Author: Nalchajian Markos

MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON ARMENIAN-BELARUSIAN COOPERATION IN HIGH AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES SECTORS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. A memorandum on the
Armenian-Belarusian cooperation in the high and information
technologies sectors was signed on October 23 during the visit of the
delegation headed by the Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorski to
Armenia. Aram Vardanian, Director of the company Viasphere Technopark,
said during a talk with reporters that formerly Armenia cooperated
with several Russian high-tech and IT companies and with Intergral
(Minsk). In his words, there are many directions in the sector that can
be developed jointly, by using the existing potential. Particularly,
the matter concerns the organization of a big joint production with the
use of singe-crystal silicon technologies, especially as this product
is in great demand on the international market. Valeri Tsepkalo,
Director of Belarus’ High Technologies Park, noted the existence of a
peculiar tax regime for creation of technoparks in Belarus. Besides,
there are many young specialists in the country: 26 thousand students
specialize in this field annually. By the way, there is one technopark
in Belarus, whereas in Armenia their number makes about 20.

Embassy Of The United States
Yerevan, Armenia

Remarks for U.S. OSCE Ambassador Julie Finley — as delivered
OSCE Office in Yerevan — TIP Training Seminar
October 19, 2006, 9:30am

It is very nice to have the opportunity to talk with you. This is an
important training seminar on the fight against Trafficking in Persons.
There is no country in the world–including the United States–which can say
it has solved the problem of Trafficking in Persons. Some may be doing more
or having more success than others, but it is a global problem that we all
share and must fight together.
It is heartening to see the talent and dedication of the people gathered in
this room; however, we remain concerned about the status of the
anti-trafficking program in Armenia. Armenia´s National Action Plan on
trafficking is due to expire at the end of this year, and a new Action Plan
must be drafted to replace it. According to the Foreign Minister earlier
this week, the government intends to upgrade Armenia´s inter-agency
anti-trafficking committee to a more senior level and designate a minister
to coordinate its activities. This would be a most welcome step.
Armenia has been on the United States Government´s Tier 2 Watch List for two
years now. That means, unfortunately, that Armenia’s work in this area has
not been sufficient. And it also means that, by law, the United States State
Department must provide an interim assessment of Armenia´s anti-trafficking
efforts to Congress by February 1st, 2007.
We believe we have been doing our part to help. The United States has funded
a number of anti-trafficking programs through the OSCE Office here, through
International Organization for Migration and through the United States
Embassy directly. These efforts have included support to an NGO victims’
shelter, training for judicial and consular officials, and legislative help,
to name a few examples. We will continue to provide a range of
anti-trafficking assistance to Armenia, but international assistance alone
cannot solve the problem. The Armenian government must be fully engaged.
We are particularly worried about allegations that some public officials may
be in league with traffickers. These allegations were mentioned specifically
in this year´s Trafficking in Persons report, which states . quote . "The
government failed to vigorously investigate and prosecute ongoing and
widespread allegations of public officials´ complicity and trafficking." end
quote.
Armenia´s position on the Tier 2 Watch List is precarious. If Armenia does
not address the concerns mentioned, it risks a Tier Three ranking. We hope,
however, that Armenia will show the serious and significant efforts needed
to graduate from the Watch List–and, more importantly, be more successful
in putting a stop to this terrible practice.
We hope you find the seminar today to be informative and useful. Thank you
very much for your hard work in the cause of human dignity.

TURKEN UND ARMENIER
Dietrich Alexander

Welt am Sonntag
15. Oktober 2006

Die Nachricht: Die franzosische Nationalversammlung hat die Leugnung
des Volkermords an den Armeniern im Jahr 1915 unter Strafe gestellt.

Zugleich erhielt der turkische Autor Orhan Pamuk den
Literaturnobelpreis. Der 54-Jahrige ist in seiner Heimat wegen seines
Einsatzes fur die Meinungsfreiheit und seiner Aussagen zu Kurden und
Armeniern umstritten.

Der KommentaR: Eine schlechte Woche fur die turkischen
Nationalisten, die vom Strafgesetzparagrafen 301 nicht lassen
wollen, der "Diffamierung des Turkentums" unter Strafe stellt. Was
alles so darunter subsumiert wird, ist abenteuerlich und eines
EU-Beitritts-aspiranten unwurdig. Selbst Orhan Pamuk, der mit
seinen Werken "Die weiße Festung", "Rot ist mein Name" und "Schnee"
internationale Bekanntheit erlangte, stand wegen dieses "Delikts"
vor Gericht. Dass das Nobelpreiskomitee ihm den Preis zuerkannte,
ist mutig und außergewohnlich politisch. Der Muslim und Sakularist ist
kein "Landesverrater", wie ihn nationalistische Kreise in der Turkei
zeihen. Er entwirft ein literarisch anspruchsvolles Bild seiner Heimat,
das schmerzhaft und ehrlich ist. Die Turkei sollte stolz auf ihn sein.

Und sie sollte sich als Rechtsnachfolgerin des Osmanischen Reiches
offen ihrer Vergangenheit stellen, auch wenn sie schmerzhaft ist
wie die Wahrheiten in Pamuks Buchern. Es ist jedoch zweifelhaft, ob
sie sich von außen dazu drangen lasst. Insofern ist die Entscheidung
(eines Funftels) der Pariser Nationalversammlung kontraproduktiv und
vor allem fur die Armenier wenig hilfreich.

–Boundary_(ID_Anp78KcnUqtzdZTNJAfUAA) —

Â"PROSPEROUS ARMENIAÂ"; DISPENSING POTATOES

Aravot.am
20 Oct 06

"Prosperous Armenia" Party, which has adopted a policy for developing
rural communities, has launched the winter wheat dispensing program in
10 regions of Armenia. Leader of the Party Gagik Tsaroukian has assured
that this won’t be the last initiative for the rural development and
he kept his promise. The representatives of the party have learned
from the different regions that the villagers need in the necessity
of changing potato sowing. Taking into consideration the villagers’
desire, the program of dispensing high quality potato sowing was
kicked off by the initiative of the leader of "PA" Party.

–Boundary_(ID_TL9IpAuJEObaYF4bpqhUEQ)–

Once again Marios Garoyan is trying to write history.

;c ID=4&pID=87&s=2
18-10-2006

After becoming the first Armenian Cypriot Parliamentarian he is
contesting for the new leadership of the ruling Democratic Party
(Diko), following President Papadopoulos’ decision to step down two
months ago. On the 7th of October during a special political congress
President Papadopoulos gave his farewell speech and resigned.

For the new leadership, two candidates will fight it out on October
22 2006, Nicos Cleanthous MP and Marios Garoyan MP.

Garoyan described his nomination as one of "Collectivity and consensus
with perspective." and added "Diko has the background, the manpower and
the capabilities to become a modern flexible and pluralistic party,
and above all a party that presents the right image and articulates
modern political talk."

>From his part, Nicos Cleanthous, who has been acting party president
for the past 8 years, said that the party needs "Collectivity,
solidarity and unity". "Those who want to be leaders must be
accompanied by courage, sincerity, reliability, dedication, solidarity,
humility and generosity". He added.

Referring to his rival candidate Marios Garoyan he said that his
presence "Strengthened the party convention and gives grace to the
electoral contest."

At this point is should be mentioned that Marios Garoyan officially
reported that his Armenian origin is been exploited by some Diko
members.

According to Diko General Secretary, Vasilis Palmas, about 13,000
Diko members with a voting right are expected to attend the electoral
congress.

The voting will take place in all districts of the island.

If Cleanthous succeeds, the post of Deputy President will be vacant,
an election process is expected to follow for the post and other
vacated offices.

Hayem.org wishes all the best to Marios Garoyan MP.

A PRIZE SLIPPING AWAY

The Independent (London)
October 17, 2006 Tuesday
Fourth Edition

Turkey’s bid to enter the European Union received a double blow last
week. First came the parking of talks on Ankara’s membership after
objections by Greece and Cyprus. And then there was the vote by the
French Assembly to outlaw the denial of the Armenian genocide by the
troops of the Ottoman Empire some 90 years ago.

EU foreign ministers met yesterday with their Turkish counterpart to
repair some of the damage. But the real diplomatic crunch will come
next month when a report is due from the EU’s enlargement minister
on Turkey’s progress in implementing reforms since membership talks
began a year ago. If the report criticises Ankara’s refusal to open
Turkish ports to Cypriot ships and planes, as expected, EU leaders
at their next summit may decide to freeze entry negotiations entirely.

Once frozen, they would be very hard to re-start.

Pessimism over future enlargement is widespread. At the weekend
the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso,
gave the most downbeat official assessment yet of Turkey’s chances
of membership. He argued that it could be up to two decades before
Turkey is in a position to join. In the past the official line has
been that the process would take 15 years at most.

We learn that the French President, Jacques Chirac, has apologised to
the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the provocatively
timed vote on the Armenian genocide by French deputies hostile to
Turkey’s bid. And with the ruling party against the bill, it is highly
unlikely to become law. But the damage has been largely done.

The French vote has played into the hands of Turkish nationalists
who argue that Europe does not really want Turkey in its cosy club.

Pro-European Turks are finding it increasingly difficult to argue
that "concessions" over Cyprus, Kurdish rights, and stronger ties
with Armenia are worth it. The Turkish government will now find it
impossible to recognise Cyprus before elections next year, for fear
of looking weak. A great prize could be slipping away. It would be
a great boost for Europe – ideologically and materially – if it were
to incorporate a predominantly Muslim country within its borders. And
in the meantime, Europe has a valuable opportunity to promote human
rights, free speech and a liberal economy in a land that borders
the Middle East. If Turkey is not politically engaged with Europe,
none of this can take place.

The rejectionists, both in Europe and Turkey, are in the ascendancy.

That spells trouble, not just for Turkey’s ambitions, but for Europe’s
future as a progressive and inclusive political force.

CROONER AZNAVOUR TAPS CUBAN RHYTHMS

The West Australian, Australia
Oct 18 2006

At the age of 82, French crooner Charles Aznavour is still looking
for new ways to capture an audience and has turned to the hot rhythms
of Cuban music to convey his songs.

Aznavour teamed up with Latin jazz piano virtuoso Chucho Valdes to
record 11 songs, Aznavour said before heading home after eight days
in a Havana studio.

His new offerings include songs about environmental degradation and
last year’s race riots in France.

"To have Cuban music with such lyrics will draw us closer to the
public. It’s not a question of selling records but of conveying ideas
to people, not political but important human ideas," he said at a
news conference.

It is not Aznavour’s first encounter with Cuban musicians.

In 1999, he recorded the song Morir de amor (Dying of Love) with the
late Compay Segundo of Buena Vista Social Club fame.

"That was a marvelous experience. Between smiles, cigars and music
we managed a duet," said the blazer-clad singer.

Born in Paris of Armenian immigrants, the raspy-voiced Aznavour was
discovered by Edith Piaf in the 1940s.

His breakthrough in America was not on the stage but on the screen
in Francois Truffaut’s 1960 film, Shoot The Piano Player.

Ray Charles, Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby sang songs written by
Aznavour.

"Songs are a powerful weapon. Important statements disappear from
the newspaper the next day, but songs remain. They penetrate walls
and keep important ideas alive in the human spirit," he said.

Aznavour’s new record, scheduled for release by EMI early next year,
was recorded in Havana’s Abdala studio with Chucho Valdes and musicians
from his Iraquere band.

MONUMENT DEDICATED TO MEMORY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS DEFILED IN FRANCE

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 17 2006

CHAVILLE, OCTOBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The monument
dedicated to memory of the Armenian Genocide victims was defiled by
vandals on early October 14, in Chaville, suburb of Paris. As Marmara
states quoting monk Grigor Khachatrian, the spiritual pastor of the
Saint Gregory the Illuminator church of Chaville, they stole the
bronze cross placed in the center of the monument.

The monument, erected on October 5, 2002, with resources of the
community members, symbolizes with its twelve columns 12 old Armenian
colonies, as well as both Masises, and the pivotal part makes a binding
of bronze letters that looks like a cross in the central part, what
was, factually, stolen.

The local authorities as well as police representatives believe that
the monument was stolen for its metal value, thus, the police does not
see a political motive in it, but Armenians consider interesting that
it was stolen in almost two days after the votion for the French draft
(fixing punishment for denial of the Armenian Genocide).

After the liturgy celebrated at the Saint Gregory the Illuminator
Church of Chaville on October 15, those present directed towards the
monument to condemn the mentioned deed. Deputy Jean-Jacques Guillet,
Mayor Jean Levain, representatives of the Mayor’s Office and regional
administration as well as the population of Chaville were present.

The Mayor and the Deputy not only condemned at the monument the
happened, but also promised in a short time to restore in the same
way the monument valueable for Armenians in the symbolic sense,
using resources of the Mayor’s Office and the Regional Council General.

The Turkish press stated touching upon that theme that the Police
continues examination but was not able to check any trace.

ARMENIA ARMED FORCES FIRES ON AZERBAIJANI POSITIONS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 17 2006

Armenian Armed Forces continue to violate the ceasefire, Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry press service told the APA.

Armenian Armed Forces units in one km north -east of occupied Sarijali
village of Aghdam region fired on opposite positions of Azerbaijan
Armed Forces with submachine beginning from 23.30 to 23.35 on October
16. The enemy was silenced by response fire. No casualty was reported.

Armenian Armed Forces also violated the ceasefire in Fuzuli front,
APA Garabagh bureau reports. Armenian Armed Forces units in occupied
Mehdili village of Jebrail region fired on opposite positions of
Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Jojug Mercanli village of Jebrail region
with submachine for 15 minutes beginning from 21.40. The enemy was
silenced by response fire. No casualty was reported.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
October 13, 2006 Friday 3:04 PM EST

NEWS FEATURE: Nobel Literature Prize causes mixed emotions in Turkey

Ingo Bierschwale, dpa

DPA CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT Turkey Nobel Literature NEWS FEATURE:
Nobel Literature Prize causes mixed emotions in Turkey Ingo
Bierschwale, dpa Istanbul
After Orhan Pamuk became the first Turkish author
to be awarded the Nobel Literature Prize, there were no masses taking

to the streets, no Turkish flags blowing in the wind, and no

cavalcades of honking fans.

Quite a few people in Turkey, however, joyfully jumped into the
air when they heard the Nobel committee’s decision Thursday from
Stockholm. Others followed suit, jumped out of their seats, and were
about to clap, before they realized what was going on and sat down
again in dismay. Others yet remained immobile, perplexed.

"We should applaud Orhan Pamuk like we have applauded our national
football team when they came third in the World Cup, like we
applauded the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, Sertab Erener,"
the tabloid Sabah commented Friday.

"An author who writes in Turkish and who has emerged from our
midst has won the Nobel Literature Prize. Full stop. The End!," the
newspaper commented.

Many Turkish newspaper columnists, however, seemed to be suffering
Friday. "If only he had not said those words which have wounded our
hearts deeply," Ertugrul Ozkok, editor in chief of Hurriyet wrote.

Ozkok was referring to Pamuk’s remarks that during World War I
"one million Armenians were killed" in the Ottoman Empire, opening
old wounds in his Turkish homeland.

"We are angry at Pamuk because our Turkish soul weighs heavy in
us, but for the same reason we are also proud he won the highest
literary award," Ozkok wrote.

Like the editor-in-chief of Hurriyet, many asked themselves the
question why they weren’t able to "just be happy" for Pamuk.

"Has the West chosen Pamuk, not because he is a Turk, but because
he defends the West’s theses better than the West itself?" a
columnist in another newspaper asked, concluding that "at least he
wrote his novels in Turkish, even if his thoughts are not Turkish."

Others commented that Turkey was in dire need of more democratic
debate. But "criticising in the name of justice and democracy is one
thing, and selling out your own country in order to sell books and
gain worldwide fame is another," commented the left-leaning daily
Milliyet.

There was also some unreserved approval. "Turkey will in the
future be regarded as the country of Orhan Pamuk," the liberal-
leaning Radical said. "Once again, world attention will focus on
Turkey, Turkish literature and Orhan Pamuk’s city, Istanbul. Pamuk is

an honour for our language, our literature and our country."

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also saw Pamuk’s award in a positive
light. The Turkish political debate over the author would soon be
forgotten. Much more significant was the worldwide resonance of the
Literature Nobel Prize awarded to a Turkish author, he deemed.
Oct 1306 1504 GMT