Author: Kalantarian Kevo

COURT CONFIRMS VERDICT AGAINST PERINCEK

Swissinfo, Switzerland
Dec 19 2007

The Swiss Federal Court has confirmed the sentence given to a Turkish
politician, Doðu Perincek, for denying the 1915 Armenian massacre
was genocide.

The district court in Lausanne originally found Perincek guilty
of racial discrimination in March and ordered him to pay a fine of
SFr3,000 ($2,600) – a charge against which he appealed.

He was also handed a suspended fine of SFr9,000 and ordered to pay
SFr1,000 to the Swiss-Armenian Association as a symbolic gesture.

Perincek’s lawyer said that his client would certainly appeal to the
European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg against the decisinn.

The president of the Turkish Workers’ Party had repeatedly denied
during a visit to Switzerland in 2005 that the First World War era
killings of more than 1.5 million Armenians amounted to genocide.

Under the Swiss penal code any act of denying, belittling or justifying
genocide is a violation of the country’s anti-racism legislation.

Lausanne is the capital of canton Vaud, one of two Swiss cantons,
along with Geneva, where the parliaments have voted in recent years
to recognise the Armenian massacre as genocide. The Swiss government
has not done so though.

onfirms_verdict_against_Perin_ek.html?siteSect=104 &sid=8549273&cKey=1198071731000&ty=nd

–Boundary_(ID_joIL13P5OfbeKQiTCRWTNw)–

ARMENIA WORRIES ABOUT THE POLITICAL DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 19 2007

Turkey’s membership to the EU is favorable for Armenia both politically
and economically, and in fact Armenia will border with the EU,
stated the Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan on December
19. He mentioned, however, that Armenia has also concern regarding
Turkey’s membership.

"I think, for us it is a great chance economically and politically,
and in all aspects. Our worry is whether the decision of the EU will
be fair, like that for the others, or Turkey [perhaps Oskanyan means
Europe – ed.] will make a political decision on Turkey’s membership.

This is our major concern, because we have bitter experience. If the
process of membership of Turkey is launched, Turkey already had an
advantage over its predecessors, and Turkey was allowed to launch
this process with a bad state of human rights, absence of borders
with Armenia. This is our concern," Vardan Oskanyan says.

WIGHTLIFTER GEVORG DAVTIAN RECOGNIZED BEST SPORTSMAN OF THIS YEAR OF ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Dec 18 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The Federation of Sports Journalists
of Armenia made public the list of the names of the best 10 sportsmen
of the competition season of this year on December 18. The 46 sports
journalists, who took part in the survey, recognized Gevorg Davtian
(Gyumri, weightlifting, 454 points), the Champion of Europe and the
Deputy Champion of the world as sportsman N1. Hripsime Khurshudian
(Kasakh, weightlifting, 328 points), Yuri Patrikeev (Yerevan,
Greco-Roman wrestling, 281), Meline Daluzian (Gyumri, weightlifting,
253), Hovhannes Davtian (Gyumri, judo, 240) Sara Hebert Johnson
(Yerevan, sailer sport, 187) Elina Danielian (Yerevan, chess, 129),
Ara Khachatrian (Gyumri, weightlifting, 118), Levon Aronian (Yerevan,
chess, 114), and Tigran Martirosian (Gyumri, weightlifting, 96 points)
have their places in the best ten.

The journalists have mentioned the names of 15 more sportsmen:
judoists Armen Nazarian, Anush Hakobian, rifleman Norayr Bakhtamian,
weightlifter Nazik Avdalian, chess player Gabriel Sargsian, samba
players Ashot Danielian, Emil Aslanian, wrestlers Shamil Gitinov,
Arman Adikian, boxers Hovhannes Danielian, Eduard Hambardzumian,
Hrachia Javakhian, tae kwon do player Arman Yeremian, athlet Melik
Janoyan and fencer Mikayel Ghazarian.

Among the teams the RA Chess Team of Men, the RA Chess Team of Women,
and the Weightlifting National Team successively are included in the
best three.

OUTGOING AMBASSADOR OF IRAN VISITS THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

armradio.am
18.12.2007 16:58

December 18 RA National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosyan received the
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic
of Iran to Armenia Alireza Haqiqyan, who is completing his diplomatic
mission in our country.

Valuing the Ambassador’s input in the development of relations
between the two countries, NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan noted that the
traditionally friendly relations have gained new quality during his
tenure in office: the economic ties have deepened, there have been
a number of reciprocal visits.

According to the Speakers’ assessment, the development of
Armenian-Iranian relations is based not only on centuries-old
friendship, but also mutual interests, which promote the development
of the two countries.

Ambassador Alireza Haqiqyan conveyed to Mr. Torosyan the Christmas
and New Year congratulations and wishes of the Iranian Parliament
Speaker Golan Ali Haddad Adel and reconfirmed the invitation to pay
an official visit to Tehran. He highly assessed the relations between
the two countries, emphasizing their importance from the point of view
of regional peace and stability. Mr. Haqiqyan thanked Tigran Torosyan
for support and assured that he will always remain a friend of Armenia.

NEW PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS

A1+
[05:48 pm] 14 December, 2007

By Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, new pastoral appointments were made
in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, as well as throughout Armenia
and the Diaspora.

Very Rev. Father Sahak Mashalian has been appointed Dean of the
Gevorkian Theological Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin. Rev. Fr. Grigor
Khatchatrian has been appointed as Acting Locum Tenens for the
Diocese of Aragatsotn, concurrent with his position as Director of
the Armenian Church Youth Centers. Rev. Fr. Davit Karamian has been
appointed as Assistant Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of
Holy Etchmiadzin.

Additionally, the following priests have been appointed to continue
their pastoral service in the dioceses of the Armenian Church:

Rev. Fr. Norayr Simonian has been assigned to the Armenian Diocese
of Georgia, under the supervision of the Primate of the diocese.

Rev. Fr. Nshan Petrosian has been assigned to the Armenian Diocese
of Russia and New Nakhijevan, under the supervision of the Primate
of the diocese.

FORMER AUTHORITIES WILL USE ELECTIONS TO INSTIGATE A CIVIL WAR, ARTASHES GEGHAMIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The former Armenian authorities
are doing everything so that a civil war will break out in Armenia
during the presidential elections or after these elections, Artashes
Geghamian, leader of the "National Unity" party, a presidential
candidate, made this statement at the December 13 press conference. In
his words, the public speeches of Levon Ter-Petrosian are nothing
else than calls for such actions. According to A. Geghamian, mass
disorders will be instigated on the voting day at least at 400-500
polling stations, and the current authorities "will respond to brutal
force with more brutal force", which will result in civil clashes
and an intervention of international structures.

A. Geghamian expressed confidence that neither the former authorities
nor the current ones can ensure peace in the country and unite the
nation, and "National Unity" is a third force that must come to power.

Not ruling out the possibility of electoral rigging, A. Geghamian at
the same time expressed conviction that this time the society will
not accept the president who will attempt to come to power through
electoral rigging.

In his words, the upcoming elections will be much fairer than all
the elections held in Armenia since 1996.

VAHRAM ATANESYAN: ARAZ AZIMOV’S IMAGINATION BOUNDLESS

Yerkir
13.12.2007 12:08

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Araz Azimov’s imagination went beyond all accessible
norms, said Vahram Atanesyan, chairman of the NKR NA committee on
external affairs.

"The Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister, as if aping the Minister of
Defense, said an ‘anti-terrorist’ operation should be targeted at
PKK bases.

It’s at least surprising that statements by a top official coincide
with recent publications of some Turkish media. This fact prompts
that these reports were fabricated by Azeri special forces aiming
to add tension to the complicated Armenian-Turkish relations and to
compel Ankara to take a tougher stand on the Karabakh settlement,"
he said. "Instead of spending time on irresponsible statements, Azimov
had better elucidate the public on numerous reports about unprecedented
activation of the Kurdish factor in Nakhijevan and Geranboy region."

"These reports seem to be true. Presently, Geranboy includes Shahumyan
region of NKR, which was occupied in 1992 and is still under control
of the Azeri forces. Once inhabited by Armenians, now this region
can serve as a base for Kurdish militants.

"Developing the version of existence of Kurdish bases in NKR, the Azeri
authorities attempt to mislead the international community, including
Turkey. It’s also noteworthy that Kurdish rebels were supplied with
armament via Azerbaijan. Furthermore, leader of the Kurdish movement
Mustafa Barzani used to live in Azeri Lenkoran in 1940-ies. So, we
can advise Mr Azimov to search for Kurdiosh militants in Azerbaijan
and carry out operation there," he said, PanARMENIAN.Net reported,
citing KarabakhOpen.

On December 10, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told
reporters in Baku that his country "is ready for an anti-terrorist
operation" in Nagorno Karabakh.

ACTIONS OF ARMENIAN LOBBY NEGATIVELY IMPACTS ON WASHINGTON’S INTERESTS: DEPUTY MINISTER

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 13 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend K.Ramazanova / The actions of the
Armenian lobby in the United States, directed against Azerbaijan
and Turkey, negatively impacts on Washington’s interests in the
region, Hafiz Pashayev, the Azerbaijani Deputy Minister, former
Azerbaijani Ambassador to the United States, said. He was addressing
the international conference ‘ Azerbaijan – Turkey – USA’ in Washington
on 12 December.

"A negative impact in a powerful country like the United States
within the political lobbying system, from a small group who has
ethnic interests for national security and foreign policy, is very
dangerous," Pashayev said.

According to Pashayev, the US Government frequently makes decisions
in favor of lobby groups, which finally leads to geopolitical
and strategic losses for the United States. "The US policy on the
construction of the Baku-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway is a good example of
this. Though the project meets the geopolitical and economic goals of
the US foreign policy, anti-Turk and anti-Azerbaijani forces in the
United States lobbying the US Congress have prevented the US being
involved in this vital regional initiative," the deputy minister.

EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PLAYS IMPORTANT PART ON WAY OF ARMENIA’S DEVELOPMENT, RA PRIME MINISTER SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2007

STRASBOURG, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Prime Minister Serge
Sargsian, at the December 11 meeting with Terry Davis, the Council
of Europe Secretary General, in Strasbourg, said that the European
integration policy plays and important part on the way of Armenia’s
development. According to the Prime Minister, democratic and structural
reforms implemented in Armenia are absolutely harmonious with the
spirit and logic of European model of development.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information and Public Relations
Department of the RA government, during the meeting, the parties
also touched upon the presidential elections to be held in Armenia,
attached importance to holding elections in line with international
standards, stressed the role of press in the issue of holding free,
fair and transparent elections.

During the meeting with Hans-Gert Pottering, the Chairman of the
European Parliament, held the same day, S. Sargsian said that within
one year Armenia has had noticeable achievements in the issue of
implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy Actions Plan. He
stressed that Armenia considers implementation of this program not
as a duty, bu as domestic policy, which is first of all necessary
for the state and the people.

Serge Sargsian asked the Chairman of the European Parliament without
fail to send a monitoring mission to Armenia in connection with the
presidential elections. Pottering welcomed the Prime Minister’s
proposal and promised to voice this message at the conference of
Chairmen of the European Parliament.

The parties also discussed issues related to regional cooperation,
spoke about the present and development prospects of Armenia’s
relations with its neigbors. In particular, the RA Prime Minister
asked European Parliament’s assistance in the issue of normalization
of Armenian-Turkish relations. He presented his approaches over the
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem to the head of
the European Parliament and stressed that in spite of the bellicose
statements frequently voiced in Azerbaijan, he is sure that there is
no alternative to the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

The RA Prime Minister concluded his visit to Strasbourg with a
meeting with Benita Ferrero Waldner, the European Commissioner for
External Relations, during which the account of implementation of
the European Neighborhood Policy Actions Plan was handed to the
Commissioner. Ferrero-Waldner said that she will attentively study
that document and then the next steps of cooperation with Armenia
will be considered.

ECONOMIC ENTITIES WARNED TO REFRAIN FROM RAISING PRICES UNFOUNDEDLY

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 12 sitting, the
RA State Commission on Protection of Economic Competition warned
the economic entities with a dominating position in commodity
markets, as well as other economic entities to refrain from raising
prices unfoundedly and to revise the prices of goods they sell. The
commission made this decision, taking into account the appreciation
of the Armenian dram and the rise of prices in the previous years
before New Year.

The commission members will implement a monitoring on sale prices of
goods in commodity markets from December 15 to January 15.

To recap, last year the three biggest companies operating in the market
of hen’s eggs came to an anticompetition agreement, raising the prices
before New Year, as a result of which each company was fined in the
amount of 1% of the revenues received in the previous year.