Author: Zakarian Garnik

POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS TO BE REGULARLY HELD

De Facto
Nov 21, 2008

YEREVAN, 21.11.08. DE FACTO. On November 20 the RA President Serzh
Sargsian invited leaders of the political parties registered and
acting in Armenia to conduct discussions on the subject of the
"Peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict".

According to the RA Presidents’ Press Office, before turning to
the matter at hand, the President of Armenia said, "First of all, I
would like to congratulate all of us on the occasion of an outstanding
performance of our chess players at the World Olympiad. I am confident
that many of us here, and not only us, but also our people were waiting
particularly for the news from Dresden, and this news, at least for
me, is very inspirational. I think we should all together support
our chess players. This is a very important event in the sport life
of our country."

Next, Serzh Sargsian thanked all those present for accepting his
invitation.

Noting, that these meetings would be held regularly, the President of
Armenia said, "In my address to the National Assembly and our people
I had noted that I would initiate topical and regular discussions on
the vital, strategic issues, and that leaders of all political parties
would be invited to participate. This is the first meeting in that
format." The President of Armenia "expressed hope that this mechanism
will not only allow to increase parti cipation of the political
parties in the decision-making processes but will also contribute to
the further expansion of the political field. Every discussion in
this format will be dedicated to one particular issue. I would not
exclude the possibility of having even outgoing meetings which will be
convened out of the capital, in the localities relevant to the topic
of the discussions. In my opinion, the importance of such meetings
is in being able to listen to each other, to comprehend the variety
of opinions and approaches, the ability to collectively ponder on
the problems facing our country and when possible to develop a joint
position on different issues.

Today and from now on our discussions will be conducted without
reference, in a so called "closed discussions" format. Such a
format will allow all the participants to take uninhibited part in
the discussions and express whatever opinion. As for the "without
reference", it means that after this meeting, during our public
activities we can utilize opinions voiced here, however, with the
understanding that there will be no direct references."

After the opening remarks of President Sargsian a discussion unfolded
on the process of the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict which lasted almost five hours.

MARIOS GAROYIAN: "I AM PROUD TO BE ARMENIAN"

Gibrahayer
14 Nov 08

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. "A life-long dream today is
coming true, both at personal and political level," Marios Garoyian,
the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of
Cyprus, said at the Armenian National Assembly November 12 sitting,
expressing deep gratitude for the invitation to visit Armenia. "I
wish realisation of dreams to the Armenian people, as my dream to
visit the land of my ancestors came true," he said.

The high-ranking guest in his speech, said that the brotherly
contacts between Cyprus and Armenia are based on both "common historic
experience and common struggle against the same rival" and harmonious
principles and values guiding the policy of the two countries’
governments and parliaments, their contribution in international
reality. It was also mentioned that though the two countries’ contacts
are at an excellent level, nevertheless there are great possibilities
for their expansion and deepening, which is the goal of his visit.

"We wish to expand the current contacts in the economic and trade
spheres knowing that Armenia is developing quickly. On its part Cyprus
may propose its comparative advantages due to its being a member of the
EU from 2004 and becoming a member of euro zone from the beginning of
the current year, as well as being between 3 geostrategic continents. I
hope the businessmen accompanying me will hold effective meetings
with the Armenian partners in this direction. Besides, we are ready
to provide assistance in many spheres that will interest Armenia,
as it was with the scholarships proposed by Cyprus Aid," M. Garoyian
said. He also mentioned that this visit gives him a possibility
to express gratitude on behalf of Cyprus to Armenia for assistance
provided in the fair struggle for the unification of that country
and people. "Assistance, which, certainly, does not remain one-sided,
but is compensated ardently. Cyprus also, basing itself on positions
of principle, assists the Armenian people without a hesitation,"
M. Garoyian stated.

After his official speech M. Garoyian wished to publicly say what
had been accumulated in his soul for many years. He expressed much
gratitude to his grandmother from his father’s side, who implanted
adherence to Armenian values in him from his childhood and as an
eye-witness of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 told and bequeathed to
him for wherever he is, whatever he becomes, never to forget "this
people, which is a peaceable people, has values, ancient-old culture,
and the only thing it asks from the world is its right, to have its
homeland, to have the right to pray in its churches."

He also said that his grandmother has bequeathed to him always to keep
Cyprus on his mind and in his heart, which after the Genocide of 1915
cordially and warmly received the migrant Armenian people. M. Garoyian
concluded his speech by the call "Viva Armenia and Viva the Republic
of Cyprus!," in response to which the audience stood up and applauded.

ADP TO ASSIGN $140MLN TO ARMENIA

ARKA
Nov 18, 2008

YEREVAN, November 18. /ARKA/. The Asian Development Bank (ADP)
intends to provide Armenia with $140mln of lax credit in two years
as assistance for a number of governmental reform programs, said ADP
President Haruhiko Kuroda.

"We reached to an agreement with the Armenian Government that ADP will
pay a close attention to a number of short-term programs, specifically
on creating a regional transport corridor, improving the management
as well developing banking and nonbanking sectors," Kuroda said at
the opening ceremony of ADP Yerevan representative office on Tuesday.

He noted the sides also agreed to intensify the joint assistance to
the private sector.

"We decided to assist the private sector to keep the rates of economic
growth," he said.

The RA Premier Tigran Sargsyan stressed the ADP credit will assist the
Armenian Government to implement economic reforms and will contribute
to economic growth.

"We appreciate the financial, as well as ADP’s technical assistance,
its experience and knowledge," said the Premier.

He also stressed the ADP strategy in Armenia is in harmony with the
strategic programs of the Armenian Government.

The Asian Development Bank was established in 1966 by joining to the
Agreement of establishing Asian Development Bank.

The RA Government and the ADP have signed a number of agreements and
a memorandum of mutual understanding.

ADP is implementing programs on renovating rural roads and water-supply
in Armenia with a total value of $83mln.

ARMENIAN CITIZENS INJURED IN TURKEY ACCIDENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.11.2008 18:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 4 people died and 39 were injured in an accident
in Turkey. As a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter was told in the Armenian
Embassy in Georgia, the bus conveying tourists run into a post in
Hopa Turkish town.

According to some sources, 2 Armenian citizens died.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry’s press office confirmed to
PanARMENIAN.Net that there are Armenian citizens among the
injured. "The number of Armenian citizens is being clarified. Not
all of the injured people have been brought to hospital yet," it said.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PARTICIPATES IN THE SAINT’EGIDIO INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE

His Holiness Aram I departed for Cyprus on Saturday, November 15 to
participate in the annual international conference organized by "Saint’Egidio".
The delegation headed by His Holiness includes Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian,
Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian (Pontifical Vicar to Cyprus) and Rev. Fr.
Torkom Donoyan as staff bearer.

His Holiness will deliver three speeches to this international conference on
three different topics and will return to Antelias on November 19.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

SMBAT AYVAZYAN DOES NOT NEED PARDON

A1+
[08:12 pm] 14 November, 2008

"In the name of all political prisoners I announce that we do not
need amnesty, we want justice in the courts and in the country,"
member of the political board of the "Hanrapetutyun" (Republic)
Party Smbat Ayvazyan said in the Court of General Jurisdiction of
Kentron and Nork-Marash districts today.

"The authorities hoped that political prisoners would plead guilty
and they would release the arrestees thus imitating that they had
implemented PACE Resolutions 1609 and 1620.But the Justice Minister
confessed that the political prisoners couldn’t be pardoned or released
as they hadn’t pleaded guilty. The Minister should realise that one
cannot plead guilty of a crime he hasn’t committed," said Ayvazyan.

ADVOCATES DEMAND ACQUITTAL

"I think it is no use introducing Smbat Ayvazyan as everyone knows
him," Advocate Ervand Varosyan said in his addressing speech.

Relying on the PACE’s recommendation to immediately release "all those
detained on artificial and political motivation," the advocates urged
the judge to bring in a verdict of "not guilty."

Remind that Smbat Ayvazyan is charged under Atricle 316 /Item 1/
and Article 235 /Item 4/ of the RoA CC. The prosecutor had requested
the court to sentence Ayvazyan to a 2.5 years’ imprisonment.

The advocates stated that on February 24 Smbat Ayvazyan had been
detained and kept in the police sixth department without a legal
reasoning. After finding out that Ayvazyan’s gun was legal they
continued keeping him in custody by the time they could find a proper
"legal reasoning." This evidences to the fact that they had plotted
Ayvazyan’s arrest and illegal custody beforehand, said the advocates.

Smbat Ayvazyan will make an address on November 19.

MINISTER NALBANDIAN MEETS CYPRUS PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

armradio.am
13.11.2008 16:16

On November 13 the Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian
met with the President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus
Marios Garoyan.

Greeting the guest, Minister Nalbandian expressed appreciation for
the actively developing Armenia-Cyprus friendly relations, attaching
importance to the role of the Cypriot Armenian community in the
deepening of those relations.

Marios Garoyan also highly assessed the level of bilateral relations,
stressing the necessity of further deepening of those and underlining
the existing potential.

The interlocutors discussed issues connected with the deepening of
cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries.

The parties exchanged views on the perspectives of solution of the
Cyprus issue, the negotiation process on the resolution of the Artsakh
issue, as well as a number of regional issues.

A HANDFUL OF ARMENIANS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
13 Nov 08
Armenia

According to the data of the first nine months of this year the
number of the permanent inhabitants of Armenia makes up 3 million
235 thousand, from which 2 million 073.4 thousand are the urban
inhabitants.

As compared to the beginning of the year the number of the country’s
inhabitants has grown by 4.9 thousand and as compared to the same
period of 2007 – by 8.3 thousand. As to the beginning of the year
67.2% of the permanent inhabitants of Armenia were of employable age,
20.8% – under employable age and 12.0% – above employable age. There
are 489 elderly and children (0-15 year- old) per 1000 employable
inhabitants. The average age of the permanent inhabitants is 34.3.

FIST FIGHT AT JERUSALEM HOLY SITE

EuroNews – English Version
November 9, 2008

It was supposed to be a peaceful religious ceremony befitting of one
of Christinity’s holiest sites. That was until deep-seated rivalry
got the better of some of those gathered inside Jerusalem’s Church
of the Holy Sepulcher.

Fierce fighting broke out between Armenian and Greek Orthodox
monks. They belong to two of the half dozen Christian groups that are
supposed to share control of the ancient church. The police detained
two people. Others were left nursing cuts and bruises. Officials say
there is often tension between the rival groups.

CLERICAL FISTICUFFS IN JERUSALEM: AN UNFORTUNATE LEGACY

Catholic Culture
Nov 11 2008

The violent confrontation between Greek Orthodox and Armenian
Apostolic monks inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre this week was
unfortunately not a rare lapse. For generations, clerics of different
denominations have engaged in a bitter struggle for control of the
basilica, forcing Muslims and Jews to act as peacemakers. The current
agreement, under which the rival monks share control, dates back
to the Ottoman empire. It has frequently broken down. BBC’s Michael
Hirst provides the background.