ARMENIA IS OBLIGED TO MOVE TOWARDS EUROPEAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, LEVON MKRTCHIAN IS CONVINCED
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Henceforth RA Ministry of Education
and Science will work more openly and transparently by organizing
press conferences once during every 10 days. As Minister Levon
Mkrtchian said at the June 13 press conference, their task is that
the Ministry should not be treated only as a body holding entrance
examinations. According to him, the main goal of the department’s
policy is bringing the Armenian educational sphere in correspondence
with the international standards. L.Mkrtchian said that considerable
regress has been registered in this issue currently. As he stated,
formerly the Armenian educational system was compared with the
European countries, while now it is compared with the Middle Asian
countries. “Armenia is obliged to move towards the European educational
system,” the Minister mentioned.
L.Mkrtchian said that they should work out a mechanism where the system
will not be affected by the change of officials as party direction
is destructive for a system. According to him, complex and integral
changes need to be made in science. It was mentioned that the problem
of development of science is not so much financial as is connected
with right management.
According to L.Mkrtchian, there is still much to do in the sphere
of 12-year education as they “just pulled out 10-year education
and turned it into a 12-year education.” According to the Minister,
parallel with the transition to a new educational system they should
reduce the years of study at higher educational institutions. It
was mentioned that the quality of 12-year education should lighten
the burden of the institutions of higher education. In L.Mkrtchian’s
opinion, an integral system of giving marks for knowledge should be
also introduced. And the credit system, according to him, should not
be introduced at once, but gradually.

ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS CONDEMN ACTS OF VIOLENCE TOWARDS ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The representatives of Armenian
creative unions and scientific circles condemn the acts of violence
towards Armenians in Russia, in consequence of which a great number
of Armenians were killed. The intellectuals call for undertaking
effective measures for stopping these phenomena. They criticized RA
Foreign Ministry at the June 13 meeting. According to the speakers,
the Ministry does not properly struggle against this phenomena through
its diplomatic canals.
Maria Babayan, Head of RA Foreign Ministry RF Department, said that “we
all are anxious about the existence of such a problem in Russia.” But
she does not agree that the Foreign Ministry undertakes no steps
against this. According to her, in case of any act of violence the
Armenian foreign political department responds, sends letters to their
Russian colleagues, and there are affirmations that the criminals
will be disclosed and punished.
The intellectuals are also going to make a statement, as well as to
send a message to RF President Vladimir Putin.

ANNUAL CAMP OF “YOUTH FOR ACHIEVEMENTS” ARMENIAN NGO TO BE HELD IN TSAGHKADZOR FROM JULY 17 TO AUGUST 1ST
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. About 600 pupils of comprehensive
schools of Armenia will participare in the camp to be organized by the
“Youth For Achievement” Armenian NGO which will be held this year from
July 17 to August 1 in Tsaghkadzor. As Susanna Manukian, the Press
Secretary of the organization informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent,
this program has been implemented since 1995.
The “Youth For Achievement” Armenian NGO is an organization
implementing educational programs which has functioned since
1992. On the initiative of Armenuhi Hovhannisian, the Executive
Director of the organization, “Human Rights,” “Civil Education,”
“State and Right” subjects were involved in the education programs of
the comprehensive schools of the republic. According to S.Manukian,
children will deepen in the camp theoretical knowledge got on those
subjects by educational games.

BY PROGRAM OF FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF, REGULAR GROUP OF AMERICAN ARMENIAN YOUNG SPECIALISTS TO PAY 10-DAY VISIT TO ARMENIA FROM JUNE 14TH
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. A group consisting of 17 people, 23-40
years old American Armenian specialists, will pay a ten-day visit to
Armenia since June 14, by the “Trip to Armenia” program of the Fund for
Armenian Relief (FAR). As FAR Press Secretary Levon Lachikian informed
the Noyan Tapan correspondent, within the framework of the visit the
group will visit sightseeings of Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh as well
as will have meetings with Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians,
RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.
L.Lachikian mentioned that this program having been implemented already
for the 10th year, has a goal to support strengthening of tis among
young Armenian specialists of Diaspora and Armenia. According to him,
during the visits Diasporan Armenian young people not only associate
with the ancestors’ land but also get possibility to orient at place
in the issue of showing practical assistance to the Fatherland.

PROPOSAL MADE TO GRANT AMNESTY ONLY TO PERSONS WHO COMMITTED CRIMES BEFORE JUNE 1 2006
Noyan Tapan
Jun 12 2006
YEREVAn, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN. A regular sitting of the working
group (headed by the RA Minsiter of Justice David Harutyunian),
which was set up on the decision of the Armenian President to carry
out preparatory work for declaring an amnesty on the occasion of
the 15th anniversary of declaration of the Republic of Armenia, was
held on June 12. The main approaches of the amnesty were discussed
at the sitting. According to spokesman for the Minister of Justice
Ara Saghatelian, a unanimous decision was made to propose granting
an amnesty only to persons who committed crimes before June 1, 2006.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHURCH TO BE BUILT IN DILIJAN
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
DILIJAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Constructions of the city church will
start in Dilijan from August. As Dilijan Mayor Armen Santrosian
informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin will allocate for that purpose about 800 thousand
U.S. dollars. It was also mentioned that there is no church open in
the territory of the city at present.

ARMENIAN CHESS-PLAYERS – WINNERS OF CHESS WORLD OLYMPIAD AWARDED DIPLOMAS OF YEREVAN MAYOR AND 1000 USD EACH
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 12, the members of the Armenian
men’s national team that won the gold medal and the olympic cup at
the 37th Chess World Olympiad were awarded diplomas of Yerevan Mayor,
as well as were given monetary prizes amounting to 450000 drams
(about 1000 USD) each. The members of the Armenian women’s national
team that took the 8th place at the Olympiad also received diplomas
and prizes of the Mayor.
As Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharian mentioned at the solemn ceremony
at Yerevan Mayor’s Office, the Armenian people has long waited for
this victory.
“This is a very important event for the Armenian people. We are proud
of our chess-players who defeated the national teams of such states
as the U.S., Russia, China, etc. I hope the Armenian chess-players
will have such victories in the future, as well,” the Mayor mentioned.
According to grand master Smbat Lputian, Vice-Chairman of the Armenian
Chess Federation, the Armenian people highly estimates this victory as
“this is not only our victory but the victory of all Armenians spread
all over the world.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IRAN’S POSITION WITH RESPECT TO ITS NEIGHBORS BASED ON ITS INTEREST IN STABILITY AND PEACE, IRANIAN DIPLOMAT SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “We see solution of
the Karabakh problem in a dialogue and holding negotiations, Iran
is ready to assist on the way of peaceful solution of the Karabakh
problem,” Ali Abgar Jouhar, the Deputy Ambassador of Iran to Armenia
stated at the June 13 press-conference.
He mentioned that relations between Armenia and Iran are very good
and provided by mutual interest. The most important in the Karabakh
problem is keeping the peace and continuation of negotiations on the
peaceful settlement of the conflict.
The Iranian diplomat emphasized that Iran’s position with respect
to its neighbors is based on interest on stability and peace. He
mentioned that according to many politicians and observers, in the
geo-political sense Iran is considered an important part of the world,
correspondingly, safety of Iran has international meaning.
“Iran is the state which has not allowed during the recent
27 years that conflicts existing near us are spread in its
territory. Constructive role of Iran in problems of Afghanistan and
Caucasus do not cause anybody’s doubt,” Ali Abgar Jouhar stated.
As for the strained situation in the northern provinces of Iran,
where Azeris live, he mentioned that insult towards Azeris becomes
a reason for dissatisfaction. But different ethnic groups living in
Iran, considers it to be their problem as well: “Iranian communities
are floating of cultures, religions and traditions. Iranian identity
is based on traditions and has deep roots, it won in this issue.”
According to Ali Abgar Jouhar, there was no case in the structure
of the Armenian authorities that there was no Azeri there, besides,
the spiritual leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran is an Azeri.
“There are no dissatisfactions and separative moods in Iran, if
you come to Iran, you’ll become sure in it. Those ethnic groups has
thought themselves to be Iranians for centuries. Those visiting our
country at once change their opinion about it by 180 degree. This
false opinion about Iran is mostly provided by American propaganda,
and, successively, by information presenting wrongly. But they say
in Iran: “Sun never remains in clouds,” Ali Abgar Jouhar stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY: TO AGREE WITH NEW REFERENDUM IN KARABAKH MEANS FOR ARMENIA TO REFUSE RECOGNITION OF RESULTS OF 1991 REFERENDUM
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. To agree with
holding a new referendum to decide status of Nagorno Karabakh means
for the Armenian side to refuse recognition of legality and results
of the 1991 referendum.
This is said in the publication entitled “Demographic Trap” placed
in the NKR Foreign Ministry’s official web site.
According to the publication, some European structures push forward
their interests in the issue of the Karabakh settlement, – which in
reality correspond with the Azerbaijani ones for a number of reasons,-
using for that purpose “public organizations,” formally independent,
but in reality, controlled by the above-mentioned structures.” One
of them, “International Crisis Group” (ICG), attempts to put under
doubt legality of the December 10, 1991 referendum, which clearly
expressed the NKR people’s will and was held corresponding to norms
of the international right and the USSR legislation functioning then.
As for the NKR Azerbaijani minority, it was given all possibilities
for expressing free will, but under pressure of official Baku, Azeris
refused their rights and ignored the referendum, displaying just by
it indiference towards future of the country.
“If the Armenian side agrees the idea of the postponed referendum,
after signing the agreement, neither RA nor, especially, NKR may
obstacle Azerbaijan under “peace-keepers'” cover and change demographic
situation in the NKR after “refugees'” return, organize diversions,
instigations and interracial clashes to strain the situation in future
and to pressure on the Armenian inhabitation of the NKR,” is said in
the publication of the NKR Foreign Ministry’s official site. According
to the source, even if the referendum takes place, during the period
of time preceding it, the demographic picture will change in the
NKR in favour of Azerbaijan, and the results of the referendum will
unequivocally be for the latter’s “territorial integrity.”

TURKEY READY TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA, TURK CHAIRMAN OF NATO PA SUB-COMMISSION ASSURES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A delegation of the
NATO Parliamentary Assembly Subcommittees on Democratic Governance
and Future Security and Defence Capabilities arrived in Armenia. The
delegation met with the NATO PA Armenia delegation on June 12.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the NA Public Relations Department,
as for the Armenia-Turkey relations, Armenian delegation head Mher
Shahgeldian mentioned that Armenia has stated many times about its
readiness to start relations without preconditions.
Vahit Erdem (Turkey), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Future
Security and Defence Capabilties mentioned that the NATO has proved
during the history by its structure and peculiarity that it may
create cooperation possibilities for countries having a problem,
especially mentioning as a example development of relations between
Turkey and Greece. It was mentioned that the NATO continues policy
of open doors. According to him, Turkey is ready to develop relations
with Armenia and does not condition them with solutions of conflicts.
Turkey finds that one must look towards future but not past in
the 21st century, must develop relations coming from centuries,
re-starting friendship.
Issues relating to regional conflicts and the Black Sea regional
cooperation were discussed during the meeting with OSCE Deputy
Ambassador Kramp and Military Attache’ Karl Hofstra and RA Foreign
Ministry’s OSCE Department Chief Varuzhan Nersisian.