Author: Karakhanian Suren

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE REMAINS URGENT PROBLEM IN NAGORNO KARABAKH

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 13 2006

Although many people connected the problem of the NKR presidential
election with the adoption of the draft constitution by the parliament,
the meeting of parliament on November 1 did not bring about anything
important. The members of parliament approved the draft constitution,
which will be put to popular voting. The rumors about the relation
between the decision of the parliament and the upcoming presidential
election have diminished. The country is going to hold a referendum and
find out the attitude of the citizens of NKR towards the constitution.

It is possible that more people have realized that one decision or
another of President Arkady Ghukasyan on his further political career
has little relation to the Constitution. Moreover, in his October
11 statement President Ghukasyan explained his decision by other
circumstances than the adoption.

Certainly, the general political problems also have importance, both
home and international. Despite deep doubts about the statement of
President Ghukasyan (most people detect symptoms of preparations for
a third term in the actions of his team), some aides are asserting the
president’s unlikelihood to run a third term. Moreover, the discussion
about the new president is said to be underway among his aides.

One way or another, both the government and the society are facing the
necessity to discuss the problem of electing a new president of NKR. In
this connection, Nagorno Karabakh is specific. The usual practice of
waiting until the next president is named will not work here. First,
NKR is a small country and everyone knows in person the figures around
the president. And in this connection, President Ghukasyan cannot be
proud at all. He has been heard speak about the difficulty of naming
the next president.

Of course, this does not mean that there are no candidates
in Karabakh. Most probably, there are no candidates around the
president. The names of the Secretary of State Security Bako Sahakyan
and Speaker Ashot Ghulyan mentioned recently hardly mean anything to
the society. And if the public is not delighted about these persons
who have a negative image, other high-ranking officials around the
president, as the results of polls suggest, are not perceived by the
society as new leaders of NKR.

This circumstance shows that the figures, who are not seen beside
President Ghukasyan, will most probably have a greater chance to
be named. These are not only figures from the opposition but also
government officials, who belong to the so-called reformist branch
of the government. This state of things appears natural, considering
another specific feature of the political life in NKR.

Here there is no gap between the government system and the society
unlike other post-Soviet states. In other words, the visible opposition
of forces is between the top officials and pro-government members of
parliament on one side and the society with the majority of public
officials on the other. This circumstance undoubtedly acquires a
political meaning. The example was the election of the mayor of
Stepanakert in 2004 when the candidate of the opposition Edward
Aghabekyan was supported by not only the society but also most
public officials, which helped the candidate of the opposition win
the election.

It is not accidental that presently the attention of the society
focuses on the deputy minister of foreign affairs Masis Mayilyan. The
loyalty of even the radical opposition and the mass media to this
figure is already evident. If the events develop similarly, it is
possible that naming a new president of Nagorno Karabakh will be
based on a scheme of an expansive consensus among the society of NKR.

This is an interesting phenomenon against the background of the
underdeveloped party systems of such states like NKR, and the social
and economic reality typical of the rule of the same regime lasting
for a decade.

It is clear that the traditional influence of the government and
political forces of Armenia will also be observed in the upcoming
presidential race in Nagorno Karabakh. However, with the current
state of indefiniteness in Armenia this influence will hardly have
a deciding role. There can be a sudden shift in this influence only
in case of an inadequate behavior of President Ghukasyan, for the
rumors about the third term in NKR is widely perceived in Armenia
as an effort to create as a precedent for Armenia. In the context of
the upcoming elections in Armenia the idea of this precedent arouses
a strong nihilistic approach not only among the opposition but also
the potential presidential candidates in Armenia.

NKR PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CONGRATULATED DEMOCRATS ON VICTORY IN ELECTIONS TO THE U. S. CONGRESS

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 13 2006

In connection with Nancy Pelosi’s election as the U. S. House Chair
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament Speaker Ashot Gulian sent
her a congratulatory message.

According to the information DE FACTO received at the NKR Parliament’s
Press Service, the message runs, in part, that the Democrats’
victory in the Congress elections "testifies to the American nation’s
belief in your ability to overcome inner and outer challenges the
U. S. people face".

The message also underscores, "the U. S. play an important role in
the Nagorno-Karabakh, rendering moral assistance to our democratic
movement, essential humanitarian aid targeted at overcoming the
Azerbaijani aggressions’ destroying consequences and actively working
within the OSCE Minsk group frames to resolve the ongoing conflict".

Ashot Gulian voiced confidence that the U. S. Congress would go on
protecting freedom and democracy and promoting the Nagorno-Karabakh’s
strengthening and development.

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 11 2006

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA IS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT SETTLEMENT

`I am not optimistic about the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue,’ said the president of Armenia Robert Kocharian during the
meeting with the Armenian community of Kazakhstan in Astana, reports
Armenpress. `I considered the year 2006 as a year of opportunities
because there were no elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan, and we
made efforts to negotiate with the Azerbaijani president. It was a
failure.’ The president of Armenia said the foreign ministers of
Armenia and Azerbaijan are meeting in November, and if the results
are reassuring, Robert Kocharian will meet with the president of
Azerbaijan in late November in Minsk. Robert Kocharian said the
recent meetings are not reassuring. `The impression is that no
progress was achieved this year,’ said the president of Armenia.

Panorama.am

13:57 10/11/06

CHOIR SPEGHANY CELEBRATES 10TH YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT

Choir Speghany is celebrating 10th year of its
establishment. Sarina Avtandilyan, art head of the
choir, said it is established only for children of
freedom fighters who perished during Karabakh war. `In
1996 when the choir was established, we hoped that it
will become a second family for the children and the
music will become balsam (speghany). That is why the
choir is named Speghany and our hopes were realized,’
she said.

In 2007 the choir will take part in European festival
of young ensembles in Bazel (Switzerland). Besides,
the group will participate in the contest in Germany.

In 2003, Speghany released its first CD included
Armenian spiritual music. In 2004 it won a second
prize in Aretso (Italy) and received the title of
laureate of international contest. /Panorama.am/

A1+

ARAM ASATRYAN HAS NOT BEEN POISONED
[02:11 pm] 10 November, 2006

Aram Asatryan’s requiem will take place today at
06:00 p.m. in his house in Echmiadzin. The relatives
and fans of the singer can bid him the final farewell
tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. in the culture hall after
Komitas in Echmiadzin. The funeral will take place at
03:00 p.m. in the Zvartnots cemetery tomorrow.

By the way, special buses will leave for Echmiadzin
free of charge for all those who want to participate
in the funeral. Tomorrow since 9:30 a.m. the buses
will be standing near the Opera house entrance.

According to the gossips, Aram Asatryan did not die a
natural death. People say he has been poisoned. We
tried to find out the truth from his press secretary.
`It is excluded. He ate and drank whatever other
people ate and drank. Besides, all the people there
were relatives and friends. There weren’t any
strangers whom we could suspect’, Hrachuhi Yeranosyan
mentioned.

According to the press secretary, pathologoanatomic
examination confirmed that Aram Asatryan had a heart
attack.

PRESS RELEASE
Alpha Epsilon Omega
Armenian Educational Relief Fund
P.O. Box 1662
Glendale, CA 91209
CONTACT: Alexander Abramyan
Phone: (818) 497-0125
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: aerf.alphaepsilonomega.org

September 09, 2006

Headline: Alpha Epsilon Omega’s Armenian Educational Relief Fund
Successfully Completes its Inaugural Project in Armenia

Alpha Epsilon Omega (AEÙ), announces the successful completion of the
Armenian Educational Relief Fund’s (AERF) inaugural project. Led by
AEÙ Brother and AERF Chairman, Alex Abramyan, AERF’s inaugural project
focused on providing much-needed supplies to Kindergarten #7 in
Armavir, Armenia.

In early 2006, Brothers of AEÙ kick started an initiative to assist
educational efforts in Armenia. The Brotherhood sought to make a
personal connection with educational efforts in the homeland and
directly donate supplies where they are most needed. Through personal
contacts and communication with local officials, Kindergarten #7 in
Armavir city was selected as the first project.

Fundraising activity from all six chapters of AEÙ enabled AERF to
raise more than $5,000 for the effort. During June-July 2006, several
Brothers traveled to Armenia to coordinate the effort. Additionally,
to further aid the local Armenian economy, AERF arranged for and
purchased all of the donated goods from suppliers in Armenia. Items
such as beds, bed sheets, desks, tables, chairs, toys, and electronic
appliances – essential items for the proper operation of the
Kindergarten – were purchased locally and delivered directly to the
Kindergarten.

Furthermore, Brothers hosted a field trip for the students at the zoo
in Yerevan City. The funds were also used to provide graduating
kindergarten students with new backpacks filled with essential school
supplies and toys to give them a head start in their academic life.

"We feel that the donations will motivate the young students to
succeed by allowing them to spend their youth in a secure and
comfortable environment. The donations were meant to encourage
students and provide them with the proper tools for a successful start
at their academic career. I’m very proud of our accomplishments in
this small school and hope that our contributions will one day promote
greater educational efforts all over Armenia," said Alex Abramyan.

Further details about AERF’s work in Armenia, including video footage
of the Brothers interviewed on Armenian TV and information for
prospective donors is available at the AERF website,

INDIGNANT HUNGARIANS HALF AS BUTCH AS INDIGENT ARMENIANS

Pestiside, Hungary
Nov 6 2006

An Armenian family of six was apprehended late last week by border
control officials near Hungary’s north-east frontier after they and
a Russian "guide" "white-water rafted" in from Ukraine on what state
newswire MTI (offline) calls a "hazardous" section of the Tisza –
all during the cold snap that has left much of Hungary hunkering
down indoors. Meanwhile, Budapest was not torn apart by riots during
this weekend’s commemoration of the beginning of the end of the 1956
uprising, apparently because of the weather. Not sure exactly what
the message is here, other than that the Hungary government should
probably be happy that its opponents are angry Hungarians, rather
than angry Armenians. On the other hand, they should probably be
really happy they are not angry Azerbaijanis. Either way, brrr.

hungarians_half_as_butch_as_indigent_armenians0028 43.php

POVERTY LEVEL DECREASES IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the preliminary results
of summarized study of living standard of home farms conducted in 2005
by RA National Statistical Service, 29.8% of RA population is poor,
4.6% extremely poor. According to the results of study conducted in
2004, these indices made 34.6% and 6.4%, respectively, and according
to the results of 1998/99 56.1% and 21%.

For the above mentioned periods, the abject (food) poverty line was
calculated in the amount of 13.266 thousand drams (about 30 USD),
12.467 thousand drams and 11.21 thousand drams and the general poverty
line in the amount of 20.289 thousand drams, 19.373 thousand drams
and 17.663 thousand drams.

In 2005, 2004 and 1998/99, the level of poverty and abject poverty in
Armenian towns made 30.7% and 5.3%, 36.4% and 7.5%, 62.1% and 26.2%,
respectively, in Yerevan 32.6% and 4%, 29.2% and 6.1%, 58.4% and 24.8%,
in other towns 37.8% and 7.2%, 43.9% and 9.2%, 65.5% and 27.4%, in
rural populated areas 28.3% and 3.2%, 31.7% and 4.4%, 48.2% and 14.1%.

In 2005, poverty level in RA regions fluctuated from 19.2% (Vayots
Dzor) to 42.5% (Shirak), abject poverty level from 1.8% (Vayots Dzor)
to 8.7% (Kotayk).

Railway in Russia: Russia-Iran Railway Talks

Railway Market Magazine, Poland
Nov 3 2006

A high ranking Russian delegation headed by Vladimir Yakunin will be
in Tehran within 4-6 November to discuss restoring linkage between
the two countries’ railways.

Russian delegation would put forth the issue of re-linking the two
railway systems which has been cut following Azerbaijan-Armenia
conflict over Karabakh region, reports the agency.

The construction of a new Ghazvin-Rasht-Astara railway would be
necessary and Russia is intent on contributing to constructing and
modernizing Iran’s railway infrastructure.

Iranians and Russians are also to exchange views on ways and means
of providing security measures for Russian made locomotives and wagon.

LILIT PIPOYAN’S CONCERT TO BE ACCOMPANIED WITH SHOW CREATED BY MULTIPLIER NAIRA MURADIAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 01 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Composer and singer Lilit Pipoyan’s
new works will be presented to the spectators during the concert
entitled "Blue Violet" to take place at the Aram Khachaturian concert
hall on November 4. Their performance will be accompanied with a show
created by multiplier Naira Muradian on the theme of those songs. As
the two artists mentioned at the November 1 press conference, they
are joined by the specific way of presenting what they want to say,
paying homage only to sincere phenomena in art and, opposite to it,
avoiding artificial, banal art, feeling of particular obligation
towards the national art and commentary of content, but not a formal
commentary of the national idea. "Creating is an outburst of soul for
me. It is out of any type of conditionalities. My songs are sincere,
free and without preconditions," L.Pipoyan said. At the same time she
mentioned that it was too difficult for her to organize this concert:
No producer company agreed to organize it, reasoning that it is not
profitable as no spectator will come to similar concerts in sports
ground or big concert halls." However, in the singer’s words, people
were found who did a favour and assisted organization of the concert,
what is already gratifying: "It means that something gets moving."