Author: Ekmekjian Janet

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

CYPRUS MUST SUPPORT ARMENIA IN ALL INTERNATIONAL AND POLITICAL
ISSUES, PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS STATES

NICOSIA, NOVEMBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The official ceremony of meeting
the RA President took place on November 23 at the President’s
residence of Cyprus, after what Robert Kocharian laid a wreath at the
monument to first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios.

Then a private conversation of Presidents Robert Kocharian and Tassos
Papadopoulos took place. A wide circle of issues relating to
economic, humanitarian, educational, banking, cultural spheres as
well as to regional cooperation was discussed during the negotiations
in an enlarged staff followed the private conversation.

An agreement "On Cooperation in Struggle against Organized and other
Types of Crimes" was signed as a result. Working groups were
instructed to jointly work out practical proposals and programs in
the directions of issues arisen during the negotiations.

At the press conference followed the negotiations, the two countries’
Presidents emphasized especially the warm and practical atmosphere
which accompanied the whole process of negotiations.

Expressing satisfaction on the occasion of the RA President’s first
state visit and negotiations, T.Papadopoulos mentioned that during
both personal and official meetings the Cypriot side assured the RA
President that it is willing to deepen the existing bilateral
friendly ties, to more widen the cooperation. "Cyprus must support
Armenia in all international and political issues," the President of
Cyprus stated. In implementation of bilateral agreements, he
especially attached importance to the Armenian community’s role,
which, according to characterization of T.Papadopoulos, is a
community having a high level and has been leading in all spheres.

"Our peoples and countries have very warm relations and an active
dialogue. We have today attempted to widen that dialogue especially
in the sphere of economy," the RA President mentioned.

In R.Kocharian’s words, Armenia and Cyprus have always assisted one
another at different international structures. Today Armenia has
great expectations in the sense of borrowing the experience of Cyprus
in reforms being implemented within the framework of the European
Union New Neighbourhood Policy. The Cypriot side expressed readiness
to cooperate and show considerable assistance to Armenia on that way.

"Cyprus has from the first moment assisted Armenia’s involvement in
the EU Neighbourhood program. It supposes a great number of reforms,
and we are ready to assist their practical implementation,"
T.Papadopoulos assured in his turn.

Responding the question what precept the RA President has to the
Cypriot people within the context of the Turkish-Cypriot relations,
R.Kocharian mentioned that the Armenian side’s attitude can be
estimated with those votes that Armenia displays at different
international instances in issues relating to Cyprus. "We would like
to see the issue of Cyprus solved within the framework of notions of
that country’s people and government what we re-affirmed during this
meeting as well," the RA President said.

Robert Kocharian invited his colleague from Cyprus to visit Armenia
the next year.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office, the
meeting of President Robert Kocharian and Demetrias Christofias, the
President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus was also held in
a warm and friendly atmosphere. The sides agree that the political
cooperation must more strengthen, the legislative cooperation must
more deepen what will bring to more widening of ties in economic,
cultural, tourism and other spheres. The RA President especially
appreciated the attitude which the Cypriot authorities display
towards the Armenian community. "The circumstance that the Cypriot
Armenian community is represented at the Parliament of Cyprus, there
are schools which are financed by the state, is simply appreciable,
and I think that it also gives important warmth to our bilateral
relations," R.Kocharian said.

Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 25 2006

`Unshot bullets’ film presented in Stepanakert
25.11.2006 16:48

The presentation of the `Unshot bullets’ was held in Stepanakert, the
capital of Nagorno Karabakh. The film was shot at `Hayfilm’ studio.
The scenarist and author of the film is Samvel Tadevosyan. The
full-length film is based on the events of 1992-1994. Real
participants of the war acted in the film.
The film was shot in Nagorno Karabakh, Sisian and other regions of
Armenia.

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 25 2006

COMPUTERS FOR PRISONERS

The Civic Action Center NGO opened a computer classroom at the prison
of Shushi. The leadership of the NGO worked out the timetable of
classes for prisoners with the administration of the prison. After
the classes the inmates will get a certificate. Albert Voskanian, the
head of the NGO said the computer classes are part of the
psychological rehabilitation project of the CAC. `After they leave
the prison they will have computer skills, as well as a certificate,
which will help them to get used to life outside the prison,’ said
Albert Voskanian. The staff of the prison may also sit classes. The
computer was provided by Mesrop Mashtots University.

EVIKA BABAYAN.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia – Russia’s Friend, Ally and Partner
24.11.2006 17:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Days of the Armenian National
Assembly held within the Year of Armenia in Russia
started in the Russian Federation Council. The Days
began with the meeting of Russian Federation Council
Chairman Sergey Mironov and RA NA Speaker Tigran
Torosian. `Armenia is Russian’s friend, ally and
strategic partner not only in the Caucasus but
throughout the globe,’ Sergey Mironov said upon
completion of the meeting. He informed that the
discussions focused on interparliamentary cooperation
and further development of relations between the two
states, reported the press office of the RF Federation Council.

AZG Armenian Daily #226, 25/11/2006

Home

Examination on History of Armenia Included in
Graduation Final Exams for High School

In accordance with yesterday’s Government decision it
was ratified that the exams on the Armenian language,
on the history of Armenia, on mathematics and on
foreign languages are compulsory for the students of
the high school. The students who want to enter
universities should pass the abovementioned exams and
may chose an additional subject close to the relevant
profession they are applying for. Thus, by the
abovementioned decision, the exam on the History of
Armenia was included in the list of the compulsory
ones.

By Ara Martirosian

A1+

TELEPHONE TARIFFS WON’T CHANGE
[03:04 pm] 24 November, 2006

The State Committee regulating public services
discussed the application of `ArmenTel’ demanding to
change telephone tariffs. The company offered to raise
the monthly tariffs to 3000 AMD (instead of 1100 AMD).

`ArmenTel’ also offered to reduce the number of free
conversation minutes from 360 to 280. The cost of a
minute of telephone conversation was also to be raised
to 6 AMD per minute.

The Committee found the offers groundless and gave
«ArmenTel» time until March 1 of the coming year in
order to revise them.

OSCE MG HAS EXTRA IDEAS ON KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.11.2006 13:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs have extra ideas on
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement but over the confidentiality
of the negotiation process they cannot be divulged, said OSCE MG
Russian Co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov on arrival in Baku November 22. The
diplomat also informed that U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza will meet with
Nagorno Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasian in Los Angeles and over
this reason he did not join the mediators in the regional visit. At the
same time he voiced hope that all 3 Co-chairs will be present at the
meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani President in Minsk November 28.

French mediator Bernard Fassier said that the negotiation process
is going on. "We met with the Foreign Ministers three times within
several weeks. We are trying to build a wall in order to create a basis
for the future agreement. Each time we add a brick," he underscored,
reports Trend news agency.

FESTIVITIES TO BENEFIT ARMENIAN CHILDREN’S FUND

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
Nov 16 2006

The Armenian Children’s Milk Fund will host a fun-filled family
event on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the National Heritage
Museum in Lexington. The evening will include traditional Armenian
music and dance, as well as face-painting, crafts, food and other
festive activities.

The evening also highlights two special events for children.

Acclaimed master storyteller Angela Klingler will recount stories
based on Armenian folklore, and Twinkles the Clown will bedazzle and
amuse children with her magic.

Doors to the museum will open at 5:30 p.m. Both children’s performances
begin at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Admission: $16 adults; $8 children; ages 2 and under free.

If you’d like to volunteer to help out, or for more information,
call ACMF at 617-484-6233. Directions to the museum, located at 33
Marrett Road in Lexington, are available at

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Armenian Children’s Milk
Fund. ACMF has been providing infant formula to needy families
in Armenia since shortly after the tragic earthquake in December
1988. Through the fundraising efforts of its volunteers over the
years, ACMF has helped thousands of Armenian children get a healthy
start in life.

EU TO CLOSELY WATCH UPCOMING ELECTION IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.11.2006 13:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Commissioner for External Relations Benita
Ferrero-Waldner described the singing of the EU Action Plans with
the South Caucasian states as ‘a new stage’. "We are launching a new
stage. We want to convey our values – human rights, democracy and rule
of law – to these states. We also consider their wishes. It’s important
for us to encourage regional cooperation," she told RFE/RL. For his
part, EU Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby also commented on
the Armenia-EU Action Plan. "The European Neighborhood Policy will
allocate finances and these funds should be used for reformation of
Armenia and Azerbaijani in order to bring them closer to European
standards," he said. The EU will also closely watch the forthcoming
parliamentary and presidential election in Armenia and Azerbaijan
which will become an important exam for the republics.

OSCE MINSK GROUP HOPES TO AGREE ON BASE PRINCIPLES OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT REGULATION TILL THE END OF THE YEAR

TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 16 2006

The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group for the regulation of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hope that the next
meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenia Robert
Kocharyan will take place in the nearest future, Trend reports. "We
hope that this meeting will take place on November 28, within the
CIS Summit in Minsk," the Russian Co-chair of the Minsk Group Yuri
Merzlyakov informed RIA Novosti.

On November 16, the co-chairs of the Minsk Group made speeches before
the Permanent Council of the OSCE (France, USA and Russia).

According to the Russian Co-chair, the current year will present unique
window of opportunities for achieving an agreement on the settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He said that at the beginning of
this year, both countries stated that earlier they were not as close
to the agreement.

"It would be a tragically successful chance for the Presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia to permit this window to close at the
beginning of the next year to agree at least on the base principles
for the future peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,"
Merzlyakov said. In addition, he said that the next election cycle
reaches in 2007-2008 – first in Armenia and then in Azerbaijan. "We
already have the experience of the negative impacts of the elections
on the negotiations," the Russian Co-chair said.

Answering the question about the possible impacts of the Kosovo
regulation on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he
emphasized that all conflicts have own peculiarities. "However, the
regulation of the Kosovo question will somehow affect other conflicts
in the OSCE territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh," Merzlyakov said.