Author: Zargarian Hambik

FIRST 15 TRANSLATORS OF RA JUSTICE MINISTRY’S TRANSLATION CENTER RECEIVED CERTIFICATES ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF RETRAINING COURSES

arminfo
2008-03-11 14:23:00

ArmInfo. The first 15 translators of RA Justice Ministry’s Translation
Center received certificates on successful completion of retraining
courses.

The solemn ceremony of certificates presentation was held today in
RA Justice Ministry. The programme has been implemented jointly with
Armenia’s Justice Ministry and AEPLAC.

Coming out at the ceremony, RA deputy JM Nikolay Arustamyan said
that today’s event concerns the Translation Center and is part of
the preparatory work for the Center activation. He also recalled
that an Agreement has been signed between Armenia and EU since 1999
on cooperation and partnership, and Armenia is participant in the New
European Neighbourhood Programme since 2004. "This envisages bringing
RA legislation into line with the European one. In this context,
a task was set to create a tool to overcome the language barrier",
Arustamyan said. He also said that local and foreign experts took
part in the courses, organized within a short term. "As a result,
we can say that the courses passed very successfully".

For his part, Head of AEPLAC Tigran Jrbashyan said that 15
translators out of 150 contenders were selected. "I think that
they will become a basis for the forthcoming work", he said and
added that the Translation Center will work in accordance with the
up-to-date European standards. He recalled that in January, Armenia
has officially accepted the European standard of translation services
EN 15038. T. Jrbashyan also said that not all the European countries
have accepted this standard as yet. "Armenia is the eighth country in
the world to work by this standard", he said and added that the Center
will also provided by the best world-accepted translation programme.

To note, opening of such Translation Center is a unique phenomenon
for the countries of the post-Soviet space.

Defense Minister held a briefing for military attachés accredited in
Armenia

March 7, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Defense Minister Mikhael Harutiunian held
today a briefing for military attachés, accredited in Armenia.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of the Ministry of Defense,
during the briefing the Minister gave clarifications concerning the
recent internal political developments in Armenia, as well as the
aggravation of the situation on the contact line of Nagorno-Karabakhi
and Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

Mikhael Harutiunian stated that the Armed Forces took up necessary
steps to prevent threats and to control the situation in the country
and on the contact line.

The Minister noted that operative reestablishment of stability in
Armenia is important for provision of peace and security in the region
as a whole as well.

The military diplomats expressed hope that Armenia will overcome the
crisis as soon as possible and the life in the country will return to
its normal course.

RA PRESIDENT RECEIVES SECRETARY OF STATE OF VATICAN

Noyan Tapan
March 6, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Robert Kocharian, the President of the
Republic of Armenia, received Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, the Secretary
of State of His Holiness Pope Benedict the 16th, on March 6. Robert
Kocharian mentioned that in Armenia they remember and appreciate
the efforts of the Holy See in the direction of the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, the setting up of the monument to Gregory the
Illuminator, as well as the recent opening of the square named after
him. He also stressed the productive cooperation established with
the Armenian Apostolic Church.

In the words of Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, the Catholic Church
considers its main and most important mission to encourage peace and
unity in different churches, different nations and states.

OSCE TO CARRY OUT CRISIS MONITORING AT THE CONTACT LINE

armradio.am
06.03.2008 13:48

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has
demanded from the OSCE to carry out crisis monitoring of the contact
line between the Armed Forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan
near Levonarkh settlement, where the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan
severely violated the cease-fire regime the night of March 4th,
Mediamax reports, referring to the Press Service of the NKR Ministry
of Foreign Affairs.

Today the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office conveyed a note to the NKR Ministry of Foreign
Affairs with the request to assist in carrying out crisis monitoring
of the contact line on March 7.

The Foreign Ministry has expressed willingness to promote the
organization and conduct of the crisis monitoring and ensure the
security of members of the OSCE mission.

>From the Azerbaijani side the monitoring group will be headed by
the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej
Kasprzyk.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
March 6, 2008
Contact: Karoon Panosyan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS URGE ALL CONCERNED PARTIES TO ENTER INTO DIALOGUE

Washington, DC – The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI), issued a statement yesterday, echoing the Armenian Assembly’s
March 3rd statement, which mourned the needless loss of life and
called on all parties to adhere to the rule of law and refrain from
violence.

"As the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, we
are deeply saddened by the turmoil that broke out in Yerevan over the
weekend and send our sincere sympathies to those impacted by these
events," Pallone and Knollenberg stated. "We urge all sides to seek a
peaceful solution to this crisis for the sake of a stable and
democratic Armenia. Nothing can justify such unlawful actions as
violence, looting and destruction."

The Co-Chair’s statement went on to say: "We urge Armenian authorities
to lift the state of emergency. During this troubling time, the rule
of law, an independent judiciary and accurate media coverage are
essential for restoring the public order. We are confident that the
best way for all concerned parties is to enter into political dialogue
and demonstrate responsible leadership to move this nation forward."

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues.  It is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.

###
NR#2008-027

Photograph can be viewed at the following link:

_-_2008/Palone___knollenberg.jpg

Caption: Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), right, and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

ARIEL COHEN: "ARMENIA IS LIKELY TO SEEK DIVERSION FROM THE CRACKDOWN ON DEMOCRATIC FORCES IN THE COUNTRY BY WARMING UP THE BORDER WITH AZERBAIJAN"

Today
olitics/43550.html
March 5 2008
Azerbaijan

"Armenia is likely to seek diversion from the crackdown on democratic
forces in the country by warming up the border with Azerbaijan,"
Ariel Cohen, senior research fellow at Heritage Foundation told APA.

According to him, encouraged by the example of Kosovo, the Karabakh
forces may be under the illusion that independence is paid for with
the blood of fighting.

"However, the international community, including Europe and the US,
are not interested right now in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
getting out of control. They would like to defuse smaller conflicts,
such as Kosovo and Gaza, and other minor sources of tension. The West
is seeking to resolve and concentrate on real threats: Al Qaeda,
Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. Those adventurist politicians who do
not understand that are likely to pay a bitter price in the future,"
he said.

RUSSIA HOPES FOR ARMENIAN SETTLEMENT THROUGH DIALOG

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
March 3, 2008
Russia

Moscow regrets the recent riots in Yerevan and hopes for settlement
through dialog, the Foreign Ministry information and press department
said on Monday.

"We hope that measures taken by the Armenian administration will
resolve the internal political situation through peaceful dialog
between the authorities and all public forces in the interests of the
security of citizens and the sustainable development of the Armenian
state," the department said.

According to the Russian embassy in Armenia, no Russian citizens were
hurt in the riots.

For details, see the Interfax Diplomatic Panorama for March 3.

PEACEMAKER PRESCOTT HEADS FOR ARMENIA
Martin Hodgson

The Guardian
Thursday March 6 2008

With a reputation for plain speaking, and the occasional hot-tempered
outburst, John Prescott is perhaps not the first person you would
choose to lead a delicate diplomatic mission.

But the former deputy prime minister is to head a European human
rights delegation to Armenia, to help defuse a growing political
crisis triggered by allegations of electoral fraud.

Prescott will arrive in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, tomorrow for
a two-day visit requested by the president of the Council of Europe’s
parliamentary assembly. He joined the assembly last October as leader
of the UK contingent of 18 Westminster MPs. The former deputy Labour
leader led a team of officials monitoring the disputed presidential
elections in Armenia on February 19.

The Council of Europe said it had arranged the "snap visit" following
the declaration of a state of emergency after clashes between Armenian
troops and protesters this weekend left eight dead and more than
100 injured.

"John Prescott will assess the post-electoral situation and explore
possibilities for defusing the current political crisis and promoting
dialogue," a statement from the Council of Europe said.

Violence flared after riot police raided a protest camp erected by
opposition supporters intent on recreating Ukraine’s Orange revolution
of 2004.

Prescott is due to meet the Armenian political leadership and Levon
Ter-Petrosian, the defeated opposition challenger, who was placed
under house arrest.

Yesterday the European commission called on the Armenian government
to lift the state of emergency declared on March 1.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY MOURNS THE LOSS OF LIFE AND URGES ALL SIDES TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND ORDER

KarabakhOpen
04-03-2008 15:34:40

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America joins with Armenians
around the world in mourning the senseless loss of life as a result
of the violence that erupted in Yerevan on March 1, 2008. We extend
our deepest sympathies to the families who lost loved ones.

We reiterate the points made in our prior statement (attached below)
in which we called upon all parties to adhere "to the rule of law
and to refrain from violence," as well as to ensure that the media
will cover the events as they take place with fairness and balance.

At this critical juncture, Armenia’s young democracy faces a crucial
test.

We hope that the authorities will lift the state of emergency as soon
as possible. We urge all parties to work within the legal framework and
welcome the steps taken that led to the de-escalation of violence. We
urge all sides to maintain peace and order, and urge in the strongest
terms that the resumption of violence be avoided at all costs. With
the legal process now underway before the Constitutional Court,
we urge that the independence of the judicial process be upheld and
that the integrity of the Court be maintained for the good of the
Armenian people.

3 ARMENIAN GYMNASTS TAKE PART IN REGULAR TOUR OF WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT

Noyan Tapan
March 3, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The regular tour of the World Cup
Tournament of Sports Gymnastics started on March 2 in Qatar. Vahagn
Stepanian, Haroutiun Merdinian, and David Avetisian perform from
Armenia. The tournament will finish on March 7.