VAHAN HOVHANNISIAN: RUSSIA’S STEPS TOWARDS ARMENIA MAKE ANXIOUS EVEN THOSE
WHO ARE FOR FIRM ALLIANCE WITH RUSSIA
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The solutions to energy problems
between Armenia and Russia that have an economic character indeed
are considered as a political compulsion. Vahan Hovhannisian,
RA NA Vice-Speaker, member of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun Bureau,
expressed such an opinion at the April 20 meeting with journalists,
commenting upon the sale of the 5th power unit of Hrazdan Thermal
Power Plant (TPP) to Russia for the purpose of mitigating the tariff
for gas. “Everybody understands that Russia could also propose
other ways out, more beneficial for Armenia but it did not do it,”
he mentioned. According to V.Hovhannisian, in the economic plan the
solution is optimal “as if you have a nothingness having a cost of
several dozens of millions, i.e. a half-built building, and have
neither a possibility to complete nor to run it, it is beneficial
to sell it at the maximum price”. The only problem, according to
the speaker, is the difficulty of looking for an alternative but
it should not be connected only with Russia. Because of Armenia’s
geographic position this alternative is connected with Iran which is
currently in rather a hard position itself. According to the speaker,
we should also think about internal resources, not only in the respect
of development of energy also development of economy in general. “I
think that the main work to be done at present should be aimed at
building the second, more secure, powerful and modern nuclear power
plant,” NA Vice-Speaker mentioned. Answering journalists’ questions,
Vahan Hovhannisian said that “as a result of Russia’s steps towards
Armenia being not well thought-out” really a growth of anti-Russian
moods takes place in the country. “Such steps taken by Russia towards
Armenia really make anxious also those who are for a firm alliance
with Russia,” V.Hovhannisian declared.
According to him, it becomes obvious that economic interests start to
dictate a political direction to the Kremlin. “Therefore, the debt
of 100 mln is not remitted to Armenia and we pay for gas a larger
sum than Turkey,” NA Vice-Speaker emphasized.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR DISCUSS PROSPECT
OF CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS ON NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On April 20, OSCE
Minsk Group American Co-chair Steven Mann was received by Armenian
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA
Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, the interlocutors
discussed the current stage and prospect of continuing the negotiations
on the Nagorno Karabakh settlement.

RA PRIME MINISTER SATISFIED WITH NEGOTIATION PROCESS OF WORKING OUT
ACTIONS PLAN OF ARMENIA WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD
POLICY
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Just from the
first years of declaring the independence, Armenia has chosen the
way of the Eurointegration and the whole further activity was led to
making the legislative field of the country corresponding to the EU
legislative field. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian stated about
this, receiving on April 19 Marie-Anne Isler-Beguin, the European
Co-Chairwoman of the Armenia-European Union Parliamentary Cooperation
Commission. Expressing satisfaction with the negotiation process on
working out the Actions Plan of Armenia within the framework of the
European Neighborhhod Policy (ENP), Andranik Margarian expressed a
hope that the regular stage of the negotiations scheduled for this
May will finish with success, giving possibility to affirm that
important document within a short term and undertake a purposeful
work of implementation of the Actions Plan.
Mrs.Beguin emphasized that the European Parliament had its positive
role in the issue of involving the three countries of the region
within the framework of the ENP, and today it keeps in the center
of attention the democratic processes taking place in that country
and the problems of settlement of conflicts. She assured that the
Commission is ready to control the negotiation process, to make it as
quick as it is possible and to bring it to end. Presenting in details
the works done within the framework of Armenia’s cooperation with the
European Union and emphasizing the meaning of developing democracy
in the country in the issue of a successful implementation of the
mentioned processes, the Prime Minister emphasized that it supposed
a continuous and successive work.
He considered implementation of the constitutional reforms one of
important steps in that direction, after what the Government affirmed
the list of events coming out of the constitutional amendments,
according to the schedule. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA
Government’s Information and Public Relations Department, Andranik
Margarian emphasized that Armenia is seriously preparing for the
coming parliamentary elections for those elections express the people’s
interests, are held in the atmosphere of confidence and corresponding
to the international standards. Mrs. Beguin assured that the European
Council as well is interested in holding free and just elections
in Armenia. The Prime Minister also touched upon the economic and
social problems of Armenia, presenting works being implemented within
the framework of the Poverty Reduction Strategic Program as well as
ones envisaged within framework of “Millennium Challenge” and other
programs. Andranik Margarian and Mrs. Beguin were of the same opinion
that improvement of the Armenian-Turkish relations in general and
opening of the Armenian-Turkish land border particularly will have a
positive influence on strengthening atmosphere of stability and safety
in the region. On the occasion of the demand on establishing good
relations with neighboring countries proposed within the negotiation
format of Turkey’s membership to the European Union, the Prime Minister
expressed a hope that the European side will pursue implementation
of that demand. Appreciating the resolutions adopted by the European
Parliament in which the Tukish side is called on to recognize the 1915
Armenian Genocide, the head of the Government of Armenia emphasized
at the same time that such a step made by Turkey will greatly support
improvement of the Armenian-Turkish relations. The RA Prime Minister
introduced to Mrs. Beguin the lattest developments of the negotiation
process on settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, particularly,
estimations of Armenia concerning the results of the two countries’
Presidents’ meeting in Rambouillet, at the same time drawing the
interlocuter’s attention to martial statements of the Azerbaijani
side, considering chargeable settlement of the conflict in military
way. Mrs.Beguin emphasized that the European Union as well see the
only solution of the NKR problem in the settlement in a peaceful way.

LEVON MKRTCHIAN: “ARF HAS ALWAYS ARISEN ARMY OF OPPONENTS WITH ITS IDEOLOGY”
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “These books will
help to understand what the Dashnaktsutiun is. They are addressed
especially, to youth,” Hrant Margarian, an ARF Bureau representative
stated at the presentation of books concerning the party published
during the recent period of time. The presentation took place on
April 19 at the ARF Bureau office. Haroutiun Kyurkjian’s four-volume
“Historiography of The Armenian Revolutionary Federation”, Ararat
Hakobian’s “The Armenian Parliament and Political Parties of
1918-1920”, “ARF Figures Answer People’s Questions,” Enlightment
Minister of the first republic of Armenia Nikol Aghbalian’s “Thoughts
about the ARF Dashnaktsutiun”, Gevorg Khudinian’s and Ararat
Hakobian’s “Last Attempts of Misrepresenting the ARF History” books
were presented at the presentation. According to Levon Mkrtchian,
a member of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia and the head of the NA
“ARF” faction, the goal of publication of those books is “to present
the Dashnaktsutiun” to our people.” ” We have the biography of every
year of the 115-years old party in the printed version: by press,
series of books, and we continue this tradition today as well, as the
system of values that has been passed to us and we must pass to our
generation, is passed from a generation to a generation by mainly it,”
L.Mkrtchian stated. “ARF Dashnaktsutiun is an influential political
force both in Armenia and in Diaspora, and it has always arisen an
army of opponents by making eastern its national ideology.
Those opponents attempted to implement some problems by misrepresenting
goals of our historiography,” the head of the ARF parliamentary
faction emphasized.
Responding the Noyan Tapan correspondent’s question how it is possible
to struggle against the anti-Armenian literature in foreign languages,
sponsored by Turkey, Hrant Margarian said: “Works have been done in
that direction already for 70 years. We have alsways been successive
in that issue. But the most essential is that today one must struggle
in that field at the academic level.”

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN: “IF COMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ARE FALSIFIED
IN THE WAY AS IN 2003, IT MAY BRING SERIOUS CHANGES”
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN. In the interview published in April
19 issue of the German “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” newspaper,
Artur Baghdasarian, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia
emphasized the importance of the 2007 parliamentary and 2008
presidential elections for Armenia.
According to Radio Liberty, respoding the question if during the
2008 presidential elections he will follow the example of Mikheil
Sahakashvili and Viktor Yushchenko, who were a part of the Government
before, but when saw that the acting authorities were not able to
implement reforms, left the Government and became leaders of coloured
revolutions, Artur Baghdasarian answered: “I am for reforms. All
those people who are against holding them in a peaceful way, assist
implementation of revolutions, but the revolution is not a right
way in the 21st century.” “We struggle for countinuous character of
reforms, and we need just elections for it. The 2007 parliamentary
elections and 2008 presidential elections are very important for
our country, and must show where we go, towards Europe or back? They
who thinks that they may falsify the elections, must understand that
those times have passed in Armenia, and if the coming presidential
elections are falsified in the way as it was in 2003, it may bring
serious changes. Neither inner nor outer forces will adjust to it,”
the Parliament Speaker of Armenia stated.
From: Baghdasarian

ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND STEVEN MANN DISCUSS CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS
OF NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On April 20, RA
President Robert Kocharian received OSCE Minsk Group American Co-chair
Steven Mann. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA President’s Press
Service, the interlocutors discussed the current state of Nagorno
Karabakh settlement, exchanged thoughts about the prospects of the
negotiations.

MARIE-ANNE ISLER-BEGUIN EXPRESSES HOPE THAT AZERBAIJAN TO RECOGNIZE
RIGHT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH TO SELF-DETERMINATION
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 8th annual
sitting of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Commission
finished its work in Yerevan on April 20. As Commission Co-Chairpersons
Marie-Anne Isler-Beguin, the French Deputy of the European Parliament
and Armen Rustamian, the Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee
on Foreign Relations mentioned at the summing up press-conference
convened on the same day, the agenda of the sitting was rather full
and involved regional problems and inner ones of Armenia. As a result
of the two-days discussions, statements and proposals consisting of
38 points were adopted unanimously. The text will be published as
soon as it is translated in Armenian. 6 points of the ones of the
document relate to the Nagorno Karabakh problem. It is particularly
mentioned that the European Union with all its structures, including
the Special Representative to South Caucasus, must assist solution
of the issue in correspondence with the international standards
and norms, including the right to self-determination and respect
of the national minorities’ rights. The Commission also re-affirms
that it supports the OSCE Minsk Group efforts in settlement of the
issue. It is alo fixed that solution of the Karabakh problem must
involve issues of the latter’s status, clear guarantees of security,
return of refugees, and the Nagorno Karabakh people’s participation
in the negotiation process must be secured. It is also mentioned that
the circumstance of the yet unsolved status of Nagorno Karabakh must
not be an obstacle for the international community respect the rights
and freedoms of people living there. The Commission also calls on the
conflicting sides to avoid sowing martial moods in the two societies,
and in future, to avoid calls on military actions or displays of
threats. Mrs.Beguin mentioned that the international community is
interested that the Nagorno Karabakh problem is solved as quickly
as possible and, exclusively, in a peaceful way. According to her,
the societies of the conflicting sides must also be ready for it. She
also expressed a hope that Azerbaijan as well will adopt the right
to self-determination recognized internationally. According to
A.Rustamian, “rather critical statements” were also involved in
the jointly adopted document. They must be taken into account,
and mistakes must be corrected. It is particularly spoken about
demands on the freedom and independence of press, on holding free
and just elections, on an effective anti-corruption struggle which
are attached serious importance to by the Commission, in the sense of
democratization of Armenia. A.Rustamian also mentioned that in the way
of the Eurointegration Armenia must observe both negative and positive
seeming estimations of the European partners in favour of Armenia,
“as both criticism and welcome speeches are directed to the same
purpose for Armenia takes its steps towards Europe as correct and
quick as possible and does not get off the way.”

SERGE SARGSIAN CONSIDERS NOISE RAISED BY AZERIS ON OCCASION OF KARABAKH
MILITARY EXERCISES STRANGE
STEPANAKERT, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “I have stated
many times and state now as well that Armenia is the guarantee of
security of Nagorno Karabakh,” RA Defence Minister Serge Sargsian
emphasized at the press-conference followed the Karabakh military
exercises. He considered strange the noise that Azeris raised on
the occasion of those military exercises. “Two weeks ago Azeris held
military exercises 50-60 km far from here. Would we raise a noise? This
is a normal negotiation process, and we have always been supporters of
the peaceful solution of the issue. I see nothing strange in holding
military exercises,” S.Sargsian stated. According to the RA Defence
Minister, one must not estimate Ilham Aliyev’s visit envisaged to
be paid to the U.S. as a sension: “Aliyev was elected the President
of Azerbaijan, it’s natural that he must have meetings with heads of
different countries. This visit may be observed in this context.” On
the other hand, according to him, a meeting with the U.S. President
is important for president of any country. Serge Sargsian expressed
confidence that the U.S. President will persuade Aliyev to solve the
problem in a peaceful way.

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
OTTAWA, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Prime Minister
of Canada, Stephen Harper, made a clear statement recognizing the
historical fact of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian National
Committee of Canada (ANCC) reported. In response to a reporter’s
question regarding the Armenian Genocide, the Prime Minister said:
“That was a vote held in the last Parliament [Motion M-380 – April 21,
2004]. As you recall, Parliament passed that resolution recognizing the
Armenian Genocide. Our party supported that resolution and we continue
to recognize that parliamentary resolution”. Dr. Vagharch Ehramdjian,
Chairman of the ANCC, thanked the Prime Minister Harper, on behalf
of the Canadian Armenian Community, for his historic statement. “The
Right Honorable Stephen Harper’s principled and righteous stand in
recognizing the Armenian Genocide will finally bring closure to the
Canadian-Armenian Community,” said the Chairman of the ANCC.

ARMENIAN COMPANY DEVELOPS INVESTMENT PROGRAM FOR HEAVY MACHINE BUILDING
PLANT OF KRSNOYARSK
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The advisors of Ameria CJSC (Armenia)
have developed an investment program for the Heavy Machine Building
Plant (HMBP) of the city of Krasnoyarsk (Russia). The program’s
purpose is to attract invsetments to up 150 mln dollars for the
purpose of purchasing the necessary technologies and current assets
and conducting a policy of sale by lease. The program envisages
to increase annual sales to 400 mln USD by 2010. The Heavy Machine
Building Plant of Krasnoyarsk is one of the world’s leading companies
producing heavy excavators and mining equipment. In early 2000,
the plant had financial difficulties. The plant’s new management,
which is cooperating with Ameria, has started the restoration and
modernization of the existing capacities. Head of the Business Advice
Unit of the Ameria Company Gagik Sahakian said that it is envisaged
to implement an accelerated process of restoration of Krastyazhmash’s
trade mark in the near future. Ameria was founded in 1998.
The company provides services in four main spheres: business advice,
audit, accounting and tax advice, legal advice, and investment and
banking advice.
Ameria has numerous customers not only in Armenia but also in Russia
and other countries.