Author: Basmajian Ani

THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS DOES NOT BELIEVE THE OMBUDSMAN
Lena Badeyan

"Radiolur"
03.04.2009 15:42

After the amendment of the two articles of the Criminal Code and the
change of the charge the detained Deputies are kept in unfreedom in
an anti-Constitutional way, since the Parliament had voted to deprive
them of immunity on the basis of the law that does not exist any more,
representative of the Armenian National congress David Shahnazaryan
told a press conference today. He said the amendments to the Criminal
Code pursued one objective: to separate the case of the circumstances
of the death of the victims from the main case.

"But they did not reach their target. In the near future those
fragments will be released for mass media, and believe, that we have
many facts," Shahnazaryan said.

David Shahnazaryan expressed the opinion today that the Armenian
Ombudsman, Armen Harutyunyan, works for the authorities. The
Representative of the Armenian National Congress arrived at the
conclusion after the steps the Human Rights Defender took or did not
take following the March events.

OPENING BORDERS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA CAN CONTRIBUTE TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT: GERMAN STATE SECRETARY

Trend News Agency
March 31 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 31 /Trend News, corr. N.Abdullayeva /
Opening borders between Turkey and Armenia can contribute to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, German Foreign Ministry State
Secretary Gernot Erler briefed the media in Baku on March 31.

"Currently there are two ways to settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. The first one is the talks between Turkey and Armenia,
second one – talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Germany supports
both ways. They both are positive for the region," Erler said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

Dialogue is the better way of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
than the military way, State Secretary said.

Within his visit, Erler plans to meet with the Speaker of Azerbaijan
Parliament Oktay Asadov, Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov and
representatives of opposition parties.

"CRISIS IS ALWAYS FELT IN GYUMRI"

A1+
02:22 pm | March 30, 2009

Society

"Economic crisis? What is it?" in reply to our question said a
40-year-old Gyumri citizen who lives "with an open heart and broad
smile ignoring the crisis."

Gyumri residents say they don’t feel depressed at the thought of an
economic crisis as they "always experience a panic – both spiritual
and financial."

"We have adoptive immunity and never fear from global tremors,"
says 29-year-old Volodya Grigoryan who is preparing documents to
leave for Russia.

Unemployement continues to be a most concerning problem in
Gyumri. Local residents say unemployment is their first and foremost
problem.

A woman recalled Serzh Sargsyan’s pledges of December 7, 2008 when the
latter promised to turn Gyumri into a center of art and sports. "Every
time they say one and the same thing but they do nothing. Let them
open new working places instead," said a woman whose 35-year-old son
was recently sacked from work.

"My son used to work in a filling station. The director said he was
reducing the staff to make savings." Mrs. Tereza advised us to visit
her neighbours and inquire how much she owes to each of them.

Note that as a result of the economic crisis over 200 groceries,
bathrooms and stores have been closed down in Gyumri

ACP (ARMENIA) RETIRES REGISTERED COUPON BONDS

ARKA
March 30, 2009

YEREVAN, March 30. /ARKA/. On March 26, the Armenian Copper Program
(ACP) Company retired registered coupon bonds. The ACP Information
and Public Relations Department reports the amount of issue was
500mln AMD – 10,000 registered coupon bonds, the face value of each
bond being 50,000. The bond turnover is 18 months, the annual coupon
yield being 10%.

The company does not rule out new cooperation under similar bond
issue programs, the report says.

The bonds were placed on September 26, 2007, with the ArmSwissbank
acting as organizer and principal underwriter. On February 11, 2008,
the company’s bonds were included in the Bbond list on NASDAQ OMX
Armenia.

Transactions worth a total of 738mln AMD were effected with the bonds
in question on the secondary market (exclusive of REPOs) – 147.6%
of the amount of issue. Of these, stock transactions worth 554mln AMD
(110% of the amount of issue) were effected. REPO transactions worth
a total of 676.6mln AMD were effected with the bonds in question –
135% of the amount of issue.

The ACP CJSC, which is part of the Vallex Group, was founded in
August 1997 using the facilities of the Alaverdi mining and smelting
plant. The enterprise specializes in producing copper and copper
concentrates.

ARMEN AMIRYAN: I HAVE NOT DONE MUCH, BUT I ASPIRE TO DO MUCH
Marianna Gyurjyan

"Radiolur"
30.03.2009 18:46

Four individuals were awarded Fridtjof Nansen Gold Medals today. "Being
awarded the Gold Medal named after the great humanists for benevolent,
state and national activity, as well as diplomatic service is very
binding and inspiring," the recipients of the Medal said.

Director of the Public Radio of Armenia Armen Amiryan said it was his
first award for charity, and it was unexpected. "I have not managed
to do much, but I aspire to do many things," he added.

"If everyone pays attention to and extends a helping hand to people
living next to him within the bounds of his capacities, it can be
viewed as charity and a God-pleasing deed," Armen Amiryan said.

Hakob and Knarik Jambazyan continue their parents’ activity by
lending a helping hand to Armenians in need. In 2002, "the Huysi
Avan" ("District of Hope") project was launched with the blessing
of Navasard Archbishop Kchoyan. In 2003 the first 20 families gave
house-warming parties. "The construction continues and the program
should be completed. Unfortunately, the pace of constructions slowed
down this year because of the crisis," Hakob Jambazyan said.

Henrik Liloyan was posthumously awarded for his irreproachable
diplomatic service. His son, Tigran Liloyan said his father had taught
him to love the Motherland. He noted that the Armenian khachkar was
erected in Louvre thanks to his father’s efforts.

ICN News, Italia
26 Marzo 2009

DIRITTI UMANI. Appello degli Armeni in Italia contro le minacce turche
ITALIA, 08:08:00

COMUNICATO STAMPA

Le comunità armene d’Italia esprimono perplessità, rabbia e sconcerto
di fronte alla politica negazionista turca che in questi ultimi tempi
riecheggia con insistenza sulle pagine della stampa locale ed
internazionale dove vengono spesso riportate dichiarazioni di alti
rappresentanti del governo turco che sostengono che un riconoscimento
del "genocidio degli armeni del 1915" da parte degli Stati Uniti
rischierebbe di "bloccare il dialogo tra Ankara ed Erevan".

Constatano che ancora una volta la Turchia, che aspira a far parte
della famiglia europea, ricorre alle solite intimidazioni e minacce,
sostenendo il "blocco" di un dialogo ad oggi inesistente con la vicina
Armenia, per contrastare una verità storica oramai acclarata e
ultimamente comprovata da documenti anche ottomani. In effetti non
risulta che la Turchia abbia, ad oggi, deciso o abbia intenzione di
riaprire i propri confini, chiusi unilateralmente dal 1993, con la
vicina Armenia, malgrado le pressioni dell’Unione Europea in tal
senso. Non risulta che la Turchia abbia accettato la proposta del
governo armeno di istituire, senza alcuna precondizione, una
commissione bilaterale intergovernativa per instaurare quel dialogo da
più parti auspicato.

Non risulta che la Turchia accetti che una parte dei suoi
intellettuali e giornalisti professino una verità diversa da quella
imposta dallo Stato. Sono per questo processati e marchiati come
traditori della patria (vedi petizione intellettuali). Non risulta
che la Turchia abbia voglia e intenzione di fare i conti con la
propria storia e con quel fardello che pesa da più di 90 anni,
rinnegato con disprezzo. Le comunità armene invitano l’opinione
pubblica, le istituzioni e gli organi di stampa a non cadere nel
tranello della demagogia attuata dall’abile mondo politico turco.

Le comunità armene invitano altresì il governo ed il mondo politico
italiano ad adoperarsi nell’attuazione della politica di buon vicinato
proposta dall’Unione Europea facendo pressioni sul governo turco per
la riapertura delle frontiere senza precondizioni, e sostenendo
l’opinione pubblica della Turchia in questo suo difficile cammino
verso una presa di coscienza seria inerente il proprio passato e la
propria storia. Una presa di coscienza minacciata dalla mancanza della
libertà di espressione e di pensiero banditi da un codice penale
alquanto discutibile.

Auspicano altresì che il nuovo Presidente degli Stati Uniti,
sig. Barak Obama, prossimamente in visita in Turchia, mantenga fede
alle promesse rivolte alla comunità armena durante la recente campagna
elettorale e indirizzi al mondo intero un chiaro segnale affinché il
diritto alla Memoria del popolo armeno non venga ancor di più
oltraggiato o, peggio, schernito.

Le Comunità Armene d’Italia.

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AZERBAIJANI MP REPORTS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ROME

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
March 26, 2009 Thursday

Azerbaijani parliamentarian Azay Guliyev reported at the international
conference under the theme, the Present and Future Role of the OSCE
in the European security architecture, which was held from March 23
to 26 in Rome.

He told of the causes, grave consequences of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, activity of the Minsk Group and Armenia`s failing to abide
by the UN Security Council resolutions on the conflict.

Guliyev pointed out that resolution of the conflict must be based on
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani lands must be
freed and Azerbaijani IDPs must return to their homes.

MP noted Azerbaijan supports continuation of peace talks and expects
constructive and fair approach from Armenia for the peace and stability
as the part of the European security.

IRAN REPLACING RUSSIA AS ARMENIA’S ENERGY SUPPLIER

PRESS TV
March 25 2009
Iran

Armenia has started the construction of a 240-million-dollar pipeline
to import oil products from Tabriz oil refinery in north eastern Iran.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan told
journalists that the 300-km pipeline will pump Iranian oil products
including gasoline and diesel fuel into Armenia.

In December 2008 Iran and Armenia reached an agreement in a number
of fields including energy, oil, petrochemistry and tourism.

"The pipeline would be a safe route for importing oil products to
Armenia that will increase security of energy supply and decrease
the cost of fuel import," Movsisyan said on Tuesday.

Iran and Armenia have also inaugurated a 140-km gas pipeline intended
to reduce Yerevan’s reliance on Russian gas. The 220-million-dollar
project was launched in March 2007.

Russia’s recent row with Ukraine, which disrupted gas flow to Europe
during Christmas holidays, triggered many countries to consider
alternative sources of energy in a bid to cut their dependency
on Russia.

Based on agreements signed by Iran and Armenia, for each cubic meter
of Iranian gas, Armenia will return 3 kilowatt of electricity to Iran.

GOVERNMENT MEMBERS VISITED PANTHEON

17:35:15 – 25/03/2009
Lragir.am

Today, the members of the Armenian government headed by the Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan visited the Yerevan Pantheon after Komitas in
regard to Andranik Margaryan’s death anniversary to honor the memory
of the Armenian former Pirme Minister and Republican Party leader.

World Bulletin

.php?id=38827

Rasmussen disrespectful toward Islam: Turkey’s senior AKP official
Senior AKP official said, "it is unacceptable that a person who
loutishly disrespect our faith and holy values in the past, will head
the Alliance."

Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:49

Suat Kiniklioglu, deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and
Development (AK) Party for foreign relations, said, "it is
unacceptable that a person who loutishly disrespect our faith and holy
values in the past, will head the Alliance."

In an interview with the A.A, Kiniklioglu said that election of Prime
Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark as the new secretary-general
of NATO could cause some difficulties for the Alliance because of the
Islam world’s perception of him."

"The Danish prime minister is a troublesome person for Turkey. There
are three reasons of this: First of all, he was captured by cameras as
saying after the EU Summit in 2003 that Turkey would never become a
full member of the EU; then, he assumed an irresponsible and
unsentimental attitude during the cartoon crisis, and lastly, he
failed to prevent broadcast of Roj TV from Denmark," he said.

The cartoon crisis erupted in 2006 after a Danish newspaper cartoon
depicted the Prophet Mohammad (PBHU)in a way regarded as a serious
disrespect by Muslims.

"The way of the Islam world’s perceiving Rasmussen is of great
importance. It is unacceptable for us that a person who loutishly
disrespect our faith and holy values in the past, will head the
Alliance especially in a period when U.S.President Barack Obama wants
to focus his foreign policy on Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said.

Kiniklioglu said, "Defense Minister Peter Mackay of Canada, who is
also a candidate, well-understands Turkey’s sensitivities. He could
stand up and object to the approval of the Armenian resolution by the
Canadian parliament. On the other hand, some circles are trying to
create a consensus in favor of Rasmussen by showing Turkey as the only
country objecting to his election. In fact, there are other countries
which are positive about Mackay’s becoming the next secretary-general
of the Alliance. The United States, in the meantime, has not yet made
a decision."

Current Secretary-General Dutchman Jaap de Hoop Scheffer steps down on
July 31. His successor is expected to be named at the NATO Summit in
France and Germany on April 3-4. NATO leadership positions are filled
by consensus among the 26-nation military pact.