Author: Tigranian Ani

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN: THERE IS NO PLACE FOR VIOLENCE IN DEMOCRACY

armradio.am
25.03.2008 18:05

Currently there is no doubt among certain political circles of Europe
about the place and role of Armenia and no one doubts that Armenia
is a European country. The consistent policy of European integration
can open a membership perspective for Armenia, future Secretary of
the Presidential Council on National Security, leader of the Ornats
Yerkir Party, Co-Chair of the Caucasus-Caspian Commission Arthur
Baghdasaryan said during the 2008 Armenia-Europe Forum today.

Armenia’s consistent integration with European structures,
according to him, means implementation of large-scale reforms in
different directions – democratic, social, economic – which is also
included in the five-year Action Plan of the European Neighborhood
Policy. According to Arthur Baghdasaryan, the Armenia-EU relations are
entering a new stage: an EU delegation works in Armenia, an Ambassador
has been appointed, the activity of an independent mission will also
provide an opportunity to deepen Armenia-EU relations in different
directions.

Arthur Baghdasaryan is assured that simultaneously with the development
of democratic institutions, we should pay attention to the freedom of
speech, the plurality of opinions, improvement of the mechanisms of
human rights protection, synchronization of the national legislation
with European standards.

According to Arthur Baghdasaryan, the difficulties of the transition
period must be understood, as well. "We must move along the path of
deepening the public political dialogue not only with neighbors, but
also inside the country. In general, it should be an axiom that there
is no place for violence in democracy. There is place for dialogue.

One of the most important issues in the South Caucasus is the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict. According to Arthur Baghdasaryan,
connected with the domestic political situation in Armenia, Azerbaijan
assumed a non-constructive position, first by violating the cease-fire
regime and then implementing a policy of aggressive propaganda, the
policy of reviewing the Minsk Group format, the attempts to transfer
the issue to other structures.

"We resolutely defend the continuousness of the negotiation process
in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. It is the format, in the
framework of which we must make consistent efforts for the peaceful
resolution of the issue. Those familiar with the Nagorno Karabakh
issue know that the issue is a very gentle one, and the Minsk Group
has been addressing it for many years. It’s very important to continue
the negotiations in the same format to be able to find a peaceful and
deserved solution targeted at future," Arthur Baghdasaryan declared. In
his words, Nagorno Karabakh has been building independent statehood
for a while, all legal and political institutions are being formed,
and one should recognize that the negotiations should be conducted,
taking into consideration the political realities, having the mutual
concessions in the basis of negotiations.

AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA REFUTES STATEMENTS ON ‘SETTLEMENT OF TERRITORIES OF SECURITY BELT’

arminfo
2008-03-25 11:36:00

ArmInfo. Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu refuted
the statements on "settlement of the territories of security belt".

‘We used to drive through the occupied regions, which are unsettled
so far.

I passed several meters and heard only my steps. There was a
burnt field around’, the ambassador said in an interview with
‘Nezavisimaya Gazeta’, talking of the trip of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani intellectuals to Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan. To
recall, the trip was initiated by Azerbaijani and Armenian ambassadors
to RF. ‘After the trip, I was sailed by some political forces of
Azerbaijan, which treated my visit as a betrayal, though both me
and Armen Smbatyan emphasized that we shall not change the policy,
carried out by the presidents and foreign ministries. Of course, we
meet and discuss the problems. As a result, an idea appeared to visit
Karabakh. We also visited Yerevan and Baku where we were received by
Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev.

Talking of the UN GA Resolution, the ambassador criticized the position
of OSCE MG co-chairs and expressed an opinion that "it is necessary
to activate the other members’ potential in the new situation". "Of
course, one cannot do without Russia in the region. It is also clear
that no one can do in the world without the USA. However, I think
that the matter may also concern attraction of new players. Why not
to attract the countries of the Eastern Europe, Rumania and Poland,
for example?", the ambassador said. He emphasized the necessity of
searching the points of contact. "We won in the Great Patriotic
War together. That was a great victory. Now, we have to achieve
the people’s living together. We are not aimed at expatriating
the Armenians from Karabakh. We are not aimed at returning Nagorno
Karabakh under Azerbaijani jurisdiction on the rights of autonomy
with the widest authorities". He exampled the Nakhchivan AR:
" We offer the same autonomy for Karabakh. Today, Azerbaijan has
great economic resources. Fund are invested in the republic. The
business opportunities are unlimited. In principle, under a definite
pragmatism, Nagorno Karabakh could be winner if Azerbaijan, Armenia
and the foreign Diaspora assisted it". "Asked about violation of the
armistice regime, the ambassador said that "there are many cases of
such violation during a year". "However, in fact, the armistice is
kept since 1994. I should note that there are no separating troops
or a peacekeeping contingent between us. We keep peace by ourselves,
and it gives hope", the ambassador said.

OPPOSITION INTENDS TO ORGANIZE PROCESSION ON MARCH 22

Noyan Tapan
March 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The protest organized on March 21 by
supporters of the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosian began
at 3 p.m. and ended at about 7 p.m. Some protesters have been arrested,
and at the moment it is impossible to clarify their number. At 5 p.m.,
small groups of people remained in North Avenue and near Monument to
Myasnikian. Freedom, Myasnikian and Shahumian Squares were surrounded
by police, there were a lot of policemen in Mashtots Avenue. Black
ribbons decorated with flowers and candles in memory of March 1
victims were left in the vicinity of Swan Lake.

In the words of procession participants, the event will resume on
March 22 at 5 p.m. By some information, it is likely that this time
only women will take part in the procession.

OPPOSITION CONSIDERS THAT AUTHORITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MARCH 1 EVENTS

Noyan Tapan
March 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. "After the March 1 events the
political struggle grew into the struggle of the whole people against
the established dictatorship," Levon Zurabian, the representative of
Levon Ter-Petrosian’s preelection headquarters, stated at the March 21
press conference held by the National Press Club within the framework
of the Topical Subject program.

According to him, on March 1, the ruling regime, which shot at its own
people, "tore off the mask from itself" and completely uncovered its
real face, as a result of which even people supporting the authorities
got absolutely disappointed in them and passed over to the national
movement.

According to him, the opposition considers that the very authorities
are responsible for the March 1 events.

L. Zurabian said that under the conditions of repressions, which are
going on, when many opposition activists are arrested, the opposition’s
possibilities are limited, including in holding of an independent
investigation of the March 1 events in Yerevan. Meanwhile he said that
the opposition is collecting all necessary evidence and materials. "We
blame the authorities for the victims. It is impossible to conduct
a dialogue with a force, which beats you with one hand and tries to
hold out the other for conducting a dialogue. Our first condition
is that the authorities should release from custody all our friends,
political prisoners," Levon Zurabian said.

In his opinion, in spite of the authorities’ wish to perpetuate the
regime of state of emergency, people will not get reconciled with
the existing regime, the actions of which are aimed at suppressing
the people’s freedom.

He assured that the public is going to carry out struggle against
dictatorship by holding different actions of protest. Thus, in his
words, non-governmental organizations have become very active lately,
many of them took a civil position. "The most important result of
our struggle is that indeed society has been formed in Armenia, for
which freedom is a sweet word. Thanks to that awakening the people
will manage to get rid of that regime soon."

PRESIDENT OF SLOVAKIA CONGRATULATES PM SERGE SARGSYAN

armradio.am
21.03.2008 10:52

The President of the Republic of Slovakia Ivan Gasparovic congratulated
RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan on his victory in the presidential
elections.

The message says, in part:

"Accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your election
as President of Armenia.

I would like to use the opportunity to express my interest in the
multifaceted development of Armenian-Slovakian relations, which are
in the focus of attention of our foreign policy.

Let me express confidence that the mutual contacts and active dialogue
between our countries and governments and the leaders of our states
will continue developing.

Dear Prime Minister, I wish you success in your responsible work,
sound health and great creative potential for the fulfillment of
Armenia’s political intentions in the country and outside its borders."

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: WE HAVE NO FORMAT FOR TALKS BETTER THAN THE MINSK GROUP

Armradio.am
20.03.2008 16:04

"We have no format for the negotiation process better than the Minsk
Group, but it does not mean that we will necessarily stick to that
format if Azerbaijan does not accept it," RA President Robert Kocharyan
told a press conference today. "If they don’t want to negotiate,
let’s not negotiate. We have always been ready for talks and we think
that it is the only way to resolve the issue. If they don’t want,
please, but at the same time if they do not negotiate they must think
how they see the future and who will carry responsibility for the
possible steps. My impression is a bit different: the recognition
of Kosovo’s independence raised a big wave of anxiety, and they
are trying to take certain steps to take the further initiative and
somehow counterbalance the possible application of that precedent,"
Robert Kocharyan clarified.

According to President Kocharyan, Karabakh has greater and more
grounded rights to be independent than Kosovo: Nagorno Karabakh’s
independence was proclaimed in September, 1992, the referendum was held
in December, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has all state institutions
and defends its independence and territorial integrity itself. "From
this perspective Karabakh’s rights are more advantageous, and this
negotiation process is more necessary to Azerbaijan that us. If they
continue in the same style, our next step should be recognition of
Karabakh’s independence and signing of a correspondent document with
NKR on reciprocal support, organization of common defense and other
issues. In any event, these would be my future steps.

By forcing the passage of the resolution on Nagorno Karabakh in
the UN General Assembly on March 14, Azerbaijan made an attempt to
counterbalance the Kosovo precedent, pretending that the precedent
does not apply to Karabakh. "There is the independence of Kosovo,
the process of recognition of this independence which is quite
understandable and is not conceived by all states in the same
way. However, feeling that danger and seeing that these conflicts are
rather alike and it’s very hard to find the right qualification of a
"precedent or no precedent," they are trying to counterbalance it with
such a resolution. However, their counterbalance was not correct and
far more states did not support them.

There are both a political pretext here and an attempt to solve the
issue in a military way," RA President noted.

According to him, the violation of the cease-fire, the passage of the
resolution in the UN and the attempts to dissolve the Minsk Group are
targeted at checking the level of strength of the Armenian side. "I
have no doubt that if they were confident Armenia and Karabakh
were weakened, Azerbaijan would make an attempt to succeed," Robert
Kocharyan noted.

STATE COMMISSION OF FLAT PROGRAMS’ SYSTEMATIZATION

Azat Artsakh Daily
Published on March 20, 2008
NKR Republic

On March 19th by a decree of NKR President Bako Sahakian, a state
commission of flat programs’ systematization was created with the
following stuff: Arayik V. Harutyunian NKR Prime Minister (chairman of
the commission) Narine A. Azatian NKR Minister of Social Maintenance
(vice-chairman of the commission) Movses H. Hakobian NKR Minister
of Defence Spartak A. Tevosian NKR Minister of Finances Alexandre
E. Mamounts NKR Minister of Urban Planning Boris G. Alaverdian deputy
chief of the NKR President’s stuff Vytaly M. Balasanian advisor of the
NKR President Arpat S. Avanesian chairman of permenant commission on
questions of NA’s social sphere (by agreement) Kamo S. Martirosian
chief of department of migration, refugees and resettlement of
NKR Government Vazgen B. Michaelian mayor of Stepanakert Samvel
H. Harutyunian leader of NKR board of administration of Askeran region
Valery A. Gevorgian leader of NKR board of administration of Hadrut
region Sergey M. Ohanian leader of NKR board of administration
of Martakert region Valery S. Khachatrian leader of NKR board of
administration of Martuni region Vassily G. Nalbandian leader of NKR
board of administration of Shahumian region Vardan E. Gabrielian leader
of NKR board of administration of Shushi region Ernest B. Ghevondian
leader of NKR board of administration of Kashatagh region According to
the decree, the commission, in a period of one month, will represent
a time-limit of state commission of flat programs’ systematization
to NKR government’s affirmation.

NKR NA: UN RESOLUTION TO BECOME TOPIC OF AZERBAIJAN’S POLITICAL DEMAGOGY

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.03.2008 15:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan’s resolution on Nagorno Karabakh will
have no legal effect, said Vahram Atanesyan, chairman of the NKR NA
committee on external relations.

"World powers and, first of all, OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states
voted against the document. Tendencies of the world politics vividly
demonstrate that fundamental problems are settled via political legal
acts but via adoption of resolutions," he said. "This resolution,
however, will become a topic of Azerbaijan’s political demagogy, which
will not affect the settlement process," he added, Karabakh-Open.com
reports.

On March 14, with 39 votes in favor, 7 against and 100 abstentions,
the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution "On the situation on
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan."

29 ILLEGAL TREE FELLING CASES REGISTERED IN YEREVAN IN 2007

Noyan Tapan
March 17, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 17, NOYAN TAPAN. 29 cases of illegal tree felling were
registered in Yerevan in 2007, in connection with which reports were
drawn up and sent to the RA ministry of environmental protection. The
head of the environmental protection department of Yerevan mayor’s
office Avet Martirosian said at the March 17 press conference that
not all the participants of the registered cases were revealed, while
those revealed were fined in the amount of 150-300 thousand drams
(about 490-968 USD).

It was announced that 5 criminal cases were opened in connection with
illegal felling.

PanARMENIAN.Net

OSCE MG developed exact plans for coming future
14.03.2008 16:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Our last visit to the region took
place in January. Still, we don’t plan a regional
visit in the near future. Everything will depend on
the results of our meeting with the Foreign Ministers,
where our proposals on exact steps will be known,’
OSCE Minsk Group Russian Co-chair, Ambassador Yuri
Merzlyakov said.

`The Minsk Group gave a briefing in Vienna. We
basically hold it once per quarter and inform about
our activities of the past three months, i.e. since
the end of November, when the Foreign Ministers of
Russia, France and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State came together in Madrid and sent the Foreign
Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia a document
reflecting base principles for the conflict
settlement. In addition, we speak about our plans for
the coming future. However, this briefing is
confidential and held only for the members of the
Minsk Group. Our plans are precise and key for the
future perspective. However, I can not provide you
with details,’ he said.

`In January, we suggested the Presidents to think
about the meeting. We knew that Kocharian is not going
to attend the Bucharest summit, but Sargsyan is. The
idea was suggested to us then. We would like it to be
realized,’ Ambassador Merzlyakov said.