Author: Tadevosian Garnik

HRANT BAGRATYAN THINKS NDP LEADER IS A FRAUD

Lragir
Sept 4 2007
Armenia

Hrant Bagratyan, the ex-prime minister of Armenia, the leader of
the Azatutyun Party, stated September 4 at the Hayeli Club that
Kocharyan’s statement on Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s likelihood to return
Karabakh is clear fraud. Hrant Bagratyan told Shavarsh Kocharyan he
had even stated on A1+ TV about giving away Meghri as well.

"You were giving away Meghri on A1+, do you remember?" Hrant Bagratyan
asked Shavarsh Kocharyan.

"Who?" Shavarsh Kocharyan as well as the reporters asked.

"Mr. Kocharyan," Hrant Bagratyan answered the leader of the National
Democratic Party and the reporters.

"Which Kocharyan? Don’t you see the names are different, only surname
is the same?" asked Shavarsh Kocharyan with everyone around laughing.

"I do but at that time you didn’t speak up, you should have spoken up,"
Hrant Bagratyan said.

First Hrant Bagratyan voiced surprise that about ten have stated to
run in the presidential election but Shavarsh Kocharyan criticizes
only Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Besides, Hrant Bagratyan asked the leader
of the National Democratic Party where he had seen or heard Levon
Ter-Petrosyan return Karabakh. Shavarsh Kocharyan said he had seen
the interviews with Ayaz Mutalibov and Levon Ter-Petrosyan in the
Nesavisimaya Gazeta in 1992 where the president of Armenia says,
according to Shavarsh Kocharyan, the best resolution of the Karabakh
issue is autonomy within Azerbaijan.

"Is this something new for you?" Shavarsh Kocharyan asked Hrant
Bagratyan. The leader of the National Democratic Party also said
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s article entitled "War or Peace" is also indirect
evidence to his approach that Karabakh should be returned.

Hrant Bagratyan said in reply the problem is not returning, and
rules out that Levon Ter-Petrosyan or the present government may
consider returning Karabakh, because everyone understands that
returning Karabakh might not be the end. "What is the situation like
regarding Karabakh? You should ask what Levon Ter-Petrosyan discussed
and what is being discussed today. In the first, in Ter-Petrosyan’s
document Lachin and Kelbadjar were not concerned, the basic issue
was Karabakh. The second document includes the corridor and the
referendum," Hrant Bagratyan says. He says the evolution shows the
process is not in our favor. "And Ter-Petrosyan or Robert Kocharyan
or anyone else have nothing to do with it. Because if the problem
persisted, it would gradually be so, if we don’t make a factor out
of the problem, if for instance, one million people lived in Karabakh.

In that case, the factor would be other," Hrant Bagratyan says. He
thinks this is the problem.

340 THOUSAND TONS OF GRAIN HARVESTED IN ARMENIA AS OF SEPTEMBER 1

Noyan Tapan
Sep 4, 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. 340 thousand tons of grain was
harvested from sown areas of a total of 135 thousand ha in Armenia
as of September 1.

NT correspondent was informed by Garnik Petrosian, the head of the
Plant Cultivation and Protection Department of the RA Ministry of
Agriculture, that it is envisaged to harvest about 450 thousand tons
of grain this year.

He said that this year the average crop yield of grain made 25
centners.

ARMENIAN POLITICIAN TO RUN IN 2008 PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

Mediamax news agency
3 Sep 07

Yerevan, 3 September: The leader of the [opposition] New Times party,
Aram Karapetyan, announced his decision to run in the 2008 presidential
election today.

Addressing a news conference in Yerevan, Aram Karapetyan said that he
is planning to run for election independently because "presidential
election is a struggle of individuals".

Karapetyan expressed his opinion that the election will be held in
two rounds and that in the second round, it will be him and Armenian
Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan who will compete with each other, "of
course, if Serzh Sargsyan nominates his candidacy". The politician
expressed confidence in his victory because, he said, his party
"has tremendous human and financial resources to win this election".

The leader of the New Times party said that eight or 10 candidates
will run in the first round of the presidential election, and "Armenian
ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has zero chances to win".

Aram Karapetyan also said that during the election campaign, he
intends to publish sensational facts, including about the terrorist
attack on the Armenian parliament on 27 October 1999 in which the prime
minister and speaker of the National Assembly were killed. Karapetyan
pointed out that he is ready to defend the authenticity of these
facts in court.

Leader of Greens Party of Azerbaijan advocates opening border with
Armenia

arminfo
2007-09-02 10:28:00

ArmInfo. Azerbaijan should open the border with Armenia and establish
economical and diplomatic ties with this country, Mais Gulaliyev, the
chairman of Greens Party of Azerbaijan told the Trend news agency.

Accorgimg to Gulaliev, the party has carried out geopolitical research
over the region and prepared proposals on the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno- Karabakh. The issue will be
discussed at a roundtable on 11 September.

Gulaliev said that the package of proposals basically stipulates
economical, public- political ways to solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. The chairman of the Greens Party ruled out the armed solution
to the conflict. It is unreal, moreover, only the Azerbaijani
opposition desiring replacement in power can benefit from it. "The
opposition understands it cannot come to power through elections in the
near future", he noted.

Forces, desiring accession to power take every effort to make the
Government use armed interference and achieve replacement in the
Government in this way. In case war is broken out, the international
organizations will take every effort to replace the state power, even
if NATO forces strike blows on Azerbaijan without delay," the party
leader said. "Azerbaijan should take out Armenian from the economic
blockade and put this country under its economic dependence," he said.

Narekatsi center marked first birthday

01-09-2007 16:23:05 – KarabakhOpen

On August 31 Narekatsi Center of Arts in Shushi marked its first
birthday. In only a year the center has already brought liveliness to
life in Shushi. Besides 130 children who are involved in various
activities, the center also holds events with local and invited
performers. In summer 150 children rested at the camp financed by
Haiduk and Aida Shamilian, citizens of Canada.
Narine Avanesyan, the director of the center, says there are ten groups
at the center learning woodcarving, drawing, miniature, photography,
theater, declamation, Armenian and English. The teachers are from
Shushi, Stepanakert and Kashatagh.

Narekatsi Center was founded by the famous benefactor from the United
States Karapet Harutiunian. The Harutiunian family has also founded the
village of Knaravan, Shahumyan region.
Narek Harutiunian, the son of Karapet Harutiunian, coordinates the
center. He said in an interview with Karabakh-Open.com they have a
number of projects, a dormitory is now being built where the guests of
the center can stay. As to fundraising, he called everyone to join in
to reconstruct Shushi, and not only Shushi but also the other regions.

SERGE SARGSYAN KEPT BAKO SAHAKYAN’S PLEDGE

Lragir
Aug 31 2007
Armenia

On August 30 the Armenian government decided to raise the pensions
by 60 percent. On the next day Serge Sargsyan instructed the minister
of finance and economy Vardan Khachatryan to raise funds to get this
job done.

The experts say Serge Sargsyan thereby took care for the election
vow of the new president of NKR Bako Sahakyan. The bulk of the NKR
budget is the interstate loan of Armenia, the two countries are in
the same economic sphere, and Vardan Khachatryan must raise money
not only to give a surprise to the Armenian pensioners but also to
justify Bako Sahakyan.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: THE VISIT OF THE PACE RAPPORTEUR ON AZERBAIJAN

arminfo
2007-08-30 17:29:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian National Assembly clarified the situation
around cancellation of the visit of Edward O’Hara, PACE (Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe) Rapporteur on the Cultural Heritage
in the South Caucasus, to the region, Thursday.

The Armenian parliamentary press-service told ArmInfo that the
initiative to pay a visit to the South Caucasian region belongs to
the parliamentary delegation of PACE in connection with demolition of
Armenian khachkars (cross-stones) in Nakhijevan by Azerbaijan. Edward
O’Hara’s visit to the region was planned several years ago, but
postponed for several times. This visit was scheduled for August
29. Within two months Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia prepared a
special program of the visit, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh expressed
willingness to contribute to fulfillment of the visit in every
possible way. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia presented the list of
cultural monuments in advance. The delegation was also planning to
visit Nagorno-Karabakh and the Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic. It
was already specified which monuments would be seen first. However,
a letter about cancellation of the visit has been received from the
PACE Sub-committee’s secretary.

According to the Armenian parliamentary press-service, the visit has
been cancelled only for one reason – on August 28 the head of the
Azeri parliamentary delegation to PACE made a statement that Edward
O’Hara was to arrive in Nagorno-Karabakh via Azeri territory, although
all the details of the visit had already been specified through the
permanent representative of Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia, and the
Armenian Parliament was to provide the delegation with transport. In
fact, Azerbaijan frustrated the visit at the last minute, and the Azeri
side’s information that this is only another postponement is false. It
is noteworthy that though Azeri delegations to different international
organizations are trying to spread leaflets about alleged demolition
of Azeri monuments by Armenia, the PACE Rapporteur expressed a desire
to see only one Muslim monument, moreover, it is not an Azeri, but
Persian monument – the Blue Mosque in Yerevan. As for the monuments
in Nagorno-Karabakh, a mosque in the town of Shoushi, the Panaguan
Palace, as well as libraries and museums were mentioned. This is direct
evidence of the fact that Azerbaijan makes slanderous statements about
"demolition of Azeri monuments" in Armenia and Nagorno- Karabakh.

On August 29, PACE Secretary General Mateo Sorinas notified the Speaker
of the Armenian Parliament, Tigran Torosyan, in the written form that
Edward O’Hara will not pay a visit to the region. The problem of entry
into Nagorno-Karabakh, i.e. the statement made by Azerbaijan on August
28, is mentioned as one of the reasons of the visit’s cancellation. It
is doubtless that the Azeri side hinders the PACE Rapporteur’s visit
in every possible way, because it will be found out during the visit
that numerous Armenian monuments were and are being demolished both
in Nakhijevan and Azerbaijan, and that Azerbaijan’s statements and
leaflets are a common slander.

The Armenian National Assembly expressed willingness to contribute
to fulfillment of the PACE Rapporteur’s visit to the South Caucasian
region.

The further actions concerning the visit will be etermined during
the session of the PACE Sub-committee on the Cultural Heritage,
the source reports.

RECEPTION AT THE SPEAKER OF NKR NA

Azat Artsakh Tert, Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Aug 30 2007

On August 28th, the Speaker of the National Assembly Ashot Ghoulain
met with the swiss astrophysicist, professor of Geneva University,
honorary doctor of some universities of the world, laureate of
international rewards Michael Mayor and with our compatriot, the
manager of the laboratory "Chemical evolution of the Space" of Center
of Europian Astrophysics of Spain, doctor-professor Garik Israelian.

Pointing, that he had paid a sort-term cognitive visit, the swiss
guest expressed satisfaction connected with his first impression got
from the the capital of the republic."Being in Yerevan, I’ve informed
with pleasure about the working telescope, ant taking the chance,
I decided to visit Nagorno-Karabakh and be personally the witness of
such notable event",- he said. In his turn, expressing satisfaction
connected with the visit of the world astrophysicist and his armenian
colleague, the Speaker of NA pointed that the mentioned telescope
being placed in Artsakh State University on purpose of teaching
students and scientific researches, actually may consider the first
practical step in this direction in Nagorno-Karabakh. During the talk
the guests were interested in NKR scientific-educatioanal system,
in the problems of natural scientific spheres in that context. The
subjects had to do with the regulation of Karabakh conflict, the
development of international tourism in Artsakh were also touched upon
(Press Service of NKR NA reported).

PARUYR HAYRIKYAN BANNED ‘HERITAGE’ PARTY TO TAKE PART IN MEETING OF OPPOSITIONISTS NOT AT LEVEL OF FIST PERSONS

arminfo
2007-08-30 13:17:00

ArmInfo. "I did not allow representative of "Heritage" party Vardan
Khachatryan to take part in August 28 meeting of the leaders of the
democratic forces, as it would be held only at the level of the first
persons", Chairman of the "Unity for Self-determination", organizer
of the meetings of oppositional party leaders Paruyr Hayrikyan told
journalists in "Hayatsk" club.

"The interest to the meeting I initiated, turned out to be much higher
than I expected. Any meeting aimed at specification of positions and
approaches of democratic party leaders is justified, including the
last one", P. Hayrikyan said.

He also said that he will not allow to call the meetings a meeting of
oppositionists as the matter concerns contacts of democratic forces,
the parties, which consider themselves democratic. Participation of
representatives of the power parties in the following meetings is
not ruled out, since provisions of the programme are important for
its organizer.

Asked about possible support of candidacy of his multiyear opponent,
first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the politician replied
that he can support the candidacy of RA PM Serzh Sargsyan as well,
if the latter accepts the proposed programme, the milestone of which
should become a mechanism of turning Armenia into the most democratic
state of the world.

CHILDREN AND TEENAGE VOCAL BAND ARVIK TO PRESENT ARMENIA AT EUROVISION 2007 IN ROTTERDAM

arminfo
2007-08-29 16:35:00

It is the first time that children and teenage vocal band Arevik
will present Armenia at Eurovision 2007 in Rotterdam, on 8 December,
art director of the band Armen Divanyan told Arminfo correspondent.

He also added that the song for the competition is already ready, it
will sound in Armenia and is called "Our wish". Along with singing the
children should perform a dance, for this reason at present they are
trained by the dancers of the known show-ballet "Nane". Art director
of the Arevik band also said that representatives of 18 countries will
take part in the children’s Eurovision. Except Armenia from the south
Caucasus state, Georgia will be also presented at Eurovision. Public
TV of Armenia sponsors participation of the Arevik band. Touching on
the near plans of the band, Divanyan said that it is going to perform
a big concert in Yerevan dedicated to participation in the children’s
Eurovision. On 5 December the band will perform a concert at Cyprus,
on 22 October – in Sweden.

To note, in 2008 the Arevik band will celebrate the 30th anniversary
of its art activity. according to the tradition, the band issues 2
CDs and DVDs annually.