Author: Tumanian Talar

A1+

NO WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATURE
[08:39 pm] 09 February, 2008

Today at 18:00 the deadline for submitting a
withdrawal of a candidature was completed. None of the
candidates withdrew his candidature and the Central
Electoral Commission has already prepared the sample
of the ballot paper, where 9 candidates are involved.

The printing of the ballot paper will begin after
mid-night at `Tigran Mets’ printing house. Today the
CEC confirmed the sample of the ballot paper with 8
for, 0 against and 0 abstention votes. The CEC also
discussed the 5-th provision of the 1-st paragraph of
the Article 58 and Articles 55 and 56 of the RA
Electoral Code. They refer to the registration of the
voters, allowed behavior of the voter in the precinct
and the invalidity of ballot paper.

The CEC also discussed the 1-st paragraph of the
Article 78 of the RA Electoral Code, according to
which, those RA presidential candidates, who are state
employees or work at local self-governmental bodies,
are released from carrying out their job duties during
the elections.

PanARMENIAN.Net

EU speaks out for dialogue with CSTO
07.02.2008 13:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Union speaks out for
dialogue with the CSTO for ensuring security in the
region,’ EU special representative for Central Asia
Pierre Morel said at a meeting with CSTO Secretary
General Nikolay Bordyuzha.

The talks focused on combating terrorism, extremism,
trafficking in people, illegal weapon and drug
traffic.

`It was decided to brisk up contacts with regional
organizations functioning in Central Asia,’ Mr Morel
said.

The parties agreed to join efforts to ensure stability
and security in the region,’ said a statement issued
by the CSTO Secretariat press office.

The Organization brings together Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.

ARFD, RAPA, AND SDHP CALL FOR DECLARING 2008 YEAR OF 20th ANNIVERSARY
OF ARTSAKH MOVEMENT

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of Artsakh movement, the ARFD Bureau, the Central Board of
the Ramkavar-Azatakan Party of Armenia, and the Central Board of the
Social Democratic Hnchakian Party have made a decision to jointly mark
the 20th anniversary of Artsakh movement in Armenia and in the
Diaspora, to jointly oppose to the anti-Armenian policy Azerbaijan
continues to carry out, and to jointly raise the issue of recognition
of the Armenian people’s rights by Turkey.

The three traditional Armenian parties, on February 6, applied to all
Armenians:

"To declare year 2008 a year of the 20th anniversary of Artsakh
movement and to jointly mark it. To continue the work of securing the
results of Artsakh struggle with all means.

To jointly continue the work of the international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide until the Republic of Turkey responsible for the
Genocide also changes its attitude to the Armenians by recognizing the
rights of the Armenians and by fully making up to the Armenian people
for that crime committed against mankind.

Henceforth by declaring February 28 a day symbolizing extermination of
Armenians of Sumgayit and Baku, to make efforts to inform the
international public opinion and all states pointing out to the
criminal policy carried out to the Armenians by Azerbaijan’s all, past
and current authorities.

Lastly, to spare no efforts to support the development and
strengthening of Armenia-Artsakh state structure."

RHODRI WILLIAMS: NAGORNO KARABAKH AND PALESTINE CONFLICTS HAVE COMMON FEATURES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 7 2008

Helsinki.Tamara Qriqoryeva-APA " The problem of IDPs is a difficult
problem in South Caucasus countries. Therefore, these countries can
not regulate the situation in their territories,"Rhodri Williams,
Consultant to the Brookings-Bern Project on International Displacement
told APA

Mr. Williams mentioned that he met Presidents of unrecognized states
within representative of the United Nations Secretary General on
Internally Displaced Persons Walter Kalin’s visit to Georgia. The
most important subject of discussions was to protect Georgians from
violence who will return Abkhazia and South Ossetia again. He stated
that Georgians should decide whether they want to return to their
lands or not and the governments should assist this issue. Mr.

William touched upon Nagorno Karabakh conflict and stated that IDPs
should return to their lands before the solution of status then
the two communities should participate in the determination of
the status. Nagorno Karabakh and Palestine conflicts have common
features. The main difference is that, international law has not
completely formed when Palestine conflict began, but there was
international legal base when Nagorno Karabakh conflict started.

There are broad opportunities for the settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. Mr. Williams mentioned the visit of Walter Kalin
,representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Internally
Displaced Persons to Azerbaijan in April last year and stated that
the report on it was prepared and it will be adopted soon.

"Special representative did not visit Nagorno Karabakh. Azerbaijani
government probably did not allow it," he said. Mr. Williams stated
that Kalin did not visit Armenia because, there is not any serious
problem on IDPs in this country.

STATE OF RAILWAYS IS PROBLEMATIC

Lragir, Armenia
Feb 7 2008

The government of Armenia has approved the draft concession agreement
the Russian Railways and the South-Caucasian Railways are going to
sign to transfer the Armenian railway network to the South-Caucasian
Railways. It happened during the meeting of government on February 7.

The minister of transport and communication Andranik Manukyan was
instructed to sign the concession on transferring the Armenian railway
network to the South Caucasian Railways. Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan
said the concession of the railways is an important decision which
stems from the interests of our nation. "The state of the railways
is problematic, investments are necessary. We have difficulty making
investments, and if we are unable to solve the problem of railways,
we cannot have the economy develop fast," Serge Sargsyan said in
connection with affirming the draft agreement.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Montreal Hosts AGBU Nubarian Library Director Raymond Kevorkian from
France

The last week of November 2007 in Montreal, Canada was made memorable
through the special visit of Raymond Kevorkian from Paris, France.
Kevorkian, instructor of political science at the University of Paris
and director of the AGBU Nubarian Library, presented his two-volume "The
Armenian General Benevolent Union – One Hundred Years of History" and
delivered two well-received lectures at McGill University and the city’s
AGBU Center during his weeklong visit.

On November 25, 2007, a book launch event took place in the Jirair and
Eliz Dervishian Hall of the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center. Organized by the
AGBU Montreal Executive Committee with the cooperation of the chapter’s
Cultural Committee, the book event attracted a capacity crowd and the
visiting author was introduced by Armen Buchakjian, Montreal executive
committee chairman.

Kevorkian began by first screening part of a special AGBU Centennial
DVD, "An Armenian Destiny," prepared by French filmmaker Manuel
Toulajian, and followed up with an explanation of the over-arching idea
for the two-volume history. He explained that the goal of the books were
to reflect the history of the Armenian people during the last hundred
years through the evolving story of AGBU. Both the film and the history
books were commissioned by the AGBU Central Board of Directors as part
of the organization’s centennial celebrations in 2006-2007. Available in
three languages (Armenian, English and French), the expansive AGBU
history was edited jointly by Kevorkian and French historian Vahe
Tachjian. Arshavir Gunjian, vice president of AGBU Central Board of
Directors, also spoke on this occasion.

On November 27 and 28, 2007 Kevorkian delivered two lectures for
Armenian Canadian audiences. Entitled "Turkey in the Geopolitical
Environment of Armenia," his November 27 lecture took place at McGill
University and was organized by the Association of Armenians Students of
three of the city’s major universities (McGill, Concordia and Montreal).
The second lecture, held at the AGBU Center the following evening, was
entitled "Ani: The Inimitable Medieval Capital" and attracted a
cross-section of AGBU members from the French-Canadian city.

For more information on AGBU Montreal and its activities, please phone
(514) 748-2428, e-mail [email protected] or visit

For more information on AGBU and its worldwide chapters and programs,
please visit

VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE KFW BANK IMPRESSED WITH THE ECONOMIC PROGRESS OF ARMENIA

armradio.am
05.02.2008 15:12

RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan received the First Vice-President
of the KfW Bank Roland Ziller.

The Prime Minister appreciated the development of Armenian-German
relations, one of the important components of which is the cooperation
in the financial sphere. According to him, the cooperation with the
KfW during the past 10 years has shown that it is possible to reach
good results. Serge Sargsyan underlined that not only the volume of
sums invested is important, but also the choice of the spheres those
were invested in. According to him, a correct choice has been made:
the issues of the financial sphere, especially the mortgage market,
the fields of energy and water economy are in the focus of attention
of the state, and the programs in the above-mentioned fields initiated
by the Bank coincide with the programs implemented in Armenia.

Welcoming the initiative of founding the ProCredit Bank in Armenia,
Serge Sargsyan stressed the importance of the fact that the Bank’s
activity will be directed mainly at the development of small and
medium-sized business in Armenia.

Expressing gratitude to RA Prime Minister, the Central Bank of Armenia
and RA Ministry of Finance and Economy for the cooperation and support
in the creation of the ProCredit Bank, Roland Ziller noted that the
effective activity of the bank’s branches in different countries of
the world allows to hope that it will effectively work in Armenia, as
well. Noting that he is deeply impressed with the economic development
of Armenia over the past years, the First Vice-President of the KfW
Bank underlined that this trends of economic progress have provided
the opportunity to triple their investments into Armenian economy last
year. Mr. Ziller also attached importance to the implementation of
different programs in the earthquake zone, noting that the leadership
of the Bank has decided to focus the attention in this direction.

At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan wished
success to the KfW Bank in its further activity in our country,
once again stressing the willingness of the Armenian Government to
maximally promote the cooperation.

ARMENIA IN THE LEAD AT THE MALTA INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

armradio.am
05.02.2008 13:04

The national football team of Armenia defeated the team of Belarus 2:1
in the second round of the Malta Football International Tournament,
thus becoming the sole leader with 6 points.

Belarus managed to take the lead after just five minutes with
Vyacheslac Gleb taking advantage of a failed clearance by goalkeeper
Masis Azizyan, placing the ball at the back of the net. Armenia leveled
the score at the 19th minute (Ararat Arakelyan). Ara Hakobyan scored
the victorious goal at the 77th minute.

In the last round of the tournament the Armenian team will play with
Iceland, Belarus will meet the team of Malta.

It’s worth mentioning that Armenian footballers need to play a draw
to become the winners of the Malta Tournament.

Regional Council of the Shirak branch of Erkrapah Union of Volunteers
demands from Artashes Gegamyan to say sorry to the members of Vazgen

Regional Council of the Shirak branch of Erkrapah Union of Volunteers
demands from Artashes Gegamyan to say sorry to the members of Vazgen
Sarkisyan’s family

2008-02-01 14:37:00

ArmInfo. Regional Council of the Shirak branch of Erkrapah Union of
Volunteers disseminated a statement today in which they express
indignation because of the electoral campaign of the candidate for
president, leader of the National Unity party Artashes Gegamyan.

As press-release received by Arminfo agency says, over several last
days Artashes Gegamyan is trying to compromise Sparapet Vazgen
Sarkisyan’s family from time to time. ‘We are deeply concerned about
the anti-propaganda held against Vazgen Sarkisyan’s family. Nobody has
a right to desecrate memory of Sparapet and insult members of his
family. We demand from Artashes Gegamyan immediately to stop
immoral actions against the national hero of Armenia Vazgen Sarkisyan
and members of his family and be guided only by the moral norms, and to
say sorry for his actions’, – the statement says.

AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT PROPOSES TO ESTABLISH COMMISSION INVESTIGATING OCCUPATION OF AZERBAIJANI LANDS BY ARMENIA

Today
2829.html
Feb 1 2008
Azerbaijan

The Parliament of Azerbaijan proposed to establish a Commission to
investigate facts on the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia,
APA reports.

MP Yagub Mahmudov said the Commission should be established for
investigating occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, annexation of
Azerbaijani lands to Armenia as a result of various agreement signed
historically, and deportation of Azerbaijanis from their native lands
and other facts.

Speaker Ogtay Asadov supported this proposal and noted that the
Commission should be established to investigate historical documents
and examine serious ones should be examined unyil March 31-the day
of genocide of Azerbaijanis.

MPs regarded the transfer of Irevan (present Yerevan) to Armenia by
Azerbaijan People’s Republic as a wrong step.

MP Panah Huseyn approved establishment of the Commission and asked
not to commission it to vice-speaker Ziyafat Asgarov saying that
otherwise it will live a fate of the commission established on PKK.