Author: Hambardsumian Paul

"WHO WILL "HERITAGE" AND ITS FOLLOWERS VOTE FOR?"

Panorama.am
19:35 24/12/2007

"The followers of our party form a huge amount, they consist of
ultra-nationalists and ultra-liberals; so there could be a candidate
between those two sections and "Heritage" party should concentrate on,"
said Styopa Safaryan, the press secretary of "Heritage" party.

To the question if those 9 candidates enter the diapason of their
party, he answered "I would separate just one-two candidates. Vazgen
Manukyan owns national democratic ideology, thus this section of our
followers could vote for him. Levon Ter-Petrosyan could be a leader
for those who have more liberal and broad-minded views. And finally
the next section could vote for Vahan Hovhannisyan who has national
ideology.

"Heritage" party owns all the numerated qualities and for this reason
our followers could vote for the mentioned candidates".

He did not exclude that other candidates could have votes from
"Heritage" followers.

ACCORDING TO ARAM HARUTYUNIAN, IT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WINNER OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN CASE OF EQUAL CONDITIONS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 24 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Representing an opposition both
to the former and current authorities, the chairman of the "National
Agreement" party Aram Harutyunian has his own ideas of what kind
of the person the country’s president should be. Stating this at
the December 24 press conference, he also said that exercising his
constitutional right, he has proposed his candidacy for the 2008
presidential elections, and he strives to become president because
politics is his speciality.

According to him, "National Agreement" received less than 1% of votes
at the parliamentary elections because the elections were rigged. In
his words, it is still unclear who will be the winner in case of
equal conditions at the upcomimg presidential elections.

Speaking about his pre-election program, the candidate attached special
importance to adoption of the law on the opposition. He said that the
Armenian authorities forget that they may also become the opposition.

Whereas, the opposition is a component of the state system and shall
have its rights and obligations. Particularly, all extraparliamentary
opposition forces should receive the opportunity to use TV time. In
his opinion, amendments should be also made in the Electoral Code
which will allow each of the parties, which are not represented in
the parliament, to have a member in electoral commissions.

CENTERS PROPOSE TO CONDUCT DAYS OF ARMENIA IN AZERBAIJAN

Panorama.am
15:53 24/12/2007

Two Armenian organizations, Nickol Aghbalyan student union of
Dashnaksutiun and "Mitk" analytical center, have made a statement
suggesting conducting days of Armenia in Azerbaijan. The statement
says the Armenian foreign ministry has given approved a week of
Azerbaijan in Armenia.

The organizations mention that such programs should be continued. "In
January-February, 2008 events will be held under the same format
and this time Turkey will be the topic of discussion," the statement
says. They voiced their assurance that a more comprehensive opinion
will be developed in the society about Armenian-Azerbaijani and
Armenian-Turkish relations.

On December 17, "a week of Azerbaijan" launched in Armenia. The
events were organized by the Caucasian Center of Peace Initiation
and Yerevan’s educational establishment of Mkhitar Sebastatsi with
the support of British Embassy in Armenia.

ENDLESS PROBLEM OF KHACHEN-MARTAKERT WATER PIPELINE

KarabakhOpen
24-12-2007 12:15:24

For many years now the people of Martakert are trying to draw attention
to the problem of water which they have once a week for two hours. The
solution of the problem has been related to the construction of the
water pipeline Khachen-Martakert.

Every time the government started to work on the pipeline, the people
of Martakert were hopeful they would eventually have water in their
homes.

However, every time mistakes were made, and regulations were broken
in laying out the pipeline, and the pipeline is ready but there is no
water. As soon as they turn the water on, some part of the pipeline
is damaged, and water supply stops.

The government has allocated money for several times, but one drawback
was replaced by another, and there was no water. The Supervisory
department of the NKR government Carlen Petrosyan confessed, who used
to be the governor of the region of Martakert for several years.

According to him, last time 185.5 million drams was provided to
eliminate drawbacks, and 70 percent of the seams were improved, the
builders chose which part to repair. The head of the supervisory
department says the builders complained that the money is not
sufficient to eliminate all the drawbacks. Moreover, part of the
pipeline passed under the ground.

According to Karlen Petrosyan, on January 26, 2007 "the pipeline
was operated on paper" but work was of low quality. No tests were
carried out.

"Builders say they chose the most vulnerable parts of the pipeline
but I do not think their choice was justified because there were no
tests, not even a test of hydrodynamics," Carlen Petrosyan said.

In answer to our question he emphasized that as a governor he had
warned the government about the drawbacks and breaches and made efforts
but could not eliminate all the drawbacks. Carlen Petrosyan said the
ministry of urban planning had to have specialized control.

The prime minister has now instructed Carlen Petrosyan to study the
problem of the pipeline. According to him, all the circumstances
will be found out, how much money was allocated, what was done,
by whom and which projects.

Carlen Petrosyan says the contractor and the stakeholders should
control the process to have water reach consumers as soon as
possible. He also said the government will not allocate more funds
for the elimination of the drawbacks. Repair will be financed by the
construction companies.

IN OPINION OF HRAYR KARAPETIAN, PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN TWO STAGES

Noyan Tapan
Dec 21, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The forthcoming elections will be
held in two stages. This opinion was expressed by Hrayr Karapetian,
the Leader of the ARF faction of the National Assembly, at the press
conference held on December 21.

According to him, Vahan Hovhannisian nominated by the ARF
Dashnaktsutiun will make his pre-election program public in the
near future. The pre-electoral headquarters of the ARF candidate
will be led by Armen Rustamian, a representative of the ARF Armenia
Supreme Body. It was also mentioned that the regional pre-electoral
headquarters are at the stage of formation.

According to Hrayr Karapetian, the ARF Dashnaktsutiun will use new
forms of propaganda during the forthcoming pre-electoral campaign. At
the same time, he mentioned that the productivity of the propaganda
is conditioned by the existence of regional structures.

Hrayr Karapetian expressed anxiety about the black PR being used
at present.

"There is a certain border, which should not be overstepped. I
call to all the candidates for not exceeding the frameworks of the
political struggle," he declared. As regards the currently conducted
anti-propaganda, according to Hrayr Karapetian, it will bring forth
disappointment among voters.

MANVEL BADEYAN: "OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL GIVE NOTHING TO ARMENIA IN ECONOMIC TERMS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 21, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. "Today we finance the economy of
Turkey with over 150 million U.S. dollars, just as much as the sum
Turkey gives to Azerbaijan as military assistance," Manvel Badeyan,
the founder of the Eurostan Uyut company and a member of the Republican
Party of Armenia faction of the National Assembly, declared at the
parliamentary hearings dedicated to the Armenian-Turkish relations,
which were held on December 20.

Thus, according to the MP, "we are fighting with ourselves with our
own money."

According to Manvel Badeyan, one of the ways to struggle against it
is the increase in tax payments for Turkish products, particularly,
when Turkey "does not show any flash" of improvement with regard to
the relations with Armenia. In connection with the possible opening
of the border between the two countries, the MP expressed an opinion,
according to which that will "give nothing to Armenia in economic
terms", as, at present, in return for at least 150 million dollars
annualy, products, "moreover not dressed leather of cattle" of 2
million U.S. dollars, in general, is exported to Turkey from Armenia.

ACCORDING TO VENICE COMMISSION, ARTICLE 301 OF RA CRIMINAL CODE CORRESPONDS TO EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 21, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Zaruhi Postanjian, an MP of the
National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, turned to the Human
Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia on September 27, suggesting
discussing the correspondence of Article 301 of the RA Criminal Code
to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as to
the claims on legal definiteness. According to the information provided
to Noyan Tapan by the Information and Public Relations Department of
the Staff of the RA Human Rights Defender, RA Human Rights Defender
Armen Haroutiunian has officially applied to the Venice Commission of
the European Council with regard to the above-mentioned problem. In
response to the inquiry of Armen Haroutiunian, the Venice Commission
has presented the following interpretation:

1. Article 301 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia
corresponds to the European Convention on Human Rights and to the
standards defined by the precedent practice of the European Court of
Human Rights.

2. The principle of legal definiteness has not been violated.

3. The possible wrong appliance and interpretation of the law is not
conditioned by indefinite wording of the article.

THERE IS NO DRIVING CULTURE IN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
15:32 19/12/2007

Ninety two percent of those without own cars and 96 percent of those
with own cars support the road construction currently implemented in
Yerevan, Aharon Adibekyan, the director of Sociometer sociological
company, told a news conference today. In his words, 40 percent
believes that the timing of the construction is right whereas 60
percent believes that better seasonal conditions should have been
chosen.

"The municipality officials tell me that the implemented construction
works are rather modest. If the import of cars keeps to the current
pace in Armenia, in 5 years the current transport network will not
be enough for 300-350 thousand cars," the sociologist raised his
concern. In the words of the chairman of Drivers Rights Protection
Organization "Achilles," Edward Havanisyan, this is the beginning
since the flow of cars will continue and construction of new roads
will become even a greater necessity.

WORDING DOES NOT DETERMINE APPLIANCE

A1+
[07:31 pm] 19 December, 2007

At the end of September, 2007, Armenian MP Zaruhi Postanjian requested
Human Rights Ombudsman Armen Harutiunian to consider compliance of
Article 301 of the RA Penal Code with Article 10 of the European
Convention on Human Rights.

Armen Harutiunian has applied to the CoE Venice Commission in this
connection. The latter considered and confirmed the proposals made
by its experts during a December 14 plenary sitting.

Below is the answer to the Ombudsman’s concern:

1.Article 301 of the RA Penal Code is compliant with Article 10 of
the European Convention on Human Rights and with criteria of the
European Court.

2.The principle of legal definiteness is not violated

3.Wrong appliance and interpretation of the law is not determined by
wording of the article.

"GASPROM" TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATION IN ARMENIA’S GAS-ENERGY PROJECTS

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 18 2007

YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. Board of Directors of "Gasprom" OJSC
during the session found it advisable to continue work in Armenia’s
gas-energy projects, the press service of the Russian gas holding
reports.

"Board of Directors took into account the information about the
process of implementing the agreement between Armenia’s Government and
"Gasprom" OJSC about the Company’s participation in gas-energy projects
in the territory of Armenia, and found it advisable to continue the
work in this direction," runs the holding’s statement.

On March 31, 2006, "Gasprom" and Armenia’s Government signed an
agreement on determining strategic principles of cooperation in
gas-energy projects in the territory of Armenia for 25 years. The
document envisages purchase of the fifth energy unit of Hrazdan TPP
and the entities of gas field of Armenia by "ArmRosgasprom".

Board of Directors of "Gasprom" OJSC during the session approved the
terms of deals on obtaining supplementary shares of "ArmRosgasprom"
within the project.

The Armenian-Russian ArmRosgasprom CJSC was founded in 1997.

"Gasprom" and Armenia’s Ministry of Energy had 45% of the Company’s
shares each, and 10% belonged to "Itera."

After obtaining the supplementary shares of "ArmRosgasprom"
within the first stage of innovative programs in November 2006,
the share of "Gasprom" in the company increased up to 57.59%. After
the implementation of the investment stage this share will make the
qualified majority (75% plus one share).

The main field of "ArmRosgasprom" activity is importing and
distributing Russian natural gas to Armenia. The Company is occupied
with transporting, maintaining, processing, distributing and realizing
the natural gas, reconstructing and expanding gas and transport
systems and underground storages in Armenia.