Author: Nalbandian Albert

FIRST EXHIBITION OF MERUJAN SHAKHUMYAN TO BE HELD IN TBILISI

Daily Georgian Times, Georgia
Feb 22 2007

Tbilisi. February 22 (Prime-News) – First exhibition of Armenian
artist Merujan Shakhumyan will be held in Tbilisi on Thursday.

Exhibition of paints on religious theme will be opened in "Caucasian
House" and will last till February 23.

Prime-News was told at the "Caucasian House" that about 40 works of
the artist would be presented at the exhibition.

Grach Silvanyan, Ambassador of Armenia in Georgia, representatives
of Armenian Church eparchy, Armenian Diaspora, and Sozar Subari,
Public Defender of Georgia are invited to the opening ceremony.

Merujan Shakhumyan was born in Tbilisi 1951. He graduated from Tbilisi
Academy of Arts in 1980.

INHABITANTS OF STREETS SIDING WITH MYASNIKIAN AVENUE CAN NOT GET CERTIFICATES FOR PROPERTY RIGHT

Noyan Tapan
Feb 22 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Inhabitants of the Yerevan
Myasnikian avenue, Upper and Inner Forest streets as well as of
the districts of Kond and Kozern organized an action of protest at
the RA Government’s building on February 22 with the following and
similar slogans: "Do not violate our rights," "The law must arise
of the people’s interests," "We are owners of our property." They
demanded to recognize their property right towards places of residence
occupied by them. Samvel Mkrtchian, the Chairman of the "Community
and Right" public organization, lawyer mentioned that 7 generations
of inhabitants today live on the Myasnikian avenue, but till now they
have no certificates affirming their property right. In his words,
though territories siding with the avenue were never considered a
zone for sale, local inhabitants are not given the property right
just with that reasoning. In S.Mkrtchian’s words, "those inhabitants
are refused who attempted to solve this problem in the legal way,
but ones who chose another way, managed to privatize their real
property." S.Mkrtchian stated and they presented numerous notes to
the government and expect active discussion on the arisen problems.

GERMANY CAN HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION IN IMPLEMENTATION OF EU-ARMENIA ACTIONS PLAN, RA PRIME MINISTER SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 21 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Receiving on February 24
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal
Republic of Germany, RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian expressed
confidence that the German Foreign Minister’s visit will become
some stimulus for future development of both bilateral cooperation
and cooperation of Armenia with Germany within the framework of the
European Union New Neighbourhood Policy. In the RA Prime Minister’s
words, Germany, as the present presiding country at the EU as well
as one of the greatest donors of the European Union, can have a
significant contribution in the affair of implementation of the
EU-Armenia Actions Plan affirmed in November, 2006. A.Margarian welcame
the tendency of increase of the EU role, envisaged by the European
Neighbourhood Policy, in neighboring eastern, post-Soviet countries,
especially in the sphere of deepening economic and commercial ties.

A.Margarian mentioned with satisfaction the fact of activization
of the trade and economic relations between Armenia and Germany
during the recent years, particularly, in the spheres of information
technologies, mining industry, etc. He emphasized that after the
U.S., Germany is at present the second big donor country in Armenia
where more than six dozens of enterprises with participation of
the German capital are registered. In the affair of stimulation of
the economic cooperation, the RA Prime Minister appreciated work
of the Armenian-German intergovernmental commission. Considering
energetics, community development, financial-banking and other spheres
also long-lasting for deepening the mutual cooperation, A.Margarian
assured that Armenia is ready from now on as well to continue efforts
in the direction of organizing business forums, widening cooperation
between corresponding structures functioning in the two countries in
the commercial-economic sphere, strengthening confidence among the
German businessmen towards investment environment of Armenia.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier mentioned in his turn that relations between
Armenia and Germany firmly develop at present. He stated that Germany
has assisted Armenia since its independece and will continue assisting
from now on as well.

At the same time, in the FRG Foreign Minister’s words, the two sides’
potential especially in the sphere of economic cooperation is not
exhausted.

Mentioning that there are spheres in the economy where it is possible
to estbalish and develop mutually beneficial cooperation, he assured
that the German side will also make every effort to closer acquaint
German investers with the investment field and atmosphere of Armenia.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Government’s Information
and Public Relations Department, the sides discussed problems of
regional cooperation as well during the meeting. A.Margarian and
Frank-Walter Steinmeier were of the same opinion in the issue that
stimulation of regional mutual cooperation will considerably assist
development of the processes of democratization, economic integration
proceeding in separate countries, establishment of regional security
and stability. Relations of Armenia with the neighboring countries,
including Iran and Turkey, the Karabakh conflict settlement were
also touched upon. The Foreign Minister of Germany expressed a hope
that Armenia and Azerbaijan will be able to display necessary will
to bring the negotiations addressed to peaceful settlement of the
conflict to an effective refuge, mentioning that in his opinion,
that political will exists in Armenia.

EU URGES CONTACTS BETWEEN NAGORNO-KARABAKH ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS General Newswire
February 20, 2007 Tuesday 7:48 PM MSK

The fact ethnic Azerbaijani and Armenian communities in
Nagorno-Karabakh have gone for nearly two decades with practically
no contact is an abnormality, a European Union envoy said on Tuesday.

Contacts between the two communities would help achieve progress
at talks to settle the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, Peter Semneby, EU special representative for the
South Caucasus, told a news conference in Baku.

Each community would then know better what the other feels, he said.

Semneby said rapprochement between the two communities is inevitable
in any case but that contacts between them would speed it up.

He said he plans a visit to Nagorno-Karabakh to help build bridges
between the two communities.

The envoy raised the matter with the Azerbaijani government and got
the impression that Baku shared his view.

He also expressed hope the EU will be able to help settle the conflict.

INSTITUTE OF DOUBLE CITIZENSHIP TO BE INTRODUCED IN ARMENIA

Arminfo
2007-02-20 13:51:00

RA Parliament has passed today a bill on introducing changes and
additions to the Law on Citizenship.

As RA Justice Minister, David Haroutyunyan, noted in his speech,
the bill envisages that a citizen of Armenia is authorized to be a
citizen of another state as well. Three categories of citizens may
claim to receive a double citizenship. The first group includes the
citizens of foreign states, who have reached the age of 18, who have
been living in the Republic’s territory for the last three years,
who know the Armenian language and the bases of RA Constitution. The
second group includes the persons which married the citizens of
Armenia or have a child being a citizen of Armenia.

The third group includes persons who have earlier been the citizens
of Armenia or a person born in the RA territory who, upon reaching
the age of 18, was authorized to address the relevant bodies to get
the Republic’s citizenship.

The bill allows to give a citizenship to all the Armenians and to
all those who refused of RA citizenship after January 1, 1995.

The document also envisages to give a citizenship for exclusive
deserts before the country and then people. The citizens of Armenia,
who wish to get a citizenship of another state, have to notify the
relevant authoritative bodies about it. The positions in the Republic’s
territory are taken only by the citizens of Armenia. The bill lays
down that the persons who had lost the citizenship of Armenia before
January 1, 1995, receive privileges also at the receipt of the
Republic’s citizenship. The terms of considering the applications
for another categories of persons is fixed by 10 days.

CONFERENCE ON GENOCIDES TO BE HELD IN VALANCE

ArmRadio.am
19.02.2007 14:28

On March 13 a conference titled "From the Armenian Genocide of 1915
to Darfur " will be held in Valance. It has been initiated by the
"New generation" organization of French Armenians.

Armenpress was told from the organization that invitations to
participate in the conference have been sent to head of the quick
response group of Darfur, famous doctor Jackie Mamu, as well as
Sorbonne lecturer, historian Ives Ternau, who is known for his works
on the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Bypass of Armenia is real geopolitical aim of Kars-Baku railway project
17.02.2007 13:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The expected rapprochement of Baku and Tbilisi has
been proved economically. The Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway
project is essential for Turkey and Azerbaijan first of all, since the
real geopolitical aim of the project is bypass of Armenia, head of the
department of international relations at the institute of political
and military studies Sergey Markedonov said in an interview with
PanARMENIAN.Net. He reminded that the existing Kars-Gyumri branch line
has not been used since mid 1990-ies. `Economic expedience of the
project is not clear yet. It’s is mostly likely targeted at the future
and supposed to become one of the most important transport corridors
lining the East and West. Even the assistance of one of the most
`substantial players’, the U.S., proved unessential for the
implementation of the project. As you know in July 2006 the House of
representatives banned any funding of construction of a railroad
bypassing Armenia. The U.S. Congressmen stood against Armenia’s
isolation. The Resolution H.R. 5068 says that the `taxpayers’ money
will not be used for a greater isolation of Armenia, which still
suffers double blockade imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan,’ said the
Russian political scientist.

According to him, the U.S. leaders are far from building a `vertical
line’ and both the State Department and White House should reckon with
the opinion of the Congressmen and influential Armenian lobby.
`Meanwhile the U.S. administration’s stance is also known and, no
doubt, certain `administrative resource’ will be used for supporting
the project. Not all is measured by money. Information support and
positioning in favor of the `railway variant of Baku-Ceyhan’ is worth
something. Anyway, the fault Russia committed in late 2006, namely the
energy pressure on Azerbaijan, resulted in boost of cooperation
between Baku, Tbilisi, Ankara and a part of Washington’s establishment.
Meanwhile such cooperation did not seem obvious in July 2006, when the
decision of Congressmen transformed the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku
into a virtual project, especially since relationships between Ankara
and Washington aroused many questions both in Turkey and American
establishments,’ Markedonov said.

HIGHEST FERTILITY RATE OF ARMENIAN WOMEN REGISTERED IN ARAGATSOTN
MARZ, LOWEST – IN VAYOTS DZOR

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the 2005 research on
Armenian demography and health issues, the total coefficient of
women’s ferility makes 1.7 in Armenia.

When presenting the research results on February 16, the RA Deputy
Minister of Health Tatul Hakobian said that this index coincides with
the data of the survey conducted in 2000. He said that the total index
of fertility makes 1.8 in rural settlements and 1.6 in cities. High
coefficients were registered in Aragatsotn (2.5) and Gegharkunik
marzes (2.1), the lowest ones – in Shirak (1.2) and Vayots Dzor marzes
(0.9).

It was noted that highly educated women have fewer children than those
with low educational level. Women from households with low income have
2 children, those from well-to-do households on average 1.5. 70% and
62% of married women and men respectively do not want to have another
child.

Armenian women tend to give birth to their first child at the age of
22. This index among women living in cities exceeds by 1.5 years that
among women in rural settlements. Women with high educational and
welfare level prefer to give birth at an older age. Pregnancy among
under-age girls is not widespread in Armenia. Only 5% of women aged
15-19 have children.

arminfo
2007-02-16 11:47:00

OVER 175 US CONGRESSMEN SUPPORTED FOR ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
RESOLUTION

Over 175 Representatives from Thirty-Four U.S. States supported for the
adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. The support continues to
grow, with new cosponsors joining this measure over the past week from
Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, and Texas, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

To remind, the draft resolution was presented by Congressmen Adam
Schiff, George Radanovich and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs
Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg last month. The resolution is
identical to legislation introduced in the previous session of
Congress, which was overwhelmingly approved in the International
Relations Committee (now called the Foreign Affairs Committee), only to
be blocked from final passage by the House leadership. According to the
Executive Director of ANCA, Aram Hamparian, "The circumstances
surrounding this resolution’s reintroduction – namely the continued
heavy-handed pressure by the Turkish government against any mention of
the Armenian Genocide – clearly speak to the pressing need for the
passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution".

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden introduced
similar legislation in the Senate on February 1st. His measure refers
to the criminal prosecution Dink faced because of his speech on the
Armenian Genocide.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Tbilisi, Baku and Ankara form new military-economic alliance
16.02.2007 17:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A new military-economic alliance is being formed in
the South Caucasus, reports the Military-Industrial Courier
newspaper. The article titled `The Caucasian triangle’ reminds that
last week the leaders of the three states signed the Tbilisi
declaration on a unified vision of regional cooperation. Besides, they
approved the Memorandum on cooperation in the energy field and the
Agreement on the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway.

`On the eve of the Tbilisi meeting Baku and Ankara signed an agreement
on military cooperation. Turkey promised military assistance to
Azerbaijan though the amount is not made public. The experts have
already concluded that in case of resumption of hostilities between
Azerbaijan and Armenia the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku should become the rear
trunk-railway supplying the Azeri army from Turkey. Georgia’s problem
is that it will have to rebuild the sector from Akhalkalaki to the
Turkish border as well as ensure security of the line stretching
through the territory inhabited by Armenians. Tbilisi clearly
understands that the railway construction will alleviate the load of
Georgian ports.

`All this proves that Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan are building a
common military-economic space what will lead to tension in the region
and further isolation of Armenia which is tied by allied relations
with Moscow. The situation is pregnant with aggravation and it
directly concerns Russia’s interests,’ says the article.