Author: Chatinian Lara

OSCE proposals basis for future talks – Armenian foreign minister

Arminfo
14 Jul 06

Yerevan, 14 July: The disclosure of the main principles by the
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group was no surprise for the Armenian
side, Armenian Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan said during a news conference at the Mirror
Discussion Club today.

"Of course, we had information that the co-chairmen were discussing the
issue of disclosing the contents of the meeting in Vienna, however, no
information was given to us until recently," the foreign minister said,
recalling that the interview of the US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk
Group, Matthew Bryza, followed the statement made by the co-chairmen.

"I consider that all this is good for us to start healthy discussions
in our society," the minister pointed out. As for different and
frequent critical opinions about these principals, the minister said
that he treats them calmly. The minister said that he considered
as natural the existence of different opinions and people and forces
that are against the "principles".

However, he noted that at the moment, he does not intend to persuade
anyone, especially the people, about the need to accept provisions
of the document. "In fact, the Azerbaijani side has not accepted
them yet. If this document was a completely ideal for us, I would
start persuading people regardless of whether Azerbaijan has accepted
it or not. But this is a document of compromises on which we have
already expressed our position. We consider that these principles
are comprehensive, well-thought out and have a correct combination
of mutual compromises. They can serve as a basis for us in future
negotiations. But the document is not perfect. So why should we
persuade our people? This is not that stage. We will enter that stage
when there is an agreement between two or three sides," the Armenian
foreign minister said.

[Passage omitted: Oskanyan commented the visit to the region by the
US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza]

Lost in a warzone

Daily Telegraph, Australia
July 15 2006

By Lillian Saleh

UP to 25,000 Australians are stranded in Lebanon as Israeli jets strafe
the streets in a nation virtually cut off from the outside world.

With the Australian Embassy in Beirut shut, they are being forced to
fend for themselves.

The battle between Israel and terror group Hezbollah has turned a
traditional annual pilgrimage for thousands of Australian-Lebanese
into a living nightmare.

Among those trapped were 70 teenagers from the Armenian Sydney Dance
Company and their 10 chaperones.

The troupe was only stopping in Lebanon for two days after returning
from a dance competition in Armenia.

As bombs rained down on the Lebanese capital, the dancers — average
age 17 — have been told to stay in their rooms at the White Tower
Hotel.

Half a world away, frantic parents are desperately trying to reach
their children to ascertain their well-being.

Dance company president Reg Kolokossin’s two sons, Peter, 16, and
Garbis, 18, are among those trapped in their besieged Beirut hotel.

"Some parents here are comforted by the fact their children are
telling them they are okay, but we are worried about the long term
affects and how long they are going to be stuck there," Mr Kolokossin,
whose three nieces are also stranded, said.

"None of us here have been getting any sleep. We are overcome
with worry.

"We are hearing the American President talking about bringing in
ships and helicopters to get their citizens out.

"We want to hear what our Government is going to do and how quickly
they’re going to do it to bring our children home."

Australian Muslim Doctors Against Violence president Dr Jamal Rifi
fears for the safety of his sister Rajja Rifi, her husband Azam
Allouche and their three sons Hilal, 12, Adam, 15 and Ahmed, 17.

"My sister hasn’t been back to Lebanon since she moved here 20
years ago — she has spent the past six years planning this trip,"
Dr Rifi told The Saturday Daily Telegraph.

He spent several hours yesterday trying to contact his sister via
telephone.

"We just can’t get through. The other night we tried for four hours
but the lines are constantly congested," he said.

Dr Rifi said his sister and her family were seeking refuge in northern
Lebanon while plans were being arranged to get them out via Syria
or Jordan.

"The problem with that is that the Australian Embassy is closed and
they cannot get visas," he said.

He said, with major highways in the country closed, any plans to
escape via the road network would be fraught with danger.

In Sydney, Arabic-speaking Australians with relatives stranded in
Lebanon are inundating Arabic commercial radio station 2ME with their
fears for loved ones.

Station general manager John Martin told The Saturday Daily Telegraph
the network’s 16 phone lines had been in "meltdown" since the crisis
in Lebanon escalated.

He said listeners were desperate to know why the decision was made
to close the Australian Embassy — effectively stranding thousands
of Australians enjoying the northern summer.

He said callers had put aside religious differences to express their
fears for their motherland and relatives caught up in the bloody
violence.

"We have 16 phone lines and every one of them has been in complete
meltdown all day," Mr Martin said.

"People are validly worried for their relatives."

For announcer Anis Ghanem, that fear is close to home, with his wife
Jacqueline stranded in eastern Beirut.

"She went over late last month to visit her sick mother and was due
back in two weeks," a worried Mr Ghanem said.

"I have been trying to get through to her for the past two days
but because others are also trying to check on relatives, the lines
are congested."

GUNSHOTS BECOME REGULAR IN YEREVAN

Panorama.am
22:57 14/07/06

It seems that you will not surprise anyone with outrageous criminal
acts committed in broad daylight in Yerevan. The impression is that the
law enforcement bodies have gone on vacation to plant trees, fish or
get acquainted with the menu of some newly opened restaurant while the
criminals have got card blanche. So, they open fire here and there.

Another gunshot is reported at Malatia Sebastia community on July 13
at about 7.20 p.m. General prosecutor’s sources say "unknown people
have opened gunfire with an intention to kill on Armen Novikov who
was driving Vaz -21101 type care with US 461 state numbers. Novikov
was kidnapped after serious wounds.

He was taken to Armenia medical center by unknown people later that
day at about 8.30 p.m. where he underwent operation. A criminal case
is instituted into the incident. Witnesses say the criminals introduced
themselves as national security service and asked not to interfere.

The investigation services have discovered the identity of one of the
criminals being Yerevan resident L. Ghazaryan. He is now under search.

So, arm yourself with patience! The most important thing – do not
go out of your houses, do not go to shops, do not stand at the bus
stops, even do not look out of windows. Is there any guarantee that
you will not fall victim of a "blind shot" opened in gunfire between
two criminal groups? No guarantee!/Panorama.am/

DAVIT HARUTUNYAN SAYS HIS STATEMENTS MAY CHANGE

Panorama.am
18:02 13/07/06

Justice minister Davit Harutunyan told a briefing that his statement
on possible promotion of his candidacy during presidential elections
may change. "I do not exclude anything. Everything will depend on
specific circumstances," he said.

The justice minister also said that he will determine which political
force to join only after they make their practical steps to reach their
objectives more clear. "Most probably that will take place during
hot political campaign by the end of this year or early next year,"
he said. According to the minister, the priorities of the political
parties are not well defined by now.

He also said, however, he is actively involved in politics and has
proposed a number of amendments to laws./Panorama.am/

RA MILITARY PROSECUTOR PAYS A COGNITIVE VISIT TO NKR

STEPANAKERT, JULY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. On July 12, Arkadi Ghukasian,
President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic received Armen Khachatrian,
RA Military Prosecutor who was on a cognitive visit to NKR.

During the meeting the interlocuters discussed a number of issues
concerning the cooperation between the two Republics in the sphere
of struggle against the crimes committed among the conscripts and
by the conscripts. NKR Defence Minister Lieutenant-general Seyran
Ohanian also took part in the meeting.

NA to start working on the draft of the "Amendments to the Electoral Code"

ArmRadio.am
14.07.2006 11:26

The task force comprised of representatives of National Assembly groups
and factions will start working on the draft of the "Ammendments to
the Electoral Code."

The arrangement on starting the work waas reached three days ago,
after the consultations at NA Chairman’s.

Armenian Christian Democrats: Armenia has a chance to get control of
Nagorno Karabakh negotiation process

Regnum, Russia
July 11 2006

Resuming military action in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone will
throw the regional development a decade back, Head of the Christian
Democratic Union of Armenia Khosrov Arutyunyan said at a press
conference in Pastark club. He said the co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
group on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement realize this perfectly
well, which is why they will not quit the negotiation process.

Khosrov Arutyunyan also said that the co-Chairs in their last
statement were sincere in stating that they were interested
in the peaceful conflict settlement by way of Nagorno Karabakh
people self-determination and in that they ran out of ideas on the
conflict settlement proposals, and that the responsibility of holding
negotiations lays on the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"Rambouillet and Bucharest proposals on the conflict settlement were
rejected by the Azerbaijani side. Today, Armenia has a chance to get
control of the negotiation process," the CDU leader maintained. He also
asserted that Nagorno Karabakh de facto participates in the negotiation
process. "Co-Chairs visit Stepanakert, verbally coordinate particular
issues, so Nagorno Karabakh is a part in the negotiation process,"
the Armenian CDU head concluded.

OSCE OFFICE ORGANIZES TRAINING ON ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING IN ARMENIA

Armenpress

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS: A four-day training course for personnel
of the Armenian Justice Ministry’s division for the execution of
alternative punishment began on July 10 with the support of the OSCE
Office in Yerevan and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights.

"The introduction and implementation of alternative sentencing
options is a serious step towards building a humanitarian system of
penal sanctions," said Silvia Pogolsa, human rights officer at the
OSCE Office.

"This course is an essential part of the criminal justice reform,
and will help provide basic knowledge and the skills to implement
alternative punishment."

Some 70 Justice Ministry staff, judges and prosecutors will discuss the
existing national legislation, alternative sanctions, the supervision
of conditional sentences, as well as international standards and best
practices. Rait Kuuse, Head of the Probation Division of the Estonian
Justice Ministry, will share his country’s experience in the field.

Increased awareness-raising and capacity building among justice
administration personnel was one of the recommendations of the
assessment on alternative sentencing in Armenia, supported and
implemented by the OSCE Office in 2005.

The division for the execution of alternative punishment under the
Justice Ministry was established in 2005, following the adoption of the
new criminal code which introduces an "alternative" sentencing option.

The organizers will prepare a report on key areas for improvement,
based on discussions at the training course and recommendations from
participants and experts.

An Armenian national among crashed A-310 passengers

ArmRadio.am
10.07.2006 15:30

Russian citizen Karen Andreasyan was among the passengers of
the A-310 plane that crashed Sunday at Irkutsk airport, "Arminfo"
correspondent was told at the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. Nothing is known about the place of Andreasyan’s residence
and age. There is no information whether he is alive or not.

To remind, a Sibir Airlines passenger jet with 200 people on board
veered off the runway early Sunday while landing at Irkutsk airport
in eastern Siberia, crashed into a concrete barrier and burst into
flames, killing at least 122 people, 50 people survived.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT WINDS UP TEHRAN VISIT

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
July 6 2006

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan wound up his two-day visit to
Tehran and left here for Yerevan Thursday noon.

The Armenian president was officially seen off by his Iranian
counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, at the Presidential Office Wednesday
night.

Kocharyan, heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation,
arrived here Wednesday morning for an official visit.

His entourage includes Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Minister of
Energy Armen Movsisyan and Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Kirakosian.

The Armenian president, during his stay here, held separate meetings
with President Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest as well as regional
and international developments.

Seven letters of understanding on bilateral cooperation in the field
of energy as well as in economic and industrial infrastructures
and on legal and cultural heritages were inked by the Iranian and
Armenian officials.

Kocharyan, during his meeting with President Ahmadinejad, invited his
Iranian counterpart to visit Yerevan to inaugurate joint projects of
the two countries.

He also voiced his country’s willingness to promote bilateral ties
with Tehran in the areas of energy and transportation, particular a
rail link for the two countries.