Author: Hunanian Jack

STABILITY IN REGION REMAINS DELICATE WITHOUT SOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: CONSUL GENERAL

Trend
Oct 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Turkey-Armenia relations and stability in South Caucasus remain
delicate given the lack of significant progress in solving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani Consul General to Los Angeles,
Elin Suleymanov, said.

"It is early to speak about new routes of energy resources export
without solving the conflict," Suleymanov’s article posted in
Washington Post said.

He said that the USA can promote achievement of real changes in South
Caucasus by encouraging overwhelming regional settlement on the basis
of stated adherence to intensify efforts to solve Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

EDWARD NALBANDYAN RECEIVES AIDE TO THE ASSISTANT US SECRETARY OF STATE ON EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS TINA KAIDENOW

ARMENPRESS
Oct 20, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan received today Aide to the Assistant US Secretary of State
on European and Eurasian Affairs Tina Keidenow.

Armenian Foreign Ministry’s Media and Information Department told
Armenpress that Nalbandyan congratulated her on being appointed in
this responsible office and expressed hope that her experience and
skills will be useful in development of bilateral relations.

During the meeting the interlocutors discussed prospects of development
of bilateral relations. The Armenian minister said that Armenia
highlights boosting of relations with United States and consolidation
of cooperation.

They exchanged thoughts over the process of normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations and referred also to the recent developments
in Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation process.

ARMENIAN PM, WB MANAGING DIRECTOR DISCUSS COOPERATION PROSPECTS

ARKA
Oct 19, 2009

YEREVAN, October 19. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
met with World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Saturday
and discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation and the current
state of Armenian economy, Armenian governmental press office reports.

The Armenian premier said that Okonjo-Iweala’s visit and frequent
meetings would give a new impetus to cooperation between Armenia and
the World Bank.

Sargsyan spoke about Armenian economy, impacts of the world recession
on the economy and the government’s bailout steps.

He said that the government pursues expansionary policy and pays a
special attention to bailout measures targeting infrastructures and
intensifies its support to small and medium enterprises.

Speaking about economic development prospects, the premier presented
tax and customs administration reforms to his guest.

He said that the government attaches importance to involvement of
international experts in this process.

"Tax and customs reforms will upgrade competitive ability of our
economy, improve business environment and reduce shady dealing."

Issues related to introduction of corporate administration in Armenia,
pension reforms, development of securities market as well as measures
for education, healthcare and insurance sectors were discussed at
the meeting.

The Armenian premier and the WB managing director spoke about
Blue Ocean Strategy that lays favorable ground for forming new,
unconquered markets.

They also discussed possible participation of the World Bank in
restructuring of Armenia’s foreign debt for easing debt burden.

Sargsyan and Okonjo-Iweala attended the ceremony of a new WB office
opening in Yerevan.

ZIYAFAT ASGAROV: IF THEY CAN TELL ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER "SIGN AND GO", THEN THEY CAN TELL "PULL OUT TROOPS FROM KARABAKH" AS WELL

Aysor
Oct 20 2009
Armenia

Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev – APA. "The events happened during the signing
of Turkish-Armenian protocols in Zurich, Switzerland showed that if
the co-chairs intend they can pressure upon Armenia", said first vice
speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Ziyafat Asgarov, APA reports.

"If they can tell Armenian foreign minister "sing and go", then they
can tell "pull out troops from Karabakh" as well".

The first vice speaker said the powerful countries were working
with quadruple standards. "They must behave mannerly on the basis
of international law. We have to pressure upon the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs. If the co-chairs intend they can pressure upon Armenia".

Asgarov talked about the Turkish-Armenian protocols. "Our concern is
about Turkey as well. We know Armenians very well. They will settle
in Turkey after the protocols come into force and then put forward
territorial claims against Turkey. We want Turkey to know that Sargsyan
said in Turkey that Armenia’s capital is in Turkey".

BUSINESS LEADER DENIES REPORTS OF PRESSURE ON TURKISH COMPANIES

Today’s Zaman
Oct 20 2009
Turkey

A senior official of the main Turkish business group in Azerbaijan
has denied media reports that Turkish companies are facing unjust tax
inspections amid political tensions over a recent Turkish-Armenian
rapprochement.

Yasin Görul, the secretary-general of the International Society of
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSÄ°AB), said the reports
that appeared in the Azerbaijani media were "exaggerated."

Azerbaijani newspapers Yeni Musavat and Azadlıg reported this week
that Azerbaijani authorities have started tax inspections over the
past transactions of Turkish businesses operating in Azerbaijan,
reportedly in an act of reprisal by the Azerbaijani government over
the signing of two protocols on diplomatic relations between Turkey
and Armenia, which occupied Azerbaijani territory in a war over
Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s. They claimed that Azerbaijani
President Ä°lham Aliyev ordered the Ministry of Finance to take a
strict line in investigating Turkish companies in Azerbaijan in case
of any irregularities in their operation and tax payments.

"We have not received any such information. Every six months, however,
tax inspectors conduct routine investigations of which this is a part.

Nevertheless, some circles always trying to use this situation to
create tension," Görul told Today’s Zaman.

Officials at the Baku office of the state Turkish Cooperation and
Development Agency (TÄ°KA) also told Today’s Zaman that they have
not received any information about the reported tax inspections.

But another Turkish businessman, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
confirmed the reports, saying that tax inspectors have informed his
companies that they will come for an inspection in the near future.

"SERZH SARGSYAN HAS SOLD 9 MILLION ARMENIANS"

/10/19/vardan-martirosyan
04:28 pm | October 19, 2009

Politics

Canadian Armenian businessman Vardan Martirosian will never forget
October 10 – the day of signing of Protocols between Armenia and
Turkey.

"The authorities have sold us. They have sold 9 million Armenians. I
felt as an invalid in front of the TV set. While Nalbandian was
signing the Protocols I felt terror and couldn’t utter a word. Never
had I experienced such a shiver in my life," Mr. Martirosian told A1+.

"Serzh Sargsyan has sold us to Barack Obama," added the businessman.

"I am convinced that the whole Diaspora experienced the same shock on
October 10. The Diaspora is displeased with Armenia’s leadership. We
have always supported our homeland and today we receive the
authorities’ ignorance.

They say they don’t visit the Diaspora to learn our opinion. It is
really offending and a bad approach to Diaspora Armenians.

Vardan Martirosian was born in Turkey. In a year his family migrated
to Iraq. Today Vardan is a successful businessman in Canada. His wife
and daughter are presently in Abu Dhabi.

"My wife is an architect and my daughter a manager. We are going
to move to Armenia. I visit Armenia every two months. Though I am
in deep despair Armenia is my homeland and I am going to settle in
Armenia. I shall let no one to take a decision for me."

"POMEGRANATE SEED" THEATRE FESTIVAL DUE OCTOBER 24-NOVEMBER 1

Panorama.am
16:12 19/10/2009

Stage 2 of "Pomegranate seed" children’s republican 9th theatre
festival is due in Yerevan October 24-November 1, festival’s president
Hasmik Karapetyan told Panorama.am.

The festival is dedicated to Hovhannes Tumanyan’s 140th anniversary
and the opening is to take place in Tumanyan Museum, then it will be
underway in Metro Theatre. As the organizer of the festival said,
23 junior theaatre groups are to perform. 35 groups have submitted
a participation bid, though 23 have been chosen. For 12 of them this
is the pilot participation, H. Karapetyan said.

CLOCK TOWER RIGHT ON TIME FOR 2010

Hurriyet Daily News
Oct 19 2009
Turkey

After nearly a year since restoration work began, Dolmabahce Palace
has lit up its newly renovated clock tower.

The restoration work began in December 2008 and was completed in
June by the Italian Association for Restoration, Assorestauro,
in cooperation with the Italian Trade Organization and the Turkish
Directorate for National Palaces.

In light of Istanbul’s upcoming position as the 2010 European Capital
of Culture, the Directorate for National Palaces has initiated many
restoration projects emphasizing the city’s architectural heritage.

"Istanbul’s selection as Capital of Culture has given us the perfect
opportunity to work together, bringing the latest technology and best
practices from Italy to Turkey’s mosques and palaces," Italian Trade
Commissioner Roberto Luongo said at the formal opening ceremony on
Friday. Several Italian companies that specialize in restoration and
lighting will contribute to "new projects and jointly work to maintain
the quality of the historical sites," Luongo said.

During the initial stages of the project, Turkish staff members were
trained in the methods and materials used by Italian firms. The
latest technology, including photogrammetry and 3D laser-scanning
systems, were implemented in the project and the lighting designs
were overhauled. A representative of Assorestauro pointed out, "The
lamps illuminating the tower were placed strategically in order to
highlight the eclectic motifs on the tower."

Turkish Parliament deputy Nevzat Pakdil and Secretary General Ali
Osman Koca, Italian Ambassador Carlo Marsili and Italian Trade Center
Ambassador Umberto Vataniye cut the ribbon after giving speeches at the
Treasury. The ceremony was marked by a 10-minute musical performance
accompanied by the ringing of the clock tower’s bells.

The tower was commissioned by Sultan Abdulhamit II, built by the
Armenian court architect Sarkis Balyan in 1895 and stands today as
a monument to Ottoman modernization efforts.

AZERI PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.10.2009 18:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Azerbaijani Parliament will debate the protocols
signed between Turkey and Armenia, Trend Azeri news agency reported.

"I and my counterparts returning from Turkey will put forward
proposals to prevent discussion of the signed protocols at the Turkish
Parliament," Member of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Security and
Defense Committee, Zahid Oruj said.

Oruj said appeal to the Turkish Parliament will depend on the
discussions. "Azerbaijan is engaged in certain diplomatic activities.

I believe we can use different tools of influence," the parliamentarian
said.

Oruj added that they will not only discuss the policy pursued to
repair relations between Turkey and Armenia, but will also the
regional issues.

"We should calculate Azerbaijan’s advantages and losses in these
processes, because the balance of forces in the region is important for
Azerbaijan’s future. Views will be exchanged on the issue," he said.

U.S. AND TURKISH PRESIDENTS DISCUSS THE NORMALIZATION PROCESS OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
Oct 19, 2009

WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS: U.S. and Turkish Presidents
Barack Obama and Abdullah Gul during the Saturday phone-conversation
discussed the normalization process of Armenian-Turkish relations,
the situation in Afghanistan, and a number of other issues, press
service of White House reported.

The heads of the two countries pointed out the historic progress
achieved in the normalization process of the ties between Armenia
and Turkey. Obama and Gul referred to the situation in Afghanistan,
and U.S. head expressed gratitude for the Turkish contribution to
its stabilization.

The presidents attached importance to the "stable cooperation" on
purpose of regulating the situation in Cyprus and "of strengthening
the situation stabilization in Bosnia and Herzegovina".