DELEGATION OF RA CIVIL AVIATION TO LEAVE FOR TOULOUSE
ArmRadio.am
03.07.2006 10:32
Representatives of the Chief Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia
will leave today for Toulouse, where modeling of the flight of the
A-320 is to be held. The modeling will be carried out via combination
of the parameter and conversation records of the black boxes.
Only after the completion of these works the International aviation
Committee will draw its final conclusion about the reasons of the
crash.

ARMENIAN WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA CALLS UPON ARCHBISHOP MESROP MUTAFIAN TO RESIGN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 3 2006
LOS ANGELES, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 1, the
Armenian Writers Association of California (AWAOC) spread a report, in
which it calls upon Archbishop Mesrop Mutafian to resign. “Archbishop
Mesrop Mutafian is a denier of the Armenian Genocide,” the Armenian
Writers Association of California declared quotting the Patriarch’s
statement to the Turkish media.
To recap, according to the “Hurriyet,” the Archbishop of
Constantinopole, in particular, said that his opinion concerning
the Armenian Genocide differs from one of Karekin II Catholicos
of All Armenians, according to which the Armenian Genocide is an
undeniable fact for the Armenian people and cannot be subject for
discussion. According to the Turkish newspaper, when journalists asked
the Constantinople Armenian Patriarch what he thinks of the statement
of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Mesrop Patriarch answered:
“The Turk-Armenian relations did not involve only the years of
1890-1923.
The statement of His Holiness was expected for us. (…) All Diasporan
Armenians were watching that press-conference, so the Catholicos
spoke, taking into acount approaches of Diaspora. I have said earlier
as well. It will be good that the issue of 1915 is discussed by
politicians, diplomates, historians and sociologists, it will help
that the sides understand approaches of the opposite side.”
From: Baghdasarian

TIGRAN TOROSIAN: APPLICATION OF SELF-DETERMINATION RIGHT BECOMES MORE AND MORE ACCEPTABLE FOR PACE DEPUTIES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 3 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 3, NKR
National Assembly Speaker Ashot Gulian met with RA National Assembly
Speaker Tigran Torosian. Ashot Ghulian told him about his meetings
with officials, deputies and representatives of analytical centers
during his visit to the U.S. He said that these meetings were mutually
efficient and useful.
Tigran Torosian informed NKR NA Speaker about the discussions of
PACE summer session in Strasbourg touching upon the discussions on
prevention of forest fires the Azerbaijani delegation was trying to
turn into one more speculation, the first foreign sitting of PACE
Sub-committee on Nagorno Karabakh to be held in NKR, as well as
the forthcoming visit of Leo Platvoet, Reporter on Missing People
in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan of PACE Committee on Migration,
Refugees and Ethnography, to Nagorno Karabakh. It was mentioned that
though during the discussion of the report on the results of the
independence referendum in Montenegro those speaking tried not to make
comparisons with other countries, it was obvious that the application
of the right of self-determination becomes more and more acceptable
for PACE deputies. Torosian also said that during the discussion
of the report on countries not having ratified the convention on
death penalty liquidation it was registered that death penalty was
liquidated in Nagorno Karabakh, unlike other conflict zones.
According to RA NA Public Relations Department, at the meeting they
also touched upon the work of the RA-NKR Interparliamentary Commission:
the Commission’s regular sitting will take place in autumn in Yerevan.

VARTAN OSKANIAN CONSIDERS THAT FRAME AGREEMENT PROPOSED BY MG CO-CHAIRS IS ACCEPTABLE FOR ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 3 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “The frame agreement
on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict (proposed by OSCE
Minsk Group Co-chairs: NT) is acceptable for Armenia and we are ready
to continue the negotiations being guided by the principles, which,
in our opinion, are rather balanced,” RA Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian declared at the July 3 press conference.
As he evaluated, “apparently, a right choice for mutual concessions”
was made in the proposed document. “So, we hope Azerbaijan will revalue
the situation and a possibility for continuing the negotiations and
achieving positive results will be created,” the Minister declared.
Vartan Oskanian refuted the conversations that OSCE Minsk Group
American Co-chair Matthew Bryza drew a parallel between Armenia
and Azerbaijan in the issue of holding democratic reforms, at that,
the comparison proved to be not in favor of Armenia. “Matthew Bryza
in his interview declared that some improvement was registered in
Azerbaijan and he would like some improvement to be registered in
Armenia, too. But he did not drew a parallel. Today the difference
in democracy in Armenia and Azerbaijan is so much obviously in favor
of Armenia hat Bryza cannot have said this,” the Minister assured.
As for cases of violence towards Armenians in Russia and the position
of the Armenian government in this issue, Vartan Oskanian said that
the Armenian side continues discussing this problem with Russia. The
Minister emphasized that the Russian side is also very much anxious
about this. At the same time, according to him, this phenomenon is
going on. “Serious steps are necessary, as unless this phenomenon
stops, it will already become dangerous for the Russian public,”
Vartan Oskanian declared.

PARIS AND FRANCE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DAYS OF ARMENIA, ADVISER TO FRENCH PRESIDENT SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 3 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The organization works
on holding Year of Armenia in France are coming to an end and the
program of events will be officially presented on September 12. Laurent
Bili, Diplomatic Adviser to the French President, declared this at
the joint press conference with RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
held on July 3 in Yerevan.
According to him, a possibility for presenting the Armenian culture,
traditions and history was created within the framework of the
planned events.
“Paris and France are looking forward to the Days of Armenia, as this
is not a foreign country for us. I think this year will open the whole
richness of the Armenian culture and will contribute to the growth
of the number of French tourists to Armenia,” Laurent Bili declared.
He informed that the French side will provide about 1.5-2 mln euros
for holding Year of Armenia in France, including the funds received
from different organizations and museums.
In his turn, RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian informed that the
program of holding Year of Armenia in France is very eventful. He
expressed hope for further successful development of Armenian-French
contacts.

NKR OFFICIAL DELEGATION ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON
MFA PRESS SERVICE.
03-07-2006
On June 26 NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulian and the minister of foreign
affairs of NKR Georgy Petrossian arrived in Washington for an official
visit. On the same day the NKR high-ranking officials met with the
Armenian Ambassador to the United States Tatul Margaryan and discussed
questions of mutual interest.
Afterwards the NKR delegation met with Mathew Bryza, the US co-chair
of the OSCE Minsk Group at the NKR Permanent Representation to the
United States and discussed the present stage of the Karabakh conflict
and regional developments.
Speaker Ashot Ghulian and Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian
presented the NKR stance on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,
underlining the importance of the legal aspect of the problem. The
participants of the meeting arranged to continue consultations,
including in Stepanakert. On June 27 the NKR delegation met with
the representatives of the Washington Office of Hay Dat and the
Armenian Assembly of America. During these meetings they discussed
cooperation between the NKR government and these organization, as
well as the present situation in the region and the Homeland-Diaspora
relations. Afterwards the Artsakh officials met with Craig Kennedy,
president of the German Marshall Fund, and discussed the current
stage of settlement of the Karabakh conflict and the home and foreign
policies of NKR. In the afternoon the NKR delegation met with senators
Lincoln Chaffy and Jack Reed. During this meeting the NKR officials
presented the social and economic state of NKR, democratic achievements
and the recent development in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. The delegation emphasized the importance of the US assistance
to NKR and called for continuing and expanding this assistance. In
the morning of June 28 NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulian and Foreign minister
Georgy Petrossian addressed an event at the US Institute of Peace,
devoted to the preconditions of peace settlement of the Karabakh
conflict. Diplomats, heads of strategic centres and organizations,
as well as members of the Armenian community were present. The
Artsakh officials presented the official stance of NKR on the peace
settlement of the conflict over Karabakh, touched upon the history
and the current stage of peace settlement. The speaker of NKR dwelled
on the legal and historical aspects of declaration and establishment
of NKR, emphasizing their compliance with the international law and
experience. With regard to the current developments in the region,
he mentioned that NKR perceives the vital interests of the United
States and other countries in the South Caucasus. At the same time, NKR
expects these countries to perceive its interests as well. The foreign
minister of NKR underlined that the current format of the talks does
not reflect the conflict fully because the Azerbaijani side refuses
to negotiate with NKR. Similarly, since 1988 Azerbaijan has distorted
the possibility of a legal settlement of the conflict into a lasting
ethnic and political conflict. In the end the NKR delegation answered
the questions of the participants of the meeting. Later the Armenian
delegation met with Congresswoman Nita Lowey. During the meeting
the NKR delegation presented the social and economic state in NKR,
democracy in Artsakh and the recent developments in the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict. In the afternoon there was a reception
for the NKR delegation at the Capitol. Armenian Ambassador to the
United States Tatul Margarian, NKR Permanent Representative to the US
Vardan Barseghian, the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian
National Committee of America were present. US House Representatives
Franck Pallone, Joe Knollenberg, Edward Royce, Caroline Maloney,
Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman addressed the guests and greeted the
speaker and the minister of foreign affairs of NKR. Condemning the
anti-Armenian aggressive policy of Azerbaijan, the representatives of
the U.S. House affirmed their commitment to assist in the establishment
and development of NKR. In their speeches the NKR officials thanked the
US congress and the American people for establishment of freedom and
democracy, as well as the humanitarian aid from the United States to
NKR. “Artsakh chose the path of freedom and democracy consciously and
nothing will make it deviate from this path,” concluded the speaker
of the NKR National Assembly. After the reception the NKR delegation
met with the co-chairs of the Armenian task force of the U.S. House,
Rep. Franck Pallone and Rep. Joe Knollenberg. During this meeting
they discussed economic and democratic reforms in NKR, US assistance
to NKR and the settlement of the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SWEDISH DELEGATION VISITED NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
01 July 2006
The press service of the National Assembly of NKR reported that on June
28 Rudik Hyusnunts, Deputy Speaker, met with the Swedish delegation
headed by the deputy leader of the Left Party MP Ulla Hoffman. The
guests from Sweden were accompanied by Vardan Mkrtichian, member of the
National Assembly of Armenia, Ardarutiun faction. The deputy speaker
of the National Assembly briefed them on the processes underway in
the republic. Our newly independent country, he said, is currently
stepping into a new stage of democracy, steadily integrating with
the European family. During the talk the deputy speaker recalled
with gratitude that Sweden was one of the first countries to send
humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh in blockade during the national
liberation movement of Artsakh Armenians and the war imposed on the
young republic afterwards, thanks to the Armenian cultural center in
this Scandinavian state. At the same time, he thanked the parliament
of Sweden for recognizing the Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey
and the Left Party for the legislative proposal. I believe, said the
deputy speaker, that you will become engaged in the international
recognition of NKR. According to Ms. Hoffman, they visited NKR out
of permanent interest in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. For her part,
she said there is much in this country they have not seen yet but what
they have already seen is impressive. The head of the delegation, as
well as the members of the delegation said they intend to study the
possibilities and conditions of sustaining relations with Nagorno
Karabakh. At the end of the meeting the deputy speaker suggested
that the guests take part in the celebration of the 13th anniversary
of liberation of Martakert. The invitation was accepted gladly. At
the meeting Arayik Harutiunyan, Chair of the NKR Finance, Budget and
Economic Management Committee was present, reported the press service
of the NKR National Assembly.

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF MARTAKERT WAS LAUNCHED
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
01 July 2006
The regional development programme of Martakert, which has already
been launched by Armenia Foundation, is a novelty for the foundation,
since it involves simultaneous reconstruction and development of
different spheres, reports the department of public relations of
Armenia Foundation. If formerly the foundation used to implement
large-scale programmes in one sphere, now the foundation invests in
all the spheres, which are of vital importance for the population,
allowing a general development of the region. Tenders for strategic
projects are held by the commission of the foundation, including the
executive board of the foundation, the director of the Armenian Relief
Society in Armenia, the director of the Yerevan office of the Armenian
Assembly of America, a representative of the NKR government. This year
the representative of the NKR president was included as well. The 4.865
km section between Drmbon and Martakert of North-South Highway will
be put out to tender on July 5. Two companies, Karavan and Virage
had submitted applications for the prequalification test. Karavan
passed the prequalification. The first tender held on June 29 was
suspended, since the tender sums were too big. The construction of
the drinking water pipeline will also be put to tender. The building
owner is the NKR government. The project costs 40 million drams,
and is funded by Armenia Foundation. On May 23 the foundation held a
prequalification test. Out of four companies, Dorozhnik, Sphinx, Sokol
Group, Virage, Dorozhnik and Virage passed the prequalification test
and will offer tender sums on July 4. Besides, the foundation will
put out to tender the drinking water supply systems in the villages
of Varnkatagh, Magavuz, Mets Shen, Vaghuhas, as well as the bridge
on the Kichan-Drmbon section of North-South. The project of gas
pipeline in the villages of Chldran and Aradjadzor was worked out
by Artsakhgas. The planning and conceptual design of the regional
hospital of Martakert was carried out by the American specialists
of the Armenia Foundation in Los Angeles. The conceptual design was
presented to the NKR Ministry of Health. In 2005 the building of
the school in the village of Mataghis began, funded by the Toronto
branch of the foundation. The school will admit 120 children. Now
the foundation has put out to tender the building of the school in
the village of Kochoghot. The Toronto body of the foundation will
also finance the construction of a school in Verin Horatagh. The
agricultural development programme of Martakert requires immense
efforts, therefore its implementation is controlled by the commission,
including the executive director of the foundation, the NKR minister
of agriculture, the representative of Turnaround Associates, a United
States NGO, which worked out the programme. The foundation is going
to sign an agreement with the NKR government on this programme. In
accordance with the contract, the programme will be implemented by
the NKR Agriculture Support Fund, which will set up a CJSC and an
NGO in the framework of the programme. The contract will include
the bylaws of the CJSC and the NGO, which were drawn up by a top
lawyer. Armenia Foundation will buy agricultural machinery, which
will be leased by the CJSC to farmers for lower prices. The first
consignment of agricultural machines (tractors, trucks, etc) will be
delivered to Martakert in August. Besides, over 3 years the foundation
will pay the salaries of the staff and cover other expenses of the
CJSC. Afterwards the CJSC will be transformed into an independent
profit organization. The NKR Ministry of Agriculture is the only
shareholder of the CJSC but within five years the farmers will buy the
shares, and as shareholders, the agricultural machinery will become
their property. The farmers will be allowed to use the agricultural
machines on becoming member of the NGO. The interests of the members
of the NGO will be taken into account and protected, and membership
to the NGO will allow participating in decision making and controlling
the work, states the department of public relations of Armenia Fund.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US CO-CHAIR AT OSCE MG DID NOT STATE ARMENIA LESS DEMOCRATIC THAN AZERBAIJAN: ARMENIAN FM
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 3 2006
YEREVAN, July 3. /ARKA/. American Co-Chair at the OSCE Minsk Group
Mathew Bryza has not stated that Armenia is less democratic than
Azerbaijan, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told reporters.
“The words of Bryza were extracted from the context. He did not
make a direct declaration that Armenia is less democratic country,”
Oskanyan said.
According to Oskanyan, the American co-chair just said that specific
positive shifts in democracy were observed in Azerbaijan, and that
he expects the same from Armenia.
“However, he did not mention reference points for the two countries,”
Oskanyan said..
According to him, these words can be interpreted in the following way:
though Azerbaijan loses to Armenia in democratic development; however,
it made a number of serious steps toward this direction, and Armenia
is also expected to make additional steps to strengthen democracy. I
view this problem exactly this way. The difference between the level
of democracy between Armenian and Azerbaijan is so much obvious that I
cannot comment on this problem differently,” Oskanyan said.

“THE AUTHORITY MUST BE READY TO REFUSE OF ITS POSITION”
Margaret Yesayan
Aravot.am
1 July 06
The leader of National Free Party of Armenia Hovhannes Hovhannisian
says who is also sure that the opposition must be ready to take
that authority.
Mr. Hovhannisian, how do you remark declaration of the cochairmen
that they refuse of negotiating, leaving the NK conflict settlement
to the parties?
The cochairmen showed by that declaration that they had been
exasperated and that the OSCE didn’t express a hope any more with
Kocharian-Aliev negotiations. They understood that this way was
expired. It became clear that Kocharian has negotiated during these
years being ready for concessions, but Aliev did just the opposite. The
negotiations have been failed as the result, which is full of danger.
Some standpoints made by the international structures make an
impression that Armenia isn’t important for anyone, if it is so,
in what the political powers of the country are engaged in?
I also worry about those processes, which are outside, the process
of the NK conflict settlement is being actively negotiated by
the rules of the new game, and this is indeed a new thing, which
didn’t exist since ’94. And showing the negotiating cards by the US
means two things. The first is that, maybe the superpowers have got
tired that the presidents of both countries keep everything under
lock. It is obvious that there is no settlement in the result of
the presidents’ negotiations and the Americans have decided to show
the cards making the societies to discuss the problem. The second
can be the circumstance that they don’t see the settlement of the
conflict by the rules of the current game that’s why they change the
rules of the game. In any case, this situation isn’t profitable for
us at all, because the geopolitical balance of Azerbaijan grows,
Baqu-Jeihan will be operated soon, Baqu-Erzrum gas pipeline, too,
Kazakhstan -Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan gas pile lines are
being constructed, and all these are a serious factor for Azerbaijan.
Factually, you consider very realistic Ilham Aliev’s declaration that
Azerbaijan will become powerful soon and will be able to settle the
NK conflict by force?
The interests of superpowers of the world connect with the interests of
Azerbaijan that is the superpowers must be interested in oil and gas
pipelines secure operation and they must try to pay for that security
and they must pay to Azerbaijan. Armenia as a factor has no card in
it. In these conditions Azerbaijan makes rude declarations about the
increase of military budget. And this means that Azerbaijan makes
the superpowers of the world understand if they don’t assist in the
NK conflict, it will become powerful and settle the conflict itself,
by force.
Which are the ways, you produced such a sad picture, that we think
we are in gridlock. But on the other hand we used to say nations’
self-determination, European standards etc. Anyway can the ways be
formed inside the country, in case of change of the home policy?
Nowadays there is such a situation that some persons have privatized
the NK conflict, I consider it their monopoly and they consult about
it with nobody but this isn’t the matter for one two, or four persons
are engaged in, this refers to the whole Armenian people.
Is there the opposition in Armenia and what future do you see for it?
That question has been manipulated for many times. Everybody has
the impression, that the authority powers become powerful, frighten
people, and take some persons into their parties. I don’t really
understand in favor of what all these are done. The country shouldn’t
be monopolized. They have oligarchized and monopolized the economy,
the policy, but they shouldn’t monopolized the political processes,
this is very dangerous and I don’t think those people don’t understand
it. If they don’t understand, it is bad but if they do it understanding
it is worse. I don’t refuse my ideas; the opposition must indeed
try to form a new alliance, new power based on ideological ground,
which must be ready to come to power. The authorities must be ready
to refuse of their positions at any moment for saving the situation
in Karabakh and Armenia.
Certainly I have doubts that they will do so, because some people have
pretended themselves Ludovik and think that they Armenia. The problem
of the opposition in this situation must be to form very quickly an
alternative for these authorities.