Month: June 2005

Agence France Presse
23 juin 2005 jeudi 11:20 AM GMT
Réforme constitutionnelle en Arménie: l’APCE veut un reférendum en novembre
STRASBOURG (Conseil Europe) 23 juin 2005
L’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe (APCE) a invité
jeudi les autorités arméniennes à organiser un référendum sur sa
réforme constitutionnelle “en novembre 2005 au plus tard”.
L’APCE a souhaité dans une résolution que l’Arménie tienne compte des
critiques du texte, soumis en première lecture au Parlement arménien
le 11 mai, qui avaient été émises par son organe organe consultatif
sur les questions constitutionnelles, la Commission de Venise.
Cette dernière avait déploré dans un “avis intérimaire” le 13 juin
que ses recommandations concernant “l’équilibre des pouvoirs entre
Président et Parlement, l’indépendance du système judiciaire et
l’élection du maire d’Erevan (ndlr: nommé par le président de la
République) n’aient pas été prises en compte”.
Les membres de l’APCE, issus de Parlements de 46 Etats membres du
Conseil de l’Europe, ont demandé que les recommandations de la
Commission de Venise soient mises “pleinement en oeuvre”, que le
projet de réforme soit adopté en seconde lecture par l’Assemblée
nationale “au plus tard au mois d’août 2005” et que le référendum
soit organisé “en novembre 2005 au plus tard”.
L’Arménie avait organisé un référendum sur son projet de loi
constitutionnelle le 25 mai 2003 mais le texte n’avait pas pu être
validé en raison de la trop faible participation des électeurs.
L’actuelle constitution avait été adoptée le 5 juillet 1995 par voie
de référendum.

PREMIERE OF DIASPORAN PLAYWRIGHT KHOREN ARAMUNI’S “IRREVOCABLE FUTURE”
PLAY TO TAKE PLACE AT SUNDUKIAN THEATER
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 24, the
premiere of Diasporan playwright Khoren Aramuni’s “Irrevocable Future”
play will take place at G.Sundukian National Academic Theater. The
play was staged by Jean Nshanian, head of Los Angeles company of
actors after Vardan Achemian. As Noyan Tapan’s correspondent was
informed by Vahe Shahverdian, Art Director of Sundukian Theater, the
play is modern and urgent in the respect of its subject-matter. “The
play shows how numerous families leave Armenia departing, in
particular, to the US, and how their life turns out there. Are they
happy there and should an Armenian leave Armenia?” To recap, Jean
Nshanian has been founded and been at the head of Los Angeles company
of actors after Vardan Achemian for already 20 years. During these
years the well-known actor and producer staged numerous performances
and played in cinema and theater.

RA PRIME MINISTER AND PRESIDENT OF STORTING OF NORWAY DUSCUSS
PERSPECTIVE SPHERES OF COOPERATION BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. At the June 22 meeting, Andranik
Margarian, the RA Prime Minister and Jurgeb Kosmo, the President of
the Storting of the Kingdom of Norway emphasized the tendency of
activization of the Armenian-Norwegian relations and spoke for their
being developed even more. The participants of the meeting attached
importance to strengthening of legal-agreement basis bewteen the two
countries, expressing anxiety with the fact that onle one
Armenian-Norwegian agreement has been signed at present, and another
is at the stage of discussion. Andranik Margarian mentioned that the
Government of Armenia is ready to present draft agreements on
cooperation in mutual security and stimulation of investments, in
avoid of double tax evasion, in the spheres of culture, science and
education and a number of other drafts to discussion by the Norwegian
party. The Prime Minister presented to the Norwegian Storting
President the authorities’ position concerning the relations with the
European Union. He, particularly, attached importance to the
invovlement of the South Caucasuian countries in the “European
Neighbourhood” policy. As for issues of the regional cooperation,
Andranik Margarian stated that Armenia agrees with the approach of the
European Union, according to which, present conflicts obstacle the
stable development of countries of the region. Presenting Armenia’s
position, he secured the veiwpoint that implementation of different
programs of cooperation among all parties, without pre-conditions will
greatly support their settlement. The Prime Minister mentioned that in
the context of its regional policy, Armenia attempts consistently to
improve relations with all neighboring states, including Turkey as
well, without any pre-condition. Jurgen Kosmo emphasized that Armenia,
as a country of cultural values, having Christian traditions of
centuries, can have its deserving contribution in the development of
the international cooperation. He especially mentioned the necessity
of the establishment of peace in the region, security of a stable
safety. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Government’s Information
and Public Relations Department, among the perspective spheres of the
bilateral cooperation, the parties mentioned the spheres of
information technologies, energy (especially, hydroenergy),
agriculture, science and education, culture. Andranik Margarian
thanked the Armenian Office of the Norwegian Refugee Council for
active works, owing to which hundreds of flats for those suffered of
the earthquake and refugees, medical rehabilitation centers,
water-pipes, community centers, etc. have been built in the marzes of
Armenia since 1988.

JORGEN A.KOSMO: IT’S TIME TO PASS FROM HISTORIC CONTACTS TO
STRENGTHENING OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CONTACTS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND
NORWAY
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. “There have been historic contacts
between Armenia and Norway since the times of Fridtjof Nansen up to
this day and now it’s time to pass from these historic contacts to
establishment and strengthening of political and economic contacts, as
well as establishment of contacts between our parliaments,” Jorgen
A.Kosmo, President of Norwegian Parliament, Storting, who is in
Armenia on an official visit, declared at the June 23 press
conference. He expressed hope that these political contacts will
contribute to establishment of economic cooperation and investments
both in Armenia and Norway. On behalf of the delegation headed by him
he assured that they will try to find ways of assisting to
strengthening of democracy in Armenia, harmonization of legislation,
as well as ways of passing on the great experience of cooperation in
the Scandinavian region to the South Caucasus. According to him,
Norway can be useful in the issue of development of energy in Armenia,
in particular, in the sphere of hydro- and bioenergy, in which Norway
has great experience. Armenia has all necessary factors for
development of tourism, “beautiful country, wonderful people.” In his
opinion, Armenia, as well as other South Caucasian countries can
become a potential market for Western Europe, including Norway, in the
future. The Armenian people having a high level of education,
intellect and diligence, in his opinion, no doubt, is a good potential
even for reconstruction of economy and industry of Europe. “You face
many problems but I think that there will be both democracy and
political will that will help you to solve all the problems,” Kosmo
mentioned expressing hope that both Norway and other Western European
countries will assist Armenia in this issue. “I think we laid a good
foundation for our friendship. Armenia is interested in development of
relations with Norway and other Scandinavian countries,” RA NA Speaker
Artur Baghdasarian declared mentioning the importance of the visit of
Norwegian parliamentary delegation from point of view of development
of inter-state and inter-parliamentary relations. A.Baghdasarian also
expressed gratitude to the Norwegian Council on Issues of Refugees for
the mission it is carrying out in Armenia and mentioned with
satisfaction that programs amounting to 5-6 mln dollars will be
implemented by the Council in Armenia in 2006, too. He also mentioned
the activization of activity of Norwegian Development Fund and
Norwegian Development Agency in Armenia.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Young scientists from Armenia, Syria,
the USA, Germany, Russia, who will present 135 reports, participate in
the Information Technologies (IT) international youth forum being held
in Yerevan on June 23-25. As Sergo Yeritsian, the RA Minister of
Education and Science stated at the June 23 plenary sitting, the forum
gives young scientists an opportunity to present their works, discuss
them and find ways of their practical usage. According to Artak
Sahradian, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science, IT
international youth forum is held within the following scientific
spheres: IT in social sciences, IT in medical-biological sciences and
IT in technical sciences. The spherical presentation of themes gives
an opportunity to organize discussions on particular specialities
among the young scientists. On June 25, at the end of the forum, young
scientists presented three best reports will be awarded, and all the
reprots presented at the forum will be published.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN WOMAN DEPUTY’S OPINION, STRUGGLE AGAINST CORRUPTION TO SUCCEED IF
30% OF OFFICIALS IS WOMEN
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. A participation in elections of local
self-governance bodies in not an end in itself for the “Orinats
Yerkir” (Country of Law) party, but if there are party members who
will have such a wish, the party will support them. Heghine Bisharian,
the Secretary of the NA “Orinats Yerkir” faction stated about this at
the June 22 press-conference. She informed that the refusal of
nominating her candidature in the elections of the Prefect of the
Malatia-Sebastia community of Yerevan was a result of her personal
decision. According to Heghine Bisharian, a situation when women can
succeed in elections, especially in ones of local self-governance
bodies, has not been created in Armenia yet. She mentioned that during
the last years, the number of woman politicians in Armenia has even
reduced instead of having increased. Women occupy secondary places in
the list of state officials as well. Heghine Bisharian expressed a
confidence that if women occupy 30% of main posts the corruption will
be significantly reduced, as women are more honest and fullfil their
duties better.
From: Baghdasarian

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
June 24 2005
Armenian Lobby Trys to Add ‘Genocide’ Claims to OSCEPA Declaration

Armenian deputies yesterday announced their plan to add the so-called
genocide claims to the final declaration of the Organization of
Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCEPA)
meeting. The OSCE with the EU accuse Armenia of being `occupier in
Karabakh’ and other Azerbaijani territories and the initiative is
considered to balance the OSCE accusations. 20 percent of Azerbaijani
territories have been under Armenian occupation.
At the request of the U.S. Congress, the OSCEPA meeting is scheduled
to be held on July 1-5 in Washington. The meeting will be attended by
more than 700 parliamentarians. The Turkish delegation has eight
deputies and will be chaired by ruling Justice and Development (AK)
Party Istanbul Deputy Nevzat Yalcintas.
According to sources, the Armenian parliamentary delegation
participating in the OSCEPA meeting has not yet prepared a written
document to be presented to the meeting but they’re continuing their
lobbying activities.
Diplomatic sources think that if the Armenians are able to gain
majority support at the meeting then it will be impossible to prevent
them from realizing their aims.
Turkish diplomats assert that the OSCEPA meeting is not the
appropriate platform to raise the issue of the so-called Armenian
genocide.
Armenians claim the events 0f 1915 ethnic clashes should be
recognized as `genocide’, though more than 520,000 Turkish citizens
were killed by the Armenian forces during the riot. The Armenian
nationalists rioted in 1915 against the Ottoman Empire to establish
an independent Armenian state, though the majority was Turkish on the
claimed territories. Turkey has never accepted the claims and said
`relations should focus on the present problems, not the events
happened almost a century ago’. Dr. Nilgun Gulcan from the ISRO said
`We should discuss the future of Armenia and Turkey. If the Armenians
insist on discussing the past, they would lose. We need to talk about
Armenian terrorism against Turkish diplomats, we should discuss the
genocide committed by Armenians against Turkey Turks, Kurds and
Azerbaijanis. We need to discuss the Khojally Genocide committed by
the Armenian security forces. We need to discuss the Armenian
occupation’.
Armenia does not recognize Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s national
borders. The Armenian officials have supported the Armenian
irredentism against Georgia.
Kemal TUZCU (JTW),

NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE FOR RELAUNCHING 5th POWER UNIT OF HRAZDAN TPS
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Energy is conducting
negotiations for relaunching the 5th power unit of the Hrazdan Thermal
Power Station (TPS) with the Russian company Gazprom and the Iranian
side. According to the Deputy Minister of Energy Areg Galstian, the
technical and economic proposals submitted are now under consideration.
He noted that preference will be given to the proposal considered to
be the most profitable for Armenia. A. Galstian said that it is
planned to install another two gas turbines at the 300-megawatt
power-generating unit in order to improve its technical and economic
indices.

INVESTMENTS OF 150-200 MLN USD TO BE MADE IN ZANGEZUR COPPER AND
MOLYBDENYM COMPLEX BY 2008
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. It is planned to make investments of
150-200 mln USD in the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Complex by
2008. According to the head of the Mining Industry Department of the
RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development Artur Ashughian, “this
term is likely to be changed.” It was indicated that the efficient use
of the investments will enable to increase the production 1.5-2
fold. The complex was privatized in December, 2004, for 132 mln
USD. 60% of its shares belongs to the Cronimet company (Germany), 15%
– to the Pure Iron Plant OJSC, while the Armenian Molybdenum
Production CJSC and the Zangezur Mining Ltd own 12.5% of the shares
each. It is noteworthy that by late 2005, the shareholders must pay
the value of the shares after the feasibility study and the
clarification of the investment program.

ARF ARTSAKH CENTRAL COMMITTEE DEMANDS THAT HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS
HAVING BEATEN MP CANDIDATE BE DISMISSED
STEPENAKERT, JUNE 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The ARF Dashnaktsutiun Artsakh
Central Committee demanded that NKR President dismiss the high-ranking
officials having beaten Pavel Manukian. In the June 22 press release
the the ARF Dashnaktsutiun Artsakh Central Committee also applies to
the President, military prosecutor and state bodies of the Republic of
Armenia with a demand about unbiassed investigation. To recap,
yesterday well-known freedom-fighter Pavel Manukian, ARFD member
nominated by the ARF Movement-88 bloc’s proportional list in the June
19 parliamentary elections, was taken to Stepanakert military
hospital. Manukian was beaten and had injuries dangerous for his
life. Regaining consciousness, the latter declared that he was beaten
in the building of NKR Ministry of Defence, in the Minister’s
cabinet. “He was confidently emphasizing that the first blows were
struck to him by NKR Defence Minister Seyran Ohanian and Deputy
Minister Samvel Karapetian and after he fell down the other generals
who were in the cabinet continued beating him by their feet.” Late in
the evening Grisha Hayrapetian, representative of the ARFD Artsakh
Central Committee, and Vitaly Balasanian, Chairman of ARF
Dashnaktsutiun – Movement-88 pre-election bloc, met with NKR President
Arkadi Ghukasian. The President of the republic declared to the party
representatives that the incident will be investigated by
law-enforcement bodies and those guilty will be punished in an order
fixed by the law. But, according to the report of ARFD Artsakh Central
Committee, the day after the incident some sources spread information
that Pavel Manukian, allegedly, declared to the investigators that he
got the traumas when falling down from a tree. Meanwhile, according to
information provided by Manukian’s wife, Marina Manukian, no
investigation measures were taken with Pavel Manukian’s participation,
even no forensic expertise was conducted. Pavel Manukian continues to
insist that he was beaten in the Defence Minister’s cabinet. The ARFD
Artsakh Central Committee demanded that Pavel Manukian be moved to a
hospital not subordinate to NKR Defence Ministry but the hospital’s
management refused them motivating this by the fact that the patient
not only mustn’t be moved within at least 4 days, but even sitting or
moving is contraindicated to him. Meanwhile, Stepanakert military
hospital is remaining under a strict control. By the order of Samvel
Gevorgian, head of NKR Defence Army’s Medical Service, a group of
journalists wasn’t allowed to see Pavel Manukian at hospital in the
afternoon of June 22.