Author: Chaltikian Arsine

ARMENPRESS

NAGORNO-KARABAKH DEFENSE MINISTRY WARNS AZERBAIJAN
AGAINST ANOTHER ATTEMPT OF TRUCE BREACH

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS: In a statement
issued today the defense ministry of Nagorno-Karabakh
said it has on-line data showing concentration of
Azerbaijani military units on the contact-line sector
of the Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijani Armed Forces,
near Levonarkh settlement, which was the scene of a
ceasefire violation on March 4 by Azerbaijan’s armed
forces.
"We once more urge the Azeri leadership to refuse
the attempts to violate the truce and warn that the
Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army will adequately response
to any infringement by the Azeri military units," the
statement says.
"In this connection we relieve ourselves of the
responsibility for a possible tension escalation on
the contact-line because of the destructive steps of
the official Baku, which, unfortunately, have not been
given a proper political evaluation by the mediators,"
the statement concludes.

INCIDENT COINCIDED WITH EVENTS IN ARMENIA

KarabakhOpen
06-03-2008 17:45:23

Interview with Arthur Tovmasyan, leader of the Azat Hayrenik Party

Mr. Tovmasyan, is tension on the line of contact between the armed
forces of Karabakh and Azerbaijan the consequence of the post-election
events in Armenia?

Skirmishes on the line of contact occur every now and then – since
May 12, 1994 the cease-fire has been violated periodically. I think
the skirmish simply coincided with the developments in Armenia.

What is the situation on the front like, what caused the attack of
the Azerbaijani armed force? Do you think the skirmish on March 4
may cause more large-scale actions?

I am sure that military actions will not be resumed. However, it
should not be ruled out that skirmishes may occur in future, even
in the presence of the OSCE mediation mission. If the ministers have
wish, skirmishes will occur in future as well. I think there are no
preconditions for the resumption of military actions, because when
the oil pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan was laid out, the British and
American investors demanded the commitment of Azerbaijan to peace. I
have always argued that the oil pipeline guarantees peace in the
region till the year 2015, as long as the pipe will bring profit
to Azerbaijan. I rule out war till then, especially that Armenia,
Azerbaijan and NKR are committed to the peace talks.

What is your evaluation of the post-election events in Armenia and
adequacy of the actions of the government? How will this situation
affect the Karabakh settlement?

On January 25 the CEC of Armenia released the final results
of the election according to which Serge Sargsyan has won the
election. However, protest did not stop, and unsanctioned rallies
continued. Serge Sargsyan stated ready to cooperate with all the forces
but Levon Ter-Petrosyan did not accept the proposal on coalition. The
government had to take that step to protect the constitutional
order. Armenia needs a climate of confidence more than ever, among
all forces because only strong Armenia is a condition for possible
recognition of independence of NKR.

The government acted in accordance with powers vested in it by the
law. The events led to destabilization, without those actions stability
in Armenia would under threat, which would benefit our foes. People
cannot be arrested for their political opinions but illegal weapon
has nothing to do with political opinions. If the act is illegal,
it must be punished.

As to the effect of the events in Armenia and the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict, they are not interrelated because I am sure that
the situation in Armenia stabilize very soon.

CLASH ON ARMENIAN-AZERI BORDER IS UNDERWAY – ARMENIA (PART 2)

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
March 4, 2008
Russia

A clash on the Armenian-Azeri border has resulted in some wounded,
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian told a briefing in Yerevan
on Tuesday.

"Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire in north-east Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Azeri side used heavy armor this time," he said.

A positional battle is currently underway, the Armenian side has
wounded, and the Azeri side has two wounded, according to unconfirmed
reports.

Armenian troops first retreated in the clash and then regained ground,
Oskanian said.

"We condemn this aggression and demand that the Azeri side stop the
armed hostilities and resume a ceasefire," he said.

"Azerbaijan is taking advantage of the exacerbation of the internal
political situation in Armenia," Oskanian said.

Earlier, a representative of the Azeri Defense Minister told Interfax
that information on the situation in the battle area would be
published later.

Meanwhile Azeri TV channel ANS said that two Azeri servicemen were
killed in the clash in the Geranboy district.

The Azeri Defense Ministry did not confirm this information. "The
battle in the area is continuing," it said.

Azerbaijan and Armenia concluded a ceasefire in May 1994.

DURING ATTACK AZERI PARTY LOST 8 SERVICEMEN

DeFacto Agency
March 5 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 05.03.08. DE FACTO. During the night of March 3-4 a special
purpose detachment of Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces, crossing the Karabakh
and Azeri forces’ contact line in the north-eastern direction, seized
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army’s position near the village
of Levonarkh, NKR Martakert region.

As a result of operative actions of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armed
Forces, after intensive fights lasting for a few hours, the enemy,
leaving 8 killed and armament on the battlefield, took to flight,
the Press Office of the NKR Ministry of Defense reports. From the
Karabakh party two servicemen were wounded.

The Defense Ministry’s officials noted that Azeri party was trying
to destabilize the situation not only in the bordering zone, but also
in the whole region.

"The NKR Defense Ministry again warns Azerbaijan that any actions
threatening the NKR’s security will also be suppressed resolutely",
stated the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry’s officials.

The NKR Defense Ministry urged the Azeri party to undeviatingly
observe cease-fire and not to imperil the region’s peace and security.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Yervant Zorian Presents New AGBU Virtual School at Aleppo Event

A lecture program by Silicon Valley innovator, Yervant Zorian, was held
in the AGBU Gulbenkian Center in Aleppo, Syria last fall. The event was
organized by AGBU Aleppo.

Zorian, who is vice president and chief scientist of Virage Logic in
Silicon Valley, California, presented the computerized Armenian distance
learning program prepared jointly by AGBU Silicon Valley and experts at
Yerevan State University.

Opening remarks were delivered by Zepure Tamerian, who spoke about the
opportunities provided by the new age of computers and the Internet and
the wonderful things that can be achieved with both. She introduced
Zorian and mentioned that, as a third-generation AGBU member, he follows
in the path of his father and grandfather, who were both strong
supporters of AGBU’s mission and endeavors.

Before beginning his demonstration of the new virtual school, Zorian
presented extensive data that suggests that only five percent of
Armenian students throughout the diaspora attend Armenian schools and
receive Armenian language or other Armenian education. This reality, he
suggested, demanded that we develop educational programs that suit
present-day conditions and appeal to today’s students.

Zorian expressed enthusiasm that the computerized Armenian distance
learning program will be able to fill an important educational void.
Students learning through this virtual college created by AGBU will
receive a full-fledged Armenian education, irrespective of their age and
knowledge levels.

The online program is made up of 12 courses (four Armenian language
courses, four history courses, four culture courses), and instruction
will be available in Armenian (Eastern & Western), English, French,
Russian, and Spanish.

This virtual institute complements AGBU’s educational institutions
around the world and will be launched in September 2008 to provide
Armenians the opportunity to receive an Armenian education, regardless
of their country of residence or citizenship.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Bedros Boyadjian, Chairman of the
AGBU Syria District Committee, honored Zorian with the local AGBU
Centennial souvenir medal.

Zorian is an honorary doctor of the Armenian Academy of Sciences,
program chairman of the Armenian Technology (Armtech) Congress, and
member of the governing council of the American University of Armenia.
He is also president of the AGBU Silicon Valley chapter in California.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six
continents.

ARMENIA’S POLITICAL TURMOIL COULD THREATEN ITS POSITIVE RATING OUTLOOK – FITCH

Forbes
March 4 2008
NY

MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) – Fitch Ratings said the recent
political turmoil in Armenia could threaten the positive outlook
on the sovereign’s long-term issuer default ratings (IDR) of ‘BB-‘,
if unrest were to persist or intensify.

‘The political unrest witnessed in Armenia over the past fortnight
need not de-rail the country’s improving economic fundamentals,’
said Andrew Colquhoun, director in Fitch’s Sovereigns group.

‘However, if the situation were to escalate or persist then it could
risk damaging domestic and international confidence, and undermining
the authorities’ focus on sound economic policy management,’
Colquhoun added.

Incumbent prime minister Serzh Sarkisian won a presidential election
on Feb 19 with 53 pct votes, against 22 pct for second-placed Levon
Ter-Petrosian. International observers broadly endorsed the vote, while
noting some shortcomings. This sparked protests by Ter-Petrosian’s
supporters, which were later quelled by security forces.

Armenia’s constitutional court is set to rule on complaints against
the handling of the elections in the next few days and if the court
upholds the results, adding to the qualified endorsement of the
international community, there is a risk the opposition could resort
to extra-legal action, Fitch noted.

An escalation of violence would be strongly negative for Armenia’s
basic political stability and sovereign ratings, it said.

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN MERCHANTS OF NEW JULFA TO BE
FOCUS OF NAASR LECTURE BY DR. SEBOUH ASLANIAN

In the first event at its Belmont, MA, headquarters of 2008, the
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) will
present a lecture by Dr. Sebouh Aslanian entitled "Honor Among
Merchants: The Armenians of New Julfa and the Growth of Modern
Long-Distance Trade" on Thursday, March 13, at 8:00 p.m., at the NAASR
Center, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA.

Vital Role of Armenian Merchants in Development of Modern Trade

In this lecture Aslanian will examine the role of trust and cooperation
in early modern (17th-18th centuries) long-distance trade by focusing on
the Armenian merchants of New Julfa, Isfahan, in the Safavid Empire of
Iran, who maintained an extensive network throughout the Mediterranean
and the Indian Ocean and beyond.

The Julfa Armenians were at the center of a vast trade and communication
network that extended across many empires and states, languages, and
religions. Trust and reputation (akhtibar, in Julfan dialect) were
vital to maintaining efficient and profitable relations, and the largely
autonomous New Julfa trading colony worked hard to perpetuate and
enforce its standards. Aslanian’s lecture will also include a
Powerpoint presentation of representative pictures, maps, and documents.

Author of Award-Winning Dissertation

Dr. Sebouh Aslanian was born and raised in Ethiopia, and was educated
at McGill University, the Graduate Faculty of the New School for
Social Research in New York, and Columbia University, where he
received a Ph.D. in 2007. His dissertation, "From the Indian Ocean
to the Mediterranean: Circulation and the Global Trade Network of
Armenian Merchants from New Julfa, Isfahan, 1605-1747," was selected
the best dissertation in the humanities at Columbia in 2007. He has
taught at Columbia, Claremont McKenna College in California, and is
currently Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of History at
Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA.

Aslanian is the author of The Polycentric Nation: Dispersion History and
the role of Simeon Yerevantsi’s Girk vor Kochi Partavchar in the
Eighteenth Century Armenian National Revival, as well as articles which
have appeared in Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies, The
Armenian Forum, The Journal of World History, and The Journal of the
Social and Economic History of the Orient. He is currently writing a
book with his wife, Dr. Houri Berberian, on the trans-imperial
activities of the Venetian Armenian family the Scerimans/Shahrimanians,
originally from New Julfa.

Ongoing Expansion of NAASR’s Programs Nationwide

The lecture by Aslanian comes toward the end of a busy winter season for
NAASR’s programs. Since December, the organization has co-sponsored a
forum commemorating the first anniversary of the murder of Hrant Dink at
the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in North America with the
Organization of Istanbul Armenians and the Armenian Educational
Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA, featuring Prof.
Taner Akcam, Prof. Richard Hovannisian, and NAASR Board Member Steve
Kurkjian, as well as lectures by Prof. George Bournoutian in
Connecticut, California, New York City, and Florida.

The NAASR Center is located opposite the First Armenian Church and next
to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available around the building
and in adjacent areas. The lecture will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.

More information about the lecture is available by calling 617-489-1610,
faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing to NAASR, 395
Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

8 DEAD AS A RESULT OF DISORDERS IN YEREVAN

DeFacto Agency
March 3 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 03.03.08. DE FACTO. According to the RA Ministry of Public
Health, 8 people were killed as a result of disorders carried out
by Levon Ter-Petrossian’s supporters March 1 in Yerevan’s central
streets. RA General Procurator’s Office ascertains the circumstances
of the people’s death.

According to the information circulated by the RA Police, the
crowd gathered March 1 in the vicinity of the Yerevan City Hall,
gradually got out of control; in the evening the actions of the
meeting’s participants developed into pogroms and plundering. In the
course of mass disorders in neighboring streets gangster-like groups,
cutting off a crowd of seven thousand people, set fire to over twenty
private cars, police cars and ambulances. Buses and trolleybuses
were destroyed. As a result of illegal actions the House of Moscow,
shops and offices nearby were plundered. Windows in the Yerevan City
Hall and VivaCell Company were smashed.

The meeting’s participants also provoked clashes with law-enforcement
officers, there are casualties. 33 policemen were taken to the RA
Police hospital, 11 of them with fragmentation wounds, 13 with traumas
of various degree of gravity, 8 poisoned with gas and 1 unconscious.

The number of casualties taken to other medical institutions of the
city is verified.

THIRTY-ONE, INCLUDING SIX POLICE, INJURED IN RALLY DISPERSAL IN YEREVAN -MINISTRY

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
March 1, 2008 Saturday
Russia

Thirty-one people, including six policemen, needed medical aid
following the dispersal of an opposition rally on Freedom Square in
downtown Yerevan on Saturday, the Armenian Health Ministry said.

"Thirty-one people were injured, including six police officers.

They have all sustained injuries of medium severity. The lives of
those injured are out of danger now," the ministry said.

Ten of these people have been hospitalized, and the rest received
outpatient treatment and were discharged, the ministry said.

Armenia protest continues as poll winner eyes compromise

Agence France Presse — English
February 29, 2008 Friday 3:32 PM GMT

YEREVAN, Feb 29 2008 — About 20,000 people demonstrated in Armenia’s
capital Yerevan on Friday against results of a February 19 presidential
election, as poll winner Serzh Sarkisian tried to coax opponents onto
his side.

A hard core of protesters have camped for several days on the central
Freedom Square, while larger numbers have gathered every day since
the results of last week’s presidential election were announced.

The protesters allege that the poll was marred by vote-rigging in
favour of Sarkisian, the favoured candidate of outgoing President
Robert Kocharian.

Speaking at the meeting, opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian
criticised international observers for not reporting election fraud.

"Usually governments are against their reports but today it is
the opposite and the people are unhappy at the reports of European
observers," said Ter-Petrosian. "Democracy is unhappy."

OSCE observers said earlier that the election "mostly" met
international standards.

Sarkisian has tried to reach out to opponents and on Friday signed a
coalition deal with the third-placed candidate, Artur Baghdasarian,
who heads the Rule of Law Party.

"I am very content that Artur Baghdasarian responded to my appeal
and that he accepted my proposal," Sarkisian told reporters.

Baghdasarian, who has been promised the post of secretary of the
security council, replied: "I am certain that our work will produce
good results."

Sarkisian also said that a deal could soon be made with another
opposition leader, Vahan Hovannisian, who heads the nationalist
party Dashnaktsutiun.

The protesters have called for the result of the election to be
annulled and voiced angry criticism of the coalition deal.

"All this time Baghdasarian lied to the people," said Nikol Pashinian,
one of the protest organisers.

At the weekend several opposition activists were arrested on suspicion
of illegal weapons possession.

The protests have remained peaceful but government buildings and
embassies have been cordoned off by lines of riot police and the
authorities have said their patience is wearing thin.

mkh-kof/ch/ar