Author: Toneyan Mark

3RD STAGE OF RECONSTRUCTION WORK OVER RA POLICE TRAINING CENTER BEGINS ON APRIL 13

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 12 2006

YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. The third and final stage of reconstruction
work over the training center of the RA Police has begun on April
13. According to the Yerevan office of the OSCE, reconstruction work
is done in the framework of large-scale OSCE program on support to
the RA Police.

The program has three main directions, namely reconstruction of
the training center of the RA Police, working out of the curriculum
of the training center in accordance with international standards
and introduction of a model of communal police into one of Armenian
communities. Reconstruction work is supported by the Governments of
USA, Belgium and Sweden.

The head of the Yerevan office of the OSCE, Ambassador Vladimir
Pryakhin, First Deputy Chief of the RA Police, Major-General Ararat
Makhtesyan and US Vice-Ambassador to Armenia Anthony Godfree will
take part in the event.

GAZPROM AND ARMROSGAZPROM DISCUSS THE COURSE OF REALIZATION OF AGREEMENT ON STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES OF COOPERATION

RIA OREANDA All rights reserved
April 13, 2006 Thursday

Moscow. OREANDA. Gazprom’s Headquarters has hosted a working meeting
between Alexey Miller, Chairman of Gazprom’s Management Committee
and Karen Karapetyan, Director General of ArmRosgazprom. The parties
discussed the implementation of the Agreement on the strategic
principles of cooperation between Gazprom and the Government of the
Republic of Armenia.

Special attention was paid to the purchase and rehabilitation of
the fifth power-generating unit of the Razdan CHP with the view of
ensuring efficient gas-fired power generation in Armenia.

Gazprom resumed natural gas deliveries to Armenia in June 2003 and,
at present, is the only supplier of gas to the Republic. Gazexport, a
Gazprom 100% subsidiary, delivers gas to the Armenian-Russian border,
where gas is purchased by ArmRosgazprom. Over 2005 Gazprom provided
Armenian consumers with 1.7 billion cubic metres of natural gas. The
ArmRosgazprom Company was incorporated in December 1997. Gazprom,
the Armenian Energy Ministry and ITERA own 45%, 45% and 10% of
ArmRosgazprom’s stake, respectively.

ITALIAN SPECIALISTS TO CARRY OUT RESTORATION OF KOBAYR FRESCOS
By Ruzan Poghosian

AZG Armenian Daily
13/04/2006

This year, a group of Italian restorers of ancient frescos and
Armenian archeologists, will work in Armenia, on the initiative of
Gayane Kasnati, professor at the Milan-based Center for the Armenian
Archeological Studies, and with the assistance of the Italian
government. It is already for several years that Mrs. Kasnati
successfully cooperates with the Department of Preservation of
Cultural Monuments at the Armenian Culture Ministry. She has carried
out researches in Yereruyk, Dashtadem and Amberd. She believes that
Armenia greatly needs to have skillful restorers of architectural
monuments. Certainly, the current situation required carrying out
training and exchanging programs of specialists. Mrs. Kasnati stated
that the Italian government has allocated education grants for the
Armenian students for Italian studies.

Mr. Kasnati stated that she can state that the state has changed its
attitude in the issue of preservation of architectural monuments,
as during the last two years the state assistance in these issues is
quite obvious.

Gagik Gyurjian, deputy RA culture minister, Roberto Nocielli, first
secretary of the Italian Embassy to Armenia, and other officials were
also present at the press conference held at RA Culture Ministry.

Mr. Nocielli stated that the Italian government pays special
attention to preservation and restoration of various countries’
cultural values. “This policy helps unfold cultural dialogue between
the countries. He added that the education grants are designed for
the people both with compulsory and higher education degrees, as well
as for the specialists of the Italian language.

Gagik Gyurjian also touched upon the issue of the current works
directed to restoration of the architectural monuments. As for the
issue of surrounding Saghmosavank monastery with a gate, he said
that he is informed about the situation and added that not a single
project will be implemented without the Ministry’ permission.

PRE-ELECTION CHALLENGES CORPORATION
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
13 april 06

When politics is mixed with economy, the outcome is neither economy
nor politics. This magnificently simple formula was given by the
minister of defense on April 11, commenting on the Russian-Armenian
agreement on gas and thereof the sale of the fifth generating unit of
the Thermal Power Plant of Hrazdan to Gasprom. They say other things
were sold as well, but first let us try to find out if the outcome
of the sale of the fifth generating unit was economics or politics.

A recent news release of the news agency Regnum on the decision
of the Armenian government informed that before the sale the fifth
generating unit was transferred from the balance of the Ministry of
Energy to the Ministry of Defense which was going to sign a contract
of sale with either Gasprom or the legal entity founded by Gasprom
in Armenia. And the proceeds from the sale of the fifth generating
unit, 248 million dollars, would embark the balance of the Ministry
of Defense. Of course, under the decision of the same government, 188
million dollars out of this money will be paid to Armrusgasard within
three years to subsidize gas consumed by the population and industry.

The other 60 million will be transferred to the state budget, again
within three years.

If the money is to go to the state budget finally, why did the Ministry
of Defense sell the fifth generating unit and not the Ministry of
Energy? And why is the money first transferred to the ministry and
only then to the necessary targets. This money “voyage” seems not
to obey any economic rule. It does not mean, however, that it has
a political logic. If apparently it is not economy, and we will say
it is not politics not to politicize, what is it then? Does it mean
that what was mixed with economy in the deal was not politics, or
what was mixed with politics was not economy, or something else was
mixed with economy and politics, or yet this something was covered
with economy or politics?

Since the deal and its details are kept in an atmosphere of secrecy,
and the defense minister promises to explain the charm of the sale
of the fifth generating unit later, we have to look for answers to
these questions all by ourselves, tracking facts and statements.

Under these circumstances the fact of selling the energy plant via
the Ministry of Defense causes surprise. It is surprising, for the
Ministry of Defense had not interfered with the sale of any of the
objects of the energy sector of Armenia that were also sold or given
to Russia. It is true, of course, that the defense minister is also
the co-chair of the Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission,
but he was the co-chair of this commission when the distribution
networks were given to Russia to repay the debt of Armenia, and the
Ministry of Defense did not interfere.

It is also rather interesting that till the agreement on gas the
co-chair of the intergovernmental commission and the minister of
defense displayed no public activity with regard to gas. Certainly,
instead of words and forecasts he preferred to tackle the danger
threatening the people of Armenia, in other words, he was busy with
real work while the other government officials were making indefinite
allegations. We were rather late to learn, however, that the defense
minister was working. He announced March 22 that he had extended
proposals to Gasprom which were accepted and the population was
saved from a social aftershock. In early April it became known what
proposals had been mentioned and what the price of salvation of people
had been. The joy for salvation was so great that people forgot to
ask if the defense minister alone had realized that selling the fifth
generating unit would relieve people’s state for three years, if the
Russians agreed to buy the generating unit from the defense minister
only or if only the generating unit. For Gasprom officially published
that it would buy other objects of the energy sector of Armenia,
and the minister of defense announced there would be interesting
developments with regard to the Iran-Armenia pipeline.

So there is no need to cause problems with anti-Russian moods now and
have to overcome them later, announced Serge Sargsyan. He announced
that the anti-Russian groups did not have any influence, all they could
do was to make a noise. If they do not have influence, how are they
supposed to cause problems. It means they have influence, nevertheless.

Besides, there is a noteworthy nuance, which had a rather typical and
revealing role in the entire odyssey about gas, however. The defense
minister voiced the criticism against anti-Russian groups when John
Danilovich, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation, was visiting Armenia. Through the latter the U.S.

government is going to allocate 235 million dollars to Armenia, which
is characterized as a carte blanche to President Robert Kocharyan
on some conditions, of course. But one man’s meat is another man’s
poison. This is life.

Another nuance is interesting, which is also important. Earlier when
the president of Armenia visited Russia to settle the question of gas
with Putin, it was announced that the problem of gas would be settled
in mid-February. Surprisingly, however, the problem was solved much
later. The deal of 248 million dollars was signed in early April, a
week after the agreement on 235 million dollars signed in Washington,
which means that within only three years more money will be transferred
to the balance of the defense ministry (outside its budget) than the
money that will come from America within 5 years.

MINISTER OF DEFENCE MEETS NATO SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006

On april 10, Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Safar
Abiyev met with Robert Simons, the NATO Secretary General’s special
representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Minister Abiyev said Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with NATO
successfully fulfilling its obligations under the Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP).

He noted Azerbaijan’s aim is to integrate into European security
structures, but the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
prevents Azerbaijan-NATO relations from developing.

Robert Simons said Azerbaijan-NATO relations have big prospects and
IPAP would give an impetus to the improvement of Azerbaijan’s defence.

Speaking of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, Mr. Simons said NATO espouses
peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Safar Abiyev also noted Armenia has been violating all international
norms.

“The international community should press Armenia on this dispute.

Azerbaijan will itself restore its territorial integrity if the
problem is not peacefully solved”, Mr. Abiyev added.

They also discussed the military-plitical situation in the South
Caucasus as well as prospects of Azerbaijan-NATO relations and
participation of Azerbaijan in peacemaking operations.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
04/10/2006
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1) US Suggests New Proposals for Settling Karabagh Issue
2) Karabagh Asks Azerbaijan to Maintain Ceasefire
3) Third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference Concludes in Antelias
4) Aznavour Hails New Paris-Yerevan Flights; Visits Monasteries in Tavush
5) Morgenthau’s Memoirs Published for First Time in Turkey
6) First Part of Russian Material to Be Withdrawn in May

1) US Suggests New Proposals for Settling Karabagh Issue

BAKU (Armenpress)–The United States has suggested new proposals to continue
the Prague process of the Karabagh conflict regulation, said Azeri Foreign
Minister, Elmar Mamedyarov.
He said that the proposals are interesting. Azeri officials will analyze the
new proposals and give their opinion when Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk group co-chairman Steven Mann visits Baku.
Mamedyarov also said that a recent decision to promote US-Azeri relations has
been made, in accordance with Azeri national interests.

2) Karabagh Asks Azerbaijan to Maintain Ceasefire

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)–The Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) Foreign
Ministry expressed its concern last week over frequent ceasefire violations
along the contact line between the Armenian and Azeri armed forces. The
statement blamed the incidents on increasingly hostile statements made by top
Azeri government officials.
The statement said that the ceasefire violations have increased casualties
along the contract line, led to mutual distrust, and could possibly escalate
tensions in the Karabagh conflict zone, threatening the stability in the
entire
region.
“The Nagorno Karabagh republic confirms its adherence only to the peaceful
settlement of the conflict, as well as its readiness to implement the sides’
open-ended obligations to maintain the cease-fire, which is confirmed by the 6
February 1995 agreement signed between the defense ministers of the
Nagorno-Karabagh, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. We call on the two other parties
that signed the agreement, namely Azerbaijan and Armenia, to join our
initiative.
“We hope that through joint efforts and with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairmen and other international mediators and interested sides, it
will be possible to confirm our adherence to the agreement and implement the
mechanisms it indicates in order to localize incidents on the armed forces’
contact line,” the statement said.
MKR confirmed its position that along with the strict observance of the
ceasefire, other preconditions for a peaceful solution are a peace process
that
involves all the parties to the conflict, confidence-building,
strengthening of
democracy, and respect for human rights.

3) Third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference Concludes in Antelias

The Third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference, which began Thursday in the
Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, concluded its sessions
Saturday. The official closing ceremony of the conference was held on Palm
Sunday, under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I, who also delivered his
Pontifical speech on this occasion.
The conference was initiated by the Writers’ Union of Armenia in cooperation
with the Assembly of Lebanese-Armenian Writers. It was held under the
patronage
of His Holiness Aram I.
More than 300 Armenian writers from Armenia, Karabagh, Lebanon, the Middle
East, Europe, Northern and Southern America, Canada and Australia gathered in
Antelias, Lebanon to participate in the conference.
Thursday’s sessions were dedicated to, “Modern Children’s Literature and
National Schools.” Eduard Milidonian from Armenia and Krikor Shahinian from
Lebanon gave two expert presentations about this topic.
The next session was dedicated to proposals about the Fourth Pan-Armenian
Writer’s Conference. Under the chairmanship of Norayr Atalian from Armenia and
Markar Sharabkhian from Canada the participant Armenian writers made various
proposals about the importance of contact between Armenian writers around the
world. The idea of establishing a website for this purpose was proposed. Other
suggestions were made on the organization of the printing press.
The ninth session was dedicated to the concerns and difficulties of Armenian
writers. Seiran Krikorian from Armenia and Jirayr Tanielian from Lebanon
chaired the session, during which various suggestions were made about
coordinating intellectual activities in Armenia and the diaspora.
The conference also included a performance of “I Veh Partsants” and “Cilicia”
by the Seminary Choir and an exhibition of books published in Armenia.

4) Aznavour Hails New Paris-Yerevan Flights; Visits Monasteries in Tavush

YEREVAN (RFE/RL/Armenpress)–Charles Aznavour, the famous French singer of
Armenian descent, was in Armenia Monday to inaugurate new regular flights
between Yerevan and Paris by Air France, one of the world’s biggest airlines.
Aznavour was among 39 French officials, business executives and other
dignitaries who arrived in the Armenian capital on Saturday on the flagship
French carrier’s first-ever flight to the South Caucasus. “I feel happy
attending any event that strengthens Armenian-French friendship,” he said
during the official presentation of the new flight service at the French
embassy in Yerevan.
The 75-year-old crooner, who has a square named after him in the city center,
took the opportunity to again emphasize his Armenian heritage. “I am 100
percent Armenian by heart, by soul and by family language,” he told reporters
in French.
On Sunday, Aznavour visited the Armenian region of Tavush, where he was
welcomed by the local governor and the head of Gugarats diocese of the Church.
Aznavour visited two medieval monasteries in the region-Goshavank and
Haghartsin, and was welcomed by local residents.
Aznavour also met with President Robert Kocharian, telling him that he has
decided to visit Armenia “at least a couple of times a year.”
“I am happy to see that life is moving forward in the country,” Kocharian’s
office quoted him as saying.
Air France will fly to Armenia three times a week in addition to two weekly
Yerevan-Paris flights that have long been carried out by the Armavia national
carrier. A senior company executive, Etienne Rachou, said the launch of the
new
flight service is part of a broader Air France strategy of boosting its
passenger traffic in Central and Eastern Europe by 10 percent. “And in this
development of Eastern Europe Armenia is naturally findings its place now,”
Rachou told a news conference.
The French ambassador in Yerevan, Henry Cuny, said the Air France flights
will
testify to the “strengthening of political relations between France and
Armenia.” “The presence of Air France underscores Armenia’s rapprochement with
Europe,” he said. “It is also an appeal addressed to new French investors.”
Air France is the fourth major Western airline to operate flights to Armenia.
The three other carriers are Austrian Airlines, British Airways and Germany’s
Lufthansa. They are believed to mainly cater for passengers traveling between
the United States and Armenia.

5) Morgenthau’s Memoirs Published for First Time in Turkey

Ragip Zarakolu, owner of Belge Publishing House, recently published Henry
Morgenthau’s memoirs of his term as US Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during
the Armenian genocide. This is the first time his memoirs have been published
in Turkey.
Zarakolu is notorious in Turkey for publishing books deemed subversive by the
Turkish authorities. Because of his work, Zarakolu spent three years in prison
in the 1970’s. His wife also spent several years in prison.
Belge Publishing House has published countless books about the Armenian
genocide, including Franz Werfel’s Forty Days in Musa Dagh, Tessa Hoffman’s
Talaat Pasha Trials in Berlin, and Peter Balakian’s Black Dog of the Fate.
When Zarakolu was acquitted of charges against him for publishing a book by
Vahakn Dadrian, the possibility of more free discussion about the Armenian
genocide in Turkey increased.
Since then he has withstood a constant barrage of criminal charges, further
imprisonment, confiscation and destruction of books, the bombing of his
publishing house, and heavy government fines and taxes. His publishing house
has endured more than 40 criminal indictments.

6) First Part of Russian Material to Be Withdrawn in May

TBILISI (Prime-News/OSCE)–The first train loaded with military equipment from
Russian military bases will be removed from Georgia in mid-May.
“According to the negotiated plan, the train will be loaded with armored
vehicles of the 62nd military base of Akhalkalaki,” reported Interfax, quoting
Vladimer Quparadze, Deputy Commander of Group of Russian Forces in South
Caucasus.
According to him, Valeri Evnevich, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Russian Land
Forces has arrived in Georgia to negotiate the details of base withdrawal from
Georgia with the representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.
The bases are being dismantled under an agreement signed last week between
Russia and Georgia on the temporary functioning and withdrawal of Russian
military bases and other military facilities deployed in Georgia.
Under the agreement, Russia would complete the withdrawal of the military
base
in Akhalkalaki by 2007, and finalize the closure of the military base in
Batumi
by 2008.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, has welcomed the
agreement between the two countries.
“This agreement marks significant progress in the talks between the Russian
Federation and Georgia, and is a way forward in the establishment of good
neighborly relations between the two countries,” said Minister De Gucht.
“It also contributes to enhanced confidence among the countries of the
region,” he added. “The Chairmanship remains ready to promote OSCE assistance
in support of the implementation of the agreement, should this be requested by
the Russian and Georgian Governments.”

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STARTING TODAY NEW GAS FEES ARE TO BE IMPLEMENTED

ArmRadio.am
10.04.2006 17:55

Starting today gas consumers will pay 65 drams per one cubic meter
of gas instead of the current 59 drams. Those who consume more than
10 000 cubic meters will pay US$94.5 instead of the current US$79.1.

Head of the Information Department of “Hayrusgazard” Company Shushan
Sardaryan informs that today and tomorrow the Company will make an
inventory of the volume of gas consumed to collect the corresponding
fees.

Starting April 1 the Company pays US$110 per 1 000 cubic meters of
gas imported to Armenia from Russia. According to Shushan Sardaryan,
the damage of the Company in the period between April 1-10 totaled
US$700 million.

THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MAKES WORLD TELEVISION PREMIERE ON TVO’S HUMAN EDGE

Canada NewsWire
April 10, 2006 Monday 8:00 AM Eastern Time

TORONTO April 10

On Wednesday April 12 at 10 pm, TVO’s acclaimed Human Edge will present
the world premiere of The Armenian Genocide. Written, produced,
and directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Goldberg, this
fascinating point-of-view documentary explores what many believe to be
the first genocide of the 20th century. Between 1915 and 1923 over a
million Armenians perished under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. In the
hour-long film, Goldberg speaks with Armenian, Turkish, and American
scholars and historians to shed light on the historical events that
precipitated the genocide, and why the Turkish government of today
continues to deny such events ever occurred. The film also features
Kurdish and Turkish citizens in present-day Turkey who openly share
stories told to them by their parents and grandparents.

To facilitate further understanding of this hotly-debated subject,
the documentary will be preceded at 8 pm on the night of broadcast by a
panel discussion on TVO’s Studio 2. The current affairs show’s regular
international affairs panel of Janice Stein, director of the Munk
Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto; Globe and Mail
editor, Patrick Martin; and Toronto Star columnist Richard Gwyn will
help to place the Armenian genocide into context. Viewers will also be
able to follow the Studio 2 discussion online at

As of April 7, viewers will also be able to register in our online
discussion board at to express their views,
as well as access links to other relevant websites.

Now in its 17th successful season, Human Edge is TVO’s acclaimed
series of challenging, provocative, point-of-view documentaries from
around the world. Hosted by award-winning writer and broadcaster Ian
Brown, Human Edge provides viewers with windows into complex or touchy
subjects that make up the human experience to expand their horizons
and foster healthy debate. Executive producer is Rudy Buttignol.

NATIOANAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER OF FRANCE AND RA AMBASSADOR PLANT ABRICOT-TREE BROUGHT FROM ARMENIA IN PARK OF ARMENIA OPENED IN CITY OF EVREUX, NORMANDY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 10 2006

PARIS, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A solemn ceremony
dedicated to the French-Armenian friendship took place in the city
of Evreux, Normandy, on April 7: the park of Armenia opened in the
central park of the city where Jean-Louis Debre, the National Assembly
Speaker of France and Edvard Nalbandian, the RA Ambassador in Paris
planted an abricot-tree brought from Armenia specially for that
purpose. Making a speech at the solemn ceremony organized on that
occasion, the NA Speaker of France touched upon the centuries-old
traditions of the Armenian-French friendship, emphasizing that at
present relations of Armenia and France are of brotherly character,
the birght evidence of what is the Year of Armenia to be organized
in France. The RA Ambassador mentioned in his speech that the planted
abricot-tree symbolizes in the best way the Armenian-French relations
with roots striken in the French land and having fruit with an Armenian
name. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press
and Information Department, during the private conversation before
the event, NA Speaker of France Jean-Louis Debre and Ambassador of
Armenia Edvard Nalbandian discussed current issues concerning the
Armenian-French relations.

Armenpress

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT AND WORLD BANK SIGN AGREEMENT ON
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Finance and
Economy Minister Vartan Khachatrian and World Bank
Resident Representative Roger Robinson have inked
today an agreement whereby the World Bank will release
a credit to Armenia for a Renewable Energy Project.
The total amount of the project is US$25.050
million, including a US$5 million International
Development Association (IDA) credit, and a US$3
million grant from the Global Environment Facility
(GEF). The project will also be supported by
co-financing of US$7 million from EBRD, US$3 million
from the Cafesjian Family Foundation, and US$7.050
million from the government and local financial
institutions This project will assist the government
to increase privately owned and operated power
generation utilizing renewable energy and to reduce
greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions by
overcoming barriers to the development of renewable
energy.
IDA and grant funds will be channeled through the
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund, which
will provide finance to private investors through a
financial intermediary. By the time of completion, the
project is expected to contribute to the development
of about 80MW of additional renewable energy
generation capacity, adding 200GWh annual renewable
generation to the electricity generation mix. In
addition, carbon dioxide emissions are expected to be
lowered by around 130,000 tons annually. The Credit
will be made to Armenia on standard IDA terms,
including 40 years maturity and a 10-year grace
period.
Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in
1993, the commitments to Armenia total approximately
US $921 million for 42 operations.

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