Author: Maghakian Mike

AMNESTY WITHOUT REMEMBERING "MARCH 1"?

A1+
09:21 pm | June 09, 2009

Politics

Amnesty was on top of the agenda during the Public Council’s session
today as 36 representatives discussed the letter to be sent to the
president.

Chairman of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan informed that the
issue of amnesty has been discussed in all council committees and 80%
of participants are in favor of piousness and tolerance in society.

"Amnesty is a lesson for the government, the opposition and the
society. Setting aside the categories, we must understand that raising
the issue of amnesty may have a political subtext and that the society
is not going to approve it immediately. But one thing is clear: the
society demands amnesty," said Vazgen Manukyan and gave the floor to
Head of the State/Legal Issues Committee Grigor Badiryan.

The latter presented the text of the letter composed during the
discussions. The letter states the issue of granting amnesty to those
deprived of liberty based on the case of March 1. This gave rise to
contradicting discussions and actor Sos Sargsyan proposed to take
that point out of the letter.

"They are usual criminals. Why are we separating them?" asked
Sargsyan. Many council members agreed with him, while others agreed
to leave it with another formulation.

"What if we don’t write anything at all? Perhaps they will understand
it and won’t include them. After all, amnesty is directly linked to
"March 1" and the inclusion of March 1 will contribute to establishing
of tolerance in society," said Khosrov Harutyunyan.

"Every attempt to circumvent "March 1" will be useless. If we really
want to be a Public Council, we must get engaged," said Arshak Sadoyan.

The council’s agenda also included the issues of nominating
new members, confirming committee structures and discussion of
appeals. There are currently 1,590 citizens representing 960
organizations in the council.

ARTIFICIAL DEMOCRACY IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN NO DEMOCRACY AT ALL

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
09.06.2009 20:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Civiliatas" foundation has today organized a
discussion devoted to electoral rights in Armenia. The meeting was
attended by representatives of political forces and civil society
organizations. In his opening speech, foundation chair, ex-Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan stressed the serious need for raising public
awareness of the causes that prevent conducting free elections in
Armenia".

Oskanyan distinguished three basic principles creating more problems
for the country and preventing citizens from exercising their
right to vote freely. "First, it is necessary to have a developed
electoral institution, contributing to the country’s prosperity." The
second requirement, according to ex-Foreign Minister, is developed
democracy. "Artificial democracy is more dangerous than no democracy
at all," he stressed.

As a third requirement for free and fair elections, Osakanyan
pointed out the need for mutual responsibility between authorities
and opposition. "Authorities are required to be more patient and
undertake steps towards organizing free elections in Armenia,"
Foundation Chairman said at the end of the meeting.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE CHAIRMAN OF NA STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENSE, NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS HRAYR KARAPETYAN

National Assembly
June 9 2009
Armenia

Hrayr Karapetyan was born on August 11, 1963 in Yerevan.

In 1980 he finished Yerevan secondary school # 135.

1980-1981 he was a worker at Yerevan Lamp Factory.

1981-1985 he studied and graduated from Yerevan Kh. Abovian Armenian
State Pedagogical Institute. Later he continued his education at
postgraduate studies in the same institute.

He defended his scientific thesis on the theme "The Problem of
Students’ Civil Upbringing in the National Educational System."

He is candidate of pedagogical sciences. He is the author of a number
of scientific textbooks and works. He is Professor at the Pedagogical
Chair of Yerevan State University.

1985-1990 he worked in Nor Geghi, later at Yerevan # 181 school as
a teacher.

1985-1987 he joined Zangakatun (Belfry) organization.

1987-1989 – member of Miatsum (Unity) organization, editor of
Zangakatun periodical.

In 1989 he joined the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun.

1990-1995 – member of the ARF Central Committee of Armenia.

1990-1992 he participated in the organization of self-defense battles
of Getashen, Shahumian, Berdadzor, Martakert and borderline regions.

1996-1998 – member of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia.

1998-2003 – governor of RA Aragatsotn.

2003-2007 – NA deputy (proportional list, ARF). He was head of ARF
Faction in the National Assemvly.

On May 12, 2007 he was elected a deputy to the RA National Assembly
by the proportional electoral system from the ARF Party. He was head
of ARF Faction.

He is the author of dozens of laws and legislative initiatives.

He was head of the group Deputy Cooperation for the Protection of
Consumers’ Interests of the National Assembly.

He was awarded medals and orders by Prime Minister of the Republic
of Armenia, Defense Minister and Council of Federation of the Federal
Assembly of the Russian Federation.

On May 20, 2008 he was elected Vice Speaker of the National Assembly.

On June 8, 2009 he was elected Chairman of the NA Standing Committee
on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs.

He is married, and he has three children.

FOREIGN MINISTER OF ESTONIA ARRIVES IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net/
09.06.2009 14:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Foreign minister of Estonia Urmas Paet arrives
in Armenia with official visit. In the fringes of the visit on June
11 Estonia’s foreign minister will take part in the Armenia-Estonia
business forum, organized by the Armenian Development Agency. Armenian
foreign minister Edward Nalbandian, the Ambassador of Estonia to
Armenia Thomas Luk, economy minister of Armenia Nerses Eritsyan,
Estonian entrepreneurs and high-ranking officials will participate
at forum’s opening ceremony.

THE TAX PACKAGE NOT PUT ON A VOTE AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Lena Badeyan

"Radiolur"
09.06.2009 14:35

The voting on the draft law on Tax Package was envisaged during
today’s sitting of the National Assembly, but it was not put on a vote.

"Yesterday we were discussing the tax package, and today the political
discussions continue. That is why today I have decided not to put the
issue on a vote, since the factions and the government are working
together.

Tomorrow we’ll decide whether the draft law will be put on a vote or
will be recalled by the government," Speaker of the National Assembly
Hovik Abrahamyan said.

The MPs later discussed and passed the report on 2008 budget execution
with 87 pro and 3 con votes. The Heritage faction voted against
the bill.

Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan today came for with a legislative initiative,
which refers to raising the qualification of the staff.

AZERI OPPOSITION LEADERS, RULING PARTY REP SLAM IRAN OVER PERES VISIT COMMENTS

Turan News Agency
June 3 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku, 3 June: Official Tehran has expressed dissatisfaction to
Azerbaijan over the forthcoming visit by Israeli President Shimon
Peres to Baku at the end of June and demanded shutting down the
Israeli embassy.

Turan news agency has surveyed Azerbaijani political figures on
the issue.

Leader of the [opposition] Musavat party Isa Qambar believes such
behaviour by Iran is "unacceptable". Iran has warm relations with
Armenia and implements joint projects with it, while this country
[Armenia] has occupied Azerbaijani lands. "Azerbaijan should pursue
its own foreign policy and should not react to external pressure,"
Qambar said.

Chairman of the [opposition] People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party,
Ali Karimli, described Tehran’s policy to pressure Azerbaijan as
"inappropriate". Tehran has no moral right to demand that Baku cut ties
with Israel while Iran develops ties with Armenia in every possible
way. "Who comes [to Azerbaijan] and who leaves Azerbaijan is none of
Tehran’s business," Karimli said.

Leader of the [opposition] Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, Sardar
Calaloglu, said Iran’s pressure on Azerbaijan is "unethical". He also
said that Israel is in conflict with the entire Islamic world and
this cannot be ignored. Azerbaijan could be a mediator in bringing
Israel and the Islamic world together. "If the visit takes place with
this goal, then it can be welcomed, but if [the visit take place]
with the goal of forming a block against other countries, this is
unacceptable," he said.

Deputy Executive Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party Mubariz
Qurbanli described threats by Iran as "unacceptable".

"When Azerbaijan pointed to Tehran about unacceptability of warm
relations with Yerevan, we were told that this was a manifestation
of the policy of a sovereign state. Now we are demonstrating
our sovereignty and building relations with whoever we want to,"
Qurbanli said.

CRIMINAL CASES ON BREACHES

LRAGIR.AM
11:25:50 – 05/06/2009

The Special Investigative Service of Armenia informs that a criminal
case was brought up based on the NA parliamentary member A. Bakhshyan’s
reports on electoral breaches during Yerevan Mayor election, on May 31.

The RA Special Investigative Service received an application from
Anahit Bakhshyan on June 4 with reports on people engaged in the
9/28, 5/25, 8/06, 9/21, 10/20 and in the electoral commission of N5
electoral district, in particular on obstacles against observers,
trustees and voting under the name of others etc.

A criminal case was brought up at the Special Investigative Service
based on the indications in Part 1 of Article 149 and sections of
Articles 150 and 153 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

The press office of the Armenian Office of the Prosecutor General
informs also that it received materials from the Armenian Central
Electoral Commission on breaches taken place in the 8/15, 7/7 and
7/9 polling stations on the day of the Yerevan Mayor election.

Taking into account that the materials contains signs of crime
predicted by the Article 150 (rigging election results), on June 4,
3 criminal cases were instigated by the Prosecutor General.

SERGE BEDROSSIAN PUTS HIS SOUL INTO SONGS OF ARMENIA CONCERT AT PLACE DES ARTS
par John Fasciano

Courrier Laval
Serge-Bedrossian-puts-his-soul-into-Songs-of-Armen ia-concert-at-Place-des-Arts.html
June 5 2009
Quebec

Laval crooner’s June 17 "Armenia, My Ship Adrift" Place des Arts
concert will feature love of country, nostalgia for one’s roots,
and the injustice of diasporas

Last week we reported that Charles Aznavour would be gracing the stage
of Mondial Choral 2009 next month. Oh, but how the world is small.

Aznavour, Armenian expatriate who has touched the hearts and minds
of millions in his soulful renditions of beautiful compositins, has
an acolyte and admirer in Laval’s Serge Bedrossian, an accomplished
artist in his own right. Consummate singer-musician, multi-talented,
multi-faceted balladeer blessed with a repertoire replete with
themes, moods, and tones that constantly celebrate what’s good and
lament what’s painful about the human condition, Bedrossian performs
genuinely, with deep feeling, in several languages.

>From Sainte-Rose, Bedrossian has carved a niche for himself and his
art through achingly-touching work whose depth and breadth has earned
him many admirers. Much like his idol Aznavour, Bedrossian appeals to
the hearts of a suffering people, a people in exile whose diaspora,
one of the largest ever in human history, has seen Armenia’s children
dispersed to the four corners of the globe. No less than two thirds
of Armenia’s people live outside the country.

A people’s music "My concert is a voyage into the memory of a people
in exile, a people who have enriched every culture they’ve encountered,
developing a multi-layered collective soul both diverse and completely
out of the ordinary," Bedrossian explains.

In concert, the composer-lyricist-singer pours his heart out, with
selections from the biggest hits of popular Armenian music produced
by, among others, Hovhannes Badalian, Adis Harmandian, and Harout
Pampujans, all classic figures of Armenian song.

As is his practice, Bedrossian will invite the audience into a magical
world of festive rhythms of love and nostalgia and into the agony
of loss, joined on stage by a player of the dohol, a twin-layered
traditional Armenian instrument played by hand and stick. A keyboard
player completes the picture.

Bedrossian’s performances on stage, at shows, or on television,
flowing from his love of song, have always made of his concerts
memorable experiences for him, and for his audiences.

Serge Bedrossian’s concert at Place des Arts takes place Wednesday,
June 17, starting at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $15 (tax included). For
ticket information and reservations, 514 842-2112 or

CONGRESS OF NAGORNO KARABAKH’S AZERBAIJANI COMMUNITY TAKES PLACE IN BAKU

APA
June 5 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammadli – APA. The congress of Nagorno Karabakh’s
Azerbaijani Community has started in Baku, APA reports.

344 out of 350 representatives are attending the congress. Half of the
representatives are the participants of Karabakh war. Representatives
of diplomatic corps, heads of parties, parliamentarians and
intellectuals are attending the event. The congress began with the
demonstration of the documentary film about the history of Karabakh.

Following this, head of Shusha region executive power Bayram Safarov
made a speech. Speaking about the history of Karabakh Safarov
gave detailed information about settlement of Armenians in the
region, deportation against Azerbaijan ethnic cleansing policy in
the region. Safarov said Azerbaijan is interested in the peaceful
settlement of the problem within the framework of the territorial
integrity and underlined that the positions of the community and
state leadership coincided on the issue.

Bayram Safarov also addressed the ambassadors attending the congress.

"Sometimes companies of foreign countries operate in Nagorno
Karabakh. Sema company of the US prepares general plan of Shusha. We
call on foreign countries to refrain from cooperating with these
separatists," he said.

He said he is not satisfied with the work of OSCE Minsk Group and
added that the co-chairs expressed non-serious opinion.

Safarov said the community’s activity will strengthen after the
congress, international events will be held, relations will be
established with Azerbaijani Diaspora and joint steps taken together
with the state.

Rector of Slavic University Kamal Abdullah said Azerbaijani and
Armenian people were fated to live together.

"The nations who had the most terrible wars are reconciling now,"
he said.

MP Havva Mammadova the IDPs have weak relations and noted that the
community will try to strengthen these relations after the congress.

Romanian ambassador to Azerbaijan Nikolae Ureku said Romania supported
the negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group and peaceful settlement
of the conflict on the basis of international law.

Rector of the Baku Academy of Music Farhad Badalbeyli said terrible
events took place and Armenians massacred the Azerbaijanis during
Karabakh war. "Karabakh is dear place for us. We can’t live without
Karabakh".

Co-founder of the community, MP Elman Mammadov expressed
dissatisfaction with the organization’s activity. "Indeed there were
no normal conditions for the activity. The community has no office
and structures. We will work further to involve intellectuals
in the community’s activity and to provide them with modern
technologies". Mammadov criticized some international organizations
as well. "If the mini-state like Armenia refused to fulfill UN
resolutions, it means that UN doesn’t respect itself. Indeed,
if UN wants it can force Armenia to fulfill its resolutions
immediately. The OSCE Minsk Group is not participating in this process
like mediator. The forces’ comparison in the negotiation process is
¼. Armenia+three co-chairs on one side and Azerbaijan on other. The
co-chairs are sometimes behaving like comedians".

There was coffee break in the congress after the Mammadov’s speech. The
congress participants will discuss the organizing issues and will
elect the community leader after the break.

"POACHING" DOCUMENTARY SCREENED IN YEREVAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
05.06.2009 19:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Poaching", a documentary dedicated to Armenia’s
wildfire was screened in Moscow cinema today on the initiative of
World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

"Poachers kill 3 or 4 mountain leopards in Armenia every year," said
Karen Manvelyan, head of WWF Yerevan Office. "We have been financing
projects to maintain reserves but we don’t have enough human recourses
to control poachers."

The 15-minute film shot by ArtSight studio features cruelty toward
wildfire in Armenia, where 7 or 8 mountain leopards and 200 or 250
moufflons are left.