PanARMENIAN.Net
Amnesty International: CIA Secret Planes Landed in
Azerbaijan
08.04.2006 01:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Amnesty International, a worldwide
movement of people who campaign for internationally
recognized human rights, has issued a new report on
the CIA secret prisons in foreign states. The 20-page
report contains the stories of seven prisoners, who
were subjected to torture in the secret jails. They
are Arabs and a German citizen of Syrian origin.
The report maintains the data on the flights of the
planes of the third states conveying the prisoners to
the secret jails for most part situated on the
territories of the NATO member states. Among the
countries where the planes landed Russia, Uzbekistan,
Spain, Switzerland, Cyprus, Libya and Azerbaijan are mentioned.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
5th Block of Hrazdan Heat Power Plant Sold to Gazprom
for $248.8 Million

07.04.2006 22:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ By the RA government decision of
April 6, the 5th block of the Hrazdan Heat Power Plant
was sold to Gazprom for $248.8 million, Armenian
Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan told journalists.
Movsisyan said $188 million will be subsidized to the
consumers during the period of April 10 – December 31,
2008, the rest of the sum will be transferred to the
budget. The tariff of 90 000 AMD for 1 thousand cubic
meters of gas set for natural persons will be
subsidized by the state at the rate of 25 000 AMD
while the tariff of $146.51 set for major consumers
will be subsidized at the rate of $52.01. The funds
will be transferred to the off-budget account. During
next two years the Russian party should invest some
$150-160 million in the 5th block of the Hrazdan Heat
Power Plant and complete the block. The agreement also
notes that till 2009 Gazprom will not change the price
for gas.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Baku Militaristic Statements Cause Nervousness among
Those in Arms
08.04.2006 00:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I wouldn’t like to comment on the
statements by the Russian President and look for ties
between the situation in Kosovo and Karabakh, but I am
convinced that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict can be
settled if the main condition is fulfilled. The
Karabakh people should be granted the right to decide
their future,’ Armenia Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian stated in an interview with Vremya Novostey
newspaper.
In his words, neither of the parties benefits from the
protraction. `Azerbaijan doesn’t rule out a military
settlement. But one should keep in mind that a
generation of people knowing no other situation but
the present one is growing in Nagorno Karabakh. And it
will be hard to change anything. We reiterate that the
resolution should be peaceful and base on compromise
by both sides,’ the RA FM stated.
At the same time he remarked that Baku’s militaristic
statements on the readiness to settle the problem by
force cause nervousness among soldiers, officers and
all those in arms. `They commence fire… Pay attention
to the fact that the ceasefire is violated not at the
Karabakh and Azeri contact line but at the contact
line of Azerbaijan and Armenia. This way Baku send
signals to the international community that the
conflict is between Armenia and Azerbaijan, what is
not true,’ Vartan Oskanian said.

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Foreign policy
VARTAN OSKANIAN: ARMENIA ISN’T GOING TO LEAVE CIS
According to the schedule of his visit to Russia,
today, Vartan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, will meet
with his Russian colleague Sergey Ivanov. Mr. Oskanian
has already met with Igor Ivanov, Secretary of RF
Security Coiuncil, and Yuri Merzliakov, the Russian
Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk group.
Oskanian stated in Moscow that Armenia continues
participating in the arrangements within the framework
of CIS. He said this in response to the forecasts of
some experts that state that Armenia is going to limit
cooperation with the CIS member states.
In his turn, Mr. Merzliakov said after the meeting
with Mr. Oskanian in the interview to “Liberty” Radio
Station, that he had quite an interesting and fruitful
conversation with Mr. Oskanian about the settlement of
Nagorno Karabakh issue. “I representted the plans of
the Co-Chairs to Mr. Oskanian, while he represented
the official position of Armenia on the issue. The
details will be known after the meeting of Mr.
Oskanian with Mr. Lavrov,” Mr. Merzliakov said. . He
added that the OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs are likely
to visit Yerevan and Baku in mid May.
By Aghavni Haroutiunian

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Karabakh issue
EU ALREADY `PONDERING’ OVER POST-CONFLICT SITUATION IN
KARABAKH
Peter Semneby Dissatisfied With Militant Statements
At joint press conference with Vartan Oskanian on
April 5, Peter Semneby, newly appointed representative
of the European Union in the South Caucasus,
emphasized once again that the EU wants to more
actively involve in the process of frozen conflict
regulation. According to Oskanian one of the key tasks
before Semneby is to involve in the Karabakh issue not
as a mediator but as a contributor to the talks
process.
Member of the Swede rescue mission in 1988 earthquake,
Semneby emphasized the difference between his and his
predecessor’s mandates. In general, the EU signals
that it wants a more tangible role in “defrozening”
frozen conflicts. Another distinguishing factor is the
discussion of the EU’s New Neighborhood Action Plan.
Semneby touched upon the importance of using the
so-called window of opportunity of 2006 for productive
negotiations. Based on his meetings in Baku and
Yerevan, Semneby finds that no side approaches the
issue to gain time. Semneby thinks that there will be
no changes in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Armenian foreign minister gave no details on the
Kelbajar issue that turned into a stumbling block in
Rambouillet talks but said that “we failed to settle
the key issue in the agenda but we have to continue
the negotiations because what we have today on the
table contains rather positive elements and we simply
need to build up on them. The remaining issues are the
most complex ones and we have to try to find
solution.” If Azerbaijan is able to display political
will then, Oskanian thinks, it will be possible to
advance in the settlement process and achieve
additional progress in coming months. But if there is
no progress in 2006 that would not be the end of the
world, Oskanian said. Despite elections in 2007
possibility of progress should not be ruled out.
As to the military settlement of the conflict, the
foreign minister said that this conflict has no
military settlement and the best proof is that Armenia
has won the war but the conflict is still there.
“Azerbaijani started war twice and lost both times but
the conflict is not settled. I think this is the best
lesson for Azerbaijan that this conflict cannot be
settled militarily and has to be settled through
negotiations and the only way for that are mutual
concessions.” According to Oskanian, Armenia has made
concessions recently, “we are today on the verge and
have no way to step back. It is the time for
Azerbaijan to take equivalent steps for us to go
forward and reach the finish.”
The European diplomat again expressed dissatisfaction
with Azerbaijan’s militant statements. Semneby
repeated his words uttered in Baku that a new war will
have fatal consequences. “I think that message was
registered in Baku,” Semneby said. Both sides
understand “historic responsibility” in reaching a
settlement in the conflict, he said.
Semneby mentioned in his speech that if the regulation
lingers Armenia’s relative isolation will continue.
Asked if the foreign minister had told the EU special
representative that Armenia can develop with closed
borders too, Oskanian said: “I did not tell him as he
knows about that.”
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Karabakh issue
IRANIAN AND KARABAKH ISSUES DRAW AZERI PRESIDENT TO
WASHINGTON
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received an
official invitation to visit Washington in late April,
RFE/RL reports. Details of this meeting will perhaps
be discussed at the meeting between Azeri foreign
minister Elmar Mamediarov and US state secretary
Condoleezza Rice today. Though the Azeri side has not
yet confirmed this information, many experts consider
the visit of the Azeri president possible based on the
planning assault on Iraq and topicality of Karabakh
issue. Despite the assumptions of Azeri political
scientists that their president will not take part in
possible attack on Iran, Washington will try to draw
Azerbaijan into its alliance.
The Azeri printed media lively discusses this issue,
presuming that Washington looks down on Aliyev as an
illegitimate leader. Nevertheless, once this visit
takes place it will make the headlines in the context
of anti-Iranian campaign and Nagorno Karabakh issue.
As to the Karabakh issue, the United States is
striving to see a breakthrough in the dispute, and the
Azeri president’s visit can be viewed as a concrete
step in this direction. Following this logic, we can
expect that President Robert Kocharian will also be
invited to the US capital shortly after.
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Poll
ARMENIAN YOUTH ISN’T ABLE TO CARRY OUT DECISIVE POLITICAL ACTIONS
25% of Youth Avoids Politics At All
This conclusion was made after the recent public poll carried out by
the Sociometer independent sociology center. The public poll was
carried out among 1000 students of different universities at the age
of 18-30 and 100 non-student young people. Democracy and Election
Assistance International Institution ordered the public poll. The
institute has members in 56 countries. The public poll showed the
level of the young people’s political awareness and their political
activeness in the social-economic reforms that currently take place in
the country. The results of the poll responded the question whether
the Armenian young people resemble those in Ukraine and Georgia that
took main part in the color revolutions in these countries. “This was
no direct question but the results of the public poll responded this
question, as well,” Aharon Adibekian, head of the center stated.
According to the public poll, 25% of the Armenian youth avoids
politics at all. They are not interested either in the political
events or in the world, the moral rules of the adults. 75% of them
displays some interest in the political events, follow the news over
TV twice or trice a week or reads newspapers sometimes.
The social activeness level of the youth is considerably higher. 50%
of them is ready to participate in the activities of various
volunteer, students or other organizations. About 10% of the youth are
already members of such organizations, including public, ecological,
legal, or social unions. Only 5% of the questioned stated that they
participate in the political activities. Some are included in the
parties or electoral committees as observers or committee members.
In response to the question what is beyond passiveness of our youth,
Adibekian said that it is conditioned by traditional lifestyle, as
well as by the respect to the elder. The generation that will be
psychologically, economically or socially independent from its parents
isn’t matured yet. Only being independent the young people will be
able to take political decisions and be active in politics.
The questioned youth were extremely discontent with the corruption in
the universities, with social conditions and hardship. But all these
negative factors do not create tension to make them rebel and take
decisive steps to change the life. This is testified by the fact that
the level of young people’s participation in the rallies is too low.
At the same time, at present the large Armenian parties create their
youth branches.
Adibekian said that this factor is an artificial contribution to the
political activation of the youth.
By Karine Danielian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Home
GOVERNMENT HAS NO SPECIFIED POSITION IN ISSUE OF SELLING ARMENTEL
The Greek OTE Company informed on its website about the decision to
sell 90% of ArmenTel shares. Hasmik Chutilian, press secretary of
ArmenTel also confirmed this information. She added that OTE informed
RA Government about its decision, according to the License #60 the
company was given.
Neither RA Transport and Communication Ministry nor RA Government’s
Press Service responded our question about the position of RA
government on this decision of OTE. We can suppose that the government
hasn’t discussed this issue yet, and has no position.
While the government is specifying its position, rumors already
circulate about the probable buyers of ArmenTel. Thus, the Russian
Rostelecom, Vimpelcom, MTS and Megaphone may buy the company. But this
is a mere supposition. First of all, OTE has only announced about its
decision to sell ArmenTel and the process of selling such a large
company lasts long because of documentation issues. It’s noteworthy
that OTE bought ArmenTel for $142 million, and at present the company
costs much more, as large-scale investments have been done here. It’s
not excluded that RA Government will have its own “candidate” for
carrying out purchase of ArmenTel.
By Ara Martirosian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Parliamentary issues
PARLIAMENTARY STRUGGLE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Various foreign parliamentarians, international experts,
representatives of the public sector and journalists participated at
“Role of RA National Assembly and Civil Society in Struggle against
Corruption” Summit held at RA National Assembly, yesterday.
The participants of the summit touched upon such issues as the
cooperation of the parliament and the civil society, the role of the
mass media in the struggle against corruption and the public control
bodies as measures for anti-corruption struggle.
“The consistent anti-corruption struggle is a political demand for
Armenia,” Artur Baghdasarian, Chairman of RA National Assembly, said
in the opening speech of the summit. He also pointed out several
principles of the anti-corruption struggle, i.e. to reduce the state
expenses, to apply laws, to strengthen the anti-corruption struggle in
the tax and customs’ systems, to improve the judiciary system, the
awareness of the citizens, public monitoring and the role of the mass
media, as well as the parliamentary control.
US Ambassador to RA John Evans reminded in his speech of the donation
Armenia received within the framework of “Millenium Challenges”
program. He said that USA emphasizes the importance of anti-corruption
struggle. He added that Armenia is ready to take measures to develop
democratic values and struggle corruption, adding that his country
will assist Armenia.
Andrea Harris, Deputy-Chairwoman of “Eurasia” Fund, Consuelo Vidal, UN
Permanent Coordinator, Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in
Armenia, also held speeches at the summit. Mr. Pryakhin told the
journalists that Armenia has recently fixed success in the
anti-corruption struggle, adding that still there is much to do in
this direction.
All the participants of the summit welcomed Armenia’s membership to
GOPAC
By Marieta Khachatrian

AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Exibition
ARMENIAN PAINTING REPRESENTED AT “TREE OF TRADITIONS” EXHIBITION IN
ST. PETERSBURG
“The Tree of Traditions” fine art exhibition is being held within the
framework of Armenia’s Year in Russia with the participation of
“Palaces of St. Petersburg” international music festival on March
30-April 10. According to the press release of “Mediatrend” company,
the artists participating in the exhibition are St. Petersburg
residents. 250 paintings, graphical works, sculptures and the samples
of decorative applied art are represented at the exhibition. The
pieces of the artists that created in 1960-ies and contributed to
development of art life in St. Petersbourg during these years occupy
the central part in the exhibition. In particular, such Armenian
artists as Zaven Arshakouni, Levon Hayrapetian, Levon Lazarev belong
to this period. While Valery Apinian, Ashot Khachatrian, Grigory
Grigorian, Lyova Beyboutian, Aleksander Aghabekov represented the
painting and sculpture of the 80-ies of XX century. The pieces by
most of these artists are exhibited at such museums as the
Tretyakovskaya State Gallery and the Russian Museum.
The official ceremony of opening the exhibition was held on March 30
in St. Petersbourg.
By Sousana Margarian