Author: Toneyan Mark

IT IS PROPOSED USING LEGISLATIVE MECHANISM OF CONTROLLING JUDGES’ ACTIVITY BY PARLIAMENT

Noyan Tapan
Nov 14, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Citizens’ rights and legal interests
are violated by various judicial instances. As Armen Danielian,
a member of the RPA faction and Standing Committee for Human Rights
and Public Affairs, stated on November 13 at the RA National Assembly,
the evidence of this are many complaints received from citizens.

He said that after the constitutional reforms the parliament has
received the right to send two lawyer-scientists to the Justice
Council on business, which was done by the NA of the previous
convocation. However, the parliament does not know what activity
they promoted.

A. Danielian said that he is going to come up with a legislative
initiative in the nearest future, according to which lawyer-scientists
sent to the Justice Council on business by NA should make annual
reports at the parliament. This will enable lawyer-scientists to
present conclusions on individual judges’ activity and to take into
consideration deputies’ opinions when making up lists of judges’
candidature and progress.

COVERAGE OF DISABILITIES ELIGIBLE FOR CONTEST IN ARMENIA

International Journalist’s Network
Nov 14 2007

Armenian journalists who have reported on the need for equal
opportunities for disabled people can enter a nationwide competition.

The contest is open to online, print, radio or TV stories published
or broadcast sometime from November 20, 2006, to November 20, 2007.

Stories should address equal opportunities for disabled people,
including children. The grand prize is a new computer or the
equivalent sum.

Armenian NGO Bridge of Hope is organizing the contest with support
from the Danish charity Mission East.

HUMAN RESOURCES MAIN GUARANTEE OF SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Nov 13 2007

YEREVAN, November 13. /ARKA/. The main guarantee of successful
development of Armenia is human resources, i.e. all Armenians in the
world, Armenia’s Prime-Minister Serge Sargsian said at the country’s
parliament in presenting the draft budget for 2008.

According to Sargsian, Armenia becomes the center of political and
economic interests for most of Armenians living in the world, and
they should be considered as financial and economic residents of
the country.

"This means that from now on it is impossible to develop and implement
any program without taking accounting this factor. The advantage of
our competition is the united potential of Armenians," Sargsian said.

In this respect the Prime-Minister also said that the neighboring
Azerbaijan positions itself as a raw material country and apparently
the development of oil industry has considerable impact on its
industry. Georgia, according to Sargsian, having favorable geographic
location focuses on ambitious programs of economic and political
development.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY RESPONDS TO ARREST OF TURKISH SOLDIERS IN MURDER OF NOTED JOURNALIST HRANT DINK

armradio.am
13.11.2007 10:13

The Armenian Assembly of America issued the following statement in
response to news reports indicating that two Turkish soldiers have
been arrested and charged with abuse of power in connection with
January’s shooting death of the noted Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

"We are encouraged that the investigation into the assassination of
Hrant Dink is unraveling the conspiracy that lies behind his shooting
death," said Bryan Ardouny, executive director of the Armenian Assembly
of America. "It was evident from the start that more than a lone gunman
was involved in the plot. The people of Istanbul understood that by
striking down such an outspoken individual, these dark forces hoped
to silence the voices of all those who agreed with Hrant Dink. Turkey
has a long way to go to show the rest of the world that it is serious
about protecting free speech, but today’s action is a step in the
right direction."

The names of the two soldiers have not yet been released but news
reports indicate that the two men, members of a paramilitary force,
each face up to two years in prison for the shooting. The shooting
death of Dink has sparked world-wide condemnation of Turkey for its
antiquated laws that prohibit free speech, including banning anyone
from talking about the well-established fact of the Armenian Genocide
by the Ottoman Turks in 1915. This provision, known as "Article 301,"
has come under fire for giving Turkey cover to harass anyone who is
believed to have insulted "Turkishness."

Ardouny added: "We urge Turkey to abolish Article 301 of its Penal
Code, which is used to muzzle free speech, and rethink its opposition
to the genocide resolution (H. Res. 106) pending before the US
Congress. The resolution affirms the historical truth, and Turkey has
an opportunity to demonstrate that it is committed to taking steps
toward protecting human rights and free speech inside its borders."

PM SERGE SARGSYAN PRESENTED THE PRIORITIES OF STATE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008

armradio.am
13.11.2007 15:24

Speaking at the National Assembly on the occasion of presenting
the draft budget for Fiscal Year 2008 for the consideration of
the Parliament, RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan said Budget 2008
is rather ambitious: its implementation envisages increase of both
revenue and expenditure parts.

Presenting the strategic priorities of the state budget for Fiscal
Year 2008 Serge Sargsyan pointed out to the solution of social and
demographic issues, expansion of the educational and intellectual
potential, development of the spheres of healthcare and organized
rest, solution of issues concerning the modernization of industry,
agriculture and construction, development of financial mediation,
formation of a contemporary and effective security system, rise of
the efficiency of republican and regional governance.

PM Serge Sargsyan said that "the complex economic processes in
the world have their immediate influence on the situation in our
country and make us clarify the views on Armenia’s place in world
economy. Mr. Sargsyan underlined that it’s necessary to focus primarily
on the perspectives of future, not niggling over the discussions of
the past omissions.

Speaking about Armenia’s neighbors, the Prime Minister said Azerbaijan
tries to present itself as a country with great resources, "and it’s
obvious that the development of oil processing industry leaves its
essential influence on all spheres of activity."

"Having a favorable geographical position, Georgia brings forward
ambitious programs of economic and political development," Serge
Sargsyan noted.

"It’s obvious that the geopolitical and economic realities suggest that
human resources are at the core of Armenia’s development," the Prime
Minister declared, meaning the potential of world-spread Armenians.

JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE: BLACK YOUTH IN PERIL
By Ashahed M. Muhammad

FinalCall.com, IL
Nov 12 2007

MOSQUE MARYAM (FinalCall.com) – The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan
delivered a stern message and a warning regarding God’s law of justice
and respect for human life to the standing room only crowd at the
national headquarters of the Nation of Islam, and those viewing in
120 cities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and
South Africa on Oct. 28.

Speaking directly to the hearts of those who came to hear his serious
message of concern for Black youth, Minister Farrakhan set the tone
for his message, titled "Justifiable Homicide: Black Youth in Peril,"
by deconstructing the baseless claims of those attempting to describe
him as a hate teacher.

"Today, I don’t want you to think that I am trying to teach hatred.

To teach the truth, that might produce hatred, is not my fault," said
Minister Farrakhan. "If the truth of something makes you dislike it,
that is not teaching hate; that’s teaching truth."

Minister Farrakhan mentioned the increase in displays of anti-Black
hatred in the United States and the spate of nooses being hung in
many cities. He also pointed out increased incidents of racially
motivated physical attacks against Blacks.

"This is to let Black people know that there is still a great deal
of hatred for us in this society," he said.

Using the example of the Armenian people, who teach their youth about
the injustices they suffered at the hands of the Turks during the rule
of the Ottoman Empire, as well as the Jewish people, who teach their
children of their suffering during the holocaust, Minister Farrakhan
said Black people fail to teach our children of the indignities that
our forefathers suffered.

He then discussed the importance of the Reconstruction Period
(1865-1877) in which progress was made by Blacks who had been elected
to political positions and became business owners after President
Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. To maintain White
supremacy and the rule by fear, lynchings were committed by those
intent on sending the message that Blacks should "stay in their place,"
and not challenge White political and economic rule.

The principle of justice

Young Black men across the nation listen to Minister Farrakhan’s
serious message of concern for Black youth.

Minister Farrakhan quoted the words of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad,
who said "Justice is the principle of fair dealing. Justice is the
law that distinguishes between right and wrong. Justice is the weapon
that God will use in the Day of Judgment." Minister Farrakhan also
said the principle of justice is summed up in the teachings of Jesus,
who said "whatever a man soweth, so shall he reap."

"Did he [Jesus] say that those who live by the sword would die by
marches? Did he say that those who live by the sword would die by
massive protest? Did he say that those who live by the sword would
die by prayers in front of public buildings, kneeling and begging
and pleading? He said those who kill by the sword will die by the
very sword that they used to kill others," said Minister Farrakhan.

"The God of Justice will use the Law of Justice as a weapon against
White supremacy, and also as a weapon against wicked governments
that have misused their power and authority in destroying the lives
of innocent human beings."

Injustice brings its natural response

"Injustice brings its natural response. No matter how long it takes,
injustice must be answered by justice," said Minister Farrakhan. He
used the example of the Palestinian people who have, as a result of the
many injustices suffered by their people, chosen to use their bodies
as weapons because they are unable to compete with the sophisticated
weaponry of the Israeli Defense Force.

Many young Palestinians, men and women have chosen death instead of
continuing an oppressed way of life, to which Minister Farrakhan said
that before we judge their actions, we should look at the circumstances
that produced such a violent response.

"They [Israelis] stole land-there is no innocence there. If there is no
deliberative body there to give justice to the Palestinians, how will
you charge them? Injustice disturbs the balance of the mind," Minister
Farrakhan said. "Look how long the Palestinians have been without
justice. What has that injustice done to the balance of the mind?"

He said injustice without the proper redress of grievances creates
uncivilized behavior, and often, violence. However, this can be
avoided.

"A person will not resort to violence if they can feel in their heart
that somebody cares," he said.

Blacks marked for death worldwide

Minister Farrakhan recounted his travels to the African continent and
his interaction with officials in many African nations. He told of the
scourge of depleted uranium and atomic waste that has been buried in
many African countries such as the Sudan, and the fact that in many
African nations, the AIDS rate is so high that tens of thousands are
dying, with entire generations being wiped out.

Some African nations such as Botswana have been forced to trade
diamonds for AIDS medicine of questionable origins and effectiveness,
while the wealth of Africa is being transferred to the European
nations. This is all part of a plan placed into action by the
"scientists of evil."

"I’m talking about the ones that rule. When you know them you are
coming face to face with Satan himself. You’re being killed and you
don’t even know that you’re dying," said Minister Farrakhan, reminding
the audience of the words of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad who said,
"You can’t fathom the depths of Satan."

Black people, killing themselves

Minister Farrakhan cited statistics from a U.S. Department of Justice
report which showed that in the year 2005, Blacks were victims of
800,000 violent crimes, and approximately 8,000 homicides. Black
males between the ages of 18 and 25 accounted for 52 percent (6,800)
of the nearly 13,000 male homicide victims in that year-most of them
losing their lives at the hands of another Black man.

"Is this justifiable? If it’s not justifiable, then it is not
excusable. And if it is not excusable, what price are we going to
pay for the destruction of ourselves?" Minister Farrakhan asked.

"Black youth are in peril because you are killing your own people
whom God wants to save, and killing your brothers is not justified.

It is not excusable, therefore it is punishable by death. You have
now invited death into our communities. The very enemy who is made
a liar and a murderer by nature will be set loose by God and he will
slaughter us just like he is [slaughtering] the Palestinians."

Minister Farrakhan ended his message with this admonition to the
audience:

"There is such a thing as justifiable homicide. When God gets ready
to punish, He kills men, women and children indiscriminately, and
nobody accuses God of being unjust."

Those in attendance enjoyed Minister Farrakhan’s heartfelt and sincere
message of warning and guidance for the youth.

"That’s what brought me here today. I want to participate because
it’s about the youth. That is the future," said Jerry Fort of Chicago,
immediately following Minister Farrakhan’s lecture.

Reginald Washington agreed, saying, "I have a sense of hope that
somebody is standing up," said the 23-year old Chicago resident. "The
message by Minister Farrakhan was uplifting, inspiring, and
emotional. I learned a lot that I did not know."

In Houston, Benson Jackson, a Communications major at Lamar University,
commented, "I enjoyed the lecture. Minister Farrakhan was on point
in that we are committing unjustifiable homicides on one another."

Jamese Berry, a junior at Girls and Boys Preparatory Academy in
Houston, said the message was "very interesting." "He spoke the truth,"
she said, while 19-year-old Royce Green shared, "Minister Farrakhan
is always powerful."

Jesse Muhammad contributed to this article.

article_4077.shtml

ARMENIA’S PREMIER SERGE SARGSIAN ANNOUNCES HIS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Nov 12 2007

YEREVAN, November 12. /ARKA/. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
nominated during its sitting on November 10 RA Prime Minister Serge
Srgsian’s candidacy for the presidential election on February 19, 2008.

The party approved Sargsian’s candidacy after he was elected RPA
Chairman RPA. After the untimely death of RPA Leader, RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian in March 2007, Sargsian became the acting Chairman
of the party.

Taking into account the great services Sargsian has rendered to the
country, the challenges and the necessity to continue RPA ideology in
Armenia, his nomination was predictable, said RA NA (National Assembly)
Speaker, RPA Member Tigran Torosian during the sitting.

According to him, even now the experts say that the most likely
presidential candidate in Armenia is Serge Sargsian.

In his speech, RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsian said that the RA
President should create an atmosphere of free economic competition
in Armenia. "Intellectual property is a guarantee for the country’s
competitive activities in the modern world. We should have an
educational system based on international standards. This is a key
issue which will open all the doors for the country’s development,"
he said.

Sargsian believes the Armenian government should secure social welfare
in order to shape a strong society, where dwellers of the remotest
districts can live a better life.

The country is at the second stage of reforms, the priorities of
which are national security and sustainable development, educational
development and social security of Armenia’s citizens, according to
the RA Premier.

Presidential election is an opportunity to implement the plans, not
a sporting event, according to him. "I do not consider anyone my rival.

We should show our skills to electorate, and not struggle against
anyone," Sargsian said. "We must struggle against certain problems
which puts obstacles in the way of development. I consider it a wrong
policy to struggle against someone."

The presidential election in Armenia will be held on February 19,
2008. From November 21 to December 6 the RA Central Electoral
Committee will accept documents on the nomination of presidential
candidates.

SOCHI-YEREVAN FLIGHT DELAYED FOR A DAY AND A HALF ARRIVES AT ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT

2007-11-12 22:40:00

ArmInfo. Russian media report with reference to Transport Prosecutor of
Sochi, Senior Counselor of Justice Yuri Ryazantsev that the Transport
Prosecutor’s Office of Russia is carrying out a verification by
numerous complaints of passengers, who say that they were not provided
with water and food when the Sochi-Yerevan flight was delayed on
November 11.

A total of 100 passengers were to depart for Armenia at 10:30 am
Moscow time, November 11, but the flight was delayed for over a day
due to the bad weather conditions. Yelena Chernyshova, an airport
representative, explained that the passengers were not provided
with water and food as the airport administration was unable to get
through to the representatives of Armavia company. In this connection,
the Sochi airport administration received 32 complaints from the
passengers, and the Russian Transport Prosecutor’s Office is currently
considering them. According to Russian sources, neither the airport
administration, nor the prosecutor’s office, nor the passengers could
get through to the air company’s representative in Armenia over the
phone. The preliminary results of the verification may be published
on November 13.

Meanwhile, Press-secretary of the General Department of Civil Aviation
(GDCA) of Armenia Gayane Davtyan told ArmInfo correspondent that
the passengers arrived at Zvartnots airport at 3:30 pm Yerevan time,
November 12. The GDCA is studying the passengers’ complaints about
the violation of the law "On Aviation", as per which an air company
carrying out a flight should provide the passengers with food in
case of a 2-hour delay of the flight. If the delay lasts over 4
hours, the company should provide them with means of communication,
particularly, with telephone, and after an 8-hour delay the company
should give them sleeping accommodations. If the air company violates
the requirements of the law, it may be brought to responsibility
and even get deprived of the right to carry out air transportation
in Armenia. As ArmInfo correspondent was told by other sources,
Armavia’s representatives learned about the incident in Sochi only
after the signal of journalists. At the same time, in connection with
cold weather and bad meteorological conditions, the GDCA of Armenia
once again urges air companies to be more attentive to the passengers
if flights are delayed.

AREVIK PETROSIAN ELECTED RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VICE-SPEAKER

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Arevik Petrosian, a member of the
RA National Assembly Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) faction,
the Chairwoman of the NA Standing Committee for Human Rights and Public
Affairs, was elected NA Vice-Speaker at the November 12 NA sitting.

According to Samvel Nikoyan, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Calculation
Commission, 102 out of 131 MPs took part in the secret ballot. There
were 100 ballot papers in the ballot box, 8 out of which were
invalidated. 13 MPs voted for and 79 against Anahit Bakhshian, 79
MPs for and 13 against Arevik Petrosian.

NKR PRESIDENT LEAVES FRANCE FOR USA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Nov 12 2007

MARSEILLES, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Bako Sahakian,
the President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, who was in France
for the purpose of taking part in the organization work of the annual
TV marathon of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund, visited Marseilles
on November 8, where he met with the representatives of the local
Armenian community in the reception hall of the Mother Church of Holy
Translators of the city. The representatives of the municipality of
Marseilles also took part in the meeting.

Bako Sahakian introduced the current social-economic situation in the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, the current stage and the prospects of
the negotiation process to those present. At the end of the meeting the
NKR President, highly appreciating the role of the Armenian community
of Marseilles in making Artsakh prosperous, expressed gratitude to
the Armenians living in Marseilles for their activities conducted in
favour of their homeland.

The President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh will leave France
for the United States of America on November 9.