Author: Toneyan Mark

Armenia police clash with protesters, at least one dead

Reuters, UK
March 1 2008

YEREVAN (Reuters) – At least one person died and many others were
injured on Saturday evening after Armenian police fired tracer
bullets to break up opposition protests in the capital, an opposition
demonstrator said.

"He was killed by a tracer bullet which must have ricocheted as
police were shooting in the air to disperse an opposition rally being
held nearby," the opposition activist told Reuters on condition of
anonymity. "We know of many wounded people."

"The opposition is still controlling the square near the mayor’s
office," he added. He said there are Italian, French and Russian
embassies nearby. "The man who was killed died near the Russian
legation."

(Reporting by Dmitry Solovyov in Moscow, writing by Michael Stott in
Moscow; editing by Keith Weir)

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

"RELIGIOUSLY MOTIVATED POLITICS AND
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED RELIGION
MAY GENERATE FUNDAMENTALISM"

SAID HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

In a key-note address delivered to a Christian-Muslim conference (28
February-2 March) in Beirut, Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I raised critical
issues pertaining to Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Organized by the Arab Group for Muslim-Christian Dialogue more than two
hundreds scholars, theologians, community leaders from different countries
took part in the conference.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I begun his speech by making two affirmations:
first, religion has become a key player in Modern societies; second,
dialogue between religions has become indispensable in multi-religious
societies.

Moving from this general affirmation to Christian-Muslim dialogue, Aram I
reminded that the following facts need to be taken into consideration:

1) Islam and Christianity with their teachings, values and traditions touch
the daily life of people. Religion is part of their daily life.

2) Islam and Christianity, as monotheistic religions, share common roots and
traditions.

3) For centuries these religions have lived together; this living together
has developed affinities in many spheres of their life.

4) Dialogue is an existential reality. We are involved in dialogue of life.

Addressing more specifically the theme of the conference, "Mutual Respect"
His Holiness Aram I developed the following points as basic requirements to
reach a quality of life sustained by mutual respect.-

1) Mutual respect implies accepting the presence of the "other". It means
rejecting ignorance and arrogance, self-centeredness and self-sufficiency.

2) Mutual respect requires mutual knowledge, which generates mutual
understanding and respect.

3) Mutual respect calls for accepting our differences. Although Christianity
and Islam have commonalties, they fundamentally differ in their theological
teaching, moral and social values. We must not try to compromise them; such
an attempt endangers the integrity and identity of religions; we must accept
and respect our differences.

4) Accepting our differences leads us to have a clearer self-understanding
and inclusive understanding through interaction.

5) Religion is a strong identity-marker. Religious identity is stronger than
ethnic or cultural identity; it builds walls and causes mistrust. Only an
open and frank dialogue can overcome mistrust. Mutual trust is crucial for
living together.

6) We must move from mere coexistence to living together. Living together
must be sustained by shared values and common participation. A community
based on political consensus is precarious. It must be founded on common and
basic values and objectives.

His Holiness then identified four specific areas which need deeper
discussion in a Christian-Muslim dialogue: these are:

1) How can we broaden common objectives and develop a common vision?

2) Religion and politics is a critical area. Religiously motivated politics
may generate fundamentalism and isolation. On the other hand, religion
cannot be apolitical. The interaction between the two must be clarified
preserving distinctiveness of each.

3) Due to growing globalization and secularism the decay of moral values is
a fact. Two religions can work together to address this issue.

4) What are the implications of co-citizenship? How can we develop a system
of governance based on equal rights and full participation?

His Holiness concluded his address with the following words.- "We need each
other to face common problems, address common questions and combat common
evils. We must not only talk but also listen to each other. We must not talk
about and against each other, we must talk with each other. Christianity and
Islam are called to develop a vision of community where hate is transformed
into respect, intolerance into acceptance, and isolation into integration.
They are called to build communities where diversities are preserved and
common values are deepened, where working together on issues of common
concern is a participatory process".

##
View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos200.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos201.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

SOUMGAIT EVENTS BECAME LOGIC MANIFESTATION OF AZERBAIJAN’S ANTI-ARMENIAN POLICY

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Feb 29 2008

YEREVAN, 29.02.08. DE FACTO. The Soumgait events became logic
manifestation of Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy, a political
scientist Levon Melik-Shahnazarian told a PanARMENIAN.Net
correspondent. "However, even in this case what happened in Soumgait
actually cannot be perceived as actions of normal, even embittered
by state propaganda, people. Taking into consideration the mass
character of the crimes’ participants and silent approval of the
rest of Azerbaijan’s population the following conclusion can be made:
the Azerbaijani nation is ill, seriously ill", the Armenian political
scientist stated.

At the same time Levon Melik-Shahnazarian reminded that in early
November of 1988 a group of young patriots headed by Igor Mouradian
(a founder of the Karabakh committee) had appealed to the members of
the Karabakh committee to submit draft resolution recognizing the
Soumgait events as Genocide to the session of Armenian SSR Supreme
Soviet. "However, the committee headed by Levon Ter-Petrossian was
busy with more important problems – "Armenia should be democratized",
the political scientist underscored.

OSCE CHAIRMAN: PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF NAGORNO KARABAKH IN THE TALKS IS NOT TODAY’S WORK

Azeri Press Agency
Feb 28 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku.Lachin Sultanova-APA. "My visit to Azerbaijan was productive,"
Ilkka Kanerva, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister said
a press conference on the outcomes of the visit, APA reports.

He stated that he visited Azerbaijan in the framework of his tour
to South Caucasus and will visit Central Asian countries in several
weeks. The aim of his visit was to promote the principles and activity
of OSCE. Mr. Kanerva noted that the three countries expressed their
commitment to European values and principles.

"We want pluralist democracy in the region," he said. He sated
that he carried out discussions with Azerbaijani leadership on the
development of bilateral relations. He noted that Nagorno Karabakh
conflict was one of the priorities of the visit and he expressed
his confidence that the conflict will be solved in the framework
of international legal norms. He stated that other aim of his visit
was to continue democratic reforms and estimated it as a main issue
of European integration. He noted that his meeting with opposition
representatives was productive. He stressed that Nagorno Karabakh
conflict can be solved peacefully.

"The conflict parties should understand it," he said. He stated
that I do not agree substitution of MG with UN and stressed that
participation of Armenian Community of Nagorno Karabakh in the talks
is not today’s work. He estimated Azerbaijan’s commitments before
OSCE and stressed that Azerbaijan is able to modernize the society
and develop into Europe.

"The two commitments mean that, Azerbaijan will follow recommendations
on elections. There is a great need to follow recommendations on
integration into Europe and European values.

Azerbaijan demonstrated its will on this field," he said.

OPPOSITION ACTIVIST HELD FOR CIVIL UNREST – POLICE

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
February 26, 2008
Russia

Armenian police have detained Suren Sureniants, a member of the
political council of the Republic opposition party.

Sureniants was detained on Liberty square "for organizing and holding
of a public action in violation of the established order," Armenian
Police said.

The opposition activist violated the law on assemblies, rallies and
marches. He organized a march, "headed it and made various appeal to
the crowd," the police said.

A criminal case on charges of civil unrest was opened into the
incident.

ARMENIAN OMBUDSMAN CALLS ON POLITICIANS TO BEGIN A DIALOGUE

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
February 27, 2008
Russia

Armenian ombudsman Armen Arutyunian has called Armenian citizens and
politicians to listen to each other and to find a way to dialogue,
tolerance and cooperation.

"Appeals to tolerance and the readiness for a dialogue were clearly
articulated in the speech of Serzh Sargsyan, who won the presidential
election, at a rally yesterday," Arutyunian told a news conference
in Yerevan on Wednesday.

There is only one way out from the current situation, "the path of
cooperation," he said.

Rights and freedoms of all members of society should be to equally
guaranteed and protected, the ombudsman said.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION URGES CC TO DECLARE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION INVALID

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.02.2008 16:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s election staff spokesman
Arman Musinyan announced that they addressed to the Constitutional
Court with a demand to annul the outcomes of the presidential election.

Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters assure there is good cause to declare the
results of the election invalid.

"The number of Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters increases while the
authorities resort to violence.

Garnik Margaryan, leader of Fatherland and Honor party and Khachik
Simonyan, former mayor of Goris and head of Ter-Petrosyan’s election
staff in Yeghvard were arrested this morning. Law enforcers demand
to close our election headquarters. However, all these deeds do not
affect the spirit of those who gathered at Liberty Square," he said,
adding that the mayor’s office refused to provide ambulances for the
people who went on hunger strike.

CTK National News Wire, Czech Republic
February 25, 2008 Monday 2:24 PM (Central European Time)

Slovak Foreign Minister calls on Armenia to avoid violence

Yerevan Feb 25 (CTK)

Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis today said it was necessary to
avoid violence at all costs in the heated situation after the
presidential election won by Prime Minister Serzh Sarksyan, the
French news agency AFP reported.

The opposition has been organising demonstrations for six days
against the election’s outcome. It says the vote taken on February 19
was rigged.

Kubis called on both sides of the conflict to maintain peace.

Kubis, who arrived in Armenia also as a representative of the Council
of Europe, advised the government to proceed in a responsible and
reserved manner.

"I hope very much that the tension will not escalate," Kubis said
after meeting his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan.

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb. 25, 2008

Khazar Ibragim: "Azerbaijani Embassy to Russia is studying the issue
of invitation of Nagorno Karabakh separatists for discussions in
State Duma"

25 February 2008 [17:14] – Today.Az

The Azerbaijani embassy to Russia has received the due instructions
>From the Foreign Ministry and has started work regarding invitation
of Nagorno Karabakh separatists for discussion of frozen conflicts by
the State Duma.

The due announcement was made by Khazar Ibragim, spokesman for
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, Day.Az reports.

"The idea has been proposed by Konstantin Zatulin, deputy chairman of
the Committee of State Duma for affairs of Commonwealth and contacts
with compatriots, who intends to deal with provocation. We will
undertake all actions for prevention of a provocation against
Azerbaijan", he said.

/Day.Az/

URL:

SERGE SARGSIAN ELECTED ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT, ACCORDING TO FINAL RESULT OF CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

ARKA
Feb 25, 2008

YEREVAN, February 25. /ARKA/. Serge Sargsian is elected Armenia’s
President, according to the final results of the RA Central Electoral
Commission (CEC). In the recent presidential election Sargsian
earned 52.82% (862,369) of the votes, Armenia’s ex-President Levon
Ter-Petrosian trailed on 21.5% (351,222).

RA NA (National Assembly) former Speaker, Leader of the Orinats Yerkir
(State of Law) Party Arthur Baghdasarian gained 17.7% (272,427),
ARF-D (Armenian revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun) Leader Vahan
Hovhannisyan had 6.2% (100,966) Leader of the National Democratic
Union (NDU) Vazgen Manukian gained 1.3% (21,075) of the votes, Head
of the People’s Party Tigran Karapetian had 0.6% (9,792), Chairman
of the National Unity Party Artashes Geghamian had 0.46% (7,524),
former NKR Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan gained (0.27%) 4,399,
Leader of the National Accord Party Aram Harutyunyan earned 0.17%
(2,892) of the votes.

Out of eight CEC members, six have signed the document. The
representatives of the Orinats Yerkir and Zharangutyun (Heritage)
opposition parties did not participate in the sitting.

Complaints lodged to CEC from on February 19-24 did not influence
the final results of the presidential election, CEC Secretary Abraham
Bakhchagulian said.

ARF representative Hamlet Abrahamian made a statement during the
sitting. He was quoted as saying: "Violations I observed while signing
the preliminary results of the polls, as well as briberies ingrained
in Armenia’s electoral system since 1996, as well as violence testify
to the fact that the country’s current electoral system needs serious
and drastic changes."

Serge Sargsian was born in Stepanakert on June 30, 1954. In 1971 he
entered the Philological Department of the Yerevan State University
(YSU). IN 1972-1974 Sargsian served in the Soviet Army. In 1979 he
graduated YSU.

In 1979-1988 he was Head of Stepanakert City Committee Division of the
Young Communist Union ("LKEM"), Second Secretary, First Secretary,
Head of Propaganda and Agitation Division of the Stepanakert City
Communist Party Committee, Assistant to the First Secretary of the
Mountainous Karabagh Marz Committee.

In 1989-1993 Sargsian was Chairman of the NKR Self-Defense Forces
Committee.

In 1990-1993 he was Member of the RA National Assembly. In 1993-1995
Sargsian was RA Defense Minister and in 1995-1996 was Head of
RA National Security Department, later, RA Minister of National
Security. In 1996 he became RA Minister of Interior and National
Security. In 1999 Sargsian was RA Minister of National Security.

In 1999-2007 he was Secretary of the National Security Council adjunct
to the RA President. In 2000-2007 Sargsian was RA Defense Minister. As
from April to June, 2007 he was appointed RA Prime Minister.

On June 7, 2007 – He was re-appointed RA Prime Minister and headed
the new government cabinet, formed as a result of the parliamentary
elections of the Republic of Armenia.

Sargsian has been member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
since 2006. From July 2006 to November 2007 he was RPA Council’s
Chairman and in November 2007 was appointed RPA Chairman.

He is also Chairman of the YSU Council and President of the Chess
Federation of Armenia.

Sargsian is Artsakh Hero and is conferred Order of "Martakan Khach"
(battle crest) First Degree, Knight of "Voske Artsiv" ("Golden Eagle")
Order and "Tigran Mets" First-Degree Order.

Sargsian is married. His spouse, Rita Sargsian, was born in a
serviceman’s family in Stepanakert. She is a teacher of music. Sargsian
has two daughters (Anush and Satenik) and a granddaughter (Mariam).