Month: August 2008

NO ARMENIAN CITIZENS ON THE BOARD OF THE CRASHED AIRPLANE

Panorama.am
12:41 25/08/2008

No Armenian citizens were on the board of the airliner collided in
Kyrgyzstan, the press bureau of RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

The "Boeing" was making a Bishkek-Tehran flight at 10:30 local time
on Sunday. It had to make an emergency landing, but fell in the field
near "Manas" airport. The crashed "Boeing-737-200" (number-EX-009)
of "Itek-Air" corporation was rented by Iranian air company "Aceman".

According to the Ministry of Healthcare of Kyrgyzstan, 68 people
died and only 22 survived in the result of the air crash. There were
90 people on the board of the airplane; 83 of them were passengers
among them 24 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, 52 from Iran, 3 from Kazakhstan,
2 from Canada, one citizen from Turkey and one from China.

Note that all six members of the crew (citizens of Kyrgyzstan) and
Iranian manager of air company "Aceman" have survived.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE: A GUIDEBOOK AGAINST CORRUPTION

Panorama.am
14:03 25/08/2008

Recent research has shown that global corruption can increase state
purchase costs up to 20-25%. Moreover, many companies are now facing
a dilemma: whether to give bribes to achieve their goals or just step
aside and leave the risky market.

World Bank has published a guidebook – "United Fighting against
Corruption" (web site-fightingcorruption.org). The guidebook is aimed
to help companies prevent tricky influences of corruption.

"The main goal of the guidebook is creating equal conditions for all
the companies which would certainly expire in continuing corruption,"
the chief of the World Bank’s agenda Georgia Petskoski says.

Note that the coalition created by World Bank, includes such NGO-s and
international organizations as Global Treaty of UN, member companies
of Grand Thornton International, etc.

CALL OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE GOVERNMENTS IN ANKARA, BAKU, TBILISI AND YEREVAN

Panorama.am
17:26 23/08/2008

A number of Civil Society Organizations from Armenia, Turkey, Georgia
and the USA have signed a statement urging to open the Turkish-Armenian
border for at least 10-15 days.

"Open up to your neighbors!"

Call of the civil society representatives upon the Governments in
Ankara, Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan.

The war in Georgia has left the countries of the South Caucasus
struggling with substantial risks and challenges. As a consequence
of the recent crisis, which further exacerbated an impasse created by
the existence of the protracted conflicts, the region is deprived of a
vital vain to transport goods through the countries of the region. That
is a matter of our strongest concern. The railroad running through
Georgia is practically useless today because of the destruction of
the bridge near Gori, whereas reconstruction is being delayed for
different reasons. This situation and its consequences threaten to
deprive people in our countries of their basic rights and endanger
their hopes for stability, security and prosperity.

This crisis should make us assess the situation realistically and
initiate a new age of cooperation. The Governments in Ankara, Baku,
Tbilisi and Yerevan have a unique chance to prove their credentials
of good neighbors willing to contribute positively to the regional
peace and stability. We request them to take a collective action and
unblock immediately railroad communication networks in the region.

We made our own calculations that we would like to share with the
public. Any train can reach from Samsun on the Black Sea coast of
Turkey to Yerevan in 34 hours, to Tbilisi in 36 hours and to Baku in 49
hours. From Mersin, which is on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, it
will take 37, 39 and 52 hours respectively. This simple. The railroad
can become functional in few hours, once a political decision is made.

Thus, we urge to open the Turkish-Armenian border at least for 10-15
days to address the urgency in the Caucasus.

For years we have been engaged in Track Two Diplomacy projects and have
been able to build excellent working relations with our colleagues
across those borders. Having enjoyed the positive experience of
cooperation, we would like to take this opportunity to call upon the
Governments in Ankara, Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan to reconsider their
positions on that matter. We urge our leaders to demonstrate their
statecraft in these times of turbulence and uncertainty and prevent
possible escalation of distrust in this region.

Signatories: Tevan Poghosyan, International Center for Human
Development, Armenia Noyan Soyak, Turkish-Armenian Business Development
Council, Turkey Natela Sakhokia, Strategic research Centre, Georgia
David L. Phillips, Columbia University, Visiting Scholar, Center for
the Study of Human Rights Co-Director, Study Group on U.S.-Russian
and Georgian Relations, the USA Dr. Murat Cagatay, GAYA Research
Institute, Turkey Artush Lazarian, Chairman, Caucasian Center for
Proposing Non-Traditional Conflict Resolution Methods, Gyumri, Armenia
Guran Abashidze, Caucasus Business and Development Network, Tbilisi,
Georgia Klara Galstyan, Director, Gyumri Development Foundation,
Armenia Levon Barseghyan, "Asparez" Journalist Club, Gyumri, Armenia
Alu Gamakharia, Caucasus Business and Development Network, Kutaisi,
Georgia Betty J. Sitka, American University, Center for Global Peace,
the USA "

GEORGIAN CONFLICT PROVIDES LESSONS

Independent.ie
Monday August 25 2008

THERE are multiple causes behind the conflict in Georgia, including
ethnicity, energy resources, Georgian recklessness, Russian aggression,
and unjustified US-inspired NATO expansion.

In fact, all conflicts, like all accidents, are by definition
avoidable.

The conflict in Georgia is not yet resolved and several other potential
conflicts exist, including Chechnya, the unresolved Armenian/Azerbaijan
dispute over Nagorno Karabakh, and potential Russian/Ukrainian fighting
in Crimea.

The solution to such conflicts does not lie with further armed
aggression, or indeed threats of isolation.

After World War II, Finland and Austria were flashpoints in US/Soviet
relations. Austria was initially divided and occupied by US and
Soviet forces.

The solution arrived at was to declare Austria and Finland to be
neutral states, with neutrality enshrined in their constitutions. This
was followed by the withdrawal of all foreign troops and both states
went on to become vibrant neutral democracies.

The Georgian conflict could have been avoided if the US and NATO had
adopted a less confrontational and less threatening approach to Russia.

There is now a real possibility that parts of the Ukraine (with an
ethnic Russian population of at least 17pc) could suffer the same
fate as parts of Georgia.

A solution that could defuse further conflicts in this region would
be to reintroduce the Austrian/Finnish post-World War II solution.

This would entail an international agreement approved by the UN,
that countries such as Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia,
and Azerbaijan, would be declared neutral states.

Such a solution would preclude NATO membership for these states,
and might also preclude membership of the EU if the EU develops a
significant separate military capacity.

The prospects for long-term peace in the Caucasus region would be
enhanced if the EU distanced itself from NATO and developed more
co-operative and less confrontational policies toward Russia.

Countries on the interface between Russia and the European Union,
especially in the Caucasus, should become bridges between East and
West rather than a new Iron Curtain.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OBAMA TAPS SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS CHAIRMAN BIDEN AS HIS VICE-PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE

armradio.am
25.08.2008 13:30

With the selection of the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, Senator Joseph Biden, Jr. (D-DE), as his Vice-Presidential
running-mate, Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Senator
Barack Obama has chosen a person with a long record of support on
Armenian-American issues, reported the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly).

Senator Joe Biden, now in his sixth term, has championed the cause
of freedom and human rights throughout his career. In 1987, Senator
Biden wrote to Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian
with respect to his support for S.J.Res. 43, declaring April 24th
as the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Armenian
Genocide. In the letter, Senator Biden agreed with Chairman Hovnanian’s
view "that we must not allow a revisionist rewriting of the history
of the terrible atrocities committed against the Armenian people."

In 1989, as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Biden supported
S.J.Res. 212, which also affirmed the Armenian Genocide. During the
Committee hearing, Biden was sharply critical of revisionist scholars
supporting Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide. Biden also
told the Armenian community that "it is particularly regrettable
that the Turkish government has chosen to make an issue of this
resolution and make an unprecedented lobbying campaign against it in
Congress. Nonetheless, we cannot cave into the pressure of an important
ally and rewrite history by denying the occurrence of the genocide."

"Chairman Biden has consistently demonstrated his leadership on foreign
policy issues, including as it pertains to acknowledging the historical
truth of the Armenian Genocide, as well as U.S. policy and funding
in the South Caucasus," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

Speaking about the right to self-determination during the early stages
of the Soviet Union’s disintegration, in 1990, Senator Biden said
that "We [United States] must place the right of self-determination
at its center.

Nagorno Karabakh only reminds us of the need, and the responsibility,
of the United States to let it be known to the whole world that we
condemn the suppression of free speech and expression everywhere,
condemn the use of force to silence those who seek freedom, and
recognize the right of all peoples to decide for themselves the form
of government under which they choose to live."

Senator Biden also voted in support of Senator John Kerry’s (D-MA)
"Conditions on Assistance to Azerbaijan" amendment to the Freedom
Support Act in 1992, which became known as Section 907. Following the
devastating earthquake in Armenia in 1988, as well as Azerbaijan’s
ongoing assault against Armenians, in 1993, Biden joined in signing
a letter to then Secretary of State Warren Christopher calling for a
"stronger U.S. response to the crisis in the Republic of Armenia,"
as "the people of Armenia are experiencing winter without fuel or
adequate supplies of food as a result of the continued economic
blockade imposed by neighboring Azerbaijan and the sabotage of a
natural gas pipeline through Georgia."

Throughout the 1990s, Biden defended Section 907 of the Freedom Support
Act, which was adopted in response to Azerbaijan’s hostile actions
and blockade against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. In a critical vote
in 1999, when opponents, including oil companies tried to repeal
Section 907 to curry favor with Azerbaijan, Senator Biden stood by
his principles and voted to maintain this important provision of law.

In the 110th Congress, Chairman Biden continues to play a critical
leadership role, from his introduction of legislation honoring the
legacy of slain journalist Hrant Dink and calling upon Turkey to
repeal Article 301 of its penal code, which punishes discussion of the
Armenian Genocide, to his cosponsorship of S.Res. 106, which affirms
the Armenian Genocide, as well as taking the Administration to task
for its flawed policy with respect to the ability of Ambassadors to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.

The Assembly recently praised the efforts of Senator Biden along with
his Senate Foreign Relations Committee colleagues for ensuring that
U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide remained at the forefront
during the nomination of Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch to serve as
the next U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.

Senator Obama is also on record with respect to Armenian issues
having stated "I have stood with the Armenian American community in
calling for Turkey’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide." Obama
has also stated that he strongly supports passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106).

NO RA CITIZENS IN CRASHED PLANE

armradio.am
25.08.2008 15:56

A passenger jet carrying 90 people crashed shortly after takeoff
Sunday near the Kyrgyz capital, killing 65.

The Boeing 737-200 was headed to Iran when it crashed near Bishkek’s
Manas International Airport. Twenty-two people, including two crew
members, survived.

Among the survivors were seven out of 17 members of a basketball
team from a school in the capital Bishkek. However, it was said later
that the athletes were volleyball, not basketball players. Eighteen
survivors were in hospital and four others were sent home with no
serious injuries.

Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Igor Zudinova informed that 51 of the
passengers were foreigners, including citizens of Iran, Turkey
and Canada.

Head of Media Relations Division of RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tigran Balayan informed that according to official information there
were no citizens of the Republic of Armenia in the Boeing 737-200
that crashed in Bishkek.

AMBASSADOR OF BELARUS COMPLETING HER MISSION IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
25.08.2008 16:28

On August 25 Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of
Armenia Tigran Torosyan received the Ambassador of Belarus to Armenia
Marina Dolgopolova, who is completing her mission in our country.

Noting that she has lived and worked in our country for five years and
a half, Mrs. Dolgopolova characterized those years as interesting and
responsible. Being the first Ambassador of Belarus to Armenia, Maria
Dolgopolova attached importance to the fact that high-level political
ties have been established between the two countries. Mrs. Dolgopolova
reconfirmed the invitation to Tigran Torosyan to pay an official visit
to Minsk after the parliamentary elections in Belarus. She expressed
hope that the Deputies of RA National Assembly will observe the
elections in Belarus within the framework of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.

The Ambassador of Belarus thanked the Armenian Parliament Speaker
for the professionalism in the joint work and the warm attitude.

Highly assessing Mrs. Dolgopolova’s activity in Armenia, NA Speaker
Tigran Torosyan wished success in her further activity and voiced
hope that she will remain a fiend of our country. The Speaker wished
success to the people of Belarus in the forthcoming elections and
assured that Armenian MPs will participate in the observation mission.

Other iss ues of reciprocal interest were discussed during the meeting.

ARMENIAN ARMAVIA AIR COMPANY LAUNCHES ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS TO SOME RUSSIAN CITIES

ARKA
Aug 25, 2008

YEREVAN, August 25. /ARKA/. Armenian national air company Armavia
announced about additional flights to a number of Russian cities due
to increased flight demand in summer time.

Additional Yerevan-Moscow (Domodedovo)-Yerevan flights are to be
operated on August 24 and August 27, Yerevan – Saint Petersburg
on August 25, Yerevan – Nizhniy Novgorod -Yerevan on August 26 and
Yerevan-Krasnodar-Yerevan on September 5 (plus to the current three
regular flights), the Press Secretary of the company Nana Avetisova
reported.

Earlier, additional flights were carried out from the Armenian capital
to Moscow, MinVodi, Samara, Krasnodar and Stavropol, she reported.

Armavia will keep its passengers informed about other additional
flights, Avetisova said.

Armavia national air company is the leader at Armenia’s aviation
market.

The company was founded in 1996 by Aviafin Ltd and Mika Armenia Trading
Ltd companies. In June 2005, Mikhail Baghdasarov became the company’s
full owner.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NUMBER OF HUNTING GROUNDS GO UP IN ARMENIA UNDER STATE PROGRAM

ARKA
Aug 25, 2008

YEREVAN, August 25. /ARKA/. A state program on raising the number
of hunting grounds is to be implemented in Armenia, Chairman of
the National Union of Armenian Hunters NGO Grigor Grigoryan told
journalists.

About 1,000 hectares of forests are to be turned to hunting grounds
under the state program, he said. The National Union of Hunters
initiated development of the program. Currently the National Union
of Armenian Hunters has 10 hectares of hunting grounds.

According to Grigoryan, the program is to ensure pro[per hunting
conditions as the number of hunting grounds is reduced from year to
year due to privatization of plots.

The hunting season opened on August 23 will last until March 15
2009. All the preparations are made for the season – hunters received
the maximum quantity of arms and had the opportunity to exercise at
the hunter shooting ground in Yerevan before the opening of the season,
Grigoryan said.

Сurrently there are 25,000 hunters registered in Armenia who are
mainly members of two organizations – Armenian Hunter Union and
National Union of Armenian Hunters.

Under Armenian laws, any full-age citizen of the country who has a
gun permit from the Police can become a hunter.

–Boundary_(ID_pyIy/S3MzKVmYZRN/nPeJg)–

WATER SUPPLY TO BE CUT OFF IN REPUBLICAN HOSPITAL, OPHTHALMOLOGY CENTER IN YEREVAN ALMOST FOR 10 HOURS

ARKA
Aug 25, 2008

YEREVAN, August 25. /ARKA/. Today water supply will be disconnected
in the Republican Hospital and the Ophthalmology Center after Malayan
in Yerevan in the period from 10:00 to 19:00 due to repair works.

The Press Service of Yerevan Djur company reports that today water
supply will be cut off also in Davtashen community, the eighth area
of Achapnyak community, houses on Markaryan and Fuchik streets, and
in the Dermatovenerologic Clinic for the same reason and for the same
period of time.

Yerevan Djur apologizes for the inconvenience caused to consumers.