DAVID NALBANDIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN ATP TOURNAMENT IN BUENOS AIRES
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
17.12.2009 12:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Argentinean tennis player of Armenian descent David
Nalbandian confirmed his participation in ATP tournament to be held in
Buenos Aires from February 14 to 21. The prize fund of the tournament
is $600 000, championat.ru reported.
Nalbandian, who comes 64th in the ATP World Ranking, has recently
recovered from an injury.
GALUST SAHAKYAN: NOT RATIFICATION OF PROTOCOLS BUT FAVORABLE OUTCOME IMPORTANT FOR ARMENIA
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
17.12.2009 14:40 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 2009 was a politically intense year for Armenia,
RPA parliamentary group leader Galust Sahakyan said.
"Although the opposition and authorities expressed polar views about
Armenia’s future, no special changes were observed. We were able
to resist both economic and political challenges," he told a news
conference on Thursday.
As to Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, the politician noted that not
ratification of protocols but favorable outcome is important for
Armenia. "Turkey too, is interested in normalizing ties with Armenia
since it may help EU accession process," he said.
Mr. Sahakyan also levelled criticism at Armenian media which does
not demonstrate a public-oriented approach. "The situation can be
settled on legislative level," he said.
ARDF PROMISES ‘STORMY’ JANUARY TO ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
14.12.2009 14:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ ARF Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary group head Vahan
Hovhannisyan voiced hope for some clearing up in the Armenian-Turkish
process before consideration of protocols on normalization of relations
between the two countries in the RA Constitutional Court on January
12, 2010.
He also informed that in January Dashnaktsutyun will launch a series
of protest actions to prevent ratification of protocols which contain
preconditions.
Asked about probability of ratification of protocols by Turkish
parliament, Mr. Hovhannisyan said, "After blackmailing Armenia for
a while, Turkey will ratify the documents."
AZERIS OF FRANCE STAGE PROTEST IN FRONT OF EURONEWS OFFICE
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.12.2009 15:53 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijanis staged a protest in the city of Lyon,
France, on December 11 in connection with a Euronews TV report on
Nagorno Karabakh. The action involved more than 50 young Azerbaijanis
residing in France.
40 slogans in English and French were drawn for the action, 1news.az
reported.
Azerbaijanis’ "indignation" was caused by the Euronews TV report on
Nagorno Karabakh titled "Nagorno-Karabakh – the wind of change". The
author of the reportage called Karabakh the original Armenian land.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry protested the Euronews television
channel management, threatening of possible problems with the channel’s
broadcasting in Azerbaijan.
ARMENIAN OPEN PROGRAMMING CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS TO BE GRANTED AMD1000 000
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.12.2009 19:51 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The winners of Armenian open programming championship
2009 (AOPC-2009) will be announced on December 14. The championship was
organized by Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Microsoft Company, and
Slavonian University, aiming to discover talented young programmers.
The championship hosted 80 participants out of 120 registered. The
final tour of competitions will be held on December 13, with the best
participants to compete in teams. The winning team will be awarded
a prize of AMD 1000 000.
SECOND BUILDING OF NATIONAL BUREAU OF EXPERTISE OPENS IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Dec 9, 2009
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The opening ceremony of the second
building of the Armenian National Bureau of Expertise took place in
Yerevan on December 8. The U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch
and the Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepian participated
in the ceremony.
The building has been repaired and equipped with modern fire alarm,
telephone, and security systems thanks to 1 million 275 thousand
dollars invested by the U.S. government under the narcotics control
and law enforcement project.
In the words of A. Hovsepian, the National Bureau of Expertise,
which is not subordinate to any department and therefore is free from
pressure, is now in its development stage. It was mentioned that from
the financial, technical and scientific point of view, Armenia would
not be able to found and develop the Bureau without the assistance
of the U.S. government.
"Today we can already say that work of the National Bureau of Expertise
greatly helps us to collect evidence in criminal and civil cases,
eventually – to disclose crimes and hold those guilty accountable," the
RA prosecutor general declared. He underlined that a few years ago only
several dozen expert examinations were made, whereas now their number
has reached several thousand (24 kinds of forensic examinations).
M. Yovanovitch said that the national security and prosperity of any
country depends on the rule of law and fair administration of justice,
whereas there can be no justice without material evidence. According
to her, the National Bureau of Expertise is one of Armenia’s leading
institutions engaged in impartial expert analysis of material
evidence and thus supporting justice and the rule of law for the
people of Armenia.
KARABAKH ‘MAIN ISSUE’ OF ERDOGAN-OBAMA TALKS, SAYS DAVUTOGLU
Asbarez
Dec 8th, 2009
BAKU (Today.az)-The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was "a main issue" in
Monday’s talks between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and
US President Barack Obama, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
was quoted by the Azeri Today.az news portal as saying in an interview
on Tuesday.
"This [Nagorno-Karabakh] was a main issue. Turkey is very interested
in explaining to the Obama administration the sensitive points of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Davutoglu said.
Davutoglu said he spoke with Azeri diplomats on the matter before
Erdogan made his trip to Washington. "We communicate with them very
often," he said, referring to Ankara’s ongoing efforts to leverage
its negotiations with Armenia to secure a resolution of the Karabakh
favoring Azerbaijan. "We want to tell the Azerbaijani people – you
can be sure we are with you."
"I have repeatedly stated and I want to reiterate that the process of
normalizing Armenia-Turkey relations has been and will be a catalyst
to keeping the Nagorno-Karabakh process in the international arena.
Our attempts were directed at this," Davutoglu said.
"It is important for Turkey that the Obama Administration focuses its
attention on this topic," Erdogan said. "We have seen strong interest
in Washington in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."
Davutoglu said Erdogan told Obama that Turkey cannot normalize
relations with Armenia and "achieve lasting peace in the region
without resolving the Karabakh issue first."
Davutoglu also downplayed a recent spat between Turkey and Azerbaijan
over the price of natural gas, saying it was not a divisive issue
between the two countries, which "speak with one voice on a number
of issues."
"I think the problem between our countries relating to transit prices
is solvable. We soon will find a solution," he said. "Our delegation
is discussing this topic with Azerbaijan today."
CONDOLENCES TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE PEOPLE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
M onday, 7 December 2009
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan sent a message of condolences to RF
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the tragedy that took place in Perm.
The cable reads in part:
"On behalf of the Government and the people of Armenia, I extend
sincere condolences on the tragedy that took place in Perm on December
5. We join the people of Russia and mourn the tragic killing of more
than one hundred people.
Please give my sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of
the victims."
TURKEY IS PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT OF THE PROBLEM, SAYS ITS EU MINISTER
Penki
Dec 4 2009
Italy
Turkey’s progress this year on the path to EU accession was debated
by its EU affairs minister and chief negotiator Egemen Bagis and
Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on 2 December. His visit coincided
with the committee’s first discussion of a draft report on Turkey by
Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP, NL).
Given the challenges that the EU faces – such as energy security,
climate change, and economic crisis – "Turkey is committed to
contribute to the solutions and is not part of the problem", Turkish
Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis told the
Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr Bagis_ reaffirmed Turkey’s determination to pursue the EU accession
process, as demonstrated by its 4-year national reform programme,
despite the fact that negotiations on several issues had been halted
by Turkey’s failure to apply to Cyprus the Additional Protocol to
the Ankara Agreement.
Copenhagen criteria
EP rapporteur on Turkey Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP, NL) stressed that even
though Turkey had passed laws relevant to the Copenhagen political
criteria, it was still doing too little to implement them, particularly
in the areas of women’s rights and non-discrimination.
She also asked what Turkey would do to enable the ratification of the
protocol with Armenia, to which Mr Bagis_ replied that "Turkey wants
to move forwards and have good relations with all its neighbours".
Asked by Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (ALDE, DE) when Turkey will achieve
a breakthrough on constitutional reform, Mr Bagis_ replied "because
2010 will be a year without elections in Turkey, the government will
try to reach a consensus with the opposition in order to enable the
constitutional reform".
Bilateral issues
"How can Turkey continue to move towards the EU if it does not
solve its bilateral issues?" asked Marietta Giannakou (EPP, EL),
in a reference to Cyprus. "Why are you maintaining the status quo on
occupation of Cyprus?" asked Takis Hadjigeorgiou (GUE/NGL, CY).
"Regarding Cyprus, it takes two to tango" replied Mr Bagis_, adding
that "the final solution must be based on equality".
Maria Eleni Koppa (S&D, EL) criticised Turkey’s violation of Greek
air space in the Aegean sea. "We need to start exploratory talks to
define air space", replied Mr Bagis_.
Readmission agreement
"Illegal immigration is not just a Greek and Turkish issue, but
a European one" and the EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement must be
concluded on the principle of "common burden sharing", said Mr Bagis
in reply to questions from several MEPs. For several decades, Turkish
goods have been able to move freely within the EU, whereas Turkish
citizens cannot, he added.
Religious minority rights
Commenting on debate over the Swiss referendum decision to ban the
building of minarets and the problems still faced by religious
minorities in Turkey, Mr Bagis_ said that "Turkey is a place of
co-existence and has a history of more than 800 years in which
different cultures live together."
Afghanistan
Replying to a question from Geoffrey Van Orden (ECR, UK) as to whether
Turkey intends to reinforce its troops in Afghanistan, Mr Bagis_ noted
that for the third time, his country was leading the International
Security Assistance Force command and "if all members of NATO decide
to increase participation, Turkey will not differ on that."
Iran
Elmar Brok (EPP, DE) asked about developments in Iran and Turkey’s
possible involvement in exporting nuclear materials. Mr Mr Bagis_
stressed the importance if dialogue with Iran, adding that "if Iran
had nuclear weapons we would be more worried then you are."
The Boston Phoenix
December 2, 2009
-Turkish-and-Mediterranean-Cuisine/
Pasha
Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine
A fantastically long list of Turkish delights
By ROBERT
NADEAU | December 2, 2009
3.0 Stars
GOLDEN PLATTER: The mixed kebab platter offers a good way to sample
the endless list of entrées. Its beef steak, lamb, and chicken are all
recommended.
Even without enormous evidence, the Nadeau family has decided that
"Turkish food never lets you down." Louise likes to grab lunch
downtown at Boston Kebab House – Maurice prefers Allston’s Saray-
and Stephanie and her school friends enjoy Brookline Family
Restaurant. Now there is newcomer Pasha, a mile or so into Arlington,
which is possibly the best of all. It certainly has the longest menu,
frequently pausing to boast that a dish is unique to this spot. Not
for long, I hope. Not everything is brilliant, but, well, you know,
Turkish food never lets you down.
Meals start with cut-up pieces of that wonderfully soft Turkish
not-so-flatbread with sesame seeds, and small dips of yogurt and nuts
(hidieri)- "spicy mashed vegetables" (acili ezme), sort of a
tomato-onion chutney with pomegranate- and something sour like
cherry vinegar.
These nibbles inspired us to order the mixed appetizer plate ($13.95),
which got us lots more acili ezme ($4.95/à la carte) and hidieri
($4.95), as well as brilliant fresh hummus ($4.95) ground with
cumin. I didn’t like the platter’s smokeless babghannouj ($5.95) so
well, but did enjoy a spicy tabouleh ($5.25) red with pomegranate and
slices of stuffed vine leaves ($5.95) with the real tang of grape
leaves. If you order only one cold appetizer, go with the spicy mashed
vegetables. We also had fried calamari ($8.95), which were fresh, a
little under-fried, and not crisp, but served on lots of salad.
The list of entrées is endless. We covered a key category thoroughly
with the mixed kebab platter ($19.95). What jumped out was the beef
steak ($13.95/à la carte), though the lamb ($15.95) and chicken
($12.95) were right there. Another key morsel was the grilled meatball
($13.95), well-spiced but not to the point of suggesting sausage. A
baby lamb chop ($15.95) was overdone on the mixed platter. The bulgur
pilaf, with a meaty flavor, is the pick of the starch options.
A special our night was kadin budu köfte ($13.95), translated as
"ladies’ thighs meatballs." This is metaphor rather than simile, as
the meat comes in four patties, but is tender and veal colored, made
of ground beef and lamb. It comes garnished with two small balls of
real, medium-grain Turkish rice and salad.
>From an odd menu of pastas, one must not overlook the manti ($13.95),
lamb cigars wrapped in incredibly soft fresh pasta – softer even than
chow fun – in a dual sauce of creamy yogurt and buttery tomato. It
isn’t pretty, and tends to drip on one’s clothes (my clothes, anyway),
but is awfully good eating.
Pasha has a fine selection of Turkish wines among a solid worldwide
list. Although wines from an Islamic country seem unlikely, Turkish
wine has both an ancient history and a newer history that goes back to
the modernizing regimes of the early 20th century. We went for the
most expensive red: Kavaklidere (turkey’s largest winery) Kalecik
Karasi (that’s the grape variety), a $49.95 wine from the hot year of
2005. What the heck? If you’re having your first bottle of Turkish
wine, it might as well be the best they make. Was 2005 as good in
Turkey as it was in Bordeaux? I don’t happen to carry a Turkish
vintage card. I can say with confidence, though, that this bottle
deserves a slight chill. At American room temperature, it has a
terrific cherry aroma, but, perhaps with a lot of oak aging, is a
rather light wine with a little too much alcohol to serve warm.
Turkish coffee ($2.95), served in a cup smaller than some shot
glasses, was intense and delicious. Turkish tea ($1), in a small but
tall glass as my Romanian aunts used to drink it, was excellent- as
was apple-flavored tea ($1), presented similarly. (Political note:
reconciliation is in the air. When we asked our server where to get
Turkish tea for home use, she suggested the Armenian groceries in
Watertown.)
Despite long histories of tea and coffee drinking, Turkey does not
have the sweetest desserts on the planet. Baked rice pudding ($3.95)
is one of the best around, likewise the double piece of baklava
($4.95). Kazandibi ($3.95), a stodgy caramel pudding in my past
experience, was better here, but not as good as the rice pudding.
The room has been hung with fine fabrics and good wall paintings-
one can hardly detect that this space formerly housed a Turkish-owned
sushi bar! A little blond wood and some wave-pattern stucco might be
remnants of that truly odd piece of restaurant history. Why would
someone who eats manti and baklava at home want to operate a sushi
bar? It would be like a Viennese pastry chef running a fish and
chipper in Belfast. Or a Chinese master chef investing in a string of
Kansas pizza parlors.
The servers are clad in red satin vests with gold embroidery- the
background music – sounds like a romantic violin concerto – is
Sufi. The plasma TV doesn’t have American sports- it has a looped
Turkish tourist video with panoramic shots of beaches – no focus on
individual bathers. It takes an old-fashioned attitude to sustain
dishes like "ladies’ thighs meatballs."
Somewhere in a back room, a crate of chopsticks is gathering dust.
Robert Nadeau can be reached at [email protected].