A HANDFUL OF SUN FOR ARMENIAN CHILDREN OF TBILISI
By Gohar Gevorgian
AZG Armenian Daily
14/06/2006
“The years that followed the 1990 were very difficult for the Armenians
of Tbilisi, and as teachers we were concerned with our children’s
future. We were particularly concerned that our children do not speak
Armenian, and wanted to familiarize them with our history, culture
and religion,” Inga Akhekian, teacher from Georgia, tells at the Azg
Daily publishing house.
Together with her colleagues, Emma Akhtian and Aida Barseghian, she
founded “Arevik” charity foundation in Tbilisi in 2002. Headquartered
in the house of Prof.
Emma Akhtian, the foundation helps the Armenian children. Staring
from 2003, the foundation publishes “Arevik” newspaper that is made
from the articles written by children from Javakhk, Ajaria and the
Armenian Diaspora. The paper has a circulation of 2000 and most copies
are being distributed free of charge.
In Inga Akhekian’s words, the funds of the organization are spent to
take care of the young Armenians of Tbilisi. Mrs. Akhekian says they
organize different arrangements such as essay contests, meetings with
Armenian painters of Georgia, namely Gayane Khachatrian, Meruzhan
Shahumian, Alik Barseghian, Alik Utmazian, Zuleyka, daughter of
Bazhbeuk Melikov, miniaturist Meruzhan Abovian and others. Thanks
to Henrik Bakhchian, head of the Museum of Literature and Art, the
foundation’s library constantly enriches with new books. Manuk Adamian,
grandchildren of Siamanto’s sister, also helped the children of the
foundation from Paris.
Mrs. Akhekian says that Arevik has representatives in Javakhk, Tsalka
and Armenia. The founders intend to bring a group of Tbilisi Armenians
to Armenia to acquaint them with the Armenian art and history for
closer ties with their fatherland.

IRANIAN DIPLOMAT SAYS THE NUCLEAR STAND-OFF MUST BE SOLVED PEACEFULLY
Armenpress
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS: An Iranian diplomat told today in
Yerevan that the controversy over Iran’s nuclear energy program must
be solved only peacefully and through negotiations. Ali Akbar Jokar,
deputy ambassador of Iran in Armenia, said to a round table discussion
on the nuclear weapons that any attempt to resolve the stand-off by
military force would have dramatic repercussions for the entire world.
“Iran is situated in a geopolitical region that makes a key part
of the world security. Iran’s security is of global importance,”
he said. Ali Akbar Jokar said even a slightest negative development
around Iran would result in the collapse of the world economy, while
military actions or strained relations would affect all parties. The
diplomat expressed hope that the nuclear program controversy would
be resolved peacefully.
“There are no grounds that would justify military actions against
Iran,” he said pointing out the visible change in the tone of US
administration when it speaks about Iran. He said Iran has always
cooperated with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its
nuclear facilities have always been accessible to IAEA experts.
“The European Union has offered a package of incentives concerning
Iran’s nuclear program and USA agreed to conduct talks for resolution
of the controversy,” he said, adding that whatever the incentives they
have to respect Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. In
response to a question whether the Iraq scenario could be applied in
Iran he said Iraq was a different case. “Iraq was ruled by a despotic
leader who had no links with the people, while authorities in Iran
enjoy the population’s full support,” he said.

COURT OF APPEAL INAUGURATES RENOVATED COURT ROOM, LIBRARY AND CONFERENCE HALL
Armenpress
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Court of Appeals has
inaugurated today a renovated court room, a library and a conference
hall. The renovation was started one year ago and was funded by
government funds and a World Bank credit for reformation of the
justice system.
The library has 6,000 books in four languages.
Justice minister David Harutunian said the fact that the bulk of thee
books are in English will force judges to improve their knowledge
of English.

PRESIDENT AND ECOLOGY MINISTER DISCUSS LAKE SEVAN AND OTHER ISSUES
Armenpress
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian and nature
protection minister Vartan Ayvazian discussed today a set of issues
regarding the growing level of Lake Sevan, effective use of mineral
resources and management of state-run reserves.
Kocharian’s press office said the minister said the level of the lake
has risen 2.8 meters flooding many areas which he said are being now
cleaned. The president ordered to regulate the procedure of setting
fees for use of natural resources and apply more efforts to detect
shadow businesses in this sector and ensure transparency in holding
tenders for use of mineral resources.
The two men also spoke about development of ecological tourism,
restoration of forests and air pollution.

EDUCATIONAL SPHERE MUSTN’T MINGLE WITH THE POLITICAL ONE
A1+
[05:36 pm] 13 June, 2006
Item Change In Educational System
Levon Lazarian, Minister of Education and Science doesn’t like the
expression “educational reforms.”
In his first press release he called on people present to use the
variant “Let’s confront the existing educational system to the
European standards.”
He avoided to give any comments on the activity of ex minister
Sergo Eritsyan but judging from the contents of the press release
lasting an hour and a half it was evident that he was displeased with
Eritsyan’s work.
Let us illustrate his words in this connection, “I have got the
impression that they took 10-year education and converted it into
12-year one.” In Lazarian’s words the educational projects of 12-year
education are not distinct yet. “I think that a child mustn’t learn
more than his age permits. In case of 12-year education the years of
higher education must be curtailed,” claims Lazarian.
He also praised the ex minister, “According to other criteria he
implemented his work properly,” noted Levon Lazarian.
New Minister and new principles
Before taking up the new office Levon Lazarian presented his demands
to the people who proposed his candidacy. He mainly demanded that
certain problems, methods and principles offered by him during his
office be finally solved.
Lazarian also referred to the shortcomings of the system and spoke
of a few questions of principle.
His first principle is that people shouldn’t deem the ministry as
the system of holding exams. He thinks that people are right while
criticizing the changes.
“If the question cannot be settled today we must frankly say that the
solution will be given in 5 years. If the salary of a teacher is low
we must say that it will be raised later,” explains the minister.
Lazarian attaches great importance to the transparency of the
system. “Each official must be transparent.” Another vital principle
for the minister is that the system mustn’t mingle with politics. “If
we take this for granted and as a principle it will greatly contribute
to the system,” he says.
The end of cooperative institutes is near.
Levon Lazarian doesn’t understand the procedure of accrediting and
licensing educational establishments.
“We shall need many years to recover the faults,” urges the minister
and adds, “The current situation must be changed and the rules of
the game are to be altered.”
As for the quality of education the minister compared it with the
level of the Medieval Asia and Turkey.
According to him the collapse of the higher education is apparent. He
maintains that we must make use of credit resources and initiate the
investment of the credit system.

IS IT THE TURN OF DEMOCRACY?
A1+
[06:25 pm] 13 June, 2006
RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan received the permanent representative
of the Currency International Fund to Armenia James Macque.
The two sides referred to the cooperation of the RA parliament and
CIF. Mr. Macque congratulated NA President on his new office and noted
that CIF-Parliament cooperation will henceforth enter a new stage. He
underlined the importance of the NA control function in all phases
of the Poverty combat military program as well as in all projects
implemented by joint efforts of CIF administration and Central Bank.
RA NA President Tigran Torosyan noted that the post Soviet
transformation is divided into two phases; the first phase focused on
economic issues whereas the second one – on democratic and political
issues.
Economic development has been more obvious in Armenia within the
recent 5 years than democratic processes; the establishment of
the civil society, the combat against corruption, polarization of
income. But only in case these two factors are combined full success
will be registered which will give Armenia an opportunity to have
its decent place in the international community. They also referred
to the rate of USD and other issues.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IT IS USEFUL TO ACCUMULATE GOLD WHEN THE COUNTRY HAS NO DEBT
A1+
[07:15 pm] 13 June, 2006
The deputies of the Opposition frequently recall the fact that Central
Bank embezzled the supplies of gold.
Today seizing the opportunity when the president of CB was presenting
the review of 2005 in the Parliament, secretary of “Justice” bloc
faction Viktor Dallakyan announced that developed countries accumulate
gold in their reserve funds whereas Armenian CB has sold the gold
supplies. “Who is to answer for this act?”
The question was immediately answered by president of CB Tigran
Sargsyan who informed that CB got great profit from the sale; about 3
milliard AMD. “The bargain was concluded in 2003, this is an attempt to
lead the public into delusion that Armenian has suffered great losses.”
CB sold the gold as we were to provide 30 milliard AMD income as we
were to enter the budget certain sum of money planned in advance,”
Tigran Sargsyan briefed the journalists.
“Gold supplies in the gross actives are of little significance,
today we have gross actives of 770 million USD whereas gold was
only 15 million USD and now they try to instigate discord on that
15 million USD which was insignificant for our population,” noted
CB president and added the gold price changes rather frequently and
countries having more outer debt than gross actives don’t keep gold
as a means of currency while controlling their actives. Gold has the
function of accumulating wealth in richer countries.
“It is useful to keep gold when the gross actives of the country are
more than the debts. The situation is quite different in our country;
our outer debt surpasses the gross actives and it is too early to
dream of accumulating gold. RA will not counter such problem in
close future.”

ANOTHER LETTER TO THE “RUSSIAN KING”
A1+
[07:51 pm] 13 June, 2006
Today representatives of the Armenian Intelligentsia assembled to
discuss the recent murders of the Armenians in Russia trying to find
out the ways to make Russia understand that their “patience is not
boundless and has already exhausted.”
It was decided to release a joint letter to the Armenian and Russian
media and to RF President Vladimir Putin. The letter addressed to
Putin is not ready yet whereas the other one is already ready.
Judging by the contents of the letter the main responsibility is put
on the RA Foreign Ministry and the Embassies of the two countries.
President of the Writers’ Union Levon Ananyan noted that “we cannot
remember the bright pages of Armenian-Russian relations because of
the recent frequent murders.”
Politician Vsevolod Marian was also invited to the roundtable. The
latter was the councilor of Foreign Minister on the issues relating
to ethnic minorities in 1999 – 2001. He claims that mainly Armenians
are to be blamed in the current situation as don’t respond to the
murders in due order. “Armenians are the only nation among the post
Soviet countries who silently get adjusted to the murders of their
compatriots.”
The Russian politician also illustrated certain numbers which, in his
words, are kept in secret. About 3 thousand Armenians were killed in
Russia because of national hostility. When Vsevolod Marian came to
Armenia he presented the data to RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
as well and demanded to answer which measures are taken by Armenian
authorities to prevent the murders of Armenians in Russia and to punish
the criminals. “We don’t face such problem. We are in good friendly
relations,” was Oskanian’s answer in Marian’s words. He was surely
astonished by the answer. “If a person has no respect towards himself,
his country he will enjoy respect nowhere in the world.” By the way,
in comparison with the Armenian intelligentsia the Russian politician
is convinced that the events of Russia are against Armenians, the
murderers are deliberate and are financed by a special group.
The idea of the respond answer frightened the Armenian intelligentsia
who later announced that they mustn’t be involved in politics and
instigate the atmosphere of hostility, they must be vigilant and
watchful so that the settlement of relations will not convert to
serious and complicated problems.
Anyway, all the participants of the roundtable were unanimous that
“Russians must understand that Armenians are indignant.” But the
representatives of the intelligentsia couldn’t concentrate on the
right solution of the matter. They confessed that the matter is
closely connected with the unity of the nation which doesn’t exist.
It is due to mention that the Russian Ambassador to Armenia didn’t
participate in the roundtable.

BUILDINGS IN ARMENIA NEED SEISMIC PROTECTION
Panorama.am
15:17 13/06/06
Eight buildings of Yerevan, Giumry and Stepanakert (NKR) are equipped
with a new system of seismic protection, Michael Melkumyan, chairman of
Association of seismic resistant constructions who is the author of the
technology, told a press conference today. In the words of the expert,
seismic insulators are made of stratiform rubber-metallic supports
which “absorb” the energy of underground shocks. This technology can
damp horizontal shocks and, to some extent, vertical shocks as well
since the rubber insulators can shrink up to 6 mm. At the moment a
program of three-dimensional seismic insulation is being developed,
costing $100 000.
According to M. Melkumyan, strengthening of seismic resistance of
buildings in Armenia is a priority problem. About 80% of buildings in
Yerevan will be endangered in a case of an earthquake, he said. About
70 seismic insulators are needed for consolidation of one building. In
the words of the author, this method is 2.5 times cheaper of
traditional methods of strengthening the buildings.

IT WAS DECIDED TO CONTINUE IN THE SAME WAY
A1+
[09:15 pm] 13 June, 2006
The meeting of the Armenian and Azeri foreign Ministers Vartan Oskanian
and Elmar Mammadyarov was held in Paris on June 13 as it was arranged
after the meeting of the two Ministers in Bucharest on June 5.
The OSCE Minsk group Russian Co-Chair Juri Merzlyakov and French
Co-Chair Bernard Fassier as well as the Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andzej Kasprzyk were also present at
the negotiations.
The key issues of the meeting were the principles and approaches of
the conflict settlement which aroused discord among the two sides.
It was decided to continue negotiations on the positions of the
two sides.