Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

June 3, 2008

ACNIS Focuses on the 90-Year Track Record of Armenian Statehood

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) today convened a policy roundtable to look at the past
ninety-year history of Armenia as a state. The meeting brought
together MPs, leading analysts, policy specialists, public and
political figures, and media representatives.

ACNIS research coordinator Syuzanna Barseghian welcomed the audience
with opening remarks. "When analyzing the general trends in the
establishment of Armenian statehood we need to shed light on the
causes of the political crises arising in Armenia every so often, the
consequences of these crises, the logic behind the formation of
democratic institutions and their success rate in pursuit of their
mission," Barseghian said.

The day’s first speaker, Karen Khachatrian of the Institute of History
of the Academy of Sciences, examined the First Republic of Armenia in
terms of the lessons learned and its parallels with the modern-day
Republic. In his opinion, the lessons from the First Republic teach us
above all to maintain and consolidate our friendly relations with
Russia and also to have strong and combat-ready armed forces.
According to Khachatrian, even though certain progress has been
achieved in these two directions, the other equally important lessons
have been disregarded. "Sadly, when it comes to manifesting tolerance
and harmony in domestic politics we do not learn lessons from the
past," he stated, also emphasizing the imperative of forming
legitimate authorities solely by way of free and fair elections.

ACNIS senior analyst Manvel Sargsian then reflected on the causes of
the recurring domestic political crises in Armenia. "All through the
history of newly independent Armenia, the body politic was unable, and
the political elite unwilling, to implement solid and efficient
electoral mechanisms, and this became the primary cause for the
oligarchic system of governance to take root in the country," Sargsian
maintained, adding that the permanent crises in recent decades were
the result of such a system. In his view, the passiveness of Armenian
society as well as its civic apathy and conformist posture stand as an
additional reason for the perpetuation of nationwide dilemmas.

In his intervention, member of parliament Stepan Safarian focused on
the formation of democratic institutions in newly independent
countries. He pointed generically and then specifically to the fact
that the post-election developments in Armenia, which were accompanied
by tragic events and unlawful actions, bespeak the lack of development
of civil society in the country. As Safarian argued, organized
discrimination against democratic institutions likewise has a negative
impact on this situation. "This state of disbalance for Armenia’s
democratic institutions is deepening further and bringing with it
societal tension as a result of which maintenance of power now is full
of unforeseeable consequences," he underscored.

The policy roundtable concluded with an exchange of opinions and
policy recommendations among analyst Marcel Abrahamian of the
Constitutional Court; MP Mkrtich Minasian; coordinator Mane Hakobian
of "The People are Masters of the Country" civic union; Professor
Babken Harutiunian, chairholder in Armenian History at Yerevan State
University; director Heghine Manasian of the Caucasus Research and
Resource Center; political analyst Davit Petrosian; chairwoman Artemis
Lepejian of the "St. Sandukht" NGO; political scientist Vladimir
Sargsian; program coordinator Edgar Vardanian of the Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights; and several others.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi
K. Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors,
ACNIS serves as a link between innovative scholarship and the public
policy challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the
post-Soviet world. It also aspires to be a catalyst for creative,
strategic thinking and a wider understanding of the new global
environment. In 2008, the Center focuses primarily on civic education,
democratic development, conflict resolution, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the
nation.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit

CEREMONY IN ATHENS COMMEMORATING 90 ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST REPUBLIC

Panorama.am
15:26 03/06/2008

On 1 June a ceremony took place in "Horn" theatre in Athens
commemorating 90 anniversary of First Republic.

Vahan Hovhannisyan, ARF member and NA deputy, was invited to make a
speech, reported the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry
of Armenia.

According to the source Vahram Kajoyan, Ambassador of Armenia made
a speech, "A country having two years experience of independency
managed to stand such difficulties which no other country could.

Irrespective of the difficulties they managed to found a republic,
an army, university fighting against the enemy."

Vahan Hovhannisyan signifying the role of First Republic in the
establishment of Republic of Armenia said, "Today we should understand
that if once we were hopeless, powerless, and unwilling then we would
immerge with foreigners and we would be assimilated like many other
nations. That hope was to live May 28 again."

VARDAN KHACHATRYAN APPOINTED ADVISER TO RA PRESIDENT

armradio.am
02.06.2008 12:14

RA President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on dismissing Sergo
Yeritsyan prom the position of Adviser to the President of the Republic
of Armenia.

According to another presidential decree, Vardan Khachatryan was
appointed Adviser to the President of the Republic of Armenia.

Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
June 2 2008

Prisoners say assault claims were made up
By Bassam Za’za’Senior Reporter
Published: June 01, 2008, 23:35

Dubai: Four prisoners accused their cell mate on Sunday of inciting
inmates to complain about the behaviour of 25 jail wardens who are
currently being prosecuted on charges of abusing their authority and
beating inmates.

Three Emiratis and a Syrian, serving different sentences at Dubai’s
Central Prison, appeared as witnesses before the Dubai Court of First
Instance.

They accused an Iraqi cell mate of inciting others to complain that
the 25 suspects had beaten them.

The former prison director, three lieutenants and 21 policemen earlier
denied abusing their powers and beating and injuring prisoners before
the court.

The four witnesses testified before Presiding Judge Fahmi Mounir that
A.M. had incited others to complain. An Emirati witness, N.M., said:
"A.M. is still inciting inmates to testify against the wardens."

A Syrian witness, Z.A., said: "A.M. is the one who asked the inmates
to complain … he asked inmates to say ‘this is our chance, we should
say they hit us to get better food’." The Public Prosecution charged
the suspects with abusing their authority.

While carrying out a routine search of the cells they allegedly beat
an Armenian inmate and left him with a ten per cent permanent
disability in his spinal cord.

Defence lawyers, including Khalifa Al Salman, Amal Bakri, Kawthar
Marwan, Samir Jaafar, Nabih Badr and Abdul Karim Makki also presented
two doctors and a lieutenant as witnesses yesterday.

Spinal injury

The doctors, who examined the Armenian, said he had a spinal cord
injury.

The prison doctor testified: "Five or six inmates brought him to me
and said he fell from the stairs … I didn’t see bruises which might
have been caused by injuries." Dubai police’s doctor said: "I referred
him for an X-ray because he had a spinal cord injury… I didn’t
notice bruises."

The lieutenant testified: "The prison director did not order us to use
force or assault the inmates during the search for knives and drugs in
the cells. Later, I was told that the Armenian had fallen from the
stairs."

ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 29 2008

Armenian FM to arrive in Moscow for talks

29.05.2008, 05.07

MOSCOW, May 29 (Itar-Tass) -Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan will arrive for a visit in the Russian capital on Thursday
for talks with Russian leadership. The agenda will include the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, cooperation within the Commonwealth of
Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO), the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

`The sides will have a meaningful exchange of views on urgent issues
of Russian-Armenian partnership, key international and regional
problems,’ Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Alexander
Nesterenko said.

`We intend to coordinate steps and improve coordination of foreign
policy actions taken by Moscow and Yerevan. Russia hopes to continue
close joint work with Armenia within the CIS, the Collective Security
Treaty Organization (CSTO) and also within the framework of
international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council
of Europe and the OSCE,’ Nesterenko went on to say.

NowLebanon, Lebanon
May 30 2008

Minister Ogassapian calls for the implementation of the Doha Agreement
May 30, 2008

Minister Jean Ogassapian said that both the majority and the
opposition want that the government of President Michel
Sleiman’s mandate be established as soon as possible.

`Everyone is looking toward the future,’
Minister Ogassapian told Voice of Lebanon radio station.

`Stability, constructive work and democratic competition, as well as
commitment to the Doha Agreement and the system of sectarian
distribution, are all required in order to establish a government as
soon as possible,’ he added.

Ogassapian noted that the Armenians will be represented in the coming
government with two ministers.

-NOW Staff

On the other side of the impassable road

30-05-2008 12:51:42 – KarabakhOpen

The Public Television of Artsakh reports that recently a group of
doctors from Stepanakert led by the deputy minister of health Aram
Grigoryan visited the region of Shahumyan. Dozens of people were
examined.

The region which is far from the capital, on the other side of the
impassable road, needs doctors. In a number of villages there are
medical stations, and there is even a small hospital in Karvachar.
However, due to the shortage of specialists, medicine and equipment
even easily cured diseases become a difficult problem. In Karvachar
there is not even a dentist.

Such visits treat not only the body but also the soul. People living
there feel isolated from the world, relying on themselves and human
kindness. And suddenly they feel the shoulder of the government.

SERGEI BAGAPSH: EU CAN’T FORCE ABKHAZIA TO RETURN UNDER GEORGIA’S JURISDICTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.05.2008 14:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A delegation of ambassadors representing 15 EU
member states is arriving in Abkhazia on May 30. Then a visit of EU
leaders is expected.

Meanwhile, Abkhazia’s President Sergei Bagapsh has already warned
that neither the EU nor any other structure can force Abkhazia to
return under Georgia’s jurisdiction. "This issue is closed and we
are not going to discuss it," he said.

The EU will make an attempt to drive Russia out of talks, according
to him.

"I would like to emphasize that no progress can be achieved without
Russia’s mediation. Russia was and will be a full-fledged participant
of the peaceful process," Bagapsh said, Interfax reports.

ARF TO FOLLOW AND CONTROL FULFILMEMT OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF POLITICAL
COALITION AGREEMENT

25

YEREVAN, MAY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The general meeting of the ARF
Dashnaktsutyun on May 21-26 stressed the problem of existence of fair
Armenia and national unity, the ARF Bureau member Hrant Margarian said
at the May 27 press coneference. According to him, the general meeting
of the ARF reasserted that the party remains faithful to national
ideology, revolutionary principles and its program objectives.

The party’s statement reads that by running in the latest parliamentary
and presidential elections by its list and its own candidate, the ARF
ascertained that it is an independent party guided by its own
decisions. "It is especially after the presidential election that the
ARF can naturally adopt an attitude of healthy parliamentary
opposition. However, the domestic and external dangers threatening the
independent statehood as a result of the postelection developments have
put the party before the responsibility and priority to maintain the
stability and sovereignty of the country," is said in the statement. By
the same source, bewing aware of this responsibility, the ARF accepted
the coalition’s invitation, taking the view that the implementation of
the political priorities of the agreement signed creates an opportunity
to raise the country’s development to a new qualitative level.

The general meeting believes that Armenia is at the difficult stage of
its establishment and democratization. It was stated that the party
with its domectic and Diasporan members will follow and control the
fulfilment of the major provisions of the agreement of the political
coalition.

The statement also calls on Diasporan Armenians to receive Armenian
citizenship, noting that in this way they will strengthen their
national identity and emphasize their commitment, especially to
contribute the development of homeland.

OhmyNews International, South Korea
May 25 2008

Eurovision 2008: Where Pop Makes a Spectacle of Itself

Song contest concludes with the usual mix of excess, politics and
gleeful bad taste

Now that the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest from Belgrade, Serbia is
history, it is time to once again savor those sugary sweet moments of
excess one final time before chasing all those throwaway tunes out of
our brains. It should have been predictable, Dima Bilan of Russia
won. After all, he was the absolute star of the show, still glowing
from his near win two years ago. Yet, the show always has its
surprises, and its inexplicable successes and failures and that keeps
it interesting.

Here is a partial review of what happened at the finals on May 24.

After a rendition of the winning song from 2007, a gender bending pop
tune sung by Serbia’s Marija Serifovic, which is the reason why they
were meeting in Belgrade this year, the mind numbing blur of 2008 Euro
pop tunes began.

A disappointing love duet from Romania led off, boding ill for this
year’s show, but it was quickly followed by something much better. The
U.K. tried to redeem itself from last year’s fiasco with a fairly
presentable 1970s style funky soul number called "Even If" sung by a
good performer named Andy Abraham. He turned it out believable, even
down to his tight funky suit. Now will that be enough to obliterate
2007’s "Scooch," a song that will live on as a legend of bad taste?

Albania came next with a 16 year-old artist named Olta Boka. She sang
well, but since Albanian doesn’t sound at all like anything else, it
was hard to tell what she was getting all worked up about.

Germany was next, and it seemed that after last year’s attempt to rise
from the back of the pack with an ambitious entry, they have given up,
and returned to the bottom. No Angels sang "Disappear." Imagine the
Pussy Cat Dolls if they couldn’t carry a tune or bust even the lamest
move. An exercise in degradation.

Sirusho from Armenia sang "Qele, Qele." Her impressively strong and
perfectly pitched voice really carried this song, and insured Armenia
a place in the top five.

Other high quality performances came from Turkey, an excellent hard
rock number by Mor ve Otesi, which did fairly well in the voting; a
well-done disco performance from Ani Lorak of the Ukraine, which
brought that country within shouting distance of winning; and then a
believable R&B song from Norway that didn’t help that country get very
far at all, possibly because of the group’s oddly boring look.

Mediocre songs were presented by Georgia and Serbia, and they were
immediately forgotten. Less explicable, however, was the way that
Portugal’s and Israel’s performances were forgotten. Especially the
song by Boaz of Israel, which was one of the most original and
intriguing sounds of the evening. But the interplay of voting cartels
among neighboring nations and the vote of guest workers in various
countries always make for odd bedfellows, and surprising snubs. It can
all be explained somehow, if you have the time and inclination.

There were several awful novelty performances: Bosnia Herzegovina with
a bit of Absurdist theater, some pirates from Latvia and an atrocious
over-the-top reggaeton from Spain. There were some heavy metal
numbers, from Azerbaijan and from Finland and some schlocky disco from
Sweden, Iceland and Denmark. There were forgettable ballads from
Poland and France.

The oddest success of the evening had to be Kalomira of Greece. The
song was a silly Latin hip-hop rehash from 20 years ago. The singer
was off pitch more than she was on, and the performance was cloying
and amateurish. Yet, she had a certain cute stage presence and an
endearing smile, and the political logistics of the contest in the
capital of Serbia (a Greek ally in so many ways) made a fertile
environment for Greek success. Kalomira, with this hideous song,
"Secret Combination" came in second to Russia in the voting.

But there is only one winner. And this year it was Russia. Dima Bilan
sang "Believe." Dima is the most successful artist now participating
in Eurovision, and his star quality and fan following was able to
carry this somewhat imperfect song to success. He went all out with
it, singing on his knees with his shirt half off. The audience went
wild.

While the voting was going on, Serbian TV had to fill up a good 20
minutes with chit chat, touristic shots of Belgrade and music. And so,
just to remind us that there is real authentic music still lurking
somewhere in the European soul, they trotted out Goran Bregovic and
his Wedding and Funeral Band. They played some great Balkan band
music, to cleanse the palate, as it were.

The votes were counted and all the predictable things
happened. Andorra voted for Spain, the Scandinavians voted for each
other, Cyprus voted for Greece, and Greece and Armenia ignored
Turkey. Hardly anyone voted for Germany or the U.K. Greece came
dangerously close to winning, and Dima finally came out on top, as he
and his group chanted "Ro-ssy-yah!" in the party room.

Thus the Eurovision song contest came to a satisfactory end. As the
winner gets to host the next show, it will Moscow in 2009. It could
have been worse, after all, Armenia came very close to the top, and
that would mean schlepping this entire dog and pony show to
Yerevan. But all catastrophes were averted and now all can sleep
well. And presumably not admit to anyone how they spent this Saturday
night in May.

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