Author: Hakobian Adrine

Pan Armenian News

ARMENIA AND JAPAN SIGNED AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL COOPERATION

08.06.2005 08:25

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan and
representatives of the Japanese Government have signed an agreement on
technical cooperation, reported the Press Service of the Armenian
Government. The document provides for Japan assisting Armenia in retraining
and technical instruction of personnel, business trips of the necessary
staff to Armenia and other measures. During the meeting with his Japanese
counterpart Junichiro Koizumi Andranik Margaryan noted that organizing the
national day of Armenia within the EXPO-2005 evidences that in spite of the
geographic distance friendly relations are established between Armenia and
Japan. A. Margaryan assured that Armenia is consistent in development of
relations with countries of the Asian and Pacific regions. He also said he
was satisfied with the favorable development of the Armenian-Japanese
relations within international organizations. In his turn Junichiro Koizumi
thanked Armenia for the understanding of the situation available due to the
reform of the UN Security Council, as well as for support to Japan for
becoming the SC permanent member. A. Margaryan said he hoped that the
Japanese Government will further hold an impartial stand in regional
conflicts. Touching upon bilateral cooperation A. Margaryan noted the
importance of cooperation in seismology, where both Japanese and Armenian
scientists have been rather successful. The parties also noted the
importance of holding an Armenian-Japanese business forum June 24. At the
end of the meeting the Armenian PM invited his counterpart to visit Armenia
anytime convenient.

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part A (Russia)
June 7, 2005, Tuesday

SERGEI IVANOV: WE WILL BUILD TWO NEW BASES NEAR THE RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN
BORDER

SOURCE: Profil, No 21, June 6, 2005, pp. 30 – 31

by Svetlana Babayeva

Sergei Ivanov: There are two Russian bases in Georgia nowadays – in
Akhalkalaki and Batumi. There were claims that Russia was not
fulfilling its obligations, that it refused to withdraw from
Georgia… It was not Russia that established the bases in the first
place, it was the USSR. It was a wholly different state with
different military views. These so called heavy bases were
established for the purposes that are no longer valid. We never
intended to stick to them. The problem was different. We needed to
leave in a civilized manner, without any encroachment on the
interests of their servicemen.

That was why the problem concerned time. We have an agreement now
that the process of withdrawal will be completed in 2008, and the
first base (Akhalkalaki, on the border with Armenia) will be
withdrawn in 2007.

It should be added as well that we began preparations for the
withdrawal even before the agreement with Georgia was signed. The
matter concerns complicated military, engineering, and transport
tasks. We will have to withdraw almost 2,500 servicemen with their
families, and they all need apartments to move into.

Question: We are talking of about 6,000 people in all, aren’t we?

Sergei Ivanov: Yes. Not to mention 2,500 vehicles and 80,000 tons of
munitions and equipment. That is why when I hear phrases like “Why do
you persist? You could do it in a single month!”, I invariably take
it as a distortion of facts, deliberate or not. I have just given you
an account of what is to be accomplished. We will do it. We will
withdraw everything, down to the last spoon. All objects will be sold
to the Georgians.

The next question that worries the Russians concerns their security,
the effect this withdrawal will have on it…

Question: I take it that security will not be affected, right?

Sergei Ivanov: We have 3.5 years to build two new bases on our own
territory. They will be located near the Russian-Georgian border. One
base will be established in the Botlikh district of Dagestan not far
from where the borders of Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan meet, the
other in Karachaevo-Cherkessia. It will be different bases, different
in quality. They will be established in the mountains and manned by
brigades of mountaineers that do not need tanks or armored personnel
carriers but need helicopters. The bases and their personnel will
cooperate with border guards to secure our territory and make it safe
from terrorists in Georgia.

Question: But Chechnya is nearby too…

Sergei Ivanov: It is, but the future bases will have nothing to do
with it. In Chechnya we have the 42nd Division staffed with contract
servicemen. The military part of the counter-terrorism operation is
over no matter what may be said to the contrary. The Division is
mostly involved in combat training and not in active hostilities.

Question: Will Georgia participate in the funding of the withdrawal?

Sergei Ivanov: We have never brought up the matter and do not intend
to.

Question: Any third country then?

Sergei Ivanov: We have not brought it up. There was a period in the
course of our negotiations with Georgia when we were saying: if you
think the withdrawal takes too long, we could probably speed it up
with foreign funding. In any case, this is what we agreed upon: the
Russian Finance Ministry will provide money (not of the military
budget) for rapid formation of two brigades, construction of
tenements for servicemen, and transportation.

Question: Will all military hardware be withdrawn to Russia?

Sergei Ivanov: Some of the gear from Akhalkalaki will be transferred
to the Russian base in Gyumri, Armenia. I mean trucks and some battle
infantry vehicles. All of that will be done in accordance with the
modified Treaty on Conventional Arms in Europe. All flanking
limitations quotas will be observed. All the rest will be shipped to
Russia. Gear and military hardware from the Akhalkalaki base will
travel to Batumi to be loaded on ships there and be brought to
Novorossiisk. It is easier with the Batumi base which is already on
the sea shore.

Question: Have you settled all matters in Russia? I mean, did you
make the decision on who would be contracted to build new bases or
when the new tenements for servicemen were to appear?

Sergei Ivanov: Yes, all these matters have been settled. There is
only one question that has to be answered yet. I’m talking about
heavy military hardware that will be pulled out. We do not need it in
the mountains…

Translated by A. Ignatkin

A1plus

| 16:57:44 | 06-06-2005 | Official |

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS IN USA

Garegin II, Catholicos of all Armenians had numerous meetings during his
visit to the Armenian Apostolic Church USA Western diocese. The first
meeting of the Catholicos with the Armenians of America took place in the
Costa Messa St. Mariam Armenian Church.

His Holiness blessed all those present and called them to continue to be
devoted to their church. The Catholicos also visited the Glendale Memorial
Hospital which has been in cooperation with Holy Echmiadzin since 2001.

At the end of the meting His Holiness visited the Intensive Therapy
department of the hospital together with the hospital workers, where he
blessed several newborn children.

The Catholicos of All Armenians had visited this church for the first time
in 2001 during his first official visit to USA.

OPPOSITION NOT HOMOGENEOUS

A1plus

| 14:25:14 | 04-06-2005 | Politics |

Though the coalition’s draft constitutional amendments was adopted in
the first reading it does not provide for three principal aspects,
these being the independence of the juridical system, elective post
of the Mayor of Yerevan and the division of power.

“The problem of power balance is the most difficult one, since in this
case the President will be deprived of his exceed authority. “Neither
the acting Constitution nor the drafts provide for this balance. As
result we see that the country has become authoritative”, leader of
the Liberal Progressive party Hovhannes Hovhannisyan says. “With
implementing new reforms the leadership will exert every effort
to strengthen this authoritarianism. The rights of the NA will be
reduced. The NA is not empowered to make serious decisions like the
formation of the government, appointment of the Prime Minister. As
a matter of fact we have no National Assembly, since featureless NA
has no significance in ruling the country”, he notes.

The LPPA members are adherents to the specifying of the parliament’s
position and providing it with wide-range authority. “The National
Assembly should take part in the formation of the government,
the members of the government should account to the NA and the
parliament should have the right to express opinion on appointment
of the Prime Minister. H. Hovhanissyan understands that in case the
NA authority is expanded it is essential to create a mechanism of
counteraction, otherwise the parliament can become another “headache”
for the society. “I think the President should not have the right to
dissolve the parliament. If we arm the President with this instrument
the parliament’s rights will not worth a penny”, he says.

Leader of the extra-parliamentary opposition is convinced that the
amendments will not improve either after the second or third reading.
Unfortunately to ate trying to cheat all – the Council of Europe,
the Venice Commission and our own people. “The authorities proved
that they cannot be trusted. They displayed no tolerance towards the
other draft amendments”, H. Hovhannisyan says.

“Earlier the Venice Commission just advised however now it appears as a
commander. The style has changed from consultations to demands. It is
inadmissible”, head of Ramkavar-Azatakan, another extra-parliamentary
party Harutyun Arakelyan says. He is an adherent to the presidential
government system. “However executive legislative and juridical
powers should control each other and their functions should be fixed
in the Constitution. In this case a political system will be formed”,
he stressed. The members of Ramkavar-Azatakan are displeased with the
current process of constitutional reforms. “The Constitution should be
elected by the people. However nobody explains to the people what laws
will be adopted and what sense these amended laws will have”, they say.

Lena Badeyan

Armenian head, US delegation discuss redeployment of Russian bases

Mediamax news agency
2 Jun 05

Yerevan, 2 June: US Senator Chuck Hagel said in Yerevan today that
he and Armenian President Robert Kocharyan had discussed issues
pertaining to the pullout of Russian military bases from Georgia.

“I discussed good news with President Kocharyan which concerns the
start of withdrawal of Russian bases from Georgia,” Chuck Hagel said
addressing a briefing in Yerevan today.

In reply to Mediamax’s question on whether the presence of a Russian
military base in Armenia can in the course of time hamper the
expansion of Armenian-US cooperation, the senator said that “Armenia
is a sovereign state and can make its own decisions to secure its
interests”. As for the Russian military presence in Armenia, Chuck
Hagel said, “the Armenian and Russian governments should discuss this
issue in the future”.

Commenting on reports about the redeployment of part of Russian
hardware from Georgia to Armenia, the senator said that this issue
is within the scope of jurisdiction of Moscow and Yerevan. Moreover,
Hagel noted, “the USA thinks that foreign military presence in the
regions with unsettled conflicts does not facilitate their settlement”.

Chuck Hagel stated that he and Armenian Defence Minister Serzh
Sarkisyan discussed bilateral Armenian-US defence cooperation, the
fight against international terrorism and Armenia-NATO cooperation.
The senator also visited the peacekeeping battalion of Armenia.

“The US government is thankful to Armenia for its participation in
the peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and Iraq,” Chuck Hagel said.

In his visit to Yerevan, Senator Chuck Hagel is being accompanied
by the deputy commander of US European Command Gen Charles Wald; US
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Eurasia James McDougal and
the director for Operations Directorate EUCOM Plans and Operations
Centre, Rear Admiral Hamlin Tallent.

HAGEL NOTED CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN RECENT US-ARMENIA RELATIONS

Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 08:14

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with
US Senator Charles Hagel and US European Command Deputy Commander,
general Charles Wald, reported the Press Service of the Armenian
leader. In the course of the meeting the parties discussed enlargement
of US-Armenia relations that form new cooperation opportunities. In
his turn Senator Hagel noted considerable progress in bilateral
relations recently and underscored the importance of securing the
continuation of the process. He again emphasized the importance
of Armenia supporting the fight against internationanl terrorism,
remarking Armenian peacekeepers fulfill their mission in Kosovo and
Iraq with responsibility. Besides, the interlocutors exchanged opinions
over regional problems and discussed the process of reforms in Armenia.

OSKANIAN MET WITH OSCE/ODIHR DIRECTOR

Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 07:05

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with
Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights Christian Strohal, reported the Press Service of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry. In the course of the meeting the interlocutors
exchanged views over the efforts and actions of Armenia in democratic
processes and human rights protection in the country. V. Oskanian
appreciated the OSCE role in development of democracy and human rights
protection in Europe and said he hoped for the important international
organization to continue promoting democratic processes in Armenia,
as well as forming democratic atmosphere in the region. The parties
specifically noted the important expert assistance of the ODIHR to
the legislative sphere of Armenia.

UAE Armenians: Sharjah Armenian School’s Final Celebrartion 2005

Azad-Hye, Dubai
June 1 2005

Ohannesian Armenian School’s final celebration was held on 26th May
2005 in Sharjah (Armenian Community Hall).

The audience enjoyed the lovely songs and poems recited by the
students, in addition to the graceful folklore dances performed by
the 8th grade girls. The themes covered the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. There were also 2 pieces played by the Sunday
school and the kindergarten children.

Beautifully dressed as pets (bunnies, spiders, snails, etc.) the
children did their best to sum up what they learnt during the year.

As a remarkable enlargement of the school’s role in the society this
year a special class was introduced for non-Armenian speaking
children of Armenian origin who aspire to learn the essentials of the
language. We can proudly announce that the children of this new class
have done their utmost to move on from initially learning the
alphabet to forming whole and accurate sentences by the end of the
given semester.

At the end of the ceremony the headmaster handed over the diplomas
and the medals for excellent students, reminding them that what
acknowledgment they receive today is actually the first step towards
their real life, during which they are called to honour their
Armenian heritage.

The ceremony came to an end by playing a shourchbar Armenian
traditional round dance, to make a connecting bridge with the
Armenians who were scheduled to gather two days later around Mount
Arakadz, celebrating the first republic’s day on 28th May.

Hopefully we will see the day when all the Armenians will have their
Shourchbar dance around our Mount Ararat.

Article by: Liza / Sharjah

Note: Photo: Ohannessian Weekly School in Sharjah (2005)

CE VENICE COMMISSION FULFILLS POLITICAL ORDER: ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN

YEREVAN, MAY 31. ARMINFO. “Making such a strong and categorical
statement on the project of Armenia’s constitutional reforms, the
CE Venice commission fulfilled a definite political order”, stated
the leader of the ARFD faction Levon Lazarian in an interview to
ARMINFO’s reporter.

In his words, this strong estimation is conditioned by the aspiration
of the CE to keep parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Lazarian
noted that the Venice commission has no power to make such a
categorical conclusion comprised of political estimation. “It is
strange that the Venice commission conferred exceptionally with legal
functions made a political estimation to Armenia’s constitutional
amendments when this document is being elaborated and cannot be
changed cardinally from the first to the second reading in Parliament”,
he stated.

Lazarian stressed that issues concerned with the forthcoming Jun
1 visit of Commission’s experts to Armenia, as well as the text of
Commission’s conclusion were discussed during May 30 meeting with
Armenia’s President Robert Kocharyan.

Authors of constitutional amendments’ project were surprised by that
conclusion as they themselves expressed readiness to discuss and
find solutions concerning provisions on which the Venice commission
presented such a strong estimation afterwards. For example, they are
ready to withdraw from the document a provision noted that mayor of
Yerevan is appointed by president.

“We think that it is no need to fix the issue on status of Yerevan
mayor in the Constitution, it may be solved by a special law”,
Maktrchyan stated. In his words, the project’s authors also intend
to elaborate provisions concerning both rights and powers of local
self-government bodies and the appointment of judges and prosecutors.
Lazarian noted that the project of Armenia’s constitutional amendments
will be adopted at the second reading – till June 24 PACE session.

To note, main remarks in the Venice commission’s conclusion concerned
with the order of forming both the government and the justice
council, dissolution of parliament, appointment and dismissal of
prime ministers, judges and prosecutors, the issue on president’s
participation at governmental sittings, as well as the appointment of
Yerevan mayor. The Venice experts will arrive in Armenia to discuss
in detail the project of constitutional amendments offered by ruling
coalition. -r-

Daily Star – Lebanon, Lebanon
May 30 2005

Beirut polls leave some with sour taste
A common complaint: Saad Hariri’s victory was too predictable

By Rym Ghazal
Daily Star staff
Tuesday, May 31, 2005

BEIRUT: While Saad Hariri’s clean sweep of all 19 seats in Beirut
didn’t come as much of a surprise to the majority of Beirutis, it has
left some with a sour taste in their mouths.

Mohammad Basiri, 45, said: “It wasn’t much of an election as it was
just one plate being served; Hariri sprinkled with what would seem to
be a representative group of spices.”

Basiri supports the Ahbash group, a fundamental Sunni group whose
candidates were among the many who failed to defeat Hariri’s lists.

Basiri didn’t vote, and said he won’t until he sees a real change in
Lebanese elections where “all candidates have a fair run.”

He added: “No more lists under one name. That is not democracy, and
the small voter turnout is a reflection of the disappointment of
people in the Lebanese elections.”

Basiri was one of a few Ahbash followers who agreed to give his name,
while others interviewed held their tongue, citing fear of “being
attacked by Hariri supporters.”

Security was tight around Al-Dewan supermarket – a vendor frequented
by Ahbash members – with army troops on guard after witnesses
reported clashes Sunday night between young supporters of Ahbash and
Hariri.

Yet some areas in Beirut, such as Bourj Hammoud, appeared to have
been untouched by the elections.

The predominantly Armenian neighborhood’s Tashnag Party had called
for a boycott of the elections due to the adoption of a disputed
electoral law.

As a result Bourj Hammoud seemed stark naked in comparison to the
other Armenian neighborhoods in the capital painted in Hariri posters
and those of his candidates.

Rita, a 43-year-old Armenian merchant, said: “Our voices are not
heard anyway, so why vote?”

She added: “Sadly, I don’t see much of a difference after the Syrians
left. It is the same people in power and the same people running the
show; no new faces or any changes,” recalling the 1992 election was
the “fairest, as we got to pick who we wanted.”

Meanwhile, for those who supported Hariri’s list, Monday was a day
for celebration.

Mirna Terk, 24, was one of the demonstrators at Martyrs’ Square
calling for the withdrawal of Syrian troops after the assassination
of Rafik Hariri. She hit the streets once more Sunday night, but this
time to cheer his son’s decisive victory.

She said: “Hariri’s is a well known and respected family, and so I
believe Saad will continue the traditions of his father of rebuilding
and educating those who can’t afford to go to school.”

She added: “All of my friends are celebrating [except for] some of my
Christian classmates who were unhappy with the elections and didn’t
vote and would like the election law to change.”

But other Beirutis, such as 80-year-old retired surgeon Ali Raad,
feel Sunday’s polls should be a lesson for voters “not to take things
for granted.”

Anxiously awaiting the polls in the North, where he is registered,
Raad said: “I am with Saad Hariri like everyone else, but I will be
more selective with the people on his list, as many of them are not
really worthy of my vote.”