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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.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I APPOINTS DR. YEGAVIAN AS CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ADVISOR
In a special Pontifical letter sent to Dr. Zaven Yegavian, the director of
the Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation,
His Holiness Aram I appointed him an advisor to the Catholicosate of Cilicia
in cultural and educational issues.
His Holiness writes in the letter: “It is the first time in the history of
our Holy See that such an honor is granted.” “The Armenian culture and
Armenian schools have been the most essential fields of the mission of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s centuries-old See. In face of the increasing
spiritual-intellectual needs of our people in the present, it is important
that our Holy See continues to make Armenian culture and schools priorities
with increasing commitment,” he continues.
Referring to the expanding work of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in the
cultural and educational fields, the Armenian Pontiff praises the Calouste
Gulbenkian Foundation in general and Dr. Zaven Yegavian in particular for
their pivotal role in the efforts to spread Armenian cultural values and
progress Armenian education.
His Holiness states that the cooperation between the two sides has led to
the enrichment of Armenian culture both in Armenia and the Diaspora. He
expresses hope that this cooperation will continue with renewed commitment
for the benefit of the Armenian culture and schools.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE AMBASSADOR OF CYPRUS VISITS ANTELIAS
His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of Cyprus to Lebanon, Mr. Nikos
Panayi on April 5. Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, the primate of the Diocese
of Cyprus, also attended the meeting.
His Holiness and the Ambassador exchanged viewpoints on various topics
including the parliamentary elections to be held in Cyprus next month, the
discussions around solutions to the Cyprus issue, Turkey’s EU bid, issues
related to the cooperation between the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the
Greek Church of Cyprus, as well the ongoing political dialogue in Lebanon.
The Pontiff stressed the importance of Cyprus for the Armenian Church and
nations both in a spiritual and cultural sense, and in terms of human
rights. He emphasized the importance of the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and the just solution of the Cyprus issue to both nations and said
it was essential for the two churches and nations to establish closer
cooperation in this respect.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HEHO M ORGANIZES A GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CONTEST BETWEEN THE STUDENTS OF
ARMENIAN SCHOOLS
The Armenian Church University Students’ Association (HEHOM) organized a
general “knowledge contest” between the students of Armenian schools, with
the aim of bringing them together in a social environment.
The contest was held in the Catholicosate of Cilicia on April 1. Students
from Yeghishe Manoukian College, Levon and Sophia Hagopian College,
Haratch-Gulbengian College, Melankton and Haig Arslanian Djemaran, the
Armenian Catholic Hripsimiants School, the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian
School, the Armenian Evangelical School (Beirut), and the Armenian
Shamelian-Tatigian Evangelical School participated in the contest.
Although outside the classroom, the students were able to enrich their
knowledge about religion, geography, literature, science, sports, history
and film in a friendly environment.
The group representing Melankton and Haig Arslanian Djemaran won the first
prize. The second and third prizes were won by the Armenian Catholic
Hripsimiants School and Yeghishe Manoukian College respectively.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the youth
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COMMUNISTS ENDORSE RUSSIA
Lragir.am
08 April 06
`People who will raise their hands against the Russian-Armenian
friendship are foe number one of the Armenian people,’ stated Ruben
Tovmasyan, the first secretary of the Central Committee of the
Armenian Communist Party on April 8.
And if those who raise their hands against the Russian-Armenian
friendship are those people, who are arousing an anti-Russian hysteria
on the price of gas and sale of the fifth generating unit of the
Thermal Power Plant of Hrazdan to Russia.
The leader of the Communist Party thinks this anti-Russian hysteria is
aroused by the Americans who want to break relations between Armenia
and Russia. ` God forbid this. We have to be very thoughtful with
Russia,’ says Ruben Tovmasyan.
Personally, his approach to Russia is not only thoughtful but also
tender.
He does not blame Russia for increasing the price of gas, and he does
not think that they coerced Armenians into transfer of the fifth
generating unit of the Thermal Power Plant of Hrazdan to them. `We
condemn selling people’s property, which has been done since the
1990s,’ says Ruben Tovmasyan. However, he says more with regard to the
fifth generating unit of the Thermal Power Plant. According to Ruben
Tovmasyan, not only Russia is to blame for having exercised pressure,
but also Armenia, which put it out for sale. `You put it out for sale,
and they bought it,’ says Ruben Tovmasyan, `you’ is the government and
`they’ is Russia.

GOVERNMENT MUST CONTROL ENERGY SECTOR
Lragir.am
08 April 06
Mher Shahgeldyan, Chair of the Committee of Defense, National Security
and Internal Affairs, answering to the our news reporter’s question
onthe transfer of the Thermal Power Plant of Hrazdan to Russia, said
this deal needs to be viewed from two aspects, political and
economic. `Of course, from the political aspect the Armenian
government must absolutely control its energy sector, especially
strategic energy generation. From the economic aspect, it is possible
that an energy plant, for instance, is co-owned by foreign
companies. Of course, if they are friendly countries, and the
companies are known worldwide. However, it is also a fact, and we have
stated this for a number of times, that for the national security and
energy independence the government must have control and levers of
management.
For economic benefit, it is important that about 600 million dollars
is invested in Armenia, which will enable to operate the fifth
generating unit and export electricity to neighbor countries. As far
as I know, the fifth generating unit was put out to auction formerly,
and there were no buyers willing to make investments to operate it.’