Author: Khondkarian Raffi

REPUBLICANS SAY ROBERT KOCHARYAN WILL NOT RUN FOR THE THIRD TERM
Lragir.am
25 May 06
Garnik Isagulyan, adviser to the president of Armenia, had stated May
20 that Robert Kocharyan would not run for the third term. Isagulyan
also announced that soon everyone would be able to see that Kocharyan
is unlikely to become prime minister. Isagulyan’s statements were
approved by Galust Sahakyan, the leader of the Republican faction
on May 24. “I think there is not going to be another term, for the
post of prime minister, he has the right to be prime minister, but
this question is not considered yet,” said Galust Sahakyan to the
reporter of Lragir.am. He mentioned that the stance of the Republican
will become known after a debate which has not been held yet.
Galust Sahakyan says the Republican will also nominate president,
and according to Galust Sahakyan, there are more than one worthy
candidates. “I think there are many worthy candidates of president,
in the course of time there will be references,” says Galust Sahakyan
adding that people will make the deciding vote.

RESTORE THE DUELS
Anna Israelian
Aravot.am
24 May 06
According to one of the ARF deputy if tradition of duels is restored
we w?n’t be forced to hear the offences which the OEP and “National
Unity” addressed to each other in the NA yesterday.
Here are passages from those declarations.
Hovhannes Margarian /OEP/; “Where were today’s Pharisees when hundreds
of thousands issues were being discussed in the parliament? Where was
that same Geghamian who betrayed the leader of the opposition Stepan
Demirchian in the second stage of the presidential elections in 2003
taking some thousands of dollars? Where was he when the question of
deposits was being discussed, when schools and nursery schools were
being privatized very cheaply, when problems of disaster zone were
being discussed? When were you, the Savior, when the opposition was
fighting in favor of justice? Certainly he was hiding waiting for
new commands from the influential officials who using Geghamian’s
oratorical potential were financing him in indirect way. Everybody
knows what happens to those who have become unnecessary after
being used. I must mention that Arthur Baghdasarian being 37 years
old and the OEP is 10 have had more serious achievements than you
with your empty critics addressed to Robert Kocharian and Serge
Sargsian. Speaking about robbery you ownbuildings and complexes,
criticizing the corruption you are fed by the authority.
Hmayak Hovhannisian /independent deputy/; “A scenario is being realized
here making each other abolish public politicians for anti-ideological
and anti-political elements. Our so-called political field has become
a stable… The journalists and I are the unhappiest persons in this
hall, because we have to find some regularity in the stable. Stable
rules act here.
Mher Shahgeldian /OEP/; “If anybody likes to feel himself in the
stable it is his choice… I turn to “National Unity”, you try to
carry out your policy by craftiness. Don’t you ask for economic
orders periodically from the Minister of Defense and get it. We know
about it.”
Samvel Balasanian /OEP/; “I don’t know what Hmayak Hovhannisian speaks
about. I compare this misfortune with Alyonka from Russian tale who
was sinking.
Dear Alyonka, Alyonushka, maybe you have lost your patrons. /”Sheep”, –
Hmayak Hovhannisian cried from his sit. A.I./. Becoming the opposition
we are criticized by Hmayak Hovhannisian, we also were being criticized
when we were the authority”.
Gagik Kostandian; /National Unity/ “You betrayed the ANM and Levon
Ter- Petrosian in 1998, and you betrayed the coalition in 2006. If
you have taken money for your betrayal, it’s a problem but if you
are a principal betrayer, it’s another problem. You declare that
you have defended Robert Kocharian in the first and second stages,
but how can we understand your step, is it a betrayal or next play
of the authorities to form a false opposition. Didn’t you know with
whom you were going to work? Your partner political powers are the
same, they haven’t changed, admit that posts admired you. And you
awakened before the elections, that the coalition///// I have been
in the boxing ring since for about 17 years, and I have seen a lot
of blows below the belt, we considered those sportsmen as sons of
the beach. I haven’t seen a political power, which blows below the
belt. Your declaration that we are financed by Serge Sargsian and
are engaged in supplies, that information is false and old”.
Artashes Geghamian; “I’ll compliment Arthur Baghdasarian. He is too
///. He said here that the way of lie is short like the way of the
thief, it lasts 40 days. It seems he saw today. His way last only a
day /and read the declaration signed on 19 of February according to
which the results of the elections can’t be recognized legal. -A.I./
Let the people decide which category he is.”
Stepan Zakarian /”Justice”/; If there was a healthy society it would
be interested from the beginning where Serge Sargsian has got such
big money for being able to but a politician or a party… I think
that the feeling of fear about which he was speaking prevented the
NA chairman to say it.”
Vram Gyulzadian /OEP/; “Geghamian says that when the Public Prosecutor
is engaged in planting trees, potato specialist must carry out
policy. It is honor for me to be a potato specialist. And thanks
to my farmer partners we had potato in cold and famine years. Has
anybody been saved by your pompous speeches?”

CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF OF ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE HERE ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT
ArmRadio.am
24.05.2006 15:10
The delegation headed by Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of
Ukraine, Colonel-General Sergey Kirichenko arrived today in Armenia on
a two-day official visit. Kirichenko had a meeting with his Armenian
counterpart Colonel-General Mickael Harutyunyan. Members of the
delegation will visit the memorial to the victims of the Armenian
Genocide and the mine-clearing center. Later the guests will visit
the Military Institute after Vazgen Sargsyan.
The Ukrainian delegation will be received also by the Catholicos
of All Armenian Garegin II. In the evening the Chiefs of General
Staffs of Armed Forces of the two countries will sign a memorandum
on cooperation. Mickael Harutyunyan and Sergey Kirichenko told the
journalists they are going to share the experience gained.
“We are pleased with the warmth, hospitality and friendliness we saw
here in Armenia today. We are confident that today’s work will yield
great results.
Your experience of participating in peacekeeping missions will be
especially useful for us,” Sergey Kirichenko said.

FIRST ANCA TELETHON RAISES $2.7 MILLION
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 23 2006
WASHINGTON, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. In an overwhelming
display of unity behind the Armenian National Committee of America’s
mission to educate, motivate and activate our communities, Armenian
Americans, organizations and communities across the United States
raised $2.7 million during the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) Telethon on May 21st with additional donations still coming
in, the ANCA reported. The groundswell of donations came from the
entire spectrum of the Armenian community. “The Telethon was one
of the ANCA’s most ambitious endeavors to date, pulling together
every part of our grassroots network, and the results demonstrate
the overwhelming support for our mission to unite the community
behind the Armenian Cause – Hai Tahd,” said Ken Hachikian, National
Chairman of the ANCA. “We are gratified by the confidence Armenian
Americans across the nation have placed in us and pledge to the
Armenian community that we will make every dollar count as we work to
vigorously pursue and represent the interests of the community in the
local, national and international political and policy arenas.” The
Telethon touched a common emotion and desire in people to support the
Armenian Cause in all the different parts of Armenian communities,
regardless of organizational affiliations or politics. Countless
organizations, volunteers, churches, community leaders, ANC local
chapters, performing artists, Members of Congress and state legislators
from across the nation participated in the Telethon contributing to
its enormous success. The Telethon featured several documentaries
that highlighted the various ANCA programs and numerous results the
ANCA has achieved over the years largely through its volunteer and
grassroots network. In addition to hundreds of thousands of viewers
who watched the Telethon on TV in all major U.S. media markets,
thousands nationally and internationally also watched the Telethon
online via a simultaneous webcast over the Internet and donated
online. While the Telethon raised funds for the ANCA Endowment, it
also served to expand the level of knowledge and understanding among
many parts of the community on the important work that is being done
on a daily basis by the ANCA. One of the ANCA’s goals is to engage
and activate more segments as part of the ANCA’s grassroots network
and the Telethon helped expand that reach. Donations are still being
accepted for the ANCA Telethon and those interested in contributing
should call 1-866-402-2622 (ANCA) or go to and click on
the Telethon logo to make a donation online.

KOCHARYAN CONGRATULATES CHARLES AZNAVOUR ON HIS BIRTHDAY
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 23 2006
YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. The President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan
congratulated world-known French singer Charles Aznavour on his
birthday.
According to the Press and Information Department of the RA President,
Kocharyan sent a congratulating message to Aznavour wishing him sound
health, long and fruitful creative life.
“Your image of a unique art figure and great Armenian inspires and
gives power to many people. You are the pride of our nation, many
generations admired you songs and patriotism”, the Message says.
Famous French singer, composer and actor Charles Aznavour was born
in France in a family of Armenian immigrants on May 22, 1924.

Third Quarter 2004 Issue.
Raptor Training At Tyndall
By Eric Hehs
Ground Photos By Eric Hehs
Aerial Photos By John Dibbs And MSgt. Mike Ammons
Raptor Training At Tyndall”We’ve been kicking everyone’s butt with
this airplane,” says Lt. Col. Mike Stapleton in an animated briefing
on the F/A-22 Raptor. Stapleton is the operations officer at the 43rd
Fighter Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Florida, the Raptor schoolhouse. As a
senior member of the first training squadron for the F/A-22, he
doesn’t attempt to hide his enthusiasm for the Air Force’s latest
fighter.
“Maneuverability with this airplane is unmatched in its entire
envelope,” he says. “We can put on rapid g onsets and rapid pitch
rates. We can hold very high angles of attack up to sixty degrees. At
slow speeds, we can get nose yaw rates that exceed thirty degrees per
second. No one else can fly like we can in the post-stall
environment. But even in the pre-stall environment and at full combat
weight, we enjoy exceptional maneuverability and thrust-to-weight
ratios. We takeoff in afterburner, and we are airborne in about 800
feet. If we don’t pull the nose up quickly to slow the airplane down,
we can be flying supersonic during climb-out. Fighter pilots love that
kind of power. I’ve never flown a fighter that is so much better than
the airplanes I’m flying against.”
Stapleton spends most of his days preparing to spread his Raptor
knowledge, as well as his enthusiasm. “We are focused on getting the
F/A-22 operational,” he says. “Our part of that is to train the
pilots, maintainers, and air battle managers. When students leave
Tyndall, they will have very few things to do before they take the jet
into combat. We are defining the leading edge for the global strike
concept, for how we train to a larger picture of coalition and joint
warfare. A lot of people walking around this squadron are wearing B-2,
F-117, Rivet Joint, Joint STARS, AWACS, and Space Command patches. We
are working a lot of integration issues with these other platforms and
commands. We want to make sure our tactical ties are tight.”
Raptor Training At TyndallRaptor Evolution In Florida
Personnel at Tyndall began preparing for the F/A-22 well before the
first Raptor was flown to the base in September 2003. The 43rd
Squadron was stood up in October 2002 and moved into its own building
two months later. The 43rd is one of four training squadrons that fall
under the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall. The three other the 1st, 2nd,
95th and provide initial F-15 qualification training for new fighter
pilots as well as conversion and recurrency training for existing
pilots. As the designated instructional center for active-duty F-15
pilots, the 325th FW was the obvious training location for the Air
Force’s new air dominance fighter.
Lt. Col. Jeff Harrigian, the commander of the 43rd, came to the unit
from Tyndall’s 95th FS, where he was the operations officer. “We had a
total of twenty-two people in the 43rd when our first F/A-22 arrived
last September,” he explains. “Our initial seven instructor pilots
came a few months earlier so we could get a head start on building a
syllabus. These initial pilots had to learn how to fly the new jet as
well as become subject matter experts in specific areas of employment
and instruction.”
The first two F/A-22 pilots at Tyndall (Harrigian and Maj. Steven
Luczynski) received their flight instruction at Nellis AFB, Nevada,
where F/A-22 tactics development is taking place. Then they began
producing their own Raptor pilots. Maj. Michael Hoepfner, an
experienced F-16 pilot, became the first Tyndall graduate of this
training last January.
Raptor Training At Tyndall”Our first challenge was to understand the
airplane,” notes Harrigian. “Starting a new squadron with an existing
airframe has its challenges, but I can borrow those procedures because
it has been done before. Starting a new squadron with a new aircraft
is much more difficult. No one gave me a playbook.”
Harrigian approached his task by handpicking his immediate
personnel. The first seven instructor pilots are all graduates of the
Air Force’s Fighter Weapons School. Four of these were former Weapons
School instructors. Five come from the F-15, and two from the
F-16. The squadron will grow to an initial staff of seventeen
instructor pilots by the end of 2004, with ten of the total coming
from the F-15C community, three from F-15E, and four from F-16. The
43rd will have a full complement of twenty-eight F/A-22s and about an
equivalent number of instructor pilots when fully staffed. Ten to
fifteen students will be enrolled in the training at any one time.
Raptor Training At TyndallMaintenance Training, Too
Pilot training, however, accounts for only one factor of the Raptor
instructional equation at Tyndall. Future Raptor maintenance
technicians receive their training here as well. The 372nd Training
Squadron Detachment 4 (an AETC unit attached to Sheppard AFB, Texas)
offers sixteen different courses that comprise four main maintenance
branches training avionics, crew chiefs, engines, and weapons.
“Most of our students are transitioning from the F-15 and F-16,” says
TSgt. Kelly Martin, an F/A-22 maintenance instructor at Tyndall. “The
students arrive highly motivated. Most of them have signed up for the
Raptor. They want to see the airplane up close. They’ve seen all the
high-tech Air Force ads on television, and they want to work on this
fighter.”
Raptor Training At TyndallThe expectations of the high-tech television
ads are met with a high-tech, paperless instructional
approach. Students take their courses in classrooms equipped with
flat-panel monitors that display instructional material in full color
and high graphical detail. Animated graphics allow students to
disassemble an engine on the screen. “The computer-aided instruction
reduces the time we need an actual aircraft for training,” notes
Martin. “We can show students the location of assemblies and how to
access them before they see the airplane.”
Much of the training centers around a rugged and weather-resistant
laptop called a portable maintenance aid. “The PMA replaces a library
of technical data with a seven-pound laptop computer,” Martin
says. “We use it in the classroom, on the aircraft, and for any task
the maintainer performs.”
The PMA can be used separately or integrated with the classroom
computer system. Maintainers can perform operation checks on the
aircraft without climbing into the cockpit. Pilots fill out the
aircraft forms on the computer. PMAs will eventually have RF
capability so crew chiefs can transmit information directly to
expediters or maintenance control from the ramp. They will be able to
order parts while standing by the aircraft without going to the
support sections. The maintenance status of a particular airplane can
be checked just by logging on to the system
Raptor Training At Tyndall”The F/A-22 is very easy to work on,” notes
Martin, an experienced maintainer who has been working on the advanced
fighters for about two years. “The jet tells us what is wrong with it
after it lands. It tells us what part needs to be replaced. The
biggest challenge we face involves the access panels. We have to be
more careful with them so we don’t damage the stealthy
coatings. Still, this airplane is a huge step forward in terms of
maintenance.”
Raptor Envy?
More than $60 million of new construction related to the Raptor at
Tyndall so far translates into new squadron buildings, maintenance
hangars, a low-observable repair facility, and additions and updates
to existing training buildings. With all the spending and attention
focused on the F/A-22, Tyndall leadership is quick to emphasize that
it takes an entire team to accomplish the air dominance training
mission.
Raptor Training At Tyndall”When we added the Raptor side to our
academic and simulation building, for example, we refurbished the
Eagle side,” explains Brig. Gen Larry New, the commander of the 325th
Fighter Wing. “We took the same approach with our maintenance
facility. We renovated the entire building instead of just the F/A-22
section. We want everyone who works at Tyndall to feel that they are
part of the same team. We are going to be operating the Eagle in the
Air Force for the better part of the next two decades. We can’t forget
about it or give it some second-class status.”
New also realizes that while the F/A-22 may enjoy a high profile
within the Air Force, many are relatively unaware of the new
fighter. “We need to educate people about the Raptor,” he says. “A lot
of people in high places around the country don’t even realize the
F/A-22 is flying. We are well into fielding the weapon system. We need
to remind them why we are building the Raptor and what the aircraft
means to the future of the United States in terms of our warfighting
capability and our ability to defend our interests.”
The Raptor’s appearance at Tyndall has generated more curiosity than
envy from F-15 pilots at the base. “Many Eagle pilots have flown
against us and they want to understand the performance of airplane the
how it maneuvers,” explains Harrigian, who ferried the first Raptor
from the factory to Tyndall. “The next biggest question I get relates
to avionics. F-15 pilots want to know what the cockpit looks like and
how the airplane presents information to the pilot. They ask if it is
easy to fly, if it flies like an F-15.”
Raptor Training At TyndallHarrigian’s own first impressions? “This
airplane is incredible,” he says. “The performance is awesome. The
first time I rolled the airplane I thought, ‘wow this thing is
responsive.’ It is like flying a Cadillac that reacts like a
Porsche. The cockpit is very comfortable. The F/A-22 is a heavy
airplane that flies like a small airplane. The takeoff roll is
impressive. A standard military power takeoff in the Raptor feels like
an afterburner takeoff in the Eagle. I got used to the side stick
placement after about two rides. A more significant difference is the
sensitivity of the controls. Ever so slight of a movement with the
stick and the flight controls react immediately. My stick is
constantly moving when I fly an Eagle, especially when flying close
formation. The stick is dead still in the Raptor unless I’m
maneuvering aggressively.”
Mixing Mindsets
Instructor pilots at the 43rd, aside from learning the F/A-22, must
deal with a clash of cultures of sorts as those with differences in
reflexes, thought patterns, and terminology ingrained from years of
flying either the F-15 or the F-16 work together to form a common
syllabus for a completely new aircraft type.
“We see some terminology differences between F-15 and F-16 pilots,”
notes Harrigian. “They have differing mind-sets about what mutual
support means. The F-16 is a small airplane and F-16 pilots need to
stay closer together to keep each other in sight. Eagle drivers, on
the other hand, with their larger airplanes, tend to get farther away
from each other.”
Raptor Training At Tyndall”An F-16 pilot thinks differently about
tactical problems than an F-15 pilot,” Stapleton adds. “As an F-15
pilot, I don’t have as many limits on aircraft identification or
weapons. I rely on beyond-visual-range identification and lots of
AMRAAMs. My biggest tactical problem involves airborne threats
defeating my missiles. F-16 pilots, who didn’t have identification
capability until recently, are more concerned with getting their bombs
on target and getting out unscathed.”
“The Raptor enjoys the best of both worlds,” says Harrigian. “F-16 and
F-15 pilots might recommend different approaches for a given
scenario. We ask if either approach applies to the Raptor. We have
found that bits and pieces from each are appropriate. We also often
take completely different approaches thanks to this airplane’s
capabilities. We want to use lessons learned from legacy platforms,
but we don’t want to hang onto them for no reason. We try to get all
of these mind-sets on the table and create something that we can call
the F/A-22 paradigm.”
The foundation of that new paradigm relates to doing away with sensor
management tasks that demand a lot of time and effort in current
fighter platforms. “F-16, F-15, and F/A-18 pilots spend a lot of time
working sensor management, that is, making sure their radar search
volumes are located in the right airspace,” says Stapleton. “They have
to work mutual support issues with the sensors and populate their
datalinks with the right information. Seventy-five percent of their
effort goes into sensor management and twenty-five percent goes into
actually employing systems the getting the airplane where it needs to
be and putting the weapon on a target.
Raptor Training At Tyndall”The Raptor is 180-degrees different,”
Stapleton continues. “The airplane does so much of the work at a
digitized level behind the screen that I, as a weapon system operator,
can sit back and think about the kind of operational effects that the
commanders want to achieve. I have time to consider how to provide the
right amount of mutual support to the other joint coalition
forces. Not spending all my time thinking where the radar should go,
in and of itself, is going to break open a whole new dynamic in air
warfare. We will see this airplane reach its true potential as soon as
some of our younger guys start operating it. They will come up with
stuff that we haven’t even considered.”
New Airframe, New Skills
Instructor pilots at the 43rd have to build a syllabus for generating
new pilots who will break those old paradigms. “We’re not just flying
a new airplane,” Harrigian explains. “We are determining the skills
required to fly the airplane. We have to create a building block
approach for teaching someone to operate the Raptor. The F/A-22
performs significantly different from an F-15 and an F-16. So we spend
some time in the early training to get the pilots accustomed to these
differences. We show them how the airplane reacts to inputs and how it
flies throughout the envelope. Then we fly one against one against a
dissimilar aircraft. We’re using the same generic training philosophy
that we use for the F-15 and F-16. We build upon what the student has
already learned and then add another task each step of the way.”
Tyndall pilots are working on syllabi as they prepare for the summer
arrival of their next seven instructor pilots, as well as for the fall
arrival of the first students who will form the first operational
F/A-22 squadron at Langley AFB, Virginia. The basic course, called the
B-course, will last about six months and is designed for a pilot right
out of a T-38 and lead-in fighter training. Experienced fighter pilots
take a three-month transition course. (The unit will also offer a
separate transition course, basically instrument rating instruction,
for senior officers.) A separate two-month course, upgrading
instructor pilots, prepares instructors for teaching at the 43rd. All
student pilots go through about eight 1.5-hour sessions in an F/A-22
simulator before strapping into the Raptor cockpit.
Raptor Training At Tyndall”That first flight can be fairly
intimidating,” Stapleton says. “Working through the PMA, instead of
touching actual Air Force forms with grease on them, can put off your
sense of balance. But I quickly found the F/A-22 to be a forgiving,
powerful, and capable airplane.”
The superior capability of the F/A-22 will have a dramatic effect on
training. “When I prepare a wingman to go to war in an F-15, I have to
face the fact that the F-15 is at parity with some existing
aircraft. None of them can beat the F-15 in all performance dynamics,
but a lot of potential adversaries have two or three advantages that I
have to take into account. We can beat them because we have better
training. An F/A-22, on the other hand, gives me vastly superior
capability. So my job as an instructor is to make sure our pilots
perform the Raptor to its full potential.
“Getting a new airframe is an event to be celebrated,” Stapleton
concludes in his briefing. “As you can see from our 1978 vintage F-15s
sitting out here, new airframes don’t come around very often. Their
software, however, evolves. The Raptors you see on the ramp today are
awesome. Even with an elementary version of the software that we are
flying, we are still kicking everyone’s butt. That tells me that this
airplane will only get better.”
Eric Hehs is the editor of Code One.
/articles/aug_04/fa22/

COUNCILLOR OF INTELLECTUALS’ FORUM PROPOSES TO ORGANIZE PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSION ON REASONS OF PLANE CRASH
Noyan Tapan
May 22 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The Councillor of the Intellectuals’
Forum of Armenia proposes to hold professional hearings and discussions
connected with the state existing at the Armenian aviation and the
A-320 plane crash. It is said in the statement of the organization that
after the May 3 Sochi crash of the A-320 plane, official instances
have by now served versions which are not only incompatible but also
oppose known facts and professional opinions.
“The impression is that all these are done thinked up to create
atmosphere of hopelessness, and why not, of indifference among the
society,” the Intellectuals’ Forum Concillor states. The authors of
the document consider one of the reasons of the accident “the inner
unhealthy political atmosphere which left its negative trace on the
Armenian air communication system as well.”

COALITION BREAKS UP, BUT GOVERNMENT REMAINS STABLE
Haroutiun Khachatrian
EurasiaNet, NY
May 22 2006
Artur Baghdasarian formally vacated on May 22 his post as Armenia’s
parliamentary speaker, completing the withdrawal of his Orinats Yerkir
Party from the country’s governing coalition. Experts in Yerevan don’t
expect the shake-up to have much of an immediate impact on government
policy, but suggest that the withdrawal could boost both Baghdasarian’s
and his party’s political fortunes in upcoming elections.
Addressing MPs after the acceptance of his letter of resignation,
Baghdasarian sounded like a politician already on the campaign trail.
Armenia is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in 2007 and a
presidential poll the following year. “Social surveys show that 70
percent of Armenia’s population is afraid. … We will fight for a
free society,” Baghdasarian said, according to a report distributed
by the A1-Plus web site. “When we said that the state must support
young families, they [political rivals] said it was populism. It is
not populism; it is the road to the development of our country.”
Baghdasarian also maintained it was in the country’s best interest
to pursue integration with Western economic and security structures,
while attempting to cast Orinats Yerkir’s departure from the governing
coalition as the party leadership’s choice. “”Many good things have
been accomplished, but many have been left out,” Baghdasarian said,
referring to his party’s participation in the governing coalition. “Now
we have decided to follow our own route.”
In addressing parliament, Baghdasarian studiously avoided criticism
of President Robert Kocharian.
Baghdasarian signaled on May 12 his intention to resign as speaker,
a day after party leaders voted to pull out of the coalition. Although
seeking to portray themselves as the initiators, many experts believe
that Prime Minister Andranik Markarian pushed Orinats Yerkir, or the
Country of Law party, out of the coalition for conduct damaging to the
government’s interests. In the weeks leading up to his resignation,
the former speaker had been outspoken in his criticism of the
government’s continued reliance on a special political relationship
with Russia. Starting with an April 19 interview published in the
influential German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he began
to make forceful appeals for Armenia to turn away from Russia and
toward the European Union and NATO. [For background see the Eurasia
Insight archive].
Markarian has maintained that Baghdasarian’s actions constituted
a violation of a 2003 power-sharing agreement, which stated that
coalition members would attempt to reconcile policy differences in
private before making them public. Baghdasarian evidently made no
attempt to do so before the newspaper interview’s appearance. Orinats
Yerkir was created in 1998, thrusting Baghdasarian, who was at the
time only 30 years old, into the center of Armenian political life.
The party, with apparently strong backing from Kocharian and other
top leaders, gained eight seats in the 1999 parliamentary vote,
and went on to secure 20 in the 2003 elections.
Over the near term, experts in Yerevan believe few, if any policy
changes will occur, as the government retains a solid majority
in parliament. On some issues, including the political future of
Nagorno-Karabakh, Orinats Yerkir’s position remains closely aligned
with those of the governing coalition, which also includes Markarian’s
Republican Party and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Following the 2003 parliamentary elections, Orinats Yerkir had the
second largest parliamentary faction, and it received three ministerial
portfolios under the power-sharing agreement. Amid Baghdasarian’s
spat with other governing coalition leaders, the party experienced
a considerable number of defections. The 10 lawmakers who left
Orinats Yerkir’s parliamentary faction have established themselves
as independents, retaining a pro-government orientation.
The party also lost three cabinet portfolios allocated to it under
the 2003 power-sharing agreement.
Though currently operating in a severely weakened state, many observers
expect Orinats Yerkir to quickly recover, and, ultimately, benefit
from leaving the coalition. Re-casting itself as an opposition force
will likely increase the party’s competitiveness in the 2007 vote,
analysts say. “It will be beneficial to create an image of a party
that suffered due to the actions of authorities,” said a commentary
published by the Iravunk opposition weekly.
Iravunk went on to suggest Baghdasarian likely has his eye on
the presidency, saying that he “may have good chances later to
follow the path of Viktor Yushchenko and Mikheil Saakashvili, to
make a turn from the ‘internal opposition of the authorities’ to an
‘orange opposition.'” But Baghdasarian has steadfastly sought to avoid
comparisons with the leaders of the recent revolutions in Ukraine and
neighboring Georgia. At a May 12 news conference, he did not seek to
antagonize his erstwhile political allies, and insisted it was “too
early” to discuss the possibility of his candidacy for the presidency.
Editor’s Note: Haroutiun Khachatrian is a Yerevan-based writer
specializing in economic and political affairs.

AZERBAIJANIS OPPOSED TO EXPOSITION OF “NAGORNO-GARABAGH REPUBLIC”
Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
May 22 2006
Recently a group of Azerbaijani students organized protest action
against exposition of unrecognized “Nagorno-Garabagh Republic”
exhibited in Moscow international travel exhibition.
Approximately 15 young Azerbaijani people with national flag of
Azerbaijan encircled the exposition of travel agency exhibited “NGR”.
The exposition of unrecognized “NGR” was exhibited within the framework
of international travel exhibition organized at Guest Palace by
Moscow Government.
Opposed to it Azerbaijanis based on the fact that Nagorno-Garabagh
is occupied territory, demanded to close the exhibition. Besides the
national flag of Azerbaijan, they had slogans “Garabagh is occupied”,
“Stop Armenian aggression”, “Azerbaijan’s lands occupied”, etc. It
is known that protest action was organized by Youth Department of
All-Russian Azerbaijan Congress.
But policemen called by exhibition organizers did not allow
further development of events and without use of force requested our
compatriots to leave the building. Nevertheless, exposition operated
from 11 to 14 May.
As Rufat Azizov and Orkhan Akbarov, Members of Coordinating Board of
Azerbaijani youth informed, albeit “NGR” lacked in list of participants
the exhibition was opened. In connection with that Shamil Garayev
and Javanshir Akhundov, representatives of the Embassy of Azerbaijan
to Russia, conducted negotiations with representatives of Exhibition
Center that gave no results.
It is known that the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Moscow sent a note to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. But yet no respond.
–Boundary_(ID_zbK8XYeUOcQXTFL6pEX7mA)–

GOVERNMENTAL DELEGATION OF MOSCOW TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA ON MAY 25
ArmRadio.am
22.05.2006 12:30
May 25 the governmental delegation of Moscow will arrive in Yerevan
to hold the second sitting of the Cooperation Commission of Moscow
and RA Government.
The Russian delegation is leaded by Head of Moscow Central
Administrative Unit, Co-Chair of the Commission Sergey Baydakov.
The sitting will take place at RA Government and will be presided
over by Sergey Baydakov and Armenian Co-Chair of the Commission,
Head of the Moscow Representation in Yerevan Makar Nahapetyan.
The process of accomplishment of the decisions taken during the
previous sitting will be discussed. Reference will be made to the
further steps and programs directed at the development of cooperation
between Moscow and RA Government.
In the framework of the three-day visit the Moscow delegation will
have meetings with RA Minister of Territorial Administration Hovik
Abrahamyan and the Mayor of Yerevan Yervand Zakharyan.