Author: Kalantarian Kevo

SOUTH AZERBAIJAN DOES NOT EXIST

Lragir.am
13 June 06

The expression “South Azerbaijan” is false, it does not exist,
stated Ali Akbar Jokhar, Deputy Ambassador of Iran to Armenia June
13 at the Hayeli Club. He rejected that the Azerbaijanis living in
the north of Iran claim independence. The deputy ambassador told the
Armenian news reporters that the disorder among the Azerbaijanis of
North Iran several weeks ago was not given a correct interpretation
or was not presented fully. “Do you know how it happened? It happened
so that there was an insult one day. Not only the Azeri-speaking
people protested but also the people of other provinces of Iran
protested. Because if we are members of a family, if they offend
one of us, they offend everyone. And different Iranian ethnicities
consider it a national problem, not just a problem of Azeris,” said
the Deputy Ambassador of Iran. According to him, the events that
took place in the north of Iran were interpreted as it was favorable
for the West. “It is natural, and we knew that this problem would be
manipulated. Be sure, however, that the Iranian identity is based on
beliefs, history and traditions,” said Ali Akbar Jokhar. According to
him, “it is not difficult to find a hundred people in every nation,
who can shout different slogans, but the Iranian identity dominates in
Iran.” Deputy Ambassador Jokhar reminded about the history of Iran,
where the Azeris had a significant role. Ali Akbar Jokhar says the
members of the royal family of Sefids, who had a great role in the
Iranian state and culture, were Azeris. Ali Akbar Jokhar also says
that the regions inhabited by Azeris greatly favored the Islamic
revolution, and the Azeris have always had an important role in the
country’s government. Deputy Ambassador Jokhar says it is worthwhile
to visit and see the situation at places to confirm his words.

ARMENIA IS OBLIGED TO MOVE TOWARDS EUROPEAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, LEVON MKRTCHIAN IS CONVINCED

Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Henceforth RA Ministry of Education
and Science will work more openly and transparently by organizing
press conferences once during every 10 days. As Minister Levon
Mkrtchian said at the June 13 press conference, their task is that
the Ministry should not be treated only as a body holding entrance
examinations. According to him, the main goal of the department’s
policy is bringing the Armenian educational sphere in correspondence
with the international standards. L.Mkrtchian said that considerable
regress has been registered in this issue currently. As he stated,
formerly the Armenian educational system was compared with the
European countries, while now it is compared with the Middle Asian
countries. “Armenia is obliged to move towards the European educational
system,” the Minister mentioned.

L.Mkrtchian said that they should work out a mechanism where the system
will not be affected by the change of officials as party direction
is destructive for a system. According to him, complex and integral
changes need to be made in science. It was mentioned that the problem
of development of science is not so much financial as is connected
with right management.

According to L.Mkrtchian, there is still much to do in the sphere
of 12-year education as they “just pulled out 10-year education
and turned it into a 12-year education.” According to the Minister,
parallel with the transition to a new educational system they should
reduce the years of study at higher educational institutions. It
was mentioned that the quality of 12-year education should lighten
the burden of the institutions of higher education. In L.Mkrtchian’s
opinion, an integral system of giving marks for knowledge should be
also introduced. And the credit system, according to him, should not
be introduced at once, but gradually.

THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS ELECTION FALSIFIERS ISN’T UNITED
Anna Israelian

Aravot.am
13 June 06

The parliament began discussing drafts an hour and a half before its
working day yesterday.

The deputies were discussing the agenda all day long, and took 20
minutes breaks before voting. The adoption of the agenda has become a
”difficult process” by the NA deputy chairman Vahan Hovhannisian’s
description because ”Justice” was trying for the third time to put
into agenda its initiations about forming the NA temporary commissions
examining the infringements in 2003 elections and constitutional
referendum. ”We offer the formation of these commissions in the
following way; to invite the chairmen of all electoral commissions
and ask them for explanation, – the secretary of “Justice” group
Victor Dallakian said and reminded. – The PACE has proposed to form a
parliamentary commission in connection with the referendum. And those
who tell tales about European values, let them vote for to these two
commissions”. While the RPA fraction leader Galust Sahakian has said
that they will vote against. Aram Gaspari Sargsian marked in this
way the fact that the parliamentary majority has negative attitudes
towards the initiation on making responsible the election falsifiers;
” We should suppose that either those deputies are going for the
following falsifications or the majority will be responsible for
all which will happen in elections 2007. Tigran Torosian and Vahan
Hovhannisian were declaring that these would be last elections; if
we tried to rig the elections again it would be the most shameful
situation for us. And now how do you mark that they try to prevent
the falsifications, punish the falsifiers, and the majority is again
against?” The NA chairman Tigran Torosian replied to that question
mentioning that he shared the anxiety about the coming elections;
”Yes, we, first of all for our country and naturally as the obligation
of our country towards international organizations must hold the coming
parliamentary and next elections corresponding to all international
standards”. But the NA chairman produced as a technical reason that
even if these issues were included in the great agenda, they would
be discussed only in autumn session. ”I think there is no time for
the commission work”. DPA leader Aram Sargsian noticed that even if
that commission acted in autumn; ”we’ll manage to display clearly
our attitude towards the falsifiers. Maybe we wouldn’t have any other
result but everybody would understand that falsification was a crime
and it was punishable”. Victor Dallakian affirmed that the mater
should be voted for including in the agenda. But before voting he
“played a trick” as he described it late. The “Justice secretary took
a break for 20 minutes then he proposed to postpone for a month the
mater of including into agenda the formation of the commission. The
proposal was refused by voting as 55 members hadn’t voted, including
the oppositionists. Then Victor Dallakian declared that the issues
of forming the commission are already included in the agenda, as the
proposals of postponing it weren’ t adopted. A long dispute started
between “Justice” and NA chairmen. Tigran Torosian alluded that
Vahan Hovhannisian missed the NA code allowing voting the mater of
postponing. The ULP group leader Gurgen Arsenian asked for a break,
after discussion Vahan Hovhannisian admitted his mistake; ”That
voting doesn’t have juridical consequences”. And he put for voting
the mater of including the initiation of forming the commissions in
the agenda. 12 members were for, including the NA leaders. 85 members
didn’t vote, the oppositionist deputies, too who were continuing to
insist that the mater of commissions was already in the agenda, so
they wouldn’t take part in the illegal voting. Thanks to all these
the amendments in the law ”About State taxes” wasn’t included
into agenda.

–Boundary_(ID_pL/4Nhbg4unZ67E/yQnI3g)–

4O DAYS HAVE PASSED SINCE A-320 CRASH

Yerevan, June 12. ArmInfo. Relatives of the killed in the crash of
Armavia A- 320 Airbus will leave for Sochi to participate in the
mourning ceremony to mark 40 days since the crash, the Governmental
Commission for material assistance to the families of the killed in
air crash told ArmInfo.

The source reports the relatives of the killed air crew, a total of
20 people, will leave for Sochi by the plane of Armavia airline. 70
relatives of the killed passengers will leave by buses as many of
them are now afraid flying.

Three days later, the above governmental commission will meet to settle
the issue of material assistance to the relatives of the killed. At
present, 88,321 million drams were accumulated on the special account
at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Armenia To recap, A-320
flying from Yerevan to Sochi crashed in the Black Sea killing all
on board.

ARMENIAN BANKING SYSTEM’S PROFIT AMD 12BLN IN 2005

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 12 2006

Yerevan, June 12. /ARKA/. In 2005, the profit of Armenia’s banking
system totaled AMD 12bln, Vice-Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) Artur Javadyan stated at an annual meeting of Armeconombank.

He reported that 3% ROA and 15% ROE were recorded during the period
under review.

Javadyan also said that a 21% indrease in the banking system’s assets
with a a simultaneous 17% increase in GDP was recorded, which, in turn,
increased the financial mediation of Armenia’s banking system.

“These are the highest indices among developing countries,” Javadyan
said.

According to the CBA’s latest information, 21 banks were operating
in Armenia on April 1, 2006. In the 1st quarter of 2006, the banks’
total capital increased by AMD 4,491.9mln or by 4.7% and amounted
to AMD 99,252.6mln on March 31, 2006. The total assets of Armenia’s
banking system amounted to AMD 466,152.3mln – an AMD 25,478.2mln
or 5.78% increase during the 1st quarter of 2006. Credits issued to
residents by Armenia’s banking system, including deposits, factoring
and leasing, amounted to AMD 201,541.7mln – an AMD 12,950mln or 6.9%
increase in the 1st quarter of 2006.

WITH ARONIAN LEADING THE WAY, ARMENIA TAKES THE OLYMPIAD
By Robert Byrne

The New York Times
June 11, 2006 Sunday
Late Edition – Final

After capturing third place in the last two Olympiads, Armenia’s men’s
team leapt to victory at this year’s event, held in Turin, Italy,
from May 20 to June 4. The team, which had an undefeated score of
10-3, was heavily reinforced by its new first board, Levon Aronian,
who is now third in the FIDE ratings.

The Soviet Union, and then Russia, won all the Olympiads from 1952
to 2002 except the one in 1976, which it boycotted, and in 1978,
when it lost to Hungary. But this time the Russians were way out of
the running, losing four matches outright.

The Chinese showed off their solid play by taking second place,
although some commentators felt they had benefited from a good helping
of luck. The United States broke a tie for third place with Israel.

In the 11th round, Vlastimil Babula of the Czech Republic, playing
against Karen Asrian of Armenia, thought to free his game early and
headed into what was really a weakened game with great endgame trouble
ahead. He had to skip any thought of conserving his material because
the only way to do that was to enter into a bad endgame, one in which
his opponent would have two bishops and considerable advantage in
space. He tried to defend his knights with his rook, but in the long
run, his remaining knight became completely immobilized.

In the final stages, Babula desperately gave up his knight, but when
he saw that he would have to lose his rook too, he called it quits.

With 5 e6, Black introduced the Scheveningen Variation of the Sicilian
Defense. It was named after the Dutch resort where a prestigious
tournament was held in 1923. Players like Max Euwe helped to establish
it as a solid, reliable defense.

The purpose of 9 Nb3 was to avoid an exchange of knights to keep the
game complicated.

With 9 a6, Black prepared a queenside advance, his standard strategy.

And with 10 a4, White put an obstacle in the way.

With 10 Na5 11 Nd2, Asrian again escaped a knight exchange.

Perhaps, instead of 13 b5, 13 Rfb8 might have been better. Babula
did not spot Asrian’s clever underlying combination.

After 15 Nb5, if 15 Bb5 16 Bb5 Qc2 17 Qb1, Black would save a pawn
but concede a strong bishop pair in the endgame to Asrian.

After 16 Qc1 Qc1 17 Rfc1, the threat was 18 Nc7.

And after 19 Nc4, Asrian’s threat was to win material with 20 Nb6.

After 27 Rd8, the material was still even, but Babula could hardly
move.

And after 43 Rh6, Babula saw that 43 Kf5 44 Nd6 Kf4 45 Rf6 Ke3 46
Nf5 would lose and gave up.

Kommersant, Russia
June 10 2006

Armentel Divided by Five
// Russian operators will divide Armenia

Major Russian telecommunication conglomerates – Sistema, Rostelekom,
and Vympelkom – joined the tender to buy Armentel, largest Armenian
operator of cellular and fixed-line telephony, this week. Three
Russian companies will compete with five foreign operators. The most
serious rivals are MTS of Kuwait and Etisalat of the United Arab
Emirates. Despite the impressive entry list, experts believe that
Russian companies have a good chance to win the first victory ever in
the international tender for telecommunication assets.
Kommersant learned that primary offers to buy Armentel came from
Russia’s Sistema, Vympelkom, and Rostelekom, Kuwait’s MTS Kuwait,
Armenia’s Sil group, Belgium’s Belgacom, Hungary’s PanTel, and Arab
Emirates’ Etisalat.

Greek corporation OTE owns Armentel now. OTE announced its intention
to sell 90 percent of Armentel shares in early April 2006. Armentel
provides service to 595,000 subscribers (that is, all fixed telephone
numbers in Armenia), and controls over a half of cellular
communication market, serving more than 50,000 subscribers. Armenian
government owns 10 percent of Armentel. The company’s turnover
reached 110 million in 2005.

OTE’s disagreement with Armenian government about business strategy
impelled OTE to sell its assets. The government is completely against
tariff raising and charging fixed telephone subscribers for time.

The outcome of the tender will become known after July 20. Experts
estimated the value of 90 percent of Armentel shares at $100-140
million, before the tender. Yet, the impressive entry list indicates
that the asset value may redouble.

It is the three Russian operators who have best chances in the tender
for Armentel. Elena Bazhenova, analyst of Aton investment group,
said: `Russian companies have more chances to win the tender because
they have more contacts and connections with Armenian officials,
which is of great importance for working in Armenia, for the
government strictly controls Armenia’s telecom market.’

by Ara Tatevosyan, Erevan, Nikolai Yablonsky

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 9 2006

Returning of controlled grounds to Azerbaijan shall be discussed in
line with other issues – Armenian FM

Source: Trend
Author: À. Mammadov

09.06.2006

Returning of controlled grounds to Azerbaijan shall be discussed in
line with other issues, said Armenian FM Vardan Oskanyan in an
interview to Armenian Kentron TV channel.

`The package to discuss consists of numerous elements and we shall
find a right balance for the issues we give and issues we receive’, –
he continued.

`While Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self-determination is uncertain,
not registered and not recognized, I don’t want to show my hands and
say Armenia is ready to give back any areas’, – minister added.

Trend reports with reference to ÀRÊÀ, Oskanyan said that in response
to Azerbaijan’s recognition of Nagiorno-Karabakh’s right for
self-determination Armenia is ready to go for a compromise and
discuss grounds question with Azerbaijan.

Divers Bulletin no. 20 (216) / June 5, 2006

News

ARMENIAN CHURCH ASKS FOR THE RETROCESSION OF A MUSEUM

BUCHAREST – The Archbishopric of the Armenian Church in Romania asks
Minister of Culture and Religious Affairs, or MCC, Adrian Iorgulescu, in an
open letter, for the retrocession of Ana Melik House, the current
headquarters of Theodor Pallady Museum in Bucharest.

The document says the state abusively confiscated Ana Melik House, located
on 22 Spatarul Street in Bucharest, back in 1967.

Virgil Nitulescu, secretary of state in MCC, claims the Romanian state
legally took possession of Ana Melik House three decades ago. The house is
the headquarters of Pallady Museum and has been subject to litigation at the
Bucharest Court of Appeals in Bucharest since 2000. The litigation was
between the Armenian Church and Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs.
The Parish of the Armenian Church claims ownership upon the dwelling that
has been asserted since 1924. By Royal Decree, the Armenian-Gregorian Church
in Bucharest was assigned the dwelling through Ana Meliks testament. The
church owned the dwelling until 1969, when it donated Melik House and the
field to the Executive Committee of the Peoples Council of Bucharest
Municipal.

Ana Melik House is registered on the List of Historic Monuments in Romania.
It is the eldest authentic building in Bucharest, preserved with its initial
design in 1760.

Author: DIVERS

DIVERS – News bulletin about ethnic minorities living in Romania is edited
every week by Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, with the financial
support of King Baudouin Foundation, Belgium and Ethnocultural Diversity
Resource Center. Partial or full reproduction of the information contained
in DIVERS is allowed only if the source is mentioned. You can send messages
and suggestions regarding the content of DIVERS bulletin at Balkan
Investigative Reporting Network, at the e-mail address: [email protected]

ARMENIA DEVELOPS RELATIONS WITH BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.06.2006 18:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ June 7 newly appointed Ambassador of Bosnia and
Herzegovina to Armenia Enver Halilovich (residence in Moscow) handed
the copies of his credentials to Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian. The Armenian FM remarked that the relations between the two
states are at their initial stage and formation of a legal field is
very important in this view. The parties also stressed the necessity
of bilateral cooperation within various international organizations,
reported the RA MFA press office.