ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN KEEPS TRADITIONS AND SECRETS
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Hrair Karapetyan, the leader of the parliamentary faction of the ARF,
announced August 29 at the Pastark Club that the tenth general meeting
of the ARF will take place on September 7, which will outline the
manner and purpose of participation of ARF in the election.
Although today it is already clear that “the ARF runs in the
elections alone”. As it became clear from the following words of
the ARF representative, besides being a century-old and traditional,
the ARF is also reticent as usual. The opening of the General Meeting
of the ARF will take place at the hall of the government and will be
open for everyone, whereas the meeting itself will be confidential.
Hrair Karapetyan did not know where the meeting will take place, but
he noted, “Since the resolutions, circulars of the General Meeting
are published, it is pointless to speak about confidentiality.”
Besides, the ARF is not only reticent but also conformist. The ARF
is for a 100 percent proportional system. Hrair Karapetyan announced
that if as a result of a political arrangemeent 90 seats are elected
under the proportional and 41 seats are elected under the majority
system in 2007, the ARF will consider it a progressive step compared
with the present 47/56 proportion. And if the proportion set down
in the Electoral Code remains, ARF will agree to it and hope that
eventually in 2012 there will be a 100 percent proportional system in
Armenia. And the race of political rats determined by the developments
connected with the Republican Party and Bargavach Hayastan does not
worry ARF. “In fact, there is a process of moving from one party to
another, but even in the years when our friends were in prison, and
the party was banished, not a single member quit the ARF.” It became
clear that it is very difficult to become member of the ARF. “It is
difficult to become a member.
Mass membership is impossible. Only one out of 20-30-40 applications
are accepted.” In addition, “Our electorate is sustainable.” At
the same time, Hrair Karapetyan states that the ARF gets more
votes at every election, and he is hopeful that this tendency will
continue. “Unfortunately, however, in voting people do not take into
consideration the age of the political party, and the influence of
the Soviet anti-Dashnaktsutyun campaign persists.
People do not trust the ARF.” Hrair Karapetyan thinks that now the
true history is taught at schools and the time will come when the
ARF will be evaluated duly.
The chair of the parliamentary faction of the ARF, likely to run
in the election alone, notes that there are political parties whose
programs have a number of points in common with the program of the
ARF, and cooperation with these parties is not only possible but also
inevitable. The struggle inside the government is also inevitable
and natural, which will become tenser as the elections draw nearer,
says the ARF representative.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMERICANS FOR ARTSAKH
Panorama.am
14:52 29/08/06
The Americans for Artsakh (AFA) organization today invites potential
investors and interested organizations to benefit from market survey
data compiled over the past sixteen months in Artsakh. AFA will also
use the data as it develops a model farm project in Artsakh.
The AFA Liaison Office in Stepanakert began the survey in March 2005,
studying availability, prices and origin of nearly 200 agricultural
products sold at three major markets of Stepanakert, as well as in
Askeran, Hadrut, Mardakert, Martuni and Shushi. The survey aims to
gather information about Artsakh”s food markets, helping identify
products that could be produced locally both for domestic consumption
and export.
Director of the AFA”s Stepanakert Office Elvina Azarian, who
spearheaded the project”s implementation, said that the survey results,
in combination with the Nagorno Karabakh government statistics, would
serve as a major reference both for local and outside businessmen
and organizations interested in Artsakh”s agricultural sector.
“The study results also reflect the rising cost of living in Nagorno
Karabakh over the past year and a half,” Azarian said. “As such,
the survey data together with available statistics on incomes would
help determine the trends in food security in Karabakh.”
“AFA will continue the surveys and intends to use the data as we
launch a model farm project in Artsakh,” said the AFA President Zaven
Khanjian. “The model farm will involve roughly one hectare patches
of land in two to three locations in Artsakh. AFA would help farmers
identify marketable high-value crops and provide necessary seeds,
management consulting and technology. Upon successful completion,
the model would be available to other Artsakh farmers to replicate. We
also invite those interested in Artsakh”s agricultural sector to make
use of the market survey results.”
Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy, foster economic
development, protect the cultural identity and promote the heritage
of the people of Artsakh. The founding Board of Directors include:
Zaven Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian, Vice President; Savey
Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary; and Edward Chobanian.

RESTAURANTS PENALIZED FOR EXCEEDING PERMITTED MUSIC VOLUME
ARMENPRESS
Aug 29 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS: Six restaurants and open-air cafes in
Yerevan were subjected to administrative penalties for violating a
rule that forbids loud music after 11 pm. The restaurants and cafes
were identified during raids by municipality authorities across
night Yerevan.
The most severe penalty set by the law is forbidding a restaurant or
a cafe to hire musicians and play live music while monetary penalties
range between 25,000 to 30,000 drams.
Karen Gevorkian, head of a municipality trade department, said two
restaurants were penalized for exceeding the permitted music volume
last week alone.
He said residents of nearby houses continue to complain and this is
why they will continue to monitor the situation until October.
He said the president instructed health authorities, police and
the municipality to take action and ensure quiet for residents at
night hours.
According to the official figures, Yerevan has 1,073 restaurants,
open-air cafe, bars and night clubs.

HRAYR KARAPETYAN: AZERBAIJAN COMPREHENDS PRETTY WELL THAT IT CAN NO MORE FAIL THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS
ArmRadio.am
29.08.2006 15:44
Three times Azerbaijan failed the negotiation process over the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, and the international community
verified this, Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Party (ARF) faction
of the National Assembly Hrayr Karapetyan said in a press conference
today. He considers this was the reason for the softening of the
Azeri position and statements on the resolution of the Karabakh issue.
According to Hrayr Karapetyan, Azerbaijan comprehends pretty well
that this cannot continue long. Azerbaijan understands also that the
international community convicts the militant statements: serious
people and international structures expressed their critical attitude.
Mr. Karapetyan underlined that ARF position on the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict remains unchanged.
Speaking about the statement by the US Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group Matthew Bryza that Azerbaijan is one step ahead of
Armenia as it refers to democracy, Hrayr Karapetyan noted that the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation has expressed concern over the
statement to US Ambassador John Evans, who promised to convey it to
US leadership. Hrayr Karapetyan mentioned that even the opposition
representatives n Armenia are unhappy with Matthew Bryza’s statement,
since the opposition also considers that Armenia is ahead of Azerbaijan
as it refers to democracy.

CHINESE AND KAZAKHS INTEND TO JOIN KARS-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION
Yerevan, August 28. ArmInfo. China and Kazakhstan got interested in
the Project of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway construction, passing over
Armenia, Kazakh “IA” informs with reference to Turkish Mass Media.
The source noted that the Chinese intend to join the railway
construction to be launched in 2007. In case of the Project success,
Turkey will become the main transport and power corridor, which
bounds Europe, Caucasus and Asia by a ground transport and power
communications. The Turkish representatives had already called this
Project a “New Silk Way from Asia to Europe”. It is envisaged that
the annual cargo turnover by this railway will be no less than 20
mln tons. After the transport network commissioning, the town of
Kars will be joined with Chinese Shanghai. The Kazakh Agency informs
Turkey pins great hopes on Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway Project which,
as to Ankara, will radically change the whole region face.
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku will establish a direct connection between Azerbaijan
and Turkey which is an important element, meeting the strategy of
Ankara and Baku for strengthening of all-round military-political
relations.
To be reminded, about $400 mln is envisaged to direct for the Project
implementation. In the opinion of some Turkish experts, in case of
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku Project fulfillment, positions of Armenia and Russia
in the region will greatly weaken.

ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS REACH NO AGREEMENT ON MEETING IN SLOVENIA
Yerevan, August 28, ArmInfo. No agreement on the meeting of Armenian
and Azerbaijani foreign ministers have been reached, Vladimir
Karapetyan, Acting Press Secretary of Armenian Foriegn Ministry
told ArmInfo.
Regarding the possibility of such meeting, V. Karapetyan said the
ministry has no data, however, them meeting is not ruled out.
Armenian Foreign Minister participates in the Congress “Caspian
Prospects 2008> in Slovenia on August 27- 28. Participating in the
Congress are the heads of countries, foreign ministers, special
representatives of NATO and EU in the South Caucasus, high-ranking
representatives of international organizations, world-known experts,
political specialists.

GOVERNMENT RELEASED FUNDS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS IN THE ARMENIAN PROVINCES
ARMENPRESS
Aug 29 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS: The reconstruction of a number of
schools in the Armenian province of Lori carried out on the funds
released from the Armenian state budget is coming to an end. With
that aim the government has provided 346 million 200,000 drams to
the province.
For the reconstruction of schools in the Tavush and Gegharkunik
provinces the government has released 80 million drams for each of
the province.
Armenian Urban Ministry’s press service told Armenpress that
minister Aram Harutyunian is visiting today the Armenian provinces
of Lori, Tavush, Gegharkunik and Kotayk to get acquainted with the
reconstruction of the schools.

GOVERNMENT JUSTIFIES ITS SONS
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
The Armenian government is a surprising thing. It never forgets what
it needs, but it often forgets about things that the society needs.
Or it does not know what is necessary most of all for the society
in Armenia. It is law, or as it is accepted to say, only say, the
rule of law. It is when everyone is equal before what was written
and accept what was written. But lo and behold, the government does
everything to create inequality before the law. The purpose is clear.
By placing equal categories of people on different hands of the
scales of the law the government insures itself. The point is that
by dividing the society the government justifies, “legalizes” its
separation from the law.
The examples are many and there is no need to look for them because
these are offered to the public almost every day. So we have a
fresh example, which is a month old but seems to have just become a
subject of public debates. It is the government decision on deferment
of military service in three universities in Yerevan, the Slavic
University, the French University and the European Regional Academy.
The government did not forget what it needs and returns to the idea of
drafting students. This idea, which is 2 years old, occurred to the
head of the Ministry of Defense. At that time all the universities
were affected, the graduate students, which gave rise to a surge of
protest among students. The government had to give up the idea of
drafting students in the middle of their studies, because in the same
period the opposition was also very active, and there was danger that
the students would spark a movement of the opposition.
This time they seem to have decided part by part, not the whole
at once. But the problem is the phenomenon, which is unclear and
simply unfair. The point is that the students of three universities,
in fact, appear to have unequal rights compared with the students of
the other universities. In other words, the suspension of the right to
defer military service breaks the Constitution because the basic law
obliges the government to provide for equal economic competition. The
government may say that there are other universities where military
service is not deferred. Of course there are, and this affirms that
either military service should be deferred in all the universities
or not deferred at all.
The next unfair thing is a connotation of the decision of the
government, which allows making a number of suggestions. In the
Slavic University, the French University and the European Academy
the right to defer military service was not taken away fully. The
Slavic University is given 200 places, the French University 70 and
the European Academy 30. In other words, even in this case there
is no equality. Why? Is that because the Slavic University is a
Russian university and the other two are European? But our relation
with France is no less “strategic” than with Russia. Consequently,
we deal with another motive.
The government gives one reason – the army. And it could not give
another reason. It is beyond doubt that the army needs soldiers. But
it appears that especially the soldiers of the abovementioned three
universities are appreciated highly by the defense ministry. In fact,
it is rather pleasing for the students of these universities that
the defense ministry appreciates them as future soldiers, but these
students will also ask why only them. Or for instance why the defense
ministry does not appreciate the sons of public officials, generals and
other officials of the Command as future soldiers. Aren’t their sons
for military service, or does the defense ministry consider military
service a “low mission”, not worthwhile for sons of generals? The
government should answer these questions, otherwise many other
questions occur. It is necessary to explain why the legal demand for
military service is distributed unevenly to everyone, including the
students of Yerevan State University, the University of Economics and
other universities. Is this an effort to justify the unequal state
of their sons?

SHOTS IN OUR DIRECTION HAVE BECOME TOO FREQUENT
ArmInfo, 27 August, 2006
An interview with Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, OSCE CIO Personal
Representative for Nagorny Karabakh. Ten years have past since the
beginning of his diplomatic mission to the region of Nagorny Karabakh
conflict.
Mr. Ambassador, the fire near the contact-line of Azerbaijani
Armed Forces (AF) and Armenian and Nagorny Karabakh AFs have become
another subject for discussion and a new reason for accusations by
the Azerbaijani party. You have monitored the areas of the fires. What
conclusions have you arrived at? Is it possible to speak of the nature
of fires, given the accusation by Azerbaijan “that the fire was set
on the area intentionally?”
I’d like to note that I am not a legal investigator and I am not
authorized to make accusations against any of the parties. In addition,
I have no mandate for investigations. My task is to create trust
between the conflicting parties. Under this provision of my mandate,
I visited the territories of fires in early July. The results of
my trip are reflected in a report. The fires rise for different
reasons. Moreover, one should not forget about the possibility of
fires as a result of careless fire handling. The gentlemen do not
dispute about facts. There is a report. Everyone can read it, but
to read carefully as not to make conclusions or statements which are
not available in it.
That’s why one should not say as if I wrote that the fires happen
because of climate conditions. I have written that the fires happened
before as well and the climate conditions this year especially
contributed to fire spread. I also talk about the necessity of
fire-fighting . Not only my mandate but my profession as well does not
allow to talk about the fire reasons. I am a diplomat, an economist
by education and not a fire expert.
Do you think that the accusations by Azerbaijan that you have allegedly
taken a “pro-Armenian position” are a result of misunderstanding
of the demands of your mandate? May OSCE hold additional monitoring
to find out the basis of such statements by Baku, which constantly
accuses Armenia of making fires and “not extinguishing” them?
I permanently have to explain what is the meaning of my mandate. If
the conflict parties need an attorney, let them create an Institute
to point by finger to one or another side. There was not such a point
in my mandate when it was determined. As for the additional study
of the fire situation, if the conflict parties want to carry out an
investigation, such a work can be organized.
But this initiative must be offered by the conflict parties
I think the key goal of such an investigation will be also a definition
on how to avoid these fires and what to do to extinguish them as soon
as possible if they break out. If both the parties are ready to such
a combined action, it will mean that they try to fight these fires. If
one of the parties refuse, then, nothing will come out of it.
Azerbaijani Media report that you have brought the proposals of
the Azerbaijani party regarding the acts for fire extinguishing,
haven’t you?
The Azerbaijani party is interested in the joint acts to avoid
agricultural loss caused by fires. Can you imagine how difficult it
is for farmers to work so close to trenches? Moreover, they suffer
from fires. I met with Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan in Yerevan and
I plan meetings with NKR leadership. I hope we shall arrive at some
conclusions. The Azerbaijani party has already applied for experts.
What experts exactly, Azerbaijani-Turkish?
They speak of experts engaged in fires and ecology. No specific ones
are mentioned. When there is a relevant decision on such work, then,
the experts will, probably, be specified as well.
Your report does not mention any forest fires. It just touches upon
the burnt grass. Even if the version of intentional fire is admitted
as a truth, is there any sense in it? The stir around the fires seems
to be the main effect of these fires.
I cannot rule out that it is favorable for someone to create a problem
to another party if the wind blows in the opposite way. It is possible
to explain it theoretically. One should not forget about the mined
areas between the front lines. Fires on these areas lead to explosions
and the territory becomes free for passage. In such cases, the local
commanders have to mine these areas again to ensure the security of
the given area. Though, I can hardly imagine that they will endanger
the lives of their soldiers to mine these territories again.
At the same time, I think such “passages” may become a reason for
concern of local commanders. There is another theoretical version:
the fires are a result of firing with tracer bullets. It must not
be ruled out either. In addition, I’d like to note that not only the
grass fire is in question. Fires damage also fields and pastures.
In this case, which of the parties must be more concerned about it? Can
we consider such a way of “mind clearing” a definite preparation in
the context of Azerbaijan’s militarist statements?
I think, from the point of view of local commanders, both the parties
must be concerned about the situation.
If a fire broke out in a territory, one can suppose that majority
of the mines will be liquidated. However, there is no exact data on
such areas, though the Azerbaijani party presented the atlas of the
fire areas. Both the parties reported on the measures they have taken
to extinguish the fires. After my monitoring of the contact-line of
NKR and Azerbaijani Armed Forces, there were rains that localized
the fires. However, fires are currently observed on the boundary of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. It also arouses concern, especially because
the fires are not far from front line.
What does the Azerbaijani party propose for fire fighting? Baku has
recently made a “proposal” to the Armenian party to go 20 km back
and let Azerbaijan liquidate the fires.
There are no direct contacts between the representatives of Armenia
and Azerbaijan. But, if this proposal was by the Azerbaijani party,
the Armenian party should discuss it. I’d like to add several words
concerning the monitoring of the fire areas. The monitoring embraced
all the regions indicated by Azerbaijan. However, on the third day
of the monitoring, a single shot was made in our direction. In this
connection, I had to stop the work. Shots in our direction have become
too frequent. I have resolved that the monitoring will not be continued
unless additional measures of our security are taken.
Is it possible to find out where from the shot was made?
My mandate does not allow me to hold an investigation. It requires
a full cooperation of both parties, otherwise, it is impossible to
solve the issue. I cannot make unfounded accusations either.
What is your assessment of the situation on the contact-line?
“I will be glad if there is no contact line. But, unfortunately, it
exists and a there are fires from time to time, the wounded and the
killed. The present stability on the contact line does not mean that
there is no firing. Just the shoots are fixed in a less quantity than
in other periods, especially in the beginning of the year. I hope we
have managed to normalize the situation.
Though, something can happen for different reasons. And we must try
to help the parties maintain the cease-fire.
How many people have died in the current year due to cease-fire
violations?
I have no very true data about the number of the killed and wounded
since I receive exact information not from all parties. However,
according to the data of local commanders, about 20 people have been
wounded or killed this year on both parties.
Do the parties inform of cease-fire violations themselves?
There was such agreement. However, I monitor the contact-line
quite regularly, and generally I receive information during the
monitoring. Sometimes, the parties themselves request a monitoring.
Are there any mechanisms of verifying the information provided by
the parties?
I should repeat that my mandate does not include an investigation. I
take into account everything the party representatives tell me and
always note that I receive the information from the sides. I do not
evaluate the validity of the received information.
In other words, the information of the parties is not verified, it is?
I have a personal opinion, but it is my personal opinion. I reiterate
that I have no mandate of investigation. If I have such, it will be
quite another question.
Can your activity be considered effective if you data are based on
the statements of the parties only? Can your mandate be extended? Is
it possible to introduce an institution of control?
The mandate can be extended, of course, subject to the agreement
of parties.
In this case, the staff of the group must be enlarged. We are only 6 at
present. There is need for specialists in ballistics and others. The
budget should be increased as well. But I am not competent to solve
such questions.
It is the parties that should make a relevant proposal to the OSCE. For
now, there are only discussions in media and allegations against me
that I pointed a finger at the opposite party. That is why, I have
to explain constantly that it is not my task. I think the creation
of more control instruments can be useful, but, best of all, is to
achieve peace and get rid of all this. If the parties agree with the
necessity of an attorney, they should take into account that sometimes
he may point a finger just at them.
Do you think that the tension of the situation on the contact-line
coincides with the meetings of Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders or
the visits of high-ranking foreign guests to the region?
I think the visits bear no relation to it. The situation really
becomes tense in springs. And the reasons are different. The
start of field works near the contact-line can also be one of
the reasons. Unfortunately, it arouses a response of the opposite
party. You can ask militaries, they will explain the acts of the
opposite party.
How the situation on the contact-line influences the public of both
countries and vice versa?
I think a long calm in the negotiation process also contributes to
the worsening of the situation on the contact line. The number of
violations increases. But, as I’ve noted, the number of violations
decreases during active negotiations. Besides, there is another
question: what the violation is? Cease-fire violation is a long
firing. But, what to do in case of five shots with intervals, for
instance? A sniper firing is, undoubtedly, a violation.
Do you think the parties are ready to maintain the cease-fire
independently or they need the presence of international peacemakers?
At present the cease-fire is maintained due to the efforts of the
parties.
However, if an agreement is achieved, there will be need
for peacemakers. There are issues the parties cannot solve
independently. It is necessary to help them. That is, to carry out
“police functions.”
War is a disaster. People suffer even when there is cease-fire
regime. One officer was blown up by a mine in my presence. He lost
his leg. Can you imagine the grief of that man and his relatives? The
sooner the conflict is resolved the better it will be for everyone. I
hope the parties will achieve an agreement at last.
How grounded are the militarists statements by the Azerbaijani party?
There is a definite logic of events. This logic says that if one party
has lost territories it will try to get them back. At the moment,
peaceful negotiations are in process between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
which are mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group. I hope they will continue
till the moment when we are able to declare that a peaceful agreement
is achieved.
What will be the response of the international community if Azerbaijan
anyway tries to start a war?
I am an optimist and I think the negotiations will be a success. As
regards the response of the international community, it is senseless
speaking of future. One can suppose that in case of such developments
both the parties will search for allies.
During your trips of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh, you
meet with the leadership and ordinary citizens of these states. Do you
think the leadership of these states are ready to adopt decisions? And
whether the publics are ready to accept these decisions?
There are various people and groups in society. There is “a silent
majority” and small groups of people who express their views much too
loudly. For example, minority plunged Yugoslavia into tragedy. Instead
of acting like they in Czechoslovakia did and living peacefully
afterwards, they in Yugoslavia preferred starting war with each
other. Of course, one can’t directly compare these two cases.
I would just like to appeal to the “silent majority.” This is one more
example that war is not a solution. I think that most of Armenians
and Azeris understand that they must stop their enmity. The task of
their leaders is to attain such a peace that everybody realizes that
he has got something. This implies compromise, there is no other way.
Do you think it is the very case when all the parties will be
satisfied?
Nobody can be absolutely satisfied in such difficult problems. Let’s
remember the WWI, France was one of the victor countries. Germany
was forced to pay a war indemnity. The French were satisfied but the
Germans felt so humiliated that they started everything again at the
very first opportunity. There is an English saying: war does not
prove who is right and who is left. I think the “silent majority”
in both Armenia and Azerbaijan understands that the only way out is
mutual concessions.
What will allow this “silent majority” to have more chances to express
its opinion?
These are, probably, elections.
Hence, it rests upon “transparent and fair” elections, doesn’t it?
Everything is not so easy. Everyone plays on “hot public sentiments
and these mechanisms are used very often” during a pre-election
campaign. But in the everyday life if you ask a passerby if he wants
peace, he is most likely to give a positive answer.
Do the parties contribute to your mission?
The parties support me much. They are always ready to help me,
including the governments of both Armenia and Azerbaijan and the
leadership of Nagorny Karabakh.

MONTE CARLO IS A POPULAR PLACE TO VISIT
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
The recurrent poll of the Lragir was perceived adequately by our
readers. This does not mean that the readers did not perceive the
previous polls. The point is that this poll had a peculiarity. Where
did you spend your vacation? This was the questions, there were four
answers: Armenia, Georgia, abroad (the peculiarity is not that we
separated Georgia and abroad, simply we offered the fourth option
as well), Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo is also abroad but there is a
peculiarity. Considering that our high-ranking officials might read
the Lragir, and considering that most of them prefer to spend their
vacations in Monte Carlo, and not overlooking the presumption that
they read, we decided to give these people the chance to vote and,
why not, the opportunity to feel the charm of free voting. Hence,
40 percent of respondents voted Monte Carlo. If they are our
hogh-ranking officials, we appreciare both their love for reading
and active participation in public polls. If these are our readers,
we appreciate their sense of humor with which they reacted to the
fourth option, perceiving the reason why it was there. The other
three options got the following number of votes: Armenia 42 percent,
Georgia 8 percent, abroad 10 percent.