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News, 25 Aug, 2009.
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More details on rules of access to the National Assembly. All newspapers report on yesterday’s press briefing by National Assembly Spokesperson Nairi Petrosian on the new order for accrediting journalists. Petrosian is quoted saying that the new order is meant to regulate the work of parliamentary reporters in accordance with the requirements of the Law on Media and the National Assembly's work. One of the novelties will be the limitation of access for accredited journalists to the Parliament building on days when neither the parliament nor parliamentary committees are in session and there are no news conferences or other events. According to Petrosian, on such days journalists may still visit the parliament by sending a special request to the press service of the National Assembly, or to the MP or official with whom the meeting or the interview is planned. Most media representatives were quite skeptical and critical of the new regulations.
Ambassador in Tavush Marz. HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTYUN and ARAVOT report that Ambassador Yovanovitch traveled to Tavush Marz on August 21, meeting with local government officials, civic leaders and NGO representatives to learn their views on the challenges and opportunities in the region. Both of the newspapers note that the Ambassador was very impressed with the beauty of the region.
Rep Pallone tells Armenian-American lobby to set priorities. GOLOS ARMENII reports that Frank Pallone Jr., the New Jersey Democrat who is a founding Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, stated last week in his interview with the Armenian Reporter that he personally believes that the United States should recognize Nagorno-Karabakh. However, he acknowledged it will be difficult because a lot of members of Congress are not familiar with the subject. Pallone is quoted as saying, “I assume that the State Department would be against it, and I am not sure how much Armenia itself would be pushing for it. So it would probably be hard to do. And while I support recognition of the "NKR," I do not know if the Armenian community wants to prioritize that. The community has to prioritize its issues and spend its time on things that are more likely [to be successfully accomplished]. And [since] this issue would be difficult, I would not recommend that they prioritize it.” The interview is available online at http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2009-08-20-frank-pallone-u-s--recognition-of-nkr-will-be-difficult.
Stanley Jordan concert big hit in Yerevan. In an article titled, Tapping Virtuoso Stanley Jordan in Yerevan, GOLOS ARMENII provides a lengthy report on Stanley Jordan’s visit to Yerevan and lauds his performances. The newspaper also includes a transcript of an interview with the musician and notes that the concert was opened by Ambassador Yovanovitch, who studied at the same university with Jordan.
Deputy FM warns against use of force in N-K conflict. HAYOTS ASHKHAR and ARAVOT report that in an interview with Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharian on Russian radio EKHO MOSKVI. When asked to comment on possibility of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict being settled by force, Kocharian said that despite regular threats issued by Azerbaijan's leaders, they are wise enough not to repeat their previous blunders. He asserted that, should Azerbaijan resume hostilities, Armenia will respond just as it did in 1990s "which will only contribute to the ‘NKR’s international recognition.” Speaking of the roles played by each of the mediators, Kocharyan pointed out that one has the impression that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have synchronized their actions, citing as evidence the recent statement by the Russian, French and American Presidents. Kocharian said, “if anyone is to blame for the conflict remaining unsettled, it is the conflicting parties, not the mediators. To be more precise, it is Azerbaijan’s unconstructive position.”
Disagreement over participation of N-K in MG talks. 168 ZHAM reports that the Chairman of the Political Analyses and Information Department of the Azerbaijani President's Office, Elnur Aslanov, stated that “no third party in the Karabakh conflict exists: there is Armenia which occupied the Azerbaijani lands, and Azerbaijan, the lands of which have been occupied. Only these two parties can resolve the Karabakh conflict at the negotiating table.” Quoting ARMINFO, GOLOS ARMENII reports that, in response to the statement, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan stated, “We advise you to attentively read the documents and become acquainted with the statements of OSCE MG Co-Chairs.
Grossman: Solution to N-K in Yerevan and Baku. AZG,168 ZHAM and GOLOS ARMENII report that former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman said in Baku yesterday that Azerbaijan should not hope for the West or the U.S. to solve the Armenian-Azeri conflict. Speaking on possible solutions to the conflict, Grossman said that regular meetings of the conflicting parties such as the Moscow meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents, prove that the negotiations are developing in the right direction within the framework of the Minsk Group. However, he reiterated that “the conflict should be solved in Baku and Yerevan, not in Washington or Moscow.”
Sargsian trip to Turkey looking more likely? During yesterday’s press conference, Director of the Caucasus Media Institute Alexander Iskandarian stated that the process of normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations has not been interrupted and is continuing, making President Sargsian’s visit to Turkey in October more likely. The political scientist admitted that Turkey is of greater importance to Armenia than Armenia is to Turkey. At the same time, he noted that an abrupt stop in the process of normalizing relations is unfavorable to Turkey, and before the two countries’ national football teams play a match on October 14, Ankara will need to take certain steps (HAYOTS ASHKHAR, AZG, ARAVOT).
ANC looking to build support in U.S. HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK reports that Armenian National Congress (ANC) coordinator Levon Zourabian will travel to the U.S. this week where he will hold several meetings with a number of NGO representatives with the goal of forming ANC support groups.
Case of mistaken identity. ARAVOT reminds of Chief of Police Alik Sargsian’s statement that the high-profile attack on Nver Mnatsakanian (Shant TV reporter) was a case of a mistaken identity and in no way connected with either his media activities or businessman Hrant Vardanian’s son. Commenting on Sargsian’s statement, Mnatsakanian stated, “I feel sorry that our law enforcement bodies are in such a situation. If not publicly, on several other occasions I repeatedly stated that the car following me was a Niva belonging to (Vardanian's) Grand Candy company.”
Big note for big deals. All media outlets report that the Central Bank of Armena (CBA) issued a banknote with the nominal value of 100 thousand AMD (about $265). According to CBA Board member Vakhtang Abramian, the CBA forecasts indicate that the new banknote will account for about 3% of the cash in circulation and will be used mainly in large-scale deals in cash. Armenian King Abgar V, as well as a fragment of the map of historic Armenia are portrayed on the front of the banknote. (Note: Currently the largest banknote is 50,000 AMD.)
New Ambassador to Germany. HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTYUN, 168 ZHAM and ARAVOT report that President Sargsian appointed Armen Martirosian as Armenia's Ambassador to Germany. From 2003-2009, Martirosian was Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN. |
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