ARMENIAN PARTY EXTENDED ITS OBSERVATIONS TO IAC
Lragir.am
20 Oct 06
The Armenian side extended its observations connected with the
Imterstate Aviation Committee’s conclusion on the crash of the
Armenian A320. The press secretary of the Agency of Civil Aviation
informed Regnum that the Armenian experts scrutinized the conclusion
on the cause of the crash and extended the summary to the IAC. If
the IAC finds it expedient, the observations of the Armenian party
will be published.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STEPS THAT THREATEN SECURITY OF ARMENIA
Lragir.am
20 Oct 06
Following the developments of the past few weeks connected with
the Armenian government, one wonders what Tigran Torosyan, who is
part of the government, did to this government that they tenaciously
humiliate him. Quite unlikely to defend Tigran Torosyan, especially
that he surely has sufficient mental potential, as well as physical
potential considering his immense political party, to defend himself,
I am nevertheless worried about the post of the speaker of the National
Assembly, which has not been neglected to this degree over the past
15 years than over the past 15 or may be a few more days.
When Tigran Torosyan was not included in the orbit of Jacques Chirac’s
visit to Armenia, it seemed that they simply did not want to overload
the speaker of the National Assembly with international policies,
because there were a number of other internal problems in the National
Assembly, which require urgent solution. But when the Attorney General
arrested the Member of Parliament and despite the provision of the
Constitution, forgot to inform Tigran Torosyan, people started doubting
that they had forgotten about the speaker of the National Assembly
or they remembered, therefore they neglected. Certainly, this is not
the first time when the shortcoming of the Attorney General breaks
the Constitution of Armenia. The Constitution has been violated on
a higher level, and this is perceived as normal in the government
of Armenia. However, this violation stands out because if all the
former violations neglected the public and the rules of coexistence,
this particular violation neglected an entire government institution,
which has been called the National Assembly since 1995.
In fact, it is doubtful that it was done on purpose. Why should the
Attorney General, who is appointed by the head of state, neglect Tigran
Torosyan? Would the president forgive him, who rigorously prevents
every breaking of the Constitution? The answers to this questions
had not formed fully in the logic of the processes underway, when
another incident occurred. This time the judicial system neglected
the speaker of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan. And strange
though it may seem, the head of this system is again appointed by
the president of the Republic. In this case, it is already impossible
not to consider an intended action along with misunderstanding. And
the first question is whether by neglecting publicly the president
humilates the deputy leader of the Republican Party Tigran Torosyan
or the post of the speaker of the National Assembly. For the society,
the second is worrying because for the society the normal functioning
of the government in compliance with the law is prior to all. And
when the second post of the government, the legislative body, is
neglected publicly, it means the function of the neglecting body
is not fulfilled or is not fulfilled by the one who is entitled to
it, but someone else. This makes think about the problem of shade
governance, which threatens the national security when the top
government post is simply paralyzed and, despite the Constitution,
pushed out of the government system. The second question is why,
and the answer to this question can be found in the context of the
president – Republican Party relations. But if Robert Kocharyan and
the Republicans cannot build their relations in a way as not to harm
the government and the constitutional order, they had better set up
relations with the system of government rather than each other.
HAKOB BADALYAN

WHEN ELITE NEEDS PAPER
Lragir.am
20 Oct 06
The Armenian government has decided to make pro-active efforts to
develop an innovative economy. This perfectly fits into the economic
policy, which is written on paper and entitled the action plan of the
government of the Republic of Armenia. But we know that the ruling
elite of Armenia is not fond of papers, and remembers about them when
utter, we may even say, vital necessity occurs. Ostensibly, utter,
even vital necessity has occurred that the government, remembering
paper, started thinking about developing an innovative economy.
The ministry of trade and economic development is supposed to make
efforts in this direction. The minister is Republican. A major part
of our economy is in the hands of the Republicans, mostly the members
of the Council. And it is necessary to start building an innovative
economy together with these members. It means that their bakeries,
markets, wineries and canneries, poultry farms, trade centers,
restaurants, hotels, petrol and gas filling stations, fixed-route
minivans, taxi services, everything should be based on innovative
technologies.
Innovation is certainly good, and very few people in the world will
support the contrary opinion and rack their brains covered with a
socialist crust to say that it is possible to develop the country on
the basis of the Soviet industrial technology. But in this particular
case it is easier to understand the opinion of these few people than
those people who have decided to spur the development of an innovative
economy. Innovation makes companies more competitive on the world
market but it also requires great investments, spending a lot of
money. In the beginning this is inevitable because modern technologies
are an underlying and essential component of an innovative economy.
In other words, the Council of the Republican Party owning a
considerable part of the Armenian economy is facing the necessity of
technological modernization, of course, if it is likely to implement
or help implement the decision of the native government, the efforts
of which are laid on the shoulders of the Republican minister. There
is a big problem, however. The Republican minister perhaps knows and
the other ministers also know that they voted for the decision of
spurring an innovative economy. Robert Kocharyan, who chaired the
meeting of the government, knows this too. The burden of fostering
the development of an innovative economy is lying on the shoulder
of the Republican minister, whereas the burden of a “free, fair and
transparent” election is on the back of bearers of this economy.
They have to contribute to the slush funds, then spend money for
themselves, while the Bargavach Hayastan Party is distributing aid
and operating free of charge all the time. In other words, before
competition on the world market, the economy-loving members of the
Republican Council, who possess almost all the spheres of the Armenian
economy, have to think about competition for power.
Meanwhile, their decision to develop an innovative economy pushes
them into a dilemma. They have to invest their money in either “clean”
industrial technologies, or “dirty” pre-election technologies. On the
other hand, they realize that in reality they have no choice because
in Armenia industrial technology is null or becomes null when one
loses in the pre-election “technological” race.
Consequently, it is difficult to think that those businessmen will
invest money in innovative technologies if they badly need the money
before the election. In other words, it is clear that over the upcoming
seven or eight months and for another few months the economy and the
businessmen will have no wish to make innovative steps. And it means
that for at least another year it will remain on paper until vital
necessity occurs to remember it.
HAKOB BADALYAN

Reference to frozen conflicts on GUAM territory
ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 15:30
During UN General Assembly sitting dedicated to cooperation of regional
organizations Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Khandogiy
spoke on behalf of GUAM. “Trend” agency reports that he suggested to
undertake measures in the direction of resoling the “frozen conflicts”
on the territories of Georgia, Moldova, Aerbaijan and Ukraine. “It
is important for international organizations, particularly the UN
and OSCE, to continue undertaking practical steps for resolving the
conflicts, which comprise a serious obstacle for stability, as well
as democratic and economic development in the region,” said the
representative of Ukraine.
He called on the interested parties to accomplish the UN Security
Council and OSCE resolutions on Nagorno Karabakh and Georgian-Abkhazian
conflicts.

REGIONAL TV CHANNELS MADE TO BROADCAST KENTRON PROGRAMS
Panorama.am
13:44 20/10/06
Mesrop Movsisyan, editor of A1+, told Panorama.am that Grigor Amalyan,
chairman of TV and Radio National Committee, makes 11 regional TV
channels re-broadcast the programs of Kentron TV station. “They even
tell when the broadcast should be made and mention that it must be
done in pre-election period,” Movsisyan details.
Movsisyan said that Amalyan refers to violations by these companies as
an excuse in forcing them to show this or that program. For example,
they show films, which have no license, the committee says.
It must be mentioned that Murad Guloyan, member of parliament, is the
main shareholder of Kentron TV company. Guloyan is a close friend of
Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of Prosperous Armenia and also a member of
parliament. Prosperous Armenia has launched active advocacy programs
in the regions. No wonder that Kentron TV station is required to be
aired in the regions. /Panorama.am/

OMBUDSMAN CONCERNED WITH VIOLATIONS AGAINST REPORTERS
Panorama.am
14:35 20/10/06
Armen Harutunyan, human rights ombudsman, made in-depth analyses and
recommendations on the violence against reporters and on limitation
of freedom of speech, Harutunyan said during a seminar on freedom of
speech at the doors of parliamentary elections. The ombudsman stood
against the amendments in the Law on TV and Radio saying H1 should
be equally regulated as private TV companies.
Editor of A1+ is concerned that the air is unevenly distributed among
opposition and pro-government candidates. He said the words of the
opposition leaders are distorted so that the opposite of what they
say is aired. So, ordinary people lose trust to mass media outlets
and start believing street gossips. /Panorama.am/

MARXIST LEADER HELPS ARMENIAN DIPLOMATIC BRAINS
Panorama.am
14:44 20/10/06
Davit Hakobyan, chairman of Armenian Marxist Party, thinks it is
his duty to help the “diplomatic brains” of Armenia. Hakobyan thinks
Armenian diplomats have to seriously talk to Zatulin and people like
him. Earlier reports say that Konstantin Zatulin, deputy of Russian
State Duma, said Armenia should support Russia in Russian-Georgian
conflict. Hakobyan thinks this statement of Zatulin is a “political
blackmail.”
Hakobyan believes Russia should have clearer disposition to Azeri
Turks, Osman Turks, European and American if she wants Armenia to have
clear-cut pro-Russian disposition. The Marxist also believes Russia
should recognize Nagorno Karabakh as international subject. Hakobyan
urges foreign policy makers to fully engage in diplomatic art so that
Armenia is not presented on the diplomatic altar of big superpowers as
“a chicken gift” once again. /Panorama.am/

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA CONCERNED WITH UNEVEN TAX REVENUES
Panorama.am
15:18 20/10/06
The leadership of Armenia paid attention that tax revenues flow
unevenly from the regions. Seiran Avagyan, adviser to the Armenian
president, said that the head of the republic held a meeting on
the issue.
“Businesses mostly register their head offices in the capital whereas
the production itself is in the regions. So, tax revenues do not flow
to other self-government units,” he explained. In the words of the
adviser, it is necessary to define what a branch office means and
launch reforms in economic legislation.
Vahan Movsisyan, head of United Financiers said, “funds are sufficient
only for payment of some four employees in the regions. They cannot
provide any services to residents. That is why rural dwellers do not
pay taxes.” /Panorama.am/

COFFEE DISTRIBUTION COMPANY HEADS INDICTED IN MONEY EMBEZZLEMENT
Panorama.am
16:25 20/10/06
Soon Royal Armenia, a coffee distribution company, will start lays
off of its employees. In the first phase, 48 employees will be
dismissed. The future unemployed must thank Customs State Committee
and National Security Service investigation officials.
Gevorg Minasyan, company lawyer, said they do not have raw coffee
under their disposal at the present situation. The customs service
put a ban on more than 100 tones of coffee dispatch failing to process
necessary documents. The ban is made due to a criminal case instituted
against company directors Gagik Hakobyan and Aram Ghazaryan. The
latter are indicted for customs violations, document fraud and money
embezzlement. /Panorama.am/

OSCE OFFICE ORGANIZES WORKSHOP ON COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN ARMENIA
Panorama.am
17:41 20/10/06
Developing and implementing a national strategy and action plan to
combat trafficking in human beings and best practices in the field
were discussed at a workshop that ended in Yerevan today.
The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, brought
together Government officials and representatives of international
and non-governmental organizations.
The event followed a trafficking responses assessment initiated by
the OSCE Office between 9 and 20 October.
Experts Hana Snajdrova from the Czech Interior Ministry and Barbara
Sidoti, formerly with the International Centre for Migration Policy
Development – were invited to assess the Armenian trafficking responses
and conduct the workshop.
“A national strategy is an important tool which can help strengthen
the capacity of the State and society to combat human trafficking,”
said Barbara Sidoti. “In order to be effective, the strategy has to
involve both State institutions and civil society. Serious efforts are
required from the side of the Government to co-ordinate the process
and support it by allocating the necessary resources.” Participants
discussed how a national strategy can lead to an effective plan of
action and highlighted the importance of progress indicators and
monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for periodical revisions of the
strategy and the action plan. The Armenian national strategy to combat
trafficking in human beings expires in December, and the authorities
are working on the next plan for 2007-2009.