AZG Armenian Daily #064, 08/04/2006

Competition
“MISS BEAUTY 2006” COMPETITION REQUIRES STRONG WILL AND BEAUTY FROM
PARTICIPANTS
The third photo exhibition “Miss Beauty 2006” was held on the eve of
April 7, day of beauty and maternity, at the Yerevan Chamber Music
Hall. The participants of the photo competition are 52 women at the
age of 16-40 from various regions of Armenia. According to the press
release of “Unison” NGO, initiator of the arrangement, the competition
is aimed to show that disablement yield to beauty of women.
The various Armenian businessmen and organizations sponsored the
exhibition and prepared prizes for the participants. While Angelina
Babajanian, “Miss Armenia 97” was the costume and make up designer of
the competition.
Anna, 20 years old students of Sociology Faculty at the Yerevan State
University, became the winner of the competition and received the
title of “Miss Beauty 2006.” She said it is hard to give the exact
definition of Beauty, but added that it includes happiness and
communication with people. She said the victory in the competition is
a serious experience and luck in her life. She believes that this
victory will change her life.
By Sousana Margarian

A1+
THE FATE OF «A1+» WILL BE DECIDED ON MAY 25
[06:04 pm] 07 April, 2006
more images The applications received for the
competitions for the radio frequencies FM 90.3 and FM
90.7 MHz were unpacked today. The `Meltex’ LTD, that
is the TV Company `A1+’ participates in both
competitions. Its competitors were the `Ulysses’ LTD
in the firs competition and the `Radio-Pro’ LTD in the
second.
‘ULYSSES-MEDIA’ DID NOT REVEAL ITSELF
On March 28 when we learned that «Ulysses-Media» LTD
participated in the competition for the radio
frequency FM 90.3 MHz, the «A1+» correspondent tried
to find out the telephone number of the company from
the information service. She was given the telephone
number of the cinema `Nairi’. When the information
appeared on the website of A1+, the representative of
`Ulysses-Media’ phoned us refuting the information and
promised to reveal their identity on the day of
unpacking the offers, that’s to say – today.
But there was no revelation. Asked by `A1+’ what they
had been engaged in by now Norayr Mkhoyan, the chief
producer of the `Ulysses-Media’ LTD answered, `Who
knows, knows, and who doesn’t, will learn it as time
goes by’. `Modern music channel for everyone’, this
was the definition the producer gave to their channel
which is to broadcast round the clock.
Gevorg Yeghiazaryan, head of the creative department
of the company represented the programs of the radio
station Ulysses. The program `Pastime’, «Radio-Video»,
«Hidden Microphone» and others will be broadcast by
«Ulysses». Once in every two hours a news program will
be broadcast. But the news will refer to the life of
the people from the show business.
In case of getting a license the company will make an
investment of 35 million AMD within the coming 7
years. 20 million AMD will be spent during the coming
year. 14 million of the sum will be spent on technical
equipment. By the way, before the broadcasting the
company will start an advertising campaign in
magazines. As for the staff, «they must have higher
education and must have a good knowledge of the
language», in this case Norayr Mkhoyan meant the
Armenian language.
According to him, «the company has computers, and
preliminary work is done to gather staff for making
programs».
Beside the fact that the head of «Ulysses-Media» is
Arthur Mouradyan, nothing else could be revealed about
the company. And the correspondent of the Radio
station «Azatutyun» managed to find out that the
judicial address of the company is Aleq Manoukyan – 5:
this is the address of the Radio House, as well as the
Public TV Radio Company.
YOUR FACE SEEMS FAMILIAR
Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan who represented the «Radio
Pro» LTD in the competition for the frequency FM 90.7
was more «open» with the journalists. He informed that
he is a doctor, head of the Doctor students’
Association of Armenia, head of five NGOs. He also
said that he is not member of any party.
The Company «Radio-Pro» was created especially with
the aim of participating in the competition as,
according to one of the founders Alexander
Ter-Hovakimyan, «If we look upon the radio as a field
of business, it is profit-making». As for how much
profit he expects to make, he did not reveal. The
company does not possess any equipment yet, but
according to Ter-Hovakimyan the 27 million AMD to be
invested for the coming year will be enough to get the
necessary equipment.
The Radio station of the «Radio Pro» will be called
«Radio Yerevan». Its programs will be called `Armenia
today’, `Javakhq today’, `Artsakh today’, `The world
today’, `Wicked tongues’, and others. As for the
staff, the problem has not been solved yet.
By the way, when one of the journalists tried to learn
where Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan’s face was familiar
from, he helped her to recall informing that he used
to play KVN, and now he is member of the KVN students
league jury.
‘LISTEN TO US, RECOGNIZE YOURSELVES’
This is the motto with which the `A1+’ Radio Company
will work, of course if the National Committee of
Television and Radio gives him the possibility. `Our
station will first of all be informative and
up-to-dated’, `A1+’ promises. All the technical means
possible will be used to secure round-the-clock
broadcasting.
22 million AMD will be invested for enhancing the
activity of the company and the future development.
The sums received from the commercials will also be
used for the development of the radio station.
According to the calculations of the «A1+»
representative, if the cost of 1 minute of radio
commercial is established at least 1000 AMD, the
monthly income will be 12 000 USD.
«A1+» will broadcast radio programs for different
people 24 hours a day. 80% of the programs will be of
their own production. The volume of news programs will
be 35-40%.
Let us remind you that after being banned from air on
April 2, 2002, these are the 11th and 12th
competitions in which «A1+» is participating. And the
question if four years after closing down «A1+» will
have the chance to broadcast will get its answer on
May 25 after the decision of the National Committee of
Television and Radio.

A1+
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SET TO SEND INVESTIGATION TEAM TO DJULFA
[09:07 pm] 07 April, 2006
STRASBURG (FRANCE) – Speaking at an official conference on Thursday,
April 6th, the President of the European Parliament was joined by the
leaders of its political parties in strongly approving the body’s
decision to send a delegation in Djulfa, in the Nakhichevan region of
Azerbaijan.
The aim of the mission is to investigate the destruction by Azerbaijan
of the Armenian cemetery in Djulfa, a treasure of world architectural
heritage that was effectively destroyed and replaced by an Azerbaijani
military facility.
The EP leaders unanimously decided to entrust this mission to the
Commission on EU-Armenia parliamentary cooperation rather than to an
ad-hoc delegation, as it had initially been planned.
The mission is being sent in accordance with the Parliament’s
resolution “on cultural heritage in Azerbaijan,” which was adopted in
February of 2006 (P6_TA(2006)0069). This measure “demands that
Azerbaijan allow missions, including experts working with ICOMOS, who
are dedicated to surveying and protecting archaeological heritage, in
particular Armenian heritage, onto its territory, and that it also
allow a European Parliament delegation to visit the archaeological
site at Djulfa.”
The delegation will be composed of ten Members of the European
Parliament (MEP) who are members of the Commission of EU-Armenia
parliamentary cooperation group. They are set to travel to Djulfa as
part of their trip to Armenia from April 17th to 21st. Prior to
travelling to Djulfa, they will need to get the necessary
authorisations from the Azerbaijani authorities, the same authorities
responsible for the desecration of the cemetery.
The delegation will include the following MEPs:
Mme Marie-Anne Isler-Béguin, présidente (Verts, France)
M. Arpad Duka-Zolyomi, vice-président (PPE, Slovaquie)
M. Alessandro Battilocchio (NI, Italie)
M. Johannes Blokand (IND/DEM, Pays-Bas)
Mme Frederika Brepoels (PPE, Belgique)
M. Robert Evans (PSE, R.-U.)
Mme Siiri Oviir (ALDE, Estonie)
Mme Gabriele Stauer (PPE, Allemagne)
M. Hannes Swoboda (PSE, Autriche)
M. Tadeusz Zwiefka (PPE, Pologne)

A1+
ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN TRIES TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF `NAIRIT’
[01:16 pm] 07 April, 2006
The RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan received the Chinese Ambassador
extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Armenia Tszo
Syuelyan. Mr. Syuelyan passes the NA Speaker the invitation of the
chairman of the pan-Chinese session of the People’s Republic of China
to visit China in fall.
The aim of the visit is to reinforce the inter parliamentary relations
with Armenia. During the visit issues about the visit program were
discussed, as well as the issue of the re-exploitation of the
Armenian-Chinese joint company on the basis of `Nairit’ which is
supposed to be finished at the end of the year.

A1+
ARMENIAN RIVERS ARE DANGEROUS
[02:46 pm] 07 April, 2006
The results of the investigation realized by the Ministry of Ecology
about the level of pollution of the Armenian rivers show that the
level of substances dissolved in the water of the Armenian rivers
exceeds the allowed norms several times.
The basin of the river Debed is especially highly polluted. In the
samples from the river Akhtala the levels of aluminum, zinc and copper
are exceeded by 159.5, 408.4 and 932 times. And the levels of
manganese, lead and iron are exceeded by 67.2, 11 and 16 times. The
same can be seen in the other rivers.
These numbers are not simply violations but they affect the human
health directly. But in this case not only the people but the whole
environment suffers from the river pollution. The accumulations of
lead, aluminum and other metals are especially dangerous. `Heavy
metal is dangerous as it can be accumulated in the human organism’,
biologist Susanna Hakobyan says.
As we know, the water of the rivers is used fro irrigation. Factually
the water intoxicates the plants and animals first, and then people.

A1+
SEMNEBY IN THE PARLIAMENT
[08:48 pm] 07 April, 2006
RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan received the delegation of the EU
special envoy to South Caucasus, Ambassador Peter Semneby.
Ambassador Semneby represented his views about the relations with the
EU mentioning that the EU intends to develop the relations with the
South Caucasus and Armenia and to contribute to the enhancing of
democracy which is the basis for progress.
At his request Arthur Baghdasaryan gave Peter Semneby detailed
information about the mentioned issues underlining the importance of
the relations between the EU and Armenia for enhancing democracy.
The sides also referred to the amendments of the Electoral Code and
other issues.

Panorama.am
17:19 07/04/06

`ZHARANGUTYUN’ COPED WITH CHARENTS’ HERITAGE
`Everything that is going on with `Zharangutyun’ (heritage) party’s
central office is simply a new degree of voluntary action and violent
pressures,’ announced member of the party’s board Vardan Khachatryan
at the conference of `Zharangutyun’ activists in Writers’ Union today.
To remind, the doors of the central office of the party have been
close since March 4, which the party explains saying that `the nerves
of the governmental pyramid have subsided’ because of the fact of the
existence of such a political party in the field.
Party leader Raffi Hovhannisyan touched upon the activity of the
governmental circles against them saying: `Bravo! What a courageous
fortitude it is to frighten teachers, activists and common people for
having decided to become party member, have an idea, be a citizen.’
And as V. Khachatryan said `all that has no value in comparison with
the collective will of `Zharangutyun’.’
Thus, judging by what has been mentioned above, the party has coped
with Charents’ idea that the united power of Armenians will save
them. /Panorama.am/

PRESS RELEASE
Eurasia Foundation Representative Office in Armenia
4 Demirchyan Street, Yerevan, Armenia
Contact: Alisa Alaverdyan
Tel/Fax: 374 10-58-60-59, 58-61-59
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: <; Fighting Corruption in Armenia: Strengthening Cooperation between the National Assembly, Civil Society and the Media Yerevan, Armenia - More than 130 representatives of Armenia's National Assembly, media and civil society, and 30 representatives of international organizations and experts, came together on April 6-7th for a conference to discuss the cooperation between the National Assembly, civil society and the media in the fight against corruption. The conference was organized by the National Assembly of Armenia (NA), the Eurasia Foundation (EF), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Arthur Baghdasaryan, Speaker of Armenia's NA, opened the event by stating that "the consistent fight against corruption is a political necessity for Armenia. The successful fight against corruption depends on the progress of democracy, because democracy means transparency, supervision and public monitoring; that is to say everything, which is necessary for achieving success in this difficult struggle." He especially emphasized that "the role of an independent press and mass media is pivotal in the fight against corruption." U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans; UNDP Resident Representative, Consuelo Vidal; OSCE Ambassador, Vladimir Pryakhin; and EF Regional Vice President, Andrea Harris, also made opening remarks. During the first day, participants heard presentations on the role of the media; of public monitoring institutions including the Chamber of Control; and on cooperation between the NA and civil society in the fight against corruption. In each session, the experience of international experts and representatives of governments in other countries of the CIS, Eastern Europe and Armenia served as a basis for sharing lessons learned and best practices. During break-out sessions on day two, participants discussed each of these issues in smaller groups and developed recommendations for future cooperation between the NA, civil society and the media. For example, the working group on public monitoring institutions suggested that current legislation must explicitly state the functional separation between internal and external auditing of government activities; and it must also clarify what kind of auditing information can be made available to the public and the media. The conference concluded with an announcement of the formation of an Armenian chapter of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians against Corruption (GOPAC), an international network of parliamentarians dedicated to good governance and combating corruption through improved legislation and active citizen oversight. "The Eurasia Foundation is heartened by the fact that the leader of the country's Parliament is so willing to engage non-governmental organizations and the media as equal partners in the fight against corruption. In the coming years, EF intends to continue its work for increased cooperation between these sectors." stated Ms. Harris. In a recent workshop on anti-corruption, the OSCE demonstrated that the engagement of the country's government, non-government and media structures are all necessary for fighting corruption. Ms. Vidal from the UNDP agreed: "we believe that public participation in the fight against corruption is essential and we will continue to actively support national actors in reducing corruption in Armenia - in order to alleviate poverty, to improve the social structure of the country, to promote economic development, and to enhance Armenia's democratic development overall." The two-day Conference was closed with a reception at the Government Reception Hall, which was attended by the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, as well as representatives of government, civil society and the media. # # # The Eurasia Foundation is a privately managed non-profit organization supported by the U.S. government and other public and private donors. Since 1992, the Eurasia Foundation has invested more than $335 million through more than 7,700 grants and technical assistance projects in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. _____ This press release is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Eurasia Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Armenian FM to Visit Middle East

08.04.2006 01:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian will leave for Syria and
Lebanon on April 7 on a four-day visit. April 9 on the invitation of
the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Vartan Oskanian will take
part in the celebration of the centenary of the founding of the Union
and the 75th anniversary of the Armenian Youth Association, as well as
in the opening of Gulbenkyan Center. In Damascus Oskanian is scheduled
to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Syrian Foreign
Minister Walid Moualem, as well as Aleppo governor. April 10 the
Armenian FM will leave for Beirut, where he will meet with Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. April 11 Oskanian will
return to Yerevan, the Armenian MFA Press Service reports.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Rice Discussed Karabakh Issue with Armenian and Azeri
Presidents by Phone

08.04.2006 19:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The US hopes for progress in
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, says a
statement made public after talks between US State
Secretary Condoleezza Rice with Azeri FM Elmar
Mammadyarov. Before thee meeting with her Azeri
counterpart Rice discussed the subject with Armenian
and Azeri Presidents by phone, reports Golos Rossii.
Yesterday Condoleezza Rice met with Elmar Mammadyarov
in Washington. During the meeting the parties
discussed the issue of settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.