Author: Torosian Aram

COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO CARRY OUT A THREE-DAY VISIT IN ARMENIA

Mediamax
March 11, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights,
Thomas Hammarberg, will carry out a three-day visit in Armenia to
get familiar with the post-election situation.

As Mediamax was told in Yerevan Office of the Council of Europe,
during the visit, Thomas Hammarberg will meet Armenian President
Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister and President-elect Serzh Sarkisian,
Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosian, the Chairman of the Constitutional
Court Gagik Harutiunian, former President and candidate Levon
Ter-Petrosian, the Human Rights Defender Armen Harutiunian, as well
as representatives of international organizations, diplomats and
representatives of the civil society.

Commissioner Hammarberg will also visit prisons, police stations
and hospitals to meet with people affected by the events, which took
place on March 1 and 2 in Yerevan.

"I am concerned about the human rights situation in Armenia and the
consequences of the declaration of the state of emergency" Commissioner
of the Council of Europe stated.

He noted that "it is urgent to restore a situation where the activities
of the media, political parties and non-governmental organizations
are not hindered".

Mediamax notes that the Armenian President Robert Kocharian signed on
March 10 a decree on abolishing certain provisions of the decree on
imposing a state of emergency in Yerevan. In particular, the President
abolished the provision on temporary interruption of activities of
parties and other public organizations, which hinder the elimination of
reasons, which conditioned the implementation of a state of emergency.

ARMENIA 89TH AMONG 130 COUNTRIES IN WORLD COMPETITIVENESS IN TOURISM

banker.am
04.03.2008

Armenia 89th among 130 countries in world competitiveness in tourism

This is a 15-point reduction as compared to the level of 2007,
"Economy and Values" research center reported.

According to the report, Armenia is on the fifth line among CIS
countries leaving ahead only Russia (64th), Georgia (72nd), Ukraine
(77th) and Azerbaijan (79th).

Among positive factors in the tourism field of Armenia are
sanitary conditions, security of tourists, price competition and
friendly treatment of tourists. Among the shortcomings the report
is particularly mentioning visa regime with the countries where
most of tourists come from, ecology problems, internal transport
infrastructure, availability of hotel rooms and training of personnel.

According to the report, Switzerland is the most competitive country
in tourism followed by Austria and Germany. Among other competitive
countries are Chad, Lesotho and Burundi. Three aspects have been
considered in developing the world competitiveness index – regulation
of tourism field; business sphere and infrastructure; human, cultural
and natural resources.

According to Armenia’s National Statistical Service, 510,287 tourists
visited Armenia in January-December 2007, which is a 33.5% increase
against 2006.

PanARMENIAN.Net

RA CC dismissed actions on declaration presidential
election results invalid
08.03.2008 19:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On March 8, the Armenian Constitutional Court
dismissed the actions brought in by former presidential hopefuls Levon
Ter-Petrosyan and Tigran Karapetyan urging to declare the results of
the presidential election invalid.

According to the CC decision, all materials on electoral violations
should be referred to RA prosecutor general’s office.

Pinning the suits brought by Tigran Karapetyan and Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, the CC proceeding to hearings on March 4.

Congratulatory message

Azat Artsakh Daily
07-03-2008
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

Dear women

I heartily congratulate you on this fine spring holiday. March 8 `
is the best occasion once again to express oue sincere and warm
attitude towards you, love and care, which we are obliged to show you
every day and every hour.
During all our history Armenian women were reliable support for
their husbands, fathers and sons and hand by hand created the future of
people with them. From first days of Artsakh movement you were near the
men, raising your resolute voice in the name of freedom and
independence of the native land. Our victory became possible also owing
to your endurance, selflesness, indescribable bravery. You gave
soldiers, being on a battlefield, force and energy, hope and belief.
You today actively participate in creation of native Artsakh, bring
your invaluable contribution in favour of education of rising
generation, preservation of family hearth, future strengthening of our
independent statehood. Be sure, henceforth your cares and needs will be
always in the focus of NKR authorities’ attention. I especially want to
distinguish hero-military women, mothers and sisters, their daughters
fallen victims in Artsakh war. We do and we shall do the utmost for
optimization of your conditions of life, preservation of health,
decision of social and other problems. Dear women, your heroism and
wisdom, your fidelity and strength of mind are boundless. And today, on
this holiday day we adress our words of deep gratitude and kind wishes
to you. Be always health and beautiful, joyful and happy. Let succes
accompany you, your natives, and the sky be always peace and cloudless.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Reports on Azeri-Turkish joint operation in Karabakh absurd
07.03.2008 17:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Reports on an Azeri-Turkish joint
operation against PKK rebels in Nagorno Karabakh are
too absurd to be commented on,’ RA MFA acting
spokesman Tigran Balayan told a briefing in Yerevan.

`All these reports are nothing but a regular canard,’
he said.

Yesterday, Makfax Macedonian agency with a reference
to Azerbaijan’s daily Yeni Musavat reported that
Turkey is bracing for a joint military operation with
Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh.

The preparations are under way for a comprehensive
military operation in Nagorno Karabakh against members
of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) who were forced
out from northern Iraq by the Turkish Army.

Yeni Musavat’s article, which was cited in several
Turkish media today, says that "even US approved such
a move."

AZG Armenian Daily #045, 08/03/2008

Post-election

"IN ORDER NOT TO BREAK THE CEASEFIRE REGIME ANY MORE"

USA is concerned over the fact of violation of the
ceasefire regime in Nagorno Karabakh and expressed his
concern to the parts, announced US Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State, OSCE Minsk Group US Co-chair
Matthew Bryza. In his March 5 every-day conversation
US State Department Spokesperson Tom Keys mentioned
that the USA is interested in not repeating violations
of the ceasefire and calls the parts to work in the
framework of Minsk Group in order to find a diplomatic
resolution. Tom Keys mentioned that Matthew Bryza
besides the discussion of Karabakh negotiation process
will try to encourage and contribute to the
establishment of dialogue between RA Government and
opposition.

Translated by L.H.

Le Monde, France
4 mars 2008 mardi

ARMÉNIE HUIT MORTS;
L’état d’urgence a été décrété à Erevan après des affrontements entre
l’opposition et la police

Militaires, chars et véhicules blindés ont sillonné, dimanche 2 mars,
la capitale arménienne, Erevan, au lendemain d’affrontements violents
entre manifestants de l’opposition et policiers qui ont conduit à
l’introduction de l’état d’urgence et à la mort de huit personnes
tuées par balles (sept civils et un membre des forces de l’ordre).

Officiellement, 131 personnes ont été blessées et une cinquantaine
d’opposants ont été interpellés. Des témoins présents lors des
affrontements, contactés par téléphone à Erevan, affirment que le
nombre de blessés pourrait être plus grand. Il s’agit des pires
troubles qu’ait connu l’Arménie, petite république voisine de la
Turquie, de la Russie et de l’Iran, depuis les manifestations de
l’hiver 1997-1998 qui aboutirent au départ du premier président
postsoviétique, Levon Ter-Petrosian.

En retrait de la politique depuis 1998, M. Ter-Petrossian, qui fut
l’idéologue du mouvement national arménien à la fin des années 1980,
est réapparu en tant que candidat à l’élection présidentielle du 19
février contre le premier ministre Serge Sarkissian, dauphin du
président sortant, Robert Kotcharian.

Arrivé en deuxième position, avec 21 % des suffrages, contre M.
Sarkissian, donné vainqueur avec 53 %, Levon Ter-Petrossian n’a cessé
de dénoncer les irrégularités du scrutin. Ses partisans réclamaient
l’annulation de l’élection ainsi que des sanctions contre les
responsables des fraudes. Le 29 février, Serge Sarkissian parvenait à
négocier un accord avec d’autres forces politiques en vue de la
formation d’un gouvernement de coalition.

Fort de cet accord, le pouvoir est allé au coup de force. Samedi à
l’aube, les policiers ont dispersé le camp de toile installé par les
opposants place de la Liberté. Un peu plus tard, l’annonce de la mise
aux arrêts domiciliaires de M. Ter-Petrossian et de l’interpellation
d’une dizaine de ses partisans a avivé le mécontentement.

Quelques heures après leur dispersion, des milliers de manifestants
se sont de nouveau rassemblés, notamment autour de l’ambassade de
France. La soirée du 1er mars a connu un crescendo dans la violence.
Des tirs nourris ont été entendus. Les boutiques des avenues
centrales d’Erevan ont été saccagées et pillées. Des véhicules des
forces de l’ordre ont été incendiés.

" Toute tentative de participer à des manifestations, même les plus
insignifiantes, sera contrée au nom de la stabilité du pays et de la
sécurité ", a mis en garde à la télévision le général Seïran Oganian,
le chef d’état-major. En patrouillant, les militaires invitaient au
haut-parleur la population à éviter tout rassemblement. L’imposition
de l’état d’urgence jusqu’au 20 mars, par le président Robert
Kotcharian, proscrit les manifestations et contraint les médias à ne
diffuser que l’information officielle.

Le calme est revenu dimanche dans la capitale arménienne, mais Levon
Ter-Petrossian a promis de poursuivre son combat. " Nous allons nous
battre jusqu’à la chute de ce régime, nous n’avons pas peur de ce
régime de kleptocrates et de criminels ", a-t-il déclaré. " Nous
pourrions organiser des manifestations dans d’autres villes proches
d’Erevan, ce serait légal. Cette décision me revient ", a-t-il
ajouté.

L’opposition attend l’examen, la semaine prochaine, du recours déposé
à la Cour constitutionnelle en vue de l’annulation du scrutin, validé
par les observateurs internationaux. La présidence finlandaise de
l’Organisation pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (OSCE) a
annoncé l’envoi en Arménie d’un médiateur pour " amener les deux
parties à la table des négociations ".

PACE FACT-FINDING MISSION IN ARMENIA

AZG Armenian Daily
07/03/2008

Post-election

On March 6, Chairman of PACE Ad hoc Committee on monitoring
Armenian presidential elections John Prescott arrived in Armenia on
post-election fact-finding mission. Meetings with Tigran Torosian
and Serge Sargsian were scheduled.

It is informed that John Prescott will meet also with Levon
Ter-Petrosian and representatives of NGOs.

On March 7, Mr. Prescott will meet with the leaders of parliamentary
factions of "Orinats Erkir", ARF and "Jarangutyun" parties.

At the end of the day RA President Robert Kocharian will receive
John Prescott.

"ERGENEKON" GANG LINKED TO SEVERAL MURDERS
Erol Onderoðlu

BIA
March 6 2008
Turkey

The investigation into the ultra-nationalist Ergenekon gang is looking
at three murders. A photo proving connections between retired general
Kucuk and the suspect in the State Council murder has been found.

It all started last year, when a weapons arsenal was found in
Umraniye, Istanbul. There was a media coverage ban on the event,
and on 21 January of this year, arrests began.

So far 38 arrests in "deep state" case

In total, there have been 38 arrests so far, including several retired
army officers, ultra-nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, two academics
and two writers.

The roots of the gang are said to go back to the Susurluk case of
1996. A car accident in that city shook Turkey because it revealed
connections between the state, the mafia, and nationalist hitmen.

Ever since, there is widespread belief in a "deep state", which
is said to rule the country behind the screen of a democratically
elected government.

Ergenekon: links to State Council attack The investigation has found
links between the Ergenekon gang and the attack on the State Council
in 2006, in which one judge was killed.

The murder suspect Alparslan Arslan is currently on trial.

Now the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecution has been handed a photo
in which retired general Veli Kucuk, one of the main suspects in the
Ergenekon gang is seen with Arslan.

The photograph had been published by the Azadiya Welat newspaper.

When it was first published, Kucuk had denounced it as a photo
montage. It has now been added to the investigation file.

Murders of Hablemitoglu and Garih There are also suspected links
between the Ergenekon gang and bomb attacks on the Cumhuriyet newspaper
in 2006, as well as the murder of academic Dr. Necip Hablemitoglu. One
arrested suspect, Durmus Anucin, has told the prosecution that he
killed the academic together with an Ibrahim Ciftci; the latter was
himself murdered later. The hand grenades used to kill Ciftci in
his office are said to be of the same series as the arsenal found
in Umraniye.

Now the investigation is also reconsidering the murder of Uzeyir Garih,
a prominent businessman stabbed to death in 2001. Although a young
man was convicted of the murder, some people have always suspected
other connections.

According to reports in the media, house searches connected to an
arrested Ergenekon suspect have revealed documents, blood samples,
DNA tests and an autopsy report related to Garih’s murder.

Bianet writer investigated for "breaching ban" Meanwhile,
an investigation has been initiated against journalist Serdar
Degirmencioglu, who wrote an article on the bianet website concerning
the Ergenekon operation. Degirmencioglu had criticised the broadcasting
and publishing ban on the operation by giving examples from the media.

The prosecution has sent orders to the police for Assistant Professor
Degirmencioglu, an independent researcher and children’s rights
activist, to be questioned.

In an article entitled "What are these arrests compared to the real
dangers?" published on the bianet website on 30 January, Degirmencioglu
had said ironcially, "There is a newspaper which really follows the
publishing ban: the Yenicag newspaper. What importance do Gladio,
Susurluk, Ergenekon, the deep state, attacks have when there is still
a danger of foreign powers besieging the country?"

Degirmencioglu was referring to the fact that the Yenicag newspaper had
not given the names of the people arrested in the Ergenekon operation,
and had preferred to write about Armenians and Article 301.

Gunluk Evrensel and other media organs also investigated The same
article was printed in the Gunluk Evrensel newspaper on 1 February,
and the newspaper is also being investigated.

Editor-in-chief Ugras Vatandas has given a statement to the
prosecution, pointing out that the article did not report on the
content of the investigation.

The Gunlul Evrensel newspaper is facing 6 or 7 investigations because
of its coverage of the operation. In two cases, so Vatandas, the
newspaper has been ordered to pay 20,000 YTL preliminary fines.

Because they have refused, trials have been opened.

Dozens of newspapers and TV channels are being investigated for
breaching the broadcasting and publishing ban on the Ergenekon
operation.

–Boundary_(ID_NZeFtUJj1D9gU /42YsoraQ)–

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

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CALLS FOR DIALOGUE AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE AND ITS LEADERS

We are closely following the troubling developments unfolding in Armenia in
the aftermath of the February 19 presidential elections and are in constant
contact with our Spiritual Brother, His Holiness Karekin II of All
Armenians, in this respect. As Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia we
cannot remain silent in view of this crisis that has shook our country.
Armenia and the Diaspora form one entity. Armenia’s conflict is also
Diaspora’s conflict and Armenian’s strengthening means the strengthening of
the Diaspora.

Whatever the reasons leading to the present crisis, it is essential that the
children of our nation steer clear of intolerance as well as statements and
acts that can provoke internal tensions and solve their concerns and
problems with a realistic approach through dialogue and mutual
understanding. In the face of such tensions, the collective and supreme
interests of the homeland and of Armenians should be considered before and
above all kinds of personal, partite and temporary interests.

It is natural to have disagreements regarding issues affecting our homeland
and nation. However, when the homeland faces serious crisis, it is essential
to put aside our disagreements and unite our forces in the service of the
nation’s and the homeland’s collective and ultimate interests. This is what
we expect from the children of our nation and especially from its leaders in
these difficult days.

We pray to God to keep our homeland out of harm’s way and to strengthen our
nation through love and unity.

Catholicos Aram I
Holy See of Cilicia

Saturday, March 1, 2008
Antelias, Lebanon