DIGITEC 2006 INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND HIGH-TECH EXPO TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 5 2006
DigiTec 2006 information, communications and high-tech expo will take
place in Sport Complex after Karen Demirchyan October 6-8.
“Technologies of the Future Today” conference on ICT and high-tech
strategy issues in Armenia will be organized in the framework of
the event.
During the Conference, perspectives of Armenian ICT sector development
and strategic ways to achieve them will be discussed.
Particularly, the following issues will be also addressed: the role
of Armenian ICT sector in the context of international development
perspectives, mutually beneficial integration perspectives, events
focused at information society development in Armenia and their
effectiveness, as well as issues related to competitive workforce
formation, education and development.

TURKISH DELEGATION FAILS TO MEET WITH SUPPORTERS OF BILL ON PUNISHMENT FOR DENYING GENOCIDE IN PARIS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
ANKARA, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA President
Robert Kocharian is not for ratification in France of the bill on
punishment for denying the Armenian Genocide. This was reported by
the Zaman Turkish newspaper, according to which the members of the
Turkish parliament’s delegation having left for Paris for establishing
contacts for preventing ratification of the above mentioned bill were,
allegedly, informed from French political scientists that President
Kocharian told French President Chirac in Yerevan that he is not
for ratification of this bill, as at the moment this will do harm
relations between Armenia and Turkey.
But, against this, according to Marmara’s report, the parliamentary
delegation returned from Paris without any expected results. The
delegation members failed to meet in Paris with the deputies of the
Socialist Party who support the bill.
It is also reported that Nicola Sarkozy, French Minister of Internal
Affairs, has started a movement against the bill after his talk with
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan. In the coming days Sarkozy should
answer Prime Minister Erdogan with a letter. And the official Paris
informed the Turkish Ambassador in France with a letter that no change
has been made in the policy of France.

ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO BILATERAL STATE ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSMEN FOR SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues of the Armenian-Romanian
cooperation were discussed at the October 5 meeting of the Armenian
Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and the Romanian President Tryan
Basesku who is on an official visit to Armenia.
According to the RA Government Information and PR Department,
expressing a high opinion about the Armenian-Romanian relations,
including the current state of the economic cooperation, the Armenian
prime minister stated Armenia’s willingness to strengthen and develop
these relations, with special emphasis being laid on mutual visits
at various levels. He expressed a hope that the Romanian president’s
visit will become a new incentive for the promotion of cooperation
and extension of economic links.
Noting that the relations between the two countries have always been
friendly, Tryan Basesku and Andranik Margarian underlined that the
Romanian Armenian community greatly contributed to the development of
links between Armenia and Romania. A. Margarian expressed his gratitude
to the Romanian people for providing shelter to our compatriots who
survived the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and
creating favorable conditions for them to live and work.
Welcoming Romania’s efforts to join the EU, the prime minister
expressed a hope that 2007 will be a historical year for the Romanian
people, noting with confidence that the country’s membership of the UE
will have an additional positive influence on the bilateral relations.
According to A. Margarian, it is envisaged to sign the EU-Armenian
Action Plan in the near future. He noted that Armenia is ready to
consider the opportunities of cooperation with Romania within the
framework of implementation of this action plan. In terms of promoting
the Armenian-Romanian relations regarding Eurointegration, the head
of the Armenian government also attached importance to the signing
of the memorandum on cooperation between the MFA of Armenia and the
MFA of Romania in European integration and Euroatlantic structures.
Addressing the issue of cooperation between NATO and Armenia,
A. Margarian said that our country intends to make full use of the
opportunities provided by Armenia’s Individual Partnership Action Plan
(IPAP), which was approved by NATO in December 2005, and is ready to
consider Romania’s assistance and participation in the implementation
of the Armenia IPAP.
As regards the economic cooperation, President Tryan Basesku and Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian noted with satisfaction the existence of
a favorable legal field for efficient cooperation between Armenia and
Romania, with a number of bilateral agreements being signed. In terms
of promoting the economic relations between the two countries, they
pointed out the importance of activities of the Armenian-Romanian
intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and
technical cooperation, anticipating that the most important issues and
development priorities of the bilateral economic cooperation will be
clearly outlined as a result of the second meeting of the commission
held during the visit of the Romanian president to Yerevan. The
prime minister underlined that the high level of relations between
the Armenian and Romanian presidents obliges the two governments to
carry out an adequate cooperation.
President Bryan Basesku also considered the current legal and
contractual base as satisfactory for economic cooperation, noting the
existence of a political will along with it in order to foster economic
cooperation and stressing the necessity for bilateral assistance to
businessmen, which, according to him, is a key for success.
President Basesku assured that Romania as a friendly country will
support Armenia in any situation, providing all possible assistance
for Armenia to establish closer relations with the European Union. In
this connection, he mentioned Romania’s support to Armenia when our
country joined the European Neighborhood Policy. In his words, no
country should become a EU member while having an ethnic problem. He
reminded about the problems that arose between the Romanians and
Hungarians years ago, as a result of which Romania was isolated for
about two years. “Europe should not tolerate such diversities, because
it is a multinational organization,” the Romanain president stated.
During the meeting, the Armenian prime minister presented in detail
the steps taken by our country for Eurointegration since Armenia
became independent.
The Romanian president and the Armenian prime minister also addressed
some regional problems, the current state and prospects of Armenia’s
relations with Turkey, as well as the latest development related to
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. In this connection President
Basesku assured that Romania will continue taking a neutral position
on the issue of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

DAVIT RSTAKIAN’S SUPPORTERS LEFT OUT OF ELECTORAL ROLLS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
AKHALKALAK, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Names of many
electors have been left out of electoral rolls at electoral districts
of village of Baraleti, Akhalkalak region. According to the A-Info
agency, the majority of these electors are relatives and supporters
of Davit Rstakian, parliament deputy candidate, member of Board of
Samtskhe-Javakhk Armenian NGOs.
People having been left out of electoral rolls applied to the regional
electoral commission, but its chairman said that he cannot change
the electoral rolls.
It is noteworthy that electoral rolls were corrected in Akhalkalak
region about two months ago by the Regional Police. By the way,
according to A-Info, at that time the Chief of the Regional Police
was Aram Poghosov who has been currently registered as a candidate by
the proportional system in Akhalkalak region by the United National
Movement Party.

ELECTIONS PROCEED TENSELY IN TSALKA
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
AKHALKALAK, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Local
self-government elections proceed tensely in the Tsalka region.
According to the A-Info agency, open falsification of electoral rolls
happened there. Names of people having left Georgia and not being
Georgian citizens appeared on electoral rolls.
Though empowered persons of the Industry will Save Georgia Party
attentively follow the process of elections and are inclined to
prevent falsifications, nevertheless the power levers continue to act.
To recap, mainly Armenian candidates have been nominated by
proportional system, by the electoral rolls of the Industry will Save
Georgia Party in Tsalka.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA CONSIDERS ISSUE OF TURKEY’S RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS HISTORIC ARGUMENT
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Romania is always ready to help a
neighbouring state in issues relating to borders and history.
President of Romania Traian Basescu stated about it at the October
5 meeting with the students and professors’ and lecturers’ staff of
the Yerevan State University organized within the two-day official
visit in Armenia.
Responding the question how he relates to Turkey’s membership to
the European Union, if we take into consideration that Turkey does
not recognize the Armenian Genocide and keeps close the border with
Armenia, T.Basescu mentioned that it is necessary to build the future,
and to keep the history in history books and people’s memory.
“And do not put the historic arguments as a condition of future,”
T.Basescu advised. In his words, “speaking about the future, the
only right way is integration to the EU, keeping that main standard
that it is necessary to have good friendly relations with the EU and
NATO.” “The NATO and the EU are not those structures which will allow
discussion of historic arguments inside them,” he emphasized.
Touching upon the possible precedent of adopting the law considering
punishable refusal of the Armenian Genocide in France, the President
of Romania emphasized: “We’ll not do a thing that will influence
on our neutrality in relations with all the countries of the Black
Sea region.”
To recap, at the meeting with the YSU professors’ and lecturers’ staff
and students, T.Basescu was confered the YSU honorary doctor’s title.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF ISTANBUL CONSIDERS BOTH SIDES RESPONSIBLE FOR 1915 GENOCIDE
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. French President
Jacques Chirac’s expression “Turkey must recognize the Armenian
Genocide for membership to the European Union,” may be a “political
precept.” Archnishop Mesrob Moutafian, the Armenian Patriarch of
Istanbul expressed this opinion to the Turkish “Hurriet” newspaper.
According to Marmara, the Patriarch said: “If even Chirac’s words are
interpreted as a precondition for Turkey, one must not forget that
Louis Michel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium decisively
said that one must not put new political standards before Turkey for
membership to the European Union. Probably, the President of France
considered proper to address a political precept to Turkey. We, as
Armenians of Turkey, would prefer that the President of France made
such statements that an atmosphere of dialogue was created between
Armenia and Turkey. Untill an atmosphere of dialogue is not created
between the two countries, it is impossible to expect solution of
the existing difficult problems.”
The Istanbul Armenian Patriarch made statements on this theme to the
“Geo” periodical as well, which is published in German and Turkish.
He, particularly, stated that both sides are responsible for events
of the past. “If Armenians did not lead separative, and Turks –
Ittihat policy, at least 10 mln Armenians would live in Turkey today.
Turkey would win a lot with that population. It can’t be helped, both
Turks and Armenians lost this possibility,” Patriarch Moutafian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY THREATENS TO BANISH ARMENIANS LIVING IN ITS COUNTRY IF FRANCE ADOPTS BILL ON PUNISHMENT FOR GENOCIDE DENIAL
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. If the bill on
punishment for denial of Armenian Genocide is ratified in France,
Turkey can send back “70 thousand refugee Armenians, towards which
broad-mindedness has been shown by now.” This statement was made
by the Turkish parliament’s delegation, which is in Paris for the
purpose of preventing the ratification of the above mentioned bill.
According to Marmara’s report, so, the number of Armenians suddenly
rose to 70 thousand, whereas, 30 thousand Armenians temporarily
residing in Turkey had been spoken about before this.
Deputy Shukru Elekdagh, member of the delegation, former Ambassador
in Washington, spoke about Armenians living in Turkey with status
of refugee at a press conference mentioning that Turkey has closed
eyes to their existence by now against absence of any diplomatic
contacts between the two countries. Elekdagh said that some Armenian,
American and French circles assert that Turkey is afraid of sending
back these 70 thousand Armenians. “If the law is ratified, perhaps,
Turkey will have to prove that it is not at all afraid of sending
back these Armenians,” Elekdagh said.
Another member of the delegation, Onur Yoymen, also made a similar
statement, according to which, by now Turkey has closed eyes to
presence of 70 thousand Armenians, but no one can demand from Turkey
to continue to permit the same till the end.

ELECTIONS ARE FALSIFIED IN REGION OF TSALKA TO DETRIMENT OF ARMENIANS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
AKHALKALAK, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The real number
of voters of the region of Tsalka and the national staff was falsified
by the list presented by the Tsalka regional electoral commission,
the A-Info agency states.
In words of Hayk Meltonian, a deputy of the Georgian Parliament,
the number of voters artificially increased, reaching from 13.638 to
20.961. Hayk Meltonian mentions the number 13.638 according to the
number of voters involved in the lists of the parliamentary elections
held in March, 2004.
Names of Greeks migrated from Javakhk to Greece still 10-15 years ago,
at present already considered citizens of Greece or even died ones are
mainly involved in the list today. If the number of Armenian voters
of the region was 7488 in 2004, that number was now decreased to
6100. According to A-Info, this “substitution may greatly influence”
especially on results of the elections being held by the proportional
electoral system.

AGREEMENTS ON COOPERATION IN SPHERES OF MILITARY EDUCATION AND PEACEKEEPING REACHED BETWEEN HEADS OF DMS OF ARMENIA AND GREECE
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
ATHENS, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by Serge
Sargsian, the Secretary of the RA National Security Council attached
to RA President, Defence Minister, which is on a working visit in
Greece, participated on October 3 in the official ceremony of opening
the “Defendory International” 14th international exhibition of the
defence systems, got acquainted with the last technological models
of the defensive armaments.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information and Propaganda
Department of the RA Defence Ministry, a separate visit was organized
to the pavilion of the Armenian-Greek LT-PYRKAL joint venture
considered inferior to the Greece EBO-PYRKAL enterprise. The RA
Defence Minister had a meeting here with the administration of the
Greek side of the joint venture. Issues relating to the present and
future activity of the joint venture were discussed during the meeting.
Within the framework of the visit, on the same day the delegation
visited the Land Troops Military Academy of Greece where it had
a meeting with the academy heads and the group of RA Armed Forces
students studying there.
The delegation visited the military museum of the National
Defence Ministry of Greece as well where after a meeting with the
administration and seeing about the museum, a preliminary agreement
was reached between the sides concerning possibility of organizing
an exhibition dedicated to history of the RA Armed Forces in 2007 in
the museum.
The delegation had a meeting on October 4 with Evangelos Meimarakis,
the Minister of National Defence. The process and prospects of
the Armenian-Greek bilateral military cooperation were discussed
at the meeting, a number of agreements was reached on widening the
Armenian-Greek cooperation in the spheres of military education and
peacekeeping.
Serge Sargsian had a meeting at the RA Embassy to Greece on the
same day with representatives of the Armenian community of Greece,
particularly, with members of the “Yerevan” tutorial body and the
“Friends of Armenia and Artsakh” union. A number of issues on more
raising the level of education of the Armenian students studying
in military-educational institutions of Greece as well as ones
relating to improvement of living conditions were discussed during
the meeting. At the end of the meeting, the Defence Minister awarded
“Marshal Baghramian” medal of the ministry to “Friends of Armenia
and Artsakh” union chairman-benefactor Hrant Basmachian.
After a meeting with the Armenian community, RA Defence Minister
Serge Sargsian held a press conference summing up results of the visit.