200 NEEDY PERSONS RECEIVE FREE FOOD EVERY DAY FROM HRAZDAN CHARITABLE CANTEEN SPONSORED BY AGBU AND MOTHER SEE OF HOLY ECHMIADZIN
Noyan Tapan
May 31 2006
HRAZDAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. A charitable canteen sponsored by the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has been functioning in
Hrazdan for a year.
It opened on the initiative and with the assistance of the Mother
See of Holy Echmiadzin. According to the canteen’s director Vazgen
Hovhannisian, about 200 needy persons, mainly refugees, single
pensioners, disabled persons and vulnerable families receive free food
there once a day, except Sundays. Their list is approved by Hrazdan
mayor’s office, the head of the local social security department and
chairmen of condominiums, while the food menu – by the sponsor. “This
care for the needy is a continuous one,” the canteen director assured.

ARMENIAN CHESS-PLAYERS STRENGTHEN THEIR POSITIONS
Noyan Tapan
May 31 2006
TURIN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. In the 8th tour of the chess world olympiad
being held in Turin the Armenian men’s national team defeated the Cuba
national team with a score of 3 to 1 and strengthened its leading
positions. Vladimir Hakobian and Gabriel Sargsian defeated their
rivals and Levon Aronian and Karen Asrian drew their games. After this
victory the Armenian national team has gained 24 points and remains
in the lead. The national teams of Russia and the Ukraine take the
2-3rd places with 22 points each. In the 8th tour the Armenian women’s
national team defeated the team of India with a score of 2 to 1.
Lilit Mkrtchian and Elina Danielian defeated their rivals and Suranoush
Andreasian lost the game. The Armenian women chess-players share the
9-11th places with 15.5 points. The women’s national teams of Russia
(19 points), the Ukraine (18.5) and the U.S.(17) are in the lead.

FIASCO IN ANTI-CORRUPTION STRUGGLE IN PARLIAMENT
Lragir.am
31 May 06
On May 31 the National Assembly debated and rejected two bills,
which were said by the authors to be steps against corruption. These
bills were introduced by the government, and were supported by the
Republican majority, and were not adopted. One of the bills was on
the declaration of property and income of natural persons, the other
was on imprisonment for tax evasion.
“They speak about anti-corruption policies, transparency,
accountability but the changes to the Crime Code connected with tax
evasion is not passed. The bill on declaration of property and income
of natural persons, which is targeted at people whose monthly income
and salary exceed 500 thousand drams, is not adopted,” said Armen
Alaverdyan, Deputy Chief of the State Tax Agency, to news reporters
after the failure of the bills. Moreover, he says, if adopted, the
law on declaration would be enforced in 2008. Armen Alaverdyan says
the members of parliament demanded to change the bill on imprisonment
for tax evasion.
“We had made it softer, turned the threshold gradual, replaced
three million with six million. Property 40 million. The members of
parliament who did not vote last time, did not vote this time either.
I do not know why. Why are we talking about battling corruption,
pre-election programs and so on? Now shall we battle corruption or
not?” asks Armen Alaverdyan, who was very much upset by the failure
of the bills.
The majority of members of parliament who were, in fact, against
these laws, and either voted against or did not vote at all, explain
their action by the interests of people. They say a farmer does not
earn that much to declare his income and pay taxes. Armen Alaverdyan
thinks that this explanation is false and impertinent. “They blame
farmers for everything. You are sure not to find a farmer whose monthly
income is 500 thousand drams,” says Armen Alaverdyan. He concludes
from the failure of these bills that the members of parliament serve
the interests of people who earn over 500 thousand drams monthly and
are reluctant to declare anything rather than people.
From: Baghdasarian

FOREIGNERS CAN OWN LAND IN KARABAKH
Lragir.am
31 May 06
On May 31 the NKR parliament adopted amendments to the land
legislation. Hence, foreign nationals and persons without citizenship
who use land in Karabakh can own this land. Formerly, only the
nationals of NKR could own land in Karabakh.

BUSINESSMEN IN A DILEMMA
Lragir.am
31 May 06
On May 31 the parliament rejected the bill on accountability
of businessmen for tax evasion. It is directly related to those
businessmen who may go to prison for avoiding to pay six million drams
of taxes. The bill had been introduced several months ago and underwent
strictures from the members of parliament. Even the Orinats Yerkir
Faction, which was in the coalition then, criticized this government
action. Those who spoke against the bill say imprisonment should
be replaced by economic punishments, namely a fine. The businessmen
members of parliament did not stop debates on the bill even after the
government and the Republican-Dashnaktsutiun coalition had failed
to have the bill passed on May 31. In fact, a member of parliament
cannot run a business. However, everyone knows that many members of
parliament legally quit business posts but, in fact, continue running
businesses. The bill on accountability for tax evasion can be targeted
at them, even if they pay taxes. This might be the reason why the
members of parliament went on discussing the bill in the foyer of
the parliament even after it had been rejected.
Member of Parliament Khachatur Sukiasyan, the honorary president
of Sil Concern, was trying to explain the businessmen members of
parliament from the Republican faction that it is wrong to punish a
businessman for tax evasion. Republican Areg Ghukasyan (Salt Mine),
Ashot Baghdasaryan (Kilikia Beer), Manvel Ghazaryan (Vedi Alco), who
were listening to him, said Khachatur Sukiasyan was right. But those
Republican members of parliament, who disapproved the bill, did not
vote against it. Hence, the problem is political, and they obeyed the
political decision of their faction. But if the problem is political,
it must have a political motivation. Such could be the necessity
to put businessmen under a criminal press in the pre-election year,
so that the businessmen would not even consider supporting a force
that the government does not endorse.
Khachatur Sukiasyan, who thinks it is wrong to threaten a businessman
with accountability does not think that it has a political purpose.
“I do not think it has a political context. Well, what will these
two years do a businessman, or I do not know who, or an employee of
the businessman? Simply I think there was an unclear approach; they
might have wanted to solve a problem. I think if the state machine of
the Republic of Armenia proposes an action, it is very ineffective in
this sector. I mean if everything is coordinated and planned, even if
there is computer monitoring and control, there will be no necessity”
says Khachatur Sukiasyan. He says it is better to study the sphere
instead of threatening with imprisonment, and reveal the subjects
who bypass the law. Khachatur Sukiasyan does not even call them
businessmen because he would feel offended. According to Khachatur
Sukiasyan, the act of punishing businessmen for tax evasion is a
tool for facilitating the work of the state machine and increasing
its influence rather than forcing businessmen to political obedience.

ARMENIAN TEAM ALMOST A WINNER
Lragir.am
01 June 06
In the tenth round of the World Chess Olympiad the men’s team
of Armenia offered a serious bid to championship. The Armenian
chess players, who led the tournament chart with 26.5 points,
defeated the Chinese team, which held the second place with 25.5
points. The score was 2.5:1.5. With only three rounds left till the
end of the tournament, the men’s team of Armenia strengthened its
leading position with 29 points, and is ahead of the Chinese team
by 2 points. The Russian team rose to the third place on the chart,
beating the Ukrainian team 3:1. Hence, the Armenians are close to the
title of champion. Although our chess players still have three more
rounds to play, they have already played with the strongest teams on
the tournament and can surely defeat the other teams as well, and win
the title of champion on Chess Olympiad for the first time. So far
the best result of the Armenian team has been a bronze. The Armenian
chess players took the third place for three times.

SUBCONSCIOUS ARMENIAN SYNDROME: “POWERFUL SPEAKER”
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
01 June 06
It is difficult to imagine that the expression “power begets
right” could appear anywhere else on the Earth than the Armenian
highlands. And it is similarly hard to imagine that any people on
the Earth besides the Armenians could lay this idea at the basis of
upbringing of generations. It would be worthwhile to explain to the
generations that the notion of right emerged to restrict power. In
that case a number of things in our life would be different, and many
things would be perceived more deeply and receive more attention,
such as, for instance, the nomination of Galust Sahakyan as speaker
of the National Assembly by Member of Parliament Hakob Hakobyan,
elected from Echmiadzin.
Let us skip the political aspect of the problem and focus on
the explanation instead that Hakob Hakobyan cited to support his
proposal. The member of parliament said Galust Sahakyan would be a
more powerful speaker than Tigran Torosyan. Especially in controlling
the work of the parliament over the last few months, Hakob Hakobyan
emphasizes that a number of members of parliament share his opinion.
In this case, it is worthwhile believing his word because otherwise
we have to doubt the way of thinking and outlook of the society,
namely its member of parliament part, which starts and ends with the
expression “power begets right” and ends with quite specific ideas
about lawfulness. History does not seem to have offered reasons to
doubt this perception. In the meantime, it has provided vivid examples
of its existence, especially over the past 15 years. And if the experts
of the Council of Europe and Venice had difficulty understanding the
thesis of “powerful leader,” in the political system of Armenia it
is on the level of the subconscious mind.
In fact, what is “power” of a leader, if there is law, if there are
bylaws of the National Assembly, if there is a legal document on
the rights and duties of members of parliament, which are certainly
there? Is the word of the leader prior to the law?
Obviously, the first one is working in Armenia. And, unfortunately,
a major part of the public, even the part that seeks for legitimate and
fair governance, considers the factor of leader to be the key to it.
In this case, there remains no alternative to the “power” of a
leader if, of course, this powerful leader is not going to offer an
alternative to the expression “power begets right” bringing up the
future generations to the ideology “leader begets right.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA SHOULD REACT TO KILLINGS OF ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA
Lragir.am
01 June 06
On April 22 skinheads killed 17-years-old Vigen Abrahamyants in
Moscow. On May 25 19-years-old Arthur Sardaryan was killed by skinheads
again in Moscow. These two murders have common features.
Both victims come from Armenia, both used to live in Baku but in
1988-1989 they had to move to Moscow for well-known reasons. It has
been said for a number of times that the skinheads are controlled
by some Russian governmental agencies. Can these assassinations be
considered an anti-Armenian policy or a government action involving
skinheads? Is it adequate and worthwhile that Armenia react to
these murders on a governmental level, president, government,
foreign ministry? The political forces of the parliament answer
these questions.
Hrant Khachatryan (Constitutional Right Union) In Russia, extremist
movements and groups have emerged along with liberalism, and the
Russian mass media offer an overall coverage of the activities of
such groups. It appears as if these groups do not have the direct
support of the authorities, Russia is a vast country, and there
can be groups, which are independent from the government, or gangs
connected with local authorities. It is more interesting to know
whether these incidents involving Armenians are connected with the
authorities on this or that level. It is difficult for me to answer
because even the Armenian media in Moscow put forward controversial
opinions. Racism and discrimination have been observed in Russia
over the past 15 years. Formerly, in the Soviet years these appeared
only in jokes and non-human relations. I have never lived in Moscow,
but my brother lives there and he told me not to go out after 8 in
the evening. He meant the appearance rather than nationality.
Tigran Torosyan (Republican) I think, there should be facts to speak
about an intended policy and purposefulness. On the other hand,
the content is the same in both an accident and a purposeful act.
Armenian young people were killed in Russia, and the statements that
these are connected with different disputes are not quite reasonable.
The facts are so forceful that the relevant Russian agencies have
to consider them. I do not want to say that it is an anti-Armenian
policy. But this phenomenon is reaching tremendous levels, and it
is a serious threat for Russia, it is evident. Although we should
first think about our compatriots. Facts and data are required for a
reaction on behalf of the government of Armenia to sound reasonable,
because this is a very subtle problem.
Galust Sahakyan (Republican) I do not think this is a purposeful
action. Dozens of people are killed in Russia daily. The
characterizations by our NGOs given for this specific case make
me think that the problem is a chauvinistic movement, and we have
victims. I do not think the government should respond officially. The
person killed recently was a citizen of Russia, and our embassy gave
a response, which is the standpoint of official Armenia.
Vahram Baghdasaryan (People’s Deputy) I think it is dangerous to make
suggestions on this case. This could be a mere coincidence.
Moscow with its size and population is like a country rather than a
city. The rate of murder can reach 100. If the investigation reveals
that this was purposeful, we must respond on a governmental level.
Victor Dallakyan (Ardarutiun) I can see anti-Armenian movements and
the phrase “Glory to Russia” uttered during the murder means that it
was intended. I guess all this is directed by someone. I would not
like to draw parallels, but when the accident involving an Indian
student happened, the Indians came together. Since, unfortunately,
these actions against Armenia are becoming frequent, we certainly need
to react. Our foreign ministry should react through diplomatic pipes.

IS BUSINESS WITHOUT POWER POSSIBLE IN ARMENIA?
Lragir.am
01 June 06
Recently the Armenian officials, namely Garnik Isagulyan, the
adviser to president, and Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan have
announced that business is always beside the government and it is
always difficult for a businessman in opposition. It turns out that
the opinions of businessmen and public officials on this question
do not always coincide, and if the businessmen, who left Orinats
Yerkir, confirmed the official standpoint, there are businessmen,
whose opinions slightly differ.
“I do not know what Isagulyan and the prime minister said, but I
know that in any case, the same government, or government official,
conducting a wrong policy or taking wrong actions against the state
must be criticized by every businessman, or a normal person, a normal
citizen; and every citizen must demand from him and be more tough with
him, let alone the members of parliament and businessmen members of
parliament,” said Khachatur Sukiasyan in answer to Lragir.am.
According to him, it is possible to run a business in Armenia
without the protection of the government. “What does it mean “without
power?” Yes, there are laws in Armenia, follow the law and work.
The problem is the conditions under which you and your competitors will
be working. There are approaches, which are difficult to understand,
but I can say the opposite for the majority of cases. For the majority
of cases, there is more positive, there are more people who observe
the law,” says Khachatur Sukiasyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHOSE SOCIAL PROBLEMS IS LABOR PARTY SOLVING?
Lragir.am
01 June 06
The post of the chair of Health and Social Committee will be given
to the United Labor Party, the political party of Gurgen Arsenyan,
on an arrangement made inside the government. The leader of the ULP
told the news reporter of Lragir.am on May 31 that they are going to
nominate Mnatsakan Petrosyan, member of the ULP faction.
This is very interesting because Mnatsakan Petrosyan is genuinely
concerned about the social problems of citizens. Quite recently,
the National Assembly passed the law on cutting the lump-sum tax
on the import of cigars to Armenia. No doubt, the law improves the
social state of cigar importers, cutting the lump-sum tax from 1.5
million to half million drams per 1000 cigars. Moreover, the cigar
importer is a citizen of Armenia, consequently Mnatsakan Petrosyan
started thinking about the social state of the citizens long before
taking up the post of chair of committee. It is also possible that
he was nominated thanks to this.
The point is that Mnatsakan Petrosyan is nominated by the ULP
faction. It is said that Gurgen Arsenyan, the leader of the ULP
faction, imports cigars to Armenia. Gurgen Arsenyan is also said to
own the building built in front of the Conservatoire, which is going
to be a cigar club. However, it is also possible that all this is an
exaggerated picture of the possibilities of Gurgen Arsenyan, which
is far from being true. Consequently, the nomination of Mnatsakan
Petrosyan has nothing to do with the cigars, and it was done for
the sake of the Republic of Armenia and for the sake of well-being
of citizens.