Author: Kalantarian Kevo

MIROSLAV LAICHAK: “THE FORMATS, EXISTING FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTS, SHOULD BE RESPECTED”

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 15, 2011
YEREVAN

The formats, existing for the settlement of conflicts, should be
respected, says Miroslav Laichak, manager director of the European
Foreign Affairs Service, Eastern Neighborhood and Western Balkan
Issues.

Miroslav Laichak said today at the European Parliament hearing on
the Nagorno Karabakh issue that various formats are available for
various protracted conflicts. For instance, The Geneva talks exist
for the South Ossetia and Abkhazia issue and the OSCE Minsk Group –
for the NK issue.

Speaking on the EU’s role in the process of management of these
conflicts, Miroslav Laichak stated that the EU developed various
tools, which all are based on the international law. “Wherever the EU
is involved, we put an emphasis on the spreading of European values,
as well as human rights protection and democracy. This is our unique
investment in all the conflicts’ management process, in which we are
involved,” he stated.

Miroslav Laichak also mentioned that the best thing the EU can do
for the settlement of the region’s issues within the framework of
the Geneva talks and OSCE Minks Group, is the recording of a progress
by maintaining the principles of the international law. “The EU has
a needed strategy and tools for this all. We support the progress,”
he said.

Touching upon the process of the talks on Association Agreement with
Armenia and Azerbaijan, Miroslav Laichak said the more countries
are involved in the reforms, the more financial assistance they will
receive. “In this context we support the management of the conflict,
as we help the societies to get prepared for peace,” Miroslav Laichak
stated.

FASSIER: UNLESS BASIC PRINCIPLES ARE ACCEPTED…

AZG DAILY
16-06-2011

Karabakh Conflict Update: 2011-06-16 00:03:53 (GMT +04:00)

On June 15, OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs delivered a speech at the
International Relations Committee of the European Commission. OSCE
MG US co-chair Robert Bradtke said that the OSCE Minsk Group
activities proved to be effective. According to him, in future,
EU will largely contribute to conflict settlement. Bradtke said in
future, EU will largely contribute to conflict settlement. Speaking
about the performance of the co-chairs, US mediator said: “The main
thing we have done is to prevent a new war.” According to the French
co-chair Bernard Fassier, if the basic principles are not accepted
soon, the co-chairs will have to come up with a new concept.

MP SUGGESTS ARMENIAN PRESIDENT LEAVE HIS POST AND WORK IN HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR

epress.am
06.15.2011 21:05

Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjyan recently directed questions to
high-ranking government officials who also chair prominent Armenian
post-secondary institutions: Armenian president and Yerevan State
University (YSU) board chair Serzh Sargsyan, RA National Assembly
chair and Armenian State University of Economics board chair Hovik
Abrahamyan, and RA Prime Minister and Armenian State Pedagogical
University named after Khachatur Abovyan board chair Tigran Sargsyan.

“Don’t you think that only your candidacy being put forth and
your being elected during the Jan. 29, 2011 election of Yerevan
State University board chair testifies to the management [style]
characteristic of authoritarian regimes and compromises Yerevan State
University’s principle of self-management?” Postanjyan asked Serzh
Sargsyan, in particular.

The opposition MP also inquired a to how Serzh Sargsyan combines
his obligations as president of the Republic of Armenia with his
obligations as YSU board chair.

“Considering the fact that you assumed the post of RA president
after the 2008 rigged elections, under conditions of mass revolt
among the general public, in the existence of political prisoners,
ten dead and many wounded, after declaring a state of emergency
(during which time RA armed forces were used illegally), as well as
your failure of the management of authorities in both domestic and
foreign policy, and your love in the management of higher education
sector, isn’t it time to make a choice – to bid adieu to the position
of RA president in favor of higher education?” concluded Postanjyan,
who also suggested to Tigran Sargsyan and Hovik Abrahamyan that they
leave their posts and work full time in the area of higher education.

BETTER WE SETTLE DOMESTIC POLITICAL SITUATION SO THAT WE AVOID WAR: MIKAELYAN

epress.am
06.15.2011 15:18

“They might reach some sort of agreement in the Karabakh issue, but
it doesn’t seem to me that they’ll sign any document; it’s possible
that they’ll sign something privately,” said recently released
from prison former MP and commander of the Sasun brigade during the
Nagorno-Karabakh War Sasun Mikaelyan, speaking to journalists today
and referring to the upcoming meeting in Kazan with the presidents
of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

Mikaelyan said that during the war he participated in all the large
battles and as someone who fought in the war, he is against handing
over “even a single patch of land” to Azerbaijan; however, he confessed
that he realized that no status has been granted to Karabakh and he
also doesn’t see any status being granted to the de facto republic.

According to the war veteran, Armenia’s authorities are quite weak,
in order to settle an issue on that level. “We’re now standing before
a very serious problem. I find that it’s better for us now to settle
our domestic political situation, so that we may avoid war,” he said,
while not ruling out the likelihood of war.

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES SET TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTIONS PRESSING TURKEY TO RESPECT CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS, AND CALLING UPON AMERICA TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIANGENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan

15.06.2011

Noyan Tapan – 15.06.2011) WASHINGTON, DC ~V A bipartisan group of U.S.
legislators are set to introduce two resolutions in support of a
truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, including
a new measure specifically pressing Turkey to fully respect the
rights of Christians to practice their faith in freedom, including
through the rightful return of confiscated churches to Armenians,
Greeks, Assyrians, Pontians, Arameans (Syriacs) and other Christians
communities, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

The Return of Churches resolution, spearheaded by senior House Foreign
Affairs Committee member Ed Royce (R-CA) and the panel’s Ranking
Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA), calls upon the government of Turkey
to honor its international obligations end all forms of religious
persecution and to protect the rights and religious freedoms of
Christians. The measure specifically calls upon Turkey to return
confiscated Christian church properties.

The Armenian Genocide Resolution, introduced by Congressmen Robert
Dold (R-IL) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), calls upon the President to
recognize the Armenian Genocide and encourages the U.S. government to
apply the lessons of this tragedy to prevent future crimes against
humanity. This measure, identical to H.Res.252 during the previous
session of Congress, has been adopted by the Foreign Affairs Committee
four times over the past eleven years, but has yet to reach the floor
for an up-or-down vote of the full U.S. House of Representatives.

“We want to thank Congressmen Royce, Berman, Dold, and Schiff for
their leadership in working toward a truthful and just resolution of
the Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.

Commenting specifically on the measure safeguarding Christian heritage
introduced by Reps. Royce and Berman, Hachikian noted: “The Christian
rights legislation reflects and reaffirms the long and proud history
of principled leadership by the U.S. Congress in protecting religious
freedom abroad – for Christians and for peoples of all faiths. In
calling upon Turkey to end restrictions on freedom of worship and
restore the rights of Christians to their stolen places of worship,
the Congress will, with the full moral authority of the American
people, add its voice to the international effort to morally defend
and materially protect the rights and religious freedoms of Christians
inside Turkey’s present-day borders.” This religious freedom measure
represents an effort to highlight, confront, and eventually reverse
decades of official Turkish policy of destroying Christian church
properties, desecrating holy sites, discriminating against Christian
communities, and denying of the right of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians,
Chaldeans, Pontians, Arameans (Syriacs), and others to practice
their faith in freedom. The measure is consistent with many other
resolutions adopted by the U.S. House over the past several decades
defending religious freedom and protecting sacred sites and places of
worship, as well as with the International Religious Freedom Act of
1998 and America’s longstanding leadership in supporting the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.

Reps. Royce and Berman Speak out on Turkey’s Confiscation of Churches;
Crackdown on Religious Freedom:

Return of Churches resolution lead sponsors Reps. Ed Royce and Howard
Berman speak out on the importance of immediate action to address
Turkey’s repression of its religious minorities and the confiscation
of churches.

“Conditions in Turkey have deteriorated with violent hate crimes
increasingly linked to religion,” explained Rep. Royce. “My resolution
urges Turkey to protect its vulnerable religious minorities. They
should be able to freely practice, worship and study their faith
without fear of discrimination or violence. We expect Turkey to make
good on its obligation to provide this protection.”

Rep. Berman concurred, noting, “By expropriating church properties,
harassing worshippers, and refusing to grant full legal status to
some Christian groups, Turkey has failed to fulfill its obligation
as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which
requires ‘freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.’ Turkey must
end its deeply disturbing practice of religious discrimination, cease
all restrictions on gatherings for religious prayer and education,
and return stolen church property.”

Reps. Dold and Schiff Speak Out on the Imperative of U.S Affirmation
of the Armenian Genocide:

“The United States has a duty to remember those who have no voice,”
explained Rep. Dold upon introduction of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution. “Ninety-six years ago 1.5 million people were killed
simply because they were Armenian. I’ve personally heard stories
from Armenian-Americans in my district who lost loved ones during
the Armenian genocide. This appalling tragedy should not be ignored;
rather, as a nation that fights for justice it is only fitting that
the United States honestly recognize the Armenian Genocide and the
victims so that together we can help prevent future genocides.”

“The facts of history are clear, well documented and non-negotiable
~V 1.5 million Armenians were deliberately murdered in the first
genocide of the 20th century,” explained Rep. Schiff. “If we are
to prevent future atrocities, we must condemn genocide whenever and
wherever it occurs. It has never served our national interest to be
complicit in another nation’s campaign of genocide denial, and it never
will. While there are still some survivors left, we have a compelling,
urgent and moral obligation to speak plainly about the past.”

The territory of present-day Turkey, home to many of the most
important centers of early Christianity – most notably Nicaea,
Ephesus, Chalcedon, and Constantinople – contains, to this day, a
rich legacy of Christian heritage, including thousands of religious
sites and properties.

Sources on Capitol Hill report that both measures are supported by
a broad bi-partisan group of original cosponsors.

To learn more about the Return of Christian Churches Resolution
and to ask your U.S. Representatives to cosponsor this measure,
visit:

To learn more about the Armenian Genocide Resolution and to ask your
U.S. Representatives to cosponsor this genocide prevention measure,
visit:

REPRESENTATIVES ROYCE AND BERMAN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD CHRISTIAN HERITAGE AND TO RETURN CHURCH PROPERTIES

Noyan Tapan

15.06.2011

(Noyan Tapan – 15.06.2011) Washington, DC – Today, House Foreign
Affairs Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Ed
Royce (R-CA) and House Foreign Affairs Full Committee Ranking Member
Howard Berman (D-CA) introduced legislation “urging the Republic of
Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated
church properties,” reported the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly).

Ranking Member Berman stated: “We want this measure to call attention
to Turkey’s disturbing, persistent failure to respect the ancient
Christian heritage of Anatolia and to treat its Christian communities
as free and equal citizens. The Erdogan administration should take
immediate steps to restore confiscated church property and allow
full freedom of worship and religious education for all Christian
communities, Armenians, Greeks, and others. There can be no serious
talk of a ‘Turkish model’ when the types of discriminatory policies
currently in place persist.”

The Royce-Berman resolution specifically notes that Turkey remains
on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
(USCIRF) “Watch List” for the third straight year, and calls on Turkey
to “honor its obligations under international treaties and human
rights law” and “end all forms of religious discrimination.” USCIRF’s
2011 Annual Report states, in part, that “The Turkish government
continues to impose serious limitations on freedom of religion or
belief, thereby threatening the continued vitality and survival of
minority religious communities in Turkey…The government has failed
to take decisive action to correct the climate of impunity against
religious minorities…”

“We remain deeply troubled by the ongoing trend in Turkey and
its treatment of Christian communities within the country,” stated
Assembly Board Member Van Krikorian. “In particular, we note that the
atmosphere of intolerance as represented in Article 301 of Turkey’s
Penal Code, which punishes discussion of the Armenian Genocide,
has not improved since the tragic murder of Hrant Dink in 2007,”
continued Krikorian. “In addition, the recently issued court sentence
of six months or less for several of the individuals implicated in the
assassination of Hrant Dink hardly fits the crime and is no deterrent
at all,” Krikorian concluded.

USCIRF’s principal responsibilities are to review the facts and
circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and
to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of
State and Congress.

In addition, the bill urges Turkey to “allow the rightful church
and lay owners of Christian church properties,” without hindrance
or restriction; to organize and administer prayer services; conduct
religious education and clerical training; and preserve, reconstruct
and repair all Christian churches and other places of worship. The
legislation also calls on Turkey to “return to their rightful owners
all Christian churches and other places of worship, monasteries,
schools, hospitals, monuments, relics, holy sites, and other religious
properties, including movable properties, such as artwork, manuscripts,
vestments, vessels, and other artifacts.”

In a related development, last week, the House Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, led by
Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Ranking Member Donald Payne (D-NJ),
held a hearing on “U.S. Foreign Policy and International Religious
Expression” wherein USCIRF Chairman Leonard Leo expressed his concern
about the erosion of religious tolerance, noted the countries of
particular concern and on the “Watch List,” such as Turkey, and
concurred with Chairman Smith that there is an “uptick” in the
persecution of Christians in Turkey and the Middle East.

SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER VISITED THE CIVILITAS FOUNDATION

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:25:48 – 14/06/2011

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, accompanied by Sweden’s ambassador
to Armenia Diana Janse and a delegation of Swedish diplomats visited
the Civilitas Foundation on Tuesday, June 14.

Minister Bildt heard about the Civilitas Foundation’s various programs
and future plans.

Civilitas founder and former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian and Mr.
Bildt discussed regional issues, particularly current discussions
regarding the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

Discussion also revolved around the domestic political and economic
situation, and prospects for greater civic involvement.

INFLATION WILL BE 5-6% AT THE END OF THE YEAR, CBA CHAIRMAN SAYS
Hasmik Dilanyan

“Radiolur”
14.06.2011 18:04

The inflation rate will be 5-6% at the end of the year, Chairman of
the Central Bank of Armenia Arthur Javadyan told a press conference
today. Inflation will remain high at 9% by the end of June. “We saw
a slight decline in prices In March, and inflation was at zero level
in May,” Javadyan said.

Touching upon agricultural credit programs, the CBA Chairman said loans
have been issued to 90 thousand households, which makes 65 billion AMD.

Speaking about the fluctuations on the currency market, Arthur Javadyan
said they “remain committed to the floating exchange rate.”

He predicts appreciation of the Armenian dram, which suggests that
CBA will continue purchasing UN dollars.

TURKEY NOT TO MAKE ANY STEP IN ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
June 14, 2011
YEREVAN

The results of the elections in Turkey will not have any impact on the
Armenian-Turkish relations, head of the ARF Armenian Cause Office Kiro
Manoyan said at a news conference, convincing that the ruling “Justice
and Development” party does not have its previous influence any more:
during the last elections it has lost mandates in the parliament.

The speaker said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will not undertake
new steps toward the normalization of relations. Kiro Manoyan said
the agenda of the Turkish parliament has more urgent issues, like
for instance the document on Nabucco.

The speaker said the geopolitical programs, particularly in Middle
East are also included in the agenda. “In his speech Erdogan assured
that the elections in Turkey will have their impact from Balkans to
Middle East – Palestine. We are concerned with the situation in Syria
as Turkey may enter Syria with humanitarian aims, establishing its
presence there”, Kiro Manoyan said.

CENTRAL BANK PROMISES TO KEEP INFLATION RATE LOW

Tert.am
14.06.11

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) promises to keep the inflation rate
within the range of 4±1,5%, the CBA president has told reporters.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Artur Javadyan said the inflation may
not hit the 5.5% ceiling in case the economy does not face pressures
resulting from agricultural risks and the prices on the world market
remain stable.

“We forecast a high inflation rate – about 9% – for the first quarter,
and a subsequent slowdown for the summer months,” he said.

Javadyan added that the refinance interest rate produces a lagging
effect on inflation. He noted further that the CBA has resorted to
other tools to sustain the inflation.

The inflation rate in Armenia was 8.9% in April, compared to the 9%
in May.