FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA VISITED NKR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
NKR National Assembly

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
02 May 2006

On April 28 the foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanian, who
arrived in Stepanakert on a short visit, met with the members of
the National Assembly of NKR. Speaker Ashot Ghulian informed the
guests about the recent parliamentary hearings on the prospects of
settlement of the Karabakh issue in Stepanakert, and extended the
text of the conclusion of the debates to the head of the Foreign
Ministry of Armenia to present it to relevant agencies. In this
context, the foreign minister of Armenia observed the current and
possible developments on the issue against the background of the
international and regional realities, and presented the policy adopted
by the government of Armenia in the talks under the auspices of the
OSCE Minsk Group. He particularly emphasized that unlike the previous
round, in the present stage of negotiations the self-determination of
Nagorno Karabakh is the key issue, underlying the discussions. The
foreign minister of Armenia answered a number of questions of the
members of parliament.

“HOPE” WILL BE RECOSTRUCTED

A1+
[12:52 pm] 02 May, 2006

The reconstruction of the second building of the Gyumri orphanage
“Hope” will initiate as soon as the weather gets warmer. The account of
the project expenditure has already been presented but the construction
competition has not been held yet.

According to the head of the orphanage, the competition will be held
in Yerevan, and the construction organization will likely be selected
from the capital.

The primary cost of the building is 100 thousand USD.

30 thousand EU of the total sum was given by the French province Bush
due Ron. Only the reconstruction of the roof requires 15 thousand
USD. At present the orphanage doesn’t have the necessary sum, so the
construction will start from the exterior and then they will pass
to the roof and finish it by the time the governor of Bush due Ron
Noel Gerin arrives in Gyumri. The director of the orphanage Ruben
Markosyan voices hope that Gerin will give money for the rest of the
restoration provided he likes the interior work.

Otherwise, they will have to look for new benefactors and sponsors.

TV Company “Tsayg” of Gyumri

1.6 MILLIARD USD GIVEN TO ARMENIA WITHIN 10 YEARS

A1+
[01:22 pm] 02 May, 2006

The 12th session of the Armenian – American working group on the
economic cooperation was convened in Yerevan today at the head of
the RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatryan and the
American coordinator on European and Euroasian issues Tom Adams.

The key issues of the Armenian – American working group’s agenda are
the measures contributing to the RA economic development, democratic
reforms, the issues relating to the program “Millennium Challenges,”
programs promoting the macro economic policy and long-term growth
and reforms of the tax-duty sphere.

The participants of the session will also refer to issues closely
connected with the agricultural, judicial and energy fields,
educational-scientific spheres as well as the terrorizm combat.

The Armenian – American working group on economic cooperation was set
up in 2000 and was aimed at strengthening the economic cooperation
between the two countries, and raising the intergovernmental dialogues
on the acceleration of the efficiency of the USA Government supporting
programs to the institutional level. The group convenes sessions in
Washington and in Yerevan twice a year.

The US Government has implemented multiple development and humanitarian
programs of 1.6 milliard USD in Armenia within the recent decade.

5 YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

A1+
[02:03 pm] 02 May, 2006

Achievements in building pluralistic democracy based on respect for
human rights and rule of law during Armenia’s five year membership
in the Council of Europe will be the main theme of the “Armenia and
the Council of Europe: Five Years of Membership” conference, which
will take place on Friday, 5 May 2006, at the Armenia Marriott Hotel
Tigran Mets Ballroom from 10:30 until 17:00.

On 25 January 2001, by joining the Council of Europe, an organisation
that promotes democracy, human rights and rule of law continent-wide,
the Republic of Armenia made an important step towards freedom and
democracy. The conference intends to bring together national policy
makers, RA National Assembly deputies, civil society and media as well
as representatives of international community to celebrate the fifth
anniversary of Armenia’s membership in the Organisation and exchange
views on future cooperation between the Council of Europe and Armenia.

The opening address will be delivered by National Assembly Speaker
Mr Arthur Baghdasaryan. Key-note speeches on the achievements and
perspectives in the course of 5 year membership will be delivered by
RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Vardan Oskanian and Director General
of Political Affairs of the Council of Europe Mr Jean-Louis Laurens.

Inter-parliamentary relations will be discussed by members of
the Armenian delegation to PACE Mr Armen Rustamyan and Mr Stepan
Demirchyan. Democratic transition at local level will be presented
by Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration Mr Vache Terteryan
and Head of the Armenian delegation to the Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities of Europe Mr Emin Yeritsyan. Among the speakers
will be also RA Human Rights Defender Mr Armen Harutyunyan and Deputy
Prosecutor General Mr Gevorg Danielyan.

The conference will be concluded by a panel discussion entitled
“The Many Facets of Cooperation: Armenia’s Contribution to Building
European Standards” with participation of Armenian professionals
engaged in the Council of Europe activities regarding Armenia.

The press conference will be held on Friday, 5 May at 10:00, at Erato
Room of Armenia Marriott Hotel.

The conference is open for media.

THE REPRESENTATIVES OF “FREEDOM HOUSE” IN THE PARLIAMENT

A1+
[02:53 pm] 02 May, 2006

RA NA Chairman Arthur Baghdasaryan met with the delegation of Deputy
Director of the non-governmental organization “Freedom House” Tomas
Melia, Chief of the European Office Christi Evanson and editor of
“Economist Intelligence Unit” Ann Walker.

Mr. Melia presented NA Chairman Arthur Baghdasaryan the 2006 annual
review of the non-governmental organization “Freedom House” underlining
that both the evaluation methods and the criteria are presented in the
review. The sides referred to the procedure of the Armenian reforms
emphasizing the urgent need of strengthening of democracy, economic
developments, free elections and speech freedom in the countries in
question. The verification of information was also mentioned.

According to the NA press service, the sides referred to other
important issues of mutual importance as well.

Let us remind you that “Freedom House” deems that the Armenian press
is not free.

CONSULTATIONS OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS STARTED IN MOSCOW

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 16:53

The consultations of Russian, American and French Co-Chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group started in Moscow today. Personal Representative
of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Anjey Kasprchik also participates in
the consultations.

The mediators discussed the further steps in the process of peaceful
resolution of the Karabakh conflict and dwelt on issues of the upcoming
visit to the region. US Department of State Representative for Europe
and Eurasia Bureau Terry Davison informed that the mediators do not
intend to visit the region immediately following the consultations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“A STAB IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S BACK”

A1+
[04:55 pm] 02 May, 2006

Today the two wings of the Opposition complained of the electoral
code amendments, mainly of the Government’s conclusions and
suggestions. They reminded that they signed the document sent to the
Venice Commission with great difficulty and reservation. In response
to their complaints NA Deputy Speaker Tigran Torosyan mentioned that
the NA regulation-law has nothing to do with the reservations.

The Opposition representatives claim that the electoral code amendments
testify to the fact that the authorities are not inclined to hold
unbiased and impartial elections. The chairman of the party “National
Unity” Artashes Geghamyan reminded that Armenia, being a member of
the OSCE, signed and ratified all the documents according to which the
OSCE is aimed at controlling and monitoring elections. In Geghamyan’s
opinion, the draft project of the amendments which was also signed by
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan will be a stab in Margaryan’s back.

Geghamyan claims that the Government will call the bill back. The
secretary of the “Justice” fraction Victor Dallakyan quoted an
extract from the bill to prove that there will be frauds in the next
elections, too.

“International organizations, representatives of foreign countries
and foreign NGOs may conduct a monitoring during the election in case
they are invited,” urged Victor Dallakyan and added, “But will they
be invited?”

TURKEY TURNS DOWN EDITOR’S APPEAL

Yerkir
02.05.2006 16:38

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – A Turkish court has rejected an appeal by a
prominent journalist against a ruling that found him guilty of
insulting Turkishness.

Hrant Dink, an Armenian living in Turkey, was given a six-month
suspended sentence last October. He had written a newspaper article
which addressed the mass killings of Ottoman Armenians nine decades
ago.

In February, the chief prosecutor’s office at the Appeals Court
considered Dink’s case and recommended that the remarks were in no
way insulting. But now, in a surprise development, the court itself
has chosen to ignore that interpretation and ruled that the substance
of the charge still stands.

Dink, the editor of the Agos newspaper that appears in Turkish and
Armenian, was first found guilty of insulting Turkishness last year
when a court ruled that one of his articles described Turkish blood
as dirty.

Hrant Dink always denied his words meant any such thing and argued
his column was in fact aimed at improving the difficult relationship
between Turks and Armenians.

The case will now go back to the local court that first heard it,
and Dink could face a retrial.

European Union officials have expressed serious concern about the
article of law that was used against Hrant Dink and several dozen
other writers in Turkey.

ARMENIA-ARTSAKH PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION
Laura Grigorian

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
02 May 2006

On April 26 the first meeting of the NKR-Armenia Parliamentary
Cooperation Committee took place in the meeting hall of the
NKR government. Speaker Ashot Ghulian thanked the members of the
delegation, led by Deputy Speaker of Armenia Tigran Torossian, who
arrived in NKR for the meeting. He said the parliamentary cooperation
between Armenia and Artsakh started in the years of the war, and is
already sustainable, accomplished and has traditions. It is another
expression of unity of our nation, another manifestation of fulfillment
of our desires and goals. According to the NKR Speaker, the relations
between the parliaments can be considered a serious precondition for
the establishment of external relations of the parliaments of both
Armenia and NKR. “In fact, the cooperation between the parliaments
of Armenia and Artsakh had a considerable progress, contributing
to the strengthening of the Armenian statehood and the ability to
tackle the challenges of the time,” said Ashot Ghulian. He mentioned
that the agreement on the cooperation between the parliaments of
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh will undergo changes, determined by
the political problems and requirements of the time, which are also
aimed at improvement of effectiveness of contacts between the two
parliaments. The NKR Speaker said the achievements and plans in this
sphere are not limited, and emphasized the importance of clear and
effective continuation of cooperation of the parliaments.

In this context he emphasized the permanent contact among the
representatives of the two parliaments, particularly the meetings of
the parliamentary committee, which are regularly held in Stepanakert
and Yerevan. Ashot Ghulian says there is no need to dwell on the effect
of this cooperation on the improvement of the legislative activity
of both Armenian parliaments, the unity of our people, establishment
of external parliamentary relations and other spheres. In conclusion
the Speaker assured that the recurrent meeting of the committee held
in Stepanakert for the first time will be a new progressive step
in the activities of both parliaments for the sake of the Armenian
people and its well-being. Deputy Speaker of Armenia Tigran Torossian
also commended the fact of meeting in Stepanakert, and emphasized
that the two Armenian states are steadily moving forward. Tigran
Torossian agreed to the idea that it is time to modify the agreement to
correspond to the problems and objectives that the two states have. In
this context, he emphasized the importance of the meeting for the
improvement of further activities of both parliaments. The head of
the Armenian parliamentary delegation assured that the members of
parliament of Armenia will make efforts for not only the effective
activity of the committee but also the unity of the peoples of both
Armenian states in general.

The Deputy Speaker of NKR Rudik Hyusnunts presented the agenda of
the meeting, including the questions of effectiveness of legislative
activities in terms of structural improvement of standing committees
(speakers Yuri Hayrapetian, Chair of the Standing State and Legal
Committee, NKR and Deputy Speaker of Armenia Tigran Torossian),
presently ongoing debates on the Karabakh issue at European
organizations and parliamentary organizations and the possibilities
of fostering cooperation between the two parliaments in this context
(speakers Tigran Torossian and Vahram Atanessian, Chair of the
Standing Committee of External Relations, NKR), and cooperation
of the National Assemblies of NKR and Armenia for drafting the NKR
Constitution (speakers Rudik Hyusnunts, Deputy Speaker of NKR, and
Tigran Torossian, Deputy Speaker of Armenia). On April 27 the second
meeting was scheduled.

ARMENIA SHOULD SUPPORT IRAN’S SUSTAINABLE POLICY IN REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.05.2006 22:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Iran is our neighbor state and our peoples are
bound by age-old friendship. One should not forget that during the
hard years Iran was the state that helped us,” Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan stated in an interview published on the website
of the Republican Party headed by him.”

This was the only road that connected us with the world and rendered
us the possibility to import food and fuel,” he said. In his words,
Iran pursues a sustainable policy in the region and Armenia should
support it.

At the same time the RPA leader remarked that the United States
and Iran always experienced complicated relations. “After Armenia
became independent these relations did not become friendly. There
were periods of alleviation and tension. Presently relations are
rather tensed but I do not think it will come to war.

Settlement of the U.S.-Iran relations is the task of these two states,”
the Armenian Prime Minister stated.