Author: Toneyan Mark

BANK ROBBERS ARRESTED

Panorama.am

16:33 07/07/06

Earlier reports said that Ardshininvestbank made an emergency call
saying that money is stolen from the bank, amounting to AMD 41.000.000,
$ 56.503, Euro 2.690 and 44.700 Russian Ruble. Also, golden items are
missing. There were speculations that it would be impossible to commit
the crime without the help of security guards. Today police reports say
that 4 people are suspected in committing the crime, with one policeman
among them. The policeman and one of the group have been arrested.

AMD 12.000.000, $ 6.620, RR 14.000, Euro 500 and 50 pound sterling
is discovered from hiding places in Yerevan and Malishka village. The
preliminary investigation is in process. /Panorama.am/

EXTRAORDINARY SESSION AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 10:18

Chairman of RA National Assembly Tigran Torosyan signed a decree,
according to which at the initiative of RA Government, the National
Assembly called an extraordinary session.

ASHOT GULYAN: LATEST PROPOSALS OF THE MINSK GROUP CAN SERVE A BASIS FOR TALKS

ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 18:10

"Latest proposals of Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group for settlement
of the NK conflict can serve a basis for talks on settlement of
the Karabakh conflict," NKR Speaker Ashot Gulyan stated at a press
conference in Stepanakert.

In his words, not all provisions of the statement in question
are acceptable to Nagorno-Karabakh leadership and Armenia. Making
public proposals on basic settlement principles by the mediators is
aimed at launching public intercourse by the parties to the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. This way the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs provide
an opportunity to the parties to find a solution to the problem
themselves, NKR Parliament Speaker remarked.

Ashot Gulyan expressed positive opinion on the future settlement
being a comprehensive one judging from Minsk Group Co-Chairs’
statements. Speaking of the opportunity to solve the issue this
year he underscored that the situation in Azerbaijan and the
behavior of Azeri authorities evidence that Baku is not ready to a
settlement. "Willingness of the Azeri party to launch dialogue with
Nagorno-Karabakh will signal that Azerbaijan really wants to solve
the conflict," the NKR Speaker said.

As of the opportunity to send a peacekeeping mission to the Karabakh
conflict zone, Gulyan noted that "conversations on a peacekeeping
operation are early." Calling peacekeeping forces a guarantor of
sustaining peace and fulfillment of an agreement between the parties,
the Speaker emphasized that the cease-fire is sustained without third
parties, which is possible in the future as well.

"The NKR is cautious on possible deployment of peacekeeping forces,"
stated NKR FM Georgy Petrosyan. He underscored that the Karabakh party
would like to see not elimination of the consequences of the conflict,
but solution of the issue. He also reported that during their visit to
the US, NKR representatives voiced their concerns over making public
settlement principles of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to OSCE MG US
Co-Chair Matthew Bryza.

"Latest developments in the settlement process created a new
situation and it is not known yet in which format will the talks
resume. Our position is unchanged – Nagorno-Karabakh participated
in the establishment of the cease-fire, thus it is entitled to
participate in the process of talks, at which its fate is decided,"
the Minister underscored.

NEW US AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN THINKS STAGE BY STAGE SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT NECESSARY

Yerevan, July 4. ArmInfo. New US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ann Darcy
thinks it necessary settling the conflict over Nagorny Karabakh stage
by stage. Trend reports the Ambassador as making this statement
when presenting her credentials to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Elmar Mamedyarov. The source reports, the given way of settlement
provides for "liberation of Azerbaijani territories from occupation
and return of refugees and forced migrants before determination of
Nagorny Karabakh’s status."

SADOYAN’S COMPLEX PLAN BEFORE ELECTIONS

Lragir.am
04 July 06

On the eve of the parliamentary election 2007 Arshak Sadoyan,
National Democratic Alliance, offers a complex program costing 3
million dollars. To implement the program, the "author" suggests
spending 6 million dollars allocated by the United States.

How about the other 3 million? "Well, we will do something with it,
we will spent it on the elections," says Sadoyan angrily. One of
the innovative approaches offered by Arshak Sadoyan is electronic
vote. He says this is a universal variant, because it is applied in
democratic countries.

The next real variant of the Sadoyan’s program is, according to the
leader of the National Democratic Alliance, ballots with a protective
layer, which cannot be applied in our country (he is afraid of the
ruse of our nation). Sadoyan suggests organizing courses for the
members of divisional committees in 1920 electoral districts. Since,
according to Arshak Sadoyan, our country lacks free mass media,
Sadoyan suggests opening a commercial TV channel of democracy, why
not also a radio of democracy and publish a colored newspaper, where
every party would have a page. Sadoyan suggests inviting experienced
politicians living in a democratic country, who would change the
moral and psychological atmosphere in the country.

MONEY COLLECTED AT SCHOOLS WILL BE TAXED

Lragir.am
04 July 06

Bagrat Yesayan, deputy minister of education and culture, told
news reporters July 4 that a core element of reforms in secondary
schools is the organizational and moral problems, namely elimination
of unfair attitude. Therefore, it is necessary to restore the trust
and respect for teachers and restore respect in teachers for their
profession. Therefore, Bagrat Yesayan suggests improving training of
teachers and admitting teachers by contest to eliminate subjective
attitude of directors and prevent nepotism.

The deputy minister suggests another thing: "The teacher-student
distance has been lost. How can a teacher educate a student if they
go to restaurants and other places of entertainment?" They will not
be allowed to go to restaurants together except the graduation party.

Of course, the Ministry of Education and Science is going to involve
parent councils as well. These councils must become more active and
have a serious role in school management, both in terms of fundraising
and spending. "Society is first of all the school."

In tackling money collecting and private classes the support of
parents and the entire society is expected. These phenomena will
not be uprooted, but will be taxed. It will facilitate control on
spending. The school will hold special courses for students, the fees
will be paid to the school, teachers will get additional payment.

IS THE FARMER TO BE BLAMED FOR DROUGHT?

Panorama.am
17:12 03/07/06

"Drought is not dangerous for the land under irrigation," Mamikon
Gasparyan, land use and melioration department head at the agriculture
ministry told a discussion today. He said the panic is mainly connected
with short supply of water.

Agriculture development and reforms projects implementation office
head Adibek Ghazaryan noted that 15-20% more water is needed in case
of high temperature. In his words, water in rivers is 3 times less
this year. However, he assured that no problems will come about
connected with irrigation during hot summer months and first half
of September. The office head said that farmers made more payment
on water fee against last year since they are concerned that their
harvest will stay without water.

The ministry representative said that loss of water in Ararat valley
is 50%. To cover the loss, USD 1 bln is needed whereas they have got
a credit of only USD 100 mln.

However, the agency representatives also said that drought is
reported in some mountainous areas but they said farmers are to be
blamed because they do not know how to make artificial irrigation. No
estimates have been made on drought damage. They do not know whether
farmers will be compensated, either. "Everything depends on situation,
sizes and reasons," M. Gasparyan noted.

FATHER SAW EVERYTHING

Lragir.am
1 July 06

The Turkish visit of the Armenian Catholicos had a positive effect on
the society-church relationship. The Armenian society witnessed the
activity of the Catholicos, and if the Catholicos is active, the
Armenian Apostolic Church is active too, consequently there is a
possibility to restore the society-church relationship. There is a
nuance, however. The society learned about the existence of the
church, whereas I very much doubt that the church knows that the
society exists. In fact, it is not important why the Catholicos of All
Armenians decided to go to Turkey, knowing about the inner tension in
Armenian and Turkish relations.

In the course of time it may become known what political effect the
visit of the Catholicos had on these relations, which caused this
tension to go bang.

Perhaps, it is also unnecessary to discuss why the Catholicos, who
honors Diasporans with frequent visits, seldom visits the regions of
Armenia, where people would also be happy to get spiritual charge and
support.

It appeared that the Turkish visit of the Catholicos, despite being
disputable, would become an opportunity of mutual awareness of
existences (of the society and the church), but the society did not
react to the visit. Even when certain sets of the Turkish society met
the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church reluctantly, the Armenian
society did not try to defend their spiritual leader. Of course, the
Ararat Diocese arrived at the airport to defend the` honor of the
uniform’ and meet the Catholicos, as if he had captured Istanbul.

Besides, the young Dashnaks used the opportunity to criticize Turks,
and what happened encouraged them rather than made them angry. And if
we separate the Ararat Diocese and Nikol Aghbalyan Students Union from
the society, it will become apparent that the Turkish visit of Garegin
II did not disturb the Armenian society, even after the unpleasant
incident, when it seemed that the Armenian gene would wake up to
defend the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Now Garegin II has the right to tell that there is no society in
Armenia if it did not make an effort to defend their spiritual
leader. However, the Catholicos had better not say anything, of
course, and he will not do.

Complaining of the passivity of the Society is directly against the
interests of the church. Hence, he will lift the inner, moral bar
established to protect the church from possible criticism. In that
case, the church would need forgiveness, even if it would not raise
its head and shout, `Forgive them, Father, for they do not know what
they are doing.’ Father knows that they are aware of what they are
doing. Father saw the church remain silent when the public was denied
the right to vote. Father saw the church remain silent when the
secular power violated all the spiritual categories along with the
legal ones. Father saw the church follow silently the secular
government beating, demoralizing, consistently demolishing
spirituality in the flock. Father saw the Armenian Apostolic Church
declare friends those who serve the Caesar’s and hide the God’ s. In
order to rely on society’s protection the church should fulfill its
function of a spiritual protector. Especially now, when rhetoric about
history and historical mission is causing indigestion among the
nation, endangering not only the spiritual but also the physical
existence of the nation.

HAKOB BADALYAN

`Armenian economy’ national exhibition to open in Moscow

ArmRadio.am
01.07.2006 11:57

In the framework of the Year of Armenia in the Russian Federation,
`Armenian economy’ national exhibition will open today in `Armenia’
pavilion of the All-Russian Exhibition Center of Moscow.

Special attention will be paid to the presentation of scientific and
technical achievements and results of the innovative activity.

"ECHO": FIRE REACHED STRASBOURG

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
June 29 2006

Our MPs told Members of PACE about deliberate cases of burning of
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia Yesterday the
plenary summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe continued in Strasbourg. In first day of session the report
on Azerbaijan prepared by the rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring
Committee, Andreas Gross and Anders Herkel was presented to the
members of PACE. After discussion, the majority MPs adopted regular
Resolution on Azerbaijan, considering a number of recommendations
aimed at improvement of democratic situation in our country. As
in yesterday’s interview member of Azerbaijani delegation to PACE,
Gultekin Hajiyeva told, a great part of recommendations submitted
to the PACE January session (Resolution 1480) remained into force
and included to June Resolution 1505. G. Hajiyeva notes that the
Resolution recommends to review the Election Code, the changes of the
composition of the election commissions, provision of the citizens’
rights to the freedom of assembly, etc. Furthermore, the Resolution
calls Azerbaijan’s authorities to find and bring to account the
murders of the editor-in-chief of Monitor independent magazine,
Elmar Huseynov, who was killed in spring 2005.

"Council of Europe plans to cooperate with Azerbaijan in all
these points," stressed G. Hajiyeva. During discussion the head of
Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, Samed Seyidov and member of delegation
Aydin Mirzazadeh spoke at a meeting.

As G. Hajiyeva notes, yesterday the rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring
Committee for Azerbaijan proposed not to review the mandate of
Azerbaijani delegation to PACE. "This is already favorable version,"
emphasizes member of MM.

As G. Hajiyeva informs, already next year CE will address the matter
concerning commitments of our country before the CE and "we have to
do much to this moment".

Yesterday pending discussion of the Resolution on Azerbaijan G.
Hajiyeva also told the PACE Members the burning of the occupied
territories of our country. The subject of occupied lands and ongoing
fires in these territories to date is the main focus of meetings and
negotiations conducted by Azerbaijani MPs in Strasbourg.

According to G. Hajiyeva, Monday morning the sessions of the political
groups also focused on this point. Today the meeting of the political
group of Conservative Party Members will focus on this point. The day
before the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe, Rene van der Linden received Azerbaijani delegation.

According to G. Hajiyeva, the PACE President was informed about the
facts of deliberate burning of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
by the Armenian aggressors. "We are expecting a concrete reaction of
the PACE authorities to this point further," notes G. Hajiyeva.

According to her, today they will meet with the authorities of the
PACE Committee for Environment & Natural Resources for discussing this
issue. Furthermore, currently the press-release devoted to burning
of our lands is being prepared. According to MP, the main purpose of
Azerbaijani delegation is to stop fires. "To date this issue remains
unsolved and fires are ongoing," regrets MP.

G. Hajiyeva hopes that finally, PACE will exert some pressure upon
the official Yerevan, which allows the Ministry for Emergency to
enter the regions of inflammation in order to extinguish a fire
in occupied lands. "Azerbaijan made an appeal to appoint a special
rapporteur of the PACE for this point who could explore the cases
of deliberate burning of our lands by Armenians at places. CE should
soundly approach to this issue and assist to prevent a fire."

MP notes that it is very important for us to bring this matter to
awareness of the European community, as Azerbaijan as well as Armenia
took commitments to solve the conflict by peaceful meanings, but the
fact of burning of occupied lands by Armenia says unwillingness of
the official Yerevan to use peaceful way.

PACE Sub-Committee for Nagorno-Garabagh conflict scheduled for this
Friday is expected to focus on the fires in occupied lands.

On Wednesday PACE Political Committee is expected to discuss the Pact
on Stability in the South Caucasus countries.

According to G. Hajiyeva, today Leo Platvoet, the rapporteur of the
PACE for missing people in the South Caucasus countries, a MP from
Netherlands will speak at the Committee for Migration, Refugees and
Population. He will tell about the results of his recent visit to
the region.

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