Author: Zakarian Garnik

PACE TO DISCUSS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND ACTIVITY OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTES IN ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency
April 14 2008
Azerbaijan

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubayli. PACE will discuss presidential election
and activity of democratic institutes in Armenia today, Samad Seyidov,
Head of Azerbaijani Delegation to PACE said, APA Europe bureau reports.

To him, the Bureau has discussed the activity of democratic institutes
in Armenia.

"We have provided information about killing 28 people as a result
of developments after election, using revolvers against protesters
and other issues. We have also stated that voting right of Armenian
representatives should be deprived. If the session does not approve
proper decision, we will raise the issue in June session. Occupation
of Azerbaijani lands by Armenians has not been reacted. Armenian
government pursues such policy against its citizens. It is positive
to raise issue on Armenia", he said.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO CONTINUE ACTIVITY AROUND SOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROCESS

Trend News Agency
April 14 2008
Azerbaijan

– Council of Europe Monitoring Committee Former Head

Azerbaijan, Baku, 14 April / TrendNews / Edward Lithner, former
head of PACE Monitoring Committee stated that the Council of Europe
will continue its activity around the regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, which undermines the situation in the region and violates
the international laws, TrendNews reported referring to ANS.

According to Lithner, Council of Europe repeatedly made statements
on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

"We stated unambiguously that Armenia should liberate the occupied
territories and internally displaced persons should return back to
their lands. During the meetings we stated about fair position of
Azerbaijan. OSCE Minsk Group and the Governments of both countries
are engaged in the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh," he noted.

Answering to the question what the country which underwent aggression
should do, Lithner stated that Armenia first of all should liberate
the occupied territories, internally displaced persons should return
back to their lands and then we can speak about referendum and further
status of the region.

TURKEY BLACKMAILS ISRAEL OVER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.04.2008 18:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense
Committee in the Turkish parliament, Hasan Murat Mercan, has asked
the Bureau of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to cancel a scheduled
discussion in the Knesset on the Armenian Genocide.

Mercan was in Israel this week at the head of a Turkish parliamentary
delegation for talks with their Israeli counterparts. Talks included
discussions on Iran, the Palestinians and Syria, but the main issue
the Turkish delegation raised was an upcoming Knesset debate on the
Armenian Genocide.

Advertisement "The Armenian issue is very sensitive for Turkey,"
the visitors told Yoram Turbowicz and Shalom Turgeman, two of Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert’s most senior aides, adding that, "We would
prefer if this discussion would not take place at this time in
the Israeli parliament because it may harm the relations between
the two countries." Turbowicz offered Israel’s official response,
that the issue needed to be resolved between Turkey and Armenia in a
professional manner, through the involvement of historians. "Israel
certainly recognizes the strategic importance of its relations with
Turkey, but there are subjects and parliamentary initiatives that are
not related to the government," Turbowicz said. "As a government,
we have no interest in undermining our ties with Turkey." "I am
convinced that Israel recognizes the negative implications this may
have on ties between the two countries," Mercan said, Haaretz reports.

SERZH SARGSIAN SAYS HE WISHES THAT COMING YEARS BECOME YEARS OF ACTIVE AND INITIATING FOREIGN POLICY

ARMENPRESS
April 11, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsian
met yesterday with the heads of Armenian diplomatic representations
accredited in foreign countries.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that the president spoke
about the priorities of the foreign policy of the country and pointed
out that in promoting it, it is necessary to be braver and display
greater activity.

"We want that the coming years become the years of active and
initiating foreign policy," the president said. According to Serzh
Sargsian, no dramatic changes are expected to take place in the
foreign policy of the country.

At the same time the president called on to build the relations with
all the countries in intensive and dynamic way which does not mean,
though, that the foreign ministry has done its work bad. But stemming
from the time and circumstances connected with the coming changes in
the country it is necessary to double the work and the efforts.

The head of the country also referred to the current state of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation process and future steps.

Serzh Sargsian particularly underscored the work of the Diaspora and
the full usage of its potential.

He also pointed out the necessity of expanding foreign economic ties,
involvement of investments.

SARKISYAN SWORN IN AS NEW ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

Hindu
April 9 2008
India

Moscow (PTI): Serzh Sarkisyan was on wednesday sworn in as the third
President of former-Soviet republic of Armenia in the Caucasus.

Sarkisyan was earlier prime minister of Armenia.

His victory in February 19 presidential polls was challenged by his
rival, former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who launched protest
campaign.

On March 1 when the protests took a violent turn, killing at least
eight and injuring over 200 people in clashes with the security forces,
incumbent President Robert Kocharyan declared a state of emergency
lasting 20 days.

ARMENIA, CZECHIA TO STRENGTHEN INTERSTATE RELATIONS

ARKA
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, April 9. /ARKA/. The strengthening of Armenian-Czech relations
is of extreme importance for both countries, Speakers of the Armenian
and Czech Parliaments Tigran Torosyan and Przemysl Sobotka stated at
their meeting.

"The Armenian and Czech peoples have always had friendly ties, but,
despite this, we need daily work. Strengthening relations with Czechia,
an East European country which passed a difficult way of post-Soviet
transformation, is important for Armenia," Torosyan said.

According to him, Czechia’s experience is most useful for Armenia
in the context of European integration. Speaker Torosyan expressed
his satisfaction over Sobotka’s presence in Yerevan now that
the achievements of the past ten years are being summarized and
future plans determined. Torosyan expressed the confidence that
Sobotka’s visit to Armenia will contribute to the development of
interparlamentary relations.

Speaker Sobotka pronounced for immediate relations between countries
and intends to accept Speaker Torosyan’s invitation to pay an official
visit to Armenia this September.

He pointed out Armenia’s important role in the region, as well as the
European Union’s (EU) great attention to Armenia. H said that the EU’s
agenda includes 18 issues that are to be considered in September for
lack of time.

Sobotka pointed out the necessity for an intergovernmental agreement,
which would enable Czech businessmen to make investments in Armenia’s
economy and develop Czech-Armenian economic, scientific and cultural
relations.

The sides also addressed the post-election developments in
Armenia. Speaker Torosyan informed Sobotka of the March 1 events,
pointing out that the tragic events had nothing in common with the
election. The Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the events and
all those guilty will be punished.

Przemysl Sobotka came to Armenia to attend the inauguration ceremony
for Armenia’s new President Serge Sargsyan.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT APPLIED TO CITIZENS OF THE COUNTRY IN THE STATUS OF HEAD OF STATE FOR THE LAST TIME

arminfo
2008-04-08 16:20:00

ArmInfo. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has applied to citizens
of the country in the status of head of state for the last time on
Armenian Public TV.

According to the speech received by ArmInfo from press-service of
the president, he is eager to make a report on the passed way. ‘But
I will not list victories over the last 10 years. Progress of the
country is obvious.

The life of the people has become better. There are not many countries
in the world the development rates of which may be compared with
those of Armenia. At the same time there is no doubt there is still
much to be done.

The quality of life is still far from the desired level. But I am
not going to speak about the future problems. It is the business of
the next president and government. These 10 years have flown just
a moment for me… I am grateful to the people of Armenia for trust
thanks to which I was responsible for our country over 10 years…I
am grateful to the Diaspora for supporting all my initiatives. I ask
for pardon from those whose life did not become better over those ten
years… A question arises against every person that leaves the post
of president – could he do more than did?

Maybe one could, but I did all my best. My schedule was very thick
and I was working using all my forces. Anyway, I fulfilled all
the promises given to voters. I believe in the future of Armenia,
in strong potential of our people. I believe in the new president’s
ability to rule the country effectively…. We always say that our
country is not rich in natural resources. People are our biggest
wealth. Dear compatriots, you are the people which put the country
on its legs thanks to your everyday work and you continue fortifying
our country… I believe that Armenia will soon become a stable,
safe and prosperous state as I trust in you. Thank you!>, – Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan said in his last speech as a president.

PARLIAMENT DELAYS SECOND READING OF BILL ON YEREVAN STATUS

ARMENPRESS
April 7, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS: The National Assembly (parliament)
has put off today for 90 days the second reading of a draft law on
self-management of Yerevan and territorial administration.

Parliament chairman Tigran Torosian explained that the first reading
showed the necessity of public debates and discussions on the bill. He
said this was impossible due to past presidential election and related
political developments.

He said the date may be revised if the discussions are ended
sooner. The bill was passed in the first reading.

30 TEST SENIOR SCHOOLS TO START WORKING IN ARMENIA FROM SEPTEMBER 1

Noyan Tapan
April 2, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The modern stage of reforms implemented
within the framework of the strategic program of creation of a senior
schools system in the general education sphere is mainly aimed at
contents perfection of education. As Narine Hovhannisian, the Head
of the General Education Department of the RA Ministry of Education
and Science, said at the April 2 press conference, the formation of
the system of senior schools will contribute to the solution of the
sphere’s problems and rise of education quality.

According to N. Hovhannisian, the 30 schools, where the test senior
schools will work from September 1, have been already chosen. These
schools will be repaired, furnished, and provided with the proper
material-technical base by September. N. Hovhannisian also attached
importance to the issue of retraining of pedagogical cadres of the
test senior schools, which will be organized in June-August.

Two industrial senior schools will also work in Yerevan and Gyumri
in the experimental period.

EX-CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT: ‘DEFEATED’ PARTY SHOULD STOP PERCEIVING CHANGE OF POWER AS GLOBAL CATASTROPHE

arminfo
2008-04-02 14:34:00

ArmInfo. It is within the interest of the country’s public that the
authorities and the opposition launch a dialogue, ex-candidate for
president of Armenia Arman Melikyan says.

He believes that the dialogue must be aimed at establishing the
rules of the game wherein change of power is no longer perceived as a
global catastrophe threatening the life of the ‘defeated’ party. In
the authorities fail to conduct a dialogue, the catastrophe may
happen shortly.