Margaryan Thanked Lebanon for Armenian Genocide Recognition
PanARMENIAN.Net
12.07.2006 13:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met
yesterday with Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, reported the
RA government’s press office. During the meeting Amdranik Margaryan
said Armenia is grateful to Lebanon for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the parliament of the state and appreciates
highly the warm attitude of the Lebanese people to the Genocide
survivors. The parties underscored that the Armenian community of
Lebanon makes a big contribution to the development of the state
and promotes strengthening of the Armenian-Lebanese relations. Fawzi
Salloukh added that with recognizing the Armenian Genocide Lebanon
once again confirmed that it stands against violence and terrorism
that claim thousands of lives every day.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

European Parliament Postponed Vote on Turkey’s Accession till September
PanARMENIAN.Net
12.07.2006 14:11 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Vote on the draft resolution on “Turkey’s
progress toward accession” which should have been voted on
Wednesday, July 12th by the Committee for Foreign Affairs of
the European Parliament was postponed due to practical reasons,
reported the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy
(EAFJD). The major reason for delay was the late translation of the
numerous amendments. These amendments were submitted only on Monday
afternoon to the various political groups, which did not leave time
to them to prepare for the vote. The European Parliament resolution
will finally be voted on the first week of September (4-7/09) by the
Foreign Affairs Committee and eventually on the last week of September
in the plenary session.
To remind, the other day members of the leading European Parliament
factions offered to introduce the Armenian Genocide issue and opening
of borders with Armenia without any preconditions as the items of
the agenda of the EU-Turkey talks.

RUSSIANS HAVE NO PLANS YET TO BUY IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE SECTION
Panorama.am
14:42 12/07/06
Armenian minister of defense Serz Sargsyan told a joint conference with
Russian transport minister Igor Levitin that Russians have not plans
yet to buy the Armenian section of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. There
are no such arrangements with the Russian side since there is no
“gas pipeline yet, too,” Sargsyan said.
Levitin elaborated on the closure of Verin Lars checkpoint on
Russian-Georgian border. He promised to report to president Putin
as soon as he is in Russia and promised to settle the re-opening in
short time.
Note: The Russian side has again closed Verin Lars checkpoint
on Russian-Georgian border recently on the excuse of making
renovations. In fact, this is the sole automobile rout for Armenian
export and import.
The situation has caused problems for economic entities of Armenia.
It is interesting to note that Levitin is just now going to report to
president Putin as if they do not know what is going on in Verin Lars
and what significance it has. Judging from the answer it may be said
that the checkpoint will remain shut for some time more. /Panorama.am/
From: Baghdasarian

A-320 AIRLINER CRASH CAUSE TO BE UNVEILED LATE JUNE
Panorama.am
14:45 12/07/06
International Aviation Committee (IAC) rep Tatianna Anodina stated
that conclusions on causes of A-320 airliner crash will be made public
late July. She claims the cause will be surely stated. In her words,
IAC has all the necessary materials to ascertain the causes of the
accidents. She said they will complete the final report together with
the Armenian, Russian and French experts. She urges not to come up
with any possible causes of the accident unless the final conclusion
is made. She, however, told they are not going to make public the
transcripts of the talk between the pilot and dispatchers saying it
is improper. The Armenian president is reported on the course of the
work today.
Note: Airliner A-320 crashed into Black Sea near Sochi on May 3 killing
113 passengers on board, including 8 staff members. /Panorama.am/

Azeri Side Statements Cast Shadow on OSCE Monitoring Mission
PanARMENIAN.Net
12.07.2006 14:24 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The village of Talish of Mardakert region of
NKR is a historical Armenian settlement and it’s absurd to suppose
that Armenians demolish and set fire to their homes, head of the
department of information and propaganda at the NKR Defense Ministry,
lieutenant colonel Senor Asratyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter when
commenting on the reports of Azeri Press new agency which said that
“no single construction was left in the village Talish after the
fires set by Armenians.”
In his words, the village was reconstructed upon completion of
hostilities and now its residents cultivate agricultural products.
Senor Asratyan underscored that such propagandistic statements by
the Azeri side are primitive and meant for ignorant people. He also
remarked that these statements cast a shadow on the OSCE Monitoring
Mission, which contributes to the maintenance of the ceasefire. “As for
the fires, people all over the world know that the inflammation of dry
grass is quite possible over heat and lack of precipitation,” he said.

U.S. SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS FRANK MERMOUD VISITS ARMENIA
Panorama.am
15:27 12/07/06
Frank Mermoud, U.S. Special Representative for Commercial and Business
Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, is visiting Armenia July
11-13. During his visit, Mr. Mermoud met with representatives of the
American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, other business representatives
and Armenian government officials regarding economic, commercial
and business issues. Mr. Mermoud discussed ways to further increase
U.S. investment in Armenia and noted positive cooperation between the
United States and Armenia in the economic sector. He also encouraged
all Armenians to continue to fight against corruption and to work to
increase transparency as a means of promoting economic growth.
Frank Mermoud has served as Special Representative for Commercial
and Business Affairs since June 3, 2002.
Mr. Mermoud is responsible for managing U.S.
commercial and business affairs programs, developing strategic advocacy
assistance for U.S. businesses, and integrating business perspectives
into U.S. foreign policy. He possesses significant private sector and
government experience, having served in such positions as Co-Founder
of SageMetrics Corporation, Executive Vice President of International
and Corporate Affairs and a member of the Board of Directors for Aegis
Communications, Director of Legislative Affairs at the Department
of State, and Congressional Liaison Officer for the United States
Information Agency. /EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/

SYUNIK AND TAVUSH PROVINCES HAVE THOUSANDS OF LAND MINES
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS: According to various estimations,
there are still from 50,000 to 80,000 mines planted in Armenia. The
majority are in Syunik and Tavush provinces.
The UNICEF Armenia Office is carrying out a program in these provinces
aimed to raise the awareness of their population and especially of
children about the danger of mines. Emil Sahakian, head of UNICEF
Armenia Office press service, said special training courses are also
being organized for school teachers so that they could share their
knowledge with children.
Mobile exhibitions and puppet shows are organized for the most remote
and risky communities. Emil Sahakian says in many cases children
cannot tell a mine from something else and when they find one they
think it is a toy.
This program is backed by a budget of $40,000 from the British
Development Program. It is accomplishing this year but a larger one
is supposed to be launched next year.

THREE MORE VILLAGES IN TAVUSH CONNECTED TO GAS NETWORK
Armenpress
IJEVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS: Three more villages in the province of
Tavush that has an extensive border with Azerbaijan were connected
to central gas network this week.
Khachik Baghdasarian, the head of the provincial office of HayRusGazArd
joint Russian-Armenian venture, the sole exporter of Russian gas to
Armenia, said under the Soviets the region boasted one of the highest
rates of enterprises and households connected to the gas network.
Now 33 of the overall 62 communities in the province have natural
gas. Three more rural communities are expected to get connected before
the end of this year. Baghdasarian said HayRusGazArd plans to invest
in the province this year 120 million drams.

PRESIDENTIAL OVERSIGHT SERVICE REVEALS SERIOUS PRIVATIZATION BREACHES AND FRAUD
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS: The presidential oversight service
said it is now examining a set of privatization deals on the sale and
auctioning of state-run property and land plots to find out whether
the process was in compliance with Armenian legislation. The oversight
service said the examination is envisaged by its 2006 plan of actions.
Officials from the oversight service said inquiries into the first
instances of state-run property privatization have revealed serious
cases of abuse and fraud, which have caused heavy damages to the state.
The service said, particularly, the money that was paid by individuals
and organizations for the obtained assets, were not transferred to the
state budget by brokers or were transferred in part only. It said in
some instances faked documents were submitted to cadastre offices. The
oversight service said criminal cases were instituted on these cases.

DOES ONE NEED TALENT TO COMPILE FILES?
Lragir.am
12 July 06
The Republican Party – Serge Sargsyan alliance emerged as a result of
force majeure in both external and internal policies. Under different
circumstances a non-partisan status would be more expedient for the
political future of Serge Sargsyan, said Member of Parliament Hmayak
Hovanisyan in his interview with the Lragir, commenting on developments
inside the government.
Lragir: Mr. Hovanisyan, what is your opinion on the mobilization of
the Republican Party around Serge Sargsyan?
It is an attempt to establish a super political party following the
model of Yedinaya Rosia Party in Russia, which became a ruling super
party and, on the other hand, it lost its political image. Although
Yedinaya Rosia had never had a political image. The case of the
Republican Party is a little different. The Republican Party had an
image, its own perceptions, and founded by my friend Ashot Navasardyan,
it occupied its place in our newly established political sphere. Now on
becoming a ruling party it is losing this image, which is inevitable.
Lragir: In other words, you think that with Serge Sargsyan’s membership
the Republican Party started losing its image.
The political party will increasingly become ingrown in the government
and serve the needs of the government, naturally departing from
its origins.
Although it would not be inevitable if they had made efforts to enhance
the wing of public political figures in the political party. This
wing is worn out.
Lragir: Which is that wing?
I will not specify names. This wing is worn out. It is increasingly
becoming humble with regard to the oligarchic sets representing
immense economic interests and administrative potential.
Lragir: Do you mean the sets which are beside Serge Sargsyan?
Serge Sargsyan has not announced yet which wing will be with him. It
will become clear as soon as he assumes a definite role in the
political party, a definite status rather than a formal one.
Lragir: But the sets that will go with him are known. Some sets of
businessmen oligarchs have announced that they go to the Republican
Party because the minister of defense goes there too.
Well, these people nominate themselves, but Serge Sargsyan has great
power potential and he can decide the question eventually. If the
Republican Party becomes a super party like Yedinaya Rosia Party,
it should be taken into account that what is permitted to Jupiter is
not permitted to the ox.
Lragir: In other words?
Russia is undergoing heavy strictures from the international community
for the totalitarian, a state of renaissance, which is felt in Russia
or interpreted by many experts and the international community. The
repetition of this situation in Armenia may lead to more grave
consequences than just strictures.
Because unlike Russia, which has oil dollars, Armenia is not
self-sifficient and depends on the injections from the West.
Lragir: Robert Kocharyan is responsible for injections from the
West. Why should Serge Sargsyan be concerned about what the West
would tell Robert Kocharyan?
You are viewing from the aspect of current interests of the government,
whereas I view the problem from the point that Serge Sargsyan is,
nevertheless, a serious political figure, and if he takes that step,
he should take into account that this heavy burden will fall on
his shoulders.
Lragir: You have mentioned once that Serge Sargsyan will not become
member of any political party, because he wants to become president
and must have an image of a neutral figure. What happened that made
him go to the Republican?
This is the option of force majeure. I had pointed to two options. One
is what you said, the other is the force majeure, if force majeure
occurs in the Karabakh issue, if serious challenges emerge with
regard to reproduction of power, and there are such challenges,
because I nevertheless think that the leakage of the co-chairs and
the statements of Mathew Bryza and Sabine Freizer were meant to reach
political changes. Considering this, force majeure is evident. For
this option involving force majeure, I said Serge Sargsyan would
lead a party ticket, the ticket of the Republican Party, which will
become a super political party and will bring together all the other
government forces, and a strong force will emerge which will include
all the resource of the government.
Lragir.am: Do you mean Bargavach Hayastan Party?
Yes.
Lragir.am: So will Bargavach Hayastan join the Republican Party –
Serge Sargsyan “coalition”?
Yes. Yes. Bargavach Hayastan, maybe also the Unification for Armenia,
because if Bargavach Hayastan joins, the unification of two equal
units will be underlying PR. Therefore not only Bargavach Hayastan
but also Unification for Armenia will join in to have different PR,
to report that the super political party with its satellites is going
to an election campaign. I thinks this will happen, and this is the
option involving force majeure. Today the challenges are obvious. Look
at the parameters of this challenge: complication of the Karabakh
issue, suspended 235 million dollars of the Millennium Challenge and
the frozen Lincy Foundation.
Lragir.am: But the unification of the Republican Party and Serge
Sargsyan itself may lead to force majeure in terms of the negative
attitude of the West.
What’s the point in looking for this way out from this force majeure
if it may cause other force majeure?
A wedge is driven out with a wedge. Because there is no other way
out, because this is not the main reason for dissatisfaction. This
unification, the creation of a super political party may increase
dissatisfaction, but this is not the main cause of dissatisfaction.
Lragir.am: And what is the main reason?
The main reasons are much deeper. Having an opportunity to use the
negotiations to strengthen their own clans in their countries, the
presidents of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, recognizing this carte
blanche, did not repay as they had promised, to reach results in
the negotiations. In other words, the co-chairs understood that the
negotiations are used as a screen and at the same time are abused by
both presidents, and they announced that they are tired of it, openly
and clearly. They realized that the clans of Armenia and Azerbaijan
are making an effort to establish this state of the talks forever and
use the unsettled issue for the interests of their own clan interests,
as a carte blanche, and democratization in Armenia and Azerbaijan have
become a hostage of the unsettled issue. Therefore, an effort is made
to untie this Gordian knot at once, either this or that. Either you
agree to these statements or we undertake serious pressure.
Lragir.am: If the Armenian side, which has announced about it for a
number of times, agrees to make a compromise, what force majeure is
concerned, why should the West make pressure on the Armenian side if
it is willing to make a compromise?
Because they understand that this cannot last forever. There are no
guarantees that tomorrow Azerbaijan will not say yes, I agree. And
imagine what the situation will be at that time, if today Kiro Manoyan
has said not a patch of land.
Lragir.am: Mr. Hovanisyan, why should Bargavach Hayastan join the
Republican Party, if it has enough money and reputation to anticipate
significant success in the elections?
For Gagik Tsarukyan not to appear in the same situation as Berezovsky
or Khodorkovsky.
Lragir.am: Do you mean that the president will do that?
No.
Lragir.am: Who, Robert Kocharyan?
No, no, the government.
Lragir.am: Who is this government?
The government is already irretrievably and consistently moving from
Robert Kocharyan’s to Serge Sargsyan’s field. In fact, this fall
the entire government resource will be moved from Robert Kocharyan’s
“bottle” to Serge Sargsyan ‘s “reservoir”.
Lragir.am: In other words, Robert Kocahryan becomes a “British queen”.
It is the fate of every president after the second term. Even if we do
not take into consideration the complicated situation over Karabakh,
every president stops being the only bearer of power over the last
one and a half year of his office. The heir of power, one and a half
year before the change of power, entirely gets hold of power de facto
if inheriting power is concerned. The model of inheriting power has
been applied to our country.
Lragir.am: But Robert Kocharyan is not likely to pass over power,
therefore he has launched the project of Bargavach Hayastan.
It is not for this purpose.
Lragir.am: What is the purpose then?
In order to have Andranik Margaryan obey, and the Republican Party
admit obediently the leading factor of Serge Sargsyan. Serge Sargsyan
not with the same status as during the former election but with
a new status, as a political party, as a leader of the political
party. Therefore, Bargavach Hayastan was given a carte blanche. You
know, Gagik Tsarukyan has immense possibilities, he is very rich,
but even if he gives away all his possessions, he cannot get one
advantage of Hmayak Hovanisyan. Hmayak Hovanisyan cannot be accused
of violating the law, tax avoidance, plunder. He does not have this
advantage, neither do all the other oligarchs.
Lragir.am: Is Robert Kocharyan unable to protect Gagik Tsarukyan and
go all the way to win parliamentary majority?
Why do I refer to Serge Sargsyan as Fouchet? Joseph Fouchet. Why do I
refer to him so? You should read “Joseph Fouchet” by Stefan Zweig. You
will see what Fouchet was and who Fouchet was. Fouchet could get rid
of anyone, independent from Napoleon.
Lragir.am: Could he get rid of Napoleon?
Yes, Napoleon knew that Fouchet betrayed him but he did not dismiss
him.
Lragir.am: Can Serge Sargsyan get rid of Robert Kocharyan too?
Fouchet had such files.
Lragir.am: Is there no one who has files on Fouchet?
One needs to be a Fouchet as well. One needs to be double Fouchet.
Lragir.am: Isn’t there such a person?
One needs to have levers. After all, Joseph Fouchet was the minister
of police, and served the interests of royalists, later under the
Jacobins, under Robespierre he was the minister of police, both under
and after Napoleon, during the period of restoration. Serge Sargsyan
is the same, he was under Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Vazgen Sargsyan,
Robert Kocharyan.
Lragir.am: Isn’t it possible that others have compiled files on him?
One needs to have the talent of Fouchet. His talent was compiling
files.
Who, whom, when and how much, and in what kind of case. So here is
a person who has this ability and this is Fouchet.
Lragir.am: But sometimes people who have more information are more
endangered, aren’t they.
It is a philosophical issue.