SELF-DETERMINATION SET DOWN IN OSCE RESOLUTION
Lragir.am
10 July 06
Vahan Hovanisyan, Deputy Speaker of Armenia, appreciated the work
of the Armenian delegation in the session of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly in Brussels on July 3-8, reports the news agency ARKA. In
a news conference on July 10 Vahan Hovanisyan announced that the
Armenian delegation managed to have all the pro-Armenian initiatives
adopted and anti-Armenian initiatives rejected.
Vahan Hovanisyan particularly mentioned that self-determination was
included in the OSCE documents for the first time, relying on the
referendum on independence in Montenegro.
“The document adopted by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly commended the
civilized and friendly attitude of Serbia towards the referendum on the
independence of Montenegro, it did not respond with tanks, air raids,
and armed force. We assumed it as an excellent model of indivisibility
of borders and balance of rights for self-determination,” said Vahan
Hovanisyan.
According to him, this document was disapproved by the delegations of
Georgia and Azerbaijan. Vahan Hovanisyan said the outcome of voting
shows that the principle of self-determination is becoming more and
more dominant.
The head of the Armenian delegation announced that in Brussels
the Armenian delegation also managed to neutralize the proposal
of the Georgian and Azerbaijani delegations on resolving conflicts
by returning disputable areas to the countries they want to become
independent. Vahan Hovanisyan says only three countries voted for
these proposal, the authors and Turkey.
Moreover, one of the resolutions, according to Vahan Hovanisyan,
was rejected thanks to the Russian delegation. “Hence, the future
status of Kosovo may become a precedent, a new key to the resolution
of Karabakh, as well as other conflicts,” says Vahan Hovanisyan.
“The second resolution was crushed by the Spanish delegation, stating
that eithnic minorities have the right to dispute over territorial
integrity and secession from a state if it does not protect the rights
of its ethnic minorities,” announced Vahan Hovanisyan. He also said
that the Armenian delegation prevented the resolution which defines
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan as a perfect model of regional cooperation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE Office helps organize training on alternative sentencing in Armenia
ArmRadio.am
10.07.2006 18:03
A four-day training course for personnel of the Armenian Justice
Ministry’s division for the execution of alternative punishment began
today with support from the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the OSCE Office
for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
“The introduction and implementation of alternative sentencing
options is a serious step towards building a humanitarian system of
penal sanctions,” said Silvia Pogolsa, Human Rights Officer at the
OSCE Office.
Some 70 Justice Ministry staff, judges and prosecutors will discuss the
existing national legislation, alternative sanctions, the supervision
of conditional sentences, as well as international standards and best
practices. Rait Kuuse, Head of the Probation Division of the Estonian
Justice Ministry, will share his country’s experience in the field.
Increased awareness-raising and capacity building among justice
administration personnel was one of the recommendations of the
assessment on alternative sentencing in Armenia, supported and
implemented by the OSCE Office in 2005.
The division for the execution of alternative punishment under the
Justice Ministry was established in 2005, following the adoption of the
new criminal code which introduces an “alternative” sentencing option.

SOCIETY OR “MEAT FOR GUNS”
Lragir.am
10 July 06
The statements of the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Mathew
Bryza would have aroused a strong reaction in another country. And
Sabine Freizer’s threats would have sparked heated debate.
Apparently, the mediators had expected such a reaction. They might
have been hopeful that the angry public would stand up and invite
their own leadership to account.
“I think Bryza’s statements are a peculiar message to the Armenian
and Azerbaijani publics. Simply Mr. Bryza and company are not aware
of the awareness and politicization of both publics, their ability to
affect the political atmosphere. In my opinion, they overestimated the
level of preparedness of the publics of Armenia, Azerbaijan and NKR,
or their level in general. Therefore, Sabine Freizer is surprised
why no “quakes” are reported in the public and political sphere,”
said NKR Member of Parliament Gegham Baghdasaryan.
“It is another question that the same “company” did their best for
the three communities to appear in the same state. The publics have
always been neglected by their own governments, mediators, other
international actors. Now the same people are sending a message to the
same publics. The publics must be able to perceive the context of this
message, read between lines, because it is a challenge. If they fail to
understand, if they fail to read between the lines, they will explain
it “more simply”, suitable for our level and perception, to enable us
to feel and understand with all our senses. In any case, we understood
that we should take this step, the publics should take this step,
that if we digest our leaderships, they do not have a problem. In
other words, they will blame the same publics rather than their
leaderships, the same publics, which have been neglected by everyone,
and temporarily make “meat of negotiations” out of “meat for guns”.
It is possible that they will try to explain it more “simply” in the
same “gun meat” logic,” said the member of parliament.

Exhibition on “Forgotten Art: Armenian Film Poster” to be held in Yerevan
ArmRadio.am
10.07.2006 18:12
An exhibition on “Forgotten Art: Armenian Film Poster” funded by Swiss
Agency for Development & Cooperation will be held in the Charents
Museum of Literature and Art July 11.
An exceptional collection of more than fifty original film posters
that reflects sixty years of Armenian cinema and graphic art will be
presented. The film poster is an important part of Armenian cinematic
history, which has sadly been forgotten by everyone. This exhibition
is an attempt to reintroduce a fraction of what has survived to our
days from this lost art.

Russia marks day of mourning as relatives arrive to identify bodies of plane crash victims
By MIKE ECKEL
AP Worldstream;
Jul 10, 2006
Flags flew at half-staff, churches held special prayers and
entertainment programs were canceled across Russia on Monday to mark
a day of mourning for the victims of a weekend plane crash in the
Siberian city of Irkutsk that killed at least 124 people and left
four others missing.
Fifty-two people remained in hospitals Monday after the airliner
careened off a rain-slicked runway into adjacent garages on Sunday
and burst into flame, said Viktor Beltsov, spokesman for the Emergency
Situations Ministry.
Seventy-five of the 203 people aboard the plane survived, he said.
It was the second major commercial airline crash in two months
in Russia.
Preliminary data gathered by the commission investigating the crash
indicated that the braking system on the Airbus A310 operated by
Russian airline S7 had failed, Russian news agencies reported, citing
unnamed sources.
Transport Minister Igor Levitin said the aircraft’s two recorders
had been recovered and were being analyzed.
The S7 press office said there were 193 passengers on the
Moscow-Irkutsk flight Sunday _ including 14 children _ and a crew
of 10 aboard. Emergency Ministry spokeswoman Natalia Lukash said
three people whose names were not on the passenger list were pulled
unconscious from the wreckage; it was not clear if they had been on
the ground or were flying as unregistered passengers.
Irkutsk is 4,200 kilometers (2,600 miles) east of Moscow.
At least 12 of the passengers were foreigners, from Belarus, Poland,
China, Germany, Azerbaijan, according to the flight manifest.
The plane veered off the runway on landing and tore through a
2-meter-high (6-foot-high) concrete barrier. It then crashed into a
compound of one-story garages, stopping a short distance from some
small houses, about 7:50 a.m.
Sunday (2250GMT Saturday).
Cranes could be seen hanging over the wreckage on Monday, as several
dozen investigators stood on top of what remained of the fuselage in
a light rain.
Charred and water-logged wreckage stood two stories high. A penetrating
smell of burning hung over the scene.
Relatives were arriving at Irkutsk morgues to try to identify the dead.
A witness said he heard a concussion and the ground trembled.
“I saw smoke coming from the aircraft. People were already walking
out who were charred, injured, burnt,” Mikhail Yegeryov told NTV
television.
Pilots regard the Irkutsk airport as difficult because its runway
slopes and because its concrete is especially slippery when wet,
Vladimir Biryukov, an expert at the Gromov Aviation Institute, said
on NTV.
The transport minister, speaking to reporters in Irkutsk, said
authorities were looking into a proposal to lengthen the runway at the
airport by 400 meters (a quarter-mile) and he announced financing for
resurfacing the runway. He also said that city authorities had been
asked to determine whether the buildings the plane collided into had
been constructed legally.
Airline spokesman Konstantin Koshman said the plane, which was
constructed in 1987, had been regularly maintained and met all
certifications.
In May, another Airbus crashed in stormy weather off Russia’s Black Sea
coast as it prepared to land, killing all 113 people on board. Airline
officials blamed the crash of the Armenian passenger plane on driving
rain and low visibility.
Sunday’s disaster was the fourth air crash in Irkutsk in the past
12 years.
Another Russian airliner, a Tu-154 operated by Urals Airlines, made
a successful emergency landing in Irkutsk on Monday after one of its
engines failed, Beltsov said.
An S7 Airbus A310 made an emergency landing early Monday in the Crimean
port of Simferopol after pilots noticed a drop in fuel level in one
of the engines, the RIA-Novosti news agency reported.
Russian air safety standards plummeted in the years following the
1991 Soviet collapse as the state carrier Aeroflot split into hundreds
of private carriers, many of which lacked funds to properly maintain
and service their planes.
Economic stabilization and strengthening of official controls helped
improve air safety in the 1990s and the nation’s aviation safety
record gradually returned to normal. Russia’s oil-driven boom of recent
years has bolstered the carriers’ earnings and allowed many airlines
to replace their aging Soviet-era jets with Boeings and Airbuses.
Authorities have said, however, that some airlines weren’t diligent
enough about safety and called for stronger enforcement of official
standards throughout the industry.

BIG-NOSED VARDAN AND ANDRE IN AZERBAIJAN
Lragir.am
10 July 06
Alekper Aliyev, reporter of the Bakinski Rabochi, participating
in the international seminar entitled “European Integration As a
Factor Favoring Karabakh Settlement” in Yerevan, presented the moods
in Azerbaijan regarding Armenians and the past and present of the
conflict over Karabakh to the news reporter of the Lragir.am.
According to Alekper Aliyev, in the early 90s there were myths about
the Armenian lobby, Azerbaijanis invented excuses for their defeat
rather than fought. “The Armenian lobby was pictured as a rich and
big-nosed Vardan, who could meet with Bush or Gorbachov at any time,
or invite them to Yerevan, station the U.S. army in Karabakh, organize
an earthquake in Azerbaijan and even turn back the time,” told the
Azerbaijani reporter. Now there are other myths. “They are gradually
forgetting Vardan, however Andre is our new nightmare.” Alekper
Aliyev wonders why an episode of the biography of Andre participating
in Eurovision became a national issue. And the change in Andre’s
biography on the website of the contest expected by the Azerbaijanis
was “accepted as a historical victory”. “We admitted the loss of 1/6
of our territory, but we are ready to kill for the copyright of tolma
[a kind of dish]. Our victory in the football match with Armenians
was presented as a victory equal to the capture of Berlin in 1945.”
Alekper Aliyev does not fear troubles like the reporter of the
Baku-based Obozrevatel, who was fired for having visited Karabakh.
Karabakh is a more sensitive issue, Armenia is not that sensitive,
announced Alekper Aliyev and added that the reporter of the Obozrevatel
was admitted back after the strictures of the Union of Journalists of
Azerbaijan. Besides, the Azerbaijani minister of foreign affairs Elmar
Mammedyarov announced, “Everyone can go to Karabakh, it is our land,
and every Karabakhi can go to Baku, it is their country.”
Unlike Yerevan Baku does not hold seminars with representatives of
Armenian NGOs. Alekperov says such seminars were organized formerly.
However, now the Azerbaijani government cannot guarantee security,
“extremists are few in number but unpredictable.” This is for the past
two years. Formerly, Armenians from both Armenia and Karabakh took
part in seminars. Azerbaijan is a country of contrasts. If you are an
Armenian, they may both hug you and kill you in the street, says the
Azerbaijani reporter. 95 percent of Armenians living in Azerbaijan
are women. There are minibus drivers, teachers. “Nobody hurts them,
but they cannot announce in the street that they are Armenians.”
Alekper Aliyev states that the society in Azerbaijan does not want war,
if it did, it would demand. “But there is a party with 5.5 members,
which wants war. The Azerbaijani opposition has expired. People do
not trust the opposition any longer.”
And the journalist reports: the reality is that the confidence of the
Armenians of Karabakh for their independent future is in contrast with
dissatisfaction and fury of the Azerbaijanis. “Nobody is willing to
accept the suggestions on the resolution of the conflict discussed
in the negotiations.” Alekper Aliyev announced that he arrived in
Yerevan to talk to people, which the authorities fail to do.

Georgian minister says Russia closed border in bid to destabilize South Ossetia
Channel 1, Tbilisi
10 Jul 06
[Presenter] After meeting an EU delegation, Minister of State Goga
Khaindrava has commented on the situation at Ergneti [checkpoint on
the South Ossetian border through which mainly Russian and Armenian
citizens have been trying to enter Georgian government-controlled
territory since Russia decided on 8 July to close the only border
crossing between the two countries recognized by Georgia]. He said that
the Russian and Ossetian sides were deliberately whipping up tension.
[Khaindrava] This is a well-thought-out plan. It is clear to everyone
that all these people will then try to come here through Roki [on the
South Ossetian section of the Georgian-Russian border]. Naturally, we
will oppose this because we cannot allow the uncontrolled crossing of
our borders by criminals of all stripes and colours. This will cause
the situation to deteriorate. That is what they have been counting on.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE COCHAIRMEN PROVOKE A WAR
By Anna Israelian
Aravot.am
08 July 06
Vahan Shirkhanian says who has filled different posts in the
governing system of Armenia till 2000, both the deputy Prime minister
and deputy Minister of Defense.
* Only suppositions and doubts in 1997-1998 that the President of
Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosian can give back the regions bordering
Nagorno Karabakh cause to accuse him of “selling Karabakh” and
treason. Now the OSCE Minsk Group cochairmen elucidate themselves
that Robert Kocharian has negotiated in this whole period round
giving step by step the territories back instead of some conditions,
making unclear the matter of Karabakh status. But people don’t
revolt. Which is the reason?
* We also had the whole picture of settlement in 1998 though it wasn’t
official. And the proposal was almost the same. The positive thing
was that there were positions about status, that is; wide autonomy
in the part of Azerbaijan, by their own armed forces, police, bank,
monetary unit, flag etc. The same version, which was proposed that
time and wasn’t adoptable has worsen up to the present day. Those
powers, which aimed to settle the problem not in favor of Armenia,
managed to form an authority in our country, which disparted the
society, making the part of population emigrate.
* Your accusations refer to Robert Kocharian and Serge Sargsian,
too. Whether those who came to power for settling the NK conflict
would like to settle the conflict in unprofitable way for Armenia?
* The only profitable circumstance is that Karabakh Status-quo has
been kept for 8 years. I don’t see another positive thing in their
activities. Karabakh has been emptied, the public of Armenia has
become hostile towards both the authorities and Karabakh, and the
40-50% of Armenian population has emigrated. And the worse thing
is that the interests of the outside enemies and inside authorities
are general.
* You insist that the offered proposal is almost the same what was done
in 1997. While the representatives of the authority insist that there
is a great difference; it isn’t spoken about the use of the right
of self-determination and holding a referendum in Nagorno Karabakh.
* This is simply a cynicism for naive people. What does referendum
mean even in 5 years and especially in 10-15 years if you resettle
the Azerbaijanis in Karabakh, if Azerbaijan doesn’t have a law about
holding referendum? They must adopt that law, make amendments in
the Constitution. And even if they adopt, no Armenian will remain in
Karabakh till that time, only the Azerbaijanis will remain. Should
they hold a referendum?
* If this version is so profitable for Azerbaijan why do they oppose
to this version of settlement? The Foreign Minister of Armenia and
the Press Secretary of the President stress that just Azerbaijan
has refused this and previous proposals, but our country has agreed.
* I don’t think it is so. Why must Azerbaijan refuse? Perhaps the
only reason for refusal is that peace-making powers will be settled
and a passage through Lachin will be given to Armenia, which isn’t
profitable for them and certainly they don’t want.
* There were interpretations that the OSCE Minsk Group cochairmen
provoke to changeover of political powers, as it was supposed that
the declassified positions would make a noise in the counteracting
countries. But the head of the ruling majority, the RPA group
leader Galust Sahakian insists, “anyone’s declaration can’t have
its influence on our political situation. Which standpoint is more
basic for you?
* I exclude that the OSCE Minsk Group cochairmen or superpowers have
aimed to realize changeover of political powers. Nobody needs in
it. They won’t have more guided authority than this is. They held
everything they needed in Armenia; a new Constitution, laws about
sects, sexual minorities, removal of death penalty etc. And they can
hold again without any difficulty. It’s another matter that Key-West,
Rambuye, Bucharest and other meetings were held, proposals were
made but they all were round a focus, round territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan.
* One of them, Mathew Brayza, speaks. After cochairmen’s declaration
that “we have got tired, decide yourself, knowing very well that
nowadays Azerbaijan is much more ready than Armenia to settle the
conflict itself. I think they provoke a war. It’s all the same;
they will settle the conflict, as it is profitable for them.
* You insist that the Armenian authorities are very profitable for
the OSCE Minsk Group. While the cochairmen also blame Robert
Kocharian for the lack of political will for signing an
agreement. Mathew Brayza considered responsible both presidents
for the failure of proposals.
* In my opinion Aliev sees another danger even in the most profitable
version of settlement. If peacemaking powers will be replaced in the
region and immigration and emigration will be realized under their
control, so he loses the possibility of personal leadership. The
authoritarian leader is afraid of that prospect. As regards the
accusations addressed to Robert Kocharian, I must remind that the
policy is a game. And such accusations are also the part of the game.
* I also should mention that it is inappropriate to turn to the
societies of both countries as presidents both in Azerbaijan and
Armenia have been elected without the participation of the society,
by the assistance of the OSCE Minsk Group cochairmen’s countries. And
today, they must work together with their elected presidents.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LEBANON MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DIASPORA TO VISIT ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JULY 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Fawzi Salloukh,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Lebanon
will pay an official visit to Armenia on July 11-13.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from the RA Press and Information
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during his visit to
Armenia Fawzi Salloukh will have meetings with RA President Robert
Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, NA President Tigran
Torosian, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians Karekin II.
During the visit, the Lebanese Minister will visit Matenadaran,
Museum of Genocide and the memorial complex dedicated to the Genocide,
where he will lay a wreath, then the ceremony of tree planting will
take place.
The meeting of the Foreign Minister of Lebanon with the RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian will take place on July 11.

MODELLING OF A-320 CRASHED PLANE FINISHES
YEREVAN, JULY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The modelling of the flight of A-320
plane crashed on May 3 finished in the French city of Tuluz. Gagik
Galstian, Deputy Head of the Flight Security Inspection of the Civil
Aviation Chief Department, took part in them. The modelling results
will be discussed on July 10 in Sochi, at the International Aviation
Organization’s Sub-committee. Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed
about it by Gayane Davtian, Spokeswoman of RA Civil Aviation Chief
Department.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress