Month: November 2006

ARMENIA ACTIVELY GETS USE OF WORLD COUNTRIES’ EXPERIENCE IN WORKING OUT CONCEPTION OF REFORMS IN SCIENCE
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
YEREVAN, November 6. /ARKA/. Armenia actively gets use of world
countries’ experience in working out conception of reforms in
science. On Friday RA Deputy Minister of Science and Education
Ara Avetisyan told journalists that elaboration of that conception
required both local research and existing materials, as well as models
of countries with great experience in that sphere.
He emphasized that In September 2006, two working groups of the
Interdepartmental Commission on carrying out reforms in Armenia’s
scientific sphere had been on Hungary and Chzecia, as well as in Greece
and Lithuania. When studying models of countries of Western Europe
and Baltic special attention is paid to mechanisms of administration
of science system, as well as types and amount of science financing”,
he clarified and added that direct cooperation with those countries
was conditioned with wide and longstanding experience.
At the same time Avetisyan said that documentary materials and research
results of some countries of post-Soviet area, at the disposal of
the RA Ministry of Science and Education had been also taken into
consideration while working out the document.
He also informed that modern transformation of Prussian academic
model – one of the most spread in Europe and basis for systems of
reforms carried out in many countries, as well as models of Canada
and Israel had been reflected in the elaboration of the conception.
The conception of scientific reforms, under the control of the
Interdepartmental Commission, will be raised for public hearings in
November 2006. Confirmation of its final variant is scheduled for
January-February 2007.
A decision about carrying out reforms in the scientific sphere of
Armenia was made on July 24, 2006, during the meeting of the country’s
President Robert Kocharyan with Minister of Science and Education
Levon Lazarian. On August 18, the RA government has approved the
order of events within the framework of those reforms.

“THE ROLE OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION SOCIETY” CONFERENCE IN ARMENIA
Metamorphosis, Macedonia
Nov 6 2006
The conference “The Role of Open Source Software for the Development
of Information Society” was held in Yerevan, capital of Armenia from
October 31 to November 1, 2006. The conference aimed at exchange of
experience in open source promotion policy and in the use of open
source software in specific areas such as public administration
and education.
The Conference was organised by Center for Information Law and Policy
(CILP) and was attended by representatives of non-governmental
organizations from Eastern Europe (Macedonia and Bulgaria), CIS
countries (Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and
Tajikistan), and Armenian officials responsible for the development
of information policies.
Ms. Larisa Minasyan, director of Open Society Institute Assistance
Foundation – Armenia noted that “EU integration is a big open source
project” in which member countries consider the ways for changing
the way they function.
Presenting the Free and Open Source Software situation in Armenia,
Ms. Taguhi Tumayan, CILP noted that one of the main issues is lack
of comprehensive applied policies. Good news is that international
donors ask for use of licensed software and 79% of the universities in
Armenia use Free and Open Source Software for e-learning applications.
Presenting the applied policies in Eastern Europe, Ms. Julia Velkova,
ISOC Bulgaria , noted that publishing laws licensed under free licenses
can be considered as a step towards development of appropriate applied
policies. She stressed the high value of Free and Open Source Software
in education and in creating added value in local economy.
She presented State ICT Agency in Bulgaria as an example. The ICT
Agency creates registry of open source projects that can be used
by the governmental bodies. The municipalities use Linux due to the
outdated hardware, despite the fact that the Government has bought
MS Windows XP licenses. Ms. Velkova said the Extremadura region in
Spain developed its own Linux version for the project within which
a computer for each two students in primary school is provided.
Mr. Filip Stojanovski, Metamorphosis Foundation representative
presented the Macedonian experience in applied policies development
through the example of National Strategy for Development of Information
Society , situation in local self-government units in Macedonia with
the research conducted in May and June 2006, as well as innovative
ways for raising awareness for free and open source software, and
Get Your Job Done CD that has notable public reaction.
Speaking of Governmental OSS Policies, Mr. Asomiddin Atoev, Director of
the Civil Initiative on Policy of Internet from Tajikistan referred to
CSIS report Global Policies on OSS , adding that “a major difference
between FOSS and proprietary software (PS) is in the way they provide
access to the benefits of information society.” While PS promotes
consumption and passivity of the users, FOSS turns the users into
developers. He mentioned the examples of Tajikistan, whose e-Strategy
considers FOSS as a tool to narrow the growing digital divide, and
Singapore, where the state provides tax incentives for organizations
using FOSS.
Comprehensive public debates on use of the free and open source
software in education and public administration, as well as related
legal framework and implications were organised at the second day
of the conference. Major issues were discussed through concrete
experiences: training and retraining of users, which depends on whether
they are thought to use technologies, and not individual products
(Mr. Atoev); lack of individual motivation of government employees,
especially teachers, to increase their skill levels in Kazakhstan
(Mr. Alexader Borovitsin from Information Initiatives Foundation);
need for increased usability (Mr. Vyacheslav Baharev from Kiberkultura
Kazakhstan); example of extensive use of localized FOSS in Armenian
Army, aimed at untrained recruits who don’t know English (Mr. Ruben
Muradyan of Public TV Company of Armenia); and copyright and/or
patenting of software and algorithms in the legal framework session.
In the closing session of the conference, Mr. David Sandukhchyan
from CILP affirmed the general impression of the effect of productive
knowledge exchange and basis for networking of stakeholders from the
wider region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
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CHINESE LEADER MEETS ARMENIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IN YEREVAN
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
YEREVAN, November 6. /ARKA/. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
gave a good mark to Armenian-Chinese relations as met Armenian Deputy
Foreign Minister Armen Bayburtyan on Friday in Beijing.
The Chinese minister said a mutual trust has been created by the two
countries for recent years. He pointed out that cooperation between
the countries in various areas is increasingly developing.
Bayburtyan, in his turn, said Armenia attaches a special significance
to its relations with China. He also stressed the importance of
cooperation between the two countries in international organizations.
National Statistical Service of Armenia says trade turnover between
Armenia and China totaled $71.5 million in Jan-Sept 2006 after growing
77.7% over the same period a year earlier.

JOURNEY FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ENDED IN THE US
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
A group of Armenian-American activists walking 3,000 miles
cross-country to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and other
crimes against humanity concluded their march last week in Washington,
DC.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA), the Journey for Humanity walk had begun four months
ago in Los Angeles, CA with the support of the AAA. Since then, the
marchers crossed a dozen states and held rallies in several major
cities to promote the mission of the Journey, honor the victims and
survivors of all genocidal acts and advance the cause of genocide
prevention.
In Washington, the Armenian Student Network of George Washington
University and others hosted a discussion on genocide in today’s
world featuring the Journey for Humanity team and Sam Bell and Mark
Hanis of the Genocide Intervention Network. The event was held on
Sunday, November 5 at 3:00 pm at the Marvin Center, Continental
Ballroom at George Washington University. Representatives the Save
Darfur coalition, the American Islamic Congress, Citizens for Global
Solutions and the Genocide Intervention Network were also on hand.

ARMENIA 2020 – TEST SYSTEM IN 14 YEARS
Aram Abrahamian
Aravot, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
The joint test system will be used in “social science” subject. The
working group led by Arakel Movsisian, the doctor of philosophic
science, NAS academician has produced the annual of tests on social
science. Here we give the most difficult questions according to
the computer.
The Armenian people have descended a/ from Adam, b/ Noy, c/Paruyr
Hayrikian, d/ all above-mentioned persons have descended from the
Armenian people.
Which the supreme goal of the Armenian people; a/ recognition of the
Armenian Genocide in the whole world, b/ the liberation of Western
Armenia, c/ consolidation of Armenia-Diaspora relations, d/ opening
of Upper Lars.
The greatest moral victory of the Armenia people is: a/ the battle
of Avarayr, b/ the treaties of Batumi and Alexandrapol, c/ Robert
Kocharian’s victory in the elections in 1998 and 2003, d/ Andre’s
victory in Eurovision.
Thanks to what the Armenian people won in Karabakh war; a/ ARF, b/
Zory Balayan’s publicism, c/ Garnik Isagulian’s summons, d/ Tigran
Karapetian’s assistance sent from Volgograd.
Who /what/ did prevent the Armenian people to win in NK war; a/
Levon Ter-Petrosian, b/ anti-national ideology, c/ the losing policy
of the authorities, d/ Ashot Bleyan’s visit to Baqu.
The author of the RA national anthem is; a/ Aram Khachatrian, b/
Armen Darbinian, c/ Ararat B, d/ Murzik.
NA parliamentarians hold a session; a/ to “stamp” the decisions of
the government, b/ to be engaged in a joint business, c/ to meet each
other, d/ because all bistros and restaurants on Proshian street has
been removed to Argavand crossroad.
What do you want to work after graduating from the institute; a/
investigator, b/ tax officer, c/ chief of cadastre, d/ oligarch.
Those who criticize the authorities are a/ Turks, b/ traitors of
the nation, c/ agents assisted by doubtful sources, d/mentally sick
persons.
The greatest friend of the Armenia people is a/ Frityof Nansen, b/
Caroline Coks, c/ John Evans, d/ Orhan Pamuk.

ARAM KARAPETIAN IN THE AUTHORITY SPHERE
Naira Mamikonian
Aravot, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
In his words, both “New Times” and the authorities are in the same,
pro-Russian sphere.
“New Times” Party issued a statement on October 31 affirming that
the unknown person, who phoned Aram Karapetian and tried to connect
him with criminal elements, had performed RA Defense Minister Serge
Sargsian’s, RA chief of Police Hayk Haroutiunian’s and RA NSS chief
Gorik Hakobian’s order.
It’s strange that all scandal stories connect with Aram Karapetian,
and the initiators are always RA power ministries. What do they always
become the target?
In A. Karapetian’s opinion it may be explained by two circumstances:
“First of all we, as the opposition, mostly play in the authority
field,”- “NT” leader stressed, taking into consideration his and the
authorities’ pro-Russian orientation where they try to demonstrate
their power. “The authorities have always tried to demonstrate that
they are always in geopolitical, pro-Russian sphere. On the other
hand our party becomes a rival with its pro-Russian orientation.
Anyway, the political logic leads to it”, – “NT” leader said
Mr. Karapetian said on the occasion of the lack of activity in the
opposition field that there were visible and invisible sides of
processes. The visible side is political and public passivity inside
the country, irrespective of invisible side where “great processes
occur”, in particularly in the context of geopolitical developments.
He gave as example; the problems connected with Karabakh, Iran,
Georgia, where the orientation of the authority isn’t obvious. “For
example, mutual relations with the outside world, when people have
promised several things to several places but the year is over
and they don’t manage to keep their promise”, – A. Karapetian
said and added: “In my personal opinion, the authorities try
to deepen “complementarism” and to sit on two chairs, giving
promises everywhere”. He meant our authorities’ promise given to
the authorities of Georgia not to assist any of the parties in the
context of Russian-Georgian relations”.
Taking into consideration the circumstance that we have a conversation
with a pro-Russian politician who is well informed about any
information coming from Russia that R. Kocharian had discussed with
his Russian colleague during his last visit to Moscow about his
possible resignation at the end of the year or at the beginning of
the coming year. It is also said that after Kocharian’s resignation,
during the coming 2-3 months, Serge Sargsian will succeed him and
Ara Abrahamian, the head of World Congress of Armenians, will be
appointed in the post of Prime Minister.
“I have heard such kind of conversations but as I don’t have any
reliable information, it will be unserious to tell anything about it.
At the same time, I think there is a certain ground for those
conversations”, – A.Karapetian said.
As regards the conversations about Serge Sargsian and Ara Abrahamian,
A. Karapetian noted that those conversations were demonstrations
of PR. “I remembered an anecdote: a man says to his friend that his
wife always reproaches him, that the neighbor’s 80 years old husband
does everything and he isn’t able to do anything. The friend answers
him, you also say. I didn’t say it was a lie, I simply remembered
an anecdote. I also may say that in my opinion, Armenia has such
agreements, for example with Nigeria, according to which David Lokian
will become the head of that country and Vahan Hovhannisian will
become the Prime Minister. Let’s say, – A. Karapetian joked.

LONG EXPECTED HEARINGS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Yerkir, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defense, National
Security and Internal Affairs held a working discussion aimed at
informing the parliament on the measures taken by the law enforcement
agencies in fighting crime.
The discussion was proposed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Party. Chairman of the Committee Aramayis Grigorian noted that the
reason for having the discussion are the recent cases of murder
that were viewed as an expression of intensification of the criminal
situation that has caused concerns among the society.
Representatives from the police, the national security service,
Ministry of Justice as well as NGOs participated in the discussion.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Ararat Mahtessian noted that some
political leaders and media outlets are increasingly using the terms
‘criminal’ and ‘criminalization’ referring to the existing situation
in Armenia.
“These statements have nothing to do with the criminal statistics
and the efficiency of the fight against crime. The law enforcement
bodies will welcome any initiatives coming from the government or the
society aimed at fighting crime but we cannot accept any approaches
that are trying to devalue the work of thousands of people committed
to their job,” Mahtessian stated adding that the dynamics of crime
indicators have remained stable in the past 6 years and in the past
3 years it has decreased.
Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Vahan Hovhannissian noted
in his statement that the government’s efforts yield no results in
a country where the law enforcement bodies cannot work efficiently
because no matter how many socially oriented programs the government
implements the level of the population’s vulnerability starts at the
point where the population should be protected by the police.
Other security systems are not that visible for the population,
Hovhannissian stated noting that merely listening to the report
presented by the police is not sufficient since the police is only one
circle in the longer chain. Institutions responsible for preventive
measures are a part of that chain too, Hovhannissian believes.
Meanwhile, these institutions are either non-existent or are
in a miserable condition. “It is surprising that there are no
representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office here because the work the
police does sometimes loses its meaning because of the Prosecutor’s
Office. Then comes the court, the penitentiary system which is also
in a very poor condition.
We will find ourselves in a very awkward position if we fail to
ensure the smooth cooperation between the circles of this chain,”
Hovhannissian noted pointing out that it is strange that a judge
receives a high salary while a police officer receives a salary that
is several times lower. “A high salary is one of the anti-corruption
measures but we also have to think about the police officers and
those working in the security sector. We, as the parliament, should
be more active in these spheres,” Hovhannissian said.
Head of ARF’s parliamentary faction Hrayr Karapetian noted that there
was public demand for such a discussion. “Today the opposition has
started an anti-criminal movement. We do not think it is a movement
as such. Movements should not start right before the elections and
end right after them.
Fighting crime is a perpetual process and today’s discussion is one of
such processes. The relations between the NA Standing Committee and the
law enforcement bodies should be reviewed. This cooperation should not
be limited only to adopting laws, presenting drafts, defending them and
voting. There are many problems today and the Committee is ready to do
its best during the discussions of the draft budget,” Karapetian said.
NA deputies Hrant Khachatrian and Gagik Kostanian also presented their
positions on the issue. Mahtessian concluded the discussion noting
that a number of positive changes are expected after the upcoming
legislative reform that would help the law enforcement bodies
better fight crime. Chairman of the Committee Aramayis Grigorian
noted that the Committee should not limit its activities to working
discussions. Once the results of the discussion are analyzed practical
measures will be taken and broader discussions will be held with
participation of representatives of all public and judicial structures.

THERE IS POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN ARMENIA
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
Amalia Kostanyan, director of the regional development center of
Transparency International stated November 6 in Yerevan that by the
level of corruption Armenia is the 93rd among 169 countries, and in
2006 the high level of corruption in Armenia did not change, and the
situation has not improved over the past three years, reports ARKA
News Agency. In the meantime, an anti-corruption strategy has been
implemented in Armenia for three years now, and the UN resolution on
battling corruption has been ratified.
Amalia Kostanyan said her statement is based on the results of the
survey conducted by their organizaiton. Transparency International
classifies the countries by a ten-grade scale, and the countries
which are close to Grade 10 have the lowest level of corruption.
Armenia is lower than Grade 3 together with Argentina, Syria, Bosnia
and Hertzegovina. Unlike Armenia, Transparency International has
reported progress in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Georgia moved
from Grade 2 to 2.8, Azerbaijan from 1.9 to 2.4, Turkey from 3.2 to
3.8. Another painful reality for Armenia, which became known as a
result of Transparency International, is that political corruption
is constantly growing in Armenia. According to Amalia Kostanyan, the
director of the regional development center of this international
organization, in 2005 corruption directed at “seizing power” was
reported in Armenia. This sinister situation is reflected in the
results of the survey of Freedom House. “The results of the survey
of this organization show that the political and democratic rights
and freedoms of the citizens are not protected in this country.”
According to the survey of Freedom House, the principles of tolerance
and democratic rights and freedoms are not observed in Armenia unlike
Butan, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Vietnam.
Amalia Kostanyan says such a situation proceeding elections must
be worrying. “Today everyone in the world who develop corruption,
assist the political elite in accumulating and laundering of the
wealth obtained illegally,” stated Amalia Kostanyan.

ARMAN BABAJANYAN WAITING FOR DEFENSE MINISTRY TO REPLY
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
Arman Bajanyan, sentenced to four years in prison for forging documents
and avoiding military service, who is the editor-in-chief of the Time
Yerevan Newspaper, asked the Ministry of Defense to apply the law,
adopted in 2003 which provides for a payment for stopping prosecution
of persons who adoid military service.
“Everyone aged 27, who did not serve in the army between 1992 and 2005,
they have an opportunity to be in any place of the country, America,
Russia or Europe, they can pay this sum through the consular services
and not be prosecuted. If this law can be applied to anyone, it can
be applied to Arman Babajanyan too,” says the attorney. He says the
commission, which studies the applications connected with this law,
is led by the defense minister. Attorney Postanjyan has sent him a
telegram running that Arman Babajanyan has submitted te application and
is ready to pay the required sum. And the required sum is 1 million 800
thousand drams, which may be cut in case the person studied or married
and had children over the given period. The defense ministry is to
reply within a month, 10 days are left. Arman Babajanyan’s attorney
declines to speak about the possibility of rejecting or accepting the
application but she says no cases of rejection have been reported so
far. Zaruhi Postanjyan says she does not know whether the Ministry
of Defense will meet Babajanyan’s application, but she knows that
“our government is not rich enough to sustain one more prisoner.”
If the Ministry of defense meets Babajanyan’s application, the
procuracy has to stop prosecution. However, there is already the
verdict of the court sentencing Babajanyan to four years in prison but
it has not been applied yet because the case still has to be tried by
the Cassation Court. Therefore, Arman Babajanyan is under prosecution.
“If the given person submits the application, even if he is prosecuted,
prosecution muast be stopped. In other words, there is prosecution,
the verdict has not been applied, it means the procuracy should stop
prosecution,” says Zaruhi Postanjyan. His colleague Haik Alumyan
says if the application is met, the Cassation Court must change the
verdict of the first instance court.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHAT WILL TELETHON 2006 BE LIKE
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 6 2006
On November 4 NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan left for the United
States for the preparation of the annual telethon in Los Angeles on
November 23.
There is special attention in the upcoming telethon. Not because
the donations will be spent for the reconstruction of the region
of Hadrut. The point is that this year there have been a number of
accusations against Armenia Foundation from Karabakh. And a number
of questions have occurred. First, why the telethons fail to raise
the pledged sum. Second, why the style of work of the foundation has
not changed over these years although it is said to be uneffective.
Moreover, uneffectiveness is connected with the lack of confidence.
Third, will the telethon raise sums if a decision was made during the
Armenia-Diaspora forum to launch a large-scale project in rural areas?
But this is not the complete list of questions. How will the telethon
pass, for this is the first time when the activities of the foundation
and its relation with the Karabakh government get a backlash? Will
the Armenian Diaspora in Russia take part in the telethon? How will
the telethon pass in Europe after the adoption of the law on the
Armenian Genocide by the French parliament?
The telethon will tell much about the all-Armenian relations and
the all-Armenian organizations. Especially that the topic of these
organizations has become a burning issue considering that the terms
of office of the presidents of the both Armenian states are ending.