Author: Emil Lazarian

RAILWAY IN ARMENIA: RUSSIA READY TO CONTROL RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE OF ARMENIA
Railway Market Magazine, Poland
Oct 30 2006
The talks of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and his Armenia’s
counterpart Robert Kocharian begin in Moscow onOctober 30th, 2006.
The key issue of agenda is the last lucrative asset of Armenian
infrastructure – its railway facilities.
Moscow that just half a year ago, persuaded Armenia to buy Russia’s
gas at $110/ths cu meters instead of $54/ths cu meters and insisted
on transferring to Gazprom a portion of Iran-Armenia’s gas pipeline
and Razdan Thermal Station is eyeing Armenian railway system now.
Three weeks ago, Armenia announced the intention to grant on concession
its railways and is currently preparing a tender, which successful
bidder will control the railways in the following 40 years. But Moscow
has been long craving for reviving the through railway service via
Sukhumi to Erevan, the capital of Armenia. In future, it may turn
into a key component of North-South transport corridor, where Iran
will participate.
The interest is so high that Moscow will probably urge Kocharian
to suggest the name of the winner to arrangers or to transfer the
facilities to Russian Railways (RZD) with no tender at all.
Georgia could become another delicate issue to be raised at the
talks. In the Kremlin, they are continuously looking for the methods
to pressurize Mikhail Saakashvili. Georgia fears one of the options
could be halting electric energy deliveries from Russia and Armenia
in winter.
Another concern of Georgia is its Samtshe-Dzhavakhetia region,
which is the whereabouts for around 200,000 ethnic Armenians. There,
the atmosphere is rather heated as many locals used to work at the
Akhalkalaki base, of which Russia’s military are pulling out today.
So, Moscow may prompt Armenia to stage some turmoil there.
;id=659
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OPPORTUNITIES OF GETTING CONFIDENCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT
Lragir, Armenia
Oct 30 2006
In a public poll conducted by the Gallup Institute 37 percent of
respondents think that first the government must create jobs to
enjoy the support of the society. 21 percent think that it should
enhance democracy, 18 percent point to raising salaries and pensions,
15 percent mention legitimacy of election. 7 percent think that the
government should keep their promises, 8 percent think they can get
people’s support if they make sufficient anti-corruption efforts. 4
percent of respondents think that in order to enjoy the support of
the public the government should conduct a correct policy. 3 percent
think the government should aid the homeless and the elderly people
and another 3 percent think that the taxes should be cut. 2 percent of
respondents think the government should reach unification of Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh to get the support of the public. 17 percent of
respondents gave other answers, and 9 percent declined to answer.
At the same time, 39 percent of respondents said they are not
interested in political events, 30 percent indicated average interest,
and 31 percent said they are highly interested in politics.
The poll was conducted from July 31 to August 10. 1200 adult residents
of Armenia took part in the poll.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FUTURE LAW ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP OF ARMENIA MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL ISSUES TO INEVITABLY ORIGINATE WITH ITS ADOPTION
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006
The future law on dual citizenship of Armenia must take into account
all the issues that will inevitably originate with its adoption, said
Narine Soghomonyan, the RA Constitutional Court Staff Chief Expert,
at a seminar at the Congress Hotel, Monday. The seminar was entitled
“Migration and Dual Citizenship Problems In the Light Of Integration
Processes.” The seminar was organized by the public organization
“European Organization” with support of the Friedrich Ebert Fund.
She said the most liberal legislation on dual citizenship is
in Czechia, Finland and Macedonia. As regards Armenia, it should
determine the citizenship of two or more countries can acquire the
citizens of Armenia; what rights and obligations the dual citizenship
grants etc.. Under International Conventions on Dual Citizenship,
which Armenia has not joined so far, the Armenians residing in foreign
states must have a right to Armenian citizenship, while persons of
other nationalities can be granted Armenian citizenship only for great
services to Armenia. As regards the right to vote or to be elected,
the first one is granted to all the citizens of Armenia, the second
must apply only to those having permanent residence of Armenia. The
taxes are paid in the country where the citizen of Armenia has more
property. As regards the most acute problem for Armenia, the army
service, a citizen of Armenia serves in the army in the country he
permanently resides in, the expert said.
Regarding the possibility of acquiring the citizenship of more then
two countries by Armenian citizens, Narine Soghomonyan thinks it
inadmissible as it will lead to numerous problems in Armenia. Anyway,
in November 2005, the ban on dual citizenship in the Armenian
Constitution was abolished. Now, it is legislators who are to elaborate
mechanism of acquisition of dual citizenship and settle all the other
problems, she said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COUNCIL OF EUROPE LEADER SAYS FRENCH ARMENIAN ACT NOT TO AFFECT TURKEY’S EU TALKS
Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
28 Oct 06
Gelibolu, 28 October: The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE) president, Rene van der Linden, who is visiting Gelibolu town
of northwestern city of Canakkale, said that even France reacted
to the decision of French National Assembly regarding so-called
Armenian genocide.
Replying to a question on effect of the bill criminalizing denial of
so-called Armenian genocide that was approved in the French National
Assembly to Turkey’s EU accession process, Linden indicated, “Turkey is
a part of Europe but this process can take a long time. The decision
made by the French National Assembly will not make a negative impact
on Turkey’s EU accession process because even France reacted to this
decision. It was not approved in many European countries, either.”
Stating that PACE had a positive stance regarding Turkey, Linden
underlined that Turkey has been playing a significant role in works
and efforts of the EU for a long time.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
Isagulyan: Serge Sargsyan Most Preferred Candidacy for Armenian President
28.10.2006 15:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Owing to absence of healthy competition at the
political arena of the country the outcome of parliamentary election
is predetermined in principle, stated Armenian President’s Advisor
Garnik Isagulyan October 28. In his words, many political forces of
Armenia never managed to understand that the political opposition,
political dialogue and political dispute should be aimed at solving
certain political issues, not against specific
personalities. Thereupon, he said only parties having clearly worked
out program for development of the country will appear at the
Parliament.
According to the estimates of the President’s Advisor, the political
situation available will have a negative impact on the elections, as
the losers will «again sing the song of illegitimacy,» trying to
justify their own idleness. Touching upon presidential elections, he
remarked that incumbent Defense Minister of Armenia Serge Sargsyan is
the most preferred candidacy for the President upon expiration of
Robert Kocharian’s tenure, as he is the most prepared political
figure, reports IA Regnum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
October 27, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth Chouldjian / Taline Ghazarian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA INAUGURATES NEW NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
— Foreign Minister Oskanian, Community Leadership and Grassroots
Activists Gather to Celebrate Milestone in the Growth of
Armenian American Political Influence in the Nation’s Capital
— Boujikian, Mouradian, Melkonian, and Aramian Families,
and The Lincy Foundation Honored for Major Donations
WASHINGTON, DC – Armenian American community and religious leaders
from throughout the United States joined with Armenia’s Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian for the inauguration, on October 21st, of
the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) new national
headquarters.
The centrally located, state of the art building provides the ANCA
with a permanent home in the heart of the nation’s capital and a
powerful platform from which to further expand the role that
Armenian Americans play in the formulation of U.S. foreign policy.
The blessing of the headquarters by Armenian Church leaders and the
formal ribbon cutting ceremony were preceded by a reception at the
nearby Beacon Hotel. In his welcoming remarks, ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian recognized the many dignitaries present,
and greeted the establishment of a new headquarters as a major
milestone in the growth, progress and reinvention of the Armenian
Cause.
During his moving remarks, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian stressed the importance of cooperation between the
Armenian government and the Diaspora on regional issues, democratic
and economic development, and the strengthening of the U.S.-Armenia
relationship. Welcoming the establishment of the new ANCA
headquarters, he shared that, “This organization is very close to
my heart and I want to thank all those people, whom I consider to
be real visionaries, who donated to this building because this
organization – simply judging from the work they have done and the
results they have achieved – has absolutely outgrown the space that
they were operating from. They deserve this building, they deserve
a better space, so that they can do more work.”
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian offered thanks to the more than 10,000
individual donors who made the purchase of the new building
possible, noting that, “We are not simply an organization that is
able to call upon the wealth of a few, but rather we are an
organization that calls upon the grassroots . . . without their
involvement, their participation – morally and financially – we
cannot be successful.” Hachikian specifically highlighted the
generosity of a number of prominent donors, including Mr. and Mrs.
Manas and Donnalee Boujikian, Mr. and Mrs. Khachig and Elo
Mouradian, Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Houri Melkonian, The Aramian
Irrevocable Trust, and the Lincy Foundation, who made the purchase
of the ANCA Headquarters and the expansion of key programs possible
through contributions of $100,000 or more.
In what proved to be the most poignant and moving remarks of the
day, Ms. Jocelyn Micolucci, beloved daughter of Mrs. Margaret
Aramian Ragan, and niece to Martha Aramian and Sue Aramian, spoke
of the important role of the ANCA in maintaining the connection
between Armenian generations. She stressed the importance of the
generation of Armenian Genocide survivors – represented by her own
grandparents Ghazar and Nevart Aramian – remaining connected to
their families through a shared devotion to the Armenian Cause. “I
am very pleased with this organization, as it is extremely
important for not just my generation but that of my children and
their children, to understand who and what my Medzhayrig and my
Medzmayrig were, and what we are as a people,” explained Ms.
Micolucci, who was joined by her husband Louis at the ANCA building
inauguration.
Following the reception, the building was formally blessed by
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of the Eastern U.S., Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Western U.S.,
Armenian Apostolic Church of America Diocesan Legate Bishop Vicken
Aykazian, and Father Sarkis Aktavoukian of Soorp Khatch Armenian
Church in Washington, DC. After the formal ribbon cutting by
Foreign Minister Oskanian and ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, all in
attendance were treated to tours of the new building.
Among the Armenian government officials joining Minister Oskanian
at the opening were Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakossian and
Armenian Ambassador to the U.S, Tatoul Markarian. The Very Rev.
Rene Levonian and Dikran Youmshakian represented the Armenian
Missionary Association of America. The Armenian Relief Society was
represented as was the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Association, Homenetmen Armenian Athletic and Scouting Organization
and the Armenian Youth Federation.
The new ANCA headquarters was purchased in February to reinforce
the presence and expand the political power of Armenian Americans
in the United States. The four-story building, formerly owned by
AOL founder Steve Case, is located near prestigious Embassy Row,
blocks from the White House and the nation’s leading think tanks.
The newly renovated structure features the latest in computer,
communications, and networking technology.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
Armenia Disposed to Serious Work and Effective Cooperation with EU
27.10.2006 18:24 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert
Kocharian met with Ambassadors of EU member states,
accredited in Armenia. During the meeting the
President welcomed the completion of consultations
over EU-Armenia Action Plan within the European
Neighborhood Policy and hoped for the Plan to be
finally adopted in November, owing to which EU-Armenia
relations will get more coordinated. «The package of
proposals of the Armenian party evidences that we are
disposed to serious work and we expect effective
bilateral cooperation,» Kocharian added. At the
instance of the diplomats the Armenian leader
presented latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh
settlement, situation in the Russian-Georgian
relations, impact of the tension between Russia and
Georgia on Armenia’s economy. The interlocutors also
discussed the matter of the coming elections,
specially noting the need for these to be fair and
free. Kocharian said that long-term and short-term
international observation missions will be invited for
monitoring electoral processes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
CIS Council of Heads May Convene in Minsk November 28
27.10.2006 18:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The sitting of the CIS Council of
Heads will probably be held in Minsk November 28,
reported representative of the CIS Executive Committee
S. Ordabayev. In his words, Chair of the CIS Council
of Heads proposed the date and the hosting party –
Belarus – accepted it.
The draft agenda of the session will be arranged at
the coming sitting of the CIS Council of FMs and the
Council of Heads of the State. The Executive Committee
does not have official information on the date of
these sessions, Ordabayev reported. We remind that the
sitting of the CIS Council of Heads was earlier
scheduled October 17, but was postponed later, reports Trend.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #206, 28/10/2006

Karabakh issue
SERGE SARGSIAN: AZERBAIJAN’S MILITARY OPTION WILL FAIL AGAIN
“Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be settled
peacefully and only through mutual concessions,”
Armenian defense minister Serge Sargsian stated in an
interview with Janes Intelligence Center that studies
military and security issues. Yet, he said that
Azerbaijan’s policy does not contribute to such a
settlement. “Today [Azerbaijani] officials are talking
about resuming the war. The country’s military
expenses were doubled last year,” the minister said.
According to neutral experts, Azerbaijan is unable yet
to resolve the conflict militarily, Sargsian said. “If
hostilities resume, Armenia will again have
advantage.” Touching upon Azerbaijan’s petrodollars
and the country’s desire to use them to bring a
solution to the Karabakh issue, the minister reminded
that in 90s Azerbaijan also had the odds as it had
more soldiers and more weaponry inherited from the
USSR. “They rounded up the Armenians of Karabakh, and
few believed that we can succeed. With all the
forecasts for big oil revenue, Azerbaijan won’t have
the odds it had 14-15 years ago. It’s military option
was a failure then and will be a failure today either.
Hopefully, sooner or later Azerbaijani authorities
will give up this approach.”
Speaking about Armenia-NATO relations, Armenia’s
defense minister touched upon Turkey underscoring that
the latter’s policy has been damaging NATO’s authority
in Armenia. “Russia’s military base in Armenia was
founded in conditions of an external threat, and to a
certain degree served as deterrent for possible
aggression. Unfortunately, the threat is still there
as there was no considerable improvement in our
relations with Turkey. This country continues its
blockade of Armenia, which is in fact an act of
animosity towards us. Turkey also backs Azerbaijan in
Karabakh issue, and stipulates that Armenia should
attend to Azerbaijan’s whim if it wants improved of
relations with Turkey,” Serge Sargsian said.
By Nana Petrosian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #206, 28/10/2006

Home
SERGE SARGSIAN RECEIVES NATO INTERNATIONAL CONSULTATIVE GROUP
Serge Sargsian, RA Defense Minister, has received the
members of NATO International Consultative Group. The
press Secretary of RA Defense Ministry Seiran
Shahsouvaryan informed that the delegation includes
Minister plenipotentiary of Slovenia’s Foreign
Ministry Damian Bergant, the Lithuania’s Foreign
Minister James Gribovsky, the German adviser of RA
Government in security isssues, Major-General of
reserve, Holger Zamet, the representative of Defense
Ministry of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, Major-General of reserve, John
Drevienkievich, the senior staff scientist of the
Baltic Defense College, Margis Kolgan, the
representative of the Department for contacts with
countries and political relations of the Directorate
of the Euro Atlantic Integration and Partnership,
Lorenc Mayor-Minerman, the Director of the Latvian
Institute of International Relations, Atis Leinc, the
representative of the Clement of Ohrid Sofian
University, professor Todor Tanev. In the course of
the meeting, the British representatives stated that
the consultative group welcomes all the points of the
RA National Security concept regarding the state and
civil society development. Dwelling on the security
issues, the delegation members emphasized that two of
four states, contiguous with the Republic, i.e.
Azerbaijan and Turkey, hold Armenia in blockade. The
country can be connected to the outer world solely
though the roads in Georgia and Iran. As concerning
the foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia, the
group members noted that it is mainly conditioned by
two factors, important for all of the Armenian people,
that is, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
The delegation members underscored in the end that
Armenia manages to conduct balanced policy from both
strategic and global, and tactical and regional
viewpoints.
By Nana Petrosian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress