Author: Hakobian Adrine

STORM INTERNATIONAL IS TO OPEN WORLD-LEVEL CASINO IN ARMENIA

RIA Oreanda
Economic News
April 16, 2008 Wednesday
Russia

Yerevan. ">OREANDA-NEWS . April 16, 2008. Several months ago, Storm
International became partners in Cleopatra Casino, then the biggest
casino in Yerevan, with the intention to develop the property into
a luxury facility that would meet all international standards.

Together with Multi Group Company owned by Gagik Tsarukyan, Storm
International has constructed the most impressive gaming facility in
the region.

The new casino will officially open on April 16th, with the
Grand Opening scheduled for May 2nd. The competitive advantages
of the facility are based on the recognized high standards of Storm
International gaming operations, innovative design, variety of services
and a high level of comfort and security. In the process it has raised
the local gaming market to a higher level, with competitors already
looking at raising their standards in order to be able to compete.

The complex area now is 2400 sq. m with a planned expansion of a
further 800 sq.m by the end of the year. The gaming configuration
for the main floor is for an initial12 tables (with the possibility
to introduce more tables if required) plus a poker room for the
increasingly popular game of Texas Hold em and a multi-level slot
area with 85 state-of-the-art machines. There are 3 bars, a restaurant
and a fully equipped stage for show programmes and music concerts. It
has a parking capacity for 100 cars.

The property is designed in Art Deco style, using only the finest
materials, including imported wood, the finest Armenian mosaic art,
fine carpets, intricate and original wrought iron and beautiful stained
glass as well as state of the art ventilation and air-conditioning.

Together with my partners we believe in the future of Armenia and
are proving our belief by introducing a facility that will meet and
exceed the highest International standards", said Michael Boettcher,
President of Storm International.

The casino will operate in compliance with Storm s Responsible Gaming
Programme, introduced by Storm International several years ago.

The programme includes the provision of specially printed materials
devoted to problem gambling, a ban on gambling for the psychologically
unstable and strict control in the properties through training the
staff who are in direct contact with players, to recognize problem
gamblers and counsel them accordingly. Storm International was the
first company in Russia to raise and enforce the minimum age to enter
a gaming property to 21 and will continue that policy in Armenia.

A professional Storm International Croupier School has been opened
in Yerevan, thus adding experienced personnel to the local market.

Furthermore, salaries at Storm International are traditionally above
the average and working conditions comply with all social standards,
including clean and spacious staff rooms, canteens, adequate changing
facilities, modern and comfortable uniforms as well as trasport to
and from work.

The Grand Opening promises to be one of the most memorable events of
the year, an invitation only event to proudly display the achievement
that is Shangri La. World-famous Toto Cutugno will be the headline act,
along with other performers including "Blestyaschie" for the benefit
of the invited guests. This will not be the only bright night in
Shangri La, as there will be frequent high-level show programs as
well as live music that will entertain our guests. A new star has
been born in Armenia – and that star is Shangri La.

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

April 17, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian

Members of Congress Remember Genocide Survivor

Washington, D.C. – On April 2, 2008, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and
Congresswoman Barbara Lee paid tribute on the House floor in memory of
Armenian Genocide survivor Hayganoush Markarian who passed away on
March 13, 2008. Markarian lived in San Francisco, and was one of the
few remaining survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Both Statements read in parts, "Much has been said about the facts and
numbers and statistics. We know that in Turkey between 1915 and 1921,
1.5 million Armenians died – 80 percent of the population. But it is
women like Hayganoush who put a human face on the Armenian Genocide
and remind us that we are talking about actual people whose lives were
lost or whose homes and families were destroyed."

Last October, Hayganoush’s story of survival was presented by Rep.
Lynn Woolsey to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (HCFA) during
the mark up of H. Res. 106 (the Armenian Genocide resolution). Rep.
Woolsey displayed Hayganoush’s photograph to committee members prior
to the resolution being passed. It now awaits a full House vote.

The full text of the statements is included below.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in
the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States
and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.

###

HONORING THE LIFE OF HAYGANOUSH MARKARIAN

HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with sadness and respect today,
along with Congresswoman Barbara Lee, to honor Hayganoush Markarian, a
resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, who passed away recently at
the age of 105. Hayganoush was one of the few survivors of the
Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century, so it further saddens me
that she died without the government of Turkey, from where she fled,
or the government of the U.S., where she found refuge, officially
recognizing that Genocide.

Much has been said about the facts and numbers and statistics. We know
that in Turkey between 1915 and 1921, 1.5 million Armenians died – 80
percent of the population. But it is women like Hayganoush who put a
human face on the Armenian Genocide and remind us that we are talking
about actual people whose lives were lost or whose homes and families
were destroyed.

Hayganoush Markarian was born on January 24, 1902, in the historic
Armenian city of Kharpert, which suffered huge losses in the Armenian
Genocide. She lived with her parents, older brother, and four sisters.

When the Turks came after her father and brother, both went into
hiding – her brother dressed as a girl in order to safely cross
dangerous areas and her father initially hid in the well at their home
and later with Kurdish friends.

Her mother somehow saved the family from the deportations and
massacres and re-united with her husband briefly after World War I,
before he died as a result of the damp conditions in the wells he had
hidden in for such long periods.

In 1923, the remainder of the family made their way to Syria, where
Hayganoush married Markar Markarian in 1925. The Markarians later
moved to Lebanon and eventually the United States. In both Syria and
Lebanon, Hayganoush was an active member of the Armenian Relief
Society, the oldest Armenian women’s organization operating in the
world.

Hayganoush resided in Oakland until her death in March of this year at
the age of 105. She had prayed she would live to see the day when she
and other victims of the Armenian Genocide would see the Genocide
officially recognized both here and in Turkey.

Madam Speaker, although Hayganoush’s prayer was not granted, she did
see such a resolution pass the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the
House of Representatives last fall. I am proud to be a cosponsor of
that resolution, and I look forward to the day when the U.S.
government officially recognizes the Genocide. Hayganoush Markarian’s
story will serve as a reminder to us of the sanctity of human life in
Armenia and around the world.

HONORING THE LIFE OF HAYGANOUSH MARKARIAN

HON. BARBARA LEE

OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise with sadness and respect today, along
with Congresswoman Lynn C. Woolsey, to honor Hayganoush Markarian, a
resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, who passed away recently at
the age of 105. Hayganoush was one of the few survivors of the
Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century, so it further saddens me
that she died without the government of Turkey, from where she fled,
or the government of the United States, where she found refuge,
officially recognizing that Genocide.

Much has been said about the facts and numbers and statistics. We know
that in Turkey between 1915 and 1921, 1.5 million Armenians died – 80
percent of the population. But it is women like Hayganoush who put a
human face on the Armenian Genocide and remind us that we are talking
about actual people whose lives were lost or whose homes and families
were destroyed.

Hayganoush Markarian was born on January 24, 1902, in the historic
Armenian city of Kharpert, which suffered huge losses in the Armenian
Genocide. She lived with her parents, older brother, and four sisters.

When the Turks came after her father and brother, both went into
hiding – her brother dressed as a girl in order to safely cross
dangerous areas and her father initially hid in the well at their home
and later with Kurdish friends.

Her mother somehow saved the family from the deportations and
massacres and re-united with her husband briefly after World War I,
before he died as a result of the damp conditions in the wells he had
hidden in for such long periods.

In 1923, the remainder of the family made their way to Syria, where
Hayganoush married Markar Markarian in 1925. The Markarians later
moved to Lebanon and eventually the United States. In both Syria and
Lebanon, Hayganoush was an active member of the Armenian Relief
Society, the oldest Armenian women’s organization operating in the
world.

Hayganoush resided in Oakland until her death in March of this year at
the age of 105. She had prayed she would live to see the day when she
and other victims of the Armenian Genocide would see the Genocide
officially recognized both here and in Turkey.

Madam Speaker, although Hayganoush’s prayer was not granted, she did
see such a resolution pass the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the
House of Representatives last fall. I am proud to be a cosponsor of
that resolution, and I look forward to the day when the U.S.
government officially recognizes the Genocide. Hayganoush Markarian’s
story will serve as a reminder to us of the sanctity of human life in
Armenia and around the world.

MOST OFTEN ARMENIAN CITIZENS APPLY FOR ASYLUM IN FRANCE

ARKA
April 16, 2008

YEREVAN, April 16. /ARKA/. Most often Armenian citizens apply
for asylum in France, the Chief of Migration Agency of Armenia’s
Territorial Administration Ministry Gagik Yeganian said.

Of 3,925 applications of Armenian citizens for asylum abroad 1,924
applications were registered in France in 2007 against 1,680 in 2006,
Yeganian said. According to him, Austrian and Belgian authorities
received 400 applications for asylum each. So, the vector of the
migration is changed, he said.

In 90-ies, Armenians were applying for asylum most often to authorities
of Poland and Germany, later they started preferring more Western
countries and the north Low Countries, whereas now the vector shifted
to the East and South, such as Check Republic and Austria.

"Today France is the most popular country among Armenians, which is
an attempt to increase status and earning prospects," Yeganian said.

He stressed that most of the applications for asylum abroad are
turned down.

In 2007 Armenian citizens submitted 3,925 applications seeking asylum
in various countries, mainly in European countries and the USA,
which is 6% less that in 2006.

According to the UN Supreme Commissioner for Refugees, the number
of asylum applications increased 10% in 51 countries of the world
and totaled 338,300 in 2007. In 2000, the number of applications was
650,000.

RA ENERGY MINISTER: RISE IN PRICES FOR NATURAL GAS IN ARMENIA FROM MAY 1 NOT TO REFLECT ON COUNTRY’S ECONOMY

arminfo
2008-04-16 11:32:00

ArmInfo. Rise in prices for natural gas in Armenia from May 1, 2008,
in view of termination of state subsidization will not reflect on the
state of the country’s economy, RA Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan
said in an interview with RA Public TV.

He said that the subsidies of $188.8 mln, received from sale of the
fifth power unit of Hrazdan TPP, ended in January, 2008 in view of
an unexpected high gas consumption. However, even after termination
of subsidization, the gas prices in Armenia still remain the lowest
in the region, the minister said. In fact, the gas price in Armenia
for those consuming up to 10,000 cub m of gas per month (mainly
the population) will grow by 25,000 drams per 1000 cub m to 84,000
drams. For commercial consumers using over 10,000 cub m of gas per
month, the price will rise by $52,01 to $153,26 per 1000 cub m.

A. Movsisyan also said, for comparison, that the gas price in
Azerbaijan, using its own gas, makes up $250, in Georgia – $270-305,
in Turkey – $307.

ELECTRICITY TARIFFS TO REMAIN UNCHANGED UNTIL 2009

ARMENPRESS
April 16, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, ARMENPRESS: Energy minister Armen Movsisyan said
Tuesday electricity tariffs will remain unchanged until the end of
the year. His remarks came after prime minister Tigran Sarkisian
announced an end of government subsidy to population and enterprises
for natural gas tariffs Speaking at a news conference energy minister
said the president and the prime minister gave concrete instructions
to develop such regimes within the power grid system that will keep
electricity price unaffected by the imminent rise of natural gas
price from next month.

ArmRosGazprom (ARG), the national gas operator, will enact new prices
from May 1, which were approved by the Public Services Regulatory
Commission (PSRC).

Armenian households and enterprises will not get compensations as
they did since 2006 January when the government transferred $188
million to ARG to cover higher gas price set by Russian supplier,
which rose it from $56 per one thousand cubic meter to $110.

PACE LAUNCHING ANTI-PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Mikhail Zygar

Kommersant
5/r_527/Russia_and_Armenia_criticized_in_the_PACE/
April 15 2008
Russia

The Council of Europe thrashed out the elections in Russia and Armenia

Yesterday the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe)
spring session opened in Strasbourg. First the delegates discussed
the recent Russian presidential election, unanimously acknowledging it
unfair and unjust, and even tried to find measures to be taken against
Russia. Nonetheless one shouldn’t rule out the possibility of taking
measures against Armenia before it comes to Russia: Yesterday the
presidential election in that country caused a big scandal in the PACE.

An Unjust Russia

The morning session of the PACE began with discussing observers’
reports on the elections which were carried out in Europe within three
previous months. These include the presidential election in Russia,
Armenia, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as the parliamentary elections
in Monaco. At that, only the Russian and Armenian electoral campaigns
touched off quite a reaction with the delegates.

The PACE was the only European organization to send its observers to
the Russian election of March 2. Andreas Gross, head of the mission,
declared during his yesterday’s speech at the Assembly that the
Russian election had been neither free nor fair.

"Election can be neither free nor fair when people have no opportunity
to choose. This was the case in Russia: none of the candidates,
except for Dmitry Medvedev, had a chance to win. For the election
to have seemed a bit more free, the obvious favourite should have
taken part in the pre-election debates. He might have shown at least
some respect towards the challengers and voters, displaying that all
candidates had equal rights," Mr Gross assumed.

He recollected that fall 2007 about 70% of Russians declared ready
to cast their ballots for the candidate President Putin would anoint,
and the same 70% said they didn’t trust the voting process at all.

The report prepared by the PACE contains some suggestions which the
Russian government should follow to improve its election legislation.

First, the delegates suggest that all candidates for President
be obliged to participate in debates. Second, the European
parliamentarians consider the necessity for a candidate to collect
2,000,000 signatures to receive nomination too strict, depriving the
opposition leaders of the right to get nominated. Finally, the PACE
members resent that candidates don’t have the same share of access
to the digital mass media. They insist that an independent public
channel be set up in Russia. By the way, the last condition is one
of the key PACE demands: until it’s met, the Assembly won’t give up
monitoring Russian elections.

Konstantin Kosachev, Head of Russia’s delegation, decided to retort
to the author of the report. He stressed that in Russia, as well as
in Armenia, Serbia and Montenegro, the Head of State was changed as
a result of democratic elections, whereas in Monaco, Great Britain
and Sweden the title was inherited.

But after it Russian lawmaker Ivan Melnikov of the Communist Party
took the floor and praised Andreas Gross for his "unbiased and detailed
report." He spoke in support of all the PACE requirements on altering
the election laws, adding that not only should all candidates be
obliged to participate in debates, but TV channels must also broadcast
debates when it best suites the audience, not at 7 a.m. or 11 p.m.

Germany’s Holger Haibach stated that "Russia’s election, however
smoothly it went, was a mere formality, it didn’t correspond to the
spirit of democracy – this is the way it should be treated." In his
view, the PACE must not only establish the fact, but also take certain
measures. Referring to the fact that Russia, among other things, broke
its promise to ratify Protocols 6 and 14 to the European Convention
on Human Rights, Mr Haibach declared that the PACE was to answer the
question, whether Russia was moving in the right direction. In his
opinion, "one can give only a negative answer to this question,"
so Europe must consider "what to do with the huge country that is
unwilling or unable to address its current problems."

Kommersant wrote yesterday that some of the PACE delegates have
already proposed to deprive Russia of the right to vote unless it
ratified Protocols 6 and 14. Apparently, this was the measure Mr
Haibach implied.

PACE vs. ODIHR

Discussing the recent elections in the European states, the PACE
delegates mentioned another organization dealing with human rights
issues – the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
(ODIHR). This body, evoking Moscow’s irritation, was unexpectedly
subjected to severe criticism. Britain’s conservative, David Wilshire,
was the one to begin with criticizing the ODIHR. He said that during
the latest presidential election in Montenegro he was surprised to find
out that the ODIHR observers had prepared their report on monitoring
the election in advance and wouldn’t meet the demands of their PACE
counterparts as drafting a joint report.

Consequently, Mr Wilshire required that the Assembly consider whether
to cooperate with the ODIHR in the future.

Konstantin Kosachev took up the issue he could use for his benefit.

He also set himself to unmasking the red tape of that organization,
retorting at the same time to the accusations of those delegates who
blamed Russia for not allowing the ODIHR observers to come to the
presidential election. According to Mr Kosachev, that organization
has no written criteria stipulating which elections to monitor. "The
bureaucratic structure determines where a stronger mission should
be sent, and where – a weaker one. The OSCE ODIHR usually sends
about 18 observers to a country. We invited 70 representatives of
that organization, but were told that their number was too small,"
said the exasperated Mr Kosachev.

Russia can’t accuse the PACE of that kind of policy since this
organization has a definite rule: observers are sent to those countries
which are monitored, that’s why the PACE observes the elections in
Russia, not those in France and Germany.

In the end, the delegates agreed that the framework of the further
cooperation with the ODIHR should be thought over.

Row over Armenia

The biggest yesterday’s scandal concerned discussing the situation in
Armenia. During the morning session, Britain’s John Prescott, ex-Deputy
Prime Minister in Tony Blair’s government, delivered his report on the
recent presidential election in Armenia, which was even less critical
than that on Russia’s election. Mr Prescott stated that it complied
with the standards of the Council of Europe. The lack of criticism
about Armenia though roused the indignation of several delegates.

Hungary’s Zsolt Nemeth reminded that the Armenian election resulted in
civil unrest, with 9 people killed. "The Council of Europe legitimizes
the anti-democratic policy of the Armenian government! If we are
unable to influence or change anything, let’s give up the practice of
sending observers there! We need a thorough evaluation of the monitor
missions," claimed the excited Mr Nemeth.

Sweden’s Marietta Purbe-Lundin, member of the PACE mission to
Armenia, described emotionally that in her presence vote fraud took
place. "Hundreds of ballots for Levon Ter-Petrosyan were rendered to
be for Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. The members of the electoral
commission were aware of what they were doing and that I saw it, but
they were far from embarrassed. There were Mr Sargsyan’s observers
at the polling station, who so much threatened everyone there –
my interpreter begged me not to make any remarks to them. I was
so frustrated that couldn’t get a wink of sleep that night," the
parliamentarian complained.

Azerbaijan’s Samad Seidov was even more critical of Armenia, "Mr
Prescott says that the Armenian election complies with the standards
of the Council of Europe. What does he mean? Have murders become
the standards of the Council of Europe? Here 9 people killed were
mentioned, but no one recollected those died in jail, or thousands
of political prisoners, including the members of the Armenian
Parliament. Why is the world so closely watching the situation in
Tibet, paying no attention to the arbitrariness in Armenia?"

Nevertheless, John Prescott and several other observers stated that
the critics of Armenia’s election were too emotional and biased,
whereas there were no shocking facts of electoral fraud registered.

All in all, the dispute is sure to continue. It was decided in the
morning that ad hoc debates on Armenia be held Thursday, which means
that the majority of the delegates rather disagree with the positive
conclusions of Mr Prescott. More to the point, Russia’s representatives
told Kommersant that the question of overhauling and confirming the
credentials of the Armenian delegation might be raised during one of
the forthcoming PACE sessions.

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

WCC GENERAL SECRETARY REV. DR. SAM KOBIA AND
PRESIDENT REV. DR. SORITUA NABABAN IN ANTELIAS

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Dr. Sam Kobia,
and one of the council’s presidents, Rev. Dr Soritua Nababan, arrived in
Antelias on Monday morning from Geneva and Indonesia respectively.

The senior officials will stay in Antelias as guests of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia. They will participate in ecumenical meetings in Antelias and
consult His Holiness Aram I on inter-church and inter-faith projects.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities 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.

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
April 12 2008

Zurab Todua: "USA will not help Azerbaijan to liberate Nagorno
Karabakh"

12 April 2008 [11:08] – Today.Az

"USA will not help Azerbaijan to liberate Nagorno Karabakh", said
famous Russian political scientist Zurab Todua commenting on the
influence of Azerbaijan’s possible accession to NATO on the
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

He said that in case Azerbaijan joins NATO, it would spoil its
relations not only with Russia but also with Iran, as the United
States and NATO would use its territory for military operations
against it.

"No one among political scientists, or experts and polititians in
Baku, were able to tell me how Azerbaijan will defend itself in case
of the air force response attack from the Iranian side, if the United
States uses your territory for the possible armed operation against
Iran.

If Azerbaijan was the member of the Treaty for Collective Security,
it would have C-300 anti-aircraft complex, the best weapon of the
way, which resists everything. As far as I know, the United States
have modernized airdromes (prepared them for military operations) and
installed two radar stations, targeting Russia and Iran. But I never
heard that they installed at least a couple of Stingers for the
Azerbaijani armed forces", said the political scientist.

He also said that the United States would not help Azerbaijan to
liberate Nagorno Karabakh.

"They will make numerous promises, but this also occured in the
previous years. The occupation of Nagorno Karabakh is a grief of
Azerbaijani people, but other countries do not care much of it. You
know better that I do that during all official meetings the
representatives of the United States and western countries repeat the
only phrase that only peaceful resolution of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict is possible. They do not want the resumption of hostilities
in the conflict area as they fear to lose money, invested to oil
fields and pipelines.

Therefore, regardless of whether Azerbaijan is a member of NATO or
no, the West will use its influence to hamper the armed resolution of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict".

He said that if Azerbaijan access NATO, it would be asked, like
Georgia was, to send more soldiers to Iran, Afghanistan and somewhere
else.

"They would offer to purchase already utilized military technique
(perhaps, even make a present) and you will have to spend money on
their maintenance. And the most important is that in case of military
campaign against Iran, the territory of Azerbaijan would be used by
the United States and NATO for their purposes. At the same time, the
relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, which can be assessed as
positive at the moment, would be ruined", said the political
scientist.

He noted that since the early 1990s, Azerbaijan has done everything
to gain the favor of the United States and the West: it has conducted
policy "oil in exchange to Karabakh", signed contracts under
conditions which are unprofitable for it, excluded Iran from the list
of consortium participants, agreed to construction of a pipeline
bypassing Iran (though the Iranian way would have been economically
profitable), agreed on the use of its territory by American
militaries and made a number of other things.

"This list is too long. What has Azerbaijan got in exchange? It seems
to me that naivety of most Azerbaijani politicians has no limits",
Zurab Todua concluded.

/Day.Az/

URL:

VARTAN OSKANIAN: I HAVE SERVED NOT A MAN BUT A PEOPLE AND A COUNTRY

Noyan Tapan
April 11, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Following Serge Sargsian’s inauguration
ceremony on April 9, the Armenian foreign minister said during a
talk with reporters that it would be correct if a foreign minister
chosen by the new president would be beside him so that they can work
quietly together.

Although he is not tired of his post of foreign minister in 10 years,
he believes that a change would be correct.

In his farewell speech to MFA Staff, Vartan Oskanian summarized the
MFA work in the past 10 years and briefly presented his future plans.

"We can all be proud of our work, and we can all feel satisfied that
we are performing a civic duty. We are all citizens of Armenia – you
by birth, I by choice. For me, the decision to pack up and return to
Armenia after independence was a default decision, a non-decision,
an obvious choice.

Having come, I’m not now preparing to go," he said.

Reminding that he served as Foreign Minister since the beginning of
President Kocharian’s term and had served as Deputy Minister and First
Deputy Minister under President Ter Petrossian, V. Oskanian stated:
"In other words, I have served not a man, but a people and a country".

"During these 10 years, I believe much has changed in the nature of
our work… The world has changed too in these 10 years. Russia is no
longer in retreat. Europe is much closer than it used to be. The US
is more insistent on having partners who are democratic. Azerbaijan
is looking to oil for solutions to all problems. Turkey is living both
in the past and in the future. Georgia is walking a fine line between
beleaguered and bold. Iran is caught between the world’s perceptions
and its own self-image.

And Armenia? Armenia has demonstrated that we understand that diplomacy
and defense do not replace each other, but work in tandem to secure a
nation’s future. Armenia has proven that economic growth is possible,
even with the absence of natural resources and open transportation
corridors. Armenia is living proof that one can be a respected member
of the international community and at the same time swim against the
global tide to assure self-determination and security for Nagorno
Karabakh. Armenia has become a trustworthy and I can say, full
partner in international organizations with a full agenda of reforms,
insights and action items. Armenia has established good relations
with all major world centers – Russia, the Americas, Europe, Asia,
the Middle East and Latin America," the foreign minister said.

But each of the successes, according to him, have brought with it a
set of new challenges and new problem, and the MFA staff’s job is to
make the best of each opportunity and minimize all threats.

"Now, we must perform our job in the changed environment of the last
several months. When we allowed the political tensions and emotions of
the election and post-election period to reign, they demonstrated that
we sometimes imagine that revolution can be an alternative to reforms,
and that revenge can take precedence over reconciliation. No one knows
better than we in this building that that is false. No one knows better
than we that our domestic strength, integrity, stability, morality
and perseverance are our best – actually our only calling cards in
the international arena. If those were our assets, today we work with
a deficit. The capital we had accumulated internationally has been
squandered. That means my successor, each of you, and all of us who
live in Armenia, must work even harder to regain our respectability
and our confidence in ourselves and our future," V. Oskanian stated.

The minister confessed that the weeks after March 1 were the most
difficult of his entire career. "On the one hand, I am part of an
admininstration which, at the end of the day, is responsible for what
happens in this country. On the other hand, from the beginning of
their campaign, I disagreed, publicly and privately, with the tactics,
methods and goals of the opposition".

Speaking about his future plans, V. Oskanian said: "I will undertake a
new set of responsibilities that will focus on fashioning a relevant,
inclusive civic and political forum and that will work with the public
and with the existing political forces on mending the torn fabric
of our society, on finding genuine paths to political concensus by
reconciling our differences, not suppressing them. I will partner with
those who wish to create the mechanisms that replicate the experience
of other developed countries and offer serious, convincing political
alternatives that are not destructive, extreme and self-serving".

ACCORDING TO MP OF ZHARANGUTIUN FACTION, MODE OF ACTION OF POLICEMEN NOT CHANGED AFTER INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT

Noyan Tapan
April 11, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The police is continuing its former
mode of action after the inauguration of Serge Sargsian: a number
of citizens are again brought to police stations. This statement was
made by Stepan Safarian, the Secretary of the Zharangutiun (Heritage)
faction of the National Assembly, at the April 11 parliamentary
briefing, according to whom, four citizens (he mentioned the names)
were brought to police stations from their beds on the same day and
were accused of having taken part in the rallies. They also tried
to take another young man, who is currently in the Kentron police
station, to a police station from the mourning march held on April 9,
however the people managed to defend him from policemen.

The MP also mentioned the fact that no hall has been given to the
Sargis Tkhruni Student Union, which is the youth wing of the Social
Democratic Hnchakian Party of Armenia, for holding a conference. In
his words, the Union was going to hold a conference on the regulation
of the Armenian-Turkish relations, to which the representatives of
all the parliamentary factions were invited.

Not excluding that all this is being conducted without the knowledge
of the newly-elected President of the country, Stepan Safarian stated
that, however, such steps contradict the promises given in the speech
of Serge Sargsian, which the latter promised to immediately turn
into action.

According to the MP, the Zharangutiun faction expects from the new
President not only to change the force ministers, but also to punish
all those, who have fired at the people.