Month: April 2007

RA FOREIGN MINISTER PARTICIPATED IN THE SITTING OF THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL

ArmRadio.am
18.04.2007 10:14

RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian participated in the sitting of
the OSCE Permanent Council in Austria.

In his speech Minister Oskanian dwelt on the OSCE reforms, the activity
of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the parliamentary elections in Armenia,
Armenian-Turkish relations and the current stage of settlement of
the Karabakh conflict.

The Minister’s speech was followed by the comments and questions of
the Ambassadors of OSCE member states.

In the first half of the day Minister Oskanian visited the Parliament
of Austria where he met with the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Parliamentary Relations Kaspar Aynem.

The parties talked about the parliamentary elections in Armenia,
stressing the importance of holding these in compliance with
international standards.

Turning to issues of bilateral cooperation, the parties attached
importance to the establishment of cooperation between the parliaments
of the two countries after the elections.

At Mr. Aynem’s request, Vartan Oskanian presented the foreign policy
priorities of Armenia, its relations with neighbors, the perspectives
of settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

CONSULTATION OF EXPERTS TO BE HELD AT CSTO HEADQUARTERS

ArmRadio.am
18.04.2007 11:18

On April 24 high level consultations of military experts will
take place in the Headquarters of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization in Moscow

Russia media report that the experts will discuss issues of
military-political cooperation of the CSTO member states in
the framework of the system ensuring international security. The
specialists will analyze the military-political tools to counter the
new challenges and threats. Development of technologies and their
influence on the military potential of the member states will be
discussed as well.

"The event will be held in compliance with the SCTO program of
consultations on foreign policy, security and defense issues ratified
by the Councils of Defense and Foreign Ministers and the Secretaries
of the Security Council," mentioned Valeri Semerikov, the CSTO Deputy
Secretary General.

Members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization are Armenia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALLA LEVONYAN BECOMES UNICEF ARMENIA GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

ArmRadio.am
18.04.2007 13:37

Armenia’s renowned singer Alla Levonyan joined today the ranks of
200 celebrities around the world who have partnered with UNICEF to
advocate for children ‘s rights.

"Ms. Levonyan’s appointment as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador is not
just a recognition of her fame and talents, but more importantly, a
recognition of her commitment to improving the situation of children
in this country that she has demonstrated by participating in various
benevolent activities and campaigns benefiting vulnerable children,"
UNICEF Representative Sheldon Yett told a press conference at UN
House in Yerevan.

"People of all ages in this country enjoy Ms. Levonyan’s music. We
at UNICEF Armenia hope that Alla Levonyan’s voice will help us focus
attention on the most pressing needs of children in Armenia," the
UNICEF Representative stressed.

Celebrating Alla Levonyan’s appointment, Mr. Yett presented the
newly appointed Goodwill Ambassador with a UNICEF T-shirt and a cap
symbolizing her commitment to UNICEF’s mission to ensure every child’s
right to health, education, equality and protection.

"I am truly honoured to accept this new and challenging role. Before
this appointment I was responsible for my two children only, now
my responsibility has grown to embrace all children of Armenia. I am
excited to begin doing what I can to bring more attention to children’s
issues," said Alla Levonyan.

Alla Levonyan is one of the most popular and respected singers in
Armenia, whose unique voice and talent charms Armenians and others
from all over the world. She is known for contributing proceeds from
her concerts and sales of her albums to help persons with disabilities
in Armenia.

"We are confident that Alla Levonyan will be a highly respected and
effective National Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF who will be able
to use her talent and fame for the benefit of Armenia’s children,"
Sheldon Yett said.

AZNAVOUR PUZZLED WHY IT IS HARD FOR CAUCASIAND TO LIVE IN RUSSIA

ArmRadio.am
18.04.2007 12:13

Famous French Armenian singer Charles Aznavour is puzzled why it’s not
that easy for Caucasians, especially for Armenians to live in Russia.

In an interview with Russian "Izvestia" newspaper Aznavour said he
is most loved and appreciated in two countries -France and Armenia,
noting that today it is not easy for Caucasians to live in Moscow. "I
don’s understand what has led to this situation. Russia is the most
important country for any Armenian living in Armenia, and Armenians
have always been respected in Russia for their reason, diligence and
honesty," Aznavour underlined.

Let us remind that the famous singer is starting a farewell tour
in different countries of the world, and on April 20 he will give a
concert at the Kremlin Palace of Moscow, presenting his most popular
compositions. Asked what is the most important for him, Charles
Aznavour honestly responded, "My relatives. Here I include not only
my family, but also my friends."

Will the concert in the Kremlin be the last in Russia? Charles Aznavour
said, "I don’t know yet. It depends on the demand. Nevertheless, I
will complete my concert activity in about two years, when I turn 85."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CANDIDATE WAITING FOR A "DESERVING CHOICE"

Panorama.am
18:51 17/04/2007

"I cannot say that the election campaign is unsatisfactory but I cannot
make a positive assessment, either," Vahram Baghdasaryan, a candidate
in election community 30, told a news conference today. Baghdasaryan
said it will take a long time till "civilized form of political combat"
may be possible.

The candidate called all political forces not to engage in black PR
but lead an ideological combat.

Baghdasaryan believes the pre-election campaign must not turn into a
"show." Speaking about his charity actions, particularly distributing
free of charge tickets to bathhouses, Baghdasaryan said, "I do that
for a long time already." He said he has ceased this form of charity
action at the pre-election phase saying "it is time people make a
deserving choice."

HNCHAK LEADER BELIEVES PARTIES MUST VOW FOR FREE ELECTIONS IN WRITING

Panorama.am
18:35 17/04/2007

"The Diaspora is very concerned with the elections in Armenia," Stepan
Ajemean, head of Social Democratic Hnchak Party central department,
told a news conference today. Ajemean believes the observers must give
a "fair assessment of our elections," so that Armenia has elections
"equal" to international standards.

Ajemean believes all political parties must sign a document promising
to have elections without fraud.

"It will be useful not only for the Armenian nation but will be a fact
for the world that our country is ready for free and fair elections,"
the department head said.

SHALL WE HAVE GOOD ROADS?

KarabakhOpen
18-04-2007 11:55:02

Roadwork on the section from the entrance of the republic maternity
hospital to the intersection at the NKR Ministry of Health started
last year. This section includes parts of two streets, Baghramyan
and Mkrtichyan. Work on Baghramyan Street finished last year. Work on
the second street began this year, meanwhile the head of the Capital
Construction state non-profit organization Alexander Mamunts had
told the KarabakhOpen that the project was to finish by the end of
last year.

Roadwork on the second street is underway. We learned from the new
director of the Capital Construction Samvel Ghulyan that the second
section will be over in November. "By May 9 part of the road will be
covered with tarmac, the rest of the work will finish by November,"
said Samvel Ghulyan, and informed that the second section costs about
202 million drams. He also assured that the second section will be
of better quality because the building materials will be tested in
a laboratory.

Meanwhile, he declined to speak about the first section because he was
not the director of the organization he said. However, the drawbacks
are obvious even if you walk along the street once.

The schoolchildren have also raised this question in a meeting with
Mayor Edward Aghabekyan. Recently the mayor has stated that the
materials have been extended to the Office of Prosecutor General.

In answer to the question what should be done to remove the drawbacks
Samvel Ghulyan said the contractor will do it on its expense.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TODAY KAREN DEMIRCHYAN WOULD BE 75

A1+
[05:42 pm] 17 April, 2007

Today, Karen Demirchyan could celebrate his 75th anniversary. It is 8
years he has not been with us; his relatives, friends and just ordinary
people visit his tomb in Pantheon after Komitas. People used to call
him ‘ Karen the Constructor’ as Karen Serobovich was at the head of
the country during the years of prosperity and development of Armenia.

In the years of 1966-1972 he had been the Secretary of Yerevan Civic
Committee of Communist party, then the Second Secretary. In 1972, he
was the Secretary of Central Committee of Communist Party of Armenia
(CPA).

At the age of 42, Mr. Demirchyan was appointed the First Secretary
of CPA in 1974, and had been in the post till May, 1988.

He had deserved public fame and respect in the period of 14 years
in politics. He came back when there was the need for it. And he
was able to excite and bring back the minute "seed of hope" among
people. He was about to do it together with Vazgen Sargsyan but for
the disastrous accident.

The 75th anniversary will be celebrated officially. A number of
events will be held. On April 21, at 6:00 p.m. the memorial meeting
will take place in The Opera and Ballet Theatre after Al. Spendiaryan.

On April 20, at 2:00 p.m the solemn opening of "Karen Demirchyan"
museum will take place.

RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN’S HONESTY COST 50.000 DRAMS

A1
[07:16 pm] 17 April, 2007

In some of Yerevan communities, particularly in Avan people knock
at doors and promise 50000 drams to vote for "Heritage". People were
even offered the sum of money in trolley-buses.

"But for the ideology and program "Heritage" party has not
distributed anything," Hovsep Khurshudyan, press speaker of the party’s
headquarters. The party has not figured out who the imposters were. He
added, "Our power is our principle and honesty." He also mentioned the
fact that they faced obstacles even at law instances. They managed to
put "Heritage" poster in just one of the election station in Malatia-
Sebastia Community. The party is encountered with problems in marzes;
in some villages the village mayors themselves hindered the meetings.

"Heritage" has announced the 3 standards according to which an election
could be deemed free and fair in advance. " First, free and equal
access to Press and Mass Media, but some Mass Media and Press were
available for the party at the half of March. Second, the general
sum of 60 mln. AMD at the threshold of the elections. Unfortunately,
even this issue is breached.

Third, equal availability of preaching and meeting with people. The
latter is also breached," Mr. Khurshudyan stated.

As a matter of fact, the party continues to stick to his principles.

Tomorrow "Heritage" party headed by Raffi Hovhannisyan will meet
people in Syunik marz where the opposition members are threatened now
and then. Samvel Harutyunyan, Goris ex-mayor is competing in station
#37 together with Alexan Sargsyan, Serj Sargsyan’s brother. Hovsep
Khurshudyan informed that they did not get any alarms from local
officialdom yet unlike other opposition figures.

NKR CITIZENS HAVE RA PASSPORTS

A1+
[08:59 pm] 17 April, 2007

Citizens of NKR are deprived of their own state passports.

For instance, Shushan Stepanyan born and grown in Hadrut, when given
the passport she found out that she was a citizen of RA rather than
NKR. ‘When I was going to Yerevan State University, it really caused
some problems. It was easier for the students from Diaspora to enter
the university, but the admission committee did not believe me to
be an NKR citisen.They could believe me only looking at the side to
state the birthplace,’ she said.

Karlen Avetisyan, NKR Permanent Representative in RA elucidated the
fact,’ As far as NKR is not officially recognized, people are given
RA passports to keep connections with outer world.’

Are the NKR citizens likely to participate in the forthcoming elections
being deprived of the right? We should mention that the passports are
not a bit different from those of RA citizens.’ I have no fear about
it. According to law, they do not have the right either to elect or
be elected due to the law. The election lists are formed according
to the election sites,’ Karlen Avetisyan commented on the issue.
From: Baghdasarian