Author: Nargizian David

ARTHUR ABRAHAM VOTED BOXER OF THE YEAR IN GERMANY

Armenpress
Dec 22 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: IBF middleweight champion Arthur
Abraham (he was born and grew up in Yerevan) has been voted Germany’s
boxer of the year while coach Ulli Wegner finished first in the
coaching race to cap a successful year for Sauerland Event.

BoxSport magazine had conducted the annual poll among its readers
and also consulted a prominent jury.

"King Arthur" gained international fame by beating top-ranked
Colombian Edison Miranda despite fighting with a broken jaw for the
last eight rounds.

"I feel flattered and proud," Abraham said of his top-place finish.

"There are a lot of big names in the jury and it is also great to have
the fans behind me. I will do all I can to defend the title next year."

Meanwhile, Ulli Wegner topped the coaching division for the fourth
straight year. He guided Abraham to three successful title defenses.

TARHAN TOWER AIRLINES REALIZES DIRECT FLIGHTS TO ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 19 2006

Turkish Tarhan Tower Airlines realizes direct flights to Armenia,
governmental sources told the APA Turkish bureau. Direct flights to
Yerevan have been realizing four times a week at night since May.

The head of the aviacompany is Ali Tarhan. His company also works in
the tourism, construction and food industry sectors. Tarhan Group’s
partner Tower Company took up the function of Turkish representation
of "Armenian Airlines" and organized direct flights to Yerevan twice
a week in 1999. In 2003 Tower Company rented 2 planes and organized
tourists’ visits to Yerevan. The main office of Tarhan and Tower
Company is in Kadikoy district.

ARMENTEL TO BE STRIPPED OF ITS MONOPOLY IN 2007

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 19 2006

YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. ArmenTel’s monopoly on Armenia’s
telecommunications is to be voided before November 14 2007.

Armenia’s state commission on public utilities decided at its Monday’s
session to strip ArmenTel of its sole right for providing International
Voice Gateway services. The decision is to take force in ten days
after the decision release.

The decision has been worked out by joint efforts of the commission,
ArmenTel’s experts, Russian VympelCom and representatives of Armenian
Transport and Communication Ministry.

Samvel Arabajan, a member of the commission, said the move marks
the completion of the first stage of telecommunication market
liberalization aimed at ridding it of monopolization.

He said that although deadline is November 14, 2007, it is planned
to complete all technical and legislative work by August 2007.

Oleg Bliznyuk, ArmenTel CJSC general executive director, in his turn,
expressed hope for market liberalization completion by the next year’s
September and voiced favor for civilized competition.

ArmenTel CJSC is one of Armenia’s two mobile communication operators
and the monopolist on stationary telephone communication. The company
has 400 000 mobile communication subscribers and 600 000 stationary
communication subscribers.

>>From November 2006, 90% of ArmenTel’s stakes belong to Russian
VympelCom (Bee Line brand). The remaining 10% belong to Armenian
government.

VympelCom authorities and Armenian government are now negotiating
over the sale of these 10 %.

voelkermord.at – Association for the Documentation of Genocides
Vienna – Austria
Email [email protected]
Web:
19.12.2006

Austrian National Assembly Candidate Denies Genocide

oN The Austrian National Assembly election day (October 1st, 2006) our
organisation’s "Voelkermord.at -Gesellschaft fuer die Dokumentation von
Voelkermorden" (voelkermord.at – Association for the Documentation of
Genocides) attention was called to an election poster that was publicly
displayed at the Victor Adler Platz in Vienna’s Tenth District.

The poster, written in Turkish language, was the work of the Austrian
Peoples Party (OeVP) district council Mustafa Iscel. On this poster,
he asked Austrians with immigrant backgrounds to vote for him. One of
the slogans he announced was: "If you don’t want that the Armenian
Bill to pass the Parliament … vote for the OeVP." A fast
Internet investigation showed that on Mr. Iscel’s homepage,
which was hosted by the Austrian Peoples Party, you could see the
election poster and download it.

Several groups agreed to undertake our protest and we send a letter
signed by six organisations to the OeVP-Vienna, in which we asked
for a response to this election poster.

On the fifth of October, once could read an interview from Mr. Iscel
in the Turkish newspaper Huerriyet. Reflecting his view, only the
racist and xenophobic Austrian political parties won this election.
OeVP 34,3% (-8,0); SPOe 35,3% (-1,2); FPOe 11,0% (+1,0); Green 11,0%
(+1,5); BZOe 4,1% others the Green party is the most liberal party
in the Austrian spectrum concerning foreign policy.

And he added: "Austria was and is, compared to other European
countries, always behind them. The political parties in Austria
don’t see that the time is ripe for a Congressman of (foreign)
descent/background and as I see it, they are not ready for it now. In
other European countries like Germany and Belgium politicians of
Turkish origin are making politics for the Turks there."

On October 18, 2006 the Austrian daily Newspaper "Die Presse"
published an article about the Iscel Poster and quoted Mr. Iscel:
" there was no mass murdering. That was a resettlement because of the
war. People had died because of disease and other contagion." In the
same article you can read that according to the Peoples Party district
chairman, Alfred Hoch, Mr. Iscel is an "outstanding district council"
(member) and was always on "party line".

The next day the "Die Presse" published the statement of Vienna Peoples
Party spokesman Norbert Walter: "We distance ourselves explicitly
from these (there was no mass murdering …) statements. This
isn’t part of our policy."

Six years ago the Austrian National Assembly avoided acknowledgement
of the Armenian Genocide by referring to Resolution (50/A(E)), brought
up by the Green Party, of the Human Rights Commission of the Austrian
Parliament. There in 2002, especially under pressure from the Austrian
Peoples Party (OeVP) and the foreign minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner
(OeVP), this commission did formulate a new resolution, by keeping
set phrases. Because of presumed Turkish pettiness, you can’t find
the word Armenia or Genocide in the entire document.

On October 21 this year Mr. Iscel gave the Turkish newspaper Zaman
(Turkish release) an interview in which he said: "I stressed in my
campaign the topic "there was no Armenian genocide" [..] Now they
expect an apology from me. They foresee that I will retract this
statement. But certainly, I won’t take back this statement. I will
be true to my word."

In this article Mr. Iscel styled himself as a victim and hero by
announcing that the "Armenian Lobby" was a threat to him and the
Austrian Peoples Party (OeVP) but he wouldn’t change his point of
view. This article was finally printed in the Zaman (Austria) on
page 3.

On the after noon of October 23, Mr. Iscel resigned the position
of district council. We received a letter from the Austrian Peoples
Party with a clear excuse and they (OeVP) clarified their position
on the Armenian genocide.

On 25th of October the Peoples Party- Vienna has introduced the
Resolution "for respect and acknowledgement of ethnic minorities as
a principal element of European human rights policy" in the Vienna
Federal States Parliament (not the Austrian Parliament). The Vienna
Federal Parliament (majority Socialistic Party ) decide unanimously
for this resolution. Federal Vienna Parliament member Dr. Franz
Ferdinand Wolf (Peoples Party-Vienna) said on 25th of October in the
Federal Parliament: "the Peoples Party-Vienna condemns every kind of
displacement and genocide."

In an Internet-Forum PUSULA.at, you will find an Article about Mr.
Iscel, where the question was raised (why you are silence) concerning
why other politicians of Turkish origin did not help Mr. Iscel. On
the same site, you can find a protest letter against the Peoples
Party-Vienna, ready to download.

The question that was raised – why the others don’t speak up – is a
good question. There was a candidate’s election poster hanging for
over a month in Turkish coffee houses, Turkish restaurants and even
openly on the street, and none of the related Turkish politicians
(whom know Turkey language), doesn’t matter which party they belong
to, have ever heard of this Poster?

HOVHANNES HOVHANNISIAN DOES NOT EXCLUDE POSSIBILITY OF REVOLUTION IN 2007 ELECTIONS PROCESS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 18 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The "executive power does its best
to weaken the role of the National Assembly, and if it continues in
this way from now on as well, the parliamentarism in Armenia will
disappear as a political institute." Hovhannes Hovhannisian, the
Chairman of the Liberal-Progressive Party of Armenia stated about it
at the December 18 press conference. In his words, the authorities
started the pre-electoral propaganda very early, and the struggle
for power proceeds both inside ruling administration and, what is
very perceptible today, and between authorities and opposition. He
mentioned that the authorities always strive for humbling the role
of the opposition, using at the same time mass media under its
control. In Hovhannes Hovhannisian’s opinion, there is no normal
dialogue in the country between the opposition and the authorities:
"The authorities respond ideas of the opposition with some gossips
and misrepresentation of the reality with the help of a number of
media." As for Present Kocharian’s recent statement that "no colour
revolution will take place," H.Hovhannisian stated: "The authorities
have a syndrome of fear before the revolution." He did not exclude the
possibility of a revolution in Armenia during the coming parliamentary
elections in May of 2007. In his words, if the authorities will again
attempt to falsify the election results, one may not exclude that the
people’s displeasure will be expressed in a revolution. Otherwise,
the authorities will again reproduce itself, and then the country will
appear in an awful social-economic and foreign political situation:
"The price for the authorities’ self-reproduction is a strict change
in the negotiation process not in favour of Armenia."

Armenpress

ALAVERDI-2 POWER SUB-STATION JOINS POWER GRID AFTER
MAJOR REPAIR

ALAVERDI, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Energy minister
Armen Movsisian and Germany’s ambassador to Armenia
Ms. Heike Peitsch traveled today to the north Armenian
town of Alaverdi to inaugurate a renovated power
sub-station Alaverdi-2.
This was the last high voltage Armenian power
sub-station to have been repaired on the German
credit. The minister said the sub-station will ensure
uninterrupted power supplies to northern parts of the
country and transfer of electricity to the neighboring
Georgia.
The sub-station’s repair cost 6.5 million euros,
which was part of a total of 40 million euros German
credit to Armenia for repair of its power grid. Until
now Germany’s government has released 130 million
euros in credits and 30 million in grants to Armenia
through the KfW bank.

CONFERENCE ON COORDINATION OF AID TO SOUTH CAUCASUS HELD IN ZURICH

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.12.2006 18:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The delegation of the RA Defense Ministry is
taking part in the conference dedicated to coordination of aid in the
defense sector rendered by donor states to the South Caucasus. The
conference is being held in Zurich (Switzerland) December 13-15 and
aims at coordination of assistance and successful implementation
of NATO cooperation program. The Armenian delegation is headed by
Nikolay Avetisyan, the chief of the department of external relations
and international cooperation at the RA Defense Ministry.

Representatives of 20 donor states, NATO, Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia as well as Moldova, which is preparing for ratification of the
IPAP with NATO, are taking part in the conference, reports RIA Novosti.

ANCA CIRCULATED ISSUE PAPER ON KARABAKH TO CONGRESS MEMBERS

Yerkir
13.12.2006 16:56

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The Armenian National Committee of America
circulated a three-page issue paper to Members of Congress. The
document covers the main points concerning NK, Azerbaijan, and the
peace process.

"The ANCA’s briefing papers provide key insights to Members of Congress
about the core issue at stake in the growing U.S. relationship with
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh," said Aram Hamparian, Executive
Director of the ANCA.

"Of particular interest to those who follow this issue closely is
the sharp contrast of Nagorno Karabakh’s vibrant democracy, market
reforms, and commitment to a durable peace against Azerbaijan’s slide
into the undemocratic, corrupt and violent patterns of a post-Soviet
petro-state," he said, reported PanARMENIAN.Net.

The full text of the ANCA’s letter.

Nagorno Karabagh: New Constitution

The people of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, on December 10, 2006,
voted in a referendum to adopt a constitution reaffirming their
collective commitment to freedom and marking a major milestone in
this new democracy’s contribution to peace, economic development,
and regional stability.

-Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to peace

Nagorno Karabagh has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to
negotiating a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.

Nagorno Karabagh contributes to the efforts of the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to reach a fair and
lasting peace.

-Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to democracy

A de facto independent state since 1991, Nagorno Karabagh is a country
of proud citizens committed to freedom, democracy, and human rights.

Nagorno Karabagh has held four parliamentary and three presidential
votes – all of which have been praised by international observers as
free and fair.

Even in the face of war and aggression, the people of Nagorno Karabagh
have stood for the same democratic values that we embrace as Americans:

* Free and fair elections * Open press and vibrant public debate *
Human rights and tolerance for diversity

-Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to free market economic growth

Nagorno Karabagh has transitioned to a vibrant market economy.

Nagorno Karabagh’s GDP has more than doubled in the last four years.

Nagorno Karabagh’s economic growth is broad-based.

-Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to self-determination.

Nagorno Karabagh is a historic part of the Armenian homeland.

Nagorno Karabagh has never been part of an independent Azerbaijan.

The U.S. government has consistently supported Nagorno Karabagh:

* The U.S. Senate, in November of 1989, adopted S.J.Res.178,
recognizing that "Nagorno-Karabagh has continually expressed its
desire for self-determination and freedom."

* State Department officials regularly visit Stepanakert to meet with
the leaders of Nagorno Karabagh, which is an official party to the OSCE
"Minsk Group" peace process.

* The U.S. Government, since 1992, has been on record officially
condemning Azerbaijan’s blockades against both Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh (Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act).

* The U.S. Government, over Azerbaijan’s protests, has provided direct
assistance to Nagorno Karabagh since 1998.

Since independence, a new generation of Nagorno Karabagh citizens has
grown up under a democratic government of its own choosing. Allowing
Baku to force Nagorno Karabagh’s free citizens back under an
authoritarian regime – now a hereditary monarchy – would undermine
years of democratic progress and the set back hopes for regional
stability.

-Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to international peace.

In 1988, the people of Nagorno Karabagh, despite great risks, were the
first to rise up against the Soviet Union, to right Stalin’s wrongs
and to demand their inalienable right to live under a government of
their own choosing.

Nagorno Karabagh played a vital role in sparking the democracy
movement, that helped bring about an end to the Soviet threat to
America and to decades of dictatorial rule over millions in the USSR
and its satellite states.

Azerbaijan’s threat to regional stability Azerbaijan’s threats of
renewed aggression add to regional instability.

Azerbaijan walked away from its agreements at the 2001 Key West Summit,
and undermined prospects for peace at the 2006 Rambouillet Summit. Long
after the collapse of the USSR, Azerbaijan continues to back Joseph
Stalin’s divide-and-conquer gerrymandering of the Caucasus.

Azerbaijan is seeking to impose a neo-Soviet model of foreign rule
over free peoples, which would set the stage for long-term regional
instability.

-Azerbaijan’s ethnic intolerance

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s desecration, in December 2005,
of thousands of Armenian carved stone crosses (khatchkars) in Djulfa,
Nakhichevan was the act of a demagogue – a Slobodan Milosevic of the
Caucasus – who cultivates ethnic hatred to build domestic support.

-Azerbaijan’s transition to autocracy

Azerbaijan has made a post-Soviet transition into an autocratic
petro-state.

With the main source of external revenue flowing through a corrupt
state oil company, the hope for a democratic Azerbaijan has been
eclipsed – setting the stage for the hardening of a corrupt,
authoritarian and nationalist regime.

Azerbaijan’s military budget is a major source of money laundering –
a transit point for the movement of the nation’s wealth into private
hands.

In Azerbaijan, the non-oil economy is dying out, leaving oil exports
as its sole meaningful source of revenue. Oil currently represents
80% of exports and this figure is expected to increase to 95% over
the next ten years. If current trends continue, Azerbaijan will
become increasingly unstable as the regime concentrates on siphoning
off oil revenues, at the expense of domestic needs and democratic
concerns. This is especially dangerous in a state that has transferred
power only through violence or rigged elections.

U. S. CONGRESSMEN CONGRATULATED NKR ON ADOPTION OF PRO-INDEPENDENCE CONSTITUTION

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 13 2006

December 12 the Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Armenian Caucus,
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), were joined by
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA)
in congratulating the citizens of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh
(Artsakh) on overwhelmingly approving a pro-independence constitution
in a popular referendum held on December 10th.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA), in a December 11th letter to Artsakh
President Arkady Ghoukassian, the two Caucus leaders had welcomed
the adoption of the first-ever constitution as a key milestone in
Nagorno Karabagh’s political and democratic progress. They stressed,
"Artsakh’s Constitution embodies your nation’s values to live in a free
and fair society, where human rights and economic opportunities are
enjoyed by all," adding that "societies that are fundamentally free and
fair are most successful, contributing to international security and
progress along the way." They closed their letter to the President by
reaffirming that they "will remain by your side, as Nagorno Karabagh,
Artsakh, continues to pursue its freedom, security and development."

Commenting on the referendum, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) stated,
"I congratulate the people of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh for
reaffirming their commitment to freedom, peace, economic development,
and regional stability by democratically adopting a new constitution.

By establishing a market economy, holding free and fair elections,
and promoting human rights, the people of Nagorno Karabagh have
shown that they deserve an independent state free from the oppressive
Azerbaijani regime."

Rep. Radanovich noted, "The adoption of Nagorno Karabagh’s first ever
democratic Constitution is a landmark achievement; advancing democracy
breeds a free and open society, while promoting human rights. The
adoption of the Constitution proves the desire of the people of
Nagorno Karabagh to live in such a free society. I commend this
great achievement and pledge my continuing support for the Nagorno
Karabagh Republic."

In letters sent December 11 to every member of Congress, the ANCA
underscored that "the approval of the Nagorno Karabagh constitution
reaffirms its citizens’ collective commitment to freedom and marks
a major milestone in this new democracy’s contribution to peace,
economic development, and regional stability." Each ANCA letter was
accompanied by a three-page briefing document (attached) addressing
key points concerning Nagorno Karabagh, Azerbaijan, the peace process,
and prospects for regional stability.

The Nagorno Karabagh Republic Central Electoral Commission has
reported, based on preliminary results, that the people of Nagorno
Karabagh overwhelmingly approved their first-ever constitution by a
majority in excess of 98% of those casting ballots. Early estimates
point to a voter turnout of over 87% of eligible voters.

The new Constitution affirms that the Nagorno Karabagh Republic is
a sovereign state based upon democracy and the rule of law, as well
as the protection of human rights and civil liberties. The state’s
authority is derived from popular consent, as expressed through
elections and referendums, and the governmental system is based
on the principle of separation of the executive, legislative and
judiciary branches.

US SENATORS CALL PRESIDENT TO PROPOSE NEW CANDIDATURE FOR POST OF AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

Regnum Agency, Russia
Dec 13 2006

Senators Robert Menendez and Harry Reid called upon President George
Bush to propose a new candidature for the post of US ambassador to
Armenia instead of Richard Hoagland blocked by the Senate.

As REGNUM was told at the Armenian National Committee of America,
in a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice the senators
recommend introducing another candidature to speed up appointment of
Armenian ambassador. "The Armenian community in the US welcomes the
principal position taken by senators Menendez and Reid on protection
of obligations on recognition, prevention and condemnation of the
Genocide. The senators comprehend a very simple truth – denial of
the Armenian Genocide cannot be effective from the point of view of
promoting interests of the United States in Armenia, the country,
which was subjected to violent deportation and genocide by Turkey,"
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian said.

Armenian public was extremely negative on Richard Hoagland’s
candidature after the diplomat presumed to make statements denying
the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. But despite
protests of the Armenian public, particularly, some NGOs in Armenia,
Richard Hoagland’s candidacy proposed by President George Bush was
considered and approved. New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez spoke on the
issue saying that many, including the US president avoid assessing the
evil done in the beginning of the last century in Turkey as genocide,
and appointment of Hoagland can become a setback, which is not either
in interests of Armenia or interests of the Diaspora.

As Washington office of Hay Dat, in January, when office of the
110th US Congress starts, the president can either introduce a
new candidature or insist upon Hoagland’s candidature or using the
interruption in functioning of the parliament appoint Richard Hoagland
without being appointed by the Senate. Otherwise, the post of the US
ambassador to Armenia will be vacant.