Month: March 2007

JERMUK RESORT TOWN TO HAVE CABLE ROAD

ARMENPRESS
Mar 21 2007

JERMUK, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS: A resort town of Jermuk in the Vayots
Dzor province, where the eponymous mineral water is produced,
looks set to have a cable road. Local authorities plan to launch
its construction either in late April or early May and bring it to
completion in early November.

Azat Hovsepian, an official at the local governor’s office in charge of
urban projects, said the government has released 1.3 billion drams from
its reserve funds to that end. The cable road will be 1000 meter long.

Hovsepian said the idea to build a cable road is to give a push
to tourism development and make the town more attractive for
holiday-makers not only in summer, but also in winter.

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION CEO PRAISES ARMENIAN REFORMS BEFORE HOUSE PANEL

ARMENPRESS
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA)
said ambassador John Danilovich, CEO of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation, this week told members of a key House foreign aid panel
that Armenia has made a number of reforms that are both "positive and
constructive," and expressed that elections in Armenia be "conducted
correctly."

Danilovich appeared before the House Appropriations Subcommittee
on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs to discuss MCC’s
funding needs for Fiscal Year 2008.

Last week, Randall L. Tobias, U.S. Director of Foreign Assistance
and USAID Administrator, told Committee Members that MCC funding "is
expecting to disperse 60 million dollars" in FY 2008 alone and that
"together with foreign aid, Armenia will receive 98 million dollars,
or a 34 percent increase."

The Administration has requested $35 million in economic assistance
to Armenia for FY 2008, a reduction of more than 50 percent over the
FY 2007 approved funding level of approximately $75 million.

Last year, the United States and Armenia took a major step forward
with the signing of the Millennium Challenge Compact – a five-year
$235.65 million agreement intended to reduce Armenia’s rural poverty
and increase agricultural productivity.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who took part in the signing
ceremony, called the event a "promising" step in the U.S.-Armenia
partnership and a "testament to the hard work and dedication of the
Armenian people and their elected government."

Established in 2004, MCC is based on the principle that aid is most
effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and
investments in people. MCC is responsible for the stewardship of the
Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), which receives funds appropriated
by Congress every year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VARTAN OSKANIAN – "US STATE DEPARTMENT ADMITS ITS MISTAKE"

A1+
[04:37 pm] 21 March, 2007

"The U.S. State Department admits that the interpretation was wrong",
RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian announced today. This refers to
the department’s annual report according to which Armenia has occupied
Karabakh and the adjacent territories.

Armenia has submitted a written notification to the U.S. State
Department on the report, Vartan Oskanian reports. "The mistake is
evident. The State Department has admitted it. The interpretation
was not to appear in the report. "We assume that out of certain
bureaucratic reasons it is difficult to amend the document after its
official publication, but they promised us to see to the matter. Once
more I assure you that the State Department has admitted its mistake
and it will try to correct the mistake" repeated Mr. Oskanian.

The RA FM noted that the document has no legal force, and Azerbaijan
cannot make use of the interpretation.

Azerbaijan cannot use the report against Armenia. One thing is obvious;
various approaches of the report are not coordinated. The fact is
explicit", added the foreign minister.

WILL THE IRANIAN GAS FLOW?

A1+
04:37 pm] 21 March, 2007

Vartan Oskanian attaches great importance to the inauguration of the
Iran-Armenian gas pipeline and says the deal is of military importance.

Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is a serious step to diversify Armenian
energy sources. It will make Armenia’s energy sphere more independent
and less vulnerable," Vartan Oskanian maintains.

In answer to the question whether the Iranian gas will ensure the
independence of the Armenian energy sphere, when the RA authorities
are going to hand the pipeline to the RF, Vartan Oskanian said,
"The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is an Iran-Armenia project. No other
country is engaged in the project. The future of the gas pipeline will
be considered after the final accomplishment of works. It is quite
logical that the concession will be given to "ArmRusGazArd." It is
an Armenian organization and deals with all the gas issues".

"The stability of the pipeline must be ensured to make it
non-vulnerable. The gas pipeline is ours, and no one intends to give
it to others. No one will close the tap."

DEAF AND MUTE DEMAND …

A1+
[06:27 pm] 21 March, 2007

On March 21, 2007, RA deaf and mute citizens held a rally of
complaint oppositethe president’s residence with the following posters,
"Mr. Kocharyan, the RA high-ranking officials counterfeit the documents
of our property, we pledge you to see to the matter", "Invalids’
property is not usurped in developed countries," etc. The rally
participants are indignant at the sale of the surdomutiasis clinic.They
claim the bargain was concluded without their knowledge. "We don’t
know who the present owner of the clinic is. We have been struggling
for a long time", surdo-translation Rima claims.

To note, the deaf and mute will continue their rallies unless they
find a solution to the matter.

MONEY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN INTELLIGENCE

A1+
[07:23 pm] 21 March, 2007

The recurrent polling held by A1+ testify to this fact that there
are few clever deputies in the RA parliament.

We suggested our readers answering the question, "What does a candidate
nominated under the majority ticket need?"

The votes were distributed in the following way;

Intelligence – 8%

The electorate’s vote of confidence – 10%

"Roof" – 30%

Money – 48%

Over 4% of the respondents couldn’t give definite answers.

To note, 560 people participated in the polling.

This week we offer our readers to answer the question.

"What will the inauguration of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline give?"

CAMPAIGN BECOMES HEATED

A1+
[03:21 pm] 21 March, 2007

The atmosphere in Armavir is rather tense on the eve of the mayor’s
election. To remind, the election is fixed on March 25. The two
candidates try to underline their "privileges" via hostility and
mutual insults.

To note, the opponent candidates are Ruben Khlghatyan, the acting
mayor of Armavir and member of Republican Party of Armenia, and Arayik
Aghabekyan, regional head of the Prosperous Armenia. They accuse each
other of bribe distribution. But there is no evidence on this score.

The electoral rolls are already ready, and the Armavir residents are
actively clarifying them. It is noteworthy, that the elections will
be held under the former order and not in compliance with the amended
Electoral Code.

OSCE OBSERVERS NEED FORTUNE TELLERS

A1+
[04:11 pm] 21 March, 2007

more images March 21,2007-Ambassador Boris Frlec, head of the OSCE’s
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) assured the
journalists today that in case the observers are subject to pressure
they will resist and do their utmost to be independent.

"Unfortunately the RA elections haven’t met the standards of the OSCE
mission so far. The upcoming elections give a chance to change the
tendency", Mr. Frlec says.

Yesterday ODHIR opened an election observation mission for the 12
May parliamentary elections in Armenia.

Thirteen experts from 12 countries will be based in Yerevan, and 29
long-term observers will be deployed around the country. The ODIHR
will request that a further 300 short-term observers be provided
by OSCE participating States to monitor the opening and closing of
polling stations on election day, voting, the vote count, and the
tabulation of results.

The mission will assess the parliamentary elections for their
compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes,
including commitments agreed to by all 56 OSCE participating States,
as well as with national legislation.

Observers will closely monitor campaign activities, the work of
the election administration and relevant governmental bodies,
election-related legislation and its implementation, the media
environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

"The recently amended election code of Armenia provides a sound
framework for democratic elections, but the challenge for the
authorities is its implementation in good faith, so that this and
future elections are held in accordance with OSCE commitments,"
said the head of the ODIHR mission.

Boris Frlec claims that political will power is a precondition for
free and fair elections.

In answer to the question whether the political power exists, Mr. Frlec
said, "We must apply to a fortune teller to answer your question now."

The observers’ mission arrived in Armenia prior to the elections to
get familiarized with the pre-election campaigns and atmosphere. "We
shall stay in Armenia after the elections to see whether there are
any complaints", Mr. Frlec noted. To note, the observers will meet
the opposition representatives, "We must be guided by the existing
norms of behaviour which imply to be unbiased and impartial."

FRENCH GOAL KEEPER IN THE ARMENIAN TEAM

A1+
[05:25 pm] 21 March, 2007

Anthony Babikyan, who currently plays in the higher team of France,
will arrive in Yerevan to train in the Armenian youth team for the
upcoming Armenia-Lichtenstein meeting.

20-year-old goal keeper Anthony Babikyan comes from Montpelier and
is a footballer of "Sedan".

Samvel Petrosyan, chief coach of the Armenian youth football team,
says that he is unaware of Babikyan’s abilities and skills. The French
footballer will reveal his talent and efficiency only in May.

ACTING NA HAS GOT A CHANCE TO APPOINT NCTR MEMBERS

A1+
[07:00 pm] 21 March, 2007

The order of appointing members of the National Commission for
Television and Radio (NCTR) has changed. RA President Robert Kocharyan
ratified the amendments to the RA laws on "NCTR Statute" and on
"Television and Radio". This means t half of the NCTR members will
be appointed by the RA NA and the second half – by the RA President.

Reminder, March 19 was the deadline of the office of NCTR chairman
Grigor Amalyan, deputy chairman Shamiram Aghabekyan and member Karine
Khodikyan. March 19 was the eve of the ratification of the laws. RA
Parliament endorsed the legislative amendments on February 26.

To note, no one will take place of Karine Khodikyan as the NCTR will
henceforth have 8 members instead of the present 9 under the recent
constitutional amendments.

Nevertheless, there will be two vacancies in the NCTR for the coming
ten days. We cannot predict when exactly the vacancies will be filled
taking into account the fact that NA cannot provide the necessary
quorum.