Month: April 2007

Armenia, Iran cooperate chiefly in economy – Armenian premier

Arminfo
27 Apr 07

Yerevan, 27 April: Armenia limits its relations with Iran to
consultations only in terms of security, Armenian Prime Minister
Serzh Sargsyan has said in an interview with the [Russian newspaper]
Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

He said that Iran is a very important country for Armenia. If we recall
the situation in the 1990s when the situation in Georgia was unstable,
it was through Iran that Armenia was receiving large transportation
shipments. "We have constructed a natural gas pipeline from Iran now;
under the conditions in which energy-poor Armenia is, it is the only
way out. We are intensifying cooperation in the electricity sector. The
thing is that Armenia is the only country in the region that has an
electricity surplus. We have a nuclear power plant the technology
of which does not allow for a sharp decrease or increase in power
generation. That is why we supply extra power generated at nights to
Iran. We gladly establish economic contacts with Iran," he said.

LONGED-FOR MEETING WITH ARCHBISHOP

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
28 April 07

On April 23 the primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church Pargev Martirosian met with the representatives of youth
organizations of NKR. Most problems that they discussed were on the
indifference of a major part of the society towards the church. There
were proposals from young people on how to bring the society and
the church closer. One of the proposals was to conduct service in
modern Armenian, not in the ancient Armenian which people do not
understand. Archbishop Pargev Martirosian said in some countries this
innovation produced the contrary of what they had expected. As to the
flourishing sects, the archbishop of Artsakh thinks this phenomenon
has a different cause. Certain religious organizations interpreted
and used the post-Soviet freedom in their own way, which is worrying
especially in Karabakh.

Especially that the small groups are backed by more powerful
organizations, which have a well-designed and prepared
program. However, it does not mean that the Armenian Apostolic Church
makes no efforts to fight sects. "In 1989 there were 28-29 Armenian
churches in the former Soviet Union, now there are over 400," said
Archbishop Pargev adding that efforts are made to expand public
relations, different books are published, radio and TV programs are
broadcast. The Artsakh Diocese also makes efforts. Certainly, there
are problems, namely shortage of money. Besides, there is a shortage
of priests. If each member of a sect is a preacher of their ideas, it
takes 10 years to prepare priests of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Yet
there are other problems. The core issue of the meeting was the role
of young people in this context. The participants arranged to meet
again in the middle of May with proposals, and involve more people.

NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
28-04-2007

OUR STRENGTH IS OUR UNITY

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
28 April 07

The Confederation of the NKR Labor Unions made a statement endorsing
the decision of the Democratic Party of Artsakh, the Azat Hayrenik
Party, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsakh and Movement 88 to support
a single candidate on July 19. The Confederation stated that they
will also support this candidate. "Our organization, which is the
biggest in the country, upholds the idea of unity, which underlies
our activities. When the political forces and people are united,
the country takes the track for progress and democracy," runs the
statement of the Labor Unions of NKR.

AA.
28-04-2007

STIMULATION OF BIRTHRATE IS A STRATEGIC ISSUE

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
28 April 07

Over the past five years the Good Samaritan NGO and Maternity NGO have
been implementing a few programs in Artsakh, including a program of
stimulation of birthrate and prevention of abortion in NKR. On April
21 these NGOs held a round-table meeting at the City Hall and invited
representatives of NGOs, officials and reporters. Hasmik Michaelian
presented statistics on the rate of birth and the rate of abortion
for the past few years. She compared these rates to the rate of child
death in pointing to the strategic importance of the demographic
state for the nation. Marianna Hakobian, the head of the department
of youth of the NKR ministry of education, presented the number of
young people who are reluctant to get married, especially in rural
areas. The reasons are clear: poverty, unemployment. The head of Good
Samaritan Arthur Balayan said the organization is preparing booklets
to distribute to people. Leaflets on the dangers of abortion have been
distributed to people. The participants of the round-table meeting
came up with proposals, which will be extended to the NKR government.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.

28-04-2007

PLAN MONITORING OF NKR AND AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES CONTACT-LINE
PASSES WITHOUT INCIDENTS

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the agreement reached
with NKR authorities in advance, on April 27, the OSCE mission held
plan monitoring in the northern part of populated area of Talish,
Martakert region, of NKR and Azerbaijani armed forces contact-line.

>>From positions of NKR defence army the monitoring was conducted by
Coordinator of OSCE Office, Colonel Imre Palatinus (Hungary), Field
Assistants to Personal Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Gunter Folk (Germany) abd Miroslav Vimetal (Czech Republic).

>>From Azerbaijani side the monitoring group was headed by Personal
Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from NKR Foreign Ministry Press Service,
the monitoring passed in accordance with the schedule, no violations
of cease-fire regime were registered.

On the part of NKR the monitoring group was accompanied by
representatives of NKR Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry.

OVERHEARING PEOPLE IS MANIFESTATION OF MEANNESS, HRANT KHACHATRIAN CONSIDERS

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Before the shorthand report of
overheard talk of OYP leader Artur Baghdasarian with the British
diplomat was published in the Golos Armenii newspaper, the disk with
the recording of that talk appeared in the editorial office of Iravunk
newspaper on March 20. Hrant Khachatrian, Chairman of Constitutional
Law Union, reported at the April 28 press conference.

In his words, unknown persons taking into consideration aggravated
relations between CLU and A. Baghdasarian supposed that the Iravunk
will publish that material to discredit OYP leader. However,
as H. Khachatrian mentioned, the editorial staff did not take
that step, as the phenomenon of overhearing people, in his words,
"is manifestation of meanness." And the President, according to CLU
Chairman’s observations, "should have examined that issue and not
had qualified this act."

He said that he was among the first persons to greet A. Baghdasarian’s
resignation and his passing to the opposition camp. OYP headed by him,
in H. Khachatrian’s words, "cooperated with CLU’s conspirators" and
even supported Hayk Babukhanian’s candidature in the parliamentary
elections.
–Boundary_(ID_zBlnoyEXxW +d6ytDnjdbSg)
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OVERHEARING PEOPLE IS MANIFESTATION OF MEANNESS, HRANT KHACHATRIAN CONSIDERS

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Before the shorthand report of overheard
talk of OYP leader Artur Baghdasarian with the British diplomat was published in
the Golos Armenii newspaper, the disk with the recording of that talk
appeared in the editorial office of Iravunk newspaper on March 20. Hrant
Khachatrian, Chairman of Constitutional Law Union, reported at the April 28 press
conference.

In his words, unknown persons taking into consideration aggravated relations
between CLU and A. Baghdasarian supposed that the Iravunk will publish that
material to discredit OYP leader. However, as H. Khachatrian mentioned, the
editorial staff did not take that step, as the phenomenon of overhearing
people, in his words, "is manifestation of meanness." And the President, according
to CLU Chairman’s observations, "should have examined that issue and not had
qualified this act."

He said that he was among the first persons to greet A. Baghdasarian’s
resignation and his passing to the opposition camp. OYP headed by him, in H.
Khachatrian’s words, "cooperated with CLU’s conspirators" and even supported Hayk
Babukhanian’s candidature in the parliamentary elections.

–Boundary_(ID_zBlnoyEXxW+d6ytDnjdbSg)–

GOAL OF UNIFICATION OF NOR ZHAMANAKNER, IMPEACHMENT AND HANRAPETUTIUN
IS TO INITIATE JOINT ACTIONS AND NOT TO GAIN VOTES, ARAM KARAPETIAN
SAYS

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The most active and aggressive force
during the election campaign is the Nor Zhamanakner (New Times)
Party. Party Chairman Aram Karapetian qualified Nor Zhamanakner’s
agitation activity in this way at the April 28 press conference. He,
in particular, expressed satisfaction with the decision of Nor
Zhamanakner, Hanrapetutiun parties and Impeachment bloc to hold a
joint election campaign.

A. Karapetian stressed that the goal of unification of Nor Zhamanakner,
Hanrapetutiun and Impeachment is not to receive more votes, but to
initiate the above mentioned actions. He said that it is not clear
yet whether two of above mentioned three political forces will leave
election campaign and will call their electorate for voting for the
third force. By the way, A. Karapetian considers that the "assertions"
that allegedly the people is disappointed with political processes
are false.

He said that the viewpoint, according to which the votes of not united
opposition will be dispersed, does not correspond to reality. In
A. Karapetian’s words, the oppositionists did rightly taking part in
the elections separately.

Otherwise, if the opposition united, the authorities, as NZP leader
affirmed, would also "consolidate." Besides, as A. Karapetian assured,
participation in elections independently does not stop and will not
stop radical oppositionists from doing "joint actions" both within
the framework of election campaign and after the elections.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN’S INERT POSITION IS UNINTELLIGIBLE FOR ARAM
KARAPETIAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. At the April 28 press conference
Chairman of Nor Zhamanakner (New Times) Party Aram Karapetian confirmed
the fact that the recording of overheard talk of former RA NA Speaker,
Orinats Yerkir Party leader Artur Baghdasarian with the Vice-Ambassador
of Great Britain, the shorthand report of which was lately published
by the Golos Armenii newspaper, was put near the entrance of his
apartment by an unknown person before. At the same time, he said that
for him it is not clear yet who overheard that talk in February.

A. Karapetian stated that he does not understand OYP Chairman Artur
Baghdasarian’s inert position in connection with the publication in
press. "If such thing was done towards me, I would apply to the court
to try to find out the reality," he said. Besides, the statement of
employees of National Security Service that they learnt about that
meeting from press is also surprising.

The NZP Chairman said that he constantly receives facts about illegal
activity of this or that state official from unknown persons: "They
bring to the office, throw into the car." In A. Karapetian’s words,
these people are "patriots: they understand that such non-competent
political state cannot continue."

VARTAN OSKANIAN INVITED TO TAKE PART IN CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
OF COUNTRY-PARTNERS OF EU-EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY TO BE HELD IN
SEPTEMBER IN BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
who is in Brussels on a working visit had meetings with Secretary
General of Council of Europe Javier Solana, European Commissioner
for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita
Ferrero-Waldner and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oli Rehn on April
27. Noyan Tapan was informed about it from RA Foreign Ministry Press
and Information Department.

During the meeting with J. Solana the interlocutors positively
estimated EU-RA cooperation. V. Oskanian expressed Armenian side’s
willingness to deepen political dialogue with EU.

The sides in details touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
discussing the results of Belgrade stage of Armenian and Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministers’ negotiations. V. Oskanian said that it is possible
to register progress in the future in case of formation of Azerbaijani
side’s political will.

In this context V. Oskanian reaffirmed Armenian side’s position on
GUAM’s resolution in UN General Assembly mentioning resolution’s
negative impact on the negotiations process.

Then they exchanged thoughts over Armenian-Turkish relations, latest
developments of EU’s negotiations with Iran about nuclear programs.

RA Foreign Minister discussed issues related to implementation of
EU-Armenia Actions Plan with Benita Ferrero-Waldner. At the beginning
of the meeting B.

Ferrero-Waldner expressed satisfaction in connection with Armenia’s
involvement in fulfilment of the Actions Plan and said that the
European Commission is waiting for presentation of priorities of
Actions Plan by Armenia.

V. Oskanian stated about the work done in Armenia’s interested
departments in this direction mentioning RA’s intention to implement
the program as efficiently as possible. He said that opening of
European Commission’s full-value mission in Yerevan will greatly
contribute to this. The European Commission’s Commissioner assured
that this issue is on the agenda.

Then the sides discussed issues related to South Caucasian countries,
in particular, the necessity to form atmosphere favorable for regional
cooperation.

In this connection V. Oskanian attached importance to European
Commission’s voicing its position exactly against construction of
Kars-Akhalkalak railway.

The European Commissioner for External Relations touched upon the
upcoming elections in Armenia. The Commissioner expressed satisfaction
in connection with favorable conditions formed in Armenia for activity
of European Parliament’s monitoring mission. The importance of free and
fair elections for further deepening of Armenia’s European integration
was emphasized.

At the end of the meeting B. Ferrero-Waldner told about European
Commission’s initiative to organize a conference of Foreign Ministers
of European Union-European Neighborhood Policy partner countries
on September 3 in Brussels, inviting V. Oskanian to take part in
the conference.

During the meeting with Oli Rehn V. Oskanian discussed regional issues.

Speaking about the current state of Armenian-Turkish relations, RA
Foreign Minister attached importance to opening of Armenian-Turkish
border and withdrawing Article 301 from Turkish Criminal Code. He
also reported that no progress has been registered in Armenian-Turkish
relations lately.

O. Rehn, in his turn, presented the process of Turkey’s membership
to EU and the position of European Commission in this issue.

RA PRESIDENT CONSIDERS THAT FOR COMPLETELY INTEGRATING INTO GEORGIAN
PUBLIC ARMENIANS OF JAVAKHK SHOULD MASTER GEORGIAN LANGUAGE

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian considers
that right goals should be set in the issue of Javakhk: in particular,
the Armenians of Javakhk should master Georgian in order to completely
integrate into the Georgian public. RA President emphasized during
his April 27 meeting with lecturers and students of YSU that negative
attitude is harmful first of all for Javakhk. R. Kocharian said that
he has never seen a fully-fledged Armenian community in any country
which does not master the language of the given country.