Month: April 2007

FOCUS WILL BE ON AGRIBUSINESS

KarabakhOpen
24-04-2007 13:04:44

In the framework of the government program on small and medium-sized
business assistance 796 million drams will be allocated for loans. The
bulk will be provided to agriculture.

180 million drams will be provided for wine growing, 140 million for
other spheres of agriculture, 50 million for services, 50 million for
hotel service, and 6 million drams will be provided for promotion of
businesses (ads, expos), the head of the Artsakh Development Agency
Armen Avagyan said in an interview with the Azat Artsakh.

According to him, this year industry has appeared first in the list
of the spheres which will get loans. In addition, the focus will be
on processing of agricultural products, for which 370 million drams
will be provided. Wineries may get 120 million drams of loans, meat
processing and dairy business will get 60 million drams, others will
get 80 million drams.

ARMENIANS THROUGHOUT THE GLOBE MARK 92ND ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.04.2007 12:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today, on April 24, Armenians throughout the
globe mark the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman
Turkey. Mass arrests of the Armenian intellectual, religious, economic
and political elite started in Constantinople on that very day in 1915
what resulted in entire annihilation of a whole pleiad of outstanding
Armenian cultural workers.

Writers, actors, musicians, teachers, doctors, lawyers, journalists,
businessmen, political and religious leaders were detained till
the end of May, 1915 without being incriminated in anything. In the
course of several weeks about 800 celebrated Armenians were arrested
in Constantinople. By the end of summer there had been few of them
left alive. During the period of 1915-1923 1.5 million of Armenians
were killed. The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Russia, France,
Canada, Lebanon, Uruguay, Cyprus, Argentina, Greece, Belgium, Sweden,
Slovakia, Netherlands, Switzerland, Vatican, Italy, Germany, Lithuania
and Poland as well as 40 states of the U.S.

NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian’s commentary…

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

Question: Mr. Minister, how will you comment the statement of the
CE Committee of Ministers, Foreign Minister of San Marino Fiorenzo
Stolfi concerning the information that the forthcoming elections in
Nagorno Karabakh cannot create favorable conditions for the conflict
settlement since they predetermine the region’s status? Commentary:
The statement of the Chairman of the CE Committee of Ministers denotes
once more that the European officials of even such high level are
poorly aware of the Karabakh conflict’s essence and process.

Representatives of different European structures try to compensate this
gap by using stereotyped answers, as Foreign Minister of San Marino
Fiorenzo Stolfi did. However, similar standard approach to the Karabakh
problem as a whole, and the process of civil society building in the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic in particular, which has recently become
established in the international structures is counterproductive and
dangerous. The indulgence to the caprices of the Azerbaijani side,
which is more often demonstrated by the European officials, can be
perceived as an attempt to bring Nagorno Karabakh back to the past.

In connection with this, I would like to remind Mr. Fiorenzo Stolfi
that any attempts to deprive the people of Nagorno Karabakh of the
right to democratic development and civil society strengthening
are condemned to failure. Under the conditions of democracy the
elections are crucial institute of demonstrating political role
of the people as the source of power. The forthcoming presidential
elections in the NKR are not an exception. They cannot impact the
Karabakh conflict settlement process and cannot predetermine Nagorno
Karabakh’s status, as their main function is to form power through
democratic mechanisms. The NKR’s status was determined by the will
of people of Nagorno Karabakh at December 10, 1991 referendum in
conformity with the norms of the international law and the national
legislation which was in force during that period.

It should be noted that we have repeatedly invited the representatives
of various European structures to visit Nagorno Karabakh and get
acquainted with the situation on-site to overcome the stereotypes
and cliches, which have become established among European officials
regarding Nagorno Karabakh.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHILDREN OF ARTSAKH WILL GET TREATMENT IN EUROPEAN HOSPITALS
Zarine Mayilian

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

Recently two representatives of Frendensdorf International and
Varuzhan Sedrakian, the president of the Children’s Association of
Armenia have visited Stepanakert. The organization cooperates with
40 countries of the world, it has been collaborating with Armenia
for 14 years now. The doctors of the organization visit the given
region and choose sick children under 13 who cannot get a treatment
in that country. After an announcement they visited Arevik Children’s
Consultation in Stepanakert. After examination they chose children
who suffer from diseases that cannot be cured in Armenia through
surgery or any other method in Armenia and Artsakh. These children
now stand a chance to get a treatment in European clinics. "A number
of children underwent operation in Germany, Holland. Belgium. Now
we make examinations, the information about the disease will be sent
to the hospitals, the specialists will make a decision on treatment
or operation. We take about 180 children under 13 from Armenia
and Artsakh. They fly twice a year, in August and February. Since
in Europe medical services are paid for children after age 14, our
children do not have insurance policies unlike the European children
and they face financial difficulty," Varuzhan Sedrakian says.

STATEMENT

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

In preparing for the presidential election on July 19, 2007
the NKR parliament forces – the Democratic Party of Artsakh, the
Azat Hayrenik Party, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun and Movement 88 – held
consultations. The parties agreed that since the proclamation of NKR
serious steps have been made towards laying the foundation of the
independent state, creating a legitimate and effective government
through presidential, parliamentary and local elections in different
years, an effective army to defend the sovereignty of the country and
security of people, which helped prevent the danger against the regular
development of the country and adopt a line of democratic reforms,
creation of a civil society and dominance of human rights, provide
definite economic progress, implement a number of social programs,
enact legislation for fostering liberal market economy, increasing
investments. The experience of the independent state and the tendencies
of its development were set down in the NKR Constitution adopted by a
popular voting. Nevertheless, there are a number of unsolved problems
in the country. The parties have discussed the situation and agreed on
proceeding from the following priorities in drawing up the agenda for
the upcoming years: – International recognition of the independence
of NKR; – Legislative reforms necessitated by the Constitution; –
Further democratization of the system of public administration,
promotion of the mechanisms of division and counterbalance of
the branches of power, establishment of institutions of public
control over the government; – Drafting of an entitlement social
policy and a national strategy of poverty reduction; – Drafting
and introducing a new concept of finance and loan policy to foster
economic development; – Improvement of the demographic state through
resettlement and support to villages. Proceeding from this agenda,
the parties think they can support a common presidential candidate,
including a candidate nominated on a civil initiative, on the basis
of agreement on the principles of his election program and the
abovementioned priorities. The statement is open to all the other
political forces to join.

OPINION OF CITIZENS ON RECENT STATEMENT OF FOUR PARTIES
K. Mirzoyan

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

A few days ago the Democratic Party of Artsakh, the Azat Hayrenik
Party, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun and the Movement 88 Party made a
statement on supporting a single candidate in the NKR presidential
election on July 19. We tried to find out the attitude of the
society towards this decision. We asked people of different age
and occupation. "What is your opinion on the joint statement of the
political forces?" Robert YESAYAN, writer: "I appreciate this step as
an expression of unanimity. Perhaps there will be other candidates as
well, however, this joint effort will certainly be more effective and
will produce good results and have a positive effect on the public
and political reality in our country." Aida AVAGIAN, pensioner: "If
our parliament forces have joined to collaborate, it is an excellent
example of solidarity of the society."

Knar BABAYAN, student of Artsakh State: "I think this is an exceptional
case when our influential parliament forces have joined, and it
is commendable."

Rudolf ISRAELIAN, chair of the Department of Urban Planning of Artsakh
State: " The mere fact that four political parties decided to come
together in the NKR presidential election conveys a lot. There has
been nothing of the kind in the previous elections. It is commendable
that there is solidarity in the society in the face of the influential
political forces."

STRONG ARMENIA SHOULD BE A RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO PLANNED AND PERPETRATED GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.04.2007 13:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian issued an address
over the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman
Empire in 1915, the RA leader’s press office reports. The statement
says, in part, "Each year on April 24 we commemorate the innocent
victims of the Armenian Genocide. The memory about his crime lives
eternally in our hearts. Many states of the world join the Armenian
people on this mourning day. The international community has come
to understand that Genocide is a crime not only against one nation
but also against the whole humanity. It’s a crime, denial of which
is no less dangerous than its preparation and perpetration. Ordeals
and injustice unite people. Tragedy of the Genocide strengthened the
Armenian self-consciousness, united the Armenianhood and cemented
the aspiration to independent state system. The Republic of Armenia
should prosper and develop and the homeland of the whole Armenianhood.

Strong, democratic and flourishing Armenia should become a response
of the Armenian people to those who planned and perpetrated but still
keep on denying the Genocide."

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL PASSES RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.04.2007 13:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Recognition of the Armenian Genocide hearing was
held in Los Angeles City Council April 20.

LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti,
Council members and Armenian Consul General in Los Angeles Armen
Liloyan and other participants passed a resolution recognizing the
Armenian Genocide.

"Armenia pursues a consistent policy aimed at discussion of the
Genocide, human rights protection and public awareness," Armen
Liloyan said.

Eric Garcetti noted the important of the Armenian Genocide resolutions
adopted by the lower house of the California Legislature and the LA
City Council.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called on the Congress to pass the Armenian
Genocide resolution and advised the federal government to recognize
this fact, the RA MFA press office reports.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 92ND ANNIVERSARY MARKED IN GERMANY

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.04.2007 13:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ April 22-24 events dedicated to the 92nd anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide are held in Frankfurt, Cologne and Berlin with
participation of Federal and Land authorities, diplomats, scientific
and cultural workers. The principal event will be held in Berlin in
the French Cathedral. The commemoration soiree will be inaugurated by
head of the Armenian community of Berlin. Bundestag President Norbert
Lammert and RA Ambassador to Germany Karine Ghazinian are expected
to deliver a speech, the RA MFA press office reports.

OSCE MG: NEW KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING TO MARK ENDPOINT FOR NEGOTIATIONS ON BASIC PRINCIPLES

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.04.2007 14:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Vartan
Oskanian, and Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, met in Belgrade on April
18 under the aegis of the three Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group –
Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Ambassador Bernard Fassier
(France), and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza
(USA) – and in the presence of the Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman in Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The Co-chairs facilitated a constructive and forward-looking
discussion between the foreign ministers, who continued to embrace
the Basic Principles proposed by the mediators as the foundation for
the negotiations. The foreign ministers and the mediators have driven
the process very close to a point at which Armenian President Robert
Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will have to assess
these principles.

The Co-Chairs plan to visit the region in late May in order to explore
with each president the idea of an additional summit between them
that could mark an endpoint for negotiations on basic principles and
a starting point for a process to develop a comprehensive settlement
agreement, based on those principles, that will pave the way for
enduring peace and stability in the region.

As always, the co-chairs continue to stress the important role that
the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan must play to prepare their
societies for peace. They urge both sides to engage actively in
confidence-building measures that will help build trust between them,
the OSCE communication unit reports.