Arka News Agency, Armenia
May 11 2006
ARMENIA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ACCOMPLISH IN DEVELOPING BILATERAL
RELATIONS
YEREVAN, May 11. /ARKA/. Armenia and the United Arab Emirates have
accomplished a great deal for recent years in developing bilateral
relations, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said Thursday at his
meeting with the UAE Ambassador to Armenia Halifa Shahin Al-Merri.
Presidential press service says Kocharyan pointed out that the
relations between the countries are developing dynamically and
stressed the importance of investment programs implementation along
with trade contacts development.
The press release says the sides also discussed prospects of widening
room for joint programs. M.V. -0–

ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN HAD INFRINGED THE CONVENTION

Aravot.am
12 May 06

The NDU leader, deputy of `Justice’ bloc Vazgen Manoukian considers OEP
collapse as the fight of lieutenant Schmidt’s sons.

In your opinion whose revenge was the `OEP’collapse, Robert
Kocharian’s, whose foreign political positions Arthur Baghdasarian
opposed or the RPA and Government’s whose speculations Arthur
Baghdasarian detected?
The authorities don’t get so angry with the expression of different
opinions about the policy. Simply as the convention of lieutenant
Schmidt’s sons coalition powers also have internal arrangements, rules
of the game by which they have come to the authority. And if anybody
infringes those arrangements he must be punished. They have found the
way of punishment for other not to do the same. On the other hand
there is `Bolivar won’t take both of them» factor.
So taking businessmen from the OEP, was it decided who became the
winner for the post of the succeedent in Serge Sargsian-Arthur
Baghdasarian contest? I think Arthur Baghdasarian hasn’t touched the
problem on this occasion.
Now he has a unique opportunity to produce to the West as the Armenian
Sahakashvili or Yushchenko who fought inside the authority for his
pro-western views and suffered of it. In your opinion if he uses that
opportunity maybe the West will be for his candidacy in the
presidential elections?
And who isn’t pro-western in his declarations. All authority groups
declare that our aim is to become the EU member etc. And it isn’t so,
that others aren’t so pro-western but Arthur Baghdasarian
is. Everybody wants to take on that «cloth». Every
country has its heroes. Our country has been specific up to the
present day and will remain so.
My question can be considered naive, but maybe those businessmen
haven’t been coordinated, they all deny that pressure has been used on
them. Maybe those businessmen who had found a political support for
securing their property, left the OEP because of the change of
weather?
But why didn’t they enter in `Orinats Erkir’ at the beginning and not
to the NDU. They had read the projects and considered that the OEP
project was more profitable for Armenia. No. They had entered into OEP
because it was the part of the authority; the ruling clique proves
it. But when OEP looses the authority, those people must leave it. If
they can’t take advantages from the authority why should they stay
there? Perhaps it is coordinated or they have decided themselves but
it is very natural process.
A week was enough to destroy the party. In your opinion how many time
will be enough for destroying next authority parties, RPA and ARF?
Dashnaktsutiun is less possible as it has a strong caste structure
inside it. And if the ARF is Robert Kocharian’s political ground the
base of this authority is the RPA. It can cause a feeling of danger at
Robert Kocharian and Serge Sargsian. And in that case the ARF won’t be
destroyed but will make its power weaken, divide into some parties. So
it isn’t accidental that Gagik Tsarukian’s and public prosecutor’s
parties will act in the same field.
Do you also think that the NA chairman must call for a vote of
confidence and send in his resignation?
I don’t agree with it. It is adopted in such cases that the NA
chairman doesn ‘t send in his resignation, doesn’t leave the
parliamentary system but leaves the system of governing that is the
coalition.
Do you think that Arthur Baghdasarian will remain the NA chairman
leaving the coalition?
Yes I do, if he isn’t dismissed. There is no contradiction
here. Especially when the NA chairman can have an opinion which
doesn’t correspond with the Presiden’t opinion on the foreign policy,
it isn’t a reason for the NA chairman’s resignation. The government is
another thing. It is a unified body of adopting decisions and the
members of the government doesn’t have right to express discrepant
positions.
Let’s summarize, should we meet with sympathy the OEP, which intended
to be a reformer in the authority, or they have already adopted the
rules of the game by which they were revenged?
There is no point of sympathy. They have indeed adopted the rules of
this game. There is some sort of thievish rules and those who infringe
it are punished.
Anna Israelian

El Vaquero, CA
May 12 2006
Congressman Explains `Getting Into Politics’
By JANE POJAWA
El Vaquero Editor in Chief
May 12, 2006
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, representing California’s 29th District,
spoke in the J.W. Smith Student Center Monday on `Getting into
Politics,’ giving advice to students about getting their voices heard
as citizens or for actually becoming an elected official.
The 29th district is a sprawling area that encompasses Glendale, as
well as Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Griffith Park, Monterey Park,
Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Gabriel and Temple City.
More than 100 students and faculty members filled the student center
for this event, sponsored by the Organization of Latinos for Higher
Education [OHLE], which was a short biographical speech followed by
questions from the audience.
Schiff was an adjunct instructor in GCC’s political science
department while serving as a state senator for California’s 21st
district, his position before election to the House of
Representatives. He is a strong proponent of educational and
environmental issues.
Schiff recommends student involvement at all levels of politics,
whether that means voting (even for those who usually don’t), working
on campaigns, providing grassroot support for bond measures, which
often pass by only a small number of votes, to ultimately running for
office.
Schiff recommended that students who want to pursue a career in
politics `decide what you have a passion to do and then go after it.’
He said that the typical example of political science major followed
by law school was no longer the operative model for success, and that
his colleagues in the House of Representatives were just as likely to
have been accomplished `teachers, athletes, lawyers, doctors,
engineers, even a rocket scientist.’ The common denominator is that
they `are good at what they do.’ He added, `There will always be an
opportunity down the road to serve.’
Schiff is an outspoken advocate against genocide denial and believes
that the United States should condemn the 1915 Armenian genocide
regardless of pressure from the Turkish government.
In answer to a question posed during his speech about his proposed
Armenian genocide bill, Schiff described adding an amendment to a
reauthorization of a State Department bill asking the Historian of
the State Department to review the pertinent documents of the United
States to the Armenian genocide.
The state department bill was not directly related to the genocide,
but `it just happened to be my good fortune that the Turkish Prime
Minister was in town…’ he recounted, and went on to describe how the
political pressure brought to bear by his amendment allowed the bill
to be reviewed at a separate hearing. The Dedicated Genocide
Resolution passed the committee with a strong bipartisan vote, but
until the Speaker of the House allows it to come before Congress, it
goes no further.
Although the overall tone of the meeting was positive and upbeat,
some of the queries fielded by Schiff questioned his accountability
in the Iraq War [he voted to authorize the use of force based on the
intelligence reports of weapons of mass destruction but has since
changed his position] and on a peculiar note, his feelings about the
1994 parole of Lyndon LaRouche (Schiff was not associated with
LaRouche’s conviction or parole, and turned the discussion to
globalization and economics).
Schiff is opposed to invading Iran, in favor of increasing funding to
schools and believes in immigration reform.
`I believe that the magnitude of the rallies got everyone’s
attention,’ he said.
He favors the Kennedy-McCain Bill, which allows for immigrants living
in the United States to become legal through a six-year application
process the `Essential Worker Visa Program’ that includes background
checks and documented gainful employment, among other requirements,
but does not believe that legislation will pass both the senate and
the house this year.
`In the past, the United States has been the beneficiary of the brain
drain of the rest of the world,’ the congressman said. He is
concerned that not only is the United States not cultivating
scientists and engineers, but that new immigration policies actively
discourage the best and brightest of other countries from emigrating.
He also spoke of U.S.-Chinese relations and the importance of
cultivating `not only free trade, but fair trade,’ citing examples of
how Chinese policies keep the entertainment industry from competing
on an even playing field.
Students looking for a political internship program will be pleased
to hear that there are unpaid positions available at his offices in
Pasadena and in Washington, D.C. It may be the perfect way to `get
into politics.’

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/12/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Communities Unite in Support of ANCA Telethon 2) Orinats Yerkir Leader Confirms Resignation; Avoids Blaming Kocharian 3) Honorary Presidents of 31st Navasartian Games Donate $50,000 to Homenetmen 4) Armenian And Hellenic Caucus Leaders Join Together In Opposing Missile Sale To Turkey 1) Communities Unite in Support of ANCA Telethon (Washington, DC)--Armenian Communities and organizations across the United States are uniting in overwhelming support of the May 21st Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Telethon. In the last several weeks, individual communities have mobilized to build support for the Telethon including early community-level local fundraising initiatives. With less than a week before the Telethon air date, there is a groundswell of widespread interest across the entire spectrum of community organizations coming together with a united purpose of supporting the Armenian Cause, "Hai Tad." With this in mind, representatives of various communities and organizations are planning on appearing live during the Telethon to show their moral and financial support. The Telethon will be on May 21 from 3-9 PM Pacific Time (6 PM-Midnight Eastern Time) and will be broadcast nationally on i Network (formerly known as the PAX network which can be viewed on local cable systems); Horizon TV, which is carried on cable and the DISH satellite network; and will be web cast on <; Viewers can go to the Telethon page of the ANCA website (<;) where they will find a station locator by entering their zip code to obtain local channel details. "Representatives from communities throughout the United States will be traveling to Los Angeles to participate in the Telethon live," said Raffi Hamparian, member of the ANCA National Board and Telethon Organizing Committee. "The Telethon has touched a common emotion and desire in people to support the Armenian Cause in all the different parts of our communities, regardless of organizational affiliations or politics. It is worthwhile to note this very positive development because 'Hai Tad' is a calling that should be awakened in every Armenian. As the Telethon will demonstrate, we all have an important and critical role to play." Representatives from ANCs, community organizations, churches and performing artists from across the nation are scheduled to appear during the Telethon in addition to an unprecedented number of public officials including mayors and representatives from city and state governments; dozens of members of Congress and the Congressional Armenian Caucus; and leaders from the Republic of Armenia. Representatives of ANCA chapters around the nation will show the tangible results of their grassroots advocacy and activism during the broadcast with in-depth documentaries about the many activities on Armenian issues in every community. "We are eager to share the progress we are making in Pennsylvania on key issues of importance to the Armenian community and that's why I'll be making the trip to Los Angeles for the Telethon," said Dr. Ara Chalian, Co-Chair of the ANC of Pennsylvania. "The surge in interest and activism demonstrates we're on the right track and when we put the additional financial resources behind our volunteer work of our grassroots network we will see even greater results. That's what makes this Telethon so critical to our united future." To make a donation in advance of the May 21st ANCA Telethon or find out channel information, call 1-866-402-2622 (ANCA) or go to <; and click on the Telethon logo to make a donation online. 2) Orinats Yerkir Leader Confirms Resignation; Avoids Blaming Kocharian (Combined sources)--Armenians parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian was careful to avoid any attacks on President Robert Kocharian on Friday as he officially announced his Orinats Yerkir Party's departure from the governing coalition and its transformation into an `opposition force.' Baghdasarian dismissed reports that the dramatic collapse of his parliament faction was engineered by Kocharian. He insisted that he decided to resign and pull Orinats Yerkir out of the coalition because of major policy differences with the country's leadership. `It is morally right for me to tender my resignation and for our political team to leave the coalition,' he told a news conference. `All Orinats Yerkir members holding [government] posts must also resign. This is the decision unanimously taken by our political council.' The party's exit was followed with defections of about a dozen Orinats Yerkir lawmakers which caused the party's faction, the second largest in the National Assembly, to shrink by half. According to some senior members of the Armenian coalition, their departure was initiated by Kocharian with the aim of forcing Orinats Yerkir out of his government. Presidential press secretary Victor Soghomonian denied this on Friday. `I don't want to comment on gossip,' he said. `A change in the ruling coalition is an ordinary phenomenon for any civilized country. So in this case, nothing very extraordinary has happened, especially given the fact that there were some disagreements within the coalition and they understandably deepened during the pre-election period.' Baghdasarian said that the defectors had come under unspecified `pressure' to leave Orinats Yerkir and caved in because of `an atmosphere of fear that stifles dissent' in Armenia. `Everything is clear to everyone. Was there pressure? Yes, there was. From all sides,' he said. At the same time, Baghdasarian insisted that the Armenian leader played no part in the process. `There was no such thing,' he said. `We have for months had disagreements on different issues, including with the president of the republic.' Baghdasarian added that those differences have centered on the Kocharian administration's socioeconomic and foreign policies as well as `democratic reforms' which he believes need to be carried out in Armenia. He refused to go into details. The speaker, who was at one point regarded as one of Kocharian's potential successors, and his party have repeatedly criticized the government and had an uneasy relationship with its coalition partners ever since they signed a power-sharing agreement three years ago. Orinats Yerkir's exit from power appears to have been precipitated by Baghdasarian's recent interview with a German newspaper in which he called for Armenia's accession to NATO and implied that Kocharian's reelection in 2003 was fraudulent. `Of course we are becoming an opposition force. There is no question about that,' said Baghdasarian. But he would not specify whether he is ready to align himself with Armenia's mainstream opposition groups that have long challenged Kocharian. Leaders of those groups seem to remain mistrustful of Orinats Yerkir. Stepan Demirchian of the opposition Artarutyun alliance said the bloc will consider cooperating with Baghdasarian's party only if it becomes a `real opposition force.' Another Artarutyun figure, Vazgen Manukian, referred to Orinats Yerkir as a `party artificially created and artificially broken up' by the authorities. Another prominent oppositionist, Artashes Geghamian of the National Unity Party, was even more dismissive of Orinats Yerkir, alleging that it had been created by the influential Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian. `We are confident that what happened will not lead to an internal political crisis,' said Soghomonian. `The so-called divorce took place in an open and civilized atmosphere. Both the government and the National Assembly will continue to work in a normal regime.' `The resignation was tendered voluntarily,' said Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) leader Armen Rustamian. `It was not a punishment. It was a normal political event.' Orinats Yerkir's exit leaves the HHK and Dashnaktsutyun in direct control of only 51 of the 131 parliament seats. But Rustamian was confident that the restructured coalition will rely on other pro-Kocharian factions to push government decisions through the National Assembly. He said none of them will likely get ministerial posts in return for the backing. Rustamian also did not rule out the possibility of Dashnaktsutyun taking over some of the senior positions that have been held by Orinats Yerkir until now. `We have not made such a clear-cut decision,' he said. `But I don't rule out that the discussions will lead to such a reshuffle.' The Armenian parliament is expected to accept its speaker's resignation when it resumes its sessions on May 22. Deputy speaker Tigran Torosian, who is a leading member of the governing Republican Party, will perform Baghdasarian's duties in interim. 3) Honorary Presidents of 31st Navasartian Games Donate $50,000 to Homenetmen Longtime Homenetemen members and supporters Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Elo Boyadjian were appointed Wednesday Honorary Presidents of the 31st Navasartian Games and donated, on this occasion, $50,000 to Homenetmen, said Regional Executive Chairman Raffi Ispenjian. During the ceremony at Note Luna restaurant in Glendale, the couple humbly accepted their appointment as Honorary Presidents and reaffirmed their belief in the role Homenetmen plays in our community and the mission of the organization. `Elo and I will try our best to help out in any way possible and make sure that this year's Homenetemen Navasartian Games are a success,' said Joseph Boyadjian. Joseph Boyadjian has been a member of Homenetemen since his youth in Lebanon, where he played soccer for the organization. He is currently a member of the Pasadena `Azadamard' chapter of Homenetemen. Both Joseph and Elo Boyadjian have consistently been active in the Armenian community and are highly respected within the community for their many contributions. 4) Armenian And Hellenic Caucus Leaders Join Together In Opposing Missile Sale To Turkey --Reps. Bilirakis, Pallone, Radanovich, and Maloney Warn that SLAM-ER Missile Transfer Will Undermine Cyprus Peace Process and Threaten Armenia (WASHINGTON, DC)--The Co-Chairpersons of the Hellenic Caucus, Reps. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), were joined Thursday by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor George Radanovich (R-CA) in calling on Congressional leaders to reexamine a controversial $162 million US missile sale to Turkey. In letters addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Armed Services and International Relations Committees, the four legislators voiced their "deep concern and opposition to the application currently before your Committee for the foreign military sale to Turkey of 50 AGM 84K Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles - Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and associated equipment and services." Noting that Turkey has enforced an illegal blockade against Armenia for the last twelve years, provides support to Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabagh, and refuses to normalize relations with Armenia, they stressed that, "there are no safeguards in place to ensure that the transfer of these advanced new weapons to Turkey will not be used to threaten Armenia." Commenting on the presence of more than 40,000 Turkish military troops in the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus, the legislators argued that the sale would "exacerbate the already existing military imbalance over Cyprus," and "worsen the uneasy, insecure and disadvantaged position of the Republic of Cyprus in terms of its defense and weapons proliferation." They closed the letter by requesting a "thorough reexamination of all factors pertaining to the sale" of the missiles to Turkey. "We join with our friends at the American Hellenic Institute in thanking Representatives Bilirakis, Pallone, Maloney, and Radanovich in calling for a careful review of this ill-advised and destabilizing arms sale to an already over-armed Turkish military," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "Neither US interests nor American values are served by providing advanced offensive weapons to a government that used US arms to invade Cyprus in 1974, transferred weapons to Azerbaijan during the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, regularly invades Greek airspace over the Aegean Sea, and has used American military equipment in committing human rights abuses against its own citizens." The full text of the Congressional letter is provided below. Dear Mr. Chairman: We are writing to express our deep concern and opposition to the application currently before your Committee for the foreign military sale to Turkey of 50 AGM 84K Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles - Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and associated equipment and services. Considering the presence of more than 40,000 Turkish military troops in the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus, this particular sale - if materialized - will exacerbate the already existing military imbalance over Cyprus. It will worsen the uneasy, insecure and disadvantaged position of the Republic of Cyprus in terms of its defense and weapons proliferation. We also believe that US approval of this sale will negatively influence the ongoing efforts of the Administration to encourage a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question. Support for the sale could be perceived as adversely affecting our third-party role in helping to bring the interested parties together. Turkey has also has enforced an illegal blockade against Armenia for the last twelve years, continues to provide support to Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabagh, and refuses to normalize relations with Armenia. There are no safeguards in place to ensure that the transfer of these advanced new weapons to Turkey will not be used to threaten Armenia. This potential sale sends the wrong political message at the wrong time to Turkey and the neighboring countries. In a time of delicate diplomatic balance by the United States in that region of the world, the sale of this particular weapon to Turkey runs the real danger of being seen by the other countries of concern as a politically insensitive move. We therefore request a thorough reexamination of all factors pertaining to the sale of the cruise missiles to Turkey. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Michael Bilirakis Co-Chair, Hellenic Caucus Frank Pallone Co-Chair, Armenian Caucus Carolyn Maloney Co-Chair, Hellenic Caucus George Radanovich Member, Armenian Caucus All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

From: Assembly
Subject: AAA: US Amb To Azerbaijan Nominee Affirms Commitment to Peaceful Res
Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
May 12, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN NOMINEE AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL
RESOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT
Senator Sarbanes submits questions for the hearing record
Washington, DC – During her Senate confirmation hearing today,
Ambassador-designate Anne Derse reiterated U.S. policy for a peaceful,
mutually acceptable resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
stating that “a return to violence would be a tragedy.”
Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), a senior member of the Foreign Relations
Committee, submitted a series of questions for the record, including
the government of Azerbaijan’s continuing war rhetoric and other
bellicose actions taken against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Specifically, the Senator inquired about the impact of such acts on
the Karabakh peace process, and what steps will be taken to end
Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of Armenia.
Further, he addressed Azerbaijan’s attempts to isolate Armenia via a
proposed railway that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey,
but not traverse Armenia. The Senator also raised questions regarding
the decision of the Administration to provide asymmetrical military
assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as on Azerbaijan’s human
rights record.
“The Assembly commends Senator Sarbanes for his outstanding leadership
on these issues of great significance,” said Assembly Board of
Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard G. Lugar (R-IN)
asked Derse about the status of the Karabakh issue and her general
assessment of democracy in the Azerbaijan. Lugar added that
Azerbaijan will not reach its full potential if the rule of law is not
improved.
Derse responded that if confirmed, she will work toward expanding and
strengthening U.S.-Azerbaijan security cooperation and help promote
democracy and governance. She said a peaceful settlement to the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict is critical to achieving this goal and
expressed hope that President of Armenia Robert Kocharian and
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will work together on this issue.
She further stated that as Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, the U.S. will
also urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to remain engaged in the process and
demonstrate political courage. Derse also expressed her commitment to
work with both countries towards a peaceful resolution.
“We appreciate Ambassador-designate Derse’s intentions to promote
democracy in Azerbaijan and the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict,” said Totah. “But the Nagorno Karabakh problem
calls for the full commitment of the United States to require
Azerbaijan to end its threats of renewed warfare and to defend the
right of the population of Nagorno Karabakh to determine its political
future through a democratic government of their free choice. Regional
security, economic prosperity, and peace will be possible only if
these principles are followed.”
On the issue of good governance, Derse stressed the importance of a
genuine effort by Azerbaijan to respect human rights in order to
pursue democratic reform and ensure long-term political stability.
Derse most recently served as Director for Bio Defense Policy at the
Homeland Security Council at the White House. Prior to this, she
served as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the United States
Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Earlier in her career, she served as
Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the United States Mission
to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
###
NR#2006-049
Editor’s Note: Attached are the questions Senator Sarbanes submitted
for the hearing record.
1. What steps will you take in response to President Aliyev’s
increasingly belligerent rhetoric and actions, such as his threats to
restart the war against Nagorno-Karabakh, his call for a return of
Nagorno-Karabakh “no matter what it takes,” and his proposals for vast
increases in military spending? What impact do you believe such
actions will have on the prospects for a negotiated settlement in
Nagorno-Karabakh?
2. Despite U.S. and international calls for regional cooperation and
economic integration, Turkey and Azerbaijan continue their illegal
decade-long blockade of land-locked Armenia. Azerbaijan and Turkey
are now escalating this policy of isolation by planning to build a
railroad line to connect Turkey and Azerbaijan, excluding Armenia.
There is currently legislation pending that would prevent any
U.S. financing of the approximately $800 million venture. Do you
intend to raise concerns about the railway? What steps will you take
to end Azerbaijan’s blockade of Armenia?
3. In the aftermath of September 11th, Congress granted the President
limited and conditional authority to waive Section 907 of the Freedom
Support Act, with the understanding that the administration would
ensure military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, in
this year’s budget, the President requested over $1 million more in
military aid for Azerbaijan than for Armenia. On what basis has the
administration decided to depart from its previous commitment to
provide equal amounts of military assistance for Armenia and
Azerbaijan?
4. Do you believe that Azerbaijan deserved to be elected to the UN
Human Rights Council? How did the U.S. vote on Azerbaijan’s
candidacy? What steps will you take to improve respect for human
rights in Azerbaijan?
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
May 12, 2006 Friday
Georgia troops to secure safe withdrawal of Russia base
by Tengiz Pachkoria
The units of the Georgian Defence Ministry and local law enforcement
bodies are to ensure security of the withdrawal of the weapons and
hardware of the Russian military base in Akhalkalaki.
A representative of the Trans-Caucasus Group of Russian Troops
(TCGRT) told ITAR-TASS on Friday that the “Georgian side will secure
under existing accords the process of the withdrawal of the hardware
and weapons of the Russian base in Akhalkalaki, which will be
accomplished by rail (in Russia) and motor roads (in Armenia to the
Russian base Gyumri)”.
Georgian media said on Friday that the Defence Ministry’s special
units had been relocated to Dzhavakheta province, in which
Akhalkalaki and Tsalka are, for ensuring a safe withdrawal of Russian
weapons.
The TCGRT representative said that the first train with the military
equipment and weapons had been prepared for leaving the Akhalkalaki
base.
Last week, the Russian military equipped a field camp and temporary
parking in Tsalka, which is located 50 kilometres from Akhalkalaki,
for forming the first train on which arms from the Akhalkalaki base
will be loaded on Saturday and Sunday.
Three other trains will trip to Russia on May 23, 25 and 30.
The TCGRT representative also said that “part of the hardware and
weapons of the Akhalkalaki base will be moved by truck to the Russian
base in Gyumri”, Armenia.
The first auto convoy will head to Armenia on May 18.
Under Georgian-Russian agreements, the withdrawn of the Akhalkalaki
base is to be completed during 2007.
Most of its equipment and weapons will be withdrawal of the base from
Georgia is to be completed in the period from May 15 to August 15 of
this year.

FOR THE SAKE OF FAIR ELECTIONS EVEN IF JOINING OF “THE OFFENDED” WITH
OPPOSITION IS USEFUL, ARSHAK SADOYAN CONSIDERS

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Irrespective of the fact who join the
opposition, even if they are “offended people” (RA NA Speaker Artur
Baghdasarian and Orinats Yerkir Party headed by him is meant here:
NT), if they struggle for the sake of fair elections, against
mechanical reproduction of the authorities, it is useful. RA MP Arshak
Sadoyan, Chairman of the Union of National Democrats Party, expressed
such an opinion at the May 12 press conference. Sadoyan is glad that
it is being clarified what processes go on in Armenia. According to
him, the reforms become possible in the power structures as the number
of those struggling for it increases, even if they become “offended
people”, and he considers it a positive step. According to Arshak
Sadoyan, in its time the coalition was formed in rather an artificial
way and principles of joint use of the power “feeding-rack” laid in
its basis. “Naturally, there are collisions connected with use of this
“feeding-rack” and a problem emerges, how many seats will be given to
the coalition parties at this table since 2007. In fact, a quarrel for
the future table emerges,” the MP declared.

BY “ORINATS YERKIR” PARTY’S LEAVING POLITICAL COALITION, ACTION OF
MEMORANDUM TO BE STOPPED AHEAD OF TIME

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. According to the June
11, 2003 memorandum signed by the political coalition, in the case of
not overcoming the principal disagreements among the sides of the
political coalition in the way of negotiation, each of parties may
inform other sides in written form about it leaving the coalition, at
the same time calling back all its officials envisaged by the
memorandum. Late on May 11, the Political Council of the “Orinats
Yerkir” party made a decision about its leaving the coalition and
concerning party Chairman Artur Baghdasarian’s resigning the NA
Speaker’s post. To recap, according to the memorandum, the OYK party
is given posts of the NA Speaker, Chairmen of the NA two standing
committees, the Committee for Social, Health Care and Nature
Protection Issues and the Committee for Defence, National Security and
Internal Affairs, as well as the posts of three ministers, the Urban
Development, Education and Science, Culture and Youth Issues. It was
also mentioned that deadlines for the political coalition’s activity
and action of the memorandum are in force till the next parliamentary
elections. It was fixed at the same time, that it may be stopped
ahead of time in the case of leaving one of the coalition sides as
well as by the agreement reached among all sides of the coalition.

RA PRESIDENT EXPRESSES HOPE THAT ACCREDITATION OF FIRST AMBASSADOR OF
NIGERIA TO ARMENIA TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL TIES

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Ibrahin Ganyama Abubakar, the newly
appointed Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (residence in
Tehran) to Armenia, handed his credentials to RA President Robert
Kocharian on May 12.
According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, mentioning that at present relations with
Nigeria are limited only by the cooperation within the framework of
international organizations, the President expressed confidence that
accreditation of the first Ambassador of Nigeria to Armenia will
support development of bilateral ties and defining of possible
directions of mutual cooperation.

LAST DEVELOPMENTS CONNECTED WITH ORINATS YERKIR PARTY HAVE PREELECTION
CHARACTER, HRANT KHACHATRIAN SAYS
YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. “The history of the ruling coalition
have come to an end, but I am not among those who are glad at the
collapse of the ruling coalition,” Hrant Khachatrian, Chairman of the
Constitutional Law Union, declared at the May 12 press conference. As
for possible influence from without on the position of the Orinats
Yerkir (Country of Law) Party and on the conduct of its leader, RA
National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian, the politician did not
exclude that the party could use the international ties and foreign
assistance. On May 11, the Orinats Yerkir, one of the parties of the
ruling coalition, made a decision about leaving the coalition. In
addition, Artur Baghdasarian declared about his intention to resign
from the position of RA NA Speaker. According to Hrant Khachatrian, it
is possible that the recent big businessmen’s leaving the Orinats
Yerkir Party could be an intra-party bargain aimed at getting the
image of really a democratic force in the eyes of the people in order
to receive as many votes as possible at the coming elections.
Meanwhile, he reminded that the Orinats Yerkir like the other members
of the ruling coalition came to power forgetting all its principles
and this casts suspicion on this party. As for the Orinats Yerkir
Party’s place in the opposition field, he declared that the opposition
is first of all the force that should enjoy the people’s confidence
and in this case the people itself should give an estimation to the
Orinats Yerkir Party. Hrant Khachatrian said that today the the
Orinats Yerkir is exposed to the attack and the pressure of the clan
system, the other parties of the ruling coalition, the ARF
Dashnaktsutiun and the Republican Party of Armenia, are also anxious
about it, the representatives of these parties in private talks
complain of clan conditions’ becoming stricter. “In addition to this,
other processes also go in the ruling clique, remember Artashes
Tumanian (former head of RA President’s Administration: NT): a pack of
wolves is ready to hunt down their former friend,” Hrant Khachatrian
declared. According to him, the last developments connected with the
Orinats Yerkir Party and its leader have a preelection character. “I
do not exclude the possibility of special parliamentary elections.
Currently many people in the society do not believe that the regular
elections can be fair. A strong striving for changes exists in the
society today,” H.Khachatrian mentioned.