Month: October 2006

UNITED JAVAKHETI DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE CONDEMNS THE HZOR HAYRENIK PARTY

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

The Statement of United Javakheti Democratic Alliance

In answer to the statements of the deputy leader of the Hzor Hayrenik
Party Shirak Torosyan in the October 24 edition of the Iravunk
Newspaper, United Javakheti Democratic Alliance, realizing its
responsibility for the stability in Javakheti and the protection of
the national and civil rights of the Armenian population, considering
the dangerous situation in the region, condemns the efforts of several
marginal political sets and the criminal groups, which joined them,
to dissolve the alliance and stain its activities.

In Javakheti, which remained within independent Georgia after the
collapse of the Soviet Union, different forces emerged to defend the
political and civil rights of the Armenian population of Javakheti
but were unable to unite and direct the potential of the Armenians
of Javakheti at the urgent and effective settlement of the problems
of this region.

At the same time, certain people living in Armenia and pursuing their
personal goals in the political sphere of Armenia, who joined the
Hzor Hayrenik Party, have succeeded in manipulating the feelings of
the citizens of Armenia from Javakheti in their constant efforts to
enter the National Assembly.

United Javakheti condemns the efforts of these people, who are members
of the Hzor Hayrenik Party, to use Javakheti for their own interests
confined to Armenia. The fact that the deputy leader of the Hzor
Hayrenik Party, a certain "international expert" Shirak Torosyan has
usurped the post of the president of the Javakhk Union of Compatriots
is unacceptable from the point of view of the elementary rules of
political ethic. The alliance commends the wish of Javakhk Union of
Compatriots to assist in settling the problems of the Armenians of
Javakheti. Nevertheless, Javakhk Union of Compatriots cannot remain
a toy in the hands of the leadership of the Hzor Hayrenik Party,
suffering from political and ideological bancruptcy.

United Javakheti considers the efforts of the Hzor Hayrenik Party to
monopolize the right to act on behalf of the Armenians of Javakheti
as groundless and destructive.

United Javakheti Democratic Alliance condemns the politically dangerous
and intolerable efforts of the leadership of the Hzor Hayrenik
to interfere with the home political developments in Javakheti and
control them from Yerevan. The alliance warns that this political
party will be accountable for the possible destabilization of the
situation in the region.

United Javakheti Democratic Alliance condemns the efforts to denigrate
the alliance in the Armenian media. Using the unawareness of the public
in Armenia, primitive and condemnable efforts are made to distort the
reality. Unfortunately, the Hzor Hayrenik Party has again taken up an
underlying role in these processes. The local elections in Javakheti
on October 5 were marred by brazen cases of electoral fraud, and the
assertions of the Hzor Hayrenik Party about the "absolute victory"
of the "pro-Armenian forces" in the elections are a vivid example
of moral decay. (For instance, how can an election be considered as
democratic, if communities with 7000 voters and 100 voters send an
equal number of delegates to the "sakrebulo"?)

Over two years of its activities United Javakheti has displayed
resolve to defend the security and the civil rights of the Armenians
of Javakheti and has earned the trust of the population. "30 percent"
of United Javakheti despite the administrative resource used by
the government of the country and the immoral campaign conducted by
their local proxies, shows the real importance of United Javakheti
for the population.

United Javakheti Democratic Alliance is convinced that the Armenian
government will reconsider the decision on the arrest of Vahagn
Chakhalyan, a leader of the Alliance, provoked by certain marginal
forces and on an absurd charge.

CAUCASUS LIKE KARABAKH

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

For Russia the Caucasus is the same as Karabakh for Armenia, stated
Member of Parliament Hmayak Hovanisyan October 25 at the Hayeli Club,
speaking about the Russian-Georgian relation. According to him, Russia
uses the wrong methods to react to the hostility that began from the
"spy games" by Georgia, but this reaction is appropriate and logical
because Georgia offended Russia by striking its strategic interests.

Hmayak Hovanisyan says the point is that they are trying to oust Russia
from the region through Georgia but they have forgotten that all the
Russian commanders were "baptized" in the Caucasus, the Caucasus was
the theater of all the great historical battles of Russia. "Russia
needed an idea of mobilization, and this idea has emerged," Hmayak
Hovanisyan says.

He thinks that Georgia offended Armenia as well by announcing that
the actions of the spies were coordinated in Yerevan. Therefore,
Hmayak Hovanisyan is surprised that Armenia did not give an adequate
response despite the statement, though an impertinent one, by such
a friendly member of parliament as Zatulin, says Hmayak Hovanisyan.

According to him, the goal of integration with European and Western
organizations is justified, whereas the tactics chosen by Georgia is
wrong. Hovanisyan advises not to choose this tactics, be realistic
and remember that 80 percent of transfers exceeding the budget of
Armenia twice are made by the Armenians working in Russia.

NEW DETAILS OF CRASH OF ARMENIAN PLANE

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

The news agency Regnum published an anonymous report on the crash
of the plane of Armavia Airlines on May 3 near Sochi. The anonymous
author, who introduced himself as the relative of one of the victims,
writes that a group of passengers flying in business class, i.e. they
were close to the cockpit, were leaving for Sochi for an "important
meeting". The group had already had several drinks. Learning that the
crew decided to return to Yerevan because of the bad weather, they got
one of the pilots out of the cockpit and taking him hostage, demanded
to land in Sochi. The author writes that the panic that occurred on
board resulted in uncoordinated actions of the crew and the dispatcher.

AZERBAIJAN BECOMES RUSSIA’S NATURAL ALLY

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

The current Russian and Georgian relations show that Georgia is
escaping the Russian influence and this is inevitable. In this
situation, Azerbaijan becomes Russia’s natural ally in the Caucasus,
stated the leader of the Christian Democratic Union Khosrov Harutiunyan
at the Hayeli Club. He supports his opinion by an analysis which
starts with an explanation of the importance of the Caucasus for
Russia. According to Khosrov Harutiunyan, the Caucasus is important
for Russia for it is a bridge connecting with other regions. In this
context, if it loses Georgia, Azerbaijan becomes the shortest and the
most logical way, concludes the leader of the Christian Democratic
Union.

In this connection he reminds the construction of the North-South
railroad, openly negotiated by Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran. In
addition, it does not occur to any Russian official to invite Armenia,
their strategic partner to these negotiations, Khosrov Harutiunyan
says. "If we continue to refer to Russia as our strategic ally, the
strategic importance of Armenia will not increase. This is the reality,
and we have to accept it and plan our short-term and long-term moves
in this context," says the leader of the Christian Democratic Union.

He thinks that Armenia should move from complementarism to a clear
policy of European integration. "It is impossible to determine the
security of the country by setting up ties with a separate power,
and in this context the European Union, the family of the European
nations is the best environment for the collective security, and the
process of European integration should become a priority for Armenia.

I want to emphasize that instead of complementarism, today there
is every possibility to move from complementarism to Europe without
offending anyone, without encroaching on anyone’s strategic interest,"
says Khosrov Harutiunyan, adding that if he were not convinced that
it is possible, he would not have said that. According to him, it is
only necessary to choose the right tactical stages.

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS OF ARMENIA SYMPATHIZE WITH GEORGIA

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

The leader of the Christian Democratic Party of Armenia Khosrov
Harutiunyan stated October 25 at the Hayeli Club that in the current
state of Russian and Georgian relations their sympathy is with
Georgia. "Any sovereign country is free to choose its geopolitical
line if this choice, I repeat, does not threaten the security or
strategic interests of the third country or countries. If there is a
threat, it should have been negotiated instead of barring the import
of Borjomi or wines," says Khosrov Harutiunyan.

He says Georgia does not benefit from this situation and the action
of President Sahakashvili, whereas Russia suffers from the methods of
its reaction, says Khosrov Harutiunyan. According to him, however,
nobody or no country is supposed to judge the actions concerning
the relation of other states, and not judging Georgia and Russia
the leader of the Christian Democratic Party judges Armenia, the
Armenian parliament saying that the parliamentary diplomacy can act
as a mediator because there are restrictions on the activities of
the executive. For instance, Khosrov Harutiunyan says Armenia could
accuse Georgia of creating demarcation lines in the Caucasus by its
policy. "Meanwhile, our parliament didn’t even make a statement on
the existing situation although the new Constitution empowers it,"
says Khosrov Harutiunyan, noting that this shows that the parliament
is a political impotent.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRANCE MANEUVERS AND GIVES ARMENIA SOME TIME TO PREPARE
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

A strange similarity can be noticed in the actions of the foreign
legacies in Armenia. The ambassadors do not make that significant
steps over the years of their work than when they prepare to leave.

The reason perhaps is that since they are diplomats, representatives
of other countries, their actions are restricted by the "imperative
mandate" and they beware evaluations and comments, meanwhile as they
are about to leave, they are more free, at least with regard to the
given country. The evidence to this is that the ambassadors of two
great states to Armenia the United States and France left with a noise
although they worked quite tacitly. We should not forget that after
John Evans had left, the U.S. embassy announced about extending facts
on corruption to the Armenian government. Meanwhile, they had insisted
on the contrary before Evans left. Henry Cuny outdid Evans with his
"post-diplomatic ease". His five years in Armenia were so unnoticed
that some people were even surprised to hear that Cuny was ambassador
to Armenia for five years. And it is possible that for this reason
he decided to leave slamming the door behind him. And the slam was so
hard because it concerned the recent delight of the Armenian foreign
policy: the law passed by the French parliament and its influence on
the Turkish and Armenian relations. Ambassador Cuny literally stated
that our relations with Turkey is our business. This was but an overt
answer to the Armenian diplomacy with Commander Vardan Oskanyan and
"Commander-in-Chief" Robert Kocharyan, who used their entire arsenal
to present to the public from early morning till late at night what
a diplomatic victory Armenia celebrated by the decision of the French
parliament. Meanwhile, Cuny hints that it was not the goal of France
to interfere with the Turkish-Armenian relation and solve a problem
for Armenia but France solved its own problems, and the ambassador
naturally did not speak about these problems because unlike Armenia
in France they usually keep and solve their problems inside their
own circle.

I wish Cuny had stated that the relation with Turkey is our business.

He also advised to listen not only to the opinion of people who hurry
to thank France but also the young people who, besides gratefulness,
say that their future, if they want to live in Armenia, depends on
the dialogue with the neighbors rather than confrontation. In other
words, the ambassador of France conveyed to the Armenians that before
the delight and celebration of a decision made by another country
it is first of all necessary to realize the effect of this decision
on the future of their own country. Of course, Cuny cannot imagine
that moral victories are of more value in Armenia because these do
not require special intellect and efforts, all they take is some PR.

Moreover, he cannot imagine that the people who deal with the foreign
policies and who should have calculated and analyzed for the people
what practical use the bill adopted by the French parliament would have
for the future of the country are in reality busy analyzing their own
future, not the future of the country and people. And they concluded
from their analysis that the decision of the French parliament is
what they need to stir emotions and turn into a means of praising
themselves. And while anyone in Armenia who would speak against this
public psychosis propagated by the government would immediately be
characterized as a betrayor, a false Armenian or a foreign agent,
it is impossible to say the same about the French ambassador. He
cannot be a betrayor, a false Armenian and especially a foreign
agent. Consequently, he did not have any motivation stemming from the
logic of the Armenian government to announce what he announced only
five days before leaving Armenia. In other words, the motivation is
quite different, and the ploughmen of the Armenian foreign policies
should at least now make an effort to analyze and get the meaning of
Cuny’s words.

It appears that by hinting that the bill on the genocide has nothing
to do with the Turkish-Armenian relation and the future of Armenia
Cuny definitely opposed to the parliamentarians of his own country,
who asserted that they adopted the bill out of moral standards and
support to the Armenian people. This may be true, and it may even
appear that like in Armenia in France too the right had does not know
what the left hand is doing. But again this is what the logic of the
Armenian elite suggests. In reality, it is highly probable that Cuny
is preparing the failure of the bill on the genocide in the Senate or
at the Palais d’Elisees, where Jacques Chirac may simply decline to
sign the law. We should not forget that Chirac will retire soon and
he may agree to accept the blow, namely the dissatisfaction of the
Armenian voters in France. In other words, it is more expedient that
the French Senate adopts the law not to arouse dissatisfaction among
the Armenian voters, meanwhile Chirac is the most convenient way of
preventing the triumph of this bill. France did what it needed to do
and now it does not need to go forward. The bill will prove useful
in their relations with Turkey, therefore it is not necessary to
adopt it right now. It may appear that only several days ago Chirac
spoke about the friendship of Armenia and France in Yerevan and he
would never agree not to sign the law. Meanwhile, Cuny’s words, who
is announcing, in fact, that the bill is against the interests of
Armenia, may serve this purpose. Hence, already an effort is made to
justify the possible move by Chirac, presenting it in the light of
the pursuit of the Armenian interest. Therefore, though it may seem
that the Armenian government should be offended by Cuny revelations,
it had better thank him for outlining so early the possible moves
of the French policy. The point is that the French ambassador simply
tried to help the Armenian government to take its time and work out
an action plan not to be given a surprise when the Senate rejects or
Chiract declines to sign the bill to include this move immediately
into the national liberation propaganda and present it as another
diplomatic victory of Armenia.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH EXHIBITION OPENED IN "MOSCOW" CINEMA

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

"Merhabarev" photo-exhibition opened in the "Moscow" cinema today.

The exhibition is the first joint project of Armenian and Turkish
photographers. Coordinator and participant of the program
Ruben Mangasaryan said that during the mutual visits in 2006
photo-correspondents of the Armenian "Patkerphoto" and Turkish "Nar"
agencies had taken the photos of Yerevan and Istanbul, and now 130
photos will be exhibited in Yerevan.

"This exhibition will familiarize the two, which, being immediate
neighbors, have isolated themselves with closed borders," said Turkish
photographer Osjan Yurdalan, adding that in the photos they tries to
present the everyday reality.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEDIATORS CHARACTERIZE OSKANIAN-MAMMADYAROV MEETING AS CONSTRUCTIVE

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have declared that yesterday’s meeting
of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan was constructive.

"The two Ministers held a constructive meeting in a very sincere
and earnest atmosphere," says the statement issued by the Russian,
French and American Co-Chairs after the meeting. Vartan Oskanian and
Elmar Mammadyarov discussed the suggestions on the status of Nagorno
Karabakh, the mediators had presented earlier in Moscow.

The two Ministers have arranged to meet again on November 14.

72 FAMILIES OF A-320 CRASH VICTIMS RECEIVED INSURANCE PAYMENTS

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

Up to now "Grand" insurance company has paid the insurance payments
to 72 families of victims of the A-320 Armavia jet that crashed May
3 near Sochi. "Armenpress" was told at the insurance company that
payments have been given mainly to families of the passengers, who
were citizens of the Republic of Armenia.

Let us remind, that 113 people died as a result of the crash on May
3. Both Armenian and Russian citizens can apply the "Grand" company
for receiving the insurance payments within two years.

HIS HOLINESS GAREGIN II RECEIVED THE AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN

Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

October 25 in the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin the Catholicos of
All Armenians Garegin II received the newly appointed Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden to Armenia Hans Gunar
Aden and the Honorary Council of Sweden to Armenia Edith Khachatryan.

Welcoming the visit of the Swedish Ambassador to the Mother See
of Holy Echmiadzin, His Holiness expressed appreciation for the
deepening of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During
the meeting the Patriarch turned to the Armenian community of Sweden
and the organization of its spiritual life. He expressed gratitude
to the authorities of Sweden for providing assistance to the newly
founded community.

In his turn, the Ambassador thanked for warm reception and expressed
the hope that the diplomatic relations between the two countries
will promote the development of Armenian-Swedish cooperation in
different spheres.

At the end of the meeting the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II
wished success to the Ambassador in his mission.