Author: Takmazian

EXPEDITED TRIAL ON CRIMINAL CASE FILED AGAINST 4 POLICEMEN ENDS

Noyan Tapan
Jun 18 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 15 the trial of the criminal
case filed against 4 policemen charged with perjury and abuse of
official powers took place with expedited legal proceedings in the
Court of First Instance of the Kentron and Nork-Marash communities
in Yerevan.

Before the meeting of their petition to hold an expedited trial the
defendants, Marat Manukian, the section leader of the Protection
Division of the Guard Department to the Police Central Department,
policemen Aram Khachatrian, Hayrapet Giulamirian, and Vardan
Gabrielian, at the moment of committing the crime, completely confessed
to the claims concerning the abuse of their official powers and perjury
during their guard duty in the Alen-Elen nightclub. Diana Simonian,
the cashier of the club, also admitted to the charge of perjury.

According to the materials of the case, M. Manukian and A. Khachatrian,
who were on duty in the Alen-Elen nightclub in Yerevan on June
30, 2006 on the illegal orders of the club’s manager Vl. Bejanian,
forcedly took a customer of the club A. Babum, a citizen of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, to the police sentry post located in the club for
allegedly entering the club with a knife. Vl. Bejanian interrogated
and beat Babum, inflicting relatively serious injuries upon him, which
will not hea. Then the policemen gave false testimony, introducing a
report saying that A. Babum made a ruckus in the Alen-Elen nightclub
and tried to argue with other visitors to the club and, when the
policeman M. Manukian told him to clam down, A. Babum took a knife
out of his pocket and attacked him.

On July 5, 2006 H. Gyulamirian started an ungrounded argument with
club customer Tigran Galstian, then beat him with M. Manukian causing
minor injuries. Vardan Gabrielian, the next defendant in the case,
wrote a report saying that during his duty in the Alen-Elen nightclub
he tried to calm Tigran Galstian, who was allegedly arguing with the
club cashier, down, but the latter punched and headbutted him in the
face. The cashier also gave false testimony of the same content.

Court proceedings will begin on July 3.

Three reasons for registration

16-06-2007 10:36:28 – KarabakhOpen

On Thursday the NKR Central Electoral Commission registered all the
five presidential candidates.

`We studied closely two key documents. According to Article 23 of the
NKR Civil Code, the place of residence of an NKR citizen is the place
where he resides permanently or for the most part. And according to the
decision of the government confirming the regulations of the passport
system of NKR, which is more specific, the permanent residence of an
NKR citizen is the place where he resides permanently or for the most
part. We consulted lawyers and made sure that `for the most part’ is
`more than half’. In registering the candidates we proceeded from the
principle of residing for the most part,’ the chair of the CEC Sergey
Nasibyan said during the meeting of the NKR CEC on June 14.

Earlier the Azat Artsakh had published the letter of members of
parliament Rudik Hyusnunts and Vahram Atanesyan, members of Bako
Sahakyan’s initiative group, which offers another reason for the
registration of Bako Sahakyan. `Bako Sahakyan worked in Moscow for some
time, but was registered in Stepanakert. According to the international
laws, the embassy or representation of the country is considered as the
territory of the country, which means that in the given period Bako
Sahakyan was in the territory which is considered as a common civil
territory because NKR is not recognized,’ the letter holds.
One more reason. With regard to the grounds for registration of Bako
Sahakyan the proponents of registration say the issue raised by NGOs
refers to the other candidates as well, in particular Armen Abgaryan
and Masis Mayilyan, who also were absent from NKR over the past ten
years for over a month, the chair of the CEC said.

VTB BANK PLANS TO IMPLEMENT INVESTMENT PROGRAMS OF TOTAL COST OF 500 MILLION DOLLARS IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Jun 14 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN. VTB Bank OJSC (Russia), its Armenian
branch VTB Bank-Armenia CJSC and Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA)
CJSC on June 14 signed in Yerevan an agreement on long-term cooperation
in financing of ENA’s investment projects. According to the document,
VTB Bank will finance capital investments of 70 mln USD to be made in
ENA within 5-8 years, with the respective program being approved by the
RA Public Services Regulatory Commission. Short-term financing of ENA’s
working capital will also be done during one-year period. Besides,
the sides have agreed to develop programs on provision of an improved
comprehensive package of banking services to ENA and its counteragents.

After the signing of the document, Chairman of VTB Bank board Andrey
Kostin said that 4 mln dollars will be invested with the aim of
developing the network of VTB Bank-Armenia’s branches. In his words,
investment programs to be implemented in some other sectors of the
Armenian economy are now under discussion. The total cost of these
programs makes 500 mln dollars. The return of capital may be up to
10 years. It was mentioned that VTB Bank-Armenia will increase its
retail banking services, particularly its mortgage crediting.

In the words of A. Kostin, it is planned that "VTB Bank-Armenia will
enter Armenian and foreign loan markets by issuing its bonds."

He said that capitalization of VTB Bank currently makes 35-36 billion
dollars.

ARMENIAN JOURNALIST SUES RFE/RL IN PRAGUE OVER DISMISSAL

AZG Armenian Daily
Czech radio-Radio Praha
16/06/2007

The daily Lidove noviny writes that Czech courts will probably deal
with alleged discrimination against some employees at the US-funded
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty based in Prague. The paper refers to
the case of Armenian reporter Anna Karapetian who says her dismissal
from the radio after 12 years is invalid and has filed a lawsuit
against her former employer. The paper says that those RFE/RL employees
who do not come either from the United States or the Czech Republic
find themselves in a legal limbo as regards their employees’ rights.

While Czechs can rely on the Czech Labour Code, disputes with
US employees are solved by the Washington-based Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission. RFE/RL did not comment on the case.

AZERIS ANGRY AT PUTIN RADAR OFFER
By Jasur Mamedov in Baku

A1+
[05:34 pm] 15 June, 2007

Many say Putin has no right to allow Washington to use the Galaba
station.

Russia’s unexpected offer to let the United States share its radar
station in Azerbaijan has left many here stunned and angry.

President Vladimir Putin stunned US counterpart George W. Bush with
his offer, made at the G8 summit in Germany last week, which was
intended to defuse a row over US plans to site missiles in Eastern
Europe. But once the shock has died down, another row may start,
since many Azeris instantly pointed out that Putin has no right to
offer the use of someone else’s facilities.

Azeri president Ilham Aliyev was quite positive about the idea. "This
is a new element in [Azerbaijan’s] strategic cooperation with the
two countries," he told Russian television.

But other officials were angry.

"If Russia intends to allow it to be used by a third country,
it must discuss the issue with Azerbaijan," said Ziyafat Askerov,
vice-speaker of Azerbaijan’s parliament. Citing article 4 of the
Gabala radar station lease agreement, he said the station cannot be
handed over to a third party without Azerbaijan’s permission.

Azerbaijan’s former ambassador in Russia Khikmet Haji-zade, who is
now a well-known political analyst, was also critical. "The Russian
president’s statement is utter political tactlessness," he said.

"The president of Russia has failed to take two factors into
consideration. The first is that Azerbaijan already has a missile
defence system. The second is that it is up to Azerbaijan to determine
the fate of the Gabala radar station, not up to the country that has
temporary lease of the facilities.

That is why Azerbaijan’s response to Putin’s statement should be
tough."

The US intention to build missile defence systems in the Czech Republic
and Poland have been at the heart of one of the bitterest arguments
between Moscow and Washington since the end of the Cold War. Russia
is unconvinced that the system is targeted only against Iran and has
threatened to pull out of a series of bilateral arms treaties and
increase its military presence in Europe.

Many agree that by offering to share operation of the radar station
in Azerbaijan’s Gabala District, just 200 kilometres away from Iran’s
borders, Russia has stripped the American administration of its main
trump card and driven it into a tight corner.

The Gabala radar station monitors much of Asia, including Iran, as
well as a large part of Africa and islands in the Indian and Atlantic
Oceans. It was built in 1987 and Russia continued to use it after the
fall of the Soviet Union despite having no legal grounds for doing
so. Russia and Azerbaijan finally agreed in 2002 that the station
was Azeri property.

Russia would pay 3 million US dollars a year to rent it on a ten-year
lease.

Iran has been anxiously watching to see how the events will unfold. The
Iranian embassy in Baku quoted the Iranian foreign ministry as saying,
"Over the past days, there have been many conflicting statements about
the joint Russia-USA use of the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan. We
are checking them with a great attention and particular sensitivity."

And Azeri experts warned that Azerbaijan could become a target for
Iranian attack if US forces did arrive.

They said Baku should demand security guarantees from both Russia
and America before allowing the centre to be placed on its territory.

The public in Azerbaijan are also concerned about the ecological
consequences of expanding the radar station, which is widely seen as
the source of dangerous radiation.

"If the US is allowed to use the radar station, its capacities will
be increased, which means the damage being done to the environment
will grow too," said independent military expert Azad Isazade. "The
clouds reflect radar waves onto densely-populated areas of the country
nearby. Officially, they say the station is harmless but independent
medical studies suggest the contrary."

"Before moving to increase the capacities of the Gabala radar station,
it is necessary to assess its influence on the environment and
populated areas," agreed Adil Gadirov, director of the Institute for
Radiation Problems. "Currently, we do not have the slightest idea of
that. State commissions have been organised twice to study the issue,
however no results have resulted."

Political analyst Rasim Musabekov was the only one who spotted a silver
lining in the offer. He said cooperation with America might bring the
White House and the Kremlin to support Azerbaijan in its efforts to
regain control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh province, which is
ruled by ethnic Armenians and outside central government control.

"The shared use of the Gabala radar station will lead Russia to
change its stance on the Karabakh issue in Azerbaijan’s favour,"
he said. "Making the right use of the factor of energy resources and
their transit, growing profits and the strategic US-Russia partnership
in the region, Azerbaijan will boost its chances of having the Karabakh
problem solved in its favour."

Jasur Mamedov is a military correspondent with the newspaper
Zerkalo. Institute for War and Peace Reporting’s Caucasus Reporting
Service.

June 15, 2007

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

PRELATE WELCOMES THE FRIENDS OF NEW JULFA
COMMITTEE TO THE PRELACY

On the evening of Tuesday, June 12, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed the Friends of New Julfa committee to the
Prelacy. The visit served to familiarize the committee with the new
building and also to introduce the new members to the Prelate.

The Prelate gave the members an overview of the work being
carried our and of the different departments that comprise the Prelacy. The
meeting concluded with the committee presenting the Prelate with an artwork
depicting the Holy Savior Monastery of New Julfa.

PRELATE VISITS ARMENIAN INMATES

On the morning of Saturday, June 9, the Prelate visited the
North County Correctional Facility Wayside jail accompanied by Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian, Pastors of Holy Cross Cathedral Rev. Nareg Pehlivanian and
Rev. Ashod Kambourian, Chaplain Raffi Garabedian, Stole bearer Manuk
Chulyan, Executive Council Vice-Chair Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian, and Mrs.
Araksia Varteresian.

The Prelate and delegation were greeted upon their arrival at
the facility by representatives of the Sheriff’s Department who escorted
them to a hall where the inmates were assembled. A service took place
following which the inmates were offered Holy Communion. At the conclusion
of services the Prelate delivered his spiritual message urging the inmates
to sincerely pray to God for the forgiveness of their sins, to walk in the
path of righteousness and to be good Christians to bring pride to the
Armenian people and to their families.

At the conclusion of the Prelate’s message, a traditional
Armenian meal was offered. The visit concluded with the inmates expressing
gratitude for the unforgettable occasion and for the spiritual nourishment
that was offered to them.

FIRST ANNUAL BANQUET OF PRELACY SUNDAY SCHOOLS

The Sunday Schools’ Central Directorate organized its first
annual banquet, which was held on Saturday, June 9, at "Avedissian" Hall in
Encino, under the auspices of the Prelate. Long serving teachers were
honored for their service and dedication to our students. Christian
Education Department Directors Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev
Gulumian were also in attendance along with parish pastors, delegates,
Boards of Trustees, youth association members, Sunday School directors and
teachers, and over 450 guests.

The evening began with the invocation by the Prelate followed by
the collective singing of the Sunday School anthem. In his welcoming
remarks Master of Ceremonies Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian briefly outlined
the mission of our Sunday Schools. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian delivered
the keynote speech in which he stressed the invaluable education and
spiritual nourishment our youth receive at Sunday Schools, and subsequently
invited the Prelate to present the awards to the teachers.

The Prelate, in his closing remarks and benediction,
congratulated the directors and teachers and highly commended the work they
undertake. He also congratulated the organizers of the banquet, and all
those who contributed to its success, wishing them many more years of
fruitful service.

PRELATE WELCOMES GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER

BOB YOUSEFIAN TO THE PRELACY

On the afternoon of Friday, June 8, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed Glendale City Council member Bob Yousefian
to the Prelacy. Executive Council Treasurer Mr. Vahan Bezdikian and
community representatives were also present at the meeting.

Given that it was Mr. Yousefian’s first visit to the new
building, the Prelate and representatives outlined the different departments
within the Prelacy and the various work being carried out as well as future
plans. Mr. Yousefian in turn expressed his support of the Prelacy and his
readiness to assist in the actualization of future activities.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS COMPLICIT IN TRAFFICKING MUST BE INVESTIGATED, PROSECUTED, CONVICTED AND SENTENCED

Lragir.am
14-06-2007 17:30:59

"In order to improve anti-trafficking efforts, Armenia must vigorously
investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence corrupt government
officials complicit in trafficking," holds the U.S. State Department’s
annual report on trafficking in persons.

Armenia is a source country of trafficking. To a lesser extent, it is
a transit country for women and girls trafficked to the United Arab
Emirates and Turkey for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation,
the report holds. "Armenian men and women are trafficked to Russia
for the purpose of forced labor. Women and girls also transit through
Moscow to the U.A.E."

The report states the government of Armenia does not fully comply with
the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however,
it is making significant efforts to do so.

"The government demonstrated inadequate efforts to protect trafficking
victims in 2006. NGOs provided most victim assistance, rehabilitative
counseling, and shelter, although the border guards ran a short-term
victim shelter at the border crossing point with Georgia and referred
victims to NGOs. The government provided no financial or in-kind
assistance for anti-trafficking NGOs," runs the report. In addition,
the government still relies on NGOs and international organizations
to supplement its own public awareness efforts.

"The government’s Migration Agency worked with the civil aviation
authority and a NGO to publish and distribute leaflets on the dangers
of trafficking to people flying to Turkey and the U.A.E. The government
also worked with the Russian Migration Agency to publish and distribute
a brochure for laborers traveling to Russia," the report runs.

ICG CAUCASUS PROJECT DIRECTOR: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ANY VOTE IN NAGORNO KARABAKH

4barsrest.com, UK
June 11 2007

APA’s interview with Magdalen Frichova, the Caucasus Project Director
of International Crisis Group

– As a new project director, when are you planning to visit Baku?

With whom are you planning to meet? Have you been dealing with the
regional conflicts, including NK before?

– I am planning to visit Baku on 12-13 June. I would like to meet
with governmental officials, the MFA as a priority, and a number
of civil society interlocutors. Our Senior Analyst Claire Delessard
was in Baku in late May and has held various meetings and traveled
IDP camps. She will be accompanying me on my 12-13 June trip, too. I
have been dealing with the regional conflicts now for over 8 years
– most of my working experience focused on the Georgian-Abkhaz and
Georgian-Ossetian conflicts. Most recently I worked with the OSCE where
my portfolio focused on conflict and minority issues. I have had a
brief chance to deal with issues related to Nagorno Karabakh (NK) when
employed with a British NGO involved in the Consortium Initiative. I
have also covered Nagorno Karabakh related issues as a journalist.

– Which reports are you planning as Caucasus project for the year of
2007? Who are your general interlocutors for the report?

– We have recently publicized a report on South Ossetia. At present, we
are in the process of data collection, research and holding interviews
for the next report on Nagorno Karabakh (NK). The report on NK will
focus on the political process and will try to detail what has changed
since our last report nearly two years ago. It will also cover evolving
realities in both Azerbaijan and Armenia. In the case of Azerbaijan,
we would specifically like to assess the impact of oil revenues on
political processes in the country. Crisis Group’s energy consultant
is involved in the report and has already visited Baku. We will be
grateful to discuss these issues with governmental interlocutors,
mainly from the MFA and other ministries dealing with topical issues
relevant for the peace process. We will be also seeking to meet
with analysts, experts on related issues, civil society activists
and of course representatives of the internally displaced community
of Karabakh.

– You have been working on Georgia’s conflicts, do you see any
resemblances and differences among them? How safe do you think the
Caucasus is considering these existing conflicts in the region?

– The existence of the three unresolved protracted conflicts in
the South Caucasus does have a strong impact on the region’s overall
stability. Many say the conflicts have not been frozen, it is the peace
processes that are frozen — but their existence adversely affects
the overall climate in the South Caucasus, introduces elements of
instability and unpredictability.

The security situation in the zones of conflict has for the most part
been stable, if often tense and volatile. Larger scale violence,
like the regrettable summer 2004 confrontation in South Ossetia,
have fortunately been rare. But incidents frequently occur in all
three zones of conflict, including cases that result in casualties,
and this is worrying. As long as these conflicts remain unresolved,
the risk of their flaring up is there, especially given the high
levels of militarization in the three countries and the three conflict
regions. The conflicts also negatively affect the general climate
for investment opportunities, restrict trade and transport links, and
provide opportunities for uncontrolled businesses operating outside
governmental jurisdiction thereby undermining the rule of law and
providing a fertile terrain for corruption and criminality. Last but by
no means least, aside from discussing the right to return, population
movements and internal displacement caused by the conflicts continue
to tax the countries’ budgets in the social sphere, and integration
policies present a huge set of challenges.

The conflicts do have many similarities in the way in which they
damage the prospects for the region and the consequences for ordinary
people. However it is important to recognize that the conflicts evolved
in different ways and all will require solutions that address their
specific contexts.

– Do you think the NK presidential elections due 19 July will hamper
the peace talks? Will international community recognize that vote?

– The international community has been consistent in not recognizing
any vote in any of the three conflict regions in the South Caucasus.

Obviously, NK remains an internationally unrecognized area and the vote
there will be treated accordingly. Given that the de facto leadership
of NK does not participate in the negotiation process the election
will not have a direct impact.

I also think that the peace process could benefit from the Azerbaijani
side directly dealing with Armenian Karabakhis, including the de facto
leadership. Direct contacts between Azeri and Armenian Karabakhis could
help foster confidence between the societies. Of course, it is crucial
to find a sensitive and mutually acceptable framework that would allow
this to happen. It seems also that it would be useful for the Azeri
side to further the involvement of Azeri Karabakhis in decision making
processes and public and political participation in Azerbaijan.

BAHRAINI FOREIGN MINISTER: WE SUPPORT PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 8 2007

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa had both
privte and large meeting with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in
Baku. The Ministers held briefing, APA reports.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said the meeting focused
on the expansion of relations on economic and humanitarian fields.

According to him, experts of the two countries will work on drafting
documents on eliminating double taxation, mutual investment as well
as laying air line between Azerbaijan and Bahrain and holding days of
culture. Saying that Bahrain is the biggest financial center Foreign
Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa proposed opening one of
the branches of Azerbaijan banks in his country.

The Two parries agreed on holding days of culture both in Azerbaijan
and Bahrain. Bahraini Foreign Minister invited "Leyli and Majnun"
opera company to visit Bahrain. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
said it was his second visit to Baku. His first visit took place during
the Conference of Council of Foreign Ministers of Islamic Countries.

Shaikh proposed to establish board of the businessmen of two
countries. According to him in result of talks the sides decided to
establish Azerbaijan -Bahrain Industrial- Commerce Chamber. Bahraini
Minister said his country supported Azerbaijan’s position and peaceful
solution on the conflict. The Minister said Bahrain never supported
occupation of territories of other states and condemns ethnic cleansing
policy. He said he debated Iran’s nuclear issue with his Azerbaijani
counterpart.

"Both Bahrain and Azerbaijan consider that military option on the
settlement of this problem can have bad results for the Caucasus
region".

Commenting on Azerbaijan’s position on the Israel-Palestine problem
Bahraini Foreign Minister said Azerbaijan’s takes fair position and
supports Arabic world.

NATO SEC. GEN. CAUTIOUS ABOUT PUTIN’S PROPOSAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.06.2007 17:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ NATO reacted cautiously on Friday to a Russian
offer for the United States to use a Russian-controlled radar in
Azerbaijan for a missile defense shield, questioning whether its
location was ideal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to President George W. Bush
at a Group of Eight summit on Thursday that Washington use the Azeri
radar instead of planned missile interceptors in Poland and a radar
in the Czech Republic.

Moscow suspects the shield is aimed at Russia.

Washington says it is to stop missiles from "rogue" states.

"I think it is a bit close to the rogue states we are discussing,"
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a conference about
the proposed Russian alternative.

"But it’s a bit too early in the day for my final judgment. It is
always useful when two presidents are constructively talking to each
other on this," said de Hoop Scheffer, who has promoted NATO as a
forum for talks over the shield plan, Reuters reports.