SERGE SARGSYAN ALSO NEEDS FACTS, AND BARGAVACH HAYASTAN IS NOT AN
OPPONENT YET
Lragir.am
01 Sept 06
If in answer to the statement that `the criminal penetrates into
politics and namely the Republican Party of Armenia’ only Speaker
Tigran Torosyan and Robert Kocharyan’s speaker have demanded names and
facts, on September 1 the head of the Council of the Republican Party
and Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan joined them.
The head of the Council of the Republican Party Serge Sargsyan touched
upon the news about the minister of environmental protection Vardan
Aivazyan.
There are news that Vardan Aivazyan wanted to extort 3 million dollars
from a businessman. Serge Sargsyan did not use accusing words. `The
attorney general and the court can accuse, the allegations of some
peoples cannot be perceived as an accusation.’ Serge Sargsyan does not
exclude that some time later it will become known that the news about
Vardan Aivazyan are slander. It should be added that the opposite may
become known. However, the procuracy must act to find out something.
On the evaluations that the Republican involved the criminal, `People
simply give evaluations that come from the poison inside them. We are
ready to speak, debate, both publicly and face to face, whenever
definite parties are told. The criminal are those who slander.’ Serge
Sargsyan is trying to understand what criminal means. `Is a man a
criminal if he has a nickname, isa man a criminal if he speaks aloud
and does not speak Armenian well?’ There may be one or two or three
people among the members of parliament or the council of the political
party, whose behavior and words do not show their intelligence, states
Serge Sargsyan without problems and asks which members of the council
of the Republican Party were convicted or murdered people.
Serge Sargsyan does not think that he does not spare enough time to
the Council of the RP, he is likely to spare more time, `but not at
the expense of defense and security.”
Like formerly, Serge Sargsyan does not consider Gagik Tsarukyan’s
Bargavach Hayastan Party an opponent. `Bargavach Hayastan is a force,
which has announced about its political aims, and the outcome of the
election will show what this force will be like. Now it is difficult
to say whether he is a big or small opponent.’

POLITICAL FORCE SHOULD HAVE POLITICAL TEAM
Lragir.am
01 Sept 06
Our interview with Khosrov Harutiunyan, the leader of the Christian
Democratic Union, is on the positive and negative sides of the
political situation in Armenia and possible developments.
Let us start with your political party. Will you run in the
parliamentary election 2007? Alone or in an alliance?
Khosrov Harutiunyan: We will run in the election. Alliances of
different forms are possible. This cooperation, however, will have two
important peculiarities. First, it will be based on ideological
similarity and will be for the sake of something, not against
anything. This is the political approach and resolution of the
Christian Democratic Union.

How would you evaluate the processes and livelihood in home policies?

Khosrov Harutiunyan: The upcoming developments are different from the
previous similar stages.

One of the differences is the enhanced role of the political parties
in the public consciousness. The public has started realizing that if
we expect, wish or speak about a serious policy, it must be related to
a political organization, not an individual. This is a
progress. Second, which is also positive, it is getting rooted in the
public consciousness that the activities of a political unity cannot
be separated from its ideological component. Today everyone has
started talking about ideology. Of course, by saying ideology
different forces understand different things, including a pre-election
program. At any rate, however, it is positive that they started
speaking about ideas. In the previous elections alliances were not
based on ideological similarity.

Today everyone understands that they are facing the necessity to
reshape the political sphere, and consolidate, and this consolidation
includes ideological partners rather than mechanical units. This is
the positive thing about the current home political situation, which
tend to develop and become deeper.

How about the negative?

Khosrov Harutiunyan: The negative is that the measure of influence in
politics remains the number of members of the political
party. Everyone is talking about the number of members of the
political party but nobody is trying to understand that the influence
of the political party is determined by one thing ` the ability to
make political decisions. And this is not determined by the number of
members the party has. We should admit that the powerful and
influential political forces are the ones which have serious political
ability and a political team that has potential. The political parties
which can tell the public: if you trust the program of our political
party and vote, this is our future government. And as a citizen I will
consider an influential political party the force which is more
influential, has a more able and viable political team rather than
money. This perception, unfortunately, is in embryo.

Most of us speak about the criminal. Over the past six months they
have been considering that the criminal is entering politics. Everyone
says without defining the criminal. I am asking now: are there new
figures in the political sphere we did not know before, who have a
criminal past? You won’t see such people. Everyone who has an active
role in the political processes, both in and outside the parliament,
are known to everyone. Whether they were criminal or not, they have
been in politics for a long time now. All kinds of authorities, from
the neighborhood to politics, are not new in the political sphere.
They were in the parliament, they were ministers. Hence, what does it
mean the criminal intruded politics. We must give a definition to
this. We must also define the form of struggle. This is what I am
concerned about.

What is criminal and the means of struggle against it?

Khosrov Harutiunyan: I stated my worries as long ago as in 2002.
Generally, the economic power seeks political power. This is a regular
process of organization of public life. There cannot be economic power
without its continuation in political power. Vice versa, political
power seeking for economic power is wrong. This is the path of
corruption. Economic power seeks political power. This is the classic
way. And if this political power is legal, it does not have problems
with the law, it formed under free competition, transparent income and
fair distribution of property, this economic power is even helpful for
strengthening the political power. By saying criminal, we should
understand an economic power, which has problems with the law, which
has its greater part in the black economy, which avoids declaration of
its income and fair distribution of its property. If they do not
define it so, I will not understand what criminal is. And the
political aspirations of such an economic power is dangerous for the
public,

Now the forms of struggle. Usually the existing political parties try
to use this kind of economic power, which are political parties of one
leader, a pyramid formed under a leader of charisma, where the word of
the leader is the law. And for such political parties with such a
quasi-democratic internal life this kind of economic power is a real
discovery. It is enough to buy the leader of the party, and the entire
political party is in your hands. Consequently, the problem is that
the entrance of economic power, which has problems with the law, can
be blocked by only a predictable, intelligible and perceivable
political system.

We suggest speaking about political teams in the upcoming election
independent from the number of members of the political parties. Such
a model will promote new approaches inside political parties. We
propose discussing the question of adopting a proportional system of
election, like in Holland or Scandinavia. The voter votes the party
ticket and a definite person on this list. Not only the leader but
also the entire political party is presented to the public, and
everyone needs to prove that its political party is preferable.
Having money or not is not so important in such a political
competition. In such a political situation we will have a) a gradually
quality political system, b) political parties living a qualitatively
new internal life, which cannot appear under the influence of the
economic power which has problems with the law. This is a way which
will allow protecting the political process from elements which have
nothing to do with politics.

What will the elections and the National Assembly be like, in your
opinion?

Khosrov Harutiunyan: I do not have great expectations. In fact, there
is a practical chance to have a qualitatively new National Assembly,
if we start considering political teams now. The political parties,
which seek influence, can present their political teams, meat with
people. We need to understand, hear, see, touch to find out if we can
trust it or not. If we do this, money will not be that important in
the upcoming election. If we fail to do this, we will unfortunately
have to report another failure in political developments. It is
necessary to put the problem correctly, form demand in the society.

The society wants to see political teams. The political parties will
have to introduce their teams. They cannot replace the team with
money. It is impossible. Those who will try to replace the team with
money will lose. And the presence of political teams will lead to an
ideological clash, rich people will look for professionals, and all of
us will benefit. Fish starts decaying from the head, but they start
cleaning the fish from the tail.

ARAM ZAKARYAN

EUROPEAN COLLEGE WAS OPENED
Lragir.am
01 Sept 06
On September 1 the college of European Regional Academy was officially
opened in Yerevan. According to the director of the Academy Husik
Gevorgyan, this is the first step in the reform of the system of
vocational education.
According to him, the reforms in higher education and vocational
educationare determined by the integration of Armenia with Europe and
our country’s joining the declaration of Bologna.
The college corresponding to European standards has branches in Kapan,
Martuni, Idjevan, Hrazdan, Ashtarak, it has contacts with the
universitiesof Marseilles, Munich, Barcelona, which assist the college
in working out curriculum.
It is foreseen to set up relations with the vocational colleges of
Europe and implement student exchange programs, as well as training
for the college teachers. It is also planned to increase branches. In
this academic year, the number of the students of the college will
reach 700.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HARRY GILMORE CONGRATULATED INDEPENDENCE OF KARABAKH

Lragir.am
01 Sept 06

The NKR government received a number of congratulations on the 15th
anniversary of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The press service of the
NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the first
U.S. ambassador to Armenia Harry Gilmore (1993-1995) congratulated the
people of Artsakh on the 15th anniversary of independence of Artsakh.
It is interesting whether the present U.S. ambassador will
congratulate the people of Artsakh after taking up another job.

Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan moderately optimistic about the Karabakh
conflict settlement
01.09.2006 16:42
Anna Nazaryan
“Radiolur”
On the occasion of the Knowledge Day RA Defense Minister Serge
Sargsyan visited the Military Institute after Monte Melkonayn. The
minister learned about the situation in the Institute and promised to
undertake measures to make the Institute one of the exemplary
educational establishments in Yerevan.
The Minister also spoke about domestic policy issues. President of the
Republican Party Council declared he does not consider the `Prosperous
Armenia’ Party an opponent. The `Prosperous Armenia’ is a force that
has declared about its political objectives. What this force will be
like, we’ll know after the elections,’ the Minister said.
What does Serge Sargsyan think about the rumors that there are many
criminals among the Republicans? `Let them go and check their party
lists,’ the Minister suggested.
As for the Karabakh issue, the Defense Minister is moderately
optimistic: ` The year is not over yet, and we cannot say we have no
expectations.’
In Serge Sargsyan’s words, 2007 military budget of Armenia will
increase parallel to the GDP growth, and the military expences will
not increase at the cost of the reduction of financing to other
spheres. As for Azerbaijan, the Minister considers it will not reduce
its military budget, notwithstanding the urging of the European Union.

Armenia to participate in the
01.09.2006 17:53
Alisa Gevorgyan
“Radiolur”
`Elite Model Look’ is the most celebrated contest in the fashion
market of the world. This year Armenia will for the first time
participate in the contest. The Office of the contest agency headed by
Vice Miss Europe Lusine Tovmasyan was opened in Yerevan. The best out
of the 24 participants will be chosen on September 7 during the
contest to be held at the Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.
`This is a very famous contest. The doors of different model agencies
will be open for the winner. The contest in Armenia is held consistent
with international standards,’ chief producer of the Public TV Hrach
Keshishyan told ` Radiolur.’
The preparations of the `Elite Model Look’ contest have been under way
for several months. The 24 beauties have been elected by a large
jury. `The jury was comprised of both plastic surgeons, photographers,
directors, designers and other specialists. All the girls are under
21. The participants are expected to demonstrate artistry and
intellect,’ Hrach Keshishyan said.
During the first month the girls were holding the trainings in
Yerevan. No they have been isolated and are working in one of the
hotels in Sevan.
In two months the winner will leave for Thailand to participate in the
main ` Elite Model Look’ contest. It should be mentioned that viewers
of the Public TV will have the opportunity to watch both contests
live.

Today is the Knowledge Day

ArmRadio.am
01.09.2006 10:44
Today is the 1st of September ` the Knowledge Day. On this occasion
congratulating messages were issued by RA President Robert Kocharyan,
NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan and Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The
Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II noted in his address that the
educational achievements are the best victory of our people on the way
to a prosperous and thriving life, to the fulfillment of all our
dreams.
Today 9 081 first grade pupils went to school in Yerevan as compared
with 10 873 in 2005.

Festive events started in Stepanakert

ArmRadio.am
01.09.2006 12:05
The festive events dedicated to the 15th anniversary of declaration of
independence started in Nagorno Karabakh.
This evening a festive meeting, featuring NKR authorities and society,
guests from Armenia, Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and other
countries will be held in Stepanakert, ArnInfo reports.
The delegations invited to participate in the celebration will be
received by NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan.
The first day of the academic year in Karabakh was dedicated to the
15th anniversary of declaration of NKR independence. In the framework
of the celebration war veterans will be awarded orders. Participants
of the Great Patriotic War, families of those who fell during the
Artsakhi war and the handicapped will receive financial assistance.
A number of cultural and sport events are also scheduled. The actors
and singers from Karabakh and Armenia will perform both in capital
Stepanaeket and in the regions of the Republic.
The celebration will be concluded with a salute.

President Kochayan’s congratulating message on Artsakh’s Independence Day

ArmRadio.am
01.09.2006 12:32
Dear compatriots,
I congratulate you on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of
declaration of independence. Artsakhi people have made their
historical choice: they have defended their national rights in an
imposed war, and today they are building a free and democratic
state. Powerful Karabakh is the greatest memorial to the immortal
heroes of the liberation war in Artsakh.
The state construction in Nagorno Karabakh is directed at the
multifaceted development of the country and the rise of the Living
standards. The existence of a firm and democratic statehood in
Artsakh is necessary for the peaceful and fair settlement of the
Karabakh conflict.
It is the duty of the republic of Armenia and all Armenians contribute
to the development and mightiness, as well as the international
recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Once again I
congratulate all of us on this great jubilee and wish peace and
progress.’

Panorama.am
13:28 01/09/06

EDUCATION MINISTER LECTURES AT SCHOOL
The Minister of Education Levon Lazarian lectured
today, September 1, for the 10th grade schoolchildren
of School after Hambarzum Galstian. The lecture was
part of the open door program at schools during which
political actors will deliver lectures at the
republican schools until September 21. Lazarian
prepared the students for the possible unfairness that
students may encounter during their life. `I would
like everyone to swear to yourself that you will be
loyal to your motherland despite of the fact whether
this motherland will enjoy prosperity and happiness or
will undergo hard days,’ minister Lazarian told
students. The minister delivered his greatest vision
to the children – to celebrate the 150th independence
day of Armenia at the same school. /Panorama.am/