RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND SPECIAL ENVOY OF PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA
DISCUSS POSSIBILITIES OF DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL RELATIONS

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On September 1,
RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the delegation led by
Samuel Moncada, Special Envoy of President of Venezuela, Minister of
Higher Education. Vartan Oskanian mentioned that Minister Moncada is
the first official of Venezuela to visit Armenia. As NT was informed
from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, the
interlocutors discussed the possibilities of development of bilateral
relations, activization of cooperation within the framework of
international organizations. It was mentioned that the small Armenian
community of Venezuela can play the role of a bridge for the two
peoples to get to know each other better.

VLADIMIR KARAPETIAN REFUTES ZAMAN’S REPORT ON NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN
ARMENIA AND TURKEY

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. No negotiations
are going on between Armenia and Turkey. Vladimir Karapetian, Acting
Spokesperson of RA Foreign Ministry, declared this commenting upon the
September 1 report of the Zaman Turkish daily at the request of NT
correspondent. According to the report of the above mentioned
newspaper, the negotiations of the officials of the two countries’
Foreign Ministries aimed at creating a joint commission of
“historians” between Turkey and Armenia that stopped in 2006 April are
going on at present. The Acting Spokesperson of RA Foreign Ministry
also excluded any consultation or discussion of Turkish and Armenian
diplomats on this issue in the near future.

CONSUMER PRICES GROW 2.% IN ARMENIA IN AUGUST 2006 ON DECEMBER 2005

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The index of consumer prices made
102.7% in Armenia in August 2006 on December 2005, 101.5% in
January-August 2006 on January-August 2005, 107.2% – on August 2005,
and 102.8% – on the year 2005. The average monthly growth of consumer
prices in January-August 2006 made 0.3% against a 0.5% decline in the
same period of last year. Accoprding to the RA National Statistical
Service, a 0.9% price fall on the Armenian consumer market was
registered in August on July 2005, which was greatly conditioned by
seasonal fluctuations in the prices of some foodstuffs. A 1.8% fall in
the prices of foodstuffs (including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes)
was registered in the country in August on July 2006. Over the same
period, there was a 0.4% growth in the prices of non-food commodities,
and a 0.2% decline in service tariffs. The price index of foodstuffs
(including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes) made 102%, that of
non-food commodities – 102.7% and the index of service tariffs –
103.8% in August 2006 on December 2005. The price index of foodstuffs
(including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes) made 108%, that of
non-food commodities – 105.3%, the index of service tariffs – 104.5%
in August 2006 on August 2005, the same indices made 101.3%, 103.5%
and 103.5% in January-August 2006 on the same months of 2005. The
price index of foodstuffs (including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes)
made 101.3%, that of non-food commodities – 104.6%, and the index of
service tariffs – 104.4% in August 2006 on the year 2005.

2% GROWTH IN GASOLINE PRICES AND 5.8% GROWTH IN DIESEL FUEL PRICES
REGISTERED IN ARMENIA IN AUGUST 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. A 2% growth in the prices of gasoline was
registered in Armenia in August on July 2006. The prices of diesel fuel grew
by 5.8% over the indicated period. According to the RA National Statistical
Service, the growth in the prices of gasoline and diesel fule made 18.1% and
7.2% respectively in August 2006 on August 2005.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HOLIDAY OF DECLARATION OF NKR INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATED IN REPUBLIC
SEPTEMBER 2

Stepanakert, September 1. ArmInfo. NKR people celebrates the 15th
anniversary of Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s formation on September
2. In the talk with ArmInfo wown correspondent in Stepanakert, the
Karabakh political scientist, David Babayan, noted one can literally
state that the Karabakh movement has become a cradle of rebirth of the
Armenian state system as a whole. It was just Karabakh which created a
completely new configuration of Armenia-Artsakh (Karabakh)-Diaspora in
the Armenian history and politics. There was no such a configuration
before, Babayan noted.
According to him, even when there was no Armenian state system, there
existed one united ethno-cultural and political space, at that,
Karabakh was a center of political activity of all the Armenians for a
long time (since XV century after the Kilikian Armenia fall) in view
of the fact that it had the main attributes of political independence
and self-government for that time, i.e. national nobility, clergy and
army. Artsakh had turned out separated from Armenia both
administratively and culturally only in 1921, when it was transferred
to Azerbaijan by bolsheviks, Babayan said.
As for Diaspora, he said, though the Armenian always existed, but in
XX century it underwent fundamental transformations. After the
well-know events in the Osman Turkey in 1915, the Diaspora started to
develop independently and separately, having created a specific
subculture, the main consolidating element of which the memory of 1915
Genocide can be called. The Diaspora became stronger and influential
enough in a number of countries, especially in the USA, and it
directed its main political activity at Genocide recognition and
maintenance of this idea in Diaspora.

RA DM TREATS PUBLICATIONS OF HOME MASS MEDIA ABOUT DETAILS OF ARMENIAN
AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS’ MEETING IN SOCHI WITH HUMOR
Yerevan, September 1. ArmInfo. RA Defense Minister Serzh Sarkissyan
treats with humor the publications in home mass media about the
details of Armenian and Russian Presidents’ meeting in Sochi, where,
according to publications, his candidacy as a future President of
Armenia was allegedly discussed.
In today’s talk with journalists, he noted that he wonders at
shortsightedness of some politicians and journalists, but he treats
everything with humor since he knows what is a twosome talk of
Presidents of two countries. “It means this man, who had introduced
this information in Mass Media and who misled the public, thinks he
has more possibilities than the special services of the world and he
may have such an information. Such people have one purpose, they want
to come to the power top and to influence the public”, Sarkissyan
said.

JOHN EVANS LEAVES ARMENIA SATISFIED
Yerevan, September 1. ArmInfo. US-Armenian relations have been
developing, particularly, in defense and security, US investments
though slowly but have been growing, US Ambassador John Evans who is
completing his diplomatic mission in Armenia says in an interview to
Radio Liberty.
He says that Americans and Armenians have common basic values. Armenia
has all prerequisites for becoming the leader of democratic processes
in the region. However, there is no political culture in the country
yet and there is still psychological fear lest the ordinary voter
might be allowed to determine his fate on his own. Evans says that the
elections of 2007 and 2008 may become a significant step towards
deeper democracy in Armenia and the Armenian authorities are working
to this end. International organizations will certainly help Armenia
to ensure electoral transparency, however, the key subject during the
elections will be the Armenian people.
Evans points out progress in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. In
the last four years US investments have been slowing but steadily
growing. In order to attract big US investments Armenia should improve
its court and education systems, reform tax and customs services.
Evans says that the US may significantly help to overcome the
discrepancy between the development of Yerevan and the
regions. However, the most serious task is to form effective, stable
energy system.
Evans says that it was good that the OSCE MG co-chairs have
promulgated the Karabakh conflict settlement principles, particularly,
the ones stressing the inadmissibility of new war and the necessity of
negotiations.
Evans has not got any new appointment. He says that he is not
resigning against his will and that he has served his president well.
Evans does not retract his words that the actions organized by the
Young Turkish government against Armenians in 1915 were Genocide.
Evans says that he is very much satisfied with his work in Armenia.

AGRC PROVIDES SCHOOL CHILDREN OF ARARAT WITH ALL NECESSARY STUFF
Yerevan, August 31. ArmInfo. The ‘Ararat Gold Recovery Company’
organizes a celebration for the school children of the Ararat town of
Armenia. It has become a tradition that each year head of AGRC
B.K. Sharma provides 320 pupils of Ararat schools with all necessary
stuff – textbooks, copybooks, pens, pencils, schoolbags, etc.

DOES KOCHARYAN NEED THE TRUST OF THE CRIMINAL OR THE SOCIETY?
Lragir.am
01 Sept 06
It was apparent that the August 30 news conference of the speaker of
Robert Kocharyan was the result of fine calculations. It is almost
beyond doubt that on his birthday Robert Kocharyan wanted to become
the hero of the press, not only to be spoken about but also to speak
about the process underway in the country. And though his words would
be mediated, nevertheless they would be perceived as Robert
Kocharyan’s. Why did they prefer press? Because for the major part of
the political sphere of Armenia it is perhaps the only available
media. Available in terms of not only finance but also cognition. They
do not watch TV because in restaurants the band does not allow hearing
anything, and they are technically and genetically incompatible with
the web. Therefore, it was clear to the president that only the
newspapers are accessible for the most part of the political sphere he
would like to communicate.
Speaking about active politics on his birthday, the president in fact
wanted to show to the government community that even his birthday
cannot take his attention from the political affairs of the country
and distract him from the governmental and home political
processes. In other words, his finger is constantly on the pulse of
the process, in other words he is still the president of the
country. It means Robert Kocharyan feels he should confirm this fact.
For its part, this means that the president is worried by the
developments underway in the political sphere. And if he wants to
emphasize that he is the one who may approve or disapprove all this,
it means he feels that maybe most people think otherwise. Perhaps this
is the reason why the speaker of the president acted without Serge
Sargsyan’s instruction.
The anxiety of the president might be determined by two circumstances.
Either he is concerned that the society may start viewing him as an
observer or he thinks that the branches of power may view him as an
observer. The circumstance of the society is unlikely because over the
eight years of his office Robert Kocharyan has never showed that the
public opinion about him interests him. Consequently, the anxiety of
the president is connected with the government circles, who are
hearing increasingly more forecasts and recommendations, and if Serge
Sargsyan does not launch an offensive for power until January, after
January he may no longer believe in the New Year miracle. And the
president does not have any guarantees that Serge Sargsyan will not
believe such forecasts and will not decide to give himself a New Year
gift. And what isthe most horrible thing, the people surrounding him
may decide to give a New Year present to the `grand master’.
Announcing that there are no controversies between Serge Sargsyan and
him, and there are no controversies between Bargavach Hayastan Party
and the Republican Party, the president is most probably temporizing,
until January.
Perhaps he also came to believe that Serge Sargsyan is able until
January and will be unable after January. And in order to instill
trust in unity in the governmental environment Robert Kocharyan
demands facts on the existence of the criminal, in other words, it
wants to convey to the same criminal` one for all and all for one.
Will the criminal believe Kocharyan, however? And most importantly,
will Serge Sargsyan believe the statement that he does not have
controversies with Robert Kocharyan?
However, perhaps, this is not essential. The essential thing is that
by temporizing the president is wasting time, moving in the wrong
direction. It appeared that at least at the end of the second term
Robert Kocharyan would quit in accordance with the law, seeking the
belief of the public, not that of the criminal. To assure that at
least by the end of his office he was ready to make definite efforts
to reform the system of governance. He should have tried to make the
public believe in him, of course, if he is likely to continue living
in this country and participate in its public and political life.
Meanwhile, the president is wasting all his opportunities to cultivate
belief in his actions. And if the same criminal believes him, believes
and does not attack until January, it will be not only the result of
accepting and believing but also not considering him to be a serious
obstacle.
HAKOB BADALYAN
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONCERN FOR THE TOP OF POWER
Lragir.am
01 Sept 06
The Russian president is said to have told Robert Kocharyan that Serge
Sargsyan is not a desirable successor of Robert Kocharyan. The news
reporters reminded about this, `I am surprised at the short-sightedness
of people, the poison and bile in our news reporters and politicians.
I treat many cases with humor because I know what this information
about the talk of the presidents of two countries means. In other
words, this wretched person circulated this information and confused
the society, considering that they have greater possibilities than the
special services of the world and can have information on it. It is
funny.’
Serge Sargsyan says these people have only one concern, `These people
want to be at the top of power. These people want to get great
influence on the society through dishonest ways. The wish to be at the
top of power is not condemnable, the methods and ways are condemnable.
Especially that sometimes these people make these analyses when they
are not sober.’
Serge Sargsyan also informed that opening the Russian-Georgian
checkpoint of Verin Lars, which has a vital importance for Armenia,
does not depend on us. When the Russian party finishes the repair,
the checkpoint will be opened. Serge Sargsyan thinks the closed
society does not affect our society.
Meanwhile, the military budget depends on us, which will grow along
with the growth of the GDP. 3.5 percent of the state budget will be
allocated for military expenditures. The defense minister of Armenia
thinks Azerbaijan will not cut military expenditures even after the
recommendations of the European Union.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress