PRESS RELEASE
ST. SARKIS ARMENIAN CHURCH
300 Ninth St.
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Contact: Al Amato
[email protected]
Tel: 1-716-870-1682

KEGHAM DZKN. VARTABED ZAKARIAN TO BE HONORED WITH FAIRWELL BANQUET AND
FINAL BADARAK AT ST. SARKIS UPON HIS RETIREMENT AND RETURN TO THE
BROTHERHOOD OF THE ST. JAMES MONASTERY IN JERUSALEM.

St. Sarkis Church of Niagara Falls will bid farewell to the Very
Rev. Fr. Kegham Zakarian, longtime Pastor of the three Parishes of
Western New York on Friday evening, March 17, 2006 at 7:00pm with a
Banquet at the Niagara Clubin his honor. Hayr Soorp will celebrate
his last Badarak at St. Sarkis on Sunday, March 19. For over 20 years
Hayr Kegham has travelled between Syracuse, Rochester, and Niagara
Falls to keep the flame of the Armenian Church alive in these
communities. On this occasion a Choir is coming down from Toronto,
Canada as well as people from all over Western New York and Canada to
honor our beloved Vartabed. Hayr Soorp will be returning to the
Monastery of St. James in Jerusalem to live out his Priestly life in
the place he was ordained a member of the Brotherhood. He plans to
remember all his parishioners and friends at the EASTER Divine Liturgy
in Jerusalem. You may send greetings to Hayr Kegham at
[email protected].

AZG Armenian Daily #044, 13/03/2006

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian guest of
Daily Azg readers

Ahar, Canada, 2006-08-03 01:56:06

Mr. Oskanian

You were born and raised outside Armenia and I presume
you therefore know the diaspora well. In your opinion,
what should be the optimal format or mechanism of
interaction between diaspora and Armenia? should it
involve a two level interaction i.e. individuals and
political parties, or are the latter useless today.
Interaction is quite intense between both parts of our
nation, but I think everybody has the impression
(right or wrong) that more efficient structures can
still be created, that the diaspora could have a more
formal role in the democratization of Armenia, that
youth from outside need still to be implicated more
profoundly in the Armenian life of the homeland and in
state building. I don’t know how many diasporan
students study in armenian universities or if the
government encourages the venue of diasporans in its
institutions, if such programs exist on a large scale.
Perhaps the dual citizenship law is the foundation
that will facilitate this, perhaps there are other
factors that people don’t notice, or perhaps there is
nothing special to do and simply time is needed for
both groups to get to know each other, time for
diasporans to grab the concept of “republic” with all
associated responsibilities and privileges. In any
case and in the general public’s vue, diaspora-armenia
relations have not been perfected yet (although they
are regarded, by and large, to be developing
positively). What are your thoughts on this, as
foreign minister and as an armenian that knows both
segments of our nation?

OSKANIAN: As foreign minister, and as an Armenian, I
believe that all of the levels you mention are
essential for deepening Armenia Diaspora relations:
the personal interactions have to increase — that
means more tourism, more active engagement by students
and young people, and that’s why the Birthright
Armenia program is so valuable. The mindset, attitude,
assumptions, knowledge about each other will of course
have to change and become more realistic and
accepting. The institutional and legal frameworks,
too, have to be enhanced. Interaction at the level of
political parties, organizations must and has been
continuing. The legal framework still has to be
developed, now that the obstructions to dual
citizenship have been removed from the Constitution.
All are necessary, all will take time, but we’re well
on our way in all these directions.

Ara, Canada, Calgary, 2006-07-03 22:35:48

Dear Sir,

Do you think there is a better way to obtain full
support from US government for Genocide Recognition,
and, do you think this is ever possible?

OSKANIAN: US Recognition of the Genocide is a strictly
political process. Our communities there must continue
to do what they can to make the fact of the Genocide
known to more and more people, as well as officials.
It is a pity that a country like the US, a champion of
human rights, a protector of the rights of minorities
cannot find a way to do the right thing regarding
Genocide recognition. It is not political expediency
that should be the guiding principle here. Much has
changed over the recent period — major newspapers
like the NY Times call genocide by its name, films
like Andrew Goldberg’s The Armenian Genocide is being
shown throughout the country on Public Broadcasting
stations, the International Assn of Genocide Scholars
has clearly characterized the 1915 events, those
processes and efforts have to continue, and one day,
the US, too, will join other governments around the
world and call the Armenian Genocide by its name.

Mikhail Astvatsaturov, Grand Forks, ND, USA,
2006-07-03 09:56:54

Greetings,

Armenia always leads a policy of neutrality towards
the West (US, Europe etc…), the Middle East and the
East (Asiatic/Asian States etc…) because of its
geographical location. It would probably mean the end
of Republic of Armenia if it ever were to pick a
position of the west or east. Now we must remember
back during the days of Armenia Minor and how it was
crushed by invaders from the east because the west did
not want to send military reinforcements to throw back
the invading armies. Now the threat still exits but
rather than coming from the east only, Armenia is
crammed in the middle and huge amounts of pressure is
being exhibited towards the state. Now for a state to
be in such a position, it requires a large military to
support itself from outer attack. For example Turkey
to the west would be a cause for concern. If ever
Turkey ever decided to attack Armenia (their target
was Yerevan as I remember) just as it did back in the
days of Nogorno Karabakh war? What kind of defensive
capabilities does the military have, I know you
probably wouldn’t be able to answer this, but even
politically what can Armenia spur up at the last
moment, will Russia step in? Would Russia risk its own
solders to defend Armenia? Wouldn’t it be a smart idea
for Armenia to build up its military to the point of
exhausting any military possibility of attack against
Armenia (I am not talking about offence I am talking
about defensive possibilities, treaties, defense pacts
etc…)? For this to happen Armenia would have to leave
some agreements and treaties it signed when it gained
independence from USSR. Azerbaijan is not a very
capable enemy; their military is disorganized and
infective. So wouldn’t it be the right course of
action for Armenia to secure its boarders, reinforce
itself to the point that Turkey would think twice
before attacking, there is always a possibility that
Russia would give up its protection, this was the case
in history.

My second question concerns our diplomatic situation
with Georgia. I have been hearing lots of Armenians
being discriminated and Georgia is pressuring them to
change their way of life. The Georgian government is
forcing them to use Georgian as their main language,
and Armenian churches independence and right to
practice is under question. I have also heard that
these churches are losing their own property to the
Georgian Orthodoxy… Is there anything that Armenia can
do to stabilize and put pressure on Georgia to stop
this irrational, disrespectful, and childish behavior
towards Armenian Citizens of Georgia? If this does not
stop, and Georgia does not change its ways, what would
the course of action be held against Georgia if all
else fails?

Thank you Foreign Minister

Mikhail Astvatsaturov

OSKANIAN: It is not a policy of neutrality, but a
policy of complementarity that has resulted in
Armenia’s having good relations with all the important
power centers: Moscow, Brussels, Washington. We
actively work at and develop relations with them, as
well as with our northern and southern neighbors. For
the record, let me say again, we also would want to
have good neighborly relations with Turkey, but it is
Turkey which continues to refuse to establish formal
relations even as we continue to discuss the bilateral
issues about which we differ. Regarding our ability to
defend ourselves, we feel confident that in our
military capacity, even as we insist that there are no
problems which can’t be resolved through diplomatic
channels. Regarding our relations with Georgia, we
agree that this is a critical relationship, both given
our geography and our history. Georgia is our path to
Russia and to Europe. At the same time, Armenians have
been and continue to be an integral part of Georgia.
Our governments cooperate to make certain that all
problems are resolved in an equitable manner and that
the sizable Armenian minority in Georgia is able to
benefit from political and economic reforms within
Georgia.

[email protected], Dallas, Texas. USA, 2006-07-03
02:18:

I am not sure if this question will relate to Mr.
Vardan Oskanian but I will ask anyway.

Do you think Armenia is strong enough militarily to
defend it self from the naighbouring Azarbaijan.
Thanks, God bless Armenia

OSKANIAN: Armenians are confident in their military
capacity, and are not concerned about Azerbaijan’s war
rhetoric. We hope however that this capacity will not
be tested and that the conflcit will be resolved
diplomatically and peacefully.

Sam, USA, Aliso Viejo, 2006-07-03 01:10:08

There is only one city where people desire to live;
Yerevan (‘Erevan) for the whole period of Armenia’s
existence as an independent state (after USSR
collapse). This is because Armenia’s entire economy is
concentrated in this 1.5 mln population city. Is there
any public information available for EVERYONE to see
all governmental/private economic development plans
throughout Armenia? Don’t you see this as a threat to
Armenia’s survival as a state? Imagine that if ‘Erevan
will fail in some very bad circumstances (lezus
papandzvi) Armenia will become a history forever.

OSKANIAN: Armenia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy,
developed in cooperation with the major international
organizations, does indeed focus on the rural areas.
In addition, new proposals are being developed and
will soon be made public that will focus on this very
crucial need — to improve living standards outside
Yerevan.

Emil Karapetyan, USA, Los Angeles, 2006-08-03 04:18:43

(Feel free to translate into Russian)

Mr. Vardan Oskanyan,

To my greatest sympathy and respect to you as a
greatest politician Of Republic of our County
(Armenia) allow me to address you the question that
perhaps most Armenians wonϢt grant me the credit
but still I would like to get an answer directly from
you.

Mr. Oskanyan, why now days Armenian governmentϢs
official orientation is fully dedicated to Russian
military support, alongside with difficulties that two
counties have in various financial issues such as Gas
fees, factories owned by Russian companies on the
territory of Armenia, dramatic increase of nationalism
in Russia against Armenians (not specifying the
comments of Luzhkov, who said that their biggest
problem are Armenians, Georgians, and Azeris). I can
bring more facts to your attention where Russians are
not really buying the fact that we are their strategic
partner in the region but as a Foreign Minister
IϢm sure you are aware of these problems.

So are we really afraid of Turkey to compromise the
negotiations in many important issues with Russia?

Thanks in advance

Emil Karapetyan

[email protected]

OSKANIAN: Our relationship with Russia is a
relationship between two sovereign states. We do
continue to have security concerns in this region and
Russia is a strategic partner. At the same time, our
economic and social relations have historically been
positive, and for the most part, continue to be good.
Our interdependencies are also somewhat the result of
decades of integration in the same systems. That is
changing to a situation among equals. Still, there are
problems and we do try to resolve them bilaterally.

Albert messerkhanian, Montreal, 2006-09-03 08:24:37

Dear Mr. Oskanian,

I am deeply convinced that our villages which are
located on our borders are the most vunerable areas
and a special attention should be paid, is there any
particular planning for that?

OSKANIAN: Our border villages, as most of our rural
communities, are indeed living in difficult economic
and social conditions. There is a plan being developed
now, as part of the next Armenia Diaspora conference,
which will attempt to address this crucial need
through the combined efforts of Armenia and Diaspora.

NO REASON TO PANIC
Editorial

Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006

The opinions and interpretations on the Karabagh settlement expressed
by the Armenian leadership and especially in president Robert
Kocharian’s last TV interview raised a wide range of responses both
inside and outside of Armenia.

The reaction of the Azeri leadership and media was no news since
it was in line with the anti-Armenian hysteria prevailing in this
country. Meanwhile, the reactions of some of our politicians and
observers seem to acquire some new coloring.

You get an impression that the Azeri hysteria has mutated and
influenced some of our politicians giving them another opportunity
to express their anti-government sentiments.

This is the only explanation to this situation when people who never
responded to any anti-Armenian statements made by Azerbaijan and
its calls to settle the conflict through another war have suddenly
started panicking because the Armenian president has answered: we
are not scared of a war, we don’t want a war but we can counter the
enemy both on the diplomatic and on the military fronts.

Eight years ago an attempt was made to confuse our society telling it
that the ‘party of war’ had come to power in Armenia. Then an attempt
was made to convince the society that the same ‘party of war’ was
‘selling’ Karabagh.

Now they are yelling that there is going to be another war.

These people cannot and do not want to understand that by not being
scared of militaristic statements we can prevent the war easier. They
fail to understand that the other side will be having problems with
its war propaganda when it sees that it cannot scare us, that we are
ready to remind them about the events of the recent past.

These people seem to not understand that by such panic they become
a tool in the information war against their own nation. At times of
eminent threats people tend to go to extremes: some start panicking,
others act as ‘blind patriots’. Things happen.

But the strangest thing is to see that some people try to be more
Catholic than the Pope, more democratic than Soros, more dashnak
than the ARF, and more Karabaghian than Robert Kocharian, they want
to look more constructive than anyone else. As a result, they reveal
their true face which in this case is that of a panic-monger.

IT’S NECESSARY TO CHANGE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF WOMEN’S ROLE
Interview conducted by Naira Poghossian

Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006

A conference titled “The Role of Women in the Process of Creation
of Civil Society” will be held in Yerevan this week. The conference
is organized by ARF’ s Committee of Armenian Women. Marlene Haas
representing the Socialist International will also attend the
conference. We asked representative of the Committee of Armenian
Women Maria Titizian to comment on the issues to be discussed at the
conference and the role of women in Armenia.

Q: What is the purpose of the conference?

A: The conference will deal with the role and activities of women. We
view women’s participation in the process of creation of civil
society from three perspectives: women in public administration,
women in party politics and women in NGOs. Representatives of these
three sectors will present their reports at the conference. We are
sure our discussions will lead to efficient cooperation.

Q: Representative of Socialist International Marlene Haas will attend
the conference. How is ARF collaborating with this organization?

A: Marlene Haas will speak about the cooperation of political parties
and NGOs in the framework of protection of women’s rights. ARF has
been a full member of Socialist International since 1907. However,
the membership was suspended in 1950’s since this organization’s
requirement is that the member parties should be operating in the
country of their origin which was not the case with ARF. In 2003
ARF rejoined the Socialist International, before that it had an
observer’s status. As a member of the women’s organization of the
Socialist International I have participated in all meetings since
2002. In this period close cooperation has been established with the
women representatives of political parties in European countries. Such
cooperation is an excellent opportunity for exchange of experience. We
hope we will be able to invite several representatives of the Socialist
International to participate in a similar conference in Armenia next
year since such dialogue is very important in terms of finding new
ways of empowerment of women.

Q: Why do you think women play an important role in politics?

A: Experience shows that welfare oriented reforms prevail in countries
where women participate in public administration, decision making and
legislative processes. Moreover, in such countries political tensions
are mitigated easier. The laws in Armenia don’t discriminate against
women in any way. At the same time women don’t participate in high
level decision making in our country, there are no women ministers
and not very many women are in the parliament.

Women are more involved in mid-level decision making. And it’s not
only the men’s negative attitude towards women in politics that
shapes this situation: women themselves do not trust other women –
you can see this during parliamentary elections.

Q: How do you think political parties are handling this issue?

A: Of course the 25% quota for the number of women candidates is
ensured in party lists. But the problem is that women are usually
listed in the middle or the end of the lists while it is practically
impossible to get so many votes in the elections. You can see the same
situation within the political parties. I think it’s time to change
this approach, and change it not by words but by specific actions to
prove the important role women can play in politics.

Q: What can you say about public perception of women’s role?

A: Women have always played an important role in the history of
Armenia.

Women were worshiped as mothers, were respected and loved; they
always had a high social status. The situation changed several times
when Armenia lost its independent statehood and then went to another
extreme in the Soviet period when even illiterate women could become
deputies. Unfortunately, our society fails to accept the fact that
even if women get involved in politics they still can be caring mothers
and wives. Political posts do not diminish your womanhood. Believe me,
combining this two is much more pleasant. Meanwhile, in our society a
woman is perceived either as a mother or as some other creature. This
is a very wrong perception that should be eliminated. In our context
I think the obligatory quotas for parliamentary elections are very
important to ensure that men do not form the absolute majority in the
parliament and in the government. This will be part of our activities.

Q: What is the role of the media in empowering women?

A: Empowering women in the process of creation of civil society is
directly linked with the media. I am sure that if women’s issues are
adequately covered in the media the public perception will change
because empowerment of women does not depend on a country’s being
poor or rich, progressive or underdeveloped.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK UP: WHO DO WE HELP BY THAT?
By Karine Mangassarian

Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006

If you follow the statements made by some Armenian politicians after
President Kocharian expressed his recent position on the issue of
Nagorno Karabagh you might get an impression that they have never
heard the position expressed by the Azeri leadership in the media.

Meanwhile, the Azeri side usually refers to the military settlement of
the conflict and increasing funding allocated to the army by millions
of dollars.

We are sure that this approach also underlies Azerbaijan’s position in
the negotiation process. Meanwhile, when negotiations do not yield any
results some politicians in Armenia start claiming that our country
again lost in the negotiations.

We are sure that such statements made by the former leadership of the
country or by the present opposition forces derive not from their
concern about the settlement of the Karabagh conflict but by their
desire to take every opportunity to criticize the government and the
president at the same time warning the population that another was
is possible.

Why didn’t they ever respond to Azerbaijan’s similar statements
in the past? Why is this sudden activation today? What is this –
a tactical move to help the other side? Don’t they understand that
such statements reach the Azeri side as well and give them another
playing card to use in the negotiation process?

An ‘excellent’ example of such a statement was the opinion expressed
yesterday by the leader of the Armenian Democratic Party Aram Sargsian
saying that the Armenian president lost at a certain stage of the
negotiation process and this is why he is making such militaristic
statements. A question arises – what is then the logic underlying
the militaristic statements Azerbaijan has been making for a long
time? If the Azeri side is losing in the negotiation process who is
then in a more favorable position?

Why are some political forces in Armenia criticizing the Armenian
president’ s response to Azerbaijan’s militaristic statements saying
that the president has chosen the wrong strategy? Answering this
question leader of National Revival Party Albert Bazeyan said,
“I think we should not make any statements about withdrawing from
the negotiation process. Let Azerbaijan do this.”

Bazeyan says Azerbaijan does not accept any compromises and the state
which declares its decision to withdraw from the negotiation process
first will have to deal with the pressure from the international
community. “Meanwhile, Armenia has to exert diplomatic flexibility
and resume the talks,” Bazeyan noted.

Head of ARF’s parliamentary faction Levon Mkrtchian recently expressed
an opinion that the opposition forces in Karabagh, especially in
the Karabagh parliament, have adopted a more balanced approach on
this issue.

The joint statement adopted by all forces included in the Karabagh
parliament is a proof of this point. However, the same cannot be said
about the opposition forces outside the parliament – their approach
is very different.

As to the statement made by the president, Mkrtchian believes it was a
commensurate response to Azerbaijan’s militaristic stance. We should
not forget that Armenia never resorted to such measures during the
negotiation process and this was a goodwill act aimed at ensuring
the continuation of talks.

“No one can scare us with perspectives of war because we have defended
our homeland. The side that starts a war now will be trying to conquer
the territory of another nation,” Mkrtchian said.

Head of Orinats Yerkir Party’s parliamentary faction Mher Shahgeldian
also believes the president’s response followed the recent statements
made by Azerbaijan. As vice speaker of the National Assembly Vahan
Hovhannissian stated in the press, we should by no means neglect the
statements made by the Azeri side.

Hovhannissian believes these statements show that Baku is not even
thinking about any concessions and it is important to counter
Azerbaijan’s political propaganda with a commensurate political
response while at the same time continuing to strengthen our army.

LET’S GIVE NOT ONLY FLOWERS AND PERFUME

Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006

The National Library has launched a new initiative of restoring the
old tradition of giving books as presents.

“No one is against men giving flowers or expensive gifts to women,”
says Davit Sargsian, the director of the library. “But giving books
is also a good tradition. Before, we would buy books and give them
as gifts to our friends.”

He made this remark during a news conference at the National
Library. Two books were presented, both dedicated to mothers. The
first one was Levon Lachikian’s “Ode to Mothers,” which contains
poetry and stories dedicated to mothers.

The other one was “ABC of Mother Tongue” published under sponsorship
of the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Eastern US Diocese.

FOREIGN DEBT UNDER MICROSCOPE

Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006

The foreign dept of the Republic of Armenia will make $1.215 billion by
the end of the year. It will grow by $107.5 during the year. Though
the debt is growing the burden will be only 21 percent this year
against the last year’s 24 percent.

The foreign political context

Armenia has almost reached the countries with so-called low level of
foreign debt burden. Mostly it was due to the fact that 5 enterprises
were transferred to Russia against Armenia’s $93 million debt. Many
say the deal was more politics than business: the fact that these
companies do not work is the proof.

Russia is perfectly using the foreign financial leverage to gain
political dividends. For instance, Russia gave up the $3 billion debt
of the 14 poorest African countries in exchange for the G-7 countries
to accept it in their club and reached its goal making the G-7 a G-8.

In fact, the incredibly high prices of oil in the world market have
made Russia rich and generous for Africa. As for the partners in
the CIS, the relations here are developed under the traditional
scenario. But here, Russia is using gas instead of oil.

Nevertheless, the Armenian government has managed to ease the debt
burden thanks to successful agreements with the other CIS creditor
– Turkmenistan. In 1999-2003, Armenia signed several agreements to
refinance the debt under better conditions. As a result, the share
of low-interest and no-interest loans in the country’s foreign debt
is now 98 percent. For the coming three years Armenia is planning to
borrow at less than 1.5 percent.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US GOVERNMENT DONATES PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO HELP ARMENIA TO COMBAT AVIAN INFLUENZA

Armenpress
Mar 13 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: On March 13, 2006, U.S. Ambassador
John Evans met with Armenian Minister of Agriculture Davit Lokyan
to officially mark the donation of 1,500 set of personal protective
equipment from the United States of America to the government of
Armenia.

The equipment, which includes coveralls, latex gloves, protective
boots, goggles and masks, is designed to be used by individuals
involved in avian influenza surveillance and response efforts. The bulk
of the equipment, 1,125 complete sets, will be given to the Ministry
of Agriculture to support Armenia’s efforts to develop an active
agricultural surveillance program. The remainder of the equipment,
375 complete sets, will be given to the Ministry of Health for use
as needed by laboratory staff and health care workers.

This donation is part of an on-going effort by the United States to
assist the Armenian government in responding to the threat of avian
influenza. The United States has also provided and continues to
provide technical and other types of assistance to support this effort.

Avian influenza is a global threat that does not respect
national boundaries. No country is immune, and every country has
a responsibility to be prepared. The United States government is
actively engaged with foreign partners around the world to combat
this threat. This donation is evidence of our commitment to assist
Armenia in responding to the threat of avian influenza.

LEVON ARONIAN WINS LINARES CHESS TOURNAMENT

Armenpress
Mar 13 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian grandmaster Levon
Aronian won the elite tournament in Linares, Spain, on Saturday,
after Hungary’s Peter Leko faltered and lost the last two games.

The final standings in Linares: Aronian 8 1/2 points in 14 games,
Veselin Topalov and Teimur Radjabov 8 points, Leko 7 1/2 points, Peter
Svidler and Vassily Ivanchuk 6 1/2 points, Etienne Bacrot 6 points,
Francisco Vallejo Pons 5 points. Aronian will now travel to Monaco
to participate in a big new event, the 5th Amber Rapid and Blindfold
Chess Tournament at the Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel from March 18-30.

GRECO PUBLISHES REPORT ON ARMENIA

Armenpress
Mar 13 2006

STRASBOURG, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: The Council of Europe’s Group of
States against Corruption (GRECO) has published its evaluation report
on Armenia, with the agreement of the Armenian authorities.

The report concludes that in Armenia corruption is considered a major
problem. The judiciary, the police, the customs service, the tax
inspectorate, education, healthcare, licensing and privatizations
are particularly affected. Despite the adoption of a number of
anti-corruption measures, shortcomings still prevail in the existing
anti-corruption legislation and its implementation, as well as in
the organization of the justice and law enforcement systems.

The existence of serious obstacles to collecting evidence,
depriving offenders of the proceeds of corruption together with
the almost total absence of significant results in prosecuting
and indicting individuals involved in serious cases of corruption
call for substantial efforts. In this respect, problem areas include
legislation on banking secrecy, special investigative means, training
for members of the law enforcement agencies, witness protection,
assets declaration and the anti-money laundering regime.

Immunity enjoyed by judges, prosecutors, parliamentary candidates,
members of electoral commissions and even candidate mayors and
candidates for membership of the council of elders (local council)
is also a matter of concern.

As for public administration, there is an urgent need for implementing
measures that deal with situations where personal/financial interests
or activities may raise issues of conflict or partiality with regard
to public officials’ duties and responsibilities.

It is also necessary that public officials be informed and, above
all, trained on how and when to report instances of corruption,
or suspicions thereof, which they come across in their duty and,
to establish adequate protection for public officials who report
instances of corruption (whistleblowers) in good faith. The Armenian
legal system does not provide for corporate liability, so there is
a need to establish it for offences of bribery and money laundering
and to provide for effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions,
in accordance with the Council of Europe’s Criminal Law Convention
on Corruption.