EU: NORTHERN CYPRUS AND KARABAKH CONFLICTS SHOULD NOT BE PUT INTO SAME POSITION
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2006 13:27 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Northern Cyprus issue and the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict should not be put into the same position, because
these problems are totally different,” said Emma Udwin, Special
Representative of the European Union (EU) New Neighborhood Policy
Programme Commissioner. Saying that the Northern Cyprus conflict is
now at the stage of discussions, Udwin has noted its delicacy and
urgency. “It is not right to parallel these two conflicts,” she said.
Andreas Herdina, EU New Neighborhood Policy Sectors Coordinator, has
talked for parallel negotiations with each of South Caucasian countries
in the framework of New Neighborhood Policy. “We want cooperation to
be made with all of the three countries and we find no reasonable
cause for discrimination between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia,”
he said, reports APA.

NEXT ECHELON WITH RUSSIAN MATERIEL LEFT FOR ARMENIA FROM GEORGIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2006 13:18 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The next rail echelon with military equipment has
left the Russian military base in Georgia. 45 cars from the Batumi
base head for the Russian military unit in Gyumri, Armenia. This day
a year ago the first rail consist with materiel arrived there. Seven
similar echelons on the whole will be sent to Gyumri from Batumi
this year. Simultaneously equipment from another Russian base in
Akhalkalaki, Georgia is being withdrawn. Russian military have to
leave the territory of Georgia before 2008.

EVERYONE, FIRST OF ALL ARMENIA, WILL BENEFIT FROM TURKEY’S ACCESSION TO EU
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2006 GMT 04:00
Henry Cuny: Interview
Year 2006 is announced that of Armenia in France. Both countries are
bound with long-standing friendly relations, promoted to a notable
extent by the Armenian community, which is one of the largest in
Europe. France along with the US and Russia actively participates
in settlement of the Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group
framework. French Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to
Armenia Henry Cuny told PanARMENIAN.Net about the current state of
the Armenian-French relations. France is a co-chair of the talks over peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The co-chairs say that in 2006 it is
possible to get things moving. What is your opinion, is a breakthrough
possible in settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict? Along with US and Russia France is a co-chair country of the OSCE
Minsk Group for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. After
the Rambouillet meeting along with the US and Russian partners
France increased contacts between Yerevan and Baku to arrange a new
meeting of the two Presidents, scheduled in early June. This is why
representatives of MFA of third countries visited Yerevan and Baku
along with the co-chairs. Along with Washington and Moscow, we hope
for decisive progress and the two Presidents will have to complete the
work of the mediators, done within latest two years. The moment is
very favorable for a settlement now, taking into account that there
are no elections either in Armenia or Azerbaijan and we will hardly
have a chance soon. In case an agreement is reached, we will provide wide political
support and the necessary financial assistance to both parties of
the conflict within a shortest possible period. There is a rather large Armenian community in France. What role does it play in the public and political life of your
country? The example of the Armenian community of France is notable, as the
French having Armenian origins are fully integrated into all fields of
the French society – politics, professional activities, education,
economy. The only characteristic that distinguishes them and is
quite understandable is their attachment to the fatherland of their
ancestors. This is one of the causes explaining France’s interest
towards Armenia and development of relations between our countries. What is France’s attitude towards Turkey’s accession to the EU? France supports Turkey’s candidacy for accession to the EU. Turkey
approaching European norms will have an undisputed stabilizing effect
in the region as a whole. Everyone will benefit from it, first of
all Armenia. The EU is a club with clear, detailed rules, which are compulsory
for everyone without exceptions. Democracy, freedom of expression of
opinions, beliefs, including religious ones, human rights, including
national minority rights, lifting blockades of borders, liberalization
of economy, establishment of normal relations with neighbors are the
core of that club. What is your assessment of the current level of the Armenian-French
political relations and their prospective development in the light
of Armenia’s participation in the European Neighborhood Policy in
particular and European integration in general? Each country should be free in expressing its will. Approaching European standards for closer cooperation is determined
by the programs by means of which it takes place. The European
Neighborhood Policy, EU-Armenia Action Plan aim at promoting this
cooperation, but this can by no means take place against the will. As
of the bilateral cooperation, France actively participates in such
priority cooperation fields as education. I must specially note that
the largest French university outside France is situated in Armenia. We
also cooperate in tourism and health. How do Armenian-French economic relations develop at present, taking
into account the opening of an Air France representation and direct
Yerevan-Paris flights? The arrival of Air France in the Armenian land was a result of large
French industrial groups like Pernod-Ricard and Castel entering the
Armenian market and they have settled down in Armenia long ago. SAUR,
VEOLIA, engaged in water supplies, ALCATEL telecommunication company,
AREVA enterprise specializing in storage of nuclear waste of the
Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant joined them. Peugeot, Renault и
Nissan cars, Michelin firm tires have strong positions at the Armenian
market, medicines of French pharmaceutical firms are sold. Demonstrations against establishment of monuments to Armenian Genocide
victims were held in some French towns lately. Do you consider these
as common phenomena or not? While one of Turkish TV channels showed Ararat film on the events in
1915 with the consent of 71% of the audience, demonstrations denying
the Armenian Genocide were held in France. These demonstrations are
not in line with the evolution of the Turkish mentality. These phenomena are not only unacceptable, but also anachronistic. Year 2006 is announced that of Armenia in France. Could you tell about the events planned on the occasion? The Year of Armenia in France will be held in over 30 cities, where
numerous cultural events will be held. Christian Armenia exhibition will open in Louvre, exposition on 12
Armenian capitals will be in Conciergerie. Ancient Armenian manuscripts
will be exhibited at the National Library of France. Concerts will
be held in Opera Garnier, Châtelet, other towns. Young Armenian gifted persons will arrive in France. We also plan to receive one thousand Armenian schoolchildren, who
speak French. The prologue will take place in September-October 2006. –Boundary_(ID_vw5EKaVZdGlD9eCoEry/rA)–

FRANCE HOPES FOR DECISIVE PROGRESS IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2006 15:00 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Along with US and Russia, France is a co-chair
country of the OSCE Minsk Group for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, French Ambassador to Armenia Henry Cuny stated in an
interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words, after the Rambouillet
meeting along with the US and Russian partners France increased
contacts between Yerevan and Baku to arrange a new meeting of the
two Presidents, scheduled in early June.
“This is why representatives of MFA of third countries visited Yerevan
and Baku along with the co-chairs.
Along with Washington and Moscow, we hope for decisive progress and the
two Presidents will have to complete the work of the mediators, done
within latest two years. The moment is very favorable for a settlement
now, taking into account that there are no elections either in Armenia
or Azerbaijan and we will hardly have a chance soon,” he remarked.
The diplomat noted that in case an agreement is reached, they will
provide wide political support and the necessary financial assistance
to both parties of the conflict within a shortest possible period.

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF FRANCE PLAYS SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PARIS SPECIAL INTEREST TOWARDS YEREVAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2006 15:09 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The example of the Armenian community of France is
notable, as the French having Armenian origins are fully integrated
into all fields of the French society, French Ambassador to Armenia
Henry Cuny stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words,
Armenian community members are represented in politics, professional
activities, education, economy. “The only characteristic that
distinguishes them and is quite understandable is their attachment to
the fatherland of their ancestors. This is one of the causes explaining
France’s interest towards Armenia and development of relations between
our countries,” the French diplomat noted.

AGAIN INJUSTICE WON IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
01.06.2006 16:17
RA Court of Appeal sentenced three 20-year-old young men Razmik
Sargsyan, Araik Zalyan and Musa Serobyan to life imprisonment. The
young people are charged with murdering fellow servicemen.
To remind, the accident occurred in 2003. First Instance Court of
Syunik marz charged the three soldiers with murder and sentenced
them to 15 years imprisonment. Disagreeing with the verdict they were
keeping a hunger strike for several months. They were assuring they
are in no way related to the crime.
Nevertheless, this fact was taken into consideration neither by the
First Instance Court nor by the Court of Appeal. Currently their
health condition is extreme. Law enforcers and attorneys said today
that parents of the killed soldiers also disbelieve that the murder
was carried out by the three young men.
“The investigation of this case at the Court of Appeal came to an
end, and again injustice won in the judicial system of Armenia,”
said Avetik Ishkhanyan, President of the “Helsinki” Committee.
According to Ishkhanyan, the Court based on the testimony of one of
the defendants only and cast a life sentence without considering the
most essential principles of trial.
“The Judge presiding over the hearing at the Court of Appeal solely
rejected all the mediations of the defense side,” said defender of
Razmik Sargsyan’s interests, attorney Zaruhi Postanjyan.
The attorneys assure they will apply both the Constitutional Court
and the European Court. They still hope to retrieve the justice.

ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS SET TO WIN TURIN OLYMPIAD
Armenpress
Jun 1 2006
TURIN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS: Armenian male chess played prevailed
yesterday over Chinese team scoring 2.5-0.5 in the 10th round of the
World Olympiad in Italian Turin. Now with 29 points Armenians are
set to win the first place. Armenians played versus all their major
rivals and in general nothing extraordinary is expected.
The Chinese team comes now second with 27 points, and the Russian
team are third with 26.5 points after beating Ukraine 3:1.
Vladimir Hakobian celebrated his victory in the Armenian team meeting
with China and provided his team’s win.

TIGRAN TOROSYAN IS THE SOLE CANDIDATE
A1+
[02:20 pm] 01 June, 2006
The NA deputies will elect NA Speaker today.
Despite all predictions and expectations, two candidates were put
forward from the Republican party – Tigran Torosyan and Galoust
Sahakyan.
Galoust Sahakyan proposed NA deputy Speaker Tigran Torosyan’s candidacy
for the NA Speaker, and the candidacy of Galoust Sahakyn was put
forward by Hakob Hakobyan, member of the “National Deputy” faction.
Galoust Sahakyan’s candidacy was proposed for a few minutes as he
announced rejection to his nomination.
He didn’t want to bring grounds for his decision and promised to
divulge the motives later on.
According to the NA agenda-regulation Tigran Torosyan presented his
program and answered the questions of the deputies. The NA parties
and factions will share their opinions on the elections in an hour.

NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONSE TO REFERENDUM IN MONTENEGRO
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
01 June 2006
Holding a referendum on independence in Montenegro on May 25, 2006 and
the willingness of the international community to recognize its results
are, on the whole, a positive fact. We believe that honouring the right
of a nation for self-determination expressed through a referendum is a
cornerstone in the settlement of similar situations and a real tool in
establishing political stability in the area of conflict. With regard
to this it is proper to remind that the violation of the right of the
people of Nagorno Karabakh, who voted for independence on December
10, 1991, enabled Azerbaijan to launch military aggression, which
killed many people and caused destruction. Neglecting the right of the
people of NKR for self-determination and the right for guarantees of
their political independence, economic and military security in the
settlement of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict put off the prospect
of mutually acceptable settlements and sustainable peace and mutual
understanding in the region.

A FOREST-PLANTING WILL INITIATE
A1+
[12:54 pm] 01 June, 2006
Forest-planting will initiate in different regions of about 175
hectares in Shirak marz next year.
Though the Gymri branch of the “Armenian Forest” company placed an
order for 500 hectares only 35% was confirmed.
Anyway, the initiators assure that such large scale work has not been
realized in the marz within the recent 12 years and this is great
progress on this score.
TV Company “Tsayg” of Gyumri