Author: Toneyan Mark

ARMENIA INTERESTED IN WIDER COOPERATION WITH SWITZERLAND

ARKA
Nov 9, 2007

YEREVAN, November 9. /ARKA/. Armenia is interested in wider cooperation
with Switzerland, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said on Thursday
as met Christine Egerszegi-Obrist, the president of the Swiss National
Council for the year 2006/2007, presidential press office reports.

After greeting the Swiss delegation, the Armenian president expressed
appreciation of Swiss programs of technical assistance for Armenia.

Pointing out that Switzerland reached success by investing a great
deal in human resources. He said that Armenia is now doing the same.

Kocharyan also thanked Swiss National Council for passing Armenian
Genocide resolution in 2003.

Christine Egerszegi-Obrist said that she had noticed progress in
Armenia’s development for her short-term presence here. She said that
thanks to Armenian communities overseas, Armenia and Armenians are
well-known everywhere.

Sweetzerlans started providing humanitarian aid to Armenia in 1988,
and since 1996 the country has put a special emphasis on long-term
development programs.

In 2004, an agreement on technical, financial and humanitarian
assistance was signed.

Under this program, $2.5 million is provided to Armenia as technical
support and another 2.9 million in grants as technical assistance.

Technical assistance is focused on natural resources management
improvement and state agencies administration transparency enhancement.

Humanitarian aid targets displaced people and refugees as well as
socially insecure citizens. Christine Egerszegi-Obrist came to Armenia
on Thursday for a four-day visit.

She is set to meet with Armenian President Robert Kochatyan, Armenian
National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosyan, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian and Armenian Apostolic Church leader Catholicos
Garegin II.

TERRY DAVIS DENIES INFORMATION REPORTED IN ARMENIAN PRESS, ACCORDING TO WHICH HE, ALLEGEDLY, HAS COMPARED NKR ELECTIONS WITH GAY PARADE

Noyan Tapan
Nov 8, 2007

STRASBURG, NOVEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. "The information reported in a
number of Armenian newspapers, according to which I have compared the
elections recently held in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh with a
gay parade, is a complete nonsense," is said in the statement of Terry
Davis, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. In his words, he
has just drown a parallel between the above-mentioned elections and the
frequent cases on limiting the freedom of speech of sexual minorities
in European countries. He mentioned that he does not respond, when
the mayor prohibits a gay parade, however, his silence does not mean
that he has changed his distinct position, according to which similar
restrictions breach the European Convention on Human Rights.

At the same time, Terry Davis mentioned that the fact that he never
responds to the holding of elections in the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh, does not mean that he has changed his position with regard
to their not having legality and competence.

OVER 1 MILLION ARMENIANS MIGRANT WORKERS IN RUSSIA

Lragir.am
08-11-2007 16:24:25

There are over one million Armenian migrant workers in Russia,
informed Gagik Yeganyan, head of the Migration Agency.

He said 80 percent of migrant workers work in Russia. The agency
has reached agreement with the Russian migration agency to create
an information center for supporting migrants, namely checking the
conditions offered by the employee, as well as searching for migrants.

The results of a recent study by the OSCE among households show that
13.9 percent of households are involved in work migration. Gagik
Yeganyan also said most remittances are sent by migrant workers.

FRIED: KOSOVO MODEL CAN’T BE PRECEDENT FOR KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.11.2007 16:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The U.S. supports a peaceful solution to the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Irrespective of reasons, resumption of hostilities will be a calamity
for both countries," Assistant Secretary of State for European and
Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried said at a meeting with Azerbaijani
alumni of U.S. universities.

He said that U.S. keeps on cooperating with Azerbaijan and Armenia
for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

"Kosovo model can’t be a precedent for the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict or any other conflict. The most important task is to
establish stability in the region. Energy policy of Azerbaijan helps
to this stabilization. Settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
will make Azerbaijan economically and politically stronger," he said,
APA reports.

PRESS RELEASE
Clark University
Angela M. Bazydlo
Associate Director of Media Relations
University Communications
Tel: 508-793-7635
cel: 508-365-8736

November 5, 2007

Clark University to host International Law expert Nov. 15
Harvard Professor Jens Meierhenrich to discuss concentration camps,
post-genocide justice

WORCESTER, MA- The Clark University Strassler Family Center for
Holocaust and Genocide Studies presents "Concentration Camps in
International Law," a lecture by International Law expert Jens
Meierhenrich, on Thurs., Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Tilton Hall, 2nd
floor, Higgins University Center, 950 Main Street, Worcester.
Meierhenrich is assistant professor of government and of social
studies at Harvard University, and serves as a research associate at the
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, the largest international
research center within Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and
Sciences. He is also visiting associate professor of law at the
University of Tokyo.
Professor Meierhenrich will talk about how post-genocide justice poses
troubling questions-for lawyers and for the public. He will shed light
on judicial responses to crimes perpetrated in some of the most
notorious concentration camps of the 20th century, from Bergen-Belsen to
Keraterm. His analysis of national and international courts and
tribunals spans U.S. military courts to the International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
A rising star in the field of International Law, professor
Meierhenrich recently served as the Carlo Schmid Fellow in Trial Chamber
II of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and,
previously, worked with the Chief Prosecutor of the International
Criminal Court.
Professor Meierhenrich is the author of a series of articles on
comparative and international law and politics and is currently working
on a monumental trilogy on genocide: The Rationality of Genocide; The
Structure of Genocide; and The Culture of Genocide.
The recipient of many prestigious fellowships and awards, professor
Meierhenrich has enjoyed the support of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial
Museum, the Social Science Research Council, the American Council of
Learned Societies, the Japan Foundation, the American Bar Foundation,
and the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies.
A reception will follow this lecture. For more information, call
508-793-8897.
The mission of the Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide
Studies is to educate undergraduate and graduate students about genocide
and the Holocaust; to host a lecture series, free of charge and open to
the public, to use scholarship to address current problems stemming from
the murderous past; and to participate in public discussion about a host
of issues ranging from the significance of state-sponsored denial of the
Armenian genocide and well-funded denial of the Holocaust to
intervention in and prevention of genocidal situations today.
Clark University is a private, co-educational liberal-arts research
university with 2,100 undergraduate and 900 graduate students. Since its
founding in 1887 as the first all-graduate school in the United States,
Clark has challenged convention with innovative programs such as the
International Studies Stream and the accelerated BA/MA programs with the
fifth year tuition-free for eligible students. The University is
featured in Loren Pope’s book, "Colleges That Change Lives."
–

TERRY DAVIS CALLS FOR RECONCILIATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND ITS NEIGHBORS

armradio.am
05.11.2007 17:22

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis stated at the
Yerevan State University that today Armenia has several unresolved
issues with its immediate neighbors. These disputes originated in
the past, but they are a liability for the future of both Armenia
and its neighbors.

"History has not been kind to your country, and there are many painful
memories of past injustices and sacrifices. But it is important to
remember that the other side has its own and different perception of
the past. You may not agree with it, but you need to recognize and
even respect it.

An example which immediately comes to mind is the conflict in Nagorno
Karabakh. When Armenia joined the Council of Europe, at the same
time as Azerbaijan, both countries committed themselves to pursue
efforts to settle this conflict by peaceful means. Unfortunately,
the fact remains that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is still the
greatest obstacle to peace, stability and co-operation in this part
of Europe. More than 10 years have elapsed since the start of the
hostilities and the subsequent cease-fire, but the parties have still
not succeeded in reaching an agreement on measures which could lead to
lasting peace and the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees and
displaced persons. I am not here to apportion blame, but I do want
to encourage your Government in Yerevan and the Government in Baku
to do more – not because they both gave a promise to the Council of
Europe – but because a settlement of this conflict is in the interest
of everyone in both Armenia and Azerbaijan," he said.

Turning to Armenian-Turkish relations, the Secretary General noted
that this relationship is still difficult because of the events
which took place not ten years but more than ninety years ago. "I
understand your pain. Of course you remember the victims, but time
is an important factor. It does not erase the past, but it should be
given a chance to heal the wounds.

Everyone must accept that history can be neither ignored nor
legislated. We all know that many people died, but the time has surely
come not only to pay respect to the victims but also to look to the
future. Everyone in Armenia and Turkey should do so – not only for
your sake but even more for the sake of your children.

Reconciliation is difficult, and it takes much more courage than
confrontation. It is especially difficult, and therefore even more
important, to make the first step. But reconciliation is the only way
forward. Everyone needs to make an effort to understand and to accept
that what they have in common with their neighbors is more important
than what sets them apart. We are all human, with similar fears,
hopes and aspirations. The only way to build the kind of future you
want for your children is to work with, not against, your neighbors.

This is the real message of Europe today, born out of our long
history of wars and confrontations. Understanding, respect and
reconciliation. There is no other way," Terry Davis concluded.

DEFENSE MINISTER DUE TO VISIT ARMENIA ON TUESDAY

Fars News Agency, Iran
Nov 4 2007

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General
Mostafa Mohammad Najjar is scheduled to pay a visit to Armenia on
Tuesday at the head of a high-ranking delegation.

During the trip which will take place at the invitation of the Armenian
Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan, the two sides will discuss
bilateral ties and exchange views about regional and international
issues.

The Iranian minister is also scheduled to attend meetings with
President Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan during
his sojourn in Armenia.

150-KM BORDERLINE OF ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN BORDER DELIMITED

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Thanks to the work of the respective
commissions on delimitation of the state border between Armenia and
Georgia, the sides have come to an agreement on a 150-km borderline.
The work of agreeing on the remaining 5 border sections of the total
length of about 75 km is underway, NT was informed by the press service
of the RA State Customs Committee (SCC).

According to the head of the SCC department on fight against smuggling
Robert Yeritsian, the above mentioned 75-km section of the border is
still open which requires strict control in order to prevent and reveal
customs violations. This section includes some roads bypassing the
Bavra customs point, which represent the main routes of smuggling
goods. Customs violation statistics show that cars, foodstuffs and
medicines are the commodities, which are most frequently smuggled by
the roads bypassing the Bavra customs point. In particular, an attempt
to smuggle more than 3,000 boxes of 90 various medicines into Armenia
was recently prevented in the region.

R. Yeritsian said that there have also been attempts to smuggle
medicines and drugs (by hiding them in trucks) from Iran through the
Meghri customs point. With the aim of fighting such violations, a ray
equipment capable of examining a big truck loaded with goods of up to
40 tons has been installed at the Meghri customs point.

In the first ten months of this year, 161 cutoms violations have been
registered against 146 violations in the same period of 2006. Among
smuggled goods were mainly foodstuffs, appliances, cars and mobile
phones.

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL: ARMENIA ONCE MORE PROVED THAT IT PURSUES AGGRESSIVE POLICY AND HAS TERRITORIAL CLAIMS AGAINST THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 2 2007

"Holding such events and Armenians’ steps once more show that
Armenia pursues aggressive policy and has territorial claims against
the neighboring countries," spokesman for Foreign Ministry Khazar
Ibrahim told APA taking a stance on separatist debates "Monuments in
Nakhchivan" organized by Armenian Diaspora in Harvard University.

"This action is not only against Azerbaijan, but also the other states
of the region," he said.

Khazar Ibrahim said that Armenia has territorial claims against
other neighbors.

"We several times witnessed that Armenian government both in documents,
and statements claimed territories in the other countries of the
region. This is a very serious problem. Armenia and different Armenian
groups should stop unconstructive activity both in Diaspora and other
forms. Otherwise, they can harm the peace process," he said.

Khazar Ibrahim underlined that Azerbaijani diplomatic offices in the
US carry out active policy against Armenians’ such actions.

POSTPONEMENT OF GENOCIDE RESOLUTION DISAPPOINTS SOME
By Arya Hebbar, Correspondent

San Mateo County Times, CA
Nov 2 2007

Bay Area Armenians upset, Turks relieved as House delays vote

Bay Area Armenians are disappointed the House delayed voting on a
resolution declaring the massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during
World War I a genocide, but their Turkish counterparts are relieved.

An international furor caused the bill’s Southern California sponsors
to ask Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week not to bring a vote this year
on the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

"It is disappointing that Turkey was shamelessly allowed to interfere
in the process of a simple resolution," said Roxanne Makasdjian,
chairwoman of the Bay Area Armenian National Committee. "It is always
the right time to tell the truth."

Ilkcan Cokgor, president of the Turkish American Association of
California, disagreed.

"All of us Turkish Americans believe very strongly that it is an
issue between Turkey and Armenia and it is definitely not (the)
American Congress’s business."

That sentiment was echoed by Oytun Eskiyenenturk, president of Bay
Area Cultural Connections and a San Francisco resident, who suggested
"A fact-finding committee with respected historians from both Turkey
and Armenia should look at evidence and decide if it should be called
a genocide or not."

The Armenian-American community had cheered the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs’ passage of the non-binding genocide resolution on
Oct. 10, saying it would bring closure to the thousands of Armenians –
estimates range as high as half a million – who left their homeland
in search of safety.

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