Month: October 2006

Yervand Zakharyan to participate in the Tbilisi Day celebration

ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 14:25

The delegation headed by the Mayor of Yerevan Yervand Zakharyan
will take part in Tbilsi Day celebrations to be held October 21-22,
ArmInfo reports.

"Novosti Gruzia" news agency reports that today festive events will
be held in the old districts of the Georgian capital. October 22 in
the framework of celebration it is envisaged to hold hunting with
hawks in Tbilisi hippodrome, a festive concert and awarding ceremony
of honorary citizens of Tbilisi, featuring Mayor Georgy Ugulava,
who participated in the celebration of 2788th anniversary of Yerevan
October 13-14. During the meeting with Yervan Zakharyan, issues related
to the cooperation of Yerevan and Tbilisi City Halls were discussed. An
agreement was reached to elaborate programs of cooperation in different
spheres, following which an agreement on cooperation will be signed.

Call for freedom of speech rings hollow

By RM Walters

FT
October 17 2006 03:00

Sir, Your clarion call "Threat to free speech" (editorial, October 13)
has a hollow ring to it. Consider for a moment how much free speech the
ordinary citizens of the European Union have been allowed to date over
whether they wish Turkey to join (and likewise, Romania and Bulgaria);
and how much free speech Turkey allows its intellectuals (let alone
its Kurdish minority). It is quite understandable if France’s Armenian
minority do not want Turkey to be encouraged to rewrite history.

R. M. Walters,

Upminster RM14 1BP

Turkey and the Armenians

A prize affair

Oct 19th 2006 | ISTANBUL
> > From The Economist print edition

Orhan Pamuk, the French parliament and the Armenian massacres

WAS it for his writing or his commentary? The question has consumed
the country since Orhan Pamuk became the first Turk to win the
Nobel prize for literature (or indeed any Nobel). The comments,
about the mass slaughter of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks, led last
year to Mr Pamuk’s prosecution on charges of insulting the "Turkish
identity". The charges were later dropped on a technicality, but not
before they had attracted a storm of international criticism.

Ascribing to him the Byzantine wiles displayed by some of his
characters, Mr Pamuk’s enemies are now saying that he engineered his
own trial so as to win the Nobel. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the mildly
Islamist prime minister, urged fellow Turks to "put aside polemics"
and congratulate Mr Pamuk, but the (pro-secular) president remained
pointedly silent.

The novelist’s detractors were given a boost, hours before the
award was announced, by the French National Assembly, when it voted
overwhelmingly for a bill to criminalise denial that the Armenians
were victims of a genocide. The bill is unlikely to become law,
but it still sparked a wave of anti-French demonstrations and vows
that France would somehow be made to "pay" for its misdeeds. Why
not boot out some 70,000 illegal workers from neighbouring Armenia,
suggested Yasar Yakis, a former minister from the ruling AK party?

The European Union enlargement commissioner, Olli Rehn, said
that the French bill "instead of opening up the debate [on the
Armenians in Turkey] would rather close it down." Mesrob Mutafyan,
the Armenian Orthodox patriarch in Istanbul, voiced fears that his
80,000-member flock might now become targets for ultra-nationalist
vigilantes. Happily, no Armenian has been hurt (or deported) so
far. Nor have efforts to break the ice between ordinary Turks and
Armenians stopped-an exhibition by Turkish and Armenian photographers
depicting daily life in Istanbul and Yerevan is to open soon.

There may even be a silver lining to the French cloud. Basking on
the moral high ground, Mr Erdogan said he would not be trapped into
responding to France’s "assault on free speech" in kind. The justice
minister, Cemil Cicek, is hinting that Turkey’s article 301, under
which Mr Pamuk and scores of fellow writers and academics have been
prosecuted, may be scrapped. If it is, Turkey’s EU hopes would be
resuscitated-and future award-winning novelists could then claim to
have been judged solely by their works, not their deeds.

laystory.cfm?story_id=8058022

Â"PROSPEROUS ARMENIAÂ"; DISPENSING POTATOES

Aravot.am
20 Oct 06

"Prosperous Armenia" Party, which has adopted a policy for developing
rural communities, has launched the winter wheat dispensing program in
10 regions of Armenia. Leader of the Party Gagik Tsaroukian has assured
that this won’t be the last initiative for the rural development and
he kept his promise. The representatives of the party have learned
from the different regions that the villagers need in the necessity
of changing potato sowing. Taking into consideration the villagers’
desire, the program of dispensing high quality potato sowing was
kicked off by the initiative of the leader of "PA" Party.

–Boundary_(ID_TL9IpAuJEObaYF4bpqhUEQ)–

WHAT THEY WANT FROM US

Aravot.am
20 Oct 06

Putting aside the veil of diplomatic oratory, the orientation of
Russia in South Caucasus issues is the following: Georgia isn’t a
united state, the Georgians aren’t a united nation, and consequently we
should do our best to separate that country. As you, Armenians, want to
separate Azerbaijan, you should help us to separate Georgia. Certainly
Putin and Lavrov don’t sound such orientation but what the sober
people think, Konstatin Zatulin and Andranik Mihranian say.

If Russia expects an "equal" attitude from Armenia in Karabakh,
Abkhazia, and South Osia conflicts, that country must have the same
equal approach. But it isn’t so in reality. The RF declares about
Abkhazia and S. Osia: if Georgia wants to settle that conflict by force
we’ll defend our citizens. First of all Russia gave its passports
to the populations of this region for launching military actions in
the territory of other country. Russia says about Karabakh conflict:
Russia’s position isn’t different from the position of OSCE Minsk Group
other cochairmen’s countries /U.S. and France/. It is understandable
but not justified why Russia wants us to worsen our relations with
our neighbors.

RF is ready to assist in independence of S. Osia and Abkhazia, as
Georgia is out of its influence. Russia is interested in keeping status
quo in NK conflict, as it is the only lever to keep Azerbaijan under
its influence. The U.S. and Europe are also interested in keeping
the current situation for different reasons. In addition to it the
similar interests of our and Azeri leaders make us understand why
the conflict isn’t settled.

Aram Abrahamian

"IF WE AREN’T COMPETITIVE, WE LOSE"

Aravot.am
20 Oct 06

OEP leader, NA former chairman Arthur Baghdasarian says.

We have been informed that you have been awarded by the highest state
medal of Austria for democratic development and Euro integration. This
is the second European award after President of France Jacques
Chirac’s highest award. Is our information right and if it is so,
doesn’t is mean that the influences of the outside world become more
and more important for our country.

Yes, that information is true and I want to thank to the President of
Austria for that highest honor. As for your question about the outside
world I want to say we can’t live in an isolated world nowadays,
we must understand that rivalry and not contrast are preferable in
the globalizing world, and if we are competitive, we lose. We must
understand first of all that for being competitive we should create a
free democratic country inside our country and coming parliamentary and
presidential elections are very important for the future of Armenia. My
London meetings proved that everybody were interested there in Armenian
elections. We should understand that foreign countries will influence
us by all means and this connects with the rising interests of the
region. We must realize that we are obliged to hold fair elections
corresponding to international standards. If we hold unfair elections
we’ll have bad remarks and developments both inside the country and
out of its borders.

The leaders or representatives of almost all forces of the opposition
field don’t hide that they agree with the formation of a bloc with
OEP what about the OEP’s orientation, are you going to participate
in the coming elections separately or with a bloc?

I’m sure; Orinats Erkir Party will have a weighty participation in the
future parliament though the use of black technologies and non-civil
methods. We are for fair and civilized political struggle, for close
political collaboration with the parties of opposition field. That
collaboration supposes two mechanisms: active pre-electoral and post
electoral collaboration. We have already come to an arrangement
with some political parties to sign bilateral agreement, which
will be transparent for the population. The time will show whether
pre-electoral allies will be formed in Armenia. It is difficult to form
blocs with ambitious parties because the bloc means the existence
of at least three factors: first of all public confidence among
the people, strong construction of party adherents and resources;
human, organizational, financial, political ties etc. All those
forces, which are ready to put their ego for general activities,
we are ready to collaborate with them but I’m not so optimism to see
everything in green light and not so pessimism to see everything in
dark colors. I’m realist and I’m sure there will be unions in Armenia,
the time will show.

It was speaking in time that you were ready to resign but you had to
send in your resignation earlier?

I didn’t have to resign earlier. The responsibility of our party
was to improve people’s life. OEP has declared since the first day
of its formation that we are a political force that demands and
achieves reforms. We haven’t kept silence but struggled for changes
instead. We could keep silence and enjoy as a lot of politicians
do. I have met with the President before my resignation and he hasn’t
demanded my resignation.

Do you believe in fair elections?

I’m not so naive to think that ideal elections will be held in Armenia,
but everybody must understand that nobody has held fair elections
only by words, we should make practice steps.

Some of your former partners declare that OEP acts with the principles
of sect that the members of your party call on the flats and assure
the inhabitants like the sect representatives. Is it so?

There were some publications in the authority-controlled
press. Nowadays the OEP use western technologies adopted by the
modern civilized world irrespective of politicians who use soviet
standards. We use new technologies in our political struggle, we have
active ties with the public, and we work openly.

Common people say that you have left the authority so they can believe
in you, don’t you regret for leaving it?

It wasn’t easy to leave the NA chairman’s position, nowadays people
of political field dream of becoming parliamentarian, minister or
deputy minister, chief of department and even the principal. I left
that position in favor of true reforms, I’m sure we’ll make those
amendments. Democratization of Armenia, Euro integration, shadow
economy, fight against corruption and criminal, free, developing
economy, development of collaboration, social-economic conceptual
reforms; these are first priorities of my party.

Margaret Yesayan

ARMENIAN PARTY EXTENDED ITS OBSERVATIONS TO IAC

Lragir.am
20 Oct 06

The Armenian side extended its observations connected with the
Imterstate Aviation Committee’s conclusion on the crash of the
Armenian A320. The press secretary of the Agency of Civil Aviation
informed Regnum that the Armenian experts scrutinized the conclusion
on the cause of the crash and extended the summary to the IAC. If
the IAC finds it expedient, the observations of the Armenian party
will be published.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STEPS THAT THREATEN SECURITY OF ARMENIA

Lragir.am
20 Oct 06

Following the developments of the past few weeks connected with
the Armenian government, one wonders what Tigran Torosyan, who is
part of the government, did to this government that they tenaciously
humiliate him. Quite unlikely to defend Tigran Torosyan, especially
that he surely has sufficient mental potential, as well as physical
potential considering his immense political party, to defend himself,
I am nevertheless worried about the post of the speaker of the National
Assembly, which has not been neglected to this degree over the past
15 years than over the past 15 or may be a few more days.

When Tigran Torosyan was not included in the orbit of Jacques Chirac’s
visit to Armenia, it seemed that they simply did not want to overload
the speaker of the National Assembly with international policies,
because there were a number of other internal problems in the National
Assembly, which require urgent solution. But when the Attorney General
arrested the Member of Parliament and despite the provision of the
Constitution, forgot to inform Tigran Torosyan, people started doubting
that they had forgotten about the speaker of the National Assembly
or they remembered, therefore they neglected. Certainly, this is not
the first time when the shortcoming of the Attorney General breaks
the Constitution of Armenia. The Constitution has been violated on
a higher level, and this is perceived as normal in the government
of Armenia. However, this violation stands out because if all the
former violations neglected the public and the rules of coexistence,
this particular violation neglected an entire government institution,
which has been called the National Assembly since 1995.

In fact, it is doubtful that it was done on purpose. Why should the
Attorney General, who is appointed by the head of state, neglect Tigran
Torosyan? Would the president forgive him, who rigorously prevents
every breaking of the Constitution? The answers to this questions
had not formed fully in the logic of the processes underway, when
another incident occurred. This time the judicial system neglected
the speaker of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan. And strange
though it may seem, the head of this system is again appointed by
the president of the Republic. In this case, it is already impossible
not to consider an intended action along with misunderstanding. And
the first question is whether by neglecting publicly the president
humilates the deputy leader of the Republican Party Tigran Torosyan
or the post of the speaker of the National Assembly. For the society,
the second is worrying because for the society the normal functioning
of the government in compliance with the law is prior to all. And
when the second post of the government, the legislative body, is
neglected publicly, it means the function of the neglecting body
is not fulfilled or is not fulfilled by the one who is entitled to
it, but someone else. This makes think about the problem of shade
governance, which threatens the national security when the top
government post is simply paralyzed and, despite the Constitution,
pushed out of the government system. The second question is why,
and the answer to this question can be found in the context of the
president – Republican Party relations. But if Robert Kocharyan and
the Republicans cannot build their relations in a way as not to harm
the government and the constitutional order, they had better set up
relations with the system of government rather than each other.

HAKOB BADALYAN

WHEN ELITE NEEDS PAPER

Lragir.am
20 Oct 06

The Armenian government has decided to make pro-active efforts to
develop an innovative economy. This perfectly fits into the economic
policy, which is written on paper and entitled the action plan of the
government of the Republic of Armenia. But we know that the ruling
elite of Armenia is not fond of papers, and remembers about them when
utter, we may even say, vital necessity occurs. Ostensibly, utter,
even vital necessity has occurred that the government, remembering
paper, started thinking about developing an innovative economy.

The ministry of trade and economic development is supposed to make
efforts in this direction. The minister is Republican. A major part
of our economy is in the hands of the Republicans, mostly the members
of the Council. And it is necessary to start building an innovative
economy together with these members. It means that their bakeries,
markets, wineries and canneries, poultry farms, trade centers,
restaurants, hotels, petrol and gas filling stations, fixed-route
minivans, taxi services, everything should be based on innovative
technologies.

Innovation is certainly good, and very few people in the world will
support the contrary opinion and rack their brains covered with a
socialist crust to say that it is possible to develop the country on
the basis of the Soviet industrial technology. But in this particular
case it is easier to understand the opinion of these few people than
those people who have decided to spur the development of an innovative
economy. Innovation makes companies more competitive on the world
market but it also requires great investments, spending a lot of
money. In the beginning this is inevitable because modern technologies
are an underlying and essential component of an innovative economy.

In other words, the Council of the Republican Party owning a
considerable part of the Armenian economy is facing the necessity of
technological modernization, of course, if it is likely to implement
or help implement the decision of the native government, the efforts
of which are laid on the shoulders of the Republican minister. There
is a big problem, however. The Republican minister perhaps knows and
the other ministers also know that they voted for the decision of
spurring an innovative economy. Robert Kocharyan, who chaired the
meeting of the government, knows this too. The burden of fostering
the development of an innovative economy is lying on the shoulder
of the Republican minister, whereas the burden of a "free, fair and
transparent" election is on the back of bearers of this economy.

They have to contribute to the slush funds, then spend money for
themselves, while the Bargavach Hayastan Party is distributing aid
and operating free of charge all the time. In other words, before
competition on the world market, the economy-loving members of the
Republican Council, who possess almost all the spheres of the Armenian
economy, have to think about competition for power.

Meanwhile, their decision to develop an innovative economy pushes
them into a dilemma. They have to invest their money in either "clean"
industrial technologies, or "dirty" pre-election technologies. On the
other hand, they realize that in reality they have no choice because
in Armenia industrial technology is null or becomes null when one
loses in the pre-election "technological" race.

Consequently, it is difficult to think that those businessmen will
invest money in innovative technologies if they badly need the money
before the election. In other words, it is clear that over the upcoming
seven or eight months and for another few months the economy and the
businessmen will have no wish to make innovative steps. And it means
that for at least another year it will remain on paper until vital
necessity occurs to remember it.

HAKOB BADALYAN

Reference to frozen conflicts on GUAM territory

ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 15:30

During UN General Assembly sitting dedicated to cooperation of regional
organizations Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Khandogiy
spoke on behalf of GUAM. "Trend" agency reports that he suggested to
undertake measures in the direction of resoling the "frozen conflicts"
on the territories of Georgia, Moldova, Aerbaijan and Ukraine. "It
is important for international organizations, particularly the UN
and OSCE, to continue undertaking practical steps for resolving the
conflicts, which comprise a serious obstacle for stability, as well
as democratic and economic development in the region," said the
representative of Ukraine.

He called on the interested parties to accomplish the UN Security
Council and OSCE resolutions on Nagorno Karabakh and Georgian-Abkhazian
conflicts.