Author: Emil Lazarian

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS MEETS WITH CHIEF MINISTER OF STATE OF WESTERN BENGAL

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 06 2007

CALCUTTA, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. His Holiness Karekin
II Catholicos of All Armenians met on February 28 with Buddhadeb
Bhattacharya, the Chief Minister of the state of Western Bengal. The
Chief Minister of the state, welcoming the visit of His Holiness
to Western Bengal and Calcutta, touched upon the important role of
the Armenian community of India in social, cultural and economic
development of Calcutta. He mentioned about that high respect that
the Indian people has towards the Armenian community, expressing a
hope that the earlier many-membered community which reduced during
the recent years, will again increase and prosper. Catholicos of All
Armenians also touching upon the centuries-old relations existing
between Armenia and India, expressed happiness that numerous
Indian young people at present continue their education at higher
educational institutions of Yerevan. Issues relating to the spheres
of cooperation between Armenia and India as well as to the present
status of the Armenian Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta, Armenian
churches, graveyards and monuments in Western Bengal were discussed
during the meeting. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information
Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, a reception organized
by the Calcutta church board took place on late the same day, in the
Taj Bengal Hotel, in honour of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Board
head Hayk Sukias expressed graditude to His Holiness for the visit
and mentioned that the Armenian community of India waited for the
Armenian Patriarch’s visit for a long time: more than 40 years.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GOVERNMENT EXTENDS LIST OF POPULATION GROUPS WITH RIGHT TO RECEIVE MEDICINES FREE OR ON PRIVILEGED TERMS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. By the Armenian government’s decision,
the list of citizen groups with the right to receive medicines
free or on privileged terms has been extended. NT correspondent was
informed about it by Ruslana Gevorgian, advisor to the RA minister
of health. According to her, since early 2007, disabled children
below 18 (previously – 16), children below 7 (previously – 3) and
family members of servicemen who died while performing their duty
may make use of these privilages. Henceforth, single mothers may
purchase medicines for their children below 18 at a 50% discount
(previously it was 30% discount). According to the governmental
decision, free or discount medicines will also be given to patients
suffering from chronic renal failure who had a kidney transplant or
undergo programmed kidney dialysis. Oncological patients will receive
free analgesics in addition to antitumor medicines and narcotics.

ARPI VARTANYAN IS CONFIDENT THE RESOLUTION DENOUNCING HRANT DINK MURDER WILL SUCCEED
Marlena Hovsepyan

"Radiolur"
05.03.2007 17:46

Tomorrow the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the
resolution condemning the murder of Hrant Dink.

The resolution, S.Res.65, is authored by panel’s chairman Joe Biden. It
specifically mentions that Hrant Dink "was prosecuted under Article 301
of the Turkish Penal Code for speaking about the Armenian Genocide,"
and urges the Turkish government to repeal this anti-free speech law.

American Armenian activists in the 21 states with Senators on the
Committee are encouraging support for S.Res.65 through phone calls,
faxes, and meetings. They are also reminding the Senate offices that
Hrant Dink’s brutal murder is a wake up call for the US Senate to
pass legislation formally recognizing and commemorating the Armenian
Genocide.

Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Regional Director Arpi
Vartanyan is confident that the hearings in the Foreign Relations
Committee will succeed. "We think that will pass in the Committee
and will be presented to the Senate."

Arpi Vartanyan considers the bill will pass also in the Senate,
since it does not only condemn the assassination of Hrant Dink as
an Armenian, but also denounces the infringements against freedom of
speech, a question that is urgent in the contemporary world.

"I have no doubt that the resolution will be adopted, since what
happened is terrible not only because Hrant Dink was killed for being
Armenian. A journalist was murdered, and silencing a journalist is
a crime widely spread in the world. "

Arpi Vartanyan notes that if this legislation passes, it will mean
adoption of a document which, although indirectly, confirms the reality
of the Armenian Genocide, since once again the word genocide will be
used in official documents.

"WOMEN’S" ALLIANCE PROPOSES PARTIES TO INVOLVE WOMEN IN TRANSITIONAL PLACES OF PROPORTIONAL ELECTORAL LISTS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Women’s" alliance which unites
leader women anxious about the future of Armenia and struggling
for that idea, proposed political parties to involve women in the
transitional places of their proportional list. Alliance coordinator
Tsovinar Gevorgian stated about it at the March 2 press conference. In
her words, a woman deputy of the National Assembly must have clearly
displayed political activity experience, professional abilities. In
the words of Alvard Petrosian, a member of the NA ARF faction, all
those questions which "as a disaster and danger hang on the Armenian
people’s and society’s head," first of all relate to women. Touching
upon the problem of women’s involvement in proportional electoral lists
of the political parties, she mentioned that they, as politicians,
must be so formed to have the right to themselves make a choice in
that issue. It was also mentioned that the alliance envisages to hold
a number of events, including exhibitions, different meetings, within
the framework of the women’s one month (from March 8 International
Women’s Day to April 7 Mothers’ and Beauty Day).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PPA TO HAVE SUCH REPRESENTATION AT NEW PARLIAMENT THAT TO BE ABLE TO INFLUENCE ON POLITICAL PROCESSES PROCEEDING IN COUNTRY, GRIGOR HAROUTIUNIAN IS SURE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Ardarutiun" (Justice) faction will
also complete its mission with the end of the term of commissions
activity of the National Assembly of the third convention. Grigor
Haroutiunian, the Secretary of the faction with the same day stated
about it at the March 2 parliamentary briefing. In his opinion,
the alliance was unprecedented in the political life of the country
as "with its faults, it functioned during the whole process of
convention." In G.Haroutiunian’s words, the PPA intended to keep
the "Ardarutiun" alliance, but it did not manage and nobody may
be accused of that issue as "every political force itself chooses
its way." According to his estimation, the authorities "which has
always wanted to create getting in with, amorphous unions," are today
more anxious with it. In the "Ardarutiun" faction Secretary’s words,
opposing political forces have cooperated and today as well continue
cooperating. In his words, the primary task today is guarantee of
free and fear elections, and all the opposing forces must be able to
jointly prevent the expected electoral falsifications. G.Haroutiunian
called an instigation the accusations of cooperating with authorities
addressed to the PPA, mentioning that the party "has always struggled
against these illegal authorities." As for unifications, the PPA, in
his words, was ready to make a part of the "Impeachment" alliance, but
with the condition that other two opposing parties represented at the
Parliament ("Azgayin Miabanutiun" (National Unity) and "Orinats Yerkir"
(Country of Law), also join the alliance. In G.Haroutiunian’s words,
the PPA will have such a representation at the new Parliament that
will be able to influence on the political processes proceeding in
the country.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PROPOSAL OF "AYLENTRANK" ABOUT STARTING PROCESS OF IMPEACHMENT NOT FIND RESPONSE, INITIATIVE MEMBERS SAY

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Aylentrank" (Alternative)
public-political initiative worked out its own programs of organization
of the public life, which is impossible to implement while officiating
of the present authorities. Ashot Sargsian, a founder member of
the initiative stated about it during the March 2 rally of the
"Aylentrank." In his words, it is impossible today in Armenia to reach
serious changes with the help of elections, and it is meaningless to
demand resignation from President Robert Kocharian. Consequently,
one must go in the way of impeachment and "get free of the illegal
administration in that way." "Aylentrank" member Aramazd Ghalamkarian
stated that a number of opposing figures, particularly, Artashes
Geghamian, Stepan Demirchian, Artur Baghdasarian, Raffi Hovannisian,
Vazgen Manukian, displayed indifference attitude towards the idea
of impeachment and "did nothing for that program of power shift was
carried out." Vahagn Khachatrian, another member of "Aylentrank,"
former Mayor of Yerevan stated that the application addressed to the
Public Television and Radio Company Council, by which the initiative
demanded to give broadcast, remained without response. "We did not
ask for charity from the Public Television, we demand to respect
our rights," he mentioned, V.Khachatrian stated that during the
recent days "Aylentrank" addressed to all the television companies,
asking to broadcast their statement awaring about the rally, but no
one meet that request half-way, being afraid of having problems with
the authorities. He mentioned that the right of freedom of expression
is violated in Armenia, and added that they will demand from the
authorities to re-open A1+ and Noyan Tapan TV channels.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DPA LEADER PROPOSES TO FORM UNITED HEADQUARTERS OF OPPOSITION FOR CONTROL OF ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. "Armenia is at the stage of stably
developing crisis." Aram G. Sargsian, the Chairman of the Democratic
Party of Armenia stated about it at the 7th congress of the party
on March 3. In his words, processes taking place in Armenia during
the recent years brought to formation of the clan-oligarchic system
which excludes possibility of normal development of the country. He
mentioned that not science and industry but sphere of service
develops in Armenia. A.Sargsian stated that in the formed situation
when economy is practically monopolized by few big oligarches, and
80 per cent of the country population drags pitiful existence, power
shift, sponsored by the clan-oligarhic system, is a primary task:
"It is necessary that the ruling regime bears responsibility for it
has done before the people, and it must become a lesson for the next
authorities," A.Sargsian stated. As for the May 12 elections of the
National Assembly of Armenia, he expressed sorrow that the opposition
did not manage to form blocs based on ideological generality.

A.Sargsian stated that the DPA proposes all the opposition forces
to form a united headquarters for control of the elections: "If the
opposition is not able to unite in this case, either, I will already
start doubting if it is an opposition or just anybody’s appointed
people," the DPA Chairman stated. The congress in which 300 delegates
participated heard the control commission’s report, elected heading
bodies of the party and affirmed changes in the party program.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"OUR ELECTORATE NEVER TO AGREE TO GET IN WITH ANOTHER ELECTORATE," ARF FACTION HEAD STATES

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The rating of the Dashnaktsutiun
party rather increased as if compared with the previous elections,
and the ARF will have more places in the new Parliament. ARF faction
head Hrayr Karapetian expressed such a viewpoint during the March 2
parliamentary briefing. Responding the Noyan Tapan correspondent’s
question, H.Karapetian mentioned that though Dashnaktsutiun makes
a part of the coalition, but one can not say to the rating of the
government also increased. In his words, Dashnaktsutiun differs by its
activity both at Parliament and out of Parliament. In H.Karapetian’s
words, Dashnakstutiun is a stable political force which never changes
its principles, irrespective of the fact if it is opposition or a
part of the authorities.

Besides, the attitude once existed towards Dashnaktsutiun gradually
changes. In H.Karapetian’s words, ARF representatives were received
well during the meeting with the people in 90s, but they used to come
up and ask at the end: "Isn’t Dashnaksutiun the people’s enemy?" In
H.Karapetian’s words, in the ideological sense, there is no serious
opposition today in Armenia like Dashnaktsutiun was once. He quoted
ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian, in whose words, if the
opposition really strives for power, it can not have a rest abroad
for months. In the ARF faction head’s words, the struggle for power
demands great offerings. "Those people must be ready for everything
but I have the impression that they are not so decisive today,"
H.Karapetian mentioned. In his words, just lack of that resoluteness
was, "maybe superfluous ambitions" that did not allow the opposition
to unite. He mentioned that it is not obligatory for the parties
making a part of the authorities to make an alliance. As for the
ARF, it has traditionally participated in the elections alone. "Our
electorate will never agree to get in with another electorate,"
ARF faction head stated.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MILITARY OPERATION OF U.S. AGAINST IRAN WILL CAUSE MANY PROBLEMS FOR ARMENIA, ARMEN ASHOTIAN CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. "In consideration of
transport-communication and energy cooperation between Armenia and
Iran, a possible military operation of U.S. against Iran may cause
great economic problems for Armenia." RA MP Armen Ashotian, Board
member of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), declared this in his
interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent. In connection with this he
mentioned the project of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, third line of
electric conductivity being built between Armenia and Iran, joint
construction of Meghri HPP on the Armenian-Iranian border, etc. In
A. Ashotian’s opinion, there is nothing to oppose to the East-West
corridor being created by Turkey and Azerbaijan except development
of our own communication programs, in which Iran plays a considerable
part. In connection with a possible military operation of U.S. against
Iran he also expressed anxiety with the fate of Armenian community of
Iran reminding that according to official data, 200-thousand Armenian
community lives in Iran. Being a religious minority, this community
nevertheless enjoys great privileges. A. Ashotian especially mentioned
the circumstance that Iran plays a very important stabilizing role in
the region, including relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In
his words, today Armenia is in a very complicated situation, as
partnership with U.S. develops rather intensively. "Can we find a
right formula in this case and can we put our problems higher than
the problems of our allies and other states? All this will depend on
the quality of our political elite, which, unfortunately, currently
is rather engaged with preelection race than analysis of possible
regional changes and their consequences for our country," A. Ashotian
declared. He also assured that necessary analysis of foreign situation
is being implemented within RPA.

FAMOUS ARMENIAN SHOWMAN GARIK MARTIROSYAN TAKES PART IN THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN OF UNITED LIBERAL-NATIONAL PARTY

Arminfo
2007-03-05 15:54:00

Famous Armenian showman Garik Martirosyan takes part in the
pre-election campaign of United Liberal-National Party

The famous Armenian showman Garik Martirosyan intends to participate in
the pre-election campaign of the United Liberal-National Party (ULNP).

Today, Levon Martirosyan – brother of G. Martirosyan, reported Arminfo,
that despite Garik is not a party-member and resides in Moscow, the
idea to set up ULNP belongs to both of them. "Nevertheless, he is
still a resident of Armenia and is much concerned about the country’s
future. That is why Garik agreed to participate in the parliamentary
elections." He will actively participate in local meetings with voters
and in TV programs during the whole pre-election period.

Garik Martirosyan is an editor and an anchor of Comedy Club comic
program on Russian TNT channel. He is balloting into the National.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress