Author: Kalantarian Kevo

GALA closure damages Armenia’s image
by Nune Arevshatyan

Aravot, Armenia
April 19 2008

US Charge D’affaires Joseph Pennington, on a two-day visit to
[Armenia’s second city of] Gyumri, has strongly criticised the
persecution of the TV company [independent GALA TV] as well as the
post-election developments in Armenia.

Although the diplomat was in Gyumri to familiarize himself with the
city, it was clear that his visit was connected with the scandal in
the second largest city of the republic – the suspension of GALA TV
broadcasts. Immediately after the Armenian Court of Appeals on Civil
Cases ruled that the TV tower should be taken from the independent news
channel, GALA TV was taken off the air for 20 hours on 17 April, and
that made a lot of fuss in Gyumri. Pennington visited the TV station
and found out some things, after which, he made warning hints to the
newly-elected authorities of Armenia.

Speaking at the Asparez Club of Journalists in Gyumri the day before,
Pennington reminded the [Armenian] authorities – who have shifted from
democracy – of the essential conditions of the Millennium Challenge
Account. Then he spoke about the people detained for their political
views and the illegalities taking place in Armenian courts these days.

"We think that there are two groups of detained people: people who
were detained for violence, theft, looting and for provoking riots –
they should be criminally prosecuted, and this is the obligation of the
authorities. But I also think that there are people who were detained
because of their views, opinions, for participating in rallies and
marches. We think that such detentions are not in line with democratic
standards. The problems that have emerged in Armenia should be resolved
in Armenia, and the international community and the USA have little,
certain role in terms of encouraging the authorities to take steps
necessary for ensuring human rights and basic liberties. If they do not
take place, our relations cannot be continued. We hope that Armenia
will settle these issues, and the USA, as part of the international
community, will clearly point to where the key difficulties are. We
will offer our assistance, such as freedom of press, rule of law,
but I repeat that the assistance could be effective only if the
government wants a democratic path. We wish success to the country’s
leadership, we are ready to help, but there should be the political
will, determination towards democratic development," Pennington said
in a half-mentoring and demanding way.

When we asked what his impression of the trials was, Pennington said:
"Yes, we have participated in the trials and are concerned that in some
cases, the law is applied arbitrarily. In other words, they are used
against people on the other side of the political field. The rule of
law, is of course, a basic provision for democracy. What matters most
of all is that all citizens in Armenia and the USA have the confidence
that they will be treated equally in court." As for GALA, he said: "The
fact that GALA’s problems began after the views of some politicians
were aired raises suspicions that the problem is in the political
field, not in the tax field. But this, of course, harms Armenia’s
image, its path to democracy. All the people who made donations to
the TV station showed that a TV station like GALA is needed."

ROUSSE RECOGNIZES TURKISH GENOCIDE OVER ARMENIANS AND BULGARIANS
Olga Yoncheva

international.news.bg
April 17 2008
Bulgaria

The municipal council of the town of Rousse, Bulgaria adopted
Declaration for recognition and condemnation of the genocide done by
the Ottoman empire and the young Turkish government against Armenians
and Bulgarians.

With the adoption of this Declaration, the municipal councilors proved
their responsibility and compassion to the universal human values
and showed civil conscience and ethics, inform from political party
"Ataka" which initiated the adoption of the declaration.

The nationalist party expressed its hopes for a mass adoption of
such declarations by the municipal councils with this being a kind
of referendum, which the government and the parliament to take into
consideration.

To remind that in the end of February identical declaration was
adopted by the town of Bourgas. This let to the harsh reaction of
the Turkish town of Edirne, which canceled all relations with the
Bulgarian sea town.

DAVID HARUTYUNYAN: PACE REPORT WAS

armradio.am
17.04.2008 18:07

During its plenary session the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) adopted a report on "The state of democratic institutions
in Armenia" with 93 pro, 8 con votes and 8 abstentions.

The report co-authored by members of the PACE Monitoring Committee John
Prescott and Georges Colombier, urges Armenia to undertake reforms of
the political system and of the electoral process, hold an independent,
transparent and trustworthy investigation into cases of the events of
March 1, urgently change the recent amendments to the Law Conducting
Meetings, Rallies, Marches and Demonstrations.

Head of the Armenian delegation to PACE David Harutyunyan characterized
the report as "harsh but balanced." "It was balanced in the regard that
it reflects the views of our partners, the honest opinion about the
events in Armenia, as will as their views on the state of democratic
institutions. The document should become a serious practical program
for Armenia, and if we compare it with the memorandum of the political
coalition, we shall see that there are many similarities. Many issues
prioritized by the document are included in the memorandum of the
political coalition," David Harutyunyan noted.

However, according to the Head of the Armenian delegation, the problem
is that all this should not remain on paper only, but become a serious
program of actions. Armenia should make serious steps, since during
its session in June PACE will give an assessment to the process of
implementation of these steps.

David Harutyunyan informed that the Armenian delegation has submitted
36 proposals. In his words, these did not pursue the aim to soften or
conceal the realities or evaluations, "We proposed to eliminate the
provisions which are disputable or do not correspond to reality. Most
of the suggestions were accepted," he noted.

As for the active participation of the Azerbaijani delegation in
the discussions, David Harutyunyan noted that the Azeri side uses
every opportunity, trying to strike a blow to Armenia. "It means that
Armenia should not create such opportunities, and second, we must not
be afraid of those attacks: we are discussing an issue, which is fist
of all necessary to us, and not the Council of Europe. Therefore, not
concerned about possible attacks, we did not even make a step to soften
the objective assessments," the Head of the Armenian delegation said.

JOHN PRESCOTT: "RESOLUTION WILL ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS"
Karine Asatrian

A1+
16 April, 2008

"PACE discussions due on April 17 will give answers to many questions,"
Co-rapporteur of the PACE report on "The Functioning of Democratic
Institutions in Armenia," John Prescott told A1+.

John Prescott says the picture is not distinct as "one of the sides
accuses while the other justifies." And yet, he thinks the discussion
of the draft resolution will answer all questions.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia confirmed and
publicized the election outcome. I have no right to interfere with
this decision," he says.

John Prescott says a lot of changes should be made with regard to
the Electoral Code, vote count and tabulation procedures.

"The tragic events of March are a serious concern for Armenia,"
says John Prescott. "The authorities should first take steps to
regain public confidence. Prescott highlights a dialogue between the
conflicting sizes – the opposition and authorities. In democratic
countries oppositionists raise questions in parliaments while in
Armenia the opposition had no other option than to take its case to
the streets."

Note, the report underscores that the crisis in the country is also
resulted by malfunctioning of the National Assembly.

PACE VICE PRESIDENT DELIVERS CRITICAL REPORT ON SITUATION IN ARMENIA

Trend News Agency
April 15 2008
Azerbaijan

France, Strasburg, 15 April / Trend News corr. A.Maharramli / The
results of the supervision of presidential elections in Armenia,
Russia and Serbia were discussed within the framework of the PACE
spring session.

Samad Seyidov, PACE Vice President and Head of Azerbaijani delegation
to PACE, delivered a critical report on the situation in Armenia.

"The report stated that the elections in the country were held by
observing the norms and standards of the Council of Europe. Since
when does the murder and arrest of people including four MPs, be
considered the norms and standards of Council of Europe? Is this a
new standard?" Seyidov stated.

He noted that there is a dictatorial regime in Armenia. "Similar
developments took place in Georgia during the Soviet authoritarian
regime. Perhaps Armenia chose to act the same way. We would like to
clear up what occurred in Armenia," Seyidov stated.

According to Seyidov, the report stated that during the recent
developments in Armenia 8 people died and 20 others died in hospital
the next day. "Why does no-one say anything against the developments in
Armenia? Why does the world, which immediately reacted to the murder of
several people in Tibet, close their eyes to the situation that took
place in Armenia? We should inform the world about the developments
in Armenia," PACE Vice President stated.

For this purposes Seyidov proposed that urgent discussions be held.

SPECIAL COURSES TO BE CONDUCTED FOR ARMENIAN THEATER MANAGERS BY CAMBRIDGE SEPACIALISTS

Noyan Tapan
April 11, 2008

CAMBRIDGE, APRIL 11, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The
Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association (CYSCA) has received a grant
funded by the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) for training of 10 theater managers from Armenia under the
U. S. government Community Connections program. The representatives
of the association will visit the area from June 12 to July 3 for a
three-week training program aimed at improving theater management
in Armenia. Included in the group will be theater directors,
administrators, producers, art directors, educators, playwrights,
fund raisers, public relations and marketing specialists and others.

KARABAKH’S FOREIGN TRADE UP IN 2007

Mediamax
April 10 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 10 April: Foreign trade of the [unrecognized] republic
of Nagornyy Karabakh [NKR] amounted to 277,393,000dollars in 2007,
having exceeded the 2006 indicator by 75 per cent.

Export totalled 72,549,000 dollars (up by 60 per cent), and import
204,843,000 dollars (up by 81 per cent), theNKR’s national statistics
service told Mediamax news agency.

Trade deficit grew by 95 per cent compared to 2006 and amounted to
132,293,000 dollars.

In 2005 the NKR’s foreign trade with CIS countries amounted to
260,894,000 dollars, or 94.1 per cent of itstrade turnover. A total
of 257,735,000 dollars, or 92.9 per cent, of this amount falls to
the share of Armenia.

KAREKIN II SENDS HIS BLESSINGS TO NEW PRIME MINISTER

ARMENPRESS
April 11, 2008

ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS: Head of the Armenian Church,
Catholicos Karekin II, congratulated Tigran Sarkisian on taking over
as prime minister sending his blessings to him from the Holy Mother
See of Etchmiadzin, the government press office said.

His Holiness’s congratulatory message commends Tigran Sarkisian’s
contribution to organization and development of Armenia’s economic
life as head of the Central Bank.

Karekin II says also he recognizes Tigran Sarkisian as a devoted
Christian and a true son of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

He says all believe that he will exploit his capacities to take the
country along the road of progress and well-being.

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.