Author: Tadevosian Garnik

PanARMENIAN.Net

Arman Melikyan: Azeri State Should Pay Penalty

25.03.2006 20:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Each next phase of development of the conflict make
search for peaceful solutions more complicated. If in 1988 Armenians
of Karabakh still could discuss the question of enhancing their
autonomy status to the level of autonomous republic, at the moment of
concluding the cease-fire in 1994 no one in Karabakh could think of
autonomous status within Azerbaijan, NKR President’s Foreign Policy
Advisor Arman Melikyan stated during scientific and practical
conference titled Stability Models in the Black Sea/Caucasus
Region. In his words, each new attempt of the Azeri authorities to
solve the issue from the position of force posed the question of
securing the people and guaranteeing its survival before the NKR.
«On the other hand, it is apparent that Azeri authorities did not
search for political solutions to forced political demands of Nagorno
Karabakh. They tried to solve the issue by force, for which the Azeri
state should pay penalty and should recognize its responsibility for
sufferings of hundreds of thousand people and the state – the NKR,»
Melikyan underscored.

The NKR President’s Advisor believes that recognition of Karabakh’s
independence by Azerbaijan will be the beginning of the way to
reconciliation. «Azeri authorities have to pay compensations to
Armenian refugees, as well as internally displaced Azeris. Some
territories controlled by the NKR Defense Army today play the role of
a security belt. After a reasonable period of time if the Azeri party
does not undertake those actions, the aforementioned territories,
along with their security function, may also become a resource for
compensation to Armenian refugees and a place for their re-settlement,
as citizens of the former Azerbaijani SSR they have the right to
settle in any of its parts they prefer and where their rights – first
of all that to life – are guaranteed,» he said.

Arman Melikyan also remarked that use of force should be censured and
punished, as full development of not only Azerbaijan and Karabakh, but
also entire the Black Sea/Caucasus region is not possible without
that.

Turkish lobbyist attacks Armenian Americans

ArmRadio.am
25.03.2006 12:24

Turkey’s top Washington, DC lobbyist, former Louisiana Congressman Bob
Livingston, in perhaps his most strident attack to date, has accused
Armenian Americans of seeking to impose a “tyranny of the minority” by
urging the Congress to adopt human rights legislation concerning the
Armenian Genocide, according to documents obtained this week by the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“It’s truly the height of hypocrisy for a paid foreign agent for
Turkey – a government that violates the rights of its citizens on a
wholesale basis – to try to diminish the role that American citizens
play in the formulation of our nation’s foreign policy,” said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “But, apparently, in the ‘Alice in
Wonderland’ world of Bob Livingston, other nations dictate US policy,
genocides remain unpunished, and foreign lobbyists get to silence
American voters. He would do well to spend more time encouraging his
Turkish clients to learn about democracy, and less time seeking to
abridge the democratic rights of Americans here at home.”

In letters sent to Congressional offices last September, prior to the
House International Relations Committee’s consideration of Armenian
Genocide legislation, Livingston, escalated his rhetoric to
unprecedented levels, arguing, in his capacity as a paid agent of a
foreign government, that he believed the measure “caters to a small
minority of citizens promoting the narrow goals of the minority at the
expense of America’s broader interest.” He went on, in an example of
overstatement rare even by Washington, DC standards, to contend that
Armenian Genocide legislation “is the truest expression of the tyranny
of the minority.” The panel rejected Livingston’s attack, voting 40 to
7 to approve the legislation.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 24, 2006 Friday 03:40 AM EST

Georgia pres orders to set up border demarcation com

TBILISI

President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia has ordered to create a
state commission on issues of delimitation and demarcation of the
borders with Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

An appropriate decree of the Georgian head of state was made public
on the official presidential site on Friday.

In accordance with the document, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister
Georgy Mandzhgaladze, who is given the right to form the commission
and groups of experts to hold talks with Russia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan on the given issues, was appointed the head of the state
commission.

The state commission, in particular, is entrusted with “the holding
of works on delimitation and demarcation of Georgia’s borders with
Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the process of
delimitation on the Black Sea of the territorial sea between Georgia
and Russia, in the special economic zone and the continental shelf.”

The state commission “is bound to preliminarily coordinate issues of
principle and present regular reports on its work to the Georgian
Foreign Ministry, and if necessary, to the president, security
council, parliament and government of the country,” the decree
notes.

CHAIRMAN OF UNION OF PAINTERS RULES OUT CONSTRUCTION OF ANOTHER
BUILDING ON UNION EXHIBITION HALLS

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The two large exhibition halls of the
Union of Painters will be reconstructed by a new design, and no
building will be constructed on these halls, since it may endanger the
existence of this cultural center in the future. Chairman of the union
Karen Aghamian stated this at the March 23 press conference. In his
words, the studies on the building’s condition have revealed that it
is not seismic resistant, so construction of a multistoried building
on it is ruled out. Moreover, it is dangerous to use the first floor
of the exhibition in its current condition – the main pillars contain
no concrete, and only the reinforcement remains. K. Aghamian
underlined that the union’s building, which was constructed in the
1940s and has not been repaired since that time, is need of major
repairs. “Of course, it would be more logical if this work would be
done by the Lincy Foundation, but repairs of the city street curbs was
considered more important,” the union chairman noted. In such
conditions the union had to find a sponsor to assist with repairs of
the exhibition halls. Last year the Rengema construction organization
assumed the implementation of this work on mutually beneficial
terms. K. Aghamian noted that after repairs the Union of Painters
will have an area of 1,000 square meters instead of the two exhibition
halls covering an area of 720 square meters. The first exhibition hall
4.80 meters high will have all the necessary lighting and technical
facilities in line with international standards, while the second hall
3,60 meters high is envisaged for graphic works. According to him,
the construction organization will be given the 3 floors being
constructed above the exhibition halls to use this area as
offices. The height of these three floors and two halls will not
exceed the former height of the building: by the new design, the
foundation was dug several meters deeper, so the former height of the
exhibition halls was reduced – to make them more comfortable. Karen
Aghamian assured that all contracts have been signed with the Rengema
construction organization, with the Union of Painters being considered
the building’s owner. According to him, neither he nor the union
board members would agree to other versions of the building’s repairs,
if they had even slightest doubts.

PARUYR HAYRIKIAN CARRIES ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT FOR HOLDING
EVENTS ON OCCASION OF 40th ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED NATIONAL PARTY

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Paruyr Hayrikian, Chairman of the
National Self-Determination Union, “putting aside any disagreements”
is carrying on negotiations with the country’s government for holding
festive events on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the United
National Party at the governmental level. The National
Self-Determination Union Chairman informed about it at the March 24
press conference. According to him, there is no other party in Armenia
that had an occasion to work out programs of strategic importance for
the nation that seem to be non-realizable and being persecuted, to
bring them to the public and to strive for their realization with
joint efforts. “This is necessary first of all for having a sound,
deserved generation believing its possibilities that is to complete
the work started by the United National Party-National
Self-Determination Union,” the party leader considers.

P.Hayrikian also mentioned that a number of events are planned in
connection with the United National Party’s 40th anniversary, in
particular, moving the ashes of the party founder Haykaz Khachatrian
to the Pantheon, creation of a cycle of films, solemn sitting and
organization of conferences, invitation of the party members of other
nationalities to Armenia.

Prime News Agency, Georgia
March 23 2006

Alaverdi-Gardabani Power Transmission Line To Double Export of
Armenian electricity

Tbilisi. March 23 (Prime-News) – Restoration of the 220-kilowatt
Alaverdi-Gardabani (Armenia-Georgia) power transmission line will
enable the Armenian party to double export of electricity.

The repair works that started at the end of 2005 will last through
the end of 2006, REGNUM news agency was told by Karapet Gevorkian,
KfW representative to Armenia.

According to him, the repair works will take EUR 8 m allocated by the
government of Germany.

`Approximate EUR 4 m was earmarked from the savings after repairs of
the Kamo-Vanadzor substation and EUR 4,5 m will be allocated from the
Caucasian Initiation Foundation’, Karapet Gevorkian said.

A1+

THE STRIKERS SURROUNDED THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING AGAIN

04:22 pm 23 March, 2006

The participants of a few strikes mingled today in front of the RA
Government building. The inhabitants of the `realizing area,’ the
tenants of the Dalma gardens and the NA Deputy Arshak Sadoyan were
among them and they aroused an action of revolt against `ArmenTel.’

By the way, the strikers decided to present all their complaints at
least to the NA deputy who was beside them at that moment and was
listening to them. Sadoyan did not offer any solution to the matter,
he only advised that ‘None of the problems concerning the pension,
Husisajin Ave., Dalma, Buzand will be solved separately .The
authorities only think of enriching their pockets. We must unite and
combat together. ‘

It must be mentioned that the police did their best to prevent the
strikers from gathering in front of the central entrance of the
Government. The strikers had to present their complaints at the corner
of the building and they had no chance to approach to any official or
minister entering the premises. `Thus the people of the country have
only certain responsibilities and no rights towards this Government,’
complained one of the tenants of the Dalma gardens. `If the
authorities are concerned with the greening of the city they shouldn’t
cut the trees in our gardens. We consider their act a vandalism and
compare it with the breaking of the khachkars in Jougha by the Turks.’
By the way, none of the strikers presented a letter or an application
to the Government today; they simply reminded the officials of their
problems.

As for Sadoyan and the sufferers from the actions of `ArmenTel,’ it
should be noted that the strikers demanded the Government to say its
opinion and help them to reveal the case of the `Internet – fraud’
with the following posters `ArmenTel makes the pockets of people
empty,’ `Don’t deprive people of the Internet,’ `Don’t hinder the
prosperity of the Internet’ etc. Let us remind you that the citizens
got a lot of telephone bills reaching millions after using the
Internet service. Now it is already apparent it was caused by a
special program that penetrated into the Internet. (`ArmenTel’ also
admits this fact.) `That program is designated in the Internet
Encyclopedia by a special term as a spy – program. These spy –
programs pursue concrete aims – to get money,’ says the Chairman of
the National Democratic Alliance Arshak Sadoyan. He mentioned that
this case will already be investigated by the RA General Attorney and
a letter will be sent in the name of the NDA and the consumers to the
Interpol European Organisation combating computer crimes. `We hope
that with joint efforts of the Armenian and international legal bodies
these matters will find their solutions and the criminals will be
punished,’ says the Deputy, ‘Anyway, the stronger the power of the
complaint is the more obliged the authorities will be to think of
their nation and society.’ There are already 500 citizens registered
in the NDA and in the organizations dealing with the protection of
humans’ rights, who consider themselves sufferers from the actions of
`ArmenTel.’

The strikers expect the Government to resume their telephone
connection and to annul the artificial debts. Later a question may
arouse to compensate the losses of the Armenian citizens.

GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA AVOIDS USING THE TERM “GENOCIDE”

ArmRadio
20.03.2006 17:01

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Armenia
Revaz Gachicheladze turned to the issue of the Armenian Genocide today.

“We really mourn for what happened to the Armenian people 90 years
ago,” the Ambassador said, avoiding to use the term “genocide,”
noting that the recognition of the Genocide is the liability of the
government and the parliament. “However, the international situation
should be considered,” Revaz Gachicheladze added.

ARMENIA LOOKS FORWARDS TO TREASURES OF LOUVRE

YEREVAN, MARCH 17.ARMINFO. The French Embassy to Armenia submitted
a package of suggestions on arrangements within the framework of
Armenia’s Day in France to RA Culture Ministry. The Press Service of
RA Culture and Youth Affairs Ninistry informed ARMINFO about this.

Gevorg Gevorgian, RA Culture Minister, and Ani Monriet, councellor
of French Ambassdor to Armenia, discussed these issues during today’s
meeting at the ministry.

The French side suggested to organize cultural events in Armenia,
too.Thus, the exposition of French artists will open at AR State
Picture Gallery. It is also envisaged that two photo exhibitions
“France at Night” and “A Photographer’s View of France” will open at
the gallery.

8 NEW CASES OF HIV REGISTERED IN ARMENIA THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Mar 16 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, NOYAN TAPAN. 8 new cases of HIV have been registered
in Armenia this year. NT correspondent was informed at the Republican
Center for AIDS Prevention that 390 cases of HIV were registered
in the country from 1998 to February 28, 2006. Out of this number,
371 HIV positive persons were Armenian citizens. In 2005 alone, 78
new HIV cases were registered, with 75 being Armenian citizens. 116
HIV positive persons (20 women, 4 children) have been found to have
AIDS, 41 of whom – in 2005, and 11 – this year. Until now 81 people
(13 women, 2 children) have died from AIDS/HIV in Armenia. It was
noted that in Armenia, the main HIV transmission routes are drug use
(54.5%) and heterosexual contacts (37.7%).