Author: Vanyan Gary

Russia marks day of mourning as relatives arrive to identify bodies of plane crash victims
By MIKE ECKEL
AP Worldstream;
Jul 10, 2006
Flags flew at half-staff, churches held special prayers and
entertainment programs were canceled across Russia on Monday to mark
a day of mourning for the victims of a weekend plane crash in the
Siberian city of Irkutsk that killed at least 124 people and left
four others missing.
Fifty-two people remained in hospitals Monday after the airliner
careened off a rain-slicked runway into adjacent garages on Sunday
and burst into flame, said Viktor Beltsov, spokesman for the Emergency
Situations Ministry.
Seventy-five of the 203 people aboard the plane survived, he said.
It was the second major commercial airline crash in two months
in Russia.
Preliminary data gathered by the commission investigating the crash
indicated that the braking system on the Airbus A310 operated by
Russian airline S7 had failed, Russian news agencies reported, citing
unnamed sources.
Transport Minister Igor Levitin said the aircraft’s two recorders
had been recovered and were being analyzed.
The S7 press office said there were 193 passengers on the
Moscow-Irkutsk flight Sunday _ including 14 children _ and a crew
of 10 aboard. Emergency Ministry spokeswoman Natalia Lukash said
three people whose names were not on the passenger list were pulled
unconscious from the wreckage; it was not clear if they had been on
the ground or were flying as unregistered passengers.
Irkutsk is 4,200 kilometers (2,600 miles) east of Moscow.
At least 12 of the passengers were foreigners, from Belarus, Poland,
China, Germany, Azerbaijan, according to the flight manifest.
The plane veered off the runway on landing and tore through a
2-meter-high (6-foot-high) concrete barrier. It then crashed into a
compound of one-story garages, stopping a short distance from some
small houses, about 7:50 a.m.
Sunday (2250GMT Saturday).
Cranes could be seen hanging over the wreckage on Monday, as several
dozen investigators stood on top of what remained of the fuselage in
a light rain.
Charred and water-logged wreckage stood two stories high. A penetrating
smell of burning hung over the scene.
Relatives were arriving at Irkutsk morgues to try to identify the dead.
A witness said he heard a concussion and the ground trembled.
“I saw smoke coming from the aircraft. People were already walking
out who were charred, injured, burnt,” Mikhail Yegeryov told NTV
television.
Pilots regard the Irkutsk airport as difficult because its runway
slopes and because its concrete is especially slippery when wet,
Vladimir Biryukov, an expert at the Gromov Aviation Institute, said
on NTV.
The transport minister, speaking to reporters in Irkutsk, said
authorities were looking into a proposal to lengthen the runway at the
airport by 400 meters (a quarter-mile) and he announced financing for
resurfacing the runway. He also said that city authorities had been
asked to determine whether the buildings the plane collided into had
been constructed legally.
Airline spokesman Konstantin Koshman said the plane, which was
constructed in 1987, had been regularly maintained and met all
certifications.
In May, another Airbus crashed in stormy weather off Russia’s Black Sea
coast as it prepared to land, killing all 113 people on board. Airline
officials blamed the crash of the Armenian passenger plane on driving
rain and low visibility.
Sunday’s disaster was the fourth air crash in Irkutsk in the past
12 years.
Another Russian airliner, a Tu-154 operated by Urals Airlines, made
a successful emergency landing in Irkutsk on Monday after one of its
engines failed, Beltsov said.
An S7 Airbus A310 made an emergency landing early Monday in the Crimean
port of Simferopol after pilots noticed a drop in fuel level in one
of the engines, the RIA-Novosti news agency reported.
Russian air safety standards plummeted in the years following the
1991 Soviet collapse as the state carrier Aeroflot split into hundreds
of private carriers, many of which lacked funds to properly maintain
and service their planes.
Economic stabilization and strengthening of official controls helped
improve air safety in the 1990s and the nation’s aviation safety
record gradually returned to normal. Russia’s oil-driven boom of recent
years has bolstered the carriers’ earnings and allowed many airlines
to replace their aging Soviet-era jets with Boeings and Airbuses.
Authorities have said, however, that some airlines weren’t diligent
enough about safety and called for stronger enforcement of official
standards throughout the industry.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN SENDS TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE TO VLADIMIR PUTIN IN
CONNECTION WITH PLANE ACCIDENT IN IRKUTSK
YEREVAN, JULY 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 10, RA
President Robert Kocharian sent a telegram of condolence to RF
President Vladimir Putin in connection with the plane accident in
Irkutsk. The telegram provided to Noyan Tapan from RA President’s
Press Office, read:
“Dear Vladimir Putin,
We deeply mourn with you and share the grief of loss in connection
with the plane accident, in which many people died.
Let me present sincere condolences to you, to the relatives of the
victims, as well as to wish quick recovery to those who suffered,
on behalf of the Armenian people and me personally.”

How Wangui called airport to clear way for Arturs
By Biketi Kikechi
The Standard, Kenya
July 11 2006
Narc activist Mary Wambui’s daughter, Winnie Wangui, made several
calls to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to have the Artur
brothers received, it emerged on Monday.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs protocol officer Paul Letoya testifies
during the Kiruki Commission of inquiry on Monday.
Winnie first called protocol officer Paul Latoya at 6pm on June
8 asking him to assist her guests. The Foreign Affairs ministry
officer said he acted on Winnie’s instructions because she was a
senior officer in the ministry.
“She is a senior officer at the ministry and I’m not supposed to
ignore instructions from such officers,” said Latoya.
The commission inquiring into the affairs of the mysterious foreigners
Artur Sargasyan and Artur Margaryan held its ninth sitting yesterday,
with Latoya as its 19th witness.
Protocol requirements
The two foreigners were deported last month after causing a security
breach at the airport. Latoya – who receives ministers, diplomats and
other senior Government officers – accorded similar treatment to the
Artur brothers when he found them at the Duty Free Shops lounge.
His duties include helping VIPs through the Customs and Immigration
desks, and also to beat long queues.
Said Latoya: “She (Wangui) called again and gave me the description
of the guests and also told me that they were the Artur brothers”.
He then proceeded to the Duty Free lounge where he met and informed
Margaryan that he had been instructed by Winnie to facilitate their
protocol requirements. Latoya then went back to his office on the
understanding that he would return when the Emirates flight from
Dubai lands.
When he went back later after receiving another call from Winnie,
Latoya found Margaryan, two Asian looking
people and Sargsyan, who, he said, had just arrived.
Contradictory testimony
Monday’s evidence appeared to contradict the testimony of another
witness, David Opar Ouya, who last week said Sargasyan was at Panari
Sky Centre before going to the airport.
Lawyer Kamau Kuria, who appears for Winnie Wangui at the Kiruki
Commission, makes a point at the proceedings on Monday.
Mrs Rosemary Chirchir, a security officer at the airport, also said
Sargsyan arrived at the airport and was met by Margaryan and four
other people. The Emirates airline passenger manifest, however,
had the name of Artur Gervokyan, the only person listed as a VIP.
Latoya said he found two supervisors assisting the visitors, and
decided to go back to the office but Winnie called again asking him
to continue helping the foreigners with the clearance.
“I went to the baggage area and found that they had already identified
their luggage, but the Customs officers demanded that we call the
owners,” said Latoya.
He told the commission that he dashed to the Duty Free lounge and
fetched Margaryan, the Asian-looking people.
Special treatment
While there, Latoya said he received yet another call from Winnie
asking whether he understood any Customs procedures.
He said it was then that he sought assistance from a Customs officer,
who, however, declined to take Winnie’s call, saying he was too
junior. He said he then went to his office.
The protocol officer denied claims he facilitated the movement of the
alleged Armenians and their friends from the airport through Unit 1.
Mrs Chirchir had earlier claimed she did not question the foreigners’
movement through the Unit because Latoya accompanied them.
“They did not go through the Immigration and Customs desk; instead,
they went through Unit 1 normally used by passengers going to board
their flights,” said Chirchir.
She said VIPs who were accompanied by protocol officers were always
given special treatment.
Hotel commotion disputed
Kuria, however, told the witness she was not saying the truth because
the passengers had gone through the Customs desk and the baggage area,
where a commotion had ensued.
Chirchir replied that she had remained in Unit 1 throughout the time
and did not know what was happening at the baggage area because the
two were some 300 metres apart.
Chirchir also told Kuria that she could not rely on press reports
because newspapers “can write anything.” She told the commission that
Sargsyan arrived in the country on June 8, 2006, and anyone claiming
he fought and caused a commotion at a hotel on Mombasa Road was a liar.
She insisted that Latoya visited Unit 1 three times and took Margaryan
and his group upstairs after the Armenian told her he was expecting
his brother from Dubai.
Commissioner Ahmed Isaack asked Kuria to clarify whether he was
representing Winnie Mwai or Winnie Wangui as he had applied earlier.
Kuria said the person mentioned by the witness in the statement he
wrote at the commission was his client.

French rescuers awarded for rescue operation off Sochi
by Dmitry Gorokhov
ITAR-TASS News Agency
July 7, 2006 Friday
Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin has handed in awards to a
group of French rescues who took part in a rescue operation in the
area of a plane crash of the Armenian airlines company off the Russian
city of Sochi. The ceremony was held at the residence of the Russian
ambassador to France on Friday.
“When the catastrophe occurred, I telephoned my French counterpart
Dominique Perben, and they gave us help,” the Russian minister told
Tass. ” It was a common mischief, and at times of hardships France,
Russia and Armenia pooled efforts,” Levitin said.
“For the first time the flight recorders were lifted from the depth
of 500 meters on the bottom of the Black Sea. Russian rescuers did
that with the help of their equipment. France provided more equipment
and sent its experts.” Levitin said.
The Russian minister summed up the results of the talks held in
France. During a meeting at the French Transport Ministry on Thursday
the two sides decided to strengthen interaction in all fields. “We
have very many points of contact with France,” the Russian minister
stressed.

AZG Armenian Daily #127, 08/07/2006
Economy
“ARMENIA EXPO 2006” TO LAUNCH IN YEREVAN IN EARLY
SEPTEMBER
“Armenia EXPO 2006” fourth universal regional
trade-industrial expo-forum will be held in Yerevan on
September 8-11. Souren Nazinian, director of LOGOS
EXPO CENTER, told that the forum will include several
exhibitions, particularly, “Industrial Armenia EXPO
2006,” “Trans EXPO 2006,” “Construction EXPO 2006,”
“Computer EXPO 2006,” “Polygraphs. Publishing.
Advertisement EXPO 2006” and others.
Nazinian informed that the export forum will also
include “Furniture EXPO 2006.” The Armenian-Russian
business meeting “Prospects for Economic Development
and Cooperation” will be held within the framework of
“Days of Moscow in Armenia.” At the same time on
September 9-10 Days of Chinese Business will be held,
while on September 10-11 Days of French Business will
launch. He said that the number of the exhibition
participants grew by 15-18%.
Businessmen from Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia,
Georgia, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Poland, Germany, Italy,
and France will take active part in the exhibitions of
the center. He emphasized that RA Trade and Economic
Development Ministry, RA Union of Entrepreneurs are
the official sponsors of ARMENIA EXPO 2006.”

RA LAWS ON STATE DUTY AND LICENSING TO BE AMMENDED
ArmRadio.am
07.07.2006 11:52
July 6 President Robert Kocharyan signed the Laws on implementing
amendments in RA Laws on State Duty and Licensing.

GARABAGH MEDIATORS ‘AWAITING DECISIONS OF PRESIDENTS’
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 6 2006
Baku, July 5, AssA-Irada
The OSCE mediators brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh are awaiting decisions from
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian that would move forward
the peace process and are required to reach a ‘framework agreement”,
the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and the new co-chair of
the OSCE Minsk Group (MG), Matthew Bryza, has said.
“The document has emerged as a result of a lengthy process.
Certainly, I cannot impose it on either side, but it brings us closer
to reaching a solution to the conflict. Without the presidents’
decisions or advice, we cannot move forward. That’s why we are
currently at this stage,” Bryza told the Armenian media.
He said the decision to disclose the core principles of peace talks
had been made prior to his recent statement that caused a great deal
of debate.
Bryza told Radio Liberty earlier that the mediators submitted a
framework accord to the conflicting sides.
“I did not make the decision to disclose the principles on the
negotiating table. It was made prior to my appointment to the post,”
Bryza said. He emphasized that the statement did not aim to put
pressure on Armenia.
“I hope that my friends both in and outside the Armenian government
will put an end to speculations. My responsibility is actually to
explain the decisions made by the three co-chairs [from the United
States, Russia and France] prior to my appointment.”
With regard to a possibility of a change of power in Armenia prompted
by the disclosure of the gist of talks, Bryza said: “I don’t believe
an agreement would lead to a political crisis in any country.”

5TH SESSION OF THE ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION COMMISSION TO BE HELD IN BATUMI
ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 17:31
July 7-10 the fifth session of the Armenian-Georgian Intergovernmental
Economic Cooperation Commission will be held in Batumi. Georgian
and Armenian PMs Zurab Nogaideli and Andranik Margaryan will chair
the meeting. According to the Department of Press and Information of
the Georgian MFA, priorities of bilateral economic and humanitarian
cooperation between Armenia and Georgia are planned to be determined
at the session. Urgent issues, including enhancement of the contractual
basis between the two states will be considered as well.
Within the framework of the meeting a business forum of Georgian and
Armenian businessmen will be held with Participation of Nogaideli
and Margaryan, reports IA Regnum.

KAREKIN II, CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS LEAVES FOR MOSCOW
AZG Armenian Daily
05/07/2006
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II left for Moscow, Monday,
to attend World Summit of Religious Leaders to be held at Moscow
President Hotel July 3-5.
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin press-service informed that the
delegation of the Supreme Priesthood of the Armenian Apostolic Church
(AAC), comprises also Leader of AAC Greek Diocese Archbishop Voskan
Galpakyan, Leader of AAC Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan,
Mother See of Etchmiadzin Inter-confessional Ties Executive Archbishop
Yeznik Petrosyan, a member of Supreme Spiritual Council, Judge of
RA Constitutional Court Rafael Papayan, as well as Bishop Vigen
Haikazyan. The latter will participate in the Summit as the head of
the National Council of Churches of USA.
Russian media report that over 100 Christian, Muslim, Buddhist,
Induist and Judaist leaders from Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Estonia, Armenia,
Albania, Bahrein, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Egypt,
Israel, India, Iran, Italy, China, Romania, Syria, the US, Finland
and Switzerland will discuss the role of faith and religion in
modern society, ways to protect spiritual and moral values in the
modern world, to fight terrorism and extremism, problems of religious
education, support of family, gender equality and human rights, ways to
reduce poverty, to protect environment, to fight drugs trafficking,
diseases and mass proliferation of arms, to ensure dialogue of
civilizations and religious communities, problems of globalization.
The summit is organized by the Russian Orthodox Church and the
Russian authorities.

MEMBERS OF ARMENIAN CHESS MEN NATIONAL TEAM AWARDED WITH “GRATITUDE” MEDAL
Noyan Tapan
Jul 5 2006
STEPANAKERT, JULY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. According to Nagorno Karabakh
Republic President Arkadi Ghukasian’s July 4 decree the members of
the Armenian men national team, who are the cup-holders of the 37th
Chess World Olympiad, were awarded with “Gratitude” medal for their
significant contribution in the chess development. Noyan Tapan was
informed about this from the NKR President’s press service.