HOW TO SOLVE THE JAVAKHQ ISSUES
A1+
[04:19 pm] 06 June, 2006
The working meeting on the theme “the forum of dialogues on
Samtskhe-Javakhq issues in the framework of the Armenian-Georgian
relations” was held in Akhalqalaq which was organized by the Caucasus
Media Institute (Yerevan), the Caucasus Institute of Peace, Development
and Democracy (Tbilisi) and the Union of NGOs “Yerkir”(Yerevan).
The key issues of the meeting were the current situation of Javakhq
and the prospects of the Armenian-Georgian relations. All the Armenian
participants laid the stress on the appalling state of Javakhq and
claimed that the best solution of the situation is self-government
which will become a cultural, political, economic and social guarantee
for the region.
The Georgian participants of the meeting (Gia Nodia, Dia Andguladze)
also underlined the urgent necessity to improve the situation but
they didn’t offer any distinct ways.
In the second part of the meeting it was decided to convene a session
on the matter in autumn and to hold a consultation of corresponding
state bodies which will contribute the solution of the matter,
according to “A-Info” agency.

CORRUPTION STARTS FROM HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS
A1+
[04:55 pm] 06 June, 2006
The leaders of the youth wings of three parties assembled today
to discuss corruption in educational sphere and its outcome among
the youth.
They were unanimous in one matter; certain measures were taken but
the drawbacks are still evident. There is no country where one cannot
counter corruption in every step and by this conclusion they tried
to find a consolation.
They particularly referred to the corruption in higher educational
establishments. The representatives of the Dashnatsutyun Party youth
wing urged that they held polling on educational corruption. At first
other parties also joined them but later many of them left them,
among them Ishkhan Saghatelyan, Republican Party representative.
His opponent Karen Avagyan, chairman of the Republican Party youth
wing claimed that they still continue corruption combat but they
didn’t sign the document in which false data on corruption was
presented. Arman Vardanyan, chairman of “Young Political Figures’
Club” noted that he can illustrate 100 examples of corruption but it
will be useless as none of the bribe takers has been punished so far.
He addressed to Ishkhan Saghatelyan with the question whether they
will continue their combat in the same speed and in the same way
taking into consideration the fact that the Minister of Science and
Education is from their party. The latter answered that their combat
wasn’t against Eritsyan and it wasn’t personal.
“The combat will become much easier as the Minister is from the
Dashnaktsutyun Party,” said Saghatelyan.
Samvel Farmanyan, chairman of the OYP youth wing noted that when he
was still a student he could unite students and expel a lecturer from
the university, “the youth must differ with their behavior and deeds.’
Then they suggested a few ways of corruption combat.
“We either combat against corruption or join it,” concluded Karen
Avagyan. “We must be guided by the motto “I am the country,” added
Ishkhan Saghatelyan.
Then they decided to meet in two months to discuss the results.

THE CHESS PLAYERS WERE AWARDED WITH MEDALS OF “MOVSES KHORENATSI”
A1+
[08:06 pm] 06 June, 2006
According to the decree of President Robert Kocharyan international
Grand Masters Levon Aronyan, Karen Asryan, Smbat Lputyan, Vladimir
Hakobyan, Artashes Minasyan, Tigran Nalbandyan, Arshak Petrosyan and
Gabriel Sargsyan were awarded with medals of “Movses Khorenatsi”
for their significant share in the RA chess sphere and for their
victory in the Chess World Olympiad.
Today Robert Kocharyan handed the highest state awards to the members
of the Armenian men’s team which won the gold medal of the 37th Chess
World Olympiad and the Olymiad Cup.
Kocharyan claimed that all Armenians watched their participation
attentively and the victory greatly encouraged all Armenians spread
all over the world.
According to Kocharyan the result of the participation of our
team could be anticipated from their start which inspired great
expectations.
The chess players noted that they left for Turin with triumphant
inclination and they felt the assistance of their compatriots during
the whole tournament.
Robert Kocharyan, the president of the Chess Federation and the
members of the Armenian chess team referred to further activities of
the chess players and the prospects of chess promotion in our country.
Kocharyan urges that such victory may serve as a good imputes for
the chess development and may become an inspiring example for many
other chess players.

ARMENIA IS IN THE WATCH LIST
A1+
[05:08 pm] 06 June, 2006
Armenia is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a transit and
destination country for women and girls trafficked for sexual
exploitation largely to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and
Turkey. Traffickers, many of them women, route victims directly into
Dubai or through Moscow. Traffickers also route victims to Turkey
through Georgia via bus. Profits derived from the trafficking of
Armenian victims reportedly increased dramatically from the previous
year.
The Government of Armenia does not fully comply with the minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making
significant efforts to do so. Armenia is placed on Tier 2 Watch List
for a second consecutive year because of its failure to show evidence
of increasing efforts over the past year, particularly in the areas
of enforcement, trafficking-related corruption, and victim protection.
While the government increased implementation of its anti-trafficking
law, it failed to impose significant penalties for convicted
traffickers. The government failed to vigorously investigate and
prosecute ongoing and widespread allegations of public officials’
complicity in trafficking. Victim protection efforts remained in
early, formative stages. Victim-blaming and lack of sensitivity for
victims remain a problem among Armenian officials, particularly in
the judiciary.
In 2005, the Government of Armenia increased the use of the 2003
anti-trafficking statute under Article 132, which prohibits trafficking
in persons for forced labor and sexual exploitation. However,
many courts overturned convictions handed down under Article 132,
and reduced sentences by converting the charges into lesser pimping
charges. The government continued to apply other criminal codes to
about half of its trafficking cases in 2005. During the reporting
period, the government investigated 30 trafficking cases, resulting
in 14 prosecutions and 17 convictions. While Article 132 provides
for longer sentences, penalties actually imposed continue to be
insufficient and not commensurate with those for other equally grave
crimes in Armenia. During the reporting period, only a few convictions
resulted in actual imprisonment; the remaining offenders received
suspended sentences, corrective labor and fines. Lack of public
confidence and allegations of official complicity continued to hurt
the credibility of the government’s anti-trafficking efforts.
By the way, all these facts were surveyed and published by the US
State Department.

THE STATEMENT OF THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY REGARDING THE RECENT MURDERS BASED ON RACIAL AND ETHNIC HATRED
AZG Armenian Daily
07/06/2006
In the course of recent years cases of violence based on racial and
ethnic hatred acquired a frequency in Russia. Along with this, there
have been evident attempts of the Russian law-enforcement agencies
and judiciary to cover up the racially motivated crimes or even
justify the criminals, thus encouraging the recurrence of aggressive
xenophobia and extremism.
According to a number of experts’ evaluations, today more than a
half of the neo-Nazi organizations of the world are registered in
Russia. The case in point is not the isolated marginal groups, but
a mass phenomenon; a considerable part of the contemporary Russian
society is contaminated by racist and xenophobic pathologies. Moreover,
there are grounds to assume that the neo-Nazi organizations are
backed by a whole system, including the Russian mass media, business
structures, law enforcement agencies and courts, as well as other
state institutions of Russia.
In connection with the above-mentioned facts, the Armenian public
organizations and the virtual community consider it a duty to condemn
any manifestation of ethnic and racial hatred, and express their
deep concern about the growth and scale of xenophobia, racism and
neo-Nazism in Russia. Both the Russian society and the authorities
carry a direct responsibility for the deterioration of the situation.
With regard to the racially motivated attacks against Armenians, one
should also mention the political dimension of these incidents. The
official statements from both sides about the “age-old friendship and
brotherhood” sound false in light of such events. The Armenians do
not intend to remain silent while our compatriots are being killed in
Russia. The political leadership and the elite of Russia are causing
a rift between the two nations by their inertia regarding this issue.
We are aware of the low level of legal and civil culture in Russia,
when both the constitution and laws of the country are being widely
violated. However, the current situation is not only about the
violation of the Russian legislation, but rather about the gross
breach of international norms and obligations Russia signed on
to. The Armenian community will continue monitoring numerous facts of
aggressive xenophobia and crimes based on racism in Russia, and will
inform the corresponding international bodies in a timely fashion
about the unwillingness and inability of the Russian Federation to
carry out its international commitments.
Thus, the present statement will be disseminated throughout the
international community, including international organizations.
Arev.ru ArmenianWay.com Artsakh.info ArtsakhWorld.com Genocide.ru
Hayastan.com Hayk.org Haylife.ru Openarmenia.com ACCI Armenischer
Jugendausschus Munchen.

“ARMENIA WILL NOT BE LEFT OUT FROM THE REGIONAL PROGRAMS”
A1+
[09:14 pm] 06 June, 2006
“The member countries of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
Organization (BSEC) are guided with the principle of egality, non of
the member countries pursues its objectives and there is no threat that
Armenia will be omitted from the regional programs,” announced general
secretary of the BSEC Leonidas Chrisanthopoulos in Yerevan today.
Asked to share his opinion on the Kars-Akhalkalaq-Tbilisi-Baku railway
construction taking into account the fact that the BSEC has already
expressed its opinion on the existing Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway
Mr. Chrisanthopoulos answered that Armenia will be included in the
ring-shaped highway which is still being worked out.
As for the railway he noted that it will be opened when the relations
with Turkey better. Thus, Leonidas Chrisanthopoulos didn’t give direct
answer to the question relating to the Kars-Akhalkalaq-Tbilisi-Baku
railway and announced that in his opinion Armenia will not be left
out of the regional transportation programs.
Just at the beginning of the press release Leonidas Chrisanthopoulos
announced that he is greatly impressed by the progress evident in
Armenia in comparison with 1994. Russia will preside over the BSEC
from May to August 1. Next year Turkey will take up the presidency
during the symposium held in Istanbul.
By the way, RA deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan informed that
this is the only organization which gives an opportunity to get in
touch with Azeris and Turks. “According to its legislation this is
an economic cooperation organization and it mustn’t be used by any
country as a political means to solve its private matters.”
By the way, Leonidas Chrisanthopoulos was the Greek Ambassador
to Armenia in 1992 – 93 and even has a book titled “Caucasian
chronicle.” He met with President Kocharyan and RA Foreign Minster
Vartan Oskanian today.
The key issues of the meeting were the developments of the Black
Sea region, particularly issues connected with economy, security and
stability. They focused on the issues enhancing mutual cooperation.
The general secretary presented the future plans of the organization
and the reforms initiated by him in the secretariat located in Istanbul
to the RA Foreign Minister.
They also referred to a number of agenda issues of the Foreign
Ministers’ forthcoming meeting and to the symposium of the
presidents and governments of the countries in connection with the
15th anniversary of the BSCO. While speaking of the programs of
the organization Minister Oskanian underlined that the promotion of
the transportation and energy substructures is the vital pledge for
regional prosperity and on this score the exploitation and rerunning
of the current substructures is very important.

CHLORINE KILLED THE FISHES OF THE RIVER
A1+
[07:39 pm] 06 June, 2006
The fishes (mainly barbells and khramulyas) of the Vachagan River
flowing through Kapan were killed yesterday. Today the reason is
already known.
The point is that the Kapan broad of “Armwatersewerage” LTD implemented
the purification of the reservoir which is located in the district
Shinararner. Chlorine was used for that purpose for the first time
and the workers were unaware of the required quantity of chlorine
they were to use. While they were purifying the reservoir it became
known that there was flowing from the reservoir to the River Vachagan
as a result of which many fishes were killed.
The sum of the harm is not known yet. An action is not brought either.
TV Company “Sosi” of Kapan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YEREVAN-BATUMI RAILWAY TO OPEN ON JUNE 15
Armenpress
June 06 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS: Very soon Armenian holiday-makers wishing
to spend a week or two in Georgia’s Black Sea resorts will be able
to travel to Batumi, the capital of the autonomous Ajaria region,
by train.
Armenian transport and communication ministry said comfortable
trains with double and four-passenger compartments will be running
between Yerevan and Batumi from June 15 to September 15. The railway
connection between Armenia and Georgia’s Batumi is expected to give a
very strong boost to development of Georgia’s tourist industry. The
train from Yerevan will make stops in Gyumri, Vanadzor and Sanahin
stations before crossing the brooder with Georgia.
Ticket prices will be very affordable, 18, 000 drams for a double
compartment and 9,300 drams for four-passenger compartment. Last
year around 20,000 Armenians spent their summer vacations in Ajaria,
traveling largely by vans and buses.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT’S STAFF LEADS IN BUDGET PERFORMANCE
Panorama.am
13:34 06/06/06
The National Assembly and the president’s staff ensured 100%
performance in terms of capital construction of administrative sites
according to budget 2005 report. The government staff had minor
shortcomingS ensuring 98,71% performance. However, government staff
head-minister Manuk Topuzyan is content with budget funding. He said
different projects were normally funded by the budget.
“2 billion 118 mln drams were proposed by 2005 annual plan, including
capital and maintenance expenditures.
Actually, 2 billion 245 mln drams were allocated, including revenues
from the reserve fund,” president’s staff head Armen Gevorgyan says.
The best performance on public services was registered with president’s
staff – 99,99%, followed by the legislature – 99,94% and government
staff – 97,81%.

INCREASE IN WATER TARIFF WILL RAISE DEMAND FOR WINE
Panorama.am
14:42 06/06/06
At present each citizen consumes 1 liter of wine in average in
the Republic, NA deputy Manuk Gasparyan stated at a discussion
today. Manvel Ghazaryan, the head of Vedi Alco Co., said that in
Europe this statistics reaches 40-50 liters per one person.
Armenians have a tradition of drinking wine. However, the present
figures do not speak about that. In fact, our consumption is very
low. M. Ghazaryan thinks that the decline of wine consumption is
connected with Soviet era when Armenians shifted from aristocratic
wine to less respected vodka. “Almost all parties have first of all
vodka and then brandy on the table,” he said. He thinks that wine
should be promoted on state level. Ghazaryan hoped that after some
years the situation with wine consumption will improve both at home
and abroad. “Soon the water tariffs will rise and everybody will
drink wine,” he joked.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress