LEBANON: GEN AWN’S BLOC ISSUES STATEMENT ON DEVELOPMENTS
Lebanese National News Agency website, Beirut
21 Aug 06
Text of report headlined: “The Change and Reform Bloc welcomes
the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south; demands reliable
mechanism for monitoring the management of aid and reconstruction;
says past experience not encouraging; the government should prepare
a list of priorities” carried by Lebanese National News Agency website
Beirut, 21 August: The Change and Reform Bloc held its weekly meeting
under Gen Michel Awn at his home in Al-Rabiyah. During the meeting,
the conferees discussed the current situation in the country. After the
meeting, a statement was released and was read by Chamber of Deputies
member Ghassan Mukhaybir. The statement welcomed “the deployment of
the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon, and the preparedness that
certain countries have expressed to participate in the additional
UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. UNIFIL troops are being sent to
Lebanon in implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to
assist the Lebanese army in extending the government’s authority to
southern Lebanon to defend the land and the people and keep law and
order. The statement said the bloc is in favour of the Armenian stand
opposing participation of Turkish forces in UNIFIL.”
The statement questioned the “reason for the absence of any reaction
by the international community to Israel’s breach of the UN resolution,
as Israeli forces carried out a landing operation in the Buday area in
Al-Biqa plain. It also highlighted the absence of any international
reaction to Israel’s continued threats to Lebanon, the blockade of
the Lebanese ports, airports and entry points, and prevention of the
Lebanese army from deploying up to the Blue Line under unacceptable
pretexts and conditions.”
The statement also questioned the “seriousness and credibility of
the international community’s support for the Lebanese government,
noting that the Lebanese government has done all it can, dealing,
positively and seriously, with Resolution 1701. In particular,
the Lebanese government has displayed unequivocal commitment to
preventing the firing of rockets at Israel and to keeping law and
order in southern Lebanon and throughout Lebanon.”
The statement reasserted the stand of the Change and Reform
Bloc, calling for the “creation of a strong, democratic state that
represents, thoroughly, fairly and even-handedly, the various Lebanese
forces and segments in keeping with the National Accord Document. This
will restore confidence in the state as the sole point of reference
for national decision-making, particularly with regard to peace and
war decisions.” The statement said: “All that the Change and Reform
Bloc sees of the current majority are slogans without practice. This
indicates that the current majority has its own concept of a state
based on monopolizing power and bypassing the principle of consensual
democracy and effective participation. This majority also unilaterally
makes decisions, thus breaching the constitution and scuttling national
accord. Lebanon today is in dire need of cementing its domestic unity
to confront the serious forthcoming stage, which requires the creation
of a collective authority that is capable of making major decisions
and implementing them, i.e. peace, war and reconstruction.”
With regard to reconstruction, management of the aid and grants,
and the use of foreign support in these fields, the statement said:
“Previous experience was not encouraging; therefore, we demand an
effective, transparent and reliable mechanism for monitoring the use of
aid and preventing exploitation, deviation, sharing, selectivity and
unilateralism.” The statement called on the government to “quickly
prepare a list of priorities for the exceptional needs urgently
required at this stage. It called on the Chamber of Deputies to play
its monitoring and legislative role in this respect.”
The statement called on the government “to deposit in the Foreign
Ministry or the Chamber of Deputies documents of the official minutes
of all the talks it held with international envoys in and outside
Lebanon, including the visits and consultations that the Lebanese
government’s envoys held in foreign capitals during the Israeli
aggression against Lebanon, in preparation for informing the Lebanese
people on this stage leading to the issuance of Resolution 1701”.
The statement called for “forming a parliamentary committee to
interrogate Acting Interior Minister Ahmad Fatfat and Brig-Gen
Adnan Dawud, commander of the security force in the south, over the
ramifications surrounding the Marj Uyun Barracks case”.
The statement called on the Lebanese people “to pay no attention to
attempts at intimidation and exaggeration, to which certain people
resort to pit them against one another and foment suspicion among
them”. It stressed that Lebanon will rise from this war stronger,
more cohesive and with firmer national unity to build a prosperous,
safe and stable future.
After the meeting, the following question-and-answer session took
place between Deputy Mukhaybir and journalists:
Asked how the Change and Reform Bloc reads the repeated Israeli
threats of a second round of war, Mukhaybir said: “The bloc sees
all these statements as part of the media war being launched by
Israel simultaneously with its military war. At this stage, Lebanon’s
administration and diplomats should respond to the Israel threat with
a united national stand, particularly regarding the deployment of the
Lebanese army in the south and quickly facilitating the deployment of
international forces along with the Lebanese army in the south. We
support this approach, and our stand in this respect was clear in
the statement we released. This is part of the bloc’s response to any
threat. In this fragile stage, we must strengthen Lebanon’s position
leading to the implementation of Resolution 1701.”
Asked about the objective of the Bloc’s demand for publishing
the negotiation sessions between the government and international
envoys, Mukhaybir said: “From the standpoint of activating the role
of the chamber of deputies and people’s role in monitoring all that
is taking place, we considered that the political and diplomatic
talks that accompanied the governments diplomatic effort abroad are
important. This is particularly true if the talks are conveyed to the
Foreign Relations Committee in the Chamber of Deputies to enhance the
monitoring role o both the chamber of deputies and the people. This
will also enhance our role as a monitorial opposition bloc at the
Chamber of Deputies. At the same time, we call for cooperation and
unity among all the Lebanese people without a monitoring opposition
role in the creation of democracy.”
Asked about the case of Brig-Gen Dawud and the ramifications of this
case, Mukhaybir said: “Even when the interior minister handed the
report on this case to Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Birri, the
interior minister wished that the latter would take the appropriate
measures regarding this case. What we deem appropriate is to explain to
the public the case beyond the text of the report that Speaker Birri
received. We hope that a parliamentary committee will be formed to
follow up the ramifications of this case in order to raise the morale
of the Lebanese army and security forces so that the security forces
will not have to face similar incidents in the future.”
Asked if the bloc fears for the Lebanese army in the south, Mukhaybir
said: “We do not fear for the Lebanese army, nor any adverse reaction
from the Lebanese people in the south. There is fear of renewed
Israeli attacks against the Lebanese army and citizens. Along with
others parties, we seek to prevent repetition of similar aggressive
wars in the future. We hope that the latest war will be the last,
so that we can strengthen Lebanon’s independence and the unity of
the Lebanese people.”

LIBERATION SOLDIERS AGAIN INVOLVED IN POLITICAL INTRIGUES
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
24 Aug 06
Although few of the actors in the political sphere of Armenia deserved
this right to be there, having entered this sphere everyone has the
right to do something for some purpose. Once you enter, you have to
act, independent from whether you are wanted or not. And anyone entered
and anyone was made to enter the political field of Armenia. Such was
life, and for over 15 years the ruling elite have been busy adjusting
and making others adjust this life rather than changing it. However,
the ones who want to think that they can adjust this life on their
own are immediately adjusted by the government.
This was the case with the district attorney of Malatia-Sebastia
community of Yerevan Hamlet Hovsepyan. He and his son tried several
months ago to have the import of cell phones adjusted to themselves.
But “what is allowed to Zeus is not allowed to the Ox”, and the
president did not forgive the disrespectful attitude of the Hovsepyans
to the Kocharyans.
They did not allow to become adjusted, and somehow they arranged the
dismissal of District Attorney Hovsepyan. But as we have mentioned
above, once you enter, either you have to get out or you have to go
all the way, no matter how difficult it is to find a place… under
this sun. So, several days ago, there was a roundup the Union of
Veterans of the Liberation War led by Hamlet Hovsepyan at the hall
of meetings of the government, which is usually busy for the radical
opposition. It is notable that the roundup took place in a month
after the scorching (the ideological Republicans will explain the
meaning and connotations of this word) conference of the Republican
Party. The Union of Veterans of the Liberation War decided to run in
the parliamentary election 2007. It not a surprise that the UVLW is
becoming engaged in the political process. This is what it was set
up for.
This organization was set up in 2000, at the height of confrontation
of the president-Serge Sargsyan pair and the Yerkrapah-Republican
tandem. The union was set up versus Yerkarapah, which opposed to the
president of the Republic. Hence, a union of veterans of the Karabakh
was opposed by another union, which was more loyal to the president.
Later on as Robert Kocharyan solved the problem of both the Republican
Party and Yerkrapah, appointing the leaders of these organizations
to high positions, the existence of the UVLW lost its meaning. The
government lost interest in this organization, and in order to avoid
trouble, the famous method of division was applied to the UVLW. The
Union underwent a stage of inner controversies, divided and stopped
being an actor in the home political processes.
Apparently, the leaders of the UVLW did not care for political activity
either, for they got different positions, unofficial quotas in culture,
economy and law enforcement. And naturally the one who loses the quotas
again becomes willing to return the political role, especially that
there is demand. Judging by the fate of Hamlet Hovsepyan, especially
over the past few months, it can be supposed that the Union of
Veterans of the Liberation War is going to be opposition in the next
parliamentary election. It is natural that since the president did
not forgive Hovsepyan, he will not forgive the president. After all,
we deal with the Armenian environment where a drop of honey may cause
a row, let alone cell phones.
The current political situation is an excellent opportunity for Hamlet
Hovsepyan to “return the debt” to the president.
Especially that Hovsepyan may get assistance. It is also possible
that Hovsepyan himself is helping someone “return the dept”.
In the political processes of Armenia, especially in a period of
elections, the factor of liberation soldiers has always been great.
The government has always used them for its own reproduction: in 1995,
1996, 1998, 1999, 2003. Although reproduction is increasingly becoming
reliant on the criminal, the factor of veterans (it does not matter
who fought and who heard the shooting) remains rather significant and
will probably remain such as long as the majority of participants of
the liberation war live in hard social conditions.
This is also a planned policy performed by the government, because
it is easier to involve a socially insecure liberation soldier
in political intrigues and make a tool out of him for their own
reproduction.
And perhaps it is quite natural that the Union of Veterans of the
Liberation War is again becoming involved in a home political game.
Maybe the president gave Hamlet Hovsepyan a second chance to “expiate
his sins”, offering him to play in his team. Or maybe the Republicans
use the opportunity to shelter Hovsepyan, who is offended. It is not
important, however, in whose team they will be playing. It is evident
that they are going to play against one other, and maybe also against
the state.

RUSSIA IS CAUTIOUS ABOUT REVALUATION OF THE RUBLE
Lragir.am
23 Aug 06
The Russian media informed that the Russian president Vladimir
Putin demanded that the minister of finance Alexey Kudrin stop the
revaluation of the ruble. During the August 22 meeting with Kudrin
the president said, “The revaluation of the ruble this year may have a
dramatic impact on the economy. If this process goes on, you will give
rise to problems for big companies.” Besides, Putin was dissatisfied
with the growing rate of imports.
In the meantime, it is difficult to guess why the Armenian government,
namely President Robert Kocharyan fail to take care of the producers
of our country which is undergoing the same processes, but it is
supposed that all the pro-government oligarchs are importers: sugar,
flour, petrol, gas, etc.
I do not know Russia, but in Armenia the revaluation of the national
currency of Armenia has an apparently artificial component. If so
far the president of the Central Bank Tigran Sargsyan has announced
that the Central Bank does not interfere with the exchange rate of the
dram, quite recently a “pro-government” expert announced several times
within a week that the Central Bank has bought 60 million dollars to
prevent the harmful revaluation of the dram, and there is nothing
else it can do. In other words, people rack their brains to prove
that everything is normal and there is nothing artificial. They do
not seem to be successful, however.

PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARYAN EXPRESSED CONDOLENCE TO HIS RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN COUNTERPARTS
ArmRadio.am
24.08.2006 15:26
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan conveyed a telegram of condolence
to the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Fradkov and
the Ukrainian Premier Viktor Yushchenko on the occasion of the crash
of the Tu-154 Anapa – St. Petersburg plane in Donetsk region.
On behalf of RA Government and himself Andranik Margaryan expressed
condolence to families and friend of the killed, Information and PR
Department of RA Government informs.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NA CHAIRMAN TIGRAN TOROSYAN RECEIVED UN PERMANENT COORDINATOR CONSUELO VIDA
ArmRadio.am
24.08.2006 16:00
August 24 NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan received UN Permanent
Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Consuelo Vidal.
Issues related to cooperation, development of mechanisms and rise
of efficiency were discussed during the meting, NA Public Relations
Office informs.
Mrs. Vidal presented the preliminary programs of cooperation.
Reference was made also to the opportunity of making analysis of the
existing legislation with UN support to reveal the contradictions in
different laws and agreements.
An agreement was reached on arranging discussions on the improvement
of the Parliament’s website.
The interlocutors dwelt on issues related to the law on fighting
trafficking and a number of questions of mutual importance.

CREDIT PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMY IN ARMENIAN RURAL AREAS LAUNCHES
ARMENPRESS
Aug 24 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS: The implementation of a credit program
directed towards the development of economy of rural areas has launched
in seven Armenian provinces with the co-financing of the government of
Armenia and International Foundation of Agricultural Development. The
program, costing 28.7 million USD, is aimed at developing the stable
growth of the income of the population of rural areas.
Official from the Armenian Agricultural Ministry told Armenpress
that the efficiency of the supplier-producer-consumer chain will be
improved which will promote the investments in private sector by the
village population and owners of small and medium-sized business.
As part of the program Armenian Finance and Economy Ministry’s
village financing banks will provide credits to the owners of small
and medium-sized business.
According to the specialists of the program an analysis and
management office has started operating which is responsible for the
implementation of the program which will end in 2009.

COMMUNIST PARTY TO RUN FOR ELECTIONS SEPARATELY
Panorama.am
15:07 24/08/06
Ruben Tovmasyan, the first secretary of the Armenian Communist Party,
informed reporters today that his party is going to run for elections
without teaming up with any party. In his words, their failure in
2003 was conditioned by their cooperation with other parties.
In the opinion of Hovsepyan, parties which have unwritten ideology
of terrorizing, bribing and cheating have real chances of winning
the elections.
He believes that the elections will be undoubtedly faked. Otherwise,
the communist party will appear in the parliament because “our
electorate is the whole Armenian nation,” the communist says. Hovsepyan
is sure in case he makes calls of violence, lots of people will follow
him, but he is not going to do so.
The leader has no hopes connected with Russia, USA or Europe. They
totally rely on their own ideology.

ANOTHER PUBLIC ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED
Panorama.am
15:14 24/08/06
Hasmik Giadukyan, the leader of a newly established public
organization, Work and Social Justice, NGO, called a press conference
today to announce about the establishment of their organization. The
NGO will pay special attention to nature and environment, sceince and
culture, secondary education. Giadukyan has no clear ideas how they
are going to accomplish these aims. At the moment, this NGO brings
together 97 members, teachers by profession.

TURKISH SCIENTIST DEMANDS OPENING OF THE BOSTON ARCHIVE
ArmRadio.am
24.08.2006 16:32
“All Turkish archives are open, but up until now no Armenian
scientist has worked in these archives,” Chairman of the History
Organization of Turkey Yusuf Halachoghlu told APA Agency. In his
words, the Turkish Prime Minister suggested opening all archives
and applied the leadership of Armenia with the suggestion to jointly
investigate the Genocide. In the professor’s opinion, if Armenians
and their supporters are confident of themselves, then they must work
with Turkish scientists to find the answer to the question. Yusuf
Halachoghlu declared that so far they have received no suggestions
to work with the archives in Armenia and they demand opening of the
Boston archive of the Revolutionary Federation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WORLD BANK TO CARRY OUT SECOND CREDIT PROGRAM IN ARMENIAN HEALTH SPHERE IN 2006-2008
ARMENPRESS
Aug 24 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS: In 2006-2008 the World Bank will
carry out the second credit program in the Armenian health sphere
which will be aimed at improving the quality of medical services and
its availability.
An official from the Armenian Finance and Economy Ministry told
Armenpress that as part of the credit program it is expected to develop
the family medicine, optimize and modernize hospital system and reach
institutional development.
The official also said that within the framework of the program the
medical institutions will be equipped with modern necessary medical
devices and training courses for specialists will be held.