ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: COOPERATION IN POLITICAL SPHERE IS WIDER TODAY
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. A month ago when the Board of the
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) published a decision to convene a
special congress, this became an occasion of wide public-political
discussions, but “life and this congress came to prove that
various predictions that are often presented as “analyses” were
vain.” Andranik Margarian, RPA Chairman, RA Prime Minister, declared
this in his speech at the party’s 10th special congress held on
July 22.
“It is well known to everybody, that the political rearrangements
also resulted in change of the coalition format formed in 2003,
bringing new, more extended political consent with participation
of the Republican Party of Armenia, ARF Dashnaktsutiun, United
Labor Party, People’s Deputy and Business MP groups. The goal was
one, to preserve and continue the systematized reforms, programs
and works aimed at socio-economic development that had received
the confidence of the collective majority of our people in 2003
presidential and parliamentary elections becoming the main guideline
of the government’s activity,” Andranik Margarian said. He said that
the programs proposed by RPA were exact and purposeful and were aimed
at satisfaction of socio-economic, spiritual cultural requirements
of wide masses of the public.
Though preelection moods gradually emerge in the country and in the
political sphere, nevertheless, as RPA Chairman said, today cooperation
in the political sphere is wider, as a result of which the normal
activity of the government and NA preserves. The NA Republican faction
remains loyal to its political line supporting the government’s
activity and scheduled socio-economic programs within the framework
of the political agreements reached by it. Being guided by balanced
and purposeful policy our faction creates the legislative base of
work aimed at strengthening stable development, economic reforms,
as well as democratic principles,” Andranik Margarian declared.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND PETER SEMNEBY DISCUSS ARMENIA-EU RELATIONS, NAGORNO
KARABAKH PROBLEM AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 24,
RA President Robert Kocharian received Peter Semneby, Special
Representative of EU to the South Caucasus.
As NT was informed from RA President’s Press Office, Armenia-EU
relations, in particular, issues relating to coordination of the
Actions Plan with Armenia within the framework of the European New
Neighborbood program were discussed at the meeting.
They also spoke about the Nagorno Karabakh problem and regional
developments.

PETER SEMNEBY EXPECTS HOLDING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS FROM ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The work on the
Armenia-EU Actions Plan within the framework of the New Neighborhood
policy is coming to an end and it is quite possible that EU and the
three South Caucasian countries will sign the respective document
soon. RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and Special Representative
of EU to the South Caucasus Peter Semneby declared this at the July
24 joint press conference.
Both speakers expressed satisfaction with the results of Peter
Semneby’s visit to Armenia. As RA Foreign Minister said, during
his meeting with Semneby they discussed issues connected with the
course of preparation of the Actions Plan, peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenian-Turkish relations, situation on
the Georgian-Russian border, as, in Semneby’s words, the closure of
the Verin Lars check-point creates great problems for the region on
the whole. Besides, issues connected with the forthcoming parliamentary
elections of Armenia to be held in 2007 were discussed. Vartan Oskanian
emphasized that EU attaches great importance to holding of free and
fair elections.
In his turn, Peter Semneby said that a special attention is paid to
holding of democratic elections in the Actions Plan. After the adoption
of the Actions Plan holding of elections will have great qualitative
importance for the further interrelations between Armenia and EU,
as the provision on holding free and fair elections is one of the
most important ones in the Actions Plan.
“Our expectations from the forthcoming elections in Armenia are
that any elections should be held in accordance with the acting
standards. I expect the elections to be free and fair, after all,
Armenia has assumed the respective commitments towards the European
structures,” Peter Semneby declared.

ONE MORE REJECTION OF PEACEFUL PLAN BY AZERBAIJAN CAN SERIOUSLY COMPLICATE
SITUATION, VARTAN OSKANIAN THINKS
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “We do not expect
new proposals from OSCE Minsk Group American Co-chair Matthew Bryza,
our expectations from Bryza’s visit are connected with the circumstance
that he will return Azerbaijan to the negotiations table, at which the
frame agreement is discussed, and if Azerbaijan’s consent is received,
possibly, a new stage will start in the negotiations,” RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian declared at the July 24 joint press conference
with EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus Peter Semneby.
In the Minister’s words, a new proposal “cannot be born from air,”
as it should be a synthesis of the negotiations, and if there have not
been new negotiations, there can be no new radical proposals. Vartan
Oskanian did not exclude the possibility of Bryza’s presenting “small
changes connected with the prepared document.”
The Minister stated that the documents like the frame agreement
on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict proposed by the
Co-chairs are not created within a week but are born as a result of
long negotiations. “I think it will be a pity to once more miss such
an opportunity as this document. As this document will be the third
plan of the settlement after the “common state” and “Key West.” And
if Azerbaijan once more rejects the plan, I think the situation will
be seriously complicated,” Vartan Oskanian declared.
He did not exclude, either, possible developments in the negotiations
process in 2007: “Though the whole attention will be concentrated on
the elections, if a possibility is created next year, it should be
used by all means.”
Peter Semneby declared that EU pays a hightened attention to the
South Caucasus, as its borders become more and more close to this
region. Besides, EU shows a great interest in the South Caucasus
also in the respect of the peaceful settlement of the conflicts
existing there.
“We follow the process of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and are ready to take any measures aimed at increasing confidence
between the conflict parties,” Peter Semneby declared.

RA PRIME MINISTER SENDS MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE ON OCCASION OF DEATH OF
WELL-KNOWN PAINTER MARIAM ASLAMAZIAN
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian sent a message of condolence on the occasion of the
death of well-known painter Mariam Aslamazian. The message provided
to Noyan Tapan from RA Government Information and Public Relations
Department read:
“I present my deep condolences on the occasion of the death of
well-known painter Mariam Aslamazian and express my support to all
her relatives.”

ARMENIAN THEATERS ALSO TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF
EXPERIMENTAL THEATERS TO BE HELD IN EGYPT
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Two Armenian theaters are going to
take part in the International Festival of Experimental Theaters to
be held on September 10-21 in Egypt.
As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed from the Art Department
of RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, performances by S.Key
“Psychosis 4.48” staged by Suren Shahverdian at G.Sundukian National
Academic Theater and S.Mrozhek’s “So-vats-ner” staged by principal
producer of H.Tumanian State Puppet Theater Ruben Babayan will be
presented at the festival.

ROBERT AMIRKHANIAN NOT CONVINCED THAT COMPETITION ON SELECTING RA ANTHEM
WILL BE HELD HONESTLY
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. “The competition announced for
selecting RA national anthem to be held in May should pass in honest
conditions.” Robert Amirkhanian, Chairman of the Armenian Union of
Composers, declared this at the July 21 press conference. According
to him, the works presented at the competition will be performed at
halls, for the people to be able to make a choice.
“Unfortunately, all these works will be presented “in cabinet
conditions” and the choice will be made in a hurry, in August,”
R.Amirkhanian said. According to the composer, three months are a
short period for composing an anthem: years are necessary for it.
R.Amirkhanian also has his variant of anthem, but he has not presented
it to the competition yet. “I hesitate whether to present or not, as
I am not convinced that the competition will be fair,” the composer
said. R.Amirkhanian considers inadmissible to restore the anthem
by Aram Khachatrian, as it cannot reflect today’s life. “If we do
not want to accept the anthem by A.Khachatrian, it does not mean
that his name is endangered,” R.Amirkhanian said. At the same time,
he declared that the anthem by A.Khachatrian can be accepted only
then the works presented do not meet the competition’s requirements.

PREMIERE OF LOS ANGELES DOCUMENTARY BY COMPOSER ART MOKATS RESIDING IN
AMERICA TO BE HELD IN AUGUST IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The premiere of “Los Angeles” or
“10-1/2 Minutes Confession” documentary by talented composer Art
Mokats residing in America will be held in August in Yerevan on the
initiative of the Armenian Music Center. As NT correspondent was
informed at the Armenian Music Center, the film shooting started
as early as in 1995. But, for some reasons it stopped for several
years and they managed to completely finish shooting only this year.
The Americans themselves present their daily life in the film.
Music by Art Mokats is performed in the “10-1/2 Minutes Confession”
documentary, which received a special prize in the “original music”
nomination at the Aurora competition held in 2001 in the American
Salt Lake City.
To recap, part of the gain from sale of tickets in Yerevan will be
given to the Pyunik union of disabled.

LILIT MKRTCHIAN ENDS GAME WITH MAYA CHIBURDANIDZE IN A DRAW
KRASNOTURINSK, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. A women chess supper tournament
has started in the city of Krasnoturinsk, Russian Federation. 10
participants, from who 9 are grand masters, compete for the Northern
Ural Cup. The first tour was held on July 23. Lilit Mkrtchian,
representative of Armenia shared the point with former world champion
Maya Chiburdanidze, representative of Georgia.
The tournament will finish on August 1.

TENNIS MEN NATIONAL TEAM OF ARMENIA TO PERFORM IN THE 4RTH GROUP IN 2007
SARAYEVO, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The tennis players of Armenia descended
from the 3rd group of the Davis cup tournament to the 4th group. The
national team of Armenia performed unsuccessfully in the 3rd group
tournament held on July 17-23 in the city of Sarayevo, Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The national teams of Estonia and Monaco were recognized
the best among the 8 participant teams. They gained the right to
play in the higher, second group tournament in 2007.