Month: October 2006

Version of explosion of A-320 refuted
19.10.2006 17:57

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

During the investigation the experts completely refuted the version
of explosion on the Armavia A-320 plane flying from Yerevan to Sochi
on May 3, ArmInfo learned from aviation circles of Armmenia. It was
noted that the official investigation has not been completed so far
and the International Aviation Committee did not manage to find out the
real reasons of the crash. Nevertheless, the version of explosion has
not been confirmed. No official structure possesses any information
that some passengers calling the relatives to alarm about a scuffle
on board, the air company informed, commenting on the statement by
former pilot Vladimir Poghosyan in today’s press conference.

Air pollution is out of politics
19.10.2006 16:56

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

The forum on innovative approaches to challenges of climatic changes
in the world, organized by Steady Development Commission of the CoE
Congress, opened in Yerevan today. President of the Commission Gaye
Doghanoghlu noted in her opening speech that in 100 years the climatic
changes in the world connected with the increase of toxic emissions
in the atmosphere can lead to disastrous and irretrievable results,
and its prevention should start today.

"The air pollution issue is the first for all humanity. It is out
of politics and society, since it relates to all and everyone,"
Doghanoghlu said, adding those guilty of air pollution – the countries
with developed and developing industry – should address the issue.

In Doghanoghlu’s words, the solution of the issue demands a united and
complex approach. Certain tasks should be put before all states – from
air pollution control to industry modernization and decrease of toxic
emissions. "We should study the experience of other countries, those
who have achieved certain success in this sphere," Doghanoghlu noted.

Julie Finley stresses the importance of holding elections in
compliance with democratic standards
19.10.2006 13:54

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

October 19 Head of the Armenian delegation to OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, NA Vice-Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan and member of the
delegation Samvel Nikoyan met with the US Ambassador to the OSCE
Julie Finley.

Mrs. Finley emphasized the importance of conducting the forthcoming
elections in Armenia in compliance with democratic standards,
stressing the necessity of OSCE observation mission’s long-term stay
in Armenia. In Mrs. Finley, opinion, the presence of observers in
the preelection process is as important as in the election period.

Vahan Hovhannisyan and Samvel Nikoyan also attached importance to
holding free and fair elections in Armenia, noting that soon the
amendments to the Electoral Code will be adopted.

During the meeting reference was made to the activity of the
Central Electoral Commission. The parties stressed the importance of
completeness and accuracy of voting lists. Other questions of mutual
importance were discussed as well.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ursula Plasnik: EU-Turkey talks at a critical point
19.10.2006 13:25

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

Acting Foreign Minister of Austria Ursula Plasnik has declared that
Turkey’s entry talks with the European Union have entered a critical
phase. "EU-Turkey talks, which started a year ago, have reached
a critical point," she said Wednesday after the meeting with her
countrpart from Cyprus Georgios Lilikas.

"The European Union has clearly mentioned in the statement of 21
September, 2005 that it anticipates progress in the settlement of the
Cyprus issue on the part of Turkey," the Austrian Foreign Minister
said. She reminded also that Ankara has undertaken the obligation to
apply the custom union to all new EU member states. "Nevertheless,
it has not been the case up to now," Plasnik underlined. "The European
Union is patient, but it makes no discounts for separate partners.

Turkey should choose which direction it will be moving," she added.

RA Foreign Minister had meeting with his Canadian counterpart
19.10.2006 11:54

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

October 18 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who is paying an
official visit to Canada, had a meeting with the Foreign Minister
Peter McKay.

During the meeting the Ministers positively assessed the bilateral
relations, noting that there is a great potential for deepening
cooperation.

The parties laid special emphasis on the role of the Armenian
community in the development of collaboration between Canada and
Armenia. They exchanged views on regional issues, particularly turning
to Armenian-Turkish relations. In this regard Minister Oskanian
expressed gratitude to the legislative and executive authorities of
Canada for recognizing he Armenian Genocide, underlining that it was
an expression of loyalty to the defense of human rights.

At the request of Minister McKay, Mr. Oskanian referred to regional
developments, Armenian-Turkish relations and the current stage of
negotiations on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

The same day in the Canadian Parliament Minister Oskanian met with
members of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The
Group is chaired by Gary Goodyear and has 40 members. Speaking at the
meeting, Minister Oskanian turned to Armenian-Canadian cooperation
in different spheres, as well as the reforms implemented in Armenia
and foreign policy priorities. Speeches were delivered also by
Gary Goodyear and Secretary of the Administrative Council of Canada
Jason Kenny.

Presidnet Kocharyan received the delegation headed by Nikolay Rizhkov

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

19.10.2006 10:05

October 18 RA President Robert Kocharyan received the delegation
headed by Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian Interparliamentary
Cooperation Commission Nikolay Rizhkov. The guests informed the
President about the work of the 11th sitting of the Commission,
noting that it was held in a positive atmosphere, promoted by
friendly relations between members of the Commission. A broad circle
of questions related to bilateral relations was discussed; special
reference was made to economic ties. The parties appreciated the
active process of Armenian-Russian cooperation.

The interlocutors dwelt on regional developments and the Karabakh
issue.

CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST ROYAL ARMENIA’S MANAGEMENT SENT TO COURT

Noyan Tapan, Armenia
Oct 20 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The preliminary investigation of
the criminal case against the management of Royal Armenia Ltd was
completed and the case has been sent to court. Gevorg Minasian,
the company’s lawyer, said this at the October 20 press conference.

To recap, the case started on March 10, 2005. On the 7th month of
the investigation, the company’s co-owner Gagik Hakobian and deputy
director Aram Ghazarian were arrested. They were accused of smuggling,
non-payment of taxes, document forgery, legalization of financial
resources in an illegal way, and G. Hakobian – also of fraud.

During the press conference, representatives of Royal-Armenia expressed
discontent that by the investigator’s decision, a 38,400-kg and
76,800-kg shipments of green coffee that the company received from
abroad continue to be under arrest. They are not customs-cleaned,
as a result of which 2 trucks and 6 containers of the foreign
transporter have been under "customs arrest" since September 27,
2006, for which Royal-Armenia will bear property responsibility to
the foreign transporter.

"This action with respect to the company is a previously planned
damage which has no bearing to justice and law," the application sent
to the RA president, prime minister and prosecutor general reads.

According to the application, the company was forced to stop the
process of production and to dismiss 48 employees.

Representatives of Royal-Armenia believe that the investigator’s
decision and the inaction of customs employees are not justified.

According to them, Ltd is not a civil defendant in this criminal
case, and as a legal entity and a independent subject of the law
is not responsible for the liabilities of its participants. "Even
if we admit that the Ltd participants committed an offence, it is
not a reason to put an arrest on the raw material imported by the
company," the company representatives stated. According to them,
in such a case sanctions may be used with respect to the defendants’
property and their shares in the company’s capital.

STARTING NOVEMBER 1 PASSENGERS OF ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT TO BE CHARGED SAFETY PAYMENTS

Noyan Tapan, Armenia
Oct 20 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Starting November 1, a new safety
payment of 2 euros will be charged from leaving, arriving and transit
passengers at Zvartnots Airport. Gayane Davtian, spokeswoman for the
RA Civil Aviation Main Department, told NT correspondent that this
decision was made based on ICAO rules.

According to the same source, ICAO and other aviation organizations
proposed that airports use new passenger and plane safety technologies
in connection with the fight against terrorism.

Particularly, fingerprint identifying devices will be used at Zvartnots
Airport from November 1.

It was noted that the airport manager took an obligation that
from January 1, 2007, Zvartnots Airport will have a rescue and a
firefighting detachments on duty with all necessary modern equipment.

OSCE Highlights the Importance of the Observation Mission

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Oct 20 2006

On October 19 Mr. Vahan Hovnannisyan, Head of the Armenian delegation
to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Vice President of the National
Assembly and Mr. Samvel Nikoyan, member of the delegation, met Mrs.

Julie Finley, United States Ambassador to the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Mrs. Finley highlighted the conduct of the forthcoming elections
in accordance with the democratic standards, considering necessary
the long-term, 90-days presence of the OSCE Observation Mission in
Armenia. As Mrs. Finley assured that the observers’ presence is as
important in pre-election process as during the elections.

Mr. Vahan Hovnannisyan and Mr. Samvel Nikoyan also highlighted the
conduct of free and fair elections, noting that soon the amendments
to the RA Electoral Code will be adopted, which passed the expert
assessment of the OSCE/ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights) and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and
were agreed with the political forces, represented in Parliament.

During the meeting the activity of the Central Electoral Commission
was touched upon, the importance of the complete and accurate list
of voters was mutually highlighted.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.

TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGE OF SHUSHI IS 85
Svetlana Khachatrian 20-10-2006

Azat Artsakh, Reublic of Nagorno Karabakh
Oct 20 2006

The teacher training college of Shushi is 85, which is a notable event
in the life of Artsakh. The college is a long-lived and traditional
institution, which had a special role in the life of Artsakh, for
at one time all the teachers of Artsakh were trained there. The
college was set up in a period of difficult political and economic
situation in Artsakh. In 1920 a group of Armenians in Tbilisi made
a statement (which was published in the Taraz Magazine) calling to
establish a school in Shushi which would carry on the traditions of
great Armenian universities of Gladzor and Tatev, Lazarian School
in Moscow, Nersissian School, the Real School of Shushi. In response
to this call a group of alumni of the Real School working in Tbilisi
set up the college, which has had 13 thousand alumni over these years.
From: Baghdasarian