Author: Chakrian Hovsep

ALL SUBDIVISIONS OF RA JUSTICE MINISTRY WORK IN FULL REGIME

arminfo
2008-02-11 14:46:00

ArmInfo. All subdivisions of RA Justice Ministry have been working
in full regime since morning, JM’s spokeswoman Lana Mshetsyan told
ArmInfo.

Currently, the Ministry’s employees are placed in different buildings
under control of the Justice Ministry. In particular, RA Justice
Minister Gevork Danielyan will be temporarily work in the building
of the Enforcement Service. The Ministry’s administration, including
the registry office and notary, have moved to the State Register’s
building. Deputy Minister, authorized representative of RA government
in the European Court Gevork Kostanyan will work in the building of
the Criminal- Executive Department, where all the Ministry’s employees
will expectedly move 2 months later.

The fire in the building of RA Justice Ministry happened on February
9 night. The flame destroyed three-quarter of the Ministry’s
building: the roof, as well as the third and fourth floors burned
out completely. No victims and injured.

ARMENPRESS

ECHO RESEARCH UNVEILS RESULTS OF `MEDIA IN ARMENIA
STUDY `

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS: The international
media evaluation company ECHO Research and the
European Foundation for Democracy presented today the
new ECHO study `Media in Armenia 2008 – A Pre-election
Analysis’. The study, commissioned by the European
Foundation of Democracy, was conducted on January
21-27.
Roberta Bonazzi, the executive director of the
Brussels-based European Foundation for Democracy, said
the study embraced both pro-government and
pro-opposition printed and electronic media in
Armenian and Russian languages.
According to her, the careful study of 740
newspaper and TV stories and reports showed that in
general mass media in Armenia seems to be free from
government pressure. She said the conclusion was made
based on the fact that all presidential candidates
were given equal air time to express and convey their
ideas and programs to citizens.
Karen Prichard, sector director of Echo Global
Research, said unlike TV channels the printed media
had more critical stories containing such words as
`unjust’, `anti-democratic’ and alike She said
extremely opposite views testify to freedom of speech.
The study showed also that media stories and
reports did not focus much on the election manifestoes
of the candidates and nearly 95 percent of all stories
and reports were about their campaigning.
About 23 percent of all stories were about
ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian, who was followed by
prime minister Serzh Sarkisian with 21 percent.
Karen Prichard said these two candidates are
apparent front-runners in the presidential race.
Eleven percent of all stories were about a former
parliament chairman Arthur Baghdasarian and 10 percent
about a deputy parliament speaker Vahan Hovhanesian.
Also 24 percent of all stories provided unfavorable
coverage of ex-president Ter-Petrosian and his
campaign and 22 percent were unfavorable for prime
minister Serzh Sarkisian. The least criticized was
Aram Harutunian.
The semi-weekly 168 Zham (168 Hours) and the daily
Aravot were found to be most free from government
pressure.
Karen Prichard said along with harshly critical and
even hostile coverage, it in general it was tolerant.
The European Foundation for Democracy (EFD) is a
Brussels based think tank that works closely with
European institutions, civil society, and individuals
across ethnic and political divides in support of
democracy and freedom around the world.

Public TV, Armenia
Feb 8 2008

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION CANDIDATE HAS NO PLANS TO WITHDRAW FROM RACE

The Armenian Central Electoral Commission [CEC] has just issued a
statement saying that presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan has
not appealed to the CEC with a request to withdraw his candidacy for
president in the 19 Februarypresidential election.

According to the timetable, the deadline for presidential candidates
to withdraw has been set for 1800 [1400 gmt]tomorrow, 9 February. The
CEC statement says that Levon Ter-Petrosyan has appealed to the
Armenian Constitutional Court to probe into the obstacles caused to
him in the 19 February presidential election race.

Ter-Petrosyan’s appeal says that "the obstacles that have emerged for
reasons not depending onTer-Petrosyan make his further participation
in the election process impossible".

The statement has been provided to the Mediamax news agency by the
CEC press service.

Interfax, Russia
Russia & CIS Presidential Bulletin
February 8, 2008

AZERBAIJAN HOPES FOR PEACEFUL NAGORNO-KARABAKH SETTLEMENT – …

Azeri President Ilkham Aliyev believes that the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict should be resolved based on international law.It is
impossible to blatantly violate international norms and ignore world
public opinion in the 21st century. Occupation is unacceptable. But,
regretfully, the talks, although progressing, have yet to bear
fruits. I have no doubts that we will settle the issue based on
justice and international law, Aliyev told the third congress of the
international union of public organizations Public Committee of War
Veterans in Baku.

Azerbaijan wants a peaceful resolution of the conflict and is making
efforts in this direction. Nonetheless, the country has been building
its armed forces at the same time, Aliyev said.

Defense expenditures come first as regards budgetary spending.

This includes higher payments for soldiers, the construction of
infrastructure, and the purchase of equipment. We have begun
manufacturing military goods, established the Ministry of Defense
Industry and refitted several factories. Defense expenditures will
amount to $1.3 billion this year, the president said.

A1+

`YEREVAN MAYOR IGNORES PRIME MINISTER’S DECISION’
[04:09 pm] 07 February, 2008

`Go ahead Armenia, starving Armenia’,
the victims of state needs mocked at the presidential
candidate Serge Sargsyan’s slogan. They gathered in
front of the Government building to meet the Prime
Minister for the last time. Policemen did not allow
the gathered citizens approach the Government building
and tired to make them leave the Square. `It is cold,
go home, you will get cold, you will not solve your
problems standing here and crying’, urged the
policemen.

`We will not leave until we meet the Prime Minister’,
responded the demonstrators. Some officials arrived
from the Municipality, among them Deputy Mayor Kamo
Areyan, and offered the demonstrators to go to the
Municipality and solve the problems there.

The residents of Dalma Gardens, North Avenue,
Koghbatsi and Tigran Mets streets did not want to
leave without getting any response from the Government
and stood in front of the Government for 2 hours. They
wanted to meet only the Prime Minister, since `the
Mayor does not want to solve our problems’. `The Prime
Minister ordered the Mayor to settle our problems.
Some times later the Mayor told us: `I will not
provide you with apartments. Turn to the one who has
promised it to you”.

`Does it mean that the Mayor ignores the Prime
Minister’s decision? The Mayor tells the Prime
Minister as if he does his best to settle our
problems’, said Vachagan Hakobyan, Chairman of the
`Protection of Property Rights’ NGO. The demonstrators
noted that they did not trust anyone, since `they have
been deceiving us for 4 years’.

Vachagan Hakobyan told `A1+’ that they negotiated with
the oppositional presidential candidates Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, Arthur Baghdasaryan and Vazgen
Manukyan. `If they do not solve our problems by the
end of the week, we will join the opposition
candidates and will fight against the authorities’,
said Vachagan Hakobyan, noting that the authorities
tried to detain him. `If something happens to me, the
authorities and the police will be responsible for
it’.

Serge Sargsyan did not receive the demonstrators since
he was in the region of Lori. The participants of the
protest action left the Square warning that if the
Prime Minister did not meet them during the upcoming
days, they would join the opposition parties.

RUSSIA, ARMENIA SIGN URANIUM PRODUCTION, ENRICHMENT DEALS

RIA Novosti, Russia
Feb 6 2008

YEREVAN, February 6 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia signed an agreement to
join an international uranium enrichment center in Siberia during a
visit to the Caucasus state by the Russian premier on Wednesday.

The center, part of Moscow’s non-proliferation initiative to create
a network of enrichment centers under the UN nuclear watchdog’s
supervision, will be based at a chemicals plant in Angarsk, Siberia.

The center will also be responsible for the disposal of nuclear waste.

"This is an important document that will create conditions for
Armenia to join the nuclear non-proliferation regime," Russian nuclear
chief, Sergei Kiriyenko, told reporters after talks between Russia
and Armenia’s prime ministers, Viktor Zubkov and Serzh Sarkisyan,
respectively.

Uranium enrichment is planned to begin in Angarsk in 2013. Kazakhstan
joined the initiative in 2006, when the Central Asian state, which
holds 15% of the world’s uranium reserves, signed an agreement with
Russia to set up their first enrichment joint venture.

Ukraine said earlier it could also join the project. Russia previously
said it would grant any country the use of the future center, proposed
by President Vladimir Putin to defuse tension over Iran’s controversial
nuclear program.

Kiriyenko also said the two countries would establish a joint venture
to prospect and produce uranium in Armenia, whose uranium deposits
are estimated at up to 60,000 metric tons.

"Armenia and Russia will each hold 50% in the joint venture," he said,
adding that Russia would invest $3 million in additional prospecting
in the ex-Soviet state.

Kiriyenko said Russia would bid in a tender for the construction of
a 1,000-MWt power unit on the site of the 1976 nuclear power plant,
which he said could start in 2010-2011. He stated that Russia had a
good chance of winning the tender, estimated as being worth $1 billion.

Armenia has been under pressure from the EU to close its sole nuclear
power plant, which generates 40-50% of its electricity, due to possible
environmental threats.

In September 2003, the plant came under the five-year trust management
of INTER RAO UES, a subsidiary of Russia’s state NPP operator
Rosenergoatom and UES electricity monopoly.

Kiriyenko was formally dismissed on Monday as head of the Federal
Nuclear Power Agency to focus on his other job as chief of the Rosatom
state corporation, set to take on the agency’s functions and step up
the construction of nuclear power plants at home and abroad.

ARMENIAN AMERICANS HEAD TO THE POLLS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BARACK OBAMA

armradio.am
06.02.2008 10:19

With the recent endorsement of Presidential hopeful Senator Barack
Obama, the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region has
been working with its respective chapters to "Vote Obama" on Super
Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

"With the ANCA’s announcement of its endorsement of Senator Barack
Obama, the ANCA Eastern Region is working with local ANCA chapters
throughout the Eastern Region along with "Armenians for Obama"
to encourage voters to vote for Obama," commented Karine Birazian,
ANCA ER Executive Director.

On January 19th, Senator Obama released a powerful statement on the
importance of US-Armenia relations stating, "I am a strong supporter
of U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and
strengthens Armenian democracy." Unlike other Democratic candidates,
he also pledged to "promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the
Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and
durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that is agreeable
to all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the
principles of democracy and self determination." The full statement
may be found on Sen. Obama’s campaign website:

Armenian Americans throughout the country have been working around
the clock to promote Obama’s campaign. Communities have sent e-
mail blasts and updates, supporting and updating the Facebook(c)
"Armenians for Obama" page, as well as participating in phone banking
to over 50,000 Armenian Americans nationwide.

ANC of Eastern Massachusetts chair Shari Melkonian commented:
"The ANC of E. Massachusetts has mobilized its troops to get the
word out and encourage our activists to vote for Obama." "We have
seen a great response from the community through our e-mail blasts,
flyering, and phone banking, and expect to see a great turnout today."

DM MICHAEL HARUTYUNYAN MET WITH THE NEW AMBASSADOR OF IRAN

armradio.am
05.02.2008 18:07

On January 5 RA Defense Minister Michael Harutyunyan received the
newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Seid Ali Saghaian and Military
Attaché, Colonel Bizhan Hamzeil Hashame.

At the beginning of the meeting Minister Harutyunyan congratulated
the Ambassador, expressing hope that the bilateral cooperation will
further expand during the latter’s tenure in office and wished him
success in carrying out his diplomatic mission in Armenia.

The Ambassador conveyed to Michael Harutyunyan the congratulating
message of the Iranian Minister of Defense.

Turning to the current state of military cooperation within the
framework of bilateral cooperation, the parties stressed the necessity
to deepen the existing ties.

The parties expressed hope that the atmosphere of trust formed in
the course of years will continue serving as a basis for further
cooperation for the sake of peaceful co-existence of the two friendly
peoples.

At the end of the meeting the parties exchanged views on regional
security and stability. The interlocutors emphasized the importance
of peaceful; resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

–Boundary_(ID_8KM/nTRS3HKnBxbopDXIDw)- –

BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER: MILITARY OPTION IS NEVER AN OPTION
Tatul Hakobyan

"Radiolur"
06.02.2008 17:23

February 4-6 the EU Troika visited the countries of the South
Caucasus. The delegation comprised EU Commissioner for External
Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the
Foreign Minister of Slovenia Dmitri Rupel and EU Special Representative
for the South Caucasus Peter Semenby.

During today’s press conference Rupel said: "EU is visiting Armenia
as a very important place in South Caucasus to find out about
developments, to offer assistance, but also to listen to the views of
our Armenian friends. The EU has a policy for the whole South Caucasus,
it is part of our European Neighborhood Policy and the main massage
that we are trying to send is that our friends should also be friends
with each other. We are trying to do our best to contribute as much
as we can that our friends also become friends with each other. We
have discussed some technical matters regarding the Action Plan, we
have discussed political issues, certainly here the top priorities
for the EU are human rights, strengthening the democratic structures
and of course attention to the media."

Turning to the forthcoming presidential elections in Armenia,
Dmitri Rupel said: "Wd think the presidential elections will be a
proper opportunity for progress, although the past parliamentary
elections were not bad, either. The Slovenian Foreign Minister noted
that the issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
and Armenian-Turkish relations were discussed during the meetings
in Armenia. Noting that there are no diplomatic relations and the
border remains closed, Rupel assured the EU will try to assist in
the improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations.

EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood
Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner had declared prior to her visit:
"Over a year after we embarked into our joint Action Plans, the
relations between the EU and the countries of the Southern Caucasus
are growing ever closer." She said during the press conference that
the Neighborhood Policy is a real policy to bring all the countries
that are around the enlarged EU much closer to the Union, and of course
it depends very much on the chances also that the country takes and I
think Armenia takes its chances and wants to take. We are in the midst
of the pass, a lot of progress has been made but there is still some
more progress that has to be made both on the economic development and
business investment issues, human rights, rule of law and issues which
regard to democracy. But we do hope that the presidential elections
will indeed be free and fare, I think the last elections already have
shown good result. We are confident that the elections will be

Turning to the militant statements of Azerbaijan, Rupel said the
EU certainly stands against the military solution to the conflict,
be it Karabakh or any other conflict. For her part, Benita Ferrero
Waldner stated that military option is never an option.

First Armenian president criticizes present authorities for having
closed market in Bagratashen

2008-02-02 11:16:00

ArmInfo. First Armenian president, contender to the presidential post
of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, when making a speech at the election
meeting in town of Noyemberyian, Tavush region, February 1, criticized
the present authorities for having closed the Bagratashen wholesale
commodity market on the Armenian-Georgian border.

According to the presidential candidate, the authorities closed the
market in Bagratashen because they couldn’t stand the existence of any
loophole in the economic life, which wasn’t completely controlled by
them. At the same time, according to Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the market’s
existence would make it possible to meet minimal financial demands of
the majority of families in the region at least, even if not live
properly. "Presently, many of them have to leave the country", Levon
Ter-Petrosyan said.

Another target of his criticism became the situation in the public
sector, which, according to the candidate, doesn’t exist as such. In
particular, Levon Ter- Petrosyan said the situation is inadmissible
when the principle of contractual work is applied for all the public
sector employees. This makes it possible to fire people from work at
any moment. "In this way, the present authorities bind the people
working in the public sector with slavish ties, compelling them to
serve", Levon Ter-Petrosyan emphasized.