Author: Antonian Lara

FORMER MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT TO FILL THE THE POSITION OF CHARGE D’AFFAIRES OF THE U.S. EMBASSY IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2007-06-26 16:28:00

The U.S. Department of State has asked Ambassador Rudolf Perina to
come out of retirement and fill the position of Charge d’Affaires of
the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia, Taguhi Jahukyan, Public Affairs
Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, told ArmInfo correspondent.

According to T.Jahukyan, R.Perina will assume these duties on or
about July 10, 2007. "As a career diplomat, Ambassador Perina has
held many important positions, including Chief of Mission of the U.S.
Embassy in Belgrade (1993-96), Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State for European and Canadian Affairs (1996-97), Ambassador
to Moldova (1998-2001), Special Negotiator for Nagorno-Karabakh
and Eurasian Conflicts (Minsk Group Co-Chair) (2001-2004), and as
Deputy Director of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning staff
(2004-2005)", she said.

T.Jahukyan added that Ambassador Richard Hoagland remains President
Bush’s nominee for the position of Ambassador to Armenia. "We continue
to await Senate confirmation of Ambassador Hoagland’s appointment",
she noted.

STATE SECRETARY, FIRST VICE MINISTER OF SLOVAK MFA ARRIVING IN ARMENIA JUNE 28

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.06.2007 16:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On June 29th, 2007 the official delegation of
the Slovak Republic headed by Mrs. Olga Algaerova, State Secretary,
first Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak
Republic will arrive in Armenia, the press office of the Slovak
Consulate reported.

Other members of the delegation are Mr. Augustin Chisar, the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic in Armenia,
Mr. Stefan Rozkopal, the Head of the NIS Department of the MFA of the
Slovak Republic, Mr. Gagik Martirosyan, the Honorary Consul of the
Slovak Republic in Armenia, Mr. Metod Spacek, the Chief Staff of the
State Secretary, as well as Mr. Martin Pangrac, the Second Secretary
of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Armenia.

The official opening ceremony of the Slovak Consulate in Armenia,
a number of official meetings, as well as Press Conference are
anticipated during the visit.

HERITAGE PARTY WILL VOTE AGAINST THE PROGRAM OF THE SERZH SARGSYAN GOVERNMENT

ArmInfo
2007-06-26 16:32:00

If it was just some good wishes put on paper, we would have supported
it.

But this is a long-term official document. The way it is now it
cannot be considered as a government program. This document needs
serious improvement and our party will not vote for it, the leader
of the opposition Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian said during the
parliamentary discussions of the Government’s program today.

Heritage has not received specific answers to many of its questions
concerning the program. This document does not say how it is going
to meet the goals it declares. A government program must be based on
reality rather than good wishes. For example, the program says that
poverty must be reduced but it does not link it with appreciating AMD,
growing prices or declining spending capacity.

The program does not clearly say how to fight corruption and how
to develop small and medium- sized business, science, education and
other important spheres. Its foreign policy section contains serious
deficiencies in paragraphs concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh problem,
Armenian-Turkish relations and the protection of the country’s
sovereignty and strategic interests.

IF THE ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES WANT, THEY COULD ENSURE EVEN 105% OF VOTES FOR THEMSELVES, THE HEAD OF THE ALM-HOLDING TIGRAN KARAPETYAN SAID

ArmInfo
2007-06-26 16:10:00

"At the parliamentary election the authorities ensured 80-85% of
votes for themselves. If they wanted, they could reach this result
up to 105%. Thus, the country goes to the communist way of guiding,
to its worst functionary display", – the head of the ALM-holding,
the leader of the People’s Party, Tigran Karapetyan, said over the
debates in Hayeli club, Tuesday.

He also added that the gutted Orinats Yerkir party is presented
in today’s National Assembly and only its leader Artur Bagdasaryan
remains in the party and will not leave that as he is needed at the
forthcoming presidential election. interests protector. And the RPA
is conducting everything taking place, – Tigran Karapetyan assessed
the parliamentary parties in such a way.

ALM-holding’s director which is known for mass delivery of TV-sets
and other "humanitarian" aid to the population over the whole year
before the parliamentary election, today is categorically against
giving bribe to voters and thinks it is progress if at least one
party may find itself in the parliament in future without spending
money. Tigran Karapetyan is going to run for president at the
forthcoming presidential election. He thinks that at this stage the
main task of the out of parliament parties is to take the people out
of depression.

ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON HIGH TECHNOLOGIES IN SAN FRANCISCO

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 25 2007

YEREVAN, June 25. /ARKA/. Armenia will participate in the international
scientific conference on high technologies in San Francisco
at the beginning of July, said Vice-President of International
Inter-professional Armenian Association (G21A) Daniel Yeremyan.

"Armenian companies will be able to present their achievements in
the IT-sphere during the conference organized by G21A," he said.

Yeremyan said that the matter concerns new software that opens up
possibilities to present images, texts and voice playback.

"In particular, due to these technologies, it will be possible to
implement banking payments through mobile network instead of plastic
cards," he said.

He also added that the previous similar conference was organized in
Paris, on March 31. Armenia was presented alongside such countries
as Romania, Bulgaria and India.

"Armenia found its place on the world market of new technologies, which
is accounted for by specialists’ higher education as well as Armenians’
ability to create new proposals on the basis of imagination," he said.

G21A founded in 1981 is an inter-professional, non-governmental
association which has a consolidate role among professionals of
Armenian origin and Frenchmen – friends of the Armenian nation –
who occupy with various activities (directors of enterprises, leading
personnel, industry, merchants, craftsmen, "active" pensioners, etc.).

The objective of he G21A is to unite resources to support social and
professional spheres, form and transfer professional skills to future
generations, inform about the possibilities to improve the Armenian
economy and culture by means of modern communications.

FOREIGN MINISTERS ADDRESS REGIONAL SUMMIT IN TURKEY

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
June 25 2007

ISTANBUL (A.A) -25.06.2007 -The meeting of Council of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) within
the framework of the 15th Anniversary Summit of the organization
ended in Istanbul on Monday.

Speaking at the meeting, US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson
highlighted importance of the Black Sea region with its population
of 350 million, and said that they appreciated the BSEC’s reforms
and efforts to improve its relations with the EU.

Wilson said that the United States made a financial contribution of
10 million USD to the Black Sea Fund for development of rule of law,
democracy and cooperation in the region.

At the end of the meeting, a memorandum of understanding regarding
the Black Sea Sea Way Agreement was signed.

[In a report in English at 1123 gmt on 25 June, Anatolia says: "Joint
projects with the European Commission and reforms made by the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) are two successes of the current summit,"
said Theodora Bakoyianni, Greek Foreign Minister, on Monday.

"In a keynote speech delivered at the BSEC Council of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs meeting, Bakoyianni indicated that the BSEC has become
more visible in the European Union (EU).

"’Greece is working to establish a new EU regional policy and bring
a new dimension to the BSEC,’ noted Bakoyianni.

"Bakoyianni stressed that Greece will contribute to the Black Sea
coast highway and maritime journeys.

"Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov remarked
that the BSEC activities focus on multi-lateral projects such as the
Black Sea coast highway, traffic among sea ports and land highways.

"Lavrov noted that topics such as communication, information
technologies and health must be developed by the BSEC in the future.

"’We must have agreements among BSEC nations in the fight against
international crimes and terrorism,’ stressed Lavrov.

"On the other hand, Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu
indicated that ‘as a new EU member, Romania wants to contribute to
projects concerning the Black Sea region, including those on freedoms,
respect for human rights and economic wealth.’

"’The BSEC must have a dynamic relationship with the EU,’ said
Cioroianu."

At 1052 gmt on the same day, Anatolia added: "Bulgarian Foreign
Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo Kalfin said Monday that
relations between Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the
European Union have become closer in the last decade.

"Speaking at BSEC’s Special Meeting of the Council of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs in Istanbul, Kalfin said BSEC region has been an
emerging and developing region and current BSEC members have achieved
noteworthy transformations in terms of adopting free market economy.

"Stating that these were milestones for several BSEC countries to
join the EU, Kalfin said the region is important for Eastern Europe
and the Caucasus considering its strategically outstanding location
that covers transit countries for energy resources.

"Kalfin said there are still some major problems in the region such as,
human trafficking, and BSEC countries should overcome these problems
through mutual trust and cooperation.

"On the other hand, Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan stressed
that all BSEC countries will benefit from this summit declaration to
achieve outcomes of the organization activities in Black Sea region.

"Albanian FM Lulzim Basha said his county will continue to support
projects regarding joint energy markets and construction of energy
corridors."

Finally, at 1027 gmt on 25 June, Anatolia reported: "’Black Sea has
united us for centuries, and we are in contact with each other today
through it (Black Sea),’ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian said on Monday.

"’We should make use of this opportunity. But, water is sometimes
so deep that we prefer to stay on the shore,’ he stated during the
meeting of Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) held in Istanbul within the framework of
the 15th Anniversary Summit of the organization.

"Oskanian appreciated economic activities of BSEC, however argued
that the organization cannot fully make use of the political potential.

"-RELATIONS WITH EU OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE, MAMMADYAROV-

"’We think that our relations with the EU are of strategic importance,’
said Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov on the other hand.

"’Therefore, we think that establishing a more developed cooperation
and closer dialogue between the two organizations is also important,’
he emphasized.

"Claiming that there are threats against cooperation and development
in Black Sea, Mammadyarov said, ‘we can particularly show regional
conflicts as an example for this. Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces
are coming face-to-face with each other in the region. And when these
norms and principles, and international law and state principles are
considered, I believe that a comprehensive regional cooperation can
be created especially in the South Caucasus.’

"-BSEC FACES SECURITY THREATS, BEZHUASHVILI-

"’EU’s joining us as an observer is a positive development. BSEC basin
is one of the most rapidly developing regions in the world. If required
economic development is ensured in this region, it will contribute
more to Europe’s security, and it can assume significant roles in
preventing international human and arms trafficking and proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction,’ said Georgian FM Gela Bezhuashvili.

"BSEC is important for Europe, and it will continue to be so as it
is situated on the energy route,’ Bezhuashvili stated.

"’BSEC, which will create a very important chain between the EU and
Central Asia, is facing security threats,’ Bezhuashvili pointed out
and added that regional disputes should be overcome by a comprehensive
cooperation."]

MS. TSOVINAR WILL NEVER LEAVE BERDZOR

KarabakhOpen
25-06-2007 11:41:31

Ms. Tsovinar has lived in Berdzor for 15 years. She was born in
Yerevan and used to live in Russia. Now she lives in this resettled
town of Karabakh.

"I first came to Berdzor on my friend’s baby’s birthday. I remember I
was wearing a white suit and high-heel shoes. At that time people had
just started moving in there. Everyone was watching me with surprise.

When I went back to Yerevan, people asked me how Berdzor was, they
wanted me to describe the town. I told them about the magnificent
scenery, the colorful butterflies, the clear air. My friends were
surprised. I understood at that time that a person can see what they
want to see. I saw only the good things and I came to live here with
great excitement," she says.

Tsovinar says Berdzor has changed a lot. She recalls the time when the
people of Berdzor were closer, had a bleeding heart for one another,
and lived like in a big family. "But some time later, when more people
started to come to Berdzor, started getting land, envy appeared in
people," she says.

Ms. Tsovinar says she will live all her life in Berdzor and will
never leave this place because every citizen of Berdzor has their
contribution to the reconstruction and development of this town.

UEFA to take decision on the matches between Armenia and Azerbaijan

armradio.am
23.06.2007 14:47

During today’s sitting the UEFA Executive Committee will decide the
paces of holding the matches between the national football teams of
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

UEFA official webpage informs that the matches will be held in the
framework of the Euro 2008 qualification round. The Executive Committee
may cancel the matches, decide that the matches must be held in Yerevan
and Baku or set the matches on a neutral field. If the matches are not
cancelled, they are due on September 8 and 12.

95 PERCENT WILL NOT SURRENDER TERRITORIES

A1+
[07:18 pm] 18 June, 2007

Aharon Adibekyan, the director of the "Sociometer" Center, left
for Karabakh to conduct public polling on the Karabakh conflict
settlement. He released the results on June 18 at the "Friday" Club.

95 percent of respondents think the Karabakh conflict should be settled
either by independence or by unification with Armenia. 8 percent
think the territories could be exchanged for independence, Adibekyan
says. The pollster also made a sensational statement; according to him,
about 1-1.5 percent voted for broad sovereignty within Azerbaijan.

IN ARARAT ZURABIAN’S OPINION, THERE IS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WHO CAN DEFEAT SERGE SARGSIAN

Noyan Tapan
Jun 18 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Ararat Zurabian, Chairman of the
Armenian National Movement (ANM) party, expressed this opinion in
an interview with Noyan Tapan: "The RA newly-elected parliament is
criminal in nature: in the National Assembly there are people who would
never appear there in any normal social system. Watch the faces of the
current MPs and compare these faces with those of the first Supreme
Council or the National Assembly and you will see the difference,"
said A. Zurabian, adding that most of the current MPs have nothing
to do or say in the political sphere. In his opinion, it is very bad
that the opposition has a too limited number of MPs in parliament.

A. Zurabian believes that Armenian society, in general, has the
opposite attitude. However, in his opinion, the opposition can not
lead society as yet. "We ourselves should do much more and try to
find the key which will give us the opportunity to implement changes,"
the leader of the Armenian National Movement mentioned. He expressed
conviction that those changes will be possible only as a result of the
presidential elections. A. Zurabian mentioned that there is a candidate
in Armenia who is able to defeat the Prime Minister Serge Sargsian
and that candidate is Levon Ter-Petrosian, the RA’s first President.

A. Zurabian classed the current stage of the Karabakh conflict
settlement as "failed". In his words, Robert Kocharian and Serge
Sargsian, when they came into power declared that the republic of
Nagorno Karabakh must have a territory of 8 thousand sq km and preserve
the liberated territories. They considered any other authority that
would take any other steps a traitor.

However, Robert Kocharian has now agreed to return the liberated
territories.