Author: Ekmekjian Janet

CONCLUSIONS OF 3 OUT 5 EXPERT EXAMINATIONS ON L. GULIAN’S DEATH CASE
NOT YET RECEIVED

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The tradic death of Levon Gulian is a
blow not only to his family and friends but also to Armenia. Chairman
of the "Zharangutyun" ("Heritage") party Raffi Hovannisian expressed
this opinion at the public discussion "Levon Gulian. A Man’s Life:
Challenge to the Society" on June 8.

To recap, according to official information, Levon Gilian, 31, director
of the Pandok Restaurant in Yerevan, on May 12, 2007, fell from a
window on the second floor of the building of the Main Criminal
Investigation Department of the RA Police and died on the spot. On that
day, at about 2:30 pm he was invited to the police for questioning in
connection with the murder of Stepan Vardanian committed on May 9 near
the above mentioned restaurant at 17 Manandian Street. During a
conversation in an office of the department, L. Gilian asked an
employee to bring him a glass of water and in the latter’s absence he
tried to escape through the window but fell down and died from injuries.

In the words of R. Hovannisian, "the state and police must conduct an
internal investigation, reveal the truth, present it to the society and
the victim’s family, and, irrespective of who the guilty person is,
bring him to justice."

Jemma Gulian – L. Gulian’s widow said that on May 12 L. Gulian came
(not accompanied by anyone) to the Main Criminal Investigation
Department of the RA Police from Yerevan’s Shengavit police department
where he had been invited several times. She expressed confidence that
he did not intend to escape as he had other possibilities to escape.

The victim’s father Ashot Gulian considered it obvious that on May 12
L. Gulian was invited to Hovik Tumanian, first deputy head of the Main
Criminal Investigation Department (MCID), but the investigation is
trying not to mention that name. So far it has not been announced who
had invited L. Gulian to the MCID. In Ashot Gulian’s opinion, the law
enforcers’ statement that the battery of L. Gulian’s cell phone was
found at the place where S. Vardanian was killed is an attempt to
present L. Gulian as a person involved in the murder of S. Vardanian.
Especially as Ashot Gulian has L. Gulian’s cell phone and its battery
with him. The victim’s father said that L. Gulian couldn’t have
received so many injuries as a result of falling from a second floor.
He stated that they will submit to the RA Prosecutor General’s Office
an application to ascertain this circumstance through an examination of
independent criminalists.

Hrayr Ghukasian, representative of L. Gulian’s legal successor,
reminded that in connection with the death of L. Gulian, a criminal
case was opened under Article 110 (causing a person to commit suicide)
of the RA Criminal Code: Yerevan prosecutor’s office is conducting an
investigation into the case. According to him, a forensic,
dactyloscopic, chemical and fibre-examining expert examinations were
made, then another forensic examination with the participation of a
German and a Danish experts were made on the initiative of the victim’s
legal successor. So far the legal successor has received the
conclusions of the dactyloscopic examination and the forensic one made
by local experts. He has not been informed about other actions of
investigators either.

Another representative of the victim’s legal successor, Aram
Karakhanian noted that several parts of the conclusion of Armenian
expert-made forensic examination (which is available at the website of
the RA Prosecutor General’s Office) do not allow to form a full notion
of the conclusion. In his words, a full notion can be formed only after
publication of the conclusion of the forensic examination by foreign
experts. It is expected that this conclusion will be given to the legal
successor’s representatives within the next two days. He expressed an
opinion that from the viewpoint of the criminal case opened based on
the fact of L. Gulian’s death, the police statements on L. Gulian’s
being connected to the murder of S. Vardanian are of no significance.

Chairman of "Hyus" ("Hope") NGO Karen Hakobian stated that an
initiative group "For Defence of Levon Gulian" has been set up.
According to him, unlike Armenian NGOs, "Human Rights Watch"
international organization has formed its position on the case of L.
Gulian and issued a statement. He added that L. Gulian’s case has been
included in the Strategic Trials project implemented by the Soros
Foundation in Armenia. In his opinion, this circumstance is likely to
help solve some financial problems in order to achieve a fair trail on
L. Gulian’s case.

According to Larisa Alaverdian, first Armenian ombudsperson, executive
director of "Against Court Arbitrariness" NGO, with respect to the case
of L. Gulian, public opinion should be formed which will allow to get
the answer to the question about who is to blame for L. Gulian’s death
rather than to the question of whether H. Tumanian is quilty or not.
She said that some Armenian newspapers write that "the state body in
the person of the police views this matter in terms of justifying H.
Tumanian." She underlined the fact that no explanation has been
provided in connection with the fact that L. Gulian died in the
territory of a state structure – the Main Criminal Investigation
Department of the RA Police.

Niagara Falls Review (Ontario)
June 9, 2007 Saturday

Armenian youth walk to raise funds for church

Canadian Press

Young people from the Armenian community in the Montreal area plan to
hold a walkathon to raise funds for the new Holy Cross Church and
Community Centre in Laval, Que. The walkathon June 16 will start at
10 a.m. at the diocesan headquarters in Outremont and finish at the
building site in Laval, reports the Armenian Church of Canada’s
website, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, primate of
the diocese of the Armenian Church, and the diocesan assembly have
dedicated this coming year to the youth of the community. The
fast-growing Armenian community in Laval has for several years been
in need of a new church and community centre, according to the
website.

also printed in
Belleville Intelligencer (Ontario),
Chatham Daily News (Ontario),
Peterborough Examiner (Ontario),
The Standard (St. Catharines, Ontario),
Timmins Daily Press (Ontario),

TIGRAN TOROSYAN BACKLASHES OPPOSITION’S REFUSAL TO APPEAR IN PARLIAMENT TODAY

Panorama.am
18:28 07/06/2007

"I hope by September they will overcome their complexes and will take
part in the fall session of the National Assembly," Tigran Torosyan,
newly elected chairman of National Assembly, said speaking about the
absence of two opposition parties, Zharangutiun and Orinats Yerkir,
in the parliament session today.

Torosyan recalled the experience of the opposition in the last
parliament. He said they followed the practice of boycott and
consequently are not represented in this parliament. "It shows our
society’s attitude to such practices. Our colleagues must take that
into consideration," Torosyan said. The chairman rhetorically asked,
"Who are they upset with?"

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN AND ISHKHAN ZAKHARYAN ELECTED NA VICE-SPEAKERS

ArmRadio.am
07.06.2007 16:50

With a secret ballot member of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau Vahan
Hovhannisyan and member of the Political Bureau of the Prosperous
Armenia Party Ishkhan Zakharyan were elected Vice-Speakers of the
Armenian National Assembly of fourth convocation. 112 out of 130
Deputies participated in the voting.

VahanHovhannisyan received 110 pros and 2 cons. Ishkhan Zakharyan
received 120 pro and 9 con votes.

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:

ORDINATION OF ACOLYTES AND SUB-DEACONS IN ANTELIAS

Junior students from the Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia started
on their journey in the service of the Armenian Church when they were
ordained as acolytes and sub-deacons during special services held in
Antelias on June 2 and 3, 2007.

Towards the end of the Vespers in the Mother Cathedral on Saturday, June
2, Bishop Dirayr Panossian ordained the acolytes with the first four humble
positions of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He cut small sections of their
hair in the form of a cross as a symbol to their self-dedication to the
service of the church.

V. Rev. Fr. Norayr Ashekian performed the Holy Mass on Sunday June 3,
2007. Prior to Lord’s Prayer, the ordination of the sub-deacons was
performed by Bishop Dirayr Panossian, who called on them to remain loyal to
their responsibilities. In his sermon, the Bishop outlined the
characteristic features of those destined to serve the Church and spoke
about those in the new generation who have been called on to take this path.
He congratulated His Holiness Aram I, the Seminary’s administration and the
parents of the newly ordained acolytes and sub-deacons, assuring them that
the new servants of the Armenian Church and nation will become its future
hope.

After the service the new acolytes and sub-deacons knelt before the
Pontiff in the Veharan to receive his blessings. Having blessed them with
"Bahbanitch" the Catholicos advised them to prepare themselves to greater
service through self-development. His Holiness also highly praised the
Seminary’s administration, its faculty, students and parents, who encourage
the Seminary students on their path to formation.

##
View the photos here: m
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary 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.

RESPONSIBLE PERSONS OF PRESS SERVICES OF RA MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS VISIT NATO HEADQUARTERS

Noyan Tapan
Jun 05 2007

BRUSSELS, JUNE 5, NOYAN TAPAN. From May 31 to June 1, responsible
officials of press services of a number of Armenian ministries and
departments visited Brussels, NATO Headquarters. Noyan Tapan was
informed about it from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department.

On the basis of the agreement reached between RA Foreign Ministry
and management of NATO Public Diplomacy, responsible persons of press
offices of ministries and departments included in the Interdepartmental
Commission for implementation of Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership
Actions Plan were received at the NATO Headquarters on a cognitive
visit.

Spokespersons of RA Foreign Ministry, RA Defence Ministry, RA
President’s administration, RA government, RA NA, RA Ministry of
Trade and Economic Development, RA Justice Ministry, RA Ministry of
Nature Protection, RA Police, RA Rescue Service, RA National Academy
of Sciences and other responsible persons of the sphere were included
in the delegation.

Within the framework of two-day, rather eventful program the delegation
members got acquainted with NATO current agenda, NATO-Caucasus
interrelations, Armenia-NATO cooperation, issues of strategy of
NATO Public Diplomacy. The subjects "Crisis Management and Press:
NATO’s Approach," "Internet’s Use for Public Information Purposes"
were also presented to them. A discussion dedicated to implementation
of national information strategy in Armenia dedicated to NATO, IPAP
and defence reforms took place at the end of the program.

The delegation was also received by head of RA mission to NATO,
Ambassador Samvel Mkrtchian and RA Ambassador to Belgium Vigen
Chitechian.

PUTIN: "WE ARE NOT GOING TO SPEND HUGE MONEY ON ECONOMIES OF OTHER COUNTRIES"

Charter 97, Belarus
June 5 2007

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced Russia’s readiness
towards integration at the post-Soviet space, but on an equal and
pragmatic basis. "Nobody could say that we are politicizing these
issues. We are not going to spend huge sums to subsidize economies of
other countries. We are ready to develop integration in post-Soviet
area, but on equal basis," told the Russian leader to journalists of
G8 countries’ newspapers.

"You know, they are drawing near our interests more and more, and
more and more counting on our not defending these interests. If
we want order and international law rule the international arena,
this law should be respected, and interests of all participants of
the international communication should be respected," V. Putin said.

"We have done that to Belarus!"

Russian president reminded that "we have been subsidizing former
Soviet Union countries by cheap energy resources for 15 years,"
Interfax informs.

"Why should we do that? Where’s logics, where are any grounds for
that? We have been subsidizing Ukraine for 15 years, 3-5 billion
dollars annually. Just imagine! Who else in the world is doing that?

However, our actions are not politicized. These are not political
actions," the leader of the state believes.

He believes the Baltic states are the best example of that. "We have
been switching them to EU prices gradually for three years. Even in
the conditions of our having no border treaty with Latvia, and an
acute political dispute on that issue was taking place, Latvia was
receiving our cheap gas until the last year, in general at a price
one third lower than Germany, for instance," he noted.

"When the matter concerned Ukraine, we were told that it was a
political decision and we were accused with supporting Lukashenka’s
regime, not really liked by Western countries. We said: "Listen,
firstly, we cannot open war at all fronts at once. Secondly, we plan
to switch to market prices with all our partners. The time will come
and we shall make that with Belarus. We have done that. When we have
done that, a fuss was made, by Western press as well: what is going on,
why we were doing an injustice to a little Belarus. Is it a sincere,
decent position towards Russia in this respect?" V. Putin said.

Relations with Georgia are not very good, while perfect with Armenia

He has also reminded that Russia has switched to single formation of
prices with all Transcaucasian countries: with Georgia "with which
we have not very good relations, and with Armenia we have brilliant
relations with, which is considered our strategic partner".

"Yes, we have heard a lot of unflattering words about us from Armenian
partners as well, but we have understood each other finally, we have
found the way for that. They cannot pay the whole price in money,
that is why they pay by property," V. Putin said.

As said by Putin, integration is highly demanded in the post-Soviet
area. "It is beneficial not only for those who are living in the
post-Soviet area, it is beneficial for our partners in Europe and
worldwide, because the more balanced and effective our cooperation with
each other it, the more benefit would be received by our partners,"
the president said.

About agreements in Central Asia

"You have mentioned our new agreements in Central Asia, on additional
hydrocarbons extraction, including gas, and on construction of a new
gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan, then to Russia. You know,
with surprise I heard a remark of one of our American colleagues who
suddenly said that Europe or America have lost, and there is some
great sin in it. It’s nonsense," V. Putin said.

He reminded that it was a traditional channel of deliveries from
Central Asia and from Russia to their traditional customers. "We
have said to the whole world: "Dear madams and sirs, we are going
to increase oil extraction, we shall create new transportation
capacities. And we shall deliver new volumes to you. We guarantee."

They should be glad about that. What’s bad about that? But it is
not the only factor, by far, which would promote integration," the
Russian leader said.

"To me it is sometimes laughable to listen to absolutely incompetent
statements of some of our partners in Europe or in the US on events
here, or on how energy problems should be solved, for instance. They
should at least read some documents, everybody can read," he added.

Integration without legal implementation

"Economic integration at post-Soviet space is highly in demand from
the point of view of stability in the post-Soviet space. The whole
world is undoubtedly interested in a stable development of this part
of Eurasia," Russian president is convinced.

But to his mind, "it could happen on a natural basis only, on the
foundation of mutual interests, and consideration of interests of each
other in the framework of these processes". "With many our partners
we are finding such mutual interests, and integration process is
often taking place even without its legal implementation.

I am sure that it will continue this way," V. Putin said.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

06-06-07

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vartan Oskanian Meets With OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain,
Miguel Angel Moratinos

On May 5, 2007, Minister Oskanian received OSCE Chairman-in-Office Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, Miguel Angel Moratinos who was
in Yerevan as part of a regional trip.

Minister Oskanian welcomed the OSCE Spanish Chairmanship’s visit to Armenia,
stressing its importance for Armenia-OSCE cooperation and as a powerful
incentive for broadening the scale of ongoing cooperation.

The two discussed the latest developments in the Nagorno Karabagh peace
process. Minister Moratinos shared his impressions from his meetings in
Azerbaijan on the previous day and restated OSCE support for the peaceful
resolution of the problem.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office presented the OSCE agenda for 2007 and singled
out the main priorities of the organization’s activities within the spheres
of human rights, military-political, economic and nature preservation.

Minister Oskanian noted that Armenia is interested in the further
institutional strengthening and development of the OSCE. The speakers also
turned to the OSCE reforms and the ongoing democratic reforms in Armenia,
mainly in the field of protection of human rights. They reflected on the
results of the May 12 parliamentary elections in Armenia and Minister
Moratinos congratulated his counterpart for th well-organized and conducted
elections.

The Spanish and Armenian ministers also discussed bilateral questions.
Minister Moratinos confirmed Spain’s intention to open an embassy in Yerevan
next year, and Minister Oskanian indicated Armenia’s readiness to
reciprocate, thus deepening bilateral cooperation. The Ministers talked
about paying special attention to political, economic and cultural
cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Moratinos invited Minister Oskanian to
pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Spain.

=74

Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II: I plan on speaking to General Buyukanit
about Hrant

The leader of the Armenian Orthodox community in Turkey, Patriarch
Mesrob II, has said that the initial societal support shown in the
wake of journalist Hrant Dink’s murder has lessened as a result of
nationalist pressure, and that the figures behind the murder of Dink
in Istanbul are still being protected.

Mesrob II noted in his comments, which were published on the German
magazine "Der Spiegel"’s website, that he planned to meet soon with
the leader of the Turkish military, General Yasar Buyukanit, on this
matter.

Notably, Mesrob II also used his comments to express support for the
current AKP administration, asserting that the AKP demonstrated a more
tolerant attitude towards religious minorities than the opposition
CHP.

Also in the interview, Mesrob II commented on the controversies
swirling around the Armenian claims of genocide, noting "Rather than
insisting on recognition for the Armenian claims of genocide, we
Turkish Armenians should make an effort to see that dialogue between
Turkey and Armenia can be developed."

IN JAN-APR 2007 REVENUES OF THE ARMENIAN POPULATION INCREASED BY 24,7%, EXPENDITURES INCREASED BY 22,4%

ArmInfo
2007-06-02 21:47:00

In Jan-Apr 2007, revenues of the Armenian population increased
by 24,7% as compared with Jan-Apr 2006 and totalled 528 bln AMD,
or $1465 mln. This index is by 6,5% higher than in March 2007, the
National Statistical Service of Armenia told ArmInfo.

Within the period under review, the real income of the population
totalled 472 bln AMD or $1309 mln, having increased by 18,5%. At the
same time, the expenditures of the Armenian population increased by
22,4% in Jan-Apr 2007, and by 1% in April 2007, having totalled 526.3
bln AMD, or $1460 mln.

78,7% of the total volume of revenues in Jan-Apr 2007 was spent
on purchase of products and payment for services as against 81%
of the same period of the previous year (21,2% annual growth); 13%
was spent on purchase of currency (23,5% growth), 6,4% was spent on
fixed payments and voluntary contributions as against 6% of Jan-Apr
2006 (34,5 growth).

Within the period under review, the average monthly nominal salary
in Armenia grew by 18,3% and totalled 70214 AMD, or $195 by the end
of April 2007. The salary of employees of budgetary organizations
considerably increased by 15,5% and made up 51512 AMD, or $143 by
the end of April 2007. The highest rate of average monthly salary
is registered in the financial sector, mining industry, sphere
of production and distribution of electric power, gas and water,
government machinery, sphere of transport and communication. Low
salary is fixed in the spheres of health, social security, trade,
public catering.