Author: Dabaghian Diana

SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT RESIGNS AND LEAVES RULING PARTY

Regnum
Sept 17 2008
Russia

Tigran Torosyan, the Speaker of the Armenian parliament, vice-chairman
of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) that is a member of the
ruling coalition declared on September 16, while speaking at a
press conference, announced he was going to resign and leave the
party. Torosyan justified his decision by "irresistible disagreements
with the majority in questions of domestic policy", informs a REGNUM
correspondent.

It is worth mentioning that on September 6, the executive council
of the Republican Party of Armenia made a decision to pronounce
inappropriate further work of Tigran Torosyan as the speaker of
the Armenian Parliament and nomination of Hovik Abrahamyan to the
parliament speaker’s post. The president of Armenia, chairman of RPA
Serzh Sargsyan commenting on the decision of the executive council of
the party, stressed on September, 12, that Hovik Abrahamyan can enhance
the role of the Armenian parliament, and at the same time underlined,
that the Republican Party, pursuing its main targets, started to
enhance the efficiency of the government machine on this stage.

Today, on September 16, a session of the council-board of RPA will take
place, where will be again discussed the decision of party’s executive
council about the change of the representative of the party on the
Parliament Speaker’s post, and the question will be voted. It is worth
mentioning that on September, 15 Galust Sahakyan, the vice-chairman of
the Republican Party of Armenia, member of RPA faction declared during
a press conference that the decision of the party was obligatory for
all its members and if anyone did not agree with the decision of the
majority, he must either leave or face disciplinary actions.

According to results of the elections on May 12, 2007, the Republican
Party of Armenia, obtaining the absolute majority got 65 from 131
mandates. RPA is a member of the ruling coalition together with parties
"Prosperous Armenia", "Dashnaktsutyun" and "Orinats Erkir". RPA is
represented in the government of Armenia by prime minister and five
ministers.

IRAN PRESIDENT DISMISSES NATO ROLE IN CAUCASUS CRISIS

Fars News Agency
Sept 16 2008
Iran

Fars: President [Mahmud Ahmadinezhad] called the strengthening of
international ties between Iran and Armenia as a message of friendship
to the world and said: There is no need for NATO to resolve issues
of international difference between regional countries.

Fars reports from the public information office of the presidency where
this Tuesday afternoon [16 Sep] Mahmud Ahmadinezhad met the Foreign
Minister of Armenia – Edward Nalbandian – and pointed to the profundity
and robustness of relations between the two countries and said: Tehran
and Yerevan’s cooperation can be a blueprint for cordial relations.

The president pointed to the urgency in deepening cultural ties between
the two countries and stressed: In the realm of bilateral relations,
the cultural aspect must be developed more than ever and the cultural
and historical commonalities of the two nations are suitable assets
which can be used in the interests of the two countries.

Stressing that the widening of ties with Armenia is a definite policy
of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmadinezhad said: There are no
obstacles to the deepening of bilateral ties and the regional issues
too have added to the urgency for widening of ties and bilateral
relations.

The president also regarded the development of bilateral relations as
leading to the strengthening of security, peace and friendship in the
region and stressed: The countries of the region can resolve their
differences through cooperation with each other and in this regard
there is no need for NATO’s intervention or the intervention of anyone
else. And of course, experience has shown that their intervention
will only aggravate the situation.

Remarking that in the international arena there are great upheavals
afoot, Ahmadinezhad said: The unipolar world system has now fallen
through, and the effects of this will be felt around the world. To
this end, we have to fight for the establishment of a system on the
basis of which sustainable peace and security can be attained.

He made a reminder that we have to move ahead of global upheaval in
order to safeguard national interests.

The Armenian foreign minister – for his part – called for the
ever-greater widening of bilateral ties in the economic and political
sphere and said: The widening of reciprocal relations can demonstrate
the deep ties between the two nations and can turn into a blueprint
for the region.

Nalbandian pointed to the events in Caucasus and made reassurances
that: What is happening indicates the sensitivity of the region. To
this end, we have to find new alternative paths for the improvement
of bilateral ties.

SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION AND LEFT REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2008-09-16 13:15:00

ArmInfo. Speaker of Armenian parliament Tigran Torosyan has tendered
his resignation and left Republican Party of Armenia today morning. The
parliament will discuss resignation application over its next session
on 29 September, if extraordinary sitting of the parliament is not
appointed.

To recall, RPA executive body adopted a decision on 6 September
about inexpediency of Torosyan’s staying at the post of the speaker
of Armenian parliament and approved to the post Hovik Abrahamyan,
the member of the executive body of the RPA, deputy of the Armenian
parliament and former head of the president’s administration.

MOTTAKI: TEHRAN READY TO MEDIATE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN OVER KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.09.2008 14:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Caucasus region has important points for
convergence but developments during the past month caused many problems
for the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said
in a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart, Edward
Nalbandian, in Tehran Tuesday.

Mottaki added that Iran, as a neighbor to the sensitive region of
the Caucasus, presented a proposal on consultation among regional
countries with the aim of drawing up strategies for cooperation.

Mottaki said that following the directions of Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he made separate visits to Russia, Azerbaijan and
Germany. The minister added that the current visit by the Armenian
foreign minister to Tehran is a ‘good opportunity’ to complete the
chain of talks.

"Iran and Armenia share common concerns and stances on regional
developments," Mottaki said.

Mottaki also expressed Iran’s readiness to mediate between neighboring
Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Karabakh issue.

For his part, Edward Nalbandian said that Tehran and Yerevan enjoy
the same position on the conflict in Georgia.

The Armenian minister noted that Iran has very interesting ideas
and proposals, adding Yerevan would keep talking with Tehran about
regional security and stability, PRESS TV reports.

Interfax, Russia
Sept 12 2008

CSTO to pay "very serious attention" to military component – Bordyuzha

MOSCOW Sept 12

The military component of CSTO (Collective Security Treaty
Organization) activity will be enhanced, CSTO Secretary General
Nikolai Bordyuzha told a news conference at Interfax on Friday.

"We are moving the direction of transforming the CSTO from a
military-political bloc into a multipurpose international structure
capable of reacting to all types of challenges, which was outlined
several years ago. Secondly, very serious attention will be paid to
the military component," Bordyuzha said.

A number of crucial decisions on the further development of the
organization were made at a recent CSTO session in Yerevan, he said,
adding that in particular it was decided to accelerate military
cooperation between the member states.

"In fact, it was acknowledged that the decision made in Yerevan will
add great dynamism to the processes of creating bilateral groups of
armed forces: Russian-Belarusian and Russian-Armenian, as well as the
Collective Rapid Deployment Forces in the Central Asian region. The
creation of joint regional air defense systems of the CSTO member
states, as well as communication and military group command systems
will speed up as well, he added.

The CSTO consists of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

NKR FOREIGN MINISTER PARTICIPATED IN PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
2008-09-11 15:33

On September 10, a round table on "Situation in the South Caucasus, the
prospects of international recognition of the NKR", with participation
of the NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian, took place in the
National Assembly of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced to the debates
participants – the heads of parliamentary and extraparliamentary
political forces – an analysis on situation in the region, carried
out by the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The analysis of the situation testifies to serious and rapid dynamics
of the processes taking place in our region, and in this respect,
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the society on the whole, are
charged with the duty to retrace these processes and respond to them
in proper time", – Georgy Petrossian told the journalists at the
briefing on the debates results.

The Minister also noted that people must be aware of the positions
of the republic’s political forces and participate in similar debates.

ARMENIA ACCEDES TO CONVENTION FOR PROTECTION OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF EUROPE

ARKA
Sep 12, 2008

YEREVAN, September 12. /ARKA/. At its sitting on Thursday the RA
Constitutional Court confirmed the constitutionality of the Convention
for the Protection of Architectural Heritage of Europe.

The Convention was signed in Granada on October 3, 1985, and took
effect on December 1, 1987. According to the latest information,
among the signatories are Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal,
Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, France, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Switzerland and Sweden.

RA Permanent Representative in the EU Christian Ter-Stepanyan signed
the Convention on behalf of Armenia on May 17, 2007.

The signatories are obliged to take necessary measures to protect
architectural heritage. Relevant laws entitle government bodies to
demand that owners of architectural heritage carry out necessary
renovation work or, in case owners are unable to meet the demand,
purchase the government-protected property.

The Convention also provides for sanctions for violations.

NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF COE SECRETARY GENERAL APPOINTED

armradio.am
11.09.2008 16:38

On September 11 RA National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosyan received
the Director General of Political Affairs and Cooperation of the
Council of Europe Claudia Luciani, who is in Armenia to present the
newly appointed Special Representative of the CoE Secretary General
Silvia Zahe.

Attaching importance to the Armenia-Council of Europe relations,
NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan expressed hope that in some time it will
become possible to return to the main issue, the implementation of
Armenia’s commitments before the Council of Europe, since European
integration is of primary importance for Armenia and certain unwanted
events should not shadow the main issue. He expressed willingness
to support the newly appointed Special Representative of the CoE
Secretary General Silvia Zahe during his mission in Armenia.

The interlocutors turned to the draft law on "Implementing Amendments
to RA Law on Television and Radio" and the "Law on Meetings,
Demonstrations, Gatherings, Marches and Rallies."

During the meeting reference was made to the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

Highly appreciating the Turkish President’s visit to our country at the
invitation of RA President Serzh Sargsyan, Tigran Torosyan attached
greater importance to undertaking further practical steps. According
to the assessment of Mrs. Luciani, some Turkish businessmen are
especiall y attentive towards these changes, anticipating opening
of the border and cooperation with the Armenian side. Speaker Tigran
Torosyan considers that opening of the border will demand a long time,
since the Turkish side is really ready for that step.

When joining the Council of Europe in 2001, Armenia and Azerbaijan
assumed responsibilities, including the peaceful resolution of the
Karabakh conflict. However, the propaganda of hatred towards neighbors
and rapid growth of military expenses continues in Azerbaijan, which
counters the committments assumed. According to Tigran Torosyan, being
the most important European structure, to which Armenia and Azerbaijan
are members, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe should
take a more principled and consistent stance, which will contribute to
the establishment of peace in the region and resolution of conflicts.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES
TO THE THREE IRANIAN DIOCESES

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia dispatched the
following condolence letter to the Primate of the Diocese of Tehran,
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, regarding the tragic death of 17 Armenians in
a horrifying accident near the borders of Iran.

Archbishop Sebouh Sarkisian
Primate of the Diocese of Tehran
Tehran, Iran

Dear Archbishop,

During our official visit to Damascus, Syria, we received with great pain
the news of the terrible accident that happened near the Turkish-Iranian
border. According to the information that reached us, 17 Armenians fell
victim to the accident and a similar number of people are injured. The
tragic incident happened as a group of pilgrims from Tehran, Ourmiya, Tabriz
and New Julfa had visited Western Armenia to tour our centuries-old
spiritual and intellectual monuments.

The loss is great; it deals a heavy blow to the Armenians of Iran and it
causes us great pain. At this time of mourning we share your pain with you.
At such moments we should turn to the Holy Spirit, asking Him spiritual
comfort. May God accept in his heavenly kingdom the souls of our innocent
compatriots.

We express our deepest condolences to the Primate of the Diocese of Tehran,
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkisian, the Primate of the Diocese of Isfahan, Bishop
Papken Charian, and the Primate of the Diocese of Azerbaijan, Bishop Neshan
Topouzian, the Armenian national committees of the three dioceses, the
families of the victims as well the Armenians of Iran.

We pray to God to protect our nation’s children in Iran and the rest of the
world from such accidents.

With Pontifical Love,

ARAM I
CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

TURKISH PRESIDENT BELIEVES HIS YEREVAN VISIT NOT TO CAUSE ILL-EFFECTS IN BAKU

Trend News Agency
Sept 10 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 10 September / Trend News / Turkish President
Abdullah Gul gave an interview to journalists at the Esenbogha airport
before his one-day visit to Baku, CNN Turkish news agency reported.

Gul said that he would not inform his Azerbaijani counterpart about
the visit to Armenia. "I believe his Yerevan visit did not cause
ill-effects in Azerbaijan," Gul said.

Ali Babajan, the Turkish Foreign Minister will accompany Gul during
this visit. Gul said that he would discuss the latest developments
in Caucasus, as well as other topical problems with the Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliev.