Month: November 2006

WILD ELECTION CAMPAIGN INVOLVING CRIMINALS

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

While the ruling parties are conducting a political campaign under the
name of charity, there is abundance of calls inviting the opposition to
fight on a common front. On November 29 the National Self-Determination
Union came up with such a call.

The National Self-Determination Union suggests taking into
consideration that "without fundamental changes in the political
life of Armenia the parliamentary election in 2007, as another
manifestation of the democratic process, is doomed to failure." It
should also be taken into consideration that material values are
distributed, the ideological struggle typical of election has turned
into "a contest of hiring hundreds of thousands of people who have
become agents. It is known that the network of agents of no state of
the world has worked, is working and will work for the development
of the Republic of Armenia."

In conclusion, "Today there is only one way of battling the criminal
elements, who have launched a wild election campaign and divided
the parliament among themselves in their secret meetings: all the
political forces should come together and form a common front, and
with the general support of people isolate and oust these forces and
their marionettes from the public and political sphere."

IN 2007 NOT BAD AS IN 2003

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The Public Channel of Armenia was criticized by the international
observers for reporting the presidential election. The evaluation of
the international observers changed after the parliamentary election
in 2003. On November 29 at the Friday Club the chair of the Public
Television and Radio Alexan Harutiunyan said they are preparing
for the parliamentary election and will offer a coverage which will
comply with the law and the evaluation will be the same as in the
parliamentary election in 2003.

Alexan Harutiunyan agreed with the journalists that there are few
political shows on the Public Channel. The chair of the Public
Television and Radio said as the election is drawing nearer, the
number of political show will increase and there will be shows
which will appear every day. And soon in two weeks the viewers
can watch a new political talk show with a conventional title –
Europolis. The title was chosen for two reasons, the problems of
European integration will be discussed, and besides it is connected
with the recent past. Europolis is the name of the city we expected
the Europeans to build in Armenia after the earthquake in 1988,
reminds Alexan Harutiunyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IS WEST CHANGING TACTICS?
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

U.S. President Bush stated during the NATO summit in Riga that the
doors of NATO remain open to Ukraine and Georgia. Perhaps, this is
the least that Georgia, for instance, would expect, which is rushing
towards the North Atlantic. The expectations that the summit in Riga
would take an essential step towards the membership of Georgia did
not come true. But Bush’s statement is important in terms of regional
developments. In fact, Georgia is singled out of the three South
Caucasian states, at least on the level of statements. In other words,
the words of the U.S. president imply that Georgia can become member
of NATO separately from Armenia and Azerbaijan. Consequently, the
U.S. policy on the region is estabishing a new hierarchy of approaches,
which may act as a precedent for the actions of other international
organizations, namely the European Union. Certainly, Bush’s statement
is not a guarantee that Georgia will soon become member of NATO but it
also allows concluding that the United States considers the membership
of one separately from the other two as quite possible. Even if it
does not take place, the approach nevertheless marks the revision of
the general regional policy – the South Caucasus, at least for the
United States, is no longer an integrated region in tactical terms.

This may be an impetus for te EU to conduct a similar policy.

Strategically, the South Caucasus will remain by all means an
integrated region for both the United States and the EU. However,
they have come to realize that it is not effective to implement this
strategic approach through the same tactical method. The point is that
the common policy of integration with the Western organizations was
one of the main obstacles for the development of the South Caucasian
countries. The approach that either these three countries become
members together or none of them becomes member separately eliminated
competition between them. A country knows that even if it is a little
behind of the other, it will not affect the prospect of integration
because everyone is measured and viewed in a package.

Moreover, one of these three could use its slow pace of reforms to
influence the other two, threatening their integration. Perhaps this
is the reason why the countries of the South Caucasus do not display
sufficient will for reforms and regional partnership.

Apparently, the United States took this into consideration in
separating Georgia and encouraging it. This policy was first adopted by
the European Union, which separated the three South Caucasian countries
in the framework the New Neighbors Policy. However, it did not have
enough courage, and the European Union did not sign the policy of
individual partnership until all the three countries upgraded to the
required benchmark. Now Bush’s statement shows, in fact, that the
West can separate the three with regard to practical steps already.

Actually, this gives rise to a competitive situation in the region.

Obviously, the state which is ahead on the track for integration with
the European and Atlantic organizations will contend for leadership,
picking the fruits of this situation. In other words, Armenia, in
particular, can no more be consoled by the fact that Azerbaijan is
less democratic than we, or in reality Georgia is on the verge of
decay. Everyone will be measured by a separate benchmark, and the
three states will be viewed with all their pros and cons. In this
situation, all Armenia can do is to rely on the development of civil
institutions and modernization of political and economic systems.

Armenia does not have other resources to compete with Georgia and
Azerbaijan. Apparently, the leadership of Armenia including the head
of state realize this. At least, they have stressed this in their
statements. But the point is that competition already requires definite
acts, because as Bush could have said, "I make statements here."

NEW ORDER OF EXAMS IN ARMENIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The high-school students finishing school in 2007 will take an exam
in the Armenian language and literature by a new order, stated the
deputy minister of education and science Bagrat Yesayan. According
to him, this decision was signed today by the minister of education
and science Levon Mkrtichyan.

The deputy minister also said that this is part of the educational
reform and is intended to introduce the new educational system
without shocks.

WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR A JAVAKHETI ARMENIAN IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR AN APARANI ARMENIAN

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The Hzor Hayrenik Party is ready to run for parliament in 2007 both
alone and in an alliance. The chair of the council of the party Shirak
Torosyan said they conducted a survey and found out that their rating
has not dropped since the election in 2003. In 2003 Shirak Torosyan’s
party led by Vardan Vardapetyan, the former deputy mayor of Yerevan,
officially got a little more than 3 percent. In reality, we got more
than 5 percent, assures Shirak Torosyan and adds that if the election
in 2007 is fair, they will get more than 5 percent.

It is also possible that the Hzor Hayrenik Party will run for
parliament in an alliance. There is no clear answer to this question
yet, but they have consultations with the parliamentary forces
and the forces which could not enter the parliament. However, one
ally of Hzor Hayrenik is already known. It is the Javakheti Union
of Compatriots. Shirak Torosyan is the chair of this union, and he
is not hiding that they are engaged in politics. Shirak Torosyan
dislikes that these unions tend to enter politics. Perhaps he wants
only his union to be in politics. He even has an explanation.

"Javakheti is entirely politics, and it is already a political
problem. When you feel, when you see that the political forces or the
government do not deal with the problem adequately, it becomes clear
for the people of Javakheti that they must tackle their problem through
certain bodies, certain organizations. In this case, the Javakheti
Union of Compatriots is actively engaged in politics. In this case,
I think, the engagement of the Javakheti Union of Compatriots is
justified because in a number of cases such active engagement is not
favorable for the government," Shirak Torosyan says. He says since
the Javakheti Union is not a political body, it is cooperating with
political forces, namely the Hzor Hayrenik Party.

Hzor Hayrenik is referred to as a party of the Armenians of Javakheti,
and it is at least strange that they have the right to do politics,
whereas Aparanis do not.

"We are not solving the problem of the Armenians of Javakheti but the
problem of Javakheti as a geopolitical factor. Javakheti is within
the administrative borders of Georgia, it is inhabited by Armenians,
and is in the focus of the Armenian and Georgian relation. You know
that Georgia is Armenia’s only way of communication with the outer
world. The Georgian policy on Armenia is known to everyone, let us
not try to hide it. In other words, if it can suffocate us, it does.

Evidence to this is the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki
railroad. Consequently, Javakheti is our trump card in our relation
with Georgia," Shirak Torosyan says.

Presently, it is calm and stable in Javakheti and the tensions have
been mitigated after the local election, Shirak Torosyan says. He
does not know what will happen later. He says time will show.

Meanwhile, the Russian Time and other media often manipulate
the problem of Javakheti in reporting on the Russian and Georgian
relations. Shirak Torosyan says there is danger that the question will
be manipulated not only in Russia but generally. However, this danger
can be rendered harmless, Shirak Torosyan thinks, if the population
in Javakheti is organized correctly.

YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY DOES NOT TOLERATE TURKISH REPORTERS

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The Caucasian Center for Peace Building organized a dialogue between
the reporters of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia in the framework of
the Alternative Start project. The project started on November 28,
and the Azerbaijani and Turkish reporters were supposed to meet
with the students of the Department of Journalism of Yerevan State
University. However, the meeting did not take place. It appears that
the leadership of alma mater is indignant with Turkish reporters. The
reason was that several years ago some Turkish reporters visited
Yerevan State University and made a "negative report" about the
university. The leadership of Yerevan State University did not
allow holding a meeting at the university. The organizers of the
Alternative Start are hopeful to win over the leadership of Yerevan
State University and hold the meeting of Turkish reporters and
Arrmenian students.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN WHAT CASES THE LAW PROVIDES FOR WIRETAPPING

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The Armenian government has drafted a bill on police investigations.

The minister of justice Davit Harutiunyan said one of the important
things about the bill is the provision on wiretapping. According to
Davit Harutiunyan, wiretapping is legal in two cases: crimes punished
by imprisonment for five years and up, and when it is impossible to
get information through other ways.

"It is natural that wiretapping must be sanctioned by the court, except
for serious threats, such as terrorism or attack on the nuclear plant,"
said the minister. However, even in these cases it will be necessary to
receive a sanction of court within 48 hours, added Davit Harutiunyan.

According to the bill, the National Security Service is entitled
to wiretapping, and the information is provided to the body which
carries out the investigation. Davit Harutiunyan said the bill has
mechanisms of control over wiretapping. For this reason, according
to the minister, a special section will be established within the
National Security Service, which will have certain independence.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DIASPORA NO LONGER BELIEVES "PATRIOTIC" TRAVELERS
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The annual telethon of Armenia Foundation made it clear that it
is becoming crucial to unite the nation’s potential and use it
for the common goal. Perhaps, in this situation the question "who
is to blame" is not as important as "what should be done to solve
this problem". However, it is impossible to find an answer unless
the group of people to blame are not exposed and isolated from the
all-Armenian donations. Otherwise, no solution will work, because there
will always be the "guilty" who have turned the national donations
into a shield for their own careers. For instance, the NKR president
believes and is trying to persuade everyone that donations are made
for the reconstruction of Karabakh considering his personality. The
executive director of Armenia Foundation Naira Melkumyan believes
that the telethons have record high results especially in the period
when she is the executive director. The president of Armenia Robert
Kocharyan believes that under his office the Diaspora started trusting
the Homeland more. If Armenia gains from this competition, it could
be overlooked to let it "favor" Armenia: let everyone believe that
the nation sets records on the pages of history of national donations
thanks to them. After all, the thing that matters is to raise money
for the reconstruction of Karabakh.

But is this competition helpful to raising money and is this money
spent on the reconstruction of Karabakh? It would be wrong and
unrealistic to state that there are no results in either aspects.

Money is certainly raised, and something is certainly reconstructed in
Karabakh. However, it is seen by the naked eye that it is not adequate
considering the nation’s potential within the Armenia-Diaspora-Karabakh
triangle. However, before getting down to the nation’s potential
it is very important to find out if the volume of reconstruction
in Karabakh corresponds to at least the local potential – that of
Armenia and Karabakh. If we consider the budgets of both countries,
it is adequate. But when we consider the way of life and the financial
possibilities of the leaderships of these two states, the presidents,
the prime ministers and the ministers, we start to doubt that the
potential of Armenia and Karabakh is used at full to reconstruct
Karabakh. In this case, the question occurs whether the donations
by the Armenians worldwide are helpful for the future of Karabakh or
in reality, in its depth, these donations obstruct the formation of
Karabakh and, why not, also Armenia as states.

What is the problem? When the leaderships of Armenia and Karabakh
turn the local potential for reconstruction and development into
personal wealth, the donations by Armenians worldwide become a shield
and justification for this action. All that should be carried out with
the local potential is carried out with the donations of the Diaspora,
and whatever could be done on these donations is not done.

It appears that the telethon of Armenia Foundation is used to justify
the failure of the governments of Armenia and Karabakh, serving the
longevity of this government because if there were no progress thanks
to these donations, the population of Karabakh would demand account
from their own and also the Armenian government to some degree,
but not from the Diaspora, of course. In that case, they would have
to explain to people why they ride in cars that cost as much as the
water pipeline or a school but cannot extinguish fire on the wheat
field that inflicts immense losses on the farmers. Or why they live
in castles that cost an entire village, whereas in villages people
do not have basic conveniences. Either they have to explain or they
have to quit quietly. Therefore, they prefer to leave for America
and explain some military and patriotic things to the Diaspora. It
is easier and more profitable. However, Diaspora seems to have
stopped believing these patriotic travelers because the more money
the developing Homeland-Diaspora relation promises, the better they
know how and on what these people live in reality, who persuade them
to open their purses during 12 hours of the live telethon and yet for
the 11 months that precede it. They cannot understand that if they
beg the Diaspora for money, they had better not show up during the
telethon. In that case, there will be more donations. For instance, a
Diasporan cannot give money to the Homeland as a national donation when
he sees that an actor or a singer is speaking about national values,
who was advertising a definite presidential candidate two years ago,
forgetting about national values he confesses. The Diaspora would
perhaps agree to give money to the Homeland if there was 12 hours of
silence instead of 12 hours of hypocrisy, and I believe that in that
case they might agree to pay for silence separately.

PUBLIC TV AND RADIO COMPANY PREPARING FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 2007

Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The Public Radio and TV Company of Armenia is preparing to cover the
parliamentary elections of 2007. During Alexan Harutyunyan’s tenure
in office two elections have been highlighted.

The coverage of the presidential elections of 2003 by the Public
Television was assessed negatively, while the coverage of the Public
Radio received positive feedback. For highlighting the parliamentary
elections in 2003 the Public Radio and Television received positive
evaluation by both the OSCE observers and EU structures. Therefore,
I think that the evaluation of the coverage of the 2003 parliamentary
elections will not be worse. The closer the election campaign, the
more political programs will be aired at the Public TV. In two weeks a
new political-analytical talk show titled "Europolis" will be launched.

In the future new programs popular in many countries of the world
will appear on the Public TV.

There will be many "international formats." The Public TV will offer a
number of cultural and educational programs as well. As for the sport
programs, the Public TV will broadcast the FIFA Champion’s League,
the European and World Championships, Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

In two weeks the Public TV will finish shooting the first Armenian
serial. The budget of the film dedicated to the 15th anniversary of
Armenia’s independence totals about $0.5 million.

There are not many famous actors in the film. The movie will be
starred by Khoren Levonyan and Lusine Tovmasyan.

PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN WILL MEET IN STRASBURG

Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The meeting of the parliamentary delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan
will most probably take place in January 2007 in Strasburg. It will
be presided over by the Chairman of the PACE Subcommittee on Nagorno
Karabakh Lord Russell Johnston.

"Since this meeting can be held neither in Baku nor in Yerevan,
the decision has been taken to hold it in Strasburg," said Russell
Johnston. At the same time he said he does not expect much from the
forthcoming meeting of the parliamentary delegations. "When Azerbaijan
and Armenia simultaneously became members of the Council of Europe,
it was expected that the conflict between the two states would stop,
but it didn’t happen," Johnston added.

He noted that "the aim of creation of the Subcommittee was the
establishment of dialogue between the two countries, which does not
exist so far. "The Committee does not aspire to resolve the conflict.

We have been asked to regulate the contacts between the
parliamentarians of Armenia and Azerbaijan," Russell Johnston stated.