Author: Tumanian Talar

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN ENDS HIS STATE VISIT TO HUNGARY

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.11.2009 20:56 GMT+04:0

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During his visit to Budapest, Hungary, President
Serzh Sargsyan met with Hungarian parliament speaker, Prime Minister
and cardinal.

Meeting with parliament speaker Bela Katona focused on a range of issue
concerning interparliamentary relations. Parties attached importance
to development of interparliamentary ties and close cooperation within
international and interparliamentary structures.

During the meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai, parties
considered possibilities of boosting trade economic cooperation.

Upon Hungarian official’s request, Mr. Sargsyan briefed on Armenia’s
position on Armenian-Turkish rapprochement and Karabakh settlement
process. Premier Bajnai expressed his country’s support to the current
normalization process and welcomed recently signed Armenian-Turkish
Protocols.

During the meeting with Cardinal Peter Erdõ, Serzh Sargsyan touched
upon common historical-cultural features and ties between Armenian
and Hungarian peoples.

Upon ending his visit to Hungary, Armenian President carried out a
short working visit to Kaliningrad region, Russia, by the invitation
of Kaliningrad governor, RA President’s press service reports.

gov.am, Armenia
Nov 8 2009

The Armenian high-tech industry congress started in San Jose (USA)as
attended by a Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan-headed delegation from
Armenia

The Prime Minister addressed the congress during the opening ceremony:
`High technologies continue to be an important part of economic
competition. In our capacity of a leader in the field of information
technologies, we wish to push ahead with the development of
bio-technologies, fundamental research, nuclear physics, green energy
and information services. Innovation, aspiration and active efforts
are pre-requisites to success.’ The Prime Minister referred to last
forum’s outcome, spoke about the efforts made so far to address the
tasks set previously, touched upon his government’s anti-crisis action
highlighting the infrastructure-focused projects, inclusive of the
North-South transport corridor, the new NPP, internet and computer
accessibility, pension reform and the activities of the National
Competitiveness Council. The head of government also spoke about the
establishment of Luys Foundation and All-Armenian Bank: `The
All-Armenian Bank has already been established in line with Armenia’s
legislation. A specialized company has been invited to assist us with
the design of a business plan.’ To begin with, the Bank will act as an
investment fund raising funds for national competitiveness-oriented
projects: `Though we cherish a more ambitious vision, namely to make
of it an institution serving pan-Armenian goals as the financial
dimension of the Armenian world,’ the Prime Minister noted.

Then Tigran Sargsyan headed to San Francisco to attend an event hosted
by the World Trade Council.

Next, the head of government traveled to Santa Clara where he met with
vice-president of Intel John Davies. Mr. Davies briefed Tigran
Sargsyan on his company’s four main development areas: accessibility,
development of communication facilities, education and training,
content of information services. Tigran Sargsyan said his government’s
programs are in harmony with Intel’s visions and went on to stress the
importance of joint educational endeavors covering the training of
computer literacy specialists and the furnishing of schools with
computers and internet accessibility. The parties evoked the
activities of the national council on information technology
development, as well as the government-operated changes to domestic
legislation aimed at ensuring rapid and continued expansion of the
sphere.

With reference to internet services, Tigran Sargsyan said that the
ongoing projects will ensure a breakthrough in this area. To provide
for continuity in the implementation of educational programs and the
agreements reached during the meeting, RA Minister of Economy Nerces
Yeritsyan was told to keep on negotiating with the Company on the
matters discussed.

The Armenian delegation discussed a broad range of issues with CEO of
Cisco John Chambers ` internet accessibility, providing Gyunri town
with a status of town of technologies, development of Armenia’s postal
system etc. The new cooperation areas were said to be able to open up
new possibilities for effective interaction.

Later on, the Prime Minister took part in a gala evening to celebrate
Craig Barrett, holder of a presidential award for significant global
contribution to the development of information technologies. In
conclusion, Tigran Sargsyan received the representatives of the
Armenian communities of San Francisco and answered numerous questions
asked by them.

CONTROVERSY OVER LARSI CHECKPOINT OPENING

The Messenger
Nov 6 2009
Georgia

The Larsi checkpoint is currently the only place at which a
Georgian-Russian land communication still exists, although it is not
functioning at the moment. There were three such points initially, one
at Psou on the Abkhazian segment of the Georgia-Russia border on the
Black Sea coast and the other at the Roki Tunnel, the northern entrance
of which officially belongs to Georgia but is now controlled by South
Ossetian separatists. The Psou and Roki checkpoints have not been
available for the Georgian Government for around 17-18 years. In 2006,
Russia unilaterally closed the Russian side of the Larsi checkpoint,
explaining that it needed to undertake reconstruction work there,
although Georgian analysts are almost unanimous in believing that this
was one of the many punitive steps taken by the Russian authorities
to punish ‘disobedient’ Georgia. Ironically, Russia’s most devoted
ally in the South Caucasus, Armenia, was also disadvantaged by this
step as the Larsi checkpoint was also the only place cargo to and
from Armenia could pass through.

Russia did not achieve its ends by punishing Georgia. It continued to
embrace the West despite this action but Armenia lost out. Today, the
issue of reopening this checkpoint is on the agenda. The Parliamentary
opposition is concerned about this possibility, and is demanding
that this issue be discussed at a Security Council session, but the
authorities are mostly positive about it. The main point of controversy
is whether it is appropriate to consider opening a checkpoint with
a country with which Georgia has no diplomatic relations, which is
occupying 1/5th of Georgia’s territory. Sceptics think that if the
checkpoint is opened the Russian propaganda machine would call this a
step in the normalisation of Georgia-Russia relations, and claim it is
an indirect recognition by Georgia of Russia’s position in the dispute
between the two countries, i.e. the "new reality" of two puppet regimes
running what it calls "sovereign states" on Georgian territory. The
Georgian leadership meanwhile tries to present the possible opening of
the border as a humanitarian gesture, being undertaken out of concern
for Armenia’s needs, although it has expressed no previous desire to
work with the Russians for the sake of Armenia.

We currently have the ridiculous situation in which the Georgian
Foreign Ministry says that it is not conducting negotiations with the
Russian side but with the Armenian side, whereas the Armenians are
negotiating with the Russians. Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze
briefed journalists about this on November 2. Moscow declared its
readiness to open the Larsi checkpoint back in May 2009, and Georgian
Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze then expressed Georgia’s readiness
to start negotiations on this topic. The Kremlin was not expecting
this reaction. Logically Tbilisi should have refused to countenance
negotiations, while the Russians would scream about Georgia’s inhumane
treatment of its Armenian neighbours, but maybe Tbilisi was smarter
than Moscow for once.

If the Larsi checkpoint is opened for Armenia’s sake this will
automatically have positive side effects for Georgia too, because the
vehicles loaded with goods will need to be serviced, so canteens,
petrol stations, hotels and so on could revive along the Georgian
Military Road. However the possibility poses a certain threat as well,
as the Christian Democrats pointed out at the Parliamentary plenary
session on November 3. MP Nika Laliashvili stated that North Caucasian
unrest might be imported into Georgia. Former head of the Border Police
Badri Bitsadze thinks that if the official structures do their jobs
properly there will be no such threat, but that might be a big if.

A decision on reopening the checkpoint should be taken in the near
future. Let us see what the consequences will be.

ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK FORECASTS INFLATION AT 5.4% IN 2009

Interfax
Nov 5 2009
Russia

Armenia’s Central Bank forecasts that inflation will total 5.4%
in 2009, according to figures contained in the bank’s fiscal policy
program for the fourth quarter of 2009.

The report points to risks that inflation could be higher or lower
than forecast, stemming from the pace of economic recovery and from
current low domestic prices due to declining prices for food and
commodities brought on by the global financial crisis.

On that basis, the Central Bank plans to hold the refinancing rate
steady at 5% annually, which will facilitate the fastest possible
economic recovery without upsetting price stability.

Armenia had 3.2% inflation in January-October, including 0.5% in
October, according to the report.

The Finance Ministry forecasts inflation this year at 3%-4% and the
World Bank – 6%. Armenia’s budget assumes inflation at 4% plus or
minus 1.5%.

Armenia had 5.2% inflation in 2008.

DETAILS OF PREPARATION OF YEREVAN FOR WINTER DISCUSSED IN MUNICIPALITY

ARKA
Nov 5, 2009

YEREVAN, November 5. / ARKA /. Details of the preparation of the
Armenian capital for the winter season were discussed in the Yerevan
mayor’s office in the presence of the mayor of Yerevan Gagik Beglaryan.

As it was noted in the press service of the city administration,
12 sanitary cleaning organizations with 254 units of machinery are
already prepared for the coming winter and the accumulation of salt
and sand is being continued.

In the process there are preparatory works for the restoration of
roofs and insulations in the entrances of the residential buildings.

These works are to be implemented until November 20. Issues related to
further expansion of the heating system of preschool and educational
institutions are also to be resolved.

In addition, the program for asphalting the yards in 2009 is still
taking place without any disruptions of the schedule and will be
completed in 2010.

At the same time, the restoration of street lighting network will
also begin.

The full coverage of light of subways will be completed in November
2009.

On behalf of the Mayor, the daily theatrical performances for
schoolchildren will soon be resumed.

The cost of the performances will be provided from the municipal
budget.

CHANGES IN RUSSIA’S POLICY TOWARDS YEREVAN TO LEAD TO REAL PROGRESS IN KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.11.2009 16:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Moscow’s policy towards Yerevan will lead to a
real breakthrough in Karabakh peace process, Richard Giragosyan,
Director of the Center for Strategic and National Studies, told a
seminar-discussion on "Armenian-Turkish diplomacy and Nagorno Karabakh:
Deal or no deal?". "For instance, Moscow’s pro-Armenian policy may
become neutral, leading to normalization of Russian-Azerbaijani
ties. Russia will show EU and US its readiness for more constructive
cooperation," expert noted.

According to him, such changes is the only factor Armenia is not
ready for. Giragosyan is convinced that if Russia really changes its
policy towards Karabakh issue, there will hardly be any response or
counterbalance by Yerevan.

OMBUDSMAN TO PRESENT REPORT IN NOVEMBER END

news.am
Nov 5 2009
Armenia

Report on the right to fair trial will be most probably ready by the
end of November, Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan told the journalists on
Nov. 5.

Asked whether when it will be made public, Harutyunyan replied, "The
experts are still working on the report that will also involve March
1 trials. However, it will not merely be devoted to March 1 events,
as we speak of the right to fair trial in Armenia in general. Once
it is completed, you will be informed of it."

The document is being translated into English, Ombudsmen noted. Asked
why is it translated and whether it means report should be sent
somewhere, Harutyunyan said, "We always make our reports in two
languages."

ORANGE ARMENIA OBTAINS LICENSE FOR RADIO FREQUENCIES

ArmInfo
2009-11-04 14:30:00

ArmInfo. By decision of the Public Services Regulatory Commission,
Orange Armenia has obtained license for use of radio frequencies.

The frequencies have been provided for 10years for organization
of radio relay links. The Company received 6 frequency bands –
18250/19260, 18305/19315, 18360/19370, 18415/19425. 18525/19535/ and
18580/19590, and it should activate them till February 1, 2010. The
rate of data transfer by communication lines will make up 155 x
2048 Kbit/sec.

Orange Armenia is subsidiary of France Telecom. The Company obtained
license for rendering of mobile communication services in Armenia in
November, 2008. Launch of the Company’s services has been scheduled
for November 5.

90 YEARS PASSED SINCE TRIAL OVER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ORGANIZERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2009 15:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ This year marks the 90th anniversary of trial over
leaders of Young Turks "Unity and Progress" party, who organized
Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire. After the Armistice of Mudros
(1918), new Turkish Government, under the leadership of Ahmet Izzet
Pasha (Pasa) made decision to hold Young Turks’ leaders accountable for
committing max extermination of Armenians and involving Ottoman Empire
in World War I. Ministers and leaders the party, district secretaries,
military servants and authorized individuals were arrested, Yerevan
Genocide Museum Institute says in a release, On January 8, 1919,
ad hoc military courts were established in Istanbul. Court session
focused on crimes committed by Young Turks.

Trial against them began on April 27, 1919 and lasted till June 26
with intervals. 31 senior officials and 1 party representative were
found guilty. On May 28, the British command unexpectedly exiled the
77 accused to Malta.

Verdict was returned on July 5, 1919. Turkey’s Interior Minister
and Chair of party’s central committee Talaat Pasha (Talaat Pasa),
Defense minister Enver Pasha (Enver Pasa), minister of military
and navy forces and Commander of 4th Turkish Army in Syria during
World War I Jamal Pasha (Cemal Pasa), and general education minister
Dr. Nazim Bay were sentenced to death in absentia. All the other 27
accused were sentenced to imprisonment. Still there were accused who
were acquitted for the lack of evidence.

ARF-Dashnaktutyun representative Sahan Natali elaborated and realized
Nemesis operation aimed at annihilating Turkish criminals, organizers
and perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide.

On May 15, 1921, Soghomon Tehleryan (Tehlirian) shot dead the former
Interior Minister Talaat in Berlin. In June 1921, Berlin Court
discharged Tehleryan.

On December 6, Arshavir Shirakyan killed former Premier of Young
Turks government Sayid Khalim Pasha.

On April 17, 1922 Arshavir Shirakyan and Aram Yerkanyan eliminated in
Berlin the former governor of Trebizond Jemal Azmi and the creator of
the criminal organization "Teshkilati Mahsusa" Behaetdin Shakir Pasha;
one of the guards of Shakir was also killed. A few months later Kemal
Pasha, Fourth Army commander, was shot dead in Tiflis.

On July 25, 1922 Petros Ter-Poghosyan and Artashes Gevorgyan carried
out the sentence against the former minister of the military and
naval forces of the Ottoman Empire Jamal. Zare Melik-Shahnazaryan
and Stepan Tsaghikyan took part in organizing the attempt.

In 1922, Enver Pasha was killed in Turkestan by a Red Army commander
Hakob Melkumov.

TURKISH MEDIA REPORTS ON ARMENIAN MEDIA PUBLISHING IN TURKISH

Tert
Nov 2 2009
Armenia

It is not unusual to see English and Russian versions of Armenian news
sites. But something unusual has started to occur recently, as some
news sites in Armenia have added a Turkish language section to their
pages, writes Yonca Poyraz Dogan in Turkish news source Today’s Zaman.

On the front page of Tert.am, the words, "Å~^imdi Turkce" or "Now in
Turkish" appear brightly colored in fuchsia. Just a click away, it
is possible to see the headline story on the Turkish page, which was
launched only a couple of weeks ago: "Prosperous Armenia Party Will
Vote against Protocol Ratification Only in Case of Preconditions." Two
advertisements also appear on Tert.am’s Turkish front page.

Sonya Apresova, an editor from Tert.am, said they have 12 percent
growth each day in page views of the Turkish section of the site and
that their visitors are not only from Turkey, but also from Armenia,
the United States and Europe, especially in Germany, where about 2.5
million people of Turkish decent live.

When it comes to their visitors from Turkey, Apresova said that they
are mostly from Ä°stanbul, but overall visitors from 16 cities have
checked out their Turkish portal, including Ankara, Adana, Bursa,
İzmir, Manisa, Antalya, Diyarbakır, Erzurum and Samsun.

"Our readers — mostly Armenians living in Turkey — used to send
us letters, asking if it was possible to translate some news into
Turkish. And now that the Turkish version exists, we’re getting a lot
of feedback. It’s always interesting for people living in Turkey to
get opinions from Armenia," said Apresova.

According to the article’s author, the pioneer in Turkish-language
websites in Armenia is Azg.am, which is the Web arm of the Azg Daily
newspaper.

Hagob Avedikian, editor-in-chief of Azg, said they have been publishing
a Turkish site along with their Armenian, English and Russian portals
since the establishment of their Web page six years ago.

He said when they started, they received various responses from their
readers, from "sound comments" to "curses."

Journalists from both Turkey and Armenia have been kept busy by
the tense nature of relations between the two countries, and they
increasingly feel the need to know what goes on in each other’s
countries as opposition in both sides fights the protocols.

"When there is a development in Turkey related to relations with
Armenia, I would like to know how it was reflected in Armenia," said
Demet Bilge Ergun, the news editor from Radikal daily. "I found out
that Tert.am had started publishing news in Turkish, and now I go to
that site every morning after reading the Turkish newspapers."

Erdinc Ergenc, an editor with Sabah, said as a journalist, he feels
obligated to know what the other side "says and does" and that a good
way to do it is to go to the Turkish-language sites in Armenia.

"It would be important for journalists at least to know what the
other side is doing in this process," he said. However, he added,
it is "sad to see" that the Turkish side is not involved in a similar
effort to publish news from Turkey in Armenian.