WAITING FOR THE DRAFT LAW: THE CONCEPT NOTE RECEIVED POSITIVE FEEDBACK
By Karine Mangassarian
Yerkir.am
April 14, 2006
Last week, Levon Mkrtchian, leader of the National Assembly’s
Armenian Revolutionary Federation faction and ARF Armenia Supreme Body
representative Armen Rustamian presented at the National Assembly the
concept of the Law on Granting Dual Citizenship Status to Armenians
Abroad.
ARF had articulated its position on the issue during the constitutional
referendum. Armen Rustamian stated that the present concept note can
serve as the foundation for further establishment of the institute
of dual citizenship.
We asked several political leaders to comment on the concept note
and the concerns they had voiced during the constitutional referendum
campaign.
Before presenting the concept note Armen Rustamian stated that the
concept note has three main goals: organizing the world-spread Diaspora
around national goals, creation of new opportunities for strengthening
Armenia, and protection of the rights of Armenians in other countries.
Head of the parliamentary faction of the Republican Party Galust
Sahakian noted that his faction has read the concept note but does
not have any specific feedback yet.
“It was a result of a political consensus and during the referendum
campaign we supported elimination of the ban on dual citizenship. I
think when a draft law is elaborated based on this concept note our
faction will discuss it,” Sahakian said noting that his party has
discussed the concept note many times and believes the wording of
some provisions is not clear enough.
“There are some provisions that can be interpreted in different
ways but I think these uncertainties will later be eliminated. These
provisions deal with the right to vote and be elected, issues connected
with military service. The overall idea behind the law will be that
individuals with dual citizenship who exercise their rights and
fulfill their obligations in the homeland will have the right to
fully participate in these processes,” Sahakian said.
Chairman of the National Democratic Party, member of the National
Assembly Shavarsh Kocharian believes the concept note contains the main
provisions that currently exist in the international experience. “The
concept note indicates the main directions.
The final feedback will be possible only after the draft law is
elaborated. I want to stress one important issue that is in the center
of attention of our public. The concept note stipulates that only
individuals with dual citizenship who permanently live in Armenia
will have the right to vote.
This means that people with dual citizenship who do not live in Armenia
will not be able to participate in the elections in Armenia. The second
point I want to stress is that the right to be elected and the right
to occupy public posts can be limited, which I think is logical,”
Kocharian said adding that his party fully supports this limitation.
“We had presented our concerns in the text of the constitution we
had proposed. However, since the concept note contains provisions
on such limitations, I don’t see any reasons to worry,” Kocharian
concluded. Are there any suggestions that were not included into the
concept note? Commenting on this question Kocharian noted that once
the draft is elaborated further proposals can be made.
Member of the National Unity Party’s parliamentary faction Aghassi
Arshakian stated that the concept note is an attempt to settle the
concerns of the population regarding three main issues connected with
dual citizenship.
“These issues are military service, taxes and the rights to vote and
be elected. All of them are addressed in the concept note, in some
cases addressed adequately, in others not so well. When the draft
law is elaborated it will be possible to settle any disagreements
through discussions,” Arshakian said.
Secretary of Ardarutyun (Justice) Bloc’s faction Victor Dallakian
said he has important things to do and has no time to read the
concept note. He further stated that he is very skeptical of dual
citizenship. We have no reasons to disagree with Dallakian.
There are of course more important things to deal with. Parliamentary
elections are approaching and it is necessary to ensure that his
party gets some seats in the new parliament.
Member of Orinats Yerkir’s faction Mher Shahgeldian said he has read
the concept note but his position will be further clarified after
the note is discussed by his faction.

RUBEN SAFRASTIAN: TURKEY WANTS TO REVIVE ITS OBSESSION TO MEDIATE IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Yerkir.am
April 14, 2006
“In my opinion, Turkey is trying to receive dividends from the fact
that the U.S. is interested in it in connection with the possible
military operations against Iran,” Ruben Safrastian, head of the
National Academy of Sciences’ Department of Turkey said in his
interview with Noyan Tapan.
He said Turkey is trying to derive benefit from the formed situation
and is carrying out bargaining, which in many respects is aimed at
satisfaction of its interests. In particular, Turkey is trying to
revive its obsession to mediate in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement despite the opposition from Armenia. Ruben Safrastian
reminded that in 2001 former Turkish Foreign Minister Ismayil Jem
offered Turkey’s mediation in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.
“Today Turkey, making use of the interest of the U.S. in itself in
connection with the Iranian crisis, is trying to press upon Armenia
with the support of the U.S. and to squeeze itself into the process
of settlement,” Safrastian said. According to Ruben Safrastian,
in Turkey they consider that one of the main ways of strengthening
its influence in the South Caucasus is the mediation services in the
Nagorno Karabakh issue.
In this context Turkey is also interested in including its military
contingent in the peacekeeping forces in the zone of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. The scientist said that in the respect of increasing
its influence in the South Caucasus Turkey has made progress only in
Georgia that expresses willingness to join NATO. However, the Turks
have no progress either in Armenia or in Azerbaijan.
As for the latter, the expert reminded: “To all appearances, the
Turks have lost interest in Azerbaijan as they have no chances to
strengthen their influence in Azerbaijan, in any case, under Ilham
Aliyev. Of course, there is the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, there is
Turkish capital in Azerbaijan, military and political cooperation,
but the influence of the U.S., Russia and Iran becomes more and more
strong in Azerbaijan”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JAVAKHK BEFORE THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY
Yerkir.am
April 14, 2006
Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Nikol Aghbalian Student Union
has published the first book of the Student Series. The book contains
the reports of the conference titled “Javakhk Before the Challenges
of the 21st Century,” and depict the complex developments unfolding
in Samtskhe-Javakhk.
The topics and suggestions made in the book by its authors are quite
beneficial for the normal relations between Armenia and Georgia and
aimed at resolving the problems in civilized manner.
The book contains Haykazun Alvrtsian’s “The Measures of the Republic
of Armenia in Preservation and Development of Armenians in Javakhk,”
Khacahtur Stepanian’s “Autonomy of Javakhk as Precondition of its
development,” Vahe Sargisan’s “Armenian Youth and Issues of Javakhk,”
and other articles.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WILL ARMENTEL BE RESOLD?
Yerkir.am
April 14, 2006
The statement made by the Greek OTE company on its intention to sell
its 90 percent stock it holds in the Armenian telecommunications
monopolist ArmenTel to Russian companies has been actively discussed
by the Armenian government which holds the remaining 10 percent of
the ArmenTel stocks. The government’s agreement is mandatory to cut
such deal.
OTE representatives have allegedly made a visit to Armenia recently to
inform the Armenian government about their intention to sell OTE’s
stocks, and judging from the official OTE statements following
the discussion at the government, the latter has agreed to the
deal. However, both the government and the ArmenTel refuse to confirm
or deny the information.
But according to the information obtained from various sources,
OTE is likely to accept the offer of Russian companies, which are
said to offer some $450-500 million. Russia’s Bi Lline, Magaphone and
Vimpelcom are mentioned among the potential buyers but it is not yet
clear whether those companies want to get OTE’s 90-percent stake or
acquire also the 10 percent stake held by the government.
In 2003, the Russian RosTelecom offered $100 million for the 90-percent
stake but the OTE refused since it demanded at least twice as much. The
situation is apparently different now. ArmenTel is a quite profitable
company; the company’s profit stood at $55 million last year.
The OTE explains its intention to sell its stake by the fact that it
wants to concentrate its operations in the Balkans; the company has
lost 216 million euros last year and wants to raise cash by selling
its ArmenTel stake. But speaking at a discussion at the WB office in
Yerevan, ArmenTel CEO Vasilis Fetis boasted the company has received
a $24-million-euro privileged loan. But if the OTE intends to sell
ArmenTel why is it applying for a loan? Is it that OTE wants to
artificially raise the price for ArmenTel?

HOUSE OF WRITERS UNION NOT TO BE DESTROYED
Lragir.am
17 April 06
On April 17 the president of the Writers Union of Armenia Levon Ananyan
gave certain certainly on the building of the Writers Union. He was
in Lebanon and participated in the all-Armenian conference of writers
when he learnt about the noise over the house of the Writers Union.
Levon Ananyan says the building of the Writers Union on Baghramyan
Street will not be sold or destroyed. However, the building needs
repair, confesses the president of the Writers Union. Nevertheless,
he says, he had rejected the offer of an investor to repair the
building on the condition of building a high-rise over the Writers
Union, the four floors would be given to the Writers Union for free.
“The investor said it would be better if the building of the Writers
Union was included in the high-rise, but the administration discussed
and rejected the offer,” said Levon Ananyan. According to him, it is
impossible to destroy the house of the Writers Union and carry out
construction for three years, because it will disrupt the work of the
Writers Union, which has, Levon Ananyan says, improved significantly.
“No offer that is connected with destroying the house of the Writers
Union will be accepted. I would resign rather than accept such an
offer,” says Levon Ananyan. He is ready to accept another offer,
however. And there is such an offer from a group of Armenians from
the United States. Levon Ananyan says the point of the offer is to
add a building to the Writers Union, Levon Ananyan says, to improve
the conditions of writers. The president of the Writers Union says
this offer needs to be considered. However, there was no dissent on
behalf of writers but not with regard to the offer itself. Simply Levon
Ananyan reminds that when he was elected president of the Writers Union
he raised the issue of an additional building to improve conditions
of the Writers Union. The conference of the Union approved the concern
about the building, says Levon Ananyan.
He is also surprised that the rumored sale of the building raised
such a great noise, whereas no one was anxious when the government
decided to triple the cadastre value and the tax on property for the
buildings of creative unions.

YES TO ABKHAZIAN, HOW ABOUT ARMENIAN
Lragir.am
17 April 06
Akhalkalaki, April 14, A-Info. According to the news agency RIA Novosty
information released on April 14 Georgian speaker Nino Burdjanadzeh
stated that everyone in Georgia must learn the Abkhazian language,
at least the elementary level. The speaker of the parliament said
this necessuty is motivated by the constitutional status of Abkhazian,
which requires honoring this language.
Khachatur Stepanyan, the representative of the Council of Armenian
NGOs of Samtskhe-Javakheti, in response to Nino Burdjanadzeh’s
statement, raised the question of the official status of Armenian
in the south of Georgia (Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka), populated
with Armenians. According to Khachatur Stepanyan, if the country’s
government considers making the language of a de-facto independent area
with a population of 60 thousand official in this area and teaching
it at schools, it would be immoral to refuse an official status for
200 thousand law-abiding citizens (the Armenians of South Georgia).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH JOIN FORCES TO SERVE PEOPLE IN NEED
ArmRadio.am
17.04.2006 17:36
Habitat for Humanity and the Armenia Apostolic Church today
announce a partnership aimed to combat poverty housing in Armenia
and worldwide. The partnership highlights the common goals shared
between Habitat for Humanity and the Armenian Church.
“Habitat for Humanity and the Armenian Apostolic Church share a
commitment to help those in need, to advocate for the poor and to
transform dehumanizing conditions that perpetuate poverty,” said
Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity
International. “This new partnership is a blessing that will allow
us to serve more families in need both in Armenia and worldwide.”
The agreement will be signed by Jonathan Reckford, chief executive
officer of Habitat for Humanity International, His Holiness Karekin II
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Armenian Apostolic
Church. This will become an annual event to be held in the name of
His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of the Armenian Church Patriarch
of the Armenian Church and implemented by Habitat for Humanity Armenia.

MEMBERS OF EU – ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMISSION TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN
ArmRadio.am
17.04.2006 10:37
Members of the EU – Armenian Parliamentary Cooperation Commission
will arrive today in Armenia.
In the Parliament they will participate in 8th sitting of the EU –
Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Commission.
During the visit members of the delegation will meet Ra President
Robert Kocharyan, NA Chairman Arthur Baghdaaryan, Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan, Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan and Ambassadors
of EU member states.

DAYS OF ARMENIA TO START IN ROSTOV REGION
ArmRadio.am
17.04.2006 11:10
In the framework of the Year of Armenia in Russia Days of Armenia will
start today in Rostov region. On this occasion an official delegation
headed by RA Minister of Territorial Administration Hovik Abrahamyan
has already departed for Rostov.
Members of the delegation will meet the Governor of Rostov region
Vladimir Chub and representatives of the Armenian community. They
will visit the “Saint Cross” museum of Russian-Armenian friendship,
the Museum of History of Kazaks of Don and Mother Cathedral of
Novocherkask.

DELEGATION OF PACE COMMITTEE ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN HERE IN ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
17.04.2006 11:27
PACE Rapporteur of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women
and Men Mrs. Vera Oskina and employee of the Assembly’s Secretariat
Mrs. Zhannick Devaux are scheduled to meet today RA Minister of
Health Norayr Davvidyan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Aghvan
Vardanyan, Deputy Minister of Urban Development Rusan Alaverdyan and
Human Rights Defender Armen Harutyunyan.
The delegation will be received by Deputy Chairman of the National
Assembly Tigran Torosyan, Head of the Standing Committee on Social,
Health and Ecology Affairs Gagik Mkheya, Deputies Hermine Naghdalyan
and Armenuhi Hovhannisyan.