Author: Karagyozian Lena

THIS YEAR MONIKA MANUCHAROVA FROM GYUMRI TO REPRESENT ARMENIA IN JUNIOR EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

NOYAN TAPAN

JULY 15
YEREVAN

12-year-old Monika Manucharova from Gyumri will represent Armenia
in the Junior Eurovision International Song Contest to be held on
November 22 in Cyprus. The little singer will perform the song "The
Sound of My Song" approved by the contest jury and spectators during
the Armenian selective stage a few days ago. By the way, the song
music has been composed by Monika and lyrics by Mary Mnjoyan.

As Diana Mnatsakanian, the Head of the Public Television Foreign
Relations Department, reported at the July 15 press conference, song’s
video clip will be shot before the contest, song’s lyrics and music
will be changed a little, Ara Torosian will make the instrumentation
and staging will be done by Artyom Gevorgian. M. Mnjoyan (Gyumri)
and Serine Khodikian (Etchmiadzin) will join Monika in singing in
Cyprus. They have also participated in the selective stage.

It should be mentioned that representatives of 16 countries will take
part in Junior Eurovision. It will be held under the motto "Joy in
the Sun," by the motives of Greek mythology, and the comperes will
have the images of Aphrodite and Adonis gods. This year also contest’s
sponsor is UNICEF.

ARA ABRAHAMIAN: "ARMENIA NEEDS STABILITY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT"

AZG Armenian Daily 15/07/2008

Armenia-Russia

Armenian President Serge Sarkisian’s last visit to Russia is
considered to be a success, though in the republic the political
situation has become heated; the opposition holds rallies ignoring
the first President’s first achievements.

About the results of the visit, the situation in the republic and
Armenian programs President of the Union of Armenians in Russia Ara
Abrahamian told "Izvestia" reporter.

– Armenia is now in a rather hard situation; the opposition continues
holding mass meetings. On the whole, how do you assess the present
stage of the situation in Armenia?

– It’s hard to assess the situation in Armenia out of the
international context. Today the world is in a serious financial and
food crisis. The rise in food prices has had an effect not only on
newly developed countries but also on the most developed countries
of the West. Power-bearing substances has also had a rapid growth
in prices. Besides, the world has entered a stage of deep financial
crisis. These three factors have first an effect on those countries
that haven’t yet taken a stable way of development and haven’t formed
a modern economy.

In this situation, the only neighbor of Armenia that gives the latter
an opportunity of entrance to outer world, and provides economic and
financial support, is now under a serious threat. I speak of Iran
that is now under US and Israeli menace.

The blockade of Armenia by Turkey continues. In the year of
presidential elections the warlike announcements of the official Baku
become more frequent.

Georgia in its turn has conflicts with Russia, Abkhazia and South
Osetia that does not contribute to the strengthening of regional
stability.

– Do you think that the Russian-Armenia relations and cooperation
can ease the negative effects on Armenia that today occur in the
world economy.

– Yes, of course. The results of the Armenian President’s successful
visit to Moscow is a witness to it. Many important arrangements were
made over the gas prices and delivery of raw materials to the Armenian
diamond perfection plants.

During the visit, the Armenian President met with the Armenian
community of Russia and well-known figures of Russian scientific,
cultural and business spheres. The President called them to participate
more actively in both economic and scientific/cultural life of Armenia,
to carry out concrete programs and strengthen the Armenian-Russian
bilateral relations.

Not all the political forces both in Armenia and abroad are for the
strengthening of the relations between our two countries. That is the
reason why it is very important to carry out the arrangements in time
and in full volume.

– Of course, the Armenian inner-political situation develops both in
the context of the world and Russian-Armenian original relations. Which
are the challenges to the Armenian authorities?

– Taking into account all those circumstances, I can say that it will
be very difficult for the Armenian economy to meet all the challenges
without foreign assistance. The opposition that lost the elections
does not conciliate with its defeat and does everything to destabilize
the situation and come to power by means of rallies and mass meetings.

The authorities of the republic try to meet those challenges by uniting
the available resources. Besides, the Armenian leadership tries to
form a more effective mechanism to use the opportunities of Diaspora
in the settlement of social and economic issues of the republic.

I think that in this stage it is necessary to concentrate the efforts
of all Armenians in the world on helping Armenia, the new President
and Government to carry out the programs presented by the President
during his campaign.

Today Armenia most of all needs stability for its economic development.

I hope that the Armenian political figures, the authorities and the
opposition realizing the complication of the issues will be first
led by national interests subordinating group interests.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Rasim Musabekov: Russia presses on Georgia to rule the entire South Caucasus
12.07.2008 14:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The situation in the South Caucasus is not easy,
according to an Azeri political scientist.

`Nevertheless, I think that Georgian and Russian leaders will be wise
enough to prevent a tragedy,’ Rasim Musabekov said when commenting on
recent tensions between the two countries.

Touching on Azerbaijan, he said, `These tensions have direct influence
on Baku and use of force would be undesirable. Azerbaijan is in a
better condition because Turkey will interfere in case of any
aggression. Russia understands this and directs its pressure on
Georgia to rule the entire South Caucasus. However, this scenario is
pregnant with unpredictable consequences, first of all for Russia
itself,’ he said, 1news.az reports.

A GREAT STEP BY TURKEY FOR GEORGIA – AZERBAIJAN – ARMENIA INTERCONNECTION

Turkish Press
July 11 2008

ANKARA – More than 150,000 academicians and undergraduates in 45
universities in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia will be able to have
the opportunity of speed access to the European Academic Network
(GEANT) in the EU project initiated by the Scientific and Technical
Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).

The three countries will have interconnection through fiber optic
cables via Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Cem Sarac, director of National Academic Network and
Information Center of TUBITAK, told the A.A correspondent on Friday
that Black Sea Interconnection (BSI) project, co-funded by the European
Commission, would provide a regional research and education network
to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
July 11 2008

Resilience tested

by NICOLE POPE

The punches keep coming, fast and furious. The lethal attack that
killed three young policemen, as well as three of the assailants, in
front the US Consulate General in ?Ä?°stanbul on Wednesday has created
further confusion in an already highly charged domestic atmosphere.
Turkey is reeling from this latest blow.
In the coming days, more details should emerge that will shed some
light on the motive behind the attack, its timing and the unlikely
choice of target, the impenetrable, fortress-like consulate building
in Yenik?Ã?¶y. The attackers killed police officers, but it seems they
never really stood a chance of entering the complex or damage it.

Violence, particularly at this delicate moment when the ruling party
is threatened with closure and the Ergenekon investigation suggests
that men trusted to defend the country were in fact plotting to
destabilize it, can foster a sense of cynicism or simply
fatalism. "This is it. We have really become a Middle Eastern country,
jumping from one crisis to the next," a Turkish friend lamented when
she heard the news of the bloody attack.

The remarkable resilience that Turks have always displayed in the face
of difficulties, whether faced with coups, earthquakes, financial
meltdown or political crises, has in the past been a double-edged
sword. Thanks to its ability to rebound rapidly, Turkey recovered from
devastating events much faster than anticipated. On the other hand,
the determination to return to "business as usual" even in the worst
of circumstances has also allowed the country to muddle along, never
touching bottom, without ever addressing some of its deeper
issues. Resilience should not become an acceptance that violent events
and endless turmoil are an inescapable part of daily life.

It is too early to tell if the Yenik?Ã?¶y attack is in any way linked to
the ongoing internal battle or if it is, as early police statements
suggest, an al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist attack similar to those that
have caused havoc in recent years in Turkey and other countries.
Although the attack feeds into a sense of helplessness that many feel
these days, it should not mask more hopeful developments that are
taking place in this country.

What is already clear is that Turks are more attuned to manipulation
attempts than ever in the past, and are no longer prepared to take
everything at face value. The debates and the soul-searching that have
been generated by recent events may have fueled polarization in the
society, but they are also forcing it to address some unpleasant
realities. The apparent impasse carries the potential for change.

Positive developments in the international arena too, if properly
assessed, could make a productive contribution to this process. Take
for instance, the invitation extended by Armenia to President Abdullah
G?Ã?¼l to attend a football match in Yerevan in September and President
Serzh Sarksyan’s stated wish to build ties with the Turkish government
and secure the opening of the border. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdo?Ä?an’s visit to Baghdad could also tip the balance in favor of
a constructive dialogue between Ankara and the Iraqi Kurds. And last
but certainly not least, the rapprochement between the Cypriot leaders
could positively affect one of the more contentious issues in Turkey’s
European Union relations.

One cannot talk of silver lining when turmoil involves loss of life,
but crises do bring new openings. Eradicating terrorist attacks
entirely is not realistic, but reducing their impact is possible. The
stakes are high in the ongoing struggle: If Turkey succeeds in
building a more open and inclusive political framework, it could break
a long cycle of instability and prevent violence from being used to
fuel existing tensions.

EGYPT AND CHINA IN "GOLDEN APRICOT"

Panorama.am
18:44 08/07/2008

"Golden Apricot" festival keeps cooperating with some Embassies and
International Organizations in Armenia for five years. According to
Susanna Harutyunyan the Embassies of Egypt and China have also joined
to the festival. Hence Armenian audience is given a chance to get
acquainted with the film culture of these countries.

In this regard the Council of Egypt Abdul Mohsen Said Shasey notified
that "Arabic Nights" film project will be presented to the public in
the frames of festival.

"In the frames of the project films covering Egypt, Palestine,
Lebanon and Syria are presented," he said.

The representatives of Germany, Italy, USA, China and Romania said
that every year the festival is being more and more talked about.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN: ARMENIA HAS ENTERED A STAGE VERY DANGEROUS FOR IT

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 8

Armenia has entered a stage very dangerous for it, when deficit
of democracy in the country has an immediate impact on foreign
relations. Raffi Hovannisian, the Chairman of the Zharangutiun
(Heritage) party, gave assurance at the July 7 press conference. "I
have suspended my participation in PACE sessions until the moment
Armenia meets even if the minimum requirements of democracy," the
deputy stated. According to him, henceforth it will not be possible
to veil the domestic problems and at the same time to respond to
foreign challenges.

According to R. Hovannisian, Armenia through its parliamentary
delegation in PACE used all its possibilities to make the resolution
regarding it a little more admissible. While problems of foreign
relations, in particular, the Artsakh problem, are in a state of
neglect. "If we passed the examination of democracy, we would be
able to realize that energy by ensuring Armenian view’s victory in
the Azeri and other resolutions," he said.

R. Hovannisian considered inadmissible the attempt in the resolution
regarding Azerbaijan to present the problem of territorial integrity as
an obstacle for democratization. "Armenia was deprived of its homeland,
it experienced the Genocide, but I demand that Armenia not to have any
occasion for not passing the democracy examination," he stated. The
Zharangutiun leader considers that the Council of Europe and other
organizations should equally use their own standards to all countries.

Touching upon the statement of PACE Chairwoman Luis Maria de Puig
made in Baku that Nagorno Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan and has been
occupied by Armenia, R. Hovannisian said that during her visit to
Armenia next week he will ask her what are the bases of her conviction.

Speaking about the agreement between Moscow and Baku signed lately, R.

Hovannisian expressed bewilderment with establishment of strategic
partnership between the two countries.

AMBASSADOR OF RUSSIA TO AZERBAIJAN DENIES KARABAKH SEPARATISTS’ EDUCATION IN RUSSIA MILITARY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Azerbaijan Business Center
July 8 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan Vasiliy
Istratov denies Nagorno-Karabakh separative regime representatives’
education in Russia Military Higher Education Institutions.

V.Istratov said the Embassy is not informed about the fact of training
in military high schools of Russia of students from Nagorno-Karabakh
which wear the stripes on sleeves designating that they represent
Nagorno-Karabakh.

"The fact of wearing on the form of symbolics of not recognized
state association demands separate consideration. If there is such
information, we will try to clear it," V.Istratov said.

Natives of Nagorno-Karabakh come to Russia as citizens of Armenia,
conclude the contract on education and already, being as cadets, wear
the military form of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the artificial
formation, called to cover occupation by Armenia of 20% of Azerbaijani
territory.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre (press release), France

Armenian monasteries in Iran added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Fortified Armenian monasteries in Iran were added to the new sites
inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on 6 July.
The Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iran, in the north-east of the
country, consists of three monastic ensembles of the Armenian
Christian faith: St Thaddeus and St Stepanos and the Chapel of
Dzordzor. These edifices – the oldest of which, St Thaddeus, dates
back to the 7th century ` are examples of outstanding universal value
of the Armenian architectural and decorative traditions. They bear
testimony to very important interchanges with the other regional
cultures, in particular the Byzantine, Orthodox and Persian. Situated
on the south-eastern fringe of the main zone of the Armenian cultural
space, the monasteries constituted a major centre for the
dissemination of that culture into Azerbayjan and Persia. They are the
last regional remains of this culture that are still in a satisfactory
state of integrity and authenticity. Furthermore, as places of
pilgrimage, the monastic ensembles are living witnesses of Armenian
religious traditions through the centuries.

This is the fourth cultural site to be added onto UNESCO’s World
Heritage List since the start of the current session of the World
Heritage Committee today. The three properties inscribed earlier today
were: Le Morne Cultural Landscape in Mauritius, The Al-Hijr
Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih) in Saudi Arabia, and
the Fujian Tulou in China.

States Parties
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Regions
Arab States
Contacts
Gina Doubleday
Joanna Serna-Sullivan
Source: UNESCO Contact: [email protected]

ARF Dashnaksutyun Party comes out against creation of Armenian-Turkish
commission

2008-07-04 17:00:00

ArmInfo. "Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal to set up an
Armenian-Turkish commission is wrong", Secretary of the parliamentary
faction of ARF Dashnaksutyun Party Artyusha Shahbazyan said at a
press-conference at Hayatsk club, Friday.

According to him, it is wrong to conduct any historical investigation
on the Armenian Genocide. "ARF Dashnaksutyun has always said that it is
wrong to choose this way and cast doubt on the fact of the
Armenian Genocide", the MP stressed and added that Serzh Sargsyan’s
statement was followed by statements of the press-secretary and foreign
minister of Armenia, which created quite a different picture. "Probably
we misunderstood what Serzh Sargsyan wanted to say. Therefore we should
wait and follow the further foreign policy of the country’s
authorities", Shahbazyan said.