INITIATIVE GROUP FROM CALIFORNIA PROTESTS AGAINST CONVICTION OF EDITOR OF ‘ZHAMANAK LOS-ANGELES’ NEWSPAPER
AZG Armenian Daily
22/11/2006
The California based initiative group protests against conviction of
the editor of “Zhamanak Los Angeles” newspaper, Arman Babajanian. It’s
worth mentioning that Babajanian is convicted by the Armenian court.
The first instance court has sentenced Babajanian to 4 years in
imprisonment for “draft dodging” in October 2006.
The statement of the initiative group reminded that A. Babajanian was
convinced, according to the formulation of judges, for “violation of
RA Law on Compulsory Military Service” and under the Article 327 of
RA Criminal Code. Moreover, the document states that the sentence,
passed on Babajanian, cannot take force, since the Law envisages a
fine, while the RA CC – imprisonment. The document authors call to
change the restraint to Babajanian for a fine, “taking into account
that Arman Babajanian is a worthy son of his Motherland”.

RALLY PARTICIPANTS WANT TO “CLEAN” THE COUNTRY
A1+
[03:59 pm] 21 November, 2006
Today the residents of North Avenue, Buzand Street, the owners of
Dalma gardens and the representatives of various parties organised
a rally of protest opposite the President’s residence.
“A broom was swinging” beside Robert Kocharyan’s residence. Mrs. Klara
claimed that the broom “had been brought to clean the country”.
“Kocharyan, go away!” shouted over 100 citizens opposite the
president’s residence. Some of them had posters with the following
words, “Civil Disobedience”.
The rally participants divided into two groups; one group assembled
at the entrance of “Baghramian” metro station, the other – opposite
the president’s residence.
“Are they afraid of women?”, wondered Susanna Haroutyunuyan, member of
“Armenian Women” Council.
Former resident of North Avenue Gohar Asatryan was indignant at the
news that Robert Kocharyan wants Serge Sargsyan to be appointed in
his post. People want neither Robert Kocharyan nor Serge Sargsyan as
their president. “People don’t want to be ruled by robbers”.
Alongside with other claimed, the rally participants demanded the
authorities to vote down the bill on “Alienantion of Property for
State and Public Needs”.
Ruzanna Ohanyan, one of the residents of North Avenue says that this
is an appalling bill which will deprive her children of the right to
property in the future.
“My children still want to live in Armenia. They don’t want to abandon
Armenia and they want their property to be protected by law”.
By the way, today the police forces could keep the strikers away from
the president’s residence.
Hardly had the strikers gone away, when the gates opened and the OSCE
Minsk Group delegation entered the residence.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PEACE RESOLUTION ADOPTED
A1+
[06:00 pm] 21 November, 2006
Tigran Torosyan, RA NA Speaker, participated in the session of the
CIS Parliamentary Summit held in Saint Petersburg. Mr. Torosyan was
astonished at the haste of decision making. On the whole, the work
speed and the limited range of questions seemed strange to the speaker
of the National Assembly of Tigran Torosyan, who participated in the
meeting for the first time.
Ten laws were passed during the summit. Besides, the summit
participants celebrated the heads of the CIS member countries in
connection with the fifteenth anniversary of CIS.
Tigran Sargsyan later participated in the session of the PACE Standing
Committee. During the meeting a resolution on stability in the South
Caucasus was adopted.
According to the RA NA Speaker, there is a precedent of such a
resolution on the Balkan states. The resolution only sets down the
idea; a country does not assume any obligation. “To help countries
find common points on the shared purpose of membership to the EU
and set up relations on the basis of this shared purpose. For this
purpose, the countries are ready to improve their relations and make a
compromise to achieve the results that would enable implementing this
purpose.” Nevertheless, the resolution states that the countries of
the South Caucasus do not have prospects to enter the EU soon and,
therefore, it is proposed to create in the South Caucasus “a smaller
model of the EU and place it in the core of relations with these
countries.”
Tigran Torosyan considers the resolution important because the
European organizations are clearly defining their stipulations for
the countries on the track for European integration. “However, the
resolution is only a small part of the work. The resolutions need to
be implemented, for only in this way we can be hopeful that the goals
set in the resolution will be reached. There is still much more to do.”
There is no reference to inadmissibility of militaristic announcements
and rearmament.
The resolution is an attempt to create a small model of the EU where
the countries will have the same objectives and will co-operate in
this respect with the EU criteria.
Georgia had certain reservation in connection with the resolution and
Azerbaijan was against suchlike model of co-operation. Nevertheless,
the resolution was finally adopted. Provided the resolution works,
it will ensure peace and stability in the region.
Today Tigran Torosyan also spoke of his forthcoming visit to
Moscow. The Armenian and Russian parties will discuss the issues of
cooperation activization between the two countries’ parliaments. A
photo exhibition will also be held in the RA State Duma in connection
with the fifteenth anniversary of the Armenian independence.

ONLY 15 PERCENT TRUST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A1+
[07:52 pm] 21 November, 2006
“Data Collecting Initiative” held polling in Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia in 2006. Over 120 participants were asked the same questions.
The survey was aimed at revealing the attitude and stance of the
residents of the three countries to the current reality.
A number of serious issues were aroused by “Data collecting
Initiative”. Why the number of male smokers is higher in Armenia
compared with the other countries of the region? It is noteworthy
that their number has recently lessened. Regardless of this fact,
currently it is higher than the indexes of Baku and Tbilisi.
Another important concern of the initiative was the following, “How
can you account for the people’s indifference and unawareness towards
the integration of their country into the NATO both in Armenia and
in Azerbaijan?”
Most of the participants (41 percent in Armenia and 35 percent in
Baku)couldn’t answer this question defineitly as they didn’t know
whether the membership to the NATO was necessary or not for their
country.
It was also found out that only 15 percent of Armenians trust the
National Assembly.

TOROSYAN SAYS NOT ONLY HHK VOTES INSTEAD OF FRIENDS
Panorama.am
15:20 21/11/06
Speaking about the recent voting on alienation of property for public
and state needs, Torosyan reiterated that there were not enough
deputies in the hall to adopt the bill. Explaining why he cancelled
the voting, Torosyan said he has followed the regulations. “It will
be so as long as I am heading the sessions,” he said.
Speaking about the talks that mainly republicans vote instead of their
friends, Torosyan said there are more deputies from the Republican
Party (HHK), that is why their acts are more visible.

PLENARY SESSION OF BSEC PA GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMENCED IN BAKU
Author: S.Agayeva
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
“The Black Sea Economic Co-operation Parliamentary Assembly (BSEC
PA) may play a significant role in the restoration of peace and
stability in the region,” the letter from the Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev read and was forwarded to the participants of the 28th
Plenary Meeting of the BSEC PA General Assembly which opened in the
capital of Azerbaijan on 22 November.
The letter stated that the role of regional co-operation in ensuring
peace and stability is gradually increasing in the contemporary
world. From this point of view, the President of Azerbaijan
attaches great importance to the strengthening of the bilateral
and multilateral co-operation within the framework of BSEC PA. The
transnational projects have assisted in developing the organization,
Ilham Aliyev wrote.
The letter mentioned that the conflicts which exist in the region,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, are preventing the region to
prosper. The State Head voiced his confidence in the letter that the
political dialogues held within BSEC PA may assist in developing and
strengthening the peace and stability in the region.
The meeting of the BSEC PA General Assembly is presided by the Speaker
of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Oktay Asadov. On the first day of the
General Assembly, the working organizations of the Assembly, the Bureau
and the Permanent Committee, met to discuss the organizational issues
and consider the activities of the BSEC in the second half of 2006.
Opening the meeting, Oktay Asadov highlighted the great importance
of the organization in strengthening the co-operation amongst the
countries of the region. However, he regretfully emphasized the
negative role of the conflict situation existing in the region, and
voiced his confidence that they would be settled within international
principles.
The key topic of the discussions will be “Ways of increasing the
efficiency of the activities of the BSEC”. The Assembly will organize
debates on the report and recommendations prepared by the Special
Committee of the BSEC PA at the time of the autumn meeting. The report
“Alternative energy sources and their possible application in the Black
Sea region” will be delivered by Bulent Tanl (Turkey), on behalf of
the BSEC Committee for Economy, Trade, Technology & Ecology. Mircha
Chopraga (Romania) will deliver the report “Strengthening legislative
base on protection of the intellectual property” on behalf of the
Committee for Law and Policy. The report of the BSEC Committee
for Culture, Education & Social Affairs “Globalization process and
potential threats for the cultural diversity” will be delivered by
Olga Seliverstova (Russia).
Thereafter, the Assembly will confirm the recommendations on these
issues. In addition, the members of the Assembly will witness the
report regarding the activities of the Parliamentary Assembly and
will elect the Deputy Chairman of the BSEC PA.
At the conclusion of the Baku session, the Chairman of the Bulgarian
Popular Assembly, Georgi Pirinski, will accept the Chairmanship to
the BSEC PA until June 2007. The Next Assembly General will take
place in Sofia in June 2007.
The Baku session brings together the parliamentary delegations from
BSEC member-countries, Secretary General of the BSEC Permanent
International Secretariat and other BSEC organizations such as
International Center for Black Sea Researches and Network of
the Black Sea Universities. The observers and guests will be the
representatives of the National Assembly and Senate of France, Knesset
of Israel, European Commission, European Parliament, Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe, Belarusian National Assembly, CIS
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Parliamentary Assembly of Bulgaria and
Russia, Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Eurasian Economic Committee
and Parliamentary Union of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
member-countries.
Armenia is not represented in the meeting.
Created in 1993, the Assembly brings together the representatives of
the parliaments from 12 BSEC member-countries – Albania, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldavia, Romania, Russia,
Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. The Popular Assembly of Egypt, French
Parliament, German Bundestag, Israeli Knesset, National Council of
Slovakia and National Assembly of Belarus have the status of observer
in the BSEC PA.

POLITICIAN ANGRY AT THE VISIT OF RUSSIAN TATU
Panorama.am
16:00 21/11/06
Hmaiak Hovhanisyan, independent deputy of parliament, told a press
conference today that an anti-political situation is created in
the country saying parties are busy with benevolence or take up
the functions of social ministry, ministry of agriculture or water
services. He even said some parties act as producers for bands.
The deputy was also angry that Russian famous “Tatu” is invited to
sports complex hall to stage a concert.
Famous for their lesbian motives, “Tatu” has raised the discontent
of the politician. Hovhanisyan also said when they asked an Armenian
Republican Party (HHK) member why they invited the lesbians to Yerevan,
he answered, “We invited to show our people what they should not be
like.” Hovhanisyan said that “Tatu” was invited to university just
like Vladimir Putin but the group refused to go because of tough
schedule. “Should we laugh or cry?” the politician asks. “Most
probably, cry,” he says.

ARMENIA: WHEAT HARVEST DECREASED BY 47.2%
Agrimarket Consulting, Ukraine
Nov 22 2006
The volume of wheat production in Armenia will decrease by 47.2% –
as compared to 2005, and will make up 210.000 tonnes against 397.000
tonnes in 2005.
According to Garnik Petrosyan, Head of the Plant Department of Ministry
of Agriculture of Armenia, wheat harvest totaled 208.000 tonnes by 1
November, 2006. Also, Petrosyan informed that the reason of volume
decrease is draught. The annual demand for the product in Armenia
makes up 500.000 tonnes. Russia and USA are the main exporters of
wheat to Armenia.
Till 25, November Commodity Credit Corporation of USA (CCC) is
dispatching 28.3 th t of wheat for South Caucasian states. Georgia
will get 15 ths t (214.94 USD/1t), Azerbaijan – 10.8 ths t, Azerbaijan
(214.94/1t), Armenia – 2.5 th t (210.16 USD/1t). CCC has been set
up to support agriculture producers providing loans and financing
for purchase.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN WAS ONCE AN OPPOSITION REPRESENTATIVE
A1+
[04:46 pm] 21 November, 2006
Today Tigran Sargsyan, head of the Central Bank, recalled a few
episodes from 1993 when the Armenian currency-the dram, was introduced.
“At that time I was an Opposition representative and was the head
of Financial-Budgeting Committee of the Supreme Council. It was the
coldest and the hardest year in the history of Armenia. The authorities
gave us the Reception hall of the RA Government but there was no light.
We turned to Levon Ter-Petrosyan and soon were moved to the president’s
residence. Both Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Interior Minister Vano
Siradeghyan rendered us great assistance”, remembers Mr. Sargsyan.
Today Tigran Sargsyan was among the guests of “Urbat” club who were
to comment on the thirteen years of the dram introduction.
Isahak Isahakyan, former director of CB and Levon Barkhudaryan,
ex minister of Finance were also invited to the club.
The inflation obvious in the first stage of the dram introduction was
determined by a number of objective reasons in the guests’ words. “The
external reserves of the country were vacant. The Government had
700 thousand USD 500 thousand of which they gave to us”, recalls
Mr. Sargsyan.
Isahak Isahakyan underlined the fact that “Russia lulled Armenia by
saying that we should soon enter the ruble zone. But soon Armenia
realised that there was no point in trusting Russia”.
At the end of the discussion the guests recalled the time when Armenia
became independent and the first struggle for freedom.

REPORT RE AZERBAIJAN IN NATO PA SECURITY AND DEFENSE COMMITTEE INCLUDED COUNTERACTION FROM ARMENIAN SIDE – AZERI VICE SPEAKER
Author: E.Javadova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
During the autumn session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the
report, regarding Azerbaijan in the Security and Defense Committee,
included counteraction from the Armenian side, the Vice Speaker
of Milli Majlis [Azerbaijani Parliament], Head of the Azerbaijani
delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Ziyafet Askerov,
briefed the media, Trend reports.
“Issues such as the interaction of the South Caucasus countries
(Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia) with NATO, social, political
and economical situation in these countries and other topics were
presented to the discussions at the NATO 52nd autumn session. The
key issue for us was the territorial integrity and sovereignty of
Azerbaijan. We amended the report twice, and the 3rd report differed
somewhat from the previous reports. Therefore, we agreed to present
the report to the discussion. However, we expressed our proposals and
remarks regarding the report. The report reflected a number of issues
linked with Azerbaijan, especially counteraction from the Armenian
side and the exact figures of the occupied Azerbaijani territories
and refugees and internally displaced persons,” Askerov stated.
According to Askerov, the Armenians were angry when Azerbaijan
submitted the documents confirming that the Armenians arrived in
Nagorno-Karabakh 150 years ago and to confirm this fact we also
presented photographs of monuments erected in Nagorno-Karabakh. “I
consider that the documents submitted by ourselves played a significant
part and as a result the relevant document was adopted.
It is the first document adopted within NATO Parliamentary Assembly
and Security and Defense Committee. In future, we will try to adopt
the Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly,” Askerov stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress