“ARMENIA AND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE: FIVE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP” CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 14:00
Achievements in building pluralistic democracy based on respect for
human rights and rule of law during Armenia’s five year membership
in the Council of Europe will be the main theme of the “Armenia and
the Council of Europe: Five Years of Membership” conference to be
held 5 May 2006, at the Armenia Marriott Hotel.
On 25 January 2001, by joining the Council of Europe, an organisation
that promotes democracy, human rights and rule of law continent-wide,
the Republic of Armenia made an important step towards freedom and
democracy. The conference intends to bring together national policy
makers, RA National Assembly deputies, civil society and media as well
as representatives of international community to celebrate the fifth
anniversary of Armenia’s membership in the Organisation and exchange
views on future cooperation between the Council of Europe and Armenia.
The conference will be concluded by a panel discussion entitled
“The Many Facets of Cooperation: Armenia’s Contribution to Building
European Standards” with participation of Armenian professionals
engaged in the Council of Europe activities regarding Armenia.

US EXPERT: ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN ARE NOT READY FOR SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 14:43
Peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is currently
impossible, Director for international security and energy programs
of the Nixon Center Zeyno Baran said, “Turan” Agency informs.
“If the parties were ready for concessions, they would lead a different
foreign and domestic policy,” he considers.
“The possible action against Iran may have a negative influence on
Azerbaijan. However, today it is still hard to estimate the volume
of this influence,” the expert noted.

NKR PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS AND FACTIONS ISSUED A STATEMENT
ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 15:25
The press conference featuring representatives of NKR Parliamentary
groups and factions was dedicated to the 15th anniversary of
displacement of the population of Getashen region. “Arminfo”
correspondent reported form Stepanakert that head of the “Democracy”
Party, Head of the NKR NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations
Vahram Atanesyan made a statement on behalf of Parliamentary groups and
factions regarding the tragic events of 30 April, 1991, characterizing
these as terrorist acts against the peaceful population of Getashen.
The Deputy informed that the displacement of the Armenian population
was preceded by anti-Armenian actions of the leadership of Soviet
Azerbaijan. In Vahram Atanesyan’s words, the displacement of the
Armenian population from Getashen was carried out with the permission
of Moscow. He noted that April 6, 1991 USSR Deputy Interior Minister,
Colonel-General Boris Gromov secretly arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh
and met with the Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Azerbaijan Viktor Polyanichko.
“Based on the agreement between the two on April 30 divisions of the
4th Soviet Army deployed in Kirovabad surrounded Getashen,” Vahram
Atanesyan reminded, adding that more than 4 000 citizens were displaced
by May 6, 1991. He reported also that the NKR National Assembly will
hold hearings, featuring former Getashen residents.

“FREEDOM HOUSE” ANNUAL REPORT WAS PRESENTED TO NA CHAIRMAN
ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 15:35
On May 2 RA National Assembly Chairman Arthur Baghdasaryan received
the delegation leaded by Deputy Director of the “Freedom House” NGO
Tomas Melia, Head of the European Office Christie Evenson, Editor of
the “Economist International Unit” Anna Walker.
Mr. Melia presented the 2006 “Freedom House” annual report to the
NA Chairman.
Other issues of mutual importance were also discussed during the
meeting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THIRD ROUND OF EU-ARMENIA NEGOTIATIONS TO START MAY 3 IN YEREVAN
ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 16:06
May 3 the third round of negotiations on elaboration of the EU-Armenia
Actions Plan in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy
will be held in Yerevan.
Representatives of interested agencies of the Republic of Armenia
and the European Commission will participate in the negotiations. RA
delegation is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Bayburdyan, the
European delegation is leaded by European Commission Director on Issues
of Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia Hugues Mingarelly.
The points not agreed upon during the previous round are going to
be discussed.

‘JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED BY CREATING A UNITED ARMENIA AND BRINGING ALL ARMENIANS TOGETHER’
Yerkir.am
April 28, 2006
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau representative Hrant
Margarian’s answers to the questions of Panorama.am.
Question: On the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, how close
our nation is to reaching justice in the Hay Dat issue?
Hrant Margarian: Justice will be served by creating a united Armenia
and bringing all Armenians together. Maybe this ideal seems too far
taking into account today’s realities. But tomorrow, it may look
more than realistic, like the Karabakh struggle may have looked an
illusion just 20 years ago.
But as far as the Genocide recognition is concerned, I believe we have
seen successes and this is a victorious time because it is not really
crucial whether Turkey would recognize the Genocide or not. I think
that day is not too far, and it will happen. But that’s not what I see
vital. Raising the Genocide issue as well as its recognition is the
recognition of the rights of the Armenian people and formation of an
international opinion on the Armenian people’s security. Finally, that
is a pressure on Turkey to change its position and strategy in terms of
Armenia’s security. Meaning that this issue is more important because
of its side effects rather than the mere goal of Turkey’s recognition
of the genocide. I believe we are successful today. Our issue is being
considered today, we are an issue in international relations. We are an
issue that is present on the international arena. The Genocide issue
has become as such, and this speaks of success. The final success,
I believe, is not so far. On the condition that we remain united,
decisive and aware of our interests.
Q: In terms of defending and restoring the rights of our nation are
there enough efforts made and what do we have to do that we don’t?
Hrant Margarian: I will never call our efforts “enough.” We could do
much more than we do now. But doesn’t mean we do nothing. I believe by
establishing a statehood, and by maintaining an uncompromising stance
in the Karabakh issue we are making steps toward that direction. Today,
by building a country of fair development, we will move forward in
that direction. But I also believe that the potential of all the
Armenian forces is so big that we have been able to mobilize only a
fraction of that power.
We need to expand our organization and turn our potential power into
an active one. This is the most important issue in the big picture.
As for the question what concrete steps should be made, I believe that
in the nearest future the most important issue – besides building
a fair, independent and powerful country – is to remain firm in
the Karabakh issue and take it to a victorious end. We also have to
raise the issue of ethnic minorities in Turkey, and in that context,
raise the issue of the rights of Armenians who have survived the
Genocide. This is mainly a new topic that would give our struggle
completeness and new breath.
Q: There is a strong emphasize to reach a settlement on Karabakh
this year by all means. Does the ARF have concerns about this? What
developments do you expect?
Hrant Margarian: We have many concerns. Until the de facto situation
has not been recognized de jure by a final victory, until the
Shahumian and Martakert regions have not been liberated, we of course
have concerns. But we too wish that the conflict were settled in the
negotiations. We too would be happy to see the conflict settled this
year. But at the same time, we are not inclined to give up anything
just to have it settled as soon as possible.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY MAY BE REFUSED EU MEMBERSHIP DUE TO ITS DENIAL OF GENOCIDE
Yerkir.am
April 28, 2006
Turkey may be refused EU membership due to its denial of Genocide,
head of the department of Turkey at the Academy of Sciences, Doctor
Ruben Safrastyan stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
As for Turkey’s position on the U.S.-Iran opposition, Safrastyan
considers that the Turkish diplomacy has already activated to
derive the maximal benefit from U.S. interest in Turkey. “In case
of hostilities it will render limited assistance to the United
States. However it will happen in case it receives considerable
concessions in exchange” he said.

DAVIS: KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT MEETS INTERESTS OF THE WHOLE WORLD
Yerkir.am
April 28, 2006
CoE Secretary General Terry Davis stated he closely watches everything
what happens over the Nagorno Karabakh problem. “It’s regretful that
the problem resolution takes so much time, since the settlement is in
the interests of Armenia, Azerbaijan and especially Nagorno Karabakh,”
the CoE Sec.Gen. said.
When asked about the possibility of regional cooperation before the
settlement of the conflicts available. Mr. Davis said “cooperation is
always possible however the existence of conflicts limits its volume
and level.” When commenting on the CoE’s engagement in the Nagorno
Karabakh settlement Terry Davis said, “The OSCE Minsk Group plays a
leading role in the process.
I sincerely wish success to the Russian, American and French
Co-chairs. The conflict settlement meets the interests of the whole
world. But as I have already said, the leading role belongs to the
OSCE but not to the Council of Europe,” reported Mediamax.

NEW REVELATIONS WITH NEW CONTRADICTIONS
By Karine Mangasarian
Yerkir.am
April 28, 2006
Almost half of the countries that have recognized the Armenian
Genocide have done so during the rule of the Armenian National
Movement, ANM’s Aram Manukian said during a roundtable discussion
on the Armenian-Turkish relations with Kiro Manoyan, the director of
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau’s Office for Political
Affairs.
What’s more, he was the one conducting talks in those countries to
have the Genocide recognized, Manukian said.
Manukian, who criticized the Armenian authorities present policies,
said his party was guided by the policy “There are no eternal friends
or enemies, there are eternal interests.”
Speaking in the context of the Armenian-Turkish relations, he added
that the ANM ruled out the possibility of using third countries
against Turkey, something that the present government has adopted
as its policy when dealing with Turkey. He also said that by keeping
the Armenian Genocide issue on agenda, the Armenian government puts
the country out of all the regional projects that involve Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Turkey.
Kiro Manoyan, in turn, said he was happy to know the ANM was
participating in the Genocide recognition process. “But then what
are their disagreements with the present authorities?”
“What we knew until now was that the Genocide issue was not on the
agenda of the ANM,” Manoyan said.
“Even though Armenia did not raise the Genocide issue then, Turkey’s
position was explicit: it wanted the Armenian authorities to pressure
the Diaspora to end its campaign of the international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, ” Manoyan added.
“The recognition of the Genocide is a political issue – to maintain
pressure on Turkey,” he said. “Because of our measures, Turkey is
now making mistakes; they are trying to form their Diaspora, stage
protest actions, but fail.
This shows that the present policy is right.”

TURKEY AND ISRAEL TO BUILD FOUR UNDERWATER OIL AND GAS PIPELINES
Yerkir
02.05.2006 14:06
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Turkey and Israel plan to build four underwater
pipelines to transport oil and gas from Russia to Israel, the
Palestinian Autonomy, Jordan, and Lebanon, The Washington Times
inform, stressing that India, which needs additional fuel supply,
expressed its interest in the project too.
According to statements of Turkish and Israeli officials, the project’s
technical and economic assessment (evaluated at $50 millions) is
financed by the European Investment Bank (headquarters in Luxembourg).
According to Israeli National Infrastructure Ministry Spokesman
Gabriel Levi, Israel is to become main beneficiary of the pipeline
system. He forecasts that 40% of Israeli energy resources will be
covered by imported gas by 2010.
Spokesman for the Turkish embassy in Tel-Aviv Mekhmet Kemal Bozay
stated that the matter concerns “long-term project,” which will
finally favor Lebanon, Jordan, and the Palestinian Autonomy. He
stressed that underwater pipeline is environmantally safer than oil
supply by tankers, and pointed out that Turkey is not interested in
flow increase of tankers, passing through Bosporus.
According to the newspaper, Russian Gazprom Company supports
the project too, taking into consideration potential of Israeli
market. Also, the edition points out to recent talks of Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress