CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS MUST BE “RESPECTED”
A1+
[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
A1+
[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?”
A1+
[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”
A1+
[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
A1+
[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
A1+
[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

IMPROVEMENT OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
ArmRadio.am
26.04.2006 14:30
Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis declared that for
improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations it is necessary to settle
the Karabakh conflict.
“This is really an important issue. However, it takes a secondary
character and is just the edge of the problem. The central
question should be solved, and we know that it is the future of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Thus, let’s get engaged in the essence of the issue
and not rotate around it,” Terry Davis said.

VALDAS ADAMKUS CALLS ON ARMENIANS NOT TO BE SILENT ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ArmRadio.am
26.04.2006 14:50
“Don’t keep silent about the Armenian Genocide, continue the open
dialogue, allow the world to learn more about it, and one day there
will certainly be a proper response,” Lithuanian President Valdas
Adamkus said during the meeting with faculty and students of the
Yerevan State University.
He characterized the Armenian Genocide issue as a “gentle and sensitive
one” and urged the Armenian people to do all in this direction that
it considers correct.
As for the question how Lithuania’s recognition of the Armenian
Genocide has impacted the country’s relations with Turkey, Valdas
Adamkus responded that the relations between states should develop
based on mutual respect and a friendly atmosphere. If Turkey follows
these principles, no problems will emerge.
“If Turkey wants to be a member of the European Union, it should
develop its relations with other countries, including Armenia, based
on this principle,” Valdas Adamkus said.

ABOUT 160 EVENTS ORGANIZED IN FRANCE TO COMMEMORATE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS
Yerkir
26.04.2006 12:12
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Events marking the 91st anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide began in Paris April 23. On that day a requiem mass was
served at Notre Dame de Paris.
The same evening at 6:00 p.m. part of Champs-Elysees Avenue was
partially blocked. Hundreds of French Armenians with flags and
flowers walked to the Trumphal Arch in silence. There Armenian
Ambassador to France and Jacques Chirac’s special representative,
military commandant of Elysee Palace laid a wreath to the grave of
the Unknown Soldier next to the eternal fire.
April 24 bells of some 40 Armenian churches tolled in different
French cities, marking the beginning of mourning liturgies in the
memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide. Requiem mass was held in
St. Hovhannes Armenian Cathedral. Wreaths were laid to the monument
to Komitas. Rally participants then walked to the Turkish embassy
in silence.
April 24 Armenian NA Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan and Ambassador to
France Eduard Nalbandyan participated in the ceremony of opening an
Armenian Genocide Memorial. State and political figures, thousands
of Armenians were present at the ceremony.
The same day the Armenian Ambassador and Lyon Mayor, MP Jacques Colomb
partook in the opening of an Armenian Genocide monument in the city
central square. Addressing those gathered Nalbandyan remarked some
50 Genocide monuments in France evidence not only recognition, but
also solidarity with Armenians.
April 23-24 some 160 events commemorating the victims of the Armenian
Genocide were held in 60 French towns: Grenoble, Toulon, Valence,
Montpellier, Cannes and others. The topic of the Armenian Genocide
was widely covered by French media and TV. Various French TV channels
showed films on the Armenian Genocide.
From: Baghdasarian

TURKEY DISAGREES WITH SOME OF BUSH STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN ANNIVERSARY
Anatolia news agency
25 Apr 06
Ankara, 25 April: “It is not possible for Turkey to share some
expressions of US President George Bush in his statement released
on 24 April. On the other hand, the reference to creation of joint
commissions is positive,” said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman
Namik Tan on Tuesday [25 April].
Replying a question about President Bush’s statement on so-called
Armenian genocide anniversary, Tan said: “President Bush displayed
his regular attitude of releasing a written statement on ‘Armenian
remembrance day’ on 24 April this year as well. It is not possible
for Turkey to share some assessments in the statement.”
“History can only be written and assessed on the basis of official
documents. The resource is the archives,” he noted.
“Controversial part of Turkish-Armenian joint history can only be
researched on scientific aspect, and the assessments can be made
under the results of these researches,” he added.
Tan said: “Thus, Turkey’s proposal (to Armenia) to investigate
incidents before and after 1915 by a joint history commission (and to
share results with people) can enlighten this period of history and
normalize the relations between the two countries, and this initiative
should be supported.”
US President George Bush said in his statement (released on 24 April):
“Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th century
– the mass killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5m Armenians
in the final days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. This was a tragedy
for all humanity and one that we and the world must never forget. We
mourn this terrible chapter of history and recognize that it remains
a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who believe
in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of every human
life. We encourage dialogues, including through joint commissions,
that strive for a shared understanding of these tragic events and
move Armenia and Turkey towards normalized relations.”