SIC TRANSIT…
Aram Abrahamian
Aravot.am
26 Aug 06
As it is known, there have always been ”right” and ”wrong” Jews
in Russia.
For instance, L. Kaganovich was a ”right” Jew, but V. Meierhold was
a ”wrong” one. Their oligarchs are distinguished just in the same
way. Abramovich and Khohodorkovsky have equally robbed the soviet
property, they have avoided of taxes etc., but now one of them is a
governor, another is a prisoner.
Difference between them is a great: one of them is loyal to the
authority, another isn’t.
As we always follow Russia, we also have the same customs. For example
there are ”right” and ”wrong” deserters in Armenia. Thousands of
people avoid of military service in Armenia but the law enforcement
agencies take bribes and don’t disturb them. But if you are the
editor-in-chief of an oppositionist newspaper and the same law
enforcement agencies are ordered by the ruling clique to examine you,
it is impossible to take a bribe.
The most interesting thing is that when the “right” person becomes a
“wrong” one in a moment. Who was Artashes Tumanian till the latest
events. A famous politician, one of the bases of independent
Armenia. But, unfortunately, that person decided to form a party
without the president’s approval. In some days he was accused
of wasting money of “Lins” foundation and owing some profitable
business. Till the attempt of forming a party law enforcement officials
thought that Mr. Tumanian lives on his salary. This example warned
the prosecutor to freeze the process of forming a party.
Now the same happens to “Orinats Erkir”. OEP was a “constructive”,
” pro-authority” power till the latest period, a full member of the
coalition, which leads the country to the prosperity. And finally
it became clear that it was a group of enemies of the state, fifth
column of the U.S. or French imperialism. The coalition colleagues
found out that the OEP members don’t even have a right to sweep the
corridors of the Parliament, and Arthur Baghdasarian’s formed French
University and the European Regional Academy cost nothing.
Bolshevism /”who isn’t with us, he is against us”/ prevents the
formation of state tradition. Tomorrow other Bolsheviks will come
and will criticize nowadays authority.
–Boundary_(ID_pzbrw/M5uYt4K23qL3I3vw) —

THE GOVERNOR IS REAL TROUBLE FOR ARF
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Rather interesting developments are underway inside ARF Dashnaktsutyun,
especially with regard to Romik Manukyan, the governor of
Shirak. Inside the political party, namely a rather big wing in the
Gyumri organization, believe that the governor’s activities stain the
political party’s reputation. Our source from the ARF Bureau says
one of the members of the Bureau visited the region and met with
the activisits. During he meeting they discussed the expediency of
dismissal of the governor of the region of Shirak.
However, we have learned that the Dashnaks in Yerevan are not likely
to free Gyumri Dashnaks from Romik Manukyan.

THE QUESTIONS WERE NEVERTHELESS ASKED
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Hrair Karapetyan, the chair of the parliamentary faction of ARF
Dashnaktsutyun answering the questions of news reporters at the Pastark
club confirmed the statements of the leader of Orinats Yerkir Arthur
Baghdasaryan that as part of government Orinats Yerkir did not remain
silent and criticized negative phenomena. However, Hrair Karapetyan
added, “During the meetings of the coalition the questions were not put
as sharply as now when Orinats Yerkir is opposition.” At the same time,
Hrair Karapetyan thinks it is natural that the same party puts forward
the same question differently in the government and in the opposition.

ARF TO CLARIFY ITS TACTICS AFTER SUPREME CONVENTION
Yerkir
29.08.2006 14:30
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – All political parties are preparing for the
upcoming National Assembly election, Hrair Karapetian, National
Assembly’s Armenian Revolutionary Federation faction leader, told a
news conference on Tuesday.
“Every party decides on its own what tactics to adopt for the coming
months,” Karapetian said.
As for the ARF, Karapetian said, the party will discuss its action
plan at its 10th Supreme Body to be convened on September 7.
Taking a question on the ARF’s possible participation in an electoral
block with other parties in the election, Karapetian said, “The ARF
is ruled collectively, and it is the Supreme Convention that is to
make a decision on the party’s tactics.
My personal opinion is that the ARF has always participated in
elections separately but there are parties whose programs are
comparable in some parts with that of the ARF. A cooperation is
inevitable but only the Convention will decide on the extent of
cooperation.”
Speaking on the alleged confrontation between the Republican Party
and newly formed Prosperous Armenia Party, Karapetian said such
confrontation is ‘ artificially exaggerated’ by the press.
As for the opposition, Karapetian said, it did not take the place
it was supposed to, so other parties should commit to control the
legislative field.
He also spoke of the change in the Azerbaijani position in the Karabakh
conflict settlement, saying that the international community cannot
tolerate for long Azerbaijan’s attempts to derail the process and
that country’s belligerent rhetoric.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GARNIK ISAGULYAN IS LOOKING FOR ALLIES
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Garnik Isagulyan, adviser to the president of Armenia, is looking for a
political ally. The source informs that Isagulyan has actively started
the search for supporters. We have learned that he has already come
to a preliminary agreement with a figure, who is Isagulyan’s colleague
without political partnership, namely another adviser to the president
Seiran Avagyan. By the way, Avagyan remembered on these days that he
is a political figure and held a meeting of the Democratic Liberal
Union he leads on August 26.
For the time being he is the only visible and definite candidate of
ally for Garnik Isagulyan. We have learned, however, that Avagyan
is not enough for Isagulyan, and he is likely to continue the search
for a political companion. It should be noted that Isagulyan started
the search long ago. Simply so far he was looking for a presidential
candidate, not a political ally, and announced that Serge Sargsyan
is the best and the best prepared candidate. Meanwhile, Isagulyan’s
search for a political ally means that his search for a presidential
candidate was not successful. Otherwise, if the courtesy to Serge
Sargsyan were successful, Isagulyan would not need a political ally,
because the Republican Party would become his “natural” ally.
And since Robert Kocharyan did not like Isagulyan’s courtesy to Serge
either, there is nothing the adviser can do but to find some way of
staying in the political sphere.

ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN KEEPS TRADITIONS AND SECRETS
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Hrair Karapetyan, the leader of the parliamentary faction of the ARF,
announced August 29 at the Pastark Club that the tenth general meeting
of the ARF will take place on September 7, which will outline the
manner and purpose of participation of ARF in the election.
Although today it is already clear that “the ARF runs in the
elections alone”. As it became clear from the following words of
the ARF representative, besides being a century-old and traditional,
the ARF is also reticent as usual. The opening of the General Meeting
of the ARF will take place at the hall of the government and will be
open for everyone, whereas the meeting itself will be confidential.
Hrair Karapetyan did not know where the meeting will take place, but
he noted, “Since the resolutions, circulars of the General Meeting
are published, it is pointless to speak about confidentiality.”
Besides, the ARF is not only reticent but also conformist. The ARF
is for a 100 percent proportional system. Hrair Karapetyan announced
that if as a result of a political arrangemeent 90 seats are elected
under the proportional and 41 seats are elected under the majority
system in 2007, the ARF will consider it a progressive step compared
with the present 47/56 proportion. And if the proportion set down
in the Electoral Code remains, ARF will agree to it and hope that
eventually in 2012 there will be a 100 percent proportional system in
Armenia. And the race of political rats determined by the developments
connected with the Republican Party and Bargavach Hayastan does not
worry ARF. “In fact, there is a process of moving from one party to
another, but even in the years when our friends were in prison, and
the party was banished, not a single member quit the ARF.” It became
clear that it is very difficult to become member of the ARF. “It is
difficult to become a member.
Mass membership is impossible. Only one out of 20-30-40 applications
are accepted.” In addition, “Our electorate is sustainable.” At
the same time, Hrair Karapetyan states that the ARF gets more
votes at every election, and he is hopeful that this tendency will
continue. “Unfortunately, however, in voting people do not take into
consideration the age of the political party, and the influence of
the Soviet anti-Dashnaktsutyun campaign persists.
People do not trust the ARF.” Hrair Karapetyan thinks that now the
true history is taught at schools and the time will come when the
ARF will be evaluated duly.
The chair of the parliamentary faction of the ARF, likely to run
in the election alone, notes that there are political parties whose
programs have a number of points in common with the program of the
ARF, and cooperation with these parties is not only possible but also
inevitable. The struggle inside the government is also inevitable
and natural, which will become tenser as the elections draw nearer,
says the ARF representative.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMERICANS FOR ARTSAKH
Panorama.am
14:52 29/08/06
The Americans for Artsakh (AFA) organization today invites potential
investors and interested organizations to benefit from market survey
data compiled over the past sixteen months in Artsakh. AFA will also
use the data as it develops a model farm project in Artsakh.
The AFA Liaison Office in Stepanakert began the survey in March 2005,
studying availability, prices and origin of nearly 200 agricultural
products sold at three major markets of Stepanakert, as well as in
Askeran, Hadrut, Mardakert, Martuni and Shushi. The survey aims to
gather information about Artsakh”s food markets, helping identify
products that could be produced locally both for domestic consumption
and export.
Director of the AFA”s Stepanakert Office Elvina Azarian, who
spearheaded the project”s implementation, said that the survey results,
in combination with the Nagorno Karabakh government statistics, would
serve as a major reference both for local and outside businessmen
and organizations interested in Artsakh”s agricultural sector.
“The study results also reflect the rising cost of living in Nagorno
Karabakh over the past year and a half,” Azarian said. “As such,
the survey data together with available statistics on incomes would
help determine the trends in food security in Karabakh.”
“AFA will continue the surveys and intends to use the data as we
launch a model farm project in Artsakh,” said the AFA President Zaven
Khanjian. “The model farm will involve roughly one hectare patches
of land in two to three locations in Artsakh. AFA would help farmers
identify marketable high-value crops and provide necessary seeds,
management consulting and technology. Upon successful completion,
the model would be available to other Artsakh farmers to replicate. We
also invite those interested in Artsakh”s agricultural sector to make
use of the market survey results.”
Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy, foster economic
development, protect the cultural identity and promote the heritage
of the people of Artsakh. The founding Board of Directors include:
Zaven Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian, Vice President; Savey
Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary; and Edward Chobanian.

RESTAURANTS PENALIZED FOR EXCEEDING PERMITTED MUSIC VOLUME
ARMENPRESS
Aug 29 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS: Six restaurants and open-air cafes in
Yerevan were subjected to administrative penalties for violating a
rule that forbids loud music after 11 pm. The restaurants and cafes
were identified during raids by municipality authorities across
night Yerevan.
The most severe penalty set by the law is forbidding a restaurant or
a cafe to hire musicians and play live music while monetary penalties
range between 25,000 to 30,000 drams.
Karen Gevorkian, head of a municipality trade department, said two
restaurants were penalized for exceeding the permitted music volume
last week alone.
He said residents of nearby houses continue to complain and this is
why they will continue to monitor the situation until October.
He said the president instructed health authorities, police and
the municipality to take action and ensure quiet for residents at
night hours.
According to the official figures, Yerevan has 1,073 restaurants,
open-air cafe, bars and night clubs.

HRAYR KARAPETYAN: AZERBAIJAN COMPREHENDS PRETTY WELL THAT IT CAN NO MORE FAIL THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS
ArmRadio.am
29.08.2006 15:44
Three times Azerbaijan failed the negotiation process over the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, and the international community
verified this, Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Party (ARF) faction
of the National Assembly Hrayr Karapetyan said in a press conference
today. He considers this was the reason for the softening of the
Azeri position and statements on the resolution of the Karabakh issue.
According to Hrayr Karapetyan, Azerbaijan comprehends pretty well
that this cannot continue long. Azerbaijan understands also that the
international community convicts the militant statements: serious
people and international structures expressed their critical attitude.
Mr. Karapetyan underlined that ARF position on the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict remains unchanged.
Speaking about the statement by the US Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group Matthew Bryza that Azerbaijan is one step ahead of
Armenia as it refers to democracy, Hrayr Karapetyan noted that the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation has expressed concern over the
statement to US Ambassador John Evans, who promised to convey it to
US leadership. Hrayr Karapetyan mentioned that even the opposition
representatives n Armenia are unhappy with Matthew Bryza’s statement,
since the opposition also considers that Armenia is ahead of Azerbaijan
as it refers to democracy.

CHINESE AND KAZAKHS INTEND TO JOIN KARS-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION
Yerevan, August 28. ArmInfo. China and Kazakhstan got interested in
the Project of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway construction, passing over
Armenia, Kazakh “IA” informs with reference to Turkish Mass Media.
The source noted that the Chinese intend to join the railway
construction to be launched in 2007. In case of the Project success,
Turkey will become the main transport and power corridor, which
bounds Europe, Caucasus and Asia by a ground transport and power
communications. The Turkish representatives had already called this
Project a “New Silk Way from Asia to Europe”. It is envisaged that
the annual cargo turnover by this railway will be no less than 20
mln tons. After the transport network commissioning, the town of
Kars will be joined with Chinese Shanghai. The Kazakh Agency informs
Turkey pins great hopes on Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway Project which,
as to Ankara, will radically change the whole region face.
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku will establish a direct connection between Azerbaijan
and Turkey which is an important element, meeting the strategy of
Ankara and Baku for strengthening of all-round military-political
relations.
To be reminded, about $400 mln is envisaged to direct for the Project
implementation. In the opinion of some Turkish experts, in case of
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku Project fulfillment, positions of Armenia and Russia
in the region will greatly weaken.