Month: April 2007

PACE: PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN MUST MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Regnum, Russia
April 17 2007

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe proposed that
Azerbaijan maintained last-year incentives in the talks on Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement.

The PACE also finds it necessary to establish a dialog between the
government and the opposition. MPs listed a number of actions for
Azerbaijan to take in order to fulfill its obligations to the Council
of Europe. In order to increase the role of the parliament, the PACE
also proposed to amend the country’s constitution.

The Assembly suggested that a special group is established to examine
the issue of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and called the Azeri
government to conduct the presidential elections in such a way that
they become "the first ever elections in the country’s history"
that meet international standards.

The PACE spring session started in Strasburg yesterday. The agenda
includes issues like Azerbaijan’s implementation of its obligations to
the Council of Europe, human rights practices and democracy in Europe,
improvement of the monitoring procedure etc.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AAA DISCUSSED ISSUES CRITICAL TO THE ARMENIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY WITH THE OFFICES OF SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID AND SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 17 2007

The Western Office of Armenian Assembly of America led a community
meeting with the offices of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
and Senator John Ensign (R-NV) in Las Vegas, Nevada, to discuss issues
critical to the Armenian-American community.

Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, along with Parish Council
Member Fredrick Gregorian and Ladies Guild Chair Olga Gregorian of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of Las Vegas, Jerry Guederian, who
serves as Armenian Council of America’s Nevada Representative and
community activist Gerard Costantian, discussed the importance of
congressional passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution pending in
the Senate and House (S. Res. 106 and H. Res. 106 respectively), as
well as S. Res. 65, condemning the murder of Hrant Dink. Additional
topics included the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations requests for
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh, military parity and the importance of
lifting the Turkish blockade and regional transportation corridors.

"We are fortunate to have such an active community in Las Vegas and
the strong bipartisan support of the State’s Senators," said Kaimian.

"We look forward to expanding these relationships, and hope that S.
Res. 106 will be scheduled for a vote in the Senate," Kaimian added.

The group commended the long-time support of both Senators and thanked
Ensign for introducing S. Res. 106 along with his Senate Colleague
Richard Durbin (D-IL). Fredrick and Olga Gregorian also provided an
update on the activities of Nevada’s growing community.

"As an Assembly intern alumnus and a concerned Armenian-American, I
strongly support the Assembly’s advocacy agenda and goal to strengthen
the U.S.-Armenia relationship," said Costantian. On a similar note,
Guederian stressed the importance of activism on legislative issues
and reaching out to lawmakers.

AZERBAIJANI SIDE TO APPEAL TO ARMENIA AND ICRC FOR CAPTURED SOLDIER’S RELEASE

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 17 2007

State Committee for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons
will appeal to Armenia and International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)
for release of soldier of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Samir Mammadov
who was captured by Armenia Armed Forces, secretary of the committee
Shahin Sayilov told the APA.

"In response to the appeals it was noted that Samir Mammadov does
not want to return to his motherland. But this time we will ask to
give the soldier back even if he does not want," he said.

Sayilov noted that they will raise this issue at the meeting with
administration of ICRC Azerbaijani office today.

RIGHTS DEFENDERS APPRAISE DEBATES ON AZERBAIJAN IN PACE

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 17 2007

"Debates on Azerbaijan in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) can be regarded as the victory of Azerbaijan and
Azerbaijani rights defenders," human rights defender Saida Gojamanli
told the APA correspondent accredited in the Council of Europe.

She highly appreciated the solidarity demonstrated for common
interests.

"Nagorno Karabakh was the main issue, issue on appointing special
representative on political prisoners in Azerbaijan was not on focus
and amendment to the report suggested by Armenia was not approved,"
she said.

Saida Gojamanli said that human rights defenders left for Strasbourg
to attend the PACE spring session will have meeting with Ago group.

The rights defenders are also expected to meet with Lord
Russell-Johnston and Andreas Gross, former co-rapporteur of the
monitoring committee for Azerbaijan.

Eldar Namazov, president of Public Forum for Azerbaijan told the APA it
is welcoming that despite Armenian delegation’s protest, the principle
points on Nagorno Karabakh were not removed from the co-rapporteurs’
report. He said that three or four amendments were made to the report
according to Azerbaijan’s inquiry. These amendments were connected
with improving Electoral Code and activity of Public Television.

Members of Azerbaijani delegation to PACE did not make any statements
to the media on the debates.

TRACHTENBERG TAKES ON TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
By Mark Abramson – Deputy Campus News Editor

Daily Colonial, DC
The George Washington University
April 17 2007

President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg discussed the role of the
University and the U.S. in foreign policy with the Delta Phi Epsilon
fraternity Monday night.

Trachtenberg began with a prepared speech before opening up the foor
to audience questions.

During the first part of the session, he touched upon the importance
of multilingual skills.

"Speaking English is an advantage in the world," said Trachtenberg,
who also acknowledged the need to learn other tongues. "My father said
‘You better know how to sell something in a customer’s language’."

Tying language skills into careers relating to international affairs,
Trachtenberg said that studying abroad during college is important
because it allows students to experience a foreign country first hand,
rather than just research and study it without ever seeing it.

"For the next few foreseeable years I see you (the audience) succeeding
in foreign service careers," he said. "To succeed in foreign policy
and international affairs we have to refresh our experiences and
build upon them by setting up increasing scholarships and study abroad
programs. Everyone is in competition with everyone, especially in the
global market. But there will be work and opportunities for everyone
for now."

The evening’s conversation then switched gears when the event was
opened up to questions from the audience.

One question posed to Trachtenberg concerned the University’s role and
membership in the American Turkish Council; GW’s membership promotes
business and international relations for the University, even though
the Council supports lobbying against the Armenian Genocide.

"I don’t understand why the Turks don’t acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide," said Trachtenberg. "And I don’t think we should be hesitant
to tell the Turks where we (the U.S) stand."

He said that relations with Turkey remain important, because despite
certain cultural differences with the U.S. regarding free speech,
the country has progressed into a secular nation while maintaining
its Muslim roots. America’s relationship with Turkey could thus serve
as a potential role model among predominantly Muslim, Middle Eastern
political interests, Trachtenberg said.

The GW President also answered questions about the U.S.’s seemingly
declining popularity on the international stage.

"The truth is that I think people abroad like Americans and like
America," said Trachtenberg. "I feel very free to be critical of the
U.S at home more than when I’m abroad. There are issues that I don’t
agree with, but to condemn the nation as a whole is absurd. People
understand though that this is a marvelous place and that we have more
freedom and economic opportunities than anywhere else in the world."

Trachtenberg went on to discuss the war in Iraq and its relation
to the U.S.’s international image. He said that the money put into
funding the war could have been better spent by giving incentives
to Israelis and Palestinians to start joint companies for farming,
which he said could lead to very prosperous outcomes.

Trachtenberg went on to compare the Iraq and Vietnam War.

"We’ve all become spectators," he said.

Trachtenberg said that creating a draft would spread the responsibility
rather than having a voluntary paid army. He also said that parents
would have to get past the idea of their own kids having to fight.

"What I want is for there to be more discussion…There’s not enough
discussion. The people fighting over there in Iraq are your age,
they are your peers," he told the audience.

Toward the end of the night, Trachtenberg focused on the new Square
54 plan and the opening of new facilities to allow the science and
engineering programs to grow along with the International Affairs
School.

"The choice is not faculty over facility, or vice-versa, the choice is
– which comes first," said Trachtenberg, referring to the allocation
of funds.

At the end of the night, students seemed satisfied with the topics
the President touched upon and how he approached them.

"I was happy that he spoke frankly about the Armenian Genocide," said
Alison Tahmizian Meuse ’09. "It’s something that’s very important
to me."

"UNEXPECTED" PROBLEM FOR BAKO SAHAKYAN

KarabakhOpen
17-04-2007 20:28:25

In the framework of the onset of the election campaign in Nagorno
Karabakh an initiative group was set up in NKR to nominate Bako
Sahakyan, the head of the NKR National Security Service. And the first
problems with the law occurred right away. It turned out that this
candidate, who was the focus of the consultations of the political
forces which were up for naming him as a common candidate, has not
lived in NKR over the past ten years. Bako Sahakyan has lived in
Stepanakert since 2000 when he was appointed NKR minister of home
affairs.

Time will show how this fact will affect the nomination of Bako
Sahakyan.

Certain difficulty will occur related to the higher education diploma
as well, which is already a habit among the Armenian politicians
because Sahakyan will also face a problem of the legality of this
document. In the post-war period a number of figures standing close
to the top leadership "forged" diplomas on higher education.

It appears that problems occur in the political life of Nagorno
Karabakh like in Armenia. On the one hand, it is stated that nobody
should interfere with the internal problems; on the other hand,
Karabakh is announced to be part of Armenia. It is interesting how
the supporters of Bako Sahakyan will behave this time, who are already
baffled by the slogan "people of Karabakh elect president of Karabakh"
and the banner called "Kocharyan’s OK".

"KAREN DEMIRCHAIN WAS MORE THAN A BELOVED SON OF THE PEOPLE"

Noyan Tapan
Apr 16 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, NOYAN TAPAN. "Karen Demirchian was more than a
beloved son of the people, more than the first secretary of the party,
more than Karen the Builder, more than the speaker of the National
Assembly. He was more than himself. He was an apostle… " This is
how the poetess Silva Kaputikian described Karen Demirchian, first
secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia
(1974-1988), speaker of the RA National Assembly (June-October 1999),
the National Hero of Armenia, whose 75th anniversary is celebrated
on April 17.

Although jubilee events on this occasion will start on April 18,
on the decision of the state commission, events dedicated to the
75th anniversary of K. Demirchian will be held throughout the
year. Particularly, the opening ceremony of the Karen Demirchian
Museum will take place on April 20. It is envisaged to organize
photo exhibitions, issue jubilee stamps, make a documentary film
about K. Demirchian, as well as to hold open lessons in educational
institutions of the country. The second volume of the book of memories
"Drops from Big Sea" and the calendar "Karen Demirchian-75" have
already been published.

"Those 14 years, during whicg K. Demirchian was the leader of the
republic, can probably be considered as the best years of the history
of modern Armenia. …. It was a thinking statesman without any
dogmas. He contributed to the creation of a spiritual atmosphere in
Armenia, which gave birth and formed whole constellations of talents,"
Nikolai Ryzhkov, a great friend of the Armenian people, former head
of the USSR government, presently a deputy of the Russian State Duma,
wrote in his memoires.

During a talk with NT correspondent, Rima Demirchian, widow of K.
Demirchian, noted that in the course of his activities, he did
the utmost that can be done, and even more than could be expected
at that time. In her words, K. Demirchian had a rare human gift –
to understand and love others, and as compensation he enjoyed the
infinite love and respect of the Armenian people.

"K. Demirchian was considered an economic rather than a political
figure.

Yet this is a wrong opinion as in the Soviet time, delicate political
and diplomatic approaches were needed in order to raise and solve
economic problems," R. Demirchian said.

After the tragic events of October 27, 1999, the then president of
Georgia Eduard Shevarnadze wrote that there are persons who continue
to live in the memory of people, even though their life was ended
untimely in a cruel way, and K. Demirchian is one of such people.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL LEGAL ENTITIES REGISTERED IN ARMENIA GROWS BY 3.11%, NUMBER OF PRIVATE BUSINESSMEN DECLINES BY 40.41% IN ONE YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Apr 16 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the data of the RA Justice
Ministry’s State Register of Legal Entities and Private Businessmen,
in January-February 2007, 533 commercial legal entities and 1,086
private businessmen got registered, and their total number made
54,206 and 43,164 respectively as of March 1, 2007. According to the
RA National Statistical Service, as of March 1, 2006, the number of
legal entities registered made 52,572, that of private businessmen –
72,429: in one year, the number of legal entities increased by 3.11%,
whereas the number of private businessmen declined by 40.41%.

In January-February 2007, 173 legal entities and 211 private
businessmen were liquidated.

Investments of 712.65 mln drams (over 1 mln 980 USD) were made by 533
legal entities registered in the indicated period of 2007. Investments
of 504.6 mln drams were made in 32 enterprises founded only by foreign
legal entities and citizens, investments of 94.25 mln drams were made
in 9 joint ventures.

TRADE GROWS BY 3.6% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Apr 16 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-February 2007, the trade
turnover made 154 bln 751 mln drams (430 mln USD) at current prices
in Armenia, exceeding by 3.6% the respective index of the same period
of 2006 (at comparable prices).

According to the RA National Statistical Service, in January-February
2007, retail trade amounted to 101 bln 767 mln drams at current prices,
growing by 6.9% on the respective index of the same months of 2006
(at comparable prices).

Services made 71 bln 191.2 mln drams at current prices in
January-February 2007, growing by 13.3% on the respective index of
last year (at comparable prices).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MAYASSA MEETS LOUVRE MUSEUM HEAD

Gulf Times, Qatar
April 17 2007

HE Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani meeting Louvre Museum president
and director general Henri Loyrette in Paris PARIS: HE Sheikha
Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, chairperson of the board of trustees
of the Qatar Museums Authority, met here yesterday the president and
director general of the Louvre Museum, Henri Loyrette.

During the meeting, they reviewed means of promoting co-operation
in museums.

The meeting was attended by HE Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah, member
of the board of trustees; HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassem al-Thani; HE
Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali al-Thani, deputy chairman of board
of trustees; Qatar Ambassador to France Mohamed Jaham al-Kuwari;
and Dr Sabiha al-Khamir, director of the Islamic Art Museum.

Later, HE Sheikha Mayassa toured the Armenian section currently being
staged at the Louvre Museum where she was briefed on the sculptures,
rocks, metal pieces, books and the antiquities showcasing the Armenian
history and civilisation.

Sheikha Mayassa also met at the French Foreign Ministry premises
with a group of thinkers specialised in Middle East history, artists
and painters.

Talks during the meeting dealt with the role of Arab thinkers in
portraying Arab civilisation and means of achieving rapprochement
and liaison between the East and the West.

The group of thinkers comprises Amin Maalouf, Tahir bin Jalloun,
Suleiman Zaqhidour and Ghassan Salama.

Later, Sheikha Mayassa met French Minister of Culture and
Communications Renaud Donne Deiu de Vabres.

Discussion during the meeting dealt with means of enhancing and
promoting relations between the two countries, particularly in the
cultural domains.

Sheikha Mayassa also paid a visit to the French National Museum
of Natural History. She met the president and director general of
museum, who briefed her on phases of the museum’s construction and
its contents.

She toured the sections of the museum.