RUSSIAN LEADER REPORTEDLY AGAINST ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S SUCCESSOR
Iravunk, Yerevan
29 Aug 06
Text of I. H. report by Armenian newspaper Iravunk on 29 August
entitled “Putin is against but Serzh is for”
[Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan and [Russian President] Vladimir
Putin have recently met in Sochi. They discussed domestic political
developments in Armenia. Russian diplomatic sources say that Vladimir
Putin spoke directly about Robert Kocharyan’s alleged legal successor.
According to our source, it was a surprise even for Kocharyan that
Putin spoke directly without [observing] diplomatic norms: “Russia
does not see and accept [Armenian Defence Minister] Serzh Sarkisyan
your legal successor”.
According to the same source and a source close to the Armenian
president, this opinion of the Russian president was conveyed to Serzh
Sarkisyan. He was called to weigh pros and cons. However, as our source
said, Serzh Sarkisyan said that he had made up his mind long ago.

PRESIDENT, SERGE, BARGAVACH HAYASTAN AND REPUBLICAN PARTY ACCORDING TO SPEAKER
Lragir.am
30 Aug 06
On August 30 Victor Soghomonyan, the speaker of the president of
Armenia met with news reporters. It should be noted that this is
an extraordinary event, considering that the speaker gives such
news conferences once in several months. If the speaker meets with
journalists once in several months, it is pointless to speak about
the president. It is hard to remember when Robert Kocharyan last met
with the media of Armenia freely, that is not selectively, and freely
answered their questions. Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration
to say that the news conferences of the president or his speaker are
a certain present for the media. It is notable that the speaker of
the president offered this present on the eve of Robert Kocharyan’s
birthday. And the media used the opportunity to get an idea of the
president’s opinion on the home political developments, at least to
the degree that the speaker’s competence allows. They tried to ask
him if it is true that in Sochi Vladimir Putin told Robert Kocharyan
that Serge Sargsyan is not preferred as the successor of the president.
“You see, I have not discussed this kind of publications with the
president for a long time now, because very often the efforts to find
relations between the foreign, home policies of different countries
with the home policies of Armenia sound absurd, and I think it is
pointless to discuss,” says the speaker of Robert Kocharyan. The
speaker of the president disagrees to the word successor in general.
“At the moment I cannot say anything definite about the successor. In
other words, the word successor is not the right word to use in
this context, I think. Perhaps, it would be better to say the next
president of the Republic of Armenia. This is quite another point
of view,” says Victor Soghomonyan. Besides the characterization
of Serge Sargsyan’s succession there is another characterization
for the defense minister – “misunderstanding”. This is connected
with the statement of the minister he made before the extraordinary
assembly of the Repubican Party, saying that the head of state is not
against his membership to this political party and soon the president
or the speaker would express their opinion. It was perceived as an
instruction to Robert Kocharyan, especially after the statement of
the speaker of the president that Robert Kocharyan has a positive
attitude to the membership of Serge Sargsyan to the Republican Party.
Using the opportunity of the meeting with the speaker, the journalists
tried to find out how it happened that the “instruction” of the
defense minister was immediately carried out.
“There was a misunderstanding. When these publications appeared in
the media, there was a misunderstanding, because the defense minister
expressed his opinion that if the president wished to express his
attitude concerning his membership, he or his speaker would state,
which is quite natural. In other words, as far as I know, nobody else
expressed the opinion of the president. And I fulfilled my duty,
I expressed my opinion on the event, which was in the focus of the
political sphere and the Republic in general. If there is something
strange about it, please do explain it,” says Victor Soghomonyan.
There is nothing strange and there is no conflict, says the speaker
of the president. He means a conflict between the president and
the defense minister. The journalists enquired about it, and Victor
Soghomonyan answered this question. The question, however, referred
not only to the president and defense minister personally but Bargavach
Hayastan Party and the Republican Party.
“As to Bargavach Hayastan Party and the Republican Party, I must say
there is no conflict either. There are and there can be controversies,
as I can see from news reports, different speeches, which I think is
natural because if there are no controversies and disagreement, then we
are not speaking of two different forces,” says Victor Soghomonyan,
saying that otherwise the two political parties could join into
one. Victor Soghomonyan cannot see “anything dramatic” about the
controversies between Bargavach Hayastan and the Republican Party.
In fact, there is nothing dramatic, but there are a lot of illogical
things about it. It appeared that the speaker of the president would
answer questions concerning the president, and answering about the
controversies between Bargavach Hayastan and the Republican Party is
not his competence. Especially that formally Robert Kocharyan is not
related to any of these political parties. It would be logical if
the speaker of Robert Kocharyan declined to tell anything about the
controversy between these political parties saying that this question
concerns the parties only. However, for some reason the speaker
announced definitely that there is not a conflict and there are only
separate controversies. How does he know there is no controversy?
Maybe he really does know but formal awareness is concerned, for Victor
Soghomonyan states himself that he can express only the official
opinion of the president. Is the Bargavach-Republican relationship
the competence of Robert Kocharyan?

ROBERT KOCHARYAN WILL NOT FOLLOW SERGE SARGSYAN’S PATH
Lragir.am
30 Aug 06
Armenian president Robert Kocharyan will not become member of any
political party. He announced this through his speaker in a news
conference at the residence of the president August 30.
“First, at the moment there is no consideration that the president
is likely to become member of one political party or another, if you
heard his speeches, he has never stated that he is going to become
member of any political party,” stated Victor Soghomonyan, speaker of
Robert Kocharyan. He also said as long as Robert Kocharyan is the head
of state, the president administration will not join political parties.

ANOTHER REQUEST FOR FACTS
Lragir.am
30 Aug 06
It appears that more and more people are demanding facts on the
administrative and criminal consolidation in Armenia. Besides Tigran
Torosyan, the speaker of the National Assembly, the speaker of
President Kocharyan is also demanding evidence of the criminal. In
the press conference he disagreed that the government in Armenia is
joining the criminal contingent. Like Tigran Torosyan several days
ago, Victor Soghomonyan announced August 31 that everyone is speaking
about the criminal but nobody offers facts or names as evidence of
existence of the criminal.
Considering that the speaker of the president presents the viewpoint
of the president only, as he confesses, it means that Robert
Kocharyan needs facts on the criminal. In other words, either Robert
Kocharyan does not consider as criminal what the public considers
criminal or Robert Kocharyan is not aware of the situation and is
not informed. Both variants are possible, but the situation can be
corrected. Therefore, it is necessary that the president come in touch
with the public more often than with the people who are considered
criminal by the public, and in this case he will not need facts on
the criminal. The public will offer him the facts for free.
However, only in case the public becomes convinced that these facts
are not for covering up as it has been the case so far but for taking
action on. At the procuracy, of course.

A NUMBER OF FESTIVE EVENTS SCEDULED SEPTEMBER 18-25
ArmRadio.am
30.08.2006 17:58
On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s independence,
a number of festive events are scheduled September 18-25.
RA President’s Spokesman Viktor Soghomonyan informs that a military
parade will be held in the Republic Square. Third Armenia-Diaspora
forum will be organized, concerts and salutes will be held in the
framework of the celebration.
From: Baghdasarian

CINEMA: LOVE AND DESTINY ON HIGH SEAS
Gerald Chuah
New Straits Times, Malaysia
Aug. 31, 2006
BRIDES
Directed by Pantelis Voulgaris
Starring Damian Lewis, Victoria Haralabidou, Andrea Ferreol, Evi
Saoulidou, Steven Berkoff, Dimitris
NOTHING works as well as a good old-fashioned love story. Brides is
an epic romance story shot on board a ship but this is no Titanic.
Its merits are stark realism and good acting, and the film is devoid
of Hollywood special effects.
The film should have been renamed Mail Order Bride as this is its
main theme.
Set in 1922, the movie depicts the story of 700 mail order brides
from Greece, Turkey, Russia and Armenia travelling on the SS King
Alexander to United States to meet prospective husbands.
Some see it as an opportunity to start a brand new life, while others
are bound by familial duties. Most feel lost, depressed and homesick
as they have to leave the comfort of their homes and family to marry
a stranger.
Although Brides is a new film, it looks as if it was taken from some
archives. The colours are muted and the story is slow-moving and a
bit depressing.
However, the film abounds with great dialogue and acting.
The shots of the brides are almost haunting as their future looms
with excitement and apprehension.
This excellent filmmaking technique brings out the best in this
epic drama.
The main characters are American photographer Norman Harris (Damien
Lewis) and Greek seamstress Niki (Victoria Haralabidou).
Harris is returning home after roaming Asia Minor for several years.
He is frustrated and despondent after his latest wartime photos are
rejected by the American newspaper he’s working for.
He is inspired to photograph the mail order brides in their bridal
attire after observing them from the deck.
He falls in love with demure seamstress Niki, who is bound for Chicago
to marry a tailor named Prodromos.
Their brief relationship culminates with a heart-rending decision
upon their arrival in America.
No movie is complete without the bad guy and here, it is a Russian
(played by Steven Berkoff) who lures some of the young girls away to
be his potential “business partners”.
The movie captures the epic and emotional journey with attention to
detail, including costumes and the ship’s various quarters.
The atmosphere is moody and sensual, reminiscent of the era.
Ultimately, the film is about strong emotions, dilemmas and conscience.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IT IS A COVER-UP, SAYS PARTY
By Ben Agina
Standard, Kenya
Aug. 31, 2006
Orange Democratic Movement of Kenya party luminary, Mr Raila Odinga
(right), reads a statement on the recently released Kiruki Commission
report at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on Wednesday. Picture by
Tabitha Otwori
The Orange Democratic Movement has cried foul over the Kiruki Report,
branding it a “cover-up” as the Government again found itself on the
receiving end over its handling of the Artur brothers saga.
The party described the outcome of the investigation as a brazen
attempt at cleansing, then reinstating, pro-Government officers caught
up in the fiasco.
“It has to be stated from the onset that the report, as claimed to
have been extracted by (a local daily) is an attempt at a political
cleansing process and eliminates all faith we may have had in the
commission outcomes, in getting to the bottom of this most bizarre
case of national insecurity,” they said in a statement read at a
press conference in Nairobi.
Overall, they said, the commissioners did not only bungle the probe,
they also wandered outside their mandate and served as instruments
to conceal the truth.
They roundly dismissed the commission, chaired by former Police
Commissioner Mr Shedrach Kiruki, as a public relations exercise gone
awry and a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.
Favourable slant
The MPs also took issue with the manner in which the report had been
“selectively” leaked to the Press. They claimed this could be part
of a wider scheme to water down the commission’s findings by giving
the report a “favourable slant”.
The attack came less than 48-hours after the report on the bogus
Armenian brothers Artur Sargasyan and Artur Margaryan was handed over
to President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi.
On Wednesday, ODM-Kenya said the report was a “cover-up” and an attempt
to absolve suspended Criminal Investigations Department Director, Mr
Joseph Kamau, from blame in an affair that compromised State security.
ODM-Kenya said it confirmed fears and reservations of most people
about the commission. Addressing the Press at Parliament Buildings,
Nominated MP Mr Mutula Kilonzo – who led a team of ODM-Kenya leaders
that included MPs Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr Raila Odinga, Mr William
Ruto, Mrs Julia Ojiambo and Mr Henry Kosgey – said the commission
deliberately omitted summoning key witnesses such as Kamau to testify.
He said the evidence adduced at the inquiry pointed to the complicity
of the suspended CID boss and his department.
Political cleansing
The report, Mutula noted, had not only absolved Kamau from blame,
it also recommended his reinstatement.
“This case is bound to consume both those who engineered the coming
of the Arturs and those who continue to cover up,” he warned.
The ODM leaders charged that the Commissioner of Police had every right
under the Police Act to appoint whomever he pleased to investigate
claims that the Arturs were mercenaries hired by the Government to
assassinate ODM leaders.
The commissioner, they said, acted the way he did because he had lost
faith in the ability of Kamau to investigate the matter.
They said the report – whose excerpts were carried by a local daily –
was an attempt at political cleansing and banished any hope Kenyans
had that the commission would get to the bottom of the bizarre case.
They said the commission was a mere public relations exercise aimed at
“whitewashing of the devil”, adding Kenyans were too intelligent to
be hoodwinked into believing the ruse.
“The Government, and particularly the Executive, must now own up and
deal with issues relating to the over-looking of the Interpol warnings
as attested to by police witnesses,” said Mutula.
Criminal activities
The ODM leadership warned the report would neither deter nor cow
Kenyans from insisting on the principle of good governance that calls
upon those mentioned in the Arturs case to resign and allow for “real”
investigations by an independent body.
Reading from a book titled, Patriots and Profiteers by R T Naylor,
published in 1999, Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga said the Arturs had been
mentioned as international criminals.
“These are known international criminals. Interpol gave the Kenya
police the same information when they sought their help,” the MP said.
Raila said the Government had information about the criminal activities
of the Arturs yet Internal Security minister Mr John Michuki defended
them in Parliament as investors.
Raila said that instead of the minister arresting the duo, he
deported them to defeat investigation. The former Roads minister
said the information on the Artur brothers was given to Mr Kamau,
who failed to act on it.
He claimed the suspended CID boss had on several occasions visited
the home of the Arturs in Runda and yet he was not summoned to give
evidence.
He wondered why the commission was now shifting the blame to the
Police Commissioner.
“Kamau is the suspect. He was the one covering up for the Artur
brothers,” claimed Raila.
False information
Raila said it was for the same reason that he gave the information
to the Police Commissioner, who in turn referred him to Kilimani
Police Station.
“It was in the wisdom of the Commissioner of Police that the matter be
investigated by another officer other than the CID boss,” said Raila.
Raila wondered why Kamau, Musyoka and himself were not summoned to
the commission.
“The truth of this Arturs saga is known up to State House,” he said.
Raila said it was time the President owned up and sacked Michuki for
“giving false information to the public”.
On his part, Kalonzo said the Government had treated Kenyans to an
unforgivable circus.
“Our worst fears about the Arturs have now been confirmed,” said
Kalonzo, adding that even a child knew very well that a Government
could not investigate itself because it was involved in this saga.
The MP said it was imperative for the commission to have interrogated
Kamau.
“There is an attempt to sanitise him”.
Kalonzo urged Kenyans to stand up and demand the truth, claiming the
Arturs were trained assassins.
He disclosed that he had briefed a recent African Union meeting about
the Armenians’ activities.
“As the African Union, we agreed that any assassination attempt on
the ODM figures was to be blamed on the Government,” said Kalonzo.

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF ACTIVE OSCE CHAIRMAN ACTS WITH PRO-ARMENIAN POSITION – MEMBER OF AZERI DELEGATION IN OSCE PA
Author: J.Shahverdiyev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug. 31, 2006
The personal representative of the active OSCE chairman Andzey Kasprzyk
acts with pro-Armenian position, the member of Azerbaijani delegation
in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, chairman of the permanent agrarian
policy commission of Azerbaijani Parliament on Eldar Ibrahimov told
Trend , commenting on the statement of Kasprzyk regarding attracting
international experts who will investigate the reasons of fires in
Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and negotiations process held by
the co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group.
Kasprzyk noted that talks are being held with Azerbaijani and Armenian
foreign ministers. He stressed that the expert group should prepare an
action plan that should reflect the reasons for the fires, inflicted
damages and measures form preventing the firers in the future.
Ibrahimov spelled out that it may be accepted if the group includes
fair people who gave an accurate assessment to the incidents. “If
the expert group, as Andzey Kasprzyk, confirms that the fires
happened due to hot weather conditions, then the activity of the
group isn’t needed,” he emphasized, adding that Kasprzyk takes a
pro-Armenian position. “Fires may happen from hot weather in the
occupied territories, but why don’t the fires happen in the territories
located 100 meters from occupied territories?” he questioned.
Besides, the deputy underlined that the head of Armenian delegation
in OSCE PA told him that the fires took place due to drought and hot.
“I answered him that Yerevan is the most droughty city. If it is
the reason for fires, then Yerevan had to burn long ago,” Ibrahimov
pointed out, adding that he doesn’t accept the position of Kasprzyk
in this issue.

ARMENIAN SIDE SAYS NO MEETING SCHEDULED BETWEEN AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS BY THE END OF 2006
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug. 31, 2006
There is no agreement on a meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents, but the possibility it will occur has not been completely
ruled out, Viktor Sogomonian, a press officer of the Armenian President
said at today’s press conference.
He said it is too early to say “that all possibilities” for the
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been
exhausted, because this year is not over yet. He recalled a statement
made by Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian in Slovenia that
Armenia welcomes constructive dialogue based on the real situation.
“Sooner or later everybody will have to take into account the real
situation, including the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s independence.”
He added that in June 2006 Matthew Bryza, U.S. co-chairman of the
OSCE Minsk Group, made public some points of the conflict settlement
document drafted by the co-chairmen, which gave rise to various
comments. The Armenian side is ready to make public all documents
ever discussed at the negotiations and then everybody will see and
know who and what was offered and who is ready to exchange or cede.
“I believe this will happen sooner or later,” said Sogomonian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMBASSADOR: ITALY IS INTERESTED IN RESTORING ARMENIAN MONUMENTS
Regnum, Russia
Aug. 30, 2006
>From August 30 to September 16, an International Conference Archaeology
and Monuments’ Restoration is being held in Armenia with the help of
the Italian government.
As a REGNUM correspondent reports, Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente
has said in his opening address that the Italian government attaches
much significance to the Armenian-Italian cooperation. “Italy is
interested in restoring and preserving Armenian monuments, first,
because Armenia is rich with architectural hits, second, the vast
experience of Italian specialists will help Armenian colleagues in
preserving architectural monuments. The Italian government is sure
that architecture is one of priority spheres of the Armenia-Italian
cooperation,” the ambassador announced adding that Armenia’s oil is
human resources – professionals, experts in culture.
In his turn, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs
Gagik Gyurjyan noted that for Armenian colleagues, experience of Italy
in methods of restoring wall painting is very important. “Italy is
rich in monumental heritage, and its specialists in architecture have
no match,” he said.
The Archaeology and Monuments’ Restoration panel is organized by
Armenia’s Ministry for Culture and Youth Affairs, Italian Embassy
to Armenia, the Center for Studying and Ratifying the Armenian
Culture, historical department of Yerevan State University. Leading
archaeologists, restores, architects, designers, experts in restoring
wall paintings participate in it. The Italian government granted
30,000 euro to hold the event.