Author: Nahapetian Lilit

NEWSPAPERS AND MEDIA IN ARMENIA ARE NEITHER WORSE NOR BETTER THAN FOREIGN PRESS, THEY ARE PRINCIPALLY DIFFERENT, LOCAL EXPERT SAYS

arminfo
2007-07-26 17:21:00

Newspapers and media in Armenia are neither worse nor better than
foreign press, they are principally different, Director of Caucasian
Media Institute, political expert Aleksander Iskandaryan said at
the conference "Media and Democratization Process in Armenia,"
Thursday. The event organizer was the Kondard Adenauer Foundation
(Germany) in Central Asia and South Caucasus.

He called myth the opinion that government censorship hinders
media development in Armenia and leads to small circulation of
newspapers. For instance, the expert said that the newspaper USA
Today has the largest circulation in the United States i.e. over 1
million copies. The run-length of Armenian newspapers is 5-12,000
copies. Comparing these figures with the population size in Armenia
and the USA, the circulation of newspapers in Armenia is higher than
in America, Aleksander Iskandaryan said. Pluralism is rather high
in Armenia and there is no government pressure on the press. If a
newspaper like Armenian The Fourth Power"is published in the USA, its
editor would be imprisoned immediately. How one can say that Georgian
press is better than Armenian if few can read in Georgian in Armenia,
while many read in Armenian in Georgia, the expert said.

The problem of press in Armenia is that newspapers and media (except
news agencies) are NGOs financed by politicians or parties and do not
care for circulation and rating. "It is not press, but something other,
no matter good or bad, it is different," Iskandaryan said.

The situation rests upon economic factor for the press cannot develop
isolated from the public. "It’s absurd comparing the Armenian and
Russian press. There is a principle in Russia i.e. what Moscow
will neglect Khabarovsk will read. In the meanwhile, there is no
Khabarovsk in Armenia; it is a small modest country, " Aleksander
Iskandaryan said.

KOSOVO’S INDEPENDENCE MAY GIVE RISE TO CHAIN REACTION IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE EXIST SIMILAR PROBLEMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.07.2007 17:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Political consequences of Kosovo’s self-declaration
or "automatic" recognition of independence may give rise to a chain
reaction in other countries where exist similar problems, and first
of all in the CIS territory. After all, then desire of Abkhazians,
Ossetians or Transdnestrians to keep to the beaten track by Kosovians
will be quite lawful. Many things will depend on how Russia will
behave himself. I remember in one of his recent meetings with western
political scientists Vladimir Putin clearly stated that if Kosovo
becomes independent, Moscow will radically review his policy on the
post-Soviet territory. Will Moscow have enough courage and political
will to stand for the unrecognized republics? There exist all grounds
to suppose that we will get the answer for this question very soon,"
Director of Russian and CIS Programs of the German Council on Foreign
Politics Alexander Rar stated. He said, the fate of Georgia and
Moldavia is being determined in Kosovo.

The German political scientist underlined that the Ahtisaari Plan on
"automatically" declaring Kosovo’s independence did not pass again
thanks to Russia’s counteraction. But it did not fail at all. "America
clearly supports the Plan and Russia emphatically opposes it. It is
not clear what to do with Serbia, which understandably refuses to
grant independence to his autonomous region. The decision to pass
the issue from the UN Security Council to the Contact Group is a
very important compromise. It is one more effort to use the time
factor. And it works against "hotheads" who are rather enough both
in Prishtina and Washington. Now it is the turn for politicians and
experts to have a say, who will carry out additional examinations
"on the spot". For Moscow this is a very good opportunity to draw off
allegations from West, which affirms that Russians says "no" just
proceeding from their principle to oppose Americans without going
into the root of the problem. Certainly supporters of the Ahtisaari
Plan have not also yielded. They are full of determination to realize
it. It is quite predictable and USA’s behavior. At the end of his
office George Bush extremely needs victory in the Kosovo issue,"
Rar underlined, "Komsomolskaya Pravda" reports

ACCORDING TO WB’S SURVEY, 65% POPULATION’S HEALTH EXPENDITURES IN ARMENIA IS UNOFFICIAL

Noyan Tapan
Jul 23, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. GDP-budget ratio in Armenia is the
lowest, as compared with 25 states of Eastern Europe and Central
Asia. Its reason is the small amounts of taxes in Armenia, including
VAT, which is not used in the sphere of agriculture. Aristomene
Varoudakis, the Director of the World Bank’s Yerevan Office, said
this on July 23, during the presentation of the World Bank’s survey
"Tax and Budget Policy and Economic Growth: Lessons for Eastern Europe
and Central Asia."

In his words, according to the data of 2004, only 3% Armenian GDP
was allocated to the sphere of education, which is the lowest index,
as compared with other regional countries. A. Varoudakis also said
that according to the data of the same year, 65% population’s health
expenditures is unofficial.

r
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS RELEASE

20-07-2007

Minister Oskanian Receives Iranian Foreign Minister
Manouchehr Mottaki

Manouchehr Mottaki, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran and
President of the Intergovernmental Committee on Armenian-Iranian Relations
Coordination, was in Armenia for the 7th Joint Session of the
Intergovernmental Commission on Armenian-Iranian Relations, and met with
Minister Oskanian.
Greeting the guest, the Armenian Foreign Minister expressed high
appreciation of the existing bilateral relations. The two colleagues agreed
that the relations are an expression of the friendly cooperation of the last
15 years and are producing results in a variety of sectors.
Minister Mottaki briefly spoke of the work that the bilateral commission had
already concluded the same morning, mentioning that it was notable for
detailed discussions of several important economic projects.
Afterwards the ministers shared thoughts on regional issues and Armenia’s
and Iran’s relations with neighbors. Minister Oskanian spoke of the
development of democratic processes in Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia’s
assessment of the latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
process.
At Minister Oskanian’s request, Minister Mottaki spoke about the process of
negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear projects. He repeated that Iran
sought regulation of discords exclusively through negotiations and that the
solution of the problem lay within the framework of the International Atomic
Energy Agency.

Iran-IAEA otalks to secure Iran’s rights
Sat, 21 Jul 2007 09:09:18

Press TV, Iran
July 21 2007

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says he hopes new round of talks
with IAEA would help safeguard Iran’s legitimate nuclear rights.

Iranian foreign minister made the remarks in a meeting with his
Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian in Armenia, on Friday.

In the meeting, Mottaki expressed hope that the new round of talks
between Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and EU High
Representative Javier Solana would help secure Iran’s rights to access
to nuclear energy through political talks.

Given the latest developments on Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities,
Mottaki said Iran has always adopted a constructive pattern in its
cooperation with IAEA.

Referring to historical ties between Iran and Armenia, he said 15
centuries of deeply-rooted ties have left profound impacts on the
two nation’s relations, IRNA reported.

Highlighting the 7th Iran-Armenia Economic Commission meeting, he said
the session is to cover various activities in the fields of economy,
commerce, transportation, energy, health, industry, investment,
banking, agriculture, science and education.

Describing the 7th joint economic commission meeting as satisfactory,
he said new grounds have been identified which should be explored by
both sides.

Referring to recent visit of Armenian energy minister to Tehran for
the construction of a joint oil refinery, he said the project is on
a good track at this juncture.

Construction of rail tracks for Armenia could help broaden scope of
mutual cooperation, Mottaki underlined.

The Armenian foreign minister, for his part, said the two sides are
determined to help deepen and broaden mutual relations.

The building of an oil refinery, making use of the existing facilities
at Anzali port, launching of a fiber optic network are among projects
which could help bolster mutual relations, he said.

AZG Armenian Daily #137, 21/07/2007

Karabakh Issue

SEMNEBY AGAIN SPEAKS OF VISITING STEPANAKERT

The European Union is determined to contribute the peace process on
Nagorno-Karabakh by making efforts to reestablish reciprocal trust
between the sides of the conflict sides, "Azeripress" news agency
reports the words of EU Special Representative to South Caucasus Peter
Semneby, spoken in Baku. According to information received, Semneby
has discussed that issue with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan,
Elmar Mamedyarov.

According to Semnmeby, there is still much to do, and reestablishment
of dialogue and trust between the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides is
provided by EU action plans with those states.

The EU Special Representative marked as very important the visit of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani intellectuals’ group to Karabakh. He said that it
was an essential step to establishing peace in the region and expressed
hope that similar actions will take place moew often in the future.

Peter Semneby affirmed that he is planning to visit Nagorno-Karabakh
but did not mention any date. To be reminded, Semneby paid a visit
to Yerevan in middle June this year, and after he was to leave to
Stepanakert. The delegation did not get there, returning from the
half of the way.

By A. Haroutiunian

Turkey desires to become OSCE MG Co-Chair and to
isolate Armenia once and for all

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.07.2007 14:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The United States and European Union demand from
Turkey to unblock his borders with Armenia, normalize relations
with this country and open a diplomatic mission in Yerevan, retired
ambassador, analyst for Radikal and Turkish Daily News Gunduz Oktan
stated, who is running for a parliamentarian mandate in the list of
National Movement Party, widely known as "Gray Wolves". "We support
the approach not to initiate any steps towards establishing relations
with Armenia till the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We
will provide larger assistance to Azerbaijan, we shall increase the
number of Azeri-Georgian-Turkish projects. It is necessary to isolate
Armenia in the region till the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. It’s a pity that Turkey does not participate in works of
the OSCE Minsk Group. If Azerbaijan demands, Turkey can play much
more active role in favor of Baku," Oktan underscored, APA reports

WCC CELEBRATES RECONCILIATION OF TWO MEMBER CHURCHES
by Catholic Information Service for Africa

Africa News
July 20, 2007 Friday
Egypt

The Word Council of Churches is celebrating the healing and
reconciliation between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian
Orthodox Tewahedo Church which for years have not been in communion.

Through an agreement signed on Friday July 13 in Cairo, Egypt, and
the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
solemnly declared their unity of faith, their commitment to common
witness and their readiness to deepen and expand collaboration,
leaving behind more than two decades of tensions.

WCC General Secretary Dr Samuel Kobia sent a congratulatory letter to
the heads of both churches, Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and
Patriarch of All Africa, and Abune Paulos, Patriarch and Catholicos
of Ethiopia and Archbishop of Axum, as well as to Catholicos Aram I,
Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church (See of Cilicia), who
played an instrumental role as mediator.

Dr Kobia praised the heads of the churches for the tangible witness
they have offered in dealing successfully with church-dividing matters.

"Today, the entire fellowship of the Word Council of Churches (WCC)
rejoices! Two of its founding members, the Coptic Orthodox Church
and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, have solemnly declared
their unity of faith, their commitment to common witness and their
readiness to deepen and expand collaboration, leaving behind more
than two decades of tensions."

He added that the developments in the lives of the Oriental Orthodox
Churches were deeply rooted since the beginning of Christian history
among the people of Africa.

"We rejoice with this promising news that extends far beyond bilateral
relations by confirming that true reconciliation among churches is
possible. We are grateful to each of you."

The three churches belong to the Oriental Orthodox family, which also
includes the Syrian, Indian and Eritrean churches.

NAGORNO KARABAKH ELECTIONS VALID – ELECTORAL COMMISSION

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
July 19, 2007 Thursday

The central electoral commission of the mostly Armenian populated
Azerbaijani enclave of Nagorno Karabakh has declared the Thursday
presidential election valid, as the voter turnout threshold has
been met.

According to the chairman of the commission, Sergei Nasibyan, over
25 percent of 91,180 eligible voters took part in the poll.

RICHARD HOAGLAND NOT TO BE APPOINTED AS US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA?

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.07.2007 14:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Richard Hoagland, US Ambassador Designate to Armenia,
is about to be reassigned to another country, according to several
confidential but highly reliable sources. This decision was made
after his candidacy was twice blocked the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee. Both times Sen. Robert Menendez from New Jersey placed
hold on Hoagland’s nomination, The California Courier reports.

"The US administration must have realized that Richard Hoagland’s
nomination as Ambassador to Armenia is despairing. After languishing
for a whole year at an empty desk in the State Department, Ambassador
Hoagland deserves to have an assignment at a diplomatic post in a
country other than Armenia. His superiors’ mismanagement of this issue
should no longer keep his career in limbo. Only time will tell if
the Bush administration has properly understood from this episode the
deeply-felt sentiments of the Armenian-American community. In view of
the embarrassment suffered by the State Department on this occasion,
it is hoped that, henceforth, the administration would think long and
hard before showing any more disrespect towards the Armenian-American
community on the core issue of the Armenian Genocide of 1915," The
California Courier writes.

On September 7, 2006 thanks to Senator Robert Menendez’s efforts
Hoagland’s candidacy was blocked in the Senate. On December 1 the New
Jersey legislator joined with Majority Leader Harry Reid in calling on
the Administration to offer a new candidacy for this post. The negative
attitude towards Richard Hoagland’s nomination is connected with his
outright denial of the Armenian Genocide in response to questions posed
during and after his June 2006 confirmation hearing before the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee. Former US Ambassador to Yerevan John Evans
was forced into early retirement last year, after he used the words
"Armenian Genocide" to describe the mass murder of Armenians in Turkey.