Author: Badalian Vardan

EBRD to provide US$ 20-21 million for reconstruction of “Zvartnots” airport
ArmRadio.am
11.07.2006 13:23
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will
provide a credit of US$ 20-21 million for reconstruction of the
international “Zvartnots” airport. The credit will be provided for
the period of seven years.
In 1994 EBRD had provided 17 million for the construction of the
freight terminal in “Zvartnots” airport.

Russia’s Any Measure against Georgia Deals Blow to Armenia’s Interests
PanARMENIAN.Net
10.07.2006 14:21 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Any measure undertaken by Russia against Georgia
deals an unintentional blow to Armenia’s interests, Vice-speaker
of the Armenian National Assembly Vahan Hovhannisian told reporters
today when commenting on the closing of the Russian-Georgian border
by the Russian authorities. In his opinion, this is conditioned by
the Russian-Georgian relations, which “now tense, now improve”.
“Recently these relations tend to aggravate. However our Russian
counterparts should understand that any step against Georgia damages
Armenia’s interests. Thus they should be more supple and cautious,”
Hovhannisian underscored.
To remind, on June 8 night the Russian border guards closed the
Kazbegi-Verkhni Lars checkpoint over the start of construction
works at the border. This caused problems for traffic and a great
number of vehicles including those heading for Armenia stuck at the
Russian-Georgian border.

Azeri People Little Informed of Karabakh Life
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.07.2006 15:50 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When visiting Karabakh I always inform courteously
my acquaintances in the Azeri MFA of the trip. But I insist on the
right of a reporter to make free trips and no power can prohibit me
from doing it,” British journalist Thomas de Waal said. In his words,
Azeri people are very little informed of today’s life in Karabakh. “If
Azeri reporters could freely go to Karabakh it would be very useful,”
he said.
At the same time he underscored he hasn’t heard that he is a “harmful”
individual for Azerbaijan and Armenia. “I think there are people who
have not read “The Black Garden” and such people like demonstrating
discontent. Fortunately, they form a minority. I have many friends
in Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he remarked, reported Echo Baku-based
newspaper.

ARMENIA WON’T TELL TEHRAN THE TRUTH
Lragir.am
08 July 06
Sometimes the impression is that Armenia itself does not know what
to sell to Russia and what not to sell. More exactly, it knows it
cannot sell anything. It simply does not know what Russia would like
to have. The situation is worrying, but as it is accepted to say,
it is not a fact, it is more than a fact, it is the reality. With
regard to the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline we deal with the same reality.
Russia announced about its likelihood to buy the gas pipeline several
days ago. It is clear that if they announce about their likelihood,
they make efforts to fulfill their intention. What is an effort in
this direction if not negotiations with the initiators of the gas
pipeline? The Iranian Deputy Ambassador to Armenia announced several
weeks ago in Yerevan that his country is not aware of the possibility
of participation of a third country to the gas pipeline. It means that
Gazprom makes efforts to negotiate with Armenia only. For its part,
this means that only the section of the pipeline running through
Armenia is concerned. Perhaps Gazprom does not need more because for
absolute influence it is enough to have the Armenian section. After
all Armenia needs the pipeline more, and if the prospect of a transit
pipeline is concerned, the section of the pipeline running through
Armenia is sufficient to get complete influence.
It is interesting that the Armenian party did not announce officially
about negotiation with the Russians but some officials, nevertheless,
hinted at it. Both the defense minister and the foreign minister spoke
about it. Serge Sargsyan said there are interesting developments,
and Vardan Oskanyan said funding of the construction of the Armenian
section of the pipeline is considered. It is clear that the Russians
would not give the money for nothing, if they would give it at all.
In this situation a logical question occurs why official Yerevan
avoids announcing about negotiations with Gazprom for the Iran-Armenia
pipeline. In addition, Armenian officials have to make hints at
negotiations, while Russia regularly reports on the negotiation and
agreement to buy the pipeline.
In other words, evidently Yerevan avoids public speeches on this
topic. The reason is clear. Several months ago, when the Iranian
foreign minister Manuchehr Mottaki was visiting Yerevan, he and Vardan
Oskanyan announced that participation of a third party to the pipeline
requires the agreement of both Iran and Armenia. In the meantime,
official Iran states that they are unaware of a Russian-Armenian
negotiation. On the contrary, the Russians inform that the negotiation
is underway and there is already agreement. Hence, Yerevan negotiates
with Moscow and fails to inform Tehran about the negotiation despite
the agreement. In any case, this is not proper. They sell it with
one hand and take an oath with the other not to sell it.
In the meantime, this question is rather important for Iran. Russia’s
engagement in the project of the pipeline neutralizes Iran’s prospect
to have an influence over regional energy projects. This might be the
reason why the pipeline has appeared on the agenda of the Iran-Armenia
relations over the past few months, and already official Iran is not
satisfied with the assertions of the high-ranking Armenian officials
that the pipeline is not for sale.
Another question is what Robert Kocharyan achieved during his Iranian
visit. The president’s visit had been planned long ago but Armenia was
said to avoid it. And if it took place, it means that either Yerevan
has decided what to say and how to settle the problem with Iran or
Tehran has made an ultimatum and Robert Kocharyan had no way but to go.
There were no details on the pipeline in the statements made
during the president’s visit. Moreover, it was not touched upon in
public statements either. On the other hand, there is a diplomatic
nuance: language is for hiding thoughts. It is possible that high
evaluations of the Iran-Armenia partnership hid the high reefs of this
partnership. The presidents of the two countries announced, however,
that there are no unsettled questions between Armenia and Iran. If
frankness prevails over diplomacy in this statement, it means Robert
Kocharyan managed to settle the problem of the pipeline in Iran. On
the other hand, if the problem with Iran is settled, sure enough a
problem with Russia occurred. In this sense it is highly doubtful that
Yerevan would step on this path to running into trouble with Russia,
especially with the elections drawing nearer. Consequently, Robert
Kocharyan reached an intermediate solution in Tehran in an effort
to temporize. It is interesting to know the cost, because everything
including time has its price.
JAMES HAKOBYAN

State House official named in Arturs’ fake press conference
By Biketi Kikechi and Patrick Mathangani
The Standard, Kenya
July 7 2006
The alleged Government link in the Arturs saga emerged on Thursday
after an inquiry heard that on the day the two held a press conference
at the Kenyatta International Airport VIP lounge, a companion
identified himself to airport officers as a State House official.
In yet another day of astonishing disclosures, a security official at
the airport gave a step-by-step account of the stage-managed press
conference and how it was made to appear like Artur Sargasyan had
just jetted into the country.
Security officers organised for the gold-bedecked brothers to swagger
through Gate Six and use the VIP lounge to dupe journalists that they
were high flying investors.
The story, which unfolded like a chapter from a Western thriller,
was the highlight of Thursday’s proceedings at the Kiruki Commission
of Inquiry into the activities of the two alleged brothers who have
since been deported for causing a security breach at the airport.
Press conference
A security officer, Mr David Bosire Michiemo, owned up by telling
the commission that he helped open the Gate Six air bridge for the
guests, who had been sitting at a lounge waiting for the KQ flight
from Dubai to touch down even as journalists waited for the plane
carrying the newsmaker.
The two, whose identity remains shadowy, claimed to be fabulously
rich brothers based in Dubai and that the President of Armenia was
their uncle. They used the press conference to rebut earlier claims
by Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga that they were Russian mercenaries who
took part in the commando-style raid on the Standard Group premises
on March 2.
The bogus brothers claimed that Raila and MP Kalonzo Musyoka requested
them to play a role in the no- confidence vote against the proposed
new constitution last year.
The local media gave the press conference big treatment but raised
pertinent issues concerning the event, its planning and information
that Sargasyan’s name was not on the manifest of the flight he
purported to have arrived on.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the commission wanted to know the
identity of Messrs Julius Mwangi Maina and Alphonce Omita.
Passes for journalists
Assisting Counsel Ms Dorcas Oduor asked Bosire if he knew Maina and
Omita because they cannot be traced although they were allegedly
associates of the Artur brothers.
“We cannot find him (Maina). How do we find him?” asked Oduor,
but Bosire said he does not know him because they only met once at
the airport.
The commission was told that Maina went to the security office at
5.20am on March 13, and introduced himself to duty officer Mr Moses
Wanyonyi and Bosire as Mr Julius Maina from State House.
Wanyonyi who also appeared at the commission on Thursday, said he
received a call from his boss, Mr Stanley Mutungi, who instructed
him to have 10 passes ready for journalists the following day.
“He further told me that the instructions were from the Deputy Managing
Director Ms Naomi Cidi,” said Wanyonyi.
Wanyonyi, 51, who has since voluntarily retired from Kenya Airports
Authority, said he handed over the passes to Maina and asked Bosire
to guide him.
Kenya Airways flight delayed
Bosire accompanied Maina to a Mercedes Benz car at the Airport
manager’s car park. Maina asked Bosire to escort one of the occupants
in the car, whom he later got to learn was Artur Margaryan, and a
woman to the first class lounge.
Maina asked Bosire to give the woman a pass as they went through
Unit Two while Margaryan and Maina used their own all-areas-permanent
airport passes. They went to the Duty Free Shops lounge, where they
were later joined by lawyer Fred Ngatia and Omita.
Ngatia and Omita had been waiting at the NAS cafeteria, from where
Maina and Bosire led them to join Margaryan and the woman. Bosire said
the Kenya Airways flight KQ311 that they were waiting for delayed
and Maina left after introducing him to Omita, who then took charge
and asked Bosire to accompany him to meet the waiting journalists.
Bosire said Ngatia briefly talked to the journalists before guiding
them to a different lounge for tea. Omita then frantically started
seeking for a place where he could type a document but none was open
at the time.
Stage-managed arrival
He then went to Cidi’s office in the company of Bosire, where he
printed a document from a diskette.
Cidi’s Secretary Judith Chepkor confirmed that Omita, whom she had met
earlier at the office, consulted Cidi and later printed the document
for him. “Omita told Wanyonyi to stage-manage the ‘arrival’ so that
reporters could cover the event,” said Bosire.
Wanyonyi allegedly told Bosire to look for the security officer to
open Air Bridge Gate Number 06 so that the ‘guests’ could walk in to
be covered as they arrived.
The TV cameras zoomed in as the brothers swaggered through the gate
and to the VIP lounge that had since been made available for their use.
On Thursday, Cidi’s secretary corroborated the allegation that
Margaryan and Sargaryan went to Cidi’s office, from where they were
escorted to the passes office.
Officers in the passes office have said Cidi instructed them to issue
the passes on February 10 and June 8.

OSCE MISSION HELD MONITORING OF THE FRONTLINE
ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 12:53
On July 5 the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office held monitoring of the frontline between NKR and
Azerbaijan to the South of Kuropatkino settlement.
Participants of the monitoring revealed no facts confirming the
Azeri reports on intentional arsons over the territories under NKR
control. At the same time, representative of the NKR Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, who was accompanying the OSCE Monitoring Mission,
called the attention of the members of the group to the extensive
burnt area of the field three kilometers away from positions of the
Azeri Army.
>From the positions of NKR Defense Army the Monitoring Mission was
headed by Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Andrzej Kasprzy. The group comprised field assistants of the Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Peter Keey (Great
Britain) and Gunter Folk (Germany).

SESSION OF INTERPARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE TO BE HELD IN AUTUMN IN YEREVAN
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
July 4 2006
On July 3 Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly of the
Republic of Armenia received Ashot Ghulyan, President of the National
Assembly of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
Mr. Ghulyan told the NA President about meetings with representatives
of the USA President Staff, Congress, Armenian community and analytical
centers during his visit to the USA, which were of mutual effective
and useful character.
The RA NA President Tigran Torosyan informed the NKR NA President
about the debates at PACE summer session in Strasbourg, referring to
the debates on the issue of prevention of forest fires, which the
Azeris’ delegation was trying to turn into regular speculation. He
talked about the upcoming visiting session of PACE Subcommittee
on Nagorno-Karabakh in Karabakh, and also about envisioned visit
of Leo Platvoet, Rapporteur on Missing People in Armenia, Georgia,
Azerbaijan of PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population.
It was mentioned that though in debates of the report on independence
referendum in Montenegro speakers tried to abstain from comparisons
with other countries, it was evident that the use of the right to
self-determination is becoming more and more acceptable for PACE MPs.
Mr. Torosyan mentioned also that during the debates of the report on
countries that didn’t ratify the Convention on Human Rights to Abolish
the Death Penalty it was reported that the death penalty is cancelled
in Nagorno-Karabakh, in contrast with other conflicting regions.
During the meeting the issues of the works of the RA NA and NKR NA
Interparliamentary session were touched upon. The regular session of
the Committee will be held in autumn in Yerevan.

ART BRINGS YOUTH TOGETHER IN GEORGIA
Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Reuters, UK
July 4 2006
Photocredit: Keti Nozadze World Vision MEERO,
More than 150 young people from different ethnic backgrounds celebrated
8 months of working together through ‘Arts and Crafts’ by holding
an exhibition and sale of their traditional works in the Georgian
capital Tbilisi at the end of last month.
During the last 8 months, youth from Azeri, Armenia, Georgian and
Russian origins attending World Vision Georgia Youth Centers across
the country have taken art class and developed craftmaking skills.
They seized the unique opportunity to express themselves, to learn
other traditions, and developed their own, as well as creating possible
source of income through the sale of their artworks.
The ‘Arts and Crafts’ Project aims to support reintegration process
of socially vulnerable and ethnically diverse youth through art and
cultural ties.
“Art is the best tool to address any social problem including poverty
and marginalization” says project manager Anna Mgaloblishvili, who
sees the project as a strong contributing power to further develop
of different ethnic traditions and peaceful interaction of cultures
in Georgia.
Traditional Georgian art of stone carving, the Armenian art of
‘Khachkara,’ the ancient art of enamel work and other arts of master
jewelry-makers are the most popular classes among the youth.
“I make traditional rings and earrings for my friends, art classes
taught me how to make them, and my friends happier” says Keti from
Telavi Youth Centre. Keti also helps mother at home to make valuable
sewing to sell and boost the family income.
World Vision Georgia and Tbilisi Art Academy have also ratified
a memorandum of future cooperation to increase the craft making
resources in the centers.
The project has significantly popularized traditional art among youth
in 7 cities in Georgia and contributed to the further cultural growth
of the communities.
World Vision Georgia’s “arts and crafts” project, supported by World
Vision Germany is for youth interested in art and craft making to
increase their future employment skills.

LEVON MKRTCHIAN: PASSING TO 12-YEAR EDUCATION IS ONE OF CONDITIONS OF
INTEGRATION INTO GENERAL FIELD

YEREVAN, JUNE 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The discussion held at the RA National
Assembly on June 30 with participation of the RA Minister of Education
and Science, directors of all schools of the country, representatives
of interested departments and public organizations was dedicated to
passing to the 12-year educational system.
According to Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchian, the
goal of the discussion is again to present the society the next stage
of reforms being implemented in the country, passing to the 12-year
education. According to the Minister, the previous, Soviet educational
system has exhausted itself long before, and naturally, in the 21st
century, Armenia as well was to join a new educational system with
many countries, in the given case, the Bologna processes. According to
Minister Levon Mkrtchian, children’s education starts from the
pre-school age, and other stages are closely correlated. “So, every
step of reforms adds another and prepares for the next stage,” the
Minister mentioned.
He attached much importance to the issue that when implementing those
passings, goals are made clear, and any change and passing have a
correct goal and result. Passing to the 12-year education is one of
conditions of integration to the general educational field, and if
this passing is not implemented in 2008, final certificates and
diplomas of schools and higher educational institutions of Armenia may
not function in other educational territories.
Upcoming re-trainings to be organized for teachers were touched upon
during the discussions, which, according to the Minister and other
specialists of that sphere, suppose meaningless and unproductive waste
of time and money. “They will just get acquainted with the made
amendments during those 20 days. As for a deep re-training, it will
not be,” the Minister emphasized. According to him, the Yerevan
Khachatur Abovian Pedagogical University almost does not work today in
that sense. This institution of higher education must change its
traditional methods of preparing personnels and ways of teaching as
well as must secure teachers’ methodical re-training,” Levon Mkrtchian
mentioned.

Nagorno-Karabakh official accuses Azerbaijan of not wanting to resolve
dispute
AP Worldstream; Jun 30, 2006

The defense minister of Nagorno-Karabakh on Friday accused Azerbaijan
of resisting efforts to resolve the territory’s disputed status.

“Azerbaijan does not want (to see a) continuation of talks on
regulating the conflict,” said Seiran Oganian, who is defense minister
in Nagorno-Karabakh’s internationally unrecognized government.

Nagorno-Karabakh is in Azerbaijan, but has been under control of
Karabakh and Armenian forces since a shaky cease-fire in 1994 ended a
separatist war.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are under increasing international
pressure to reach an agreement on the region this year; international
mediators fear that elections in the countries in 2007 and 2008 would
make officials leery of undertaking any compromise on the volatile
issue.

The presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia held talks in Romania in
June, but without reaching agreement, and the OSCE “Minsk Group” of
mediators later took the unusual step of releasing details about the
proposals that were presented at the meeting.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev in recent months has made a series
of increasingly aggressive statements on Nagorno-Karabakh. On
Thursday, commenting on the region, he noted “our military potential
is growing.”

Oganian said his forces are not seeking a renewal of armed conflict.
“Nobody wants war, especially our soldiers because the first attack
would be on them,” he said.