ARMENIANS, WHO WON MISS IRAQ CONTEST, FORCED TO REFUSE THEIR CROWN
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.04.2006 20:33 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As a result of threats by Muslim radical groupings,
winner of the first Miss Iraq contests, ethnic Armenian Tamara
Goregian had to refuse its title. Silva Sahakyan, who was the second,
also has to hide from radicals. The winner of Miss Iraq contest,
held under secret conditions, returned the crown of the winner
to the organizational committee in four days, as Muslim radical
groupings of Iraq threatened her. “You are the queen of unfaithful,
not that of beauty,” they stated. As a result Tamara Goregian had
to hide in Jordan and the title was offered to two Muslim girls,
who were the second and third, but they refused, too. After that the
crown was handed to Silva Sahakyan, who was the fourth and radicals
started threatening her, too. Silva Sahakyan is hiding at the moment,
however she does not refuse the crown of the winner, reports RFE/RL.

MILITARY TRAININGS WILL BE HELD IN ARTSAKH
A1+
[11:55 am] 18 April, 2006
Military trainings will be held in the NKR from April 18 to 20 in
which all the categories of the NKR armed forces will be involved.
According to the data of the RA Defense Ministry Press Service the
Defense Ministers of the RA and NKR as well as the representatives
of the officer’s personnel of the two countries’ military forces will
be present during the trainings.
The trainings will start in the NKR capital Stepanakert and will
continue in other regions. They will be covered by the “A1+”
correspondent.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT WILL MAKE A DECISION IN A FEW HOURS
A1+
[02:15 pm] 18 April, 2006
The Hearing Of The Ombudsman’s Application Was Short
Today the Human Rights Protector Armen Haroutyunyan continued his
disputes on the Civil and Land Codes articles and on one governmental
decision. The construction of elite flats and the process of depriving
the inhabitants of their dwelling places in the city centre were
determined by the above mentioned Codes. The previous session was
interrupted as the respondent side, the Government representative
David Haroutyunyan was obliged to present the Government’s decisions
mentioned by him by which the executive body was entitled to realize
the centre of the capital. The next cause for the session interruption
was the fact of giving arguments of the claimant and respondent to
the experts for further consideration. Today the CC Chairman Gagik
Haroutyunyan announced that they already have the necessary documents,
the conclusions of the experts and wait for the claimant and respondent
to make their final speeches.
The Ombudsman Armen Haroutyunyan claimed in his speech that the
arguments in question are anti constitutional; this fact was also
asserted by the experts. The President’s representative Gevorg
Mheryan had nothing to say on anti constitutional arguments as the
newly appointed assistant of the President said nothing new in the
last 2 sessions. As for the Government representative’s speech Armen
Haroutyunyan said, “The respondent’s speech and questions confirmed my
persuasion that the disputed legal acts are anti constitutional.” While
speaking of the Civil Code anti constitutional Article 218 he said
that there was no mention of the public predominant interest in it
which would allow to buy the citizens’ lands or flats in order to
suffice the needs of the country or community.
The Justice Minister David Haroutyunyan changed his strategy in
the final speech and he mainly relied on two factors to justify
the Government’s deeds; first of all there is not an article in the
Constitution which will allow to take the citizen’s property by law
and secondly, the cities of all countries are developing according
to their main plan; Yerevan was to develop as well. According to the
Minister our legislation is not perfect, the Government’s decisions are
incomplete but they have no connection with the Constitution. He ended
his speech with the following humanitarian phrase; the Government
agrees that the money given to the displaced inhabitants is a
compensation and not an income. By this step the Government wants to
return the citizens the 10% income tax levied from them.
The CC will make public its decision at 16:00. Today’s session lasted
only 1 hour. Meanwhile the inhabitants of the “zone for realization”
gathered opposite the CC. The most astonishing is the fact that they
don’t believe in the Court at all.

THE TRANSPORT FARE INCREASED BY 50% IN AZATAN
A1+
[02:40 pm] 18 April, 2006
There is a bustle in the village Azatan of Shirak marz. The “Trans
Instant” LTD providing the route Gyumri – Azatan has established new
fare – 150AMD instead of the former 100AMD. According to the Village
Council Personnel Chief Vardan Ikilikyan there was such an increase
last year; the bus fare went up to the same extent. But in his words
the organization resumed the former fare in two days’ time under the
direct pressure of the passengers and the community authorities.
The fare of 100AMD is a complete charity according to the Shirak’s
Regional vice-governor Mikajel Vardanyan.
He claims that “Trans Instant” LTD has been a benefactor for a
year. The fare increase is determined by the increase of diesel and
spares. He says that the new price is affirmed by the Ministry of
Transportation and Communication.
The Village Council Personnel Chief Vardan Ikilikyan mentions that
they have already released a joint letter – appeal to the Shirak
Regional Governor and wait for his response. In cases they don’t have
a satisfactory answer they will apply to the Government and even to
the mediation of judicial bodies if necessary.
“Tsayg” TV channel of Gyumri

THE ARMENIAN POOREST MARZ ACCORDING TO THE UNO DATA
A1+
[03:27 pm] 18 April, 2006
Ghegharkunik was considered the most vulnerable region according to
the UNO survey data. Both the rural and urban refugees live in awful
social conditions. The list of the poorest is topped by 8 refugee
communities of the marz.
Our compatriots who deported from Azerbaijan settled in 5 urban and
37 rural communities of Ghegharkunik.
Though they have lived in Armenia for 15 years they still have
adaptation problems. Mrs. Svetlana living in Azerbaijan in the
past now lives in a new community and gets adjusted with the rural
housing conditions with great difficulty. There are many people like
her who are cut from the outer world as they haven’t got TV sets and
newspapers are not available for them. The marz dwellers are mainly
involved in agricultural work. Their number one problem is connected
with flats. So far only 21 refugee families received flats.
About 20 000 Armenian refugees found a shelter in the marz in the
years following the migration and they mainly settled in Vardenis
and Tsambarak.
In those territories the roads are in a terrible state and there
are no means of transportation and communication. The refugees
deem themselves ignored and neglected. The regional department of
Human Rights Protection Centre after Sakharov is concerned with
their matter. The latter implements the program “The refugees in 15
years’ time” with the assistance of the World Bank Yerevan Office
and Open Society Institute Fund in order to raise the level of public
awareness on refugee needs and issues. The organization has held free
legal consultation and material support for the refugees living in
the region.
This time the regional department of Human Rights Protection Centre
after Sakharov organized a photo – exhibition discussion titled
“The refugees in 15 years’ time.” The chief of the program Ruben
Khachikyan while quoting the strategy program combating poverty,
the UNO survey of the vulnerable local and refugee dwellers stated
that the refugee index was worse than that of the local inhabitants.
“Kjavar” TV channel of Gavar

THE INTERNATIONAL WUSHU TOURNAMENT IN YEREVAN
A1+
[03:52 pm] 18 April, 2006
The international traditional wushu tournament devoted to “Old
Shengavit” will be held in “Dinamo” sports ground on April 21 – 22. The
tournament is held for the 3rd time. About 100 representatives from
Georgia, Nagorno – Karabakh, Kazakhstan and Armenia will participate
in the 2006 tournament. Armenia will have the most participants – 64
sportsmen. 16 wushuists will arrive from Georgia, 12 – from Kazakhstan
and 8 – from Artsakh. Whushuists of different ages are to participate
in the meetings starting from the age 12 to adults.
Last year the representatives from Russia and Turkmenistan also
participated in the tournament but this year they don’t participate
because of the lack of financial support.
By the way, the 6th wushu championship will be held in “Dinamo” sports
ground on May 12 – 14, and about 250 Armenian strongest whushuists
will participate in various weight categories.

ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN WON MEDALS IN THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
A1+
[04:10 pm] 18 April, 2006
Armenian unarmed self-defense team won two medals in the European
Adult Championship held in Serbia. Ashot Danielyan won silver medal in
74kg weight category, and David Khachatryan won bronze medal in 68kg
weight category. Our best unarmed self-defense player, the world ex
champion of 2005 Layert Avagyan was injured in the first stage of the
championship and couldn’t continue his meeting. The Armenian Unarmed
Self-Defense Federation chairman Levon Hairapetyan mentioned that
Avagyan would win a medal by all means in case he participated. Thus,
Armenia lost one of its medals because of Avagyan’s injury. Regardless
of the medals the chairman of the Federation was not content with the
participation of the Armenian sportsmen. “We got accustomed to winning
medals which has become a normal thing for us. But I expected more –
a gold medal. This is a good result for the Olympic Games and Sport
Committee but I am not pleased with it.”
Let us add that 5 Armenian sportsmen participated in the European
Championship held in Belgrade.

RAZMIK SARGSYAN’S PARENTS CONTINUE THE HUNGER STRIKE
ArmrRadio.am
18.04.2006 14:17
Before the Court of Appeal would start the trial of the case of
murder of two soldiers, an act of protest was organized by parents
and relatives of the accused.
To remind, Razmik Sargsyan, Arayik Zalyan and Musa Serobyan are charged
with murdering the two soldiers. However, they continue to confirm they
have not committed the crime. They have again started a hunger strike
to prove their innocence. Their parents have also joined the strike.

WILL WATER PRICE GO UP?
A1+
[04:25 pm] 18 April, 2006
The RA State Committee regulating public services got a claim for
water price increase by “Yerevan Water” LTD on April 6, 2006.
“Yerevan Water” offers to establish new water price; 172AMD per
1sq. water instead of the former 125AMD.
According to the preliminary data the Committee will view the issue
on April 28 and will approve of it according to the Consumers’
Association Chairman Armen Poghosyan.

45 CASES PRESENTED IN THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
A1+
[05:02 pm] 18 April, 2006
The issues of shadow curtail in construction and mining industry
spheres, the quarter results as well as false customs clearance combat
were today’s roundtable discussion theme during the work meeting of RA
President Robert Kocharyan and Tax State Service Chief Felix Tsolakyan.
According to the Tax State Service Chief the budget tax entries were
equal to 43, 2 milliard AMD which outnumbers the index of the previous
year data with 8milliard AMD. A high percent was registered in income
tax and profit tax. There was also a significant increase in social
payments. 15.3 milliard AMD was collected in the first quarter which
outnumbers the previous year data by 2.4 milliard AMD.
While speaking of the future plans the Tax State Service Chief
mentioned that the Service has marked out the list of the organizations
the taxes and deals of which do not comply with their activities,
and they will take measures on this score.
As for the false customs clearance combat Felix Tsolakyan stated that
45 cases were presented in the Prosecutor’s Office and an action was
brought against 19 of them.
There was also a mention about the property and income registration
procedure. Robert Kocharyan focused on the necessity of improving it
legally and utilizing mechanisms of responsibility.