ZHIRAYR SEFILIAN DEPORTED TO LEBANON

Noyan Tapan
Dec 11 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Commander of Shoushi special
battalion, Coordinator of the public initiative In Defence of
Liberated Territories, Zhirayr Sefilian, a citizen of Lebanon, was
deported to Beirut on December 11. NT correspondent was informed
about it by Garnik Margarian, Chairman of the Homeland and Honor
Party. Zh.Sefilian was arrested on December 10 in the presence of
his wife at one of small restaurants of Yerevan. According to the
information of Aram Karapetian, Chairman of the Nor Zhamanakner Party,
15 persons in masks armed with clubs burst into the restaurant, laid
Zh.Sefilian to the ground, put manacles on his wrists and took him
away. The meeting organized by opposition parties on December 11 was
dedicated to the latest events. In particular, the meeting participants
expressed anxiety with bringing forcibly 32 participants of Karabakh
war to police departments. Many of them expressed confidence that
Zh.Sefilian will be deported from Armenia and called for exerting
all efforts for not permitting his deportation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EXHIBITION OF ARMENIAN CARPETS OPENS IN WASHINGTON

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Dec 11 2006

WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. An exhibition
of old-made and modern Armenian carpets opened with December 6 solemn
ceremony at the exhibition-hall of the World Bank in Washington. It
was organized on the initiative of the RA Embassy to the U.S. jointly
with the World Bank. The exhibition in which more than 30 carpets made
in Armenia and Artsakh, models of art, were presented, was organized
within the framework of the program of events of the U.S. Embassy
dedicated to the 15th jubilee of the independence of Armenia. It gave
possibility to get acquainted with models of the Armenian carpet art
as well as with the materials about the millenial history and present
of the art of Armenia, accompanying the exhibition. According to the
information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press
and Information Department, the exhibition will be open for six months.

ZALINIAN: CONSTITUTION IS OUR PASSPORT

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

On November 30 the head of the Taskforce on Constitution, Attorney
General Armen Zalinian met with the intelligentsia of NKR at Artsakh
State University.

Mr. Zalinian said these discussions are intended to find out the
opinion and expectations of the people of Artsakh, and the purpose is
not propaganda, especially that as an attorney general he does not have
such a right. And since the draft constitution has been distributed to
people, the participants of the debate were acquainted with the text
and the meeting started with questions regarding the role, necessity
and importance of the basic law. In answer to these questions Armen
Zalinian said, "Sometimes people tend to think that the content
of the Constitution is not important, and it is important to have a
constitution. This point of view is illogical and unacceptable because
both circumstances are important and one depends on the other. After
all, this is the basic law of the country which should underlie the
social relations, our life, development, and if it is imperfect,
the present and the future of our people and the state will be
endangered. Therefore, it is wrong to think that we need to have a
constitution, even if it is a bad one." Emphasizing the role of the
constitution as a legal document for the present and future of people,
Armen Zalinian said it must be perfect in political, social, economic
and all the other aspects. "We need a document to regulate the public
relations," he said. According to Armen Zalinian, the constitution is
the passport of a state. We haven’t had a passport so far to present
to the world what system of values we confess as a state. The world
will have a picture of our state when it reads the basic law of our
country. Therefore, the content of the document is highly important,
he said. The attorney general also dwelled on the p rovision that every
citizen has the right to turn to government agencies with requests and
proposals and get a response within a reasonable period. He stated that
the term reasonable was applied by the European Court of Human Rights
and is considered as an attribute of a civilized state. With regard
to the question on the attitude of our neighbors to the adoption of
the Constitution, Armen Zalinian said, "Friends will congratulate,
foes will be sad. Those who hesitate will start thinking that it is
worthwhile to be our friends. Those who don’t know anything about us
will start to study it. As for our recognition, I already said this
is our passport. We are presenting our system of values. After every
election the world starts speaking about our political and civilized
level. And every time we prove that we are a democratic country."

REFERENDUM ON CONSTITUTION
Davit Mikaelian

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

The underlying political event in the country is the preparations for
the referendum on the NKR Constitution, considering the international
political and moral importance of the document. As soon as the
president signed the decree on appointing the referendum on December
10, the Central Election Committee got down to the preparations for the
referendum. The first decision of the CEC was to prepare the electoral
registers. Then, according to the chair of the CEC Sergey Nasibian,
considering that the draft can be published in newspapers within 25
days before the voting, booklets with the draft were published.

Sergey Nasibian said in the beginning the propaganda was spontaneous
but soon the process normalized and became available to everyone. The
chair of the committee said 22 electoral districts and 276 polling
stations were formed in the country. An equal number of divisional
commissions were set up. On the day of the voting a polling station
will be opened at the permanent representation of NKR to Armenia. The
CEC has already confirmed the sample ballot, which contains information
on how to vote. There are 90 thousand voters in NKR, and the results
of the voting will be valid if the turnout is over 60 thousand.

It became known during the recent meeting of the CEC that besides the
local observers over 100 foreign observers will be invited. Several
dozens of reporters will arrive to cover the constitutional referendum
in NKR. 40 million drams has been allocated for preparing and holding
the referendum.

HAPPIEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE
Susanna Balayan

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

The recent concert of the chamber orchestra of Artsakh was dedicated
to the 85th anniversary of the famous composer, professor of Yerevan
State Conservatoire Edward Mirzoyan. Therefore, the program included
the pieces by the composer. The concert took place in a cheerful and
warm atmosphere thanks to the conductor and director of the orchestra
Gevorg Muradian and, of course, the fact that Edward Mirzoyan was
present in the hall. The composer expressed his gratefulness from
the stage. "This concert is one of the happiest moments of my life,"
he said. Speaker Ashot Ghulian awarded him the special memory medal
devoted to the 15th anniversary of the independence. The idea to
celebrate the anniversary of the outstanding composer was Gevorg
Muradian’s. "I think we passed this test. It was very exciting that
Mirzoyan heard the performance sitting in the hall. He has traveled
in the world but this concert is special for him because his works
were played in Artsakh. That’s why he was so excited, " said Gevorg
Muradian.

RECORD HIGH RESULT

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

Telethon 2006 of Armenia Foundation had a record high amount of
donations and pledges – 13.7 million dollars. The highest result of
all the previous eight telethons was 12 million. The 9th telethon of
Armenia Foundation was held to raise funds for the Rebirth of Artsakh
Project. The result of the telethon was predictable because before
November 23 the foundation had got a great number of donations from
individuals and companies and the phonethons held in Armenia and
Europe had significant results. On November 23 it was stated at the
beginning of the telethon that it starts with already 2.4 million
dollars of donations and pledges, including 1.2 million from Armenia
and Artsakh and 1.4 million from Europe. The Armenians worldwide were
not indifferent towards the Rebirth of Artsakh Project. The donations
gathered momentum within the first hour, and philanthropists and
"ordinary" donators sustained the high rates of growth of the result
of the telethon. Sargis Hakobyan pledged the first large donation – 550
thousand dollars – for the development of the region of Hadrut. Louise
Manoogian Simon pledged 500 thousand dollars for the development of
the region of Hadrut. During the telethon Albert Boyajian, member of
the board of trustees, announced about his friend Gerry Turpanjian’s
donation of 1 million 250 thousand dollars. This money will be spent on
the construction of a school in Stepanakert. Vahe Karapetian donated
1.5 million dollars for the road to Amaras Monastery. Deputy CEO
Harut Sasunian announced about a 2 million dollar donation by Kirk
Kirkorian through Lincy Foundation. The money will be spent on the
construction and reconstruction of educational institutions in NKR. Ara
Abrahamian, president of the Union of Armenians of Russia, pledged
1 million dollars. The money will be spent on the construction of a
new school in Stepanakert. The American Project C.U.R.E. organization
also pledged 2 million dollars. The regional hospital of Hadrut will
be provided with medical equipment, which is included in the project
of reconstruction. The same organization will give medical equipment
costing 1.5 million dollars to the regional hospital of Martakert. The
Los Angeles branch of the foundation donated 1.5 million dollars
and the New York Branch donated 900 thousand dollars. The Armenian
businessmen and companies also made donations. Michael Baghdasarov
pledged 100 million dollars, Member of Parliament Ruben Hayrapetian,
the president of the Football Federation of Armenia, and Member of
Parliament Samvel Alexanian donated 50 thousand dollars each. Vivacell
donated 70 thousand dollars, ASHIB invested 41 thousand dollars, and
ACBA Credit Agricole Bank donated 25 thousand dollars. The foundation
will release detailed information on donations by individuals and
organizations of Armenia. The success of Telethon 2006 was determined
by the fact that philanthropists and "ordinary" donators participated
equally actively. The Rebirth of Artsakh Project got donations not
only for the reconstruction of Hadrut but also other entitlement
programs. Therefore, the Foundation is grateful to everyone who
contributed. On November 23 the executive board of the foundation
received hundreds of phone calls and donations from Armenia, Artsakh,
Germany, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Belgium, France, Holland, Ukraine,
Greece and other countries. The foundation will publish the names of
donators in the annual book of the foundation in May 2007.

EXPRESSION OF CARE
Svetlana Khachatrian

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

On December 3, the international day of the disabled people, NKR Deputy
Prime Minister Ararat Danielian met with the chairs of the unions of
the disabled. This day cannot be considered as a holiday, of course,
but it is another opportunity to meet, wish good health, discuss
their problems and assure that they are in the focus of attention of
the government. The disabled people comprise 10 percent of the world
population and 7 percent of the population of Artsakh. Unfortunately,
their number is growing. If in 2002 7000 disabled people were
registered in the republic, in 2006 their number has mounted to 9000.

This is an immense number for such a small country, especially that
the social and economic possibilities are not sufficient to solve
all the problems of the disabled people. However, the government does
everything not to let them feel isolated and help them integrate with
the society. Ararat Danielian said several days ago the government
adopted the annual program of social security of the disabled and
extended it to the National Assembly. He said it is foreseen to
increase the allocations for the disabled people. The minister of
social security Vasily Atajanian said they will be trying to send
more people with disabilities to resorts. Afterwards the deputy prime
minister of NKR gave presents to the NGOs. The Vita Organization,
which had won the grant of the government in 2006, got a Ford car. The
unions of veterans of World War II, and the veterans of the Artsakh
Liberation War, Kantegh, the union of people with hearing problems,
the Zangak union of disabled children got TV sets.

MEETING WITH NKR SPEAKER

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

On December 2 the speaker of the NKR National Assembly Ashot Ghulian
met with a group of representatives of NGOs including people with
disabilities. The meeting was on the occasion of the international
day of the disabled, which is celebrated on December 3. Arevik
Petrossian, chair of the Vita Society of soldiers with back injuries,
and Sergey Beglarian, chair of the Kantegh Society of soldiers who
lost eyesight in the war, appreciated the care of the government,
namely the National Assembly for the needs of the disabled, and
at the same time they presented the problems they are facing and
came up with proposals on solving these problems. In particular,
they mentioned the necessity of establishing a center for disabled
people in Stepanakert, improvement of their houses, setting the size
of benefits and allowances considering individual needs. For his
part, the speaker of the National Assembly assured that the disabled
people as a vulnerable social class are constantly in the focus of
attention of the government. "Your problems worry everyone, and are
the priorities of the social policy of the government," he said,
confirming the willingness of the National Assembly and the other
branches of power to help settle the problems raised by the NGOs of
the disabled.

MEETING OF NKR COUNCIL OF SECURITY

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

On December 4 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian held a meeting of the
NKR Council of Security, in which the leadership of the National
Assembly and the members of government were present too. Arkady
Ghukassian heard reports on the situation at the front line between
the Karabakh and Azerbaijani forces and the criminal state in the
country. The head of state told about the results of his visit to the
United States in November, as well as the meetings with the religious,
public and political, cultural and business circles of the Armenian
community. Arkady Ghukassian appreciated the participation of the
Armenians of the United States and other places in the telethon
held by Armenia Foundation for the reconstruction of the region of
Hadrut. In particular, he mentioned that the results of the telethon
and the constant interest in the reconstruction of NKR comes to prove
once again the trust and confidence of the Armenians in the future
of Artsakh and its people. Afterwards, the Council of Security went
on to discuss the questions on the agenda. The participants of the
meeting touched upon the recent developments connected with the talks
for the settlement, the preparations for the referendum on the NKR
Constitution, and discussed the draft budget of NKR for 2007. Hearing
the report of the government on its activities and current issues,
the NKR president gave corresponding instructions.

SERGEY NASIBIAN SUMMED UP PREPARATIONS FOR REFERENDUM
Laura Grigorian

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

On the eve of the referendum Sergey Nasibian, chair of the NKR Central
Commission on Referendum, gave an interview to the Azat Artsakh. He
informed that the electoral registers have been checked again to
avoid irregularities, and about 90 thousand voters aged 18 and up
are included in the registers.

According to him, 278 polling stations have been set up, including
one at the NKR Representation to Armenia, where the citizens of NKR
temporarily living or staying in NKR will vote. Sergey Nasibian
said efforts were made to guarantee security and order at the
polling stations, as well as to prevent disruption of telephone
communication. According to him, 46 million drams have been allocated
for preparations, which was provided in time and has been spent. "
According to the NKR Law on Central Election Commission, like
in the previous elections, at least half of the eligible persons
should vote for the question, and the referendum will take place
if 1/3 of voters included in the electoral registers show up," said
Sergey Nasibian. Several days ago the mayor of the village of Mets
Tagher stated on Artsakh Public Television that the village did not
get the draft constitution, and people are not acquainted with its
provisions. With regard to public awareness, Sergey Nasibian said:
"The draft constitution of NKR was published in the Azat Artsakh and
distributed to the regions. Besides, a booklet was published in 3500
copies and distributed to the communities. I cannot say how these
were used. The mayors and regional administrations were supposed
to deal with this, and propaganda is supposed to be carried out by
political parties, staffs of government agencies. The divisional
committees were given instructions. Nevertheless, there appear to be
drawbacks. Especially in the capital. People need to know that we are
going to adopt a constitution, which is the basic law of the country
and sums up 15 years of independence, and includes their rights and
duties, as well as the guarantees of protection of their rights. If it
is not perfect, it can be improved later in case questions occur. This
is important, and we should explain to people that we are moving
towards reconfirming the referendum on independence on December 10,
1991." According to Sergey Nasibian, people are especially active
in the regions of Hadrut and Martakert. "When the general idea is
explained to people, they realize that we need the Constitution." With
regard to observation and coverage of the voting, Sergey Nasibian told
the Azat Artsakh that by the information of the Central Commission
on Referendum 12 international observers and 7 international media
will arrive. Besides, 39 local reporters and 109 local observers have
been registered. However, he said, it is expected that the number
of international observers will grow. The foreign ministry gets a
number of phone calls from different countries, said the chair of
the Central Commission on Referendum. According to Sergey Nasibian,
the results of the voting will be released every three hours. The
preliminary roundup must be made within 28 hours. The final outcome
will become known within three days.