Author: Nahapetian Boris

French ’60s popster Sylvie Vartan returns to Japan to promote new album

French singer Sylvie Vartan will be performing in Tokyo for the first time in
three years from March 28 to 30, showcasing songs from her new album
"Nouvelle Vague."
"At my show, I will be singing songs not only from ‘Nouvelle Vague’ but also
from my hit tunes. I will also sing ‘Les Hommes (Qui N’Ont Plus Rien A
Perdre)’ for the first time in about 30 years at the request of the Japanese," said
Vartan, referring to the 1970 hit song about the Vietnam War.
Born in Bulgaria in 1944, Vartan moved to Paris with her family when she was
eight years old. After making her musical debut in 1961, she played a major
role in spreading French pop around the world with hits like "La Plus Belle
Pour Aller Danser," "Irresistiblement" and "Nicola."
Still an active singer, she released her new album "Nouvelle Vague" in spring
last year, which came out in the Japanese market only last month.
The upcoming concert to be held at the Orchard Hall in Tokyo’s Shibuya-ku on
March 28-30 is part of her "Nouvelle Vague Tour 2008," whose earlier
destinations included the Palais des Congres in Paris.
In the latest album, Vartan covers in French such hit songs from the 1960s
and ’70s, including "Blowin’ in the Wind" by Bob Dylan and "Drive My Car" by
the Beatles.
"I wanted to recreate the atmosphere of the era when music was cheery — the
kind of music that makes you smile and brings back good memories," said
Vartan.
Recently, Vartan has been engaged in such social activities as presiding over
a nonprofit organization to support deprived children in Bulgaria and
devoting herself to the release of the Bulgarian nurses held in Libya.
For more information about the concert, call: 03-3705-4877(in Japanese).
THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS.
( 03/17/20080317dde012200008000c.html)

ï¼=88Mainichi Japanï¼=89 March 23, 2008

DEMAND FOR SURROGATE MOTHERS GROW IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
March 28, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, ARMENPRESS: Seventy babies have been born in
Armenia since 2003 through artificial insemination. The efficiency
of the method is now 43-44 percent, according to Georgy Okoev, head
of the Mother and Child Health Research Center in Yerevan.

The first artificially inseminated baby was born in Armenia in 2002.

Georgy Okoev told Armenpress the Center buys now medications and other
medical appliances directly from Switzerland without middlemen. As
a result they are more accessible to patients.

According to him, more infertile women of younger age began to apply
to their Center, which also applies effectively the so-called surrogate
mother method.

According to Okoev, there is a growing demand for surrogate mothers
in Armenia, but they have to pay taxes which he said gives rise to a
set of financial problems. He said the Center has asked appropriate
bodies to regulate this issue legislatively.

Three women are getting ready to act now as mothers but before they
become so they are to be examined carefully.

The Armenian Church eNewsletter

March 27, 2008

Diocese of the
Armenian Church
of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave.
New York, NY 10016

Contact us <mailto:[email protected]>

Diocesan News

EASTER CELEBRATION AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL

Easter Sunday, March 23, was a time for worship and celebration for the more
than 1,500 people who attended services at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in
New York City.

It was also a time to remember the work of those who had built the Cathedral
four decades ago, striving to give Armenian-Americans a new home where they
could keep alive their Armenian Christian heritage and share it with future
generations.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy and officiated at the traditional
Release of Doves ceremony and Home Blessing service that followed.

"On Easter Sunday, the most important day of the year in our church
calendar, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf," Archbishop
Barsamian said. "Christ is risen from the dead. He defeated death with
death, and through His Resurrection, He granted us life."

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and family members of some of the Cathedral’s
godfathers, including Dr. Haik Kavookjian, Sam Chapootian Jr. and Poozant
Piranian, release 12 doves symbolizing the 12 Apostles of Christ who were
dispatched to spread the Good News.

To read more, visit <;
. Or click to view a video <; and photos
< gt; .

_____________________________

EASTER SERVICES AT HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

On March 23, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, celebrated a pontifical Divine Liturgy in the Mother
Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, and delivered his message to the Armenian
people dispersed throughout the world on the occasion of the Feast of the
Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To read more or view a video, visit
<http://www.armenianchur ch.org/> and click on the link for March 23 under
"Latest News."

_____________________________

PRIMAT E, DIOCESAN STAFF CONDUCT CHURCH AND HOME WORKSHOP AT ST. JAMES CHURCH
IN EVANSTON, ILLINOIS

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), and members of the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education
conducted a Church and Home workshop at St. James Church in Evanston, Ill.
on Saturday, March 22, helping members of the parish leadership work
collectively to set goals and outline action steps to bolster the church’s
presence in the larger Armenian community.

The daylong workshop was part of a new Diocesan initiative that assists
parishes in coming up with ways to reach out to Armenian homes in their
geographic area and to strengthen the ties between church and home. A
similar workshop was held earlier this month at St. Mary’s Church in
Washington, D.C.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian looks on as Church and Home workshop
participants at St. James Church in Evanston, Ill. discuss goals and
brainstorm outreach ideas.

Despite a heavy snowstorm the day before, Dn. Levon Kirakosyan,
deacon-in-charge at St. James Church, was instrumental in bringing together
more than 20 representatives of the St. James parish leadership, including
Pastoral Intern Rev. Fr. Paren Galstyan and members of the Parish Council,
Women’s Guild, ACYOA, Sunday School, choir and other church groups.

"I appreciate your engagement and leadership in the life of the Armenian
Church," the Primate told participants. "As church leaders of St. James,
you have to reach out to all the Armenian homes in your region and equip
parents to teach their children our faith, culture and traditions."

To read more about the Church and Home workshops, visit
<; .

_____________________________

FAR TRIP PARTICIPANTS SPONSOR STUDENTS AT GYUMRI TRAINING CENTER

Past participants of the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Young Professionals Trip
to Armenia are helping sponsor students at the Gyumri Information Technology
Center, which is providing advanced computer training to the young people of
Gyumri. FAR offers GITC training free of charge to students as long as they
promise to remain in Gyumri for two years after graduation with the goal of
building up the area’s economy.

Participants from six past Young Professionals trips joined the effort to
provide sponsorship for GITC students. In total, they have raised funds to
support 11 students.

The first class of graduates from FAR’s Gyumri Information Technology Center
(GITC) is already making an impact on the local economy.

"Giving people the tools to better their lives is a far more powerful and
meaningful act than simply donating money," said Ara Bohchalian, a New York
City resident who went on FAR’s YP trip in 2000 and 2001. "Everyone in
Armenia should have a fair chance of competing against others their age
globally. We have the minds – all we need is the education and the funds to
take us to the next level."

To read more, visit <; .

_____________________________

PRIMATE VISITS ST. THOMAS CHURCH IN TENAFLY, N.J.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Thomas Church in Tenafly,
N.J. on Palm Sunday, March 16.

On behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, Archbishop Barsamian presented the St. Nersess Shnorhali
Medal and an Encyclical to Dr. Levon and Mrs. Ani Capan for their
contributions to the Armenian Church. Dr. Capan is the Parish Council
chairman at St. Thomas while Mrs. Capan serves as principal of the Kirikian
Armenian School of St. Thomas.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Primate presided at a banquet held in
honor of Mrs. Arsaluys Sahinyan, mother of Mrs. Capan, who has been named
Parishioner of the Year. Mrs. Sahinyan donated more than $30,000 for the
church’s new baptistery.

_____________________________

ARCHBISHOP VICKEN AYKAZIAN ATTENDS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL’S
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, DISCUSSES HABITAT PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA

Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian participated in a Habitat for
Humanity International’s Board of Directors meeting March 12 to March 15,
highlighting the organization’s progress in Armenia where more than 400
houses were put up in the last several years.

"This is a great achievement for Armenia," Archbishop Aykazian said after
the meeting held in Atlanta. "We are planning to construct more and more
houses in the future."

His Eminence, a member of Habitat’s Board of Directors, was recently elected
vice chair of Habitat’s Program Committee. In this position, Archbishop
Aykazian hopes to bring increased attention to expanding the availability of
affordable housing in Armenia.

To read more, visit <;
.

_____________________________

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE MOTHER CATHEDRAL OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN SCHEDULED
FOR SEPTEMBER

The Eastern Diocese will make a pilgrimage to the Mother Cathedral of Holy
Etchmiadzin this fall to participate in the blessing of the Holy Muron
(Oil). This special ceremony occurs only once every seven years and dates
back to the days of St. Gregory the Enlightener.

The two-week pilgrimage begins in late September and concludes in early
October. The blessing of the Holy Muron will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Itinerary highlights also include a special audience with His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a private
tour of Holy Etchmiadzin; visits to Khorvirab, Vanadzor, Sevan and Gyumri;
and other excursions.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
blesses the Holy Muron (Oil) with the relic of St. Gregory the Enlightener
in 2001. This special ceremony occurs once every seven years.

There is some flexibility in travel dates: pilgrims can opt to depart from
New York on Friday, Sept. 19 or Saturday, Sept. 20, and return to New York
on Friday, Oct. 3 or Saturday, Oct. 4. The cost per person, which includes
airfare and hotel accommodations, is $2,950.

For more information, please contact your local parish or Arto Vorperian at
the Diocesan Center at (212) 686-0710 ext. 213 or email [email protected].
Please note that the number of spaces is limited. Those interested in the
pilgrimage should make reservations without delay.

_____________________________

VATICAN COURTYARD NAMED AFTER ARMENIA’S PATRON SAINT

Pope Benedict XVI recently named a courtyard on the north side of St.
Peter’s Basilica after St. Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
A statue of St. Gregory was installed in a niche of the Basilica facing the
courtyard three years ago.

To read more, click
< ing-a-vatican-courtyard-after-armen
ias-patron-sai nt/> here.

_____________________________

PARISH NEWS

Providence, R.I. – Junior Choir of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church to Perform at
Boston University

The Junior Choir of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church of Providence, R.I. received
an invitation to perform in concert at the Tsai Performance Center at Boston
University on Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. The Junior Choir will present
Armenian classical and popular songs. The AGBU Antranig Armenian Dance
Ensemble of New Jersey also will perform at the event.

For more information, click here
< f> .

Prayer for the Week

All merciful Lord, have mercy upon all those who believe in Thee, my
neighbors and strangers, my acquaintances and those unknown to me, the
living and the dead. Grant also to my enemies and to those who despise me
forgiveness of the wrongs they have committed against me, and turn them from
evil thoughts which they cherish against me in order that they may become
worthy of Thy compassion. Have mercy upon Thy creatures and upon me, a great
sinner.
More prayers
< .asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5246&
HS=1 > <;

Scripture for the Week

Acts 5:34-6:7

Jas 3:1-12

Jn 1:1-17

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRMEN ARE CONFIDENT AS BEFORE THAT PEACEFUL AND JUST SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL DEMAND COMPROMISES FROM BOTH PARTIES

arminfo
2008-03-26 07:55:00

ArmInfo. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen are confident as before
that peaceful and just settlement of the Karabakh conflict will
demand compromises from both parties, US Co-chairman of OSCE Minsk
Group Matthew Bryza said in his interview with Voice of America.

He said that the OSCE MG co-chairs supported the elaboration of a new
proposal on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. This
proposal, which is currently being discussed, takes into account
the USA’s respect for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, however,
it includes possible bilateral compromises, he noted. Speaking
of the resolution on "Situation in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan" passed at the UN General Assembly, Bryza noted that it
is not balanced. According to him, this resolution pointed out only
those statements of the new proposal on talks that Azerbaijan likes,
and disregards the statements that Armenia likes.

Bryza said that the MG co-chair states voted against the resolution
because it was one-sided and they had to stay impartial. Bryza
expressed concern that some political forces of Azerbaijan were trying
to bring tensions to Azeri-US relations. However, the Azeri officials
involved in the negotiating process were aware of the key points
of the MG’s new proposal. It stimulates recognition of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, return of all occupied territories and return
of population to those territories. It also provides for of Armenian
armed forces, existence of a corridor connecting Karabakh with Armenia,
and continuation of the peace process on Karabakh’s status, which
will be determined only by means of bilateral compromises, he noted.

WILL ISRAEL INVADE GAZA?
By Huda al Husseini

Asharq Alawsat (The Middle East)
&id=12219
March 26 2008
UK

According to a Western official who agreed to speak on condition of
anonymity, the year 2008 will be one in which a number of issues will
be resolved. He said that several contentious matters will come to
light and that concerned parties will realize exactly what needs to be
done. He also added that a military clash with Hamas is highly likely.

The aforementioned official had just concluded a Middle East tour after
which he said that he believed Israel was facing a dilemma. If Israel
forged an agreement with the Palestinian Authority (PA), it cannot
be implemented since Mahmoud Abbas does not have the capability to
enforce such an agreement on the entire Palestinian society.

The source went on to say that half of the Palestinian people are
in Gaza while the other half are in the West Bank; however those who
reside in the latter are anticipating Hamas’s imminent dominance of
the West Bank. "This is why I believe that Israel is between a rock
and a hard place," he said.

There is talk of a peace conference to be held in Moscow at the
end of this coming April as well as another conference that will be
held in Berlin this June. Moreover, according to my source, there
are expectations that Mahmoud Abbas will tender his resignation,
"he publicly admits to that," he said.

Following that, the Palestinians may appoint Saeb Erekat or summon
Nabil Shaath from Egypt. However, this will not change the reality
on the ground; Hamas is powerful and is gaining strength.

Meanwhile in Israel there is talk about the inevitability of invasion
– same as what happened in Lebanon in 1982. "What we have witnessed
in Lebanon in that year we will witness in Gaza – except it will be
fiercer," and added, "the political situation will change in Israel
and the Likud party will return to power. This year will be a very
eventful one."

In response to my remark that despite many military and security men
proposing negotiation with Hamas, Mossad Director Meir Dagan rejects
the idea, my interviewee said that repeated communication with Israel
has revealed that the Israeli position finds no justification for
negotiating with Hamas since the latter calls for the annihilation of
Israel. "This cannot serve as the basis for deliberations; besides,
Israel stipulates mutual recognition for negotiation with Hamas."

Furthermore, he stressed, "Hamas will not recognize any agreement
forged by Abbas, which is why it is highly likely that Mahmoud Abbas
will resign by the end of the year." And if he resigns? "From Israel’s
point of view there will be no one left to negotiate with since Marwan
al Barghouti will remain in prison."

In response to my remark that there are some people calling for the
release of Marwan al Barghouti as part of the deal to release kidnapped
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, he disclosed that there was no serious
talk of releasing al Barghouti. He said, "I have heard that [Israeli
Minister of National Infrastructure] Binyamin Ben-Eliezer is calling
for al Barghouti’s release, however most military leaders believe
that if he is indeed released that he will not be moderate. He was
the one who started the Intifada; he will not be a dove but rather a
hawk. He will most definitely want to assert his presence before Hamas.

The western politician resumed talking about the possibility of Mahmoud
Abbas’s resignation at the end of this year and said that if that
were to happen then all parties will reach deadlock. He elaborated,
"This is why there is international and European pressure Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to reach an agreement with the Palestinian
people. The Americans and Europeans want Israel to go back to the 1967
borders so that the three settlements, Gush Etzion, Ma’ale Adumim and
Ariel would be part of Israel but the rest of the settlements will be
dismantled. There is intense pressure from the White House on Israel;
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Israel every two weeks
and the week in which she does not visit, Israeli Foreign Minister
Tzipi Livni heads to Washington. As for the refugees, the suggested
plan is to reach a certain ‘quota’; if the agreement with Abbas is
to repatriate 50,000 to the West Bank then he must ensure that houses
are built and job opportunities are created.

With regards to Jerusalem, "American ex-president Bill Clinton’s
proposal is still valid. He had proposed that the Islamic and Armenian
districts should belong to the Palestinians while the Christian and
Jewish districts would be Israel’s. Al-Aqsa Mosque will belong to the
Palestinians while the Western Wall will be Israel’s," and concluded,
"this solution could work out if the Islamic world backed Mahmoud
Abbas."

But what will be the fate of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon? He
answered, "Settling the Palestinians is a subject that is under
discussion. Around 60 percent of the Palestinians in Lebanon who are
under 30 years of age and who have been born in Lebanon consider it to
be their home. There had been talk about offering them the opportunity
to travel to Australia or Canada but what state would want Osbat al
Ansar to live on its land? They are staying in Lebanon and Lebanon
has changed."

The official noted that Israeli public opinion does not exert pressure
on the Israeli government to sign a peace treaty with the Palestinians
and that he had been informed that before its withdrawal from Gaza,
Israel had offered Palestinian Authority (PA) officials the opportunity
to coordinate with them so as to deter Hamas’s hegemony but that
these officials had rejected the idea and said, "If we cannot agree
about Jerusalem then forget about any coordination in Gaza."

So why doesn’t Israel withdraw from the West Bank and hand it over to
the international forces? My source said that he had pondered this
before and drawn the conclusion that Israeli’s experience with the
international forces in southern Lebanon was a bad one whereas in
Sinai and in the Golan there had been no trouble because Egypt and
Syria are committed to the treaties with Israel.

To illustrate his point that the Palestinian police is weak, he said
that it Nablus, for example, the Palestinian police work the day
shift and the Israeli police work the night shift. "This means that
there is major security problem," he said

Much of the interview was focused upon Israel’s consideration of
invading Gaza particularly after Israel officially rejected Hamas
leader Ismail Haniyeh’s suggestion that he was ready to discuss
appeasement. According to my source "If Israel negotiates with
Haniyeh then it would simply be undermining Abu Mazen’s status and the
Palestinian public believes that Hamas is the foundation of governance
– not Abu Mazen."

He added, "Israel is examining the idea of invading some areas in Gaza
– but not occupying them. There are presently studies being conducted
to assess the damages. Ideas are more focused upon partial invasions,
such as the northern part of the Gaza Strip, in addition to identifying
a buffer zone to put an end to the missiles."

The official stated that in this case, "Camps located in the middle,
such as al Boraij, al Nosairat and al Shate’e will be highlighted
and the number of civilian casualties will rise. Hamas realizes this
dilemma that Israel is facing."

According to my source, the situation today reminds him of the
situation in Lebanon at the end of the 1970s when the south transformed
into ‘Fatah Land’ in which the Palestinians used to ‘arrest’ the
Lebanese in the south and launch Katyusha missiles into Israel and
hide. During that time Israel executed an operation in 1978 but failed.

"This is why there was a need for a comprehensive invasion in 1982," he
said, "this is also why it seems that the only solution to the problem
in Gaza is a military one. There might be a Palestinian interlocutor
and a deliberations course; however, Hamas’s presence means that there
can be no real hope for a full Palestinian recognition of Israel. That
is why the sentiment in Israel is that there is no solution but to
invade Gaza. There is support for military intervention and there is
a prevalent understanding of the price to be paid."

The Western politician also disclosed that the war with Hezbollah
and the upheaval in Gaza appears to have changed the Israeli
position; the left-wing is nonexistent and the Meretz party, which
was more left-inclined than the Labor party, is no more [now known
as Meretz-Yachad and headed by Haim Oron]. Kaidma will not win the
upcoming elections and Benjamin Netanyahu will be the next Israeli
prime minister. This indicates that Israeli public opinion has shifted
towards the right – not the centre, he said.

The official added that the right-wing advocates an iron fist in
dealing with Palestinians and Hezbollah, "I have feeling that after
the July [2006] war Israel will not engage in a war that is longer
than four days – this was the case in the latest operation in Gaza."

But what about the Egyptian role? "There is communication between
Egypt and Israel, and between Hamas and Egypt. However, there is no
Egyptian mediation to conclude a deal. I have heard about that there
is communication between State Security officials in Egypt and the
Daghmash family [notorious clan in Gaza] that abducted Shalit and
there is also talk of releasing some of the captives."

What about the Israeli warning addressed to Syria and the fact that
the former holds the latter responsible for all operations carried
out by Hezbollah? "Such actions are aimed and deterring Syria since
it is the party that supplies Hezbollah with arms from Iran and also
covers up for it and provides safe havens for its elements – such as
the case with Emad Mughniyeh."

He added: "It appears that Israel wants a location [to target] and
if Hezbollah were to take any action then Israel would shell that
location. It does not want to inflict civilian or economic damages
in Lebanon again. Israel needs a responsible government, thus if
anything happens near the Israeli borders or if any crisis erupts
by the Israeli-Lebanese border, then Syria will be the one to pay
the price. Syria has informed been informed of this through indirect
channels and the message has been clearly relayed."

But why would there be a change in the situation, as opposed to what
happened in 2006? "Because any involvement in southern Lebanon will
be prolonged and would necessitate an invasion, whereas if a crisis
were to erupt by the northern borders no invasion of Syria would take
place but locations within it will be attacked," he said.

He concluded: "They remember former Syrian President Hafez Assad in
Israel well. President Assad used to nod his head and Hezbollah would
immediately execute his orders. As for Bashar Assad, the situation
has been reversed and the relationship between Damascus and Hezbollah
has changed. In the Middle East, they also remember Abdullah Ocalan,
Hafez Assad and Turkey."

HANRAPETUTIUN PARTY POLITICAL BOARD MEMBER SUREN SURENIANTS GOES ON HUNGER-STRIKE IN PRISON

Noyan Tapan
March 25, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Suren Sureniants, a member of
the Political Board of the Hanrapetutiun (Republic) party, went
on hunger-strike on March 24. According to some media, he demands
meeting with the investigator conducting the criminal case, with
his lawyer and the Ombudsperson. S. Sureniants stated that he had
used his constitutional rights and freedoms, had not committed any
crime prosecuted by the law, therefore he demands that the criminal
prosecution against him be immediately stopped and he be released.

It should be mentioned that S. Sureniants was arrested on February
25. He is accused of "appropriation of state power by force,
organization of mass disorders accompanied by violence, making armed
resistance to a power representative, as well as organization and
holding of a public event by violation of the order established by
the law.

SARGSYAN’S VISIT MARKS IMPORTANCE OF RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN TIES

Interfax News Agency
March 24 2008
Russia

The visit of Armenian President-elect Serzh Sargsyan to Moscow
symbolizes the importance of Russian-Armenian ties, Russian President-
elect Dmitry Medvedev said.

"The fact that you pay your first visit after the election to Russia
symbolizes the importance of Russian-Armenian ties," Medvedev said
at a meeting with Sargsyan.

Medvedev expressed hope that Russian-Armenian ties will continue
to develop in the future, favoring maintaining "a high level of
these ties."

Sargsyan expressed hope that "traditional bilateral ties will continue
to strengthen even more" after Medvedev is inaugurated.

"You are well-known in Armenia," Sargsyan told Medvedev. "We are
ready to continue developing our bilateral ties in the future,"
Sargsyan said.

NINE PEOPLE UNDERGO MEDICAL TREATMENT

AZG Armenian Daily
26/03/2008

Post-election

Nine people (one soldier, one police officer and seven citizens)
that suffered from March 1 mass disorder at present undergo medical
treatment in medical centers of RA Ministry of Health. According to
Armenpress agency, one of them undergoes treatment in St. Grigor
Lusavorich Medical Center. In N2 hospital undergoes a cure one
citizen, in N3 hospital -one citizen, in Erebuni Medical Center two
and in Armenia Medical Center – also two citizens, one of them –
in reanimation department. One soldier remains in Pr. L. Mikaelian
Surgery Institute’s reanimation department.

BRILLIANT SERVICE OF OUR PEACEKEEPERS EVIDENCE OF PATRIOTIC SPIRIT OF ARMENIAN SOLDIERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.03.2008 14:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The ceremony of awarding of the military performing
peacekeeping mission in Iraq and Kosovo took place in Yerevan today, RA
Defense Minister’s spokesman Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Addressing the attendees, Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan said
in part, "Peacekeeping activity is a great responsibility. It urges
devotion. I can firmly say that the Armenian peacekeepers performed
their mission professionally, being guided by human values."

"Brilliant service of our peacekeepers is the evidence of patriotic
spirit of Armenian soldiers, who can side by side with other nations
serve in the name of stability and security."

AZERBAIJAN DISAVOWS RUSSIA, THE USA AND FRANCE WITHIN THE OSCE MINSK GROUP

DeFacto Agency
March 20 2008
Armenia

The press-centre of the Ministry of Defense of the RA interviewed
the Head of the Institute for National Strategic Studies of the
MoD, Doctor of Political Sciences, Major-General Hayk S. Kotanjian
requesting to evaluate the situation evolving after the adoption of
the UN GA Resolution on the Karabakh Problem.

– What are the objectives pursued in the statement by the Deputy
Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan claiming that "the
status of Nagorno Karabakh is not a target of the OSCE Minsk Group
and a topic of discussion with Armenia"?

– The Baku authorities undertook to address a task which is quite
obviously beyond their sole competence. By their actions the
Azerbaijani authorities are trying to persuade the international
community that the application of common principle of respect towards
the Armenians of Karabakh based on the human rights and freedoms
registered in the UN Charter as a universal norm is purely their
own internal business. They aim at disavowing the OSCE Minsk Group
and removing Russia, the US and France from the group in connection
with their systemic approaches to the application of the norms and
principles of International law on the Karabakh Problem resolution.

– What is underlying suchlike position of Azerbaijan?

– The essence is that the Baku politicians are trying to impose
their own opportunistic-local interpretation of the International law
concerning the settlement and resolution of the Karabakh Problem. And
they are doing it with presumption of "lawmakers and indisputable
interpreters" of international law not only domestically but also
before the international auditoria. The head of the neighboring
state, as well as the FA officials in their statements on the Baku
authorities’ commitments to the conflict resolution in "strict
conformity with the international law", persistently parallel
this very conformity with only one of the common norms of the
International law&#61485;the principle of territorial integrity and
ignoring the other norms applied when dealing with the problems like
that of Karabakh. In this context the ignorance of the principle
of peoples’ equality and their right to self-determination is of
strictly manipulative nature. This unilateral approach by Baku to
the norms of International law cannot be of serious influence upon
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ expert position.

– Let’s go back to the legal aspect of the problem. What are the
commitments of the states, by example of Azerbaijan, in compliance
with the norms and standards of the International law in the system
of the national law?

– Azerbaijani official establishment announces that "the Karabakh
status problem can be resolved only on the basis of the internal
legislation of Azerbaijan" and the activities of the Minsk Group,
in consultations with the conflict sides on the status, are allegedly
an intrusion into the domestic affairs of Azerbaijan.

A symptomatic illustration appears to be the incompatibility of the
Republic of Azerbaijan’s Constitution with the essence of international
legal norm on the principle and right of nations to master their fate
independently by means of free expression of popular will in conditions
of complete freedom, stipulated by the UN Charter and International
Covenants on Human Rights of 1966. As it is known, these documents
in the international relations system are treaties consolidating the
states’ commitment to adhere to and respect universally recognized
fundamental principles and norms of the International law, first and
foremost – human rights and freedoms. It concerns those principles
of the International law, which comprise its most stable kernel and
are a universal criterion to evaluate legitimacy of states’ conduct.

– Applying the legitimacy criteria accepted in the international
community, how would you evaluate the conformity of Azerbaijan’s
conduct with its international commitments concerning the Karabakh
settlement?

– The norm of the Azerbaijan’s Constitution "on change of territory by
holding a referendum among all the Azerbaijani population" contradicts
the other norm of the same document, defined in the article "The
ultimate goal of the state". In accordance with the given definition
"human and citizen rights and freedoms, enumerated in the present
Constitution are employed in conformity with the international
treaties, which are supported by the Republic of Azerbaijan". In this
case the above mentioned international treaties should be touched upon.

Thus the assertions of the Azerbaijani authorities on their adherence
to the international law in the Karabakh conflict resolution
don’t correspond to reality. The conduct of Azerbaijan in terms of
consistent reflection of universally accepted principles and norms of
the International law in the Constitution, as well as in the Karabakh
conflict settlement practice, doesn’t correspond to the international
legitimacy criterion.

– What is your take on the position of the Minsk Group which voted
against the UN Resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh proposed by Azerbaijan?

– Judging from the official statements made by Russia, the USA
and France before and afterwards of the General Assembly, they
voted against the resolution, because the Azerbaijan’s project
contradicted, firstly, the common fundamental principles and norms of
the International law, as well as the criterion of the international
legitimacy of their application. Secondly, the conduct of Azerbaijan
does not coincide with the balanced approach of the Minsk Group which
endorses the solution of the Karabakh conflict within the system of
the International relations. 100 abstained members of the UN virtually
demonstrated their understanding of the balanced position of Russia,
the USA and France.

– How would you explain the driving force of those 39 members of the
UN, which voted for the resolution?

– The mentioned states, mainly representing the Organization of Islamic
Conference and the GUAM, backed the Azerbaijan’s initiative from the
position, which was more characteristic to the period of the Cold War,
i.e. on the principle of bloc solidarity.

– Due to the results of the voting, Azerbaijan threatens to review
her policy on Russia, the USA and France. How to elaborate the
disrespectful position of Azerbaijan to the contribution of the Minsk
Group in the process of the peaceful solution and the ferociousness
of Baku vis-a-vis Russia, France and the USA?

– Azerbaijan perceives the designated to her role in the European
Energy policy as a "historical" mission of geo-economic and
geo-strategic importance to compete with Russia. Playing on the
strategic interests of the EU, the USA, Russia, Iran, Turkey and
Central Asia, Baku is trying to at most bid for highest stakes in this
way to use this resource for illegal forcing through its interests
in the Karabakh settlement. In pursuit of these purposes Azerbaijan
will now allow itself to blackmail Russia, the USA, France and the
Minsk Group on the whole. According to many international observers
Azerbaijan is losing the sense of reality.