ARMENIAN MINISTER ASSESSES PARIS MEETING AS NORMAL
Armenian Public TV
Oct 25 2006
[Presenter] The meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign
ministers, Vardan Oskanyan and Elmar Mammadyarov, ended in Paris
yesterday. It was attended by the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group
[for the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict].
The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere and was a continuation
of the discussions on the new principles of settling the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen during
the Moscow meeting of the two countries’ foreign ministers.
In order to clarify their positions even more, the ministers reached
an agreement to continue the discussions at the level of the foreign
ministers. Another meeting is planned to be held in Brussels on 14
November on the sidelines of the Armenia-EU cooperation council.
[Passage omitted: France believes that it is important that the OSCE
Minsk Group deals with the Karabakh settlement]
[Oskanyan] In general, it was a normal meeting. This meeting was a
continuation of the Moscow meeting because during the Moscow meeting
the co-chairmen proposed a number of new ideas regarding which no
agreement has been reached between the foreign ministers so far. The
goal of the negotiations has not changed, and the document that is
on the negotiating table has been discussed by the ministers several
times. But there are major problems on which no agreement has been
reached by the ministers.
We discussed in Yerevan and Stepanakert [Xankandi] the ideas proposed
by the co-chairmen during the Moscow meeting. Today we displayed our
specific positions in Paris. Azerbaijan did the same. The atmosphere
of the negotiations was positive and constructive. I cannot say that
our positions on these problems coincide, but I believe that there
are opportunities to bring our positions closer. With this aim,
we decided to continue the discussions.

M.F.A.: STATES’ RELIABILITY DEPENDS ON THEIR STANDING BY VALUES THEY ADVOCATE
Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006
ANKARA – “The reliability of the states depends on their standing by
the values they advocate,” the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) said on Thursday after French national assembly adopted a bill
on criminalizing denial of so-called Armenian genocide.
Releasing a statement, the MFA said, “although enactment of the bill
depends on a long process including approvals of the Senate and the
President, it has caused a profound disappointment in Turkey. We will
maintain our initiatives in all levels within this process.”
“Recent strong criticisms against the bill have already unveiled
that even France was not fully satisfied with it and that such an
unfortunate initiative did not receive support of all public opinion.
However, it does not diminish the seriousness of the event,” MFA said.
“This bill means a violation of French constitutional order regarding
freedom of expression as superior over all other constitutional rights,
and the relevant European Convention. It also contradicts the spirit
of France which inspired the whole world by defending the concepts
of freedom, equality and brotherhood,” it said.
The MFA noted, “when it comes to dealing with France’s own history,
French parliamentarians advocate that it is the responsibility of
historians. However, they consider themselves the authority that
makes a decision on the history of another country. This is nothing
but a contradiction. This bill has also revealed the double-standard
attitude of France in a period when Turkey has been encouraged to
take additional steps on freedom of expression despite all recent
reforms aiming at further improving fundamental rights and freedoms.”
“This bill contradicts democratic regime since it prevents freedom of
thought and expression. It has caused a profound sorrow among Turkish
people including our Armenian citizens. 70-million Turkish nation
rejects such a restriction on freedom of thought and expression on
basis of totally baseless allegations. Unfortunately, by adopting the
bill, France has lost its privileged position within Turkish nation’s
point of view,” the Ministry added.

AHEAD OF ERITREA
Aram Abrahamian
Aravot, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
RCF famous international organization, recording regress in the
freedom of press in Armenia has put our country in the 101st place
from 168, 12 points lower than it was last year. Our neighbors, Turkey
and Georgia are more ahead. Certainly our authorities may console
themselves from the fact that Ukraine, Russia and Azerbaijan yield
us in the freedom of the press. Not to mention Belarus, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan and Eritrea. RCF mentions that self-censorship exists
in the Armenian private mass media. But it is arguable; when the
president’s residence controls the private TV Companies and forbids
broadcasting any oppositionist without “sanction”, it is a complete
censorship.
But in general, the RCF’s remark is objective and very offensive for
our state and people. The Armenians should worry about being before
Eritrea. As the latter doesn’t have a theatre of 2000 years. If
seriously this situation is the exact reflection of our public
apathy. “A1+” was close by the President’s order 4,5 years ago.
People ask me everywhere when “A1+” will be opened and curse the
authorities. But when we say, people if you want “A1+” to be opened
come to the square and demand, 200-300 people will be gathered.
Cowardly and passive public has cowardly and passive Mass Media.
This doesn’t humble the sin of our authorities. The instinct of
self-protection makes them surprise when they aren’t praised. I have
always thought and think that revolution doesn’t threaten Armenia.
Consequently if the authorities are too criticized their posts will
stay unchangeable. How can the head of Nubarashen read articles about
his omission /if he knows reading/. He will punish the reporter for
that article. He will do it, as he knows he won’t be punished for it.
The RCF and other international organizations’ reports are made by
such facts.
Sometimes our authority officials call the politicians and journalists
to “think about the reputation of our country”. I want to return that
summon to the authorities, think about the reputation of our country
when you send skinheads to punish the journalists or fill ballots.

DISCUSSION OF FRESH IDEAS
Aravot, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
The imagination of the OSCE MG cochairmen, which was expired a few
months ago, nowadays freshly operates. RA Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanian told “Azatutiun” b/s after his meeting with Elmar Mamedyarov
in Paris, yesterday that they had discussed “fresh ideas” sounded in
the previous meeting in Moscow. In Oskanian’s words the dialogue will
be continued in Brussels on November 14, after which the MG cochairmen
will arrive the region.

WILL THE OSCE OBSERVERS BE INVITED?
Anna Israelian
Aravot, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
Though the authorities give positive answer to this question but the
anxieties after referendum are unsettled.
The U.S. Ambassador to OSCE Julie Finley for not meeting with
R. Kocharian during her visit to Armenia last week joked: “Perhaps
he didn’t meet with me as he thought I had no admiration and was a
bad company”. Then she added more seriously: “Perhaps he doesn’t meet
with me supposing I must teach him what and how to do.”
Julie Finley said during the same interview with the journalists that
one of the Armenian officials noted during non-official conversation
with her “maybe the authorities won’t invite OSCE observers”. And J.
Finley called the journalists: “You must make pressure on you
government to send the invitation just after determining the day
of elections.”
Mrs. Finley expressed the same anxiety during her conversations with
the Armenian officials. In particularly, she considered necessary
90-day presence of the OSCE monitoring mission, insisting that the
presence of observers before the elections is as important as it is
during the elections.
Vladimir Pryakhin, the head of OSCE Yerevan office has noted during
his meeting with the NA chairman that the OSCE is ready to send
a monitoring mission in case of receiving the invitation from the
Armenian authorities in time. He has also asked Tigran Torosian to
send invitations till the end of the year for the monitoring mission
of international organizations for the coming parliamentary elections.
V. Pryakhin said to “Aravot” yesterday: “I’m sure, there will be
invitations. Only a technical question worries us. It is better to
send the invitation beforehand, as there is no time. As sooner we
get those invitations as it is better.”
NA chairman Tigran Torosian said to “Aravot”; “There is matter
to worry. But as the day of elections isn’t decided yet, it is
meaningless to send invitations”. Vahan Hovhannisian, the NA vice
chairman, the head of Armenian delegation in the OSCE PA noted during
the interview with us: “My personal opinion is that we must provide
free, open doors for every observer. I don’t see any problem here.”
It seems the problem is expired. But the anxieties aren’t relieved
when we remember the debates before constitutional referendum last
year. Elsy Hastings, the chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
told “Azatutiun” b/s two weeks before the referendum that they had
discussed with the Armenian officials of high rank the question of
inviting OSCE monitoring group to follow duration of constitutional
referendum. V. Hovhanisian replied to that incident /not inviting the
observers/ in the following way: “Referendum is another thing. OSCE had
no experience to monitor referendums. They have never sent observers
for referendum. Why must Armenia become the first?
Elections are another question.” V. Pryakhin said on this occasion:
“That’s right, the OSCE was ready to send observers to monitor the
referendum. But the Armenian party didn’t consider it important. They
had right as it is said in the Copenhagen document that the parties
are obliged to invite observers for parliamentary and presidential
elections. Referendums aren’t mentioned there.”
We also tried to find out which state body will invite the monitoring
group. Tigran Torosian answered; “Our country has sent invitations
for several elections, there was no problem. I think we’ll invite
by the same mechanism this year.” CEC press secretary Tsovinar
Khachatrian informed us that they don’t send invitations: “The RA
government, National Assembly and Foreign Ministry have the right to
send invitations”.

WHAT WILL ROBERT KOCHARYAN AND VLADIMIR PUTIN DISCUSS?
Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
While the media reported that if the Russian embassy first informs
about the upcoming visit of Robert Kocharyan to Moscow, it means
Russia does not respect Armenia and the Armenian government, the
leader of the Nor Zhamanakner Party Aram Karapetyan outlined October
25 the framework of the talk of Robert Kocharyan and Vladimir Putin.
The two presidents will first speak about the question of Nagorno
Karabakh. “When the Israeli prime minister arrived in Moscow and it
became clear that the Iranian problem, unfortunately, is proceeding
towards a military settlement, it is clear that in this context it
becomes a vital problem for the United States to control the liberated
territories. The Americans will need to control the Armenian political
sphere in the geopolitical context. It is clear that in this relation
the Russian geopolitical interests presuppose certain actions in
reply,” states Aram Karapetyan.
Afterwards, Robert Kocharyan and Vladimir Putin will speak about gas.
“Perhaps, the Russians want definite information on when the
Iran-Armenia pipeline will be operated, because soon there will be a
problem of gas with Georgia. The price of the gas supplied to Georgia
will go up. Iran will supply us,” thinks Aram Karapetyan.
The presidents of Armenia and Russia will not forget about the
problems of Javakheti and Georgia. “For Russia, the passive stance
of the Armenian government is not clear.”
Besides, Vladimir Putin will inquire about all the developments that
are underway in Armenia, “As a country, which possesses considerable
property in Armenia, Russia is interested in the future developments.”

DID THE PLANE TOOK GOLD AND DRUGS TO SOCHI ONCE IN THREE MONTHS?
Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
There is no official statement on the crash of the Armenian A320 May
3 in Sochi, which took 113 lives. According to the initial conclusion
of the Interstate Aviation Committee, the cause of the crash was the
mistake of the pilot. Five months later the Russian media recalled the
plane. In answer to this, the leader of the Nor Zhamanakner Party Aram
Karapetyan stated some questions October 25 in Yerevan, which he will
extend to the Attorney General on October 26. Aram Karapetyan said he
got the information that gave rise to his questions from the media,
as well as the National Security Service of Armenia and his source
in Armavia. This is the only plane crash in Armenia over the past 20
years, and unfortunately, the government is trying to forget about it,
stated Aram Karapetyan.
Q. 1. In the first telegram Yerevan received after the crash of the
plane it was stated, “the plane disappeared from the display of the
radar.” According to Aram Karapetyan, experts say such telegrams
are sent when the plane explodes. Did the procuracy pay attention to
this circumstance?
Q. 2. Did a criminal group try to get the plane land in Sochi and
not return to Yerevan? Was there a fight? Was the captain of the
liner beaten?
Q. 3. Why did not the plane return to Yerevan when the dispatcher of
Sochi warned that it is impossible to land there? Who in the territory
of Georgia made the plane return to Sochi, and the plane did not get
to its destination?
Q. 5. Did the security service of the airport check all the VIP
passengers? Did these passengers carry weapon, explosives? Were they
checked? Are there records of the checking? We have learned that the
VIP lounge is under 24 hour surveillance. Were these records and the
video tape confiscated and attached to the criminal case?
Q. 6. Is the information in the Russian media true, or is the reality
different but it is presented this way to settle certain political
problems?
Q. 7. Is it true that after deciphering the information of the data
recorders the French party extended information on 6 parameters
instead of the required 40 to the Russian party?
The cause of the crash was not the mistake of the pilots, states the
leader of the Nor Zhamanakner Party. Considering that nobody gives
explanation or information to the National Assembly, Aram Karapetyan
stated, “In most cases certain government agencies make no efforts,
and it appears that the National Assembly is neglected. The society
cannot get information.” This leads to emergence of various rumors.
For instance, Aram Karapetyan has heard that this plane took gold
and drugs to Sochi once in three months.
According to Aram Karapetyan, all the documents of the crashed plane
were in another A320 of Armavia which burnt in the hangar in Belgium
after the crash of A320.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNITED JAVAKHETI DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE CONDEMNS THE HZOR HAYRENIK PARTY
Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
The Statement of United Javakheti Democratic Alliance
In answer to the statements of the deputy leader of the Hzor Hayrenik
Party Shirak Torosyan in the October 24 edition of the Iravunk
Newspaper, United Javakheti Democratic Alliance, realizing its
responsibility for the stability in Javakheti and the protection of
the national and civil rights of the Armenian population, considering
the dangerous situation in the region, condemns the efforts of several
marginal political sets and the criminal groups, which joined them,
to dissolve the alliance and stain its activities.
In Javakheti, which remained within independent Georgia after the
collapse of the Soviet Union, different forces emerged to defend the
political and civil rights of the Armenian population of Javakheti
but were unable to unite and direct the potential of the Armenians
of Javakheti at the urgent and effective settlement of the problems
of this region.
At the same time, certain people living in Armenia and pursuing their
personal goals in the political sphere of Armenia, who joined the
Hzor Hayrenik Party, have succeeded in manipulating the feelings of
the citizens of Armenia from Javakheti in their constant efforts to
enter the National Assembly.
United Javakheti condemns the efforts of these people, who are members
of the Hzor Hayrenik Party, to use Javakheti for their own interests
confined to Armenia. The fact that the deputy leader of the Hzor
Hayrenik Party, a certain “international expert” Shirak Torosyan has
usurped the post of the president of the Javakhk Union of Compatriots
is unacceptable from the point of view of the elementary rules of
political ethic. The alliance commends the wish of Javakhk Union of
Compatriots to assist in settling the problems of the Armenians of
Javakheti. Nevertheless, Javakhk Union of Compatriots cannot remain
a toy in the hands of the leadership of the Hzor Hayrenik Party,
suffering from political and ideological bancruptcy.
United Javakheti considers the efforts of the Hzor Hayrenik Party to
monopolize the right to act on behalf of the Armenians of Javakheti
as groundless and destructive.
United Javakheti Democratic Alliance condemns the politically dangerous
and intolerable efforts of the leadership of the Hzor Hayrenik
to interfere with the home political developments in Javakheti and
control them from Yerevan. The alliance warns that this political
party will be accountable for the possible destabilization of the
situation in the region.
United Javakheti Democratic Alliance condemns the efforts to denigrate
the alliance in the Armenian media. Using the unawareness of the public
in Armenia, primitive and condemnable efforts are made to distort the
reality. Unfortunately, the Hzor Hayrenik Party has again taken up an
underlying role in these processes. The local elections in Javakheti
on October 5 were marred by brazen cases of electoral fraud, and the
assertions of the Hzor Hayrenik Party about the “absolute victory”
of the “pro-Armenian forces” in the elections are a vivid example
of moral decay. (For instance, how can an election be considered as
democratic, if communities with 7000 voters and 100 voters send an
equal number of delegates to the “sakrebulo”?)
Over two years of its activities United Javakheti has displayed
resolve to defend the security and the civil rights of the Armenians
of Javakheti and has earned the trust of the population. “30 percent”
of United Javakheti despite the administrative resource used by
the government of the country and the immoral campaign conducted by
their local proxies, shows the real importance of United Javakheti
for the population.
United Javakheti Democratic Alliance is convinced that the Armenian
government will reconsider the decision on the arrest of Vahagn
Chakhalyan, a leader of the Alliance, provoked by certain marginal
forces and on an absurd charge.

CAUCASUS LIKE KARABAKH
Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
For Russia the Caucasus is the same as Karabakh for Armenia, stated
Member of Parliament Hmayak Hovanisyan October 25 at the Hayeli Club,
speaking about the Russian-Georgian relation. According to him, Russia
uses the wrong methods to react to the hostility that began from the
“spy games” by Georgia, but this reaction is appropriate and logical
because Georgia offended Russia by striking its strategic interests.
Hmayak Hovanisyan says the point is that they are trying to oust Russia
from the region through Georgia but they have forgotten that all the
Russian commanders were “baptized” in the Caucasus, the Caucasus was
the theater of all the great historical battles of Russia. “Russia
needed an idea of mobilization, and this idea has emerged,” Hmayak
Hovanisyan says.
He thinks that Georgia offended Armenia as well by announcing that
the actions of the spies were coordinated in Yerevan. Therefore,
Hmayak Hovanisyan is surprised that Armenia did not give an adequate
response despite the statement, though an impertinent one, by such
a friendly member of parliament as Zatulin, says Hmayak Hovanisyan.
According to him, the goal of integration with European and Western
organizations is justified, whereas the tactics chosen by Georgia is
wrong. Hovanisyan advises not to choose this tactics, be realistic
and remember that 80 percent of transfers exceeding the budget of
Armenia twice are made by the Armenians working in Russia.

NEW DETAILS OF CRASH OF ARMENIAN PLANE
Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
The news agency Regnum published an anonymous report on the crash
of the plane of Armavia Airlines on May 3 near Sochi. The anonymous
author, who introduced himself as the relative of one of the victims,
writes that a group of passengers flying in business class, i.e. they
were close to the cockpit, were leaving for Sochi for an “important
meeting”. The group had already had several drinks. Learning that the
crew decided to return to Yerevan because of the bad weather, they got
one of the pilots out of the cockpit and taking him hostage, demanded
to land in Sochi. The author writes that the panic that occurred on
board resulted in uncoordinated actions of the crew and the dispatcher.