Author: Emil Lazarian

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: ARMENIA STRIVES TO FORM A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Not having rich natural resources,
Armenia strives to ensure the sustainable development of its economy by
developing the human capital and forming a knowledge-based economy. The
Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated this in his speech at the
Bertelsmann Foundation in Berlin on November 16.
According to him, there is no field of the Armenian life that has
not undergone serious reforms since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
This process was made difficult by the war imposed on the country,
blockade, energy crisis, to which Armenia responded by accelerating
the changes and increasing the efficiency of governance.
The president said that diligence and enterprise are peculiar to
the Armenian people. Among the important goals of the government
are the creation of favorable conditions for businessmen and the
protection of investments. As a result, 85% of GDP is now formed in
the private sector, including 40% – by small and medium business. “We
are especially proud of this index. The middle class in the process
of formation. This seriously affects the society’s perception of its
future,” R. Kocharian said.
He underlined the necessity to improve tax and customs administration
and conduct the fight against corruption.
He also underlined the necessity to further develop financial services
in Armenia, for which good prerequisites have been created by the
efficient banking system. In this connection he expressed gratitude
to Germany for providing technical assistance to Armenia.
“While we see a serious growth in direct foreign investments in
Armenia, we know that we’ll have greater achievements in the near
future,” Robert Kocharian noted. He reminded that according to a joint
research by “Wall Street Journal” and the Zharangutyun Foundation
last year, Armenia was in 17th place among the open economies in the
world. In the last 6 years, the average annual growth of GDP has made
12.2%. Last year, foreign investments made 500 million USD.
The president attached importance to the Poverty Reduction Program
developed by the government, international financial organizations
and the civil society of Armenia. Armenia’s experience in this
field is used by the World Bank to develop similar programs in other
countries. Another program that may cause new system changes is the
program on development of the country’s rural regions, in which the
government tries to involve the Armenian Diaspora as well.
R. Kocharian said that one of the important achievements is that the
share of information technologies in Armenian GDP is now 2%. “At the
same time, we realize that it would be impossible to make use of this
advantage without making serious changes in science and education.
For this reason Armenia started its active participation in the Bologna
process,” he noted. In his words, a comprehensive strategy is now being
developed in order to make reforms in fundamental and applied sciences.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: NKR PEOPLE HAS PROVED ITS RIGHT FOR EXISTENCE
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
RA President Robert Kocharyan delivered a speech at the Bertelsmann –
the greatest and most influential political fund of Germany.
Speaking about the relations with neighboring countries, Robert
Kocharyan said, in particular: “We think that neighbor countries
should build their relations without any preconditions, without
associating these with the demands of a third country. Armenia
attaches great importance to regional cooperation. We think that the
settlement of conflicts itself should be conceived as a precondition
for establishment of cooperation.
Moreover, regional cooperation should be a tool for establishing an
atmosphere of trust targeted at the settlement of existing conflicts.
Tuning to the Karabakh issue, Ra President said in particular, “It is
obvious that the unsettled conflicts prevent the normal development
process of the South Caucasus. That is why we stand for the peaceful
resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are trying to bring our positions
closer. Unfortunately, despite active negotiations, there are no
bases for optimism.
Our position is that the people of Nagorno Karabakh has realized its
right for self-determination. Nagorno Karabakh has never been part of
independent Azerbaijan. Through effective state building the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic has proved its right for existence. It periodically
holds democratic parliamentary and presidential elections. We
observe the development of civil society. The contemporary generation
considers itself the embodiment and defender of this country. There
is no single circle of the nations that will easily drop the 15-year
independence. No one intends to do it in case of Karabakh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GALUST SAHAKYAN IS GOING TO DEMAND EXPLANATION FROM TIGRAN TOROSYAN
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
The leader of the Republican faction Galust Sahakyan stated November
17 that he has a draft electoral code providing for 76 parliament
seats under the proportional system and 55 under the majority system.
However, he will not circulate it because the leader of the Republican
Party Andranik Margaryan announced that there is political agreement
on the 90/41 correlation and it will not be broken.
Andranik Margaryan also announced that Tigran Torosyan’s decision to
cancel the voting to the law on expropriation was right. Meanwhile,
Galust Sahakyan announced that he would demand explanation from
Tigran Torosyan as soon as he returns to Armenia. In answer to our
question whether Andranik Margaryan’s statement would eliminate the
desire to demand explanation Galust Sahakyan said his statement and
the statement of the prime minister do not contradict. “We are not
going to fight with Tigran Torosyan. I wanted to say that it is wrong
to yield to the opposition.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DRAFT STRATEGY OF NATIONAL SECURITY WAS DISCUSSED AT THE ACADEMY
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
The Draft Strategy of National Security rounded up the defense minister
Serge Sargsyan and the Council of the National Academy of Sciences
at the round hall of the Academy on November 17, or Serge Sargsyan
rounded up the scientists and academicians for the draft strategy
of national security to discuss it. It fitted into the logic of the
ceremony of public debates on the process of adoption of this document.
The defense minister Serge Sargsyan opened the ceremony, saying that
like in the discussion at Yerevan State University, he again expects
serious debates and proposals on the improvement of the document. To
make the proposals definite, the defense minister conveyed the
importance of the document to the academicians. Perhaps the scientists
perceived it and in their speeches they highlighted its importance to
a degree that all of them spoke longer than 5 minutes provided for
by the bylaws. However, considering that their views and proposals
were invaluable, they can be forgiven for speaking long.
The content of their speeches made their long speeches feel like
a wink.
There were rather valuable thoughts in the speeches that counted over
a dozen. For instance, the scientists believed that the draft strategy
should include a provision on the even development of Yerevan and
the regions, because the present difference threatens the national
security. The academicians were dissatisfied that the document does
not dwell duly on Islam and East Asia among our external political
priorities. For instance, Vladimir Barkhudaryan offered to specify
how to battle corruption threatening the national security, and Azat
Yeghiazaryan mentioned that it is necessary to clarify the mechanism
of achieving social justice and specify the requirements that the
government should meet to deserve the trust of the population of
Armenia. Academician Alexander Manasyan stated that Armenia needs
doctrines of food, energy, cultural and information security.
After the speeches the minister of defense summed up the discussion
and invited the scientists, who are mostly retired, to present their
proposals in written form and promised if not to accept them fully, at
least to discuss them at the meeting of the task force on the Strategy
of National Security he heads. Serge Sargsyan also gave explanations
on some proposals of the scientists. Certainly, he did not speak
about corruption, the mechanisms of sustaining social justice and
establishing government-society confidence. Instead he logically
explained why the Strategy starts with Georgia. “If we ask someone
which of our neighbors we should start with, will it occur to anyone
to say Iran or Azerbaijan? Of course,Georgia, because they are our
closest neighbor, and we must begin with our closest neighbors and
express our attitude,” Serge Sargsyan says. He also mentions that
Iran and the countries of East Asia have not been ignored, in fact.
In answer to the observation about the priorities of the foreign
political problems in the document of strategy the minister of defense
stated that the Armenian government considers the physical security
of the small nation as core and primary in terms of security.
“China, Russia, the United States may not discuss such a problem,
whereas there are only three million people in our country. Average
armies can cross the territory of our country in a single day. This
is the reason. And the major threat for our physical existence is the
external threat. Therefore, I do not know if we did the right thing
or the wrong thing, at least we tried to draw up this document in
this way,” Serge Sargsyan says.
He also says that Armenia is not pro-American or pro-Russian, but
conducts a balanced foreign policy, which is based on the public
interest and is based on a complementary principle, so this principle
is stressed in the document.
“The goal of the foreign policy is to find and combine the interests
of the country and people, and if these interests contradict,
the foreign policy should have more than one pole. This is what we
meant,” the defense minister says. The meeting with the scientists
marks the end of the stage of public debates on the draft strategy of
national security. It included debates at Yerevan State University
and the National Academy of Science. On November 27 the National
Assembly will discuss the document and extend it to the president
of Armenia. If the president approves the document, it will be sent
to the government. Serge Sargsyan informed the scientists as well
that the Strategy will not be adopted as a law because the law is
for everyone, whereas the document is not.
“This is a strategy for the government, this is a political document,
and, in fact, it is going to become the only document which will
underlie the plans of our actions,” Serge Sargsyan says, adding that
the opposition or the NGOs do not have to establish their actions on
the Strategy of National Security.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STATE CRIME COMMITTED UNDER THE SLOGAN OF “BAD FAVORS”
Haik Aramyan
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
While NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan has left the country again to
raise money for Nagorno Karabakh from the Diaspora, his adviser Arman
Melikyan stated that everyone who does not believe Ghukasyan and is
skeptical about his statement that he will not run a third term is
mistaken. Melikyan assured that Ghukasyan honors principles and laws,
and if he said something, he knew what he was doing.
However, the adviser failed to explain why this statement of the
president was not respected by his aides who went on more energetically
to provide the necessary conditions for the president to run a third
term. He did not explain why on November 1 the parliament majority,
silently like in a crucial plot, under the keen surveillance of
Attorney General Armen Zalinyan and with the backstage direction of
Speaker Ashot Ghulyan, voted during a record short meeting for the
final draft of the NKR Constitution.
In addition, the final draft was kept secret for the “defiant” members
of parliament not to demand again clarifying the point which had
enabled the Attorney General to manipulate the possibility of Arkady
Ghukasyan to run a third term. In other words, people knew what they
are doing and they did everything to prevent anyone from foiling their
“cause”.
We will not speak about General Isagulov, the politician, because the
adviser did not have any official information about the initiative
of the latter. He did not have information but he knew who did “bad
favors” to the president. He also knows that there are more of them
than they thought. Perhaps, they have not had an opportunity yet to
do a favor.
An interesting picture is outlining which is not new, however. It
is not the first time in Armenia and Karabakh when high-ranking
officials condemn such things as corruption, electoral fraud, while
their “brothers-in-arms” are busy doing the contrary, proving to the
society that the word of the leaders is not a decree yet. And then
other brothers-in-arms appear who say it was not the boss, the boss was
good; these are the people who do not want it to be good for all of us.
So, now the “good boss” has perhaps advised his adviser from a far
away place to calm everyone who worry that in Ghukasyan’s absence
his team carries on the policy of “bad favors”. Perhaps the boss
worries in a far place that they will not raise any money with this
fuss going on. For they need the money, and it is not important that
the adviser has to lie to the public once again. The advisers can be
appointed to other positions, far from curious eyes.
This would be funny if this were not dangerous. It appears that
the practice of our leadership to plan and commit state crimes is
upgraded to the level of a state policy, which worries the Armenian
society. It appears that the cynicism of the high-ranking officials
goes beyond appropriateness. By condemning their own plans and denying
them publicly they have mastered the methods of forcing government
officials to implement their secret decrees. And those who somehow
appeared in government agencies and, therefore, are up for every task
away from the eye of the public to stay in their offices are found
everywhere. It is only necessary to guarantee protection from the
law and ascribe everything to “bad favors”.
However, the bosses and people fond of such actions should remember
how the wily old fox gots caught, and in this case no favor is be
helpful. Otherwise, these people are the first to shout “it wasn’t me”
and fall to the feet of the new bosses. Although, advice and fables
never teach anything here. Or they teach when it is too late.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. COCHAIRMAN SAYS MINSK GROUP TO WORK TO BRING PARTIES CLOSER TO PEACE
Armenpress
Nov 16 2006
BAKU, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: In an exclusive interview to Azerbaijani
news agency Trend, the U.S. cochairman in the OSCE Minsk Group,
Matthew Bryza, said he and two other co-chairs from France and Russia
will continue to work relentlessly to bring Armenia and Azerbaijan
closer to peace, regardless of the domestic political situation in
either country.
“We have pointed to upcoming elections in both Armenia and Azerbaijan
in 2007 and 2008 as one of the reasons why 2006 provides an ideal
window of opportunity for concluding a peace agreement between the
two countries,” Bryza was quoted by the agency as saying.
“There are, of course, many other reasons why embracing a peaceful
settlement of the conflict sooner rather than later is desirable,
starting with the positive impact such an agreement would have on
securing regional stability and promoting opportunities for economic
growth across the South Caucasus,” he added. The U.S. diplomat did not
rule out that the elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan might have an
impact on prospects for a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
“We hope that impact will be positive and that the population in both
countries will let their leaders and candidates for political office
know that efforts to move toward peace, stability, and prosperity
are welcomed by their publics,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AIR ARABIA LAUNCHES TWO WEEKLY FLIGHTS TO ARMENIAN CAPITAL CITY
Armenpress
Nov 16 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Air Arabia LLC, the first low-fares
airline in the Middle East and North Africa announced it will fly
direct from Sharjah to Yerevan-Armenia, which is one of the latest
additions to the Middle East carrier’s destinations portfolio.
Armenia is the second former Soviet republic, after Kazakhstan
the carrier will fly passengers to and from. It will operate two
weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Yerevan is the fifth
new destination announced by Air Arabia in the last few weeks and
promises to attract many travelers as it is only three hours away
from Sharjah airport.
Artiom Movsisian, chief of the Armenian Civil Aviation Department, said
the flights will become an extra boost to build on the existing ties.
‘Starting with a single flight to Bahrain in October 2003, Air Arabia
today flies to over 30 destinations across 20 countries, including
recent additions like Chennai and Thiruvanthapuram in India, Latakia
in Syria and Katmandu in Nepal carrying over two million passengers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

‘HUMAN RIGHTS AND MILITARY SERVICE: PROSPECT OF CONTRACT SERVICE IN ARMENIA’ ROUND TABLE HELD IN YEREVAN
AZG Armenian Daily
17/11/2006
“Human Rights and Military Service: Prospects of Contract Service in
Armenia” round table-discussion on this is currently being held in
Yerevan. The discussion is initiated by the OSCE Yerevan Office and a
non-governmental organization “Hakastver” (“Anti- shadow”). Various
officials of relevant state departments, including representatives
of the Defense Ministry, Prosecutor General’s Office, Court of
Appeal and some non- governmental organizations participate in the
discussion. Lieutenant Colonel Harutiun Mukhsi- Hoveyan, Head of
the Department of Personnel Management Integration of RA DM, touched
upon the current integration rules in the Armenian Army on a contract
basis. RA deputy Judge Advocate, Armen Haroutiunyan, has represented
the National Legislation clauses, which envisage punishments for the
crimes.The Head of OSCE Yerevan Office, Vladimir Pryakhin, welcomed
the event participants, as well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITALY AWARDS FILMMAKER KAREN SHAHNAZAROV
By Karine Danielian
AZG Armenian Daily
17/11/2006
Movies of Russian-Armenian filmmaker Karen Shahnazarov have been shown
in Rome, Piza and Carrara since October. During the 20 years of work
he shot 20 feature films but is mostly renowned for “We Are From Jazz”
musical, winner of a number of international awards.
As it transpired yesterday, Karen Shahnazarov was awarded Italy’s
Gastone Predieri award for his contribution to the art of filmmaking
and for developing Russian-Italian cultural relations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“DOES THE EXPRESSION “STATE NEEDS” COINCIDE WITH ELITE BUILDINGS?”
A1+
[03:48 pm] 16 November, 2006
Today the residents of alienated zones organised a rally of protest
and assembled opposite the RA government building. They shouted,
“Go away, thieves!”
“Shame on you, prime minister!” “We demand resignation from the post,”
etc. The veterans of the Artsakh war also joined them.
This time the rally participants displayed civil disobedience against
the adoption of the draft bill on “Alienation of Property for State
and Public Needs.”
None of the government representatives received the strikers. The
residents become indignant at the fact that they were neglected
by the authorities. “They ignore us and our demands. If we live in
a democratic country, they ought to respect our rights. This is an
apparent violation of the citizens’ rights”, claims Sonya Barseghyan,
one of the residents.
The strikers continued to shout and warn that the “illegal law”
refers to each citizen of the Republic of Armenia. They claimed that
they had been paid lower than the current prices at the market.
By the way, the strikers are going to organise the next rally of
protest opposite the President’s residence. They will call on Robert
Kocharyan to negotiate with them tete-a-tete.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress