AZG Armenian Daily #127, 08/07/2006
Judiciary Issues
RA PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES LAW “ON AMNESTY”
RA National Assembly discussed the draft law “On
Amnesty” submitted by RA President Robert Kocharian in
the first reading.
David Haroutiunian, RA Justice Minister, stated that
the amnesty is dedicated to the 15th anniversary of
the independence of Armenia. About 300 prisoners will
be released from the prisons after the amnesty. He
emphasized that the prisoners sentenced for extreme
crimes will not be included in the amnesty lists. In
particular, this also concerns those who committed
crimes Before June 1, 2006.
The amnesty decision will be carried out till
September 30, 2006.
By Nana Petrosian

AZG Armenian Daily #127, 08/07/2006
Nagorno Karabakh Settlement
NKR DEFENCE MINISTER: TODAY, THE ISSUE OF WITHDRAWING
NKR FORCES FROM REGIONS OCCUPIED IN THE WAR CAN’T BE
DISCUSSED
“Today, neither the issue of withdrawing NKR Armed Forces from the
regions occupied in the war, nor deployment of the peace keeping
forces there can be discussed, Seyran Ohanian, NKR Defence Minister,
said this at today’s press conference in Stepanakert.
“This is one of the latest points in the settlement process and first
of all, the sides need to agree about the first points, particularly,
the one concerning the issue of NKR self-determination,” he said. He
said that occupation of the above-mentioned territories was not an
end in itself for NKR people. “We just needed to secure our safety
and maintain guarantees for peaceful life,” Ohanian said, emphasizing
that NKR side was for peace from the very beginning of the conflict
and had to participate in the war. As for the mutual concessions,
Ohanian said that they can be shaped only in the course of the
negotiations and consequent implementation of all the points fixed
in the settlement formula.
In response to the question about the readiness of the NKR armed
forces in case the war resumes, he said that the armed forces of any
country should be constantly ready to resist any military actions. At
the same time he informed that NKR Army is quite an efficient one.
Defence Minister also expressed doubt about the efficiency of the
Azeri army, stating that the information about the growing military
budget of Azerbaijan is exaggerated. As for the misinformation on
burning territories controlled by NKR spread by Azerbaijan, Ohanian
said that the recent monitoring of the borderline points carried out
by the OSCE experts testified that the accusations of the Azeries were
false. He added that the sown area got burnt because of the shooting
from the Azeri side. “It’s strange to think that we would burn our
own sown fields,” he said.
By Kim Gabrielian
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA WON’T TELL TEHRAN THE TRUTH
Lragir.am
08 July 06
Sometimes the impression is that Armenia itself does not know what
to sell to Russia and what not to sell. More exactly, it knows it
cannot sell anything. It simply does not know what Russia would like
to have. The situation is worrying, but as it is accepted to say,
it is not a fact, it is more than a fact, it is the reality. With
regard to the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline we deal with the same reality.
Russia announced about its likelihood to buy the gas pipeline several
days ago. It is clear that if they announce about their likelihood,
they make efforts to fulfill their intention. What is an effort in
this direction if not negotiations with the initiators of the gas
pipeline? The Iranian Deputy Ambassador to Armenia announced several
weeks ago in Yerevan that his country is not aware of the possibility
of participation of a third country to the gas pipeline. It means that
Gazprom makes efforts to negotiate with Armenia only. For its part,
this means that only the section of the pipeline running through
Armenia is concerned. Perhaps Gazprom does not need more because for
absolute influence it is enough to have the Armenian section. After
all Armenia needs the pipeline more, and if the prospect of a transit
pipeline is concerned, the section of the pipeline running through
Armenia is sufficient to get complete influence.
It is interesting that the Armenian party did not announce officially
about negotiation with the Russians but some officials, nevertheless,
hinted at it. Both the defense minister and the foreign minister spoke
about it. Serge Sargsyan said there are interesting developments,
and Vardan Oskanyan said funding of the construction of the Armenian
section of the pipeline is considered. It is clear that the Russians
would not give the money for nothing, if they would give it at all.
In this situation a logical question occurs why official Yerevan
avoids announcing about negotiations with Gazprom for the Iran-Armenia
pipeline. In addition, Armenian officials have to make hints at
negotiations, while Russia regularly reports on the negotiation and
agreement to buy the pipeline.
In other words, evidently Yerevan avoids public speeches on this
topic. The reason is clear. Several months ago, when the Iranian
foreign minister Manuchehr Mottaki was visiting Yerevan, he and Vardan
Oskanyan announced that participation of a third party to the pipeline
requires the agreement of both Iran and Armenia. In the meantime,
official Iran states that they are unaware of a Russian-Armenian
negotiation. On the contrary, the Russians inform that the negotiation
is underway and there is already agreement. Hence, Yerevan negotiates
with Moscow and fails to inform Tehran about the negotiation despite
the agreement. In any case, this is not proper. They sell it with
one hand and take an oath with the other not to sell it.
In the meantime, this question is rather important for Iran. Russia’s
engagement in the project of the pipeline neutralizes Iran’s prospect
to have an influence over regional energy projects. This might be the
reason why the pipeline has appeared on the agenda of the Iran-Armenia
relations over the past few months, and already official Iran is not
satisfied with the assertions of the high-ranking Armenian officials
that the pipeline is not for sale.
Another question is what Robert Kocharyan achieved during his Iranian
visit. The president’s visit had been planned long ago but Armenia was
said to avoid it. And if it took place, it means that either Yerevan
has decided what to say and how to settle the problem with Iran or
Tehran has made an ultimatum and Robert Kocharyan had no way but to go.
There were no details on the pipeline in the statements made
during the president’s visit. Moreover, it was not touched upon in
public statements either. On the other hand, there is a diplomatic
nuance: language is for hiding thoughts. It is possible that high
evaluations of the Iran-Armenia partnership hid the high reefs of this
partnership. The presidents of the two countries announced, however,
that there are no unsettled questions between Armenia and Iran. If
frankness prevails over diplomacy in this statement, it means Robert
Kocharyan managed to settle the problem of the pipeline in Iran. On
the other hand, if the problem with Iran is settled, sure enough a
problem with Russia occurred. In this sense it is highly doubtful that
Yerevan would step on this path to running into trouble with Russia,
especially with the elections drawing nearer. Consequently, Robert
Kocharyan reached an intermediate solution in Tehran in an effort
to temporize. It is interesting to know the cost, because everything
including time has its price.
JAMES HAKOBYAN

PATRIARCH OF ARMENIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN STEPANAKERT
Lragir.am
08 July 06
The delegation of the Armenian Catholic Church led by Patriarch Nerses
Peter XIX is in Stepanakert.
On July 8 the members of the Catholic Church will found the Shushi
Museum of Cultural Research and Reconstruction after Jacques
Poghosyan. Before that, a scientific conference and an exposition
devoted to the findings of the research of the historical and cultural
heritage of Shushi were held at Artsakh State University.

AZG Armenian Daily #127, 08/07/2006
Economy
“ECONOMY OF ARMENIA” EXHIBIT TO LAUNCH IN MOSCOW
Today, “Economy of Armenia” exhibition will launch
within the framework of the Year of Armenia Russia at
the Pan-Russian Exhibition Center.
LOGOS EXPO Center informed that the exhibition will
provide opportunity for representing the tendencies of
economic development in Armenia, the goods produced in
the republic and the services rendered. Highest
technological achievements and innovations will be
represented on the exhibition. The participants of the
exhibition are such companies as Grand Tobacco, Grand
Candy, Dilijan-Frolova, Vedi Alco, Bio-Khim,
Royal-Armenia, “Nairit” plant, Armenian Manufacturers’
Union, the Yerevan State Medical University and other
organizations and companies. According to LOGOS, it is
expected that delegations from numerous countries will
visit the exposition. It is envisaged that the average
number of daily visitors of the Exhibition Center is
50-100 thousand people. The exhibition is organized by
RA Trade and Economic Development Ministry in
collaboration with LOGOS EXPO Center.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WAS KOCHARYAN UNAWARE OF CONSTITUTION?
Lragir.am
08 July 06
Sedrak Baghdasaryan, resident of Buzand Street, the chair of Protection
for Victims of State Needs, Democracy NGO, said in an interview with
our news reporter that they wrote over 10 letters to Robert Kocharyan
telling him about the destructive consequences of the development of
the Center of Yerevan. Robert Kocharyan did not answer any of these
letters, however. Moreover, even the Kocharyan administration did not
answer. Sedrak Baghdasaryan says the letter was sent to the government,
from the government to the City Hall, from the City Hall to the Office
of Program Implementation. “My impression is that the best-educated,
the smartest person in our country is the head of the OPI.”
However, it is at least strange that the OPI answers the last letter.
The letter was written May 26, 2006, in other words, after the
decision of the Constitutional Court recognizing it unconstitutional.
The victims of the state needs reminded Robert Kocharyan that the head
of state must guarantee observation of the Constitution and punish its
violation. The victims of state want to know why the president signed
an unconstitutional decision. Robert Kocharyan declined to answer,
which means that either he does not consider him president of people,
or he thinks it is not worthwhile to answer people.
R. Harutiunyan, the head of the OPI who answered the letter, informed
the victims of state needs that the president signed the decision
of the government in 2002, whereas the Constitutional Court defined
it as unconstitutional in 2006. “The person who signed the decision
could not foresee that these would be considered as against the
unconstitution.” This is not a misprint. Either R. Harutiunyan has
discovered a new legal, though not so logical category, or he is a
little careless. Both are bad for R. Harutiunyan, who was charged
with the important task of writing a letter on behalf of the president.
And if R. Harutiunyan wants to say that the person who ratified
the decision could not predict that these decisions would be
considered unconstitutional, which is the same as incompliant with
the constitution, not knowing the law does not free from punishment.
After this decision of the Constitutional Court the chamber of
civilian cases of the Court of Appeal led by Arman Mkrtumyan did
not try the case of the victims of public needs, in other words,
it neglected the decision of the Constitutional Court.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHO DO OUR MINISTERS HAVE THEIR EYE ON?
Lragir.am
08 July 06
Vardan Mkrtichyan, Ardarutiun Faction, stated July 8 at the Azdak
Club that the aim of the bill on alienation of property for public
and state needs adopted by members of parliament, whose job is to
push the button, is intended to legalize illegality.
Vardan Mkrtichyan reminded that the bill was introduced to the National
Assembly not at least 24 hours before the discussion as the bylaws
provide for it, but a couple of minutes before the discussion, so the
bill was not discussed and evaluated by any parliamentary committee.
Vardan Mkrtichyan also reminded about the April 18 Decision 630 adopted
by the Constitutional Court, defining the alienation of the property of
the residents of the Center of Yerevan as unconstitutional. If before
this decision the government could say they did not know they were
violating the law, carrying on with the development of the Center
after the decision of the Constitutional Court means that “they
violate the Constitution consciously, which is a more grave offense.”
By the way, speaking about the consequences of the bill, someone said,
“If they want to take away one’s wife, they can put it as for the
needs of the state.” A female reporter responded, “Do not give the
example of women. Our ministers do not have their eye on women. They
have their eye on one another.”

Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia met in Batumi
ArmRadio.am
08.07.2006 11:32
Yesterday in Batumi RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan had a
meeting with his Georgian counterpart Zurab Noghaideli, “Armenpress”
informs. Issues of energy, particularly the construction of the
3rd power line, as well as projects related to the Abkhazian,
Akhalkalak-Tbilisi and Tbilisi-Gyumri-Kars railways were
discussed. Reference was made to socio-economic programs implemented
in Javakhk. According to the Prime Minister’s assessment, the problems
in Javakhk, Tsalka are the same as in other regions of Georgia. Of
course, there are some details connected with the withdrawal of the
Russian military base, since many people work here, and this will cause
the problem of employment. However, in this regard construction of
Akhalkalak-Akhaltskha highway is a very important step. New investments
to be made in the region under the ” Millennium Challenge” program,
construction of Akhalkalak-Bagdanovka and Akhalkalak-Borjom highways
will also considerably soften the social tension.

Karen Asryan to participate in an international chess contest in China
ArmRadio.am
08.07.2006 12:49
2006 World Chess Olympic Champion, Grand Master of Armenia Karen Asryan
left for China today to participate in an international chess contest.

Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union, DC
July 7 2006
IN KRASNOYARSK POLICE ARRESTS SKINHEADS WHO ATTACKED AN ARMENIAN
CITIZEN
(July 7, 2006)
The group of young people beat an Armenian citizen in Krasnoyarsk, in
end June.
“Yerkramas” newspapers of the Russian-Armenians, informed that
initially a criminal suit was instituted according to the article
#213 of RF Criminal Code envisaged for hooliganism. The adult leader
of the teens’ group accused of the crime represented himself as the
leader of the Krasnoyarks skinheads and motivated his actions by
national hatred. After the arrest, the Federal Court of Sovetskiy
district of Krasnoyarsk accused him of “stirring up national hatred
and hostility, according to the article # 282 of RF Criminal Code.
The case is being investigated at the Prosecutor’s Office of
Sovetskiy district.