Author: Badalian Vardan

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JUDGES TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
31.03.2008 12:09

This year the annual meeting of the International Association of
Judges will be held in Armenia in September. For the first time in
the region and over the CIS, 350-400 judges from 75 countries will
arrive in Armenia to participate in the 51st forum of the Association.

Press Secretary of RA Court of Cassation Alina Yengoyan told Armenpress
that the interagency commission founded upon RA Prime Minister’s
decision to address the issues of organization and conduct of the
forum, periodically convenes sittings to discus the process of the
preparatory works.

Armenia became the 68th member of the International Association
of Judges during the Association’s 48th meeting held in Montevideo
(Uruguay) on November 19-24, 2005.

Armenia was chosen as host country during the 50th forum of the
Association held in Norway last September. Delegations of 28 countries
voted for Armenia.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MATENADARAN ARRESTED

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The deputy director of the Matenadaran
(Yerevan) Arshak Banuchian was arrested on March 27. Spokeswoman for
the RA prosecutor general Sona Truzian told Radio Liberty that charges
under the RA Criminal Code’s Article 225 prime part 1 (organization and
holding of mass events in violation of the order stipulated by law),
Article 225 part 1 (organization of mass disorder), and Aricle 154
prime part 2 – preventing the voter from freely implementing his/her
will – have been brought against A. Banuchian.

According to S. Truzian, being a person empowered to act for L.
Ter-Petrosian and the person in charge in Vayots Dzor marz (province),
A. Banuchian through the head of the Vayk pre-election headquarters
Aghasi Mkrtchian distributed electoral bribes of various amounts to
voters of the city of Vayk and nearby villages for their participation
in the election and voting for Ter-Petrosian. A. Mkrtchian was also
arrested.

Sona Truzian said that in connection with the case investigated by the
special investigation service, 102 people have been arrested so far.

ARMENIAN YOUTH NATIONAL COUNCIL CONCERNED OVER CREATED SITUATION
By Nairi Muradian

AZG Armenian Daily
28/03/2008

Post-election

General Meeting of the member, candidate and observer organizations
of the Armenian Youth National Council (AYNC) was held on March
26. Armenian post-election developments, also issues of domestic
political situation were on the agenda. Chairman of AYNC Aram Sukiasian
underlined in his speech that one of the reasons of March 1 incidents
was the unsuccessful advocating, and both the representatives of the
opposition and the authorities are to blame for it.

Touching upon the announcements of the mass media that Levon
Ter-Petrosian’s campaign was based on sowing hatred in the society,
Aram Sukiasian didn’t forget of "Haylur" which, according to him,
"was not unbiased and also sowed hatred".

According to Sukiasian, the only way out of the created situation is
in starting a dialogue "not late than April 9".

ARF "Nikol Aghbalian" youth branch head Vahe Sargsian in his speech
also mentioned that one of the reasons of the created situation was
the absence of dialogue and "no one dared to gather the youth, and
the youth should accept its portion of blame, too".

Republican party’s youth branch member Edgar Hovhannisian in his
turn said that not only the future but also the present belongs to
the youth and they cannot be indifferent to political processes.

Member of "Youth center of social and legal support" said that today
all of us are to blame – both the opposition and the authorities. "We
should overcome the crisis. We have a problem of intolerance in
the country".

At the end AYNC made a statement to RA citizens, authorities,
opposition, political parties, NGOs, Diaspora and the youth. The
statement calls to political and state figures for mutual tolerance
of the settlement of the crisis, wisdom corresponding to national
nature and taking of concrete steps directed to the provision of
every citizen’s life security,

ACCUSED OF INCITING MASS DISORDERS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
March 26, 2008

As reported by the Web site of the General Prosecutor’s Office, on
March 25, 2008 Aram Zaven Sargsyan, Head of the political council of
"Republic" party, was charged by Section 3 Article 225 and Articles
2251 and 300 of the RA Criminal Code for breaching the constitutional
order and inciting and organizing massive disorders in the town of
Yerevan with the purpose of usurping power. The charges were brought
in the frameworks of the case examined by the RA Special Investigative
Service.

As a precautionary measure, he has given a signature on not leaving
the country.

By the editorial office: When will charges be brought against L.

Ter-Petrosyan, the chief organizers of all the attempts to stage
a coup?

OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
Fax: (202) 315-3339
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

PRESS RELEASE
March 26, 2008

ARTSAKHIAN BORDER TOWN GETS IMPROVED WATER SUPPLY

Detroit Family Continues Tradition of Patriotic Involvement

Washington, DC – The town of Askeran, located only a few miles from
the border with Azerbaijan, will double its drinking water supply as a
result of a project co-sponsored by the Armenian Children’s Relief
Fund (ACRF) and implemented by the NKR Government. The town
authorities now have the necessary capacity to supply water to the
population for longer hours daily than they did previously.

Availability of drinking water still remains one of the most pressing
challenges for both the urban and rural population in
Artsakh. Shortages with supply in towns and the remoteness of springs
in villages affect the standard of living and hinder economic
development.

Last year, the Kchikian family through ACRF pledged to help the 2,000
inhabitants of Askeran.

"We dedicated this project to the memory of my father, who for many
years stood beside the people of Artsakh as they fought for their
freedom and then struggled to restore their lives and their land
devastated by the Azerbaijani aggression," said Eric Kchikian who now
chairs the fund.

"We will continue helping our brothers and sisters in Artsakh", he
added.

In a letter to the Kchikian family, NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutiunian
thanked them for their critical support in solving a priority
issue. In a separate letter, the Askeran district governor Samvel
Harutiunian noted that additional water supply meets the demands of
the town’s growing population and facilitates the ongoing economic
development.

A long list of past ACRF projects includes building of schools in
Taghaser, Vardashat and Mariamadzor villages, upgrades to water supply
networks in a number of villages, sponsorship of dozens of Artsakh War
veterans and children to receive medical treatment outside Artsakh,
and renovation of the Stepanakert Museum and Memorial of Fallen Heroes
of the Artsakh Liberation War.

Last year Mr. John Kchikian, Eric’s father and the founder of the
Fund, was posthumously awarded with the Gratitude Medal by a
presidential decree. One of Artsakh’s highest awards, the medal is
bestowed on individuals and organizations for their substantial
contributions to the reconstruction and development of Artsakh’s
economy, science, culture and social sphere.

"The Kchikian family and the ACRF continue in their mission to help
Artsakh – one school, one water network, one veteran or child at a
time. I commend their patriotism, commitment and generosity," said
Vardan Barseghian, NKR Representative to the United States.

"We call on Artsakh’s friends in the United States and elsewhere to
continue stepping forward and sponsoring similar projects that make a
big difference in the daily lives of the people of Artsakh,"
Barseghian said.

***

To request images of the Askeran Water Project for publishing with
this press-release, send an email to [email protected]

* * *

The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia
and the public representing the official policies and interests of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh.

This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the
U.S. Government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional
information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington,
D.C.

SIPAN DANCE ENSEMBLE TO HAVE PERFORMANCES IN CYPRUS

Noyan Tapan
March 25, 2008

On April 5 the SIPAN Dance Ensemble will have a performance in the
Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association "Oshagan" Cyprus
Chapter. It will also have its annual Performance at Strovolos
Municipal Hall under the auspices of the President of the Republic
of Cyprus Demetris Christofias.

KIRO MANOYAN: KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE RECOGNITION REAL PROBLEM

Panorama.am
17:08 24/03/2008

"According to the attempts Azerbaijan carries out in these days
we can say that we’re going far from the regulation point, it is
obvious that they changing the format of the negotiations which means
to start everything from zero. In this case I’m not sure that the
negotiations should be held with Armenia but with Nagorno Karabakh,
which will prolong the real regulation," said Kiro Manoyan the ARF
"Armenian Case" office representative.

He said that if Azerbaijan continues its policy, then Armenia has
little to do with it. "The recognition of Nagorno Karabakh independence
is a real problem today," he said.

"It would be much better if the independence of Nagorno
Karabakh Republic is recognized not by Armenia first," said Levo
Melik-Shahnazaryan, a politician.

According to him if the pressure keeps going on, then Armenia should
recognize the independence of NK, and to sign contracts with it.

TOTAL 44 ARRESTED IN ERGENEKON WITH TURK PARTY LEADER

Hurriyet
h/turkey/8522225.asp?gid=231&sz=59603
March 24 2008
Turkey

Workers’ Party (IP) chairman Dogu Perincek was arrested on Monday by
the court with suspected links to an illegal gang which was accused of
paving the way to a military coup while Istanbul University’s former
rector Prof. Kemal Alemdaroglu was released. (UPDATED)

Leftist Cumhuriyet daily’s columnist Ilhan Selcuk had also been
released on Sunday by the prosecutor’s office. Security forces had
taken Perincek, Alemdaroglu and Selcuk into custody early on Friday,
drawing fierce criticism from both opposition parties and media.

Critics have said their way of taken into custody was wrong and
the indictment is not prepared since the operation started eight
months ago.

Only Perincek was arrested by the court under the Ergenekon operation
on Monday. Perincek was earlier transferred to court on charges of
"being high-level leader of Ergenekon terrorist organization and
holding confidential documents about state". The number of people
arrested in the Ergenekon operation rose to 44. Istanbul high criminal
court decided to arrest Perincek. Selcuk was released on Sunday and
Alemdaroglu on Monday.

The probe against the Ergenekon gang started after hand grenades that
were issued to security forces were seized at the home of a retired
military officer in Istanbul last June. A retired military commander
and a lawyer were among those arrested earlier. A total of 39 people
have been arrested under the investigation.

Authorities have not commented publicly on the investigation, and
most reports about the investigation have emerged in local media and
are based on anonymous sources. The Ergenekon gang was suspected of
being behind a series of bombings on the Cumhuriyet newspaper offices
carried out last year, Turkish media have said previously.

Newspapers have said the group had been plotting a series of bomb
attacks and assassinations and were behind the killing of Turkish
Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

SELCUK’S CUSTODY

The chairman of the board of trustees Selcuk, 83, was taken into
custody with the claims of "taking over a mission on behalf of an
organization without being the member of the organization" on Friday
around 4.30 a.m. (0230 GMT) from his home. The way of his custody
under the Ergenekon operation had drawn fierce criticism. Upon the
request of the prosecutor, Selcuk was banned from going abroad.

Justice Ministry officials said the way of taking Selcuk into
custody, which drew fierce criticism -some saying it reminded the
events happened during the military junta in 1960s and 1970s-, was
the decision of the security officials, adding it’s not an ordinary
exercise and there was no such order from the prosecutor.

Critics have said Selcuk was accompanied by two bodyguards appointed
by Interior Ministry and had no way to escape so that he should have
been invited for interrogation instead of taking into custody while
he was sleeping.

Analysts say Selcuk’s detention is a new episode in the secularists
and Islamist groups’ struggle for power. Cumhuriyet is among the
strongest opponents of the AKP government in media.

High-level AKP officials, including Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan,
have said the closure case against the ruling party was launched to
cover up the Ergenekon operation.

ALL FOUR OF ITS IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORS VOTED AGAINST YEREVAN AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Azeri Press Agency
March 24 2008
Azerbaijan

Consul General Elin Suleymanov: As a result of Armenia’s own
irresponsible policies in the region, all four of its immediate
neighbors voted against Yerevan at the UN General Assembly

Los Angeles. Husniyya Hasanova – APA. Consul General of Azerbaijan
in Los Angeles Elin Suleymanov interviewed by APA

– Recently a group of Armenian Diaspora members in California issued
a statement criticizing the Government of Azerbaijan and you in
particular for trying to divide Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora.

Azerbaijan was accused of "divide and conquer" policy towards the
Armenians. How would you comment on this?

– I am very surprised to hear about the statement you described in
your question. As you know, Azerbaijan does not and has no intention
to interfere in anyone’s internal affairs. This has been a repeatedly
stated policy by our Government. On the contrary, it is unfortunate
that the Armenian side has been trying to involve Azerbaijan into
its domestic political confrontation. First, the voting for Armenian
president was organized on Azerbaijan’s occupied territories; then,
the Armenian side initiated a military provocation along the line of
contact, apparently, in order to distract attention from the events
in Yerevan. Now, some Diaspora members are saying that Azerbaijan
is responsible for political divisions among Armenians. I don’t know
who the authors of the statement you mentioned are. However, it is an
old trick to blame someone externally when one has problems internally.

While predictable, blaming Azerbaijan for Armenia’s current problems
by Armenian radicals is simply absurd. After all, it was not the
Azerbaijani side, who protested in Yerevan, and it was not the
Azerbaijani soldiers, who shot at the protesters in Armenia. Once
again, Azerbaijan takes no sides in Armenia’s domestic political crises
and would like to stay away from it. Similarly, the Azerbaijani side
has no interest in "dividing" and "conquering" anyone. Maybe, the
authors of the statement forgot that we do not represent Armenia. Of
course, the current Armenian leaders come from among the separatists
based on Azerbaijan’s occupied territories, but it seems unfair to
blame Azerbaijan for their behavior.

– So, Azerbaijan should have no concerns regarding the recent political
crisis in Armenia?

– The Azerbaijani side hopes that the Armenian political confrontation
will have no destabilizing influence on our region as a whole. Let’s
look at the context, however. Our region is developing rapidly
and Azerbaijan, Georgia and other nations have built a strong
network of partnerships. Armenia could have been a part of our
region’s success. Instead, as a result of self-imposed isolation and
short-sighted policy of aggressive ethnic expansionism conducted by
Yerevan, Armenia is sacrificing its own future and is causing damage
to Azerbaijan as a result of occupation and ethnic cleansing. The
events in Armenia today come as a direct result of a political
culture based on use of violence and ethnic intolerance. Therefore,
on the regional level, it is important whether Armenia’s politicians
understand the importance of a peaceful and sustainable settlement
with Azerbaijan for the future of their own nation. Of course, it is
up to the Armenians themselves to decide how they want their country
to develop. Notably, during the recent UN General Assembly vote on
the resolution on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan all four of
Armenia’s neighbors voted for the resolution and against Armenia.

They are Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and, after sending a special
request to the UN Secretariat to count its vote as positive, Iran.

The Armenian Government spokesman dismissed these and many other
nations, which voted for the resolution by implying that they are not
"civilized." Still, if being in an absolute minority at the General
Assembly doesn’t send Yerevan a message, then having every neighbor
calling on Armenia to cease its occupation of Azerbaijan should.

ARMENIAN GDP GROWS 10 PERCENT IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY

ARMENPRESS
March 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s GDP in the first two months
of this year rose 10.1 percent from a year before amounting, at market
prices, to 221.4 billion Drams. It rose almost 19 percent in February
against January.

According to figures, released by the National Statistical Service
(Armstat), industrial output, energy production including, rose 3
percent against the same time span of 2007 to 108 billion Drams. In
February it rose 6 percent against January.

In the first two months of 2008 Armenian power generating facilities
produced 1.237 billion kilowatt/hour electricity, 7.4 percent up from
a year before. However, power production in February fell 14 percent
against January.

Agricultural GDP rose 0.4 percent to 25.7 billion Drams. In February
it fell 22 precedent against January.

Some 18.3 billion Drams were invested in construction sector. The
growth from a year before was nearly 30 percent.

Retail trade rose 9 percent to 121 billion Drams and the amount of
services to population rose 15 percent to 80 billion Drams.

Officially there were 72,400 jobless people in January and February,
14 percent down from a year before.

The average wage rose 22 percent to 83,772 Drams.

Armenia’s foreign trade rose 24.2 percent to $687 million. The average
exchange rate of one US Dollar in the first two months was 307 Drams.