Author: Karagyozian Lena

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Jan 4 2010

Professor Akgün: Cyprus conflict could interrupt Turkey’s EU accession

Foreign policy expert Mensur Akgün has said that Turkey’s accession to
the European Union might come to a halt if the Cyprus conflict remains
unresolved.

`[Greek Cypriots] believe that Turkey will give in at the end when it
becomes a member of the EU. But this is not a realistic option for the
Greek Cypriots. They should realize that they lost leverage in the EU
because many chapters are being blocked by them and France,’ he told
Today’s Zaman for Monday Talk.

Akgün added that Turkey has lost its desire to become a member of the
EU and is not ready to make any sacrifice.

`Even in the reform process, EU membership is a non-issue. Look at the
debate on and around the Kurdish problem — you won’t see any
reference to the Copenhagen political criteria,’ he said.

There is still hope because of the frequent talks scheduled between
the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders in the coming weeks. Since
September 2008, Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have met more than 50 times under UN
auspices to discuss a deal to reunify the island. The previous round
of talks ended when Greek Cypriots rejected a UN settlement plan in a
2004 referendum.

Another foreign policy issue that will shake up the first few months
of 2010 is Turkish-Armenian rapprochement. Akgün, who recently
returned from a working visit to Armenia, also answered our questions
on that topic.

The Armenian parliament is to decide on Jan. 12 whether or not the
protocols signed with Turkey are constitutional. What do you think the
outcome will be?

The chief advisor to the Armenian president and the foreign minister
say that the Constitutional Court in Armenia will approve the
protocols. All civil society leaders also support the view that the
approval process is a procedural matter. They also say that Turkey
needs to move in that direction by the end of March at the latest in
order to alleviate the Armenian opposition’s reaction to the approval
of the protocols.

Do you think Turkey will be able to move swiftly in that regard?

Turkey is in a difficult position because of the internal opposition
and the reactions from Azerbaijan. It is difficult for Turkey to move
forward without any tangible progress in the talks between Armenia and
Azerbaijan regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and the surrounding
regions. But there is not much time, as April is the month when the
issue of genocide becomes prominent and tensions rise. Both sides will
face fiercer opposition domestically and internationally. So as agreed
in the protocols, the Armenian side expects Turkey to take steps
without linking its normalization of relations with Armenia to the
conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian side
believes that Turkey’s conditions discourage the parties within the
Minsk process. When asked for a gesture or a partial withdrawal, they
usually refer to the Cyprus problem in which the withdrawal of
military forces is linked to the overall settlement.

So the Armenian side argues that Turkey’s conditions help neither the
rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia nor the rapprochement between
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Yes, rightly or wrongly this is something Turkey should take into
consideration. They have a point that the processes are parallel, but
if one of the tracks becomes a precondition for [progress on] the
other, then the cycle of conflict can never be broken. Moreover,
Turkey is struggling with a spate of serious domestic problems such as
the Kurdish problem, trying to settle the score with its unpleasant
past. I don’t think the government can shoulder yet another political
burden and deal with the Armenian issue considering the opposition in
Parliament and dissent in the streets. Needless to say, they don’t
want to jeopardize relations with Azerbaijan. All in all, it is not
easy for Turkey to move forward unless there is some progress in the
talks between the parties.

More specifically, like what?

Like progress in the Minsk process. But it is also possible that third
parties trying to contribute to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem can put pressure on Azerbaijan or at least convince the
Azerbaijani leadership of the virtues of rapprochement between Turkey
and Armenia. I suspect that if left to its own pace and fate, the
relations between Armenia and Turkey may stumble again. The best
option for all of us would of course be progress in the Minsk process.

`Turkey’s EU accession might come to a halt’
Turkish Cypriot President Talat said there is not much progress toward
a peaceful settlement in Cyprus. Where is that process going?

There is a ray of hope because of condensed talks between the Turkish
and Greek Cypriot leaders in the coming weeks. But it is hard to
expect concrete results from these talks.

Why is that?

Because the Greek Cypriots are not yet there and do not seem to be
ready to accept a fair settlement similar to the Annan Plan. They also
have some preconditions such as the withdrawal of Turkish troops from
the island. Meanwhile, we have a very complex property problem ahead
of us. The principle of bizonality conflicts with individual property
rights. The Greek side believes that they have the upper hand due to
Turkey’s desire to become a member of the EU. They file cases against
Turkey in the European Court of Human Rights and thus threaten to
undermine Talat’s capacity to negotiate.

What would motivate the Greek Cypriots to have a positive approach in
reconciliation?

They could be motivated if they are convinced that Turkey’s accession
to the European Union might come to a halt if the Cyprus conflict
remains unresolved. Otherwise, they believe that Turkey will give in
at the end when it becomes a member of the EU. But this is not a
realistic option for the Greek Cypriots. They should realize that they
lost leverage in the EU because many chapters are being blocked by
them and France. Turkey lost its appetite to become a member and is
not ready for any sacrifice. Even in the reform process, EU membership
is a non-issue. Look at the debate on and around the Kurdish problem,
you won’t see any reference to the Copenhagen political criteria.

Is it possible that Turkey’s accession negotiations might stop in 2010?

It is possible, although no one wants that. Not the Greeks, not the
Turks, not the French — no one desires that. But when we look at
practical developments, we move toward that direction. We may not have
any chapters to negotiate. As you know, eight chapters have been
suspended due to Turkey’s non-compliance with its customs union
responsibilities, that is to say, for not opening its air and sea
ports to Greek Cypriot flagged vessels. Five of the chapters are de
facto blocked by France to discourage Turkey from full membership. The
Greek Cypriots announced recently that they will block six more
chapters. There are other obstacles and conditions for progress in
Turkey’s accession, not to mentions the ones blocked by Turkey due to
benchmarks.

Do you see other obstacles in front of Turkey’s EU accession process?

There are no other issues blocking Turkey’s EU accession process. In
the field of foreign policy, Turkey and the EU complement each other.
They are on parallel tracks, be it in the Caucasus or in other places.
The only question mark may emerge with regard to Iran. But as a member
of the UN Security Council, Turkey will act in conformity with its
decisions. Unilateral actions or sanctions will not be appreciated by
Turkey, but it is highly unlikely for such actions or sanctions to
come from the EU.

`Turkey part of solutions, not problems’
You don’t seem to support the idea of an `axis shift’ in Turkey’s
foreign policy.

This is not a realistic debate. There is no shift in Turkey’s foreign
policy orientation. Obviously some countries and even some analysts
didn’t like to see Turkey involved with the problems in surrounding
regions and claimed that Turkey was distancing itself from its Western
allies. It is true that Turkey deals with problems and is sometimes
outspoken about them, but this does not mean that Turkey is
exclusively focusing on the Middle East and calibrating its foreign
policy on the basis of what they see there. When it comes to its
neighborhood, Turkey does not have to be successful in all of its
attempts to solve problems either. The process sometimes is as
important as the result. You can’t achieve everything you desire all
the time.

Are you talking about Turkey’s role in talks between Israel and Syria?

Yes, last time Turkey failed, but it was not because of what Turkey
did. It was because of Israel’s intervention in Gaza and its results,
the human tragedy. Moreover, don’t expect miracles from Ankara. Turkey
may also fail to bring peace to the region just like the US, the EU,
Russia and even China do. But failures should not deter us from
mediation, arbitration or facilitation. In terms of determination,
there is an — if you wish to call it that — axis shift in Turkey’s
foreign policy. It is more conciliatory and more oriented toward
problem-solving. Turkey no longer wants to be associated with problems
but with solutions.

What would you say about some of Turkey’s other initiatives in the
neighborhood? Do you see any success stories?

We see some tangible results from this reconciliatory mindset. For
instance, there is a huge shift in the perception of northern Iraqi
Kurds. They are no longer seen as archenemies of Turkey. Ankara is
collaborating with them on several fronts. We are likely to reap the
benefits in the fight against terrorism and in settling our own
Kurdish problem. On the Armenian front, despite obstacles, we also see
progress. These two protocols have at least been signed.

Turkey recently tabled a new offer for the solution of the Cyprus
conflict and asked the EU to keep only one of its promises made to the
Turkish Cypriots in return for opening ports and airports to the Greek
Cypriots. Needless to say, Turkey can solve neither its own problems
nor problems faced by others alone. No one can. But it can facilitate
their solution. I believe such a Turkey is much better for all of us
than a Turkey resisting any kind of solution, aggressive, revisionist
and basing its policies on ethnic and religious brotherhood.

04 January 2010, Monday
YONCA POYRAZ DOÄ?AN Ä°STANBUL

PARAJANOV MASTERPIECES TO UNDERGO DIGITAL RESTORATION

Noyan Tapan
Dec 24, 2009

KIEV, DECEMBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A digital restoration
laboratory has opened at the Dovzhenko Film Studio.

Masterpieces by such renowned firectors as Dovzhenko and Parajanov
will soon get higher quality, analitika.at.ua reports.

After being scanned, films undergo full digital restoration by digital
image processing. Computer programs are used to improve their color
and remove dust and scratches. There are about 1,000 films in the
collection of the Dovzhenko studio, and the new laboratory will allow
restoring 3 dozen films a year.

The digital restoration of a film takes about two months. The process
is quite expensive: the cost of one film is 45 thousand dollars. The
film studio plans to release discs of the restored films.

US Embassy in Armenia
1 AMERICAN AVENUE
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 464700
FAX (+374 10) 464742
E-Mail: [email protected]

2010 Summer Study Of The United States Institutes

The United States Embassy in Armenia is pleased to announce the Study of
the United States Institutes Summer 2010. The program is designed as a
rigorous six-week faculty level seminar hosted at U.S. universities for
multinational professional groups (see eligibility criteria below). The
purpose of the institutes is to provide participants from countries
worldwide with a deeper understanding of American society, culture, and
institutions, past and present, in order to strengthen curricula and
improve the quality of teaching about the U.S. in college, university,
and secondary school classrooms abroad. This year SEVEN institute
programs are offered:

1. U.S. Culture and Society

2. American Politics and Political Thought

3. Contemporary American Literature

4. U.S. Foreign Policy

5. Journalism and Media

6. Religious Pluralism in the U.S.

7. Institute for Secondary School Educators

Program Requirements and Restrictions: Participants are expected to
attend the entire program. They are also expected to attend all
lectures and non-optional organized activities, and complete assigned
readings. Family members and/or friends cannot accompany participants
on any part of the program. Please note that teaching methodology and
pedagogical techniques will not be addressed formally in the institutes.
The institutes are very intensive and there will be very little time for
personal pursuits unrelated to the program. While the equivalent of one
day a week will be set aside for faculty-assisted curricular research
and independent study, the institute should not be viewed as a research
program.

Eligibility: Applicants should be citizens of Armenia, mid-career,
typically between the ages of about 30-50, highly-motivated and
experienced professionals from institutions of higher education as well
as secondary school educators (including teacher trainers, department
chairs, curriculum developers, textbook writers). The ideal candidate
will be an experienced professional with little or no recent study
experience in the U.S., whose home institution is seeking to introduce
aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula; to develop new courses in
the subject of the institute; to enhance and update existing courses on
the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for
professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme.

Very good knowledge of English is required as the seminars are conducted
in English.

Program Funding: The U.S. Government will cover all institute costs,
i.e. international travel and allowances; domestic travel and ground
transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances;
admissions; housing and subsistence.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE U.S. EMBASSY IN ARMENIA NO LATER
THAN THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2010.

Application forms and short description of each Institute

can be downloaded from the U.S. Embassy
p.

For additional information about the program, please contact Lusine
Lazarian at the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia;
e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 010-494211; address: 1 American Ave.,
Yerevan, 0082.

YEREVAN TO HOST EXPO – MUSEUM INDUSTRY EXHIBITION

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.12.2009 16:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Tomorrow, December 25, Armenian National Gallery
will host EXPO – Museum industry exhibition & sale as well as a
seminar for representatives of Armenian museums.

The exhibition, implemented within British Council Armenia’s "Creative
Collaboration" program, is organized by Armenian National Gallery,
Armenian History Museum and Erebuni Museum.

The seminar aims at development of collaboration between art workers
of different countries and museum culture promotion.

GEORGIAN PUBLIC ASSOCIATION APPEALS TO OBAMA

news.az
Dec 23 2009
Azerbaijan

Barack Obama The human rights association, "Tolerance", functioning
in Georgia has released an appeal to US President Barack Obama.

The appeal says that Armenia occupied a part of Azerbaijani lands,
killed tens of thousands of people, forced hundreds of thousands to
flee their homelands and committed genocide against civilians.

"Despite this, the US Congress provides financial aid to the
Armenian separatists that occupied 20% of Azerbaijani lands and
committed genocide of Azerbaijani people. We do not understand it
and we cannot accept it". The authors of the appeal, on behalf of
the Georgian citizens, ask the US president to annul the decision
about the financial aid to Nagorno Karabakh separatists and note that
this decision is contrary to the interests of the Caucasus and the
United States.

TURKISH PRESIDENT JOINS IN CRITICISM OF PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW

Asbarez
Dec 22nd, 2009

ANKARA (Today’s Zaman)-President Abdullah Gul on Monday joined
the government’s harsh criticism against Greek Orthodox Patriarch
Bartholomew, whose remarks, in which he likened his treatment by the
government in Turkey to crucifixion, have angered Ankara.

Speaking in an interview with CBS’ "60 Minutes" for a story broadcast
in the United States on Sunday night, Patriarch Bartholomew said
Turkey’s Greek Orthodox community does not enjoy complete freedom as
Turkish citizens and are treated as "second-class citizens."

Asked whether he would consider going to Greece, he said he would
stay in Turkey. "This is the continuation of Jerusalem and for us an
equally holy and sacred land. We prefer to stay here, even crucified
sometimes," said Bartholomew. Asked if he feels crucified, he replied,
"Yes, I do," according to excerpts published by CBS on Friday.

Ankara’s response was swift, as Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on
Saturday told reporters: "We consider the crucifixion metaphor an
extremely unfortunate metaphor. In our history, there have never been
crucifixions, and there never will be. I couldn’t really reconcile
this metaphor with his mature personality." President Abdullah Gul,
speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of his departure
from Ankara for an official visit to Kuwait, was reminded of the
controversial remarks by Bartholomew.

"The foreign minister spoke of the issue extremely well. There is
nothing further to say on the issue," Gul responded briefly.

Ankara’s criticism towards Bartholomew had already garnered a response
from Athens on Sunday when Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gregory
Delavekouras issued a statement saying that among Turkey’s obligations
for joining the European Union is "that respect for freedom of religion
and for the rights of minorities takes precedence."

"It is the duty of all, and mainly those who are responsible for
the situation of the ecumenical patriarch and the Greek minority,
to pay attention," Delavekouras said.

Bartholomew’s remarks sparked further criticism from both the
government and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)
on Sunday.

In Izmir, speaking at a conference organized by the ruling Justice
and Development Party (AK Party), Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc
called the patriarch’s criticism "unacceptable," while reiterating
that Turkey doesn’t consider the patriarchate to be ecumenical in
line with the Lausanne Treaty of 1923, which governs the status of
the Greek Orthodox Church in Turkey.

Arinc recalled a rare meeting during which Bartholomew and leaders
of the small Armenian, Jewish, Syriac Orthodox and Syriac Catholic
communities had lunch with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and senior ministers, including Arinc, on Buyukada, an island near
mainland Istanbul.

At the meeting held in August, Erdogan promised democratic reforms,
highlighting the issue of minority rights, a key stumbling block
in Turkey’s EU membership bid. Arinc said all religious leaders
attending the August meeting, including Bartholomew, then stated that
they enjoyed their religious rights during the AK Party government
and thanked them for that. "If a speech like this is delivered four
months later, then it is an unfortunate speech," Arinc said.

The CBS interview was recorded in May, months before the Buyukada
gathering.

In Ankara, CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Oymen released a statement in which
he criticized both the patriarch and Davutoglu. Calling Bartholomew’s
remarks "inappropriate," Oymen suggested that Davutoglu’s response
to those remarks was "too weak."

news.am, Armenia
Dec 19 2009

Safar Abiyev’s mental health, OSCE MG Co-Chairs’ visit to NKR¦: weekly review

11:38 / 12/19/2009Domestic policy

This week has seen interesting developments involving the
parliamentary factions of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP): almost 20 of the Parliament members
representing the parties forming the ruling coalition put their
signatures to a petition for the release of their former colleague
Sasun Mikaelyan. He was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment on a
charge of organizing riots during the post-election period last year
and of illegal possession of weapons. Mikaelyan was recently taken to
hospital and operated on. Most of the signers are either Karabakh war
veterans or businessmen. The petition caused a rather serious
confusion within the ruling coalition. The opposition press
immediately reported that the signers were summoned to the RA
Presidential Administration and tongue-lashed. As regards the RPA’s
official position, the party leaders referred to the lack of legal
underpinnings for dealing with the matter. In any case, the fact that
a number of MPs representing the principal ruling parties signed the
aforementioned document can only be welcomed as showing signs of
political culture, when narrow party interests pass into the
background. So the fuss kicked up over this by the two political camps
was excessive.

The conflict within the ranks of the Social-Democratic Party Hnchakyan
(SDPH) is developing. The disagreements between the SDPH officials in
Armenia and the SDPH leaders have recently developed into open
confrontation. After two members of the SDPH Board in Armenia and some
representatives of SDPH regional chapters issued a joint statement,
SDPH Chairwoman in Armenia Lyudmila Harutyunyan accused SDPH Chairman
Sedrak Achemyan of being in collusion with the Armenian authorities.
According to her, Achemyan is pursuing a divisive policy, trying to
cause the party to withdraw from the Armenian National Congress (ANC)
led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan. She also stressed that most of the
political forces that signed a statement on a special congress to pass
a vote of no confidence in the SDPH Chairwoman in Armenia were
dissolved long ago or never existed at all. Considering the fact that
the SDPH congress was scheduled for January 9, 2010, the following
supposition seems to be most reasonable: the opponents of the party’s
`opposition policy’ and of its main champion Lyudmila Harutyunyan came
to realize they are in minority and can hardly hope for success at the
January 9 congress. That is the reason for their `offensive’ and
attempts to simulate a congress with the authorities’ assistance and
elect new leaders. A closed congress in Tsakhkadzor, where the
opponents of Lyudmila Harutyunyan elected new leaders, corroborated
this supposition: no one ever knew who was present at the congress and
whether those people were party members or not. It is difficult to
forecast the end and which party will come off winner. One thing that
can be said is that the developments are part of the continuous
attempts to form a new political force from the traditional national
parties, which would be loyal to the Armenian authorities. As regards
Lyudmila Harutyunyan’s radical position, it is a serious obstacle to
the political project.

The participation of the Marxist Party of Armenia (MPA) ‘ with its
nearly only member, Secretary General David Hakobyan, who is famous
for his eccentric behavior ` in the ANC is clear now. The whole story
resembles a tragicomedy: Hakobyan used to make statements which had
nothing in common with the ANC’s official position. Thus, the
left-wing ANC members proved to be right ` they warmed Levon
Ter-Petrosyan that admitting the `chief Marxist’ to the ANC would only
be a headache for him. The problem is that the ANC’s Regulations do
not provide for the exclusion of parties or public organizations.
However, David Hakobyan `gave a present’ to the ANC and, seeking
`official registration’ of his dissociation from the ANC over the
recent months, stated that the MPA is leaving the opposition bloc.

Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and region

This week a Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentary delegation has visited
Yerevan. Top-ranking officials made a number of most important
statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh process. They reaffirmed the
Armenian side’s readiness for a peaceful settlement of the conflict by
means of mutual, but painful, concessions.

At his meeting with the Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentarians, RA
President Serzh Sargsyan expressed the confidence that a pragmatic and
fair solution to the problem will be found. `We have repeatedly stated
that such solutions must be found as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process, which will not cause new deportation or ethnic
cleansing. Solutions are available, and the only thing for people to
do is to see them, differentiate dreams from reality, fair solutions
from ambitious ones. I am sure that time will leave no alternative,’
the Armenian leader said. An interesting detail, however, was
overlooked by many: President Sargsyan’s appeal was obviously intended
for two antagonist addressees. His statement on the necessity for a
realistic position at the negotiations was first of all intended for
the Azerbaijani authorities, which are in the habit of making
bellicose statements capable of thwarting the peace process. It is
obvious for all the mediators, key geopolitical players, that it is
the Azeri authorities’ position that remains the only obstacle to a
comprehensive peace agreement. The second addressee of Serzh
Sargsyan’s message is the Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentarians. The
Armenian President must have pointed out the non-constructive position
assumed by some political forces in Nagorno-Karabakh ` the
unacceptability of any territorial concessions to Azerbaijan,
especially concessions involving the security zone round the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). President Sargsyan also addressed the
NKR’s participation in the negotiations. According to him, the
negotiations will be crowned with success provided Nagorno-Karabakh is
immediately involved in them. Thus the Armenian leader once more
showed his dissociation from his predecessor Robert Kocharyan’s
policy, which resulted in the NKR being ousted from the negotiation
process.

During the Nagorno-Karabakh delegation’s visit to Yerevan, the sides
exchanged views on the details not available to the public. Of note
is, however, the constructive and even optimistic opinion voiced by
Speaker of the NKR Parliament Ashot Ghulyan. `The Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process is actually at its active stage. Certain agreements seem
more likely to be reached. On the other hand, the issue of NKR’s
full-scale participation in the negotiations has not yet been
specified. This is of fundamental importance, as it is only the NKR
people’s consent that is a guarantee of executing final decisions,’
Ghulyan said. It was for the first time that a top-ranking NKR
official expressed cautious, but healthy, optimism.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev is hardly `running the risk
of’ enjoying good health, especially mental health. It cannot be
helped: that person imagines he is a parrot and, at all of his
meetings, including the ones with representatives of states that have
nothing in common with the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, is
incessantly speaking of the inevitability of military operations if
the negotiations fail. Of course, he finds it difficult to say how
much of its territory Azerbaijan will lose is case hostilities resume.
The Armenian side hardly responds to the Azeri Minister’s statements,
and it is right! However, Safar Abiyev’s persistence makes his
Armenian counterpart respond from time to time. `The threats to settle
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a military way issued by the
Azerbaijani President and other top-ranking officials do not mean
anything at all, as those planning a war do not warn about it,’ RA
Minister of Defense Seiran Ohanyan told NEWS.am. `I do not think the
resumption of military operations by Azerbaijan is likely, and our
surveys confirm this. Azerbaijan is not ready for war now, but we, the
military, must be always ready,’ Ohanyan said.

In his interview with Azeri media outlets, Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, made interesting
comments on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ latest visit to the
region. According to him, the mediators were unable to visit Yerevan
for lack of time. He pointed out that the place of the next
Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting has not yet been specified.
It was not the first time that international mediators had stated, to
put it mildly, unconvincing reasons for their not visiting one of the
countries of the region. The most absurd was the reason for their not
visiting Stepanakert ` bad weather. As regards the true reasons why
the OSCE Minks Group Co-Chairs visited Azerbaijan alone, they were
well aware of the fact that official Yerevan clearly outlined the most
substantial concessions the Armenian side is ready for. It is Ilham
Aliyev’s turn now. Considering the developments in the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the conclusion is that the mediators
visited Baku to persuade the Azeri authorities into changing their
position.

Economy and social life

At his meeting with journalists this week, Aristomene Varoudakis, Head
of the WB office in Yerevan, reported that a U.S. $29m credit program
is being prepared for the Armenian telecommunication sector. A credit
agreement is most likely to be signed next September. Varoudakis
pointed out that the main WB programs provide for reforms in the
Armenian, taxation, customs and telecommunication systems. He pointed
out that U.S. $105m of the Russian loan and U.S. $50m of the WB funds
will be channeled to the private sector. It will help Armenian
businessmen to overcome the crisis. A total of U.S. $10m have been
channeled to the capital construction sector for the certain
construction projects to be completed.

RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s meeting with the rectors of Armenian
higher schools discussed reforms in the higher education system and
further steps. President Sargsyan pointed out regular meetings will be
held from now on. The Armenian leader stressed the importance of
higher-quality education for Armenia’s future. The meeting
participants particularly discussed the problems of acceding to the
Bologna process and introducing a three-stage education and credit
systems. The meeting discussed the organization of foreign citizens’
education. The Armenian President stated he expects the rectors to
advance initiatives and carry out consistent work to successfully
implement the reforms of Armenia’s higher education system.

This week the RA Commission for Lake Sevan held its regular sitting.
Participating in the meeting was Head of the RA Presidential
Administration Karen Karapetyan. Commission Chairman Vladimir
Movsesyan reported on the Commission’s activities this year and
presented a draft work plan for next year. The Commission held a
detailed discussion and proposals for improving the situation.
Relevant construction documents for the renovation of the damaged
3-km-long section of the Arpa-Sevan tunnel were prepared and the work
got under way. Work was also carried out to reduce the water discharge
from Lake Sevan for irrigation and suspend the transfer of the Ararat
Gold Recovery Company to the Sotk basin of the lake.

T.P.

13 More Militants were Provided with Apartments

&p=0&id=1097&y09&m=12&d
18.12. 09

The issues of providing militants with apartments are at the centre of
the attention of the RA Government and the Ministry of Defence. In the
last two years over 30 apartment-buildings with hundreds of apartments
have been handed over operation. On the 17th of December the opening
ceremony of the recurrent building took place in the frames of the
process of providing militants with service apartments. This time 13
militant and 3 socially insecure families celebrated a housewarming
party. Congratulating the families celebrating a housewarming, the RA
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stated, that the Government is obliged
to the social issues of the militants: feeling the state care upon
their backs the militants will take up the sacred duty of providing
the security of the country with more responsibility.

The RA Prime Minister gave the militants the keys to the apartments
and the certificates. In his turn, congratulating the militants and
their family-members celebrating a housewarming, the Minister of
Defence Seyran Ohanyan wished them service success, family happiness
and warmth. The reconstructed building, which consists of 8 two-room
and 8 three-room apartments, meets the modern living standards.

RA MoD Department of Information and Public Affairs

ARMENIAN LIVESTOCK DUFFS FOR AZERBAIJAN

news.am
Dec 18 2009
Armenia

Dec. 16, a duff case was registered in Tavush region, Armenia. The
thieves reaved the cattle to Azerbaijan.

It emerged that on Dec. 16 at 4:00 a.m. an alarm call was received
with information that 3 armed men are reaving the livestock towards
Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which was noticed by policemen, Police
press-service informs NEWS.am.

In the course of identity establishment, the thieves attempted to use
weapon. The policemen opened warning shot and the criminals fled the
location leaving the small cattle on railway road (11 heads).

The same day at 06:15 a.m. the upstater of Ditavan, Arshak S. told
police officers that the strangers stole his horse and small cattle
(15 heads). Investigation on the case is launched.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

December 17, 2009
PRELATES CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Archbishop Oshagan issued his 2010 Christmas message this week. With
the theme The Good News of the Sun of Righteousness, His Eminence
writes about the birth of Christ which illuminated all Mankind. That
light, he says, penetrates the soul, heart and mind of all Christians
to make them more faithful, more benevolent, and more righteous in
their thoughts and deeds. The Sun of Righteousness, like justice
itself, represents eternal truth and is Gods presence in us and
amongst Mankind to see and do His will. During the days preceding the
festive days many and various thoughts and concerns come to us. The
most beautiful thing we can do is to be introspective and to see in us
the fullness of Jesus presence and to see ourselves with Him, so that
the light He brings with His birth never diminishes or darkens within
us.
To read the Prelates Christmas message in Armenian click here
(
897/24882/goto: es/prelacy/PDF/2010christmasmessagearmenian.pdf
).
To read the Prelates Christmas message in English click here (
4882/goto: /news/press-releases/86-pr121709
).
SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT PRELACY
Last Saturday members of the Sunday school youth group of
Sts. Vartanantz Church of New Jersey visited the Prelacy offices where
they were welcomed by the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, and the Vicar,
Bishop Anoushavan.
ARMEN RUSTAMYAN VISITS PRELACY
Last Saturday afternoon, Armen Rustamyan, member of Armenias National
Assembly and representative of the ARF in Armenia, paid a courtesy
visit to the Prelacy where he met with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
and Executive Council members Zohrab Tazian and Raffi Ourlian. In the
photo, left to right: Raffi Ourlian, Hrair Baronian, Archbishop
Oshagan, Valout Atakhanyan, and
Armen Rustamyan.
SENATE CANDIDATE VISITS PRELATE
Tuesday afternoon, December 15, Daniel John Tarkanian, a candidate for
the U.S. Senate in the state of Nevada, visited the Prelacy where he
met with the Prelate. Also in attendance were Rev. Fr. Mesrob
Lakissian, Jerry Agajian, and Setrak Agonian.
2010 DIARY PUBLISHED
By now most of you have received the Prelacys 2010 pocket diary. The
2010 diary is dedicated to the Great House of Cilicia, which in 2010
is marking the 80th anniversary of its re-establishment in Antelias,
Lebanon after the centuries-old Catholicosate was forced to leave its
home in Cilicia.
ARTICLE IN CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
FOCUSES ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The Chronicle of Higher Education in its December 8, 2009 issue
published an article entitled Of Minarets and Massacres, by Carlin
Romano. The article is about the Swiss vote last month banning
minarets on Mosques. The lengthy article focuses on the Armenian
Genocide.
The author writes Forgive me if I, too, do not weep that 57.5
percent of the Swiss, now hosts to a largely moderate Muslim
population of Turks and former Yugoslavs, want to keep their country a
quiet car among nations. I am still busy weeping for the Armenians,
the first people in their corner of the world to officially adopt
Christianity, almost eliminated from history due to regular massacres
by the Muslim Turks among whom they lived for centuries.
If you would like to read the entire article click here (
4882/goto: Massacres/49393/
).

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, December 17, are: Wisdom 3:1-8;
Jeremiah 30:18-22; 1 Peter 4: 12-19; John 15:17-25.

Thus says the Lord:
I am going to restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob, and have
compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be rebuilt upon its mound,
and the citadel set on its rightful site. Out of them shall come
thanksgiving, and the sound of merrymakers. I will make them many, and
they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be
disdained. Their children shall be as of old, their congregation shall
be established before me; and I will punish all who oppress
them. Their prince shall be one of their own, their prince shall be
one of their own, their ruler shall come from their midst; I will
bring him near, and he shall approach me, for who would otherwise dare
to approach me? Says the Lord. And you shall be my people, and I will
be your God. (Jeremiah 39:18-22)

For listing of this weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/dbr2009-12.pdf
).

KING ABGAR
This Saturday, December 19, the Armenian Church remembers Saint Abgar,
a first century king, who was afflicted with a rare skin disease.
According to tradition, King Abgar wrote to Our Lord Jesus Christ
asking for help. Our Lord wrote back promising to send one of His
disciples, and sent to the king a cloth with His image. After the
Crucifixion and the Resurrection, St. Thaddeus, one of the apostles to
Armenia, went to see the King and the King was cured. Subsequently
King Abgar and his family accepted Christianity, and he wrote letters
to his cousin King Sanadrook of Armenia and other monarchs with the
news of his miraculous recovery and urged them to accept Christianity.

WINTER BEGINS TUESDAY
The winter solstice is this Monday, December 21, the first day of
winter, and the shortest day and longest night of the year.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
KAREKIN I: THE GIFT OF FAITH
Iris Papazian, editor
This beautiful 320-page hardcover book was published on the occasion
of the tenth anniversary of the passing of His Holiness Karekin I,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The book includes a
detailed biography of His Holiness along with hundreds of photographs
in color and black and white, as well as some excerpts of the
Catholicos prolific literary output.
This volume is part of the Karekin I Theological and
Armenological Studies Series, published by the Haig and Elza Didizian
Fund. This tenth anniversary memorial remembrance is the 9th volume
in the series.
$40.00, plus shipping and handling.
TO ORDER THIS BOOK OR FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OR OTHER ITEMS AT THE
BOOKSTORE VISIT THE PRELACYS WEB SITE, (
4882/goto:http://
), OR CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE AT [email protected]
(mailto:BOOKS@ARMENIANPR ELACY.ORG) OR BY TELEPHONE, 212-689-7810.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 20St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday School Christmas
Pageant.
December 31St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, New Years Eve
celebration, Seroonian
Community Center.
December 31Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. New Years
Eve Dinner-Dance.
February 6St. Stephens (Watertown, Massachusetts) Ladies Guild, Mardi
Gras celebration, 7 pm at church hall. Costumes optional; masks are a
must. For information: Mary Derderian, [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) or 781-762-4253.
July 17A Hye Summer Night V, dance hosted by Ladies Guild of
Sts. Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode
Island. Watch for details.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.
To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to
your address book.
Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])