“GAREGIN NZHDEH” MEMORIAL MEDAL GIVEN TO SERGE SARGSIAN
Noyan Tapan
Jul 6 2006
GORIS, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Serge Sargsian, RA Defence Minister,
President of the Chess Federation of Armenia and the members of
the men national team of Armenia, the champions of the World Chess
Championship of Turin visited Syunik on July 4.
During the solemn event held in the theater hall of Goris, Surik
Khachatrian, Regional Governor of Syunik marz, awarded memorial
medals and letters of thanks to Karen Asrian, Vladimir Hakobian,
Gabriel Sargsian, Artashes Minasian, Tigran Nalbandian and Smbat
Lputian. S.Khachatrian handed a “Garegin Nzhdeh” memorial medal to
Serge Sargsian.

CRISIS OF FUEL IN “ZVARTNOTS” AIRPORT CONTINUES
Noyan Tapan
Jul 6 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. In “Zvartnots” airport during the last
days some flights are not implemented or the airplanes are refueled in
reserve airports because of lack of fuel. The Noyan Tapan correspondent
was informed about this from Gayane Davtian, Spokesperson for Head of
the RA Civil Aviation Chief Department. According to her, the problem
of fuel is conditioned with its only importer, “Mika Armenian Limited”
company, which failed to import enough fuel. The source did not say
when the problem will be solved.
It should be mentioned that the ailplanes make landings at the Sochi
airport to refuel in order to implement the Yerevan-Moscow flights.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: YEAR OF ARMENIA IN FRANCE INDICATES HIGHEST LEVEL OF RELATIONS BEWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 6 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenia attaches great
importance to the agreement reached between RA and French Presidents,
according to which 2006-2007 was announced Year of Armenia in France,
which indicates the highest level of relations established between
the two countries. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, Chairman of
the State Commission Coordinating the Spade-Work of Year of Armenia
in France, declared this at the July 5 fourth sitting of the joint
steering committee on Year of Armenia in France.
Stating that, in essence, this is the last sitting of the joint
committee, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the huge
work done up to now, including discussion of hundreds of projects of
events, creation of a joint fund, signing of the respective convention.
Andranik Margarian expressed gratitude to the French side, to all
state and cultural organizations and individuals who contributed
to the process of preparation of Year of Armenia together with the
Ambassador, Embassy and Commissar of Armenia in Paris. He emphasized
that the Armenian side will provide assistance as far as possible
for holding these events at the highest level.
Asserting that the Armenian people is well familiarized with the French
cultural values, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that Year of
Armenia in France will be an occasion for the French people to get
to know the Armenian cultural heritage as much closely as Armenians
know the French one, as the Armenian cultural heritage, according
to him, having centuries-old traditions is an integral part of of
the European civilization and system of values. According to him,
the holding of Year of Armenia in France, in one of the capitals of
world art and culture, is an exclusive opportunity for presenting
the Armenian cultural values not only to France, but also through
France to Europe and to the world. According to the Prime Minister,
bearing big and positive supplies of Armenian-French friendship,
Year of Armenia in France also contains an important message for many
thousands of French Armenians who, according to him, are a peculiar
bridge between the Armenian and French peoples.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Government Information and Public
Relations Department, Andranik Margarian confirmed that as Head of the
Armenian Government and Chairman of the State Commission Coordinating
the Spade-Works of Year of Armenia in France, he will visit Paris to
take part in the conference of Armenian-French sister cities to be
organized on October 17-18 with the sponsorship of the French Senate
and RA National Assembly. The Prime Minister assured that Armenia is
ready to do everything possible to make Year of Armenia in France
a bright and impressive event symbolizing one more important stage
in the Armenian-French friendly relations, which, according to him,
particularly, in the recent period undeviatingly develop in political,
as well as economic, cultural and other directions.
Mrs Valerie Teranova, Adviser of the French President on Special
Errands, once more emphasized that President Jacques Chirac attaches
great importance to Year of Armenia in France. Numerous and various
events are held in France every year, but Year of Armenia is an
exclusive event, as not only friendly, but also warm and sincere
relations were historically formed between the two peoples, she said.
Jerome Paskier, head of the French delegation, Deputy Director of
French General Department on International Cooperation and Development,
also expressed satisfaction with the results registered at the July
4 meeting of joint committee’s working groups.
Henri Cuny, Ambassador of France to Armenia, and Edward Nalbandian,
Ambassador of Armenia to France, commissars from both sides, Mrs Nelly
Tardivie and Assistant to RA President Vigen Sargsian, presented the
process of spade-works on holding of events of Year of Armenia in
France, which includes more than a hundred events to be organized
both in France and in Armenia.

RA PRIME MINISTER AND AAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DISCUSS PROCESS OF MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE’S ARMENIAN PROGRAM
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 6 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian-American
relations, in particular, the process of implementation of the
Millennium Challenge’s Armenian program, as well as a number of
regional problems were discussed at the July 6 meeting of RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian with Bryan Ardouny, Executive Director
of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), and Arpi Vardanian, AAA
Regional Director.
According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan from RA Government
Information and Public Relations Department, Bryan Ardouny informed
the Prime Minister about the work being done at present by AAA aimed
at implementation of programs favorable for Armenia in the U.S..

NKR PRESIDENT DOES NOT CONSIDER REALISTIC NKR’S PARTICIPATION IN NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS IN FUTURE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 6 2006
STEPANAKERT, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Karabakh’s
position has not changed and will not change. Irrespective of
revelations to be made by this or that person, our position remains
the same, as it is exact,” NKR President Arkady Ghukasian declared
after the solemn sitting dedicated to the 13th anniversary of Martakert
liberation held on June 28 in NKR, the “168 hours” newspaper writes.
In response to the question, “after disclosing the details of the
Nagorno Karabakh settlement negotiations by OSCE Minsk Group American
Co-chair Matthew Bryza how much probable is NKR’s participation in the
negotiations as a negotiations part”, NKR President said: “I think,
this is not realistic in these days and in the nearest period, either,
as we all see Azerbaijan’s position and destructive approaches. I do
not consider this will be real today and Azerbaijan will be ready to
negotiate with Karabakh. A wrong impression is formed that this is
necessary for Karabakh. This is necessary for the process. I do not
think that to take part in the negotiations is an end in itself for us.
Of course, it would be good but not for us but for the process.”
Touching upon the issue regarding the role of Azerbaijan’s oil factor
in the conflict settlement, A.Ghukasian said: “I do not think that
victories are decided by a country’s being poor or rich. If you
remember, in 1991-1992 we had incomparably poorer resourses than
Azerbaijan and the war result is exact and unequivocal. I do not
suppose that Azerbaijan’s hopes to strengthen its army with the
resources of oil are realistic, I do not think this is a solution to
the issue or some decisive factor. I consider the Azerbaijani people
does not want a war and we do not want, either. And, in general, there
is no people that wants to solve any issue through a war.” A.Ghukasian
considered ridiculous the statements of Azerbaijani leadership, as,
according to him, “such statements are made by people who not only did
not defend their homeland in 1992-1994, but also kept their children
away from the war.”
“I think we have no occasion for being afraid, our army is able
to defend our homeland, our borders. And such statements should
be condemned by the international community, which, unfortunately,
is not done and this is unintelligible for us. But I hope this will
take place,” NKR President declared.

PRESIDENT SIGNS LAWS ON “NATIONAL EMBLEM” AND “ON RA FLAG”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 6 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 4, RA President
Robert Kocharian signed laws “On National Emblem,” “On RA Flag,”
“On Copyright and Adjacent Rights.”
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA President’s Press Office, Robert
Kocharian also signed laws On Making Amendments and Additions to
RA Civil Code, Criminal Code, Criminal-Executive Code, Code of
Administrative Offences, law “On Administrative Division.”

JUSTICE MINISTER DAVID HAROUTIUNIAN INTENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN 2007 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
Noyan Tapan
Jul 6 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Justice Minister David Haroutiunian
is going to take part in the 2007 parliamentary elections and does
not intend to take part in the 2008 presidential elections. The
non-partisan Minister declared this to journalists on July 6 at the
parliament without disclosing with what political force he is going to
take part in the elections. The Minister “at least for the present does
not intend to create a party.” He also does not exclude his joining
any party or remaining non-partisan. “I have been always engaged in
politics and will continue to,” D.Haroutunian assured. According to
him, this is conditioned by a number of unsolved problems, both in the
justice and educational spheres the Minister intends to complete. The
last developments in the country prompt to him that “no non-partisan
MPs or those presening the policy of any party non-precisely should
exist any longer.” He assured that if he continues to be engaged in
politics, it is unequivocal that he will express the viewpoint of
some party.
In response to journalists’ question, the Minister highly appreciated
the professionalism of his Spokesperson Ara Saghatelian having
resigned lately mentioning that the latter “was a good employee”
and he was pleased with Saghatelian’s work.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARTURS READY TO TESTIFY, SAYS LAWYER
Story By Mugumo Munene And Lucas Barasa
The Nation, Kenya
July 6 2006
The two Armenians who were deported to Dubai after causing a commotion
at Kenya’s main airport are ready to return to the country to testify
before the Kiruki commission.
However lawyer Oscar Avedi, who appeared before the commission to
state the case of the suspect brothers, was turned away after he
failed to vouch for his clients’ shadowy identity.
In a twist of events, Mr Avedi, who was standing in for lawyer Gibson
Morara in representing the two, admitted that he did not know the
true identity of his clients.
And yesterday it turned out that the Armenians were casually issued
with the security passes, which would allow them access to the aircraft
parking lots (apron) and all lounges in all airports.
The passes were given following verbal instructions given over the
telephone to the issuing officer, Mr Edward Mutai, who is the ninth
witness to appear before the commission.
A stunned assisting counsel Ms Dorcas Oduor asked Mr Mutai: “Do you
realise that you gave a pass to two people to access to aprons and
lounges in all our airports without anything? You don’t know them,
you don’t even know what they were going to do. Think of the known
and unknown that could have happened if they continued to hold these
passes.”
Last week, it emerged that the Government had received two official
communications from Interpol Armenia, which branded the two brothers
as impostors.
The communications, one in March and the other in April, stated that
neither Artur Margaryan, the tall bearded one nor Artur Sargsyan,
the shorter one who always wore dark spectacles, were related to the
Armenian prime minister as they had publicly claimed.
Their identity was muddled further after it turned out that they
had used different names to acquire Kenyan passports, which had been
stolen blank from the Immigrations department in May.
Mr Margaryan and his bodyguard, Mr Julius T. Lucas, were issued with
passes on February 10, while Ms Sharfina Alarakiya and Mr Sargasyan
Arman (Artur Sargsyan) were given the documents on June 8.
Yesterday, Mr Mutai admitted that regulations were flouted, as the
true identity of the Armenians was never sought before the passes
were issued.
For a Kenyan to be issued with such a pass, they would require a
certificate of good conduct from the director of CID. They would also
require finger and palm prints in addition to detailed information
given in the prescribed forms.
Additionally, the employer is required to fill a separate form stating
their business at the airport and vouching for their employer’s worth
of trust.
Foreigners are required to be introduced to KAA through Foreign
Affairs ministry.
None of the rules was followed when the Armenians were issued with
the documents. Neither did the Government officials take issue with
the scant details provided in the application forms. Instead, they
simply walked off with their passes and application forms within
minutes. The forms cannot be traced.
Following is the exchange between commission chairman Shedrack Kiruki
and Mr Avedi over the identity of the two brothers.
Avedi: My lords, I’m Oscar Avedi, and I’m here on behalf of Gibson
Morara advocate, who is unwell and asked me to appear before you
today for purposes of representing the Artur brothers.
Kiruki: Mr Avedi, can you tell us exactly whom you want to represent.
Avedi: Artur Margaryan and and Artur Sargsyan.
Kiruki: We are told that those people have never been to Kenya. Can
you tell us who your clients are?
Avedi: They are willing to come and testify and we will be making an
application for them to come and testify.
Kiruki: We have been told that Arturs have never been to our country.
Avedi: Those are the people who are being mentioned and they are the
ones I’m representing right now as we speak.
Kiruki: What if it turns out that they are not the people you are
representing?
Avedi: Then it will turn out that the inquiry is here investigating
other people and not the two brothers.
Kiruki: We have been told that the Arturs are in Armenia and have
never been here.
Avedi: True, but the inquiry is investigating the Artur brothers and
that is why we are here.
Kiruki: You are coming to represent who yourself?
Avedi: I’m holding brief for Gibson Morara, who has been instructed to
come on record for the two brothers Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargsyan.
Kiruki: Mr Avedi can you go and find out exactly who you want to
represent because those people have never been to our country. Find
out from the person you are holding brief for, on whose behalf you
are appearing.
Avedi: Yes. On a point of clarification, I believe the commission of
inquiry is looking into the conduct of the two brothers.
Isaack: Maybe, what the chairman wanted to find out from you is this;
your clients have been holding themselves out as Artur Margaryan and
Artur Sargsyan here, but do you know their real names.
Avedi: I do not know their real names. Maybe at the end of the inquiry
we will know who they really are.
Kiruki: How can you represent someone whose real name you don’t know?
Avedi: They have called themselves the Artur brothers.
Kiruki: That is why we are asking you to find out who is involved.
The inquiry covers more than that. It’s not only the names that
were thrown around. When you come here, tell us who you are going to
appear for.
Avedi: I’m appearing for people who are the subject of the inquiry.
At the end of it, we will get to know who they really are.
Kiruki: We have evidence that the people who are mentioned have
never stepped in our country. We’d like to know who you are going
to represent.
Avedi: At the end of it, we will know who they are. They are willing
to come and testify and we will ask them; who are you?
Kiruki: Would it be too much to ask your friend?
Avedi: No, I can do that. But for clarification, is leave being
granted?
Kiruki: We can’t grant you permission to represent someone you
don’t know.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

4 YEAR PASS SINCE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE COMMITTEE FOR WORLD AZERBAIJANIS LIVING ABROAD
Today, Azerbaijan
July 6 2006
On Wednesday 4 year pass since establishment of State Committee for
World Azerbaijanis Living Abroad (SCWALA).
The associates of the Committee have visited the grave of Heydar
Aliyev for this occasion in Honorary Avenue, APA rports.
Committee Chief Nazim Ibrahimov told in his statement to journalists
that that Diaspora work in Azerbaijan is conducted in state level.
According to him, Armenians started to get worried of the active
activities of Azerbaijani Diaspora.
“Today Armenian emissaries visiting different places of the world
call on making their Diaspora organizations active. Our Diaspora
organizations have already gathered around Azerbaijani state and try
to bring our right voice to the world.”
URL:

ARMENIA’S WORLD BOXING CHAMP INSPIRES CHILDREN IN ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Reuters, UK
July 4 2006
Raging Bull’ Darchinyan Signs Autographs Surrounded By Children
Over 70 children in especially difficult circumstances were treated
to an inspirational surprise visit from Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan,
the Armenian World Boxing Champion by World Vision last week.
‘I admire Vic and watch each and every fight of his on TV. He was
never knocked down and can beat anyone in the world! ‘, said a proud
12-year-old Asatur Hakobyan, as he joined others who crowded around
Vic to take his autograph and have a photo taken with their famous
compatriot.
Asatur and the other children are cared for by the Vardashen No.1
Special Educational Complex in the capital Yerevan and are from
families with no means to support themselves, and children who display
anti-social behaviour or are in especially difficult circumstances.
‘Vic’s visit has had a serious psychological impact on our children.
They feel really privileged that a world champion came to visit them’,
says Larisa Sargsyan, Head of the school.
This is especially important for the children in Vardashen who need
attention and contacts with outside world, especially with people
who can serve as role models for them.
‘I wanted not only to promote healthy lifestyle among the children,
but also help them see perspectives, to show them they can achieve
their goals if they are hardworking and dedicated’, said Vic as he
shared his childhood memories with the children.
He told how ‘an ordinary boy from Lori who just loved to fight’
realised his dream of becoming a world-famous boxer.
Sam Mamikonyan, a cheerful boy of sixteen, held up his huge hands
and boasted: ‘We compared fists and Vic told me I have great physical
potential to be a boxer. I think I’ll start to think seriously about
boxing now’. He was also impressed that Vic was awarded by a rank of
‘Knight of Lori’ for his chivalrous manner in the ring.
Vic presented Vardashen school with a TV set, and promised keep an
eye on the children he got acquainted with.
World Vision provides the children of Vardashen with social and
psychological services, organizes various activities and cultural
events, as well as offers vocational trainings to give them an
opportunity for successful integration into the society after they
graduate.