Author: Emil Lazarian

SEPARATE CALLS HAVE SPECIAL STRATEGY
A1+
[04:39 pm] 11 April, 2006
The OSCE Minsk group co-chairs will visit the region in May on the
issue of the Nagorno – Kharabakh conflict. According to the “Trend”
agency, the OSCE Minsk group French co-chair Bernard Fassie who
visited the region without his companions declared about the coming
call in Baku.
The French co-chair claimed that the separate calls of the Minsk group
co-chairs to the region will contribute to the new phase establishment
of the negotiation procedure between Armenia and Azerbaijan and
will help to reveal the positions of the sides towards the conflict
settlement. He also mentioned that the mediators “worked hard” last
year but there was no progress during the presidents’ meeting in
Rambouillet. He voiced hope that the “new possibilities” given by
the Minsk group co-chairs in the negotiating stage will pave a way
for the future meeting of the Armenian and Azeri presidents.
Bernard Fassie mentioned that he arrived in Azerbaijan with concrete
suggestions but he did not reveal their contents. He only assured
that there was nothing special in them. The OSCE Minsk group French
co-chair Bernard Fassie met the Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedjarov
today. It was a closed meeting and no announcements were made after it.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE BOOKMAKERS DO NOT BELIEVE IN ANDRE
A1+
[05:25 pm] 11 April, 2006
The international bookmaking companies have already initiated to take
stakes on the results of the “Eurovision – 2006.”
The bookmakers estimated that the chances of the Armenian
representative Andre in the “Eurovision – 2006” are very low; the
index of his getting into the final phase is equal to 4.0. Thus,
they think that practically Andre cannot be involved in the list of
final participants.
Let us mention that the index of Dima Bilan presenting the Russian
Federation is1.22. The stake on Amdre’s not being involved in the
finals is 1.15 point.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TOTAL ROBBERY AND “ESTRANGEMNT”
A1+
[07:55 pm] 11 April, 2006
The bill on the “account establishment on the program implementation of
the 2001 – 2003 state property privatizations” was put on the agenda
of the NA session yesterday. Today the NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan
and other important figures criticized the “estrangement” policy
of the Government “as a result of which the RA budget had a loss of
milliards AMD.” Arthur Baghdasaryan inquired why the same territory
is sold for 1000 AMD in one case and for 100 000 AMD in another. The
Chief of the State Property Department Karine Kirakosyan answered that
the price is determined by a number of factors; the activity index,
actives and liabilities of the enterprise are taken into account.
Before answering Arthur Baghdasaryan’s questions Karine Kirakosyan
claimed that neither educational nor primary educational institutions
were alienated or privatized. The NA Speaker informed her that 535
nursery schools and 250 libraries were already privatized.
Today the Opposition was also very active. The vice-deputy of
the “Justice” party Victor Dallakyan divulged all the cases of
privatization which were realized directly and the buyer was known
beforehand; for instance, the company “Orbita” was estimated 150
million AMD whereas it was privatized with 150 million AMD. Let’s
bring another example, “Light” LTD was estimated 106 million AMD
whereas it was privatized with 10 million 825 thousand AMD.
The member of the party “Orinats Yerkir” (“Country of Law”) Hovhannes
Margaryan brought other examples of privatization and 6 examples of
companies alienated with lower price. The member of the party “National
Unity” Aghasy Arshakyan announced that the country is subjected to
total robbery, “the economy was destroyed and sold for nothing.”

NEW TARIFF FOR DRINKING WATER BEGINNING FROM JUNE 1
By Ara Martirosian
AZG Armenian Daily
12/04/2006
In the 4th Year of Lease the Price Will Go Down
Having won the tender for controlling Yerevan’s water and sewerage
system for 10 years, the French General Dez O Company offered putting
up the tariff for the first months of lease with a gradual decrease
in future. In a financial application to the Commission Regulating
Public Services of Yerevan Jur Company, the French Company offered to
make the price 172.8 drams for 1 cubic meter of drinking water. Gagik
Khachatrian, deputy chairman of Commission Regulating Public Services
of Yerevan Jur Company, gave explanation on this yesterday.
The main question to the deputy chairman was whether it is possible
that the Commission will turn down the French company’s request when
the Armenian government has already recognized General Dez O tender
winner approving of its tariff offer. Gagik Khachatrian said that
while announcing the tender the Commission Regulating Public Services
put forward its proposals and the Commission’s deputy chairman was
included in the jury. That is the tender jury took into consideration
this fact, and set a tariff in tender proposal. According to deputy
chairman, its is impossible that the authorities sign an agreement
with a winning company but then disagree with their own conditions.
Gagik Khachatrian informed that Yerevan Jur will begin functioning
on May 1 and probably on June 1 the new tariff will take effect. He
reminded that during the 10 years of lease the French company will
invest $20 million in accordance with the credit project of the World
Bank, 17.6 million euros from tariff-based sums and additional 6.4
million euros in the form of equipment and assets. Deputy chairman
stated that the size of the company’s benefits during the time of lease
will depend on decreasing water leakage. It is planned to reduce the
leak from 80 percent to 45 during 10 years. As the benefit of the
company holding natural monopoly may be greater than expected the
sides decided that once it exceeds 10 percent the profit should be
equally divided between the Armenian and French sides.
As to the tariff policy for the 10 ten years, Gagik Khachatrian
repeated that it will be gradually declining. Beginning from the 4th
year it will go down reaching the mark of 95 drams in the 10th year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT TO RECEIVE FLIGHTS AT NIGHT TILL JUNE 30
Lragir.am
12 April 06
>From April 10 to June 30 Zvartnots International Airport will operate
at night. “Within these 80 days there will be no flights and landings
from 10.30 AM to 8.00 PM, because of repair of the 1.2 km middle
section of the runway,” stated Gevorg Abrahamyan, the press secretary
of Armenia International Airports CJSC. He said by July 1 works on
the runway will have been finished.
The press secretary of Armenia International Airports CJSC said
memos were sent to all the airlines cooperating with Zvartnost,
and the new schedule will cause no problems.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MINSK GROUP FRENCH CO-CHAIR BERNARD FASSIER TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN
ArmRadio.am
12.04.2006 10:25
OSCE Minsk Group French Co-Chair Bernard Fassier will arrive today in
Armenia. Issues related to the negotiations process after the meeting
of Armenian and Azeri Presidents in Rambouillet will be discussed
during the visit.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEMORANDUM ON MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWWN CENTRAL BANKS OF ARMENIA AND CYPRUS
ArmRadio.am
12.04.2006 12:09
President of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan will leave
today for Nicosia with his Cyprian counterpart.
During the visit it is envisaged to sign a memorandum on mutual
understanding between Central Banks of Armenia and Cyprus on
cooperation in the sphere of banking control.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN JUDO UNION MARIUS VIZER TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN
ArmRadio.am
12.04.2006 12:26
At the invitation of the Armenian Judo Federation President of the
European Judo Union Marius Vizer will arrive today in Armenia.
The major topic of discussions will refer to the European Judo
Championship to be held in 2009 or 2010 in Yerevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
Watch the recorded video of the Sunrise service here:
TH E GREAT LENT PERIOD COMES TO ITS END IN THE SEMINARY
The Great Lent period came to its end with the Sunrise service held in the
Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on April 7.
The Seminary students made the church services of every Wednesday and Friday
during the Great Lent period as opportunities for self enrichment. New
students particularly grabbed the opportunity to learn simple church hymns
and perform them during services for a trail period. The old students were
able to perform the more difficult hymns without mistakes.
The Seminary’s administration praised all the students on this occasion for
their commitment and efforts towards the Armenian Church hymns.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
Watch the recorded video of the message of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of Cilicia here:
Re ad the message of His Holiness Aram I in Armenian here:
Messages/messages5.htm
THE THIRD PAN-ARMENIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE
COMES TO ITS END WITH A SPECIAL CEREMONY
The Third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference officially ended with a special
ceremony held on the evening of April 9 in the Antelias headquarters of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I.
The president of the Writers’ Union of Armenia, Levon Ananian thanked His
Holiness Aram I on behalf of the participants in the conference and absent
Armenian writers. Ananian expressed his gratitude not only for the
organization of the conference, but for the love, support, care and
commitment that the Armenian Pontiff shows towards Armenian writers and
culture.
Following the heart spoken words of the oldest participant in the
conference, poet Jack Hagopian, during the official inauguration of the
conference, a similar opportunity was given to the youngest participant,
poet Nanor Indjedjigian, during the closing ceremony. In her speech, the
young poet considered Armenian literature to be a source of youth.
His Holiness Aram I then delivered the concluding remarks, expressing his
viewpoints and impressions of the conference. The Catholicos made use of his
experience as a participant in numerous national and international
conferences to make several constructive suggestions for the next
conference.
The Pontiff proposed that in the future more time be reserved for discussion
sessions, which should include more questions than statements. He suggested
penetrating into the heart of the presented topics and bringing problems
clearly under the spotlight. His Holiness stressed the importance of
participation by the youth, considering it the source of persistence of
Armenian institutions, culture and literature.
His Holiness Aram I particularly emphasized the importance of looking for
new paths in the cooperation between Armenia and the Diaspora and pointed
out that Armenian literature can help contribute to this. In this context,
he focused on mutual recognition and acquaintance, stressing that Armenian
language textbooks should include the works of both Armenia-based and
Diaspora-based Armenian writers.
His Holiness called on bravely facing difficult and sensitive issues rather
than escaping from them. Mentioning the issue of dictation as an example, he
said that as one of the strong factors of the Armenian nation’s unity, the
matter needs to be discussed in a periodical manner.
His Holiness Aram I then identified the deterioration of quality in all the
fields of Armenian literature as a major problem and called for establishing
a new level of quality with collective efforts and commitment.
At the end of the ceremony, His Holiness Aram I decorated the president of
the Writers’ Union of Armenia with the “St. Mesrob Mashdots” insignia. The
Seminary choir performed a series of national and patriotic songs on this
occasion.
##
View photo here:
es42.htm#2
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress