Author: admin

Government of Armenia proposes amending state property privatization
program to sale state share in Ameriabank

2008-10-03 14:26:00

ArmInfo. Government of Armenia proposes amending the state property
privatization program for 2006-2007 to sale the state share in
Ameriabank (former Armimpexbank), Karine Kirakosyan, Head of the State
Property Department said in the parliament Thursday.

She said it is the only bank of Armenia at present with state share.
The state holds just 2.35% stake in the bank and cannot influence the
activity of the bank. Thus, it is quite reasonable to sell the stake.
Amendments to the given law are expected in three weeks at the next
4-day session.

Ameribank told ArmInfo the state stake in the bank was 2.35% in Feb
2008. The bank issued equity twice in the current year and the share of
the majority shareholder, TDA Holdings Limited, reached 99.6%. The
first issue totaled 4.4 billion drams, the second – 10.6 billion drams,
which allowed the bank to raise the authorized capital from the initial
2 billion drams to 17 billion drams. Due to it, the bank became the
leader in the banking system of Armenia. The capital base rose to 18.6
billion drams ($62 million) after the second issue and the bank rose
from the top ten banks to the top five leaders. The third issue of
equity for 1.2 billion drams is scheduled for October 2008. Due to it,
the authorized capital will be raised to 18.2 billion drams. The
capital base will be increased also due to the envisaged profit. Thus,
the bank will overfulfill the strategic development plan for 2008 and
stay among leaders in the banking sector of Armenia. In future, the
bank will raise capital at the expense of profit for it envisages over
$5 million profit in 2009.

A WINDOW OPENED FOR ARMENIA
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
02 Oct 2008
Armenia

Hurry Up Until It Closes

Yesterday ex Foreign Minister, founder of "Sivilitas" fund Vardan
Oskanyan convened a press conference devoted to the establishment
of the organization and he willingly introduced their mission and
future plans.

We Must Be Vigilant In Our Relations With Turkey

The journalists naturally asked about the attitude of the ex Foreign
Minister towards the recent Armenian-Turkish relations.

"For me there is one criterion for the normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations, which is – the opening of the border or at
least the operation of the railway. There is no other criterion. If
during the coming months none of them comes true I will say that
Turkey perfectly speculated its chance.

And if the border opens during the coming months or the railway
operates we can say that Gyul’s invitation to Yerevan was the right
decision," Vardan Oskanyan said.

Touching upon the trilateral meeting between the Foreign Ministers
of Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, which took place in New York,
and Turkey’s mediation affectations the ex Foreign Minister said:
"Of course Turkey wants to appear as a mediator. It will definitely
make Turkey’s reputation in the region higher. But as far as I
understood the agenda included regional issues and Turkey’s init
iative towards Caucasus.

Actually in my view at the moment Turkey doesn’t have any role in
those negotiations because the border is still closed and the railway
doesn’t operate and Turkey appears as a party in that conflict.

In such circumstances Turkey doesn’t have anything to do and Armenia’s
diplomacy must do its best to firstly prevent Turkey from similar
involvement and creating an opinion in the whole world that it is
in the role of a mediator, because Turkey doesn’t have the right for
similar role."

As regards the expediency to set up a joint committee of Armenian and
Turkish historians Vardan Oskanyan said: "Any step that can somehow
cast doubt on the fact of the Genocide is unacceptable. In this issue
we must really be very vigilant."

The ex Foreign Minister didn’t exclude that the direct participants
of the "football diplomacy" the President and the Foreign Minister
know more than the public does: "Maybe Turkey gave certain guarantees
regarding the opening of the border. Otherwise for me it is a bit
strange to hear the announcement made by the President saying that we
don’t have any land demands from Turkey and we are ready to discuss
any issue. So the thing that the Turks wanted from us we have already
given to them and the thing that we want from Turkey we haven’t yet
taken from them."

Gyul’s announcement saying that until Armenia returns the "occupied
territories" to Azerbaijan, Armenian-Turkish border won’t open,
indirectly displays that Turkey can’t change its harsh attitude
towards Armenia and will continue to speak with us in the language
of ultimatums.

Vardan Oskanyan also touched upon the tensed internal political
situation that has been established in Armenia after March 1. "Both
the ruling power and the opposition must do their best to mitigate
the created tension and in general to annihilate it. In my view the
authorities must take steps linked with the detained. I’m glad to
hear that the President is going to deliver a speech in the National
Assembly and that there is a possibility of amnesty."

"By solving this entangled string can Armenia essentially raise its
reputation in the region?"

"I must record that we shouldn’t lose this moment because actually
a window has been opened for Armenia to put its reputation on its
real place.

We have lost lots of things after March 1 developments and today we
have a very good chance. Actually we are already late but the window
is still open."

But this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t give legal assessment to what
has happened. "March 1 is one of the black pages of our history. We
must be able to turn that page. But in order to turn it we must give
right assessment and move forward."0D

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 26 – OCTOBER 2, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ARMENIA OF PACE
RESOLUTIONS AND LOCAL SELF-ADMINISTRATION INSTITUTE

COMPLICATED STORY WITH A TRAGIC END

COURT STARTED HEARINGS OF THE CASE OF IJEVAN MUNICIPALITY VERSUS
"INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS"

CANDIDATE TO THE PREFECT POSITION ANNOUNCED THAT TV COMPANIES REFUSED TO
BROADCAST HIS CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

OSCE REPRESENTATIVE ON FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA: DIGITALIZATION SHOULD NOT BE
ALLOWED TO REDUCE DIVERSITY AND PLURALITY

GOLD KEYS AND RUSTY LOCKS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER

"SHOGHAKAT" MOVED TO A NEW BUILDING

"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ARMENIA OF PACE
RESOLUTIONS AND LOCAL SELF-ADMINISTRATION INSTITUTE

On October 1 another show of "Press Club" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media" TV company. It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the
Open Society Institute Human Rights and Governance Grants Program. The
guests of the "Press Club" host, the President of Yerevan Press Club Boris
Navasardian, were Observer of First Channel of Public Television of Armenia
Armen Dulian, Responsible for Foreign Relations of Armenian National
Congress Vladimir Karapetian, and the Director of International Center of
Human Development Tevan Poghosian. "Press Club" participants continued last
program’s discussion of the obligations of Armenia before the Council of
Europe and implementation of PACE Resolutions 1609 "The Functioning of
Democratic Institutions in Armenia" and 1620 "The Implementation by Armenia
of Assembly Resolution 1609 (2008)" (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September
19-25, 2008).

The next program of "Press Club" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Wednesday, October 8, at 23.00.

On September 27 another show of "Press Club+" cycle went on air of "Yerkir
Media" TV company. It is produced by Yerevan Press Club with support of the
Embassy of Great Britain in Armenia. Talk show participants, Chairman of
Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression Ashot Melikian, Head of Local
Self-Administration Department of the RA Ministry of Territorial
Administration Ashot Giloyan, and Vice-President of the Association of
Community Financiers David Tumanian, discussed whether the local
self-administration institution is fully established in Armenia. The
audience composed of representatives of civil society of Gyumri also
participated in the discussion.

The next program of "Press Club+" cycle will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Saturday, October 4, at 17.40.

COMPLICATED STORY WITH A TRAGIC END

During the last days press was writing about the disappearance of the Head
of "Radiolur" news program of Public Radio of Armenia Artur Sahakian: he did
not show up at the work, did not answer the phone calls. On September 29
information appeared on the web site of RA Police about the incident with
Arthur Sahakian, which took place on September 20 and continued the next
day. Nevertheless, the official information about the incident and the
version of the journalist himself that appeared in a number of newspapers on
September 30 contradict each other. According to Artur Sahakian, he has to
hide now because his life is endangered on behalf of the encirclement of the
RA National Assembly deputy, businessman Levon Sargsian who work in
agreement with some police officials. Besides, an eyewitnesses of the
incident accused the journalist of a rape attempt.

Andranik Babayan, a friend of Artur Sahakian, fell a victim of the incident
and died in the hospital on September 29, without coming to consciousness
after the beating that took place on September 21. On the same day,
September 21, Director of "Urbat" Club, Chief Editor of "Urbat Report"
weekly, Abel Mikaelian, who was in one of Yerevan cafes together with Artur
Sahakian, was beaten. Although the act of violence was to all appearances
done by a big group of people, according to the RA Police information above,
only one person was arrested, coming to the police and confessing that he
beat Andranik Babayan and Abel Mikaelian. On October 2, press informed that
two more suspected were detained.

On October 1, 2008 "Aravot" daily published a statement of Abel Mikaelian,
who is hiding at present. Abel Mikaelian urged the media not connect his
name, the name of late Andranik Babayan, as well as "Urbat" Club and "Urbat
Report" with the incident of September 20-21.

Yerevan Press Club will follow the events around this complicated story.

COURT STARTED HEARINGS OF THE CASE OF IJEVAN MUNICIPALITY VERSUS
"INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS"

On September 29 hearings on the case of Ijevan municipality (Tavush region)
versus "Investigative Journalists" NGO, the founder of "Hetq" on-line,
started in the Civil Court of Yerevan. The plaintiff demands to refute the
information discrediting to honor, dignity and business reputation of Ijevan
Mayor Varuzhan Nersisian – as seen by the city administration to be present
in the article of "Hetq" correspondent in Tavush region Voskan Sargsian
"Whose Pocket Receives Money from Sand Mine?". The article was published in
"Hetq" on May 5, 2008, and also printed on May 20, 2008, in a supplement to
"Azg" daily, "Transparent Local Self-Government", produced by "Investigative
Journalists" (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, July 4-10, 2008). The plaintiff
also demanded that the respondent refund his expenses for lawyer’s legal
services in the amount of 930 thousand drams (approximately $ 3,100).

On the hearing of September 29, Ijevan municipality brought to the court
another suit as well demanding to refute also the information present in the
article "Will the Three Commissions Notice the Illegal Use of Sand?"
(published in "Hetq" on June 23, 2008, and in the supplement to "Azg"
"Transparent Local Self-Government" on July 9, 2008). The judge provided the
respondent time to prepare objections to the new suit and scheduled the next
hearing for October 13.

Meanwhile, the "Investigative Journalists", in their turn, applied to the RA
Administrative Court with a suit against Ijevan municipality. In September
the suit was taken over for proceedings. On July 2, 2008 "Investigative
Journalists" required Ijevan municipal administration to give the copies of
the session protocol of May 23, 2008 and the decision of the Council of
Elderly to allot 930 thousand drams from the city budget to cover the
expenses of lawyer’s legal services for the above-mentioned suit versus
"Investigative Journalists". In the written reply of Ijevan Mayor of July 8,
2008, it was said that required information can be provided only by the end
of the legal proceedings. "Investigative Journalists" demanded to oblige the
administration of Ijevan to give them the information and refund their
expenses for lawyer’s legal services in the amount of 114 thousand drams
(approximately $ 380).

CANDIDATE TO THE PREFECT POSITION ANNOUNCED THAT TV COMPANIES REFUSED TO
BROADCAST HIS CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

Several days before the elections of the head of administration of Kentron
community of Yerevan (that took place on September 28, 2008), one of the two
running candidates, Board Chairman of the Armenian National Movement Ararat
Zurabian announced that a number TV companies refused to broadcast his
election campaign materials. According to Ararat Zurabian, only two TV
companies agreed – "Yerkir Media" and "ALM". However, the advertisement was
aired by "Yerkir Media" only once, and "ALM" broadcasted it during one day
only.

Member of the Armenian National Movement Board Aram Manukian told YPC that,
as agreed upon with "ALM", Ararat Zurabian’s political advertisement had to
be aired during two days, yet it was not broadcasted on the second day due
to "the pressure exert upon the TV company". Regarding "Yerkir Media", Aram
Manukian said that the agreement was annulled unilaterally by the TV
company.

Director of the News and Current Affairs Programs of "Yerkir Media" Gegham
Manukian explained YPC that Ararat Zurabian’s advertisement was accepted by
the relevant department by mistake. Gegham Manukian pointed out that during
those elections "Yerkir Media" decided not to offer air for campaign
materials of the candidates to the local self-administration bodies. "We did
not offer air to the other candidate, acting head of Kentron community Gagik
Beglarian, and were not going to do it for Ararat Zurabian. That is why
after the first demonstration of the advertisement it was stopped, and
Ararat Zurabian was informed about it", stressed Gegham Manukian.

OSCE REPRESENTATIVE ON FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA: DIGITALIZATION SHOULD NOT BE
ALLOWED TO REDUCE DIVERSITY AND PLURALITY

On September 26, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos
Haraszti asked the Government of Armenia to review the addition to the RA
Law "On Television and Radio" adopted on September 10 by the National
Assembly of Armenia. As it was reported, according to this addition,
broadcast licensing competitions are suspended till July 20, 2010. The
amendment came into force on September 27 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
September 5-11, 2008, and September 12-18, 2008).

In his letter to RA President Serge Sargsian, Miklos Haraszti in particular
pointed out: "By cutting off any potential applicant broadcasters from
entering the market until 2010, the limited pluralism in Armenia’s
broadcasting sector will be further diminished. A moratorium on new licenses
for analogue transmission should not be the first step in the transition to
digital broadcasting. Digitalization should not be allowed to reduce
diversity and plurality or preserve a lack thereof. If the broadcasting
landscape in a country is not sufficiently pluralistic and diverse, it would
be appropriate to delay digitalization and undertake other reforms first."

In the opinion of Miklos Haraszti, moratorium on licensing meant that
Armenia will not be able to comply with the June 2008 decision of the
European Court of Human Rights that upheld the case of "A1+" TV company (see
YPC Weekly Newsletter, June 13-19, 2008). OSCE Representative also reminded
that in April 2008 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in
its turn, also urged Armenia to "ensure an open, fair and transparent
licensing procedure" and allow "A1+" to apply for a new license.

Miklos Haraszti offered his Office’s legal analysis and recommendations to
the amendments to the broadcasting law: "I hope that, for the sake of
pluralism, the Government of Armenia will review the amendments with the
active participation of all relevant civil society and media stakeholders."

GOLD KEYS AND RUSTY LOCKS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER

On September 26 at "Regine" hotel in Yerevan the ceremony of awarding the
winners of Freedom of Information Center’s annual competition took place.
The event was dedicated to the International Right to Know Day (established
in 2002) and organized with the assistance of USAID.

The most open institution in 2008 was recognized to be the Eghegnadzor
municipality.

The best official Internet-source from the point of view of freedom of
information was recognized the web-site of the RA Ministry of Education and
Science.

The most active defenders of their civil right to information were named the
citizens of Yerevan Artashes Hovhannisian and Armine Arakelian.

The public organization that is most active and efficient in using its right
to information was named to be "Hakastver".

Among the media of the country, the one most consistent in covering the
freedom of information issues and actively using the RA Law "On Freedom of
Information" was announced "Yerkir Media" TV company, and among the
journalists – Observer of "Yerkir Media" Mariam Barseghian.

By tradition all persons and organizations, listed above, received prizes of
a gold key – as a symbol of openness.

The most closed local self-government body in 2008 was recognized to be
Hrazdan municipality.

Ijevan municipality was awarded the title of "state institution that gave
incorrect or curious information" (the litigation between Ijevan
municipality and "Investigative Journalists" NGO – see above).

The municipalities of Hrazdan and Ijevan were awarded a rusty lock – a
symbol of secrecy.

"SHOGHAKAT" MOVED TO A NEW BUILDING

On September 26 opening of a new building of "Shoghakat" TV company took
place in Yerevan (Hovsepian str. 8). Before that "Shoghakat" occupied one of
the buildings in Holy See Echmiadzin residence.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

MARIE L. YOVANOVITCH: AMBASSADOR SERVES HIS PRESIDENT AND MAY BE RECALLED ANYTIME AND FOR ANY REASON

ArmInfo
2008-10-02 16:02:00

ArmInfo. Ambassador serves his president and may be recalled anytime
and for any reason , newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
Marie L. Yovanovitch said in response to ArmInfo question if her
personal stand on Armenian Genocide will allow her further work at
the US Department of State if the new leadership of the White House
recognizes Genocide.

The decision to recall Ambassador fully depends on the president, the
American diplomat said avoiding a direct answer to the question. To
recall, the former Ambassador john Evans was recalled from Armenia
in 2006 for his statements on recognition of Armenian Genocide.

GEORGIA AND ARMENIA TO SET UP CONSORTIUM ON CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAY BETWEEN THE TWO STATES

ArmInfo
2008-10-01 14:02:00

ArmInfo. Georgia and Armenia have adopted a decision to set up
consortium on construction of highway between the two states which will
run via Ajarian region of Georgia, Armenian and Georgian presidents
Serzh Sargsyan and Mikheil Sahakashvili said at the joint briefing
in Tbilisi, as Hayastani Hanrapetutyun daily says.

Georgian president hopes the consortium will find the needed sums
for construction of this highway in 2 months. He also added that the
Georgian party has already started its construction to which foreign
financial means will be directed.

‘I am happy for the arrangements made, in particular, for the agreement
about setting up the consortium. This is a very important circumstance
for us. We have arranged not to create obstacles to our peoples,
promote their welfare, develop economic cooperation. stability in
Georgia is so much important for us that we can compare it only with
stability of our country.

About 70% of Armenian foreign trade is implemented via Georgia. Many
our brothers and sisters live in Georgia for many centuries. And we
should take this into consideration’, – Armenian president said.

FUTURE OF EUROPE PASSES THROUGH TURKEY’

Today’s Zaman
30 September 2008, Tuesday
Turkey

This is a very strong statement for an intellectual who happens to be
a former French prime minister when almost 80 percent of his fellow
citizens say a definitive "no" to a possible Turkish membership.

Michel Rocard, former French prime minister (1988-1991) and now
a member of the European Parliament, strongly defends the case for
Turkey’s membership in his new book "Oui a la Turquie" (Yes to Turkey),
published at the beginning of September.

Fighting against the sentiments of his own people, Rocard seems
to be a real statesman with the vision to look beyond time limits,
where he sees the value of Turkey as a full member. In an exclusive
interview with Today’s Zaman in his office at the European Parliament
in Brussels, Rocard first encouraged his fellow Frenchmen and European
politicians to consider while formulating politics what is going on
around Europe and what will happen in the coming decades.

To him, Turkey is indispensable for Europe’s future; that is why he
thinks Turkey’s membership is Europe’s life insurance and that the
future of Europe passes through Turkey. "When I say Turkey’s membership
is the EU’s life insurance, I mean it in terms of peace in the region
and safe and permanent access to a very important part of the world,"
said Rocard. "The phrase is legally excessive, and in politics anything
can happen. But I use the phrase as it will be much easier for the EU
to have security in its southeast, much easier to reach energy regions
and to be involved in diplomatic problems through Turkey’s membership."

Rocard underlined that having Turkey as a member will boost EU
influence in the Middle East given Turkey’s good ties with both Israel
and the Palestinians. "Turkey is also next to the Caucasus, which
has large reserves of oil and natural gas. Providing oil and gas is
one of the priorities in terms of the EU’s strategic security. Turkey
as a member will mean the enlargement of this peaceful and commonly
managed zone, which would help draw the maps of pipelines and getting
closer to Caucasian resources," he said. Integrating Turkey, a country
with a Muslim population, into the EU will also be the best way to
show that Europe rejects "cultivating a suspicion toward the entire
Muslim world," according to the former French premier.

According to Rocard, Turkey’s membership will have huge ramifications
in the Muslim world. "Islam was a fantastic civilization in terms of
science and the life it offered for five centuries, i.e., tolerance,
which we did not have in those times. Since then Islam has given the
impression that it has been blocked and had some difficulty reforming
itself. That is why most Islamic countries apart from Turkey are
dictatorships. Turkey’s membership will call for a change in the
whole Islamic world, it is an enormous affair. Maybe it is against
the current regimes but a huge hope for the Islamic people on the
street. It will not be felt only in Turkey, it will be a basic hope
in most Arab countries, to live better lives, to have democracy,
the rule of law and freedom of thought. Membership in the EU would
be enormously helpful in this sense to help Turkey change and present
herself as a model to Muslims all over the world," he said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is a staunch opponent of Turkey’s
membership in the EU but Rocard said in the interview that the
conservative leader has become less vocal recently as he "is
discovering that accession talks have begun and there is a fair
majority in his Cabinet who support talks with Turkey. He also probably
discovered he is not in a capacity to change the minds of ministers."

According to Rocard, Sarkozy also faces limitations in opposing
Turkey. "I do not know if he will change his mind but I know the
objective conditions within which he can engage in politics. He
could stop accession talks but in the present affairs of the state,
he would not dare. Because then we will have an enormous crisis,
i.e., an internal disagreement within his government and a possible
paralysis of the EU," he explained.

Projected date for entry: 2023

Rocard appeared to welcome the idea of a privileged partnership, which
falls short of full membership, but provided that Turkey also accepts
it. "In a less emotive atmosphere it could be a solution. Maybe even
better for you but till now this idea received a strong rejection
by the Turkish elite and the government. I am ready for it but I
am not ready to support an idea Turks will disagree with strongly,
if not take as an insult," he said.

But the former premier said Turkey should be ready for a process of
deep change to achieve its membership goal since, in its current state,
it is not yet very similar to other EU member countries. He predicted
that 2023 would be an appropriate time for membership. "When I say
2023 I mean we shall not tackle this issue in a hurry, not consider
it an emergency. 2023 is also going to be the 100th anniversary of
the republic so that you can mobilize yourselves for the changes,"
he said. "It is for Turks to say whether 2023 is too distant or
not. You need to introduce huge reforms on human rights, a market
economy, women’s conditions, the treatment of the Armenian, Cypriot
and Kurdish issues. These are all possible but will take time."

He expressed confidence in President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said the ruling Justice and Development Party
(AK Party) was "competent, serious and hard-working." He also rejected
suggestions that it has a hidden agenda to turn Turkey into an Islamic
state. "Had they had one, they would not have started accession talks
with the EU in the first place," he said.

INVESTIGATION INTO CLAIMS OF ABUSE ON ASYLUM-SEEKERS
By Robert Verkaik

Independent.co.uk
Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Claims by hundreds of asylum-seekers that they have been beaten or
abused by British guards during their detention and removal from
this country are to be independently investigated for the first time,
The Independent has learnt.

The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has appointed Nuala O’Loan,
the former Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland, to conduct an
investigation into mistreatment allegations first reported in this
paper last year. Dame Nuala, who won praise and criticism from
Catholics and Protestants for her robust style in dealing with
complaints against the police and led the inquiry into the handling
of the Omagh bombing, has been given a wide remit to reopen cases of
alleged brutality. She has also been asked to report on any failures
of a system that allows private security guards to use "reasonable
force" in restraining asylum-seekers.

The Home Secretary’s intervention follows the publication of a
detailed report in July that revealed nearly 300 cases of alleged
physical assault and racial abuse in the past four years. The report,
entitled Outsourcing Abuse, raised concerns about the control and
use of private security firms in the detention and deportation of
some of the most vulnerable people in British society.

Nearly 50 of the complainants contacted by the researchers20and
lawyers gave permission for the Government to reinvestigate or begin
fresh investigations into their claims. Their names have been passed
to the UK Border Agency.

Last night, the authors of the report welcomed Dame Nuala’s
appointment.

Emma Ginn, of Medical Justice, which helps victims of abuse, said:
"The Home Office had previously described allegations as ‘unsupported
assertions’. We note their change of tone now that national and global
organisations have picked up on the issue."

Romain Ngouabeu, of the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation
Campaigns, added: "We continue to get allegations of assaults,
including one on the day we published our report."

Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said
last night: "I am very pleased to hear that Nuala O’Loan has been
appointed to look into the allegation of abuse against immigrant. This
is an incredibly serious matter that deserves nothing less than the
most rigorous of investigations. I look forward to the results of the
investigation – both in terms of justice being done and in terms of
a concrete improvement in the way immigrants are treated while being
detained or deported."

Many of the allegations, often supported by medical evidence, concern
the use of excessive force in the removal of failed asylum-seekers
on a scheduled flight. In some cases, pilots have refused to take off
while the refugee is still on board, citing concer ns for the safety
of passengers.

Noreen Nafuna, a 38-year-old Ugandan woman, came to the UK three years
ago after claiming to have been detained and beaten by the Ugandan
army. Her application for asylum was turned down and she was held
at Yarl’s Wood removal centre in Bedfordshire before being taken to
Gatwick by private security guards employed by the Home Office.

"I was carried up to the plane. I started screaming when I was brought
to the top of the stairs. I was only wearing underpants and a bra. A
jacket was placed over my neck and I was held around the neck so I
couldn’t make a noise."

In her complaint about her treatment, Ms Nafuna recounts: "Two of
them sat on me. One of them placed her hands over my mouth to stop
me shouting out. I was finding it hard to breathe. The plane was
not full of passengers. A lady in a red suit came up with another
woman. I heard her ask if I was still alive as I had stopped moving
or making any sounds. They got off me then so I sat up. I was crying
again. Then other passengers became aware of what was going on and
told the officers to leave me alone. Everyone saw me bleeding.

Eventually they called the pilot and he came up and said, ‘We are
not taking her.’"

Her complaint was eventually upheld by the Home Office after her
legal action for assault was settled by the security company.

In another case, HM, a 16-year-old g irl from Rwanda who claimed
asylum after coming to Britain as a sex-trafficking victim, says
she was assaulted by guards who removed her from a shower unit in
a detention centre. She says she suffered bruising when she was
handcuffed from behind in a semi-naked state and taken to a holding
cell. Her claim was investigated and dismissed by the Home Office,
although there was criticism of the way the guards had handled her.

The Home Office says that it properly investigates all complaints of
such a nature but it does not recognise the large numbers contained
in the report.

Asylum abuse claims

*In July last year, RH, an asylum-seeker from Burundi, was taken
from his room in a detention centre by immigration escorts. He was
handcuffed, and his legs were crossed at the ankle before being tied
together with tape.

After struggling on his way to a van bound for Heathrow, he says he
was beaten and kicked by the escorts before being dragged half-naked
on to the plane. During the alleged assault, his handcuffs caused
him to incur severe injuries to his wrists which were clearly visible.

The pilot came to investigate, and told the escorts he would not fly
Mr RH out of the country in his current physical state. Other cases
include that of Amos Alajaibo, a Nigerian who says he was beaten
unconscious by guards after admitting he had talked to the media
during a protest, and an Algerian man who was allegedly assaulted
while in a wheelchair.

Suren Khachatryan, an Armenian, suffered a punctured lung after
allegedly being stamped on by his immigration escorts in the back of
a security van.

Another detainee said he was "bound up like a parcel" by officials
trying to force him on to a deportation flight. None of these
complaints has been upheld.

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

UN in Armenia Partners with the Diaspora in Boosting Development in the
Country

United Nations, Yerevan – Today Ms. Consuelo Vidal, the head of the
United Nations in Armenia hosted a reception where, in the framework of
the `Global Armenia’ initiative, TOKTEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through
Expatriate Nationals) Program and `Global Armenia’ website
( <;) were
launched. Through TOKTEN Diaspora Armenians with vast experience and
skills will have the opportunity to provide technical expertise, policy
advice and research services to the government institutions, private and
public sector enterprises, universities, and research centers in fields
such as the environment, education, sciences, health, public
administration, IT and business management. While invigorating the
spirit of voluntarism, the UN will cover airfare and stay in the
country. The programme is based on competition and its transparency is
guaranteed by the UN’s world class standards. The `Global Armenia’
bilingual (English and Armenian) website will be another UN managed tool
for the Armenian Diaspora to engage in TOKTEN and many other UN-Armenia
projects, and have up-to-date information about the initiative and job
opportunities through the TOKTEN Program. From now on, Diaspora
Armenians can apply for TOKTEN at
<; website.

Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN RC/UNDP RR in her opening speech stated that
`Global Armenia’ initiative is a relatively recent UN initiative, aimed
at stimulating the Armenian Diaspora’s involvement in and support to
development projects, which could be highlighted as national priorities.
It is also designed to enhance the capacity of Diaspora individuals and
organizations to contribute to their home country.’
Acknowledging the scale and magnitude of Diaspora’s contribution to
Armenia, Ms. Vidal stressed that `the United Nations comes to enhance
that, to offer to Diaspora’ individuals and organizations its own
institutional capacities, mechanisms, methodology and status to help
people build in partnership a better life in Armenia.’

In their speeches Mr. Arman Kirakosian, Deputy Foreign Minister of
Armenia, Ms. Hranush Hakobyan, Chairwoman of MFA State Committee for
Diaspora Affairs, and Mr. Yervand Zorian, member of the AGBU Central
Board of Directors, commended the United Nations in Armenia for this
important undertaking and highly valued the partnership of the Diaspora
for the development of Motherland through their professional skills and
experience.

RAFFI HOVANISSIAN ATTENDS PACE SESSION
Karine Asatryan

A1+
[01:37 pm] 29 September, 2008

An urgent debate on the consequences of the war between Georgia
and Russia will be the main focus of the autumn session of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), to be held in
Strasbourg at 11.30 (local time), on 29 September. The debate will be
in two parts: it starts on the morning of Tuesday 30 September and
resumes on the morning of Thursday 2 October. As part of the run-up
to the debate, an ad hoc committee will conduct a fact-finding visit
to Georgia and Russia from 22 to 25 September.

"Both Georgia and Russia could have done more to prevent the war
between them," said the head of a PACE delegation Luc van den Brande
(Belgium, EPP/CD) after visiting the two countries ahead of an urgent
debate on the consequences of the war next week in Strasbourg. Speaking
at a press conference in Tbilisi at the end of the second part of
the visit (24-25 September), Luc van den Brande said that it was
important to understand events leading up to the outbreak of war:
"This conflict didn’t start on 7 August," he pointed out.

Another highlight of the session will be the debate on the situation
in Cyprus, on Wednesday 1 October. Demetris Christofias, President
of the Republic of Cyprus, will address the Assembly on Tuesday 30
September, the day before the debate, and Mehmet Ali Talat, Leader
of the Turkish Cypriot Community, will do so on 1 October.

The Armenian delegation is comprised of David Harutiunian, Armen
Rustamian, Ishkhan Khachatrian, Avet Adonts and Raffi Hovanissian.

Reminder: Raffi Hovhannissian blamed the PACE for applying double
standards in June and said he was going to withdraw from the structure.

ARMENIA, SLOVAKIA INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING CULTURAL TIES

armradio.am
26.09.2008 16:59

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan today received the Minister of
Slovenia Marek Madyaric. The Prime Minister welcomed the initiatives
of development of cooperation between the Culture Ministries of the
two countries. Tigran Sargsyan noted that deepening of relations in
the field of culture can become a good means for the reinforcement
of Armenian-Slovak economic ties and active cooperation. RA Prime
Minister attached importance to the cooperation agreement signed
between the Culture Ministries of Armenia and Slovakia, noting that
this interagency document will promote the interesting bilateral
initiatives in the field of culture.

Minister of Culture of Slovakia Marek Madyarich also underlined the
importance of the document from the perspective of development of
cooperation. According to the Minister, the political relations between
his country and Armenia are on a high level. However, the same cannot
be said about the cultural and economic ties. Mr. Madyarich considers
that the existing potential is not fully utilized, and there is still
a lot of work to be done in this direction.

The interlocutors spoke about the process of Armenia’s European
integration, the activity of eth Armenian community in Slovakia,
the latest developments in the region.