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| 11:44:06 | 17-09-2005 | Politics |
IT’S IMPORTANT TO COMPREHEND MISSION OF CONSTITUTION
For implementing any law including the Constitution political will is
essential, human rights activist Vardan Haruryunyan considers.
He is convinced that after the adoption of the constitutional amendments
there will be no fair election or independent media in Armenia; people will
not be protected. `I do not bound the recovery of our society with the
constitutional amendments, moreover at the incumbent leadership and
parliament’, he said.
Though the Constitution is written not only for political forces some
politicians express opinion being even not acquainted with the draft. We
wondered whether V. Harutyunyan is familiarized with the draft adopted in
the second reading by the NA. `I have nit only read it also watched the
discussions in the NA. I am not a lawyer and do not wish to state which
clause is bad or good. As a human rights activist I can say that the
operating Constitution is a working one and the necessity to change it
appeared not as result of the development of the society but as result of
the pressure exerted from outside and the commitments we undertook. Today
the process of adoption of the constitutional amendments is artificial and
consequently their adoption cannot be rated as a positive phenomenon’, V.
Harutyunyan noted.
He will not take part in the discussions but is going to take part in the
referendum and say `no’ to the constitutional amendments.
When commenting on the possible failure of the referendum V. Harutyunyan
said that independently of the number of the voters and their opinion the
incumbents leadership will declare that the referendum was a success.
Chairman of `Free tribune for civic initiatives’ public organization Gayane
Markosyan contrary to V. Harutyunyan welcomes the constitutional amendments
and is discontent with the fact that public organizations do not take active
part in the process. `We think that one should not raise the question about
`yes’ or `no’. The problem is much more serious. We have many times violated
the operating Constitutions and there is no guarantee that the reviewed
Constitution will not be violated’, she noted.
‘Our main problem is the establishment of constitutional order in our
country. Today in Armenia the Constitution is violated both by ordinary
citizens and high rank officials’, she resumed.
Victoria Abrahamyan

Pan Armenian News
US ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT SUPPORT CONGRESS PASSING GENOCIDE RESOLUTIONS
17.09.2005 03:47
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ US State Department official representative Adam Ereli
stated that the US decision over «the forced deportation and slaughter of
1.5 million Armenians» has not changed. He stated it when commenting on the
House International Relations Committee passing two Armenian Genocide
resolutions. «The US policy concerning the issue has not changed. The US
President has clearly announced it in his annual statement April 24 by
saying that the US mourns the forced deportation and slaughter of 1.5
million of Armenians in the last years of existence of the Ottoman Empire,
considering these events one of the greatest tragedies in human history. The
US actively contribute to the discussion of the issue by scholars, civil
society representatives and diplomats aiming at assisting the parties to
coming to a common opinion over these horrible events. The US Administration
does not support the House vote over the resolutions and we keep stating it.
Our position is the same as it has always been,» A. Ereli stated, reported
Mediamax.

Pan Armenian News
KARABAKH MAJOR POLITICAL TASK – INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF NKR
16.09.2005 07:54
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Our major political task is international recognition of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR), and the issue cannot be subject to
discussion. If Azerbaijan expresses its positive attitude to the issue, then
we can quietly speak of the rest of the settlement issues,’ NK FM Arman
Melikyan stated. At that he emphasized that equivalency principle should be
observed in the refugee issue. `A huge shortcoming of the talks being held
today is mentioning Armenian refugees from Shahumyan or Getashen
simultaneous to speaking of Azeri refugees. The matter has never concerned
the numerous Armenians, who had to leave Azerbaijan as an outcome of
persecution by Azeri authorities and ethnic cleansing in 1988-90. This is
one of the largest gaps at the talks. Equivalency principle should be
observed in this issue. Equivalency principle should become a basic one at
the talks. Based on equivalency, many issues can be discussed,’ A. Melikyan
said, reported IA Regnum.

Pan Armenian News
MUCH TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH ISSUE
16.09.2005 07:51
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `It is already that various structures have recognized the
fact that without a direct participation of the NKR even finding ways to
solve the conflict is problematic,’ NKR FM Arman Melikyan stated at a
meeting with local and accredited journalists in Stepanakert. The Minister
said he is sure that `Nagorno Karabakh will be internationally recognized –
at that in the future that is not so far.’ In his opinion, much time is
necessary for comprehensive settlement of the problem. `The legislative
activities are one of most important components from the point of view of
international recognition. We have done much in this respect: the other day
the Parliament passed a number of major acts referring to foreign policy,
including the NKR law on international agreements. Our legislation has
certain shortcomings in this respect, these should be eliminated, then we
will be able to join international conventions. I am sure that before the
end of the year we will realize what we have planned,» A. Melikyan said.
When commenting on the scientific conference with participation of
representatives of unrecognized republics, A. Melikyan called it a good
opportunity for presenting the NK issue from a serious rostrum and to get
acquainted with others’ problems. «I would like for similar conferences to
be organized in Strasbourg, New York and other centers of international
significance,» the NKR FM remarked, reported IA Regnum.

Pan Armenian News
NKR MFA: ICG REPORT WILL HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
16.09.2005 07:47
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Nagorno Karabakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
will soon express its position over the International Crisis Group (ICG)
report over Karabakh settlement, NKR FM Arman Melikyan said in the course of
a meeting with journalists September 16. `We now discuss the report, there
are certain approaches already formed. The matter lies not in to which
extent the Armenian or Azeri positions are presented in the report. We
should first of all understand the importance of the report to its authors
and the goals it should serve in the future. Obviously, the report is drawn
to assist the talks and may be used by the OSCE Minsk Group mediators and
other structures. Undoubtedly, the report includes provisions that we
consider unbiased and expedient. There are also provisions, which are in
conflict with our positions. However, undoubtedly, the report authors are
skilled professionals and they understand very well which work they do and
to what end. Having studied the report in detail we will prepare our written
comment, which I suppose to be very voluminous,’ A. Melikyan said. In the
opinion of the NKR FM, the ICG report will have a positive impact, as it
notes rather clearly that Armenia has not occupied any of Azerbaijan’s
territories and the armed forces situated in the territory of NKR are in
fact subordinated to the NKR authorities, IA Regnum reported.

Pan Armenian News
OSKANIAN HELD BILATERAL MEETINGS IN NEW YORK
17.09.2005 05:18
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During his visit to New York aiming to take part in the UN
GA 60th session, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian held a number of bilateral
meetings September 16, reported the Armenian MFA Press Service. The FM
specifically met with his Afghan counterpart Abdullah Abdullah, Croatian FM
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Lithuanian FM Antanas Valionis, Bosnia and
Herzegovina FM Mladen Ivanic and East Timor FM Jose Ramos Horta. In the
course of the meeting bilateral relations, regional development and the UN
reform were discussed.

Pan Armenian News
EVENTS MARKING UN 60TH ANNIVERSARY START IN YEREVAN
17.09.2005 04:44
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Events marking the UN 60th anniversary start in Armenia
Saturday. As reported by UN Resident Representative and UNDP Coordinator in
Armenia, Ambassador Consuelo Vidal, the festivities to continue till October
24 include a gala concert in the Republic Square in Yerevan with
participation of pop stars, a chess tournament among children of age of
10-12 years for UN Cup with participation of international grand master
Smbat Lputyan, exhibition of works of young photographers and a classic
music concert. Holding of a composition contest among schoolchildren on the
topic of the UN Role in My Life and the World is also planned. Vidal also
reported that a clip of We Are Our History new song was shot with
participation of Armenian pop stars to mark the UN 60th anniversary.

Pan Armenian News
MARGARYAN: BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA HAMPERS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
17.09.2005 04:10
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ «5 years have passed since heads of states and governments
adopted the Millennium Declaration at the UN General Assembly, binding
themselves to reach the Millennium Development Goals. Joining the
Declaration Armenia included the Millennium Goals in its long-term strategic
programs,» Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan stated at a summit meeting within
the UN GA 60th session. In his words with the assistance of international
organizations and by a decision of the Armenian Government the Strategic
Program for Poverty Reduction was adopted in Armenia in August 2003. The
Premier noted terrorism remains a major threat the humanity has faced. The
acts of terrorism in US September 11, 2001, then in Beslan, Madrid, London
and other places indicate that countries should unite to fight terror.
Armenia censures terrorism in any form, A. Margaryan emphasized. «We hail
the Secretary-General taking steps to prevent future genocides. In this
respect I would like to specially underscore the importance of introduction
of a concept of protection of population from genocides, military crimes,
ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity to the final document of the
summit meeting,» Mr. Margaryan said. Armenians as people, who have
experienced the first genocide of the 20th century, know well its
consequences. Speaking of the conflicts in the South Caucasus the PM said,
«Peaceful settlement of regional conflicts is a major security and stability
guarantee in our region. Armenia keeps advocating peaceful settlement of the
NK conflict. The NK people has exercised its self-determination right,
provided for by international legal principles. Some peoples represented
here also used this right. We are convinced that only in an atmosphere of
mutual confidence and tolerance and will to recognition of the historical
reality peaceful and goon neighborly coexistence of the two peoples can be
secured. We attach special importance to regional cooperation in
strengthening mutual confidence in the South Caucasus. Unfortunately, the
blockade of Armenia’s borders, as well as lack of desire to cooperate hamper
it. Armenia supports UN efforts aimed at reforming the UN, specifically
those to enhance the authority and role of the GA, creation of a Human
Rights Council, as well as enhancement of efficiency of the Security Council
methods. We are convinced that the already reformed UN will be able to
successfully withstand the increasing challenges of the century.»

Pan Armenian News
ARMENIA HAILS US CONGRESS PASSING TWO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTIONS
17.09.2005 03:11
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia welcomed the endorsement by the US House
International Relations Committee of two Armenian Genocide Resolutions and
expressed hope that they will be passed by the full House of
Representatives. `We welcome the decision by the House International
Relations Committee and consider it to be yet another step towards
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,’ the spokesman for
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, Hamlet Gasparyan said. `We hope that the issue
will be put before the full House of Representatives and that it will
discuss and adopt the resolutions,’ Gasparyan said. `I wouldn’t like to link
the resolutions adopted by third countries to Turkish-Armenian relations,’
he said. `As far as I know, the parliaments that have recognized the
Armenian genocide urged Turkey in one way or another to normalize its
relations with Armenia,’ Gasparyan remarked, reported RFE/RL.

AZG Armenian Daily #167, 17/09/2005
Cooperation
ARMENIA TO TAKE PART IN SEMINAR ON RUSSIAN-KOREAN COOPERATION
On September 26, a seminar titled “Russian-Korean Trade-Economic Relations.
Current State and Prospects” will take place in Moscow. Participants of the
seminar are going to discuss issues concerning cooperation in Russian and
Korean investment projects, relations in the sphere of high technologies
etc. A session of the Russia-South Korea Business Council with the
participation of co-chairs Ara Abrahamian and Chong Pae will be held the
next day.
Businessmen from Armenia will also take part in the arrangements to discuss
issues of further development of Armenian-Korean cooperation. The Armenian
consul to South Korea, Armen Abrahamian, and the Union of Manufacturers and
Businessmen of Armenia will present Armenia at the meetings.
Armenia will participate in the arrangements as a third side by approbation
of the Russian and Korean sides.
By Aghavni Harutyunian