Month: August 2008

ARMENIA HOPES STABILITY TO BE ESTABLISHED SOON IN GEORGIA

ArmInfo News Agency (in Russian)
Aug 8 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 8 August: The Armenian Foreign Ministry today issued a
statement on the situation in South Ossetia.

The statement received from the Armenian Foreign Ministry’s department
on information and media expresses concern about the current situation
in South Ossetia and hopes that the sides will make efforts for
the quick resolution of disputed issues by means of dialogue which
will make it possible to restore stability and peace in Armenia’s
neighbouring country, Arminfo reported.

The statement also notes that the Armenian embassy in Georgia and the
main consulate in Batumi, where the round-the-clock duty is in place,
are closely following the developments in the region and constantly
keeping contact with Georgia’s central and local governments.

The Armenian embassy and main consulate are ready to create all
opportunities for the Armenian citizens who want to leave Georgia.

SITUATION IN SOUTH OSSETIA AND KARABAKH INCOMPARABLE – ARMENIAN POLITICIAN

ArmInfo News Agency (in Russian)
Aug 8 2008
Armenia

The situation in the Georgian breakaway republic of South Ossetia
and in the unrecognized republic of Nagornyy Karabakh are radically
different and practically incomparable, a top member of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun, Kiro Manoyan, told the
Arminfo news agency on 8 August.

The situation in South Ossetia has escalated recently with Georgia
actively shelling South Ossetia since early August.

Manoyan said "these two republics [South Ossetia and Nagornyy Karabakh]
are not comparable either politically or by their military capacities,"
Arminfo reported. Manoyan excluded the possibility of Azerbaijan to
start a "new aggression" against Karabakh, the agency added in the
same report.

He said that Azerbaijan simply does not have the necessary military
capacity, irrespective of "a two-billion military budget", otherwise
Azerbaijan would have started an expansion of Karabakh long ago,
the agency reported. Manoyan said: "That is why under the existing
condition, Georgia’s example will hardly contribute to inspiration
of the Azerbaijani government and Azerbaijanis will have to content
themselves with bellicose statements of their President Ilham Aliyev,"
Arminfo added in the same report.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA CIVIL APPEAL COURT STARTS EXAMINING APPEAL AGAINST DECISION TO DEPORT VAHAGN CHAKHALIAN FROM ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Au g 8, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Civil Appeal Court presided over
by Judge Astghik Kharatian on August 7 started examining the appeal
against the police decision on deportation of Vahagn Chakhalian, a
Georgian citizen, by administrative order. The appeal had been filed
by V. Chakhalian’s representative – Tigran Hayrapetian. Earlier the
court of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash communities (presided over
by Judge Gayane Karakhanian) dismissed the application of activist of
"United Javakhk" democratic alliance V. Chakhalian to invalidate the
police decision on his deportation by administrative order.

Representative of V. Chakhalian said that the conclusion of a
commission rather than of the RA police head (as envisaged by law)
formed the ground for V. Chakhalian’s deportation. Even if there is
such a decision of the police head, they are not familiar with it. The
deportation was done before the court decision took force: to recap,
the court of first instance of Shirak marz found Chakhalian guilty
of illegally crossing the border and gave him one-year suspended
sentence with 18 months’ probation. In the words of V. Chakhalian’s
representative, the impression is it was not a deportation by
administrative order but an act of extradition with the aim of
handing V. Chakhalian over to the Georgian authorities. The Georgian
authorities arrested V. Chakhalian who is now in custody. According
to T. Hayrapetain, the principle of presumption of innocence was
violated with respect to V. Chakhalian who was illegally deprived of
freedom for 11 hours.

The representative of the respondent did not attend the court hearing
examining the appeal, so the plaintiff requested to be given some
time so that at the next sitting V. Chakhalian or his representative
could present Chakhalian’s activities and the judge could make sure
that these activities do not pose any danger to Armenia. It will be
announced later about the day of the next siiting to be held in about
2 months.

To recap, activist of "United Javakhk" alliance Vahagn Chakhalian was
arrested in 2006, then he was convicted and deported to Armenia. After
the expolsion at the house of Akhalkalaki police head Samvel Petrosian
on July 17, 2008, over ten members of "United Kavakhk" were taken to
police by force and violence. The father and brother of alliance member
Gurgen Shirinian were arrested, while V. Chakhalian, his father and
under-age brother were arrested on July 21. Mmebers of the board of
"United Javakhk" claim that this attitude of Georgain law enforcers
is the result of V. Chakhalian’s deportation from Armenia.

RELATIVES OF THOSE ARRESTED ON MARCH 1 EVENTS CASE STAGE REGULAR PROTEST OUTSIDE PROSECUTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE

Noyan Tapan

Au g 8, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. Tens of activists of People’s Movement
(PM), wives and relatives of those arrested on the case of the March
1 events staged a protest outside the RA Prosecutor General’s Office
on Augsut 8. The protesters demanded to stop political persecutions,
release all the political prisoners and punish the real organizers
of the March 1 crimes. To recap, since April 7, such protests have
been organized each Friday.

One of the protesters, Sona Muradian told reporters that after the
end of each action of protest, they hand a letter with their demands
to the prosecutor general’s office but so far there has been no
reply. "We, women of the Republic of Armenia believe that all this
represents political persecution of the opposition by the authorities
and we raise our voice against this unlawfulness," is said in today’s
letter-complaint.

MANOUKIAN, MELODISTE INSPIRE
par Michel Augier

Le Point
7 aout 2008

Etait-il vraiment a l’aise, Andre Manoukian, quand, jure a " La
Nouvelle Star ", il tailladait les reves et les espoirs des jeunes
candidats a coups de formules assassines ? On peut en douter a l’ecoute
de ce très bel album piano instrumental qu’il vient de sortir," Inkala
", où il explore quelques vieux classiques populaires armeniens grâce
a une melancolie douloureuse qui tranche avec la brutalite dont il
pouvait faire preuve.

" C’etait un exercice difficile et excitant pour tout le monde,
dit-il. "La nouvelle star", c’est Thesee et le Minotaure. Le môme
doit passer par le labyrinthe pour se retrouver face au monstre,
c’est-a-dire nous. Et la, revirement de situation, c’est contre
lui-meme qu’il doit se battre. " L’analyse en dit long sur cet ancien
elève au Berklee College of Music tombe dans la variete par hasard et
qui a produit des chanteuses (Malia, Liane Foly) parce qu’il n’osait
pas se mettre en avant. " C’etait le melange subtil du manque de
confiance et de la seduction ", explique-t-il. Pianiste a l’aise dans
la virtuosite, Andre Manoukian a bride celle-ci dans " Inkala " pour
coller le plus a la melodie, rappelant pour certains morceaux Keith
Jarrett dans ses exercices solo les plus depouilles. " Je recycle
? Après Bill Evans et Thelonious Monk, que reste-t-il a dire ? " .

–Boundary_(ID_NpOk3CHPpQkqTj72XIVy+Q)–

RA MFA STATEMENT: ARMENIA IS CONCERNED ABOUT SITUATION IN SOUTH OSSETIA

Noyan Tapan

Au g 8, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
on August 8 issued a statement, in which it expressed its concern
about the current situation in South Ossetia, expressing a hope
that "the sides will make efforts to give an urgent solution to the
controversial issues through a dialog which will allow to restore
stability and peace in the neighboring country."

It is noted in the statement that a 24-hour duty has been established
at the RA embassy in Georgia and the RA consulate general in
Batumi. The Armenian embassy and consulate general follow the
developments, maintaining constant contact with the central and local
authorities of Georgia.

According to the statement, in case of expressing a desire to return
to homeland, Armenian citizens who are currently in Georgia may receive
the necessary assistance from our embassy and consulate general.

To recap, Georgian sources reported that Georgian military sub-units
entered Tskhinvali, the capital city of South Ossetia, and established
control in South Ossetia’s Znauri region. According to Russian
sources, fighting is underway in Tskhinvali, and Georgian sub-units
are controlling several heights near the city. A representative of
Georgia’s defence ministry said that military operations are being
taken in order to restore the constitutional order. Mass media reported
that tens were killed, some Russian peacekeepers were injured. Abkhazia
in its turn is sending military sub-units to South Ossetia. Armed
detachments arrived from North Ossetia to South Ossetia. Russia
demanded that a session of the UN Security Council be convened.

LERNIK HAKOBIAN APPOINTED NKR MINISTER OF CULTURE AND YOUTH ISSUES

Noyan Tapan

Au g 8, 2008

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. By the August 7 decree of the
NKR president Bako Sahakian, Lernik Hakobian was appointed minister
of culture and youth issues of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, NT was
informed by the NKR Presidential Staff’s Main Information Department.

PROFESSOR YURI BARSEGHOV DIES

Noyan Tapan

Au g 8, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. Prof.Yuri Barseghov, Foreign Member of
the RA National Academy of Sciences, member of the UN International
Law Commission, director of the Armenian Institute of International
Law and Political Science, J.D., died in Moscow late August 6.

He was born on March 7, 1925 in Tiflis (Tbilisi).

Y. Barseghov attended school No 47 in Tbilisi. The school instruction
was in Ruusian, and many teachers were from Russian schools of Kars
that had been given to Turkey by that time. Living in Tbilisi, Yuri
witnessed many tragic events in the fate of the Armenian people. He
saw many Armenian refugees.

Later when he met American journalist Michael Arlen, editor of the New
Yorker magazine, and read his book "Passage to Ararat" in which the
author tells how he, an Armenian by nationality, became an American
by the name Michael Arlen, Y. Barseghov realized why his parents gave
him a Russian name and why he studied at a Russian school, while his
mother taught at an Armenian one.

In 1945 Yuri entered the Moscow State Institute on International
Relations (MGIMO). Upon graduation, he received the qualification
"lawyer, French translator" and an honors degree. At that time one
of the impulses that made him study the problem of the Armenian
Genocide was the decision to raise the issue of correcting the
historical injustice at the Berlin (Potsdam) Conference of the heads
of the great powers: the Soviet government started showing interest
in this issue after the end of World War II. In 1950 Josef Stalin
raised the issue of return of Armenian territories before the allied
powers. MGIMO graduate Yuri Barseghov decided to study this burning
issue professionally and wrote a degree paper on the subject "The
Armenian Territories in International Legal Acts". By 1953 Y. Barseghov
prepared a thesis on the same subject but literally a few weeks before
the thesis defence, it was announced that the Soviet government again
considered it possible to give up territorial claims to Turkey. The
thesis became "no-go".

In the 20th century the problem of recognition of the genocide of
Armenians committed by Turkey and the fate of native Armenian lands
rose again to the level of world politics. During 6 months, Barseghov
wrote a new thesis entitled "Territory in International Law" based on
the first theoretical chapter of the old one. The new thesis became
the first monographic research on this important subject. In late
1953 he defended the thesis.

After completing the MGIMO post-graduate courses, Barseghov started
to work as deputy head, then as head of the editorial staff for
literature on the issues of international relations, diplomacy and
law at "Foreign Literature" Publishing House.

In 1958 Y. Barseghov published a book (with the same title) on the
basis of his thesis. At that time it was quite difficult to publish
a work on this subject. The book was the only one of its kind.

In 1962 Y. Barseghov started to serve in the UN Secretariat. In
1969-1972 he was the head of the unit of international organizations
at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IWEIR)
of the USSR Academy of Sciences. In 1972 he began to work as special
assistant to the UN Deputy Secretary-General at the UN Secretariat.

In 1979 Barseghov retuned to IWEIR and in the same year he began
teaching at the international law department of the Peoples’ Friendship
University in Moscow and received the title of professor.

In 1984 Y. Barseghov defended his doctoral thesis on the subject "The
International Legal Foundations of Solution of the Global Problem of
Developing the World Ocean" at the Diplomatci Academy of the USSR MFA.

In 1994-1997 Barseghov took part in the work of the OSCE Minsk Group
on Nagorno Karabakh. In 1999 he founded the Armenian Institute
of International Law and Political Science which he headed until
his death.

Y. Barseghov was also a member of the Maritime Law Association and
the International Law Association of Russia from the time of their
foundation.

He was awarded a Mkhitar Gosh medal (Armenia, in 2000), a Mesrop
Mashtots medal (NKR, in 2000), medals "For Victory over Germany" and
"For Defence of the Caucasus" and other decorations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERZH SARGSYAN SENDS TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE IN CONNECTION WITH DEATH OF YURI BARSEGHOV

Noyan Tapan

Au g 8, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with the death of
Foreign Member of the RA National Academy of Sciences, member of
the UN International Law Commission (1987-1991), Director of the
Armenian Institute of Internatioanl law and Political Science, J.D,
Professor Yuri Barseghov, the Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan sent a
telegram of condolence to the relatives of Y. Barseghov. The telegram
was submitted to NT by the RA president’s press service. It reads:

"I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of famous lawyer
and diplomat Yuri Barseghov.

Yuri Barseghov was one of those scientists of international
reputation who saw the implicit impact of the past on the future
world order, whose devotion became a lifestyle and whose life was a
unique chronology of patriotism and struggle for restoration of the
historical justice.

The contribution of this distinguished Armenian to the study of
the legal and political problems of the Armenian Genocide and
its international legal treatment is significant: it is work whose
greateful mission is to rule out crimes against humanity. His efforts
for solution of the Karabakh problem are also valuable.

I express my deep condolence to the relatives and colleagues of
Yuri Barseghov".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHIEF OF NKR MFA INFORMATION DEPARTMENT MARSEL PETROSSIAN’S COMMENTARY FOR THE MASS MEDIA

armradio.am
08.08.2008 18:03

Another disinformation of Baku on building a settlement of Nargiztepe
for refugees on the occupied territory of NKR Martouni region,
obviously, pursues propagandistic goals. It is not accidental that,
first, this information was promptly denied just by the Azerbaijani
party. However, some of its points were "resuscitated" and introduced
in a rather different angle, as it is often practiced in Azerbaijan.

A reasonable question arises in this connection: why is Nargiztepe
settlement being built just in the Arami desert, 2-3 km from the
contact-line, an area, which, according to the Azerbaijani party,
is permanently fired at and is not absolutely adapted for habitation?

Couldn’t they find a more favorable inhabitancy than this severe desert
for the refugees from Nagorno Karabakh who are more developed than
the citizens of the Azerbaijani regions? This "initiative" should
be qualified as a couldn’t-care-less attitude towards the mentioned
section of the population.

Probably, Baku decided to organize another military-political
provocation – to draw informational-propagandistic "fire" to the newly
created settlement, and in fact – reservation of 5 or 6 thousand of
forced settlers (according to our data, this is the number of refugees
from Nagorno Karabakh living nowadays in Az erbaijan) and shift the
guilt to the Karabakhi party.

During the war between Azerbaijan and Karabakh, there were many
instances that the Azeri authorities urgently populated different
settlements and then turned them into military control points, thus,
actually creating a "human wall" for their servicemen and dooming the
peaceful population to death. The Karabakhi party, which is concerned
about its former Azerbaijani citizens, expresses its regret that
for 20 years the Azeri leadership has taken no steps for thawing the
relations between the two alienable nations.

Maybe, Baku merely seeks for new ways of laundering its
petrodollars? And the searches have obviously brought to the desert.

Actually, we have no doubt and would like to warn the societies
that the Azeri propagandistic machine will start including the
above-mentioned settlement into its Defense Ministry’s round-ups as
a place, which is under the NKR Defense Army’s heavy fire.