Iran announced new missile system production launch
06.06.2009 16:04 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran announced 40km range missile system production
launch, Iran’s Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar stated.
Iranian Minister’s announcement followed the statement of Israeli
Defense Minister Ehud Barak, that ”every variation” is possible in
the issue of Iranian nuclear objects’ bombarding by Israeli aviation,
Soboda Radiostation reported.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS HOSTAGE TO THE ARMENIAN QUESTION
By Orhan Kemal Cengä°Z
Today’s Zaman
June 5 2009
Turkey
Ironically, the day after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rebuked
Israeli President Shimon Peres at the last Davos summit, saying,
"You know how to kill very well," employees of the Taraf daily,
a liberal Turkish newspaper, were on trial in 16 criminal cases.
Erdogan exercised his freedom of expression to the limit; however,
in his country one single newspaper — Taraf again — has been on
trial in 69 different criminal cases. In all these cases, charges
were pressed against the staff of this newspaper for their peaceful
exercise of freedom of expression.
If Erdogan or someone else said "You know how to kill very well,"
to the members of an institution in Turkey, let us say against the
military commanders, he would be charged with the crime of "insulting
an institution" under the infamous Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code
(TCK).
The other component that is also punishable under Article 301 is
"insulting Turkishness." Article 301 is a symbol of the lack of
freedom of expression in Turkey. Many believe that this article
was responsible for the murder of Hrant Dink. Dink became a target
of ultranationalist groups in Turkey after being tried under this
article. Some suspects in the Ergenekon case used to follow 301 cases
and incited militants against the accused in those trials. Luckily,
after the beginning of the Ergenekon investigation, we have not
witnessed such hate-mongering campaigns.
This 301 issue had always been on the agenda of the EU, and every
single delegation from the EU has raised their concerns and their
wish for the annulment of this article. However, the government has
made merely cosmetic changes and introduced a permission clause which
stipulates that for anyone to be tried under this article the minister
of justice should allow it first.
But why can we not get rid of this article all together? It is obvious
that the article has been seen as the last bastion against undesired
remarks about the Armenian question. For example, if someone says
"Turks know how to kill very well," he would be punished under this
article. Temel Demirer, a journalist, has been on trial under Article
301 just because he said "The Armenian genocide did take place in this
country." Then-Justice Minister M. Ali Å~^ahin gave permission for
the trial, noting, "I will not let anyone call my state a murderer."
Very recently, the Human Rights Agenda Association (HRAA), which
I chair, made an application to the Ministry of Justice to get
statistical information to find out what is going on under this article
in relation to the permission process. The ministry gave an official
answer to the request of the HRAA and stated: "As of 27.04.2009,
766 files had reached the ministry, for 73 files, permission for
trial has been granted and 74 have been under review to be granted
trial permission for the time being." We cannot understand "for which
statements" these permissions are granted. However, it is obvious
from these numbers that that Turkey’s freedom of expression problem
just continues. If a significant portion of these permissions turn
out to be related to remarks about the Armenian question, I will not
be surprised.
In my opinion, the biggest insult to Turkishness is the lack of
freedom of expression in this country. Having this article and saying,
"The debate about Armenian question should be left to historians"
is not an honest approach. How can we discuss the Armenian question
when there is a legally sanctioned ban?
The prime minister recently said: "For years those of different
identities have been kicked out of our country. … This was not done
with common sense. This was done under a fascist approach." These
remarks have a historical importance. But is it also a step to get rid
of Article 301? Will the prime minister grant the Turkish nation the
same degree of freedom of expression as he has been exercising? We
will see. One thing is certain: We need a much broader freedom of
expression to make sure that this "fascist approach" goes to the
dustbin of history.
ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS HAVE FACE-TO-FACE MEETING IN SAINT PETERSBURG
ArmInfo
2009-06-05 13:22:00
ArmInfo. A face-to-face meeting was held between Presidents of Armenia
and Russia Serzh Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev in Saint Petersburg on
June 4. As the Armenian presidential press service told ArmInfo, the
meeting was held in a warm atmosphere. The two presidents discussed the
issue of cooperation, as well as regional and international problems.
President Medvedev considered the recent frequent meetings useful from
the viewpoint of the Armenian-Russian cooperation and development of
personal relations, having added that they contribute to solution of
specific problems. For his part the president of Armenia expressed
gratitude for the invitation to the Economic Forum and emphasized
that in conditions of the global economic crisis, the Forum acquires
an additional importance.
Sargsyan also expressed gratitude for provision of a stabilization
credit to the sum of $500 mln. The parties touched on the process of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. ‘After the last meeting with our
Russian counterparts we worked over fulfillment of agreements. The
Armenian party, assisted by OSCE MG cochairmen, actively worked
towards Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and sought the ways to
allow the people of Nagorno Karabakh to live safe in its Motherland
and determine its fortune by itself’, Sargsyan emphasized. Later,
on Medvedev’s initiative, a supper was held with participation of the
Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, during which the issues
of peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict were discussed.
ANC MAKES APPEAL OF CONSOLIDATION TO ALL DEMOCRATIC FORCES OF ARMENIA
NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 4, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JUNE 4, NOYAN TAPAN. "The whole state system led
and coordinated by Serzh Sargsyan was made to serve for the
falsifications committed in the May 31 Yerevan Council of Elders
elections," the statement of the Armenian National Congress (ANC)
mentioned. ANC stated that the RA Defence Ministry ensured illegal
voting of soldiers and other servicemen. They were given illegal
leaves for the purpose of voting and instead those giving them leave
demanded that the servicemen’s relatives should also vote for the
pro-governmental forces.
Besides, according to ANC, before the election day heads of hospitals
and comprehensive schools were instructed to prepare so-called "100
percent" lists of those to vote for the authorities’ candidate. "Lists
of socially insecure people were made up in advance by orders given
to various state structures, in particular, to Ministries, Pension
Fund, and condominiums, and voter buying was done by those lists,"
the statement read.
Mass voter buying was done in the evening and at night before the
voting day. And in the morning of May 31, at 8:00-11.00 all kinds of
transport services transported bribed citizens under control of special
groups, and their voting was controlled by various methods. Groups of
citizens not registered in Yerevan were sent to Yerevan from Gyumri,
Vanadzor, and other towns, who voted at various polling stations.
Proceeding from the above mentioned, ANC concludes that "a criminal
totalitarian state system with a democratic facade" has been created in
Armenia. "ANC has hoisted a flag of struggle against this anti-human
system leading the nation to ruin. We call all political forces
for consolidating in this struggle for establishment of democracy,"
the ANC statement read.
ARMENIAN AND AZERI FMS NOT TO MEET IN ITALY ON JUNE 25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.06.2009
/PanARMENIAN.Net / Armenian and Azeri FMs are not going to meet in Italy
on June 25, RA MFA Spokesman Tigran Balayantold a PanARMENIAN.Net
correspondent. Turkish media, he said, disseminate misinformation
on the issue. In an interview to Milliyet newspaper, Turkish FM
Ahmet Davutoglu said that after today’s meeting in St. Petersburg,
Armenian and Azeri FMs will meet Italy on June 25 .
OSCE TO CONDUCT REGULAR MONITORING ON JUNE 3
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.06.2009 14:00 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The regular monitoring of OCSE along the line of
contact of defense army of NKR and military forces of Azerbaijan
will be conducted on June 3. From the Armenian side monitoring
will be conducted by field assistants of personal representative of
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Anjey Kasprchik Imre Palatinus and Vladimir
Chontulov, from the Azeri side – Piter Ki and Jaslan Nurtazin.
FALL OF BRANDY PRODUCTION IN ARMENIA DEEPENS
ArmInfo
2009-06-02 13:10:00
Production of brandy in Armenia over Jan-Apr, 2009, reduced by 45,3%
to 2752.6 thsd liters, National Statistical Service of Armenia reports.
The fall over a month deepened from 36,8% over the first quarter. The
producers connect the reduction of production with the global crisis
which led to reduction of the export demand in Russia and Ukraine.
The brandy is mainly exported, and the Russian market predominates
in the export structure.
Noteworthy, production of other alcoholic beverages in Armenia over
the first four months grew. So, production of liqueur and spirits
grew by 3,7% to 3619.8 thsd l, production of wine – by 0,3% to 1043
thsd l and champagne – by 2,7% to 42,5 thsd l.
Salzburg concerts of RA State Philharmonic Orchestra are canceled.
30.05.2009 14:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian musicians did not escape the world
financial crisis. This year RA State Philharmonic Orchestra faced some
difficulties connected with traditional June concerts, where stars of
classical music are usually being invited to.
`Because of financial crisis and high prices for airway tickets, we
won’t be able to invite well known foreign musicians to June concerts
of State Philharmonic Orchestra. We hope to find means to invite at
least one musician – Alexander Treger,’ Art Director of RA State
Philharmonic Orchestra Eduard Topchyan said.
According to Topchyan, world crisis has had a negative impact on
summer music festival in Salzburg, where the organizers had to
decrease participants’ number by 60%. Two concerts to be conducted by
RA State Philharmonic Orchestra jointly with violinist Julia Fisher
were cancelled.
Does KLO find Bul bul ogli political tool for Russia and Armenia?
30.05.2009 16:29 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) has released
statement condemning Azeri Ambassador to RF Polad Bul bul ogli’s
intention to visit Nagorno Karabakh with Armenian Ambassador. KLO
finds such step to be in Armenia’s interests.
`Bul bul ogli’s persistence arouses questions and concerns over the
initiative’s becoming political tool for Armenia and Russia,’ runs the
statement.
Referring to reliable sources, PanARMENIAN.Net reported earlier that
Ambassadors Polad Bul bul ogli and Armen Smbatyan plan to visit
Armenia and NKR in mid-June. Diplomats will leave for Karabakh via
Armenia, previously obtaining NKR authorities’ official
permission. They are to meet with NKR President Bako Sahakyan in
Stepanalert and then leave for Amaras and Shushi. When leaving for
Baku, Ambassadors will very probably cross NKR-Azerbaijan border in a
car.
Bul bul ogli in turn denied rumors on his intention to visit
NKR. `There are currently no concrete arrangements concerning the
format and duration of the trip. As regards the route specified, it is
just out of the question. Should there be a second trip, its route
will be the same as it was during the first visit. That is, Azeri
delegation will leave for Karabakh via Azerbaijan, and Armenian
delegation will go there via their country,’ the Azeri diplomat said.
On June 28, 2007, Armenian and Azeri intellectuals carried out a visit
to Stepanakert, Yerevan and Baku upon the initiative of two countries’
Ambassadors in Russia.
SOCIOMETER: INTEREST OF YEREVAN RESIDENTS TOWARD CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS GROWS BY 5% IN ELECTION CAMPAIGN PERIOD
ARKA
May 29, 2009
YEREVAN, May 29. /ARKA/. Interest of Yerevan residents toward elections
of the municipal council grew only by 5% over the election campaign
period, Director of Sociometer independent sociological center Aharon
Adibekyan said.
On May 31 six political parties are to participate in the municipal
council elections in Yerevan – Prospering Armenia, Republican Party
of Armenia, Orinats Yerkir, ARF Dashnaktsutiun, People’s Party,
Labor Socialistic Party of Armenia and a political block – Armenian
National Congress.
"I am very sorry that there are no social psychologists in our
leading political parties who could give a correct assessment of
the situation. Mass demonstrations do not produce a result due to
non-confidence of the population," Adibekyan said.
Living attitudes of people are formed throughout years and cannot be
changed over a month, he said.
A total of 5,500 people participated in the poll conducted in all
Yerevan communities from April to May.
According to the poll results, 29% of the respondents will go to the
elections and know who they are going to vote for. 17% will participate
in the election but keep the names of their favorites in secret. 22%
of the respondents have not decided yet will they go to the elections
or not and 25% are indifferent to the elections a nd do not intend
to participate.
The municipal council of the Armenian capital is to consist of 65
members on a party-ticket system. The number one in the list of the
party that gains absolute majority in the council will automatically
become Mayor of Yerevan.