Author: Nahapetian Samvel

ISRAEL: "HAMAS IS LIKE PKK"

Sabah
March 5 2008
Turkey

The Israeli ambassador defended the attacks on Gaza, which were
criticized by Ankara: "Hamas is just like the PKK. What we did in
Gaza was not genocide just like there is no Armenian genocide."

Israel: "Hamas is like PKK"

Israeli ambassador Gabby Levy responded to Prime Minister Erdoðan,
who had criticized Israel for using too much strength: "Hamas is just
like PKK." Erdoðan warned Olmert on the phone that the process starting
in Annapolis will be interrupted if the attacks in Gaza continue. The
ambassador explained that what they are doing in Gaza is not genocide
by comparing the event to the Armenian issue. "What we did in Gaza
is not genocide just like there is no Armenian genocide."

–Boundary_(ID_mzkveMLpgv51suFca8 /8Vw)–

TER-PETROSYAN AMONG THOSE CHARGED IN RIOT CASES – PROSECUTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
March 3, 2008
Russia

Several criminal cases have been opened in Armenia in response to
the recent mass riots in Yerevan.

The cases have been combined into one, with ex-president and opposition
leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan among those charged, a source in the
Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office told Interfax on Monday.

"Criminal cases have been opened on charges of attempt to seize power
through violence, violation of the constitutional order, mass riots
and other charges. Ter-Petrosyan’s name is among those against whom
proceedings have been launched," the source said.

A special group under the Prosecutor General has been set up to
investigate the cases, he said.

Since February 20, 2008, the radical opposition led by Ter-Petrosyan
has been rallying on Freedom Square in central Yerevan to protest
the results of the February 19 presidential polls, which was won by
former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan.

In the morning of March 1, police dispersed an opposition rally.

The same day, about 10,000 protesters gathered near the embassies of
France and Italy, not far from the Mayor’s Office.

By the end of the afternoon, the situation had spun out of control as
crowds of angry people began storming and looting nearby administrative
buildings, private shops and kiosks and setting cars on fire. Eight
people were killed, and 131 were wounded in the riots.

RUSSIAN FM MADE A STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT IN THE CONTACT LINE BETWEEN AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN TROOPS

Azeri Press Agency
March 5 2008
Azerbaijan

Moscow – APA. Russian Foreign Ministry made a statement on the incident
in the contact line between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.

APA quoting RIA-Novosty reports, according to Russian Foreign Ministry
Press Service, Moscow is concerned about the armed confrontation
around Terter River in the northern part of contact line. "It is
urgent to prevent turning of this confrontation into large-scale
military operations". Russian Foreign Ministry called on all conflict
parties to return to the status-quo. "Therefore, it is necessary to
implement agreement signed on February 4, 1995 for the strengthening
of ceasefire regime".

US, EUROPEAN UNION, SEND ENVOYS TO ARMENIA
By David Gollust

Voice of America
voa55.cfm
March 3 2008

The United States and European Union have dispatched envoys to Armenia
to try to help defuse the political crisis underway since disputed
elections February 19. The Bush administration says both sides in the
political conflict are responsible for restoring order after lethal
weekend rioting. VOA’s David Gollust reports from the State Department.

The parallel action by the United States and European Union reflects
deep concern about the political stability of Armenia, where clashes
between security forces and election protesters Saturday killed eight
people and left more than 130 others wounded.

The State Department says Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
European Affairs Matthew Bryza is enroute to the Armenian capital to
join European Union diplomat Peter Semneby in an effort to restore
political peace in Yerevan.

Armenia has been in political turmoil since the February 19
parliamentary election, which opposition leaders allege was rigged
to favor incumbent Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan.

Neither side in the dispute has shown willingness to back down,
with opposition leader and former president Levon Ter-Petrosian
vowing continued protests and Mr. Sarkisyan promising to punish
trouble-makers.

State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey says the Armenian parties
have indicated they are ready to work with the envoys, whose aim will
be to facilitate dialogue:

"Both sides have said they’re willing to engage in a dialogue," he
said. "Matt’s [Bryza] purpose as well as the purpose of the European
Union’s representative is to try and see, through talking individually
with both sides, if we can help stimulate that dialogue and move it
forward. But I would not expect you to see Matt formally negotiating
or offering proposals. This is really a facilitative role."

Casey said the United States supports neither a crackdown on protesters
nor a resort to violence by demonstrators.

In a written statement late Saturday, the State Department expressed
regret over the violence, appealed for restraint, and said both sides
are responsible for helping re-establish order and political dialogue.

It urged the prompt lifting of the state of emergency declared by
Prime Minister Sarkisyan and said Assistant Secretary of State for
European Affairs Daniel Fried had made the same point in a telephone
conversation with the senior Armenian official.

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 – 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

3 March 2008

Heritage MPs Address the International Community

Yerevan–On March 2, Armenian National Assembly members Miasnik Malkhasyan
and Hakob Hakobyan were arrested on suspicion of provoking disorderly
conduct during the political opposition’s recent demonstrations. Heritage
Party parliamentarians Larisa Alaverdian’s and Zaruhi Postanjian’s
subsequent attempts to visit the preliminary confinement unit of the Special
Sixth Department of the National Police, where the two deputies are
currently being detained, as well as the morgues of the Armenian capital,
have met up against administrative obstacles placed by the relevant
executive bodies. This fact stands as a severe violation of the law which
regulates the rights and privileges of members of the National Assembly.

In addition, the reports received from the legal defenders of several
arrestees allow us to assert that all of Yerevan’s detention halls are full
of people who have become the patent victims of police brutality. And this
fact is the real reason why the Heritage MPs were not permitted to visit the
above-mentioned confinement unit.

We are deeply concerned with the present condition of those who are
currently in custody, and this situation confirms the public fear that the
country’s law enforcement bodies actually do not intend to carry out a fair
and unbiased investigation into this and all other tragic events which have
taken the lives of Armenian citizens.

In view of the aforementioned, we address the world community, which is
represented here by the OSCE/PACE observation mission, and insist that
international experts also partake in the future examinations of this
national calamity.

The Heritage Parliamentary Group

Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central office is located at 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan 0002, Armenia,
with telephone contact at (374-10) 536.913, fax at (374-10) 532.697, email
at [email protected] or [email protected], and website at

REPRESENTATIVES OF U. S. SECRETARY OF STATE HOPE FOR RAPID SETTLEMENT OF SITUATION IN ARMENIA

DeFacto Agency
March 3 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 03.03.08. DE FACTO. March 1 RA PM Serge Sargsian held a
telephone talk with Daniel Fried, the U. S. Assistant Secretary of
State for European and Eurasian Affairs, and his assistant, the OSCE
Minsk group Co-Chair Matthew Bryza.

Daniel Fried, as well as Matthew Bryza, expressed hope that internal
political situation in Armenia would be settled without violence,
via political dialogue, RA government’s press office reports. They
also expressed hope that Armenia’s leadership would manage to rapidly
establish stability and public order in the country.

RA PM Serge Sargsian assured his interlocutors that Armenia’s
government would do its best to avoid violence and reestablish public
order and stability in the country.

MASS DISORDERS INITIATORS WILL BE AMENABLE FOR THEIR DEEDS

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.03.2008 15:36 GMT+04:00

/ Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian met Sunday with Special Envoy
of the Chairman-in-Office Heikki Talvitie to discuss the situation
in the republic, the RA leader’s press office said.

"The events taking place in Yerevan during the last two days can
hardy be called a political process.

Legal issues should be resolved by legal means. All initiators and
perpetrators of mass disorders will be amenable for their deeds,"
the President said.

"The state of emergency was imposed to ensure security of the
population. We tried to cause minimum inconveniences and not to
violate fundamental rights of the citizens," he added.

The parties voiced hope that tensions will be resolved and stability
will soon be established in the republic.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, March 3, 2008

Duzian Tours North America to Promote AGBU’s Youthful Summer in Armenia

During the month of January, AGBU’s Armenia Youth Programs Coordinator,
Hermine Duzian, traveled across North America to inform potential
participants and their parents about the dynamic menu of AGBU programs
in Armenia this and every summer. From Yerevan-based internships for
college-aged students to a summer trip to Armenia and Karabakh, there is
something for every young Armenian.

This year, Duzian could include one more program, the AGBU Scout Camp in
Dilijan-Vanadzor, in the full roster of programs AGBU offers. "We are so
happy to add this wonderful program to our Armenia programs and everyone
was impressed with the size and beauty of the campsite. We are already
booked for this summer with hundreds of campers but people are already
planning and preparing for next year," Duzian said.

For its first year, the AGBU Armenia Scout Camp will be welcoming scouts
>From Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and neighboring countries while, next
year, the camp expects to add participants from Europe and the Americas.
Like all scouts eager to experience the thrill of nature, campers will
sleep in tents but the campsite will include modern facilities like
washrooms, administrative offices and a mess hall.

If the AGBU Armenia camp is the new kid on the block, one program
established only last year continues to generate a lot of attention
among potential college participants: the AGBU Yerevan Summer Intern
Program (YSIP). "There was great excitement from students across the
United States and Canada about YSIP. Like all college students, their
biggest concern was budgetary. They also had practical concerns about
facilities and the types of experiences the program could offer. The
students were excited that YSIP exposed them to the city life of
Yerevan, they were impressed by the dormitory facility, the types of
trips we planned for them across Armenia and the support available to
each of them during their stay," Duzian explained.

To round out the programs, AGBU will also be welcoming Armenian youth
aged 15 to 18 for another summer of volunteerism and tourism for the
Youth Trip to Armenia. This trip seeks to instill pride in youth eager
to learn more about their heritage and the wonders of Armenia.

Across North America

Beginning on January 9, 2008, Duzian landed in the Los Angeles area and
spoke at Armenian schools across the region, including the AGBU Pasadena
High School, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, the AGBU Orange County
Saturday School, and the TCA Arshag Dickranian School. Duzian also spoke
to local scout groups and members of the AGBU Generation Next Mentorship
Program. She was also interviewed on the popular Horizon Armenian
television channel and promoted the AGBU programs with parents across
Southern California.

On January 14, Duzian traveled to Michigan to speak to students and
parents at the AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School in Southfield, MI. The
following day, she went north of the border to Toronto, Canada where she
spoke to local Armenian television, students at the local AGBU Zaroukian
school, and members of the AGBU Toronto chapter.

On January 17, she traveled to Montreal where she was greeted by
enthusiastic students at the AGBU Armen Quebec school, and over 200
scouts from the local AGBU scout troop. She also hosted a special
presentation for local university-aged youth, who learned not only about
YSIP but also its sister internship programs in New York and Montreal.
She was also interviewed by "Abaka" Armenian newspaper, which is
headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Beginning March 25, Duzian will be travelling to Egypt, Lebanon and
Syria to speak to local Armenian communities about AGBU’s summer 2008
programs in Armenia.

For more information on all three summer programs in Armenia, please
visit For specific details on each program,
please email [email protected] for the Yerevan Summer Internship Program,
email Hermine Duzian at [email protected] for the Youth Trips to
Armenia, and contact Kevork Santourian at [email protected] for
the new AGBU Scout Camp in Armenia.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six
continents.

CHURCH INTERVENES IN ARMENIA TURMOIL

Interfax
March 3 2008
Russia

Yerevan, March 3, Interfax – The Armenian Apostolic Church intervened
on Saturday in the confrontation between Armenia’s government
and rioting supporters of former president Ter-Petrosian, who are
protesting against his officially announced defeat in the presidential
election on February 19, claiming it was rigged.

"The Armenian Church urges the sons of the people to show presence
of mind and restraint, it urges them to avoid clashes and work for
stability so that, via dialogue, a way out can be found of the current
political situation," the Church said in a statement.

The head of the Church, Catholicos Karekin II, instructed priests to
visit hospitalized victims of riots.

ROBERT ZOELLICK CONGRATULATED SERZH SARGSYAN

Panorama.am
15:28 01/03/2008

The newly elected president of the Republic of Armenia (RA) Serzh
Sargsyan received congratulation message from the World Bank president
Robert Zoellick. The information is provided by the press and public
relations department of the Government. It is particularly mentioned
in the message:

"Dear Mister President,

I send my sincere congratulations to You for being elected as the
new president of the country.

I am glad that Armenians succeeded in getting use from the difficult
path of the reformations. Armenia has carried out serious steps in
creating private section and improving the services, as well as to
cut the poverty rate. World Bank is happy for participating and
supporting to those improvements. We hope we should keep working
with you to contribute to the improvement of the social-economic and
administrative aspect reformations. I wish you success in organizing
and carrying out your responsibilities."

Source: Panorama.am