Author: Tamamian Anna

COE SECRETARY GENERAL CONGRATULATES SERGE SARGSYAN

armradio.am
13.03.2008 12:06

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis congratulated
Serge Sargsyan on his victory in the presidential elections. The
message says, in part:

"Dear President-elect, As a result of the latest parliamentary and
presidential elections the Armenian people has already elected leaders,
who will be responsible for the program of ongoing reforms. For its
part, the Council of Europe will continue supporting Armenia to resist
all the challenges that derive from the commitments Armenia assumed
when joining our organization.

I wish you success in carrying out your new duties and I hope to meet
you once again in the future."

COMMISSIONER HAMMARBERG VISITS YEREVAN

My News
922
March 12 2008
India

In the aftermath of the post-election violence in Armenia, the Council
of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg is starting
on Wednesday 12 March a three-day visit in Yerevan to meet with the
highest national authorities in order to favour an effective protection
of fundamental human rights.

During his visit, the Commissioner will meet, among others, President
Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister and President-elect Serghz Sargsyan,
former President and candidate Levon Ter-Petrossyan, Parliament Speaker
Tigran Torosyan, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, the Human
Rights Defender Mr Armen Harutyunyan, as well as representatives
of international organisations, diplomats and representatives of
civil society.

Commissioner Hammarberg will also visit prisons, police stations and
hospitals to meet people affected by the events.

"I am concerned about the human rights situation in Armenia and the
consequences of the declaration of the state of emergency" said Mr
Hammarberg. "It is urgent to restore a situation where the activities
of the media, political parties and non-governmental organisations
are not hindered".

ARMENIA TO APPLY NEW ACOUNTANCY STANDARDS WITHIN YEAR

ARKA
March 12, 2008

YEREVAN, March 12. /ARKA/. Armenia plans the translation and
introduction of new standards of accountancy and financial reporting
within a year. RA Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy David
Avetisyan said that it is to be done under an agreement between the
RA Ministry of Finance and Economy and the International Committee
for accountancy and financial reporting standards in 2007.

Avetisyan added that Armenia pledged to apply each new amendment to
the international standards within a year after they are approved by
the Committee.

Avetisyan said that this process does not envisage the adaptation of
standards to Armenia’s conditions.

"Formerly, international standards underwent adaptation, which,
however, was beyond the procedures of the International Committee. This
did not allow Armenian standards to get an international status,"
he said.

In this context, Avetisyan pointed out that the experience of global
business shows that business laws are not so different in various
countries, and the adaptation of accountancy and financial reporting
standards is of no sense.

"The translation must be done in conformity with international
standards as well, which requires the formation of a translating
board and a supervisory board of highly-killed specialists and
representatives of the world’s largest consulting and auditing
companies," Avetisyan said.

Clifford Issak, executive partner of the PWC Company in Armenia,
pointed out the importance of transition to international standards,
as this is a global language spoken throughout the world.

Armenian clients realize the importance of this progress, which is a
precondition for the company’s coming to the country, Issak said. He
added that the transition to international standards will improve
the business environment in Armenia.

On March 12, the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy issued an auditing
license to one of the world’s leading auditing and consulting companies
PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The world’s three leading consulting and auditing companies –
PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG and Grant Thornton Amyot – Ð~Ze working
in Armenia now.

Also, 31 local and international auditing companies, as well as
four individual auditors, are working in the country. In 2007, 700
contracts for auditing and services were signed in Armenia. -0–

–Boundary_(ID_nEpMITaoc9SyJYEcLiX6GA)–

WORKS BY ARMENIAN CHURCH FATHERS PUBLISHED

ARKA
March 12, 2008

EREVAN, March 12. /ARKA/. The publishing department of the Holy See
of Echmiadzin has released one more volume of the series entitled
Interpretation of the Old Covenant.

The volume contains interpretations of Daniel’s prophecies by
the renowned fathers of the Armenian Church of the 13th and 15th
centuries Vardan Araverltsi, Hovhannes Tsortsoreti (Yerznkatsi)
and Tovm Metsopeti.

The monumental works of Armenian interpretative literature and are of
great value for believers wishing to satisfy their spiritual needs,
reports the press office of the Holy See.

The works were published with a blessing of Catholicos of All Armenians
Garegin II, under the sponsorship of the Levon & Araksya Zenyan Fund.

The volume was prepared by Marta Arabyan, Gayane Nersisyan and Hakob
Keseyan.

Director of the publishing department of pf the Holy See of Echmiadzin
Yeznik Petrosyan is Editor-in-Chief of the series.

THOMAS HAMMABERG VISITS ARMENIA

Panorama.am
17:38 11/03/2008

"Because of the post election violations held in Armenia Thomas
Hammarberg, the ombudsman of the Council of Europe arrives in Yerevan
for three-day labor visit to meet the state officials to contribute t
to the protection of human rights," is mentioned in the announcement
of the CE Yerevan office.

According to the source, during the meeting Hammerberg will meet
with the president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, the Prime Minister
and the president-elect Serzh Sargsyan, National Assembly chairman
Tigran Torosyan, the president of the Constitutional Court Gagik
Harutyunyan, Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan, Levon Ter-Petrosyan as well
as the representatives of the international organizations, diplomats,
civil society representatives.

Hammerberg’s visit to jails, police stations and hospitals is
scheduled. The aim of these visits is to meet the participants of
the incidents.

"I am concerned with the human rights condition in Armenia, and with
the results of the emergency state.

It is important to recover the conditions which limit media’s, parties’
and NGO-s activities," said mister Hammerberg.

ALIYEV CALLS ON EU TO TELL ARMENIA THAT KARABAKH WILL NEVER BE INDEPENDENT

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
March 10, 2008 Monday
Russia

EU member states should make Armenia understand that its attempts to
seek the international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh are unpromising,
Azeri President Ilkham Aliyev said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved only given the fact
that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is maintained, the president
told journalists after talks with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.

"Countries that cooperate with us, in particular the EU member states,
should strengthen their actions in this area and send the aggressor
[Armenia] a message that Nagorno-Karabakh will never be independent
and that no country will recognize its independence," Aliyev said.

"I think that in this case the settlement talks will become swifter,"
the president said.

At the same time, Parvanov confirmed that Bulgaria support effort of
the OSCE Minsk Group and stated that his country is ready to contribute
to the settlement.

REPORTS: ARMENIA LIFTS EMERGENCY RESTRICTIONS
Sun Yunlong

Xinhua

March 10 2008
China

MOSCOW, March 10 (Xinhua) — Armenian President Robert Kocharian has
lifted some of the restrictions imposed in the capital Yerevan during
the recent state of emergency, according to reports reaching here.

The president Monday removed a ban on the work of political parties
and other public organizations and deprived the authorities of the
power to expel people who violated the state of emergency, Itar-Tass
said, citing presidential spokesman Viktor Sogomonyan.

Kocharian announced a 20-day state of emergency in Yerevan on March 1,
following clashes between protesters and riot police in which eight
people were killed in the Caucasus state.

Opposition supporters rallied in Yerevan in February to protest
against the outcome of the Feb. 19 presidential election, which
Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan won but the opposition said was rigged,
prompting calls for a rerun.

"There were no violations of the state of emergency regime in Yerevan
since March 1. The domestic political situation is being stabilized,"
Sogomonyan said.

Russia to recognize Kosovo only if Serbia agrees – Putin

19:26 | 08/ 03/ 2008

NOVO-OGARYOVO, March 8 (RIA Novosti) – President Vladimir Putin said
Saturday Russia could recognize Kosovo’s independence only in line with
international law, and if Serbia agrees to that.

Asked at a press conference after a meeting with German Chancellor
Angela Merkel whether Russia could later recognize Kosovo’s
independence, Putin said: "This variant exists, but it lies in the
framework of international law."

He said it could happen "with consent of all parties, in this case,
Serbia." "Should such a compromise be found, we will agree with it,"
the outgoing Russian leader said.

Serbia’s breakaway province of Kosovo unilaterally declared
independence on February 17. So far over 25 states, including the
United States, Australia, Japan and major European countries, have
formally recognized the Republic of Kosovo.

Belgrade has recalled its ambassadors from a number of countries
recognizing Kosovo’s independence. Russia has pledged to block any move
by Kosovo to join the United Nations.

PROBABILITY OF MEETING OF ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND ILHAM ALIYEV VERY SMALL
UNTIL APRIL 9, RA PRESIDENT’S SPOKESPERSON SAYS

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia expects the ceasefire regime to
be kept and all provocations, which have happened on the border with
Azerbaijan lately, to stop. Viktor Soghomonian, the RA President’s
Spokesperson, said at the March 7 press conference.

He reminded to the journalists that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have
stated lately that the very first chance should be used to organize the
meeting of Armenian and Azeri Presidents. It was mentioned that before
these meetings, during the Co-Chairs’ visits to the region their
proposals are usually presened, the conflict parties’ positions are
coordinated, and only then the meetings of the two countries’
Presidents are organized. Meanwhile, in V. Soghomonian’s opinion, very
little time remains until the inauguration day of the new President,
April 9, and "the probability of a meeting" between President Robert
Kocharian and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev "is very small."

Today, Azerbaijan
March 7 2008

Novruz Mamedov: "Robert Kocharyan recognizes that Armenia has
deployed its armed forces in Nagorno Karabakh"

07 March 2008 [11:12] – Today.Az

"Armenia’s only aim is to distract attention of the world community
from the events ongoing inside the country, yet it has failed in it".

The due announcement was made by Novruz Mamedov, chief of department
of international ties under the President’s office.

He commented on the announcements of Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan made several days ago: "A few days ago Kocharyan said:
"Azerbaijan considers that we have supplied our armed forces to
Yerevan from Nagorno Karabakh".

This means that Kocharyan recognizes deployment of Armenian armed
forces in Nagorno Karabakh-the Azerbaijani territory. He has
recognized it carelessly. Moreover, the Armenian diaspora and people
already understand that Sarkisyan skillfully applies military
methods".

Novruz Mamedov noted that the separatist group, ruling Armenia, does
not take into account the interests of its country and the people:
"They try to control everything, including issues connected with the
state and the people and for many years they have coped with it. As
the policy carried out by this group has a militaristic spirit, the
carpet-baggers will often face such problems".

Mamedov said touching upon the processes ongoing in Armenia following
presidential elections: "These elections showed that emergency state
was declared and armed forces sent against the peaceful citizens to
supress unrest, which arose when one of the separatist leaders,
speaking about the nation, land and people, has left presidency and
another came to this post.

By their official information, 8 people died during the events in
Yerevan, which means that the said group ruling Armenia, does
everything possible to ensure its personal and conjuncture interests.
And now they want to prove their legitimacy".

Mamedov noted that the separatist group is currently concerned with
two major issues: "First is the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. They want to find cause to avoid it and mislead the world
community, co-chairs and international organizations.

For this purpose, Kocharyan has made a declaration on the need to
suspend talks, as presidential elections which will hinder the
negotiations are expected to be held in Azerbaijan. However, later he
understood the absurdity of the declaration. He has no right to speak
for Azerbaijan about our presidential elections. After that they
tried to hide political criciswithin the country and their crimes
against their own citizens".

At the same time, a representative of the President’s office
announced that the international community and international
organizations should toughen their position in this issue: "If such
events occurred in Armenia, the whole world would attack us. However,
no declarations regarding the events in Armenia, has been made
recently. The Armenian leadership attempts to distract world’s
attention from the internal situation.

Therefore, two days ago Armenians violated ceasefire and tried to
attack Azerbaijani positions. However, our armed forces reacted
quickly and now they hope to bring their false position to the world
by means of foreign Armenians and strong Diaspora to prove that they
are right.

But the world community is already informed about the truth. Armenian
Diaspora is also fed up of their actions. It is well aware that a
great part of country’s population is displeased with the policy of
these carpet-baggers and the events in Armenia prove their
dissatisfaction".

/APA/

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