ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO VISIT IRAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 16 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. President of Armenia
Robert Kocharian, in all probability, will pay an official visit
to Tehran in July. President’s Press Secretary Victor Soghomonian
informed Radio Liberty about it. According to him, President
Kocharian’s official visit is scheduled for “the middle of summer,”
most probably, in July.
During the visit paid the last month to Tehran, Energy Minister
of Armenia Armen Movsisian discussed with the Iranian high-ranking
officials details of the President’s envisaged visit. It is proposed
that discussion of the Armenian-Iranian energy programs will have a
central place during the visit.

PARLIAMENTARY HEARINGS DEDICATED TO PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIP TO BE HELD ON JUNE 23
Noyan Tapan
Jun 16 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN. At the suggestion of the ARF
Dashnaktsutiun faction, on June 23, RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign
Relations will organize enlarged parliamentary hearings dedicated to
problems of dual citizenship. As faction head Hrayr Karapetian informed
at the June 16 press briefing, after the discussion ARFD will start
to compile the bill itself. Then the faction will work out a number
of important bills, in particular, “On Yerevan Status,” “On Control
Chamber.” It is planned that they be adopted at the parliament in
autumn. “If all these important laws are adopted, we will consider
that the National Assembly has completed its historic mission with
an honor,” H.Karapetian mentioned. He also said that during summer
the party is going to have many meetings with the people, as well as
to organize reception of citizens by visiting different regions.

RA NA SPEAKER RECEIVES INVITATION TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO INDIA
Noyan Tapan
Jun 16 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues relating to deepening of
Armenian-Indian interparliamentary relations were discussed at RA
NA Speaker Tigran Torosian’s June 16 meeting with Indian Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Reena Pandey.
Mrs Pandey, mentioning existence of active political and economic
contacts between India and Armenia, invited NA Speaker to pay an
official visit to India for more closely getting acquainted with the
legislative experience, parliamentary activity and for strengthening
interstate relations. She also attached importance to cooperation
between Armenian and Indian parliamentarians in the international
sphere.
Expressing gratitude for the invitation, Tigran Torosian informed the
Ambassador about the large-scale legislative work the parliament has
started after the referendum on constitutional amendments having the
purpose to bring the public-political reforms to the level of economic
success, which is also registered by international experts.
It was also mentioned that a preelection period starts for the
parliament in 2007 spring.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA NA Public Relations Department,
the interlocutors also touched upon the incident connected with
the Indian student studying at Yerevan State University and the
publications in press. Both of them mentioned that the incident
has been already smoothed over and it can never cast shadow on
Armenian-Indian friendship.

DELEGATION OF CZECH REPUBLIC SENATE TO VISIT ARMENIA ON JUNE 19-21
Noyan Tapan
Jun 16 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Members of the delegation of the Czech
Republic Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations, Defence and Security
Issues will be in Armenia on June 19-21.
On June 19, the delegation will be received by Chairman of RA NA
Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Armen Rustamian, then the
members of the delegation will lay flowers at the Tsitsernakaberd
memorial complex of Armenian Genocide victims. The same day the
delegation will be received by RA Deputy Foreign Minister Arman
Kirakosian.
On June 20, the members of the Czech Republic Senate’s Committee on
Foreign Relations, Defence and Security Issues will be recieved by
Chairman of NA Standing Committee on Defence, National Security and
Internal Affairs Aramayis Grigorian. The same day the delegation will
be received by RA Deputy Minister of Defence Artur Aghabekian.
According to NA Public Relations Department, on June 21, the delegation
will meet with RA Deputy Chief of Police Ararat Mahtesian.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: RF LAW-ENFORCERS SHOULD RESPOND STRICTLY TO MURDERS ON ETHNIC GROUND BY ACTING QUICKLY, CLEARLY AND EXACTLY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 16 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 16, RA
President Robert Kocharian received the delegation of RF South Federal
Okrug led by Dmitri Kozak, RF President’s Plenipotentiary in the Okrug.
Attaching importance to deepening contacts at the level of separate
regions of the two countries, the President said that it creates a
good basis for strengthening interstate relations.
The sides touched upon the whole complex of Armenian-Russian
relations. Robert Kocharian said that Russian business takes a larger
place in economy thanks to activization of business contacts.
Establishment of efficient transport communication was considered as
important for further extension of trade and economic partnership of
the two countries.
Dmitri Kozak said that the largest Armenian community lives in the
south of Russia and its representatives are maximally involved in
almost all spheres of the region’s life.
The interlocutors condemned the murders on ethnic ground committed
in the recent months in Russia and mentioned that it is not in the
interests of Russia and the Russian people. According to Robert
Kocharian, the Russian law-enforcers should respond strictly to this
by acting quickly, clearly and exactly.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA President’s Press Office, during
his visit the RF President’s Plenipotentiary has also visited the
Russian military base in Gyumri. He expressed gratitude to the Armenian
authorities for the favorable conditions provided for the servicemen
at the base.

DRAFTS ON RA FLAG AND EMBLEM ADOPTED IN THIRD READING AND COMPLETELY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 16 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The RA National
Assembly adopted in the third reading and completely the drafts on the
RA flag and emblem at the June 15 special session. The characteristics
and orders of usage of the flag and emblem are defined by them. It is
particularly defined that the red colour of the state flag symbolizes
the Armenian plateau, the Armenian people’s constant struggle for
existence, Christian belief, independence and freedom of Armenia. The
blue colour symbolizes the Armenian people’s will to live under
peaceful sky. The orange colour symbolizes the Armenian people’s
creative talent and diligence.

ARMENIANS OF ASTRAKHAN CHOSE “MISS AREV-2006”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 16 2006
ASTRAKHAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The “Miss Arev-2006”
first annual beauty competition took place in Astrakhan.
It was organized by the Astrakhan “Arev” (sun) Armenian cultural
company.
In the semi-final of the competition that was held in the “Arev”
company, girls were to display perspicacity, sharpness, to show
knowledge of history and culture of Armenia. As the “Yerkramas”
(country) newspaper of Armenians of Russia informs, the competition
participants fulfilled all the tasks perfectly, and all their efforts
were estimated by the jury in the staff of which members of the “Arev”
company administration were involved.
According to results of votion of the jury, Varduhi Hakobian became
“Miss Arev-2006”. The judges awarded the following nominations as well:
“Miss Tenderness” to Nano Khachatrian, “Miss Charm” to Lusine Shiyan
and “Miss Fascination” to Arevik Tamrazian.
From: Baghdasarian

AMENDMENTS POSSIBLE IN LAW ON LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 16 2006
AKHALKALAK, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Amendments are
possible in the law on local self-government bodies of Georgia. In
the opinion of Alexander Shalamberidze, the Deputy Chairman of
the Parliament Committee on Regional Policy, Self-Government, High
Mountainous Regions of the country, it is most necessary for keeping
equal local budgets of distant settlements.
As the “A-Info” agency informs, greeting the parliamentarian’s
intention to make possible amendments in the law, Mels Torosian,
a member of the Samtskhe-Javakhk Armenian Public Organizations’
Council, mentioned on this occasion that the parliamentarians do not
speak about liquidating another disproportion by the self-government
legislation. It is particularly spoken about Armenians’ and Georgians’
being presented in Sakrebulos of regions equal to their number. By
the acting legislation, the Georgian inhabitation making only 5% in
the region of Akhalkalak has a right to have up to 30% presence. The
same injustice threatens the regions of Akhaltskha, Tsalka, Aspindza,
Ninotsminda.

MOST PART OF POLITICAL FORCES REPRESENTED AT PARLIAMENT INTEND TO ACTIVELY WORK IN SUMMER AS WELL
Noyan Tapan
Jun 16 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Heads of only the “RPA,” “ARF,”
“Ardaroutiun” (Justice) and “Azgayin Miabanutiun” (National Unity)
factions from the RA NA 6 factions and 2 deputies’ groups participated
in the June 16 summing up briefings of the spring session. The “Orinats
Yerkir” (Country of Law) party considered purposeful to sum up results
of the session at a separate press-conference to be convened soon. It
became clear from the briefings that the most part of the political
forces represented at the Parliament intends to actively work in
summer and has not thought about having rest yet. Galust Sahakian,
the “RPA” faction head assured that the party will implement in
summer inner-party organization works, and he himself will be at the
Parliament in summer. According to Stepan Demirchian, the “Ardarutiun”
faction head, the People’s Party of Armenia headed by him will also
be engaged in solution of inner-party problems, connected, in all
probability, with the party congress to be convened in November.
Besides solving inner-party problems, political forces intend to
actively be involved in editing the draft amendments to the Electoral
Code, taking into account the CE Venice Commission’s already got
preliminary conclusion concerning the draft as well as proposals
of political forces. At the consultation convened on June 19 on
RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian’s initiative, representatives of the
parliamentary forces will decide order of the coming discussions,
and, as “ARF” faction head Hrayr Karapetian assured, they will
inform journalists about it. The deputy also mentioned that the
ARF, supporting increase of women’s role in the executive and
legislative authorities, intends to pursue corresponding amendments
of the Electoral Code. “Ardarutiun” faction head Stepan Demirchian
re-affirmed that in the case of not accepting the party’s reservations
connected with amendments in the Electoral Code, the “Ardarutiun”
faction will take back its signature. He also mentioned that it is
mentioned in the Venice Commission’s conclusion as well that usage
of the Electoral Code is finally important. The European observers
expressed an opinion in 2003 that the acting Electoral Code gives
possibility of securing a normal electoral process, so, according to
the deputy, the issue of elections’ justice may not be solved only by
amendments to the Electoral Code. Artashes Geghamian, the head of the
“Azgayin Miabanutiun” faction considered to be itself too anxious
the circumstance that “we have reached a state that any news from
Venice is a lifebuoy for us or just the opposite, a sentence, and it
will mean that the Armenian legislative idea has got dry.” However,
“Azgayin Miabanutiun” will participate in the summer discussions at
the deputies’ and experts’ level, if “issues of modern sonority are
discussed.” “In the end, we do a common work, and a work that may be
decisive for future developments of Armenia,” Geghamian mentioned.

NA POLITICAL FORCES DEEPLY ANXIOUS ABOUT RECENT MURDERS OF ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 16 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The political
forces of RA National Assembly are deeply anxious about the murders
of Armenians in Russia in the recent period. The head of the RPA,
ARF Dashnaktsutiun, Ardarutiun (Justice) and National Unity factions
informed about it at the June 16 press briefing. In the opinion of
RPA faction head Galust Sahakian, the incidents that happen in RF,
of course, give an occasion for thinking, but not only Armenians, but
foreigners in general are the target of nationalism in this country.
ARFD head Hrayr Karapetian said that the party representatives have
expressed their anxiety during the meeting held recently at the
Embassy of RF in RA. The MP is convinced that the respective Armenian
departments are also anxious about the issue and still have much to
do in this connection. “It is obvious that the incidents that happen
in Russia are in no way connected with the state interests and state
policy of that country,” the MP highlighted. According to Ardarutiun
faction head Stepan Demirchian, the formed situation “cannot be
tolerated” and an question about undertaking the respective steps
should be raised before RF authorities. According to National Unity
faction head Artashes Geghamian, the party being deeply anxious about
“the barbaric incidents committed recently in Russia,” nevertheless,
has not come up with any “serious” statement. The reason is the
complicated situation the party found itself in: it is difficult to
accuse Russia of murder of three Armenians in the recent period when
at least 1.5 mln Armenians have “run away” to Russia over the recent
years because of the policy carried on by the Armenian authorities
and 2396 Armenians have committed an attempted suicide and 1600 a
suicide over the past 5 years in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress