ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
September 28, 2006 Thursday
OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS’ CURRENT PROPOSALS ON KARABAKH ARE HONEST,
WELL-BALANCED AND SENSIBLE: FRENCH PRESIDENT
The OSCE MG co-chairs’ current proposals on Karabakh are honest,
well-balanced and sensible, French President Jacques Chirac says in
an interview to Hayastani Hanrapetouyun daily (Armenia) on the eve of
his visit to yerevan.
For many times we have been very close to peace agreement – in Paris,
Key-West, Rambouillet. I have told Presidents Kocharyan and Aliyev
that to me the co-chairs’ proposals are honest, well-balanced and
sensible. I would like them to show courage to be able to attain
peace, says Chirac. He says that he has got involved in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict because he is well aware of the
sufferings the conflict has caused to people and because peace is the
only way to build democratic and prosperous future for all the
nations of the region.
The sharp wit of Armenians, the economic dynamism and favorable
geo-strategic situation of Armenia may give it profit only if it has
open borders and normal relations with all of its neighbors, says
Chirac. He says that today G8 and the international community are
ready to guarantee peace agreement. “We should not miss this chance,”
says Chirac.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
September 28, 2006 Thursday
FRANCE IS READY TO HELP ARMENIA TO MODERNIZE ITS POLITICAL AND
ECONOMIC LIFE
France is ready to help Armenia to modernize its political and
economic life, French President Jacques Chirac says in an interview
to Hayastani Hanrapetoutyun daily (Armenia) on the eve of his visit
to Yerevan.
He says that France is ready ot help Armenia to build modern legal
state – a state guaranteeing human freedoms. France is also ready to
help Armenia to diversify its economy and to build better future for
its people. Such an old nation as Armenians must not be afraid of the
future. Chirac says that the Armenian youths must be happy that being
part of an ancient nation they have a chance to build an absolutely
new country. Armenia is worthy of loyalty and the biggest happiness
for any person is to faithfully serve his country, says Chirac.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
September 28, 2006 Thursday
CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF OF ARMENIAN ARMY COMMENTS ON ARREST OF RUSSIAN
OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS IN GEORGIA
Yerevan September 28
Before commenting on the Sept 27 arrest of 4 officers and 11
civilians from Russia (among them 5 Armenians) on suspicion of
espionage, one should find out what actually happened, says the chief
of the General Staff of the Armenian army, Gen. Mikayel Haroutyunyan.
Commenting on the statements by some Georgian officials that the
arrested people acted on the instruction of the Armenian authorities,
Haroutyunyan says that they should first present proofs.
In his turn, the advisor of the Russian Embassy in Armenia Igor
Gromyko says the arrest is one more anti-Russian provocation. He says
that Russian FM Sergey Lavrov has already suggested discussing this
problem at the OSCE and the UN Security Council. “I can’t comment on
the fibs of the young Georgian politicians. Perhaps, somebody is
trying to aggravate Armenian-Russian relations,” says Gromyko.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
September 28, 2006 Thursday
PACE MONITORING GROUP REPORTS DEMANDS FAIR ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA
Development of democracy in Armenia requires transparent elections
meeting European standards in 2007, Georges Colombie, a member of
PACE Monitoring Group, told Armenian journalists, Thursday.
The reporters not only wished but also demanded fair elections in
Armenia. G. Colombie said that existence of a strong opposition is a
compulsory condition to development of democracy. Regarding the goals
of their visit, G. Colombie said they intend to monitor the process
of legislative amendments in the country in accordance with the new
provisions of the Constitution. He said during their meetings in
Yerevan, they discussed the judicial reforms, the status of Yerevan,
the role of Ombudsman, the activity of Mass Media, the fight against
corruption and the activity of the Police. They stressed the
necessity of pluralism of opinions.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
September 28, 2006 Thursday
CHARLES AZNAVOUR: EVEN IF I AM ALL BEAT UP, I WILL BE IN GOOD SPIRITS
DURING MY CONCERT IN YEREVAN
“Even if I am all beat up, I will be in good spirits during my
concert in the main square of the Armenian capital as it is a gift to
my people.” Such were the first words of the great chansonnier
Charles Aznavour on his arrival at “Zvartnots” airport in Yerevan on
September 2 midnight.
It is noteworthy that Charles Aznavour arrived in Yerevan immediately
after his concert in Los Angeles. During the 3-4 minutes of his talk
with journalists, Armenia’s favorite son frankly said that he is very
tired and hungry, as well as that he feels very incited as he always
do arriving in the Motherland. The talk was constantly interrupted by
the cries of fans “We love you very much!” The chansonnier refused to
comment on his concert scheduled for September 30. He just mentioned
through tears of happiness that it is of great importance for him to
sing for the independent Armenia and at the official opening of
Armenia’s year in France. Remembering his last concert in Yerevan at
the Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, Charles Aznavour said that
Armenia is changing for him and only to better.
The well-known French composer, Armenian by origin, Michele Legrand,
who accompanies the chansonnier, said: “I’ve returned to the
Motherland of my ancestors, what else can I say? I love you and
invite you to our concert ‘Aznavour and Friends’ where several of my
works will be performed as well.”
Chalrnes Aznavour is accompanied by his friends Helen Segara, Nana
Mouskouri, Isabelle Boule, Lynn Renau, and the well-known French
actor Jean Claude Brialy.
The right of the concert’s broadcasting belongs to the French TV
channel Arte. The concert will start at 9:00pm Yerevan time. However,
Armenians can enjoy the life broadcasting of the concert on the
Armenian Public Television.

Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
27 Sep 06
Turkey sees negative, positive Sides in EU progress report
Ankara, 27 September: “Although we consider the EP [European
Parliament] report unsatisfactory in regard to the positive
contribution that we have expected it to make to our EU process, we
find it important the EP’s efforts to prevent Turkish-EU relations
from being inflicted further harm by removing a part of our
uneasiness regarding with the report,” Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said.
Releasing a statement on Wednesday [27 September], the ministry said:
“We hope that the sensitivity shown by the EP would contribute
positively to the continuation of the process. We appreciate the EP
members exerting efforts in this direction.”
Recalling that European Parliament approved today Turkey report – on
the progress that Turkey has made regarding its accession process
since 3 October 3rd – which was prepared by Dutch parliamentarian
Camiel Eurlings, it stated that Turkish authorities have exerted
great efforts since 4 September 2006 to remove factors which did not
comply with the facts of Turkey and which might affect negatively
Turkish-EU relations.
The statement said: “Some of unfavourable components included in the
report have been eliminated. On the other hand, it still has some
elements which don’t have a direct connection with Turkey’s EU
process and which will not contribute to this process. Refusal of the
article which makes recognition of so-called Armenian genocide a
precondition of our membership, and support given to Turkey in its
fight with terrorism by condemning the terrorist organization PKK
[Kurdistan Workers’ Party], and underlining that the target of talks
is full membership, are important. It is also important that Turkey
has a functioning free market economy has been included in EP
documents.”

Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
27 Sep 06
Turkish parliament passes law on private schools for minorities,
foreigners
Ankara, 26 September: The Private Educational Facilities Bill has
been passed into law by the Turkish parliament.
The bill defines minority schools as: “Pre-schools, primary schools
and secondary schools established by the Greek, Armenian and Jewish
minorities, assured by the Treaty of Lausanne, and which are attended
by students of Turkish nationality who are members of their own
minorities.”
According to the bill, the term “foreign schools” covers private
schools opened by foreigners.
The terms dershane [privately run education centre], private
education school, drivers licence course, student study and education
centre, private training and rehabilitation centre, international
private teaching institution and distance learning institution are
all separately defined.
Treaty of Lausanne
The “qualities that must be demonstrated” by minority schools covered
by the 23 August 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and Law No 340 will be
defined by a directive. This directive will be drawn up by taking
into consideration the regulations and practices adopted by the
respective countries in these areas. Only the children of Turkish
citizens who are members of their own minorities will be able to
study in these schools.
International schools
Private international education establishments that are outside the
Turkish higher education system and attended only by students of
foreign nationality may be set up by foreign nationality real or
juristic persons or in partnership with Turkish nationals with the
permission of the cabinet in accordance with the Law on Direct
Foreign Investments.
Real persons of Turkish nationality, private law juristic persons or
juristic persons governed by the provisions of private law may set up
private international educational establishment in their own names
for the same purpose.
No teaching or instruction shall be given at these schools that is
counter to the indivisible unity of the country and nation of the
Turkish state, its security or interests, or that runs counter to the
national, moral, humanitarian, spiritual and cultural values of the
Turkish nation.
Foreign schools
Foreign schools may obtain new land with the permission of the
cabinet and increase their capacities by a maximum factor of five.
They may increase or renew the student and equipment capacity of
buildings on existing land by a maximum of one floor with cabinet
permission and providing that the land on which they are built is not
expanded.
Outside of these conditions foreign schools may not expand their
buildings, open branches, construct new buildings in place of
existing buildings, or obtain or lease land for this purpose.
Buildings may be repaired and renovated subject to the permission of
the provincial governor.
The immovable assets of foreign schools may on proposal by the
founders or authorities and with Cabinet permission be transferred
over to the Ministry [of Education] or to foundations set up for the
purposes of education in accordance with the Turkish Civilization
Law.
Assistant principals of foreign schools
The assistant principals who will work at schools opened by
foreigners where the language of instruction is not Turkish must be
Turkish citizens, must be qualified to teach Turkish and Turkish
culture, and will speak the language of instruction. In the event
that nobody with these qualifications can be found, this duty may be
given to teachers of Turkish nationality who have had specialist area
education in the school’s language of instruction.
Additional employment opportunities for teachers
Should the need arise then teachers at state schools may give up to
30 hours a week tuition at private schools. These teachers may only
work at schools with the permission of the institution they actually
work for and on condition that they do not suspend their actual
duties and do complete the requisite number of weekly classroom
hours. These teachers may give paid lessons for up to half the number
of weekly classroom hours they must teach in return for a monthly
wage.
In private educational establishments the job of giving paid lessons
may be given to specialist teachers, expert teachers and to other
civil servants who fulfil the requirements of teaching with the
permission of the pertinent units for a maximum of 10 hours a week.
The provincial governor’s office shall provide permission for
suitably qualified managers, teachers, specialist teachers and expert
teachers. The Provincial Governor’s Office will also be able to
revoke permission.
Teachers’ pay will not be less than state schools
Those working in an administrative or instructional capacity at
private schools will not be given less pay than the monthly wage and
additional social aid payments paid at equivalent state schools in
accordance with the teacher’s seniority (with the exception of
retired teachers).
Additional social aid payments will be paid to school teachers and
staff in accordance with the rights given to school teachers and
staff at state schools under budget laws. Income tax will be taken
from additional payments. The amount of pay for additional lessons at
these institutions will not be less than the amount worked out for
state schools.
Private educational establishments may only advertise and promote
themselves in accordance with their aims. These establishments shall
not make false statements in their advertisements or notices, and
they shall not advertise or broadcast notices on television.
The water, natural gas and electricity bills for these schools shall
be applied at the same rate as for state schools.
Religious education
Private educational establishments that are the same or similar to
military schools, police-affiliated schools and institutions
providing religious education and instruction shall not be opened.
Anybody who wants to open or take over a private school must not have
served more than six months in prison for a disgraceful or
premeditated crime, even if they have been released on amnesty.
Public places such as bars, coffee-houses, card game cafes, video
game arcades, and places where open alcohol beverages are served must
not be located close than 100 meters from school premises.
Education fees
The education and other fees shall be worked out every year by the
institution, and will be notified starting in January but no later
than May.
A directive will state the criteria for determining, allocating,
advertising and collecting fees.
All institutions are obliged to teach a minimum of 3 per cent of
their students for free. The ministry may see this figure rise up to
10 per cent. The percentage of students who will study for free,
their selection and conditions of acceptance will be stated in a
directive. Institutions may also give scholarships. The number of
foreign national students that may be taught in a school must not
exceed 30 per cent of the number of Turkish national students at that
school.
Permission to open
In order for an institution to begin teaching it must receive
permission to open. The relevant national education director’s office
will handle the requests to open. Permission may be given to
institutions outside those schools deemed fit to open following an
inspection by the Provincial Governor’s Office. The requests for
permission to open will be sent to the Ministry for permission to be
given. Should the request to open an institution be rejected by the
Governor’s Office, the founder or their representative may appeal to
the Ministry within 15 working days of the notification of rejection
being received.
The curriculum and weekly lesson programme to be applied at private
educational establishments will be determined in accordance with the
procedures and principles applied at state schools. Different
curricula and weekly lesson programmes may be applied if the Ministry
sees fit.
If no teaching is begun within two years of permission being given to
open a private educational establishment that permission will be
revoked.
If the number of personnel in the regulations are not employed or if
personnel are employed in contravention of the regulations, the
institution may be closed down temporarily for between 15 days and
three months. Any institution not complying with the general and
specific aims and basic principles of the Basic Law for National
Education; any institution that does not close down in accordance
with regulations; any institution that receives a provisional closure
penalty but then repeats the same fault shall be closed down
permanently.

Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
27 Sep 06
Turkish Foreign Ministry: Impossible to accept Armenian genocide
allegations
Ankara, 28 September: “We are deeply worried about the one-sided
approach of our ally Netherlands’ political parties on so-called
Armenian genocide as this puts a limit on the freedom of expression,”
said Namik Tan, spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, on
Thursday [28 September].
“It is not possible to accept allegations on so-called Armenian
genocide as historical reality,” told Tan.
The candidacy of several individuals of Turkish background were
annulled in the Netherlands as they refused to accept the so-called
Armenian genocide before the upcoming elections on 22 November.
“Turkey has opened all archives, including military ones, so that the
incidents of 1915 can be studied from a scientific perspective.
Turkey offered to establish a committee of historians from both
Turkey and Armenia to study the incidents of 1915,” stressed Tan.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
September 28, 2006 Thursday
THERE IS SOME PECULIAR INNER COMMONALITY BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND FRENCH
NATIONS: FRENCH PRESIDENT
There is some peculiar inner commonality between the Armenian and
French nations, French President Jacques Chirac says in an interview
to Hayastani Hanrapetoutyun daily (Armenia) on the eve of his visit
to Yerevan.
French-Armenian relations go back from the Crusades when king of
Jerusalem Baldwin of Boulogne married Armenian princess Morphia of
Melitene. Since then both nations have had many ups and down: WWI,
the Armenian Genocide, the collapse of empires, joint fight during
WWII. As a result, the two nations have become much alike. Both are
adherent to indepedence, religion, spiritual wisdom in arts and
culture, both have beautiful and sacred languages.
Chirac says that 500,000 French citizens of Armenian origin have
given France their courage, talent and generosity. At the same time,
they have preserved their ties with Armenia and are actively involved
in thousands of projects for strengthening relations between the two
nations. One such project is French University of Armenia – this is
an exemplary project enjoying support of the French authorities and
French regions and cities with big Armenian communities.

Radio 1, Tbilisi,
28 Sep 06
GEORGIAN TV REPORTS ARREST OF TWO MORE SPY SUSPECTS
The Interior Ministry yesterday [27 September] arrested two more
members of Russian intelligence services. Aziz Aslanyan, an ethnic
Armenian citizen of Georgia, born in 1973, was arrested in Batumi.
Ruslan Skrylnikov was arrested in Tbilisi. Both are suspected of
spying.
Another suspect, Zia Samnidze, remains at large.
[In a report at 0401 gmt on 28 September, Interfax news agency
referred to Aslanyan and Skrylnikov as “Russian servicemen”.]