Vatican No 2 Travels To Armenia

VATICAN NO 2 TRAVELS TO ARMENIA

Earthtimes
March 4 2008
UK

Vatican City – The Vatican’s second highest official, Secretary of
State Tarcisio Bertone, travelled Tuesday to Armenia two days after
his initial visit on Sunday was cancelled owing to unrest in the
country. Cardinal Bertone’s visit would go ahead "with some changes
to the programme," the Vatican said in a statement announcing his
departure from Rome for Armenia’s capital Yerevan.

On Monday the European Union offered to mediate in the post-election
crisis and violent unrest in Armenia that has left at least eight
dead in the Caucasus republic.

The eight, including a policeman, were killed in clashes Sunday
between police and opposition protestors that led the president to
declare a 20-day state of emergency.

In itsstatement on Tuesday the Vatican said Bertone’s visit to
Armenia’s neighbour Azerbaijan scheduled to begin Thursday through
Sunday, would go ahead as planned.

Armenian Army Brings Order After Riots

ARMENIAN ARMY BRINGS ORDER AFTER RIOTS

Russia Today
March 2 2008
Russia

Troops and armored vehicles are now patrolling the main streets of
Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, following violent riots which claimed
eight lives. More than 100 people were injured. A 20-day state of
emergency has now been imposed.

Earlier in the day General Colonel Seyran Oganyan, a Chief of staff
of the Armenian Armed Forces, addressed the nation with a call to
observe the state of emergency.

"I discourage everybody from trying to bypass the restrictions
imposed by the state of emergency. Please be disciplined and
comply with the steps the army is taking to implement the state of
emergency. Particularly I would like to ask people to refrain from
gathering in Yerevan even in small groups. When even the slightest
suspicion the army will take action against such groups as prescribed
by the law and the constitution. The army will make sure the state
of emergency rules are observed," proclaimed Seyran Oganyan.

The army is out in force throughout the center of Yerevan, there is
really a reign of steel around the main square where the violence
took place. There are thousands of men in uniform accompanied by IFVs.

Evidence of the destruction and carnage is clearly visible: there are
burnt down cars across the roads through all the centre of Armenian
capital.

The overall atmosphere is extremely nervous. All media have been
closed and it’s very difficult to get any information.

Presidential Candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan Applies To Constitutional

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE LEVON TER-PETROSYAN APPLIES TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

2008-02-29 18:14:00

ArmInfo. Presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan has applied to
the Constitutional Court (CC), the CC press-service told ArmInfo
correspondent.

Levon Ter-Petrosyan disagrees with the official presidential election
returns published by the Central Electoral Commission on February
24. To recall, on March 3 the CC will consider the claim of another
presidential candidate, Leader of the People’s Party Tigran Karapetyan.

Congressman Berman Likely To Chair House Committee On Foreign Affair

CONGRESSMAN BERMAN LIKELY TO CHAIR HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.02.2008 16:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A delegation from the Armenian National Committee
of America – Western Region met with Congressman Howard Berman
(D-CA-28). Congressman Berman serves as Acting Chairman of the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs (HCFA) following the unfortunate
passing of Chairman Congressman Tom Lantos, who recently succumbed
to esophageal cancer.

Those in attendance included ANCA-WR Board Members Steve Dadaian,
Vicken Sonentz-Papazian, Avo Ovayan, ANC Activist Mourad Topalian
and Congressman Howard Berman.

"We always welcome the opportunity to engage in a meaningful exchange
of information and ideas with the acting and future Chairman of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee," stated Dadaian. "During our meeting
it was clear that Congressman Berman shares our optimistic outlook
for advancing issues of concern to the Armenian American community and
we look forward to working closely with him to accomplish that task,"
he added.

During the meeting, the ANCA-WR delegation discussed various issues
of concern to the community with Congressman Berman. In particular,
Congressman Berman reiterated his support for the passage of the
Armenian Genocide resolution and for increasing aid to Armenia,
especially vis-a`-vis petrodollar rich and warmongering Azerbaijan. The
meeting participants also noted Kosovo’s recent declaration of
independence and how comparatively, Nagorno-Karabakh also enjoys a
strong case for self-determination.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Must Make A Responsible Decision

NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC MUST MAKE A RESPONSIBLE DECISION
Igor Muradyan

Lragir
17:51:06 – 27/02/2008

Even the most indifferent and socially disoriented people must
instinctively react to warnings and imminent threat. Over the past
few years we became convinced with pain that the former society of
Karabakh does not exist any more. They got dissolved in the cloak
of petty bourgeois preferences and inclinations. "Bakeries" and
"watermelon plantations", minor posts with tiny salaries became
priorities. The adepts of the cloak are trying their best to prevent
the formation of a new society, new consciousness and genuine social
priorities. Is the new society ready for making a political decision
in the political sphere? Despite a number of interesting persons and
ideas, there is only uncertainly over this.

As the people of Karabakh had been warned in the past two or three
years period of indifference and anticipation of mercy, the Armenians
of Karabakh are exposed to a real threat coming from Yerevan to
lose what has been achieved. Not only time has been wasted but also
real possibilities to get ready for the turn of events and emergence
of this situation in Armenia. In the course of the tough political
struggle of the two clans with common goals and priorities the topic
of Karabakh was not touched upon, and the few remarks were only for
external addressees.

Why? Because the topic of Karabakh cannot become a topic of discussion,
since the views and intentions of both clans are in fact absolutely
identical. There is no doubt about it because the Armenian patriots
have made every effort to clarify the circumstances in international
politics which did not become the property of the government of
Armenia and their opponents in all the camps of the opposition.

We still argue that the main factor of the capitulation policy
is the furious urge of the Yerevan political class to rid of this
burden at any price, such they consider our homeland, the province
of Karabakh. There is no reason to doubt that the political class in
Yerevan carries a certain "national idea" not of resolution but of
mortification of the Karabakh issue. If anyone still can remember
that the first speaker of the NKR Supreme Soviet Arthur Mkrtichyan
in Stepanakert in 1992 did not get petrol, which was the will of a
definite person in Karabakh and a definite person in Yerevan. And
both men are now speaking as if all the others have died, but not
everyone has died.

The interests and goals of the external parties in the West and in the
East are to prevent the establishment of an illegitimate government in
the Republic of Armenia, incapable of an adequate reaction to external
challenges and making worthy decisions. The external forces are leading
a game in which they win in any case because both the competing clans
are not capable of establishing a legitimate government and are doomed
to a passive stance on foreign policies. Is it necessary to undergo
capitulation and deportation to become convinced of that?

If the present government had to prepare for capitulation by appointing
the present parliament and president in NKR, creating a reliable basis
for successful and fluent implementation of the so-called process
of settlement, the competitive clan will not hang out with the NKR
government and people of Karabakh for a long time. In addition,
nobody in the present government of Karabakh and their spongers will
account for the imminent catastrophe.

Certainly, the Karabakh issue is not a priority for the world,
quite different problems are set relating to the external political
re-orientation of Armenia, but the topic of Karabakh will be included
in the agenda, if unjustifiably too much effort is made.

In Armenia an "orange" revolution is underway, which will be a waste
of historical time for us and possibly a catastrophe. However, the
like is cured by the like. The "orange" revolution can be neutralized
by a "national" revolution, a national-conservative revolution. This
revolution must take place in the province of Karabakh. Every nation
has the right for a revolution. Revolutions take place in the most
economically developed countries with an ancient and developed
democracy. The United States, for instance, is undergoing a genuine
revolution, which takes place in this country once in every 20
years. Revolutions of a sensible nation which remembers about duty and
dignity fit in the framework of the national discussion and dialogue,
while sap nations prefer a banal fight which leads to just another
period of enrichment of one of the groups.

In the given case when no events have taken place which require
radical decisions, it is necessary to hold early parliamentary and
presidential elections in NKR, free, in complete isolation from the
criminal elements which did not permit that degree of freedom in the
previous elections. It is time to recover from the state of anabiosis
and take actions in this direction. The events in Yerevan became a
convincing signal for Azerbaijan that Armenia is ready to capitulate,
it was impossible to allow to happen, but it is clear that in Baku
they drew this conclusion. Even if the opponent is much weaker, your
weakness should not be displayed, since besides systemic decisions
there are also brutal decisions. Certainly, it is possible that this
time they will have to get someone drown in the Kura or farther in
the Caspian Sea, despite sex and age, but at what price?

Isn’t it better to prevent the prospect of a regional war in time
through political decisions, understanding that the shortest way to
war is intentional concessions in the most abject way. Only bustards
may agree to concessions, in addition, unseen territorial concessions
in this favorable international situation for us.

It is necessary to be mindful that in Armenia there are 862,369 people
ready to accept any decision of the government, 351,222 people ready
to return Karabakh and send the events of 1915 into oblivion (they
say there are twice as much of such people), 272,427 people ready
for both the first and the second, as well as 100,966 people ready
to protect Karabakh but who have to vote for hypocrites. The past
presidential election in Armenia did not demonstrate anything new. Such
an arrangement of forces and preferences has existed always. As always,
10 percent of active people exist firmly, who can make all the others
not to betray openly. If the nation has an avant-garde, even cowards
become heroes. It has been the case for a number of times. But a very
interesting factor is necessary – a new Karabakh revolution.

Do Not Become A Tool For Irresponsible Politicians

DO NOT BECOME A TOOL FOR IRRESPONSIBLE POLITICIANS

Hayots Ashkhar
Wednesday 27 February 2008

"Of course, patience is good, but I think that it is also time for
everybody to take a sober view of the things and realize that it
is impossible to accede to power by clenching fists. If one likes a
building, he mustn’t announce, ‘The Theatrical Square’ is my dwelling,
and now I must appear in this building.

If someone admires the building, I can give him a job in the Department
of Correspondence; let him read the letters and know what opinion
the people have about my tenure.

This is, of course, a joke, but I also have the following appeal
to the people who have gathered in the square: dear people, do not
become a tool for irresponsible politicians. It is not your game. You
will not benefit from that game; you will only suffer losses. And
the country will suffer losses as well," President ROBERT KOCHARYAN
announced yesterday.

Armenian Mind In The World

ARMENIAN MIND IN THE WORLD

Panorama.am
17:39 27/02/2008

Armenian GM Movses Movsisyan playing under the USA flag gained 5.5
score from 7 possible ones in Chess Open Tournament held in the
USA. 40 chess players were taking part in the competition.

Varujan Hakobyan, the other Armenian GM presenting the USA participated
in another international competition, gained 5.5 scores and took 2-6
horizontals. Armenian GM was by 0.5 scores above the champion of
the competition. Armenian GM Davit Harutyunyan presenting Georgia
participated in "Capella La Grande" international competition and
managed to gain the second horizontal. 612 chess players took part in
the competition. The champion of the competition became Azeri Gashimov.

BAKU: Poland Supports Territorial Integrity Of Azerbaijan In NK Conf

POLAND SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT – POLISH PRESIDENT

Trend News Agency
Feb 27 2008
Azerbaijan

Poland, Warsaw, 27 February /Trend/ On 26 February, the President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Lech Kaczynski of Poland gave a joint
press conference in Warsaw within the framework of the Azerbaijani
President’s official visit to Poland.

"We have been cooperating for over 2 years. But the current visit is of
special importance for our countries, for the relationships between
our countries have become stronger and have acquired a strategic
character. Azerbaijan is a strategic ally for Poland, which considers
it important as a part of its foreign policy to render assistance to
Azerbaijan in integration to Euro-Atlantic organizations," President
Kaczynski said.

The Polish President said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia
and Azerbaijan must be solved peacefully and through international
legal norms. "According to the international law, Nagorno-Karabakh
is a part of Azerbaijan and we support this position." Admitting
Poland’s relations with Armenia, Kaczynski stressed that in this
conflict his country follows the principle of inviolability of
territorial integrity.

Touching upon energy field, Kaczynski mentioned that besides its
oil Azerbaijan is also reach in natural gas, which is very important
for Poland.

President Aliyev stressed there are great prospects for bilateral
energy cooperation and the joint declaration signed by the Presidents
will promote it.

The Azerbaijani President thanked Kaczynski for Poland’s constant
support to settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in compliance with
the international legal norms. "The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
is inviolable and it will not be a subject for discussions. The
problem should be resolved within the framework of the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, and the international support, as well as the
leading countries’ position on the issue, certainly creates favourable
conditions for the settling.

"Over million of Azerbaijanis were evicted from their lands and
underwent ethnic cleansing during the conflict. One of the proofs for
that is the Khojali massacre, since which time 16 years have passed.

On that day, the Azerbaijani Khojali town underwent aggression
from Armenia. Genocide was committed against Azerbaijanis. Over 600
civilians, including 63 children and 106 women, were murdered that
night. That is a monstrous crime," Aliyev said.

As for the economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Poland, Ilham
Aliyev noted that a large-scale energy dialogue is being held by the
two countries. "Presently, we are determining the frames of the Caspian
Sea-Black Sea-Baltic Sea cooperation, in which energy cooperation
will play an important role. Azerbaijan produces and exports both
oil and gas to the world markets, including the European Union. And
we are to increase the production.

"The relationships between our countries are multilateral. We have good
economic prospects in the economic, energy, political and humanitarian
fields. Azerbaijan and Poland are friendly countries and we build our
relationships within the framework of strategic partnership. We will
strive for maintaining the high level of the relations," President
Aliyev said.

Abu Dhabi Development Fund To Provide $10 Million To Armenia For Arp

ABU DHABI DEVELOPMENT FUND TO PROVIDE $10 MILLION TO ARMENIA FOR ARPA-SEVAN TUNNEL RECONSTRUCTION

ARKA
Feb 26, 2008

YEREVAN, February 26. /ARKA/. Abu Dhabi Development Fund is to provide
$10 million to Armenia for Arpa-Sevan tunnel reconstruction.

Appropriate credit agreement between the Fund and Armenian government
was ratified Tuesday at Armenian Parliament’s session.

Armenian State Water Committee Chairman Andranik Andreasyan said the
money will be targeted for reconstructing the unique hydro technical
facility – Arpa-Sevan.

"The credit is given for 15 years under 3% annual interest rate. The
country will be exempted from payment for first five years", he said.

He said the construction consists of two basic 50-kilometer tunnels.

Andreasyan said that the major part of the work will be concentrated
on the second tunnel’s sections of 30 kilometers, which connect Yeghin
Gorge with Lake Sevan.

The head of the state water committee said that construction of
communications, railways and facilities supplying electric power as
well as lighting is planned.

"The construction is planned to be launched in 2008", Andreasyan
said.

Kocharian: Our Patience Exhausted

KOCHARIAN: OUR PATIENCE EXHAUSTED

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.02.2008 20:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s time to demonstrate sobriety and understand
that no one can come to power by use of brutal force," Armenian
President Robert Kocharian told the Public Television of Armenia.

"We are very tolerant. All who visit Armenia note our tolerance. I
sometimes wonder how many days we should wait to seem absolutely
patient. No power would tolerate illegal rallies. Our patience has
been exhausted," Mr Kocharian said.

"I do call on all those who gathered at Liberty Square not to become
a tool in the hands of irresponsible political figures. It’s not your
game. You don’t win, you lose. And it will a damage to our country,"
the President said.

Robert Kocharian’s interview will be shown in full after Haylur
news program.