Author: Tigranian Ani

Agence France Presse — English
February 21, 2008 Thursday 11:42 AM GMT

Turkey urges new Armenian president to work to heal ties

ANKARA, Feb 21 2008

Turkish President Abdullah Gul called on Armenia’s president-elect
Thursday to help normalise bilateral ties poisoned by a dispute over
the World War I Ottoman massacres of Armenians.

"I sincerely hope that our joint efforts will create an atmosphere
based on stability, mutual trust and cooperation, Gul said in a
message of congratulations to Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, who won
Tuesday’s presidential elections.

"I hope your new duty will provide the necessary atmosphere for
normalising ties between the Turkish and Armenian peoples who have
proved for centuries that they can live side by side in peace and
harmony," Gul added.

The mass killings of Armenians in the final years of the Ottoman
Empire, modern Turkey’s predecessor, constitute one of the most
painful episodes in Turkish history and a major obstacle to
normalising ties between Ankara and Yerevan.

Armenians claim up to 1.5 million of their kinsmen died between 1915
and 1917 in deportations and systematic killings that they want
recognised as an act of genocide.

Turkey rejects the label and argues that 300,000 Armenians and at
least as many Turks died in civil strife when Armenians took up arms
for independence in eastern Anatolia and sided with invading Russian
troops.

Although Turkey recognized Armenia when it gained independence from
the Soviet Union in 1991, it refuses to establish diplomatic
relations.

In 1993, Turkey sealed the common border in solidarity with its close
ally Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over the enclave of
Nagorny-Karabakh.

Analysts say Sarkisian will follow the policies of outgoing President
Robert Kocharian — who handpicked him for the post — and pursue
close ties with Moscow and a hawkish stance in relations with
Azerbaijan and Turkey.

A NUMBER OF ARMENIAN NGOs DEMAND THAT OSCE OBSERVERS EXAMINE IN DETAIL ELECTION VIOLATION FACTS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 25, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. A number of Armenian NGOs applied to
the OSCE observers, demanding that they examine in detail the election
violation facts presented by the NGOs and political forces, reconsider
their opinion and use all possible levers to prevent the authorities
from using the repressions system: the army, the National Security
Service and the police. According to a press release submitted to NT,
the February 19 elections, as well as the presidenntial elections in
1996, 1998, 2003 and the 2005 Constitutional referendum were shamefully
distorted by the officially competent bodies with the use of the
machine and criminal mechanisms of state repressions. Nevertheless,
all this did not receive the appropriate assessment of the European
structures and their opinions became "a carte blanche for further
crimes and actions against the citizens struggling for their rights".

According to the statement authors, this situation puts an end to
the process of establishing democracy in Armenia. The only way for
citizens to act is civil disobedience and protest, which found its
manifestation in rallies in Freedom Square.

"We, the undersigned, state with full responsibility that the process
of presidential elections in Armenia passed in a criminal way at all
its stages. The Armenian citizen has no alternative but to rise –
the citizens are free in their choice of means but the responsibility
for the consequences lies on the Armenian authorities instigating this
situation and their supporters, including the European structures that
give their opinions," is said in the statement signed by the NGOs:
"Hope", "Lawyers for Human Rights", "Assembly of Helsinki Citizens
of Vanadzor", "Mijnaberd", "Transparency International. Armenia" and
"Asparez" club of journalists.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 21 2008

Araz Azimov: Date of next talks on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
will be determined after presidential elections in Armenia

[ 21 Feb 2008 18:08 ]

Baku Tamara Grigoryeva-APA. `The date of n ext talks will be
determined after the official results of Presidential election in
Armenia’, Araz Azimov, Azerbaijani deputy Foreign Minister said, APA
reports

Deputy Minister noted that, proper condition and preparation are
demanded to hold next meeting with a new Armenian President and
stated that co-chairs should initiate on holding the talks.
`I do not know when co-chairs will visit region,’ he said. Asked
whether the presidential elections will influence to negotiation
process or not he said that, Armenia faces a dilemma. The new
President should appreciate positive and negative features of former
President.
`We hope that, Armenia will choose correct way and understand that,
Armenia and Azerbaijan should remains as a neighbor. It is impossible
to change the geography. Principle of Azerbaijani territorial
integrity has no alternative. It is possible o carry out talks in the
framework of territorial integrity,’ he said.
Azimov took stance on Serzh Sarkisyan’s statements who won
presidential election according to initial results, that, Kosovo can
not be precedent for Nagorno Karabakh conflict and so-called
`Republic’ will be independent. Azimov noted that, Serzh Sarkisyan
and other Armenian officials have a lot of such statements.
`These can not change the reality. Ethic cleansing was carried out in
Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijanis were driven out from there.
Armenians’ statement that they gained `independence ` by holding
so-called `referendum’ can not change the reality.

AMBASSADORS AND DEPUTY MINISTER JOIN TER-PETROSYAN

Lragir
20:35:54 – 23/02/2008
On February 23 the Armenian ambassador to Italy, Spain and Portugal
Ruben Shugaryan, the Armenian ambassador to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Levon Khachatryan, the envoy of Armenia to Ukraine and Moldova Razmik
Khumaryan and the deputy foreign minister Armen Baiburdyan have
resigned and joined the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
The information was confirmed by the press secretary of Levon
Ter-Petrosyan Arman Musinyan.

U.S. CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN PEOPLE ON CONDUCTION OF ACTIVE AND COMPETITIVE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.02.2008 13:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "We congratulate the people of Armenia on the
active and competitive presidential election of February 19 and
note the preliminary assessment of the OSCE’s Office of Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Parliamentary Assembly
that the election was "mostly in line with OSCE and Council of Europe
commitments and standards for democratic elections," said Tom Casey,
Deputy Spokesman for the U.S. Department of State.

"At the same time, we also note that international monitors identified
significant problems with electoral procedures. Armenian election
authorities have responded with the positive step of recounts in a
number of jurisdictions. We urge the Government of Armenia to ensure
these recounts are conducted comprehensively and transparently,
investigate all allegations of irregularities, and implement steps to
improve future elections. We also urge all political forces to continue
observing the rule of law and to work peacefully and responsibly for
a democratic Armenia," the statement says.

PRESS RELEASE
The Armenia Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

22 February, 2008

Medical Supply for the Stepanakert Policlinic Delivered

Yerevan, February 21, 2008 – The Armenia Fund small and large-scale project
developments follow one another at a quick pace. This is to inform of the
latest medical supply – equipment, office and hygiene items – delivery to
the Stepanakert Clinic (Nagorno Karabakh) by the Armenia Fund working group
in mid February.

The supply worth $464.779, and packed in 920 boxes, was passed over to the
Stepanakert Policlinic through the Ministry of Health of Nagorno Karabakh.
The initiative was sponsored by the Armenia Fund USA Eastern Affiliate.
As a consequence of the Artsakh conflict, the country was devastated, and
there was a pressing need for an up to date healthcare institution. Through
its East Coast Affiliate the Armenia Fund launched on construction of the
Stepanakert Policlinic. In March 2006, a modern building, equipped with a
diagnostic center and other necessary facilities was in place. To ensure
adequate medical service, the Fund also held in-service medical staff and
administrative personnel trainings.
"The necessary maintenance work in the policlinic is limited to replacing
the door handles and broken glasses," the newly appointed Executive Director
Karine Atayan told the Fund working group visiting the policlinic within the
Project Condition Survey of the Armenia Fund projects for 2002-2007. The
visit coincided with the bothersome time of lack of running water from the
water network, but that had not affected the hygiene and sanitary conditions
of the clinic; the management made sure that the policlinic water tanks were
regularly stocked up with water necessary to take care of the policlinic’s
needs.
According to Ms. Atayan, as of December 2007, 83,815 people underwent
general therapeutic treatment, 24,228 were screened and examined and 26,492
had laboratory tests.
"I believe good conditions in a medical institution are vital to the
recovery of patients. It is more important though, that the Karabakh
residents feel confident about the healthcare service in their country. This
is the reason for which the Fund also embarked on the full renovation of the
Hadrut Regional Hospital which is to complete in mid 2008," says Vahe
Aghabegians, the executive director of the Armenia Fund.

RA PRESIDENT TO LEAVE FOR MOSCOW ON FEBRUARY 22

Noyan Tapan
Feb 21, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. On February 22, RA President Robert
Kocharian leaves for Moscow on a working visit, to take part in the
unofficial summit of the CIS member-countries’ leaders. According
to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA President’s Press
Office, R. Kocharian will have bilateral meetings with his Russian
and Georgian counterparts during the summit.

SERZH SARGSYAN’S VICTORY MY VICTORY

Panorama.am
15:40 21/02/2008

Today Aram Harutyunyan, the president of "National Concorde" party
held a meeting and congratulated Serzh Sargsyan for being elected as
the president of the country. "These elections showed that our nation
is quite wise," said Harutyunyan.

Harutyunyan said that before he appreciated Ter-Petrosyan’s return
to the political life but after felt the danger of past.

According to him the public also felt the danger and elected
stability and development. He said that ideological fight was not
fully accomplished as there was a danger of past days. He particularly
mentioned Ter-Petrosyan’s treatment to the NKR question.

"I treat Serzh Sargsyan’s victory as my victory and my voters’
victory," said Harutyunyan.

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
February 20, 2008
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANC-WR Visits Chamlian to Discuss Javakhk Armenians

Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, February 7, 2008, Armenian National
Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) Executive Director Antranig
Kzirian met with Chamlian students to discuss the current political
situation in Javakhk. Armenians are the third largest ethnic minority
in Georgia, and Javakhk, located in the southern portion of Georgia,
has remained historically Armenian in terms of population. Armenians
tend to be underrepresented in all spheres of public life and
experience rampant discrimination and treatment as second-class
citizens.

"Connecting with students is an important part of our work at the
ANC-WR," stated Kzirian. "The plight of the Armenians of Javakhk is
an issue about which we must educate our communities. A special focus
on schools is necessary to ensure that future generations are fully
aware of the oppression that Armenians face in Javakhk," he added.

Speaking to over 100 Chamlian students and teachers, Kzirian discussed
what Armenians in Javakhk face on a daily basis, including difficulty
finding jobs, language restrictions and oppressive governmental
policies related to cultural sustenance and overall hardship. Kzirian
also noted the importance of the Baku – Ceyhan pipeline as it passes
through an area of Georgia that is in close proximity to Javakhk.
Taking questions from the student audience, Kzirian described the
other ethnic conflicts that have taken place in Georgia, including the
regions of Abkhazia, Ajaria and Ossetia, among others.

"We appreciate the work of the ANC-WR in raising awareness of issues
like Javakhk," stated Armenian Department Co-Chairperson Saro
Nazarian. "We hope to continue talks like this for our student body
to get the very latest in information on issues that matter to the
community," he added.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in
the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States
and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.

EU FOREIGN MINISTERS APPROVED TURKEY’S REVISED ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.02.2008 01:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At a meeting in Brussels, European Union foreign
ministers yesterday approved Turkey’s revised accession partnership
document. A statement issued by the European Council on Foreign
Relations said that the document reviewed priorities in Turkey’s
accession process, along with conditions and principles. The new
document highlights the need for reforms over the next three to four
years in the areas of democracy and the rule of law, human rights,
citizenship and political rights, economic and social rights, minority
rights, cultural rights, the protection of minorities, regional and
international obligations, economic criteria and harmonization with
the EU acquis. Turkey is now expected to submit a national program
to the EU on its reform plans, Sabah reports.