Author: Kamalian Hagop

GUAM STATES MUST AVOID FROM COMMENTING ON ISSUES, WHICH DO NOT CONCERN THEM, PARTICULARLY ELECTIONS IN NKR

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.07.2007 14:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "First of all I’d like the GUAM member-states
to avoid from commenting on issues, which do not concern them,
particularly elections in NKR," Acting Spokesman for the RA MFA
Vladimir Karapetyan stated commenting on the fact that GUAM has
"condemned" conduction of presidential elections in NKR. He
said, after gaining independence the NKR people chose the way of
building democratic and jural state, and during the past years
the republic has reached significant success in it. "It’s a pity
that the GUAM member-states make comments proceeding from their
inner interests, forgetting that power in NKR has been formed
through elections. Democratic elections in NKR, including the
coming presidential elections lead the country to the formation and
development of legal and state institutes, which is important for
the peaceful solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," Karapetyan
underlined.

AND YOU, VAZGEN MANUKYAN

Lragir.am
12-07-2007 14:43:07

It became known on July 12 at the National Press Club that the
leader of the National Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan is one of the
politicians who explain their indifference towards the presidential
election of Karabakh by the fact that nothing will be there until
nothing happens in Armenia. Vazgen Manukyan told that before the
presidential election of Karabakh old and respected political figures
gathered and discussed the Karabakh election, whether it is possible
to influence the Karabakh election to have a more or less acceptable
person for Karabakh. "I also checked my information, through people
in Karabakh, I saw that the same situation is in Karabakh, and it is
impossible to change anything in Karabakh as a separate region.

Therefore, I preferred not to interfere with this election," Vazgen
Manukyan says.

He says there were great expectations before the parliamentary
election of Karabakh that a process would start there which would
continue in Armenia.

"At that time I often visited Karabakh, I somehow met with everyone,
both opposition and government, and I expected that something
"strange" would happen but nothing "strange" happened. It became
clear that Karabakh is the continuation of Armenia. Therefore, I do
not think there will be a change in Karabakh unless there is a change
in Karabakh," Vazgen Manukyan says.

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENPAC, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee
Contact: Jason P. Capizzi
Tel: 972-635-5347
Fax: 972-635-5406
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARMENPAC RECOGNIZES HISTORIC MILESTONE – Majority in the House of
Representatives NOW Supports H.RES.106

Irving, Texas – ARMENPAC, the Armenian American Political Action Committee,
is proud to announce that H.RES.106, known as the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, has finally gained 218 cosponsors with the addition of
Representatives John Yarmuth (D-KY) and Donna Christensen (D-VI). Along
with Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), the primary sponsor of H.RES.106,
that resolution now has the support of 219 Members of Congress.

"On behalf of ARMENPAC, I would like to thank all cosponsors and all of the
tireless advocates in our community who have worked hard by urging their
Representatives to join in supporting H.RES.106. Two hundred eighteen is a
significant number as it represents that a majority of the members of the
House of Representatives have added their support to a piece of legislation.
Historically, the Armenian Genocide Resolution has never before had a
majority of House members supporting it," said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Edgar
Hagopian.

"This week’s announcement is a significant milestone for the Armenian
community in the United States and around the world. The next step in the
progression of this resolution is to have it moved out of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs and posted for a vote by the entire House of Representatives
by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)," added ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah.

"Although we are thrilled to announce the 218th cosponsor, ARMENPAC is
asking our friends and supporters to continue to contact their legislators
to urge a full vote on this resolution. We have made significant progress
in our goal of ensuring that United States foreign policy reflects proper
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, but now we have to work harder then
ever to see it through to its passage," said ARMENPAC Executive Director
Jason Capizzi.

ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee with a
nationwide membership. ARMENPAC raises awareness of, and advocates for,
policies that help create peace, security and stability in the Caucasus
region. ARMENPAC provides financial support to federal officeholders,
candidates, political action committees and organizations that actively
support issues of importance to Armenian-Americans. For more information
and how to join ARMENPAC, please call (877) 286-1046 or visit
<; .

###

THREE BRONZE MEDALS IN TAEKWONDO

armradio.am
10.07.2007 12:44

Three Armenian sportsmen achieved three bronze medals in taekwondo
competitions in the framework if the first Black Sea Games held in
the Turkish city of Trabzon. Armenpress was informed from RA Taekwondo
Federation that bronze medals were achieved by Varag Aghajanyan (48kg),
Haykaz Samvelyan (55kg) of Yerevan and Anahit Ghazaryan (53kg) from
Tavush marz. The trainer of the Armenian team is Michael Torgomyan.

The government uses administrative levers to pressure on people

A. Danielyan
04-07-2007 12:26:29 – KarabakhOpen

The election campaign continues, and the candidates have met with
voters in different places. However, nothing is known about two
candidates, Armen Abgaryan and Vania Avanesyan. They say Vania
Avanesyan does not meet voters because of the lack of funding. He said
he uses the free airtime on the public television and radio, the Azat
Artsakh Newspaper, and `there is no money to pay for more airtime.’

Armen Abgaryan is silent, refuses to hold interviews, does not meet
voters, or the meetings are not reported in the media. The reasons are
not known.

The other three candidates Masis Mayilyan, Bako Sahakyan and Hrant
Melkumyan meet with voters. We asked the candidates if equal
opportunities were created for the election campaign. Vania Avanesyan
said, `The opportunities are equal but not all the candidates have
possibility to use them.’ Bako Sahakyan thinks, `The law provides for
equal opportunities, and nobody has the right to create them.’ Hrant
Melkumyan says he has not faced difficulty yet because `the Communist
Party has offices in the capital and in the regions.’ Masis Mayilyan
holds the contrary opinion. He said the opportunities are not equal.

`Before the election campaign the administrative levers were not used
openly, now they are. The media ignore the law. We have already noticed
two major breaches, one on the first day of the campaign, the other on
the second day when after the time provided for the campaign one of the
candidates was propagated, and the other was denounced. My election
headquarters made a statement on the first day.’

Unfortunately, the government uses administrative levers to pressure on
people, which makes us revise our tactics. We often have to work in an
`underground’ mode to not stake people. It reminds me of the year 1988.
At that time the `crackdown’ of the government made act so, everyone
remembers. The government is now making the same mistake.

I think it must be a matter of honor for the government to hold a fair
election. For the government, which is going to leave, it is double
responsibility because it will shape public opinion on their
activities. They must acknowledge that the upcoming election is
essential to the international image of the country and its
development, Masis Mayilyan said.

AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON TELEVISION AND RADIO REJECTED

arminfo
2007-07-03 22:46:00

The National Assembly of Armenia has factually rejected the
amendments to the Law on Television and Radio as well as related
amendments to the Law on State Tax in the second and final reading,
Tuesday. Sixty-three parliamentarians supported the bill, which is
not enough for its adoption.

The amendments ban transmission of foreign TV and Radio programmes
on Public TV and Radio of Armenia as well as raise the tax for
broadcasting of foreign programmes on private TV channels to 60,000
drams per programme.

Justice Minister Gevorg Danielyan presented the bills to the
parliamentarians and explained that the amendments are based on the
fact that the Public TV and Radio have a special status of state
establishment operating without license, unlike private TV and
radio companies. Hence, Public Television and Radio Company must
wage the country’s information policy for public interests. Thus,
the Company must not be engaged in commerce providing air to foreign
companies. As regards private TV and Radio companies, they must pay
a relevant state tax for transmission of foreign TV programmes. The
Government intends to raise this tax 60 times taking into account
the international practice, G. Danielyan said.

It is noteworthy that RFE/RL programme is the only foreign programme
transmitted by the Public Television. The US Congress finances the
programme. Mass Media report that the amendments are aimed just against
RFE/RL. In response to MP Victor Dallakyan’s question if the amendments
will worsen the relations with the USA and become a reason for
cancellation of Millennium Challenge $235 million compact in Armenia,
G. Danielyan said: "Such processes could take place if broadcasting
of RFE/RL was banned in Armenia, but the amendments just regulate
the transmission of the programmes of this radio company." Moreover,
the minister said that US legislation bans broadcasting of foreign
programmes on local TVs and radios. At present, Armenian Liberty
pays some $150.000 yearly for broadcasting of its programmes on the
Armenian Public Radio.

EVERY YEAR 15% OF ARMENIAN POPULATION ARE INVOLVED INTO LABOUR MIGRATION

arminfo
2007-07-03 23:05:00

Every year 15% of the Armenian population are involved into labour
migration, Head of the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration
Agency for Migration Gagik Yeganyan told journalists, Tuesday.

At the same time, he said over the last 3 years, positive migration
balance is observed in Armenia. Moreover, the number of persons
voluntarily returning to the motherland annually rises by 20-25%.

Thus, G. Yeganyan said mass migration period is over. However,
the Government still has a number of current tasks to settle. It
is necessary to bring the migration legislation of the country in
accordance with relevant international standards. Under the programme
of contribution to migration policy formation in Armenia "Return to
Armenia," migration legislation will be improved through analysis and
assessment. G. Yeganyan said that in 2007, experts of the programme
will render technical assistance to drafting laws On Refuge and On
Organisation of Outside Service.

To recall, a regular discussion of the programme "Return to Armenia"
was held in Yerevan, Tuesday, with participation of a number
of departments and establishments of the country. The programme
is implemented by combined efforts of the British Council, the
International Center for Human Development and Armenian Ministry of
Territorial Administration.

DOCTORS WISHED MASIS MAYILYAN GOOD LUCK

KarabakhOpen
03-07-2007 11:47:14

On June 30 Masis Mayilyan met with the personnel of the Republic
Hospital.

During this warm talk life in our country and the problems of the
health sector, including corruption and incorrect human resource
policy were discussed. The presidential candidate Masis Mayilyan said
the government must recover the health sector from this poor state,
upgrade medicine and make it more available for people, and fight
corruption in this sector. It is necessary to observe the law at all
the levels of the system and use mechanisms which at least will not
reduce the level of medicine in the first stage and will continue to
work towards its improvement.

Most importantly, the candidate thinks, the government must first
fulfill its commitments to the medical staff and then demand that
they honor the law. In particular, a significant rise in salary of
the medical workers and improvement of the state of the Republic
Hospital is necessary.

The doctors drew Masis Mayilyan’s attention to the consequences of the
incorrect human resource policy when the same people occupy the same
high-ranking positions, there is only rotation. The candidate said
it won’t continue. Three parameters must be set in choosing staff:
professionalism, patriotism and honesty.

Some emphasized the importance of protection of the rights of the
Russian-speaking people and a corresponding attitude towards the
Russian language, proposing to adopt Russian as a second language. The
candidate disagreed with this proposal but he emphasized that the
problem of Russian-speaking people needs address. In particularly,
they must not face language problems in finding a job. Masis Mayilyan
thinks teaching some subjects at schools in Russian at least in the
beginning must become part of the policy of boosting the inflow of
people. In addition, he thinks students of the course in a foreign
language can get a certificate if they get satisfactory results from
the Armenian grammar, literature and history.

The doctors asked about the candidate’s vision of the order our
children must live in. The candidate said the market economy is a
priority in today’s world and emphasized the necessity of preserving
the national traditions. Masis Mayilyan described this order as
"capitalism in production and socialism in distribution."

Other issues were discussed, including proportion in raising salaries
and pensions, justice in awarding medals and titles.

At the end of the meeting Dr. Edward Ghukasyan emphasized the necessity
of promotion of democratic reforms and particularly expressed concern
about the behavior of the opposition parties.

I was in the initiative group which named Bako Sahakyan but then
opposition parties appeared among his supporters, and it was not
clear to me. The classic attributes of democracy should be observed
to have democracy work.

And democracy without opposition is impossible. When Masis Mayilyan
was named, it was a relief for many because it was the best remedy
to this situation. It is clear there are two main candidates: Bako
Sahakyan and Masis Mayilyan. I respect both and I think no matter
whom people will elect, the program of the elected candidate must be
implemented because it is a national program.

The doctors wished Masis Mayilyan good luck.

NA SPEAKER RECEIVES AGO GROUP

Armenpress
Jul 03 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenian National Assembly Speaker Tigran
Torosian received today Ago Group of the Council of Europe Ministers’
Committee.

NA public relations department told Armenpress that at the meeting
present were Armenian deputy foreign minister Armen Bayburtian,
special representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General
in Armenia Bojana Urumova, Armenia’s permanent representative in the
Council of Europe Kristian Ter-Stepanian.

Greeting the guests the NA speaker informed them that the newly formed
parliament has started its work and after the approval of the program
of the government, on the initiative of the Armenian president, an
extraordinary session has been called to discuss a number of bills
relating to the economic reforms.

The head of the Council of Europe Ministers’ Committee’s Ago group,
Swedish ambassador to the Council of Europe Per Sogren congratulated
the NA speaker on being re-elected in his office and noted that
while he was the head of the Armenia’s delegation to PACE wonderful
relations and cooperation have been established which may serve as
a basis for the further constructive work.

P. Sogren said that the Council of Europe is ready to cooperate and
support the NA in any issue.

Referring to the constitutional reforms Sogren said that having a
number of meetings with representatives of the judicial system they
were convinced that a great work is expected.

During the meeting the sides also referred to other issues of mutual
interest.

Sociopolitical forces condemn visit of Azerbaijan’s ambassador to
Nagorno Karabakh

arminfo
2007-06-29 11:01:00

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry decided to comment on the visit of Polad
Bulbul oglu to Nagorno Karabakh
(NK). "The trip to Karabakh is a personal initiative of the two
ambassadors, two former culture ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia,"
TURAN was told by the representative of the Azerbaijan’s Foreign
Ministry Khazar Ibrahim.

According to Ibrahim, in Khankend a meeting with representatives of the
NK community took place. This meeting cannot be considered as
recognition of NK as a side to the conflict because it was the
ambassador’s personal initiative, Ibrahim said. However,
representatives of civil society do not agree.

"It is a shame and disgrace," this is how the leader of the Karabakh
Liberation Movement Akif Nagi assessed the visit.

"The ambassador must respond for this. This question will be in
particular discussed at our meeting on July 3. Even now it is clear
that we will bring up the question to call the ambassador back," he
said.

Ex-advisor for foreign policy Vafa Guluzade considers that it was an
"inadmissible step" on the part of the Ambassador.

"It runs counter to appeals of the authorities not to make visits to
Armenia and NK until the conflict is settled. Though it is absolutely
clear that Polad Bulbuloglu would hardly go to NK on his own
initiative," Guluzade said. The leader of Musavat Party Isa Gamber was
surprised by this visit. Insufficiency of information does not allow
clarification of the situation to explain to society what is taking
place, said Gamber.

The leader of the Democratic Party Sardar Jalaloglu said that the
ambassador was not authorized to speak on behalf of the state. The
"dangerous" moment is to present the NK as a side to the conflict. At
the same time, he considers the citizens of NK Azerbaijan’s citizens
and "it is not reasonable" to give a political estimation to this trip,
Jalaloglu said. The leader of PPFA Ali Kerimli stated the authorities
must immediately explain why they sent Bulbuloglu to NK, at any rate
the meeting of an official with separatists is an attempt to present it
as a side to the conflict.

For many years Armenian diplomacy has tried to obtain success in this
direction, but could not manage. Now Azerbaijan has lost this only
privilege, Kerimli aid.

Human rights activist Murad Sadaddinov said that the visit to Karabakh
demonstrates the authorities’ hypocrisy. "If human rights activists do
this they throw eggs into them and insult them on TV. I wonder what
they will do now to our false patriots, if it was the ambassador’s
personal initiative to go to NK?" Sadaddinov said.