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News, 22 Aug, 2009.
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Clinton-Sargsian telephone call. All of the newspapers report that President Sargsian spoke on the phone with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on August 20, at the Secretary’s initiative. During the conversation, the sides discussed a number of issues relating to U.S.-Armenian bilateral relations, plus regional developments such as the Armenian-Turkish political dialogue.
Ambassador in Tavush Marz. HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTYUN reports that Ambassador Yovanovitch and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, together with the Tavush regional governor, joined representatives of MCA-Armenia, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the US Department of Agriculture, the ACDI/VOCA firm, and dozens of local farmers on an informative tour of Tavush Agricultural Support Center’s experimental field in Aygehovit. The visitors were able to observe first hand new agricultural technologies in the field.
ANCA criticizes DAS Bryza in letter to Secretary Clinton. ANCA Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday outlining the concerns of the Armenian-American community regarding the “recent unfair, inaccurate, and counter-productive” remarks by U.S. Co-Chair to the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza regarding the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, asserting that Bryza's actions reflect the failure of an Administration that has already broken a series of pledges to Armenian-Americans. The letter states that the “ANCA has consistently registered public concerns regarding Mr. Bryza's biased diplomacy on Armenia-related matters, including his pro-Azerbaijani bias in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and his longstanding role as a promoter of U.S. complicity in Turkey's denials of the Armenian Genocide. In his remarks in Tsakhkadzor August 7, Mr. Bryza, once again, made a number of statements that directly contradict the President's pledge to work toward a "lasting and durable settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America's founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self-determination.” (HAYOTS ASHKHAR, ARAVOT, 168 ZHAM, GOLOS ARMENII).
New restrictions on reporters covering the National Assembly. In an article titled No More Free Access to the National Assembly for the Reporters, ARAVOT reports that NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamian has instituted new procedures for access and accreditation of reporters to the National Assembly building. Reporters will be able to enter the building only during the NA sessions, briefings following NA sessions, meetings of the Standing Committees, press conferences, and other public events announced by the NA beforehand. Only newspapers registered with the Armenian Justice Ministry having a circulation of at least 1500, magazines having a circulation of 1000 or more, and on-line news agencies having 800 or more visitors daily can be accredited for NA access. According to the new decision, no regional TV stations can cover NA activities, even when NA sessions discuss regional issues. (Note: This comes a couple of years after Public Television and Public Radio stopped recording debates in the National Assembly.)
Police claim to have solved a couple of high profile crimes. All of the newspapers covered Chief of Police Alik Sargsian’s Friday press conference during which it was revealed that several people had been arrested in connection with the murder of Deputy Police Chief Gevorg Mherian. Mherian was shot to death on February 3rd in Yerevan. Sargsian added that the investigation continues and sufficient evidence has been gathered, although the details remain confidential. Sargsian also added that the high-profile attack on prominent Shant TV reporter, Nver Mnatsakanian, was a case of a mistaken identity and in no way connected with his media activities.
ANC skeptical about March 1 report. During a press conference on Friday, coordinator of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Zurabian expressed his skepticism regarding the final report of the Parliamentary Commission’s finding’s on the March 1-2, 2008 events, highlighting that this report “will have a fictitious character.” According to Zurabian, the commission “It was established with the aim to cover up real crimes against people, and conceal their authors.” Referring to the intention of appointing OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Matthew Bryza as U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Zurabian said that this is an issue for the U.S. government and does not necessarily reflect on Armenia or the U.S. policy toward the country. Speaking about a change of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs representing USA and Russia, the ANC coordinator opined that if new individuals with greater status are appointed, it will show that the matter is taking a serious direction and near a solution (MEDIAMAX, ARMENPRESS).
Policeman to be charged in March 1 incident. HAYOTS ASHKHAR, HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTYUN, ARAVOT and GOLOS ARMENII report that the General Prosecutor’s press service announced that, following a preliminary investigation, police officer Gegham Harutyunian will be charged with abuse of power during the disturbances on March 1 2008. Efforts are being to find the victim(s) of his actions. |
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