Author: Emil Lazarian

JUSTICE MINISTER OF ARMENIA WILL NOT CREATE A PARTY OF HIS OWN
Yerevan, July 25. ArmInfo. Justice Minister of Armenia David
Harutiunian stated on a today press conference that he does not
intend to create his own party. The Minister added that there are
to many political parties in Armenia and establishment of a new one
would be senseless. He said that he would rather join one of the
major parties of Armenia. He did not say which party he is more
likely to join and promised to inform the public as soon as he
has decided. Mr. Harutiunian also stated that he will not put his
candidature on the presidential elections of 2008.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE STOCK EXCHANGE DOLLAR RATE MADE UP 417 AMD/$1
Yerevan. July 25. ArmInfo. During tender at the Armenian Stock
Exchange ArmEx 5 board lots were sold at the amount of AMD 148,
0 million ($355 thousand). The dollar rate made up AMD 417,0/$1,
0,03% less than on July 24.
Demand volume equaled $100 thousand and the supply volume – $600
thousand. The best demand price was marked on the level of AMD
416,25/$1 (average – AMD 416,25/$1), and the best supply price –
AMD 417,00/$1 (average – AMD 417,56/$1).
The opening price was fixed at the level of AMD 417,01/$1, closing
price – AMD 417,00/$1, minimal price – AMD 417,00/$1 and maximal
price – AMD 417,01/$1.
Totally, in January 4 – July 25, $84,978 million was sold at ArmEx;
the average rate decreased from AMD 453,1 to 417,00/$1, AMD. The
maximal deal volume was detected on July 11 – 38 board lots at
the amount of $3,050 million and at the rate of AMD 417,83/$1, the
minimal volume – July 12 – 1 board lot at the amount of $50 thousand
(AMD 20,893 million) at the rate of AMD 417,85/$1. Since January 4
only 2 EURO exchange deals were driven – on April 6 (EUR 5 thousand,
AMD 554/EUR1) and on June 22 (EUR 1 thousand, AMD 532/EUR 1).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MOODY’S RATING COMPANY CONFERRED CURRENCY EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL RATING Ba 2 TO ARMENIA
Yerevan, July 25. ArmInfo. The Moody’s Rating Company (USA) conferred
a currency external and internal rating Ba 2 to Armenia, the Chairman
of the RA Central Bank Tigran Sarkissyan said at the press-conference.
According to him, the rating, conferred to Armenia, is a good indicator
enough for the country. He added that Armenia stands at one level with
Azerbaijan by its rating, it passes ahead of Georgia by two points
and Turkey – by one point. Sarkissyan added that the conferred rating
will allow Armenia to take its place on the “financial map of the
world” and will enable the foreign investors to properly assess the
financial risks and to develop a strategy of work in RA. Moreover,
the rating enables the country’s Government to issue bonds and to
distribute them in the international market.
Sarkissyan noted that according to the new method of Moody’s, the
management subjects and commercial banks of Armenia are given an
opportunity to receive an individual rating which can be higher than
the country’s rating. Thus, this method allows the local companies
to independently enter the international currency market and to
establish business contacts with international organizations. T.
Sarkissyan said that 5 Armenian companies, including the commercial
banks, have already addressed to receive the individual rating, the
process of conferring of which will be finished in September- October.
To be noted, the Fitch Rating Agency had conferred a sovereign credit
rating (Issuer Default ratings, IDR) “BB” to Armenia in the beginning
of June, 2006, with a stable forecast.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Crew blamed for Armenian airbus crash in southern Russia
Centre TV, Moscow
26 Jul 06
Text of “Sobytiya” news report by Russian Centre TV on 26 July
The crash of the A-320 airbus over the Black Sea was caused by a crew
mistake, according to the results of an investigation by an interstate
aviation committee published today. The technical commission, which
included French experts, has established that while operating the
plane manually the crew failed to control the bank angle and height
in time while landing. The airbus fell, with control having been
lost. The commission determined that failure of the engine or other
systems of the plane had not been registered.
The A-320 airbus of the Armenian Armavia company crashed on 3 May
near Sochi. All 113 people aboard were killed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Will Garry Kasparov return to big chess?
ArmRadio.am
26.07.2006 17:35
On the 22nd of August 13th World Chess Campion Garry Kasparov will
participate in the quick chess tournament dedicated to the 150th
anniversary of the ” Credit Suisse” bank of Zurich. According to the
Russian “Komersant” newspaper, Kasparov’s rivals will be outstanding
chess players Anatoli Karpov, Viktor Karchnoy and Yudith Palgar.
After winning in the Linares international tournament in March, 2005
the World Champion had declared he was leaving chess to concentrate
on a political career.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Highlights from Turkish Islamist press 26 Jul 06
BBC Monitoring
Yeni Safak
Under the headline, “Children Killed by Cluster Bombs,” Yeni Safak
publishes a front-page report which accuses Israel of “starting
to use cluster bombs against civilians and children” in Lebanon.
According to the report, the civilian death toll stands at 400 in
the Israeli bombardment.
In a 7,650-word article entitled “Will US Troops Be Deployed on
Anatolian Soil?” on page 4, Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul
claims that Israel’s attack on Lebanon was planned by the US and
Israeli administrations at a meeting in Colorado over 17-18 June,
adding that the purpose of the attack is to eliminate all sources of
resistance in the region against Israeli authority, enable the United
States to establish a military presence in Lebanon, and open a front
against Syria. Karagul claims Saudi Arabia’s, Egypt’s, Jordan’s and
Turkey’s support for the commitment of a NATO force to the region
indicates they have either “fallen into the trap” or are cooperating
with the US-Israeli plan because “the NATO force to be sent to the
region will not work for a ceasefire but fight for Israel and the
United States.” He also claims that it will not be long before the
same forces attempt to deploy an “international force” consisting of US
troops along the Turkish-Syrian border and in the Port of Iskenderun.
In a 650-word article entitled “What Sort of Order is This?” on
page 12, Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru blasts Condoleezza Rice for
announcing after her meeting with Olmert that “it is time for a new
Middle East” instead of taking Israel to task over the “destruction”
she “personally witnessed” in Lebanon or “at least requesting Israelis
to stop using disproportionate force.” He also asserts that “the new
Middle East Order” looks set to be established at the cost of the
blood and lives of the people of the region.
Vakit
Under the headline, “This is Treason,” Vakit publishes a front-page
report which criticizes the fact that “whereas Misons and Agops
who graduate from Jewish and Armenian schools in Turkey that offer a
religious-oriented education can enter university even when they score
poorly in the entrance exam, imam-hatip students have to surmount
obstacle after obstacle” before they can qualify for university
education.
In a 1.650-word article entitled “Sending Turkish Troops to Lebanon
by Hook or by Crook” on page 11, Vakit Editor-in-Chief Hasan Karakaya
argues that the plan to deploy a NATO force to Lebanon is not intended
to keep the peace in the region but to prevent Hezbollah from sending
missiles to Israel, adding that despite claims to the contrary, a NATO
force in Lebanon is certain to consist mostly of Turkish troops, “which
means” that “Israel’s security will be maintained by Turkish soldiers”
and that the Turkish army will find itself at odds not only with
Hezbollah but also with the Shi’is in Lebanon, and with Iran and Syria.
In a 1,200-word article entitled “What is it Time for?” on page 11,
Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak underlines the significance of
the fact that “black witch Rice” issued her statement calling for a
new Middle East on the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of
Lausanne. He claims that the current Middle East borders were not
drawn in accordance with the will of the people of this region and
that in protecting their respective borders, Middle East countries
are maintaining a map “imposed by international powers centres”
early in the twentieth century. Dilipak also explains why Turkey
should not send troops either to Iraq or to Lebanon.
Zaman
Under the headline, “Issue of Peace Force for Lebanon Turns into a
Riddle,” Zaman publishes a front-page report which asserts that it
still remains unknown when an international peacekeeping force will
be sent to Lebanon, who it will consist of, whether its targets will
include disarming Hezbollah, and what the role of NATO and the UN
will be.
In a 650-word article entitled “Search for Peace” on page 17, Zaman
columnist Mustafa Unal asserts that Ankara “justifiably” does not
look sympathetically on demands for its commitment of troops to an
international peace force in Lebanon because “deploying troops between
the Iran-supported Hezbollah and Israel, which regard the existence
of one another as casus belli, is not different from landing right
in the thick of the fire.”
In a 750-word article entitled “Beyond Israel” on page 17, Zaman
columnist Nihal B. Karaca argues that it is a mistake to look to
the United States to stop the Israeli “outrage” in Gaza and Lebanon
because it was people within the US administration who advised former
Israeli leaders to effect a “clean break” with the Mideast process and
called on Israel to “reoccupy PNA territory even if it should entail
a high price in blood.” A cartoon by Osman Turhan on page 17 depicts
a Western soldier with a smirk on his face directing a handgun to an
amazed Arab militiaman (or a terrorist, judging from his eye mask)
in the form of a hand puppet that the former has put on his right
hand – a possible sarcastic reference to what is presented as the
hypocritical quality of Western preparations to send an international
force to the Middle East in order to disarm Hezbollah.
Milli Gazete
Under the banner headline, “Let Parliament Convene Urgently,” Milli
Gazete publishes a front-page report which censures the fact that
Turkey, “the historical leader of the region,” is “not taking any steps
beyond engaging in telephone diplomacy, to stop the Israeli massacres
in Palestine and Lebanon.” According to the report, Felicity Party (SP)
leader Recai Kutan has called on Parliament to convene extraordinarily
to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.
In a 700-word article entitled “Their War is on Islam” on page 11,
Milli Gazete columnist Abdulkadir Ozkan claims that in first going
to Lebanon rather than to Israel despite the fact that “the war
was not started Lebanon,” US State Secretary Rice revealed that the
purpose of her visit was not to mediate a “fair” agreement to stop the
hostilities but to “strengthen Israel’s hand.” He also draws attention
to the coincidence of Rice’s visit with press reports that the United
States is preparing to give some 100 bunker buster bombs to Israel and
asks whether this situation does not amount to “taunting the world.”
Bugun
In an 850-word article entitled “Sending Troops to Southern Lebanon?
Why not?” on page 10, Bugun columnist Cengiz Candar argues that Turkey
should “use the opportunity” provided by requests for its contribution
of troops to Lebanon to “raise its international profile,” adding that
for Turkey, maintaining a military presence in Lebanon would be much
more effective against the “PKK scourge” than dispatching troops to
northern Iraq.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia rotates peacekeepers in Iraq – agency
Noyan Tapan news agency
25 Jul 06
Yerevan, 25 July: The fourth batch of Armenian peacekeepers left
Yerevan for Iraq on 23 July. As was the case during the previous
rotation, among 46 servicemen there are doctors, mine experts and
drivers.
Only 10 per cent of the group took part in peacekeeping operations
in Iraq earlier, the commander of the Armenian contingent, Vasak
Avetisyan, told a Noyan Tapan correspondent. There are servicemen
who have been to Kosovo, however for the larger majority, like him,
this is the first visit to Iraq.
The fourth batch of Armenian peacekeepers, as happened previously, will
stay in Iraq for six months. The previous group will return five days
after the arrival of the new group. They will pass on to the newcomers
their experience and information about their responsibilities.
Armenian Deputy Defence Minister Artur Agabekyan said that Armenian
peacekeepers would stay in Kosovo for another year. But the mission
of Armenian peacekeepers in Iraq would be longer. At the end of 2006
the Defence Ministry will appeal to the National Assembly to extend
the peacekeeping mission in Iraq for another year, Agabekyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DUAL POWER EMERGED INSIDE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, SAYS THE EXPERT OF ELECTION SYSTEMS
Lragir.am
25 July 06
The expert of Election Systems Center Arthur Aftandilyan comments
on the results of the conference of the Republican Party for
Exclusive.am. “The election of Serge Sargsyan as chair of the Council
of the Republican Party led to a political and structural dual power
(conflict of powers). If you read the powers of the council and the
leader of the party in the bylaws of the Republican Party, you will
see the conflict of powers. The essense of the political dual power
is that Serge Sargsyan entered the leadership of the Republican Party
with his team, which is different from the old team and accepts only
one leader. This duality will manifest itself in further developments
inside the political party and internal competition. Will it hinder
or favor the pre-election campaign? It will become clear this fall.
Nevertheless, the recent developments connected with the Republican
Party spur the development of the system of political parties in
Armenia. I think it is the turn of the opposition. If they manage
to establish an equal alliance and choose a correct strategy, we all
will benefit.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MONEY FOR THE POOR GOES TO THE NON-POOR
Lragir.am
25 July 06
34 percent of the population of Armenia is below the bottom line
of poverty, stated Artsvik Minasyan, deputy minister of work and
social security, July 25, reports the news agency ARKA. 34 percent is
over 1 million people. About 200 thousand people are extremely poor.
Considering that officially the population of Armenia is 3.2 million,
at least 1/3 of the population of Armenia is poor.
The deputy minister said Armenia needs 54.4 billion drams to combat
poverty, which is 2.9 percent of the GDP of Armenia. At the same
time, Artsvik Minasyan said in fact much more funds are required,
because 40 percent of benefits for the poor goes to the non-poor.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ancient Urartian inscription disappears in Iran
IranMania News, Iran
July 26, 2006
LONDON, July 26 (IranMania) – An inscription of Urartian king Ishpuini
(circa 830-810 BC) has disappeared from Baraghaneh Mountain, near
Bukan in West Azarbaijan Province, the Persian service of CHN reported.
A team of experts from the Language and Dialect Research Center of
the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization studying in the region
recently discovered that the inscription was not in its place.
The director of the Cultural Heritage Guards of the province said
that he had not been informed about the incident.
“The research center dispatched a group in order to film the position
of the inscription,” research center director Rasul Bashshash said.
“The inscription had been discovered by a team of mountain climbers
in 1997, but the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization was only
informed about it in 2005,” he explained.
The inscription had been written in cuneiform.
Ishpuini was the son of Sarduri I (circa 840-830 BC). Only a few
inscriptions about his reign remain in the ancient Urartian capital
Tushpa (Turushpa), modern Van in Turkey.
Urartu was an ancient country of Southwest Asia centered in the
mountainous region southeast of the Black Sea and southwest of the
Caspian Sea.
Today the region is divided among Armenia, eastern Turkey, and
northwestern Iran.
Mentioned in Assyrian sources from the early 13th century BC, Urartu
enjoyed considerable political power in the Middle East in the 9th
and 8th centuries BC. The Urartians were succeeded in the area in
the 6th century BC by the Armenians.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress