Author: Emil Lazarian

Agence France Presse — English
October 27, 2006 Friday 4:44 PM GMT
Varujan Vosganian: a liberal economist and target of embarrassing claims
BUCHAREST, Oct 27 2006
Liberal senator Varujan Vosganian, a noted economist nominated as
Romania’s first European commissioner, has become the target of
accusations linking him to the far-right and the Communist-era secret
services.
Friendly and well-read, the balding 48-year-old Vosganian, who
graduated from the Economic Institute and Faculty of Mathematics and
is the author of several volumes on economics and poetry, always
backed Romania’s entry into the European Union.
Vosganian, who hails from the Armenian minority and speaks fluent
English and French, had until now been spared by the press, which
usually thrives on “incendiary” revelations about Romanian
politicians.
But his nomination for the post of European commissioner has
generated a wave of attacks against him, ranging from close ties with
the far-right to collaboration with the Communist-era secret police,
the Securitate.
A Bucharest daily said Friday the senator was a member of Rost, a
movement that promotes “Christian and national values,” much like the
far-right and anti-Semitic Iron Guard did in the 1930s.
But speaking with AFP, Rost president Caludiu Tarziu denied any link
to far-right extremists, saying the organisation favoured “classic
conservatism.”
The media also accused the senator of ties with a scandal-hit
businessman, Sorin Ovidiu Vantu. Vosganian has admitted his small
right-wing party received funds from Vantu in the 1990s but said
there was “nothing illegal,” as all the money was declared to the
state audit court.
On Friday, comments by a former Securitate official were published,
saying Vosganian had been recruited by counter-intelligence while he
worked at a brewery.
“It is absurd to think an accountant who never left Romania before
1990 was recruited by a foreign intelligence service,” the senator
said, adding “I never had any link with the Securitate.”
Several politicians, led by liberal Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu,
defended Vosganian, saying he was the victim of a smear campaign
orchestrated by his political opponents or the secret service.
Calling the allegations “speculations” and “affabulation,” Tariceanu
urged President Traian Basescu to “support this candidature” for the
post of European commissioner.
Vosganian’s nomination had been the subject of tense negotiations
between Tariceanu and Basescu, who have been at odds for months.
Sources close to the two men have said the president only agreed to
the nomination in exchange for Defence Minister Teodor Atanasiu’s
resignation following a row over the issue of Romanian troops in
Iraq.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Democrats expected to win in US Congressional elections

ArmRadio.am
27.10.2006 16:57
`If Democrats win in the upcoming Senate and House elections, then
most probably, Nancy Pelosi, known for her pro-Armenian position ever
since 1986, will be elected Chairman of the Senate of 110th
convocation.’ Press Secretary of the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) told `Armenpress.’ She added that in case of victory of
the Republicans Denis Hustert, who has been constantly blocking the
vote on the Armenian Genocide, may keep his office.
Chuljian added that preference is not given to the Democrats; the
choice depends on the position of this or that candidate.
Nevertheless, in case of equal conditions preference will be given to
Democrats. ANCA has already declared the names of 16 Senate and 196
House pro-Ammonia candidates, the majority of which are
Democrats. ANCA has also sent questionnaires to over 1000 candidates
to find out their position on the Armenian issues.
The American Armenian community has been urged to vote for those
candidates who have always supported the pro-Armenian resolution of
questions like the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Javakhk issue,
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reinforcement of US-Armenia
relations, lifting of the blockade of Armenia by Azerbaijan and
Turkey.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNKNOWN PEOPLE RUIN FERIGYUGH COLLEGE FURNITURE AND STEAL COMPUTER

ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Unknown people
entered the Merametchian college of Ferigyugh and, turning everything
upside down, did much harm to the institution. According to Marmara,
making use of the vacations on the occasion of the Bayram holiday,
unknown people, breaking window pane of one of the college rooms,
entered the college. They ruined the furniture and doors, using axes,
and stole a portable computer. The college heads and members of the
district council immediately informed about the case the police which
holds investigation to reveal criminals.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS TO MEET IN MOSCOW ON OCTOBER 30

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian will
leave on working visit for Moscow on October 30. As Noyan Tapan was
informed by the RA President’s Press Office, on the same day the
President of Armenia will have a private conversation in Kremlin with
his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin.
Robert Kocharian will have meetings with RF Government Chairman
Mikhayel Fradkov and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov as well. The President
of Armenia will participate in the capital of the Russian Federation
in the solemn ceremony of opening of the monument to prominent
composer Aram Khachatrian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HENRY CUNY: CLOSED BORDER IS ANACHRONISM, INCOHERENT POSE FOR A COUNTRY
HAVING APPLIED FOR JOINING EUROPEAN FAMILY

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 27, Serge Sargsian, RA
Defence Minister, Secretary of the National Security Council under RA
President, received Henry Cuny, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia, who completes his diplomatic
mission in Armenia. As NT was informed from RA Defence Ministry Press
Service, speaking about Armenian-French relations deepening day by
day, the Minister said that their bright evidence is French President
J.Chirac’s visit to Armenia, which was a great event in the country’s
life. Henry Cuny said that he highly estimates Armenia’s warm attitude
towards his country and added: “I have a special attitude towards the
Armenian people and its culture. I am convinced that peace will be
established and the borders will be open when I visit Armenia next
time. Closed border is anachronism, incoherent pose for a country
having applied for joining the European family.” Serge Sargsian,
expressing gratitude for efficient activity developed during his
tenure, in particular, for cooperation in the military sphere, wished
the Ambassador success in his further work.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REGIONAL CARDIOLOGICAL CLINICS TO BE BUILT IN GORIS

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. It is envisaged to build in Goris
with the assistance of the Union of Armenian Physicians of France a
regional Cardiological Clinics which will serve not only the marz of
Syunik but also the NKR. The program will be implemented by the
“Hayastan” (Armenia) All-Armenian Fund. As the Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by the Public Relations Department of the
fund, representatives of the union will arrive in Armenia on October
30 to discuss the program details.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Panorama.am
19:25 26/10/06

PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES BILL ON ALIENATED PROPERTY
The parliament finished the discussion on the Law on Alienation of
Property for Public and State Needs but it was not put on vote. As
usual, it was postponed because there were not enough deputies at the
session hall.
Rafik Petrosyan, chairman of state and legal issues committee, said
sometimes provisions are taken out from bills but in the next reading
the same provision appears. Similarly, Petrosyan said article 18
should have been excluded from the bill but it happened to appear in
the submitted draft. The provision says that all the decisions taken
before are not subject for change.
Justice Minister Davit Harutunyan said all transitory provisions
should be excluded. However, article 18 fully supports the owners of
the alienated property so the government will keep them.
One of the key speakers, Vahan Hovhannisyan, vice speaker of
parliament, refused to make a speech saying he does not feel
well. /Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 27 2006
ARMENIANS ARE FOR PEACE SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

The results of the poll conducted by the Armenian Sociological
Association and the Gallup Institute among 1200 residents of Armenia
suggest that the majority of the people of Armenia are for a peace
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, reports the ARKA news agency.
82 percent of the respondents voted for a peace settlement, 17
percent think if necessity arises, a military settlement is possible,
1 percent did not vote. 41 percent think that in the future NKR may
become a region of Armenia, 31 percent think NKR will become a
sovereign region in Armenia, and 27 percent think that NKR will
remain an independent state. None of the respondents sees Karabakh in
Azerbaijan.
75 percent of the respondents emphasize the importance of settling
the issue in the nearest future, 21 percent consider it rather
important, 2 percent consider it not very important, and only for 0.3
percent the rapid settlement of the Karabakh issue is not important.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri Press Agency
Oct 26 2006
ARMENIANS BEEF UP MILITARY PRESENCE IN OCCUPIED AZERI LANDS
Baku, 26 October: The Armenian armed forces have started bringing
extra armoured hardware and troops to the occupied Azerbaijani lands.
The concentration of armoured hardware and troops is being observed
along the front line in the occupied section of [Azerbaijan’s] Agdam
District, APA’s Karabakh bureau reported.
The permanent movement of lorries to the front line in this area is
also observed. Since December 2005, the Armenian armed forces have
been strengthening their positions and building new fortifications in
the occupied Azerbaijani lands.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 27 2006
Serge Sarkisian: “We did not touch upon the settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict in the meeting with Azerbaijani Defence Minister”

27 October 2006 [11:08] – Today.Az

“The violation of ceasefire is normal, because there are thousands of
armed personnel on both sides of the border. But it should not grow
to large-scale standoff,” Serge Sarkisian, Armenian Defence Minister
told journalists.
He said that Azerbaijani Defence Minister is for maintaining of
ceasefire regime in the region. Sarkisian also noted the meeting with
his Azerbaijani colleague was organized by co-chairs.
The minister said that they had talks on the maintaining of ceasefire
only and did not touch upon the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.
In response to the question “who will sign the peace agreement?”
Sarkisian said that it is in the president’s competence.
Asked whether he would make a president, the minister answered that
he will think about it if journalists help the people to hold free
and fair parliamentary elections.

URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress