MURDER AS STRUGGLE
By Ruben Hayrapetian in Moscow
AZG Armenian Daily
26/04/2006
“The Fuehrer’s successors conquer Russian cities swifter than the
Nazi troops in the autumn of 1941,” one of Moscow’s newspapers gives
alarm on occasion of the murder of 17 years old Armenian student
Vahan Abrahamiants.
What strikes one in this heinous crime is its unspeakable impudence
that is certainly the result of assurance of staying unpunished. The
headlines of Russian papers evidence to it: “Student Slain In Front of
A Dozen of People”, “Killing and Leaving by Train”, “Hitler Conquers
Moscow” etc.
It’s merely unbelievable how the murderer could escape the police after
stabbing the Armenian student to death at Pushkinskaya subway station –
one of the central stations in Moscow – that was heavily guarded by
the police for Easter celebrations. All tragedy is that people are
being killed in Russia today for a darker skin and for narrower eyes.
One has an impression that the Russians, particularly lower orders,
instinctively feel that something is happening to them, that they
are losing their national identity, spiritual charge, moral ground
and are turning into faceless and invertebrate creatures. And they
turn to the most primitive most animal way of struggle…
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE AUTHORITIES TRY TO STOP THE”BRAIN DRAIN” THROUGH LAW
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[03:33 pm] 25 April, 2006
“The RA has always been and still remains the only country having
the greatest scientific potential in the region,” states economist
Tatul Manaseryan. He claimed that the greatest threat for the economic
security is the “brain drain” and presented his bill on “the law on
the RA science duty” to the RA NAS for further discussions.
The law must regulate the relations between the duty percent and its
payment, specify duty payers and the order of payment. According to
the bill the law breakers will be punished by the RA legislation. The
objects concealing the duty or lessening its sum will not be punished
unless they find their wrong calculations and correct them before the
tax border checks. On the whole, the scientists welcomed the bill;
they only demanded to fix the duty percent precisely. “It is not
thoroughly calculated yet. Now we are engaged in the calculation and
expect your wise suggestions on this score,” Tutul Manaseryan answered
the scientists. He also mentioned that they must do everything possible
to promote to the development of science and prevent the “brain drain.”
Mr. Manaseryan expressed his concern on the fact that many factories
pretend to finance the science but it doesn’t correspond to the
reality; they try to get rid of the science duty in that way. Some
scientists think that science duty must refer to commercial
organizations as well. The suggestion was welcomed by the bill author.
The representatives of the NGOs were also present at the
roundtable. Tatul Masaseryan assured that all the suggestions made by
the scientists will be taken into account while working out the bill
“on the law of science duty.”

NEWSRU.COM: CONFESSION OBTAINED FROM SUSPECT OF MURDER OF ABRAMYANTS BY DECEIT
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.04.2006 22:24 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ New details of murder of Armenian Vahan Abramyants in
Moscow metro Pushkinskaya station past weekend are known now. Several
Russian newspapers say the suspect, Denis Kulagin, 17, has not
committed the crime, reports Newsru.com. In the words of schoolboy’s
mother, she made him confess in the murder herself owing to threats
of inspectors. Besides, the instrument of the crime is not found –
the knife, while observation cameras did not shoot anything and the
inspectors have only the confession of the minor, who was illegally
interrogated for several hours without his mother’s or a lawyer’s
presence.
According to D. Kulagin’s mother – Olga Kulagina, she got to know
from Denis that he with neighbors Ilya and Kostya went to Marino to
see the fight of fans of Spartak and Lokomotiv football teams. “The
boys were to meet Lokomotiv fans Lazar and Vahan at “Pushka”.
Denis and Ilya picked up Zhanna. They met with Lazar and Vahan at
half past four. 12 young people gathered.
Two of them – Lazar and Vahan – went up to smoke in the street. At
4:45 p.m. they ran down to Ilya, Kostya and Denis. They just said,
“Someone is following us or spying,” and guys in leather coats appeared
and started brutally beating them. Denis took Zhanna to a train up
to Barrikadnaya station. Then they came back to Pushkinskaya and
told policemen about those attacking. This is how he was taken to
the police department,” Olga Kulagina said.
“When I arrived we were suggested a choice: either Denis will serve
a sentence of 15 years for murder on national ground or for murder
owing to personal dislike. For a murder in “a love triangle” the
investigator promised “conditional” or a short imprisonment. He asked
to write a confession. I insisted that Denis sign the conflict was
due to the girl,” Kulagina said. She also noted her son is not like
the suspect sought for.
To note, after a meeting with a professional lawyer Denis Kulagin
refused from his confession.

THE STATE VEHICLE INSPECTOR REPLACED BY A CAMERA
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[05:17 pm] 25 April, 2006
The phase of making changes in the state vehicle inspectorate
was started in Gyumri. The road violations will be controlled by
speedometers and cameras.
The state vehicle inspectorate department of Gyumri presented
the corresponding bodies the list of the city streets where the
speedometers and cameras will be located. According to the chief of
the Gyumri state vehicle inspectorate Gurgen Derdzyan 70 cameras,
14 speedometers and traffic lights will be given to Gyumri.
The people responsible for this act are sure that the new system will
contribute to curtail of accidents, crashes and will help reveal a
number of road violations quickly.
“Tsayg” TV channel of Gyumri
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS MUST BE “RESPECTED”
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[04:52 pm] 25 April, 2006
“The boycott against Turkish goods is the matter of an Armenian’s
dignity,” says the RA Consumers’ Union chairman Armen Poghosyan and
appeals to the Armenian consumers, “Let us respect ourselves and buy
home products.”
In Mr. Poghosyan’s opinion this is a policy and it resembles the
Turkish act of boycotting against French goods in response to the
recognition of the Armenian genocide. Armen Poghosyan deems his appeal
a political one, as Turkish goods are harmful for health.
The RA Quality Board checked 103 Turkish goods considering them
harmless for health. The chairman of the NGO “Consumers’ Rights
Protection” Abgar Eghoyan is not a supporter of the Turkish goods
boycott though their survey revealed that out of 9 Turkish goods
4 contain colibacillus, for example the chocolate “Tofita.” Abgar
Eghoyan claims that the boycott will give nothing but negative and
direct impact on the Armenian consumers having average income.
It is due to mention that Armen Poghosyan who is an adherent of
the motto “not Turkish goods” is not against the Armenian – Turkish
frontier opening as in his words economic bounders cannot be closed;
“They must be protected as accurately as possible”
By the way, this doesn’t give ground for the consumer not to care for
the quality of local goods and public services. There is no datum on
the product quality in the 64% of local goods.
According to the roundtable participants, the Armenian consumer is
not protected. This is determined by the fact that “manufacturers are
in close relations with the legislative and executive bodies.” The
organizations protecting consumers’ rights cannot punish the
irresponsible manufacturer, they can only “divulge their steps.”

PARLIAMENTARY HEARINGS TOOK PLACE IN NAGORNO KARABAKH
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[07:39 pm] 25 April, 2006
Hearings on subject “Karabakh problem: settlement perspectives” took
place in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic National Assembly. Besides
NKR NA deputies, a parliamentary delegation from Armenia headed by
Chairman of the Permanent Commission on Foreign Relations of the RA
National Assembly Armen Roustamian, a number of Armenian political
scientists and experts, representatives of the NKR non-governmental
sector took part in the hearings.
The hearings were opened by Chairman of the NKR NA Permanent Commission
on Foreign Relations Vahram Atanesian. Chairman of the Parliament
Ashot Ghoulian greeted the participants.
The Speaker, in particular, noted that Artsakh had always been and
remained in the centre of the Armenian world’s attention. At the same
time, he noted the importance of defining the positions and opinions of
the groups and factions represented in the Parliament, the political
forces of the NKR on the process of the Karabakh conflict settlement,
possible developments in the context of the Karabakh problem. According
to Ashot Ghoulian, the hearings will become an important prerequisite
for organizing similar discussions on the key issues of the Karabakh
settlement in future.
“For the people and authorities of the NKR, the solution of the
problem starts from the results of the 1991 referendum, according to
which the Armenians of Artsakh unambiguously said “yes” to the idea
of independence accepting building of an independent statehood as
a strategy. Naturally, the activity of the whole political system
including that of the NKR National Assembly is directed to the
achievement of this aim”, Ashot Ghoulian said.
In his speech, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic Georgy Petrossian noted that the disrespect for the right of
the Nagorno Karabakh people lay in the base of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. In this context, he stressed that when the Karabakh
people claimed its right on self-determination the political demand
transferred into ethnic cleanings by Azerbaijan. At the same time,
the Minister noted that “independence is not an end in itself for
the NKR but a possibility to live and develop on its own land”.
Georgy Petrossian noted that when the political process did not
consider the right of a people, a collision of interests of the parties
took place. At the same time, the Minister stressed that Baku had
actually transferred the solution of the problem from the political
field into the field of military confrontation. He expressed pity that
the mediators ignored the results of the referendum on independence
in Nagorno Karabakh.
The head of the Karabakh Foreign Ministry spoke for signing an
agreement by the parties on giving up force usage.
Answering the questions of the hearings participants, the Minister
noted that the Karabakh party was always aware of the contents of
the negotiations between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. At
the same time, Georgy Petrossian stressed that it did not mean that
the Karabakh party agreed with all the issues.
The Minister stressed the inadmissibility of using “the Karabakh card”
with any personal or corporative views.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“WHO SAID WE DON’T RECOGNISE THE BORDERS WITH TURKEY?”
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[08:07 pm] 25 April, 2006
The RA Foreign Deputy Minister Arman Kirakosyan gave an interview to
the Turkish newspaper “Zaman” which was also introduced in the site
“mediadialogue.org”.
“You demand Turkey to open the borders with Armenia.
Does it mean that you recognize the Kars treaty made in 1921 and
the borders?”
“And who said we don’t recognize the Kars treaty?”
“There are many expressions about the Turkish Eastern regions in you
official documents.”
“Being an official representative of Armenia I want to announce;
Armenia wanted to establish diplomatic ties and relations with Turkey
without any preconditions after the proclamation of independence
in 1991. So far the RA hasn’t made any announcements on Kars treaty
recognition whereas Turkey suggested a number of preconditions included
the Nagorno – Karabakh and the Armenian Genocide. ”
“Can we say that Armenia has no demands in connection with the Eastern
regions of Turkey which is stated in the official documents?”
“My answer will not have a value unless the diplomatic relations are
established between the two countries.
We can display our respect towards the country’s regional wholeness
in bilateral contracts.”
“Your country is in an awful economic state because of the genocide
accusations and the border blockade. Many Armenians live and work
abroad. How long can you run such a policy?”
“Armenia is not in an awful economic state. Our economy got adjusted
to such conditions within 15 years. We strive to develop and
enhance the economy, and the opening of the borders will be useful
on this score. We are ready to establish diplomatic relations with
Turkey. Provided Turkey agrees, we are ready to discuss the current
issues.”
“The Azeri President Ilhalm Aliev will visit Washington at the tense
moment of the Iranian crisis.
Aren’t you concerned with that visit?”
“Not at all. We are in good relations with the USA.
The USA will give Armenia 235 million USD grant within the framework
of the program “Millennium Challenge,” and President Bush supports the
program. The money will contribute to the development of the country.
Azerbaijan wasn’t given such assistance as they didn’t conform to
the election standards. The RA President will likely visit the USA
after Azeri President’s visit.”
“Armenia and Diaspora take many measures in connection with the events
of 1915. There are 450 websites on this score. The events took place 90
years ago whereas nowadays 800 thousand Azeri refugees try to survive
in terrible conditions. Have you ever thought of their feelings?”
“We do not agree with the number 800 thousand. But it doesn’t
matter. There are 300 thousand refugees from Karabakh and Armenia
in our country. The negotiations with Azerbaijan still continue on
that theme.”
“Turkey offers to leave the 1915 year events for the historians’
discussion and to accept their conclusions. Don’t you accept such
position as usual?”
“Yes, the Prime Minister Erdoghan made such an announcement. President
Kocharyan, in his turn, suggested forming an intergovernmental
committee in order to discuss various matters connected with treaties,
contracts, borders, economy and policy. 2 and a half million Armenians
lived in the Ottoman Empire before the World War I. Today about 80
thousand Armenians live in Stambul. Where are the rest? Why did they
abandon the land of their ancestors? Turkey is a large country. Its
population is over 75 million, a great territory. Armenia is a small
country. Our population is 3 million. Must the bigger country be
afraid of a smaller one or the vice versa?”
“Turks are not responsible for the past events. The authorities of
those years are to be blamed. Armenia tries to establish friendly
relations with all countries without any preconditions. The political
figures will decide the fortune of the two countries.
If Turkey established diplomatic relations with Armenia in 1991 the
level of debates would be different today. “

“ASHLID” TRIES TO TAKE THE PLACE OF “ARMRUSGASARD”
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[12:51 pm] 26 April, 2006
The workers of the company “Ashlid” have been visiting the buildings
of the capital for the last few days and persuading the subscribers to
sign a contract of gas service with them. Nevertheless, this right is
given to “ArmRusGasArd” only, and all those citizens who have already
paid “Ashlid” and signed a contract, will have to make payment to
“ArmRusGasArd” too.
On December 9, 2005 the Committee Regulating Social Services decided
that “ArmRusGasArd” is given the monopoly of house service of gas
consumers. Before that there were a number of companies in the
republic which engaged in getting payments from the people, 3000
AMD per person. By the decision of the Committee new tariffs were
established for the service. The annual payment for subscribers with
one gas consuming device is 2400 AMD, for two – 5700 AMD and for
three – 6900 AMD.
The inspectors of “Ashlid” visit different people and seduce the
people with low tariffs. Several suchlike cases have been recorded in
the Yerevan Ajapnyak district. A number of consumers of this district
have signed contracts with “Ashlid” and paid them after which they
have been visited by the “ArmRusGasArd” inspectors and warned not to
make payments to other companies as in that case they will have to
pay twice.
It is noteworthy that the main office of “ArmRusGasArd” was not aware
of the incidents.
Informational representative of the company Shushan Sardaryan informed
that they have not received any information from their consumers or
branches. But still, we have facts. In particular, last week one
of the inspectors of “Ashlid” visited the Kievyan 12, 14 and 14A
buildings and signed several contracts.
Regardless of the fact with which company the consumers sign a contract
they will have to do the same with “ArmRusGasArd”, otherwise they
will not be supplied with gas.

NEW AUTOMOBILE COMMUNICATION ORDER BETWEEN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA
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[08:28 pm] 25 April, 2006
More images Today an agreement on international automobile
communication was signed between the RA and Georgian Governments in
Tbilisi. The two sides are to contribute to the cooperation in the
automobile sphere in the realm of the agreement.
The cars and other vehicles registered in one side and making transfers
in the territory of the other side are exempt from the levy and tax on
the generally used roads as well as all the special taxes and levies
prescribed by the legislation of the receiving country.
The RA Minister of Transportation and Communication Andranik Manukyan
and the Georgian Minister of Economic Development Irakli Chogovadze
mentioned at the press release that the treaty aims at the development
of the economic and commercial ties between the two countries and
facilitation of the luggage transfer conditions in the countries
in question.
This agreement will replace the agreement of 1997 and the record of
2005 “on making changes in the international automobile communication
agreement signed between the RA and Georgian Governments on May 3,
1997.”

THE HUNGER-STRIKER FELT BAD IN THE COURTROOM
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[09:10 pm] 25 April, 2006
“I still claim that my son’s murderers are to be sentenced to life
imprisonment. The date of my son’s murder does not correspond to the
date mentioned in the trial – December 24,” The successor of Hovsep
Mkrtumyan started the trial with the following words in the Court of
Appeal on Criminal cases while hearing the case on the murder of the
NKR Martakert regiment soldiers Hovsep Mkrtumyan and Roma Eghazaryan.
The defendants’ advocates came to the trial after the break and
motivated their absence with the fact that their mediations were not
taken into account and the trial was impartial. The judge refused the
mediation of 3 advocates Stepan Oskanyan, Zarui Postanjyan and Atoyan
saying that “the mediation is completely groundless.” At that moment
Stepan Oskanyan addressed the judge, “Why is the court interested in
finishing the hearing.”
Then Zarui Postajyan made a speech presenting the experts’ conclusions
thoroughly which refuted the murder on that date. The judges
reluctantly listened to her speech. After the speech the judges began
their discussions and decided to refuse the mediation in a few minutes.
Let us mention that Arajik Zaryan, Musa Serobyan and Razmik Sargsyan
accused of the murder went on hunger-strike. The latter is an awful
state and is hardly taken to the courtroom. The hearing was cancelled
because of his health till tomorrow.
From: Baghdasarian