Author: Chmshkian Vicken

RA FM HOPES FOR RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS IN 2008

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.01.2008 15:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The year 2007 was productive and proved the
correctness of Armenia’s complementary policy, RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian told a news conference in Yerevan.

"Our priorities will be maintained in 2008. The major problems of
2007 have penetrated into 2008: the Kosovo problem, tensed relations
between Georgia and Russia, Iran’s nuclear file, lack of progress
in the Armenia-Turkey relations and the Nagorno Karabakh issue,"
he said. "I hope for resolution of conflicts in 2008," he added.

The Minister also reminded that Armenia will assume presidency in
the CSTO and BSEC in 2008.

FOCUS Information Agency

focus-news.net

USSR was established on this day in 1922
30 December 2007 | 01:15

USSR was established on this day in 1922. In post-revolutionary
Russia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is established,
comprising a confederation of Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine, and the
Transcaucasian Federation (divided in 1936 into the Georgian,
Azerbaijan, and Armenian republics). Also known as the Soviet Union,
the new communist state was the successor to the Russian Empire and
the first country in the world to be based on Marxist socialism.

During the Russian Revolution of 1917 and subsequent three-year
Russian Civil War, the Bolshevik Party under Vladimir Lenin dominated
the soviet forces, a coalition of workers’ and soldiers’ committees
that called for the establishment of a socialist state in the former
Russian Empire. In the USSR, all levels of government were controlled
by the Communist Party, and the party’s politburo, with its
increasingly powerful general secretary, effectively ruled the
country. Soviet industry was owned and managed by the state, and
agricultural land was divided into state-run collective farms.

In the decades after it was established, the Russian-dominated Soviet
Union grew into one of the world’s most powerful and influential
states and eventually encompassed 15 republics–Russia, Ukraine,
Georgia, Belorussia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Latvia, Lithuania, and
Estonia. In 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved following the
collapse of its communist government.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN: "NO ONE LIKES FADED FOWER"

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law)
Party is proclaming about the beginning of a civil movement in Armenia
since 2008. This statement was made by Arthur Baghdasarian, the
Chairman of the above-mentioned party and a nominated candidate running
for the post of the RA President, at the press conference held on
December 26.

According to him, the elections of the President of the Republic of
Armenia concern every citizen and family. That is why the Orinats
Yerkir Party attaches importance to the manifestation of civil activity
in the forthcoming presidential electoral struggle, as well as to a
fair and free holding of elections. Arthur Baghdasarian promised to
congratulate any candidate, who will win in a fair struggle.

"No one likes faded flowers: we need a new start, new approaches,
innovation, brevity in order to lead society by a road of new
qualitative developments," the Leader of the Orinats Yerkir Party
mentioned, stating that the party will take that road. According to
him, about 10 thousand civil supporting groups, which back up the
Orinats Yerkir Party and in which people are involved irrespective of
their party membership, have already been formed. In addition to this,
there will also be rallies and meetings in Yerevan and in different
regions in the pre-electoral arsenal of the Orinats Yerkir Party.
Arthur Baghdasarian mentioned that the party will start holding rallies
since January.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 26 2007

IT educational, research centre set up in Yerevan state university in
Armenia

YEREVAN, December 26. /ARKA/. An educational and research centre of
information technologies (IT) has been launched in the Yerevan State
University.

Armenia considers high and information technologies a development
priority, Armenia’s Prime-Minister Serge Sargsian said in the opening
ceremony.

`’Every time I visit the University I would like to see innovations
and this centre is such news, a result of the work done,” the
Prime-Minister said.

The research director of the Centre, member of Armenia’s National
Academy of Sciences Professor Samvel Shukurian reported that the main
objective of IT Educational and Research Centre is implementing
educational programs and trainings, scientific and research works in
the field of information technologies, development and application of
information systems, advancement of the information network of the
Yerevan State University.

The Centre also aims at preparing professionals able to work in IT
sector immediately after graduation and to come up with initiatives
on IT development, Shukurian said.

The scientist pointed out the three main directions of centre’s
activities – training programs, practical developments and research
and development of a strategy to promote internal development,
creation of an ecosystem of information technologies in particular.

Òhe centre will have a chair of information systems, two divisions on
provision of educational process and information system and a
computer laboratory.

During the sitting of the Scientific Council of the University
presided over by Prime-Minister Sargsian the rector of the University
made a report on the activities in 2006-2007 academic year and the
expenditures and income made. The sitting participants approved the
draft expenditures and incomes of the University for 2008 financial
year. -0–

PanARMENIAN.Net

Baku statements always contradicted to contents of
Karabakh talks
28.12.2007 16:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I would not like to comment on
Azerbaijan’s statements, which have always
contradicted to the contents of Karabakh talks and the
real state of affairs,’ Armenian Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian said when commenting on Ilham Aliyev’s
statement that `Armenia’s dream about Karabakh’s
sovereignty is unachievable.’

`We have always been optimistic about the base
principles under negotiation, including the right of
people of Nagrono Karabakh to self-determination. At
that, we have remarks to some items. I do not see
controversy between the approaches toward the Madrid
package, since it contains `averaged’ wordings. They
should be discussed and assessed. And we will do it at
the earliest convenience,’ the Minister said in an
interview with IA Regnum.

The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 28 2007

Yerevan: Gazprom ready to finance completion of Iran-Armenia natural
gas pipeline

By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
Friday, December 28

Russia’s Gazprom is moving forward with the construction of an
Iran-Armenia natural gas pipeline, the news agency Regnum reports.

Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan said Gazprom will be
investing in the project via ArmrosGazprom, the joint
Russian-Armenian company responsible for Armenia’s natural gas
industry.

The construction of the gas pipeline, expected to finish in 2008, may
result in Gazprom increasing its majority stake in the company, he
stated.

`The final amount of the Gazprom share in ArmrosGazprom will be known
after all the investment works are ended,’ Movsisyan said.

The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is slated to have an annual capacity of
1.2 billion cubic meters when it comes into operation, with the
project taking a three-year investment of USD 148 million.

By 2019, Armenian officials say, they will be able to import 2.3
billion cubic meters annually.

As part of the 20-year contract, Regnum writes, Armenia will exchange
three kilowatts of electricity for every cubic meter of Iranian
natural gas.

"GO ON FOOT"

A1+
[12:35 pm] 25 December, 2007

The transport fee of some mini buses rises from 100 drams to 200
drams after 22 o’clock at night. Besides, you can see other mini
buses without state registration numbers costing 200 drams.

Passengers note that they have appealed to the drivers for many times
complaining of the transport fee, but they always reply: "You may go
on foot, if you don’t want to pay".

In the evenings transport works awfully and people have to stand in
the buss stops for hours.

"I have been standing for 1 hour here waiting for number 91 bus,
but it does not arrive", says Khachik Hovhannisyan. Khachik also
says that whenever he asks the drivers why they do not work properly,
they reply that only one mini bus works late in the evenings.

Passengers suppose that there is a certain agreement between taxi
services and mini buses, since after waiting for a long time passengers
have to reach homes by taxis.

Gevorg Khachatryan, deputy head of the Transport department of Yerevan
Municipality informed "A1+" that drivers raise the transport fees
illegally. Only number 107 and 108 buses have the right to raise
the fee.

EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO 100th ANNIVERSARY OF GARZU OPENS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Dec 20 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. An exhibition of works of French
Armenian painter Garzu (Garnik Zulumian) opened on December 20 at the
National Gallery of Armenia. Garzu’s paintings and illustrations in
the books "A Farewll to Arms" of Hemingway, "Scrap Book" of Camus,
"France" by Maurois are presented at the exhibition dedicated to
painter’s 100th anniversary.

According to Nune Tedevosian, the Head of the Engraving Department of
the National Gallery of Armenia, stage painting and book illustrations
are very important in Garzu’s art, therefore it was decided to
present all designs kept in the Gallery on the occasion of his 100th
anniversary. And in total 305 works by Garzu are kept at the National
Gallery of Armenia, which is considered as one of the richest owners
of painter’s art heritage in the whole world.

"Garzu has his unique place in the modern French and Armenian
painting. His art is exclusive, immediately recognizable with its
way of thinking and style typical of Garzu. The thought and emotions
dissipate in the mysterious world of Garzu’s line and color, and being
closely connected, complete one another," N. Tadevosian said. In her
words, Garzu’s creative life has never been easy, and at first he was
cruelly disdained by critics. That is why the painter in his works
raises urgent universal problems, which are always actual.

Though Garzu created in France, he has always considered himself an
Armenian painter. "With my essence, with georgraphy I am an Armenian
painter, I am a piece of my people, which has had much sufferings,
a small sparkling of its talent. I should feel proud if my art is
loved and appreciated," the painter said.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT BEGINS HEARINGS ON TURKISH- ARMENIAN RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
Dec 19 2007

DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Two-day hearings on basic problems in
Turkish-Armenian relations and ways to resolve them were started
today in the Armenian parliament. The hearings were initiated by a
parliament committee on foreign affairs.

Armen Rustamian from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, who chairs
the committee, said the hearings should have been held long ago. He
said no other question has had such a great impact on Armenia and
its people in terms of their past, present and future.

He also said Armenian-Turkish relations in terms of their scale and
significance are beyond the frameworks of bilateral relations.

Parliament speaker Tigran Torosian said the hearings are just the
beginning of a process that will be seeking ways to improve relations
between the two countries. He said the hearings provide a wide avenue
for looking for the best way to achieve it.

Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian and Peter Semneby, the EU special
repressive for the South Caucasus were to address the gathering.

Armen Rustamian said their invitations to Turkish politicians and
experts to arrive in Yerevan for the hearings were rejected.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: FOR HISTORIANS AND EXPERTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THE FACT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS SETTLED

Regnum, Russia
Dec 19 2007

Turkey does not want to accept Armenia’s position or is trying to
misinterpret it, said Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
while speaking at hearings at the Armenian parliament about problems
and prospects of the Armenia-Turkey relations, a REGNUM correspondent
informs.

According to him, the Turkish approach is to raise all debated issues,
to receive an answer that suits Turkey and only after that to restore
the diplomatic relations and open the border that was closed by Ankara
one-sidedly in early 1990s. "Show to me two neighboring country in
Europe that have no debated issues and problems, but none of them
resorts to closing borders," Oskanyan noted.

After listing all pre-conditions for Turkey to establish the relations
with Armenia, the foreign minister noted that up to 1998, when the
position of the authorities was relatively mild, Turkey was focusing
upon one of the pre-conditions – settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. After leadership changed in Armenia, the situation became
more complicated and Turkey started insisting upon all the three
point equally.

The minister stressed that from the point of view of the international
law, the Turkish pre-conditions stand no criticism. The question of
NKR is a problem of Azerbaijan and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic;
in this connection, Turkey’s interference and its attempt to make
the relations with Armenia upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has no
grounds. Moreover, there are some contradictions taking into account
the Cyprus problem as well as the Treaty of Kars and the Moscow Treaty
that are still in force de jure, believes Oskanyan.

The second pre-condition is recognition of Turkey’ border by Armenia,
the minister noted, adding that if Turkey really wants to settle the
issue, it must establish diplomatic relations that automatically
mean mutual recognition of borderlines and non-interference into
each other’s domestic affairs and so on. Speaking on Ankara’s claim
to forget about a possibility of Turkey recognizing the Armenian
Genocide and let historians discuss the issue, Oskanyan noted that
for historians of not only Armenian origin and international experts
in genocide issues the question has been settled long time ago.

Moreover, until Article 301 of the Turkish constitution prohibiting
mentioning of the Armenian Genocide exists, discussions and objectivity
of Turkish historians still remains an open question.

Recently, Oskanyan noted, claims for hampering activity of the Armenian
Diaspora in seeking worldwide recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and its discussion at parliaments of other nations. However, noted
the foreign minister, it is internal affair of each country whether
to recognize or not the Armenian Genocide; Armenia does not meddle
in the issue.

Members of international organizations and Armenian political parties
are participating in the hearings. Representatives from Turkey declined
to participate in the hearings.