Author: Chalian Meline

AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT ANNOUNCES REASONS OF FOR NOT ADOPTING LAW ON ALTERNATIVE SERVICE

Trend News Agency
Dec 12 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec 12/ Trend News, I. Alizade/ The Azerbaijani
parliament has announced reasons for not adopting Law on Alternative
Service.

"Some Azerbaijani officials and military leadership believes that
adoption of Law on Alternative Service can weaken military power
of the country. In fact, the key reason for not adopting Law is
that Azerbaijan is at war with Armenia," Safa Mirzayev, chief of
administration of the Azerbaijani parliament, said to reporters.

Azerbaijan undertook several commitments to the Council of Europe when
it was admitted to the organization in 2001. One of these commitments
is adopting Law on Alternative Service. Azerbaijan has fulfilled
the other commitments. The draft Law on Alternative Service has
been developed and the Council of Europe has expressed its attitude
towards it.

Armenia has occupied 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory – Nagorno-Karabakh
and seven surrounding regions. The occupation began in 1988. Azerbaijan
lost the Nagorno-Karabakh, except of Shusha and Khojali, in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian Armed Forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and
Nagorno-Karabakh’s seven surrounding regions. 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, but fruitless
negotiations.

"Alternative service pursues totally different aim and it does not
mean avoiding military service. True military service must depend on
an alternative one," parliament official said.

Mirzayev said there is a political decision to adopt the Law and
Azerbaijan will fulfil this commitment. He said the Council of Europe
has already expressed his attitude to Azerbaijan’s draft Law.

"The main point is to make Azerbaijani laws consistent with the
European standards. The opinion of the Council of Europe included
valuable recommendations and we have taken all of them into
account. The Council of Europe is determining procedures. We think
those choosing alternative service should have sound reasons to do
this. The Council of Europe proposes us to define these reasons,"
Mirzayev added.

EXHIBITION/SALE OF SYRIAN GOODS TO LAUNCH IN ARMENIA IN JUNE 2009

ARKA
Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, December 12. /ARKA/. An exhibition/sale of Syrian goods
will be organized in Armenia in June 2009, said Martin Sargsyan,
chairman of the RA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), summing up
the results of the December 4-7 expo fair of Armenian goods in Aleppo.

"The summer exhibition will be the Syrian businessmen’s return visit
to our country," Sargsyan said, adding preparations of the expo are
going at full speed.

Organized by Armenia’s CCI, the expo fair in Syria was an attempt
to showcase Armenia’s achievements in light industry, agriculture,
advanced technologies, food industry, medicine, pharmaceutics,
crafts and visual arts. Around 40 local organizations and companies
participated in the event.

ARMENIAN REP TO SUPERVISE CE CONVENTION AGAINST TRAFFICKING

ARKA
Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, December 12. /ARKA/. Armenian candidate, United Nations
Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, a consultant of
the AMKOR NGO on combating trafficking Gulnara Shahinian was elected
to the expert group, supervising the execution of the Council of Europe
Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings (Trafficking) (GRETA).

According to the RA Foreign Ministry press-service, the group must
assess the enforcement of CE Convention by joined countries and,
if necessary, make suggestions on improving fight against trafficking.

The group includes representatives of Bulgaria, Malta, Cyprus,
Croatia, Moldova, Norway, France, Slovakia, Denmark, Portugal,
Albania and Romania as well.

The Convention was signed by 19 states and took effect on February
1, 2008.

STATE INSPECTION FOR CONTROL OF EARTH INTERIOR SET UP BY DECISION OF RA GOVERNMENT

Noyan Tapan

Dec 11, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 11 sitting, the
Armenian government made a decision to establish a separate unit –
the State Inspection for the Control of Earth Interior within the RA
Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. As NT was informed by the
RA Government Iinformation and PR Department, the regulations and
structure of the Inspection were approved.

BULGARIA , ARMENIA DISCUSS POSSIBLE COOPERATION IN POWER INDUSTRY

BNR – Radio Bulgaria
Dec 10 2008
Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s President Georgi Parvanov and visiting Armenian counterpart
Serj Serkisyan have discussed options to cooperate in energy and
transportation. President Parvanov told a press conference that trust
and pragmatism stood at the core of the active political dialogue
between all institutions in both countries. He also said our country
would support Armenia’s efforts for a more active dialogue with
the EU within the Union’s policy towards new neighbours. President
Sarkisyan emphasized that the market of Bulgarian goods should be
revitalized in Armenia. Four bilateral agreements have been signed
including amendments to the agreement on avoidance of double income
and property taxation, organization of Days of Bulgarian culture in
Armenia in 2009 and Days of Armenian Culture in Bulgaria in 2010,
cooperation in archive affairs and a 2009-2014 Work Programme in
pursuance of the Memorandum on understanding between the Civil Service
Council in Armenia and Bulgaria’s Ministry of State Administration
and Administrative Reform.

Cooperation in energy and the implementation of bilateral
transportation and communication projects have been at the centre of
talks Serj Sarkisyan he4ld with Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev and
Parliament Speaker Georgi Pirinski. Options will be explored to open
scheduled air flights between Sofia and Erevan, it has transpired too.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 5-11, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": LEGISLATION ON ASSEMBLY, MARCHES,
DEMONSTRATIONS AND RURAL PROBLEMS

LITIGATION BETWEEN "INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS" AND IJEVAN MUNICIPALITY
CONTINUES

"VAN" RADIO IS 10 YEARS OLD

"PRESS CLUB" AND "PRESS CLUB+": LEGISLATION ON ASSEMBLY, MARCHES,
DEMONSTRATIONS AND RURAL PROBLEMS

On December 10 another "Press Club" show went on the air of "Yerkir-Media"
TV company. The cycle is produced by Yerevan Press Club with the support of
the Human Rights and Governance Grants Program of the Open Society
Institute. The guests of the Chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of
Expression Ashot Melikian were the RA National Assembly deputy, member of
the parliamentary faction of the Republican Party of Armenia Artak Davtyan,
RA NA deputy, secretary of "Heritage" parliamentary faction Stepan Safarian,
the Chairman of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia Avetik Ishkhanian. The
program subject was the legislation on assembly, marches, rallies and
demonstrations and its application practice.

The next "Press Club" show will be aired on "Yerkir Media" on Wednesday,
December 17, at 23.00.

On December 6 "Yerkir Media" aired another program of "Press Club+" cycle,
produced by Yerevan Press Club with the support of the UK Embassy in
Armenia. The program host, YPC President Boris Navasardian and "Press Club+"
participants – RA National Assembly deputy, member of "Dashnaktsutiun"
parliamentary faction Bagrat Sargsian and the Secretary of the Board of
People’s Party of Armenia Grigor Harutiunian discussed the problems of
agricultural development. In the discussion the audience, made of rural
community heads and media representatives of Gegharkunik region, took part.

The next "Press Club+" show will go on the air of "Yerkir Media" on
Saturday, December 13, at 17.40.

LITIGATION BETWEEN "INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS" AND IJEVAN MUNICIPALITY
CONTINUES

On December 11 at the Civil Court of Yerevan hearing of the suit of Ijevan
municipality (Tavush region) versus "Investigative Journalists" NGO, the
founder of "Hetq" on-line, continued. As it has been reported, the plaintiff
demands to refute the information discrediting the honor, dignity and
business reputation of Ijevan Mayor Varuzhan Nersisian – as seen by the city
administration to be present in the articles "Whose Pocket Receives Money
from Sand Mine?" and "Will the Three Commissions Notice the Illegal Use of
Sand?". The articles were published in "Hetq" on May 5, 2008 and June 23,
2008, respectively, and also printed on May 20, 2008 and July 9, 2008,
respectively, in the supplement to "Azg" daily, "Transparent Local
Self-Government". Besides, the plaintiff demands that the expenses of 930
thousand AMD (about $ 3,100) made for the attorney services be compensated
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 26 – October 2, 2008). At the session
of December 11 the plaintiff submitted a motion about involving the
correspondent of "Hetq" in Tavush region Voskan Sargsian, the author of the
articles, as a respondent. This issue will be resolved at next session,
scheduled on January 13, 2009.

Meanwhile "Investigative Journalists" on their behalf addressed the RA
Administrative Court with a suit versus Ijevan municipality. The NGO
demanded that the Ijevan municipality provide copies of the Elderly Council
session protocol of May 23, 2008 and the decision of the latter to allocate
the 930 thousand AMD of the city budget, that were spent on paying for the
attorney services in the litigation above. Besides, "Investigative
Journalists" resolved that the municipality must compensate their expenses
for the attorney’s services, costing 114,000 AMD (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
September 26 – October 2, 2008).

At the session of November 26 the Administrative Court partially secured the
suit of "Investigative Journalists". According to the court ruling, the
municipality must provide the journalistic association with the information
requested. As to the compensation of the NGO’s expenses, this must be made
out of Ijevan’s city budget, but only partly, for 8,000 AMD (about $ 26).

"VAN" RADIO IS 10 YEARS OLD

On December 8 "Van" Radio celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Yerevan Press Club congratulates colleagues and wishes them unending
creativity and prosperity.

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:

SHIP PRESENTED TO DEFENSE MINISTER

A1+
[05:44 pm] 08 December, 2008

On December 8 the Defense Minister of Armenia, Sеyran Ohanyan,
received the delegation of representatives of the Armenian community
of Russia headed by the Consul General of Armenia in Rostov Ararat
Gomtsyan.

Greeting the guests, the Minister attached importance to the
participation of Diaspora Armenians in the programmes and initiatives
accomplished in the Motherland.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan awarded Marshal Baghramyan medals
to Albert Shamilyants, Andrey Kegeyan, Armen Stepanyan and Levon
Adamyan. "Andranik Ozanyan" medals were awarded to Artyom Arzumanyan,
Edward Vardanyan, Aram Тer-Hunanyan. Jirair Mkhoyan and Harutyun
Surmalyan were decorated with "Drastamat Kanayan" medals for
contribution to the development of cooperation between the Republic
of Armenia and the Russian Federation, as well as the support to the
Armed Forces of Armenia.

For his part, Levon Adamyan expressed gratitude to the Minister and
presented a symbolic ship to Seyran Ohanyan on behalf of the Armenian
community of Russia. Mr. Adamyan noted that he will spare no effort
to contribute to the prosperity and development of the Motherland.

–Boundary_(ID_ppPUw0nx+NYjphgdvPxetQ )–

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SITTING HELD IN YEREVAN

De Facto
Dec 8, 2008

YEREVAN, 08.12.08. DE FACTO. On December 6 the RA President Serge
Sargsian convened the National Security Council sitting.

The issues referring to the work carried out by Armenia in 2007-2008
within the frames of the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan,
and urgent tasks and priorities for two years were discussed at the
sitting, the RA President’s Press Office reports.

The next issue discussed at the National Security Council sitting was
the work realized by the Republic of Armenia in 2007-2008 within the
frames of the Collective Security Treaty Organization membership and
on realization of decisions of the Organization Council sitting held
in September, 2008.

The issues relevant to the works realized in 2007-2008 within the
frames of Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan, an action
program for 2009-2010 and judicial-legal system’s amendments were
also discussed at the sitting.

TWENTY YEARS LATER

Azat Artsakh Daily
05 Dec 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

After twenty years’ interval, "The Virtuosos of Moscow" (conductor:
V. Spivakov) yesterday gave a concert in the Gyumri State Drama
Theatre Named after V. Atchemyan.

The concert which lasted around two hours was dedicated to the
memory of the victims of the 1988 earthquake. "We, ‘The Virtuosos
of Moscow’, always remember those days. I will not say what we have
done because that won’t be right; however, the fact that you remember
us and appreciate our deeds is shown by the warm attitude of your
fellow-townsmen living in different parts of the world," A. Spivakov
said to the spectators of Gyumri.

ARMENIA RATIFIES AGREEMENT ON MANAGEMENT OF CSTO FORCES

Noyan Tapan
Dec 4, 2008

YEREVAN, December 4. /ARKA/. Armenian Parliament ratified the agreement
on establishing a management system in the collective security forces
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

The agreement was signed by Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in Dushanbe on October 6 2007,
Armenian Deputy Minister of Armenia Ara Nazaryan reported.

The aim of the agreement is to create an efficient management system
in the collective security troops both in peace time and wartime
and ensure reliable cooperation between the coalition troops and the
defense ministries of CSTO-member countries, he said.

The agreement determines bodies to implement centralized management
functions and the procedure for completing the staff.

The CSTO was founded in May 1992. Its member states are Armenia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.