Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

NKR CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION REGISTERED ALL THE FIVE CANDIDATES TO THE POST OF NKR PRESIDENT

ArmInfo
2007-06-14 13:31:00

Today, 14 June the NKR Central Electoral Commission registered all
the five candidates to the post of NKR president: deputy of the NKR
parliament Armen Abgaryan, the teacher of Artsakh State University,
professor Vanya Avanesyan, the NKR Deputy Foreign Minister Masis
Mailyan, the leader of the Communist party Hrant Melkumyan and the
head of National Security Service Bako Sahakyan.

As ArmInfo’s special correspondent in Stepanakert informs, this
decision was adopted at today’s sitting of the new CEC. According
to the constitution claims, the deputy group ARF Dashnaktiutyun –
Movement -88 was reorganized into the parliamentary faction and Sergey
Shakverdyan and Hamest Suleymanyan were appointed its representatives
in the CEC. To recall, all the candidates but Hrant Melkumyan were
nominated by the civil initiative. The stage of the election campaign
is starting on 20 June.

As chairman of the CEC Sergey Nasibyan informed, 276 polling stations
were formed at the NKR territory and one in Yerevan, in the office
of permanent representation of the NKR in Armenia for the Karabakh
citizens. The number of the NKR citizens which have a right to vote
is about 90thsd people.

SERGE SARGSYAN HURRIED
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
14-06-2007 12:03:15

The impression that the lasting negotiations after the Armenian
parliamentary election created the new pyramid of power, or its
axis was created was false. The government pyramid or the axis has
not been created, the process is just starting. Perhaps this is the
main explanation why the election of May 12 was rather calm. This
election which was considered as crucial, and even the pro-government
Bargavach Hayastan and ARF Dashnaktsutyun parties prepared for it
aggressively, passed in a very, very, too calm atmosphere compared
with its cruciality. Perhaps the reason is the pyramid realized in
time that if a definitive importance is paid to election, it will be
impossible to hold it within a "civil" framework and get the nod of the
international community. Therefore, they decided to turn the election
into a formality, and put off the creation of government until the
post-election period. Therefore, the post-election arrangements between
the government forces do not overlap with the official result of the
election. The official result allowed the Republican Party to get hold
of full power, whereas the party had to seek partners. In addition,
it almost begged and persuaded them to join in. It is evidence that
what happens after May 12 has nothing to do with May 12.

There are substantial proofs, and two of them are enough to show the
struggle for government in Armenia is gathering momentum, and May 12
was just a compromise between the wings of power. The appointment
of the new secretary of the security council and the conference
of the Republican Party on July 14 are concerned. At first sight,
the secretary of the security council had to be appointed one way
or another because after Serge Sargsyan had become prime minister
the post of the secretary was vacant. It is notable, however, that
Robert Kocharyan appoints secretary after two months.

Certainly, nobody doubts that appointments in Armenia are often highly
formal, and when a position remains vacant, it hardly affects the
real life in the country because one or at best two people decide
everything. However, even the formal appointments are signals to the
local and international community. If Robert Kocharyan used to share
the council of security with Serge Sargsyan, now Armen Gevorgyan’s
appointment shows he takes the security council in his hands.

In addition, Gevorgyan cannot be considered as a compromise. He
is perceived as one of the most reliable and devoted people around
Robert Kocharyan.

Consequently, by this appointment the president makes an aggressive
step in the political sphere, showing first that he dominates the key
spheres of the country, and second, by appointing one of his reliable
people he shows this sphere is and will be highly important for him. In
other words, by appointing Armen Gevorgyan Robert Kocharyan reveals
his political plans, and though their meaning is not understood yet,
it is nevertheless clear that the president is not going to stop
dominating the game.

The decision on a new conference of the Republican Party is rather
interesting in this context. In fact, the conference will be held
about a year after the historic conference of July 22. The official
explanation is to elect a new leader of the Republican Party, because
after Andranik Margaryan’s death the party did not have a leader, Serge
Sargsyan was the interim leader. It seems to be a recurrent working
conference. It is interesting, however, why this working conference
is held in vacation time, between the beginning and the end of the
political year, when one does not know the Republican Party is closing
or opening the political year, when the other political forces do not
know if by this conference the Republican Party accounts to them or
they will have to account to the Republican Party.

In the meantime, all this allows thinking that the Republican
Party’s conference is not held to fill in the gaps of the hierarchy
inside the party but to reorganize in the process of the government
hierarchy. The model of July 22 did not work. Serge Sargsyan who
stated on that day "if one wants others to obey him, one must obey",
broke this principle. Hardly a few oligarchs had obeyed Serge Sargsyan
when he though everyone already obeyed, and decided to stop obeying
Robert Kocharyan too early. Meanwhile, it became clear that still
very many do not obey him, many more than those who were believed to
have voted for the Republican Party. Now it is necessary to start
from the beginning. But what will happen if Robert Kocharyan does
not wish Serge Sargsyan to have him obey him any more?

FIRST TWO PARTS OF "TWO PILGRIMS" NOVEL BY ARCHIMANDRITE SAHAK MASHALIAN PUBLISHED

Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2007

ETCHMIADZIN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The Publishing Department of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with the assistance of Catholicos
of All Armenians Karekin II published the first and second parts
of Archimandrite Sahak Mashalian’s three-part novel under the title
"Two Pilgrims." The novel has been published with the sponsorship of
Mkhitar Heratsi Medical University of Yerevan.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Information Services of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the book is dedicated to
two outstanding figures of Armenian church in the 18th century,
Patriarches Hovhannes Kolot and Grigor Shghtayakir, who with their
mission left an unforgettable trace in the national history of
Armenian people. The life of these two monks who were the pupils of
Hrashagorts Archimandrite Vardan is a great lesson for devout pilgrims
of all times.

Archimandrite Sahak Mashalian, Deputy Head of Gevorgian Theological
Seminary, presents the readers an interesting historical novel, which
is a novelty for our religious literature with its great mystical
deeds and fantastic illustrations.

At first the novel had been written in Western Armenian and was
translated into Eastern Armenian by the Publishing Department.

Is only Communist Party opposition?

Anahit Danielyan
11-06-2007 14:30:47 – KarabakhOpen

Interview with the first secretary of the NKR Communist Party Hrant
Melkumyan, a presidential candidate.

Mr. Melkumyan, what track do you propose for the development of the
county ` reforms or the current line?

Any country needs reforms. Development that is more dynamic is needed.
We cannot deny development in Karabakh over the past years. Some people
already feel good, but much more could be done and there is room for
more social justice. I would like the pensions were not less than 60
percent of the average salary and medical services were free like in
the Soviet years. Education like in those years, without turning
everything upside down every year. Everyone has a diploma today but who
needs qualified illiteracy? A diploma has a price but no value.
But even under these conditions I am not against development of
capitalism, but it should have a social direction.

Do you believe the upcoming election will be fair and transparent?

Everything depends on people. Everybody should listen to their
conscience, and not the instructions of their neighbors, relatives or
friends. A fair and transparent election depends on this. Nobody will
commit fraud at the polling station.

Who will vote for you?

The people of NKR. I will not be asking anyone to vote for me. I will
present my program and I will uphold it in the media and during
meetings. People will make their decision.

What are your thoughts on naming a common candidate? Doesn’t it limit
your possibilities as a candidate?

Frankly speaking, I cannot understand ARF Dashnaktsutyun and the
Movement 88 Party. They were opposition for five years, now they say to
sign the statement. Is it opposition? I can understand the other two
parties, they are pro-government. Does it mean only the Communist Party
is opposition?
They can do whatever they want. They cannot hinder me. The four parties
altogether have 5000 members. The rest of the people of Karabakh do not
belong to any party.

How do you evaluate the work of the media, particularly the Public
Channel in the pre-election period?

I have no time to watch the Public Channel of Artsakh. So I cannot
evaluate. As to the other media, I read them and I think they are good.

Mr. Melkumyan, the issue of the liberated territories has sparked
debates. Do you think the territories should be returned?

My standpoint has not changed over the past 10 years. Although they say
the Communists do not believe in God, I say for the first time God gave
the Armenians a chance to liberate part of their historical land, which
will become a touchstone for the liberation of all the Armenian
territories. We liberated the territories from where the foe shelled
us. However, because of our irresponsibility we failed to settle the
refugees who came to Karabakh in these territories. Why did we fail?
The first mistake was the adoption of the law on language after
Armenia, due to which most Russian-speaking refugees from Baku and
other Azerbaijani areas left Karabakh. The second mistake was the
adoption of the law on civil service according to which the refugees
also have to take the test in Armenian to become a civil servant.
Third, the government must set up enterprises there, even if they are
not profitable, to provide people with jobs and food. It would be
possible to employ 4-5 thousand people.
However, even now it is not too late to start settlement, it is urgent.
It takes first patriotism then money. And it is a must for the entire
Armenian people.
The political problems are not so important to settlement of these
territories at the moment. First of all, Nor Shahumyan and Karvachar,
which have immense importance. The political problems are everywhere.

RA GOVERMENT MEMBERS APPOINTED

YEREVAN, JUNE 11, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 8, President Robert Kocharian
signed a decree on making amendments and addition to RA President’s
decree of March 16, 2002.

By the decree, RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs has been
renamed as RA Culture Ministry.

RA government’s Physical Culture and Sport State Committee has been
reorganized into RA Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

On that occasion Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Sport and Youth
Affairs are added to RA President’s decree of March 16, 2002 On
Determination of RA Goverment Structure.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA President’s Press Office, on the
same day Robert Kocharian signed another decree On Appointing Goverment
Members. The following people are appointed RA goverment members:

Aghvan Vardanian – RA Minister of Labor and Social Issues

Haroutiun Kushkian – RA Health Minister

Nerses Yeritsian – RA Minister of Trade and Economic Development

Gevorg Danielian – RA Minister of Justice

Vartan Oskanian – RA Minister of Foreign Affairs

Aram Haroutiunian – RA Minister of Nature Protection

David Lokian – RA Minister of Agriculture

Armen Movsisian – RA Energy Minister

Manuk Topouzian – Minister-Chief of RA Government Staff

Levon Mkrtchian – RA Minister of Education and Science

Hasmik Poghosian – RA Minister of Culture

Mikhail Haroutiunian – RA Defence MInister

Armen Grigorian – RA MInister of Sport and Youth Affairs

Hovik Abrahamian – Minister of Territorial Administration

Andranik Manukian – RA Minister of Transport and Communication

Vardan Vardanian – RA Minister of Urban Development

Vardan Khachatrian – RA Minister of Finance and Economy

By two other decrees of the President, Hovik Abrahamian, RA Minister of
Territorial Administration, was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and
Gevorg Danielian, RA Deputy Prosecutor General was dismissed from the
occupied position on the occasion of getting a new one.

ARMENIAN EXPORTS GROW BY 27.1%, IMPORTS BY 48.8% IN JANUARY-APRIL 2007 ON SAME MONTHS OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Jun 08 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-April 2007, foreign trade of
Armenia made 430 bln 302.1 mln drams or 1 bln 193.6 mln USD, including
exports of 116 bln 406.2 mln drams or 323.1 mln USD and imports of 313
bln 895.9 mln drams or 870.5 mln USD. The foreign trade balance was
negative by 197 bln 489.7 mln drams (547.5 mln USD), that without
goods received as humanitarian iad – by 187 bln 225.7 mln drams
(519.2 mln USD).

According to the RA National Statistical Service, in January-April
2007, exports grew by 27.1% on the same period of 2006, imports –
by 48.8%.

In the first four months of 2007, exports to CIS countries made
102,4 mln USD (114.8% growth on the same period of 2006), imports –
258.5 mln USD (61.3% growth), including exports to Russia – 64.8 mln
USD (187%), imports from Russia – 173.7 mln USD (73.6%); exports to
Georgia – 21.3 mln USD (24% growth), imports from Georgia – 34.1 mln
USD (83.4% growth).

Exports to EU countries made 151.8 mln USD (10% growth), imports –
262.7 mln USD (44.2% growth), including exports to Belgium – 27.8 mln
USD (20.4% decline), imports – 50.7 mln USD (2.9% growth); exports
to Germany – 49.5 mln USD (18.3% decline), imports – over 30 mln USD
(11.6% growth); exports to the Netherlands – 35.9 mln USD (11.7%
decline), imports – 8.8 mln USD (54% growth).

Exports to Israel made 11.5 mln USD (55.2% decline), imports – over
17.4 mln USD (45.4% decline); exports to the US – 14.5 mln USD (22.1%
growth), imports – 60.6 mln USD (73.2% growth).

PORTERFIELD UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS
by Ian Carbis, South Wales Echo

ic Wales, UK
June 8 2007

FA Cup hero Ian Porterfield showed he hasn’t lost his touch when it
comes to shock results.

Porterfield, who scored the winner for Sunderland in the 1973 final
against Leeds, is now manager of Armenia and saw his side beat Poland
1-0 on Wednesday.

Hamlet Mkhitaryan scored the winner in the Euro 2008 qualifier in
front of a partisan Yerevan crowd.

"It is a great day for Armenian football," said the 61-year-old Scot,
who returned to the national job in March after battling intestinal
cancer.

"The whole team played well, but I want to say special thanks to
Mkhitaryan and goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov."

POSSIBLE AGREEMENT BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA AN SATISFY SIDES ONLY 50%: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR AT OSCE MG

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
June 6 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr. Trend A.Ismayilova / Russian Ambassador Yuriy
Merzlyakov, a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group which is involved in
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stated on 6 June in
Baku possible agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia could satisfy
the sides only by 50%.

Addressing the news conference held in Baku on 6 June n the results
of the visit to Azerbaijan, Merzlyakov noted that they can see the
possible variant of an agreement.

French Bernard Fassier stated that to come to an agreement it is
necessary to prepare the peoples of the two countries to compromises
and peace. "It is impossible to prepare the nations to peace while
speaking about the possibility of war," he stressed.

US ambassador Matthew Bryza stated that at times Presidents Ilham
Aliyev and Robert Kocharian make loud and good statements, he
particularly noted the last statement by the Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev, which was a step forward in the achievement of an
agreement. Bryza voiced his hope the Armenian President will take
the same step.

ARMENIA 1 POLAND 0 – EURO QUALIFIER SUMMARY

Xinhua News Agency , China
June 7, 2007 Thursday 3:00 AM EST

Following is the summary of a Euro 2008 group A qualifier played
Wednesday in Yerevan, Armenlia:

Armenia 1 Poland 0

Scorer: Hamlet Mkhitaryan 70

Halftime: 0-0, Attendance: 13,500

Teams:

Armenia: 1-Gevorg Kasparov; 4-Sargis Hovsepyan, 5-Robert Arzumanyan
(16-Levon Pachajyan 83), 18-Alexander Tateosyan, 17-Aghvan Lazarian,
14-Vahagn Minasyan, 7-Artur Voskanyan, 6-Ararat Arakelyan, 2-Yeghishe
Melikyan, 9-Hamlet Mkhitaryan (11-Arman Karamyan 74), 10-Armen
Shahgeldyan (13-Aram Hakopyan 46)

Poland: 1-Artur Boruc; 2-Dariusz Dudka, 3-Grzegorz Bronowicki,
6-Jacek Bak (16-Radoslaw Sobolewski 65), 7-Euzebiusz Smolarek
(9-Maciej Zurawski 60), 8-Jacek Krzynowek, 10-Marek Saganowski,
13-Marcin Wasilewski, 14-Michal Zewlakow, 15-Wojciech Lobodzinski
(5-Jakub Blaszczykowski 60), 18-Mariusz Lewandowski

Referee: Pavel Balaj (Romania).

CHAIRMAN OF ARMENIAN CB TO MAKE A SPEECH DURING THE BANKING CONGRESS IN SAINT PETERSBURG

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
June 7 2007

Yerevan, June 7 /Mediamax/. Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia
Tigran Sarkisian is taking part in the 16th International Banking
Congress in Saint Petersburg.

As Mediamax was told in the CB press service, Tigran Sarkisian
will present the report "Problems of Financial Mediation" during
the Congress.

On June 8-10, the Chairman of the Armenian CB will participate in
the session of IMF/WB Dutch Subgroup in Kishev.