Month: September 2008

ARMENIAN FM, TURKISH DIPLOMAT DISCUSS DETAILS OF GUL’S VISIT

armradio.am
03.09.2008 10:52

On September 3 RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received
Ambassador Unal Cevikoz, the special envoy of the President of Turkey
Abdullah Gul.

The parties discussed the details of Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s
visit to Armenia on the occasion of the qualifying match between the
national football teams of the two countries.

Reference was made to Turkey’s initiative to establish a Stability and
Cooperation Platform in the Caucasus. Minister Nalbandian noted that
Armenia has always welcomed any effort targeted at the reinforcement
of trust, deepening of security and cooperation in the region, and
the idea of the Stability and Cooperation Platform in the Caucasus
can only be hailed.

Minister Nalbandian said Armenia has always stood for establishing
friendly ties with all the countries of the region and ensuring
lasting peace in the Caucasus.

Edward Nalbandian and Unal Cevikoz exchanged views on a number of
international, regional and bilateral issues.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES SPECIAL ENVOY OF TURKISH PRESIDENT

arminfo
2008-09-03 11:29:00

ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandyan received Special
Envoy of Turkish President Ambassador Unal Cevikez who arrived in
Yerevan Wednesday.

Armenian Foreign Ministry press-service reports the parties discussed
the details of Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan. To
recall, Turkish President may visit Armenia on 6 September on
invitation of Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan to watch Armenia
vs. Turkey qualification match for FIFA 2010 World Cup.

The sides also discussed the initiative of Ankara to for Caucasian
platform of stability and security. Edward Nalbandyan said Armenia
has always welcomed any effort in strengthening trust, stability,
security and cooperation in the region. In this context, the initiative
of Caucasian Platform is welcomed. The minister said Armenia has
consistently come out for establishment of good-neighbored relations
with all the states in the region and establishment of durable
peace in the Caucasus. The parties exchanged opinion on a number of
international and regional issues and bilateral relations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ABOUT 500 FREIGHT CARS DELIVERED TO ARMENIA AFTER REPAIR OF BYPASS RAILROAD IN GEORGIA

ARKA
Sep 2, 2008

YEREVAN, September 2. /ARKA/. About 500 freight cars with 54,000 tons
of cargoes were delivered from Georgia to Armenia after the repair of a
bypass railroad in Georgia, member of Armenian Parliament Co-Chair of
Armenian-Georgian Business Cooperation Association Vladimir Badalyan
reported.

Armenian and Georgian specialists repaired the bypass railway bridge on
Metekhi-Grakale section on August 20 to resume railway communication
between Armenia and Georgia stopped due to blow-up of the bridge on
Gori-Tbilisi railroad section on August 16.

Badalyan pointed out that 2,500 tons of petrol that are currently
being unloaded will arrive in Armenia on September 3.

The problem is that this temporary railroad is used to transport
cargoes going not only to Armenia and from Armenia, but also from
Azerbaijan, Badalyan said adding that the main bridge will be repaired
in a month.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WATER SUPPLY TO BE CUT OFF IN PART OF MALATIA-SEBASTIA IN YEREVAN ON SEP 3

ARKA
Sep 2, 2008

YEREVAN, September 2. /ARKA/. On September 3 water supply will be
interrupted in south-west of Malatia-Sebastia community (B1, B2 and
B4) in Yerevan in the period from 10:00 to 22:00, "Yerevan Djur"
company reported.

Water supply of the mentioned area will be cut off due to construction
works to be carried out on the respective section of the network.

"Yerevan Djur" company apologizes for the inconvenience caused,
says the press release.

SECRETARIES OF SECURITY COUNCILS OF ARMENIA AND RUSSIA DISCUSS PROBLEMS OF FURTHER COOPERATION WITHIN CSTO

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. A number of problems related to
further deepening of the relations between the security councils
of Armenia and Russia, overcoming jointly the challenges facing the
region, and further cooperation within the framework of the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) were discussed during the September
2 meeting of the Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia
Arthur Baghdasarian and the Secretary of the Security Council of
Russia Nikolay Patrushev who is in Armenia in order to participate
in a meeting of the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Council
of CSTO. According to a press release of the RA presidential press
service, the sides attached importance to further development of the
relations between the two countries.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SECRETARIES OF SECURITY COUNCIL OF CSTO MEMBER STATES ARRIVE IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegations headed by the
Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Nikolay Patrushev,
the Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Yuri Zhadobin, the
Secretary of the Security Council of Kazakhstan Kairbek Suleymenov,
the Secretary of the Security Council of Kyrghyzstan Ismail Isakov,
the Secretary of the Security Council of Tajikistan Amirkul Azimov
and the Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan Shukurlo
Makhmudakulov arrived in Yerevan on Septmber 2. The Secretary of the
National Security Council of Armenia Arthur Baghdasarian, members of
the Armenian delegation, and the ambassadors accredited to Armenia
met the Secretaries of the Security Council of the CSTO member states
at the airport.

NT was informed by the press service of the RA president that
the Secretaries of the Security Council will have bilateral and
multilateral meetings in Yerevan, during which problems related to
cooperation in the sphere of security will be discussed. A number of
multilateral agreements on cooperation in security will be signed
during the September 3 meeting of the Secretaries of the Security
Council.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV: KARABAKH CONFLICT SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY PEACE NEGOTIATIONS ONLY

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

SOCHI, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. During the September 2 tete-a-tete
talk of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev in Sochi, the two presidents noted with satisfaction the
high level of the current strategic allied cooperation and political
dialog between Armenia and Russia, which proceeds from the interests
of the two sister nations.

NT was informed by the RA presidential press service that the situation
in the South Caucasus was discussed during the meeting. D. Medvedev
said that the member states of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) will work out their position on the events in South
Ossetia during a summit to be held in Moscow at the end of the week.

Both interlocutors expressed confidence that it is in the interests
of all states to restore peace and stability in the region. The sides
pointed out that such development of events proves once again that
resolution of the South Caucasian conflicts by means of military
operations lacks prospects and leads to unpredictable consequences.

A number of problems related to the prospects of cooperation in
security and military-technical spheres within the framework of
CSTO in the bilateral and multilateral formats were addressed at the
meeting. In the words of S. Sargsyan, Armenia, which will soon take
over the chairmanship of the CSTO, intends to use this period for
raising the efficiency of this organization.

Problems connected to the process of settling the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict were also discussed. D. Medvedev reasserted his position
that the conflict should be resolved by peace negotiations only. He
expressed his support for the current negotiation process in the
format of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Speaking about the problems of economic cooperation, S. Sargsyan and D.

Medvedev underlined with satisfaction the growth in commodity turnover
between the two countries and in Russian investments in the Armenian
economy in recent years. The sides also discussed the prospects of
implementing joint regional projects in energy and transport sectors.

AS OF SEPTEMBER 2, SEVEN PEOPLE HELD UNDER PRELIMINARY ARREST BY CRIMINAL CASE ON MARCH 1-2 EVENTS

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The investigation into the criminal
case of Felix Gevorgian and Armen Khurshudian was completed within the
framework of the criminal case being investigated by the RA Special
Investigation Service in connection with the March 1-12 events in
Yerevan. The case of the indicated men was sent to court.

The investigators revealed and substantiated that Felix Gevorgian was
a direct participant in the mass disorder in Yerevan on March 1-2,
2008. In particular, upon learning on March 1 that the meetings in
Yerevan had turned into a mass disorder, F. Gevorgian came to Yerevan
and took part in the mass disorder. At about 9 pm he took his AKMS
rifle and several 7.62 mm cartiridges and came in a taxi to Yerevan
from the village of Zovuni. At about 11.30 pm on the same day,
he was at house No 7, in front of "Eight" Supermarket on Paronian
Street in Yerevan where he fired several shots in the air "with the
aim of offering armed resistance to police". At about 3 am of March
2 when policemen prevented the mass disorder he went back to Zovuni
and hid his rifle in the yard of his house.

On June 26, Marine Gevorgian, Felix Gevorgian’s sister, handed a
homemade machine-gun and a AKMS rifle over to policemen of her own
free will in her home at 23/2 Koryun Street in Yerevan.

The investigators revealed that F. Gevorgian and Armen Khurshudian,
a previously convicted person, of the village of Alashkert (Armavir
marz) stole the indicated arms, as well as 2 grenades, five 5.45-mm
cartridges and 35 5.6-mm cartridges from a cellar of house No 50a on
Yeznik Koghbatsi Street in Yerevan.

Based on the evidence, F. Gevorgian was charged under the RA Criminal
Code’s Article 34-177 part 2 points 1 and 3, Article 235 part 1,
Article 238 part 1 and Article 225 part 2, while A. Khurshudian was
charged under Article 34-177 part 2 points 1, 3 and 4, Article 235
part 1 and Article 238 part 1.

F. Gevorgian and A. Khurshudian admitted their guilt. The criminal
case has been sent to court for examination.

According to the press service of the RA Prosecutor General’s Office,
as of September 2, 7 accused persons are held under preliminary arrest
by the criminal case on March 1-2 events. Precautionary measures other
than arrest were chosen with respect to another 8 accused persons.

SERZH SARGSYAN: THE CHOICE OF ARTSAKH’S PEOPLE WAS THE ONLY CORRECT WAY

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
sent a message of congratulation to the people of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic on the occasion of the Holiday of Independence. The text
of the message was submitted to NT by the press service of the RA
president. It reads:

"Dear compatriots,

I congratulate you on the Holiday of Independence.

The past 17 years showed that the choice of Artsakh’s people was the
only correct way in the given situation. This choice is historical,
sacrid and irreversible to us. Today is a holiday of all of us: it is
also the holiday of those who became immortal by their battle feats
in the name of the liberated and honorable homeland.

Dear people of Artsakh,

You have withstood the test of both war and peace with honor and
today you have devoted yourselves to the building and protection of
a free country.

You have devoted yourselves to reforming your state, social and
economic activities and to improving your life. I am convinced that
with the support of Armenia and the Armenians, you will solve the
current problems and overcome all challenges in the future.

I once again congratulate you on this bright holiday and wish you a
peaceful sky and stable progress."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
September 3, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]

YOVANOVITCH SWORN IN AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch was
officially sworn in at a September 2nd State Department ceremony
during which the new Ambassador stressed her commitment to stronger
U.S.-Armenia relations and working to ensure peace and stability in
the Caucasus, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

Video from Ambassador Yovanovitch’s swearing in ceremony is posted
on the ANCA YouTube Channel ()

The Senate approved the Yovanovitch nomination, last month,
following extensive questioning led by Senate Foreign Relations
Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE), Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and
Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and several requests for clarification of the
State Department’s position on the Armenian Genocide.

Facing strong pressure and the prospect of a Senate "hold," Matthew
Reynolds, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative
Affairs, wrote to Chairman Biden to formally affirm that: "the
Administration recognizes that the mass killings, ethnic cleansing,
and forced deportations of over one and a half million Armenians
were conducted by the Ottoman Empire." The complete text of the
State Department letter is at:
ses.php?prid=1545

Commenting on the State Department’s letter, ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian had noted that "although clearly falling
short of America’s moral responsibility and national interest in
recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, [the letter] did
mark a step in the direction of distancing U.S. policy from the
dictates of the Turkish government. While we, of course, remain
troubled by the President’s refusal to properly characterize the
Armenian Genocide – as reflected in Ambassador Yovanovitch’s
responses – we were gratified to see that, as a result of pressure
from Senators Biden, Boxer, and Menendez, the Department of State
has retreated from its most offensive and factually unsupportable
assertions calling into question the historical fact of Ottoman
Turkey’s destruction of its Armenian population."

Following Senate approval of Amb. Yovanovitch’s nomination, ANCA
Chairman Ken Hachikian, Executive Director Aram Hamparian, and
Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian met with Amb.
Yovanovitch at the ANCA national headquarters in Washington, DC to
discuss a broad range of U.S.-Armenia policy concerns.

President Bush’s previous nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia,
Richard Hoagland, was subject to two legislative holds by Sen.
Menendez and was ultimately withdrawn by the Administration,
following the nominee’s statements denying the Armenian Genocide.
The ANCA led the Armenian American community campaign opposing
Hoagland’s nomination, stating that a genocide denier could not
serve as a credible and effective U.S. spokesperson in Armenia. The
last U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, was fired by
the State Department for properly characterizing the Armenian
Genocide as ‘genocide.’

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