Author: Tambiyan Samvel

MONTH OF ARMENIAN ART LAUNCHED IN HEADOFFICE IN WASHINGTON

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
10/09/2007 10:24

YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/. Month of Armenian Art is launched in
the headoffice of the World Bank in Washington on the 16th anniversary
of Armenia’s independence.

The Press Service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that within
the Month samples of Armenian modern art, more than 40 sculptures
and pictures of Armenian artists are to be exhibited in the hall of
WB Headoffice. The exhibition is open for public.

Among the participants of the opening ceremony are the Director of WB’s
Art Program Marina Galvani, Armenian Ambassador to USA Tatul Margarian,
representatives of U.S. State Secretariat and the World Bank.

The Month’s events are sponsored by the Armenian Embassy to USA and
the Art Program of WB.

ARMENIAN TEAM LEFT FOR MALTA

A1+
[12:46 pm] 10 September, 2007

The team of Cyprus beat the Armenian national football team 3:1 within
the framework of the Cyprus-Armenia friendly meeting. The score was
opened by Michel at the 31st minute.

Four minutes later Armenian footballer Robert Arzumanyan equaled the
match. It is noteworthy that central back Arzumanyan has scored three
goals at the preceding four meetings.

The next two goals were scored by the Cyprus players Okas and
Konstantinu.

Obviously, Yan Porterfield’s absence greatly affected the Armenian
team. Our footballers who had displayed excellent football at the
previous three meetings were unexpectedly beaten by a comparatively
weaker team of Cyprus.

Porterfield was unable to attend the meeting because of a serious
illness and Ton Johns and Vardan Minasyan shared his responsibilities.

After the meeting the Armenian team left for Malta to participate
in the Armenia-Malta friendly meeting scheduled for September
12. On September 9, Malta caught football fans unawares playing the
"Euro-2008" Malta-Turkey try-out in a draw – 2:2.

zaman
10.09.2007

Armenia plans nuclear plant near Turkish border

A new nuclear power plant being built in Armenia on
the site of an existing facility will end up costing
about $2 billion, Armenian Energy Minister Armen
Movsisyan has said.

"The project’s feasibility study is being carried out
by Armenia, Russia, the US and the International
Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA]. The old nuclear power
plant is to be rebuilt within four-and-a-half years,"
Movsisyan was quoted as telling the Parliament on
Friday. He said the construction of the new plant,
located in the town of Metsamor, near the Turkish
border, would require a complex refit, including the
installation of seismic safeguards.
The Metsamor nuclear reactor, which is composed of two
WWER-440-230 units, each with power levels of 408
megawatts, is located not far from the capital of
Yerevan, 16 kilometers from the Turkish border. The
Armenian government decided to open the second unit in
the reactor in 1993, due to high energy needs, and
thus the second unit was started up in 1995. The
Metsamor reactor provides up to 40 percent of
Armenia’s electricity needs and is predicted to
continue doing so until 2016. Since Yerevan decided
upgrade the reactor the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency
(TAEK) has been involved in following related
developments and taking the necessary precautions from
the Turkish side.

Movsisyan also stressed that Armenia must have a
permanent source of nuclear power and that the new
Armenian nuclear power plant must be operational until
alternative sources are found. He said that "many
foreign countries now understand that Armenia must
have a nuclear power plant." "Only a new Armenian
[nuclear power plant] can become an alternative to the
one now in use," he said.

10.09.2007

Ankara Today’s Zaman with wires

PanARMENIAN.Net

Aliyev regime doesn’t shun lies
07.09.2007 18:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Invention of `genocides committed by
Armenians against Azeris’ can serve as example of
cheap falsification of Eastern Transcaucasia’s modern
history by the Aliyev regime in an attempt to `create
a counterbalance’ to the crimes committed against
Armenians in the 20th century, director of the
institute of national and strategic studies at the RA
defense ministry, adviser to the defense minister,
political scientist, senior expert of ethnic and
national security political sciences, major general
Hayk Kotanjian said in an interview posted at the
defense ministry’s web site.

`In 1988, by Heydar Aliyev’s initiative the Azeri
government passed the law `On genocide against
Azerbaijanis.’ Thus, denial of the Armenian Genocide
was decorated with absurdity. `The drama of Azeri
public is that it’s duped every spring and involved
into mourning events dedicated to a genocide that had
never taken place.

Baku intellectuals gibe at this dishonest and
dangerous way of `political consolidation of people.’
They do know that massacres of Armenians took place in
the beginning of the 20th century. They do know about
the pogroms of the peaceful Armenian population in
Sumgait in 1988 and in Baku in 1990. The Aliyev regime
does not shun vulgar lies.

The recent campaign of commemoration of victims of
`genocide’ allegedly committed by Armenians against
Mountain Jews meant to cause a clash between Armenians
and Jews. Blasphemously distorting the historical
truth, Aliyev’s manipulators present the mass burial
places of Armenians as the `victims of genocides
committed by Armenians.’
The purpose is to poison the centuries-long neighbor
relations between Armenians of Shirvan and Mountain
Jews and to incite Israel and the Jewish lobby against
Armenia,’ Hayk Kotanjian said.

Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 10, 2007
Contact: Sevag Arzoumanian
Tel: 617-233-3174

LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL URGES BELMONT SELECTMEN TO CUT TIES WITH ADL

— Hearing Participants Cite ADL’s Opposition to Armenian Genocide
Recognition

BELMONT, MA – Over 100 residents applauded the Belmont, MA Human
Rights Commission September 6th decision to unanimously call on the
local Board of Selectmen to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL), citing their ongoing opposition to Armenian Genocide
recognition, reported the Armenian National Committee of Eastern
Massachusetts (ANC-EM).

Belmont Human Rights Commission (BHRC) Chairwoman Laurie Graham
presided over the town hall meeting which featured a groundswell of
poignant statements by residents of Armenian, Jewish and diverse
backgrounds citing that opposition to Armenian Genocide recognition is
offensive to local citizenry and runs counter to the most basic
principles of a local program promoting tolerance and human rights.

`We applaud the Belmont Human Rights Commission for standing up for
truth and human dignity by rejecting ties with the ADL – an
organization opposing Armenian Genocide recognition,’ stated Aram
Kaligian of the ANC-EM. `In Belmont and cities across Massachusetts,
we are seeing democracy in action – our diverse communities speaking
out, collectively, to support U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, in our ongoing struggle to stamp out genocide around the
world.’

Excerpts from the BHRC hearing can be viewed online at:
of-belmont-human-rights.html

Belmont Armenian American community activist Lenna Garibian, a grand
daughter of genocide survivors, stated that the question at hand was
not about the reality of the Armenian Genocide but about the moral
imperative to speak openly and honestly about this crime against
humanity. `No Armenian should sit with a revisionist Turkish
historian… to discuss whether the genocide happened or not. The
world knows. Turkey knows. [ADL director] Abe Foxman knows. This was
a genocide," explained Garibian who went on to note that HRC decision
`sets a good tone moving forward, that Belmont will not tolerate an
equivocation of the truth, of justice."

That sentiment was echoed throughout speeches given during the
evening, with emphasis on ending Genocide and Holocaust denial in all
forms. Massachusetts State Assemblywoman Rachel Kaprielian cited the
resurging trend of Holocaust denial worldwide as survivors pass away
and a political gap between the younger and older generations
widens. `The survivors see what is coming down the road, just as their
parents saw it,’ explained Kaprielian. `You have so much power and
ability to say to our government, `This is fact’, while there are
still survivors alive,’ continued Kaprielian.

Speakers also focused on U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide,
and overall commitment to ending this crime against humanity. Belmont
resident Joyce Barsam quoted author Samantha Powers from her Pulitzer
Prize winning book A Problem From Hell, stating `If only America had
been made of more upstanders, instead of bystanders- America would be
in a very different position today.’ Barsam continued, stating `I am
asking this committee to be upstanders instead of bystanders of the
Armenian Genocide. We hope you stand up for the truth and the human
rights that you are commissioned to support.’

Expressing concern about the ADL’s opposition to Armenian Genocide
legislation citing the safety of Jews in Turkey, Belmont resident Lisa
Sedrakian argued that `if Jews are affected in Turkey, it will be the
Turks to blame, not the Armenian-American community.’

Watertown Town Council Member and sponsor of the resolution severing
her town’s ties with the ADL Marilyn Petitto Devaney was forceful in
her demands that the National ADL end its campaign against the
Armenian Genocide Resolution. `I want the National ADL to stop
lobbying to kill the Genocide Resolution [in Congress and the House],
as they have done for years. This could be the year we prevail.’

Dr. Jack Nusan Porter, former Rabbi, Director of the Spencer Institute
and a member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars,
who has been an outspoken opponent to the ADL’s opposition to Armenian
Genocide recognition, stated `I fear for the future of the ADL. I
think this could tear it apart. You must send a powerful message to
sever ties with the ADL now.’

ANC Eastern Massachusetts Representative Aram Kaligian was clear in
the Armenian American community’s request of the BHRC members. `We
urge you to stand with the Armenian American and Jewish American
communities in helping the ADL national leadership come to the right
side on this issue,’ explained Kaligian, calling for unambiguous
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and support for Armenian Genocide
legislation. Kaligian went on to urge attendees to `get the phone
numbers of the Town Selectmen here, and call them and let them know
how you feel about the ADL’s attempts to cast doubt on the tragic
events of 1915. . . And if you think that you might feel a little
uncomfortable calling up a stranger and telling him how you feel about
the denial of the Armenian Genocide, I want you to remember the
stories your grandparents told you about how they walked through the
desert. . . They had the courage to live through these atrocities,
the least we can do is have the courage to pick up the phone and call
our Town Selectmen and demand that they not tarnish the memory of our
grandparents.’

The BHRC voted overwhelmingly to sever ties with the ADL – a decision
considered seriously by two Belmont Selectmen present at the
proceedings. According to the Belmont Citizen Herald, Selectman Paul
Solomon said `he was in total support of the HRC’s position. `This is
in advance of the [selectmen’s discussion], but I will support their
stand.” Selectman Dan Leclerc stated he was `in the process of
processing [the decision.]’

The BHRC vote to sever ties comes as cities affiliated with the ADL’s
`No Place for Hate’ tolerance program throughout Massachusetts
reconsider their ties to an organization with a history of Armenian
Genocide denial and which continues to oppose Congressional Armenian
Genocide legislation (H.Res.106 /S.Res.106). Watertown was the first
to disaffiliate with the tainted NPFH program, followed by a
suspension of ties by Arlington, and decisions by the towns of Newton,
Needham, Newburyport, Bedford to cut ties if the ADL does not alter
its policies on the Armenian Genocide.

For complete information about the Abe Foxman / ADL controversy
surrounding the Armenian Genocide visit

#####

Memo rable Remarks from the Belmont Human Rights
Commission Hearing on Severing Ties with the ADL
Due to its Opposition to Armenian Genocide Recognition

Commissioner Conny Williams (Belmont)
Belmont Human Rights Commission
`I am suggesting that we sever our ties because
we think the ADL is inconsistent in its
proclamation of being against human rights
violations and of fostering No Place for Hate. I
would not want to express this with any
reluctance….The pain that I feel is that an
organization that is sponsoring this program
[NPFH] could take this stance that it has taken.’

Rachel Kaprielian (Watertown)
Massachusetts State House Delegate
`In communities like Belmont, like the other
communities that have NPFH, it isn’t just about
acknowledging the Armenian Genocide, it’s
acknowledging all genocides. Here, now, in the
future. This is an important moment in time. It
would be such an incredible experience to see a
resolution passed when there are still survivors left on Earth.’

Marilyn Petitto Devaney (Watertown)
Member of the Watertown Town Council
`I was asked by the Local NPFH committee in
Watertown to give them 90 days. The Armenian
community has been waiting for over 90 years and
they [ADL] have deprived the Armenian people from
the right to their history. Years ago there was a
resolution in Congress to recognize the
Holocaust. Who would be against that, who would
deprive them from having that resolution, but the
ADL has. They said [the ADL] that to have a
resolution in Congress would be
counterproductive. That resolution for the
Holocaust wasn’t counterproductive and this isn’t.’

Michael Collins (Belmont)
Belmont Against Racism Board Member
`We are very pained by this because on one hand
we have been people who have supported the goals
of the NPFH campaign, but having listened to
everyone here tonight we are going back to our
board and recommend that we would be supportive
of the Town severing its relationship with the
ADL, as much as we really want the work to continue.’

Dr. Jack Nusan Porter, (Newton, MA)
Director of the Spencer Institute and a member of
the International Association of Genocide Scholars
`People ask me `why would Abe Foxman want to do
this?’. I can tell you why. Abe Foxman sees
everything through the prism of Israel. The
Turkish government has played a kind of a
political blackmail and has influenced him
[Foxman] by saying that Israel will be harmed.
The Turkish Jewish community will be harmed. This
is blackmail, this is utter nonsense. The state
of Turkey could never enter the EU if it harmed
the head of a single Jew in Turkey and if it hurt
Israel. But it still uses these tactics and these
arguments and they work! My view is that you have
to send a powerful message now before the
November meetings in which you state
categorically that you want to sever ties with
the ADL at this moment. It’s not a question that
you are against No Place for Hate. We all are in
favor of this wonderful program, but you only
want to sever the ADL’s connection to it. If the
ADL changes its position you can always go back to the ADL connection.’

Aram Kaligian (Belmont)
ANC Eastern Massachusetts Representative
`We urge you to stand with the Armenian American
and Jewish American communities in helping the
ADL national leadership come to the right side on
this issue. We urge the Belmont No Place for Hate
committee to sever its ties with the
Anti-Defamation League until such time that the
organization properly and unambiguously
acknowledges the Armenian Genocide and supports
congressional affirmation of this crime against
humanity. Anything less would jeopardize efforts
to protect and uphold the civil rights and
dignity of the Belmont’s Armenian-American citizenry.’

Lenna Garibian (Belmont)
`I have two daughters at home, one is 7 the
other is 5. The thought of them – the image of
them wandering the desert together alone, without
me or my husband to protect them, terrifies me.
The thought of the two them holding on each
other’s hands, not knowing what to do, hungry,
weak, and scared—until one of them lets go of
the other, chills me. And the thought of one of
them having to live with that guilt for the rest
of her life, like my grandmother did, so enrages me.’

`For these reasons, it is impossible to accept
anything less than unequivocal genocide
acknowledgment and support from the ADL and
NPFH. However commendable some of its programs
are, the NPFH program has no business in this
town while the ADL holds to its position. And
finally, no, I cannot offer patience, to this
process, so that Mr. Foxman can return in
November with the right spin on the Armenian Genocide.’

David Boyajian (Newton)
`The question may appear to revolve around the
Armenian Genocide but it does not. It could be
about any genocide. It could be about any issue
of human rights that your sponsor distorted for
its own political purposes. The issue is simple:
if you, as a human rights commission are as
serious about human rights as your mission
statements say you are, you will sever ties with the ADL without delay.’

Luder Sahakian (Needham)
As the premiere human rights defender in the US,
the world community would have expected the ADL
to rigorously uphold settled history. Instead,
the ADL has for over 15 years consciously placed
politics over principle, it has parroted Turkish
policy, been complicit in genocide denial and
continues to oppose congressional resolutions
affirming the reality of the Armenian genocide. .
. The ADL has depleted its moral authority and
legitimacy and cannot be expected to credibly
sponsor and manage any anti-hate program so long
that it exercises a form of hate itself.’

Rev. Harutunian (Belmont)

`When the Armenians came to this country they
found a land of opportunity, particularly here in
Massachusetts. This country has offered us so
much, but one thing that the United States till
now has not offered has been that this would be a
land of healing for the Armenian people. Because
when you’re victim of a violent crime whether
it’s an individual, subgroup or a nation, until
the story is validated, accepted, affirmed, and
responded to with appropriate outrage, he crime
continues to scar [them] and that’s truly the
story of the Armenians. I can’t imagine a
community like this […] wanting to be associated
with an organization that is actively hurting our
own people in this community. I strongly ask you
to reconsider the association that we have with them.’

Lisa Sedrakian (Belmont)
`There can be no reconciliation between Turks and
Armenians without Turkey’s recognition of the
genocide and its acceptance of the Ottoman
government’s role in perpetrating that
genocide. There can be no reconciliation without
truth. I cannot stand by when the US its
relationship with Turkey based on ignoring the
truth about the Armenian genocide. We should
have the ADL’s true commitment and conviction
behind their position on the Armenian Genocide
before we, the town of Belmont, have a relationship with them.’

Joyce Barsam (Belmont)
`Every person in this room has a story, an
odyssey of how we happen to be here instead of
living in Turkey. I want to bring to the
committee’s attention a very important
distinction that Samantha Powers made in her book
`A Problem From Hell’. `If America had been made
up of more upstanders instead of bystanders, we
would be in a very different position today’. I
am asking this committee to be upstanders instead
of bystanders of the Armenian Genocide. We hope
you stand up for the truth and the human rights
that you are commissioned to support.’

Jirair Hovsepian (Belmont)
`The ADL has been operating in a selective manner
by which to defend human rights. It would pick
and choose which human rights issue to defend and
which to ignore, or even sidestep or diminish
some issues of human rights violations of the
magnitude of the Holocaust such as the Armenian
genocide. It would politicize a human rights
issue, while its `ultimate purpose is to secure
justice and fair treatment to all citizens
alike'(quoting from the ADL 1913 charter). The
ADL has lost the moral ground and cannot be
trusted to guide and protect the human rights
values of all our fellow citizens in Belmont.’

#####

Note to editors: Pictures available upon request

Agence France Presse — English
September 5, 2007 Wednesday 12:23 PM GMT

Fighting kills 5 near disputed Karabakh: Azerbaijan

BAKU, Sept 5 2007

Three Armenian and two Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed in
fighting near the disputed region of Nagorny Karabakh, the
Azerbaijani defence ministry said Wednesday.

Ministry spokesman Ilgar Verdiyev said two Azerbaijani soldiers were
killed after Armenian forces opened fire on Azerbaijani positions in
two separate attacks early Tuesday, violating a ceasefire.

Azerbaijani forces returned fire, he said, killing three Armenian
soldiers. There was no immediate confirmation of the incidents from
Armenian officials.

Armenian forces seized control of Nagorny Karabakh from Azerbaijan in
a war in the early 1990s that claimed an estimated 30,000 lives and
forced about a million people on both sides to flee their homes.

A ceasefire was signed in 1994 but the two countries have cut direct
economic and transport links and failed to negotiate a settlement on
the region’s status.

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are spread across a ceasefire line in
and around Nagorny Karabakh, often facing each other at close range,
and shootings are common.

Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute
RA, Yerevan 0028
Contact: Arevik Avetisyan
Tel: (374 10) 39 09 81
Fax: (374 10) 39 10 41
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http: //

Francois Hollande visited the Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute.

06.09.07

First Secretary of the French Socialist Party Francois Hollande,
accompanied by Kiro Manoyan and Hrant Margaryan, visited the Armenian
Genocide Museum & Institute and put a wreath to the memorial to the
Armenian Genocide victims. Mr Papoulies wrote in the Commemoration
Book:"The Memorial Complex is the expression of all those yesterday’s
victims, who claim for justice from the today’s alive".
"French socialists have done much for the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by France. In 2001, we were the authors of the Armenian
Genocide bill, which was passed by both houses of the parliament. We
have also initiated the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.
It was passed by the lower house and is waiting for voting in the
Senate," Mr. Holland said. Francois Hollande thinks the Senate will pass
the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.

DELHI CHIEF MINISTER IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

National Assembly of RA
Sept 7 2007
Armenia

On September 6 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National
Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, receivedthe delegation headed
by Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Delhi Chief Minister. Reena Pandey, Indian
Ambassador to Armenia and Mr. Ashot Kocharyan, Armenian Ambassador
to India, participated in the meeting.

Welcoming the guests, Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National
Assembly expressed assurance that her visit will promote the deepening
of the cooperation and the development of the Armenian-Indian
relations. The President of the National Assembly noted that India
is an influential country of big and various cultures as well as
a country of wide opportunities at a worldwide level. Noting that
the countries have centuries old cultural relations the President of
the National Assembly reminded that the first Armenian Constitution
was written and the first Armenian periodical was printed in India
and now though the Armenian Diaspora is not so large in India as
it was before it also connects the two countries. In the aspect of
the development of the relations Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of
the National Assembly, also highlighted the productive work of the
two Ambassadors. Touching upon the inter-parliamentary relations
President of the National Assembly Mr. Tigran Torosyan noted that
the visit of the parliamentary delegation to Armenia will be a good
step in the aspect of the development of the partnership in 2008
and Mrs. Dikshit asked to convey greetings and invitation of a visit
to Indian parliamentarians. The President of the National Assembly
highlighted the cooperation programs of the two capitals also noting
that the National Assembly is also ready to promote the development
of the relations in that aspect.

Delhi Chief Minister Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, who is already the second
day in Armenia, expressed her admiration on Yerevan’s architecture and
beauty, noting that she will happily return to Armenia as a tourist
to see the nature and get familiarized with the historical cultural
heritage ofthe country. The Armenian culture and art are especially
close to Mrs. Sheila Dikshit. In the result of her meetings in Yerevan
she recorded a great deal of opportunities of the development of
relations especially in the spheres of education, high technologies,
agriculture and tourism. According to her the 15-years of diplomacy is
a sufficient time for the two countries for better knowing each other
and for the development of the relations. Mrs. Sheila Dikshit also
touched upon the importance of the development of the trade economic
ties, considering them mutually beneficial for the two countries.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.

"30 DEPUTIES WILL CEASE THEIR MANDATES"

A1+
[06:24 pm] 04 September, 2007

"Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s return is not only wanted, it is a necessity. He
is obliged to return to the politics. Only he can be Serge Sargsyan’s
rival", said Levon Sahakyan, head of "Hayapasht" initiative.

The mentioned initiative will protect Ter-Petrosyan’s candidature
during the 2008 presidential elections.

The members of this initiative are against returning the liberated
territories and criticize the policy of the present authorities on
Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

"If Ter-Petrosyan was to return the territories, he would do that
before 1997. He has always presented the situation honestly,- said
Levon Sahakyan,- Ter-Petrosyan’s biggest mistake was "War or Peace"
article, where he expressed his considerations. Making use of it
the present authorities wished peace to the world and war to our
nation. Only Levon Ter-Petrosyan may correct the political chaos in
the country".

Why Levon Sahakyan is confirmed that Ter-Petrosyan may correct
the situation? To the question of A1+ he answered: "Ter-Petrosyan
is a powerful and wise political actor and everyone is aware of
that. Have you ever looked at the faces of those when they talk about
Ter-Petrosyan’s candidature? I declare with great responsibility
that about 30 deputies will cease their mandates if Ter-Petrosyan
runs for presidency, since they are certain that only he may win
Serge Sargsyan".

Levon Sahakyan is confirmed that after his announcements he will
obtain new enemies and that does not bother him. He also mentioned that
Levon Ter-Petrosyan was not aware of their initiative. "He is obliged
to return for the sake of the countries future. We should admit that
during his presidency of Ter-Petrosyan our historical territories were
liberated and we won during the war. If a president wins in the war
owing to its nation then he is acceptable. If a president manages
to liberate the territories then he is powerful. I want to have a
powerful country and Ter-Petrosyan can establish such country". In
Levon Sahakyan’s opinion, Ter-Petrosyan has also made mistakes because:
"Ter-Petrosyan was not surrounded with right people who loved this
country".

As to the silence of the first president during the last ten years,
Levon Sahakyan said: "Levon Ter-Petrosyan said more by his silence,
than if he cried to the world that Serge Sargsyan was carrying out
elite constructions in the center of Yerevan and looting the nation".

LEVON TER-PETROSYAN MAY SUPPORT ARTASHES GEGHAMYAN

Lragir
Sept 4 2007
Armenia

Koriun Arakelyan, member of the National Solidarity Party, confirmed
on September 4 at the Hayatsk press club the rumored meeting of Levon
Ter-Petrosyan and Artashes Geghamyan. Koriun Arakelyan said Artashes
Geghamyan and Levon Ter-Petrosyan discussed the current state of the
country and the ways out. Koriun Arakelyan prevented the reporters’
question whether Artashes Geghamyan will support Levon Ter-Petrosyan
if he is nominated, and set forward the contrary thesis. "Levon
Ter-Petrosyan is a serious, prominent individual and a political
figure, and why shouldn’t we think if Artashes Geghamyan runs in the
presidential election, Levon Ter-Petrosyan will support him? Why isn’t
this question asked? For it is possible that if Artashes Geghamyan
runs in the presidential election, as a serious and experienced
politician Levon Ter-Petrosyan will support Artashes Geghamyan,"
Koriun Arakelyan says.

Does Levon Ter-Petrosyan have an alternative to supporting Artashes
Geghamyan in participating in the presidential election? Koriun
Arakelyan says Levon Ter-Petrosyan can answer this question because
he does not know, he only knows there is no alternative to Artashes
Geghamyan. Meanwhile, there is no certainty regarding Geghamyan’s
nomination because it will be during the conference of the National
Solidarity which is going to be a jubilee because the party is ten
years old. Now Geghamyan is preparing his address to the conference
which covers the state of the country, while the members of the party,
according to Arakelyan, are trying to persuade their leader to run in
the election. "It is lavishness to leave out a person like Geghamyan
from public administration," he thinks.

In the meantime, Geghamyan is reluctant to oust Robert Kocharyan and
Serge Sargsyan from the process. At least during the meeting of the
opposition leaders he offered to invite pro-government forces including
Kocharyan and Sargsyan. In commenting on his leader’s decision,
Koriun Arakelyan said we must care for a change in the country before
personalities, which is impossible without unification of the nation.