SYRIAN MUFTI VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL
Yerevan, September 4. ArmInfo. Mufti of Syria Ahmad Badr Al Din
Hassoun visited the Amenian Genocide Complex in Yerevan today.
The press service of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin reports Mufti
to lay flowers to the memorial and to visit the Armenian Genocide
Museum. He said that if nations actually followed their religions
there would be no such massacres. He noted that the Armenian nation
should overcome this pain and continue to live and to built its
country. Mufti said that Armenians – wherever there are – should help
to restore their native Armenia.

BREAKDOWNS IN E-MAIL SYSTEM OF RA FOREIGN MINISTRY MAKE RA CITIZENS UNDOCUMENTED
Yerevan, September 4. ArmInfo. “RA embassies to a number of foreign
countries create problems for the Armenian citizens whose passports
have already expired during their stay in a foreign country. Levon
Nersesian, head of “Armenian Center for Human Rights after A. Sakharov”
organization.
Nersesian brought examples of several cases when the diplomats
demanded presents in the cases with expired passports. In particular,
he described a case of an Armenian citizen who failed to get a new
passport though he had submitted all the required documents to RA
Embassy to Kazakhstan in time. In a letter to L. Nersesian, the
unlucky citizen stated that he would have to give bribes to get the
new passport quickly. The correspondent of ArmInfo represented the
situation to RA Foreign Ministry and asked to explain the reason for
the delays or complications in the given process. Vladimir Karapetian,
Press Secretary of RA Foreign Ministry, stated that the issue was
settled and the abovementioned citizen may already get his documents
at RA Embassy to Kazakhstan. Besides, Karapetian explained the delay
with the documents by technical breakdowns in the e-mail system of
RA Foreign Ministry.

GERMAN PARLIAMENTARIAN: TURKEY HAS TO RECOGNIZE WHAT IT HAD DONE TO ARMENIAN PEOPLE DURING OSMAN EMPIRE
Berlin, September 4. ArmInfo. Turkey has to recognize the crime
against the Armenian people during the Osman Empire, Jorg Tauss, the
member of Social-Democratic party of Germany, the deputy Chairman
of the German-Caucasian Parliamentary Friendly Group, told ArmInfo
correspondent during the press-conference in the German Bundestag.
The politician noted that Germany is interested in a stable development
of the South-Caucasian region. “Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are
of interest to Germany from the viewpoint of economy and politics
first of all. This interest is not limited only by oil availability
in Azerbaijan, the region is of interest from the viewpoint of
geographic position, strategic importance and closeness to Iran”,
he noted. According to him, the region is also considered a cradle
of mankind, which is of great interest. “The discussions at the
political level are being held on the problem between Armenia and
Azerbaijan around Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as the closed
borders and relations with Turkey. All the listed aspects adversely
affect the development of relations”, the German Parliamentarian
said. “The secret is in a combined development of countries of the
South Caucasus as a region in whole “, Jorg Tauss said. He added that
“Armenia-Turkey closed borders is a scandal since all the countries of
the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, suffer”, the politician said.

OFFICIAL BAKU: DEMONSTRATION OF COMMENTARIES ABOUT NAGORNO KARABAKH BY RUSSIAN CHANNELS HARMS AZERBAIJAN-RUSSIA RELATIONS
Yerevan, September 4. ArmInfo. As to official Baku, commentaries,
shown by Russian TV-channels, about Nagorno Karabakh, timed to the 15th
anniversary of NKR independence, “harm Russia-Azerbaijan relations”.
According to the deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Araz Azimov,
Interfax informs that “such commentaries conflict with the statements
made public by Russia at a state level”. “These phenomena, along
with damaging the interests of Russia in the South Caucasus, harm
the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia”, Azimov said.

IT’S NOT FUNNY, IT’S HORRIBLE
Melik Avanyan
Lragir.am
05 Sept 06
The anxiety of the consolidated criminal is becoming obvious. The
“spiritual leader” of the criminal corps Serge Sargsyan did not
stand, and displayed this anxiety September 1. Maybe he did not mean
to display it but there is no other way out. He had to address a
preventive message to his brothers. Whereas we, the ordinary people,
saw quite another thing.
The information that the president of Armenia discussed something
with the president of Russia would hardly alarm an ordinary man.
Whereas, such an ordinary information made Serge Sargsyan burst. This
is very strange; meanwhile, he is known to be an experienced person,
he has even been to Monte Carlo. Whereas he was scared enough.
It is interesting what scared him. The “pack of criminal” he gathered
inside the Republican Party bends before him seeking eternal power
under “their own shadow”. Whereas, suddenly “some analist, not quite
sober” tells the public that “in brief, Serge is bluffing”, nobody
believes in his presidential future except for him, even Russian
President Putin. Serge could not bear any more, he said it was funny,
but he said this sadly.
And it is not accidental. Serge Sargsyan himself does not believe
this happy future either. He understood the impossibility of these
sweet wishes before the extraordinary assembly of the Republican
Party when he announced to everyone that he had never considered
running for presidency. It was such a time, he could lose the post
of the defense minister. Therefore, he went so frank.
Whereas the problem is not only the presidential ambitions. There is
a more serious problem Serge Sargsyan has to solve until the change
of power in Armenia. He needs to save himself from the threat of
appearing in prison because the Armenian public has seriously taken
up the “declassification” of the criminal, the “reverend father” of
which is Serge Sargsyan. This is the problem Serge Sargsyan is looking
for a solution under the slogan “the next president of Armenia”.
Therefore, such trifling information scared Serge Sargsyan. He
could not bear any more, and started shouting abuse against all his
opponents and accused them who wish to get to the “top of power”. He
had to justify himself by every possible means and he burst. And it
appeared rather curious. As if the “top of power” is heavenly manna
for Serge Sargsyan. As if only he can strive for it, and let the others
“graze their grass and keep their hands off the holy of holies”.
In fact, man measures the world by his own bushel. If someone did not
stop at anything to get to the “top” of power and considered this
power as a “source of living for free” at the expense of others’
sacrifice and hardship, he will hardly accept other motives of
other people. Otherwise, it will be necessary to recognize his own
harmfulness and crime. And if for someone the state is a bottomless
well, and the public office is a mechanism of neglecting the will of
people, it is difficult to understand this man. Everyone who points
out this circumstance is but his personal enemy.
Bu the problem is not merely perception. The problem is Serge
Sargsyan’s awareness that “free living” is over. And not only did
it end, but also there is threat that he will face the judgment of
past and present. It is true that he hopes to protect himself with
a higher post, but he has difficulty to believe this already. All he
can do is to slander everyone and everything. This is the last hope
of every wreck, the beginning of the end.

WHAT DO THEY HIDE FROM THE PUBLIC?
Aram Zakaryan
Lragir.am
05 Sept 06
Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan, the chair of the Council of the
Republican Party, commenting on the statements that “the Republican
Party and namely the council of the party admitted criminals” announced
September 1 that if a public official does not speak Armenian well it
does not mean he is a criminal, or if he does not look intelligent at
first sight it does not mean he is a criminal. First, it should be
noted that under the Armenian legislation, if an Armenian does not
speak Armenian, he breaks the law and the punishment is a fine. As
to intelligentsia, we can judge by the biographies of the members of
the council of the party separately and altogether. Serge Sargsyan’s
statements interested us, and we decided to scan their biographies
available on the official web site of the Republican Party.
For instance, the biography of Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan,
leader of the Republican Party, is rather detailed, and beside the
biographic facts it is mentioned that “guided by the ideas of G.
Njdeh in his political activities, Andranik Margaryan criticized the
Soviet totalitarian system, upheld the Armenian Cause and saw the
future of the Armenian people in a democratic independent state”.
Meanwhile, there is nothing about the political or ideological
preferences of the chair of the council of the party Serge
Sargsyan, Tigran Torosyan, or Hovik Abrahamyan. But the author of
the biography of the prime minister’s son Taron Margaryan, 28 had
a lyrical digression. “In his public and political activities Taron
Margaryan took part in a number of youth, political, environmental,
educational, cultural conferences and seminars, including the ones
held in the framework of regional cooperation, organized by different
authoritative organizations.”
It is emphasized in Hovik Abrahamyan’s biography that he became member
of the Republican Party on July 20, 1988. In the others’ biographies,
this information is limited to the year of membership.
This approach was necessary for the members, who have recently
entered the Republican Party. For in the biographies of a considerable
part of the present members of the council of the Republican Party,
namely Serge Sargsyan, Ruben Hairapetyan, Levon Sargsyan, Yervand
Zakharyan, Karen Karapetyan, Hovanes Shahinyan, Mher Sedrakyan,
Harutiun Pambukyan, Hamlet Harutiunyan, Gagik Beglaryan and others,
it must be noted that they set records. Only several days after
their membership did they become members of the ruling body of the
political party.
Gagik Beglaryan’s biography is worth attention. “In 1985-1987 he
served in the army, afterwards he worked in different spheres of
the economy. In 1993 he was elected member of the Supreme Council of
the Republic of Armenia.” There are no details where and what Gagik
Beglaryan did all this time. Only this Republican knows what he is
hiding, because in civilized countries biographies written in this
manner won’t do. Another member of the council of the Republican
Party Gagik Khachatryan hides his biography between 1973-1983.
Republicans Artashes Gabrielyan and Ruben Sadoyan are more then
surprising. If Gagik Beglaryan or Gagik Khachatryan hide 6-10 years
of their life, Artashes Gabrielyan and Ruben Sadoyan do not have
biographies at all. At least, there is nothing but photos on the
official web site of the political party. It is possible that the
biographies of Artashes Gabrielyan and Ruben Sadoyan are not for the
public, but why, for what episodes of their life?
An episode from Vazgen Karakhanyan’s biography is notable.
“In 1965-68 he studied at Yerevan Polytechnic Institute (he left
studies for political reasons).” It is possible that he has always
been a Njdehian, because according to his biographyhe was awarded
the medal of Garegin Njdeh twice, in 2003 and 2005.
Meanwhile, it is not clear why the profession of an engineer was
incompatible with Njdehian ideology.
Martin Sargsyan’s biography is full of mystery. “He graduated
from two universities, he is a qualified teacher and economist,
financier.” Which universities? Sometimes people may feel shy for
one mistake of callow youth or another mistake made out of the
lack of political experience, and avoid writing about it in their
biography. But it is at least a surprise when they do not write the
name of the university they have graduated from. By the way, most
Republicans, and not only the members of the council, appreciated
higher education only after appearing in politics and graduated
from non-state universities mainly. For instance, Surik Khachatryan
imagining himself to be the sheik of Syunik, has graduated from his
own Syunik University of Goris. Surik Khachatryan also has something
to hide from the public. The history of his life between 1988-1992
is not for everyone. Jonik Abrahamyan graduated from the University
of Economics and Law of Yerevan, another non-state university.
As it was said, there are lyrical digressions in the biographies
of the prime minister and his son, which are not appropriate
for a biography. These may be true. But if this was for all the
Republicans, they should write about the minister of environmental
protection Vardan Aivazyan that “he is known for his outrageous
desire to shoot seagulls”, mention in the biography of the former
policeman Alik Sargsyan, “he is known for an exceptional talent of
threatening presidential candidates from the opposition”, emphasize
in Hovik Abrahamyan’s biography that according to Diasporans, he is
known in some Diasporan communities with the nickname “muk” (mouse),
and Hamlet Harutiunyan’s motto is “Who is the horse? I am the rider”.

AEPLAC TO PRESENT THE “ANNUAL ECONOMIC REPORT – 2005”
ArmRadio.am
05.09.2006 10:32
AEPLAC, the Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center, has
published its traditional “Annual Economic Report – 2005.”
The “Annual Economic Report – 2005” contains in-depth analyses
of the main macroeconomic developments in Armenia during 2005,
with extensive international comparisons by using a number of
indicators. The analyses consists of various chapters which cast a
light upon key topics such as composition, structure and per capita
levels of the GDP, and a sectored structure of the outputs, which
includes industrial production, agriculture, construction and other
sectors. These are followed by chapters related to inflation, labor
market, financial/banking sectors, the state budget, external debt
and developments in the external sector.
On 6 September 2006, AEPLAC will formally present the Report.
The event will host members of the Government, MPs, representatives
of diplomatic missions, international organizations, businesses,
education and science, and the civil society.
Guest speakers will be Mr. Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of the Central
Bank of Armenia, and Mr. Roger Robinson, World Bank Country Manager
for Armenia.

ARMENIA RANKS 104TH IN THE FIFA LIST
ArmRadio.am
05.09.2006 10:46
Before the Armenian-Belgium match to be held September 6 in the
framework of the Euro-2008 Armenian footballers rank 104th in the
FIFA rating list of national teams. Brazilians open the list with
1 649 points. World Champion Italians are the second with 1 550
points. Argentineans rank the 3rd with 1 479 points.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HRAIR BAZE KHACHERYAN’S PHOTO EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN THE MFA
ArmRadio.am
05.09.2006 11:57
In the framework of celebration of the 15th anniversary of
independence, the exhibition of Canadian-Armenian photographer Hrair
Baze Khacheryan’s works titled “Free World Armenia: Through Hawk’s Eye”
opened in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
MFA Press and Information Department informs that the exhibition will
be open September 5 through 15 from 12:00 to 16:00.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE NO RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY
Yerevan, September 4. ArmInfo. At present, there are no relations
between Armenia and Turkey both at the diplomatic and any other
level. Vartan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, said at today’s press
conference.
At the same time , he said that one can’t say that there are no
contacts between two countries at all. He added that they aren’t fixed
at the official level. As for the initiative of the Turkish side to
shape a special commission of scholars and historians for studying the
events of 1915, “RA President Robert Kocharian has already informed
that Prime Minister of Turkey Rejep Taip Erdoghan about the negative
position of Armenia in this issue,” Oskanian said.