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| 15:28:41 | 16-09-2005 | Politics |

IS TODAY BETTER THAN YESTERDAY?

«What does rejecting the Constitution mean? It means that the 1995
Constitution will continue in vigor», this perspective does not please the
secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Parliamentary fraction
Hrayr Karapetyan.

The members of the ARF have their subjective attitude towards the first
Constitution, «We all know that the Constitution was made for the
authorities only, let alone the conditions in which it was adopted – closed
newspapers and prohibited opposition (ARF)».

Today the ARF which forms part of the coalition think that it is the most
convenient moment to realize the Constitutional reforms. «Both Manouk
Gasparyan and Artashes Geghamyan think it is a good version, the only
problem is that we should not adopt it under Robert Kocharyan. Everyone says
that we should adopt it as quickly as possible», said Mr. Karapetyan
forgetting that the year 2005 is somehow like the year 1995: there are
parties which are suppressed in a more «civilized» way by the authorities,
and there are closed TV Companies – «A1+» and «Noyan Tapan».

Nevertheless, according to Mr. Karapetyan, there is a weak point in the
draft resolution: the main aim of Armenia, that is the creation of a United
Armenia, is not stipulated, «After the Great Patriotic War Germany announced
its main aim – two unite the two Germanys, and they reached their aim»,
added the ARF fraction secretary.

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| 13:05:36 | 16-09-2005 | Official |

ARMENIA COMDEMNS

The RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan signed in New York the
International Convention `About Elimination of Nuclear Terror`.

The members of the convention, according to the document, condemn all
the terror acts, whoever might realize them, including those which put
the friendly relations between nations and countries at hazard and
threaten the territorial integrity and security of countries.

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| 12:53:39 | 16-09-2005 | Official |

NEW-YORK MEETINGS

Today RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan will make a speech at the UN
Assembly General. RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan will make a speech on
Sunday, September 18. And yesterday Vardan Oskanyan met in New York several
high-ranked officials.

On Thursday, the Foreign Minister met with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European
Union Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy.
They spoke about the ENP. The Minister briefed the Commissioner on the
current state of negotiations regarding the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Minister Oskanian also met with George Lacovou, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Cyprus. They discussed regional issues as well as cooperation in
international organizations. Later, Minister Oskanian met with Ahmed Aboul
Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. Minister Oskanian presented to
Minister Aboul Gheit President Kocharian¹s letter of congratulations to
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The two discussed developments in the
Middle East, and in the Caucasus.

Minister Oskanian spoke with Pierre Chevalier, Belgium¹s special envoy to
the OSCE. The Minister explained Armenia¹s cooperation with the OSCE at
various levels, expressing Armenia¹s appreciation for OSCE support in
various areas, including democratic development, regional development. The
Minister briefed Ambassador Chevalier on the ongoing Karabakh talks and
prospects for a resolution.

In the margins of the UN General Assembly, the Francophonie Association held
a high level meeting. Minister Oskanian participated in the meeting which
focused on ways the developed world can help the developing world to
alleviate poverty.

The Minister also held a working meeting with OSCE Minsk Group US co-chair
Ambassador Steven Mann.

Armenpress

ARMENIAN FM, PM TO ADDRESS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION

NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian held
several bilateral meetings on his first working day in New York, where he is
accompanying Prime Minister Andranik Margarian to the 60th anniversary of
the UN General Assembly.
On Thursday, the Foreign Minister met with Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
European Union Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood
Policy. They spoke about the ENP. The Minister briefed the Commissioner on
the current state of negotiations regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Minister Oskanian also met with George Iacovou, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Cyprus. They discussed regional issues as well as cooperation in
international organizations. Later, Minister Oskanian met with Ahmed Aboul
Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. Minister Oskanian presented to
Minister Aboul Gheit President Kocharian’s letter of congratulations to
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The two discussed developments in the
Middle East, and in the Caucasus.
Minister Oskanian spoke with Pierre Chevalier, Belgium’s special envoy to
the OSCE. The Minister explained Armenia’s cooperation with the OSCE at
various levels, expressing Armenia’s appreciation for OSCE support in
various areas, including democratic development, regional development. The
Minister briefed Ambassador Chevalier on the ongoing Karabakh talks and
prospects for a resolution. In the margins of the UN General Assembly, the
Francophonie Association held a high level meeting. Minister Oskanian
participated in the meeting which focused on ways the developed world can
help the developing world to alleviate poverty.
The Minister also held a working meeting with OSCE Minsk Group US
co-chair Ambassador Steven Mann. Meantime Prime Minister Margarian met with
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad. Government press service said the two
men assessed highly friendly bilateral relations between Iran and Armenia.
Margarian was quoted as saying that Armenia and Iran have no political
problems, and that their economic ties were developing steadily. Margarian
also praised Iran’s balanced policy towards Armenia since it became
independent, saying it played a positive role in terms of bringing stability
to the region.
Ahmedinejad was quoted as saying that friendship with Armenia stems from
Iran’s political course. He also stressed the need for boosting bilateral
trade. The same day Margarian signed on behalf of Armenia the International
Convention on Elimination of Terrorist Nuclear Actions.
Margarian also met UNICEF executive director. Prime Minister Margarian
will address the General Assembly on Friday, September 16, and Foreign
Minister Oskanian will do so on Sunday, September 18.

Pan Armenian News

RA MFA STATEMENT AROUSED BAKU CONCERN

16.09.2005 03:19

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The latest statement by Press Secretary of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry Hamlet Gasparian in nothing but a `political maneuver’,
head of the department of foreign affairs of the Azerbaijani president
administration Novruz Mamedov stated, Trend news agency reports. To remind,
when commenting on the inclusion of the issue `On the seized territories of
Azerbaijan’ in the agenda of the UN General Assembly 60-th Session Hamlet
Gasparian stated that Armenia’s position underwent no changes: should
Azerbaijan raise the Karabakh issue during the UN Session Armenia will quit
the negotiations and Baku will have to hold talks directly with Stepanakert.
`This message is the evidence of Armenia’s concern. It means that
Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno Karabakh has strengthened and meets support
of international organizations and countries. The inclusion of the issue `On
the seized territories of Azerbaijan’ in the UN agenda is a logical
consequence of events. It’s not strange and it’s our right,’ Mamedov said.
In his words, `Armenia sees that Azerbaijan’s position on Karabakh meets
greater support of the international community and tries to threaten
Azerbaijan with suspension of the talks.’ `It’s not easy to abandon the
negotiation process. First, the lands are occupied and talks are being held.
Second, if Armenia really intends to quit the process we will get the
possibility to negotiate with the Armenians of Karabakh. We do not see any
problem in it,’ Mamedov assured.

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| 16:17:01 | 16-09-2005 | Official |

MEMBERSHIP OFFER

RA NA President Arthur Baghdasaryan met the International European Movement
Secretary General Henrik Croner. The latter represented the history and the
activity of the organization mentioning that being in Europe the movement
was ground for forming the CoE and the EU.

During the meeting the issue of opening the office of the organization in
Armenia was discussed. Its aim would be to contribute to the establishment
of the civic society in Armenia and the enhancing of democracy.

Mr. Croner also offered the NA President to become member of the
organization.

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| 16:04:53 | 16-09-2005 | Official |

WAS THE EMBASSY THE LAST HOPE?

On September 15, the U.S. Embassy donated three computers to the Office of
the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia.

A small donation ceremony was held during which Deputy Head of the
Investigative Department and Head of the Anti-Trafficking Division of the
Office of the Prosecutor General Marsel Matevosyan signed the grant
agreement.

A1+

| 15:44:00 | 16-09-2005 | Politics |

LOYAL TO THE MAIN PATH

Several regional organizations of the `Republican Party’, as well as the
youth ring of the party have made a joint announcement in which it is
mentioned, `We inform you that we will continue our activity in the party ad
we will defend the political path adopted by the party referendum’.

At the same time the party office informs that in a week the dissolved
structures of the party in Gyumri, Arabkir, Ashtarak and Echmiadzin will be
restored.

>From now on the Political council of the Republican Party has started
pre-referendum meetings in regional organizations, which will result in a
special referendum. It will discuss the inter- political situation in
Armenia, the development programs in the country, as well as will choose a
new Political Council.

A1+

| 15:35:52 | 16-09-2005 | Politics |

THE GOVERNMENT MUST GIVE AN ANSWER TO THE ARF

There were several draft laws in the NA agenda made by deputies from the
ARF. The Government does not like to have laws like the draft resolution
about introducing changes into the Law on `Legalization of illegal
buildings’ or the new Law on `Bodyguards’ Service’.

`We all know how many bodyguards they have, and it is not regulated by the
law’, says the secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Parliamentary fraction Hrayr Karapetyan. The ARF does not understand why the
Government avoids the offered law.

The deputies from ARF intend to organize Parliamentary hearings and expect
the Government representative to explain why they avoid from regulating the
above mentioned field.

Pan Armenian News

ARMENIA IS INTERESTED IN RAISING OSCE EFFICIENCY

15.09.2005 09:17

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ September 12-13 in Vienna the OSCE member-states held
discussions dedicated to the OSCE reformation. The Armenian delegation
headed by Deputy FM Armen Bayburdian took part in the discussions. The
member-states presented their position on the report on raising the OSCE
efficiency worked out by a group of 7 diplomats and political figures. The
report touches upon several principal issues such as OSCE legislation, legal
status of the organization, efficiency of the structures and OSCE field
missions. Armenia’s position was represented by Armen Bayburdian and
permanent representative of Armenia in the OSCE Jivan Taribian. Armenia is
interested in raising the efficiency, role and authority of the OSCE and
considers that preserving the standards and fulfilling the commitments to
the CoE it is essential to adapt the OSCE to the realities and challenges of
the 21-st century. Upon completion of the discussions it was decided to form
a working group, which will elaborate a package of proposals for presenting
them at the meeting of the OSCE FMs to be held this December in Ljubljana.