WHAT WILL THE NEW DEPUTY DO IN THE PARLIAMENT?
A1+
[03:56 pm] 23 May, 2006
“I would like to hear more political debates in the Parliament instead
of non political ones,” Gegham Manoukyan, NA new deputy informed
us today.
He entered the Parliament as a result of a procedure which certain
political analysts call a collapse of the Coalition. It means that
in case OYP didn’t quit the Coalition, and Levon Lazarian wasn’t
appointed the Minister of Education, Gegham Manoukyan wouldn’t go to
the Parliament.
But he is of different opinion. “The Coalition exists, and it is
independent of certain people. There is a Coalitional memorandum which
is the base of the Coalition. There is a principle of the Coalition,
a document which testifies to the existence of the Coalition.” In
Gegham Manoukyan’s opinion the political state of internal affairs is
quiet in the country and nothing strange or extraordinary has happened.
“The changes are normal and logical on the threshold of elections,”
he claims. By the way, the latter will continue his creative work. “I
would like to be engaged in journalism and I shall continue my work.”
Asked whether he will be involved in political or legislative activity
in the Parliament he answered, “Whenever any deputy deals with only
political issues in the Parliament he harms the activity of the
Parliament, politics and legislative activity are connected.”

OPPOSITION IS NON-LICENSED ACTIVITY
Lragir.am
23 May 06
“I congratulate Arthur Baghdasaryan on the final establishment of
the Orinats Yerkir Party,” said the leader of the Ramkavar Party of
Armenia (Liberal Democratic Party of Armenia) Harutiun Arakelyan May
23, assessing the recent developments related with the coalition and
the Orinats Yerkir Party.
The Ramkavars say Orinats Yerkir made a political decision. The members
of parliament who left the party for the mandate and their businesses
also made a political decision. The leader of the Ramkavar Party does
not share the joy of certain members of parliament, for they also
have entrepreneur members of parliament. Harutiun Arakelyan relies
on his experience as a person who witnessed rats in politics.
“In 1993-1994 the same happened in our political party. Members of
parliament tended to affiliate with the Ramkavar Party; well, they had
heard about the Diaspora, a rich political party, etc. Later they left,
however. The new bureau of the political party has changed its style
of work to prevent this from reoccurring,” said Harutiun Arakelyan.
The Ramkavar Party has worked out with the Hzor Hayrenik Party 100
amendments to the electoral legislation to reduce and eliminate the
influence of economic factors and businessmen on political processes.
“We especially underline two: application of the proportional system of
vote and lifting of the immunity of members of parliament.” According
to Harutiun Arakelyan, the latter will make the mandate of a member
of parliament less attractive for a businessman. “They will leave
the National Assembly alone. The National Assembly has deviated from
its main function – the National Assembly is a place where laws are
made.” For the opposition, it is neither a place, nor a geographical
location, and Harutiun Arakelyan says it is funny when Orinats Yerkir’s
affiliation with the opposition is met with slings and arrows.
“Opposition is a stance. Some oppositionists have assumed a status
as if they are supposed to get a license for being opposition.
We do not need anybody’s permission for our opposition stance.”
The Ramkavar Party will stand for elections in 2007 and 2008. It will
act seriously. The question of candidates and alliances with other
political forces will be decided in the extraordinary congress of
the political party in February 2007.

IRAN REPORTS SUSPECTED BIRD FLU DEATHS
Armenpress
May 23 2006
TEHRAN, MAY 23, ARMENPRESS; Medical officials in Iran say local
tests indicate two people have died of bird flu. If confirmed by
international laboratories, they will be the country’s first deaths
from the H5N1 strain of the disease.
A 41-year-old man and his 26-year-old sister are among five members of
the same family who became sick after returning from a trip to the town
of Marivan, close to their home in the northwestern city of Kermanshah.
Officials say the three surviving relatives are in hospital and one
of them remains dangerously ill. A number of Iran’s neighbors have
reported deaths from the virus in recent months. Bird flu has killed
at least 123 people, mostly in Asia, since December 2003.

ALL-ARMENIAN ISSUES MUST BE SETTLED WITH ARMENIA
Lragir.am
23 May 06
The Ramkavar Party of Armenia (Liberal Democratic Party of Armenia)
has not had cooperation and contacts with the president of the World
Congress of Armenians Ara Abrahamyan since 2003, stated the leader
of the party Harutiun Arakelyan May 23. As a co-founder of the World
Congress of Armenians, the Ramkavar Party is not “delighted” with
the activities of this organization. Harutiun Arakelyan goes frank
and says there is likelihood inside the political party to secede
from the Congress: “Currently I hold them back.”
The Ramkavar Party also dislikes the recent initiative of the World
Congress of Armenians to take Turkey to court. First of all, it is an
emotional decision: it would mean declaring war on Turkey. Besides,
“Armenia must participate in the settlement of all-Armenian issues.”

SHUSHI FOUNDATION EXPECTS DONATIONS FROM ARMENIANS TO RESTORE TOWN’S MONUMENTS
Armenpress
May 23 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 23, ARMENPRESS: The Shushi Foundation and the Haypost
company (Armenian Post) have signed an agreement to help efforts to
restore the town of Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh and its cultural and
historical monuments. Under this agreement every Armenian can transfer
a symbolic sum of 500 Drams (a little more than one US Dollar) to the
Foundation’s account, approving that way the Foundation’s initiative.
Bakur Karapetian, an author who is also the manager of the Foundation,
said his Foundation, established in 2000, has registered and
mapped around 525 monuments in the town and its outskirts. He
said architects have measured about 220 buildings dating back to
18 and 19 centuries. Karapetian said Shushi is the only Armenian
town that has been preserved since the 19-th century and therefore,
‘its atmosphere and colors should be preserved,’ which in turn could
promote development of tourism in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Karapetian went on to say that Shushi can become at the same time a
place where Christian and Muslim civilizations and cultures can meet,
because Shushi was also a place where the Muslim Shia culture met
with Christian culture. He said one of the town’s mosques was already
repaired. Karapetian said his Foundation wants also to set up a center
to study the history of the struggle for Karabakh independence. The
Foundation was able to materialize part of its ideas only thanks
to donations.
Under the agreement Haypost offices will accept transfers and send
them on the Foundation’s account once in a fortnight. Names of people
donating their 500 drams will be placed on the Foundation’s website.
Armenians in Diaspora can also join the initiative.
They can find information how to do it by visiting

RUSSIAN HISTORIAN: TURKEY SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Yerkir
23.05.2006 15:57
YEREVAN (YERKIR) -Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide of
1915, as the fact is grounded by undisputable proofs, head of 19th
century department at the State Historical Museum, PhD in history
Viktor Bezotosny has told a REGNUM correspondent.
According to him, the question of recognizing the “historic truth” is
a question of time. “The whole world knows about the events of 1915
and calls them Genocide. It strange, that only one country rejects
it and tries to misinterpret and escape from historic facts.
There good and bad pages in history of any country. Well, they should
maker bold and take responsibility to tell the truth, otherwise
memory of those killed in those awful years is being defiled,” Viktor
Bezotosny is quoted as saying. The historian believes that the Armenian
Genocide of 1915 and the Holocaust are results of domestic policies
pursued by countries that committed such villainy.
It is worth mentioning, Russia recognized the Armenian Genocide
officially.
Fact of the Genocide was recognized by many countries, including
France, Uruguay, lower chamber of the Italian parliament, several
US states, parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium, Wales,
Swiss National Council, Canadian House of Commons and Polish Seym.

“RESIGNATION” TRAGIC COMEDY AT THE ARMENIAN NA
Panorama.am
15:33 22/05/06
The resignation of Arthur Baghdasaryan raised turmoil at the National
Assembly. The deputies were repeatedly mentioning Baghdasaryan’s name
in their speeches and giving different assessments to Orinats Yerkir.
Artashes Geghamyan reminded that those deputies who are left within
the party are of bad fame.
Particularly he addressed Hohvannes MARGARYAN, saying, “you speak
about milk powder.”
Vahan Hovhannisyan, who was chairing the session had to calm deputies
down for several times. Geghamyan was demanding air in order to
clarify who is who.
Baghdasaryan doubted if there will be any TV company which would be
willing to accept them. Vahan Hovhannisyan assured that Yerkir Media
can host them.
Arthur Baghdasaryan said that it was a difficult decision for him
because he has worked with coalition for a long time. “If that is a
game for some people let that game be played on them,” he said.
Speaking about the possibility of vote on his resignation, he said
he refused to put the issue on vote because that could be subject
for manipulations.
Some could say that he does not want to go. “I wanted to go with
dignity,” he said.
He was angry that the opposition does not want to accept OY. “Let’s
pull the rope together. They do not want. Why? What is the
reason?” Baghdasaryan asked.
Tigran Torosyan reminded the deputies that Arthur Baghdasaryan’s
resignation cannot become an issue in the agenda. It will be approved
if Baghdasaryan’s confirms it in 5 days.
P.S. The reporters asked Vahan Hovhannisyan if Yerkir Media will
provide air to the abovementioned politicians and why he is sure that
the TV company will do so. Hovhannisyan said that the head of Yerkir
Media is his friend and he will speak him into that.

IS VIKTOR DALLAKYAN WRONG IN THE “DEATH” OF COALITION?
Panorama.am
15:49 22/05/06
Secretary of Justice block Viktor Dallakyan made a statement in
today’s NA session, saying “today, there is a parliamentary crises in
the Republic of Armenia – the coalition ceased to exist.” He demanded
either to liquidate the parliament or to pose a question of removal
of the government. “Today to pretend as if the coalition exists
and to enter into trade for distributing positions is a political
nonsense. You have no majority of votes. Giving positions to people and
thus forming the majority is not a solution to the problem,” he said.
NA vice speaker Vahan HOVHANNISYAN is of another opinion, however. “I
think Dallakyan is wrong. Soon the voting will show if the coalition
has the majority of votes or not,” Hovhannisyan said responding to
reporters’ questions. Speaking about the arrangements for the two
vacant posts of permanent committee heads, the vice speaker said,
“if there are such arrangements, I am not aware of them.”

“OUR PRIME AIM WAS TO PRESENT OUR COUNTRY”
Nvrad Ohanjanian
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
23 May 2006
The Committee of Tourism of the government of Moscow held a tourism
expo in Moscow on May 11-13. NKR was represented by the NKR Tourism
Development Agency. On May 19 Sergey Shahverdian and Davit Ishkanian,
Tourism Development Agency, gave a press conference to provide details
on the expo. Sergey Shahverdian said the stand of Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, which was considered one of the best, gave information on
this country through photos and products made in NKR. On May 13 the NKR
representatives made a presentation on Nagorno Karabakh Republic. “The
presentation was appointed at 11 in the morning, but several minutes
before the presentation a group of Azerbaijanis, apparently students,
entered the hall. We asked the security services for help to avoid any
incidents. During the opening of the presentation by Albert Andrian,
the special representative of NKR to Moscow the Azerbaijanis started
an action of protest.
Namely, they took off their shirts and stood with t-shirts on with
writings against our people’s victory and achievements,” said Sergey
Shahverdian, adding that this sight confused the participants of the
presentation. Despite the protest of the Azerbaijanis, the presentation
passed normally and ended with a tasting of Karabakh wines. After
the presentation the organizers of the expo gave a diploma to the
NKR representation. “The Azerbaijanis, who were trying to prevent our
presentation, did not even imagine that their protest would produce
the opposite impression, a positive impression on the participants,”
said Sergey Shahverdian. He says beginning with the first day of the
expo the Azerbaijani embassy was making attempts at having the NKR
stand closed, but as soon as they failed, they started demanding
to replace the sign on the stand “Nagorno Karabakh Republic” with
“Nagorno Karabakh.” This demand was turned down by the organizers of
the expo. Davit Ishkanian said this is the fifth participation of
NKR in similar Armenian and international expos: once in Yerevan,
three times in Arab and European tourism expos in Beirut. “The NKR
government, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of
Territorial Management and Development of Infrastructures contributed
to the participation of NKR in the expo. We are grateful to Karabakh
Telecom for financial support, Artsakh Alco and Karabakh Gold for
the products to display,” said Davit Ishkanian. He thinks that
participation in such events is important, for these, first of all,
have a political context. Sergey Shahverdian says after the Russian
government banned import of Georgian and Moldavian wines, the wine
producers of Karabakh have an excellent opportunity of exporting
their production to Russia. This circumstance should spur the NKR
government agencies and companies to take practical steps. “Unlike
product expos, tourism expos are important in the sense that the
country is presented. Our prime aim was to acquaint present Karabakh
and its political situation to travel agencies and visitors,” he said,
adding that in Moscow the representatives of Karabakh made arrangements
with travel magazines, as well as a Russian TV company and people
related with tourism. In answer to the question if the Karabakh issue
was discussed by the participants and visitors of this event, Sergey
Shahverdian said presently there are a number of people in Russia,
who are well aware of what goes on in Karabakh, therefore there is
no need for propaganda among these people. “The only problem they
are interested in is whether there are skirmishes at the front line
of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict. We gave them true information,
assuring that there are no skirmishes, and safety of travelers
is guaranteed, and tourists can visit and see Karabakh,” said
S. Shahverdian.

HAS UNITED EMPLOYMENT PARTY BECOME COALITION’S PARTNER?
Panorama.am
16:50 22/05/06
“The first steps to form the coalition are made,” NA Vice Speaker
Tigran Torosyan told reporters shortly, speaking about granting some
government positions to UEP.
Asked by a reporter if T. Torosyan has pretensions for NA chairman’s
post, Tigran Torosyan answered negatively. “The post is not vacant
yet, so I cannot have pretensions.” However, he did not exclude the
possibility of keeping his post of the Head of Armenian delegation in
EC Parliamentary Assembly in case he is selected as the chairman of NA.
Speaking about today’s situation in the National Assembly, Torosyan
said it was a show.
Responding on the issue of the vacant posts of permanent committee
heads, the vice speaker said it will be discussed in the coming
two days.