AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Karabakh issue
EU ALREADY `PONDERING’ OVER POST-CONFLICT SITUATION IN
KARABAKH
Peter Semneby Dissatisfied With Militant Statements
At joint press conference with Vartan Oskanian on
April 5, Peter Semneby, newly appointed representative
of the European Union in the South Caucasus,
emphasized once again that the EU wants to more
actively involve in the process of frozen conflict
regulation. According to Oskanian one of the key tasks
before Semneby is to involve in the Karabakh issue not
as a mediator but as a contributor to the talks
process.
Member of the Swede rescue mission in 1988 earthquake,
Semneby emphasized the difference between his and his
predecessor’s mandates. In general, the EU signals
that it wants a more tangible role in “defrozening”
frozen conflicts. Another distinguishing factor is the
discussion of the EU’s New Neighborhood Action Plan.
Semneby touched upon the importance of using the
so-called window of opportunity of 2006 for productive
negotiations. Based on his meetings in Baku and
Yerevan, Semneby finds that no side approaches the
issue to gain time. Semneby thinks that there will be
no changes in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Armenian foreign minister gave no details on the
Kelbajar issue that turned into a stumbling block in
Rambouillet talks but said that “we failed to settle
the key issue in the agenda but we have to continue
the negotiations because what we have today on the
table contains rather positive elements and we simply
need to build up on them. The remaining issues are the
most complex ones and we have to try to find
solution.” If Azerbaijan is able to display political
will then, Oskanian thinks, it will be possible to
advance in the settlement process and achieve
additional progress in coming months. But if there is
no progress in 2006 that would not be the end of the
world, Oskanian said. Despite elections in 2007
possibility of progress should not be ruled out.
As to the military settlement of the conflict, the
foreign minister said that this conflict has no
military settlement and the best proof is that Armenia
has won the war but the conflict is still there.
“Azerbaijani started war twice and lost both times but
the conflict is not settled. I think this is the best
lesson for Azerbaijan that this conflict cannot be
settled militarily and has to be settled through
negotiations and the only way for that are mutual
concessions.” According to Oskanian, Armenia has made
concessions recently, “we are today on the verge and
have no way to step back. It is the time for
Azerbaijan to take equivalent steps for us to go
forward and reach the finish.”
The European diplomat again expressed dissatisfaction
with Azerbaijan’s militant statements. Semneby
repeated his words uttered in Baku that a new war will
have fatal consequences. “I think that message was
registered in Baku,” Semneby said. Both sides
understand “historic responsibility” in reaching a
settlement in the conflict, he said.
Semneby mentioned in his speech that if the regulation
lingers Armenia’s relative isolation will continue.
Asked if the foreign minister had told the EU special
representative that Armenia can develop with closed
borders too, Oskanian said: “I did not tell him as he
knows about that.”
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Karabakh issue
IRANIAN AND KARABAKH ISSUES DRAW AZERI PRESIDENT TO
WASHINGTON
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received an
official invitation to visit Washington in late April,
RFE/RL reports. Details of this meeting will perhaps
be discussed at the meeting between Azeri foreign
minister Elmar Mamediarov and US state secretary
Condoleezza Rice today. Though the Azeri side has not
yet confirmed this information, many experts consider
the visit of the Azeri president possible based on the
planning assault on Iraq and topicality of Karabakh
issue. Despite the assumptions of Azeri political
scientists that their president will not take part in
possible attack on Iran, Washington will try to draw
Azerbaijan into its alliance.
The Azeri printed media lively discusses this issue,
presuming that Washington looks down on Aliyev as an
illegitimate leader. Nevertheless, once this visit
takes place it will make the headlines in the context
of anti-Iranian campaign and Nagorno Karabakh issue.
As to the Karabakh issue, the United States is
striving to see a breakthrough in the dispute, and the
Azeri president’s visit can be viewed as a concrete
step in this direction. Following this logic, we can
expect that President Robert Kocharian will also be
invited to the US capital shortly after.
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Poll
ARMENIAN YOUTH ISN’T ABLE TO CARRY OUT DECISIVE POLITICAL ACTIONS
25% of Youth Avoids Politics At All
This conclusion was made after the recent public poll carried out by
the Sociometer independent sociology center. The public poll was
carried out among 1000 students of different universities at the age
of 18-30 and 100 non-student young people. Democracy and Election
Assistance International Institution ordered the public poll. The
institute has members in 56 countries. The public poll showed the
level of the young people’s political awareness and their political
activeness in the social-economic reforms that currently take place in
the country. The results of the poll responded the question whether
the Armenian young people resemble those in Ukraine and Georgia that
took main part in the color revolutions in these countries. “This was
no direct question but the results of the public poll responded this
question, as well,” Aharon Adibekian, head of the center stated.
According to the public poll, 25% of the Armenian youth avoids
politics at all. They are not interested either in the political
events or in the world, the moral rules of the adults. 75% of them
displays some interest in the political events, follow the news over
TV twice or trice a week or reads newspapers sometimes.
The social activeness level of the youth is considerably higher. 50%
of them is ready to participate in the activities of various
volunteer, students or other organizations. About 10% of the youth are
already members of such organizations, including public, ecological,
legal, or social unions. Only 5% of the questioned stated that they
participate in the political activities. Some are included in the
parties or electoral committees as observers or committee members.
In response to the question what is beyond passiveness of our youth,
Adibekian said that it is conditioned by traditional lifestyle, as
well as by the respect to the elder. The generation that will be
psychologically, economically or socially independent from its parents
isn’t matured yet. Only being independent the young people will be
able to take political decisions and be active in politics.
The questioned youth were extremely discontent with the corruption in
the universities, with social conditions and hardship. But all these
negative factors do not create tension to make them rebel and take
decisive steps to change the life. This is testified by the fact that
the level of young people’s participation in the rallies is too low.
At the same time, at present the large Armenian parties create their
youth branches.
Adibekian said that this factor is an artificial contribution to the
political activation of the youth.
By Karine Danielian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Home
GOVERNMENT HAS NO SPECIFIED POSITION IN ISSUE OF SELLING ARMENTEL
The Greek OTE Company informed on its website about the decision to
sell 90% of ArmenTel shares. Hasmik Chutilian, press secretary of
ArmenTel also confirmed this information. She added that OTE informed
RA Government about its decision, according to the License #60 the
company was given.
Neither RA Transport and Communication Ministry nor RA Government’s
Press Service responded our question about the position of RA
government on this decision of OTE. We can suppose that the government
hasn’t discussed this issue yet, and has no position.
While the government is specifying its position, rumors already
circulate about the probable buyers of ArmenTel. Thus, the Russian
Rostelecom, Vimpelcom, MTS and Megaphone may buy the company. But this
is a mere supposition. First of all, OTE has only announced about its
decision to sell ArmenTel and the process of selling such a large
company lasts long because of documentation issues. It’s noteworthy
that OTE bought ArmenTel for $142 million, and at present the company
costs much more, as large-scale investments have been done here. It’s
not excluded that RA Government will have its own “candidate” for
carrying out purchase of ArmenTel.
By Ara Martirosian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Parliamentary issues
PARLIAMENTARY STRUGGLE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Various foreign parliamentarians, international experts,
representatives of the public sector and journalists participated at
“Role of RA National Assembly and Civil Society in Struggle against
Corruption” Summit held at RA National Assembly, yesterday.
The participants of the summit touched upon such issues as the
cooperation of the parliament and the civil society, the role of the
mass media in the struggle against corruption and the public control
bodies as measures for anti-corruption struggle.
“The consistent anti-corruption struggle is a political demand for
Armenia,” Artur Baghdasarian, Chairman of RA National Assembly, said
in the opening speech of the summit. He also pointed out several
principles of the anti-corruption struggle, i.e. to reduce the state
expenses, to apply laws, to strengthen the anti-corruption struggle in
the tax and customs’ systems, to improve the judiciary system, the
awareness of the citizens, public monitoring and the role of the mass
media, as well as the parliamentary control.
US Ambassador to RA John Evans reminded in his speech of the donation
Armenia received within the framework of “Millenium Challenges”
program. He said that USA emphasizes the importance of anti-corruption
struggle. He added that Armenia is ready to take measures to develop
democratic values and struggle corruption, adding that his country
will assist Armenia.
Andrea Harris, Deputy-Chairwoman of “Eurasia” Fund, Consuelo Vidal, UN
Permanent Coordinator, Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in
Armenia, also held speeches at the summit. Mr. Pryakhin told the
journalists that Armenia has recently fixed success in the
anti-corruption struggle, adding that still there is much to do in
this direction.
All the participants of the summit welcomed Armenia’s membership to
GOPAC
By Marieta Khachatrian

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Exibition
ARMENIAN PAINTING REPRESENTED AT “TREE OF TRADITIONS” EXHIBITION IN
ST. PETERSBURG
“The Tree of Traditions” fine art exhibition is being held within the
framework of Armenia’s Year in Russia with the participation of
“Palaces of St. Petersburg” international music festival on March
30-April 10. According to the press release of “Mediatrend” company,
the artists participating in the exhibition are St. Petersburg
residents. 250 paintings, graphical works, sculptures and the samples
of decorative applied art are represented at the exhibition. The
pieces of the artists that created in 1960-ies and contributed to
development of art life in St. Petersbourg during these years occupy
the central part in the exhibition. In particular, such Armenian
artists as Zaven Arshakouni, Levon Hayrapetian, Levon Lazarev belong
to this period. While Valery Apinian, Ashot Khachatrian, Grigory
Grigorian, Lyova Beyboutian, Aleksander Aghabekov represented the
painting and sculpture of the 80-ies of XX century. The pieces by
most of these artists are exhibited at such museums as the
Tretyakovskaya State Gallery and the Russian Museum.
The official ceremony of opening the exhibition was held on March 30
in St. Petersbourg.
By Sousana Margarian

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Competition
“MISS BEAUTY 2006” COMPETITION REQUIRES STRONG WILL AND BEAUTY FROM
PARTICIPANTS
The third photo exhibition “Miss Beauty 2006” was held on the eve of
April 7, day of beauty and maternity, at the Yerevan Chamber Music
Hall. The participants of the photo competition are 52 women at the
age of 16-40 from various regions of Armenia. According to the press
release of “Unison” NGO, initiator of the arrangement, the competition
is aimed to show that disablement yield to beauty of women.
The various Armenian businessmen and organizations sponsored the
exhibition and prepared prizes for the participants. While Angelina
Babajanian, “Miss Armenia 97” was the costume and make up designer of
the competition.
Anna, 20 years old students of Sociology Faculty at the Yerevan State
University, became the winner of the competition and received the
title of “Miss Beauty 2006.” She said it is hard to give the exact
definition of Beauty, but added that it includes happiness and
communication with people. She said the victory in the competition is
a serious experience and luck in her life. She believes that this
victory will change her life.
By Sousana Margarian

A1+
THE FATE OF «A1+» WILL BE DECIDED ON MAY 25
[06:04 pm] 07 April, 2006
more images The applications received for the
competitions for the radio frequencies FM 90.3 and FM
90.7 MHz were unpacked today. The `Meltex’ LTD, that
is the TV Company `A1+’ participates in both
competitions. Its competitors were the `Ulysses’ LTD
in the firs competition and the `Radio-Pro’ LTD in the
second.
‘ULYSSES-MEDIA’ DID NOT REVEAL ITSELF
On March 28 when we learned that «Ulysses-Media» LTD
participated in the competition for the radio
frequency FM 90.3 MHz, the «A1+» correspondent tried
to find out the telephone number of the company from
the information service. She was given the telephone
number of the cinema `Nairi’. When the information
appeared on the website of A1+, the representative of
`Ulysses-Media’ phoned us refuting the information and
promised to reveal their identity on the day of
unpacking the offers, that’s to say – today.
But there was no revelation. Asked by `A1+’ what they
had been engaged in by now Norayr Mkhoyan, the chief
producer of the `Ulysses-Media’ LTD answered, `Who
knows, knows, and who doesn’t, will learn it as time
goes by’. `Modern music channel for everyone’, this
was the definition the producer gave to their channel
which is to broadcast round the clock.
Gevorg Yeghiazaryan, head of the creative department
of the company represented the programs of the radio
station Ulysses. The program `Pastime’, «Radio-Video»,
«Hidden Microphone» and others will be broadcast by
«Ulysses». Once in every two hours a news program will
be broadcast. But the news will refer to the life of
the people from the show business.
In case of getting a license the company will make an
investment of 35 million AMD within the coming 7
years. 20 million AMD will be spent during the coming
year. 14 million of the sum will be spent on technical
equipment. By the way, before the broadcasting the
company will start an advertising campaign in
magazines. As for the staff, «they must have higher
education and must have a good knowledge of the
language», in this case Norayr Mkhoyan meant the
Armenian language.
According to him, «the company has computers, and
preliminary work is done to gather staff for making
programs».
Beside the fact that the head of «Ulysses-Media» is
Arthur Mouradyan, nothing else could be revealed about
the company. And the correspondent of the Radio
station «Azatutyun» managed to find out that the
judicial address of the company is Aleq Manoukyan – 5:
this is the address of the Radio House, as well as the
Public TV Radio Company.
YOUR FACE SEEMS FAMILIAR
Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan who represented the «Radio
Pro» LTD in the competition for the frequency FM 90.7
was more «open» with the journalists. He informed that
he is a doctor, head of the Doctor students’
Association of Armenia, head of five NGOs. He also
said that he is not member of any party.
The Company «Radio-Pro» was created especially with
the aim of participating in the competition as,
according to one of the founders Alexander
Ter-Hovakimyan, «If we look upon the radio as a field
of business, it is profit-making». As for how much
profit he expects to make, he did not reveal. The
company does not possess any equipment yet, but
according to Ter-Hovakimyan the 27 million AMD to be
invested for the coming year will be enough to get the
necessary equipment.
The Radio station of the «Radio Pro» will be called
«Radio Yerevan». Its programs will be called `Armenia
today’, `Javakhq today’, `Artsakh today’, `The world
today’, `Wicked tongues’, and others. As for the
staff, the problem has not been solved yet.
By the way, when one of the journalists tried to learn
where Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan’s face was familiar
from, he helped her to recall informing that he used
to play KVN, and now he is member of the KVN students
league jury.
‘LISTEN TO US, RECOGNIZE YOURSELVES’
This is the motto with which the `A1+’ Radio Company
will work, of course if the National Committee of
Television and Radio gives him the possibility. `Our
station will first of all be informative and
up-to-dated’, `A1+’ promises. All the technical means
possible will be used to secure round-the-clock
broadcasting.
22 million AMD will be invested for enhancing the
activity of the company and the future development.
The sums received from the commercials will also be
used for the development of the radio station.
According to the calculations of the «A1+»
representative, if the cost of 1 minute of radio
commercial is established at least 1000 AMD, the
monthly income will be 12 000 USD.
«A1+» will broadcast radio programs for different
people 24 hours a day. 80% of the programs will be of
their own production. The volume of news programs will
be 35-40%.
Let us remind you that after being banned from air on
April 2, 2002, these are the 11th and 12th
competitions in which «A1+» is participating. And the
question if four years after closing down «A1+» will
have the chance to broadcast will get its answer on
May 25 after the decision of the National Committee of
Television and Radio.

A1+
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SET TO SEND INVESTIGATION TEAM TO DJULFA
[09:07 pm] 07 April, 2006
STRASBURG (FRANCE) – Speaking at an official conference on Thursday,
April 6th, the President of the European Parliament was joined by the
leaders of its political parties in strongly approving the body’s
decision to send a delegation in Djulfa, in the Nakhichevan region of
Azerbaijan.
The aim of the mission is to investigate the destruction by Azerbaijan
of the Armenian cemetery in Djulfa, a treasure of world architectural
heritage that was effectively destroyed and replaced by an Azerbaijani
military facility.
The EP leaders unanimously decided to entrust this mission to the
Commission on EU-Armenia parliamentary cooperation rather than to an
ad-hoc delegation, as it had initially been planned.
The mission is being sent in accordance with the Parliament’s
resolution “on cultural heritage in Azerbaijan,” which was adopted in
February of 2006 (P6_TA(2006)0069). This measure “demands that
Azerbaijan allow missions, including experts working with ICOMOS, who
are dedicated to surveying and protecting archaeological heritage, in
particular Armenian heritage, onto its territory, and that it also
allow a European Parliament delegation to visit the archaeological
site at Djulfa.”
The delegation will be composed of ten Members of the European
Parliament (MEP) who are members of the Commission of EU-Armenia
parliamentary cooperation group. They are set to travel to Djulfa as
part of their trip to Armenia from April 17th to 21st. Prior to
travelling to Djulfa, they will need to get the necessary
authorisations from the Azerbaijani authorities, the same authorities
responsible for the desecration of the cemetery.
The delegation will include the following MEPs:
Mme Marie-Anne Isler-Béguin, présidente (Verts, France)
M. Arpad Duka-Zolyomi, vice-président (PPE, Slovaquie)
M. Alessandro Battilocchio (NI, Italie)
M. Johannes Blokand (IND/DEM, Pays-Bas)
Mme Frederika Brepoels (PPE, Belgique)
M. Robert Evans (PSE, R.-U.)
Mme Siiri Oviir (ALDE, Estonie)
Mme Gabriele Stauer (PPE, Allemagne)
M. Hannes Swoboda (PSE, Autriche)
M. Tadeusz Zwiefka (PPE, Pologne)

A1+
ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN TRIES TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF `NAIRIT’
[01:16 pm] 07 April, 2006
The RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan received the Chinese Ambassador
extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Armenia Tszo
Syuelyan. Mr. Syuelyan passes the NA Speaker the invitation of the
chairman of the pan-Chinese session of the People’s Republic of China
to visit China in fall.
The aim of the visit is to reinforce the inter parliamentary relations
with Armenia. During the visit issues about the visit program were
discussed, as well as the issue of the re-exploitation of the
Armenian-Chinese joint company on the basis of `Nairit’ which is
supposed to be finished at the end of the year.