Month: April 2007

MERZLYAKOV: OSKANIAN-MAMEDYAROV NEXT MEETING MAY BE HELD EITHER IN MAY OR LATER

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.04.2007 14:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE MG CO-Chairs for the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement are preparing the next meeting between Armenian and
Azeri foreign ministers, Russian Co-Chair Yuri Merzlyakov stated. He
reminded last time the mediators succeeded in organizing a meeting
between Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Vartan Oskanian
and Elmar Mamedyarov on April 18-19. "Currently we are looking for
a possibility to organize one more meeting between the FMs. But is
very difficult to bring them together," Merzlyakov said. He did not
exclude that the next consultations between the two FMs may be held
either on May or later.

The Russian diplomat noted the OSCE MG Co-Chairs are planning to
visit Madrid on May 10 to meet with OSCE Chairman-in-Office Spanish
Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos. Following it the mediators
will visit the conflict region at the end of May, Trend reported.

SERGE SARGSIAN: BORIS YELTSIN MADE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPMEMT OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN REALTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 25 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian prime minister Serge
Sargsian on April 25 visited the Armenian embassy in Russia and on
behalf of the Armenian government expressed condolence in connection
with the death of the first president of the Russian Federation Boris
Yeltsin. NT was informed about it from the RA Government Information
and PR Department.

The RA prime minister in particular wrote in the book of records in
the Russian emebassy: "With deep grief and regret I heard the news
of the death of the first president of the Russian Federation Boris
Yeltsin. He was a person standing at the new democratic origins of
Russia and was one of the prominent figures of the 1990s, who left
his bright and memorable trace in history.

Everybody in Armenia loved and respected Boris Nikolayevich. He made
a great contribution to the development of Armenian-Russian relations
at the initial stage of formation of our independent states when the
solid foundation, on which the Armenian-Russian strategical partnership
is based today, was being formed.

On behalf of the government of the Republic of Armenia, I express
deep condolence in connection with this heavy loss of the Russian
citizens and request to convey my sympathy and condolence to the
family, relatives and friends of Boris Yeltsin."

ARMENIANS OF SLOVAKIA AND AUSTRIA ON APRIL 24 LAY WREATHS AT KHACHKAR-MEMORIAL MONUMENT IN BRATISLAVA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 25 2007

BRATISLAVA, APRIL 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Members of the
Armenian community of Slovakia and a group of Armenians from Vienna on
April 24 laid wreaths at the Armenian khachkar-memorial monument in
downtown Bratislava. NT correspondent reported from Bratislava that
Ashot Grigorian, Chairman of the Armenian community of Slovakia and
the Representation of Europe’s Armenian Organizations, made a short
speech at the monument.

To recap, the khachkar-monument was erected as token of the Armenian
people’s gratitude for adoption of the Armenian Genocide-condemning
resolution by the National Assembly of Slovakia in 2004. The resolution
not only condemns the genocide organized by Turkey but also demands
that the European Union assert the fact of the Armenian Genocide,
while Turkey ratify it.

KARABAKH: CHANGE OF STATE DEPARTMENT’S REPORT BECOMES HABIT

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.04.2007 14:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The point on Armenia of the US State Department’s
2006 report of Human Rights, which touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh,
has been restored in its original reduction, the PanARMENIAN.Net
journalist was told in the U.S. Embassy of Armenia. Currently the
report says, "occupied by Armenia territories of Azerbaijan and
Nagorno Karabakh".

Last week by demand of the Armenian side "occupied Nagorno Karabakh"
formulation was removed from the text of the report. However it was
restored on April 24.

In the interview to AzerTaj OSCE MG American Co-Chair, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza
stated, "The statement in its original variant of the report was
wrong. If we take into account the current stage of talks over the
Nagorno Karabakh, it was our mistake. Let us consider one more time:
the amendment says that the Armenian forces have occupied territories,
but Armenian officials state that they have not occupied Nagorno
Karabakh. As you see, we just indicated the statement of the Armenian
side. Currently we are on the stage of peace process over the Nagorno
Karabakh, when the sides negotiate over its final status. This status
will be determined through peaceful ways via the OSCE Minsk Group,
basing on such international principles as resolutions of the UN
Security Council and OSCE decisions.

That’s why if we mistakably stated that Armenia has occupied Nagorno
Karabakh, like in the original variant, that statement as if will
predetermine results of negotiations concerning the status. We cannot
determine results, they must emerge in the process of talks. That’s
why I repeat we’ve committed a mistake. Now we corrected our
mistake. I will also notice that we have not fallen under anybody’s
influence. There are some people who say that we have done it under
the pressure of some Diasporan groups. That’s not right."

FORMER AKHALKALAK MAYOR ARRESTED

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 25 2007

AKHALKALAK, APRIL 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On April 23, at
about 22:00, member of presidium of United Javakhk democratic bloc,
deputy of Akhalkalak regional sakrebulo Nairi Iritsian and activist
of the same bloc Artur Poghosian were arrested. In some hours they
were moved to Samtskhe-Javakhk regional center, Akhaltskha.

According to some information not checked yet, the reason of the
arrest was the conflict of above mentioned persons with the driver
of Akhalkalak Regional Prosecutor. As Noyan Tapan was informed from
Javakhk-Info, the incident happened on April 23, at about 19:00. In
Akhalkalak’s Liberty street the Prosecutor’s driver ran over by car
another deputy of Akhalkalak regional sakrebulo, member of United
Javakhk Andranik Abelian. As eye-witnesses say, after running over
by car the driver and several people in the car did nothing to take
Abelian to hospital, moreover, they fought with Nairi Iritsian,
Artur Poghosian and other persons who had come to help Abelian. By
the way, the deputies of Akhalkalak’s regional sakrebulo were coming
back from the village of Samsar where they took part in the unveiling
ceremony of khachkar (cross-stone) dedicated to the memory of victims
of Armenian Genocide.

To recap, in early 2007 the Georgian legislative bodies convicted Artur
Poghosian to two years’ suspended imprisonment and fine of 2000 laries
(nearly 00).

Another arrested person, Nairi Iritsian, held the post of Akhalkalak
Mayor in 2003-2006, is one of the founders of United Javakhk democratic
bloc and gaining 70% and more in 2006 local self-government elections
in Georgia defeated the representative of the ruling party.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DECLARATION ON RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INTRODUCED TO BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.04.2007 14:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ By Speaker Georgi Pirinski’s offer the April 25
session of the National Assembly (parliament) of Bulgaria opened with
a minute of silence in the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims
in the Ottoman Empire.

MP Boyko Vatev from "Bulgarian National Front" introduced a
declaration, which recognizes and condemns the Armenian Genocide. He
demanded to adopt the document by the parliament. Other MPs too
condemned the Armenian and Bulgarian Genocides. Currently initiators
are collecting signatures for including the issue of adopting
declaration of the Armenian and Bulgarian genocide in the agenda.

>From April 22 till 22 a number of events dedicated to the 92nd
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide were held in various Bulgarian
cities – Sofia, Plovdiv and Varne. They were organized by the Armenian
community of Bulgaria, the RA MFA Press Office reports.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: CANADIAN PREMIER DOES NOT CAVE IN TURKEY’S BLACKMAIL

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.04.2007 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "We are well aware of the pressure and the threats
by Turkey in the Armenian Genocide issue," Executive Director of the
Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) Aris Babikian stated to
the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist. "Fortunately Prime Minister of Canada
does not cave in Turkey’s blackmail. He stood firm to his principled
stand vis-a-vis the Armenian Genocide issue," Babikian underlined. In
his annual address in connection with the 92nd anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide Harper reminded the both chambers of the Canadian
Parliament have adopted a resolution that recognizes the first genocide
of the 20th century.

Canadian Prime Minister Harper was warned through diplomatic channels
last week that "repeating these claims annually will not help in
normalizing Turkey-Armenia relations and will harm Turkish-Canadian
bilateral relations as well." "We hope that the Canadian PM will not
repeat this year what he did last year," a high-level Turkish Foreign
Ministry official said, the Turkish Daily News reports.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES IRAQ WITHDRAWAL TIMETABLE

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.04.2007 15:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On Wednesday the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress
adopted a bill on removing American troops from Iraq, AP reports. 218
House members voted for and 208 against the bill. It is expected that
at the beginning of May 2007 the bill adopted by the lower chamber,
where Democrats make majority will be sent to President George Bush
to undersign.

It is expected that the Senate, where Democrats make a narrow majority
will approve the bill too. The both chambers of the Congress have
reached a preliminary agreement on this document.

The legislation on getting out American combat troops from Iraq
includes a budget bill on additional expenses for the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan, totally $124.2 bilion. The document says that budget
appropriations will be made if the process of removing combat troops
from Iraq will launch not later than October 1, 2007 and finally
completed by April 1, 2008.

President Bush has repeatedly vowed to veto any appropriations measure
that contains a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. The
U.S. President, who represents the Republican party and members of
his administration insist on keeping American troops in Iraq until
the situation in this country normalizes, Lenta.ru reports.

ARSHAK SADOYAN HAS TO FILL LACK OF BROADCAST HOURS BY "HARD WORK" BY VISITING VARIOUS POPULATED AREAS FOR MEETING WITH POPULATION

Noyan Tapan
Apr 25 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Under conditions of "bazaar" economy
instead of market economy in the country the electoral campaign
requires huge sums.

Arshak Sadoyan, RA MP, Chairman of Union of National Democrats Party,
taking the second place on the proportional list of the Democratic
Way Party, stated at the April 25 press conference. In his words,
due to paid broadcasts’ being expensive he has to do "hard physical
work" by visiting various populated areas of the country for meeting
the population.

According to S. Sadoyan’s calculations, a sum equal to 0.5-1 mln
dollars is needed for agitation campaign and current expenditures
connected with it.

Lack of such financial resources put the opposition in a very hard
situation.

And under conditions of great social polarization in the country,
in his words, one cannot expect to raise large sums from the public.

A. Sadoyan said that he has sent an open letter to U.S. State Secretary
Condoleezza Rice with the proposal to provide to the opposition part
of the sum to be given to Armenia for the purpose of contributing
to holding of free and fair elections, but has received no response
so far.

Nevertheless, A. Sadoyan gave assurance that the Democratic Way Party
will have 10-12% in the future parliament, as the politicians taking
the first three places on the party’s list have high rating.

130 CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTACY CONTINUE STRUGGLE BY MAJORITARIAN SYSTEM FOR RA NA ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 25 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Three of candidates registered
by majoritarian system for the May 12 parliamentary elections
have officially refused of the further electoral struggle. RA MP,
non-partisan Aghasi Arshakian registered at electoral district N 6,
non-partisan Vilhelm Poghosian registered at electoral district N 10,
non-partisan Vahagn Petrosian registered at electoral district N 15
submitted applications on withdrawing their candidatures.

To recap, registration of two candidatures nominated at electoral
district N 19, RA MP, RPA member Hakob Hakobian and non-partisan
Susanna Haroutiunian was invalidated by the April 10 decision of
Armavir first instance court.

So, as of April 25, 130 candidates continue electoral struggle by
majoritarian system at 41 electoral districts.

As Ara Haroutiunian, Head of Control Service attached to CEC,
reported at the April 25 press conference, 72 of candidates continuing
electoral struggle have made payments to preelectoral funds. In total,
the transferred sum amounted to 72 mln drams, the expenditures 34
mln drams (nearly 94.4 thousand USD).