Author: Emil Lazarian

INVESTMENTS GROW BY 27.9%
Noyan Tapan
Sept 11 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. In the period of January-June
2006, the amount of foreign investments (without those receiced
through the state governance and banking systems) in the real sector
of the Armenian economy made 178 mln 506.6 thousand USD, increasing
by 27.9% on the same period of 2005. In the indicated amount, direct
investments made 86 mln 272.7 thousand USD and grew by 9.2%. According
to the RA National Statistical Service, 48.7% of foreign invsetments
made in the real sector during the indicated period (33.1% of direct
investments) were allocated for the communication sector. 14.3% of
direct investments was made in mining industry, and 9.4% – in air
transport. In the indicated period, Greek investments made 37 mln 913
thousand or by 35% less than in January-July 2005. Lebanese investments
made 49 mln 616.9 thousand USD (a 2.1fold growth), Russian investments
– 19 mln 220.9 thosand (41.9%), Argentinian investments – 17 mln
225.1 thousand USD (3.7fold), US investments – 14 mln 866.8 thousand
USD and German investments – 12 mln 111.6 thousand USD (63.1fold).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COOPERATION WITH IRAN FAVORABLE TO ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
12.09.2006 14:50 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Iranian people are very warm towards the Armenian
community and this is one of the causes of friendly relations between
Armenia and Iran, Iranian Mejlis Chair Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel stated
at a news conference in Yerevan. In his words, Iran is a very large
and rich country and close cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis
will be favorable to both countries.
At the same time the Mejlis chair noted that visits at the level of
parliament leaders will promote solution of issues, which sometimes
are not solved in inter-state relations. “I hope my first visit to
Armenia will stimulate development of more productive and friendly
relations between our countries,” underscored Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DASHNAKTSUTIUN STANDS READY TO USE ITS ENTIRE POTENTIAL
Editorial
Yerkir.am
September 08, 2006
It is not a secret that only elections based on international standards
can ensure the foundation of election traditions.
But there also is another truth: elections only unearth the
situation that exists before the elections. So, the stronger the
democratic traditions, the better chances for the people to form its
government. Therefore, holding elections without providing people
with proper democratic tools and mechanisms would not yield desirable
outcome. Unfortunately, during all the previous elections, the tools
and mechanisms were not sufficient, and those elections were harshly
criticized both inside the country and abroad.
The Dashnaktsutiun, concerned with these realities, has offered
initiatives that include reduction of influence of non-political forces
on political processes, improvement of the Election Code, cooperation
in election commissions, ensuring the normal election process, and
most importantly, setting up a joint mechanism of registering election
fraud. We continue to believe that forces interested in the future of
the country, regardless of the camp they are, should put aside their
partisan and factional interests and doubts and unite for this goal.
Even now, we are sure that those initiatives are crucial and can
be applied.
We again are making this specific suggestion to all political parties
preparing for the elections, and this time hope to get wider support.
The upcoming elections are unprecedented. The National Assembly
will acquire a serious role in the government under the amended
constitution, and the parliamentary and presidential elections have
never been so interrelated and have never borne such significance
for the country’s future. Therefore, holding free and fair elections
is the only safe means for overcoming this period without losses
and turmoil. Undoubtedly, the picture of the newly elected National
Assembly is to determine future developments.
The outcome of the presidential election, in turn, depends on the
results of the parliamentary election and whether it is held in
accordance with international standards.
This way or another, the government formed in the upcoming election
will have to carry out fundamental reforms aimed at furthering
democracy, settling the Karabakh conflict in Armenia’s favor,
neutralizing internal and external security threats.
The Dashnaktsutiun stands ready to add its entire potential to that
of the healthy forces of this country in order to overcome this
twenty-year period successfully and without losses.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEDIA FORUM TO COVER HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
International Journalist’s Network
Sept 12 2006
Region :Eastern Europe-Central Eurasia
Topic :Children, Human Rights
Journalists interested in children’s rights are eligible to attend
a pan-European forum in Yerevan, Armenia on October 5 and 6.
The application deadline for the event, “Human Rights in the
Information Society: Empowering children and young people.” is
September 13.
The Council of Europe, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
the Information Technologies Foundation of Armenia are organizing the
forum, which will include panel discussions and lectures on a range
of topics related to children’s rights, online trends and education.
For more information, or to apply visit or
/Events/Forum2006YEREVAN_en.asp
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NK STATE BUDGET’S OWN INCOME TOTALS AMD 6BLN IN JAN-AUG 2006
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 12 2006
YEREVAN, September 12. /ARKA/. Nagorno-Karabakh state budget’s own
income totaled AMD 6bln 97.9mln in Jan-Aug 2006 after growing 33% from
the same period a year earlier, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Financial
Ministry’s press office reports.
The report says the income was mainly ensured by tax receipts, which
made 80.3% of budget income.
The budget expenditures for the mentioned period in 2006 were AMD
15bln 141.5mln.
Own income received by Nagorno-Karabakh State Fund for Social Insurance
between January and August 2006 totaled AMD 1bln 532.8mln.
This result is 11% better than that of the same period in 2005. ($1 –
AMD 391.48).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEDIATORS ‘STILL TRYING TO GET KARABAKH DEAL IN 2006′
By Harry Tamrazian in Prague and Karine Kalantarian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Sept 12 2006
International mediators believe that they may still succeed in
brokering a framework peace agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh in the
coming months, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said after meeting
them in Paris on Tuesday.
“They believe that it is still possible to make some additional
progress before the end of this year or before our parliamentary
elections [due early next year] at the latest,” he told RFE/RL by
phone after two days of negotiations with the American, French and
Russian co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Oskanian described the talks as “very good and effective” but gave
few details, saying only that they focused on ways of reinvigorating
the Karabakh peace process, which ran into trouble this summer after
substantial progress reportedly made by the conflicting parties. The
mediators are trying to arrange a meeting of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani foreign ministers for that purpose, he said, adding that
it might take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in
New York later this month.
The co-chairs, among them U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Matthew Bryza, are scheduled to hold similar talks with Azerbaijan’s
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in London on Wednesday. “The results
[of their efforts] can be assessed only after their meeting with the
Azerbaijani foreign minister and, if there is agreement, after the
two ministers’ meeting,” said Oskanian.
The latest round of Minsk Group diplomacy began amid talk of yet
another Armenian-Azerbaijani summit on Karabakh that could be held
on the sidelines of a CIS summit in Belarus slated for October 16. A
spokesman for President Robert Kocharian did not rule the possibility
of such an encounter on Tuesday. “But before it can happen, there must
be a meeting of the foreign ministers,” Victor Soghomonian told RFE/RL.
“Only after the ministers meet and clarify whether there is a chance
to continue negotiations and make further progress will it be possible
to talk about a meeting of the presidents,” agreed Oskanian.
Kocharian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliev have already
met twice this year in unsuccessful attempts to agree on a framework
peace accord put forward by the mediators. The proposed deal calls
for a gradual settlement of the Karabakh conflict that would culminate
in a referendum on the disputed region’s status.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YEAR OF ARMENIA IN FRANCE EVIDENCE OF EXCLUSIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.09.2006 14:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ September 12 Armenian and French FMs Vartan Oskanian
and Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Cultures of the two countries
Hasmik Poghosyan and Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres held a news conference
at the French MFA, devoted to the Year of Armenia in France. During
the news conference the Armenian FM thanked French authorities
for organizing the Year of Armenia. He said the event evidences
exclusive relations between the two countries. For the first time
Armenia is presenting its history, culture and contribution to the
world civilization in a large scale,” Vartan Oskanian remarked.
During a private meeting the FMs discussed matters of development of
cooperation, regional issues, situation in the Middle East, relations
of Armenia with neighboring countries and talks over settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

E-PRIME EXERCISES TO BE HELD IN GEORGIA WITHIN NATO PFP PROGRAM
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.09.2006 15:28 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Two-day exercises within the NATO Partnership for
Peace (PfP) Program, dedicated to e-PRIME Exchange and Management
System of Current Information opens in Simpatia hotel in Tbilisi
September 13. As reported by the Defense Ministry of Georgia, the
exercises are organized by the NATO and the Swiss party. The aim of
the exercises is to acquaint users with opportunities of the system.
Representatives of various ministries of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia
and Moldova take part in the exercises, reports Novosti-Gruzia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON: IRFAN ACAR ON TURKISH PARTICIPATION IN LEBANON PEACEKEEPING
Monday Morning, Lebanon
Sept 11 2006
Session of the Turkish Parliament
Voting for participation
The Turkish parliament last week voted after fierce debate at an
extraordinary session to authorize the government to send troops to
the UN force in Lebanon. A government motion to contribute troops
to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was backed by 340 of
the 533 lawmakers present in the 550-seat house, while 192 voted
against and one abstained. Under the motion, Turkey will send a
naval force to patrol the Eastern Mediterranean, deploy troops, help
train the Lebanese Army and support allied countries in naval and air
transport. The motion foresees a one-year deployment, but it is not
yet clear how many troops will be sent, nor when and where. Foreign
Minister Abdallah Gul has said the number of soldiers is not likely to
exceed 1,000. Details of the deployment were expected to become clearer
after talks between Turkish leaders and visiting UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan, who arrived in Ankara hours before the vote as part of
a regional tour to win support for the Lebanon mission.
The government argues that participation in UNIFIL is an historic
duty to contribute to regional stability, to help strengthen Ankara’s
influence in the Middle East and boost its bid to join the European
Union. “Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean is important for
Turkey. The conflict [in the region] may affect us tomorrow, if
not today”, Gul told the house. “Providing stability in the Eastern
Mediterranean is the duty not only of Italy and France, but also of
Turkey. We cannot remain indifferent. “Our decision is also compatible
with our argument that Turkey’s entry will turn the EU into a global
force”. The government says the mission has minimal risk since the
Turkish contingent will not be a combat force and will not be tasked
with disarming Hezballah.
The debate saw unsuccessful opposition attempts to block the motion
on procedural grounds and hostile exchanges between rival MPs.
Opposition MPs charged that the UN force would serve to protect only
Israel and advance American and Israeli interests in the Middle East.
Some warned the deployment would pitch Turkish soldiers against
fellow-Muslims.
Even though about 20 members of the ruling Justice and Development
Party were reported to be against the deployment, the motion was
easily adopted thanks to the party’s absolute parliamentary majority.
The government’s willingness to deploy troops has sparked strong public
opposition on grounds that Turkish soldiers could face hostile fire
or engage in fighting with Muslims.
In a bid to calm fears, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
earlier that Ankara would withdraw its troops from Lebanon if they
were asked to disarm Hezballah.
In Lebanon, meanwhile, members of the country’s Armenian community
have expressed opposition to the presence of the Turkish contingent.
Turkey’s Ambassador Irfan Acar stressed in an interview his country’s
humanitarian contribution to the people of Lebanon’s devastated
regions and its support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial
integrity of Lebanon.
What are the latest figures on Turkish humanitarian aid to Lebanon?
Turkey has been one of the biggest contributors of humanitarian aid
to Lebanon. Since the early days of hostilities, the Turkish state
and NGOs have been among the first to send humanitarian aid to the
Lebanese people. So far, more than 12 million dollars’ worth of aid
has been delivered to Lebanon, via two military and two civilians
ships, one military aircraft and over 100 trucks. This amounts to
more than 2,000 tons of food, medicine, clothing and blankets. Of
the 12 million dollars, one million is in state aid, four million
from the Red Crescent, and the rest from numerous NGOs.
Turkey has also provided medical aid to kidney patients, including
children. The Lebanese authorities, approached our relevant departments
with a request for hemodialysis equipment, as there had been an urgent
need for this treatment throughout Lebanon. We have delivered several
thousand units of hemodialysis material by two ships.
Would there be a possible contribution of Turkey to the reconstruction
efforts?
Turkey is prepared to help Lebanon in any way it can following the
recent events. As was the case with our humanitarian aid efforts,
Turkey is willing and ready to contribute to the reconstruction
efforts. Thus, we participated in the Stockholm conference and pledged
10 million dollars.
The extent of damage to the infrastructure of Lebanon, such as
residential units, roads, bridges and other facilities, is extensive.
Repair of these facilities will require billion of dollars, according
to the Lebanese authorities.
Already a number of Turkish NGOs following inquiries in Beirut and
South Lebanon, are working on certain projects aimed at repairing
facilities, establishing food distribution centers and other projects
in coordination with the relevant Lebanese institutions. Turkey will
continue to contribute to the reconstruction projects as much as it
can in cooperation with the Lebanese authorities.
The Lebanese government requested Turkey’s participation in UNIFIL.
What are the latest developments in this regard?
Turkey attaches great importance to the unity, territorial integrity
and independence of Lebanon. Preservation of peace and stability in
Lebanon and in our regions is of the utmost importance.
The Turkish government has taken a decision of principle to contribute
to UNIFIL. Subsequently, the Parliament approved the government’s
decision on September 5. Our relevant authorities are working on the
details of the Turkish contribution within the context of the decision
of Parliament.
UNIFIL is a force of multinational character. Many countries from
Europe, members of Organization of the Islamic Conference and others
throughout the world will take part in it.
Upon the request of the Lebanese government, Turkey, as a country of
the region, decided to take part in the force for the maintenance
of peace. It has always expressed its solidarity with Lebanon and
devoted all its efforts to contribute to the stability of Lebanon
and the well-being of its people, and it will continue to do so.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPEAKER: BULLYING POWERS FRIGHTEN NATIONS BY PRESENTING AN UGLY IMAGE OF IRAN
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Sept 11 2006
Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said on Tuesday that the world
bullying powers constantly present an ugly and unreal image of Iran
and try to frighten other nations by raising unfair charges against
the Iranian nation.
A report released by Majlis Media Department said that the speaker
made the remark while speaking at the University of Armenia.
“The Iranian nation managed to rid itself of the hegemony of foreign
powers through a religious revolution launched by masses of people
without politically relying either on the West or on the East. Thus
through establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran a new and
independent path was selected,” he said.
“The propaganda against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program is the clear
sign of such animosity, which is associated with our nation’s will
to protect its cultural and political identity.
“Besides, Iran’s foreign policy based on friendly ties with other
countries and mutual respect in relations with world nations aiming
to further promote global peace, tranquility and welfare is another
cause for the enemies’ hostile approach,” he added.
He referred to the friendly ties between Iranians and Armenians and
compared such friendship to a tree with a deep historical root whose
trunk, branches and leaves are today manifested before our eyes in
solid grandeur.
“Several centuries before the advent of Islam, Armenians considered
Iran as a safe residence and religious difference of ideas have never
created any gap between Muslims and Armenians neither in pre-Islam
nor post-Islam eras.
“They have always lived a comfortable life in Iran and have protected
their rituals and churches. They have had friendly relationships and
close cooperation with their Iranian countrymen,” he added.
Turning to multifaceted bilateral relations, Haddad-Adel said that
Iran and Armenia cooperate in various political, cultural and economic
fields.
The speaker said that both sides are determined to expand mutual ties
by making optimum use of each other’s actual potentials and facilities.
He pointed to the life lived by Iranian and Armenian along with each
other in the course of history as the most superior and laudable
example of peaceful coexistence between followers of various religions
in the world.
Underlining that scientific and university interconnection is one
of the options of such relations, he stated, “Fortunately, given the
good potentials of Yerevan State University with a 90-year history,
both sides will benefit from exchange of university instructors,
students and scientific achievements.”
Putting the number of Iranian students at 2.5 million, he pointed to
Iran’s trend of growth in various scientific branches and declared
readiness for cooperation with Armenia in the sector.
“Iranology as well as Persian language and literature have long been
taught in Yerevan State University. Iranologists and professors of
Persian language attach great value to such an ancient tradition.
“Armenia is one of the most reputed hubs of Iranology in Caucasia
and Central Asia. After the disintegration of the ex-Soviet Union,
the trend continued more freely and even was strengthened,” he said.
The official said that the Armenians’ Interest in Persian language and
literature as well as their attraction to outstanding Iranian poets,
in particular Ferdowsi, is considered as one of the factors for the
spiritual bonds between the two sides.
“University instructors who are bound to promote science and knowledge
in their own countries, have a heavy burden on their shoulders,”
he said.
Haddad-Adel said that such a task is not restricted to advancement of
science and technology in the community rather keeping the nations
updated on the real developments of the world of today is more
significant.
“The facts which were once revealed, will not only result in the
vigilance of nations, but will make them realize the truth and revise
their false ideas formed under the impact of wrong propaganda of the
world tyrannical powers,” he concluded.
Haddad-Adel arrived in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, Monday on the
first leg of a two-nation visit to the region.
His official visit takes place in response to the invitation of his
Armenian counterpart.
The speaker is accompanied by a number of executive officials and
Majlis deputies.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress