SUSPECT IN AGHAJUR MAN MURDER CASE ARRESTED
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
IJEVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Gagik Sakanian, 24, of Aghajur village
(Tavush marz), received two stabs with a knife and died during a
quarrel between some local young men and a group of students who came
to Aghajur from Yerevan on April 2. According to the information
provided to NT correspondent by the prosecutor office of Tavush
marz, Rafael Davtian, of Yerevan, 4th year student of Yerevan State
University’s geoligical department, was arrested on suspicion of
having committed the murder. A deliberate murder charge was brought
against him under Article 104 of the RA Criminal Code. The prosecutor
office of Tavush marz is conducting an investgation into the case.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE YEREVAN OFFICE ORGANIZES THREE-DAYS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO EDUCATIONAL REFORMS
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. A three-days international forum
organized to reform the educational system of Armenia is held in
Yerevan. More than 80 statesmen and international experts from Norway,
Serbia, Latvia and Georgia participate in the forum. Participants of
the event organized jointly by the OSCE Yerevan Office, Open Society
Inistitute Assistance Foundation, British Council and UNICEF, presented
their viewpoints concerning the educational policy and administration
as well as concerning education as a motive for democratic policy and
exchange experience. “We appreciate the cooperation of international
organizations as their experience helps us to improve the educational
system in the democratic way what is one of the strategic goals
of Armenia,” RA Minister of Education and Science Sergo Yeritsian
mentioned. According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the
OSCE Yerevan Office, Janet Clozer, the OSCE Responsible for Economy
and Nature Protection Issues mentioned that the OSCE attached great
importance to the nature protectional education, especially among
children and youth. According to her, “nature protectional problems
must be an undividable part of education of the democratic society as
the informed citizens will be able to support stimulation of democracy,
stability and security.”

3 OUT OF 4 GAMES OF RA FOOTBALL CUP TOURNAMENT 1/4 FINAL END IN A DRAW
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The first games of 2006 Armenian
Football Cup Tournament 1/4 final were held on April 5 and 6. 3 of them
ended in a draw: “Pyunik” (Yerevan) – “Ararat” (Yerevan), “Kilikia”
(Yerevan) – “Banants-2” (Yerevan) games ended with a score of 1 to 1,
“Shirak” (Gyumri) – “Banants” (Yerevan) games ended with a score of
0 to 0. The Kapan team won in the game between “Gandzasar” (Kapan)
and “Mika” (Ashtarak). The return games of 1/4 final will be held on
April 9 and 10.

CONSISTENT FIGHTING CORRUPTION TO GREATLY PROMOTE DEEPENING OF DEMOCRATIC REFORMS
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian National structure of the
Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) was
founded with participation of all groups and factions represented at
RA National Assembly. On the occasion of the foundation of the GOPAC
Armenian National structure RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian made
a statement, which, in particular, said: “By the foundation of the
GOPAC Armenian National structure we once again confirm the necessity
and resolution to eradicate corruption in our country. I am convinced
that consistent fighting corruption and unbiassed application of the
law will greatly promote deepening of democratic reforms, development
of a free and competitive market. It is unequivocal that the active
participation and efficient cooperation of the parliaments, civil
society institutions and mass media will greatly contribute to the
defeat of corruption, which is finally accompanied by the victory
of democracy”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER AND EUROCOMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSS ENERGY SECURITY ISSUES
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Deputy Director General for Foreign
Relations of the European Commission Fokio Fotiadis was received on
April 5 by RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. The prime minister
expressed a hope that Fokio Fotiadis’ first visit to Armenia will
become a new stimulus for further close cooperation, including
during the implementation stage of Armenia’s action plan within the
framework of the European Neighborhood Policy. F. Fotiadis noted
that negotiations on the action plan have begun, which signifies a
new stage in Armenia-EU relations. He underlined the European side’s
interest in a rapid completion of negotiations and establishment of
long-term cooperation with Armenia. He expressed a hope that the
discussions will finish by late April, with a mutually beneficial
version of the action plan being worked out.
Andranik Margarian and Fokio Fotiadis also addressed the issue of
energy security, including the problems related to the closure of the
Metsamor nuclear power plant and the necessity to create alternative
sources of energy. The prime minister pointed out that Armenia is not
against the closure of the nuclear power plant but on the condition
that traditional and nontraditional sources of energy are created and
the country’s energy independence and security are ensured. He said
that in recent years the Armenian government not only has conducted
active negotiations with international structure but also has taken
a number of steps in this direction, particularly by encouraging
the constrcution and operation of small hydropower plants run by
water and wind energy. In his words, in case of availability of the
necessary financial resources, making decisions about the closure
of the Armenian nuclear power plant or construction of a new one,
and further implementation of such decisions will become more
realistic. The Eurocommission representative stated the European
Union’s willingness to assist Armenia with solution of its energy
security problems. He underlined that the existence of a clear program
on the process of closing the Armenian nuclear power plant with all
steps being outlined will help the international community comprehend
the importance of the issue and the work to be done, which, according
to him, will create favorable conditions for holding an international
conference of donors with the aim of discussing the opportunities of
financial assistance. According to the RA Government Information and
PR Department, the meeting participants also discussed the activities
aimed at human rights protection in Armenia, as well as the process
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

GAZPROM DOUBLES ARMENIA GAS PRICE
United Press International
April 6 2006
MOSCOW, April 6 (UPI) — Russia’s Gazprom has doubled the amount it
charges Armenia for gas.
The rate is being increased from $56 per 1,000 cu.m to $110 dollars
per 1,000 cu.m. until 2009.
Gazprom has raised the price of gas for several former Soviet
republics, including Ukraine and Moldova, which paid less than the
market rate. Gazprom says the increased price reflect the market
value of gas.
In Moscow, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said the increase
may have political consequences in his country.
“The increase in the price of Russian gas in Ukraine has had political
consequences,” he said. “I think this is also possible in our country.”
A standoff between state-owned Gazprom and Ukraine early this year
resulted in the company turning off the taps to Ukraine, affecting
supplies to the rest of Europe, too.
Russia is Europe’s top provider of gas.

ARMENIA TO GIVE GAZPROM PIPELINE CONTROL
San Francisco Chronicle
AP
April 6 2006
Armenia has agreed to give Russia’s Gazprom control of part of an
Armenian-Iranian pipeline and a power generating unit at an electric
plant, the natural gas company said Thursday.
The 25-year agreement also obliges Yerevan to give Gazprom’s Armenian
joint venture ownership rights to the yet-to-be-constructed, 122-mile
stretch of the pipeline to Iran, as well as the right to export
electricity produced at the Razdan-5 power plant.
The agreement sets a price for Armenia of $110 per thousand cubic
meters of gas up to Jan. 1, 2009, according to a Gazprom statement.
Armenia’s opposition has expressed concern over Russia’s already
heavy control over the small country’s energy infrastructure.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian, asked whether Armenia had
essentially swapped more control of energy infrastructure in exchange
for Russia easing its increase of gas prices, said: “The goal is to
soften the impact of the price increases on the population, to make
it happen gradually.”
On a visit to Moscow, he also told The Associated Press that the
Russian-Armenian joint venture involved in the project was 40 percent
controlled by Armenia. He said that would allow Yerevan to keep some
influence over its energy sector.
Gazprom has sharply raised prices recently for Ukraine, Georgia and
Moldova, arguing that it is merely ending subsidies to ex-Soviet
republics and bringing the rates closer to market prices but drawing
fire from critics who say the Kremlin is using Russia’s energy wealth
as a political weapon.
Armenia is Russia’s chief ally in the strategic Caucasus Mountain
region, partly thanks to its acceptance of a Russian military base on
its territory. Russia already largely controls the Razdan-5 plant, the
country’s main electricity producer, and Armenia is wholly dependent
on Moscow for gas supplies.

SCC CHAIRMAN PAYS WORKING VISIT TO GEORGIA
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The working visit of Armen Avetisian,
Chairman of the RA State Customs Committee (SCC) adjunct to the RA
Government, to Georgia started with a meeting with Head of the Customs
Department of Georgia Zurab Antelidze at the Bagratashen customs on
April 5. According to the SCC press service, it is envisaged that
A. Avetisian will discuss issues of the two countries’ cooperation in
the customs sector during the meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister
Zurab Noghaideli as well. A. Avetisian and Z. Antelidze also addressed
the issues related to the fight against smuggling and other issues of
mutual interest. The SCC chairman familiarized himself with the process
of constructing the new building of Bagratashen customs point, after
completion of which control over passengers’ compliance with customs
rules will be carried out in line with European standards. Besides,
an area of 1.5 thousand square meters to ensure the proper conditions
for customs examination and reloading of cars is being build at the
customs point.

ICRC PLEDGES TO LOOK INTO AZERI CAPTIVES, MISSING PERSONS
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 6 2006
The International Committee of the Red Cross will thoroughly address
the plight of Azerbaijani captives and missing persons, its president
Jacob Kellenberger said during his recent meeting with refugees in
the country’s Sabirabad and Bilasuvar districts.
“The plight of missing persons is a serious problem in Azerbaijan.
Their family members should be informed about their loved ones, and
this work is a key part of ICRC’s mandate. Whichever country we visit,
we make sure the issue is discussed,” Kellenberger said during his
visit to Azerbaijan.
The ICRC president also visited the areas settled by 10,000 IDPs from
ther Fuzuli and Jabrayil districts as well as a settlement in Bilasuvar
settled by 12,000 refugees. After visiting several residential
buildings, a school and a hospital, he praised the Azerbaijani
government’s efforts to improve the conditions for displaced persons.
Over 5,000 Azerbaijanis were taken captive by Armenia or went missing
during the battles for Garabagh. It has been impossible so far to
obtain any information about them.

STATE CUSTOMS COMMITTEE REGULARLY BREAKS LAW, RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTY STATES
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA State Customs Committee (SCC)
regularly breaks the law, and its management should be held accountable
for it. Tatul Manaserian, deputy of the RA National Assembly, member of
the Justice faction, stated this at the April 6 press conference. In
his words, with the connivance of the committee, in many cases only
half of some imported goods’ customs value is charged, while in some
cases the customs duty is not charged at all. As a result, according
to the deputy, only with respect to one commodity – coffee, the
state budget incurs an annual loss of 10 mln dollars. T. Manaserian
said that the customs value “set” for the coffee imported by Royal
Armenia company is twice as much as that for the other 9 coffee
importing companies.
Using the information of the World Bank report, the deputy noted
that 46 drams from each 100 drams paid to the customs bodies is a
bribe. According to him, the real loss that the state budget incurs as
a result of the bad-faith competition makes up about 1.5% of GDP. He
pointed out that “55 mln dollars is stolen from the society every
year only in terms of gasoline.” He cited the official statistical
figures to show that the current gasoline and diesel fuel imports
indices are half as much as they were in 1998-1999. At the same time,
according to the official data, the number of cars has increased more
than twofold. Therefore, T. Manaserian said, fuel imports have not
declined, and in reality the matter concerns fuel smuggling. The deputy
noted that so far there have been responses to the deputy inquiry to
the SCC in connection with the problem of Royal Armenia company.