HEAD OF BRITISH “GLOBAL STEEL HOLDINGS” COMPANY IN ARMENIA
By Ara Martirosian
AZG Armenian Daily
28/09/2006
RA Government’s Press Department informed that RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian met with Promad Mital, chairman of the British
“Global Steel Holding” company’s board. He informed RA PM that his
company intends to carry out long-term investment programs in the
sphere of mining industry. He stated that, being rich in metals and
rock minerals, Armenia can provide big capacities and prospects
for a carrying out long term programs to a company that has the
experience of working in a dozen of countries of the world for about
50 years already. RA PM Andranik Margarian assured the readiness of
RA Government to assist “Global Steel Holdings” in realization of
its projects in Armenia.

THE MINSK GROUP HAS NO OFFERS; THERE ARE OFFERS TO THEM
A1+
[06:43 pm] 27 September, 2006
There will be no new offers about the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict in 2006, the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs informed
the co-chairs of the Dortmund conference. The co-chairs sent a letter
to the participants of the conference informing them about this and
about other developments after the 10th round.
Representative of the Armenian side of the group in the Dortmund
conference working on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, former
Defense Minister Vagharshak Haroutyunyan gave several details about
the content of the letter. Namely, the 11th round will take place in
October in Moscow. According to Vagharshak Haroutyunyan, during the
whole process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict the only realistic
variant for the sides was the frame convention which was signed by
all the sides of the conflict – Armenia, Karabakh and Azerbaijan.
According to the co-chairs of the Dortmund conference, this document
points at the real ways of settling the conflict. And as far as the
OSCE Minsk group is not going to introduce any new offers in 2006,
the co-chairs of the Dortmund conference offer the OSCE Minsk group
co-chairs to discuss the principles of the frame convention and to
try to find solutions within the framework of the convention.
Vagharshak Haroutyunyan reminded about the main principles the frame
convention was signed about, “Karabakh receives an interim status and
becomes a negotiating side, takes up commitments and signs documents
as a side of the conflict”.
The other possible approach is to settle the problem by two
phases. The first is to create an atmosphere of mutual trust by means
of compromise. And as soon as there is progress, the ways to settle
the conflict can be found by means of three-party negotiations.

ARMENIA WAITING FOR CHARLES AZNAVOUR AND THE FRENCH PRESIDENT
A1+
[07:39 pm] 27 September, 2006
more images Late in the evening renowned French-Armenian chansonnier
Charles Aznavour is to arrive in Armenia. He is coming in connection
with the September 30 celebration within the framework of the year
of Armenia in France.
On that very day the opening ceremony of the French Square on the
crossroad of Sayat-Nova, Baghramyan and Mashtots avenues will take
place; later on Charles Aznavour will sing in the Republic Square
together with his friends. The opening of the French Square will take
place in the presence of the Armenian and French Presidents.
If you have a walk around Yerevan, you’ll have the impression that
the whole city, everyone from ordinary citizens to high officials,
is getting ready for the arrival of the guests.
According to preliminary data, on September 30 the French Square will
be decorated with the flags of both countries. A memorial board will
be opened with the date of the opening of the Square and the names
of the Presidents of both countries as initiators. A stage will be
constructed where the Presidents will stand together with their wives.
It is noteworthy that the decoration of the Republic Square where the
concert will take place is carried out by Russian workers. Deputy
mayor of Yerevan Vano Vardanyan said that they are not responsible
for these works as the renowned singer brought the crew himself.
The workers of the Security Service are also ready for the day,
although they are sure that there will be no emergencies.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“THERE IS STILL HOPE”
A1+
[08:28 pm] 27 September, 2006
“Justice” bloc did not participate in the discussion of the Electoral
Code together with the Venice Commission and the experts from
OSCE/ODIHR, whereas “National Unity” and “Orinats Yerkir” did.
Leader of the National Democratic Party Shavarsh Kocharyan participated
in hte discussion not as representative of “Justice” bloc but as the
author of the alternative variant. The processed version of the draft
was introduced into circulation in the NA on September 20.
Let us remind you that the mentioned draft Electoral Code was not sent
to the Venice Commission, hence it can’t be discussed. Nevertheless,
according to Kocharyan, even today it can be considered an alternative
variant, taking into account the fact that the draft gives the
solution of those problems upon which the experts and the authors of
the present draft cannot agree.
“We are realistic enough to understand that the chances of the draft
are close to nothing, but it doesn’t mean that the situation is
completely hopeless”, said Shavarsh Kocharyan. He voiced hope that
their offers will be taken into account while adopting the offered
amendments.
Shavarsh Kocharyan said that no matter how nice their draft might be,
the experts of the Venice Commission cannot defend it. And if all the
representative of the opposition had signed it, the situation would
be completely different. According to Kocharyan, the draft has been
sent to all the factions by NGO “Democracy”; it has been discussed
by the opposition, but no agreement has been concluded. “I have an
impression that the whole oppositional field is in a swamp. And as
soon as someone wants to get out of it, the others pull him back”,
the deputy said.

THE DISCUSSION OF THE GUAM OFFER IS NOT CONSTRUCTIVE
A1+
[08:42 pm] 27 September, 2006
The offer of GUAM to discuss the conflicts in the UN General Assembly
61st session became reason to postpone the meeting of Foreign Ministers
Oskanyan and Mammadyarov.
“Introducing the offer of GUAM into the agenda of the UN General
Assembly changed the situation, and the meeting was postponed”, said
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan in an interview to radio station
“Azatutyun”.
“We needed to clear up the situation together with the co-chairs in
order to find out the possible developments. That’s what was done
during this meeting”, Oskanyan said in connection with his September
26 meeting with the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs. “I’m satisfied with
the explanations. Now we have a better idea of the situation and thus
we will decide what to do next”.
Press Secretary of the Foreign Minister Vladimir Karapetyan informed
“A1+” that according to the official position of the Armenian side
“it is extremely non-constructive to take the conflict to a structure
consisting of 190 members where there can be to specialized approach
towards the issue. Besides, the OSCE has been engaged in the issue
for more than 12 years and is well aware of the whole process”.

RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE DID NOT BECOME A PRECONDITION
A1+
[08:53 pm] 27 September, 2006
Today the European Parliament adopted a report about Turkey which
did not include the provision making the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide a precondition for becoming member of the EU. Instead,
according to the decision of the European Parliament, the opening of
the Armenian-Turkish border has become a precondition.
Nevertheless, the adopted variant of the report includes a call on
Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Let us remind you that the resolution adopted last September included
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a precondition. It is
noteworthy that the report was a legal one and does not have obligatory
power; it can be taken as advise, though extremely criticizing.
“The European Parliament regrets that the process of reforms has
slowed down”, the report says stressing that during the 11 months of
the process of membership in the EU Turkey has recorded “insufficient
progress” in securing freedom of speech, and defense of the rights
of women and religious and national minorities.

PARLIAMENT KNOCKED DOWN GOVERNMENT BILL
Panorama.am
15:23 27/09/06
The extraordinary session of the National Assembly did not adopt the
draft bill “On alienation of property for public and state needs”
collecting only 62 votes.
Earlier the opposition urged the government to take the draft back
suggesting organizing parliamentary hearings and propose a better
version.
Justice Minister Davit Harutunyan said, “The parliament may decide
to adopt the law in three hearings, if it decides to do so, but we
think it may also be adopted in two hearings.” Anyway, the bill
did not pass only because it did not collect four more necessary
votes.

ARMENIAN WOMEN DEMAND HIGHER QUOTA IN ELECTION CODE
Panorama.am
15:37 27/09/06
Armenian women have launched a movement trying to make amendments
in the Election Code. According to proposed changes, the women say
the quota should be 25% instead of present 5%. This means that every
fourth person in proportional list must be a woman.
Ruzan Khachatryan, member of People’s Party of Armenia, told a
press conference today this quota is made to please international
institutions, and European Parliament in particular, to show how
democratic Armenia is.
Twenty-two parties have joined this initiative.
Khachatryan, however, is pessimistic and thinks it will be knocked
down because Armenian Republican Party (HHK), the leading force in
the parliament, has not joined the effort. Khachatryan believes women
can compete with men without quota in case elections are free and
fair.

ARSHAK SADOYAN: ARMENTEL WILL BE SOLD TO PUTIN’S DAUGHTER
Panorama.am
16:12 27/09/06
Deputy of parliament, Arshak Sadoyan, expressed his opinion that
“Putin’s daughter may become ArmenTel’s owner.” Moreover, he said an
Arab company offers a higher price but it will be sold to Russians. If
telephone fees are raised, millions of dollars will go into the pocket
of the buyer, Sadoyan said.
Sadoyan also called everybody to join a demonstration on October 6. He
said they will march from Matenadaran to Public Services Regulatory
Committee demanding from the committee even not to deliberate the
proposal. The deputy believes even slightest pressure is enough to
keep the tariffs as they are.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SINGER HAIKO SPEAKS TO A PRESS CONFERENCE
Panorama.am
17:46 27/09/06
Singer Haiko addressed to the president of the republic to know why
he has awarded him the title of honored artists, Haiko told a news
conference today.
“Because there are many singers who come and go but you stay for a
long time,” the president has answered.
Haiko said he is not involved in politics and will not participate
in any pre-election campaigns.
The singer said he is doing well and the tickets of his upcoming
concert are sold well. Haiko said there will be no dances as it is
not within his style. He said there will be dozens of cameras “to
approach to the international level.”
The singer said he has received no concrete suggestions to participate
in Eurovision contest. He even said he is a little scared from rumors
that he may participate.
The singer is in search of his soul mate. He said he devotes his
songs to those who feel attached.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress