Author: Jagharian Tania

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION PARTY DISMISSES REPORTS ON DEFECTION OF MPS

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
20 Jun 07

[Presenter] The Orinats Yerkir party continues to deny that Sergey
Abrahamyan and Khachik Petrosyan, who have been elected to parliament
from the party’s list of candidates, are going to leave the party
soon. Orinats Yerkir vice chairman Mher Shahgeldyan dismissed the
rumours as groundless today [20 June]. He also said denied that
prominent members of the party periodically leave it. He did not rule
out the possibility that the party may cooperate with the authorities
in the National Assembly. We will support approaches tackling various
issues, he said when answering a question regarding cooperation with
the authorities. Shahgeldyan said his party backs the idea of having
a joint candidate from the opposition in the forthcoming presidential
election.

[Mher Shahgeldyan, addressing the news conference] We think that
a joint candidate will mean a wake-up and our ranks have the same
approach towards the idea of having a joint candidate. The Orinats
Yerkir party has always considered this right, and we have never had
unnecessary ambitions.

TWENTY YEARS AGO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZED THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
18.06.2007 16:25

Twenty years ago today, on June 18, 1987, the European Parliament
became the first major international body to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, during its plenary session in Strasbourg, voting on a
momentous resolution paving the way "for a political solution of the
Armenian issue." After extensive deliberations and resisting immense
pressures from Turkey and its hired guns, the European legislators
set the record straight on this first genocide of modern times and
delivered a landmark victory for justice that Armenians in Europe and,
indeed, all over the world have been fighting for.

To mark this important anniversary, and to re-think the goals of the
task ahead, the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy
announces the Second Convention of European Armenians, which will take
place on October 15-16, 2007 at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Twenty years after this historic accomplishment, and fifteen years
after the re-birth of Armenian independence, the Convention will
gather European Armenian grass-roots organizations and prominent
personalities from all corners of Europe to focus on the current
political priorities of the European Armenian community ranging from
Turkey’s European ambitions while persistently denying the Armenian
Genocide and persecuting its minorities to Turkey’s continuing blockade
of Armenia, the Karabakh negotiations, the European Neighborhood
policies in the region and the prospects of peace and stability in
the South Caucasus.

The Federation recalls that a key conclusion of the 1987 resolution
made clear in no uncertain terms that "the refusal by the present
Turkish Government to acknowledge the genocide against the Armenian
people committed by the Young Turk government, its reluctance to apply
the principles of international law to its differences of opinion
with Greece, the maintenance of Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus
and the denial of existence of the Kurdish question, together with
the lack of true parliamentary democracy and the failure to respect
individual and collective freedoms, in particular freedom of religion,
in that country are insurmountable obstacles to consideration of the
possibility of Turkey’s accession to the [European] Community."

"Today, twenty years after the passage of the resolution of 18
June 1987, this paragraph could be restated word for word by the
Parliament without the slightest hesitation", declared Hilda Tchoboian,
the Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation. "The European
leadership should take note of the fact that in twenty years Turkey has
shown no evidence of progress on any of the stated issues," she added.

The Second Convention of European Armenians will pay a vibrant tribute
to all the key leaders of 1987 who acted courageously to deliver
the Parliament’s historic decision. Paule Duport, Henri Saby, Ernest
Glinne, Alfred Coste-Floret, René Piquet, Jaak Vandemeulebroucke,
Stan Newens, Francis Wurtz and all others who carried the torch
through painful deliberations. "As citizens of modern Europe, it
is our privilege to honor these MEP’s, visionary men and women, who
voted their conscience on that day and positioned the Parliament at
the most revered ethical standards of European values," concluded
Hilda Tchoboian.

–Boundary_(ID_98P6QVJEkbe1OhTo/SK+AQ) —

SYSTEM REFORMS IN OUR COUNTRY WERE ALREADY CARRIED OUT, AND WE DO NOT HAVE PROBLEMS IN THIS RESPECT

KarabakhOpen
18-06-2007 11:47:31

Interview of the KarabakhOpen with the presidential candidate Bako
Sahakyan

KarabakhOpen: Mr. Sahakyan, you were nominated for the post of
president.

What track will you take, reforms or the continuation and development
of the current line?

I think in this question the notion of "reforms" is not quite proper
because reforms underlie the "continuation and development of the
current line"? if you mean the political line, both regarding my
position and personality I am one of the people who are responsible
for the current line, and I do not avoid talking about it publicly
but I am proud of it. I think the system reforms in our country were
already carried out and set down in the Constitution, and we do not
have problems in this respect.

Today our priority must be economic development and a balanced social
policy. But I prefer speaking about it in the period of the election
campaign provided by the law.

KarabakhOpen: Do you think the upcoming election will be fair and free?

No unfair and non-free elections were held in Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. It is our greatest achievement. I would not like to
doubt that the upcoming election will not be free, legitimate or
fair. Besides, I have no reason to.

KarabakhOpen: Who will vote for you?

All the categories of voters. Otherwise, I would not run for
presidency.

KarabakhOpen: What are your thoughts on the idea of a "single
candidate"?

Common is not the only. If I am a single candidate for the four
candidates, each of my opponents is also the single candidate of their
supporters. The political weight is concerned, but in any case people
must vote. So, not everything is predetermined.

KarabakhOpen: What is you opinion on the work of the media, namely
the Public Channel of Artsakh, in the pre-election period?

In the period of elections the activities of the media are regulated
by the law. I think the media have not breached so far.

KarabakhOpen: Recently the liberated territories have sparked heated
debate.

Do you think these territories must be settled? If yes, on what
resource?

The liberated territories should be discussed every day and not from
time to time. The creation of the Department of Migration, Refugees
and Resettlement is evidence to constant focus on this issue. All
the other problems that may occur must be a subject of thorough
discussion. Today it is not expedient to make statements related to
this issue. It has strategic importance, and making a fuss is not
helpful. No country in the world makes populist discussions out of
its strategic secrets. And we are not an exception.

Meanwhile, some recent media reports on this topic may not work in
favor of our country and the Armenians generally.

NEWLY-ELECTED RA HEALTH MINISTER CONGRATULATES WORKERS OF HEALTH SPHERE ON OCCASION OF PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY

Noyan Tapan
Jun 15 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 15, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of June 17, the day
of the members of the medical profession, Haroutiun Kushkian, the
newly-appointed RA Health Minister, sent a message of congratulation
to the workers of the health sphere of the republic. According to
information provided to the correspondent of Noyan Tapan by the
Ministry, the message, in paticular, runs as follows:

"The day of the members of the medical profession is a fine occasion
for being happy with the professional progress and achievements, and
congratulating each other warmly and sincerely. Due to the help given
to people, as well as the capability and readiness to sooth their pain,
members of the medical profession always enjoy the respect of the
people. The Health sphere has always been distinguished by thick rows
of experienced professionals, philantrophists and devoted patriots. I
am also sure that in the future our joint efforts and organized work
will contribute to the development of this sphere and help to trust
in a bright future.

It should be mentioned that about 12 thousand doctors and 28 thousand
nurses work in the medical instituitons of Armenia.

PM DOWNPLAYS FEARS ABOUT NUKE REACTOR

Daily Georgian Times
rustavi2
June 15 2007

Georgian Prime Minister has said the controversy on the construction

of a nuclear electric power station in Georgia was too early,
particularly discussion of project details and its possible
consequences. Zurab Noghaideli said the fate of the reactor depended
on the decision of the Armenian government.

‘Negotiations over the issue have been underway for a long time
and we have not agreed our positions so far. The fate of the issue
depends on Armenia, because the reactor is located in Armenia and the
negotiations are held about replacing the old reactor. At present it
has not been even decided whether the reactor will be replaced by a
new one, a new station will be constructed in Georgia or somewhere
else,’ Prime Minister said.

The information about the construction of a nuclear reactor in Georgia
was voiced during Georgian president’s visit to France. It was said
then that the negotiations over the issue were underway.

Experts estimate that after the construction of a nuclear electric
power station, electricity amount will exceed the reserves and power
import will become feasible.

8 PERCENT OF DELINQUENT TAXES WERE SPENT ON ELECTION

Lragir.am
14-06-2007 16:20:20

The former prime minister of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan stated during
the seminar entitled Armenia 2007 that public administration and
economic activities have mixed up, so much capital has accumulated
that that if the prime minister and the president were saints, they
would not be able to solve all the problems at once.

Hrant Bagratyan offers to make it clear where Armenia now is, and what
society we have, that of equal opportunities or the force of tradition.

According to Hrant Bagratyan, the society of equal opportunities or the
society which bears the Western civilization is based on four pillars:
intellect, idea, information and law. The four pillars of the force
of tradition or the Asian variant are: power, money, disinformation
and tradition. "We are in the second. It will be difficult to bring
back democracy, decentralize the capital. When 10 to 15 people possess
everything, they become the state. We are like flies for them. People
are beaten, nothing happens to them. They have money which protects
them," Hrant Bagratyan stated.

Hrant Bagratyan explains the victory of the Republican Party and the
unexpected results of the Bargavach Hayastan Party by this logic. "The
employees voted for the employers, the Republican Party had 30 percent
in the government and 85 percent in the local governments. They gave
the mayors 20 dollars for each vote. The Bargavach Hayastan Party
gave ambulances to hospitals."

Hrant Bagratyan thinks the businessmen spent only 8 percent of the
taxes they evaded.

BAKU CANNOT BUT AGREE ON U.S.-RUSSIA JOINT USE OF GABALA RADAR STATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.06.2007 16:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Commenting on Putin’s proposal on joint use of
Gabala radar station I should mention that the U.S. hasn’t given
consent yet," deputy director and fellow of Russia and Eurasia Program
of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Cory Welt told
a news conference in Yerevan.

"Certainly, Azerbaijan cannot but agree. The most important point is
what hides behind Vladimir Putin’s proposal and how it will influence
on Iran-Russia relations," Mr Welt said.

ARMENIAN YOUTH KILLS YOUNG TURK DURING ARGUMENT

Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2007

ISTANBUL, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. An argument started between 15-year-old
Arthur M. and four Young Turks in Bakirkoy after the men disturbed
Arthur and his girlfriend. The argument was followed by a scuffle,
which resulted in the death of one person and 3 others injured.

According to the evidence that Arthur and his girlfriend gave in the
police station, those four men approached them in the street. "We came
from Armenia to visit our realtives. We were kissing in the street
when those 4 Young Turks started disturbing us. I went indoors and
did not see how the argument ended," Arthur’s girlfriend said.

According to some information, while accompanying his girlfriend,
Arthur kissed her outdoors which caused resentment of four young men
standing nearby. They warned the couple that "they should not kiss
in the street".

Arthur replied that no one has the right to interfere in their
affairs. In response to these words, the 4 men – Ersoy Celik, 33,
Salih Guler, 28, Nurettin Okutan, 35 and Ali Kemal Celikkal, 36,
stated that "they are responsible for the honour of their district"
and approached Arthur. The 15-year-old Arthur inflicted injuries
on all 4 men with a knife. As a result, Ersoy Celik received a stab
wound to the heart and died in hospital, while Salih Guler is still
in a critical state. Arthur ran away but a short time later he was
arrested by the police.

There was no information about the nationality of Arthur and his
girlfriend.

WCC "BELIEF AND ORDER" STANDING COMMITTEE SITTING TO TAKE PLACE IN SWITZERLAND ON JUNE 12-18

Noyan Tapan
Jun 12 2007

ETCHMIADZIN, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 12-18 the regular sitting
of the Belief and Order Standing Committee of the World Church Council
(WCC) will take place in Switzerland and Bishop Natan Hovhannisian,
head of the Armenian diocese in England, representative of the Armenian
Apostolic Church in the Committee, will take part with the blessing
of the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information Service of Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin, the participants of the meeting will discuss
issues on priesthood, the symbolism of baptism, Christian anthropology
and traditions.

During the meeting the participants will as well touch upon the
current activities and future plans of the committee.

NO SERIOUS PROGRESS TO BE EXPECTED IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

Yerkir
12.06.2007 16:11

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau’s
Hay Dat and Political Affairs office director Kiro Manoyan thinks that
the recent talks indicated that no serious progress can be expected
in the Artsakh conflict settlement in the near future.

"The talks showed the mediators, who sounded optimistic, are not
realistic because Azerbaijan tend to turn back from agreements reached
before," Manoyan said during a round table discussion with former
Prime Minister Hrant Bagratian.

He said that international community is not interesting in the Karabakh
issue since there are many other issues in the world, including
the presidential election in the US. So, we need to use time and
focus on our issues that have not been settled so far, among them,
the resettlement of the territories under Armenian control.

There is no sense to start to talks from zero after the presidential
elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan, so, Azerbaijan should know
that if it fails to take this opportunity, it may face an option of
negotiating with Karabakh in the future.

"It is clear to us that the most important thing is the status of
Karabakh, other issues are secondary," he said.