Author: Kalashian Nyrie

NAGORNO-KARABAKH PARLIAMENT CHOSE OMBUDSMAN

DeFacto Agency
April 16 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 16.04.08. DE FACTO. Today the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
National Assembly has appointed a human rights defender – ombudsman.

The NKR newly-appointed ombudsman is 54-year-old lawyer Yuri
Hayrapetian, who held the post of chair of the Parliamentary Commission
for State and Legal Issues before.

"The task of protection of human rights and legal interests has been
in the focus of the state’s attention since the first days of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s declaration", Yuri Hayrapetian said in an
interview with DE FACTO. He also reminded that this function of the
state had been clearly fixed in the NKR Constitution and found its
reflection in the Republic President Bako Sahakian’s election program.

Yuri Hayrapetian underscored that the ombudsman’s institute was the
most important element, one of the ways to build a democratic state.

In his words, all the branches of power and, first of all, public
are interested in the establishment of this institute in the
Nagorno-Karabakh. "The matter does not concern restoration of a
specific person’s violated rights only, though it is very important,
but also in a broad sense – establishment of a system guaranteeing
everyday control over the observation of human rights and legal
interests", Yuri Hayrapetian said.

"Thus our state demonstrated to the world its adherence to democratic
principles", the NKR first ombudsman underscored.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I STRESSES ROLE OF RELIGION IN ESTABLISHING PEACE IN CONFERENCE BEING HELD IN BARCELONA

Noyan Tapan
April 14, 2008

BARCELONA, APRIL 14, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The interreligious
meeting taking place on the initiative of the international
organization "Office of Cultures for Peace" has launched its
proceedings in Barcelona on April 9. Different religious high-ranking
officials, as well as the representatives of the non-governmental
organizations operating in the sphere of the human rights and peace are
taking part in the meeting. The meeting is also attended by Khatami,
the former President of Iran, Pondevik, the former Prime Minister
of Norway, Federico Meyer, the former Director of UNESCO and other
people enjoying international reputation.

Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great Cilician House, has had a number
of meetings with high-ranking officials, discussing, in particular,
the role of religion in establishing peace, the necessity for changing
dialogue into cooperation, as well as the role of religions as regards
the human rights.

The statement to be made by the conference was also discussed at
he discussion.

Grigor Chiftchian, the Head of the Information Department of the
Catholicosate, and Tenny Piri-Simonian, the vice-Chairman of the
Commission of Inter-church relations of the Catholicosate, are included
in the delegation headed by His Holiness.

RA DEPUTY FM TO TAKE PART IN FORTHCOMING SESSION OF OBSEC FMC IN KIEV

arminfo
2008-04-14 10:15:00

ArmInfo. The regular 18th session of the Foreign Ministerial Council
of member-states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization
(OBSEC) will be held on April 17 in Kiev.

As RA FM press service told ArmInfo, delegation of Armenia’s Foreign
Ministry, headed by RA deputy FM Gegham Gharibjanyan, will take part
in the session of OBSCE FMC.

The issues of fulfillment of the tasks of further activation of BSEC
activity, set forth at the jubilee summit of BSEC in Istanbul in 2007,
and the practical steps on deepening of the regional cooperation will
be discussed at the forthcoming session of OBSEC FMC. The session
participants will consider the results of meetings of the Transport
and Energy ministers, heads of Customs Services of OBSEC member-states
and interaction in other spheres of cooperation, sessions of working
groups, held in the period of Ukraine’s presidency in BSEC (October,
2007 – April, 2008). It is also envisaged to discuss the prospects
of BSEC-European Union interaction.

Panorama.am

16:50 12/04/2008

`SPARTAKIADA 2008′ STARTED

Today `Spartakiada 2008′ sport competition started at
`Spartak’ sport hall in Yerevan. The military
exercises will last till November. The military
exercises are headed by the ministries of science and
education and sport and youth affairs.
The mission of the competition is to stipulate the
sport spirit activeness within the youth and students.
`It is the ninth competition organized. This year only
9 universities applied, but we hope that they will
join us in the future. There are 10 players at every
group,’ said Arthur Poghosyan, the deputy minister of
sport and youth affairs.

Besides, he stated that the winners will take part in
the competition held in Belgrade in summer. Last year
6 sportsmen were given opportunity to present Armenia
in Thailand.

The schedule of the competition is rather
comprehensive and the sportsmen will act in 10
different sports types: April 12-13 athletics, April
19-20 table tennis, April 16-30 volleyball, May 18
swimming, Odcober 1-5 hand ball, October 6-10 female
volleyball, October 14-18 chess, November 1-5 female
basketball and November 8-12 male basketball.

Source: Panorama.am

Reuters
April 12 2008

Armenian policeman dies from wounds in March clashes
Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:36am EDT

YEREVAN, April 12 (Reuters) – A policeman has died of wounds
sustained last month during clashes with opposition protesters in the
Armenian capital, a police spokesman said on Saturday.

His death on Friday brings to nine the number of dead in the fighting
on March 1 between protesters armed with iron railings and stones and
police and soldiers wielding batons and firing rubber bullets.

Seven protesters died and two members of the security forces. Police
said the 19-year-old policeman died from a gunshot wound to the neck.

Security forces accused demonstrators of carrying and using firearms.
The demonstrators, who accuse President Serzh Sarksyan of fixing a
Feb. 19 election, have denied this. (Reporting by Hasmik Lazarian;
Writing by James Kilner in Moscow; Editing by Stephen Weeks)

GOVERNMENT TO BE FORMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Vasak Tarposhyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on April 11, 2008

After being appointed as a Prime Minister, yesterday Tigran Sargsyan
said good-bye to the staff of the Central Bank and then answered the
questions of the journalists.

"In what state are you leaving the Central Bank, how are you going
to implement the ambitious government programs?"

"This appointment was very swift and unexpected and I need time to sum
up my reflections regarding the last 10 years. In the person of the
Central Bank’s staff, in my view we have a team of devoted people,
able to solve serious issues. Anyhow I really want to believe and I
do believe there are young professional cadres who will be helpful
not only to the Central Bank but also the people.

As regards the ambitious programs, I have already underscored during
the government session today that, the National Assembly has already
confirmed the ambitious program of Serge Sargsyan’s Administration
and if the parliament has approved it then we must only put it into
action. Moreover, in his pre-election program Serge Sargsyan has
extended these issues, and submitted it for the term of five years,
and, by the way, our people approved this program.

This means the new government must be guided by the program accepted
by the people and we must be able to implement it completely.

"Does this mean you are not planning to propose a new program?"

"If you familiarize yourselves with Serge Sargsyan’s pre-election
program, you will see extremely ambitious goals. We must be able
to become financial and health center, we must be the leader in our
region in the sphere of tourism, we must create favorable business
environment to be able to compete with best states of the world. We
must rely on our scientific potential and make qualitative amendments
in education system."

"Which spheres do you consider important for reforms?"

"It is not a secret for anyone that the perfection of tax-custom
administration where all the secrets of our economic system are hidden
is the most important issue – competitive arena, equal conditions,
speculations, corruption shadow economy. Tax-custom administration
is the key. This is the very sphere requiring great efforts.

We all understand that it is not possible to make qualitative changes
in one second, but in one second it is possible to feel that these
changes will be really serious. In this sphere we have set far-flung
goals."

"Who will be the President of the Central Bank?"

"The appointment of the President of the Central Bank is the exclusive
competence of the country’s President. I appeal to all of you to be
reserved in this issue. The circulation of the name of any candidate
will tie first of all the person who is going to be the future
President of the Central Bank and secondly it will create an incorrect
environment for the President of the Republic. Moreover if the newly
appointed Prime Minister proposes a candidacy, it will be beyond the
rules of ethics. That is why I will never touch upon this topic."

"What changes should we expect in the government staff?"

"Today we have already started discussing this issue with the
President.

The discussion will continue tomorrow evening. We do have time
to discuss the structure of the government and the candidacies of
the new Ministers. As you know all this is based on the coalition
agreement, which means formation of a government acceptable for all
the four parties.

That is why, be patient, and wait for some more days, until the end
of the discussions and the negotiations. In any case I know that the
President is interested in the swift formation of the new government,
to start the implementation of the programs as soon as possible."

LEV SPIVAK: "ALL DEPUTIES FROM ARABIAN PARTIES (MOSLEMS) UNANIMOUSLY VOTED FOR DISCUSSION OF THE LAW ON THE "GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS" IN ISRAELI KNESSET"

Today
April 11 2008
Azerbaijan

"There is a term "to be on the front page" in Israeli politics, which
implies being published by mass medias by any means, by scandals and
provocations", said Lev Spivak, General director of International
Association Israel-Azerbaijan, commenting on the consideration of
"Armenian genocide" in the Israeli parliament.

He said there are such populists in any parliament of the world.

"Thus, your deputy Fazil Gazanfarov also made similar declaration. He
said that if Israel recognizes "genocide of Armenians" we will do
everything possible to adopt a document in connection with the policy
of genocide against Palestinian Arabians and that the responsibility
will lie on the Israeli side", said Spivak.

He noted that blackmail is not the best way to find supporters and
friends, especially in the tense moment when each politician, a head of
a party and a deputy, should be maximally tactic in his announcements.

"Two facts seem to be most significant in the whole story. First,
all deputies from Arabian parties (Moslems) unanimously voted for
the discussion of the law on "genocide of Armenians" and second,
no one in Azerbaijan ever undertook to oppose the confidence of
Gazanfaroghlu that "his colleagues in Milli Medjlis will support
adoption of the document.."

He said there is a strong Armenian lobby in Israel and only his
organization, led by the only Knesset deputy Shagal is opposed to
the powerful left-Armenian-Arabic coalition.

In the conclusion he noted that possibility of recognition of the so
called "Armenian genocide" by Knesset is low.

"Our parliament and especially the commission of Knesset on
international relations and security, have enough pragmatics, who
are aware of the importance of strategic relations with Turkey and
Azerbaijan. Most Knesset deputies share our point of view on "genocide
of Armenians" and do not take this issue seriously", said he.

CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 93RD ANNIVERSARY HELD IN NKR

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.04.2008 17:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Artsakh State University hosts a two-day scientific
conference dedicated to the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

"Western Armenia: past and present" conference was initiated by the
center of Armenian studies at the ASU, Arstakhi local history museum
and RAA organization engaged in study of Armenian monuments.

The conference in attended by scientists from Armenia, Syria and
France.

The purpose of the event is to discuss the Genocide issue and the
current state of affairs in Western Armenia, Karabakh-Open com reports.

"TIGRAN SARKISIAN IS NOT CONSIDERED AN AUTHORITY"

A1+
11 April, 2008

"President Serzh Sarkissian appointed Tigran Sarkissian Armenia’s PM
taking into consideration the opinion of international organisations,"
Republican MP Rafik Petrossian said during today’s parliamentary
briefings.

In reply to A1+’s question why the Republican Party of Armenia
(HHK) hadn’t named an alternative candidate and confirmed Tigran
Sarkissian’s candidature unanimously, Rafik Petrossian said after
long discussions state thinking prevailed and the appointment of a
professional was endorsed.

The Republican underlined that the appointment is determined by
the fact that our country cooperates with international financial
organisations, has relations, commitments and programmes, and since
Tigran Sarkissian has considerable experience as President of the
Central Bank, his appointment was considered as expedient. Rafik
Petrossian reminded that "Armenia receive as much funds from the
international financial organisations as our state budget."

It is due to mention that the Coalition members cherish great hopes
from Tigran Sarkissian. For instance, the Orinats Yerkir Party (OYP)
highly assesses Tigran Sarkissian’s professional skills.

The Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) doesn’t hurry with
assessments. "Let’s work and see," BHK MP Naira Zohrabian said. He
reminded that under the Constitution, the prime minister is appointed
by parliamentarian majority and the BHK has nothing to do with it.

With regard to the newly appointed PM, Leader of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun
faction Hrair Karapetian said, "The Prime Minister’s party affiliation
doesn’t matter." He noted that the Prime Minister was nominated by
the HHK which enjoys majority in the parliament.

"The PM’s party affiliation isn’t essential today when parties ally
rather on the bases of interests than on ideological similarities,"
said "Heritage" member Stepan Safarian. He says Tigran Sarkissian is
professional in his sphere, he has always answered the questions raised
in the NA in detail, he is a good person and has constructive approach
to new ideas. But in the Armenian perception, Tigran Sarkissian is not
strong enough to systematize the activity of the four-fold Coalition
Government and to shoulder collective responsibility. "He is not an
"authority," added Larissa Alaverdian.

She finds Serzh Sarkissian an "authority" though the latter doesn’t
enjoy the confidence of all public strata.

RA NA IN FIRST READING ADOPTS BILL ON MAKING AMENDMENT TO LAW ON MILITARY POLICE

Noyan Tapan
April 10, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 10, the RA National Assembly
adopted the 6 bills and legislative packages discussed on April
8. The prevailing majority of them envisage amendments and addenda
to valid laws.

In particular, the bill On Internal Audit and the package of amendments
to the valid law On Treasury System proceeding from it were adopted
in the first reading. It regulates the main relations connected
with internal audit in RA state government and local self-government
bodies, institutions within their jurisdiction, state and communal
non-commercial organizations, establishes the main rights and duties
of the sides.

The amendment to the valid law On Military Police proposed by the
government, adopted in the first reading, in particular, stipulates
that to guarantee personal defence, a military police servant
has the right to use a helmet, a shield, a gas-mask. Besides the
above mentioned means, the right to use other defence means is also
stipulated, the list and order of use of which is established by the
RA government.

The bill also stipulates that the personal defence means are used
when suspending and preventing attacks on military entities under
protection, as well as on military transport means, in military
subdivisions, including during mass disobedience in garrison
disciplinary isolators of the RA Defence Ministry, during military
exercises, as well as during events implemented in cooperation with
other law enforcement bodies.