Author: Takmazian

ACCORDING TO VIKTOR DALLAKIAN, COALITION’S STATEMENT ON 70% VOTERS’ SUPPORT DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO REALITY

Noyan Tapan
March 25, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Independent deputy Viktor Dallakian
has submitted a draft decision to the National Assembly Speaker on
creating an ad hoc parliamentary commission to study the tragic events
that happened in early March. As the deputy reported at the March 25
press conference, representatives of the NA Zharangutiun (Heritage)
faction, as well as of extra-parliamentary political forces are to be
included in the commission. The commission, according to the draft’s
author, is to study the causes of post-electoral developments, ways of
coming out of the formed situation, issues connected with protection
of rights of arrested oppositionists.

V. Dallakian said that he had visited Gegham Haroutiunian, his
old friend and fellow course member, a member of the Hanrapetutiun
(Republic) party’s Political Board, and made sure that the latter,
as well as other opposition figures being under custody together with
him have no complaints.

Considering positive creation of a coalition by four political forces,
the deputy meanwhile said that the statements that the coalition
enjoys support of 70% voters does not correspond to reality. He
mentioned that in the presidential elections part of voters voted
for Artur Baghdasarian, the Chairman of the Orinats Yerkir (Country
of Law) party or for Vahan Hovhannisian, a member of the ARFD Bureau,
as they were against the candidatures of Prime Minister Serge Sargsian
and first Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian.

According to V. Dallakian, the coalition’s real goals, in particular,
will become clear from the fact how the authorities will treat the
proposals of coming out of the situation formed in the country. He said
that he has made several proposals of the kind in the parliament, but
has received no response regarding them so far. Meanwhile V. Dallakian
said that various parliamentary forces consider that his proposals
are discussable.

In response to Noyan Tapan correspondent’s question V. Dallakian
refuted information on proposing the post of the NA Speaker to him. He
said that none of the rumors regarding him has been confirmed lately.

ROOFS OF 19 BLOCKS OF APARTMENTS WILL BE REPAIRED IN STEPANAKERT

KarabakhOpen
24-03-2008 15:27:30

The government has assigned 100 million drams for the repair of roofs
of blocks of apartments in Stepanakert, and 50 million drams for the
repair of facades of buildings.

The deputy mayor of Stepanakert Georgy Hairyan told the correspondent
of Karabakh-Open.com the roofs of 19 blocks and facades of 8 blocks
in the center of the city will be repaired.

Georgy Hairyan said work has not started yet, and the building owner
is the ministry of urban planning.

EVIDENT LIE MUST NOT BE SCOT-FREE
LILIT POGHOSYAN

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on March 22, 2008

We Shouldn’t Try To Please Others

Released from state of emergency the Armenian Pan National advocacy, as
it was expected, immediately resumed their every day work: which is `
lie continuously, slander, swagger, swagger to the end, in front of the
western officials `spreading democracy’.

In such circumstances what should we do to avoid the repetition of the
mass brain washing? Member of RPA Parliamentary faction Artak Davtyan
responds our questions in this regard.

` Of course some people will try to introduce their desires and
thoughts as a truth and in this term we have lots of work to do. In my
opinion Mass Media must create conditions for those who make
provocative announcements in their non-public speeches, to have an open
dispute with the state representatives thus providing an opportunity
for the people to judge for themselves who they must believe.

After all it is due to the exchange of ideas that the truth is born.
This is the real role of the opposition ` to criticize and propose
solutions, instead of labeling the representatives of the authorities.
I don’t think any political power, especially pro-governmental will
refuse a really constructive proposal, which is aimed at the
development of our economy and the strengthening of the state.’

`How can you speak about `dispute’ or constructive proposals, when
Ter-Petrosyan’s followers are not satisfied with the consequences of
March 1 events yet again take to the streets with the slogan `struggle,
struggle to the end?’

`I can understand what do they mean saying `to the end’. To the
deadlock? I must record with regret, that democratic institutions are
not accomplished, in our reality and the traditions of handing over the
power has not been yet formed.

People themselves must decide whom should they trust the helm of the
state. Had our political system and the electoral institution been
accomplished, despite everything the election returns would have turned
into a celebration for everyone. I’m sure we are on the right
direction, and what we really need is to develop and accomplish
democracy, due to which the mechanisms that lead to the civil society
will finally be established.

In this regard I attach a great importance to the accomplishment of the
4th power, which is also the task of the legislative bodies. We must
try to regulate the domain, where instead of restricting the freedom of
speech we must form institutions of responsibilities. Each Mass Media
must comprehend that freedom of speech firstly requires great
responsibility If we respect one another, if we try not to cross the
limits of ethics, by sewing hated and enmity towards each other, if we
don’t spread evidently false information, we will really understand
what is freedom of speech in reality.’

‘Do you mean those who spread false information must be punished? Don’t
you think the western structures will immediately label it as an
intolerable encroachment upon the freedom of speech?’

`I don’t think we should do our best to please others. According to the
first article of our Constitution the Republic of Armenia is a
sovereign state, which means every foreign organization or official
must respect the country’s Constitution and Law.’

ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS AWARDED WITH ORDERS

armradio.am
22.03.2008 14:09

The ceremony of awarding the Armenian servicemen that carried out
mission in Iraq and Kosovo was held at the Peacekeeping Battalion
of RA Armed Forces today. The ceremony featured RA Defense Minister
Michael Harutyunyan.

According to the Minister’s decree a number of servicemen were awarded
"Andranik Ozanyan," "Drastamat Kanayan," "Garegin Nzhdeh," "Vazgen
Sargsyan" and "Admiral Isakov" orders and certificates. Another two
servicemen – Armenian Officer, Captain Georgy Nalbandyan, who was
wounded in Iraq, and Captain Vasili Avetisyan received "Bronze medal"
Orders from the Polish Army for operational readiness demonstrated
during carrying out peacekeeping mission in Iraq. All in all, 42
servicemen were awarded.

"Today we have gathered to give credit for servicemen who proved
brilliant when carrying out their mission. The peacekeeping mission is
more than binding, honorable and demands great devotion. It provides
an opportunity to the soldier to use his profession to defend peace,
and we can state with pride that the Armenian peacekeepers are
carrying out their mission with particular willingness. I’m sure that
it’s connected not only with the professionalism, but also with the
peculiarity of being guided by universal Christian values," Michael
Harutyunyan said, greeting the peacekeepers.

The Defense Minister assured that the Armenian peacekeepers will
continue expanding their participation in defending international
peace. The aspiration to get integrated with the European community
creates moral responsibilities of contributing to the resolution of
problems the states committed to European values face. "Therefore,
we cannot stay apart from the international efforts directed at
reinforcement of universal security, since we are not only the
consumers, but also creators of that peace, Michael Harutyunyan added.

LEVON TER-PETROSYAN’S REPRESENTATIVE INSISTING ON INDEPENDENT INQUIRY OF TRAGIC INCIDENTS OF 1 MARCH

arminfo
2008-03-21 13:09:00

ArmInfo. ‘Hot opposing by the authorities of Armenia the idea of
independent international inquiry of the tragic incidents of 1 March
shows that they do not want the real circumstances to be revealed’,
Representative and the ex-press-secretary of the ex-president Levon
Ter-Petrosyan Levon Zurabyan said at the National Press Club, Friday.

He said such inquiry is one of the most important prerequisites for
normalizing the domestic political situation in the country. ‘When the
authorities of a country are not complicit in scandalous assassinations
or tragic events, they promote independent inquiries. Whereas in
Armenia the situation is quite different’, L. Zurabyan said.

Asked if the opposition conducts own inquiry of the incidents, he
called it too difficult in conditions of political persecutions,
and particularly, for limited resources and mass arrests. At the
same time, he said that the collected materials will be made public
in more free conditions.

ALIYEV: WE WERE SURPRISED AT STATES WHICH OPPOSED UN RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.03.2008 14:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Baku eyes the UN-adopted resolution as Azerbaijan’s
regular diplomatic and political success, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said.

"The UN has once again confirmed the principles essential for the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, these being inviolability
of borders, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, return of refugees who
fled after the ethnic cleansing Armenia carried out. This resolution
fully meets all norms and principles of the international law and
reflects the essence of the negotiation process. We are glad that it
passed and thank all states which supported us."

"As to the European Union, its member states decided to abstain from
the vote, since the EU is an organization of the highest discipline. We
were surprised at position of the countries which voted against,
including the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states – France, the U.S. and
Russia. However, the explanation they furnished after the vote is
quite positive. The co-chair states confirmed support of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and said they do not recognize independence of
Nagorno Karabakh. On the whole, this wording was known before but we
view it as an attempt to smooth over the disappointment of the Azeri
people about the unconsidered decision to oppose the resolution. I
think that these states should have abstained. Their opposition to
the resolution undermined the peaceful process, since our resolution
supports the MG activities," Aliyev said.

"True, restoration of territorial integrity and return of refugees
have never been contested by the Minsk Group. If the Co-chairs want
to make negotiation process public, let them do it down to the details.

Nagorno Karabakh will never be separated from Azerbaijan," Aliyev
told Interfax.

EXPORTS FROM ARMENIA GROW BY 2.4%, IMPORTS BY 37.4% IN JANUARY 2008 ON SAME MONTH OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
March 20, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The foreign trade of Armenia made
103.3 bln drams or 336.9 mln USD in current prices in January 2008,
including exports of 18.7 bln drams or 61 mln USD and imports of 84.6
bln drams or 275.9 mln USD. The foreign trade balance was negative by
65.9 bln drams (215 mln USD), the same balance without goods received
as humanitarian aid was negative by 65.3 bln drams (212.3 mln USD).

According to the RA National Statistical Service, exports grew by 2.4%,
imports – by 37.4% in January 2008 on January 2007.

Exports from Armenia to CIS countries amounted to 18 mln 427.4 thousand
USD in January 2008, growing by 1.2% as compared with January 2007,
while imports from CIS countries made 95 mln 292.3 thousand USD,
growing by 41.8%.

Exports to Russia made 12 mln 280.5 thousand USD, declining by 4.3%,
imports made 63 mln 21.8 thousand USD, growing by 29.1%. Exports to
Georgia made 3 mln 286.1 thousand USD (4% growth), imports – 10 mln
825 thousand USD (79.9% growth). Exports to Ukraine amounted to 1 mln
293.8 thousand USD (13.4% decline), imports – 16 mln 30.5 thousand USD
(73.6% growth).

Exports to EU countries made 34 mln 610.6 thousand USD, increasing
by 27.5% on the same month of 2007, imports from EU countries made
79 mln 590.1 thousand USD, growing by 39.5%.

Exports to Belgium made 5 mln 206.4 thousand USD (13.1% decline),
imports – 9 mln 164.1 thousand USD (14.5% decline); exports to
Bulgaria – 1 mln 571.2 thousand USD (64.9% growth), imports – 1
mln 373.8 thousand USD (2.5% growth); exports to Germany – 12 mln
8.4 thousand USD (22% growth), imports – 6 mln 897.1 thousand USD
(19.3% growth); exports to France – 1 mln 631.9 thousand USD (over
10fold growth), imports – 10 mln 140.8 thousand USD (311.6% growth);
exports to Greece 32.1 thousand USD (67.9% decline), imports – 1 mln
463.9 thousand USD (77.4% decline).

Exports from Armenia to Italy made 2 mln 900.6 thousand USD (105%
growth), imports – 5 mln 34 thousand USD (21.6% decline) in January
2008; exports to the Netherlands – 10 mln 266.3 thousand USD (28.9%
growth), imports – 4 mln 936.3 thousand USD (726% growth); exports
to the UK – 9.8 thousand USD (87% decline), imports – 10 mln 813.1
thousand USD (30.9% growth); exports to Spain – 25.5 thousand USD
(136% growth), imports – 1 mln 126.9 thousand USD (3.3% growth).

Exports to other countries (besides CIS and EU countries) amounted
to 7 mln 918 thousand USD (44.2% decline), imports – 101 mln 45.5
thousand USD (32% growth) in January 2008, including exports to Israel
– 13.8 thousand USD (99.5% decline), imports – 118.1 thousand USD
(97.5% decline); exports to the U.S. – 2 mln 362.5 thousand USD
(31.2% growth), imports – 8 mln 543 thousand USD (20.6% decline);
exports to the UAE – 2 mln 425 thousand USD (194.5% growth), imports –
27 mln 647.7 thousand USD (26.4% growth); exports to Iran – 1 mln 129.9
thousand USD (9.4% growth), imports – 11 mln 377.7 thousand USD (89.1%
growth); exports to Turkey – 188.8 thousand USD (32% decline), imports
– 7 mln 868 thousand USD (99.3% growth); exports to Switzerland – 1 mln
256.3 thousand USD (74.7% decline), imports – 5 mln 114.2 thousand UD
(23.5% decline); exports to China – 38.3 thousand USD (672fold growth),
imports – 7 mln 581.5 thousand USD (110.9% growth). No goods were
exported from Armenia to Panama in January 2008, imports from Panama
into Armenia made 9 mln 475.9 thousand USD (81.1% growth).

ARMENIA’S FM: UN RESOLUTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TALKS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Regnum
March 20 2008
Russia

One-sided and uncoordinated resolution on Nagorno Karabakh introduced
by Azerbaijan in UN General Assembly is nothing else than Baku’s
wishful thinking that has nothing to do with a document on Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement that has been put on the negotiation
table. Acting press secretary of Armenian foreign ministry Tigran
Balayan has made the statement while commenting on Azerbaijani
foreign ministry spokesman Khazar Ibragim’s statement on the Minsk
Group-directed negotiation process on the conflict resolution. <!–
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} –>

In Balayan’s words, this is perfectly understood by Azerbaijan, OSCE
MG co-chairs and "the international community," which was demonstrated
by the UN GA vote. "Possibly, Azerbaijan expected that it would be
able to gain some dividends by its initiatives, which did not happen,
however. It is also probable that Azerbaijan is preparing grounds for
evading the current negotiation process, including the document that
is now on the negotiation table," Balayan noted.

$1.3 MILLION DONATION TO MIGS FOR PREVENTION PROJECT
By Barbara Black

Concordia Journal
March 20 2008
Canada

Alumnus James M. Stanford has given $1.3 million to a Concordia-based
project aimed at preventing genocide.

The gift from the Calgary businessman will fund the Will to Intervene
(W2I) project developed by the Montreal Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies (MIGS), based at Concordia.

W2I takes aim at politicians, business leaders and those who direct
non-government organizations to exert pressure on decision-makers. It
is the inspiration of MIGS senior fellow Senator Romeo Dallaire,
the much-decorated retired army officer who turned his shattering
disappointment with United Nations forces in Rwanda into a fierce
drive to build world peace.

With the announcement of his gift, Stanford said, "The important work
by MIGS and the W2I program on genocide education and prevention has
never been more compelling and relevant. The involvement of Lt.-Gen.

Dallaire (ret.), our country’s foremost peace ambassador, is a
testament to the calibre, integrity and significance of these
initiatives."

Stanford is president of Stanford Resource Management Inc. He is
the retired president, chief executive officer and a director of
Petro-Canada, and chairman of the board of OPTI Canada Inc. and NOVA
Chemicals Corporation.

He earned a BSc in mining engineering from Loyola College in 1958,
and another BSc, in petroleum engineering, from the University of
Alberta. In recognition of his career, the U of A and Concordia have
both awarded him honorary doctorates, and he was made an Officer of the
Order of Canada. Sen. Dallaire was awarded the Loyola Medal in 2006.

MIGS was established in 1986 to uncover the underlying reasons
for genocide and other crimes against humanity and make policy
recommendations on how to resolve conflicts before they become mass
atrocities.

History professor Frank Chalk, who is the Institute’s founder and
director, said, "Throughout the years, our Institute has had a positive
impact on genocide prevention, early warning and accountability
for war crimes around the world. Our graduates are making meaningful
contributions to government agencies, regional security organizations,
NGOs and educational institutions.

"From the Armenian genocide to the Holocaust, from Cambodia to Rwanda
and Darfur, MIGS stands in the front ranks of respected research
centres, and is consulted whenever issues related to genocide and
crimes against humanity arise. This generous gift will make it possible
for us to strengthen and further our mission."

Chalk heads to London, Madrid and Kigali in March and April for
consultations on the situation in Darfur, the activities of hate media,
and the development of new forms of evidence to document genocide
before domestic and international courts.

Kathy Assayag, Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Relations,
was especially pleased with the generous gift, which signals a great
lead-up to the university’s major fundraising campaign.

"We are grateful to alumni like James M. Stanford, who continue to
support their alma mater and higher education in general," she said.

KOCHARIAN, KARASIN DISCUSS DOMESTIC SITUATION IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.03.2008 16:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian met Wednesday
with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Secretary of State Grigory
Karasin to discuss the Armenian-Russian relations, the RA leader’s
press office reported.

They also referred to the domestic situation in Armenia.