“THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT”
A1+
[08:30 pm] 05 June, 2006
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan does not hurry to inform if Serge
Sargsyan’s will name will be included in the proportional list of
the Republican Party. “Time will come and you will know everything”,
he said during the briefing with the journalists.
In February and March of 2007 the Republican Party will decide the
proportional list of the party and will decide if the party will
participate in the elections together with the bloc or separately.
Andranik Margaryan claims that there have been no violations during
the elections and thinks that “In Armenia it is the people that
decide who will appear in the Parliament.” Asked the question why the
teachers of the republic join the Republican Party, in particular
the case recorded in Armavir region the Prime Minister answered,
“They join not only the Republican party. As for the case in Armavir,
I am aware of it. They do not correspond to the reality. I don’t
believe in the newspaper.” According to the Prime Minister, there is
nothing extraordinary about it. The process of joining the party is
continuous and this refers not only to the teachers but also to the
representatives of other professions.
By the way, the Prime Minister is convinced that there is no reason
for the resignation of the Government.
Asked the question if we can conclude from the strained relations
of the ARF and the Attorney General that there will be a new scandal
in the authorities Andranik Margaryan answered, “No. There have only
been separate cases. We will try to put everything in order”.

KARABAKH WAS SPOKEN ABOUT DURING THE SUMMIT
A1+
[08:41 pm] 05 June, 2006
Today Robert Kocharyan made a speech in the Dialogue and Cooperation
Black Sea Summit. Representing the importance of the work and
cooperation within the framework of the structure for Armenia Robert
Kocharyan mentioned what separated the members of the structure from
each other, “Unresolved ethnic conflicts and certain deficit of trust,
caused by the negative experiences of the history of the region”.
“I am confident that we shall concentrate on those elements which
unite us. We shall take steps to harmonize our reforms, achieve
unification of trade regimes and transportation tariffs. There is
a need for joint investment projects in the infrastructures of the
region. First of all, for energy and transportation projects, covering
the entire Black Sea basin, and increasing its economic attractiveness.
This will create favorable environment for resolution of existing
conflicts. Through cooperation to the settlement, through communication
to a bigger trust – that is the best formula for overcoming the
controversies, based on a search for a common interest”, Kocharyan
said and added, “In this context we are ready to continue dialogue
with Azerbaijan for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and with Turkey on establishing relations without any preconditions”.
Later on Kocharyan briefly represented the essence of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and the attitude of Armenia in this connection, “The
people of Nagorno Karabakh have implemented in practice the right for
self-determination. It was done fully in line with the requirements of
international law. Results of the referendum on independence were later
defended in the war forced on that people. These events developed in
the timeframe of global changes, related to the collapse of the Soviet
Empire. That situation is classical for cases of self-determination
through secesion. Now for fifteen years Nagorno Karabakh Republic
continues to prove its right for independence by own achievements in
effective statecraft. A whole generation grew up there, which watches
itself as possessors and defenders of that statehood. We believe that
there is a need for effective efforts for a full-scale integration
of the Republic in the international society”.

WILL THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS CHANGE?
A1+
[11:40 am] 06 June, 2006
The OSCE Minsk group American Co-chair Steven Mann will take up another
job in the USA State Department according to the agency “Trend.”
The Co-chair noted that it is a normal change. “The Minsk group will
have another American Co-chair instead,” says Steven Mann. He also
referred to the meeting of the Armenian and Azeri Presidents held in
Bucharest and noted that the discussions were rather intensive. “The
Co-chairs will discuss the results of the negotiations one of these
days, plan their further steps and inform about them in the next
session of the OSCE Council,” mentioned Steven Mann.

PEDAGOGUES LEFT?
A1+
[03:30 pm] 05 June, 2006
Today a statement was made according to which the members of “Amiryan”
regional pedagogic union are leaving the Orinats Yerkir party. And
as far as the pedagogues do not want to leave the political field
they have found the political power which together with which they
can “help the political-social development of the country”. That
power according to the pedagogues who left the OYP is the Armenian
Progressive Party headed by Tigran Urikhanyan.
We tried to find out from Ruzanna Babayan who had signed the statement
how many pedagogues have left the OYP for the APU. But the voicemail
of ArmenTel informed us that the telephone number mentioned in the
statement does not exist. We tried to apply to the OYP where we
were informed that the party has never had a pedagogic union named
“Amiryan”.
In the Armenian Progressive Union we were informed that the Party
accepted pedagogues long ago. As for the number, they did not go into
details but promised to give the information later.

ARMENIA IS TURNING INTO A DESERT
A1+
[07:13 pm] 05 June, 2006
82% of the territory of Armenia is in danger of desertification whereas
26% is in danger of severe desertification. This problem is pressing
in all over the world today; about two billion people live in areas
which are 41% deserified. In order to invite public attention to this
problem this year the slogan of the International Day of Environmental
Protection is “Do not desertify non-irrigated lands”.
“We call on the government and the civic society to combat jointly
against desertification,” UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Consuelo
Vidal said. Since 1998 Armenia has been realizing the national program
against desertification and is to represent the 3rd report in June.
Predictions show that in 10 years’ time as a result of desertification
the humidity of the soil will be reduced by 10%, the volumes of
vegetable production will be reduced by 10% and the pastures will be
reduced by 20%. “Armenia is taking serious steps in order to combat
against desertification. The irrigation system is being reconstructed
and forests are being planted”, deputy Minister of Environmental
Protection Simon Papyan said. Nevertheless, he added, “I don’t want
to convince you that everything is just fine in the ecology field”.
The survey held by NGO “Ecological Balance” revealed that 55% of the
population of the capital thinks that the ecological situation of the
city has changed for the worse during the past 5 years. The people
are mostly worried about the elimination of green areas.
Head of the NGO Karine Danielyan said that Armenia has processed a
good plan of combat against desertification, and we just have to put
it into execution.
At the end of the press conference a film was shown about illegal
forest cutting in Armenia.

A STATE OFFICE MUST NOT BE A SOURCE OF INCOME
A1+
[07:42 pm] 05 June, 2006
“State officials must have a modest life. He finds pleasure in work
and not in luxurious cars and palaces,” said Vahram Nersisyants,
RA President’s chief adviser on economic issues in “Pakagits” club
in answer to the question of “A1+”. He was awarded to today “for
exceptional activity”.
According to the blitz survey carried out by the Armenian Youth Party
realized by the regional structures of the party Vahram Nersisyan
was recognized the most modest political figure who is one of the
exceptional politicians who does not have a business of his own and
does not make use of his office to solve different problems.
Asked by “A1+” if it is easy to work in a system where it is
exceptional not to have a business of your own Vahram Nersisyants
answered, “I think the Armenian nation has been in a difficult
situation for years because of the absence of religion and the tyranny.
All this have an effect I have seen not only in Armenia but also in
many Latin-American countries and in Africa in 1970s”.
Vahram Nersisyan is convinced that 15 years after independence was won
Armenia is following the path of democratization. He thinks that the
practice of using centered force has been eliminated in Armenia but
the psychology of people is difficult to change. He announced that
this is the reason why the reforms take so long to be carried out,
and although we are way ahead of our neighbors, there is still much
to done before we reach our aim.

THE OFFERS ARE IN FAVOR OF AZERBAIJAN?
A1+
[08:12 pm] 05 June, 2006
There were no statements after today’s meeting of Robert Kocharyan
and Ilham Aliev. And we can only guess what the two Presidents
discussed during the meetings and what offers were made for the
peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
The announcement of Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau
of European and Eurasian Affairs sheds some light on the issue,
“The co-chairs have offered several ideas which can be basis for the
settlement of the conflict. We have offered the ideas to the heads
of the countries neutrally, without being for or against them. But
as representatives of the USA I have said that we want to see the
territories returned to Azerbaijan and the Azeri people return to
their native lands. We see the interests of both countries. There
are a number of variants. We have offered the most optimal variant
and now everything depends on the Presidents. We think that they are
both serious people. They will investigate the offers made by us.
We do not want to exercise pressure upon them. We just want to help
them as a friend”.

PRIME MINISTER CONTENT WITH BUDGET PERFORMANCE
Panorama.am
13:14 05/06/06
NA standing committees held a joint meeting at the parliament today
reporting on the execution of the law “On 2005 state budget.” Atom
Janjughazyan, vice minister of finance and economy presented the draft.
Main variations from the stipulated budget are connected with credit
and grant programs by foreign funding. They are not connected with
the performance of the government, he said.
Answering to the questions of reporters, prime minister Andranik
Margaryan said, “I am content with the level of performance.” The
government head said it is not possible to ensure 100 % execution
of the budget since credits and grants delayed on objective and
subjective reasons. The budget ensured 99,9% income flow – with 100%
tax and non-tax revenues and 99,6% state dues.
The alienation of land ensured 99,4% budget revenues.
In terms of expenditures, 97,1% performance is ensured and deficit
funding was performed by 78,3%. Armenia is provided only 59% of the
planned credits. However, the country could pay back credits on its
own means.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IF I WERE NATURE PROTECTION MINISTER
Panorama.am
13:20 05/06/06
4th grade schoolchildren of school N 154 wrote essays on the topic
“if I were a nature protection minister.”
They pictured our planet with dark colors- dead animals, death, cut
trees. In tomorrow’s planet they wrote about green environment with
lots of flowers and children playing in green zones. They called in
their essays not to cut trees and protect the nature.
During the meeting in Orhus center, Margarita KHACHATRYAN, teacher
of biology from the same schools said that one of the students even
wrote in the essay that he would plant gardens out of town and would
not allow the adults to go there. To the question why he would do so,
he answered, “adults only damage the environment.”
The programs are initiated within the World day on Environment
Protection. OSCE has organized courses at schools and distributed
leaflets on environment on the occasion. “Children must be educated to
love nature without which a human being cannot live,” OSCE Ambassador
Vladimir Priakhin said.
Children are also interested in the sale of genetically modified food,
particularly of Turkish origin. Amalia Hambarzumyan, head of Khazer
non-profit organization, advised the children not to buy food which
is labeled genetically modified.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BUDGET PERFORMANCE IS NOT A PILE OF NUMBERS, NA SPEAKER SAYS
Panorama.am
13:15 05/06/06
“Percentages and numbers are important but they should be supplemented
with additional information that explains them,” Tigran Torosyan,
NA Speaker said speaking about last year’s budget performance
discussions. He advised to supplement the numbers with content to
Atom Janjughazyan, chief treasurer and vice minister of finance and
economy. “We have had good budget performance for many years but have
presented it as a pile of numbers only,” Torosyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress