Author: Madatian Greg

MOSISIAN: THE LIBERATED TERRITORIES CANNOT BE RETURNED
By H. Shindian

Yerkir.am
August 25, 2006

Below are the answers by Artur Mosisian, representative of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee of Artsakh,
to the newspaper Aparazh, published in Stepanakert.

Question: The draft constitution of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has
been submitted to the National Assembly. What are the ARF’s proposals
in regard with constitution?

Artur Mosisian: After the constitution was submitted to the National
Assembly, the ARF-Movement 88 faction of the parliament has made many
proposals. In September or October, the Artsakh organization of the ARF
will make its proposals and views. Presently, I would like to speak of
one specific proposal we have made – the issue of liberated territories
that has not been included in the constitution. We have recommended
that the National Assembly accept this proposal and the liberated
territories be included in the final text of the constitution.

Q: The recent interview by the ARF Political Affairs and Hay Dat
Office Director Kiro Manoyan on the Karabakh settlement caused various
comments in the media. How would you comment on this matter?

A. M.: First, I would like to say that some media outlets have
wrongly understood and commented on what Manoyan said. I would
like to especially mention the Lragir which has distorted Manoyan’s
words. What Manoyan said was that unlike many others the ARF considers
that by maintaining stability the Karabakh conflict will be settled. As
for the liberated territories, the ARF believes that they cannot be
returned. We have said this on numerous occasions unlike others who
have adopted an uncertain position.

Q: The international forces seem to seek a settlement by the end of
2006, and their intention to deploy peacekeeping forces in the region
looks especially odd. What is your opinion?

A. M.: I don’t believe the Karabakh issue would be finally settled by
the end of 2006; I am saying this because of several reasons. First
of all, the belligerent statements of the Azerbaijani leadership, and
also the present political situation do not contribute to the peaceful
settlement of the conflict soon. I think some superpowers are more
interested in deployment of peacekeepers in Karabakh than the final
settlement of the conflict. We should not have an illusion. After
all, we know very well that peacekeepers are not able to guarantee
our security – the best example is Lebanon where the international
forces did nothing to stop the disaster. As we have said many times,
and I would like to emphasize it again, the best guarantee of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s security is the Defense Army which has
ensured fragile but real peace.

PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN SENDS MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE ON OCCASION OF SILVA
KAPUTIKIAN’S DEATH

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian sent
a message of condolence on the occasion of famous poetess Silva
Kaputikian’s death.

The message submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA President’s Press
Office particularly reads the following: "I got to know with great
pain about famous poetess Silva Kaputikian’s death. Silva Kaputikian
is one of the most prominent representatives of the Armenian newest
literature. Her fiction and publicizing works have accompanied for
dozens of years both Armenian and foreign readers.

She enjoyed great popularity both in Fatherland and in Diaspora as
an intellectual, anxious with her country’s and people’s fate. Silva
Kaputikian’s death is a great loss in our literary and public life. I
express my sincere sympathy to the poetess’ relatives and thousands
of admirers of her art."

SECOND ECONOMIC FORUM ARMENIA-DIASPORA TO HAVE UP TO 1,000 PARTICIPANTS

YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The second economic forum
Armenia-Diaspora to be held on September 20 will have up to
1,000 participants, while the similar event in 2003 had about 800
participants. RA Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development
Tigran Davtian told NT correspondent about it. He attributed the
growth in the number of participants to the improvement of Armenia’s
economic indices and the increased investment attractiveness of
the country. According to him, the ratio of Armenian and Diasporan
businessmen, who have submitted applications for participation in
the forum, is equal. Businessmen of not Armenian origin are also
expected to attend the forum, especially its IT section. Besides,
it is envisaged that representatives of a number of international
economic organizations, including organizations not operating in
Armenia, will take part in the event.

T. Davtian said that round tables on problems of cooperation in such
spheres as high and information technologies, science and innovation,
industry, small and medium business, tourism, construction and real
estate will be held between the forum’s opening and closing plenary
sittings. "This year’s forum will aim to expand cooperation, especially
in the high-tech secto," he underlined.

It was noted that the exhibition "Armenia’s Economy over 15 Years of
Independence" will take place on September 22-25 within the framework
of the forum.

In T. Davtian’s words, it will be "an unprecedented one by its scale".

POLLUTE TO MEASURE POLLUTION

Lragir.am
24 Aug 06

The government of Armenia adopted a highly important document August
24, which maintains the order, standards, methods, etc. of measuring
the pollution of land in Armenia. After this decision of the government
the Ministry of Health will work out the parameters to find out later
which lands are polluted, where, how, with what, etc.

In other words, the document adopted by the government August 24 will
prevent pollution of land in Armenia, or if it is polluted, we will
learn the degree and cause of pollution. Meanwhile, the Ministry of
Environmental Protection does not know the degree of pollution of
land in Armenia, because it does not hold monitoring for the lack of
parameters, money and laboratories. The lack of a laboratory is the
same as the lack of money. What has changed now that they decided
to have a laboratory? Perhaps the economic state, for now they can
afford it. It appears, however, that the laboratory is no longer a
necessity since the land has been polluted over the past 15 years
without measure and limit. Although, on the other hand, it is logical
that the government adopts the order for measuring pollution with
some delay. For we need to pollute first to measure pollution.

IMPORTANCE OF HISTORICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

Zaman, Turkey
Aug. 17, 2006

Life is like a living organism; the traditions, customs, governmental
systems, cuisines and dressing styles are all subject to the inevitable
reality — change. The changes that occur are the consequences of the
"dynamism" embedded in life itself; life does not fossilize thanks
to this dynamism, the driving power, in its structure.

Historical consciousness enables societies to exist despite these
inevitable changes. If this consciousness is not strong enough,
it may break our national consciousness into pieces and may turn it
into a schizophrenic situation.

All social and natural events in our lives have historical
backgrounds. As long as we avoid explaining these events to ourselves,
we will continue walking in our sleep. However, if we try to conceive
of events, we will understand their meanings and feel the need to
think of how we can make them better. Societies lacking historical
consciousness consider themselves only as tools, means, shadows
and nameless fragments. Hence, such societies seek happiness or the
continuation of their existence in the lives of other societies.

We are at the threshold moment opening up to a new future
after ages-long struggles, and to countries we conquered with
fanfare. This means history is not entrapped by history, on the
contrary, it is life put in front of us. Historical consciousness
keeps our consciousness awake by saving us from a rootless identity
and links us to eternity. This phenomenon which functions in society
as historical consciousness is created by the philosophy of history
that is a product of intellectual minds.

The philosophy of history reproduces itself in the society as wisdom,
not as knowledge. It cannot fully explain the events but can predict
them. The literacy rate during the Turkish War of Independence was
between 10-12 percent. University graduates were very rare. There was
hardly any governmental authority in territories under Turkish control
and the country was on the verge of disintegration. An incredible
number of foreign organizations were operating in the country. The
British brought Kurdish rulers together in the northern city of Van
and lectured them on the need to establish a new state.

Kurdish rulers realized that the British really wanted to establish
an Armenian state in the region. The British attempted once again
to actualize their plans of establishing small states in Western
Anatolia. However, the Circassian people who lived in the region
opposed the establishment of a Cricassian state more than any other
minority. Thanks to the national consciousness of Turkish citizens
in Eastern and Western regions, the Turks could easily guard against
the tricks that threatened our national existence and secure our
independence.

The Soviet Union attempted to occupy Afghanistan. Despite the severe
imbalance of power between the two countries, the tough Afghan warriors
defeated the Soviet forces. It was not difficult for them to recognize
the enemy that’s why they could easily achieve unity.

However, the Afghan people could not enhance domestic peace when
there was no enemy threatening their existence, because their national
consciousness was not strong enough and the slightest difference was
enough to tear them apart. In all societies there are differences
that can easily turn into clashes but national consciousness does
not allow them to disturb social order. For instance, is it possible
to separate Germans as Catholics and Protestants? Can you shake the
German national consciousness bolstered by the philosophy of history
acquired as a result of thorough historical analyses and experiments?

National consciousness is not a God-given quality. The metaphysical
atmosphere, historical knowledge, painful experiments and other
similar factors constitute national consciousness. However, the
greatest source of national consciousness is historical awareness.

ENTRANTS OF PHILOLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS GET IN GENERAL LOW POINTS ON "ARMENIAN HISTORY"

Noyan Tapan
Aug 16 2006

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Entrance exams of institutions of
higher education finished on August 16. More than 12400 entrants
were, in total, to participate in them. As Lilit Galstian, the
Republican Entrance Commission Responsible for Press informed the
Noyan Tapan correspondent, the exams went on in a calm atmosphere,
no extreme incident was fixed. It, according to him, is provided by
the circumstance that all, including entrants and parents, adapted
to exams having been held in the same order for more than 10 years.

According to L.Galstian, entrance commissions kept the same standards
and principles of estimation, so "no flights of the average mark"
were fixed. According to L.Galstian’s words, this year as well,
a "hot struggle" will be promoted for departments of the "Law,"
"Economy" and "International Relations" professions.

And taking into account results of exams on the "Mathematics" and
"Physics" subjects, it’s possible that the transitional point for
departments of a number of natural and technical professions will
be 0.5-1 point lower, compared with the previous year. According
to the observation of the REC Responsible for Press, it’s possible
that vacant paid places will remain at philological departments
as entrants chosen that faculty, in general, got low points on the
"Armenian History" subject. It was also mentioned that as of August
14, 3880 entrants got unsatisfactory marks and 8072 ones got 18-20
points. Most of 18-20 points were for the "Armenian Language,"
3337, and the "English Language," 2508, written exams. No 20 points
were fixed in exams on the "Biology," oral "French Language" and
"Russian Language," "History of Armenian People," "General History,"
"Geography," "Creative Competition" and "Chemistry" subjects.

Most of unsatisfactory marks were fixed for the "Mathematics," 1315,
and "Physics," 591, subjects. 136 written works were presented for
appeal till now, marks of 33 of which were raised by 0.5-1 point,
and of 4 were reduced by 0.5-1 point.

ARMENIAN SOCCER TEAM GETS NEW FOREIGN COACH
By Emil Danielyan

Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
Aug. 16, 2006

The Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) named the new foreign coach
of the national soccer team on Wednesday less than a month before the
start of its qualifying campaign for the 2008 European Championship.

Ian Porterfield, a veteran British tactician, pledged to bring a
"good spirit" to the team as he was presented to the media after
signing an 18-month contract with the FFA. "I am looking forward to
working here over the next few months," he said.

Ruben Hayrapetian, the federation chairman, said Porterfield was chosen
from a pool of about two dozen foreign specialists that showed interest
in the job. Hayrapetian said the 60-year-old Scot’s experience and
track record was decisive in the selection process. He refused to
disclose any financial details of the deal.

Porterfield managed the Scottish side Aberdeen in the late 1980s
and England’s reigning champions Chelsea in the early 1990s before
continuing his coaching career abroad. He has coached the national
teams of Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Trinidad and Tobago. His last
job was with one of South Korea’s leading football clubs.

Porterfield, who replaces Dutchman Henk Wisman, is the fifth foreigner
to take the helm of the Armenian team in the last four years. He
faces a daunting task of ending its protracted run of poor results
in the European qualifying competitions. He admitted having little
knowledge of the squad, saying that he last watched its games in 2003.

Armenia is presently only 104th in the worldwide rankings of national
teams that are issued by the game’s governing body, FIFA. It faces
Serbia, Belgium, Finland, Poland, Portugal, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan
in Group A of 2008 European Championship qualifying.

The Armenians will open their qualifying campaign against Belgium,
one of the group favorites, in Yerevan on September 6. Few believe
that they stand a chance of qualification.

The competition will see the first-ever games between Armenia and
Azerbaijan that are certain to arouse nationalistic passions in the
two countries locked in a bitter conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The
FFA wants the matches, tentatively scheduled for September 2007,
to be played in Baku and Yerevan. The Azerbaijani side, however,
is pushing for a neutral venue, saying that it can not guarantee the
security of Armenian players.

A final decision on the issue rests with UEFA, European football’s
governing body. It is expected to be announced later this year or
early next.

KREMLIN AIDE COMMENTS ON PUTIN EURASIAN SUMMIT MEETINGS AGENDA

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
15 Aug 06

Sochi, 15 August: Russian President Vladimir Putin will have an
opportunity to hold a number of meetings on the sidelines of the
Eurasian Economic Community informal summit which is to begin in Sochi
today, with several leaders, including Ukraine’s new prime minister,
Viktor Yanukovych. This was said today by presidential aide Sergey
Prikhodko.

"Separate talks will be held today with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev," he said.

Prikhodko noted that in the presence of the two presidents two
agreements will be signed on creating favourable conditions for Russian
and Kazakh cargo transit, and on procedures of paying for cargo in
transit on several stretches of Russia’s and Kazakhstan’s railways.

"It is expected that Vladimir Putin will have lengthy and intensive
meetings with other colleagues, including with the new chairman of the
Ukrainian government, Viktor Yanukovych, who is to arrive in Sochi
today at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov,"
Prikhodko said.

He explained that Yanukovych has been invited to a number of protocol
events within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community summit.

[ITAR TASS at 1352 gmt said that it is not ruled out that during the
Russian-Ukrainian talks at the level of prime ministers and also during
contacts between the prime ministers and President Putin, Russian gas
delivery to Ukraine will be discussed. The agency quoted an unnamed
Kremlin source as saying that "the Ukrainian side will discuss the
gas issue with Gazprom head Aleksey Miller, and failing that, with
Viktor Khristenko or Mikhail Fradkov". The source also said that no
detailed talks or indeed any signing of an agreement on gas delivery
to Belarus are being planned for the informal summit.

"It will not be possible to resolve the problem by using political
methods in either case," the source was quoted as saying.]

ITAR-TASS News Agency
August 12, 2006 Saturday 03:33 PM EST

Monument to plane crash victims erected in Armenia

Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

A monument to the victims of Armavia’s Airbus-320 plane crash in the
Black Sea was erected in Yerevan on Saturday.

This is a traditional Armenian khachkar (stone stele with an inlaid
cross) and a water spring at the base. A memorial park will be build
around the monument.

All 105 passengers and eight crewmembers died in the May 3 crash.

Panorama.am

14:16 11/08/06

CONSUMER RIGHTS CENTER SAYS DANGEROUS TO BUY
WATERMELON

Abgar Yeghoyan, head of Consumer Rights Center (CRC),
referred to a government session, saying, `No goods
will be sold without an Armenian label starting from
July 1, next year.’ Yeghoyan said goods are in
unbearable hygienic conditions when sold outdoors
under such hot weather. He supported his words with
the findings of a food security monitoring, conducted
by CRC, and the inspections conducted by the state
epidemiological service. The epidemiological service
conducted an inspection of 57 juice sold in the
streets of Yerevan and discovered high proportion of
intestine bacillus in 35 percent of the juice. In some
cases, instant cups are used for the second time, he
claimed.

Yeghoyan said street trade is one of the unsolved
problems of Yerevan. He said local self-government
bodies are responsible to stop that. Yeghoyan warned
against buying watermelon and melon under such hot
weather, especially if they are sold on roads. He said
these fruits collect extra level of radiation in them
if left out under sun for a long time. /Panorama.am/