Month: September 2006

"THERE IS STILL HOPE"

A1+
[08:28 pm] 27 September, 2006

"Justice" bloc did not participate in the discussion of the Electoral
Code together with the Venice Commission and the experts from
OSCE/ODIHR, whereas "National Unity" and "Orinats Yerkir" did.

Leader of the National Democratic Party Shavarsh Kocharyan participated
in hte discussion not as representative of "Justice" bloc but as the
author of the alternative variant. The processed version of the draft
was introduced into circulation in the NA on September 20.

Let us remind you that the mentioned draft Electoral Code was not sent
to the Venice Commission, hence it can’t be discussed. Nevertheless,
according to Kocharyan, even today it can be considered an alternative
variant, taking into account the fact that the draft gives the
solution of those problems upon which the experts and the authors of
the present draft cannot agree.

"We are realistic enough to understand that the chances of the draft
are close to nothing, but it doesn’t mean that the situation is
completely hopeless", said Shavarsh Kocharyan. He voiced hope that
their offers will be taken into account while adopting the offered
amendments.

Shavarsh Kocharyan said that no matter how nice their draft might be,
the experts of the Venice Commission cannot defend it. And if all the
representative of the opposition had signed it, the situation would
be completely different. According to Kocharyan, the draft has been
sent to all the factions by NGO "Democracy"; it has been discussed
by the opposition, but no agreement has been concluded. "I have an
impression that the whole oppositional field is in a swamp. And as
soon as someone wants to get out of it, the others pull him back",
the deputy said.

THE DISCUSSION OF THE GUAM OFFER IS NOT CONSTRUCTIVE

A1+
[08:42 pm] 27 September, 2006

The offer of GUAM to discuss the conflicts in the UN General Assembly
61st session became reason to postpone the meeting of Foreign Ministers
Oskanyan and Mammadyarov.

"Introducing the offer of GUAM into the agenda of the UN General
Assembly changed the situation, and the meeting was postponed", said
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan in an interview to radio station
"Azatutyun".

"We needed to clear up the situation together with the co-chairs in
order to find out the possible developments. That’s what was done
during this meeting", Oskanyan said in connection with his September
26 meeting with the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs. "I’m satisfied with
the explanations. Now we have a better idea of the situation and thus
we will decide what to do next".

Press Secretary of the Foreign Minister Vladimir Karapetyan informed
"A1+" that according to the official position of the Armenian side
"it is extremely non-constructive to take the conflict to a structure
consisting of 190 members where there can be to specialized approach
towards the issue. Besides, the OSCE has been engaged in the issue
for more than 12 years and is well aware of the whole process".

RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE DID NOT BECOME A PRECONDITION

A1+
[08:53 pm] 27 September, 2006

Today the European Parliament adopted a report about Turkey which
did not include the provision making the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide a precondition for becoming member of the EU. Instead,
according to the decision of the European Parliament, the opening of
the Armenian-Turkish border has become a precondition.

Nevertheless, the adopted variant of the report includes a call on
Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Let us remind you that the resolution adopted last September included
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a precondition. It is
noteworthy that the report was a legal one and does not have obligatory
power; it can be taken as advise, though extremely criticizing.

"The European Parliament regrets that the process of reforms has
slowed down", the report says stressing that during the 11 months of
the process of membership in the EU Turkey has recorded "insufficient
progress" in securing freedom of speech, and defense of the rights
of women and religious and national minorities.

PARLIAMENT KNOCKED DOWN GOVERNMENT BILL

Panorama.am
15:23 27/09/06

The extraordinary session of the National Assembly did not adopt the
draft bill "On alienation of property for public and state needs"
collecting only 62 votes.

Earlier the opposition urged the government to take the draft back
suggesting organizing parliamentary hearings and propose a better
version.

Justice Minister Davit Harutunyan said, "The parliament may decide
to adopt the law in three hearings, if it decides to do so, but we
think it may also be adopted in two hearings." Anyway, the bill
did not pass only because it did not collect four more necessary
votes.

ARMENIAN WOMEN DEMAND HIGHER QUOTA IN ELECTION CODE

Panorama.am
15:37 27/09/06

Armenian women have launched a movement trying to make amendments
in the Election Code. According to proposed changes, the women say
the quota should be 25% instead of present 5%. This means that every
fourth person in proportional list must be a woman.

Ruzan Khachatryan, member of People’s Party of Armenia, told a
press conference today this quota is made to please international
institutions, and European Parliament in particular, to show how
democratic Armenia is.

Twenty-two parties have joined this initiative.

Khachatryan, however, is pessimistic and thinks it will be knocked
down because Armenian Republican Party (HHK), the leading force in
the parliament, has not joined the effort. Khachatryan believes women
can compete with men without quota in case elections are free and
fair.

ARSHAK SADOYAN: ARMENTEL WILL BE SOLD TO PUTIN’S DAUGHTER

Panorama.am
16:12 27/09/06

Deputy of parliament, Arshak Sadoyan, expressed his opinion that
"Putin’s daughter may become ArmenTel’s owner." Moreover, he said an
Arab company offers a higher price but it will be sold to Russians. If
telephone fees are raised, millions of dollars will go into the pocket
of the buyer, Sadoyan said.

Sadoyan also called everybody to join a demonstration on October 6. He
said they will march from Matenadaran to Public Services Regulatory
Committee demanding from the committee even not to deliberate the
proposal. The deputy believes even slightest pressure is enough to
keep the tariffs as they are.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SINGER HAIKO SPEAKS TO A PRESS CONFERENCE

Panorama.am
17:46 27/09/06

Singer Haiko addressed to the president of the republic to know why
he has awarded him the title of honored artists, Haiko told a news
conference today.

"Because there are many singers who come and go but you stay for a
long time," the president has answered.

Haiko said he is not involved in politics and will not participate
in any pre-election campaigns.

The singer said he is doing well and the tickets of his upcoming
concert are sold well. Haiko said there will be no dances as it is
not within his style. He said there will be dozens of cameras "to
approach to the international level."

The singer said he has received no concrete suggestions to participate
in Eurovision contest. He even said he is a little scared from rumors
that he may participate.

The singer is in search of his soul mate. He said he devotes his
songs to those who feel attached.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PARLIAMENT DELIBERATES DRAFT BILL ON TV AND RADIO

Panorama.am
17:50 27/09/06

The National Assembly of Armenia deliberated amendment to the Law on
TV and Radio, among others. The deputies criticized a provision saying
that Public TV has no obligation to broadcast the work of parliament at
set hours. Arshak Sadoyan said the bill is unconstitutional, incorrect
and criminal. Viktor Dallakyan, on the other hand, stated that it is
"a slap in the face of the legislature." Gegham Manukyan, from the
ruling coalition, also thinks that the bill should not be adopted. He
said if the 5% limit of ads is eliminated, public TV may attract too
many ads and become monopolistic in the market.

HIGH FEST TO KICK OFF IN YEREVAN IN OCTOBER

Panorama.am
18:01 27/09/06

Fourth international theater festival High Fest will run in Armenia
from October 4 to 14. In the words of Arthur Ghukasyan, festival
chairman, theater groups representing 31 countries will stage 74
performances at eleven squares in Yerevan and Artashat. Ghukasyan
said theater actors will also deliver lectures for students.

The event is held under the auspices of prime minister and defense
minister of Armenia. The ministry of culture never supported this
festival, the organizers complain. However, the ministry of culture
promised to release 2 million Armenian drams next year, the organizer
say.

PRESS RELEASE
Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON)
24 April Committee for recognition and commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915

E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

FAON: position of candidate Albayrak of Turkish origin is still questionable

The Hague 26 September – The Federation of Armenian Organisations in
the Netherlands (FAON) welcomes the removal of 3 candidates from draft
lists of Dutch Christian Democrats Party (CDA) and of Dutch Labor
Party (PvdA) for the coming Dutch parliamentary elections, since they
deny the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Genocide was unanimously
recognised by Dutch Parliament in December 2004. The Dutch parties
have taken their responsibility on time concerning these candidates.
Mr. Sacan (PvdA), Mr .Tonca and Mr. Elmaci (CDA) are no longer
candidates for the elections.

In an earlier letter the Armenian Federation asked the Christian
Democratic Party (CDA) for clarification on the positions of a number
of candidates of Turkish origin who deny the Armenian Genocide (see
). The same question was addressed to other parties with
candidates from Turkish origine.

The Dutch TV programme NOVA on 20 September, with particitapion of MP
Mrs Huizinga Heringa (Christian Union Faction) and the chairman of 24
April Committee of FAON caused commotion, following which the
candidates, according to declarations of the parties, indicated to
share the viewpoint of their party on the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.

Later, however, the candidates Sacan, Tonca and Elmaci indicated to
not share the viewpoint of their party. This opinion of Tonca and
Elmaci became apparent from their remarks in the Turkish newspaper
Sabah. The Armenian Federation therefore called once more upon the CDA
and PvdA to remove Tonca, Elmaci and Sacan from their lists, which
they did on September 26th.

The Armenian Federation, however, has still major objections with some
of the remarks that PvdA candidate of Turkish origin Mrs. Albayrak
(nr. 2 on PvdA list) made in the Dutch daily newspaper Trouw on 26
September, These remarks appear to be quite similar to the official
denial policy of Turkey. The Armenian Federation urges the PvdA to
give more clarity over Mrs. Albayrak’s precise position, before the
PvdA candidacy list is finalized.

The Armenian Federation also requests a decisive answer from the
political parties regarding the viewpoint on the Armenian Genocide of
a few more members of parliament of Turkish origin: Curus and Eski
(CDA), Orgu from People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), who
is not on the draft list for the coming elections, Ozutok (Greens Left
– GL) and Koser Kaya (Social-Liberal Democrats – D66) . The same
question is also valid for other candidates of Turkish descent for
parliament elections.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress