Author: Jagharian Tania

RAISE IN GAS PRICE WILL BE KEPT BELOW 15%, ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS
Daily Georgian Times, Georgia
June 21 2006
The gas price for consumers will not increase by more than 10-15%,
Noyan Tapan says as quoting Robert Kocharian, Armenian President.
“We must get used to idea that gas price as low as USD 54 per 1000
m3 does not exist for anyone”, Robert Kocharian said in a televised
address published by the press service of the Office of President.
According to him, they intend to implement an investment project
together with the Russian party, aimed at repair of the 5th generating
unit of the Razdan Heat and Power Plant that would enable the
government of Armenia to generate funds for compensations to the
population for three years.
Besides, construction of the new heat and power plant will soon be
completed that would increase coefficient of efficiency.
“As a result, we will have sufficient energy and its generation will
take less gas. It will enable us to cut consumer price.
Therefore, there are no grounds for anxiety – gas price will not
increase by more than 10-15%”, the Armenian president said.

“MY ARMENIA” UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL-CONTEST HELD IN KIEV
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 21 2006
KIEV, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. This year the Union of
Armenians of Ukraine marks its 5th anniversary. In connection with this
date, “My Armenia” three-day Ukrainian festival-contest of Armenian
creation has been held lately in Kiev. The contest nominations were:
choreography, singing, instrumental music and painting.
According to the Yerkramas (Territory) newspaper of Armenians of
Russia, 275 participants from the majority of Ukrainian regions took
part in the contest. According to the results of the selective tour,
36 participants were awarded diplomas of festival laureats (first,
second, third places) and 4 participants the higher award of the
festival, grand prix.
The jury of the festival was headed by world-famous singer Tamara
Avetisian and the President of the festival was film director,
People’s Artist of the Ukraine Roman Balayan.

ITALIAN EMBASSY DENIES VISA TO ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYER
Armenpress
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS: The embassy of Italy in Armenia denied
a visa to Dmitry Harutunian, an Armenian doctor who was expected
to travel to Italy to compete in July 1-8 World Games of Doctors
in Toscana.
Dmitry Harutunian won a chess tournament in Yerevan in late March
and early April that was held to select the best chess player to send
him or her to Italy.
Armenia was to participate in these games for the first time.
Vahe Ter-Minasian, chairman of the Armenian Medical Association,
said they are going to ask the embassy to explain why Harutunian was
denied visa.

THE QUALITY OF ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS WILL CHANGE
A1+
[06:48 pm] 15 June, 2006
Armenian Association of the European Centre on the security issues
survey after Gorge Marshal organized a seminar-discussion on the theme
“Peacekeeping and peace centre in South Caucasus” in “Congress” hotel.
The participants welcomed the idea and attached great importance to
such initiative as they see it a perfect chance to contemplate over
the issues and exchange thoughts concerning them.
While addressing the opening ceremony deputy Minister of the RA
Foreign Ministry Arman Kirakosyan noted that the conflict settlement
has always been imperative in Armenia. “Armenia is also involved
in the conflict settlement with its modest means and will go on its
peacekeeping mission. We assume that the duty of each country which
is a member of international relations is to take all the possible
measures in this context.”
John Evans, US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia
noted that 16 graduates of the centre have become Defense ministers,
21 – other ministers or deputy ministers, 22 – ambassadors etc.
He claims that they are all in good relations with each other. “I
would rather say it is a kind of mafia in Europe and in Asia,” adds
the Ambassador. By the way, while speaking of the Armenian 46 snappers
working in Iran the US Ambassador resumed, “Their functions don’t go
in line with the liabilities and duties of peacekeeper,” and added
“Armenian decided to enlarge the battalion and the USA is ready to
render assistance on this score.”

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
ArmRadio.am
14.06.2006 17:02
An international conference on “Dual Citizenship: Alternative
Arrangements, Economic Implications, and Social Dimension” will be
held on June 17-18in Yerevan.
The conference will gather academic and policy specialists from a
variety of fields and countries to discuss legal, economic, and social
aspects of dual citizenship arrangements around the world and their
alternative models. This large international event is co-sponsored
by UNDP-Armenia, Armenian Revoluti onary Federation, Armenian Bar
Association, Birthright Armenia, and American University of Armenia
and will be held in collaboration with relevant government agencies
and civil society groups.

SHAHUMYAN AND GETASHEN ARE QUICKLY BECOMING AZERI LANDS
A1+
[02:15 pm] 13 June, 2006
“The issue of Northern Artsakh must be involved in the procedure of
the Minsk group negotiations and solved,” Edik Balayan, chairman of
“Shahumyan-Getashen” Patriotic Union aroused this question in the club
“Pastark.”
Today is a tragic day for all the residents of Shahumyan and Getashen
regions as the Azeribaijanis forcibly displaced 21 000 residents
from their dwelling places 15 years ago. According to Edik Balayan,
18 Armenian villages of the Northern Artsakh were confiscated and are
still occupied by the Azeri armed forces. “The residents of Shahumyan
and Getashen migrated to Armenia, USA and Russia and settled there
with the hope that one day their homeland will be liberated and they
will have a chance to return,” claims Edik Balayan.
In his words though 15 years have passed since then, the overwhelming
majority of the displaced people is in terrible social state; they
live in temporary shelters and are unemployed. Besides, the issue of
the missing people, hostages and war prisoners is almost neglected.
Edik Balayan urges that the Armenian lands are quickly repopulated
and the Azeri side has provided special conditions on this score; the
new dwellers are given houses, 300 USD, 25 000 manats, animals, etc.
The chairman of the Patriotic Union also underlines the fact that
the Azeri side destroys Armenian monuments, graveyards and attempts
to eliminate all the bases of the ethnic origin.

AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN FMS TO MEET IN PARIS WITHOUT AMERICAN CO-CHAIR’S PRESENCE
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 13 2006
Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers will meet in Paris today
(APA).
The sides will discuss agreeing upon the issues which were not solved
during the Presidents’ meeting in Bucharest and make efforts to reach
common agreement. The two Foreign Ministers will also have talks on
organizing next meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Taghizadeh said to APA
that this meeting is the continuation of the Prague process.
The OSCE Minks Group Russian and French co-chairs, Yuri Merzlyakov
and Bernard Fassier as well as personal representative of the OSCE
chairman-in-office Andrzei Kaspiisk will also participate in the
meeting of Foreign Ministers. There wil be no delegate from US-
other co-chair of the Minsk Group.
US Embassy public affairs officer Jonathan Henick told APA that Steven
Mann is not the co-chair any more as he has been appointed to another
post. The United States will not be represented in the talks this
time as new co-chairman has not yet been appointed.

NCTR AGAIN INFRINGES THE LAW
Anna Israelian
Aravot.am
10 June 06
And it tries to hide infringements by small cunnings.
The 50th article of the law “About Television and Radio” was inserted
in December 2003 according to which “National Commission must properly
substantiate decisions about selecting the owner of license, refusing
the license”.
According to the 67th article of the ”NCTR code” that decision is
sent to the applicant in 10 days after taking decision.
The NCTR hasn’t substantiated yet the reasons of refusing ”A1+”
after summarizing contest proposals on 25 of May.
The NCTR chairman Grigor Amalian affirmed in the press interview
yesterday that he had been slandered. According to him they sent the
copy of decision by post on 5 of June. But the envelope was returned
to the NCTR on 8 of June; ” If the addressee doesn’t receive the
ordered letter after sending it for two times, it is returned to the
sender, informing him about it”. The point is that the letter was
sent to the ”A1+” director Mesrop Movsesian where the ”Meltex”
company is registered. The NCTR chairman mentioned that just that
address was mentioned in the application of participation in the
contest. ”You should write you next address as the alternative one
in the application”, – Grigor Amalian said.
But the address Lusovrchi15 as the address of company is mentioned
just on the first page of the contest proposal of ”A1+” and it is
supposed that the NCTR members should see the first page of that
package. The ”A1+” producer Susanna Ohanjanian told ”Aravot”;
”I was writing the application in the NCTR personnel and I wrote
Lusovorchi 15 in the place of address. The NCTR chief of licensing and
methodic department Ishkhan Vardanian asked me to write the juridical
address. I said if they needed in sending letters they should send
by that address. He answered, we knew your place. He made me tear
that paper and I wrote again”.
By the way Mesrop Movsesian’s neighbor are Badeyans’ from whom we
informed that the only letter was brought on 8 of June, that is in
14 days. The postman has made the neighbors to sign that they have
received the letter.
This story is essential for the following circumstance; Susanna
Ohanjanian informed “Aravot” on 25 of May that it wasn’t excluded
that they would turn to court for that infringement after receiving
the copy of the NCTR decision; “The NCTR was obliged to publish the
demands of the contest, those minimal demands which the participants
are obliged to provide. The commission hasn’t done it for this
time”. Grigor Amalian named this accusation “obvious falsehood”
and slander. ”There was an open, public sitting and all demands of
the contest have been published. If there wasn’t any condition how
that contest was taken place?”
–Boundary_(ID_OLnPYJeC5eUb+5SFKNo7Mg)–

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-10) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
ARMENIA DIASPORA CONFERENCE
ANNOUNCEMENT
The third Armenia Diaspora conference will convene on September 18-20 in
Yerevan.
This year will also mark the 15th anniversary of Armenia¹s independence. In
that context, ArmeniaDiaspora III will examine, analyze, assess our past and
consider how history and current geo-political realities raise new issues
before our nation, and how the possibilities and prospects for resolving
them together.
The conference is open to all who wish to be present and take part in
Armenia’s future.
The agenda of ArmeniaDiaspora III will consist of various strands.
On September 18, at the first plenary, we will explore the current condition
and future prospects for Armenia-Diaspora relations and cooperation ­ a
traditional concern which requires new approaches, taking into consideration
ever-changing geopolitical development. During this session, speakers will
include the leadership of the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the
Catholicos of All Armenians, the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, as
well as other spiritual leaders, and the heads of all Diaspora-wide
structures.
During the second half of the day and on the next day, we will focus on the
second agenda item ­ rural development in Armenia. To secure Armenia¹s total
development, and from the perspective of certain strategic concerns, the
comprehensive development of Armenia¹s rural communities must be assured.
Therefore, our objective is to rally the resources of the Armenian
government and Armenia¹s business community, the Diaspora and international
organizations, to renovate rural infrastructure, facilitate economic
development and create the necessary contemporary conditions to live and
work in rural communities.
As a starting point, and for obvious strategic reasons, we have decided to
begin with Armenia¹s border villages.
Participating in this agenda item will be the representatives of those
communities, organizations, groups as well as those individuals who have
already agreed to take part in this program. Of course, those conference
participants who are interested in this topic may also attend.
Beginning Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday, September 20, there will
be a forum entitled ³New Answers to Old Questions for a New Nation-State in
the 21st Century.² Armenian identity in the context of globalization ­
preservation, language, culture, education, dual citizenship, repatriation
as a phenomenon, the history of Armenian repatriation, its organization, new
repatriation possibilities, prospects, as well other issues will be on the
agenda.
Also on Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the Ministry of
Trade and Economic Development will be holding a forum on economic
developments and prospects.
On Thursday, September 21, independence day celebrations will take place
throughout the capital. All conference participants are invited.
On Friday, a major exhibition on Armenia¹s economic activity, agricultural
development, prospects and partners will take place in the same venue as the
conference, at the Demirchian Sports Complex, and all conference
participants will be encouraged to attend.
Additional information about the agenda, registration forms, as well as
modalities of participation will be available and regularly updated at
or at Information is
available at [email protected].
–Boundary_(ID_TlZIDf36rO8k1bAC6 Nh31w)–

Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan issues a congratulating message on
the occasion of the `Last Bell’

ArmRadio.am
09.06.2006 15:58
`Dear graduates,
I congratulate all of you on leaving school. I’m confident that the
last bell ringing in your school on this festive day will accompany
you throughout your life, arising pleasant and kind memories about the
warm atmosphere, classmates and beloved teachers. I hope that the
knowledge and experience gained at school will help you confidently
step into the big life as deserved citizens of the country to make
your contribution to the further development and prosperity of the
state, justifying the hopes and expectations of your parentsand
teachers, realizing your aspirations and dreams.
I say farewell and wish you success throughout your life and good luck
in all your endeavors.’