Month: October 2006

TRETIAKOV GALLERY TO EXHIBIT "ARMENIAN-ART: XX CENTURY"

A1+
[04:23 pm] 26 October, 2006

The exhibition "Armenian Art: XX Century" opens in the Tretiakov
Gallery, Moscow, on October 27 within the framework of the celebrations
and events connection with the year of Armenia in Russia.

Over 50 works by the Armenian XX-century painters and sculptors will
be exhibited in the gallery, including painters Minas Avetisyan,
Sargis Mouradyan, Mher Abeghyan, Lavina Bajbuek-Melikyan and sculptors
Nikolay Nikoghosyan, Getik Baghdasaryan, etc.

Special importance will be attached to Martiros Saryan’s paintings
of the period 1930 – 1960.

On the whole, the works exhibited in the gallery depict the historical
background of the Armenian Fine Arts in the second half of the XX
century. They combine the atmosphere and colour characteristic of
the Armenian Fine Arts.

The exhibition will be open by November 26.

NA PASSES THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL CODE

A1+
[01:24 pm] 26 October, 2006

Today, RA National Assembly passed the amendments to the Electoral
Code with 84 votes for, 6 votes against and 2 abstentions.

It is noteworthy that "Justice" faction voted against the amendments.

At present, the NA is discussing the amendments to the law on
"Alienation of Property for State and Public Needs." Let us remind
you that it is already the fourth time the RA government has put the
amendments to the NA voting.

The deputies are currently asking questions Rafik Petrosyan, the head
of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs. By the way,
yesterday the latter complained of the government’s attempts to cheat
them by introducing the same draft law with slight changes. Whereas
today he tries to persuade the deputies to endorse the amendments after
the first hearing provided the amendments are worked out later on.

"Though there are still "obscure" points in the draft, it differs from
the ones the government formerly introduced," says Rafik Petrosyan.

BAKU POLICY DOES NOT PROMOTE PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

Yerkir
26.10.2006 16:27

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – When speaking of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in an
interview to Jane’s Center, which holds military and political studies,
Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan expressed confidence that
"the conflict should be solved peacefully via compromises.

" However, in his opinion, Azerbaijan’s policy does not promote
it. "Today officials of Azerbaijan speak of resumption of
hostilities. Their military expenses doubled within the past year,"
Sargsyan noted. In his words, according to estimates of independent
experts, Azerbaijan is not able to solve the Karabakh issue by force
still. "If hostilities resume, Armenia will again have an upper hand,"
Serge Sargsyan said.

Speaking of oil revenues of Azerbaijan, which Baku intends to spend on
solution of the Karabakh issue, Serge Sargsyan reminded that in early
90s Azerbaijan had an advantage in number and arms, inherited from
the USSR. "In 1992 they surrounded Armenians of Karabakh and only a
few believed that we can succeed. Neither now, nor many years later
they will have the advantage, they had 14-15 years ago. Azeri option
of military solution of the Karabakh issue failed then and will fail
again. I hope that Azeri leaders will give up those approaches earlier
or later," Sargsyan underscored, reports RFE/RL.

CONFERENCE ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF OPENING THE ARMENIA-TURKEY BORDER TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 16:10

The Armenian International Policy Research Group (AIPRG) is organizing
an international conference on "The Economic and Social Consequences
of Opening the Armenia-Turkey Border". The conference is to be held
on January 13-14, 2007 in Yerevan, Armenia.

The border between Armenia and Turkey has been closed since 1993. In
recent years, there has been increased pressure both external and
internal to open the border and normalize bilateral relations.

The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers,
international organizations, and other stakeholders to examine the
potential benefits and costs of opening the border and normalizing
relations between Armenia and Turkey. The conference aims to provide
the policymakers and general public with a comprehensive analysis
about potential benefits and costs of border opening.

There will be a specific focus on the following areas: static
implications of opening the border, dynamic implications of opening
the border, distributional consequences of opening the border,
trade creation versus trade diversion, relative competitiveness and
infant-industry protection, regional labor markets, migration, and
remittances, the role of the public sector, implications for other
nations in the region, lessons from other border opening/political
normalization experiences. There will be several high-profile
participants from Armenia and the rest of the world including the two
keynote Speakers, Yegor Gaydar, Russia’s First Prime Minister and the
Director of the Transformation Economy Institute; and Gary Hufbauer,
Senior Economist at the Institute of International Economics and
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for State of International Trade
and Investment Policy, USA Treasury.

The conference is co-sponsored by USAID, Eurasia Foundation and the
UK Embassy in Armenia.

VARUZHAN VOSKANIAN APPOINTED ROMAIA’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 16:30

The Prime Minister of Romania CÄ~Clin Popescu-TÄ~Criceanu has appointed
Senator Varuzhan Voskanian the representative of his country in the
European Commission. Varuzhan Voskanian chairs the national union of
Romanian Armenians.

Voskanian’s candidacy needs to be approved by the President of
the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso and the European
Parliament. Voskanian will assume office, when Romania joins the
European Union on January 1, 2007.

48-year-old Varuzhan Voskanian, a mathematician and economist, chairs
the Senate Committee on Finance and Budgeting and stands out for his
liberal views, the "Associated Press" reports.

–Boundary_(ID_s+Szx/E6SxTEfkO5gVYVdg)–

MINISTER OSKANIAN MET WITH GERMAN MARSHAL FUND EXPERTS

ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 16:42

October 26 RA Foreign Minister received the German Marshal Fund
experts on conflicts, who arrived in Armenia in the framework of
a regional visit. The delegation comprises representatives of US
Congressmen’s Offices.

Minister Oskanian highly assessed the Fund’s activity and the
constant contacts with the countries of the region, which provide the
opportunity to learn about each other’s policy in different directions
in more detail.

During the conversation the parties turned to regional issues,
Armenia’s cooperation with NATO and EU, some aspects of
Georgian-Russian relations.

At the request of the guests, Minister Oskanian presented the
peace process of the Karabakh conflict settlement and dwelt on
Armenian-Turkish relations.

KAREL DE GUCHT: SETTLEMENT OF "FROZEN CONFLICTS" PRIORITY FOR THE OSCE

ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 17:19

Wednesday OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Belgium Karel de
Gucht spoke at the North-Atlantic Council. During the meeting with NATO
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Gucht noted that he considers
the settlement of "frozen conflicts" the priority of OSCE’s activity,
"Trend" agency reports, referring to NATO release.

In his turn, NATO Secretary General said that no organization can
accomplish its targets alone, and that coordination of efforts should
be a priority.

Karel de Gucht’s visit fell in the framework of the regular high-level
political dialogue between the two organizations.

AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN HANDED HIS CREDENTIALS TO RA PRESIDENT

ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 17:45

The newly appointed of Japan to the Republic of Armenia Yasuo Saito
(seat in Moscow) handed his credentials to RA President Robert
Kocharyan.

Congratulating the Ambassador on appointment, the President said
Armenia is interested in the enlargement of cooperation with Japan.

Robert Kocharyan highly assessed the contribution of the Japanese
Government to the development of economy of our country. He attached
special importance to the programs in the sphere of energy.

As similarity between the two countries the parties mentioned the
scarce natural recourses and the great mental potential.

According to Robert Kocharyan, Japan is a good example of how success
can be achieved trough effective governance and diligence. He said also
that the experience of Japan in modernizing the country, maintaining
the national peculiarities can also be a good example for Armenia.

During the meeting reference was made to the international situation
in the context of nuclear weapons testing in the North Korea.

PACKAGE OF AMENDMENTS TO ELECTORAL CODE ADOPTED IN FIRST READING

Noyan Tapan
Oct 26 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly adopted
in the first reading on October 26 the package of amendments
and additions to the Electoral Code with 84 for, 6 against and 2
abstaining votes. To recap, the EC acting from February, 1999 was
subject to amendment already for 5 times. The draft consisting of
100 articles, particularly, fixes decision on voting with envelops
and clerifying electoral commissions, orders of appealing actions and
inaction, commissions of authorized persons are widened. The latters
have a right not to interfere in works of a commission member, being
phisically present near commission members implementing registration
of voters, giving ballot-papers and votion envelops, sealing and
guarding the ballot-box and watching their works. The order of
summing up results of votion at district electoral commissions is
also changed: particularly, the report concerning results must be
formed based on intermediate reports concerning results of votion
in intermediate bundles formed each of 250 envelops. At present the
upmost number of voters involved in every polling station, 2000, is
reduced to 1600, as a result of what the number of polling statiions
will add 20-30%. Usage of moveable ballot-boxes to implement the
constitutional right of invalids, people having no possibility to come
to the district center on the votion day and undergoing stationary
treatment at medical institutions is among the innovations.

The right of video recording the process of summing up the votion
results is also defined. Transitional threshold of alliances as
a result of NA proportional electoral system elections was also
reviewed. If it makes 7% at present, the draft envisages this threshold
for alliance of 2 parties, and 10% for 3 and more parties. By the way,
a provision was additionally fixed in the draft according to which
journalists of the Public Radio and Television, other radio companies
and TV companies, members of editorial staffs who are registered as
candidates, are prohibited to cover the elections and hold radio and
TV programs.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION UNION TO TAKE PART IN 2007 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ONLY IN A BLOC

Noyan Tapan
Oct 26 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The National Self-Determination
Union will take part in the 2007 parliamentary elections only in a
bloc. Party Chairman Paruyr Hayrikian said this at the October 26 press
conference. In his words, it is not time to solve issues independently
today, as there are preconditions for creating a united ideological
front in Armenia. As his party’s allies Hayrikian sees "all forces
having some ideology who will fight for preservation of Armenia’s
independence and sovereignty." Touching upon Armenian-Russian
relations, P.Hayrikian said: "U.S. occupied Iraq, but did not
become owner of any oil-well. And Russia through its spies took in
its hands all Armenia’s enterprises and institutions of strategic
importance." In the words of the National Self-Determination Union
Chairman, "an agents network belonging to Moscow secret services,
full of thousands of spies and instigators" acts in RA, which "poses
great danger for such a small country as Armenia." In response to
the question of a journalist, besides RA Prime Minister, whom else
he considers a special services agent, P.Hayrikian said that Andranik
Margarian was his friend and he wishes to see him "released" from this
status. The National Self-Determination Union Chairman also expressed
indignation in connection with the circumstance that December 20
formerly proclaimed Day of Official of Cheka" was announced Day of
RA National Security Employer. "Disclosure of the Armenian sector of
agents network of the National Security Committee is among the common
problems of the Armenian people and has a basic importance for our
people," P.Hayrikian concluded.