KOCHARYAN: ARMENIA’S ARMED FORCES POWERFUL DEFENDER OF ARMENIA
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 21 2006
YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. The armed forces of the Republic of
Armenia are a powerful defender of the Motherland of all Armenians.
The Republic of Armenia is the greatest achievement of determined
hard work of many generations, RA President Robert Kocharyan stated
at a military parade in Republic Square in Yerevan.
He congratulated the parade participants, servicemen, Armenian citizens
and guests on the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. However,
it took in a war, energy crisis, blockade, and all the hurdles of
the transitional period.
Kocharyan stated that for the people with millennia long history the
last fifteen years of statehood is just a blink. However, it took in a
war, energy crisis, blockade, and all the hurdles of the transitional
period. The starting point for establishing Armenian statehood was
extremely difficult.
“The starting point for establishing Armenian statehood was extremely
difficult. But the spirit of our people was high and great was the
desire to overcome all the difficulties in the name of freedom and
dignity. In the flames of war that spirit gave birth to heroes and
formed the army, which we are proud of,” Kocharyan said.
He stressed that today Armenia is a steadily developing country.
Successful reforms are underway in all areas of life. The high tempo
of economic growth makes Armenia a new, more promising country. It
is of vital importance, since competitive and effective economy is
the main guarantee for the building of a truly democratic state.
A number of strategic programs, which are being implemented in our
country, are aimed at the general development and advancement of our
people and our country, and particularly, at the resolution of social
problems. Among priorities the state has identified poverty reduction,
improvement of life quality, and equal development of the country as
a whole.
“In the establishment of the Armenian state the input of Diaspora is
hardly to be overestimate,” Kocharyan said.
Symbolically, the third Armenia-Diaspora conference is also being held
during these jubilee celebrations. It is also important that through
the years of independence the factor of Diaspora has been revaluated,
and our relations have become reciprocal and complementary, he said.
“In foreign relations Armenia has proved to be a stable, reliable and
predictable partner. We continue to successfully deepen the engagement
of our country in international affairs, preserving and strengthening
at the same time traditional ties,” Kocharyan said.
The Armenian President added that a just resolution of the NK
conflict remains the highest priority. And it can only be based
on the respect and recognition of the Artsakhi people’s right to
self-determination. He stressed that nothing should threaten security
and development of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic.

ARMENIA HEADING ROAD OF FREE MARKET AND FAIR COMPETITION
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 21 2006
YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. Armenian authorities have taken the
road of free market, fair competition and effective administration,
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan said Wednesday at the second
economic forum held as part of Independence Day celebration in Armenia.
In his opinion, this road leads to nation prosperity and stable
economic development.
The premier said that some government-led programs focused on the
country’s economic development would lay favorable ground for faster
economic development.
As an example of these programs, the PM singled out poverty reduction
program.

SURPRISE AKP MOTION DERAILS SEMINARY REOPENING
The New Anatolian
Sept 22 2006
Plans by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party government to
reopen the Heybeliada Seminary to Orthodox worshipers from around the
world were blocked yesterday by dissent from within the party itself
as well as opposition parties.
Debates were sparked after an unexpected motion, submitted by Industry
and Commerce Minister Ali Coskun, was passed, and created tension
within the AK Party as well.
AK Party deputies grew wary about the motion after warnings from main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputies, but the fact
that the motion was submitted by Coskun troubled AK Party deputies.
The AK Party’s deputy group leader said on Wednesday that the bill
was to be amended on Thursday. However yesterday debates on the
bill on private educational institutions were postponed. AK Party
officials stressed that the motion was submitted by Coskun, adding,
“Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is abroad and Education Minister Huseyin
Celik is outside Ankara. The ministers should solve the issue among
themselves after Gul and Celik return to Ankara. The motion to amend
the bill can be debated on Tuesday.”
At the session yesterday, which wasn’t attended by Celik because he
was on a domestic visit with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
Industry and Commerce Minister Ali Coskun submitted an unexpected
motion. Coskun’s motion wasn’t disclosed to either ruling Justice and
Development (AK) Party or main opposition Republican People’s Party
(CHP) deputies. The motion about the seminary was passed after a
rapid vote by Deputy Parliament Speaker Sadik Yakut, who chaired the
session. Following that, the CHP deputies claimed that the 1923 Treaty
of Lausanne had been violated, as well as the reciprocity principle
with Greece.
The motion submitted by Coskun proposes a change in the definition of
minority schools. “Minority schools: Preschool, primary and secondary
education institutions founded by Turkish citizens that belong to
non-Muslim minorities, are protected under the Treaty of Lausanne and
educate students with Turkish nationality or foreign nationals who
belong to minority groups or are of the same religion and ethnicity
as a minority group,” said the motion.
The motion proposes the removal of the phrase “founded by Greek,
Armenian and Jewish minorities” from the second article of the
bill, saying that it is necessary to do so to harmonize it with the
terminology of the Treaty of Lausanne. The reasoning for the motion
said that the terms “Greek” and “Armenian” are ethnic, while the term
“Jewish” is religious. Coskun said, in the reasoning for the motion,
that the related articles of the Treaty of Lausanne don’t say that
students who belong to non-Muslim minorities and aren’t Turkish
nationals can’t attend minority schools.
CHP Deputy Mustafa Gazalci asserted that the motion expanded the
scope of minority schools, adding, “The Treaty of Lausanne may have
been violated. The Foreign Ministry’s opinion should be sought. The
principle of reciprocity might have been violated. The motion would
make it possible for all people belonging to non-Muslim minority
groups to set up schools and for the establishment of schools that
foreign national students could attend.”
True Path Party (DYP) Deputy Ummet Kandogan also criticized Coskun,
saying, “We look at the motions you submit; what’s the reason
for Coskun’s interest in foreigners? I claim that if this bill
were proposed by another party in power, you would demolish this
Parliament. I know all of you. What’s happened to you that you remain
silent when such a motion is brought up? Why do you insist on making
mistakes?”
For his part, CHP Sinop Deputy Engin Altay asserted that the bill
opens the way for missionary schools. After Altay said, “The bill
makes electricity and water prices for private schools the same as
for public schools. Make it the same as for mosques; it’s cheaper,”
the AK Party asked him whether he has anything against mosques. In
reply, Altay said, “I don’t know whether you believe enough to question
me. Don’t ever attempt to teach us Islam.”
“That’s enough of things imposed by the European Union,” said Altay.
“My pride is hurt by them. I support EU accession, but it hurts
my pride to harm our national interests. I believe these aren’t
harmonization but mortgage laws.”
The motion would allow Greek, Armenian and Jewish students, who
aren’t Turkish citizens, to attend minority schools in Turkey. CHP
deputy group leader Haluk Koc asked whether the term “Greek” will be
removed from minority schools in Turkey, like “Turkish” was removed
from schools in Western Thrace, Greece.
Justice Commission member Orhan Eraslan accused the AK Party of
secretly opening seminaries. Eraslan claimed that the motion was
passed at the request of the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate to
accept foreign students of the same religion and ethnicity, to reopen
the seminary, which closed down because there weren’t enough students
at the school. Eraslan said that the AK Party government previously
allowed the election of foreign members to the patriarchate’s Holy
Synod assembly and that the Fener Greek patriarch uses the title
“Ecumenical Greek Patriarch of Constantinople.”
“When will the Constantinople Greek state or a Byzantine Orthodox one
be established on the historical peninsula after these adjustments?”
asked Eraslan. “Are you aware that the changes violate the Treaty of
Lausanne? When will you stop taking orders from the patriarch?”

HSBC HOLDINGS TO EXPAND ACTIVITIES IN ARMENIA
ARMINFO News Agency
September 23, 2006 Saturday
President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan received President and CEO of
HSBC Holdings plc. Stephen K.Green and the delegation accompanying
him, Saturday.
The presidential press-service reports the parties as discussing the
activity and plans of HSBC in Armenia, as well as the bank’s entry
into the country’s insurance market.
Robert Kocharyan mentioned that the bank’s credit portfolio has
occupied an important place in the economy of Armenia. At the same
time, he thinks that the banks should further take active steps towards
strengthening of the country’s financial sector. In his turn, Stephen
K. Green said that HSBC Holdings is currently working to expand its
activity in Armenia.
At present, HSBC is Adviser to Greek OTE in the sale of the latter’s
90% stake in ArmenTel company.
According to the ranking of Armenia’s commercial banks prepared by
Arminfo rating service, HSBC Bank Armenia ranks the first in the
country’s banking system with its $170.7 mln assets for June 30 2006.
As to crediting, the bank occupies the third place ($55.6 mln, 33%
of total assets). As to the share of economy crediting in the bank’s
crediting portfolio (over 55%, $30.8 mln), it is in the third place.
The bank is a leader in the market of mortgage crediting – $17.6 mln.
The bank completed the current year with $3,5 mln net profit, taking
the first place in the banking system of Armenia due to this indicator.

KOCHARYAN: SERIOUS ALL-EMBRACING MARKET REFORMS OBSERVED IN ARMENIA
ARMINFO News Agency
September 23, 2006 Saturday
“I was against any other non-market mechanisms of interaction,”
said Armenian President Robert Kocharyan in an interview with “Vesti
Nedeli” TB program in connection with the rise of gas tariffs by
Russia. Presidnet Kocharyan said all-embracing market reforms in all
the spheres of economy are observed in Armenia. Infrastructure reforms,
first of all in the sphere of energy, were very serious.
“The energy system is effective. Where the system works and on
the basis of market relations, this transition (to market prices
-ed.) is always less painful. Price fluctuations are compensated by
the efficiency of economy, and often by the general process of pricing.
That is why I saw no problems here, though I had rather difficult
negotiations,” Robert Kocharyan said. The president thinks that it
would be even strange considering the problem separate from the market
conjuncture “as market reforms in Armenia were implemented thoroughly.”
In this connection, Robert Kocharyan brought the history of
establishment of Armenian-Russian joint venture ArmRosgazprom. “We
founded it in 1998, 45% of the shares belong to Gazpron, 45% to Armenia
and 10% to ITERA. I see no position where we lose something in this
deal. Gas supply to Armenia is at the highest level in the CIS in
conditions of the lack of own reserves. Multi-million investments are
made. Gas is effectively used on enterprises. And the venture itself
is rather profitable,” the president said.

FOREIGN MINISTER OSKANIAN PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON EUROPE’S STRATEGIC RESPONSES
ARMINFO News Agency
September 23, 2006 Saturday
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian participated in the 10th Bertelsmann
Forum, held in Berlin, Germany, on September 22, 23, reports the
press service of the Armenian Foreign Minstry.
The one and a half day conference convened on Saturday afternoon with
opening remarks by Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, French Prime
Minister Dominique de Villepin, EU Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. The audience of
100+ political leaders, which included former German Foreign Minister
Hans-Dietrich Genscher and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger,
heard perspectives on Europe’s Strategic Responses, as the conference
is entitled.
Following the opening session, Minister Oskanian participated in a
panel on The Balkans and the Black Sea – a Litmus Test for Europe.
The panel also included the presidents of Bulgaria, Romania and
Azerbaijan, and the Prime Minister of Montenegro.
Throughout the discussion, Oskanian affirmed that the region’s litmus
test for Europe would be an effective European Neighborhood Policy,
the functionality and integrity of the Black Sea region, and practical
approaches to conflicts.
During a lively discussion on Kosovo, Minister Oskanian cautioned
against denying peoples their right to self-determination, simply
out of political expediency. If the world were guided by a fear of
setting precedents, he said, half the countries in the world today
would not exist. But there has to be strict criteria, he said, and
the chief principle should be whether the state can claim the moral
authority to rule.
The Bertelsmann Foundation is sponsored by the Bertelsmann Group,
the world’s largest publishing company.

ARMENIANS ARE NOT A BURDEN IN ANY COUNTRY: ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
ARMINFO News Agency
September 23, 2006 Saturday
Armenians are not a burden in any country. They are economically
active and enterprising and as a rule are actively integrated in
the economy of the country they live in, Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan says in an interview to Vesti Nedeli TV program (Russia)
when asked about the growing number of attacks on Armenians and other
Caucasians in Russia.
Kocharyan says that some patriotic moods are obviously rising in
Russia. There were years when Armenians felt themselves humiliated
in Russia but now the situation is changing. We should carry out
explanatory work with people to make this change tangible – first of
all, for Russia itself, says Kocharyan.
Asked about the level of knowledge of Russian in Armenia, Kocharyan
says that today it is lower than in the Soviet times. But for a small
country like Armenia it is simply indispensable to know foreign
language. “We simply can’t translate all necessary literature,
particularly technical one, into Armenian and in order to get full
value education it is necessary to know foreign language.” “It’s
God’s will that we know Russian and I think we realize it.” Kocahryan
says that broadcasting of Russian channels in Armenia is a very
important factor for raising the level of knowledge of Russian in
the country. “I would like the Russian side to be more active in
the matter. I think that any educated person in Armenia should know
Russian and one European language.”
Asked if Armenia will live calmly in the next 1.5 years, Kocharyan
says: “I think yes. You mean elections? I think we have an immunity
in the matter.”

KARABAKH ARMY’S AIR DEFENCE UNITS HOLD DRILL
ARMINFO News Agency
September 23, 2006 Saturday
Stepanakert [Xankandi], 23 September: Air defence units of the
Nagornyy Karabakh republic’s [NKR] army have held a training exercise
in Karabakh.
The main task of the exercise was to discover and eliminate the
supposed enemy’s facilities used to carry out an air strike, our
Arminfo correspondent in Stepanakert has reported.
The command, in particular, noted that both commanders and soldiers
coped with their duties and displayed a creative approach.

NKR FM CONGRATULATED HIS ARMENIAN COLLEAGUE WITH INDEPENDENCE DAY
ARMINFO News Agency
September 22, 2006 Friday
NKR Foreign Minister, Georgy Petrossyan, has congratulated his Armenian
colleague, Vardan Oskanyan, with the Day of Armenia’s Independence.
“Within the past years, the Armenian people had laid the foundation
of two Armenian republics, having overcome all the difficulties,
creating and enriching its history. Our task is to strengthen the
achievements of independence in a quickly changing world”, it is
noted in the message. Having highly appreciated the cooperation of
Foreign Ministries of Armenia and NKR, Petrossyan expressed hope that
the joint efforts of the two states will promote efficient resistance
to challenges, set to the Armenian people.
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA CONGRATULATED HIS ARMENIAN COLLEAGUE WITH
INDEPENDENCE DAY
The President of Russia Vladimir Putin has congratulated RA President
Robert Kocharyan with the 15th Anniversary of Armenia’s Independence.
As the Kremlin press-office informs, the President of Russia noted
in hic message that “Armenia has always been and still is a reliable
friend and ally for Russia. We are united by centuries-old traditions
of cooperation, by close cultural and spiritual relations . I am sure
the Russian-Armenian relations will henceforth develop for further
deepening of strategic partnership and alliance”, it is said in RF
President’s message.
PRESIDENT OF TAJIKISTAN WISHES ARMENIAN PEOPLE PEACE AND WELFARE
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonov has sent a congratulation
telegram to his Armenian colleague Robert Kocharyan on the occasion
of the Independence Day of Armenia, RIA “Novosti” reports.
Particularly, President Rakhmonov says that the good tradition of
friendly relations of the two countries and peoples is dear to
Tajikistan. “We intend to exert great efforts to strengthen and
develop these relations,” he says. The president sends best wishes
to his Armenian counterpart on the occasion of the 15th Independence
Anniversary of Armenia. For conclusion, the president of Tajikistan
wishes Robert Kocharyan health, happiness and further success, and
peace and welfare to the Armenian people.
PRESIDENT OF BELARUS CONGRATULATES ROBERT KOCHARYAN ON INDEPENDENCE
DAY OF ARMENIA
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko congratulated President
of Armenia Robert Kocharyan on national holiday, Independence Day,
BELTA agency reports.
In his message, President Lukashenko expresses satisfaction with the
mutual understanding, trust and active cooperation of Armenia and
Belarus. The president is confident in the further development of
Armenian-Byelorussian friendly ties.
PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN SENDS CONGRATULATION MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT
OF ARMENIA ON OCCASION OF 15TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA
President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov sent a congratulation
message to his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan on the occasion
of the 15th Independence Anniversary of Armenia.
In his message, President Niyazov, in particular, says that they in
Turkmenistan highly appreciate the present level of relations with
Armenia. The president is deeply convinced that these relations will
continue developing and strengthening for the welfare for the two
peoples. President Niyazov sincerely wishes the friendly people of
Armenia health, happiness and welfare, as well as peace, prosperity
and progress.

IN LEVEL OF I.T. USE BY SOCIETY ARMENIA IS COMPARABLE WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES
ARMINFO News Agency
September 22, 2006 Friday
The level of IT use by society in Armenia is one of the lowest
in the world and is comparable to the indices of Ghana, Kenya and
Zimbabwe, says the executive director of the Union of IT companies
Karen Vardanyan.
Even though Armenia is quickly developing chip design very small
number of Armenians use IT in both everyday life and business.
In order to improve the situation Vardanyan suggests equipping schools
with relatively cheap portable computers – Armenia will need some
$15-20 mln for buying each such computer for $100. Besides it is
necessary to convince our people that IT are not just for leisure
but for raising the efficiency of work, syas Vardanyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress