Author: Emil Lazarian

AZERBAIJAN’S DEFENSE MINISTER: ARMENIANS FEAR WAR
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 27 2007
“The preparedness of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces enables to liberate
our territories by force. We need only time to take this step,”
Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister, Colonel General Safar Abiyev told
journalists. Stating that not only Armenia but also super states take
interest in the Nagorno Garabagh conflict, the Defense Minister said
some states aim at wielding influence on Azerbaijan.
“These states are still on the same opinion. They will give up if they
see Azerbaijan is powerful. We’ll prove this,” Mr.Abiyev underlined.
Commenting on his Armenian counterpart Serj Sarkisyan’s claims
that Azerbaijan does not intend to conduct war, Abiyev called these
statements groundless, “I do not care what he says. These statements
aim at calming down the Armenian community, remove fear among the
people. Armenians fear war.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WE HAVE NO TRUNCHEONS, THEY HOLD A CONGRESS
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
27 June 06
Count chickens in fall, Republicans in summer. We have to admit that
the Republican Party had not given the society a surprise during its
biography in power as it did by holding an extraordinary congress
on July 22. In the meantime, summer is raging in Armenia, and human
brains are on the point of melting. What a risk did the Republican
take, staking their own brain?
However, the midsummer extraordinary congress is out of fear
rather than out of risk. Besides, what is risking a brain for the
Republicans if the whole is risked, power, posts, business and finally
freedom? This is the reason for holding a congress of the Republican
Party at the high of the summer vacation. The party leaders hold the
congress on July 22 for the Republicans, who attend the congress,
not only understand but also feel that their leisure, interrupted
for a while, can be lost forever. For them to realize what they are
going to lose. If the Republican leaders are treating the activists
of their own party so severely, the situation must really be serious.
The Republicans could have waited until fall to hold a congress,
especially that the rest of the political sphere, including the
Republicans, delayed all the questions of political developments
until fall. What happened suddenly? What is the reason for this
hastiness? Especially for a ruling party, which added the post of
speaker of the National Assembly to that of the prime minister.
Perhaps they realized that they are given part by part to take away
the whole at once. However, most probably, it was too late when they
realized this. They should have known before taking it part by part
and refuse the part to keep the whole. Now they can only count on
the “great combinator”. However, he is not the same as he used to
be. It is true that now he is an honorary citizen of the Center,
but he has never liked to be in the center, especially as a citizen,
who can get killed in the street by a stray bullet. A citizen when
already dual nationality is under consideration.
In other words, a citizen should have been a past stage, but it is
just coming up. And many others are coming up. Some of them are from
the United States: an OSCE Co-Chair, an ambassador, directors of other
offices. They are coming, so let them come, but as soon as they come,
they make announcements, advising Armenia to learn democracy from
Azerbaijan. Whereas, how nice it was when there was nothing new!
Whereas, now the new are on the way, but statements are already
there. In this sense, the summer congress of the Republic is belated,
independent from what problems they are solving. They could have
spent the money of the congress more effectively, and bought 500
batons instead of 250 and distributed to the Police. Otherwise, how
much do they have to wave 250 batons for it to be cool in summer and
warm in winter?

FOR THE SAKE OF ARMENIA?
Aram Zakaryan
Lragir.am
27 June 06
The Dashnaktsutiun (Armenian Revolutionary Federation) faction
has worked out a conception of dual nationality and offered for
discussion. In the ARF they think that “dual nationality is a
unilateral obligation of Armenia to make Armenia the spiritual
homeland of all Armenians and foster repatriation.” How is Armenia
going to assume unilateral obligation to solve a problem, which
refers to at least two countries. What if no other country adopts dual
nationality? By the way, the world tends to reject dual nationality,
restrict the rights of dual citizens. The representatives of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation admit this.
In other words, the countries, which tasted dual nationality, did
not like it very much. And the ARF conception does not explain why
we are reluctant to learn from others’ mistakes and experience and
are trying to repeat the useless way the passed.
The ARF suggest granting citizenship of Armenia to people who will
offer proof of their Armenian origin. It is clear that there should be
some agency, which will check the Armenian origin, and it is possible
that some people will get a refusal. Hence, in countries with a large
Armenian community groups if not crowds of people who have a grudge
against Armenia will appear, which is not desirable with the currently
complicated relations within the Armenian Diaspora and with Armenia.
The ARF conception suggests that dual citizens must participate in the
defense of the Republic of Armenia as set down in the law and pay taxes
in the country where the source of their income and the most part of
property is. In other words, in Armenia men under age 27 or 35 are
drafted, and if one is not drafted without violating the law, they
will have no problems. Now imagine a great number of Dashnaktsutiun
members, who were born and lived abroad until age 27 or 35, become
citizens of Armenia and buy less property than they have abroad and
live on the income they earn abroad, they will have the same rights as
each of us, who survived the cold and dark days of economic crisis,
with a low income and quality of life, resulting from corruption and
protectionism, potential victims of street shootings. They will have
political rights as well, because although they know in the ARF that
in countries with dual nationality eligibility stipulates a period of
permanent residence in that country, they suggest in the conception,
that “in conformity with the renewed Constitution of Armenia there is
no restriction of the right to vote, therefore people who will get dual
nationality in Armenia will fulfill their right to vote.” The Armenian
Revolutionary Federation suggests conducting universal elections in
the territory of the Republic of Armenia only. We should agree that
for a political party such as the ARF it is as easy for a dual citizen
member of the ARF to arrive in homeland for a day as to piss.
We learn from the conception of the ARF that in a globalizing world
the countries are likely to introduce the notion of a world citizen.
It should be noted, however, that this is not done through dual
nationality. Again the ARF admits it. Only 54 out of 191 countries
of the UN adopted dual nationality. Some of these countries allow
only elements of dual nationality. Now everyone is going in for
restrictions. Our strategic partner Russia does not allow a dual
citizen to occupy high posts. Our key partner United States does not
allow its citizens to become subjects of other another country. And
if the globalizing world is establishing a “citizen of the world”,
it is achieved by opening borders, providing more opportunities and
cooperation with neighbors. Here is a path where the ARF principle of
genetic incompatibility is devoid of any sense and dual nationality
desired by the ARF has a tertiary role. For instance, the European
Union. First they created a common market and economy, provided new
opportunities of economic development, only then they are trying to
adopt EU citizenship. In addition, they are not in a hurry. It is
not essential to welfare.

FOREIGN MINISTER VARDAN OSKANYAN TO LEAVE FOR GEORGIA
ArmRadio.am
27.06.2006 10:22
RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan will leave today for Georgia on
a working visit. In Tbilisi the Minister is scheduled to meet meet
the President of Georgia Mikhail Sahakashvili, Foreign Minister Gela
Bezhuashvili, and Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze.
June 28 the Foreign Minister will deliver a speech on regional policy
issues at the Georgian foundation for strategic and international
studies.
The same day the delegation headed by Minister Oskanyan will return
to Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DAVID BABAYAN: MEDIATORS ELABORATING MORE REALISTIC APPROACHES TO THE SETTKLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
ArmRadio.am
27.06.2006 12:53
The latest events around the resolution of the Karabakh conflict
apparently evidence that the international community is really trying
to elaborate more realistic approaches to the settlement. In this
regard the resent statements of the new US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group Mattew Bryza are valuable, political scientist from Karabakh
David Babayan told “Arminfo.”
“Why did the mediator make public the content of the talks, which
were considered secret up until now? Why was it necessary to present
the details of the negotiations to the public? At first sight, the
seemingly illogical policy of the mediators has its logics, and a
rather distinct one. It is apparent that the scenario of settlement
of the Karabakh conflict, the essence of which was signing of some
document between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, showed
its ineffectiveness. Therefore, it is the time to reconsider the
approaches, which is evidenced by the statement of the US Co-Chair,”
David Babayan noted.
In his words, the fact that the details of the talks or, to be more
precise, the main elements of these became the possession of the
society means that the mediators are trying to detect the society’s
opinion regarding the scenarios suggested. Thus, the circles of the
settlement considerably extend and an attempt is made to discover the
opinion of Nagorno-Karabakh, the immediate party of the conflict,
which is not directly involved in the negotiations process at the
will of Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA TO SIGN READMISSION AGREEMENTS WITH A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES
ArmRadio.am
27.06.2006 11:08
The Republic of Armenia has signed readmission agreements with Latvia,
Lithuania, Denmark and Switzerland. The negotiations are under way
with Benelux countries, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Sweden,
Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Russia.
According to RA Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Bayburdyan, Armenia
is registering procress in the accomplishment of readmission
agreements. Signing of readmission agreements with EU member states is
considered one of the preconditions of integration into EU structures.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRESIDENT RECEIVED PROFESSIONAL BOXING CHAMPION VAKHTANG DARCHINYAN
ArmRadio.am
27.06.2006 13:41
President Robert Kocharyan received today IBF and IBO Flyweight
Champion, our compatriot residing in Australia Vakhtang Darchinyan
and his first trainer Vazgen Badalyan.
Vakhtang Darchinayn was the first in the history of Armenian sports
to achieve the title of professional boxing champion. Although the
celebrated boxer presents Australia, Ara Gevogyan’s music sounds and
the Armenian tricolor waves before every fight of his.
Wishing success to Vakhtang Darchinayn, the President expressed
his appreciation for the fact that Armenian names come forward in
professional boxing. In his words, every success becomes an expiring
example for many. Vakhtang Darchinayn told about his future plans. He
said he intends to establish a boxing club in Vanadzor. This pursues
one aim – to maintain the wonderful traditions of the boxing school
in Armenia and to have the success of Armenian boxers stay continuous.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“FEDERATION” PARTY AIMS AT ESTABLISHING DIRECT LINK WITH THE PEOPLE
ArmRadio.am
27.06.2006 17:37
According to some analysts, in case it is declared during the sitting
of the Republican Party that Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan becomes
co-president of the Republican Party, as it was stated yesterday by
Head of the Republican Party faction Galust Sahakyan, then this reality
will become a reason of rearrangements in the political field. To be
more precise, it will shuffle the cards and plans of the “Prosperous
Armenia” Party.
“Unlike other political forces, the Defense Minister’s joining
the Republican Party is not a factor for us, we do not connect our
activity with this or that wing of the authorities or the relations
between the political forces.
It is much more important for us what the opposition is doing,”
Gnel Ghlechyan, member of the Political council of the “Federation”
Party, told “Radiolur” correspondent. In his words, there can be no
division of power due to the simple reason that it has the problem
of imputing the administrative potential in one direction.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DAVIT HOVHANNES OFFERS “ARMENIA – HEAVENLY COUNTRY” CREATION REMADE BY KOMITAS AS NATIONAL ANTHEM
Noyan Tapan
Jun 27 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, NOYAN TAPAN. A national anthem should be a
dedication, a prayer concentrating and presenting a country’s history
and not some creation.
Poet Davit Hovhannes, member of the commission created for the purpose
of selecting lyrics and music for RA national anthem, expressed
such an opinion at the June 27 press conference. According to him,
they should find the variant of the anthem that will have elements of
march with a military key. At the same tome he offers the “Armenia –
Heavenly Country” creation remade by Komitas as RA national anthem,
which according to him, corresponds to the process of our country’s
history, as well as makes an impression of a prayer.
As writer, publicist Perch Zeytuntsian affirmed, we should not deny all
possible variants of selection of an anthem and only base ourselves
on Aram Khachatrian’s creation. “If there is an anthem better than
the previous one I will prefer it,” P.Zeytuntsian said. The writer
offers to make such a choice that will express “the national spirit
and will be close to every Armenian.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNWORTHY RECEPTION OF ARMENIAN CATHOLICOS IS A SLAP IN THE FACE OF ARMENIAN NATION, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS OF ARMENIA EMPHASIZES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 27 2006
YEREVAN, JUEN 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Turkey may not become
a member of the European family under the mask of false reforms
and democracy. At the moment Turkey is not ready for any mutual
relations with Armenia. Such a unworthy and hooligan reception of
the Armenian Catholicos is a slap in the face of the whole Armenian
nation. Representatives of the youth organization of the Republican
Party of Armenia and of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun “Nikol Aghbalian”
youth union stated about it at the June 27 press conference. On
their initiative, about 30 youth political, public and students’
organizations condemned the hooligan deeds taken place during the
visit paid to Turkey by Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians and
made a statement.
“Under the light of obvious calls and actions of intolerance,
vandalism and violence, Turkey’s legends, proclaimed theses of
historic traditions of religious tolerance about “civilization” and
“Europeanization” blow up,” is mentioned in the statement.
According to the statement authors, the reality that Turkish mass
media irritate the public opinion on the visit of Karekin II and his
meetings, and response of separate mass media makes public the Turk
society’s intolerance towards Armenians and the Christian religion.
Participants of the press conference informed that the statement must
be addressed to diplomatic representations accredited in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress