Author: Kalashian Nyrie

ICRC REPRESENTATIVES FINALLY GOT ACCESS TO FOUR CITIZENS OF ARMENIA BEING ON AZERBAIJANI SIDE

arminfo
2008-05-26 10:56:00

ArmInfo. Representatives of the International Committee of Red Cross
got access to four citizens of Armenia being on Azerbaijani side.

As ICRC Yerevan delegation told ArmInfo, ICRC representatives visited
the captive RA citizens last Friday. "The process is going on according
to the usual ICRC procedures", the delegation informed.

To recall, civilians Vanik Zmboyan (Gavar), Artyom Zohrabyan (Noraduz),
Karen Torosyan (Noraduz) and Aghasi Yenokyan (Noraduz) turned out to
be on the Azerbaijani side after the incident in one of Nakhichevan
near-border military units. The incident happened due to interpersonal
relations. By unofficial data, a group of civilians arrived "to help"
their friend, having been recently transferred to the new military
unit. A conflict started among the young man and his comrade-in-arms,
and the "brothers" arrived by several cars at the unit to settle the
dispute. A scuffle happened and the commander had to shot in air to
stop it, unofficial data say. As a result, the stranger- young men were
captivated. The Azerbaijani party tries to represent them as raiders in
every way. Representatives of International Committee for the Red Cross
did not have an opportunity to meet the captives for over a month.

"FACTS NOT CORRESPONDING TO REALITY WILL NOT BE PRESENTED" AT DISCUSSION OF RESOLUTION 1609 IN PACE, ARMENIAN DELEGATION MEMBER SAYS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 23, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. A sitting of the PACE Monitoring
Committee will be held in Kiev. Among issues on the agenda is the
issue of Armenia.

The rapporteurs of the monitoring group visited Armenia on May 10,
the chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection
and Public Issues, member of Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) faction
Avet Adonts said at the May 23 parliamentary briefing.

Speaking about the discussion on fulfilment of resolution 1609 by
Armenia at the PACE session in a month, A. Adonts noted that the
Armenian delegation will present all the work the authorities have
done and will do in this direction. "Facts not corresponding to reality
will not be presented," the member of the Armenian delegation assured
those present.

A. Adonts expressed a hope that prior to that, the process of
fulfilling the conditions stipulated in the resolution will start,
at least, the NA interim commission on examination of the March 1-2
events will be set up. By a preliminary agreement, the commission
will be formed at the June session of the parliament. It is planned
to hold the second and last readings of the amendments to the draft
law on meetings, assemblies, rallies and demonstrations during the
four-day session of the NA on June 9-11.

According to A. Adonts, depriving Armenia of the right to vote in
the PACE would have a negative impact on the country’s international
rating and the development of its bilateral relations with European
structures and countries so the Armenian authorities must try their
best in order to prevent it. At the same time, the deputy expressed
a conviction that "fulfilment of resolution 1609 will give nothing
if we fail to solve our domestic problems themselves".

POLAND, SWEDEN OFFER NEW POLICY FOR EU AND EASTERN NEIGHBORS

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.05.2008 13:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As European Union officials mull a Mediterranean
Union to bring in the bloc’s southern neighbors, some eastern members
want a similar initiative to focus on former Soviet states. But it
wouldn’t include the region’s biggest player.

Polish Premier Donald Tusk and his Swedish counterpart, Fredrik
Reinfeldt, are expected to present a plan to their EU colleagues
in June that will call for more cooperation with Ukraine, Moldova,
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to news reports. Even
Belarus, which has been ostracized because of its dictatorial regime,
would be invited to participate – albeit on a reduced level.

"We would like to see the EU upgrading its contacts with the east at
a time the EU is upgrading relations with the Mediterranean region,"
an unnamed Polish diplomat said.

Called the Eastern Partnership, the new initiative would offer
participating countries liberalized trade, the lifting of travel
restrictions, cultural exchanges and aid programs. The eastern
partners, in return, would be expected to push ahead with political
and economic reforms.

Unlike the Mediterranean Union, the Eastern Partnership would not
have its own secretariat, but would be run by the European Commission
and financed from the European neighborhood policy budget, Web site
EUObserver.com reported, adding that a commission official would be
appointed as "special coordinator."

The plan falls short of giving countries any prospects of EU
membership, as western European states are wary of any further
expansion drives at the moment. Poland, however, does back eventual
membership for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

France, which takes over the rotating EU presidency in July, is
planning to offer Ukraine stronger ties to the EU after the bloc
launched a free trade pact with the country earlier this year.

Poland’s premier, meanwhile, is expected to discuss a stronger eastern
policy with French President Nicolas Sarkozy when the latter comes
to Warsaw for a long-delayed visit next week.

The region’s heavy-weight, Russia, will not be invited to join the
partnership under the initial proposal. EU officials on Wednesday,
however, agreed to initiate separate talks on a wide-ranging
cooperation agreement.

EU foreign ministers are likely to discuss the idea at their meeting in
Brussels on Monday, May 26. The plan has reportedly been well-received
by the EU Commission as well as key member states, including Britain,
France, Germany and the Netherlands. Italy, Portugal and Spain,
on the other hand, are skeptical, Deutsche Welle reports.

THIS YEAR CLASSES WILL FINISH ON MAY 24 IN ARMENIAN SCHOOLS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 23, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Classes for all forms of Armenian
comprehensive schools will finish on May 24 this year. As Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by the Public Relations Department of the
RA Ministry of Education and Science, on June 2-20, pupils of the 4th,
9th, and 11th forms will take exams of passing to the next form and
final exams.

On June 3, pupils of the fourth form will take exams in Mother
Tongue, a dictation or a test, by the option of the school
administration. Exams in Mathematics will be held on June 6, the
examination tasks will be made up by schools’ methodical unions,
by 5 variants. Marks for exams will be given by a 5-point system.

9th-form pupils of comprehensive schools will take exams in Armenian
Language, Literature (exposition), Mathematics, and Foreign Languages
in the written form. History of Armenia, Geography, and natural
sciences subjects by pupils’ option are among the oral exams. For the
first time this year exams in Mathematics will be held by tests made
up by the Estimation and Testing Center of the RA Ministry of Education
and Science. Marks to all examination works will be given by a 5-point
system. The examination in Physical Culture will be held at least 5
days before the exams in other comprehensive subjects. The dates of
the first two exams are set by the Ministry of Education and Science,
on June 3 and 7, and the others are set by school administrations.

The number of exams for 11th-form leavers is almost the same as the
number of final exams to be taken by the 9th-form pupils. Exams in
Armenian Language, Literature, Mathematics, and Foreign Languages
subjects will be held by the final and united system, the same day,
on June 2, 11, and 17, respectively. One of the tasks of the June 5
oral examination in History of Armenia will be written, in the form
of a test. Exams in natural sciences subjects, Chemistry, Physics
will be organized on June 14. Marks will be given for all exams by
a 20-point system, only Physical Culture by a 5-point system.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA’S DELEGATES PAY SOLIDARITY VISITS TO
THE SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF THE SHIITE AND DRUZE COMMUNITIES

The Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian and Bishop
Norayr Ashekian visited the spiritual leader of the Shiite and Druze
communities in Lebanon, Sheikh Kabalan and Sheikh Nayim Hassan respectively,
to express solidarity and the support of Catholicos Aram I in view of the
critical situation facing Lebanon presently.

Conveying Catholicos Aram I’s views on Christian-Muslim cohabitation and
harmonious coexistence, the two Bishops emphasized the need to protect the
multi-religious and multi-ethnic identity of Lebanon. On behalf of the
Armenian Pontiff, they expressed satisfaction at the meeting convened in
Doha on the initiative of the Qatari authorities. They assured both
Spiritual Leaders that the Lebanese Armenian community will support all
those efforts that bring together all the Lebanese communities, pave the way
for Christian-Muslim dialogue and endorse the perpetuation of mutual
brotherhood, respect and cooperation between them.

A similar solidarity visit will be paid today to the Spiritual Leader of the
Sunni community, the Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Kabbani.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos265.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTS REPORT ON TURKEY

Turkish Press
May 22 2008

STRASBOURG – The European Parliament (EP) adopted on Wednesday a
report on Turkey urging the government to accelerate reforms.

In a plenary session the EP debated and voted the report, prepared by
Dutch parliamentarian Ria Oomen-Ruijten. The report is a non-binding
and recommendatory one.

The parliament rejected amendments to the report regarding the
incidents of 1915 submitted by a group of French MEPs trying to
support Armenian allegations against Turkey.

However, the amendment on EP`s concerns about news reports regarding
Turkish riot police`s disproportional use of force during May Day
celebrations was accepted.

The amendment also said that the changes made in article 301 of Turkish
Penal Code were not enough and urged Turkish parliament to revise
the article and completely remove other restrictive stipulations.

The report, adopted last month by the European Parliamentary Committee
on Foreign Affairs, expressed concern about the potential consequences
of the recent dissolution case filed against Turkey`s ruling Justice &
Development (AK) Party.

Another amendment to the report said the EP expected Turkish
Constitutional Court to act in accordance with the Venice Commission
guidelines and European standards on the prohibition of political
parties.

It also called on the Turkish government to respect pluralism,
secularism and democracy while carrying out reforms and to reach a
compromise with political parties and urged the political parties to
distance themselves from violence and terrorist organizations.

-THE REPORT-

The report says the parliament takes note of the process underway to
prepare a new, civilian constitution; regards it as a key opportunity
to place the protection of human rights and freedoms at the core of
the constitution and underlines the need for a broad involvement of
civil society in this process.

The report also says the parliament "welcomes the commitment of
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that 2008 is going to be the year
of reforms; urges the Turkish government to make use of its strong
parliamentary majority to resolutely pursue reforms that are crucial
for Turkey`s transformation into a modern democratic and prosperous
society."

It says "(the parliament) encourages the Turkish government to make
further systematic efforts to ensure that the democratically elected
political leadership bears full responsibility for formulation of
domestic, foreign and security policy and that the armed forces
respect this civilian responsibility; points out, in particular,
the need to establish full parliamentary oversight of military and
defence policy and all related expenditure."

-PRIORITY TO ARTICLE 301-

The report also urges the Turkish government and the parliament
to abolish immediately article 301 of the Penal Code as a symbolic
and substantive step towards full respect of freedom of expression
in the country and underlines that, once the urgently needed
abolition of article 301 has been carried out, further legislative
and implementation steps will be required in order to ensure that
Turkey fully guarantees freedom of expression and press freedom in
line with ECHR and European democratic standards.

It says the parliament encourages the Turkish authorities to resolutely
pursue investigations into the Ergenekon affair, "to fully uncover
its networks reaching into the state structures and to bring those
involved to justice."

The report welcomes the recent adoption by the Turkish Parliament
of the Law on Foundations and says "the European Commission should
analyse whether the Law addresses all shortcomings faced by non-Muslim
religious communities with regard to property management and
acquisition, including expropriated property sold to third parties."

The report also calls upon the Democratic Society Party (DTP), its
members at the parliament and mayors "to engage constructively in
the quest for a political solution to the Kurdish issue within the
democratic Turkish state."

It strongly condemns the violence perpetrated by the terrorist
organization PKK and reiterates European Parliament`s solidarity with
Turkey in its fight against terrorism. The report urges the Iraqi
government and the regional Kurdish administration not to allow Iraqi
territory to be used as a base for terrorist acts against Turkey.

The report stresses the need to arrive at a comprehensive settlement
of the Cyprus question within the UN framework, claiming that "the
withdrawal of Turkish forces would facilitate the negotiation of
a settlement."

Oomen-Ruijten`s report also calls on the European Commission and
the Turkish government to start negotiations on an agreement to ease
granting of visas to Turkish nationals .

ARMENIA’S NA ENDORSES 2007 STATE BUDGET PERFORMANCE

ARMENPRESS
May 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS: By a vote of 84 to 4 Armenia’s National
Assembly (parliament) has endorsed today the government’s report
on 2007 state budget performance. The report was voted against by
members of the oppositional Zharangutyun (Heritage) party’s faction.

The parliament has also approved today a memorandum on making
changes to a 2003 Armenian-Greek agreement on participation of an
Armenian peacekeeping platoon in Kosovo under the command of the
Greek peacekeeping contingent.

A 34-member Armenian platoon has been in Kosovo since 2004 under the
Greek command. Under the agreement Armenia will increase the number
of its peacekeepers in Kosovo to 70.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian told the parliament yesterday that
expansion of Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping missions will
not only raise the country’s international image but will also boost
higher combat readiness of its armed forces.

OSCE MISSION REGISTERS NO VIOLATION OF TRUCE

armradio.am
22.05.2008 17:50

According to earlier agreement with the government of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, today the OSCE Mission carried out planned
monitoring of the contact line between the Armed Forces of Nagorno
Karabakh and Azerbaijan in the direction of Karakhanbeili settlement.

Press Service of NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that from
the positions of the NKR Defense Army the monitoring mission was
headed by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The monitoring was conducted in line with teh preset schedule, no
cease-fire violations were registered.

CELEBRATIONS IN APARAN AND VANADZOR

armradio.am
22.05.2008 17:25

"If not the heroic battle of Sardarapat, there would not be either
the first, or the second Republics of Armenia. The heroic battles of
Vanadzor, Aparan and Sardarapat determined the birth of our Republics,"
member of the Council of the "Nig Aparan" compatriotic union Tigran
Petrosyan told a press conference today.

According to him, it is with the comprehension of this that we
celebrate May 25 as the Day of Aparan battle. Festive events will be
held in Aparan on that day. Monuments to Drasdamat Kanayan and Sedrak
Jalalyan will be unveiled in the city square.

The historian is assured that the Aparan battle in no way yields to
that of Sardardpat. Regular forces were fighting in Sardarapat, while
in Aparan only the population was to resist the enemy. He urged not to
use the words Bash-Aparan and Gharakilisa, which do not sound Armenian.

Director of the Armenian State Philharmonics Gagik Manasyan informed
that most of the arrangements planned on the occasion of the 90th
anniversary of the May battles have already been conducted. However,
the main ceremonies are scheduled for May 25-28.

Military parades, concerts will be held in Aparan on May 25, Vanadzor –
on May 26 and Sardarapat – on May 27. "The unity of spirit and might
brought victory to the Armenian people: this very idea will lay in
the basis of all these events," Gagik Manasyan said.

MEANS FROM STATE BUDGET TO BE ALLOCATED TO RA FORMER PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN FOR BUILDING PRIVATE RESIDENCE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. A certain sum will be allocated from
the 2008 state budget to Robert Kocharian, the former President of
the Republic of Armenia, for building a private house on his own
right. In addition to this, the Mayor of Yerevan has been ordered to
give office space and corresponding sum for reconstructing the space
to Robert Kocharian. This statement was made by Karine Kirakosian,
the Head of the Department of the State Property Management under
the RA government, at the May 22 sitting of the RA government.

It should also be mentioned that the allocations will be made
according to the amendment recently made to the law on "Payment,
Service and Security Provision of the RA President". According to
another amendment of the same law, RA former presidents will be given
life pension, which will make the 80 instead of former 75 percent of
the salary of the current president.