Author: Emil Lazarian

SEARCH WITH NEW EQUIPMENT
A1+
[01:06 pm] 10 May, 2006
The search works of the Armenian plane A-320 have been going on since
morning with the participation of French specialists and their new
equipment. The French specialists are mainly looking for the record
boxes. For this purpose special equipment has been installed on the
ship “Navigator”.
“The five French specialists who have arrived in Sochi have brought
the necessary equipment to find out the record boxes,” one of the
members of the search group informed the agency “Interfax-South.” He
also informed that the installing will take about 6 hours after which
the French specialists will take up work.
Let us remind you that the experts of the French Bureau of aircrash
investigation announced that the record boxes of crashed A-320 planes
can be preserved up to 30 days up to about 6 000 meters deep under the
water. The radio of the boxes will continue to work for all those days.
One of the boxes records all the data of the flight – the speed,
the height, the course and the work of the pilot. The other one
records all the conversations in the cabin of the pilot. Everything
is recorded every second.
One of the boxes weighs 10 kg, 7 of which is the armored shell. So,
the box can sink up to 6 000 meters and endure heat up to about 1
100 C and pressure of about 2.2 tons for a whole month.
By the way, in 2004 the French specialists managed to take about the
Egyptian plane which crashed in the Red Sea. The plane lay 1000 meters
under the water.
The agency “Ria-Novosti” has just informed that the search works have
stopped because of the coming storm.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA WAS NOT ELECTED MEMBER OF THE UN NEWLY-CREATED COUNCIL
A1+
[03:15 pm] 10 May, 2006
Early in the morning in New York the UN Assembly General elected the 47
members of the newly created “Human Rights Defense Council”. Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia had also applied for membership. Armenia wasn’t
elected member of the Council, whereas Azerbaijan was.
The countries of Eastern Europe fought hard for membership in the
council. It took them three phases to finish the election. 13 countries
fought for 6 places. Armenia received 70 votes and disqualified from
the first phase. After the second phase only Russia, Poland and Czech
Republic received the necessary amount of votes. And in the third
phase Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Hungary were elected.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH SPEAKER VIEWS ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS, ADDRESSES SWEDISH PARLIAMENT
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
9 May 2006
Stockholm, 9 May: “Turkey will never recognize so-called Armenian
genocide because such a thing has not happened in our history,”
Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Tuesday [9 May].
Arinc, who is currently paying a state visit to Sweden, responded to
questions of Swedish MPs at the parliament.
Upon a question about so-called Armenian genocide, Arinc said:
“This issue has been discussed for a long time. It is a fact that
tragic events happened during the World War I. However, there is not
any court verdict that Turks committed genocide against Armenians.
Also Turks, Arabs and Kurds died during the World War I. Therefore,
it is a serious mistake to say that only Armenians were subject
to genocide.”
“Armenians had always lived freely during the Ottoman Empire era.
Last year, we proposed Armenia to set a joint independent commission
of historians to research the issue. However, Armenia turned down
Turkey’s proposal. On the other hand, Turkey’s archives are kept open
for researchers,” he stressed.
When asked whether Turkish people were ready for EU membership,
Arinc said: “Turkish people have always wanted to become a member
of the EU. Although Turkey has fulfilled the necessary criteria,
the EU asked Turkey to fulfil additional criteria. We do not want
any privileges, the EU should not discriminate Turkey. Turkish people
regret such humiliation and discrimination.”
“The EU is a 40-year process for Turkey. Our relations with the EU
are based on international agreements and mutual interests,” he said.
Replying to another question, Arinc said: “Turkey is a secular and
democratic state. Our citizens worship freely.”
“Turkish people’s religious belief has not prevented secular Turkey
from being an indispensable part of Europe so far, and it also has not
prevented Turkey from being member of organizations which represent
the Western world,” said Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. He
added: “Nobody questioned our religion when Turkey both joined NATO
in 1952 and defended freedom during Cold War in Europe.”
Arinc addressed parliamentarians at Swedish parliament on Tuesday. He
said: “Swedish parliament has a respectful place in the world. Sweden
is one of the leading countries that preserve democratic values and
contribute to peace and harmony. Similarly, Turkey preserves democratic
values in its region and produces stability by contributing to peace,
harmony and dialogue of civilizations.
Peaceful, realistic and coherent foreign policy is our basis on the
path to modernization.”
“The will of Turkish people and their spiritual values are two basic
elements of our foreign policy,” noted Arinc. “We are pleased that
all political parties in Swedish parliament support Turkey’s full
EU membership. Although there are people who are against Turkey’s
membership, the number of people who support Turkey is increasing
each day,” added Arinc.
“Those who oppose to Turkey’s EU membership are concerned about our
population and our religion. Our religion has not prevented us from
being an indispensable part of Europe so far. It will not obstruct
our membership to organizations representing the Western values.
Turkey is one of the founder members of the Council of Europe.
It means that Turkey has played an active and constructive role in
efforts to shape the project for a political Europe from the very
beginning. When Turkey joined NATO in 1952 and defended freedom in
Europe during the Cold War era, no one questioned our religion,”
he said.
Arinc said: “The EU showed its strategic vision and its will by
formally opening accession talks on 5 October 2005. The screening
process has been continuing since then. We expect the EU to start
negotiations on at least two chapter headings during the presidency
of Austria.”
“Turkey will create new political and economic horizons for the EU,
and it will further strengthen the EU in its efforts to become a
global actor. After Turkey’s accession, the EU’s influence will
increase in a huge area from the Balkans to Caucasus, from Central
Asia to Mediterranean and broader Middle East,” he said.
Arinc added: “Turkey has the potential to make important contributions
to the EU’s joint foreign and security policy and to the European
security and defence policy.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CAPTAIN”S PERFORMANCE WAS EXEMPLARY
Panorama.am
17:11 09/05/06
Exclusive Interview of Michael Bagdasarov, Armavia air company owner,
to Panorama.am (part 2) – In the course of the last 3 days Armavia
lost 2 airliners A-320. How will this loss impact the performance of
the air company, particularly in regards to flight management?
– First, many companies have expressed their assistance.
– According to our sources, the first assistance was rendered by air
company Siberia.
– Assistance was rendered by Siberia and Souz Atlant as well as
Volgograd airlines and Aeroport. Besides, as mentioned earlier, we
have already received new airliners. Therefore, the number of our
airplanes reaches 5, which will be enough for normal performance.
– There are some concerns that the company will go bankrupt.
– I may disappoint those people who think that Armavia will go
bankrupt. Our personnel will get stronger after such bitter experience.
– We had an impression that they wanted to put all the responsibility
for the accident on the captain of the airliner G. Grigoryan. What
is your personal opinion in this regard?
– These are stupid things expressed by non-responsible people. They
also said that there was not enough fuel in the airliner. However,
the place of the accident was contaminated with fuel. The recordings
between the air controller and the pilot prove that the performance
of the captain of the plane was exemplary which cannot be said about
the air controller.
– Is that true that the air controller was arguing with the captain
as some mass media say referring to Georgian sources?
– No, they were not arguing. But the point is that the air controller
sent the plane to the second round while the plane was almost to land.
However, we cannot assert that the accident happened due to
air controller’s fault. The air controller just worsened the
situation. There are series of issues why the accident could take
place.
There is a transcript where the air controller twice tried to send
the plane back to Yerevan and then again to Sochi after which it sent
the plane to the second round.
However, why coundn’t the pilot land the airplane? No one has enough
proof to blame the pilot in that, thus far. It was an experienced,
high-level pilot who was one of the best. He had previous experience
in Krasnodar and knew the location very well…
– We had an impression that some Russian parties are not very
interested in finding the “black box” recorder. What do you think?
– Impressions may be different. The Russian side is seriously engaged
in the investigation of the case. It should be noted that there is
also the Airbus which is interested to take the case to its end. As
far as Russians are concerned, it depends who we look at. The head of
commission is very interested. If we look on state bodies, they are
interested, too. May be someone is not interested. There were rumors
that there was not enough fuel or that the pilot was not experienced
weren’t they.
– They also say that there was no navigator on board.
– There was a navigator and a technician on board.
There is a group of people who just make up such stories, do you
understand?
– Thank you for the interview. Once again we render our
condolences.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A VICTORY ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF CONTINUOUS EFFORTS
Panorama.am
14:25 10/05/06
Today president of “Protection of Consumer’s Rights” Abgar Yeghoyan
came out with following statement:
“For the last seven months “Protection of Consumers’ Rights” /PCR/
NGO has kept a close eye on the problem of outrageous bills presented
by “Armentel” CJS to its subscribers for using telephone lines to
access internet.
At the end of last year, when first informed about the problem, PCR has
sent letters to the RA Ombudswoman, RA Attorney General and RA Public
Services Regulatory Commission. PCR and the National Assembly Deputy
Collaboration Group made a joint announcement in this regard. Besides
PCR has informed its partners and constituents through its e-network
about methods of blocking international call exits of ordinary phone
lines to avoid undesirable outcomes of being charged for undelivered
services and received positive feedback for this activity.
Since October 2005, PCR was open for consumers who were willing to
appeal against the bills presented to them. During six months PCR
has received 32 appeals.
PCR was not the only organization trying to protect deceived consumers,
several other civil society organizations as well several deputies
of the National Assembly joint their efforts to advocate for
telecommunication consumers. Taking into consideration the amount
of consumers’ appeals the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission
formed a working group to study the problem, which also included
representatives of various civil society organizations, as well as
PCR’s representative.
Examinations made by the working group showed that even specialists of
“Armentel” CJS at the company’s headquarters did not succeed to access
those foreign web-sites from where damaged files supposedly enter
subscribers’ computers, as well as it was proved that the methods
of blocking international call exits of phone lines provided in
“Armentel’s” information brochures did not function properly.
Even though this issue has become a public concern number of “Armentel”
subscribers who received outrageous bills kept growing. In order to
solve the problem PCR prepared a civil suit against “Armentel” CJS
on the behalf of 32 plaintiffs who have appealed to PCR. Before the
case went to court good news came from “Armentel” CJS. At the meeting
held on May 5th, 2006 the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission
decided to accept “Armentel” CJS’s suggestion, as an expression of
good will, of disregarding bills generated as a result of internet
access through telephone lines of those subscribers who have presented
a written appeal to “Armentel” CJS from November 2004 to April 1st,
2006. Those subscribers who have already paid their bills will have
a chance to make international calls according to the amount they
have paid beforehand. “Armentel” CJS is to inform all subscribers
about this decision until May 13th, 2006, also the company received
a recommendation from the Public Services Regulatory Commission
to consider the opportunity of including into the list all those
subscribers who have appealed in written form to “Armentel” CJS from
April 1st,2006 until May 5th, 2006.
The problem is not completely solved with this decision; meanwhile at
least rights of numerous consumers will not be violated. PCR believes
that this can be called a victor for the efforts made by the civil
society organizations and appropriate state structures”.

EUROPE DAYS TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 13:37
Traditionally Europe celebrates May 9 as the day of birth of united
and peaceful Europe. On this occasion May 11-18 events dedicated
to the Europe Day will be held in Armenia at the initiative of the
European Movement.
Head of the European Movement in Armenia Viktor Yengibaryan told
“Arminfo” that the opening of the Days of Europe in Armenia will be
held at the Museum of Folk Arts.
The event will be attended by representatives of RA Government,
National Assembly, NGOs and educational establishments. Greeting
speeches will be delivered by Head of the European Movement in Armenia
Viktor Yengibaryan and representative of the Armenian delegation to
the European Commission Georg Miller.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRIZE TO HRANT DINK
Lragir.am
10 May 06
The Stern Weekly reports that Hrant Dink, Editor-in-Chief of the Agos
Weekly published in Turkey, will receive the Henri Nannen prize of
the German Gruner & Jahr Publishers and Stern Weekly. Hrant Dink was
distinguished for high professionalism and bald standpoint of an honest
and brave citizen, writes the Stern. The prize was given to one of 191
press reporters. The prize will be delivered to Hrant Dink in Hamburg
on May 12. For Hrant Dink, the Stern writes that he gives his vote to
his people, he is a voice of his people. The Stern emphasizes that the
bald materials of the editor of the Agos has broken the wall of silence
and fear in Turkey, behind which the Armenians of Turkey are living.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: <; REQUIEM SERVICES HELD IN PRELACY CHURCHES FOR PLANE CRASH VICTIMS On Sunday, May 7, by the directive of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, special requiem services took place in all of the Western Prelacy churches in memory of the victims who perished in the plane crash that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The Prelate presided over Holy Mass at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. In attendance were the Honorable Gagik Giragossian, Consul General of Armenia, Executive Council Chairman Mr. Hrair Balian, A.R.F. Central Committee representative Mr. Koko Topalian, H.E. Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, and hundreds of faithful. In his sermon, the Prelate made a special reference to the lives lost in the plane crash and once again expressed his condolences to the Consul General and to the families of the victims. The Prelate urged the faithful to pray for the souls of the deceased and prayed to Almighty God to keep us all away from harm. IN SAN FRANCISCO AND LAS VEGAS On Sunday, May 7, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, co-director of the Prelacy Christian Education Department conducted Holy Mass at St. Gregory Church in San Francisco. Alongside the special requiem services for the plane crash victims, a special service took place for H.M.E.M. scouts. Very Rev. Fr. M. Aznikian presented the more than 20 scouts with ribbons for completing the first part of the `St. Mesrob Mashdots' program. After successful completion of the second part of the program, the scouts will be awarded with the `St. Mesrob Mashdots' medal. On the same day, Rev. Fr. Ardag Demirjian of St. Mary's Church conducted Holy Mass at the Las Vegas parish where requiem services also took place for the plane crash victims. Several members of the Holy Martyrs church choir took part in the ceremonies. Under the direction of the Prelate and the Religious Council and in collaboration with the city's parish council, Mass is offered on the first Sunday of each month. On this occasion, Rev. Fr. A. Demirjian conveyed the Prelate's blessings to the parishioners and bade success to the new parish council's endeavors. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Regnum, Russia
May 9 2006
Armenian President and Prime Minister congratulated veterans on
Victory Day
On the occasion of the Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War and Day
of Shusha Liberation Armenian President Robert Kocharyan sent message
of congratulation. As REGNUM was informed at the Armenian
presidential press office, in particular, the president congratulated
in it his compatriots on Day of Victory and Peace, pointing out that
it is impossible to forget Armenian people’s contribution to victory
in WWII, during which Armenian soldiers, officers and generals fought
at all fronts, honorably representing Armenia.
Also, the president stressed that May 9 gained new sense thanks to
Shusha liberation in 1992 (Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army and troops
of volunteers liberated Karabakh the town of Shusha, strategically
influencing war actions – REGNUM). It became a symbol of Artsakh
Liberation War (Artsakh is historical name of Nagorno Karabakh –
REGNUM). Commemorating the Day, we revere the memory of heroes,
fallen during the Great Patriotic and Artsakh Wars, the president
pointed out.
On the occasion of the holiday, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan also sent a message of congratulation. In particular, the
address says that the victory over Nazism was a great event for the
whole world. Armenian people defended their homes and motherland at
that time, and they did in the recent history, the premier stressed,
pointing out that Armenia celebrates the 15th anniversary of
independence this year, which was achieved at a high price.
Maintenance of independence, strengthening of the state needs
devotion of every Armenian, the Armenian premier stressed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Transitions Online, Czech Republic
May 9 2006
Speaker Blindsides President on NATO

by Emil Danielyan
9 May 2006
A potential presidential challenger may be signaling a shift in the
geopolitical mood in Armenia. From EurasiaNet.
The ambitious speaker of Armenia’s parliament, Artur Baghdasarian,
has stoked geopolitical controversy in Yerevan by calling for the
country’s eventual withdrawal from the Russian-dominated Collective
Security Treaty Organization and, ultimately, its accession to NATO.
The extraordinary statements, which run counter to one of the main
tenets of Armenian foreign policy, prompted a stern rebuke from
President Robert Kocharian and his close political allies.
Baghdasarian responded by threatening to pull his Orinats Yerkir
(Country of Law) party out of Kocharian’s governing coalition.
The row is widely linked to the parliamentary and presidential
elections scheduled for 2007 and 2008. Some local observers believe
Baghdasarian is courting Western support to bolster his reputed
presidential ambitions. The controversy also provides additional
evidence that the geopolitical mood in Armenia – a country
traditionally oriented toward Russia – is slowly shifting.
The controversy began on 19 April, when Baghdasarian’s comments were
published by one of Germany’s most prominent daily newspapers, the
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. `Armenia’s future is the European
Union and NATO,” Baghdasarian said, adding that Russia “must not
stand in our way to Europe.” Kocharian distanced himself from these
remarks, saying they do not reflect his administration’s policy.
“Armenia is not planning to join NATO,” the Golos Armenii newspaper
quoted him as saying in late April. He also reportedly demanded an
`explanation’ from Baghdasarian. The criticism was echoed by the
leaders of the two other parties represented in Kocharian’s cabinet.
Baghdasarian’s comments appear to have also raised eyebrows in
Moscow. Senior Russian lawmakers reportedly raised the matter with
Baghdasarian during a meeting of a Russian-Armenian commission on
inter-parliamentary cooperation that took place in St. Petersburg in
late April.
However, the 37-year-old speaker struck a defiant note during a
parliament session in Yerevan on 2 May, asserting that NATO
membership was essential for Armenia’s `European integration.’ “I see
Armenia’s future in the European Union, rather than the
Russia-Belarus union,’ he said. Baghdasarian downplayed his
differences with the Armenian government’s position, but warned that
if they are deemed `serious’ by Kocharian, Orinats Yerkir will not
hesitate to quit the governing coalition.
The pro-presidential coalition – comprising Orinats Yerkir, the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), and Prime Minister Andranik
Markarian’s Republican Party of Armenia – has been beset by
infighting ever since the signing nearly three years ago of a
power-sharing agreement. The squabbles have, until now, centered
solely on domestic issues. But the Yerevan daily Aravot on 3 May
quoted ARF leader Vahan Hovannisian as suggesting that the latest row
has exposed `disagreements of a strategic character’ within the
pro-Kocharian camp.
Those disagreements may well deepen in advance of next year’s
Armenian parliamentary election. Baghdasarian effectively kicked off
his party’s election campaign in April when he publicly criticized
the government’s controversial privatization policies, scoring points
with the disgruntled electorate. Such opposition-style tactics
already helped Orinats Yerkir form the second largest faction in
parliament on the basis of the results of the May 2003 election. The
party, which now claims to be the largest in Armenia, was not
implicated in reports of serious irregularities that marred that
vote.
The Orinats Yerkir leader, who is often criticized for employing
populist tactics, is also seen as one of Kocharian’s potential
successors. The incumbent’s second and final term in office expires
in 2008. Observers say Western support would only increase
Baghdasarian’s chances of making a strong run in the next
presidential ballot.
Western policymakers and analysts seem to be showing growing interest
in Baghdasarian, underscored by the decision by a major European
newspaper to run an extensive interview with him. Baghdasarian’s
comparative youth and stated commitment to democratic reforms have
already earned him comparisons to the revolutionary leaders of
Georgia and Ukraine, Mikheil Saakashvili and Viktor Yushchenko.
Baghdasarian helped foster such an image by traveling to Kyiv last
December to deliver a passionate pro-democracy speech during the
first-anniversary celebrations of Ukraine’s Orange Revolution. His
calls for Armenian membership in NATO may thus further boost his
stock in the United States and Europe.
Those calls also reflect an ongoing broader change in the
foreign-policy orientation of Armenia’s political elite, a process
that seems to have accelerated amid Yerevan’s recent gas dispute with
Moscow, and its controversial settlement. The idea of joining NATO,
unthinkable in the past, is increasingly embraced by the country’s
mainstream opposition groups. Some opposition leaders defended the
speaker against the recent political attacks stemming from his NATO
remarks.
Even as Kocharian insists that Armenia’s military alliance with
Moscow remains the bedrock of Yerevan’s national-security doctrine,
Armenian authorities are enhancing security cooperation with NATO and
the U.S. in particular. Armenia’s participation in the U.S.-led
alliance’s Partnership for Peace program is currently being
significantly upgraded in accordance with an `individual partnership
action plan,’ or IPAP, launched last December. The IPAP calls for
sweeping political and military reforms in order to boost civilian
control over the military, as well as to promote the armed forces’
`interoperability’ with the armies of NATO member states. The
Armenian military is already involved in the NATO-led peacekeeping
operation in Kosovo, and has a small contingent of non-combat troops
in Iraq.
As part of the IPAP, Yerevan also undertook to draft and publicize
its `defense doctrine’ as well as a broader `national security
strategy.’ An ad-hoc government commission headed by Defense Minister
Serge Sarkisian is working on the two documents. `We are working hard
together to help Armenia to realize its desire to have stronger
relations with the Euro-Atlantic family,’ U.S. Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza
said during a March visit to Yerevan. `We are pleased with the
considerable progress made in this regard over the past year.’
According to a senior NATO official who visited the Armenian capital
recently, the IPAP is `not incompatible’ with Armenia’s membership in
the Collective Security Treaty Organization, as it falls one step
short of accession talks with the alliance. `It is up to Armenia to
decide whether it wants to go further,’ the official said.

Emil Danielyan is a Yerevan-based journalist and political analyst.
This is a partner post from EurasiaNet.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress