Month: March 2007

PanARMENIAN.Net

Legislation condemning Dink murder to be considered in U.S. Senate March 6
03.03.2007 13:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set
to consider legislation, authored by the panel’s chairman Joe Biden
(D-DE), condemning the murder of Hrant Dink, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

The resolution, S.Res.65, specifically mentions that Hrant Dink "was
prosecuted under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for speaking
about the Armenian Genocide," and urges the Turkish government to
repeal this anti-free speech law. It will be "marked up" by the
Committee on Tuesday, March 6th at 2:15 p.m. ANCA activists in the 21
states with Senators on the Committee are encouraging support for
S.Res.65 through phone calls, faxes, and meetings. They are also
reminding the Senate offices that Hrant Dink’s brutal murder is a wake
up call for the U.S. Senate to pass legislation formally recognizing
and commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

Hrant Dink, editor of the bilingual Armenian/Turkish "Agos" newspaper,
was gunned down outside his office in Istanbul on January 19th –
sparking worldwide protests and renewed scrutiny of Turkey’s
repression of free speech and international campaign of Armenian
Genocide denial.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

02-03-2007

Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Armen Bayburtian Meets with Special
Representative of European Union Peter Semneby

On March 2, Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Bayburtian received Peter
Semneby, Special Representative of the European Union in the South Caucasus,
who was in Armenia on a two-day visit.

During the meeting, the two discussed EU-Armenia relations focusing on the
realization of the Action Plan signed in the framework of the New
Neighborhood Policy of the EU. The Deputy Minister informed Ambassador
Semneby that the implementation tools of the Action Plan are being developed
and will soon be presented to Brussels.

The parties also discussed the upcoming National Assembly elections in
Armenia emphasizing the importance of the elections to meet international
standards. Ambassador Semneby noted that by carrying out free and fair
elections, Armenia will have impressed on the EU a genuine commitment to
deepening of bilateral relations.

Some ideas were shared on current status of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
resolution process.
Ambassador Heike Peitsch of Germany, which holds the EU presidency, was also
present at the meeting.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

02-03-2007

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Meets with New UN Secretary General

On the very day that marked the 15th anniversary of independent Armenia’s
entry into the
UN, Armenia’s Foreign Minister was at UN headquarters in New York, to meet
with new Secretary General Ban-ki Moon. Minister Oskanian congratulated the
Secretary General on his appointment and repeated Armenia’s readiness to
work effectively as a contributing member of the international community.

The Minister said that Armenia is pleased with the work of the various UN
agencies in Armenia. He stressed that such indicators as the Human
Development Index and the Millennium Development Goals offer solid
guidelines for further development. The Minister explained that in addition
to the government’s Poverty Reducation Strategy, a new program aims to
partner international organizations, the diaspora and the country’s own
resources to focus on rural poverty eradication.

The Secretary General and the Minister discussed developments in the
Caucasus region and the Karabakh resolution process. Minister Oskanian
explained the evolution of the negotiations, and the current phase of the
OSCE Minsk process which addresses the issue at the core of the conflict –
the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh for self-determination. In that
spirit, Minister Oskanian explained that efforts to seek statements at the
UN or in other forums which ignore or contradict this reality would damage
the process and further delay a lasting resolution.

Sumgait is Continuation of Armenian Genocide, Says Karabakh Prime Minister

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–"The tragedy in Sumgait became the continuation of
the genocidal policy against the Armenian people," the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Prime Minister Anoushavan Daniyelian told
journalists during the events, dedicated to the 19th anniversary of
Armenian massacre in the Azeri city of Sumgait.

He said that the Karabakh conflict was imposed on the Armenian people
at a time, when the nation was weak and had been reeling from other
tragedies. The Prime Minister noted that the Karabakh
national-liberation struggle was the first response to the unjust acts
committed against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh by the Azeri forces.

In response to question regarding the refugee problems emanating from
the Sumgait massacres and similar events that followed, Danielyan
explained that according to a government decision, individuals
identified as refugees were in the second year of receiving government
compensation. The government has also provided housing for the
refugees from Sumgait and other parts of Azerbaijan.

"Currently, 15 homes have been built. These homes will be put in
commission in the near future. Similar programs were realized across
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, as well," explained Danielyan.
From: Baghdasarian

EU Special Envoy to South Caucasus: Unwinding of events in Iran is directly
connected to South Caucasus

Arminfo
2007-03-03 12:51:00

Development of situation in Iran is directly linked to South Caucasus,
Peter Semneby, EU Special Envoy to South Caucasus, told ArmInfo
correspondent

The Ambassador refused to comment in detail the situation in Iran and
just stated that – events in Iran have a direct relation to Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Mr. Semneby added that Iran is an important trade
partner of Armenia and that a large community of Azeris.

Reminder – In the end of Feb., UN Security Council imposed sanctions
against Tehran for the refusal to stop works on concentration of
uranium.

Representative of People’s Party: Opposition in the Parliament of the
4th call to be well presented

Arminfo
2007-03-02 22:46:00

"The Justice opposition bloc has accomplished its historic mission,"
Grigor Harutyunyan, Representative of the Board of People’s Party of
Armenia (PPA), said at the briefing in the National Assembly today.

He added that the Justice bloc was unprecedented from the point that
the bloc existed during the whole period of the Parliament of the 3rd
call. "Today, the key objective of opposition it to prevent rigging of
parliamentary elections," G. Harutyunyan declared. Commenting on the
opposition’s failure to consolidate in a pre-election bloc, he said
that he sees no point in consolidating into amorphous blocs – and
"this is why PPA decided to participate independently in the
elections."

G. Harutyunyan said that PPA was even ready to integrate into the
Impeachment bloc if the other two opposition powers would have jointed
the alliance too. "We believe that the Impeachment bloc could be
efficient only if the whole political opposition integrated in to it.
Unfortunately, the parties – National Unity and Orinats Yerkir, did
not consider it worthy to make such a step," he said.

G. Harutyunyan pointed out that PPA proposed parliamentary powers,
within the Justice bloc, to stay in the bloc and simultaneously
continue the work for setting up legal authority in Armenia. However,
the parties within the Justice bloc declined the proposal. He said
that PPA is ready to cooperate with all parties in opposition.

Despite the opposition’s failure to consolidate, G. Harutyunyan makes
a forecast – opposition will be well presented in the Parliament of
the 4th call. "Today we fight for the majority," he asserted.

Rusmash plans to sell 2,400 GAZs to Armenia

Arminfo
2007-03-03 12:43:00

In 2007 Rusmash (Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia) is planning to sell 2,400
GAZs to Armenia, the head of the company’s department for the sales to
the CIS countries Sergey Kuritsyn said during a press-conference in
Antalia, Turkey.

Region news agency reports Kuritsyn to say that this year the GAZ
sales to Armenia will be increased by 26.3%. The company is also going
to fulfill the order of the Armenian Defence Ministry and to supply it
with 300 Sadko cars.

In 2006 the company increased its sales to the CIS countries by 5.5% –
38,909 sold cards. 60% were sold to Ukraine, 23% to Kazakhstan. This
year the company plans to increase its GAZ sales to Azerbaijan by
13.7% to 3,500 cars.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Price on Gold Jumped up 1.9%

Arminfo
2007-03-02 22:40:00

On 4-25 February, price on 1 gr of gold jumped up 1.9% making up
7595.53 AMD in Armenia, the State Treasury of Precious Metals and
Stones provided ArmInfo with the data.

As per the source, price on platinum jumped up 1.3% making up 13705.29
AMD/1gr. The price on silver added 3.8% making up 158.15AMD/1gr.
However, price on palladium fell by 3.6% making up 3865.14 AMD/1gr.

Turkish expert: Turkey and Azerbaijan should conclude security agreement

Arminfo
2007-03-03 12:40:00

"Armenia’s aggressive actions should be always brought to discussion.
France and members of the European Union support Armenia. It does not
seem real that Armenia will release the occupied Azerbaijani
territories, we can even say that Armenia can deepen its aggressive
policy," Gemze Kona, professor of Turkish Military Academy, told the
APA’s Turkey bureau.

Gemze Kona, the author of the books on regional security in Turkish
and English said that "great states" do not condemn Armenia’s
aggressive policy.

"Armenia can maneuver in broad sphere. Alongside with OSCE Minsk
Group, Turkey should strengthen the intergovernmental relations and
support Azerbaijan.

It does not seem convincing that several states will impose sanction
on Armenia. Turkey should strengthen pressure on Armenia and
simultaneously help Azerbaijan," she said.

Genze Kona said that Turkey and Azerbaijan should conclude security
agreements. "Armenia and Russia signed treaty on military cooperation
4-5 years ago.

Such a treaty was signed between Greece and the southern part of
Cyprus. "Caucasus security treaty" was brought to discussion in the
reign of Suleyman Demirel and five times underwent changes. This
treaty was not signed, as Armenia and Russia did not want it. These
countries avoid Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s resistance. I consider that
Turkey and Azerbaijan should immediately conclude security
agreement. Turkey should stand for ensuring Azerbaijan’s security.

As Azerbaijan has oil, great states will try to protect their
interests in your country. The name of the treaty to be signed between
Azerbaijan and Turkey is not so important, its’ signing is very
important. Why have Armenia and Russia signed such an agreement but
Turkey and Azerbaijan have not concluded it yet? Azerbaijan’s
security is important for the security of Turkey, Middle East and
Caucasus," she said.

American University of Armenia obtains international recognition

Arminfo
2007-03-02 22:15:00

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges.

Diana Manoukyan, the AUA press-secretary told an ArmInfo correspondent
that the University is the only educational establishment in the
post-Soviet area, whose diploma will be recognized throughout the
world.

To note, the AUA was established on Sep 21, 1991, and became the first
international university in the history of independent Armenia. In
1991, 101 people entered the university, and now over 400 students
receive a master degree in 7 professions. There are citizens of China,
India, Iran, Lebanon, Moldova and Mongolia ,mong the AUA students.
Most part of the students have the right to receive a scientific
degree in the US institutions of higher education.