WHEN AND HOW MUCH WE WILL DECLARE
Lragir.am
19 April 06
The bill on declaration of property and income of natural persons
caused dissent between the People’s Deputy Group and president’s
advisor on corruption affairs Bagrat Yesayan. The only dissent is
the threshold of property liable to declaration. The dissent seems
to have been overcome and now the following thresholds and deadlines
are included in the bill.
In 2007 a natural person will not have to make a declaration if their
income does not exceed 6 million drams within the tax year. In 2008
they will not have to declare if the same index is not over 5 million,
in 2009 4 million, in 2010 3 million, in 2011 2 million and in 2012
1 million.
Starting with 2012 most citizens of the Republic of Armenia will have
to write a declaration of income. However, there is not a hint on
declaration of property and income of natural persons in the bill how
much our income will grow year by year by these scales, and naturally
there could not have been any. This bill is solving another problem.
Whereas it would be better if all the questions were solved at once,
and the citizens whose income is one million drams in both 2006 and
2012 could understand why they need a declaration of property. Or
else it will be difficult to explain why the government is adding
nuisance of paperwork if within six years it did nothing to boost
the income of its citizens.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 18, 2006
___________________
IN CEREMONY REMEMBERING LAST SUPPER, ARCHBISHOP HUMBLY KNEES BEFORE YOUNG
ARMENIANS
By Jake Goshert
One by one the young men and little boys stepped forward, sitting before
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian as he knelt over a bowl of blessed water. The
Primate took each boy’s feet into his hands, washing it before anointing it
with oil. The boys then kissed his ring reverently, before returning to
their place by the altar of New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral.
On Thursday, April 13, 2006, as part of this year’s Holy Thursday
celebrations, the Primate re-enacted the Last Supper, where Jesus washed the
feet of his 12 disciples in a gesture of humility and love.
This year, to mark the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian
alphabet, the 12 people representing the disciples at the cathedral were
young men and boys from Armenian Schools at the St. Vartan Cathedral and
from the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mission Parish in Brooklyn, NY.
“It was important for me to participate, because it is a very personal honor
to be up there,” said Armen Bandikian, 15, who serves on the cathedral
altar. “This service shows the importance of the church, and the importance
of Christ and Christianity as well.”
The group of twelve boys included four from the growing St. Gregory the
Illuminator Mission Parish in Brooklyn, NY. That community is made up of
recent Armenian immigrant families.
“Having our young people participate was such a big event and a big honor,”
said Svetlana Amerkhanian, parish council chairman of St. Gregory. “More
than that, the children participating brought up a lot of questions and we
gave a lot of answers about what this is about.”
For one young Brooklyn parishioner, Erik Bazian, participating in the
ceremony was a way to honor a connection to past generations of Christians.
“We still practice Christianity today the way they have for generations. We
did the same thing tonight,” he said.
Participating in this year’s “Washing of the Feet” ceremony at New York
City’s St. Vartan Cathedral were: William Babikian, Arthur Bagdasarian,
Armen Bandikian, Erik Bazian, Narek Bazian, Arsen Danilyan, Tavit Jlanjian,
Harry Petropoulos, Krikor Torossian, Vartan Torossian, Armen Shamamian, Avik
Shamamian
— 4/18/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, washes the feet of
David Ilanjian, 4, during Holy Thursday’s “Washing of the Feet” ceremony at
New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral on April 13, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Twelve young men and boys join the Primate at the altar
of New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral during the “Washing of the Feet”
ceremony on Holy Thursday, April 13, 2006.
# # #

RESIDENTS OF KIEV AGAINST CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN CHURCH
Armenpress
Apr 17 2006
KIEV, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS: Residents of a Kiev district are protesting
against construction of an Armenian church in their borough.
In 1992 the authorities of the Ukrainian capital city passed a decision
allowing the Armenian community of the town to build a church on a
1,022 square meter location in Podol district. The community held
several fundraising campaigns and after collecting the necessary
amount it ordered a church design and began construction, but local
residents destroyed the fence of the site saying they would not allow
construction in the green zone.
Ukrainians argue they are against the destruction of the green
zone where the church is supposed to be erected but not against
Armenians. “Even Jews who have been living in this district for many
years never tried to build a synagogue in the park,’ one of the
residents was quoted by RFE/RL as saying. But Vahe Stepanian from
the Ukrainian Diocese of the Armenian Church says he is ready to go
through all level courts to defend the community’s legal right.”

YEREVAN CHILDREN LIBRARY TO HOST EXHIBITION OF RUSSIAN BOOKS
Armenpress
Apr 17 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS: The biggest Khnko Aper children
library in Yerevan will host in late May an exhibition of children
books published in Russia in the last five years. The display will
have around 400 pieces of books.
The library director, Ruzan Tonoyan, said the exhibition is part of
the Armenian Year in Russia. She said Russian ministry of culture and
the embassies of both countries will help to hold the event, following
which the books will remain in Armenia and will be distributed to
children libraries and schools as gift of Russia.
A return exhibition of Armenian children books will be held in Moscow
in late September and early October.
She said some 300 books will be shown in Russia. She said the Armenian
urban ministry has promised to release funds for a major repair of
the library building in 2007-2009.

IS GOVERNMENT’S MIND CHANGEABLE?
Lragir.am
18 April 06
On April 18 when the Constitutional Court was hearing the
case of the residents of Buzand Street and North Avenue the
representative of the government Davit Harutiunyan made an interesting
statement. Davit Harutiunyan addressed the court that in the judgment
on constitutionality of the alienation of property of the residents
of Buzand Street and North Avenue he would like to see something on
the compensations given by the government. The minister of justice
wanted the court to say whether the compensation to the residents
can be considered income.
Davit Harutiunyan said the government does not think it is income,
therefore the compensation cannot be taxed. The residents laughed at
this phrase because the government used to think otherwise and even
taxed the compensation sums.

WILL THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT BE TOUCHED?
Lragir.am
18 April 06
At 18 PM on April 18 the Constitutional Court of Armenia will decide
whether the government treated the residents of Buzand Street lawfully
or unlawfully. The morning sitting of the Constitutional Court, which
was the continuation of the first sitting that took place several weeks
ago, began with the final speeches of the parties. After the first
sitting the Constitutional Court studied the additional material,
for which the hearing was adjourned till April 18. The court had
apparently studied these materials deeply, for no questions were
asked to the parties. The parties did not have questions either,
therefore they started with final speeches.
Ombudsman Armen Harutiunyan, who appealed to the Constitutional Court
on the claims of the residents of Buzand Street, was the first to
speak. The ombudsman announced that the discussion of the question
and the arguments of the defendant once again confirmed his belief
that the alienation of the property of the residents of Buzand Street
by the government was unconstitutional.
“The arguments of the respondent did not shatter my belief, moreover,
made it deeper,” says the ombudsman. He says the alienation of the
property was not done out of urgent need and with sufficient reason,
which did not allow the residents to appeal against the decisions of
the government. Armen Harutiunyan thinks the alienation of property
must have statutory grounds, unlike what the government has done,
referring to Article 218 of the Civil Code – national and community
needs.
Armen Harutiunyan says this article contradicts to the Constitution
of Armenia, because it transgresses the right for property without
exclusivity. Armen Harutiunyan announced that everything should have
statutory grounds.
“There is nothing we can do for those citizens who have signed a deal,
because there was agreement. However, decisions on enforced alienation
had to have sufficient statutory ground,” says Armen Harutiunyan.
Gevorg Mheryan, the representative of the RA President in the
Constitutional Court, was brief and clear. He announced in his
final speech that the alienation of the property was lawful and did
not violate the Constitution of Armenia. The representative of the
government, Minister of Justice Davit Harutiunyan shares this point
of view. He stated that he could understand the emotional side of the
problem but he would nevertheless try to give legal explanations to
prove the lawfulness of the government’s action.
Davit Harutiunyan says there is not a single point in the RA
Constitution stating that alienation of property must be set down
in the law. The minister of justice says even the general map of the
city is sufficient reason for an enforced alienation, emanating from
the plan of development of the city.
Davit Harutiunyan wonders why Armenia should differ from all the
other countries.
“Yes, we do agree that there are shortcomings in the legislation, and
it is high time to fill in the gaps. Moreover, we even think that human
rights in Armenia must underlie laws in Armenia, but the decisions of
the government are in compliance with the laws and the Constitution,”
announced the minister of justice, adding that the Constitutional
Court might yield to the emotional side of the problem in the judgment.
The members of the Constitutional Court have already come of age,
announced the Chairman of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutiunyan.
He said they have sufficient experience, knowledge and awareness of
the case being heard to pass an unbiased verdict. And the verdict,
longed for by the cheated residents of Buzand Street and North Avenue,
will be passed in several hours.

LAW IS A FALSE NATIONAL IDEOLOGY
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
18 April 06
Following the Unity Tree Planting, most of us might have thought
that the Head Public Prosecutor of Armenia should be concerned about
issues of lawfulness rather than environmental issues, and most of us
might be right. Moreover, this lack of lawfulness in the country is
visible to the naked eye, even at night. It is hard to disagree that
no matter how important nature and national unity are, something is
wrong, however, when the head of law enforcers starts taking care of
nature, and the head of environmentalists starts shooting seagulls
like a policemen would shoot a criminal, without thinking that if
a shot in the air would mean a warning for the offender, for the
seagull it might mean death.
Naturally, neither the problem of environment will be solved, nor the
problem of lawfulness, if the law enforcer does not observe the law,
and the environmentalist forgets about nature.
However, the state of things is not as bad as it might appear. It is
the least of evils when they plant trees as a symbol of unity.
Imagine what would happen if they decided to start a development
of unity, considering that they are unable to build anything
except elite houses. The ombudsman would have to spend nights at the
Constitutional Court, although the problem is not that of the ombudsman
but thousands of citizens whose property would be sacrificed for the
sake of unity. So, let us be thankful for tree planting, and let us
be thankful that there is place where to plant trees, and no one has
to start alienation of property of residents.
If the residents of Buzand Street and North Avenue protest because
their property is seized in favor of the elite, refusing to give one’s
property for place to plant trees would be considered treason. How
can one refuse to give some territory, some apartment or some roof
if someone devotes all his time, heart and soul for the Unity Tree
Planting? Yes, it is better to sacrifice one’s apartment (one might
even receive a title of hero) than to be threatened to be seen as
a traitor.
Hence, this is what happens in the countries where public initiatives
come to replace the law. Those to whom the idea of law does not even
occur become devotees of the nation. And those who refuse to follow
the initiative of such a devotee is seen as a traitor. How can one
refuse to participate in the dance of unity or in the unity tree
planting? If you fail to, you are not merely defying the head public
prosecutor but also the idea of unity of the nation. And whoever dares
to criticize, moreover, not to take part in these events of unity,
and even doubt their appropriateness, will be declared a foe of the
nation, who does not want our unity.
That is why the Head Public Prosecutor has set aside the questions of
lawfulness and engages in planting trees of unity and begets ideas
of unity in general. It is like a magic circle, and those who are
outside this circle are heretics. There is no other option; either
you are united, or you are a traitor if you dare to speak about some
laws and equality during such a crucial event for the homeland as
tree planting. It is necessary to make people equal on another plane
for them not to be equal before the law and to forget about this
inequality. First it was Mount Aragats, now it is trees of unity,
next year they will surely invent something else.
The public must not be allowed to remain idle, otherwise they start
talking about the law, and a devotee of the nation is seen as an
offender.

POLITICAL ASPECT OF ABKHAZIAN RAILROAD SETTLED
Lragir.am
18 April 06
The Consortium including Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Abkhazia
will meet April 27 to discuss the reconstruction of the Abkhazian
railroad, said Member of Parliament Vladimir Badalyan, the co-chair
of the Armenian-Georgian Business Association, to the news reporter of
Regnum. He said during the meeting they will discuss the logistics of
reconstruction of the railroad, as well as investments. An estimated
150-200 million U.S. dollars is required. Vladimir Badalyan said the
work on the railroad will begin as soon as all the necessary documents
are ready. “The political issues of the Abkhazian pipeline have been
settled, and in 2-2.5 years of intensive work railroad communication
will be fully restored,” said Vladimir Badalyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STUDENT UNION LAUNCHES EXHIBITION OF PHOTOS ABOUT ARMENIAN MONUMENTS IN THE REGION
Armenpress
Apr 18 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 18, ARMENPRESS: A student organization closely
affiliated with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has
launched today an exhibition of 70 photos, shot by Samvel Karapetian
and Hrayr Baze, which show the past and present state of Armenian
monuments in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran.
Titled ‘Cultural Genocide’ the exhibition will run for three days in
the front yard of the Yerevan State University. The row of photographs
presenting the state of Armenian monuments in Iran where Armenian
monuments are preserved and the government releases funds for their
repair is titled as ‘Dialogue of Civilization.’ This is not the case
regarding the Christian Georgia were numerous Armenian monuments were
destroyed and as many were declared as ‘being Georgian.”
Abraham Gasparian from the student organization, called Nikol Aghbalian
Union, said the word ‘dialogue’ is simply inapplicable when we speak
about the fate of Armenian monuments in Turkey and Azerbaijan. He
said though Turkey’s ministry of culture has developed a ten-year
program for restoration part of Ani, a medieval Armenian capital,
now in Turkey, the Armenian side has to press for dispatching Armenian
experts to the site so that Turks do not distort its history.

UN FAO TO WORK IN ARMENIA IN 2007, 2008
Armenpress
Apr 18 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 18, ARMENPRESS: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) said it will continue its Assistance and Rehabilitation Program
in Armenia in 2007 and 2008. FAO Armenia Office representative,
Muzafar Chuder, said the current two-year program was to finish in the
middle of this year, but it was prolonged until the end of the year,
following which a new two-year program will be developed.
“The overall economic situation in Armenia has visibly improved, but
when we speak to individuals they say no matter how much the situation
has improved Armenia still needs humanitarian assistance,’ he said.
He said this program is supported largely by donor countries- such as
Switzerland, USA, Holland and Japan. The ongoing program that started
in 2004 has an $11 million budget to back up Food for Work and Food
for Training projects, as well as helping rural schools.