Author: Karakhanian Suren

PATRIARCH OF KILIKIAN SUPREME HOUSE CATHOLICOS ARAM I OFFERS TO TURN
FROM SENTIMENTS TO BUSINESS AND DEVELOP MECHANISMS OF INTEGRATION OF
ARMENIANS OF WHOLE WORLD
Yerevan, April 28. ArmInfo. The speakers go no further of idle talks
on the forum “Armenia-Diaspora” and holding of such assemblages for
this reason is not expedient, the Patriarch of the Kilikian Supreme
House the Catholicos Aram I expressed such opinion in the interview to
the “Yerkir” newspaper.
Aram I offers “to turn from idle talks to business, having specified
what are the state’s priorities and what they offer”. In the opinion
of Catholicos, it is necessary to exclude a “pseudo-tourist approach”
of Armenia to the issues of interrelations with the Armenian Diaspora
representatives, the emotions of whom are often played on, thus,
making distinctions between the citizens and non-citizens of Armenia.
Talking about the unity of Armenians, Aram I expressed
misunderstanding of the “centralization of Armenians” by the current
policy. “The Armenian diaspora is various and it is necessary to well
define the role of the Fatherland and Diaspora as sensible, romantic
and one-sided formulations in this issue are harmful. The Diaspora has
something to offer the Motherland but it has no right to interfere
with the state affairs of Armenia just as the Motherland has no right
to dictate to the Diaspora”, the Catholicos said. He also noted that
it is necessary to put an end to omissions between the Diaspora and
the Motherland by developing mechanisms of actions to serve for the
welfare of the Fatherland and strengthening of the Armenian Army, the
guarantee of the state system and unity of the nation.

REGULAR JOINT SITTING OF COMMISSION FOR NKR-ARMENIA INTERPARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION HELD EFFECTIVELY: VICE-SPEAKER
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006
STEPANAKERT, April 27. /ARKA/. A regular joint sitting of the
Commission for interparliamentary cooperation between the NKR and
Armenia was held very effectively, Chairman of the Commission for
interparliamentary cooperation, Armenian Vice-Speaker Tigran Torosyan
told reporters in Stepanakert.
According to him, during two days a few questions were discussed
concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, drafting of the
NKR constitution, bringing the NKR legislation in conformity with
the European standards and increase of effectiveness of cooperation
between the two country’s parliaments.
He also reported that the Commission’s sittings will be held twice
a year, and extraordinary sittings will be convened in case of
necessity.

FORGED DOCUMENT GROUP BUSTED IN RUSSIAN FAR EAST
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
27 Apr 06
Khabarovsk, 27 April: Members of a criminal group involved in the
production of forged documents for illegal immigrants have been
arrested by officers of the Federal Security Service’s directorate for
Khabarovsk Territory. Russian and Armenian nationals were among them,
the directorate’s press service told ITAR-TASS.
The operatives have found two underground printing shops.
Eighty-seven forged migration cards, over 30 Russian passports, several
police IDs, college graduation certificates, insurance policies and
letters of authority, as well as 250 forged stamps of various offices
and firms have been seized.
The security officials believe that “the forged documents have been
used to create channels for illegal immigration”. Criminal proceedings
into the case have been launched.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
APRIL 21-27, 2006
HIGHLIGHTS:
YPC GENERAL MEETING HELD
“PRESS-CLUB+”: “REPUBLIC” DISCUSSING NEW PARTIES AND RELATIONS BETWEEN
ARMENIA AND IRAN
FIRST RA OMBUDSMAN PRESENTED HER REPORT
PPA DEMANDS A REFUTATION
TWO ISSUES OF “PAKAGITS” DID NOT REACH THE READER
YPC GENERAL MEETING HELD
On April 21 the General Meeting of Yerevan Press Club was held. At the
Meeting the reports of the YPC Board (presented by YPC President Boris
Navasardian) and Auditing Commission (presented by the Chairman of the
Commission Mher Davoyan) were heard. The President, Vice-President, members
of the Board, Council, Auditing Commission and Commission on Professional
Ethics were elected; the Executive Director and the Editor of YPC Weekly
Newsletter were approved. The renewed composition of these structures can be
seen at YPC web-site in “Structure” section.
Among other issues, the Statutes of the YPC Annual Award was presented at
the Meeting. The Statutes had been approved by the YPC Board on April 4,
2006 (see “Award” section at ).
“PRESS-CLUB+”: “REPUBLIC” DISCUSSING NEW PARTIES AND RELATIONS BETWEEN
ARMENIA AND IRAN
On April 25 the seventh sixth talk show of “Press Club+” series went on the
evening air of “Yerkir-Media” TV company.
The invitees of the program host, the Chief Editor of “Aravot” daily Aram
Abrahamian were the leaders of “Republic” party as guests and NGO
representatives as experts. The TV discussion focused on formation of new
parties, their role in the Armenian political system; relations of Armenia
with Iran and other countries, the regimes of which are opposed by the West.
It is expected that at 21.00 next Tuesday (May 2) the third “Press Club”
show will be aired, where representatives of media and journalistic
associations of Armenia will present their opinions on the coverage of the
issues of the day.
FIRST RA OMBUDSMAN PRESENTED HER REPORT
On April 26 at “Yerevan” Hotel the first Human Rights Defender of Armenia
Larisa Alaverdian presented her annual report on the activities of the
Ombudsman and the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in
2005 to public. According to the amendments to the RA Constitution, adopted
at the referendum of November 27, 2005, the term of service of the first
Human Rights Defender ended on January 5, 2006. The activities of the
Ombudsman’s Office were stopped until the election of the new Defender by
the Parliament. Nevertheless, Larisa Alaverdian addressed the National
Assembly with request to present her report for 2005 at the spring session.
The report was included into the session agenda, but Larisa Alaverdian was
only given an opportunity to speak during the debate. The report itself was
read out to the deputies on April 13 by the newly elected Ombudsman Armen
Harutiunian. At the presentation of April 26 Larisa Alaverdian noted that
she would like to make a personal account to the public for her activities
as the Ombudsman, which is the reason for the event.
One of the sections of the report of the first RA Human Rights Defender
dealt with the freedom of expression and information. It listed the laws and
provisions, regulating the media system of the country. Generally, in the
opinion of the first Ombudsman, “if the existing laws are strictly followed,
the obstacles to the freedom of information can be overcome”. The report
lists specific cases of obstructing access to information, restrictions on
the free expression, violence against journalists and media in 2005. It is
emphasized, that the constitutional reform did not take into account most of
the proposals by journalistic associations and the Human Rights Defender. As
a result, the amended Constitution refers to only one body, regulating the
broadcasting sphere (instead of two); its mission, status and function are
not duly specified. Among other legislative shortcomings the report also
mentions the RA Law “On Fight against Terrorism” that “endangers the rights
of journalists, accessibility and dissemination of information on
terrorism”.
“While the number of violations of journalists’ rights, attacks on media
representatives in 2005 reduced, in the opinion of independent experts,
Armenia displays a trend towards deterioration in terms of freedom of
expression and access to information. This is witnessed by the assessments
of domestic and international journalistic associations”, the report of the
first RA Ombudsman notes. The results of the TV channel monitorings, made by
NGOs, show that “the broadcast sphere of Armenia is excessively influenced
and controlled by oligarchic groups, closely related to power structures”,
resulting “in the dependence of TV companies on the authorities and
penetration of censorship into Armenian TV air”. “Public Television of
Armenia does not comply with its direct function – to reflect the interests
of the public at large, provide impartial information to the population –
and is influenced by the higher authorities and related oligarchic groups”,
Larisa Alaverdian believes. As an objective parameter, proving the
dependence of the TV channels, the first RA Human Rights Defender refers to
the findings of media monitorings on constitutional referendum coverage,
made by NGOs, including Yerevan Press Club.
In the opinion of Larisa Alaverdian, the freedom of expression situation in
broadcast media (less so in print media) remains vulnerable. The main
reasons for that include the economic dependence of the media and the
mechanism for the formation of regulatory bodies – the Council of Public TV
and Radio Company, and the National Commission on Television and Radio. The
constitutional reform had much room for the improvement of the NCTR
formation procedures; however, the amendments adopted give little chance to
hope that the broadcast licensing process will become more objective and
professional, the section on freedom of expression and information of the
report of RA Human Rights Defender concludes.
PPA DEMANDS A REFUTATION
On April 26 at the court of primary jurisdiction of Center and Nork-Marash
communities of Yerevan hearing on the suit of Progressive Party of Armenia
versus “Pakagits” daily started. The plaintiff demands refutation of
information, published by “Pakagits” that damages the honor and reputation
of the party and its leaders, as well as a public apology.
The reason for the suit were three pieces of “Pakagits” of March 7, 8 and
11, 2006, in which the Progressive Party of Armenia (PPA) and its leader
Tigran Urikhanian were criticized and the financial capacities of the party
were questioned. The suit application informs that PPA had addressed the
editorial staff of “Pakagits” in writing, demanding to refute the
discrediting information, however, the daily refused to do so in the
subsequent article.
On April 25 the newspaper stated to the court that the suit lists “Pakagits”
daily as a respondent, while it is not a legal person. In this regard on the
session of April 26 the plaintiff filed a motion to replace the wrong party
and involve the daily founder “Agap-Hrat” LLC as the respondent. The motion
was secured.
The next session is to be held May 18.
TWO ISSUES OF “PAKAGITS” DID NOT REACH THE READER
On April 21 “Pakagits” daily reported that its two previous issues did not
reach the readers. As the newspaper writes, on April 19 the editorial office
started receiving phone calls that the “Haymamul” newspaper stalls did not
have the fresh “Pakagits” issue. It turned out later than the print run was
bought out from the stalls. The reason, in the opinion of “Pakagits”, was
the article published in the issue, “Andranik Maragarian’s Corruption
Risks”. The piece was dealing with the business, allegedly owned by the RA
Prime Minister and his family, and was accompanied by photographs.
“Pakagits” believes that the action of print run purchase was implemented by
people, close to the government and the Prime Minister. As YPC was told by
the Chief Editor of “Pakagits” Agapi Haykazuni, this very article was
repeatedly printed in the next newspaper issue, of April 20. However, the
print run “was stolen by unknown individuals from the editorial car”,
delivering the issues to the disseminating agencies. According to the Chief
Editor, this happened when the driver came into the editorial office to
leave 50 copies of the issue there.
The article above appeared again in “Pakagits” issue of April 21.
The news of “Pakagits” print run disappearance was published by “Azg” daily
on April 21. The next day, April 22, “Azg” published the response of the
Department of Information and Public Relations of the RA Prime Minister,
titled “Much Ado About Nothing”. The response of the Department noted in
particular that over the past few months “Pakagits” published a series of
articles about the Prime Minister “of humiliating and personally insulting
quality”, and this is why these stories “were never significant enough to
receive the attention” of the head of the government. In the opinion of the
Department, the loss of the print run is organized by “Pakagits” itself and
is “nothing but a trick to raise the interest to the newspaper at least a
little”. “Until this newspaper ensures due journalistic professionalism, it
will be neglected: no response will follow to any article about the Prime
Minister”, the response of the Department of Information and Public
Relations of the RA Prime Minister said.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
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this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

GEORGIA, ARMENIA SIGN TRANSPORT AGREEMENT
Prime-News, Tbilisi
25 Apr 06
Tbilisi, 25 April: Road transport entering Armenia from Georgia
will be exempt from paying [Armenian] road fund tax. An agreement to
that effect was signed in Tbilisi on Tuesday [25 April] by Georgian
Economic Development Minister Irakli Chogovadze and Armenian Transport
and Communications Minister Andranik Manukyan.
Chogovadze said that the agreement would allow both passenger and
freight carriers from the two countries operate between Georgia and
Armenia without any restrictions and extra costs.
Manukyan said that road fund tax exemption for Georgia was the Armenian
government’s response to the decision of the Georgian government,
which in 2005 abolished such a tax for vehicles from Armenia and all
other countries.
Under Armenian law, heavy vehicles carrying passengers and freight
pay between 200 and 280 dollars into the country’s road fund, while
cars are charged between 18 and 20 dollars.
The road fund tax exemption agreement between Armenia and Georgia
will come into force after ratification.

ARMENIANS’ STATEMENTS ON GENOCIDE HARM ARMENIA ITSELF – KLO
Author: S.Ilhamgizi
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 24 2006
“Interpretation of events occurred in Osman Empire in 1915, by
Armenians, as ‘Armenian genocide’ is full ungrounded as worldwide
recognition of genocide requires facts on destruction of one nation
alone. However, facts on genocide against namely Armenians in Turkey
do not exist”, – reportedly said historian Akif Nagi, chirman of
Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO).
He said Armenians’ statements on so-called genocide that aim at
worldwide recognition of this ‘genocide’, are harming Armenia itself,
and there are some people in Armenia that realize this fact. “Head of
“AOD” movement, former Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan also
claimed the necessity in leaving these statements”, – Nagi outlined.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MARCH TO TSITSERNAKABERD
ArmRadio.am
24.04.2006 16:00
The way toward the memorial to the Armenian Genocide – Tsitsernakaberd
– was crowded since early morning. The heavy rain in the morning
did not prevent the flow of thousands of people. Representatives of
non-governmental and political organizations, Diaspora Armenians, state
officials, representatives of ethnic minorities living in Armenia,
people in response for foreign Embassies accredited in Armenia come
to pay homage to the Genocide victims.
At 11 p.m. RA president Robert Kocharyan visited the Genocide
memorial. The President was accompanied by Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan, President of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan,
a number of members of the Armenian government and Deputies.
“The achievements in regard to the international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide are apparent,” Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly
Tigran Torosyan told the journalists.
The Vice-Speaker is confident that the most essential is that in
the course of the years more and more countries and peoples come to
understand that the crime was directed against whole humanity.
“It is Turkey’s problem whether it will recognize the Genocide or not,
a matter of dignity of Turkey and the Turkish people.
An interesting action was arranged today by the “American-Armenians –
Armenia” organization: they suggested to tie ribbons on the threads
along the way to Tsitsernakaberd as a sign of protest against those
countries, which have not recognized the historic truth and have not
condemned the first Genocide carried out by Turks.
UU Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia John
Evans refused to answer the journalists’ questions. After laying
flowers to the Genocide memorial he left saying a single sentence,
“God bless you.”
The endless stream of people to Tsitsernakaberd evidences that it is
not just a memorial of sorrow. The procession dedicated to the 91st
anniversary of the Genocide is not just a march of grief. It is a
decisive nationwide demand to restore the justice. Thus, our march
is immortal, since the impulse is fair, the aim is just and the steps
are justified.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
April 24, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
BUSH SAYS WORLD MUST NOT FORGET
AVOIDS USING PROPER TERM OF GENOCIDE IN ANNUAL APRIL 24 STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, DC – In his annual April 24th commemoration statement,
President Bush described the “mass killings” and “exile” of 1.5
million Armenians noting that this was a “tragedy for all humanity and
one that we and the world must never forget.” The statement was
delivered following strongly worded letters from more than 200 House
and Senate leaders last week, asking the President to properly
acknowledge the genocide in his annual statement.
“While the President once again employed the dictionary definition of
Genocide, we are deeply disappointed that he did not properly
characterize the attempted annihilation of our people as genocide,”
said Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “The
President had an opportunity to build on his 2000 campaign statement
as well as the words of President Ronald Reagan who properly
acknowledged the Armenian Genocide,” Hovnanian continued.
During the Assembly’s pan-Armenian advocacy conference last month,
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Daniel Fried laid out the Administration’s position on the Armenian
Genocide, noting that the Administration has “a policy which many of
you disagree with,” but also stated that “the United States government
has never denied the events of 1915.” Fried also called on “Turkey to
reflect more seriously about subjects which have been taboo for
generations in that country.” He added: “We do not support…export of
denialist literature or positions. We do support efforts by Turkey to
deal with its history more seriously.”
“Today, as we mark the 91st anniversary of these crimes, genocide
deniers continue their morally bankrupt campaign against the truth as
evidenced by the recent federal lawsuit initiated in the state of
Massachusetts,” said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “In the face of
this ongoing denial, the United States must make a firm stand for the
truth,” Ardouny continued.
Bush’s statement, as in years past, encourages dialogue between Turks
and Armenians and states that “The analysis by the International
Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), while not the final word, has
made a significant contribution toward deepening our understanding of
these Events.” The ICTJ report, issued in 2003, reached the conclusion
that: “The Events, viewed collectively, can thus be said to include
all of the elements of the crime of genocide as defined in the
Convention, and legal scholars as well as historians, politicians,
journalists and other people would be justified in continuing to so
describe them.” The President’s reference to ICTJ serves as an
implicit acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide.
The Administration has clarified its policy on the crime of genocide
and recently stated its views on the need to prevent its repetition.
The President’s National Security Strategy (NSS), which was released
last month, notes that “the world needs to start honoring a principle
that many believe has lost its force in parts of the international
community in recent years: genocide must not be tolerated. It is a
moral imperative that states take action to prevent and punish
genocide. History teaches that sometimes other states will not act
unless America does it part.”
“America did act in response to the first genocide of the twentieth
century and Armenian-Americans are forever grateful for the leading
role of the United States in attempting to stop the Armenian Genocide
and for aiding those who survived,” Hovnanian added.
“It is now time for the U.S. to continue this proud chapter of
American history and formally and irrevocably reaffirm the Armenian
Genocide,” he continued. “By so doing, the U.S. will articulate the
same message it has already sent to the public – that genocide must
not be tolerated.”
In his statement, the President also says that the U.S. applauds
Armenia’s democratic reforms and seeks to help bolster Armenia’s
security and deepen its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic community. The
President also encouraged a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, adding “We remain committed to securing a peaceful
and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hope the
leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this
goal.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
NR#2006-041
Editor’s Note: Below is the full text of President Bush’s statement.
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary April 24, 2006
PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN REMEMBRANCE DAY
Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th century
— the mass killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5 million
Armenians in the final days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. This was a
tragedy for all humanity and one that we and the world must never
forget.
We mourn this terrible chapter of history and recognize that it
remains a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who
believe in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of every
human life. It is a credit to the human spirit and generations of
Armenians who live in Armenia, America, and around the globe that they
have overcome this suffering and proudly preserved their centuries-old
culture, traditions, and religion.
We praise the individuals in Armenia and Turkey who have sought to
examine the historical events of this time with honesty and
sensitivity. The analysis by the International Center for
Transitional Justice, while not the final word, has made a significant
contribution toward deepening our understanding of these events. We
encourage dialogues, including through joint commissions, that strive
for a shared understanding of these tragic events and move Armenia and
Turkey towards normalized relations.
Today, we look with hope to a bright future for Armenia. Armenia’s
Millennium Challenge Compact reflects our confidence and the
importance we place in Armenia making progress on democratic reform
and advancement of free markets. We seek to help Armenia bolster its
security and deepen its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic family. We
remain committed to securing a peaceful and lasting settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hope the leaders of Armenia and
Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this goal.
On this solemn day of remembrance, Laura and I express our deepest
condolences to the Armenian people. Our nations stand together,
determined to create a future of peace, prosperity, and freedom for
the citizens of our countries and the world.
GEORGE W. BUSH

Indymedia UK, UK
April 23 2006
Recognise the Armenian Genocide
Peter Marshall | 23.04.2006 15:16 | Repression | World
On Saturday 22 April, around a thousand Armenians living in the UK
marched from Marble Arch to the Cenotaph in Westminster where a
wreath was laid to draw attention to their demands for the
recognition of the Turkish genocide of 1915-23 in which around 1.5
million Armenians were killed.
Genocide has been around throughout history, but it was only in the
twentieth century that the term was invented. It was needed to
describe both the fate of the Jews under the Nazis and the earlier
Turkish crimes against the Armenians.
Ethnic groups such as the Armenians just didn’t fit in with the
concept of a new Muslim Turkey held by the Young Turks in the early
years of the twentieth century. The only solution was to kill them.
The Turks started on the job on 24 April 1915 by arresting 1000
intellectuals and other leaders and executing them.
Next they conscripted 300,000 male Armenians for army service, but
but instead of sending them to the trenches, they were alleged to be
traitors, disarmed and killed.
Finally, the remaining Armenians – women, children and the elderly –
were dealt with my mass killings and enforced marches into the desert
where they starved. Rape and other atrocities were common.
The Armenians had been living inside what became modern Turkey for
some 3000 years. At the start of 1915 there were over 1.5 million of
them. Most were killed during that year, and by 1923 there were only
around 50,000 left.
The Turkish government still refuses to accept this genocide
occurred. In 1916, a UK parliamentary report by Lord Bryce and Arnold
Toynbee, ‘Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire 1915-16’
detailed these systematic politically motivated killings, and many
other reports, including some from the UN have given simiilar
accounts.
Over recent years, many governments and other organisations around
the world have passed resolutions affirming that the Armenian
genocide occurred. Like the Nazi holocaust, it is a fact of 20th
century history, and like that, totally reprehensible.
Various Early Day motions in the British parliament have called upon
our government to take some action. The most recent, sponsored by
Stephen Pound MP, “calls upon the UK and Turkish governments publicly
and officially to recognise the Assyrian and Armenian genocide of
1915” and for the “UK Government to call on the European Union to
make official Turkish recognition … one of the pre-conditions for
Turkey’s membership of the EU.” So far this has only attracted 38
signatures – only one from a Conservative.
The march was one of a number of events this year organised by the
Campaign for the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide, CRAG, together
with other Armenian community groups. Among those leading the march
was Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian, Primate of the Armenian Church of
Great Britain.
More pictures on my web site shortly. Also there are pictures and a
report from the April 2005 march in London.
8738.html

AZG Armenian Daily #074, 22/04/2006

Karabakh diary
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH DEFENSE ARMY BY SURPRISE
NKR Defense Minister Assures
Military drills organized by the Army of Defense of Nagorno Karabakh
on April 12-20 proved a higher level compared to that of previous
years. The exercises of all military unites – from infantry troops to
military aviation – were supervised by NKR President Arkady Ghukasian,
Armenian and Artsakhi defense ministers, head of Armenian armed forces
headquarters Mikael Harutyunian and senior military officials. Serge
Sargsian assessed the drills as normal adding that the experts
imminent report will highlight the progress in the army. Mikael
Harutyunian stated, on his part, that these large-scale drills, that
are staged for already 5-6 years, secure higher level of performance
emphasizing army’s preparation.
Distinguished unites, commanders and servicemen were presented with
gifts and diplomas.
At the meeting with journalists before the final stage of drills, NKR
defense minister Seyran Ohanian said the Army of Defense not only
readily overcame all tasks but also proved to be able to defend the
motherland without the help of a third power. “There is still no need
of the third power – a peacekeeping contingent. The Army of Defense is
the best power for peace.” The minister stated that the most important
thing is to feel confident in the face of Azerbaijan’s threats. And
they do feel confident. “It’s impossible to catch the Army of Defense
by surprise.”
As to the borderline incidents, the minister assured that the
situation is calm. “Exchange of fire and sniper shots are a usual
thing on the borders, and even privates take them quietly.” Seyran
Ohanian added that the process of mutual concessions is not properly
introduced to the public and it indeed needs to be introduced. Asked
whether he believes in a settlement this year, the minister said:
“We’ll do everything to reach the finish but the settlement depends on
the process of negotiations.”
By Gohar Gevorgian in Stepanakert