Author: Jalatian Sonya

“IF WE AREN’T COMPETITIVE, WE LOSE”
Aravot.am
20 Oct 06
OEP leader, NA former chairman Arthur Baghdasarian says.
We have been informed that you have been awarded by the highest state
medal of Austria for democratic development and Euro integration. This
is the second European award after President of France Jacques
Chirac’s highest award. Is our information right and if it is so,
doesn’t is mean that the influences of the outside world become more
and more important for our country.
Yes, that information is true and I want to thank to the President of
Austria for that highest honor. As for your question about the outside
world I want to say we can’t live in an isolated world nowadays,
we must understand that rivalry and not contrast are preferable in
the globalizing world, and if we are competitive, we lose. We must
understand first of all that for being competitive we should create a
free democratic country inside our country and coming parliamentary and
presidential elections are very important for the future of Armenia. My
London meetings proved that everybody were interested there in Armenian
elections. We should understand that foreign countries will influence
us by all means and this connects with the rising interests of the
region. We must realize that we are obliged to hold fair elections
corresponding to international standards. If we hold unfair elections
we’ll have bad remarks and developments both inside the country and
out of its borders.
The leaders or representatives of almost all forces of the opposition
field don’t hide that they agree with the formation of a bloc with
OEP what about the OEP’s orientation, are you going to participate
in the coming elections separately or with a bloc?
I’m sure; Orinats Erkir Party will have a weighty participation in the
future parliament though the use of black technologies and non-civil
methods. We are for fair and civilized political struggle, for close
political collaboration with the parties of opposition field. That
collaboration supposes two mechanisms: active pre-electoral and post
electoral collaboration. We have already come to an arrangement
with some political parties to sign bilateral agreement, which
will be transparent for the population. The time will show whether
pre-electoral allies will be formed in Armenia. It is difficult to form
blocs with ambitious parties because the bloc means the existence
of at least three factors: first of all public confidence among
the people, strong construction of party adherents and resources;
human, organizational, financial, political ties etc. All those
forces, which are ready to put their ego for general activities,
we are ready to collaborate with them but I’m not so optimism to see
everything in green light and not so pessimism to see everything in
dark colors. I’m realist and I’m sure there will be unions in Armenia,
the time will show.
It was speaking in time that you were ready to resign but you had to
send in your resignation earlier?
I didn’t have to resign earlier. The responsibility of our party
was to improve people’s life. OEP has declared since the first day
of its formation that we are a political force that demands and
achieves reforms. We haven’t kept silence but struggled for changes
instead. We could keep silence and enjoy as a lot of politicians
do. I have met with the President before my resignation and he hasn’t
demanded my resignation.
Do you believe in fair elections?
I’m not so naive to think that ideal elections will be held in Armenia,
but everybody must understand that nobody has held fair elections
only by words, we should make practice steps.
Some of your former partners declare that OEP acts with the principles
of sect that the members of your party call on the flats and assure
the inhabitants like the sect representatives. Is it so?
There were some publications in the authority-controlled
press. Nowadays the OEP use western technologies adopted by the
modern civilized world irrespective of politicians who use soviet
standards. We use new technologies in our political struggle, we have
active ties with the public, and we work openly.
Common people say that you have left the authority so they can believe
in you, don’t you regret for leaving it?
It wasn’t easy to leave the NA chairman’s position, nowadays people
of political field dream of becoming parliamentarian, minister or
deputy minister, chief of department and even the principal. I left
that position in favor of true reforms, I’m sure we’ll make those
amendments. Democratization of Armenia, Euro integration, shadow
economy, fight against corruption and criminal, free, developing
economy, development of collaboration, social-economic conceptual
reforms; these are first priorities of my party.
Margaret Yesayan

COFFEE DISTRIBUTION COMPANY HEADS INDICTED IN MONEY EMBEZZLEMENT
Panorama.am
16:25 20/10/06
Soon Royal Armenia, a coffee distribution company, will start lays
off of its employees. In the first phase, 48 employees will be
dismissed. The future unemployed must thank Customs State Committee
and National Security Service investigation officials.
Gevorg Minasyan, company lawyer, said they do not have raw coffee
under their disposal at the present situation. The customs service
put a ban on more than 100 tones of coffee dispatch failing to process
necessary documents. The ban is made due to a criminal case instituted
against company directors Gagik Hakobyan and Aram Ghazaryan. The
latter are indicted for customs violations, document fraud and money
embezzlement. /Panorama.am/

CONSTANTINE IS MY FRIEND BUT MY GREATEST FRIEND IS TRUTH
Lragir, Armenia
Oct 19 2006
I have known Constantine Zatulin since 1990 and we are close, but I
disagree with his point, stated the leader of the National Democratic
Union Vazgen Manukyan October 19 at the Pakagits Club, when the news
reporters asked him to comment on Zatulin’s statement that in the
Russian-Georgian conflict Armenia must support Russia.
“I think this is absurd. After all, we have lived in this territory
with the Georgians for thousands of years, we are neighbors, there
were great disputes, I dislike a lot of things about the Georgian
policies, but we are neighbors. Besides, we do not have sea, we
have four neighbors, Azerbaijan has blocked all the ways, Turkey
has blocked all the ways, the Iranian road is endangered, because if
America pursues an embargo and other actions, we may lose this way
too, and we are offered to make our relations with Georgia tense,
which will lead to the blockade of this way too and displacement of
the Armenians from Javakheti,” says Vazgen Manukyan.
Vazgen Manukyan declined to express his opinion on Igor Muradyan’s
statement on Javakheti that Armenia and the West have made an
arrangement to prevent every movement in Javakheti that might raise
the issues of this region. He says he highly respects Igor Muradyan,
but they are different, he is a political figure, and Igor Muradyan
is a political scientist. “In other words, Igor Muradyan can say
things which a political figure may think about or not but cannot
express. But most probably what he said is not supported by any
argument. Meanwhile, a political figure does not have the right to
say things which are not supported by arguments, whereas a political
scientist has the right to,” says Vazgen Manukyan.

Famiano Crucianelli: Italy ready to assist Armenia on its way to European integration
19.10.2006 10:36
Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 19 2006
RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan received the delegation headed by
Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy Famiano Crucianelli. At the start of
the meeting Mr. Crucianelli stressed the willingness of the Italian
side to assist Armenia on its way to European integration. He expressed
concern over the fact that Turkey, aspiring to the European Union, has
closed borders with Armenia. Turning to the issue of settlement of the
Karabakh issue, Serge Sargsyan said “the question should be resolved
only in a peaceful way and through mutual concessions. Speaking about
regional security issues, Serge Sargsyan noted, “We are located in a
complex geopolitical region and Armenia, being interested in regional
stability, makes its modest contribution to the processes of assuring
international security.”

RUSSIA MEDIA: REASONS OF ARMAVIA A-320 CRASH MAY BE MADE PUBLIC TODAY
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
October 20, 2006 Friday
The reasons of the crash of the Armenian Airbus A- 320 on May 3
near Sochi may be made public today. The data will be presented in
the so-called “enlarged statement,” IBK.ru reports. International
Aviation Committee (IAC) says some points of the document will be
replenished by the Armenian party, the source reports.
Talking to ArmInfo, Press Secretary of the Armenian Civil Aviation
Chief Department Gayane Davtyan explained that Armenian specialists
had again discussed the conclusions regarding the crash reasons within
1.5 month. The final document on this discussion consisting of 9
pages was transferred to IAC. This document is enclosed to the main
document of IAC on the reasons of A-320 crash. “The content of our
document is to be discussed with IAC representatives i.e. in order
to resolve if it is subject to publication or not,” she said. She
said that additional information on the document may be received soon.
In the meantime, Vadimir Poghosyan, first class pilot, veteran of
the Armenian aviation, said at a press conference, Thursday, that
a criminal squabble took place on board of A-320 which became the
reason of the crash. However, the given statement has been factually
refuted by the country’s official circles.

Armenian and Azeri Defense Ministers Met at Armenian-Azeri Border
PanARMENIAN.Net
20.10.2006 16:43 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian and Azeri Defense Ministers Serge
Sargsyan and Safar Abiyev met at the Armenian-Azeri border by
suggestion of OSCE CiO’s personal representative Andrzej Kasprzyk
within the framework of measures for increasing mutual trust between
the sides. As RA Defense Minister’s Spokesman, colonel Seyran
Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net, the Ministers discussed issues of
mutual concern, including border control and ceasefire maintenance.

LAWMAKER SAYS ARMENIA WILL NEVER STAND AGAINST GEORGIA, AS RUSSIA WANTS
Armenpress
Oct 19 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS: A veteran Armenian politician,
Vazgen Manukian, chairman of once very influential National Democratic
Union (NDU), before it split into several minor parties, said today
the deteriorating Russian-Georgian relations are stirring up more
sentiments than the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
“Russia’s unprecedented crackdown on Georgia is being reflected on all
residents of the South Caucasus. It is absurd to think that Armenia
will stand next to Russia and against Georgia. Russians are mistaken
thinking that Armenians morally owe them. Our relations with Russia
must be equal, irrespective of our countries’ size,’ Manukian said.
He said many elements of Georgia’s foreign policy are not in Armenia’s
liking, but despite it ‘we have lived with Georgians side by side for
millennia and it is our destiny to continue to live as good neighbors.’
Manukian said he was in favor of building close relations with NATO,
but spoke against Armenia’s membership in the Alliance. “We have to
pursue a balanced policy with Russia, Iran and Turkey, but I do not
think that we can be in the same military bloc with Turkey.”
Manukian also spoke about domestic developments lamenting that the
opposition has become weak, with no finances and resources and unable
to pose as an alternative to the regime.

ART-LOVERS BID LAST FAREWELL TO SINGER VARDUHI VARDANIAN
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 18 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 18, art-lovers bade
their last farewell to well-known singer, laureate of a number of
international contests Varduhi Vardanian who died in a car accident.
Being gifted with an exclusive voice and diligence, V.Vardanian in
a short period gained fame and spectator’s sympathy.
“I have performed on tours abroad with V.Vardanian. Besides being a
good singer, she was a friendly, sociable person. Varduhi still had
much to do, though rather great work was done in this short time. She
was one of the single singers who was able to perform both variety
and folk songs: this was evidence of her talent. It is a pity that
this tragic incident happened to such a young, talented singer. Her
memory will always remain in all of us,” People’s Artist Ofelia
Hambartsumian said.
In the words of RA People’s Artist Ruben Matevosian, V.Vardanian was
a singer with a big range, which can be said about few singers. In his
words, the young singer was loved by everybody. “This is an irreparable
loss for all of us. Let this be a warning for us all, for us to be a
bit careful and think that we live not only for ourselves, but also
for the people that has come to bid its last farewell to its beloved
singer today,” R.Matevosian said.
RA Defence Minister Serge Sargsian, Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharian and
other high-ranking officials bade their last farewell to the singer.
V.Vardanian was buried at Yerevan town cemetery.

OSCE REPRESENTATIVE URGES FRENCH SENATE TO REJECT CRIMINALIZATION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL
ARMINFO News Agency
October 17, 2006 Tuesday
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti,
expressed his concern today about the French National Assembly’s
adoption in a first reading of an amendment that aims to criminalize
the denial that the 1915 killings of Armenians in Turkey was
genocide. The press-service of OSCe headquarters in Vienna told
ArmInfo.
In a letter sent to the President of the French Senate, Christian
Poncelet, the Representative asked the Senate members to reject the
amendment when it reaches the Senate in its capacity as second chamber.
“I acknowledge the humanitarian intentions of those members of
the Assembly who support this proposal. However, the adoption of
the amendment raises serious concerns with regard to international
standards of freedom of expression,” wrote Haraszti.
“It is in the name of these same standards that I continue to call upon
Turkey to remove Article 301 of the Penal Code, ‘Insulting Turkish
identity’, which prosecutors in Turkey repeatedly use in the context
of the Armenian genocide debate.”
France recognized the genocide in the 19 January 2001 Law. The proposed
amendment would introduce a punishment for denial amounting to one
year’s imprisonment and a fine of EUR 45,000.
“Both the fact of criminalization of statements, and the severity
of the sanctions would infringe upon editorial freedom in France,”
added Haraszti. “The adoption of the amendment by France, a nation
with a long-standing tradition of freedom of expression, could set
a dangerous precedent for other nations of the OSCE.”

CABINET MAINTAINS LINE OVER ANTI-RACISM LAW
Swissinfo, Switzerland
Oct 18 2006
The cabinet does not think the Swiss anti-racism law should be changed
– despite comments by the justice minister, Christoph Blocher, to
the contrary.
Blocher caused a storm of protest while on a trip to Turkey earlier
this month when he said he was intent on revising the legislation. On
Wednesday the cabinet said it regretted the incident.
“The cabinet remains opposed to a pure and simple abolition of the
anti-racism law,” said Swiss President Moritz Leuenberger. “This text
will remain in force and will continue to be used.”
He said it was legitimate to propose making modifications, but said
the cabinet regretted that the discussion had been started during a
visit abroad.
This gave the impression that Switzerland could be pressured into
changing its laws depending on certain circumstances, Leuenberger said.
Blocher, a leading light of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, had
remarked during his Turkish trip that part of the anti-racism law –
which was adopted in 1994 and includes sections aimed at preventing
revisionist views about the Holocaust – gave him a “headache”.
The law has led to investigations in Switzerland against two Turks,
including one historian, for allegedly denying the 1915 Armenian
massacre.
Armenians say around 1.8 million of their people died as a result of
a forced mass evacuation by the Turkish government during the Ottoman
Empire. Turkey puts the figure closer to 200,000. Under Swiss law any
act of denying, belittling or justifying genocide is a violation of
the country’s anti-racism legislation.
However, Blocher said at the time that it was ultimately up to the
government, parliament and possibly the population, to decide on
any changes.
Under scrutiny
According to Leuenberger, Blocher has told his cabinet colleagues
that a working group at his ministry was already re-examining the law,
in particular article 261bis, the cause of Blocher’s headache.
The justice minister was ready to include a member of the Federal
Commission Against Racism in this work, Leuenberger added, refusing
to any further questions on the matter – which caused a media and
political outcry in Switzerland – saying the content of cabinet
meetings was confidential.
For his part, Blocher, speaking at a different media conference
earlier in the day, said he was simply waiting for the feedback from
his working group by the end of the year.
“It’s about making the anti-racism law clearer, more secure and
unambiguous,” he said.
swissinfo with agencies
KEY FACTS
Swiss anti-racism legislation was adopted in 1994, among other things
to prevent revisionist views about the Holocaust. In 2005, Swiss
authorities launched criminal investigations against the historian
Yusuf Halacoglu, the president of the Turkish History Organisation,
and the politician Dogu Perincek for allegedly making comments in
Switzerland denying the 1915 Armenian massacre. Armenians say around
1.8 million of their people were killed. Turkey disputes this, putting
the figure closer to 200,000. Under Swiss law any act of denying,
belittling or justifying genocide is a violation of the country’s
anti-racism legislation.