Armenian FM: Offering autonomy to people controlling their lives on their own historic land is self-deception
Regnum, Russia
June 22 2006
Minister Vardan Oskanyan attended and addressed the first session
of the newly-formed UN Human Rights Council. The opening ceremony on
Monday was attended by UN SG Kofi Annan as well as High Commissioner
for Human Rights Louise Arbour.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry press service reports that in his
statement, on Wednesday, June 21, Armenia’s Minister congratulated
the Council on its inaugural meeting and wished the Council well in
its mandate to place the third pillar of the UN human rights on a
par with the other two, peace and security, and development.
The Minister said, “Globalization and the electronic media enhance our
knowledge and increase our liability. It is as easy to look into our
neighbor’s living room as our own. To hear the screams next door and
do nothing will be as difficult as ignoring uproar at home. We are now
the first generation who simply cannot afford to do so. And ironically,
we are the first generation that is able to afford to systematically,
fundamentally address the problems and even the crises. We can muster
the time, skills and resources to construct a new pro-active, daring,
spirited international system that not only has the moral authority
but also the tenacity to protect the powerless.”
The Minister addressed the linkage between human rights and
development. He said, “I know that it is only when the preconditions
for a full and free life of dignity are in place, only then are markets
powerful engines of development, only then is critical infrastructure
sustainable, and only then do individuals stand up to demand and
protect individual and collective human rights.”
He continued, “In Armenia, we are tackling this greatest challenge
through a public-private partnership that will engage the government
of Armenia, Armenia’s business community, the international community
and individual countries, as well as our generous Diaspora, to embark
on eradicating rural poverty through a comprehensive, integrated
approach. Our intent is to meet the Millennium Development Goals,
and to replace hopelessness and desperation with a sense of self-worth
and security.”
In speaking about Armenia’s neighbors and regional security,
Minister Oskanian noted that “Armenia has and continues to promote
stronger international mechanisms to prevent and eradicate the crime
of genocide, and all of its precursors including efforts, too often
successful, at not just cleansing a region of its indigenous people,
but also erasing their memory. Armenians have survived and gone on to
live through each of these attempts. Even today, in the 21st century,
we have watched helplessly as the spiritual and cultural markers of
our people are decimated.”
He went on to refer to the destruction of the Jugha Cemetery in
Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan. “This violation of the memory and spirit of
centuries of Armenian existence on lands which are today Azerbaijan’s
is cynical and dangerous. These huge, exquisite, unique stone crosses
which were both sculpture and tombstone are now gone – 2,000 of
these medieval markers were destroyed just a few months ago. The
gravemarkers are gone, and Armenian and international fears that
Azerbaijan’s authorities might in fact not be serious about peace
have been reinforced. After all, their organized, violent, armed
response to peaceful calls for self-determination two decades ago,
was the first attempt at ethnic cleansing in the soviet space and
ignited the conflict which remains unsettled today. This most recent
manifestation of organized violence, in a place where no Armenians
live today, and far from the Nagorno Karabakh conflict area, tells
us that neither Azerbaijan’s methods nor its intent has changed. Such
unambivalent, callous demolition of culture and history also destroys
trust and peace.”
In speaking about the present state of negotiations with Azerbaijan
on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Armenian
Foreign Minister said, “If Azerbaijan’s one step forward, one step
back approach in the negotiations was simply alarming, their recent,
desperate offers of autonomy are concrete examples of a retreat
from the letter and spirit of these talks, and clearly not in sync
with international trends. Offering autonomy to a people who have
for nearly two decades been in control of their lives on their own
historic lands is at the very least, self-deception.”

The Standard, Kenya
June 22 2006
Kenya: Armenians: New Rules Could Shield Big Names
Cyrus Ombati and Joseph Murimi
Nairobi
Investigation into the Armenians’ saga has run into fresh trouble,
just a day after the Government attempted to block an independent
probe into the affair by two parliamentary watchdogs.
New tough rules published on Wednesday to govern the Shedrach
Kiruki-led commission of inquiry could gag the media and shield
influential individuals believed to be linked to State House and
suspected to have been involved with the Artur brothers. No witness
invited to testify before the team, for instance, shall be allowed to
adduce evidence relating to any matter prejudicial to the security
of State or that of the Head of State without the permission of the
commissioners.
The hearings are public, but this clause could be used to deny the
public first-hand access to information, which is in their interest.
The commissioners may also direct that the public shall not be admitted
to all or any specified part of the proceedings, a clause that could
also be used to bar the media from covering the proceedings.
Released just a day after Justice minister Martha Karua shocked
MPs with a statement in Parliament on Tuesday that the Government
had asked Speaker Francis Kaparo to rule on whether the two House
watchdog committees were legally constituted, the new rules reinforced
concerns that the Kiruki commission would not carry out impartial
investigations.
Renewed onslaught
The rules are published in a Gazette notice No. 4522, under the
Commissions of Inquiry Act Cap 102. Kiruki, who chairs the commission,
signed the notice. The commission will sit Mondays to Fridays from 9
am at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, beginning
next Wednesday.
It will inquire into the various wrongful, criminal or otherwise
unlawful acts and omissions, including breaches of security by
Artur Margaryan, Artur Sargasyan, Arman Damidri, Alexander Taschi and
others. And the Government was under renewed onslaught in Parliament on
Wednesday, where it was accused of attempting to scuttle investigation
into the Armenian brothers saga because it was heavily implicated.
In a letter tabled in Parliament, Kabete MP Paul Muite dismissed
arguments by Justice minister Martha Karua as without merit in law and
fact. Muite said the letter tabled by Karua in the House on Tuesday
should be seen for what it was – “an attempt to block impartial,
independent and thorough investigation into a matter where the
Executive is heavily implicated.”
Muite, who co-chairs the joint parliamentary committees probing the
Armenian brothers debacle, said emerging evidence showed the two
enjoyed close relations with powerful individuals within the Executive.
In the Gazette notice, Kiruki says individuals may be barred from
appearing before the commission for the preservation of order,
due conduct of the inquiry, and to protect the person, property or
reputation of any witness or person referred to in the proceedings.
No comment in the media
It remains at the discretion of the commissioners what names,
addresses or witness photographs may be published. Any person who
contravenes the order may be guilty of an offence and liable to a
fine not exceeding Sh10,000. Kiruki said a lawyer may represent those
implicated or mentioned.
The rules state that any person likely to be adversely mentioned by
any witness in the course of the public hearings shall be served with
a notice in advance and may appear in person or through an advocate
to cross-examine the witness. But Kiruki also cautions any such person
who would be adversely mentioned before the commission not to comment
on the allegations in the media.
It appealed to those wishing to give evidence to communicate with
the joint secretaries, indicating in writing the substance to be put
before the commission.
“The counsel assisting the inquiry will warn witness that after
examination-in-chief, they may also be cross-examined by him,” said
Kiruki in the notice.
The commission will have the right to “summon any person to testify on
oath and to produce any exhibits that the commissioners may require”.
On Wednesday, Muite told Parliament that for a long time the Executive
put up a spirited defence of the two Armenian brothers. He said that in
view of the gravity of the issues and the involvement of the Executive
arm, only Parliament can unravel the truth.
He said a President-appointed Commission of Inquiry cannot seriously
be expected to unravel the whole truth regarding the activities of
the two brothers.
He said unlike the joint committee that will report to Parliament,
the commission will report to the President.
Muite said it was in the public interest that the whole truth be
established.
“Parliament has the unique opportunity of restoring the dignity,
self-respect and sovereignty of the Kenyan nation by unravelling the
Armenian saga and letting the Kenyan people and the world know the
truth,” Muite says in the letter to Speaker Francis ole Kaparo.
He said the two brothers may have been involved in the raid on the
Standard Group that Internal Security minister John Michuki later
described as a “Government operation.” Muite said the two brothers
may have visited State House or been in the presidential entourage
to Uganda.
He further said the Arturs had committed a number of crimes and
the Executive’s move to hurriedly deport them instead of having
them charged in court was suspect, and so was its move to appoint a
commission of inquiry.
“Many Kenyans will be excused for seeing the commission as part of
a cover-up of involvement of individuals within the Executive with
the Armenians,” he said.
He said it was necessary to investigate whether Kiruki was part of
the Armenian saga, especially in his alleged capacity as a consultant
on security matters.
Muite asked Kaparo to consider those issues as he makes his ruling
and urged him to dismiss Karua’s arguments.
“The Joint Committee invites Mr Speaker to dismiss those arguments
off-hand as indeed they deserve. In so doing, he will be striking a
blow for public good and promoting public interest,” he said.
Parliamentary business
Separately, Karua insisted it was wrong for MPs to investigate the
deported Artur brothers’ saga when the President had appointed a
commission to probe it.
Karua stood her ground, saying she had raised “serious and legitimate”
issues in Parliament.
She criticised Leader of the Official Opposition, Uhuru Kenyatta,
for speaking on the matter outside Parliament.
“I raised a legitimate issue in Parliament because there are
serious issues that should be addressed,” she said in response to
questions from journalists about the Government’s attempt to block
two parliamentary committees from probing the Armenian brothers’ saga.
But she declined to comment further, saying it was before Parliament
and awaiting the Speaker’s ruling.
“I can’t dwell on the issue since it’s already before Parliament.
Let’s wait for the ruling of the Speaker,” said Karua at Dagoretti
in Nairobi after commissioning a borehole.
She said she did not want to discuss parliamentary business in public
“like my colleague Uhuru” as that would not be in order.
On Tuesday, Karua told Parliament that she believed it was wrong for
MPs to investigate matters on which the President had appointed a
commission of inquiry. She asked Speaker Francis Kaparo to rule on
whether the two committees jointly investigating the Armenians were
legally constituted.
The minister expressed concern that the parallel investigation by
MPs was tantamount to Parliament usurping the role of the Executive.

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
June 22 2006
Learn about NAASR library at open house
Thursday, June 22, 2006
The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research will hold
an open house tonight (Thursday) beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the NAASR
Center, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont.
As part of the open house, the NAASR Bookstore will also be open
and all titles will be 20 percent off, with larger discounts on
selected titles.
The event will showcase NAASR’s Edward and Helen Mardigian Armenian
Reference and Research Library. Through the years, numerous important
and valuable collections have been donated or willed to NAASR and form
the heart of the Armenian language collection, and NAASR continues
to accept donations. The library also contains several important
collections of personal papers, including those of the late Avedis
Derounian (a.k.a. John Roy Carlson), which represent a substantial
source of information for future researchers.
Highlights of the library include a large number of histories of
now-destroyed Armenian villages and towns, Armenian dictionaries
of many different types, a rich collection of scholarly works on the
Armenian Genocide, a copy of virtually every title published in English
over the past half-century, and an enormous trove of newspapers and
periodicals, including scholarly journals.
Over the past two years the Mardigian Reference and Research
Library has undergone a dramatic transformation. That process has
consisted of cataloguing the library’s large holdings of books,
pamphlets, periodicals and other items including personal papers and
manuscripts. The computer cataloguing of the NAASR Library (begun in
2005) has resulted in a far more accessible resource for researchers
and other interested individuals. As the major cataloguing phase draws
to a close, NAASR is inviting members and friends to hear about the
progress and visit the library.
For more information about the open house or NAASR and its programs
for the furtherance of Armenian studies, research and publication,
call 617-489-1610, e-mail [email protected], or write to NAASR, 395 Concord
Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF LINCY FUND PROGRAMS SUMS UP RESULTS OF
COMPETITION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HIGHWAY IN YEREVAN
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2006
YEREVAN, June 22. /ARKA/. The board of governors of Lincy fund programs
summed up results of competition for construction of a new highway
connecting streets Heratsi, Saralanji and Avetisyan within bounds of
“Reconstruction of Yerevan Streets” program during a session held
under the direction of the Board’s Chairman, head of President’s
administration, the RA President’s Press service reports.
On basis of proposal made by the Competition Commission the board
of governors chose three construction companies, which will do the
construction work in three parts of Yerevan.
Lincy Fund has been functioning in Armenia since 2001 and is financed
by an American entrepreneur of Armenian origin, billionaire Kirk
Kirkoryan.
In Armenia the second 2006 program of the fund amounts to $60 mln,
which will be spend on construction and reconstruction of roads,
schools and Yerevan streets. S.P.–0–

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO TAKE PART IN CSTO SUMMIT IN MINSK
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2006
Yerevan, June 22. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan is to leave for
Minsk on June 23 to take part in a plenary meeting of the Council of
the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the RA presidential
press service reports.
The CSTO Presidential Summit will be preceded by meetings of the CSTO
Ministers’ Council and Secretaries of the Security Councils.
The plenary meeting is to begin with a meeting of the Presidents of the
CSTO member-countries. The meeting participants will exchange views on
the political situation in the region of the CSTO’s responsibility. The
presidential meeting will be followed by a joint plenary meeting to
be attended by Foreign Ministers, Ministers of Defense and Secretaries
of Security Councils.
The Presidents are to discuss the priorities of the organization’s
activities and approve the CSTO Declaration on further reforms of
the organization and enhancement of its efficiency.
The meeting participants are to sign a number of documents to expand
the contractual basis of cooperation between the CSTO members.
The Armenian President is to take part at a meeting of the EurAsEc
Council as observer. The same day the Armenian delegation led by
President Robert Kocharyan is to return to Yerevan.
The CSTO comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrchyzstan
and Tajikistan. P.T. -0–

RECENT MURDERS BY NO MEANS AGAINST ARMENIANS, RA AMBASSADOR TO RF STATES
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2006
Yerevan, June 22. /ARKA/. The recent murders are by no means aimed
particularly against Armenians, RA Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan
stated at his meeting with Armenian students in Moscow.
Smbatyan stressed that, first of all, these problems do not meet
Russia’s interests and run counter to its policy toward Armenia and
Armenians residing in Russia.
The students expressed their concern over the recent accidents
involving Armenians, which have been presented as intolerance toward
Armenians by some media outlets. These processes arouse public
concerned both in Russia and in Armenia, which may be used by third
forces interested in weakening Armenian-Russian relations and may
affect bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, the students were informed of the measures taken
by the RA Embassy as well as of the Russian authorities’ measures to
disclose recent murders. The meeting participants pointed out that
Armenia’s authorities condemn the crimes as well.
The students also raised the issues that are in the center of their
attention, namely, the institution of dual citizenship in Armenia,
migration problems, as well as increase in quotas for Armenian citizens
in Russia’s higher schools. P.T. -0–

RUSSIA’S ROLE IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT AS GREAT AS IN ABKHAZIA, SOUTH OSSETIA
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2006
STEPANAKERT, June 22. /ARKA/. Russia’s role in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is as great as in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the German
scholar Tessa Hofman told reporters. She participated in the
international scientific conference “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic: past,
present, future”.
According to her, the Karabakh war can easily be called a war of
liberation because Armenian liberated the territory where they resided
as a majority.
Hofman said that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has so far been frozen
for two reasons. First, Karabakh does not take part in the negotiations
held with internationally recognized countries.
Secondly, no analysis of the real causes of the conflict is available.
Speaking of the possibility of the international community’s changing
its attitude to the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, she pointed out that,
although with reluctance, the international community recognized the
independence of Serbia and Montenegro. P.T. -0–

NKR PREMIER: INVESTMENTS IN NKR ECONOMY INCREASING YEAR BY YEAR
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2006
STEPANAKERT, June 22. /ARKA/. Investments in the economy of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) are increasing year by year.
Production process in a number of economic sectors have been modernized
due to foreign investments, NKR Prime Minister Anushavan Danielyan
stated at the international conference “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic:
past, present, future.”
He said that a 3.7-fold increase in industrial output was recorded
in 2005 compared to 2000.
“In the first quarter of 2006 alone more industrial products were
manufactured than in 1999,” he said.
According to Danielyan, the internal revenues have increase by 43.2%
on average over the last three years, and exports totaled $38mln.
The NKR Premier also pointed out that this made budget revenues
possible, which had a positive effect on the social sector.
“As regards the population’s cash incomes, they have increased 2.2
times since 2000,” he said.
The NKR Premier said that social expenses budgeted in the NKR for
2006 have increased by almost 30% compared to 2005. About 3,500 jobs
were created in various economic sectors of the NKR in 2005.
Teachers’ salaries have been raised by almost 70%, and salaries of
medical and cultural workers by 30%. P.T. -0–

NKR’s AUTHORITY CONSISTENTLY INCREASING, NKR PREMIER STATES
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2006
STEPANAKERT, June 22. /ARKA/. The authority of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) as a de facto independent states is consistently
increasing, NKR Prime Minister Anushavan Danielyan stated at the
international scientific conference “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic: past,
present, future.”
“This is chiefly accounted for by the fact that the people’s demand is
a fair one and is based on serious legal and historical underpinnings,”
Danielyan said.
According to him, various international structures, authoritative
political and public figures are in active contacts with the NKR
authorities and representatives of public and political organizations.
“Noteworthy is the fact that everybody is supporting the reforms being
implemented in the country. They are well aware of the difficulties of
economic development in conditions of blockade and unsettled conflict,”
Danielyan said.
In this context, the most topical issue is the admission of the
NKR’s independence.
“The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is interested in developing both
bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the countries of
the region, and the fundamental principle of the NKR’s policy is
openness and willingness for cooperation with all countries, including
Azerbaijan,” Danielyan said. P.T. -0–

INDEX OF ARMENIA’S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY 70.1 IN 2ND QUARTER 2006 AGAINST
70.5 IN 1ST QUARTER AND 72.2 IN 2ND QUARTER 2005
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 23 2006
YEREVAN, June 23. /ARKA/. The index of Armenia’s economic activity
amounted to 70.1 out of the 100-point measurement in the 2nd quarter
2006 against 70.5 in the 1st quarter 2006 (72.2 – 2nd quarter 2005,
71 – 3rd quarter 2005, 53.6 – 4th quarter 2005).
At the same time, the final averaged index of economic activity in
the 2nd quarter 2006 totaled 99.4% of the previous quarter’s level
(0.6% decrease). As compared to the 2nd quarter 2005, this index
decreased by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter 2006.
According to the Central Bank of Armenia, the index of economic
activity is calculated on the basis of averaged method of evaluations
and expectations of respondents concerning production volumes, orders
for production and expected changes of production reserves.
Starting from 2005 the CBA has begun quarterly surveys of
non-financial, financial organizations and households.
The surveys are aimed at evaluating the change of the current
situation compared to the previous period, economic expectations of
the respondents, and to calculate and publish aggregative economic
indices based on the survey results. More than 600 organizations of
the industrial, construction and service sectors were selectively
investigated.
The surveys were held on Internet, by means of phone calls and direct
visits. R.O. –0–