Author: Nadirian Emma

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

MARCH 17-23, 2006

HIGHLIGHTS:

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2005

MEDIA DIALOGUE: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2005

“PRESS CLUB+”: ANM ABOUT KARABAGH SETTLEMENT AND ELECTIONS

ATTEMPTS FOR EVICTING “A1+” CONTINUE

NEW LEGAL INITIATIVES

PUBLIC TV SUGGESTS RECONSIDERING RELATIONS WITH THE PARLIAMENT

“PRESS PHOTO” AWARD FOR ARMENIAN PHOTOJOURNALIST

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2005

In compliance with Article 12, “Transparency of Financial Sources”, of RA
Law “On Mass Communication”, we present the 2005 financial report of Yerevan
Press Club Weekly Newsletter and the website

In 2005, a total of 7,254,912 AMD was spent for the publication of YPC
Weekly Newsletter and the support of the website in the
English and Russian languages.

The whole sum was covered by a grant provided by Open Society Institute
Assistance Foundation-Armenia.

MEDIA DIALOGUE: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2005

In compliance with Article 12, “Transparency of Financial Sources”, of RA
Law “On Mass Communication”, we present the 2005 financial report of “Media
Dialogue” Weekly Newsletter and the website

In 2005, a total of 9,834,736.23 AMD was spent for the publication of “Media
Dialogue” Weekly Newsletter and the support of the website
in the Armenian, English and Russian languages.

The whole sum was covered by the grant provided by Open Society Institute
Network Media Program.

“PRESS CLUB+”: ANM ABOUT KARABAGH SETTLEMENT AND ELECTIONS

On March 21 third “Press Club+” talk show went on “Yerkir Media” TV evening
air.

The guests of Aram Abrahamian, program host, Chief Editor of “Aravot” daily,
were leaders of Armenian National Movement. As experts, representatives of
media and NGOs were invited. The TV discussion was on the prospects of
settling the Mountainous Karabagh issue, and electoral processes in Armenia.

It is planned that next Tuesday, March 28, 21.00, “Yerkir Media” will air
second issue of “Press Club” cycle (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, February
17-23, 2006), with representatives of media and journalistic associations of
Armenia expressing their opinion on hot issues coverage.

ATTEMPTS FOR EVICTING “A1+” CONTINUE

On March 16 by the end of the working day, the editorial office of “A1+” TV
company was visited by the representatives of RA Compulsory Execution
Service. In compliance with the court ruling, they demanded to vacate the
premises used by “A1+” at one of the buildings of the capital until 12.00
next day (March 17). As it has been reported, “A1+” has rented these rooms
from RA National Academy of Sciences since 1992. However, in 2004 the latter
raised the issue of evicting “A1+” and in 2005 filed a suit to RA Economic
Court. On April 11, 2005 the suit was secured, and founder of “A1+”,
“Meltex” LLC, challenged this ruling at RA Court of Cassation, which left it
unchanged on May 26, 2005. According to Director of “A1+” Mesrop Movsesian,
the refusal to vacate the premises was conditioned by National Academy’s
violation of existing financial agreements. On July 20, 2005 National
Academy again demanded to vacate the premises within a week. On the same
day, Director of the TV company sent a letter to RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian to contribute to the prolongation of the rental agreement with the
Academy. The request said in particular that left without the office, “A1+”
will have to suspend the work of “Ayb-Feh” weekly, “A1+” website, higher
courses of TV journalism and “Hamaspyur” network, uniting 11 regional TV
companies. In response to the letter, the Prime Minister addressed the
Department of the State Property Management of the RA Government to consider
the possibility of giving the TV company new premises (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, August 25 – September 1, 2005).

The imminent threat of “A1+” appearing in the street since March 17 raised
the protest of several media, journalistic and human rights organizations.
The latter expressed willingness to support the TV company. As Mesrop
Movsesian told YPC, the intervention of the Prime Minister prevented
eviction of “A1+”. In subsequent days, RA Department of the State Property
Management offered a new location to the TV company, which is in need of
capital repairing, as Mesrop Movsesian stated. Therefore, the issue of
moving the TV company to the new building is still open.

Meanwhile, “Azg” daily (March 23, 2006) informs that answering the questions
of the journalists on March 22 at RA National Assembly, the Prime Minister
noted that the government kept its promise and offered premises to “A1+”. It
is now up to “A1+” to decide, Andranik Margarian stressed.

NEW LEGAL INITIATIVES

At the four-day session of RA National Assembly, held on March 20-23, the
draft law on introducing amendments to RA Law “On Advertising” was
presented. The initiator of the amendments is RA Health Ministry. The
amendments refer to advertising in media and outside advertising of
medication, medical equipment and treatment methods.

In particular, it is proposed that the advertising of medication in
broadcast and print media be accompanied by obligatory mentioning of the
number and date of issuing of the certificate of state registration in the
Republic of Armenia, as well as the number and date of the authorization
issued by the Health Ministry. The amendments foresee a ban on advertising
of medication controlled, issued by prescription and not registered in
Armenia. Besides, it is proposed to prohibit outside advertising of the
medication.

In compliance with the draft law, the number and date of issuing
authorization from the Ministry of Health should be specified during
advertising in media and on the street stands of medical equipment and
treatment methods. Advertisement of the organizations or individual
entrepreneurs, providing medical services, carrying out production and sale
of medication, implementing educational projects, should include the number
and date of issuing the license for relevant activity.

At the same time, it is not really clear why the draft law, alongside the
restrictions mentioned above and quite reasonable, also proposes introducing
the procedure of granting authorization for advertising of medication,
medical equipment and treatment methods, which is to be stipulated by RA
Government.

The authors of the draft law condition the mentioned amendments in Law “On
Advertising” by the necessity of protecting the consumers’ rights and
ensuring proper quality of medical service. However, as it is typical for
the majority of legislative initiatives in media field, here as well
excessive bureaucratic limitations are foreseen.

The new draft law “On Copyright and Related Rights” was also introduced at
the Parliament four-day session.

On March 22, amendments to the Law “On Advertising” and the draft law “On
Copyright and Related Rights” were adopted in the first reading.

PUBLIC TV SUGGESTS RECONSIDERING RELATIONS WITH THE PARLIAMENT

Recently, media and deputies of RA National Assembly often raised the issue
of Public Television of Armenia coverage of the parliamentary programs.
According to the Rules of Procedure of RA National Assembly, adopted on
February 20, 2002, the sessions devoted to the statements of the deputies,
and the questions-answers addressed to the government are recorded and aired
by Public Television of Armenia (PTA First Channel – Ed.) on Wednesdays at
21.30.

The discussion was started by the interview of Chairman of the Council of
Public TV and Radio Company, Alexan Harutiunian to “Haikakan Zhamanak” daily
(March 8, 2006), titled “First Channel Freedom of Expression Under
Pressure”. Herein, Alexan Harutiunian stated in particular that the Council
of PTRC plans to officially apply to Chairman of RA National Assembly,
Arthur Baghdasarian with the proposal to reconsider the relations between
the TV company and the Parliament. According to Alexan Harutiunian, as PTRC
became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (in early July 2005
– Ed.), a controversy rose between the charter of this organization and RA
NA Rules of Procedure (which, as mentioned above, obliges Public TV to
broadcast sessions of the Parliament on concrete day and time). Alexan
Harutiunian noted that Director of the Legal Department of the European
Broadcasting Union, Werner Rumphorst sent a written notification to the
Council of PTRC that the charter of this professional association of
national broadcasters requires preservation of editorial independence by the
latter and the right to use TV air on their own discretion. While, Alexan
Harutiunian emphasized, the current legislation actually empowers the
Parliament to limit freedom of expression on the First Channel, thus
violating democratic norms.

According to the Head of the Council of PTRC, to remove the controversy it
is essential to primarily annul the legal provisions, obliging the Public
Television to broadcast parliamentary programs. Alexan Harutiunian stated in
the interview to “Haikakan Zhamanak” that afterwards there are several
options of problem settlement. For instance, giving a separate channel to
the National Assembly, or paid broadcast of parliamentary programs on some
other channel, or their broadcast on Public TV by mutual agreement – after
NA appeal to the management of the Council of PTRC. “I even agree to the
option of a certain part of our budget sums to be allotted to the Parliament
for broadcasting programs on the channel of its own choice”, Alexan
Harutiunian noted.

At March 15 session of RA NA Standing Committee on Science, Education,
Culture and Youth, which heard and considered the account on the work of the
Council of PTRC in 2005, Alexan Harutiunian again turned to the issue of
covering the Parliament activity and stated that he already sent the letter
to the RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian. (As told to YPC at the Council of
PTRC, the letter was also addressed to RA President Robert Kocharian).

NA deputies commented on the proposal of the Chairman of the Council of
PTRC. In particular, the article “Deputies Will Give Life, But Not TV Air”,
published in “Hayots Ashkhar” daily (March 11, 2006), quoted the opinions of
several parliamentarians. Thus, the Head of the parliamentary faction of the
Republican Party of Armenia, Galust Sahakian views the proposal of the
Council of PTRC inexpedient, primarily because it was made in undue time:
“The faction has not yet discussed this issue, but let us not forget that it
is pre-election year. (…) I strongly doubt that the parliamentary majority
will give its agreement.” The Secretary of the faction of “Dashnaktsutiun”
Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Hrair Karapetian was also negatively
disposed: “We are for a transparent National Assembly that is the people
should know what the deputies are doing and what issues are raised to the
government by the factions of the political parties. (…) As for the
solution of this problem through an agreement with the Public Television,
this proposal is totally unclear. Public Television is financed by the state
budget, ratified by the National Assembly, and PTRC submits a report on its
activity to the Parliament.” The proposal of the Council of PTRC raised
concerns of the parliamentary opposition. Chairman of “National Unity”
faction Aghasi Arshakian said: “Parliamentary statements and
questions-answers to the government are the only real opportunity for the
opposition to get access to TV air. If such a proposal is introduced, it
will mean an attempt at restricting this opportunity too. Naturally, our
faction cannot encourage such a proposal and will vote against it.”

“168 Zham” newspaper (No. 30, March 21-23, 2006) voiced the opinion of one
of the leaders of “Dashnaktsutiun” party, deputy of RA NA Vahan
Hovhannisian: “I think it would be more appropriate to give full broadcast
but not necessarily on First Channel.”

“PRESS PHOTO” AWARD FOR ARMENIAN PHOTOJOURNALIST

On March 17 the results of international competition of photo journalists
were summed up. The contest was organized by “Press Photo” Polish Fund. Over
5 thousand photos were presented for 15 awards in five nominations (three
for each). In “Life Today” nomination, the first prize was awarded to “Black
Life” photo story of a famous Armenian photojournalist, head of “Patker”
photo agency, Ruben Mangasarian. The award ceremony will be held in Warsaw
on May 9. On the same day, the exhibition of the competition winners will be
opened.

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]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN

Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375002, 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:

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE REPRESENTATIVE OF WCC VISITS ANTELIAS

The supervisor of the World Council of Church’s (WCC) Middle East Desk
visited His Holiness Aram I on March 18.

Dr. Nseir and His Holiness discussed the possibility of strengthening the
cooperation between WCC and the churches of the region, pursuing the
accomplishment of several joint projects related to WCC and the Middle East
Council of Churches (MECC), the upcoming meeting in Geneva for evaluating
the 9th Assembly of WCC and other issues.

His Holiness stressed the importance of reorganizing the course of
ecumenical cooperation taking into considering the changing circumstances.
He also spoke about the importance of inter-religious dialogue and its
possible influence on the ecumenical movement.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

ARMENIAN SOCIETY BECAME MORE PRAGMATIC TOWARDS RUSSIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.03.2006 00:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ After the growth of tariffs for Russian gas pragmatic
approaches substituted for empiric pro-Russian sentiments, Armenian NA
Vice-Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan said. In his words, “thoughtless steps
in the Russian policy can result in growth of anti-Russian sentiments
in Armenia.” The Vice-Speaker also underscored that Russia should
not be jealous to the search for alternative communication and energy
solutions by Armenia, which fit the Republic’s national interests.

LOGIC OF FRUIT AND FLOWER REVOLUTION IN ARMENIA

Lragir/am
21 March 06

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mathew Bryza’s announcement
about upward democracy is close to the scenario of fruit and flower
revolutions, told Aram Karapetyan, the leader of the political party
Nor Zhamanakner, to our reporter. “It is very close to what I have
heard in different countries. It is always put like this: a popular
movement is the way to establishing democracy.”

Aram Karapetyan says there are incentives from the outside, small
ones which may grow later. “After all, every such revolution was on
financial assistance, incentives from outside. If anyone insists on
the opposite, it will not be serious.”

Aram Karapetyan believes that the early recall of the
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia implies changes in the policy of the
United States. “Presently, the experience of the United States to
“take Armenia” may have a considerable importance. I think it has
become clear to the Americans that the policy for the South Caucasus
and the Near East becomes difficult without Armenia.

Unfortunately, Russia will also plan its efforts. The Iranians
are ready to take steps,” states Aram Karapetyan. Aram Karapetyan
supposes that the outside incentives for the movement are already
outlining. “Even if they do not recall John Evans, this man known for
his pro-Armenian stance has already received strictures in the press,
as well as in the statements of the U.S. Congress representatives,”
said Aram Karapetyan.

NKR CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION SITTING

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
20 March 2006

On March 16 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian chaired the recurrent
sitting of the NKR Constitutional Commission, during which the first
two chapters of the bill of the NKR Constitution were discussed. After
the address of Armen Zalinian, the head of the working group,
a debate took place among the political forces represented in
the commission, representatives of both the government and the
opposition. Arkady Ghukassian instructed the group of experts to
study the observations and proposals put forward during the debate
and draw up conclusions. Summing up the results of the sitting, the
president emphasized the importance of compliance of the constitution
with the international standards. He mentioned that the final draft of
the constitution will be presented not only to the political forces
and public of NKR, but also authoritative experts of the world and
the Armenian Diaspora. The president instructed the working group to
work out the schedule of activity of the Constitutional Commission.

Vatican Information Service
03.20.2006 – Sixteenth Year – Num. 55

ARMENIAN CHURCH: TOWARDS FULL UNITY AND COMMUNION
 
VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2006 (VIS) – This morning in the Vatican, the Holy
Father received His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, patriarch of
Cilicia of the Armenians, Lebanon, accompanied by members of the patriarchal
synod and by a group of pilgrims.
 
In his address, the Pope recalled the history of the Armenian people over
the centuries, in particular the suffering “they underwent in the name of
the Christian faith during the years of terrible persecution, which remain
enshrined in history with the sadly meaningful name of ‘Metz Yeghern,’ the
great evil.”
 
Nonetheless, the Pope went on, “the Armenians, who have always sought to
integrate themselves with hard work and dignity in the societies in which
they found themselves, continue even today to bear witness to their
faithfulness to the Gospel.”
 
After affirming that the Armenian-Catholic community is spread over many
countries, the Pope said: “Providence placed the patriarchate of the
Armenian Catholics in the Middle East, in Cilicia and, later, in Lebanon.
All the Armenian-Catholic faithful look to that patriarchate as a solid
point of spiritual reference for their centuries-old cultural and liturgical
tradition.”
 
The Holy Father then indicated how “various Churches that recognize St.
Gregory the Illuminator as their common founding father are divided from one
another, although over the last few years they have resumed a cordial and
fruitful dialogue with the aim of discovering their shared roots. I
encourage this renewed fraternity and collaboration hoping that it may give
rise to new initiatives for a joint journey towards full unity, … with its
own hierarchy, in fraternal interior harmony and full communion with the
Bishop of Rome.”
 
“One comforting sign of this hoped-for unity was the celebration of the
1700th anniversary of the foundation of the Armenian Church, with the
participation of my beloved predecessor John Paul II.”
 
Benedict XVI concluded by saying: “We all wish to be instruments at the
disposal of Christ. May He – Who is Way, Truth and Life – enable us to
continue with all our strength, that, as soon as possible, there may be one
flock with one pastor.”

AC/UNITY/ARMENIAN CHURCH VIS 060320(360)

AZERI AD HOC COMMISSION ON REFUGEES APPROPRIATES RAISED FUNDS

AZG Armenian Daily #049, 18/03/2006

Neighbors

In its Human Rights Report the US State Department condemned the
Azerbaijani ad hoc commission on refugees and internal displaced
people. Part of the $82 million spent in 2005 was appropriated by
the commission thus drawing America’s strong condemnation.

British journalist Thomas de Waal: “Armenians and Azeris doomed to be neighbors”

Today, Azerbaijan
March 17 2006

17 March 2006 [16:12] – Today.Az

“Permanent political instability in Azerbaijan was an important factor
in the Karabakh war,” said author of “Black Garden” book dedicated
to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Thomas de Waal.

In his words, during the critical battles for Shusha and Lachin
the Azeri troops left for Baku to meddle in the internal political
disorders. “The greatest territorial surrenders were Aghdam and Fizuli
and they occurred in 1994,” de Waal noted.

At the same time he noted that anyone knows that the geographical map
cannot be changed. “Armenians and Azeris will always have to live
as neighbors and it’s painful to see that the two societies abide
by the slogan “Karabakh is ours and it’s inseparable”. Neither of
the parties is ready for compromise that is why it’s hard to achieve
complete peace,” the journalist said.

Thomas de Waal says the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan is
responsible for it. “The peaceful plan is generally outlined.

Karabakh will de-facto maintain the present status with the corridor
to Armenia; Azerbaijan will receive its lands back and refugees will
be allowed to return… However the settlement process cannot be
started without dialogue and mutual trust,” he underscored.

“I think Armenia doesn’t fully understand the pain that Azeris suffer
over the loss of the territories. I am not speaking about Karabakh. I
am speaking about the big territories and towns which are completely
ruined and empty now – Aghdam, Fizuli, Jabrail, Kubatly… But it’s
known that any peaceful agreement will provide for the return of these
territories. Armenians should openly speak of it to make Azerbaijani
radicals think what they want to fight for. As a matter of fact, 90%
of the issues are settled and the negotiation process stumbles over
the Karabakh status only,” he said.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/

URL:

RA FM: RESPONSIBILITY FOR NEGOTIATIONS’ DEADLOCK RESTS WITH BAKU

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 17 2006

“In the civilized world there is not a country or a nation that uses
the amount of its budget to compete with the neighbors. I believe
the actions of the kind cannot add one’s honor. Nowadays there are
other spheres of competition – economical, cultural. The Azeri party
is aware that Armenia surpasses it in the above-mentioned spheres”,
stated RA FM Vardan Oskanyan in an interview with the Second Armenian
TV when commenting on the Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s statement,
Regnum reports.

To remind, March 16, while speaking at the opening of the Second
Congress of the world Azerbaijanis, President of Azerbaijan stated:
“My task is to make military budget of Azerbaijan equal to all the
budget of Armenia in the near future”.

According to RA FM, “Azerbaijan’s statement on bloating military
budget and making it equal with Armenia’s state budget is not news,
such statements used to be repeatedly made”.

“Let’s turn to the U. N. human development ratio, which includes health
care, education and other spheres. Undoubtedly, we surpass Azerbaijan
by all the rates. We are superior having positive atmosphere, free
economy, as well as democracy, human rights and freedom of speech. This
is the international organizations’ estimation. There are no points
of comparison between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the spheres”, stated
RA FM.

“We face a task to prepare our societies for peace, not war. We
regret such statements, consider them to be negative and believe
responsibility for the negotiations’ deadlock rests with Baku”,
stated Vardan Oskanyan.

According to the Minister, the principal goal is to manage to continue
the process and go on acting on the positive factors we used to have
before the Presidents’ talks in Rambouillet. “It is not a secret that
in Rambouillet Azerbaijan stepped backward in respect of the positive
issues. It is very important to return the process to the zero point,
the so-called “pre – Rambouillet position”, where there are a lot of
positive sides, and to build the process on the basis”, noted Oskanyan.

In Oskanyan’s words, in the course of a meeting that is to be held
in Istanbul March 20 the OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs will chart
future tasks. “We will wait for their decision. We should continue
the process, as we think the process has not been exhausted yet”,
stated RA FM.

BAKU, YEREVAN WANT TO MOVE AHEAD ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH – U.S. DIPLOMAT

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Business and Financial Newswire
March 16, 2006 Thursday

Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev expressed their willingness to continue contributing to
efforts to reach a peace agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh during recent
negotiations in France, U.S.

Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said at a news conference
in Yerevan on Thursday.

Fried disagreed that the talks between Kocharian and Aliyev in
Rambouillet on February 10-11 drove the negotiating process into a
dead end.

Attempts are currently being made to see in which direction the
settlement process could now move, he said.

During his visit to the region, Fried said he addressed ways of
settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, energy security and prospects
for the region’s development.

The U.S. believes it would be useful to look into the future in light
of the current problems in the South Caucasus to see how the region
is to develop on the whole and how democracy and economic reforms
will be proceed there.

The U.S. does not rule out that nuclear energy could be used to
diversify energy supplies in the region, he said.

The diplomat said he is aware of Armenia’s interest in building a new
safe and up-to-date nuclear power plant and that he would inform his
leadership in Washington about this.