ARMENIAN MINISTRY DRAWS UP NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Mediamax, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
Yerevan, 21 November: The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development
has drawn up a national strategic programme of stable economic
development in Armenia, the chief advisor of the minister, Meruzhan
Akopyan, said in Yerevan today, Mediamax reports. The programme will be
submitted for the government’s consideration in the very near future.
Meruzhan Akopyan noted that the programme presents the general
approaches on ensuring stable economic development of Armenia. He
said that following the endorsement of the programme, special policies
will be elaborated for each sphere.
Speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today, Meruzhan Akopyan said
that the Armenian exporters continue to face serious difficulties,
caused by the strengthening of the national currency with respect
to the dollar. He noted that some domestic producers were forced to
cancel the dollar contracts which were signed in the beginning of
the current year.
The chief advisor of the trade and economic development minister
suggested that in the present situation the state should assist
exporters. In particular, Akopyan believes that the Central Bank could
have created more favourable conditions for lending to the small and
medium-sized business.

VIMPELCOM SAYS STILL UNDECIDED ON ARMENTEL’S FIXED-LINE BUSINESS
Prime-Tass Business News Agency
November 21, 2006 Tuesday 4:38 PM EET
Russia’s second largest mobile operator VimpelCom has still not decided
on whether to keep or sell the fixed-line business of recently acquired
Armenian mobile and fixed-line operator ArmenTel, VimpelCom’s Vice
President Nikolai Pryanishnikov told a news conference Tuesday.
A VimpelCom spokeswoman said earlier that VimpelCom planned to offer
converged fixed-to-mobile services.
Speaking on the mobile business of ArmenTel, Pryanishnikov said
that VimpelCom would introduce its Beeline brand in Armenia as soon
as possible.
VimpelCom’s top priority markets in the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) are Azerbaijan, Moldova and Georgia, where VimpelCom
has recently acquired a GSM license holder, Pryanishnikov said.
VimpelCom purchased ArmenTel earlier this month and some market experts
suggested then that VimpelCom may sell ArmenTel’s fixed-line business
as it is not a core business for VimpelCom.

ALL RUSSIAN SERVICEMEN TO WITHDRAW FROM TBILISI GARRISON BY DEC 25
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
November 21, 2006 Tuesday
All Russian servicemen will leave the Tbilisi garrison by December
25, troops commander of the North Caucasus military district /SKVO/,
General of the Army Alexander Baranov said on Tuesday.
A total of 97 units of equipment and 353 tonnes of property and
ammunition will be withdrawn from the premises of the Tbilisi garrison,
Baranov said, adding that the number of withdrawing personnel slightly
exceeds 350.
Two freight trains with garrison property will be evacuated to Russia,
and another two – to the Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia,
through Azerbaijan.
Georgia has not hampered the pullout efforts so far, according to
the commander.
Baranov also said no reservist from among the troops withdrawing from
Georgia will be left without an apartment. The issue is as good as
settled, he added.
Earlier, he stated that many servicemen from the units which Russia
is withdrawing from Georgia, have opted for continuing service in
the North Caucasus, Moscow and Volga-Ural military districts.
But part of the military have to be discharged from the armed forces
as the term of their service has expired. “For those who are to
be transferred to reserve and who will live in Russia, 80 housing
certificates have been allocated, and 56 apartments purchased in
the territory of the Southern Federal District. No serviceman will
be transferred to reserve until he’s been given an apartment,” the
commander underlined.

CAUCASUS RESEARCH RESOURCE CENTERS RELEASES 2006 SURVEY RESULTS
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
The Caucasus Research Resource Centers-Armenia released the results
of the 2006 Data Initiative Survey today, reports CRRC Armenia.
The regional survey is carried out across the South Caucasus and
interviews respondents from over 6,800 households, asking over 120
questions. The survey assesses knowledge, attitudes and practices in
all three South Caucasus countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia,
and paints an intriguing picture of behavior over time. Additionally,
2006 marks a watershed year for CRRC. Now in its third year, the Data
Initiative has been expanded to all regions of the South Caucasus.
The Data Initiative raises a host of fascinating questions that beg
further sociological and journalistic investigation. Why does Armenia
continue to have the most male smokers in the region? Although the
number of male smokers in Yerevan has dropped, it is currently 12%
higher than in Baku and 5% higher than in Tbilisi. What explains
Armenian and Azerbaijani ambivalence towards NATO membership, with
a large percentage of the population-41% and 35% in Yerevan and Baku
respectively-responding that they “don’t know” if their country should
join NATO?
The survey results also provide key indicators on economic
development. For instance, the percentage of households having personal
computers in Yerevan increased from 15% in 2004 to 21% in 2006. By
contrast, only 3% of rural households possess a personal computer.
The Data Initiative questions regarding social institutions also
provide contentious results for politicians and policymakers. In
Armenia, people distrust most social institutions. For instance,
in 2006, only 15% said they trusted the parliament.
The Data Initiative Survey contains blocks of questions on demography,
education, political attitudes/views, social institutions, migration,
crime, health and economic behavior. “The Data Initiative will improve
the quality and availability of up-to-date data in the region,”
states Dr. Hans Gutbrod, CRRC Regional Director. “Ultimately, the
CRRC data sets will enable local and regional social scientists and
policy practitioners to collaborate and engage in meaningful dialogue
about the ongoing transitions in their homelands”
CRRC are a network of resource and training centers established
in 2003, in the capital cities of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
with the goal of strengthening social science research and public
policy analysis in the South Caucasus. A partnership between the
Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Eurasia Foundation and local
universities, the CRRC network offers scholars and practitioners stable
opportunities for integrated research, training and collaboration in
the region.

NKR TO JOIN NEGOTIATIONS WHEN AZERBAIJAN SHOWS WILL TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT, PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER OF NKR
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
Matthew Bryza, Minsk Group Co-Chairman of US, will meet with Arkady
Ghoukassyan, President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), now present
in the USA.
Ashot Ghoulyan, Speaker of the Parliament, said at the Yerevan press
conference, held on work results of the Armenian-Karabakh interstate
commission, that there are no meetings planned for Karabakh MPs,
Russian and French MG OSCE Co-Chairmen who are present in Armenia.
A. Ghoulyan was indefinite about whether NKR is satisfied with the
current results of the negotiations on the conflict solution or not.
“There is lack of information on concerning the negotiations and so
it is too yearly for conclusions”. He said that it is better to be
moderately optimistic about the coming meeting of Armenian and Azeri
Presidents. “The chances for success split 50/50”. A. Ghoulyan said
that NKR will join the negotiations process only when Azerbaijan
reveals political will to settle the conflict. Inclusion of
Stepanakert into the negotiation process will be the evidence of
the negotiations’ transition to an efficient stage. On the whole,
Nagorno-Karabakh’s participation in negotiations is not an end in
itself, as the international community has admitted that the Karabakh
conflict has three parties, he said. Speaking of the constitutional
reforms in Nagorno- Karabakh, A.Ghulyan said that the draft reforms
do not give the right to be elected president for a third term.
Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Tigran Torosyan said that the
country which is constantly coming out with militarist statements
and briskly increasing its military budget, is not at all inclined
to the conflict settlement. He added that Azerbaijan openly rejects
the agreements reached at the twosome meetings. The Speaker said
that achievement of at least small progress during the presidents’
meeting may be qualified as success. But he doesn’t consider that
the year 2006 may be crucial in the peace process. T.Torosyan added
that the final settlement of the Karabakh conflict may be achieved
only with the consent of the two countries’ parliaments and after
holding a referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh. He also noted that the next
meeting of the Armenian-Karabakh inter-parliamentary commission will
take place in Stepanakert in spring 2007.
To note, besides the Karabakh peace process, today’s session covered
also the issues of constitutional reforms in Nagorno-Karabakh and
harmonization of the two countries’ economic legislation.

LIFE BELOW POVERTY LEVEL IN ARMENIAN VILLAGES
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
The unbearable living conditions of Armenian villagers have proved in
the focus of attention of the International Charitable Organization
Mission East, which is engaged in revealing the social, education and
health problems, in particular, in the families with disabled children.
Recently, in the course of a visit to Armavir region, where the
organization has been implementing a pilot program of protection
of rights of the disabled, ArmInfo’s correspondent faced the life
below the poverty level on the example of two families. In the first
family, new-born infants died from unbearable living conditions and
irresponsible attitude of parents, despite the assistance of the local
authorities and the above charitable organization. The second family
lost 5 of 6 children for lack of money for treatment.
Majority of childbirth cases at home are not registered in any official
document, while the Health Ministry every year announces a reduction of
the childbirth cases at home, as well as of the date-rate of children
and mothers. However, in the above families, majority of the children
had no birth certificates. According to Vice Governor of Armavir region
L. Muradyan, the date-rate of infants in the region is 11.2 pro mil,
i.e. 11 of 1,000 infants die. She said no cases of maternal death
have been registered in the region in 2006.
The number of the socially unsecured in the region totaled 5,737
people. Those registered in the lists of “Paros” allowance system
number 3,224 people. According to the National Statistical Service
of Armenia, infants death-rate throughout Armenia in 2006 as against
2005 has grown by 2.8 pro mil, mothers’ date-rate is by 3 cases more.
Kim Arzner, Mission East Director, says the pilot program for
protection of rights of the disabled from socially unsecured families
worth a total of $1.6 million, may be continued also in Gegharkunik
and Tavush regions in case if its implementation in Armavir is a
success. Mission East has been operating in Armenia for already 15
years implementing various social programs. According to the monitoring
of the organization, at least 5 families in each community in Armenia
live in unbearable conditions.

TURKISH MPS VISIT USA TO TRY TO PREVENT ARMENIAN RESOLUTION
Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Nov 21 2006
“Turkish MPs reiterate sensitivity on so-called Armenian genocide”
Washington D.C., 21 Nov: A group of Turkish parliamentarians visited
Washington D.C. in a bid to persuade congressional leaders to halt
so-called Armenian genocide resolutions after Democrats seized control
of both the US Senate and the House of Representatives.
Nancy Pelosi, who is in line to become the speaker of the House, has
promised to support a so-called genocide resolution during her election
campaign, underlining fears in Turkey that the new Congress might
adopt such a bill which has been prevented by the Bush administration
since it came to power in 2000.
The group, headed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
foreign policy adviser Egemen Bagis, held meetings with US legislators
as well as State Department’s counter-terrorism coordinator Henry
Crumpton and FBI’s New York director Mark Mershon.
Bagis played down adoption of a so-called genocide resolution at a
press meeting.
“The Armenian issue won’t be the first priority of the Democrat
Party. There are other issues,” he told journalists after an annual
session of the US Congress Turkey Working Group in West Virginia.
In September 2005, the House International Relations Committee
passed a bill recognizing so-called Armenian genocide. But Republican
Congressman Dennis Hastert, the outgoing House Speaker, did not take
the bill to a full House vote.
Bagis also said a joint effort was underway with Mark Parris, former US
ambassador to Ankara, and former Republican congressman Bob Livingston,
Turkey’s main lobbyist in the USA, against an Armenian resolution.

ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT RANKS ARMENIA 110th BY ITS DEGREE OF DEMOCRACY
By Gevorg Stamboltsian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Nov 22 2006
A new Democracy Index of the World in 2007 published by the British
Economist’s Intelligence Unit ranks Armenia 110th among 167 nations
around the globe according to its degree of democracy.
According to British analysts, Armenia is among the states with
so-called hybrid regimes along with Georgia, Russia and Turkey.
Characteristically, this regime type involves elements of both
democracy and authoritarianism.
The Economist reviews a number of indexes, grading nations on a
10-point scale.
In particular, Armenia is graded low in terms of its electoral process
and pluralism — only 4.33 — the same index as for Uzbekistan, Kenya
or Singapore. Armenia also has a low score in terms of functioning
of government — 3.13 out of possible 10. It has nearly the same
score in terms of political culture. The only index where Armenia is
graded relatively high is the level of civil liberties. It turns out
that by this index Armenia’s situation is much better than that in
neighboring Turkey or, for example, in Russia.
The Economist Intelligence Unit decided to come up with a 2007
watch list. In the negative watch where Armenia is included along
with seven other nations, the Economist’s estimation on Armenia is:
“parliamentary elections in May 2007 could be highly flawed, tipping
the country into an outright authoritarian regime.”
Armenia’s neighbor Azerbaijan is on the Economist list of authoritarian
regimes, ranking 129th.
According to British experts, more than half of the world’s population
lives in a democracy of some sort, although only 13 percent reside
in full democracies. According to the Economist, 55 states have
authoritarian regimes today.

ARMENIAN SIDE AGREES TO MEETING OF PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN
Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
The Armenian side has agreed to a meeting between the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is likely to take place in Minsk on
November 28.
This was announced by OSCE Minsk Group cochairman from Russia Yuri
Merzlyakov in a press briefing at Zvartnots airport on Wednesday,
shortly before the cochairmen’s departure.
Merzlyakov described as “rich in content and effective” the meetings
with Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian.
“We still need to get the Azerbaijani side’s consent regarding the
meeting, in Baku later today, although earlier Azerbaijan’s Foreign
Minister Mammadyarov made a corresponding statement in this regard,”
the Russian cochairman said.
Commenting on the fact that only two of the three cochairmen of the
Minsk Group arrived in Yerevan, Merzlyakov said that they had agreed
on the division of work and U.S. cochairman Matthew Bryza “one of
these days is due to meet Arkady Ghukasian, who is now on a visit to
the United States.”
“On the whole, we think that the year is ending on a pretty optimistic
note,” the Russian cochairman said, adding: “If we manage to keep
this mood of the sides, and we hope that we will manage to do that,
then we will enter 2007 with quite good prospects.”
According to French cochairman Bernard Fassier, “settling such a
conflict is like building a wall of peace.”
“Every time we try to help the sides to put one or two bricks into that
wall, and we keep adding bricks, it is good,” the French cochairman
stated, emphasizing: “But the wall now is not strong enough yet to
make it possible to write an ultimate settlement agreement.”
“As Armenian foreign minister said, from October we presented not new,
but additional elements, and we hope that those additional elements
will give an opportunity to implement that approach,” Fassier said.
To the question about Azerbaijan’s war rhetoric, Merzlyakov expressed
an opinion that in the recent period fewer such statements have
been made.
“We always assume that similar “passionate” rhetoric impedes the
process, especially when those statements are made on the threshold
of some important meeting or at crucial moments,” Merzlyakov said.
“Anyway, we didn’t feel that it would essentially obstruct the basic
task to complete 2006 with the third meeting of the presidents.”
“In this sense in Washington, Paris and Moscow we have one position
that war cannot be a real possibility for settling this conflict,”
Fassier said. RFE/RL.
URL:

GEORGIA’S ARMENIAN AND AZERI MINORITIES
Source: Crisis Group
=4517&rss=1
Reuters, UK
Nov 22 2006
Tbilisi/Brussels, 22 November 2006: The Georgian government must take
significant steps to avoid conflict in the country’s ethnic Armenian
and Azeri areas.
Georgia’s Armenian and Azeri Minorities,* the latest report from
the International Crisis Group, examines the grievances of these two
communities. While there is no risk of the situation becoming Ossetian-
or Abkhaz-like threats to Georgia’s territorial integrity, tensions
are evident in the regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo-Kartli,
where the two predominantly live. There have been demonstrations,
alleged police brutality and killings during the past two years.
Georgia has made little progress towards integrating these minorities,
who constitute over 12 per cent of the population.
Armenians and Azeris are underrepresented in all spheres of public
life, especially government, and a lack of dialogue between them and
Tbilisi adds to perceptions of discrimination and alienation. This
is aggravated by economic problems, including high unemployment and
decaying infrastructure.
“Tbilisi needs to do much more to build confidence and to encourage
minorities to address their problems through state structures rather
than in the street”, says Sabine Freizer, Crisis Group’s Caucasus
Project Director.
While the government denies there is any inequality, many minorities
claim they are treated as second-class citizens. Feeling betrayed by
the Abkhaz and Ossetians, who declared independent states on Georgian
territory, Tbilisi has a deeply rooted, if unfounded, fear that others
may do the same. More sensitive and effective minority policies would
dampen such demands and might even help build trust with the Abkhaz
and Ossetians.
Some steps have been taken to improve the lives of minorities. With
donor support, Georgia has invested in road and infrastructure
rehabilitation in minority regions and created a ministry for civic
integration, established a public administration institute to train
minorities and ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection
of National Minorities.
None of this is likely to appease minorities’ political grievances
without policies that increase inclusion and participation.
Implementation of local government reform after the 2006 elections
provides a new platform for minorities to affect decision making
through municipal bodies. More consultation by Tbilisi when drafting
legislation can also help.
The government needs to establish a comprehensive education system
to teach Georgian as a second language to minorities, but while a
new generation is educated, minorities should not be discriminated
against, especially in hiring for state jobs. The state should also
implement its international commitments, particularly allowing use
of minority languages for government business in municipalities with
large numbers of minority citizens, as is standard throughout Europe.
“Only by acting on both tracks will Georgia succeed in reducing
tensions and increasing minority integration”, says Nicholas Whyte,
Crisis Group’s Europe Program Director.
Contacts: Andrew Stroehlein (Brussels) +32 (0) 2 541 1635 Kimberly
Abbott (Washington) +1 202 785 1601 To contact Crisis Group media
please click here *Read the full Crisis Group report on our website:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Georgia is a multinational state, building democratic institutions
and forging a civic identity. However, it has made little progress
towards integrating Armenian and Azeri minorities, who constitute over
12 per cent of the population. Tensions are evident in the regions
of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo-Kartli, where the two predominantly
live and which have seen demonstrations, alleged police brutality
and killings during the past two years. While there is no risk of
these situations becoming Ossetian or Abkhaz-like threats to the
state’s territorial integrity, Tbilisi needs to pay more attention
to minority rights, including use of second languages, if it is to
avoid further conflict.
Some steps have been taken to improve the lives of minorities. With
donor support, Georgia has invested in road and infrastructure
rehabilitation in minority regions; created a ministry for civic
integration; established a public administration institute to train
minorities; and ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection
of National Minorities. But overall the priority has been to assert
national unity over minority protection.
Azeris and Armenians are underrepresented in all spheres of public
life, especially government. The problem is especially acute for the
Azeris in Kvemo-Kartli, where Georgians hold all important positions.
Ethnic minorities’ political participation and representation – a key
to more effective integration – is disturbingly low. Lack of dialogue
between Tbilisi and minorities adds to perceptions of discrimination
and alienation.
The minorities’ biggest problem is inability to speak the state
language. Since the Rose Revolution, the government has been enforcing
laws obliging minorities to communicate in Georgian with local
officials, even to acquire official documents, submit complaints or
receive services. State jobs and professional licences are contingent
on knowing Georgian and passing new qualification exams. Language
instruction in schools is inadequate, and fewer minorities are
attending higher education institutions.
The administration of President Saakashvili is undertaking ambitious
local government reforms. A new law on self-governance was passed in
2005 and elections for new municipalities were held in October 2006.
Yet, power remains largely with regional and Tbilisi-based officials.
Minorities are unconvinced decentralisation will give them greater
decision-making influence. Armenians especially want to take their
own decisions on such issues as education and culture. Unless
decentralisation allows this, they will continue to demand autonomy
for Samtskhe-Javakheti. (Azeri activists in Kvemo-Kartli prioritise
greater representation in local government rather than autonomy.)
Minorities have been emigrating to Armenia and Azerbaijan. However,
Yerevan and Baku do not publicly advocate on behalf of their
respective minorities. Their priority is good relations with Tbilisi
and short-term stability. Armenians are mobilising politically more
than Azeris but both minorities have organised recent protests which
have on occasion turned violent. Tbilisi needs to do more to encourage
minorities to address their problems through state structures rather
than in the street.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To the Georgian Government:
To develop and implement more effective overall minorities policy
1. Complete work on the National Civic Integration Strategy and Action
Plan and allocate funds in the 2007 state budget to implement them.
2. Increase funding and capacities for the Ministry for Civic
Integration and appoint a senior, respected official as presidential
adviser on civic integration issues.
3. Ratify the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages
and the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation
between Territorial Communities or Authorities.
4. Take affirmative action to encourage minorities’ representation
in central and regional government.
5. Fund public defender’s offices in Marneuli and Akhalkalaki.
6. Consult with councils (sakrebulos) in municipalities with over 20
per cent minorities on issues sensitive for minorities and include
their representatives in the National Council on Civic Integration
and Tolerance.
7. Consult with the Council of National Minorities when drafting new
laws affecting minorities.
8. Continue investigation into land distribution in Kvemo-Kartli and
expropriate and redistribute land obtained illegally to local farmers.
9. Make evening news TV broadcasts available in local languages in
Kvemo-Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti.
To secure minorities’ rights in public administration and education
10. Introduce legislation allowing Azeris and Armenians, in
municipalities where they exceed 20 per cent of the population, to use
their native language to communicate with administrative authorities,
submit complaints, acquire civil documents and certificates, benefit
from public services and conduct municipal business and sakrebulo
meetings.
11. Amend all laws on civil service testing so that where minorities
are over 20 per cent of the population, officials may be eligible
to serve without knowing the state language at least for an interim
period of ten to fifteen years.
12. Amend the 2005 Law on General Education to emphasise bilingual
education in minority areas and ensure that core social science
subjects are taught in Azeri and Armenian (in parallel with Georgian).
13. Strengthen Georgian as a second language (GSL) teacher training,
development of GSL teaching materials and opportunities for minorities
to learn GSL in primary and secondary schools.
14. Improve access to higher education by amending rules to allow
minority students to take national entrance examinations in Russian,
Armenian or Azeri and provide intensive GSL study to students who do
not pass Georgian language exams.
15. Transform the Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration into
a two-year civic administration academy targeting minorities and
offering intensive GSL training; set quotas so that at least 50 per
cent of new entrants in the Akhalkalaki branch of the Tbilisi State
University and the Marneuli branch of the Ilya Chavchavadze State
University are minorities; and accept Armenian government support to
improve the Akhalkalaki branch of the Tbilisi State University.
16. Create joint commissions with Azerbaijan and Armenia to develop
history textbooks for Georgian schools.
To improve minorities’ access to the judicial system and participation
in local government
17. Strengthen public services at the municipal level.
18. Allow judicial proceedings in Azeri or Armenian in municipalities
with over 20 per cent minorities.
19. Translate into Armenian and Azeri and disseminate all new
legislation.
20. Revise electoral boundaries to ensure equal representation in
municipal councils and equality of suffrage.
21. Remove legal and administrative barriers to registration of
political parties on a regional or ethnic basis and decrease the
threshold for a party’s representation in the parliament to 5 per
cent nationally.
22. Distribute information, manuals for precinct election commissions
(PECs), voter lists, ballots and protocols certifying results in
bilingual form in municipalities with over 20 per cent minorities.
Tbilisi/Brussels, 22 November 2006
Full report at amp;rss=1