Month: July 2007

ARMENIA THREATENED

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)
Sooner Edition
July 3, 2007 Tuesday

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Armenia must voluntarily cede Azerbaijani territory
if it wants to avoid a new war over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijani
president said yesterday.

President Ilkham Aliyev said Azerbaijan will never put up with the
occupation of its lands and is ready to free them by any means,
including military.

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region in Azerbaijan with a
largely Armenian population, first erupted in 1988 when it declared
its independence from Azerbaijan, and moved to join Armenia.

ACCORDING TO ARKADI GHUKASIAN, KOSOVO CAN SERVE AS PRECEDENT FOR NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Noyan Tapan
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. "During the past 15 years Azerbaijan did
nothing in order to deserve the confidence of the Karabakh people,
instead it has chosen a policy of threats and blackmail." This
statement was made by Arkadi Ghukasian, the President of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, during a meeting with the students
of the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University in Yerevan on
July 3. He observed that the Azeri side is currently engaged not in
the conflict settlement but in its promotion, trying to present the
conflict to the world community as a mere argument between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. In the opinion of Arkadi Ghukasian, there is only one
way out of the created situation: the Karabakh side should again take
part in the negotiation process.

He believes that making compromises is out of the question in the
created atmosphere of inconfidence. "One can make compromises for his
or her associate, but not for his enemy, who has chosen a strategy
of threats," the President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh said.

He declared that if Azerbaijan continues to be engaged in promoting
instead of dealing with the problem, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
"will reconsider its approaches" with respect to the conflict. Arkadi
Ghukasian mentioned that, under that circumstances, the Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh will make its steps directed at making the conflict
known in the world community more active.

In A. Ghukasian’s conviction, Kosovo can fully serve as a precedent
for the solution of the Karabakh problem. "If Kosovo is able to
implement its right of self-determination, why is Karabakh incapable
of it? Nobody has an answer to this question," the NKR President
concluded.

"PRE-ELECTORAL SITUATION IN ARTSAKH IS ABSURD," REPRESENTATIVE OF MASIS MAYILIAN BELIEVES

Noyan Tapan
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Arman Melikian, the advisor of the
President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, believes that no
discussions and round tables concerning the forthcoming presidential
elections to be held in Nagorno Karabakh should be organized in
Yerevan. As he mentioned at the beginning of the round table organized
on the initiative of the Kovkas analytical center on July 3, such
measures are considered to be an intervention in the internal affairs
of Karabakh. A. Melikian declared that "this discussion is an attempt
to influence the forthcoming presidential elections in Nagorno Karabakh
by another state" and left the hall.

Political scientist Aleksandre Manasian mentioned that he fully
understands A. Melikian’s dissatisfaction, as Armenia has not made
a distinct statement concerning the status of Artsakh so far. On the
other hand, according to the political scientist, if the United States,
Russia, and other countries are interested in the Artsakh elections,
then Armenia is more entitled to be interested in it.

Gegham Baghdasarian, a representative of Masis Mayilian, a candidate
for the post of the Karabakh president and an MP in the NKR National
Assembly, introduced the pre-electoral situation in Artsakh and classed
it as "absurd." According to him, both pro-power and opposition
parties support the same candidate, which is an unprecedented
phenomenon throughout the world. In G. Baghdasarian’s conviction,
if the candidature of M. Mayilian was not put forward, there would
not be any alternative at all, and everything would be held in false
democratic conditions.

DELEGATION OF AGO’S COMMISSION IS TROUBLED WITH POSSIBLE LIMITATION OF RA CITIZENS’ ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Noyan Tapan
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Vardan Oskanian, the RA Minister of
Foreign Affairs, received the delegation of Ago’s monitoring commission
of the Committee of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Council
of Europe headed by Perry Sjogren, the Ambassador of Sweden to the
Council of Europe.

Officials of the Secretariat of the Committee of EU Ministers,
the Ambassadors of Australia, France, Germany, Russia, Romania,
and Latvia to the Council of Europe are included in the delegation.

According to the message provided to Noyan Tapan by the Press and
Information Department of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vardan
Oskanian gave a positive remark about the usefulness and productiveness
of the cooperation with Ago’s monitoring commission of the Committee
of the Ministers of the Council of Europe within the framework of
performing duties since the RA membership in the Council of Europe.

During the meeting the interlocutors also touched upon the current
negotiation stage of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the results of the
May 12 parliamentary elections, and international remarks, as well as
preparatory issues of the forthcoming presidential elections. As for
the elections and the Electoral Code, the members of Ago’s group gave
a positive mark to the previous elections and attached importance to
the improvement processes of elections and electoral legislation.

Speaking about the free press, the Ambassadors to the Council of
Europe particularly stressed the RA government’s initiative concerning
amendments envisaged to make in the RA Law on "Television and Radio",
which is currently being discussed in the RA National Assembly. They
expressed their anxiousness with the fact that in case these amendments
are made, the free access of RA citizens to information may be
limited. The Ambassadors listened to Vardan Oskanian’s clarifications
and reaffirmed their request to the RA authorities to remain true to
the obligations assumed with regard to this issue.

IN ROBERT KOCHARIAN’S WORDS, IT IS FIRST OF ALL ARMENIA THAT NEEDS REFORMS

Noyan Tapan
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian met with
the delegation of the Ago Monitoring Commission of the CE Foreign
Ministers’ Committee on July 3. It was mentioned that since membership
of the Council of Europe, Armenia has passed an important step in
the respect of fulfilment of commitments and has registered great
progress in terms of reforms.

According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA President’s
Press Office, the delegation led by the Ambassador of Sweden to the CE,
Per Sjogren, included the Ambassadors of Austria, France, Germany,
Russia, Romania, and Latvia to the Council of Europe, and officials
of the Secretariate of the CE Committee of Ministers.

R. Kocharian said that reforms embracing different spheres of
life are implemented with the deep belief that it is first of all
Armenia that needs them and there is no other way for country’s
development. "Armenia is not rich in natural resources. However,
our main resource is the human element, which can be manifested
completely only thanks to efficient, deep and large-scale reforms,"
the RA President emphasized.

The interlocutors touched upon the current stage of negotiations over
the Nagorno Karabakh settlement and the meeting between the Armenian
and Azeri Presidents in Saint Petersburg. They also exchanged thoughts
about the results of the parliamentary elections, international
evaluations given to them, preparation for the forthcoming presidential
elections. Positively evaluating the past elections, the Ago Group
members attached importance to further improvement of the electoral
legislation and electoral processes.

The interlocutors also spoke about the freedom of the media. The CE
Ambassadors touched upon the government’s initiative related to making
amendments to the RA law "On Television and Radio." R. Kocharian gave
detailed explanations about it.

STATE DEPARTMENT TO BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANY LEGISLATION THAT WILL LIMIT BROADCASTING POSSIBILITES OF RADIO LIBERTY

Noyan Tapan
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. "The United States of America supports
freedom of expression and media and evaluates negatively any attempt
of limiting media freedom in Armenia or in any other country," the
statement spread by the U.S. State Department on July 2 read.

Presenting the position of the U.S. State Department about the
bills being discussed at the RA National Assembly, the authors of the
statement said: "We do not understand how the proposed legislation can
promote the wish announced by the RA government, related to permanent
democratization, especially after the parliamentary elections held
in May, which registered a step forward, meanwhile reflecting the
necessity of further improvement in the direction of democratic
standards." "In particular, we will be deeply anxious about any
legislation, which will limit the possibilities of Radio Liberty’s
broadcasting in Armenia," the State Department’s statement read.

A BANK WITH GERMAN CAPITAL BEING FOUNDED IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The CBA Board on July 3 preliminarily
approved the bank activity licensing of the ProKredit Bank CJSC
in Armenia.

According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the CBA Press
Service, the ProKredit Bank CJSC’s three founders, the ProKredit
Holding AG and the Development Bank (KfW-Kreditenschaft fur
Wiederaufbau), as well as the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) have applied to the Central Bank of Armenia with
the mediation to found ProKredit Bank CJSC.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMENDMENTS AND ADDENDA MADE TO RA LAW "ON FIXED PAYMENTS"

Noyan Tapan
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA NA, on July 3, in the second
reading and completely adopted the bill authored by the RA government,
which envisages making amendments and addenda to the valid law "On
Fixed Payments."

According to the bill, individual entrepreneurs engaged in trade
activity at fairs through stalls and other facilities in Yerevan, in
territories not exceeding 7 sq.m. and in other places 10 sq. m. will
be considered as those paying fixed payments. At that, during three
months the trade circulation per one square meter should not exceed
1.2 mln drams and for those selling jewelry wares 2.5 mln drams
(nearly 7.3 thousand dollars). The above mentioned amount will regard
the total sum of circulation received from activity carried out by
tax-payer’s all sale points.

The adopted amendments and addenda also establish the amount of
fixed payment for trade activity at fairs. It is also mentioned that
starting July 1, 2008, the monthly amount of the fixed payment will
be clarified for each three years, proceeding from the consumer prices
index of the previous three years, and will be submitted to the NA.

MORE THAN 2000 CITIZENS RECEIVE CREDITS FOR HEATING SYSTEMS RESTORATION IN BLOCKS OF FLATS

Noyan Tapan
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Currently the Cascade, Ardshininvest,
ACBA Credit Agricole Armenian banks can receive credits from the
World Bank for restoring Armenia’s town heating systems. The ACBA
Credit Agricole Bank has already given credits to more than 2000
citizens. The credits’ interest rate is 24%, repayment term is 3
years. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by Tamara Babayan,
the Director of the Armenian Renewable Energy and Energy Economy
Fund, at present they discuss the issue of making some changes in
the criteria of choosing banks-participants of the program with the
World Bank, which will help involve more banks in the program.

T. Babayan said that the WB gives a credit in the total amount of
4.2 mln dollars, for 7 years’ term, at the interest rate of 1% plus
libor. The banks, in their turn, give that money to private companies,
condominiums and other structures at some interest rates.

PROCèS DINK : UN TEST POUR LA JUSTICE TURQUE
Istanbul Laure Marchand

Le Figaro, France
03 juillet 2007

" COMMENT pourrais-je avoir de l’espoir ? L’espoir vient du coeur et
le mien bat si peu ", livre pudiquement Arat Dink, qui a herite des
formules poetiques dont usait son père dans ses articles. "Je n’attends
pas grand-chose de ce procès. " Les meurtriers presumes de Hrant Dink,
journaliste d’origine armenienne abattu, le 19 janvier, devant son
journal Agos , comparaissent depuis hier devant une cour d’Istanbul.

Mais a peine commence, le procès, qui se deroulera a huis clos en
raison de l’âge du principal suspect, est deja decrie pour ne juger
que les executants, laissant dans l’ombre les eventuelles complicites
au sein des forces de securite. Dix-huit prevenus, tous originaires
de Trabzon sur la mer Noire, se retrouvent sur le banc des accuses.

Ogun Samast, 17 ans, est juge pour avoir tire les coups de feu
mortels. Erhan Tuncel, informateur de la police, et Yasin Hayal, deja
auteur d’un attentat contre un MacDonald’s et soupconne d’etre implique
dans le meurtre du pretre Santoro, sont accuses d’avoir commandite le
meurtre. Tous gravitaient dans les milieux ultranationalistes. Des
responsables locaux du Parti de la grande unite devront repondre de
complicite. " Un groupe nous contrôlait" Mais pour les avocats de la
famille, la chaîne des responsabilites n’a pas ete reconstituee. "
Les principaux accuses sont des garcons de familles pauvres, declare
l’avocate Fethiye Cetin. L’assassinat de Hrant Dink a ete planifie
par une organisation armee très bien structuree. Il y a des trous
dans l’enquete. " Ogun Samast, qui n’etait jamais venu a Istanbul,
se serait ainsi rendu après l’assassinat dans un cafe Internet dont le
proprietaire est un policier a la retraite. " L’endroit est invisible
de la rue, il ne pouvait pas le trouver tout seul ", estime Fethiye
Cetin. La piste de l’Azerbaïdjan, soupconnee d’heberger des groupes
d’extreme droite et où les principaux accuses pourraient avoir trouve
un soutien, n’a pas ete exploree. Veli Kucuk, un general a la retraite,
n’a pas ete entendu alors que Hrant Dink se sentait traque par cet
homme… Selon les avocats de la famille du journaliste, il ne fait
aucun doute que des forces criminelles influentes dans l’appareil
d’Etat sont a l’origine de cet assassinat politique. À l’appui de
cette hypothèse, le journal Radikal a publie le contenu d’une lettre
que Yasin Hayal aurait fait parvenir au procureur depuis sa cellule : "
Je ne sais pas si c’etait legal ou illegal, mais une chose est certaine
: il y avait un groupe au sein de la police qui nous contrôlait. "
L’enquete a fait apparaître que, dès fevrier 2006, Erhan Tuncel
avait alerte la police de l’attaque manigancee par son acolyte,
Yasin Hayal. Pour toute sanction, les chefs des services incrimines
ont ete limoges. " C’est une ideologie ancree au coeur de l’Etat ",
considère Arat Dink. À 28 ans, le fils aîne de Hrant Dink en fait a
son tour l’experience : comme son père qui a ete harcele et condamne
par la justice, il est poursuivi pour " insulte a l’identite turqu e
" pour avoir soutenu la lutte de son père pour la reconnaissance du
genocide armenien.

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