Author: Tigranian Ani

HRANT DINK AWARDED WITH "PRESS-FREEDOM – 2007" POSTHUMOUS PRIZE IN TURKEY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 11 2007

ISTANBUL, JULY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Hrant Dink
was awarded with the "Press Freedom – 2007" posthumous prize in
Turkey. This information was provided by the Turkish press.

The Union of Journalists of Turkey has made a decision to hand
the "Press Freedom – 2007" prize to Hrant Dink, the murdered
editor-in-chief of the Weekly "Akos", publisher Ragip Zarakolu and
lawyer Gulchin Chaylgil "on behalf of all the journalists, who were
convicted and suffered on account of Article 301 of the Criminal Code
of Turkey."

The award-giving ceremony will take place in the Dolmabahche palace
on July 24.

ANTI-TERRORISM CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.07.2007 15:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An international conference on anti-terrorism will
be held in Yerevan in the framework of the Armenia-NATO IPAP. The
conference was initiated by the RA Foreign Ministry and NATO.

Representatives of 25 states and 80 members of NATO structures will
discuss international cooperation and modern methods of struggle
against terror, the RA MFA press office reported.

PARTIES DISCUSSED OPPORTUNITIES OF DRAWING

A1+
[03:06 pm] 11 July, 2007

On July 10 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chairs Yuri Merzlyakov and Bernard Fassier in Paris. The
meeting was attended by the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk and representative of the US
Department of State Elizabeth Rood.

The key issues of the discussion were the results of the Armenian
and Azerbaijani Presidents in Saint Petersburg.

The interlocutors focused on the opportunities of bringing close the
positions of the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides and the further deeds
within the framework of the neighborhood policy.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS FROM "GOLDEN APRICOT" FORTH FILM FESTIVAL
By Tamar Miansian

AZG Armenian Daily
11/07/2007

On June 9, before the official opening of "Golden Apricot" forth Film
Festival, the chairmen of the festival’s juries represented their
expectations from the festival to the journalists. Chong Soung An,
head of the Koran Cinemateque, member of the international jury for
the fiction films (South Korea), believes that cinema is one of the
best means to maintain peace and mutual understanding between the
nations. The fact that the Korean film makers produce good films is
conditioned by a tragedy, as the Korean people is the only nation in
the world that is separated in two parts. As for such film festivals,
he said that they greatly contribute to the development of film
production as a whole.

Peter Malou, member of the ecumenical jury at the festival, stated that
one of their important tasts is to spread the information in their
disposal through the large network they have in Europe, in South and
North Americas. He believes that their participation will help the
Armenian films to be shown in abroad and to receive the evaluation
they deserve.

Vladimir Msrian, RA People’s Artist, member of the Fiction film jury,
stated then importance of the young festival. "The festival grows in
its content and quality year by year and we expect to have more and
more interesting festivals in the future," he said.

Artur Bakhtamian, member of documental film jury, stated that the
festival will help the viewers get familiarized with the new releases
in the documentary film production. At the same time, the expressed
wish that the countries rather solve their problems instead of filming
them Haroutiun Khachatrian, chairman of "Golden Apricot" film Festival,
said that the jury members should point out all drawbacks. "Every
year our jury members are so impressed with the festival that they
want to come next year too. The festival is still four years old,
and it is also already four. We should spare no efforts to secure
good impressions for our guests from the festival," he underscored.

FREE PRESS A PRICEY PRIVILEGE
Rebeca Chapa

Monterey County Herald, CA
July 10 2007

I n the afterglow of Independence Day, some thoughts about freedom
of the press come to mind.

This country has a history of valuing a free press. It’s a right easy
to overlook, but important to remember.

Many people in other countries have paid a steep price for press
freedom.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 636 journalists have
died while trying to bring news to the public since the organization
began collecting data in January 1992.

In 72 percent of those cases, the cause of death was murder, compared
with 18 percent due to combat/crossfire and 10 percent related to
some other dangerous assignment.

This year, 24 journalists have been killed and an additional 17 deaths
are unconfirmed.

Perhaps the most widely publicized 2007 death was that of Hrant Dink,
a Turkish journalist of Armenian descent killed in January outside
the Istanbul office where he ran the bilingual newspaper Agos. Dink
frequently called for an end to the divisions between Turks and
Armenians.

Many believe Dink was killed for his opinion.

The other deaths in 2007 so far include 15 in Iraq, one in Afghanistan,
one in the Palestinian Territory, two in Pakistan, one in Russia and
three in Somalia.

They sacrificed their safety, peace of mind and lives to bring
information to the public.

A lot of journalists – myself included – like to think that we embody
Thomas Jefferson’s lofty vision that "the press is the best instrument
for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational,
moral and social being."

Many of my colleagues on the news side work hard to be that instrument
every day, and they succeed.

In other cases, as an industry, we fail, for a free press is only as
valuable as the information it imparts.

Excessive reporting on celebrity scandals, for example, may be evidence
of an American free press in that it fills a demand with a supply,
but is it furthering our collective understanding of anything?

Unfortunately, mainstream coverage often reflects what journalist
A.J. Liebling once said: "The function of the press in society is to
inform, but its role in society is to make money."

Newspapers these days are struggling with how best to stay relevant in
the face of rapidly changing forces, including a shrinking population
of (older) newspaper readers, a growing population of (younger)
television and Internet-based consumers, 24-hour news cycles and the
economic realities of swings in advertising and distribution costs.

That we as an industry are morphing is beyond doubt.

In responding to such change, we would do well to remember the
responsibility that comes with the privilege of a free – and valuable
– press.

Rebeca Chapa writes for the San Antonio Express-News.

AZERBAIJANI COMMUNITY OF NAGORNO KARABAKH MAKES STATEMENT ON ‘PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS’ IN KARABAKH

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 9 2007

Azerbaijani community of Nagorno Karabakh Public Union appealed
to the head of OSCE Office in Baku and ambassadors of Minsk Group
co-chairing states to Baku on so-called ‘presidential elections’
in Nagorno Karabakh, APA reports.

The statement says that the so-called elections aim at camouflaging
the annexation policy of Armenia and consolidating the results of
the continued occupation of the Azerbaijani territories.

"Conduct of such "elections" roughly violates the relevant provisions
of Azerbaijan’s Constitution and the norms and principles of
international law, since they are held in absence of the original
Azerbaijani population of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and, therefore
shall have no legal effect whatsoever," the statement says.

The statement says that the so-called elections’ coincidence with
the first steps taken to restore dialogue between Azerbaijani and
Armenian communities demonstrates unconstructive position of Armenians.

"We call on Armenia to demonstrate a good will and take a constructive
position in the negotiation process. We demand all international
organizations especially OSCE to prevent such illegalities not only
by statements but by concrete actions," the statement concludes.

ACCORDING TO ROBERT KOCHARIAN, COOPERATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IS ATTACHED IMPORTANCE CONNECTED WITH ENLARGEMENT OF COOPERATION SCOPE

Noyan Tapan
Jul 09 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Robert Kocharian, the President of
the Republic of Armenia, received Thomas Kovac, the Prosecutor
General of Hungary, who was in Armenia on an official visit, and
Aghvan Hovsephian, the RA Prosecutor General, on July 6. During this
meeting Robert Kocharian mentioned that, in parallel with globalization
processes throughout the world, scopes of crimes grow larger, and the
cooperation between law enforcement bodies of different countries is
attached a greater importance.

Thomas Kovac and Aghvan Hovsephian informed the RA President that they
signed a memorandum of cooperation on the same day, the preparations
of which lasted over seven years. According to them, the signed
document will give an opportunity to make the cooperation of the
law enforcement bodies of the two countries in all the spheres of
prosecutor’s activities more active.

Thomas Kovach mentioned at the same time that Hungary has been a
member of the European Union since 2004 and that they can pass their
experience gained during those years in the European Union to the
Armenian side.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, Robert Kocharian mentioned that the judicial
system of Hungary was in the center of attention of the Armenian
society for a rather long time and this attention was connected
with the case of severe murder of Gurgen Margarian, and the criminal
received his well-deserved punishment.

Karabakh fire fighters outline measures to fight fires

Arminfo, Yerevan
6 Jul 07

Stepanakert, 6 July: Since the end of May of this year fires break out
periodically on the border line of Nagornyy Karabakh [NKR] and
Azerbaijani forces.

The rescuing service of the NKR finds and extinguishes the fires. In
case of necessity it is assisted by the servicemen of the NKR defence
army and the population. Head of the NKR rescuing service Ashot Verdyan
said that a twenty-four-hour watch has been placed in all regions and
in corresponding zones. The number of field rescuing points (with a
fire fighting vehicle and fighting brigades) has increased by five
compared to the last year (in 2006 there were 18 points, in 2007 there
are 23).

"We swiftly react to signals about inflammation and take corresponding
measures at once. In cases of technical shortage, the group is
practically making a heroic step. The experience of last year’s fire
fights helps to successfully localize and prevent the fires. In case of
big fires several cars work simultaneously, servicemen and people help.
Apart from steady field points, moving posts also exist. Corresponding
territories are controlled by driving through them on UAZ cars," Ashot
Verdyan said.

The head of the fire-fighting service of the NKR rescuing service,
Samvel Ayrumyan, said that thanks to preventive events, the number of
fires has decreased considerably compared to last year. As of 4 July 13
hectares were burnt in Hadrut region, 6 hectares in Martuni, and 10
hectares in Mardakert.

The head of the Hadrut fire-fighting division of the NKR rescuing
service, Roman Mailyan, said that the fires more often originate in the
region of Horadiz station, between the military points of the NKR and
the Azerbaijani armed forces. "We do not have access there, this is why
we cannot speak about the reasons of fires exactly. When the fire moves
to our side, we take all measures to localize it and put off. Our
forces are on an intense duty. Servicemen and population help," Mailyan
said.

The head of the Martakert fire-fighting division of the NKR rescuing
service, Karen Grigoryan, said that four cases of fire have been
recorded, and the fire came from the Azerbaijani side. Brigades of
fire-fighters and rescuers took corresponding measures to localize and
extinguish the fires. Preventive measures are also taken. The head of
the Askeran fire-fighting division of the NKR rescuing service, Artur
Danielyan, said that as of 4 July there are no burnt cultivation
fields. However one fire, which originated on the territory controlled
by Azerbaijani forces, spread towards the positions of NKR defence
army, and then changed its direction because of the wind, and did not
reach the positions. In all, the fire spread on a territory of 15 km.
The fire was put off by fire-fighters and rescuers.

"It was visible that the fire was coming from the Azerbaijani side.
Apparently, after collecting the harvest, the season comes earlier in
lowlands, the Azerbaijanis burnt the field. We are ready to hold a
monitoring together with Azerbaijanis anytime, in order to find out the
real situation," Danielyan said.

A state office has been created, headed by NKR Agriculture Minister
Vahram Baghdasaryan, the aim of which is to collect all harvest without
losses. The office includes representatives of interested structures,
including the NKR rescuing service.

Earlier, the NKR Foreign Ministry directed a note to the office of the
personal representative of the acting OSCE chairman, in which it
expressed concern at the fires, and asked to hold a crisis monitoring
of the bordering zone with the aim of evaluating the actual situation
on the spot. The NKR Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the timely
interference of the office of the representative will allow to avoid a
repetition of last year’s situation with the fires, which was used by
the Azerbaijani authorities with aims of propaganda, and became another
factor destabilizing the peace process.

In another note directed to the coordinator of OSCE activity in economy
and environment, the NKR Foreign Ministry called to take a principal
and a consistent position in the question of realization of
recommendations of the OSCE mission, which, as it was in the note,
"will allow reaching the aims and create an acting mechanism on
fighting fires along the bordering line, which can become an element of
trust."

AZERI MFA "CONDEMNED" PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2007 17:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned
holding of presidential elections in Nagorno Karabakh scheduled for
July 19, 2007. "Holding of such elections is a grave violation of the
Azerbaijani Constitution, principles and norms of the international
law. Consequently, they can’t be legal," the Azeri MFA statement said.

Elections in Nagorno Karabakh may be recognized fair and free once the
Azerbaijani population takes part in them equally with the Armenian
population," the statement says.

Azerbaijan "calls of the Armenian side to demonstrate wish and take a
constructive stand in the negotiation process to settle the conflict
on the basis of norms and principles of the international law and put
an end to destructive policy of illegal moves that have no outlook,"
Trend reports.

Armenian MPs fail to adopt changes to TV, radio law

Mediamax news agency
3 Jul 07

Yerevan, 3 July: The Armenian parliament did not adopt the package of
amendments and additions to the laws "On TV and radio" and "On the
state duty" in their second reading today.

Sixty-three MPs voted in favour of the amendments and two abstained,
Mediamax reports. At least 66 votes are needed to adopt amendments to
draft laws.

The opposition factions – Heritage and Orinats Yerkir (Law-Governed
Country) – did not participate in the voting.

The draft laws ban the operation of other broadcasting companies on the
frequencies of Armenian Public TV and Radio and establishes new duties
for rebroadcasting on private radio channels, Mediamax reports.

[Passage omitted: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today received a
delegation of the Ago monitoring group of the Council of Europe
Committee of Ministers. They touched on the amendments to the law on TV
and radio which are being discussed at the National Assembly]