ARMENIA AND UKRAINE BUILD MILITARY COOPERATION
By Gohar Gevorgian
AZG Armenian Daily
26/05/2006
By the invitation of Colonel General Mikael Harutyunian, Commander of
Headquarters of RA Armed Forces, Colonel General Sergey Kirichenko,
Commander of Armed Forces of Ukraine, arrived in Yerevan May 23.
Harutyunian said this was the first visit of its kind to Armenia after
the establishment of diplomatic relations with Ukraine. By the end of
the day, Kirichenko and Harutyunian stated that the meeting was quite
a fruitful one. They discussed a number of issues, found solutions
to the defense issues and specified the cooperation spheres. They
expressed hope that this meeting will contribute to the military
cooperation of both sides.
In response to the question about rendering assistance to Azerbaijan,
Kirichenko said that Ukraine doesn’t offer any military assistance
to Azerbaijan. He added that Ukraine equally respects Armenia and
Azerbaijan.
As for the withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Georgia,
Harutyunian stated that the Russian military bases go to Russia. He
added that Gyumri’s Russian military base #102 gets only transport,
communication equipment. He emphasized that the Gyumri base doesn’t
get any military ground vehicle.

‘THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915′ SHOWN AT BOSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
By Ruzan Poghosian
AZG Armenian Daily
26/05/2006
According to the press release of “Archive of Genocide Materials’
Project”, “The Armenian Genocide of 1915” 32-minute documentary was
shown at the Boston Jewish Film Festival. The film includes testimonies
of the genocide survivors. There are three of them, namely Armine
Dedekian, born in Bandirma, Peter Bilezekian from Marash and John
Gasparian from Van. They gave interview to the Boston Globe daily in
2005. The producer of the project is David Davidian and Franko Lyubin
is its director. They tried hard to contribute to the international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
“Archive of Genocide Materials’ Project” is a non-profit
organization. Its main goal is to increase the awareness of the
society about the Genocide materials.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION IS ASTONISHED BY THE RA FM
A1+
[09:28 pm] 25 May, 2006
Today the annual review of the company “Human Rights Watch” was
the key issue of discussions in Armenia which mainly relates to the
Armenian problems.
Judging by the answer to the RA Foreign Ministry to the company “Human
Rights Watch” Armenia doesn’t “counter any problems especially in
connection with speech and press freedom. The letter of the Foreign
Ministry says that the company made a mistake speaking about the
national Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) and broadcast
tendencies.
In answer to this accusation, Rachel Denver, representative of “Human
Rights Watch” replied on the telephone. According to the news of
“Radio Free,” the content of the reply is as follows, “The Foreign
Ministry presented the mistakes of our company in connection with the
tendency contest rather thoroughly in its reply but it didn’t answer
an important question; why there is not an independent electron media
in Armenia so far?” Mrs. Denver said that she was surprised by the
RA Foreign Minister’s answer, as for the first time in her practice
she counters a case when the government of any country responds to
the annual review of “Human Rights Watch” in this way.
By the way, let us remind you that it was mentioned in the letter
of Foreign Ministry addressed to the company “Human Rights Watch”
that the contest of tendencies is already announced but “A1+’ doesn’t
participate in it.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SAYS ARMENIA AND GEORGIA MUST SUPPORT EACH OTHER
Armenpress
May 25 2006
DUSHANBE, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS: Georgian deputy prime minister Georgi
Baramidze discussed a wide range of issues during a friendly meeting
with Armenian prime minister Andranik Margarian on the sidelines of a
meeting of heads of governments of CIS member countries in Tajikistan’s
capital Dushanbe.
“Armenia and Georgia are moving in the same direction and this is
why we should support each other. Georgia enjoys good relations
with Azerbaijan as well and we shall continue our efforts that all
disputes in the South Caucasian and Black Sea areas be solved in a
peaceful way,” Baramidze said to Armenpress. He also underscored the
anticipated resumption of the railway that connects Russia, Georgia
and Armenia, saying it will be of great importance for Armenia. “We,
naturally, support the program because we hope that it will promote
the peaceful regulation of the Abkhazian conflict,” he said.
Baramidze also said first the focus should be on fostering
bilateral economic ties. “We are proud that we have been able to
create conditions for free movement of Armenian citizens through
our territory,” he said adding that they have managed to eliminate
corruption in the police and the Armenian motorists are not forced
into extortion any more by Georgian road police officers. “As a result
of all this thousands of Armenians spend their holidays in Georgia,
particularly in Ajaria,” said Georgian deputy prime minister.
According to him, the third forces are trying to spoil the
relations between the two peoples and create some artificial
problems. “Particularly, some anti-Armenian leaflets were disseminated
in Akhalkalaki which, of course, is the work of the enemies of Armenia
and Georgia,” he said adding that Armenian and Georgian leaderships
and peoples as well as the population of the region are smart enough
not to give way to such provocations.
He said Armenian and Georgian leaders always use the opportunity to
meet and discuss issues of reciprocal interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA TO BE ADVERTISED ON CNN
Armenpress
May 25 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS: From September, 2006 Armenia will be
advertised on CNN channel which is accessible to 70% of the world’s
populations. The contest of shooting trailers presenting Armenia has
already ended.
Ara Petrosian, deputy minister of trade and economic development,
told today that after the trailers are ready they will be shown on
CNN seven days a week for 30 and 60 seconds. The broadcasting of a
30-second trailer by CNN costs from 800 to 1,000 USD, which according
to the deputy minister, is quite cheap if we take into consideration
its effectiveness and that each tourist visiting Armenia spends around
1,000 USD here.
The negotiations over the price are still going on and as a country
which is being advertised for the first time Armenia may get some
privilege.

YELLOW BIRD INDIAN DANCERS TO PERFORM IN ARMENIA
Armenpress
May 25 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS: On the initiative of the U.S. Embassy
the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers arrived in Armenia and are going to
hold an outdoor concert at the Cascade in Yerevan on Saturday, May
27 at 8:00 p.m.
The group will also perform at City Square in Ararat on May 26 at
7:00 p.m. and at Theatre Square in Gyumri on May 29 at 7:00 p.m. All
concerts are free of charge and open to the public. As part of their
regional tour, the group will also perform in Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The Yellow Bird Indian Dancers are respected in America and around
the world for continuing the traditions of ancient cultures and
family. Through their dance, the sharing of eternal wisdom through
storytelling, and their preservation of traditional Apache craftworks,
the group sustains timeless Native American art forms so that they
may be shared with the people of today and tomorrow. In Armenia,
the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers will mingle the ancient and beautiful
traditions of the first peoples of America with the equally ancient
and beautiful traditions of Armenia.

ARMENIA READY TO SUPPORT TENSION RELIEF IN JAVAKHK
Panorama.am
00:25 26/05/06
The Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan yesterday evening
met with Georgy Baramidze, Georgian Vice Prime Minister, during his
business trip to Dushanbe.
According to government press services, Andranik Margaryan and Georgy
Baramidze were pleased with the process of clarifying the borderlines
between Armenia and Georgia, saying that the regular session of the
respective committee will be held in Yerevan in August, this year.
During the talk, the sides touched upon issues on Javakhk and Javakhk
Armenian challenges. The Armenian Prime Minister re-confirmed
Armenia’s readiness to support comprehensive program implemented
in Javakhk infrastructure by the Georgian authorities. To relief
the tensions among the locals, it will be expedient to involve the
local community and the businessmen in the construction works, he
said. Andranik Margaryan noted that upon the decision of the two prime
ministers, the Armenian side will render assistance in recovery of
educational establishments in the region. The comprehensive program on
infrastructure reconstruction, which will be submitted to the Armenian
authorities, will determine the size of the assistance.

BUSINESSMAN UNION BORN IN PARLIAMENT
Panorama.am
00:28 26/05/06
Those deputies that left Orinats Yerkir party have formed Businessman
parliamentary group, including 10 businessmen, headed by Grigor
MARGARYAN, Tigran TOROSYAN, NA Vice Speaker, told NA session today.
“We are going to deal mainly with the economic field.
Being a member of a party restrained us a little bit.
Now we will have more freedom,” Samvel Shahgeldyan, a union member
told Panorama.am.

380 THOUSAND TOURISTS TO VISIT ARMENIA IN 2006
Panorama.am
00:38 26/05/06
According to modest estimates, 380 thousand tourists will visit Armenia
by the end of 2006. Last year, their number totaled 318 thousand, in
2004- 262 thousand and in 2000- only 40,000, deputy minister on trade
and economic development Ara Petrosyan told reporters today during
the ceremonial opening of the 6th international exhibition on tourism.
In his words, tourism entered a new stage of development in Armenia
ensuring 20-25% rise per annum.
According to the deputy minister, one tourist spends $1000, including
airfare. Speaking on tariffs on tour agency services and hotels,
A. Petrossyan noted that 6 years ago the fees were considerably
higher. “New entities enter into market today and, as we all know,
the more entities, the lower the prices,” he said.
The international exhibition on tourism, which takes place in cinema
Moscow, will run until May 27.
American Union of Tourist Agencies, Armenian agency on tourism
development and the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development organize
the event.

MELTEX REFUSED IN BROADCASTING
Panorama.am
00:41 26/05/06
Today the National Commission on Television and Radio rejected Meltex’s
licensing on radio broadcasting at 90.3 Mherz frequency channel on
the territory of Yerevan. According to tender regulations, 80% of the
product must have been locally produced with 64% own programs. The
tender package did not include information on funding which the company
should invest. Another company – Ulis Media – presented investment
package of 30 mln drams. Meltex scored 22 whereas Ulis Media scored
29 according to rating voting.
The National Commission on Television and Radio also refused to
give license to Meltex for broadcasting at 90.7 Mherz frequency on
the territory of Yerevan. The reason was that the package lacked
information on funding and investment. Radio Pro won the tender
which scored 29 according to rating voting. Meltex scored 22. The
best bidder plans to invest $5 thousand on technical equipment of the
studio, $15 thousand on advertising and $10 thousand on modernization.