HEAD OF PRESSURE GROUP HITS AT ARMENIAN LEADER’S KARABAKH POLICY

A1+ web site in Russian
Dec 1 2006

"Why Kocharyan suddenly left the CIS summit and quickly returned from
Minsk," a former commander of the voluntary detachment of the Nagornyy
Karabakh republic [NKR], Arkadiy Karapetyan, asks and himself answers
to his question. "Everyone leaves a trace when doing something. Traces
of what Kocharyan is doing prove that the time has come when he is
to sign a document on surrendering the liberated territories."

Karapetyan could not say what made Kocharyan return so soon. However
he said: "We can assume that there was more pressure on Kocharyan than
expected. He should have pursued a policy that would not allow this
situation to come about. Today the authorities do what the situation
dictates. The fact that the government still does not have a strategic
doctrine also confirms this".

Unlike some political figures, Karapetyan does not rule out that
Kocharyan may sign a document on surrendering the territories in the
near future. "I am sure that he can sign [this document], because I
know Kocharyan well," Karapetyan said.

"At the moment, he is worried not about when he will have to sign
such a document, but about the domestic political situation. Even if
Kocharyan musters enough strength not to sign this document or if he
resigns, it will be already difficult to maintain even Armenia’s place
on the map, let alone the liberated territories," Karapetyan said.

Karapetyan is surprised by the defence minister’s remarks that 40
per cent of servicemen are illiterate. "Are not the authorities
facilitating this illiteracy? [Armenian Defence Minister] Serzh
Sarkisyan says that this is the task of the government. Who stood at
the helm of Armenia for the past eight years? Even if the authorities
resign right now, we will need at least 10 years in order to revive
the country," Karapetyan said.

ARMENIAN DRAM APPRECIATES BY 16.4% AGAINST US DOLLAR IN NOVEMBER 2006 ON DECEMBER 2005

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. A 3.5% growth of consumer
prices was registered in Armenia in November 2006 on December
2005. During the indicated period, the settlement exchange rate of
the Armenian dram against the US dollar declined by 16.4% (the dram
appreciated). According to the RA National Statistical Service, a 2.4%
and 5.8% decline in consumer prices and settlement exchange rate was
registered in the same period of last year. The 1% inflation in the
Armenian consumer market in November on October 2006 was accompanied
by a 1.4% fall in the settlement exchange rate of the Armenian dram
against the US dollar. In November 2006, the average settlement
exchange rate of the Armenian dram against the US dollar made 375.84
drams, which is lower by 18% than the respective index of last year
(458.27 drams).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ONE DAY LEFT TO THE ACTING ANTHEM

A1+
[08:51 pm] 04 December, 2006

On December 6 the acting anthem of the RA, "Our Homeland", will cease
being a national anthem and will become a common song. The transitional
provisions of the RA Constitution adopted on December 5, 2005, stated
that the anthem will be in power for another year. The deadline is
tomorrow, and the Republic of Armenia does not have a new anthem yet.

During the last four-day session of the fall sitting of the NA the
deputies were to discuss the draft law on the "RA state anthem". But
the text of the draft with the amendments after the first reading
was not distributed to the deputies. They mentioned that they cannot
discuss the draft without getting acquainted with the changes as it
is against the regulations of the NA.

Thus the deputies were either to violate the regulations or to leave
the country without an anthem.

The problem was solved during the break when the NA Speaker decided
to discuss the issue in a special session which will probably be
convened tomorrow. It is noteworthy that after being adopted by the
NA the draft must also be ratified by the President.

By the way, according to the draft represented by the Government,
"Our Homeland" will be our anthem until a new one is decided upon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TWO BILLS SUBMITTED ON NATIONAL ANTHEM

Panoraman.am
15:24 04/12/06

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakcutiun) and the government
submitted two bills on the national anthem at the four-day session
of the National Assembly today.

The government submitted the bill for the second reading after the
deadline violating NA procedures.

Therefore, it was not included in the agenda.

According to constitutional amendments, the national anthem should
be fixed by December 6.

CRISES MANAGEMENT ACADEMY TO OPEN SOON

Panorama.am
15:45 04/12/06

A working meeting started at the information center of the rescue
services of Armenia today dedicated to crises management. The meeting
is held within Individual Partnership Plan of NATO.

Experts and NATO officers delivered reports and lectures. National
security services, law enforcement officers, president staff officials
and employees of other agencies take part in two-day seminar. The
present will be introduced to the foreign experience on crises
management.

NATO Individual Partnership Plan was approved in Armenia in 2005. The
program suggests a considerable role of mass media in emergency
situations.

Further plans will be developed on development of national system of
crises management in Armenia.

Colonel Nikolay Grigoryan, adviser to director on Rescue Services of
Armenia, said the reconstructed building of the Crises Management
Academy will be ceremonially opened on December 7. USDA and UNDP
released funds for the reconstruction of the building.

GEGHARQOUNIQ HAS A NEW 12.5-KM ROAD

A1+
[01:57 pm] 04 December, 2006

On December 2 the new inter-community 12.5-km highway
Gavar-Gegharqouniq was opened with the presence of Minister of
Agriculture David Loqyan.

The Minister congratulated the residents of Hatsarat, Gandzak,
Saroukhan, Lanjakhbyur and Gegharqouniq communities mentioning
that this part of the road is at the center of attention of the
Government. The asphalting work started in May of the current year.

About 1 million 300 thousand USD has been invested.

According to Gavar mayor Gourgen Martirosyan, the budget of the city
has allotted 10 million AMD for the purpose and will allot another
seven million in 2007.

During the meeting with the residents Minister of Agriculture David
Loqyan answered their questions and said that in 2007 about 50 projects
will be realized in the region.

ARMENIAN CULTURE EXHIBITION OPENS AT HERMITAGE

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

SAINT PETERSBURG, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian, who visited Saint Petersburg on the occasion of closure of
Year of Armenia in Russia, took part in the opening of an exhibition
under the title Armenian Culture on December 2 at Hermitage. Noyan
Tapan was informed about it from RA government Information and Public
Relations Department. This exhibition that opened at Hermitage after
repairs of exhibition-halls and will be constantly renewed includes
I-XIX centuries. Hellenistic culture in Armenia is presented with an
exclusive graceful historic sample, which is a gift from the Armenian
government to Hermitage: this is the capital of the heathen temple of
Garni. The exhibition widely presents the art and culture of medieval
Armenia, especially its miniature painting. The Hermitage displays
include ancient Armenian manuscripts created not only in Armenia,
but also beyond its bounds.

The exhibition also includes the Cilician Armenia. XVII-XIX centuries’
Armenian silversmiths’ samples of fine taste – church and consumer
accessories, make a considerable part. Khachkars (cross-stones)
are also widely displayed.

Hermitage Director Mikhail Piotrovski, RA Minister of Culture and Youth
Affairs Hasmik Poghosian and Head of RF Culture and Cinematography
Federal Agency Mikhail Shvidkoy in their speeches attached importance
to this valuable exhibition as one more evidence of Armenian-Russian
friendship and cooperation. After the exhibition’s opening, RA Minister
of Culture and Youth Affairs and Head of RF Culture and Cinematography
Federal Agency signed a cooperation program for 2007-2009.

MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN KARABAKH TO PARTICIPATE IN CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM

Armenpress
Dec 04 2006

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The overwhelming majority of
residents in Nagorno-Karabakh will go to the polls next week to
participate in a constitutional referendum, set for December 10.

Out of 500 respondents questioned during a public opinion survey
conducted by the Union of Journalists of Nagorno-Karabakh, 431 said
they will participate in the referendum, 37 said they will not and
29 were undecided.

The poll was conducted between November 15-25 in the capital city
Stepanakert and in all regions of Karabakh. More than half-281- of
respondents were people with higher education, 216 had secondary
and vocational education. Also 242 respondents were aware of the
constitution text, 154 were not and 101 read only parts of it.

STRATEGY PLAN ON NATIONAL SECURITY SECOND IMPORTANT DOCUMENT

Panorama.am
16:31 04/12/06

Strategy plan for national security of Armenia is the second important
document in the country after the constitution, Garnik Isagulyan,
adviser of the Armenian president on national security issues, told
a press conference today.

In his words, the difference is that this document may be amended upon
need. Isagulyan said the document is based on the report submitted by
Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan as of 16 February 2006. The adviser
said all the suggestions are considered in the draft.

After studying the experience of 30-40 countries, the inter-agency
committee working on the draft concluded that it is not expedient to
fix the Strategy as a law.

"It may pose difficulties in making changes which may be dictated by
the political situation and the reality in the country and the region,"
Isagulyan said. He also said 7 sessions were held and the last one
will take place soon after which the document will be submitted for
the approval of the government. After the government approves it, the
document will be signed by the president as a decree. Isagulyan could
not tell exact deadline for the approval of the document.

MODERNIZATION OF STANDS

A1+
[02:20 pm] 04 December, 2006

The owners of the stands in the Barekamutyun underground station are
worried about the process of the modernization of the stands. According
to one of the owners, Armen M., "We are afraid that they will take
away our stands". Head of the commerce and service administration of
the Yerevan municipality Karen Gevorgyan said that the issue has been
regulated with the district municipality.

Mr. Gevorgyan informed that until 2008 all the stands and kiosks
in the streets of the capital will be modernized. The municipality
has calculated over 6700 such stands. A special committee has been
created to check their documents and the legality. In case of not
having proper documents and/or not having modern appearance the stands
will be deconstructed.

Mr. Gevorgyan mentioned that this is the first time during the last 15
years they have ever deconstructed a stand. 152 of the 386 stands in
Kentron community are to be deconstructed. The communities of Ajapnyak,
Isakov, Davtashen, Sebastia and Andranik are to come next. There are
700 stands there 300 of which are subject to deconstruction too.