Author: Jidarian Alex

Azerbaijan Business Center
Feb 27 2010

Armenia exhausted arguments in conflict with Azerbaijan but the latter
should not propagate new myths against Armenia’s ones

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Today Lithuanian journalists Richardas Lapaitis
and Imantas Meljanas dealing with issues of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno
Garabagh conflict and other `artificial conflicts’ on the territory of
the former USSR completed their visit to Azerbaijan.

Following the visit Meljanas claimed that the Armenian party exhausted
resource of arguments in the conflict with Azerbaijan.

`Over then last two years we managed to obtain both quantity and the
chief thing qualitative changes in regarding the conflict by
Lithuania’s public opinion. Azerbaijan’s positions strengthen, but it
should not make a standard mistake. Azerbaijan must not come forward
with its new myths against the ones created by Armenia. As all facts
are in favor of Azerbaijan,’ Meljanas said.

Both Lithuanian journalists were received in the Centre for Strategic
Surveys (Azeri acronym: SAM) under the President of Azerbaijan,
Institutes of Human Rights and of History of the National Academy of
Sciences and had meetings with the Milli Majlis parliamentarians.

In the early 90s Lapaitis highlighted active phase of the conflict and
is the author of the only article about use of hostile poisonous
substances in the course of the conflict by Armenia (in the region of
Sadarak settlement on the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic
` exclave territory of Azerbaijan).

NEW ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN MOSCOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.02.2010 10:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The newly founded Forum of Armenian Organizations in
Moscow (FAOM) aims at consolidation of relations between different
Armenian organizations, proper implementation of programs and
activities, improvement of information provision and settlement of
disagreements possible between some organizations.

The initiating group believes that it’s high time to create a
consolidating platform to represent all organizations’ interests to
coordinate their activities in order to avoid project and program
redundancy.

"To establish and strengthen relations among the organizations and
groups of the Armenian Diaspora in Moscow and to ensure discussion of
perspective joint projects, we initiated formation of the Forum of
Armenian organizations in Moscow (FAOM). The Forum aims to create a
common Armenian platform, which wouldn’t anyhow infringe upon separate
organizations’ rights. Uppermost, the forum will act as Armenian
diaspora’s information area. That kind of cooperation will facilitate
consolidation of organizations, protection of Armenian diaspora’s
interests, strengthening of mutual support, improvement of their
potential and enabling Moscow diaspora to participate in settlement
of national issues. The forum activities will help strengthen the
influence of Armenian organizations in Russia as well as improve
relations with Armenia, Artsakh and Armenian communities abroad,"
the Forum said in a statement.

The first session of the forum is to be held on February 27.

Presentation of Armenian organizations’ activities for practice
exchange, discussion and approval of the activities in different fields
of cooperation, adoption of a statement on establishment of the forum
and creation of coordinating body of the Forum are in included in
the first session’s agenda.

(FAOM) organizing committee consists of Yuri Navoyan, President
of Russian-Armenian Commonwealth organization, Gregory Anisonyan,
editor-in-chief of Noah’s Ark newspaper, Eduard Ghulyan, Chairman
of Artsakh’s friends club, Henry Sardaryan, chairman of the Armenian
Community of MGIMO-University, and Igor Zargaryan, representative of
Western Armenians’ Compatriotic Union.

TURKEY HAS NOT YET DECIDED WHAT IT WANTS FROM ARMENIA

os16947.html
16:12:26 – 24/02/2010

February 24, director of the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies, Richard Kirakosyan said the United States,
Russia and Europe, appear to be trying to exert pressure on Turkey
so that it had to ratify the protocols, but Turkey does not respond
to the pressure adequately.

The expert believes that the consolidated pressure may infuriate
Turkey, and add its stubbornness. It may even hurt itself. "We do
not know what will be Turkey in the future – western or eastern,
Islamic or secular country", said Richard Kirakosyan. He noted that
the internal processes in Turkey, the Ergenekon case shows that Turkey
has not yet defined its ideas in the relations with Armenia.

"Turkey does not even know what it wants from Armenia. While I believe
that Armenia’s position is stronger, because Turkey makes blunder
after blunder. But we are weaker from inside", says Richard Kirakosyan.

PILOT PROGRAM ON CREATION OF FREE ECONOMIC ZONE TO BEGIN IN AREA ADJACENT TO ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT BY LATE 2010

Noyan Tapan
Feb 23, 2010

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The pilot
program on the creation of a free economic zone will begin in the
area adjacent to Zvartnots Airport by late 2010. Hayk Mirzoyan,
Head of the Department of Industry of the RA Ministry of Economy,
said during the February 23 press conference that the program aims
to increase exports of agricultural products, raise agricultural
productivity, help introduce new technologies, and form brands of
Armenian agricultural products in international market.

In his words, since adoption of the Concept of the Creation of the Free
Economic Zone by the Armenian government in 2008, considerable work
has been done and the preparation for the program is now underway. In
2009, an expert of Flora Holland (the world’s biggest company engaged
in flower trade) was invited to Armenia. Jointly with that expert,
a business model of the free economic zone’s logistic center has been
prepared. Besides, with the assistance of the indicated expert and
the Armenian Development Agency, the free economic zone’s organizer –
the manager of Zvartnots Airport is currently developing a business
program of the free economic zone’s logistic center.

H. Mirzoyan said that under the program, it is envisaged establishing
pilot points of food-stuffs collection in rural areas of Armenia so
that farmers could store their products quickly and then to sell these
products to exporters. There will be storehouses, packaging facilities,
and quality control systems in the area of the airport.

The department head announced that 3 points of food-stuffs collection
have already been created.

According to him, the program coordination council is now being
formed. The council will have 3 components, each with its elected head.

The department head said the companies operating in free economic zones
will be exempt from profit tax, customs duties, and VAT. "Both Armenian
enterprises and foreign ones are quite interested in operating in the
free economic zone. I am convinced that by late 2010 the program will
become a reality, and one day all the Armenian marzes will have an
opportunity to be included in this program," H. Mirzoyan declared. It
was mentioned thar a law on free economic zones is being developed.

H. Mirzoyan informed those present that under the concept of free
economic zone, it is envisaged increasing exports by 20% annually.

Agricultural products of million were exported from Armenia in 2009.

"Free zones are created in economies with high growth rates and
they contribute to a growth in exports and job creation and they
enable to introduce new technologies in the country. I hope that
such activities in Armenia will promote exports, which will result
in economic development," H. Mirzoyan said.

PROTOCOLS WILL NOT BE DISCUSSED AT 4-DAY PARLIAMENTARY SESSION

news.am
Feb 22 2010
Armenia

February 22, the 4-day session of RA National Assembly 7th sitting
opens.

February 12, Armenia-Turkey Protocols were submitted to RA National
Assembly. On a point of order, international treaties are mandatory
put on NA agenda, thereafter on the agenda of a 4-day session.

According to RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, the
documents will be discussed only after the conclusion by RA NA
Standing Committee on Foreign Relations based on its Chairman Armen
Rustamyan’s offer.

February 19, RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations convened
a session and created a working group to present proposals for the
Armenia-Turkey Protocols.

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONDS TO ILLOGICAL STATEMENT BY ARMENIAN FM NALBANDYAN
N. Abdullayeva

Today
cs/61848.html
Feb 17 2010
Azerbaijan

"Illogical statements by Armenia’s top diplomat regarding settlement
of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is surprising,"
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Elkhan Polukhov said.

He was commenting on Armenian FM Edward Nalbandyan’s recent statement.

Talking about eliminating consequences of the conflict, Nalbandyan
said that the issues related to return of refugees to Azerbaijan’s
Agdara and Goranboy regions must be addressed. According to Armenian
FM’s reason, these areas are allegedly under "occupation".

"If the Armenian Foreign Minister could cite at least one international
legal act, which states that a country can occupy its own territory,
it would be surprising," Polukhov said.

"In all its actions Azerbaijan is guided by norms of international law
which have no single word about possibility of country’s occupation
of its own territories. Azerbaijan is recognized by all international
organizations and sovereign nations within its borders that existed
during the Soviet Union. So, it is completely illogical to talk about
Azerbaijan’s occupation of its own territory," the Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry Spokesperson noted.

"If the Armenian authorities stops using excessive illogical regarding
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it will be possible to
find a quick and lasting solution to such a protracted conflict,"
he added.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE: MEASURES FOR EROTIC AND HORROR

NCTR APPROVED THE CRITERIA FOR "BAD" PROGRAMS

RADIO "HAY" SUIT VERSUS RA NA DEPUTY REVOKED

FOUNDER OF "HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK" REPAID THE FINE

CPJ REPORT 2009: "VIOLENT ATTACKS AGAINST JOURNALISTS CONTINUED AMID A
CLIMATE OF IMPUNITY"

"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE: MEASURES FOR EROTIC AND HORROR

On February 16, another "Press Club" show went on the air of "Yerkir Media"
TV company. The cycle is produced under Yerevan Press Club project,
supported by the Open Society Institute. The guests of the program host, YPC
President Boris Navasardian were Koryun Arakelian, member of National
Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR), and director Ara Shirinian. The
discussion centered on the criteria for erotic TV and radio programs, films,
containing horror and violence scenes, as well as programs which could have
negative influence on the health, mental, physical growth and education of
minors. The criteria were approved by NCTR on February 15 (see below).

The next "Press Club" show will be aired on "Yerkir Media" on February 23,
at 21.15.

NCTR APPROVED THE CRITERIA FOR "BAD" PROGRAMS

On February 15 National Commission on Television and Radio approved the
criteria for erotic TV and radio programs, films, containing horror and
violence scenes, as well as programs which could have negative influence on
the health, mental, physical growth and education of minors. As it has been
reported, the document was developed by expert commission (established under
the NCTR) in compliance with the requirements of Article 24 of RA Law "On
Television and Radio", authorizing the broadcast of such programs only at
night (from 24.00 till 6.00). Some of these criteria raised doubt, first of
all for blurred wordings, assuming a broad and subjective interpretation
(see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, February 5-11, 2010).

Later on the document was revised. Yet its new, already approved version
raises quite a few questions. As before, a number of definitions, in
particular of what can negatively affect the minors invoke amazement. For
instance, who and how will define "the discredit and humiliation of national
figures, cultural heritage" or " the distortion of historical events"? The
reference to "general educational programs" as an indisputable credible
source is rather dubious – the latter are being seriously criticized, too.
And even if the quality of educational programs did not cast doubts,
couldn’t the TV, radio programs, including discussion programs, come up with
approaches, different from textbooks?

RADIO "HAY" SUIT VERSUS RA NA DEPUTY REVOKED

On February 15 court of general jurisdiction of Avan and Nor Nork
communities of Yerevan revoked the suit of Radio "HAY" founder, "Radio "HAY"
LLC, versus Styopa Safarian, deputy of RA National Assembly, head of
"Heritage" faction. As it has been reported, the hearings on this case
started on September 24, 2009. The plaintiff demanded to oblige the
defendant to publish a refutation and apologize for the expressions
discrediting the business reputation of Radio "HAY". The reason for the suit
became a phrase from a piece by Styopa Safarian, titled "Voyage, Voyage to
Madrid and Dagestan" (published in "Hraparak" daily on August 20, 2009). In
the piece Styopa Safarian argues, in absentia, with one of the leaders of
ruling Republican Party of Armenia, recalls some quotations made by RPA
leader during one of the two shows, "Armenian Feedback" (aired on Radio
"HAY" on July 30 and July 31, 2009). The author of the article described
these shows as "a two-series concert ordered by the President’s
administration" (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 18-24, 2009).

At the session of February 15 the court considered the demands of the suit
to be groundless.

FOUNDER OF "HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK" REPAID THE FINE

On February 10, 2010 the founder of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily, "Dareskizb"
LLC, repaid the fine, imposed by court on the suit to protect the honor and
the dignity of Levon Kocharian, younger son of RA Second President Robert
Kocharian. As it has been reported, the reason of the lawsuit was the
editorial "The Adventures of Robert’s Son in Dubai", published in "Haykakan
Zhamanak" on February 6, 2009. The piece informed about Levon Kocharian’s
detention by police of Dubai, UAE, in the end of 2008. On June 5, 2009 court
of general jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan
partially secured the demands of the suit, by obliging the newspaper to
publish a refutation, to pay off the plaintiff a sum of 3 million and 620
thousand AMD (about $ 9,600), and to compensate the sue charges of 72
thousand AMD. On October 2, 2009 RA Civil Court of Appeal reduced the amount
of the fine to 620 thousand AMD (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, October 2-8,
2009).

As "Haykakan Zhamanak" informed on February 11, 2010, the fine was repaid in
order to release the property of "Dareskizb" LLC, put under arrest by RA
Service of Compulsory Execution of Court Acts.

CPJ REPORT 2009: "VIOLENT ATTACKS AGAINST JOURNALISTS CONTINUED AMID A
CLIMATE OF IMPUNITY"

On February 16 US-based Committee to Protect Journalists released the annual
report on Attacks on the Press in 2009 in more than 100 countries of the
world. Among the major developments of the previous year CPJ highlighted the
unprecedented massacre of 31 journalists and media employees in Philippine,
a spike in violence in Somali (forcing a high number of journalists into
exile) and massive post-electoral crackdown on freedom of expression in
Iran.

In the report section dealing with Armenia it is noted that the public
remains polarized by the presidential elections 2008, with protest actions
and government reprisals continuing well in 2009. The authorities seek to
suppress critical debate over these issues, as a result journalists face
intolerance, hostility, and violence. The authorities control over most
broadcast media, the primary news source in a poverty-afflicted country with
poor newspaper distribution and low Internet penetration, the report states.
The Council of Public TV and Radio Company, composed of members, appointed
by RA President, continues to set editorial guidelines for First Channel of
the Public Television of Armenia, ensuring the pro-government coverage. CPJ
research showed that most private TV and radio companies are owned by
politicians and businessmen with close ties to the government, leading to
significant self-censorship by journalists and limited critical news
reporting on the air.

CPJ emphasizes that "A1+", independent TV company, remains without a
broadcast license. The TV company was pulled from airwaves in 2002 and has
made a dozen unsuccessful attempts to get back on air. According to the
ruling of European Court of Human Rights of 2008 the broadcast regulatory
body violated the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms by rejecting the applications of "A1+" without explanation.

"Violent attacks against journalists continued amid a climate of impunity",
the report says and lists a number of incidents with media representatives:
free lance journalist Gagik Shamshian at Yerevan State Linguistic University
(March 13, 2009); the attack on Argishti Kivirian, Coordinator of Armenia
Today news agency (April 30, 2009); the assault of Nver Mnatsakanian, author
and host of "Perspectives" program cycle of "Shant" TV company (May 6,
2009).

CPJ also mentions the cases of impeding journalistic activities and
restriction of their rights: the incidents on the day of Elections to
Yerevan Council of Elderly (May 31, 2009); prevention of the crew of "Shant"
TV company by police from covering protests in Gyumri
(August 6, 2009); the approval by RA National Assembly of new media
accreditation rules. The report also states the early release – for health
reasons – of Arman Babajanian (in August 2009), Chief Editor of "Zhamanak"
daily, condemned in 2006 for document fraud to evade military service.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

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this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

ILLEGAL ARMENIAN IMMIGRANTS UNEASY IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS TENSIONS RISE

Today’s Zaman
Feb 17 2010
Turkey

Alin Ozinian on Monday presented the results of research titled "State
of Armenian Irregular Migrants in Turkey" at the Istanbul-based
Kultur University’s Global Political Trends Center, in which she
concluded that illegal Armenian immigrants worry about fluctuations
in Turkish-Armenian relations because any turn for the worse thrusts
them into an unwanted spotlight.

Ozinian’s research was conducted in Istanbul, Antalya, Trabzon and
Ankara through focus groups and in-depth interviews as part of the
Eurasia Partnership Foundation’s Identifying the State of Armenian
Migrants in Turkey project.

Ozinian, a Turkish-Armenian herself, said that in addition to numerous
problems faced by illegal Armenian immigrants who came to Turkey to
work, they are adversely affected by being put under the spotlight
whenever tensions rise in Armenian-Turkish relations.

"Although there are many illegal workers in Turkey from various
countries, only those who come from Armenia have come to the agenda
of politicians," Ozinian said, adding that whenever political tension
escalates between Armenia and Turkey, Turkish politicians bring up
the topic of illegal Armenian workers and hint that despite strained
relations, the Turkish side tolerates the illegal workers and does
not deport them. "The politicians and media usually focus on the
number of illegal workers, but there should also be a humanitarian
aspect to the issue," Ozinian added.

The exact number of Armenian immigrants in Turkey is unknown, but
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in January 2009 that the
number is around 50,000. Other politicians have suggested different
figures, with some reaching as high as 70,000.

Explaining the purpose of the research, Ozinian said it aims to
provide a better picture of the Armenian workers and detail the
problems they face. The researcher highlighted that illegal Armenian
workers have encountered various problems since 1991, when they first
started coming to Turkey in search of work.

According to the research, the wages of illegal Armenians working
in Turkey varied between $550 and $1,000 per month. Furthermore,
96 percent of the workers are women. The results also show that many
Armenian immigrant men do not work but come to Turkey to stay with
their wives and to keep them safe. The research also indicates that a
large number of the migrants live in Ä°stanbul and work in the Laleli
and Osmanbey neighborhoods because they can easily communicate with
Russian-speaking customers, who come to stores in the area to purchase
leather goods for resale in Russia.

The researcher says that although the illegal immigrants are
generally employed by members of the Turkish-Armenian community,
various problems exist between the two groups, largely stemming from
cultural and social differences.

"Nevertheless, they choose to work for Turkish-Armenians because they
fear Turks will report them to the police should any problems arise,"
she said.

Ozinian also highlighted that most of the illegal workers try to avoid
discussing Armenian claims that Ottoman Turkey orchestrated a campaign
of genocide against its Armenian population during World War I and that
many of them do not disclose their nationality if they are not asked.

"They generally plan on returning to Armenia. Only a few want to go
to Europe after coming to Turkey, but no one plans to stay in Turkey,"
Ozinian said and noted that after the assassination of Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink in 2007, the illegal immigrants have increasingly
been concerned about their safety. A Turkish ultranationalist is
currently standing trial for the murder.

When asked whether the number of illegal Armenian workers coming to
Turkey will increase if ties between Turkey and Armenia are normalized,
Ozinian said she does not expect a drastic increase in the numbers and
added that the conditions of Armenians already in Turkey may improve.

Speaking about the motives driving Armenian immigrants to come to
Turkey, she said that despite the political hostility between the two
countries, Turkey is still economically attractive when compared to
Armenia, which has a badly functioning economy and whose borders are
closed with both Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Ozinian also touched upon the situation of the children of these
immigrants, saying that since the children are neither Armenian nor
Turkish citizens, they cannot be enrolled in private or state-owned
schools. "The families and their children come together in Kumkapı,
where the Armenian Church is located. Some of the older girls from
the Turkish-Armenian community lead courses teaching these children
how to read and write," she said.

DEPUTY MINISTER: NEW ACCUMULATIVE SYSTEM WILL BE EFFECTIVE AND FAIR IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Feb 15, 2010

YEREVAN, February 15. /ARKA/. Introduction of new accumulative system
will be effective and fair in Armenia, said Vardan Aramyan, Deputy
Minister of Finance on Monday.

"Current Armenian pension system does not give opportunities of worthy
social protection to the citizens", said Aramyan.

It is ineffective and as in the whole world it goes to deficit.

New accumulative pension system will help the citizens to take care
of their future and make career.

Introduction of new accumulative pension system will assist in the
development of financial market, reduce percent rates and the employees
will require to mention their real salary in payment sheets as their
pension will depend on it.

New reforms envisage multistage pension system composed of two main
components – state distributive and private accumulative.

The main direction of this program is improvement of status of
pensioners and connection of pension and salary via introduction of
mandatory accumulative pension system.

Today 520 thousand pensioners are registered in Armenia from which 470
thousand get insurance or working pension and 50 thousand pensioners
whose working career is not more than 5 years.

Agence France Presse
Feb 12 2010

Armenian president submits deal on Turkey ties to parliament

YEREVAN, Feb 12 2010

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian on Friday submitted two protocols
on normalising ties with Turkey after decades of hostility to
parliament for ratification, his office said.

"The presidential administration has already sent the protocols to
parliament for ratification," presidential spokesman Samvel Farmanian
told AFP.

Sarkisian announced this week that he would soon be sending the
protocols on establishing diplomatic ties and reopening the
Armenia-Turkey border to parliament for approval.

But he added that the accords must be voted on by the Turkish
parliament before Armenia’s parliament will approve them.

Parliament spokesman Goar Pogosian confirmed that the assembly had
received the protocols and said that within two days a commission
would be established to study them.

Turkey and Armenia signed two protocols in October to establish
diplomatic ties and reopen their shared border in a historic step
towards ending decades of hostility stemming from World War I-era
massacres of Armenians under Ottoman Turks.

The protocols must now be ratified by both countries’ parliaments but
the process has stalled as the two sides have traded accusations of
trying to modify the landmark deal.

Ankara has accused Yerevan of trying to set new conditions after
Armenia’s constitutional court said the protocols could not contradict
Yerevan’s official position that the Armenian mass killings
constituted genocide — a label Turkey fiercely rejects.

Armenia, for its part, is furious over Ankara’s insistence that
normalising Turkish-Armenian ties depends on progress in resolving the
conflict between Armenia and Turkish ally Azerbaijan over the disputed
Nagorny Karabakh region.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
Azerbaijan after ethnic Armenian forces wrested Nagorny Karabakh from
Baku’s control in a war that claimed an estimated 30,000 lives.

The conflict remains unresolved despite years of international mediation.