Author: Tumanian Talar

TURKEY TO PASS FREE SPEECH REFORM NEXT WEEK: PM

Agence France Presse — English
April 8, 2008 Tuesday 11:01 AM GMT

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that
parliament would next week pass a long-awaited bill softening a
controversial law which penalizes "insulting Turkishness".

"I believe we will push the amendment to Article 301 through parliament
next week," Erdogan said in a televised address to the parliamentary
group of his Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Article 301 in the penal code allows for up to three years in jail for
"insulting Turkishness" and has long been criticised as a threat to
freedom of speech in both Turkey and the European Union, which Ankara
hopes to join.

The government submitted to parliament a draft amendment late Monday,
ahead of a visit by European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, who will arrive
here Thursday.

The proposal calls for the president’s approval before prosecutors can
launch cases, in a bid to make trials under the article more difficult.

It also replaces the term "Turkishness" — which critics say is
too broad and vague — with the "Turkish nation" and decreases the
envisaged jail term to a maximum of two years, which would allow the
sentence to be suspended or converted to a fine.

It also removes a provision that calls for an increased sanction if
the crime is committed abroad.

The AKP is expected to have no difficulty in passing the amendment
as it dominates the 550-seat parliament with 340 lawmakers.

Dozens of intellectuals, including 2006 Nobel literature laureate
Orhan Pamuk, have been tried under the provision and although some —
including ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink who was murdered in
January 2007 — were convicted, their sentences were suspended and
no one has been jailed so far.

The article has been used mainly against people contesting the
official line on the World War I massacres of Armenians under the
Ottoman Empire, which, much to Turkey’s ire, many countries have
recognised as genocide.

EU WILLING TO HELP ARMENIA TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.04.2008 20:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Mr Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for
common foreign and security policy, congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on
assuming the office of President of Armenia.

The congratulatory message says, in part, "Dear Mr President, Let me
congratulate you on assuming the office of President of Armenia. The
European Union has been closely watching the post-election developments
in Armenia. We are aware of the problems that emerged after you won
the presidential election but we do welcome your proposal for dialogue.

The European Union is willing to assist Armenia in resisting these
challenges and hopes for developemnt of relations with the Republic
of Armenia."

SERZH SARGSYAN SWORN IN AS NEW PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS: President-Elect, Prime Minister
Serzh Sargsyan was sworn in today as new president of Armenia at an
inauguration ceremony at Opera and Ballet Theater.

Before the ceremony started Armenian flag was brought in to the hall,
as well as the original copy of Armenia’s Constitution and the 7-th
century Bible from Matenadaran Institute of Old Manuscripts.

Placing his right hand on the Bible and the Constitution Serzh
Sargsyan took the oath by swearing "to fulfill the requirements of the
Constitution in an unreserved manner; to respect the fundamental human
and civil rights and freedoms; to ensure the protection, independence,
territorial integrity and security to the glory of the Republic of
Armenia and to the welfare of the people of the Republic of Armenia".

Then Catholicos Karekin II, head of the Armenian Church, took the
rostrum to give his blessings to the new president. He said Serzh
Sargsyan takes over as president at a crucial moment in the country’s
history to serve the homeland and the people.

In his speech Sargsyan said he recognizes the enormous responsibility
that he has assumed. "I know that I will be the one whom you will
consider responsible for everything. I pledge not to avoid the
responsibility, the magnitude of which I realized when joining the
Republican Party and declaring that I would agree to be nominated for
the presidential elections only in case the Republican Party won the
largest number of votes in the parliamentary elections. I realize the
magnitude of the responsibility now, and I shall recognize it every day
for the next five years. I shall bear with honor the responsibility
of being the President of all citizens of the Republic of Armenia,"
he said.

He thanked his supporters, all the individuals that have voted for
his program. "I am grateful for the confidence. I assure you that
together we can improve life in our country. Today, I call for a
change. Once again, we are proclaiming a new beginning for change.

Everyone must be ready to start change from one’s own self," he said.

He also appealed to that part of people who voted for other candidates
saying that was their right to vote for someone other than him, adding
that he does not have the right not to be their president either.

"We should not part, should not create division between various
parts of our people, should not disregard each other’s concerns and
pain, and should not go beyond each other’s reach. Even if a wall
of misunderstanding stands between us, I urge you to join us in
eliminating that wall,’ Sargsyan said.

He also expressed his gratitude to President Robert Kocharian,
‘a man who will have a solid place in the Armenian history, as the
decade of his presidency were years of significant achievements for
our country, achievements based on which we have set ambitious targets
for the future."

"President Kocharian has performed an invaluable role in the
establishment, advancement, and protection of the Republic of
Mountainous Karabakh. I am confident that generations will duly
appreciate his service and contribution to the development and
strengthening of our statehood,’ the new president said.

"We shall build the Armenia that brings together all Armenians,
one that will be the fatherland of any Armenian. We shall build the
Armenia where mutual respect, love, and tolerance will prevail.

We shall build the Armenia where our citizens and families will live
and realize their potential in security and dignity. We shall carry
out a proactive foreign policy, and do everything to find a just,
peaceful, and favorable solution to the Artsakh issue.

We shall build a strong, proud, and democratic state of Armenia,
where everyone shall be equal before the law," Sargsyan said.

‘I am confident that you, our fellow Armenians and friends, also hold
the key to the success of all of our initiatives. To accomplish this
historic mission, I once again urge us to unite. Unity will be the
platform for fundamental value creation and progress along the path
of democracy and freedoms.

I shall do all of this, because I wish to be a president who will fully
implement his program, bring peace and stable development to Armenia,
enhance the reputation and image of our country, overcome all of the
major problems we currently face, and be capable of foreseeing and
responding to all of the potential challenges. This is the type of
President I can and shall be," he said.

Serzh Sargsyan said this ceremony takes place about a month after
painful events, which inflicted wounds that are still fresh. "These
wounds caused pain and bitterness to all of us. Today, I urge to
look forward, together to seek and find the path of reconciliation,
that of development for the Armenia of future. I am confident that we
cannot have real and tangible success, unless we learn lessons from
the past. What happened should teach all of us a lesson of vigilance
and sobriety, compelling us to work with greater vigor and devotion,"
he said..

"Our people have given me their vote of confidence, and I must
implement my program during the next five years. Our people have
confided in me to overcome the challenges faced by our country and to
meet everyone’s expectations. Five years is a rather short period to do
all of this, hence it will be a period of everyday hard work. During
this time, we shall manage to do what is possible and beyond, to
address the development challenges faced by our country. That is why
I consider this ceremonial day a working day for me and my political
team.’ he concluded.

The ceremony was attended by 118 parliament members from overall
131 and by delegations from 58 countries and representatives of 12
international organizations.

After the end of the inauguration ceremony Serzh Sargsyan went out
to Freedom Square to hail a military parade and then he and First
Lady. Mrs. Rita Sargsyan departed for presidential residence where
they were welcomed by Robert Kocharian and his wife Bella Kocharian.

After a short conversation Serzh Sargsyan and his spouse said goodbye
to Robert and Bella Kocharians

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CONSOLIDATION

ARKA
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, April 9. /ARKA/. Armenia’s new President Serge Sargsyan
has called on all Armenian citizens to consolidate for building up
a strong and democratic state.

"Although the election struggle was severe and was even accompanied by
mutual insults, I would like to thank my opponents for the struggle,"
Sargsyan stated during the inauguration ceremony.

He also thanked those who admitted their defeat with credit and
accepted the invitation to cooperate and build up Armenia. "I will
be responsible for all my election promises and we will put them
into practice by combined efforts," Sargsyan said. "Together we will
build up Armenia that will unite all the Armenians and become their
Homeland," Sargsyan said.

"We will build up Armenia with an atmosphere of mutual confidence,
love and tolerance, where all our citizens, each family will have
chances for a secure life and self-expression," Sargsyan said.

He stated his intention to implement an active foreign policy and do
his best for a peaceful and fair settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

"We will build up a strong, proud and democratic Armenian state,
where everybody will be equal to the law," Sargsyan said.

He expressed the confidence that the key to success of the initiatives
is, in many aspects, in the compatriots’ hands.

"It is for accomplishing this historic mission that I am calling
for consolidation again, which will allow us to create basic values,
move forward on the way of democracy and freedom," Sargsyan said.

He stated his intention to become a President who will implement
his program in its entirety, bring peace and stable development to
Armenia, boost the country’s reputation, resolve all the grave problems
facing the country, forecast all possible challenges and find means
of meeting them. "I can and will be such a President," Sargsyan said.

The inauguration ceremony for Armenia’s new president has been held
at the Opera House of Yerevan today.

UN VOTE OUTCOMES PROVE BAKU’S DEFECTIVE POSITION IN KARABAKH ISSUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.04.2008 16:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia, U.S. and France’s opposition to the
Azerbaijan-initiated UN resolution along with 100 abstentions testifies
of inadmissibility of violation of the fundamental principles and
norms of the international law, said Major General Hayk Kotanjian,
Head of the Institute for National Strategic Studies, Advisor to the
Minister of Defense of Armenia.

"Azerbaijan and its 37 supporters were taught a good lesson. Documents
conflicting with international norms, like unilateral mention of
territorial integrity and complete neglect of the right of peoples
to self-determination (which is fixed by the UN regulations as one
of its fundamental goals), can’t be admitted by the United Nations
Organization," he said.

The Major General noted that the results of the vote convey an
important message about inadmissibility of adoption of resolutions
violating the UN regulations and its major goals – maintenance of
peace and international security.

"The vote result is the evidence of Baku’s defective position
on the Karabakh settlement. Imposition of counterproductive
model of Karabakh conflict resolution in the framework of what
Azerbaijan calls "territorial integrity" puts the UN in an awkward
position. Opposition of the world powers confirmed the UN mission of
preserving international peace."

"Neglect of UN imperatives, exceeding of CFE armament norms and
increasing militaristic rhetoric by Azerbaijan signalize of the threat
to peace in the Black Sea basin. Russia, U.S. and France alerted the
international community about Baku’s intention to wage a new war
in the region," he said, adding that the OSCE Minsk Group has not
exhausted its potential yet, the RA MoD press office reported.

ARMENIA: BETWEEN A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND A PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
By Haroutiun Khachatrian

Caucaz.com
April 7 2008
Georgia

The February 19 elections and the March 1 tragedy have revealed a deep
split in Armenian society. Public debate in the country is focused on
finding a way out of the crisis. While a new governmental coalition
is taking shape prior to the official presidential inauguration on
April 9, the opposition continues to make its views known, despite
restrictions. Rumours have also circulated about possible negotiations
between official election winner Serzh Sarkisian and opposition leader
Levon Ter-Petrosian.

The tragedy was the March 1 clashes that left eight dead and more
injured. The 20-day state of emergency imposed on Yerevan that evening
held without any apparent violation, due largely to supporters loyal
to former president Levon Ter-Petrosian who respected the leader’s
call for respect of the emergency rule.

Ter-Petrosian had run for presidency in the February 19 elections,
pulling in 22 percent of the vote, according to official results.

With more than 52 percent of the official vote, Prime Minister Serzh
Sarkisian was declared winner of the contest, despite claims by
Ter-Petrosian and his supporters that the vote was rigged and that
Ter-Petrosian was the actual winner.

The events of February 19 and March 1 reveal a schism in Armenian
society. While Sarkisian certainly has his supporters, many Armenians
are severely critical of the ruling authorities and have taken
great risks to demonstrate their opposition. This activism prompted
Ter-Petrosian to declare "I woke up society. It is probably the most
important deal of my life."

State of emergency

During the state of emergency, Sarkisian and his supporters scored a
number of key victories. First, on March 8 the Constitutional Court
rejected Ter-Petrosian’s appeal to nullify the February 19 vote.

Instead, the court confirmed Sarkisian’s election as the next
president. Second, more than a hundred people were arrested on
charges of organising or participating in the violent actions
of March 1. Among the detained are three members of the National
Assembly. One of them, Sasun Mikaelian, was reported to possess
illegal weapons. A number of people, including Khachatur Sukiasian,
another MP, are in hiding. Third, the authorities amended a law on
public demonstrations to allow the government to deny permission to
hold rallies, provided the police have information that demonstration
may cause disorder. Subsequent requests for pro-Ter-Petrosian rallies
have been rejected.

All of these changes took place in the presence of visiting political
delegations from the Council of Europe, the European Union and the
United States. Most of the foreign groups arrived with the goal of
helping the government and Ter-Petrosian establish dialogue to mediate
the situation. The Council of Europe and the OSCE Office of Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights criticised the restrictions on public
demonstrations. In return the Armenian authorities spoke of their
"possible revision" in the near future. The international delegates
also called on the authorities to stop human rights violations,
particularly politically-motivated arrests and detentions. While the
authorities claim that only those involved in violent actions are being
detained, Ter-Petrosian has said that his supporters and activists,
including some who were not in Yerevan on March 1, are being targeted.

A new coalition

On March 21, the state of emergency was lifted. Troops controlling
central Yerevan were pulled out and restrictions on mass media,
including blocks on national and international websites, were lifted.

A four-party coalition government agreement was also signed. Led
by Sarkisian’s Republican party and its previous coalition partner,
Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia), the coalition also contains
the ARF Dashnaktsutiun party. That party’s inclusion is somewhat
surprising, given that its presidential candidate, Vahan Hovhannesian,
had resigned following the news that he received only six percent
of the vote and the party had hinted that it might withdraw from the
government in protest of the elections’ poor organisation.

By far, however, the most unexpected coalition member is the Orinats
Yerkir (Country of Law) opposition party. That party’s leader Artur
Baghdasarian garnered 17 percent of the February 19 vote after running
on a radical opposition platform. Many expected him to join forces
with Ter-Petrosian, but claiming to be acting "for the sake of the
country" on February 29 Baghdasarian announced a 180 turn to join
Sarkisian in the government. Although no agreement on the distribution
of ministerial portfolios has been reported, Artur Baghdasian is
expected to take the post of Secretary of the Security Council.

With the formation of the coalition, the overwhelming majority of the
National Assembly’s 131 members support the future government. Only
seven members of the Zharangutiun (Heritage) party and four other
deputies, three of them detained and one in hiding, stand in opposition
of the Sarkisian administration.

Continued opposition

Apart from one trip to the Constitutional Court, Ter-Petrosian has
reportedly not left his residence since March 1. Since the tragic
events that Saturday he has made only one public appearance,
an interview, the content of which, due to media restrictions,
local media did not report. He said that given the fact that the
Constitutional Court’s verdict came during a state of emergency,
Sarkisian’s legitimacy is doubtful, He also said he was ready to
co-operate with authorities according to the conditions suggested
by the EU, which call for the release of political detainees and the
carrying out of an independent international investigation into the
events of March 1.

Because all the public events have been banned, Ter-Petrosian’s
supporters have organised nightly "political walks" through downtown
Yerevan. Co-ordinated over the internet, up to one thousand people
with otherwise nothing in common, have been walking through the city
streets carrying candles and portraits of those who died on March 1.

Each day police have arrested several of the walkers, but in all
cases they have been released later the same day.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the political teams of Sarkisian
and Ter-Petrosian are holding negotiations. The nature of relations
between the two political heavyweights will likely come into focus
only after Sarkisian is inaugurated on April 9.

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 PARTICIPATES IN THE INTERNATIONAL
INTERFAITH CONFERENCE IN BARCELONA

His Holiness Aram I will take part in the international interfaith
conference in Barcelona, Spain over the next few days. He is joined by the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Communication’s Officer, V Rev. Fr. Krikor
Chiftjian, and the deputy chairwoman of the Catholicosate’s Ecumenical
Committee, Mrs. Teni-Piri Simonian.

The conference will be a gathering place for high-profile officials from
several religions, including the former President of the Islamic Republic of
Iran Mohammed Khatemi, the former General Secretary of the United Nations
Kofi Annan and the President of UNESCO. The conference will adopt a
statement on peace and justice and the role of religion in the current
world.

##
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.

PRESS RELEASE
Tufenkian Foundation, Inc.
20 Capitol Drive
Moonachie, NJ 07074
Contact: Antranig Kasbarian
Tel: 201-221-1055, ext.327
Fax: 201-221-1070
Email: [email protected]
Web:

KASHATAGH CONFERENCE ISSUES ANNOUNCEMENT

On March 28-30, 2008, more than 70 representatives of various
organizations came together for a pan-Armenian conference devoted to
the NKR Kashatagh region. Organized by the Tufenkian Foundation under
the auspices of the NKR government, the conference issued an
announcement following its proceedings. The announcement appears
below.

KASHATAGH DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
Summary Conclusions

On March 28-30, 2008, the first pan-Armenian conference devoted to
developing the NKR Kashatagh region was held in Berdzor. Organized by
the Tufenkian Foundation and held under the auspices of the NKR
government, the conference reached the following conclusions during
its final session:

Based on the national security interests of the Armenian and Nagorno
Karabagh republics;

with the goal of turning all Armenians’ attention toward strengthening
and developing the liberated region of Kashatagh;

well-aware of Kashatagh’s immeasurable strategic significance, as the
bridge that ties Artsakh with the Republic of Armenia;

recognizing Kashatagh as a vital and inseparable territory of
Karabagh;

acknowledging our duty before the memory and priceless heritage of
those who died for the liberation of Kashatagh;

bowing before the determination and individual sacrifices endured by
the people of this region;

keeping in sight Kashatagh’s special situation, which is in a crucial
condition from economic and development standpoints;

acknowledging the laxness of Kashatagh’s development in recent times;

with determination to economically bolster those accomplishments made
on the battlefield;

The conference’s participating organizations conclude –

The 3-day conference in Berdzor is not a theoretical initiative, but
rather the beginning of an ongoing and uninterruptable process, the
starting point for developing a comprehensive development plan for
Kashatagh;

The practical decisions reached during the conference’s working
sessions provide for the realization of important projects in the near
future; these projects will address the region’s infrastructural
needs, especially in the realms of road-building, school-building,
education, spiritual-cultural development, health-care, and others.

With support from the NKR government and the Tufenkian Foundation’s
Stepanakert office, these coordinated activities will continue
according to plans already laid out, with the goal of generating a
call-to-action among all Armenians toward the strengthening of
Kashatagh.

AGAPE, USA
Ararat Heritage Trust, UK
Armenian Educational Foundation, USA
Armenian Health Alliance, Inc. – Carolann S. Najarian, M.D., USA
Armenian Missionary Association of America, USA
Armenian Relief Society
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Armenian Technology Group, USA
Armenian Tree Project, USA
Artsakh Fund of Lebanon, Lebanon
Canadian Armenian Network, Canada
Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, Abp. Sebouh Sarkissian
Free Fatherland Party, NKR
Friends of Armenia, USA
Gurgen Melikian Foundation, Armenia
Hamazkain Armenian Educational and Cultural Association
Hand in Hand, NGO, Canada
Heritage Party, Armenia
Iranian-Armenian Community, Iran
Izmirlian Foundation, Switzerland
Knights of Vartan, USA
Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, Artsakh Diocese
National Democratic Union Party, Armenia
National Unity Party, Armenia
Prosperous Armenia Party, Armenia
Provence-Armenie, France
Syrian-Armenian Community, Syria
Tsarukian Foundation, Armenia
Tufenkian Foundation, USA

30 March, 2008
Berdzor, NKR

ALEXANDER STUBB ASSUMES OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.04.2008 18:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Alexander Stubb was appointed Foreign Minister
of Finland today. The new Minister, serving also as the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, pledged to push ahead with Finland’s Chairmanship
priorities, the OSCE press office said.

"The work of any Chairmanship is the product of a large team
effort involving the OSCE Task Force and Vienna delegation, Special
Representatives and the OSCE’s Vienna Secretariat as well as OSCE
field operations and Institutions," said Stubb.

"My team will continue the work started by my predecessor Ilkka
Kanerva. I warmly thank Mr. Kanerva for a strong and active
contribution."

The Finnish Chairmanship will pursue the detailed schedule of work
that builds on the OSCE’s strengths as a forum for dialogue and a
platform for action across Europe," the new Chairman-in-Office said.

Priorities of the 2008 Finnish OSCE Chairmanship include progress
towards resolving the region’s protracted conflicts, enhancing
engagement with Afghanistan as well as co-operation on maritime and
inland waterways, combating trafficking in human beings, promoting
tolerance and non-discrimination and gender equality.

TO MARTUNI BUT NOT VIA AGHDAM

KarabakhOpen
03-04-2008 16:36:45

"This road will not be repaired unless the Karabakh issue is resolved,"
said our driver as we rode along the ruined road of Aghdam on the way
to Martuni. Both drivers and passengers have been complaining of the
state of this road for many years but nobody knows why the government
won’t repair it.

In the meantime, the road Karmir Shuka-Martuni is being repaired,
and according to Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan, the repair will end
in late 2009. The road runs across the villages of Sos, Chartar,
Khnushinak and Gishi. It is also foreseen to repair the road
Stepanakert-Nngi-Martuni. In fact, two roads connecting Stepanakert
and Martuni are being repaired. In addition, both are less comfortable
and secure than the road across Martuni.

Moreover, it is easier to get not only to Martuni but also to Chartar,
Berdashen, Nor Shen, Ashan, Yemishchan along this road. Besides,
it is easier to get to Hadrut.

In 2006 we asked the minister of urban planning then Marat Hakobjanyan
whether the road Stepanakert-Aghdam-Martuni is foreseen to repair. He
said the highway will be partly repaired up to Hadrut. "There is
already an arrangement to work out a project. Considering the length
of the road and the limited finance, every year we will repair sections
which are damaged most," said the minister.

This year 800 million drams has been allocated for repair and
maintenance of roads. It is foreseen to set up joint-stock companies
in the regions for the maintenance of roads.