Author: Tavakalian Edgar

HEAD OF GUARD AND DRIVER OF “NEW TIMES” OPPOSITIONAL PARTY LEADER
TAKEN TO ARMENIA’S NSS

Yerevan, April 21. ArmInfo. The Head of the guard and the driver of
the “New Times” oppositional party leader Aram Karapetyan were taken
today to the National Security Service of Armenia in handcuffs.

As Aram Karapetyan told ArmInfo, today at 12:55 PM, 12 masked people
by three cars of “VAZ-2106” mark blocked the path of the “New Times”
party’s two cars of “GAZ-3110” mark near the Erebuni Community’s
Police department. According to Karapetyan, the people in masks aimed
their submachine guns at him and his assistants, then with shouts “we
shall shoot, go out of cars”, they roughly pulled the driver and the
Head of Karapetyan’s personal guard out of car, beat them on heads and
laid them on the asphalt by face down. The driver harmed his leg. Then
they took off their gas guns, “put into handcuffs”, made them change
their cars and drove away in an unknown direction. Several people sat
down in both “GAZ-3110” cars of the “New Times” party and also drove
away. According to Karapetyan, he reached his office by taxi. He told
that he had immediately contacted the deputy Head of the RA Police,
lieutenant-general Hovhannes Varyan, who allowed Karapetyan’s officers
to hold gas guns, but he informed that the Police bears no relation to
today’s action. Later, Karapetyan clarified that his driver and the
Head of the Guard are taken to the Armenia’s National Security
Service.

The Head of the Armenian NSS’s press-office Artsvin Baghramyan
confirmed in the talk with the ArmInfo correspondent that the
apprehendede persons are in the NSS. According to him, the officers of
the NSS acted according to the law, thus, responding the incoming
signals, according to which “the “NT” party members walk about the
city with guns”. “We shall clarify where the arms are from. If their
documents are OK, the apprehended persons will be surely set free”,
Baghramyan said.

European Structures Are Ready to Assist the Deepening of Democracy in Armenia

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
April 20 2006

On April 19 RA NA President Artur Baghdasaryan met the participants
of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Eighth Meeting.

The Parliament President highlighted the enlargement of the European
Union-Armenia relationship and the deepening of democracy in Armenia,
expressing a wish that during the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation
Committee Eighth Meeting the participants had opportunities to have
a sufficient understanding and get information.

He highlighted the fast start of the New Neighbourhood programme
and its fulfillment as soon as possible not only for Armenia but
also for the region because the extension of democracy opens
new perspectives and promotes the peace, and is an essential
stimulus for making reforms. The NA President noted that by the
political forces’ consent a draft of the new Electoral Code has
been developed, and the legislative bases of holding elections in
conformity with democratic standards are created. The NA President
also touched upon the energy problems, noting that Armenia has the
need of EU assistance for diversification of energy, and ensuring
energy security is of political priority for Armenia. The corruption
combating, making serious reforms in judicial-legal, tax and customs,
local self-governance and territorial management sphere were also
highlighted. Touching upon the regional problems, the NA President
Artur Baghdasaryan highlighted the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
problem through consensus, and considered unacceptable the war-like
announcements of Azerbaijan. He noted that Armenia with all its
neighbours, including also Turkey is for normal relations and is
ready for discussing the current problems around negotiations table.

Ann Isler Beguin, Co-Chair of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation
Committee, expressing her satisfaction from the effective work of
the committee and the detailed introduction of the situation by NA
President, noted that the European structures are ready to assist
Armenia for deepening democracy. Mrs. Isler Beguin highlighted the
adherence to democratic values in the upcoming elections and noted
that those elections will be important for the future of Armenia and
highlighted the role of mass media and ensuring the opportunities of
free working. Touching upon the NK conflict, Mrs.

Isler Beguin noted that she would like very much that the Azerbaijanis
also adopted constructive stance.

The NA President Artur Baghdasaryan also answered the committee
members’ questions, which mainly related to the regional relations
and priorities of the country development.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 20 2006

Mustafa Mohammed Neccar: Iran has never had military cooperation with
Armenia and won’t have

[ 20 Apr. 2006 15:37 ]

“The reports on Iran’s having military cooperation with Armenia
are absolutely false. Iran has never had military cooperation with
Armenian and won’t have in future,” Iran’s Defense Minister Mustafa
Mohammed Neccar stated while visiting Azerbaijan (APA). He said
Iran is cooperating with Azerbaijan in various spheres, including
military sphere.

“My visit to Azerbaijan aims at expanding the cooperation on the basis
of the already signed treaties,” Mr.Neccar said. “Tehran can assist
Azerbaijan in developing military-industrial establishment. We can
exchange experience in this field. I’ll raise this issue in the talks
with Azerbaijani Minister for Defense Industry,” Iranian minister
underlined. /APA/

Azerbaijan seeking G8 talks on Garabagh, official says

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 20 2006

Baku, April 19, AssA-Irada — Azerbaijan attaches great importance
to the attention of the Group of Eight in the settlement of the
long-standing Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh problem, Deputy Foreign
Minister Araz Azimov said. He was commenting on reports saying the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict may be put on discussion at the next
meeting of the world’s superpowers in St.

Petersburg, Russia.

“Bringing the issue to their attention may affect the conflict
resolution politically. Moreover, considering these countries’ economic
resources, their assistance is essential for the rehabilitation of
infrastructure in the occupied Azeri territories after they are freed,”
Azimov said.*

ARMENIAN ACCESSION
by Doug Merrill

Fistful of Euros, Sweden
April 19 2006

The German newspaper whose web site has marginally improved
published an interview today* with Arthur Baghdasarian, leader of the
second-largest party in the Armenian parliament. He has been president
of parliament since 2003, and he is seen as a leading candidate to
be president of the republic in 2008. They talk about whether or
not Armenia needs a revolution, though not what color it might have,
probably because Baghdasarian opts for reform rather than revolution.

More interesting for afoe readers is this quote: “Armenia’s future
is not in the union of Russia and Belarus. Armenia’s future is in the
European Union and NATO.” Later on he adds, “I am convinced there is
no alternative [to EU accession]. Not just Armenia, but also Georgia,
and why not Azerbaijan as well. We are small countries, and for us
that will be the best structure for cooperation and peace. Europe
needs a secure, conflict-free Caucasus and democratic neighbors.”

Whether or not the current 25 members are ready for enlargement, much
less the old 15 (or 12 or 6 or whatever), potential enlargees are
eager. The EU will have to answer these questions one way or another.

My bet is on more members.

* Annoyingly, it is only available online in pay-per-view. It’s on
page 5 of the paper version, if you have access.

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MEMORIAL TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS PROFANED IN LYON

Yerkir
18.04.2006 16:45

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Seven days before the commemorations of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915, the steles of the Armenian Memorial set up in the
town of Lyon (France), which must be inaugurated by President Jacques
Chirac, were profaned with inscriptions of insults and negationists:
“There never was genocide of the Armenians”.

This act of vandalism followed upon the consecutive racist drifts with
the ultra nationalist Turkish demonstration of last 18 March. Armenian
associations and organizations (CCAF – CDCA) call the authorities
of Police force to seek and sanction the persons in charge for these
intolerable attacks to human dignity.

RUSSIAN MP PAYS HOMAGE TO 1915 GENOCIDE VICTIMS

ArmRadio.am
17.04.2006 13:53

Russian MP, member of “Yedinaya Rosia” Party faction Sergey Shishkarev
paid homage to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims. “Yerkramas”
newspaper of Armenians of Russia informs that on the occasion of the
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide he underlined in his address
to the Armenians of Kuban that the tragic events of 1915 were the
preamble to the terrible crimes against humanity, which the 20th
century was full of.

Azeri officer’s extradition impossible – Armenian lawyer

Arminfo
15 Apr 06

Yerevan, 15 April: The sentence handed down by the Hungarian court on
[Azerbaijani officer] Ramil Safarov is the triumph of justice, lawyer
Nazeli Vardanyan has told our correspondent.

On 13 April the Hungarian court sentenced Safarov to life imprisonment
without the right to amnesty for 30 years. Safarov hacked to death his
Armenian counterpart Gurgen Markaryan in Budapest on 19 February
[2004] and tried to kill another Armenian officer Ayk
Makuchyan. Lawyer Vardanyan represented the interests of Markaryan’s
family in the trial.

Commenting on the fuss raised after the sentence in some circles of
Azerbaijani society and the promises that Safarov will be extradited
to Azerbaijan soon, Vardanyan said that extradition at the current
stage is impossible. She pointed out that fine-sounding statements by
Azerbaijani politicians and officials are connected with the fact that
the Azerbaijani side realizes that they failed the case and is doing
its best to keep up morale in society.

Moreover, the current situation is a continuation of the policy of
misinformation chosen by the Azerbaijani side. Throughout the trial,
Azerbaijan deceived its own people for propaganda purposes. For this
purpose, they distorted the words of the prosecutor, saying that he
had allegedly demanded not life imprisonment, but 30 years for
Safarov. They hoped that the verdict would be softer and that they
would get away with lies, Vardanyan said.

PRESS RELEASE
Office of MA. Rep. Rachel Kaprielian
CONTACT: Harout H. Semerdjian
Tel: 617-489-1597, 617-722-2400

April 13, 2006

BOSTON, MA – This year the commemoration of the Armenian Genocidein
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has taken an extraordinary turn
given the genocide lawsuit in our state. April 21, 2006 will mark two
important events at the Massachusetts State House. The first is the
State House Armenian Genocide Commemoration Ceremony organized by
Representatives Rachel Kaprielian and Peter Koutoujian and Senator
Steven Tolman. It will take place at 11:00am in the Chamber of the
House of Representatives and will be followed by an informal reception
in the Great Hall of the State House.

The second event will take place outside the State House on Beacon
Street at 12:45 pm immediately following the Commemoration
Ceremony. It will mark the public inception of KNOW GENOCIDE, a new
multi-ethnic, non-partisan coalition formed to combat the ongoing
denial of known cases of genocide, such as the Darfur, Cambodian,
Jewish, Rwandan, and the Armenian genocides. The coalition is
grounded in the understanding that denial of genocide is the final
stage of that crime. For the sake of human rights as well as the
historical t ruth it will counter and expose attempts at genocide
denial.

Both events at the State House will be marked with the participation
of Dr.

Taner Akcam, the first Turkish scholar to publicly acknowledge and
discuss the Armenian Genocide. Despite facing great challenges,
Dr. Akcam has worked for many years in creating a positive and
successful dialogue between Armenians and Turks. His work regarding
the Armenian Genocide is hopefully a beginning for eventual acceptance
by Turkey of this great crime against humanity.

It is our sincere hope that this event receives a good turnout of
Armenians united against denial. Please join us at this historic
juncture in our history, as we join with this leading Turkish scholar
to acknowledge the truth and remember our martyrs.

ARMENIAN AMBASADOR TO GEORGIA AND LEADER OF VIRAHAYOTS DIOCESE TO
VISIT JAVAKHK ON EASTER

AKHALKALAK, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
Ambassador to Georgia Hrach Silvanian and Leader of Virahayots
(Armenians of Georgia) diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop
Vazgen Mirzakhanian intend to visit Javakhk on April 15-16 on the
occasion of Easter. According to A-Info Agency, a preliminary
agreement envisages that the Armenian ambassador and the diocesan
leader will participate in Easter celebration festivities, as well as
meet with heads of the administrative regions and NGO representatives
in Javakhk.