Month: November 2006

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
Nov 24 2006

Armenian President expresses sorrow over division of Nicosia

24/11/2006

It is very sad to see Nicosia divided and know that this is happening
in Europe, President of Armenia Robert Kocharian said on Friday,
after visiting the ceasefire line in Nicosia.
”It is very sad to see this old city divided and know that this is
happening in Europe. Not only the city was divided, by also human
lives were lost and many people are still missing,” Kocharian wrote
in the visitors’ book.
Accompanied by Nicosia Mayor Michalakis Zampelas and other officials,
Kocharian and his entourage visited the ceasefire line, dividing the
government-controlled areas from the Turkish occupied northern part
of the island, since the Turkish invasion of 1974.
The Armenian President, who is on a state visit to Cyprus, wished
that the island will be united again and that the people of Cyprus
will live under conditions of prosperity and peace.
Earlier, Zampelas presented the Golden Key of the City to the
Armenian President during an official ceremony at the town hall.
In his address at the ceremony, Kocharian said that ”although this
is my first visit in Cyprus, all things around me seem so familiar
that I get the impression that sooner or later people will start
talking to me in Armenian.”
The Armenian President wished that justice will prevail in Nicosia,
just as in the case of Berlin, were the wall was demolished and now
the city has become a symbol of peace.
”I was recently in Berlin. It is a city that proved how justice in
the end prevails. I wish that Nicosia is again reunited and the
Cyprus issue is resolved according to the wishes of the Cypriot
people,” he said.
He also made a proposal that the capital cities of Yerevan and
Nicosia become twinned.
In his address, the Nicosia Mayor referred to the traditionally
friendly relations between Cyprus and Armenia.
Referring to the Armenian people living in Cyprus, he said that they
are an important part of the Cypriot people and contribute to a great
extent to the political, economic and social prosperity of the
island.
Later on, the Armenian President visited the Armenian Archbishopric,
Church and School in Nicosia.
A warm welcome was awaiting him by Armenians living in Nicosia, who
applauded and thanked him for his visit.
Kocharian was welcomed by Archbishop of the Armenian Church in Cyprus
Varoujan Hergelian.
Armenian pupils, holding Cypriot and Armenian flags, greeted the
official Armenian delegation and prepared a cultural programme with
traditional dances for its members.
Speaking to the press, Representative of the Armenian Religious Group
at the House of Representatives Mahdesian Vartkes referred to the
friendly relations between Armenia and Cyprus, saying that the living
conditions of Armenians on the island are excellent.

The Australian, Australia
Nov 25 2006

Beirut crowds stop Hezbollah grab for power
Martin Chulov, Beirut
November 25, 2006

HEZBOLLAH has suspended its attempts to topple the Lebanese
Government in the wake of renewed anti-Syrian sentiment among huge
crowds at the funeral of slain MP Pierre Gemayel.
The show of support for the embattled Government of Prime Minister
Fouad Siniora has shored up his tenuous grip on power, forcing
Hezbollah to put aside its ambitions to share power in a new
administration.

Hezbollah and key pro-Syrian figures, such as Lebanese President
Emile Lahoud, were noticeably absent from Thursday’s funeral in
Beirut’s Maronite St George’s Cathedral, which attracted prominent
figures from across the Arab world.

Most of the key speakers, including pro-Government figure Saad
Hariri, called for the resignation of Mr Lahoud – a staunch backer of
Syria.

The service and public rally outside were peaceful and demonstrators
appeared to pay heed to the pleas of Mr Gemayel’s grieving father
Amin, who called for Lebanon not to descend into sectarian violence.

The majority of the estimated 500,000-strong crowd were in a
celebratory mood, waving flags and anti-Syrian banners and singing
patriotic hymns.

The rally spilled from the front of the Christian Phalange Party
headquarters across Beirut’s Martyrs Square and on to most roads and
bypasses leading into the city.

Mr Gemayel’s body was last night driven back to his home village of
Bikfaya to be buried.

The funeral procession passed the street in an Armenian area in north
Beirut where his bullet-riddled car was yesterday towed away by
forensic examiners.

Lebanese security officials believe three gunmen were involved in the
assassination on Tuesday.

They are thought to have fired up to 30 rounds from an automatic
weapon fitted with a silencer into Mr Gemayel’s driver’s-side window,
killing both him and a bodyguard, before fleeing in a dark-coloured
4WD, possibly a Honda Sports utility.

The UN has agreed to supply investigators to help with the probe.

The world body is already looking into 14 other apparently
politically motivated attacks in Lebanon since the death of former
prime minister Rafik Hariri. All of those killed were outspoken
anti-Syria figures.

Syria has strongly denied any involvement in the killing, claiming it
was counter-productive to its interests at a time when the US was
reaching out to Damascus, after three years of refusing to deal with
any senior Syrian figure.

Suspicions within the military tribunal that prosecutes terrorist
cases in Lebanon is falling on rogue elements in the Syrian regime
that left Lebanon 18 months ago after an iron-fisted 30-year rule.

Syrian regime elements have been heavily implicated in the killing in
March last year of Mr Hariri and were due to face more pressure from
the formation of an international tribunal to prosecute alleged
conspirators.

The tribunal is due to be ratified by the Lebanese parliament next
week.

Mr Siniora yesterday called for the six pro-Hezbollah ministers who
resigned from his cabinet last week to rejoin the Government and
defuse the crisis, which threatens to bring down the administration.

"There is an opportunity for us today to unite our stand on many
issues that bring us together, including the international tribunal,
which is the only path towards revealing the true crimes that have
targeted the Lebanese," he said.

Since Mr Gemayel’s death, Mr Siniora has been clinging to a slender
majority of two MPs. However he appeared to receive a lift yesterday
when one minister who quit the cabinet earlier in the year offered to
rejoin.

Hezbollah, which had been quiet after Mr Gemayel’s death, yesterday
claimed his killing had been orchestrated to force the Shia bloc to
rejoin the cabinet.

It had hoped to pressure the Government into resigning by taking to
the streets in similar numbers to those that turned out on Thursday.

The Lebanese cabinet is expected to convene today to approve the
final draft for the international tribunal, which could start hearing
evidence as early as January.

Mr Lahoud, who is opposed to the tribunal, said he would not respond
to his critics during the mourning period for Mr Gemayel.

World leaders have called for calm in Lebanon, which has been in
political torpor since the end of the summer war that Hezbollah
fought with Israel.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan described the situation in Lebanon as
delicate and very fragile.

"We should all do whatever we can to support the Lebanese people and
the Government and encourage them to stand unified," he said.

Regnum, Russia
Nov 24 2006

Gryzlov: Closing Upper Lars check-point has both political and
technical reasons

Deterioration of the Russian-Georgian relations creates difficulties
from economic point of view, Armenian National Assembly Speaker
Tigran Torosyan stated on November 23 at a meeting with Russian State
Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov.

As REGNUM was informed at the Armenian parliamentary press office,
Tigran Torosyan stressed during the meeting that closing of Upper
Lars check-point led to considerable economic problems for the
Armenian side. He stressed that settlement of conflicts using
forceful methods is unacceptable in the modern world. According to
the Armenian parliament’s speaker, constructive position and
discussion of certain proposals should become the basis for
stabilization of the Russian-Georgian relations instead of mutual
accusations.

In its turn, Boris Gryzlov stressed that a draft statement containing
assessment of the situation is being discussed at the State Duma. He
informed that the abovementioned statement is planned to be passed in
early December 2006. Gryzlov stressed that the Russian side has kept
its word – it withdraws Russian military bases from the Georgian
territory; they will be completely withdrawn in 2008. Gryzlov pointed
out that the Russian side does the utmost in order to improve its
relations with Georgia; however, at the same time, it will not allow
a military clash in the conflict zone. Mentioning the Upper Lars
check-point, the Duma speaker explained that temporary closing of the
check-point has both political and technical reasons because there
was necessity of strengthening the check-point. Armenia will have no
such problems after the works are finished.

Hürriyet, Turkey
Nov 24 2006

Letter signed by 90 NGOS to be sent to Chirac

A.A

A letter was written to French President Jacques Chirac, consisting
of signatures of 90 non-overnmentalorganizations led by "Association
of Victims of Massacre by Armenian gangs in eastern city of Van
during the World War I".

In a statement, the association said that the city of Van, which lost
30 thousand innocent residents and was under fire and suffered great
damage due to the attacks of Armenian gangs during the World War I,
was acting as "one heart and one voice" against the decision of
French National Assembly which adopted a bill on criminalizing denial
of so-called Armenian genocide.

The association also underlined that residents of Van got united to
strongly display their reaction and warning against France.

The letter which comprises of the signatures of 90 political,
professional, unionist and civil NGOs will be sent to Chirac after it
is introduced to the public opinion at a press conference on Sunday.

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 25 2006

KARABAKH PARTY MUST PARTICIPATE IN TALKS

GAYANEH GASPARIAN

After the meeting of the NKR-Armenia Parliamentary Commission on
November 21and 22 the speaker of the parliaments of NKR and Armenia
held a press conference. NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulian told news
reporters that there was no arrangement on meeting with the NKR Minsk
Group co-chairs in Yerevan. `They are visiting the region to prepare
the meeting of the presidents of the two countries, but the U.S.
co-chair will meet with NKR President Arkady Ghukassian who is
visiting the United States on these days.’ Speaker Tigran Torosyan
said he does not expect progress in the talks considering the
approach of Azerbaijan, namely the propaganda of hatred, boosting of
the military budget in this country. `On the other hand, in the
beginning the Azerbaijanis agree behind closed doors, but when they
have to act publicly, they deny these approaches. If there is the
least progress, it can be considered as success.’ In answer to the
question about the principles on the table of negotiations, NKR
Speaker Ashot Ghulian said, `As to the principles, I think they cover
all the issues which is a package solution of the problem. As to the
contents and context of the principles, since the process is
confidential, and not everything is released, I think today it is
difficult to express a definite opinion on one principle or another.’
With regard to the problem of engagement of Karabakh in the talks.
Ashot Ghulian said when Azerbaijan becomes mature in terms of the
settlement of the problem, it will not be a mere wish but political
will, and at that time Karabakh will participate in the talks. `The
participation of Karabakh is not an end in itself. We must not take
part in the talks only to establish that Karabakh is also a party in
the talks. It is set down in international documents that Karabakh is
a conflict party, and there are three parties, Karabakh, Azerbaijan
and Armenia. Today’s situation is caused by the claims of Azerbaijan,
which seems to have made the range of the talks narrower. But if the
settlement of the problem of the talks is successful, it is of course
acceptable for us. We think that the Karabakh party should must part
in the talks, which will show that the negotiations are on the track
for a settlement.’ In answer to the question why the NKR borders are
not set down in the draft constitution of NKR, Speaker Ashot Ghulian
said NKR, which was proclaimed on September 2, 1991 in referendum, is
set down in the constitution. Of course, the draft could have
included this issue, but borders are not mentioned in any other
modern constitution. The question of the borders will be regulated by
a law. One of the articles runs that before the restoration of the
territorial integrity of Nagorno Karabakh and final drawing of the
borders the authority of the government is within the current actual
border. As to the question of the likelihood of Arkady Ghukassian to
run a third term, Ashot Ghulian says certain media are trying to keep
this topic hot and alert. However, he says, there is no provision in
the Constitution which enables Arkady Ghukassian to run a third term.
`It is another question, that as a first constitution, it does not
exclude such a possibility, but the president of NKR answered to this
on November 11. If it is necessary to make such statements every
week, I think it is growing into absurdity.’

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 25 2006

MEETING OF NKR-ARMENIA PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

AA

On November 21 and 22 the meeting of the NKR-Armenia Parliamentary
Commission was held in Yerevan. In his address the speaker of the
National Assembly of Armenia Tigran Torosian said for the first time
two meetings are held in a year, and he hopes that this style of work
will not change after the parliamentary election in Armenia in 2007.
NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulian mentioned that the cooperation of the
parliaments enabled the NKR National Assembly to set up relations
with the parliaments of other countries. He also emphasized that the
Armenian parliament members helped to draft the NKR Constitution,
which will be put to popular voting on December 10. The first
question discussed during the meeting referred to the application of
the provisions of the constitution in the legislation. Rudolf
Martirossian, Chair of the Defense, Security and Legality Committee
presented the principles and provisions of the Constitution. Since
1992 the NKR parliament has adopted 600 laws, which necessitate the
adoption of the basic law. It became clear from Mr. Martirossian’s
speech that the constitutions of Armenia and Karabakh have much in
common. NKR is also going to adopt a semi-presidential government,
and the powers of the parliament multiply. The order of appointment
of the prime minister and the attorney general are similar. The audit
chamber of the parliament will become an independent body. There are
also differences. For instance, NKR will not have a Constitutional
Court. But the Supreme Court will have a Constitutional Chamber, and
anyone can appeal to it. The head of state can take legislative
action. In NKR a person aged 23, not 25 can become member of
parliament. Ashot Ghulian said this provision was proposed by the
Democratic Party of Arstakh. According to him, if the defense of the
country is entrusted to a 20-year-old youth, it would be right to
involve him in political processes as well. The orders of forming
government and courts are different, the structure of the
constitution and the chapter on human rights are different too. It
became clear from Armenian Member of Parliament Galust Sahakyan’s
question that Karabakh will have a separate law on citizenship, and
the Constitution does not bar dual nationality. Gagik Minassian asked
to explain why the president is empowered to take legislative action.
Rudolf Martirossian said it was intended to facilitate the solution
of problems. Member of Parliament Mnatsakan Petrossian asked a
question about the power to hold a referendum. The NKR parliament
member informed that they have not foreseen local referendums,
starting from the security of the country. The parliamentary
commission also discussed the Armenian and NKR economic legislations.
Benik Bakshiyan, Chair of the Finance, Budget and Economy Committee
said Karabakh and Armenia have almost the same laws, but there are
urgent problems, namely the compliance of the economic legislation
with the international standards, membership to the World Trade
Organization, the elimination of structural differences between the
economies of the two republics, and investments. NKR Member of
Parliament Arayik Harutiunian said the economic indexes of Karabakh
are lower than in Armenia. There problems with gasifying, irrigation
systems, housing, international investments. Assistant chief of the
Armenian Tax Service Armen Alaverdian said the parliamentary
committee deals with legislations, and the economic and budget
problems are to be dealt with by the government committee. Deputy
Minister of Economy and Finance Suren Gharayan pointed out the
importance of synchronizing the excise tax regulations in the
legislations of the two countries. There were also political
discussions on the regional developments and the settlements of
conflicts.

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 25 2006

CLUB OF YOUNG DEFENDERS OF RIGHTS IN ARTSAKH

SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN

The International Association of Lawyers and Psychologists has
visited Stepanakert recently. About 30 high school students, teachers
and parents from Armenia and Javakheti arrived in Stepanakert. We
have learned from the chair of the NGO Khachatur Marozian that the
purpose of the visit is to set up a club of young defenders of rights
in Artsakh, which will help raising legal awareness among the younger
generation. Similar efforts were made in the schools of Armenia, and
Khachatur Marozian says the results were assessed as positive by the
ministry of education, the ministry of justice of Armenia, as well as
the parents and teachers. `They don’t have to become lawyers, it is
important that they be aware of their right to able to defend them
and uphold justice, and fight against castes,’ he says. According to
him, nepotism is deeply rooted in the society, and it should be
battled. It is difficult to develop this among grown-ups because they
have social problems and as they often depend on some person, they
cannot rise against these phenomena. Meanwhile, the younger
generation does not have such problems yet and it is easier to teach
them. If a person has legal awareness, he is able to protect his
rights, but first he must be able to defend others’ right, i.e. to be
aware of his duties as well. There are already teams of defenders of
rights in several Armenian schools, who often hold debates. The
members of the club said these debates are very effective, for
children learn to discuss issues, ask questions to the point and
analyze. The members of the club of young defenders of rights held a
debate at School 7 in Stepanakert on education and patriotism and
thereby set up the first team in Artsakh.

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 25 2006

HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEM OF WATER SUPPLY?

LAURA GRIGORIAN

On November 17, the Social Committee of the NKR National Assembly
held hearings on the problems of water supply in Stepanakert and
other areas in the country. The chair of the committee Arpat
Avanessian said after the hearings the parliament will offer a
package proposal to the NKR government. The mayor of Stepanakert
presented the state of the water supply and sewage systems.
Stepanakert gets water from three rivers, four sources and 7 artesian
wells. The system includes two filtering stations, three pumping
stations in the city, 5 pumping stations for high-rise buildings. The
system was built several decades ago, and therefore, the entire
infrastructure is already worn, he said. The reservoirs, especially
the metal reservoirs are worn and are not fit to use. The filtering
stations cannot clean the water, which becomes highly turbid from the
spring torrents, because of the lack of reagents. Pumping stations
are too expensive for the company and are operated in summer only.
The mayor of Stepanakert said the circular pipeline built by Armenia
Foundation operates normally, whereas the network of pipes taking
water to the houses are 30-40 years old and need to be replaced.
Edward Aghabekian said there is a project involving the solution of
these problems, which will be implemented in three years according to
the national program adopted by the government. Afterwards the
members of parliament raised a series of questions: what efforts are
needed to solve the problems, what can the members of parliament do,
how can the city be provided with a 6-hour water supply? Arthur
Tovmassian, Hayrenik faction, asked these questions to the mayor. If
the government – City Hall relations are the reason for this
situation, it should be confessed. The members of parliament may
help. After all, people are suffering, said the member of parliament.
Edward Aghabekian denied these doubts and mentioned that the problem
of water supply has existed over the past ten years. Member of
Parliament Maxim Mirzoyan asked whether the amount of water is enough
to supply the town, and if yes, he proposed finding out where the
water is lost. Vladimir Arzumanian, the director of Water and Sewage
Company said the city gets enough water to supply people but 60-70
percent of water is lost due to the bad state of the pipes. Member of
Parliament Vahram Atanessian, chair of the Committee of External
Relations said the hearings were held too late because soon the
budget of 2007 will be confirmed by the government, whereas it is not
aware of all this. He also wondered why the members of government had
not been invited. `And maybe this infrastructure should be
privatized,’ he said. The chair of the social committee Arpat
Avanessian said the hearings were planned to be held in summer but
were delayed for certain reasons. Member of Parliament Maxim Mirzoyan
reminded that the final draft of the budget is adopted by the
parliament.

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 25 2006

"TELETHON-2006" RESULT MAKES 13 MLN 700 THOUSAND U.S. DOLLARS, WHAT
IS ALMOST TWICE MORE THAN INDEX OF PREVIOUS YEAR

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The result of
the "Telethon-2006" started in the city of Los Angeles, U.S., on
November 23 made 13 mln 700 thousand U.S. dollars what is almost
twice more than the money gathered in the previous year. To recap,
the result of the telethon of the previous year made 7.7 mln U.S.
dollars.

As the Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by the Public Relations
Department of the "Hayastan" (Armenia) All-Armenian Fund, the result
of the "Telethon-2006" is record one, as no such an index was fixed
as a result of the telethons held till now: most of all 12 mln
dollars were gathered. Money gathered during the "Telethon-2006,"
will be given to implementation of the "Re-Birth of Artsakh" program.

It was mentioned that American Armenian benefactors Sargis Hakoubian
(550 thousand U.S. dollars), Louis Simon Manukian are among big
donors. Donations for implementation of purposeful programs have also
been during the telethon. American Armenian benefactor Jerry
Turpanjian allocated 1 mln 250 thousand U.S. dollars for building a
school in Stepanakert, Vahe Karapetian gave 1.5 mln dollars for road
construction, the Lincy foundation donated 2 mln U.S. dollars for
implementation of the program on construction of all the educational
institutions in the whole territory of Artsakh, Project CURE
organization gave 2 mln dollars for getting medical equipment for the
Hadrut regional hospital, Chairman of the Union of Armenians in
Russia Ara Abrahamian gave 1 mln dollars for building a scholl in
Stepanakert.

>From Armenian businessmen, Mikhail Bagdasarov allocated 100 thousand
dollars, Samvel Alexanian gave 50 thousand dollars, Ruben Hayrapetian
gave 50 thousand dollars, and VivaCell company gave 70 thousand
dollars.

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 24 2006

ARKADY GHUKASIAN MEETS IN U.S. WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN
TRADITIONAL PARTIES

LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. "We are
obliged to built the country of our dreams for freedom of which the
best sons of the Armenian people sacrificed themselves," NKR
President Arkady Ghukasian stated at the November 22 banquet
organized by Archbishop Moushegh Mardirussian, the U.S. Western
Diocese primate of the Cilicia Catholicosate of the Armenian
Apostolic Church.

As the NKR President’s Acting Press Secretary states, Arkady
Ghukasian went to the mentioned event accompanied by Archbishop
Pargev Martirosian, the Artsakh Diocese primate of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, and Armen Liloyan, the RA Consul General to Los
Angeles, after visiting the new building of primacy being built in
the suburb of La-Crescenta, Los Angeles.

In his speech the President particularly made a speech calling on the
Armenian community’s gathering in Diaspora, entrusting to the
national unity and own forces.

Representatives of the ARF U.S. Western Central Committee, AGBU,
Armenian Relief Association, "Hamazgayin" (National) institution,
Armenian Educational Foundation, Women’s Union attached to the
Cilicia primacy as well as former Mayor of Glendale Larry Zarian and
members of the present city council Ara Najarian and Raffi Manoukian,
other honorary quests participated in the event.

On the same day the NKR President had a number of meetings with
representatives of leading instances of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun,
Liberal Democratic Party and Social-Democratic Hnchak Party Western
structures. Arkady Ghukasian persuaded interlocutors to show their
active assistance for creation of honourable life for the people
passed through war ordeals and won in unequal struggles.