Author: Badalian Vardan

GREAT BRITAIN TO CONTINUE ACTIVITIES IN ARMENIA, AMBASSADOR SAYS

ARKA
May 16, 2008

YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. Great Britain has no intention to break off
activities with Armenia, but further bilateral cooperation mainly
depend on the country’s internal political situation and economic
progress, UK Ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale said during his
meeting with RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian.

The Ambassador assured the Premiere Great Britain is ready to assist
Armenia in the implementation of joint programs with European Union
(EU) and World Bank (WB).

Ambassador Lonsdale stressed the necessity for the balanced regional
development program in the country.

In his turn, Sargsian assured the British Ambassador that his
activities in Armenia will contribute to Armenian-British cooperation
development. To foster democracy, Armenia stipulates for serious
programs and activities to settle topical issues, the Prime Minister
said.

Sargsian was not content with the Armenian-British trade turnover
and set a stress on economic cooperation development.

Armenian-British trade turnover increased by 51.7% to $45.1mln in 2007.

Armenian exports to Great Britain last year totaled $2.8mln against
7.6mln in 2006. British imports to Armenia rose 91.2% to $42.3mln in
the reporting period.

Thanking the Ministry of International Development of Great Britain
for carrying out social reforms in Armenian regions, Sargsian said
Armenia plans to launch new cooperation programs.

The Prime Minister informed the British Ambassador the new concept
of civil service is under way. He said Armenia expects technical
assistance from Great Britain to implement this program. The Premier
assured the Ambassador Armenia will do its best to sign an agreement
with Great Britain on preventing double taxation. This may become
a serious impetus to bilateral economic cooperation, according to
Sargsian.

The participants to the meeting also discussed issues on regional
development and Armenian-Turkish relations. Sargsian confirmed that
Armenia is ready to establish diplomatic relations with Turkey without
any preconditions. He said Great Britain can play a crucial role in
this issue.

Armenian-Turkish border has been closed since 1993 on Turkey’s
initiative. This caused $500mln worth annual damage to Armenia’s
economy.

DAVID BOYAJIAN AWARDED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO STRUGGLE AGAINST ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 15, 2008

WATERTOWN, MAY 15, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Massachusetts
Governor’s Council issued a resolution honoring Newton resident David
Boyajian for his role in the campaign against the Anti-Defamation
League’s denial of the Armenian Genocide. The corresponding resolution
of the House was introduced by Marilyn Petitto Devaney, a Governor’s
Council member and Watertown Town Councilor.

AMBASSADOR OF TURKMENISTAN IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

National Assembly of RA
May 15 2008
Armenia

On May 14 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of
Armenia Mr Tigran Torosyan received the newly appointed ambassador
of Turkmenistan to Armenia Mr Shohrat Jumayev.

The Ambassador informed the NA President about the ongoing political,
economic reforms in Turkmenistan and ensured the friendly attitude of
his country and his people and the wish of deepening relations in all
spheres with Armenia. Mr Jumayev especially stressed the raising of the
economic ties to political high level relationship and the development
of inter-parliamentary cooperation, and in this context the creation
of the inter-parliamentary friendship group. The Ambassador expressed
willingness to do as much as possible during his term of office
to make closer the traditional ties of two states and peoples. He
thanked the NA President for attending the inauguration ceremony of
the President of Turkmenistan, considering his visit to Ashgabat as
a display of respect. Remembering the disastrous earthquake years ago
the Ambassador noted with gratitude that the capital city was restored
with the efforts of the Armenian builders. As a result of the ongoing
reforms in the country, the Ambassador ensured that a great place was
given to the organization of competitions, and the Armenian builders,
who would like to use their rich experience in Turkmenistan, would be
gladly received in Ashgabat. Touching upon the educational problems
Mr Jumayev stressed that 60 young people get education in Armenia.

Mr Tigran Torosyan congratulated the Ambassador upon his appointment
and expressed hope that the mission will be marked by the development
of inter-state and inter-parliamentary relations, and expressed
willingness to promote the success of the steps taken by the Ambassador
directed towards the deepening of cooperation. Referring to raising
the economic ties to the level of political relations, the NA President
noted that the economic development of the two states would create new
opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. The establishment
of the inter-governmental commission was highlighted, which will give
opportunity for the fulfillment of concrete programmes. In order to
make closer the inter-parliamentary relations Mr Torosyan noted that
till the end of the spring session a parliamentary friendship group
would be set up in the National Assembly. The creation of such group
in the parliament of Turkmenistan and the mutual visits will promote
the development of inter-parliamentary relations. Ensuring his warm
attitude towards the Turkmen people the NA President noted that the
ongoing reforms in the country were visible also in foreign policy,
and the development of relations with certain countries and the
European Union would create new opportunities for cooperation.

During the meeting other issues were also discussed.

FIRST LONDON-YEREVAN TV BRIDGE HELD BETWEEN LAWYERS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The first London-Yerevan TV bridge
held between Armenian and British lawyers, as Ruben Sahakian, the
Chairman of the RA Chamber of Lawyers, explained, is implemented
under a program aimed at assisting Armenian lawyers in the issue of
introducing more literate, high-quality complaints to the European
Court. "It is a unique way of exchanging experience, which will
reduce the financial expenditures," the Chamber Chairman said adding
that there is already an agreement to develop similar cooperation
with lawyers of France and Belgium. R. Sahakian also said that on
May 12 the RA Chamber of Lawyers uniting 718 lawyers will become an
observing member of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe
(CCBE) (only country-members of the European Union can become a full
member of it), representatives of that international lawyer structure
will visit Armenia in September. R. Sahakian expressed satisfaction
with the fact that soon the Armenian Chamber of Lawyers, in its turn,
will be able to assist its Karabakh colleagues, to hold seminars with
a number of post-Soviet countries.

The TV bridge was held within the framework of the memorandum of
cooperation in the spheres of human rights and permanent law education
signed between the British East-West Centre organization and the RA
Chamber of Lawyers in January 2007.

All technical means for holding the TV bridge were got with the
financing of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland in RA. The program was worked out with the joint
efforts of the latter, the British East-West Centre, and RA lawyers in
consideration of the proposals of lawyers having introduced complaints
to the European Court of Human Rights. The program’s goal is to be
in a direct contact through Internet with London lawyers specialized
in the issue of applying to the European Court, to hold with them
discussions of Armenian lawyers’ questions regarding concrete cases.

Among the seven questions raised during the TV bridge was, in
particular, the question of whether the relatives of Murad Bojolian
sentenced with the accusation of espionage can introduce a claim
of additional compensation of expenditures to the European Court,
negligence in connection with institution of a case against a lawyer,
the issue of applying to the European Court with the basis of violation
of the reasonable terms of case examination, and the bases and details
of applying to the European Court in connection with other cases.

The case on the fact of dismissing a YSU political science lecturer for
expressing an anti-governmental position was also touched upon. In this
connection the British specialists expressed an opinion that the basis
of Article 6 of the Convention, the right of fair judicial enquiry,
would be liable if we had a person carrying out a state function:
according to the British specialists, a lecturer does not carry
out a state function. On the occasion of the case they can apply to
the European Court with the basis of Article 10 of the Convention,
freedom of expression.

KARABAKH CONFLICT IS NOT RUSSIA’S LEVER ANY MORE – RUSSIAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST

Trend News Agency
May 13 2008
Azerbaijan

"Since long time the Karabakh conflict has no more been the Russia’s
lever for Azerbaijan," Russian political scientist Aleksey Malashenko
said on 13 May during the video bridge devoted to the current
Azerbaijani-Russian relations.

"Just the opposite, the conflicting countries use the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict to exert the pressure on Russia openly stating that they
would join the West if Russia does not stir up its efforts to settle
this conflict," Malashenko said.

According to the political scientist, the conflict must be solved
internally by both the conflicting sides.

"Azerbaijan unambiguously does not hope that Russia will support it
in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, but we still hope that Kremlin
realizes its responsibility not only for its own country but also for
the huge area with which it has tight historical and cultural ties,"
Azerbaijani political scientist Rashad Rzaguliyev said.

"Baku has not created any illusions for itself that Nagorno-Karabakh
problem may be solved at once, but further advancement is possible
and very urgent," Azerbaijani political scientist Rasim Musabeyov said.

"Success may be achieved trough adequate actions. Azerbaijan is a very
important partner for Russia in terms of security, energy cooperation
and provision of stability in the region," Musabeyov added.

PRESSURE ON THE COURT

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 08, 2008
Armenia

The hearing on the criminal case regarding the breaches during the
presidential elections was underway in Gyumry yesterday.

Petros Makeyan’s, Ashot Zakaryan’s and Shota Saghatelyan’s supporters
and relatives expressed desire to participate in the hearing. These
people were not only from Gyumry but also from Yerevan.

The court hearing, presided by Vahe Khachatryan was to be held in the
hall envisaged for 70 people and there was no space for most of their
relatives and supporters. They demanded a larger hall. The people
gathered in the entrance broke the windows. The hearing started late
and one of the policemen even lost consciousness.

So the strategy to turn the court hearing into a rally is underway.

ARMENPRESS

ARMENIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER EXPRESSES HOPE THAT
TURKEY NOT TO RETURN TO ITS PREVIOUS STYLE

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS: `In general, previously
there was an impression that the impulses received
from the Turkish side before April 24 included
positive elements connected with the regulation of the
Armenian-Turkish relations then those received after
April 24,’ Armenian deputy foreign minister Arman
Kirakosian said, commenting with the request of
Armenpress, on the statement of the Turkish ambassador
to Azerbaijan in which the latter said that Turkey
connects the regulation of relations with Armenia with
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation and Armenia’s
refusal of efforts of international recognition of the
Armenian genocide.
`If the information about the statement of the
Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan corresponds to
reality, we may only express hope that it is not the
continuation of previously noted tendency and is not
return to the previous style,’ A. Kirakosian said.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Azerbaijan doesn’t allow Armenians in the country
07.05.2008 15:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian community forms a
powerful constituent of consortiums in the South
Caucasus, with exception of Azerbaijan, Anton
Krevenyuk writes in `Genocide in action: Armenians are
banned in Azerbaijan’ article posted on the website of
the Center for Political Freedom.

`The Armenian community of soviet Azerbaijan abandoned
the country. Today, there is a rule in Azerbaijan –
not to allow entry of Armenians. A person, whose
surname ends in `yan’, will never be sold a ticket to
Baku. There are tough restrictions on all of Armenian
origin in Baku. Websites in .am domain do not open.
Use of the Armenian language in any form is
inadmissible,’ the article says.

It continues: `To be honest, I should mention that the
things are quite different in Armenia. Here, Azeris
are met with cautiousness but they have the
possibility of free movement accompanied by security
officers. But Azeris do not go to Armenia. The
Azerbaijani society eyes a trip to Armenia as a
criminal offence.’

DOCUMENTARY SHOT ABOUT SAHAKIAN CHORUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE

ISTANBUL, MAY 5, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Turk producer Feza
Senar has shot a documentary film about the Sahakian chorus due to the
financial means provided by the Ministry of Culture of Turkey. The
film, which tells about the 305 years old chorus performing Armenian
church psalms, folk songs, as well as western classic songs, will be
presented in the Turkish and international film festivals in the near
future.

The documentary film presents the daily routine of the members of the
chorus, which includes 100 young people and 170 children aged 5-16 and
youths, and the rehearsals of the chorus.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Tigran Balayan: Armenian-Iranian relations not
targeted at third states
06.05.2008 16:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia eyes Iran as a friendly
state with a historically formed Armenian community,
said the Spokesman for the RA Foreign Ministry.

`The Armenian-Iranian relations are not targeted at
any other state. We enjoy bilateral cooperation, what
is natural for neighbors. Armenia is willing to
establish diplomatic relations with all neighbor
countries,’ Tigran Balayan said when commenting on in
the U.S. concerns over development of the
Armenian-Iranian relations expressed in the Country
Reports on Terrorism 2007.

Touching on the other items of the report, Mr Balayan
said that the criticism arouses concerns.

`As to struggle against corruption, it’s one of the
aspects of Serzh Sargsyan’s election program. Armenia
has joined a number of international documents and
will continue its efforts in the field,’ he said, RA
MFA press office reported.