Author: Dabaghian Diana

TURK CHAIRMAN OF NATO PA SUBCOMMITTEE ATTEMPTS TO REFUSE FACT OF GENOCIDE AT MEETING WITH RA NA SPEAKER

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 14 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA NA Speaker Tigran
Torosian received on June 13 members of joint delegations of the
Future Security and Defence Capabilies Subcommittee of the Defence
and Security Committee and the Democratic Management Subcommittee of
the Security Civil Measurement Committee of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly.

The NA Speaker mentioned that Armenia’s relations with the NATO develop
dinamically and expressed satisfaction with their level. It was also
mentioned that within that framework the Individual Partnership Actions
Plan has an exclusive meaning. Tigran Torosian considered the state of
Armenia’s associated member to the NATO PA as an important stimulus
for deepening relations, attaching importance to the issue that
those relations develop not only in the defence direction but also
in the directions of making the legislation going with democratic,
political and European standards. The Parliament Speaker separated
this period in life of Armenia as time of preparing for the 2007 and
2008 state elections and making the legislation corresponding to the
constitutional amendments. Then Tigran Torosian answered questions
of the delegations members that relate both to relations of NATO and
Armenia, and to works of region and National Assembly.

Vahit Erdem, the Chairman of the Future Security and Defence
Capabilities Subcommittee mentioned about their mission that the
problem is review of Armenia and NATO relations, taking into account
that as a result of geopolitical changes, the NATO was also changed
and turned into a structure of defending peace in the world which is
open for any country. Representative of Great Britain Frank Cook will
prepare the regional report.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the NA Public Relations Department,
Erdem was interested in how Armenia prepares for the elections. NA
Speaker Tigran Torosian presented in details that the Parliament is
today engaged in reforms of the Electoral Code, the Venice Commission
experts’ opinion has already been got, after discussions of which and
agreeing with the political forces at the autumn session, the National
Assembly will already receive the Electoral Code. He also mentioned
that some principles are being experimented for to be defined and
improved in action. For holding elections corresponding to democratic
standards, the NA Speaker attached importance to creation of beneficial
moral-psychological atmosphere and cooperation of all parties.

Vitalino Canas, the representative of Portugal was interested if
Armenia, considering membership to the European Union as its’ foreign
political supremacy, is not going to join the NATO either. Tigran
Torosian reminded that there are EU member countries which are not
NATO members, and it is a normal phenomenon. He re-affirmed that
membership to the European Union is supremacy of foreign policy of
Armenia, and all steps are undertaken in the direction of Armenia’s
membership to the EU, and Armenia has made no statement about its
intention to join the NATO, and it said that it is successive on the
way of deepening relations, what is being done.

Chetin Kazak, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Democratic
Management, the representative of Bulgaria was interested in relations
of Armenia with two neighbors. The NA Speaker mentioned that Armenia
has stated many times that he is for normal relations with neighbors,
without proposing pre-conditions, and finds that contacts, discussions,
an open dialogue are necessary for establishing relations. Some
steps have already been taken at the PACE and within the framework
of the South Caucasian Parliamentary Initiative, and Tigran Torosian
expressed a hope that neighbors as well will have readiness to take
steps forward.

Speaking about the report being prepared, Tigran Torosian mentioned
a number of principles that needs improvement: it was particularly
mentioned in the report that Armenia’s "international symphathizers"
consider that a genocide took place, when it’s necessary to mention
the EU member countries and the Europarliament which recognized the
Genocide. In response, representative of Turkey Vahit Erdem refused
the fact of the Genocide: according to his insistence, neither 1915
Armenian Genocide took place nor there was a state order to kill
Armenians, and it may be spoken just about 400-500 thousand people who
themselves attacked Turks by Russians’ instigation. Tigran Torosian
interrupted Turk deputy’s "history lecture" and calling on him to be
proper, considered incompatible such a behaviour with the post occupied
within the framework of the international organization. Tigran Torosian
reminded Vahid Erdem that he has no right to give estimations either to
Genocide or to Europarliament or to countries recognized the Genocide.

CB’S POWERS OF ARMENIAN FINANCIAL MARKET MEGAREGULATOR WILL ALLOW IT SECURING OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY OF COUNTRY’S INSURANCE MARKET: LLOYD’S REPS.

Yerevan, June 14. ArmInfo. The Central Bank’s powers of the Armenian
financial market megaregulator will allow it securing openness
and transparency of the country’s insurance market. Darren Warkcup
Representative of Heritage Managing Agency Ltd. Syndicate 1200, London
Corporation Lloyd’s, and Brian Salmanpour, Representative of the
Council of London Gate Group, told ArmInfo. The representatives have
recently visited Armenia for the first time, where Armenian CB Council
member, Vache Gabrielyan, informed them of the supervision mechanisms.

D. Warkcup believes important that the powers of megaregulator were
laid on the Central Bank as the chief banker tries to transfer the
insurance market to the open field i.e. to secure transparency of
this business for potential clients. As regards the CB’s aspiration to
bring the law on insurance in the line with international standards,
it will help the market develop and attract more foreign companies to
Armenia. This, in its turn, will develop competition and create more
attractive conditions for clients. In fact, only reliable insurance
companies will maintain their positions in the market. B. Salmanpour
touched upon the prospects of introduction of compulsory insurance
in Armenia stating that it will play an important role both for
the economy on the whole and for development of insurance market,
in particular. It is first of all aimed at protection of consumers’
interests as it will allow the market become well- organized, and
the public – more aware of their demands, he said.

In conclusion, D. Warkcup stated that the stable economic growth
in Armenia will allow insurance companies extending their activity,
specifically, capitalization is in question. Due to it, new services
will be provided to clients, the competition will be increased. In
fact, only specialized stable companies will remain in the market,
others will amalgamate. Of course, the share of reinsurance of
Armenian companies in the Lloyd’s market is so insignificant that it
is not worth mentioning. The annual turnover of Lloyd’s Corporation
considerably exceeds the budget of Armenia. Nevertheless, the
corporation’s underwriter noticed Armenia and other CIS countries
which were avoided by other foreign reinsurers, D. Warkcup said.

PACE CALLS FOR AZERI-ARMENIAN CO-OP ON POWS

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
June 14 2006

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteur
on migration, refugees and population has called on Azerbaijan and
Armenia to cooperate on prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons.

"Collaboration between relevant bodies of the two countries is pivotal
to solve the problem, in particular, in terms of simplifying the
exchange of information," Leo Platvoet told a news conference at the CE
Information Office in Baku upon completion of his visit to the region.

The rapporteur said both countries had expressed readiness to forge
contacts to address the problems faced by these persons, and called
for stepping up efforts in this area. He said the key objective was
to arrange cooperation between the two countries.

"The fact that the sides are making such statements is evidence that
the idea of establishing a joint institution may soon come into being,"
he said, adding that this option has already been applied by the Red
Cross in the Balkans.

Platvoet said the entity could include representatives of Azerbaijan,
Armenia and both communities of Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh. He added,
however, that he had no discussions on the issue during his visit to
the two countries.

Platvoet said the goal of the visit was to prepare a report on captives
and missing persons in the South Caucasus based on his findings. The
document will mostly cover humanitarian issues and have no bearing
on politics, he stressed. "It will not touch on political aspects,
as this could compromise the work being done."

The rapporteur said the report will be finalized in fall and further
submitted to PACE’s winter session for consideration.

"We have met with the family members of missing persons to study their
problems. These mainly concerned collection of information. We also
found out that their relatives are facing social problems. All these
developments will be reflected in the report," Platvoet said.

The rapporteur met with members of the Azeri delegation at PACE.

Several proposals he made during the discussions were not accepted
by the MPs. He suggested that the Azerbaijani side collaborate with
the institutions and NGOs in Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh and send the
parents of the missing persons to Armenia to assist in searching for
them, which did not go down well with the Azerbaijani representatives.

DISABLED MINERS ON HUNGER STRIKE

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[08:42 pm] 12 June, 2006

more images “We are not begging. We are asking for the money we
deserve”, claim Ilya Barseghyan and Vladimir Hovsepyan, former miners
from Kapan. They have been on a hunger strike since yesterday in the
Garegin Nzhdeh square of Kapan. Together with 170 other miners they
have been deprived of their disability pension. The former disabled
workers of “Dino Gold Mining Company” (former Kapan ore mining and
processing enterprise) have not received any compensation for the
last 20 months.

The authorities of the Company refuse to pay them saying that the
miners were not disabled under the present authorities. The owner
of “Dino Gold Mining Company” refused to sign a collective contract
with the trade union of the company. There is no way for the miners
to solve the problem and get at least their pension of 15 thousand
AMD a month. There is no Law on working disability and they cannot
even turn to court.

The hunger strikers in the Kapan square announce that they will keep
on strike until their rights are restored. This is the second case
during the last few years that the disabled miners have gone on a
hunger strike in Kapan.

TV Company “Sosi”, Kapan

TURKS TOO WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF ZVARTNOTS NEW COMPLEX

Panorama.am
16:11 07/06/06

“Armenia International Airports” representatives stated today that
the arrival hall of Zvartnots airport will be ready in September,
this year. After its commission, the departure hall will also be
constructed which will be put into commission in spring. When the
complex is ready in full, the airport can provide services to 2 mln
passengers against present 1,2 mln. It will become a second-class
airport according to IATA standards.

The construction of the new complex of the airport launched two years
ago. The construction will be completed in 1012. Over 30 local and 18
foreign companies implement the construction. 380 people of different
nationalities work on it, including Turks.

“The new complex cannot compare with international big airports by its
size but it is will be rather convenient and technologically equipped
place,” Gevorg Abrahamyan, Armenia International Airport CJSC press
secretary said.

DRINKING WINE IS NOT A TRADITION IN ARMENIA

Lragir.am
06 June 06

Member of Parliament Manvel Ghazaryan, winemaker, Member of Parliament
Manuk Gasparyan and Avag Harutiunyan, the president of the Association
of Winemakers of Armenia, met on June 6 to discuss the state of
viticulture in Armenia and the level of support of the government to
winemakers. The latter was considered in the light of filling in the
gap in the Russian markets that occurred after banning the sale of
Georgian wines.

Manuk Gasparyan confessed that he drinks wine but is not fond of
drinking wine. However, as a person who understands economy he noticed
that the Russian economic system has been turned into politics, from
gas to mineral water. Hence, “it would be better if the government
helped the Armenian wine producers, at least indirectly,” because
they do not invade markets in a single day, “advertisement, marketing
are required.” “The Russian market is endless and, if we get orders,
viticulture will develop,” says Manuk Gasparyan.

Winemaker, Member of Parliament Manvel Ghazaryan states that there
have Armenian wines on the Russian market over the past 6-7 years,
the problem is to increase sales. Armenian wine cannot replace
Moldavian wine, cheap wine. The average price of our wines is 2-2.5
dollars and expensive wines cost 7-8 dollars. However, it is not a
matter of a day to fill in these gaps. Avag Harutiunyan, the chair of
the Association of Winemakers, said there are at least 10 countries
in the world, which can fill in the gap of the Russian market in
a day, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have become
more active. Moldavia is negotiating the return of its wine to the
Russian market. He declined to say why Armenia is not taking actions,
but he said that we have only three months to act. In the meantime,
the main market of the Armenian wines remains Armenia, where it is
not traditional to drink wine. “Due to our Russian orientation we are
used to drinking vodka,” says Manvel Ghazaryan. Manuk Gasparyan says
when the leadership plays basketball, everyone starts going in for
basketball, so let the leadership start drinking wine. “Soon water
will get more expensive and people will start drinking wine,” he added.

ARMENIA’S GOLDEN RULE
by Malcolm Pein

The Daily Telegraph (LONDON)
June 6, 2006 Tuesday

A COUPLE of 2-2 draws were enough to give Armenia the gold medals
for the first time at the 37th Chess Olympiad. They needed to play
just a few moves in their final match against Hungary to secure the
four draws they required.

China tried to put pressure on in the 12th round by defeating the
Czech Republic 3-1 and Russia overcame Cuba by the same score, but
the Armenians, seeded third, have been just too good. As well as
Levon Aronian’s fine performance on board one, Gabriel Sargissian
playing on board five scored an astonishing 8/9 and then, when his
team needed him to be solid, he drew his last four.

Russia’s misery was complete when they were defeated 3-1 by Israel,
a team of ex-Russians or, in the case of Boris Gelfand, Belarussian.

Israel’s victory was not good enough for a medal. China’s win over
the Netherlands gave them silver and the United States won bronze on
tie-break after scoring 3.5 against Norway. Michael Adams led England
to wins over Iran and Serbia and a respectable 19th place.

Final scores: 1 Armenia 36/52; 2 China 34; 3-4 US, Israel, 33;
5 Hungary 32.5; 6-10 Russia, France, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Spain 32;
19 England 30.5; 52 Scotland 28; 56 Ireland 27.5; 90 Wales 25.

HENRY CUNY: FRENCH UNIVERSITY IN ARMENIA BECOMES BRIDGE AMONG FRENCH AND ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN

Noyan Tapan
June 05 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The French University in Armenia has
fostered three most important missions since the first day of its
existence: to secure high education quality, to attempt to prepare
such specialists who are necessary for further development of Armenia,
guarantees for providing university students with work. Henry Cuny,
the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia
stated about it at the June 5 press-conference. The French diplomat is
very satisfied that the University started functioning just from the
year when he started officiating in Armenia. According to Henry Cuny,
during the recent period the University has become a bridge among
French and Armenian businessmen. It is already the third year that
high year students of the University do their education practical
work in different cities of France. According to the Ambassador,
this important practical work is financed with the means of the
Armenian-French Chamber of Trade and Insdustry. This practical work
gives them possibility to directly contact with works of business
management and work organization. Rector of the French University in
Armenia mentioned that besides Armenian businessmen, 8 students of
the University will also participate in the international economic
forum to take place in Marseilles on June 20. A similar forum will be
held in Lyon as well in 2007 during which pavillions will be given to
Armenian businessmen who will present their production in France during
those days. More than 1000 businessmen participate in this economic
forum. The French University Rector also mentioned that master classes,
separate courses relating to management and enterpreneurial activity
will start functioning at the University from this academic year.

ARMENIA IS TURNING INTO A DESERT

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[07:13 pm] 05 June, 2006

82% of the territory of Armenia is in danger of desertification whereas
26% is in danger of severe desertification. This problem is pressing
in all over the world today; about two billion people live in areas
which are 41% deserified. In order to invite public attention to this
problem this year the slogan of the International Day of Environmental
Protection is “Do not desertify non-irrigated lands”.

“We call on the government and the civic society to combat jointly
against desertification,” UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Consuelo
Vidal said. Since 1998 Armenia has been realizing the national program
against desertification and is to represent the 3rd report in June.

Predictions show that in 10 years’ time as a result of desertification
the humidity of the soil will be reduced by 10%, the volumes of
vegetable production will be reduced by 10% and the pastures will be
reduced by 20%. “Armenia is taking serious steps in order to combat
against desertification. The irrigation system is being reconstructed
and forests are being planted”, deputy Minister of Environmental
Protection Simon Papyan said. Nevertheless, he added, “I don’t want
to convince you that everything is just fine in the ecology field”.

The survey held by NGO “Ecological Balance” revealed that 55% of the
population of the capital thinks that the ecological situation of the
city has changed for the worse during the past 5 years. The people
are mostly worried about the elimination of green areas.

Head of the NGO Karine Danielyan said that Armenia has processed a
good plan of combat against desertification, and we just have to put
it into execution.

At the end of the press conference a film was shown about illegal
forest cutting in Armenia.

WHY SHOULD AGHVAN HOVSEPYAN BE DISMISSED?
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
06 June 06

There is a good old tradition in Armenia: whatever they do in Russia
is good, and the same should be done here. This tradition is so
good that it has been shifted to a government level. The reason is
clear: since the Russian tsar was an object cult and the image of
salvation for the Armenian people, the Armenian “tsars” think that
their people would like them to imitate this cult. And I am waiting
with fear that after the removal of the Attorney General of Russia
Robert Kocharyan may decide to dismiss our Attorney General. This may
have dramatic consequences, however. In Armenia the Attorney General
is a political post (otherwise why should Aghvan Hovsepyan set up a
political party and announce about it publicly), and the dismissal of
the Attorney General may lead to another political shake-up. Already
a great number of people are relying on the political party named
“Unification for Armenia”.

And even if law enforcement did not suffer much from the removal of
the Attorney General, politics would surely do. It is not right
to create an artificial demand for party members, for it may
lead to an artificial growth of prices and will simply dissolve
the market. It will lead to an artificial monopolization on the
political market, which will seem very effective at first but
will go on to pose a threat, since it may be unable to supply the
demand for politicization of the society. The problem is not merely
politicization, however. Moreover, politics must be considered in the
end. In the beginning we should think about millions of trees, hundreds
of thousands of dancers, letters, unity and other meta-national
things. What will happen to the organization of our public life if
the head of the Office of Attorney General NGO is replaced?

The society wants guarantees that the new Attorney General will
also like trees, dances, letters and so on. Then the old one can be
changed. However, considering that besides a political society we
are also building a society of law, we have to explain why Aghvan
Hovsepyan should be dismissed. Several days ago he was shown on
different channels, and it reassured me about our nature and culture,
because the face of the Attorney General was calm and he goes on with
his work confidently. We may say, of course, that it is not his job,
that his job is to reveal crimes, that his duty is to struggle for
lawfulness and uproot corruption. But have you ever heard Aghvan
Hovsepyan say that these are not his duties? No, these are his duties
but let the one who does his job in this country cast the first tree on
him. If nobody, public officials are meant, does their job, why should
the Attorney General act as a white crow and fulfill his duties. And
it is almost certain that the other officials do not mind their own
business, otherwise Aghvan Hovsepyan would have bidden farewell to
his office long ago.

In the meantime, it is unacceptable to raise the issue of dismissal of
Aghvan Hovsepyan. Moreover, it is necessary to thank him, for unlike
other officials who do not do their duties Aghvan Hovsepyan does not
idle about and plants trees, holds dances, and looks for other ways
of bringing the nation together. The generations that will come will
read about the dance around the mountain with envy. They will feel
jealous of their grandfathers, who danced hand in hand, they will
also feel jealous of Mount Aragats, which saw that dance.

Furniture makers will make 3 million prayers to God to give longevity
to the Attorney General to plant more trees, because the demand for
furniture grows along the two-digit economic growth. They will even
be ready to transfer shares to the Attorney General, considering the
trees planted by him as a capital investment. It is beyond doubt
that the Attorney General is busy doing useful and patriotic work
in every aspect, and it is also beyond doubt that Aghvan Hovsepyan
does what environmentalists and intelligentsia should be doing. And
we should be grateful that the Attorney General is doing someone
else’s job. It would even be worthwhile to erect his statue during
his life-time anywhere he would like if Aghvan Hovsepyan told who
could do the job of the Attorney General. If he told, his public
activities would be complete and deserving praise. However, since
he declines to tell, even the best work remains unfinished, as it
usually happens in Armenia. Therefore, I feel reassured that the
Attorney General will not be deposed, for even the top leadership in
Armenia is used to working badly, and the Attorney General will go on
“uniting the society for the sake of Armenia.”

Whereas Ustinov was not so wise as to realize that he should have
occupied himself with others’ job, or Putin was not romantic enough
and dismissed the Attorney General, who did not work well. But what
if they dismiss those who do their work badly?