Author: Harutyunian Christine

COURSE CORRECTION
By Oktay Eksi

Turkish Press
May 14 2009

HURRIYET- In Baku yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
the right things and announced good policies. He tried to dispel
the fears of the Azeri people and the entire Azeri administration,
starting with President Ilham Aliyev, that Turkey would sell them
out to normalize its relations with Armenia.

Not only the Turkish and Azeri people, but also all the
relevant parties, including US President Barack Obama – who wants
Turkish-Armenian relations to be normalized and the borders between
the two countries opened – and particularly Armenia, saw that
unless the problems suffered by Azerbaijan, and particularly the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, are solved, Turkish-Armenian relations can
never be normalized. In fact, Erdogan told a press conference alongside
Aliyev that Turkey shares Azerbaijan’s sensitivity on Nagorno-Karabakh,
adding that unless the occupation ends, the border can’t be opened.

He made a similar statement in his address to the Azeri Parliament. He
said that the Turkish-Armenian border was closed when Nagorno-Karabakh
was occupied by Armenia. He added that when this situation ends,
the border will reopen, and that Turkey can’t proceed without an
agreement with Azeris on the issue. Erdogan said that these two issues
are inseparable.

Aliyev’s remarks show that he was satisfied by this
reassurance. Similarly, Aliyev said that Erdogan’s statements were
the best response to speculation on the issue. So if there was nothing
to disturb Azerbaijan, where did the tension comes from? We all know
that one of the reasons behind Obama’s recent visit to Turkey was the
huge promises he made to American citizens of Armenian origin. For
example, before becoming president, he said that the Armenians had
faced a genocide. But saying this as president was too big a risk. So
he needed something to assuage the Armenians, namely opening the
Turkish-Armenian border.

In truth, he was equivocal on the issue. But the agreement was spoiled
when he used the Armenian word for ‘genocide’ in his statement on
April 24. So both President Abdullah Gul and Erdogan criticized
his statement. But at that time the Turkish-Armenian contacts were
accelerated. Even Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan expressed hope
that he would come to Turkey through an open border this October to
watch a soccer match between Turkey and Armenia. What’s more, he said
that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue wasn’t discussed during the meetings
with Turkey. So what was Armenia supposed to do, except criticize this?

LAST MEETING BETWEEN AZERI, ARMENIAN LEADERS DID NOT ADVANCE TALKS

Interfax
May 12 2009
Russia

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
did not achieve significant progress in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict at a meeting in Prague on May 7, Azeri Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists.

"Complex issues were discussed at the meeting in Prague.

Unfortunately, the Armenian side did not display a constructive
approach," Mammadyarov said.

Azerbaijan insists on the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan, Mammadyarov said. "The negotiations
are continuing in line with these principles, but I cannot say that
some great progress has been made," he said.

The next meeting between the two leaders is planned during an
international economic forum in St. Petersburg in June, Mammadyarov
said. Before the meeting, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will visit
the region, and the Azeri and Armenian foreign ministers might meet
as well.

"The next meeting between the presidents will depend on the co-chairs’
visit to the region," he said.

ANC ENVISAGES TO CREATE "SOCIAL HOTELS" AND ARFD NIGHT CARE CENTERS FOR HOMELESS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
May 13, 2009

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. "Yerevan’s socio-economic development
should be based on a system of scientifically grounded programs
having prospects, medium-term, annual and target programs," the
preelection program of the Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia)
party running for Yerevan Council of Elders elections mentioned. BH
considers that programs of Yerevan’s socio-economic development should
be regulations documents compulsory for implementation. Procedures of
programs’ elaboration, discussion, endorsement, and impelementation
should be stipulated by RA laws On Local Self-Government in the City
of Yerevan and On Territorial Government to be adopted in the future.

Armenian National Congress (ANC) preelection program’s Social Sphere
department mentioned that a social housing fund will be established
for vulnerable families and orphanages’ adult wards. ANC plans to
establish special institutions for people needing long care and
"social hotels" for homeless people.

Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) party preelection program’s Social
Sphere part mentioned: "We should work out and carry out new social
strategy and policy, which will essentially improve the condition of
socially vulnerable strata and groups."

ARFD program’s respective department’s provisions envisage use of
efficient mechanisms of social housing fund distribution, provision
of gratuitous apartments to young families and families having many
children. Besides, ARFD plans to establish night care centers for
homeless people.

PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION’S DEPARTMENT CHIEF: PERHAPS, MATTHEW BRYZA PROVIDES HILLARY CLINTON AND BARACK OBAMA WITH FALSE INFORMATION FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT

Today.Az
itics/52192.html
May 12 2009
Azerbaijan

"I can not predict future moves, but I am surprised why the OSCE
Minsk Group is not talking about the real situation?", said chief of
Department for External Relations of the presidential administration
Novruz Mamedov, voicing sharp condemnations for the co-chairs of the
Minsk Group, in particular, US co-chair Matthew Bryza.

N. Mamedov noted that during the last meeting of the Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Armenian side has shown itself as
extremely unconstructive.

"In particular, they did not want to take any step towards resolving
the conflict, and once again demonstrated the territorial claims
to Azerbaijan. Despite this, without consulting the President of
Azerbaijan, the co-chairs issued a statement supporting the position
of President of Armenia and, apparently, the views of the co-chairs.

That is, they are provide the world community , the president and the
secretary of state, with wrong information as regards to progress,
reconciliation of positions and so on. This is another proof of the
special attitude towards Armenia, which is an aggressor country and
protection of its interests. On the other hand, the co-chairs are
interested in delaying the process, continuing missions and their
functions," said N. Mamedov.

Day.Az reports with reference to the Azadlyg radio that Novruz Mamedov
also said maybe Matthew Bryza provides Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
with false information for career advancement, promotion etc. "I have
no other assumptions".

He also noted that it is better for Matthew Bryza to speak of
Armenian President’s position and the steps Serzh Sargsyan made for
reconciliation.

"The President of Azerbaijan has repeatedly said that we recognize the
right of peoples to self-determination, but it can only be exercised
within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity".

N. Mamedov did not comment on what the rejection of Minsk Group
services will bring to Azerbaijan noting only that this question
should be left for later.

FREE OF A CLEAR NARRATIVE
Lou Lumenick

The New York Post
May 8, 2009 Friday

ARMENIAN-Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan ("Ararat") skillfully explores
familiar themes in "Adoration," though as is often true with his films,
the story line seems overly contrived.

For reasons eventually made clear, a high school student (Devon
Bostick) falsely claims that his Palestinian father – a violin
repairman who actually died with his pregnant musician mother in a
car crash under circumstances that are in dispute – was responsible
for the attempted terrorist bombing of an airplane.

The hoax, which is encouraged by the student’s mysterious French
teacher (Arsinee Khanjian), soon spirals out of control on the
Internet and provokes, you guessed it, a debate on the difference
between freedom fighters and terrorists.

"Adoration," which hinges on a number of coincidences, contains some
really fine performances, including a surprising one from Canadian
utility player Scott Speedman as the student’s rough-hewn uncle
and guardian.

In English, French and Arabic, with English subtitles. Running
time: 100 minutes. Rated R (profanity). At the Lincoln Plaza and
the Sunshine.

Interfax, Russia
May 7 2009

OPPOSITION PARTY MEMBER QUITS ARMENIAN NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has accepted the resignation of
Armen Rustamian, a representative of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Dashnaktsutyun, from the Armenian National Security
Council, a source at the presidential office told Interfax.

Rustamian leads the Parliamentary Permanent Commission for External
Relations.

Dashnaktsutyun announced earlier that it would quit the ruling
coalition and become an opposition party.

The party explained its decision with disagreement with the Armenian
foreign policy, including the Armenian-Turkish settlement roadmap.

The party representatives lead two parliamentary commissions, those
for external relations and for defense, internal affairs and national
security.

ECB SEES TENTATIVE SIGNS OF STABILIZATION IN SOME SECTORS OF ECONOMY

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.05.2009 12:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet
said the euro-zone economy was showing tentative signs of stabilizing
at a very low level, after the ECB cut interest rates to a new record
low on Thursday.

The ECB cut another 25 basis points from its benchmark refinancing
rate, taking it to 1 percent, and Trichet said inflationary pressures
had diminished in what remained a severe economic downturn.

"The latest economic data and survey suggest tentative signs of
a stabilization at very low levels after a first quarter which was
significantly weaker than expected," Trichet told the news conference
after the bank’s decision.

"The world economy including the euro area is still undergoing a
severe downturn with the prospect of both external and domestic
demand remaining very weak over 2009 before gradually recovering in
the course of 2010."

He also said inflation expectations remain firmly anchored and were
consistent with keeping inflation in line with the bank’s target of
price growth at or just below 2 percent.

"The outcome of the monetary analysis indicates that inflationary
pressures have diminished," he said.

Euro zone inflation is at a record low of 0.6 percent and although
some economic data are showing signs of stabilisation, the European
Commission this week forecast the euro zone’s economy would shrink
4.0 percent this year.

The ECB has cut rates from 4.25 percent since last October, Reuters
reported.

PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED ARTSAKH WAR VETS GET CARS
Anahit Danielyan

2009/0 5/08 | 16:03

Nagorno Karabakh

Today, in a ceremony in Stepanakert’s Renaissance Square, eight Artsakh
War veterans with 1st degree physical disabilities were allocated
automobiles with specially equipped hand-held controls. Present to
hand the car keys to the vets was Souren Avagyan, the event benefactor.

This is the second time that Mr. Avagyan has undertaken the expense of
providing such vehicles to physically challenged Artsakh War vets. The
program was started last year when the NKR government used state funds
to purchase such specially equipped cars. To date, some 33 vets have
received vehicles.

HIS HOLINESS GAREGIN II MEETS STUDENTS OF THE YEREVAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Marianna Gyurjyan

"Radiolur"
07.05.2009 15:23

His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, met with students with the Yerevan State Pedagogical
University. After the Lord’s Prayer the Catholicos urged the students
to be worthy sons of their Motherland, the nation and the Church.

Asked whether the Armenian Church has received an offer from the
Turkish side to participate in the reconstruction of the Mother
Cathedral of Ani, His Holiness Garegin II said: "We have no information
whether Armenian specialists have been invited to participate in the
reconstruction or not.

We accepted with regret that no cross was erected on the dome of the
St. Cross Church on the Island of Akhtamar.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT MAKES MORTGAGE LOANS AFFORDABLE TO YOUNG FAMILIES

/ARKA/
May 5, 2009
YEREVAN

Armenia’s Government is undertaking steps to make mortgage loans
affordable to young families, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
said Tuesday.

According to the premier, the government plans to offer 25-year
mortgage loans with lower interest rates. To achieve this goal,
Armenia needs additional investments.

"We are currently negotiating with our German partners, as well as the
World Bank over attracting additional investments for this purpose. We
are ready to earmark funds to achieve this goal," the premier added.

Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Arthur Javadyan
previously stated that the German KfW bank would attract additional
â~B¬20mln for mortgage lending programs in Armenia. He said the local
banks could draw the funds in the national currency if necessary.

Mortgage lending was 13.01% of Armenia’s total loan portfolio in
Q4 2008, with mortgage loans totaling 81.1bln drams. ($1 – 372.56
drams)