Month: July 2007

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC PROTECTOR ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED
By Marieta Makarian

AZG Armenian Daily
03/07/2007

RA Public Protector’s office started its activities in January 2006
based on RA Government Law of December 14, 2004.

Public Protector’s office provides free juridical services for RA
citizens, foreign citizens, living in Armenia and not-citizens,
who are not able to pay for juridical services because of their low
social state.

On June 29 Public Protector’s office opened its doors at Koryun 8,
Yerevan address. The Head of the office M. Piliposian was honored to
cut the red band of the entrance.

The Head of the Lawyers’ Chamber Ruben Sahakian, Deputy General
Procurator Gagik Jhangirian, RA Chairman of Court of Cassation
Hovhannes Manukian, Chief of a department of RA Justice Ministry
N. Arsumanian, Chairman of RA Court of Appeal Mher Khachatrian and
leaders of donor organizations Ms S. Pruet and Kendrik made their
welcome and thanks-speeches during the meeting.

BAKU’S POLICY HAMPERS EFFORTS OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.07.2007 15:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azeri authorities annually increase expenses on
acquiring arms and mercenaries. They have not stopped anti-Armenian
propaganda in official media for a single minute," NKR President
Arkadi Ghukassian stated in his lecture at the Russian-Armenian
(Slavonic) University. He said, Baku’s such policy hampers efforts
of the international community in the face of the OSCE Minsk Group
on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

"Unfortunately, during past years the government of Ilham Aliev has
not made a single step to form a positive image of Azerbaijan in the
eyes of NKR people, which might result in establishing atmosphere
of confidence. Currently because of official Baku’s opposition OSCE
cannot bring the negotiation process to conformity with documents of
OSCE Budapest summit, where NKR was fixed as a conflicting party,"
the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic said.

IF BAKU CONTINUES HIS POLICY, HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL BE MISSED

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.07.2007 15:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Azerbaijan is not interested in peaceful solution
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. If Baku continues his policy and in
future, the historical opportunity to finally resolve the Karabakh
conflict will be missed," NKR President Arkadi Ghukassian stated in
his lecture at the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University.

He thinks, an agreement between NKR and Azerbaijan on strengthening
the cease-fire regime and preventing possible resumption of military
actions must become the major principle to settle the Azeri-Karabakh
conflict.

"Only in this case it will be possible to reach a constructive dialog
between NKR and Azerbaijan. The final stabilization of situation
is possible only in the case if all parties refuse from creating
additional problems in the negotiation process. The reality lies in
the necessity to recognize NKR as an independent subject of regional
politics," A. Ghukassian underscored.

LEADER OF NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE SAYS OPPOSITION MUST UNITE

ARMENPRESS
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS: The leader of the "National Democratic
Alliance" party Arshak Sadoyan said today at a press conference
that "At presidential elections the opposition must fight jointly. A
leader-candidate must be the one who will head the process. We believe
that such candidate may be leader of National Democratic Union Vazgen
Manukian."

According to him, in the coming presidential elections Levon
Ter-Petrosian will not forward his candidacy as he "has been keeping
silence for a long time. Certain forces which speak about his
nomination just want to be notable in the political field."

He said National Democratic Alliance offers all the oppositional
forces to unite and call a session of political forces during which
the issues will be discussed.

"DISAPPEARED" LAWYER APPEARED

A1+
[04:43 pm] 03 July, 2007

Inhabitants of some districts in Yerevan gathered in front of the RA
President’s residence and demanded to return their lawyer, head of the
"Community and Right" NGO Samvel Lazarian. The dwellers of Kozern
community ensured that some employees from the National Security
Service (NSS) inquired information about Samvel Lazarian and his
activities in Kozern. No one was able to find Samvel Lazarian and
that made the dwellers to suppose that their lawyer was detained by
the National Security Service.

Samvel Mkrchyan is protecting the rights of the dwellers who are
deprived of property rights. "Samvel told me a month ago that
authorities did not approve of his activities and initiated some
activities against him. Then Samvel told that he had a tape where
definite names were mentioned and in case of necessity it would be
released", told Anahit Hovhannisyan from Kozern.

A Yura from Kozern district told that the NSS asked him who helped
them and how much they paid for it. "I told them that Lazarian did
it unselfishly. They said that he did everything to collect votes
during the elections. I ensure that no one has offered money to him",
said Yura. Samvel Lazarian was nominated during the parliamentary
elections in the majority system in number 12 precinct. Aida Sargsyan,
head of letter department of Robert Kocharyan met the demonstrators
and promised to search Samvel Lazarian.

While the demonstrators were continuing the action with "Samvel
Lazarian equal to democracy", "We will not allow new political
prisoners" slogans, suddenly Samvel Lazarian appeared. The
demonstrators were delighted to see him. The latter informed that he
was resting with his family and had turned off his mobile phone. He
mentioned that about 20 days ago employees in the Yerevan Municipality
told him: "Go, go the NSS will take up your problem".

He was coming from the Government, where he was protecting the
interests of the citizens. He heard about the action from a citizen
on Buzand Street. "The problem is not that vital at the moment,
however it may become so", announced Samvel Lazarian. "We should
control so that no one from the NSS broke in into the houses to find
out something about me". The NSS persecutes him and his NGO trying to
hamper his activities to protect the property rights of the citizens.

"We understand that someone has ordered this, we’ll try to find out who
that person is. 20-25 citizens were forced to announce that they have
given money to Samvel Lazarian. I declare that I have not accepted
a penny from anyone", stated Samvel Lazarian.

FOOTBALL FANS WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED
Arthur Nazaryan

A1+
[03:28 pm] 03 July, 2007

Hamlet Mkhitaryan, an experienced footballer from the Armenian
National team, has been playing in "Pas" team in Iran during the
last six months. However, he is in Armenia at present is playing in
"Pjunik" team where he used to play. In an interview with the "A1+",
Mkhitaryan told how he appeared in Yerevan.

– The Iranian championship was concluded and I am on vacation now. I
had an agreement with "Pjunik" to play in Championship League in
summer. I will go back to Iran after the matches.

– The Championship League will be launched in 15 days.

What expectations do you have from it?

– The team is tasked to overcome the ban of the first stage, afterwards
we’ll think of the next opponent ("Shakhtjor" Ukraine).

– They still talk about the goal scored by you during the
Armenia-Poland competition. What role does it play in your career?

-Of course, I am glad that I scored that goal, but I am more pleased
that our team won.

-You played in the Armenian Championship in 2001, when you played in
"Ararat" team. What changes have occurred during the last six years?

– It is applauding that 6 of 8 teams play very well.

Our football is improving. It is very important that all teams have the
opportunity to involve foreign footballers in their teams. The results
are proved by Kazakhstan and Poland meetings, when four footballers
from abroad were playing in the Armenian National team. The local
footballers are already showing good results and the Armenian football
is developing.

– Thus, the upcoming game will be a turning point for Armenian football
and very decisive for further matches.

-Poland is a very potent team. Young footballers will learn much from
this game. Some people say that if we have managed to play well during
the meeting with Poland, we may play much better with other opponents
as well. We should do our best not to disappoint the nation.

MAIN AIM OF PACE PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO SOUTH CAUCASUS IS TO DISCUSS WAYS OF SETTLING FROZEN CONFLICTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.07.2007 16:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "This is an important region for the Council of
Europe, and my main aim in returning here is to see how we can do more
to solve the frozen conflicts in the countries concerned. Only this
will enable the peaceful development of the region in the interest
of all its peoples," President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) Rene van der Linden stated speaking on the eve
of his visit to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. As well as the role
of parliamentary diplomacy in solving conflicts, Rene van der Linden
intends to raise the rights of the opposition, freedom of expression,
the role of civil society, intercultural and inter-religious dialogue,
relations with neighboring countries, and the building of one Europe
without dividing lines, CoE Information Office reports.

He will be in Armenia on 4-5 July, Georgia on 5-7 July and Azerbaijan
on 8-10 July. In south Caucasian countries he is due to meet the
Presidents and leading members of the parliament and government in all
three countries, as well as, among others, the leaders of different
political forces, representatives of civil society and the media,
and religious leaders.

COURT IN ISTANBUL RELEASED 4 OF 18 SUSPECTS IMPLICATED IN HRANT DINK’S MURDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.07.2007 16:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A court in Istanbul, which yesterday started the
trial on the murder case of Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of ‘Agos’
Armenian-Turkish bilingual, has decided to broaden the investigation to
consider allegations of official negligence. After a 12-hour hearing,
the court released four of the 18 suspects.

The judge also decided to postpone the hearing till October 1. "Police
departments of Istanbul and Trabzone are responsible for critically
serious mistakes and in fact for deliberate negligence," lawyer of
the Dink Family Ergin Cinmen stated.

Two of the key suspects, Yasin Hayal and Erhan Tuncel, claimed
they worked for the security forces. Tuncel, who is suspected of
masterminding the killing, reportedly told the court that he was paid
by police for gathering intelligence The court decided to ask police
to provide a list of Tuncel’s telephone calls.

However, there has been no evidence that directly implicates any
police or government official in the slaying of Hrant Dink outside
his office, AP reports.

Yesterday eighteen suspects went on trial in Istanbul for the murder of
Hrant Dink. Since the main culprit 17-year-old Ogun Samast is a minor,
the trial is closed to the public. According to the investigation,
Ogun Samast belonged to a terrorist organization. He gunned down the
53-year-old journalist in Istanbul near the editorial house of his
‘Agos’ newspaper.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKADI GHUKASSIAN ON KOSOVO AND KARABAKH: WORLD FEARS FROM PRECEDENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.07.2007 16:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Unfortunately, the world elite does not try to find
a legal solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict walking on the way
of political settlement," NKR President Arkadi Ghukassian stated in his
lecture at the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University in Yerevan
July 3. He also stressed that Stepanakert does not oppose political
settlement, but the legal base may assist the decision making process.

"Kosovo’s example encourages us, and irrespective of how hard we
are being convinced that it cannot serve as a precedent for other
unrecognized republics, it does not fit in logical frames," Arkadi
Ghukassian underlined adding that the world fears from precedents. "It
is much more easier for the world superpowers to act basing on already
existing standards than to create new ones. Besides, recognition of
Kosovo’s independence may become a cause for new conflicts, and the
world community does not want such a thing to happen. I am sure that
Nagorno Karabakh has much more arguments to seek independence than
Kosovo," A. Ghukassian said.

He reminded, western diplomacy thinks that Kosovo cannot serve as an
example for other unrecognized republics, but Russia adheres to the
opposite position. "Western diplomats must explain why Kosovo can be
independent and Nagorno Karabakh not," the NKR President stressed. The
independence and establishment of statehood was not an end in itself
for Nagorno Karabakh. "We did not want to prove that we can do it.

Statehood is an inevitability, it is for protecting borders and
mobilizing own resources for its defense," Arkadi Ghukassian concluded,
IA Regnum reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BUSH WELCOMES PUTIN’S PROPOSAL, BUT IS NOT GOING TO REFUSE FROM PLANS TO PLACE AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM IN EUROPE

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.07.2007 18:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the meeting between U.S. and Russian Presidents
in George Bush’s home in Kennebunkport, Maine, Vladimir Putin offered
to broaden the number of participants in consultations over air
defense of Europe. The Russian leader proposed to enlarge the number
of parties involved in the consultations "at the expense of European
countries, and it is necessary to do that on the bases of Russia-NATO
Council". V. Putin also reminded G. W. Bush the agreement, which "was
reached several years ago". It supposes creation of an information
exchange center on missile launches in Moscow or a European capital.

"A similar center may be established in one of European capitals,
particularly in Brussels, and it might be a closed system, which
would work in the real time regime," Putin said. At the same time
he offered to share the use of not only the Gabala radar station,
but also the early missile warning station in the south of Russia,
which currently is still under construction. "In this case there will
be no need in placing new stations in Europe -a radar in the Czech
Republic and a shock-brigade in Poland," V. Putin said.

Bush welcomed his Russian counterpart’s proposal on "establishing
a regional concept of air defense system". However, he stated that
the United States is not going to refuse from the plans to place his
ownair defense system in Eastern Europe.

Presidents of both countries also discussed the Iranian nuclear
problem. "We are close to the point to sent a decisive message to
Iran," George Bush stated.

During the joint press conference Bush said about Putin, "Sometimes
he says something that I would not like to hear. But I know he always
tells me the truth." The U.S. President underlined that even in case
of serious differences they continue to show mutual respect towards
each other, Lenta.ru reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress