A remarkable event happened before the match of the Argentinean Football Club Boca Juniors. The representatives of the Club raised a poster devoted to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, saying "Let us commemorate the Armenian Genocide", Diario Armenia reported.

To note, on 24 April Armenian people will commemorate the victims of the Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915.

 "Many in Turkey don't know that the term "genocide" came into use after the Armenian Genocide. The term was coined by Raphael Lemkin who said that he coined the word to describe what had happened to the Armenians," says Taner Akcam, famous Turkish historian, in an interview with Zaman daily.

And after all this, he said, we continue to discuss whether genocide was committed in 1915 or not. The circles denying the 1915 events take advantage of the fact that the people is insufficiently informed of the subject and want to cast doubt on that fact, he said. The Turkish scientist is sure that Turks should learn speaking the truth about their history and about what happened in the early 20th century.

Taner Akcam believes that the second important step after recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey is opening the borders. "The problems of the past can be solved by normalizing the current relations. The closed borders and the refusal to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia will hinder the problem's resolution," Akcam said, adding that apologizing will be the third step.

He said that Turkey should cease to be Azerbaijan's patron. "Ankara even asks Azerbaijan's permission to operate flights in its airspace. The Armenian-Turkish protocols were not ratified because of Azerbaijan's pressure. I hope that Turkey, which is taking bold steps in the Kurdish issue, will undertake similar steps concerning the Armenian Genocide's recognition," Taner Akcam said for conclusion.

On April 24 the Armenian people commemorates the victims of the first genocide on the 20th century that was committed in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by most of the United States as well as by  dozens of countries, including Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Uruguay, Russia, Belgium, France, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania.. The European Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the fact of Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey on June 18 1987 and demanded the Council of Europe to exert pressure on Turkey in order that country recognizes the Armenian Genocide.  Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915-1923.

The Central Campaign Headquarters of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) condemns any display of violence and obstacles to the election campaign, the RPA Headquarters says in a statement disseminated Tuesday following the incident with the activists of the Armenian National Congress Party (ANC). RPA urges political forces running to the Elders' Council of Yerevan to conduct a civilized campaign.

To recap, activists of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Party were attacked in the Yerevan Administrative District of Ajapnyak, Monday.  The activists were campaigning in favor of the ANC at the upcoming elections to the Elders' Council of Yerevan when some twenty men attacked and beat them, an ANC representative Gevorg Gevorgyan says.  The attackers declared it was the 'territory of the Republicans,' he says. As a result, a 27-year-old Alik Sargsyan was hospitalized with injures. Fortunately, his life is not in danger. 

Gevorg Gevrogyan says that the ANC activists informed the police of the incident, but the attackers have not been exposed yet.

In this light, the ANC Party has disseminated a statement saying that the authorities create obstacles to the election campaign of the opposition party.

"The authorities fell in panic after the latest congress of the ANC and the wide response to it.  The confusion of the authorities shows that the elections to the Elder's Council may catalyze serious political changes in the country if the opposition gains victory," the ANC states.

Tbilisi. Georgian Premier, Bidzina Ivanishvili, met with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Jean-Claude Mignon, as part of his first visit to Strasbourg, on April 22 - Georgian Premier's press office reported on Monday.

Tbilisi. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) begins its spring session, which will last till April 27.

Tbilisi. The public opinion survey, conducted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), revealed that 58% of respondents want to see a candidate from now-ruling Georgian Dream coalition on the president's post; 1% voted for incumbent President, Mikheil Saakashvili.

Baku. The next meeting of the 32nd Special Working Group (SWG) to develop a convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea at the level of deputy foreign ministers will be held in Tehran on April 23-24.  The Azerbaijani delegation will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister, Khalaf Khalafov, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Baku. Sixty-six cases of people trafficking were registered last year, said Mehriban  Zeynalova, the head of the public association "Temiz Dunya". According to her, over three months of this year 10 facts of people trafficking were revealed. During a year 175 potential victims have been rescued, and they helped. The main reasons why people become victims of traffickers are the desire to make money, legal ignorance and naivety, says Zeynalova.  Over the last seven years, the situation with human trafficking in Azerbaijan has changed:  decreased number of  those who wants to "earn a living abroad." At the same time,  there are facts of  human trafficking in the face of women, formally married to a  foreigner and who had gone to him.

Baku. April 22, on an official visit to Israel, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with the head of the Committee on Foreign Affairs MK Avigdor Lieberman.  As the press service of the Foreign Ministry reported, during the meeting the sides discussed issues of bilateral relations and prospects of cooperation in the framework of international organizations, the Karabakh conflict, and the situation in the Middle East.

Armenia's presidential election of Feb 18 2013 was generally well- administered and was characterised by a respect for fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and expression, concluded the international election observation mission in a statement released on April 22, on sidelines of the PACE Spring Session.  

The author of the report, Karin Woldseth (Norway), the Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) delegation, has qualified the election as "a test of democracy"

The report says that the "Election Day was calm and peaceful overall. The opening procedures were assessed positively in nearly all polling stations observed by IEOM observers. The voting process was orderly and well organised in most of the polling stations observed. While the voting process was assessed positively overall, it was assessed negatively in 5% of the cases, mainly as a result of undue interference in the election process as well as some, isolated, cases of serious violations." The report outlines inaccuracies in electoral registers, misuse of administrative resources, problems with
disappearing ink stamps in passports. "All this arouses concern among voters," she said.  Karin Woldseth mentioned that the National Police and the Prosecutor General announced that they were investigating over 300 possible criminal and administrative offences. Criminal proceedings were initiated in around 10 cases, while most others were considered closed on the basis of the results of the preliminary investigation.


PACE regrets over the decision of the three main parties not to nominate candidates. Observers say these are negative trends that break the public trust in election process.  Among positive points the report outlines free access of candidates to mass media, fee election campaign, impartial media coverage.

"Candidate registration was inclusive, contestants had the chance to campaign freely and voters had the opportunity to express their choice. Media fulfilled their legal obligation to provide balanced coverage and all contestants made use of their free airtime," the statement said.

"There have been clear improvements in the electoral process since the previous presidential elections, and we have noted progress in many areas, including the media environment and the legal framework," said Karin Woldseth, the Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) delegation.

 Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 413 drams for 1 dollar, 539,5drams for 1 EUR and 12,95 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 414,2 drams for 1 dollar, 541 drams for 1 EUR and 13,11 drams for 1 Russian ruble.

Mr. Ambassador, are you pleased with the development of the trade and economic relations between our countries? Though the crisis peak seems to be behind, the National Statistical Service of Armenia says that in 2012 the imports from Bulgaria to Armenia dropped by 15.4% to $86.5 mln, and the exports from Armenia dropped by 15.1% to $129.3 mln. Why do you think the commodity turnover between the two countries has declined?

Activists of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Party were attacked in the Yerevan Administrative District of Ajapnyak, Monday.

The activists were campaigning in favor of the ANC at the upcoming elections to the Elders' Council of Yerevan when some twenty men attacked and beat them, an ANC representative Gevorg Gevorgyan says. The attackers declared it was the 'territory of the Republicans,' he says. As a result, a 27-year-old Alik Sargsyan was hospitalized with injures. Fortunately, his life is not in danger. 

Gevorg Gevrogyan says that the ANC activists informed the police of the incident, but the attackers have not been exposed yet.

In this light, the ANC Party has disseminated a statement saying that the authorities create obstacles to the election campaign of the opposition party.

"The authorities fell in panic after the latest congress of the ANC and the wide response to it.  The confusion of the authorities shows that the elections to the Elder's Council may catalyze serious political changes in the country if the opposition gains victory," the ANC states.

 On April 15, President of the Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR) Ara Abrahamyan made a statement in support of Taron Margaryan candidature to the post of the Yerevan mayor. UAR applied to the Union of Armenians of Lithuania suggesting it to follow their example and support Taron Margaryan. The Union of Armenians of Lithuania (UAL) convened on April 22 in Vilnius and adopted a decision to decline the UAR's suggestion, says the statement of the UAL Coordinator Council provided to ArmInfo.

Expressing deep respect for the memory of the former prime minister of Armenia Andranik Margaryan, the father of Taron Margaryan, UAL states that supporting any candidate to any position in the Republic of Armenia is immoral, as it is interference into internal affairs of the country, especially that the citizens of Armenia living in the territory of Lithuania and in any other country, except diplomats, have no right to vote in the elections in Armenia.

"We do not want to condemn the decisions of the UAR or the president of the World Armenian Congress, but we consider such statements inadmissible. We think that the population of Yerevan and Armenia, in general, are free to decide who to vote for. If people protest against something, it means that they have relevant reasons. The Armenian organizations abroad should not interfere in this process. The Union of Armenians of Lithuania will further support the Armenian people and act in favor of Armenia," the statement reads.

To recall, March 21 was deadline for registration of political forces and their candidates for the May 5 elections to the Elders' Council of Yerevan. Six parties and a union have submitted their party lists to run to the Elders' Council of Yerevan: Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Party of Armenia, Orinats Yerkir, Armenian National Congress, Mission, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, and "Barev Yerevan" Union. Political parties will fight for 65 seats at the Elders' Council. The latter, in turn, will elected the mayor. The election campaign started on April 7. The elections will be held on May 5. May
4 is a say of "silence" when campaign is prohibited. By preliminary data, 261 observers will be following the elections. Sociologists anticipate some 45% turnout.

 Armenia is hosting an international symposium on the impacts ore mining and construction activities have on human health in countries in transition.

The Commission on Ethics of high ranked officials of Armenia has commenced proceedings against Gagik Khachatryan, chairman of Armenia's State Revenues Committee, to investigate facts of his business activity or using his official position during collision of business interests. The statement by 
Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center has become a basis for commencing of proceedings.

Transparency International referred to Haykakan Zhamank daily, according to which Gagik Khachatryan owns Alexserv which has been awarded a tender for supplies of paper for cash registers and signed a framework agreement with Procurement Support Center SNCO. The head of SRC is also reported to own Apeiron LLC (food import), Megafood LLC (production and import of food), Galaxy Supermarket, Mega Motors LLC (Mitsubishi dealer in Armenia) Santa Fe Cafe, Galaxy Bakery, Mega Sport chain of stores, Chronograph store of luxury watches, Chimeg LLC, Ucom (satellite TV, landline telephony and internet), Amasia Milk Company, Alliance Customs Terminal etc.

Transparency International has requested to check whether the facts published by the newspaper are true, whether there is a conflict of interest.

 Gourgen Yeghiazaryan, Leader of the Social-Democrat Hunchakyan Party of Armenia, advises giving no ear to the annual reports of the US Department of State. He told ArmInfo's correspondent that the actions and words of that structure do not coincide.  

"The experience of 2008 has demonstrated that these reports are of no significance. The Department of State defamed the incumbent authorities for the conduct of shameful elections and murder of 10 people in 2008, however, during her visit in 2012, Hillary Clinton, the former US Secretary of State, forgot her signature under the report and said that all the presidents of the region should follow the example of Serzh Sargsyan", he said. The politician added that the report contains certain messages and the Armenian authorities have understood them very well.

To note, the 2012 Report on Human Rights Practices issued by the US Department of State says that the most significant human rights problems in Armenia during the year were limitations on the right of citizens to change their government, corruption and lack of transparency in government, and the limited independence of the judiciary. "The government issued a report in December 2011 on its investigation into the deaths of eight civilians and two police officers following the 2008 presidential election but, as of year's end, had not held anyone accountable," the report says.

Interactive TV LLC has misled the journalists by concealing the name of its sole owner.

At a press conference on April 15, Arsen Babajanyan, the director of the company, presented the development program of Interactive TV. According to the program, digital TV and cable Internet will be available throughout Yerevan within the next 5 years. He said that Interactive TV has been providing the subscribers of Kentron and Arabkir communities of Yerevan with digital TV services since 2007 and with symmetrical Internet access since July 2012.

When replying to journalists' repeated questions about the sale of Interactive TV to another operator, Ucom LLC, Babajanyan pointed out that there was no certainty in this issue and the owner of the company had not changed. To make his words more persuasive, he added that Interactive TV would develop independently, especially as the two companies provide their services in different technologies: Ucom - through the fiber optic cables and Interactive TV - through the twin-axial cables. 

In the meantime, ArmInfo has found out that the director has deceived the journalists and misled them. The thing is that since 29 Nov 2012 Ucom LLC has been the sole owner of Interactive TV. In May 2012 Interactive TV itself submitted an offer for sale of its shares to the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia. On July 11 the Commission permitted the sale of 70% and 30% of Interactive TV's shares of Pavlik Margaryan and Karen Margaryan respectively to Ucom LLC.    

At that time Karen Margaryan, one of the shareholders, said to ArmInfo's correspondent: "To develop this business, we have decided to give it to those more skilled in this field".

The Armenian authorities may make useful conclusions from criticism of US Department of State, a member of the parliament from the ruling RPA faction, Samvel Farmanyan, said at today's press-conference.

He also added that US Department of State's report is a unique instrument for attraction of attention of authorities of other countries to the problems of democracy and human rights in their countries. He said that similar documents of US Department of State are rather sharp. I think that the last report is one of such regular documents, which I think, may become useful for the leadership of our country. In a certain sense, this will force the authorities to revise the situation with human rights in Armenia, and to assess and analyze the day-to-day realities correctly", - he said. At the same time, the RPA member thinks that the above mentioned document does not fully reflect the efforts taken by Armenia for settlement of problems.

To recall, corruption and lack of transparency in government remain the most significant human rights problems in Armenia, says the 2012 Report on Human Rights Practices issued by State Department.  "The most significant human rights problems in Armenia are during the year were limitations on the right of citizens to change their government, corruption and lack of transparency in government, and the limited independence of the judiciary," the report says.  One of the sections of the report is dedicated to the May parliamentary elections in Armenia.  "Flaws in the conduct of May 6 legislative
elections included the misuse of government resources to support the ruling party, credible allegations of vote buying, deficiencies in the complaints and appeals process, and continued shortcomings in the electoral code despite improvements. Allegations of persistent corruption at all levels of government undermined the rule of law, although the government took limited steps to punish low- to mid-level official corruption. Courts remained subject to political pressure from the executive branch, which resulted in some politically motivated prosecutions and sentencing," the report says.

 Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) should declare itself opposition, ex-foreign minister of Armenia, parliamentarian from PAP Vartan Oskanian wrote on his Facebook page.

"I am sure that the country, the political system and the citizens will gain from that. PAP has undertaken the role of opposition without declaring itself as such. Consequently, before the autumn session of the Parliament, PAP should change its status and declare itself an oppositional party," Oskanian wrote.  He thinks that the political monopoly is the key reason of the heavy situation Armenia has faced. 

"Liquidation of that monopoly and creation of counterbalances in various power branches has become the pledge of cooperation of the non-governmental forces. Taking power in Yerevan, we will make the first important step towards creation of the mechanism of counterbalances in the political system, otherwise democracy and economic development is impossible,"  the parliamentarian wrote.