Author: Vanyan Gary

SERZH SARGSYAN AND ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN GAVE INTERVIEW

Panorama.am
16:02 18/03/2008

On 17 March president elect Serzh Sargsyan and the chairman of Country
of Laws party Arthur Baghdasaryan gave an interview to Washington
Post. The Armenian officials particularly talked about the presidential
elections, their post developments and the coalition creation.

"After the presidential elections Ter-Petrosyan resorted to a dangerous
and profoundly undemocratic form of populism. He radicalized a part
of the opposition and guided it into a standoff with the state, which
led to the March 1 riots in which armed demonstrators confronted
police," is sated in the interview. According to Armenian officials
the pro-government and supporters of the opposition were conscious
that the state of emergency was foreseen.

The two former competitors in the presidential election said that
they were united to end the current crisis and put Armenia back on
track. "Cooperation is the way forward. The political alliance we have
created, between the president-elect and the Rule of Law Party, is an
effort to do things democratically and through compromise. Between us,
we represent 70 percent of the votes of the Armenian people. This is
a serious and solid mandate. On this basis, we will pursue ambitious
but realistic reforms that will strengthen our democracy and our
nation’s socioeconomic progress. In this moment of crisis, we have
agreed to assume responsibility for joint governance."

The officials mentioned that violence has no place in
democracy. Therefore, they were asking those who still promote
instability on the streets to join political dialogue and to help
guide the country toward prosperity. "Armenia faces a series of
external challenges that we hope to address. First among them is the
long-standing conflict over who should control the Nagorno-Karabakh
region between our country and Azerbaijan; second is the normalization
of relations with Turkey. Only a government with wide popular support,
not one created through street violence, can successfully resolve these
problems. We will also continue to ask the international community to
recognize the Armenian genocide, though this issue should not prevent
us from moving forward."

PanARMENIAN.Net

OIC and GUAM members push through Azerbaijan’s resolution on Karabakh in UN
15.03.2008 12:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On 14 March, the UN General Assembly adopted a
resolution on Nagorno Karabakh, in which Azerbaijan called for the
immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces
`from all the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.’

With 39 votes in favor, 7 against and 100 abstentions, the Assembly
adopted a text that also called for `continued respect and support for
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of
Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders.’

The resolution reaffirmed `the inalienable right of the population
expelled from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan to return to
their homes, and to achieve that end it underlined the need for the
comprehensive rehabilitation of all conflict-affected territories.’

"This resolution was not helpful," said a diplomat from one of the
three co-chairs of the Minsk Group – Russia, the United States and
France.

A U.S. statement on the resolution said the three Minsk Group
co-chairs all voted against the resolution because they agreed it
represented a "unilateral" view of the dispute.

In favor: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei
Darussalam, Cambodia, Colombia, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Georgia,
Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Moldova,
Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda,
Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

Against: Angola, Armenia, France, India, Russian Federation, United
States, Vanuatu

The Hindu, India
March 15 2008

UNGA seeks withdrawal of Armenian forces in Azerbaijan

United Nations (PTI): The United Nations General Assembly has sought
an immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian
forces from all "occupied" territories of Azerbaijan in a resolution
opposed by countries like India and the US.

With an overwhelming number of member States more than 100 either
abstaining or not participating in the vote, the 192-strong General
Assembly called for "continued respect and support for the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan
within its internationally recognized borders."

India joined the Untied States, Russia, France, Armenia, Angola and
Vanuatu in opposing the resolution which got only 39 votes in favour.

The resolution seeking an immediate, complete and unconditional
withdrawal of Armenian forces from all "occupied" territories of
Azerbaijan reaffirmed "the inalienable right of the Azerbaijan
population expelled from here to return to their homes".

It also underlined the need for the comprehensive rehabilitation of
all conflict-affected territories.

No State should recognize as lawful the current situation in
Nagorno-Karabakh, nor provide aid or assistance to maintain that
situation, the resolution, which is not binding, said.

It also called for "normal, secure and equal conditions of life for
Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region"
so that "an effective democratic system of self-governance" can be
built up.

RA MFA: BAKU KNOWS UN GA DECISIONS HAVE NO LEGAL FORCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.03.2008 17:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Armenia thinks Azerbaijan’s resolution on Karabakh
introduced in the UN General Assembly inappropriate," RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian said, adding that Armenia’s position on
Karabakh’s self-determination remains unchangeable.

"I should remind that the OSCE Minsk Group mediators also oppose
the voting due on March 14. Furthermore, knowing that the UN GA
decisions have no legal effect, Baku tries to engage the structure
in the process," the Minister said.

RUSSIAN-SPEAKING MAFIAS IN PRAGUE AT WAR

Prague Daily Monitor
March 11 2008
Czech Republic

Prague, March 10 (CTK) – Russian-speaking criminal gangs have settled
their accounts in the streets of Prague’s centre at least three times
since November 2007, the daily Lidove noviny (LN) wrote Monday in
connection with a Saturday shooting.

Two unknown gunmen opened fire in the afternoon in Parizska street
near the Old Town Square, injuring two Russian-speaking men and
driving away.

Both injured men are in hospital and guarded by police, the paper
writes.

Jan Subert, spokesman for the BIS counter-intelligence, said the
incident seemed to be part of "a continuing war between Caucasian
groups, and the Armenian and Chechen mafias."

The shooting probably ended the truce the two groups called late
last year.

On November 13, 2007, a Russian-speaking man was stabbed at Wenceslas
square in the city’s centre.

Two weeks later, a driver died in a gunman’s attack in the neighbouring
district of Vinohrady.

The police say the hired shooter was supposed to kill a different
man, a Russian mafia boss, but made a mistake. The driver was killed
because he drove the same type of car, a luxurious Bentley limousine.

Police later revealed that both attacks were probably performed by
one and the same person, a Chechen man.

Subert told the paper that peace between mafia gangs never lasted long.

As for similar incidents, Prague was no exception among European
cities where mafias from the East settled, he said.

"The groups closely guard their territories because their business
is extremely lucrative, being it drugs, weapons or prostitution,"
Subert told LN.

AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER KILLED BY FIRE FROM ARMENIAN POSITIONS – BAKU

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
March 10, 2008 Monday
Russia

A serviceman of the Armenian Armed Forces has died on the separation
line between the Azerbaijani and Armenian armies, the Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry reports.

"A soldier of the Azerbaijani army, Ramin Ismailov, born in 1989
and called up for military service in Nizami district of the city of
Ganja died in the violation of the ceasefire by the Armenian side that
occurred between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. last Sunday in the territory of
Fizuli district of Azerbaijan," the press service of the Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry says.

Another Azerbaijani soldier, Ulvi Ismailov, was wounded in the
violation of the ceasefire, the report says.

PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Buzand Street, 0010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
162 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900,
New York, NY 10010, USA
Contact: Samantha Wagar
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8234
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Spring Brought Cheers to all Dalarik School Children

624 Dalarik school children moved to their new school on March 3

March 12, 2008 Dalarik, Armavir District ¾ On March 3, 2008, 624
school children of Dalarik moved to their fully refurbished school. The
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) was there on the first day of school to
share with the children and staff the joy of walking into such a modern
building. The Dalarik School is the ninth completed building
reconstruction project of COAF’s Participatory Integrated Rural
Development Program. Since late 2005, COAF has completed the
reconstruction and refurnishing of two pre-schools, four schools, a
health clinic, a sports complex, and a community center. These
projects, along with the educational, social, health and economic
development projects realized by COAF have turned the lives of 12,115
residents of Dalarik, Karakert, Lernagog and Shenik, of whom 3,018 are
children.

Hayser Kirakosyan, former director of the Dalarik School and currently a
history teacher is elated by the transformation of his dilapidated old
school. In Mr. Kirakosyan’s words "This building is a real gift to all
of us, but especially to the children of Dalarik. For too long, our
children were deprived of the most basic conditions for learning in a
healthy school environment. For none of their fault, this generation
inherited a deserted village and poor conditions all around. This
school is like a miracle for all of us. I am absolutely convinced that
our children will strive for high standards and they will attain greater
results."

The Dalarik School capital reconstruction project began in November 2006
and was completed by Akhuryan Coopshin Ltd., a Gyumri-based company with
extensive experience in reconstruction. COAF and the contractor worked
closely with the local community in all phases of the planning and
implementation of the project. About 20 percent of the workforce in
this project came from the local community.

The revitalized Dalarik School has a usable area of 3,300 sq. m., with
22 classrooms, 12 lavatories, 2 science laboratories, 5 administrative
offices, a fully equipped computer room, a workshop, a nurse’s station,
a music room, a library, an arts center, a gymnasium, a teachers’
conference room, and a performance hall. All rooms are fully
refurnished.

The building is provided with power, water and heat supply systems. The
external and internal walls and foundation of the school building have
been reinforced. Access to the school and other specifications meet
required norms for the disabled. Thanks to this completed project, the
children of Dalarik will grow in a safe environment, guided by teachers
recently retrained in instruction methodology including child centered
classrooms, cooperative learning, thematic teaching, lesson planning and
other related topics. These trainings and other educational projects
are continuous and intend to contribute to rural children’s
multifunctional development and growth. Additionally, COAF’s upcoming
projects include the continued expansion of infrastructure, economic
development, health and social programs in all six cluster communities.

# # # #

AZERI EXPERT RULES OUT RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES IN KARABAKH

Day.Az
March 5 2008
Azerbaijan

5 March: In an interview with Day.az, Azerbaijani political expert
Rasim Musabayov has commented on an incident on the contact line
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces in Nagornyy Karabakh
as a result of which several troops were killed from the both sides.

[Correspondent] What is your comment on the escalation of the situation
in the zone of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict as a result of which
both sides have losses?

[Musabayov] On the one hand, I believe that the activities of the
Armenian side, the [outgoing President Robert] Kocharyan regime, have
been aimed at switching the attention of the international community
from the severe repression of the opposition protests in Yerevan by
the Armenian authorities.

Moreover, I assess this as an attempt of the current Armenian
leadership to overcome domestic political crisis and consolidate the
Armenian public where animosity between representatives of Armenians
in Yerevan and those native of Karabakh has further deepened after
the riot police quelled the opposition protest [on 1 March].

[Correspondent] It is known from recent history that the current
Armenian leadership formerly also undertook various steps as a blind
for the international community from this or that domestic problems.

Why is this show staged exactly in Karabakh this time?

[Musabayov] Look at the district where the skirmishes took place.

This is the northern part of Nagornyy Karabakh, exactly the place where
from Armenians have been permanently threatening to attack and seize
that small part of Nagornyy Karabakh territory under our control,
including former Shaumyan district [part of Goranboy District],
which Armenians also consider being part of Nagornyy Karabakh.

At the same time, Armenians assume that the so-called "restoration" of
the control over the whole territory of Nagornyy Karabakh is completely
legal and should not cause resistance of the international community.

[Correspondent] How much is this plan practicable in the near future?

[Musabayov] I do not think this will happen. But I assume that the
Armenian leadership will nevertheless decide own tactical tasks first
of all, switching the attention of the international community from
domestic problems in Armenia.

[Correspondent] Does the Armenian leadership not risk terribly
while trying to decide domestic political problems at the expense
of escalation of the tension on the contact line of the troops in
Karabakh where even without this the unstable situation has been
observed recently?

[Musabayov] I want to once again express my confidence that the
incident on the front line in question now will not lead to the
resumption of the war in Karabakh.

On the other hand, the current domestic political situation in Armenia
is indeed serious. The opposition is threatening to resume the protest
actions, moreover, to do this permanently which cannot but worry the
country’s leadership. The authorities understand that if constant
"blood baths" are arranged for the opposition, then this path will
lead to an international isolation of Armenia.

Therefore, the Armenian authorities will try during the period of the
state of emergency to render harmless threats inside the country and
on the other hand, to obtain extra ideological support.

Panorama.am

14:20 08/03/2008

SUPREME PATRIARCH CONGRATULATED WOMEN

The Supreme Patriarch of all Armenians congratulated
women for 8 March holiday. According to the Holy
Echmiatsin information center it is particularly
mentioned in the message:

`From Holy Echmiatsin We send Our pray and blessings
to all women, and girls to congratulate the Women Day.
Dear mothers and sisters we wish God could keep the
light of trust and hope in your hearts, and leads to
the realization of your wish and dreams bringing
success to your plans. Let the God keep and protect
our country and Diaspora’.

Source: Panorama.am

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT DOES NOT SEE THE NECESSITY TO PROLONG OR TO REDUCE THE TERM OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN YEREVAN

Mediamax
March 5, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated in
Yerevan today that the introduction of a state of emergency in Yerevan
on March 1 "was a necessity".

Mediamax reports that, speaking at a news conference in Yerevan, the
President stated that "otherwise the number of victims and the injured
would be much more and the consequences of the unrest – much heavier".

The Armenian President reminded that the state of emergency was
announced on March 1 for the term of 20 days and stated that "today I
do not see the necessity to prolong or reduce the given term". Robert
Kocharian stressed that he will not abolish the state of emergency,
not being completely sure that all the people, who committed illegal
actions, are detained and will not take efforts to again destabilize
the situation.

Robert Kocharian stated that the law-enforcement bodies have many
materials, including video materials, and "the picture of March
1 events will be restored minute by minute". According to him, the
volume of the initiated criminal case is "huge", and the investigating
group will have to "work day and night". "According to my order,
the representatives of law-enforcement bodies will inform on the
process of investigation every day", Robert Kocharian stated.

Armenian President stated that the people included in the criminal
case may be divided into three conventional groups: organizers,
members of groups, who realized attacks on policemen, as well as
participants of the rally, who participated in the looting.

Robert Kocharian noted that the composition of the organizers of the
illegal rally at the square in front of the City Administration is
also not homogeneous. So, President stated, "David Shahnazarian,
understanding that the crowd is beginning to go out of control,
tried to bring the people to sense and to order". "However, later
Nikol Pashinian appeared, who acted extremely aggressively and
directly instigated the crowd to illegal actions", the Armenian
President stated.

"It is obvious that the level of guilt of the organizers, instigators
of unrest and the ordinary participants is different, and the attitude
of the law-enforcement bodies to them will be different. However, it
will be the greatest unfairness if in the first place the organizers
and the instigators of the unrest are not found and brought to
responsibility", the Armenian President stated.

"It is natural that special attitude will be use for the people, who
used arms and explosives against policemen", Robert Kocharian stated.