POLITICAL DUEL
A1+
[06:45 pm] 13 September, 2006
Armen Ashotyan from the Republican Party and leader of the Democratic
Party Aram G. Sargsyan, the guests of “Mirror” club, were to debate
about foreign policy, particularly about regional problems, but
gradually the debate was taken to the inner political field.
The sides debated mixing together the present and the past. The
journalists blamed Aram Sargsyan for repeated thoughts for the last
seven years. Asked the question if the opposition does not blame
itself for four years’ idleness Aram Sargsyan said, “Not four but two”
and noted that the opposition has not done anything after the famous
April 2004 events. “What could they do if their opponent followed
the principle of brutal force? ” He added that the only mistake of
the opposition was that “they did not lead the people to destroy
those authorities”.
Has Aram Sargsyan himself made any mistakes? To the journalist’s
hint about entering Robert Kocharyan’s administration he answered,
“I rectified my error resigning after a year”.
Armen Ashotyan noted that the issues are of mutual interest. He said
that if the authorities consisted only of “thieves and robbers” as Aram
Sargsyan claimed, it would be easy for the opposition to distinguish
itself. But the opposition did not make use of that chance. According
to Ashotyan, “maybe they did not have enough chances, or they may
have failed to assess the situation”.
Ashotyan blamed his opponent for not having a political plan
and for intolerance towards the Republican Party and “Prospering
Armenia”. According to him, the governing parties have those political
features which the people need today.
Aram Sargsyan was angry at the fact that “his opponent protects the
authorities”. Ashotyan’s last announcement that there are no political
crimes in Armenia made not only Sargsyan but also the journalists
outrageous. Vainly did they try to remind him about irrefutable facts
about suchlike crimes.
After the end of the debate Aram G. Sargsyan informed “A1+” that next
time he is invited to a similar debate he will turn the invitation
down, or he will try to make sure that the debate will be about
“serious themes”.

YOUNG REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NEW TIMES ARE MOLESTED
A1+
[06:51 pm] 13 September, 2006
The party “New Times” has made a statement which says, “We have noted
cases of encroachment against the head of the youth wing of the party
“New Times” Narek Malyan lately.
In particular, some people calling themselves “representatives of
the system” have tried to terrify him. The party “New Times” calls
on the state structures and law enforcement bodies to be more alert
and announces with all seriousness that in case of any act of terror
or violence directed against its members the party will resort to
similar measures in answer”.

NO ONE WANTS TO BE DEPUTY SPEAKER OF NA
A1+
[07:02 pm] 13 September, 2006
The issue about electing a new second deputy speaker of the NA is
not being discussed today. Leader of the Republican faction Galoust
Sahakyan informed that so far no one wants to take that post, “Only
6 months are left for the activity of the Parliament and we may even
fail to have a new second deputy speaker”.
According to Sahakyan, “The problem can be about the arrangement of
the political powers. They were to put forward someone’s candidacy
so that we could discuss it”.
Deputy President of the NA Vahan Hovhannisyan noted in an interview
to “A1+” that it is all the same to him who will become the second
deputy speaker, “but the issue is not even in the agenda”, he added.

THE RESULTS OF THE EARTHQUAKE ARE NOT ELIMINATED IN GYUMRI
A1+
[07:52 pm] 13 September, 2006
There are still 4000 homeless families in Gyumri who were deprived
of their houses because of the earthquake. There are also families
who have sold their houses for this or that purpose. Many refugees
face that problem. The priorities of the new housing program are
not cleared out yet. Nevertheless, according to preliminary data,
the program will solve the housing problem of about 500 families.
The office of “Habitat” which operates under the control of the UN
realizes housing programs all over the world. The representatives
of the European and Asian countries of the “Habitat” visited Gyumri
today with the aim of realizing a new housing program there.
The aim was to get acquainted with the housing problems in the region
and to find the possible variant of supporting the needy families
together with the regional authorities.
After carrying out investigations the group will make a decision
about putting the housing program into practice.

“ARMAN SAHAKYAN’S CANDIDACY IS NOT A POLITICAL FACTOR”
A1+
[08:27 pm] 13 September, 2006
“The last decision of the Republican Party cannot become reason for
tension inside the party”, leader of the Republican faction Galoust
Sahakyan informed “A1+”. “I would not like to make the factor of Arman
an inner political problem. Of course the political powers try to do
so, but the party itself decides its own policy”.
Galoust Sahakyan informed that “all the members of the Republican
party are ready to obey the decisions made by the Party”. He said
that he does not consider putting forward Arman Sahakyan’s candidacy
for the post of the community head of Ajapnyak a political factor and
“is not going to organize political actions”. “He is an independent
individual and I don’t think he must depend on my words. He knows that
he has to fight for reaching his aims and that I will support him”.
Asked the question if Arman Sahakyan could not put forward his
candidacy in another community and enjoy the support of the party
without colliding with the Artsrun Khachatryan factor, Galoust Sahakyan
noted, “Arman Sahakyan’s candidacy is not against anyone. The fifth
generation of Sahakyan’s is living in Ajapnyak”.

DRAFT BILL SUGGESTS DEPUTIES TO KEEP TO ETHICS NORMS
Panorama.am
14:08 13/09/06
One of Armenian Republican Party (ARP) members, Sukias Avetisyan,
expressed his discontent with the bill on the discipline of deputies
at the National Assembly.
The deputy said it is more proper for schoolchildren.
In fact, Avetisyan’s discontent was addressed to Ararat Malkhasyanm,
who is the co-author of the bill and a member of the same ARP. The
authors of the bill say they have considered the experience of
countries at different stages of democratic development in drafting
the bill. The bill says, “Deputies are obliged to be present at
the sessions of the National Assembly and the committees to which
they are members.” It also says, “the deputy must be honest,
self-restrained, tolerant. He/she must never abuse his official
position and avoid rude words in oral and written speech. He/she
must be respectful during communication with any person (persons)
and keep to ethics norms.” According to the draft, “A deputy of the
National Assembly votes in person and only for himself during the
sessions.”

ARP REFUTES POLITICAL CRIMINALISM IN ARMENIA
Panorama.am
18:49 13/09/06
Large-scale criminalism has troubled the opposition in the republic
and they have launch anti-criminal fight.
“No one is protected and even top public officials.
Measures should be taken,” Aram Sargsyan, Armenian Democratic Party
(ADP) chairman told a discussion with Armen Ashotyan, Armenian
Republican Party (ARP) member and member of parliament.
However, Ashotyan believes that criminalism is a natural phenomenon
and he learns about it from 02 newspaper. “But if criminalism
is politicized and directed against one political force, it is a
black PR,” Ashotyan said casting doubts that criminalism originates
from ARP. “There is no political criminalism in Armenia and in the
Republican Party,” he said. Angry reporters referred to several
incidents connected with Suren Khachatryan known as Liska and Ruben
Hairapetyan known as Nemets Rubo – both ARP members. However, Ashotyan
firmly affirmed, “It is not criminalism,” blaming reporters in lacking
clear dispositions and performing someone’s orders.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DISCUSSES ITS RULES AND REGULATIONS
Panorama.am
19:09 13/09/06
The National Assembly Rules and Regulations, draft bills proposed by
several factions, will continue tomorrow. The secretary of Justice
fraction, Grigor Harutunyan, says the National Assembly is playing
a performance but, in fact, aims to keep to old powers.
He also said the deputies praise the bill proposed by United Working
Party (UWP) only because it is part of ruling coalition now. “I think
there is a political trade going on here,” Harutunyan said.
Arshak Sadoyan, Member of Parliament, said this parliament has no
right to develop regulations for the upcoming parliament. He was
attacked by Gurgen Arsenyan, UWP chairman, saying Sadoyan does not
believe he will appear in the next parliament. “I am sure we will be
in the next parliament and even aspire for being in the majority,”
he said.

PARLIAMENT SPEAKER ADORES ARMENIA’S FRIENDLY TIES WITH IRAN
FARS News Agency
14 Sep 2006
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad
Adel appreciated the Republic of Armenia for its friendly attitude and
kindness to Iran during the two thousand years of the two countries’
neighborly relations.
Visiting Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel met with
his Armenian counterpart Teigran Torousian in Yerevan on Tuesday,
a statement released by the Information and Press Department of the
Islamic Consultative Assembly said.
During the meeting, Haddad Adel described the two countries’ ties in
the last 15 years as exemplary and stated that ever since the victory
of the Islamic Revolution, Iran has based its political relations with
other countries on the understanding of its religious leaders, adding
that justice-centered approach (that Iran has always been pursuing)
rises from Islamic teachings.
Reminding that Iran is an extensive country with a large population
and abundant possibilities and potentials, he thanked the Republic
of Armenia for its friendly attitude and kindness towards Iran during
two thousand years of coexistence of the two nations, and mentioned,
“And it is now the time for the two parliaments to help to the
consolidation of mutual ties.”
The top legislative official further voiced preparedness of the
Islamic Consultative Assembly to ratify the laws required for the
development of Iran-Armenia relations, specially in the economic
areas, and expressed the hope that the two nations’ friendship would
further deepen and consolidate through the exchange of visits by the
parliament members of the two countries, Parliamentary friendship
groups in particular.
For his part, Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly Teigran Torousian
expressed pleasure with the presence of the Iranian parliamentary
delegation in Yerevan and described the visit as a significant step
for the consolidation and strengthening of mutual ties.
He also viewed Tehran-Yerevan relations as exemplary and appreciated
the Islamic Republic of Iran for all the aids and assistances it has
extended to Armenia during the years of his country’s independence.
The chief law maker also noted the significance of Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline, Aras hydropower Plant and the high voltage power projects and
said that development of such cooperation would further reinvigorate
the two countries’ ties.
He also praised Iran’s due attention and efforts to safeguard the
historical and cultural heritage of the Iranian Armenians as well as
Tehran’s attention to the Armenian society in Iran.
To conclude his words, Torousian called for the expansion of the two
states’ parliamentary relations in all the various spheres.

RUSSIA AGAINST UN ASSEMBLY ROLE TO RESOLVE POST-SOVIET CONFLICTS
RIA Novosti
15:47 | 13/ 09/ 2006
MOSCOW, September 13 (RIA Novosti) – Russia is against involving the
UN General Assembly in the resolution of long-running conflicts in
the former Soviet Union, the Foreign Ministry’s official spokesman
said Wednesday.
The assembly’s general committee discussed September 12 an initiative
put forward by Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova to include
this issue on the current 61st session’s agenda.
Mikhail Kamynin said that Russia had spoken against this initiative
and most members of the general committee had supported its
decision. Accordingly, the issue was not added to the session’s agenda.
“We have from the outset been against politicizing this issue and
involving the General Assembly,” Kamynin said.
Russia has had peacekeepers stationed in the conflict zones of
unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia,
as well as the self-proclaimed republic of Transdnestr in Moldova,
since ceasefires were brokered between the breakaway and central
authorities in the early 1990s. Armenia and Azerbaijan have observed an
often tense truce over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region in Azerbaijan with
a largely Armenian population, since about three years of fighting
came to an end in 1994.
“Russia regards attempts to eliminate the existing mechanisms of
resolving the Nagorno- Karabakh, Georgian-Abkhazian, Georgian-South
Ossetian and Transdnestr conflicts as counter-productive,” Kamynin
said.