Author: Emil Lazarian

RPA MEMBER HAS APPREHENSION THAT PARTIES’ COMPETITION CAN MOVE FROM POLITICAL TO POTATO FIELD
Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. It is several months a number of
provisions of law “On Parties” and of Electoral Code are violated
in Armenia, but the authorities in no way respond to this. Alexan
Karapetian, Secretary of NA National Unity faction, declared this
at the October 30 dispute at the Hayeli (Mirror) club. In his words,
some parties give out seeds to population in country’s regions, show
medical aid, organize shows and all this under the “party logo.” The
deputy said that no party has the right to do charity as it is charity
organizations that should do this. In A.Karapetian’s words, all this
is done with the sponsorship of the country’s President and by his
order. He gave assurance that no one can violate the law and remain
unpunished in the country unless he enjoys the President’s support. “If
such lawlessness is done now, what guarantee do we have that we will
not have the same during the elections,” A.Karapetian said. Samvel
Nikoyan, RPA faction member, another side participating in the dispute,
in his turn, said that he does not like the above mentioned phenomenon,
either. “I have an apprehension that the parties’ competition can move
from ideological-political field to the field of giving out potato or
sunflower seeds: this is unacceptable in the moral respect,” the deputy
declared. Asked, why then RPA does not undertake the needed steps,
S.Nikoyan said that he is only an MP and his only arms is speaking,
which he uses by expressing his own opinion.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGY PETROSYAN: EVALUATING THE RESULTS OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING PREMATURE
ArmRadio.am
30.10.2006 17:52
“Currently it is premature to evaluate the results of the October
24th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan
Vartan Oskanian and Elmar Mammadyarov. According to the results of
the meeting, the Ministers have arranged to hold another meeting on
November 14 in Brussels. At the same time I consider it necessary to
stress once again that bases should be created for achieving success
in agreeing upon the pivotal questions of conflict resolution. These
include an atmosphere of trust, refusal from application of force,
reinforcement of the regime of non-resumption of military actions,
talks in the full format,” said NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan
in response to the request of the electronic newspaper to present
his evaluation of the latest talks between the Foreign Ministers of
Armenia and Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IS FEHRIYE STILL IN BRUSSELS?
Sabah, Turkey
Oct 30 2006
The claim that the terrorist is hiding in the country after her escape
is being discussed. The minister of foreign affairs of Belgium who will
visit Turkey today has Fehriye Erdal and Armenian bill on his agenda.
The minister of foreign affairs of Belgium, Karel de Gucht is visiting
Turkey for official contacts today. The claim that the member of
DHKP-C terrorist organization Fehriye Erdal is still hiding in the
country after her escape is being discussed. The defendant of the
assassination of Sabancý, Fehriye Erdal had made her escape one day
before the Brugge Court resolved to sentence her with 4 year jail.
–Boundary_(ID_Gu6L+Hi3wxISKYFqDf4YIw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MODERN TURKEY HAS PLENTY OF WORK TO DO – BUT STILL SETS A WORTHY EXAMPLE
The Daily Star, Lebanon
Oct 30 2006
Eighty-three years after modern Turkey emerged from the ashes of the
Ottoman Empire, questions about the country’s identity continue to
divide its citizens and confuse both friend and foe alike. Buffeted
by external factors like the Cold War and internal ones like the
struggle to define democracy, the Turkish Republic has managed to
survive several periods of pronounced instability. The land envisioned
by the republic’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, is still very much
a work in progress, but the country continues to serve as a useful
crossroads between Europe and Asia, and its experiment continues to
blaze a trail for other countries in the region.
Shortly after Ataturk established the republic in 1923, he initiated a
series of wide-ranging reforms aimed at building a modern, democratic
secular nation-state from the ruins of what had been a quintessentially
Muslim empire. Today the debate over what it means to be modern,
democratic and secular is still raging. This year’s National Day
celebrations were marred by a renewed debate over the Islamic headscarf
and the need to balance secularism with the protection of individual
and religious freedoms. The hard-line head of Turkey’s powerful
military establishment, General Yasar Buyukanit, has warned that the
existing system faces “a serious threat by reactionary movements,”
which is code for parties whose political philosophies are determined
by, or rooted in, Islam. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling
Justice and Development Party fits the latter description, and the
military has forced elected government out of office in the very
recent past, so the general’s comments are not to be taken lightly.
Turkey’s experiences with striking a balance are particularly
instructive for those Arab countries undertaking their own transitions
to democracy. The Turkish example demonstrates that the road to
irreversible change will be a long one, and that even meaningful
progress will not guarantee instant approval from some world powers. It
also illustrates that nationalist instincts can allow the actions of
one era to hinder the ambitions of the next: Modern Turkey’s continuing
failure to come to grips with the Ottomans’ slaughter of Armenians,
for instance, remains a formidable barrier to better relations
with Europe and therefore a major impediment to improved economic
performance. And as Arabs know well, Turkey’s previous status as an
imperial power still clouds its relations with former subject peoples.
Despite these and other difficulties, today’s Turkey is an increasingly
important player on the regional and even the world stage. For it to
consolidate its growing influence, however, it would be helpful if
the balancing act could be replaced by a realization that in fact,
Islam and democracy are not incompatible at all: They just haven’t
spent much time together.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERGUEï PARADJANOV, HOMME ORCHESTRE DE L’ART
Le Figaro, France
30 octobre 2006
n De son vrai nom Sarkis Paradjanian, cet enfant d’Armeniens, ne a
Tbilissi, en Georgie, en 1924, n’est pas seulement le realisateur
de chefs-d’oeuvre du cinema comme Les Chevaux de feu, dans lequel
il transpose l’histoire de Romeo et Juliette dans une Ukraine de
legende, et La Couleur de la grenade, allegorie de la vie du poète
armenien Sayat-Nova, où le heros et le cineaste se confondent et
le jus rouge du fruit qui coule dessine, couleur de sang, la carte
de son pays martyrise. Cineaste qualifie de “plas ticien”, a cause
de la beaute de scènes qu’il compose comme des tableaux, cet enfant
terrible de l’Union sovietique, qui se retrouva deux fois en prison
pour homosexualite – en realite pour trafic d’objets d’art -, est
aujourd’hui devenu une icône de l’Armenie independante. Justement
a cause de ses demeles avec l’ancien regime. À Erevan, un musee a
ete installe dans la maison qu’il avait fait construire et qu’il
n’a jamais habitee. C’est le Parajdanov artiste qui y est presente,
collectionneur, auteur d’invraisemblables collages surrealistes dans
lesquels entrent photos de famille, poupees et marionnettes avec
lesquelles il preparait les scènes de ses films, et des balances,
symbole de l’impossible equilibre recherche par l’Homme.
Provocations, hommage a son heros, Pasolini, metamorphoses de
La Joconde a la Marcel Duchamp. Une grande partie de ces oeuvres
inclassables sera exposee, du 13 fevrier au 8 avril 2007 a l’Ecole
nationale superieure des beaux-arts de Paris, puis, du 20 avril au
24 juin, au Musee d’art moderne, La Terrasse, a Saint-Etienne.
–Boundary_(ID_+/j94+LmVZS8hkXGrra JWw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE ORGANIZES ARMENIAN OMBUDSMAN VISIT TO LITHUANIA
Panorama.am
13:35 30/10/06
The Armenian Ombudsman, Armen Harutyunyan, today wrapped up a five-day
visit to the Ombudsman institution of Lithuania’s Parliament (Seimas),
which was organized by the OSCE.
The visit aimed at strengthening the co-operation between the two
institutions. Mr Harutyunyan talked to his Lithuanian counterparts
about the investigation of individual human rights complaints, staff
selection, and public relations matters.
He also visited a penitentiary institution and met the Lithuanian
Minister of Justice Mr. Betras Baguska, the Deputy Speaker of Seimas
Mr. Ceflovas Jursenas and a representative of the Committee on
Human Rights.
“This trip was beneficial and very useful because it allowed us to
exchange our experience and approaches on the effective functioning
of Ombudsman institutions,” Mr Harutyunyan said.
Lars Gerold, Rule of Law expert with the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights, which together with the OSCE Office
in Yerevan organized Mr Harutyunyan’s visit, said:
“National human rights institutions play a key role in the protection
of human rights. The co-operation between these two Ombudsman
institutions is an excellent example of sharing experience and best
practices, which will no doubt benefit both.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HUSEYN BAGIROV: “CITES’S BAN ON STURGEON AND BLACK CAVIAR EXPORT HAS POLITICAL AIM AND NO LOSS FOR AZERBAIJAN”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2006
“The place where the Volga joins the Caspian constitutes 75-80%
of the Sea pollution”
APA interviews Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Huseyn Baghirov
– What activities will be implemented under Presidential decree on
improvement of ecological situation?
– The environment is that which is affected by any human activities
in industry, household and lands. A number of documents have been
approved for improvement of the situation. 5 national and state
programs were approved by Presidents- Heydar Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev.
The first problems appear in Absheron because of oil pollution.
Azerbaijan has been producing oil for over 160 years industrially.
90% of the world oil had been produced in Azerbaijan in primitive
methods. 15 000 hectares of land have been left completely polluted
with oil and 30 000 hectares partially. Besides oil, industrial
development also caused complex ecological situation in Absheron. The
Caspian now has a number of over-polluted hotspots. The most polluted
zone is the junction of the Volga with the Caspian which is 75-80%
of the totally polluted territories. The second over-polluted zone is
the Iranian shore. The third is junction of the Kyur with the Caspian
which comes through Armenia and Georgia. Mingechevir Reservoir is not
in capacity to completely prevent the pollution. The fourth zone is
Absheron peninsula.
All these problems are planned to be removed. Waste water let to the
Caspian will be completely prevented by 2010. Much of the oil-polluted
territories will be purified and special organization will be set up
to implement these activities.
– Ecology and natural Resources Ministry experience the pressure of
state Organizations and officials while fighting the damage to the
environment. What measures will be taken to prevent these cases?
– This problem doesn’t only apply to the state organizations. For
example, a shepherd damages the nature. 3-4 sheep should be grazed in
a hectare. But, it is not so in reality. Which shepherd observes this
rule? On the other hand, it should be engraved in the mind of every
enterprise that they can’t work with purification equipment. The
State can do nothing by chasing 8m people. The Ministry therefore
increases awareness.
– What amendments will be made to the law in order to be able to
prevent nature damage? Some articles will be included in the Criminal
Code, I think….
– Monetary penalties of 556m were imposed on the culprits a year by
2001. this Figure reached 33bn in 2005. Penalties of 55-60bn manats
were imposed but only 10% has to date been paid. Besides tightening
the punishment and penalties, people’s approach to the nature should
be changed. It should be known as a guilt or sin to damage the nature.
– International organizations, in particular foreign oil companies
operating in Azerbaijan also harm the nature. Most companies don’t
pay the penalties. What is your view?
– These companies use high-tech equipment but their approach to the
Nature is different. We demand them to approach the nature as they do
in their country. A lawsuit was brought against Salyan Oil for the
penalties of AZN 111 650 because of oil pollution. Garadagh Cement
has twice been brought to the court for penalties of AZN 64 503 and
AZN 69 850. Gobustan Operating Company was fined AZN 143 935, Caspian
Specialist Service AZN 1980. Karasu Operating Company was brought
to the court for AZN 96 162 and the company cleaned the polluted
territories. Shirvan Oil was fined AZN 55 and a claim of AZN 8531
against this company in trial.
– CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora) kept effective the ban on black caviar and
Caspian sturgeon. This ban is applicable for the Caspian States except
Iran. What is your view on the problem?
– CITES’s decision is illogical. US support for this ban is very
incredible. On the other side, what is the meaning of this decision
is not clear. It is not loss for Azerbaijan. We would understand the
decision if it had banned all littoral states to export black caviar
and sturgeon. This decision has political aims and no connection to
the damage to the nature.
– Azerbaijan has only 10% of the water reserves of the South
Caucasus. 2/3 of the world population will be faced water shortage
in 2025. What about Azerbaijan?
– Ecology and natural Resources Ministry submitted a number of
proposals to the Cabinet. We see water as strategic resource.
Azerbaijani population should be ready for re-purification of the
used water. World countries use this method. Israel uses this method
too. But, the purification technology should meet the standards
of the World Health Organization. 30-32% of Azerbaijan’s water
reserves is in rivers, of which 28% in the Kyur. Azerbaijan is not
expected to experience water shortage by 2050. But, we should use
water economically.
– Foreign Companies are tapping gold deposits in Azerbaijani lands
under occupation by Armenia. What measures will be taken?
– Armenia is an aggressor. It killed thousands, evicted millions of
people. Azerbaijan authorized Canadian R.V. Investment to tap the
gold deposits in these territories. This Company has to prevent the
illegal tapping of the gold deposits and bring them to international
court. Canadian First Dynasty Mines (FDM) company is tapping the
gold deposits illegally in these lands. R.V. Investment can solve
the problem in accordance with the law of their country.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COMSTAR BUYS 75 PCT OF ARMENIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUPS CALLNET, CORNET
Hemscott, UK
Oct 30 2006
LONDON (AFX) – Comstar United TeleSystems, which provides
telecommunication services in Russia and the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS), said it has bought 75 pct of CallNet and
its subsidiary Cornet in the Republic of Armenia.
‘This is the first transaction in a pipeline of new acquisitions which
we announced in October 2006 to make use of IPO proceeds in order to
implement our investment programme in the regions,’ said Eric Franke,
CEO of Comstar.
CallNet and Cornet together comprise the second largest alternative
telecommunications group in the Republic of Armenia. Cornet services
76 pct of the banking sector in Armenia.
Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Comstar has
an option to buy out the remaining shares in CallNet.
/item.do?newsId=37142877208879
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT DUE IN MOSCOW
RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
Oct 30 2006
RBC, 30.10.2006, Moscow 10:26:59.Armenia’s President Robert
Kocharian is expected in Russia for an official visit on October
30-31, 2006. In Moscow, President Kocharian will have talks with his
Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The two presidents are scheduled
to consider the most urgent cooperation issues and the performance of
top-level agreements with regards to enhancing the Russian-Armenian
interaction, specifically, in fuel and energy and transportation
spheres, as well as direct economic ties between various regions of
Russia and Armenia. The two heads of states will also share their
views concerning the intensification of interaction in the context
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Efforts for the
recovery in the Caucasus as well as for the fostering of confidence
and cooperation will also be in the focus.
As reported earlier, 2005 was the Year of Russia in Armenia, and the
year 2006 will be celebrated in Russia as the Year of Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TOBB CHAIRMAN HISARCýKLýOðLU: THE MOOD IN BUSINESS CIRCLES IS BAD
The New Anatolian, Turkey
EkoTurk News Agency / Artvin
Oct 30 2006
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Rifat
Hisarcýklýoðlu has said the mood in business circles is bad due to
latest economic developments.
Participating in a joint meeting of the provincial chamber in the
northeastern city of Artvin, Hisarcýklýoðlu assessed the economic
and political situation in Turkey.
The TOBB chairman reminded that protested bills rose by 47 pct in
the first half of the year over the last year’s same period, adding,
32 pct of business people think course of economic affairs will get
better while 30 pct think will get and that indicates “The mood in
business circles is bad”.
Stating that he never allowed his institution to become a backyard
or frontyard of any political party, Hisarcýklýoðlu said he was
as close to Erdoðan, the Premier, as Baykal, the leader of main
opposition party.
The chairman underlined that the TOBB was over domestic politics and
he was well aware of that.
TOBB chairman Hisarcýklýoðlu drew attention to the importance of
foreign policies, and said, ‘If you cannot manage your foreign
politics, then you shake your economy. The mistakes at this field
costs much. It is not enough to be rightful in the international
arena. We landed in Cyprus in 1974 for just reasons, but who faced
embargoes? We accepted Annan Plan in 2004 despite some negative
aspects, but no promises were kept anyway. In Armenian issue, we said
we would open our archives, but Armenians are getting what they want
across the world. The important thing is to tell your just position
to the world not to react or do something. We could not achieve that.
We cannot make lobbying and promotion.’ On the pure economic front,
Hisarcýklýoðlu said, ‘They say let’s cut imports. But, that would lead
for the worse. The only solution is to raise production. Turkey may
enter the top 10 most developed countries in 20 years. On the condition
that the state to free us from shackles in our feet. Sectoral and
regional incentives must be introduced in Turkey. Only 6 provinces
are pleased about the current practice. We believe we can achieve
everything. Turkey which made only $2 bln exports 20 years ago,
now make $80 bln exports. Moreover, we make 64 pct of our exports
to EU countries. This has been done with Turkish entrepreneurs and
industrialists. We can achieve more.
We demand from the state to free us from our shackles.’
–Boundary_(ID_K6gkOzDFOKBn7RnNpEyGlQ) —