Month: October 2008

AUTHORITIES, OPPOSITION SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO EASE POLITICAL TENSION IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Oct 2, 2008

YEREVAN, October 2. /ARKA/. Armenian authorities and opposition should
do whatever necessary to ease political tension in the country,
former Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian said at a press
conference on Wednesday.

Oskanian said that the authorities should do something about those
arrested in connection with March violence.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the information published by newspapers
about likely amnesty. The president is to speak in National Assembly
on October 2 and expected to announce amnesty", he said.

He thinks unsolved problem with prisoners prevents Armenia playing
significant role in the region.

Oskanian thinks that right steps should be taken as compliance with
PACE demands, of which the most important is the release of prisoners.

In his opinion, March events tarnished Armenia’s reputation. The
former foreign minister thinks that Armenia puts its image at stake
by dragging its feet in complying with PACE demands.

"If the president shares my opinion, he will say something to the
public tomorrow", Oskanian said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"ARMENIAN DATACOM COMPANY" OFFERING FREE OF CHARGE FIBER-OPTIC CONNECTION TO ADC’S BROADBAND INTERNET

ARKA
Oct 2, 2008

YEREVAN, October 2. /ARKA/. "Armenian Datacom Company" CJSC (ADC)
announced "Autumn Surprise" project and is offering free of charge
fiber-optic connection to ADC’s Broadband Internet Services from
October 3 to October 15.

The offer is valid for companies that will sign a contract with ADC
within the given time period.

"Armenian Datacom Company" CJSC (ADC) is an Armenian-Norwegian joint
venture formed in April 2006.

The company created a 21st century ultramodern fiber-optic network
spanning all around Yerevan covering both central areas and the
suburbs. ADC network offers advanced corporate network solutions and
high-speed fiber-optic broadband Internet services.

MINIMUM BASKET OF GOODS TO BE BROUGHT UP TO $132.5 IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Oct 2, 2008

YEREVAN, October 2. /ARKA/. A draft law on minimal basket of goods
is under development in Armenia. The monthly basket is expected to
amount to 40,000 Drams ($132.5), Armenian Minister of Labor and Social
Issues Arsen Hambartsumyan told journalists in Yerevan.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, monthly minimum
basket of goods was 36,538.8 Drams ($119) at the end of the second
quarter (on actual prices recorded during the quarter). It is a 2.9%
reduction against the previous month and a 0.54% as compared with
the second quarter of last year.

The basket components and structure is developed by the Ministry
of Healthcare.

Hambartsumyan reported that calculations will be made as per different
social and demographic groups.

Both the inflation planned under the budget and the expected rise in
gas prices as from April 1 2009 will be considered in developing the
draft law, he said.

4% (±1.5%) inflation was planned by the end of this year under the
state budget. According to Vice-Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia
Vache Gabrielyan, inflation may reach even 7-8% by the end of the year.

Price for gas supplied to Armenia is to be 154 USD per 1,000 cubic
meters including VAT as from April 1 2009 against the current 110
USD including VAT.

–Boundary_(ID_iqw+Sk5ggJFA6gqxZrWQPw)–

NKR GOVERNMENT TAKES STEPS ON ENSURING FOOD SECURITY

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2008-10-02 16:26
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

"Our goal is to establish a completely protected and an economically
secured country, regardless of the international situation; a country,
in which equal conditions, social justice and supremacy of law are
guaranteed", the NKR prime minister Ara Harutyunyan stated on October
1 at the press-conference in Stepanakert.

The premier noted that during its one-year activity, the NKR
government has done a considerable work, which has provided a basis
for guaranteeing stable economic growth.

According to the prime minister, reforms in agricultural,
energetic, social, educational and other significant spheres will be
continued. Ara Harutyunyan also underlined the necessity of solving
the republic’s food security issue. According to him, successive
steps are being undertaken in this direction.

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN WELCOMED POLISH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREJ KREMER AND DEPUTY MINISTER OF ECONOMY MARCIN KOROLEC

entre_8/official_news_en.php?&date=1222714800
Tuesday, 30th of September, 2008

The Polish officials said they are in Armenia to discuss cooperation
programs with their Armenian counterparts aimed at furthering
economic and political interaction between the two countries,
supposed to bring the two countries closer to each other on the
way to euro-integration, as well as to present the EU Eastern
Partnership Program. They briefed the Prime Minister on the outcomes
of their talks and the arrangements achieved during the contacts
had with their Armenian colleagues which also covered the formation
of an appropriate legal framework for cooperation. In particular,
prioritized were the signing of instruments of economic cooperation,
investment encouragement and mutual protection, collaboration in the
field transport and communications and free trade regime.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan welcomed these discussions by noting
that much of the Armenian-Polish cooperation potential needs developing
ahead. In his words, while about ten enterprises with Polish equity
are currently operating in Armenia, mostly in the commercial sector,
there is a clear need in expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation
into other sectors, too.

In this context, deputy ministers Andrej Kremer and Marcin Korolecz
pointed out a need for Armenia to participate in the annual business
forum held in Poland with the involvement of public and private sector
representatives from different countries. They took the opportunity
to invite the Prime Minister and people from the Armenian business
circles to attend the forum, engage talks with would-be investors
and come to arrangements on the spot.

During the meeting, the RA Prime Minister appreciated the passage by
the Polish Seim of a resolution acknowledging the genocide of Armenians
according to which "the commemoration of victims, the crime committed
and the call on its recognition is a moral duty for the whole mankind,
any people and good-willed individual."

The interlocutors also highlighted the need for engaging in ever
closer cooperation in education, science and culture. An agreement
was said to have been signed to that effect stipulating the drafting
and implementation of short-term projects in these areas.

At the close of this meeting, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan asked
the ministers to forward to the Prime Minister of Poland his greetings
and his government’s readiness to cooperation.

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN CONGRATULATED HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN ON HIS ELECTION TO THE POST OF CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA. THE CONGRATULATIONS MESSAGE STATES IN PART

re_8/official_news_en.php?&date=1222714800
Tue sday, 30th of September, 2008

"Dear Mr. Abrahamyan,

I congratulate you on your election to the office of Republic of
Armenia National Assembly Chairman.

I am confident that at this highly responsible post you will use your
long experience and skills to enhance the efficiency of parliamentary
activities, further deepen the cooperation between the executive and
legislative branches and contribute to the success of the reforms
underway in our country.

Congratulating you once again on election to the post of RA National
Assembly Chairman, I wish you fruitful efforts for the sake of our
State’s and people’s prosperity."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FLETCHER SCHOOL OF LAW AND DIPLOMACY AND TAVITIAN FOUNDATION

n_centre_8/official_news_en.php?&date=12227148 00
Tuesday, 30th of September, 2008

Highly appreciative of these organizations’ efforts, the Prime Minister
thanked them for sustained focus on education in Armenia and went
on to discuss cooperation areas. Tigran Sargsyan highlighted the
educational reform from the perspective of education quality. The
head of the Armenian government advised that on the initiative of
RA President Serzh Sargsyan, the Republic of Armenia is prepared
to finance educational expenses for all those students admitted to
reputable foreign universities. He mentioned that no pre-conditions
are set for the eligibility of students and academic fields: the only
criterion is the high ranking of host universities. Tigran Sargsyan
noted that the number of eligible students may fail to live up to the
expectations. Nevertheless, what matters most is to realize that the
possibility of getting through with the help of "relatives and friends"
is inadmissible. "Qualified specialists are required in any field and
the State is ready to support those capable of serving their homeland,"
Tigran Sargsyan has underscored.

President of Tavitian Foundation Aso Tavitian and his partners said to
be prepared to go on with the 6-month educational programs in various
fields, as well as to come up with new cooperation-related ideas in
the near future.

PRESS RELEASE
CSUN ASP
CONTACT: Anna Menedjian
Telephone: (818) 331-2020
Email: [email protected]

Armenian studies program honors former professor and director
Program also celebrates 25th anniversary

By Anna Menedjian

Professor Hermine Mahseredjian (second from left) is given a lifetime
achievement award by professor Gagik Melikyan Sunday for her
dedication to the Armenian Studies Program.

Decades of dedication to her native language, history and culture led
former professor and director of the Armenian Studies Program Hermine
Mahseredjian to a lifetime achievement award Sunday from the
university’s Alumni and Friends of the Armenian Studies Program.

`The College of Humanities is proud to be the home of the Armenian
Studies Program,’ said Elizabeth Say, Ph.D., dean of the humanities
department. `We honor a program that strives to bring an understanding
of Armenian studies for the students here.’

Mahseredjian also received the coveted `Community Hero’ award from the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and a proclamation in honor
of her achievements from the State Assemblyman Paul Krikorian.

Over 150 alumni, faculty and students gathered at the Grand Salon on
campus to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Armenian Studies
Program. The evening was filled with Armenian representations,
including Armenian food, musicand even symbolic centerpieces, which
were made with tree branches and pomegranates.

Renowned Armenian folk singer Salbi Mailian performed four famous folk
songs, including `The Daughter’s Song,’ `A VoiceJust Rang,’ a song by
Sayat Nova and the unity circle dance. Award-winning author,
seven-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and former Los Angeles Times
reporter Mark Arax spoke at length about his Armenian roots and
heritage and the importance of having an Armenian Studies Program on
campus availableto the large population of Armenian students attending
the university.

The threat of technology could swallow you up and your culture,
said Arax. Programs like this are an example of the balance needed to
honor your heritage without committing treason, he added.

Mahseredjian joined the CSUN faculty in 1983 as a volunteer just to be
ableto teach an Armenian Culture class for the Armenian students
attending the university. Determined to pass her understanding and
knowledge of the Armenian culture to her students, she stayed on and
taught without taking a paycheck home for five years.

Chicano/a studies professor Jorge Garcia recalls Mahseredjian saying,
`If you don’t have the money, I will teach for free.’ This is `because
of her love, dedication and personal commitment that she has within
her,’ added Garcia.

Over the past 25 years, Mahseredjian worked diligently with the CSUN
administration, community leaders, philanthropists, alumni and
students in her mission to expand the Armenian learning experience on
campus, which resulted in the establishment of the Armenian Studies
Program in 1988, a minor degree program in 1991 and a student and
faculty exchange program in 2004 between CSUN and Yerevan State
University in Armenia.

`The Armenian Studies Program at CSUN is a very large brick in the
building of the Armenian language and culture in the U.S.,’ said
Gabriel Injejikian, former principal of the first Armenian school in
the UnitedStates, Ferrahian High School.

Mahseredjian was born and raised in Jerusalem (Palestine, under
British Mandate at the time). She received her Elementary Education at
the Saint Tarkmanchats Armenian School. She then went to Nicosia,
Cyprus for her secondary education at the Melkonian Educational
Institute. Upon immigrating to the USA, she continued her education
at CSUN and obtained a Bachelors Degree in French and a Masters Degree
in Educational Psychology. She continued her studies towards a
doctorate program at the University of Southern California. However,
she changed her educational direction and became a Licensed Marriage &
Family Psychotherapist (MFT).

She holds a variety of California Credentials, including teaching,
counseling, school psychologist, administrative for K-12 and for
community college. Throughout her adult life she has been an educator
and was employed as a teacher; counselor, Special Education Counselor,
psychologist (private and public school districts), Curriculum
Coordinator for Multicultural Studies at the Children’ s Hospital in
Los Angeles, a parochial school principal and 24 years of service to
CSUN as a Professor and the Founder & director of the Armenian Studies
Program.

`Being in the Diaspora it is very important for me to learn my
culture, history and language to pass it on to future generations as
well as to my children,’ said senior liberal studies major Ani
Demirjian.

Armenian philanthropist Alex Manoogian was an instrumental part of
Mahseredjian’s success in expanding the Armenian studies program by
donatingover $115,000 toward the studies’ fellowship and scholarship
programs. Varaz Shahmirian, an engineer has also contributed to the
expansion by donating tens of thousands of dollars to help establish
the minor program in Armenian Studies.

`My biggest wish is that one day we will all celebrate the
inauguration of the bachelor’s degree in Armenian,’ said Mahseredjian.

Last year, Mahseredjian retired from teaching and directing the
Armenian Studies program and passed the torch to professor Vahram
Shehmmassian, Ph.D., who now directs the program for over 3,500
students. Mahseredjian is currently serving as the executive director
for a newly opened Armenian Charter School in the Valley on an
entirely volunteer basis.

`She’s getting older, but not stepping back from doing things for the
community. I want to see myself in her shoes someday,’ said Armenian
Students Assocation president Lusine Harutyunyan.

###

n_studies_program_honors_former_professor_and_dire cor

European Day against the Death Penalty: panel discussion with Robert
Badinter and Bianca Jagger, photo exhibit

Strasbourg, 02.10.2008 – The Council of Europe and European Union will
mark the European Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October, with a
panel discussion from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm at the Council of Europe’s
Agora Building, featuring French former Minister of Justice and
anti-death penalty pioneer Senator Robert Badinter, international
activist and Goodwill Ambassador Bianca Jagger, Council of Europe
Secretary General Terry Davis and Swedish Human Rights Ambassador Jan
Nordlander.

Sponsored by both the Swedish Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s
Committee of Ministers and the French Presidency of the European Union,
the panel will be moderated by Radio Television Serbia anchorwoman
Tatiana Bilankov. Streamed live on the Council of Europe website
() and broadcast on Alsatic TV, the panel will unveil a new
anti-death penalty video clip, produced by the Council of Europe. A
frank discussion of death penalty trends will include questions from
local students. An audio message from U.S. death row inmate Troy Davis
as delivered to Amnesty International will also be broadcast.

The European Day against the Death Penalty coincides with the World Day
against the Death Penalty and includes grass roots events all over
Europe, from Armenia to Ukraine. A special op-ed against the death
penalty, co-authored by Ministers of Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and
Bernard Kouchner, on behalf of the Swedish Chairmanship of the Council
of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and the French Presidency of the
European Union, will also be published in major media across Europe.

Photo exhibit marking 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights
Immediately following the panel, the public is invited to attend a photo
exhibit to mark both the World Day against the Death Penalty and to
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Organised by the French government, in partnership with Geo
Magazine and the French multimedia chain FNAC, the exhibit will feature
photos each related to the 30 articles of the Declaration. It will be
displayed simultaneously at the French Foreign Ministry, the Quai
d’Orsay.

* * *
The Death Penalty and the Council of Europe

Europe is today the only region in the world where the death penalty is
no longer applied. All the Council of Europe’s 47 member states have
either abolished capital punishment or instituted a moratorium on
executions. The Council of Europe played a leading role in the battle
for abolition, believing that the death penalty has no place in
democratic societies. This determination to eradicate the death penalty
was reflected in Protocol No. 6 to the European Convention on Human
Rights. It followed an initiative from the Parliamentary Assembly to
abolish the death penalty in peacetime and was adopted in April 1983. In
2002, another important step was taken with the adoption of Protocol No.
13 on the abolition of capital punishment in all circumstances, even for
acts committed in time of war. The Council has made abolition of the
death penalty a prerequisite for membership. As a result, no execution
has taken place on the territory of the organisation’s member states
since 1997. The Parliamentary Assembly continues to monitor the capital
punishment issue. It has extended its action to countries enjoying
observer status with the Council, including Japan and the United States.

PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 680a08
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet:

To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]

A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47
member states.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia: PACE Monitoring Committee remains concerned about the limited
progress with regard to the implementation of Resolutions 1609 and 1620

Strasbourg, 02.10.2008 – The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has received the report from
the Human Rights Commissioner regarding his visit to Yerevan from 13 to
15 July 2008 and is extremely alarmed about its findings and conclusions
that show that only limited progress has been achieved regarding key
demands of the Assembly. The committee therefore invited the Human
Rights Commissioner to return to Yerevan and report back to the
committee at its meeting in Paris on 17 December 2008.

While noting the positive steps made regarding establishment of an
independent and credible inquiry, the Monitoring Committee remains
extremely concerned regarding persons deprived of their liberty in
relation to the events on 1 and 2 March 2008.

In Resolution 1620 (2008), the Assembly made it clear that "the cases
still under investigation should be closed or promptly brought before
the courts"; "a verdict based solely on police testimony without
corroborating evidence cannot be acceptable" and that "the cases under
Articles 300 and 225 of the Criminal Code should be dropped unless there
is strong evidence that the accused have personally committed acts of
violence or ordered, abetted or assisted to commit them".

In that respect, the committee took note that, while the investigations
regarding persons in preventive detention have now closed, the cases
against seven, all charged under articles 300 and 225, have not yet been
brought before the courts as a result of the excessive length of the
investigation. In addition, the committee is deeply concerned that the
investigations regarding the responsibility for the ten deaths on 1 and
2 March have not yet been, or are not yet on the point of being,
concluded.

Serious questions remain regarding the nature of the charges brought
against people arrested in relation to the events on 1 and 2 March, as
well as regarding the court proceedings of several cases, including with
regard to the principle of a fair trial. In addition, and contrary to
Assembly demands, 19 persons have been convicted on the basis of police
testimony only. The committee is therefore seriously concerned that
people may have been detained, and even convicted, based on political
beliefs and non-violent activities, which is unacceptable to the
Assembly.

The committee regrets that the Armenian authorities did not consider the
possibility of amnesty, pardons, or any other legal means available to
them, to resolve the situation regarding persons deprived of their
liberty in relation to the events on 1 and 2 March 2008. It strongly
urges the authorities to consider such options, which would result in
major progress towards meeting the requirements of the Assembly.

The committee noted the positive steps regarding the establishment of an
independent and credible inquiry as outlined in the report by the
Commissioner. The committee expresses its full support for the proposals
made by the Commissioner. It welcomes the constructive dialogue between
the Armenian authorities and Commissioner on this issue and hopes that
the remaining outstanding issues will be resolved soon in order for the
expert group to start and finalise its work as soon as possible.

The committee is of the view that Armenia is on a threshold regarding
the implementation of Resolutions 1609 (2008) and 1620 (2008). Now is
the time for the Armenian authorities to show the political will to
resolve this problem. The committee places its full trust in, and gives
its full support for the work of the Human Rights Commissioner in this
respect. Therefore, it would invite the Commissioner to make a follow-up
visit to Yerevan and to report back to the committee at its meeting on
17 December 2008 on the progress made regarding the independent and
credible inquiry and release of persons deprived of their liberty in
relation to the events on 1 and 2 March. In December, on the basis of
that report, the committee will make its decision on the actions, and
possible sanctions, it will recommend to the plenary of the Assembly in
January 2009.
From: Baghdasarian