PACKAGE VERSION OF KARABAKH SETTLEMENT ON BARGAINING TABLE
PanARMENIAN.Net
26.10.2006 13:15 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Irrespective of what the Azeri party insists on,
package version of the Nagorno Karabakh settlement is on the bargaining
table, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated October 25. “Another thing
is that implementation of the package version can take place step by
step. However, in any case, the implementation will follow an exact
script, which will be approved by Parliaments of both republics,”
he said. Vartan Oskanian added that it is not ruled out that when
implementing the package version, there will be some time differences
between stages of implementation, however all matters will be solved
through he package principle.
Touching upon the meeting with the Azeri FM in Paris, Oskanian informed
that the parties have expressed their positions over new ideas proposed
by the co-chairs. “At present no common points are available over those
issues, however I do not rule out the positions becoming closer. Thus
a decision was made to hold the meeting at the level of the Ministers
in Brussels November 14,” the Armenian FM added, reports IA Regnum.

TERRITORIES TO BE DISCUSSED AFTER CONCRETENESS OVER KARABAKH STATUS
PanARMENIAN.Net
26.10.2006 13:24 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian does not rule out the
opportunity for the positions of the Armenian and Azeri parties over
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to become closer. As the Minister stated
during the Government hour at the Parliament Wednesday, thereupon an
agreement is made to hold another meeting of Armenian and Azeri FMs in
Brussels November 14. In Oskanian’s words, after the Brussels meeting
the term of the visit of the OSCE MG co-chairs to the region will be
determined, followed by deciding the expediency of a meeting of the two
Presidents. The Armenian FM remarked that during the talks in Moscow
the OSCE MG mediators proposed several new ideas over specific matter
and the Armenian party presented its position over these in Paris.
Vartan Oskanian highlighted that the issue of conveying territories,
controlled by the NKR Defense Army, to Azerbaijan is part of the
package of proposals. “We will discuss the question of territories,
when there is final concreteness over the NK status,” the Minister
said. He explained that by saying territories all those of NK
are meant – northern and eastern, including Martuni, Mardakert
and Shahumyan. “All territories are subject to discussion, however
these discussions are at different levels,” Oskanian added, reports
Novosti-Armenia.

SCHOOL FOR PREPARING IT SPECIALISTS TO OPEN IN 2007
Armenpress
Oct 25 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, ARMENPRESS: During the past two years the
programming works of the Dutch “Metris” company, which is developing
programs for medical devices, are being carried out in Armenia.
“Metris IT Solution” company established here is particularly dealing
with the study of algorithmic issues and with their solution. The
orders are usually received from abroad, here Armenian specialists
are carrying them out, and afterwards they are being exported to the
international market. During the two years this company has developed
5 programs which were used by well-known pharmaceutical companies.
Technical manager of the Dutch “Metris” company Levon Baghdasarian
told today at a press conference in Armenpress that for consolidating
Armenia’s position in the international information technology market,
a school, where necessary specialists will be prepared, is expected
to be established in Armenia from January 2007. He said that with
that aim the Dutch government is ready to provide grant amounting to
half million euro.
Levon Baghdasarian said that the products of the “Metris” company are
not being consumed in Armenia as there are no such pharmaceutical
companies which may use such expensive devices. But according to
him, in case of demand the devices will be provided to the Armenian
companies by their prime cost. He said the Dutch government and the
company have reached preliminary agreement over it.
“Metris” company which is functioning in the European and USA markets
has branches in Russia, Japan, Hong Kong. The company is cooperating
with world-famous Phillipsmedical System, Siemens and other companies.
The company has also participated in the DigiTech 2006 international
exhibition conducted October 6-8 within the framework of Month of
Information Technology in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENAL OPERATES AT FULL CAPACITY
Armenpress
Oct 26 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS: ArmenAl foil mill facility in
Yerevan, owned by Russian RusAl, is expected to resume its full
capacity operation on October 26.
The modernization of the plant was started in 2004 and was aimed
both at improving the quality of its foil products and boosting the
plant’s profitability to make the mill one of the world leading foil
producers. A German engineering firm Achenbach was selected to execute
the program at an investment cost of US $80 million.
The modernization program has provided for a major upgrade in foil
rolling equipment and also the establishment of a full production cycle
lifting the plant capacity by 25,000 tons of foil per year, including
18,000 tons of highly profitable thin foil in 6-9 micron gauge.
The modernization program, apart from a full-scale upgrade in rolling
equipment, includes the installation of new casting machines and direct
rolling mill, as well as an upgrade of hot rolling mills for creating
pf a full cycle of production. As part of the modernization program
the main foil rolling equipment has been refitted with control and
automatic management systems.

KOCHARIAN RECEIVES OUTGOING FRENCH AMBASSADOR
Armenpress
Oct 26 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert Kocharian
received today the outgoing French ambassador Henry Cuny. Kocharian’s
press office said the president awarded the ambassador the Armenian
Medal of Mkhitar Gosh for his contribution to the development of
French-Armenian ties.
Kocharian thanked the ambassador for productive cooperation with
Armenian authorities saying that he was leaving behind dynamically
developing relations which registered significant progress during
his tenure in Armenia.
Henry Cuny thanked for the high award saying it was very dear
to him. He commended Armenia for its warm attitude towards his
country. Cuny wished prosperity to Armenia and its people and success
to its president.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON M ONITORING OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES OPENED IN YEREVAN
ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 15:47
The “Monitoring of democratic processes” international workshop started
in Yerevan today. The event has been organized at the initiative of the
Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation (OSIAF) Armenia with the
assistance of the Yerevan Press Club and Helsinki Committee of Armenia.
OSIAF Armenia Director Larisa Minasyan noted in her opening speech
that the workshop is targeted at familiarizing experts with monitoring
methodology on democratic processes, human rights, press, elections,
transparency of financial means, as well as the international
experience of defense of interests based on monitoring.
International experts from 17 countries will present the monitoring
programs of the obligations in the framework of the European Union,
the Council of Europe and the Enlarged Europe: New Neighbors Programme.

NEXT “WELL-ORGANISED” CONCERT WAS DOOMED TO FAILURE
A1+
[02:35 pm] 26 October, 2006
Armenian audience could not enjoy the Georgian singer Dato Xujadze’s
concert. This gives us a ground to conclude that the organisers lack
orginasational skills. This phenomenon has already become common
among us.
The concert was to begin at 7:00 p.m. in Concert Complex after Karen
Demirchyan but it was scheduled for certain reasons. We have already
faced such failure in connection with the concerts of Russian star
Glukoza.
The organisers (who were also the presenters of the concert) were busy
with equipment checking for an hour. The outcome was far from being
pleasant. Then, they kept announcing that “Dato would soon appear on
the stage” for nearly 30 minutes. Finally, seeing that Dato is not
ready yet, they offered the audience to stand and commemorate the death
of Armenian singer Vardouhy Vardanyan because of unexpected car crash.
In answer to their request, the people gathered in the hall (over
350 people were present), started to shout;
What a disgrace!
Hearing the shouts, the “presenters” turned on music, and belly-dancers
appeared on the stage…
At last, after 1.5 delay, at about 8:30 p.m., Dato appeared and
the concert started. By the way, the singer complained of the poor
equipment, begged pardon for the technical part and said, “I think
everything will be fixed soon.”
Nevertheless, his wish was not to come true. The audience began to
leave the hall without waiting the end of the concert.
Reminder; people paid 2000 – 4500 AMD for the concert.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TRETIAKOV GALLERY TO EXHIBIT “ARMENIAN-ART: XX CENTURY”
A1+
[04:23 pm] 26 October, 2006
The exhibition “Armenian Art: XX Century” opens in the Tretiakov
Gallery, Moscow, on October 27 within the framework of the celebrations
and events connection with the year of Armenia in Russia.
Over 50 works by the Armenian XX-century painters and sculptors will
be exhibited in the gallery, including painters Minas Avetisyan,
Sargis Mouradyan, Mher Abeghyan, Lavina Bajbuek-Melikyan and sculptors
Nikolay Nikoghosyan, Getik Baghdasaryan, etc.
Special importance will be attached to Martiros Saryan’s paintings
of the period 1930 – 1960.
On the whole, the works exhibited in the gallery depict the historical
background of the Armenian Fine Arts in the second half of the XX
century. They combine the atmosphere and colour characteristic of
the Armenian Fine Arts.
The exhibition will be open by November 26.

NA PASSES THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL CODE
A1+
[01:24 pm] 26 October, 2006
Today, RA National Assembly passed the amendments to the Electoral
Code with 84 votes for, 6 votes against and 2 abstentions.
It is noteworthy that “Justice” faction voted against the amendments.
At present, the NA is discussing the amendments to the law on
“Alienation of Property for State and Public Needs.” Let us remind
you that it is already the fourth time the RA government has put the
amendments to the NA voting.
The deputies are currently asking questions Rafik Petrosyan, the head
of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs. By the way,
yesterday the latter complained of the government’s attempts to cheat
them by introducing the same draft law with slight changes. Whereas
today he tries to persuade the deputies to endorse the amendments after
the first hearing provided the amendments are worked out later on.
“Though there are still “obscure” points in the draft, it differs from
the ones the government formerly introduced,” says Rafik Petrosyan.

BAKU POLICY DOES NOT PROMOTE PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
Yerkir
26.10.2006 16:27
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – When speaking of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in an
interview to Jane’s Center, which holds military and political studies,
Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan expressed confidence that
“the conflict should be solved peacefully via compromises.
” However, in his opinion, Azerbaijan’s policy does not promote
it. “Today officials of Azerbaijan speak of resumption of
hostilities. Their military expenses doubled within the past year,”
Sargsyan noted. In his words, according to estimates of independent
experts, Azerbaijan is not able to solve the Karabakh issue by force
still. “If hostilities resume, Armenia will again have an upper hand,”
Serge Sargsyan said.
Speaking of oil revenues of Azerbaijan, which Baku intends to spend on
solution of the Karabakh issue, Serge Sargsyan reminded that in early
90s Azerbaijan had an advantage in number and arms, inherited from
the USSR. “In 1992 they surrounded Armenians of Karabakh and only a
few believed that we can succeed. Neither now, nor many years later
they will have the advantage, they had 14-15 years ago. Azeri option
of military solution of the Karabakh issue failed then and will fail
again. I hope that Azeri leaders will give up those approaches earlier
or later,” Sargsyan underscored, reports RFE/RL.