WHO KOCHARYAN WILL SUPPORT EVENTUALLY
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
11 Sept 06
Before the General Assembly of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
was held, everyone had thought that only the Republican Party could
hold the most outstanding assembly. It became clear, however, that
the possibilities of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun are not inferior. No
other political party’s assembly was marked by the presence of the
head of the administration of the president and the speech of the
foreign minister. It is also notable that the Republican Party had
accepted the invitation of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun on a rather high
level, and besides the leader of the party the chair of the Council
of the Republican Party also showed up. They brought Galust Sahakyan
along. The reason is not, of course, that God loves trinity, and the
Republicans love God. The reason was to show to Dashnaktsutyun that
despite the public “judgment” of Arman Sahakyan the Republicans do
not have a grudge on one another.
The assembly of Dashnaktsutyun was an opportunity to stage a show.
However, it was necessary that the show were especially evident to
the Dashnaks to prevent them from starting to think about using the
situation inside the Republican Party. And sure enough Dashnaktsutyun
had such likelihood, which became clear from the guests of the General
Assembly. Their aim was to show to the Republican Party that they are
as serious opponents as Bargavach Hayastan Party. Perhaps, the reason
for the presence of the head of the Kocharyan administration and the
greeting speech of the foreign minister was the same. Now everyone
is racking their brains over the question whom Robert Kocharyan will
give more support, Bargavach Hayastan or the ARF. In other words, who
the most serious opponent of the Republican Party will be. In fact,
it is difficult to realize, and it is possible that the Republicans
came in three, because it is perhaps difficult to understand the
abovementioned alone.
Maybe Robert Kocharyan managed to confuse the Republican Party. If the
Republican Party is unable to realize whose “uniform” the president
will be wearing in fighting against them, naturally it cannot prepare
duly for the fight. After all, the level of preparation greatly
depends on how well one knows their opponent.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party does not even appear to know its
rival. Before this they were convinced that Bargavach Hayastan is
their opponent and they even advised Dashnaktsutyun to mind their
own business. Now they can see, however, that not everything is so
distinct. It is also possible that by honoring the General Assembly of
Dashnaktsutyun Robert Kocharyan is confusing not only the Republican
Party but also Dashnaktsutyun. The president has every reason
for this. By distracting the Republican Party’s attention towards
Dashnaktsutyun Robert Kocharyan may clear the way for Bargavach
Hayastan. Not only the Republican Party but also Dashnaktsutyun
can feel this. And perhaps there was an arrangement between the
Republican Party and the ARF that the Republican Party showed up as
a prominent trinity to show to the president what a powerful force
they can make if by a sudden miracle the Republican Party and the
ARF Dashnaktsutyun start loving each other. And for the time being,
perhaps as a warning, they express this love in a casual manner,
the marriage of the children of Vahan Hovanisyan and Sashik Sargsyan.
In fact, one should not think that the grown-ups would turn the
feeling of the young people into a political category. And if before
the old friends did not betray each other, now the relatives-in-law
will not betray each other. The president may know this. The problem
is the information that soon Gagik Tsarukyan and Andranik Manukyan,
the minister of transport will become relatives. Not politicizing the
feelings of their children either, we should remember nevertheless
the serious political plans and essential role of their fathers in
the political process.
And almost everything connected with them will willy-nilly be
politicized, especially that none of them has stated something definite
about their political actions. It is only clear that everyone wants
to enter the parliament. And since only this is known, we may suppose
that they are likely to take every step for their political aims.
However, the political forces should realize that in order to enter
the parliament they should become related to the public rather than
one another. In this case, the aim would seem realistic. Although
it is not bad, of course, that they become bound to one another. It
is definitely in the interests of the public, even if they appear by
miracle in the parliament bound to one another. At that time everything
will be ready, and no time will be wasted on finding them one by one;
they will only have to transport them.

DISSATISFIED WITH THE LEADER OF THE PARTY
Lragir.am
11 Sept 06
The number of Republicans, who are dissatisfied with the leader of the
Republican Party Andranik Margaryan, is growing. The refusal to support
Arman Sahakyan was one of the reasons. We have learned that most
old members of the political party wonder about Andranik Margaryan’s
behavior, who in fact is not leading the political party. The divide
within the Republican Party is becoming deeper. If formerly there were
supporters of Serge Sargsyan and Andranik Margaryan, now another wing
has emerged, which disapproves the behavior of Andranik Margaryan.

WILL ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN SUPPORT OSKANYAN?
Lragir.am
11 Sept 06
We have learned that the foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan
is likely to run in the presidential election 2008 as the candidate
of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun. This political party is not against
either. It is notable that Vardan Oskanyan was also invited to the
General Assembly of the ARF and even made a greeting speech, which
was so fiery that would suit a member of the party rather than a
member of the government.

DEFENSE MINISTER SERGE SARGSAYAN OFF TO BULGARIA
ArmRadio.am
11.09.2006 10:27
Today the delegation headed by RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsayan left
for the Republic of Bulgaria on an official visit. In the framework
of the visit meetings with Bulgarian President Georgy Prvanov, Defense
Minister Vesselin Bliznakov and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly
Peter Beron are envisaged.

FM VARDAN OSKANIAN OFF TO PARIS TO MEET WITH OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS
ArmRadio.am
11.09.2006 11:31
RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian left for Paris today to have a
meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, acting press secretary
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Karapetyan informs.
“The time of the meeting is being corrected. It’s quite possible that
it will start today,” Vladimir Karapetyan noted.
To remind, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is scheduled
to meet with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in London on September 13.

ARMENIA TO COMMEMORATE SEPTEMBER 11TH VICTIMS
ArmRadio.am
11.09.2006 12:00
Armeni will mark today the 5th anniversary of the tragedy in New York
on September 11, 2001.
Press Secretary of the UN Embassy in Armenia Taguhi Jahukyan told
“ArmInfo” that the commemoration events will be held in Ararat
city. “The participants of the event will lay flowers at the memorial
to the September 11th victims and will pay tribute to their memory
with a minute of silence,” she said.

AEPLAC AND THE UNION OF BANKS TO PRESENT THE “SECURITIZATION OF ASSETS IN EUROPE” VOLUME
ArmRadio.am
11.09.2006 12:42
On 12 September AEPLAC and the Union of Banks of Armenia will present
the seventh volume in the “European Integration Library Series” –
“Securitization of assets in Europe.”
This book is the first report in Armenia that is reflecting this
topic, and this report is produced in cooperation with the Union of
Banks of Armenia.
It is composed of two major parts, and aims to present the process of
creation and development of securitization markets in Europe. This book
provides a rather detailed analysis of the practices of establishment
and development of securitization process in Europe, its impact on
promoting economic growth, as well as on legal regulations governing
the securitization process.
The event will host members of the Government, MPs, representatives
of the diplomatic missions, international organizations, businesses,
education and science, and the civil society.
Speakers to the event will be Mr. Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of
Central Bank of Armenia, Mr. Vardan Khachatryan, Minister of Finance
and Economy of Armenia, Mr. Karen Chshmarityan, Minister of Trade and
Economic Development of Armenia, Mr. Stepan Gishyan, Chairman of Union
of Banks of Armenia, Mr. Kenneth Munther, AEPLAC European Director.

CELEBRATION OF THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE TO START SEPTEMBER 17
ArmRadio.am
11.09.2006 13:38
The series of official events dedicated to the 15th anniversary of
Armenia’s independence will start on September 17 with a special
liturgy in the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin. The same day a photo
exhibition titled “15 years of independence” will open in the “Moscow”
cinema. Retrospective screening of the films shooted during the past
15 years will be held in the same cinema.
On September 18 the third Armenia-Diaspora forum will start in the
concert and sport complex after Karen Demirchyan. In the evening of
the same day the Youth ensemble will perform in the Conservatory Park.
On September 19 a forum titled “New answers to old questions: Armenia
in the 21st century” will be held and “Independence in Stamps”
exhibition will open in the concert and sport complex after Karen
Demirchyan.
September 20 the third Armenia-Diaspora forum will be festively closed
in Karen Demirchian complex. Presentation of the silver coin dedicated
to the 15th anniversary of independence will be held in the same
place. The Pan-Armenian economic forum will open on the same day. In
the evening the first digitalized Armenian film will be screened at
“Cascade” complex.
On September 21 a military parade will be held in the Republic
Square. The same day a gala concert will be held in Vazgen Sargsyan
stadium, which will be followed by a salute in Yerevan and all regional
centers of Armenia.
On September 22 “Armenia’s economy” exhibition will open in Karen
Demirchyan sport and concert complex.
The arrangements dedicated to the 15th anniversary of independence
will be concluded with a concert of the State Chamber Orchestra of
Armenia near ” Zvartnots” temple.

TURKEY WILL RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN CASE THE COMMITTEE OF HISTORIANS DECIDES SO
ArmRadio.am
11.09.2006 14:33
Turkish Minister of Economy and Special Envoy in the negotiations with
the European Union Ali Babacan considers that the acknowledgement
of the fact of the Armenian Genocide by his will become possible in
case such conclusion is drawn by the joint Armenian-Turkish committee
of historians.
Ali Babacan made the statement in an interview to the Dutch NRC
Handelsblad newspaper titled “The Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by Turkey not ruled out,” MEDIAMAX agency reports.
In response to the question whether Turkey will accept the decision
of the committee to characterize the 1915 events as genocide, Ali
Babacan declared, ” We’ll agree to any decision.”
At the same time, the Economy Minister criticized the position of the
European parliament on the issue, noting that “parliamentarians are
not historians” and “the European Parliament is not the institution
that can assert what has happened in reality.
Ali Babacan declared that all Turkish archives are open for scientists,
and the suggestion to form a joint Armenian-Turkish committee of
historians remains in force.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LEFT FOR PARIS TO MEET OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS
Arminfo
11 Sep 06
Yerevan, 11 September: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
today left for Paris to attend a meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict,
Vladimir Karapetyan, acting press secretary of the Armenian Foreign
Ministry, has told an Arminfo correspondent.
“The time is being clarified. It is possible that the meeting will
start today,” Vladimir Karapetyan noted.
To recap, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Maammadyarov’s meeting
with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs is planned for 13 September
in London.
Matthew Bryza (USA), Yuriy Merzlyakov (Russian Federation) and Bernard
Fassier (France) are the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.