Author: Emil Lazarian

ARMENIAN NEWSPAPERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN KARABAKH

Lragir.am
13 July 06

Newsstands in Stepanakert have not got Armenian newspapers for over two
months. A true Karabakhi would think it is done on purpose. Although,
on the other hand, one can visit the websites of newspapers. In
Karabakh, however, usually young people use the Internet. Elderly
people are used to read newspapers on paper. The director of Artsakh
Press Gennady Nersisyan said if the Armenians newspapers are not
sold, they are not returned, and the sale of Armenian newspaper is
not profitable. The only option is subscription. By the way, there
is not a company in Armenia delivering "overseas" press to Karabakh.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"Mika" to meet "Young Boys" of Switzerland

ArmRadio.am
13.07.2006 12:15

In the first match of the first round of UEFA CUP "Mika" (Ashtaak) will
meet today the Swiss "Young Boys" team. "Banants" will compete with "Ameri"
(Tbilisi).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Multinational "Rescuer – 2006" military exercises to start in Armenia July 14

ArmRadio.am
13.07.2006 13:38

July 14 the multinational "Rescuer – 2006" military exercises will
start in Armenia. Head of the Press Service of the Ministry of
Defense, Defense Minister’s Spokesman, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan
told "Arminfo" Agency that the official opening ceremony of "Rescuer –
2006" military exercises of the US European Command will be held in
the Military Aviation Institute of RA Ministry of Defense.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The European Party of "Greens" demanding to lift the blockade of the
Armenian-Turkish border

ArmRadio.am
13.07.2006 14:50

Head of the European Parliament delegation to Armenia, Georgia and
Azerbaijan, parliamentarian Marie-Anne Isler-Béguin publicized the
materials gathered during her recent visit to the Turkish-Armenian
border.

The European Armenian Federation informs that according to the
representative of the Party of "Greens," the European Parliament
never missed the opportunity to emphasize the necessity of opening the
Armenian-Turkish border, since it’s not only the boundary population of
Armenia and Azerbaijan that suffer under the conditions of the closed
border, but also the region as a whole. Isler-Béguin underlined that
the question of opening the border should become a precondition for
Turkey’s accession to the EU.

At the same time, yesterday the Foreign Relation Committee of the
European Parliament postponed the vote on the draft resolution on
"Turkey’s progress toward accession" to September. The major reason
for delay was the late translation of the numerous amendments. These
amendments were submitted only on Monday afternoon to the various
political groups, which did not leave time to them to prepare for
the vote

–Boundary_(ID_IQT5tfEKxEIt80117F/vTw)–

FIRST MATCH OF QUALIFICATION ROUND BETWEEN ARMENIAN PYUNIK AND
MOLDAVIAN SHERIF ENDS IN DRAW

Yerevan, July 12. ArmInfo. First match of Champions League
qualification round between Yerevan Pyunik and Tiraspol Sherif
ended in 0:0. The return game will take place in Moldova in a week
on July 18. The winner will come out against Moscow Spartak in the
second round.

Another four matches of the first round will take place today. Return
matches are scheduled for July 18 and 19.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Eurocommission Disappointed by Turkish Justice

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.07.2006 16:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Commission is disappointed by
the verdict regarding Olli Rehn, the European Union’s Enlargement
Commissioner, said. In his words the prison sentence imposed on writer
Hrant Dink is not just a restriction of freedom of expression but
may also set a binding case law for similar cases. Rehn described
Dink’s prison sentence for insulting Turkishness, which was recently
finalized by a Court of Appeals ruling, as "disappointing." "That
judgment is the first final one by the highest jurisdiction in
Turkey about interpretation of Article 301 of the revised Turkish
Penal Code. In this sense, it establishes a binding case law that
will set the trend for lower jurisdictions to follow when applying
Article 301 in the future," he said.

He also highlighted his worry that Turkish courts are not interpreting
existing legislation in line with the relevant EU criteria. "I’d
therefore urge the Turkish authorities to amend Article 301 and other
vaguely formulated articles in order to guarantee freedom of expression
in Turkey. I’d also like to recall that freedom of expression is a key
principle under the Copenhagen political criteria and constitutes the
core of democracy. In any case, the European Commission will review
the situation in light of the Copenhagen criteria in its upcoming
progress report, expected in the autumn," Olli Rehn said, the New
Anatolian writes.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Margaryan Thanked Lebanon for Armenian Genocide Recognition

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.07.2006 13:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met
yesterday with Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, reported the
RA government’s press office. During the meeting Amdranik Margaryan
said Armenia is grateful to Lebanon for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the parliament of the state and appreciates
highly the warm attitude of the Lebanese people to the Genocide
survivors. The parties underscored that the Armenian community of
Lebanon makes a big contribution to the development of the state
and promotes strengthening of the Armenian-Lebanese relations. Fawzi
Salloukh added that with recognizing the Armenian Genocide Lebanon
once again confirmed that it stands against violence and terrorism
that claim thousands of lives every day.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALVARD PETROSYAN IS SORRY FOR ALL-ARMENIAN MOVEMENT

Lragir.am
12 July 06

Member of Parliament Alvard Petrosyan, Armenian Revolutionary Faction,
commenting on the home political situation, confesses that they
are also to blame for the frustration of the society. The political
figure representing former opposition and present government, in a
retrospective look at the 1990s, emphasizes that at that time not
only these frustrated people were active but also the opposition
with its ideology. Alvard Petrosyan, who is for political debates,
regrets that the All-Armenian Movement is not at the same table of
debate when her political party is government. At the same time, she
says they need to repent first to come on the political stage again.

In the meantime, the member of parliament thinks the political forces
are in an ideological stagnation unlike their activities. Although
Alvard Petrosyan believes that people never like the government,
"it is easier to be opposition than non opposition". Alvard Petrosyan
continues the logic of her words, "it is easier to say no, whereas
one needs to account for a yes." Appearing in a difficult situation,
she accuses people who do not offer demands.

"You do not offer demands, we do not do anything," excuses herself
the member of the ARF. And with this easy mode of work the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation is hopefult to appear in the parliament
again in 2007. "ARF has all-Armenian demand."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Frank Mermoud visits Armenia

ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 14:57

Frank Mermoud, US Special Representative for Commercial and Business
Affairs at the US Department of State is visiting Armenia July
11-13. During his visit, Mr. Mermoud met with representatives of the
American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, other business representatives
and Armenian government officials.

Mr. Mermoud discussed ways to further increase US investments in
Armenia and emphasized the positive cooperation between the United
States and Armenia in the economic sector. He also encouraged all
Armenians to continue to fight against corruption and to work to
increase transparency as a means of promoting economic growth.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Mikhail Saakashvili: Armenia suffered more than Georgia because of closing
Upper Lars checkpoint

ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 15:30

"Armenia suffered more than Georgia because of the prohibition of
the transportation of people and cargos through Kazbek – Upper Lars
checkpoint at the Russian-Georgian border," Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili declared yesterday during a news conference in Tbilisi.

"Closing of Upper Lars checkpoint did not cause particular damage
to the Georgian economy, since the Georgian export does not go this
way. But for ordinary people, who travel from one country to another,
it is bad. It is especially bad for Armenia, which imports most of
the goods through Upper Lars," said Saakashvili, noting that all the
same import of Georgian goods was not allowed this way.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress