RA NA SPEAKER RECEIVES INVITATION TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO MOROCCO

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Newly appointed Ambassador of the
Kingdom of Morocco to Armenia Abdeljalil Saubry presented details of
home political and economic life of Morocco at the April 14 meeting
with RA National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian. The Ambassador
on behalf of his country’s parliamentary chairman invited RA NA
Speaker to pay an offical visit to Morocco attaching importance to
development of parliamentary relations between the two countries as
part of interstate relations. Congratulating the newly appointed
Ambassador and wishing him success on his mission, Artur Baghdasarian
expressed readiness to support him and said that soon a deputy group
of friendship with Morocco will be founded at the NA. The group can
pay its contribution to development of interparliamentary relations.
They also attached importance to cooperation at international
structures. According to NA Public Relations Department, the
possibility of Morocco’s participation in foundation of a center of
Arab culture in Armenia was also discussed at the meeting.

OIL DOES NOT RISE TO TRIALEP MOUNTAINS

AKHALKALAK, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Oil of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyan oil pipeline does not rise to the section of
Trialep mountains (Tsalka-Borzhomi border line in Georgia). A-Info
agency reported it, citing the unverified data of a source. In the
opinion of experts, oil fails to reach this section because of its
small amount and the steep slope of the pipeline. It is noteworthy
that the oil pipeline was constructed through Trialep mountains with
the intention to bypass the Armenian-populated Javakhk, although in
case of passing through Javakhk it would have been shorter and less
expensive.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN AMBASADOR TO GEORGIA AND LEADER OF VIRAHAYOTS DIOCESE TO
VISIT JAVAKHK ON EASTER

AKHALKALAK, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
Ambassador to Georgia Hrach Silvanian and Leader of Virahayots
(Armenians of Georgia) diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop
Vazgen Mirzakhanian intend to visit Javakhk on April 15-16 on the
occasion of Easter. According to A-Info Agency, a preliminary
agreement envisages that the Armenian ambassador and the diocesan
leader will participate in Easter celebration festivities, as well as
meet with heads of the administrative regions and NGO representatives
in Javakhk.

AYDIN MORIKIAN’S “JOURNALISM” BOOK IS FIRST ATTEMPT TO CREATE IN
ARMENIAN ALL-EMBRACING HANDBOOK ON JOURNALISM, CHAIRMAN OF YEREVAN
PRESS CLUB THINKS

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Aydin Morikian’s “Journalism: What,
How, Why” book is published the presentation of which took place on
April 14. It was published with the assistance of the Open Society
Institute, within the framework of the “Development of Resources for
Free and Qualified Mass Media” program implemented by the Yerevan
Press Club. The book, particularly, touches upon the brief history of
journalism, origin of the professional journalism, main functions and
main genres of journalism. As Boris Navasardian, the Chairman of the
Yerevan Press Club mentioned, the book is the first attempt to create
an all-embracing handbook in the Armenian language. According to him,
it will be useful not only for students but for lecturers and
journalists as well.
It was also mentioned that at present A.Morikian forms “Anthology of
Journalism” which will be published within the framework of the same
program late this year.

IN 2005 CITIZENS MOST OF ALL PROTEST AGAINST ACTIVITY OF POLICE,
SOCIAL SECURITY BODIES AND COURTS

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The report about the RA Ombudsperson’s
activity during 2005 and violations of the human rights and fundamental
freedoms was discussed at the April 13 sitting of the RA National
Assembly. It was taken into consideration. Armen Haroutiunian,
presenting the speech, who undertook the Ombudsperson’s post in this
February, considered purposeful to present his predecessor’s, Larisa
Alaverdian’s activity based on the existing statistical data. He
promised to present his own conclusions about violations of the human
rights and fundamental freedoms in the country during discussion of
the 2006 annual report. According to the report, during 2005 the
Ombudsperson got 1551 written appeals, more than 34% (533 complaints)
of what was accepted for discussion. A.Haroutiunian considered it to
be a positive index as in European countries this index falters within
borders of 20-25%. Citizens mostly protest against the police, social
insurance bodies, courts and the Yerevan Mayor’s Office. As for the
marzes, complaints got from Yerevan (978) outbalance. 191 complaints
addressed against the police relate to legality of arresting people,
keeping them arrested, search, and other actions of that character.
The most part of complaints relates to violation of citizens’ rights
during compulsory sale of their property in the city of Yerevan. The
RA Ombudspreson’s claim on that occasion is at present discussed at
the Constitutional Court.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ATTEMPT IS MADE IN ARMENIA TO USE METHODS OF TRADITIONAL INDIAN MEDICINE
YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Phytotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture,
as well as use of bees and leeches in treatment of various diseases
are especially widespread in Armenia among methods of alternative and
traditional medicine. As Mkrtich Avagian, the Chief of the
Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department of the National Health
Care Institute mentioned in the interview to the Noyan Tapan
correspondent, traditional Indian medicine is insufficiently developed
in the republic. According to M.Avagian, at present the department is
doing work for developing this direction of the medicine in the
country.
Particularly, they are cooperating with the Embassy of India to the
RA, for organizing training of Armenian specialists in
India. According to M.Avagian, Armenia is among those countries where
traditional medicine is officially accepted and used along with modern
medicine. It was also mentioned that doctors’ interest in use of
alternative and traditional medicine is increasing each
year. According to M.Avagian, “a choice of combination of the best
methods of traditional and modern medicine” is made at the “AltMed”
alternative and traditional medical center founded on the basis of the
department in 2000. New developments in reflex therapy, manual
therapy, phytotherapy and homeopathy are used in the center.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 14 2006
AMERICAN POLITICAL ANALYSTS MARK THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IS TO
BE THE BASIC THEME OF DISCUSSIONS DURING VISIT OF PRESIDENT ILHAM
ALIYEV TO WASHINGTON
[April 14, 2006, 22:03:20]
Forthcoming visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the
invitation of the US President George Bush to Washington is in the
center of attention of the American political analysts. The meeting
of presidents will take place on April 28 in the White House. The
parties will discuss such questions, as development of democracy and
cooperation on the Caucasus, power diversity, and also the teamwork
directed on expansion of freedom and safety, as common obligation of
the USA and Azerbaijan.
Though the work above the program of official visit of President
Ilham Aliyev yet has not completed, it is already known, that on
April 27 the heads of state will take part in conference on the topic
`The American-Azerbaijan strategic relations: political and economic
priorities’, devoted to the 10th anniversary of the activity of the
American-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce.
A number of authoritative political analysts on the South Caucasus in
conversation with correspondent of AzerTAc have shared views on what
they expect from the visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Washington.
The Editor-In-Chief of magazine `Central Asia-Caucasus’ S. Cornell
has told: `First of all, this visit will allow to lift the
American-Azerbaijan relations on the level reached at former
President Heydar Aliyev’s time. President Heydar Aliyev, making
frequent visits to the USA, has established very close ties with
American government. Ilham Aliyev’s visit will become a mean for
restoration of sense of trust and links of high level. As if to
concrete questions to be discussed, I consider, that the basic
question of the agenda will be Karabakh. Considering inefficiency of
the Minsk Group format, the USA now intends to show unilaterally
greater activity in settlement of the Karabakh conflict. This
tendency is completely clear.
As a whole, the USA understands strategic value of Azerbaijan, and
not only because of its geographical position, power resources of
your country but also because it is the secular Islamic state in
dangerous region of the world.
As if to the Iranian question, I should note, that the Azerbaijani
press strongly inflates this theme. Certainly, the neighborhood of
Azerbaijan with Iran is important for America. Nevertheless, I do not
think, that the Iranian theme will be in the center of attention on
discussions during visit’.
The general analyst of the Jamestown Fund Vladimir Sokor also has
shared his views: `I expect with optimism the visit of Mr. Aliyev.
This visit should take place earlier. America and Azerbaijan have
close strategic ties. Grandiose power projects of Azerbaijan would
hardly be carried out without political and economic support of the
USA. The United States are the unique force preventing hegemony of
Russia on Southern Caucasus.
I consider, that, despite of contradictions, last parliamentary
elections in Azerbaijan promoted strengthening of the
American-Azerbaijan relations. The analyses lead recently testifies
that these elections have been lead best of all the previous
elections in Azerbaijan. Washington admits this fact. Therefore,
President Ilham Aliyev has received the invitation to Washington. I
think, that present visit will make certain contribution to the
American-Azerbaijan friendly relations and will answer national
interests of Azerbaijan.
As to settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the United States clearly
wishes to take leadership in mediation. Steven Mann, working within
the Minsk Group, at the same time tries to make active intermediary
efforts of the USA with a view of achievement of direct settlement
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The efforts, undertaken by three
co-chairmen, appear ineffectual, as Russia is not interested in
settlement of the conflict. The USA has the basic economic and
political keys. I hope, that Armenia, having shown sufficient wisdom,
will accept the USA as leader in mediation at settlement of the
conflict. I know, that Azerbaijan will not object to this. In this
case, 2006 can become successful in settlement of the Karabakh
question’.
Chairman of Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) of the Johns
Hopkins University Frederick Starr University: `Arrival of President
Ilham Aliyev in Washington is a very much good news. It will be very
successful visit. Certainly, the said visit will allow speaking
openly about Karabakh. We, the analysts, call members of the
government of the USA to lift the Karabakh question at negotiations
with the Azerbaijan party, to be more active in this. It is high time
of settlement of the conflict. The Azerbaijan territories should be
returned, and there urgently should begin regenerative process. After
this, there can be found the way out acceptable at the international
level for settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Armenians should
understand the reality. Time has come to pay attention to this
question more resolutely’.

Prime News Agency, Georgia
April 14 2006
Chairmen Of Georgian And Armenian Courts Sign Memorandum
Tbilisi, April 14 (Prime-News) – Kote Kublashvili, Chairman of the
Supreme Court of Georgia and his Armenian counterpart signed a
memorandum on cooperation in legal issues in Yerevan on Friday.
Kote Kublashvili has been visiting Armenia for two days, Prime-News
was told by the representatives of the Supreme Court of Georgia.
According to them, the visit aims at discussion and share of
experience in the ongoing court reforms in Georgia and Armenia.
Ovanes Manukian, Chairman of the Court of Appeal, Gagik Artunian,
Chairman of the Constitutional Court and Davit Artunian, Minister of
Justice of Armenia are also taking part in the working meetings.
The visit by Kote Kublashvili to Yerevan lasts through Saturday.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 14 2006
FINAL CONFERENCE ON PLANNING MILITARY DRILLS `RESCUER 2006′ TO BE
HELD IN YEREVAN ON 19-21 APRIL: ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
YEREVAN, April 14. /ARKA/. The final conference on planning military
drills `Rescuer 2006′ will be held in Yerevan on 19-21 April 2006,
Press Secretary of the RA Minister of Defense, Colonel Seyran
Shakhsuvaryan reported.
He pointed out that the conference will be held under the aegis of
the European headquarters of the USA. The drills `Rescuer 2006′ under
the program `Partnership for Peace’ will be conducted in Armenia on
12-28 April. Participating in the drills will be 250 representatives
from 12 countries.
The drills are aimed at organizing and comparing performances of the
military and medical department of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense and
the country’s Rescue Service, and also at increasing possibilities to
interact with partner countries. R.O. –0–

Zaman, Turkey
April 14 2006
Genocide Monument’s Construction Resumes in Lyon
By Ali Ihsan Aydin, Paris
Published: Friday, April 14, 2006
zaman.com
Construction of the “Armenian Genocide Monument” resumed after a
month long suspension in the French city of Lyon.
A Lyon Municipality statement reads the construction resumed after a
few changes in the status of the Armenian Genocide Monument
Association of Lyon in accordance with the court’s ruling.
The assembly of the monument will be complete by April 24, the
anniversary of the so-called Armenian genocide.
The Lyon Administrative Court annulled the construction of the
monument upon a French association’s objection as the place where the
monument was going to be erected was a protected area declared by
UNESCO, UN’s science, education and culture institution.
The court justified its verdict through ambiguities related to the
monument’s future and maintenance when it was revealed that the
Armenian Association would dissolve itself upon the completion of the
construction.