Author: Karabekian Emil

JOHN PRESCOTT: DECISION OF RAFFI HOVANNISIAN TO STOP HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK OF PACE WAS NOT THE WAY TO DEAL WITH DEMOCRACY

ArmInfo
2008-06-26 20:20:00

"That is not the way to deal with democracy," PACE Monitoring
Committee co-rapporteur John Prescott said during the urgent debate
on the report on Armenia’s compliance with the requirements of PACE
Resolution 1609 while commenting on the statement of the member of
the Armenian delegation Raffi Hovannisian, who walked out of the
conference hall right after his speech.

Prescott said that once a person had formulated a problem and had set
a task he had to try to solve it. He said that Hovannisian should not
have left the hall. It is easy to say something and leave. Prescott
said that sometimes he also acted like that but the problem they were
discussing for the moment was very serious. He said that, as a member
of the National Assembly of Armenia, Hovannisyan had a positive role
in the political life of the country and he welcomed that. However, his
action was not the right way to solve the problem. Prescott pointed out
that they had to continue their work. He said that all the opposition
parties of Armenia had shown that it was possible to reach agreement
on how to help the Armenian people. The present situation in Armenia
is not unique. Such things happen in other countries too. PACE’s task
for the moment is to extend a friendly hand to Armenia and to show
democratic confidence.

THE PRIME-MINISTER TOOK PART IN THE OPENING OF YOUTH CONFERENCE

Panorama.am
16:15 25/06/2008

Social and informational administration of government informs
that today the prime-minister of RA, Tigran Sargsyan took part in
the opening of the youth conference headed under the title "Youth,
Reality, Perspectives", which was held with the assistance of the
ministry of sport and youth and the centre of youth arrangements.

The aim of the conference, according to the organizers, is to inform
about youth and spur cooperation between youth social organization
and state, international organizations and other social organizations.

In his speech the prime-minister spoke about the role of youth in
the creation of future of our country.

US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: USA AND ARMENIA ARE FRIENDS AND SHOULD TALK SINCERELY WITH EACH OTHER

ArmInfo
2008-06-25 11:30:00

‘My visit to Armenia was purposed to carry out an in-place study
of the present situation in the country’, US assistant Secretary
of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour David Kramer said
at today’s press-conference. He also said that it has already the
second day he is in Armenia and will soon leave for Tbilisi, then
for Baku and afterwards, back again to Washington. As D. Cramer said,
Armenia and USA are friends, and the friends should talk sincerely with
each other. He added that the USA are concerned over the situation
developed in Armenia after the presidential election and in view of
March 1-2 events. As. D. Kramer said, they have noticed tendencies
for decay and decided to present some recommendations on the way out
of the developed crisis.

As for the recommendations, D. Kramer marked, in particular,
assurance of freedom of the Mass Media’ activity and lifting of
restrictions in holding of rallies and other protest actions. A
pluralism has been noted in Armenia in Radio broadcasting and printed
press, and it would be better if such a pluralism is observed in TV
broadcasting. Therefore, one should give an air to ‘A1+’ TV company
and not to ‘press’ journalists by threats and tax audits, Cramer
said. He also emphasized the necessity of discharging all the persons
arrested. He also said that 99 and even 100% of the arrested in view
of March 1 events are representatives of the opposition and this is
a very serious problem which he talked about during the negotiations
with RA prime minister. As for the rallies, he said he has got aware
that the Armenian opposition receive over 40 refusals by Yerevan
municipal authorities in response to the request on holding of June 20
rally. Nevertheless, the rally was held, moreover, without incidents –
that is a good sign. He also said he hopes that the next rally of the
opposition scheduled for July 4 will be also held calmly and Armenia
will return to the way of democratic development.

MEDVEDEV: CRISES IN TRANSCAUCASIA SHOULD BE HANDED A PEACEFUL SOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.06.2008 17:34 GMT+04:00

All crises in Transcaucasia should be resolved peacefully, in
compliance with international law, Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev
said at a meeting with Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan.

"Our country is ready to seek for solutions which would meet the
interests of all nations living in the region," the Russian President
said.

"I would like to emphasize the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group in
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," he added, IA Regnum
reports.

INSTRUCTIVE EXPERIENCE OF POLITICAL SPECULATIONS
Kima Yeghiazaryan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
June 24, 2008
Armenia

"I don’t think it is possible to conduct an independent investigation
of March 1 developments and disclose the guilty ones during the
power of these authorities. They will act the same way as they did
in connection with "October 27." Levon Ter-Petrosyan announced during
the meeting in front of Matenadaran on June 20.

One should be very naïve to think that this parallel
made by the leader of Armenian Pan National Movement was
accidental. Absolutely. The presidential candidate who suffered
defeat during the presidential elections is well conscious that his
"pan-national" movement is gradually extinguishing, that is why he
is using an experienced method to prolong the revolutionary struggle.

Considering "productive" the long process of speculating the inquest
stage of "October 27", Ter-Petrosyan will try to take on "March
1". Together with his companions-in-arm and the propaganda machine
he will start a process of speculations, trying to mislead the people
by convincing them that "March 1" will never be disclosed.

We have already closed the page of "October 27", but the activists of
Armenian Pan National Movement, by Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s leadership
open a new page of political speculations, for which they can’t find
a better option than "March 1".

By the way the motivations of 1999 and 2008 tragedies are the
same. The night get-together in the Ministry of Defense, hours after
the terrorism of 1999, October 27, in the parliament, and in general
all the events following it, display that Armenian Pan National
Movement use all the possible and impossible means to stage a coup.

The same thing they tried to realize, by organizing a mass disorder
in the center of Yerevan on March 1. That day Ter-Petrosyan and his
team members were trying to seize power, by persuading their "peaceful
demonstrators" not to leave the streets and to continue the battle.

The announcements made by Levon Ter-Petrosyan testifies to the fact
that he will use "March 1" to nourish the society by further political
speculations.

After more than one and a half month LTP suddenly remembered and
"appreciated" the "heroism" of the victims of "March 1". He even
announced that these victims must be honored with the title of
hero. Because they were martyred for the sake of the establishment of
freedom and democracy in Armenia. But the fact that these people died
"for the sake of" his revolution and that he shoulders responsibility
for their blood, is never touched upon. But why did he suddenly
remember about the victims and about honoring them with the title
of hero?

This important nuance is very important for political speculations. The
same way as in case of "October 27" the victims were honored with
the title of hero and the case "is still not disclosed", "March 1"
case will also not be disclosed until these authorities are in power.

There is another nuance, which is also not less important for further
political speculations for LTP. During his speech he announced that the
authorities must pay 1 million dollar’s compensation to the families of
"March 1" victims.

Let’s forget about the fact that this person’s life is estimated by
cents and dollars. The goal of this announcement is clear. Thus LTP
involves the relatives of the victims in the process of his political
speculations.

Besides that by now the expression "claimants of March 1" has not
been yet heard, something that was very often heard in connection
with "October 27". To be more precise – after six months when Aram
Sargsyan was dismissed from the position of the Prime Minister and the
"claimants" immediately appeared.

Most probably there will be one very small difference between the
political speculations of "October 27" and "March 1". If in case of
"October 27" LTP states in his speech that "Jhangiryan has found a
link between the murderers and the presidential residence", in case
of "March 1" the same LTP, sitting in his castle, in conditions
of "house arrest" has already found out and announced who is the
principle criminal.

If the special investigative bodies by now didn’t arrest him for
several hours or conduct a 10 minutes’ questioning, of course this
person could have that much time to find out who is the only "guilty
one". All this is really ridiculous and meanwhile very boring."

–Boundary_(ID_UGw5QT6H8z8dB9ui9X5m /A)–

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN: NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO RESORT TO PLOYS TO JUSTIFY NONOBSERVANCE OF DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS

ArmInfo
2008-06-24

In order the reports on Azerbaijan and Armenia not criticized in the
same way, it is necessary for Europe to have single rules and etalons
and apply them on a consistent basis, Raffi Hovannisian, a member of
the Armenian delegation to PACE, Leader of Heritage Party, said at
discussions on the Report ‘Functioning of Democratic Institutions in
Azerbaijan’ at PACE, ArmInfo correspondent to Strasbourg reports.

R. Hovannisian said the point is not the problem of Azerbaijan but
the image and mandate of the Parliamentary Assembly. ‘That is what
is set on stake.

All the countries represented may find many justifications in their
history and the present day situation to evade European democratic
standards.

However, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey or any other country has no right
to resort to any justifications for not observing all the requirements
of democracy>, he said. He outlined various reasons such as territorial
integrity, tragic heritage of genocide, blockade. Nevertheless,
he said, all these circumstances must be isolated from the key
values of the Council of Europe. ‘Either everyone is allowed to
do everything and not to observe anything or no one is allowed to
resort to any ploys or justifications>, he said. R. Hovannisian said
the draft report contains obvious deviations from the truth. ‘I hope
that one day Azerbaijani and Turkish colleagues will stop speaking
of the urgency of the problem of refugees or others and will at last
say they share our pain>, Hovannisian said. He mentioned the 400,000
Armenian refugees. ‘Many Armenian populate areas are occupied and no
one speaks of that at any session. No one speaks of Nagorny Karabakh’s
aspiration to refuse from Stalin’s heritage and burst fetters of
colonization in legal way>, he said. As regards the part of the
report on 4 Armenian hostages in Nakhijevani that are accused of
espionage by the Azerbaijani authorities, R. Hovannisian mentioned
the CE initiative to sent a rapporteur to the Nakhijevani to get
first hand view of the state of cultural monuments. ‘In September
2005 armed people representing the Azerbaiajn authorities desecrated
a series of Armenian cultural monuments in Nakhijevani. Good Will
Ambassador was not allowed to visit the region. This problem refers
not only Armenia and Azerbaiajn but also the integrity and image of
the CE and the image of its rapporteur., Hovannisian said.

ARMIMPEXBANK LAUNCHES NEW BRAND – ‘AMERIABANK’

ArmInfo
2008-06-24

Armimpexbank launches a new brand – ‘AMERIABANK’, with an underlain
new concept of the bank’s activity of investment banking. As Director
on Development of ‘AMERIABANK’ Levon Arevshatyan told ArmInfo, the
brand has been developed by one of the leading British Agencies,
the Identica. L.

Arevhsatyan said that Identica is the author of such brands as
Johnnie Walker, Pernod Rikard, Vodafone, Orange, Reebok, BAT,
Philip Morris, Aeroflot, Levis, Paramount, Umbro, Unilever, ‘Russian
Standard’ Concern, as well as the Russian banks ‘Alfa Bank Express’,
‘Prombusinessbank’, ‘Sobinbank’, the British Bank NatWest, the Israeli
Bank Leumi.

He also said that Identica was recognized a winner among 14 pretenders
in the international tender in February, 2008. The selection was
carried out by such criteria as quality of the previous works’
portfolio, the brand development strategy and the price, after all
the others. During the negotiations of the bank with the branding
agency, the initial cost of the project was reduced three times at
the expense of entrusting some part of the works on preparation and
production of printing materials with the local companies having
completely reserved the creative of the process after Identica. He
noted that the rebranding cost in Russia exceeds $2-3 mln.

Identica launched the work over the bank’s brand at late March,
2008. Lights and dark tints of green, symbolizing freshness, were
chosen as the brand’s corporate color, that is concordant with the
bank’s activity intending to point out at rendering new investment
services for Armenia’s market. The first letter of the bank’s new
name is depicted on the new logotype in the form of a mountain,
that means movement to the peak, aspiration to become a leader and
innovative approach to the business.

In view of this, Director General of ‘AMERIABANK’ Artak Anesyan said
that the bank has already clients on the investment business. In
particular, a contract has been signed with the resident-company for
issue of its bonds.

In the near future, the bank will sign contracts with another two
resident-companies of the trade and production sectors for issue
of bonds.

The relevant works for rendering of such a service to the corporate
clients as asset management are underway, that will be carried out
at the initial stage through mutual funds of the bank’s affiliated
structure – a well-known Russian Group ‘Troyka Dialogue’ (TDG).

‘AMERIABANK’ intends to sufficiently increase its authorized capital
by late August to fulfill the tasks set, A. Anesyan emphasized. In
particular, holding of the second closed emission of shares to the sum
of $35 mln will be announced since July 1, that will allow to increase
the authorized capital to 17 bln drams till August 20. As a result,
the majority stake-holder’s share will grow from the present 99,06%
to 99,9%. The first additional emission of shares was carried out
by the bank in February, 2008 to the sum of $15 mln, as a result of
which the authorized fund grew to 6.4 bln drams (the fifth place in
the banking market). Due to the two additional emissions, the total
capital will be brought up to $61 mln.

A. Anesyan also said that the number of the bank’s clients since
October, 2007, up to now grew almost 10 times and this tendency
will go on judging by the serious plans and interesting projects of
the bank, including on the leasing and factoring. According to the
Ranking of Armenia’s commercial banks, prepared by the Agency of
Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), the capital of ‘AMERIABANK’
(earlier Armimpexbank) as of April 1, 2008,) made up about 8 bln
drams (annual growth more than twice), the assets – 21.1 bln drams
(annual growth by 83%), the credit portfolio – 8.5 bln drams (annual
growth almost three times). By the bank’s strategic development plan,
it is scheduled to increase the assets in 2008 to $80 mln, the credit
portfolio – to $50 mln, as well as bring up the number of ATMs to 20,
POS-terminals – to 20 and open 2 branches.

ABOUT 8,000 ATTEND OPPOSITION RALLY IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN

ITAR-TASS
June 20 2008
Russia

YEREVAN, June 20 (Itar-Tass) — About 8,000 people attended an
opposition rally in downtown Yerevan on Friday, the police said.

They supported first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrossian who
lost the recent presidential election and refused to recognize the
ballot results.

The rally was delayed for two hours because police units had
cordoned the square in front of the Old Manuscripts Research
Institute. Initially, the Yerevan authorities did not permit the
organizers to hold the rally in the city center and offered them a
location next to the Razdan stadium. The protesters rejected the
offer, broke through the police line and approached the research
institute. They installed loudspeakers on the square, which dominates
over Yerevan.

The protesters greeted Ter-Petrossian with an ovation and chanted
"Levon for President." They also commemorated ten people who died
during Yerevan riots on March 1-2. The police called for ending the
rally, which they called illegal.

Police patrols near the presidential palace and the parliament
building were reinforced. OMON units surrounded the park near the
Opera Theater, where the opposition rally lasted non-stop for ten
days after the presidential election.

Armenian authorities have recently changed laws and enlarged
opposition rights. A parliamentary ad hoc commission has been formed to
investigate the Yerevan riots with the assistance of representatives
of the Council of Europe and the OSCE ODIHR. The opposition said that
was not enough.

AZERIS BROUGHT 500 SUITS AGAINST ARMENIA TO EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS SINCE 1992

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.06.2008 17:35 GMT+04:00

Azerbaijani citizens have brought some 500 suits against Armenia
to the European Court of Human Rights since 1992, according to an
Armenian official.

"Legal proceedings were initiated on two suits. The Armenian government
participates in the hearings as a third party," said Gevorg Kostanyan,
the Armenian Deputy Justice Minister and representative to the European
Court of Human Rights.

"Presently, European judges consider two suits of Armenian refugees
and one suit of an Azeri refugee.

Meanwhile, the court obliges the Armenian refugees to appeal first to
Azeri courts, what is provided by internationally-recognized legal
norms. However, if the procedure is impossible, the plaintiff is
exempted from the obligation," Kostanyan said, IA Regnum reports.

PRESS RELEASE
Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
100 Nolte Center West
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Contact: Ellen Kennedy, Director
Fax: 612-626-9169
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Position Announcement: Director, Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies

The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Twin
Cities invites applications for the position of Director of the Center
for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.

This is a full-time, 12-month, academic professional and
administrative appointment with adjunct status in an academic
department. Salary will be competitive, and will depend upon
qualifications and experience, consistent with University policy and
collegiate guidelines. The initial term of appointment will be for
three years, with renewal possible for an additional term or terms of
five years.

The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (
<;) was founded in 1997 and has a broad mission
to engage the study of genocides, other crimes against humanity, and
human rights norms, both historically and in the present. It has been
a focal point of activities for faculty, students, and staff across
the disciplines in the University of Minnesota and in the larger
community. CHGS has developed a major array of programs that involve
outreach to K-12 teachers and others in Minnesota and the region;
teaching undergraduate and graduate students; sponsorship of lectures
and conferences; and scholarly research. We expect the person
appointed to the position to maintain the broad mission and
interdisciplinary character of CHGS. The Search Committee will begin
reviewing files on August 15, 2008.

For further information:
frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1213646456711