RA PRESIDENT EXPECTS FROM NEWLY APPOINTED JUDGES HONEST AND IMPARTIAL WORK
Noyan Tapan
Aug 15 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Oath ceremony of
Armen Khachatrian and Rafik Melkonian, the newly appointed judges
of the Court of First Instance of the marz of Tavush took place
at the August 14 sitting of the Justice Council, in RA President’s
presence. Undertaking the high post of a judge, they took the oath to
subject only to the Constitution and laws when implementing justice,
to be impartial and principal, just and humanist, to keep high the
authority of the state and court. According to the information
submitted to Noyan Tapan from the RA President’s Press Office,
congratulating the newly appointed judges, Robert Kocharian said that
he expects from them honest, impartial and principal work.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS CONTINUED GROWTH IN TOURISM
By Emil Danielyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Aug. 15, 2006
Armenia’s tourism industry continued its steady growth in the first
half of this year, with the number of foreign visitors rising by 11.6
percent to over 122,500, a senior government official said on Tuesday.
Mekhak Apresian, head of the tourism department at the Ministry of
Trade and Economic Development, told the Regnum news agency that the
figure is expected to total at least 350,000 by the end of the year.
The peak period of travel to Armenia usually starts in August and
ends in October.
According to official statistics, the country already had a record-high
318,000 tourists last year. Most of them are believed to be ethnic
Armenians from Europe and the United States. Government officials and
industry executives in Yerevan say the share of non-Armenian visitors
has been steadily growing in recent years.
The reported further growth of the tourism sector is supported by
anecdotal evidence, with virtually all hotels in central Yerevan
fully booked at the moment. Flying there is also not an easy task
despite the increased frequency of flights to the Armenian capital
carried out by several major European airlines.
President Robert Kocharian reiterated last week that the sector’s
development is a top economic priority for the Armenian government.
Kocharian said the country should be able to attract 500,000 tourists a
year in the near future. He also promised more government investments
in the still underdeveloped tourism infrastructure in regions outside
Yerevan.
Local travel agencies say the sector’s more rapid expansion is also
hampered by the relatively high cost of travel and accommodation
in Armenia. Ara Petrosian, deputy minister of trade and economic
development, estimated earlier this year that the average foreigner
has to spend approximately $1,000 on a one-week stay in the country.

46 MEMBERS OF U.S. PEACE CORPS TO HOLD THEIR SERVICE IN ARMENIA DURING COMING TWO YEARS
Noyan Tapan
Aug 15 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The event dedicated to the 45th
anniversary of the U.S. Peace Corps (PC) and the oath ceremony of
the PC 46-member group arrived in Armenia, took place in Yerevan on
August 14. According to PC Director Patrick Hart, the volunteers’ group
that will undergo its service in Armenia during the coming two years,
participated in the preparatory courses organized in Vanadzor. He also
mentioned that more than 500 volunteers having undergone service in
Armenia from 1992 up today had a goal to present the American values
and culture to the Armenian society as well as to get acquainted with
the Armenian culture, to study the Armenian language. According to
the estimation of John Evans, the US Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to RA, the cooperation taking place in any sphere
between Armenia and the U.S. assists development and strengthening
of prosperity and democracy in Armenia. According to his words, that
cooperation is based on the human and ideological generality in the
two countries’ relations. RA Minister of Education and Science Levon
Mkrtchian, RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Hakob Matilian
and RA Deputy Minister of Health Care Tatul Hakobian appreciated
the role and meaning of activity promoted by the U.S. Peace Corps
in Armenia. They also mentioned that the PC activity is based on the
best traditions of the U.S. Constitution and democratic ideology. And
according to words of Salpi Ghazarian, the RA Foreign Minister’s
Special Assistant, the main mission of the PC Armenian volunteers is
“to bring America to Armenia and to take Armenia to America.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS’ ILLEGAL TRANSFER TO OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI LANDS, ARSONS, DESTRUCTION OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS ON UN GA’S AGENDA
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 15, 2006
Armenia’s illegal transfer of its citizens to occupied Azerbaijani
lands, arsons committed in Azerbaijani lands and destruction
of historical monuments have been included into the UN General
Assembly’s agenda in the frames of Azerbaijani delegation’s report
on the situation in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.
Deputy foreign minister Araz Azmiov told journalists, APA reports.
“The inclusion of this item into the General Assembly’s agenda was due
to Azerbaijan’s insistence. We achieved to present a relevant report to
the UN which analyzed the facts as well as assessed Armenians’ actions
and claimed demands. One of these demands is that Armenia should end
the illegal transfer of its people to Azerbaijani territories. This
demand has been voiced both in the report presented to the UN and
in the letter written by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs,” the deputy
minister said.
Stating that the issue on fires is being investigated, Azimov said
the issue of sending a mission to the occupied territories will
be considered.
“Armenians are illegally functioning in these territories, and the
illegal transfer of Armenians continues. Our knowledge creates a
basis to investigate this matter,” he said.

PUTIN TO MEET WITH KOCHARIAN, NAZARBAYEV BEFORE EURASEC SUMMIT
Interfax, Russia
Aug. 15, 2006
SOCHI. Aug 15 (Interfax) – Russian President Vladimir Putin will
meet with his Armenian and Kazakh counterparts Robert Kocharian and
Nursultan Nazarbayev before an informal Eurasian Economic Community
(EurAsEC) summit, Russian presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko told
journalists on Tuesday.
During Putin’s meeting with Nazarbayev, the two countries will
sign Russian-Kazakh documents on transportation and cargo delivery,
Prikhodko said.

AZIMOV: “NEW PROPOSALS FOR SETTLEMENT OF NK CONFLICT ARE EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER”
Today, Azerbaijan
Aug. 15, 2006
There is not a concrete proposal whether or not Azerbaijani and
Armenian Foreign Ministers will meet, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign
Minister Araz Azimov told journalists.
Mr.Azimov said the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are discussing this issue
adding there will be concrete information in few days, APA reports.
“We have always assessed the meetings in terms of their efficiency and
concreteness. We’ll have heard constructive proposals not repetition
of old stances. We can achieve something only if Armenia demonstrates
a constructive position,” the Deputy Minister said.
Reminding that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has offered concrete
proposals regarding the principal issues, Azimov said details are
discussed at the meetings at a level of Foreign Minister.
He admitted that some standstill appeared in the negotiating process
for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict after the Bucharest
meeting stressing new proposals are expected to be made in September
this year.
“We can hope for something to happen in September. Proposals are on
the table. Armenia can state its position if interested,” the Deputy
Minister said.
URL:

AZIMOV: ARMENIANS ARE SURE TO WITHDRAW FROM KALBAJAR AND LACHIN REGIONS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 15, 2006
“Armenians are sure to withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani regions
of Kalbajar and Lachin. This does not depends on their intention,”
Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov told journalists,
APA reports.
Mr.Azimov said as both regions are Azerbaijani territory, no
speculation will be allowed.
“As concerns Lachin corridor, this can neither be a basis nor a
pretext to occupy any part of Lachin. We’ll never consent to this.
The road on Lachin is to serve both parties. In addition, other
states can also use this corridor in regional scale,” the deputy
minister underlined.

ARMENIAN ARSONS DEVASTATE 100 HECTARES OF PASTURES IN AZERBAIJANI REGION
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 15, 2006
Armenians have been committing arsons in Aygatyor village of Shemseddin
region situated in border with Azerbaijan since last night. The fires
have caught pastures in Hajalli village of the Azerbaijani region
of Tovuz.
Hajalli residents told APA’s west bureau the fires spread to 100
hectares of pastures in Gush Daghi area in Tovuz. Azerbaijani Army
soldiers have been involved in preventive measures. The fire was
brought under control by joint efforts of military men and villagers.
Alibayli village residents said the fires also caught the village
yesterday evening but it was put out by the soldiers and local
residents.
The fires caused mine explosions in no man’s land. The local residents
say at least seven anti-tank mines and four anti-personal mines
exploded in the burning areas in Alibayli.
Armenian-committed arsons spread to Agdam region from Tovuz.
Fortunately, the fire was put under control on time.
Tovuz executive power told APA’s provincial bureau the cost of the
damage inflicted by the arsons is calculated.

WAY OF ST. JAMES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY : PORTUGALETE AND MUSKIZ
EiTB, Spain
Aug. 15, 2006
Church And Feudal Tower
Portugalete, at the mouth of the estuary, is another obvious example
of a Middle Age city, with its layout of ordered streets, walls,
church and feudal tower.
This town was created by Doña María Díaz de Haro, the Good, widow of
Prince John, who was murdered by Don Tello, and was granted the fuero
de Logroño in 1322. Its old part has been declared an Historic-Artistic
monument.
It has a remarkable church, called Santa María, which is Gothic in
style with three naves and a vault supported by strong columns. A
primitive construction, dating from the 14th century, not much
is left of the original since it was rebuilt in the 15th and
16th centuries. It has a small triforium in keeping with typical
pilgrim’s churches. Although Renaissance in general, its altarpiece
is outstanding for its 14th century Andra Mari, by the master Guiot
de Beaugrant. It also has a small altar dedicated to Saint James the
Moor Slayer at Clavijo.
Not far from here, defending one of the entrances to the town, above
the ancient port, is Salazar Tower. The Salazar family was an important
lineage from the Encartaciones region, whose influence spread through
the Mena Valley to the Jurisdiction of Castile. Its most famous member
is the first chronicler of Biscay, Don Lope García de Salazar, who left
us a precious historic document, a real social and political chronicle,
and a mirror of noble life in the late Middle Ages with his work:
“Biendazas y Fortunas”. This tower was the setting for Don Lope’s
“adventures”, such as his escape from the hands of his own sons who
had taken him prisoner; on leaving the tower he took refuge in the
belfry of Santa María, until he was recaptured.
Portugalete is explicitly and directly documented by a pilgrim. The
person in question is the Armenian Martyr Bishop, de Arzendjan, who
made the return journey along the coastal route in 1494; settling in
“the great city of Portugalete” on his way back.
We continue on towards Muskiz, home to the Muñatones Castle, cradle
and ancestral home of the Salazar lineage, and perhaps the most
outstanding of all Bizkaian fortresses. This castle had a nearby
palace and hermitage, dedicated to San Martín; these buildings were
declared an Historic-Artistic Monument in 1944.
In prison, and after two escape attempts, Don Lope states: “…here,
in my birthplace of San Martín, a prisoner of those I engendered and
raised, fearing a poisoned drink and that the unorganised covetousness
for taking my belongings will prevent them from setting me free,
I await the mercy of God and rid myself of thought and imagination
by writing this book”. He was poisoned as feared at the age of seventy.
We continue along the coast towards Finisterre, through Cantabrian
lands.
–Boundary_(ID_za2J/8EX2pMCymhe Pyv8oQ)–

CHILDREN OF ARMENIAN OFFICIALS KEEP FLOCKING TO LAW SCHOOL
By Irina Hovannisian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Aug. 15, 2006
The law school of Armenia’s biggest and most prestigious university
remains exceedingly popular with teenage children of senior government
officials and other influential individuals, education officials said
on Tuesday.
According to the Education Ministry, more than 12,400 young people
have been vying this summer for about 10,000 places available at the
state-run Armenian universities. The winners will be chosen on the
basis of admission examinations that are administered by a high-level
commission formed by the ministry. The process began late last month
and will end on Wednesday.
As always, competition is particularly tight for 120 places at the
Law Department of Yerevan State University (YSU). Only 20 of its
first-year students, to be selected later this month , will study
there free of charge. The others will have to pay an annual tuition
fee of 660,000 drams ($1,700), a hefty sum which is beyond the purse
of most Armenian parents.
That is a reason why Armenian law students come from well-heeled
families that can not foot the bill. Quite a few of them also have
influential parents who hold senior positions in government. YSU
officials confirmed that the pool of Law Department applicants this
year includes the offspring of Armenian customs chief Armen Avetisian,
Environment Minister Vartan Ayvazian, police General Hovannes Varian
and Deputy Minister for Local Government Vache Terterian.
Education Minister Levon Mkrtchian denied a widespread perception that
their enrollment is a forgone conclusion, saying that he instructed
university officials handling the exams to be particularly “strict”
towards such applicants. He also insisted that their parents have
not attempted to influence the selection process.
“Officials in the Republic of Armenia are citizens of our country
and their children too have the right to receive higher education,”
Mkrtchian told RFE/RL.
“I don’t want to pretend that we don’t know in advance about applicants
whose parents are senior officials,” said Edik Gevorgian, a YSU
professor who oversees exams on Armenian history which prospective
lawyers have to pass. “There were officials who informed us in advance,
but not in order to give their kids preferential treatment.”
Gevorgian also insisted that many of those young people are gifted
individuals who deserve to study at YSU and work as lawyers,
prosecutors or judges after graduation. “For example, parliament
deputy Hakob Hakobian’s daughter and nephew passed their history
exams brilliantly,” he said. “The daughter of [former Karabakh army
commander] General Samvel Babayan also did well. Just because she is
a former official’s daughter doesn’t mean she can’t be bright.”
Paying bribes for enrolling in prestigious programs of state
universities has long been commonplace in Armenia, a problem
acknowledged by Mkrtchian. Speaking to journalists last month, he
pledged to take anti-corruption measures that will significantly
scale down the practice.