HENRY CUNY SAYS ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT EXAMINATIONS IN ARMENIA
Panorama.am
17:39 24/10/06
Asked if France supports Arthur Baghdasaryan, French Ambassador to
Armenia Henry Cuny said he has reportedly said that France does not
interfere into the internal issues of any country. He admits that
Arthur Baghdasaryan is a good friend of France but said French people
are not going to vote in Armenia.
Henry Cuny wishes that the elections in Armenia be free and fair. “It
is an important examination for Armenia and we will be watchful to
elections,” the ambassador stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEFENCE OF HUMAN DIGNITY AND SECURITY
Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Valentin Varennikov, the Chairman
of the International League for Defence of Human Dignity and Security
presented His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians the activity and programs of the International
League for Defence of Human Dignity and Security. Noyan Tapan was
informed about it by the Information Services of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin. Receiving on October 24 the delegation headed by
Valentin Varennikov, a RF State Duma deputy, the Chairman of the
International League for Defence of Human Dignity and Security, Army
General, accompanied by Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan, the eparchic vicar
of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese, and RA Prime Minister’s Advisor
Fadei Sargsian, His Holiness Patriarch expressed confidence that the
Armenian Apostolic Surb Church will also support the national league
in its activity. His Holiness welcame the delegation’s visit to the
Mother See, congratulating upon the foundation of the National League
for Defence of Human Dignity and Security in Armenia. “We are glad
that today the number of our co-thinkers adds who are also anxious
about challenges of the present life, challenges that upmost endanger
spiritual and moral values in the human life by which a person’s
happiness, peaceful and honourable life are in reality provided,”
His Holiness Patriarch mentioned wishing kind results to the mission
of the international and national leagues.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN: “BUILDING OF TWO STATES, YEREVAN AND MARZES, CONTINUED IN ARMENIA”
Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. “Mass absence of jobs, triumphal
march of criminal, increase of volumes of boorishness in the country,
attack of privation and poverty upon population and numerous other sad
realities. And when we compare all these with the two-digit economic
increase that is continuously being drummed, we see that they do not
relate to one another,” Artur Baghdasarian, the former Parliament
Speaker, the leader of the “Orinats Yerkir” (Country of Law) party
stated at the October 24 sitting of the RA National Assembly. He
also mentioned that his co-partisan deputies having had meetings in
about 50 settlements of the republic during the last 2 months came to
the conclusion that building of two states, Yerevan and the marzes,
is continued in Armenia as unlike “the political bustle existing
in Yerevan,” “difficult, sad social-economic situation” exists in
the marzes.

OYP AND RPA REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT MUTUAL REPROACHES TO EACH OTHER AT TIME OF NA STATEMENTS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. “I address to Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian who privatized dozens of thousands of square meters for
pennyworth only in Yerevan, registered thousands of hectares of
lands in his and his intimate people’s names in different marzes, to
Defence Minister Serge Sargsian which is famous for his participation
in numerous shady contracts, his famous habit to lose millions in
casinos, his shady control of patrol, diesel and other spheres. Stop
“black” propaganda towards the OYP, stop the unhealthy and obscene
political action way with the help of executers of your instructions,”
Heghine Bisharian, the Secretary of the “Orinats Yerkir” (Country
of Law) party stated at the October 24 sitting of the RA National
Assembly. Condemning similar action way on behalf of the party,
she called on “honest political struggle and competition but not
struggling with unworthy methods of striking in the back.” Responding
this statement, Republican deputy Hamlet Haroutiunian, particularly,
mentioned that one may be opposing but must never “be ungrateful,” and
display aversion for colleagues in such inadmissible doses. He also
stated that OYP leader Artur Baghdasarian did not make such a speech
himself “as everybody knows what role S.Sargsian had in the affair
of A.Baghdasarian’s formation as a politician.” Every representative
of the OYP and RPA making speech among about 3 dozens of deputies
registered for statements partially or completely dedicated his
statement to criticism of the opposite side.

ARMEN BAYBURDIAN AND AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN DISCUSS POSSIBILITIES OF ACTIVIZING INVESTMENTS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Hans Gunnar Aden, the Ambassador
of Sweden (residence in Stockholm) gave on October 23 copies of his
credentials to Armen Bayburdian, the RA Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press
and Information Department, welcoming the Ambassador, A.Bayburdian
wished success to the newly appointed Ambassador in the affair of
implementation of the most important mission. During the meeting the
sides touched upon Armenia’s participation in the EU New Neighbourhood
Policy, the present level of the Armenian-Swedish relations as well
as the two countries’ participation in international structures. The
interlocuters discussed already existing contacts of Armenian-Swedish
businessmen and possibilities of activization of investments.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS CONTINUE DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO ELECTION CODE
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 24 2006
Armenian parliamentarians continued discussing the draft amendments
to the RA Election Code in the first reading, Tuesday.
Presenting the document, a member of the Republic Party of Armenia
Samvel Nikoyan said that under the bill, the persons having no
citizenship of Armenia will be granted a right to vote in the course
of the elections to the local self-government. The bill says that
secret voting is not only the right but also the duty of a voter.
Electoral registers of servicemen must be prepared at responsible
bodies and not at military units. The bill also reduced the number
of electors at district electoral commissions to make the work of the
electoral commissions easier and more effective. In this connection,
the election commissions will rise in number by 25-30%. The bill
allows observers to control over the voting being next to members of
election commissions. In addition, ballot-papers are to be put into
envelops before their are put into ballot- boxes.
Samvel Nikoyan said some provisions of the bill were not welcomed
by international experts. Thus, the proposal by the National Unity
opposition party to recall the members of election commission if
necessary was criticized by international experts. They think the
given mechanism will make the members of election commissions dependant
on the political forces they were appointed by. They did not welcome
the party’s idea to install cameras at polling stations either. They
think it may exert pressure on voters and violate their right to vote.

LEAGUE FOR PROTECTION OF HUMAN DIGNITY AND SECURITY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ARMENIA
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 24 2006
Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Tigran Torosyan met with the delegation
headed by Russian State Duma member, Chairman of the International
League for Protection of Human Dignity and Security, General Valentine
Varennikov, Tuesday.
The press-service of the Armenian parliament told ArmInfo that in the
course of the meeting, General Varennikov informed the speaker that
the key goal of the visit is to establish an International League for
Protection of Human Dignity and Security in Armenia. He said the League
comprises 12 countries, another 20 countries will join it within the
nearest future. The League studies conflicts in different regions,
the possibilities of man-caused catastrophes, as well as prepares
projects on prevention and liquidation of aftermath of conflicts and
catastrophes. T. Torosyan supported the idea of establishment of the
League in Armenia and expressed readiness to contribute to it. At the
same time, he expressed regret that human dignity is often infringed
in the modern world.

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICANEWS RELEASE
1 AMERICAN AVENUE
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 464700
FAX (+374 10) 464742
E-MAIL: [email protected]
October 24, 2006
Yerevan State University Presents Armenian Translation of Public
Administration Book as Part of U.S. Government Program
On October 23, 2006 Yerevan State University (YSU) presented an Armenian
translation of Robert Denhardt´s “Theories of Public Administration” book,
as well as a CD of 1,500 pages of Armenian-language resources on Public
Administration. This was one of the results of a three-year Educational
Partnership Program between Arizona State University (ASU) and Yerevan State
University funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the
U.S. Department of State.
The program, entitled “Refashioning the Social Sciences and Practitioner
Training in Public Administration,” facilitated the development of an M.A.
degree program in Public Administration at YSU, encouraged professional
training and curricular reform through reciprocal semester visits of ASU and
YSU faculty in the social sciences and Public Administration, and enriched
the dynamic new program in Armenian studies at ASU. As part of the program,
nine YSU professors developed approximately 30 new courses in Public
Administration during their intensive study and collaboration at ASU. In
addition, ASU faculty members traveled to YSU to teach courses and work on
resource development with their local partners. At present, 20 students are
enrolled in the M.A. program in Public Administration, and they expect to
graduate in May of 2006. Emphasizing the success of the Arizona State
University-Yerevan State University partnership, YSU representatives stated
that they hoped to expand the program to the undergraduate level.

PRESS RELEASE
THE GREENS UNION OF ARMENIA
Dr. Hakob Sanasaryan, President
47-13, Mamikonyants st., 375051, Yerevan,
Republic of Armenia, Tel: (374-1) 281 411
Tel/fax: 257 634; E-mail: [email protected]
An Appeal to the Government of Armenia
October, 2006
The Greens Union of Armenia is appealing to the government of Armenia
not to interfere with the natural rise of the water level of Lake
Sevan.
We do not know when we will have another opportunity like this one:
due to meteorological and hydrologic conditions the water level has
risen by 2 meters during the last 5 years.
Since 1982, all the scientific studies have come to the same
conclusion that in order to preserve the water quality of the lake,
its fauna and its flora, the water level must rise by a minimum of 6
meters, thus reaching to the level of 1903.5 meters above sea level
(abs). Note that 1903.5 meters abs is still about 13 meters below the
lake’s original level of 1915.89 meters abs in the year 1930. At the
level of 1903.5 meters abs, additional studies must be carried out to
decide whether the lake needs a further rise in its water level in
order to recover its health and biodiversity . Therefore, all
construction is legally forbidden below the level of 1908.5 meters abs
in the watershed of Lake Sevan. (Although much has been constructed
below that level.) Similarly, the Law on Lake Sevan obligates the
government to take measures to insure that the lake’s level will rise
by 6 meters over a certain period of time.
Nevertheless, it has come to the attention of the Greens Union that
recently the government is taking steps in the direction of
interfering with the rise of the water level of Lake Sevan. For
example, the minutes of August 28, 2006 meeting with the President of
Armenia (HNA-16), indicate a clear attempt to change the existing law
regarding the rise of the lake’s water level, as well as a proposal to
lower the storm margin (wave height) from 5 meters down to 1 – 1.5
meters. According to the log of that meeting, all the changes are
proposed in order to preserve the existing structures and forests on
the shores of the lake, and also for the construction of a small port.
In addition, the log indicates that various ministries are directed to
perform their respective tasks in order to accomplish the changes in
the existing laws regarding Lake Sevan. Thus, the motives of the
government’s policy or rather, the causes of the government’s
mismanagement of the lake and its watershed basin have become clear.
For example, it is clear now why the Vorotan tunnel, which was
constructed during the hardest economic period for Armenia and which
was meant to replenish the water supply of the lake by routing water
from the River Vorotan, has not been put into operation at all, it’s
clear why there is no attempt to rehabilitate the very expensive
Arpa-Sevan tunnel (piercing 48 kilometers through a mountainous
terrain to supply water to the lake), and why there is no attempt to
clear the shores of the lake from trees, bushes and structures before
the rising water inundates them all. At the same time, certain
individuals are allowed to construct luxury homes and hotels right on
the beach, even destroying natural habitats, such as marsh areas where
the birds nest. All construction activities are forbidden by law
inside the Sevan National Park, which is a preserve, where all
disturbance of the wilderness is forbidden.
Another indication of the government’s true concerns became evident
during a conference/discussion at the National Academy of Sciences on
July 29th, 2005; the chairman and the main speaker of the conference
was the Minister of Nature Protection, Mr. Vartan Ayvazyan, and
persons expressing opposing views were not allowed to express their
views. During the speeches and discussions it was proposed that
something ought to be done to control the rise of the water level, and
studies need to be done in order to recommend a way or ways of slowing
the rise of the water level. Thus, Minister Ayvazyan declared: `The
rise of the level of the lake is happening faster than expected.
While it was anticipated to have the plan [the 6 meter rise]
implemented during a period of 30 years, given the current rate of
rise, the process will be over in 15 years. Therefore, just like the
drop of the lake was unmanageable, we do not wish that the rise be the
same way.’ (published in `Armenian World’, July 30, 2005).
Apparently, the government was planning for the water level to rise by
6 meters very slowly, during a period of some 30 years! (Note that
there is no scientific basis for the chosen number of 30 years.)
However, now, the water level of Lake Sevan is rising too fast for the
government; nature seems to be asserting itself, once again reminding
us of its might… We should humbly accept this gift of nature
replenishing our main reservoir of fresh water, since we are incapable
of predicting how nature will behave in the near future, where we may
discover that the water level once again is dropping…
(end)

Pyunik waltz to Armenian title
Monday, 23 October 2006
by Khachik Chakhoyan
from Yerevan
FC Pyunik coasted to a sixth consecutive Armenian
Premier League title in some style as an overwhelming
12-1 victory against FC Kilikia saw them build an
unassailable 14-point lead atop the table with three
matches remaining.
Blistering start
Samvel Petrosyan’s side went into the weekend’s
fixtures eleven points clear of FC Banants, and as
their nearest rivals were slipping to a 1-0 defeat by
FC MIKA, Pyunik underlined their dominance with an
overwhelming performance. Levon Pachajyan set the tone
as early as the second minute and by the quarter-hour
further strikes from Tigran Gharabaghtsyan, Armen
Tigranyan and Arsen Avetisyan had left the champions
four goals to the good.
Captain’s seal
Avetisyan went on to add another, while Gharabaghtsyan
completed his hat-trick as Kilikia struggled to stem
the flow. Rafael Nazaryan, Agvan Lazarian, Valeri
Aleksanyan and Artur Stepanyan also added their names
to the scoresheet before captain Sargis Hovsepyan made
it 12 with 15 minutes remaining. Kilikia pulled one
back late on but it failed to take the gloss off a
masterful performance as Pyunik claimed their ninth
title since Armenian independence in 1992. It secures
a place in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying
round.
uefa.com
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress