TIGRAN TOROSYAN: NA CHAIRMAN’S POSITION IS HONORABLE, RESPONSIBLE AND OBLIGATING
ArmRadio.am
01.06.2006 17:27
“I consider the position of NA Chairman is honorable, responsible and
obligating,” said NA Vice-Speaker Tigran Torosyan. He emphasized three
main groups of questions, the intensions of resolving which provided
the ground for not refusing from his candidacy’s being suggested.
He attached great importance to the role of the Parliament in resolving
problems the country faces and noted that he highly emphasizes the
full implementation of Constitutional amendments in the legislature.
“Providing for the Constitutionalism of our life is of extreme
importance, taking into consideration the 2007 parliamentary elections
and the presidential elections in 2008, since a politically tense
period is awaiting us. We should effectively use the term we are
elected for and not leave the work for the post-elections period,
thus losing two years,” Tigran Torosyan said.
Arrangement and conduct of upcoming elections is of extreme
importance. The international community is curious whether
Armenia s able to hold elections corresponding to international
standards. According to Tigran Torosyan’s assessment, such questioning
only should be pitiful and insulting.
“We are obliged to hold elections in compliance with all international
standards, qualitatively changing the life and course of our
country. In the months to come the activity of the parliamentary and
non-parliamentary forces should be targeted at this,” the candidate
for NA Chairman said.
Tigran Torosyan considers that the three years of work with former
NA Chairman Arthur Baghdasaryan were effective.

120 MLN CUBIC METERS OF WATER FROM LAKE SEVAN TO BE USED FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSE THIS YEAR
Noyan Tapan
Jun 1 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Under the governmental decision of
June 1, 120 mln c.m. of water from Lake Sevan will be used for
irrigation this year. The same amount was used in 2005. Chairman
of the State Water Industry Committee of the RA Ministry of
Territorial Administration Andranik Andreasian stated this at a
briefing today. He pointed out that the increase in the level of
Lake Sevan will not affect in any way the amount of its water to be
used for irrigation. According to him, Arpa-Sevan Tunnel annually
carries 260 mln c.m. of water to Lake Sevan. A.Andreasian said that 53
associations of water users currently carry out irrigation activities
in Armenia. Each of these associations determines the irrigation
water tariff in its area. About 16 associations supply 1 c.m of
water at 8 drams, while the remaining ones apply a tariff of up to
40 drams. However, the tariff again makes 8 drams for the ultimate
user and the difference is subsidized by the state. 3.7 bln drams
(about 8.6 mln USD) has been allocated for this purpose in 2006. It
was noted that an independent audit is now being perfomed in order to
prepare a program on financial development of the irrigation system
in the next 5 years, and it is not ruled out that some structural
changes will be made as a result.

SAUDI ARABIA SUPPORTS POSITION OF AZERBAIJAN IN SOLUTION PROCESS NK CONFLICT
Author: R.Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 31 2006
Saudi Arabia will support the position of Azerbaijan in
the international arena, as well as in solution process of
Azerbaijan-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The prince of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amir Havvaf bin Feysal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz
made such a statement at the meeting with the chairman of the Caucasus
Moslem Department shekhiruslam Allah Shukur Pashazade.
According to prince, the ties between two people create a strong
base for the development of the bilateral relations. “I hope that
the efforts of the heads of Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia will further
expand the cooperation established by ex-president Heydar Aliyev and
the late king Fadh ben Abdelaziz,” told prince.
At the same time, Pashazade spoke about the satisfactory level of the
development of the relations between the two countries by noting that
Azerbaijan always feels the support of Saudi Arabia.
The Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov also delivered
a report. The Minister noted that the sport relations between the two
countries were established in 2001, and in 2004, the first agreement
on cooperation at the level of ministries was signed.
“I am sure that the protocol on the cooperation between Saudi Arabia
and Azerbaijan in the sphere of youth and sport, which will be signed
on June 1 in Baku, will form a strong base for the future expansion
of our relations,” told Rahimov.
It is necessary to remember that the prince Navvaf bin Feysal bin
Fahd bin Abdulaziz discusses the issues of youth, sport and culture
in the government of Saudi Arabia and at the moment is in Baku on a
business visit that will be completed on June 2.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REPRESENTATIVES OF OVER 120 ORGANIZATIONS FROM ARMENIA, RUSSIA AND IRAN TO PARTICIPATE IN CONSTRUCTION – 2006 CONGRESS
Noyan Tapan
Jun 1 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Representatives of more than 100
Armenian enterprises of almost all sectors of the construction and
investment market, as well as representatives of 20 large companies,
unions and associations of builders from Russia, Iran and Ukraine will
take part in the 2nd international congress “Construction – 2006”
in Tsakhkadzor on June 2-5. According to the Master international
integration assistance center – the organizer of the event,
the congress participants will discuss such issues as ways of
developing architecture and design, interior and exterior design,
new technologies of production and use of building materials, stone
working and heat supply and climatization of buildings, and the
real estate market. The official sponsors of the event are the RA
Ministry of Urban Development, Yerevan Mayor’s Office and the Union
of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia.

COE INFORMATION OFFICE AND FUTURE IS YOURS NGO ORGANISED AN EVENT DEVOTED TO CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
ArmRadio.am
01.06.2006 16:55
Following the decisions of the Third Summit of Heads of State and
Government of the Council of Europe (Warsaw 2005) a Council of Europe’s
programme “Building a Europe for and with children”, was launched in
Monaco on 4 and 5 April 2006. The aims of this three-year programme
are to promote and protect children’s rights, and to ensure the
protection of children from all forms of violence.
To raise public awareness of the theme and ensure the widest possible
application of Council of Europe fundamental values and principles,
on the occasion of International Day for the Protection of Children,
the Council of Europe Information Office in Armenia in cooperation
with “Future is Yours” NGO organised an event entitled “No to Violence
against Children”.
At the event, attended by children, Armenian professionals
active in the field of children’s rights, government officials and
representatives of the international community, the Council of Europe
activities in this field were presented in the welcome address by Ms
Bojana Urumova, the Special Representative of the Secretary General
of the Council of Europe to Armenia.
The event, hosted by the “Khnko Aper” library, most importantly
featured the thematic play based on Hovhaness Tumanian’s “The End of
Evil” prepared by the pupils of Yerevan No.3 special boarding school
and exhibition of paintings entitled “Violence against Children
through the Eyes of Children”.

TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF ARMENIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMEMT COMES TO END
Noyan Tapan
Jun 1 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The transitional period of development
of the Armenian economy is coming to a end. RA Deputy Minister of
Trade and Economic Development Tigran Davtian expressed this opinion
at the June 1 press conference. In his words, it is evident from the
fact that Armenia’s GDP in 2005 was greater than that of the Soviet
Armenia in 1990. The deputy minister said that today local investors
make considerable investments, an invetsment field has been formed,
some microeconomic stability has been established, and there is
no need to apply privileges for foreign investments. Particularly,
staring 2007, the previously introduced profit tax privileges for
foreign investments will no longer be used because these privilages
were envisaged for an early transitional stage of development of the
Armenian economy.

TURKEY ASKS RUSSIA TO STOP REBEL KURD ACTIVITIES
Anatolia news agency
1 Jun 06
Ankara, 1 June: Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul asked his
Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to support Turkey in its fight
against terrorism.
Gul and Lavrov had a dinner in the Turkish Foreign Minister’s Residence
yesterday.
According to diplomats, two foreign ministers exchanged views about
bilateral relations and regional topics, as well as Turkey’s EU
membership bid.
Lavrov welcomed measures Turkey has taken regarding the Caucasus,
while Gul asked Lavrov to extend support to Turkey’s fight against
the terrorist organization PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party]. He asked
that Russia take measures against illegal activities of the terrorist
organization on its territory.
The two ministers also discussed the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations, as well as Armenian-Azerbaijani controversy.
Diplomats quoted Lavrov as saying that “the Armenian allegations
are not a dominant factor in Turkish-Russian relations; although
it is important for the Armenians”. In the meeting, Lavrov said
“they (Russians) are against using such historical incidents as a
political tool.”
Supporting Turkey’s suggestion to set up a joint commission composed
of Turkish-Armenian historians to investigate the Armenian claims,
Lavrov said that they are ready to extend necessary support to Turkey
regarding this issue.
Meanwhile, Gul said that unless the controversy between Armenia and
Azerbaijan is settled before Azerbaijani elections, a solution may not
be reached within next five or 10 years. “Therefore, we hope Russia
will contribute to the settlement of the problem in the possible
shortest time,” he noted.
On the other hand, diplomats said that Russia plans to upgrade its
consulate in southern Turkish city of Antalya to a consulate general,
while Turkey thinks of opening a consulate general in St Petersburg.
In their meeting, Gul told Lavrov that he is thinking of participating
in “Paris Charter” meeting to be held in Russia on 27 July.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI, TAJIK DEFENCE MINISTRIES SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT
ANS TV, Baku
1 Jun 06
[Presenter] Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev discussed the
Karabakh problem in talks with his Tajik opposite number, Sherali
Khayrulloyev.
The talks focused on bilateral military cooperation, the military and
political situation in the Caucasus and Central Asia, international
terrorism and the joint fight against it. The meeting ended with the
signing of an intergovernment military agreement between Azerbaijan
and Tajikistan.
[Safar Abiyev] At today’s meeting we had fruitful talks on a number
of issues of mutual interests for the Defence Ministries of both
countries. We discussed future prospects for mutual development. We
exchanged views on the military and political situation in the Caucasus
and Central Asia. Col-Gen Khayrulloyev was informed of the occupation
of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, the concentration of large amount
of weapons and military hardware and their further transfer to the
occupied lands.
[Correspondent] Tajik Defence Minister Sherali Khayrulloyev made an
unexpected statement. He said that although an official military
cooperation agreement was signed today, our countries have been
cooperating to this effect for more 10 years. Asked if Tajikistan
supports Azerbaijan’s position on the Karabakh problem, Abiyev himself
answered this question. Abiyev said that his Tajik counterpart and
several other people approached him after his address to the meeting
of the Council of CIS Defence Ministers in Baku yesterday.

TRUCKLOADS OF RUSSIAN MILITARY AMMUNITION LEAVE GEORGIA FOR ARMENIA
Kavkas-Press
31 May 06
Tbilisi, 31 May: Ten truckloads of firearm ammunition left the Russian
military base in Akhalkalaki today. The Georgian Defence Ministry’s
public relations department told Kavkas-Press that the convoy had
left Georgia at 0600 [presumably local time] this morning and headed
for Gyumri in Armenia.
Yesterday, another echelon of hardware left the Akhalkalaki base for
Tsalka [railway station]. Ten towing vehicles will leave Tsalka in
a few days’ time to travel to Russia through Azerbaijan.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN 2005 TOTALED 500 M
Lragir.am
01 June 06
In 2005 foreign investments in Armenia totaled 500 million dollars,
stated Tigran Davtyan, Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic
Development, on June 1. He says that the total amount of investments
over the past 3-4 years was 1.5 billion dollars. On the whole,
investments have totaled 2 billion since 1991. This number does not
include various grants, including the Lincy Foundation grants, said
the deputy minister.
The share of Diasporans is 25-30 percent. At the same time, 60 percent
of investments are connected with the Diaspora, said Tigran Davtyan,
pointing out the Copper and Molybdenum Factory, Armenia International
Airports, Synopsis Armenia, etc.