ARMENIA IS MADE TO GIVE

Lragir.am
28 April 06
It depends on the conditions how expedient it will be to give the
section of Iran-Armenia running through Armenia to Russia, said Kiro
Manoyan, member of the ARF Bureau, answering the question of
Lragir.am. Nevertheless, he said it would be better if the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline belonged to Armenia and Iran. However, Kiro
Manoyan also said that Armenia might be made to give the pipeline to
the Russians.
`The government might have to give something in some place,
it is not a matter of joy or wishes. The foreign minister, for
instance, announced about funding, how it should be funded,
etc. However, it is preferable if the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
belongs to Iran and Armenia only, or at least the country which has
great possibilities and influence on the energy sector in Armenia is
not engaged,’ says the representative of Dashnaktsutiun
(Armenian Revolutionary Federation). Kiro Manoyan says it would be
better if the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline were the way where Russia
would have no influence.

A1+
CAUCASUS WAS RICH WITH EVENTS IN 2005
[04:19 pm] 28 April, 2006
The annual international conference which started today in hotel
`Armenia-Marriott’ was devoted to the tendencies of political, social
and economic development and events in the countries of Northern and
Southern Caucasus.
Scientists, journalists and public figures from Armenia, Georgia,
Russia, Israel and other countries were present at the
conference. Only Azerbaijan was not represented. According to chief
scientific worker of the Russian Academy of Science Alexander Krilov,
the reason was the problem with security guarantees. He himself spoke
about the place of Azerbaijan in the world and the tendencies of its
development.
According to Alexander Krilov, Azerbaijan has the lowest economic
index among all the CIS countries, although the Azeri government has a
different opinion. According to the Russian analyst, the reason of
the low economic index is the increase of the expenses of the budget
after the intensive export of oil, and the shadow economy which forms
about 20-25%. Nevertheless according to the Azeri government, this is
a normal index.
The Azeri opposition claims that the information about opening many
workplaces in Azerbaijan does not correspond to the reality. As for
democracy, all the problems in the country are solved with the special
methods of the authoritarian regime.
Lasha Bakradze, professor of the Management European School, made a
report about Georgia titled «Georgia – 2005: road to future». He
represented the situation in his country after the «rose
revolution» partly with humor, and partly with criticism. He
represented the information about the five fold raise of the budget of
the country and the twofold raise of the old-age pension which
according to him was ridiculous.
«Health examinations are not carried out in the hospitals», he
mentioned adding that the citizens of Georgia must solve their
problems on their own initiative. He said that the index of the
exposure of crimes is still very low, and the conditions in prisons
have not been improved.
Alexander Iskandaryan, the head of the Mass Media Caucasian Institute
made a report about Armenia in 2005 titled «Spiral development of
Armenia». He said hat it is difficult to speak about Armenia in
Armenia and voiced hope that he will not be criticized hard. He
mentioned that alongside with usual inner political problems in this
case the Karabakh conflict is added too. According to him, there is no
progress in this sphere, «The sides meet only in order to arrange
the following meetings».
As for the Armenian opposition, he mentioned that if we used to speak
about weak authorities and weak opposition, now we speak about weak
authorities and absence of opposition. According to Alexander
Iskandaryan, the foreign policy in 2005 lasted 14 months: it started
with the problem of Upper Lars and ended with the raise of the costs
of gas.

JAVAKHETI IS FACING NEW PROVOCATION

Lragir.am
28 April 06
It is almost a fact that Javakheti has appeared on the
Russian-Georgian theater, though it is situated rather far from the
borders of both countries. However, sure enough, it does not hinder
Russians from transforming this region into an epicenter of
anti-Georgian movement. On April 26 the inhabitants of Javakheti
blocked the way of the armored radio communication car, which had set
off from the Russian Military Base 102, stationed in this city.
The inhabitants of Akhalkalaki say they blocked the way of the armored
car because it means the withdrawal of the military base has already
begun. The Armenians of Javakheti are dissatisfied because when
Russians leave, their life will become harder. Russia is skillfully
using this card to guarantee its military presence in Georgia through
the Armenians of Javakheti. However, the Russian policy seems to be
acquiring elements of a double provocation. On April 27 the Russian
Federation urged the Georgian government to guarantee the security of
withdrawal of the Russian military base. Mikhail Kaminin, a Russian
foreign ministry official, stated that Moscow waits for Georgia to
take necessary steps in Akhalkalaki.
Obviously Russia is calling Georgia for applying force against the
Armenians of Javakheti who protest against the withdrawal of the
Russian military installation. In other words, Moscow is asking
Tbilisi to punish the same Armenians who are reflecting the interests
of the same Moscow.
Sure enough, a trick is played on Javakheti, and the Russians are
exposing Javakheti to two dangers. The method of ethnic provocations
failed, now the relations with the Georgian government are
employed. In other words, facing the imminent reality of losing
military presence, the Russians want to make a maximum use of this
imminent reality. One can imagine Georgian forces trying to disperse
the inhabitants of Akhalkalaki, protesting against the pullout of the
Russian forces. One can also imagine Russian channels showing
videotaped images of cruel repression of Russia’s friends, people whom
the Russian military base gave bread, and the Georgian forces give a
strike. Fortunately, the Georgian government has neglected these
provocations so far.
The minister of internal affairs Vano Merabishvili announced that
Russia is responsible for complications that occur during the
withdrawal of the Russian military base. Merabishvili also guaranteed
that there would be no mass protests against the withdrawal of the
Russian military installations from Samtskhe-Javakheti. Nevertheless,
it is certain that the withdrawal of Russian military bases may cause
greater trouble than the past years of its stationing. At any rate it
is clear that there is a demand for government level provocations
along with the withdrawal, which means that the event on April 26 will
not be the last.
Who will benefit from this? This question should not interest the
people of Javakheti, for they should have known the answer of another
question ` who will suffer from these provocations. Moreover, the
answer of this question might become quite tangible in some time.
HAKOB BADALYAN

From: Sebouh Z Tashjian
Subject: They Already Want Money
A1+
THEY ALREADY WANT MONEY
[04:25 pm] 28 April, 2006
Today the Committee Regulating Public Relations convened a session to
discuss the application of the company `Yerevan
Water’. According to the application, the company offers to raise
the tariffs of water to 172.8 AMD instead of 125 AMD.
The Committee decided to postpone the session for a month because of
the unfinished processed in the contract between the company and the
RA Government. Let us remind you that in 2005 a competition was
announced the winner of which would take care of the water supply of
Yerevan. The winner was the French organization `General des
eau’ which created the company «Yerevan Water».
It is noteworthy that the company has not yet started its activity in
Armenia but has already managed to send an application to raise the
tariffs of water. The company has signed an agreement for ten years
and has taken up the commitment to make an investment of 17.6 million
Euros. By the way, in the contract they promised to raise the tariffs
to 172.8 AMD for the coming three years. After three years the tariffs
were to be reduced every year and to reach 75 AMD.

Azeri soldiers to stand trial for spying for Armenia
Turan news agency, Baku
28 Apr 06
Four Azerbaijani soldiers will soon stand trial for treason, Turan
news agency reported on 28 April.
The court of serious military war crimes held a preliminary hearing
into the case of four privates accused of having delivered secret
information to Armenians, the agency said.
The trial is scheduled for 4 May, the agency added.

Turkey’s Yerlikaya wins gold medal at European Wrestling Championships
AP Worldstream; Apr 27, 2006

Defending champion Hamza Yerlikaya of Turkey won gold in the
96-kilogram Greco-Roman division at the European Wrestling
Championships on Thursday.
Russia’s Varteres Samourgashev rallied from a period down to defeat
Aleh Mikhalovich of Belarus in the 74-kilogram class. While the
60-kilogram title went to Karen Mnatsakanyan of Armenia, who
outclassed Georgia’s David Bedinadze.
Yerlikaya, a two-time Olympic champion, defeated Mykhail Nikolayev of
Ukraine 10-0 for his eighth title in 11 seasons, although the previous
six were at 85 kilograms. His only world title came last season.
“None of the matches today has been easy for him (Yerlikaya),” Turkey
coach Memet Acak said. “All the opponents were motivated to defeat
him, and it made this gold medal more precious.”
Samourgashev, the 2000 Olympic and two-time world champion, struggled
against Nikolayev in the first period, losing 7-0 with two warnings.
“One more (warning) and I would have been disqualified,” Samourgashev
said. “He (Mikhalovich) waited for that instead of trying to win
himself. By that time, I was in control. I did my trademark move and
earned three points.
Mnatsakanyan, the 1997 European junior champion, didn’t concede a
point in the final to win his first major title in 11 years.
Four more Greco-Roman finals on Friday will be followed by the men’s
freestyle events on the weekend.

ARAM KARAPETYAN WANTS AIRTIME

Lragir.am
28 April 06

On April 28 the rally and march organized by the leader of the Nor
Zhamanakner Party (New Times) Aram Karapetyan went on in the rain. The
rain, however, did not appear to have a big role. `The rain is not an
obstacle. We stood pressure, we can stand the rain too,’ said Aram
Karapetyan. To prevent rumors about the number of ralliers, Aram
Karapetyan announced in the end that as many people were present as
required for a march.
And before that the leader of Nor Zhamanakner said he would bring the
struggle over to its logical end. Aram Karapetyan informed that by
marching past the Police and the National Security Service they wanted
to say, `do not enter political processes. You cannot become Robert
Kocharyan’s and Serge Sargsyan’s aides. You cannot obey the caprices
of one or two people.’ Aram Karapetyan again demands airtime, he says
he is ready to pay for airtime, and asks the leadership to give him
airtime if the leadership think he will lose votes in case he appears
on air. Whereas, `they know well that if I appear on air for half an
hour every week, several weeks later a surge of revolution would rise
in Armenia.’
The participants of the rally adopted a message and extended it to the
Police of Armenia (namely, Colonel Minasyan, Assistant Chief of the
Headquarters of the Police) and the National Security Service
(Lieutenant-Colonel Vahagn Harutiunyan, Department of Defense). The
protesters chanted `get out of politics’ and `shame on you’ until
extending the message.
The rally and march were approved. Probably, it was the reason why the
policemen were not rude, moreover, they were attentive and careful,
and even very nice. Aram Karapetyan has announced for several times
that he has agents in various government agencies. Perhaps one of
these agents informed him that during the march eight cars with
special operational forces `arrived’ at the residence of the president
of Armenia. Baghramyan Avenue was not included in the itinerary of
Aram Karapetyan. The next rally will probably take place in the
community of Nork, and will demand airtime.

Moldovan leader to meet US vice president in Vilnius on 3-5 May
Infotag news agency
28 Apr 06
Chisinau, 28 April: Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin will take part
in a summit of leaders of the Baltic and Black Sea regions which is
due to take place in Vilnius on 3-5 May, the presidential press
service has told Infotag.
The participants in the summit will discuss such issues as Europe and
new democracies, NATO’s role in strengthening democracy and extending
democracy in Southeastern Europe.
At the summit, Voronin is due to have a number of bilateral meetings,
in particular, with US Vice-President Dick Cheney and EU High
Representative for Foreign Affairs Javier Solana.
The summit will be also attended by NATO Secretary-General Jaap de
Hoop Scheffer, by Georgian, Azerbaijani, Ukrainian, Bulgarian,
Estonian, Romanian, Lithuanian, Armenian and Polish presidents, as
well as by representatives of the Austrian, Danish, German, Swedish,
Finnish, Spanish, French, Belgian and British authorities.

Azeri pressure group urges war for Karabakh
Azerbaijani news agency APA
28 Apr 06
Baku, 28 April: The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) issued a
statement today condemning Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan’s
visit to Xankandi [Stepanakert], the KLO press service has told APA.
In its statement, the KLO described Oskanyan’s visit to Karabakh as
Armenia’s position on the conflict. “The Armenian foreign minister’s
visit to Xankandi [Stepanakert] at the current stage of the talks
proves that they have no intention of giving up their aggressive
policy. And this negates the desire and hopes for the continuation of
the talks,” the statement said.
The KLO demanded that the authorities stop the talks [with
Armenia]. “Taking account of Armenia’s position, Azerbaijan should
halt the talks and start an anti-terrorist operation to liberate the
occupied territories by war. No state can deprive Azerbaijan of this
right.”

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
AT THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY
PRELATE AND REPRESENTATIVES PRESENTED WITH PROCLAMATIONS AFFIRMING THE
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
As it has done in previous years, this year too, the California State
Assembly had on its agenda the issue of the Armenian Genocide at its
Thursday, April 27 session.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, departed for
Sacramento on Thursday to attend the opening of the State Assembly’s
session. Also present at the opening was the Honorable Gagik Giragossian,
Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, and Armenian National Committee
representatives Armen Carapetian, Aida Dimidjian, and others.
The Prelate conducted the opening prayer and delivered his
message to Senate and Assembly members.
On this occasion, the Assembly has issued a proclamation
affirming the Genocide of Armenians by the Turkish government, which they
officially presented to the Prelate, the Consul General, and ANC
representatives. Later on, during the general session, there was a moment
of silence for the 1.5 million victims of the Genocide.
The Prelate reminded the Assembly of the injustices committed by
the Turkish government, which to this day go unpunished, and expressed hope
that following the example of European governments, the government of this
great nation too will recognize the Genocide and demand justice.
During the session, it was touching to see the students of
Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian School and their teachers, with whom
the Prelate and representatives had an intimate discussion.
Let us remember that Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger proclaimed
April 23-29 `Days of Remembrance’ of the Armenian Genocide.