Author: Emil Lazarian

ARMENIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES APPROVED ISR REORGANIZATION

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 19 2007

YEREVAN, February 19. /ARKA/. The presidium of the Armenian National
Academy of Sciences approved the reorganization of the Institute for
Scientific Research (ISR) by unification.

The NAS press service said that such state non-commercial organizations
as "Institute of Organic Chemistry", "Mnjoyan Institute of Fine
Organic Chemistry", "Molecular Structure Research Center" reorganized
into "Scientific technological center of organic and pharmaceutical
chemistry of RA NAS" consisting of corresponding departments.

"Institute of Microbiology" and "Republican Center of Microorganism
Depositing" are united into the "Center of Biotechnology and
Microorganism Depositing."

"Institute of Zoology" and "Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology"
are united into the "Scientific Center of Zoology and Ichthyology"
consisting of corresponding departments.

"Institute of Geological Sciences" and "Garni geophysical observatory"
reorganized into the "ISR of geological sciences attached to RA NAS".

The presidium decided that the rights, responsibilities and property
of Garni observatory, save the building and construction, carry over
to the ISR.

"Institute of Social and Technical Research" joined "Nazarov Institute
of Geophysics and Engineering Seismology".

At present, the regulations of newly formed scientific centers and
their departments are being elaborated, after adoption directors for
these organizations will be appointed.

Besides, the presidium approved the order of forming commissions to
analyze the scientific activities of these institutions aiming to
modernize the infrastructures of NAS subdivisions, certify them and
register personnel potential.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CC’S FEBRUARY 16 DECISION TO LIMIT OPPOSITION’S AGITATION POSSIBILITIES

Noyan Tapan
Feb 19 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. "We estimate both rise of
tariffs for paid TV broadcast in the preelection period and the
Constitutional Court’s (CC) February 16 decision as steps aimed at
limiting opposition’s opportunities of agitation," Stepan Demirchian,
Chairman of People’s Party of Armenia, leader of RA NA Ardarutiun
(Justice) faction, said on February 19, in response to Noyan Tapan
correspondent’s question. By CC’s above mentioned decision, a number
of provisions of NA Regulations were recognized as invalid and
contradicting to constitutional provisions on state’s guaranteeing
freedom of media, as well as independent activity of Public Radio
and Television. Among these provisions of NA Regulations are the
requirement relating to showing by Public Television recordings
of sittings dedicated to deputies’ statements and government-NA
question and answer, as well as the Parliamentary Week TV broadcast
in terms stipulated by NA Regulations. Besides, the provision on live
broadcast of NA sittings on Public Radio Company, as well as the point
of Regulations, according to which NA can make a decision on showing
NA sitting on live broadcast or by recording on Public Television
was also invalidated. RA President has applied to CC for the purpose
of clearing up correspondence of the above mentioned provisions to
the Constitution. The parliament sittings have been shown by Public
(formerly State) Television live broadcast since 1990 and the
recordings of government-NA question and answer and statements,
respectively, have been shown since adoption of NA Regulations
in 1995 and amendments made to the Regulations in 1998. As Noyan
Tapan correspondent was informed by Rafik Petrosian, Chairman of
NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Issues, member of People’s
Deputy MP group, member of RPA, CC did not respect the request of the
respondent, NA official representative, and did not delay fulfilment
of its decision by 2-3 months. In his words, this request pursued
the goal not to deprive the opposition of opportunity to broadcast
its statements and NA of ensuring publicity of its activity. In the
MP’s opinion, a situation is formed when NA withdrawing the above
mentioned provisions from NA Regulations currently "has nothing
to put in their place," as the above mentioned broadcasts can be
transmitted only by agreements with TV and radio companies, but
the respective budget financing, as well as making of amendments to
the law "On Television and Radio" is needed for this. But the NA of
current convocation will not manage to make these amendments until
the expiration of its powers. In R. Petrosian’s words, "in fact,
this has become a political issue," which is currently at the stage
of discussion, so, he found it difficult to forecast in what form the
draft amendments to Regulations included in the February 20 special
sitting’s agenda in second reading will be adopted.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AJMAN RULER RECEIVES ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR

Emirates News Agency
February 19, 2007 Monday 3:27 AM EST

Ajman Ruler receives Armenian Ambassador Ajman, Feb. 19, 2007 (WAM)
— H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nu’aimi, Supreme Council Member
and Ruler of Ajman, received here today at the Emiri Court, Vahagn
Melikyan, Armenian Ambassador, who paid him a courtesy call..

Present at the meeting were Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Al Nu’aimi,
Chairman of Ajman’s Department of Information and Culture and a number
of officials..

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FOURTH INTERNATIONAl ECONOMIC FORUM "KAMURJ 2007" STARTS IN TSAKHKADZOR

Noyan Tapan
Feb 19 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The fourth international economic
forum "Kamurj 2007" ("Bridge 2007") started in Tsakhkadzor on February
17. About 300 representatives from 7 countries, including Poland,
Bulgaria, Greece, are participating in the forum, whose mian subject is
"Economic Integration under Conditions of Globalization". According
to Chairman of the Union of Manufecturers and Businessmen of Armenia
Arsen Ghazarian, the forum aims to present Armenia’s economic
potential. He said that among the priorities of our country are
maintaining high economic growth rates and being able to compete
with other regional countries. In his words, mining industry, diamond
cutting, food procession are the main competitive sectors of Armenia,
with chemical industry also becoming a leading sector. The RA Deputy
Minister of Trade and Economic Development Tigran Davtian noted that
each year there are 300-500 cases of creating a new company with
participation of foreign capital. This year the main goal is to turn
dynamic development of the economy into stable development.

It is envisaged to make considerable investments in the IT
sector. Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sargsian noted
in his turn that Russia intends to invest in Armenia’s energy sector,
infrastructures and ore processing enterprises in the next 5 years. It
was announced that large investment of Chinese capital in the country’s
industry is expected in the near future.

YURI MERZLYAKOV: "IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT TO SAY ARMENIA DEVIATES FROM ITS POSITION ON THE COORDINATED ISSUES"

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 19 2007

"The discussions held in Paris were very productive," saif Russian
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov while commenting on
the latest meeting of the Minsk Group co-chairs in Paris on February
15-16.

Saying that they met with Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian,
the mediator called the meeting very useful and expressed his regret
that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov was not in Paris.

Touching on the reason why the co-chairs didn’t meet with Araz Azimov,
personal representative of Azerbaijani President for Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, who was attending the international energy conference in
Paris that time, Merzlyakov said they were not appealed for a meeting,
and on the other hand, Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza did
not have any information about Azimov’s presence in the conference.

Commenting on Araz Azimov’s statement that Armenia is deviating from
its position concerning the coordinated issues, Merzlyakov said that
Azerbaijan has really raised some issues during the negotiations,
but Armenian side did not give any response.

"I think it would not be right to say that Armenia deviates from its
position as the issues raised by Azerbaijan have not been discussed
in detail by the co-chairs," he told the APA.

The co-chair again stressed that the uncoordinated issues are not of
only technical character, and Azimov’s statement proves it again.

Russian diplomat said that the mediators are working to arrange a
meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers in early March.

URL:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OPPOSITION SLAMS END OF PARLIAMENT SESSION BROADCASTS
By Shakeh Avoyan

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Feb 19 2007

The Armenian opposition condemned on Monday a Constitutional Court
ruling that will allow state television to end the hitherto mandatory
broadcasts of some parliament sessions that usually feature strong
verbal attacks on the government.

Under a law regulating the work of the National Assembly, the Armenian
Public Television has to broadcast, in prime time, special sittings
during which parliament deputies put questions to government ministers
and make 3-minute statements on any issue. The assembly can also order
the state-owned channel to broadcast its other sessions as well. In
addition, the Armenian Public Radio has to broadcast all parliament
sessions in full.

The legal provision, in place since 1995, has enabled opposition
parties to spread their views through the two government-controlled
broadcaster whose news coverage has traditionally favored the
government. The management of the Armenian Public Television and Radio
(HHRH) has been pushing for its abolition since last year, saying
that it contradicts articles of Armenia’s constitution guaranteeing
press freedom. The Constitutional Court accepted these arguments on
Friday after an appeal filed by President Robert Kocharian.

Opposition leaders described the ruling as the latest in a
series of government measures which they say are aimed at further
restricting opposition access to the airwaves in the run-up to the
May 12 parliamentary elections. They told RFE/RL that the mandatory
broadcasts are necessary given the fact that state television and
all major private networks are loyal to the Kocharian administration.

"I disagree with the [Constitutional Court’s] decision," said
Vazgen Manukian, the veteran leader of the opposition National
Democratic Union (AZhM) party. "I believe the decision itself is
unconstitutional."

"Our first channel has never been known for covering the most important
things. It is therefore necessary to obligate it show things which
the National Assembly considers important," he added.

The pro-Kocharian TV channels sparked a controversy last week
by setting unusually high prices of election-related political
advertising which will be affordable mainly for pro-government parties
and individual candidates. The mostly cash-strapped oppositionists
hoped to partly offset that by heavily using televised broadcasts
of the relevant sessions of the outgoing parliament in the coming
weeks. The court verdict enables the HHRH to stop those broadcasts.

"This ruling as well as the surge in the cost of campaign ads are
clearly aimed at further limiting the opposition’s campaigning
possibilities in the run-up to the parliamentary and presidential
elections," said Stepan Demirchian of the opposition People’s Party
of Armenia. "It shows that the authorities are scared of full-scale
opposition campaigning."

"Of course that was done deliberately in connection with the 2007
and 2008 elections," agreed Manukian.

But Galust Sahakian, a leader of the governing Republican Party of
Armenia, rejected the claims. "If we accept that the media is free,
then the media themselves must decide what to broadcast," he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COSSACKS CLASH ARMENIANS AND GEORGIANS IN STAVROPOL

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 19 2007

Clashes have emerged between Cossacks and Armenians and Georgians
in Stavropol.

The security bodies, beware of repeat of Kondopoqa scenario, are
hindering to cover events. Beginning on February 13, local Russians and
Cossacks in Novoaleksandrovsk city attacked Armenians and Georgians
several days, after the Caucasians had shot Cossack ataman Andrey
Khanin who later was hospitalized in a bad condition.

According to the statements of witnesses in internet, a great number
of injured immigrants have been placed in Stavropol hospital and the
police have surrounded the building.

Cossacks from all over the province, as well as Rostov and Krasnodar
are directing to the city. Local people in Novoaleksandrovsk held
a rally. Markets and trade facilities of immigrants burnt. Slavic
origin residents demand the resignation of region leadership, removal
of immigrants and law-enforcement bodies to fight mercilessly against
ethnic criminality. Interior troops have been placed in the territory
from neighborhood provinces.

Local Georgian community leader named Timur and his family was
kidnapped by the masked persons.

Leader of Illegal Immigration Fighting Movement Aleksandr Belov
confirmed the reports concerning Stavropol.

"The city is blocked. Russians tried to hold a meeting and declare
Novoaleksandrovsk a territory exempt from Caucasians. But the meeting
was postponed after the discussions with initiators," he said.

Russian Noviy Region agency states that Stavropol and Vladikavkaz
episcope Feofan called on the people to stop mass unrest with the
request of government.

"Despite the ethnic and political origin of the murderer, only they
are responsible for this horrible crime. It is inadmissible for all
people to answer for crimes committed by individuals," he said. APA

URL:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA, GREECE DISCUSS ESTABLISHMENT OF TRANSPORT COMMUNICATION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Feb 19 2007

YEREVAN, February 19. /ARKA/. A meeting for coordination of
international transport communications between Armenia and Greece
was held in Athens on February 14-15.

The press service of the Armenian foreign ministry reported Friday,
particularly issues related to cargo and passenger transportation
between the two countries were discussed at the meeting.

"The parties agreed to settle existing problems and, if possible,
support economic entities functioning in this segment," said the
press service. Greece confirmed its readiness to render assistance
to Armenia at international organizations.

A protocol was signed at the end of the meeting. It was decided that
the next meeting of the commission will be held in Armenia.

The Armenian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Transport and
Communication David Yeritsyan. The meeting was attended by Armenian
Ambassador to Greece Vahram Kazhoyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE TRANSITIONAL TARIFFS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SERVICES OF "ARMENTEL" TO FUNCTION UP TO SEPTEMBER 1 OF 2007

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
Feb 19 2007

Yerevan, February 19 /Mediamax/. The transitional tariffs for primary
and secondary services of the "ArmenTel" Company will function up to
September 1 of 2007.

Mediamax reports that the given decision was made today during the
session of the Commission on Regulation for Public Services (CRPS)
of Armenia.

According to the decision, the earlier established date for filing
applications on reconsideration of the tariffs for fixed telephone
communication is prolonged from March 1 to September 1 of 2007 at
the instance of the "ArmenTel" CJSC.

The Commission has already made a decision, according to which the
application for the reconsideration of the tariffs should be presented
to CRPS not later than June1 of 2007, for the Commission to be able
to submit the proposal of the "ArmenTel" Company for inner and public
discussion.

As the Director of "ArmenTel" on Policy and Regulation Issues Haik
Faramazian told Mediamax, at present, the company, together with
the CRPS, considers the list of activities, directed to gradually
liberalizing the market, and since in November of 2007 the market
should be fully liberalized, it would be to no purpose to establish
new tariffs for a short period of time. According to the "ArmenTel"
representative, at this moment, the company carries out calculations
and it will present the newly-balanced tariffs to the Commission.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KERINCSIZ: THE AK PARTY GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT DARE TOUCH ARTICLE 301
Yusuf Unal Ýstanbul

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 19 2007

As the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government
has signaled its readiness to amend the controversial article 301 of
the Turkish penal code in the wake of the assassination of Turkish
Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, nationalists have raised their voices
in opposition at a higher volume.

One of these is the lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, who brought a legal case
against Hrant Dink, as well as others, under Article 301 for insulting
Turkishness. He thinks Turkey needs Article 301.

During Dink’s funeral procession on Jan. 23, hundreds of thousands
of mourners chanted "We are all Armenians," urged liberal reform,
blamed Kericsiz, and called for the repeal of the law used to convict
Dink on charges of "insulting Turkishness." Banners read "Murderer
Article 301." Slogans such as "We are all Armenians, we are all Hrants"
enraged nationalists and conservatives.

Kerincsiz rejects the argument that he made Dink a target and
he condemns those slogans, not only because he has been accused
of having provoked fanatic nationalists, but he thinks they have
diminished the "glory of Turkishness" especially when they said
"we are all Armenians."

"As a person Hrant Dink was a nice and polite man, but I don’t regret
to have opened the court case against him. I would not hesitate to
do it again if someone else voices the same words against my nation,"
Kerincsiz said.

The AK Party government seems increasingly hesitant to take major
reform steps as elections approach, since making reforms that could
draw the ire nationalist may pose too great a political risk for the
government to handle, analysts say.

Still, the European Union — which Turkey aspires to join — and the
pro-reformist camp at home keep pushing for amendments to Article 301,
which makes it a crime to insult Turkishness, carrying up to three
years in jail.

"AKP government should not and dare not touch 301," he argues. "There
is no consent and support for an amendment in Turkish society." He
also urges the AK Party to hold a referendum on the issue "if they
have self-confidence," he said.

Besides, it is not only Turkey which has such an article in its penal
code as some of the EU countries include such measures, to protect
the nation’s honor from being oppressed, said Kerincsiz. "It is a
double standard when EU urges Turkey to lift the article 301."

–Boundary_(ID_47f3ddIFdktTjn807Dz2Cg) —

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress