Author: Jabejian Elizabeth

ARMENIAN FM: ANY SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT MUST BE BASED ON NAGORNY KARABAKH PEOPLE’S FULL RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION

arminfo
2008-03-31 15:07:00

ArmInfo. The Azerbaijani party must not doubt that any settlement of
Karabakh conflict must be based on full right of Karabakh people to
self-determination, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said
at a press conference, Monday.

Commenting at the request of ArmInfo on Azerbaijan’s refusal from
a meeting in Bucharest, Vardan Oskanyan said: ‘it is very bad
that Azerbaijan does not want the meeting to take place’. ‘But the
Azerbaijani party distorts this fact. I state that Armenia did not ask
for a meeting. It was OSCE MG co- chairs’ proposal. We were asked if
the Armenian party will participate in a meeting in Bucharest if there
is such. We answered positively. We said that if Azerbaijan agrees,
we also agree to hold the meeting’, the minister said.

He stressed that Azerbaijan launched a dirty game aiming to break up
the Minsk Group in future in order to refuse from the document at the
negotiating table that is a result of a two-year work. ‘Azerbaijan
agreed with all the principles reflected in it and now it must not
juggle’, the minister said. He also mentioned the continuing cease-fire
violations, militarist statements by the Azerbaijani leadership and
the attempts to change the format of the negotiations and discuss
the problem at the UN.

‘Their program, tactics and strategy are so evident that they will
fail concealing them. They are mistaken, undoubtedly. There is
no alternative to the negotiations in the settlement of Karabakh
conflict. The settlement cannot but be based on the full right of
Karabakh people to self-determination. The negotiations must determine
how this right will be displayed and to what display the Karabakh
party will agree’, the minister said.

"STEP LOGIC" CENTER IN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
23:11 27/03/2008

"Step Logic" center opened in Armenia which is the only one in the
region. The deputy director of "Step Logic" LLC Evgeni Yudickin said
that the company treated Armenia as the country having IT strong
potential. The venue of the company to Armenia is connected with the
"ArmenTel" company’s transport network creation. He said that the
company applied to "ArmenTel" a year ago. According to the deputy
director they carry out some negotiations to extend their sphere in
Georgian and CIS countries. Besides the company plans to organize
educational trainings to have skilfull employees. For that reason the
company visited Armenian universities and made some arrangements with
Yerevan State University and others.

"By the way the competition is rather strong," said the deputy
director. Note that the center has 10 employees yet and is temporarily
situated in "Moscow House".

US COMMITTED TO THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT

armradio.am
28.03.2008 14:58

The United States remains committed to the peaceful resolution of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, which is the only way to reach real
solution, US Charge d’Affares Joseph Pennington told a press conference
in Yerevan.

Asked about the process of dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group, the
failure of the meeting between RA President-Elect and the Azerbaijani
President in Bucharest and thus the suspension of the negotiation
process, the diplomat said he will have a detailed conversation on
the matter with the American Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew
Bryza who is going to visit Armenia soon. "The Minsk Group is the
only format that will lead to the resolution of the Karabakh issue,"
Joseph Pennington said.

Let us remind that Azerbaijan has applied to the OSCE Secretariat to
start the process of dissolving the Minsk Group, dissatisfied with
the fact of the Co-Chairs’ countries’ vote against the resolution on
Nagorno Karabakh introduced to the UN General Assembly.

The US Charge d’Affaires said that RA president-Elect’s statements
show that he is ready to take the steps that will have Armenia return
to a democratic path. Joseph Pennington noted that the decision
on non-suspension of the financing of the "Millennium Challenge"
is greatly conditioned by implementation of those steps. "We believe
that it would be fair to give an opportunity to the new administration
of Armenia to correct the situation. If we note that positive steps
are being taken and the negative trends are being corrected, it
will positively influence the decision of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation," he said.

COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS OF ARMENIA TO HENCEFORTH PRESENT FINANCIAL REPORTS WITH CONCLUSION OF AUDIT COMPANIES OF "BIG SIX" TO GET CB’S RATING

arminfo
2008-03-27 14:10:00

ArmInfo. The order "On RA CB Rating of Commercial Organizations", as
amended by the Central Bank of Armenia, envisages compulsory approval
of financial reports by independent audit companies of the "big
six". The matter concerns the audit companies PriceWaterhouseCooper,
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Ernst & Young, KPMG, BDO International and
Grant Thorton International. As RA CB press service told ArmInfo,
the amendments have been made on March 25 to the decision, approved by
CB Chairman on April 14, 2006. As the source reports, the commercial
organizations, wishing to get the Central Bank’s rating, will have
to henceforth submit their financial reports over the last reporting
period, approved by an independent audit company. At the same time,
the companies with rating at level and higher should submit the reports
of 2008 and the following years, approved by an independent audit
company, being part of the "big six" or being a member-company of one
of these six ones after July 1, 2008. The source also reports that
prior to submitting the approved report, it is necessary to submit a
document to RA CB till January 31, 2009, which testifies the agreement
with one of the above- listed audit companies. According to the data
of RA Ministry of Finance and Economy, there are 31 licensed audit
companies functioning in Armenia, including PriceWaterhouseCoopers,
KPMG and Grant Thornton Amyot, as well as 4 private auditors.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION BODY UNDERTAKES MEASURES TO REVEAL 14 PEOPLE, WHO TOOK TO FLIGHT FROM MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS

Noyan Tapan
March 27, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. 8 people have died, 210 policemen and
servicemen, 55 civil persons have received bodily injuries of different
degrees in consequence of the mass disorders accompanied by murders,
robbery, violence committed during the rally that took place in the
morning of March 1 in Liberty Square, then in the territory near the
Embassy of France by violation of the order established by the law.

134 out of 210 policemen and servicemen having received bodily injuries
have received splinter and fire-arms injuries, 10 had gas-poisoning,
6 had shell-shock. It was mentioned in the official report of the RA
Prosecutor General’s Office.

According to the official source, 15 out of 55 civil persons having
received bodily injuries have received splinter and fire-arms injuries,
5 out of them took to flight from hospital after receiving first
medical aid. In total, 14 people, who had presented false data on
their identity, place of residence, took to flight from hospitals
after receiving first medical aid.

The preliminary investigation body is undertaking measures to find
out the identity of the above mentioned people and to reveal them,
to clear up the circumstances of providing false information on the
place of their residence, taking to flight from hospital, receiving
bodily injuries.

HONORARY TITLES OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA CONFERRED ON A NUMBER OF ART AND CULTURE WORKERS

armradio.am
26.03.2008 16:39

For notable contribution to the field of theatre and on the occasion
of the International Theatre Day, on March 26 RA President Robert
Kocharyan signed a decree on conferring Honorary Titles to a number
of workers of culture and art.

The Honorary Title of the People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia
was conferred on Kim Yeritsyan, Irina Marchenko, Rosa Mkhitaryan and
Rafael Jrbashyan.

The Honorary Title of the Merited Artist of the Republic of Armenia
was conferred on Georgy Amiragov, Razmik Khosroev, Lusine Kirakosyan,
David Hakobyan, Alla Hekimbashyan, Mariam Ghazaryan, Ara Matevosyan,
Silva Yuzbashyan and Karen Jangirov.

The Honorary Title of the Merited Painter of the Republic of Armenia
was conferred on Martiros Badalyan.

The Honorary Title of the Merited Arts Worker of the Republic of
Armenia was conferred on Vrezh Hakobyan, Larisa Mangasarova, Arzas
Voskanyan and Vigen Stepanyan.

DENNIS SAMMUT: "THE REGION HAS HUGE POTENTIAL THAT IS SUFFOCATED BY THE KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Today

http://
March 26 2008
Azerbaijan

The Executive Director of LINKS Dennis Sammut answered questions put
by the correspondent of the Armenpress News Agency on the work of
the OSCE Minsk Group.

– What is your attitude towards the process of breaking up OSCE Minsk
Group started by Azerbaijan?

– I know that Azerbaijan has been increasingly critical of the OSCE
Minsk Process. I have spoken in the past on the need to evaluate
how this process has developed and the need to strengthen it. After
fifteen years of negotiations in this framework it would be very odd
if such an evaluation does not take place.

However I am certainly against breaking up the Minsk process unless
an alternative arrangement to which both sides agree is in place.

– The Armenian side has many times stated that the Minsk Group has not
exhausted itself and expressed readiness to continue the negotiations
with the existing format. How will you comment on Azerbaijani behavior,
which is trying to step back from the negotiation process by stirring
the current format?

– There are many ways in which the Minsk process can be energized
without breaking it up. Armenia does not need to make this an article
of faith and nor should anybody else. If Armenia and Azerbaijan are
genuinely committed to a peaceful solution of the Karabakh conflict
they need to agree on what is the best format to achieve this. The
peace processes that have been most successful are those that have been
most flexible. However changing the structure of the peace process
on its own will not solve anything. It is important both countries
negotiate in good faith.

– What format may be considered an alternative for continuing the
negotiations? Will the international community consider the military
way of conflict regulation acceptable?

– As far as I know Azerbaijan’s position is to reserve the right
for a military solution if all else fails. I do not think all else
has failed. I very strongly believe that a peaceful solution to the
Karabakh problem is possible. The two sides are at the moment only
using unilateral negative tactics. They can also use unilateral
positive tactics.

The region has huge potential that is suffocated by the Karabakh
conflict. In making their calculations the leaders of the region need
to factor this in as well. This is not a luxury; it is their duty to
their citizens. I do not think that wars solve anything in the South
Caucasus which is why for me the military option is not acceptable.

ANCA CALLS FOR ZEROING OUT MILITARY AID TO AZERBAIJAN IN TESTIMONY TO CONGRESSIONAL FOREIGN AID PANEL

DeFacto Agency
March 26 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 26.03.08. DE FACTO. The Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) offered the Armenian American community’s perspective on six
key areas of U.S. foreign aid policy in testimony submitted to House
Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations.

ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian outlined the
recommendations of the Armenian American community to the panel,
which is currently deliberating the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) foreign
aid bill. Nahapetian noted the critical role the United States had
played in assisting Armenia against aggression, dating back to the
genocide. She also outlined the threats Armenia faces today, and
stressed the need to cut all military aid to Azerbaijan, because of
its recent attacks against Nagorno Karabagh and increasing indications
it plans to renew its aggression against Armenians. In the worst
cease-fire violation in over a decade, Azerbaijan attacked Karabagh
in early March, claiming the lives of at least eight people.

"Clearly, Azerbaijan should not receive U.S. military aid as long
as it threatens to use, or in fact actually employs, its large and
growing arsenal in offensive actions against Armenians," explained
Nahapetian. "Sending military aid to Azerbaijan in the face of these
threats only emboldens Baku to continue its belligerence, while, at
the same time, threatening stability, and undermining the U.S. role
as an impartial mediator," continued Nahapetian.

The six key issues Nahapetian addressed in detail in her testimony
were: 1) Zeroing out of military aid to Azerbaijan: 2) $70 Million in
Economic Support Funds for Armenia 3) $10 million in direct development
aid to Nagorno Karabagh 4) Removing barriers to U.S. relations with
Nagorno Karabagh 5) $5 million in military assistance to Armenia 6)
Maintaining Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act.

AZERI GOVERNMENT SAID TO SEEK OPPOSITION’S BACKING ON KARABAKH ISSUE

Yeni Musavat
March 26 2008
Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani opposition daily Yeni Musavat has said that the
authorities and the opposition may start talks on the Nagornyy
Karabakh issue.

"According to a report we received from sources close to the government
circles, the Azerbaijani authorities may make efforts to reach the
national unity within the country over the Karabakh issue.

It is not reportedly ruled out that the government may want support
from the opposition in efforts to be taken in connection with the
Karabakh issue," Yeni Musavat said on 26 March.

The newspaper believes that it is very important that Azerbaijani
society sticks to a unique position on the problem now.

"Because the mediating countries’ [USA, Russia and France] pressure
is mainly aimed at Baku and this will continue to be the case,"
Yeni Musavat added.

Commenting on US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza’s
remarks to the New York-based Armenian Reporter newspaper that
Azerbaijan has turned to the OSCE secretariat over the change of
the Minsk Group’s composition, Yeni Musavat said that "in the given
situation, it would not come to terms with reality to sideline one
of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries from the negotiating
process. Because all the three countries have their strong interests
in the region. From this standpoint, one may assume that Baku demands
that the composition of the co-chairing countries be increased. To
reject the OSCE Minsk Group generally would mean to stop the talks
officially".

Yeni Musavat added that "the three countries which are competing with
each other in the region seem to be rather unanimous in their efforts
to tear Karabakh away from Azerbaijan".

The paper believes that Baku has two ways out of this situation under
the current circumstances. It suggests that Baku is either to reject
the Minsk Group format or get another state unequivocally recognizing
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity included in the group. The daily
added that there is an advantageous diplomatic atmosphere to make
Yerevan to accept Baku’s demand.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 93RD ANNIVERSARY TO BE MARKED IN NEW YORK

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.03.2008 15:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Committee of New York will
host the 93rd Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide at City Hall
Chambers on April 25th at 5:30 P.M. The evening will feature Professor
Henry Theriault of Worcester State College as the main speaker and
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, who will address the community and give
the invocation, reported the ANC-NYC.

"While causing New York’s Armenian community to reflect thoughtfully
on the horrible catastrophe that befell our people, Dr. Theriault
will also connect the Armenian Cause to the broader struggle for
advancing international human rights," said Doug Geogerian of the
Armenian National Committee of New York.

Elected official at the local, state and federal levels will attend
and pay tribute to the systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenians,
a genocide, which the perpetrator, the Turkish government, continues
to deny to this day. The commemoration will also include musical work
performed in memory of the crime committed against the Armenian nation.

The evening’s main speaker will be Dr. Henry Theriault, who has
written extensively on the subject of genocide and the dispossession
of indigenous peoples. While he has dealt at length with the Armenian
case, which concerns his own ancestry, Theriault’s work is broad and
examines the impact of genocide against Africans, Native Americans
and other victim groups.