All Court Cases Being At Ra Court Of Cassation To Be Reviewed

ALL COURT CASES BEING AT RA COURT OF CASSATION TO BE REVIEWED

YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues relating to the new legislation
concerning the judicial-legal reforms as well as to activity of
the judicial system were discussed at the August 7 working meeting
of RA President Robert Kocharian and Chairman of the Court of
Cassation Hovhannes Manukian. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA
President’s Press Office, the process of works of the second, big
stage of the judicial-legal reforms and issues connected with them
were particularly discussed during the meeting as well. H.Manukian
informed the RA President that during the coming week, they are
going to review all the court cases being at the Court of Cassation,
arising of the demands of the new legislation.

Bolton-backing senator blocks another ambassador

BOLTON-BACKING SENATOR BLOCKS ANOTHER AMBASSADOR

Raw Story, MA
Aug 3, 2006

RAW STORY
Published: Thursday August 3, 2006

A Republican senator who has called on Democrats to give President
Bush’s controversial pick for UN Ambassador John Bolton an up or
down vote is now voting to block the nomination of another ambassador
picked by President Bush, RAW STORY has learned.

Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota announced his intention to vote
against recommending confirmation of Richard Hoagland to be President
Bush’s ambassador to Armenia. Coleman intends to block the nominee
because he refused to term Turkey’s early 20th century of Armenians
living in the country a ‘genocide.’ Coleman declared in an interview
with the Associated Press "My problem isn’t with Hoagland…I continue
to be troubled by our policy that refuses to recognize what was a
historical reality."

The article goes on to explain that the US will not call Turkey’s
killing of Armenians in the early 1900s an act of genocide, a position
Hoagland hewed to during his confirmation hearing in June.

Senator Coleman has been a loud voice in favor of Ambassador John
Bolton’s confirmation by a Senate vote. In one statement on Tuesday,
Coleman declared that "Blocking the nomination of Ambassador Bolton
is a case study in partisan excess….We must have an up or down vote
on Ambassador Bolton in the Senate."

During Bolton’s confirmation hearing last month, he also said "if
you really look at the opposition at times to this nomination…it’s
opposition to U.S. policy." He then added "But I think what we do
fundamentally agree with is the belief that the president has the
right to have his voice and his representation, somebody he trusts,
representing us at the United Nations."

Israel Asks U.S Jews to Lobby

ISRAEL ASKS U.S. JEWS TO LOBBY

AZG Armenian Daily #145, 03/08/2006

Middle East

For Azerbaijan, Against Armenia

It is common knowledge that Azerbaijan, following Turkey’s footsteps,
tries to use the political clout of Israel and American-Jewish
organizations in Washington, D.C. to counter Armenian interests. Israel
obliges the Azeri demands out of an interest in importing oil and gas
from Azerbaijan and exporting various products, possibly including
weapons. Israel also needs access to Azerbaijan in order to collect
intelligence on neighboring Iran.

The details of this close cooperation, more aptly described as "mutual
exploitation," are not usually made public. The July 10, 2006 issue of
The Jerusalem Report, however, published a 13-page article by Netty
C. Gross disclosing some of the ties between Azerbaijan, Israel and
American Jewish organizations. The Report covered the visit to Baku of
"a delegation of Israeli dignitaries and Russian Jewish functionaries"
in mid-May. The article titled, "The Azeri Triangle," started with a
straightforward statement: "Israel and Diaspora Jewry are deepening
their own links with oil-rich Muslim Azerbaijan and helping the Azeri
regime win friends in Washington."

Describing "a strong Azerbaijani-American-Israel-Jewish
connection…[t hat] benefits everyone," Gross wrote that Israel
"is deeply interested in consolidating its relations" with
Azerbaijan. "Israel has seen it in its interest to encourage U.S. Jews
to take up the Azeri cause in the Washington corridors of power,
at the same time reinforcing the notion held by many Azeris and
others in the Third World that the way to Washington leads through
Jerusalem." It is noteworthy that Gross implicated "U.S. Jews"
in carrying out the instructions of Israel — a foreign power —
in the United States to serve the interests of Azerbaijan.

In addition to its connections in Washington, Gross reported that
Israel is using the services of "rich and influential Russian Jewish
businessmen, some of whom have powerful contacts from the old Soviet
days — and who proudly point out to me that [Pres.] Ilham [Aliyev]’s
son-in-law has a Jewish mother and a Muslim father."

Gross provided the list of visits made to Azerbaijan earlier this
year by various Jewish individuals and groups: "In recent months,
a parade of several high-level Israeli and Jewish delegations,
who have been mobilized to help Azerbaijani interests in the U.S.,
passed through Baku…. In early February, a 50-strong delegation
from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Organizations
was received by Aliyev. In April, the Azeri president welcomed
Israeli tycoon Lev Leviev…. And in early June, Israeli National
Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer arrived in Baku, to
explore the idea of purchasing Azeri oil or gas at some time in the
future…. Underscoring the close ties between the Russian Jewish
machers and the locals, EAJC [Euro-Asian Jewish Congress] operatives
move about Baku’s corridors of power like kings, freely initiating
press conferences and government meetings…."

Gross gave the details of some of the links between the two countries
as relayed to him by Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Arthur Lenk, a
native of New Jersey: "The weekly Azerbaijani Airlines flights between
Tel Aviv and Baku are packed, and there are Jewish studies programs,
with local and Israeli students and some Israeli faculty, at Baku State
University…. Israeli agro-businesses recently visited Baku for a
bilateral trade forum and Israeli technology in telecommunications and
waste management is being used in Azerbaijan. (In the past, Israelis
have had financial interests in, among other things, Azerbaijan’s
second-largest cell phone firm, a hospital project and a turkey farm)."

Gross then disclosed the political connections between Azerbaijan,
Israel and American Jews regarding Armenian issues: "Israel’s main
selling point with Azerbaijan is not Israeli. Rather, it’s the American
Jewish lobby, which, encouraged by Israel, has helped Azerbaijan
in Congress. The background to the story is the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict…. A particularly painful sore point is Section 907,
a U.S. congressional amendment to the 1992 Soviet [sic] Freedom
Support Act, aimed at boosting economic and humanitarian aid to all
of the 15 emerging former Soviet republics except Azerbaijan. Passed
at the urging of the Armenian-American lobby in 1993, when the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was flaring, 907 barred the U.S. from
military or other cooperation with Azerbaijan…. Encouraged by Israel,
influential American Jewish groups have since acted on behalf of Baku
as a bulwark against the powerful American-Armenian lobby in Congress
and have tried to get 907 repealed. Since 2002, when the U.S. needed
Azeri airspace to reach Afghanistan, the U.S. has agreed to annual
presidential waivers of 907, which lift restrictions."

Gross then specifically cited Mark Levin, the executive director of the
National Conference on Soviet Jewry, a Washington-based organization
that is "a member of the coalition of Jewish groups that have
worked on behalf of Azerbaijan’s interests on Capitol Hill." Levin,
who traveled to Baku with the Conference of Presidents in February,
told Gross that the organized Jewish community has "worked closely
with the administration to implement the presidential waiver of 907
in 2002," and that the coalition "continues to express support on a
regular basis for the waiver."

Gross quoted Levin as stating that the American-Armenian lobby in
Washington "is very strong and organized, and speaks in a unified
voice. On other political issues, we have partnered with [the
Armenians], but when it comes to Azerbaijan, we are on different sides
of the fence." Levin acknowledged that, on the whole, American Jewish
policymakers feel comfortable in their strong support of Azerbaijan
on the Hill and take their cue from the U.S. and Israel.

Various Azeri officials confirm the value of the Jewish lobby
in countering Armenians: "American Jews have helped us lobby in
Washington against the Armenians and their help is very important. We
are very appreciative," Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
told Gross. Sheikh Alla Shukur Pasha Zade, the Spiritual leader of
Azerbaijan, is also quoted telling the gathered Jewish delegation
in Baku: "I know that Jewish groups have played a role against
the Armenian lobby in trying to find a positive alternative to the
conflict. I would like to express my gratitude to these groups for
lobbying on Azerbaijan’s behalf."

Regrettably, Gross misleads his readers by not pointing out that
not all Jews sell out their souls to Azerbaijan or Turkey. As it
has been repeatedly documented in previous columns, many Jewish
individuals and organizations in both Israel and the United States
are strong supporters of Armenian issues, despite the pressures from
the government of Israel!

Gross balanced the effusive pro-Azeri comments in his article by
including statements that accuse Azerbaijan’s leaders of "corruption
and political repression." He referred to critics who said that the
cozy relationship between Israel and Azerbaijan "will unravel just
as Israel’s romance with Iran did." He quoted Dr. Asim Mollazade,
the chairman of an Azeri opposition party, as saying that the
United States, Israel and Jewish Americans would someday be "deeply
disappointed" for supporting the undemocratic and corrupt regime in
Azerbaijan. Gross also pointed out the double standards practiced by
Azeri leaders who present themselves to Jews as being pro-Israeli while
distancing themselves from Israel in front of the Muslim world. He
mentioned, for example, the fact that Israel opened its Embassy in
Baku in 1993, and yet Azerbaijan has not opened its Embassy in Israel
in order to appease fellow Muslims. Last month, Azerbaijan assumed
the chairmanship of the Organization of Islamic Countries which held
its annual conference in Baku.

Furthermore, Gross reported that the Jewish community in Azerbaijan has
dwindled from 80,000 to around 10,000 during the past decade. He also
pointed out another telltale sign of potential trouble in "paradise"
when he revealed that "all the Jewish institutions in Baku appear to
be protected by armed guards."

Obviously, Israel is free to establish economic and political ties
with any country, including Turkey and Azerbaijan. American Jewish
organizations are likewise free to send delegations to various
countries. But when they agree to place their considerable political
clout at the services of Azerbaijan or Turkey against Armenia’s
interests, Armenians worldwide then have the perfect right to expose
their sinister arrangements and counter their every move.

Nairobi: Margaryan sues over Runda raid

MARGARYAN SUES OVER RUNDA RAID

The Nation, Kenya
Aug 2 2006

Story by NATION Correspondent Publication Date: 8/3/2006

Deported Artur Margaryan has sued the police commissioner and the
attorney-general over the raid on his residence in Nairobi’s Runda
estate.

He is seeking orders to compel Maj-Gen Hussein Ali to remove police
officers from his home.

He says one of his dogs had died as a result of neglect and it
would be oppressive if the police continue "to illegally occupy"
his rented house.

Mr Margaryan says in his suit papers that he left the country in June
and since then the police had forcibly occupied and taken control of
his property at the residence.

Through lawyer Oscar Avedi, the Armenian told the court that as
a result of the police action, he had been severely prejudiced. He
feared that his property could be damaged, stolen or lost as "a result
of illegal occupation".

Temporary orders

But Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch declined to issue any temporary orders
and directed that the application be served on the other parties.

In a different application filed against the Kiruki commission, Mr
Margaryan told the same court through his lawyer that he was willing
to return to Kenya and give evidence before the inquiry if given
the chance.

And for the second time, his bid to get orders to quash the proceedings
of the commission, which is investigating his conduct, failed.

The State submitted in court that no written decision was made by
the commission to deny Mr Margaryan an opportunity to be heard.

Lady Justice Aluoch directed Mr Margaryan to file an affidavit on oath
to state that the commission refused to hear him. This, the judge said,
will help her to decide whether to certify the application as urgent
or not.

Vartan Oskanian Meets With WFP Executive Director

VARTAN OSKANIAN MEETS WITH WFP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian on August 2 received the Executive Director of the United
Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) James Morris.

According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, at the
beginning of the meeting, J. Morris briefly presented the activities
of the program on supplying food to those who suffered as a result
of bombing in Lebanon.

V. Oskanian attached importance to the WFP’s activities in Armenia,
underlining the significance of the programs implemented.

J. Morris in his turn expressed a high opinion about the efficient
cooperation between the Armenian government and the WFP and the WFP’s
activities in the region.

At the guest’s request, Minister Oskanian presented the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement process.

Reference: The United Nations’ World Food Program was established in
Armenia in September 1993. The program aims to deal with problems
of Armenian vulnerable groups’ food provision through development
of community infrastructures and human potential. In Armenia, the
program has provided a food assistance to about 200,000 vulnerable
people annually by donating 134,000 tons of various foodstuffs worth
a total of 75 mln USD.

BAKU: Electronic defense of borders to be established by 2010

Electronic defense of borders to be established by 2010

Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 1, 2006

Electronic defense systems will be established in Azerbaijan’s borders
by 2010.

The State Border Service chief, Lieutenant General Elchin Guliyev
told journalists this process has already been started in Nakhchivan
Border Division.

He said staff reductions will be held in the Border Troops’ personnel
related to the electronic defense system.

Commenting on charging the Border Troops with the defense of
Azerbaijan-Armenia borders, Guliyev considers it impossible now.

"This depends on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict to a great extent.
We all look forward and prepare for this day," he said.

Guliyev also said improvements are expected from the meeting of the
Azerbaijan-Georgia intergovernmental commission for delimitation
of borders scheduled for 3-5 August, 2006 in the Georgian capital,
Tbilisi, APA reports.

URL:

http://www.today.az/news/society/28615.html

High Profitability and 100% Credit Refundability to Urge the Armenia

HIGH PROFITABILITY AND 100% CREDIT REFUNDABILITY TO URGE THE ARMENIAN
BANKS TO AGGRESSIVE CREDIT POLICY

Yerevan, July 31. ArmInfo. High profitability and 100% credit
refundability to urge the Armenian banks to aggressive credit policy
and to promoting the economic progress in Armenia, said on the 9-th
meeting of the Armenian Bankers’ Union Tigran Sarkisian, head of
the Central Bank. According to the banker, Moody’s Ba2 rating allows
Armenia to obtain investment rating. Due to that Armenian banks will
be able to attract international capital to Armenia for longer terms.
He said that at present only 3 banks are involved in that activity
and are expecting to receive their credit rating in September.

Tigran Sarkisian also noted that the rating given to Armenia is
a positive indicator. He said that Armenia is on one level with
Azerbaijan, has 1 point advantage of Turkey and 2 of Georgia.
Armenia’s rating allows the government to issue obligations and
distribute them on the international market. Mr. Sarkisian said
that according to Moody’s new policy, each bank can also have its
individual rating.

Finance and Economy Minister Vardan Khachatrian in his return noted
that in the nearest few years the Government of Armenia will not
issue obligations. He also added that Armenia’s rating by Moody’s
is one point higher that the rating by Fitch Ratings. He explained
that Fitch Ratings overestimated the finance risk connected with
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a negative factor of the Armenian
economy, pointed out by Moody’s, the Minister named the high rate
of dollarization.

BAKU: Armenian Migration Service: "Some of Armenians evacuated from

Armenian Migration Service: "Some of Armenians evacuated from Lebanon will be sent to Nagorno Karabakh"

Today, Azerbaijan
July 27, 2006

Armenia is planning to send its citizens evacuated from Lebanon to
Nagorno Karabakh.

According to APA, so far 550 persons have been evacuated from Lebanon
and 54 from Israel to Armenia.

"Aleppo-Yerevan charter plans to take 51 more foreign nationals
today. These nationals applied to Armenian migration service to grant
them the status of "person in need of temporary refuge."

The migration service representative told journalists that the number
of people evacuated to Armenia form Lebanon increases day by day,
and the government faces problems to settle them.

"Most of these persons have no relatives in Armenia. The government
has discussed providing first aid to the evacuated persons. I don’t
rule out sending some of the evacuated Armenians to Nagorno Karabakh,"
the service representative said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Taghizadeh told that such reports
released by Armenian media aim at provocation.

"The Foreign Ministry is taking serious control of this issue. If
there is any settlement in the occupied Azerbaijani lands, this issue
will be put to the discussion of the international community," the
spokesman underlined.

URL:

http://www.today.az/news/politics/28508.html

4th pan-Armenian youth conference to welcome the Education and Scien

4th pan-Armenian youth conference to welcome the Education and Science Minister

ArmRadio.am
26.07.2006 11:18

The 4th pan-Armenian youth conference in Tsakhkadzor will welcome
today RA Minister of Education and Science Levon Lazarian.

100 Armenian young people from 10 countries of the world are
participating in the conference. They represent different youth,
student and charity organizations, parties and cultural-educational
unions.

Georgia Not Going to Conduct Military Operations in Kodori

Georgia Not Going to Conduct Military Operations in Kodori

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.07.2006 13:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes
that the international community will with understanding react to
the measures undertaken for introducing order in the Kodori canyon,
says the statement issued by the Georgian Foreign Ministry.

"Taking into account the complicated situation in the Kodori canyon,
the Georgian MFA underscores that the government should first of all
protect the interests of the residents of the Kodori canyon… The
Georgian authorities exclude any possibility of conducting a military
operation on the territory and call upon the local inhabitants to
obey the law," the statement says.

"The Georgian government also rules out any spreading of the police
operation onto the territory de facto controlled by Abkhazia…
Presently the Georgian Foreign Ministry holds consultations on the
situation with the representatives of the U.N. and other concerned
organizations, reported Novosti Georgia.

In should be noted that commander of Georgian military unit of Monadire
(Hunter) Emzar Kvitsiani proclaimed insubordination to the Georgian
parliament, since Georgian Defense Minister Urakli Okruashvili plans
to take the Kodori canyon by storm. Kvitsiani sent his message to
the Abkhazian government as well. To remind, Kvitsiani was Eduard
Shevardadze’s plenipotentiary for the region in 1999-2004.