ARMENIAN JUSTICE MINISTER REAFFIRMS ‘POLITICAL PLANS’
By Karine Kalantarian
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 5 2006
Justice Minister David Harutiunian reaffirmed on Wednesday his plans
to become more actively involved in political processes in Armenia,
which may well take the form of his participation in next year’s
parliamentary elections.
“Do I aim to engage in politics? Yes, I do,” he said. “Do I have
[political] plans? Yes, I do.”
Speaking to RFE/RL in March, Harutiunian admitted that he is
considering “returning to parliament.” But he would not be drawn,
both then and now, on details of his possible comeback which looks
even more likely after the resignation on Tuesday of Ara Saghatelian,
his press secretary and confidante. “I have some plans relating to
the field of mass media and am confident that they will prove useful
for the development of the entire field,” Saghatelian told RFE/RL
without elaborating.
The move sparked speculation that Saghatelian quit the Ministry of
Justice to organize and manage Harutiunian’s pre-election activities.
Harutiunian appeared to implicitly confirm this. “I can’t refute any
comments,” he said.
“To be an independent political force one needs to have a team,”
added Harutiunian. “That I do have a team is out of question. I think
the society or any political force does not doubt that.”
Despite his relatively young age, the 43-year-old minister is one the
longest serving members of President Robert Kocharian’s cabinet. He
is believed to have had considerable influence on Armenia’s courts,
notorious for their lack of independence, throughout his eight-year
tenure.
Harutiunian’s increased political clout have led some observers to
consider him a potential candidate to succeed the Armenian president
after his anticipated resignation in 2008. It remains to be seen
whether he will dare to challenge Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian
if the country’s second most powerful man officially confirms his
widely anticipated participation in the 2008 presidential ballot.

ARMENIAN MEDIA, RIGHTS GROUPS DEMAND ARRESTED EDITOR’S RELEASE
By Emil Danielyan
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 5 2006
Armenia’s leading newspapers, media associations and human rights
groups expressed serious concern on Wednesday about the arrest of
the editor of an independent newspaper critical of the government
and said he must be set free pending trial.
In a joint statement published by their papers, the editors of “Azg,”
“Aravot,” “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun,” “168 Zham,” “Iravunk,” “Haykakan
Zhamanak,” and “Taregir” said they have reason to believe that the
case against Arman Babajanian of “Zhamanak Yerevan” is politically
motivated.
Babajanian, 30, was detained in his office June 26 and promptly charged
with forging personal documents to avoid compulsory military service
in 2002. Prosecutors investigating the case say he confessed to the
charges before being remanded in a two-month pre-trial custody by a
court in Yerevan.
In a statement issued from his prison cell on Friday, Babajanian
presented himself as a victim of “political persecution” ordered by the
“illegal regime” governing Armenia. However, he did not say whether
he indeed pleaded guilty to the charges or thinks they are unfounded.
Babajanian’s colleagues demanded that he at least be released from
pre-trial detention. They said the prosecutors’ refusal to do so
suggests that “the main target of this ‘show’ is not military draft
dodgers but the heads of media not controlled by the authorities.”
The leaders of six non-governmental organizations involved in human
rights and press freedom advocacy expressed similar concerns in a
separate statement which described Babajanian’s arrest as a form
of government “pressure on an independent media outlet.” “We are
urging [the prosecutors] to change the coercive measure, especially
considering the fact that Arman Babajanian has already demonstrated
his readiness to cooperate with the investigating body and has no
intention to obstruct the investigation,” they said.
A spokeswoman for the Prosecutor-General’s Office argued earlier that
individuals accused of draft in Armenia are usually kept in custody
before trial.

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES ‘PROMISE BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ARMENIA’
By Ruzanna Stepanian
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 5 2006
President Robert Kocharian reiterated on Wednesday that he believes
his recently enacted constitutional amendments will help to turn
Armenia into a democratic and rule-of-law country where human rights
are respected by the state.
“They open new prospects for the comprehensive development of our
country and people, ensure more balance activities of various branches
of government, and boost respect for human rights,” he said in a
written address to the nation.
The statement was dedicated to the 11th anniversary of the passage in
a controversial 1995 referendum of Armenia’s post-Soviet constitution
that has been widely criticized for giving sweeping powers to
the president of the republic at the expense of the judicial and
legislative branches. July 5 is a public holiday in the country.
Some of the presidential powers were curtailed as a result of
last November’s nationwide referendum on Kocharian’s Western-backed
constitutional reform. Its significance was stressed by Prime Minister
in a separate message to Armenians.
The United States and the European Union have likewise praised
the reform. However, the manner in which the Armenian authorities
handled the November referendum overshadowed their assurances that
the constitutional amendments bode well for Armenia’s democratization.
According to official vote results, almost two thirds of the country’s
2.3 million eligible voters took part in the referendum and over
93 percent of them endorsed the changes. However, the record-high
voter turnout reported by the Kocharian-controlled Central Election
Commission was at odds with unusually deserted polling stations
witnesses by journalists and observers on voting day. The Armenian
opposition estimated the turnout at below 16 percent, alleging massive
vote rigging.
Most ordinary citizens randomly interviewed by RFE/RL in central
Yerevan said they boycotted the referendum. Many were therefore
cynical about the reform’s impact on their lives.
I don’t see any positive change. Things have gotten even worse,”
one woman said, referring to the situation with the rule of law and
human rights protection.
“I didn’t take part in the referendum but closely followed debates
[preceding it],” said an elderly man who had trouble remembering
what event Armenia was marking on Wednesday. He said he boycotted
the vote because, “As Russians say, the law is on the books but not
for everyone.”

KOCHARYAN: COOPERATION WITH AAA EFFECTIVE
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 6 2006
YEREVAN, July 4. /ARKA/. At his meeting with Executive Director of
the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) Bryan Arduni and AAA Regional
Director Arpi Vardanyan, RA President Robert Kocharyan stated that
Armenia’s cooperation with the AAA is effective.
During the meeting, Arduni presented the main lines of the AAA’s
activities in the interests of pro-Armenian initiatives. The sides
also exchanges views on issues on the agenda of Armenian-American
relations and regional tasks.
The AAA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA. It has offices in
Los Angeles, Yerevan, Gyumri and Stepanakert.

ARMENIA MARKS CONSTITUTION DAY
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 6 2006
YEREVAN, July 5. /ARKA/. Armenians marks Constitution Day today. The
Constitution was adopted through a nationwide referendum conducted
on July 5, 1995, under Armenian National Movement party rule.
It is written in the Constitution preamble that Armenian people
guided by Armenian state system’s principles and the national goals
fixed in Armenian Independence Declaration and confirming commitment
to fundamental values adopts the Constitution in an effort to make
Armenia a prosperous country enjoying freedom.
Complying with demands of the Council of Europe, which Armenia joined
in 2001, the country’s leadership initiated Constitution amendment.
The Constitution was amended after constitutional referendum held
on November 27, 2005. The amendments provided citizens to appeal to
Constitutional Court and lifted the ban on double citizenship. The
right of double citizenship is very important to a huge number of
Armenians worldwide.
Under the amended Constitution, Armenian President handed a part of his
powers over to other bodies, particularly to the Government. It means
governmental decisions are no longer in need of presidential approval
for taking force. Now the President just enjoys a right to suspend
the implementation of those governmental decisions contradicting,
in his opinion, to the Constitution.
So, Armenia smoothly turned from a strong presidential republic into
parliamentary.
The present Constitution consists of 117 articles, which confirm that
Armenia is a sovereign and a democratic state governed by people.
The Constitution declares human dignity, rights and freedoms the
country’s highest values.
Equality of all citizens and a right for life are envisaged by the
Constitution and death penalty is abolished. Other rights of citizens
are fixed in the Constitution as well.

ARMENIAN NEEDS SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM PRESCHOOL TO SCHOOL EDUCATION
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 6 2006
YEREVAN, July 4. /ARKA/. Smooth transition from preschool to school
education should be ensured in Armenia without mere observance of
international standards, RA Deputy Minister of Science and Education
Bagrat Yesayan stated in Yerevan.
“Since only 20% of Armenian children attend kindergartens now, this
transition is often very difficult,” he said.
In this context, Yesayan pointed out that 6-year-old children will
get accustomed to the school regime in the first form in playing
conditions, after which they will start learning the school syllabus.
“This mechanism of phased education will allow us to ensure a smooth
transition to the school syllabus for all children,” he said.
According to Yesayan, the children that went to school before 2000
will learn ten years, and those that were admitted in 2001-2005 will
learn 11 years.
Children who will be six in 2006 will go to school in 2006. Children
born before June 30, 2000 will go to the first form to learn 11
years. Children born from July 1, 2000, will go to lower school
to learn 12 years, Yesayan said. Thus, two first forms will be in
Armenia’s school in 2006.

AHMADINEJAD: IRAN, ARMENIA TO BROADEN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
July 6 2006
Visiting Armenian President Robert Kocharian, who is here at the head
of a high-ranking delegation, conferred here Wednesday with President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on expansion of mutual cooperation.
At the meeting, Ahmadinejad said the Islamic Republic of Iran and
Armenia enjoy very good cooperation which should be boosted.
In his meeting with the Armenian delegation, he said “We hope the
current visit of the Armenian president to Tehran would serve as a
big stride towards further development and expansion of all-out ties
between the two countries.”
Iran welcomes expansion of mutual cooperation with Armenia in
transportation, culture, sports, tourism and energy sectors,
he underlined.
Referring to successful holding of Iran-Armenia Joint Economic
Commission meetings, he called on both sides to benefit from each
other’s untapped economic potentials.
The Armenian president, for his part, expressed satisfaction with
his current visit to Tehran and recalled the good memories of his
last visit to the country.
“Fortunately there are very good relations between Iran and Armenia,”
he said, adding that some 90 MoUs on expansion of mutual cooperation
have been inked by the two countries.
The Armenian president extended an invitation to his Iranian
counterpart to pay an official visit to the country and inaugurate
various projects being implemented jointly by the two countries.
He also underlined expansion of mutual cooperation in energy
transportation, railroad and electricity sectors.
The two presidents are to sign new documents on mutual cooperation
in a special ceremony Wednesday afternoon in Tehran.
President Kocharyan arrived here at the head of a high-ranking
politico-economic delegation for a two-day official visit Wednesday
morning.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Energy Armen
Movsisyan and Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Kirakosian are accompanying
the president in this visit.
The Armenian president, during his two-day stay here, is scheduled
to hold separate meetings with senior Iranian officials including
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

ARMENIA AND IRAN WORK FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE POLITICAL DIALOGUE
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2006 13:23 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The centuries-old cultural and historical ties of the
Armenian and Iranian peoples and common interests of the two countries
form a solid basis for further expansion and development of relations
between Armenia and Iran, Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated
at a meeting with Iranian FM Manuchehr Mottaki in Teheran July 5. The
urge of the two countries to develop comprehensive political dialogue
at the highest and high levels was underscored at the meeting. Mutual
understanding is reached on the need to strengthen economic cooperation
forms, especially trade and mutual investment. The Iranian party was
for implementation of agreements reached before, reports Irna.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TEHERAN INTERESTED IN PROMOTING ENERGY COOPERATION WITH YEREVAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2006 13:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The first round of talks between Iranian and Armenian
delegations led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Robert Kocharian was held
in Teheran.
During the meeting Ahmadinejad appreciated Iranian-Armenian
partnership, favoring further strengthening of cooperation forms. He
expressed Teheran’s interests in developing cooperation with Yerevan in
transport, culture, sport, tourism and especially energy fields. The
Iranian President noted the successful activities of the joint
Iranian-Armenian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic
Cooperation.
In his turn Kocharian noted that over 90 documents on cooperation
between Iran and Armenia were signed. He invited his Iranian
counterpart to visit Armenia. The invitation was accepted with
gratitude.
Kocharian also expressed Armenia’s interest in expanding mutually
favorable cooperation with Iran in energy, electric energy and
transport, especially joining the railways of the two countries,
reports Irna.

BAKU: “KARABAKH CAN BE RETURNED ONLY PEACEFULLY, BY APPROBATION OF KARABAKH ARMENIANS”
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2006 14:00 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Azerbaijan cannot return Karabakh by force and we
do not have and will not have power to rebuff the Russian-Armenian
alliance,” political scientist Hikmet Hajizade told the Zerkalo
Baku newspaper. His conviction is that “Karabakh can be returned
only peacefully, by approbation of Karabakh Armenians.” As of NKR
referendum, the scholar noted that inclusion of that referendum into
the framework agreement is a big defeat of the Azeri diplomacy.
“Even if Azeri leaders manage to refuse from signing a peace treaty,
the referendum issue will loom in all other peace settlement plans
in the future,” Hajizade said.
He reaffirmed the 2006 will not be the year of settlement of the
Karabakh issue. “By the highest standards it is not a conflict
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, but that between Azerbaijan and the
Russian-Armenian alliance, even between West and Russia. If Azerbaijan
agrees to OSCE conditions, luckily for us, under the pressure of Russia
Karabakh and Armenia will refuse that plan. In its turn the West want
to fight against Russia instead of us. The Karabakh peace may occur,
when the West and Russia settle their global discrepancies, one of
which – not the most important one – is Karabakh,” Hajizade emphasized.
The political scientist also considers that the West wishes to conclude
the Karabakh peace as soon as possible for “continuing pumping out
energy resources of Azerbaijan and using the territory for strategic
goals. For the sake of that objective they are ready to support any
unfair peace. Some groups in the West are trying to present the affairs
as if Karabakh is not an occupied, but a disputed territory. They say
Abkhazia and Ossetia are Georgian lands, but Karabakh is a totally
different case,” he said.