Month: March 2007

ROBERT KOCHARYAN’S ANNUAL MEETING WITH HEADS OF COMMERCIAL BANKS

ArmRadio.am
21.03.2007 16:06

RA President Robert Kocharyna’s annual meeting with Heads of Commercial
Banks was held in Yerevan today, President’s Press Office informs.

Robert Kocharyan said that part of the questions discussed during
the previous meeting found their solution, some others are in the
process of settlement.

The President mentioned that although the banking system is rapidly
developing, there is still much to do in the enlargement of the
financial sector of economy and provision of large-scale financial
services. Robert Kocharyan emphasized the importance of applying new
approaches and technologies in this process.

During the meeting reference was made to the mortgage market,
implementation of the insurance system, reformation of the pension
system.

The bankers noted that bringing the internal financial resources to
the banking sector is of primary importance, for which it is necessary
to increase the trust in banks.

Reference was made also to the activity of the Union of
banks. President of the Union Stepan Gishyan informed that today the
structure has 19 member banks. Recently the Union joined the associated
member of the European Union of Banks, which promotes the expansion
of cooperation with the European banking system implementation of
new methods in our system.

THERE ARE FIVE MAIN REASONS WHY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION DOESN’T WANT CONGRESS TO ENDORSE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION: ZAMAN

Arminfo
2007-03-21 23:02:00

There are five main reasons why the Bush administration doesn’t want
Congress to endorse the Armenian genocide resolution, says Zaman
(Turkey) in its article Why Does White House Oppose the Armenian Bill?

1) History: Accepting the resolution and further recognition of the
tragedy the ethnic Armenians experienced during the Ottoman period
would harm American efforts to bring its relationship with Turkey to
the next level. 2) Yerevan: Identical letters from Condoleezza Rice
and Robert Gates noted that endorsement of the resolution would
complicate the aim of normalizing the situation between Ankara
and Yerevan. 3) Congregation: Two months have passed since Hrant
Dink’s murder. The slow advance of the investigation into the case
and the increasing anxiety among Armenians is a reason for worries
in America. 4) Nationalism: Official congressional records show
the Bush’s administration believes that Turkey is going through an
"identity crisis" and that "some new nationalism has turned into
joint components of Turkey’s political spectrum." 5) Cooperation:
It is felt that if the resolution were to be endorsed, Ankara could
limit its cooperation with Washington.

SERIES OF EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
21.03.2007 16:38

During 2007-2008 the Armenian Diaspora Research Center will organize
a number of events in France dedicated to the 1915 Armenian Genocide,
founder and president of the Center Jean-Clod Kebajyan told ArmInfo.

He informed that the Center has already provided archive materials
for an exhibition in Monmartry Museum to be held in a month. It will
be devoted to the Armenian movement organized by famous poet Arshak
Chobanyan after the Armenian massacres of 1894 in Sasun.

In Jean-Clod Kebajyan’s words, such events are welcomed not only by
Armenians but also the French.

FORCES STARTED PROPAGANDA MISSION AHEAD OF OFFICIAL SCHEDULE AND WITH VIOLATIONS
CAN NOT BE GUARANTEE OF FAIR ELECTIONS, CHAIRMAN OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY FINDS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The opposition of Armenia must
go at the propaganda stage to a meeting with the people with a
joint group. Aram Sargsian, the Chairman of the Democratic Party
of Armenia (DPA) expressed such an opinion at the March 21 press
conference. In his words, owing to joint visits of the opposition
forces to the marzes of the republic, the people will see that they
will seriously struggle for fair elections. In A. Sargsian’s words,
the people will also understand that though the opposition parties
did not form ideological alliances, however, they are united in the
affair of control of the elections.

The Democratic Party leader mentioned that the "Orinats Yerkir"
(Country of Law) and "Zhorghovrdakan Ughi" (Democratic Path) parties
agreed with the party proposal to found a joint office for control
of elections. A. Sargsian reminded that the "Azgayin Miabanutiun"
(National Unity) party also made such a proposal few days ago.

Touching upon the calls on fair elections made by representatives of
the Republican Party of Armenia and "Bargavach Hayastan" (Prosperous
Armenia) party, A. Sargsian mentioned that he does not imagine how
those forces, started the propaganda mission ahead of the official
schedule and with serious violations (giving of electoral bribe,
gathering of passports), prepare to struggle for justice. In his
words, he will understand the RPA and "Bargavach Hayastan" parties’
readiness to respond the opposition forces’ call to found a joint
control office as an attempt to ruin the affair.

CHAIRMAN OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF SLOVAKIA AND TURKISH AMBASSADOR AGREE TO
START LOBBYIST ACTIVITY AIMED TO IMPROVEMENT OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 21 2007

BRATISLAVA, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ashot Grigorian,
the Chairman of the Armenian Organizations’ Representation in Europe,
Armenian community of Slovakia met on March 29 with Tunc Ugdul,
the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Turkey to Slovakia.

As A. Grigorian informed Noyan Tapan. he addressed to the Embassy
with the issue to define the way to leave for Turkey to participate in
opening of the Aghtamar Surb Khach (Saint Cross) Church: as Grigorian
prepares to leave for Van with an Armenian delegation, he addressed
to the Turkish Ambassador for the latter negotiates with the Foreign
Ministry of Turkey for temporarily opening the Margara or Gyumri-Kars
customs point. The Turkish Ambassador assured that he will do his
best to define which customs point will be opened during those days in
front of the Armenian delegation. Owing to it, in Grigorian’s words,
the road will become few hundreds of kilometres shorter.

The Armenian-Turkish relations were touched upon during the meeting.

Ambassador Egdul stated that the Armenian-Turkish relations "must
be turned from the loss-loss principle into the benefit-benefit
principle. That’s, those voluminous works that the Armenian lobbyist
structures do and those huge expenses that Turkey incurs against the
genocide recognition, can surely be used for helping one another. It
was bilaterally mentioned that the most important thing for improvement
of the Armenian-Turkish relations is to find joint edges in the issue
of the Armenian Genocide recognition. T. Ugdul stated that he is
against them who state in Turkey that "as the Armenian massacres do
not bear resemblance with the Jewish Holocaust committed by Germans
and that’s why it may not be called a genocide." In the Ambassador’s
words, the fact of deportation itself strengthens the committed
crime and one must not ignore it and the argument on the genocide
must surely be finished with finding a term satisfying both sides,
even if that term is the "genocide" word. In response, A.

Grigorian attached importance to the fact that let the term be
"genocide" or "holocaust" it does not change the reality as the
consequences arisen from that term are the important one. "We demand
the "genocide" term as the genocide brings compensation with it,
according to the internationally accepted terminology. It is a very
important task for us to come to a common denominator in the issue of
compensation," A. Grigorian said. He mentioned that Turkey must surely
conciliate with some losses and it must itself be able to decide the
size of it with Armenia. "If Turkey allows that great states do it,
that variant will be the most unfavourable one for it, especially if
we take into consideration that foundation of Kurdistan is inevitable
today. And it depends on today’s diplomatic flexibility of Turkey on
what lands Kurdistan will be founded, what lands Turkey will lose."

In A. Grigorian’s words, the Turkish Ambassador was interested in
the expressed opinion and the sides expressed a wish to start a
lobbyist activity in Bratislava, each of them with his government,
for diplomatic relations are established between Armenia and Turkey
as soon as possible and the sides come to a common denominator in
the issue of genocide and liquidation of its consequences.

The Ambassador mentioned that the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations and
the Nagorno Karabakh issue also have an important place in the issue
of improvement of relations. A. Grigorian expressed an opinion that
Turkey, being a nearest friend of Azerbaijan, can not ignore the
Azerbaijani position, but it must be able to find a way in the issue,
what Azerbaijan must also do. In Grigorian’s words, the latter can
improve the relations with Armenia in two ways: with a small loss,
or big one. The small loss is that Azerbaijan quickly agree with the
fact of independence of Artsakh and gets back a part of the "occupied"
territories. "In my opinion, the sooner Azerbaijan agrees with this
variant the better it will be for it, as during the time power shift
may take place in Armenia, and the new authorities will refuse to give
Azerbaijan in a peaceful way the territories taken by blood during
the war what will bring to catastrophic consequences for Azerbaijan
and the whole region. Today’s moods are much more beneficial for
Azerbaijan," he emphasized. A. Grigorian also stressed that there is
not a diplomate in the world who will have a doubt that Karabakh can
not ever appear in the structure of Azerbaijan.

Then the Turkish Ambassador said that though he was aware that owing
to Grigorian’s lobbying, the resolution on the Armenian Genocide was
adopted at the Parliament of Slovakia and a memorial khachkar (cross
stone) was placed in Bratislava but he expressed an opinion that it
is not the best way to come to a common denominator with Turkey in
the issue of the genocide. He stated that the memorial dedicated to
the Armenian Genocide which is placed in the center of Bratislava
causes great pain to Turks, on the occasion of what A. Grigorian
expressed perplexity. In response the Ambassador said: "Imagine,
if Armenia has a problem with any country and that country place
in Europe a monument which arises bad memories among us." Grigorian
asked to observe the memorial as an art memorial which was placed as
a sign of gratitute on the occasion of adoption of the resolution on
the Armenian Genocide at the Parliament of Slovakia. And if Armenians
and Turks reach agreement in the genocide issue, it will be only a
good memory and a cultural memorial.

An agreement was reached to meet after Grigorian’s visit to Van and
continue the issue of discussing the next stages of the cooperation.

The Ambassador mentioned that he appreciates the Armenians’ cultural
contribution in Turkey. He said that every Turk intellectual knows
that the author of big architectural structures of Istanbul is the
Balian family. Besides, Armenians have had a great contribution in the
Turkish diplomacy, gave foreign ministers, parliamentarians to Turkey,
and the Armenian-Turkish relations must be based on the historic
friendship. "This must be the future of our neighborhood amd road of
our two countries towards the European Union," the Ambassador said
and finishing the meeting with the head of the Armenian community of
Slovakia, said: "We must compete who will earlier be in the European
Union structure and help one another in the issue of appearing there."

RA NA MARCH 21 SITTINGS FAIL DUE TO NO QUORUM

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. RA National Assembly March 21 sittings
failed due to no quorum. Only 25 deputies had been registered within
three hours determined by NA Regulations, while at least 66 MPs should
have been registered for starting the sitting. So, votings of over
two dozens of bills and legislative packages discussed on the previous
days did not take place. The hour of NA-government traditional question
and answer scheduled for the evening sitting will fail, too.

To recap, the last sittings of NA current four-day session will take
place on March 22.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MOSCOW HOPES U.S. WILL LISTEN TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MISSILE SHIELD

RIA Novosti
13:52|21/ 03/ 2007

MOSCOW, March 21 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s foreign minister said Moscow
hoped the United States would listen to its appeal against Washington’s
plans to deploy a missile shield in Central Europe and the Caucasus.

The U.S. said in January it would place elements of its missile defense
system in the Czech Republic and Poland to counter possible attacks
from Iran or North Korea. Moscow has strongly criticized the move,
saying it threatened Russia’s security.

"We have specific proposals on how to ensure security in the region,"
Sergei Lavrov told Russian lawmakers. "Deploying the missile shield
to cover the Caucasus, Ukraine and other countries bordering on Russia
contradicts Russia’s approach to security."

Washington also said March 1 that it would place other elements of
its missile defense in the South Caucasus but did not specify which
of the three former Soviet countries it would choose – Armenia,
Azerbaijan or Georgia, with the latter being anxious to join NATO.

Lavrov called for a collective discussion of the issue, and accused
the U.S. of using a Cold War approach by uniting other countries
against the common "Soviet threat".

"We are facing a common threat now, but there is no more U.S.S.R.,
and it is unclear why the risk of Iran’s possible missile launches
must be countered with the missile shield," Lavrov said, adding that
Russian experts would like to meet with their American counterparts
over the issue.

The minister said security could be provided in a different way that
would not jeopardize Russia’s security, which has long been concerned
about the opening of NATO bases in former Communist-bloc countries
and ex-Soviet republics.

Lavrov said the U.S. would hopefully take into consideration the
opinion of some European countries opposed to the plans. Calls have
been made in Europe, including from Germany, for discussion on the
missile shield issue in the organizations where Poland and the Czech
Republic are members – NATO and the European Union.

The Russian minister also called on Ukrainian leaders, who have
been eager to join the discussion on the missile shield plans,
to respect the opinion of their people. Ukraine has recently been
seeking integration in NATO and the EU.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of State said Ukraine was one
of the countries with whom Washington was cooperating on the missile
shield, but people in the former Soviet nation, particularly in the
pro-Russian east of the country, have opposed any involvement.

"We believe the leadership of any country should take into account
the opinion of its people," Lavrov said.

Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker, Oleksandr Moroz, has said no missile
shield elements would be placed on Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine’s prime minister, Viktor Yanukovych, said Monday the issue
must be addressed at the negotiating table, adding that even NATO
member states had not reached a consensus on the matter.

"We are also ready to sit down at the negotiating table, and we do
have something to offer. We have space tracking systems positioned
on Ukrainian soil, which, incidentally are being used jointly with
Russia," he said.

Later Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliament will hear reports by the Defense
Ministry and Foreign Ministry about possible deployment of the missile
defense systems on Ukrainian soil. The government report was initiated
by the parliamentary faction of the Communist Party.

ARTO TUNJBOYAJIAN AND TURKISH MUSICIAN RECORDING A CD DEDICATED TO HRANT DINK

ArmRadio.am
21.03.2007 17:10

Turkish musician Yasar Kurt is in Armenia. This is the first time
Yasar visits Armenia, and this visit carries a special mission. On
these days the together with Arto Tunjboyajian the Turkish musician
will work on a CD dedicated to the memory of their friend Hrant Dink.

This initiative, which resulted in the formations of a group
consisting of famous Armenian and Turkish musicians, will mark the
start of the campaign for humanity and human values. The group will
be named "Yas Ar" – an abbreviation from Yasar and Arto, which means
"living." The group will record a CD, and will shoot a clip on one
of the songs. However, this is only the start.

This work will be continuous.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVED THE AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL

ArmRadio.am
21.03.2007 17:25

On March 21 received the Ambassador of Israel to Armenia Ehud Gol
(seat in Jerusalem) handed his credentials to RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian.

Minister Oskanian greeted the guest and wished him success in carrying
out his high mission.

The interlocutors agreed that practical steps are necessary for
activation of bilateral cooperation, which will promote the mutual
visits, consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs,
and improvement of the contractual-legal basis.

Reference was made also to regional questions, the perspectives of
settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian and Nagorno Karabakh conflicts.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE TURKISH DAILY NEWS: THE SECOND CHANCE FOR RAPPROCHEMENT WITH ARMENIANS MISSES

ArmRadio.am
21.03.2007 17:35

The inauguration of Akhtamar Church on March 29 will not be an
opportunity for the normalization of relations between Turkey and
Armenia and Turkey will miss the second chance for rapprochement
after the assassination of Hrant Dink, the Turkish Daily News writes.

The paper notes that more than 200 Armenians from New York, Washington,
Los Angeles, Ottawa and Paris were invited in addition to the
Armenians from Yerevan including the clergymen and representatives
of nongovernmental organizations who attended Dink’s funeral. The
invitations were prepared in coordination with the Turkish-Armenian’s
Patriarch, Mesrob Mutafyan, said the Turkish sources. In the
invitations sent by the Van governor, Turkey excluded the " extremist
Dashnaks and preferred to invite moderate Armenians." Just a week
before the ceremony, Turkey is now suspicious about the attendance
of Armenians.

Despite the invitation it is still unclear whether Armenian Culture
Minister Hasmik Poghosian will attend the inauguration of the newly
renovated 10th century Akhtamar Church and Yerevan did not give an
answer to the invitation conveyed by the Turkish Embassy to Tbilisi.