Author: Kafian Jirair

THE MOSCOW PROPOSALS ARE ADMISSIBLE

A1+
[12:36 pm] 31 October, 2006

The meeting of the Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers will be held
in Brussels, on November 14.

The key issues of the discussion will be the proposals made by the
OSCE Minsk group in Moscow.

Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov didn’t divulge the essence of the
proposals. "It is too early to speak of them.

They contain 8 – 9 elements we formerly referred to while defining
the question."

He claims that both the Armenian and the Azeri sides maintain that
they proposals still need further working out. Elmar Mammadyarov says
the date of the two presidents’ meeting is not fixed yet. Everything
depends on the meeting of November 14.

"AZERBAIJAN WILL NOT COMPROMISE WHEN IT COMES TO TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY"

A1+
[02:46 pm] 30 October, 2006

"The ten-year negotiations have resulted fruitless because of the
approach of Armenia which does not want to respect international
laws", said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev during the meeting
with representatives of foreign Mass Media accredited in Russia.

But Aliev also said that the Prague process can create chances for
peaceful settlement of the conflict, day.az reports. The President of
Azerbaijan announced that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is
not subject to negotiations and that Armenia must fulfill the four
resolutions of the UN Security Council which demand to take out the
Armenian armed forces from the territory of Azerbaijan.

"The approach of Armenia is based on wishes and expectations. They
think that the temporary success they had in military operations with
the help of another country gives them the right to think about taking
Karabakh away from us. It will not happen.

That’s why the RA authorities must understand that Azerbaijan will
never compromise when it comes to its territorial integrity", announced
Ilham Aliev.

He also announced that the approach of Azerbaijan is that the Armenians
and Azeris of Nagorno Karabakh who will return there will be given
the highest possible sovereignty in the world.

SURVEY: MOST ARMENIANS FIND THAT ARMENIA IS ON WRONG WAY OF DEVELOPMENT

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. Majority of citizens of Armenia find
that Armenia was on a wrong way of development, according to the data
published in the social survey, conducted by the Gallup institute
with the assistance of the Armenian Sociological Association.

62% surveyed find that Armenia was on a wrong way of development,
31% – advocate direction of the country’s development, 7% – evaded
the question.

Besides that 2% surveyed are sure that Armenia’s economy developed
actively, 37% – reasonably, 39% find that no changes at all are
observed in this sphere, 15% assure that the economic state of the
country continually worsens, 6% – that it is in recession, and 1% –
find it difficult to answer.

At that 11% surveyed are sure that the country needs little time to
improve the situation in the country, 82% – much time, 7% – find it
difficult to answer. 57% find themselves optimists, 10% – pessimists,
and 21% – gave neutral answer.

According to the survey, 1% surveyed are absolutely satisfied with
financial state of their family, 25% – reasonably satisfied, 50% find
that the situation did not change, 17% – are not satisfied at all,
and 7% – completely dissatisfied.

1200 inhabitants of Armenia 18 upward took part in the survey,
conducted during the period between July 31 and August 10, 2006. The
survey was held by request of the International Republican Institute
(IRI) with the financial support of the USAID.

Israel Today
Oct 27 2006

Armenian parliamentarian’s remarks cause storm

Vartan Ayvazian, a member of the Armenian parliament, caused a
political storm when he made anti-Semitic statements concerning a
drilling company in Armenia.

`Do you know whom you defend?’ he was quoted by Armenian newspapers
as angrily telling reporters. `You defend Jews. Why don’t you go and
find out who’s behind Global Gold? Instead of preventing them from
violating our country’s laws, you want to defend them?’

His remarks were a result of a bitter dispute between Armenia and the
American mining company `Global Gold’ that was jointly administered
by Jews and Armenians. Ayvazian has made anti-Semitic comments in the
past.

The Jewish community of Armenia was quick to publicize his latest
remarks. The president of the Armenian Jewish community, Rimma
Varzhapetian said Ayvazian’s statements were insulting and hurtful.

`A man in this position should not express himself in this manner. He
should first think. What was said was very hurtful. There is no
anti-Semitism in Armenia and the Jews live in a nice atmosphere,’ she
said. `We think there are personal interests involved, which in no
way extend to the Armenian people and government,’ so we don’t want
to make a fuss about that.’

The dispute between Ayvazian and Global Gold arose when the
Environment Ministry’s decided to revoke the company’s license to
carry out exploratory work at one of its Armenian gold mines saying
it failed to honor its investment commitments. The company denies the
accusations and will not leave before a court ruling.

Global Gold is run by Van Krikorian, a prominent American Armenian
and former chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America.

178&nid=10013

Aravot, Armenia
Oct 27 2006

EITHER POLICY OR BENEVOLENCE

The RA laws insist in this alternative, as the benevolence
mustn’t pursue political purposes.

Whether the `Prosperous Armenia’, RPA and Democratic Party infringe
the RA legislation when one of them dispenses potatoes in RA regions,
another supplies with laboratory equipment and the other dispenses TV
sets. In answer to our question whether the parties have right to
carry out benevolent activities, chief of NA state-juridical
commission Rafik Petrosian said: «According to the law about parties
the parties aren’t considered benevolent organizations. These are
political organizations. According to the law about benevolence, the
benevolent organizations mustn’t connect their benevolent activities
with political issues». Factually, Mr. Petrosian stated that the
activities of «Prosperous Armenia», RPA and Democratic Party were
illegal. But as Rafik Petrosian himself is a RPA member he tried to
justify such activities. «It is asked today whether PA steps can be
observed as electoral bribes. I think they can’t, as the
pre-electoral campaign hasn’t launched yet. If that part has carried
out such activities why it shouldn’t it continue when it is useful
for the population.’

Anyway the benevolent activities of the parties aren’t the
infringement of the law only in pre-electoral period. If PA, RPA and
Democratic Party want to carry out charitable activities they must
correspond their activities with the law «About Benevolence», and
according to the 11th article of that law benevolent organizations
are formed by public unions, foundations and other ways determined by
law. Party isn’t one of those ways. According to the same article the
«name of benevolent organization must include the «benevolent» word».

And the law «About Parties» forbids the participation of benevolent
organizations in political activities. According to the 25th article
of that law, the parties aren’t allowed to get contribution by
benevolent organizations and the 18 th forbids making pre-electoral
propaganda to benevolent organization.

In short, there is a certain difference between political and
benevolent activities.

Aram Sargsian, the parliamentarian of `Justice’ faction, DPA leader,
in answer to our question whether he agrees that those activities
aren’t electoral bribes as they aren’t realized in pre-electoral
period, said: `No, I don’t agree, I even declared in the NA that CEC
must be led by the articles of the law about parties, according to
which the parties have no right to carry out economic activities. Now
let’s imagine that a party by its membership fees provide not only
its everyday activities but has even accumulated a certain amount of
money.

We should mention first of all what party members of this poor
country have become so prosperous. And if there are personal
resources, they have no connection with the party. Benevolence made
by the parties opposes to the laws «About parties» and «About
Benevolence».

Anna Israelian

Charente Libre
26 octobre 2006

Des pointures de la communauté arménienne défilent à Angoulême

par Stéphane URBAJTEL

Le réseau arménien semble fonctionner du feu de Dieu à Angoulême.
Alors que le Président de la République vient de lancer l’année de la
France en Arménie, le 29 septembre à Erivan, capitale de cette petite
république caucasienne, plusieurs pointures de la communauté sont
annoncées en Charente. Jean Mardikian, maire adjoint chargé de
l’urbanisme à Angoulême, président du CNBDI et représentant local le
plus connu de la famille arménienne, a joué du carnet d’adresses pour
faire venir, dans la Cité des Valois, quelques artistes de renom.

Le plus connu du grand public s’appelle Robert Guédiguian. Le
cinéaste, époux d’Ariane Ascaride, auteur -entre autres- du film
Marius et Jeannette, est annoncé pour l’inauguration de la nouvelle
salle Némo. On le sait, la salle obscure de l’avenue de Cognac, doit
être refaites à neuf, dans le courant de l’année 2007, et aurait donc
un parrain de choix.

D’ici là, Angoulême aura vu passer une pléiade d’autres artistes de
la communauté. A chaque festival sa pointure: Piano en Valois reçoit
cette semaine le duo Luciné et Félix Simonian (lire ci-dessous) et la
pianiste Svetlana Navassardian (au thétre de Ruelle, demain, à
20h30).

Les Gastronomades (les 24, 25 et 26 novembre) auront aussi un petit
goût d’Arménie avec la présence de Jean-Pierre Séférian.
L’artiste-peintre, invité par l’Association du centre d’arts
plastiques d’Angoulême (Acapa), présentera, au thétre, ses oeuvres à
la caséine sur le thème des fruits et des légumes. Vernissage le 25
novembre à 12h, avec, pour déguster entre les toiles, quelques
spécialités arméniennes mitonnées pour l’occasion.

Et pour terminer le mois de novembre en beauté, dans un domaine cher
à Jean Mardikian, Angoulême va servir de cadre pour présenter une BD
pas tout à fait comme les autres: la première édition de Tintin en
arménien. L’album Les sept boules de cristal a été traduit dans l’une
des plus vieilles langues indo-européennes. Le résultat de plusieurs
mois de travail, explique Jean Sirapian, le patron de la maison
d’édition spécialisée dans les recherches culturelles des pays du
Moyen-Orient qui a obtenu les droits de traduction des albums
d’Hergé. Le CNBDI disposera d’une cinquantaine d’exemplaires et tous
les nouveaux arrivants arméniens de Charente -le département compte
une trentaine de familles- en recevront un exemplaire à l’occasion
d’une cérémonie organisée à l’hôtel de ville le 29 novembre.
Principale difficulté rencontrée par les traducteurs: l’adaptation
des onomatopées. Tonnerre de Brest! ou Bachi-bouzouk! les jurons
préférés du capitaine Haddock, ça donne quoi en arménien?

TERRITORIES TO BE DISCUSSED AFTER CONCRETENESS OVER KARABAKH STATUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.10.2006 13:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian does not rule out the
opportunity for the positions of the Armenian and Azeri parties over
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to become closer. As the Minister stated
during the Government hour at the Parliament Wednesday, thereupon an
agreement is made to hold another meeting of Armenian and Azeri FMs in
Brussels November 14. In Oskanian’s words, after the Brussels meeting
the term of the visit of the OSCE MG co-chairs to the region will be
determined, followed by deciding the expediency of a meeting of the two
Presidents. The Armenian FM remarked that during the talks in Moscow
the OSCE MG mediators proposed several new ideas over specific matter
and the Armenian party presented its position over these in Paris.

Vartan Oskanian highlighted that the issue of conveying territories,
controlled by the NKR Defense Army, to Azerbaijan is part of the
package of proposals. "We will discuss the question of territories,
when there is final concreteness over the NK status," the Minister
said. He explained that by saying territories all those of NK
are meant – northern and eastern, including Martuni, Mardakert
and Shahumyan. "All territories are subject to discussion, however
these discussions are at different levels," Oskanian added, reports
Novosti-Armenia.

U.N. ORGANIZES GAMES TO CELEBRATE ITS 61ST ANNIVERSARY

Panorama.am
13:46 24/10/06

U.N. is celebrating its 61st anniversary today.

Dedicated to the event, games are organized modeling U.N. in different
cities of the world, including New York, Geneva, Vienna, Yerevan,
Tbilisi and Baku.

Students are imitating U.N. Security Council Sessions, for example
for resolving Israeli-Palestine conflict.

They have to adopt resolutions but also to protect the interests
of their own country. The students send the final resolution to the
headquarters.

AUSTRIAN TURKISH CANDIDATE STIGMATISED FOR GENOCIDE´DENIAL

AUSTRIA TODAY
October 23, 2006 Monday 7:36 PM (Central European Time)

A Turkish-origin candidate for a seat in the Austrian parliament
has been threatened since he denied the so-called Armenian genocide
in a statement in a newspaper in Vienna. Mustafa Iscel, candidate
for Austrian People´s Party (OeVP) in the general elections held on
October 1, said that he had been threatened by Armenian lobbies in
Austria and Germany after he told Austrian daily Die Presse that no
Armenian genocide existed.

Iscel also printed a flyer that read "Vote for us if you do not want
the Armenian bill passed" during the election campaign. "People from
both sides were killed in this historical event. Independent historians
are needed to clarify the issue and politicians should not be involved
in such issues," he told the newspaper. Iscel went on to say that
Armenians would threaten him till he resigned from his party, also
pressuring the OVP to remove him from the list of candidates. Late in
September, three Turkish candidates were expelled from their parties in
the Netherlands due to their refusal to accept the so-called Armenian
genocide, ahead of general elections to be held on November 22. The
Christian Democrat Appeal and Labor Party of the Netherlands removed
three Turkish-origin politicians from their lists of candidates to
run for a seat in the parliament after they refused to admit that
Turks committed genocide against Armenians during the World War I.

–Boundary_(ID_WdGBfuvB9k4f8FKW6dKWdw)–

ARAM SARKISYAN: COMPLEMENTARY BEHAVIOR OF ARMENIAN LEADERSHIP RESULTS IN "BLACKMAIL" BY RUSSIA AND NATO

Regnum, Russia
Oct 21 2006

Armenia should cooperate with both the European Union and NATO,
however, not on the account of deteriorating the relations with our
strategic partner in Russia’s face. The announcement was made by
leader of the Armenian Democratic Party, Member of Parliament Aram
Sarkisyan on October 21.

According to him, at present time Armenia has the top priority
task, which is securing the national safety, and "we have no right
of implementing a policy that can put under threat the republic’s
safety." It is necessary to comprehend today that Armenia is not
awaited either in the EU or in NATO, the Democratic Party leader
stressed. Moreover, Sarkisyan notes, recent statements made by
Georgia’s President Mikhail Saakashvili concerning intention of
Georgia to cooperate with Russia mean that "the West will never go
against Russia because of the republics like Georgia or Armenia."

Speaking on recent statements by some Russian politicians concerning
the fact that "Armenia should decide in what security system its place
is," he reminded that first claim to "decide" was mentioned by NATO
representatives. Generally, according to the Democratic Party leader,
such policy of "blackmailing" held towards Armenia was result of the
complementary behavior of the current authorities.