TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 26 2006
Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party Leader Met with OSCE PA Vice
President

Source: Trend
Author: S.Ilhamgizi

26.10.2006

The Chairman of Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADRP) Asim
Mollazadeh met with the Vice President of OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, Head of the Ukrainian delegation in OSCE Oleg Bilorus.
The meeting focused on the regional problems, Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, co-operation within `Organization for
Democracy and Development – GUAM’ and relations between Azerbaijan
and Ukraine, Trend reports with reference to the Press-Service of
ADRP.
Asim Mollazadeh stressed that irrespective of the principles of
territorial integrity of the European countries and the principles of
Security in Europe after the World War II, the OSCE demonstrates
passivity in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
He underlined that the member-countries of `Organization for
Democracy and Development – GUAM’ should act from a unified position
in the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem and other conflicts.
In his turn, Bilorus stated that conducting referendum in occupied
territory of any country is contrary to the international
legislation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Oct 26 2006
Council of Europe official backs Turkey’s EU bid
ANKARA – The European Union and Turkey should work to resolve their
differences because a possible disruption of Ankara’s accession talks
would be “in no one’s interest,” the president of the Council of
Europe’s parliamentary assembly said here Thursday.
“I belive that both the EU and Turkey have very important interests
in this process,” Rene van der Linden, a Dutch Christian Democrat,
said in an interview with NTV television after talks with Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul.
In comments on EU criticism that Turkey had alarmingly slackened its
reform drive over the past year, Van der Linden urged Brussels to
take into account that Ankara’s progress, albeit slow, was “in the
right direction.”
“There should be a balanced approach… The EU should encourage
Turkey’s reforms so that Turkey can have confidence in this
(accession) process,” he said. “A disruption (in the talks) will be
in no one’s interest — neither in the EU nor Turkey.”
Van der Linden expressed hope that a row over Turkey’s rejection to
grant trade priviliges to Cyprus would be resolved and urged Ankara
to make efforts to ensure freedom of expression.
He denounced a draft law voted at the lower chamber of the French
parliament on October 12 that forsees a year in jail for anyone who
denies that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians during
World War I as a “contradiction” to European values of free speech.
But at the same time, he stressed, Ankara should ensure that those
who say the genocide did happen are not prosecuted in Turkey.
A string of intellectuals, among them the winner of the 2006 Nobel
Literature Prize, Orhan Pamuk, have been put on trial for
“denigrating Turkishness” over remarks contesting the official line
on the 1915-17 massacres, which Ankara fiercely denies constituted
genocide.
The Council of Europe is not an EU institution, but it is also
closely watching Turkey’s respect for human rights.
The EU will issue on November 8 a crucial report on the country’s
progress towards membership, which will largely determine the future
of its accession talks.

Regnum, Russia
Oct 26 2006
Georgian citizen ready to pay $3,000 for Azerbaijani passport
One of Georgian citizens, who is temporarily in Baku, is going to
receive passport of Azerbaijani citizen soon in order to return to
Moscow without problems. The citizen informed a Day.Az correspondent
he managed to settle the problem for $3,000 at a district police
station in Baku. However, he categorically refused to name the police
station, where he managed to receive the new passport.
The information was disproved at the Azerbaijani interior ministry.
It was stressed there that citizen of a foreign state should at first
reject citizenship of his native country in order to receive Azeri
citizenship. `As for illegal receiving of Azerbaijani Republic’s
citizenship, it is punished in complete accordance with severity of
law.’ That is why, as it was informed at the ministry, if such facts
are revealed, person, who received illegal passport and state
official assisted in that, will be severely punished.
It is worth stressing, in contrast to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Russia
have a visa-free regime for their citizens. Meanwhile, as it became
known to REGNUM from informed sources, in connection with aggravation
of Georgian-Russian relations and sanctions, introduced by Russian
side, Georgian citizens receive Armenian citizenship, changing, at
that, endings of their Georgian family names -dze and -shvili for
Armenian one -yan in order to enter legally into Russian territory
and to obtain more comfortable conditions of their stay there.
According to reliable sources, such camouflage costs $5,000. It is
worth stressing; there is no visa regime between Armenia and Russia,
too. Also, it became clear from talks with representatives of
Georgia’s Armenian community that tens of Georgianized Armenians hade
already changed their family names’ endings. Mainly, these processes
take place in Tbilisi and in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. According to
the source,”many people wish to get back Armenian family name;
however, many of them fear for inadequate actions of ethnic
Georgians.”

Business Wire (press release), CA
Oct 26 2006
Children of Armenia Fund Raises $2.3 Million for Model Cluster Project
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) raised a
record $2.3 million at its 2006 Save a Generation Awards Dinner, held
Friday, October 20, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. The money
raised will be used for the expansion of COAF’s Model Village program
to a cluster of six villages in a disadvantaged rural region of
Armenia.
COAF hosted more than 350 guests for the annual gala event. Jane
Fonda, Oscar®-winning actress and humanitarian, delivered the keynote
address, and COAF honored Mr. George Pagoumian, a philanthropist who
is an insurance industry giant. The event also recognized the
accomplishments of two outstanding corporate leaders, Pierre Michel
Fattouch and Eduardo Eurnekian, who have invested in several vital
businesses in Armenia. Andrea Martin, Emmy® and Tony® award winner,
was master of ceremonies.
The evening celebrated the success of COAF’s Karakert Model Village
project, an integrated comprehensive approach for poverty reduction,
which has resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of
life for more than 1,200 children since its commencement two years
ago.
`COAF has transformed a 5,000-person rural village by establishing
sustainable health care, schooling, transportation, water and
economic growth,’ said Garo H. Armen, PhD, founder and chairman of
COAF. `With the money raised from the gala, COAF can now move forward
by executing a broader village revitalization program by targeting
six villages, with a combined population of 17,000 – of whom 5,000
are children.’
The COAF annual awards dinners have raised more than $5 million since
2001, placing funding emphasis on the Model Village project, the
first such program ever to be undertaken. The project has been
recognized by international aid agencies, such as the United Nations
Development Programme and the World Bank, as an exemplary template of
sustainable development throughout the world.
About COAF
Founded in 2000, the Children of Armenia Fund is an independent,
nonprofit, nongovernmental organization (501(c)(3). COAF seeks to
reverse the impoverished conditions affecting significant numbers of
Armenia’s children by revitalizing Armenia’s villages and
implementing projects that provide immediate and sustainable benefits
to children and youth.
Contacts
For Children of Armenia Fund
Sunny Uberoi, 212-994-8206
or
Anna Sargsyan, 212-994-8234
or
[email protected]

Aravot, Armenia
Oct 26 2006
THE ADOPTION OF ANTHEM WILL BE DELAYED
It is obvious that the parliament won’t have time to realize the
demand coming from the constitutional amendments: about adoption of
the law “About anthem” till December 5.
The ARF faction postponed for 30 days discussion of the draft of law
“About national anthem” in the sitting of the NA state legal
commission on September 20. The government hasn’t produced a
legislative initiative about the RA national anthem’s text and music
based on the contest commission’s decision to the NA. The commission
has made a decision to propose the government to announce a new
contest for the text of Aram Khachatrian’s won music.
It isn’t also obvious / besides the ARF/ the position of
parliamentary forces in favor of what version they will vote. Grigor
Margarian, the head of “Businessmen” faction told us: “We haven’t
finally studied, it is still being discussed”. Mkrtich Minasian from
“People’s deputy” faction who had voted for restoring the Soviet
Armenia’s anthem in the answer to our question whether it was his
decision or the faction’s said: “It was my personal opinion.
Evaluation of music and song is a personal feeling. And “People’s
deputy” will still discuss this question.”
Another member of the commission, ULP head Gurgen Arsenian also voted
for the music of Soviet Armenia’s anthem. “I think that the most
perfect music is that one for which I have voted.” And to the
question whether his voting means that the ULP faction will vote for
the melody of the Soviet Armenia, Mr. Arsenian answered that they
would vote freely.
It is known that the positions in “Justice” bloc are different: NDU
leader Vazgen Manukian is for “Mer Hayrenik” /the current anthem/ and
the DPA leader Aram Sargsian is for Aram Khachatrian’s melody.
Supposedly this faction will also vote freely. But head of Justice
Stepan Demirchian informed that they haven’t discussed that question
yet; “I myself like Aram Khachatrian’s music. But I think there is no
historical necessity to change the national anthem. Many things must
be changed in our country before the anthem”.
After a conversation with OEP faction secretary Heghine Bisharian we
found out that this party was also oriented: “We think it is better
to save the current anthem. Nowadays the country has more serious
problems to solve. “National Unity” also has the same opinion, and
secretary of the faction Alexan Karapetian said: “I think the
agiotage round the selection of national anthem must be over, and the
forces should solve the problems the population need in”.
It seems both versions aren’t preferable for RPA head of council
Serge Sargsian who told the journalists yesterday: “If it was
possible to have an anthem by Charents’ words and Aram Khachatrian’s
music, I’d be the greatest fan of that anthem”.
RPA leader, Prime Minister Andranik Margarian answering to “Aravot’s”
question about his opinion about the Soviet Armenia’s anthem said:
“Only the music is admissible for me. When there aren’t suitable
words the old text is associated. In answer to our question how he
refers to “Mer Hayrenik” current anthem, he answered: “As there is no
better version, it must remain”.
Anna Israelian

Aravot, Armenia
Oct 26 2006
MAJORITY SYSTEM AS AN ADDITIONAL STYMULUS
When Hranush Hakobian says she is elected by majority system as a
parliamentarian without any falsification, she isn’t completely
sincere. Certainly, it is difficult to imagine that she keeps a band
in Gavar, which attacks on polling stations during the elections and
decide the results of the elections as other parliamentarian of
majority system do. But let Mrs. Hakobian admit if she didn’t have
good relations with Communist, then ANM and Kocharian’s regimes, if
she opposed to one of them, will she manage to fill a post in the
parliament?
The factor of fortuity sometimes operates. For example Ruben Hakobian
was elected as a parliamentarian in the Center of Yerevan in 1995 who
was the only ARF representative in the NA. In 1999 Vano Siradeghian
won in the parliamentary elections in his native Lori, when the whole
state machine was against him. In 2003, Victor Dallakian was elected
in another region of Lori. But the exception of such cases proves the
fact that nobody has succeeded in electing twice by majority system
and opposition status. The majority seats as the “reserves” of the
authority. Currently both “People’s deputy”, the majority Republicans
and OEP members who left that party lately and the major part of
independent parliamentarians elected by majority system vote as the
president’s residence orders. So 37-38 seats, if not 41 of the future
parliament are in the authority’s pocket.
But the authorities have more weighty reason to keep more seats for
majority system. It’s all the same the businessman will become
parliamentarian personally or by party list. These are different
thinks in practice. The oligarch has stronger motivation to work for
the authority if he is nominated by majority system. T’s all the same
for the party it will have 63 or 56 seats in the parliament but for
the oligarch this is a matter life and death as he can fill the 57
place in the party list or doesn’t fill at all. That’s why he is
interested to solve his problems by majority system. Majority
electoral system is a special award for the oligarchs’ good work.
Aram Abrahamian

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 26 2006
SERGE SARGSYAN WANTS FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT ELECTION IN 2007

I can say one thing, we did not give the Iran-Armenia pipeline to
anyone, said the minister of defense, the chair of the
Russian-Armenian interstate commission Serge Sargsyan October 25 to
news reporters. `I can say one thing: we did not give the
Iran-Armenia pipeline to anyone. The director of Armrusgasard has
told about it in detail. There is not a document. I promise you once
again that I will ask the director of Armrusgazard to talk to you
about the details of these problems,’ said Serge Sargsyan to the news
reporters, who were literally pursuing him.
They asked different questions to the defense minister on different
developments. For instance, Serge Sargsyan was asked why Robert
Kocharyan did not receive the U.S. envoy to the OSCE. `Why are you
asking me that,’ answered the defense minister.
In answer to the question if he will become president of Armenia, the
defense minister said, `If you help to hold a good, transparent, free
and fair parliamentary election in 2007, I will make a decision.’

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 26 2006
NEW IDEAS ABOUT SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, in fact, put forward new ideas about
the settlement of the conflict over Karabakh, stated the foreign
minister Vardan Oskanyan October 25 from the chair of the parliament.
He said that the co-chairs had offered these ideas on October 6,
during his meeting with Elmar Mammedyarov in Moscow. During the
meeting of the ministers and the co-chairs in Paris on October 24 the
conflict parties presented their standpoints concerning these new
ideas. Armenia also presented the standpoint of Karabakh, says Vardan
Oskanyan, reminding that before his visit to Paris he had visited
Stepanakert and met with the leadership of Karabakh.
The foreign minister of Armenia says that judging by the standpoints
presented during the meeting in Paris, there is no agreement on the
new ideas. But apparently there is hope, and the co-chairs decided to
try again in Brussels on November 14.
Besides, Vardan Oskanyan announced in the parliament that the return
of the territories is included in the agenda of the talks over
settlement, however, the first issue of the package is the
self-determination of the people of Karabakh and the status of
Karabakh. Then the other questions follow. In addition, the question
of the Armenian territories, namely part of the NKR regions of
Martakert and Martuni controlled by Azerbaijan is also negotiated.
However, Oskanyan said, this question is not on the same level with
the teritories controlled by the Armenian side. Vardan Oskanyan also
announced that maybe the package will be applied stage by stage but
it will by all means be adopted as a package, assured the minister.

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 26 2006
IRAN IS INFORMED ABOUT DETAILS OF TALKS WITH RUSSIAN PARTY

Armenia negotiates the Iran-Armenia pipeline with Russia. Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan admitted this fact on October 25. During
the briefings in the parliament the reporter of the Lragir.am asked
the prime minister when official Yerevan will finally bring clarity
into the information that regularly comes from the Russian party
whether the Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be
sold or not.
`Generally, we do not consider sale, it is possible that Armenia
invests capital, or we make a joint investment, because it would be
illogical to sustain two gas distribution networks in Armenia. We
have a network and a pipeline and there is Armrusgazard. When it is
time, and we start operating the pipeline and transport gas, the
talks will be more definite,’ says the prime minister.
He stated that Iran is informed about the details of the talks with
the Russian party. Meanwhile, the government does not consider it
necessary to inform the citizens of Armenia about the details of the
talks. `When it is time, you will learn about it,’ says the prime
minister.

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 26 2006
WHAT OSKANYAN FEARS?

On October 25 Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan commented on his
recent speeches, namely his statements in the interview with the
Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper.
In the talk with the news reporters the foreign minister said that in
speaking about the necessity to battle corruption he meant the
strategy of the government, which he thinks can be applied more
seriously. Vardan Oskanyan stated that he is not the police or the
procuracy to point to corrupt officials. `What I’m saying is let’s
apply the policy more seriously and urge the political forces to
attend to these questions during the next election campaign and make
promises to people,’ says Vardan Oskanyan.
He also disagreed with the opinion that his recent speeches are
determined by his likelihood to run for presidency. `I do not view my
speeches and my statements with this logic. Simply I think that it is
worthwhile to consider these questions in the next parliamentary
election. If we want to have more progress in this country, remain
competitive in the region, we need to seek new resources. And there
are resources. We need serious reforms, the second generation of
reforms to revive them, make them active. I’m not criticizing anyone.
The government did what it did and goes on doing. The problem is that
the next generation of the leaders, the political forces, who will be
ruling the country, must pay attention to these problems first of
all,’ says Vardan Oskanyan.