ARTASHES GEGHAMIAN INSISTS ON POWERSHIFT AND ADVISES TO FOLLOW INDIA’S
EXAMPLE

YEREVAN, MARCH 10. ARMINFO. Artashes Geghamian, leader of “National
Unity” party, insists on making powershift in Armenia and, being
inspired with the ideas of Mahatma Gandi, he suggests that Armnia
follows the example of India of 40-ies that managed to get rid of the
Englsih yoke without bloodshed.

In the course of today’s press conference, Geghamian stricktly
criticized the home and foreign policy conducted by the current
Armenian authorties. He said that the international community doesn’t
pay attention to the numerous falscifcations in the elections in
Armenia, as they expect that Robert Kocharian will keep his defeatist
promisses given at Key west and Rambouillet negotitations for Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement. He also said that the state budget of
Azerbaijan grows by 70% annually, while the treat of war is caused by
“defeatest policy of the Armenian authorities and the lack of any
national concept for foreign policy. He emphaszied that in case a war
is unfolded, we will fight and certainly win.

Geghamian underscored that the only solution to the current problems
is the powershift.

US EMBASSY TO RA CALLS FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS NOT TO VISIT SEVERAL
REGIONS OF ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MARCH 10.ARMINFO. US Embassy to Armenia calls for the
American citizens not to visit several regions of Armenia that border
on Azerbaijan.

According to the statement provided to ARMINFO by the Embassy, it is
not recommended to travel on Ijevan-Noyemberian road between Kirants
and Woskevan dwelling places. The statement is condictioned by the
fact that numerous cases of ceasefire violations were fixed during the
last few years in the given part of the border.

Besides, the Embassy warns its citizens against trips out of the main
cities of Armenia. The night and winter trips are not recommended,
either.

ARMENTEL TO PAY A PENALTY FOR UNLAWFUL COMPETITION

YEREVAN, MARCH 10. ARMINFO. The Commission for Economic Competition
Protection recognized ArmenTel company guilty for unlawful economical
competition. The company is to pay as a penalty 1% of its income from
cell communications services.

This resolution was made on the today session of the Commission when
the claim of VivaCel,l accusing ArmenTel in dumping, was
considered. The matter is that ArmenTel adopted preference tariffs for
those subscribers who hold SIM cards for longer than 12 months. So,
from January 1 to April 30, 2006, SIM-card holders had to pay AMD 2
instead of AMD 48 per minute.

By the agreement about connection of ArmenTel and VivaCell networks
the latter has to pay ArmenTel for phone call retranslation AMD 9,96
(19,93 in the regions) per minute. Thus VivaCell is in a subjected
position and can be pressed out of the market at ArmenTel’s will. At
the same time it was noted that there are 665 thousand cell network
subscribers in Armenia, of which 47,3% are ArmenTel card holders and
52,7% – VivaCell. It should be noted that VivaCell entered the
Armenian market only on July 1, 2005.

The Commission for Economic Competition Protection has already
penalized ArmenTel in 2005 for the low quality of its cell
services. ArmenTel paid AMD 158,6 million to the state budget.

MARLEN HAAS CONDEMNS DETERMINATION OF AZERI WOMEN TO AWARD MURDERER
RAMIL SAFAROV WITH HERO’S STATUS

YEREVAN, MARCH 10. ARMINFO. Marlen Haas, Secretary General of
Socialist International Women organization, condemned the Azeri women
who make a national hero out of Ramil Safarov, murderer of Gourgen
Margarian, Armenian officer, at today’s press conference in Yerevan.

As for the women’s participation in the public life, she said that the
situation in Armenia is much better than in neighbouring
countries. She said that the situation of the women’s rights in
Armenia has been considerably improved for the last few
years.Nevertheless, she stated that the violence over women is still
one of the urgent problems in Armenia. Haas also expressed concern
about the large number of unemployed women, the decrease of birth rate
in Armenia.

In her turn, Maria Titizian, representative of ARF “Dashnaktsiutiun”
in Socintern, said that the membership of her party to this
organization helps put forward urgent problems of Armenia at the
international level. She emphasized that they discussed the issue of
annihilated Armenian Middle Age Cross Stones in Nakhijevan at the
latest sitting of the organization.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE ARMENIAN POLICE PROMISED TO CLEAR UP ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES VERY
SOON, CONNECTED WITH THE RECENT MURDER IN THE CENTER OF YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 10. ARMINFO. Police of Armenia promised to clear up all
the circumstances of the recent great murder in the center of Yerevan,
said today during a press conference the head of the General Criminal
Investigation Department of the Police of Armenia colonel Haik
Militonian. He reported that the investigation is going on. The police
hope that soon they will have something certain to report. Haik
Militonyan noted that the police has several versions of the incident,
but they are not to be published in the interests of the
investigation. It should be reminded that March 4 the head of the
‘Kaghtsrik’ ltd. Ashot Vardanian (born in 1952) was murdered on the
Sayat Nova Avenue. According to unconfirmed reports he was also the
owner of the former “Hayrenik” supermarket.

Replying to the question about the murder of a cash messenger on the
February 3 in Yerevan, Mr. Militonian said that the murdered was
resulted from the dissatisfactory level of the security service. To
opinion of the head the Investigation Department the cash messenger
was just helpless, therefore the criminals succeeded. In connection
with this Mr. Militonyan signed that the work of cash messengers’
security has being organized without the help of police until very
lately, but now the question of licensing has been solved.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

‘UNICOMP’ PRESENTS A NEW PROGRAM IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MARCH 10. ARMINFO. The festive opening of ‘A thousand and one
night of Centrino’ program will take place today in Yerevan, reports
the UNICOMP company to ARMINFO.

According to the information received, on the event a portable PC will
be presnted – a lap-top created on the base of the newest binuclear
platform by CMT (Intel Centrino Mobile Technology). The latter is
meant for students, businessmen and other persons traveling. The
platform increases the opportunities of wireless internet connection.

Intel company representatives assure that the new lap-top model has
four main advantages of the previous one: 70% higher capacity, Wi-Fi
wirless internet connection, 28% lower electricity consumption and 30%
lighter weight. The program will last a month, and in its frameworks
the students of Armenian universities will get acquainted with the
Intel Centrino Duo computers, produces by the Armenia Unicom company.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
March 10, 2006 Friday

REPORT OF THE ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: AZERBAIJAN’S POLICY
COMPROMISES SECURITY OF THE CAUCASUS

ARMENIA CONSIDERS NAGORNO-KARABAKH’S EXISTENCE IN AZERBAIJAN OR AS AN
ARMENIAN ENCLAVE AN IMPOSSIBILITY; Defense Minister of Armenia Serzh
Sarkisjan made a report “Priorities of the National Security Strategy
of the Republic of Armenia”.

Report made by Secretary of the National Security Council and Defense
Minister of Armenia, Serzh Sarkisjan, “Priorities of the National
Security Strategy of the Republic of Armenia” states that
Nagorno-Karabakh’s existence as a part of Azerbaijan or as an enclave
is an impossibility.

The document posted on the official web site of the Armenian Defense
Ministry emphasizes that Armenia views as a must availability of land
border between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia and international
guarantees of its participation in peace processes. Here is an
excerpt from the document, “International guarantees of non-renewal
of the war and safety of the population are also needed. The
“suspended” nature of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and the policy
Azerbaijan is pursuing in connection with the conflict set up
symmetric and asymmetric threats to national security of Armenia. The
aggressive policy of Azerbaijan intent on a solution to the problem
through accomplishment of military superiority over Armenia poses a
direct military threat. This policy may destabilize all of the
region.”

The report points out that the constant threat prevents radical
reforms in the military sphere of Armenia and facilitates an arms
race. “It is with this purpose in mind that official Baku is
inflaming hatred of the Armenians in the Azerbaijani people,” the
report stated. “This position is not worthy of a country promoting
the European system of values. It only proves that the authorities of
Azerbaijan are going through the motions for appearances’ sake.”

When Sarkisjan’s report dwells on Turkey from the standpoint of the
conflict, it points out that official Ankara is promoting the
interests of Azerbaijan. Here is another excerpt, “Turkey is aware
that a fair solution to the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the
priorities of Armenian national security, and that the solution
favoring Azerbaijan will affect the international and regional role
played by Armenia and may even jeopardize the very existence of the
Armenian people. To accomplish all of that, Turkey is assisting
Azerbaijan so as to disrupt the military parity and set up conditions
for a military solution to the problem at hand. Tension in the
Armenian-Turkish relations is also ascribed to Turkey’s involvement
in numerous regional economic and transport programs that do not
include Armenia (like construction of the Baku-Dzheikhan and
Baku-Erzerum gas pipelines or a railroad connecting Kars and
Akhalkalaki). Promoted with help from the government of Turkey, all
these programs and projects aim at economic isolation of Armenia and
demotion of its role in the region. This policy encourages “the
policy of negation” on the part of Azerbaijan and strengthens its
militarism… Neutralization of these threats is only possible when
Turkey abandons its hostility with regard to Armenia. Quite an
effective role from this standpoint may be played by the
international community and particularly organizations like the
European Union, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe, and the United States.
“Strategy of Armenia’s external security aims at these efforts and
activization of pressure that should be applied to Turkey.”

Source: REGNUM news agency, March 6, 2006

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
March 10, 2006 Friday

RUSSIAN TROOPS OUT OF GEORGIA BY DECEMBER 31, 2007;
The government confirmed a project of the corresponding agreement

Last week, the government confirmed the project of the agreement
about withdrawal of Russian military bases from the territory of
Georgia presented by the Russian Federation Defense Minister. This
event passed almost without any attention from the side of mass
media. However, this event could be regarded as an important step for
the Russian leadership, which lets determine the mechanism of
withdrawal of Russian contingents from Akhalkalaki and Batumi, as
well as forecast, to some extent, the policy of the Russian
Federation in the Transcaucasia region.

For realization of the agreement, the Russian Federation Defense
Ministry will provide 836.7 million roubles in 2006. In 2007 – 820.5
million roubles, in 2008 – 510.6 million roubles. As we see, the sums
are significant – more than 2 billion roubles. However, it seems that
there would be much more expenses since the withdrawn troops will
have to be located in new places, and provide apartments for those
who are in need etc. But they do not think about that today. The
government has another task – to withdraw the troops as soon as
possible.

It is of no accident that the Russian side agreed to confirm the
document in a written form – to confirm that the Russian military
bases in Batumi and Akhakalaki function in the terminating regime. It
is noted that the withdrawl of Russian military hardware would be
realized by the end of 2006. It was reported before that great part
of that hardware would go to Armenia. Despite protests of Azerbaijan,
the Georgian side does not interfere with that. Meanwhile, it is
noted that everything will be terminated by October 1, 2007, “but in
any case the date of December 31, 2007 is the limit”.

“The complete withdrawal of the Russian military base in Batumi, as
well as department of the Russian troops grouping in Transcaucasia
will be realized during the year 2008”, it is noted in the project of
the agreement.

The Russian side is obliged not to use military bases and objects for
purposes aimed against state interests of Georgia, and do not allow
running shootings from all kinds of armament, excluding rifles and
machine-guns in special places provided by the Georgian side. In the
project’s text, it is noted that “the Russian side is obliged not to
have, to store or to transact weapons of mass destruction through the
territory of Georgia, as well as not to run research aimed at
developing such armament”. The project of the document foresees that
the agreement would be in legal force until December 31, 2008, in
case “if neither side would inform the other one through diplomatic
channels about its intention to stop the power of the agreement in
case of its essential infringement by the other side”. In this case,
the law power of the agreement ends 30 days after such declaration
made.

In this way, de jure, in the project of the agreement, the
obligations of the Russian side are mentioned. However, the Georgian
side also have some. In the document it is noted that the Georgian
side, in correspondence with the document, is to provide Russia with
possibility to dispatch extra hardware needed for the process of
withdrawal. In this connection, the Georgian authorities are obliged
to provide the opportunity of using the air space of Georgia for
aircraft of the Russian Federation Defense Ministry, as well as
provide railway, road and air transportation of armament and military
hardware.

At that, the Georgian side is obliged to provide a sensible vital
activity and temporary functioning of the Russian military bases and
objects until the termination of the withdrawal process. The project
of the agreement foresees that the Georgian side will provide a
simplified procedure for the Navy ships arriving to Georgian ports,
for removal of armament and military hardware. Aiming at control over
the fulfilling of this document’s clauses, the sides are intended to
establish a joint Russian-Georgian commission, which would operate in
Tbilisi.

In this way, the project of the Russian-Georgian agreement in its
draft variant is fascinating. Meanwhile, Russian soldiers feel
themselves aliens – they do not even have visas. Official services
and persons provoke them anyway they like. Presidents Vladimir Putin
and Mikhail Saakashvili may terminate all this, who are to sign the
coordinated law-project. However, the date of their meeting has not
been fixed yet.

Source: WPS own observer

Translated by Denis Shcherbakov

Rugby Advertiser
March 9, 2006

Editor’s Viewpoint – 09/03/06

THIS week Advertiser Peter Aengenhesiter once again delves deep into
the murky waters of freedom of speech.

WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL HOW WE EXERCISE OUR FREEDOMS…

If i said the D-Day landings never took place, aliens are among us,
and 9/11 didn’t happen, there is really only one possibility.

It is almost certain that I would be dismissed as a complete idiot.

But, for the moment, I would not be imprisoned for my beliefs.

By now, everyone will have heard of the revisionist historian David
Irving who was jailed for three years in Austria for denying The
Holocaust. Actually I don’t think think he did, he denied that it was
as extensive as they said.

Until recently, I was pretty much unaware of this law, which is
actually in force in most of the countries of the EU.

And in Switzerland (of all places, and I simply can’t fathom out
why), it is against the law to deny that Ottoman Turks committed
genocide against the Armenians in 1915.

Many have claimed the reaction of the offensive caricatures of The
Prophet Mohammed published around the world was excessive in the face
of what was only hard-earned freedom

of speech in the West.

We might even think we are ‘better’, but we should be careful lest we
be accused of hypocrisy.

Abu Hamza al Masri, the Muslim cleric, was jailed recently for seven
years. We called the offence incitement to murder and race hate –
others could easily argue ‘freedom of speech’.

And actually, have you ever seen a Christian figure, leader or icon,
carictured in any way by Muslims, let alone in the degrading,
derogatory or insulting depiction that these cartoon were displayed?

I believe in the freedom of speech for everyone, without fear of
damage to life, limb or liberty.

But you are only walking a better path in this life and with this
freedom. If you treat others with the respect with which you would
like to be treated.

Here endeth the sermon..!

And let’s hope England trounces the smelly French in the Six Nations
rugby taking place this weekend.

Japan Economic Newswire
March 10, 2006 Friday 11:20 AM GMT

Koizumi, Azerbaijan’s Aliyev agree on economic, energy cooperation

TOKYO March 10

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and visiting Azerbaijan
President Ilham Aliyev agreed Friday to deepen their countries’
economic ties through trade, investment, energy projects and other
exchanges.

In a joint press conference after their talks at the premier’s
official residence in Tokyo, Koizumi called for “further improving
Azerbaijan’s trade and investment climate,” saying Japanese
businesses are interested in the country.

The Japanese leader also expressed thanks for Baku’s support of
Tokyo’s bid to get permanent membership on the U.N. Security Council,
and voiced hope Azerbaijan will peacefully resolve its regional
conflict with Armenia.

Aliyev said his country has well-funded economic development plans
and needs “good partners — companies with advanced technology,
knowledge, expertise” possibly from Japan which he said is a world
leader in this area.

According to a joint statement the two leaders signed before speaking
to the press, the Azerbaijani side stated its intention to continue
efforts to improve its trade and investment environment through
deregulation plus tax and legal reforms.

Both sides expressed intention to further develop cooperation in the
field of energy, praising two projects in Azerbaijan to develop an
oil field and build an oil pipeline that are joined by Japanese
concerns.

Visiting Japan for the first time, Aliyev arrived Tuesday for a
four-day stay.

On Thursday, he met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso and
agreed to foster bilateral ties through cooperation in the
development of oil and natural gas exploration in the Caucasus state.