Author: Kharatian Ani

news.az, Azerbaijan
Jan 7 2010

Azerbaijan tries to release its citizen from Armenian captivity
Thu 07 January 2010 | 11:00 GMT Text size:

Azerbaijani State Commission on War Prisoners, Hostages and Missing
People is taking measures release Azerbaijani resident from the
Armenian captivity

According to the state commission, they revealed that Eldar Taghiyev,
resident of the Alibeyli village of Tovuz, born in 1964, was taken
captive by Armenian servicemen on 28 December 2009 under unclear
circumstances. He is currently held captive in Armenia, the local TV
channel says.

The state commission continues holding joint measures with the
international organizations to release Taghiyev and return him to his
homeland, the statement reads.

Interfax-Azerbaijan

news.az, Azerbaijan
Jan 6 2010

Turkish side to try to persuade Russia
Wed 06 January 2010 | 07:40 GMT Text size:

Zardusht Alizadeh The discussion of the Karabakh conflict by the
Turkish side is not demonstrative, political scientist Zardusht
Alizadeh.

Turkey has no opportunity to exert pressure on Russia on the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict, said political scientist Zardusht
Alizadeh commenting on the statements in Turkish media that during the
visit of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Moscow, the sides
will discuss the Karabakh conflict.

According to Alizadeh, probably, the Turkish side will try to persuade
Russia that the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict meets the
interests of Russia, Turkey and the region", he said.

The political scientist noted that he does not hope for any
achievements in the conflict settlement.

"The discussion of the Karabakh conflict by the Turkish side is not
demonstrative. Despite efforts taken, not every goal set is achieved
at once. We should make attempts to attain something and in this sense
Turkey spares no effort", the expert said.

1 news.az

Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 6 2010

Azerbaijani parliamentarian: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be solved soon

06 January 2010 [11:27] – Today.Az

Day.Az interview with member of Azerbaijan Milli Majlis (parliament)
Aydin Mirzazade.

Is resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict likely to see progress
in the first decade of 2010?

It is very hard to predict political process, since so many factors
impact the final result. There is no doubt the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is moving forward. The present situation,
international situation, hopelessness of Armenia’s occupation policy
and Azerbaijan’s principle position in this matter will lead to
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict soon. But it is impossible
to predict exact time when it will happen.

Today, Armenia is forced to make a choice: either it accepts
international legal norms, builds normal neighborly relations with
neighbors, or it will gradually lose its national strength, and
finally, independence.

In your opinion, may the Turkey-Armenia protocols be ratified till
April 24, next anniversary of the so-called `Armenian genocide’?

Turkey has a specific position on this issue. Turkey will not ratify
the protocols until there is progress in resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and until Armenia withdraws its troops from
occupied Azerbaijani territories.

One should not link ratification of protocols with the date April 24 –
a day of invented "Armenian genocide". Armenia often threatens Turkey
with possible recognition of this fictitious event by some countries.

Turkey, as a great state, is of great importance both for the world
community and in bilateral relations with major countries. Therefore,
any country is unlikely to exert political pressure on Turkey to
recognize the date of April 24 because of political ambitions of the
Armenian nationalists.

Such a move could lead to unpredictable consequences, in particular,
can spoil bilateral relations between Turkey and the countries that
can take such a step. Threats of Armenian nationalists are not serious
and ungrounded

Do you mean the Armenia-Turkey border is less likely to open till April 24?

Everything depends on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The
Armenian-Turkish border may be opened only after agreement is reached
on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, regardless of whether it will happen
before or after April.

In your view, who will take the first step to promote normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations? Ankara or Yerevan?

I think Turkey has already made its move in this regard. Despite
Armenia’s territorial claims against Turkey, Ankara signed the
Turkey-Armenia protocols.

Now it is up to Armenia, that is, it needs only to recognize
international law and abandon territorial claims to neighboring
states.

What steps Armenian may take to get Armenia-Turkey relations
normalized as soon as possible?

I think that Armenia would never agree to abandon its great power
ambitions, but the current situation compels it to sober up, because
Armenia’s policy leads to self-imposed isolation and absence of any
investments in the country’s economy.

N. Abdullayeva

URL:

Herman Van Rompuy takes office
05.01.2010 13:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On Monday, January 4, Herman Van Rompuy of Belgium
officially took office. His cabinet will comprise 20 representatives,
including Head of the Cabinet, deputies, assistants and advisors, as
well as the press service staff. Besides, there are 2 thousand EU
Secretariat representatives under his control.

EU President’s net annually salary will comprise 304 thousand Euros
(plus social payments and dwelling expenses), Since EU, as an
organization, does not have its air park, its President will be
reimbursed transportation expenses in the amount of 900 thousand Euros
annually.

Van Rompuy will have 5-6 bodyguards.

Under the Lisbon Treaty which entered into force on December 1, the EU
President shall be elected for the term of 2.5 years and be
responsible for chairing summits and representing the organization on
high level.

Normative of currency position for Armenian banks will operate from
March-April 2010 – deputy head of central bank

YEREVAN, January 4. /ARKA/. `Normative of currency position for
Armenian banks will operate from March-April 2010′, said Vache
Gabrielyan, Deputy Head of Central Bank of Armenia during the
press-conference on Tuesday. The main goal of introduction of
normative is to protect banking and financial institutions from
currency risks.

By the introduction of the normative, limitations of income and losses
from currency speculations will also be introduced. CB will not fully
limit the actions of the banks for getting income from operations. `We
don’t want the banks to have long position when currency assets exceed
the size of liabilities’, he said.

On October 20, 2009, the Central Bank of Armenia adopted decision on
definition of special normative of currency position for the banks
with the term of six months. The normative includes two components –
maximum ratio between the long position of the bank by each currency
and its total capital and maximum ratio of total long position by all
currencies and its total capital. Maximum size of these components is
defined on the level of 7% and 10% accordingly. The normative will be
calculated on the daily basis. The action of the normative will be
effective on October 26, 2009 and the adopted decision of CB will
operate till April 26, 2010.-0-

WD Newsletter
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

Western Diocese e-Newsletter

Dear Reader

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Western Diocese, is pleased to announce that the Honorable Charles
S. (Chuck) Poochigian¸ Justice, Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate
District, and his wife Debbie Poochigian, Fresno County Supervisor,
District 5, will be Honored Guests at the Annual Armenian Christmas
Reception to be held on Wednesday, January 6¸2010 at 6:00 p.m. This
traditional event which is open to the Armenian community will be held
at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Banquet Hall of the Arshag and
Eleanor Dickranian Diocesan Complex.

The Primate stated that it is a privilege to honor two dedicated and
distinguished members of the Armenian community. `We are very proud
that the Armenian faithful on the occasion of the Nativity and
Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, will have the
opportunity to meet and visit with this remarkable couple who have
committed their lives to public service.’

Justice Charles Poochigian began his public service following thirteen
years of private practice.

He was appointed to the senior staff of Governor George Deukmejian in
1986 and was later named to the Senior Staff of Governor Pete Wilson
for whom he served as Appointments Secretary, primarily focusing on
assisting the Governor in his selection of judges for California’s
trial and appellate courts. In 1994 he was elected to the California
State Assembly, serving from 1994 to 1998. He then served two terms in
the California State Senate (1996-2006). He was appointed to the Court
of Appeal, 5th Appellate District, by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
in August 2009.

Debbie Poochigian is well known for working as a volunteer for
numerous civic and charitable causes along with event
chair/coordinator, fundraiser, or campaign manager for several local,
state and national political campaigns. She has served as President of
the Sanger Fans of Football boosters, served on the Fresno local
medical center board, a Neighborhood Watch captain, along with a
member of Valley Crime Stoppers; a member of the Fresno County Farm
Bureau and California Women for Agriculture, and a Little League
Coach. She was recently elected Fresno County Supervisor for District
5, a position previously held by her father, Deran Keligian.

The Poochigians have been actively involved in the Armenian Church for
many years. They were married at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno 32
years ago where both were involved in the Sunday School. They are
presently members of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in
Fowler. For over 35 years, Debbie has taught Sunday School at all
grade levels and has served as Sunday School Superintendent at three
churches in the Diocese. The Poochigians reside in Fresno and have
three grown children, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and two
grandchildren.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, providing
spiritual guidance and leadership to the Armenian Apostolic community,
is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of more
than 50 churches in 16 western states. It was established in 1898 as
the Diocese of the Armenian Church encompassing the entire United
States and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to
exclusivly serve the western United States.

INTERNAL CRISIS IN TURKEY TO INFLUENCE FURTHER STEPS OF COUNTRY’S LEADERSHIP: HEAD OF CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES UNDER PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN

Trend News Agency
Dec 29 2009
Azerbaijan

The domestic political situation in Turkey, which more remembers
political crisis, will further influence the development of the
situation around the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations,
said the head of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President
of Azerbaijan Elkhan Nuriyev.

"Turkey is found between two fires and is experiencing serious internal
political crisis. This prevents coordinating actions and deciding how
to move, what to do and in what direction to go, given the geopolitics
of Azerbaijan and its increasing role in the regional arena," Nuriyev
briefed the media on Dec. 29, evaluating the results of the Center’s
activities in 2009.

Nureyev was optimistic about the future of the Azerbaijani-Turkish
relations, noting that domestic political factors in Turkey will
exert its influence and the steps taken by the political leadership
of Turkey will play an important role.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich on Oct. 10.

"Turkey’s political establishment is undergoing strong political crisis
that Turkey has already experienced, Nuriyev said. It will take time
for Turkey to decide what the Turks or Turkey want at this stage.

I think that the situation will become clearer by spring."

AREXIMBANK-GAZPROMBANK GROUP REPLENISHES ITS AUTHORIZED CAPITAL BY 3.850 BLN DRAMS

ArmInfo
2009-12-29 13:09:00

ArmInfo. Areximbank-Gazprombank Group announces replenishment of its
authorized capital by 3.850 bln drams – to 12.3 bln drams. As the
press service of Areximbank-Gazprombank Group told ArmInfo, the bank’s
authorized capital was replenished through closed issue. This decision
was made by sole shareholder of Areximbank-Gazprombank Group CJSC –
Gazprombank Russian OJSC on November 20, 2009, the message says.

To note, the total capital of Areximbank-Gazprombank Group as of
October 1, 2009, made up 10.1 bln drams ($26.3 mln), the bank’s assets
– 32.1 bln drams ($83.6 mln), the credit portfolio – 18.8 bln drams
($48.9 mln). Undistributed profit of the bank as of October 1 made
up 151.8 mln drams ($394.9 thsd).

GAGIK GHALACHIAN PLURALISTICALLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF RA TO CYPRUS

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 28, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. On December 26, RA President Serzh
Sargsyan signed a decree on appointing Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of RA to Greece Gagik Ghalachian Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RA to the Republic of Cyprus
pluralistically (residence Athens). Noyan Tapan was informed about
it by RA President’s Press Office.

EDUARD SHARMAZANOV: TURKEY SHOULD TAKE DECISION BEFORE APRIL 24

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.12.2009 12:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 2009 was a crucial year for Armenia’s foreign
policy, said Eduard Sharmazanov, secretary of Republican Party of
Armenia parliamentary group.

"Armenia acted as regional leader in 2009," he told reporters on
Monday.

Touching upon the Armenian-Turkish dialogue, Mr. Sharmazanov said
Turkey should be the first to ratify the protocols on normalization
of relations between the two countries. "The protocols should be
ratified within reasonable terms. I do not want to announce any date
but Turkey should take decision before April 24," said, adding that
the RA government will continue the policy calling for worldwide
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.