Author: Tashjian Arbi

NKR DEPUTY FM URGED US ARMENIAN COMMUNITY TO MORE ACTIVELY JOIN IN PROCESS OF NK’S INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 29 2006

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic Deputy FM Masis Mailyan is in the U.S.
on a working visit.

According to the information De Facto received at the press service of
the NKR Permanent Representation in the U.S., March 22, on the first
day of the visit, the NKR Deputy FM Masis Mailyan met with leader of
the U.S. Eastern Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop
Oshakan Tcholoyan. In the course of the meeting the interlocutors
discussed the issues of interrelations between Artsakh and Diaspora,
as well as the Karabakh conflict settlement.

Then the NKR Deputy Foreign Minister visited the RA Representation in
the U.N., where he met with the Representation staff and discussed
the issues of bilateral cooperation. In New York a meeting with
representatives of the U.S. business circles was held. The sides,
in part, discussed the issues referring to the Karabakh production’s
export.

March 23 the NKR Deputy FM visited the State of Connecticut. At the
University of Connecticut he delivered a lecture titled “NKR as a
Regional Factor of Peace and Stability in the South Caucasus”.

Representatives of the University administration, lecturers, students,
representatives of the legislative power of the State of Connecticut
were present at the measure. Masis Mailyan also conducted a separate
meeting with the professorial staff of the University, in the course
of which the parties discussed the possibilities of cooperation and
further programs.

March 24 Masis Mailyan met with representatives of the legislative
power of the State of Connecticut. At the beginning of the meeting
the Armenian diplomat presented the issue of the Karabakh conflict
settlement and the present situation in the Nagorno Karabakh. March
25 he conducted a meeting with representatives of the Armenian
community of Connecticut, including the Armenian refugees from
Azerbaijan. In the course of the meeting Masis Mailyan made a report
on the perspectives of development of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
having urged representatives of the Armenian Diaspora to more actively
join in the programs of Artsakh, contributing to strengthening and
development of the NK statehood. The NKR Permanent Representative in
the U.S. Vardan Barseghyan also spoke at the measure. He presented
activity and current projects of the Karabakh Representation.

March 26 the representative of the Karabakh MFA participated in
the ceremony of opening of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA)
National Conference being held in Washington. M. Mailyan called upon
those present to take more active part in the issue of the NKR’s
international recognition. In its turn, the AAA leadership confirmed
its readiness to contribute to strengthening the Karabakh statehood.

March 27 the NKR Deputy FM took part in the work of the
Armenian Assembly of America National Conference and then in the
reception initiated by the AAA. American senators and congressmen,
representatives of the U.S. State Department and clergy, diplomats,
leaders of the Armenian organizations were present at the activity.

THIS YEAR EBRD TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS AMOUNTING TO 40-50 MLN EUROS IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Mar 28 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD) plans to implement programs amounting to
40-50 mln euros this year in Armenia. Michael Davy, EBRD Armenian
Office Director, informed about it at the March 28 opening of the
international banking conference on trade financing. According to him,
programs amounting to 20 mln euros were implemented by the bank in
2005 in Armenia. They were mainly implemented in the spheres of trade,
industry and energy. M.Davy mentioned that EBRD also plans to activize
its cooperation with RA bank system. Currently EBRD is implementing
programs only with Armeconombank.

ARMENIAN MINISTER TO ENLIST RULING PARTY SUPPORT AHEAD OF 2008 PRESIDENTIAL POLL

Iravunk, Yerevan
28 Mar 06

Text of report by Piruza Meliksetyan in the Armenian newspaper Iravunk
on 28 March headlined “Have Serzh Sarkisyan oriented himself?”

A source close to the [ruling] Republican Party of Armenia [RPA] has
said that [Defence Minister] Serzh Sarkisyan and the RPA leadership
have finally agreed to put Sarkisyan’s name on the party list for a
parliamentary election.

The source added that it was suggested to Sarkisyan that he joins the
RPA in the future. Having the support of such a powerful party as the
RPA is one of the first steps leading towards the presidential post,
that is towards the nomination for this post.

The source said that the RPA would strive to form a majority in
parliament during the 2007 parliamentary election and Andranik
Markaryan and Serzh Sarkisyan will take the posts of parliamentary
speaker and prime minister up until the 2008 presidential election.

GRAPES, FRIUT AND VEGETABLE PROCESSING CAPACITIES INCREASE IN ARMAVIR MARZ

Noyan Tapan
Mar 27 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The area covered by grapevines and
fruit gardens has increased by about 2,000 ha in Armavir marz in the
last three years.

Parandzem Karapetian, Head of the Armavir regional government stuff,
told NT correspondent about it. In her words, the capacities of
processing grapes, fruit and vegetables have grown in the marz,
mainly thanks to the establishment of small and medium enterprises by
businessmen of Echmiadzin and Armavir, whereas three-four years ago the
Sardarapat company (former Octemberian canning factory) was the only
fruit and vegetable processing enterprise in the marz. Representatives
of the private sector are also taking steps aimed at creation of
fruit and vegetable processing capacities in Baghramian region. P.
Karapetian said that some enterprises engaged in wine and
cognac production in Armavir marz have started planting their own
vineyards. It was noted that the process of setting up the refrigerator
facilities by businessmen is gathering full speed in the marz. A big
regrigerating faciity is operating in the city of Armavir, their
number is large in the Arevik region famous for its production of
grapes. P.Karapetian underlined that all the 94 village communities
of the marz are involved in the Armenia’s Millennium Challenges
Program. It is envisaged that within the framework of this program,
large land plots in Armavir marz will be irrigated by the dripping
way instead of the pumping one.

Besides, the irrigation network of the marz will be reconstructed:
concrete channels will be build instead of the current channels with
a soil course.

Reclamation of swampy lands, construction of artesian wells and land
imrovement will also be done under the Millennium Challenges Program.

Zaman Online, Turkey
March 25 2006

AI: Freedom of Expression in Turkey is Limited
By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul
Published: Saturday, March 25, 2006
zaman.com

The Amnesty International, AI, launched a worldwide campaign to
collect as many signatures as possible against Article 301 of the
Turkish Penalty Code (TCK).

The human rights watchdog organization will ask the international
community to pressure Turkish officials to revoke Article 301, a
clause in the penal code of the country that the organization
believes restricts the freedom of expression.

The human rights supporters, publishers, writers, and journalists
were taken to court because they tried to deconstruct the official
records of history or because they caricaturized officials, AI told.

There is, however, slight improvement in the field of human rights
that Turkey should be rewarded for.

When prominent author Orhan Pamuk was acquitted of speaking about the
number of Armenians and Kurds killed in the past, Turkey achieved a
slight advancement on the freedom of speech. But, AI called the
Turkish officials to invalidate Article 301 and to drop charges
against people who objected to this clause in the TCK.

The signature campaign will continue from April 1 to 10.

Anatolian Times, Turkey
March 25 2006

Turkey Attaches Great Importance To Its Relations With US, Gonul

WASHINGTON D.C. – Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul has
indicated, “relations with the United States is one of cornerstones
of Turkish foreign policy.“
Gonul delivered a speech on “Evolving Security Environment and
Turkey`s Strategic Role in Eurasia“ in a conference organized by Los
Angeles World Affairs Council.

“There have been Turkish-U.S. military relations at the highest
level,“ he underscored and noted that the volume of cooperation
between Turkish and the U.S. defense industries amounted to 13
billion USD over the last 20 years.

Stating that Turkey and the United States attached great importance
to prevention of proliferation of mass destruction weapons and
ballistic missiles, Gonul recalled that Turkey, as an ally of NATO,
stayed at the front line against a possible threat of missile which
might be developed in the Middle East.

Gonul noted that Turkey always played a role of bridge between the
east and the west.

“The latest developments have shown there is lack of dialogue
between different communities worldwide,“ Gonul stressed that
Turkey`s EU membership would give an important message underlining
that different cultures could exist together peacefully.

IRAQ

Pointing out to Turkey`s cooperation in U.S.-led war in Iraq, Gonul
recalled that 4,990 sorties were conducted in the Turkish airspace,
Turkey`s Incirlik base was used and the parliament approved a
government motion permitting the dispatch of soldiers to Iraq.

Gonul noted that Turkey has doubled its economic and commercial
relations with Iraq since 2003, indicating that 50 percent of
processed oil need of Iraq was provided by Turkey. He stressed that
one fourth of electricity need of this country would also be provided
by Turkey this year.

Stating that Turkey supported peace process in Iraq, he underlined
that it also attached special importance to territorial integrity of
Iraq.

Gonul said that Turkish public had concerns over discriminative
attitude of Kurdish population in Iraq. “Natural resources of Iraq
belong to all Iraqi people,“ he stressed.

Noting that Iraqi election was a great step taken on the way of
democracy, he said that the new Iraqi government should focus on
constitutional amendment.

Gonul said that Kirkuk was still a very important matter affecting
the stability in Iraq, noting that the destiny of Kirkuk should be
determined by all Iraqi people.

TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

He noted that terrorist organization PKK was continuing its
activities in the north of Iraq, stressing that Turkey expected all
relevant parties to solve this problem. “Turkey considers that Iraqi
government and coalition forces have equal responsibility to end
those activities there,“ he said.

TURKEY`S RELATIONS

Gonul said that Turkey had sound and special relations with Israel
and Palestine.

Stating that Hamas should assume a reasonable attitude, he said that
Turkey was ready to assist efforts necessary to resume peace talks
within the scope of Road Map.

TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS

He indicated that Turkey considered that Upper Karabakh issue was the
main obstacle in front of peace and cooperation in the region,
stating that a peaceful solution to this matter would contribute to
development of regional cooperation and would normalize
Turkish-Armenian relations.

Panorama.am

17:53 24/03/06

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DONATES PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES EQUIPMENT TO
ARMENIAN POLICE

On March 24, 2006 the United States Department of State donated
approximately $40,000 of physical techniques equipment to the Police
of the Republic of Armenia for the training of Armenian Police
officers at the Police Academy and Police Training Center. The Deputy
Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy Anthony Godfrey opened the
donation ceremony, which took place at the Police Academy.

The physical techniques equipment, which was funded by the Department
of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs (INL), includes gym mats, Redman instructor suits, body
opponent bags, rubber training knives, guns, handcuffs, and boxing
bags. The First Deputy Head of Police accepted the equipment for the
Government of Armenia and presented Ambassador Evans with a
Certification of Gratitude from the Police Academy of the Republic of
Armenia.

During the event, Charge d’Affaires Anthony Godfrey stated, ‘The
police force is the one democratic institution with which the
population has the most contact. That is why it is most important for
the police to change how it is perceived by the population. A fit,
well-trained, professional force gives the people of Armenia — and
visitors — the impression that Armenia is a country which cares about
citizens’ rights and about citizens’ safety.’

`Los Angeles Times’ turns to the issue of the Armenian Genocide

ArmRadio
23.03.2006 10:55

In its editorial under `It was a genocide’ title, the `Los Angeles
Times’ turned yesterday to the possible recall of the US Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans, reminding that he has recognized the Armenian
Genocide.

“The Department of State avoids the concept of `genocide’ not because
it does not want to argue about historic issues, but just considering
the fact of being the strategic partner of Turkey,’ the newspaper
notes.

`The time has come that we should not close our eyes on the issue and
accept the history. The Armenian case cannot be considered even
marginal. Punishing the Ambassador for telling the truth about the
events of 90 years ago would suit a monarchy using dual standards, but
not a country leading in the free world,’ the editorial of the `Los
Angeles Times continues.

KENYAN PRESIDENT IN TROUBLE AS PARLIAMENT REOPENS
By Wangui Kanina

Reuters, UK
March 21 2006

NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki opened a new session
of parliament on Tuesday but he looked in deeper trouble than when he
suspended the assembly four months ago after a humiliating referendum
defeat.

Kibaki postponed the opening of parliament on November 25 in response
to opposition calls for snap elections after voters defeated the
referendum on a new constitution.

But Kibaki’s attempt to win breathing space has backfired and he is now
beset by a string of problems including two big corruption scandals,
a blundering raid on the media, and a worsening east African drought.

In his opening address, Kibaki defended his record against corruption
and attacked opposition exploitation of the issue.

“Those that seek to politicise the fight against corruption should
know it is not words that will eradicate the vice but firm action,”
Kibaki said.

He said political turmoil could scare away investors from Kenya,
east Africa’s biggest economy

The referendum defeat and corruption scandals that forced three
ministers to resign have fractured Kibaki’s ruling coalition,
strengthened the opposition and further tarnished his image as
a reformer.

As if that was not enough, the government dug itself into a deeper
hole on March 2 when masked police commandos raided Kenya’s second
biggest media house, the Standard group.

Far from intimidating Kenya’s critical media, the raid has provided
damaging ammunition for the front pages every since.

The coverage became even more colourful after opposition allegations
that two Armenian businessmen, mocked in the press for their taste
for heavy gold chains, watches and rings, led the raid and had shady
dealings with Kibaki’s government.

Nation newspaper columnist Macharia Gaitho said on Tuesday: “With
every new claim, every new revelation, every new accusation, the
Kibaki government sinks deeper into the muck.”

Kibaki has still not referred directly to the raid but in his speech
he said press freedom must have some limitations.

“Although the freedom of media cannot be over-emphasised, it is clear
that freedom must be exercised within the bounds of responsibility,”
he said.

‘OUT OF TOUCH’

Prominent opposition politician Kalonzo Musyoka — who fell out with
Kibaki in 2004 — said the president should have apologised for the
raid instead of talking as if nothing had happened.

“This afternoon we heard from a president that is completely out of
touch with his people,” Musyoka told Reuters.

Outside the tightly guarded parliament, about 100 people protested
against Kibaki’s government.

“Everywhere you go there is corruption, there’s nowhere you can go
here without paying a bribe,” Yussuf Galgalo said to cheers. “The
government is not able to lead the country.”

Analysts say political battles between the opposition, itself split,
and Kibaki loyalists keen to restore his credibility could paralyse
attempts to pass a backlog of bills dealing with everything from the
next budget to sexual crimes.

Instead, assembly sessions are expected to be dominated by debate
over the corruption scandals, Kibaki’s worst crisis since he took
power in 2002 on promises to create jobs, tackle poverty and stop
high-level graft.

KENYA: LDP CALLS FOR ARREST OF ‘ARMENIAN’ BROTHERS

The Standard, Kenya
March 20 2006

The Liberal Democratic Party yesterday demanded that the Government
arrests two alleged Armenians whom it described as a security threat.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s regional offices in
Kisumu, Muhoroni MP Prof Ayiecho Olweny said deporting Artur Margaryan
was not the best course of action.

“People are usually arrested pending investigations. What makes these
men whose citizenry remains a mystery to be above the law?” Prof
Olweny said.

The MP, who read a party statement, vowed to lead a demonstration at
the lakeside town if the Government failed to arrest the two.

Olweny spoke barely 24 hours after police in Kisumu denied LDP
supporters permission to demonstrate in Kisumu on the matter.

The MP said the alleged mercenaries had committed a crime by forging
passports, which made their stay illegal, and by driving cars with
covered number plates.

“This is a matter of national security and we challenge the Government
to crack the whip before we take to the streets,” Olweny said.

Nyanza Professional Caucus chairman John Olago-Aluoch and LDP officials
from the region, Dave Okwatch, Isaiah Onyango, Joshua Nyamori and
Odunga Mamba also attended the Press conference.

Olago-Aluoch said the foreigners should be prosecuted for impersonation
and claiming to be related to the Armenian President.

“Artur has gone to the extent of claiming President Kibaki is aware
of their presence and businesses in Kenya, a claim State House has
denied,” Olago-Aluoch said.

The leaders took issue with the law enforcers for blocking their
attempt to hold a protest against the foreigners’ presence in the
country.

“The Public Order Act requires us to notify the police 24 hours before
holding a demo, which we did yesterday in vain,” Prof Olweny said.

The legislator demanded that Ms Winfred Wangui, who is alleged to
be a business partner of the two, be required explain the activities
they are engaged in.