Author: Nahapetian Boris

NIS OBSERVATION MISSION HEAD SAYS THEY WILL ISSUE STATEMENT ONE DAY AFTER ELECTION RESULTS

Panorama.am
16:34 05/04/2007

NIS observation mission will issue its statement on the parliamentary
elections in Armenia one day after summary reports on voting results,
Vladimir Rushailo, NIS observation mission head, told reporters in
Yerevan. He said the statement will be developed overnight based on
questionnaires which will be filled in by observers. "We want to make
sure that we do not draft our statement beforehand, as speculated by
some," Rushailo said.

The mission head also said they do not prefer one candidate to
another. He said they want to be sure that the elections are compatible
with the Election Code of countries where elections take place.

FRANCOIS HOLLANDE S’ENGAGE A FAIRE PUNIR LA NEGATION DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN

Agence France Presse
3 avril 2007 mardi 10:42 PM GMT

Francois Hollande s’est engage mardi a Alfortville (Val-de-Marne),
en cas de victoire de Segolène Royal, a presenter devant le Senat lors
de la session parlementaire d’octobre le texte sur la penalisation de
la negation du genocide armenien, a constate une journaliste de l’AFP.

"Il faut aller vite", a declare le premier secretaire du Parti
socialiste lors d’une reunion publique commune avec le parti socialiste
armenien, FRA Dachnaktsoutioun.

Segolène Royal a indique lundi qu’elle etait favorable a cette loi
et a ajoute que "ce sera la position" de son ministre des Affaires
etrangères si elle est elue.

L’Assemblee nationale a vote le 12 octobre 2006 une proposition de loi
punissant d’un an de prison et de 45.000 euros d’amende la negation
du genocide armenien. Mais le texte, qui n’a jamais ete inscrit a
l’ordre du jour du Senat, est reste lettre morte.

Francois Hollande a affirme que la Turquie devait "au prealable"
reconnaître le genocide armenien afin d’entrer dans l’Union
europeenne. Le pays doit aussi appliquer les critères de Copenhague
en matière de droits de l’Homme et economiques.

"La Turquie peut avoir sa place dans l’Europe. Mais si nous la
rejetons, pourquoi ferait-elle des efforts?", a interroge M. Hollande.

Mourad Papazian, premier secretaire de la FRA Dachnaktsoutioun,
a appele a voter pour Segolène Royal dès le premier tour.

"Segolène Royal est favorable a l’ouverture de negociations avec la
Turquie, qui a encore des progrès a faire vis-a-vis des droits de
l’Homme et de la reconnaissance du genocide armenien. Segolène Royal
relaie sur cette question la position de notre parti", a declare
M. Papazian.

–Boundary_(ID_aAB9q32kxx3CxRta5qKgEA)- –

ARFD DISCLOSES HEARTHS OF BREACHES

A1+
[03:57 pm] 04 April, 2007

According to certain sources, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun works with the
principle – $200 per passports of four families.

Today the correspondent of A1+ tried to find out from Hrayr Karapetyan,
leader of ARFD faction, whether the rumors are true.

"The rumors are fabricated to defame the ARFD. I wonder what the use
of collecting passports is. By this act they merely try to exert
psychological pressure on ignorant people who are unaware of the
essence of elections. They say "your passports are with us; you must
vote for us," Hrayr Karapetyan says.

Mr Karapetyan claims that the official campaign is already violated. "I
possess data that certain deputies are building pavilions at Papazyan
11, Arabkir community. I want to inform the electorate that after the
elections the pavilions will be turned to shops. I also know that
passports were gathered at Komitas 25 and clothes were distributed
in Mamikonyan Street. We suggest applying corresponding mechanisms
to combat this phenomenon. The National Parliament is not a place for
leisure and entertainment. Each voter must ask himself; "why this or
that candidate spends so much money to appear in the parliament?" The
answer is apparent – to double incomes, enlarge business, make use
of the mandate and avoid taxes," Mr. Karapetyan says.

In his opinion Armenians stand a chance to hold the elections freely
and fairly. Otherwise we shall counter a number of problems including
the failure of the Karabakh conflict settlement. We must do our best
to make the upcoming elections different from the previous ones.

In reply to A1+’s question whether he admits the fact that the previous
elections were fabricated Mr Karapetyan answered, "The elections of
1996 resembled the World Cup meetings, when Brazil was left out. ARFD
didn’t participate in the elections; therefore, the results weren’t
democratic."

ACCORDING TO REUTER’S ISTANBUL CORRESPONDENT, CHAUVINISM IN TURKEY STARTS FROM SCHOOL

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 03 2007

ISTANBUL, APRIL 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. "Chauvinism in Turkey
starts from schools. Thousands of pupils every day stands before
entering the classroom in front of Ataturk’s statue and say "How
lucky the one is who will say I am a Turk." We meet faithfulness to
such a vow towards Ataturk even in text-books." Emma Ross-Thomas, the
Istanbul correspondent of the Reuter information agency wrote about it.

In Thomas’ words, it is mentioned in school text-books of Turkey
that their country has inner and outer enemies and that "one must
alertly control interests of the country." "All these strengthen among
pupils feelings of chauvinism and militarism from childhood. Numerous
intellectuals and specialists of the education system speak against
this state and propose changes, but their task is not easy," the
correspondent emphasized, according to the Istanbul Marmara daily.

Azeris mark "genocide day", burn Armenian leader’s effigy

ANS TV, Baku
31 Mar 07

Text of report by Azerbaijani TV station ANS on 31 March
The Union of Azerbaijani Veterans held a rally in connection with the
genocide [of Azerbaijanis]. The participants in the rally stressed the
importance of informing the international community of Armenian
atrocities in early 20th century.
At the end of the rally, the participants set fire to an effigy of
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and the Armenian flag.
[Video shows the rally, protesters setting fire to the effigy and
chanting "Death to Kocharyan!"]

1/4 OF RESPONDENTS DO NOT KNOW WHO IS THE LEADER OF PROSPEROUS ARMENIA

Panorama.am
17:13 30/03/2007

There are some political parties the leaders of which have higher
rating, for example, Orintas Yerkir and Heritage (Jarangutiun). In
the case of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakcutiun)
the case is different. Most of the times, the respondents do not
know who is the leader of Dashnakcutiun, Aharon Adibekyan, renowned
sociologist in Armenia, unveils the study results.

Prosperous Armenia (PA) is engaged in large-scale promotion but ¼ of
the respondents do not know who is the leader of PA. "Dashnakcutiun
has a collective governance system. That is why people do not know
one single leader," the sociologist says also saying his forecasts
may have 1 percent error of measurement.

–Boundary_(ID_r6IKn9KSFXKIaupD81T1M w)–

CONSTITUTING RUDENESS
Written by Thanos Kalamidas – OVI Magazine

Newropeans Magazine, France
March 29 2007

Now we know there is one country in this world where it is
constitutional to be rude and you are in danger of imprisonment if
you call somebody …Mister. However sad it may sound, it is true and,
furthermore, the latest person under investigation is the very prime
minister of the country. Do you want to go one step further? The
accused prime minister is leading his country to enter the EU, the
most democratic institution in the world at this moment!

I think you have guessed correctly that the country is Turkey. The
prime minister is Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his crime was to call
the imprisoned former leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)
Abdullah Ocalan ‘Mister’ in a speech one year ago to Turks living in
Germany. It sounds weird but if you think of the menace with which
the Turkish republic is dealing with all minorities it should not be
a surprise.

Again the issue is not that Turkey’s prime minister is under
investigation because he called an obviously opposition leader
‘Mister’, the issue is not if this country demands a place in
modern and democratic Europe, the issue is that this country has
no idea of what dignity is. Before the current Gulf War, American
president George W. Bush often had to refer to the Iraqi president,
yet in every speech he made, it didn’t matter how threatening he was,
he never missed to call him Mr. Saddam Hussein. If anything else,
he showed respect to the human side of this monster and despite the
mistakes that followed Saddam was a proven monster.

Mr. Abdullah Ocalan, from his side, is a very controversial persona
but still it is very unfair for both Iraqis and Kurds to put him in
the same position as Hussein. For the Kurds – and there are millions
of Kurds living in Turkey, Iraq and Iran – they have suffer the worst
under the regimes of these countries, so Mr. Ocalan is a hero who
wants nothing more than the liberation of his nation.

He wants recognition and peace for a future where Kurds can freely
learn and express themselves in their own language and their own
traditions. Nothing more, nothing less than what so many other nations
have demanded throughout history. It is a surprise that the Turks
are so keen and easy to understand the Palestinians but they ignore
the Kurds, even worse is that they often imprison and kill them just
because they declared that they are not Turks but Kurds.

Europe has often stated that Turkey has a lot of work before it
can call itself a democracy and since Turkey’s prime minister is
the person who really sees the future of his country in Europe,
he should understand now better that the worst enemy for Turkey is
herself. How does he think European countries will deal with another
country that has a law that prohibits anybody to call another human
‘Mister’ – it is not just prejudice but also racist.

What is this person? Is he an animal or something lower than the other
citizens of Turkey? Only months have passed since Turks marched on
the streets mourning for the murder of an Armenian-born editor and
that day we all felt that suddenly something changes in this country.

People started to realize that tolerance is the key that will open
the doors to Europe; tolerance in every dimension of their lives,
tolerance to religious and ideal differences.

Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has really tried for the last three years
to show us that what we think of Turkey is not real, that Turkey is
a country that improves with huge steps into democracy and is the
solution for Europe to total tolerance; and then he himself becomes
victim of a fascist and racist law. Furthermore, this is not the only
fascist, prejudice and racist law, the latest court cases with known
intellectuals, authors and editors in Turkey is the proof.

If Turkey’s Prime Minister Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Mr.

Abdullah Ocalan "Mister", the only thing I can do is congratulate him
but if there is a law that stops him to refer with dignity to anybody
despite their crimes then I feel sorry for him and I feel sorry for
all these Turks that are dreaming of a better future because their
own state pulls them back to a horrible past!

By the way, I just noticed that I called Mr. Abdullah Ocalan "Mister"
a few times, so I’d better stop planning any visit to Turkey for the
next …millennium!

DAVID HARUTYUNYAN VICE-CHAMPION OF GEORGIA

Armradio.am
29.03.2007 12:28

Georgian Armenian chess player David Harutyunyan gained 7.5 points out
of 11 possible and achieved the title of the vice-champion of Georgia,
yielding only to Grand Master Bahadur Jobava.

ARMENIA IN THE GREAT GAME: THE UNITED STATES WANTS AN ORANGE REVOLUTION IN ARMENIA
by Avtandil Tsuladze, political scientist
Translated by Elena Leonova

Source: Izvestia, March 27, 2007, p. 6
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
March 28, 2007 Wednesday

The Armenian opposition might try to implement an Orange Revolution
scenario in the upcoming elections. Artur Bagdasarian is trying to
make himself the chief candidate for Orange leader. There are a number
of indications that the United States is keeping a close eye on him.

Armenia is one of Russia’s most important CIS partners, and its most
consistent ally. Will it retain its pro-Russian orientation in the
medium-term future?

Armenia’s presidential election in 2008 could be a political
watershed. President Robert Kocharian will not seek re-election,
and the successor problem is becoming increasingly pressing. A
parliamentary election is scheduled for May 12, 2007, and this will
largely determine the configuration of forces in the lead-up to the
presidential race. (…)

The suspense in this election focuses on which of the pro-government
parties will score more points. That’s if the election goes calmly,
within constitutional channels. But there’s no ruling out the
possibility that the opposition might try to implement an Orange
Revolution scenario. Artur Bagdasarian is trying to make himself the
chief candidate for Orange leader. There are a number of indications
that the United States is keeping a close eye on him. Bagdasarian’s
articles have been published frequently in the American media, and
during a recent visit to the USA he said a great deal about the need to
"build democracy" in Armenia. Bagdasarian’s main arguments retransmit
America’s political interests in the region. When he calls on Armenians
not to be "imprisoned by the past," he means the genocide of 1915;
he proposes normalizing relations with Turkey, de-emphasizing the
genocide. He also calls for normalizing relations with Azerbaijan and
"resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of reciprocal
concession." Bagdasarian says: "Improving relations with Azerbaijan
is essential for our long-term energy stability, which can only
be achieved by diversifying our energy policy." That reference to
"diversification" is aimed against Russia.

So far, Bagdasarian is keeping quiet about how far the concessions
may extend.

Where do American interests come into this? The United States is
interested in the trade routes linking this region to the Middle
East and Asia. The frozen conflicts in the Trans-Caucasus are an
obstacle to establishing transit channels. On the one hand, Armenia
is effectively in a blockade: no communications with Azerbaijan,
a closed border with Turkey, and Georgia closed off since Russia
imposed anti-Georgian sanctions. On the other hand, Armenia may be
regarded as the territory that obstructs many communications in the
region. The American objective is to turn the Trans-Caucasus into an
integrated region controlled by the United States. That’s the point
of the Orange project in Armenia. That’s why Bagdasarian is portraying
himself as a "peacemaker."

It would be naive to think that the Armenian authorities and Armenian
society aren’t concerned about the blockade around their country. The
problem is the price to be paid for lifting it. Former president Levon
Ter-Petrosian was forced to resign after arguing for substantial
concessions on Nagorno-Karabakh and facing resistance from public
opinion and the political establishment. The present administration,
with the help of international mediators, is striving to find a
solution that doesn’t compromise Armenia’s national interests.

Another sign pointing to the possibility of an Orange Revolution
scenario in Armenia is the fact that the opposition is pedalling the
issue of election fraud. But the configuration of political forces in
Armenia is such that the authorities simply have no objective motives
to rig elections; the pro-government forces are already certain
to win by a large margin. The opposition’s only chance of turning
the situation around in its favor is to claim election fraud. The
examples of Georgia and Ukraine have shown us how this technique can
work. In Georgia, the key factor was Eduard Shevardnadze’s unpopularity
(but Kocharian is the most popular politician in Armenia); in Ukraine
there was a split between the Western and Eastern regions (but Armenia
is a unified country). The opposition’s only hope lies in the dirty
techniques of an Orange Revolution project.

Experts don’t rule out the possibility that the West (certain circles
in the West) may assist the Armenian opposition by organizing
appropriate media coverage, sending an impressive contingent of
election observers, and so on. A brigade from the BBC will arrive
in Armenia a week before the election. The forces being drawn
into this are substantial. Will they suffice to cause a social
explosion in Armenia? There is no sign of that as yet. But Russia,
with an interest in its stragegic ally’s stable development, needs to
monitor this situation closely. It should also provide Armenia with
media support and send election observers, facilitating legitimate
democratic processes. Armenia will also need our political support.

SYRIA OFFERS CONDOLENCES FOR THE DEMISE OF ARMENIAN PREMIER

SANA – Syrian Arab News Agency, Syria
March 28 2007

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Information Mohsen Bilal on Wednesday
offered condolences, on behalf of the Syrian government, to the
Armenian Embassy Charge d’ Affaires for the death of Armenian Prime
Minister Antranik Markarian.

The Minister wrote a word in the condolences’ Record in which he
expressed sincere sympathy to Armenia and Markarian’s family, wishing
the country more progress and development.