Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

HRACHIK SARGSIAN ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF RA UNION OF JUDGES
Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Chairman of first instance court of
Armavir region Hrachik Sargsian was reelected Chairman of RA Union
of Judges at the Union’s general meeting. Davit Avetisian, judge
of RA Cassation Court’s Chamber on Criminal and Military Cases, and
Varuzhan Abelian, judge of Cassation Court’s Chamber on Economic and
Civil Cases, were elected Union’s Vice-Chairmen.
9 members of Union Council and 3 members of Control Commission were
also elected. On March 18, the general meeting estimated the work
done by RA Union of Judges in 2004-2006 as good. The general meeting
formed a working group that is to study RA bill “RA Judicial Code”
and submit a conclusion. It was mentioned at the meeting that RA
Union of Judges became a full member of the International Union of
Judges in 2005 November in Montevideo. Among CIS countries Moldova,
Georgia, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan are members of the latter.

TURKISH WORKERS’ PARTY MEMBERS PROTEST AGAINST GERMANY IN ISTANBUL
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
20 Mar 06
Istanbul, 20 March: A group of members of the Workers’ Party (IP)
held a protest in front of the German Consulate General on Monday
[20 March].
They accused Germany of rejecting to issue visas for 200 Turkish
intellectuals who wanted to attend the rally organized by the ‘Talat
Pasha Movement’ in Berlin on Saturday to protest German parliament’s
recent decision on the so-called Armenian genocide.
They chanted slogans against the German government and German
Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The demonstration ended peacefully.

FIVE OPTIONS TO DIVIDE THE JERUSALEM CAKE
By Nadav Shragai
Daily Star – Lebanon
March 20 2006
Some Israeli political parties have openly discussed the transfer of
Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority.
But when it comes to the Old City and the Temple Mount, there is
still reticence to challenge public conventions regarding what all
agree are the most emotionally charged places in the world.
Nevertheless, Ruth Lapidoth is heading a team of experts under
the auspices of the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (JIIS),
to suggest options for a settlement of this holy and disputed area
known as the “historic basin of Jerusalem” – the Old City and its
adjacent territories.
Lapidoth and her team are not the first to offer solutions for the
Old City and Jerusalem. On various occasions, concerned parties have
floated the idea of expropriating all political sovereignty from
Jerusalem within the walls, seeing it as a holy place belonging
to no one, to be governed by a joint council of Jews, Muslims and
Christians. However, the current JIIS report abandons, to a large
extent, the idea of areas devoid of sovereignty. In the majority of
its options it proposes a return to old-style partition. The five
options were recently presented to acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
and the chairman of the Likud and Labor parties.
The first option proposes full sovereignty and control of the basin
by Israel, while granting some autonomy to Palestinian residents,
and perhaps also determining a special status for Christian and
Muslim holy places. The proposal essentially institutionalizes the
existing situation, as Muslims and Christians currently operate their
institutions autonomously. This option also proposes the possibility of
granting international immunity to the holy places or to the clergymen
serving in them.
The second option is the exact opposite: Full sovereignty and control
by the Palestinians throughout the basin, with autonomy for the Jewish
residents (for instance in the Jewish Quarter) and special status
for Jewish holy places. This option would perhaps be acceptable to
the vast majority of Palestinians, but one may safely assume that
Israel would reject it out of hand, just as the Palestinians would
reject the first option.
The third option proposes a territorial division between the sides,
with international supervision. In this option, following an agreement
on boundaries, each side is sovereign and the source of authority in
the territory allocated to it. The territorial division of the basin
between Israel and Palestinians could be implemented on the basis of
a wide variety of alternate borderlines, which the team lays out in
five sub-options:
First, the Jewish and Armenian Quarters under Israeli sovereignty,
the Muslim and Christian Quarters under Palestinian sovereignty,
and the Temple Mount included under Israeli sovereignty.
Second, the Jewish and Armenian quarters included under Israeli
sovereignty, the Muslim and Christian quarters under Palestinian
sovereignty and the Temple Mount under Palestinian sovereignty.
Third, the Jewish Quarter under Israeli sovereignty and the other
three quarters and the Temple Mount under Palestinian sovereignty.
Fourth, the Jewish, Armenian and Christian quarters, and the Temple
Mount, under Israeli sovereignty, and the Muslim Quarter under
Palestinian sovereignty.
Fifth, each of the above options, with territorial division of the
Temple Mount between Israel and the Palestinians.
The issues raised by this third option are complex, and some seem
irresolvable at first glance: for example, the request for freedom
of Jewish ritual on the Temple Mount, the issue of supervision
of construction, human rights, preservation of antiquities,
border-crossing conditions, restrictions on security matters, the scope
of judicial and criminal jurisdiction of each side over citizens from
the other side who enter territory under their control.
On the basis of this option, the two sides would grant surveillance
and oversight authorities to an international body. This body, which
would function as an “observer,” would have to examine whether the
sides carried out the directives of the arrangement.
A fourth option proposes joint management, and a division of authority
between the two sides with international backing. The Old City basin
would operate as a single unit, and the sides would share the majority
of administrative and policing authorities in the basin.
The international body would be responsible for authority in areas
in which the joint operation would, for whatever reason, fail. The
agreement could determine a period of time upon the conclusion of
which the international body would have to restore to the different
sides those authorities that it assumed.
In the fifth option, similar to the fourth, the historic basin would
“usually” be administered as a single unit, although this would be
carried out by the international body itself, and not by the parties.
Nevertheless, it is possible that relatively small areas, primarily
those holy places on which there is no dispute, would be divided
among the sides on a territorial basis. According to this plan,
which would essentially mean internationalization of the holy basin,
the international body would retain not only supervision and oversight
authorities; it would also be responsible for administering the holy
basin, and would constitute its source of authority and control.
One of the more interesting questions is who would operate
the international body? Here, again, the team lays out several
sub-options: an international organization such as the United Nations;
a multinational organization that would be established especially
for the purposes of this task; or a country such as the United States
or Switzerland.
The permanent settlement team of the JIIS did not expressly recommend
any of these options, but it does favor some sort of international
involvement in administration of the Old City, mainly in the areas
of security and preservation and supervision of the holy places. The
bottom line of the new report states: “It is especially complicated
to plan and put into place a special regime for the historic basin,
but it may be assumed that there is no other solution that could gain
the agreement of the two sides and of the international community.”
Nadav Shragai is a correspondent for Haaretz. THE DAILY STAR publishes
this commentary in collaboration with the Common Ground News Service.

NEW MAGAZINE LUNCHED
Yerkir/am
March 17, 2006
The launch of the new magazine in the beginning of this year with a
little unusual name Narcissus would have gone unnoticed among the many
new publications if it wasn’t for its claim to present the literary
map and its interesting contents as well as its unique structure.
It also unites the traditional arts with the new names in the
literature.
>>From the very first issues of the magazine it is noticeable that
the magazine contains everything said above.
Thanks to the initiator of the magazine is Sona Van, the
editor-in-chief Vahan Vardanian and the editorial board, the magazine
is the type that will interest the readers. The idea was born outside
the country, in Los Angeles, where two individuals, Sona Van and Nubar
Janoyan, were ready to travel to the Homeland to add something new
to the number of existing initiatives. The prominent poet and doctor
did something that was needed and timely.

European Court upholds Latvia’s Right to ban former communists from elections
Diena, Riga
17 Mar 06
[Report by Sanita Jemberga: “Total Victory for Latvia in Human
Rights Court”]
With 13 in favour and four against, the European Court of Human Rights
[ECHR] overruled the previous judgment and decided that Latvia did
not violate the rights of former Interfronte activist and current MEP
[Member of the European Parliament] Tatjana Zdanoka. The state had
the right to ban former communists from competing in elections.
However, the Strasbourg court points out that these restrictions cannot
be maintained indefinitely and should be reviewed because Latvia,
as a European country, is a stronger entity than it was immediately
after it regained its independence.
By assessing the historical and legal context of the ban, the
ECHR has for the first time clearly stated its opinion on Latvia’s
occupation. The ECHR notes that restrictions that would have been
unacceptable in a democratic country with well-established democratic
institutions are tolerable in the case of Latvia, considering the
threat of the return of totalitarianism. The court points out that
Latvia, the Baltic states, and other countries in Eastern Europe lost
their independence as a result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, “which
contradicted the generally accepted principles of international law.”
The case summary mentions that in 1940, after issuing an ultimatum,
the Soviet Army invaded Latvia. Later, “the annexation of Latvia was
completed, and the country became part of the USSR.” This statement
clashes with the idea supported by Russia, namely, that the Baltic
states joined the union voluntarily and were not occupied.
Consequently, Zdanoka has lost her battle both ideologically and
legally, because the ECHR has not recognized her right to be freely
elected. Unlike in the previous ruling, Latvia will not be obliged
to compensate her. Diena could not contact the MEP because her cell
phone was switched off.
The judges took into account the opinion of the Latvian representative
at the ECHR and the view of Egils Levits, former judge at the
ECHR, which they expressed after the ruling of the Court of First
Instance. The first ruling was favourable to Zdanoka. The ECHR
has acknowledged that the ban in question did not target specific
individuals. The ban concerned people who had remained active members
of the Communist Party after 13 January 1991, and it prohibited them
from competing in elections. The ban was designed to strengthen the
people’s trust in the new regime. Those who had connections with
the party, which was considered a threat to the new democracy, were
excluded from power. Zdanoka did not distance herself from the party,
which could have lessened doubts about her attitude.
Four judges – from Greece, Slovenia, Armenia, and Bosnia had a
different opinion. There were also three judges, including the
president of the ECHR, who had specific views about certain aspects
of the case.
Zdanoka complained to the ECHR about the ban, which prevents her from
competing in local and parliamentary elections. She could participate
in the European Parliament elections – former communists are free
to take part. The first verdict, which was favourable to Zdanoka,
was appealed by the Latvian state. Latvia believed that the court
had not taken into account the complicated historical circumstances.

FIFTY HOUSE MEMBERS CALL ON FOREIGN AID APPROPRIATORS TO MAINTAIN
MILITARY AID PARITY TO ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
WASHINGTON, MARCH 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Congressmen
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George Radanovich (R-CA) were joined by
forty-eight of their House colleagues in urging the leadership of
the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support pro-Armenian
provisions in the fiscal year 2007 foreign aid bill, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Members of Congress cosigned on March 16 a letter, addressed to the
panel’s Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey
(D-NY), which would strengthen the hand of pro-Armenian members
of the Subcommittee, most notably Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe
Knollenberg, Steve Rothman (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and John Sweeney
(R-NY). Rep. Sweeney, who joined the panel last year, is one of only
two Members of Congress of Armenian heritage.
The letter notes that members of Congress are “deeply troubled”
that the Administration’s request for military aid for Azerbaijan
is considerably higher then the request for Armenia. By signing the
letter, legislators will add their voice to the effort to ensure that
the agreement struck in 2001 between the White House and Congress to
keep aid levels to these two countries equal is fully respected. In
addition, the letter calls for a hard earmark of at least million
for Armenia, a one-year million allocation for Nagorno Karabagh,
and the preservation of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.
Members of Congress joining Representatives Pallone and Radanovich
in cosigning the letter included: Reps. Tom Allen (D-ME), Robert
Andrews (D-NJ), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Michael
Bilirakis (R-FL), Eric Cantor (R-VA), Lois Capps (D-CA), Dennis Cardoza
(D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Joseph Crowley (D-NY),
William Delahunt (D-MA), David Dreier (R- CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA),
Mike Ferguson (R-NJ), Barney Frank (D- MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Rush
Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Dale Kildee (D-MI), James Langevin
(D-RI), Sander Levin (D-MI), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Stephen Lynch
(D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D- NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Doris Matsui
(D-CA), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), James McGovern (D-MA), John McHugh
(R-NY), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Grace Napolitano
(D-CA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Bobby Rush (D-IL),
H. James Saxton (R-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI),
Christopher Shays (R-CT), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rob Simmons (R-CT),
Mark Souder (R- IN), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Diane Watson (D-CA),
Henry Waxman (D- CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).
Representatives Knollenberg, Pallone, and Rothman also submitted
individual letters citing their foreign aid priorities for Armenia
and Nagorno Karabagh, among other countries.
The House Foreign Operations panel is set to review the FY2007 foreign
aid bill, which will then be considered by the full Appropriations
Committee and then the full U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate
will finalize its own version, which will be reconciled with the
House bill by a conference committee.

RESULTS OF COMPETITION HELD AMONG ANALYSTS AND EXPERTS SUMMED UP
YEREVAN, MARCH 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The “Caucasus Institute for Democracy”
development program summed up on March 16 results of a competition
announced among experts and analysts 2 months ago. According to them,
among the more than 30 presented works, Vahagn Aglian was honoured with
the first prize, 300 thousand drams and diploma for the work dedicated
to development of relations of Russia and the South Caucasus. Prizes
of 200 thousand drams and dimplomas were awarded to Artak Shakarian
for the work concerning the process of Turkey’s membership to the
European Union, and Haroutiun Khachatrian, Noyan Tapan agency expert,
for the work “Armenia: Economy Growth Potential of Coming Years.”
Sergey Shakariants for the work “Kosovo and Artsakh,” Hayk Demoyan and
Sergey Minasian correspondingly for the works “Islamic Mercenaries
in Karabakh War” and “Military-Technical Aspects of Regional Safety
and Problems of Control towards Armament in South Caucasus,” were
awarded the third prize of 150 thousand drams each and dimplomas.
Others of other 3 works were awarded encouriging prizes of 50 thousand
drams each: Hrant Ter-Abrahamian and Levon Ghazarian for the works
concerning problems relating to Iran, and Arshak Ohanian for the
analysis of the U.S., NATO and Russia relations and policy with the
South Caucasus.
While summing up the competition results, Gagik Ter-Haroutiunian, the
head of the jury, the Director of the “Noravank” scientific-educational
center, attached serious importance to the issue that analytical
society is formed in Armenia the evidence of what is that the
considerable part of more than 30 works are analytical works of
a rather high quality. Estimating the works, the jury took into
account the authors’ independence and the general quality of the
works. The organizers also mentioned that the competition will become
a traditional one.

ALL-ARMENIAN CONFERENCE OF DIASPORAN ORGANIZATION TO BE HELD IN
WASHINGTON ON MARCH 26-28, 2006
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 16 2006
YEREVAN, March 16. /ARKA/. An all-Armenian conference of diasporan
organizations is to be held in Washington, D.C., on March 26-28,
2006. The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) reports that among the
participants in the conference will be RA Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
countries Daniel Fried, as well as representatives of the US Red Cross,
Peace Corps and Habitat for Humanity.
During the conference, the member of the US Senate Paul Sarbanes
will receive an award for public services and commitment to the
Armenian Cause.
Over 20 organizations, including “Armenia 2020”, Armenian Network of
America, Armenian High Tech Council of America, Armenian Student’s
Association of America, will take part in the conference. P.T. -0–

CE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS APPROVES 2006-2007 ACTIONS PLAN OF COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND CE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 15 2006
STRASBOURG, MARCH 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On March 15, the
Council of Europe (CE) Committee of Ministers approved the 2006-2007
Actions Plan of cooperation between Armenia and the Council of Europe.
After adopting the Actions Plan made up through close cooperation
with the Armenian authorities Ambassador Christian Ter-Stepanian,
Resident Representative of Armenia to Council of Europe, mentioned
that the progress of fulfilment of its obligations by Armenia five
years after joining the Council of Europe was taken into consideration
in the Actions Plan.
He was pleased to inform that the Actions Plan took into consideration
the prospect that opened by reforming the Constitution – for
strengthening the human rights system, judicial power’s independence
and democratic institutions’ activity, in particular, through
development of the civil society, political parties and local
democracy.
He reminded that this program really becomes very useful at the moment
when the Armenian government approved the schedule of the legislative
reforms conditioned by the constitutional amendments adopted by the
2005 November referendum.
“We realize that this cooperation will help Armenia to bring its
legislation and practice in correspondence with European norms and
standards and will enable to accompany the reforms policy, which is
necessary for deepening Armenia’s process of European integration,”
the Ambassador declared.

THE PEOPLE POLLUTING THE STREETS WILL BE FINED
A1+
07:11 pm 14 March, 2006
The street flowerpots of Sisian have turned into garbage bins because
of snow melts. One can see the remains of cigarettes and sunflower,
waste in polyethylene bags everywhere-in the parks, streets,
gardens. The dwelling places and cellars are more polluted than the
rest of the city.
This garbage then spreads easily with the help of cats and dogs. The
director of Sisian’s Cleaning Company ltd Slavik Alaverdyan says
that the garbage cleaning is realized by a schedule; the rubbish
cleaner does its work 3 times a day in each district. According
to S. Alaverdyan 33 rubbish bins will be placed in the nearest
future. It will cost 47000 dollars. Besides, the company will
acquire a new garbage cleaner. There will be another innovation in
Sisian; the Company will take photos of the people who throw their
waste into the street. The photos of these people will be stuck in
visible places for the media .The polluters will be fined from 5000
to 50000drams.
Sisian’s “Sosi” TV channel