IT’S NOT FUNNY, IT’S HORRIBLE
Melik Avanyan
Lragir.am
05 Sept 06
The anxiety of the consolidated criminal is becoming obvious. The
“spiritual leader” of the criminal corps Serge Sargsyan did not
stand, and displayed this anxiety September 1. Maybe he did not mean
to display it but there is no other way out. He had to address a
preventive message to his brothers. Whereas we, the ordinary people,
saw quite another thing.
The information that the president of Armenia discussed something
with the president of Russia would hardly alarm an ordinary man.
Whereas, such an ordinary information made Serge Sargsyan burst. This
is very strange; meanwhile, he is known to be an experienced person,
he has even been to Monte Carlo. Whereas he was scared enough.
It is interesting what scared him. The “pack of criminal” he gathered
inside the Republican Party bends before him seeking eternal power
under “their own shadow”. Whereas, suddenly “some analist, not quite
sober” tells the public that “in brief, Serge is bluffing”, nobody
believes in his presidential future except for him, even Russian
President Putin. Serge could not bear any more, he said it was funny,
but he said this sadly.
And it is not accidental. Serge Sargsyan himself does not believe
this happy future either. He understood the impossibility of these
sweet wishes before the extraordinary assembly of the Republican
Party when he announced to everyone that he had never considered
running for presidency. It was such a time, he could lose the post
of the defense minister. Therefore, he went so frank.
Whereas the problem is not only the presidential ambitions. There is
a more serious problem Serge Sargsyan has to solve until the change
of power in Armenia. He needs to save himself from the threat of
appearing in prison because the Armenian public has seriously taken
up the “declassification” of the criminal, the “reverend father” of
which is Serge Sargsyan. This is the problem Serge Sargsyan is looking
for a solution under the slogan “the next president of Armenia”.
Therefore, such trifling information scared Serge Sargsyan. He
could not bear any more, and started shouting abuse against all his
opponents and accused them who wish to get to the “top of power”. He
had to justify himself by every possible means and he burst. And it
appeared rather curious. As if the “top of power” is heavenly manna
for Serge Sargsyan. As if only he can strive for it, and let the others
“graze their grass and keep their hands off the holy of holies”.
In fact, man measures the world by his own bushel. If someone did not
stop at anything to get to the “top” of power and considered this
power as a “source of living for free” at the expense of others’
sacrifice and hardship, he will hardly accept other motives of
other people. Otherwise, it will be necessary to recognize his own
harmfulness and crime. And if for someone the state is a bottomless
well, and the public office is a mechanism of neglecting the will of
people, it is difficult to understand this man. Everyone who points
out this circumstance is but his personal enemy.
Bu the problem is not merely perception. The problem is Serge
Sargsyan’s awareness that “free living” is over. And not only did
it end, but also there is threat that he will face the judgment of
past and present. It is true that he hopes to protect himself with
a higher post, but he has difficulty to believe this already. All he
can do is to slander everyone and everything. This is the last hope
of every wreck, the beginning of the end.

WHAT DO THEY HIDE FROM THE PUBLIC?
Aram Zakaryan
Lragir.am
05 Sept 06
Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan, the chair of the Council of the
Republican Party, commenting on the statements that “the Republican
Party and namely the council of the party admitted criminals” announced
September 1 that if a public official does not speak Armenian well it
does not mean he is a criminal, or if he does not look intelligent at
first sight it does not mean he is a criminal. First, it should be
noted that under the Armenian legislation, if an Armenian does not
speak Armenian, he breaks the law and the punishment is a fine. As
to intelligentsia, we can judge by the biographies of the members of
the council of the party separately and altogether. Serge Sargsyan’s
statements interested us, and we decided to scan their biographies
available on the official web site of the Republican Party.
For instance, the biography of Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan,
leader of the Republican Party, is rather detailed, and beside the
biographic facts it is mentioned that “guided by the ideas of G.
Njdeh in his political activities, Andranik Margaryan criticized the
Soviet totalitarian system, upheld the Armenian Cause and saw the
future of the Armenian people in a democratic independent state”.
Meanwhile, there is nothing about the political or ideological
preferences of the chair of the council of the party Serge
Sargsyan, Tigran Torosyan, or Hovik Abrahamyan. But the author of
the biography of the prime minister’s son Taron Margaryan, 28 had
a lyrical digression. “In his public and political activities Taron
Margaryan took part in a number of youth, political, environmental,
educational, cultural conferences and seminars, including the ones
held in the framework of regional cooperation, organized by different
authoritative organizations.”
It is emphasized in Hovik Abrahamyan’s biography that he became member
of the Republican Party on July 20, 1988. In the others’ biographies,
this information is limited to the year of membership.
This approach was necessary for the members, who have recently
entered the Republican Party. For in the biographies of a considerable
part of the present members of the council of the Republican Party,
namely Serge Sargsyan, Ruben Hairapetyan, Levon Sargsyan, Yervand
Zakharyan, Karen Karapetyan, Hovanes Shahinyan, Mher Sedrakyan,
Harutiun Pambukyan, Hamlet Harutiunyan, Gagik Beglaryan and others,
it must be noted that they set records. Only several days after
their membership did they become members of the ruling body of the
political party.
Gagik Beglaryan’s biography is worth attention. “In 1985-1987 he
served in the army, afterwards he worked in different spheres of
the economy. In 1993 he was elected member of the Supreme Council of
the Republic of Armenia.” There are no details where and what Gagik
Beglaryan did all this time. Only this Republican knows what he is
hiding, because in civilized countries biographies written in this
manner won’t do. Another member of the council of the Republican
Party Gagik Khachatryan hides his biography between 1973-1983.
Republicans Artashes Gabrielyan and Ruben Sadoyan are more then
surprising. If Gagik Beglaryan or Gagik Khachatryan hide 6-10 years
of their life, Artashes Gabrielyan and Ruben Sadoyan do not have
biographies at all. At least, there is nothing but photos on the
official web site of the political party. It is possible that the
biographies of Artashes Gabrielyan and Ruben Sadoyan are not for the
public, but why, for what episodes of their life?
An episode from Vazgen Karakhanyan’s biography is notable.
“In 1965-68 he studied at Yerevan Polytechnic Institute (he left
studies for political reasons).” It is possible that he has always
been a Njdehian, because according to his biographyhe was awarded
the medal of Garegin Njdeh twice, in 2003 and 2005.
Meanwhile, it is not clear why the profession of an engineer was
incompatible with Njdehian ideology.
Martin Sargsyan’s biography is full of mystery. “He graduated
from two universities, he is a qualified teacher and economist,
financier.” Which universities? Sometimes people may feel shy for
one mistake of callow youth or another mistake made out of the
lack of political experience, and avoid writing about it in their
biography. But it is at least a surprise when they do not write the
name of the university they have graduated from. By the way, most
Republicans, and not only the members of the council, appreciated
higher education only after appearing in politics and graduated
from non-state universities mainly. For instance, Surik Khachatryan
imagining himself to be the sheik of Syunik, has graduated from his
own Syunik University of Goris. Surik Khachatryan also has something
to hide from the public. The history of his life between 1988-1992
is not for everyone. Jonik Abrahamyan graduated from the University
of Economics and Law of Yerevan, another non-state university.
As it was said, there are lyrical digressions in the biographies
of the prime minister and his son, which are not appropriate
for a biography. These may be true. But if this was for all the
Republicans, they should write about the minister of environmental
protection Vardan Aivazyan that “he is known for his outrageous
desire to shoot seagulls”, mention in the biography of the former
policeman Alik Sargsyan, “he is known for an exceptional talent of
threatening presidential candidates from the opposition”, emphasize
in Hovik Abrahamyan’s biography that according to Diasporans, he is
known in some Diasporan communities with the nickname “muk” (mouse),
and Hamlet Harutiunyan’s motto is “Who is the horse? I am the rider”.

AEPLAC TO PRESENT THE “ANNUAL ECONOMIC REPORT – 2005”
ArmRadio.am
05.09.2006 10:32
AEPLAC, the Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center, has
published its traditional “Annual Economic Report – 2005.”
The “Annual Economic Report – 2005” contains in-depth analyses
of the main macroeconomic developments in Armenia during 2005,
with extensive international comparisons by using a number of
indicators. The analyses consists of various chapters which cast a
light upon key topics such as composition, structure and per capita
levels of the GDP, and a sectored structure of the outputs, which
includes industrial production, agriculture, construction and other
sectors. These are followed by chapters related to inflation, labor
market, financial/banking sectors, the state budget, external debt
and developments in the external sector.
On 6 September 2006, AEPLAC will formally present the Report.
The event will host members of the Government, MPs, representatives
of diplomatic missions, international organizations, businesses,
education and science, and the civil society.
Guest speakers will be Mr. Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of the Central
Bank of Armenia, and Mr. Roger Robinson, World Bank Country Manager
for Armenia.

ARMENIA RANKS 104TH IN THE FIFA LIST
ArmRadio.am
05.09.2006 10:46
Before the Armenian-Belgium match to be held September 6 in the
framework of the Euro-2008 Armenian footballers rank 104th in the
FIFA rating list of national teams. Brazilians open the list with
1 649 points. World Champion Italians are the second with 1 550
points. Argentineans rank the 3rd with 1 479 points.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HRAIR BAZE KHACHERYAN’S PHOTO EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN THE MFA
ArmRadio.am
05.09.2006 11:57
In the framework of celebration of the 15th anniversary of
independence, the exhibition of Canadian-Armenian photographer Hrair
Baze Khacheryan’s works titled “Free World Armenia: Through Hawk’s Eye”
opened in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
MFA Press and Information Department informs that the exhibition will
be open September 5 through 15 from 12:00 to 16:00.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE NO RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY
Yerevan, September 4. ArmInfo. At present, there are no relations
between Armenia and Turkey both at the diplomatic and any other
level. Vartan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, said at today’s press
conference.
At the same time , he said that one can’t say that there are no
contacts between two countries at all. He added that they aren’t fixed
at the official level. As for the initiative of the Turkish side to
shape a special commission of scholars and historians for studying the
events of 1915, “RA President Robert Kocharian has already informed
that Prime Minister of Turkey Rejep Taip Erdoghan about the negative
position of Armenia in this issue,” Oskanian said.

ARSON CHARGES AGAINST ARMENIAN SIDE – TYPICAL AZERI STYLE
Yerevan, September 4. ArmInfo. Azerbaijan’s recent arson charges
against the Armenian side are typical Azeri style, Armenian Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan said during a press-conference today.
He said that the Armenian side inquires into each report of fire on
the contact line.
To remind, in the last few months the Azeri side has been alleging
at various instances that the Armenian side deliberately sets on fire
the territories controlled by the Karabakh armed forces.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST LARGE FOREIGN UNIT ARRIVES FOR LEBANON-ISRAEL BUFFER ZONE
By John Kifner
The New York Times
Sept 4 2006
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 3 – Hundreds of Italian marines, and their
armored vehicles, landed in southern Lebanon on Sunday, the first
large foreign contingent of what is to become a reinforced United
Nations buffer force on the border with Israel.
A spokesman for the United Nations peacekeeping force said that
about 1,000 Italian troops were expected to be ashore by nightfall,
including the small vanguard that arrived Saturday in choppy seas on
rubber dinghies and helicopters.
The arrival of the Italians increases the number of troops on the
ground to roughly 3,250 out of a projected goal of 15,000. A 250-member
French contingent arrived late last week, mainly engineering troops who
set to work repairing bombed-out bridges and roads. And 2,000 troops
were already in place from the previous peacekeeping contingent,
known as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
The United Nations had hoped to have at least 3,500 troops by
Saturday. The full international force is supposed to complement a
similar size deployment of the Lebanese Army in securing an uneasy
cease-fire after a monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah
guerrillas.
But under a kind of “don’t flaunt, don’t search” arrangement between
Hezbollah and the Lebanese government, the army apparently does not
intend to try to disarm Hezbollah.
Neither do the United Nations forces, officials have said, although
they will have a tougher mandate – enabling them to use force if
threatened – than did the generally ineffective force in place since
an Israeli incursion in 1978.
In Israel on Sunday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that he had
tried to contact Prime Minister Fouad Siniora of Lebanon to raise
the possibility of peace talks.
“How natural it would be if the Lebanese prime minister replied
to the many requests I conveyed to him, through different people,
to sit down together, shake hands, make peace and end once and for
all the hostility, fanaticism and hatred that part of his country
feels toward us,” Mr. Olmert said at a school in Maalot-Tarshiha, in
northern Israel. The town was a frequent target of Hezbollah rockets
during the fighting in July and August.
“I hope this day comes soon,” he said, adding, “I’m sure all of Israel
yearns for it.”
At a news conference last week in Beirut, Mr. Siniora said that
Lebanon would be the “last Arab country that could sign a peace
agreement with Israel.”
On Sunday, Italian soldiers wearing blue berets on armored personnel
carriers newly painted with white U.N. initials drove through wrecked
Lebanese villages decked with yellow Hezbollah flags, drawing waves
and V-for-victory signs.
Italy intends to deploy 2,450 ground troops in four phases over two
months – the largest contingent – and assume command of the force
early next year.
The current commander of the peacekeeping force, Maj. Gen. Alain
Pellegrini of France, told reporters in Tyre that the new version
of the United Nations force “is strengthened with stronger rules
of engagement.”
“We have more people, more equipment, and we will have more possibility
to use force to implement our mission,” he said.
But the effort to fill the complete 15,000-troop deployment is still
troubled by the reluctance of many countries to join what could be
a dangerous mission – particularly if their troops become combatants.
Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country, announced that it would
send 1,000 troops after Israel eased off its objections to Indonesia’s
participation. Turkey is weighing participation, although Lebanon’s
tiny Armenian minority has objected because of the Turkish genocide
of Armenians in 1915.
Israel has announced that its troops, still on the fringes of Lebanese
territory, have found and blown up several Hezbollah arms caches. The
United Nations has said that the Israeli forces should fully withdraw
over the border as soon as the number of soldiers in the international
force reaches 5,000.
“The cease-fire is holding for the moment,” General Pellegrini said.
“But it’s fragile. Any incident can escalate.”
Greg Myre contributed reporting from Jerusalem for this article.

LEADER OF ARMENIAN NATIONALISTIC PARTY ACCUSES WEST OF TRYING TO RESHAPE THE MIDDLE EAST
Armenpress
Sept 04 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The leader of a minor Armenian
nationalistic party accused Saturday the West of engineering a new
re-division of the Middle East. Armen Avetisian, head of a party called
‘Armenian Aryan Union’ and heads of three other small nationalistic
parties told a news conference they had come to this conclusion
after careful examination of a story and a concomitant map in a
U.S. military magazine.
They said the map shows a new independent state of Kurdistan that
is to be build in the region at the expense of parts of Iran, Syria,
Iraq and a chunk of eastern Anatolia in Turkey, which Armenians refer
to as ‘Western Armenia.”
Armen Avetisian claimed the map was a clear sign of the globalization
of the Middle East, a process designed and carried out by the West. He
said the map shows Armenia without Nagorno-Karabakh, Nakhichevan
(an enclave in Azerbaijan) but is given a small portion of eastern
Turkey with Mount Ararat.
He said this is an attempt to build a Kurdistan state on historical
Armenian lands, saying also Armenians must be able to intervene to
foil these plans. He went as far as to say that Armenia and Turkey,
two historical rivals, could even join to fight back this scheme
together with Iran, Syria and some Arab countries.
Avetisian, known for his controversial views, was arrested in
January 2005 and after two months in custody was given a suspended
three-year prison sentence by a Yerevan court for inciting inter-ethnic
enmity. The court said in a series of newspaper interviews Avetisian
branded Jews as enemies of Armenia and called for their expulsion
from the country.
Avetisian also never made good on his repeated pledges to publicize
a list of Armenian government officials who he claims are homosexuals.

FESTIVAL OF ARMENIAN CULTURE HELD IN BARNAUL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 04 2006
BARNAUL, SEPTEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenians’
Union of the region of Altai held in Barnaul a festival of the Armenian
culture entitled “Pomegranate Flower,” within the framework of the Year
of Armenia in Russia. According to the “Yerkramas” (country) newspaper
of Armenians of Russia, in the festival, one could see well-known
Armenian masters’ and gifted beginners’ paintings and sculptures,
listen to Armenian music performed by folk groups. For Armenians of the
Altai region, the festival became one of ways of keeping traditions
of the native land, telling about them to representatives of other
peoples. The festival had many guests: interest towards the Armenian
people’s history, traditions, culture is rather big. In the opinion of
Vladimir Farashian, the Armenians’ Union Board Chairman of the Altai
region, similar holidays assist strengthening mutual understanding
among peoples living in the Altai region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress