Author: Emil Lazarian

AMBASSADOR DIMITROV PRESENTES HASMIK POGHOSIAN FIRST COPY OF
ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN AND BULGARIAN-ARMENIAN DICTIONARY MADE UP BY
MARGARIT TERZIAN

YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Bulgarian Armenian
Margarit Terzian made up Armenian-Bulgarian and Bulgarian-Armenian
practical dictionary consisting of 50 thousand words and of an appendix
of place names.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Armenia
Stefan Dimitrov presented Hasmik Poghosian, RA Minister on Culture
and Youth Affairs the first copy of the printed dictionary.

During the July 6 meeting with the Minister, the Ambassador emphasized
the necessity of strenghtening and developing the spiritual-cultural
ties between Armenia and Bulgaria.

Mrs. Poghosian expressed a viewpoint that the cooperation development
between the two countries is outlined by the friendship established
historically, and one of imperatives of its current stage is to promote
to linguistic mutual understanding of the two nations. According to the
Minister, the presentation of translations of the national literature
masterpieces, the preparation of translators of the Bulgarian and
Armenian languages can be one of its best manifestations.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Press Service of the Ministry
of Culture and Youth Affairs, the Ambassador and the Minister also
outlined the supremacy of cultural cooperation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JOHN EVANS: NO AMBASSADOR IS ETERNAL ON HIS POST, AND I’M GLAD THAT
THE SENATE WILL SOON CONFFIRM THE NEW AMBASSADOR

VANADZOR, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. "No Ambassador
is eternal on his post, and I’m glad that the U.S. Senate will soon
confirm the new Ambassador," declared U.S Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to Armenia John Evans answering the question connected
with his recall during the press conference held in Vanadzor on July 6.

The goal of the visit was to take part in the studies of the U.S
Peace Corps. During the press conference held after the meeting with
the Regional Governor of Lori marz, Henrik Kochinian, the Ambassador
also mentioned that he highly estimates the hospitality shown to him
each time in Lori marz, and that during each visit he sees changes.

In connection with the economic policy carried on in Armenia by
the United States, John Evans said that the financing of the
Millenniun Challenge program will begin in the second half of
2006. The goal of the program is to promote the development of rural
communities. Therefore, the main funds allocated by the program will be
directed to the road-building and to the improvement or construction
of irrigation systems. Those two spheres will also be financed in
Lori marz within the framework of the program.

To recap, the Administration suggested the candidacy of the present
U.S.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Tajikistan Richard
Hoagland instead of John Evans as the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. The
issue of his approval is already presented to the Senate. John Evans is
recalled still in the second year of his tenure, while all the other
U.S. Ambassadors to Armenia officiated at least three years. The
Armenian Americans, as well as a number American authoritative
newspapers, including The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times etc,
are convinced that Evans is recalled for the statements made during
the meetings with the American Armenian community in February 2005,
in which he recognized the Armenian Genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRESIDENT VISITS EMBASSY AND AMBASSADOR OF U.S. AND CONGRATULATES
EMBASSY STAFF ON OCCASION OF U.S. NATIONAL HOLIDAY

YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 7, RA President
Robert Kocharian and Mrs Bela Kocharian visited the Embassy of the
U.S. in Armenia. They congratulated Ambassador John Evans and Embassy
staff on the occasion of the National Holiday, Independence Day of
the United States of America.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA President’s Press Office,
expressing satisfaction with the current level and development rates
of Armenian-American relations, the President gave assurance that
the formed strong contacts will continue to develop seccessfully.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Youth Party calls to unite around presidents of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh

Regnum, Russia
July 7 2006

On July 7, Armenian Youth Party (YPA) presented letter of the country’s
intelligentsia to presidents of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Robert
Kocharyan and Arkady Gukasyan during its press conference. REGNUM
publishes the whole text of the address:

"Armenian intelligentsia, which was at the origins of Karabakh
movement and participated in Armenia’s gaining of independence and in
Artsakh’s liberation (Artsakh is Armenian name of Nagorno Karabakh –
REGNUM), believes today too that at current tragic hour it should
unite around the Armenian authorities for the sake of Armenia and
Artsakh’s well-being. Armenian intelligentsia supports both presidents
and calls on public opinion to unite around the presidents in order
to settle problem fairly."

Yerevan State University Rector Aram Simonyan and Yerevan Valeriy
Bryusov Linguistic University Rector Suren Zolyan signed the statement
during the press conference. As YPA Chairman Sarkis Asatryan informed,
signatures’ collecting will last for ten days. After that, the
intelligentsia’s appeal will be handed over to presidents of Armenia
and Republic Nagorno Karabakh.

Elmar Mammadyarov urges German businessmen to make investment in Azerbaijan

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 8 2006

[ 08 Jul. 2006 14:21 ]

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with secretary of
German Defence Minister, Christian Schmidt and secretary of state Ms.

Karin Kortman at the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.

He informed Mr. Schmidt of Azerbaijan’s integration to Euroatlantic
arena, its close cooperation with NATO, EU and CE as well as existing
political, economic and democratic process in Azerbaijan and regional
energy and infrastructure projects.

He also touched on the talks on Nagorno Garabagh conflict and said
that agreement in military field signed between Azerbaijan and Germany
in March enables to strengthen the relations and cooperation within
NATO individual partnership plan.

Mr. Mammadyarov stated that relations between Azerbaijan and German
have been strengthened in all fields especially in the economic
sphere and German investors show greater and greater interest in
Azerbaijan and gave information about economic and democratic reforms
in Azerbaijan at the meeting in Ministry of Economic Cooperation
and Development.

Mr. Mammadyarov also met with newly elected members of managing staff
of German-Azerbaijan Forum.

Head of the managing staff, Otto Chauzer, who was a Bundestag member
for a long time, and secretary of state in Helmut Kol’s government,
said that the goals of the forum are to contribute to strengthening
of relations between the two countries in economic, scientific,
cultural, educational and other sphere and to help with recognition
of Azerbaijan in Germany.

The Minister also met with other members of the forum.

On the very same day, Mr. Mammadyarov met with management of German
Sifal Group of Companies, gave information about suitable business
climate for foreign investor in Azerbaijan and invited German
businessmen to make investment in Azerbaijan. /APA/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #127, 08/07/2006

Economy

"ECONOMY OF ARMENIA" EXHIBIT TO LAUNCH IN MOSCOW

Today, "Economy of Armenia" exhibition will launch
within the framework of the Year of Armenia Russia at
the Pan-Russian Exhibition Center.

LOGOS EXPO Center informed that the exhibition will
provide opportunity for representing the tendencies of
economic development in Armenia, the goods produced in
the republic and the services rendered. Highest
technological achievements and innovations will be
represented on the exhibition. The participants of the
exhibition are such companies as Grand Tobacco, Grand
Candy, Dilijan-Frolova, Vedi Alco, Bio-Khim,
Royal-Armenia, "Nairit" plant, Armenian Manufacturers’
Union, the Yerevan State Medical University and other
organizations and companies. According to LOGOS, it is
expected that delegations from numerous countries will
visit the exposition. It is envisaged that the average
number of daily visitors of the Exhibition Center is
50-100 thousand people. The exhibition is organized by
RA Trade and Economic Development Ministry in
collaboration with LOGOS EXPO Center.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WAS KOCHARYAN UNAWARE OF CONSTITUTION?

Lragir.am
08 July 06

Sedrak Baghdasaryan, resident of Buzand Street, the chair of Protection
for Victims of State Needs, Democracy NGO, said in an interview with
our news reporter that they wrote over 10 letters to Robert Kocharyan
telling him about the destructive consequences of the development of
the Center of Yerevan. Robert Kocharyan did not answer any of these
letters, however. Moreover, even the Kocharyan administration did not
answer. Sedrak Baghdasaryan says the letter was sent to the government,
from the government to the City Hall, from the City Hall to the Office
of Program Implementation. "My impression is that the best-educated,
the smartest person in our country is the head of the OPI."

However, it is at least strange that the OPI answers the last letter.
The letter was written May 26, 2006, in other words, after the
decision of the Constitutional Court recognizing it unconstitutional.
The victims of the state needs reminded Robert Kocharyan that the head
of state must guarantee observation of the Constitution and punish its
violation. The victims of state want to know why the president signed
an unconstitutional decision. Robert Kocharyan declined to answer,
which means that either he does not consider him president of people,
or he thinks it is not worthwhile to answer people.

R. Harutiunyan, the head of the OPI who answered the letter, informed
the victims of state needs that the president signed the decision
of the government in 2002, whereas the Constitutional Court defined
it as unconstitutional in 2006. "The person who signed the decision
could not foresee that these would be considered as against the
unconstitution." This is not a misprint. Either R. Harutiunyan has
discovered a new legal, though not so logical category, or he is a
little careless. Both are bad for R. Harutiunyan, who was charged
with the important task of writing a letter on behalf of the president.

And if R. Harutiunyan wants to say that the person who ratified
the decision could not predict that these decisions would be
considered unconstitutional, which is the same as incompliant with
the constitution, not knowing the law does not free from punishment.
After this decision of the Constitutional Court the chamber of
civilian cases of the Court of Appeal led by Arman Mkrtumyan did
not try the case of the victims of public needs, in other words,
it neglected the decision of the Constitutional Court.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Goran Lenmarker selected chairman of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006

[ 07 Jul. 2006 20:45 ]

Elections to Parliamentary Assembly were held in today’s meeting of
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly summer session which was conducted in
Brussels. Swedish parliamentarian Goran Lenmarker has been selected
OSCE PA chairman.

Azerbaijani delegation member participating in OSCE PA session,
Eldar Ibrahimov has informed APA. According to him, Lenmarker has
been selected among the 5 candidates to this post. It should be noted
that, Georgian parliament speaker Nino Burjanadze was also among
the candidates to OSCE PA post. It should be noted that, Lenmarker
has been appointed OSCE PA reporter on Nagorno Garabagh since 2002,
visited the region, met with conflicting sides and presented report
related to the conflict./APA/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

92 films representing 58 countries presented at Golden Apricot Festival

ArmRadio.am
08.07.2006 15:30

July 10-15 Golden Apricot third International Film Festival will be
held in Yerevan. Like the first two the festival will be held under
the slogan " Armenia: A Crossroad of Civilizations and Cultures." 92
films out of 280 presented were selected to participate in the contest
screenings. These films represent 58 countries. According to the Press
Service of the Organization Committee of the Festival, well-known
figures of the world cinema from over 10 countries – Russia, Canada,
France, US, Spain, Germany, Chile, Belgium, Turkey and Italy – will
take part in the cinema forum. Contest films will be nominated for
Fiction Film, Documentary and Armenian Panorama.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ethnic Azeris protest at Armenian president’s visit to Iran – Baku agency

Azerbaijani news agency APA, Baku
7 Jul 06

7 July: Ethnic Azerbaijani poets, writers and cultural figures living
in Iran have sent an appeal to Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad,
Said Muganli, editor of Yarpaq newspaper published in Iran, has
told APA.

Muganli said that in the letter, the intellectuals expressed their
outrage at the visit to Iran by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
and at the signing of a major energy agreement between the two
countries. Muganli also said that on 6 July the police dispersed a
rally staged by Azerbaijanis in front of the Armenian embassy in Iran
in protest against Kocharyan’s visit to Iran. The rally demanded that
Kocharyan immediately leave Iran.

[Passage omitted: Details of Kocharyan’s visit to Iran]