Author: Virabian Jhanna

“NEW TIMES” PARTY LEADER GIVEN RUSSIAN AWARD “PROFESSIONAL OF RUSSIA”

Yerevan, May 26. ArmInfo. Leader of “New Times” party, Aram Karapetyan, was
granted Russian state award – “Professional of Russia,” at the Moscow
Government House, today, “New Times” party informs ArmInfo.

The award was meted out by the Armoury, RF President, jointly with the RF
State Duma, Federal Assembly, Moscow Government and Moscow Duma, as well as
Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Citizens of CIS member-states are also
granted the award for achievements in various spheres. The award was granted
to such authoritative Russian public workers and political figures as Yuri
Luzhkov, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Yevgeny Primakov, Vladimir Katrenko, film
director Fedor Bondarchuk and others.

FOUR ORGANIZATIONS ASK PRIME MINISTER TO PREVENT SHOWING OF “DA
VINCI’S CIPHER” FILM IN COUNTRY’S CINEMAS

YEREVAN, MAY 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. 4 Armenian NGOs have
sent a letter to RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian asking him to
assist to urgent prohibition of showing of the “Da Vinci’s Cipher”
“sacrilegious” film at Yerevan Nairi cinema and the sale of all kinds
of its reproductions. “The agents of the evil infringed the most
sacred thing of our people, the belief of our fathers in God. And who
could imagine a larger abuse than to ascribe human sins to the son of
God, Jesus Christ, who was sent to give absolution our sins,” the
letter, in particular read. Those who signed under the letter,
Chairmen of the Armenian Constitutional Human Rights Center, Armenian
Center for Integration and Democracy, Mission Armenia NGO Gevorg
Manukian, Karen Asatrian, Hripsime Kirakosian and head of the Husaber
charity foundation Babken priest Hayrapetian emphasize that the Mother
See of Holy Echmiadzin has clearly announced about impermissibility of
showing the film but “your order is also necessary for hampering the
showing.”

DIPLOMATS OF OSCE MG CO-CHAIRING STATES DISCUSS NK CONFLICT SETTLEMENT WITH ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 25 2006

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fasier
(France), Steven Mann (US), as wells as Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Grigori Karasin, Political Affairs Director of French FM Stanislas
de Laboulaye and US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried met
with Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan today (APA).

The discussions focused on the settlement of the Nagorno Garabagh
conflict.

The diplomats also discussed the settlement of the conflict with
Armenian President Robert Kocharian. They are expected to make a join
statement in the evening.

A QUESTION REMAINED
Tigran Avetisian

Aravot.am
24 May 06

Irrespective of the circumstance how Arthur Baghdasarian’s resignation
is marked, beforehand planned action to the opposition, current
demonstration of populism or demonstration of money and influences,
result of ‘Elite quarrels”, he behavior is worth to be respected. If
we even consider that it is planned beforehand he must be too brave
for going to it. It is risky to leave the current post for the coming
one. And that current post is enough influential; sit of the second
figure, some posts of Ministers, a lot of posts of third and forth
“echelons”. Not speaking about the great opportunity of successful
business for the OEP relatives. Everybody knows that nobody can carry
out a successful business without authority support. Does he have
guarantees that he gets all it back? He should be satisfied what he
has already had express some wise thoughts like Galust Sahakian and
keep enjoying the life. Like Sergo.

About populism. OEP isn’t far from it. But other powers of the
coalition also like it. No authority power has sent in his resignation
up to the present day. And why should it send? So-called populism
is a “sickness” for normal countries where public opinion means
something. While that populism costs nothing in Armenia.

Anyway, it will be better for Arthur Baghdasarian to answer to a
principle question. Why did he assisted Robert Kocharian’s candidacy
in 2003 when all authority falsifications existed in that time, too.

ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI LEADERS CAPABLE TO SOLVE KARABAKH PROBLEM PEACEFULLY

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.05.2006 16:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The sides should take decisive moves for the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

However the situation will clear up by the end of the week,
U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian
Affairs Daniel Fried stated in Baku.

Mr. Fried reminded that it’s his third visit to the region during
recent 6 months. “My goal is to find the variants for a peaceful
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The residents of the
whole region have the right to wish peace and it should be achieved
within the shortest terms,” he said emphasizing that certain steps
at a state level are essential.

“Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian
are capable to settle the conflict peacefully,” the American diplomat
considers, reported Trend news agency.

U.S. SENATE TO CONSIDER NOMINATION OF RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.05.2006 17:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ U.S. Senate is set to consider the nomination of
Richard E. Hoagland for the United States ambassador to Armenia,
according to a US Senate press release. Richard E. Hoagland, of
the District of Columbia, is a career member of the Senior Foreign
Service, Class of Minister-Counselor. Currently, he is serving as
the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan, reported Yerkir.

DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN IS DISPLEASED

A1+
[04:04 pm] 24 May, 2006

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov said that the
statements of the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs about new offers in
connection with the settlement of the Karabakh conflict do not inspire
optimist, agency “Trend” reports.

“With suchlike announcements the co-chairs mean to raise the importance
of their work in the eyes of the people,” Araz Azimov mentioned. He
also said that there are clear problems the solution of which can
be expected after plain and evident steps. “These steps must be
represented to Azerbaijan distinctly”.

U.S. MAY ALLOCATE $43 MILLION FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF MILITARY AIRDROMES IN AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.05.2006 14:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Pentagon requested the U.S. Congress for $43
million for the reconstruction of four military airdromes in Azerbaijan
and organization of anti-missile defense and radio-electronic
intelligence, reported Express Baku-based newspaper citing sources
within the Pentagon.

According to some independent sources, some airdromes in Azerbaijan
have been already conveyed to the United States. Analysts say the
U.S. may use the airdromes in case of a military operation against
Iran.

ARMENIA CONSIDERS RELATIONS WITH NATO AS MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ITS EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 23 2006

YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. Armenia considers relations with NATO as
the most important part of its European integration, Armenian Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan said Tuesday answering the questio9ns
placed on Azg newspaper’s site.

He said Armenia is trying to drive its relations with Northern Atlantic
Alliance to higher level without seeking NATO membership.

The premier stressed the importance of ties with NATO saying
that Armenia is always participating in the alliance-led regional
programs.

CITIZENS “ELECT” NA PRESIDENT

A1+
[06:38 pm] 22 May, 2006

The RA NA was deprived on its President today. The day of the election
of a new President is not known yet.

Neither are the candidates for the post known.

According to the Parliament regulations the deputies are to elect a
President. And whom do the citizens of the country prefer? We tried
to find out the answer to this question through a poll.

535 citizens participated in the poll. The majority (15%) voted
for leader of the National Unity Artashes Geghamyan. Present deputy
President of the NA Vahan Hovhannisyan received 12% of the votes. Head
of the United Labor Party faction Gourgen Arsenyan received 10%
of the votes.

The rest of the votes were distributed as follows: head of the Justice
bloc Stepan Demirchyan – 9%, NA deputy President Tigran Torosyan –
8%, Arthur Baghdasaryan – 5% and head of the group People’s Deputy
Karen Karapetyan 0 2%.

17% of the participants of the poll prefers a candidate different
from those mentioned, and 22% preferred to answer “None of them”.