ASHOT GHULIAN: “BRYZA AND GHUKASIAN WILL MEET ONE OF THESE DAYS”
By Ruzanna Khachatrian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Nov 22 2006
The Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Speaker announced in Yerevan on Tuesday
that Nagorno-Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasian, who is currently
visiting the United States, will meet with U.S. cochairman of the
OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza one of these days.
“As far as I am informed, it is planned that one of these days
U.S. cochairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza will have a
meeting with Arkady Ghukasian, who is currently on a visit to the
United States,” Ashot Ghulian told reporters.
OSCE Minsk Group cochairmen from Russia and France, Yuri Merzlyakov
and Bernard Fassier, met President Robert Kocharian and Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian in Yerevan today. The Armenian president’s
press service reported that the sides discussed “issues connected
with the current stage of the Karabakh settlement process and the
possible meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the
sidelines of the upcoming CIS summit in Minsk.”
Merzlyakov and Fassier left for Baku later today.

RESOLUTION RELATING TO STABILITY PACT IN SOUTH CAUCASUS APPROVED AT PACE STANDING COMMITTEE’S NOVEMBER 17 SITTING
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. “I am sure that CIS in general needs
reforms for corresponding to today’s problems and challenges and,
in particular, the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly,” RA NA Speaker
Tigran Torosian declared at the November 21 press conference.
He presented some details about the plenary session of CIS
Interparliamentary Assembly (CIS IPA) held on November 16 in Saint
Petersburg and about the work of PACE Standing Committee sitting
convened on November 17 in San Marino.
In T.Torosian’s words, about a dozen of model laws were adopted at
the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly session. It was mentioned that a
meeting of the Caucasian Four, parliament chairmen of RF, Armenia,
Georgia and Azerbaijan also took place in Saint Petersburg, during
which a number of issues regarding the region were discussed.
According to the preliminary agreement, the next meeting by the same
format will take place in 2007 in Tbilisi.
The report of Romanian MP Adrian Severin relating to the Stability Pact
in the South Caucasus was discussed at the PACE Standing Committee’s
sitting held on November 17 in San Marino with participation of heads
of the Assembly and the national delegations.
A resolution and a package of proposals addressed to CE Ministers’
Committee were adopted on the basis of the latter. The adopted
resolution, in particular, registers that for the present, the South
Caucasian states have no visible prospects of joining EU and it is
proposed creating “a small EU model,” finding verges of conciliation
among the countries and building the relations proceeding from this
common goal.
However, as T.Torosian said, a serious work should be done for
putting into practice the registered idea, especially as “in fact,
Azerbaijan is categorically against this idea and Georgia has
some reservations.” In T.Torosian’s words, though it was mentioned
during the discussions that it will be difficult to achieve this
goal, nevertheless this is “an important step in the respect that
European structures more and more precisely form the main principles
the South Caucasian countries should provide on the way to European
integration.” As NA Speaker is affirmed, it will be logical if the
European structures present the respective questions to the countries
having deviated from these principles in the future.

RA PRESIDENT TO BE ON STATE VISIT TO CYPRUS ON NOVEMBER 22-25 ATTENTION, MATERIAL ADDED
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian will
be on a state visit in Cyprus on November 22-25 by the invitation of
Tassos Papadopoulos, the President of the Republic of Cyprus.
The main goal of the visit is to strengthen the interstate ties,
plan primary tasks and directions of the Armenian-Cypriot economic
cooperation, exchange opinions concerning political problems
interesting for one another as well as to give new quality and content
to the two peoples’ traditional friendship through stimulating mutual
cooperation.
A private conversation of the Presidents of Armenia and Cyprus will
take place within the framework of the state visit. The two countries’
heads will participate in the Armenian-Cypriot negotiations in
enlarged staff.
According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, R.Kocharian will have meetings in Cyprus
with Demetris Christofias, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
All Cyprus Archbishop Chrisostomos II and Nicosia Mayor.
The RA President will visit the Nicosia Saint Virgin church,
will lay flowers to the monument to Armenian Genocide victims,
will have a meeting with members of the diocesan and administrative
council of the Armenian community of Cyprus. At the “Narek” Armenian
Academy R.Kocharian will be present at a short ceremony with pupils’
participation.
The delegation headed by the RA President will visit Larnaca as well
where it will take part in the ceremony of putting the foundation stone
of the monument dedicated to the Armenian Genocide victims’ memory.
REFERENCE: Cyprus recognized Armenia’s independence in December 1991.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established
in March 1992.
Armenia appreciates the current level of the Armenian-Cyprian relations
and intends to deepen the bilateral cooperation.
>>From the viewpoint of ensuring the continuity of the political dialog
between the two countries and encouraging the economic relations,
the current state visit of President Robert Kocharian is of special
significance, as this is the first presidential visit in the mutial
relations of Armenia and Cyprus.
Armenia and Cyprus have not only historical similiarities connected
with the past, but also a similar vision of the future – to integrate
fully into the European family. In this respect the European
Neighborhood Policy opens new prospects of cooperation, and Armenia
expects Cyprus to provide effective assistance during the cooperation
under this program.
Our country is also interested in developing the trade and economic
relations with Cyprus. Cyprus is an international banking and business
center. 30 foreign banks and more than a thousand foreign companies
operate in this country. It has also become an importance center of
navigation and its navy currently ranks sixth in the world.
Over 30 thousand offshore companies operate in Cyprus. The country’s
tourism is developing rapidly, becoming the main source of foreign
currency inflow. Today tourism provides about 76.2% of the country’s
GDP, employing about 69% of the working population of Cyprus. About
2.5 million tourists visit Cyprus every year.
The Cyprian government encourages the creation of the high technologies
industry by establishing research and technological development
centers in the country.
There is favorable legal field for developing the economic cooperation
between Armenia and Cyprus. Given the large experience of Cyprian
companies in tourism and services, as well as the investment
opportunities of the Cyprian side, the Armenian side attaches
importance to development of the cooperation with Cyprus in torism,
services, and the banking sector.
Holding business forums and establishing a mutuallly beneficial
cooperation among chambers of commerce and industry and development
agencies may become an important component in developing the trade
and economic relations and increasing the trade turnover.
Armenia also attaches special importance to the development of
interparliamentary links, which will be of great use for further
strengthening of the relations between the two countries.
As a result of the parliamentary elections in Cyprus on May 21,
2006, two Armenians were elected, one of them – as a full member,
another as representative of the Armenian community. Mario Karoyan
was elected from the Democratic Party: it was for the first time that
an Armenian was elected a full member of the Cyprian parliament.
During a regular congress of Cyprus’ ruling party Diko (Democratic
Party) in October 2006, Mario Karoyan was elected as the new Chairman
of the Diko Party.
Vardges Mahtesian represents the Cyprian Armenian community in the
parliament. He was elected in the community elections.
In 1982 the Cyprian parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide.
Thanks to the mediation of the Cyprus-Armenia Friendship Group, the
Cyprian government made a decision to build a monument to Armenian
emigrants in Larnaca – in the city’s part near the sea where some
Armenian emigrants first appeared in 1915.

LERNAROT VILLAGE SCHOOL TO BE FUNDAMENTALLY RESTORED BY CO-FINANCING OF “HAYASTAN” ALL-ARMENIAN FUND LOCAL BODIES OF GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The program of fundamental
restoration of the Lernarot village school, marz of Aragatsotn, will be
implemented by co-financing of the “Hayastan” (Armenia) All-Armenian
Fund local bodies of Germany and Switzerland. As the Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by the Public Relations Department of the
fund, the school built in 1972 needs immediate restoration.
70 pupil study at present at the Lernarot school, but 180 pupil can
study there after the fundamental restoration. Besides the fundamental
restoration, it is envisaged to build a boiler-house as well for
the school.
It was also mentioned that the fundamental restoration program of the
school is still at the projecting stage, and the construction works
will start in 2007.

UNITED JAVAKHK CONDEMNS PASSIVE POSTURE OF ARMENIAN MEDIA IN ISSUE OF COVERING POLITICAL PROBLEMS IN JAVAKHK
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
AKHALKALAK, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The “United
Javakhk” democratic alliance condemns the passive and scared posture of
Armenian mass media in the issue of covering the political problems
preceeding in Javakhk. This is said in the November 20 statement
spread by the alliance. The statement authors demand “to display civil
resoluteness, throw down the timidity unworthy for a journalist and
display boldness in the sphere of informing the society about the
struggle for the rights of Armenians of Javakhk and securing Armenians
of the region.”
The demonstration of protest of the Armenians of Javakhk at the RA
Bavra border post on November 20 was actively covered by Georgian and
Russian TV companies, and “United Javakhk” characterized absence of
Armenian TV companies and other media as “an exclusive, unpardonable
and intolerable disgrace.”
The “United Javakhk” democratic alliance also informs that today
at the Armenian-Georgian interstate border “about 100-person police
detachment of special meaning armed with self-firings is placed at
the Georgian authories’ command to implement demonstrative control of
the demonstration participants.” The alliance condemns the Georgian
authorities’ “policy having no prospects to frighten the Armenians
of Javakhk with the means of threat of using fire-arms and mass
prosecutions and forewarn of possible negative consequences,” is said
in the statement.

MORE PEOPLE LEAVE KARABAKH THAN ARRIVE
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
We have learned from the NKR National Statistics Service that 1578
children were born in Karabakh in the first three quarters of 2006,
which has increased by 53 or 3.5 percent compared with the first
three quarters of 2005. The death rate was 933 and has decreased by
44 or 4.5 percent. The rate of the natural growth of the population
totaled 645, and has increased by 17.7 percent or 97 compared with
the same period in 2005.
653 people were officially reported to arrive in Karabakh and 899
people to leave it. The rate of mechanical decline totaled 246. By the
way, over the past few years this is the first time when mechanical
decline is reported.
In the first three quarters of 2006 124 families with 444 members
of family, including 197 children moved from Armenia and other CIS
countries to NKR.
The rate of marriage totaled 594, which has increased by 8.4 percent
compared with the first three quarters of 2005, whereas the rate of
divorce was 89, declining by 7.3 percent. The ratio of marriage to
divorce was 100 to 15.

ON WHICH LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT DID CONFUSION OCCUR?
James Hakobyan
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
The ruling party in Armenia is an amazing thing. One of its leaders
is fond of accusing journalists of making “analyses when they are
not sober”, meanwhile the government, which includes this leader too,
decides to promote production of vodka in Armenia. However, besides
this controversy, there is another one. The head of state encourages a
healthy life, whereas the government, which is allegedly implementing
the pre-election program of this president, spurs the production of
alcohol. Although, on the other hand, there is nothing surprising
about the decisions of the government of a country where a sportsman
advertises vodka.
It is surprising that the government, for instance, does not care
about the fact that the industry in Armenia declined in 2006. This
gives rise to an absurd situation. The government states that its
goal is to boost exports. They are announcing that the government
makes sufficient efforts to encourage local industries. Instead,
however, production and exports are declining. Hence, either it is
not true or the government does not perceive the difference between
export and import. The second option is quite possible considering
the bad command of Armenian of our officials. And since these words
sound rather similar, in other words, the difference is not big,
the members of government simply mixed these words, and thought they
wanted to promote exports, they accidentally promoted imports.
The way out could be a test for the members of government. This can
be done without interrupting work. For instance, the prime minister
may suddenly say to a minister during a meeting of the government,
like a teacher in class, for instance, “Mr. Abrahamyan, export this
document from the hall of the meetings of the government, please,”
or “Mr. Manukyan, import these customs data to your folder.”
In this case, however, the question occurs who should test the prime
minister. President Robert Kocharyan could do but first someone else
should test him to find out on which level of the Armenian government
the terms “export” and “import” are confused that results in the
decline of production.
Although it is also possible that the decision on promoting the
production of vodka will settle all the problems, and the industries
will start growing again. Simply the producers have not managed to
replace the assembly line for the production of alcohol. And since
all the factories undertook transition simultaneously, production
was brought to a halt, and the rate of production and exports declined.

ARA ABRAHAMYAN WON’T MAKE HOVANES BAGHRAMYAN
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
The head of the Society of Political Scientists Hmayak Hovanisyan gave
a sincere but tough evaluation of the leader of the World Congress
of Armenians, the Union of the Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan
November 21. He asked at the Pastark Club why the Armenians were not
attacked in Russia when Hovanes Baghramyan represented the Armenians in
Russia, whereas now when Ara Abrahamyan is representing the Armenians,
accidents occur regularly.
“Today the nation is represented by Ara Abrahamyan, an oligarch.
Meanwhile, the skinheads, the Russian nationalists protest against
the oligarchs who have given rise to such a social polarization in
Russia, which is strange to the traditions in Russia where equality
within community has always been upheld,” Hmayak Hovanisyan says. He
advised Ara Abrahamyan “to go to Russia instead of making stupid
speaches in Armenia and explain to the mayor of the city of Kondopoga,
for instance, that the cross is a Christian value.”
Hmayak Hovanisyan referred to an article in the Russian media, the
Komsomolskaya Pravda published in 12 million copies where the mayor
of Kondopoga where ethnic clashes took place several weeks ago asks
the reporter why “they punish for the expression “kill crusaders” but
the persons who shout “kill the Russians” get away with it.” Hmayak
Hovanisyan says most Russians may be thinking that the Armenians
are Muslim.
“Instead of making speeches here with all the TV channels covering his
stupid speeches, he had better explain to the mayor of Kondopoga and
thousands of other people in Russia, as well as the editorial board
and the editor-in-chief of the Komsomolskaya Pravda that the cross
is a Christian symbol, which is holy for both the Armenians and the
Russians,” Hmayak Hovanisyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHY DO THEY REMEMBER HMAYAK AND FORGET ABOUT SERGE?
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
Member of Parliament Hmayak Hovanisyan voiced indignation November
21 about the statement on Shant Channel that he defected from one
party to another for several times in his political career. Hmayak
Hovanisyan stated that he was beside the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Dashnaktsutyun in 1990 and supported the reestablishment
of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun in Armenia because he believed that “a
leftist alternative to the liberal All-Armenian Movement was necessary
because the Communist Party was paralized.” After Dashnaktsutyun
Hmayan Hovanisyan was not member of any party and only in 1998 he
set up the People’s Party of Armenia with Karen Demirchyan. After
the People’s Party he did not enter any other political party.
The member of parliament was surprised why Shant forgot about
Serge Sargsyan’s passages from one party to another and remembered
about Hmayak Hovanisyan. “He was a member of the Communist Party,
assistant secretary of the regional committee, in other words, he
was a nomenclature figure. Then he became member of the All-Armenian
Movement, a liberal figure. After the Communist Party he became a
member of the rightist, liberal All-Armenian Movement. Then he became
a Nejdehian, i.e. anti-Christian. From atheism to Christianity,
liberalism, from Christianity to anti-Christianity. So, you forget
about Serge Sargsyan, and stick to Hmayak Hovanisyan,” says the member
of parliament.

ALLIANCES BY HMAYAK
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
The leader of the Society of Political Scientists Hmayak Hovanisyan
presented November 21 at the Pastark club the possible ideological
alliances in the opposition, which are essential to the political
success of the parliamentary election in 2007 against the non-political
plans of the government.
As a possible alliance, Hmayak Hovanisyan pointed to the partnership
of Arthur Baghdasaryan, Raffi Hovanisyan and Vazgen Manukyan. Hmayak
gave a conventional title to it – Euro-Atlantic Alliance. The other
alliance envisaged by Hmayak Hovanisyan is conventionally entitled
Angloamerican or Atlantic. According to the leader of the Society
of Political Scientists, it would include the All-Armenian Movement,
the Alternative, Hovanes Hovanisyan and Aram Zaveni Sargsyan.
In the alliance of the pro-CIS forces, the supporters of an integrated
post-Soviet economic space, a ruble zone he includes Stepan Demirchyan,
Artashes Geghamyan, the Constitutional Right Union. Hmayak Hovanisyan
refers to Samvel Babayan as the nationalist pole. According to
Hmayak Hovanisyan, time will show who will join him. The political
scientist says as far as he can see, Sambel Babayan will run in
the election alone. And Hmayak considers him as a nationalist pole
because he thinks that Babayan is for settling the Karabakh issue by
the smallest possible compromise. At the same time, he relies on the
support of Europe.
“France, Russia, Iran. There are shared interests. In other words,
an alliance of supporters of the Indoeuropean civilizations may emerge.
I think he will go alone, but life will show who will join him,”
Hmayak Hovanisyan says.
According to Hmayak Hovanisyan, Aram Karapetyan can represent the
absolutely pro-Russian pole. He thinks life will show who his possible
allies will be. Hmayak Hovanisyan believes that if pro-geopolitical
alliances emerge, the international community will grow more interested
in holding a fair election in Armenia.