Month: April 2007

RA PRESIDENT QUALIFIES ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN’S ACTION AS MANIFESTATION OF BETRAYAL

Noyan Tapan
Apr 27 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian qualifies
the talk of Orinats Yerkir Party Chairman Artur Baghdasarian with
the employee of Great Britain’s Embassy in RA held in February as
a manifestation of betrayal. In response to the question of one of
journalists at the April 27 meeting with lecturers and students of
YSU the President said that all circumstances of that talk published
in Golos Armenii newspaper were examined by his order at RA National
Security Service and it was found out that it entirely corresponds to
reality. "It is difficult to imagine that former Speaker of parliament
could fall so low," RA President said.

VARTAN OSKANIAN: HISTORY NOT ALWAYS GIVES HUMANITY A SECOND CHANCE BUT WE HAVE IT

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 13:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "For a long time we had been trying to immortalize
the events of the beginning of the 20th century. We were alone,
since there were two variants of history: official and supposed,
recognized and rejected. The ruined empire was replaced by a state
with nearly deified self-consciousness. It could not be tolerant to
a massacre; this was beyond comprehension. By this very reason a new
history was invented, a history without tragic events. The verdicts
of the military courts were eliminated.

Evidences of missionaries and diplomats were questioned," Armenian
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said in Brussels when addressing
a soiree in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian
Minister said events of the kind are very important for prevention
of escalation of genocides from Bosnia to Rwanda and Darfur. He also
welcomed a Turkish intellectual, who said, "I am not to blame for what
was done 90 years ago but I am responsible for what can be done today."

Modern Turkey should be divided from the Ottoman Empire, according to
Vartan Oskanian "However I should mention that if it’s possible when
speaking of the 1915 events it becomes more and more difficult when
the matter concerns Turkey’s policy of denial. How is it possible to
divide two states when they propagandize the same ideology? Denialist
ideology is shameful. The later Turkey addresses its past and divides
its conduct from the Empire’s deeds the harder it will be to explain
the public that these are two different states," Minister Oskanian
said. "Armenia and Turkey are neighbors and will remain as such. We
have a common border and we can advance together only. History not
always gives the humanity a second chance but we do have such. Europe
is a place where people draw whatever they need to advance. It’s the
place where former enemies can condemn events and politics but by no
means people. On the contrary, the peoples of Europe pace from hatred
towards reconciliation and accept the future openly. That’s what we
want in our region," Vartan Oskanian resumed.

NUMBER OF THOSE WHO WISH TO TAKE PART IN ELECTIONS INCREASES DAY BY DAY, SHAVARSH KOCHARIAN STATES

Noyan Tapan
Apr 27 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Many problems accumulated in
the country cannot be solved and the external dangers cannot be
resisted until the power is formed of people’s own free will. Shavarsh
Kocharian, Chairman of National Democratic Party (NDP), stated at the
April 27 press conference. "With May 12 elections we are obliged to
finally overcome the "tradition" shameful for our country, according
to which the power is not formed by the people, therefore it does
not serve the people," he said.

In his words, the rumors about people’s passivity spread by the
authorities do not correspond to reality. S. Kocharian said that
according to the results of NDP’s surveys, the number of those who wish
to take part in the elections is increasing day by day. He also denied
the opinion that the results of elections are predetermined. "Those
who spread rumors about elections’ being predetermined strive or
involuntarily contribute to the situation when everything in the
country remains the same," S. Kocharian said.

BELGIAN SENATOR: IT’S IMPERATIVE TO HONOR GENOCIDE VICTIMS AND TO PREVENT FUTURE ATROCITIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 14:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Royal Conservatory of Belgium was full of
diplomats, journalists and students on April 25 as Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian highlighted a Commemorative Evening under the auspices
of the Armenian Embassy in Brussels.

The Minister’s talk, entitled Remembering a Past, Forging a Future,
addressed the nature and purpose of remembering. He spoke about
Armenia’s readiness for normal relations with Turkey, even as the
Genocide and its impact are remembered and recognized.

Belgian Senator Roelants du Vivier, head of the Belgian Senate’s
Committee on Foreign Affairs, spoke about the imperative of
acknowledging both to honor genocide victims and to prevent future
atrocities. He related how, during a recent visit to Yerevan, in
the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial museum, he was moved by the
display of Hitler’s words. The Belgian Senator had, in 1987, joined
in the first Genocide recognition resolution passed by the European
Parliament, the RA MFA reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RPA STRIVES FOR RAISING STATE’S ROLE IN ECONOMIC PROCESSES, HERMINE NAGHDALIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 27 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The Republican Party of Armenia being
a conservative political force by its essence is a supporter of liberal
model of economy. Hermine Naghdalian, member of NA RPA faction, stated
at the April 27 joint press conference with ARFD Adviser for economic
issues Ara Nranian. At the same time, in H. Naghdalian’s words,
RPA strives for contributing to rise of state’s role in economic
processes through this model.

As she affirmed, fulfilment of the preelectoral program of RPA
will give a possibility to increase rates of country’s economic
growth. H. Naghdalian said that increase of revenue part of 2007
state budget by 84 bln drams is planned. In her words, this sum will
be gained as a result of fighting shady economy and corruption.

A. Nranian said that ARFD in its preelectoral program attaches
importance to growth of rates of industry, as well as increase of
exports indices. As he affirmed, the small Armenia having 3 mln
population cannot have serious economic success without exports.

COLOR REVOLUTIONS IN ARMENIA POSSIBLE THEORETICALLY BUT EXCLUDED PRACTICALLY

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 14:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Color revolutions in Armenia are possibly
theoretically but excluded practically, RA Prime Minister Serge
Sargsyan. The authorities are constructive in a wish to hold a fair
and transparent election.

"Investigations show that 50 percent of the people discontent
with the outcomes of the elections form opinion from their own
experience. 10 percent – under the influence of the political
forces who lost the election and 15 percent – under the influence of
observers. Consequently, if we manage to hold a fair election there
will be no social basis that could provoke destabilization," the PM
said. Certainly, he added, there are people who have already started to
speak that the election will marred. "I do not know the reasons. Two
interim reports issued by the OSCE give a positive estimation to
the election campaign. Discontent of 50 or 1000 people cannot be a
determining factor for us. There is a society and law enforcement which
will perform their mission," he said, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports.

CEC PLANS TO MAKE CHECKINGS FOR REVEALING AGITATION POSTERS PRINTED WITH VIOLATION OF LAW

Noyan Tapan
Apr 27 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The deadline of withdrawing
candidatures by candidates for deputacy registered by majoritarian and
proportional systems will expire on May 2, 18:00 and at the sitting
to be convened immediately after this CEC will establish the form of
the ballot-papers. CEC Chairman Garegin Azarian reported at the April
27 press conference. The ballot-papers by majoritarian system will
be printed at Tigran Mets publishing-house and by proportional system
at Blank Hrat publishing-house. It was mentioned that CEC is going to
invite media representatives for controlling the process of printing.

In G. Azarian’s words, CEC plans to make checkings in the coming
days for the purpose of revealing agitation posters not containing
information about the printing organization and circulation. CEC
Chairman promised to inform media about the results of checking at
the press conference to held on May 2.

KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING DUE IN SAINT PETERSBURG JUNE 10

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 15:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During a meeting with the students of the Yerevan
State University Armenian President Robert Kocharian said his meeting
with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is scheduled for June 10
in Saint Petersburg. However, the Armenian President is not very
optimistic about the meeting. "The latest talks of the Ministers
proceeded in a calm atmosphere and this gave ground for optimistic
statements," the RA leader said.

ARMENIAN YEZIDIS PROTEST AGAINST MURDER OF 23 KINSFOLK IN IRAQ

Armenpress
Apr 27 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s biggest national minority
group-Yezidis-gathered today outside the UN Armenia House in central
Yerevan to protest against the murder of 23 kinsfolk in Iraq on
April 22.

According to media reports, the non-Muslim Yezidis were among 50
people killed by insurgents last Sunday. They were dragged from a
bus and gunned down by the roadside.

The violence came as the US military said it would press on with plans
to wall in Baghdad’s most restive neighborhoods despite criticism
from residents and many Iraqi politicians.

The non-Muslims from Iraq’s Yezidi minority were ambushed near the
main northern city of Mosul. They were traveling back from a textile
plant in Mosul to their home in Bashika, east of the city.

Several gunmen stopped the buses, chose the Yezidi among the passengers
and killed them in front of everybody. Three wounded Yezidis survived.

Aziz Tamoyan, the Yerevan-based chairman of the World Yezidi Union,
said the security of one million of Yezidis in Iraq, which is their
historical home, is endangered.

He said the murder of Yezidis is part of a plan to drive his nation
our of their land and urged the international community to stop the
attacks on them ‘because the Yezidi community is not involved in the
political processes of Iraq.’

OMX TO ACQUIRE THE ARMENIAN STOCK EXCHANGE AND CENTRAL DEPOSITORY

AFX Europe (Focus)
Published: Apr 27, 2007

STOCKHOLM (Thomson Financial) – OMX AB said it has signed a letter of
intent with the Central Bank of Armenia and the Armenian government,
regarding the acquisition of the Armenian Stock Exchange and the
Central Depository of Armenia.

OMX said the size of the Armenian market is currently small by any
standards, but it sees the potential for growth due to a number of
contributing factors, such as the upcoming pension reform, changes
to the legal framework and an increased focus on the equity market
as a source of capital for companies in the region.

No financial details were disclosed.