Month: October 2006

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

NEW IDEAS ABOUT SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, in fact, put forward new ideas about
the settlement of the conflict over Karabakh, stated the foreign
minister Vardan Oskanyan October 25 from the chair of the parliament.
He said that the co-chairs had offered these ideas on October 6,
during his meeting with Elmar Mammedyarov in Moscow. During the
meeting of the ministers and the co-chairs in Paris on October 24 the
conflict parties presented their standpoints concerning these new
ideas. Armenia also presented the standpoint of Karabakh, says Vardan
Oskanyan, reminding that before his visit to Paris he had visited
Stepanakert and met with the leadership of Karabakh.

The foreign minister of Armenia says that judging by the standpoints
presented during the meeting in Paris, there is no agreement on the
new ideas. But apparently there is hope, and the co-chairs decided to
try again in Brussels on November 14.

Besides, Vardan Oskanyan announced in the parliament that the return
of the territories is included in the agenda of the talks over
settlement, however, the first issue of the package is the
self-determination of the people of Karabakh and the status of
Karabakh. Then the other questions follow. In addition, the question
of the Armenian territories, namely part of the NKR regions of
Martakert and Martuni controlled by Azerbaijan is also negotiated.
However, Oskanyan said, this question is not on the same level with
the teritories controlled by the Armenian side. Vardan Oskanyan also
announced that maybe the package will be applied stage by stage but
it will by all means be adopted as a package, assured the minister.

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

IRAN IS INFORMED ABOUT DETAILS OF TALKS WITH RUSSIAN PARTY

Armenia negotiates the Iran-Armenia pipeline with Russia. Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan admitted this fact on October 25. During
the briefings in the parliament the reporter of the Lragir.am asked
the prime minister when official Yerevan will finally bring clarity
into the information that regularly comes from the Russian party
whether the Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be
sold or not.

`Generally, we do not consider sale, it is possible that Armenia
invests capital, or we make a joint investment, because it would be
illogical to sustain two gas distribution networks in Armenia. We
have a network and a pipeline and there is Armrusgazard. When it is
time, and we start operating the pipeline and transport gas, the
talks will be more definite,’ says the prime minister.

He stated that Iran is informed about the details of the talks with
the Russian party. Meanwhile, the government does not consider it
necessary to inform the citizens of Armenia about the details of the
talks. `When it is time, you will learn about it,’ says the prime
minister.

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

WHAT OSKANYAN FEARS?

On October 25 Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan commented on his
recent speeches, namely his statements in the interview with the
Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper.

In the talk with the news reporters the foreign minister said that in
speaking about the necessity to battle corruption he meant the
strategy of the government, which he thinks can be applied more
seriously. Vardan Oskanyan stated that he is not the police or the
procuracy to point to corrupt officials. `What I’m saying is let’s
apply the policy more seriously and urge the political forces to
attend to these questions during the next election campaign and make
promises to people,’ says Vardan Oskanyan.

He also disagreed with the opinion that his recent speeches are
determined by his likelihood to run for presidency. `I do not view my
speeches and my statements with this logic. Simply I think that it is
worthwhile to consider these questions in the next parliamentary
election. If we want to have more progress in this country, remain
competitive in the region, we need to seek new resources. And there
are resources. We need serious reforms, the second generation of
reforms to revive them, make them active. I’m not criticizing anyone.
The government did what it did and goes on doing. The problem is that
the next generation of the leaders, the political forces, who will be
ruling the country, must pay attention to these problems first of
all,’ says Vardan Oskanyan.

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

GEORGIANS TRESPASSED ON OUR LAND, WE ON THEIRS

The process of drawing the Georgian-Armenian border is really based
on the map adopted in 1939. On October 25 Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan confirmed this statement by Member of Parliament Victor
Dallakyan at the National Assembly in answer to the question of
Member of Parliament Armen Ashotyan.

`It’s difficult to tell what the purpose of this stir, of raising
this question is. It is possible that this a sincere worry because
this is an important problem and I think that it worries and
interests the members of parliament,’ says the foreign minister,
remembering that they take into consideration the map of 1939 because
it is the only comprehensive map. `In fact, yes, because it is the
only map that is more comprehensive and was accepted by both Armenia
and Georgia, the leadership of the time. The other maps are not
comprehensive and precise. But the map of 1939 was accepted as basic.
Nevertheless, we should take into account the reality: the Georgians
have trespassed on our land, and in some parts we trespassed on the
Georgian territory. Today we have to find the golden middle, to find
a pragmatic solution without territorial losses for any of the
sides,’ stated Vardan Oskanyan.

AZ Central, AZ
Oct 26 2006

Plaza memorials a portal to state’s diversity

27 monuments at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza offer lasting reminders
of topics important to Arizonans

Angela Cara Pancrazio
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Most of the time, with the exception of Memorial Day and Veterans
Day, the only regulars at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza are state
workers on a stroll or schoolchildren on a field trip.

Recently, attention has focused on the Arizona 9/11 Memorial because
of its inscriptions, which some consider disrespectful.

But Alice Duckworth, the bespectacled tour coordinator at the Arizona
Capitol Museum and the unofficial point person for the monuments,
says there is much more to be seen on the 10-acre plaza between Adams
and Jefferson streets in Phoenix. advertisement

Ask Duckworth anything about the 27 monuments outside the state
Capitol, and no doubt she will note some interesting tidbit like the
one about the time capsules buried among the memorials.

If she can’t answer your question, she will go straight to what she
calls her brain: a three-ring notebook swollen with pictures and
stories about each monument.

Because the 9/11 Memorial’s future is uncertain, Duckworth has not
yet added any photos or information about it to her notebook.

On the plaza, east of the state Capitol, stand the silent reminders
of everything from law enforcement canines that have been killed in
the line of duty to Armenians who survived the genocide of their
people in Turkey in the early 20th century and made their way to
Arizona.

It’s an eclectic display, a portal into the state’s diversity.

In Arizona memory
Spread across 10 acres, Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza is the V-shaped
centerpiece at the state Capitol. Monuments there commemorate fallen
peace officers and soldiers from the Civil War, World Wars I and II,
Korean War, Vietnam War and Desert Storm. Fund-raising efforts are
under way for a tribute to soldiers of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The plaza’s monuments also honor crime victims, pioneer women, a
Franciscan chaplain, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Wesley
Bolin.

Before his brief four-month stint as governor in 1977, Bolin was
Arizona secretary of state for 28 years. He died in March 1978. The
plaza was dedicated in 1983.

The plaza’s monuments and memorials:

Wesley Bolin Memorial Marker

Father Kino Statue

Bushmasters Memorial

Arizona Pioneer Women Memorial

Ten Commandments Memorial

Civilian Conservation Corps Memorial

4th Marine Division, World War II

Law Enforcement Memorial

World War I Memorial

Confederate Troops Memorial

Jewish War Veterans Memorial

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Armenian Martyrs Memorial

Desert Storm Memorial

American Merchant Seaman Memorial

Father Braun Memorial

Arizona Peace Officers Memorial

Korean War Memorial

USS Arizona mast

USS Arizona anchor

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Ernest W. McFarland Memorial

Purple Heart Memorial

Arizona Workers Memorial/ El Pasaje

Arizona Crime Victims Monument

Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Memorial

Arizona 9/11 Memorial

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

LIFE IN ARMENIA IS WELL MATCHED WITH AFRICAN ONE: UN EXPERTS

Women in Armenia and Russia receive only the two third of men’s
salary, while in Georgia it makes up 40%, it is said in the UN Food
Program’s report on the tendencies of development in CIS countries,
as well as in the countries of the Central and Eastern Europe, which
was presented the day before within the frames of a Round Table in
Moscow with participation of many international experts.

As the National News Agency informs, the UN experts did not like that
only 5% of women sits in the Parliaments of Armenia and Ukraine and
10% – in the Parliaments of Georgia, Russia and Azerbaijan. According
to the report, the citizens of some CIS states live worse than the
people in poor African countries. Meanwhile, the Rosbalt informs that
the UN FP’s regional adviser, Yacek Cukrovski, noted in his speech
during the Moscow session that "Africa is considered the poorest
continent, however, it is not always true. Tajikistan today is poorer
that Sudan, while Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are no much richer
as well". Having analyzed the situation with an equality of rights,
the UN experts have concluded that "the position of women in Russia
and in the countries of western part of CIS and Caucasus seems, in
some aspect, more favourable than the position of men". They noted
that more women study in HEE of these states and their life interval
is much more that of men. Along with it, a representative of the UN
World Food Program in Russia, Inga Broyer, noted with satisfaction
that Russia has become again to feed the poor countries: in 2003,
2005 and 2006 the RF has allocated $11 mln for purchase of foodstuffs
for such countries as KPDR, Angola, Afghanistan , while to Armenia
and Cuba – this year.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

RA DM: KARABAKH CONFLICT MUST BE SETTLED IN PEACEFUL WAY BASED ON
MUTUAL COMPROMISES

The Karabakh conflict must be settled in a peaceful way based on the
mutual compromises. As the "Svoboda" Radio station informs, the RA
Defense Minister, Serzh Sarkissyan, said in a interview to "James "
Research Center, which carries out investigations for strategic and
security issues.

However, in S. Sarkissyan’s opinion, the policy, followed by
Azerbaijan, does not contribute to this. "The officials (of
Azerbaijan) talk today of war resumption. Their war expenses have
doubled during the last year", the Minister said.

S. Sarkissyan stated that Azerbaijan, according to estimations of
independent experts, cannot yet resolve the issue in a military way.
"If military operations recommence, Armenia will reach an advantage
again. Irrespective of the war result, it will be a strike for both
sides". As for Azerbaijan’s oil incomes, which it wants to use to
resolve the Karabakh conflict, S. Sarkissyan reminded that Azerbaijan
had also an advantage in 90th, concerning the number of Armed Forces
and a quantity of ammunition, inherited from the USSR.

"They had encircled Karabakh in 1992 and a few believed that we can
achieve success. Despite all the expectations from oil incomes, they
will not achieve the advantage now they had 14-15 years ago. The
Azerbaijan version of the conflict’s military settlement had failed
at that time and it will fail again. I hope Azerbaijan will refuse
this approach sooner or later", Sarkissyan said.

As for the Armenia-NATO relations, the RA DM has touched upon the
Turkey’s issue. According to him, the policy of Turkey had been
causing damage to the NATO authority in Armenia for a long time.

"The Russian military base in Armenia is created under conditions of
external threat for the Republic. Unfortunately, this threat did not
disappear unit now, since there is no noticeable improvement of the
Armenian-Turkish relations. Turkey keeps on blocking Armenia which is
a hostile action towards us. Turkey also supports Azerbaijan in the
Karabakh issue and improvement of our relations is stipulated for
Azerbaijan’s whim", S. Sarkissyan said.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

WORK FOR CREATION OF ARMENIFIED WINDOWS XP TO BE COMPLETED IN THE
BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER

The BI LINE Company will represent the final version of the
armenified WINDOWS XP Program in the beginning of November, 2006.

As the President of BI LINE, Haik Khanjyan, told ArmInfo, at present,
the Program is under final testing based on the MICROSOFT tools. He
noted that, according to the initial agreement of sides, reached in
May, 2005, the BI LINE Company has to translate over 375,000 words
into Armenian. The WINDOW XP glossary, according to Khanjyan, is
translated into the eastern-Armenian language. Both the BI LINE
Company employees and other experts, whose candidacies were suggested
by the Council for assistance to IT sphere development in Armenia,
have worked over the Program. Meanwhile, Khanjyan noted, one issue
remains unsolved as yet, that is, selection of proper fonts. "The
point is that the standard Sylfaen font, the Microsoft offers to use,
is not quite readable in the Armenian version of WINDOWS XP,
especially in the "bold" font ", Khanjyan stressed, having informed
that the BI LINE holds another point of view in this issue: to
actuate the Arial AMU font, by MICROSOFT agreement. A. Khanjyan also
informed that localization of WINDOWS VISTA has been started already,
by the order of MICROSOFT BI LINE, to be completed in July, 2007. The
interlocutor noted it is possible at present to vote for one or
another translation of words by referring to sites, including the
site

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

ANOTHER CASE ON TRAFFICKING IN ARMENIAN WOMEN FOR PROSTITUTION IN
TURKEY SUBMITTED TO COURT

Another case on trafficking in Armenian women for prostitution in
Turkey has been submitted to the court.

Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office Anti-Trafficking and Illegal
Migration Department has completed the preliminary investigation on
A. Meklumyan’s case. The investigation data say that in 2005 A.
Melkumyan sent to Turkey a certain K.M. and a minor R.S. for sexual
exploitation. The investigation showed that A. Melkumyan contacted G.
Kirakosyan, who is temporarily residing in Turkey and has been wanted
since 2003, to get profit from sexual exploitation of other women.
The above two girls were sent to Turkey allegedly to work as
waitresses. In the April of 2005, K.M. and R.S. who was under 18 left
for Trapezoid. They were welcomed by G. Kirakosyan who seized their
passports and made them earn money through prostitution. The court
delivered a sentence on A. Melkumyan. On 19 October, the criminal
case was submitted to the Minor Court of Lori region. A. Melkumyan is
currently serving her sentence in a penitentiary for organization of
sexual exploitation of women in Dubai.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION SUGGESTS FORMING INDEPENDENT COMMISSION FOR
INVESTIGATING A-320 CRASH

Today’s hearings have been organized because the public seriously
doubts that the Inter-state Aviation Committee’s official version of
the A-320 crash is true, the leader of the New Times party Aram
Karapetyan said during today’s public hearings organized by the
opposition anti-criminal movement.

The delay in the investigation and the distrust in the IAC’s version
have given rise to plenty of versions which all have right to exist.

The leader of the Fatherland and Dignity Garnik Margaryan said that
one of the key versions is the lack of fuel. He said that Armavia
buys fuel in Russia and resells it in Armenia which results to
numerous machinations.

The MP from the National Unity party Agasi Arshakyan said that the
crash was the natural outcome of the post-Soviet official policy of
consistent destruction of civil aviation. Today nobody is insured
against new crashes as the basic principle of civil aviation tycoons
is to enrich themselves at any price.

The leader of the Democratic Party Aram Sargsyan suggested forming an
independent commission for investigating the crash. All participants
supported his initiative.