Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENT STATED THAT THE EUROPEAN STRUCTURES ARE "SERIOUSLY INVOLVED" IN THE ISSUE OF PRINTING THE BALLOTS ABROAD

Mediamax
December 6, 2007

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Ex-President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosian stated
that "we do everything to avoid falsifications" during the upcoming
presidential elections.

Mediamax reports that Levon Ter-Petrosian said this in an interview,
published in the Moscow "Kommersant" newspaper today.

"We propose to print the ballots abroad, we turned to European
structures, and they are seriously involved in the given issue. We
proposed to use ink for marking the fingers of the people, who have
already voted, during the elections. If they do that, there will be a
chance to hold normal elections. But they can invent something else",
Levon Ter-Petrosian stated.

Ex-President stressed that he will not allow violence and violation
of the law "from our part" and will ask the "people to express its
opinion only by peaceful means".
From: Baghdasarian

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY ASSEMBLY POINT CREATED FOR FOUR RURAL COMMUNITIES OF ASHOTSK REGION WITH ASSISTANCE OF UNDP AND NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT

Noyan Tapan
Dec 6, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. An assembly point of agricultural
machinery has been created in Bavra for agricultural development
of Ashotsk region in Shirak marz. The governor of Shirak marz Lida
Nanian stated at the December 5 opening ceremony of the assembly
point that it will mainly service Saragyugh, Sizavet and Tavshut
village communities. In her words, the assembly point was created
with the assistance of the Norwegian government and the United Nations
Development Program (UNDP).

The UNDP Resident Representative to Armenia Consuelo Vidal said that
the four communities of Ashotsk region have been involved in the
2007-2009 complex development program of the UN, which will help
increase the efficiency of agricultural work in these communities
and their incomes.

According to the head of Bavra community Koryun Sumbulian, the creation
of the agricultural machinery assembly point will allow local farms
to cultivate more land plots. The assembly point has nine pieces
of agricultural machinery, inlcluding four wheeled tractors made
in Belarus.
From: Baghdasarian

PanARMENIAN.Net

Lavrov: work at base principles in Karabakh settlement
to be continued in 2008
05.12.2007 15:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Work at the base principles in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement will be continued in 2008, Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov said after a meting with his Armenian
counterpart Vartan Oskanian.

`It’s repeated from time to time that unsettlement of the conflict
originates risks and threats. Of course, no one will deny it but I am
confident that all efforts of the international community as
represented by the OSCE Minsk Group exclude military resolution of the
conflict,’ Mr Lavrov said.

`Inadmissibility of the use of force was confirmed as position of the
OSCE MG Co-chairs,’ he added, ITAR-TASS reported.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA A FULCRUM TO CIS COUNTRIES
By Ara Martirosian

AZG Armenian Daily
05/12/2007

In the end of November delegation of 20 businessmen of Iranian state
Urmia were in Armenia. They met with their Armenian colleagues, also
unions that unite them with Armenian businessmen – Union of Producers
and Businessmen of Armenia, representatives of Trade-Industrial
Chamber. They got acquainted with the business and investment situation
of Armenia in the Armenian Development Agency.

The delegation was led by the President of the Trade Organization of
West Azerbaijan (Iran) Jafar Saded Eskandari. Heads of agricultural
food cultivation organizations were majority in the delegation.

There were also representatives of organizations of other spheres –
construction, communication provision, and production of plastics,
construction materials, even cars.

"Artashes", "Noyan" "Multi agro", "Agrospasarkum" food producing
organizations represented the Armenian side.

Urmia state is like the Republic of Armenia with its population and
territory; 2,8 mln people live on 30 thousand sq. km, but the number
of industrial enterprises is high – about 1200.

The Iranian businessmen expressed a wish to carry out joint business
programs in Armenia and even made some arrangements.

They mentioned that they see Armenia as a fulcrum and a transit
country to CIS countries.

In this case there is an intention to open an Iranian goods center
in Armenia, to hold exhibitions of Iranian goods and to found joint
enterprises.

At the meeting in the Union of Producers and Businessmen of Armenia
the executive director of the Union Gagik Makarian attached a great
importance to widening of business cooperation with our neighbor
country.

In the name of the Union he announced about his readiness to
contribute to foundation of joint enterprises, clarification of
taxation legislation, providing information, etc.

The Iranian businessmen mentioned that Armenian-Iranian economic
cooperation is long-term and mutually beneficial.
From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN RATES POSSIBILITY OF WAR WITH ARMENIA 100%

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.11.2007 13:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev thinks
that conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is very likely. "While
Armenia keeps occupying Azeri lands the possibility of war reaches
100%," Abiyev told a news conference in Astana after a regular session
of the CIS Ministers of Defense, RIA Novosti reports.

Since conclusion of armistice on May 12, 1994, hostilities have been
stopped and peaceful talks have been held in the framework of the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chaired by Russia, United States and France represented
by Yuri Merzlyakov, Matthew Bryza and Bernard Fassier respectively.
From: Baghdasarian

WHY IS ADVISER TO NKR PRESIDENT NOMINATED?

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 28 2007

Arman Melikyan, adviser to NKR president, stated in a news conference
in Yerevan on November 28 that he has resigned from the post of
adviser and is likely to run in the presidential election in Armenia.

Arman Melikyan explains this decision by his worry that the
escalating confrontation between the Armenian government and Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s team threatens the independence of Karabakh and loss
of Karabakh. "The tactics that the opponents have chosen may end up
in a serious political confrontation if not clashes. It is a great
danger, and I decided to run in the presidential election to prevent
and to mitigate this danger," Arman Melikyan says. According to him,
two poles have formed with Levon Ter-Petrosyan and his team on one
side, and the Republican Party with its candidate on the other side.

"In fact, people will appear in a bad situation no matter for whom
they will vote because if they vote for Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s team,
they should agree to returning the territories. If they vote for
Serge Sargsyan’s team, the Republican Party, they should admit that
the corrupt system will persist in Armenia. It is a bad choice. We
must try to avoid it through joint effort. Let alone the wedge that
this confrontation may tap between Armenia and Karabakh. In Armenia,
they are trying to present people of Karabakh as Armenia’s foes, they
are trying to determine all the problems of Armenia by the Karabakh
issue, which is nonsense," Arman Melikyan says.

Arman Melikyan says it is not necessary to return Karabakh to eradicate
corruption and it is not necessary to tolerate corruption to keep
Karabakh. Generally, Arman Melikyan thinks there is no geopolitical
precondition for returning the territories now. Arman Melikyan thinks
the territories are a compensation for the property that the Armenian
refugees have lost. "I think it is time to say that these territories
cannot be returned. Those are the territories of the Armenians of
Azerbaijan," Arman Melikyan says.

"I don’t want to be an alternative, I don’t want to be a common
candidate, I don’t want to be a candidate at all, but I saw no other
option," Arman Melikyan says.

Arman Melikyan also revealed his approach toward the settlement of
the Karabakh issue. According to him, it is necessary to repeal the
December 1, 1989 decision on unification of Armenia and Karabakh,
Armenia should start active negotiations for the international
recognition of Karabakh, and the liberated territories should become
the compensation for the Armenian refugees.

As an effective effort of battle against corruption he suggests
raising the salary of officials in accordance with their degree of
responsibility and to enhance control.
From: Baghdasarian

POLLING STATION TO OPEN FOR GEORGIAN EXPATRIATES ON JANUARY 5

ARMENPRESS
Nov 28 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: A polling stations will open in
Armenia for Georgian citizens living in Armenia to vote in January
5 snap presidential election.

Georgia’s ambassador to Armenia, Revaz Gachechiladze, said to
Armenpress that the polling station will be in the embassy’s building.

The ambassador said there are about 500 Georgian expatriates in
Armenia, but only 350 are officially registered at the embassy.

"We are not going to force Georgian citizens to participate in the
election. There are 22 candidates and the choice is big. Let them
come and cast their ballots," he said.
From: Baghdasarian

SCIENTIFIC DEMAND WILL BRING ABOUT FINANCIAL OFFER

KarabakhOpen
30-11-2007 12:19:41

In the recent meeting of government Member of Parliament Arpat
Avanesyan brought up the issue that in 2007 only 15 million drams was
assigned for the development of science, and only 40 percent of it
was spent in the first three quarters. The minister of education and
science Vladik Khachatryan said recently another scientific project
has been financed, and next year a scientific center will be set up
which will finance scientific projects.

The minister said next year as much money will be allocated for
science.

Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan said: "If there are projects, funding
can always be raised."
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA ACCUSE AZERBAIJAN OF EXCEEDING ARMAMENT LIMIT

TREND Information
Nov 30 2007
Azerbaijan

Spain, Madrid / Trend corr. A.Maharramli / Yerevan has expressed
its alarm at the statement made by Azerbaijan on the possibility of
military operations in tackling the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian
stated during the meeting of OSCE Council of Ministers in Madrid on
29 November.

"The conflict can only be settled through a compromise," Oskanian
added. Azerbaijan exceeds the armament limit, which was envisaged in
the DOVSE, Oskanian said.

The Armenian Foreign Minister also touched upon a set of proposals
on the regulations of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which was
submitted by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to the Foreign Ministers
of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

During the meeting of the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov and the Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian, the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary of United
State Matthew Bryza, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and
the United States State Secretary Assistant on International Issues
Nicolas Bern submitted the written proposals on the regulation of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to Azerbaijan and Armenia. The document
includes 10 proposals, which have been discussed by both countries
during the last three years.

Oskanian said that the document allows the preliminary regulation of
the conflict to be reached.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since
1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful
negotiations.
From: Baghdasarian

CO-RAPPORTEURS OF THE PACE MONITORING COMMITTEE VISIT ARMENIA

armradio.am
03.12.2007 12:16

December 2 co-rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring Committee Georges
Colombier (Georges (France) and Neven Mimika (Croatia) and Secretary
Mrs. Despina Chatzivassiliou arrived in Armenia.

Today they are scheduled to meet with Ambassador of Council of
Europe member states accredited in Armenia, NGO and mass media
representatives. The same day the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring
Committee will be received by the President of the Court of Cassation
Hovhannes Manukyan and Head of the Judicial Department Armen Lazarian,
Minister of Territorial Administration, Deputy Prime Minister Hovik
Abrahamyan, President of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan
and Human Rights Defender Armen Harutyunyan.

December 4 the co-rapporteurs are expected to meet with RA Minister
of Justice Gevorg Danielyan, RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan,
the Mayor of Yerevan Yervand Zakharyan, the Chief of Police Hayk
Harutyunyan, Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission Garegin
Azaryan, President of the Council of Public Television and Radio
Company Alexan Harutyunyan, Presidential Aide Gevorg Mheryan and
Defense Minister Michael Harutyunyan.

December 5 the co-rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring Committee will
visit the National Assembly to meet with members of parliamentary
factions, Chairmen of NA Standing Committees on State Legal Issues,
Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs and Foreign Relations. The
parliamentary meeting will be concluded with the meeting with eh
Speaker of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan.

The same day meetings with Ra President Robert Kocharyan and Prime
Minister Serge Sargsyan are excepted.
From: Baghdasarian