Author: Khoyetsian Rose

RUSSIA, ARMENIA SIGN URANIUM PRODUCTION DEAL

RosBusinessConsulting
April 22 2008
Russia

RBC, 22.04.2008, Moscow 12:29:05.Armenia’s Environmental Protection
Ministry and Russia’s Uranium Holding ARMZ (Atomredmetzoloto) have
signed a contract today on the creation of a Russian-Armenian joint
venture for geological survey and the production of uranium and
other mineral resources in Armenia, the parties said in a joint
statement. The enterprise is to be set up on a parity basis and
registered within the next three months. According to the Armenian
government’s decree of April 4, 2008, the joint venture will be
licensed for conducting geological surveys in Armenia after the
registration.

SUREN MIRZOYAN’S CASE WILL GO FOR TRIAL

KarabakhOpen
19-04-2008 16:38:42

During the press conference on April 17 NKR Prosecutor General
Arshavir Gharamyan told about several scandalous cases, including
the case involving Suren Mirzoyan, the ex-director of Artsakh Kap,
a telecommunication company.

"The Office of Prosecutor General investigates the case of embezzlement
involving the director of Artsakh Kap Suren Mirzoyan and other persons.

Suren Mirzoyan is accused of embezzlement of 21 million drams. The
case will go for trial in late April," said Arshavir Gharamyan.

Suren Mirzoyan has been in custody for about a year, and no
investigative actions were carried out. Suren Mirzoyan was arrested
for unsanctioned purchase of digital equipment for Artsakh Kap.

"Western Armenia in Photos: 1860 – 1914" exhibit to open in Yerevan April 21

PanARMENIAN.Net

19.04.2008 16:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On April 21, the Armenian National Architecture
Museum will host "Western Armenia in Photos: 1860 – 1914" exhibition.

As a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter came to know from the Shushi Foundation,
the purpose of the exhibition is creation of a new approach to the
Armenian Genocide issue.

Bakur Karapetyan, chairman of the Shushi Foundation, said that
over 7 thousand photos telling us about everyday life of the people
inhabiting Western Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh were collected. "220
photos will be displayed. We want to show how our ancestors lived
in our homeland. The whole world knows about the Armenian Genocide
and our goal is to show not only the cultural monuments but also the
people who lived there. Organization of our exhibition abroad is also
very important. The Congressmen will know that they take the right
decision if they see these photographs," Mr Karapetyan said.

He also informed that the Shushi Foundation will arrange a photo
exhibition dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Sardarapat battle
celebrated on May 28.

RA PRESIDENT APPOINTS MINISTERS OF CULTURE, EDUCATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.04.2008 13:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan signed decrees
on appointment of Hasmik Poghosyan Minister of Culture, Levon
Lazarian Minister of Education and Vardan Vardanyan Minister of
Urban Development, the RA leader’s press office reported.

HIKMET HAJI-ZADE: "RUSSIA HOPES THAT E.NALBANDYAN WILL NOT BETRAY IT FOR THE WEST"

Today.Az
tics/44350.html
April 17 2008
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with famous political scientist Hikmet Haji-zade.

-Mr. Hajizade, how would you comment on the appointment of Edward
Nalbandyan as the Foreign Minister of Armenia?

-We do not know what happens inside the Armenian government, but from
the biography of former and current minister, it can be said that the
policy has changed. Thus, Raffi Ovanesyan and Vardan Oskanyan were
representatives of diaspora, people, educated in the United States
(Oskanyan-in Harvard). There were also the founders of Armenian
Diaspora committees abroad and communicated Armenia and the West by
agreement with the Armenian ruling circles.

New Minister Nalbandyan is an experienced Soviet diplomat. He
studied in Moscow, worked at the Foreign Ministry of Russia and then
in the USSR embassies in Lebanon, Egypt, which means that he is a
"well-checked" and "reliable" pro-Russian politician. Perhaps, he has
a certain rank in the Russian intelligence services. He seems to be
appointed by Russia’s instruction for execution of the new completely
pro-Russian course, currently undertaken by Armenia. Russia hopes
that Nalbandyan will not betray Russia for the West.

-How do you assess the work of the former Foreign Minister of Armenia
Vardan Oskanyan?

-I can assess it only from my position. I think that the course for
isolation, undertaken by Armenia and implemented by Oskanyan, is a
fatal strategic mistake.

-What do you think is meant under Oskanyan’s statement that
"international capital of Armenia has been lost"?

-Perhaps, he implied that the world turned its back to Armenia and no
one wants to support it due to its aggressive policy and a one-sided
pro-Russian orientation.

-By the way, how would you comment on the announcement of former
President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan that Armenia accounts for
about 150 political prisoners?

-This is true. I have seen the films about the brutal suppression of
protests following elections and read publications about the arrests.

Everything is true-they have 150 political prisoners.

-But, why did the world society not take a single condemning position
towards Armenia, despite this announcement and despite obvious mass
falsifications during the elections and unrest, which caused death
to 8 people?

-Indeed, in the first days following the elections, western mass medias
and governments preferred to keep silent about the bloody events in
Armenia. Perhaps this is due to the fear of "offend" Russia, which
is hysterical about KOsovo, radars in Poland and Czechia, Georgian
and Ukrainian membership in NATO.

Yet, today western democratic society has already started to pay
due attention to the recent events in Armenia. The European Union
and Parliament have condemned the brutal suppression of protests and
urged to free political prisoners. PACE will also discuss this issue.

SERGE SARGSIAN: WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF WAR, MEANWHILE WE DO NOT WISH IT

Noyan Tapan
April 16, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Introducing on April 16 newly appointed
Minister Edward Nalbandian to the leading personnel of the RA Foreign
Ministry, RA President Serge Sargsian expressed confidence that not
only diplomats, but also a considerable part of society know the
newly appointed Minister, appreciate his activity and professional
skills. S. Sargsian expressed confidence that E. Nalbandian will be
able to reveal his abilities to the maximum extent and be useful to
the people on the new post.

He once more thanked Vardan Oskanian, who headed the Armenian
Foreign Ministry for ten years and presented Armenia properly and
with a dignity to the world in these years: from the UN tribune, at
international structures, in bilateral relations. S. Sargsian expressed
confidence that V. Oskanian’s experience and abilities will continue
being useful in the issue of solving the problems faced by the country.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office,
taking the opportunity, S. Sargsian also touched upon some foreign
political issues.

He said that in the coming years the RA foreign policy,
keeping its complementary content, should become more active,
more initiating. According to him, Armenia should be able to be
more actively involved in international life, continue deepening
its relations with both friendly countries and with international
organizations. In this respect the President attached much importance
to creation of favorable conditions for peaceful and fair solution
of the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

Mentioning that Baku has some misunderstanding connected with
Azerbaijan’s petrodollars, raw materials resources, S. Sargsian said:
"We should account to ourselves, as well as explain to others that
it is not through the power of money that a state can be built, it is
not through the power of money that armed forces can be built. All of
you know that Armenia takes the 28th and Azerbaijan the 107th place
on the rating list of economic freedoms. This already is evidence
of something. According to specialists’ evaluations, Azerbaijan has
armed subdivisions and Armenia armed forces. And if Azeris think that
purely with dollars they will be able to make the army efficient in
a short time and to solve the Nagorno Karabakh problem by that army,
they are sadly mistaken. The fact of existence of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic is already irreversible," he emphasized.

According to S. Sargsian, Armenia has always assisted fulfilment of
the Nagorno Karabakh people’s self-determination right, the Republic
of Armenia is the guarantor of Nagorno Karabakh population’s security
and will continue that policy. "We wish the Nagorno Karabakh problem
to be solved peacefully.

We are not afraid of a war, meanwhile we do not wish it," he stressed.

Considering deepening of economic contacts with neighboring countries
as one of the most serious problems of foreign policy, S. Sargsian
said that though relations with many countries are at a high level,
the economic contacts are weak. "There is a great potential in that
issue and it should be used to the maximum extent," he said.

S. Sargsian attached a special importance to the work with the
Diaspora, more complete use of Diaspora’s potential. He also said that
the issue of international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian
Genocide will remain on the agenda of Armenia’s foreign policy.

HUNDREDS TAKE PART IN GLOBAL DAY FOR DARFUR

CTV.ca
ctvtoronto.ca
April 13 2008
Canada

Several hundred activists, artists and politicians gathered at
Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday to take part in the fifth
annual Global Day for Darfur.

This year’s event focused on the plight of children in the troubled
Sudanese region that has been torn apart by civil war. Many nations
and agencies describe the conflict as genocide.

"Since the genocide began five years ago, more than 1 million children
have been tortured, raped, wounded, displaced, and/or traumatized,"
stated a press release from STAND Canada (Students Taking Action Now:
Darfur), which organized the Toronto rally.

"UNICEF reported in their Child Alert Report that ‘The children of
Darfur have little prospect of a decent, independent future for
themselves … (as the majority of them) live beyond the reach
of current international relief efforts, leaving them exposed to
malnutrition, illness, violence and fear.’"

More than 200,000 people have been killed and millions have been
displaced in the ongoing conflict between the Arab-dominated government
and African rebels.

Waterloo Regional Police Sgt. Debbie Bodnik was brought to tears as
she spoke of her trip to the country a few years ago, when she worked
as an investigator.

"I know there are horrible things going on all across the world and
it’s easy for us to get overwhelmed and want to shut it all out, but
this is just like the Holocaust again, it’s just like Armenia again,
this is just like Rwanda again and we’re letting it happen, again,"
Bodnik said.

Among the politicians in attendance was London Liberal MP
Glen Pearson. He and his wife adopted three Sudanese children,
seven-year-old twins Abuk and Achan and their 10-year-old brother Ater.

While Canada has pledged money for relief in Sudan, Pearson says
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government need to do more.

"I’m challenging him to put together a committee of two members from
each party to go to Darfur, come back and then he works with all
parties to put something forward that’s really going to have teeth,"
Pearson said.

Several motions on the issue have been introduced in Ottawa, including
one last week by Montreal Liberal MP Irwin Cotler called the Sudan
Accountability Act.

Several other Canadian cities also participated in the day of
demonstration on Sunday. The international events, in which more than
40 countries participated, were arranged by the organization Globe
for Darfur.

LUIS MARIA DE PUIG: "PACE WILL ADOPT A DOCUMENT ON ARMENIA"

Azeri Press Agency
April 14 2008
Azerbaijan

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubeyli-APA. Louis Maria de Puig, New President
of the Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe (PACE) held a
press-conference on Monday within the framework of PACE spring session.

APA European Bureau reports, the PACE President expressed opinion
about the last developments in Armenia. "PACE and me, as a head of
the organization are concerning about the situation in Armenia. We
have already done some works toward this and now are trying to find
solution for the improvement of the situation. I tried once again to
bring standards of the Council of Europe to the attention of Armenian
parliament speaker Tigran Torosyan in our meeting in Saint-Petersburg
and told him that Armenia had violated many principles and standards
of the organization. If Armenian leadership is really supporting
the principles of the Council of Europe and thinking about the
implementation of its obligations, we have to make efforts for Armenia
to restore some violated elements and to respond the standards". The
PACE President underlined the discussion of the developments in
Armenia at the spring session and said they would adopt advisable
document after the discussions, which would reflect the position of
PACE. "We believe that Armenia accepts the PACE principles and tries
to fulfill them. However, we will stand at the same position in regard
to Armenia as we usually show to the countries facing with problems
and insist on the acceptance of CE standards by Yerevan".

Luis Maria de Puig said he planned to visit Armenia next week, but
he didn’t ascertain the date of his visit to Azerbaijan.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 12 2008

Mafia leader testifies in Ergenekon probe

A mafia leader serving four years in prison for heading a crime gang
was brought to the Beþiktaþ courthouse on Friday to testify to a
prosecutor investigating a political crime gang believed to have been
carrying out preparations for an overthrow of the government.

On Friday, Alaattin Çakýcý, arguably the most famous mafia boss in
Turkey, who was convicted of `leading an organized crime gang’ by an
Ýstanbul court last year, was brought to the chambers of prosecutor
Zekeriya Öz at the Beþiktaþ courthouse yesterday to testify as part
of an investigation into Ergenekon, a shadowy and powerful
neo-nationalist gang suspected of being behind a number of
politically motivated murders, including the assassination of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in 2007. Possible links Çakýcý
might have to Ergenekon were not immediately clear.
So far 47 suspects have been arrested as part of the Ergenekon
investigation, launched after the police found a house full of guns
and explosives in Ýstanbul last June. Those who have been arrested
include retired generals and army officials; public figures such as
journalists; mafia leaders including drug lords; and the previous
suspects of a 1996 car crash in Susurluk which revealed that a police
chief at the time had dealings with a mafia leader and a deputy, who
wss the chief of a Kurdish clan in the Southeast funded by the state
to fight the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Four years for Çakýcý

Çakýcý was convicted by the Istanbul 14th Higher Criminal Court last
year in February. The court ruled Çakýcý should be tried under
Article 220, Section 1 of the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which
foresees punishment for `forming a criminal organization.’ When
handing down Çakýcý’s four-year sentence, the judge said, `The way
crime was committed, the significance of the law [Article 220] and
the severity of the danger stemming from the crime should be taken
into consideration, and a fair and logical punishment should be
decided based on the minimum sentence.’

TWO ISSUES ON ARMENIA ON PACE SPRING SESSION AGENDA

armradio.am
11.04.2008 17:56

The spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) will start in Strasbourg on April 14 and will continue
through April 18. The draft agenda of the session includes two issues
related to Armenia.

John Prescott’s report on the presidential election in Armenia on
February 9 will be presented in the framework of the PACE Bureau
reporting.

Under urgent procedure on April 17 PACE will discuss the functioning
of Armenian democratic institutions.

The guests of the spring session include the President of Slovakia
Ivan Gasparovich, the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, the Priem
minister of Ukraine Yulia Timoshenko, the Foreign Minister of France
Bernard Kouchner.

The delegation of the Armenian National Assembly headed by the Chairman
of the NA Standing Committee on State-Legal Issues David Harutyunyan
will participate in the spring session.