Month: May 2008

ACCORDING TO DPA CHAIRMAN, PROPOSAL TO HOLD PLEBISCITE IN KARABAKH IS
INADMISSIBLE

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The 20th anniversary of Artsakh liberation
struggle is marked this year and we should give a meaning to our past
way. Aram Sargsian, the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Armenia,
stating this at the May 7 press conference, said that it is time that
the Armenian side take decisive steps in the issue of Nagorno Karabakh
settlement and present the principles, which are acceptable for Armenia
and NKR.

According to him, first of all Armenia is obliged to recognize the
process of NKR’s legal independence from Azerbaijan. And the
principles, which are currently discussed within the framework of the
negotiations of problem’s settlement, as the DPA Chairman evaluated,
are not beneficial for the Armenian side. In his words, in particular,
the proposal to hold a plebiscite in NKR is inadmissible. "By this we
reduce to zero the whole way Artsakh passed in 1988-1991, when the
Nagorno Karabakh republic was proclaimed. Therefore, we admit that they
were actions not meeting legal international norms," A. Sargsian said
adding that these actions correspond to norms of international law. And
Azerbaijan, in his words, in that case will demand that the Azeris, who
lived in Karabakh until 1988 return there. "Their offsprings wil also
return with them. Do you imagine how big their number will be?," A.
Sargsian said.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH COUNCIL OF EUROPE SECRETARY GENERAL AND
PACE CHAIRWOMAN IN STRASBOURG

STRASBOURG, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
met with Terry Davis, the Secretary General of Council of Europe, and
Luis Maria de Puig, the Chairwoman of PACE, on May 6 in Strasbourg. As
Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, during the meeting both sides expressed
satisfaction with Council of Europe-Armenia close cooperation, in
particular, within the framework of program of support to cooperation
actions carried out by Council of Europe, attached importance to
interested dialogue in the direction of deepening of democracy and
strengthening of supremacy of law in Armenia especially at this stage.

In this connection the RA Foreign Minister praised, in particular,
cooperation between RA delegation and PACE in PACE, which was lately
manifested during the discussion on activity of democratic institutions
in Armenia during the PACE spring session. The RA Foreign Minister said
that the provisions of the resolution adopted in this connection are in
the focus of attention of the RA authorities.

E. Nalbandian informed his interlocutors that a working group has been
created by the order of the RA President for the purpose of
coordination of fulfilment of the proposals included in PACE resolution
N 1609. The group has been charged in a short time to present proposals
about their further steps. The Minister said that Armenia’s political
coalition has already made a statement and expressed readiness to
consistently fulfil reforms aimed at solution of problems stipulated by
preelection programs, coalition agreement, government’s actions plan,
and PACE resolution N 1609. They, in particular, regard expansion of
possibilities of opposition in the political sphere, considerable rise
of public confidence to electoral processes, strengthening of freedom
of speech and independence of media activity, completely bringing the
court system in line with the European standards. The reforms to be
implemented are to contribute to development of stable democratic
institutions and guaranteeing supremacy of law in Armenia. E.
Nalbandian emphasized that they will be done not only because the
commitments assumed by Armenia towards CE dictate so, but because it is
the realized choice of the Armenian people.

He said that a working group has been also created in the Armenian
National Assembly for the purpose of studying proposals of
international and professional organizations on improving the electoral
processes in connection with the presidential elections and presenting
proposals of perfection of the Electoral Code and electoral processes
to NA. The working group is to present proposals worked out on
perfection of legislative processes to the NA Speaker until June 20.

During the meetings E. Nalbandian also presented the state of
negotiations of Nagorno Karabakh settlement to the Council of Europe
Secretary General and PACE Chairwoman. He reaffirmed Armenia’s
readiness to continue the current process taking as a basis the OSCE
Minsk Group’s proposals they had presented to the sides during the
Madrid Ministerial Conference. The Minister said that it gives a
possibility to record progress in the direction of problem’s settlement
if the sides do not take steps hindering the negotiations. He attached
importance to creation of an atmosphere of mutual confidence to achieve
real results in the negotiations.

Issues of Council of Europe-Armenia cooperation were discussed during
the working meeting with Ambassador-members of Ago Group in the midday
the same day.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

[ 16:25 – 07.05.2008 ] DMITRIJ RUPEL: "EUROPEAN UNION SPEAKS AGAINST
MILITARY SETTLEMENT OF ANY CONFLICT"

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. High mark was given to the level of
the cooperation of Armenia and the European Union at the February 6
joint press conference of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia,
Dimitrij Rupel, the Mininster for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, which is
currently presiding over the European Union, and Benita
Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and
European Neighbourhood. They gave positive marks to the results of the
European Union Troika visit to Armenia.

In the words of Vardan Oskanian, the most important peculiarity of the
Troika visit to Armenia is that the visit is being paid in the period,
when the Action Plan has already started to be implemented within the
frameworks of the New European Neighbourhood Policy. In addition to
this, as the Minister observed, the Troika visit is being paid in a
period, which is of great significance for Armenia, that is to say, on
the eve of the presidential elections.

Vardan Oskanian once again affirmed the devotion of Armenia to the
issues concerning the development and deepening of relations with the
European Union.

In his words, at present, the most important tasks for the European
Union in the region of the Southern Caucasus are the issues concerning
the regulation of the Karabakh conflict and the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

Dimitrij Rupel stated that issues concerning the process of the
implementation of the Action Plan, including issues connected with the
development of economy and the deepening of democratic processes, were
discussed during the meeting with Vardan Oskanian: "The main message of
the European Union to the countries of the Southern Caucasus is that
our friends should be friends between themselves as well," Rupel
stated. In his words, the European Union is ready to cooperate with
regard to the issue on the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia
and Turkey.

As regards the continuous military rhetoric, which comes from Baku,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner pointed out the inadmissibility of the
settlement of the conflict through a military way. In her words, the
political will of the parties is necessary for the regulation of the
Karabakh problem. She also expressed hope that during the pre-electoral
campaign in Armenia and Azerbaijan no one will make such statements,
which can do much harm to the peaceful regulation of the conflict. In
his turn, Dimitrij Rupel mentioned that the European Union speaks
against the military settlement of any conflict: "We would offer to put
an end to such a rhetoric."

At the same time, in response to the question concerning the necessity
of the joining of the Karabakh side in the negotiations, Dimitrij Rupel
said: "The involvement of one more side in the negotiation process will
not help the settlement of the issue."

MEETING BETWEEN NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SECRETARY AND AMBASSADOR OF
IRAN TAKES PLACE

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. During the May 6 meeting between Artur
Baghdasarian, the Secretary of the National Security Council, and Seid
Ali Saghaian, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran
to Armenia, the interlocutors touched upon issues related to further
development of Armenian-Iranian centuries-old relations, regional
security, further deepening of bilateral relations in transport,
energy, and other spheres. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by the RA
President’s Press Office.

REPRESENTATIVE OF RA CEC STAFF TO OBSERVE PROCESS OF PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS OF GEORGIA

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The Central Electoral Commission of the
Republic of Armenia has received only one invitiation from the
OSCE/ODIHR for observing the parliamentary elections to be held in
Georgia on May 21. According to the information provided to a Noyan
Tapan correspondent by Tatev Ohanian, the Spokesperson of the
Commission, Atom Mkhitarian, a leading specialist of the Foreign
Relations Department of the Central Electoral Commission, will observe
the process of the elections in the staff of the monitoring mission of
that international organization.

ARMENIAN TENNIS NATIONAL TEAM BEATEN BY TEAM OF MOLDOVA IN FIRST TOUR
OF DAVIS CUP TOURNAMENT

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The 3rd group men’s tournament of Davis
Cup Tournament Eurafrican Zone started on May 7 in Yerevan.

Members of the Armenian national team Haroutiun Sofian and Hovhannes
Davtian lost the mono games and Hayk Zohranian – Hovhannes Davtian pair
lost pair games.

The Armenian national team will compete with the Norwegian team on May
8.

8 OUT OF 9 ARMENIAN FREE-STYLE WRESTLERS BECOME PRIZE-WINNERS IN
ATHENS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT

ATHENS, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Free-style Wrestling International Youth
Tournament finished in the capital city of Greece, Athens on May 6.
There were nine sportsmen from Armenia among delegates from seven
countries. Ohan Gikinian (55 kg, Vanadzor), Narek Sanoyan (60 kg), and
Gevorg Avsharian (74 kg, both from Yerevan) gained 3 victories each and
became the winners of the tournament. 2 members of their team took the
2nd place and 3 the 3rd place.

ARARAT YEREVAN IN LEAD OF ARMENIAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT TABLE

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The games of the fourth stage of the
Aremnian Football Higher Group Championship took place on May 4:
Banants won Ulis with 1:0 score, Gandzasar won Cilicia 2:1 and Shirak
was defeated by Ararat under its own roof with the following score: 0:2.

The Mika – Pyunik game was postponed as the Armenian combined team of
those under 19 , which has left for Italy to take part in the
competition tour, mainly consists of the members of Pyunik.

After 4 stages Ararat is in the laed of the tournament table with 12
points. Mika has 9, Shirak and Pyunik 6 each, Banants and Gandzasar 4
each, Ulis 3 points and Cilicia has not received any points yet.

The games of the fifth stage are scheduled for May 13.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RADIO WILL NEVER LOSE ITS SIGNIFICANCE BECAUSE IT IS ACCESSIBLE TO
EVERYONE, VETERAN PRESENTER OF PUBLIC RADIO SAYS

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Radio will never lose its significance
because it is accessible to everyone, Varuzhan Olkinian, a veteran
presenter of the Public Radio Company, stated on May 7 – Day of Radio.
According to him, the Public Radio with its 82-year history has more
opportunities than the rest as it broadcasts programs not only all over
Armenia but also abroad, and programs are prepared in 13 languages.

V. Olkinian said that the technical re-equipment of the radio has been
almost completed, with all the records kept in funds having been
digitalized. In his words, the Public Radio has mostly cultural
orientation and its main function is instructive and educational. About
4,000 people visit the Public Radio’s website daily.

In the words of Shushanik Arevshatian, director of Radio Van, the 12 FM
radio stations of Armenia mainly operate at the expense of revenues
from advertising. She expressed an opinion that the Public Television
and Radio Company should not advertise as it is a public company,
whereas it currently broadcasts the largest number of advertisements.
At the same time S. Arevsahtian said that radio advertisement price is
5 times lower in Armenia as compared with Georgia.

TRAVELER CLUB OPENS IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The opening of the National Geographic
Traveler Club took place and an exhibition of photographs of the
National Geographic Traveler Armenia magazine was organized in Yerevan
on May 5. The photographs of the "Unwitnessed Armenia" special issue of
the National Geographic Traveler, as well as those of the materials
"Towards the top of Ararat" and "Noravanq" are exhibited in the
exhibition and will be published in the next issue of the magazine.

As Ruben Mangasarian, the editor-in-chief of the magazine, mentioned,
the objective of the club is to organize interesting adventurous
travellings on the basis of the materials published in the magazine.
Joint travellings of journalists and club members are also planned for
the purpose of preparing new materials for the magazine. The club will
launch its activities with the Kars and Ani journey. According to Ruben
Mangasarian, journeys towards Khustup, Bridge of Satan, Noratus,
Fioletovo with the materials of the special issue of the "Unwitnessed
Armenia" are also planned. Everybody without any restrictions can
become a member of the club.

It was also mentioned that the National Geographic Traveller has 4.7
million readers in the United States of America. The magazine is
published also in the countries of China, Spain, Russia, Netherlands,
Israel, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and Latin America. The periodical
publishing of the National Geofraphic Traveler Armenia is envisaged to
start in the near future publishing 6 issues a year. The objective of
the Armenian National Geographic Traveler is to newly discover Armenia
and Armenian historical-cultural hetitage abroad, to acquaint readers
with the sights of the world and help to productively organize the
travelling and rest.