Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ZEEV ELKIN: UNLIKE ARMENIANS, TURKS QUICKLY REACTED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DEBATE IN KNESSET

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.04.2008 19:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s impossible to foretell the result of the
Armenian Genocide discussion in the Knesset, chairman of the
Israel-Armenia group, Kadima’s Zeev Elkin told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter.

"The issue will be discussed. It’s already an achievement, as the
Armenian Genocide has not been touched upon for the past 20 years in
Israel. Turkish and Azeri lobbies reacted to the event quickly.

Unfortunately, I can’t tell the same about Armenia and Armenian
Diaspora," he said.

"Certainly, the discussion will not take shape of a bill but in case
of success, we can pass a declaration on the Armenian Genocide,"
Mr Elkin said.

He reminded that the initiative is exercised every year, dated to April
24. "However, this time it was backed not only by the opposition but
also by parties serving on the coalition. As for me, I was guided by
moral reasons because I know the history," he said.

Mr Elkin also informed that a course Armenian Studies is taught at
Jerusalem University. "The course includes Armenian history, the
Armenian language and also the Armenian Genocide," he said.

On 26 March, the Knesset decided to bring the Armenian Genocide issue
into discussion in one of parliamentary committees. Zeev Elkin offered
to debate in the committee on education and culture while Joseph Shagal
insisted on discussions in committee on external affairs and defense.

POLITICAL SITUATION IN ARMENIA AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Eurasian Home Analytical Resource
xml?lang=en&nic=expert&pid=1510&qmonth =0&qyear=0
April 9 2008
Russia

Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of Caucasian Institute of Mass Media,
Yerevan.

After the inauguration of president-elect, Serzh Sargsyan, the new
government will be formed. What changes can be expected now? The
foreign policy will not change dramatically. Regardless of the
government staff, Armenia will maintain friendly relations with the
countries it is on good terms with, it will continue to work towards
the strategic partnership and ‘complimentarism’ that is a cornerstone
of the Armenian foreign policy.

The Nagorno-Karabakh issue predetermines Armenia’s foreign policy,
as do the country’s four neighbors. Armenia does not have diplomatic
relations with Turkey, its relations with Azerbaijan need no comment.

Armenia is on good terms with Georgia that has strained relations with
Russia. And Iran has bad relations with the USA. All those factors
make the Armenian foreign policy conservative and successive.

So, there cannot be drastic changes in this sphere. It may happen
if inadequate politicians come to power, but no such candidates took
part in the election campaign.

The domestic policy can be changed. There has been very important
progress that may be left unnoticed by foreign countries but it is of
fundamental importance to the South Caucasus region. For the first time
in the modern history of the post-Soviet South Caucasian countries
the President resigned of his own free will after two presidential
terms. Besides, the referendum on amending the Constitution was held
under Robert Kocharyan, on November 27, 2005, and the latter could use
that chance to prolong his presidency. But he didn’t. For the first
time, in the South Caucasian countries the power was transferred not
in the wake of a coup d’etat or a "color" revolution and not within
a family like in Azerbaijan.

Therefore, the new leader can reshuffle the government. It is very
important to the Armenian society, since the replacements of political
figures would mean the internal political changes. The questions
whether the government will be technocratic or political, whether
the politicians, who annoy the Armenian society, will be dismissed,
whether fighting corruption will become one of the key priorities,
etc are of importance. All of that will be clear within two weeks
following the appointment of the new government.

As regards the opposition, now it includes only the forces backing
former first President Levon Ter-Petrossian. All the other opposition
forces, including Artur Bagdasaryan, who got slightly fewer votes in
the presidential election than Ter-Petrossian, joined the coalition.

Ter-Petrossian has been keeping silence for about two weeks. I believe
that after the inauguration he will make a statement. He is likely
to say that he will continue to carry on political struggle without
recognizing the election returns. He may decide to put an end to the
political struggle, but that is less probable. The third scenario is
the continuation of the political struggle within the framework of
the existing system in order to prepare for the next parliamentary
elections.

All those points are significant because the Armenian society is
split. The dispersal of the opposition rally came quite as a shock to
the society. That occurred in Armenia for the first time. For the first
time people were killed. The society insists that those events should
be investigated. A part of the society is ready to take radical steps.

Under the circumstances the authorities and the opposition’s behavior
influences lessening of social tension and overcoming the division.

Everybody understands that something should be done to stop the
state of a shock. In all, according to the official data, about 40%
of the people voted for main opposition candidates Ter-Petrossian and
Bagdasaryan. This is an enormous figure. If the authorities ignore
those people, the protest marches can take place sooner or later. The
authorities must understand that and take necessary measures. Judging
by the statements made by the authorities, they realize it. We will
know in the near future what the authorities will do.

GEORGIA BEHIND AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA IN GDP GROWTH
By M. Alkhazashvili

The Messenger
April 10 2008
Georgia

Georgia is lagging behind its South Caucasian neighbors in terms of
GDP growth, local media reports.

Research undertaken by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
statistics committee shows that this year Georgia’s GDP growth
is expected to be eight percent, significantly lower than the same
figures for Azerbaijan and Armenia, at 16-18 percent and 10-11 percent
respectively, according to the newspaper 24 Saati. However, Georgia’s
expected eight percent is amongst the highest for other CIS states.

REPUBLICAN PARTY COUNCIL APPROVES CANDIDATE FOR ARMENIAN PREMIER

ITAR-TASS
April 8 2008
Russia

YEREVAN, April 8 (Itar-Tass) — The council of Armenia’s ruling
Republican Party has approved the nomination of Central Bank Chairman
Tigran Sargsyan for the premiership, party press secretary and
parliament deputy Eduard Sharmazanov told Itar-Tass.

He said the council’s approval was unanimous. Party leader and
President Elect Serzh Sargsyan suggested the candidate.

The incumbent government will tender its resignation immediately
after the inauguration of the president elect. Government members
will continue to fulfill their duties in the interim period.

In line with the distribution of parliament seats between political
parties and the related consultations with parliament groups, the
president shall appoint an individual who enjoys confidence of the
largest number of deputies as the prime minister. That must be done
within ten days since the resignation of the previous government. The
new government must be formed within 20 days after the appointment
of the new premier.

VICTIMS OF POLITICAL REPRESSIONS IN ARMENIA TO BE COMMEMORATED IN EUROPE, RUSSIA AND USA

Today.Az
142.html
April 8 2008
Azerbaijan

Sarkissyan’s inauguration will be marked not only by a parade in
Yerevan.

Inauguration of the new president of Armenia will be held in Yerevan
on April 9. According to Arminfo news agency, it will be held in
the hall of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after
A.Spendiarov. Sarkissyan will take the oath in front of the Armenian
parliament, to gather for an urgent session. After that a military
parade will take place at the theater square before the Opera and
Ballet building.

Day.Az reports that tenseness is rising in Armenia before the
inauguration ceremony. In line with Armenian sources, the plans of
the authorities faces serious resentment of the community. A number
of public and political organizations of Armenia announced that it
is undesired to hold inauguration on April 9. The thing is that the
fortieth day of mourning of the victims of March 1 protest in Yerevan
falls on this say.

"We reject this cynical humiliating disrespect towards the whole
people", says a statement of public organization "National awareness",
released by mass media.

The authors noted that on April 9 the whole Armenian people will
mark the fortieth day of those who fought for freedom of people. It
was noted that the mourning arrangements will be held in line
with traditions-in black wearings and attributes. In particular,
all who is willing to participate will put flowers to memorial of
Alexander Maskinsyan in Yerevan, where tragic events occurred near
French embassy in Yerevan. Representatives of Armenian Intelligence
Forum also called on the authorities to postpone the ceremony of
presidential inauguration.

Official Yerevan decided to play on outstripping, considering the
spirits among the population. This is proven by the decision of the
Armenian church to hold the fortieth day on Sunday on April 6. At the
same time Echmiadzin referred to tradition when representatives of
Armenian public said that 40 days have not passed from March 1 until
April 6. The statement, voiced by clergymen says that "in line with
tradition, the seventh, fortieth and first year of mourning are held
in Armenian churches on the nearest Sundays of the said dates upon
the completion of Holy Liturgy (Novosti-Armenia). An exception is
the Day of "victims of genocide" in Turkey -April 24, when the Holy
prayer is held in all churches regardless of the day.

It is not surprising that the substantiations presented by the Armenian
church aroused resentment among the Armenian society and diaspora. This
is proven by the fact that preparations to mourning events on April 9
has not been stopped and is gaining steam. In particular,the Armenian
diaspora plans to hold mourning actions in front of the Armenian
embassies in Europe, Russia and the United States. During the events,
their participants plan to light candles in memory of the victims of
political repressions in Armenia.

The diaspora representatives will gather before the building of the
European Union in Brussels. The European society will be presented
different materials (leaflets, photos and DVD disks) about tragic
events of March 1. One of the major tasks of the action organizers
is to introduce the real information about situation in Armenia to
the European political establishment-about usurpation of powers of
Sarkissyan’s regime and continue persecution of political opponents.

A picket in protection of rights of political prisoners in Armenia
will also be held along with the mourning action in Moscow. It should
be noted that Moscow authorities sanctioned the action. As is reported,
the Russian political establishment shows resentment with the situation
in Armenia, where new authorities have caused resentment of the world
society by their actions. Therefore, by initiating action of protest
on the day of Sarkissyan’s inauguration, Moscow tries to prove its
support to the fair demand of Armenian community on liberalization
of political situation in the country.

It should be reminded that a number of protests were held in the
European countries and USA in front of the Armenian embassies and
international organizations for the purpose of drawing attention of
world society to political processes in Armenia. After the elections
in the Los Angeles district, called "Small Armenia", meetings of
protests were held against violence, applied to peaceful protesters
on March 1 (Caucasian knot). The action participants noted that the
actions of protest will continue as the Diaspora’s resentment is too
great. The meeting was attended by Armenians, residing in other cities
of California: Fresno, Sacramento and others. The biggest Armenian
lobby organization of the United States -American Armenian Assembly
has released a statement, presenting condolences to the relatives of
innocent people, killed during the demonstrations in Yerevan held on
March 1.

The actions are also held in Internet. Collection of
signatures under petition "Stop abuse of powers in Armenia"
is going on. In line with the text of the petition, posted at
its participants urge the world
society to interfere with the political crisis in Armenia so that
to prevent the further deterioration of the situation, condemn the
mass violation of human rights by the authorities and law enforcement
bodies of Armenia, pursuing the goal to establish criminal regime in
the country, put pressure on Yerevan so the latter stops persecution
of opposition members and protesters and make the Armenian government
release all political prisoners.

BUCHAREST SUMMIT: WHAT DOES BORDERING ON NATO MEAN FOR AZERBAIJAN?- ANALYSIS

Azeri Press Agency
April 8 2008
Azerbaijan

Bucharest. Fakhri Karimli-APA. NATO Bucharest Summit sticks in memory
with its historic decisions.

The Final Declaration, consisted of 50 articles and signed by
the leaders of 26 member countries, covers various fields from
anti-terrorism efforts to new membership. This event differed from
the previous one for its scale. The Bucharest Summit was a biggest
summit in the history of North Atlantic bloc. There is no point to
speak about the Romanian summit experience, because the NATO Summit
was larger than 2006 Francophone Summit in Bucharest. Romanian
Government spent totally 30 million dollars to the organization of
NATO Summit. The other characterizing feature of the Bucharest Summit
was that no one returned home light-handed. Albanian and Croatian
happiness can be understood, because these two western Balkan
countries have been welcomed in the world most powerful military
alliance. Host country Romania is satisfied with its ability as an
organizer of the large-scale international event gained the regional
and international respect to the country. However, other parts felt
short happiness because no one reached its goal fully: Georgia and
Ukraine’s hopes for the NATO Membership Action Plan didn’t come true,
but instead of this, they were included in the Final Declaration as
a possible candidate to NATO membership. Russia, the backstage author
of these moves could temporarily prevent NATO crossing of former USSR
borders. France and Germany were satisfied with that they could keep
promises to Russia and reach a compromise with their allies like US and
Britain. Postponing the issue of Georgian-Ukrainian tandem until the
NATO foreign ministers meeting in December, London and Washington could
make Germany and France to abstain from their resolute stance against
the Georgia and Ukraine’s integration into NATO. Only Macedonia stands
aside from this tableau of mass happiness. Despite being more developed
that Albania, this small Balkan country couldn’t enter NATO owing to
Greek obstacle. Greece, which occupied the southern part of historic
Macedonia during the 1912-13 Balkan war, is protesting against the
name of Macedonia, because considers it as a territorial claim against
itself by the Northern Macedonia or former Yugoslavian Macedonia.

There is no doubt that Bucharest Summit also assumes distinct
significance for Azerbaijan. 43rd article of the Final Declaration,
supporting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of
4 post-soviet countries and proposing to solve the "frozen conflicts"
in the territories of these countries within the above-mentioned
principles, coincides with the main targets of Azerbaijani diplomacy.

Three of these countries – Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova are GUAM
members cooperating with the West and facing with the Abkhazian,
south Ossetian, Nagorno Karabakh and Transdniestrian conflicts in
their territories. As a matter of fact, Armenia was formally included
in this article, because Azerbaijan suffers from the violation of its
territorial integrity and Armenia does not face with the territorial
claims. What does this document mean for Azerbaijan? It is necessary
to return back to the UN General Assembly’s last session to answer
this question. Baku getting the important legal argument after the
adoption of resolution on the "Situation in the occupied Azerbaijani
territories" achieved the support of the world biggest military
alliance in this sensitive issue.

Moreover, 2 OSCE member countries are also included into NATO. After
Kosovo experience, there were serious suspicions on the solution to
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by means of withdrawal international
peacekeepers because of confrontation between NATO and Serbia.

Azerbaijan has strengthened its position by the support of UN and
NATO and further process will depend on using these cards. South
Caucasus is in the focus of attention of the world community at
present. Georgia’s candidacy for NATO membership shakes balance of
forces in the region. Maneuver opportunities of official Baku with
Russia and West have been increased or decreased. Because Georgia
and Armenia ‘s foreign policy is unambiguous and Azerbaijan has rich
energy resources and it is a key of Central Asia and Caspian Sea
and therefore its value has been increased in the region. The choice
of barricade will be absolute. Azerbaijan has ensured its position
pursuing geopolitical marketing during West-Russia confrontation.

Bucharest Summit was a Summit opened a door to a new period. Georgian
President also stated that we had imagined such situation before.

Azerbaijan has expected this situation for 17 years. Azerbaijan
has worked for a long time to direct attention of the world to
Caspian and Black Seas regions by the help of its foreign policy
and oil diplomacy. We can say that it’s high time for "X Clock"
in the Caucasus.

BRYZA: AGREEMENT ON PRESIDENTIAL MEETING ACHIEVED

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2008 14:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An agreement on Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents’
meeting was achieved during Bucharest talks, the OSCE Minsk Group
U.S. Co-chair said.

"We had a serious exchange of views in Bucharest and it’s a good
result," Matthew Bryza said.

"The opinion of the new Armenian President on the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict will be known after the inauguration. Then a meeting with
the Azerbaijani President and Foreign Minister will be held," he said,
1news.az reports.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs met with Armenia’s President-elect
Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev during the
NATO summit in Bucharest.

OSCE YEREVAN OFFICE: "CONFLICTS REMAIN IF NEGOTIATION LACKS"

Panorama.am
15:35 04/04/2008

"Today Armenia meets sharp environmental problems which like in some
other countries create social strain and hurt the development of
the social-economic field. That’s why in the project of "Environment
and security" we put the key point on the environmental problems,"
said the chairman of the OSCE Yerevan office Sergey Kapinos in a
conference with the journalists today.

According to him the works carried out on this regard are obvious in
the region. "By the initiative of the environment and security project
a branch opened in Syunik to try to regulate the environmental projects
there. Generally our mission is not just regulating the environmental
issues but to help the regional countries, I mean Armenia, Georgia
and Azerbaijan find the common topic and consider it," he said.

According to Kapinos, the regional countries have to deal not only
with the environmental issues but also with the political ones. "The
only reason why the region is less developed or it has problems with
the development is that they have political uncertainty and real
problems," said Kapinos.

LEDRA STREET CROSSING OPENS IN NICOSIA AFTER 44-YEAR SPLIT

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.04.2008 12:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Greek and Turkish Cypriots opened a crossing Thursday
at Ledra Street, a main shopping street in Cyprus’ divided capital
that has come to symbolize the island’s ethnic partition. Ledra Street
has been split for 44 years. The rival leaders on the island agreed
to open a crossing there during a meeting last month that revived
hopes for an overall peace deal.

"We are living a historic day today. We are witnessing one of the
obstacles to a solution come down," said Osdil Nami, aide to Turkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who said that "almost half a century
of division is symbolized" in Ledra Street. "It also symbolizes for
me that when Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots can overcome their
fears …. they can overcome long-standing disputes and arguments,"
he said during a ceremony to open the street.

Officials from both sides of the divide cut ribbons to colored
helium balloons to mark the opening of the street at the end of a
ceremony attended by Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials as well as
UN peacekeepers.

The Ledra Street crossing becomes the sixth point at which people
can cross between Cyprus’ Greek Cypriot south and Turkish occupied
north. But ID cards or passports are still needed to move between
the two sides.

"We still have a long way to go," Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou
said. "This is the first step. We hope many more will follow."

"We wish all roads in this country were open for all citizens,"
said Georgios Yakovu, special representative of the Cypriot President

Ledra Street was split in 1964 during the outbreak of intercommunal
fighting – when British peacekeepers laid barbed wire across the street
between Nicosia’s Greek and Turkish Cypriot sectors. Ten years later,
the island was divided when Turkey invaded in response to a short-lived
coup by supporters of uniting the island with Greece.

Boundary restrictions in divided Cyprus were relaxed by the Turkish
Cypriots in 2003. Ledra Street’s symbolism injects momentum in a
renewed reunification drive, the AP reports.

MARCH 1 EVENTS AFFECT HAVE SOME EFFECT ON NUMBER OF TOURISTS TO ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
April 1, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The March 1 events have had some effect
on the number of tourists to Armenia: some groups of tourists cancelled
their trips to our country, the head of the tourism department of
the RA ministry of trade and economic development Mekhak Apresian
said at the March 31 press conference to discuss the results of a
one-year study on international travels to Armenia.

According to marketing director of the Armenian Tourism Development
Agency (ATDA) Syuzanna Azoyan, 700-800 tourists from Germany cancelled
their trips because of the March 1 events. She said these trips could
have been made, if higher security had been ensured, which, however,
would have increased 2-3fold the cost of tour packages.

Answering the question about what steps have been taken by Armenia
in response to Azerbaijan’s statements to avoid visiting Armenia,
S. Azoyan stated that the warning about visits to Armenia was
immediately removed from the French MFA website after the Armenian
embassy has sent a letter to the MFA of France, while the German
ministry of foreign affairs had declared it would remove the warning
after the lifting of the state of emergency, which was done. S. Azoyan
said that "all tour operators were informed about it".

In her words, political instability, shocks, outbreaks of a disease
in any country have an impact on the number of tourists. However, the
effect of the March 1 events is not so considerable that the matter
concerns discontiniation of tourism development in Armenia. M. Apresian
added that if a tourist decides to visit a country, he/she will do
so when the the event to have resulted in the trip’s delay is over.