Author: Khoyetsian Rose

NKR PRESIDENT: "THE KASHATAGH REGION IS OF STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE ARMENIAN NATION"

DeFacto Agency
April 1 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 01.04.08. DE FACTO. A three day (March 28-30) conference took
place in the Berdzor district centre of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
Kashatagh region, which was devoted to the development of the region.

"This conference, which is devoted to the development of the Kashatagh
region, is the first sui generis, and I hope that it will become
a basis for holding similar events in the future. It will promote
effective solution to the problems existing in the region, as well
as realization of programs aimed at its further development", NKR
President Bako Sahakian said in his speech made at the opening of
the conference.

Meanwhile, he noted that the "Kashatagh region is a unit of strategic
significance for the Armenian nation".

"It is no coincidence that within nearly 70 years our enemy turned
this territory into a wedge between Armenia and Artsakh. The region’s
role has deeply changed since May of 1992, and the narrow section
liberated in that period became a real "lifeline" for the people
of Artsakh. Realizing both political and economic significance
of Kashatagh and all the responsibility for its future we have to
undertake the region’s development, create stable and competitive
economy, increase the level of the people’s welfare, and improve the
people’s living conditions. It is today’s imperative required by the
interests of our national security", Bako Sahakian said.

The head of the Karabakh state also mentioned that "the existence of
strong, developed and populated Kashatagh will create stable background
for reinforcement of positions not only in the negotiation process
on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, but also on the front
line making it more protected and secure".

"This year and in the following years the amount of means assigned
for the region’s development will considerably increase. The budget
of the Kashatagh region in 2008 is 3, 7 billion drams, which exceeds
the previous year’s index by 40%. 1 billion drams is provided for
capital construction, 400 million drams is provided for the sphere
of capital investment. These tendencies of proportional development
will be maintained in the future as well", Bako Sahakian noted.

Meanwhile, the president informed that together with the economic
development of the region reforms aimed at improvement of the
population’s social condition were also provided.

Representatives of 40 organizations of the Armenian Diaspora and
independent entrepreneurs and benefactors participated in the work
of the conference in Berdzor.

Various programs which are to stimulate the complex development of
the region, secure stable economic growth, solve education and health
care problems, improve demographic situation etc. were presented
during the conference.

The attendees visited the region’s villages and familiarized themselves
with the situation in site.

E. SHARMAZANOV: "REPUBLICAN IDEOLOGY HAS NOTHING IN COMMON WITH EXTREMESTS’ IDEOLOGY"

Panorama.am
14:50 31/03/2008

"The ideology of national protection professed by the Republican Party
has nothing in common with the ideology professed by some Italian
Fascism and German National-Socialists," said Eduard Sharmazanov a
Republican member in a conference held on today. He said that their
ideology is based on Nzjdeh’s ideology and it has no connection with
the Hitler and national-socialists.

As for the various announcements and opinions made by the international
organizations on the recent situation in Armenia, the deputy of the NA
said that the local authorities and citizens are much more concerned
by the ongoing strained situation and are ready to take measures to
develop the democratic ideology in the country.

He said that it is important to separate democracy from the
dictatorship. "There is no democracy without political pluralism and
solidarity," he said.

Sharmazanov mentioned that Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s post electoral
activities were not democratic ones, they were like the ideologies
of of Germany and Italy in 20th and 30th.

BAKU LAUNCHED COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES FOR MG DISSOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2008 14:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Organization for Karabakh Liberation has
initiated a collection of signatures for dissolution of the OSCE Minsk
Group. The OKL is also planning to involve other public and political
organizations in the process. The initiative followed the opposition
of OSCE MG co-chair countries to the UN GA resolution "On the situation
in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan," Day.az reports.

TENDER FOR CELL PHONE THIRD OPERATOR

Panorama.am
16:08 27/03/2008

In May 2008 a tender will be announced for the cell phone third
operator in Armenia. It is possible to apply to the tender committee
which is headed by the minister of transport and communication within
90 days after the tender is announced.

Panorama.am was informed from the ministry’s public relations
department that the company’s should compete for getting license of
GSM 900/1800 standard.

According to the ministry the detailed information and methods of
the tender are being clarified.

According to some rumors the application period will start from 1
March and in August the results of the tender will be announced by the
Civil Service Regulating Committee. According to the experts Russian
"Megaphone" company has chances to get the tender.

ARMROSGASPROM TO INVEST 21.7BLN DRAMS IN EXPANSION OF NETWORK IN ARMENIA BY 2010

ARKA
March 26, 2008

YEREVAN, March 26. /ARKA/. "ArmRosgasprom" is to invest 21.7bln Drams
in expansion of its gas and transport network in Armenia by 2010.

These investments are provided for under the company’s investment
program for 2008-2010 approved on March 7, the Press Service for the
company reported.

89.1% of the amount (19.36bln Drams) will be directed to the expansion
itself and the remaining funds (488.1mln Drams) will be spent on
repair of the damaged sections of the gas pipeline.

The works planned will allow increasing the reliability of operation
and reduce breakdowns, says the report.

The Press Service reported that "ArmRosgasprom" initiated inspection
of the pipeline to reveal corroded sections as the trunk pipelines
are extremely worn out due to long-time operation. In particular, 250
kilometers of trunk pipelines and 400 kilometers of gas distribution
network are to undergo diagnostic inspection.

About 176 kilometers of distribution pipelines and 4.5 kilometers of
500mm diameter trunk pipelines are to be replaced. Among other works
to be done are constructing of a new 1.4 kilometer-long pipe-bend,
establishing a gas treating plant at the border of Armenia and
replacing technological equipment on 20 gas distribution plants.

On March 7 the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia
approved the investment program of "ArmRosgasprom" closed joint
stock company in Armenia for 2008-2010 for total of 45,188.5mln Drams
(without VAT).

"ArmRosgasprom" enjoys the monopoly for supply and distribution of the
Russian natural gas on the domestic market of Armenia. The company was
established in 1997. Its capital is $580mln currently. The shareholders
are "Gasprom" open joint stock company (57.59%), Armenia’s Ministry
of Energy (34.7%) and "Itera" oil and gas company (7.71%).

EXHIBITION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ORGANIZED IN CANBERRA’S PARLIAMENT HOUSE

Noyan Tapan
March 26, 2008

An Australian Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies'(AIHGS)
photo exhibition was organized in Canberra’s Parliament House last
week. The exhibition was attended by key parliamentarians from both
sides of the political spectrum.

The photos of the Armenian Relief Fund of Australia were uncovered
by the AIHGS from various Australian archive sources, and represent
the efforts of the Australian public who, from 1915-1929, provided
humanitarian assistance to victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Dr. Panayiotis Diamadis and Mr. Vicken Babkenian of the Australian
Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies were present at the
exhibition.

The event was organized by the Armenian National Committe of Australia
and the Australia-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group.

KNESSET TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Amnon Meranda

Ynetnews
/0,7340,L-3524126,00.html
March 26 2008
Israel

Knesset accepts Oron’s initiative, will discuss mass murder of 1.5
million Armenians during early 20th century. Oron: ‘Certain ethical
dilemmas cannot be avoided’

In an unprecedented move, the Knesset decided on Wednesday to appoint
a committee to discuss the Armenian genocide that occurred during
World War I.

The decision was based on a proposal made by Meretz-Yahad Chairman
Chaim Oron. 11 Knesset members voted in favor of the proposal, and
none were opposed or abstained. Oron requested that the Knesset’s
Education Committee hold the discussion.

Armenian genocide remembrance day ceremony. (Photo: AP)

"It is only proper that the Knesset, which officially represents
the Jewish people, recognize the Armenian genocide," said Oron. "It
is especially important at present, as we are dealing with so many
cases of holocaust denial. There are certain ethical dilemmas that
cannot be avoided. I am aware of Turkey’s objection to the matter,
but I believe this is a subject that the Knesset must discuss."

Knesset Member Zeev Elkin (Kadima) said, "I am proud of our efforts,
which have brought on this historical achievement, and which other
parliaments in the world have succeeded in doing a while ago. Israel
should have been among the first countries in the world to recognize
this genocide."

The Armenian genocide 90% of the Armenian population residing within
the territories controlled by the Ottoman Empire were murdered or
deported during the massacre. 1.5 million Armenians were murdered or
died of starvation and disease during the period between 1894 and 1918.

The slaughter of the Armenian people is considered by many to be
the first genocide of large proportions of the 20th century. Turkey
has denied reports of the massacre, calling the event a war with the
Armenian people, and claiming that many of the Armenians were simply
transferred to different areas of the empire.

April 24 marks an international day of remembrance for the Armenian
genocide, and every year Armenians from all over the world gather to
mark the occasion.

In October 2007 the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved
a bill naming the slaughter of the Armenians genocide. Prior to the
vote on this matter, US President George Bush said that the bill was
not the answer to the massacre, and that its approval was likely to
damage relations with Turkey.

In October of 2006 Turkey suspended its military relations with France
due to a French law passed, making the denial of the Armenian genocide
illegal in the country.

EURO-ARMENIAN GAMES IN VIENNA

AZG Armenian Daily
27/03/2008

Diaspora

On March 21-24, the "Euro-Armenian Games 2008" were held in Vienna
with the efforts of Austrian Armenian "Ararat" sport committee and
Armenian Ambassador to Austria Ashot Hovakimian and under the patronage
of Vienna Mayor Michael Hoyply.

More than 25 delegations with 650 Armenian sportsmen from different
European and Lebanese cities participated in the Games.

Mini football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton and
chess competitions were held.

In the opening ceremony Ambassador Hovakimian delivered a welcome
speech. He expressed his gratification in conducting similar
all-Armenian events and wished good luck to the Armenian sportsmen.

The Ambassador underlined that Euro-Armenian games are not only sport
events but they also contribute to gathering of Armenian young people
of European countries.

The next Euro-Armenian Games will be held in Switzerland, and in 2010 –
in Amsterdam.

THERE IS A THRESHOLD IN HOME POLITICAL STRUGGLE, CROSSING WHICH ENDANGERS NATION’S INTERESTS, SHAVARSH KOCHARIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
March 25, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The fact that a great part of
the people followed first RA President Levon Ter-Petrosian is
conditioned by the lack of a sound, fully-fledged opposition in the
country. Shavarsh Kocharian, the Chairman of the National Democratic
Party, gave assurance at the March 25 press conference. According to
him, there are great many of people in Armenia, who are discontent
with the results of the February 19 elections, and some political
forces use that to solve their own problems. However, as S. Kocharian
stated, there is a threshold in home political struggle, by crossing
which political leaders endanger national interests. As an example
of his statement the NDP leader said that the U.S. is interested in
quick solution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem, which is possible
either by a compromise variant or by "forcing the weak side." In case
of deepening of instability in Armenia, according to him, naturally,
Armenia will become the weak side.

Touching upon the March 1 events, S. Kocharian said that on that
day the situation had come out of control. While, as he reminded to
the journalists, "no kiosk was broken" during the opposition rallies
in 1996. "Didn’t they have the goal to shed blood? As the candidate
knew that he would not win, he sought conflicts and blood," the NDP
leader said.

PETER BALAKIAN TO HAVE LECTURES ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE

Noyan Tapan
March 25, 2008

American Armenian prominent author Peter Balakian is the Armenian
Genocide Commemorative Committee’s (which is operating in Australia)
(AGCC) special guest speaker for this year’s Armenian Genocide
Commemorative events.

As the "Hye Hoki" informant of Sydney reports, Professor Balakian
will be in Australia for two weeks, lecturing and speaking in Sydney
and Melbourne about the Armenian Genocide. He is the keynote speaker
of the Sydney Armenian Genocide Commemoration, which will be held at
the University of Technologies of Sydney (UTS) Greenhalgh Theatre on
April 20. Prof.

Balakian is the author of The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and
America’s Response (2003), which received the 2005 Raphael Lemkin Prize
(best book in English on the subject of human rights and genocide)
and was a New York Times Notable Book and New York Times bestseller.