Author: Tadevosian Garnik

Iran, Georgia to sign visa waiver accord

Sat, 22 May 2010

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says Iran and Georgia
will soon sign an agreement to eliminate visa requirements.

Mehmanparast, who is in Tbilisi to improve media cooperation between the two
countries, expressed Iran’s desire to increase relations with Georgia.

"A visa elimination agreement will soon be signed between the two countries
and an announcement will be made on the matter. We will also be opening a
high consulate office in the city of Batumi," Fars News Agency quoted him as
saying.

Mehmanparast added that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili had invited
his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the second time to Tbilisi
and expressed hope that the visit could be scheduled for after Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki’s trip to the republic.

MYA/HGH/MMN

EDWARD NALBANDYAN ABOUT PUBLICATIONS IN TURKISH AND AZERBAIJANI MASS MEDIA: THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE LIE

ArmInfo
2010-05-21 11:16:00

ArmInfo. ‘That is an absolute lie which needs no comment’, – Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said when replying to the question
about the publications in the Turkish and Azerbaijani mass media
regarding the Karabakh conflict settlement.

To note, the information has been actively spread in the Turkish and
Azerbaijani mass media allegedly about different options of Armenian
troops withdrawal from the liberated territories, in particular,
from Kelbajar and Fizuli regions.

ARMENIA BEATING ESTONIA AT 2:3

Tert.am
10:43 21.05.10

The Armenian Youth Football Team celebrated its third consecutive
victory in Euro 2011 draw stage by beating Estonia at a 3:2 score on
their own turf, reports local Armenian sports news website Armsport.am.

The Armenian team has now 10 points at its disposal and stands side
by side with Turkey that is the second in the same sub-group and has
still to play two more matches.

The Armenian player Gevorg Ghazaryan opened the score at the 18th
minute with the Estonians to restore the score at the 33rd minute.

Later Davit Manoyan rushed into the penalty area of the rival and
scored the second goal. Further, at the 68th minute, Gevorg Ghazaryan
made another goal. The struggle got heated especially when the
Estonians kicked another goal at the 83rd minute, but fortunately,
for the Armenian players the score remained the same till the end of
the match – 2:3.

NO ANTI-PROPAGANDA OBSERVED DURING CAMPAIGN OF THE UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Panorama.am
19:24 20/05/2010

Politics

"The advantage of the campaign of the upcoming parliamentary elections
is that the political forces and the candidates didn’t use it to insult
each other," independent expert David Gharabekyan told Panorama.am.

No anti-propaganda has been observed and during their meetings with
the people the candidates only focused on their programs and plans.

Remind that the Parliamentary Elections in Nagorno-Karabakh are due
May 23.

"CAUCAUS-2009" SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE KICKED OFF IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
MAY 21, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS: "Caucasus" two-day scientific conference
kicked off today in Yerevan with participation of Armenian and
foreign experts and political analysts. Richard Kirakosyan, director
of the Armenian Strategic and National Researches Center, said that in
2009 a serious situation was created in the region. "Armenia tried to
contribute to the stability and development of the region alone trying
to regulate the Armenian-Turkish relations. Armenia as always expressed
its distinct position in this direction, which is maintained up today.

Our position to regulate relations with neighbors without proposing
preconditions is supported by super powers – European Union, USA,
Russia. In that regard Armenia’s positions are very firmer and more
powerful than two years ago," R. Kirakosyan said. He expressed concern
about the foreign policy assumed by Turkey, as a result of which the
regulation process of Armenian-Turkish relations has entered a stage of
"frosting".

"I do agree with Armenia’s decision that Armenia cannot wait for
Turkey’s wish over the regulation of the relations any more. Turkey
is responsible for the failure of the process and the second step
must be made by it," the political analyst said.

Ivlian Khandava, director of the Georgian Development and Cooperation
Center, political analyst, said he is of the opinion that the region
faces not only political but lingual and cultural issues as well.

According to him, the reason of the issue of Javakhk is the non-ability
of realizing the self-governing process of the population.

The parliament members elected there have never presented in the
parliament the issues their electors face," he said.

The Georgian political analyst noted with pain that after the 2008
August events the situation in Georgia is not very stable. "Georgia’s
reputation as stable and strong state has apparently fallen. Its
reason is the irresponsible authorities of Georgia, and the part of
the opposition. As a result of their activities, Abkhazia and South
Ossia actually have been separated from Georgia," I. Khaindrava said.

Speaking of Georgian-American relations, he noted that currently
Washington is discontent with Georgia, especially with the
irresponsible activity of President Michael Saakashvili. "In contrast
to George Bush administration, with who Saakashvili had friendly
relations, Obama’s administration implements calmer and balanced
policy toward Georgia," I. Khaindrava said.

Referring to Georgian-Russian relations, he expressed an opinion that
the regulation of the relations between the two countries is just a
necessity from all the viewpoints, "Unfortunately, there are unsolved
issues. Russia does not wish to negotiate with Saakahshvili. Yes,
Saakashvili is an issue, but it is our issue," he said.

Ono Simons, head of the press, economy and policy department of the
European Commission delegation in Armenia, said that the strengthening
of the peace and stability in the region is necessary not only for
the countries of the region, but for Europe and the USA as well.

"Serious steps are necessary to undertake for the stability of the
region. We tie hopes with South Caucasus countries and do our best
to promote the regulation and establishment of relations," he said
adding that it will be possible only thanks to a dialogue. According
to Ono Simons, we must take every chance for the dialogue. "Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia are participants of the EU "Eastern Partnership"
program. They must use the opportunities afforded by this European
institution to solve the current issues. The development of the region
will be impossible without that," Ono Simons said.

DEBATES IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT

The Messenger
May 20 2010
Georgia

Hot debates were caused in the Armenian parliament over the issue of
amendments to regulations concerning TV and radio broadcasting in the
country. New amendments envisage further control of the TV and radio
broadcasting by the state. All opposition parties criticized the new
initiative as well as members of the coalition party Flourishing
Armenia. The criticism is based on the fact that the government
is trying to introduce the amendments in a hasty manner without
preliminary discussions of the issue by the Armenian population.

TURKEY DEMANDS URANIUM DELIVERY FROM IRAN WITHIN ONE MONTH

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2010 – 17:23 AMT 12:23 GMT

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Iran would be on
its own if it failed to fulfil conditions of a fuel swap deal and
deliver uranium to Turkey within one month.

His comments, at a news conference in Madrid, came after Tehran agreed
with Brazil and Turkey on Monday to send uranium abroad, reviving a
fuel swap plan drafted by the United Nations with the aim of keeping
Iran’s nuclear activities in check.

"If Iran does not fulfil its duty within one month, naturally Iran
will be on its own," said Erdogan. "If Iran does not live up to its
expectations, Brazil and Turkey will take a step forward and get out
of the picture."

Earlier, Erdogan questioned the credibility of permanent U.N Security
Council members who maintain their nuclear capability while calling
on other countries to abandon their weapons

"Where is your credibility if you have nuclear weapons but are telling
other countries not to have them," he said while visiting the European
University in Madrid, Reuters reported.

HALF MILLION GREEKS WERE MASSACRED IN OTTOMAN TURKEY

k
08:37 pm | May 19, 2010 | Social

The first wave of repression against Greeks in the Ottoman Empire
began along with the genocide of Armenians and Assyrians at the
outbreak of World War II.

Mass deportations and killings of Greeks stated in 1916. Turkish
authorities did not even conceal that the violent massacres of the
Greek population were plotted under the same scenario as was the
Armenian Genocide.

After the end of the 1919-22 Greco-Turkish War most of the Greeks
migrated or were transferred to Greece under the terms of the 1923
population exchange between Greece and Turkey.

In September, 1922, after the Turkish forces of Mustafa Kemal defeated
a Greek army that had recklessly occupied the Anatolian city of Smyrna,
members of Smyrna’s Greek, Armenian, and expatriate communities were
killed, raped, and robbed.

"Turkey has been purified from traitors and alien and will hence
belong to Turks," said Kemal.

According to various sources, about 500 000 Greeks were assassinated
during this period. Some of the survivors and expelled, especially
those in Eastern provinces, took refuge in the neighbouring Russian
Empire.

Recall, that on March 11, 2010 the Swedish Parliament passed a
resolution recognizing Armenian, Greek and Assyrian massacres by
the Ottoman Turkey thus becoming the first country to recognize the
genocide of Pontiac Greeks.

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVES THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC JAN FISCHER

parliament.am
May 18 2010
Armenia

On May 17 the President of RA National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan
received the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Jan Fischer. The
NA Vice President Arevik Petrosyan, the Chief of NA Staff Gegham
Gharibjanyan, the Chairperson of NA Standing Committee on European
Integration Naira Zohrabyan, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee
on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs Gagik Minasyan and the
ambassadors of the two countries attended the meeting.

Greeting the Czech Prime Minister the RA National Assembly President
expressed hope that his first official visit to Armenia would
promote the development of bilateral relations. Hovik Abrahamyan
noted that the Armenian part emphasized the development of relations
both in bilateral and multilateral formats with the Czech Republic,
as well as the cooperation in European structures. RA National
Assembly President noted that the Armenian authorities paid special
attention to the EU Eastern Partnership programme and took active
part in its implementation. He also highlighted the development of
economic relations between two countries.

The Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer noted that Armenia and the
Czech Republic should do utmost for using the potential of the
possibilities. He in particular as a sphere of cooperation noted
culture, education and tourism. The Czech Prime Minister stated that
Armenia was one of the key participants of the EU Eastern Partnership
Programme.

RA National Assembly President considered important the development
of the inter-parliamentary cooperation: during the past years
inter-parliamentary active contacts had been between the parliaments
of the two countries. Hovik Abrahamyan thanked the Czech part for
the unbiased position in the NK issue, noting that the Armenian
authorities were for the peaceful solution of the issue within the
OSCE Minsk Group framework. He reiterated that Nagorno Karabakh could
not be part of Azerbaijan and the issues of the NK status and the
security of the NK people were important for Armenia.

The Czech Prime Minister also noted that the problem of Nagorno
Karabakh should be settled within the OSCE Minsk Group framework
and said that the Czech Republic had adopted a balanced position in
NK issue.

The Chairperson of NA Standing Committee on European Integration
Naira Zohrabyan thanked the Czech Prime Minister for the efforts
taken in activating the Armenian-Czech relations, in particular, for
restoring the students’ fellowship places and for giving opportunity
the Armenian students to study in the higher educational institutions
in the Czech Republic. The issue of the students’ fellowship by the
assignment of the President of RA National Assembly was raised by
the Committee Chairperson during the meeting, which was held with
the parliamentary delegation of the Czech Republic in March.

RA NA President also touched upon Armenia’s economy, noting that this
year there were possibilities to improve the indices. The Chairman of
the NA Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs
Gagik Minasyan noted that the economic data of Armenia would be better
if the country would not be under blockade. Documenting that Europe
declared the Eastern Partnership programme he considered unacceptable
that Turkey, striving for European family, had blockaded the member
state of that programme.

In the course of the meeting the sides discussed other issues of
bilateral interest.

Who Benefited From The Convict’S Death?

A1Plus.am
17/05/10

A third person convicted for the October 27 parliamentary carnage
died Friday in Nubarashen prison.

Norayr Eghiazaryan, another convict in the case, died in the
same prison on August 29, 2000. According to forensic examination,
Eghiazaryan died of high voltage electricity though some sources said
he died of injuries in the head.

Norayr Eghiazaryan was the person who had sold weapons to the group of
terrorists that rushed in the Armenian parliament and killed members
of parliament and government on October 27, 1999.

On April 16, 2004, another executor of the terrorist attack Vram
Galstyan sentenced to life imprisonment, committed suicide in
Nubarashen jail. Galstyan reportedly behaved strangely before the
death promising to reveal details of the attack.

Before the death, Vram Galstyan was moved to a solitary confinement
cell at his own request. Galstyan was the uncle of the terrorists’
ringleader Nairi Hunanyan.

After the accident, Samvel Hovhannisyan, head of the Penitentiary
Department, announced that Vram had frequently attempted suicide.

On March 15, 2010 jailed gunman Hamlet Stepanyan died suddenly in
Nubarashen. Unlike the other members of the group, Hamlet was sentenced
to 14 years in prison and was to come out in 2-3 years. He was not
directly involved in the events taking place inside the National
Assembly and waited outside the parliament building. Hamlet Stepanyan
joined the group in the morning of October 27, 1999.

"I am convinced that Stepanyan had no information about the real
organizers of the parliamentary carnage. At the same time, I am
confident that that Stepanyan possessed information about forces
which were to join the group after the killings," representative of
Demirtchyan’s legal interests Ashot Sargsyan told A1+.

"In this sense, Stepanyan’s death was advantageous to criminals who
were waiting for Derenik Bezhanyan’s call to join the criminal group."

Ashot Sargsyan is waiting for coroner’s conclusion although he believes
the official version will be exactly the same as was in the case of
Vram Galstyan. Mr. Sargsyan stresses the importance of human rights
defenders who have to monitor the disclosure of true circumstances
of the death.

Asked whether the other members of the group are not periled, Mr.
Sargsyan said: "It is not excluded that Nairi Hunanyan may be found
death one day but it will raise the need for power change. As long as
Nairi and Karen Hunanyans and Edik Grigoryan are alive, the power will
not resign as the new authorities will disclose the true organizers
of October 27 through the group."

October 27, 1999 a group of terrorists rushed in the Armenian
parliament hall and shot point-blank leaders and members of the
Armenian parliament and government. Eight were killed – National
Assembly speaker Karen Demirchian, prime minister Vazgen Sargsian,
parliament vice-speakers Yuri Bakhshian and Ruben Miroyan, minister
for operational issues Leonard Petrosian, parliament deputies Armenak
Armenakian, Henrik Abrahamian, Mikayel Kotanian.