Author: Tavakalian Edgar

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT FORMS NEW GOVERNMENT

ARKA
April 22, 2008

YEREVAN, April 22. /ARKA/. RA President Serge Sargsian formed on
April 21 a new government composed of 17 ministries.

By the President’s decree, the RA Government has undergone the
following changes: the Ministry of Energy has been renamed the Ministry
of Energy and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Trade and Economic
Development is now called the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry
of Finance and Economy has been renamed the Ministry of Finance.

>From now on, Armenia will have a Ministry of Emergency Situations. The
Rescue Service of Armenia has turned into a public body under the
Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The Diaspora Agency has turned into the State Committee on Relations
with Diaspora, RA Foreign Ministry.

The President has charged the Government to make decisions relevant
to the decree within five months.

President Sargsian has signed a decree appointing Armen Gevorgyan RA
Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration. Nerses Yeritsyan has
been appointed RA Minister of Economy, Tigran Davtyan assuming the
office of the Minister of Finance. Gurgen Sargsian has been appointed
Minister of Transport and Communication, Mher Shahgeldyan becoming
Minister of Emergency Situations.

By the President’s decree, 10 ministers have retained their posts. They
are: Gevorg Danielyan (Minister of Justice), Armen Grigoryan (Minister
of Sport Youth Affairs), David Lokyan (Minister of Agriculture), Vardan
Vardanyan (Minister of Urban Development), Armen Movsisyan (Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources), Aghvan Vardanyan (Minister of Labor
and Social Affairs), Harutyun Kushkyan (Minister of Healthcare)
and Aram Harutyunyan (Minister of Environmental Protection).

Seiran Ohanyan has assumed the office of the RA Defense Minister,
and Edvard Nalbandyan has been appointed RA Foreign Minister. At the
same time, the president has abolished the office of the Minster,
Chief of the Government Staff.

The new Government is to submit its program to the RA Parliament in
20 days (according to Article 74 of the RA Constitution). Afterwards,
the Parliament calls a special session to approve the government
program.

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER: TIME OF RECONCILIATION CAN ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY FINDS IT FUTILE TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO CONCEAL GENOCIDE FACTS

arminfo
2008-04-17 13:51:00

ArmInfo. ‘I look forward to a time of reconciliation that can only
occur when the Republic of Turkey finds it futile to spend millions of
dollars scheming to distort history and threatening American political,
military and business leaders with reprisals’, Senator Dave Cogdill,
Senate Republican Leader says in his statement devoted to the 93rd
anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

‘As stated by John Evans, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia a
few years ago: ":When an official policy diverges wildly from what
the broad public believes is self-evident, that policy ceases to
command respect."

These words express a challenge to all who would cede ideals to the
wretched whims of a foreign power.

Public service offers wonderful opportunities to forge positive
relationships, work on issues of importance to constituents, and
gain knowledge. I am so honored to have become well-acquainted with
so many Californians of Armenian heritage (as well as Assyrians,
Greeks and others whose forebears were also victims of massacres)
who make such a great contribution to our state’s economic and
cultural vitality and civic leadership. I strongly align myself with
the cause of justice for the memory of the victims of the Armenian
Genocide. I stand with them because it is simply the right thing to do,
the Senator says. He mentions the policy of nondisclouse of Armenian
Genocide led to repetition of such tragedies in Nazi Germany and the
sacramental phrase by Adolph Hitler: "Who, after all, speaks today
of the annihilation of the Armenians?"

In the Ottoman Empire Armenians were subjected to torture, starvation,
death marches in the Syrian Desert and other unspeakable atrocities
that resulted in the murder of 1,500,000 Armenian men, women and
children over a period of eight long years ending in 1923. Hundreds
of thousands of young Armenian orphans spent the remainder of their
lives haunted by the memory of the torture and mayhem inflicted on
their loved ones before their eyes.

MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE APPOINTED IN ARMENIA
by Natalia Leshchenko

World Markets
Global Insight
April 15, 2008

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has appointed two ministers
in the new cabinet. Eduard Nabaldian, previously Armenia’s ambassador
to France and Italy, will replace the long-serving Vardan Oskanian,
who refused to enter the new government, as the Minister for Foreign
Affairs. The position of Minister of Defence went to Seiran Oganian,
formerly the Chief of Staff of Armenian army and first deputy defence
minister.

Significance:The cabinet formation will continue this week, and the
new Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian has already appeared to play
an instrumental rather than key role in the process, with Sargsyan
evidently taking charge. The Cabinet will be composed from the
representatives of four parliamentary factions to allow the government
to claim democratic credentials.

Armenian National Committee – Central California
P. O. Box 626, Fresno, California 93709-0626
Tel: 559-486-1918

PRESS RELEASE

April 14, 2008

Contact: Alik Hovsepian
(559) 355-5596

ANC Central California Honors Mayor Autry as 2008 "Man of the Year"

Fresno, CA – The Armenian National Committee of Central California
honored Fresno Mayor Alan Autry as the 2008 Man of the Year at a
banquet on Sunday, March 30, 2008. Nearly 200 guests and community
leaders attended the luncheon to show their support for the Mayor.

"We wanted to thank the Mayor for his steadfast support of Armenian
Genocide recognition," said ANC Central California representative,
Hilda Santikian. "He has vowed to build a monument in memory of the
1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives at the hands of the Ottoman
Empire, and for that we are truly grateful," she said.

Mayor Autry has been an immense supporter of the flag raising ceremony
which has been taking place at Fresno City Hall on April 24 for the
past 3 years. This year will mark the fourth year in which the
Armenian flag will be raised next to the American flag at City Hall.

"Recognition such as genocide needs to take place, it must take
place," stated Autry. "Not only for the Armenian people but also for
the people of Turkey so that the healing process could begin," he
added.

Among those in attendance were Darren Rose, District Director to
Congressman George Radanovich, Fresno City Councilman Blong Xiong,
Fresno City Councilman Tom Boyajian, Fresno City Councilwoman Cynthia
Sterling, Haig Kartounian, District Appropriations and Grants
Coordinator for Congressman Adam Schiff and Armenian National
Committee Western Region Community Relations Director, Haig Hovsepian.

The mayor received numerous proclamations from other leaders including
Governor Schwarzenegger, Congressman Jim Costa, California State
Assemblyman Mike Villines, and Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate.

The ANC of Central California advocates for the social, economic,
cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian American
community and promotes increased Armenian American civic participation
at the grassroots and public policy levels.

ARMENPRESS

ARMENIAN NEWLY APPOINTED PM RECEIVES CONGRATULATIONS

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: Head of the Russian
government Victor Zubkov congratulated newly appointed
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian. Governmental
press service told Armenpress that in his message he
particularly said, `Accept my true congratulations on
being appointed as prime minister of the Republic of
Armenia. The Russian side gives great importance to
boosting mutually beneficial partnership between the
two countries.
Multilateral ties are being expanded in different
spheres, trade turnover and Russian investments are
increasing from year to year which play an important
role in the development of important branches of the
Armenian economy.
Russia knows You as a prominent Armenian state
figure, high-quality specialist and a person who is
for the activation of Russian-Armenian ties. I wish
You success in ensuring social-economic development of
the country.’
Secretary General of CSTO Nikolay Bordyuzha also
congratulated Tigran Sargsian on his appointment. In
his congratulatory message he particularly said,
`Accept my true congratulations on being appointed in
the high office of the prime minister of Armenia. The
Republic of Armenia, being an active member of CSTO
plays an important role in the formation of political
and military potential of security system in the zone
of responsibility of the institution. I hope that in
Your new office You will have Your contribution to the
increase of efficiency of the Organization and
consolidation of its image.
Let me wish You health and success in your
activity.’
Nagorno Karabakh parliament speaker Ashot Ghulian
also congratulated Tigran Sargsian on his appointment.
In his message he underscored the fruitful work of the
newly appointed prime minister in his office of the
chairman of the Central Bank which he said inspires
trust towards the effective activity of T. Sargsian in
the office.
`We are full of hope that You will exert all Your
efforts towards the further improvement of
Armenia-Nagorno Karabakh inter-state ties. I wish You
health and success in Your responsible mission’,
Karabakh parliament speaker said.

WRITTEN UNDERTAKING NOT TO LEAVE ARMENIA CHOSEN AS PRECAUTIONARY
MEASURE WITH RESPECT TO ASSISTANT OF MANVEL GRIGORIAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. A written undertakng not to leave
Armenian was chosen as a precautionary measure with respect to Zohrap
Galstian, assistant of the former deputy minister of defence Manvel
Grigorian, late April 11, NT was informed on April 12 by the RA Police
PR and Information Department.

To recap, according to citizen Ara Marukian’s report submitted to the
Vagharshapat police station, on April 6, at about 6:30 pm the former
deputy minister of defence Manvel Grigorian and his assistant Zohrap
Galstian threatened to kill Marukian and his family members. Based on
this, the main investigation department of the RA police opened a
criminal case under the RA Criminal Code’s Article 137 (threat to
murder, inflict heavy damage to health or destroy property).

NUMBER OF CRIMES THROUGH NATIONAL HATRED GROWING IN MOSCOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.04.2008 17:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The number of crimes committed through national
hatred is increasing in Moscow, a Russian expert said.

"The authorities are interested in creating a favorable image for the
city and conceal the true figures. But actually, Moscow is the center
of various propagandistic organizations and the number of assaults
of neo-Nazis is greater here than in any other region of Russia,"
said Semyon Charny, expert at the Moscow Bureau of Human Rights.

"To prevent the crimes, special tolerance programs should be lunched,"
he said.

"Before, skinheads acted spontaneously. Now, gangs launch a
"hunt". It’s hard to understand how the cases are investigated and
who was arrested and convicted," Charny said, Caucasian knot reports.

RIMMA VARZHAPETYAN: ISRAEL WILL ONCE RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
10.04.2008 15:58

The Head of the Jewish community of Armenia Rimma Varzhapetyan sent
a letter to Deputies of the Israeli Knesset, calling on them to
demonstrate reasonableness and adopt a resolution recognizing the
Armenian Genocide.

Rimma Varzhapetyan told a press conference today that every year
on the eve of the day of commemoration of the genocide victims,
the question raises in Israel like in the rest of the world. In her
opinion, it’s high time for Israel to recognize the Armenian Genocide,
since the relations between the two countries – Armenia and Israel –
are on a rather high level.

According to Rimma Varzhapetyan, one of the reasons why Israel has not
recognized the Armenian Genocide by now is that independent historians
have not yet qualified the events of 1915 as genocide. However, the
Head of the Jewish community noted that the people of Israel accept
the fact of the Armenian Genocide, and sooner or later it will be
recognized by the authorities of the country.

According to Rimma Varzhapetyan, Armenians are not doing much for
the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In her words,
there are people in the world who are even not aware of the fact of
the genocide.

"If they don’t know one thing, they cannot accept and recognize it,"
the Head of the Jewish community of Armenia noted.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 109.2% IN NKR IN JAN-MAR 2008

ARKA
April 10, 2008

STEPANAKERT, April 10. /ARKA/. The consumer price index was 109.2% in
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in January-March 2008 as compared
with the corresponding period last year. The index of prices for food
products (alcoholic beverages and tobacco inclusive) was 114.9%, that
of prices for nonfoods 101.3% and that of prices for services 102.8%.

The NKR Statistical Service reports that the consumer price index
was 103.2% in the NKR in January-March 2008 as compared with last
December. The index of prices for food products (alcoholic beverages
and tobacco inclusive) was 104.6%, that of prices for nonfoods 101.7%
and that of prices for services 101.2%.

Price monitoring conducted by the NKR Statistical Service showed a
rise in the prices for a number of essential goods in the NKR. A 36.1%
rise in the price for bread was recorded in March 2008 as compared
with last March, a 27.9% rise as compared with last September and an
8.5% rise as compared with last December.

The respective rise in the price for flour was 73.9%, 44.4%
and 16.4%. The price for noodles rose by 14.2%, 13.8% and 3.1%
respectively. The price for rice rose by 3.6%, 7.4% and 2.9%, for
beef by 7.1%, 7.1% and 5.9%, for animal fat 29.4%, 23.7% and 6.8%,
for vegetable oil by 59.6% and 50.9% as compared with last March and
September respectively. A 3.5% fall in the price for vegetable oil
was recorded as compared with last December.

MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION CUTS TIES WITH "NO PLACE FOR HATE" PROGRAM OVER STANCE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
09.04.2008 10:54

Expressing strong disapproval over the Anti-Defamation League’s
(ADL) unwillingness to unequivocally recognize the Armenian Genocide,
the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) severed ties with the
"No Place for Hate" (NPFH) program, a community-based program offered
by the human rights group.

In a statement issued today, the MMA Board of Directors expressed
disappointment with the ADL’s refusal to "clarify and strengthen"
its earlier statements concerning the Armenian Genocide at the ADL’s
National Commission meeting in November 2007.

"The Board believes that unequivocal recognition of the Armenian
Genocide is both a matter of basic justice to its victims, as well
as essential to efforts to prevent future genocide," stated the MMA,
a nonprofit, nonpartisan association that provides advocacy, training,
publications, research and other services to Massachusetts cities
and towns.

"The MMA feels strongly that it is imperative to speak with absolute
clarity on the genocide and that due to the NPFH program’s association
with the National ADL, the Association will no longer be a sponsor
of the program," the organization explained.

"The Massachusetts Municipal Association has made a just and rightful
decision," said Massachusetts State Representative Rachel Kaprielian
(D-Watertown), a member of the Assembly’s Board of Trustees who has
been working on this issue. "As Armenians across the globe continue
to fight for official recognition of the Genocide of 1915 committed
at the hands of the Ottoman Empire– this is another step on the long
path toward worldwide recognition of the Armenian Genocide."

"As a former member of this board, a former municipal official
and current State Representative, I am deeply heartened by today’s
unanimous decision," Kaprielian continued.

"The MMA did the right thing by disassociating with the ADL’s
"No Place for Hate" program because ultimately its credibility was
compromised by the ADL’s refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide,"
said Assembly State Chair for Massachusetts Herman Purutyan, who has
also been working on this issue.

"I hope that the ADL will reconsider its position in light of today’s
events and recognize the Armenian Genocide."

Following repeated calls by members of the Armenian, Jewish and other
communities in Massachusetts and elsewhere, the ADL one of the oldest
and most influential Jewish organizations in the US, issued a statement
in August 2007 in which they categorized the events of 1915-1918 as
"tantamount to genocide."

The Assembly welcomed the declaration as a step forward, but urged the
ADL to unequivocally recognize the crimes and support congressional
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide resolutions, H. Res. 106 and
S. Res. 106, pending in the House and Senate respectively.