Author: Antonian Lara

SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILWAYS – MANAGER OF THE ARMENIA-IRAN RAILWAY
by Gayane Sahakyan

Aravot
Dec 6 2008
Armenia

Statements of state leaders about the construction of the Iran-Armenia
railway are attempts to mislead the people. Some economists argue
that up to now, the government has not pointed out specific financial
sources for the construction of this project.

No budget earmarked for project

Besides, analysts believe that the construction of the railway
requires quite a big amount of money, and the next year’s budget has
no corresponding provisions. They believe that although statements
alleging Russia’s readiness to support the construction of the railway,
the Russian state budget does not envisage this either. Besides,
Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin has said quite recently
that they will not carry out such a policy.

We tried to clarify from Minister of Transport and Communications
Gurgen Sargsyan how realistic this project is and at what stage the
design work of the Iran-Armenia railway is. Sargsyan said: "All big
and good projects have been stalled at the initial stage. It is true
that it is quite expensive for our republic, but the global experience
shows that such projects are not implemented alone, not a single
state deals with such an issue on its own. The construction of the
railway has fundamental regional importance and aims at connecting
Asian countries with Europe. One of its importance is that Armenia
will become a transit country for cargo and passenger transit and
will ensure transport from Asia to Europe via Armenia. There is no
other route that would ensure such a transit at present."

Financial institutions ready to fund project

In a reply to a question on funding the railway construction, Sargsyan
said: "Naturally, our state cannot implement such a project on its own;
however, taking into consideration its significance, fortunately, there
are states and finance organizations, which are ready to co-finance the
construction. At present, the Asian Development Bank shows interest in
financing a feasibility study of the project and also participation in
the construction in the future. Discussions have been held with the
World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
as well."

As for that Russia does not have a real desire to take part in the
project, Sargsyan said: "There is no point to speculate on this issue,
there is a fact recorded. This issue was discussed during the meeting
between the Armenian and Russian presidents, and [Russian President]
Dmitriy Medvedev clearly said in this regard that let’s clarify what
amount of money is needed so that we are able to elaborate the degree
of our participation in the project. According to Sargsyan, Iran is
also interested in implementation of this project.

[Passage omitted: Sargsyan said Armenia and Iran will have discussions
on the design of the railway]

Construction of railway would stimulate economy

Sargsyan is sure that our economy will essentially develop due to the
construction of the railway: "The railway is of strategic significance
for the development of economy. If we are a transit country, everyone
will use this route, as there is no other alternative route. At
present a railway line, which goes from China via Middle East and
connects to Iran’s railway network, is being constructed and we have
an opportunity to become a corridor – from the Black Sea, Europe to
China – via the railway line. This is a very serious transport route."

[Passage omitted: Sargsyan puts the construction of the China-Iran
railway at about 1.5-2bn dollars]

The minister said that by the end of 2009, we will have some solution
regarding the construction of the railway. As for the issue who will
operate the new railway, Sargsyan said: "The South Caucasus Railways
[a Russian railway company]. It will be logical if this is done by
this concessionaire, which operates our railways. I do not think that
there will be two operators for a few kilometres of the line. However,
the final decision will be made at a political level." Sargsyan did
not wish to speak about disagreements regarding the operation of the
South Caucasus Railways and the activities of the company.

While answering our question how realistic he himself considers the
implementation of the project, Sargsyan said: "As a citizen, minister
of transport and communications, I am personally quite enthusiastic
about this project and will do my best so that it comes true by
all means."

[Passage omitted: Armenia is optimistic about the project]

ARMENIAN PAPER ACCUSES UK EMBASSY OF INSTRUCTING OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS

Hayots Ashkharh
Dec 4 2008
Armenia

An unattributed report in the paper says that two embassy officials
on 26 November visited the head of the opposition Miatsum initiative,
a group that supports making Azerbaijan’s breakaway region of Nagornyy
Karabakh part of Armenia and the release of "political prisoners". The
report said that after the meeting Zhirayr Seyfilyan, the coordinator
of the Miatsum initiative, and other activists started a hunger strike
in central Yerevan, demanding that the government reject making any
concessions to resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.

The newspaper asks whether the embassy is guiding the actions of
the Miatsum, saying that the major goal of this organization is
"struggle against the government". The paper concludes that "strange
masters-mentors have gathered" in the UK embassy because "instead
of teaching teenagers not to behave badly, they are teaching them
to misbehave".

SAAKASHVILI WANTS TO SPEED UP CONSTRUCTION OF CAUCASUS-TURKEY …

Interfax
Dec 9 2008
Russia

The process of creating a single power grid with Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Turkey should be intensified through building new power
transmission lines, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said.

Despite the consequences of the August war, the global crisis, and
"possible sabotage" Georgian power systems should operate without
failure, he said at a meeting with the country’s prime minister and
top energy officials.

"No matter what happens, the country’s power grid should operate
smoothly even in the event of a possible act of sabotage," the
president said.

"This year the Georgian energy sector has a minimum dependence on
Russian gas supplies, it is just 10% that we are getting from the
amount of gas transported to Armenia," he said. "I do not think that
Russia will leave Armenia without gas," Saakashvili said.

Whatever the political relations with Russia are, it is not in Russia’s
interests to refuse energy cooperation with Georgia, he said.

Currently, Azerbaijan is the main supplier of natural gas to Georgia
after the two countries signed a long-term contract for gas supplies
for the first time, said Prime Minister Grigol Mgaloblishvili.

"What is particularly important is the agreement that the gas price
will not be raised for five years," Mgaloblishvili said.

U.S., ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN INVENTORS DEVELOP DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON FILMS

US Fed News
December 9, 2008 Tuesday 6:38 AM EST

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 9 — Fu-Jann Pern of Golden, Colo., Kenell
J. Touryan of Indian Hills, Colo., Zhozef Retevos Panosyan of Yerevan,
Armenia, and Aleksey Alekseyevich Gippius of Moscow, Russia, have
developed an apparatus for making diamond-like carbon films. The patent
has been assigned to Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, Golden.

According to the abstract released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark
Office: "The present invention relates to deposition of diamond-like
carbon films, and more specifically to ion-assisted plasma-enhanced
deposition of diamond-like carbon films for uses including protection
of materials against exposure to harmful agents, for example,
encapsulation of surface of films, such as photovoltaic solar cells
for protection against chemical, mechanical, and radiation damage."

The inventors were issued U.S. Patent No. 7,459,188 on Dec. 2.

The original application was filed
on Dec. 2, 2004, and is available at:
t1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u= %2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&am p;l=50&s1=7459188.PN.&OS=PN/7459188&RS =PN/7459188.

For more information about US Fed News federal patent awards please
contact: Myron Struck, Managing Editor/US Bureau, US Fed News, Direct:
703/866-4708, Cell: 703/304-1897, [email protected]

‘RECONCILIATION MONUMENT’ UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN TURKEY

AzerNews Weekly
Dec 3 2008
Azerbaijan

A "monument of reconciliation" with Armenians is being built in
Turkey`s historic city of Gars, located on the border between the
two countries.

The resumption of construction on the site, which had been suspended
by the Turkish government several times, was made possible due to
the efforts by pro-Armenian forces.

Construction work on the monument, being built by architect Mehmet
Aksoy, is close to completion. The 32-meter monument shows a hand being
extended to Armenia and other elements signifying reconciliation. This
monument, to be Turkey`s tallest, will be seen from Armenia as well.

Gars, with 70% of its population being Azerbaijani Turks, is considered
a key in forging relations with Armenia. Considering that there are
plenty of forces in the city seeking rapprochement with this country,
the role played by Gars on this issue is tremendous. Supporters of
restoring and developing relations between Turkey and Armenia are
included among the city`s authorities. The public relations efforts
and petitioning campaign, previously conducted by the head of the
Gars municipality, Naif Alibayoglu, calls for the launching of
diplomatic relations and opening the border with Armenia. Moreover,
Gars has become a stage for political games during an event held under
the name, "The Festival of Caucasus Cultures." Along with Armenian
musicians, area politicians and businessmen attended the event and
participated in programs such as "Public Diplomacy." Currently, this
policy is being pursued with more ease. The Turkish government`s recent
gestures toward Armenia have further encouraged the Gars municipality
to restore ties with the neighboring country, which have been marred
by historical tensions.

Although Ankara has made it clear that restoring diplomatic ties
and opening up the border is possible only after Yerevan complies
with verifiable pre-conditions, Gars has apparently outlined its own
political course in this regard.

Armenia and Turkey maintain no diplomatic ties and the border between
the two countries has been closed since 1993 on Ankara`s insistence,
due to Armenia`s occupation of Azerbaijani territories and Armenian
claims that huge numbers of their countrymen were killed by the
Ottoman Empire during World War I. However, relations between the
two countries have recently begun to improve. Following secret talks
in July between Turkish and Armenian diplomats in Bern, Turkish and
Armenian leaders attended a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match
together in Yerevan early in September when Abdullah Gul became the
first Turkish leader to visit Armenia. Further, Armenian Foreign
Minister Eduard Nalbandian visited Turkey on November 24 where they
discussed ways of normalizing relations between Ankara and Yerevan.

ARMENIA SEEKS FINANCES FOR REALIZATION OF YEREVAN-BATUMI HIGHWAY PROJECT

TREND
Dec 9 2008
Azerbaijan

Georgia, Tbilisi, 9 Dec / Trend News corr N. Kirtzkhalia / Armenia is
working hard to attract funds for the construction of Batumi-Yerevan
highway. Tigran Sarkisyan, prime minister of Armenia, said in Tbilisi
at the joint news conference with his Georgian counterpart Grigol
Mgaloblishvili on 9 Dec.Ã~B

Georgian and Armenian presidents reached an agreement on the
construction of the highway several months ago. This decision provoked
negative reaction of the Georgian experts which consider that this will
cause the armenization of the South regions of Georgia and will play
a role of the Rock tunnel through which the Russian forces entered
Tskhinvali in August.Ã~B Ã~B Ã~B Ã~B

Sarkisyan said the agreement has already been reached with Eurasia
fund. The fund is ready to allocate the certain amount of money for
the realization of the project. ââ~B¬Å~[Armenian fully supports
the construction of the current highway and we expect the soonest
realization of the project,ââ~B¬Å¥ Sarkisyan said. Georgian also
makes efforts on the realization of the project and now seeks for the
supplementary financial funds for the construction of the highway,
Mgaloblishvili said.Ã~B

–Boundary_(ID_+X3mCI64wcaAWmExR9oi Ww)–

GUL TO ASK ISRAEL TO HELP PREVENT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION BY OBAMA

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.12.2008 18:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish president Abdullah Gul will meet with
his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres to discuss advancing the
Turkey-mediated negotiations between Israel and Syria, a senior
Turkish official told Haaretz.

This will be Gul’s first visit as president, though he came here
three times in his previous role as foreign minister.

The two leaders will also discuss the Iranian nuclear threat, an issue
on which they disagreed sharply when Peres visited Ankara last year.

Another issue on Gul’s agenda will be the Armenian Genocide. The
Turkish president is expected to ask Israel to use its influence
in Washington to try to prevent recognition of the Genocide by
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, Hurriyet daily reports

RUSSIA GRATEFUL THAT ARMENIAN PEOPLE LOVINGLY PRESERVE MEMORY OF SOLIDARITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.12.2008 16:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent a message to
participants in the ceremony of unveiling a memorial to the victims
of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia and the heroic work of the rescuers,
the Kremlin’s press office reports.

Mr Medvedev said, in particular, in his message:

"On this day of the twentieth anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia
we bow our heads in memory of the thousands of victims this natural
disaster caused. It is with great respect and gratitude that we
remember the courage of the rescue workers, who answered the call
for help, and the labor of those who rebuilt normal life in the
disaster zone.

This great tragedy left no one indifferent. The sincere feelings
of all those who came to help Armenia remains a shining example of
solidarity and effective interethnic and international cooperation
in natural disaster relief efforts.

Russia came immediately to Armenia’s aid at this difficult hour and
made its contribution to the rescue operations and reconstruction
work. We are grateful that the Armenian people lovingly preserve the
memory of this solidarity."

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS ARMENIAN, AZERBAIJANI COUNTERPARTS

Anadolu Agency
Dec 4 2008
Turkey

HELSINKI (A.A) -04.12.2008 -Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan
separately met Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian and
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Helsinki on Thursday.

Babacan is currently in Helsinki to attend the 16th Ministerial Council
Meeting of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE).

Foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan met on Wednesday with
Russian, French and US executives, the co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk
group. Babacan’s talks with the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign
ministers assessed the results of this meeting.

OSCE Minsk group assumes a mediating role in talks aiming to achieve
a peaceful solution to the problem about Upper Karabakh.

TURKISH FM SAYS OSCE DECISION CAN SOLVE KARABAKH DISPUTE

Dec 6 2008
Turkey

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan participated in the 16th
Ministerial Council Meeting of OSCE in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan participated in the 16th
Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organization for the Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

Earlier, Babacan visited the Azerbaijani capital of Baku and the
Belgian capital of Brussels.

Babacan expressed hope that Afghanistan, Pakistan and India would
establish a sincere atmosphere of cooperation and be successful
against that common enemy (terrorism).

The Turkish foreign minister said that the main issue discussed at
the council meeting was the general security policies in Europe after
the recent crisis in the Caucasus, and participants mainly debated
new proposals of the Russian Federation.

Babacan said that he had a meeting with his Armenian and Azerbaijani
counterparts on the sidelines of the OSCE summit, in which they made
a decision to work on a lasting peace agreement between Azerbaijan
and Armenia.

"I see this decision as an important one made to solve the Upper
Karabakh dispute," he told reporters.

Babacan said representatives of five countries including Turkey,
Georgia, Azerbaijan Russia and Armenia that were expected to set up
the Caucasus Stability & Cooperation Platform, also met in Helsinki
and exchanged views on the goals, principles, and mechanisms of
the platform.

Babacan also said that he debated general developments in the Caucasus
and Upper Karabakh dispute during his visit to Baku and Caucasian
issues, Russia-NATO relationship, Georgia-Ukraine committees, and the
situation in Afghanistan and Kosovo in the NATO meeting in Brussels.

Talking about the trilateral summit taking place among Afghanistan,
Pakistan and Turkey in Istanbul, Babacan said that it was an important
summit to establish solidarity and dialogue between Afghanistan
and Pakistan.

Babacan said that Uzbek general Rashid Dostum would be with his family
in Turkey and how long he would stay in Turkey was his own decision.

Also talking about elections to be held in Afghanistan in 2009,
Babacan said that problems could more easily be solved in that country
if people participated more in political system.

Babacan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to do everything in its power
to help restore peace and order in Afghanistan.