SERGE SARGSIAN TO LEAVE FOR MINSK TO PARTICIPATE IN SITTINGS OF COMMITTEE OF CSTO SECURITY COUNCILS SECRETARIES AND COUNCIL OF DEFENCE MINISTERS
Noyan Tapan
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by the Secretary
of the National Security Council under the Armenian President, the
RA Defence Minister Serge Sargsian on June 21 leaves for Minsk in
order to participate in the sitting of the Committee of Secretaries of
the Security Councils of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) and the sitting of the Council of the CSTO Defence Ministers. NT
was informed about it from the spokesman for the RA defence minister
Colonel Seyran Shahsuvarian.

RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER AND OSCE REPRESENTATIVE ON FREEDOM OF MEDIA DISCUSS ISSUES RELATING TO REFORMS OF THIS SPHERE IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues relating to freedom of media in
the territory of OSCE, legislative reforms of this sphere in Armenia,
as well as proposals to implement joint programs were discussed at
the June 20 meeting of RA Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Bayburdian
with OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, the sides expressed satisfaction with the
current level of Armenia-OSCE relations in the sphere of freedom of
media and expressed willingness to continue to cooperate in the future.

VAHAN HOVHANNISIAN: COMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TO BE TOUCHSTONE FOR DEMOCRATIZATION OF COUNTRY
Noyan Tapan
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Vahan Hovhannisian, the RA National
Assembly Deputy Speaker and Levon Mkrtchian, the RA Education and
Science Minister met on June 19 with Anthony John James Cantor, the
Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
to Armenia and A.Page, the Deputy Chief of the Foreign Ministry’s
Eastern Department.
Vahan Hovhannisian touched upon the inner developments of the country,
reforms addressed to the European integration, political formations,
parliamentary and presidential elections to take place in 2007
and 2008.
According to Vahan Hovhannisian, the presidential elections will
greatly depend on the coming parliamentary elections. They will
be a touchstone for democratization of the country as well, so all
political forces must spare no efforts not to allow breakings. The
legislative, economic and political reforms being implemented in
the country are on a right way, though there are faults in their
implementation. Outer factors also leave their negative stamp on
development of economy of Armenia, particularly Turkey’s blockade and
Azerbaijan’s non-constructive position connected with settlement of
the Karabakh issue.
Responding A.Page’s question, what foresights of settlement of the
Karabakh issue exist, the NA Deputy Speaker informed that there were
three proposals within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group which
Armenia accepted, and Azerbaijan refused. The latter wants not to
see the problem, but to liquidate consequences what is not possible
withouth solution of the problem. Vahan Hovhannisian considered
inadmissible the Azerbaijani intention to solve in future by power
by accounting of the oil factor and the international community’s
not taking serious steps against that phenomenon.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the NA Public Relations Department,
A.Page mentioned that some economic circles may connect solution of
the issue with the oil factor but it is not the official position of
the Great Britain, and assured that his country does its best to find
a mutually beneficial solution for settlement of the Karabakh issue.

SHAVARSH KOCHARIAN: WE SHOULD NOT POLITICIZE SITUATION IN JAVAKHK BUT TRY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS STEP BY STEP
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Of course, the
result of discussion of problems accumulated in Javakhk (region of
Samtskhe-Javakheti in Georgia populated with Armenians) at the state
level would be higher than at the level of experts and NGOs, but
we have problems and they need to be discussed,” Hranush Kharatian,
Head of the Department of Armenian Government on Issues of Religion
and National Minorities, declared. At the June 20 press conference
dedicated to summing up the results of the working meeting among
experts and representatives of NGOs of Armenia and Georgia held lately
in Akhalkalak, she also emphasized that unless the political figures
have a will or possibilities to discuss the problems of Javakhk, this
should be done by experts and NGO representatives as any dialogue
is necessary.
Another participant of the working meeting, MP Shavarsh Kocharian
mentioned that Javakhk is faced with many problems, including problems
of self-government, problem of language and problems of socio-economic
character. The latters have become deeper after withdrawing the Russian
military base from Akhalkalak where 1500 local residents worked. As
the MP estimated, the situation deepens in Javakhk, which can result
in an explosion. And in this respect, in his opinion, we should not
politicize the situation but try to solve the problems we have there
step by step.
Shavarsh Kocharian mentioned that there are issues, in particular,
the issue of not mastering the Georgian language, the solution of
which requires certain time or transitional period. According to him,
no one doubts that the state language of Georgia is Georgian but
study of the Georgian language should not be done at the expense of
ousting of the Armenian language.
Hranush Kharatian expressed an analogous point of view. According to
her, if the Georgian authorities decide to be engaged in this problem,
they have no sufficient funds for this. In her opinion, a weighed
approach should be applied in this issue. While, today the Georgian
state takes hasty steps in this issue and the population of Javakhk
also reacts hastily and emotionally.
The participants of the meeting expressed the hope that this meeting
will become a prologue for further discussion of problems of Javakhk
at the level of experts and NGOs.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT AJARIA IN JULY
Noyan Tapan
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by the Georgian
Minister of Economic Development Irakli Chogovadze was received
on June 17 by the Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. The
delegation visited Yerevan in connection with opening a direct railway
communication Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan.
NT was informed about it from the RA Government Information and
PR Department.
Noting the dynamic development of economic and political
relations between Armenia and Georgia, the sides underlined the
importance of timely and efficient implementation of mutually
decisions and agreements. A. Margarian indicated the opening of
Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan railway communication as the best evidence of
it. According to him, the agreement on the launching of this direct
railway communication was reached during his meeting with the Georgian
President and the Prime Minister last summer. Congratulating each other
on this important event, the interlocutors expressed confidence that
the improvement of transport communication between the two countries
will undoubtedly be a stimulus for cooperation and promotion of trade
and economic relations between Armenia and Georgia.
I. Chogovadze expressed confidence that the opening of
Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan railway communication will encourage
development of tourism between the two countries. According to him,
the Georgian government is making considerable investments in Ajaria
for infrastructure improvement: road repairs, hotel construction,
reconstruction of the airport, etc, thanks to which it is envisaged
to receive about 50 thousand tourists from Armenia instead of 20
thousand last year.
The sides also addressed the problems of Javakhk. I. Chogovadze said
that being aware of the urgency to solve the socioeconomic problems
of the region, the Georgian authorities have already allocated funds
for repairs of infrastructures, especially roads, in Javakhk.
A. Margarian said that he will visit Ajaria during the sitting of
Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission to be held this July.

ACCORDING TO IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR, ARMENIA HAS CLEAR PROGRAMS OF ECONOMIC REFORMS
Noyan Tapan
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia has clear programs of economic
reforms. The IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato stated this at the
June 17 press conference. He was in Yerevan in order to participate in
the IMF/World Bank Dutch Constituency meeting on June 17-18. Rodrigo
de Rato came to this conclusion after meetings with the RA President,
the RA Prime Minister and the governmental economic team.
In his words, the IMF is prepared to cooperate with Armenia in
the future as well by allocating concessional loans to ensure
the continuity of economic reforms initiated by the Armenian
government. The implementation of the 34 mln-dollar second credit
program on poverty rediction and economic growth for 2005-2008 is
currently underway, after the completion of which ways of providing
assistance to Armenia will also be decided based on proposals of the
Armenian government. Since 1994, the IMF has allocated 350 mln USD to
Armenia, with concessional loans making up 80% of these funds. The IMF
managing director expressed confidence that the Armenian government
will continue reforms in the tax sector.
The RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian noted during
the June 18 press conference to summarize the results of the IMF/WB
Dutch Constituency meeting in Yerevan that it would be useful to
study Croatia’s experience of economic reforms, as well as Georgia’s
ongoing reforms in tax sector.
According to him, in the last 3-4 years, Georgia has increased the
ratio of tax revenues to GDP to 20%, whereas in Armenia this index
makes 14.5%.
V. Khachatrian said that Armenia gives priority to increasing the
taxation base without raising taxes. He reminded that the country’s
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper envisages a 0.4-0.5% growth in the
tax revenues/GDP index, which, however, has not been achieved due to
a high growth of GDP – 12% annually.
Besides, in the opinion of the minister, this ratio is small because
the construction and agricultural sectors, which account for a large
share of GDP growth, are exempt from some taxes.

HOUSE MEMBERS CALL ON EU TO ENCOURAGE TURKEY REFORM AND RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 20 2006
WASHINGTON, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
Assembly of America commended longtime Armenian issues supporter,
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), for urging the European Union
(EU) to press Turkey to meet its accession criteria, properly recognize
the Armenian Genocide and end its ongoing blockade against Armenia.
The congressional correspondence, addressed to European Commission
President Jose Manuel Barroso and signed by nearly two dozen lawmakers,
states that Turkey’s progress towards establishing guarantees for
democracy, rule of law, human rights and respect and protection of
minorities remains wholly inadequate.
The bipartisan letter states in part: “Of particular concern is
Turkey’s lack of interest in considering improvements in areas that are
of paramount importance for the integrity and credibilty of Turkey’s
bid for membership.
Principal among such areas is the question of Turkey’s diplomatic
recognition of Armenia, and the removal of its blockade, as a
major impediment to regional security and development in the South
Caucasus. Equally critical is Turkey’s abilty to end its official
policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide, and come to terms with
its genocidal legacy.”
“It’s time for Turkey to get serious about meeting its European Union
accession criteria,” Maloney said. “I hope that the EU will make very
clear to Turkey during these talks that it must remove its blockade
against Armenia and end its official policy of denial of the Armenian
Genocide.”
The United States has called upon Turkey to restore economic, political
and social ties with Armenia, while the European Parliament has
adopted a resolution urging Ankara to open its border with Armenia,
and recognize the genocide, as a precondition to membership to the EU.
The Armenian government, in principle, has never opposed any negotiated
outcome to Turkey’s accession talks with the EU.
Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian has been quoted as saying,
“Armenia has never been against Turkey’s accession to the European
Union. We only said that the process of accession and the demands
put forward by the European Union must be the same for all candidate
countries.”
Kocharian has added that EU-candidates “should establish good relations
with all their neighbors and recognize the pages of their history no
matter how difficult they are.”
“[Membership] will have a positive nature for us, since we will
have a more predictable neighbor and the border between Armenia and
Turkey will become our border with the European Union,” according
to Kocharian.
“The Assembly thanks Congresswoman Maloney for spearheading this
initiative and looks forward to President Barroso’s response,” said
Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “As the accession
process moves forward, it is imperative that Turkey take the necessary
steps to strengthen civil society and democratic institutions, rather
than criminalizing free speech as seen with Orhan Pamuk.”
Hovnanian added that it is past time for Turkey to significantly
improve its abysmal human and minority rights record and deal firmly
and squarely with its genocidal past.
The congressional letter was signed by Representatives Tammy Baldwin
(D-WI), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim Costa
(D-CA), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Charles A. Gonzalez (D-TX), Raul Grijalva
(D-AZ), Sue W. Kelly (R-NY), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Carolyn B. Maloney
(D-NY), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-MI), James
P. McGovern (D-MA), Michael R. McNulty (D-NY), Grace F. Napolitano
(D-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Donald M. Payne (D-NJ), Steven
R. Rothman (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), John E.
Sweeney (R-NY), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Diane Watson (D-CA).

KENYA: BILLIONS AT RISK AS 18 EU MISSIONS DISCUSS SECURITY BREACH
Cyrus Kinyungu, Benson Kathuri, Joseph Murimi and Noel Wandera
The Standard, Kenya
June 20 2006
The Government was last night under intense local and international
pressure to absolve itself from blame over the security lapse at Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) almost two weeks ago.
At risk is the Sh50 billion tourism industry, the multi-billion
shilling airline industry and up to Sh29 billion in budgetary support.
In question is the integrity of Kenya’s law-enforcement institutions
and the Government’s commitment to international security standards.
Eighteen European Union (EU) heads of mission meeting in Nairobi
on Monday discussed and expressed “concern” over the incident’s
implications on the tourism and airline industry.
Although they have not collectively decided on when or how to engage
the Government over the issue, Britain, Germany and the US (which is
not an EU country) have separately asked the Government to explain
reports of the security breach.
List of witnesses
At the same time, two parliamentary watchdog committees released
names of those they would question over the Armenian saga.
They include State House officials, senior civil servants, Government
ministers and MPs, business people, an activist and Opposition
politicians.
Among them are Internal Security minister John Michuki, Kenya
Airports Authority (KAA) managing director George Muhoho, State House
Comptroller Hyslop Ipu, Police Commissioner Maj-Gen Hussein Ali,
businessman Kamlesh Pattni, Othaya Narc activist Mary Wambui and MPs
Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Saying the security breach at Kenya’s premier airport on Thursday,
June 8 – during which two foreigners drew guns on Customs officials
– was an indicator of a bigger problem in the country’s security,
Roland Hauser said the EU viewed it as a threat to their citizens
visiting Kenya.
“Security for all passengers and airlines is important for Kenyans,
the tourism industry and the Kenyan economy as a whole,” Hauser noted,
adding: “We want tourists from our countries to come to Kenya because
it is a beautiful country. But on the other hand, we need to have
assurances that they are safe.”
Incident might affect tourism
Hauser is the chairman of the EU Heads of Mission in the country.
He told The Standard: “The security lapse at the airport is of concern
to EU countries as it is to other countries. We want to be part of
the solution and not the problem. Kenya stands to lose if tourists
stop visiting the country due to security fears. It is not in our
interest for this to happen.”
Germany had earlier in the day turned the heat on the Government
over the Artur brothers’ saga when its ambassador, Walter J. Lindner,
demanded an explanation over the airport incident.
Lindner said his Government was concerned about the security of German
tourists in Kenya and wondered how two foreigners could be allowed
to disrupt operations at an airport of the calibre of JKIA.
“Of course there are (other) questions such as how the (alleged
Armenians) got their security passes and how they entered high security
airport areas armed.”
Lindner was speaking at the Treasury during the signing of a Sh5.6
billion agreement in which Germany will support social services,
including free primary education and water services.
House committees
Lindner, however, expressed doubt that his Government would disburse
any further funds in budgetary support: “It is possible to say we are
not going to spend the money now because the two – let me not mention
their names – have been in the country and acting (in a scary manner).”
He was referring to Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargasyan who were
deported early this month after assaulting and threatening to shoot
Customs officials at JKIA.
Two house committees announced that they would question Immigration
minister Gedion Konchella, Pattni, suspended CID Director Joseph Kamau,
President Kibaki’s strategic adviser Stanley Murage, Ipu, Michuki,
Muhoho, Wambui and her daughter Winfred Wangui.
Also to be questioned are Raila, Kalonzo, Ali and Nairobi Provincial
Criminal Investigations Officer Isaiah Osugo.
Others are Customs officers, employees of the Runda residence of the
Arturs, Baktash Akasha, suspended KAA deputy managing director Naomi
Cidi, directors and shareholders of Kensington Holdings Ltd and Kenya
Ports Authority managing director Abdala Mwaruwa.
Western source markets
Making the announcement at County Hall, Nairobi, on Monday,
the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Local
Authorities, Mr Ramadhan Kajembe, said the team was inviting anyone
with information on the two Armenians to volunteer it. Kajembe’s
committee will work closely with the Paul Muite-led Parliamentary
Committee on the Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs.
Their sittings begin on Tuesday. Investigations by The Standard reveal
that nearly 30 per cent of Kenya’s tourism earnings are from three key
Western source markets that have expressed concern over the security
of their nationals visiting Kenya through JKIA.
Germany, Britain and US together contributed some Sh14 billion to
the tourism kitty last year. In 2005, over 230,000 out of a total
683,000 international tourists came to Kenya, helping the tourism
sector contribute Sh48.9 billion. About 42 per cent of the 75,000
Germans who visited Kenya last year came through JKIA, while the US
visitors topped 73,000.
Britain, which has traditionally been Kenya’s leading market, had their
share of arrivals up 33 per cent. Contacted, the Kenya Tourist Board
(KTB) chairman, Jake Grieves-Cook agreed that the issue of security
at the airport was paramount.
“I am sure there will be lessons learnt just like anywhere else in
the world,” said Grieves-Cook.
Travel advisories
However, he did not foresee any drastic action being taken, such as
issuance of travel advisories, “as already, the people concerned have
been dealt with.”
However, admitting that the EU was concerned about the security
situation, Hauser was non-committal on what action it would take.
“It is true that the issue of the security lapse at the airport
was one of the items on our agenda during today’s ordinary monthly
discussions,” Hauser said soon after the heads of mission meeting at
Muthaiga country club, Nairobi.
“But we’ve not decided on how to engage the Government about it.”
Among countries represented at Monday’s meeting were Britain, Germany,
Austria, Poland, France, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Greece, and Romania.
Hauser said EU and the Kenyan Government had agreed to be raising
issues of “mutual concern” to both parties directly and not through
the Press.
It is on this understanding based on the Cotonou Agreement that the
embassies will engage the Government, Hauser explained. However,
he said, issues of great concern to the public are raised in public
through the Press.
After The Standard Group raid in March, the EU countries publicly
condemned the Government’s action and demanded a commitment that such
an incident would not happen again.

LESSONS START AT CALCUTTA ARMENIAN PHILANTHROPIC ACADEMY WITH NEW TEACHERS ARRIVED FROM ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 20 2006
CALCUTTA, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Lessons started on
June 19 at the Armenian Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta after the
summer holidays.
Iranian Armenian students returned Calcutta after having had their
holiday in families, taking with them a new student.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Academy, the academic year was
marked with another important event as well: Mr. and Mrs. Martik and
Greta Sargsian arrived in Calcutta from Armenia on the previous day,
with blessing of Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians. They will
teach the Armenology subjects from now on at the Academy.
After the united pray in the morning, Manager of the Academy
Archimandrite Oshakan Gyulgyulian wished good return to everybody,
passing blessing and appreciation of the Catholicos of All
Armenians. His Holiness informed gladly and thanked everybody
that 4 graduates of this year of the Philanthropic Academy passed
successfully the demanded state exams and will start from now on
their future education at local schools. He emphasized that the
above-mentioned is the greatest success of this year and evidence
of the irrefutable truth that by the got results, the strategy of
the new administration of the Academy is right and justified in the
educational and other spheres. He expressed a hope that the Academy
will start and continue the academic year with the same spirit,
more enthusiastically and enviously, fixing progress in history of
the 185-year educational institution especially in the educational
sphere. His Holiness expressed his happiness that today the Academy is
completed with new Armenian teachers arrived from Armenia, emphasizing
importance of the Armenology subjects in every Armenian’s life.

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF SLOVAKIA HAS GOOD EXPERIENCE OF JOINT WORK WITH FIVE OF SIX PARTIES ENTERED NATIONAL COUNCIL OF COUNTRY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 20 2006
BRATISLAVA, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The
Social-Democratic “Smer” party won at the elections of the National
Council of Slovakia held on June 17 as a result of what serious changes
are expected in this counrty. The left came to take the place of the
previous coalition of the right orientation. The coalition authorities
proposed by the left must still be affirmed by the President of the
country. The Christian-Democratic Party cooperating with the local
Armenian community also gathered the necessary votes, and it will be
clear during the coming days if it will have a place in the coalitional
government or will become opposition after the eight-year power.
Ashot Grigorian, the Chairman of the Armenian community of Slovakia
informed in the interview to the Noyan Tapan correspondent that five of
the six parties entered the National Council “has a good or very good
experience and results” of the joint work with the Armenian community
and its Chairman. But, according to A.Grigorian, it is very desirable
to see in the coalition “especially the Christian-Democratic Party
(KDH) and the “For Democratic Slovakia” (HZDS) movement, joint work
with which promises wider horizons in the sphere of solution of
Armenian issues.”