VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN: RECOGNITION OR NON-RECOGNITION OF THE NKR REFERENDUM OF NO IMPORTANCE

ArmRadio.am
13.12.2006 17:55

"The Constitutional referendum in Nagorno Karabakh refers to
the organization of their domestic life. Different from other
referendums, which were recently held in unrecognized states, this
one is not related to their relations with others. The recognition or
non-recognition of international organizations is of no importance,"
NA Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan told the journalists.

He informed that they helped organize the visit of Constitution
experts to NKR, "since their monitoring is more important than what
Terry Davis will say."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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.

ARSEN GHAZARIAN AWARDED WITH RA PRIME MINISTER’S MEMORIAL MEDAL

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. By RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian’s decision, Arsen Ghazarian, the Chairman of the Union of
Manufacturers and Businessmen (Employers) of Armenia was awarded
with the RA Prime Minister’s memorial medal for assistance to
entrepreneurial activity and active participation in development of
economy of the republic. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by the RA
Government’s Information and Public Relations Department.

"WOMEN’S ALLIANCE" QUALIFIES FACT OF G.AVDALIAN’S AND HER 3 GRANDCHILDREN’S SETTING THEMSELVES ON FIRE AS INCOHERENT PHENOMENON OF PUBLIC THINKING

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Representatives of 18 political
parties and public organizations – members of the "Women’s Alliance"
qualified the fact of 67-year old Gyulizar Avdalian’s and her
three grandchildren’s setting themselves on fire as a phenomenon
incoherent for public perceptions and thinking. Tsovinar Gevorgian,
the alliance coordinator stated about it at the December 13 press
conference. "We are witnesses of numerous cases of injustice,
wilfulness, violation of the human rights which are established in our
life with pitiful displays," she mentioned. In Ts.Gevorgian’s words,
an atmosphere of fear and despair was created in the society as a
result of arbitrariness and unpunishment. It was mentioned that the
"Women’s Alliance" demands just legal procedure and will chase the
process of examination of the case. In the alliance representatives’
words, Armenia is one of those exclusive countries where displays
of national discrimination have never existed. In their opinion,
the case of the murder of G.Avdalian’s son has no relation with
national discrimination.

IT IS ENVISAGED TO INTRODUCE NEW COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AT FIRST AID STATE-OWNED CJSC

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. It is envisaged to implement
program "Refreshment of Communication Means and Computerization of
1-03 Service at the First Aid CJSC of Yerevan Mayor’s Office in
2007. Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed about it by company
Director Artyom Petrosian. He said that the program was worked out
jointly with Yerevan Research Institute of Communication Means as early
as in 2003, but due to lack of financing it has not been implemented
up to present. In A.Petrosian’s words, next year the program worth
130 thousand USD will be implemented either with state budget’s
financing or with credit means. As the company director estimated,
the introduction of new communication system will enable to respond
to calls more quickly. In A.Petrosian’s words, currently calls are
responded within three minutes, while the new system will reduce it
by 1.5 minutes. "The call will be at once registered by a computer
and through the respective program it will be decided what sub-station
and what doctors’ brigade should respond to it," A.Petrosian said. By
the program’s second stage special GPRS devices will be installed in
ambulance cars, by means of which it will be possible to watch cars’
location in the city and to determine the shortest way of reaching
the addressee.

IT IS ENVISAGED TO RAISE SALARIES OF FIRST AID STATE-OWNED CJSC’S DOCTORS AND NURSES BY ABOUT 25% IN 2007

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. In the 10 months of 2006, the First
Aid CJSC of Yerevan Mayor’s Office has registered 141.9 thousand calls,
which exceeds the index of the same period of previous year by 10
thousand. As company Director Artyom Petrosian said in his interview
to Noyan Tapan correspondent, the increase of the number of calls is
conditioned by not sickness rate, but mainly by growth of the number
of Yerevan’s population. In his words, 37 ambulance brigades provide
first aid to Yerevan residents every day, including professional
pediatrics, psychiatrical and other aid. In total, the company has 45
cars, 6 out of which have been purchased this year. The latters are new
Sobol cars, which, in A.Petrosian’s words, are intended for big cities.

Besides, the Furst Aid stopped exploitation of old Yeraz and
Raf cars in November this year. "As currently the company has no
problem of leading the doctor to patient’s house, so activities
aimed at raising the quality of rendered medical services will be
done soon," A.Petrosian said. In this respect in 2007 the company
plans to purchase two new cars with new medical equipments from Nizhni
Novgorod’s Lingas trade and industrial company. A.Petrosian said that
allocations given from state budget to the Armenian first aid system
grow year by year. Thus, in 2006 this sum amounted to 1 bln 132 mln
452 thousand drams (about 3 mln USD), while in 2007 it is envisaged
to allocate about 1 bln 277 mln 880 thousand drams. He said that
increase of allocations from the state budget will enable next year
to raise the salaries of doctors and nurses by about 25%. Currently
their average salary makes about 32000 and 26000 drams, respectively.

ARGUMENT OF ESTABLISHMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE IS MORE BENEFICIAL THAN IDEA OF UNIFICATION, ALEXAN MANASIAN CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The referendum on NKR Constitution
was to take place earlier, as it is able to regulate the whole
public life and to give a legal status to the acting bodies
of the power. Political scientist Alexan Manasian, Head of YSU
Theoretical Philosophy and Logic Department, gave assurance at
the December 13 meeting with journalists. In his words, Artsakh
people’s active participation in the referendum is evidence that
the Constitution has been approved by the whole people. "Since 2001,
RA and NKR state officials have adopted the policy of establishment
of Karabakh independence, which is more beneficial than the idea of
unification," A.Manasian said. In his words, thanks to such approach
is will be possible "to register diplomatic success." A.Manasian
also said that one should not depair of the negative reaction of
some countries and international structures in connection with the
referendum. The political scientist reminded the OSCE’s 1992 decision,
according to which this organization considers as conflict parties
RA, Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh’s "elected representatives." In
A.Manasian’s words, this decision itself obliged NKR population to
hold elections. And to have elected representatives means to have
legal authorities and laws, which is also registered by the newly
adopted Constitution.

NATURAL GAS SUBSIDIZING BY ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT IS NOT TRANSPARENT, IMF REPRESENTATIVE CLAIMS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The subsidizing of natural gas
by the Armenian government is not transparent, and it is quite
difficult to know what agreement has been reached with Gazprom, IMF
Yerevan Office Resident Representative Nienke Oomes told reporters on
December 13. According to him, the subsid izing process is unclear,
since these sums are not seen in the state budget and are used through
the budget of the RA defence ministry. The beneficiaries, particularly
the poor do not benefit so much from these sums. N. Oomes said that
the IMF directors called on the Armenian authorities to work out a
long-term strategy, which will allow to gradually stop gas subsidizing
by late 2008, insuring complete self-financing and reducing midterm
fiscal risks.

DEFENCE EXPENDITURES OF ARMENIA GROW BY 11.2% IN JANUARY-OTOBER 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-October 2006,
the budgetary expenditures of the RA made 354 bln 442 mln drams
(about 833.5 mln USD), growing by 18% on the same period of last
year. The ratio of these expenditures to GDP made 17.4% against 17.5%
in January-October 2005. According to the RA National Statistical
Service, in the first ten months of this year the defence expenditures
of Armenia amounted to 61 bln 97.4 mln drams (a 11.2% growth on the
same period of last year, the ratio of these expenditures to GDP –
3% against 3.2% in January-October 2005). Expenditures on keeping
public order, national security and judicial system made 30 bln 172.5
mln drams (26.7% growth, the ratio of these expenditures to GDP made
1.5% against 1.4% in the same months of last year). Expenditures on
education and science amounted to 56 bln 815 mln drams (24.6% growth,
their ratio to GDP – 2.8% against 2.7%), health care expenditures made
27 bln 136.7 mln drams (23.1% growth, ratio of these expenditures
to GDP remained at the same level – 1.3%), and social insurance and
social security expenditures – 42 bln 832.7 mln drams (20.4% growth,
their ratio to GDP remained the same – 2.1%).

NUMBER OF LEGAL ENTITIES GROWS 2.4%, THAT OF PRIVATE BUSINESSMEN DECLINES 22.5% IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the data of the Legal
Entities and Private Businessmen State Register Agency, since early
2006, 2,541 legal entities and 6,377 private businessmen (including
family enterprises) got registered, with their total number making
53,616 and 55,104 as of November 1, 2006. According to the data of
the RA National Statistical Service, 52,344 legal entities and 71,076
private businessmen were registered as of November 1, 2005. Over the
past year, the number of legal entities grew by 2.4%, while that of
private businessmen declined by 22.5%. In 2006, 1,364 legal entities
and 23,010 private businessmen were liquidated. The legal entities
registered in 2006 made investments of 15 bln 882.6 mln drams (about
37.4 mln USD).

705.79 mln drams was invested in 137 enterprises founded by foreign
legal entities and citizens, 343.25 mln drams was invested in 128
joint ventures.