedics also arrived at the
scene. The homeowner said that they are demanding just compensation and
don’t wish to come out of the house till the court makes a decision.

‘Apologies To Azerbaijani Turks’ Campaign In Istanbul Collects Over

‘APOLOGIES TO AZERBAIJANI TURKS’ CAMPAIGN IN ISTANBUL COLLECTS OVER 70,000 SIGNATURES

Tert.am
11:59 ~U 07.12.09

The campaign "No to Armenian-Turkish border opening! We apologize to
Azerbaijani Turks," which was launched by the Nationalist Movement
Party (NMP) Fatih organization in Istanbul on October 22, has ended.

Over 70,000 signatures have been collected as a result of the campaign.

NMP Fatih organization chair Ali Dincer Colak and party members handed
over the signature sheets and documents to the Azerbaijani Consulate
General in Istanbul.

According to the organizers, they have reached their goal of 70,000
signatures, though Fatih’s membership is around 50,000. Dincer Colak
said not only NMP members, but also all residents in Istanbul’s Fatih
district participated in the campaign.

The copies of the signature sheets will be sent to Turkish Foreign
Ministry and media outlets.

Armenia, Bosnia And Herzegovina Interested In Further Development Of

ARMENIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA INTERESTED IN FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC TIES

armradio.am
07.12.2009 16:42

On December 7 the newly appointed Ambassador of Bosnia and
Herzegovina to Armenia, Želko JanjetoviÄ~G, presented the copies
of his credentials to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, Karine
Ghazinyan.

Congratulating the Ambassador on appointment, Deputy FM Karine
Ghazinyan wished him success in carrying out his diplomatic mission
and voiced hope that his appointment would contribute to the expansion
of cooperation between Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in both
bilateral and multilateral formats.

The interlocutors attached importance to reciprocal visits and further
development of trade-economic cooperation.

At the request of the Ambassador, Karine Ghazinyan presented the
process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the
latest developments in the settlement of the Artsakh issue.

AbuDhabi: UAE and Armenia sign MoU for combating human trafficking

WAM – Emirates News Agency, UAE
Dec 6 2009

UAE and Armenia sign MoU for combating human trafficking

2009-12-06 13:23:06
WAM Yerevan, Dec 6th, 2009 (WAM) — UAE and the Republic of Armenia
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to combat human
trafficking.

The MoU was signed by HE Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs of UAE and His Excellency Edward Nalbandian,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

They also discussed current developments at regional and international
levels and issues of mutual interest.

WAM/ESRAA/AMIR
t/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1258110846959&am p;pagename=WAM%2FWAM_E_Layout&parent=Query&amp ;parentid=1135099399852

http://www.wam.ae/servle

BAKU: Baltic Assembly adopts declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh confl.

Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 5 2009

Baltic Assembly adopts declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 5 / Trend News A. Huseynbala /

The Baltic Assembly adopts the declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"The delegations of GUAM member-states’ parliaments were invited for
the next session of the Baltic Assembly held in late November," MP Ali
Masimli told Trend News.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations.

Masimli said that as Azerbaijani delegate representing GUAM he made an
address to optimize a model of post-crisis development and cooperation
of countries located near the Caspian, the Black and the Baltic seas.

"Numerous statements and declarations were adopted during the session.
These documents reflect the issues connected with GUAM and
Azerbaijan," MP said.

He said that the most important issue is that the way of the Baltic
Assembly consideration of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The Assembly’s declaration on new security appeals was also adopted.

Moreover, ensuring territorial integrity during solving the conflicts
in the territory of GUAM countries was also reflected in the joint
declaration of GUAM and the Baltic Assembly.

It is a very important document in favor of Azerbaijan," Masimli said.

MP said that the delegation of the Azerbaijani parliament raises a
special question on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at all the meetings
of the Baltic Assembly.

"During the session I stressed that we wish that European countries
would hold a simple position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which
is the major problem of Azerbaijan, just as Azerbaijan actively
participates in solving energy security raised on the level of the
national security of Europe. I also reminded that the European
organizations must respect their decisions," he said.

He said that after the issue was repeatedly raised, the Baltic
Assembly’s declaration on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict appeared
during the session. "The document stressed that the conflict must be
solved within Azerbaijani territorial integrity based on the norms of
the international law," Masimli said.

MP stressed Milli Majlis speaker Oqtay Asadov’s very serious imitative
on the active participation of the Azerbaijani parliamentary
delegation in the events.

Qualification assessment for technical service experts to be intro’d

Qualification assessment for technical service experts to be introduced at SCR
04.12.2009 20:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ South Caucasian Railways headquarters in Yerevan
hosted the first meeting between experts of road, carriage and
locomotive services this Friday.

At the meeting, SCR Deputy Director General Marat Khakov, emphasized
the importance of qualified experts in providing safety in railroad
operations, operation quality improvement, quality control.

SCR Director General Shevket Shaydullin, for his part, noted that the
meeting aims at discussion of issues on positioning South Caucasian
Railways as a national transportation company, which entails major
expectations from international business partners and the society.

As Shevket Shaydullin noted, qualification assessment for technical
service experts will be introduced at SCR.
The meeting was concluded by prize award ceremony where SCR experts
were granted gifts and bonus awards.