Author: Jagharian Tania

WHY DO FOOD PRICES SOAR?

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
21 April 2006

In the past year the exchange rate of the dollar dropped very low, and over
the past three or four months it has been constantly fluctuating between 440
and 450 drams. The crisis was somehow slowed down but the dram is still weak.
To compare, the exchange rate was the same in 1995-1996. In 1997 it was
about 500-520 drams. The highest exchange rate of the dollar was reported in 2002
and 2003 â~@~S 570-600, sometimes even above 600. And only last year the
exchange rate of the dollar was more by 100 drams compared with the present rate.
Logically, the Armenian dram should have become stronger, however, the dram is
undergoing a continuous inflation. It is not a secret that many families in
Armenia and Karabakh live on the money that their relatives living abroad sent
them. The majority can hardly keep up with the soaring prices. The worst
thing is that the prices of basic commodities and food tend to go higher. The
price of sugar, for instance, has increased by 100-120 drams, and it is said to
reach 400 drams per kilo soon. The price of rice has doubled, and now rice
costs 630 drams per kilo. Rice of the lowest quality costs 380 drams. The
prices of tea, vegetable oil, etc, have increased as well. Shop owners think they
can increase the price by 10 drams and no one will notice it (they think it
is not a big sum). As a result, most people will have to cut the amount of
meat, cheese, flour, fruit and vegetables in their diets at the expense of their
health. And the government is just a viewer, saying that its interference
with price policy is unacceptable.

LAURA GRIGORYAN.
21-04-2006

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Russian Armenians indignant at student’s murder in Moscow

ITAR-TASS News Agency
April 23, 2006 Sunday 12:16 PM EST

The Union of Russian Armenians is indignant at the murder of Vagan
Abramiants, 17-year-old freshman of the Moscow Management Institute,
at the Pushkinskaya metro station in downtown Moscow.

The young man was killed in a Saturday brawl. Eyewitnesses said that
a skinhead wearing high boots lethally stabbed Abramiants.

“We, the same as all citizens of the Russian Federation, are alarmed
and concerned about the unpunished series of ethnic hatred violence in
Russian cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Voronezh and others,” says
a statement signed up by President of the Union of Russian Armenians
and the World Armenian Congress Ara Abramian received by Itar-Tass.

The right to live is the main human right, the statement said. “We
strongly urge law enforcement agencies to find and put to justice
the murderers of Vagan Abramiants,” he said.

“The attack by skinheads is obviously a provocative act and an
attempt to cast a shadow on the image of our fatherland. The outbreak
of actions by fascist elements must be stopped,” the statement runs.

From: “Katia M. Peltekian” <[email protected]>
Subject: Armenian man stabbed to death in youth fight on Moscow metro

ITAR-TASS, Russia
April 22 2006

Armenian man stabbed to death in youth fight on Moscow metro

MOSCOW, April 22 (Itar-Tass) — A young Amernian-born man was killed
by a group of youngsters in a fight at Moscow’s central Pushkinskaya
metro station on Saturday, police said.

Seven young people, including the Armenian, started fighting each
other on the station’s platform. `During the tussle one of its
participants drew up a knife and hit a 17-year-old young man from
Armenia with it once,’ a police officer told Itar-Tass.

All other young people involved in the fight escaped. No one was
detained.

Police have so far refrained from comments on the possible motives of
the incident. But they did not rule out ethnic motives.

STARTED PROCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS ON TURKEYS’ ENTRY INTO EU CAN BE OF
INTEREST FOR ARMENIA

Yerevan, April 20. ArmInfo. The process of negotiations, started in
October, 2005, on Turkey’s entry into the European Union can be of
interest for Armenia, the State FM of Austria Hans Winkler said at
the joint press-conference with the Armenia’s FM Vardan Oskanyan.

According to him, the most important issue for the EU is that
Armenia keeps on making efforts to establish neighborly relations
with Turkey. “The mandate for the beginning of negotiations with
Turkey envisages very transparent work frames. It is unknown, when
these negotiations will be finished. At present, the negotiations
are carried out according to the established procedures”, Winkler said.

He added that a number of tasks are set before Turkey, including
fulfillment of engagements connected with the North Cyprus problem,
process of reforms, assurance of human rights and religious minorities,
freedom of opinions expression. These problems are to be solved during
EU-Turkey negotiations, which may take very much time.

“We do not want to speculate on the versions of the negotiation process
duration, as all the EU criteria must be implemented “, Winkler noted.

RA NA SPEAKER ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO STARTING EU NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 19 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA National
Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian attached importance to extension
of EU-Armenia relations and deepening of democracy in Armenia
at the April 19 meeting with the participants of the 8th sitting
of EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. He expressed
the hope that during the 8th sitting of EU-Armenia cooperation the
participants had an opportunity to form a proper idea and to receive
sufficient information. Artur Baghdasarian attached importance to
starting and realizing the EU New Neighborhood program as quickly as
possible not only for Armenia but also for the region as extension
of democracy opens new prospects and promotes peace, it is an
essential stimulus for implementation of reforms. NA Speaker said
that a draft Electoral Code was worked out by the consent of the
political forces and the legislative bases for holding elections in
correspondence with the democratic standards are being created. NA
Speaker also touched upon energy issues mentioning that Armenia
needs EU’s assistance for energy diversification and provision
of energy security is a political priority for Armenia. Fighting
corruption, implementation of court and legal, tax and customs,
local self-government and territorial government reforms were also
mentioned as important. Artur Baghdasarian attached importance
to the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through mutual
concessions and considered Azerbaijan’s bellicose statements to be
unacceptable. It was mentioned that Armenia is for normal relations
with Turkey and is ready to discuss the current problems around the
negotiations table. Co-chairwoman of EU-Armenia Cooperation Committee
Marie-Anne Isler Beguin expressed satisfaction with the Committee’s
efficient work. She mentioned that the European structures are
ready to assist Armenia in deepening democracy. Marie-Anne Beguin
attached importance to loyalty to democratic values in the coming
elections and mentioned that these elections will be important for
Armenia’s future. She also attached importance to mass media’s role
and provision of possibilities of their free work. In connection with
the Nagorno Karabakh settlement Mrs Beguin said that she would very
much like the Azeris also to adopt a constructive position.

“I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MAP”

A1+
[05:54 pm] 19 April, 2006

“The RA Foreign Minister mentioned that if the Azerbaijani side
expresses fidelity to principles, which can contribute to reaching
fundamental agreement. In my opinion that will take place after
the return of the refugees. It is included in the program of
the Minsk group, and the two sides confirm that together with the
sovereignty right. We want the two Presidents to sign that fundamental
agreement. You must have courage”, announced Mary-Ann Isler Begen,
co-chair of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary cooperation Committee. She
also spoke about a certain map, “We would like to see the map which
was made or will be made the special representative”.

Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Bayburdyan represented the impressions
of the Armenian side. “We have an impression that Azerbaijan is
elated with the perspective of the large amounts of money thinking
they will spend it on their army. Instead of paying attention to the
negotiations the Azeri Government pays attention to other things. If
the international community and the EU can explain to Azerbaijan that
the negotiation process has no alternative and the peaceful settlement
is the only option, that will contribute to finding a solution for
the conflict. ”

He also thanked the EU for supporting the process of settlement of
the conflict.

THE AMBASSADORS IN THE PARLIAMENT

A1+
[03:38 pm] 19 April, 2006

RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan met the Ambassadors of the OSCE
member-countries to Armenia and the representatives of international
structures.

Mentioning that this is the first time all the political powers have
come to an agreement about the draft Electoral Code, the NA Speaker
representatives the main reforms in every detail informing that the
draft has already been sent to the Venice Commission and to the OSCE.

Answering the questions of the Ambassadors Arthur Baghdasaryan
mentioned that in June the joint expert group of the OSCE and
the Venice Commission will arrive in Armenia. During the visit
discussions about the new Electoral Code will be held. During the
meeting a reference was made to issues of consultation, technical
and experimental support.

US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, head of the OSCE Yerevan office
Vladimir Pryakhin, Italian Ambassador to Armenia Marco Clemente,
and UN Resident Coordinator Consuelo Vidal mentioned in their speech
the inclusion of the offers of the international structure into the
draft Electoral Code. They found the organization of the 2007-2008
elections due to the international standards important and expressed
readiness to support Armenia in this issue.

At the end of the meeting an agreement was reached to continue the
discussions about the draft Electoral Code.

PACKAGE OF DOCUMENTS WITH STAGE-BY-STAGE SOLUTIONS

Panorama.am
14:52 19/04/06

Today the 8th session of the Committee of EU – Armenia Parliamentary
Cooperation ended its work. Questions about NKR status and conflict
regulation were discussed during the session. Co-chair of the Committee
Armen Roustamyan mentioned that the variant, saying that first the
territorial and then the status problem must be solved, suggested by
the Azeri side is impossible.

“This question cannot be regulated unless the reason of the conflict
is removed,” the Deputy said and mentioned that the agreement to be
signed is going to be a package of documents, of course the realization
can be stage-by-stage yet first of all there must be full agreement.

“To say that the relations of conflict sides are hostile today is
to say nothing. The situation is far more strained and serious, and
as a matter of fact both Azeri official bodies and political figures
contribute to that,” the Deputy says. Yet, in the meantime he assures
that the Armenian side doesn’t want to start a new war and that it
would be right if the international institutions watched by means of
satellites and make sure which side breaks the ceasefire from time to
time. Then there will be no victims as a result of those “accidental”
shots.

ROUXBAIX FUTSAL WILL RETURN TO THE UEFA FUTSAL CUP FOR THE 2006/07 EDITION AFTER CLAIMING THEIR THIRD FRENCH TITLE IN A ROW

uefa.com, Switzerland
April 18 2006

Final glory

The northern club were 6-5 winners in Beauvais against
Issy-les-Moulineaux Futsal in a repeat of the 2005 final. It means
the club will again be France’s representatives in Europe’s premier
club competition, having been involved in this year’s preliminary
round. The 2005/06 UEFA Futsal Cup was the first time a team from
France had entered the competition and it was a major step forward
for French Futsal.

High hopes

In a four-team mini-tournament played in England, Roubaix failed to win
any of their three matches against Tal Grig Yerevan of Armenia, hosts
London White Bear FC and Dinamo Tirana of Albania but expect better
things next time around. “Last year we were only discovering the UEFA
Futsal Cup, now we expect to improve,” said coach Nordine Benmarouche.

Top team

Only formed in 2002, Roubaix were regional champions of the north
within two years and quickly became the nation’s top team. However,
they were always rated as outsiders in the London mini-tournament
last September, but hinted at a major shock when David Vieira gave
them a seventh-minute lead against favourites Yerevan in their first
match. However, the Armenian champions eventually won 7-2, and London
defeated Roubaix 6-0. All but out, Roubaix then faced Tirana and
lost 5-1.

ARMENIAN PATRIARCHY OF JERUSALEM WAITING FOR THE FORMATION OF NEW ISRAELI GOVERNMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.04.2006 GMT+04:00

The new cabinet headed by Ehoud Olmert may include partners of
Armenian lobbyists.

The acting Prime-Minister of Israel Ehoud Olmert has finally been
officially appointed to the Prime Minister’s post. The appointment
was preceded by secret voting of cabinet members who unanimously
supported the suggestion to declare Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
incapable because of being in coma for already three months. “Kadima”
party, created by Sharon and headed by Olmert won in the parliamentary
election held on March 28. Currently, Olmert is engaged in forming
new government. The new allocation of political forces in Israel
cannot but attract Armenia’s attention first of all because one of the
thrones of Armenian Apostolic Church is located in the Jewish capital
– Jerusalem. The outcome of ongoing political consultations is also
very important for the development of dialogue between Armenian and
Israeli governments.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The victory of “Kadima” in parliamentary elections
was not so convincing. This is why for the formation of parliamentary
majority Olmert needs the support of at least four political forces.

Up to now it is known for sure that the coalition will include the
left-centrist “Avoda” party and the surprise-of-elections party of
pensioners. Still undecided is the involvement “Our Home Israel”
(OHI) party which mainly unites Russian speakers, parties of “Shas”
religious orthodoxies and the left-wing “Merets” party. Let us try
to analyze government formation perspectives from the point of view
of national interests of Armenia.

Official Yerevan and the Armenian community of Israel have partners
among the members of once ruling and currently radically oppositionist
“Likoud” party.

Among such partners we may with great reserve call the name of former
Soviet dissident, ex-minister of labor Natan Sheransky who has been in
the same prison with Paruyr Hairikyan, Ashot Navasardyan and Andranik
Margaryan and bravely spoke out for the necessity of recognizing
Armenian genocide. Being on the minister’s post Sheransky did not take
any measures in that issue. Nevertheless we can suppose that being in
opposition it will be easier for him to criticize the administration’s
attempts to politicalize the issue of Armenian genocide. (Today the
official position of Israel concerning Armenian genocide is that it
should be discussed by historians and not politicians). Just before
elections I managed to interview Mr. Sheransky in Jerusalem. In the
interview on the perspectives of Armenian genocide recognition he said:
“I have been one of those who tried to raise that question. But you
have to understand that Israel still cannot make a braver step towards
recognition than the world community, particularly the USA. You should
not expect Israel’s recognition of genocide before United States.

But if the world community gives an appropriate political appraisal
to the genocide, we shall be among countries supporting that”.

Armenians have allies also in “Merets” and OHI. But those political
parties cannot exist in the same team.

The government will include either the left-oriented leader Iosy
Bailey or the head of the right-oriented Avigdor Lieberman. Founders of
“Merets” Iosy Bailey and Iosy Sarid are known as consistent fighters
for the recognition of Armenian genocide. Being in government they
have many times raised the genocide issue. “I have done and will
do everything possible to achieve Israel’s recognition of Armenian
genocide. It is a crime against humanity and there cannot be a more
horrible crime than the genocide of Armenians. Jews being victims
of hatred bear greater responsibility and have to be more attentive
to other victims. The one who turns a deaf ear to crime, actually
assists criminals”, said Sarid in April, 2005 in Yerevan.

Similar to Sarid’s is the announcement of the current head of the
party – Iosy Bailey. In 1994, being on the deputy foreign minister’s
post, in reply to the TV speech of the Turkish ambassador he said:
“Things that happened in 1915 were not war, but massacre and genocide”.

Of course, it would be extremely naïve to suppose that people with
such a way of thinking would enter the government. But the chances of
“Merets” to get ministerial positions are not so good, since it has
only 5 mandates, whereas OHI has 12. On Monday, the leaders of “Merets”
party announced that Olmert will most likely prefer Lieberman’s
team. On the second place in Lieberman’s party list (OHI) is the head
of inter-parliamentarian commission for Armenian-Israeli cooperation
Yuri Shtern who, accompanying the supreme rabbi Iona Metzger in his
visit to Yerevan, announced that he would promote recognition of
Armenian genocide. “I myself recognize the historical fact and am
sure that putting aside Turkey’s policy, it is necessary to agree
with history”, said Metzger during his visit to Tsitsernakaberd.

If OHI enters the ruling coalition, Yuri Shtern will most likely get a
“light” ministerial position. The appointment of the former Muscovite
to a ministerial post will make it easier for Armenian and Israeli
governments to find common language.

But the trouble is that currently, former Prime Minister and Foreign
Affairs and Defense Minister Shimon Peres speaks against the inclusion
of OHI in the ruling coalition. It should be noted that Olmert wants to
see Shimon Peres on the vice-premier’s post in his cabinet. Peres says:
“Either me or Lieberman’s team”. To put it shortly, the involvement
of Peres in the cabinet of ministers is extremely undesirable for
Armenia. Worsening of Armenian-Israeli relations occurred in the
period when Peres was occupying the Foreign Minster’s post. Peres
is a promoter of strong strategic partnership with Turkey and
Azerbaijan. This is why he claims that there has been no genocide of
Armenians in Turkey. “It is impossible to assert that Armenians have
suffered genocide like Jews did.

Identification of Jews with Armenians in this issue is inadmissible”,
Peres said in April, 2001.

Another threat for us is the possible involvement of the Sefard
“Shas” religious party that demands the position of Internal Affairs
Minister. This appointment cannot but alarm Armenian patriarchy of
Jerusalem since Judaic orthodoxies hold a radical position towards
the status of Jerusalem and speak out for giving a force of state
laws to Judaic canons.

This perspective alarms not only representatives of ethnic and
religious minorities of Israel, but also the Jewish intelligentsia who
are against the refusal from temporal social structure in the country.

Staying of “Kadima” party in power allows supposing that there
will not be serious changes in the relations between Tel-Aviv and
Yerevan and the former administration’s striving to build dialogue
with Armenia will continue. But the fact is that elections have to
some extent thrown back the beginning of a very important stage in
Armenian-Israeli relations.

Yet at the end of 2005 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel was
ready to appoint an ambassador in Armenia but the change of government
did not allow the foreign ministry to do that. Armenian issues are
still dealt with by the Israeli ambassador in Georgia which means that
our country is still playing a secondary role for Israel. The political
leadership of Israel has finally made a decision on appointing an
ambassador to Armenia, whose residence however will be in Jerusalem
and not in Yerevan. The ambassador will arrive in Armenia several
times a year. “The reason for this is connected not with politics
but merely with the shortage of funds”, told me the head of Eurasian
countries department of the Israeli foreign ministry Anna Azary. It
will be possible to return to the issue of appointing an ambassador
already after the appointment of a minister and determination of
new foreign policy priorities of Ehoud Olmert’s government. Thus,
we should only wait and hope that the new minister will not decide
to revive the policy of Simon Peres whose resignation brought about
certain improvements in the relations between our countries.

“PanARMENIAN.Net” analytical department

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