NKR MFA SURPRISED AT THE REACTION OF EUROPEAN STRUCTURES

ArmRadio.am
14.12.2006 12:40

In a message disseminated yesterday NKR MFA expressed surprise at the
reaction of the European international structures to the Constitutional
referendum in Nagorno Karabakh and the attempts to question the
possibility of Nagorno Karabakh people’s being in the legal field.

The Ministry notes that the mentioned referendum is a new phase on
the way to consolidation of democratic principles and legislative
development, in general. It pursues the aim of formation and
development of new liberal principles, as well as development of
civil society. In this regard, it is at least strange that European
structures are trying to ignore and deny the democratic and legislative
processes in Nagorno Karabakh. At the same time, the Ministry expresses
confidence that the adoption of the Constitution cannot deter the
constructive efforts of the international mediators to resolve the
Karabakh conflict in a peaceful way. If we follow the logic of the
recent statements, which say the NKR Constitution will obstruct
the talks, we can conclude that by adopting the Constitution of the
Republic of Azerbaijan in 1995 and its amendment in 2002, official
Baku was also intending to damage the negotiations.

Then why didn’t the European structures criticize the policy
of Azerbaijan? The fact that in 1991 the international community
unilaterally recognized the results of the referendum on independence
in Azerbaijan, it only encouraged Azerbaijan’s claims on Nagorno
Karabakh and served as a reason for aggression against Nagorno
Karabakh. NKR MFA expresses hope that guided by their fundamental
principles, the European structures will reconsider their prejudiced
approach to democratic procedures in Nagorno Karabakh," authors of
the statement consider.

SWEDEN TO ALLOCATE 3.2 MILLION EUROS TO ARMENIA, GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN

ArmRadio.am
14.12.2006 12:06

In the current year Sweden will allocate 3.2 million Euros to Armenia,
Georgia and Azerbaijan for accomplishment of regional projects.

"Region" portal informs that the means will be directed at the
effective implementation of economic reforms and the reinforcement of
democratic institutions. The program verifies the priorities included
in the Action Plan of the European Neighborhood Policy.

The cooperation of the South Caucasian countries with Sweden dates
back to 1998.

SPAIN MAY COME FORTH WITH INITIATIVES OF RESOLVING THE KARABAKH CONFLICT

ArmRadio.am
14.12.2006 16:16

In the framework of the OSCE Chairmanship Spain may come forth with
initiatives of the Karabakh conflict resolution, Second Secretary
of the Azeri Embassy in Spain Anar Mageramov told "Trend" agency,
commenting on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ meeting with the Foreign
Minister of Spain Miguel Angel Moratinos.

Mageramov noted that the meeting was held at the initiative of the
Spanish MFA, which will preside over the OSCE next year. Respecting
the confidentiality of the negotiations, the Spanish MFA refuses
to provide any information about the results of the meeting, the
diplomat noted. It’s known only that the mediators familiarized the
Spanish Foreign Minister with the negotiation process.

ARGENTINEAN SENATE APPROVES THE LAW ON APRIL 24

ArmRadio.am
14.12.2006 11:50

Thirteen days after the adoption of the law on the Armenian Genocide by
Parliament, the Argentinean Senate confirmed in unanimity, Wednesday,
the law of April 24 "Day of action for tolerance and respect between
the people." By this unanimous vote, Argentina recognizes officially
the reality of the Armenian Genocide (1915-1923) by the Ottoman Empire,
Jean Eckian informs from France.

Present in the enclosure of the Senate during the vote, Armenian
ambassador, S.E. Vladimir Karmirshalyan declared: " I share the joy and
the pride with present people, all community and all Armenia. Argentina
showed, once again, its devotion to the respect of human rights and
its serious comprehension of the aspirations of the Armenian people
". The law should be promulgated soon by the Argentinean President.

SILVA’S "I LIKE" SONGE PRESENTED IN TWO NOMINATIONS AT THE NATIONAL MUSIC AWARD

ArmRadio.am
14.12.2006 17:52

At today’s Armenian National Music Awards Ceremony Silva Hakobyan’s
"I Like" song is presented in two nominations – ". Let us remind
that Silva Hakobyan won the first prize in the "Next Big Thing" song
contest of the BBC World Service. Producer of the 17-year-old singer,
composer Aram Avagyan noted in a press conference today that soon
the video clip of the song and Silva’s CD will be presented.

In Aram Avagyan’s words, inclusion in the top ten among more than
2000 compositions was already a victory. Members of the organization
committee of the contest said that with her "new and fresh" songs and
her talent the girl can step up to the international arena. Many of
them expressed the will to cooperate with the young singer.

To note, songs were presented at the contest from all over the
world. The jury comprised Katy Denis, who worked with Madonna,
producer William Orbit, Jeff Travis and others.

FAMOUS ARMENIAN ENTREPRENEUR ESTABLISHED NEW ARMENIAN LOBBYING ORGANIZATION

Yerevan, December 14. ArmInfo. Gerard Cafesjian, a famous Armenian
entrepreneur and philanthropist, has established a new Armenian
lobbying organization – (USAPAC) which will operate in Washington.

According to Radio Liberty, Executive Director of the organization
Ross Vartian said that the new organization will increase Armenians’
role in Washington and will become another link for promoting Armenian
issues in the US power structures. At the same time, Ross Vartian
emphasized that the new organization is a part of the Armenian
Assembly of America. According to him, the new Committee will focus
on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the US
policy towards Azerbaijan which has energy sources, and the problem
of Armenia’s isolation.

As regards Turkey’s entry into the European Union, R.Vartian said that
Turkey has to implement all the terms for entry and it should join
the European community. European Turkey will be a better neighbor for
Armenia. As for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, he noted
that it has always been the main item of their agenda.

SENATE OF ARGENTINA UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A LAW RECOGNIZING AND CONDEMNING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY IN THE BEGINNING OF 20TH CENTURY

Yerevan, December 14. ArmInfo. The Senate of Argentina has unanimously
adopted a law on recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide
in Ottoman Turkey in the beginning of the 20th century.

In this connection, Armenian Ambassador to Argentina Vladimir
Kramirshalyan said that by this decision Argentina once again proved
its adherence to human values and its understanding of the Armenian
nation’s aspiration. The law will be soon signed by the President
of Argentina.

At the same time, the memorial to the Genocide victims has been
profaned in the city of Lyublyana, Poland. Blue paint has been spilt
on the memorial. To note, 16 countries have already recognized the
Armenian Genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO REGULATE INFORMAL EDUCATION

Yerevan, December 14. ArmInfo. The Government of Armenia intends to
regulate the system of informal education.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Arthur Poghosyan said at a
briefing, Thursday, that the Government has approved a concept of
informal education. He explained that the system of informal education
implies educational courses, lectures and seminars that require no
examinations or tests.

Many organizations provide such kind of education in Armenia and the
Government has resolved to control them up to the licensing. Criteria
of informal education are to be adopted within the year, which
will allow the authorities to estimate the quality of knowledge. It
is necessary for acknowledgment of the certificates of educational
courses, lectures and seminars, the deputy minister said. Majority of
journalists think that licensing of this activity is pregnant with
additional corruption risks. However, the deputy minister disagreed
with them and brought the example of the international experience.

IT IS EXTREMELY FAVORABLE TO INCUMBENT AUTHORITIES TO SIGN PROPOSED PACKAGE ON KARABAKH CONFLICT’S SETTLEMENT: ARMENIAN MP

Yerevan, December 14. ArmInfo. "The politicians and experts who think
that it is unfavorable to the incumbent authorities to sign a package
of documents providing for the referendum for the status of Karabakh
only in 15 years are mistaken," said independent parliamentary Hmayak
Hovhannissyan at political discussions at the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies, Thursday.

He said if the incumbent leadership of Armenia represented by President
Robert Kocharyan and Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan signs an agreement
on return of the part of the territories to Azerbaijan in exchange for
conduct of the referendum in NKR in future, they will secure their
reelection for the next term. It is evident that the international
community will need guarantees of fulfillment of the agreements
signed. Hence, one of these guarantees will be the presence of the
very authorities who made the concessions, he said.

FORMS OF ARREST WERE UNACCEPTABLE

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 14 2006

Mekhak Mkhitaryan, the secretary of the Businessman Parliamentary
Group, stated December 14 at the Friday Club with regard to the arrest
of Jirair Sefilyan that arrest is not a pleasant thing, "especially
when it concerns a participant of the war in Karabakh, who had an
important role and a considerable contribution in this war." However,
Mekhak Mkhitaryan declines to give an evaluation because the only
information is that released by the National Security Service.

18 members of parliament have signed the statement for Jirair
Sefilyan. Mekhak Mkhitaryan hopes that this question will be raised
during the extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly and it
will become clear "what is hiding in the message of the National
Security Service."

It is known that Jirair Sefilyan was arrested in a restaurant by
masked law enforcers. Vardan Malkhasyan was arrested in the presence
of his sick mother. Mekhak Mkhitaryan condemns these forms of arrest.

"I think it is immoral to isolate these kind of people from the
society," stated Mekhak Mkhitaryan, who has no reason to disbelieve
the National Security Service.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress