Author: Zargarian Hambik

NOT RETURNING IDPS TO THEIR HOMELAND VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS: COUNCIL OF EUROPE’S COMMISSIONER ON HUMAN RIGHTS

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 7 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. K.Ramazanova / Internally displaced
persons (IDPs) have not been returned to their homelands and it is
a violation of their human rights, Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of
Europe’s Commissioner on Human Rights, said.

The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh should
be settled through policy. The sides which will make decisions on
regulating the conflict should pay attention to human rights.

Hammarberg is familiar with living conditions in Agdam and Goranboy
regions. The international organizations should render assistance to
these peoples, Hammarberg said. The Commissioner expressed regret
regarding the destruction of houses and graves in the occupied
territories.

DOGS ALSO NEED CARE

A1+
[03:22 pm] 06 September, 2007

If you have a dog or a cat you can register it in the Animal Lovers
Club for 2000 drams, where the animal can enjoy the services of the
Club – medical treatment, surgery, upbringing, hair dressing.

1000 animals are registered in the Club at the moment.

The Club does not get financial assistance from the government and
survives on the income from the zoo stores founded by the mentioned
Club.

"Our level regarding this issue is very low. If kinology, science
about dogs, is developed in a country then the country is considered
developed", said Violeta Gabrielyan, head of "Stork" Club to A1+.

She thinks that if the social conditions were better in Armenia,
many would keep animals. "There is a certain class in Armenia that
hardly survives. How can they keep a dog?"

Many dogs were operated on for suffering from cancer.

The surgery proved that one from 100 dogs died after surgery. They
lived on their natural life after operation. The aim of the Club is
to protect dogs.

Violeta Gabrielyan says that the Club cannot afford organizing
exhibitions of dogs since they need to invite experts from abroad
and that demands great expenses.

By the way, they intend to organize an exhibition to find
sponsors. During the exhibition the animals will compete in their
behaviors, hair cuts etc.

PRICES OF APARTMENTS GO UP

KarabakhOpen
06-09-2007 13:37:48

An apartment costs an average of 450 dollars per square meters in
Stepanakert, 115 in Askeran, 118 in Martuni, 58.5 in Martakert, 71 in
Hadrut, 81.5 in Shushi. According to the NKR State Realty Cadastre,
the prices of apartments in high-rises in Stepanakert have gone up by
20.6 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2006, 17.8 percent
in Askeran, 16.2 percent in Martuni, 14.2 percent in Martakert,
13.2 percent in Hadrut, 19.7 percent in Shushi.

The prices of 200 sq m detached houses with 1000 sq m of land went up
by 16.9 percent in Stepanakert, 14.8 percent in Askeran, 14.1 percent
in Martuni, 13.4 percent in Martakert, 12.4 percent in Hadrut, 15.4
percent in Shushi.

Detached houses in Stepanakert cost about 52,250 dollars in
Stepanakert, 9575 in Askeran, 8600 in Martuni, 5750 in Martakert,
6150 in Hadrut, 6325 in Shushi.

ANC-OC MEETS WITH RECENTLY APPOINTED INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

armradio.am
06.09.2007 10:43

The Armenian National Committee of Orange County (ANC-OC) met with
California State Assembly member Van Tran at his offices in Costa
Mesa, CA. ANC-OC activists Ara Malazian, Chris Guldjian, and Garin
Sarkissian as well as ANC-OC activists and recent ANCA intern Alex
Der Alexanian discussed various issues of importance to the Armenian
community in Orange County, particularly with regards to renewing
authorization of the California trade office in Armenia.

"We appreciated the opportunity to sit down with Assembly Member
Tran to have a candid discussion about the importance of promoting
California-Armenia ties," said Malazian. "Armenia provides the most
democratic, stable, and economically progressing trading option for
California in the region. More importantly, the vibrant and growing
Armenian community in Orange County sees this developing economic
relationship as complimentary to the numerous cultural and social
bridges between the two states," he added.

Assemblyman Tran explained the importance of highlighting the
benefits to California’s economy through tangible results of the
California-Trade Office. While Armenia previous trade offices
between California and Japan, China, Mexico and Israel were funded
by California tax-payers, the California-Trade Office (CATO), touted
as a model for the next generation of California trade offices,
is a privately funded entity working for the benefit of the state.

The meeting ended on a very positive note with subsequent meetings
to be scheduled between Assemblyman Van Tran and the ANC Orange County.

On July 17th, 2007, Assemblyman Tran was named Chair of the Select
Committee on International Trade for the California State Assembly. The
Select Committee on International Trade was created to collaborate
with California’s business community in expanding import-export
opportunities; to promote better relationships with foreign entities,
specifically to find economic opportunities for California businesses;
and to explore legislative policies to cultivate international trade
while resolving regulatory issues within the state.

The Select Committee on International Trade is of particular
significance to Armenian American community as Armenia currently
hosts the only California trade office. Operated by the Foundation
for Economic Development and overseen by California’s Business,
Transportation, and Housing Agency, the trade office is working to
expand trade between California, Armenia, and the Newly Independent
States of the former Soviet Union.

TWO MORE PLAYGROUNDS FROM KARABAKH TELECOM

KarabakhOpen
03-09-2007 16:12:05

On September 1 Karabakh Telecom dedicated another two playgrounds for
children. The first ceremony took place in Stepanakert at Arakelyan
Street.

Mayor Edward Aghabekyan was also present. According to the mayor,
Karabakh Telecom was one of the first companies which responded to the
Happy Children initiative of Stepanakert Foundation. The playground
was financed by Karabakh Telecom, the City Hall and the NKR Union of
Azatamartiks. "We built a playground for children hand in hand. I
hope we will continue to build our fatherland hand in hand," said
the CEO of Karabakh Telecom Ralph Yirikian.

The second playground was opened in Martuni. It was financed by
Karabakh Telecom.

Before the ceremony Ralph Yirikian visited the memorial to the killed
soldiers in Martuni co-financed by Karabakh Telecom.

Rudik Azaryan, governor or Martuni, and a number of inhabitants of
Martuni were present at the ceremony. Rudik Azaryan said about 500
children can play on the playground. For his part, Ralf Yirikian
congratulated on the new playground and the 16th anniversary of the
independence of NKR and confessed: "At one time I dreamt of feeling
to be an Armenian."

"Now I really feel that I live in the native country, for which I
work and where my children grow up," Ralph Yirikian said.

He said more playgrounds will be built. By the way, this year Karabakh
Telecom has built three playgrounds in Stepanakert and one in Berdzor,
Askeran and Martakert each. Another playground in Stepanakert and
one in Hadrut are under construction.

THERE IS NO BANKING SYSTEM IN ARMENIA, ECONOMIST EDUARD AGHAJANOV SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Aug 30 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, NOYAN TAPAN. There is no banking system as such
in Armenia, economist Eduard Aghajanov said at the August 30 press
conference.

He said that the most important index characterizing a banking
system is the level of the system’s financial mediation in the
economy. According to E.

Aghajanov, official statistics show that the ratio of the crediting
by the Armenian banking system/GDP makes about 9%, including consumer
credits. The ratio of investment credits to GDP makes 7-8%.

The economist noted that the Armenian banks "get awfully big profits"
not from crediting the economy but through fulfilment of other banking
functions. This is the reason why foreign banks take interest in the
RA market of banking services.

ADL IS NOT JUST "SOME" JEWISH ORGANIZATION
Stepan Sargsyan

KarabakhOpen
31-08-2007 11:08:45

Dear KarabakhOpen,

I read an interview by Vahram Atanesyan, chairman of the foreign
relations committee of the NKR Parliament, published in the
Russian version of your newspaper on August 31, 2007. Specifically,
Mr. Atanesyan downplayed the importance of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide (AG) by the Jewish American Anti Defamation League (ADL)
organization. Specifically, he stated that such recognition will have
neither political nor legal consequences.

While Vahram Atanesyan is correct in considering Turkey’s own
recognition of AG as important, the ongoing controversy involving
the ADL carries much more significance, both political and legal,
than Mr. Atanessyan assigns to it.

ADL is one of the strongest and most influential lobbyists in
Washington among the Jewish organizations of America, which comprise
the most powerful ethnic lobby. Its influence is so great that every
time a resolution recognizing the AG is brought before the American
Congress, the Turkish and Israeli governments appeal to ADL, among
other Jewish organizations, to conduct anti-Armenian lobbying efforts
in Washington. The fact alone that such a resolution has still not
been passed by the Congress is a testament of ADL’s strength in
Washington and its influence among American legislators.

Another factor that evidences ADL’s importance as one of the most
important lobbyist of Turkish interests in USA is the uproar in Turkey
over the reversal of ADL’s position on the AG. Many other Jewish
American organizations have accepted the undeniable fact of the AG,
including the Jewish World Watch, but none of these organizations
have touched nerves in Turkey the way ADL did. Again, the reason is
ADL’s importance as a lobbying tool for Turkey.

Therefore, comments by Mr. Atanesyan on the insignificance of this
recognition do not reflect the reality, at least the reality of the
battle waged in Washington over the passage of the AG resolution. ADL
is not just "some" Jewish organization, as Mr. Atanesyan characterized
it. It is the main opponent of Armenian lobbyists in Washington. If
NKR had the kind of lobbying ally in Washington that could match
the political clout of ADL, many of the problems of NKR would have
long been solved, including its political isolation. Therefore,
ADL’s reversal of position on an issue so sensitive for Turkey is
a big loss of the Turkish diplomacy as it has started loosing its
primary and most effective tool of countering the Armenian efforts
of passing an AG resolution. As such, this reversal has not only
political implications, but it will have legal consequences as well
when the American Congress passes the resolution. Being the only
superpower in the world, a recognition by USA will pave the way for
a universal recognition by the entire international community. Given
that the recognition of the AG by the Turkish government will occur
only under intense international pressure, such pressure may be brought
about after the major powers have formally recognized and enshrined in
their laws the undeniable truth of the 20th century’s first genocide.

P.S. During this controversy, the factor that has been most
overlooked is the conduct of the Jewish American community. While the
controversy was touched off by a letter of a local Armenian American,
it was the outspoken stance of the support base of ADL, the regular
Jewish American citizens and local politicians, that forced ADL to
reverse its position. In fact, the town in which the controversy
started has the biggest Jewish American community in the state of
Massachusetts. Therefore, this controversy does not just involve one
powerful organization, but evidences a fundamental shift of attitude
towards the AG within the Jewish American community. This shift
of attitude in the support base will force ADL to eventually stop
opposing the AG resolution as well. The significance of this is hard
to overstate as Jewish American organizations have been the long-time
lobbyist of Turkish interests. For this reason, the Armenian lobbying
organizations, namely the Armenian National Committee of America, which
has been the leading voice in this controversy, deserve much applaud
for transforming the AG recognition from a purely ethnic political
issue into one of morality and historical justice, a stand to which
the average Jewish American can relate and voice his or her support.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]

29-08- 2007
PRESS RELEASE

Vladimir Karapetian, Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responds
to a question by "Armenpress" News Agency on the cancellation of the visit
of the PACE subcommittee on cultural issues to the region

Question: How do you interpret the failure of the visit by the delegation of
the PACE subcommittee on cultural issues to the region?

Answer: Armenia places great significance on the visit of the cultural
monuments assessment mission to the region, and particularly to Nakhijevan.
We had ourselves initiated the idea of visits to the region by PACE, the
European Parliament as well as UNESCO, for the purpose of assessing the
condition of cultural monuments.

I think it is important to note that Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh had given
the O’Hara delegation their agreement regarding the mission.
We are informed that this PACE delegation had decided to visit the region at
the beginning of September, after several postponements. I regret that the
visit has now apparently been cancelled as a result of the non-constructive
stance of the Azerbaijani side, due solely to their intent to veil the
demolition of Armenian monuments in Nakhijevan.

Disclaimer – This message may contain information that is not intended for you. If you are not the addressee or if this message was sent to you by mistake, you are requested to inform the sender and delete the message.

ALBERT GHAZARIAN, PROCURATOR OF LORI REGION, KILLED

Noyan Tapan
Aug 27 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Albert Karush Ghazarian, the
procurator of the region of Lori and a third rank State Councillor
of Justice, was killed by an unknown person in the vicinity of his
house when returning home from work at about 00:20 on August 25,
2007. This information was provided to a Noyan Tapan correspondent
by Sona Truzian, the Spokeswoman of the RA Prosecutor General. Four
shots were fired in the direction of Albert Ghazarian as a result of
which the procurator received three through and one blind injuries
in the area of his back, shoulders, and neck. Four cartridges of
"Makarov" pistol were discovered by the inspection of the scene.

An operative investigation group has arrived at the scene with
Mnatsakan Sargsian, the RA Acting Prosecutor General, and Armen
Yeritsian, the Deputy Chief of the police, at the head. An
examination of the scene and the corpse, as well as a forensic
examination has been conducted. A criminal case has been filed in
the Investigation Administration of the RA Prosecutor General’s
Office by the indications of Point 2, Part 2, Article 104 of the RA
Criminal Code: murder connected with the implementation of official
activities by a person. An investigation group has been created, in
which experienced collaborators of the National Security, the police,
and the RA Prosecutor General’s Office are included. According to
Sona Truzian, all necessary measures are being taken in order to
find out the circumstances of the murder and discover those, who
are guilty. There will be extra information about the results of the
preliminary investigation.

"TOGETHER WITH REGISTERED INFRINGEMENTS, ELECTIONS IN ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCY 15 HAVE PASSED WITHIN LIMITS OF LEGALITY," ‘CHOICE IS YOURS’ NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION DECLARES

Noyan Tapan
Aug 27 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, NOYAN TAPAN. "In comparison with the RA
parliamentarian elections held on May 12, 2007, the numerous obvious
infringements registered in the RA National Assembly MP elections,
which were held in Electoral Constituency 15 on August 26, have
been reduced to minimum." This statement was made by Haroutiun
Hambardzumian, the Chairman of the "Choice is yours" non-governmental
organization, during his meeting with journalists.

According to him, 167 observers of the above-mentioned organization
have been to all, that is to say, 84 electoral constituencies and
registered infringements, such as influence upon electors in an illegal
way, presence of strange people in electoral constituencies, abuse
of rights of empowered people, as well as other kinds of violations.

In the words of H. Hambardzumian, the "Choice is yours"
non-governmental organization makes assertions that together with
the registered flaws, the ballot process and the calculation of the
votes have mainly been conducted within the limits of legality.