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DAILY MEDIA REVIEWS
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News, 08 Jul, 2008.
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Sargsian and Gul Talk in Astana: All newspapers report that, according to presidential spokesperson Samvel Farmanian, Armenian President Serzh Sargsian has invited Turkish President Abdullah Gul to watch the World Cup qualifying match between Armenia and Turkey in Yerevan on September 6. Newspapers also report that during a non-official conversation with Sargsian in Astana, Gul mentioned that official Ankara is seriously considering the possibility of accepting Sargsian’s invitation.
Aliyev Interprets: Citing Turkish sources, AZG, ARAVOT and NOVOYE VREMYA report that during the conversation between the Armenian and Turkish presidents, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev offered to translate. Although Sargsian noted that he speaks some Turkish, Aliyev translated portions of the dialogue.
No Bilateral Meetings: HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK reports that Sargsian was the only president visiting Astana who did not conduct official bilateral meetings there.
Chief of OVIR Fired: All newspapers report that the head of the Department of Passports and Visas (known as OVIR), Colonel Alvina Zakarian, was fired yesterday after 15 years of employment. Newspapers draw a parallel with the June 26 session of the Armenian Government when Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian called corruption “the number one problem” facing the country and singled out OVIR as “one of the most corrupt government agencies.” RFE/RL recalls Sargsian’s statement saying, “We are receiving numerous complaints from both our citizens and [Diaspora] compatriots visiting Armenia. Clearly we have a problem in this sphere and that problem is corruption, when a service is provided on behalf of the state but some people set tariffs and extort money. I think the environment there is such that we can’t tolerate it.”
Varzhapetian on Anti-Semitism: 168 ZHAM published an article from the Armenia.now website entitled Target of Convenience: Anti-Semitism on the Increase as Provocation against Ter-Petrossian, which quotes tbe Chairwoman of the Jewish Community of Armenia, Rimma Varzhapetian, as saying that “There is no anti-Semitism in Armenia as such, however, sometimes anti-Semitic materials appear in the press and their number has grown in the recent days.” Varzhapetian’s statement was in response to a comment last week by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Kramer that some media outlets have employed anti-Semitic rhetoric. The article further references the May 27 Golos Armenii article, which said that “the Jewish-Masonic lobby spent $65-70 million and plans to spent twice more on Ter-Petrossian’s campaign” to bring him to power. Varzhapetian says Kramer mentioned the article in a conversation with her during a meeting with non-governmental organizations at the U.S. Embassy. The full text of the article in English is available at http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=3174&CID=3050&IID=1194&lng=eng
Newspaper Wants Apology: NOVOYE VREMYA published an article entitled David Kramer Owes an Apology for Misusing "Anti-Semitism” Card Against Armenia, taken from the USA ARMENIAN LIFE Magazine. The article asserts that Kramer discussed anti-Semitism in the “wrong country,” adding that “If by doing so, Mr. Kramer wants to defend the Ter-Petrossian extremist wing of the opposition then he has unwittingly validated the public notion that Ter-Petrossian is the protégé of the neo-conservatives in Washington and the America-Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC).” The newspaper quotes the article published in USA ARMENIAN LIFE, which asks “Since when does the officialdom of America allow individuals like Kramer in the U.S. State Department to act like an Israeli Foreign Ministry official? For how much longer will the ‘Kramers’ of the world continue to abuse the ‘Anti-Semitism card’? What if Armenians accuse Mr. Kramer of Anti-Armenism?,” adding that “He owes Armenia and the Armenian people an apology for misusing the ‘Anti-Semitism’ card against Armenia.” The full text of the article published in USA ARMENIAN LIFE Magazine is available at http://www.armtown.com/forum/index.php?s=fa92cfea1ee2848d8e02166e6bb49e79&showtopic=308&pid=3423&st=0&#entry3423
Bryza on NK: HAYOTS ASHKHAR, AZG and 168 ZHAM report that OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chair Matthew Bryza told the APA news agency that “Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents are working towards the issues on the regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” adding that he has good impressions from his recent visit to Yerevan, Baku and Stepanakert. Bryza is quoted saying, “At the same time we have great work to do. The presidents of the two countries must accept the reality that the international community recognizes Azerbaijani territorial integrity, and that the political purposefulness of the sides demands that concessions be made connected with the status of Nagorno Karabakh.”
Nalbandian on NK 1: HAYOTS ASHKHAR, HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTYUN, AZG and 168 ZHAM report that Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated yesterday that “Azerbaijani attempts to present its own position through different international organizations and separate countries as an opinion adopted by the international community seriously harm and endanger the process of negotiations,” adding that currently the negotiations over the Karabakh conflict regulation process are focused on OSCE basic documents and main principles.
Hovhannisian Gives Press Conference: Virtually all newspapers cover yesterday’s press conference held by the leader of the Heritage Party, Raffi Hovhannisian, who rejected his pro-government colleagues’ request not to boycott sessions of PACE in protest against its perceived leniency towards Armenia’s leadership, adding that he will not reconsider his decision as long as “the level of democracy” in Armenia does not “correspond to European standards.” Asked to comment on PACE rapporteurs Prescott and Colombier, Hovhannisian said that they “simply lack objective information about the political situation in the country,” adding that “They don’t sleep and wake up with Armenia’s interests and future on their minds.”
Hovannisian on Opposition: Asked by reporters why he does not take part in opposition rallies, Hovannisian stated that the upcoming assembly of his party is scheduled for July 11 and at that time, the party will clarify its steps and strategy, adding that the level of participation of the party in opposition activities and participation in the works of the commission established to investigate March 1-2 events will be decided by the newly elected administration of the party.
Harutiunian Requests Bodyguards: On July 4, Armenian Human Rights Ombudsman Armen Harutiunian sent an official letter to the head of the National Security Service of Armenia, Gorik Hakobian, to request armed bodyguards and vehicles be assigned to him and members of his family. Harutiunian cited a clause in Armenia’s law that entitles him and his closest relatives to armed protection by the state without clarifying why he needs the protection (HAYOTS ASHKHAR, HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK, ARAVOT, 168 ZHAM, IRAVUNK, NOVOYE VREMYA, GOLOS ARMENII).
Mikaelian’s Detention Extended: Newspapers report that that a court in Yerevan allowed law-enforcement authorities yesterday to extend the detention of MP Sasun Mikaelian for two more months.
Nersisian Allegedly Kidnapped: HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK, ARAVOT, 168 ZHAM, IRAVUNK and NOVOYE VREMYA report that yesterday at about 15:00 near Northern Avenue, men in a silver Mercedes car kidnapped Arsen Nersisian, an activist of the Popular Movement and a participant of protest actions in support of MP Sasun Mikaelian. Later it turned out that Nersisian was taken to the police station, where we was instructed to testify that he broke the roof of a police vehicle. However, Nersisian refused to do so and was set free in the evening in exchange for leaving his passport at the police station, so that “he won’t be able to leave for Europe.” The Center of the Popular Movement urged police to immediately identify and arrest the kidnappers.
Sit-in Now in 3rd Day: HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK, ARAVOT and AZG report on the sit-in strike taking place for the 3rd consecutive day along Northern Avenue in central Yerevan, where about 60 people stayed overnight, demanding that political prisoners be set free and that repression against opposition activists cease. They also demanded that the “real culprits of March 1 events” be identified and arrested.
Schwarzenberg in Yerevan: Newspapers cover the visit of a delegation headed by the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Czech Republic, Karel Schwarzenberg, and his meetings with President Sargsian, as well as Prime Minister Sargsian and Foreign Minister Nalbandian. HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTYUN and 168 ZHAM report that, according to the presidential press service, Schwarzenberg said that the Czech Republic will assume the European Union’s rotating presidency in January and is therefore keen to expand its ties with Armenia and other countries included in the EU’s European Neighborhood Policy program. During the meeting, Serzh Sargsian also briefed the Czech minister on the current state of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.
Schwarzenberg Meets with LTP: HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK and 168 ZHAM report that Karel Schwarzenberg met with opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian on Sunday and discussed the political situation in Armenia. In addition, issues related to human rights protection, democratic freedoms and the release of political prisoners in Armenia were discussed.
Memorandum Signed: Newspapers also cover the joint press conference held by the Armenian and Czech Foreign Ministers, during which Nalbandian pointed out that that an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation on income and property, as well as a memorandum of cooperation between the two countries’ foreign ministries in the sphere of European integration were signed between Armenia and Czech Republic.
Nalbandian on NK 2: Referring to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Nalbandian stated that the negotiations on conflict settlement are going to be based on the three fundamental principles reflected in the Helsinki Final Act. He also said that the position of the world community, and of the Co-Chairs in particular, resulted from the voting on a UN General Assembly Resolution initiated by Azerbaijan. The Czech Foreign Minister stated that the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the only solution. He emphasized the importance of respecting territorial integrity and borders, while at the same time noting the importance of a people’s right to self-determination. Nalbandian also reiterated during the press conference that Armenia has no plants to join NATO.
Minsk Group to Visit in September: According to Nalbandian, the next visit of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs will possibly occur in early September.
Sargsian Meets with Makarov: Newspapers report that President Sargsian met with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Russian Oil and Gas (Itera Company), Igor Makarov, yesterday and discussed prospects of cooperation. |
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