Best In Europe

BEST IN EUROPE

A1+
21 April, 2008

The Armenian wrestling team has won the title of Europe’s champion for
the second time. The team won 13 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medals at
the European Wrestling Championship underway in Italy. Armenia gave
four champions – Meline Daluzian (63 kg), Nazik Avdalian (69 kg),
Tigran L. Martirossian (69 kg) and Tigran V. Martirossian (84 kg).

Europe’s Champion of the previous championships and Armenia’s best
sportsman-2007, Gevorg Davtian, has missed the Italian championship
as he is training for the Olympic Games due in Beijing in August.

Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide – Sunday 2pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ms. Marianne Davitjan
April 18, 2008
Tel: (416) 505 3181
Armenian National Committee Toronto

Armenian Community of Toronto Commemorates 93rd Anniversary of
Armenian Genocide

Toronto, Ontario – The Canadian-Armenian Community of Toronto will
be commemorating the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of
1915. Over 1.5 million Armenians perished in a systematic effort by
the Turkish government of the Ottoman Empire to eliminate the
indigenous Armenian population living peacefully on its historic
homelands. It was the Armenian Genocide which introduced the spectre
of holocaust to the 20th Century; a crime that has since been
duplicated in various forms in Nazi Germany, Rwanda and Darfur .

Date: Sunday, April 20, 2008

Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: Armenian Youth Centre, 50 Hallcrown Place , Willowdale
(major intersection Victoria Park Ave. and Highway 401)

Members of all levels of Canadian government and major political
parties will be participating.

It is expected that 800 members of the Canadian-Armenian Community of
Toronto will attend.

For further information on the Armenian Genocide, please see the
Armenian National Committee of Canada website at

The Armenian National Committee of Toronto is a chapter of the
Armenian National Committee of Canada, a grassroots organization that
was founded in 1965 to address the concerns of the Canadian Armenian
community on a broad range of issues.

-30-

http://www.anccanada.org.

BAKU: Ilham Aliyev: World Society Is Aware That Armenia Is Not Right

ILHAM ALIYEV: "WORLD SOCIETY IS AWARE THAT ARMENIA IS NOT RIGHT BUT CLOSES EYES ON IT"

Today.Az
cs/44383.html
April 18 2008
Azerbaijan

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev started his visit to the
south-western region of the country on Friday.

18:25

According to Novosti-Azerbaijan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev is visiting Bilesuvar in the framework of the visit to the
south-western region.

The President visited five settlements, intended for 1,858 internally
displaced persons of Jabrail.

The head of state was informed that the region accounts for five
schools, intended for 1,800 pupils, five kindergartens (for 250 seats),
five administrative buildings, five post stations, five ambulatories,
five clubs a veterinary service, fire-safety depot and other social
establishments. Each family also got 12 handredth part of lands.

He also visited the park and museum of the National leader of
Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev.

———— 17:48

President of Azerbaijan arrived in Beylagan after the visit to Fizuli.

"The issue of food safety, which resulted in 40-50% rise in food
prices has become of special importance in the whole world and the
goverment of Azerbaijan is anxious about it, said Ilham Aliyev,
according to Novosti-Azerbaijan.

"The country’s government undertakes possible measures to strengthen
its food safety", he said before the Beylagan community.

The head of state noted speaking about the socioeconomic development of
the country that this sphere still has problems. "All the unsettled
problems will be reflected in the State program for regional
development for 2009-2012", he added.

The President also spoke of the issue of raising minimal wages and
pensions. "Though minimal wages and pensions are rising twice a
year, the government will not stop on this level, therefore, rise is
expected", said he.

In the framework of the visit to Beylagan the President of Azerbaijan
took part in gas supplies renewal. "The first stage implies gas
supply to 500 families and then another 500 families and later the
remaining residents of the region", I.Aliyev said and noted that 80%
of the country’s population is supplied with blue fuel today.

The President also took part in commissioning of a house for veterans,
invalids and Martyrs’ families and handed keys and orders on flats.

He also familiarized with the activity of the cotton processing
plant CTS.

Thus, the visit to Beylagan ended. Ilham Aliyev is currently in
Bilesuvar.

———- 16:15

Interfax-Azerbaijan reports that President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev took part in laying the foundation of a medical center and an
hydroelectric power station in the framework of the visit to Fizuli.

The construction of the hydroelectric power station of a capacity of
50 MW will last for three years. A water reservoire of 1,600,000 tons
of cubic meters will be built.

Earlier, during the visit to a school for internally displaced persons,
the President voiced satisfaction that the task to move all internally
displaced persons from the tent campuses to new settlements, he set
up in the beginning of his presidency in 2003, was settled a year
earlier than planned.

"I am glad that we have fulfilled the task within four years. Today,
there are no tent campuses in Azerbaijan", said Aliyev.

According to Novosti-Azerbaijan, the President promised to ensure
new flats for 260,000 out of 330,000 internally displaced persons.

"Tent campuses will be fully eliminated in Azerbaijan and 70,000
internally displaced persons will be provided with flats. The works
on the improvement of the living conditions of internally displaced
persons will further continue. The first stage implied elimination of
tens campuses, which we have achieved. Now it is only left to ensure
flats for another 260,000 internally displaced persons", said he.

According to the head of state, $900,000,000 have been spent so far
for these purposes and "the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan will assign
extra $500,000,000".

———— 14:55

"The mediators’ proposals on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict
envision liberation of all Azerbaijani occupied lands", said President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev while attending five new settlements
for internally displaced persons in Fizuli region of Azerbaijan",
said Interfax-Azerbaijan.

"The current proposals of the mediators on the resolution of the
Karabakh conflict envisions liberation of all Azerbaijani occupied
lands, but we do not intend to wait for the implementation of this
decision", said I.Aliyev.

"The talks are held for already 14 years, but how long will we
participate and accept this injustice?", said the President.

He said that the proposals, which are currently on the negotiation
table, envision liberation of all the occupied lands, while five of
seven regions around Nagorno Karabakh should be freed unconditionally
and Lachin and Kelbajar will be returned to Azerbaijan within a short
period of time after that.

The President noted that the world society supports Azerbaijan,
which was proven by the recent resolution of the UN General
Assembly. "However, Armenia does not pay any attention to it",
said Aliyev.

"They first agreed to the proposals of the co-chairs but in fact they
continue to settle Lachin illegally", said the President.

He noted that Armenia is goint to hold a conference during which
Lachin region will be presented as Armenian. "Armenia continues to
mislead the world society, but, unfortunately, the mediators want to
believe this lie", said Aliyev.

The President noted that before the speech he had visited the contact
front line.

The President said that Azerbaijan continues talks through they gave
no results within 14 years.

"We are participating in talks, as we hope to restore the territorial
integrity peacefully. At the same time, everyone should know that
the talks can not be endless", said the President "The issue will be
clarified in the near future", said Aliyev and added that everything
will depend on whether Armenia’s position will change or no.

"I do hope that international mediators and Armenia will realize that
the occupation policy has no future", said the President.

"We are called for a compromise, but what compromises should we
make? Accept occupation and recognize independence of Nagorno
Karabakh? Or some foreign politicians state that both Armenia and
Azerbaijan are to be blamed for the events. What is our fault? And
what is your fault? You have been driven away from your home. Our
state has changed and we do not intend to stand such a pressure. No
one can make us reject our principal position. The Karabakh conflict
should be settled in the framework of the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and I do believe that it will occur soon", said Aliyev
addressing to the internally displaced persons.

"The indifferent attitude of the world society to mass violations
of human rights in Armenia help state about the policy of double
standards applied by the West in the region", said President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on Friday.

Speaking before the internally displaced persons in Fizuli, the
President added that the world society is aware that Armenia is not
right but closes eyes on it.

"The answer to this question is the fact that the world society has
closed eyes on the brutal violence applied by the Armenian authorities
against civilians", said Aliyev.

He noted that under Azerbaijan’s demand PACE was obliged to confess
that not 8 but at least 28 people died in the result of the unrests
in Armenia.

"Azerbaijan is the most democratic country in the region but the whole
world society makes a stir the moment any provocation is initiated
here, the ambassadors of foreign countries start to make senseless
announcements and foreign press accuses Azerbaijan of non-democracy",
said the President.

"How long will we bear it? This proves that double standards are
applied to us and we reject accusations and will never accept them",
said Aliyev.

According to him, Azerbaijan should take a lesson from such an unjust
attitude.

"We observe the processes and we are obliged to state that Azerbaijan
is maltreated due to some reasons", said Aliyev. He noted that
Azerbaijan’s unwillingness to be a toy in someone’s hands also plays
a role in this issue. He announced that the fight for influence is
observed in the region but "Azerbaijan does not intend to fall under
one’s influence and it will follow its own way".

————— 13:39

"Azerbaijani armed forces are able to settle any tasks facing
it successfully", said President of Azerbaijan, according to
Novosti-Azerbaijan.

"The Azerbaijani army is the strongest in the region both from the
material and technical and professional point of views", said the
President, speaking before the community of Fizuli region.

The President visited the front line Friday and met with officers
and soldiers of the Azerbaijan’s national army serving there.

I.Aliev stressed the growing potential of the armed forces of the
country and noted that through the last few years the military expenses
of the country has risen by 4.

"The state budget for 2008 and opportunities for raising the military
expenses of the country will be considered in the near future again",
said the President and added that the military budget will reach
$2,000,000,000.

————- 12:27

According to Novosti-Azerbaijan, the visit was held to study the
execution of the State Program for Socioeconomic Development of
country’s regions for 2004-2008.

In the framework of the visit the head of state visited the park
named after Heydar Aliyev in Fizuli.

In the framework of the visit Ilham Aliyev visited the Horadiz city
of Fizuli and took part in the opening of Heydar Aliyev’s museum.

Moreover, the head of state took part in the official ceremony of
opening a bridge via the Guruchay river. The bridge extends to 18
meters and is 9 meters in width. It has been constructed in the
framework of the state program for socioeconomic development of
country’s regions for 2004-2008.

The head of state took part in the official ceremony of opening
Zobudjjuk settlement, built for internally displaced persons from
the occupied part of Fizuli, who settled in Saatli and Sabirabad. The
settlement is intended for 2104 families. the President is now meeting
with refugees.

During the visit Ilham Aliyev will visit Beylagan and Bilesuvar
regions of the country.

http://www.today.az/news/politi

PACE Urges Armenia To Release Political Prisoners

PACE URGES ARMENIA TO RELEASE POLITICAL PRISONERS

Interfax News Agency
April 17 2008
Russia

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called
on the Armenian government to launch an independent investigation
into the March 1 events in Yerevan, free political prisoners and
soften the law on assemblies and other forms of public protest.

The call came in a PACE resolution on the state of democratic
institutes in Armenia, which was passed at a plenary session on
Thursday.

The authors of the document, members of the PACE Monitoring
Commission John Prescott and George Coloumbier, urge Armenia to
conduct a transparent investigation of the March 1 events, lift all
charges from opposition supporters and deputies if they committed
no offenses, release all prisoners who were arrested for political
reasons, and introduce amendments to law on assemblies, rallies,
marches and demonstrations.

The PACE recommended Armenia to reform its political and election
systems and guarantee the impartiality of judges and freedom of
the press.

Meeting Of Presidents Possible Soon, Bryza Says

MEETING OF PRESIDENTS POSSIBLE SOON, BRYZA SAYS

armradio.am
18.04.2008 15:39

A private meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia
Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan, to discuss the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may take place in the near future, Matthew
Bryza, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, said
addressing the meeting of the Commission on Security and Cooperation
in Europe (US Helsinki commission) at the US Congress on 17 April,
ITAR-TASS reported.

Bryza did not respond unilaterally to the appeals by legislators to
elaborate on the date of the talks between Aliyev and Sargsyan. The
planning of such a meeting could take place within a matter of
months. The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers who are eligible
to arrange talks between Aliyev and Sargsyan, may meet within a month
or more," the US diplomat said.

He reiterated that the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, as per the
aspect of Washington, does not have a military solution. The United
States considers that it is necessary to achieve a compromise of
‘political agreements’, Bryza stated.

He did not agree with reports stating that the activities by the OSCE
Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh under the co-chairmanship of Russia,
France and the United States, were not efficient. The work undertaken
by the Group represents tremendous value and is very efficient,
the Assistant Secretary of State said.

Tigran Martirosyan European Weightlifting Champion

TIGRAN MARTIROSYAN EUROPEAN WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPION

armradio.am
18.04.2008 13:34

Armenian weightlifter Tigran Martirosyan (69 kg) showed the result of
346 kg in the snatch and clean and jerk combination in the European
Weightlifting Championships underway in Lignano (Italy), achieving
the champion’s title. He outran his main competitor V. Dabaya of
France with 13 kg.

Tigran Martirosyan won in the snatch event with the result of 158 kg,
outrunning his opponents with 12 kg.

Tigran Martirosyan and V. Dabaya showed the same result (188 kg)
in the clean and jerk, but Dabaya won because of his lighter weight,
setting two new youth records.

In the women’s contest Hripsime Khurshudyan failed in the snatch.

However, she achieved a gold medal in the clean and jerk with the
result of 141 kg.

As of today, the Armenian women’s team has achieved 7 gold medals
and decisively leads in the team competition.

PM Tigran Sargsyan Introduces Teh Newly Appointed Minister Of Justic

PM TIGRAN SARGSYAN INTRODUCES TEH NEWLY APPOINTED MINISTER OF JUSTICE

armradio.am
17.04.2008 16:32

Today RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan presented the newly appointed
Minister of Justice, Mr. Gevorg Danielyan to the staff of the Ministry
of Justice.

Congratulating the Minister on assuming office, the Prime Minister
noted he is glad that Gevorg Danielyan is going to head the Ministry,
because he is a just, honest and decent person and has achieved this
fame thanks to his long activity.

RA Prime Minister noted that the role of the Ministry of Justice is
extremely great in having an effective Government. "If the Ministry
of Justice works effectively, we shall be able to make the whole
governance system healthier," he noted.

"There are different opinions about justice in Armenia. There is
serious criticism, as well. The opinion prevails among the society
that we have not managed to form a legal system in Armenia that
would allow people to feel defended, and would ensure the rule of
law in the country. I think we should overcome this psychological
complex via devoted joint work. I’m sure Gevorg Danielyan is the
person who can solve this issue together with you, and naturally,
due to teamwork of the Government," Tigran Sargsyan noted.

Thanking the Prime Minister and the President, Gevvrg Danielyan noted
that the staff working with him realizes its tasks and succeeds to
acquire necessary professionalism.

"You are informed about the problems that exist in the system. I
assure that the expectations you connect with the system will come
true. There are unsolved issues, and we shall do our best to solve
those," Gevorg Danielyan assured.

Moscow Mayor’s Office Frustrating Armenian Genocide Commemorative Ev

MOSCOW MAYOR’S OFFICE FRUSTRATING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATIVE EVENT?

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.04.2008 14:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Every year on April 24, marking the anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by Young Turks in 1915-1923, the
Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR) organizes a rally at the Turkish
Embassy in Moscow.

Levon Mukunyan, head of the Youth Association of SAR Moscow
Organization told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that Moscow mayor’s
office works to prevent the action this year.

"We petitioned for authorization. However, no response has come yet,"
he said.

Meanwhile, as PanARMENIAN.Net came to know from a source in Moscow,
the Turkish Embassy is giving a reception on April 24, 2008.

On the same day The Lark Farm will be for the first time screened
in Russia.

As adapted from the novel by Antonia Arslan and co-directed by
legendary Italian brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani in 2007, The
Lark Farm marks one of the few international features to tackle the
Armenian Genocide head-on.

529,231 Users Connected To Republican Gas System

529,231 USERS CONNECTED TO REPUBLICAN GAS SYSTEM

Noyan Tapan
April 15, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The number of actual users of
ArmRusgazprom CJSC increased by 2,872 in March and made 529,231
users connected to the gas system as of April 1. NT correspondent was
informed by the company’s press service that the 200 thousandth user
was linked to the gas system of Yerevan on March 31.

It is noteworthy that gas supply networks have been installed in 472
settlements of the country. The company envisages investing at least 62
bln drams (about 200 mln USD) in the system this year. ArmRusgasprom
transfers 75 mln drams to the RA state budget and 6 mln drams to the
Social Fund a day.

BAKU: OSCE To Monitor Border Regions

OSCE TO MONITOR BORDER REGIONS

Trend News Agency
April 14 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 14 April / Trend News corr. E.Huseynli / On 15
April, OSCE will hold monitoring on the border line near Tapgaragoyunlu
village of Goranboy region of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Defence Ministry
reported TrendNews.

Personal representative of Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Peter Ki
and Antal Herdich, will hold monitoring from Azerbaijani side.

>From the Armenian side the monitoring will be held by Imre Palatinus,
Irji Aberli and Jaslan Nurtazin, the Field Assistant to Personal
Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

In 1994, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached ceasefire agreement and peace
negotiations are ongoing between the countries so far.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988, due to the Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

Since 1992, the Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven neighboring
districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire
agreement which ended the active hostilities. The Co-Chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding
the peaceful negotiations.