Certain Figures Do Not Stand Trial

CERTAIN FIGURES DO NOT STAND TRIAL

Lragir.am
22 May 06

In the May 22 meeting of parliament the adoption of the agenda was
hampered again by the opposition. The first meeting of the four-day
session, opened with the resignation of the speaker, was “devoted” to
the resignation of the speaker of the National Assembly. In accordance
with the bylaws, within five days Arthur Baghdasaryan must reaffirm his
resignation, which is then accepted by the parliament. The opposition,
however, claimed debates on the resignation of the speaker before
adoption of the agenda. Tigran Torosyan replied that this is not
foreseen in the regulations. Then the opposition decided to use the
opportunity, and the time foreseen for speeches on the agenda were
used for assessments of the opposition to the resignation of the
speaker. The leader of the National Unity Artashes Geghamyan was
highly vigorous, who accused Arthur Baghdasaryan of avoiding giving
the names of Robert Kocharyan and Serge Sargsyan and bypassing
them in criticism. Artashes Geghamyan suspects that this might be
the consequence of the atmosphere of fear pointed out by Arthur
Baghdasaryan. Geghamyan thinks that Arthur Baghdasaryan himself
became the victim of the same atmosphere of fear. Hovanes Margaryan,
a member of the Orinats Yerkir faction, retorted, saying that Orinats
Yerkir is not a scared political force.

“Our fear was arrested and imprisoned long ago. We have established
our political line and we have always frankly and clearly expressed
our opinions,” said Hovanes Margaryan.

Victor Dallakyan made a statement about the political and parliamentary
crisis, saying that the secession of Orinats Yerkir marked the
collapse of the coalition. “In accordance with the coalition memorandum
signed in 2003, if a party secedes from the coalition, the coalition
stops. In other word, what we have today in the Republic of Armenia
is a parliamentary and political crisis. The coalition does not exist
any longer, and there can be two solutions from the points of view of
politics and political science. One is to dissolve the parliament,
the other is to dismiss the government and form a new parliamentary
majority,” says Victor Dallakyan.

According to Victor Dallakyan, it is political nonsense to pretend
that nothing happened, and to trade in offices.

Despite the attempts of Deputy Speaker Tigran Torosyan to
prevent discussion at the expense of adoption of the agenda, he
was nevertheless, involved in the debate, mostly due to Artashes
Geghamyan. Geghamyan reminded about Arthur Baghdasaryan’s statement
that a number of bills damaging the interests of people may be
introduced to the parliament. According to Geghamyan, it is a direct
accusation against the Republican majority.

Tigran Torosyan thinks that what happened is a regular political
process, and requires an adequate attitude. According to Tigran
Torosyan, this is required from all the political forces.

“Orinats Yerkir does not need protection, and the opposite is
Pharisaic. As well as attempts to protect, attempts to say something.

Whatever outlooks Orinats Yerkir had, it expressed them directly
and straightforwardly. It does not depend on whether I agree, or you
agree, or both of us disagree. It is a matter of morality, a moral
attitude towards our colleagues. And it will be correct if we remain
within these limits. I agree that a number of challenges and abusive
phrases have nothing to do with morality, and unfortunately, the first
steps show that certain political figures do not stand this trial,”
stated Tigran Torosyan.

Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan Resigned

SPEAKER ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN RESIGNED

Lragir.am
22 May 06

The meeting of the National Assembly on May 22 opened with the
resignation of Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan. Members of the Orinats
Yerkir Party Mher Shahgeldyan (Chair of the Committee for Defense,
Internal Affairs and National Security) and Gagik Mkeyan (Chair of
the Health, Social and Environmental Committee) resigned too.

In his last speech as the speaker of the National Assembly Arthur
Baghdasaryan reasserted what he had stated during his pledge to
resign. There is political disagreement and controversies on three
key matters: foreign policies, promotion of democracy, reforms.

Only within the past year the mass media and politicians have predicted
the collapse of the coalition or secession of the Orinats Yerkir Party
for 21 times, recalled Arthur Baghdasaryan. We are following the path
to building Armenia we dream of, said Arthur Baghdasaryan. Becoming
opposition, the Orinats Yerkir Party will fundamentally criticize
every wrong step, independent of who will take it, the president,
the government, one political force or another. “We cannot endorse and
support something which is beyond limits, logic. The political future
of Armenia must be democracy and freedom, not an atmosphere of fear,”
said Arthur Baghdasaryan, adding that any initiative of individuals
or political forces that will favor the nation will be supported by
Orinats Yerkir.

Armenian Parliament Speaker Tenders Resignation

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER TENDERS RESIGNATION

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 22 2006

MOSCOW, May 22 (RIA Novosti) – The speaker of the Armenian parliament
officially tendered his resignation Monday.

Artur Bagdasaryan, the chairman of the Orinats Erkir party, initially
announced his plans to resign May 12 following a decision by the
party’s political council to quit the government’s ruling coalition
due to what the speaker said were differences on political issues
and democracy.

The speaker should officially confirm his move in the next five days
after which he will automatically leave his post.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UN To Address Debasement Of Miss Universe, Eurovision

UN TO ADDRESS DEBASEMENT OF MISS UNIVERSE, EUROVISION

The Chaser (satire), Australia
May 22 2006

New York:

United Nations officials have criticised the victory of TISM, from
Norway, in the Eurovision Song Contest, as a wave of despondency
swept the impoverished Eastern European nations whose best performance
artists failed to make the grade.

“This is a terrible result: our officers will now have to deal with
the consequences of this decision,” said UN secretary for emerging
nation development Ramos-Boutros Hopkins, “dung-eating peasants have
been shown to gain a great boost in their national esteem by victory
in these sorts of empty international competitions. After all, they
stand no chance in the real world so these sorts of awards are the
equivalent of an ’employee of the month’ program at KFC. Giving the
award to a prosperous country like Norway is a total waste.”

“WE have seen this trend also debase the original purpose of Miss
Universe as well,” said Hopkins, a reference to the victories of Miss
Canada and Miss Australia in recent Universe contests, “Miss Universe
is there to stop Latin American countries from going communist: that’s
why we used to circulate it between Miss Venezeula, Miss Trinidad and
Tobago and Miss Peuto Rico. Who knows what instability will result
with these Westerners winning?”

In an emergency session, the UN is reportedly working behind the
scenes to ensure the next Miss World pageant is won by a former Soviet
Bloc nation.

“We gave it to Russia in 2002, but with the Eurovision trophy moving
West we are going to have to take some serious diplomatic measures.

Eurovision should have gone to Turkey or Armenia: we can’t give them
Miss Universe without making it obvious that the pageant’s judging
is less than objective.”

tion=com_smf&Itemid=161&?topic=2753.msg603 22;topicseen

http://www.chaser.com.au/index.php?op

Probation For Political Forces Of Armenia

PROBATION FOR POLITICAL FORCES OF ARMENIA

Lragir.am
22 May 06

“This period, about 20 days, or a month, is a trial, or a
probation period for the political sphere in Armenia, and we the
political parties must show that they are mature, they have come of
age. Unfortunately, what happened today can hardly be considered as
evidence to this, but I am hopeful that everything will calm down
finally,” said Tigran Torosyan May 22, assessing the political
situation in Armenia. According to him, the heated debate that
followed the resignation of Arthur Baghdasaryan in the parliament
is determined by this situation. At the same time, Tigran Torosyan
says the step of the political party that seceded from the coalition
should be accepted normally, because this is a normal episode from the
history of coalitions. The speaker of the National Assembly objects to
Dallakyan’s thesis on a political and parliamentary crisis, saying that
the Constitution offers a solution of the dissolution of the parliament
and the crisis, the rest is staging, not more, thinks Tigran Torosyan.

United Labor Party Came To Power In Armenia

UNITED LABOR PARTY CAME TO POWER IN ARMENIA

Lragir.am
22 May 06

There is no need to sign a new memorandum on a coalition or a
parliamentary majority, stated Deputy Speaker Tigran Torosyan May 22 to
news reporters. According to him, the political culture does not impose
anything similar. However, it is attempted to restore the parliamentary
majority, although Tigran Torosyan thinks it is early to consider it.

“I believe that it will be correct to answer these questions in
several days, because the final formulations were voiced today, and
soon there real negotiations are going to take place,” says Tigran
Torosyan. But real negotiations have been kicked off, and perhaps have
already produced the first fruits. Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
appointed members of the United Labor Party to the offices of two
deputy governors and one deputy minister, affiliates of the Orinats
Yerkir Party. Tigran Torosyan thinks that these appointments are a
kick-start. However, he also advises them not to draw deep conclusions,
and not to think that negotiations with the United Labor Party were
successful, whereas there are problems with the People’s Deputy Group.

“First of all, I think it is wrong to give an assessment of a short
period. We have been working with the same People’s Deputy Group
for a long time and we will go on to work. And it is not worthwhile
drawing conclusions from appointing or not appointing to one office
or another,” said Tigran Torosyan. He also announced that the new
parliamentary group including the businessmen who left the Orinats
Yerkir Party will also be involved in the negotiations on forming
the majority in the parliament.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Will Hakob Hakobyan Manage To Divide Republicans?

WILL HAKOB HAKOBYAN MANAGE TO DIVIDE REPUBLICANS?

Lragir.am
22 May 06

Member of Parliament Hakob Hakobyan, People’s Deputy Group, has
taken up the job of nominating the leader of the Republican faction
Galust Sahakyan as speaker of the National Assembly. Galust Sahakyan
announced May 22 that if he is nominated, he will reject.

Galust Sahakyan said the Republican Party will nominate their
candidate, and on the upcoming days he will nominate our candidate
which is not going to be him. He also denies the possibility
of becoming deputy speaker. Despite Galust Sahakyan’s attitude,
Hakob Hakobyan is nevertheless likely to persuade the leader of the
Republican faction.

“Within the upcoming five days we’ll be trying to negotiate with
Galust Sahakyan, and to find out how many members of parliament would
endorse the candidacy. We’ll try to see the correlation and try to
nominate,” says Hakob Hakobyan, ignoring that his step is against
the intention of the Republican faction, which is likely to nominate
Tigran Torosyan. Hakob Hakobyan thinks Galust Sahakyan will rule
better the parliament, which is going through a transition.

“In other words, in private talks many people suggest nominating Galust
Sahakyan as speaker. But when there is a political decision, personal
decisions are set aside,” says Hakob Hakobyan from Echmiadzin. He
assures that the nomination of Galust Sahakyan is his personal
initiative, and the People’s Deputy Group has not discussed this issue.

ANKARA: FM:”We Hope Armenian Bill Won’t Be Passed By The French Parl

FM: “WE HOPE THE ARMENIAN BILL WON’T BE PASSED BY THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT”

Star
Turkish Press
May 22 2006

Press Review

A bill to criminalize denial of the so-called Armenian genocide
submitted by France’s Socialist Party is set today to be debated and
put to a vote by the French Parliament. Speaking at a weekly press
conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Namik Tan yesterday said
that Turkey’s expectations were clear, adding, “We hope that the
Armenian bill, which could seriously damage deep-rooted historical
relations between Turkey and France, won’t be approved by the French
Parliament.” Tan expressed Turkey’s satisfaction that the bill
aiming to introduce prison terms and fines for those who question
the Armenian genocide claims is opposed both by circles in the French
government and among the public. While declining to publicly comment
on announcements over the controversial issue in order not to attract
criticism from the Armenian lobby, French President Jacques Chirac,
the French Prime Ministry and the French Foreign Ministry are silently
lobbying to convince ruling Union for Popular Movement (UMP) deputies
to vote against the bill.

ANKARA: Armenian, Greek Cypriot Efforts To Block Missile Sale ToTurk

ARMENIAN, GREEK CYPRIOT EFFORTS TO BLOCK MISSILE SALE TO TURKEY FAIL

Cumhuriyet
Turkish Press
May 22 2006

Press Review

Attempts by four US congressmen close to the Armenian and Greek
Cypriot lobbies to prevent the US selling air-to-ground SLAM-ER
missile systems have ended in failure. Pentagon officials said that
the congressmen’s objections weren’t enough to block the sales of
the missile systems. The Pentagon made an announcement to Congress
on April 28 about selling 50 AGM-84K air-to-ground SLAM-ER missile
systems to Turkey for the use of Turkish Air Forces. The planned sale
of the project is worth up to $162 million.
From: Baghdasarian

ANKARA: French Parliament Ends Session On Bill Criminalizing Denial

FRENCH PARLIAMENT ENDS SESSION ON BILL CRIMINALIZING DENIAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WITHOUT VOTING

Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 22 2006

PARIS – French parliament ended today’s session on a draft law which
proposes “any denial of Armenian genocide to be considered a crime”
without bringing it to voting.

French National Assembly President Jean-Louis Debre closed the session
without voting on the draft law. The issue will be taken up later.

French parliament sources said that a possible voting on the draft
law would not be held until new legislation term began in October.