PARLIAMENTARIANS’ OPINIONS OF ANDRE’S SONG ARE NOT UNEQUIVOCAL

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. “To tell the truth, it could be better
but I think that it is not a bad song,” Samvel Balasanian, Head of NA
Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) faction, expressed such an opinion at
the March 24 press briefing speaking about the song to be performed by
Andre at the “Eurovision-2006” musical contest. The MP also mentioned
that personally he likes the song and considers that the song’s clip
is a success “though it contains some Arab elements”. Mher
Shahgeldian, member of the same faction and Vice-Chairman of the
party, also thinks that the song could be better. Meanwhile, he noted
that “a song and music are issues of subjective perception”. In the
opinion of Viktor Dallakian, Secretary of the Ardarutiun (Justice)
faction, “this performance corresponds to the taste of the current
authorities”. Not questioning the estimation given by RPA faction
head Galust Sahakian, who qualified this song as Tatar-Mongolian, he
mentioned that Sahakian is “rather experienced in music and has a good
taste in this sphere”. Personally Viktor Dallakian among Andre’s songs
most of all likes the song “My Love to You” and is sorry that a song
of another kind has been chosen.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“LCHAP” VOLUNTARY DETACHMENT’S 15th ANNIVERSARY MARKED IN GAVAR

GAVAR, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The 15th anniversary of the “Lchap”
voluntary detachment, that took part in the defence of RA and Artsakh
borders, was marked. On the occasion of the anniversary, detachment’s
46 former fighters were awarded diplomas of Gegharkunik Governor.
According to Gavar Military Commissar Khazhak Suchian, 73 volunteers
from settlements of Gavar territory have joined the “Lchap” detachment
since March 1991. 8 of them perished on battle-fields. The detachment
took part in military operations in Chambarak, Martakert, Karvachar
and Aghdam.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LAKE SEVAN LEVEL RISES BY 3 CM IN MARCH

GAVAR, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. As of March 23, Lake Sevan level made
1898.15 m, which is more by 39 cm compared with the same day of 2005
and by 3 cm compared with the index of the same day of the previous
month. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed from Armstatehydromet
Gegharkunik regional department, in connection with the coming thaw
and spring floods a considerable rise of lake level is expected.

RA COURT OF CASSATION CHAIRMAN AND WB REPRESENTATIVES DISCUSS WORKS OF
SECOND STAGE OF JUDICIAL REFORMS

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Hovhannes Manoukian, the Chairman of
the RA Court of Cassation, received David Bernstain, the head of the
Judicial Reform Project of the World Bank Yerevan Office, on March
23. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Press Secretariate of the
court, the sides touched upon implementation of works envisaged by the
second stage of the judicial reforms project, problems connected with
commissions and functions of the RA Justice Council, formation of the
judicial department, judicial police, judicial school. H.Manoukian
presented his approaches on the above-mentioned problems, attaching
importance to implementation of the re-training courses, a wider usage
of precedent right. Implementation of programs on public awareness was
also attached importance to. Works of construction and restoration,
making the judicial archives corresponding to the modern conditions
were paid attention to during the meeting.

UNITED STATES CHEERED UP ALONG WITH MINSK GROUP

Lragir.am
24 March 06
Member of Parliament Victor Dallakyan, who had participated in the
meeting of Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State, and Stephen
Mann, the OSCE Minsk Group American co-chair, revealed details and
nuances of the meeting that took place behind closed doors.
`The impression is that Daniel Fried had intended to discuss three
problems in the three South Caucasian countries: the problems of
regional partnership, energy security and democratization. In fact,
the message of the meeting was that all the problems can be settled
through regional cooperation and security. During the meeting the
possibility of igniting wars was openly denied, and they said that
they would make every possible effort, especially in reference to
Azerbaijan, not to allow this to happen. In other words, it was stated
clearly that the Karabakh issue cannot be resolved in a military
way. In fact, the United States is fulfilling a separate mission for
the problem of Nagorno Karabakh. Although we were told that France and
Russia would be informed about other meetings that will follow, I
would like to state that along with the OSCE Minsk Group the United
States has become more active with regard to the problem of Nagorno
Karabakh. The United States takes more interests and initiative.’

RA GOVERNMENT AFFIRMS ORDER OF GIVING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the RA law “On Social
Protection in the Case of Employement and Unemployment of the
Polulation,” the RA Government affirmed at the March 23 sitting the
list of documents to be presented by people addressing to the state
employment service with issues of getting job, getting information on
vacancies, consultation on professional orientation, professional
education, the order of people’s registrating and taking out of the
registraion as well as the list of necessary documents for giving the
people addressing to the state employment service a status of an
unemployed. According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by
the RA Government’s Information and Public Relations Department, the
order of giving unemployment benefit was affirmed by another
decision. It’s fixed by the order that the process of giving the
unemployment service is implemented by an organization serving payment
service according to the order fixed by the RA law “On Purchases.” The
type of the list of payment presented to the organization branches by
the regional employment services as well as other issues connected
with definition of the payment terms of the unemployment benefit,
stopping the payment process, information exchange will be regulated
by an agreement signed with the above-mentioned organization branches
by the fixed order. Issues of giving benefit by a warrant as well as
in the case of being appointed but not getting the benefit before the
day of sentence or arrest of a citizen got the rigth of the
unemployment benefit and being arrested or sentenced, giving the
unemployment benefit not got in the case of death of the unemployed
getting benefit are regulated by the document. It was fixed that the
unemployment benefit not got by an unemployed till the day of his
death is given to an adult member of his family, or the wife (husband)
of the died person, one of the parents, and the model representative
of the under-age children, tutor or trustee, if they present death
certificate or passport of the unemployed person. As Sona
Haroutiunian, the Chief of the “Employment Service” agency of the RA
Ministry of Labour and Social Issues informed journalists after the
sitting, no order of giving employment benefit existed before. And
it’s fixed by the newly adopted order who has a right to get
benefit. Unemployed people having up to 1 year insurance experience,
who died: payment of death benefit is envisaged for them as well. She
also mentioned that if in the past the status of unemployment was
given during 10 days, it will be done at present during 7 days.
According to the Chief of the agency, at present the number of those
looking for job makes in the republic 116 thousand people, and the
number of those unemployed makes 88.5 thousand. 7400 people got
unemployment benefit in 2005. At the same S.Haroutiunian confessed
that official data concerning the level of unemployment are far from
the reality.
From: Baghdasarian

PARUYR HAYRIKIAN CARRIES ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT FOR HOLDING
EVENTS ON OCCASION OF 40th ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED NATIONAL PARTY

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Paruyr Hayrikian, Chairman of the
National Self-Determination Union, “putting aside any disagreements”
is carrying on negotiations with the country’s government for holding
festive events on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the United
National Party at the governmental level. The National
Self-Determination Union Chairman informed about it at the March 24
press conference. According to him, there is no other party in Armenia
that had an occasion to work out programs of strategic importance for
the nation that seem to be non-realizable and being persecuted, to
bring them to the public and to strive for their realization with
joint efforts. “This is necessary first of all for having a sound,
deserved generation believing its possibilities that is to complete
the work started by the United National Party-National
Self-Determination Union,” the party leader considers.
P.Hayrikian also mentioned that a number of events are planned in
connection with the United National Party’s 40th anniversary, in
particular, moving the ashes of the party founder Haykaz Khachatrian
to the Pantheon, creation of a cycle of films, solemn sitting and
organization of conferences, invitation of the party members of other
nationalities to Armenia.

RA AMBASSADOR TO ITALY TAKES PART IN ROUND TABLE ON SUBJECT “SOUTH
CAUCASIAN COUNTRIES IN PROCESS OF RAPPROCHEMENT WITH WEST”

ROME, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On March 22, Armenian
Ambassador to Italy Ruben Shugarian took part in the round table on
the subject “South Caucasian Countries in the Process of Rapprochement
with the West” within the framework of the seminar “European Strategic
Arena” organized by Ambassador Pietro Ago. The seminar was held within
the framework of the 57th session of the Higher Defensive Educational
Institution under the patronage of the Italian Defence Ministry.
Georgian Ambassador Zaal Gogsadze and Adviser of Azerbaijani Embassy
G.Bayram, as well as more than 50 experts and political scientists
were among numerous participants. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA
Foreign Ministry Press Service, Ruben Shugarian in his speech
presented the priorities of Armenian foreign policy, paying a special
attention to the communities and differences of the process of
Europeanization of Armenia and other South Caucasian countries. During
the discussion they also spoke about the course of development of
South-Caucasus-NATO relations, about frozen conflicts and ways of
their settlement. R.Shugarian presented Armenia’s position regarding
the above-mentioned issues. Concluding his speech, Ambassador
Shugarian emphasized that even under conditions of non-settled
conflicts of the South Caucasus common verges in different issues can
be found for carrying out cooperation among the three countries of the
region.

“ORINATS YERKIR” FACTION NOT CONCORDANT WITH INTERPRETATIONS CONCERNING
“PARLIAMENTARY WEEK” PROGRAM

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The reason of the “Orinats Yerkir”
(Country of Law) party’s great number of participation in the
“Parliamentary WeeK” TV program broadcast by the Public Television of
Armenia is the faction’s active participation in different discussions
what gave reason for other interpretations and speculations. Samvel
Balasanian, the head of the above-mentioned faction expressed such an
opinion at the March 24 briefing, responding the viewpoint expressed
by some of his parliamentary partners that the above-mentioned program
is of one-sided character and turned into a monologue of a person, NA
Speaker, “Orinats Yerkir” party head Artur Baghdasarian. According to
S.Balasanian, it’s of course possible to speculate that the “Dzeragir”
(handwriting) TV program covering the Government’s activity is “a
person’s monologue.” But he thinks that it will be so as the person
is naturally the head of the Government. In the opinion of Mher
Shahgeldian, a member of the same faction and the Deputy Chairman of
the party, all the viewpoints existing at the Parliament, important
events taken place are presented in the “Parliamentary Week” program,
so it may be not a monologue. Opposing particularly “RPA” faction
head Galust Sahakian’s opinion as well, he assured that materials of
the program aren’t censored. The speaker also expressed a confidence
that at least during the last dozen of years, broadcasting of the
programs presenting works of the Parliament must be continuous what
will secure the direct tie between the Parliament and the
society. It’s another issue that one may review mechanisms,
particularly, according to example of other countries, to broadcast
works of the Parliament by a separate TV channel given specially for
that purpose.

PanARMENIAN.Net
ANCA Strongly Opposes John Evans’ Recall

24.03.2006 19:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Our focus, this April as always, is to end
U.S. complicity in Turkey’s campaign of Armenian Genocide denial, to
press Turkey to acknowledge its responsibility for this crime, and to
work toward a just resolution for Armenian nation,’ Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian stated
in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. `As in past years, we will hold
a Congressional observance on Capital Hill and in local communities
around the nation. These events will build support for the adoption of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution and the effort to encourage President
Bush to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide in his April 24th
remarks. We are, of course, very interested in the controversy
surrounding Amb. Evans and are strongly opposing any steps to punish
or recall him due to his truthful statements on the Armenian
Genocide. Another special concern this April is PBS’s decision to
provide a platform for Genocide deniers – which we are strenuously
opposing at the national and grassroots levels,’ he said.