PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN RECEIVED RF INTERIOR MINISTER
ArmRadio.am
28.06.2006 17:48
President Robert Kocharyan received today RF Interior Minister Rashid
Nurghaliev. He arrived in Armenia to participate in the joint collegial
sitting of the law-enforcement structures of the two countries.
The President expressed appreciation for the effective cooperation
established between law-enforcement bodies of Armenia and Russia.
Briefly presenting the circle of the issues discussed at the sitting,
RF Interior Minister noted that these are very urgent and relate
to the crimes in the sphere of migration, as well as the economic
security of the two countries.
Rashid Nurghaliev said that the cooperation between the Ministry
of Interior Affairs of Russia and the Armenian Police is gradually
getting more and more practical, and this is evidenced by the conduct
of joined military exercises.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A WORD WITH ARAM SARGSYAN
by Jesse Schwartz, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Kyiv Post, Ukraine
June 28 2006
© Konstantin Klimenko
Aram Sargsyan, inspired entrepreneur, accidental restaurateur Aram
Sargsyan is an effortlessly warm person. Entrepreneurs often find
it necessary to affect geniality, but there is nothing disingenuous
about the man who sat before me, leisurely sipping an espresso and
explaining how a software developer like himself ended up opening a
restaurant. And, in fact, it’s in his own cafe that we’re meeting,
a few diners casually finishing off plates of fresh Armenian food.
“I wanted to have a laboratory in which I could try out and exhibit
my innovations,” he says, gesturing around the room.
If he were a chef, the statement would seem less out of place – but
the connection between computing and cuisine becomes clearer as new
patrons arrive. Along with a small metal basket of pepper, salt and
napkins, the waitress also leaves behind a small handheld computer,
the menu already loaded onto the screen.
Sargsyan explains that patrons browse the selections digitally
(there’s a normal menu, of course). Then I watch as the server,
equipped with a handheld, taps the selection into the screen and the
order wirelessly feeds to the kitchen.
I ask if his system will gradually circumvent the need for a wait
staff at all, Sargsyan’s broad smile returns.
“Well, perhaps one day, but the interaction between servers and diners
– between people – is still very important.” In fact, facilitating
human contact is a priority for the young inventor. “I’m working on a
system now where, along with our menu, patrons will have a selection
of games that they’ll be able to play wirelessly with each other.”
While this might sound like odd behavior for people enjoying a
quick lunch, the sounds of construction in the next room underscore
Sargsyan’s foresight.
“We’re expanding, building a full bar, and we plan to have live jazz
shows soon.”
For now, though, diners get to enjoy impressively fast wireless
connections free of charge as long as they bring their own laptops.
“I’d rather it be free and have people enjoying the technology and
community inside the cafe,” he explains.
I soon find out that the live music is as much a passion for Sargsyan
as the art of inventing. An accomplished jazz saxophonist in his own
right back in Yerevan, the capital of his native Armenia, he spent much
of his time organizing jazz festivals in his country. After receiving
an MBA from the American University of Yerevan, Aram Sargsyan tried
his hand at many things. But, as is so often the case with immigrants
to Ukraine, he soon realized there were better opportunities abroad.
“My friend owned a distributing business in Ukraine and I explained
to him how having salesmen and warehouse managers wired with handhelds
could streamline his practice and simplify the paper trail.
I then started selling these solutions to other businesses, opening
my own software company, eSoft.”
But Sargsyan realized that the lack of technological solutions in
Kyiv as well as the success of his first business underlined another
deficiency here in the capital.
“Ukraine needed more people who had basic computer skills. That why
I started BASIC education center, my training school. I was manager,
coordinator and teacher all at once. After only a year, though, the
work paid off. I brought my wife over from Armenia and she took over
the management.”
This freed Sargsyan up to return to his true focus: innovative
technology. Hence, MARM, his cafe (the name is a Russian acronym for
“mobile automated workplace”).
“Intel representatives here thought my idea was interesting. They
gave me funding to make two short movies about myself and my system.
I’ve sold three networks so far in Ukraine.”
But the big marker, of course, is Western Europe and North America.
Aram says that the restaurant industry here isn’t ready, for the most
part, for such high-tech gadgets.
“I want to work out any bugs first. But in the West my system would be
great for large restaurants, convention centers, cruise ships… But
I’m still looking for investors who know the markets there.”
I ask him if he himself plans to play during the live-music nights.
“I have a fear of playing here. In Armenia, I knew everyone and it
was easier for me. I had a band.”
Sargsyan smiles and finishes the interview with a word that defines
both his life and his growing success.
“Who knows, though?” he says, smiling. “Hopefully.”
–Boundary_(ID_Jp3jwcgqpsP IkC6U02TMJg)–

6.7% INCREASE IN LABOR PRODUCTIVITY RECORDED IN ARMENIA IN 1ST QUARTER 2006
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 28 2006
Yerevan, June 27. /ARKA/. A 6.7% increase in labor productivity was
recorded in Armenia in the 1st quarter of 2006.
The increase in labor productivity was lower than that in salaries,
which resulted in inflationary pressures on the consumer market. If
this trend is maintained, inflationary pressures on the labor market
may be expected during the next months of 2006.
With the unemployment level decreasing, the increase in average
monthly wages continued in Armenia. In January-March 2006, a 1.3%
decrease in unemployment down to 7.6% was recorded, while the average
monthly wages increased by 17.3% (AMD 55,600). A 16% rise in real
wages was recorded in March 2006.

NKR VICE FM DISCUSSES ISSUES OF HOLDING MONITORING ON AZERBAIJAN-KARABAKH CONFRONTATION LINE WITH ASSISTANTS OF PRIVATE REP OF OSCE HEAD
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 28 2006
STEPANAKERT, June 27. /ARKA/. NKR Vice Foreign Minister Masis Mailyan
and assistants of the office of the Private Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office (PROC) discussed the issues of holding monitoring
on the Azerbaijan-Karabakh confrontation line, the press service of
the NKR Foreign Ministry reported.
Mailyan expressed satisfaction with the fact that the OSCE office
positively responded to the initiative of the NKR FM to hold monitoring
in the frontier zone to give an actual evaluation of the situation and
make sure that Baku makes false declarations about alleged burning
of frontier settlements in the territories that are currently under
the control of the NKR.
During the meeting, OSCE Chair-in-Office’s Field assistants Peter
Key (UK) introduced newly-appointed field assistant of the OSCE PROC
Hunter Folk (Germany) to Mailyan.

PRESENTATION OF “INTERNAL AND INDIVIDUAL LEGAL ACTS OF EMPLOYER” BOOK HELD TODAY IN YEREVAN
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 28 2006
YEREVAN, June 27. /ARKA/. The presentation of “Internal and Individual
Legal Acts of Employer” was held in Yerevan today.
According to the co-author of the book Hovsep Poghosyan, the
publication contains those legal acts of the employer that immediately
proceed from the requirements of the Labor Code of Armenia. In
particular, according to him, the point is about mandatory legal acts,
particularly internal disciplinary rules.
The book also contains examples of canceling job contracts, job
descriptions, contracts on full material responsibility, orders of
announcing contests for filling vacant positions, holding of qualified
exams for eligibility for a position, and also governmental acts,
provided by the Labor Coder of Armenia.
“According to the new Labor Code, a new culture of interrelations
between employers and employees that require clear-cut and
understandable rules of the game is established,” Poghosyan said.
He reported that this book is the second publication of the series of
four books concerning the Armenian Labor Code. The first publication,
issued in 2005, was devoted to job contracts and was out of print
for a month. “The third book will be devoted to the issues of
social partnership and activity of the public labor inspection,”
Poghosyan said.
Besides this, a decision was made to publish a periodical with its
website that will contain problems of employers and employees and
suggestions for solutions to these problems.
The book’s edition consists of 600 copies. It costs AMD 3000 (about
$7). The authors are Hovsep Poghosyan, Sedrak Asatryan and Olga
Hovhannisyan.

IRAN’S MUSICAL PROPAGANDA
By Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop.
ABC Online, Australia
June 28 2006
And you thought Soviet propaganda was good…
Iran’s fiery President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has ordered one
of Armenia’s top composers to create an ode to his country’s
internationally feared nuclear ambitions.
Though Ahmadinejad has called on composers to honour “national pride”,
apparently nuclear energy/weapons (depending on who you believe)
are quite the artistic inspiration in Iran.
The country’s Government says the issue has already inspired several
musical works “because nuclear energy is our inalienable right”.
Tehran’s symphony orchestra will perform the commissioned symphony
next week.

RENE VAN DER LINDEN: “PACE SPECIAL GROUP WILL DEBATE ON FIRES IN NK”
Today, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
The Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis wished that the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict be resolved by peaceful way soon and stressed
the importance of both parties taking interest in the resolution.
The Secretary General stated these while responding to the question
of an Armenia journalist in the news conference in the frames of the
PACE Summer Session.
As APA reports, Mr.Davis stated Azerbaijanis also lived in Nagorno
Karabakh alongside with Armenians and regretted for the delay of the
resolution of the conflict.
“This conflict should be taken serious, and solution ways should be
found as soon as possible. However, use of force by any parties is
unacceptable. Both sides already suffered loss of life during these
years, and I denounce these,” Terry Davis said.
PACE President Rene van der Linden also held a pres conference.
Responding to the question of APA Europe correspondent regarding recent
massive fires in the occupied Azerbaijani territories set by Armenians,
the PACE President said the issues of preventing fires in forests and
massive fires will be discussed at the sitting of the Summer Session
June 30.
Mr.van der Linden also said PACE special group will debate the issue
on fires in Nagorno Karabakh. He noted that it would be advisable
if rapporteur for Nagorno Karabakh conflict Rassel Johnston in his
report touches on the issue of preventing these fires.
“Such cases caused by one of the parties to the conflict are very
unpleasant,” Rene van der Linden said.
The PACE President considers happening of such cases due to the lack
of dialogue between the parties.
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COMPATRIOTS SHALL NOT RETURN
Kommersant, Russia
June 28 2006
Isolationist idea of “returning the compatriots” should be juxtaposed
to the idea of Big Russia President Putin urged the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to work with Russians living abroad “on a higher and more
substantial level.” This task is much more important and ambitious
than earlier promoted program of returning expatriates to Russia.
The idea of “returning the compatriots” is certainly more advantageous
for Russia’s domestic policy. The return of fellow countrymen is
seen as the unification of Russian nation and the general rise of
the country. Yet, the practical impact of the program of returning
will be insignificant. There are no more compatriots to return from
former Soviet republics, and not many would be willing to come back
from non-CIS countries. The program is rather image-oriented. Its
political popularity is the echo of isolationist ideology. For Russia’s
strategic interests, it would be better not to return compatriots,
but, strangely enough, to leave them abroad.
Russia does not have more or less exact data on the total number
of Russian emigrants of all waves, which alone tells much of its
attitude to Russian diaspora. According to Alexander Chepurin, head of
Foreign Affairs Ministry department for work with compatriots, Russian
diaspora amounts to 25-30 million people. According to the Center of
Demography and Human Ecology, some 20 million Russians live in CIS
and Baltic countries. So, 5-10 million live far abroad. The data of
US Bureau of Census for 2000 showed that 3 million people indicated
they are of Russian descent, and 706,000 people put down Russian as
the language they speak at home. President of the American University
in Moscow Eduard Lozansky, estimated that if linguistic proficiency
is the criterion, then Russian diaspora can reach 3-6 million people.
Despite such a big diaspora, Russia is practically indifferent to it,
and does not work with it. Meanwhile, a diaspora can play a very
significant role for the developing counties of the modern global
world. It may become a source of influence, a mechanism of building
relations, a bridge for technology import.
The economy of many countries relies greatly on the emigrants. Thus,
India received $21.7 billion through money transfers in 2005. World
Bank estimated that Russia received only $1.81 billion, which is very
little even compared to such countries as Serbia ($4.1 billion) and
Brazil ($3.6 billion). Many countries directly borrow from emigrants.
In the 1950s, Israel issued sovereign bonds for Jewish diaspora
in the U.S. and collected nearly $50 million. Later, China, India,
Pakistan, and other countries successfully obtained state loans from
their diasporas.
However, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Charles Sabel of World Bank believe the
influx of expatriates’ money is the least effective way of using fellow
countrymen who live abroad. They name Armenia as a bad example, where
nearly 3.5 million Armenians lived in 1990, and almost the same number
of Armenians lived abroad. The diaspora was organized well, it had
enough intellectuals and businessmen, but this did not help Armenia
to begin rapid modernization. One of the reasons is that Armenian
government regarded foreign Armenian elite as their competitors,
and was interested only in money influx, but did not want to involve
the diaspora into the life of Armenia.
China, on the contrary, is a good example. Researchers from World
Bank write that Chinese authorities managed to link the country to
global network of value added formation with the help of diaspora.
Foreign companies, owned by Chinese expatriates, joined into world
process of goods production in the course of many years of their
existence in the conditions of global economy. When Deng Xiaoping
proclaimed open-door policy in 1978, emigrants’ companies began
purchasing assets in China, move part of their productions there,
etc. Thus China established connections between itself and global
economy.
In a similar way, the success of Indian diaspora in Silicon Valley
and its connections in the U.S. attracted many foreign orders to
Indian IT-companies. It is notable that India did not need to draw
highly educated migrants back to their homeland. On the contrary,
migrants served India best being abroad.
The success of such strategies shows that a country should not isolate
itself from the outer world in the conditions of globalization. It
should not either regard its emigrants as casts-off, or try to make
them return. Russians in Russia and abroad should be regarded as
members of Big Russia, the borders of which in global economy exceed
its national frontiers.

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY ISSUES STATEMENT ON RESOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT
Author: E.Huseynov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
Statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry dated June 26, 2006 is
yet another testament to the regretfully unchanging non-constructive
position of the Armenian side on the conflict resolution, Trend cites
a statement issued by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and, notably, the US Co-Chair Matthew Bryza
have indicated only the general outline of the individual principles of
stage-by-stage peaceful settlement, currently under discussion, which
can not be taken out of general context of the proposed document. This
creates prerequisites for lack of understanding or overlapping notions,
as well as for speculations such as the ones reflected in the statement
by the MFA of Armenia.
Definition of status is impossible under the conditions of continuing
occupation and ethnic cleansing and, accordingly, envisages liberation
of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and demilitarization of the
whole conflict zone, which, provided that appropriate international
security guarantees are in place, will create conditions for return of
the forcibly displaced population of Azerbaijan to their homes. This
is acknowledged by the Armenian leadership as well, the document
underlines.
The Azerbaijan side once again re-affirms being prepared to grant
Nagorno Karabakh highest status of self-rule within the framework of
the internationally-recognized territorial integrity of the Republic
of Azerbaijan and based on the current Constitution of Azerbaijan.
Such an approach, based on the norms and principles of international
law and constitutional, is the only possibility to reach durable
solution. With the aim of establishing inter-communal peace and
harmony, as well as creating objective conditions for defining the
region’s status, and also taking into consideration the perspective
of the region’s further development, Azerbaijan will be prepared
to review, in conformity with the precedents as existing in the
international practice, implementation of a complex of economic and
other incentives for the population of Nagorno Karabakh after the
restoration of its ethnic composition as of the pre-conflict period.
Position of Azerbaijan at the negotiations remains constructive and
meets interests of not only our multi-ethnic state, but also of the
international community as a whole. Any attempts to achieve changes
in the position through blackmail and threats, by using the tactic
of turning the occupied territories of our country into a hostage
and the element of bargaining, are doomed to failure. Territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan is not the subject of negotiations and will
never be. Along with that, the Ministry re-affirms Azerbaijan side’s
adherence to continuing talks to achieve lasting and fair peace in
the region. All blame and responsibility in case the peace process
is undermined will fall on Armenia, the statement emphasized.

ARMENIAN JUSTICE WALK BEGINS: MARCHERS LEAVE L.A. FOR WASHINGTON, D.C.
By Connie Llanos, Special To The Daily News
Los Angeles Daily News, CA
June 28 2006
Nearly a century after the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians, the
descendants of those victims are finding new ways to heal old wounds.
Water coolers in hand and painful memories in their hearts, members
of the United Armenian Students kicked off their 3,000-mile Journey
for Humanity on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall on Tuesday. The
group, made up of Armenian college students, is marching 20 miles a
day until it reaches the nation’s capital in the hopes of educating
people about the Armenian genocide, as well as other atrocities
occurring throughout the world today.
“We have carried this pain for 91 years,” said Vahe Abovian, project
director for Journey for Humanity.
“We kept hearing `never again, never again,’ but it keeps happening,”
he said.
Abovian, 29, has taken a leave of absence from his job as deacon of
the Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church and has sent his wife and
two daughters to Armenia to reduce his expenses so he can afford his
five-month trip.
He feels compelled to make this sacrifice not only as an Armenian,
but as an ethical human being, he said.
“It is personal to me as an Armenian, but the issue of genocide is too
big to be trademarked as an Armenian or a Jewish issue,” Abovian said.
With the death toll in the Darfur region of the Sudan nearing 400,000,
Abovian stressed that recognition of genocides can lead to their
prevention in the future.
“The reasons for doing this are twofold,” Abovian said.
“We are trying to keep the memories of all genocide victims alive
and educating our society and we are demanding that no more crimes
against humanity happen,” he continued.
Richard Hovannisian, chairman of modern Armenian history at the
University of California, Los Angeles, said for many Armenians it is
the unresolved aspect of the genocide that causes the hurt to remain.
“It is 90 years after the fact, and the Turkish government will not
go on the record,” Hovannisian said.
Hovannisian also said that much of the drive behind the genocide
awareness movement stems from a belief that had the world paid
attention to the Armenian genocide, many other genocides could have
been prevented, including the Jewish Holocaust.
He added that youth involvement in the issue is important. “Their
idealistic streak should be encouraged,” Hovannisian said.
By Tuesday afternoon Glendale Community College student Albrik
Zohrabayan had marched 11 miles in 90-degree heat.
“I’m tired,” Zohrabayan said in a weakened voice. But he isn’t nervous
about his trip, despite the unknown territory and summer heat; he
only hopes people are open to the message he carries.
“We just hope they are going to support us. That’s all we care about.”