Russia and Georgia Don’t Need Mediators
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2006 17:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Armenia will welcome the Russia-Georgia dialogue,
normalization of relations and alleviation of tension,” RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian said when commenting on Armenia’s role in
the normalization of the Russian-Georgian relations. In his words, the
discussion of the existing complex questions should be held by these
two states and there is no need in mediators. “Russia and Georgia also
said this,” the Minister remarked, reports the Public Radio of Armenia.

VARDAN OSKANYAN: OUSTING OF BSEC MEMBERS FROM TRANSPORT PROJECTS INADMISSIBLE
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Nov 3 2006
YEREVAN, November 3. /ARKA/. Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
believes that the ousting of some of the members of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) from transport projects is inadmissible.
Speaking at the 15th meeting of the Council of the BSEC Foreign
Ministers, Minister Oskanyan stressed the inadmissibility of the
policy of ousting some of the member-states and of ignoring the
existing transport facilities simultaneously with efforts to form a
transport link.
Despite bilateral problems, the BSEC member-states have many common
features. To create a harmonious atmosphere for the settlement of
political problems these common features must prevail over differences,
Oskanyan said.
He also proposed studying the experience and new challenges and
carrying out necessary institutional reforms to enhance the BSEC’s
efficiency as part of preparations for the BSEC’s 15th summit in
Istanbul, Turkey.
Speaking of the expected membership of Bulgaria and Romania in the
BSEC, Oskanyan pointed out that it will create new opportunities
for closer cooperation between BSEC and the EU, considering common
interests and the membership of some countries in both organizations.
The 15th meeting of the Council of the BSEC Foreign Ministers was held
in Moscow on October 31-November 1, 2006. The meeting participants
adopted a declaration, and Serbia took over BSEC chairmanship from
Russia. P.T. -0–

RA Ambassador Briefed to Swedish King on Political and Economic Situation in Armenia
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2006 17:52 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Ambassador to Sweden Ara Ayvazian
handed credentials to Carl XVI Gustav, the King of Sweden, reported
the RA MFA press office.
They discussed the Armenian-Swedish historical ties and the process
of development of interstate relations. By the King’s request Ara
Ayvazian briefed on the political and economic situation in Armenia and
in the region. The interlocutors also exchanged views on the prospects
of cooperation between the Scandinavian and South Caucasian states.

RA AND CHINA TO EXPAND BILATERAL COOPERATION
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 3 2006
There is a stable atmosphere of political mutual confidence between
Armenia and Chinese People’s Republic (CPR); bilateral cooperation
is developing dynamically in all the spheres, in part, trade-economic
ties are expanding, efficient cooperation in the spheres of education,
science, culture and chemical industry is deepening, the Chinese FM
Li Zhaoxing stated November 2 in the course of a meeting with the
RA delegation headed by RA Deputy FM Armen Bayburdian, which is in
Beijing on an official visit.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the RA MFA Press Service,
the NKR FM highly estimated a progress in the Armenian-Chinese
bilateral relations made in the past years.
In his turn RA Deputy FM Armen Bayburdian noted the development of
the relations with China was one of the priorities of the RA foreign
policy. RA Deputy FM underscored the cooperation between RA and
CPR should be strengthened within the frames of the international
structures.
The same day the Armenian-Chinese interdepartmental consultations were
held, in the course of which the parties thoroughly discussed the whole
spectrum of the Armenian-Chinese relations and marked the long-term
directions for the development of the bilateral cooperation. RA
Ambassador to CPR V. Ghazaian also participated in the meeting.

AZG Armenian Daily #211, 04/11/2006
Middle East
SYRIA CALLS FOR USA NOT TO PROVOKE LEBANESE PEOPLE AGAINST FOREIGNERS
Revolution Is Expected to Take Place in Lebanon
Tony Snow, Press Secretary of the White House, stated that Syria,
Iran and Hezbollah decided to fight the current rebellion in
Lebanon. The Bush Administration keeps stating that Syria tries
to hamper investigation of the former Lebanese PM Raffik Hariri’s
assassination case at the international court.
The abovementioned statement of the Bush Administration is conditioned
by the deepening tension in Lebanon. BBC informed that the latter is
caused by Hezbollah’s demand to have 1/3 of the parliament seats. The
movement also demand right for veto. If the demand is met, the movement
can hinder the international court investigation. In case the demand
is refused, thousand of supporters of the movement may express their
protest in the streets of Beirut.
The American fear that the destabilization of the situation in Lebanon
may deprive pro-Western PM Fouad Siniora of his power collapse of the
power. US Embassy to Syria has denied the information that a revolution
is being prepared in the country. The France Press informed that the
Syrian diplomats stated that the suppositions of the USA are merely
ridiculous. They even accused USA in destabilizing the situation
in Lebanon.
“It’s a shame that being a super-power, the USA conducts such
a miserable policy. The inner situation of Lebanon is concern of
Lebanon, solely. The Syrian diplomats stated that Syria supports the
self-governance and doesn’t intend to interfere with the home policy
of the country. Moreover, the Syrian diplomats called for the USA to
keep the rules of proper behavior and not to provoke Lebanese people
against each other and against other states.
By Petros Keshishian

DRAFT LAW OF ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT ON WAGES OF HIGH-RANKING PUBLIC
SERVANTS OF ARMENIA
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 3 2006
Armenian government presented a draft law for parliamentary discussion
on wages of high-ranking public servants of the country, Pavel
Safaryan, First Deputy Finance and Economy Minister of Armenia,
said at the parliamentary hearings of the budget 2007 today.
He said that the executive body proposed to re-consider wages of
high public servants from 1 July, 2007. It should be done by a new
parliament that will prevent unnecessary speculations on the subject.
Wages of this category will be decided upon depending on the minimal
wages. The minimal salaries will be increased as well as salaries of
high public servants.
The Minister reminded that in 2007 the minimal wages will grow by
5 ths AMD and will make up 20 ths AMD. Previously, in 2006, the
government slightly touched upon this question and as a result,
salaries of public servants significantly grew up whereas salaries
of heads of ministries and departments remained unchanged.
If the question is not reconsidered, the wages of ministerial workers
will be higher than salaries of ministers. Salary of the head of
ministerial machinery will make up 204 ths AMD, salary of deputy
minister – 180 ths AMD. The executive body is concerned that public
servants will have higher salaries rather than ministers, and so,
amendments will be made.

AZG Armenian Daily #211, 04/11/2006
Turkey
ISTANBUL-BORN ARMENIAN HISTORIAN IN LIMELIGHT OF TURKISH TV
Istanbul-born Armenian historian Levon Panos Tapakhian has denied the
fact of the Armenian Genocide. On November 3, the Turkish television
posted the historian’s denial on its website under the title “Armenian
Historian’s Truth Is Completely Different.
Even Armenians Oppose the French Lie.”
According to the website, Tapakhian delivered a lecture on
Armenian Genocide at Istanbul’s municipal department of People’s
Democratic Party. He underscored that the Armenian issue refers to
the Turkish-Armenians and the Turks and that the so-called Armenian
genocide allegations were invented by the Western powers which keep
speculating the issue.
Rounding off Tapakhian said: “Armenians underwent deportation from the
Ottoman Empire. The West now calls this incident, which is described
as deportation, genocide. There was no such thing. It was a deportation
not genocide.”
By Hakob Chakrian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #211, 04/11/2006
Event
IT’S NECESSARY TO PAY ATTENTION TO CLAUSES OF SEVRES TREATY
To 150th Anniversary of Woodrow Wilson
An arrangement dedicated to 150th anniversary of great
friend of Armenia, 28th US president Woodrow Wilson
took place the American University of Armenia
yesterday. A few episodes from the Armenian history
connected with the Armenian Cause were presented.
Deans of the departments of law and political science
as well as historian Armen Ayvazian made speeches. Tom
Samuelian, dean of the law department, presented the
life and deeds of Woodrow Wilson, and Armen Ayvazian
dwelt on a number of clauses of the Treaty of Sevres.
The speaker pointed out to 4 basic tasks within the
Armenian cause: issues of Artsakh and Javakhk,
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
Armenian-Turkish relations. In his words, the Sevres
Treaty gave the most correct formula of settling the
Armenian Cause, and “if the territorial nature of the
Armenian Cause is rejected then this issue will not be
settled.”
The political scientist was sure that the Sevres
Treaty provides a wonderful legal and political
foundation for approaching the settlement of the
Armenian Cause, and our officials have to revive the
approaches of the Sevres Treaty while signing new
agreements. Asked whether the Sevres Treaty is
perfect, Armen Ayvazian said that neither the Sevres
nor Kars, nor Moscow treaties are perfect simply the
approaches of the former one are acceptable.
By Tamar Minasian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US EMBASSY IN RA: TRAFFICKING PROBLEM IN ARMENIA REQUIRES RESOLVING
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Nov 3 2006
YEREVAN, November 1. /ARKA/. The problem of trafficking in Armenia
requires resolving, Anthony Godfry, Deputy Head of Mission, US
Embassy in Armenia, stated at his meeting with Chairperson of the
Standing Parliamentary Commission for Science, Education, Culture and
Youth Affairs Hranush Hakobyan. He pointed out that struggle against
trafficking has become one of the most important tasks of various
countries and international organizations.
Although the RA Government is ready to elaborate a new national
program of trafficking control, but no decisive steps have yet been
made because necessary funds have not been allocated form the state
budget. Godfry stated that the USA is concerned with the problem being
resolved, and if funds are allocated from Armenia’s state budget,
the USA and the UNDP are ready to render active financial assistance.
In her turn, Granush Hakobyan pointed out the necessity of eradicating
trafficking as a vicious phenomenon. “The national program of
trafficking control must be consistently implemented.
Armenia should accede to relevant international agreements,
harmonize its legislation and establish close ties with international
organizations,” she said.
Hakobyan expressed her readiness to contribute to the resolution of
financial problems by applying to the RA Government.
The sides reached an arrangement about long-lasting cooperation
and activities for implementation of Armenia’s national program of
trafficking control. P.T. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #211, 04/11/2006
Exhebition
ARMENIAN ARTISTS IN PHOTOS BY CANADIAN PHOTOGRAPHER
The exhibition entitled “Armenia Is Place of A Meeting” opened at
Boyajian art gallery of the Yerevan State Fine Arts Academy. The
exhibition includes the works by Canadian photographer Galust
Papian. The National Wide Armenian Educational and Cultural Union
initiated the arrangement. The photographer represented his 70 works
made in the course of the last 25 years. The exhibition mainly includes
the portraits of famous Armenian artists
By Rouzan Poghosian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress