Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

ARMENIA NOT ELECTED INTO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 12:55
Armenia was not elected into UN Human Rights Council. MEDIAMAX Agency
informs that among the Eastern European States elecetd to the Council
were Azerbaijan (3 years), Czech Republic (1 year), Poland (1 year),
Romania (2 years), Russian Federation (3 years) and Ukraine (2 years).
Other Eastern European states competing for membership were Albania,
Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia.
To remind, in 2001 and 2004 Armenia was elected member of the UN Human
Rights Commission, which wll be replaced by the newly created Council.

MANVEL GRIGORIAN: ERKRAPAH THAT SAID ITS DECISIVE WORD IN ARTSAKH
FREEDOM WAR HAS THINGS TO DO TODAY
YEREVAN, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. A meeting to mark Erkrapah’s Day took
place at the Sport and Concert Complex after Karen Demirchian on May
8. According to Chairman of the Erkrapah Volunteers Union (EVU), RA
Deputy Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Manvel Grigorian, the
Erkrapah that said its decisive word for Homeland’s defence during the
Artsakh war and later served as a basis for the creation of an
efficent army, today has things to do not only in case of a possible
war but also for peaceful construction and economic development. In
his words, it is also for the EVU to solve all problems facing the
country, all unresolved issues. He noted that the people today living
in Artsakh built houses and give birth to children, and it is not easy
for them to hear the press information about return of territories.
“We have no land to give, and if we say it, we must be prepared for
anything, we must stand side by side and will not allow those living
in the border areas to feel lonely,” Manvel Grigorian noted. He
appealed to the erkrapahs to be unified in order to bring the Karabakh
problem solution to a close: “The Armenian nation cannot be divided
into several parts: if we do not have a country and state, any
elections are just out of the question.” Sparapet Vazgen Sargsian’s
brother, Chairman of the Hanrapetutyun (Republic) Party Aram Sargsian
noted in his speech that Erkrapah is the most powerful body in
Armenia. In his words, it is the Erkrapah that is the master of this
country today, as it proved able to protect not only the country but
also the nation’s dignity. And many of them, including Sparapet, laid
down their lives. “Those who sacrifice their freedom for a temporary
stability, in the end have neither freedom nor stability,” Aram
Sargsian said quoting Benjamin Franklin. Leader of the National
Assembly ARF faction Levon Mkrtchian said that irrespective of their
political and ideological convictions, today’s fidayis united and
became the masters of Homeland. “It was Vazgen Sargsian’s pen that
created the word “Erkrapah” (Country Keeper), because we all are
keeping our country,” he underlined. Levon Mkrtchian said that members
of the ARF were in the erkrapah voluntary detachments from the very
first. “We should continue our struggle, and our power is in our
unity,” he stated. According to the speaker, this unity should not be
formal, and the Armenians should unite around several major
issues. “The national goals should be those main guidelines, by which
we should live and create in this difficult region,” he said. The
Armenian Prime Minister and the Defence Ministers of the RA and the
NKR sent their congratulatory messages on the occasion of Erkrapah’s
Day. State awards of the RA and the NKR, the RA Defence Ministry EVU
orders and medals were conferred on a number of erkrapahs. Many
received military awards posthumously. Prosaist Hrant Matevosian was
posthumously awarded a EVU “Sparapet Vazgen Sargsian” order.

BELGIUM DOES NOT COMMENT ON FIRE AT BRUSSELS AIRPORT
Brussels, May 6. ArmInfo. Belgian authorities refrain themselves from
any version on the fire at the “Zaventem” international airport in
Brussels waiting for a relevant report of the fire department. Third
Secretary of Armenian Embassy in Belgium Tigran Baloyan told “RIA
Novosti”.
He refused any comments on the media report that the fire was
intentional. He said two planes from Armenia burnt in the air fleet
of the airport on Friday night. The planes were undergoing servicing.
Armenian Embassy representative reports that one of the planes
belonging to Armavia airline was fully ruined, another belonging
to Armenian International Airlines was seriously damaged by the
fire. In the meantime, Armenia refutes reports that the Airbus A320
that crashed in the Black Sea had not underdone servicing. The experts
of “Sabena Technics” company, Belgium, carried out the servicing in
Yerevan in April.

AZERI LEADER RULES OUT KARABAKH SOLUTION BEYOND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL NORMS
Sources:
ANS TV, Baku 5 May 06
Lider TV 5 May 06
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said that the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict should be resolved only on the basis of international legal
norms, private ANS TV reported on 5 May.
In his speech at the ninth summit of the Economic Cooperation
Organization in Baku on 5 May, Aliyev said: “Over 30 terrorist acts
have been committed against Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis. Over 2,000
innocent people were killed. Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan
and its ethnic cleansing policy against the Azerbaijanis are major
obstacles to the development of regional cooperation today. As a result
of this policy, over one million Azerbaijani citizens were displaced
from their native land. We want to resolve the issue peacefully and
think that there are still opportunities for this.
Therefore, we should try out every opportunity today. At the same
time, the patience of the Azerbaijani people is not endless. The
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict can be settled only on the basis of
international legal principles. Armenia’s armed forces should withdraw
from Azerbaijani territories. Azerbaijanis should return to the land
of their ancestors. Justice should be restored. Any agreement beyond
this is impossible because the international law requires this.”
Private Lider TV quoted Ilham Aliyev as saying that it is important
to tighten security measures in the region and that the fight against
terrorism should unite “us with the world”. Aliyev said that Azerbaijan
wanted major regional projects to increase in number and attached
great importance to energy cooperation with Turkey and Iran.
The president also noted a 26-per-cent growth in economy, a 40-per-cent
increase in the GDP and the creation of 380,000 new jobs in the past
two years, the TV said.

“GERMAN-FRENCH” MODEL FOR NAGORNI GARABAKH
Democratic Azerbaijan
May 4 2006
Caucasian countries have no choice but integration to regulate conflict
in the region.
France and Germany, used to be enemies, have chosen integration and
reached advanced development. Cooperation between both countries was
reached with the help of politicians, being known that first step
in this direction were taken during joint exploitation of iron mine
and coal.
Accordingly to chairman of Armenian National Bank, Tigran Sargasyan,
mentioned model should be applied in South Caucasus, especially because
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia want to be members of European Union.
Economic state of the above states will be examined, and the level
of compliance of showings with EU Maastricht Treaty will be defined.
These showings are defined by rise in prices, ratio of state debts
to national produce, long-term interest rate etc.
“If we take into account rise in prices, only Armenia meets
requirements of the Treaty. Azerbaijan and Georgia will not comply
with it long time. Azerbaijan pursues policy of price conservation
attempting to regulate their rise by administrative way what leads
to breaking up macroeconomic stability”, T. Sargasyan informed.
However, chairman of Armenian National Bank, misinterpreted facts.
One of the most significant showings necessary for being EU member
is average wage.
In Armenia it makes up 145, in Georgia – 113, and in Azerbaijan –
124 US dollars. Poverty level in Azerbaijan makes up 29%, in Armenia –
34% and in Georgia – 52%.
As for health care, in Azerbaijan 1,6 % of national produce is allotted
for this field. The same showing in Georgia is 0,5% and in Armenia
– 1,3%.
In Azerbaijan economic development rate runs up to 23,6%, in Georgia –
9,9% and in Armenia – 14%.
As for credit resources Azerbaijan enjoys better position than
Georgia and Armenia. Moreover, the worst court system is in Armenia,
and Georgia is leader of the region in the field of internet and
telecommunications.
Azerbaijan’s economic growth goes on mainly owing to production,
processing and transportation of oil. 42% of national produce came
from this field. In Georgia service and transport tariff for oil and
gas pipelines are of great importance, at the same time in Armenia
construction and agriculture serves for formation of national produce.
Azerbaijan allots 650 millions of US dollars for military needs,
that is, 4 times more then Armenia.
As for export, Azerbaijan deals with oil transportation, Georgia
exports metal, and Armenia exports agricultural products and
non-precious stones.
Taking into account all these facts, it is clear that “economic
integration” of Azerbaijan and Armenia is out of question.
If we recollect the fact that Armenia pursues policy of terrorism and
occupation, then realization “German-French model” for regulation of
Nagorni Garabakh conflict is no more but illusion.
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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA EXTENDED CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF PLANE CRASH VICTIMS
PanARMENIAN.Net
04.05.2006 23:27 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) has
condolences to all the families and friends of the victims of the
Armavia plane crash in Sochi.
The message of Chairman of AAA Board of Trustees Hirair Hovnanian says,
“On behalf of the Armenian Assembly of America’s leadership, members
and staff, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all the families
and friends of the victims of the Armavia plane crash in Sochi. This
tragedy, in which our fellow compatriots perished, is a great loss
for the entire Armenian nation. You are in our thoughts and prayers.”

AIRBUS SPECIALISTS DETECT RADIO SIGNAL FROM CRASHED PLANE
Armenpress
May 04 2006
SOCHI, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS: Airbus specialists working at the site of
the crashed Armenian airliner on the Black Sea said Thursday they
had detected a radio signal, possibly from the plane’s black boxes.
“The signal was found almost immediately after the search started,
but is very weak,” RIA news agency said quoting a Russian emergencies
ministry official as saying. The experts from the French aircraft
company are using special equipment while searching for flight data
recorders from the A-320 that crashed in the sea 6 kilometers off the
Russian coast early Wednesday, killing all the 113 people onboard. They
have been working since Thursday morning.
The official said it was still unclear whether the signal came from the
recorders, and added that the Airbus team was continuing the search
and trying to locate the signal more accurately. Two emergencies
ministry teams are also working at the site, using radars to try to
pick up signals.
Two search efforts are currently under way to recover plane fragments
on the surface and those deep under water. The two search areas are
several kilometers away from each other.

ARMENIA DM FLIES TO PLANE CRASH SITE
ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 3 2006
YEREVAN, May 3 (Itar-Tass) – On the instructions of the Armenian
president Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisian who also chairs the
intergovernmental committee for Russian-Armenian economic cooperation
flied to Sochi on Wednesday to coordinate the efforts for investigating
the causes and the circumstances of the air crash of an airplane
Airbus belonging to the Armenian air company, it was stated at the
end of a meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharian.
“Chief of the main civil aviation department in the Armenian government
Artyom Movsesian reported about the details of the tragedy,” the
Armenian presidential press service told Itar-Tass.
A committee has been set up for the transportation and the funeral of
the crash victims. Minister of Territorial Management Ovik Abramian
heads the committee.
The Armenian general prosecutor reported that criminal proceedings
were instituted over the crash.

ACTIVIST LEADS GROUP TO HELP BRING PEACE TO DARFUR
National Public Radio (NPR)
SHOW: Weekend All Things Considered 1900-2000
April 30, 2006 Sunday
Anchors: Debbie Elliott
Debbie Elliott, Host:
One group that has come up with a concrete and immediate response to
the carnage in Darfur is the Genocide Intervention Network. It’s the
brainchild of students at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and now
extends to more than 250 schools across the country. The group has
raised money to fund the African Union Peacekeeping force serving in
Darfur. It’s leader, Mark Hanis, joins me in the studio now. Hello,
Mark.
Mr. MARK HANIS (Genocide Intervention Network): Hi, how are you doing?
ELLIOTT: Good. Tell me, how did you get interested in the Darfur issue?
Mr. HANIS: Several reasons. The first one is four of my grandparents
were Holocaust survivors and reminding us always never again. So this
had a huge impact in my life. And another component was reading about
all of the past genocides. We’ve gone from Armenia, the Holocaust,
Cambodia, Rwanda. Once I heard about Darfur I simply said we can’t
let this happen again.
ELLIOTT: Now, how is your group different from the dozens of other
groups that have taken up this issue?
Mr. HANIS: Lots of organizations look at humanitarian aid and raising
awareness, which are both extremely necessary, but what we want to
fill is that critical gap, the civilian protection gap. We need to
talk about genocide as a security issue. The victims, the Darfurians,
these people aren’t running away to get this aid. What they want
is security. So that’s where Genocide Intervention Network wants to
focus on: the security.
ELLIOTT: How much money have you raised for the African Union
peacekeeping forces?
Mr. HANIS: We’ve raised over a quarter of a million dollars and that’s
come from grass roots efforts across the country. Cornell University,
for example, showed Hotel Rwanda one night, raised 5,000 dollars. Three
high school students in Mamaroneck, New York, did a Jam for Sudan,
a sort of battle of the bands in their gym and they raised 3,000
dollars. A piano teacher in Salt Lake City gave us two weeks of her
proceeds, so we’ve just been getting checks from ten dollars all the
way to 5,000 dollars.
ELLIOTT: Now, help me understand how you go from all of these people
at different schools around the country to actually getting the money
into the African Union Force’s hands?
Mr. HANIS: We’ve been working with Gail Smith, who used to be the
Senior Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council
under President Clinton. And she knew all the African Union top
brass. She flew over to ask the African Union: A bunch of students
want to stop genocide and want to help you guys out, can we raise
money for you? And they said yes, and we drafted a contract and none
of the money will go to any lethal means, guns and bullets, and we’re
now in negotiation with them and hopefully we’ll complete it by the
end of this summer.
ELLIOTT: No guns and bullets? Why is that?
Mr. HANIS: Well, two reasons. One are the negative consequences. What
if a peacekeeper had killed a civilian and we helped raise money
for that gun and bullet? But more importantly is, the African Union
is not asking for guns and bullets. What they need are boots, they
need more people, they need maps, they need satellite phones and
walkie-talkies and they need cargo planes to transport all the people
and the resources.
ELLIOTT: I imagine that they’re used to reaching out to governments.
Mr. HANIS: This is unprecedented. The African Union has only received
money from donor governments so we provide citizens the opportunity
to directly support civilian protection in the face of genocide.
ELLIOTT: Now, did you have to get any special permission from the
U.S. government to do this?
Mr. HANIS: Yeah, we did need to check with the U.S. Government
and other governments and we are okay. We’re not at all replacing
the government’s role. We need the governments to fund the African
Union and to increase the force size. We’re shaming, we’re leading
by example. We’re not just going to complain and say you need to do
this. We’re gonna say, I’m willing to put money where my mouth is,
what about you?
ELLIOTT: Mark Hanis is the Chief Executive of the Genocide Intervention
Network. Thank you for coming in to talk with us.
Mr. HANIS: Thank you very much.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 30 2006
OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY RAPPORTEUR ON NAGORNO KARABAKH TO VISIT
AZERBAIJAN
[April 30, 2006, 13:27:49]
Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Bahar Muradova said, the
OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe)
Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
Goran Lennmarker, will arrive in Azerbaijan May 5.
In Baku, Goran Lennmarker will hold talks with relevant local
authorities.
According to Mrs. Muradova, the Azerbaijani side also wants Mr.
Lennmarker to visit places of settlement of Azerbaijani refugees and
internally displaced persons, who were forced to flee their homelands
as a result of Armenian aggression.