RESIDENTS VS. GOVERNMENT – WHO WILL BE MORE PERSISTENT?
Panorama.am
18:23 11/05/06
The residents of Northern Alley and other areas seem to be no less
persistent than the government officials. The residents of those
areas are dislocated because the land is sold to other owners. They
continuously rebel however their applications remain without solution
at the government tables.
Today the residents organized a demonstration right on the day of
government session near the government building. Vachagan Hakobyan,
the chairman of Northern Alley protection committee said that
they are only protecting their rights and are persistent in their
demands. According to him, their case was one of the reasons why
Armenia was not included in UN Human Rights Council. They have met
UN representative and told him everything about the case. However,
UN said that they are not entitled to do anything.
The residents claim they they have suffered both material and
psychological damage. 8th person among the residents is suffering from
some kind of illness because of the psychological attack.

HOPE OF DISCOVERING CAUSE OF A320 CRASH
Lragir.am
12 May 06
The location of the black boxes of Armenian A320, which plunged
into the sea near Sochi, is detected more and more precisely. The
headquarters of technical support of the headquarters of search for
the victims and plane reported to ITAR TASS on May 11 that the FDR and
CVR of A320, which crashed on May 3, are at the bottom of the sea. On
May 12 additional telemetric investigation is planned. By preliminary
data, the black boxes are at a depth of 500 m, at a distance of 5 m
from each other.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RAT BEGOT OSTRICH
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
12 May 06
The developments connected with the Orinats Yerkir Party appeared as
a peculiar indicator of the political sphere in Armenia and revealed
a number of realities of the environment inside the government,
or confirmed these realities. It is extremely interesting that the
branches of power failed to give an assessment of the rats abandoning
the ship of Orinats Yerkir; a simple assessment is meant. Instead,
everyone hurried to deny having any connection with and pushing the
abandoners. It turns out that the businessmen came out of the party on
purely ideological dissent. In the meantime, the OYP does not seem to
have modified its ideology. Arthur Baghdasaryan’s statement on pursuing
membership to NATO and EU would hardly have aroused an ideological riot
among businessmen members of the party, considering that NATO and the
EU are presently the most attractive partners, and their members are
economically the most developed countries in the world. In other words,
economically, this ideology should have attracted and not repelled
a businessman. For the disagreement between Arthur Baghdasaryan
and former Orinats Yerkir members on the privatization policies,
it cannot be ideological because the problem of lawfulness of the
sell-off was considered rather than the problem of privatizing or not
privatizing. And for a businessman, lawful privatization should be
an implicit and prime issue because a businessman is not protected
unless there is lawful economic competition.
It is unambiguous that the businessmen who left Orinats Yerkir did not
have any reason for ideological dissent. And if the branches of power
are putting forward instead of the businessmen suggestions involving
ideology, this looks like an attempt of misleading the “investigation”
rather. And in similar cases it is beyond suspect that they made
this attempt in an effort to hide the main reason, which actually
does not need a proof. Why are the government afraid of confessing
that they lead the offensive against the Orinats Yerkir? Whereas,
one tends to think that even a rivalry should have started within
the government to show off their power of emptying factions with a
single blow. Who do they fear? The Orinats Yerkir?
Probably not, because otherwise they would not have launched the
offensive.
However, nonetheless, declining laurels could have been caused by
a feeling of fear and responsibility. And the problem is not the
Orinats Yerkir at all. It is neither the first nor the last political
party, which will experience the whole glamor and wretchedness of
rats abandoning the ship. This very consciousness frightens the
government, and makes them keep silent or shift the problem to an
ideological plane. Nobody wants to assume responsibility for rats
abandoning the ship, acknowledging that with every dissolving
party the so-called political system is coming apart, if it
exists in Armenia at all. And the responsibility for dismantling
a political system is much greater, for here the country’s future,
and consequently the future of generations is concerned. Besides,
when a political system is coming apart, its fragments may fly to
anywhere and cause pain to anyone, independent of what this force
is, ideological or opportunistic. Therefore, everyone is afraid of
giving proper names to things, supposing that by giving a name to
a thing it acquires corresponding contents. This is the reason why
the society is constantly hearing expressions about economic growth,
stability and the like, but does not see any real changes.
The political forces of Armenia look like an ostrich, not because
they are fast or tall. Simply they tend to think like this naive
bird that there is no danger unless you see it. If they describe the
reason why rats abandon the ship as ideological, it stops being a
threat against the political system, and one becomes “ideologically”
protected. Whereas everyone seems to agree that the Orinats Yerkir is
not the first and the last, which means that all the political forces
of Armenia are not protected, even though training rats is considered
a political ideology, and keeping silent about it is referred to as
a virtue.

COALITION’S DEAD, LONG LIVE COALITION!
Lragir.am
12 May 06
The secession of the Orinats Yerkir from the coalition marks the
end of the history of the ruling coalition. Oppositionist Member
of Parliament Hrant Khachatryan thus defined the situation in the
parliament on May 12 at the Pastark Club. However, he adds that the
history of coalition is not over for Armenia. In other words, we will
see other coalitions. As a result of scheduled or early elections.
Hrant Khachatryan does not exclude that the end of the coalition will
lead to an early election. The member of parliament even thinks that
the government may find an early election expedient because an early
election is held at a rather fast pace and allows solving a number of
problems by bringing together forces in a short period. Under these
circumstances, Hrant Khachatryan thinks that the opposition should
support the positive arguments of these developments and render the
negative arguments harmless.
“In other words, to keep the society alert, for it to be ready to
express its opinion during both scheduled and early elections. To
strengthen the political parties. You know that in the previous
elections both the government and opposition parties underwent
losses, both in terms of finance and human resources,” says Hrant
Khachatryan. According to him, under these circumstances the opposition
also needs to interpret these developments correctly.
Hrant Khachatryan says it is necessary to make profound analyses and
not to go in for surface observations, directing the slings and arrows
at one man. The leader of the Constitutional Right Union announces
that when Ter-Petrosyan was still in office, he criticized battling
a separate person, it is necessary to convey to the society that the
system is to blame.

FORMING A SOCIETY LONGING FOR PARTY FAVORS
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
12 May 06
The accession of members to the Republican Party on May 1 was
considered a rather significant and prospective step in the political
sphere of Armenia. It was a touching scene watch how Andranik Margaryan
and Tigran Torosyan could hardly manage to distribute membership cards
and congratulate 120 school teachers. This event would receive greater
response if there were not for the crash of the Armenian plane. The
crash took all the attention of the society, and on those days it
was not only impertinent but also improper to discuss any other topic.
However, now that the society has partly recovered from the shock of
the plane crash, it would not be impertinent to recall events which
did not get due attention, whereas they may be rather significant in
terms of home political developments, and subsequently the fate of the
country. On May 1 while the Republicans were admitting new members,
a rather important accession was underway at Karen Demirchyan Center
of Sport and Culture. Businessman Hrant Vardanyan, who consistently
and tenaciously explains to public that our production is better
and sweeter, celebrates May Day at Demirchyan Center every year. He
celebrates it with Grand Holding he leads.
However, May Day 2006 was curiously different from previous May
Day celebrations. On that day Hrant Vardanyan had invited President
Robert Kocharyan, Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan and Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan. It is difficult to explain why Hrant Vardanyan had
chosen especially Serge Sargsyan and Vardan Oskanyan to accompany
Robert Kocharyan. Robert Kocharyan is Hrant Vardanyan’s friend, as
the businessman likes to announce during meetings in a narrow circle
of his employees, and the invitation can be understood.
But the fact of inviting Serge Sargsyan, for instance, is surprising.
The point is that during the parliamentary campaign in 2003 Hrant
Vardanyan allied with Dashnaktsutiun, and in a rally of Dashnaktsutiun
in the hall of Grand Sun Factory he announced that Serge Sargsyan
is the source of all the troubles of Armenia, and it is impossible
to eradicate corruption in the country unless Serge Sargsyan is in
office. This statement, made in a narrow circle, appeared in press, and
Serge Sargsyan and his aides could have read the newspapers. Naturally,
he disagreed with Hrant Vardanyan, and disagreement between Hrant
Vardanyan and Serge Sargsyan occurred due to contrasting visions of
the role of Serge Sargsyan in the country’s future.
Most probably, Hrant Vardanyan has changed his mind over these years,
and has discovered another cause of corruption, and if on May Day
he invited Serge Sargsyan and Vardan Oskanyan, it means he does not
consider them corrupt. He even had a long interview with the Golos
Armenia several days ahead and criticized the economic policy in the
country. It is interesting to know who Hrant Vardanyan blames for
this policy. After all, the persons he invited have a key role in the
economic policy of Armenia. Robert Kocharyan guarantees environment
for investments, Serge Sargsyan sells off infrastructures and plants
that we do not need any more, and Vardan Oskanyan considers the key
objective of foreign policy to attract investments. Was it accidental
that Hrant Vardanyan did not invite the prime minister? Of course,
it is not worthwhile to ascribe such a key role to Hrant Vardanyan
in home political developments in Armenia. And this is not what I am
trying to do. Simply, it is obvious that a home political episode
involving Hrant Vardanyan took place, which may help to outline
preferences inside the government.
In this sense, it is possible that Hrant Vardanyan did not invited
Serge Sargsyan and Vardan Oskanyan; Robert Kocharyan may have taken
them along. The host would hardly have turned away the guests who had
come with his friend. In this sense it is rather interesting to know
on what principle Robert Kocharyan had chosen his company.
“My house is you house,” showed the Soviet television. Well, if
blood is one, and the house is one, why shouldn’t the holiday be
one? Especially the good and old Soviet holiday which is revived on
a top governmental level. It is also possible that we deal with a
state policy, which is successfully applied in Russia as well. It is
a policy of nourishing people’s nostalgias, sustaining their vague
tie with something which will never be there, for them not to claim
what must be there. They will be happy with party favors on May Day,
moreover, not for all the workers but the best ones whom the owner
will choose. Tractors, cars, home appliances, and other gifts will
be given. And those who will get them will not think what the cost of
these gifts is. They will not realize that it would be better not to
get any gifts at all but receive a normal salary. For the owner not
to give out party favors publicly and with the president watching,
instead of the salaries that they did not get.
The government encourages the formation of a society longing for
party gifts. And this makes them dependent on the giver who may be
a proprietor, a mayor, a minister, or the head of state. After all,
the gift is not perceived as a reward, it is perceived as a favor
that the boss does. And by inviting the head of state on May Day this
phenomenon is, actually, enhanced to the level of a state policy.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT PRESS SECRETARY CONFIRMS REPORT ON MEETING OF SPEAKER AND PRESIDENT ON THURSDAY EVENING
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. Press Secretary of Armenian President,
Victor Soghomonyan, confirms the report on the meeting of Armenian
Parliametnary Speaker,Leader of “Orinats Yerkir” party, Arthur
Baghdasaryan and President Robert Kocharyan late in the evening
on Thursday.
After the meeting, Arthur Baghdasaryan convened an extraordinary
session of “OY” party Board. In fact, the party adopted decision on
withdrawal from the ruling political coalition and on resignation
of the speaker. the most probable nominees to the post of the
parliamentary speaker are considered Karen Karapetyan, the head of
deputy group “People’s Deputy,” Vahan Hovhannissyan, Vice Speaker a
member of ARFD Bureau, Tigran Torosyan, Vice Speaker, Vice Chairman
of RPA.
In addition, the party resolved to recall its ministers from the
government: Sergo Yeritsyan, Minister of Education and Science, Aram
Haroutunyan, Town Planning Minister, Gevorg Gevorgyan, Minister of
Culture and Youth Affairs.
To recap, 10 big businessman-members of the “OY” parliamentary
faction have recently left the party. The party representatives
connect the developments around the party with a certain pressure
by the ruling circles that are dissatisfied with the recent harsh
statements by Arthur Baghdasaryan as well as with his criticism of
the state property privatization program 2001-2003.

“ORINATS YERKIR” PARTY WITHDRAWS FROM RULING COALITION OF ARMENIA
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. Thursday, 10:30 PM, “Orinats Yerkir”
Party Board resolved to withdraw from the country’s ruling political
coalition.
In addition, the “OY” Board adopted a decision on resignation of “OY”
Leader, Parliamentary Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan from his post.
Arthur Baghdasaryan intends to made public the party’s decision today
at 2:00 PM. Sources close to the party report that approximately an
hour before the party meeting yesterday, A. Baghdasaryan met with
President Robert Kocharyan and then convened immediate meeting of
the party Board.
To recap, 10 big businessman-members of the “OY” parliamentary faction
have recently left the party. The party representatives connected the
developments around the party with a certain pressure by the ruling
circles that are dissatisfied with the recent harsh statements by
Arthur Baghdasaryan as well as with his criticism of the privatization
program 2001-2003. At present the most probable nominees to the
post of the parliamentary speaker are considered Karen Karapetyan,
the head of deputy group “People’s Deputy,” Vahan Hovhannissyan, Vice
Speaker a member of ARFD Bureau, Tigran Torosyan, Vice Speaker, Vice
Chairman of RPA. To note, the ruling coalition of Armenia comprises
the Republican Party of Armenia, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, and “OY.” It
was formed immediately after the parliamentary election in 2003.

NDU OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER BELIEVES WITHDRAWAL OF “ORINATS YERKIR” FROM RULING COALITION APPROPRIATE
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. The withdrawal of “OY” party from the
ruling political coalition of Armenia was appropriate and expected,
Leader of the National Democratic Union included in the “Justice”
opposition bloc, MP Vazgen Manukyan says in an interview with ArmInfo.
To recap Thursday “Orinats Yerkir” Party Board resolved to withdraw
from the country’s ruling political coalition. In addition, the “OY”
Board adopted a decision on resignation of “OY” Leader, Parliamentary
Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan from his post. Arthur Baghdasaryan intends
to made public the party’s decision today at 2:00 PM. Sources close to
the party report that approximately an hour before the party meeting
yesterday, A. Baghdasaryan met with President Robert Kocharyan and
then convened immediate meeting of the party Board.
Vazgen Manukyan sees nothing surprising in the withdrawal of the party
as it was repeatedly stating about its inability to control over the
situation in the country and was coming against the course taken by
the coalition. “However, the party has been shaken and split, which
was unnatural,” V. Manukyan says. Withdrawing from the coalition, the
party will automatically become an opposition, but if it will join the
opposition or will act independently will become known over time, he
believes. As regards the probable nominees to the post of the speaker,
V. Manukyan says: “We shall not participate in these games. There
are no elections in Armenia. There is no parliament. There is only a
Plenum of the Central Committee that resolves who will take the post
of the speaker.”

RESIGNATION OF ARMENIAN SPEAKER NOT RESULT OF CONFLICT WITH PRESIDENT: HEAD OF RPA FACTION
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. “The expected resignation of Armenian
parliamentary speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan cannot be connected with
his interview with the German newspaper ” Frankfurter Allgemeine
” wherein the speaker tried to specify the priorities of Armenia’s
foreign policy ahead of the country’s president,> Galust Sahakyan,
Head of RPA faction, told ArmInfo.
G. Sahakyan believes that “withdrawing from the coalition, “Orinats
Yerkir” team is settling its own tasks.> He thinks it untimely
forecasting the election of the new speaker. Naming no nominee from the
RPA, G. Sahakyan stressed the role of the party in the election of the
new speaker. “The frames of cooperation with political forces remain
wide enough and our legislative activity will not be interrupted,
he says.
Commenting on the statement by “Orinats Yerkir” representative
Hovhanness Margaryan, that “OY” displayed readiness to leave the
posts for ideas, hereby gaining new voters, G. Sahakyan says:
“We shall only welcome if they gain new voters.”

BAKU-JEYHAN AND THE GEOPOLITICAL INTERESTS (ANALYSIS)
Armen Manvelyan
12.05.2006 14:20
“Radiolur” [ArmRadio]
Mass media report that Turkish Prime Minister Rajab Tayib Erdoghan
invited US President George Bush to participate in the official
ceremony of opening Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan pipeline to be held July 13
at Jeyhan port. The invitation was sent to the White House through
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The response of the American side is not known so far. It is noted,
however, that Washington has promised “to participate in the ceremony
on the highest possible level.”
It should be noted that still a year ago Baku-Jeyhan pipeline was
officially opened. Then it was asserted that everything was ready and
in autumn 2005 the first oil carrier loaded with Azeri oil would leave
from the port of Jeyhan. Despite the fact that a year has passed from
that day, Azeri oil has not even reached Jeyhan, which means that it is
still early to expect entry of oil carriers to this Mediterranean port.
It should be noted that the pipeline is of great political importance
for the real owners of it, i.e. Americans, who constructed it
proceeding primarily from political considerations. In this regard,
it is important just for the foreign policy of Armenia to correctly
comprehend and evaluate the political value of the program. We should
note that both underestimation and overestimation of the project are
equally dangerous, since it can result in incorrect understanding
of the political developments in the region and the struggle between
the heavy powers around these. Speaking about the politicization of
Baku-Jeyhan, we should first of all understand that the White House
is interested in the pipeline primarily as an alternative route for
exporting oil from the Caspian region, which will allow Washington
to reduce the so-called pipeline dependency on Russia. That is to say
that directing the oil flows to Baku-Jeyhan from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan
and later from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the US attains not only
economic, but also complete political control over these countries.
>>From the geopolitical perspective Central Asia is of strategic
importance for official Washington, and Baku-Jeyhan is the means
through which the US can subject the countries of the region to its
interests. It should be noted that this region has nothing to offer
to the world except for oil and gas, therefore domination over this
branch means control over these countries. Hence, the United States
conceives Baku-Jeyhan as the most essential factor in the gradually
strengthening struggle between the US, Russia and China. What is
the most attractive for the United States in Central Asian region
is its geopolitical location. It’s not a secret that the region
neighbors four possible rivals of the US, i.e. China, India, Russia and
Iran. Therefore, considering these countries as possible competitors,
number one superpower of the world aspires to exert control over
a region, from where it can threat its potential enemies. In this
geopolitical game the South Caucasus and the Baku-Jeyhan pipeline
are mere links to help the US make its control more complete.