Author: Talalian Arpi

HEIKKI TALVITIE TO HAVE THICK SCEDULE OF MEETINGS ALSO SPEAKING WITH OPPOSITION FORCES

Noyan Tapan
March 3, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. As the Information and Public Relations
Department of the RA government reports, "Serge Sargsian, the Prime
Minister and the newly-elected President of the Republic of Armenia,
received Heikki Talvitie, the Special Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-office, on March 2. At the beginning of the meeting he
congratulated Serge Sargsian on the occasion of being elected on the
post of the RA President and wished him success. Then the interlocutors
touched upon the post-election processes proceeding in Armenia,
including the too strained situation created in the capital on the
eve because of the unauthorized mass meeting of the opposition and
the possible ways for the settlement of the tension. Heikki Talvitie
informed that he will have a rather thick schedule of meetings on the
days he is in Armenia, also speaking with the opposition forces. He
stressed that it is his desire and that of the OSCE Chairman-in-office
that the situation is not strained in the country still more and the
sides do everything possible to relax the existing tension.

Serge Sargsian made assertions that the authorities are as much
interested in that issue and were calling from the beginning to
act exclusively within the limits of legality, to be tolerant and
expressed readiness for cooperation, however, the instrigators of the
unauthorized mass meeting, obviously, did everything to have such a
way as they had on March 1. He stressed that the authorities, which
are interested in the establishment and maintenance of stability in
the country, will continue the efforts in that direction."

BOXER ANDRANIK HAKOBIAN GAINS PERMIT TO TAKE PART IN BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES

Noyan Tapan
March 3, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The International Boxing Olympic
Rating Tournament finished on March 2 in the city of Roseto degli
Abruzzi, Italy.

Among seven sportsmen of Armenia, Andranik Hakobian (75 kg,
Etchmiadzin) took the 3rd place and gained the permit of Beijing
2008. Hovhannes Danielian (48 kg, Yerevan), Hrachya Javakhian (60 kg,
Vanadzor), and Edward Hambartsumian (64 kg, Yerevan) had gained the
permit of Beijing 2008 before.

RA AUTHORITIES FORCED TO USE ARMY POTENTIAL TO ENSURE PUBLIC SECURITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.03.2008 00:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The authorities are forced to use the army potential
to ensure public security, Armenian President Robert Kocharian said.

"The decision was compelled by an armed assault on unarmed
policemen. We tried to avoid such measures but had to resort to them,
eventually. We are obliged to ensure public security and we will do
it," the President said.

US calls for end to violence in Armenia

March 2, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. The United States has spoken with Armenia’s
government and opposition leaders to urge a resumption of political
dialogue and an end to violent clashes.

"Both sides are responsible for helping to re-establish order and
return to political dialogue. Any unlawful actions such as violence
and looting worsen the situation and must stop," Sean McCormack,
spokesman for the US State Department, said in a statement March 1.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Daniel Fried had spoken with Armenian Prime Minisiter Serzh Sarkisian,
while the US Charge d’affaires in Armenia had been in touch with
the opposition.

"The US deeply regrets todays unrest in Yerevan, Armenia, and calls on
all sides to avoid further violence, act fully within the law, exercise
maximum restraint, and resume political dialogue," McCormack said.

"We hope that the state of emergency declared today will be lifted
promptly and that political dialogue resumes," McCormack said.

Armenian president declares state of emergency

ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 1 2008

01.03.2008, 21.56

YEREVAN, March 1 (Itar-Tass) — Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
on Saturday introduced a state of emergency in the country’s capital
of Yerevan.

The state of emergency will remain in effect for 20 days.

Police have started dispersing an opposition rally in the square in
front of the Mayor’s Office in Yerevan, eye witnesses told Itar-Tass
by telephone.

The square in front of the monument to the first prime minister of
Soviet Armenia, Alexander Myasnikyan, is surrounded from four sides
by police. Shooting, explosions and the wailing of police sirens can
be heard.

Flats by hypothec crediting

Azat Artsakh Daily,
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

28-02-2008

On february 26th the next session of the NKR government took place,
convened by the NKR Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunian. Minister of
economical development Benik Babaian represented to the executives’
discussion a whole range of agendal questions. By the drafts of
suggested decisions, which met with government’s approval, various
changes and additions were done in the bills and orders, conforming
the systematization of the questions to today’s requirements.

The executive, particularly confirmed a new order of alienation
of trade companys’ property.In accordance with it an alienation
of property is realized by auction. The means are directed to the
NKR budget, if by the government’s decision another direction is
not foreseen.

Changes and additions were suggested also in NKR laws "About state
fee".

The executive after the discussion has established a draft, according
to which it is foreseen in NKR to prelong the period of flats’
privatization also two years. In the government it was hoped that at
last it would be possible to finish the delayed process in 2009.

At the session of the NKR government an important document was
established.An order of satisfaction of state assistance of acquiring
flats by hypothec crediting by banks were identified.The hypothec
program first of all will be realized in Stepanakert and district
centres of the republic.For acquiring flats a credit will be allocated
till a period of 20 years, by 12 % pay yearly, half of which the
state fund will pay off.

Just after the government’s session the NKR Prime Minister Ara
Haroutyunian convened a conference with the leaders of NKR boards
of administration. Questions of repayment of overdue credits,
making black arable land, increasing of productivity of boards of
administration’s work were discussed at the conference. The Prime
Minister gave concrete assignments to the executives of regions,
appealed them to act more purposeful.

The NKR President Bako Sahakian met with OSCE acting chairman

Azat Artsakh Daily,
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

28-02-2008

On February 26th in Erevan a meeting of the NKR President Bako Sahakian
with OSCE acting chairman Ilka Karneva took place.

During the talks a wide scope of questions refering to the process
of regulation of Karabakh conflict was discussed.

The interlocuters emphasized, that regulation of the main problem
by peaceful way has no alternative. In that sense the sides noted,
that warlike announcements had a negative influance upon the peaceful
process.

The President, representing the position of official Stepanakert,
noted, that it was necessary to re-establish the status of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as a ful and equal side of the negotiating
process.

Minister of Foreign Affairs G.Petrosian, the chairman of OSCE
parliamentary congress Goran Lenmarker, personal representative of
OSCE acting chairman Anjey Kasprzhik participated in the meeting.

After the talks a joint press-conference of the NKR President Bako
Sahakian and OSCE acting chairman Ilka Karneva took place.

RUSSIA’S KRISTALL TO CUT SOME DIAMONDS IN ARMENIA

Interfax News Agency, Russia
Russia & CIS
February 28, 2008

Kristall of Smolensk, Russia’s biggest diamond cutter, has reached
an agreement to process some of its rough diamonds in Armenia, the
state company said.

Kristall plans to outsource in Armenia cutting of stones that would
be less profitable to process in Russia.

Kristall will sign a memorandum with Armenia’s Diamond Company in
early March on joint processing of rough diamonds.

"The participants in the project plan to work out a joint program
to develop cutting of diamonds in Armenia, which besides process of
raw material will include joint efforts to develop the technological
potential of Armenia’s cutting industry and increase the efficiency
of processing rough diamonds," Kristall said.

Kristall increased its turnover by 13% in 2007, to $404 million.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN ESTIMATES ARMENIA-EUROPEAN UNION AS PRODUCTIVE

Noyan Tapan
Feb 28, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Ambassador Raul de Lutzenberger,
the Head of the delegation of the European Commission in Armenia,
conveyed his credentials to Robert Kocharian, the President of the
Republic of Armenia, on February 28.

Attaching importance to the establishment of the permanent mission
of the European Commission in Armenia, Robert Kocharian welcomed and
wished success to the newly-appointed leader. Estimating the relations
with the European Union as productive, Robert Kocharian mentioned at
the same time that the opportunities for expanding them are visible.

In the words of the Ambassador de Lutzenberger, the European Union is
interested in the continuation of a stable cooperation with Armenia. In
that respect, he considered as pivotal the complete implementation of
the Action Plan within the framework of the New Neighbourhood Policy.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, the interlocutors also exchanged ideas
concerning the post-election developments of Armenia.

SC ORDERS PREPARATION OF GUIDELINES
By Susitha R. Fernando

Daily Mirror
Feb 28 2008
Sri Lanka

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the director of the Wildlife
Conservation Department and the Minister of Environment and National
Resources to prepare guidelines and regulations with regard to the
exchange of animals with other countries.

The Court also issued an order preventing the transfer of the
nine-year-old female elephant "Asokamala" to the Yerevan Zoo in Armenia
prior to the final determination of a fundamental rights application
filed by animal rights activist Vijitha Fernando of the Society for
the Protection of Animal Rights.

The bench, comprising Justices Dr. Shiranee Tilakawardane,
N. E. Dissanayake and Andrew Somawansa, made this order sequel to
an application filed against the Wildlife Conservation Department
Director, the Environment and National Resources Minister Champika
Ranawaka, Ministry Secretary M. A. R. D. Jayatilake, Sports and
Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge, Ministry Secretary Chandra
Jayasinghe, Director General of Customs S. A. C. S. Jayatilake,
National Zoological Gardens Director, Herath Dissanayake, Pinnawela
Elephant Orphanage Assistant Director Ms. Anoma Priyadharshani and
the Attorney General, challenging the export of an animal called
‘Asokamala’ to Armenia.

In his petition, Mr. Fernando stated that the Yerevan Zoo has a cold
climate and it would necessitate that the elephant be kept indoors
under artificial heating for at least four months of the year, and
such temperature would not be conducive to the survival of a tropical
animal like "Asokamala".

He complained that the said zoo was notoriously under-funded and did
not have the facilities to give "Asokamala" a comfortable home.

Mr. Fernando has stated that elephant has traditionally been a revered
animal in Sri Lanka and is considered a national treasure and heritage
of the people of Sri Lanka. The species of Sri Lankan elephant is
endangered and it is an endemic species.

He contended that any elephant, whether wild or tame, cannot be
exported from Sri Lanka without a special permit being issued by the
Wildlife Conservation Department Director, and that the gifting of
such animals was not permitted under the Fauna and Flora Protection
Ordinance.

The petitioner stated that Yerevan Zoo had one male elephant,
purportedly gifted by Sri Lanka although there were no records of
such gifts having been made in the past; and that having failed in
its attempts to obtain an elephant from India, the Yerevan Zoo had
now transferred its attention and attempts to Sri Lanka.

The petitioner asked Court to declare that the decision to transfer,
export or gift "Asokamala" to Yerevan Zoo or any other destination
outside the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka was unlawful and null and void.

The Supreme Court ordered that the guidelines with regard to the
exchanging of animals be filed on June 12.