Author: Toneyan Mark

WHY DON’T WE RAISE THE ISSUE OF ARMENIA’S BLOCKADE?

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on July 02, 2008
Armenia

"By speculating the topic of the "occupied territories" Azerbaijan
puts pressure on both Armenia and the international community.

But we never raise the issue of Armenia’s blockade in the international
instances.

Do you remember the document prepared by Van Grigoryan, passed by the
US legislative body? According to that document it was prohibited to
show humanitarian assistance to Azerbaijan, until they continue to
blockade Armenia.

Of course that document was frozen, on political bases, but it
testifies to the fact that international community attaches great
importance to that issue." Artak Davtyan believes.

LEVON TER-PETROSIAN: CONSTITUTION IS REDUCED TO ZERO IN ARMENIA

NOYAN TAPAN

Ju ly 1

First Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian, on July 1, held a press
conference, at which he presented the copy of the investigation
errand spread on March 5 by the Second-category Justice Adviser,
Head of the Special Investigation Service A. Mirzoyan. According to
the presented document addressed to A. Palian, the Prosecutor of the
Vayots Dzor region, investigation bodies are proposed conducting a
number of investigation events among L. Ter-Petrosian’s supporers
within the framework of the criminal case instituted by Articles 225
(part 3) and 235 part 2).

The following ones are mentioned among these events, in particular,
(the stylistics is kept).

1. To find out what rally participants said about assistance to them
by foreign states and first of all by what countries; whether rally
participants understood that they destabilize the situation, which
is beneficial for the neighboring states, whether rally participants
speak about ousting Russia from Armenia.

2. To interrogate the rally participants, as well as neighbors of
heads of L. Ter-Petrosian’s election headquarters in the Vayots Dzor
region on the following points:

– to find out the location of the rally participants and heads of L.

Ter-Petrosian’s headquarters from 20:02 – 02.03.08, about the agitation
rally participants carried out among their neighbors, as well as how
they are characterized by their neighbors, with whom they communicated
in that period of time, what actions did,

– to gather characteristics and inquiries about the place of residence
of all participants of rallies and heads of all headquarters of L.

Ter-Petrosian in the Vayots Dzor region,

– to check data about conviction of rally participants and heads of L.

Ter-Petrosian’s election headquarters.

3. The telephone numbers of heads of L. Ter-Petrosian’s headquarters
should be found out to receive a permission in the court on receiving
information about outgoing and incoming calls.

4. To find out the property position of rally participants and heads
of L.

Ter-Petrosian’s election headquarters.

5. To collect information about participants of rallies and heads of L.

Ter-Petrosian’s headquarters at passport departments of Police
according to form N 1, as well as to learn from drivers of transport
means, who transported rally participants to Yerevan, with whom
they were, who paid for the travel and where and what was spoken
about rallies.

In L. Ter-Petrosian’s opinion, an analogous instruction was sent out
to all regions of the country. He drew the attention of those present
to the fact that de facto and de jure all participants of rallies
and heads of headquarters of the presidential candidate are called
for liability. In fact, participation in the rally is classed as a
crime, etc.

Giving an estimation to the above mentioned instruction, he said
that existence of such a document is evidence that the Constitution
"is reduced to zero" in Armenia and the very document is the real
Constitution of the country. He expressed confidence that that document
"was dictated from above," most probably, by President of that time
Robert Kocharian.

L. Ter-Petrosian said that the above mentioned document will be
translated and sent to various international instances, including
PACE and OSCE, to misters: Terry Davis, Geert Ahrens, John Prescott,
George Colombier, and others.

He also stated that the publication of the given document is not
connected with the political state of affairs. At the same time,
L. Ter-Petrosian expressed satisfaction that in any normal country
of the world such a document would result in the resignation of the
person sending it out and to the impeachment of head of state.

Commenting upon PACE Resolution N 1609, L. Ter-Petrosian said that
that organization’s Co-reporters J. Prescott and G. Colombier are the
"lawyers of the Armenian authorities." He stated that the Western
countries are not interested in Armenia’s having a strong and
legitimate government. A weak and illegitimate power is beneficial
for them, which will obey them and will fulfil their demands on the
issue of Nagorno Karabakh settlement, on cooperation in the sphere
of fighting international terrorism, etc.

L. Ter-Petrosian considers one of his goals introduction of serious
evidence of the real face of the Armenian authorities to the world
community. And in his opinion, nothing need to be proved to the
Armenian people, as "the people knows everything."

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

*Community Development a Focus Area of UNDP Activities *

United Nations, Yerevan – On 26 June Ms. Consuelo Vidal, the United
Nations Resident Coordinator / UN Development Programme Resident
Representative in Armenia paid a visit to Lusadzor community of Tavush
region to get an insight on the progress of the community-based
integrated development projects implemented by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) in the village since 2007, in partnership
with the Government of Italy.

In line with the recommendations of the Third Armenia-Diaspora
Conference, UNDP works in Lusadzor through locally-based participatory
planning and the implementation of development projects to revitalize
the community. As a result, an integrated development plan 2007-2008 was
elaborated with the participation of the mayor and the representatives
of the citizens of Lusadzor. Together with other five neighboring
villages, Lusadzor was included in the first rural development cluster
addressed under the Rural Development Program of Hayastan All-Armenian
Fund. In line with the Program, the Government of Italy has provided a
total of 500,000 EUR for the projects’ implementation in Lusadzor, which
has been supplemented with co-funding from UNDP.

With three projects already completed, UNDP currently works on three
more initiatives targeting the recovery of the socio-economic
infrastructure of Lusadzor and the creation of income generation
opportunities for the rural households. Under its Community Development
Project, UNDP has supported the construction of a 4.8-kilometer gas
network to supply natural gas to around 200 households. A total of 150
households have been provided with 17 tons of high quality wheat seeds
as well as diesel and fertilizer to return non-tilled arable lands into
crop cultivation. This year wheat crop cultivation will result in an
increase of community income by 60,000 USD. Over 5,000 persimmon
seedlings have been distributed to replace the old gardens of the
beneficiaries with newly planted orchards. In four years the persimmon
production in the community will total up to 1,000 tons, which is almost
one third of the annual consumption of persimmon in the country. The
persimmon production will have a major impact on the income of Lusadzor
households, as it will increase by 2,000 USD per household.

Currently a 2.5-kilometer internal irrigation network reconstruction is
underway and UNDP has also undertaken the rehabilitation of the local
cultural center to help address the cultural and sports needs of the
villagers. To support around 120 households engaged in cattle breeding,
UNDP has started a project on artificial insemination of the community
livestock aimed at improving its genetic qualities and fertility.

New community development initiatives, such as the establishment of
garlic demo farms, enlargement of persimmon orchards and reconstruction
of the potable water network, are part of the project and are in the
process of being implemented.

——————-
UNDP is on ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own
solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP in Armenia
was established in 1993 and supports the Government of Armenia to reach
its own development priorities and the Millennium Development Goals by
2015.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Azat Artsakh Daily,
26 June 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

According to NKR law "About Television and radio" and competitive
order for staffing the vacancy of a member of the Council of Republican
TVradio company, only one candidate has applied in established period
of time for stuffing the vacancy of the Council’s member – Norek
Gasparyan, minister of NKR Culture and Youth.In competition carried
out on June 25th,2008 the commission admitted N. Gasparyan a winner and
assuming as a basis the above-mentioned law and order, represented the
basis in written form about his election to NKR President Bako Sahakyan
for appointing the candidate, won in the competition, a member of the
Council. By the President’s decree of June 25th Norek Gasparyan has
been appointed a member of the Council of Republican TVradio company.

EU: CONTINUING REFORMS, TURKEY CAN FIX PROGRESS BY YEAREND

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.06.2008 17:56 GMT+04:00

The European Union thinks that if Turkey continues reform it can
fix progress by the yearend, according to Krisztina Nagy, European
Commission’s spokeswoman for enlargement.

"Turkey is striding steadily toward the European Union. However,
accession to the Union is long process. Turkey has already carried
out a number of reforms, including cancellation of death penalty,
consolidation of civil control over the armed forces and introduction
of some amendments to the Constitution. Turkey also fixed progress
in securing women and children’s rights," she said.

"But there is still a great deal of work to do. Turkey should develop
its economy and demonstrate ability to carry out reforms in all fields,
what implies adoption of 80 thousand pages of EU laws and standards,"
she said, Azeri Trend news agency reports.

DASHNAKTSUTYUN RECOGNIZES NKR IN ITS FACTUAL BORDERS PLUS NORTH ARTSAKH

KarabakhOpen
25-06-2008 17:53:30

The ARF Dashnaktsutyun thinks that all the territories which are within
the borders of NKR, as well as North Artsakh occupied by Azerbaijan
are indivisible parts of NKR, and it is necessary to convey this to
the Armenians worldwide and the Armenian state, holds the editor’s
column of the Aparazh newspaper of the party (Stepanakert) which
comments on the 30th General Assembly of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun.

The decisions made during the assembly have a special focus on NKR.

According to the program which it passed, NKR is on the track for
development, and everything should be done to involve NKR in the
talks, consolidate the Armenian potential for sustaining the economic
development of NKR and support the political stance of the Armenian
sides on the international arena, as well as to solve social and
economic problems.

By the way, Kiro Manoyan, a member of the ARF Bureau, stated in
Yerevan that special focus on the population of Karabakh is needed.

PRESS RELEASE

Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Buzand Street, 0010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
162 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900,
New York, NY 10010, USA
Contact: Samantha Wagar
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8234
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Lernagog School Children Advocate Tobacco Free Environment

June 25, 2008 Lernagog, Armavir District ¾ Following international No
Tobacco Day celebrated worldwide on May 31, the community of Lernagog
recently hosted an event in the premises of a newly renovated village
school, advocating tobacco free environment in the community and
throughout the region. Lernagog is one of six villages included in
Comprehensive Rural Development Program, initiated and implemented by
the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) since early 2006. Other communities
constituting COAF’s Model Cluster include Argina, Dalarik, Karakert,
Miasnikian and Shenik.

The event was organized by the members of the local Youth Club on
Healthy Lifestyle in close cooperation with COAF health education team.
Through the mentioned club, which makes part of a chain of 30 clubs
operating in four villages of the Model Cluster and one neighboring
Hushakert, the local youth acquires knowledge and builds capacity on
disease prevention, healthy nutrition, physical activities and healthy
behavior. Other clubs focus on such areas of development as
agribusiness, civic education, ecology, logics and journalism/public
relations. The project is being implemented within the framework of
Creation and Development of Youth Clubs, implemented in close
partnership with Heifer International.

The participants and organizers built the first part of the event on
question and answer scheme, discussing and covering smoking and
non-smoking issues, accompanied by illustrative slides on the damages
caused by active and passive smoking, and presenting some statistics on
smokers throughout Armenia. As Karine Tonoyan, Head of Youth Club on
Healthy Lifestyle and Lernagog School Biology Teacher noted, "This event
and a number of others that we are regularly organizing is always a
great tool in raising awareness and taking responsibility towards health
issues among children, youth and adults. And from one event to another
we get more and more enthusiastic, as we find the necessary support from
our friends from COAF".

The second part of the event was dedicated to the performance, played by
the Lernagog schoolchildren themselves, with the goal of advocating
tobacco-free environment and conducting healthy lifestyle among youth
and adults. Anti-smoking commercials and ads, as well as recommendations
towards quitting smoking were widely used and advocated. Of special
importance were the stage decorations, which symbolized the Universe,
divided into two parts – smokers and non-smokers. The guests and the
local community could witness that the part engaging non-smokers was
blossoming with flowers and flourishing with sunshine, thus promising a
bright future and prosperity for its inhabitants. Meanwhile the opposite
camp remained uninhabited, with its grey and gloomy colors, arousing
sadness and bore and repelling the people to a brighter part of the
Universe.

For the past two years, apart from classes on healthy lifestyle
conducted in Lernagog and other five villages of the Model Cluster, COAF
community health education program additionally included trainings and
workshops on first aid, prevention of infectious diseases, management of
chronic health problems, prenatal care, child care, cervical and breast
cancer prevention, family planning, sexually transmitted diseases, and
family violence.

# # # #

900 THOUSAND – 1M RA CITIZENS EMIGRATE FROM ARMENIA SINCE 1992

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 23, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The Migration Agency of the RA Ministry
of Territorial Administration has created a new Internet system with
the address. Its goal is to provide information to
RA citizens living abroad on issues they are concerned with. As Gagik
Yeganian, the Head of the Agency, said at the June 20 press conference,
people can apply to the system with issues of RA citizenship, loss
of documents, their return, compulsory military service in RA, and
other issues. Besides, according to him, system’s special online
regime gives a possibility to conduct an interview between a citizen
and a competent employee of country’s proper state body.

G. Yeganian said that 900 thousand – 1m RA citizens have emigrated from
Armenia since 1992. Nearly 70% of them have left for CIS countries,
including nearly 65% to RF.

ARMENIA JOINS ENTERPRISE EUROPE NETWORK

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 20, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Henceforth small and medium
entrepreneurs of Armenia will have the opportunity to establish
contacts and find partners in the European market – thanks to Armenia’s
joining the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). The official ceremony
of Armenia’s joining EEN took place at the office of the European
Commission Delegation in Armenia on June 20.

The RA minister of economy Nerses Yeritsian said that links with the
developed European market and professional advice of European experts
will open development opportunities not only for small and medium
entrepreneurs, but also for big ones. Businessmen from Yerevan and
marzes may use services of the network, which is of special importance
to those who have just started their business.

In the words of the head of the European Commission Delegation in
Armenia Raul de Luzenberger, Armenia’s joining the EEN is yet another
important step taken within the framework of the European Neighborhood
Policy and it will make the European market more accessible to
Armenian businessmen.

The director of the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development
National Center Armenia (SME DNC) Iskhan Karapetian said the network
will assist enterprises with business cooperation, market research
and finding potential partners, negotiating and signing agreements
on cooperation, as well as with evaluation of their capacities and
preparedness to operate in international market. According to him,
14 working groups in various sectors of economy have already been
created. It was announced that 5 proposals to make use of the network’s
services have been received, another 25 proposals are being developed.

The Enterprise Europe Network currently operates in 27 EU member
states, countries-candidates for EU membership – Turkey and Macedonia,
countries of the European economic zone Norway and Iceland, while
Israel and Switzerland joined the network in 2008.

BLOCKS OF APARTMENTS IN ASKERAN

KarabakhOpen
21-06-2008 13:32:11

Two blocks of apartments will be built in Askeran. In this connection
the government changed the temporary scheme of the use of land in
Askeran. The plot of land of 0.5 hectares owned by the local community
was sold to Artsakh Investment Fund for the construction of two blocks
of apartments for the mortgage loan policy.

By another decree of the president the former office of the Democratic
Party in Stepanakert which is 0.2 ha was transferred to the office
of the human rights defender.