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ARMENIAN CITIZEN CHARGED WITH ESPIONAGE IN FAVOR OF AZERBAIJAN PLEADS GUILTY MARCH 20. The citizen of Armenia Eveta Filkova charged with espionage in favour of Azerbaijan pleaded guilty during the trial in this case on March 19. It should be noted that she is charged with the Article 59, part 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. Her cousins Edgar Filkov and Aleksandr Gasparyan, the wife of Edgar Filkov Nina Shirina and Lt.Colonel Artur Oganesov are also defendants in the above case. Eveta Filkova said she was introduced to Nina Shirina in 1993 in Vayk at home of Military Commissioner Ashot Aydinyan's home. Later on, in 1994 Shirina unexpectedly call on Filkova in Yeghegnadzor, informed the latter that she leaves for Jermuk and asked for shelter for the night. After Shirina had repeatedly stayed at Filkova's home. To improve the poor conditions of Eveta Filkova, who keep a minor son, Nina Shirina offered Eveta to leave for Tbilisi with her, where she had friends able to help them earn their living through trading. In 1995, the girl-friends left for Tbilisi, where they were welcomed by certain Givi and Edik, Georgians by origin, as the women said. However, the men did not help them and Shirina and Filkova returned to Armenia the other day. In the spring of 1996, Shirina and Filkova again left for Tbilisi, taking with the minor son of Filkova. In an apartment in the town of Roustavi Edik offered Filkova to enter the "world organization" he is the member of promising money. Eveta Filkova wrote down a relevant letter dictated by Edik, signed it as a "Lilo" (the nickname Edik insisted on). Edik motivated this by the fact that "all the members of their group have nicknames." He demanded her to keep in secret all those developments, otherwise he would give a short shrift to her and her son. Then Filkova and Shirina returned to Armenia and stopped any contacts after Filkova had shown out the latter from her flat for hard drinking and immoral behavior. However, in the autumn of the same year, Filkova again left for Tbilisi, taking with her several Armenian newspapers as Edik demanded. Later on Eveta Filkova met Edik two times in 1997 and 2002, when he took interest in the prices for products, the domestic political state in the country, whether the youth avoided serving in the army, as well as handed her some $50-150. It should be noted that during her last meeting with Edik, Filkova informed him of some data on the Yeghegnadzor military unit where she worked. Eveta also said that she had once left for Kapan with Nina Shirina by gears of Armenian and Iranian lorries. In the way to Kapan, Shirina cleared up the volume of foodstuff deliveries from Iran to Armenia.
"In spite of my suspicions, I had no idea what I was involved in,
and what was this organization like," Eveta Filkova said at the
trial, adding that she regretted for not having applied to relevant
bodies timely and for not having given herself up.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN IRAQ CAN AROUSE HEAVY EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTH
CAUCASUS REGION: ARMENIAN SEISMOLOGIST
MARCH 20. The USA's military operations in Iraq can arouse heavy earthquakes in the zone of the South Caucasus region, the well-known Armenia seismologist, President of the Armenian Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth Professor Sergey Balasanyan told ARMINFO's correspondent today. He said if Americans use depth charges when bombing Iraq as it was in Afghanistan, it will shake the earth's crust, which will increase the seismic activity in the region. Armenia is situated in the Caucasian segment of the Alpian-Himalayan zone, as well as Turkey, Iran and the North Caucasus region. Balasanyan said the underground shakes are likely to be felt in Middle Asia as well.
He said the Iraqi authorities' burning several oil derricks today
will also arouse serious changes in the environment, and proceedingly
in the climate. If the oil derricks are bombed, which is very likely
in the war period, it will also result in heavy earthquakes, Sergey
Balasanyan said.
WAR IN IRAQ WILL NOT AFFECT WB-IMPLEMENTED PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA
MARCH 20. The war in Iraq will not affect the programs implemented by the World Bank in Armenia, Director of the WB Yerevan Office Roger J.Robinson told journalists today. Meanwhile, the war cannot but affect the country's economy, though Robinson restrained from forecasting its aftermaths. He is of the opinion that the war will destabilize the whole region of the South Caucasus, which will have a negative impact on the investment climate, including in Armenia. Roger Robinson added that internal instability which can arouse after the recent presidential election in Armenia will also have a negative impact on the reforms in the country. In this case, the Government will have to focus on the internal disputes and not on the economic reforms, he said.
At present, 13 programs worth a total of $220 million financed by the
WB are currently implemented in Armenia. In the whole, the WB has
already implemented 30 programs worth a total of $737 million in
Armenia.
FRONTIER TROOPS OF NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICE OF ARMENIA ATTENTIVELY
FOLLOW SITUATION AROUND IRAQ
MARCH 20. The Frontier Troops of the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia attentively follow the situation with the beginning of military actions of the USA against Iraq, Commander of the Frontier Troops of the NSS Major General Levon Stepanyan told ARMINFO's correspondent.
He said no special or strengthened security measures have been taken
yet. Regarding the possibility of an inflow of Iraqi refugees to
Armenia, Major General said "Armenia is ready to receive refugees in
the peace period as well."
PROTECTION OF STRATEGIC FACILITIES OF ARMENIA STRENGTHENED IN
CONNECTION WITH MILITARY ACTIONS IN IRAQ
MARCH 20. In connection with the beginning of the USA's military operations in Iraq, the protection of all the facilities of strategic importance is strengthened in the country. Head of the Press-Service of the Armenian Police Artak Vardazaryan told ARMINFO.
He said a complex plan on provision of security of strategically
important facilities has been elaborated and put into operation. All
the necessary measures for security of these objects are taken,
Vardazaryan said.
It should be noted that similar measures are taken in Azerbaijan and
Georgia.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN IRAQ WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON ATMOSPHERE
POLLUTION IN ARMENIA
MARCH 20. The military operations of the USA against Iraq will not have any direct impact on the pollution of atmosphere in Armenia, Head of the Department of Protection of Atmosphere of the Nature Protection Ministry of Armenia Aram Gabrielyan told ARMINFO. He said the burning of oil derricks and their bombing will naturally have a negative impact on the level of atmosphere pollution in Iraq and its neighboring states. However, Armenia is too far for the pollution to reach it.
Gabrielyan said information spread by the Russian Television today on
possible ecological disaster in connection with the war in Iraq is to
some extent exaggerated.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL DISCUSS
PROBLEMS OF PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA
MARCH 20. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Secretary General of the Socialist International Luis Ayala, who was invited to Armenia by the ARF Dashnaktsutiun party, discussed the problems of the recent presidential election in Armenia and those of the forthcoming parliamentary ones. It should be noted that the Socialist International organization enjoys a great international authority uniting over 100 political parties of socialist sense.
The Presidential Press Service told ARMINFO that in the course of the
meeting, Robert Kocharyan the countries of transitional period making
their first steps towards establishment of democracy have to overcome
considerable difficulties. This is a process of gradual development
requiring consistent work, Luis Ayala said, informing Armenian
President of the projects of his organizations,
FLOW OF IRAQI REFUGEES MOVE TO COUNTRIES OTHER THAN ARMENIA: UNHCR
MARCH 20. The headquarters of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has not given so far any instructions to its office in Armenia, as the main flows of Iraqi refugees are expected to move to other countries, such Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. According to the assistant to the UNHCR representative in Armenia Emile Sahakyan, the Armenian Government is actively discussing the fate of the Armenians living in Iraq, who are expected to come to Armenia in the near future. Armenia's Foreign Ministry has not yet started any such talks with the UNHCR Armenia Office. However, the official position of the UNHCR is known: the Iraqi citizens of Armenian nationality must be given shelter as soon as they come to Armenia. It was also decided to provide temporary shelter to the six Iraqis who are presently in Armenia.
It should be noted that earlier Armenia's FM Vartan Oskanyan said
that his office had asked Iran and Turkey to give escape corridors to
the Iraq-based Armenians (some 30,000-40,000 people) for their return
to Armenia.
OIL IMPORTERS RESTRAIN FROM COMMENTING ON POSSIBLE EFFECT OF WAR IN
IRAQ ON PRICES IN ARMENIA
MARCH 20. It is yet difficult to forecast whether the war in Iraq will tell on the prices for oil products in Armenia, Marketing and Advertizing director, the "Flash" company, Mushegh Yelchian told ARMINFO. According to him, the situation will become clear during the next two days, when the world's markets get over the first reaction to the beginning of the war in Iraq. In his turn, Director General of the MAX GROUP company Khachatur Manukian expressed the opinion that petrol prices will not change in the near future, as, simultaneously with beginning the war, the USA is controlling the market prices for oil. However, Manukian did not rule out that the prices can rise if the war id protracted.
The RIA "Novosty" reports that, in connection with the beginning of
war against Iraq, which is an OPEC member, President of the OPEC
Conference Abdallah ben Hamad al-Attiya has made an official
statement on behalf of all the OPEC member-countries, giving
guarantees of uninterrupted supplies of crude oil to the world's
energy markets.
ARMENIA'S CHILDREN HOLD ACTION OF PROTEST IN FRONT OF US EMBASSY
MARCH 20. Today, an action of protest against the war in Iraq has been held in front of the US Embassy in Armenia. One of the organizers of the action, Head of the "Miss and Mister Armenia" Fund Ashot Khachatrian reported that the action is not of anti-American one - the protesting children are only demanding peaceful solutions to all the global problems. The goal of the action is uniting all the people of good will for the sake of peace. "We do not know what consequences this war will have, as Iraq is near our region," he said.
Khachatrian reported that not many children have taken part in
today's action because of the bad weather. But the action
participants are determined to continue actions of protest. In
particular, they intend to organize a collection of signatures and
gold a large-scale action of protest at Grigor the Illuminator
Church.
MFA SPOKESPERSON DZIUNIK AGHAJANIAN EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT LATEST
DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ
MARCH 20. The Republic of Armenia is following the recent developments in Iraq with concern, Spokesperson of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Dziunik Aghajanian told ARMINFO.
Unfortunately, the process of peacefully
disarming Iraq did not meet with success and military activities have
begun. We are hopeful that they will not lead to a humanitarian and
ecological disaster, which will threaten the civilian population of
Iraq as well as the countries of the region. Armenia is deeply
concerned about the fate of the Iraqi Armenian community and is
prepared to utilize all its resources to be of help to the community,
she said.
It should be noted that the Armenian community of Iraq totals some
30-40,000 people.
PICKETS IN FRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE DESTABILIZE DOMESTIC
POLITICAL SITUATION
MARCH 20. The organization of pickets in front of the presidential palace is not the best way of protesting against the arrest of Armen Sargssian, who is brother of Chairman of the "Republic" party Aram Sargssian, Chairman of the ARF parliamentary faction Aghvan Vardanian told a news briefing at the Armenian Parliament. According to him, if would be better if Armen Sargssian's mother had an audience with the president and personally lodged her complaint. But the organization of pickets only destabilizes the domestic political situation. Head of the "People's Voice" deputy group Grigor Harutiunian stated that the authorities trumped up a case against Armen Sargssian. According to him, President Robert Kocharian is trying to shatter the opposition thereby retaining power. However, Robert Kocharian's days are numbered, as a president elected by means of falsifications cannot remain in power for long. Harutiunian stated that political murders will continue under the current authorities.
Armen Sargssian was arrested and charged with being involved in the
assassination of Chairman of the Board of Armenia's Public Television
Tigran Naghdalian.
WAR IN IRAQ TO PRODUCE EFFECT ON SITUATION IN SOUTH CAUCASUS
MARCH 20. The war in Iraq will have a direct effect on the situation in the South Caucasus, Armenian parliamentarians say. At a news briefing at the Armenian Parliament, the representative of the "Country of Law" party Mher Shahgeldian stated that under the circumstances Armenia must elaborate a foreign-policy strategy that will ensure the security of the Armenian community in Iraq. According to him, the war in Iraq will cause a global polarization and tell on the South Caucasian countries. Chairman of the CPA parliamentary faction Frunze Kharatian stated that the USA's military action against Iraq run contrary to the Charter of the UN Security Council and are aimed to torpedo the organization's activities. Kharatian stressed that in the current situation Armenia must not remain inert and must specify its position.
The Chairman of the ARF faction Aghvan Vardanian stated that the
international community, as well as the reputation of the UN and the
European Union, will be the first to suffer from the hostilities in
Iraq, as the USA does not take into account the opinions of these
prestigious organizations in its actions. In this situation Armenia
must be ready for any unexpectedness, to find itself in a more
advantageous situation that its neighbors in the post-war period.
WAR IMPOSED ON IRAQ RUNS COUNTER TO UN REGULATIONS: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
AD INTERIM OF IRAQ IN ARMENIA
MARCH 20. The war imposed on Iraq is an aggressive, unfair and illegal. It contradicts the UN regulations and is qualified as a gross violation of the international law, charge d'affaires ad interim of Iraq in Armenia Tarik Muhammad Yahya told ARMINFO. He said that the war will be hard and bloody. The Americans will sustain big losses. America has already lost at the diplomatic arena and now it will be defeated at the battle field as well.
The Iraqi authorities are doing their best to avoid casualties among
civilians, however, according to today's speech of Pres.Bush the
strikes will be made on the residential areas as well.
HEAD OF FACTION OF ARMENIA'S COMMUNIST PARTY FRUNZE KHARATYAN
CONDEMNED BEHAVIOR OF THREE COMMUNISTS COMPROMISING CPA
MARCH 20. Head of the faction of Armenia's Communist Party Frunze Kharatyan condemned the behavior of the communist MPs Norik Petrossyan, Khoren Sargssyan and the former communist Gagik Tadevosyan compromising the CPA.
Speaking at a briefing at the Armenian Parliament today Kharatyan
said sharp statements of Khoren Sargssyan and Norik Petrossyan
addressed to the CPA, as well as Gagik Tadevosyan's withdrawal from
the CPA were dictated by the fact that they were not included in the
ticket. Meanwhile, Kharatyan said the Plenum of the Central Committee
of CPA made a decision of not including the communists twice elected
to the Parliament in the party lists. That is why, these three
communists, and Frunze Kharatyan were not included in the ticket.
Kharatyan said that the indecent behavior of these MPs should be
considered at the nearest bureau of the party.
AFTERMATH OF IRAQI MILITARY OPERATIONS CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT ARMENIAN
ENVIRONMENT
MARCH 20. The aftermath of military operations in Iraq can negatively affect Armenia's environment, the expert of the Armenian Parliamentary Commission For Social Affairs, Healthcare and Ecology, the candidate of technical sciences Knarik Hovhannisyan told an ARMINFO correspondent today. According to her, any military operations cause ecological catastrophes, and in the cause of Iraq when large-scale military operations are expected, this can lead to serious ecological balance disruption in the region. "The ecological balance of the environment is a rather fragile substance," she stressed and added that the USA intends to use warheads filled with light-weight uranium during the military operations against Iraq and it is quite difficult to predict how the environment will influence this radioactive isotope.
"Bombardment can cause disturbance in the structure of topsoil, as
well as extermination of vegetable organisms. In addition, any
ejection will cause underground water pollution," Knarik Hovhannisyan
said.
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES PROGRAM OF RECEIVING REFUGEES FROM IRAQ
MARCH 20. At its meeting today, in connection with the beginning of hostilities in Iraq, the Armenian Government has approved a program of measures to receive Armenian refugees who may arrive in Armenia from Iraq, the Government's press service reported. Under the program, the relevant bodies have been instructed to organize a safe crossing of the Armenian frontier by Armenian refugees, provide temporary lodgings and, if necessary asylums, to them. An ad hoc interagency commission is expected to be set up as well. About 40,000 Armenians currently reside in Iraq, and many of them wish to immigrate to their historical homeland.
The Government has also approved the form and order of issuing the
certificate on provision of temporary lodgings in Armenia's
territory, as well as the order of issuing travel documents.
LUIS AYALAH: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA FULLY REFLECTS WILL OF
AMENIAN PEOPLE
MARCH 20. The presidential election in Armenia fully reflect the will of the Armenian people. The Secretary General of the Socialist International Luis Ayalah stated during a press conference today. According to him, no one of the reports of the observation missions, who have mentioned the violations during the electoral process, had an influence the final result of the election. He said that both the authorities and the opposition forces of Armenia are responsible for the difficulties of the electoral process. According to him, he has watched the electoral processes in many countries many times, especially in the countries of the transitional period, when different irregularities took place. Luis Ayalah expressed satisfaction with the fact that corresponding institutes are created in Armenia, which take measures for examination and elimination of the shortcomings of the electoral process. Speaking about the arrests during the rallies in Yerevan, the secretary general mentioned that there are state structures in Armenia, which examine similar cases. Luis Ayalah considered necessary to respect all the points of view.
He also stressed the necessity to direct all the efforts to that the
parliamentary elections in Armenia became the victory of democracy.
He also expressed hope that the ARF Dashnaktsutiun, which is a member
of the Socialist International, will gain a victory at the
parliamentary elections in Armenia.
SECRETARY GENERAL OF "SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL": PROCESS OF
DEMOCRACY IN ARMENIA SHOULD BE DEEPENED
MARCH 20. Secretary General of the "Socialist International" Lui Ayala advised the Armenian people to deepen the process of democracy and state institutes in Armenia. During today's press-conference he said that he has known Armenia for a long time through ARF "Dashnaktutyun," which is a member of the SocIntern and has been consistently following the situation in the country especially after 1991. Lui Ayala expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Armenia has powerful socialist society. According to him, the success of SocIntern in the republic has become a model one. The organization intends to make its presence more perceptible in the region and for this purpose is planning to organize a number of seminars in Yerevan. Ayala said he supports the development of democracy in Armenia. It should be noted that SocIntern is the biggest political group in the European Union, the propagator of social-democracy in the world in general and, particularly, in Europe.
According to Armen Roustamyan, a member of the supreme body of the
ARF "Dashnaktutyun" party, "Dashnaktuyun" is the only political party
among the CIS which is a member of SocIntern. According to him,
Secretary General of SocIntern visited Armenia for the first time. At
the same time, Lui Ayala's visit is the first of such a level after
the presidential election in Armenia.
CEC DECIDES TO RECOUNT VOTES IN SOME POLLING STATIONS
MARCH 20. Tomorrow, the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia (CEC) is top start executing the decision of the Constitutional Court of Armenia on re-opening a number of polling stations for the purpose of examining the results of the voting during the recent presidential election in Armenia. According to the CEC's decision, seven polling stations will be re-opened in Yerevan on March 21, and four polling stations in Vaiots Dzor and Abovian on March 22. The re-counting of votes will be attended by representatives of observer missions, the proxies for the opposition-nominated presidential candidate, Chairman of the "National Unity" party Artashes Geghamian, who appealed against the results of the first round of the presidential election in Armenia. The decision on re-counting of votes at the aforementioned polling stations was made by the Constitutional Court (CC) yesterday, after the consideration of Artashes Geghamian's complaint.
According to the CEC's decision, two commissions are to be formed to
check the polling stations. The commissions are to consist of three
representatives of the CEC, CC representatives as well as the
Chairman and the Secretary of the corresponding district election
commission. Protocols are to be drawn up in two copies as a result
of verifications, which are top be signed by the members of the
commissions, as well as representatives of the plaintiff. Under the
CEC's decision, one copy of each protocol is to be sent to the CC.
SERGE SARGSIAN: ARMENIA WORRIES ABOUT POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF
MILITARY ACTIONS IN IRAQ
MARCH 20. Armenia is nearer to Iraq than other TCS (Treaty on collective security) countries and worries about possible consequences of the military actions, especially threat of humanitarian and ecological catastrophes. The Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, the Defence Minister Serge Sargsian has stated during the sitting of the Committee of the Secretaries of the TCS Security Councils. According to him, there is a big Armenian community in Iraq, the fate of which cannot help worrying Armenia, which is ready in case of necessity to receive Iraqi Armenians. Armenia has come out for disarmament of Iraq, but the Armenian authorities think that it's necessary to solve the problem by the political diplomacy. "KARABAKH-TELECOM" CJSC TO PROVIDE SMS SERVICES TO ITS SUBSCRIBERS ON APRIL 1, 2003 MARCH 20. Beginning from April 1, 2003, the "Karabakh-Telecom" CJSC will provide to type of services, Mobile SMS, the company's office reported to ARMINFO's correspondent to Stepanakert. According to the source, the subscribers will get an opportunity of receiving and sending SMS (text) messages by mobile phones. The subscribers will receive SMS messages from Armenia, CIS and remote states free of charge. The "Karabakh-Telecom" CJSC was granted a license by the NKR Government last year for co-owning the telecommunication network of Karabakh for 30 years. It is one of the largest investors, having invested in the NKR telecommunication network some $15 million. HEADLINES OF 20 MARCH
SECRETARY OF RUSSIAN SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS CST SIGNATORIES FOR
WORKING OUT JOINT POSITION IN IRAQI CRISIS
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