“UNITY TREE PLANTING” IN KOTAYK MARZ
Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2006
HRAZDAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Within the framework of the “Unity
Tree Planting-2006” (Miasnutyan Tsaratunk) program, tree planting was
organized in the marz of Kotayk on April 15. 10 thousand young plants
of decorative trees were brought to the marz for that purpose. These
plants were given to communities. Besides, the Mayor’s Office of
Hrazdan bought 8000 young plants from the hotbed, to plant them in
the territory of the city.
From: Baghdasarian

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECLARED GOVERNMENT DECISION UNLAWFUL BUT …
Lragir.am
18 April 06
The Constitutional Court of Armenia read the ruling on the government
action of alienation of property of the residents of Buzand Street
and North Avenue at 17 PM April 18. The ruling contained 17 points and
it took Gagik Harutiunyan, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court,
and the present 45 minutes to read it.
The residents of Buzand Street and North Avenue, present at the
hearing, applauded to the decision of the Constitutional Court. The
Constitutional Court recognized the government decision on alienation
of property of the residents of Buzand Street and North Avenue for
the development of Yerevan unconstitutional.
The decision of the Constitutional Court says that under the
Constitution of Armenia property can be alienated only on exclusive
superior public interest. In accordance with the decision of the
Constitutional Court, the property of the residents of Buzand Street
and North Avenue was alienated without sufficient statutory grounds
and a cause and effect relation between the national and community
interest and the necessity for alienation of property.
The Constitutional Court finds that in its famous decision the
government did not show that the alienation was based on exclusive
public interest. The Constitutional Court decided that the decision
of the government and the sections of the Civil and Land Codes of
Armenia the government decision emanated, are not consistent with
the Constitution of Armenia.
In accordance with the decision of the Constitutional Court, by
October 1, 2006 the government and the National Assembly must adopt
necessary legislative acts to suspend the decision of the government
on alienation of the property of residents of Buzand Street and North
Avenue. The decision of the Constitutional Court cannot be appealed.
The residents who have lost their property considered this decision
their first victory. But it can also be their last victory, if it
is a victory at all. The point is that the decision is in favor of
the government rather than the residents. In fact, the decision on
recognizing the action of the government unconstitutional has no
retrospective force. In other words, no one will recover the losses
of residents. Of course, the persons who lost their property can sue
their property after October 1, when the decision of the government
is suspended. However, they may not have this opportunity either. The
problem is that the decision of the Constitutional Court is a new
circumstance to the case that enables the residents to sue their
property in the court of law. However, if the inconsistency between the
Civil Code and the Constitution of Armenia is eliminated by October
1, the decision of the Constitutional Court may not be considered a
new circumstance. Therefore, the joy of the residents might be early
and determined by their unawareness of legal procedures. And the
decision of the Constitutional Court may simply solve the question
of constitutionality for future alienation. This is, of course,
favorable for the residents, not for those residents who have lost
their property, however, but for the residents of the streets that
are found on the map of national needs.
Besides, the decision of the Constitutional Court favors the government
rather because it solves a minor problem and helps it to avoid the
snowball effect. Even the government recognized that alienation was
unconstitutional and it could not carry on. Besides, the government
could not change the regime of alienation set up by themselves. A
way out was found, which improved the image of the ombudsman, and
entitled the government to more legal alienation by virtue of the
decision of the Constitutional Court, necessary to sell the apartments
built currently. After all, the buyers will not buy apartments this
intensively, if the lawfulness of construction arouses suspicion.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE ATTENDING CHARITY CANTEEN INCREASES IN GAVAR
Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2006
GAVAR, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. It is about 2 years a charity canteen is
working in Gavar with the financing of the “Mission Armenia” benevolent
NGO. The canteen is intended for lone old people and pensioners
above 60. 120 needy people attend the canteen 5 days a week. Due to
abject poverty, young families also have expressed willingness to
attend the canteen. Though they are able-bodied, they have no job. To
recap, during the first months of canteen’s foundation the number of
people attending the canteen was not so big but it is increasing at
present. It is envisaged to continue the program in Gavar until 2013.

MANE TILES ORGANIZES TREE PLANTING ON APRIL 15 IN YEREVAN AND BRYURAKAN
Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. It is the second year the Mane Tiles
Armenian-American enterprise producing ceramic tiles and mosaics
made from natural stones organizes tree planting in Armenia. As Arman
Balian, head of the marketing department of the enterprise, informed
at the tree planting organized on April 15 at the Victory Park,
decorative trees were planted in the green territories adjoining the
sports and concert complex after Karen Demirchian and near Byurakan
observatory. A.Balian also said that the production of Mane Tiles
made from Armenian raw materials is mainly sold in U.S.

RA CHIEF POLICE OFFICER CONFERED TITLE OF COLONEL GENERAL
Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of the 5th anniversary
of formation of the RA Police, RA President Robert Kocharian gave
rewards to police servicemen. At the ceremony organized on April
15, Haik Haroutiunian, the RA Chief Police Officer, Lieutenant
General of the Police was confered title of the Colonel General,
Ararat Mahtesian, the First Deputy of the RA Chief Police Officer,
Major General of the Police, Hovhannes Varian, the Deputy Chief
Police Officer, Major General of the Police were confered titles
of Lieutenant General of the Police. Haik Militonian, the General
Department Chief of the RA Police Criminal Secret Service, Police
Colonel was confered title of the Major General. Ashot Gizirian,
the Chief of the RA Police General Department of Struggle against
Organized Crime, Major General of the Police, and Eduard Ghazarian,
the Headquarters Chief of the RA Police, Major General of the Police
were rewarded with the fist level medal “For Service to Fatherland,”
and Alvina Zakarian, the Passports and Visas Department Chief of the
RA Police, Police Colonel, Gagik Minasian, the Staff Department Chief
of the RA Police, Police Colonel were rewarded with second level medals
“For Service to Fatherland.” About a dozen of servicemen of the Police
were rewarded with medal for Martial Service.

PRESIDENT CONSIDERS IMPRORTANT CONTINUATION OF POLICE REFORMS
Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Police must decisively implement
its functions with respecting fully the human rights and fundamental
freedoms. RA President Robert Kocharian formulated in this way the
main issue of the police, having a welcome speech at the April 15
celebration of the 5th anniversary of foundation of the RA Police. The
President mentioned at the same time that the Police must not implement
functions not characteristical for it. He considers necessary to pay
special attention to the issue of providing the police with modern
means, to constinuous work of improvement of professional skills
of the staff. “Modern challenges make the command of time widening
of international cooperation of the police as well, otherwise, it is
impossible to struggle productively against such types of crime as the
money laundering, illegal circulation of narcotics, trafficking are,”
R.Kocharian mentioned, attaching importance to continuing reforms of
the police system as well. The President finds that it is especially
necessary to pay attention to improvement of activity of those circles
which directly and in everyday life relate to citizens. “You must led
with the consciousness that the general characteristic and development
of our country are greatly provided by the quality of your work as
well,” he said. RA Chief Police Officer Haik Haroutiunian mentioned in
his speech that during the recent years serious and fundamental steps
were taken in the direction of activity of the police, formation and
strengthening of the legal field, the cooperation with legal structures
of a number of countries and the Interpol reached a new qualitative
level. “In essense, we already work in new conditions and the evidence
of productivity of this new and modern approaches is not only indexes
fixed in prevention and founding out of crimes but citizens’ belief
towards the police increasing day by day, their intention to support
us, to assist in the struggle against crime,” he said.

LILIT MKRTCHIAN BRONZE PRIZE-WINNER OF EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP
Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2006
KUSADASI, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Representative of Armenia Lilit
Mkrtchian performed successfully in the women’s chess Europe
championship that finished in the Turkish city of Kusadasi. In the
competition among 96 woman chess-players she took the 3rd place
and won a bronze medal. Gaining 7.5 points in 11 tours held by
the Swiss contest rules, Mkrtchian had shared 3-11 places with
a group of participants but after the additional games she was
able to surpass all others and to become the 3rd prize-winner. At
the same time Lilit received the right to take part in the next
world championship. The results of another 4 woman chess-players
representing Armenia are the following: Elina Danielian 6 points
(30-44th places), Nelli Aghinian, Siranush Andreasian 5.5 points each
(45-54th places). 5 representatives of Armenia took part in the men’s
Europe championship. Ashot Anastasian performed most successfully. He
shared 25-35th places with 6.5 points. Artashes Minasian, Tigran
L.Petrosian and Tigran Kotanjian shared 35-64th places with 6 points
each. International master Tigran Kotanjian was able to pass the norm
of grand master. The 5th representative of Armenia, Arman Pashikian,
shared 65-86th places with 5.5 points.
Yekaterina Stalik (Turkey) won in the Europe women’s championship
and Zdenko Kozhul (Croatia) in the men’s championship.

SYMBOL OF FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF ARMENIA AFFIRMED
Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. FFA Chairman Ruben Hayrapetian affirmed
the symbol of the National Championship of Armenia before start of
the 2006 Football National Championship of Armenia. The author of
the symbol is designer Naria Karapetian. The Football Federation of
Armenia, to which the right of the symbol belongs, endows football
clubs and mass media to use it.

GAGIK TSARUKIAN RECEIVES ANASTASIA GREBYONKINA AND VAZGEN AZROYAN
Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Gagik Tsaroukian, the Chairman of
the National Olympic Committee of Armenia received on April 14 figure
skaters Anastasia Grebyonkina and Vazgen Azroyan. Grebyonkina-Azroyan
pair took the 20th place in the dance pairs competition of the 20th
winter Olympiad taken place in Turin. They would be able to take
higher places if there were no referee overlookings. During the long
conversation of the Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of
Armenia and the figure skaters, issues concerning their competition
performances, refereeing were touched upon. G.Tsarukian assured
Grebyonkina and Azroyan that the Olympic Committee will do its best
from its side that Armenia has a referee in high level competitions. It
will give possibility for an unjust attitude is not displayed towards
our sportsmen.

ARMENIA: EUROVISION ENTRY CASUED LOVE AND HATE REACTIONS INSIDE THE COUNTRY
Stella Kosma reporting from Athens (Greece)
Source: Gayane Abrahamyan, armenianow.com
oikotimes.org, Greece
April 18 2006
On May 18th and 20th Armenian pop singer Andre will appear before the
European TV viewing public under the Armenian flag at the Eurovision
international song competition in Athens. He will perform a song
that has become the focus of debate and even political speculation,
even gaining discussion among Parliament Members. Critics say the song
“Without Your Love” does not represent Armenian music and that it is
in fact Arabic or Turkish and that Armenia is pandering to European
tastes by presenting such a song. “If Europe loves it today we serve
it, if it wishes Indian, we will write an Indian one. Armenian is not
in respect, forget it,” says the Chairman of the Union of Composers
of Armenia Robert Amirkhanyan, then dismisses the song as not being
worth his criticism. The music was written by the leader of the State
Jazz Band of Armenia, composer Armen Martirosyan, with instrumental
arrangements by Ara Torosyan (Murzik) and lyrics by Katrin Bekian.
“Yes, Europe is inclined towards Eastern (culture), but we are not
the West either,” says arranger Torosyan. “Armenians have not heard
their folk songs for so long that they don’t differentiate between the
Armenian and the Turkish; this song is a compilation of the European
and the Eastern, just as we are between Europe and the East.
Here there is no deviation from ethnographic music and the Armenian
tune.” Other pop singers view the song as well-suited for the
competition, which is held annually. The winner is selected by means
of phone and SMS messages and the number of votes also decide the top
ten countries to participate automatically in the next year’s finals.
One of the important preconditions is that a country cannot vote for
its own song. “There is no need to make a scandal,” says singer Shushan
Petrosyan. “We have numerous other reasons for talking about Arabic
and Turkish motives in the Armenian pop music; this is not the case,
we just need to be willing and do everything for Andre to win.”
Singer Aramo says he likes the instrumental arrangement of the song
more than the lyrics and the video. Aramo says the song does not fit
Andre somehow, and the East is embellished in the song, which is not
typical to Armenian music.
But conductor Tigran Hekekyan says there is no need to present a
piece of national cultural value in such a festival. He describes
the competition as a “market”, adding that the best chance of winning
is whatever “sells”. Hekekyan also says that the debate over eastern
influence in Armenian music seems a little late. “The song is not born
occasionally, it’s the mirror of a whole cultural layer and there is
a need in discussing the problem of that layer existence and not cling
on one song,” says Hekekyan. Debate on the matter is useless, says the
Chairman of the Board of the Public Television Alexan Harutyunyan,
since he is the one to decide the song and the singer to be sent to
the competition.
“This is the musical competition of the European broadcasters union
and the choice of the song to be presented is ascribed purely to us.
I could make the decision myself but I listened and took the opinion of
the best musicians and (popular music) authorities of the republic,”
says Harutyunyan. And while Armenians are discussing the song,
Azerbaijanis are flooding Andre with threats. A month ago the
Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan addressed a letter to Eurovision
protesting Andre’s participation, citing the fact that the singer
was born in “Nagorno Karabakh Republic” an “occupied territory”
of Azerbaijan. The singer has even gotten death threats on Internet
forum discussions. “Nobody can kill me, they simply envy me,” Andre
told ArmeniaNow. “For me it was more unpleasant at first to hear the
criticism on the Armenian side, but I don’t pay attention to them
either. Let them not listen to my song if they don’t like it.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress