Author: Jagharian Tania

CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA ARAM I CALLS ON ARMENIANS TO UNITE

ARKA
March 11, 2008

YEREVAN, March 11. /ARKA/. Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I urged the
Armenian people to unite around their national values in such a
difficult period.

>From February 20 to March 1, Armenia’s opposition political forces led
by ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan were holding rallies in Liberty
Square in Yerevan protesting against the results of February 19
presidential elections attributing victory to Prime Minister Serge
Sargssyan.

As a result of public unrest and clashes between the rally participants
and the police 131 people were injured, and eight were killed. On
March 1, RA President Robert Kocharyan issued a decree on imposing
a twenty-day state of emergency in the capital.

"Today our homeland faces greater problems ever and our people should
leave aside all their minor problems to unite around national values
and interests," the Press Office of the Catholicos of Cilicia quoted
him saying.

The same source reports that His Holiness Aram I sent a delegation to
Saint Etchmiadzin to express support to Catholicos of All Armenians
Garegin II in connection with the Yerevan events, as well as the
wounded and families of those killed. The delegation includes
Archbishop Sepuh Sargssyan and Bishop Narek Alemezyan. –0–

ARMENIANS KILLED ONE MORE SOLDIER OF AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES IN FUZULI REGION

Azeri Press Agency
March 10 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA. Armenian armed forces have again broken
ceasefire in different directions through the frontline.

Press Service of Azerbaijan~Rs Defense Ministry told APA, Armenian army
units have brought fire on the positions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces
in Kokha Nabi village of Tovuz Region on March 9, at 14.05-14.20,
they have opened fire from their positions in unknown heights
on the opposite positions of Azerbaijani Army in Fuzuli Region
at 10.00-22.30, in Dashkesen Region at 20.10-20.30, in Chileburt,
Gizil Oba and Seysulan villages of Terter Region from 18.45 to 00.55
over the night from 9th to 10th of March. They have used automatic
weapons and machine-guns. Enemy was retaliated in all cases. Soldier
of Azerbaijani Army drafted by Ganja Enlistment Office, 19-year-old
Ismailov Ramin Ismail oglu fell during the violation of ceasefire
by Armenians, Ismailov Ulvi Vagif oglu drafted by Narimanov District
Enlistment Office wounded in the left leg.

Hospital officials said he was in the satisfactory condition. One
Armenian soldier was killed by the retaliation fire.

Armenian president and co-chair of the OSCE MG discussed post-election
processes in Armenia

2008-03-07 17:39:00

ArmInfo. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and the American co-chair
of the OSCE MG Matthew Bryza discussed post-election processes in
Armenia.

As ArmInfo was informed from press-service of the president,
emphasizing responsibility of the authorities for stability, security
and preserving order in the country, Robert Kocharyan said that all the
taken measures were dictated by the created situation. "All the actions
were conditioned by a desire to stabilize the situation, neutralize
danger and return the process to its normal course", – Armenian
president said.

For his part, Matthew Bryza said that the USA is attentively observing
development of events in Armenia. Understanding the steps of the
Armenian leadership directed to establishment of order in the
country, Bryza said that they worry about big tension and added that
all the parties are responsible for the created situation. They also
discussed the problems connected with certain limitations because of
the state of emergency.

Investment programme of ‘ArmRusgazprom’ CJSC for 2008-2010 valued at
$147,1 mln approved

2008-03-07 12:56:00

ArmInfo. Today, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia
approved the investment programme of "ArmRusgazprom" CJSC for 2008-
2010 valued at 45 188.5 mln AMD ($147,1 mln at the current rate).

Head of the Investment Development Department of "ArmRusgazprom" CJSC
Ashot Hakopyan, having represented the programme in the Commission,
said that the Company schedules to solve two primary tasks:
construction completion and launch of Kajaran-Ararat gas pipeline
section, as well as installation of gas annunciators in multistorey
houses. Solution of the first task will allow to assure alternative
sources of gas supplies and enhance the country’s energy security,
while solution of the second task will enhance the house gas supply
safety level and minimize accidents. He said that the investments are
divided into two main groups. It is scheduled to invest 25,2 bln AMD in
extension of the gas-transport system and 19,9 bln AMD – in a gas
distributing network. In a gas-transport system, the greater
investments (19,3 bln) fall on construction of Kajaran-Ararat gas
pipeline section. It is envisaged to invest 2,6 bln AMD in upgrading
and extension of Abovyan underground gas storage. It is also scheduled
to carry out construction and replacement of gas pipelines, upgrade the
gas distributing stations and perform other work. In the gas
distribution network, 52% will be invested in acquisition and
implementation of new equipment and technologies, and the rest
investments – in recovery and repair of the network and performance of
other work, A. Hakopyan said.

Chairman of RA Public Services Regulatory Commission Robert Nazaryan
said that the investments have been included in the tariff constituent
and will lead to the tariff increase by 3 drams on average, that is not
so much for such great investments. He also said that the tasks related
to the energy reliability and security assurance are strategic for the
country.

To recall, "ArmRusgazprom" CJSC was created in December, 1997 and is an
exclusive importer of natural gas to Armenia.

EVENTS IN YEREVAN PLANNED BEFOREHAND

DeFacto Agency
March 6 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 06.03.08. DE FACTO. On the instruction of the RA
Procurator-General the Special investigation service is investigating
a criminal case instituted on the facts that took place in Yerevan on
February 20-March 2, the spokeswoman of Armenia’s Procurator-General
Sona Truzian stated in the course of a press conference. In her words,
the criminal case was instituted on the actions targeted at the
power’s usurpation with the violation of the country’s Constitution;
on the organization of mass disorders accompanied by violence, murders,
pogroms, destruction of public, state and private property.

According to S. Truzian, in connection with the certain events criminal
cases were earlier instituted by the Police and NSS.

However, now all these cases have been united, and the investigation
is carried out by the Special investigation service. A proper
investigation group formed by 50 investigators has been formed with
that end in view. The Procurator-General’s spokeswoman noted that
according to March 5 the materials gathered by the investigation gave
occasion to affirm with confidence that the events had been planned
beforehand and mass disorders had been directed by a united center.

At present 27 people have been arrested within the frames of the
above-mentioned criminal case, 26 more have been charged with four
articles of the Criminal Code within the frames of the above-mentioned
criminal case.

As for the shops, where pogroms had been carried out, according to
S. Truzian at present most of the stolen products have been found and
returned. Some participants of the robberies have been identified and
arrested. By the way, the spokeswoman of the RA Procurator-General
noted that in the course of the investigation it had become obvious
that criminal elements, in their turn, had got advantage of the
disorders carried out in the capital city.

ARMENIA PRESIDENT SAYS NO EARLY END TO STATE OF EMERGENCY

Agence France Presse — English
March 5, 2008 Wednesday 1:18 PM GMT

Armenia’s embattled president said Wednesday he would ignore calls
to lift the state of emergency in the capital and seek to punish
opposition leaders involved in recent clashes.

President Robert Kocharian declared the 20-day state of emergency
in Yerevan on Saturday after eight people died in street battles
between riot police and opposition supporters protesting the result
of a presidential election.

"I do not see any reason for the shortening or for the extension of
the state of emergency," Kocharian told reporters in Yerevan.

"Everyone should get the punishment that he deserves and that in the
first place is the organisers."

The opposition claims the election was rigged to ensure victory for
Serzh Sarkisian, Kocharian’s hand-picked successor.

Kocharian said that the opposition would not be allowed to stage any
mass events even after the state of emergency is lifted.

"Our reaction will be immediate, harsh, so as to avoid any repeat of
such events," Kocharian said.

A mediator from the Western-led Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Tuesday that talks to resolve the
crisis would be impossible until the end of emergency rule, which
bans protests and censors the media.

AZERBAIJAN’S FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES NATO PA PRESIDENT

Trend News Agency
March 6 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 6 March /TrendNews/ On 5 March, Azerbaijan’s
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received the President of the
NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Jose Lello, the Foreign Ministry
told TrendNews.

Lello is confident of further fruitful relationships between the
NATO PA and the Azerbaijani Parliament, as well as on the expansion
of relationships between NATO and Azerbaijan.

The Minister said Azerbaijan’s key problem is the lingering of
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, which poses a serious threat to the
world and the stability in the region. Mammadyarov did not rule
out that Azerbaijan may resort to NATO PA’s opportunities to settle
the problem.

Mammadyarov and Lello exchanged their views about a range of the
regional and international issues.

FORK ON THE ROAD RECIPE: ARMENIAN SHISH KEBAB

Miami Herald
March 6 2008
FL

ARMENIAN SHISH KEBAB

Serve with lavash or pita bread with radishes, fresh herbs and feta
cheese or with rice and steamed or grilled vegetables. The kebabs
can be grilled if you prefer.

~U 1 cup olive oil

~U 2 tablespoons lemon juice

~U 1 teaspoon dry white wine

~U 1 tablespoon minced garlic

~U Salt and freshly ground pepper

~U 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano

~U 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary

~U 1 bay leaf

~U 2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut into 2-inch cubes

~U 2 large onions, peeled and cut into 8 wedges

~U 2 large green bell peppers, cut into 8 wedges

~U 12 button mushrooms, stems removed

~U 2 large tomatoes, cut into 8 wedges

Stir olive oil, lemon juice, wine and garlic in a large mixing bowl.

Add salt and pepper to taste and add oregano, rosemary and bay leaf.

Toss lamb with marinade until evenly coated, then pour into a
resealable plastic bag and refrigerate at least 24 hours.

Position oven rack to its top setting and set oven to broil. Remove
lamb from marinade and thread onto metal skewers. Boil marinade for
3 or 4 minutes. Thread onions, peppers, and mushrooms onto separate
metal skewers. Brush the vegetables with the boiled marinade.

Broil the skewers on a broiler pan, turning frequently. Cook onions
for about 12 minutes, lamb for 10 minutes, peppers for 7 minutes and
mushrooms for 3 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest until cool
enough to handle. Remove skewers from meat and vegetables and set
aside. Reassemble the skewers, alternating lamb, onions, peppers,
mushrooms and tomatoes. Place onto broiler pan and brush again with
the marinade. Discard remaining marinade. Broil skewers again to
finish cooking, turning frequently until the lamb is medium rare and
the vegetables begin to blacken in spots, about 5 to 7 minutes. Makes
6 to 8 servings.

Source: Adapted from allrecipes.com.

Per serving: 441 calories (75 percent from fat), 36.8 g fat (12.9
g saturated, 19.2 g monounsaturated), 74.8 mg cholesterol, 21.4 g
protein, 6.8 g carbohydrates, 1.7 g fiber, 84.2 mg sodium.

ARMENIA TO CONTINUE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS IN KOSOVO, IRAQ

Xinhua

March 7 2008
China

MOSCOW, March 6 (Xinhua) — The Armenian peacekeeping forces will
continue their missions in Kosovo and Iraq, First Deputy Defense
Minister, Colonel-General Sergei Oganyan, said on Thursday.

Armenia "should fulfill its obligations on ensuring security in any
region of the world and on the international scene, as it is not
only a consumer, but also a participant in the international security
system," Oganyan, who heads the general headquarters of the country’s
armed forces, was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.

By this Yerevan has won respect not only of superpowers, but also of
authoritative international organizations, including those "that are
engaged in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that is
very important for Armenia," Oganyan said.

"We’ve proved that Armenia’s armed forces not only guarantee
independence and integrity of the republic’s border, but also show high
responsibility in fulfilling tasks in Kosovo and in Iraq," he said.

"RELATIVE PEACE" ON KARABAKH BORDER

KarabakhOpen
05-03-2008 14:33:14

The violations of the cease-fire on different sections of the line of
contact between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Karabakh continue,
said the head of the press service of the Defense Army Senor Hasratyan
in an interview with Karabakh-Open.com this morning.

"The situation on the section near the village of Levonarch where the
fight between the forces of Karabakh and Azerbaijan took place could
be characterized as "relative peace". In the night of March 3 and
March 4 the special operation force of Azerbaijan crossed the line
of contact in the northwest and occupied one of the outposts of the
NKR Defense Army in the direction of the village of Levonarch. As a
result of the operation of the NKR armed force, after the intensive
fight which lasted for several hours the opponent left four killed
soldiers and escaped. According to the intelligence, the foe carried
four other killed soldiers. Two Karabakh soldiers were wounded,"
Senor Hasratyan said.