Author: Chmshkian Vicken

SIMULTANEOUS DIALOG WITH MOSCOW AND WASHINGTON EXTREMELY HARD FOR ANKARA

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.11.2008 12:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia and Turkey’s activities in the Caucasus are
interdependent, a Russian expert said.

"Aspiration to realize strategic goals avoiding armed conflicts
underlies the approach of both countries," Andrey Areshev, expert at
Strategic Initiative Foundation, wrote in a piece of opinion titled
"Stability in the Caucasus after five-day war: the role of Russia,
Iran and Turkey."

At that, Turkey will remain a member of NATO, a military bloc used by
the United States as a tool to restrain Russia in the Caucasus and
Black Sea regions. Under the circumstances it’s extremely hard for
Ankara to hold a dialog simultaneously with Moscow and Washington,
according to him.

"Turkey partakes in a plenty of regional peace initiatives. The
five-day war proved insufficiency of force-oriented projects. Besides,
the role of Georgia as a key transit element in the Caspian-Caucasus
has been questioned, what in profound interest of Turkey which poses as
a key transit link for energy transportation to Europe," Areshev said.

A321 Airbus joins Armavia’s fleet

YEREVAN, November 7. /ARKA/. Armenia’s national air carrier Armavia
will soon replenish its fleet by an A321 Airbus reported Mikhail
Baghdasarov, president of the company.

`We will show you the new airbus with 178 seats,’ he said, adding
Armvia almost approaches transatlantic carriers.
The company is currently negotiating with Airbus on the procurement of
the plane.

President of MIKA Armenia Trading became Armavia’s absolute shareholder
in June 2005.

The air carrier has the largest flight network in Armenia, flying 30
routes in the CIS and Russia, Middle East and Europe.

Armavia’s fleet consists of two A319 airbuses, two A320 airbuses, one
Boeing-737-300, one Yak-42, one Tu-134 and one IL-86. `0–

TURKEY’S TOP GENERAL MEETS AZERBAIJANI OFFICIALS

Nov 7 2008
Turkey

Turkey’s top general Basbug said that Turkey favored settlement of
the dispute within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
and international law.

Turkey’s top general met on Thursday Azerbaijani minister of defense
and parliament speaker in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, where he
is paying a formal visit.

Gen. Ilker Basbug, the chief of General Staff of Turkey, had talks
with Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev and Parliament
Speaker Oktay Asadov.

During their meeting, Abiyev said that recent development in the
region made improving bilateral relations and security endeavors
more necessary.

Abiyev also said that Azerbaijan would make use of all opportunities
to ensure its own territorial integrity if peace talks regarding
Upper Karabakh dispute failed.

Basbug said that Turkey favored settlement of the dispute within the
framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and international law.

Turkey would always be beside Azerbaijan, Basbug also said.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENT CONGRATULATED BARACK OBAMA ON ELECTION AS U. S. PRESIDENT

De Facto
Nov 6, 2008

YEREVAN, 06.11.08. DE FACTO. On November 6 the Nagorno-Karabagh
Republic President Bako Sahakian sent a congratulatory letter to
President-elect of the United States of America Barack Obama.

According to the Central Information Department of the Office of
the NKR President, the letter reads as follows: "On behalf of the
people and authorities of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic I cordially
congratulate you on the occasion of being elected as the 44th President
of the United States of America. Your victory is an epoch-making
event both in American history and world democracy.

Artsakh rates highly the role of the United States in peaceful
settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict and the annual
financial assistance provided by the USA to the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic.

I am confident that with your interest and support in solving issues
the Armenian people face, under the new Administration the ties
between our countries will become much stronger and more diversified.

I congratulate you once again and wish peace, happiness, robust health
and prosperity to you and all your relatives and friends".

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONTINUES HIS MEETINGS IN TEHRAN

On November 2, His Holiness Aram I received the Head of Iran’s Islamic
Culture and Relations Organization, Mehdi Mostafavi, and the Head of
‘Dialogue among Religions’ Department, Dr. Rasoul Rasoulipouri at the
Armenian Prelacy in Tehran.

They discussed ‘the dialogue of religions’ and specifically
‘Christian-Muslim cooperation’. They put together preliminary plans for
future dialogue(s). His Holiness expressed his view regarding both issues
and highlighted the importance of interreligious cooperation with current
challenges in mind.

The Pontiff had a grand welcome the same day by the Armenians of the Zeytoun
neighborhood. After the blessing of the salt and bread, His Holiness entered
the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church with "Hrashapar". Bishop Norayr
Asehkian officiated the Mass. Primate Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian delivered
the welcoming remarks, after which His Holiness addressed the enthusiastic
crowd.

His Holiness strongly stressed the need for Armenians to become integrated
in Church life and to preserve their national values. The faithful had a
unique opportunity to intimately communicate with their spiritual leader
during Atchahampouyr.

An official luncheon was organized in honour of the Pontiff in the
"Shaghoulian" Hall in the Sassoun neighborhood with the participation of the
Diocesan council, members from regional councils and other official guests.

The previous day His Holiness had officiated the vespers in the St.
Vartananats Church, where a grand public welcome was held. Armenians
celebrated their spiritual leader’s presence and listened carefully to his
Pontifical address.

After the public gathering, His Holiness inaugurated the new headquarters of
the "Sartarabad" union. In his address on this occasion, the Pontiff praised
all those who contributed to transforming their dream into reality and
building a new roof for the "Sartarabad" union. He expressed hope that the
new center would be filled with life and would thrive with the community’s
collective efforts.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos322.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ACCORDING TO LPA LEADER, REAL FOUNDATION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT WAS LAID BY SIGNING OF MOSCOW DECLARATION

Noyan Tapan

Nov 3, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The Declaration signed on November
2 in Moscow by the Presidents of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan is
a series of good wishes. Hovhannes Hovhannisian, the Chairman of
the Liberal Party of Armenia (LPA), expressed such an opinion at
the November 3 press conference adding that thus, an agreement on
non-resumption of operations was achieved.

Besides, according to the observation of the LPA leader, that
Declaration signed on the initiative of Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev means strengthening of Russia’s positions in the Nagorno
Karabakh settlement negotiations.

However, as H. Hovhannisian stated, it is a serious omission for
the Armenian side that there is no signature of the Nagorno Karabakh
representative under the document. "For me, it is also unacceptable
that the readiness of the sides to solve the conflict on the basis
of Madrid principles was established by the Declaration, while RA and
NKR societies are not aware of Madrid principles," the LPA leader said.

H. Hovhannisian said that the Declaration is considerably inferior
to the variant of conflict settlement discussed in 1998, under first
RA President Levon Ter-Petrosian. "The stage-by-stage variant was
discussed 10 years ago, according to which we were to cede 5 regions,"
the speaker said adding that returning all liberated 7 regions to
Azerbaijan is spoken about now.

Besides, according to H. Hovhannisian, the necessity of a common
border of RA and NKR was discussed then, while today, according to
Madrid principles, Armenia and Artsakh are to be connected with each
other by Lachin corridor.

"As to the NKR status, the necessity to hold a people’s survey and
not a referendum on Karabakh was discussed in 1997-1998," the LPA
leader said.

According to him, the only positive side of signing the declaration
is that after freezing the conflict for 10 years running with the
"brilliant efforts" of former RA President Robert Kocharian the
"foundation of the real settlement" of the Nagorno Karabakh problem
was at last laid.

ANCA: OBAMA OFFERED FRESH ‘GENOCIDE’ PLEDGE

Today’s Zaman
Nov 3 2008
Turkey

An influential US Armenian lobby has suggested that US Democratic
presidential candidate Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to
recognition of Armenian genocide allegations.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) announced on its
Web site that it received a statement dated Oct. 31 from the Obama
campaign.

"Barack Obama believes we must recognize this tragic reality and
strongly supports a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common
security and strengthens Armenian democracy. Barack Obama strongly
supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and
S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide," ANCA quoted
the statement as saying.

Yet the quoted statement was not aired on home page of Obama’s
campaign, unlike his earlier statements on the same issue.

ANCA underlined that the statement "came amid a flurry of reports
in the Turkish press regarding a meeting that supposedly took place
over the last several days between a senior Turkish official, Ahmet
Davutoglu, and a representative of the Obama-Biden campaign, after
which Davutoglu called into question Obama’s commitment to this core
human rights issue."

MEDVEDEV RAISES HOPES ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH
By Denis Dyomkin

Independent.co.uk
Monday, 3 November 2008

The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to intensify talks to
end a 20-year conflict over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan and his Azeri counterpart, Ilham
Aliyev also agreed after talks outside Moscow with Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev to develop confidence building measures as they search
for a way to resolve the conflict.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s mostly ethnic Armenian population broke away
from Azerbaijan in a war in the early 1990s as the Soviet Union
collapsed. It now runs its own affairs, with support from Armenia.

"The presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to continue work,
including during further contacts on a high level, on agreeing a
political resolution of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh," according to
a copy of the declaration they signed, which was read out by Medvedev.

Both presidents "ordered their foreign ministers to intensify further
steps in the negotiating process in coordination with the Minsk group"
of international mediators.

Sarksyan and Aliyev, who hastily shook hands before the talks at
the Meiendorf Castle official residence outside Moscow, signed the
document along with Medvedev, who is seeking to underline Russia’s
clout in the Caucasus region.

The war between Russia and Georgia in August appears to have lent
new impetus to diplomatic efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, with Russia trying to show it can act as a broker for
"frozen conflicts" in the former Soviet Union.

Xinhua, China
Nov 2 2008

Leaders of Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan sign declaration on Nagorny
Karabakh conflict

2008-11-03 00:10:05

MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) — The presidents of Russia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan Sunday signed a joint declaration on the peaceful
settlement of the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh.

The parties pledge to improve the situation in the South Caucasus
and affirm the importance of OSCE mediation, said the declaration,
which was read at a signing ceremony outside Moscow by Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev.

The leaders agreed that "the peaceful settlement should be
accompanied by legally binding international guarantees of all aspects
and stages," the document reads.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev agreed to continue their work on the political settlement to
the conflict and instructed their foreign ministers to speed up the
negotiation process.

Nagorny Karabakh, a Azerbaijani region with a large Armenian
population, declared independence from Azerbaijan in the early 1990s
and has been a source of conflict ever since.

Editor: Yan

Hürriyet, Turkey
Nov 2 2008

Armenia, Azerbaijan sign declaration in Russia mediated Karabakh talks

A joint declaration signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and
his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan on Sunday, in Moscow said the
two sides would "continue their work… to agree on a political
settlement in the negotiating process." (UPDATED)

The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan called for a "peaceful
resolution" to their dispute over the province of Nagorno-Karabakh on
the basis of "binding international guarantees," Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev said after talks near Moscow.

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 on Armenian
territorial claims over Azerbaijan.

Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20 percent of
Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven
surrounding districts, displacing 10 percent of the Azeri population
in the series of bloody clashes both between and within the two
neighboring countries.

In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group are currently holding peaceful negotiations.

Nearly 30,000 were killed in the 1990s war over the enclave and
soldiers on both sides continue to exchange sporadic fire, claiming
lives.

MEDVEDEV MEDIATED TALKS

Medvedev, who in August oversaw Russia’s war with Georgia — which
borders both Armenia and Azerbaijan — launched a fresh push in
October to end the long-simmering conflict during a visit to Armenia
and was to broker the peace talks, the Kremlin said.

At the meeting Sargsyan said he was ready for talks with Azerbaijan on
the basis of principles worked out at negotiations in Madrid last year
under a plan that would give Nagorno-Karabakh the right to
self-determination, AFP reported.

The Kremlin would act as guarantor of a new accord, an administration
official was quoted as saying on Saturday.

Analysts say Moscow is keen to maintain influence in Armenia, its main
ally in the Caucasus, after the conflict between Russia and
U.S.-allied Georgia in August raised tensions throughout the region.

The August war, which began when Georgia attacked its own breakaway
enclave of South Ossetia, raised fears of similar violence in
Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Russia would be prepared to support a resolution to problem that
suits both sides and act as guarantor if a compromise deal is
reached," the unnamed Kremlin official said, state news agency RIA
Novosti reported.