Author: Nalbandian Eduard

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
for Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel: +322 732 70 26
Tel/Fax: +322 732 70 27
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
November 30, 2006
Contact: Vartenie ECHO
Tel: +322 732 70 26

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDS WEAK RESPONSE TO TURKEY FAILURES

— The Commission suggests only half-measures, consisting in
temporary
suspension of technical chapters of the negotiation process —

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – The European Commission recommended on Wednesday
29th November the suspension of 8 of the 35 tracks, or chapters, of
Turkey’s negotiation process toward joining the European Union.
Moreover, the Commission recommended that no already opened chapter
"be provisionally closed".

The eight tracks suspended by the Commission are largely technical in
nature. The Commission refrained from suspending the remaining 27
tracks. In taking these steps, the Commission alleges to give an
appropriate response to Turkey’s intransigence – particularly its
refusal to ratify the Ankara protocol which would have meant the
implicit recognition of Cyprus.

As a consequence, the suspended chapters are those which are linked
to some extent to Cyprus issues: freedom of movement of goods (§1),
right of establishment and freedom to provide services (§3),
financial services (§9), agriculture and rural development (§11),
fisheries (§13), transport (§14), customs union (§29) and external
relations (§30).

"The Commission has fallen far short of its obligations to enforce
Turkey’s compliance or to punish its flagrant violation of its own
commitments across a broad range of issues. Europeans expect the
Commission to act in a more principled and responsible manners on
this core matter concerning the future of the Union," said the
Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation, Mrs Hilda Tchoboian.

The European Armenian Federation considers these half-measures a
clear retreat from the Council’s own decision in December of 2004,
which firmly established the terms of the negotiation framework.
This understanding stipulated that, in case of serious and persistent
violation of the principles on which the Union is based, the
Commission must fully suspend its negotiations with Turkey.

Seeking to explain its decision, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement
declared that "we have agreed that these negotiations have to move
forward at a less rapid pace. There will be no train wreck, but there
is a clear slowing down of the process."

"European civil society does not understand why the Commission keeps
on acting as the hostage of Ankara’s demands for double standards and
special treatment. Far from demanding Turkey’s compliance, the
Commission is actively ignoring the recent European Parliament
resolution regarding the conditions for the suspension of talks with
Turkey," said Tchoboian. "As such, we call on Member States to
recognize the Commissions moral failure and to enact measures of
their own accord to ensure that the values and the standards of the
Union are respected."

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 1 2006

WHO APPOINTED ARMEN SMBATYAN

After the murder of 6 citizens of Armenia in Russia the ambassador of
Armenia to Russia Armen Smbatyan graded the relations between the two
countries as excellent. Is this the official stance of Armenia or the
personal opinion of the ambassador? If this is the personal opinion
of the ambassador, how should such an ambassador be assessed? We
asked these questions to the minister of foreign affairs of Armenia
Vardan Oskanyan.

According to him, it is possible that the ambassador generalized.
`Our relations with Russia are really very good, profound and
strategic,’ stated Vardan Oskanyan. According to the foreign minister
of Armenia, these murders are painful, but it is a serious problem
and worries not only Armenia but also Russia, because not only
Armenians are killed. `This is a problem that must worry Russia, and
the Russian government needs to make very serious efforts to prevent
this, otherwise it may aggravate.’ This adds another question,
another concern to the agenda of our relations, but it does not
impact the Armenian and Russian relations, it is not an obstacle in
the two-party relations, Vardan Oskanyan says.

If problems and concerns occur, why Armen Smbatyan, who lacks
diplomatic experience, is not replaced by a more experienced
diplomat? Vardan Oskanyan declined to answer our question. However,
the answer is clear – the president of Armenia appoints ambassadors
of Armenia. The uncle of Armen Smbatyan’s wife is the head of the
Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography of the Russian
Federation, and has connections in the Kremlin. Our sources say that
the Kremlin has `facilitated’ the appointment of Armen Smbatyan.

TELETHON RESULT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 30 2006

The result of the telethon held November 23 in Los Angeles to raise
funds for the Rebirth of Artsakh project exceeded the expectations.

13 million 600 thousand dollars was pledged. NKR President Arkady
Ghukassian contributed greatly to the success of the telethon, who was
in the United States and met with the representatives of the Armenian
Diaspora. Information Department of NKR President Administration

COMSTAR-UTS HAS ACQUIRED 71.5% OF ALLNET INTERPRISES.

Analytical Information Agency, Russia
Nov 29 2006

Comstar-UTS OJSC has closed the acquisition of 75.1% shares of Callnet,
an Armenian telecommunication company, with a possible exercise of
an option to buy out the remaining share, Comstar says.

"It is the formal completion of the transaction, with consideration
of changes in financing terms," Comstar’s press service said.

"This is the first deal of the planned and declared in October 2006
acquisitions that will enable us to use the funds raised during the
IPO to realize our investment program in regions," Comstar’s General
Director Erik Franke said.

Comstar-UTS holds fixed-line telephony assets of Sistema JSFC. They
are 53.04% shares of MGTS, 100% shares of MTU-Inform CJSC , 100%
shares of Telmos CJSC, 100% shares of MTU-Intel CJSC (including its
100% subsidiary Golden Line).

In 2005, Comstar’s net income under US GAAP grew by 39.% to $106 mln.

Proceeds rose by 30.6% to $907.6 mln.

Callnet is one of the four Armenian operators holding a traffic
transit license. Its 100% subsidiary – Cornet – is the only Wi-Max
supplier in Armenia.

In 2005, Callnet’s proceeds doubled y-o-y to $4.3 mln.

HUNGARY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE PROTESTS AGAINST COURT’S DECISION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 27 2006

Hungary Prosecutor’s office protested against Hungary court decision
November 17 about Ramil Safarov, Azerbaijani army officer, who was
sentenced to life in prison for murdering Armenian lieutenant Gurgen
Markarian in Hungary, Safarov’s lawyer Ikram Shirinov told the APA.

Shirinov said that he had telephone talk with Ramil yesterday. During
their talk Ramil noted that Hungary Prosecutor’s office protested the
court’s decision. The prosecutor’s office asks to aggravate Ramil’s
sentence. Shirinov said that both protest and appeal will be considered
in the same date. The trial date has not fixed yet. The lawyers said
that the date will be fixed by the court. Shirinov said that he will
visit Hungary in ten days, but there are still some technical problems.

It should be noted that, while being held in Hungarian prison in
2004, jailers wanted telephone card from Ramil. But Ramil could
not understand Hungarian which led an incident between them. Eight
police officers tied his hands and used force. Though lawyers for
the Azerbaijani lieutenant appealed to court related to this matter,
the court dismissed the appeal saying there was no evidence. Then the
opposite side claimed that Ramil resisted officials. On November 17
Ramil got 8-month suspended sentence.

WHO DOES THE FABRICATED CONSTITUTION BELONG TO?

A1+
[01:14 pm] 27 November, 2006

The group "Civic disobedience" has organized a protest action opposite
the Constitutional Court.

The participants of the action have sent an open letter to President of
the RA Constitutional Court Gagik Haroutyunyan, judges Hrant Nazaryan,
Felix Tokhyan, Volodya Hovhannisyan, Zinavor Ghoukasyan, Rafayel
Papayan, Valeri Poghosyan, Kim Balayan, and Henrik Danielyan. The
letter runs as follows:

"In the Republic of Armenia, as a result of your criminal
permissiveness:

– The power is concentrated in the hands of the criminal group of
Robert Kocharyan;

– Since 1995 all the elections have been fabricated;

– The Mass Media is controlled by the Government, and the right of
the citizens to get unbiased information is restricted;

– Thousands of citizens have been deprived of their property under
pretence of "state needs".

You faced the fabrication of the Constitutional Referendum by Robert
Kocharyan on November 27, 2005.

Who does the fabricated constitution belong to?

Which Constitution do you serve?

Don’t you see that your activity is devoid of any meaning?

Come to your senses and join the civic disobedience movement".

2006 Lake Norman Magazine
Volume 24, Number 12, December 2006
lakenormanmagazine.com
Luxury Underfoot Oriental rugs are lasting investment

Oriental rugs seem synonymous with both elegance and mystery. Found in some
of the most beautifully decorated homes, they can be the starting point of a
room’s design or simply a sophisticated accessory.
This centuries-old art form, however, often intimidates and confuses
shoppers. Authentic Oriental rugs can be quite expensive and are considered
collector’s items. Copies exist, especially with today’s computer
technology, that are less well made but can fool the untrained eye.
Even the collective term Oriental rugs only broadly defines the colorful
patterned rugs that come from many exotic places with names not easily
pronounced. Though the majority of Oriental rugs existing in the United
States today date back to only the 19th and 20th centuries when U.S. markets
became more open to their trade, mention is made of woven rugs and carpets
as long ago as 500 B.C. in Old Testament biblical and classical writings.
Two dealers in the Lake Norman area are third generations of families
steeped in the industry. Both have businesses in Mooresville and can offer
buyers not only the benefit of their individual experience, but also the
collective knowledge and inventory connected with their families’ businesses
still operating in the New York area.
Shawn Navab and partner/wife Sible Winebarger own and operate Rugs-N-More on
North Broad Street.
Steve Markarian owns and operates Markarian’s Home Gallery, expanding from
it’s downtown location to a new 18,000-square-foot facility at I-77, exit
33.
Is it collectible?
Both merchants explain that there are at least three distinct differences
between a collectible rug and one that is not. The first is whether it is
handmade or machine made. While some machine-made rugs can be quite
beautiful, handmade rugs are considered authentic and more valuable.
Understanding the difference is easier when seeing them side by side.
Although the fronts of the rugs may look similar, the backs tell the true
story. Often described by the number per square inch, knotting of the
handmade is noticeably finer and more dense, increasing durability, causing
the pattern to be clearly discernable on the reverse side. A handmade rug is
usually heavier, as well. Machine-made rugs have more stubbly yarn showing
on the reverse, sometimes looped instead of knotted, and the pattern appears
more muddy.
Type of wool is another important factor, with the finest wool coming from
New Zealand and Manchester, England. Silk and silk/wool blends also are very
desirable, but pure silk should be used in low-traffic areas or as wall
hangings.
The third factor is dye. Natural dyes derived from plants and other organic
materials, used since the art form began, retain their color and integrity
for generations and don’t degrade the wool, while chemical dyes may run and
fade with the first spill or cleaning.
Know the seller
How does a customer determine these more subtle details such as wool,
knotting and dye? Know the seller, say both Navab and Markarian. If a
customer wants to be sure of getting the authentic product, this is not a
purchase to be made at a parking lot tent sale or from a temporary business
that may be here today and gone tomorrow. Both Mooresville dealers stand
behind their rugs, offer to take well-cared-for rugs on trade-in from their
customers, and wash, repair and restore collectible pieces. If a rug dealer
offers an incredibly low price for a rug claimed to be handmade with fine
New Zealand wool and natural dye, Navab says, you can be assured it is not
authentic.
"In our shop, a typical handmade room-size rug, about 8 by 10 feet, will
begin at about $1,800 and go up from there," he says. "We have rugs here
that cost as much as $70,000," explains Navab, who also appraises rugs. "It
will take one or two people anywhere from eight months to two years to weave
one room-size rug on a loom. And if a rug like that was handmade in the
United States, with our labor costs, the price would probably be at least
$200,000."
"It’s an emotional purchase because we’re asking to get into your hip
pocket," says Markarian, third generation in an Armenian/Irish family of rug
dealers who has been in business in Mooresville for 10 years. "You have to
trust who you’re buying from. And it is a purchase that needs to be
explained to the customer."
That’s why Markarian asks new customers what they desire from the rug. Do
they simply want a rug with the right colors to blend with their décor? In
that case, they may not want to invest in a collectible handmade rug. Or are
they looking for a work of art to pass down to their children? He says he
can accommodate either buyer.
Regional differences
The different types of Oriental rugs derive their names from their
geographic origins. Designs and colors are repeated in a region for hundreds
of years, becoming indigenous to that area. For instance, the popular
patterns of Tabriz, Kashan and Ispahan are some of the names of rugs that
come from states in Iran. The Agra is a popular design from India and
Oushak, from Turkey. Caucasian rugs from the Caucasus mountain region of
Armenia, Georgia, Daghestan and Azerbaijan are some of the more prized in
recent years.
"There is an endless list of designs," Markarian says.
Smaller villages and more rural areas have what are known as tribal designs
that are often less formal and more primitive than those that are made in
urban areas.
"Iran still makes the finest rugs in the world. They’re called Persian
rugs," says Navab, whose family is of Persian descent. Persia is now known
as Iran. "Thirty percent that come from Iran are the most superior in the
world in quality and workmanship. They are the original weavers – rug making
began there. Right now, India produces the most rugs sold in the U.S.
Fifteen years ago, it was China. Even their handmade ones are inferior,
though (to those from Iran)," he adds.
The beauty of age
Because Oriental rugs wear well with proper care, both Mooresville
businesses deal in vintage and antique rugs, called heirloom pieces. In good
condition, they often cost more than new ones and are desired for their aged
patina and muted colors.
Essie Sakhai, a respected expert on Oriental rugs, advises purchasers in his
book "The Story of Carpet" to get a certificate of origin from the dealer
when buying any rug, but especially an older one, because authenticity is
difficult to establish without one. An "antique" rug is one that is more
than 100 years old; "very old" is 70 to 90 years old; "old" is more than 55
years; "semi old" is between 35 and 55 years old. Any rug up to 20 years old
is considered new. Markarian has a new line called a Museum Collection,
which has new handmade pieces made to look old.
But will your children be able to actually use that rug you pass down to
them in their own home’s décor? Markarian explains that such rugs can often
still can be used because they contain a wide spectrum of colors so that any
one might be pulled out to adapt to a room’s color palette.
Sible Winebarger notes that Orientals, typically found in traditional
settings, can be used in transitional and contemporary settings, as well.
"Tibetan pieces blend well with contemporary and modern design, and Oushaks
with transitional," she says. Much of the company’s vintage rug business
comes from customers wanting to trade grandmother’s Oriental for just the
right rug for their own setting.
The collectors
Peter and Evangeline "Vangie" Schlesinger have collected eight Oriental rugs
that grace their home in Mooresville. When he retired from Ingersoll Rand,
the couple returned to the Lake Norman area after living in Germany for 10
years and built their house here more than three years ago. He says that
each of their rugs is valued between $8,000 and $12,000.
"The rugs fit our home and our taste," he says. "My wife’s favorite is a
Heriz in the sun room, and it is over 60 years old. We like the richness of
the color."
"I’ve been in rug stores all over the world," says Schlesinger, who bought
one of his favorites, an Indian silk rug, while in Europe. "Of course, you
must like the color and pattern of a rug first. But, in reality, no one will
count the knots (in a rug). The most valuable advice I can give anyone is to
find someone you can trust."
Caring for Your Oriental Rug
Vacuum regularly and use a good underlayment to help protect and extend the
life of the rug. Some experts recommend shaking rather than vacuuming if
rugs are smaller.
In high-traffic areas, turn the rug around occasionally for even wear.
Shawn Navab recommends professional washing every three to five years. The
cost is typically about $200 for a room-size rug, with the first washing
covered in the cost of his company’s rugs.
Take care of stains right away. Steve Markarian urges his customers to call
him at any time, day or night, to ask about treatment of stains that will
not come out with tap water or the suds created from a liquid soap
detergent. For those they are unable to remove, he advises covering with a
damp towel until it can be treated professionally.

Watertown TAB & Press, MA
Nov 25 2006

The power of performance
By Rachel Onanian Nadjarian/ CORRESPONDENT
Friday, November 24, 2006

We experience it yet again.

The excitement from watching the movements, the energy, the
sound; the joy from seeing the celebration of our rich and colorful
culture; the sadness from recollecting how much we’ve endured and the
sacrifices we must continue to make; and the pride from knowing that
what we are seeing is a representation of our deep and everlasting
heritage.

On Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, the Sayat Nova Dance Company thrilled
audiences at the Emerson’s Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston with its
20th anniversary performance titled "Power in Rhythm." For more than
two hours, Sayat Nova entertained and inspired through an artistic
weave of Armenian dance, music and theatrical landscapes.

Adorned in stunning and colorful costumes, more than 60 dancers
brought to life the strength, passion and determination that so
beautifully characterize the Armenian people and culture. Whether
through the graceful movements in "Yaman Yar," the festive
choreography in "Vasbouragan" or the compelling significance of "The
Yearning of Karabagh," Armenian and non-Armenian audiences alike
could not avoid feeling connected to each story and mesmerized by its
narrators.

Is this a new experience for a Sayat Nova audience? No. Those who
have watched a Sayat Nova performance in the past know all too well
the powerful charm with which it can transplant them to a soulful
state of reflection and wonder. But Sayat Nova’s impact has moved to
a whole new level with this recent production. More dramatic
lighting, more elaborate costumes and a larger group of dedicated
dancers have magnified the experience of watching Sayat Nova perform.
Showcasing it at Emerson’s Majestic Theater made the performance all
that more impressive.

After 20 years, Sayat Nova is stronger than it’s ever been and
more poised than ever to carve a new and focused direction. As with
any performing arts group, presentation is intrinsic to Sayat Nova’s
purpose. It "preserves and promotes" the Armenian culture by
presenting it to others through the medium of dance; the more it
dances, the more it achieves its mission. Sayat Nova’s perseverance
is a testimony to the Armenian character, and as long as audiences
continue to walk away from each performance with a deeper
understanding of the Armenian identity – their own or someone else’s
– then Sayat Nova has been a success.

This year has seen Sayat Nova celebrate its 20 years of success
in numerous ways. From a gala banquet held at the Copley Fairmont
Hotel, which was attended by more than 200 of the community’s most
well-respected members, to large-scale performances in New York and
Montreal, this group is poised to meet any challenge ahead of them
with zeal and energy uncommon in many community-based organizations.

And so the story goes on. Sayat Nova will continue to enrich the
hearts and minds of all those who observe it for many years to come.
The future is bright for the Sayat Nova Dance Company and for all
those who one day desire to be members of this unique group of
dedicated volunteers.

After 20 years, we hail your achievements and look forward to seeing
the next leap forward. The power is in you.

Rachel Onanian Nadjarian currently resides in New York with her
husband and three children. She is a past dancer and soloist in the
Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston.

The Australian, Australia
Nov 25 2006

Beirut crowds stop Hezbollah grab for power
Martin Chulov, Beirut
November 25, 2006

HEZBOLLAH has suspended its attempts to topple the Lebanese
Government in the wake of renewed anti-Syrian sentiment among huge
crowds at the funeral of slain MP Pierre Gemayel.
The show of support for the embattled Government of Prime Minister
Fouad Siniora has shored up his tenuous grip on power, forcing
Hezbollah to put aside its ambitions to share power in a new
administration.

Hezbollah and key pro-Syrian figures, such as Lebanese President
Emile Lahoud, were noticeably absent from Thursday’s funeral in
Beirut’s Maronite St George’s Cathedral, which attracted prominent
figures from across the Arab world.

Most of the key speakers, including pro-Government figure Saad
Hariri, called for the resignation of Mr Lahoud – a staunch backer of
Syria.

The service and public rally outside were peaceful and demonstrators
appeared to pay heed to the pleas of Mr Gemayel’s grieving father
Amin, who called for Lebanon not to descend into sectarian violence.

The majority of the estimated 500,000-strong crowd were in a
celebratory mood, waving flags and anti-Syrian banners and singing
patriotic hymns.

The rally spilled from the front of the Christian Phalange Party
headquarters across Beirut’s Martyrs Square and on to most roads and
bypasses leading into the city.

Mr Gemayel’s body was last night driven back to his home village of
Bikfaya to be buried.

The funeral procession passed the street in an Armenian area in north
Beirut where his bullet-riddled car was yesterday towed away by
forensic examiners.

Lebanese security officials believe three gunmen were involved in the
assassination on Tuesday.

They are thought to have fired up to 30 rounds from an automatic
weapon fitted with a silencer into Mr Gemayel’s driver’s-side window,
killing both him and a bodyguard, before fleeing in a dark-coloured
4WD, possibly a Honda Sports utility.

The UN has agreed to supply investigators to help with the probe.

The world body is already looking into 14 other apparently
politically motivated attacks in Lebanon since the death of former
prime minister Rafik Hariri. All of those killed were outspoken
anti-Syria figures.

Syria has strongly denied any involvement in the killing, claiming it
was counter-productive to its interests at a time when the US was
reaching out to Damascus, after three years of refusing to deal with
any senior Syrian figure.

Suspicions within the military tribunal that prosecutes terrorist
cases in Lebanon is falling on rogue elements in the Syrian regime
that left Lebanon 18 months ago after an iron-fisted 30-year rule.

Syrian regime elements have been heavily implicated in the killing in
March last year of Mr Hariri and were due to face more pressure from
the formation of an international tribunal to prosecute alleged
conspirators.

The tribunal is due to be ratified by the Lebanese parliament next
week.

Mr Siniora yesterday called for the six pro-Hezbollah ministers who
resigned from his cabinet last week to rejoin the Government and
defuse the crisis, which threatens to bring down the administration.

"There is an opportunity for us today to unite our stand on many
issues that bring us together, including the international tribunal,
which is the only path towards revealing the true crimes that have
targeted the Lebanese," he said.

Since Mr Gemayel’s death, Mr Siniora has been clinging to a slender
majority of two MPs. However he appeared to receive a lift yesterday
when one minister who quit the cabinet earlier in the year offered to
rejoin.

Hezbollah, which had been quiet after Mr Gemayel’s death, yesterday
claimed his killing had been orchestrated to force the Shia bloc to
rejoin the cabinet.

It had hoped to pressure the Government into resigning by taking to
the streets in similar numbers to those that turned out on Thursday.

The Lebanese cabinet is expected to convene today to approve the
final draft for the international tribunal, which could start hearing
evidence as early as January.

Mr Lahoud, who is opposed to the tribunal, said he would not respond
to his critics during the mourning period for Mr Gemayel.

World leaders have called for calm in Lebanon, which has been in
political torpor since the end of the summer war that Hezbollah
fought with Israel.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan described the situation in Lebanon as
delicate and very fragile.

"We should all do whatever we can to support the Lebanese people and
the Government and encourage them to stand unified," he said.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Moscow and Ankara – Double Task for EU
24.11.2006 16:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the end of 2006 the European
Union experiences complex relations with its two major
eastern neighbors – Russia and Turkey, reports Le
Monde. On one hand, the EU aspires to conclude a new
agreement on partnership but runs across a rejection
to ratify an energy charter that could make Turkey’s
market open. On the other hand, the EU tries to
successfully complete the membership talks, which are
impeded by the unsettled Cypriot issue. Ankara has not
opened its air and sea ports for Cyprus despite the
protocol on customs union. According to Charles Grant,
the director of the Center for European Reform, Russia
and Turkey have much in common. Both states stand with
one foot in Asia and the other in Europe. Both states
doubt their European identity imposed by modernists
and rejected by traditionalists.

The dissimilarity of the EU member states tie-up its
actions tearing it between tough positions of some
states and indulgence of the others. Actually both
Russia and Turkey are nor `suitable’ partners and the
ties between the two states have strengthened.

This reconciliation coincided with the consolidation
of anti-European mood, which doesn’t contribute
resumption of dialogue. That is why the EU should find
a way to resume trust relationship with both neighbors
and Europeans will need mastership and decisiveness to
come out of the deadlock. Be Turkey an EU member or
not, the final goal of the Europeans is to create
zones of peace and cooperation at the border with the
Moslem world. Ankara and Moscow can play a significant
role in realization of this plan but only in case they
are deeply engaged in the European politics, reports InoSMI.