Author: Virabian Jhanna

URGENT PROPOSAL OF DISCUSSION PRESENTED TO THE AUTHORITIES AND OPPOSITION

AZG Armenian Daily
21/05/2008

Local

Chairman of "Jarangutyun" party Raffi Honhannissian made a statement
that invites heads of the coalition parties Serge Sargsian, Gagik
Tsarukian, Arthur Baghdasarian and Armen Rustamian and one of the
previous presidential candidates Levon Ter-Petrosian for an urgent
discussion taking into consideration "the damaged reputation of
Armenia, and preservation of its democratic leading future and freedom
and dignity of its each citizen".

The leader of the party offers to hold the discussion on May 21 in
the Armenian Center of Strategic and National Research.

EU STATEMENT ON THE ARMENIAN HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN’S REPORT INTO THE EVENTS OF 1 MARCH

Panorama.am
17:43 20/05/2008

Mr Chairman, on 4 March the European Union expressed its deep
concern over the violence in Yerevan during the events of 1 March,
which resulted in the loss of life and numerous injuries. We called
at that time for an independent investigation into the events of 1
March and what led to them.

We welcome the recent publication by the Armenian Human Rights
Ombudsman of his report into the pre and post-election developments,
and the invitation to international organisations to a roundtable
discussion of the report on 12 May. We encourage the Armenian
Authorities to facilitate wider discussion of the report in Yerevan,
and follow-up on the issues to be resolved as listed at the end of the
document. In this regard, the European Union supports the Ombudsman’s
recommendation for an independent inquiry into the events of 1 March.

The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia*, the countries of the Stabilisation and
Association Process and potential candidate countries Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, the European Free
Trade Association countries and members of the European Economic Area
Iceland and Norway, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova
align themselves with this statement.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to
be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

INTOLERABLE APPROACH

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 17, 2008
Armenia

Impossible To Come To Power By Similar Methods

`What Levon Ter-Petrosyan and his team are saying is that they must
come to power at any price. For us it is a really intolerable approach.
If the election returns were approved by the observers, what is the
problem, is it important that all the political powers be represented
in the parliament. Instead of declaring war, the pro-oppositional
powers can start working from today, to be represented in the
parliament after some years. How can they come to power without any
programs or principles? By now Levon Ter-Petrosyan has said only two
things `chieftains’ and `dismantle’. And the second thing is that
Azerbaijan’s positions are becoming stronger and that we must bow in
front of them and become their neighbors. This much! It is impossible
for any political party to come to power by this approach,’ Galust
Sahakyan believes.

MCC CEO MEETS WITH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CALIFORNIA

armradio.am
12.05.2008 10:45

Armenian Assembly representatives attended a community briefing
by Ambassador John J. Danilovich, CEO of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) in Los Angeles, CA. The event was hosted by Armenian
Caucus Member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

Danilovich offered a first-hand account of MCC’s work in Armenia for
the past several years. The agency signed a five-year, $235.65 million
Compact with the Armenian government in 2005 to improve irrigation
systems and rehabilitate roads.

Former Assembly Board of Trustees Member Richard Mushegain and
Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian attended the event,
which included Armenian Consul General Armen Liloyan and community
leaders representing various organizations.

"MCC was pleased to participate in this meeting, co-hosted by the
Office of Congressman Adam Schiff, as a forum for open and honest
dialogue among friends and partners of the people of Armenia," said
Aaron H. Sherinian, Managing Director of Public Affairs for MCC. "This
latest meeting is part of MCC’s ongoing commitment to transparency
regarding the progress of its innovative programs, in places like
Armenia, that are helping reduce poverty through economic growth."

CONTESTS OF BEST SCIENTIFIC WORK, MUSIC COMPOSIION AND WORK OF ART TO
BE HELD THIS YEAR ON INITIATIVE OF WAC AND UAR

YEREVAN, MAY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative and with the financial
assistance of the World Armenian Congress (WAC) and the Union of
Armenians in Russia (UAR), contests of the best scientific and creative
works will be held this year as well. The start of these contests was
announced at the May 8 press conference. Unlike in 2007, this year WAC
and UAR initiated contests for employees of the RA National Academy of
Sciences (NAS) and the members of the Union of Artists and the Union of
Composers. The prize fund makes 80 thousand dollars.

The theme of the literary contest is "The Armenian at the Beginning of
the 21st Century", with the prize fund making 15 thousand USD. The
prize fund of the journalistic contest "Armenia is the Homeland of All
Armenians" is 10 thousand USD, while the prize fund of the contest of
paintings, sculptures, works of graphic and decorative arts on the
subject "Armenia and Its Residents Through the Eyes of A Painter" makes
10 thousand USD.

The NAS and the Union of Composers have allocated 30 thousand and 15
thousand dollars respectively for rewarding the winners of the contests
of best scientific works and best music compositions. The deadline for
submission of contest participation bids is January 31, 2009.

According to Vladimir Aghayan – head of the WAC Armenian branch and the
vice president of the UAR, WAC and UAR pay great attention to promoting
the activities of scientific and creative intellectuals in Armenia and
assist with solution of their problems. He said that the creative
contest, which was first organized last year, will provide a new
incentive for writers and reporters. In his words, the responses that
came after these contests confirmed the necessity to continue providing
support to creative unions. He said that the president of the WAC and
UAR Ara Abrahamian was the first person to invest in the Union of
Writers’ Fund for Development of Literature founded in 2005. Since then
A. Abrahamian has provided assistance to the fund. Based on this
example, the RA NAS created a Fund for Development of Science, whose
co-chairmen are A. Abrahamian and the NAS president Radik Martirosian.

V. Aghayan expressed a hope that other businessmen will follow the
example of A. Abrahamian and will help make work of creative and
scientific intelligentsia more efficient. "If a writer takes his pen
and starts creating in these diddicult conditions, this is already an
achievement. It is an important stimulus to encourage the work of
creative intellectuals and scientists," he underlined.

The chairman of the Union of Writers Levon Ananian stated in his speech
that such initiatives of WAC and UAR are especially praiseworthy today
when the nation is separated. In his words, these organizations view
culture and science as an important link which should play a unifyning
role for the nation. L. Ananian also informed those present about
another step taken within the framework of the initiative of WAC and
UAR: the three novels to win awards this year will be published with
their support. "A. Abrahamian is a benefactor devoted to the nation,
whose support contributes to the development of our literature," L.
Ananian said.

ACCORDING TO EDWARD NALBANDIAN, ARMENIA PREPARED TO DEEPEN COOPERATION
WITH EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

STRASBOURG, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian foreign minister Edward
Nalbandian met with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Thomas Hammarberg, then with the President of the European Court of
Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa in Strasbourg on May 7, NT was informed by
the RA MFA Press and Information Department.

During the meeting with T. Hammarberg, E. Nalandian expressed
satisfaction at cooperation on human rights issues with the Council of
Europe, in particular, with the Commissioner for Human Rights, saying
that the Armenian government has adopted a careful attitide to and took
into account the proposals made by the Commissioner during his visit to
Armenia on March 14-16.

At the meeting with Jean-Paul Costa, E. Nalbandian assured him that
Armenia is prepared to continue and deepen cooperation with the
European Court of Human Rights. Speaking about Protocol 14 of the
European Convention on Human Rights, which was adopted to provide the
court with extra judicial means and flexibility and to create an
opportunity to examine cases within a reasonable period and focus on
important cases, E. Nalbandian pointed out that Armenian was one of the
first countries to ratify Protocol 14 and attaches importance to its
taking effect in a short time.

Local elections in 11 communities

05-05-2008 10:36:34 – KarabakhOpen

On May 18 early or recurrent local elections will be held in 11
communities in Karabakh. Elections will be held in the community of
Hovsepavan, Askeran region, Kusapat, Nor Karmiravan, Chapar in
Martakert region, Ashan, Chartar, Djivani, Kert in Martuni region,
Kovsakan, Mirik, Kashunik in Kashatagh region.

Early elections in Kashatagh were appointed after the mayor of Kovsakan
for ten years Khachatur Adamyan resigned.

Armenia to use modern technologies to explore uranium deposits,
minister says

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Exploration of uranium deposits in Armenia will
be in line with modern standards and methods, said RA Minister of
Nature Protection Aram Harutyunyan.

An Armenian-Russian joint venture (JV) recently signed a contract for
uranium deposit exploration in the country, with Armenia’s share in the
venture to be at least 50%, the Minister said.

On April 22, Minister Harutyunyan and General Director of
Atomredmedzoloto Vadim Zhivov signed JV-establishing agreement.

The Armenian-Russian Mining Company will be licensed in three months.
Armenian and Russian specialists plan to launch exploration of uranium
deposits THIS summer.

Harutyunyan said the JV is to explore uranium deposits in the Syunik
region. At the same time, the company will elaborate an exploration
project which, according to the RA Law, is to undergo an ecological
expert examination. `0′

Ex-member of Armenian Parliament Tatul Manaseryan: Armenia lacks
constructive, rhythmic and serious opposition

2008-05-07 14:25:00

ArmInfo. Armenia lacks constructive, rhythmic and serious opposition,
the ex-member of the Armenian Parliament Doctor of Economy Tatul
Manaseryan said at Pastark Debate Club Wednesday.

He mentioned that he has always harshly criticized the authorities. He
was elected to the parliament by the Justice opposition bloc party
ticket. However, idleness and unbridled criticism have always been
the key problem of the opposition. ‘I am for both criticism and
everyday work, which I do by making assessments and consulting on the
most urgent issues of the country’, Manaseryan said. The ex-MP has no
expectations from the currently formed Armenian National Congress
headed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan for ‘revanchists cannot become reformers
and artificial unions are not durable and the fate of Justice bloc is
an evidence of it’, he said. As regards the new government, T.
Manaseryan said unlike the previous governments it comprises
professionals like Finance Minister and Energy Minister.
‘Although political distribution of portfolios is inevitable in
conditions of the coalition, but the government program contains real
points and the government comprises real professionals, which inspires
with hope for reforms. It will be possible to assess the activity of
the new government already in 100 days’, T. Manaseryan said.

Head of CAPS: Armenia has to carry out targeted marketing to conquer
new markets in tourism

2008-05-06 13:55:00

ArmInfo. Presently, more than ever before, Armenia has to carry out a
targeted marketing to conquer new markets in tourism, Head of the USAID
programme "Competitive Armenian Private Sector" Hayley Alexander said
today during opening of conference in Yerevan on Armenia’s
competitiveness in tourism.

He said that the propaganda of Armenia’s tourist attractiveness of
should be carried out not in chaotic but addressed manner. Thus, as a
result of a specific work carried out in Italy in 2007, Armenia
succeeded to twice increase the Italian tourists’ inflow. In
particular, fact-finding visits to Armenia were organized last year for
the Italian tourist operators and journalists. Such a targeted
marketing should be carried out also in France, which is also a
prosperous direction for development of tourism in Armenia, he said.

Director of USAID’s Economic Growth Office Rolf Anderson said in his
speech that the USA is interested in development of tourism in Armenia,
since this sphere is of great importance for the country’s economy,
especially for development of the economy in regions. Tourism promotes
creation of new workplaces and forms a country’s friendly image. He
expressed satisfaction with the fact that over half of Armenia’s
visitors are pleased with their visits and they express desire to visit
the country again.

RA Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan added that the Armenian government
expressed the state policy in the concept of tourism development for
the next 10-30 years. He thinks that the problem of formation of a
favourable business-climate, increase of the tourist attractiveness and
competitiveness in the region, growth of the services quality to the
world ones should be solved to assure stable growth in this sphere.

The conference has been organized by RA Economy Ministry, USAID
programme "Competitive Armenian private Sector" (CAPS) and the Armenian
Tourism Development Agency. The participants intend to discuss the
following: how the management of the country’s brand may assure
competitiveness and promote tourism development in the country; are the
services in tourism too expensive in Armenia; what is Armenia’s
position in the world tourist rating and other questions.