Author: Torgomian Varazdat

Cornell University, The Cornell Daily Sun, NY
March 16 2008

A New Outlook? Bird’s Eye View

March 16, 2008 – 12:20am
By Rob Coniglio

Since its founding after World War I, the Turkish state has had a
clouded history with the integration of minorities. Founded out of
the multi-cultural Ottoman Empire, Turkey forged an ethnic identity
that came into conflict with Greek and Armenian residents of the
Anatolian Peninsula. The conflict with the Armenians is often
referred to as genocide, though the Turkish government steadfastly
refuses to characterize it that way. Kurds are spread across the
Middle East; they live in Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. The Turkish Kurds
have had the most sustained conflict with their government. The
Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) has been fighting since the 1970’s and
in general, the Kurds in Turkey have faced legislation that
discriminates against them. For one, Kurdish language has been
severely restricted over the years. With the newfound autonomy of
Kurds in Iraq, the Turkish government has had to confront the
possibility of a strengthening separatist feeling and the possibility
of an independent Kurdistan. Such fears and increased PKK activity
have lead to Turkish military action in Iraqi Kurdistan. It seems,
however, that the Turkish government realizes the importance of
integrating Kurds and has adopted more forward-looking policies.

Then there is the question of the EU. Turkey has wanted to become an
EU member for quite some time but unfortunately, due to anti-Turkish
feeling in Europe, roadblock after roadblock have been put up to
block Turkey’s accession. Some have been legitimate, including the
EU’s demand to loosen restrictions on freedom of speech and better
incorporate the Kurdish minority. Other times, EU members are
stalling because they feel uncomfortable allowing a Muslim country
into `Europe.’ It is good then that Turkey is taking the policy-based
EU objections seriously, finally moving to offer an alternative to
insurgency to the Kurds by expanding economic investment and cultural
empowerment. Though these polices may result from necessity, they are
signs of progress.

Progress in Turkey has not been based in the secular elite. Instead,
it has come from the Justice and Development Party, Turkey’s Muslim
version of Europe’s Christian Democratic Parties. Given the paradigm
that we live in, it is ironic that the force behind modernization and
opening are the forces of political Islam. Granted, it is an
extremely moderate form, but the Justice and Development Party should
remind us that we do not live in a black and white world of `us
versus them.’ Turkish reforms should give us hope for the future, and
reinforce our confidence in a westward-looking Turkey, even if it is
one led by Islamists.

HAS NO LEGAL FORCE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on March 15, 2008

The Resolution on the `Situation of the Occupied Territories of
Azerbaijan’ was approved yesterday, during the 62nd Session of the UN
General Assembly. There were 39 members voting for and 7 members voting
against the document; 100 representatives abstained from voting. The
initiative of Baku did not receive support by any EU member state; all
of them either voted against the Resolution or abstained from voting.

As mentioned by Armen Martirosyan, permanent representative of Armenia
in the United Nations, the US representative in the UN made a speech
before the voting, expressing his opinion against the document.
Azerbaijan didn’t manage to receive support by the members of `Islamic
Conference’ organization either. More than 20 member states of the
organization abstained from voting. Russia, France, India and other
countries were against the initiative too.

It should be noted that the document has no legal force.

OSCE MINSK GROUP DOES NOT SUPPORT DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SITUATION IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN

arminfo
2008-03-14 14:33:00

ArmInfo. The co-chairmen of OSCE (Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe) on the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict do not support the draft resolution on Situation in Occupied
Territories of Azerbaijan introduced to the UN General Assembly.

"The draft resolution will not gain our support. All the Minsk Group
co-chairman countries are of the same opinion. The draft does not
indicate on what both the chairmen and conflicting parties were
working towards," Yuri Merzlyakov, the Russian co-chairman of Minsk
Group said to TrendNews on 14 March.

Merzlyakov said that the Resolution is too one -sided. "The draft
resolution indicates those items which are interesting only to
Azerbaijan. The project is one-sided, unbalanced and not timely at
all. We all did not expect this," Merzlyakov said. ‘We propose either
to postpone the consideration of the given draft or just to try to
make it acceptable for adoption. The Azerbaijani delegation to New
York rejected our proposal referring to the absence of proofs. In
such situation all the Co-chair states have arrived to a conclusion
that they cannot support this draft. Although the 6th provision of
the document contains a very good paragraph that says how good the
Minsk Group co-chairs work’, Merzlyakov says.

"AUTHORITIES ARE DECISIVE IN NOT ALLOWING MASS DISORDERS ANY LONGER," SERGE SARGSIAN DECLARES

Noyan Tapan
March 14, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Within the framework of the criminal
case filed on the occasion of the events, which happened in Yerevan on
March 1-2 night, all the facts will be examined, the activities of the
authorities will be adequate, all those, who are guilty, are to give
an answer. This was mentioned by Serge Sargsian, the Prime Minister
and newly-elected President of the Republic of Armenia, in response
to the questions addressed to him through internet on March 13.

According to him, the authorities did much if not everything to avoid
the clash. However, in his conviction, "the opposition was prepared
for the clash" and in spite of all the calls of the police to keep
away from illegal acts, there was no response, moreover, "that was
considered a sign of weakness by certain people, who started to
beat policemen."

"I believe that the organizers merely became panic-stricken, when they
saw that the other candidates accepted my suggestion of cooperation
and made use of that. I promise that all those materials, which have
to do with this measure, will further become the property of society
and you will see who what instructions give," Serge Sargsian mentioned.

The laws and Constitution of Armenia, as well as the decisiveness
of the state officials and their professional capacities, according
to him, are the guarantees for disorders not to be repeated since
March 21: after the end of the term for the state of emergency. Serge
Sargsian made assertions that the authorities are resolute in not
allowing mass disorders in Armenia any longer. "I ask certain people
to understand what I say in a right way, not to say that they will do
that to oppose the Prime Minister, as this will already bring forth
very bad consequneces," Serge Sargsian mentioned.

EP ADOPTS RESOLUTION CALLING ON RA AUTHORITIES TO LIFT EMERGENCY RULE

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.03.2008 17:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "In the wake of the presidential elections in Armenia
on 19 February, a police crackdown against opposition supporters who
were peacefully contesting the results left eight dead and dozens
injured. A state of emergency was declared on 1 March and media
freedom has been restricted," says a European Parliament’s resolution,
adopted by 60 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions.

The resolution deplores the loss of life, urges all parties to act
responsibly and calls on the authorities to investigate the violence
and take other measures.

The International Election Observation Mission stated that the
elections were "administered mostly in line with OSCE and Council
of Europe commitments and standards" but also identified a number of
concerns, in particular concerning the media’s commitment to providing
impartial information.

In the resolution, Parliament "expresses its concern at recent
developments in Armenia" and "calls on all parties to show openness and
restraint, to tone down statements and to engage in a constructive and
fruitful dialogue aimed at supporting and consolidating the country’s
democratic institutions".

It also calls "for a prompt, thorough, transparent, independent and
impartial investigation of the events of 1 March" and "for all those
responsible to be brought to justice and punished for misconduct and
criminal acts of violence". The Council and Commission should offer
EU assistance to help with the investigation.

The Armenian authorities are asked to lift the state of emergency,
restore media freedom and take all measures necessary to ensure a
return to normalcy. In addition, they are urged "to release citizens
detained for exercising their right of peaceful assembly".

Parliament points out that the EU’s Action Plan with Armenia
under the European Neighborhood Policy covers the strengthening
of democratic structures and the rule of law. In this context,
it urges the Commission "to focus its assistance to Armenia on the
independence of the judiciary and the training of police and security
forces" and calls on the Armenian authorities "to implement swiftly
all the remaining recommendations made by the International Election
Observation Mission", the EP press service reports.

PRESS RELEASE
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex
RA, Armenia Yerevan 0028
Contact: Arevik Avetisyan
Tel.: (+374 10) 39 09 81
Fax: (+374 10) 39 10 41
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

21 MILLION DRAM FOR REBUILDING GREEN AREAS OF THE TSITSERNAKABERD.

15.03.2008

As is informed from administration of information and public
relations of the government, in 2008, March 13 the government made a
decision to provide 21 million dram to the Ministry of Agriculture from
its reserved fund aimed for the contribution to rebuild and develop
forests of the country; to realize the project of rebuilding green areas
of the Tsistsernakaberd Memorial Complex. We state money is provided in
accordance with the law "On Budget System of RA".
Reminding that last year, on September 8, the Prime Minister of RA
Serge Sargsyan visited the Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute. Serge
Sargsyan got acquainted to the main problems in the vicinity of the
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. PM Serge Sargsyan gave necessary
instructions for the protection and development of the Tsitsernakaberd
Park. During the visit an arrangement was made to preserve, reform the
Tsitsernakaberd park, which is the most expand green area and the most
important ecological part of the capital. Moreover, a complete program
of future activities is to be developed and introduced to the government
of the Republic of Armenia.
The park area near the Genocide Museum & Institute is 98 hectare.
The main area project is going to be developed in the near future. The
irrigation system needs to be thoroughly reconstructed and reequipped
technologically. As well as to carry out reconstruction of the green
areas increasing the number of high qualified trees and decreasing the
bushes.
The realization of all these intended measures is going to be
thoroughly over in the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in
2015.

PRICES OF PRECIOUS METALS RISE

Noyan Tapan
March 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The prices of precious metals fixed
by the agency "State Treasury of Precious Metals and Stones" of the
RA ministry of finance and economy for March 10-16 are higher than
the prices for March 3-9.

According to information on the ministry’s website, the purchase
price of a 1-gram ingot of chemically pure gold in line with the state
standard was fixed at 8,939.63 drams (about 28.9 USD), the sale price –
at 9,716.99 drams for March 10-16 – against 8,679.63 drams (2.99551%
growth) and 9,434.38 drams (2.99553% growth) respectively last week.

The purchase price of 1 gram of silver was fixed at 184.36 drams, the
sale price – at 200.39 drams for March 10-16 – against 171.89 drams
(7.25463% growth) and 186.84 drams (7.25219% growth) respectively
last week.

The purchase price of 1 gram of platinum was fixed at 20,106.36 drams,
the sale price – at 21,854.74 drams this week – against 19,451.99 drams
(3.36402% growth) and 21,143.47 drams (3.36401% growth) last week.

The purchase price of 1 gram of palladium was established at 5,033.69
drams, the sale price – at 5,471.4 drams this week – against 4,935.92
drams (1.98553% growth) and 5,365.13 drams (1.98075% growth) last week.

NEW NUMBER OF ARMENIAN CELL OPERATOR VIVACELL

arminfo
2008-03-11 16:48:00

ArmInfo. Armenian cell operator VivaCell (sub-company of MTS)
has started using a new code since 4 March 2008, information at
"K-Telecom" site says.

It also says that the new code (077) was put into practice to
satisfy growing demand for the company services. Introduction of
the new code was approved by Public Services Regulatory commission
on 8 February. According to specialists, as of the end of 2007 the
number of active mobile subscribers in Armenia amounted to 2 mln,
65% of which was the VivaCell share.

PUTIN CONFIRMS HIS INVITING SARGSYAN TO RUSSIA

ARKA
March 11, 2008

YEREVAN, March 10. /ARKA/. Russian President Vladimir Putin
confirmed Monday his invitation sent to Armenian president elect
Serge Sargsyan. Kremlin press office reports.

RIA Novosti says referring to the press office report that Putin
congratulated Sargsyan on his election again confirmed his invitation
in Monday’s phone talk with the latter.

On Saturday, Armenian Constitutional Court declined presidential
candidates Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s and Tigran Karapetyan’s suits against
the central election commission.

The court left the commission’s recognition of Serge Sargsyan as
president elect unchanged.

According to the commission-announced final results of the 2008
presidential election, Serge Sargsyan won presidency by scoring 52.82%
of votes.

The commission says Ter-Petrosyan got 21.5% and Karapetyan 0.6%.

Both candidates insist that the election was rigged and demand the
court to void the results.

On February 20, Armenian opposition headed by former president Levon
Ter-Petrosyan launched protests in Yerevan’s Libery Square disputing
the results of the recent presidential election and insisting that
the election was fraudulent.

The police attacked protesters Saturday night. Protests continued in
the square near France’s embassy and city hall.

The police department says that the crowd started destroying nearby
shops and other buildings. According to the police’s report, eight
people were killed and 131 injured in the clash and 36 cars burnt.

President Kocharyan imposed state of emergency on March 1.

Serzh Sargsyan: Commodity turnover between Armenia and Russia grew
several times over last 5-7 years

2008-03-07 17:24:00

ArmInfo. ‘Armenian-Russian relations have rich past, very good present,
and I am sure, rich future’, Prime Minister of Armenia, Leader of the
Republican Party of Armenia Serzh Sagrsyan says in an interview with
Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Serzh Sargsyan stressed that the commodity turnover between Armenia and
Russia grew several times over the last 5-7 years, rg.ru reports.
‘Russia is the key investor in Armenian economy. One of every three
dollars invested in our country by foreign partners is the share of
Russia’, he said. The Armenian premier stressed that leading Russian
companies operate in various sectors of Armenia’s economy. As regards
politics, S. Sargsyan says the bilateral relations in that sphere are
at the top level. He believes the political relations of the two
countries are based on strategic partnership meeting the interests of
both Moscow and Yerevan. Not only the political and economic spheres,
but also education and culture have potential for development, which
has not been used so far’, S. Sargsyan said.