A-320 CRUSH KEY TOPIC OF ARMENIA’S PRESS
ArmRadio.am
14.08.2006 21:05
The crash of Armavia’s A-320 and the investigation of its causes
continue being the key topic of the Armenian press, especially after
the crash of Siberia’s A-310, Arminfo reported.
When A-320 crashed, the International Aviation Committee (IAC)
said semi-officially that the crash was caused by the fault of the
pilots. After the crash in Irkutsk, IAC also hurried to blame the
crew, but this time, unlike the A-320 case, it faced much stronger
resistance and later said it was caused by technical problems.
The newspaper cites a document adopted by Russia’s Federation Council
in July: “The recent chain of air accidents within a short period of
time has proved that there is an urgent need to improve the technical
control over airports and planes and to raise the qualification of
air personnel. In the last years Russia’s civil aviation sector has
got into serious crisis.” The Russian senators specially noted the
necessity of delimiting the powers of certification and air accident
investigation. The logic is that a crash may well happen through the
fault of the one who has issued the certificate. So, it is inadmissible
that IAC control its own self.
The last two big air crashes – A-320 and A-310 – have vividly shown
what negative consequences self-control may have, say Armenian experts.
Iravunk says it is not for the first time that the Kremlin questions
IAC’s efficiency. In 2003, after IAC’s ban on IL-86 flights, Vice
Speaker of Russia’s State Duma Vladimir Zhirinovsky said: “They
have put a ban on the safest air liner. 5 Boeings fall every year,
and our Transaero (company whose 45% belong to the family of IAC
Chairwoman Tatiana Anodina and 3.25% to her personally) is engaged
in lobbying. Why did they ban IL-86? Because Transaero buys only
foreign planes. This will only benefit them, while for our economy
this will be a heavy blow, and huge money will again start flowing
out of the country.”
After the ban on IL-86, the State Duma asked the Russian President
to consider stopping IAC’s activities. They said: “The State Duma
believes that the International Aviation Committee, set up in 1991,
does not contribute to the strengthening of the aviation security as
IAC has undertaken functions it didn’t have initially: certification
of radio-technical equipment, engines and signal systems of Russian
planes. As a non-governmental organization IAC does not pay taxes from
the profits it gets from certification and spends colossal sums to meet
its own purposes rather than to raise the aviation security. With both
the certification and air crash investigation functions in its hands,
IAC prefers to say that all air crashes are caused by “human factor”
rather than by the state of air equipment.”
Such combination of functions permits the IAC not to be responsible for
air catastrophes and lay all the blame on the pilots. The deputies of
the Russian Parliament considered that certification of airplanes and
air crash investigations must be realized by structures, controlled by
the Government. They came to conclusion that the IAC activity on the
territory of the Russian Federation does not benefit the country. The
deputies found at last necessary to dismiss IAC and establish national
governmental structures for the supervision on civil aviation.
Those days the Russian press reported that the IAC gave permission
for “Il” flights and started active lobbying in order to prevent its
dismissal from Russia. Taking into account that the Committee exists so
far, it is clear that the lobbying was a success. The Committee also
managed to make use of its status of an international structure. It
was found in 1991 by the initiative of 12 states and has never been
reformed since then, although numerous constitutor countries left
it for different reasons. The officers of the IAC have immunity
and are not to be brought to any criminal responsibility even after
their resignation.
Thus, the Committee can cause the state a damage of many million
dollars (by such groundless prohibition of “Il-86” flights) and suffer
no punishment for that. IAC will not be brought to responsibility even
in case it is found out that the ArmAvia A-320 air liner crashed at
the fault of the Sochi airport, certified by the IAC. It must also
be noted that since 1991 head of IAC Tatiana Anodina has had status
of a Russian Federal Minister, although the Committee has never been
a part of the Federal system.
The Armenian ‘Iravukn’ newspaper calls upon the Civil Aviation
Department and the Government of Armenia to make certain obvious
conclusions of the A-320 crash investigation story. To the opinion
of ‘Iravaunk’ staff it is important that independent international
structures once again investigate the catastrophe. Their impartial
estimation would permit the Armenian aviators to decide whether the
activity of the IAC is welcome in Armenia or not. ‘Iravunk’ says it
is time for the Armenian aviation to take example of Russia and start
thinking of developing the aviation system of Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CONSIDERS INDEX OF 500 THOUSAND TOURISTS TO ARMENIA IN 2006 AS LIKELY
Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006
VANADZOR, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. A rapid development of tourism
is taking place in Armenia thanks to the fact that the business
repsonds correctly to market processes, which is evident from improved
services and a decline in prices in the tourism sector. President
Robert Kocharian expressed this opinion during a press conference
to summarize the results of his working visit to Lori marz on August
11. In response to NT correspondent’s question about measures being
taken in Armenia and Lori marz for development of tourism, Robert
Kocharian noted that the enhanced quality of roads and communication
is conducive to development of tourism. He noted the tourism sector
is being decentralized to marzes. He underlined that the state is
carrying out coordinated activities aimed at development of tourism,
as evidenced by the rates of tourism’s product exceeding GDP. “What
is especially interesting is when will we exceed the annual index of
500 thousand tourists to Armenia,” he said, noting that in 2005, 318
thousand people visited Armenia, whereas in 1998, this index made only
38 thousand. To recap, the growth on 2004 made 21.1%. In the first
half of 2006, 122,528 tourists visited Armenia, which is by 11.6%
more compared with the same period of 2005. Most tourists usually
arrive in Armenia in the second half of a year. Robert Kocharian
considered registration of the index of 500 thousand tourists already
this year as likely, because some major events will be held in the
country in September and October. The regional governor of Lori marz
Henrik Kochinian, who also took part in the press conference, said
that considerable work on construction of hotels, rest houses, public
catering facilities is being done in the region, the quality of mobile
phone communication services has been improved as well. Besides, the
restoration of historical and architectural monuments with state budget
resources is gathering full speed in the marz. During his visit to Lori
marz, the President became acquainted with the work on restoration of
Hneavank (7th-13th centuries). He expressed his satisfaction over the
fact that in the last few years, the Armenian government has got the
opportunity to spend budget resources on restoration of historical
and cultural values. Previously, such activities were carried out
with funds of benefactors and international organizations.

SPORTSMEN OF ARMENIAN ORIGIN PARTICIPATE IN WORLD JUVENILE CHAMPIONSHIP OF BOXING
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Aug 14 2006
ISTANBUL, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. 212 sportsmen
from 42 countries of the world participate in the juvenile world
championship of boxing having been held at the Baghjlar sports ground
of Istanbul already for a week. According to the “Marmara” daily,
Armenia does not participate in the competitions being held in 13
weight categories, but two sportsmen of Armenian origin perform in the
Russian team. Vladimir Sarukhanian (54 kg weight category) and Gevorg
Varashov (57 kg weight category) reached the semi-final stage as a
result of a successful participation in the competitions. Semi-finals
took place on August 12, and the final took place on the next day,
August 13. To recap, 1994 world juvenile championship of boxing also
took place in Istanbul, and Armenia participated in that tournament
with six sportsmen. Two sportsmen from the team of Armenia, Mher
Mkrtchian and Vakhtang (Vic) Darchinian perform at present in the
professional boxing.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN: “WHEN THE CRIMINALS AND THE OLIGARCHES UNITE, HONEST PEOPLE MUST UNITE AS WELL”
Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Unification of money, boorishness,
force, falsification is taking place armenia. Artur Baghdasarian,
the Chairman of the “Orinats Yerkir” (Country of Law) party made
such a statement at the August 12 meeting with young active members
of the party, having rest in Aghavnadzor. “All those are addressed
against the Republic of Armenia,” A.Baghdasarian said, expressing an
opinion that as a result of the U.S. dollar – RA dram exchange rate
fluctuations of the recent days, a group of people gains millions of
dollars when ordinary citizens incur serious financial losses. “The
people gave way to despair, and the political field is day by day
completed by criminal elements and upstarts. When the criminals and
the oligarches unite, honest people must unite as well,” he said. At
the event dedicated to the International Youth day, A.Baghdasarian
stated that in the created situation many parties see their future
“in grabbing and robbing,” and “Orinats Yerkir” ties the future
of Armenia with young people who “must struggle for having a good
country.” The OYP Chairman is sure that the time for struggle has
ripened, as “today 95% of the people demands changes.” A.Baghdasarian
mentioned that young families difficultly form in Armenia, mainly
because of the dwelling problem. Banks provide mortgage credits at
too high rate, and Armenian young people are not able to accept those
conditions. A.Baghdasarian assured that the OYP envisages to implement
serious programs in this direction, presenting them in the way of laws,
and then struggling for implementation of those laws. The former NA
Speaker mentioned that during the pre-electoral period of time of the
2007 parliamentary elections, the OYP is ready to cooperate and form
a bloc “with all healthy political forces which will support increase
of the proportional electoral order, increase of confidants’ role,
a quick and transparent process of summing up results at electoral
commissions.” But, A.Baghdasarian assured that the OYP has not started
yet negotiations with any party in the direction of forming a bloc.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NUMBER OF VISITS TO YEREVAN POLYCLINICS INCREASES IN FIRST HALF YEAR
Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. In the first half year, compared with
the same period of time of 2005, the number of inhabitants’ visits
to Yerevan polyclinics at district therapeutists’ incresed 29.9%,
at pediatricians’ 20%, and other specialists’ 49.2%. The number of
laboratory-apparatus examinations grew 46.4% during the same period
of time. As Armen Soghoyan, the Chief of the Health Care and Social
Security Department of the Yerevan Mayor’s Office informed at the
August 14 press conference, the increase of the number of visits is
provided by free medical service in polyclinics. A.Soghoyan mentioned
that free and at a discount allocation of medicine to inhabitation
continues.
According to him, very often citizens want to get the medicine they
want. But, according to the order, citizens are freely given only
medicine prescribed by the doctor. It was also mentioned that 77318
calls were fixed at the Yerevan “Ambulance” CJSC in the first half
year, what is more by 4875 compared with the same period of time of
the previous year.

ARMEN KHACHATRIAN IS APPOINTED JUDGE OF TAVUSH MARZ COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE
Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian signed
a decree on August 14 on appointing Armen Khachatrian the judge of the
Court of First Instance of the Tavush marz. Noyan Tapan was informed
about it by the RA President’s Press Office.

“PYUNIK” PRESERVES ITS POSITIONS OF LEADER
Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Last 2 meetings of the 16th stage
of the football highest group championship of Armenia took place on
August 12 and 13.
They had the following results: “Cilicia” – “Ararat” 0:6, and “Ulis” –
“Gandzasar” 1:2. Multiple champion of Armenia “Pyunik” continues to
head the tournament table with 46 points. Games of the 17th stage
will take place on August 19 and 20.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

8 BOXERS OF ARMENIA RETURN HOMELAND WITH PRIZES
Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006
BERDICHEVSK, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. At the international youth
tournament of box finished on August 13 in the Ukrainian city
of Berdichevsk, 95 sportsmen of 5 countries contended for prizes
after Vitali Klichko, an Olympic champion of the heaviest weight
category. From the 8 representatives of Armenia, Ara Puluzian
(Etchmiadzin) perforning in the 60 kg weight category, became the
winner. Artur Baghdasarian (48 kg, Yerevan), Samvel Barseghian (51
kg, Sevan), Azat Hovhannisian (54 kg, Etchmiadzin) gained the second
place. Robert Petrosian (64 kg, Yerevan) and Tsolak Ananikian (81 kg,
Arinj) were in the third place.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: SMALL ENERGY IS GATHERING MOMENTUM IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006
VANADZOR, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The small energy sector is gathering
momentum in Armenia: 40 newly built small hydropower plants are
operating in the country, the construction of more than 50 ones is
underway, and the registration of documents for construction of another
30 hydropower plants is in process. The Armenian President Robert
Kocharian stated this at a press conference to summarize his working
visit to Lori marz. on August 11. In his words, these developments in
small energy are “a serious response to the policy that the government
has adopted to promote this sector.” During his visit to Lori marz,
the President familiarized himself with the work of Kurtan small
hydropower plant (with the basic capacity of 5.7 megawatts) and the
wind power station of Pushkin mountain pass (the total capacity of
4 plants makes 2.5 megawatts). In R. Kocharian’s opinion, Lori marz
has a considerable potential for development of small energy. It is
envisaged to build 235 small hydropower plants in the region, with
feasibility studies already being carried out for 95 such plants.

PROFIT TAXES FROM COMPENSATION SUMS GIVEN TO FORMER RESIDENTS OF AREAS DEVELOPED IN YEREVAN TO BE PAID BACK
Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. It is likely that in November 2006 the
Armenian government will make a decision to pay back the 10% profit
taxes charged from the compensations given to the former residents
of the areas developed in Yerevan. It is envisaged to return these
sums within two-three months after the governmental decision. The
Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated this at the August 11 press
conference. He said that about a months ago, during a consultation
with the participation of all sides concerned, a decision was made
to pay back the 10% profit taxes from the compensation sums of the
residents of Yerevan’s Northern Avenue and Main Avenue. According to
him, at the moment of paying these compensations, the legislation was
imperfect from the viewpoint of their taxation, thus giving cause for
various indefinite comments. According to preliminary estimates, the
sum to be paid back totals about 1.3 bln drams (about 3.17 mln USD).