ONE LIVES NOT ONLY CONSTITUTIONALLY BUT ALSO VIA GORIS-LACHIN-STEPANAKERT AND BACK
Lragir.am
26 July 06
The Armenian opposition, especially its leading part has always
surprised and will undoubtedly go on to surprise the society.
Formerly, however, the opposition used to surprise by the steps it
failed to take, whereas now it surprises by the steps it takes. It
would occur to hardly anyone to set out for Karabakh in such an
internal political, although relatively hot summer in Armenia.
However, the peculiarity of an idea is that it occurs to very few
people. And it is natural that at some moment Stepan Demirchyan would
decide to travel to Karabakh. One of the ancient races must have had
the custom that in order to know your rival you must know his place
of birth. There must be such a custom, but even if there is no such
custom, one day it should have been born for the first time. After
all, failures make a man stronger and wiser, and after all a man
understands in some year of his biography that one lives not only
constitutionally but also via Goris-Lachin-Stepanakert and back. And
after all, if they come from Karabakh to Armenia and become president,
why shouldn’t they go from Armenia and become president in Karabakh? In
brief, Stepan had a number of reasons to go to Stepanakert, even if
we do not take into account the magic factor of “the first time”.
In Nagorno Karabakh he was met adequately, on a president level. It
is true that the press service of Arkady Ghukasyan denied that
Stepan Demirchyan was invited by the NKR president, but at any rate,
Arkady Ghukasyan met with the leader of Ardarutiun Alliance kindly
and willingly. From the point of view of subordination this does
not fit into any logic, because Demirchyan’s visit is not official,
but let the one who will point to a step in the Armenian reality that
fits into subordination and logic be the first to banish Demirchyan
from Stepanakert. Let us leave alone logic, however, not to cut this
essential episode of the Armenian reality from the reality. And the
reality is that recently there has been a tendency of moving towards
Karabakh. Probably, Stepan Demirchyan followed Serge Sargsyan’s words
attentively that we must account for everything to Stepanakert.
Serge Sargsyan went there to given an account for Torino, Stepan
Demirchyan probably will give an account for Great Britain, where
he spent a holiday with his family several days ago. Of course,
it is surprising that a man who considers him president elect of
Armenia goes to give an account to the president of NKR. But Serge
Sargsyan said another thing too. He said one must know how to obey
in order to make obey. In other words, one must be obedient because
they will get the throne, and the powerful will be dethroned. Serge
did not say this, it is written in the Bible, but God is already on
the lips of the Republican Party. They even say the name of God is
mentioned twice in the program of the Republican Party. And several
days before receiving Stepan Demirchyan Arkady Ghukasyan had met with
the Catholicos and spoken about the importance of belief, although it
is not clear belief in who and in what. Probably God sent Demirchyan
to Karabakh, or he was rather sent by the one about the belief in
who Ghukasyan and the Catholicos had talked about. In this case,
the question occurs – why? Say Demirchyan went to Karabakh and saw,
say he understood what was all this about, say he felt reassured,
say he understood the secret of coming from Karabakh and becoming a
president. Let us suppose that it is unattainable for him. What next?
Say he accounted for Great Britain and got back. Well, the secret
is in the return. Demirchyan must return. Otherwise, the “sanctuary”
remains vacant, and anyone may take it.
HAKOB BADALYAN
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IT IS CLEAR WHO WILL NOT BE PRESIDENT
Lragir.am
26 July 06
Something is definitely wrong in Armenia. It’s been a long time we
have not seen the president carry out the instructions of the defense
minister. And when Robert Kocharyan approved of the membership of
the Republican Party through his spokesman, many people thought that
the years return in Armenia when the president was an observer,
and the defense minister ruled the country. However, this is only
the appearance. In fact, Robert Kocharyan needed to approve Serge
Sargsyan’s step. The point is that the president needs to show that
the internal political developments in Armenia take place under his
surveillance and with his approval, in other words, he keeps the
situation under control.
On the other hand, Serge Sargsyan understood this, in fact, when he
announced that the president would soon express his standpoint. The
defense minister understood that the president has to express his
opinion otherwise it would appear that Serge does whatever he wants
to do. Certainly, all Serge Sargsyan wants is to make this impression
for the administrative criminal consolidated around the Republican
Party to become convinced of the power and almightiness of the defense
minister. But if Robert Kocharyan himself stated his approval of the
action of the defense minister, it would appear that in fact he acts on
the instructions of Robert Kocharyan. For the defense minister it would
have a negative effect rather than a positive effect. The positive
effect would be that the circle which relies on him for the future
would become convinced that Serge Sargsyan is the heir of president.
It is highly important for the defense minister that his circle is
convinced. On the other hand, if the minister acts on the president’s
approval only, his prospects would be doubted because Robert
Kocharyan himself did not uncover his plans for the same circle,
as well as for everyone. In other words, in this case, no matter how
sure they are about the heir, they nevertheless rely on the one who
gives instructions. Hence, realizing the situation, realizing that
it was in the interests of the president to approve of the action
of the defense minister, Serge Sargsyan hurried to announce that
Robert Kocharyan would soon speak. And when the president spoke,
it appeared that he spoke on the “instruction” of Serge.
Now Robert Kocharyan needs to dispel this impression that he speaks on
the instructions of the defense minister. Therefore, besides approving
his membership to the political party, Robert Kocharyan also needs
to take other steps worthwhile for the lord of the situation. And he
literally pushed Gagik Tsarukyan onto the stage, who announced that
everyone who criticizes his political party had better meet with people
and find out what they think about them. He announced that they would
account for their vote. Tsarukyan also announced that some people are
getting too far and an adequate answer should be given to them. On
the next day Davit Harutiunyan appeared on TV and announced that the
next parliament of Armenia cannot be unipolar, and he did not exclude
that he may resign from the post of minister if he becomes member of
a political party. Hmayak Hovanisyan came forth between Tsarukyan and
Harutiunyan, who spoke about Serge Sargsyan for over an hour and did
not use the words “Fouchet” and “files”. Probably, he had heard that
Serge Sargsyan hates to be compared with anyone. It is not the time
to compare. “Fouchet, files, everything is gone, boss, everything,”
Hmayak appeared to be eager to tell this but he only said he could not
understand why Serge chose a suicide. How is he supposed to understand
if he keeps announcing that Serge Sargsyan is Robert Kocharyan’s heir
and the question is settled. Hmayak studied the history of France well,
almost excellently but he had forgotten about the Russian history. He
compared Serge with Fouchet, and Robert with Napoleon. He had forgotten
about Ivan Grozniy, “Boriska an emperor? Put him to death.”
“Boriska” can be only chair of the council of the Republican
Party. Kocharyan is still the president of the country, who has not
thought yet who his heir will be. He may have thought who will not
be his heir.
HAKOB BADALYAN

SISTEMA WILL BUY PART OF ARMENTEL AND MART
Lragir.am
26 July 06
We learned from the minister of trade and economic development Karen
Chshmarityan that there is no official message connected with the
sale of Armentel. Meanwhile, the names of the Russian company Sistema
and the Indian company Knightsbridge Associates have already appeared
in press. Karen Chshmarityan did not say anything about the second,
as for the Russian company, “Sistema is a rather serious company.
In some sense, I can say that this company will contribute greatly
to the business environment in Armenia.”
The same Russian company is likely to buy the factory MARS, which was
given to Russia under the project Property for Tax. Karen Chshmarityan
said he things there is not a political context. “The company has a
high-level management” and is far from political developments.

THE STORY OF A DROP OF BITUMEN
Lragir.am
26 July 06
Most people remember that before building, more exactly not building
a New Country Party Artashes Tumanyan, the head of the administration
of the president, was building the old country, more exactly, he
built the roads. By the way, there is a point of view that Artashes
Tumanyan could not build the New Country because he was building the
old country. Today it is already a history, but many episodes are
becoming known.
People who followed the activities of Lincy Foundation remember that
the United States stipulated that bitumen for roadworks should not be
bought from Iran. Our source assures that bitumen is imported from
Iran by one of the coalition parties. And the source standing close
to Lincy Foundation says Artashes Tumanyan coordinating the work of
the foundation registered a company in Kuwait with the help of the
same political party, which allegedly imported bitumen produced in
Kuwait via Iran but in fact Iranian bitumen. The point is that the
Iranian bitumen is cheaper than the bitumen produced in Kuwait. It
should be noted that Artashes Tumanyan was the third on the party
ticket of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation in 2003.

ARARAT GOLD RECOVERY COMPANY MAY LOSE LICENSE
Lragir.am
26 July 06
The minister of trade and economic development Karen Chshmarityan
told July 26 that Ararat Gold Recovery Company is looking for a
site to build a new factory outside the basin of Lake Sevan. The
government of Armenia had turned down the offer of the company to
build a factory 30 km from Lake Sevan for environmental reasons.
Afterwards the company had suggested that the government offer a site
to avoid more expenses on bills of quantities.
Besides, Karen Chshmarityan informed that the company is facing
problems with the Armenian legislation, it extended its problems to
the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and “as far as I know,
AGRC admitted they are having problems.” Karen Chshmarityan says
it is possible that the company will end up losing their license,
“Never say never.”

ANTI-CRIMINAL CONSULTATIONS IN THE POLITICAL SPHERE
Lragir.am
26 July 06
On these days when the contingent of the administrative criminal is
consolidating around the Republican Party is outlining more clearly
anti-criminal consultations are underway in the political sphere of
Armenia. The Lragir has learned that the consultations involving the
political parties are “without frontiers”, in other words, both the
pro-Western and pro-Russian forces take part in them. This consequence
would give a surprise but several weeks ago the representatives of
the Russian government stated that Russia is not likely to support
the criminal political groups in the CIS. Our source mentions that the
political consultations are over signing an anti-criminal agreement.

NOT ONLY ARMENIANS COME TO ARMENIA FROM LEBANON
Lragir.am
26 July 06
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Agency of
Migration of the Ministry of Territorial Management, over 550
Armenians have already arrived in Yerevan. 54 Armenians arrived
from Israel. On July 27 another 120 people will be evacuated. They
are mostly citizens of Armenia, however, according to the agency
of migration, foreigners move to Armenia as well, 51 have already
applied for temporary refuge. 49 percent are from Lebanon, 2 are from
Israel. The head of the agency of migration, they will be granted a
status and certificates.

TWO-DIGIT ECONOMIC GROWTH CONTINUES
Lragir.am
26 July 06
The minister of trade and economic development Karen Chshmarityan
summed up the economic policy of Armenia and the main tendencies of
development on July 26, in some cases for the first quarter of 2006,
in other cases for the first half. He did not give a surprise. As
in the past several years, our tiger bounces on in two-digit and
three-digit indices.
Armenia had a 10 percent economic growth in the first quarter but
Karen Chshmarityan is hopeful that by the end of the year the economic
growth will go above 10 percent, because in the second half of this
year new companies will be operated, the old companies will be spurred,
such as RUSAL, Nairit, etc. The minister declined to say how many jobs
there are in Armenia, but he noted that there is a shortage of labor,
especially with vocational education and workers. This gap cannot be
filled in because of low salaries, ineffective forms of management,
money transfers from abroad.
According to Karen Chshmarityan, in the first half of 2006 the
income of the population grew by 117.4 percent, expenditure by
119.2 percent. Karen Chshmariyan explains non-desirable realities
by desirable realities. For instance, imports grew by 130.6 percent,
exports grew by only 107.6 percent. According to Karen Chshmarityan,
the reason is the revaluation of the dram and the dominance of quality
goods in imports. The revaluation of the dram, which has turned into a
disaster for out republic living on foreign money transfers will also
produce a positive result, the minister believes. Not now, of course,
but for “investments and industries the revaluation of the dram is
positive”. As for investments, the minister of economic development
believes that there will be investments. In the first quarter of 2006
the amount of imported appliances, equipment grew. “Two companies
imported appliances for 70 million euros.”
Karen Chshmarityan announces that the scientific industrial complex
grew by 189.4 percent, because “innovative activities are stimulated,
science-based economy is becoming a public demand.” However, the
minister does not say why brain drain continues. Tourism also grew
in Armenia. It should be noted that 36.3 percent of tourists arrive
in Armenia on business, and only 22.1 percent come to Armenia for a
holiday. Tourism grew by 115.3 percent. And generally, the growth of
almost all the branches are three-digit. The least growth was in the
sphere of precious stones – 80 percent.

ARMENIA WILL RESPOND TO LEBANON’S CALL
Lragir.am
26 July 06
The press service of the government informs that the prime minister
instructed to hold a consultation on July 26 to discuss rendering
humanitarian aid to Lebanon. The consultation was conducted by Hovik
Abrahamyan, the minister of territorial management. It was mentioned
that Lebanon asked the countries of the world to provide aid, food,
medicine, tents, fire extinguishers and financial donations. During
the discussion, considering the existing possibilities, it was decided
to provide medicine, equipment and tents. After having the approval of
the prime minister, an instruction was given to the Ministry of Finance
and Economy to work out a draft decision, which will be discussed in
the meeting of the government on July 27. It was mentioned that after
the adoption of the decision the aid will be sent by a plane to Aleppo.

INVESTIGATION OF CRASH OF A320 IS OVER
Lragir.am
26 July 06
On July 26 the General Department of Civil Aviation under the Armenian
government received the official release of the Interstate Aviation
Committee on the findings of the investigation into the crash of A320.
The records of the black boxes and ground services were deciphered
and studied. The simulation model of the flight dynamics of A320 was
worked out to find out the conditions and circumstances of the flight.
As it had been reported, 6 km from the coast the plane plunged into
the Black Sea and sunk. Everyone on board died, including 8 members
of the crew and 105 passengers.
During the investigation it became known that the dispatcher instructed
the pilot to stop the landing because of the impermissibly low line
of clouds and at a height of 340 m the crew stopped the landing and
turned the plane right gaining height.
The captain of the crew switched off the automatic pilot and after a
short period of gaining height he started landing. With inadequate
actions of the captain of the crew the second pilot could not keep
the landing parameters under control. The further actions of the
crew were not coordinated and were insufficient to prevent the plane
from falling.
The engine and systems of the plane did not fail, the plane responded
to the instructions of both the autopilot and the crew. The fuel of
the plane was sufficient to end the flight.