Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

A NUMBER OF EVENTS TO BE HELD IN CANADA IN CONNECTION WITH 93th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan
April 9, 2008

TORONTO, APRIL 9, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
National Committee of Toronto (ANCT) will hold 2008 Genocide
Commemoration Events. A Genocide commemoration event is scheduled for
April 20 in Cambridge where the keynote speaker will be Professor
Kaprielian. Another event will be held in Hamilton on April 27th
(the keynote speaker: Mr. Chris Haroutyounian).

Yet another commemoration event is scheduled for April 24 in Ottawa,
in front of Parliament, to be followed by a political rally in front
of the Turkish Embassy. Armenian youth will organize a candle light
vigil in Toronto’s Queens Park on April 25.

NO REACTION ON AZERBAIJAN’S NOTE BY RUSSIA

Azeri Press Agency
April 9 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. Russia has not given reaction to
Azerbaijan’s note, Vasili Istratov, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan
told APA.

Istratov stated that he had information about the above-mentioned
note from the press."I am unaware of Russia’s reaction on the note",
he said.

Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia has filed a note of protest to the
country’s Foreign Ministry on holding conference "After Kosovo: unity
of unrecognized states on the way to recognition" in the Institute
of CIS Countries headed by Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chief
of Russian Parliament’s Committee on CIS Affairs and Relations with
Compatriots. The note requests to explain the participation of Nagorno
Karabakh separatists in the event.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT PROPOSES AMENDMENTS TO LAW LIMITING FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Southeast European Times
April 8 2008
MD

The Turkish government sent a proposal to parliament Monday aimed at
softening a widely criticised law that curbs free speech.

(Zaman, Turkish Daily News, Hurriyet, The New Anatolian, Sabah –
08/04/08; AP, Bloomberg, DPA – 07/04/08)

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) submitted to
parliament Monday (April 7th) draft legislation aimed at easing
current restrictions on free speech.

The proposal contains amendments to the controversial Article 301,
which decrees jail sentences of three years or less for insulting
"Turkishness".

Prosecutors have used it to indict scores of prominent Turkish
intellectuals, including Orhan Pamuk, the 2006 Nobel Literature
Prize winner; Elif Safak, a prominent female writer; and Hrant Dink,
the ethnic Armenian editor-in-chief of a Turkish-Armenian newspaper,
Agos. Convicted of "insulting Turkishness", he was killed in January
2007 by a Turk who cited that charge as his motive.

Although most Article 301 trials have ended without a conviction,
the EU and international rights groups have long urged Turkey to
amend the law or scrap it altogether.

The proposal was submitted to parliament ahead of visits by
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU Enlargement
Commissioner Olli Rehn later this week.

It would require approval of any Article 301 prosecution by the
president, rather than by the justice minister or an expert committee,
as earlier envisioned. Currently, such cases can be filed directly
with the courts.

"The predominant inclination among the AKP is that [the] president’s
permission should be sought," government spokesman Cemil Cicek told
reporters.

The bill would also replace the elusive notion of "denigrating
Turkishness" with "denigrating the Turkish nation". The maximum
sentence would shrink to two years, potentially freeing those currently
jailed under this charge. In Turkey, jail sentences not exceeding two
years can be suspended until the offender commits the same crime again.

Given its clear parliamentary majority, the AKP should easily pass
the bill, even if the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)
opposes, as it has vowed, any changes to Article 301.

It was not immediately clear when lawmakers would vote or whether
EU critics, who have been calling for outright annulment, will be
satisfied with the revisions.

The AKP has been criticised in recent months for slowing the pace of
EU-required reforms.

"Article 301 … is one of the priority areas that need to be
addressed," Tuesday’s Turkish Daily News quoted an official from
the EU Secretariat General as saying. "But it is not the only one,"
the anonymous source added.

A to-do list from Brussels reportedly seeks the urgent revision of
a number of other bills expanding freedom of expression.

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Monday that Ankara would outline
its reform priorities.

"We are determined on the issue of reforms," he told reporters. "No
matter how hard they are, we believe reforms are important for
Turkey’s future."

PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN CONGRATULATES WOMEN ON MATERNITY AND BEAUTY DAY

ARMENPRESS
April 7, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian congratulated
today Armenian women on Maternity and Beauty Day which is marked on
April 7.

Kocharian’s message, sent to Armenpress by the presidential press
service, says as follows: "Dear women, I congratulate you on the
occasion of Maternity and Beauty Day. It is the inexhaustible maternal
vigor and care that make the role of women exclusive in our families
and in society for educating and growing younger generation.

May mothers’ hearts be filled with pride for their sons and daughters’
successes and worthy deeds. I wish you all warmness and family
happiness. Remain always womanly and beautiful."

PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN CONGRATULATES WOMEN

armradio.am
07.04.2008 10:35

RA Presidentt Robert Kocharyan issued a congratulating message on
the occasion of the Day of Maternity and Beauty.

"Dear women, I congratulate you on the Day of Maternity and Beauty.

Endless maternal zeal and diligence condition the exceptional role
of women both in family and society in bringing up the younger
generation. Let your maternal heart be filled with pride for the
success and deserved deeds of your children.

I wish warmness and family happiness to dominate in your homes. Be
always womanly and charming."

Interfax News Agency, Russia
April 4 2008

March 1 riots in Yerevan could have hurt Armenian economy – IMF

YEREVAN April 4

The mass riots that rocked Yerevan on March 1, leading to people’s
deaths, may reflect negatively on the Armenian economy, IMF permanent
representative in Armenia Nienke Oomes told Interfax.

These events could adversely affect the investment climate in
Armenia. However, it is too early to make assessments, she said. "We
still forecast 10% GDP growth in 2008, but this forecast is subject
to great uncertainty," she said.

"The most important thing for the government is to now minimize this
negative effect and discontent among people by taking concrete steps
that will demonstrate that the government has serious plans to
conduct reforms, to reduce corruption, to make the fiscal and customs
systems more transparent and fair and to increase competitiveness by
reducing monopolies," Oomes said.

On the morning of March 1, police dispersed a rally of supporters of
former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian on Freedom Square in
Yerevan. The Armenian Healthcare Ministry said that during riots
eight people died.

PanARMENIAN.Net

NKR rightful to press for recognition of its independence
05.04.2008 14:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On April 2, the NKR National
Assembly Committee of Foreign Relations held closed
session on tendencies in the Karabakh talks that was
followed by a news briefing by chair of the Committee
Vahram Atanesyan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Georgy Petrosyan.

With regard to the talks, namely in the context of
recognition of Kosovo and the recent geopolitical
developments, Georgy Petrosyan noted the importance of
reconsideration of approaches of the Armenian side.

According to Vahram Atanesyan, the discussion was the
continuation of the NKR parliament hearings on the
Karabakh issue two years ago. `No conclusion was made
after the hearings. Considering that the situation is
changing, and I think that the situation regarding the
talks has changed and the NKR legislature should
present its final vision on the talks. The current
discussion is a consultation. If necessity rises, more
discussions will be held, and the National Assembly
may hold new hearings which will issue a conclusion
reflecting the stance of all the political forces in
parliament,’ he said.

`Like Azerbaijan, which urges respect for its
territorial integrity, NKR has the right to press for
international recognition of independence, first of
all, on the level of its parliament. To some extent,
we must lay out the way for the executive, because
they will be freer in their actions if they are backed
by the members of parliament,’ Vahram Atanesyan said,
KarabakhOpen.com reports.

ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY, INC.
CENTRAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESS RELEASE NO. 31

Armenian Relief Society, Inc. Telephone: 617-926-5892
Central Office Fax: 617-926-4855
80 Bigelow Avenue e-mail: [email protected]
Watertown, MA 02472 Website:
Date: April 3, 2008 Contact person: Hamesd Beugekian

THE ARS PARTICIPATES IN THE ARTSAKH TUFENKIAN FOUNDATION CONFERENCE

>From March 28 to March 30, the Tufenkian Foundation organized — under
the auspices of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Government — a conference
in the Artsakh city of Berdadzor, to study issues involving the
development of the Region of Qashatagh. Participants of the Conference
heard

the presentations of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic President, as well as
the representatives of the authorities of Qashatagh. They familiarized
themselves with the details of programs proposed by the Tufenkian
Foundation, and visited some of the region’s villages and towns located
to the south of Berdadzor, to acquire first hand information on their
status, and the challenges faced by their inhabitants.

The Armenian Relief Society participated in this Conference with two
representatives, who, alongside the general sessions, participated also
in the workshop sessions, focusing on Health and Education issues. In
the realm of Education, the ARS Central Executive agreed to participate
in the restoration work of schools in the Qashatagh region, or to assume
responsibility for the renovation of one or more kindergartens, also to
invite the staffs of Qashatagh kindergartens to the projected
professional qualification classes for the staffs of the ARS "Soseh"
Kindergartens in Artsakh.

In the realm of Health issues, the ARS expressed its readiness to assist
— through the facilities of its Akhurian "Mother-and-Child" Health
Center — in the re-training process of parallel staffs employed at
Qashatagh, as well as providing medications and basic equipment
available at the Ishkhanadzor medic-assistance center. The ARS also
agreed to take part in the efforts to create new medic-assistance
centers.

At the conclusion of the Conference, ARS Central Board chairperson,
Hasmig Derderian, congratulated, in highly laudable terms, the Tufenkian
Foundation for organizing this Conference and the initiatives taken thus
far across Qashatagh. She affirmed, that the entire Armenian nation is
under a multi-faceted obligation to assist to the needs of each and
every Armenian inhabitant of Qashatagh and, that the ARS is not only
ready to honor the duties assumed at the Conference, but to continue its
efforts — along directives set by the Artsakh authorities — to assure
a prosperous future for the people of Qashatagh.

Following the Conference, the ARS participants remained in Artsakh for
further field work. They visited the Garegah, Stepanakert, Shoushi, and
Aigestan ARS "Soseh" kindergartens of Qashatagh region. After the
visits, the ARS Central Board chairperson stated: "We are pleased, that
kindergartens promoted by the ARS are considered the best in Artsakh,
however, we still have a long road to cover to provide our children with
the very best."

While in Artsakh, the ARS Central Executive team, accompanied by the
ARS/Artsakh chairperson, Margarita Taranian, met with the Artsakh
Republic’s Prime Minister Arayik Harutiunian, Education Minister Vladik
Khachatrian, and Health Minister Armen Khachatrian.

All Artsakh officials had praise for the services rendered the Republic
by the ARS — be it during the war years, be it over the aftermath. They
stated, that the authorities are always willing to cooperate with the
Armenian Relief Society, as with all organizations working for the
advancement of Artsakh. During the meetings, the fundamental issue was
raised, that Artsakh has long since left behind the post-war era, and
must invest all assistance in the concerted efforts made to achieve
quality on the highest level, to solidify the foundations of the State,
and to realize the strategic programs designed to raise its population’s
standard of living. Along those lines, there was consensus, that it is
necessary to establish coordination in the activities of the State and
civil organizations and societies.

Before leaving Artsakh, the ARS Central team had working sessions with
the ARS/Artsakh executive and office staff and paid a visit to the ARF
Artsakh Central Committee office, where it was received by members of
the Central Committee. A visit was paid also to the museums of the
Artsakh Liberation War, and of Those Missing in Action.

NEW NKR LEADERSHIP HAS A STRONG POLITICAL APPROACH TOWARDS KASHATAGH

KarabakhOpen
03-04-2008 16:39:20

Interview of Karabakh-Open.com with Maro Matosyan, representative of
the office of Tufenkian Foundation.

What is you assessment of the conference in Berdzor? What would you
say about commitments made by the participants of the conference?

Both participants and Tufenkian Foundation found the conference to
have been very positive and successful. We have received several
concrete commitments of investment such as a wine factory to be built
in Ishkhanadzor and development of vineyards and pomegranate orchards.

Several schools are planned to be renovated. The Tsarukian foundation
also is interested to adopt a large infrastructure project. Other
organizations will help with equipment, training and other aid.

Did all the organizations which were invited participate in the
conference?

Do the Armenian organizations have a united approach to the issue
of Kashatagh?

There were 34 organizations that participated at this
conference. Others due to illness or schedule conflicts could not
attend but are very interested to participate with projects. Such are
the community of Australia, and various individual donors in Iran,
England and Europe. I have to say that I have been delighted by the
extremely united and positive approach of the participants both from
Armenia and Diaspora.

In your opinion, what will the political result of the conference
be? Will it influence the stance of the Armenian side?

This conference was made possible due to a strong political approach
towards Kashatagh by the newly elected leadership of NKR.

Yes, we anticipate that this conference will have a ripple effect
on Armenian public opinion and decision makers but it would not
have been possible without the initial encouragement of the NKR
authorities. There have been leading organizations in homeland and
Diaspora that have been calling for such an initiative but it has
never resulted in such a unified effort.

I would also like to point out that the activities of the conference
will continue beyond the 3 day on Berdzor. We will continue to have
meetings and facilitate the implementations of the projects that the
participants have committed to. Once we have more concrete information
we will have periodical press releases informing Armenians of the
work progress.

GEGHAM HARUTYUNIAN SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMEMT WITH PROBATION OF SAME PERIOD

Noyan Tapan
April 2, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN. By the April 2 decision of the court of
Yerevan’s Avan and Nor Nork communities, member of political board of
"Republic" party Gegham Harutyunian was found guilty of the action
envisaged by Article 235 part 1 of the RA Criminal Code – illegal
keeping of weapons and ammunition and was sentenced to 18 months’
imprisonment. At the same time the court granted the petition of the
accused, used Article 70 of the Crimiank Code and imposed a probation
of 18 months.

According to a press release of the RA prosecutor general’s office,
the court of Ararat and Vayots Dzor marzes on March 27 sentenced
Husik Baghdasarian to 3 years’ imprisonment for illegal obtaining
and keeping of weapons and ammunition, while the court of Yerevan’s
Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun communities on March 28 sentenced Hovhannes
Harutyunian to 18 months’ imprisonment.

The criminal case of Tatev Gasparian accused of the same action was
sent on April 1 to the RA Northern Criminal Court. The court will
join this case to another criminal case on T. Gasparian opened under
Article 334 part 1 of the Criminal Code – concealment of crime –
and will examine it.