Author: Emil Lazarian

ARKA News Agency
Oct 22 2004
Delovoi Mir new newspaper in Armenian is issued in NKR
Women in Armenia are isolated from the participation in activity in
state institutions and private sector
The RA Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Director of the
French MFA Department of the Continental Europe discuss issues
relating to bilateral cooperation
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister and representatives of UK Parliament
discuss issues of Armenian-UK cooperation
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DELOVOI MIR NEW NEWSPAPER IN ARMENIAN IS ISSUED IN NKR
STEPANAKERT, October 22. /ARKA/. Delovoi Mir new newspaper in
Armenian is issued in NKR. The newspaper is issued twice a week with
2 thsd. circulation of copies. According to ARKA’s reporter in
Stepanakert, Delovoi Express is not going to limit up with the
information about the economy, but will cover also social -spiritual
and other problems of the society and become a tribune for
professional talks and discussions. In the first issue of the
newspaper an interview with the representatives of business circles
of NKR is published, as well as materials on the process of mine
clearing on the territory of the republic.
The editor of the newspaper is Kim Gabrielyan, the Chairman of the
NKR Union of Reporters. A.H. –
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WOMEN IN ARMENIA ARE ISOLATED FROM THE PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITY IN
STATE INSTITUTIONS AND PRIVATE SECTOR
YEREVAN, October 22. /ARKA/. Women in Armenia are isolated from the
participation in activity in state institutions and private sector,
as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in
Armenia Lise Grande stated during the seminar on gender issues held
in Yerevan. She noted that Armenian women are isolated from political
decision- making processes. In the meantime, Grande finds that the
role of women is very important, especially, when settling social,
economic and public problems that the country faces. `Equality
between a man and a woman is a very important factor for the
development of all countries, including Armenia’, she said. According
to Grande, it’s necessary to start a dialogue between state officials
and civic society to improve the state of women in the country and to
strengthen their role in the civic society.
On October 22-23, an International Conference `For the Advancement of
Women – National Plan in Action’ is held in Yerevan. The conference
is organized by the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs jointly
with the Armenian Office of UNDP, the information office of the
Council of Europe in RA, OSCE and Sweden International Development
Agency. A.H. -0–
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THE RA DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE
FRENCH MFA DEPARTMENT OF THE CONTINENTAL EUROPE DISCUSS ISSUES
RELATING TO BILATERAL COOPERATION
YEREVAN, October 22. /ARKA/. The RA Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs Tatul Margaryan and the Director of the French MFA Department
of the Continental Europe Jan Fransua Teral discussed issues relating
to bilateral cooperation. According to RA MFA Press Service
Department, in the curse of the meeting the parties considered also
issues of regional cooperation and the perspectives of conflicts
settlement.
According to the press-release, Margaryan expressed his gratitude to
the French side for their balanced position on Nagorno-Karabakh
problem. He highly appreciated the input of France as a
country-co-Chairman of OSCE Minsk Group in keeping peace and
stability in the region. A.H. – 0–
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ARMENIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER AND REPRESENTATIVES OF UK PARLIAMENT
DISCUSS ISSUES OF ARMENIAN-UK COOPERATION
YEREVAN, October 22. /ARKA/. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Tatul
Margaryan met representatives of UK-Armenian Friendship Group of the
UK Parliament. As Armenian Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department told ARKA, during the meeting the sides discussed a wide
agenda of the Armenian-UK cooperation, the process of integration of
Armenia into the European structures and possible role in this
process of the UK parliamentarians. Margaryan presented to the
parliamentarians Armenia’s position around regional and international
developments as well as the steps undertaken for solution of current
problems in Armenia.
Touching upon the process of settlement of the Karabakh issue,
Margaryan assured that Armenia is committed to principles of the
peaceful settlement. He expressed tanked the UK parliamentarians,
particularly Baroness Cox for
`providing diversified support in implementation of fair aspirations
of people of Karabakh’. T.M. -0–

HAYOTS YERKIR INITIATIVE GROUP PROPOSES OWN VERSION OF NEW ARMENIAN
CONSTITUTION
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22. ARMINFO. The Hayots Yerkir initiative group
proposes its own original version of new Armenian constitution with a
no less original mechanisms of its adoption.
The member of the group Khachik Chilingaryan says that now that delay
is similar to death one should immediately change the “completely
rotten and compromised” current system of government. This requires an
absolutely new constitution rather than some constitutional
amendments. The group’s constitution stipulates particularly that the
president and the constitutional court chairman should be elected once
in 7 years, the parliament should consist of 2 chambers the second one
comprising representatives of Diaspora and the regions.
The state budget should also consist of 2 parts: internal budget and
Diaspora related budget. Any unpopular governmental action should be
considered at a nationwide referendum without preliminary
parliamentary discussion. The people should have the right to dismiss
(through referendum) any top official.
The group member Agasi Manukyan is sure that the government will
reject such a democratic constitution. The text of the constitution
will be placed on the group’s web-site
In a month the group will meet again to set up coordinating groups for
explaining the constitution to the people. “As soon as people are
aware of the constitution they will rise on such a mass scale that the
government will not dare to oppose and will be forced to adopt the
constitution,” say the group members.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, FRENCH DIPLOMAT DISCUSS KARABAKH
Arminfo, Yerevan
22 Oct 04
YEREVAN
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Tatul Markaryan yesterday received
Jean Francois Terral, director of the French Foreign Affairs
Ministry’s European Department.
The press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told our news
agency that the sides at the meeting discussed development of
relations between Armenia and France, including prospects for settling
regional conflicts. Markaryan informed the diplomat of the existing
situation in the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement and thanked him for the
balanced position of France.
The deputy minister rated highly the contribution made by France as a
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group to the establishment of stability in
the region.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
October 21, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA PRAISES REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS FOR POWERFUL
SUPPORT ON KEY ARMENIAN AMERICAN INITIATIVES
— Cites Role of Rep. Knollenberg, Radanovich and
others in Advancing Armenian Issues on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
cited key House Republicans for their leadership on wide range of
issues of concern to the Armenian American community, including
support for Armenian Genocide reaffirmation, strengthening U.S.-
Armenia economic relations, and ensuring parity in U.S. military
assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We appreciate the leadership and value the support of the many
Congressional Republicans who have consistently taken a principled
stand on fundamental issues of concern to the Armenian American
community,” stated ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “In the coming
109th Congress, we look forward to working with these friends and
with all Members committed to expanding U.S.-Armenia relations,
continuing U.S. assistance, ensuring proper U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, and securing a lasting and equitable resolution
to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.”
Republican House Members including Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Genocide Resolution lead
sponsor George Radanovich (R-CA), Michigan Freshman Congressman
Thaddeus McCotter, Indiana Republican Mark Souder (R-IN) and
California Freshman Devin Nunes have been awarded an “A+” rating by
the ANCA, based on a series of over 25 grading criteria, ranging
from support on key legislation to the cosigning of over a dozen
Congressional letters. A complete listing of Congressional grades
will be posted on the ANCA website – – in the upcoming
days. The specific achievements of each of the “A+” Republican
House Members are cited below.
* Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI): Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-
Chair since 2001, Rep. Knollenberg has consistently received an
“A+” grade from the ANCA. A senior member of the House Foreign
Operations Subcommittee, the Michigan legislator has continuously
supported high levels of U.S. assistance to Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh, and fought to maintain military aid parity between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. In remarks delivered at the 10th annual
ANCA Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill in April of 2004,
Rep. Knollenberg spoke about Administration efforts to reduce
assistance to Armenia. “There is no reason in the world why
Armenia has to get stiff-armed, has to get stuck at a lower number.
We will continue to scrap and claw and fight our way [in Congress]
to make sure Armenia does get what it deserves,” explained
Knollenberg.
During this Congressional term, Rep. Knollenberg was the lead
sponsor of legislation to permanently normalize U.S.-Armenia trade
relations (H.R.528). The legislation, which currently has 113
cosponsors was adopted as part of a larger trade measure in the
House and awaits final Senate approval. Rep. Knollenberg is also
an original cosponsor of the Genocide resolution, H.Res.193.
* George Radanovich (R-CA): Throughout his years in the House,
Rep. Radanovich has played a leadership role in Genocide
reaffirmation efforts, first leading a successful effort in 1996 to
cut $3 million in U.S. assistance to Turkey, a symbolic amount
representing the amount allocated by the Government of Turkey for
Genocide denial lobbying activities in the U.S. During the current
108th Congress, Rep. Radanovich was joined by Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg,
and California Democrat Adam Schiff (D-CA) in advancing the
Genocide resolution (H.Res.193). The legislation, which marks the
15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide
Convention, was unanimously adopted by the House Judiciary
Committee in May, 2003, and currently has 111 cosponsors.
* Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI): A freshman Congressman from Michigan,
Rep. McCotter has consistently supported Congressional letters and
legislation dealing with Armenian Genocide reaffirmation. In
October 2003, he questioned a pro-Turkish panel of witnesses
testifying before the House International Relations Subcommittee on
Europe about Turkey’s ongoing obstruction of Armenia-Turkey
relations. Rep. McCotter, who was among the first to join the
Congressional Armenian Caucus upon taking office in January of
2003, has also been outspoken in his support for U.S. aid to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.
* Mark Souder (R-IN): With an “A+” grade in the last two
Congressional terms, Rep. Souder has been among the most consistent
supporters of Armenian American concerns, cosigning almost every
Congressional letter in support of U.S. assistance to Armenia and
Armenian Genocide reaffirmation. In February of 2003, Rep. Souder
participated in the “Pro-Armenia” Conference held in Paris, France,
which brought together executive and legislative branch officials
from countries around the world to discuss efforts to strengthen
the political and economic future of Armenia. In an interview with
the “Armenian Weekly” following the Conference, Rep. Souder
commented that a highlight of the Conference for him was “the
opportunity to meet Armenians from around the world, understanding
the diversity of opinions of those of the Diaspora and yet their
unity on the central importance of Armenian Genocide, and the
economic potential of an Armenia based upon free market
principles.”
* Devin Nunes (R-CA): Rep. Nunes received an “A+” rating during
his first term in Congress for cosponsoring the Genocide Resolution
(H.Res.193) and legislation normalizing U.S.-Armenia trade relation
(H.R.528), and co-signeding a series of letters in support of U.S.
assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Representing
constituents in California’s Central Valley, Rep. Nunes has worked
closely with the ANC chapter in the Fresno area.
Other House Republicans in the highest tier of support for Armenian
American concerns include Representatives Michael Bilirakis (R-FL),
Michael Ferguson (R-NJ), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL),
Edward Royce (R-CA), and John Sweeney (R-NY), all of whom received
an “A” from the ANCA. Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ),
Duke Cunningham (R-CA), James Saxton (R-NJ), and Judiciary
Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) received an “A-”
rating for their leadership on Genocide affirmation efforts.
To review the specific records of all House and Senate members on
each of the ANCA rating criteria, visit the ANCA Election 2004
section:

Baku Today
GSM IMOA Dismisses Karabakh Telecom From Its Membership
21/10/2004 07:52
After the address of the Ministry of Communication and Information
Technologies, GSM International Mobile Operators Association (IMOA) deprived
Karabakh Telecom from membership.
The Ministry several times appealed to this organization protesting that
Karabakh Telecom was illegaly operating without any license from the minstry
and operated in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia.
According to Ali Abbasov, Minister of Communication and Information
Technologies of Azerbaijan, if the company can make 70 percent of the
members of the association support Karabakh Telecom then its membership can
be discussed again.
“But this is far from reality,” Abbasov said. “We proposed them to hold
discussions with us and told them that we are ready to cooperate with the
association members. We promised that they won’t have any problem with the
service in the terriotory of Azerbaijan.”
There are names of five companies in the list of companies operating in the
former Nagorno Karabakh of Azerbaijan, which under control of Armenian
troops.
Except French `Perno Richard’ company, the others are telecommunication
companies. According to Ali Abbasov, all these companies are members of GSM
Association.
“Under the regulation of the association, there must be roaming service
among the members. As Karabakh Telecom was a member of the association,
these companies cooperated with it,” he said.
Armenia occupied former autonomous Nagorno-Karabakh region and also seven
other Azerbaijani districts in 1991-94 war, forcing over 700,000
Azerbaijanis to leave their homes. Despite an armistice signed in May 1994,
no final solution has been achieved to the conflict between the two
countries.
Photo and some information for this report provided by ANS TV.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT’S MEETING
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
20 Oct 04
On October 16 NKR president Arkady Ghukassian met with the noted
Armenian philanthropist from America Vaheh Karapetian. During this
visit Vaheh Karapetian observed the maintenance works on the road
Goris – Stepanakert carried out on his financing. He said that
presently the building for the company `Road Maintenance’ implementing
these works is reconstructed, as well as a warehouse for storage and
repairs of the machines is built. Mr. Karapetian told the president of
NKR about his intention to assume financing of the maintenanceof the
highway `North – South’ after its construction is finished. During the
meeting V. Karapetian spoke about a number of programs implemented in
Artsakh on his means. Among these are the restoration of the church in
the village of Aghavno and improvement of the territory around the
church Ghazanchetsots in Shoushi.
AA.
20-10-2004
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TIGRAN TOROSIAN: ESTABLISHMENT OF POLITICAL FIELD IS MORE IMPORTANT
FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS THAN ELECTORAL CODE REFORMS
YEREVAN, October 20 (Noyan Tapan). A a result of reforms of the
Electoral Code the number of proportional places will increase in the
parliament. Tigran Torosian, RA NA Vice-Speaker, said during his
October 20 interview to journalists that the issue of correlation of
the number of places by proportional and majoritarian systems was
discussed during the sitting of the coalition council, in which RA
President also participated. Not specifying the envisaged number of
places by the proportional system, Torosian said that the reform
should be consonant with the previous change made in the Electoral
Code. He expressed anxiety that abrupt steps in this direction may
have unpredictable consequences.
According to NA Vice-Speaker, in case of 100% proportional system the
businessmen who display willingness to become an MP and at present
spend large sums for being elected by the majoritarian system will
have no alternative and will strive for appearing on party lists and
we have already had such a precedent.
In Tigran Torosian’s opinion, the Electoral Code has faults and no one
doubts that they should be eliminated. Some of these faults contribute
to electoral violations, in particular, problems connected with
electoral rolls and empowered persons. But as the speaker emphasized,
reforms of the Electoral Code aren’t enough for holding elections
corresponding to international criteria. In Torosian’s affirmation,
it’s necessary that all political forces participating in the
elections should be able to show political will. According to NA
Vice-Speaker, all political forces committed violations during the
previous elections and the number of violations committed by the
Republican Party doesn’t exceed the number of those committed by other
parties. About 300 application-complaints submitted by the
Prosecutor’s Office equally concern all political forces.
Answering Noyan Tapan’s question about assuming political
responsibility for electoral violations Torosian mentioned that the
political forces don’t make decisions about committing falsifications
and they are committed by certain groups of people. At the same time
he agreed that the violations and punishments envisaged for them are
disproportionate. According to Tigran Torosian, the next state
elections will have an exceptional importance for Armenia as the fact
if the country will take the way of European development or will
appear among the backward countries depends on free and fair
elections. According to him, establishment of the political field of
Armenia is much more important for free and fair elections than
adoption of 100% majoritarian system.

Interfax, Russia
Oct 18 2004
Georgia starts to import electricity from Armenia
Tbilisi. (Interfax) – AO United Distribution Company (UDC) of
Georgia, which is managed by the U.S. concern PA Consulting, has
started to import 60 megawatts of electricity from Georgia, Georgian
Energy Minister Nika Gilauri told Interfax.
The minister said that in the near future the Tbilisi energy
distribution company Telasi, which is managed by Unified Energy
System of Russia, also plans to start importing up to 100 megawatts
of electricity from Armenia.
“Thanks to electricity imports by the companies Telasi and UDC we
will be able to ensure the stability of the energy system and no
sabotage on power lines connecting eastern and western Georgia will
be able to create force majeur situations in the country’s energy
supplies,” Gilauri said.
He said that electricity would be supplied from Armenia through two
power lines.
UDC General Director Dean White told journalists that imports of
electricity from Armenia would be carried out throughout the
fall-winter season – until April 1, 2005.
The electricity is being supplied at $0.025 per kilowatt-hour.
According to the agreement with the Armenian side, this tariff will
not change until December 31, 2004, after which it may be reviewed.
White said that in the future UDC, like Telasi, plans to begin
imports from Russia also. However, for this it is necessary to
restore the Daryal power line connecting Georgia and Russia. UDC is
currently holding talks on this issue with the Russian side.
State-owned UDC was set up in 2002 by merging regional grid
companies. The company supplies electricity to almost 70% of the
country, in all regions except for Tbilisi, Ajaria and Kakhetia. PA
Consulting received management of UDC in May 2003 for a period of 18
months. UDC supplies electricity to about 660,000 consumers.

Social justice
Editorial
Yerkir/am
October 15, 2004
The efficiency of the political system is determined by the
qualitative and quantitative characteristics of demands presented to
the system and the system’ s ability to find operational solutions to
the demands presented.
Any material and political support to the existing political system
can contribute to the reproduction if that system if it is transformed
into a socially useful political decision.
However, experience shows that mutually beneficial cooperation between
the economic elite and the political leadership results in pressure
exerted by various interest groups on the political decision making
thus making it biased and failing to represent the interests of
economically weak and vulnerable segments of the society.
The institutional structures and processes of decision making are
under the influence of large businesses and social groups. As a result
of this the price for supporting the political system does not match
the benefits gained from the decisions being made.
The society pays a higher price. If we take into consideration that
the civil society institutions that can serve as interest groups for
the more vulnerable segments of the society do not work in Armenia, we
can say that the majority of the society does not have any impact on
the political decision making in return to the support it gives to the
political system.
In Armenia, the support to the political system (in the form of paying
taxes and public services fees, participation in the elections,
abiding by the laws, etc) is not commensurate to the feedback from the
political system (in the form of social security, ensuring equality
under the law, paying pensions, etc.).
In addition to this, an opinion prevails in the Armenian society that
the social-political elite provides less support to the political
system (by understating their incomes, avoiding military service,
etc.) while at the same time taking advantage of certain privileges.
Social justice is the pre-condition for constructive cooperation
between the political leadership and the citizens. Transition period
is sometimes used to justify political manipulations and failures.
When social justice is violated certain segments of the society are
deprived of the opportunity for material and spiritual
reproduction. In this case, such segments resort to isolationist
approach of interaction with the political system – they refuse to
participate in the political processes.
The social-economic and spiritual-cultural life of the country is
always influenced by the problems the nation is facing. Today, the
solution to these problems implies self-restriction, readiness for
sacrifices, unity and most importantly, organization at the level of
the state. Nothing is more dangerous for the country than the
privileged status of certain groups and classes against the general
background of self-restriction and sacrifice of the larger society.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
Ottobre 18, 2004
GERUSALEMME, SCUSE STUDENTE ZELOTA CHE SPUTO’ SU VESCOVO
GERUSALEMME
(ANSA) – GERUSALEMME, 18 OTT – Ha presentato le sue
scuse lo studente zelota di una scuola religiosa ebraica che la
settimana scorsa a Gerusalemme aveva sputato sulla croce portata
dal vescovo armeno durante una processione.

Lo riferisce oggi il quotidiano israeliano Haaretz, che dopo
l’incidente – dal quale era nata una piccola rissa – aveva
lanciato una campagna contro la crescita dell’intolleranza
religiosa nella citta’ santa.

Secondo Haaretz, che cita la polizia israeliana, il
giovanotto, Natan Zwi Rosenthal, si e’ scusato con il vescovo
Nourhan Manougian, e ha detto di essere cresciuto con l’idea che
il cristianesimo fosse una religione idolatra, vietata dalla
Torah. Alle scuse del giovane si sono associati il padre e i
rabbini della yashiva (scuola religiosa) Har Hamor frequentata
da Rosenthal.

Il vescovo armeno ha detto di accettare le scuse, aggiungendo
di volere perdonare il ragazzo.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress