SERGEY HAMBARDZUMIAN APPOINTED ACTING CHAIRMAN OF RA NATIONAL ACADEMY
OF SCIENCES
YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. RA NAS Chairman Fadey Sargsian’s
commissions have been stopped, according to his application. The RA
Government made the decision about that on April 6. Sergey
Hambardzumian was appointed the acting Chairman of the RA NAS, till
the RA NAS Chairman is elected according to the order fixed by the
legislation.
MAKEDONOV: NK CONFLICT SETTLEMENT PROCESS IS IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 6 2006
“The present format of the top-level Karabakh talks has been
discredited”, stated Chief of Department of the Institute for
Political and Military Analysis Sergey Makedonov in an interview with
RIA Novosti.
According to Sergey Makedonov, the Karabakh conflict settlement process
is in deplorable condition. “Lack of progress at the Armenian-Azeri
summit in Rambouillet has demonstrated that the format of the
top-level talks has been discredited”, he noted. The politologist
believes, “Presidents, being public persons, cannot voice non-popular
decisions”. In Sergey Makedonov’s opinion, summits should be given
up, and talks ought to become just diplomatic routine. “Diplomats,
experts should deal with the settlement and elaborate decisions. The
Presidents should appear in the end, when some specific solutions
are ready”, he stated.
In the politologist’s words, the settlement option profitable for
both parties can hardly be found in the near future. “Some compromises
should be searched, concessions ought to be made. Who will be the first
to make it and surrender some positions is the issue of state wisdom
of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as unrecognized Karabakh”, he noted.
FIRST YEAR OF CASCADE INSURANCE’S ACTIVITIES EFFICIENT
Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The first year of the activities of
Cascade Insurance was efficient – this universal insurance company
signed 381 insurance contracts, 110 of which were related to insurance
of property, 94 – cars, 85 – cargo transportation, 13 – medical
insurance, and 37 life insurance contracts were signed. The insurance
payments to the company amounted to over 400 thousand USD, while the
compensations paid totalled over 24 thousand USD. NT correspondent was
informed about it from Levon Mamikonian, Director General of Cascade
Insurance. According to him, the demand for medical insurance is
especially great: 1,120 persons were insured. He said that Cascade
Insurance has been providing this type of insurance services since
mid 2005, mainly to foreign legal entities operating in Armenia and
representatives of international organizations. Cascade Insurance
started operating in January 1, 2005, as part of Cascade Capital
Holding set up by the Cafesjian Family Foundation. The European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) acquired 35% of Cascade
Insurance’s shares in August of the same year.
NOT DOOMSDAY IF THE CONFLICT NOT REGULATED
Panorama.am
14:27 05/04/06
“None of the sides of Karabakh conflict is interested in gaining
time. Now the sides should use the time to finds ways to solve the
problem,” announced EU newly appointed Special Representative for
South Caucasus Peter Semneby in Yerevan today.
In his turn, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, considering the
negotiations in Rambouillet a failure, stated that although there is
no agreement over a number of questions the negotiation process must
be continued. What refers to the announcement of US Ambassador in
Azerbaijan R. Harnish saying that NKR problem will get its solution
in 2006, V. Oskanyan said: “It’s difficult for me to say what is the
basis for such insistences,” and noticed that the negotiation must be
continued and there is possibility that certain developments will be
recorded. “Yet it is not going to be doomsday if there is no progress
in 2006,” he advised.
Vardan Oskanyan also informed that he has already met the America
Co-chair S. Mann in Washington, and this Friday the Azeri FM
E. Mamedyarov is scheduled to meet the Co-chair. “If Mamedyarov-Mann
meeting has positive results it is quite possible for the Co-chairs
to pay a visit to the region after which the meeting between FMs can
be held.”
Vardan Oskanyan is sure about one thing: “We have already stated this
question has no military solution.
Azerbaijan has twice declared war, both had no result.
This problem is to be solved by means of negotiations.
Armenia has already done its best, now it’s Azerbaijan’s turn to
take steps.” In his turn Peter Semneby warned: “Any attempt to start
a war will have rather serious if not baneful results.” To note, the
real addressee of the warning of the envoy is Azeri side periodically
which appears with bellicose announcements.
To note, today Armenian FM Vardan Oskanyan is departing for Moscow
on a 2-day call in the scopes of which he is going to meet Russian
FM S. Lazarev as well as OSCE Minsk Group Russia Co-chair Yuri
Merzlyakov.
ARMENIA PAYS $110 FOR 1,000 CUBIC METERS OF GAS TO RUSSIA AND CONTINUES TALKS
Regnum, Russia
April 4 2006
Yerrevan, 4 April 2006 (Regnum – website) – Since April 1, the
ArmRosGazprom will pay $110 for each 1,000 cubic meters of gas supplied
from Russia to Armenia, spokeswoman for the company Shushan Sardaryan
told a REGNUM correspondent. Meanwhile, as spokeswoman for the Armenian
Energy Ministry Lucine Arutyunyan said to a REGNUM correspondent,
the talks between the Armenian party and Gazprom have continued in
Yerevan. The spokeswoman did not specify what questions are discussed
at the talks, taking into consideration the fact that price for gas
supplied to Armenia is $110 for 1,000 cubic meters.
“Details of the talks and their results will be announced by the
Armenian government after the end of the talks,” noted Lucine
Arutynyan.
Before April 1, gas was imported into Armenia at a price of $56 for
1,000 cubic meters. After that date, the delay given by Gazprom to
the Armenian party expired. Meanwhile, since April 10 gas tariff will
increase for domestic consumers: by 52.2% for residents, by 85.2%
for companies.
Prominent Armenian businessman Mikhail Bagdasarov earlier announced,
the gas supplied by Russia to Armenia would cost $68 for 1,000 cubic
meters. According to him, the gas price for domestic users will not
exceed $100 for 1,000 cubic meters. “The talks on the price for the
gas supplied by Russia to Armenia have continued, and according to the
information I have it will not exceed $70 for 1,000 cubic meters,”
concluded the businessman. Earlier, there was a report in the press
that Armenia agreed to give the 5th block of the Hrazdan Power Plant
for $250 million to achieve a compromise on settling the accounts.
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 31 2006
NKR DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: SUPPORT OF USA IN WORLD
RECOGNITION OF NKR IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
YEREVAN, March 31. /ARKA/. Support of the USA in world recognition of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is of great importance. According to
the NKR permanent representation in the USA, this was stated by the
NKR Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Masis Mailyan during his
meeting with the US Congressional Caucus Co-Chair Franck Pallone.
During his meeting with the Pallone Mailyan emphasized necessity of
transmitting from humanitarian to development programs in the NKR.
According to the press release, the NKR resident representative in
USA Vardan Barseghyan was present at the meeting as well.
On the same day Mailyan gave an interview to the Jane’s Foreign
Reports periodical. During the interview main stress was put on
security of the region.
Besides that Mailyan has met with the Co-Chairs of the
Armenia-American Political Action Committee (ARMENPAC) Ani Toti and
Edgar Hakobyan as well as Executive Director of this organization
Jason Capizzi. Representatives of ARMENPAC presented aims of the
organization and conducted work. Here Mailyan emphasized once more
the important role of the Armenian Diaspora in the fortification of
NKR state system.
Masis Mailyan arrived in USA on March 22 with a working visit.
S.P.–0–
‘TELASI’ TO CONTINUE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO TBILISI DURING REHABILITATION OF ‘ENGURI HPP’
Prime News Agency, Georgia
March 30 2006
Tbilisi, March 30 (Prime-News) – There will be no interruptions in
electricity supply of Tbilisi during rehabilitation of the ‘Enguri
HPP’. Tbilisi electricity distributing company ‘Telasi’ has already
provided for the electricity supply resources to balance the needs
in electricity during the four months, when the rehabilitation of
‘Enguri HPP’ is accomplished, Prime-News was told at the ‘Telasi’.
According to Yuri Pimolov, Director General of “Telasi”, ~DThe company
together with the Ministry of Energy of Georgia elaborated a schedule,
which pre-conditions smooth electricity supply of Tbilisi”.
Tbilisi will receive the necessary amount of electricity by means of
local generation and imported electricity, including: the 9th power
unit of ~DMtkvari Energy” (220 mWh); ~DKhrami 1″ and ~DKhrami 2″ HPPs
(90 mWh and 60 mWh); ~DOrtachala HPP” (15 mWh); import of electricity
from Armenia (110 mWh).
Electricity balance of ~DTelasi” during rehabilitation period:
March 25-31: 46 million kWh per month; 7.6 million kWh per day;
peak load – 450 mWh.
April: 210 million kWh per month; 7 million kWh per day; peak load –
410 mWh.
May: 320 million kWh per month; 5.5 million kWh per day; peak load –
320 mWh.
June: 280 million kWh per month; 4.9 million kWh per day; peak load –
280 mWh.
July: 240 million kWh per month; 4.7 million kWh per day; peak load –
240 mWh.
According to the approved energy balance, ~DTelasi” will stop
electricity import from Armenia on March 31. The 9th power unit of
~DMtkvari Energy” will work till June 01, 2006.
According to ~DTelasi”, in view to prevent possible electricity
deficit during April-October period “Telasi” signed an additional
agreement with “Armenian Electricity Network” on electricity supply
in emergency regime. In case of need, Tbilisi will receive 50-60
Mt of power form Armenia. The similar agreement was signed with the
Russian energy system. According to the agreement, “Telasi” will be
supplied with the needed amount of electricity by means of 500-kilovolt
“Kavkasioni” electricity transmission line.
WORLD COMMUNITY STILL INDIFFERENT TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL TERROR IN LACHIN – ECOLOGY MINISTRY
Author: S.Babayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 30 2006
The world community till remains indifferent towards the terror in the
Azerbaijani territory under the Armenian occupation, the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources told Trend.
At present red oak trees are cut in the Armenian-occupied territory of
Lachin and Gubadly districts for sale to foreign countries with respect
to use further in the production of cognac, nut trees for manufacturing
of furniture. Moreover, wild animal are hunted in these regions.
“As the territory is out of control of the international organizations
and the Azerbaijani government, the ecological convention is grossly
violated and the world community still has not estimated the true
essence of the situation,” the Ministry underlined.
One of the biggest state nature reserves – Gubadly State Reserve,
which was placed in the territory of Gubadly District, has turned out
under the Armenian occupation from 1993. The total area of the reserve
which covers Basarat, Deshtakhat, Muradkhanly, Yukhari Amudurkh of
Gubadly District, Yukhari Farajan, Ashagi Farajan, Suarasi Gishlak
and Khanlar villages of Lachin District and Khojabird, Arpa Gadik and
Tag villages of Nagorno-Karabakh region, is 22,000h. The reserve is
in the territory of Boyuk Kirs, Bala Kirs and Maral mountains in the
height of 1500-1600m over the sea level.
THE ARMENIAN YOUTH COLLECTIVE IS STRONGER THAN “BANANTS”
A1+
[09:10 pm] 30 March, 2006
The Armenian football youth collective in the head of the chief coach
Samvel Petrosyan is going to participate in the European Championship
of participants under 21 which will be held on May 17 where the teams
of San Marino and Armenia will meet.
Then the response meeting will be held. The winner of these two
meetings will participate in the next stage where they will play with
Bosnia and Norway in team meeting.
The Armenian youth collective had an exercising meeting with “Banants”
and won with the overalls 3:0.
The first goal was scored by Aleksandr Petrosyan at the 24th minute of
the meeting. The author of the second goal was Tigran Gharabaghtsyan at
the 67th minute. And the 3rd goal was scored by Arsen Balabekyan at the
85th minute who was invited to the collective for the first time. He
played in “Esteghel Kotayk” last year and after its liquidation moved
to “Pjunik.”
20 football players are going to participate in the training meeting
in the head of the coach Samvel Petrosyan.
IN THE GOVERNMENT SESSION
A1+
[05:55 pm] 30 March, 2006
PREPARING FOR THE MILLITARY EXERCISES
The signing of the agreement on holding military exercises “Rescuer –
2006” in Armenia between the RA Ministry of Defense and the USA land
forces and the Headquarters of the 7th Army was approved today by
the members of the Government.
The military exercises will be held in the realm of the program
“Partnership for Peace” on July 12 – 28, and about 250 representatives
from 12 countries are supposed to participate in them. The exercises
are aimed at organizing and synthesizing the rescuing service works
of the Emergency Board of the RA Ministry of Regional Government
and the Military – Medical Board of the RA Ministry of Defense. The
exercises also foresee the broadening of the cooperation with the
partner countries.
THE BUDGET IS INCREASING
The government decided to increase the sum of the expenditure and
income prescribed by law on the “Armenian State Budget of 2006”
by 4 milliard 608 million 154 thousand AMD. The Municipality will
carry out the repairing works of Isakov Ave., the construction of
the highway joining Heratsi, Saralandge and Avetisyan Streets with
the extra money accumulated from the state budget capital circulation
of 2006 (from the estrangement of the State territories in Yerevan),
will give money for the reconstruction of flats of the inhabitants
that are deprived of their dwelling places because of their emergency
state, for the observation of emergency houses in Yerevan, for the
purification of the river – bed of Hrazdan and for the construction
of the building protecting the right bank of the river and for the
implementation of other works. It was stated that the money will be
granted to the correspondent bodies without a contest.
THE NEW LEADER OF THE PERSONNEL
The Government decided to appoint Karen Isakhanyan the Leader of
the RA Regional Government Ministry Personnel for three months’
experimental period. Karen Isakhanyan was the winner of the vacant
position contest and the candidate with the highest scores in the
contest according to the data of the contest committee.
“NEUTRON” WAS GIVEN TO THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
The Executive body ordered the RA Defense Minister to provide the
gratuitous estrangement of houses, subsidiary buildings and the 1.1879
acre occupied by the “Neutron GAM” on 20 Alley on 2 Hin – Nork to the
RA according to the law on “State Administrative Institutions.” The
property was handed to the RA Ministry of Defense.