Author: Kamalian Hagop

HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN: ELECTION SYSTEM ONE OF DEMOCRACY PILLARS

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.09.2009 14:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian National Assembly speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
attended the 18th conference of the Association of European Election
Officials which kicked off in Yerevan today.

"Election system one of democracy pillars. Respecting and protecting
human rights and freedoms, we develop more efficient mechanisms,"
the speaker said in his welcoming speech.

"Only an independent and strong juridical power can judge the outcomes
of any elections held in the republic, like it happens in democracies,"
he said.

ALMA DISPLAYING MARSHA ODABASHIAN’S EXHIBITION IN WATERTOWN

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.09.2009 02:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA)
will display Marsha Nouritza Odabashian’s exhibition, "In the Shade
of the Peacock: Parables, Watercolor Paint Boxes, and Other Work in
Diverse Media," in ALMA’s Contemporary Art Gallery in Watertown from
September 13 through October 11.

Odabashian’s exhibition features a range of oil paintings on canvas
and panel, acrylic on panel, and mixed-media assemblages.

"In the Shade of the Peacock" addresses the formal tensions between
borders and interiors, literal and perceived depth, and representation
and abstraction. Themes of memory, dislocation, imagination and
nostalgia unite the works varied by explorations of the relation of
contemporary art and culture to a diverse heritage ranging from T’oros
Roslin, Giotto and Botticelli to more recent stylistic traditions.

POLICE NEED NO SHIELDS DURING ARF MEETINGS

ed-hats
05:47 pm | September 02, 2009

Politics

One could see red hats and policemen at every pace on Yerevan’s
Abovian Street at about 4:30, September 2.

In reply to bewildered passers-by, policemen said: "Dashnaktsutyun
holds a meeting today."

Remind that on September 2, at 6:30, the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) rallies people on Abovian Street to speak
about Karabakh conflict settlement and Armenian-Turkish relations.

In answer to A1+ why the police weren’t carrying shields and truncheons
as they did during the meetings of the Armenian National Congress,
a high-ranking policeman said: "What is the point in carrying shields
if we know what Dashnaks are going to talk about?"

VLADIMIR KARAPETIAN: DRAFT ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS CONTAIN DANGEROUS PRECONDITIONS

Noyan Tapan
Sep 1, 2009

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The draft Armenian-Turkish
protocols, which envisage normalization of bilateral relations,
contain preconditions undesirable for the Armenian side. Vladimir
Karapetian, Armenian National Congress Foreign Relations Executive,
stated this. In his words, "the Armenian authorities have accepted
the precondition put forward by the Turkish side on creation of an
Armenian-Turkish subcommission of historians, which can greatly hinder
the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide."

According to the protocol on development of bilateral relations, in
addition to the others, an intergovernmental commission not engaged
in the historic plane should be created. Its function is "fulfillment
of a dialogue aimed at mutual confidence between the two peoples."

V. Karapetian reminded that as far back as in 2005 Turkish Prime
Minister Erdogan proposed creating a bilateral commission of historians
to study the facts of the Genocide. However the Armenian authorities
of that time declined that proposal.

According to V. Karapetian, it is also alarming that these two
protocols after being signed should be submitted for ratification by
the parliaments.

In his words, it is not a procedure accepted in international
practice. It will give the Turkish side a possibility to constantly
delay protocols’ coming in force and to find new preconditions for
that process: for instance, to link normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations with the Nagorno Karabakh settlement.

NATIONAL BANK OF UKRAINE INTRODUCES "SURB KHACH" ARMENIAN MONASTERY COMMEMORATIVE COIN

ARKA
Aug 27, 2009

YEREVAN, August 27. /ARKA/. The National Bank of Ukraine put into
circulation "Surb Khach" commemorative coin.

The press service of the Central Bank of Armenia reported Thursday that
the National Bank of Ukraine issued "Surb Khach" commemorative silver
coin on the 650th anniversary of "Surb Khach" Armenian monastery in
the Crimea built in XIV century as part of series on architectural
monuments of Ukraine.

The official website of the Ukrainian National Bank – –
reports that the coin was drawn in 10,000 copies, 10 grivnas’ value
each. It is made of silver of 925 standard; diameter is 38.61mm,
weight 31.1 grams. The sketches are made by Svyatoslav Ivanenko.

It is the first coin related to Armenian culture that has been drawn
by a foreign country. The press release says.

Surb Khach Armenian medieval monastery (built in 1358) is situated
in a picturesque part of the Crimean peninsula. It was an Armenian
cultural and pilgrimage center during centuries.

NEW 100 000 AMD IN CIRCULATION

armradio.am
25.08.2009 16:23

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) has put 100,000 AMD banknotes
into circulation today. Talking to journalists, CBA Board Chairman
Vakhtang Abrahamyan reported that 50,000 AMD banknotes constitute 7%
of the cash in circulation, and the CBA expects the new, 100,000 AMD,
banknotes to constitute 3% of the amount.

As to whether this suggest AMD devaluation or is pregnant with a price
rise, Abrahamyan said that the studies showed no reasons for concern.

"First, since they were put into circulation, 50,000 AMD banknotes
have been serving the country’s economy and presently constitute 7%
of the cash in circulation. We think that the 100,000 AMD banknotes
will constitute 3%, which cannot cause any rise in prices. Secondly,
we have considered the experience of a number of countries (Denmark,
Switzerland, Czech Republic, Baltic States), which shows it facilitates
circulation and allows large-scale transactions to be effected in
terms of other currencies," Abrahamyan said.

As to what is the sense of putting 100,000 AMD banknotes into
circulation if 50,000 AMD banknotes constitute only 7% of the total
cash in circulation, Abrahamyan said that the measure is supposed to
make large-scale transactions easier for people.

The CBA Board member also expressed the opinion that the measure
will not cause an increase in the cash amount in circulation, as the
newly prin ted 100,000 AMD banknotes have nothing in common with the
CBA-implemented programs, which, in turn, are aimed at reducing the
share of cash in circulation and facilitating cashless payments.

RUSSIAN-TURKISH MESSAGE TO EU
Ahmed Hany

American Chronicle
s/view/116013
Aug 25 2009

Some think that separating between economic cooperation and political
tension is possible and they give the Russian-Turkish cooperation
in the 1960s an example when Russia helped Turkey to establish big
metallurgic industry that was a base for the Turkish steel industry
and the heavy industry in general. Others think that when countries
find that the political and military tension harm their long term
interests they seek to establish short and medium term interests to
serve as a ceiling for friction between these countries. They give
the same example as a proof for their view.

Geopolitically both Russia and Turkey have the same vital space in
the Middle East, East Europe and Central Asia. Historically, both
empires fought each other and the conclusion was that both were reduced
to their homeland. Wars between them started as early as 1711. The
Russian role to end the influence of the Ottoman Empire in East Europe
was accompanied by wars against Turkey and Iran to spread influence
in Balkan. Russia took Georgia in 1804 and Armenia in 1827 from the
Persian Empire. The Russian, Turkish and Persian empires never formed
alliances in a formula of two against one but the three were always
at odds. The three empires sought alliances with the European forces
against each other. The European forces played the game to serve
their interests by shifting alliances between the three empires to
put upper limits for their regional and international influence.

The British and French navies helped the Russian navy against the
Egyptian-Turkish navies in Navarino battle in 1827. After Greece became
independent it was clear that revival of the empire was the only
strategy that might save it. Napoleon principal stated a separation
between Turkey and Egypt was a must to end the Eastern Empire. He was
the first who suggested transfer of Jews from Europe to Palestine to
serve this target. This Western strategic principal made the European
forces abort trials of Mohamed Ali to revive the empire in London
Treaty. They also gave the Russian Emperor Nicola the 1st a green
card to force Turkish out of their Danube governorates in East Europe
in 1854. However to put a limit for Russian aspirations they let the
Egyptian army save the Turkish homeland 1854 -1856. Paris Treaty, 1856
was signed to safeguard the land of the Ottoman Empire. Another shift
of alliance happened when they helped Russians again and the result
was San Stefano Treaty 1878 between Russia and the Ottoman Empire that
virtually ended the Turkish influence in Europe by giving independence
to Romania, Serbia and Monte Negro. The Tripartite alliance between
Britain, France and Russia, 1907, forced Turkey to have an alliance
with the Germans and to side with them in WWI. Belford promise, 1917
founded a strategy based on Napoleon principle that served interests
of western powers and Russia to put an end for any trial to revive
any eastern empire on the Southern Russian borders. After WWII,
the Soviet Union that was another Russian Empire was founded between
the Russian homeland and satellite countries in Eastern Europe and
Central Asia. In fact most of these satellite countries were part of
the Ottoman Empire. Therefore the fall of the Soviet Union revived
Turkish dreams of having influence in Central Asia to East Turkistan
that was occupied by China in 1920s.

Both Russia and Turkey have problems with the EU. Russia wants to stop
the spread of NATO, to abort the anti-missile shield and to regain its
influence in Eastern Europe. Within this context Russia was forced
to use its ground force in a war against Georgia. It threatened
to withdraw from the Traditional Weapons Limitation Treaty and to
upgrade its nuclear arms. Russia used oil and gas supplies to Europe
as a weapon. The European responded by Nabco pipeline project that
transport oil and gas from Central Asia bypassing the Russian land.

The German and French veto for Turkish membership in the EU angers
Turkey that still sees itself a European country and one of the most
important countries in NATO. Turkey imports 30% of its oil and 70% of
its gas from Russia. The agreement between Russia and Turkey about the
Southern Stream pipeline balances the effect of the European Nabucco
line. In fact the agreement makes both Russia and Turkey control the
energy supply through pipelines to Europe if they cooperate. There are
high chances that Russia would build the Turkish nuclear reactors. Both
Russia and Turkey have common security interests now. Both do not like
extremism to have a safe haven in Central Asia. Both refuse a Kurdish
state anywhere. Both have cultural interests in central Asia. Despite
being a member in NATO, Turkey is moderate about extension of the
alliance to east and finds that the anti-missile shield is not so
important for global defense. Russia could help Turkey to reconcile
with Armenia, a prerequisite for EU membership.

The message that both want to send to the Europe is that they read
history. They establish bases for their cooperation that may solve
political contradicting views that are still present. For the first
time in recent history Europe finds Turkey and Russia on the same line.

Both Turkey and Russia are important countries to the Arabs. When
one sees Israel shares in military maneuvers with Turkey and the US
and at the same time it sells unmanned warplanes to Russia that gave
a promise to the Hebrew state that it would not take steps to change
military balance, one should ask a simple question. Why do not Arabs
move faster? Turkey is an ally to the US but this did not prevent it
form protecting its interests and playing with the suitable cards to
dissolve refusal for EU membership. Israel is an ally to the US but
it does what its interests dictate to keep Russia from playing active
role in balancing military powers in the region. Arabs are allies to
the US but they ask it to consider their interests. They should play
the cards they have and they have many cards. If they played it right
the US would consider their rights not only in Palestine but also in
the Gulf and Africa.

FIRE

a1+
ouse
01:02 pm | August 24, 2009 |

society

A fire broke out in the village of Eghnajur, Shirak Marz, at 4:32
p.m. August 23, 2009.

The fire was contained at 6:30 and extinguished at 7:45.

A 120-square-meter house belonging to R. Akhtskhetsyan burnt down in
the result, the Rescue Service of the Republic of Armenia said.

Another fire broke out in the village of Aghavnadzor, Kotayk Dzor,
later in the day.

Five tons of grass hay belonging to R. Mkhitaryan got burnt in
the result.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Aug 24 2009

Armenia, Azerbaijan Turkey to participate in joint NATO exercise

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey will be among participants of a joint
exercise to be held by NATO in Kazakhstan in September, according to
an announcement released by the Prime Ministry General Directorate for
Emergency Management.

NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center (EADRCC) is
organizing a Consequence Management Field Exercise in cooperation with
Kazakhstan, the host nation, which will be conducted on Sept. 5-11.

The exercise `ZHETYSU 2009′ is in accordance with the Civil Emergency
Planning Exercise Policy and the Exercise Program for 2009-2013. It is
a contribution by Kazakhstan to the Partnership for Peace (PfP)
program. It will be the ninth EADRCC field exercise and the first
EADRCC exercise hosted by Kazakhstan.

`The Prime Ministry General Directorate for Emergency Management,
which is the EADRCC’s contact point in our country, is also assuming
coordination of all activities concerning the exercise. In addition to
our country, the United States, Germany, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Armenian, Finland, Britain, Spain, Sweden,
Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and Ukraine will participate in the exercise,’ the
announcement said.

For more than one-and-a-half years, Turkey and Armenia have been
holding closed-door talks, mediated by Switzerland, to restore their
relations. But the process stalled after Ankara said progress in
normalization efforts was linked with progress in Armenia’s
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Armenia rejects any link between the two
issues.

24 August 2009, Monday
TODAY’S ZAMAN ANKARA

Armenian athlete quit world championship appearing on 18th horizon
21.08.2009 22:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the qualification round of World Athletics
Championship taking place in Berlin, Germany, Armenian athlete Melik
Djanoyan quit competitions.
Djanoyan, who took part in javelin throwing competitions, ranked as
the 18th athlete in Group A, leaving behind representatives of Poland,
Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Paraguay and Lithuania.
Let’s note that Djanoyan was unable to surpass his own record – 78,03
m. (Adler).
Armenia was represented by two sportsmen – Melik Djanoyan and Ani
Khachikyan.
Competing in 100m. running discipline, Khachikyan had earlier appeared
in the 5th horizon (result 12,30 sec.) and did not qualify for
play-off.