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SERGE SARGSIAN’S INAUGURATION CEREMONY ACCOMPANIED BY UNPRECEDENTED SECURITY MEASURES

Noyan Tapan
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Newly elected President Serge
Sargsian’s inauguration ceremony held on April 9 was accompanied by
unprecedented security measures. All streets leading to Liberty Square
were closed for pedestrians. The journalists accredited for taking
part in the special NA sitting were first checked in the NA, then by
buses they were brought to the inauguration place, A. Spendiarian
National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Before the start of
the inauguration, which was fixed for 14:45, Armenia’s state flag was
brought from RA President’s residence, RA Constitution’s original was
brought from the Constitutional Court, and the 7th century’s Gospel
was brought from Matenadaran.

State and public figures, foreign guests from nearly 50 countries
and from international organizations took part in the inauguration
ceremony of the newly elected President. Czech and Georgian journalists
had arrived from abroad to cover the inauguration ceremony of the
Armenian President.

By the way, Georgian journalists, who like the Czech ones were
discontent with the working conditions, said that the inauguration
ceremony of Georgian President M. Saakashvili was much more accessible
for journalists.

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The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 13; April 5, 2008

AYF Section:

1. New York AYF Organizes Discussion on ANCA Gateway, Internship Programs

2. An issue of international significance
By Raffi Teperdjian

***

1. New York AYF Organizes Discussion on ANCA Gateway, Internship Programs

NEW YORK, NY-On March 27, ANCA Capital Gateway Program director Serouj
Aprahamian lectured to a group of young Armenian-Americans about ANCA
internship opportunities in Washington, DC. Organized by the New York
"Hyortik" AYF chapter the event took place at St. Illuminator’s Armenian
Cathedral in Manhattan. In addition to numerous young professionals, AYF
members from New York, New Jersey, and members from Hunter’s Armenian Club
were in attendance.

During the lecture Aprahamian spoke about the Capital Gateway program while
the audience listened with interest. "The ANCA offers many different
internship opportunities to students and young Armenian professionals and
has been doing so for more than two decades," said Aprahamian.

A short movie was then screened showing alumni and current fellows talking
about their program experience. In the film numerous young
Armenian-Americans voiced their thanks to the ANCA for giving them
opportunities that eventually led to their current career advancements. ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian spoke in the film about the importance of
having Armenians not only as interns working at large firms and
Congressional offices, but of one day becoming CEO’s and Senators
themselves. Copies of the DVD were also passed out to each attendee.

After the lecture Aprahamian gave the floor to ANC Eastern Region director
Karine Birazian who also addressed the audience, stressing the importance of
having a strong ANC presence in New York City. She outlined local
opportunities to help out at the ANC Eastern Region office in Manhattan.

"This event was a good learning experience not only in respect to the ANCA
Internship program but about ANCA’s role in Washington. Talking to Serouj
after the program, I think I’m definitely going to give Capital Gateway a
try," said Hyortik member Maral Najjarian.
————————————— ————————————————– ——

2. An issue of international significance
By Raffi Teperdjian

In the United States, the media is historically viewed as the public’s ally
against corruption and autocracy, internationally as well as within our
borders. Americans like to think that they can stay up to date on current
events, news, sports, and crises simply by staying glued to a television
set. Today, people seem more concerned with watching in the
highest-definition and having the most plasma oozing out of their system
than with what is the content of what they are actually watching.
Unfortunately, the magnitude of p’s & i’s does not affect the intellectual
quality of the programs being seen. Often the media coverage of the most
significant worldly issues is suppressed by crooked bureaucrats seeking
personal gains or is overlooked altogether.

Such is the case with the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

On April 24th, 1915, the Ottoman Turks led by the newly formed Young Turk
party began a collectivized effort to ethnically cleanse all Armenians
throughout the Ottoman Empire and beyond, beginning with the arrest,
torture, and murder of 250 Armenian intellectuals within the Turkish
capital. What followed before and throughout World War I was the first
genocide of the 20th century where 1.5 million Armenians (in addition to
other ethnic minorities in the empire) were deported, persecuted, robbed,
starved, raped, burned, and ultimately slaughtered.

Under the false pretext of "relocating" Armenians to other parts of the
empire due to the ensuing war, Armenians were rounded up and marched out of
their villages systematically and driven towards the deserts of Der Zor in a
remote part of Syria where they were left to perish. Along the way, they
were prey to bands of Kurds and robbers who pillaged, raped, and killed
them. Instead of giving aid and protection, Turkish soldiers charged with
marching Armenians allowed and often partook in executions and rape and in
fact shot those who could not continue due to exhaustion and starvation.

The enormity of the scale of atrocities did not go unnoticed and in fact was
regularly reported in The New York Times. Westerners were outraged with the
stories they heard, and diplomats such as Henry Morgenthau, Sr., the U.S.
ambassador to Turkey at the time, regularly reported on events he witnessed
and had heard from others. Millions of dollars in aid were sent to Armenians
through the American Near East Relief Committee and similar organizations,
but ultimately less then 100,000 Armenians remained as a result of the
massacres.

Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting this holocaust, Turkey and the
United States have yet to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Politicians
shudder at the thought of even referring to the events by their proper name;
and to this day, Turkey threatens to halt support of U.S. operations in the
Middle East should a resolution be passed acknowledging the historical
facts. Among the 22 nations that have officially acknowledged the Armenian
Genocide is France, which is one of many nations that today demands that
Turkey accept its past truthfully before being allowed admittance to the
European Union.

Being an Armenian, this issue is personally paramount among unresolved
conflicts in the world, and with public support for the war in Iraq
dwindling is more relevant then ever. Governments cannot continue to dictate
international policy to meet an agenda at the expense of an entire nation.
If humans continue to cast a cold shoulder in reviewing and acknowledging
authentic history, then we are doomed to repeat our mistakes.

Prior to his invasion of Poland, Hitler was quoted saying, "Who, after all,
speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" The most important issue
to me internationally is the one where retribution is the longest overdue.

Raffi Teperdjian is a member of the Washington "Ani" AYF chapter.

RA NA ADOPTS 25 BILLS AND LEGISLATIVE PACKAGES AT APRIL 8 MORNING SITTING

Noyan Tapan
April 8, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly at the April
8 morning sitting adopted all 25 bills and legislative packages
discussed the day before. NA Speaker Tigran Torosian thanked the
deputies "for efficient voting," after which the most of the deputies
left the sitting hall.

The most of the adopted bills envisage amendments and addenda to laws
in force. In particular, the addendum adopted in the second reading
and completely to the law in force On Ombudsperson stipulates that
the Ombudsperson is an independent national mechanism of prevention
established by the protocol of Convention Against Tortures and Other
Punishments or Other Cruel, Inhuman Attitude Humiliating Dignity.

By the amendment to the valid law On Local Duties and Payments adopted
in the second reading and completely, from January 1 2009 the minimum
threshold of local duty established for the permission for organization
of tobacco products sale is raised. According to the law in force,
the local duty for permission for organization of tobacco products
sale inside capital constructions was established to the amount of
from 0 to 12.5 thousand drams for each quarter, inside non-capital
constructions to the amount of from 0 to 17.5 thousand drams for
each quarter. The adoption of the amendment is conditioned by the
requirements of the frame convention On Fighting Smoking.

Local duty for organization of sale of alcoholic drinks is established
to the amount of from 0 to 17.5 thousand drams.

Among other bills there are the also the legislative package On
Peculiarities of Administrative Examination Carried out on Cases of
Violation of Rules of Traffic Revealed with the Help of Video and
Photo Equipment adopted in the first reading, the bill On National
Debt adopted in the second reading, the bill On Organic Agriculture
adopted in the third reading and completely, and the legislative
package On Control over Use and Keeping of Lands.

ARMENTEL STARTED RENDERING SERVICES UNDER THE BRAND BEELINE

Analytical Information Agency
April 8 2008
Russia

The Closed Joint-Stock Company "ArmenTel" (Armenia, the 100 percent
affiliated company of the Open Society "Vympel-communications"
(Vympelcom) started rendering services under the brand Beeline. It
is spoken about in the report of the head company.

Armenia became the seventh country where this trade mark appeared.

Since April, 7th SIM-cards and cards of payment in the new design which
will be on sale and operate alongside with cards of the old sample
before their full replacement will act. Registration of the form of the
contract will be also exchanged, but all earlier concluded contracts
will operate without restrictions. Besides, from April, 7th sales
and service offices of ArmenTel open under the brand Beeline. Sales
under the new trade mark will be also carried out through the dealer
network in all regions of Armenia, is emphasized in the report.

The Closed Joint-Stock Company ArmenTel" renders services of fixed and
cellular telecommunication in standards GSM-900 and CDMA. The user’s
base of the operator under results of 2007 made 629.273ths users
of fixed communication and 442.484ths active cellular subscribers
Vympelcom possesses 100% of ArmenTel shares.

Vympelcom is the second-largest cellular operator in Russia and the
CIS, it – serves more then 56mln subscribers. Its largest shareholders
are Telenor (29.9% of voting shares) and the Alpha-group (44%),
other shares are in the free reference at the New York share stock
exchange. The company let out 51281022 ordinary and 6426600 preference
shares, all preference shares belong to "Alpha".

The net profit of Vympelcom under US GAAP in the II quarter 2007
made $359.273mln that is 84.3% above the parameter of the similar
period of the last year in $194.946mln. The proceeds increased up
53.1% to $1.717mlrd from $1.122mlrd. OIBDA parameter grew up 59.7%
to $896.758mln from $561.555mln, OIBDA margin increased up to 52.2%
from 50.1%.

The Open Society "Vympelcom" borrows the 15 place in the "Leading
enterprises of Russia" rating under results of 2006, presented by
the rating agency AK&M in October, 2007.

KARABAKH PRESIDENT HIGHLY ESTIMATED ARTSAKH WOMEN’S ROLE IN BUILDING STATEHOOD

DeFacto Agency
April 7 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 07.04.08. DE FACTO. On April 6, in the course of a meeting
with the representatives of Motherhood Karabakh NGO, held on the
occasion of April 7 – Motherhood and Beauty Day, the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic President Bako Sahakian mentioned important role Artsakh
women played in state construction and younger generation’s upbringing.

At the meeting the members of Motherhood NGO presented their activity
and further programs to Bako Sahakian. The NKR President positively
estimated the organization’s projects.

At their request the Karabakh President touched upon amendments
being implemented in the country and policy in various spheres of
the NKR life.

Motherhood and Beauty Day is celebrated in the Nagorno-Karabakh on
April 7, which has been declared a day-off.

The NKR PM Ara Harutyunian congratulated Karabakh women on the holiday,
Novosti-Armenia Agency reports.

ARMENIA: EUROVISION 2008 STARS SHINE AT THE TASHIR AWARDS

esctoday.com
April 7 2008
Netherlands

The Armenian Music Awards known as the Tashir Awards were held today
where 3 of this year’s Eurovision acts made an appearance and performed
their respective Eurovision entries. Dima Bilan from Russia and Diana
Ghurtskaya from Georgia joined Sirusho from Armenia on stage.

The Armenian 2008 Eurovision representative Sirusho appeared in a pink
flary dress on stage and was flanked by a group of dancers dressed in
traditional Armenian black outfits. She gave an outstanding performance
of her song Qele Qele with a dazzling effect!

Dashing Dima Bilan who will be representing Russia for the 2nd time
at the Eurovision Song Contest sang his entry Believe, he was backed
by a group of male dancers behind him, druing his performance. Diana
Ghurstkaya who will be Georgia’s 2nd Eurovision representative looked
radiant in a black dress while she appeared solo to perform her song
Peace will come.

Sirusho received a great ovation from the audience after the
performance of the 2008 Armenian entry Qele Qele and was presented
by many bouquets of flowers.

Below you can watch the Russian, Georgian and Armenian representatives
at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest attending the Tashir Awards gala:

Watch videos at

Beeline brand comes into operation in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2008 15:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Beeline trademark was officially presented in
Armenia on April 7, VympelCom’s vice president for development of
business in CIS Dmitry Pleskonos told reporters in Yerevan today.

The brand will be presented by ArmetTel, VympelCom’s subsidiary in
Armenia, the 7th country where Beeline launches its brand.

"ArmenTel’s inclusion in the group of companies working with
Beeline trademark is a serious achievement for our international
brand and an important step in aspiration to join world leaders in
the field. Providing services under a common brand is logical and
understandable for consumers," Mr Pleskonos said.

"New-designed SIM-cards and recharge cards will be put on sale from
April 7. All contracts will remain valid," he said. "Launching the
brand in Armenia we are introducing the experience gained during many
years of work in various countries. At that, we want to preserve the
best ArmenTel traditions allowing for peculiarity of the Armenian
market."

According to Interbrand Zintzmeyer & Lux AG consulting company,
Beeline’s cost reaches $7,2 billion. VypelCom has branches operating
in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and
Armenia. It’s the first Russian company included in the NYSE VIP
stock list.

SURENIANTS CEASES HUNGER-STRIKE

A1+
07 April, 2008

Member of the Political Board of the "Hanrapetutiun" (Republic)
Party Suren Sureniants has stopped hunger-strike. On the night of
April 6 the arrestee’s immune system weakened rapidly.

"It was impossible to continue the hunger-strike in such a state as
it might ruin Sureniants’ health," Armen Khachatrian, member of the
pre-election headquarters for Levon Ter-Petrossian informed A1+.

Reminder: Suren Sureniants has been on a hunger-strike since March
24 with a demand to stop political persecution and release him.

We shall learn more details about Sureniants’ state later today after
his attorney’s visit to the "Nubarashen" penitentiary institution.

FREE-STYLE WRESTLER KARINE SHADOYAN FAILS TO WIN MEDAL AND OLYMPIC
RATING AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

TAMPERE, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The only representative of Armenia
Karine Shadoyan (72 kg) on April 4 competed at Women’s European
Free-Style Wrestling Championship in the city of Tampere (Finland).
After a win and two defeats she failed to win a medal and Olympic
rating.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN VISITS GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH END OF HIS TERM OF OFFICE

Noyan Tapan
April 4, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with his term of
office, the Armenian president Robert Kocharian on April 4 visited
the government and thanked the government members for their long
joint actvities.

According to a press release submitted to NT by the RA Government
Information and PR Department, R, Kocharian in particular said:

"I am grateful to the fate that I have had the luck to bear
responsibility for the Repubic of Armenia for ten years. These were
extremely interesting, hard, important and substantial years. The
country has passed a long path of development. Large-scale reforms have
been made in all directions in the country, and the main purpose of
these reforms was certainly modernization of the country. The results
are obvious: the life quality of our citizens have considerably
improved but we all also should realize that there is still much to
be done. The new president and the new government are facing numerous
challenges and problems whose solution will be no less difficult
and important for the country. The matter first of all concerns the
second-generation reforms in the economic sphere which require more
skills and professional knowledge and of course greater efforts. We
should take into account that it will be a more difficult period
for the authorities in terms of implementation as a decline in the
global economy has been forecast and it will require greater will,
force and energy from the new authorities, the new government in
terms of overcoming some difficulties.

The most important problem – that of security continues to face
the Republic of Armenia. The world has not become more secure in
recent years, our region continues to be full of contradictions,
and consistent steps will be necessary in order to strengthen
the country’s security and increase the fighting efficiency of
the army. Of course, all this should be combined with flexible and
adequate diplomatic steps. I am sure that some steps should be taken
to strengthe the bases of statehood. There are forces (also outside)
which do not want Armenia to be stable and prosperous. Unfortunately,
there are also figures outside who are ready to serve this purpose.

A weak country susceptible to influence can ensure neither its
security and the security of its citizens nor any serious democratic
achievements which we have had over these years. And of course,
my wish, my persuasion is that the future president and government
will succeed in giving an adequate response to these challenges in
their work".