Author: Jilavian Emma

WHERE 5 BILLION DRAMS OF RESERVE FUND DISAPPEARED?
Aram Zakaryan

Lragir.am
16 June 06

In 2005, 21.1 billion drams of the reserve fund of the government of
Armenia was spent totally. However, 4.8 billion drams was allocated
by over 100 government decisions, and the target is often unknown. In
other words, it was spent for aims that only the government of Armenia
knows. The society is unaware, the taxpayers either.

First it should be noted that the 363.7 million drams spent by two
confidential decisions in January and September 2005 is not included
in this 4.8 billion. We will simply add that the money was spent for
the sake of national security. Whereas the other cases are beyond
logic because everyone is supposed to learn about every dram that
is spent. It is unclear, for instance, what happened to the 8.168
million dollars allocated by the 1064-A decision of July 28, 2005 or
36.2 million allocated by 1038-A decision of July 21. Although the
official website of Armenia the government offers detailed information
about government decisions, meetings of the prime minister and other
activities of the government, there is not a hint of decisions on
allocating money without a specified target. It is notable that the
government adopted most of these decisions in the second half of the
year. The address of some decisions is specified but the purpose
is unclear. All the government agencies, including the president
administration, the government administration, the National Assembly,
courts of law, ministries and the Public Television, received sums
without a specified purpose. In particular, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Armenia received 748 million drams, the Ministry of
Agriculture 300 million, the City Hall 269, the Ministry of Finance
140 million drams.

Another notable observation. On October 13, for instance, the Ministry
of Defense received 56.8 million and 35.6 million drams from the
government reserve fund on two different decisions, 1638-A asnd
1639-A. Hence, the purposes were apparently so different that the
necessity to pass two different decisions occurred. It is not clear,
however, what the purposes were. Without an address and a purpose,
the largest sum was allocated on October 20, on the decision 1742-A
of October 20, with a simple formulation "On Allocating Funds from
the State Budget of the Repubic of Armenia."

However, the odyssey of the reserve fund of the government of the
Republic of Armenia does not end thus. Though 190 million drams
was allocated from the state budget for local elections, another 15
million drams was allocated from the reserve fund on 11 decisions for
scheduled local elections in some rural communities and towns. It is
not clear why this 15 million was not simply added to 190 million.

Instead it is clear that the early elections were to be funded from
the reserve fund: 24 decisions and 10.9 million drams.

This is not the end, however. The indices of performance of this or
that expenditure are rounded. And if 0.5 percent seems so little that
can be overlooked, in absolute numbers it is not. For instance, by
the decision on funding the preparation and conduct of the referendum
on constitutional reform on November 27, 2005, 283.449 million drams
was allocated, but 282.786 million drams was transferred. 1 percent
was overlooked, and performance was assessed at 100 percent, although
in absolute numbers 663 thousand drams were not transferred. 21.187
billion out of the 21.206 billion drams of the reserve fund was
spent. Again 100 percent performance and … 18.597 million missing.

Nobody knows where this 18 million is except those who know where
that 4.8 billion is. The public is unaware of the way it has passed.

Crime or not, it is something that should be decided by law-enforcement
agencies. In the meantime, economists say with a budget deficit it
would be logical if the reserve fund of the government were spent in
cooperation with the parliament.

FOREIGN EXPERTS RECOGNIZE TRANSDNIESTRIA INDEPENDENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.06.2006 14:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A scholarly paper on the state sovereignty of the
Transdniestrian Moldavian Republic (TMR) within the framework of
the international law has been presented in Washington. The authors
are Stefan Talmon, Christofer Goebel, Nancy Furman, Paul Williams,
Stephen Krasner, Andrew Lorenz, Michael Scharf, and William Wood,
the international scholars from Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, and
Cambridge universities who contributed to the elaboration of the
Dayton agreements on the division of former Yugoslavia. The experts
conclude that historically, Transdniestria has never been part of
Moldova. While Transdniestria originated from the collapse of the USSR,
its people and territory have roots that go far into the history. The
foundation and the existence of the modern Republic of Moldova are
based on a unilateral declaration of independence that enunciated the
forced unification on Moldova and Transdniestria performed by Stalin
at the outset of the World War II.

It lacked any ‘actual legal base,’ i. e. was instituted
illegally. Legal and factual analysis reveal that during the collapse
of the USSR, the Moldavian SSR broke up into two successor states:
Moldova and Transdniestria, whose today’s border fully corresponds to
the traditional historical border that divided them since the early
Middle Ages. At the moment of Moldova’s secession from the USSR,
Transdniestria had already exited it and governed its territory.

The report says that many years of international practice
accumulated in charters allow listing the criteria used to define
state sovereignty. These are steady population, defined territory,
government capable of establishing relations with other nations.

Transdnestr today meets all the criteria. It has its own democratically
elected President and a legislative body currently controlled by an
opposition party. Its government controls armed forces and enters
discussions with foreign states. In the case of the TMR, the viability
of the state is proved, as well as the legitimacy of the process of
the state building, the scholars affirm. More than a half million
people residing in Transdniestria that occupies territory of 4,
163 km2, successfully meet all the criteria of state sovereignty in
accord with the international law. Transdniestria has an effectively
functioning government that has its own agencies, the Constitution,
currency, tax system, legal system, and population exceeding in its
numbers that of many UN member states.

PACE CALLS FOR AZERI-ARMENIAN CO-OP ON HOSTAGES, MISSING PERSONS

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
June 12 2006

Baku, June 9, AssA-Irada
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) committee
rapporteur on migration, refugees and population has called on
Azerbaijan and Armenia to cooperate on prisoners of war, hostages
and missing persons.

“Collaboration between relevant bodies of the two countries is pivotal
to solve the problem, in particular, in terms of simplifying the
exchange of information,” Leo Platvoet told a news conference at the CE
Information Office in Baku upon completion of his visit to the region.

The rapporteur said both Azerbaijan and Armenia had expressed readiness
to forge some contacts to address the problems faced by these persons
and called for stepping up efforts in this area. He said the key
objective was to arrange cooperation between the two countries.

“The fact the sides are stating this means the idea of establishing a
joint institution in a certain format may come to the fore,” he said,
adding that this option has already been applied by the Red Cross in
the Balkans.

Platvoet said the entity could include representatives of Azerbaijan,
Armenia and both communities of Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh. He added,
however, that he had no discussions on the issue during his visit to
the two countries.

Platvoet emphasized that the goal of the visit was to prepare a
report on captives and missing persons in the South Caucasus based
on his findings. The document will mostly cover humanitarian issues
and have no bearing on politics, he stressed. “It will not touch on
political aspects, as this could compromise the work being done.”

The rapporteur said the report will be finalized in fall and further
submitted to PACE’s winter session for consideration.

“We have met with the family members of missing persons to study
their problems. These mainly concerned the collection of information.

We also found out that their relatives are facing social problems.

All these developments will be reflected in the report,” Platvoet
concluded.

THE SINCERITY OF THE OLIGARCH
Aram Abrahamian

Aravot.am
09 June 06

There is a Russian proverb; what the sober man thinks, the drunkard
reveals. Changing a little that proverb we can say; we can judge
about the RF authority real policy and initiations not from the
semi-official news of `H1′ but from so called close sites the news of
which are only open for its abonents who haven’t sworn not to give
those news to anyone. `Eurasia time’ VIP summary is one of such sites,
which printed in May an interview with the biggest oligarch, the
representative of Putin’s closest circle Oleg Deripaska.

Confessions of the real authority of Russia /Deripaska doesn’t hide
that Putin includes in with his big businessmen/ are interesting for
us that Kocharian ‘s policy is the direct demonstration of the RF
carried out policy. For example, Putin closed the NTV, Kocharian
closed `A1+’, Putin destroyed the parliament as an institution, which
has its influence on the state, our president did the same, Putin
restored the Soviet Union hymn, Kocharian wants the same etc.

In that case three main ideas can be emphasized from Deripaska’s
interview;

All official talks about democratic, speech freedom, fair elections
are tales, nobody solves any problem in the ballot boxes because
`they’ /Putin+oligarchs/ can’t allow `accidental persons» to
rule the country.

Conversations against corruption also have propagandizing meaning, big
business must «pay salary» to the state officials making
the latters be adequate and predictable.

Russia, using economic levers, wants to bring to power its proteges in
the whole CIC territory, who will serve for its aims, which according
to Deripaska has been successfully done in Armenia.

I wouldn’t say that Deripaska’s ideas were so monstrous. Simply they
should be discussed in open and sincere way. Or simply to say to the
peoples of Russia what the ruling clans do and will do. Though those
peoples’ live isn’t improved from such a policy. The life of oligarchs
is improved instead.

June 8, 2006

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

CHAMLIAN SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR FINALISTS VISIT THE PRELATE

On Wednesday, June 7, five finalists from Chamlian School
visited His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, accompanied
by representatives of the school staff and parents. The students, Talar
Alexanian, Claire Arakelian, Shaunt Kouyoumdjian, Koko Bornazyan, and
Collette Hamamah, were joined by Assistant to the Principal Mrs. Rita
Kaprielian, Science teacher Mrs. Lida Kevorkian, parents Mrs. Linda
Alexanian, and Mr. and Mrs. Vatche and Taline Kouyoumdjian.
Mrs. Kevorkian spoke of the accomplishments of the five
above-mentioned students, as well as of students Garen Arabian, John
Azizian, and Dveen Babaian. All had in recent months participated in the
Armenian Science Olympiad, the Los Angeles County Fair, and the California
State Science Fair, securing awards at all three competitions. Mrs.
Kevorkian also gave details about each student’s field of interest.
The students themselves also had an opportunity to convey
further details to the Prelate, who commended them for their achievements.
The Prelate also commended the school staff and parents for their support
and involvement and wished the students success as they continue to bring
pride to their parents, school, and community.
Prior to their departure, the Prelate presented the guests with
mementos.

PRESIDENT OF LEBANON MET NKR FOREIGN MINISTER

ArmRadio.am
08.06.2006 14:22

June 6 the President of Lebanon Emil Lahud received the Foreign
Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Georgi Petrosyan, MEDIAMAX
Agency informs referring to Beirut based “Azdak” newspaper.

The meeting was attended by members of the ARF Central Committee in
Lebanon and RA Ambassador Vahan Ter-Ghevondyan.

Information about the meeting of Emil Lahude and Georgi Petrosyan
was placed on the official website of the President of Lebanon –
entlive.htm . It
is noted here that the Lebanese President met the delegation of
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Armenia.

ARMENIA ANNOUNCES NO PROGRESS IN KARABAKH TALKS WITH AZERBAIJAN IN ROMANIA

AP Worldstream
Jun 06, 2006

Armenia’s foreign minister said Tuesday that talks between the Armenian
and Azerbaijani leaders had made no progress toward a settlement of
the dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, but that the countries’
top diplomats had instructions to continue negotiations.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliev discussed the long-standing conflict on the sidelines of a
Black Sea summit in Bucharest, Romania, on Monday.

Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian told state television that the talks
had been conducted “in a normal atmosphere, but they did not succeed
in registering progress and giving a positive impulse to solving the
problem of the Karabakh conflict.”

Still, he said that he and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov had orders to try to find points on which they could
bring the two countries’ positions closer.

Nagorno-Karabakh is inside Azerbaijan but populated mostly by ethnic
Armenians, who have run it and seven contiguous districts since an
uneasy 1994 cease-fire ended six years of full-scale war. There are
sporadic border clashes.

DESPITE POPULAR OPINION, REAL ESTATE PRICE IN ARMENIA ARE RISING NOT OWING TO IMMIGRATING IRANIAN ARMENIANS

Yerevan, June 6. ArmInfo. The threat of international financial
blockade that Iran has faced in connection with the latest ineffective
international negotiations on the national nuke program makes Iranians
transferring their personal savings abroad or converting them into
gold, writes The Washington Times. The newspaper reports some 200
billions of dollars were transferred from the country last year.

In the meantime, the popular opinion that the above tendency of
capital export from Iran is the key impetus of the “inexplicable”
rise of real estate prices in Armenia does not correspond to reality.

Talking to ArmInfo, Artem Pribilsky, Head of the Real Estate
Market, said the annual investments in real estate in Armenia by the
representatives of Armenian Diaspora can be estimated at $50-60 million
just on a hunch. It makes not less than 7% of the funds circulated
in the housing market. He said Iranian Armenians do not occupy the
“first class niche,” they are more likely to belong to the middle
class who do not claim elite and expensive apartments. The specialist
said that, as a rule, rich Iranian Armenians emigrate to Europe and
the USA, while the niche of elite houses in Yerevan is occupied by
officials or businessmen. A. Pribilsky believes the situation in the
real estate market stable despite the high prices.

And this stability is rather supported by the development of mortgage
crediting in the country.

To note, the annual growth of prices for houses and commercial
premises in Armenia for the last 2-3 years totaled about 25-30%. The
high growth rates are observed also in the mortgage crediting sphere
i.e. 2% for the first quarter of 2006, about $30 million.

IT IS DANGEROUS TO TURN KARABAKH REASON FOR CHANGE OF POWER

Lragir.am
06 June 06

Azerbaijan and Armenia have opposite stances on the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict, therefore it is pointless to anticipate anything
from the meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Albert
Bazeyan, the leader of the National Revival Party made this statement
on June 6. He does not think that these meetings and talks may lead
to dramatic events in Armenia.

“There are political forces and sets, who may suggest or would like
that the Armenian side were pushed to make important and unilateral
concessions which would serve as an opportunity to call people for a
riot. We have never had such illusions, and we think that the issue
of Karabakh is a national problem. We would not like our government,
no matter we accept them or not, to lead the talks to a failure to
enable us to use this to settle certain home political problems,”
says Albert Bazeyan. According to him, if there is a change of power
for which the Karabakh issue is an excuse, the new leadership will
appear in the same situation as the old one.

BLACK SEA COUNTRIES DISCUSS REGIONAL THREATS

The New Anatolian, Turkey
June 6 2006

Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay joined the leaders of Black Sea
countries on Monday for a summit at which they discussed ways to
combat the region’s drug- and people-smuggling networks, find ways
to tackle pollution and discuss alternative energy routes.

Delivering a speech at the Black Sea Dialogue and Partnership Forum
(BSFPD), Atalay expressed the hope that the forum would contribute
to efforts to make Black Sea a region of peace and stability.

“Turkey is for the improvement of stability, friendship and welfare
in the Black Sea,” said Atalay, noting the region’s strategic role,
particularly over the past 20 years.

Underlining the importance of regional cooperation for the development
of understanding among the area’s countries, Atalay said, “Turkish
policy is aimed at settling all disputes with its neighbors.

Turkey has settled most of its disputes with Greece and Syria and
hopes to normalize relations with Armenia.”

Atalay also stated that preparations are underway for the fourth round
of talks between Turkey and Armenia at the deputy undersecretary
level after the two sides failed to come to an agreement in their
latest round of secret talks, adding that he’s unable to give a date
for the next round.

Romanian President Traian Basescu, whose country is hosting the forum,
said that the region is facing new criminal and terrorist threats along
with uncertainty caused by insecure energy supplies. He added that the
region’s leaders have been called to manage and improve this situation.

“We know our problems … they’re problems inherited from a difficult
past, but there’s real potential for development,” Basescu said during
his opening speech.

“Putting the Black Sea on the map is a challenge in itself,” Romanian
Foreign Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu said in his opening speech
at the summit.

Among those present were President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine,
President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia, President Robert Kocharian of
Armenia, President Vladimir Voronin of Moldova and President Ilham
Aliyev of Azerbaijan as well as officials from Bulgaria, Greece
and Lithuania.

Other participants in the summit include top officials from NATO,
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),
the United Nations and the Council of Europe (CoE).

Russia declined to send any high-level officials to the summit but
requested observer status. In his speech, Basescu called for Russia
to take part in the future development of the region.

“Romania considers there can be no regional cooperation process without
Moscow,” he said, highlighting Russia’s rich social, political and
economic resources. Russia was represented at the summit by its
ambassador to Romania, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Corina Vintan.

Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia directly border
the Black Sea, which is one of the world’s most polluted seas.

Its only outlet is via Turkey’s Bosphorus Straits.