Author: Chalian Meline

"MALATIA IS ARMENIAN TOWN" SLOGANS CAUSED COLLISION IN TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2007 16:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A collision took place before a football match
between Elyazig-Spor and Diarbekir teams in the Turkish town of
Malatia September 5.

Young people from Elyazig cried out slogans "Malatia is Armenian
town". As result of mass disorders the police arrested 3 brawlers. 2
were taken to hospital.

Later the guests repeated their slogans during the match. Malatia’s
security department chief Osman Kakhyan is Armenian, they said. The
policemen pushed the disturbers to the stadium’s toilet and beat them,
the Armenian Public Television reports.

ROCK FESTIVAL IN SHUSHI

KarabakhOpen
06-09-2007 13:38:33

We have learned from the Rebirth of Shushi Foudnation that on
September 16 a rock festival will be held in Shushi, in the place
called Jeder Duz.

EmpyRay, Bambir, Reincarnation, Roxidge, and other popular Armenian
rock bands will participate in the rock festival.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 1-6, 2007

HIGHLIGHTS:

PROGRAMS OF RADIO LIBERTY ARMENIAN SERVICE NOW AIRED ON
"ARRADIOINTERCONTINENTAL"

ARMAN BABAJANIAN REFUSED AN EARLY RELEASE

ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS DISCUSSED IN GUDAURI

PRESS-SECRETARY OF THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE CHANGED

PROGRAMS OF RADIO LIBERTY ARMENIAN SERVICE NOW AIRED ON
"ARRADIOINTERCONTINENTAL"

Since September 1 the broadcasts of the Armenian Service of Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty on the Public Radio of Armenia were stopped. Currently
the broadcasts of the Radio Liberty Armenian Service will be made only on
the frequencies of "ArRadioIntercontinental", in accordance with an
agreement signed with this private radio company and in force till September
16, 2008. The daily two-hour programs of Radio Liberty started to go on air
of "ArRadioIntercontinental" since August 15 with a simultaneous
transmission on Public Radio – till August 31. The change of the
broadcasting company, in opinion of the Director of the Armenian Service of
RFE/RL Atom Margarian, will result in a significant reduction of the
audience: "ArRadioIntercontinental" holds 23 transmitters, while PRA has 80
of them. Besides, Atom Margarian noted, the listeners complain of clutter on
the air.

As it has been reported, the issue of broadcasting the programs of the
RFE/RL Armenian Service on the Public Radio came into limelight in June 2007
– in the context of broadcasting amendments, submitted to the consideration
of the RA National Assembly. The drafts, developed by the Armenian
Government, proposed to prohibit the activities of other broadcasters on the
frequencies of the Public TV and Radio company, and a state duty was
stipulated, equal to 70,000 AMD (over $ 200) for "each issuance of a program
cycle of the national editorial office or a service of a foreign media by
the TV and Radio companies of the Republic of Armenia". These amendments
caused an outcry from a number of public, also journalistic, organizations
and political parties, who qualified them as an attempt to stop the
broadcasts of the Radio Liberty and restrict the freedom of expression. The
drafts failed at the parliament through only one vote unscored (see details
in YPC Weekly Newsletter, June 30 – July 5, 2007 and June 22-29, 2007).

Meanwhile, as it became known in the course of discussion of the drafts
above, the term of agreement between PRA and RFE/RL had expired in February
2007, and the negotiations about its prolongation yielded no result.

On July 6 the Council of Public TV and Radio Company resolved to stop airing
the programs of local and foreign broadcasters on the Public TV and Radio
from August 9. As noted in the explanation of the PTRC Council, the decision
was made "considering international experience of the activities of public
TV and radio companies" (quoted by "Hayastani Hanrapetutiun" daily, July 26,
2007). This decision affected not only Radio Liberty: in August the
broadcasts of "Tsayg" TV company of Gyumri on the 6th VHF that the TV
company had been using jointly with "Shirak" public television was stopped.
The same is true for the program of "Mir" Interstate TV and Radio Company on
the Public Radio of Armenia.

ARMAN BABAJANIAN REFUSED AN EARLY RELEASE

On July 19 the commission on early release and release on parole refused the
petition about the early release of the Chief Editor of "Zhamanak-Yerevan"
newspaper Arman Babajanian. As it has been reported, on September 8, 2006
the court of primary jurisdiction of Center and Nork-Marash communities of
Yerevan sentenced Arman Babajanian to 4 years’ imprisonment for document
fraud to evade military service. On January 12, 2007 the RA Court of Appeals
reduced the punishment to 3.5 years’ imprisonment, and the cassation
challenge of the journalist’s attorneys was later refused (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, March 9-15, 2007).

ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS DISCUSSED IN GUDAURI

On July 20-23 in Gudauri (Georgia) a seminar "Political Developments in the
South Caucasus and Armenian-Georgian Relations: Reflection in Media" was
held. The event was organized by Yerevan Press Club and Friedrich Ebert
Foundation. It brought together representatives of media, public, also
journalistic, organizations of Armenia and Georgia.

The presentations and speeches of the seminar participants reflected "the
views from Yerevan and Tbilisi" on the main problems of the region,
relations between Armenia and Georgia and the possibilities for regional
cooperation. In particular, such issues were discussed as the role of media
in the European integration context for South Caucasus, the GUAM summit in
Baku and its coverage in the media of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, new
schemes for cooperation in the region, their impact on the relations between
the countries of South Caucasus and their reflection in media and public
opinion, the cooperation of journalists in South Caucasus, Armenian-Georgian
relations in pre-election platforms and public activities of political
parties, coverage of problems of national minorities in the regions of
interethnic tension by media of Armenia and Georgia.

PRESS-SECRETARY OF THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE CHANGED

Since July 23 the press-secretary of the new RA Minister of Justice Gevorg
Danielian is Lana Mshetsian, previously the correspondent of "Golos Armenii"
newspaper. The former press-secretary of the former Minister of Justice
David Harutiunian Anahit Voskanian had quit the position.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

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this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

BAKU HOSTS THE MEETING OF THE CIS COUNCIL OF INTERIOR MINISTERS

armradio.am
06.09.2007 12:42

The meeting of the CIS Council of Interior Ministers started today
in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. There are 11 issues on the agenda.

The meeting features CIS Executive Secretary Vladimir Rushaylo, the
Interior Ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Moldova,
the First Deputy Interior Minister of Ukraine, Armenia’s Chief of
Police Hayk Harutyunyan and others.

The agenda of the Council’s sitting was discussed and approved at
the sitting of the expert groups of the Interior Ministries of the
CIS participating states held in Baku August 9-10.

The discussions will focus on raising the efficiency of the Council’s
activity in the direction of resisting the contemporary challenges
and threats, the draft agreement on exchange of information in the
sphere of fighting crimes, raising the efficiency of fighting crimes
in the field of Information Technologies, cooperation in the sphere
of personnel training at Interior bodies, confirmation of action plan
on the establishment of single automated information bank, location
of the Council’s next meeting and other issues.

AZERIS THROW STONES AT ARMENIAN BUS

A1+
[12:52 pm] 05 September, 2007

Sixty pupils of "Furman" juvenile sports school recently held trainings
in Batumi. On returning to Yerevan they had an unpleasant incident,
the sports school headmaster Arthur Abrahamyan informed A1+.

All of a sudden Azeris started casting stones at our bus near Sadakhlo
village. We were caught unawares as there were about 60 pupils in
two buses and we were responsible for their security.

Though the bus was damaged and the windows were all broken, there
were no victims. The Georgian frontiers were informed about the
incident. So far they have taken no measures.

On the whole, Arthur Abrahamyan is pleased with the trainings. "The
meeting was really important for our teams, let alone the incident. The
children left Armenia for the first time and it was a brilliant
opportunity for them to better their skills and acquire experience
on an international level. We were warmly welcomed in Batumi and were
provided with all conditions to hold trainings."

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV: AZERBAIJAN CAN LIBERATE ITS TERRITORY BY ANY MEANS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 4 2007

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev chaired a meeting on the problems
of refugees and IDPs as a result of Armenia’s aggression against the
country. President’s press service told APA.

The head of state making an opening speech stressed that one million
Azerbaijanis have become displaced as a result of Armenia’s military
aggression against the country.

"Our lands have underwent ethnic cleansing policy and this injustice
has continued for many years. But the negotiations for a peaceful
settlement are on. Successful continuation of the Prague process will
help solve the problem diplomatically," the head of state stressed.

Azerbaijani President brought the attention to the successful result
of the country’s recent energy policy.

"Economic and military potential of our country has risen. So,
other steps are not ruled out in case the conflict is not solved in a
peaceful way. Azerbaijan can liberate its territory by any means. The
protraction of the conflict’s solution will cause disturbances.

Armenia should understand this fact. Azerbaijan takes serious steps
towards solutions of problems of refugees and IDPs. Revenues coming
from nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy
are basically oriented to the solution of their problems. 47 new
settlements have been built for refugees and IDPs in 2001-2007.

70,000 have been housed in these settlements," he stressed.

Deputy Prime Minister, chief of the State Committee for refugees and
IDPs Ali Hasanaov submitted to President Ilham Aliyev the publications
envisioning large scale events implemented for improving living
standards of refugees and IDPs.

Executive director of SOCAR Shahmar Movsumov, head of executive powers
of Armenian-occupied regions reported on the measures carried out
towards solving social problems of population and faced problems.

Following this, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made his final
speech.

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES VIOLATED CEASEFIRE MOST LAST MONTH

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 4 2007

Armenian Armed Forces violated the ceasefire most in Karabakh and
Armenia-Azerbaijan border last month, APA reports quoting Defense
Ministry.

Armenian Armed Forces violated the ceasefire 106 times in many
directions last month. One soldier of Azerbaijani Armed Forces was
injured in violation of the ceasefire (Agdam). Moreover, mine blast in
the front line killed one soldier, injured 2 colonels and 2 soldiers
of Azerbaijani Army, The monitoring shows that Armenian Armed Forces
were active in Armenian-Azerbaijan state border – Gazakh and Tovuz
directions in July of the current year, this activity is observed in
the center of Karabakh front – Aghdam direction in August.

The enemy violated the ceasefire 56 times in Aghdam direction, 21
in Terter, 14 in Goranboy, 6 in Fuzuli, 5 in Gazakh, 2 in Tovuz,
1 in Aghdere and 1 in Khodjavend in August.

The violation of the ceasefire reached to 256 in January-August of
the current year. Violation of the ceasefire and mine blasts killed 11
soldiers of Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The enemy wounded five soldiers
and mine blasts fives soldiers.

The ceasefire was violated 220 times in 2006. Violation of the
ceasefire by the enemy killed 14 soldiers of Azerbaijani Armed Forces
last year.

1430 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ARMENIA TO BE PROVIDED WITH LABORATORIES IN 2007

ARKA News Agency
Sept 3 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. Armenian Education Minister Levon
Lazarian, speaking Saturday in Yerevan’s secondary school #160,
said that the government intended to provide 1430 secondary schools
with laboratories in 2007.

He said the first priority would be given to those secondary schools
having no less than 600 pupils.

Lazarian said that the government faces some financial difficulties
in putting its intention into reality. The think is that the equipment
of each of these laboratories costs about $15thnd.

"Each of these schools needs at least three laboratories: for classes
on physics, chemistry and biology. That’s why we can afford to equip
only large schools", the minister said.

Armenian government allocates AMD 100bln (about $300thnd) every year
for education sector’s needs.

NEW HOME OF NKR PARLIAMENT WAS DEDICATED

KarabakhOpen
03-09-2007 16:09:40

On September 2, the Independence Day of Karabakh, the new home of
parliament on the Square of Rebirth was dedicated. The new building is
equipped with modern communications, soon simultaneous interpretation
in different languages will be available, it will have a library
which will be open to public activists and scholars.

By the way, in 2007 400 million drams was allocated for the
construction of the new house of the National Assembly. It cost
the budget 635 million drams. It aroused controversy regarding the
dedication and the architecture.

Nevertheless, it was finished and dedicated on September 2.

"The dedication of this magnificent building is another important
evidence to the establishment of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It is not
just a beautiful building, with all the facilities for our colleagues,
but it is an important stage of state building in NKR. No doubt NKR
will be recognized.

The people of Nagorno-Karabakh believe in their goal and strength,"
said the speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Tigran Torosyan.

The works by the famous Canadian photographer Hrair Khacherian (Baze)
are now displayed at the home of parliament.

100 SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED BY MOSCOW "EDUCATION" FUND IN YEREVAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Aug 30 2007

YEREVAN, August 30. /ARKA/. 100 scholarships are to be awarded by
the Moscow "Education" Fund in Yerevan Friday, the Press Service of
the Armenian Ministry of Science and Education reported.

The scholarships will be granted to fourth-year honors students of
state-financed higher schools from poor families.

Armenian Minister of Science and Education Levon Mkrtchian and founder
of "Education" Fund Professor Hrant Poghosian will participate in
the awarding ceremony.