Author: Talalian Arpi

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 23-29, 2009

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE: ECONOMIC CRISIS AND DEMOCRATIC REFORMS

PACE BELIEVES THAT THE DIGITALIZATION MUST NOT BE USED TO DELAY THE HOLDING
OF BROADCAST LICENSING COMPETITION

COMPETITION OPENED FOR TWO VACANCIES IN THE PTRC COUNCIL

WINNERS OF "A COUPLE OF WORDS ABOUT WOMEN" CONTEST ANNOUNCED

"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE: ECONOMIC CRISIS AND DEMOCRATIC REFORMS

On January 24 on "Yerkir Media" TV company another "Press Club" show was
aired. The cycle is produced under Yerevan Press Club project, supported by
the Human Rights and Governance Grants Program of Open Society Institute.
The guests of the TV program host, YPC President Boris Navasardian were the
RA National Assembly deputy, member of "Dashnaktsutiun" faction Ara Nranian,
External Affairs Officer of the World Bank Yerevan Office Vigen Sargsian,
Director of "Political Economy" Research Institute Andranik Tevanian. The
program participants discussed the interrelation between overcoming the
economic crisis and the effectiveness of democratic reforms.

The next "Press Club" show will be aired on "Yerkir Media" on Saturday,
January 31, at 17.40.

PACE BELIEVES THAT THE DIGITALIZATION MUST NOT BE USED TO DELAY THE HOLDING
OF BROADCAST LICENSING COMPETITION

On January 27 at the winter plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe Resolution 1643 (2009) "The Implementation by Armenia
of Assembly Resolutions 1609 (2008) and 1620 (2008)" was approved. As it has
been reported, the draft resolution was released by the Committee on the
Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of
Europe on December 18, 2008, and stipulated a sanction of suspension of
voting rights of the Armenian delegation (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
December 19-25, 2008). The adopted text of this document did not provide for
such a sanction.

Clause 10 of Resolution 1643 (2009) deals with the situation in the media
domain. Thus, in item 10.1 the PACE "welcomes the proposals made with a view
to ensuring the independence of the media regulatory bodies in Armenia and
calls upon the authorities to fully implement the forthcoming
recommendations of the Council of Europe experts in this regard". Item 10.2
of the Resolution refers to the amendment to the RA Law "On Television and
Radio", adopted by the Armenian parliament on September 10, 2008, according
to which the conductance of broadcast licensing competitions is suspended
till July 20, 2010 due to the need to prepare the transition from analogue
to digital broadcasting (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 5-11, 2008).
With this item the PACE underlines that "the technical requirements for the
introduction of digital broadcasting should not be used by the authorities
to unduly delay the holding of an open, fair and transparent tender for
broadcasting licenses, as demanded by the Assembly".

COMPETITION OPENED FOR TWO VACANCIES IN THE PTRC COUNCIL

RA President Serge Sargsian signed a decree to hold a competition for two
vacancies in the Council of Public TV and Radio Company. The competition
jury included: the chairman – Gevorg Kostandian (Assistant to the President
of Armenia); secretary – Ara Saghatelian (Acting Director of the Center of
Public Relations and Information); jury members – Konstantin Petrosov (head
of the Armenian Branch of "RIA-Novosti" Russian news agency), Ruben Kevorkov
(Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Armenia), Lia Khachatrian
(head of "Development and Integration" NGO).

Armenian citizens, who are reputed and competent professionals in
journalism, law, TV and radio management, science, culture and arts, have
higher education and are fluent in Armenian language, can take part in the
competition. The following individuals are ineligible for the position of
PTRC Council member: members of governing bodies of political parties;
foreign citizens and people with no citizenships; heads of public and
private TV and radio companies; individuals having contractual relations
with TV and radio companies. The deadline for application submission is
February 9, 2009.

The competition for filling in vacancies in PTRC Council was announced due
to the term expiration of the Council Deputy Chairman Vardan Kopian and
Council member Artur Grigorian.

WINNERS OF "A COUPLE OF WORDS ABOUT WOMEN" CONTEST ANNOUNCED

On January 27 at the Yerevan State Puppet Theater the winners of the annual
media competition titled "A Couple of Words About Women" were announced. The
competition was organized by the British Council Armenia and the OSCE Office
in Yerevan. The competition jury reviewed pieces on the activities and
achievements of women in the political, public, economic spheres,
published/aired in January-December 2008. The competition winners were
awarded a Na/Ne prize and a monetary award, the participants who gained the
second and the third places received honorary diplomas.

In "TV program" nomination the first place was shared by the creative group
of Internews Media Support NGO, for a program of "With a New Line" cycle,
and the correspondent of "GALA-News" newscast of "GALA" TV company of Gyumri
Marineh Lazarian, for the piece "The Only Woman Who Drives a Taxi". The
jury decided not to award the second and the third places.

In "Printed Article" nomination the winner is Karineh Petrosian for article
"Happiness for a Woman – Different Indeed", published in "Woman and
Politics" insert, distributed through a number of newspapers. The second
place was gained by the Chief Editor of "Ban u Gorts" newspaper Susanna
Shakhnazarian, for article "People are Equal in Applying for a Position".
The diploma for the third place was granted to Asya Tsaturova for article
"Winning Bread With No Butter", published in "Woman and Politics" insert.

In "Online Article" nomination the first place was taken by the
correspondent of "ArmeniaNow" Sara Khojoyan – for article "Woman’s Work".
The second and the third places, respectively, were gained by Marianna
Grigorian for article "In Armenian Politics Wives of Candidates Remain in
the Backstage", published on EurasiaNet web site, and correspondent of
"ArmeniaNow" Vahan Ishkhanian for article "Revealed. Armenian Homosexual
Women Raise Curtain".

In "Radio Program" nomination the first place was taken by Ripsimeh
Manaserian for a story in "Yerevan" program of the Public Radio of Armenia.
The second was Zara Kocharian for a piece in "LyunSe" program of the Public
Radio of Armenia. It was decided not to grant the third place.

In "Social Advertising" nomination "Altera" agency was recognized a winner,
for its "Against Domestic Violence" clip. Neither second nor third place was
granted.

In "Commercial Advertising" nomination the first was "Proxy" agency, for the
clip of HSBC bank. The second place was gained by "Monkey Production" for
the clip of the Glendale Hills construction company. The third diploma was
granted to "Kate" agency, for advertisement of "Nor Tun" goods.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

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this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

ARMENIA PM CONGRATULATES THE NATION ON ARMY DAY

armradio.am
28.01.2009 12:23

Dear compatriots, commanders and soldiers of the Armenian Army,
I warmly congratulate you on the occasion of the Army Day.

The Armenian Army was one of the most important achievements of
our independent statehood. The fighting spirit of the Armenian
Armed Forces, its fighting skills and patriotism are grounded on
the freedom-loving of our people, the glorious way passed by our
commanders and experience, the feats and patriotism of our soldiers.

Today, when the world faces the task of resisting the challenges
threatening the peace, the Armenian Army not only safely defends
the borders of our state, but also participates in the international
peacekeeping processes, carrying out its mission with dignity.

Once again congratulating all of us on the occasion of the 17th
anniversary of the Armenian Army, I wish you peace and prosperity."

FORMATION OF THE ARMY ONE OF THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF INDEPENDENT ARMENIA
Karen Ghazaryan

"Radiolur"
28.01.2009 16:01

Today Armenia celebrates the 17th anniversary of formation of the
Armenian Army. January 28 is also the day of commemoration of those
killed in the Artsakhi war. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,
members of government and other senior officials visited Yerablur
Pantheon today to pay tribute to the memory of the killed soldiers.

The Armenian Army that was born 17 years ago together with Armenia’s
independence was one of the greatest achievements of our independence.

During the first years the Armenian nation overcame the challenge of
the imposed war thanks to the devotion of voluntary brigades.

17 years ago it could seem impossible that those voluntary brigades
could grow into the best, the most efficient army in the region. Today
it is an irrefutable fact achieved at the cost of lives of thousands
of devoted Armenian sons of the Armenian nation.

"We feel great pride. I think that the Army Day is one of the important
values the Armenian people have achieved during its contemporary
history," Seyran Ohanyan, the Minister of Defense of the republic of
Armenia, told reporters, noting that 17 years ago the army was formed
and fulfilled its task with dignity thanks to the joint efforts of
the people.

"Everyone has made his contribution to the strengthening of to day’s
army," the Minister said.

After the victorious end of the Artsakhi War the National Army has
passed a long way of development. DM Seyran Ohanyan said implementation
of reforms wad one of the most important tasks posed to the army over
the past few years. "That is to say that we have reached a political,
qualitative, as well as structural and security level, when we need
certain reforms to ensure our further development and have our army
correspond to contemporary standards. This is the requirement deriving
from the analysis of the security environment and the assessment of
challenges," the Defense Minister stressed.

VIGEN SARGSIAN APPOINTED DEPUTY HEAD OF RA PRESIDENT’S STAFF

Noyan Tapan

Jan 27, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. On January 27, RA President Serzh
Sargsyan signed an order on relieving Vigen Sargsian of the post of RA
President’s Assistant. As Noyan Tapan was informed by RA President’s
Press Office, under S. Sargsyan’s another decree of the same day
V. Sargsian was appointed Deputy Head of RA President’s Staff.

Vigen Sargsian was born in 1975 in Yerevan, in doctors’ family. In 1996
he graduated from Saint Petersburg State Management Academy department
by correspondence with the specialization of Staff Management. In 1997
he graduated from Yerevan State University International Relations
Department and in 2000 received the degree of Law and Diplomacy Arts
Master from Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

In 1995-98 he worked at RA National Assembly as an Assistant to the
parliament Speaker and then as an Adviser. In 2000-2003 he served in
RA Armed Forces as an officer holding the post of Defence Minister’s
referent.

In 2003 he was appointed Assistant to RA President.

He was awarded Movses Khorenatsi and Defence Ministry’s Andranik
Ozanian medals, he is the holder of French National Order of Merit.

He is married, has two daughters.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA, CHAIRMAN OF THE ARMENIAN CHESS FEDERATION UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED IN THE OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION

ARMENPRESS
Jan 26, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS: President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
participated today in the annual election gathering of the Armenian
Chess Federation.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that President of Armenia,
Chairman of the Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsyan has been
unanimously elected in the office of the chairman of the federation.

The president of the country awarded prizes to a group of veterans
for their contribution to the development of chess. Serzh Sargsyan
also awarded the winners of the Armenian Chess Cup.

RA PRESIDENT HIGHLY EVALUATES RAPA’S HISTORIC ROLE

Noyan Tapan

Jan 22, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. During the January 22 meeting
with RA President Serzh Sargsyan, Central Board Chairman of the
Ramkavar-Azatakan Party of Armenia Mike Kharabian informed him about
party’s activity in Armenia and Diaspora and about it plans for
the future.

S. Sargsyan highly evaluated traditional party’s historic role and
great contribution to preservation of Armenian identity, pursuing the
Armenian Cause, and strengthening the Armenia-Diaspora contacts. He
said that joining of efforts of Armenians throughout the world and its
various structures is an important guarantee for solution of problems
of national importance and implementation of ambitious initiatives.

According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA President’s
Press Office, issues regarding organization of pro-Armenian agitation
abroad, deepening Armenia-Diaspora contacts, Armenian-Turkish dialogue,
as well party’s activity in Armenia were discussed during the meeting.

OSCE MG: AGREEMENT OF KARABAKH RESOLUTION PRINCIPLES POSSIBLE IN NEAR FUTURE

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.01.2009 12:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador
Yuri Merzlyakov believes that Armenia and Azerbaijan can agree on
basic principles of resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in
the near future.

"If the sides demonstrate political will, we will be able to reach
agreement on the basic principles," Amb. Mezrlaykov said, adding that
the main goal of the current regional visit is to promote adoption
of Madrid provisions and continuation of talks.

For his part, U.S. Co-chair Matt Bryza informed that the mediators
will negotiate a regular presidential meeting that is likely during
the World Economic Forum due in Davos from January 1 to February 1.

"The Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting depends on our talks in Yerevan and
Baku. This month holds a brilliant chance for talks," Amb. Bryza said,
Day.az reports.

After meetings with the Azeri leadership, the mediators will head
for Yerevan.

They are expected to make a statement on outcomes of the regional
visit.

ARABIAN STATES STRUGGLE AGAINST IRAN ON BACKDROP OF GAZA CONFLICT
Head of Trend News Middle East Editor Rufiz Hafizoglu

Trend News Agency
Jan 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Although the Israeli military operations in Gaza are lasting roughly
for three weeks. International community and the Arabian states content
themselves only with official statements to prevent the conflict.

The Qatari government called an urgent meeting of the League of Arab
States (LAS) on Jan. 16 and this was the most successful step of the
Arabian countries to eliminate tragedy in Gaza Strip. However, in this
case, not all Arabians attended the summit following their proverb
"Arabians agreed never to agree". To say exactly, they boycotted
it. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are amongst the Arabian countries boycotting
the summit.

The Arabian countries which are territorially close to the conflict
participated in the summit due to own interests. President of
non-existent state Abbas attended the summit to gain Palestinians’
votes in the next presidential elections and the King of Jordan –
to prevent disarray which can arouse in the country in any time,
because 48 percent of people are the Palestinian refugees.

The countries boycotting the summit explained it with their neutral
position to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and developments in Gaza.

However, if we follow the developments very attentively, then we
can see absence of neutral countries in this conflict. All countries
including Arabian states, especially Egypt and Saudi Arabia, act in
the conflict in line with own interests.

If the Arabian countries unanimously served interests of Hamas and
Palestine during the first and second intifada of an initial stage of
the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but then they began to re-consider
their policy toward this organization, especially after capture of
Iraq by the United States.

Shias have become majority at the Iraqi parliament after sunnis’
boycotting the parliamentary elections in Iraq. This fact was an
incitement to change policy toward Hamas.

In reality, despite denial of the Arabian states, there was always
a Shia factor in the region which Iran always skillfully used.

Shias’ victory in the Iraqi parliamentary elections practically
made Iraq, a buffer zone between Iran and Saudi Arabia who seeks to
manifest itself as a protector of sunnism, dependant on Iran. Even
some politicians say that Iraq is not ruled by the United States,
but by Iran. Officials of Saudi Arabia offered to place their troops
in Iraq to protect the Iraqi sunnis.

Some officials of Jordan speak about appearance of Shia halfmoon in
Middle East including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine (Hamas)
after Iraq’s falling under Iran’s influence. But then, in 2008 armed
conflict between local shias and forces of the government in Yemen
made traditional sunni countries think over this issue. Shia factor
plays a strong role in all countries that entered the Shia halfmoon,
excluding Palestine. This factor is very low in Palestine.

However, there is an Islamic resistance movement of Hamas in
Palestine. This movement unites shias and sunnis. This union is more
danger for Arab states, than the shia factor of Iran.

In fact, Hamas military revolution in Gaza after the victory in
parliamentary election is not by accident. Leaders of the organization
knew that neither Abbas, Israel and nor the U.S. will agree with the
results of the democratic election, and sooner or later Hamas will be
ousted from the battle field as a political rival. That’s why it had
to be far from Israel and next to supporters of the Islamic resistance,
and far from the Egypt’s Muslem Brothers religious society.

Muslim Brothers’ reformist position, unlike other societies in Egypt,
has led to a gradual increase of its power among people that was not in
interests of the government. The victory of Hamas in the elections was
also an open message to Egypt. Egypt feared that Muslim Brothers can
come to the power, which did not have any problems with Shias. This
could further deepen the influence of Iran in the region. Therefore,
it needed to take Iran’s position to preserve the power. Turning
to history, we can see that Arab states have been content merely
statements in resolving the Palestinian problem from 1967 until
now. However, unlike Arab states, Turkey expressed tough stance to
Israeli military operations in Gaza since Dec. 27. Prime Minister
Erdogan has launched trip to the Middle East for early solution of
the problem.

But the expected support from Arab states still had been made. PM
Erdogan said that Israel was committing genocide against the
Palestinians.

Israeli officials have sharply reacted to the words of
Erdogan. Assistant Foreign Minister of Israel and Deputy of Knesset
Majalli Whbee said in an interview for the Turkish press that Erdogan
called Israeli military operations in Gaza genocide. Then we’ll call
Turkish actions against Armenians in 1915-1918 was genocide.

Turning to the future Turkey-Israel relations, Whbee said that Israel
hopes that Erdogan’s statements on military operations in Gaza did
not harm relations between the two countries. If Turkey will continue
to be unjustly convicted of Israel, we will reconsider our relations
that existed for many years.

In fact, Turkey’s image in the region and its experience in mediation
give her an opportunity to be an active mediator in resolution of
many conflicts, including the tragedy in Gaza. However, the official
Ankara fears that Israel will use "Armenian map" and will bear it.

DEFENSE MINISTRY OF ARMENIA PLANS TO CONDUCT REFORMS IN THE ARMY IN 2009

WPS Agency
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
January 14, 2009 Wednesday
Russia

Defense Minister of Armenia Seiran Oganyan reports that field uniforms
of Armenian servicemen will be changed.

The Defense Minister explains that new national symbols will be added
to elements of military uniforms of Armenian servicemen.

Oganyan also speaks about structural changes in the Armenian army,
for example, division of functions of the Defense Ministry and the
main staff. He presents the vertical command chain of President –
Defense Minister – chief of the main staff, as well as a new structure
of the central staff of the Defense Ministry.

According to Oganyan, salaries of servicemen will grow by 10% in 2009
and the process of housing supply to them will continue.

ONLY STRONG SUPPORTER OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MAY BECOME CIA DIRECTOR

ArmInfo
2009-01-15 14:27:00

ArmInfo. Last week, President-Elect Barack Obama officially nominated
former Clinton White House Chief of Staff and Congressman Leon
Panetta to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency,
reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

"During his years in Congress, Leon Panetta repeatedly expressed his
support for affirmation of the Armenian Genocide," said Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Coupled with President-Elect
Obama’s decision to nominate Senator Hillary Clinton, as Secretary
of State, who is on record in support of U.S. affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide, this nomination represents another step in
restoring U.S. credibility in fighting genocide." As AAA reports,
throughout his Congressional career, Panetta was a strong supporter
of Armenian issues and repeatedly co-sponsored resolutions honoring an
"Armenian Day of Remembrance."

On April 29, 1992, he stated, "That infamous nationwide massacre
of Armenians was an unspeakable horror in human history too often
forgotten and ignored, and it is with a heavy sense of the lessons
of history that I join in commemorating it today… We are compelled
to recall the horrific attempt to annihilate a people by our duties
both to honor the dead and to prevent the replication of the genocide.

Indeed, by acting against hate and fear, we honor those who died so
unjustly… April 24, 1915, signified the beginning of a systematic
attempt by the Ottoman regime to deport and exterminate Armenians
from the Anatolian Peninsula … It is for those victims, and it is
for all oppressed peoples today, those who have died and those who
survived, that we take time to reflect on the Armenian genocide and
its implications for all of us today."