Author: Karakhanian Suren

HUNGER STRIKE ON DEMAND OF RELEASING ARAM KARAPETIAN STOPPED

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 23, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Aram Karapetian, the Leader of the Nor
Zhamanakner (New Times) party, on May 20 turned to the ten citizens,
who had gone on hunger strike six days before with the demand
of setting him free, persuading them to stop the action. Meeting
the persuasion of the leader of the given party, New Times Party
administration member Hrachia Sargsian, opposition activists Eduard
Grigorian, Gevorg Petrosian, Astghik Haroutiunian, Karen Suvarian,
Samvel Khloyan, Ruzanna Hovhannisian, Violeta Ghazarian, Karine
Asaturova and Khachatur Davtian stopped the hunger strike.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT CONSIDERS AMENDMENTS TO LAW ABOUT RALLIES

ARKA
May 20, 2008

YEREVAN, May 20. /ARKA/. Armenian Parliament gave its first reading to
the amendments to the country’s law about rallies and demonstrations.

Under the document clarifications are made to the list of reasons
for the Municipality to turn down an application for holding a mass
gathering, said Armenian Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosian.

A new definition – spontaneous mass gatherings where the public can
voice its opinion – is introduced under the draft law. Strict time
limits are set for spontaneous mass gatherings: they cannot last
longer than six hours, the Speaker said.

The document also provides for a procedure to appeal against the
municipality decision to refuse a rally application; the complaints
should be considered within a day.

The Speaker stressed the importance of the fact that international
experts provided a positive conclusion on the draft law.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO LEAVE FOR MINSK

armradio.am
21.05.2008 15:22

On May 22 the government delegation headed by RA Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan will leave for Minsk, the capital of the Republic
of Belarus to participate in the recurrent sitting of the Heads of
Government of CIS member states. The delegation comprises the Head
of Government Staff David Sargsyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham
Gharibjanyan, Armenia’s Permanent and Plenipotentiary Representative
to CIS structures Oleg Yesayan, RA Plenipotentiary Representative
at the CIS Economic Affairs Commission Artak Vardanyan, Heads of
corresponding divisions of the staffs of the Government and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the sitting the Heads of Government will discuss about twenty
issues related to the cooperation between CIS countries in different
spheres. In particular, it is expected to adopt decisions on working
out the draft strategy of CIS economic development. The key issue on
the agenda will be the implementation of the commission given by the
Council of the Heads of Government on October 5, 2007 and the council
of the heads of government in November to develop the strategy of the
CIS economic development. The session will also consider the proposals
in the sphere of unified transport policy of the CIS member states
and joint measures to increase food security of the CIS.

AZERBAIJAN’S CONSUL GENERAL ATTENDS LOS ANGELES SEMINAR ON CONFLICTS IN THE CAUCASUS

Today.az
cs/45111.html
May 20 2008
Azerbaijan

A seminar on the conflicts in the Caucasus was held at US High chool
of Naval Forces in the Californian city of Monterrey.

According to Day.Az, Azerbaijan’s consul general in Los Angeles Elin
Suleymanov delivered speech before the students of the US high school
of naval forces, studying the Eurasian ethnic-political conflicts.

In his speech, he noted that the policy of Azerbaijan and Georgia
differs with balanced pragmatism and strategic vision of the
future. This very pragmatism, which is an important element for
construction of an independent state, is a basis for successful
regional cooperation.

Unfortunately, Yerevan’s inability to pass from ethnocentric ideology
to a more realistic vision of the situation in the region, deepens
its isolation and dependence on external powers.

The seminar was held under support of Azerbaijani student of the US
High School of Naval Forces Tamerlan Vahabov.

SOUTH CAUCASUS IN FOCUS OF NEAREST NON-CAUCASIAN NEIGHBORS – KAZAKHSTAN AND UKRAINE

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.05.2008 18:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Internationalization of the South Caucasus is
hotly debated by Russian expert circles and three former republics
of soviet Transcaucasia.

However, the talk about outer (or regional) players, are as a
rule restricted to the ENP implementation in Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan, the Political News Agency reports.

"Meanwhile, the South Caucasus is in focus of the nearest non-Caucasian
neighbors – Kazakhstan and Ukraine. It’s also worth mentioning that
Russia has strategic allies in the CIS, whose priorities and interests
in the Caucasus are unclear. With the USSR decline, the former soviet
republics lost the "sense of solidarity and historical gratitude."

"Former Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev offered mediation
in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In 1991 Russia’s
first President Boris Yeltsin accompanied by Nazarbayev paid a
visit to the region. The journey resulted in a communique signed by
leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Azerbaijan, in presence
of a representative from Nagorno Karabakh. At that time, Nazarbayev’s
mission was a failure. However, even after the USSR decline, Kazakhstan
pretends to the role of a post soviet space integrator. It focuses
on development of relations with Russia, U.S. and EU, what demands
pragmatism rather than ideology," the edition says.

YET ANOTHER CRIMINAL CASE RELATED TO MARCH 1 EVENTS GOES TO COURT

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 16, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The court of general jurisdiction of
Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash communities on May 15 took for
examination a criminal case related to the March 1-2 mass disorder
in Yerevan. By the case, Melik Grigorian is accused of committing
a crime envisaged by the RA Criminal Code’s Article 316 Part 1
(violence against a representative of authorities), NT was informed
by spokeswoman for the RA Cassation Court Alina Yengoyan.

PanARMENIAN.Net

All-Russian Exhibition Center preparing for Ararat
Country Treasures holiday
17.05.2008 14:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The All-Russian Exhibition Center
(VVTs) is preparing to host a national dramatized
holiday, the Ararat Country Treasures, dedicated to
Armenia’s culture and history, the VVTs press office
reported.

Armenia’s ancient capital of Ani was `constructed’ at
the fountain of People’s Friendship. The entrance to
the city will lie through the `tumbledown Lion Gate’.

The attendees will see colorful sketches dedicated
Armenian culture, including jeweler’s art, music and
works of modern designers.

They will also be offered to taste Armenian national
dishes: shashlik, khnotsi, khaslama, gata and even
freshly baked lavash.

Armenia’s monuments and pictures of everyday life will
be screened. The holiday will end in a laser show,
Interfax reports.

PAUL GOBLE: I’LL ENTER HISTORY AS KARABAKH FOR MEGHRI SWAP PLAN AUTHOR

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.05.2008 17:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "In historical books, my name will always be linked
to the idea I suggested in January 1992 in the "Goble’s Plan" prepared
for the then-Secretary of State," well known U.S. political scientist,
director of research center at the Azerbaijani academy of diplomacy,
Dr Paul Goble said when asked whether he deals with the Nagorno
Karabakh problem at present.

"At that time I thought that the conflict has reached its critical
point and all possibilities should be considered. The decisions taken
presently should be different from those taken in 1992. I would like
people to think over my ideas in today’s context. I have decided
for myself to refrain from any comment on the policy pursued by
Azerbaijan while I am working in this country," he said, the Azeri
Press Agency reported.

TURKISH SCIENTISTS WARN LAKE VAN MAY DISAPPEAR IN DECADE

ARMENPRESS
May 15, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS: Turkish scientists have warned that Lake
Van in the southeastern part of the country will disappear in the
next 10-15 years if no radical measures are applied to save it. Lake
Van is regarded the fifth biggest lake in Europe.

The warning came from the Turkish Association for Protection of
Water Environment.

Turkey.ru website reported that the association has included Lake Van
into a project called Boundless Blue Space. This project is designed
to radically change the situation on the lake’s shores.

Thousands of Turks have their summer holidays on the lake’s shores,
although 40 percent of them are no longer fit for health or fishing
purposes. The endemic species of fish, once abundant in its waters,
called tarekh, is on the verge of extinction.

The Turkish association says its goal is to preserve the lake for
next generations. It will organize special lectures for over 105,000
school and university students and many of them are supposed to take
part in an extensive clean-up of the lake’s shores.

OSCE MG HOPES FOR OF KARABAKH PROCESS ACTIVATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.05.2008 14:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza
said that the May 6 meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministers proved that the Minsk process is advancing, especially
after the presidential election in Armenia.

"The mediators hope that the work at the base principles of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement will be accomplished during next several
months," he said, the Azeri Press Agency reports.