Author: Kafian Jirair

BOTTLES ‘MOVE ALONG’ BAGHRAMYAN AVENUE

A1+
[11:51 pm] 13 April, 2007

At 7:00 p.m. "Impeachment" alliance started their campaign from
Freedom Square. The time was due to another festival "Spring-2007"
organized by Yerevan City Hall.

But for the festival, the meeting was to start at 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. By
5:30 p.m. the square was still empty and there was nothing but the
microphones and some musical equipment on the stage. The organizers
played loud music thus trying to justify the abrupt ending of the
festival.

As soon as the representatives of "Impeachment" arrived, the police
headed by Alexander Afyan, Lieutenant Colonel of RA Police Central
Office warned Vahagn Khachatryan, member to a Social-political
initiative group to hold their campaign meeting in the area assigned
by Municipality i.e. outside the fence as far as the whole festival
equipment was inside.

RA National Anthem opened the meeting; the latter carried the message
of " The impeachment of RA President and his criminal administrative
bodies".

Aram Karapetyan, chairman of "New Times" party as well as Aram
Sargsyan, leader of "Republican" party together with their party
members were also present.

In fact, the organizers were carrying empty bottles having the
following message: "Let’s impeach him together!"

To mention, in case the opposition is a majority in the NA after the
elections, they will make Robert Kocharyan quit his office.

DISCUSSION OF THE ARMENIAN GENIOCIDE AT THE CALIFORNIA SENATE

AZG Armenian Daily
13/04/2007

Armenian Consul to the USA Armen Liloyan held a speech at the Higher
Senate of California dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. According
to the Armenian Foreign Ministry the Consul emphasized taking into
account the lessons of the past and preventing such outrageous crimes
in the future. Mr. Liloyan also made comments on the Turkey’s official
policy of denying the Genocide. He noted that such policy can by no
means serve to the improvement of relations of the two states and
establishment of stability in the Southern Caucasian region.

On the same day the power chamber of the parliament of California
passed a bill declaring April 24 a day of commemoration of the victims
of the Armenian Genocide.

The bill also calls upon Turkey to recognize the Genocide.

EARTHQUAKE OCCURS AGAIN IN ARMENIA LATE APRIL 12

Noyan Tapan
Apr 12 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 12, at 20:10 local time,
a 2 magnitude earthquake occured in Armenia, 5 km north-west of the
village of Parakar.

The earthquake measured 3 on the Richter scale in the epicenter. NT
was informed about it from the National Seismic Protection Service
adjunct to the RA Government.

ARMENIAN REPUBLICANS EYE ‘ABSOLUTE MAJORITY’ IN NEW PARLIAMENT
By Hovannes Shoghikian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
April 11 2007

The governing Republican Party (HHK) is aiming for a landslide
victory in the May 12 elections that would earn it an absolute
majority in Armenia’s next parliament, one of its leading members
said on Wednesday.

The HHK has controlled at least 47 of the 131 seats in the outgoing
National Assembly, both through its official parliament faction and
the People’s Deputy group of lawmakers mostly affiliated with the
party. It has also enjoyed the backing of over a dozen other wealthy
deputies loyal to the government.

The HHK’s new chairman, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, and other
senior Republicans have said until now that their aim is to win at
least as many parliament seats as they have had for the past four
years. But Galust Sahakian, the leader of the HHK faction in the
current legislature, went farther on Wednesday, saying that the party
is looking to single-handedly control the new assembly.

"We must now talk about having an absolute majority," Sahakian told
reporters. "That is not only what we but also the public and the
political field believe."

"Past experience has shown that we are the ones who bear responsibility
[for government policies] at the end of the day," he argued. "We
don’t dodge responsibility. Nor do we avoid the burden which we have
to carry."

The comments will likely stoke opposition allegations that the
Republicans and Sarkisian in particular are intent on winning the
elections at any cost, including massive vote rigging. The HHK,
which controls most of Armenia’s local governments and has vast
financial resources at its disposals, has been accused by them of
forcing public sector employees to join and vote for the party or
risk losing their jobs.

The HHK has dismissed the claims backed up by media reports. Its
powerful leader has assured the West that the upcoming vote will meet
democratic standards.

ARMENIAN STUDENTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
10.04.2007 15:45

The South Florida Armenian Students’ Association (ASA), in conjunction
with the Armenian National Committee of Florida, launched an active
campaign to educate college students about the Armenian Genocide
of 1915-1923, reported the Armenian National Committee of America,
Eastern Region (ANCA).

At a benefit concert dubbed, "Make Some Noise for Darfur" sponsored by
the Florida Atlantic University (FAU)-Amnesty International and MTV,
drawing a crowd of more than 300 students, the ASA was invited, along
Hillel and the National Organization of Women (NOW), to distribute
educational materials, field questions, and promote discussion about
the Turkish government’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide.

Speaking at a crowd of human rights activists, 2004 ANCA Leo Sarkisian
Intern, Michael Toumayan asked, "If we cannot get the first genocide
of the 20th century recognized, how can we prevent present and future
genocides from occurring?"

"Seeing all different student organizations, representing a wide range
of cultures and causes, gives us hope for the future of humanity"
reflected Christina Benlian, corresponding secretary for the South
Florida ASA. Also commenting on ANC/ ASA’s advocacy for the Armenian
Cause, including the support for the benefit concert for Darfur,
FAU President Frank Brogan said, "this is a good a cause" as students
webfaxed their representatives to support the current Armenian Genocide
resolution in the US Congress, H. Res 106.

Although not many people were aware of the history of the massacres of
the Armenians, Roupen Joubi rebutted, "it should not discourage us,
but rather it motivates us to work even harder to educate our peers
one of the darkest chapters of history."

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
April 10, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SUPPORT GROWS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION AMONG MEMBERS
OF KEY DEFENSE, INTELLIGENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEES

— Senior Republican on House Armed Services
Committee Supports Passage of Resolution

WASHINGTON, DC – In letters circulated today to Members of the
House of Representatives, the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) highlighted the growing support for the Armenian
Genocide Resolution among members serving on Congressional
committees dealing with America’s defense capabilities,
intelligence community, foreign policy, and homeland security.

"We are deeply gratified by the strong, bipartisan support for the
Armenian Genocide Resolution among Members of Congress responsible
for our nation’s defense and foreign policies," said Aram
Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "Beyond the clear moral
issues at stake in America’s principled stand against all
genocides, these Members realize that Turkey, by coming to terms
with this crime, will lower regional tensions, open the door to
improved relations with Armenia, and ultimately contribute to its
own acceptance by the European family of nations."

Armed Services:

Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), the senior Republican on the
House Armed Services Committee, recently agreed to cosponsor the
Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, making him the sixteenth
member of the influential panel to add his name to this human
rights measure.

In addition to Ranking Member Hunter, other members of the Armed
Services Committee who support the measure include several
subcommittee chairmen: Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), who heads the Air
and Land Forces Subcommittee; Martin Meehan (D-MA), who chairs the
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and; Ellen Tauscher (D-
CA), who presides over the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. Other
Committee members include Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Dan Boren (D-OK),
Robert Brady (D-PA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Frank
LoBiondo (R-NJ), Howard McKeon (R-CA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-
WA), Candice Miller (R-MI), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Mark Udall (D-
CO), and Joe Wilson (R-SC).

Intelligence:

The Armenian Genocide Resolution also enjoys bipartisan support
among members of the House Intelligence Committee, including Mike
Thompson (D-CA), who chairs the panel’s Subcommittee on Terrorism
and Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence, and Anna
Eshoo (D-CA), who heads the Subcommittee on Intelligence Community
Management. Other cosponsors on the Committee include Rush Holt
(D-NJ), Darrell Issa (R-CA), James Langevin (D-RI), Rick Renzi (R-
AZ), Mike Rogers (R-MI), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and John Tierney
(D-MA).

Foreign Affairs:

Twenty-four members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the
panel with jurisdiction over the measure, have already cosponsored
H.Res.106. This figure includes five of the panel’s seven
Subcommittee Chairmen: Donald Payne (D-NJ), Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health; William Delahunt (D-MA),
Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human
Rights and Oversight; Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia; Brad Sherman (D-CA),
Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Non-Proliferation and
Trade, and; Eliot Engel (D-NY), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the
Western Hemisphere.

State Department Appropriations:

Nine of the thirteen members of the House Appropriations
Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the State Department have
cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Among the supportive
members of the State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee are its
Chairwoman, Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Ranking Republican, Frank Wolf
(R-VA). Other cosponsors on the panel include Steve Israel (D-NY),
Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL), Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Steven Rothman
(D-NJ), and the resolution’s author Adam Schiff (D-CA).

Homeland Security:

Eighteen of the thirty-three members of the House Committee on
Homeland Security are also cosponsors of the Armenian Genocide
resolution, including: Loretta Sanchez, Chairwoman of the
Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism; James
Langevin (D-RI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats,
Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology; Jane Harman, Chairwoman
of the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and
Terrorism Risk Assessment, and; Sheila Jackson Lee, Chairwoman of
the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure
Protection. Other Congressional cosponsors on the panel include
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Charles Dent (R-PA), Al
Green (D-TX), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Dan Lungren
(R-CA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Eleanor Holmes
Norton (D-DC), Edwin Perlmutter (D-CO), Mike Rogers (R-MI),
Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Mark Souder (R-IN).

#####

TURKEY "BOTASH" DOES NOT WANT TO SEE GAS DE FRANCE AS PARTNER

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 5 2007

Turkish refused "Gas de France" as a strategic partner in the gas
mainline project Nabucco.

Ankara refused French company’s involvement in the construction of
Nabucco project, which is to transport gas recourses from Caspian
states and Middle East to Europe, APA’s Turkey bureau reports. Gas
de France expressed its wish to participate in the project. Except
Turkey, other project involved companies OMV (Austria), MOL (Hungary),
Bulgargaz (Bulgaria) and Transgaz (Romania) agreed to France’s
participation.

Turkey said it would not let Gas de France to participate in
the project explaining this with its protest against the French
parliament’s decision to make it crime to deny "Armenian genocide".

The Nabucco project would provide some 25 billion cubic meters of
natural gas every year, transporting it 3,000 kilometers from Turkey
to Austria, via Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary.

IMF: AZERBAIJAN CAN SHARE NIGERIA’S FATE

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.04.2007 16:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to assessments of the International
Monetary Fund Azerbaijan could gain $25 billion during 2005-2010
and some $200 million before 2005, said Bazil Zavoyko, the head of
the IMF Baku Office. If the government doesn’t proceed to thorough
analysis of the situation Azerbaijan may share the fate that befell
the states rich in oil but incapable to conquer the desire to spend
petrodollars in some 5 years, like Nigeria for example," Zavoyko said.

With control over the oil income and budget expenses the inflation
index should make 6-7%. However, inflation in Azerbaijan is amounted
to double-digited number, realazer.net reports.

38 CANDIDATES REMAIN IN ALLIANCE LIST

Panorama.am
17:22 03/04/2007

Changes took place in the proportional list of "Alliance" party,
headed by NKR ex-minister of defense, Samvel Babayan. The Alliance
submitted a 47-person list to the Central Electoral Committee.

Later two, Petosyan Lilit and Saribekyan Eduard, were left out.

The Alliance did not submit documents for another 7 candidates on
March 28, deadline for registration. So, the Alliance will run in
the elections with 38-person list.

RUSSIA PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT-FM

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
April 3, 2007 Tuesday

Russia plays a very important and constructive role in settlement of
the Karabakh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said
at a joint conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
on Tuesday.

"We highly value the role and the stance of Russia that not only will
support accords of the sides, but is ready to act as a guarantor of
bilateral accords," he said.

Lavrov’s visit to Armenia coincided with the 15th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between the two countries, Oskanian said.

"His personal assessment of the road that we have gone is very high,"
he said.

"Over 15 years we have been cooperating very successfully in quite
new conditions – in a capacity of independent states. At present,
the agenda of the Russian-Armenian relations is very voluminous:
our countries cooperate in all spheres in a spirit of understanding
and partnership," Oskanian said.

He said that he had "discussed with the Russian colleague a wide
spectrum of the bilateral relations and a prospect for settlement of
the Karabakh conflict".

"Lavrov has informed about Russia’s stance on a number of international
problems, in particular in connection with Kosovo, Iran, reform of
the CIS and OSCE," Oskanian said.