Author: Khoyetsian Rose

TURKS TO RESTORE ARMENIAN CHURCH

news.am
Oct 29 2009
Armenia

The Armenian church in the city of Malatya (Turkey) will be restored,
Turkish Zaman daily reports. The Carmuzu Tepebası Mosque Building
and Preservation Foundation intends to restore the 250-year old church.

Armenian Church is located in the neighborhood where assassinated
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was born.

The foundation head Latif Yıldırım stated that "started planning the
project to help restore the Armenian Tashoron church in 2008 and wrote
letters to the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
as well as Armenian businessmen to win their support." According to
him, the foundation also spoke with the Armenian Patriarchate in March.

"Money had been allocated for the restoration by the Culture and
Tourism Ministry in 2009; however, due to budgetary problems, the
foundation decided to take on the costs of the restoration," the daily
reads. The initiative will be called a "project of peace." "We do not
think we will experience financial problems," Yıldırım underlined.

Armenian Archbishop Aram Ateshyan stated the church is a cultural
treasure, adding that some other churches are in need of restoration
too.

TURKEY DECLARES COLD WAR ON ISRAEL

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.10.2009 17:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Israel-Turkey relations have never been so bad as
they are now. Israel is facing the threat of losing its partner in
Muslim world," Neue Zurcher Zeitung reports.

Earlier in October, Ankara excluded Israeli army from participation in
NATO military exercises, reasoning that it was unknown whether Israeli
warplanes were involved in Gaza sector attacks. A few days later,
TRT1 Turkish state TV channel started transmitting Ayrilik soap opera
which featured war operations with participation of Israeli soldiers.

Relations between two countries began to freeze back in 2003, after
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s taking office. Situation exacerbated
as a result of war in Gaza sector. Turkey has probably decided to
"teach Israel a lesson", said Turkish expert Begin-Sadat, Efraim from
Strategic Research Center.

Israeli Haaretz reports that "Turkey has the most to lose from
boycotting Israel". The fact that Israeli Defense Ministry is currently
considering possibilities of selling weapons to Turks testifies to
that, inopressa.ru reports.

ARMENIAN COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN IT-CONFERENCE IN TBILISI

Aysor
Oct 26 2209
Armenia

Ten Armenia-based companies engaged in providing IT (information
technology) will participate in the Second Regional IT Measure which
will be held in Georgia’s capital city on October 29-30.

Among the participants are E-dram, CHS Verisel Service, Strategic
Partners, E-works, Spyur, Lime Tech, Margasoft Corp, IDS Design and
Technologies, Grant Thornton Amyot, and Macadamian AR.

The conference which is being launched under the slogan "Cooperation
for Competition and Innovation" is aimed at creation and promotion
of cooperation between IT companies, associations, and public and
private sectors over Central and Eastern Europe, Baltic countries,
Caucasus and Middle East.

SOCIALIST DEPUTY URAS URGES BETTER RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

BIAnet.org
Oct 26 2009
Turkey

Deputy for the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) Ufuk Uras criticizes
the opposition parties in the matter of President’s visit to Armenia.

He also makes a series of demands to improve the conditions of the
Armenian citizens of Turkey.

Istanbul – BIA News Center05 Eylul 2008, Cuma Deputy for the Freedom
and Solidarity Party (ODP) Ufuk Uras said, "The steps taken because of
the soccer match between Turkey and Armenia should be a beginning of
a new era" and he listed a series of demands to improve the conditions
of the Armenian citizens of Turkey.

Getting ready to go to Erivan for the game, Uras urged for the opening
of the border and the development of the economic relations between
the two countries.

"Our Armenian citizens should feel themselves as the equal citizens of
this country; they should not face any discrimination in social life,
especially in public life."

"The history should be discussed freely; all the restriction should
be removed. An atmosphere of discussion without any prejudices should
be encouraged."

President Abdullah Gul too is flying to Erivan to watch the game as
the guest of Armenian President Serj Sarkisyan. Two presidents will
also use this occasion to discuss some important matters.

Criticizing the opposition of the Republican People’s Party (CHP)
and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Uras said the following:

"Racing to prove who the best nationalist is cannot be part of the
democratic mentality. Arguing for no-solution in the Armenian problem
will bring no peace to the region."

May UK give up its policy of Armenian Genocide denial?
24.10.2009 18:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ For the first time since 1918, members of British
parliament who spoke the truth about the Armenian Genocide were
appointed rapporteurs on Armenia and Turkey.

MP Chris Bryant called on the House of Commons to recognize the
Armenian Genocide, freelance French journalist Jean Eckian told
PanARMENIAN.Net.

Mr. Bryant reminded that the previous Cabinets refrained from any
assessment of the 1915 events, saying that `historians can’t come to a
conclusion on the issue.’

`However, Geoff Hoon, Dennis Macshane, Doug Alexander, Baroness Ramsey
Baroness Scotland , Lord Treisman and Lord Malloch-Brown never
consulted any prominent historian,’ he said. `And the person
responsible for the policy of denial is Jack Straw, currently Minister
of Justice.’

According to Mr. Bryant, to show solidarity with Armenia, the
parliament should urge resignation of Minister Straw, who disseminated
lies for so many years.

In a parliamentary debate in 1921, Sir Neville Chamberlain said, `I
cannot think without something like horror and dismay of the
abominable barbarities which have been practised in Armenia, and if I
condemn Turkish rule in Armenia it is not because it is Mohammedan
rule over Christian people, but because it is a barbarous and brutal
rule, which would disgrace whatever Government in which it
originated.’

TURKEY’S TALKS WITH ARMENIA TEST TIES WITH GAS-SUPPLIER AZERBAIJAN
By Yigal Schliefer

Christian Science Monitor
woeu.html
Oct 23 2009

In Azerbaijan, Turkish flags have been taken down and the Azeri
president said his country might stop selling Ankara discounted
natural gas. At issue is Turkey’s move to renew relations with Armenia,
which has a territorial dispute with Azerbaijan.

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Istanbul, Turkey – Bound together by language and culture – and, more
recently, by oil and gas pipelines – officials in Turkey and Azerbaijan
frequently refer to the two countries as "one nation, two states."

But this slogan is being put to the test these days, following Turkey
and Armenia’s recent signing of protocols to restore diplomatic
relations and open up their borders. That’s something Azerbaijan
is strongly opposed to, in the wake of the deal with Armenia that
doesn’t address a territorial dispute between Azberbaijan and Armenia.

The new tension between Ankara and Baku is raising concern that the
Azeris – who sit on top of large reserves of oil and gas – might
scuttle energy deals that involve Turkey, especially the Nabucco
pipeline project, designed to ease Europe’s dependence on Russian
natural gas.

As Turkey tries to deal with one of its historic problems in order
to improve relations with a neighbor, it appears other historic
problems are creating new tension with another neighbor, with possible
consequences for European energy security.

"If those countries which are genuinely interested in the Nabucco
project influence Armenia so that it steps back from the occupied
territories and both Azerbaijan and Turkey will be satisfied, then this
will be remembered as only an episode in Turkey-Azerbaijan relations,"
says Ilgar Mammadov, a political analyst based in Baku.

"If not, then the relationship between Turkey and Azerbaijan will
worsen, and projects like Nabucco will be undermined."

The protocols make no mention of Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous Azeri
territory occupied by Armenian forces since 1994. Turkey first closed
its border to Armenia in response to its occupation of the territory
and Azeri officials have said Ankara’s relations with Yerevan should
not be restored until the frozen Nagorno-Karabakh issue is settled.

Baku feels betrayed

The reaction in Baku to the deal signed by Turkey and Armenia – which
must still be ratified by the two countries’ parliaments to take
effect – has been particularly strong. Turkish flags have been taken
down in the city and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, speaking
at a nationally televised cabinet meeting on Oct. 16, suggested his
country might stop selling Turkey natural gas at a discounted price.

"Azerbaijan is looking at the opening of the Turkey-Armenia border
as a betrayal. We are looking at Turkey as our main partner in the
region and [at] Armenia as our main enemy. The reaction is natural,"
says Vafa Guluzade, former foreign affairs advisor to the previous
Azeri president, Haydar Aliyev.

Turkish officials have been making efforts to appease Baku, making it
clear that they will not move forward on renewing ties with Armenia
until the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is resolved.

"Nothing can change the fact that Turkey will always stand by
Azerbaijan and Turkey’s position on Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
and its territories under occupation," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu said during a Thursday visit to the Azeri capital.

But Guluzade, the former Azeri foreign affairs adviser, says Baku is
looking for stronger reassurances.

"We need something more real in our hands. Armenia has signed protocols
under the auspices of the United States, Russia, and France.

We only have words. That’s not enough," he says.

However, Huseyin Bagci, a professor of international relations at
Ankara’s Middle East Technical University, says that in the long run,
the opening of the Turkey-Armenia border will actually facilitate
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

"Azerbaijan has to realize that discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue can only happen if the Turkey-Armenia border opens," he says.

In the meantime, without a resolution to the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia, Ankara and Baku may find the "one nation-two
states" slogan being further tested, Bagci says.

"It’s a nationalist slogan, it’s nice to hear, but it’s never been
the case," he says. "We have never been one nation."

—

What are Turkey and Armenia doing to get past decades of hostility?

ARMENIA TO BECOME A MODEL COUNTRY OF CUSTOM REFORMS
Hasmik Dilanyan

"Radiolur"
23.10.2009 17:01

The Secretary General of the World Custom Organization (WCO) Kunio
Mikuriya, is in Armenia for a two-day working visit. WCO positively
assesses the custom reforms implemented in Armenia. The Secretary
General said they intend to make Armenia a model country of custom
reforms.

There are few countries in the world where the tax and custom bodies
are united into one structure. The World Custom Organization is still
studying Armenia’s experience, and in case it proves to be effective,
it will be applied in other countries, as well.

What should Armenia do to improve the situation in the business
atmosphere, especially the monopoly? Kunio Mikuriya is confident that
first of all it is necessary to review the whole economic policy, but
this is not the task of the customs office. However, it can help by
simplifying the market access. "Thus, the customs office is considered
a central component for raising the national competitiveness," he said.

IMPLEMENTATION OF CONDITIONS OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS IS STILL FAR: TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIAN

Today.Az
Oct 22 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Turkish parliament’s International Affairs
Committee Deputy Chairman Mehmet Ceylan.

Day.Az: International Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament
headed by Chairman Murad Mercan is going to visit Azerbaijan. Can
you clarify the details of this visit?

Mehmet Ceylan: I do not have accurate information about the purpose and
timing of the visit. Parliamentarians of Turkey and Azerbaijan often
make reciprocal visits. This shows high level of inter-parliamentary
ties between the two countries. We can discuss the issues that serve
interests of both countries and make joint decisions. Recently the
issue of the protocols has led to some concern in both countries. Now
there is a need for frequent meetings and addressing this concern.

Q: Will Turkey-Armenia border open soon?

A: The implementation of items and terms of the Armenian-Turkish
protocols is still far. Following the recommendation of the Cabinet
of Ministers, the International Affairs Committee of Parliament
should adopt the protocol. Then must come the turn of parliamentary
ratification. Under the law, the ratified document must be approved
by the president. Only then that document takes legal effect and
implementation of its items can be launched.

Q: As an MP from the ruling party, how do you explain the willingness
of the Turkish government to open the border? The causes behind the
border closure has not yet been resolved …

A: The current government of Turkey seeks to establish normal
relations with all neighboring countries. Problems can not remain
unsolved forever. There is a need to solve them. Without negotiations,
gradual warming is impossible. When we wanted to improve relations with
Armenia, we did not want deterioration of relations with Azerbaijan. Of
course, for us Azerbaijan’s interests are paramount.

Prime minister and the president of Turkey has repeatedly stated that
Turkey will not take a step contrary to Azerbaijan’s interests. Turkey
wants a speedy resolution to the Karabakh problem. Over these 17
years, while the Turkish-Armenian border has been closed, the Karabakh
problem has not been resolved and the sides have not achieved any
intermediate results. Turkey intends to triple its efforts to return
territories of Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani side must understand the positive intention of Turkey.

Today, Turkey is one of the forces accepted by all in the Caucasus
region. Turkey will play an active role in the fate of this region
along with Russia and Iran. I am sure that Azerbaijan will benefit
from intensified Turkish efforts most of all in the region.

Q: Will you vote for the ratification of the protocols?

A: During the discussions, I will propose not to put protocols to vote
without Azerbaijan’s consent and till concrete results are achieved
in solving the Karabakh issue. If protocols are put to the vote before
reaching any concrete results in solving the Karabakh problem, I will
vote against.

Q: Burden of responsibility of the promise and the documents signed
are not equal. What to believe – the promises or documents signed?

A: The adoption of this document does not mean its immediate
execution. At the international level many documents are adopted,
which remain on paper. I’m not saying that this document will not be
executed. We are subject to time and time will show. I assure you
that there is no reason for concern. The Turkish government thinks
primarily about the interests of Azerbaijan.

Q: How do you feel about the "crisis of a flag" which was observed
after a football match in Bursa?

A: During a football match I was abroad. So I do not know the details
of these events. Decision to exclude the Azerbaijani flag at the
stadium came from FIFA.

Q: The Turkish media reported that the decision about the flag
originally did not come from FIFA …

A: This is not true. Armenia appealed to FIFA asking them not to allow
Azerbaijani flag into the stadium. FIFA also warned Turkey. Prefect of
Bursa initially banned flags of third countries in the stadium. But
then rescinded its ban. Then, Armenia once again appealed to FIFA
and they once again intervened. The culprit of this prohibition is
not Turkey, but Armenia and FIFA.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION PRESENTED TO US SENATE

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 22, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
and John Ensign (R-NV) presented October 21 the Armenian Genocide
Resolution in the U.S. Senate, Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) reported.

The measure is similar to legislation in the U.S. House, H.Res.252,
introduced earlier this year by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA),
George Radanovich (R-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL). This measure already has
over 130 cosponsors.

"Only when history’s darkest hours are acknowledged and understood
can we truly learn from them and build a peaceful future upon those
lessons. One and a half million Armenians experienced Hell on Earth,
and to sweep their plight under the rug is to insult their memories
and their descendants. It is long past time that our nation help
set the historical record straight and provide a foundation of
understanding that helps prevent future atrocities," Sen. Menendez
noted in introducing the measure.

Senator Ensign said it is inconceivable that after so many years
the international community has yet to affirm that the deportation,
expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre and starvation of the
Armenian people was genocide. "By joining together and affirming that
genocide was committed on the Armenian people, we send a strong message
to the international community that we will not turn a blind eye to
the crimes of the past simply because they are in the past," he said.

PROCREDIT BANK STARTS PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL LOANS IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-10-22 12:02:00

ArmInfo. ProCredit Bank opened a new branch in Artashat city of Ararat
region on October 1, 2009. "Artashat" branch was registered by Central
bank of RA on September 23, 2009. The branch is located in 93 Ogostos
23 Str.

Thus, ProCredit Bank successfully expanded into a new region. The
opening of the branch in Artashat is not only important because of
becoming more reachable to people in one more region but also
launching a new business line: agricultural lending. Now ProCredit
Bank provides financial services also to agricultural businesses and
farmers.

Bertolt Hertzfeldt, Executive director of "ProCredit Bank" CJSC,
"Agriculture being one of the most important sectors of the Armenian
economy does not have enough sources of financing. Our aim is to
develop also this branch of economy and there is much work to be done
in this field. The opening of the branch in Artashat is tailored to
develop agribusinesses. The new services distinguish themselves in the
market by their favorable conditions for clients, such as flexible
repayment and collateral conditions. We think that we will really
influence the development of agriculture starting from Ararat region
and spreading agro lending in other RA regions".

ProCredit Bank launched its activity in Armenia in February 5, 2008.

ProCredit Bank is a full- fledged bank with a 100% foreign capital,
focused on lending to small and medium sized enterprises and offering
a full scale of banking services to private individuals and legal
entities. Another important area of ProCredit Bank’s focus is to
promote savings culture among the population, by starting even from
small amounts. ProCredit Bank in Armenia is a member of ProCredit
Group, consisting of 22 financial institutions operating in Eastern
Europe, Africa and Latin America, which are governed by ProCredit
Holding AG located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Founders of ProCredit Bank are such well-known international
organizations as: ProCredit Holding AG – 67.49% shares, EBRD – 16.67%
shares and German KfW Ban – 15.84 % shares. Since February 2008 the
Bank is serving around 8200 clients including deposit clients and has
an outstanding loan portfolio of over USD 27 mln and deposit portfolio
about USD 18 mln.