“PYUNIK” WILL PLAY WITH THE CHAMPION OF MOLDOVA
A1+
[05:43 pm] 23 June, 2006
The casting of lots for the first qualifying phase of the 2006-2007
Champions League took place in the Swiss city of Nion. According tot
he selection champion of Armenia “Pyunik” will play with “Sheriff”,
the champion of Moldova. The latter was the strongest of all the
possible opponents of “Pyunik”.
The first match will take place in Yerevan on July 12.
The second one will take place a week later in Moldova.
The Armenian team has played with “Sheriff” only once and lost the
game 3:0. The winner of this pair will play with “Spartak”, the vice
champion of Russia.

CATHOLICOS VISITED THE HISTORICAL ISLAND OF THE SEA OF MARMARA
A1+
[06:45 pm] 23 June, 2006
During the visit to Turkey Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II paid
a visit to the island Heypel together with Patriarch of Constantinople
Bartholomew I and Patriarch of Armenians of Constantinople Archbishop
Mesrop Mutafyan. They visited the Greek Orthodox church of Holy
Trinity and the famous theological seminary.
The Catholicos of All Armenians prayed for the re-opening of the
seminary which was closed down by the Turkish authorities in 1970s. His
Holiness mentioned that the Armenian Church always supports his sister
churches in their misfortunes.
The Armenian and Greek delegations visited the historical library of
the island and got acquainted with the monastery complex.

TURKEY MUST THINK ABOUT EDUCATION OF ITS NEW GENERATION
Panorama.am
15:54 23/06/06
Poet Razmik Davoyan told a discussion with artist Henrik Harukian
saying “there can be no more barbaric attitude to a spiritual figure,”
speaking about the protest of Turks connected with the arrival of
Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II to Istanbul.
In his words, it is not clear how the Turkish authorities can
talk about democracy and think about European integration after
that. R. Davoyan thinks that there is no sense to condemn the behavior
of Turks. Only conclusions can be made. “Turkish authorities must
think about the education of their new generation,” Davoyan stressed,
adding that the two countries have the right to communicate even
though there are no diplomatic relations between the two.
H. Harukyan said in his turn that there are some people who are
ashamed of the behavior of their fellow countrymen.
During the arrival of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II to
Istanbul airport, he was met with egg bombing and curses from the
side of protestant Turks./Panorama.am/

SHAVARSH KOCHARYAN CRITICIZES FOREIGN POLICY OF ARMENIA
Panorama.am
16:23 23/06/06
After parliamentary elections 2007 it is necessary to qualitatively
change the foreign policy of Armenia in relation to Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, leader of Democratic Party Shavarsh Kocharyan told a press
conference today. “Azerbaijan tries to assure step by step that
Armenia is an aggressor country. This is very dangerous for us,”
he said. According to him this is done due to wrong foreign policy
of Armenia which does not focus on Nagorno Karabakh as a party in
negotiations. In his opinion, compromises should be from both sides:
Armenia declares its readiness for concessions whereas Azerbaijan
does not want to make corresponding steps. According to him, another
fault is that Armenia has not recognized Nagorno Karabakh up until
today. Concurrently, Sh. Kocharyan thinks it possible to change the
foreign policy trends in Armenia only if the elections are held in
compliance with European standards. /Panorama.am/

A PROBATION PERIOD MAY BE SET FOR ARMENIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
Panorama.am
17:12 23/06/06
A probation period may be set for the Armenian national anthem,
Henrik Harukyan, an artist, expressed this opinion in a discussion
with poet Razmik Davoyan.
In his words, if a new song may be selected as the national anthem,
it must be broadcast by radio, so that population gets used to
it. Harukyan thinks that the discussions on national anthem should
be postponed since “the wish of the people has not got matured yet.”
In his turn, Razmik Davoyan who is a member of contest committee at the
Ministry of culture and youth affairs said that no application has been
considered yet. The poet thinks that the national anthem must be a song
about a mother and children must be educated to it since childhood.
Applications for the national anthem of Armenia will be accepted by
August 1. The present national anthem – “Our Motherland” was approved
by the parliament of the republic on July 1, 1991./Panorama.am/

Panorama.am
17:25 23/06/06
JACKAL AND HYENA ARE NOT “EDUCATED” AS TURKS
“Biology does not know cases when a jackal or hyena become more
educated and humble, lose their instinct for blood in a more civilized
atmosphere,” Armen Ashotyan, physician-biologist and a MP told a
discussion at Pakagits Club.
The club invited political and cultural figures to discuss the visit
of All Armenian Catholicos to Istanbul. All present criticized the
unwelcome acceptance of the catholicos. However, they had different
opinions about whether the “reception” was organized by Turkish
government or a group of Turks.
Paruir Hairikyan said that no Turk should be prohibited to demonstrate
against Armenians. “If you want a demonstration, do a demonstration
but do not throw things,” he said. According to him, the protest was
not against Armenian Apostolic church but an Armenian official that
has come to Turkey. Hairikyan believes that it is not a policy by
Turkish authorities.
Armen Mazmanyan, however, believes that it is a well developed state
policy because “50 people could not gather on street by chance.” After
the incident the Turkish authorities may say, “we are democrats,
we want to integrate but we have a nation of 20 million, 30 million
that looks at these issues differently.”/Panorama.am/

Panorama.am
17:55 23/06/06
ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN: BRAVO, WOMEN!
70 percent of Orinats Yerkir are women. The leader of the party
signifies women’s role largely. This is conditioned by the fact that
women make a large portion among the voters as well. “It is impossible,
that a party that has so many women in its lines, does not win. Bravo,
women!” Arthur Baghdasaryan, Orinats Yerkir Chairman told OY Women
Union 5th conference. He admires women who unlike men never left the
party lines.
According to OY leader, 200-300 people left OY since his resignation
from the post of NA Chairman. At the same time, 8000 new members have
joined 70 % of who are again women.
Margarita Petrosyan, the re-elected Union chairwoman, reported
that they have mainly dealt with women problems in health, social
and political fields. Regional head women also delivered speeches
praising their leadership.
“In August we will start talks with different healthy political
forces. In fall the party will hold its conference where we will
announce our party priorities and our understanding of how Armenia
should develop,” Baghdasaryan said. /Panorama.am/

DUAL CITIZENSHIP DISCUSSED AGAIN
Panorama.am
19:40 23/06/06
Parliamentary hearing on dual citizenship was held today at the
National Assembly called by the permanent committee on foreign
relations upon the request of Armenian Revolutionary Federation. The
committee is headed by ARF member Armen Rustamyan. ARF plans to use
the discussion materials in drafting the law on dual citizenship.
The hearing did not much differ from the scientific meeting held
last week on the same topic. The problems raised were similar and
so were the possible solutions proposed. The only difference perhaps
was that the parliamentary hearing was much politicized rather than
being scientific.
For example, Frunze Kharatyan from communist party suggested to follow
the Chinese experience which despite of its overpopulation grants
citizenship to any Chinese born in any where in the world. Paruir
Hairikyan, on the other hand, thinks that we do not need a law on
dual citizenship. Instead, he suggests eliminating those terms that
ban dual citizenship in the Law on Citizenship.
Hovhannes Igityan, from All Armenian National Movement says that dual
citizenship may harm the security of Armenians living abroad. “Some
Armenians do not consider themselves as full members of societies
they live in abroad. If they have a second passport they may be
deported from their countries of stay,” Igityan said. In his words,
diaspora and Armenia have many other ways of communicating and dual
citizenship is not the best solution.
Asked about the effects of these discussions on drafting the law,
ARF member answered “discussions are not yet over. All materials will
be summed up and conclusions will be drawn.” /Panorama.am/

TENDER FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF YEREVAN-ZVARTNOTS HIGHWAY TO TAKE PLACE TODAY
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS: A senior official of the Yerevan
municipality said the tender announced for a major reconstruction of
a highway running from the capital city to Armenia’s biggest Zvartnots
airport will be held together.
Frunze Basentsian, head of the municipality department dealing with
major construction and improvement, said two companies are bidding
for the contract. He said the results will be summed up next week
and the reconstruction will in all likelihood start in late June.
Basentsian said the road will be transformed into a high speed
road. Casinos and furniture salons dotted along it will be screened
by a wall with a separate traffic section.

ARMENIANS DEBATE DUAL CITIZENSHIP CONCEPT
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS: The main idea of hearings on dual
citizenship convened today by an Armenian parliament committee
on foreign affairs was that it would help Armenians worldwide to
rally around their homeland and use to the full their potentials
and resources.
The clause in 1995 Constitution banning dual citizenship was removed
last November, when Armenians approved a set of constitutional
amendments in a nation-wide referendum. But possible repercussions
of introduction of dual citizenship still remain unclear.
Critics say the introduction of dual citizenship could lead to a
radical change in the relationship between the Armenian state and
millions of Armenians who live outside it. According to different
estimates, the official population of Armenia is no more than three
million, while between seven and ten million Armenians live elsewhere
in the world.
Supporters of dual citizenship argue that its introduction would enable
the Armenian Diaspora to render assistance more effectively, increase
foreign investment into the country and bring expatriate Armenians
psychologically closer to their historical motherland. Opponents
of the idea say that it is fraught with unforeseen consequences and
could surrender sovereignty to people in other states. They say dual
citizenship is only possible where a bilateral agreement could be
struck with another country. But this can be problematic for Armenia.
Dual citizenship is being vigorously advocated by the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) which has developed a draft concept
on how to grant Armenian citizenship to Diaspora fellows. ARF member
Armen Rustamian, head of a special commission to tackle the issue, said
today they expect the hearings to clarify answers to many questions,
to help specify the circle of working international norms and standards
which could be used while drafting the Armenian law.
Science and education minister Levon Mkrtchian, also from the ARF,
spoke extensively about the international regulation of the dual
citizenship.
Constitutional Court chairman Gagik Harutunian reminded that only 54 of
191 member states of the United Nations recognize the dual citizenship.
Harutunian said it is critical to adopt such a law that would dismiss
all related concerns.