Month: October 2008

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS "URGENT SURGERY" KICKES OFF IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
Oct 1, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS: The international congress entitled
"Urgent Surgery" started today its works in Yerevan State Medical
University after M. Heratsi.

Famous surgeons who arrived in Armenia from France, Russia and other
countries will discuss current problems of surgery with their Armenian
colleagues by October 3. During the congress the specialists will
present reports on "Urgent Surgery of Baby Age in Armenia: Reality and
Prospects of Development", "The Urgent Baby Surgery and Traumatology
Today", "Research of the Immediate Reaction System during Disasters
and Emergent Situations", "The Main Directions and Improvement of
Medical Assistance during the Road Accidents" etc.

During the discussions Armenian specialists will get acquainted with
the international experience. The works of the congress will be held
in Yerevan State Medical University and in the mother and child’s
health protection research center.

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian greeted the participants of
the congress and wished them fruitful work.

Armenian health minister Harutyun Kushkian also addressed the
participants of the congress. According to the minister, Armenia
has obvious achievements in the sphere of surgery gained due to the
educational work. The work has always been highly appreciated by the
leadership of the country. Nevertheless, medicine needs permanent
development. According to H. Kushkian, it is impossible to ensure
these developments without involving new ideas based on international
researches.

Ara Babloian, the head of the NA’s permanent committee on social,
health and nature protection affairs, said that the frequent
organization of suchlike events is a necessity thanks to which modern
surgery develops and it becomes possible to overcome the challenges
the sphere faces.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN DISCUSSES COOPERATION ISSUES WITH POLISH DEPUTY FM

ARMENPRESS
Oct 1, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS: Secretary General of the Armenian
National Security Council Arthur Baghdasarian received today Polish
deputy foreign minister Anjey Kremer and members of his entourage.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that during the meeting
the sides discussed issues on Armenian-Polish cooperation in political
and security spheres.

Polish deputy foreign minister conveyed to Arthur Baghdasarian the
greetings of the secretary general of Polish National Security Council
and invitation to visit Poland.

With the request of the guest Arthur Baghdasarian presented the main
directions of the activity of the Armenian Security Council. An
agreement has been reached over starting cooperation between the
councils of the two countries. The interlocutors also discussed a
wide range of issues on regional security and cooperation.

Polish deputy foreign minister presented the new program of Eastern
Neighborhood developed in collaboration with Sweden, one of the six
countries involved in the program is Armenia.

Underscoring the program, Arthur Baghdasarian pointed out that one of
the goals of a commission set up by the assignment of the president
is aimed at effective cooperation with the European establishments.

ARMENIAN AND GEORGIAN PRESIDENTS UNDERSCORE HIGH LEVEL OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

ARMENPRESS
Oct 1, 2008

TBILISI, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS: On the first day of his official
visit to Tbilisi Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met September 30
in Tbilisi with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili.

Armenian president first of all expressed condolences on his and
on behalf of the Armenian people in connection with the recent
developments in Georgia which caused human losses.

The sides pointed out the friendly relations existing between the two
countries underscoring the necessity of their further development. It
was noted that in spite of the high level of relations there is still
great unused potential and steps are necessary to be undertaken for
bringing them to life.

The presidents discussed in details a number of issues on economic
partnership, including in energy and transport spheres, referred to
the border zoning activity, they also reached agreement over creation
of joint consortium with the representatives of two countries which
will direct its activity towards the construction of an alternative
road which will facilitate the cargo and passenger transportations to
Armenia. The sides agreed to carry out works to promote inter-border
cooperation as well as to facilitate the entrance process of citizens
of the two countries to each other’s territory.

Underscoring the stability of Georgia for Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan noted
that it is not a secret that Armenia has strategic partnership with
Russia at the same time Georgia is Armenia’s ancient-long friend. "Our
commitments as partners, neighbors, and strategic allies must not
bother each other and must not be on the account of one another,"
Armenian president said.

The presidents of the two countries also spoke in favor of peaceful
regulation of the conflicts. They also underscored role of the Armenian
community in deepening bilateral relations.

After the extended meeting during which the active work of the
inter-governmental commission was highlighted, the Georgian president
said that the Georgian side underscores and positively assesses the
relations with Armenia. "I have very warm relations with the president
of Armenia and I am sure that it will have a positive impact on all
the levels of our cooperation," M. Saakashvili said.

During the meeting Armenian president was granted the highest
Georgian state medal which is awarded to foreign citizens. Armenian
president also met with the Georgian parliament speaker David
Bakradze. During the meeting the sides underscored the development of
inter-parliamentary cooperation. Armenian president also said that the
recent developments in the region showed the weak and strong sides
of the region and it is necessary to make conclusions and undertake
relevant steps.

D. Bakradze underscored the friendship between the two countries as
an important circumstance of regional peace and development.

Yesterday Armenian and Georgian presidents also participated in
the opening ceremony of a memorial stone to Sayat-Nova in Tbilisi’s
Meydan Square.

US DEPUTY STATE SECRETARY TO DISCUSS KARABAKH ISSUE

AZG Armenian Daily
02/10/2008

USA – Karabakh conflict

United States Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte arrived in
Baku yesterday.

Negroponte will discuss settlement of Karabakh conflict, security
sphere and military issues, also Russian-Georgian conflict.

The United States Deputy Secretary of State will meet with the
Azerbaijani government members, also representatives of business
spheres.

TERRY DAVIS: "KOSOVO IS NOT ABKHAZIA OR KARABAKH"

AZG Armenian Daily
02/10/2008

Regional conflicts

"I continue to be a supporter of territorial integrity of the Council
of Europe member countries", announced Secretary General of the
Council of Europe Terry Davis in Strasbourg September 30 at a press
conference held in the framework of the PACE session.

Terry Davis, who blamed Russia for recognition of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia, didn’t have similar attitude towards the unilateral
declaration of Kosovo’s independence clarifying that there are many
differences between Kosovo and other conflicts.

According to him, South Ossetia, Abkhazia or Karabakh are different
from Kosovo.

"POLITICAL PRISONERS SHOULD BE RELEASED"

A1+
[07:13 pm] 01 October, 2008

"I do not think that the diplomatic relations will better after the
borders are opened," Armenia’s ex Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
told a press conference today. We shouldn’t allow Turkey to decide
whether the mass killings of 1915 can be called genocide or not. We
have nothing to surrender."

As to Serzh Sarkissian’s agreement to setting up a commission of
Armenian-Turkish historians, Vartan Oskanian said it was merely a
slip-up. "If we accept the possibility of setting up the commission,
it means we question the issue of the Armenian Genocide." Although
Serzh Sarkissian later edited his statement made in Moscow, Vartan
Oskanian thinks the international community and Turkey have a vague
understanding of this since the following actions and statements of
the Armenian side gave rise to ambiguous perceptions. Vartan Oskanian
does not understand Serzh Sarkissian’s idea that after opening the
border Armenia will be ready to discuss any issue.

As to the possibility of Turkey’s mediation in the Karabakh conflict
settlement, Vartan Oskanian said: "Turkey is not ready to be a mediator
because it keeps the border with Armenia closed, the railway is not
operating, and consequently it is a conflict side."

Armenia’s ex Foreign Minister says the Armenian diplomacy should
not allow Turkey to make the impression that it is carrying out an
observation mission.

Reporters asked the ex FM to comment on Gul’s recent visit to
Armenia. In this respect Vartan Oskanian said the visit was
unprecedented but did not specify whether it is positive or
negative. "Time will show if the decision to invite Gul was right
or wrong. There is one benchmark for the improvement of the Armenian
and Turkish relations-the opening of the border."

The ex-foreign minister says if the border is not opened in the
upcoming few months or at least the railway is not operated, it
means Turkey manipulated the invitation of Armenia with its typical
diplomatic skill. Therefore, Vartan Oskantan advises to wait for
several more months to evaluate the invitation.

According to the ex FM Gul’s visit was favourable for both countries
and increased the countries’ rating.

When speaking about Armenia’s image Oskanian focused on the tragic
events of March 1. He voices hope that the Armenian authorities will
meet the CoE recommendations and release the political prisoners. He
also hopes that Serzh Sarkissian will declare amnesty in his
presidential address to the National Assembly on October 2.

"Armenia has a good chance today to restore its reputation, and its
high time the opposition and government settled home issues through
negotiations as the home problems hinder Armenia to be a key actor
in the region."

Vartan Oskanian also dispelled the rumors that he would be the axis
and even the leader of the so-called third force.

"NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE"

A1+
[08:10 pm] 01 October, 2008

"I welcome any step that will help reduce the tension in
the Armenian-Turkish relations and raise the level of possible
cooperation," leader of the United Labour Party (MAK) Gurgen Arsenian
told a press conference today while assessing Turkish President
Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia.

He welcomed Serzh Sarkissian’s initiative targeted at bringing the
process of the Karabakh conflict settlement to a more productive
phase. According to him, the latest Russian-Georgian event showed that
the normalisation of relations with Turkey is of vital importance for
Armenia. "Armenia’s economy would be at the threshold of paralysis if
the war lasted another 10 days," he said. It’s necessary to normalise
the relations between the two countries and establish economic,
political and public ties.

Asked whether Turkey’s activeness can play a negative role in the
Karabakh conflict resolution, Gurgen Arsenian said it’s necessary
to apply diplomatic flexibility to avoid that danger. "If Turkey’s
activeness can bring any danger, the leadership of the country should
be able to neutralise it with its diplomatic tools: it’s already the
task of diplomats," Gurgen Arsenian said.

With regard to home issues, the MAK Leader said, "It is time the
opposition and authorities started a dialogue. They had better have
vis-a-vis meetings and debates."

Gurgen Arsenian’s call for a dialogue was mostly addressed to the
authorities as they have more chances and resources to start a
dialogue. Anyway, he cited the Constitution and said that "power
takeover is not excluded in Armenia as we are a democratic country."

"THIS IS BLOOD, NO ONE CAN DENY IT"

A1+
[04:26 pm] 01 October, 2008

Leader of the United Labour Party (MAK) Gurgen Arsenian found Shota
Vardanian’s thesis about the opposition’s footage on the March 1
ocurrences unconvincing. Reminder, last week Shota Vardanian stated
that the organs seen in the footage belong to animals and the blood
is imitated.

"Obviously, it is blood, no one can doubt or deny it," Gurgen Arsenian
said today in reply to A1+.

Generally, Arsenian sounded displeased with the Commission’s work.

He thinks on March 1 the police executed an order to disperse "a
non-authorised" rally. The fact that the police had arrived on the
scene with batons and not with weapons testifies to his words.

He says that high ranking police officials bear responsibly for their
superiors’ life and security and if the police had known that the
ralliers were armed they wouldn’t have carried out the operation.

OTHERWISE WE SHALL HAVE THE SAME SCENE
Karine Asatryan

A1+
[12:45 pm] 01 October, 2008

"Different techniques are applied to regulate the conflicts of South
Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh," Avet Adonts, member of the Bargavach
Hayastan Party (BHK), Armenian delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE), said to A1+ in Strasbourg. "The
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is resolved within the framework of the
OSCE Minsk group, i.e. three powerful countries, the USA, Russia and
France, deal with the conflict resolution."

"The same is not true about the case of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I
think we have chosen the best way: to regulate the conflict and define
the country’s status through negotiations," adds the Armenian MP.

Avet Adonts also detailed why Armenia doesn’t recognise the
independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

"Karabakh’s status is to be defined through negotiations. If Armenia
recognises Karabakh’s independence it means the negotiations are
needless. I do think that the conflict should be resolved only through
negotiations otherwise we shall have the same scene as is in South
Ossetia."

Reminder, the PACE session will resume the discussions of the
consequences of the Russian-Georgian war on October 2.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

1259 PEOPLE WILL RETURN HOME

Panorama.am
16:26 01/10/2008

Gagik Eganyan, the head of migration department of the Ministry of
Urban Development presented to the journalists the project confirmed
by the Government to guarantee the return of the people from boarder
line territories to their home places.

Note that those are people who had to leave their houses in the
aftermath of natural disasters, etc. The current programme covers
only those who left their homes in the result of Azeri bombing in
1992-1994. After the armistice has been signed in 1994, many of them
returned to their home land, but still thousands did not.

According to Mr. Eganyan the problems of current people have not
been studied yet. "We wanted to know where they are living, in what
conditions, and do they want to return to their home land," he said.

According to the studies 26 thousands 44 people left the country and
find place to live abroad in those years, 21 thousands 270 people
stayed in Armenia. But still 461 of them left abroad, after 9692
returned to Armenia and 113 of them are dead. Currently 5784 people are
registered and only 1259 of them expressed their wish to return home.