Author: Nalbandian Eduard

*Fight for Justice with System Of ADown*
*Monday, April 24* Starting at 5:00 pm – Serj Tankian and John
Dolmayan will be protesting Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide at the
gates of Turkey’s Embassy – 2525 Massachusetts Ave, in Northwest
Washington, DC.

*Tuesday, April 25* Serj and John will host a Capitol Hill
screening of excerpts of “Screamers,” a documentary film by Carla
Garapedian about the band’s genocide recognition and prevention
efforts. Room 2318 of the Rayburn House office building.
*On April 26* Serj and John (and David Alpay, star of *Ararat*) will
be at the annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide observance – from 5:30 to
8:30 pm in room B-339 of the Rayburn House office building.

For more info: check out:
2/system_of_a_down_rally_in_dc=?rnd=3D114486779748 4&has-player=3Dtrue&version=3D6.0.12.872

If you have any questions, contact ANCA at [email protected].

AZERI PUBLIC DEMANDS INFORMATION ON KARABAKH TALKS CONTENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.04.2006 19:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The coordinating center of the Azeri opposition is
going to hold a rally in Baku May 6.

“The process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement should be put
for discussion of the political circles and parliamentarians. This
will be the burden of the action,” chairman of Umid (Hope) party,
MP Igbal Aghazade told Interfax-Azerbaijan.

In his words, the OSCE Minsk Group and other international structures
say that the year of 2006 is the most appropriate for the conflict
settlement however the Azeri society does not possess sufficient
information on the negotiations yet.

“The information may be published incompletely but the government
should hold consultations with the political circles and
parliamentarians. This is the problem of the state and the opposition
should elaborate a unified position on the issue,” Aghazade said,
reported Interfax-Azerbaijan.

ROAD TO WTO FULL OF CHALLENGES

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
April 13 2006

Prospects for Azerbaijan’s joining the World Trade Organization (WTO)
and economic development were in focus at the event, “The World Trade
Network and Azerbaijan,” in Baku last Wednesday.

Addressing the meeting, Emil Majidov, president of the Azerbaijan
Export & Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) organizing the
event, said local entrepreneurs were poorly aware of WTO and the
discussions targeted briefing the participants on the economic
processes ongoing around the world.

Deputy Economic Development Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said an
action plan had been prepared for local businessmen on Azerbaijan’s
forthcoming accession to WTO. The country is currently experiencing
a stage that is pivotal for its admission to the organization, he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister and chairman of the taskforce on WTO
admission, Mahmud Mammadguliyev, reminded that Azerbaijan has held
the status of observer in WTO since talks on its admission started
in 1997. The next round of talks is due in late 2006-early 2007,
Mammadguliyev said. Four meetings of the joint taskforce have
been held thus far, with the first two focusing on foreign trade
regulations, while full-scale negotiations on WTO admission started
in 2005. The separate discussions with other countries center on
the access of foreign goods and services to Azerbaijan’s markets,
while multi-lateral talks aim to support agriculture and export
subsidies in this sector. The WTO requires that common regulations
be introduced for both imported and local commodities and services,
including equal excise rates. Mammadguliyev said customs duties are
a key measure to protect the domestic market and Azerbaijan should do
its best to ensure suitable conditions for local producers. The deputy
minister told reporters after the discussions that the government
will do its utmost to ensure that Azerbaijan is admitted to WTO
with a status of a developing country, which will provide certain
concessions, in particular, on the agricultural sector. The talks to
that end have already started and the needed arguments submitted to
the WTO secretariat for consideration, Mammadguliyev said. “During
the comprehensive discussions, Malaysia and Australia supported our
admission with this status. But the United States and the European
Union avoided comment. We will further work to make sure that the USA
and EU back our stance.” Mammadguliyev said the U.S. and EU suggest
that the services sector be liberalized to promote foreign investments
in the Azeri economy and open jobs. The activities include expanding
markets in finance, communications and distributor services. He
said that in spite of lucrative advantages in the WTO membership,
the country should focus on protecting its own interests.

“Our position aims to ensure further development of the country,
therefore, we will dwell upon national interests during the talks. We
should reach a compromise that would suit both the EU and USA, and
Azerbaijan.” The Foreign Ministry official continued that one of the
priority issues for WTO admission is improving laws, as this is at
the core of the recommendations made to the country. “The legislative
improvements should be enacted over two years at the most, as the
completion of talks and subsequent WTO admission will depend on this,”
he said, adding that although the issue is regularly raised during the
talks, WTO is still concerned over the lack of such changes. Touching
upon the possible obstacles that may be posed by WTO member state
Armenia, with which Azerbaijan faces the long-standing conflict over
Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, Mammadguliyev said this is not likely. “Upon
its admission, Armenia assumed a commitment not to veto Azerbaijan’s
inception,” he said. The deputy minister said any talks with Armenia
on the matter are certainly out of the question, as the two countries
maintain no ties. Mammadguliyev told the press earlier that Armenia’s
admission to the WTO prior to that of Azerbaijan is due to the fact
this country started relevant talks four years earlier, in 1993. He
added that countries’ accession mainly depends not on their economic
indicators, but on how fast they fulfill their obligations to the
organization.

MEETING OF JUDGES OF NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES

Panorama.am
13:58 13/04/06

Tomorrow the President of Georgian Supreme court Constantine
Kublashvili arrives in Armenia on an official visit. As we have been
informed by RA Court of cassation press secretary Ann Lazarian on
April 14 the President of RA Court of cassation Hovhannes Manoukyan
is expected to have a meeting with Georgian Supreme court Constantine
Kublashvili. It is scheduled that a memorandum of “Mutual cooperation
and exchange of legislative information” will be signed between the
RA Court of cassation and Supreme Court of Georgia.

Besides, in the scopes of the visit C. Kublashvili is expected to
meet with RA Justice Minister David Haroutyunyan and Presidnet of
Constitutional Court Gagik Haroutyunyan.

PROFIT TAX REVENUES OF RA STATE BUDGET IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2006 GROW BY 51.8% ON SAME MONTHS OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Apr 11 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-February 2006, profit tax
revenues of the RA state budget grew by 51.8% on the same months
of last year and made about 6 bln 224.3 mln drams (about 15.9 mln
USD). According to the RA National Statistical Service, VAT revenues
of the state budget grew by 3.8% in the months under review to about
22 bln 142.8 mln drams, while excise tax revenues grew by 18.3%
to 6 bln 468.4 mln drams. Income tax revenues increased by 53.1% in
January-February 2006 to about 5 bln 112.9 mln drams, fixed payments –
by 8.1% to 2 bln 154 mln drams, and customs duties – by 1.7% to 2 bln
451.7 mln drams. Simlified tax revenues declined by 11.8% to about
1 bln 197.4 mln drams. Other tax revenues of the RA state budget
increased by 25.%5 in January-February and made about 639 mln drams.

“JERMAGHBYUR” GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT EXPECTED TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION IN ARMENIA IN 2008-2009

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 10 2006

Yerevan. April 10. /ARKA/. The “Jermaghbyur” geothermal power plant is
expected to be put into operation in Armenia in 2008-2009, “America”
CJSC reports.

Low-potential sources of geothermal power were founded in Garni, Arzni,
Jermuk, Ankavan and Sisian. The geothermal power can be utilized
for heat-supply, heating of hothouses, residential buildings and
industrial enterprises.

“Ameria” CJSC was contracted by World Bank Energy Invest PIU
to develop a detailed feasibility study for the construction of
“Jermaghbyur” geothermal power plant in Syunik Marz of the Republic of
Armenia. The study was carried out in the scope of the process aimed
at diversifying energy resources in Armenia and achieving a higher
level of independence from the importing energy sources. The document,
elaborated by Ameria consultants, proved the strategic importance
and effectiveness of utilizing geothermal energy in Armenia, as well
as the investment attractiveness of the overall project. Geothermal
energy is considered as an effective resource for heat supply and
generation of electric power. Today geothermal plants with the
total heat production capacity of 12000 MW operate in more than 30
countries. The geothermal plants generate also electric power with
the total capacity of 8000 MW. The share of geothermal energy in the
world installed capacities is 0.4%.

“Jemaghbyur” station, which will be commissioned in 2008-2009, is
a unique project. It does not have any analogues in the region and
will positively differ from the majority of other energy generation
capacities, especially in its renewability of resources, independence
of importing energy sources, as well as in the minimal environmental
impact.

The feasibility study of the project has indicated that the station
based on 6 direct wells with the depth of up to 2.5 km each can have
a capacity up to 25 MW and generate up to 195 mln KW/hour electric
power a year.

Ameria is a group of professional services companies registered in
Armenia with the objective to provide a comprehensive package of
professional advisory and assurance services. Ameria specializes
in four major areas of professional activities: management advisory
services; assurance and advisory services; legal advisory services;
investment banking. Established in 1998, the company has become
a leader in the Armenian market of advisory services bringing an
international reach and local touch to complex issues rising in more
than 30 industry sectors.

Iran says pressure will not force it to give up enrichment

14:44|09/ 04/ 2006

TEHERAN, April 9 (RIA Novosti) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesman said Sunday that threats and pressure would not force Iran
to give up its right to peaceful nuclear technologies.

“We don’t believe that threats and pressure, including using the UN
Security Council, will make Iran relinquish its legitimate rights [to
peaceful nuclear energy]. Nuclear research activities are continuing,”
Hamid Reza Asefi said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also said that Iran was ready
to continue cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency
and hold negotiations with all countries to solve the Iran nuclear
issue.

Asefi made his comments as a team of experts from the international
nuclear watchdog was in Iran inspecting the country’s nuclear
facilities and IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei was expected to visit Iran
next week to discuss cooperation between Tehran and the agency.

Concerns about Iran’s nuclear program have been growing since the
Islamic Republic announced its intention to resume nuclear research in
January and the country’s hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
made a number of controversial remarks, including a call to wipe
Israel “off the face of the map.”

A number of countries have expressed alarm over Iran’s controversial
nuclear programs and have pushed for the UN Security Council to impose
sanctions on the country, as they suspect that Tehran is using its
civilian-energy programs to disguise military projects.

Russia has been at the forefront of efforts to solve the escalating
crisis diplomatically and as a permanent member of the UN Security
Council could veto measures against Iran. Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov has already questioned the efficacy of sanctions on a number of
occasions.

Moscow has offered to enrich Iranian uranium – a vital component in
both civilian energy and military projects – in Russia. But Tehran
said in March that it would enrich a small amount of the radioactive
substance anyway, an announcement that was greeted with widespread
condemnation.

MP says gas deal with Russia’s Gazprom in line with Armenia’s national
interests

Noyan Tapan news agency
7 Apr 06

Yerevan, 7 April: The sale of the fifth power unit of the Razdan power
station to Russia with the aim to soften the consequences of raising
the gas price proceeded from Armenia’s national interests, Mger
Shakhgeldyan, the chairman of defence, national security and internal
affairs commission of parliament and deputy chairman of the Orinats
Yerkir [Law-Governed Country] Party told journalists today.

He said that state control over the energy sphere is certainly
preferable. “However, it is about national interests. We think that
national interests should be on the first place,” he said.

Shakhgeldyan pointed that it is important to diversify energy sources
to ensure energy security which is a crucial component of the
country’s security. He also noted the importance of the construction
of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

[Passage omitted: Shakhgeldyan said that hike in the gas price will
not affect most of the population]

Asked by our correspondent whether there is a guarantee that the fifth
power unit will be put in operation, taking into account the
inactivity of the enterprises handed over to Russia within the
framework of the property-for-debt programme five years ago,
Shakhgeldyan said: “As legislative state, we have raised and will
continue raising this issue.”

He said that the Armenian MPs have always told their Russian
counterpart that these enterprises should be put unto operation,
because there are certain expectation that this will happen. “In this
case, we will do our best in order for the investments to be made,”
Shakhgeldyan said.

From: [email protected]
Subject: US aid chief faces challenge of tight funds

US aid chief faces challenge of tight funds

FT.com site; Apr 07, 2006
By Andrew Bounds in Brussels

The man in charge of doling out US development aid is facing
challenges on two fronts. At home, John Danilovich, chief executive of
the Millennium Challenge Corporation, is vying with other departments
for funding from cash-strapped Washington. Abroad, he wants poor
countries to compete against each other for the funds he has to offer.

Last month, Mr Danilovich asked Congress for $3bn (€2.4bn,
£1.7bn) for 2007. The indications are he will be lucky to get
much more than the $1.7bn the MCC received for this year.

“We have a complicated budget process because of the demands of Iraq
and Hurricane Katrina [which devastated New Orleans this year]. The
defence department needs the money first,” he admits.

It is a personal blow since the former ambassador to Brazil and Costa
Rica has reformed the MCC, established by President George W. Bush in
2004, to please Congress. Almost his first act after getting the job
in November was to suspend aid to Yemen for backsliding on its
commitments. “This communicated a strong message to other countries
that we do have the will and courage to take steps to ensure the money
comes to a screeching halt,” he said.

The MCC is now talking to Yemen about what it must do to have the aid
tap turned on again. It is also in deadlock with Bolivia. It agreed a
record $598m grant for infrastructure and export assistance weeks
before populist ex-coca farmer Evo Morales won a December election in
the Latin American state. Yet the plan is gathering dust. “We have had
no sign of engagement from the Morales government and we are dependent
on them to take this to the next stage.”

Mr Danilovich’s next act was to produce a “how to” manual for
countries seeking aid.

The MCC is set up more

as a company than a federal agency and gives out money in quarterly
instalments over five years, expecting business plans from its client
countries. Condoleezza Rice, secretary of state, is chairman, and Rob
Portman, trade representative, John Snow, Treasury sec-retary, and
Randall Tobias, USAID chief, are also members. Two seats are unfilled.

Mr Danilovich has been praised for his work. Bono, the rock star and
anti-poverty campaigner who helped to conceive the MCC idea, visited
its headquarters last month. “It has had its problems getting off the
ground but it is getting a lot better under Danilovich,” said Jamie
Drummond, director of Data, Bono’s organisation.

Some 23 countries have qualified for assistance by hitting the
indicators, drawn up by institutions such as the World Bank and the
rightwing Heritage Foundation. They measure indicators such as
standards of governance, economic liberalism, democracy and women’s
rights.

“The aim is to incentivise countries. The ones that move fastest can
jump from the back of the queue to the front,” said Mr
Danilovich. They are competing for the “honey pot” at the end. He
cites the west African state of Benin as a success story –
it completed a $307m deal in February in near-record time and has just
had a democratic transfer of power.

Seven other countries have agreed programmes totalling $1.2bn:
Madagascar, Honduras, Nicaragua, Georgia, Armenia, Cape Verde and
Vanuatu. Five more have concluded smaller so-called threshold
agreements to help them qualify for further funding. Mr Danilovich
expects to sign a deal with Ghana in the next few months, and El
Salvador, Sri Lanka, Mali and Mongolia by the end of the year.

This month he will accompany Jim Kolbe, the House of Representatives
foreign appropriations committee chairman, to Armenia and Georgia to
show what a difference US money is making.

GASPROM CORRECTS A MISTAKE OR HIDES INFORMATION

Lragir.am
07 April 06

The rumors on transferring the Meghri-Kajaran 40-km section of the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to Gasprom are controversial. In addition,
theseare controversial though they come from the same source.

On April 6 Gasprom placed a news release on the website of the company
on signing of an agreement by Armenia and Russia, which includes
arrangementson the fifth generating unit of the Thermal Power Plant of
Hrazdan and the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, particularly, on the
transfer of both to Gasprom. The rumors about the Thermal Power Plant
have been officially confirmed by the government of Armenia, but there
is not an official word about the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. Moreover,
the Armenian minister of energy Armen Movsisyan announced that the
construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is not over, it is not a
business to have shares that could be transferred to Russia.

Gasprom also refuted the information on the pipeline that Gasprom had
spread. More exactly, the information placed on the company’s website
on April 6 was edited, and the lines on the Iran-Armenia pipeline were
taken out. This form of refuting is interesting. In fact, Gasprom does
not refute the information on the pipeline, but clears it several
hours after placing it on the website. Thus, either Gasprom can write
anything about Armenia and clear it whenever it wants, or there is
nothing to apologize for. It turns out, however, that the information
was true but could not be published. Or it was convenient to publish
it for several hours only.

Considering the importance of the issue, these several hours were
enough to arouse public interest. It is another issue who wanted to
have this information known. If the government, particularly the
minister of energy were to refute the information, there was no point
in making it known to public. It means the leadership of Armenia would
not like a scandal, whereas Gasprom forced the government of Armenia
into a difficult situation. It means Armenia should have demanded
explanation from the Russian company if the information was false. Or
they should have asked Gasprom to take out the information, at least,
for some time. And on this level a request is not taken for granted.

On the other hand, considering that the Armenian society has a
negative attitude towards the transfer of the gas pipeline, and the
attitude towards the transfer of the fifth generating unit of the
Thermal Power Plant is also negative, the Armenian government may have
tried to do a little juggling.

The point is that by spreading information about the gas pipeline, the
government, in fact, enabled itself to refute the information about
the sale of the gas pipeline. It may improve the government’s
reputation in the country for a period. It may also ease the tension
caused by the sale of the fifth generating unit. In other words, the
society may forgive the sale of the generating unit if the gas
pipeline is kept. These are mere suggestions, but it is a suggestion
too that they managed to keep the gas pipeline. So far only the
information about the pipeline was kept.