Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

WILL RAFFI HOVHANNISIAN BE ALLOWED?

A1+
[07:51 pm] 27 November, 2007

Three possible presidential candidates have appealed to the Department
of visa and passports of the RA Police. Chairman of the "Heritage"
party Raffi Hovhannisian, Chairman of the "National Conciliation Party"
Aram Harutyunyan and RA citizen Vardan Parakhchyan have appealed to
the police department to get documents on the 10 years citizenship
in the RA.

It should be reminded that Raffi Hovhannisian acquired RA citizenship
in 2001, although he has been living in Armenia since 1991 and have
appealed for the acquisition of citizenship earlier.

Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Artashes Gheghamyan, Israel Hakobkokhyan, Aram
Karapetyan and Artur Baghdasaryan have appealed to the department of
visa and passports to get corresponding documents.

No candidate has submitted any document to the RA Central Electoral
Committee yet. The candidates may be nominated started on 21 November
to 6 December 18:00 p.m. .

VAHAN HOVHANNISIAN: ARFD’S STRUGGLE IS FOR GENERATING CIVIL CONSENT

Noyan Tapan
Nov 28, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The preelection period of the
presidential elections of February 19, 2008 has not started yet,
but the preparatory period is underway, during which candidates,
political forces try to give their different evaluations to the
situation. Vahan Hovhannisian, the RA National Assembly Vice-Speaker,
said this in his interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent. However,
according to him, "the following thing is the most important today:
any force or candidate should understand very well whether there is
a public demand for his coming out to the political arena."

In response to the question about some tension conditioned by the first
RA President’s intention to run for the elections, V. Hovhannisian said
that in his opinion, "some media and political figures artificially try
to present a representative of the current power and a representative
of the former power as poles, and when there are poles, some tension
emerges inevitably." V. Hovhannisian also gave assurance that during
the coming weeks "it will become obvious that there are different
force centers in Armenia with their political approaches." According
to him, in that circumstance the people already will not be obliged
"to see some inevitability in election" or to choose between the bad
and the worst, looking for the least of the two evils. "There will be
such variants that polarization as rather negative phenomenon will
come out of our public life, as polarization automatically means to
divide society into black and white," the NA Vice-Speaker said at the
same time mentioning that such a division supposes antagonism, and
political consent becomes impossible under such conditions. According
to V. Hovhannisian, ARFD’s struggle is for generating a civil consent.

ARMENIA EXPRESSES DESIRE TO BOOST AGRICULTURE COOPERATION WITH SYRIA
Thawra-Mazen

SANA – Syrian Arab News Agency
Nov 28 2007
Syria

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Agriculture Adel Safar discussed
Wednesday with a delegation of Armenian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry headed by its Chairman Martin Sargsyan aspects of cooperation
between the two sides and means of boosting them in the future.

Dr. Safar underlined the importance of developing the Syrian-Armenian
agriculture ties to serve joint interests, pointing out to the
historical relations connecting the two countries on the economic
and political levels.

For his part, Mr. Martin affirmed desire to enhance ties with Syria
and exchange expertise in the agriculture filed, noting that Armenia
wants to supply equipment to Syria for plants’ protection from frost.

Ministry of Agriculture expressed interest in this sets and desire
to import them when tests approve success.

IN FACT ARAM KARAPETYAN IS PART OF THE SCENARIO

Largir, Armenia
Nov 29 2007

The leader of the Nor Jamanakner (New Times) Party Aram Karapetyan
held a news conference on November 29 and stated that the decision
to deny him a certificate on permanent residence in Armenia over the
past ten years is a political instruction. "The instruction came from
Robert Kocharyan and Serge Sargsyan and was fulfilled by the National
Security Service and the Police. No explanation, no clarification,
no forceful argument. Today we disputed this decision at the court. I
think the court has also been instructed. I think it is all out of
fear. And this climate of fear affects everyone from an ordinary
official to Robert Kocharyan," Aram Karapetyan says adding that he
had expected it. Aram Karapetyan refers to it as "blunder made out of
fear." The leader of the Nor Jamanakner Party says the government did
not have any legal grounds to deny this certificate to him because
the same police has issued the document on permanent residence since
1992. Aram Karapetyan says when the government needs, it gives the
document, when it does not need, it overlooks.

"I think the outcome of the election is predetermined. I think Serge
Sargsyan will try to be president through force. And I think that
it will take a huge popular surge to fight and to get rid of this
government," Aram Karapetyan says. If he is not nominated, he says he
is not going to support any other candidate and will urge not to vote
for the government and will prepare for a post-election unification
and a peaceful revolution through a popular surge. The leader of the
Nor Jamanakner Party says the real opposition who did not sell itself
should join him.

"After the election all the participants who have a truly oppositionist
stance and are not paying a game will have to fight fraud and
wrongdoing in the election through a popular surge," Aram Karapetyan
says. The leader of the Nor Jamanakner Party says the election
will have two rounds, both violence and bribes will be used, and in
the end an outcome will be concocted and Serge Sargsyan will become
president. Aram Karapetyan promises to say who will be running in the
second round when all the nominees are known. He says in that case it
will be possible to check his awareness of the government’s scenario.

The question that in his opinion how long Serge Sargsyan will remain
president after an unfair election, for five days or for five years,
since Aram Karapetyan declared a revolutionary process five years ago
which does not seem to end, the leader of the Nor Jamanakner Party
thinks is philosophical and answers philosophically. "The people who
started the revolution in 1905 did not know they would win in 1917.

The revolutions are interesting because they start unexpectedly, and
victory is also unexpected. Because after the revolution almost all
the Bolshevists were abroad, only three were in the country, therefore
I think he will last short," Aram Karapetyan says. He says he is for
national revolutions, not flower revolutions, therefore they refuse
to register him. However, the leader of the Nor Jamanakner Party
believes this time the revolution will win.

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 30 2007

PRIME MINISTER THINKS IT IS USELESS TO TALK OF THOSE YEARS

In a briefing on November 30 the reporters asked Prime Minister Serge
Sargsyan to comment on Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s pronouncement that he
had been expulsed from Karabakh in 1993.

`What shall I comment on? It is a barefaced lie. There is nothing to
comment. I think any reporter who is interested in this topic can
make sure what documents the chair of the committee of defense of
Karabakh signed in May, how many he signed, and Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s
decree on the appointment of defense minister. Once you find out the
difference, you will see there is nothing to comment on. Generally, I
would not like anyone to go back to those years. It is useless,’
Serge Sargsyan says. He answered similarly to another question on
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s pronouncement on war expenses.

The first president had stated during the rally on November 16 that
the money spent to supply the war would be enough to light and heat
Armenia and Karabakh. Levon Ter-Petrosyan had advised to ask Serge
Sargsyan in case an opportunity arises because he knows this. `You
see, I don’t want to criticize or to praise anyone. I really don’t
want to talk of those years,’ Serge Sargsyan said.

AZG Armenian Daily #222, 01/12/2007

Culture

PRESENTATION OF A BOOK IN NATIONAL LIBRARY

On November 28, the presentation of the bibliography "The Armenian
book from 1901 to 1920" took place in National Library Department of
Bibliography.

It is the forth volume of the Armenian Book of bibliography that
includes the history of pre-Soviet period (1901 – 1920).

The first volume was published in 1982 and narrates the incidents of
1512-1800.

"The publication of the book is a great event, as similar books are
rarely published. It’s a thankful investment in spreading of
Armenology and Armenian History. I consider this book as a library in
one book that is full of various histories", mentioned the editor of
the book Bakhtiar Hovakimian.

By Hasmik Haroutiunian, translated by L.H.

ARONIAN WINS A VICTORY AT TIE-BREAKS

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[11:42 am] 03 December, 2007

Armenian Grand Masters Vladimir Hakobian and Levon Aronian reached
the 1/8 final at the World Chess Cup underway in the Russian city of
Khanty Mansiysk.

Vladimir Hakobian won over Russian chess player Vladimir Malakhov
1.5:0.5 at the 1/16 semifinal. The Armenian GM won a victory at the
second round.

Levon Aronian won over Ernesto Inarkiev, Russia, at the tie-breaks. The
main two rounds ended in a tie.

Romanian GM Liviu Nisispeanu took everyone unawares beating one of
the favourites Vasili Ivanchuk, Ukrainian.

THE PRESIDENT’S SEAT NOT SHARED
S. Haroutyunyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
Nov 15 2007
Armenia

President Robert Kocharyan yesterday took part in the opening of
"Armprodexpo-2007", an international exhibition displaying the
achievements of local producers in the sphere of the procession
of agricultural products. After going round the pavilions, he also
responded to the questions of the journalists.

THE FUTURE OF ARMENIA IN THE EYES OF THE ARMENIAN PAN-NATIONAL MOVEMENT

The pre-electoral issues were not overlooked either. Touching upon
the speculations of conducting check-ups in facilities belonging to
the pro-Oppositional entrepreneurs, the President stated that "each
entrepreneur, be it a pro-Government or a ‘pro-Opposition’ figure,
is currently required to pay taxes on equal terms. At the end of the
year we will, as always, publish the list of the prominent tax-payers
and see to what extent their tax expenditures have increased."

Simply, "there are people who understand that the state has adopted an
anti-corruption program, and we will be consistent in those matters,
and there are people who do not want to reduce the shadow of their
economy and instead, are trying to politicize the issue, to make
a fuss, and roughly speaking, to display peevishness in order to
allocate smaller sums to the budget. I think, if you are rich, if we
are speaking about social justice, we should also have conscience to
allocate a due amount of our income to the state for solving social
issues. Such peevishness will not produce a good result."

Will the Opposition manage to consolidate and act with a united
candidate during the election or will it behave as usual? In response
to this question R. Kocharyan noted, "I am a little surprised that
the issue of a united candidate deserves so much attention by the
politicians or those who consider themselves political scientists. On
what grounds should they unite? Is running for election with a
united candidate an end in itself or are there common ideologies,
compatibility of programs which may serve as grounds for consolidation?

He also reminded of the ill-fated example of "Justice" block, "people
pursuing totally different ideas united with a single goal: to have
a seat in the Parliament. As to the end of that union, you all are
aware of it. The President’s seat is not shared; there’s only one
prize. And there will be only one person to be awarded that prize
during these elections."

Moreover, "the executive power is formed by the Parliament, where
the distribution of forces is already clear. In this case, we become
faced with the following question: is it possible to bring together
people whose goal is to become member of NATO and people and political
forces whose goal is to extend the relations with Russia.

Or, on what grounds should the political forces guided by the slogan
of liberal economy unite with the socialists?"

And the most surprising thing, in the opinion of the President of
the Republic is that "it turns out that there are political forces in
Armenia who consider that Turkey and Azerbaijan should be our chief
partners. I didn’t expect even the Armenian pan-National Movement to
express such pro-Turkish views. I didn’t think Armenia would ever
find itself in the ‘arms’ of Turkey. If there are people who agree
to those approaches, they are welcome to unite with Turkey, but let
them announce what future they see for Armenia."

Frankly speaking, we are surprised that the pre-electoral
aggravations of the chronic pro-Turkish policy displayed by the
Armenian pan-National Movement cause the President of the Republic
to become so astonished. Especially considering the member of that
party have never tried to conceal its unanswered love for the Turks
and the irresistible desire of making Armenia the vassal of Turkey
(and not of the United States and the influential European countries),
by making haste to isolate our country from Russia.

What’s more, according to the reliable information we possess, it
was before the shift of power that the senior representatives of the
Armenian pan-National Movement, in the person of Babken Ararktsyan
and company, were assiduously preparing for this historic stage that
would immediately change the "quality" of our life in all aspects.

They even hired Turkish language teachers with the purpose of
"guaranteeing" the future of their cherished children.

And the President turns out to have doubts: what future does the
group supporting the Armenian pan-National Movement see for Armenia,
the future "supplement" of Turkey and Azerbaijan…?

SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY OF YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BOOK FUND OF ABOUT 2 MILLION

Noyan Tapan
Nov 16, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The scinetific library of Yerevan
State University has approximately two million books, 1.2 million
out of which are scientific. The book fund of the library founded on
February 28, 1920 made 52 thousand books already in 1927. The first
manager of the library was Hakob Manandian.

According to the information provided to a Noyan Tapan correspondent by
the Public Relations Department of the Higher Educational Institution,
the newly-built subsidiary building of the library opened on the
occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Yerevan
State University, and already in 1997 it was named after Sargis and
Mari Izmirlians, the parents of Swiss-Armenian benefactor Tigran
Izmirlian.

The library funds of the higher educational institution are mainly
replenished through subscription, exchange of books and commercial
deals. In parallel with this, there are other auxiliary sources of
replenishment, such as donation and monetary assistance. In this
respect G. Gyulbekian’s (4400 books), H. Takesian’s (2800 books)
and A. Sakharov’s (1200 books) funds are of great significance for
the library. Due to these funds the library has obtained numerous
valuable books, mainly in foreign languages. 101 name 4530 valuable
periodicals and journals in the Armenian language, including "The
Homeland", "The Flag", "The Bazmavep", as well as many others,
published abroad are preserved in these funds.

In addition to this, the archives of the materials of the United
Nations Organization and the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE), as well as the center-library of the Embassy of
Greece in Armenia are currently operating in the library of the higher
educational institution.

ACCORDING TO RA PRESIDENT, CIRCUMSTANCES OF INCIDENT OF BEATING SARGIS TKHRUNI STUDENT UNION’S CHAIRMAN TO BE EXAMINED VERY SERIOUSLY

Noyan Tapan
Nov 16, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The proper bodies have been assigned
to very seriously examine the circumstances of the incident of beating
Narek Galstian, the Chairman of the Sargis Tkhruni student-youth
union. RA President Robert Kocharian stated this on November 16.

According to him, "whatever happens on the threshold of the elections,
they will connect it with politics." Meanwhile, the RA President does
not consider that N. Galstian "was of some interest for any one." It
was mentioned that cases of politicizing such incidents committed
on the domestic ground had happened formerly. "The authorities need
neither such a scandal nor manifestations proceeding from that
scandal," R. Kocharian said not excluding that letters connected
with the incident of N. Galstian’s beating will be sent to "various
international organizatons."

It should be mentioned that N. Galstian was beaten by unknown persons
in the morning of November 15 and was taken to the Grigor Lusavorich
hospital. It is noteworthy that he had said at the September 6 press
conference that universities’ "student councils, the leaders of which
are mainly members of the Republican Party of Armenia, have become
structures serving the authorities and have become like the Young
Communists’ League."