Author: Emil Lazarian

PRIME MINISTER ALSO CONSIDERS IT UNNECESSARY
Lragir.am
15 June 06
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan touched upon the killings of
Armenians in Russia on June 14. The prime minister said he disapproves
xenophobia in Russia, adding that it is directed against different
nationalities.
“It concerns not only the Armenians, but also the nationalist movement
gathering momentum in Russia, which, I think, is not in the interests
of the Russian nation or the Russians. If this persists, many Russians
live in the CIS countries, and there may be counteraction. Therefore,
I think, the Russian government, the law-enforcement agencies must
express a clear stance,” says Andranik Margaryan.
Andranik Margaryan disagrees that official Yerevan reacted late or did
not respond at all. “The official response was on the level of the
ambassador. It has always been. We do not necessarily have to lodge
complaints with the government or president of Russia, because they
also condemn this step.” Andranik Margaryan said he will extend the
concern of Armenia to Russian government officials during his visit
to Moscow at the end of this year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

QUESTION OF OPPOSITION LEADER IS CLEAR, MANDATES SHOULD BE LAID DOWN
Lragir.am
15 June 06
Much became clear in the opposition after Orinats Yerkir had seceded
from the coalition, stated Aram Harutiunyan, the leader of the National
Agreement Party, June 15 at the Pakagits Club. He forecasted home
political developments. According to Aram Harutiunyan, after the bid
of Orinats Yerkir for the opposition the National Unity Party lost its
nerve and thanks to the debates that followed the opposition parties
made sure the “place of the National Unity in the opposition.” Aram
Harutiunyan says none of the opposition forces will ally with the
National Unity in the parliamentary election.
“Even Samvel Babayan’s Alliance,” says Aram Harutiunyan, adding
that he has learned that before the Orinats Yerkir – National Unity
debate Samvel Babayan was negotiating with Artashes Geghamyan for
alliance. Aram Harutiunyan said in the parliamentary election Stepan
Demirchyan’s People’s Party will “give up” the opposition to prevent
others from appearing in the parliament at his expense. Hence Aram
Harutiunyan stated that the National Unity and the People’s Party
will run for parliament in 2007 alone, saying that thus the question
of the leader of the opposition is solved because two key figures
aspiring to leadership will run for parliament alone. The leader
of the National Agreement Party goes on to forecast that the rest
of the opposition will run for parliament in an alliance: Orinats
Yerkir, Heritage, the Republic Party, Hovanes Hovanisyan’s liberal
party. Aram Harutiunyan says Vazgen Manukyan and Samvel Babayan will
probably join this alliance.
Aram Harutiunyan thinks Arthur Baghdasaryan is the possible leader
of the alliance and the opposition in general. The leader of the
National Agreement Party thinks Arthur Baghdasaryan has a greater
chance to bring together the opposition around him. “We think it is
possible that Arthur Baghdasaryan may become a point of accumulation
in the opposition,” says Aram Harutiunyan. According to him,
Arthur Baghdasaryan may manage to do what the other leaders of the
opposition failed. In particular, Harutiunyan means resigning from
the parliament. According to him, the other representatives of the
opposition have missed the moment whereas for Arthur Baghdasaryan this
is the right moment. Aram Harutiunyan thinks if Arthur Baghdasaryan
laid down his mandate, the opposition would have no other way out
but coming together around him.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ELECTRICITY BILLS TO GO UP IN KARABAKH
Lragir.am
15 June 06
On June 1 the tariff on gas will grow from 59 to 65 drams in NKR.
People have already learned; they accepted the news calmly because
they know that gas is imported from Armenia where the price increased
as well. But the news that the electricity bills are going to increase
too was a surprise. So far people in Karabakh have paid 14 drams per 1
kWh of electricity. During the June 14 meeting of the National Assembly
Prime Minister Anushavan Danielian announced that the tariff will
increase to 20 drams. The prime minister said an annual 210 million
kW is consumed in the country, only 100 million kW is generated in
NKR. The rest is imported from Armenia, where electricity is more
expensive. More and more electricity is imported, which causes the
price to go up. Despite these explanations, people in Karabakh say it
is going to be very difficult for poor families, especially in winter.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MORAL IS IN ACCORD
Aram Abrahamian
Aravot.am
15 June 06
Tigran Torosian’s appointment as the NA chairman became important with
the following declaration; ”There are cases when morality is beyond
every law. And not showing these mutual curses in the days of morning
is quite justified”. It is spoken about declarations pronounced on
2 of May, which weren’t broadcasted because of tragic air crash on
3 of May. It seems from the first sight that Mr. Torosian is right,
we all were so painted that we would hardly listen to the curses of
deputies. But it is only at the first sight. If we think a little, it
will be quite strange to subdue the law by the leader of legislative
body. Law is a severe, ”heartless”, formal obligation. Moral norms
are more sweet and exiting but unfortunately subjective formulations
“written” on the sand.
We can find moral justification for everything. The oligarch who
doesn’t pay taxes says himself; ”I have so many workers, do so many
benevolent actions”. Liska or Manvel who beat those whom they don’t
like say ;We have poured blood for this land”. So the law is the most
right thing. It is a red light, stop; it is a green light, drive. But
when traffic lights are out of order and divers drive understanding
each other, “morality”, quarrels start from here. Everything is in
accord here; it is impossible to determine the limit after which the
law must be subordinated to moral norms.
The above-mentioned case can also been regulated by law; a/ deciding
not to broadcast deputies’ declarations at all, b/deciding not to do
it in mourning days, c/ to adopt a special law that those deputies who
curse are deprived of the right of speech till the end of session. As
much traffic lights are as better.
I should remind that that the American legislation begins at the
supposition that every person is a criminal inside his mind. And
it was justified; the majority of people who came to the continent
had run from Europe for different reasons. We also need in such
legislation as we have been trained in the conditions of the Soviet,
non-juridical state.
There is certainly another version, to make Kashpirovsky seance
injecting morality into our society. But that version is as possible
as the victory of Trinidad & Tobago in the Football World Cup.
–Boundary_(ID_nQeHM+qTzPgmgaliPP9ETw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JAVAKHK COMPATRIOTIC UNION CALLS FOR NOT AGGRAVATING SITUATION IN JAVAKHK
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 15 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The situation in
Javakhk should not be aggravated, constructive works should be done
for the Armenian and Georgian authorities to find a common denominator
as a result of discussions of some issues. Shirak Torosian, Chairman
of the Javakhk compatriotic union, made such a statement at the June
14 press conference.
According to him, the governments of Armenia and Georgia
should together determine the ways of solution of problems of
Javakhk for Javakhk “not to become a factor in the hands of
some forces.” Sh.Torosian also said that they should not run to
extremes: today we should secure raising of the level of Javakhk’s
self-government and giving its powers to independently solve some
problems, for a budget of its own to be formed, within the framework
of which it will be possible to solve some cultural, financial and
technical problems. “If in the future the Republic of Georgia by its
Constitution makes a decision to change the administrative-territorial
structure and to have the structure of a federal state, it will
be right if Javakhk also has a status of autonomy,” the speaker
emphasized.
In connection with withdrawing the Russian military base from the
territory of Georgia Shirak Torosian expressed anxiety that this
will deprive residents of Javakhk of hundreds of jobs. Besides, the
population feels itself safer with the Russian military base being
in Georgia.
According to Sh.Torosian, now the main administrative-civil bodies are
moved to Akhaltska, so, they are moved away from the Javakhk population
and power structures are brought to Javakhk. “Two power structures have
been created in Javakhk lately, one is the gendarmerie, the other the
military police. A question emerges: if there are no Georgian military
units in Javakhk, why is a military police created?” the Speaker
emphasized at the same time expressing an opinion that by means of
this the Georgians wish to destabilize the situation in Javakhk in
order “to appropriate Javakhk in the political and military respect.”
As for the Kars-Akhalkalak railway, according to Sh.Torosian, the
Armenians of Javakhk are against its construction as this is not in
the interests of Armenia.
Shirak Torosian gave assurance that it will be possible to smooth over
Armenian-Georgian contradictions within the framework of bilateral
negotiations and discussions, as a result of mutually beneficial
cooperation between the two states.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES 2005 STATE BUDGET EXECUTION REPORT
Noyan Tapan
Jun 15 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The report on the 2005 state budget
execution was approved unanimously – by 77 votes in favor, at the June
15 session convened on the initaitives of the RA National Assembly
deputies. Representatives of the opposition factions Justice and
National Unity were not present at the voting, while members of the
Orinats Yerkir faction did not participate in it..
According to the approved report, the actual revenues of the 2005
state budget made 374.7 bln drams or 99.9% of the adjusted program,
actual expenditures – 417.5 bln drams or 97.1%, the defecit – 42.8
bln drams or 78.3%. The underfulfilment of the defecit was due to
underimplementation of financing by 57.6%, with the internal financing
program being exceeded by 26.6%.
In 2005, the economic growth made 14%, exceeding the target index by
6% and the respective index of 2004 – by 3.5%. Nominal GDP amounted
to 2 trillion 244 billion drams, per capita GDP – to 697,421 drams
or 1,524 USD.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NAMIK TAN: TURKEY HASN’T TAKEN PART IN ANY STAGE OF SECRET CIA ACTIVITIES
PanARMENIAN.Net
15.06.2006 18:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey yesterday denied any involvement in alleged
CIA secret activities after the Council of Europe (CoE) concluded last
week that 14 European nations colluded with U.S. intelligence in a
“spider’s web” of human rights abuses to help the CIA spirit terror
suspects to illegal detention facilities. “Turkey hasn’t and won’t
take part in any stage of secret CIA activities,” Turkish Foreign
Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan said at a weekly press conference.
Tan made the remarks in a response to an Amnesty International
statement on Wednesday which accused seven European countries,
including Turkey, of aiding U.S. abductions of terror suspects. ”
Accusations by Amnesty International, other institutions or people,
shouldn’t be taken seriously,” Tan added. Asked whether Incirlik Air
Base in Adana could be used for alleged transportation of detainees
by CIA secret flights without the Turkish authorities being informed,
Tan ruled out such a possibility, saying, “Incirlik is a Turkish Armed
Force [TSK] base. Our officials are aware of everything that goes on
at the base.” Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also previously denied
allegations of detainees being interrogated on secret CIA flight at
Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul, accusing such groundless claims
of being aimed at opening a debate on the sovereignty of the Turkish
Republic, reported ABHaber news agency.
Turkey yesterday denied any involvement in alleged CIA secret
activities after the Council of Europe (CoE) concluded last week that
14 European nations colluded with U.S. intelligence in a “spider’s
web” of human rights abuses to help the CIA spirit terror suspects
to illegal detention facilities. “Turkey hasn’t and won’t take part
in any stage of secret CIA activities,” Turkish Foreign Ministry
Spokesman Namik Tan said at a weekly press conference.
Tan made the remarks in a response to an Amnesty International
statement on Wednesday which accused seven European countries,
including Turkey, of aiding U.S. abductions of terror suspects. ”
Accusations by Amnesty International, other institutions or people,
shouldn’t be taken seriously,” Tan added. Asked whether Incirlik Air
Base in Adana could be used for alleged transportation of detainees
by CIA secret flights without the Turkish authorities being informed,
Tan ruled out such a possibility, saying, “Incirlik is a Turkish Armed
Force [TSK] base. Our officials are aware of everything that goes on
at the base.” Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also previously denied
allegations of detainees being interrogated on secret CIA flight at
Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul, accusing such groundless claims
of being aimed at opening a debate on the sovereignty of the Turkish
Republic, reported ABHaber news agency.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST STEP NOT TO FINANCE KARS-AKHALKALAK RAILWAY IS TAKEN
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
16/06/2006
Sticking to its policy of regional cooperation and economic policy,
the US House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services has
taken a decision not to finance Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilis-Baku railway
bypassing Armenia, RFE/RL reports. The Armenian Assembly of America
thanked congressmen and informed that congressmen Joseph Crowley,
Edward Royce and Bred Sherman proposed an amendment to the banking
procedure 2006 on exports and imports that prohibits assignment of
state finances to projects aimed at isolating Armenia from regional
and trade cooperation.
The amendment passed unanimously, and in AAA’s words, this emphasizes
United States’ resolution to improve Armenian-Turkish relations and
to settle Nagorno Karabakh issues through peace talks. This decision
is also a response to newly appointed US ambassador to Azerbaijan,
Anne Derse, who said that the railway is not in the interests of
regional integration.
In congressman Crowley’s words, the amendment is a signal for Turkish
and Azerbaijani governments that exclusion of Armenia from regional
projects can result in instability. Californian congressman Sherman
reminded that the EU has already made it stance clear on this issue. In
his words, the financing of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline in 2003 was
a huge mistake as the aim of US foreign aid should be cooperative
solution to the conflict but not financing of suchlike projects.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DID HUMAN FACTOR CAUSE CRASH OF A-320 AIRBUS?
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
16/06/2006
Or It’s Another Version to Save Russian Air Communicator.
The decoding of the black boxes of the crashed A-320 airbus is
completed, Moskovskiy Komsomolec newspaper quoted one of the experts
as saying.
According to the expert the official data will be published in
several days, but it is known already that the airplane was in perfect
technical condition.
The crash was caused by the so-called human factor.
The expert found no drawback in the technical state of the airbus. The
experts found out that there was no lack of fuel, either.
The experts believe that the airbus crashed because of the crew lost
its orientation in the air space. The crew may appear in such situation
because of bad weather conditions or when they lose concentration.
On May 3, the factor of bad weather conditions was more actual. The
black boxes testify that when the air traffic controller sent the
airbus for the second circle, the crew guided the plane and not
the autopilot.
It’s worth mentioning that earlier the unknown sources spread a
version according to which the crash was caused by the controller of
the Adler airport, as he didn’t take into account the capacities of
the Armenian pilot and didn’t let him land.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR DEMANDS THE OSCE TO FIND OUT THE INITIATOR OF THE FRONTIER FIRE
A1+
[07:29 pm] 15 June, 2006
NKR Foreign Ministry had to respond to Azerbaijan’s charges according
to which Armenians are accused of setting fire to the frontier rural
areas deliberately.
The racket made by the Azeri side is aimed at worsening the situation
of the conflict zone and strengthening inconfidence between the two
sides resumes NKR deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan.
At the same time the Azeri authorities attempt to divert the
attention of the international community from the fact of demolishing
Armenian historical and cultural monuments and cemetery located in the
territory of Azerbaijan. Brilliant evidence to that fact can serve the
destruction of the Julfa khachkars.” Masis Mayilyan also claimed that
the dry grass of the above mentioned territory burns during the hot
summer months. They are unable to extinguish fires because of frequent
violations of the cease-fire. A few years ago the authorities of the
NKR released a letter to the Azeri side through the OSCE Minsk group
Co-Chairs offering to prevent further burning of pasture with joint
efforts. “Unfortunately, the offer was turned down by the official
Baku and it reflects the real principles of the sides, especially
Azerbaijan’s lack of political power to settle issues of bilateral
concern,” claimed NKR deputy Foreign Minster.
By the way, today the NKR Foreign Ministry applied to the office of
the Personal Representative of the OSCE Secretary-in-Office. The NKR
suggested holding a crisis-survey in the frontier areas in order to
assess the situation properly and refute the false rumors spread from
the Azeri side.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress