BUSH URGES REJECTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
Reuters
Oct 10 2007
UK
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President George W. Bush on Wednesday urged
U.S. lawmakers to reject a congressional resolution calling the 1915
massacres of Armenians genocide, saying it would do "great harm"
to U.S. relations with Turkey.
"This resolution is not the right response to these historic mass
killings," Bush told reporters at the White House.
ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN RETURNS FROM BAKU TRIP
By Astghik Bedevian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 9 2007
The first Armenian parliamentarian to visit the Azerbaijani capital
since 2001 described as ‘unprecedented’ the security measures taken by
the local authorities to ensure the Armenian delegate’s participation
in the meeting of a regional cooperation organization.
Stepan Safarian, of the Heritage faction at the Armenian National
Assembly, was recently in Baku to participate in the meeting of the
Council on Culture and Social Affairs of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
"They did their best to look hospitable and polite. I did not have
any problems," Safarian said during a press conference in Yerevan
on Tuesday.
He added that even the country’s media were not notified about the
visit of an Armenian parliamentary.
According to Safarian, the Karabakh issue did not come up during any
of his discussions in Baku. "But of course we spoke about regional
cooperation, discussed different events in the region at dinner,"
he said.
According to Safarian, the main activity in Baku included the
preparation of reports on member countries that will be published
during the plenary session of the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly in
Georgia on November 19-21.
The subject of the report for all participants was the same —
improvement of the quality of life in the BSEC member countries.
The report dealing with Armenia was drawn by an Azerbaijani delegate
and Safarian says he proposed a few corrections in that report.
"I don’t say the part of the report dealing with Armenia is bad for
Armenia. But the problem is that the Azerbaijani delegate who worked
on the report borrowed information about Armenia from different reports
presented by Armenia within the framework of different organizations,"
he said. "I think it could have been better."
According to Safarian, by means of corrections he managed to introduce
some changes, in particular a change reassuring that Armenia is
committed to the goal of meeting European standards. At the same time,
Safarian admits that the report contains little information about
the education system in Armenia.
In any case, Safarian says, the reader can understand what integration
processes Armenia experiences, but admits that against the background
of some assessments made in the report, it does not leave "the best"
impression with the reader. In any case, according to the Armenian
parliamentary, similar reports at such organizations do not have
political or legal consequences.
The BSEC, which currently embraces 12 members, was established in
1992 with the declared goal of fostering economic interaction and
initiative and ensuring peace and stability in the Black Sea region.
Armenia was among the founding members of the organization whose
membership is not restricted to countries which have access to the
Black Sea. Among the member countries like Armenia that have no
coastline on the Black Sea are also Albania, Azerbaijan, Greece,
Moldova and Serbia.
ARMENIA SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSION OF EUROPEAN PROBLEMS
Lragir
Oct 8 2007
Armenia
In a news conference on October 8 the reporters asked the leader of
the Armenian delegation to the PACE Davit Harutiunyan to compare his
delegation which has just returned from the fall session of the PACE
and the former delegation led by Speaker Tigran Torosyan.
"We have changed the style of work, and it is determined by other
people in the delegation. Mr. Torosyan is highly respected in the PACE,
everyone appreciates his abilities, his work, and I think so do we. Our
style of work is a little different, however. My style differs, and
considering the peculiarities of the members of the delegation, we are
changing our strategy, which I think is quite normal. We need to be
flexible. If you compared the Azerbaijani delegation now and a year
ago, you would find no difference. We need to be even more flexible,
and soon you will notice it yourselves," Davit Harutiunyan says.
According to him, the Armenian delegation should not focus on the
problems of the Karabakh-Azerbaijan-Armenia framework only but should
take an active part in the discussion of European problems. Davit
Harutiunyan thinks this strategy will produce a positive effect on
the solution of the problems that Armenia is now facing.
ARMENIAN DELEGATION APPLIES TO CE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON ISSUE OF VIOLATION OF EUROPEAN CULTURAL CONVENTION PROVISIONS BY AZERBAIJAN
Author: Meliqian Gayane Editor: Eghian Robert
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 8 2007
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian delegation in the PACE
sent a written inquiry to the Council of Europe Ministerial Committee
in connection with violation of provisions of the European Cultural
Convention by Azerbaijan, the head of the Armenian delegation, chairman
of the RA National Assembly Standing Committee on State and Legal
Issues Davit Harutyunian stated at the October 8 press conference.
According to him, the convention includes the requirement for
providing the opportunity to visit cultural monuments freely, whereas
last year Azerbaijan repeatedly prevented visits of international
organizations with the aim of examining the alarm calls about
destruction of historic and cultural monuments in the Hin Jugha’s
Armenian cemetery (Nakhichevan). The Armenian delegation proposed
that the CE Ministetrial Committee take the respective steps for
implementing the mission.
D. Harutyunian said that the Armenian delegation made a proposal
to the PACE regarding the report on ethnic minorities living in
Azerbaijan. The head of the Armenian delegation noted that this is
related to "the barbarian destruction of the Narimanov cemetery in
Baku, as a result of which "the main rights of the Russian, Jewish,
Georgian and Armenian communities have been violated". The MPs of
France, Serbia, Great Britain, Czechia, Finland, Portugal and Russia
put their signatures on the initiative.
WAS PROFICIENCY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN APPOINTMENTS?
Anahit Danielyan
Karabakh Open
Oct 5 2007
Before and after the presidential election the president elect
Bako Sahakyan and Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan stated that in
appointing the cabinet the proficiency of the candidates would
be taken into account. Bako Sahakyan stated the same in the first
meeting of the government, who said his appointments took into account
"the proficiency, organizational abilities and personality" of the
ministers. The government has been appointed. The replacements aroused
controversial thoughts. Some think the appointments were successful,
some are happy that young people were included in the government,
others are disappointed with the appointment of people who have
nothing to do with the given sphere. At least, we can judge by their
biographies.
The former editor of the Public Television of Artsakh Norek Gasparyan
was appointed as minister of culture and youth. He graduated from
the department of philology of the Teacher Training University of
Stepanakert, worked for the Askeran-based newspaper, was head of the
Union of Amateur Artists of the Labor Unions of Nagorno-Karabakh. He
has worked for the Public Television and Radio of Artsakh since 1988.
Vladik Khachatryan is the minister of education and culture, who
used to be the deputy minister of defense in charge of personnel. He
graduated from the department of physics and mathematics of the
Teacher Training University of Stepanakert, worked at the school of
the village of Chailu, Martakert. Afterwards he occupied senior posts
in the NKR armed force.
The minister of justice is Arthur Mosiyan, representative of the
Central Committee of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun, who graduated from the
department of history and law of the Teacher Training University of
Stepanakert, took the post-graduate course in history at the Institute
of History of the Academy of Science of Armenia. He was deputy governor
of the region of Martuni. He was elected to the NKR parliament and
was chair of the Committee on Defense, Security and Law Enforcement.
The head of the Sport Committee is Lernik Galayan, who graduated from
the department of law of Yerevan State University. He was commander
of a squad of the 5th brigade. Since 1994 he was the lawyer of the
5th brigade. In 2000 he was elected to parliament and was deputy
chair of the State and Legal Committee until 2005.
By the way, several members of parliament were appointed to
government. In particular, Ara Harutiunyan was appointed prime
minister, Vitaly Balasanyan and Rudik Martirosyan became adviser and
assistant to president, Hovik Jivanyan was appointed adviser to prime
minister, Sergey Ohanyan was appointed governor of Martakert. Hence,
the local election may be followed by parliamentary elections in some
election districts.
CHAIRMAN OF EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ARMENIA STRIVES TO IMPROVE ITS COURT SYSTEM
Editor: Eghian Robert
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 4 2007
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by the
chairman of the European Court of Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa is in
Armenia in order to participate in the 12th international conference
on constitutional justice problems. The Armenian president Robert
Kocharian received Jean-Paul Costa on October 4, NT was informed by
the RA president’s press service.
The conference to be held on October 5-6 was organized by the RA
Constitutional Court, the Armenian ombudsman, the Venice Commission,
and by international organization "Conference of Constitutional
Control Bodies of Countries with Young Democracy".
Welcoming the holding of the conference in Yerevan, the president
said that it is taking place in a period which is important in
terms of making legal and court reforms in Armenia. In his words,
such discussions will allow Armenian experts to have a better idea
abot the development process that the judicial system is undergoing
now in line with modern requirements.
Noting that from the very beginning the reforms have aimed to form a
new court system based on principles of impartiality and independence,
R. Kocharian said: "Today we are trying to implement deeper reforms,
which will allow to ensure a higher degree of courts’ independence
and a deeper respect for human rights."
Expressing a high opinion about court and legal reforms underway
in Armenia, especially in terms of ensuring independence of courts,
Jean-Paul Costa considered these reforms as interesting and noteworthy.
According to the RA Government Press and Information Department, on
the same day the delegation headed by Jean-Paul Costa was received
by the Armenian prime minister Serge Sargsian.
The prime minister appreciated the holding of such events aimed
at human rights protection, which provide an opportunity to become
acquainted with and use experience of the countries that have passed
a long way of establishing democracy.
Jean-Paul Costa also attached special importance to the Yerevan
conference, attributing his visit to Armenia first of all to the
importance of this event. "Armenia is the first country I visit in
connection with my post. Armenia is a country which strives to improve
its court system and has started court and legal reforms aimed at
protection of human rights," he stated, adding that the European
Court of Human Rights encourages such processes.
DAY OF HARVEST CELEBRATED IN ARTASHAT
Panorama.am
14:41 04/10/2007
Today Day of Harvest is celebrated in the region of Ararat. Events
dedicated to the holiday will be organized in other regions as
well. The events have already started in Artashat. The Ararat valley
celebrates this day with great festivities. Ararat regional governor’s
office told Panorama.am that different cultural events will be held.
Government information and public relations department told our
correspondent that Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan will visit Artashat
in the second half of the day to take part in the festivities.
This day is celebrated ever year. It is a pagan holiday. On that day,
fruits are handed to Mother Goddess Anahit.
AZERBAIJAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISPROVES REPORTS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BE CONSIDERED SOLELY AT OSCE
TREND Info, Azerbaijan
Oct 4 2007
Azerbaijan believes that the conflict with Armenia on Nagorno-Karabakh
can be settled only at the UN Security Council.
Speaking at the session of the UN General Assembly in New York,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, urged the UN Security
Council’s resolutions and international law norms for the juridical
basis of the problem’s settlement, Radio Svoboda quotes.
Mammadyarov disproved the statement made by his Armenian counterpart,
Vardan Oskanyan, that the Nagorno-Karabakh problem should be considered
only within the frame of the OSCE.
Business in brief
October 3, 2007
Hearing to be held on Greenway plaque wording
Kevin Coen, director of legislative affairs for the Massachusetts
Turnpike Authority, told the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
Conservancy board of directors that a public meeting would be held on
the wording of a plaque on any memorial or heritage park built, as
proposed, on a small Greenway corridor block near Faneuil Hall. Public
meetings are ongoing on the design of the area where the Armenian
Heritage Foundation wants a donated park remembering immigrants to
Boston and the 1915 Armenian Genocide. A Turkish group has proposed a
"Boston Peace and Heritage Park." (Thomas C. Palmer Jr.)
Source: /10/03/shoemaker_to_cut_100_jobs_from_canton_headq uarters/
ARMENIA CAUGHT UP IN RUSSIA’S EMBARGO ON GEORGIA
By M. Alkhazashvili
The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 2 2007
Since Russia slammed a transport, trade and postal embargo on Georgia
late last year, Armenia has faced economic isolation as its main
trade route to Russia is severed.
The blockade, the Regnum news agency reports, was discussed at a
Moscow meeting between the Russian acting prime minister and Armenian
counterpart Serzh Sarkisian last week.
"There are no problems in Armenian-Russian relations," Armenian
Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatian stated on September 27 after the
meeting, adding that all of the Armenia delegation’s questions were
answered by Moscow officials.
The ambassador reportedly said Russia promised the Lars checkpoint
on the Georgian-Russian border would reopen in 2008, as well as a
second ferry connection.
"I cannot say all our transport issues are solved, but there is
certain progress," Smbatian said.
Russia is Armenia’s top trading partner, and the blockade has
caused serious problems for the landlocked state. Armenia has no land
connections to Russia aside from Georgia; the route through Azerbaijan
closed in the wake of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Nonetheless, statistics for the first eight months of 2007 show total
Armenian trade turnover up 9.4 percent on 2006 figures.