Panorama.am
12:02 23/03/06
$40 000 PRESENTED TO THE POLICE
On Saturday the US vice ambassador Anthony Godfree will present the
firs deputy of head of RA Police with the present of the American
government. As Panorama.am has been informed in US Embassy the US
State Secretariat has given RA Police sports equipment of about $40
000 to organize the training of Armenian policemen in Police Teaching
Centre. /Panorama.am/
Garegin II Thanked Canadian PM for Support of Armenian Genocide
Recognition
24.03.2006 12:12
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – A Canadian Armenian delegation, led by the Primate
His Eminence Bagrat Galstanian, met with The Right Honorable Stephen
Harper in his Parliament Hill office on Tuesday March 21, 2006.
The Primate congratulated the Prime Minister on his recent election,
and thanked him for actively supporting the passage of Bill M-380 by
the House of Commons in 2004 which recognized the Armenian
genocide. He also presented a letter from His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
`We highly appreciate this important action’ said the Vehapar in his
letter to the Prime Minister, referring to Bill M-380, `and appeal to
you to condemn all similar atrocities throughout the world that are
directed against the wellbeing of man.’
`We look forward that during your term in office, there may be further
tangible cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Armenia,
leading to official diplomatic representation in Yerevan’ added His
Holiness.
The Primate told Mr. Harper that he was gratified to hear the policies
of the Conservative government on social issues, and offered his
co-operation towards enhancing dialogue with Church and interfaith
community leaders in Canada.
The Prime Minister showed keen interest in all aspects of Armenian
community life, and had a cordial conversation on several topics with
the Primate and his delegation. Mr. Harper asked Bishop Galstanian to
convey his greetings to the Catholicos of All Armenians, and to thank
His Holiness for his blessings.
Accompanying the Primate were V. Rev. Father Ararat Kaltakjian, Vicar
of the Diocese; Rev. Archpriest Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of Holy
Trinity Church in Toronto; Mr. Jack Stepanian, Chairman of the
Diocesan Council; Mr. Taro Alepian, Vice-Chairman of the Diocesan
Council; and Mr. Ara Boyadjian, Treasurer of the Diocesan Council.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Bishop Galstanian presented
Mr. Harper with a `Khatchkar’ exquisitely etched in crystal, with two
small vials containing earth and Holy water from Armenia.
Prior to meeting with the Prime Minister, the delegation had visited
the Armenian Embassy in Ottawa, where they were briefed by Counselor
Mikhayil Vardanian on several issues concerning Armenia, including the
situation in Karabagh.
UNITED STATES CONDUCTS A POLICY OF RECOGNITION OF NKR
Lragir.am
24 March 06
`The rapid settlement of the ethnic conflicts in the South Caucasus is
in the interests of the United States, because these are a peculiar
resource for the American presence in the region and achievement of
different aims,’ said political expert Igor Muradyan during the
international seminar in Sochi.
According to him, the United States pursues a line of recognition of
the independence of NKR, but they will take their time in implementing
it, first defining the model of legitimacy of the given subject and
other issues. `It is surprising that by adopting such a decision
Washington used the leverage to direct the foreign policy of Armenia.
On the other hand, by affirming the fact of independence of Nagorno
Karabakh, the Americans are opposing the wish and opportunity to
become engaged in home political issues and influence the purely
internal affairs of Armenia,’ said Igor Muradyan.
For its part, Igor Muradyan said, the European Union is against
founding new countries in the South Caucasus. `We are hopeful that
Russia will support the American `conspiracy’ this time, but
apparently Russia does not have other way out than to support the
stance of the EU,’ thinks the Armenian political expert. According to
him, there is a certain community of analysts who would not allow `the
recognition of Nagorno Karabakh.’
Standard, Kenya
March 23 2006
Kenya: I’m Still in Town, Says Armenian
Cyrus Ombati
Nairobi
Artur Margaryan called The Standard Newsroom on Wednesday to say he
was still in the country.
“I am here in Kenya. I have not gone out as you have said. I am here
and I will call the Press later over the same,” he said.
Margaryan said he was in the country to stay and asked the media to
be fair in its reporting. He, however, did not disclose his
whereabouts. The Armenian national has kept a low profile since last
Monday and efforts to reach him have been futile.
On Monday, a woman picked up his mobile phone when we called and said
it was a wrong number. Margaryan called our offices at about 3pm on
Wednesday on the same mobile number, saying he had not left the
country. He said he would call an international Press conference in
his house, but had not done so by evening.
Margaryan said he was an investor with many interests in the country
and that he could only leave “for urgent business” and come back. On
Tuesday, the man at the centre of the mercenary saga was missing in
his house and a guard on duty said he had not seen him since Monday
morning.
“I have not seen him since yesterday. Why can’t you call him on his
mobile phone because you have been coming here?” asked the guard.
One of Margaryan’s lawyers, who asked not to be named, claimed the
Armenian had decided to keep a low profile and all matters pertaining
him would henceforth be handled by a Public Relations firm. The
lawyer said they were still sourcing for a firm that would handle the
work effectively. He did not explain where his client was, but was
categorical that ” he was still around”.
Margaryan was on Monday seen in Industrial Area handling electronic
goods at about noon. The decision by the foreigner to keep a low
profile coincided with a seven-day ultimatum issued by MPs Fred Gumo
and Reuben Ndolo that he leaves the country or he be forced to.
The two had last week stormed Margaryan’s house and demanded that he
leaves terming him a security threat to the locals. They were
supposed to return and forcefully evict him on Tuesday, but they did
not show up.
Police investigations into the saga have not found any link so far
but authorities say they are still pursuing the matter.
The mercenary controversy was kicked off by Langata MP Raila Odinga,
who claimed Margaryan and his brother Sargasyan were mercenaries for
hire and linked them to the raids on the Standard Group offices.
The two brothers later showed up at the Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport VIP lounge in controversial circumstances and denied the
mercenary claims.
Police investigating the claims have since questioned Raila and his
Mwingi North counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka, who the Armenians said had
asked them for money.
MEMBERS OF THE UNION OF BANKS AT RA PRESIDNET’S OFFICE
ArmRadio
22.03.2006 16:40
Today President Robert Kocharyan had a working consultation with
members of the RA Union of Banks.
The President welcomed the Union’s decision to work more actively
and noted that this will encourage the development of partnership
between the government and the Central Bank, and the existence of
diverse views will allow to draw more correct conclusions on issues
regarding the banking system.
Heads of 14 banks member to the Union presented the urgent issues of
the system and their suggestions regarding the resolution of these.
Great importance was attached to the decrease of shadow economy and
the rise of the population’s trust in the banks.
Robert Kocharyan said that the reforms implemented in the Republic are
directed also at the reduction of the shadow economy, and positive
change is already observed in this regard. The President expressed
willingness to discuss the suggestions of the banks, which will also
promote the decrease of the shadow economy from the pointy of view
of the banking activity.
The banker noted that the fact that the issues discussed with the
President previously have been resolved allows to hope that this
meeting will also have practical results.
SHAVARSH KOCHARYAN ACCUSES THE OPPOSITION
Lragir/am
22 March 06
On March 21 Shavarsh Kocharyan, the leader of the National Democratic
Party, half-member of the alliance Ardarutiun, tried to deal several
blows to the opposition, accusing his former colleagues of what they
had accused Shavarsh Kocharyan.
The MP announced that the agreement of the forces of the National
Assembly over the reform of the Electoral Code is imitation of
an agreement, aimed to show off solidarity to Europe and do what
Lukashenko did in Belarus, says Shavarsh Kocharyan. “I wonder how the
opposition could wink an eye on the lack of a 100 per cent proportional
system of election. Whereas, all of us know that electoral fraud is
mainly due to a majority electoral system,” says Shavarsh Kocharyan.
He also wonders why the opposition agreed to the changes to the
Electoral Code but did not claim to places in the leadership of
electoral commissions. ” The bulk of electoral fraud happens with
the tacit or active connivance of the leadership of the electoral
commissions,” says the leader of the National Democratic Party to
his former fellow oppositionists. He completed his offensive in black
shades with accusing the opposition of a lack of political will.
Shavarsh Kocharyan certainly covered this blow with a similar
accusation against the government. Kocharyan thinks the government
should display a political will to hold fair elections, and the
opposition to exercise control.
CHUBAYS RECOGNIZED NKR FOR HE WORKS WITH REAL OBJECTS
Iragir/am
18/03/06
In the official website of RAO EES, on the page on Armenia “Shusha”
is called “Shushi”, “Lachin” – “Kashatagh”, “Nagorno Karabakh” –
“Nagorno Karabakh Republic” and Naakhidjevan is not mentioned one the
page on Azerbaijan at all. With regard to this the mass media and
NGOs of Azerbaijan are going to launch a campaign against RAO EES,
write the Azerbaijani mass media.
We carried out a mini poll in the streets of Stepanakert. The majority
thinks that Azerbaijan should accept and take into consideration
the reality. “What would you like to be written on the website of
a company which works with real objects? It cannot write “Lachin”
if it makes a deal with Kashatagh. It cannot write “NKR” if it deals
with NKR,” said an inhabitant of Stepanakert. Some people said such
facts will become many because life goes on and the reality is not
always what they would like it to be.
“ARMENIAN SOCIETY MUST BE PROTECTED OF ANTI-AESTHETIC CULTURE,” RA MINISTER OF CULTURE THINKS
YEREVAN, MARCH 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Gevorg Gevorgian, the RA Minister
of Culture and Youth Issues held a consultation with Chairmen of
the 7 creative unions on March 16, and presented his observations
and considerations concerning the present stage of the cultural
field. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Press Service of the
Ministry, according to G.Gevorgian, the national culture goes away
of its sources day by day, today it’s a primary task to put the art
on national basis. According to the Minister, this problem must be
solved by joint efforts. G.Gevorgian also mentioned that one must
find ways to make controllable both “exported culture and imported
one for the society is protected from the outer culture often called
anti-aesthetic.”
EMPLOYMENT REMAINS UP IN THE AIR
Susanna Balayan
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
16 March 2006
Recently the passivity of young people in Karabakh, the low level of
their involvement in state building has been considered more often. The
majority of emigrants are young people, say public officials, leaders
of youth organizations, NGOs, whose activity has the same goal –
to involve young people in different projects and initiatives. This
reality is not a problem but an alarm about the situation, which may
bring about unpredictable consequences. For instance, during the ten
post-war years the population of NKR did not change essentially. The
rate of growth of the population is not high, several hundreds, or
1-2 thousand at best, says the statistical service, which is worrying
in all aspects. “We have tried to find out what the present-day youth
takes interest in, learn about their moods,” says Armineh Hayrapetian,
the chairman of Aram Manukian Students Union, “most young people live
without any hopes for improvement or for someone to do something
for them. Education, television, a concert at best or disco, this
is the narrow range of interests of today’s youth.” According to
the leader of Aram Manukian Students Union, this situation emanates
from the lack of a definite state policy on the youth problems. “The
problem of employment among young people is still up in the air,”
says Armineh Hayrapetian, “the majority of university graduates cannot
find jobs. They have to go away and work abroad. On the other hand,
if the speaker of the parliament said in an address that the youth
should not be engaged in politics, what can young people expect at
all? It is difficult to find a job, it is early for them to deal with
politics, what will their future be then?”
Nevertheless, Armineh Hayrapetian says there is progress in this
sphere, for despite the current situation new youth organizations have
emerged recently: Young Democrats, the Club of Young Politicians,
the YMCA, the youth wing of the Azat Hayrenik Party which deals
with environmental issues, and Zepyur. Armineh Petrossian, the
leader of the youth organization Hayki Serund, also agrees that
employment is a serious problem for young people. According to her,
the lack of a mechanism of relations between the government and youth
organizations, the state and the young people, is a serious obstacle
for the organization.
However, she says, there is already such a mechanism. The government
assists the projects of youth organizations rather than the youth
organizations. “All the youth organizations extended projects to
the government until January 30, and the government will decide
which projects to fund,” said Armineh Petrossian, and pointed out
that the organization led by her participates in the debates on the
new bill on the youth since January 2006 together with other youth
organizations. At the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport we were
informed that the bill on the youth has not been adopted in Armenia
yet. Its shortcomings are discussed at the ministry, as well as by
the youth organizations.
Kamo Atayan, Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, said two
chapters of the bill have been reviewed. After the bill is edited
completely, it will be extended to the government. Hopefully the
adoption of the law will help to prevent the migration of young people
from the country.
TURKS WILL ALWAYS REMAIN TURKS
Panorama.am
17:54 15/03/06
“Today, when on the one hand massacre organizing Turkey tries to
distort the history and defame our struggle, on the other hand the
throng called Azeri army destructs Armenian cross stones and when
Azeri criminal cruelly kills a sleeping person just because the latter
is Armenian, the glorification of our heroes maintains new value and
quality,” assures the president of Ajapnyak Committee “Iron Ladle”
of ARF Artak Nazaretyan.
Today in Ajapnyak community a ceremony was held next to the monument
to Soghomon Tehleryan dedicated to the murder of Taleat pasha in
Germany 85 years ago. NA Deputy Armen Rustamyan says: “85 years ago
the Armenian people recorded one of the most eloquent facts of just
retribution in its history.” Tehleryan acted for the sake of a just
aim and by just means.
One of the evidences of this is that Tehleryan was set free from the
Court hall.
Head of Ajapnyak community Artsrun Khachatryan says: “Today the
Turks try to justify criminal Taleat in Europe; and in different
countries, even in the Euro Council they mention that nowadays Turkey
is different, but the latter proves the opposite by that action.”