Author: Nahapetian Samvel

ONLY 4-5 PARTIES CAN APPEAR AT PARLIAMENT OF NEW CONVOCATION, SOCIOLOGIST AHARON ADIBEKIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 10 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN. At best 4-5 parites can appear at
the National Assembly of new convocation. Aharon Adibekian, Head of
Sociometer Center, expressed such opinion on April 10 at the Urbat
(Friday) club.

Taking as a basis the results of sociological surveys conducted by
now, the sociologist conventionally divided political parties having
opportunity to get over the passage barrier into three groups:
heavyweights (the Republican Party of Armenia and the Bargavach
Hayastan), mediumweights (the ARF Dashnaktsutiun, the National Unity
and the Orinats Yerkir) and lightweights (the United Labor Party, the
People’s Party of Armenia, the People’s Party, the Dashink Party). The
last group, in A. Adibekian’s words, has serious problems connected
with being represented at the parliament, but it can overcome this
problem in case of organizing efficient agitation campaign.

In his words, for lightweights the most dangerous is dispersion of
votes, as each of those parties receiving even 4.5% votes and not
getting over 5% barrier will not only lose the opportunity to appear
at the parliament, but also involuntarily will increase the number
of mandates of winning parties. As the sociologist affirmed, from
point of view of all political directions’ being fully represented
at the parliament it is expedient that parties having no chances to
pass refuse to take part in the future struggle announcing what force
they support.

A. Adibekian explained absence of the Nor Zhamanakner Party in the
above mentioned categories by the circumstance that "their times are
very new, their times have not come yet."

ASHOT GHULYAN: IN THE TALKS WE HAVE NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF

KarabakhOpen
10-04-2007 10:30:09

The presidential election in NKR is on July 19. The president has
already stated for several times that he will not run a third term. The
likely presidential candidates are said to be Speaker Ashot Ghulyan,
the head of the National Security Service Bako Sahakyan, and the deputy
foreign minister Masis Mayilyan, the Yerevan-based Azg Daily wrote.

Ashot Ghulyan said in the interview with the Azg that the list
"does not include everyone who should be there." The speaker of the
parliament declined to say anything about his nomination.

In the interview Ashot Ghulyan also touched upon the resolution of
the Karabakh problem, underlining that at the moment there is nothing
to be proud of.

"If we clearly set the goal to reach the international recognition of
NKR and try to consolidate all our resources, and not only in Karabakh,
the goal will be quite realistic," said Ashot Ghulyan. The speaker
declined to say what the goal of the settlement had been earlier.

"The present format of the talks cannot give a sufficient evaluation
of the prospects of settlement. We need to define the stage we are
living through.

Although we remember there were times on this way when we were close
to the resolution. However, in this stage there is nothing we can be
proud of," he said.

As to the first step towards resolution, Ashot Ghulyan suggests
creating an atmosphere of confidence in the region. "We cannot
negotiate with eternal hostility on our minds," said Ashot
Ghulyan. "The participation of Karabakh in the talks will restore the
real format of the conflict. Moreover, this is what the international
documents require," the speaker said.

SERGE SARGSYAN TRIES TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH AZERBAIJAN

A1+
[08:33 pm] 09 April, 2007

"Our foremost task is to come to a peaceful agreement with Azerbaijan
on the Karabakh issue," RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan reported
"Financial Times" newspaper.

During the interview Serge Sargsyan focused on the protection
of human rights and Russia-Armenia relationship, APA agency
reports. Mr. Sargsyan says that Armenia doesn’t support the idea of
opening a military base in South Caucasus.

Mr. Sargsyan noted that the May 12 parliamentary elections will be
the most transparent ones in the history of Armenia.

The RA Prime Minister urged the Diaspora representatives to make
investments in Armenia, as the Diaspora makes only 1% of the total
investments.

ARMENIA’S GDP GROWTH THE SECOND HIGHEST IN THE CIS

ArmRadio.am
04.04.2007 14:50

Armenia is the second among the CIS countries with the growth of GNP
in January-February of the current year. This is evidenced by the
data of the Interstate Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of
Independent States.

The highest growth of GDP was registered in Azerbaijan (41.7%). Armenia
follows with 9.2% growth. The GDP growth reached 9% in Belarus, 8.8%
in Russia, 8.6% in Ukraine, 4.6% in Tajikistan and 3.6% in Kyrgyzstan.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
April 4, 2007

Bishops and Priests from Holy Etchmiadzin Depart for Jerusalem

On April 3, His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of
Shirak; His Grace Bishop Sion Adamian, Primate of the Diocese of Armavir;
Very Rev. Fr. Tadeos Zirekiants, Very Rev. Fr. Hovakim Manukian and Rev. Fr.
Gabriel Sargsian departed from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin shall participate in Holy
Week and Easter services in Jerusalem with the blessings of His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

ARMENIAN STATE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA TO MARK 10th ANNIVERSARY OF ITS REORGANIZATION WITH A JUBILEE CONCERT

Noyan Tapan
Apr 03 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian State Chamber Orchestra
will have a jubilee concert dedicated to the 10th anniversary of its
reorganization on April 5 at Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University’s
concert hall. Italian saxophonist Federico Mondelci, American Armenian
dancer Aida Amirkhanian will take part in the concert at Orchestra’s
invitation. As Aram Gharabekian, Orchestra’s Art Director and Principal
Conductor, reported at the April 3 press conference, after the concert
a photoexhibition will open at University’s lobby, as well as the
video tape of the open-air concert held in 2006 in Zvartnots will
be shown. The premiere of that film will take place on April 8 on
Public Television. A. Gharabekian said that ten years ago he assumed
the commissions of Orchestra’s Principal Conductor and did everything
to present a high-class music to art-lovers. "We have passed a huge
way. The Orchestra is fully-fledged and today is not inferior to
any ochestra in the sphere of chamber music," he said. During these
years the Orchestra has been on tours abroad for many times and has
performed at the best concert halls. Besides, charity concerts were
organized in Armenian regions in each concert season. It was mentioned
that more than 40 works of 10 composers were composed and performed
by Orchestra’s order. A. Gharabekian said that the day following the
jubilee concert the Orchestra will leave for France to take part in
the events organized within the framework of Year of Armenia. The
Orchestra will have four concerts in various French cities. It was
also mentioned that the the Chamber Orchestra will take part in the
Saint Petersburg Palaces international festival in July.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY EXTENDS CONDOLENCES

ArmRadio.am
03.04.2007 13:42

The Council of the Republican Party of Armenia condoles with the
families and friends of the victims killed as a result of murderous
assault against the Mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan.

In its statement disseminated today the Party denounces the crime and
demands from law-enforcement bodies to disclose it as soon as possible
and to call the criminals to responsibility. "We are sure that any
assault against the stability of social life is destined to fail,"
the statement says.

Let us remind that On April 2 three were killed as a result of a
murderous assault on the Mayor of Gyumri on his way back from Yerevan
to Gyumri after the Sitting of the Republican Party Council.

"ARMENIA IN PANTURKISM BLOCKADE"

A1+
[06:14 pm] 02 April, 2007

SEFILYAN’S LETTER TO THE ARMENIANS OF JAVAKHQ

"Unfortunately, RA Government couldn’t see the matter thoroughly. They
opposed to the construction of Kars-Akhalqalaq railway to initiate
that of Gyumri-Kars instead. The RA high-ranking officials think that
RA budget can benefit from the "Panturkism" communication," Zhirayr
Sefilyan, commander of the Shushi special regiment, sent this letter
to the Javakhq Armenians from the National Security Service.

In Sefilyan’s opinion the RA Government doesn’t realize that the matter
is purely political and it may lead the whole region to Turkism, i.e.,
they want to turn us Turks economically, culturally and politically.

"Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia plan to carry out the Kars-Akhalqalaq
railway construction this year.

Armenians are against the project as it implies Armenia’s blockade
which is the core objective of Panturkism. The target of this
anti-Armenian project becomes Javakhq. The project is aimed at
displacing Armenians and inhabiting the territories with foreign
elements who will settle there as constructors and railway workers,"
says Sefilyan.

At the end of the letter, Sefilyan voices hope that our compatriots
living in Javakhq fully realize the menace and will do their utmost
to frustrate the above-mentioned anti-Armenian project.

I am convinced that the Armenians spread world-wide will render their
assistance in the decisive moment.

Nobody and nothing can break the will -power of Armenians. Let’s stand
firm and protect our country from the Turkish threats," urges Sefilyan.

Report on Armenia-NATO IPAP accomplishment to be presented in Brussels

ArmRadio.am
02.04.2007 16:55

April 3-4 the delegation headed by the Sectary of the Presidential
Council on national Security, RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan will
leave for Brussels to participate in the Armenia- NATO sitting of the
North-Atlantic Council in 26+1 format, during which the report on the
progress in the process of accomplishment of the Armenia-NATO
Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) will be presented, Press
Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan
informs.

In the framework of the visit Serge Sargsyan will meet with NATO
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the Special Representative of
the NATO Secretary General for the South Caucasus Robert Simmons and
European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy
Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner

On April 5 the delegation will be back to Yerevan.

US SENATE PANEL CONDEMNS DINK MURDER

The New Anatolian, Turkey
March 30 2007

A U.S. Senate panel condemned on Wednesday the murder earlier this
year of a prominent Turkish-Armenian editor, Hrant Dink, who had been
charged with "insulting Turkishness," a crime under controversial
penal code Article 301.

The resolution approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
reopened the question of whether Congress should weigh in on the
debate over Armenian genocide claims — a sensitive issue in Turkey.

Turkey strongly opposes the claims that its predecessor state, the
Ottoman government, caused the Armenian deaths in a planned genocide.

The Turkish government has said the toll is wildly inflated and that
Armenians were killed or displaced in civil unrest during the empire’s
collapse and conditions of World War I. Ankara’s proposal to Yerevan to
set up a joint commission of historians to study the disputed events
is still awaiting a positive response from the Armenian side. After
French lawmakers voted last October to make it a crime to deny that the
claims were genocide, Turkey said it would suspend military relations
with France.

The Senate resolution that passed the committee with a voice vote does
not explicitly refer to the killings as genocide, but says that Dink,
before his death, was subjected to legal action in Turkey for doing so.

It condemns Dink’s murder and urges the people of Turkey to "honor
his legacy of tolerance." Dink was murdered by a Turkish nationalist
gunman outside his Istanbul office in January. His funeral drew
100,000 mourners.

Turkish diplomats do not look favorably on the Senate proposal,
which can now go to the floor for a vote. "We don’t see the benefit
of such a resolution," said a Turkish diplomatic source.

The author of the Senate resolution, Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman Joseph Biden, a Delaware Democrat, said he was not deterred
by Turkish sensitivities.

Turkish officials, as well as members of the Bush administration, have
expressed more concern about other resolutions pending in Congress,
but it is unclear how quickly they may advance.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warned last month that Congress
would harm bilateral ties if it backs a House resolution recognizing
the 1915 mass killings of Armenians by Turks as genocide.

The Bush administration supported the view that the term "Armenian
genocide" must be removed from the House text.

That resolution was introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff, a California
Democrat, and in the Senate by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin,
an Illinois Democrat. Schiff told Reuters that with Democrats now in
charge of Congress, he believed his resolution had its "best chance
in a decade" of being passed.