ARF FACTION LEADER CALLS TO ENDORSE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Yerkir
30.08.2005 13:58
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – “These draft amendments will enable us to become
the most democratic country of the region,” Levon Mkrtchian, National
Assembly’s Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) faction leader said
Tuesday, addressing the NA extraordinary session on the constitutional
amendments.
He indicated that there should be a consensus over the constitution
and acceptable by the public. He also noted that when explaining the
amendments to the public, politicians should be truthful and mention
both the positive and the negative aspects of the charter.
Mkrtchian called on the opposition to end its disapproving
stance. “Today, we are determining the country’s future and not the
issue of tomorrow’s rulers.”
In her turn, Hegine Bisharian of the Orinats Yerkir party pointed out
that changes are imperative. “A good document is on the table today,”
she indicated.
Shavarsh Kocharian of the opposition Ardarutiun (Justice) block noted
that the draft does not include 16 of the key proposals by the Venice
commission, including the issue of electing the Yerevan mayor via
direct polls.

FOREIGN MINISTER’S COMMENTS
De Facto
Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
29 Aug 05
“Mr. Melikian, how would you comment on the fact that the Central
Election Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan has created an
electoral district for the people of Nagorno Karabakh Republic?” Arman
Melikian: “Establishing electoral districts by the CEC of Azerbaijan
for the population of the territories which are under the sovereignty
of NKR at present endangers the possible democratic reforms in the
Republic of Azerbaijan because thus the Azerbaijani authorities attain
a chance to use at least several hundreds of thousands of votes of
virtual voters in favour of the present rulers. A similar result
is expected from the proposed electronic ballot. The steps of the
CEC of Azerbaijan show that the local and international observers
will be unable to monitor the election duly.” De Facto: “Is it
possible that the NKR citizens take part in the upcoming election in
Azerbaijan?” A.M.: “The present legislation of NKR provides for dual
nationality for the citizens of NKR, and this means that if ever an
NKR citizen becomes national of the republic of Azerbaijan becoming
a dual national, the question of an interstate agreement between
NKR and Azerbaijan will occur, which will maintain the rights and
duties of persons who are nationals of both countries, including
the right for vote. This is usual practice in the world. In order
to sign such an agreement it is first necessary to solve a number of
problems. First of all, it is the question of recognition of Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, without which no further step can be taken. Second,
the legislation of Azerbaijan must provide for the right of dual
nationality and may undergo changes if necessary. Only after this
can the
interstate agreement be taken into consideration. I do not think that
the Republic of Azerbaijan will manage all the necessary actions before
the election in Azerbaijan, though everything depends on the will of
the Azerbaijani leaders, and any positive step in this direction will
be commended.”

PARTIES READY FOR COOPERATION
By Karine Mangassarian
Yerkir/arm
August 26, 2005
At the August 22 meeting between secretary of ARF’s parliamentary
faction Hrayr Karapetian and secretary of the British International
Association of Business and Parliament (IABP) Frederick Hyde Chambers
the latter pointed out that the British society is concerned that
any cooperation between the business and the parliament is corrupt.
Chambers noted that this concern was the reason why the IABP was
created. A similar concern exists in Armenia and the cooperation effort
launched today attempts at mitigating this concern. Chairman of the
NGO for Protection of Consumers Rights Abgar Yeghoyan and coordinator
of IABP’s Armenian branch Karen Sargsian attended the meeting. The IAP
delegation headed by Chambers first visited Armenia in March this year.
As Chambers noted at the meeting, he came to Armenia upon the
invitation of the National Assembly Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannissian
to assess the possibility of introducing the business and parliament
model in Armenia, a model that would benefit the economy, ensure fair
competition and eliminate the possibility of misuse of legislative
power. Chambers had a meeting with the National Assembly Speaker.
The latter assured that Armenia is open to support any initiatives
aimed at facilitating transparent relations between the National
Assembly deputies and the businessmen. A series of meetings were
held with representatives of various organizations supporting the
development of SME’s.
Meetings were held with representatives of the Union of SME’s and
the Union of Traders as well as several international organizations
implementing projects on empowerment of the parliament and development
of small and medium businesses. At Karapetian’s request, Chambers
presented the activities of IABP.
“Our goal is to achieve mutual understanding, trust between the
non-corrupted entities, enhancement of constructive approaches
and transparent relations between the parliamentarians and
the businessmen,” Chambers noted adding that for this purpose
representatives of various political parties and businesses united in
1977 determined to create mechanisms that would ensure transparency
of all processes within the economy.
“These activities were not the result of lobbying from any
specific business since all strata were represented there”, Chambers
said. Similar approaches were used in Finland, France, Belgium, Spain,
Holland, Sweden, USA, Canada and New Zealand. Chambers noted that
among the post-Soviet countries only Georgia had introduced this model.
IABP’s national models initially designed as educational resources
for the parliaments involve various projects for representatives of
all business sectors and all political parties represented in the
parliament. IABP offers opportunities for international exchange of
parliamentarians and businessmen participating in the IABP national
models.
Karapetian who is also heading the parliament group for protection
of the consumers’ rights noted with appreciation Chambers’ proposal
for cooperation pointing our that a number of large businesses are
represented in the Armenian parliament and the opinion that the
relations between the parliament and the businesses are corrupt is
relevant for Armenia as well.
“Cooperation within the National Assembly is important in terms
of protection of small and medium businesses as well as protection
of the consumers’ rights. We have discussed these issues with the
representative of OSCE in Armenia and with representatives of various
NGO’s.
There is no need to invent a new bicycle – we are ready to cooperate
with interested international organizations and study the international
experience since the problems are similar,” Karapetian said presenting
the activities of the parliament group for protection of consumers’
rights in the sphere of food safety. Chambers agreed that problems are
similar everywhere assuring that IABP is ready to implement practical
projects and provide consulting and expertise.
“It is important that the entire business sector is involved in this
cooperation initiative from the very start. We are ready to cooperate
on issues related to food security since this is directly connected
to our activities,” Chambers said noting that his impression from
the meetings with the Armenian parliamentarians and businesses has
been that the cooperation will be a success.
Answering our question whether he believes that it is possible to
eliminate the opinion prevailing in the society that the relations
between the business sector and the parliament are corrupt Chambers
noted, “In all the countries, irrespective of whether or not the
relations between the parliament and the business sector are corrupt,
the public opinion holds that there is corruption.
Our national models can help in both cases – when the public opinion
holds that there is corruption and when there really is corruption in
the relations between the parliament and the business sector. Our
goal is to facilitate non-corrupt relations so that the public
opinion changes”.

GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT TO REFUGEES
Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
29 Aug 05
The first refugees came to the region of Hadrut on February 29, 1988,
after the atrocities in Sumgait. The flow of refugees continued
from Baku, Kirovabad, Mingechaur, Khanlar, Fizuli, Shamkhor,
etc. Housing and other problems of the refugees were constantly
in the focus of attention of the regional administration. The main
problem was housing. In March 1988 the construction of a block of
24 flats was completed. Two flats were provided to two families
from Sumgait. In the area of Khmarats Bagher in the town of Hadrut
10 houses were built for refugees. Many families were provided with
homes. However, it would not be correct to say that everything was
done for the refugees. The refugees who settled down in villages
were ignored. From 1988 to 1992 200 refugee families came to the
region from different places of Azerbaijan. In accordance with the
NKR law on refugees and the decisions of the NKR government these
families were registered by the district agency of social service of
the administration of Hadrut region, and the files were sent to the
NKR Agency for Migration, Refugees and Resettlement. It is planned to
provide allowances to 25 families in September of the current year. The
construction of two houses for refugee families has started in the
town of Hadrut. According to the head of the agency of social service
of the administration of Hadrut region S. Hakobian, the construction
of another 4 houses is planned.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SOCIAL CARDS
Laura Grigorian
Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
29 Aug 05
The distribution of social cards continues in the republic. According
to the head of the department of social insurance and retirement of
the NKR Ministry of Social Security Vahram Arakelian, by August 23
69 thousand 233 social security cards have been issued, including
in Stepanakert 22 thousand 720, Martekert region 11 thousand 272,
Hadrut region 7 thousand 827, Askeran region 9 thousand 649, Shushi
region 2 thousand 569, Martuni region 9 thousand 957, Shahumian region
1278 and Kashatagh region 3 thousand 961 social cards. According to
V. Arakelian, the citizens who had applied in July have already
received their social cards, the social cards will be issued to the
applicants of August at the beginning of September. V. Arakelian
said two persons refused to have social cards but then applied to
the department and received their cards. The system of social cards
will be operated since January 1, 2006. The cards are issued by the
department of social security of Stepanakert and the social security
services in the regions. Applications may be both individual and
collective. Social cards are free of charge.

BELGIUM BLACKLISTS SEVEN AFRICAN CARGO FIRMS
Misna news agency web site, Rome
30 Aug 05
Text of report in English by Italian-based Missionary Service News
Agency (Misna) web site
Belgium cites seven African cargo companies of nine in its “black
list” as demanded by the EU, which will not be allowed to operate in
the country.
They are: Africa Lines (Central African Republic) Memphis (Egypt),
Central Air Express (DRCongo), ICTTPW (Libya), International Air
Tour Limited (Nigeria), Johnsons’ Air Ltd (Ghana), Silverback Cargo
Freighters (Rwanda).
Moreover, Armenia’s Air Van airlines and Ukrainian South airlines
also don’t make the cut. However, the Belgian minister of transport
said that even though “absent form the list, this does not imply a
company necessarily meets international air safety norms,” said the
Belgian minister of transport.
The EU will discuss this week the possibility of issuing a single
blacklist and asked all 25 member states to hand over their lists.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM NAME BANNED AIRLINES
The Independent – United Kingdom; Aug 30, 2005
Clio Van Cauter
France and Belgium have published for the first time a list of airlines
banned from their territories for safety reasons.
The French list is: Air Koryo (North Korea), Air Saint-Thomas (US
Virgin Islands), International Air Service (Liberia), Air Mozambique
(LAM and Transairways) and Phuket Airlines (Thailand).
The ban has been in force for years but a decision to publish the
list was not made until recently, following five crashes in the
past month, including one in Venezuela on 16 August that killed 152
French citizens.
Critics said the French list did not go far enough. West Caribbean
airways, the Colombian company involved in the Venezuela crash,
escaped censure, as did the Turkish airline Fly Air. A Fly Air plane
was grounded in Paris for safety reasons on Saturday. The French
government is also considering obliging tour operators to tell
passengers about airline companies they might travel with.
Belgium also made public the names of nine airlines that it has
forbidden to land. The airlines, mostly from central Africa but also
from Egypt, Ukraine and Armenia, are cargo companies.
The United States issues a blacklist, but in Europe only Britain has
taken such a step. Switzerland will release its list on Thursday. The
French and Belgian decisions come ahead of a decision by the European
Union on the matter. It wants to issue by the end of 2005 a list
compiled by the 25 member states that would show all banned airlines.
France is to launch a tax on airline tickets next year to help finance
the global fight against poverty, President Jacques Chirac said. The
idea is still being discussed at international level, but M. Chirac
said France hoped to put it in place as soon as possible.

US TO RENDER CREDIT
A1+
| 15:18:00 | 30-08-2005 | Politics |
The US Agency for International Development has concluded a loan
guarantee agreement with Cascade Credit CJSC.
Today the signing ceremony with the participation of RA Central Bank
President Tigran Sargsyan and US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans
took place in the head office of Cascade Capital Holdings.
The credit agreement will provide for partial guarantee for the bonds
issued by the company. The American party engaged itself to pay off
50% of Cascade Credit’s debt to the holders of securities. Presently
bonds with 1-year guarantee term are to be issued.
According to Cascade Credit CJSC President Garegin Gevorgyan till the
end of the next year bonds valuing in $6 million will be issued. “It
is a serious step for becoming a leader on the Armenian and Caucasian
market”, he said. To note, the Cafesjian Fund is the holder of 100%
stocks of the Cascade Capital Holdings.

France, Belgium Ban a List of Air Carriers
By SOPHIE NICHOLSON, AP
Updated: 04:39 PM EDT
08/29/05
PARIS (Aug. 29) – France and Belgium have issued blacklists of
airlines prohibited from using their airports, an attempt to allay
public fears about flying after a recent series of deadly crashes.
The French list released late Sunday comprises six companies from the
U.S. Virgin Islands, Thailand, North Korea, Mozambique and Liberia.
Belgium’s list released Monday includes nine airlines from Egypt,
Armenia, Congo, Libya, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Ukraine and the Central
African Republic.
Swiss civil aviation officials also said they plan to release a
similar list Thursday.
Proposals for a European blacklist are still being prepared, prompting
individual countries to take action in the meantime.
Starting Sept. 8, EU states will meet in Brussels to work on
harmonizing rules to ban or suspend a company’s flights, EU Transport
Commissioner Jacques Barrot said.
Maxime Coffin, test director at the French civil aviation authority,
said he hoped the list would speed up Europe’s efforts.
Though all the airlines had been banned in recent years, France had
never before made a blacklist public.
“We also hope this list will persuade foreign companies who want to
come to France to be more rigorous,” Coffin told a news conference.
Thailand’s Phuket Airways, one of the airlines banned in France,
demanded to know what criteria France used to judge it.
“I really don’t understand what is the meaning of unsafe. Unsafe
for what? Unsafe for operations or unsafe for what? Because we have
never had a serious incident or accident, so I would like to ask back
to the authorities what is the meaning of unsafe?” Capt. Chawanit
Chiamcharoenvut, executive vice president of Phuket Air, said in
Bangkok.
Because air accidents are still so rare – despite this month’s spike –
airline records fail to tell the whole story, safety specialists say.
In France, many questioned the reliability blacklists.
“Publishing lists is completely ineffective,” said Marc Chernet,
president of an association for victims of a Flash Airlines plane
crash in the Red Sea in June 2004. The plane, heading to Paris,
crashed after taking off from Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, killing 148
people, mostly French tourists.
The French and Belgian measures were announced following five
aviation accidents in the past few months, including one involving a
Colombian-registered charter that crashed in Venezuela, killing 152
French citizens from the Caribbean island of Martinique.
On Saturday, a charter flight from Turkish company Fly Air was grounded
at Paris’ Roissy airport with tire problems and a small fuel leak. That
company was not on France’s blacklist.
The U.S. has a slightly different system that focuses on countries
rather than airlines, and uses aviation safety standards set by
the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations
agency headquartered in Montreal. Twenty-six of the 100 countries
that have been assessed do not meet ICAO standards, most in Africa,
South America and the Caribbean.
France’s list of banned airlines is: Air Koryo of North Korea; Air St.
Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands; International Air Services of
Liberia; Thailand’s Phuket Airlines; and Linhas Aereas de Mocambique
and Transairways, both from Mozambique.
On the Belgian list were Africa Lines of the Central African Republic;
Air Memphis from Egypt; Air Van Airlines of Armenia; Central Air
Express from Congo; Libya’s ICTTPW; International Air Tours Limited
from Nigeria; Johnsons Air Limited of Ghana; Silverback Cargo
Freighters from Rwanda; and South Airlines of Ukraine.
Associated Press Writer Pierre-Yves Roger in Paris contributed to
this report.

GENERAL DISMISSED
A1+
| 15:24:27 | 30-08-2005 | Official |
By Robert Kocharyan’s decree on August 29 Lieutenant General Mikhail
Grigoryan was dismissed from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense
of Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress