NO ARRANGEMENT ON SELLING THE GAS PIPELINE
Lragir.am
12 July 06
There is no arrangement with Russia on the sale of the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline. The news agency ARKA reports that this was stated by
Serge Sargsyan, Defense Minister, co-chair of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental committee, July 12. “There is no such arrangement
because there is no such pipeline yet. If there is lack of information,
I will ask the minister of energy and the director of Armrusgasard
today to provide necessary information on this question,” Serge
Sargsyan said.

WHY DID AMERICANS ASSIST THE CORRUPT SYSTEM?
Lragir.am
12 July 06
The statement of the OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chair Mathew Bryza has
recently been one of the burning home political issues. Especially
that such topics and debates seldom occur. The statement of the
U.S. Co-Chair was significant also because it concerns both the
Karabakh issue and home political developments in Armenia, therefore
it is said to mark new home political developments.
The Lragir asked Aghasi Yenokyan, political scientist, to comment on
Bryza’s statement and its possible impact on the Karabakh conflict
and home political developments.
Lragir: Mr. Yenokyan, what was the purpose of such a transparent speech
by Mathew Bryza and what conclusions can be drawn from this statement?
Mathew Bryza’s revelations and generally the recent statements of
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and suspension of their powers are
the expression of flexible foreign policies of the United States. In
our region the American diplomacy is guided by the famous principles
of realpolitik, relying on power of force and mechanisms of mutual
balance. In fact, these mechanisms showed their uselessness in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict. There are two reasons: collision
of interest of too many great powers and tensions around the region
on the one hand, and uncertainty of principles of operation of power
projections in the post-Cold war period, on the other hand. Presently
the American diplomacy is resorting to the other method of work –
democracy. These statements were a call to publics to undertake the
settlement of the problem.
Besides, this was a confession that the governments, with whom the
United States has worked so far, do not represent their peoples,
are not democratic. In this case it seemed to be the shortest way
because in the newly independent countries that emerged on the surge of
democracy the most important factor should have been people, however,
the Americans started from the other side.
I think it is necessary to give explanations to peoples, especially
about why they assisted anti-democratic regimes, in fact enhancing
the corrupt system.
The perception of this is important for bolstering up the belief of
people in their forces and possibilities, to put it more directly,
to overcome fear from democracy.

ALVARD PETROSYAN IS SORRY FOR ALL-ARMENIAN MOVEMENT
Lragir.am
12 July 06
Member of Parliament Alvard Petrosyan, Armenian Revolutionary Faction,
commenting on the home political situation, confesses that they
are also to blame for the frustration of the society. The political
figure representing former opposition and present government, in a
retrospective look at the 1990s, emphasizes that at that time not
only these frustrated people were active but also the opposition
with its ideology. Alvard Petrosyan, who is for political debates,
regrets that the All-Armenian Movement is not at the same table of
debate when her political party is government. At the same time, she
says they need to repent first to come on the political stage again.
In the meantime, the member of parliament thinks the political forces
are in an ideological stagnation unlike their activities. Although
Alvard Petrosyan believes that people never like the government,
“it is easier to be opposition than non opposition”. Alvard Petrosyan
continues the logic of her words, “it is easier to say no, whereas
one needs to account for a yes.” Appearing in a difficult situation,
she accuses people who do not offer demands.
“You do not offer demands, we do not do anything,” excuses herself
the member of the ARF. And with this easy mode of work the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation is hopefult to appear in the parliament
again in 2007. “ARF has all-Armenian demand.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CAUSE OF PLANE CRASH TO BE STATED CLEARLY
Lragir.am
12 July 06
Investigation into the crash of the Armenian A320 will end in late
July. The news agency ARKA reports that the president of the Interstate
Aviation Committee Tatyana Anodina announced this July 12.
“Today we can be sure to state that we possess all the data to state
the cause absolutely clearly and impartially and take necessary actions
and prepare the final report involving experts from Russia, France
and Armenia,” said the chair of the Interstate Aviation Committee. She
announced that the cause of the crash will be formulated clearly. She
said the essential work has been done, and the upcoming week will be
devoted to summing up the results. Anodina said the report will be open
and will be extended to international organizations. She mentioned
that the committee reveals technical parameters and the cause of
the plane, but the national agencies will deal with revealing the
guilty. Tatyana Anodina also stated that during the July 12 meeting
with the president of Armenia there were no questions on agreement,
conclusions or instructions. According to Anodina, the president of
Armenia considers his prime problem to find out the cause of the crash.

Lebanese Foreign Minister to pay tribute to Genocide victims
ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 11:08
Today in Tsitsernakaberd the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants
of Lebanon, who is in Armenia on a two-day official visit, will pay
tribute to the Armenian Genocide victims. The Minister is expected
to visit also Matenadaran.

Two-day seminar to be held in the framework of the Golden Apricot Film
Festival
ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 11:17
In the framework of the Golden Apricot Third International Film
Festival, a two-day seminar, featuring film directors from Georgia,
Iran, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, different European countries,
particularly Netherlands and France, will start in Yerevan today. The
outstanding cinematographers will present their views on regional
cooperation and will introduce the joint programs

Dance festival after Vanushs Khanamiryan and Sukhishvili to open in Kobuleti
ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 11:40
An unprecedented dance festival after Vanushs Khanamiryan and
Sukhishvili will open today in Kobuleti, Georgia. 500 dancers from
30 groups will participate in the event.
Seminars will be organized during the six days of the festival. These
will provide the opportunity for the two peoples to introduce each
other to their history and choreography.

10 chess players to participate in an international tournament in Sevan
ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 12:12
10 chess players of Armenia, Russia, Iran and Georgia will participate
today in an international chess tournament to be held in Sevan
city. The event has been organized by the Armenian Chess Academy
headed by Grand Master Smbat Lputyan.

Senator Feingold adds voice to growing congressional calls for answers on
Ambassador Evans firing
ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 11:55
Concerns continued to grow this week regarding the circumstances
surrounding the firing of US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall
Evans, as Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) becomes the ninth member
of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee to call for
clarification of the State Department policy on the Armenian Genocide,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
In a written statement submitted as part of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee hearing on Ambassador Designate to Armenia Richard
Hoagland, Senator Feingold noted that, “I want to express my deep
concern about the Administration’s reluctance to acknowledge the acts
of genocide that were committed against the Armenians almost a century
ago. The Administration’s continued failure to recognize these tragic
events is troubling to me and to those who share my belief that we
should speak honestly about, and insist on accountability for, past
crimes against humanity and genocide.”
Sen. Feingold’s concerns are shared by half of the influential Senate
Foreign Relations Committee members – including Senators George Allen
(R-VA), Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE), Barbara Boxer (D-CA),
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Christopher Dodd (D-CT),
John Kerry (D-MA) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) – who must first approve
Ambassador Evans’ replacement prior to a full Senate confirmation. The
Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed action on Ambassador
Designate Hoagland, while quickly voting for the incoming Ambassadors
to Switzerland and Ireland, who were before the Committee the same
day as Ambassador Designate Hoagland.

Official ceremony of opening Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline to be held in Turkey
ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 13:40
The ceremony of opening Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be
held today in Turkey. Representatives of 16 countries will attend
the event. US President George Bush sent a “presidential delegation”
headed by Deputy Secretary of Energy Jeffery Sell.
The budget of the official opening ceremony exceeded US$4 million. The
expected ceremony has been already called the most massive event in
the history of the Republic of Turkey.