US READY TO HELP KAZAKHSTAN BUILD A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

ArmRadio.am
11.05.2006 13:25

“The US is ready to assist Kazakhstan, in case the latter decides
to build a nuclear power plant,” said John Ordway, US Ambassador
to Kazakhstan.

“We are not against Kazakhstan’s building a nuclear power plant and
we are ready to provide assistance in case the leadership of the
country takes a corresponding decision,” Ambassador Ordway declared.

To remind, before being appointed Ambassador to Kazakhstan, John
Ordway worked as Ambassador to Armenia.

PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN RECEIVED UAE AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
11.05.2006 14:07

President Robert Kocharyan received today the Ambassador of the United
Arab Emirates Khalifa Shahin Al-Mirr.

The President expressed his appreciation for the dynamically developing
relations between the two countries.

Reference was made to bilateral programs already in process and the
opportunities for expansion of cooperation. Robert Kocharyan attached
importance to accomplishment of investment programs parallel to the
development of trade relations. The President said he is impressed
by the success the UAE achieved in a short period of time.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Soccer / Hapoel TA upends Bnei Yehuda 1-0

By Haaretz Sports Staff

Hapoel Tel Aviv won the State Cup by defeating crosstown rivals
Bnei Yehuda 1-0 on an 87th minute goal by Ilia Yavorian at the National
Stadium in Ramat Gan yesterday.

Hapoel, which will end the season in second place behind Maccabi
Haifa, already had clinched a UEFA Cup spot, and Bnei Yehuda can still
claim its place in the competition by finishing fourth with a draw
against Upper Nazareth.

The losers were lucky to stay in contention until the dying
moments of an untidy encounter, and had Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama
to thank for several spectacular saves that kept Hapoel’s Cup hopes on
ice until three minutes from time.

Hapoel’s fans were the majority among a 40,000-strong crowd, and
erupted with joy as Armenian Yavorian slotted home a shot from close
range after a pass from the right by Nigerian Ibazito Ogabuna.

Hapoel’s typically dogged, defensive counter-attacking style
snuffed out Bnei Yehuda’s flair. Hopes of a repeat of the last of its
two cup victories in 1981, when it beat Hapoel on penalties, were
thwarted by the late goal.

The victory was a fitting farewell for Hapoel coach Dror Kashtan,
and he thanked fans at the end of the match as he prepares to take over
as Israeli national team coach.

“You are the best and most loyal fans. You’ve been our 12th player
throughout the season, and you deserve this victory,” Kashtan told
supporters over the public address system. “Now that I have six Cup
trophies and six league titles, I’m ready to take over the national
team,” Israel’s most successful club coach in history added.

Losing coach Nitzan Shirazi, who had been shooting for his first
piece of silverware, said he was bitterly disappointed by the loss, but
that no one was more worthy of the title than Kashtan.

“I would like to congratulate Dror Kashtan, because no one is more
worthy of it than him,” Shirazi said. “Today we received a lesson in how
cruel this game can be. We conceded a goal in the dying minutes when
there was no way back.

“I’m very proud of my players. Now we have to take a point from
Nazareth, because it would be a bitter blow if we missed out on Europe
as well.”

President Moshe Katsav awarded the trophy to Hapoel captain Shimon
Gershon as fireworks were launched outside the stadium.

“Nothing could be sweeter than this after so many years without a
title,” said Gershon, who very likely will be on the move to Betar
Jerusalem after this weekend’s final league game. “It was a tough game,
and we didn’t play our best, but I felt that we would sting in the final
minutes, and that’s exactly what we did. I couldn’t be happier.”

It was Hapoel’s 11th State Cup win since it became inaugural
winner of the trophy in 1928, and its first since the 1999/2000 season

PACE hearing on the Stability Pact for the South Caucasus

Strasbourg, 10.05.2006 – A parliamentary hearing on the Stability Pact
for the South Caucasus will take place on Friday 12 May in Brussels,
organised by the Political Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly (PACE).

The hearing, which is open to the press, will focus on the prospects for
such a Pact – similar to the one for South-East Europe – with the
participation of representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as
well as high-level officials from the EU, World Bank and G8, as well as
members of the European Parliament.

Venue: Senate – 8 rue de la Loi (Room M) Brussels – Belgium – (from 9.30
am to 1.00 pm)

Adrian Severin (Romania, SOC) is preparing a report on the subject for
the Assembly.

Link to the full programme

Contact: Micaela Catalano, Head of PACE Communication Unit,
mobile: +33(0)6 08 56 40 65 ; [email protected] , tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 31
93.

Audition parlementaire de l’APCE sur le Pacte de stabilité pour le
Caucase du Sud

Strasbourg, 10.05.2006 – Une audition parlementaire sur le Pacte de
stabilité pour le Caucase du Sud aura lieu à Bruxelles le vendredi
12 mai, organisée par la Commission des questions politiques de
l’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe (APCE).

L’audition, qui est ouverte à la presse, portera sur les perspectives
concernant un tel pacte, similaire à celui pour l’Europe du sud-est. Y
participeront des représentants de l’Arménie, de l’Azerbaïdjan et
de la Géorgie, ainsi que de hauts responsables de l’UE, de la Banque
mondiale et du G8, et des membres du Parlement européen.

Lieu : Sénat – 8 rue de la Loi, (salle M) Bruxelles – Belgique – (de 9
h 30 à 13 h 00)

Adrian Severin (Roumanie, SOC) prépare un rapport de l’Assemblée sur
ce sujet.

Lien vers le programme intégral

Contact : Micaela Catalano, Chef de l’Unité de Communication de
l’APCE,
portable:+ 33 (0)6 08 56 40 65 ; [email protected] , tél. +33 (0)3 88
41 31 93.

ED037b06

May 10, 2006 12:33:48 PM |
<;

News From Georgia < ia> >>

GEORGIAN GLASS & MINERAL WATERS CO. STOPS BORJOMI SHIPMENT TO RUSSIA

Source: Informational Agency Sarke (Mirror), 2006-05-05

Georgian Glass & Mineral Water Co. has said it has stopped the shipment
of
mineral water Borjomi to the Russian Federation from today. The
transportation of export containers has been postponed for an uncertain
time, the company reports.

10.5.2006

News From < aijan>
Azerbaijan >>

BTC ACTIONS UNDERWAY

Source: AzerTag, 2006-05-05

On May 4, participants of the action Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline named
after Heydar Aliyev v guarantor of peace, security, stability and
development arrived in Samsung /Turkey/.

They were welcomed by the deputies of fraternal country, members of
Women
Council of Justice and Development Party, heads of municipalities of
Trabzon, Riza and Samsung, Milli Majlis member Malahat Hasanova told
AzerTAc
correspondent.

On the same day, participants arrived in the capital of Turkey.
Employees of
the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Ankara handed letter of the head of
Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev over the action participants to read at the opening
ceremony in
Ceyhan port. Address by Mehriban Aliyeva, President of Heydar Aliyev
Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, MM deputy to the region women
will be also heard at the ceremony.

On May 5, women-deputies of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey left for
Adana.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey is expected to attend the
ceremony as well.

10.5.2006

News From Armenia < ia> >>

MORE THAN 20 THOUSAND TREES ALREADY PLANTED THIS SPRING IN 20
COMMUNITIES OF
TALIN REGION

Source: Noyan Tapan, 2006-05-03

More than 20 thousand trees have already been planted since early this
spring in more than 40 communities of the region of Talin, Aragatsotn
marz.
As Ashot Hovhannisian, the Governor’s authorized representative to the
region of Talin informed Noyan Tapan, the Nature Protection and
Agriculture
Department of the Governor’s Office staff gave plants of neccessary
quantity
and professional assistance.

10.5.2006

International < mational>
News
>>

NOAA: GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS CONCENTRATIONS ROSE IN 2005

Source: ENS, 2005-05-01

Levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmsphere have increased over
the
past 12 months relative to a 1990 benchmark, according to the Annual
Greenhouse Gas Index issed today by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. NOAA’s network of five global baseline observatories and
about 100 global cooperative sampling sites extends from the high Arctic
to
the South Pole.

10.5.2006

New Publications < cations>
>>

New publication released: “Vital Caspian Graphics: Challenges Beyond
Caviar”

Publisher: UNEP/GRID-Arendal

Order on-line at Earthprint.com

ISBN: 82-7701-039-7

Data of Publication: April 2006

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

Vital Caspian Graphics: Challenges Beyond Caviar examines very complex,
yet
fascinating issues affecting the environment of the Caspian Sea and the
surrounding areas. Illustrated with more than 50 maps and diagrams, it
provides a well-researched, well-documented and up-to-date analysis of
the
geopolitical, economic, environmental, population and security
conditions
that have resulted to a blend of competition and reluctant collaboration
among nation states, complex economic interests, as well as legal,
political, and ideological struggle in the region. It also features a
number of earlier published newspaper articles that are relevant to the
issues addressed.

We often associate the Caspian Sea with caviar that is legally or
illegally
finding its way to our tables, but overlook the footprints left by a
number
of industries installed on shores of the Caspian that are serving the
world
wealthiest market demands. The struggle for access to the vast resources
of
this unique and fragile ecosystem and the development of new
transportation
routes between Europe and Asia continue to shape the geopolitical and
security conditions in and around the world’s largest body of inland
water.
These and other developments pose complex challenges in the efforts of
countries to improve the damaged ecosystems that the local communities
are
depending on.

In view of the profound significance of the Caspian Sea region to global
and
regional environmental security, Vital Caspian Graphics will be an
invaluable tool for individuals, academics, governments, and
corporations.

More information:

Ieva Rucevska

UNEP/GRID-Arendal

Longum Park, Service Box 706,

N-4808 Arendal, Norway

Tel.: +47 370 35 738

Fax.: +47 370 35 050

10.5.2006

< gt; Job / Internship /
Study
Opportunity >>

Training in Marketing from European School of Management (ESM)-Tbilisi

European School of Management (ESM)-Tbilisi, the leading institution in
business education in Georgia is pleased to announce the training course
in
Marketing from 22nd of May.

The training course is designed to equip you with advance knowledge and
skills in Marketing Management that will enable you to successfully
manage
the marketing activities in business organizations.

Topics of the training program

Our training program devotes to the following marketing topics:

* Marketing: Managing profitable customer relationships
* Developing marketing strategies and plans
* Conducting marketing research and forecasting demand
* Creating customer value, satisfaction and loyalty
* Analysing consumer and business buyer behaviour
* Identifying market segments and targets
* Creating brand equity
* Crafting the brand positioning
* Creating competitive advantage
* Setting product strategy
* Designing and managing services
* Developing pricing strategies and programs
* Designing and managing value networks and channels
* Designing and managing integrated marketing communications
(Advertising, Sales Promotion, Public Relations, Personal selling and
Direct Marketing)
*

Who should attend this training course?

This training course will be equally suitable for marketing
practitioners
from industrial and service companies as well as anyone who wants to
acquire
or increase marketing knowledge and skills.

Our Approach:

During the training course there will be used interactive lectures,
exercises and cases. Finally, we will evaluate results to ensure
effective
knowledge and skill transfer.

The graduates will receive ESM-Tbilisi Certificates

Training Time Frame: From 22nd of May to 21st of June, on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.

Timing and Duration of Session: 19:00-21:45

Fee: 450 GEL

Contact Person: Zurab Liluashvili

Tel:+995 32 39 27 62

Mobile: +995 99 50 22 46, +995 93 30 35 50

E-mail: [email protected]

URL: <;

10.5.2006

Grant/Tender < s> >>

South Caucasus Youth Councils Initiative

Request for Proposals in Support of Regional Youth Activities

General Information

Within the South Caucasus, Catholic Relief Services operates in Armenia,
Azerbaijan, and Georgia. CRS/Caucasus works to strengthen local
partners,
advocates for social change, and promotes peace and reconciliation in
the
region. The CRS/Caucasus regional office is located in Tbilisi, Georgia.

CRS is implementing the third year of its project, South Caucasus Youth
Councils Initiative (SCYUI). The SCYUI maintains the primary goal of
supporting the development of youth in the South Caucasus who value
positive
social change.

Within the scope of the SCYUI, Catholic Relief Services/Georgia office
is
pleased to announce a call for proposals and invites local Georgia based
NGOs, as well as youth and educational institutions to submit
cross-border
youth projects (i.e., involving at least 2 countries) for funding
consideration.

CRS/Georgia is seeking proposals for small projects that promote the
following theme:

“Expanded role for youth in cross-border school or community-based
initiatives

The call for proposals aims to support the development of projects in
the
region seeking to link youth throughout the South Caucasus. Activities
might
include but are not limited to helping youth do the following:

=9E Build bridges, linkages or relationships with
each
other through joint participation in workshops, trainings, exhibitions,
web-based forums, academic competitions, essay/creative writing, etc.;

=9E Facilitate active engagement of youth in
improving
their schools and communities;

=9E To develop skills for engaging their peers in
cross-border volunteer or leadership related activities that foster
increased civic participation.

Criteria for submission:

1. Applicants must be a local NGO or educational
institution registered in Georgia.

2. Budget requests should not exceed 8,000 USD for
proposals that target beneficiaries from only two countries and 12,000
USD
for proposals that target all three countries.

3. Projects should have a 2-4 month implementation
timeline.

4. Project implementation should be started from July
1,
2006.

5. Collaborative projects are encouraged.

6. Cost-share contributions by applicants are
encouraged.

7. Applicants should budget minimal administrative
costs,
with primary costs supporting direct activities.

Please note that proposals should be submitted in English and be no more
than 7 pages in length. The required templates for proposal format and
budget are attached for completion. No other submitted formats will be
considered.

For more detail information please see
< licitation%20Application%20form%2
0and%20Templates .zip> YC Grant Solicitation Application form and
Templates.zip.

Proposals can be submitted in electronic version to the following e-mail
address: [email protected] with Subject Title: “South Caucasus Youth
Councils Initiative”

Proposals must be received by 6:00 pm on May 29, 2006. Inquiries
regarding
proposal-related issues can be directed to the above email address with
same
title in subject. No phone inquiries will be accepted.

10.5.2006

Announcement < ncement> >>

summer training camp

Dear friends,

I am pleased to introduce new summer training camp which will be
organized
in June 2006 by the Non Formal Education Youth Centre “Sunny House” with
the
cooperation with the OSCE Mission to Georgia.

The training camp will take place in June 2006 in Poladauri natural
reserve
and will involve 30 young people living in the regions as well as the
capital of the country. The core issue of the training which will be run
during the camp will be Personal and Professional Success and Its
Strategies.

The deadline for the submission of the forms is June 8, 2006.

Non Formal Education Youth Centre “Sunny House”

Address: 31, Gamsakhurdia ave., flat 39, Tbilisi, Georgia

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel.: (995 32) 37 13 40

Contact Persons:

Natia Mjavanadze

Cell: (995 99) 26 82 84

Natia Giorgadze: (995 93) 53 53 05

10.5.2006

Subscribing Information

CENN lists are created to maintain e-mail discussions of Caucasus
Environmental NGO Network members. CENN has been distributing
information
since 1998.

All the published digests and bulletins issued in both English and
Russian
languages present incredibly rich environmental information base that
give
the reader the whole picture of the environmental process taking place
during the recent 5 years in the South Caucasus region as well as
abroad.

To subscribe or unsubscribe from CENN mailing list service, please send
an
email to <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] and place the “subscribe”
or
“unsubscribe” command as the first line of the message body.

If you would like the information about your organization and activities
to
be distributed via the CENN mailing lists (the current number of CENN
mailing list members represents 11049), if you want your voice to be
heard
around the world, please send your information at the following email:
[email protected].

For more information about the program, please visit CENN web-page:

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network 2006

< l?marketge&0&digest>
BannerDots Network
< pl?digest>

CENN INFO

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel:+995 32 75 19 03/04

Fax:+995 32 75 19 05

E-mail: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]

URL: <;

The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
(A Division of the Zoryan Institute)
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Torrey Swan
DATE: May 10, 2006
Tel: 416-250-9807

New Scholarships On A First Come First Served Basis For Summer 2006 Students

The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (IIGHRS)
(A Division of the Zoryan Institute) is pleased to announce the availability
of new scholarship funding for selected students attending the Genocide and
Human Rights University Program (GHRUP) in Toronto, July 31-August 11, 2006.
Accordingly, the application deadline has been extended to Monday June 26,
2006 and eligible students are advised to register immediately.

“We have recently received donations and grants which have enabled us to
increase scholarships opportunities for deserving students,” stated Dr.
Roger W. Smith, Director of the GHRUP. “Such support affirms the universal
benefit of this unique program, which exposes students to the value of
international law and justice and increases their awareness of the nature of
genocide, the importance of human rights and the necessity of genocide
prevention.”

“We are most grateful for this recent support, including $5,000 from the
Agemian Organization, one complete sponsorship for a student from South
America by Diran Avedian, a $4,000 allocation out of a $10,000 grant by
Babayan Foundation, $1,000 from the Canadian Armenian Business Council of
Ontario, $5,000 from The Gilmour Foundation, $5,000 from the International
Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (an agency of the
Canadian Government), $7,500 from Vahan and Susie Kololian, and $7,500 from
Andre and Seza Nazarian. We hope that other individuals and organizations
will also come forward to provide help for more students, for whom the cost
of the course is prohibitive,” commented George Shirinian, Executive
Director of the IIGHRS.

Some of the scholarships are specified to cover the cost of tuition and
accommodation, including breakfast, for selected students of Armenian,
Bosnian, Israeli, Rwandan, South American, and Turkish descent.

This two-week, interdisciplinary program provides participants with the
intellectual framework for understanding the numerous, complex, and often
emotional issues related to genocide and gross human rights violations. An
examination of several major case studies, including the Armenian, Jewish,
Cambodian and Rwandan Genocides, provides the foundation for comparative
analysis. Students attending the course have the option of receiving four
graduate semester credits from the University of Minnesota.

To be eligible, candidates must be currently enrolled in an accredited
university, and have completed at least their junior (3rd) undergraduate
year. Selection will be based on a combination of strength of interest,
scholastic aptitude, and relevance of the course to the candidate’s future.
Applicants should send a brief explanation of why they deserve a
scholarship, along with the other required documents found under the
Registration section at

The mission of the Genocide and Human Rights University Program is to help
develop a new generation of scholars to engage in research and publication
in the field of genocide and human rights studies. The program strives to
show, through the study and sharing of the genocidal traumas of many
peoples, that genocide and the gross violation of human rights is a
universal human experience and that, as such, it must be the concern of all
individuals and institutions. The program will appeal to a wide variety of
students interested in various cases of genocide and the broader issues of
human rights.

Details and registration information, as well as how to donate, are
available on the program’s web site, For more
information, contact the IIGHRS (A Division of The Zoryan Institute),
416-250-9807, [email protected].

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/10/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM

1) Karabagh Celebrates Victory Day
2) Erdogan Asks French Firms to Help Defeat Genocide Bill
3) Azeri And Armenian Foreign Ministers to Meet Next Week
4) Armenians Participate in Fourth European Social Forum
5) FC MIKA Wins Armenian Cup

1) Karabagh Celebrates Victory Day

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)The Soviet victory in WWII, the liberation of Shushi,
and the creation of the Mountainous Karabagh Defense Army were celebrated
Tuesday in the Mountainous Karabagh Republic on Victory Day.
Columns of MKR Defense Army units marched solemnly in the Stepanakert
streets.
Meetings with veterans of WWII and the Artsakh War, concerts, sporting events,
and art expositions took place all over the republic.
The events ended with fireworks in the Republic’s Square of Revival.

2) Erdogan Asks French Firms to Help Defeat Genocide Bill

(Combined Sources)–Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with
representatives of French companies Tuesday and warned them that a French bill
criminalizing denial of Armenian genocide would damage relations between their
countries, the state-owned Anatolia news agency reported. Erdogan’s spokesman
confirmed the meeting took place.
The French Parliament will discuss the proposed bill next week, which would
make it a crime to deny that the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman
Turks at
the beginning of the 20th century constituted a genocide.
The French bill was proposed by the opposition Socialist Party and submitted
to the French parliament. It is similar to a law making it a crime in
France to
deny the Holocaust of World War II.
On Monday, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Paris, Osman Koroturk, over the
proposed bill. Koruturk, who went to Ankara to offer an official analysis
through diplomatic channels, will return to Paris by this weekend.
Turkey is exerting efforts in diplomatic, political and economic channels
against the bill in question.
Turkey has used economic leverage before to punish France for its stance on
the Armenian genocide: in 2001, Turkey canceled millions of dollars worth of
defense deals with French companies after lawmakers in France recognized the
Genocide.
Erdogan reportedly told the assembled company representatives in Ankara that
he wanted them to pressure the French government not to enact it.
“We expect executives of French firms to react to the draft law,” Erdogan was
quoted as saying, warning that its passage would negatively affect relations.
Erdogan added that the law was not conducive to freedom of thought and
expression, Anatolia reported.
As part of the concerted efforts, the Turkish Parliament Foreign Affairs
Commission went to Paris Tuesday to meet with representatives of political
parties represented in the French Parliament and ask for the motion to be
withdrawn.
The Turkish deputies are expected to warn the French politician that the
motions’ becoming law may lead to irreparable damages in bilateral relations.
Also, earlier this month, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was widely quoted in
the Turkish news media as asking his French counterpart, “Will you throw me in
jail too?” if he stated that the killings were not genocide, which is official
Turkish government policy.
Meanwhile, France’s Ambassador to Ankara, Paul Poudade, said that he does not
think that there will be a big crisis between the two countries.
Poudade said France’s relations with Turkey are important, but added, “at the
same time, keeping ties with France, a European Union member, is also to the
advantage of Turkey.”
Ankara also does not expect rocky relations with Paris at this point. It has
not taken any extreme measures, such as officially withdrawing the Turkish
ambassador.
The temporary recalling of the ambassador, however, was a strong statement by
Turkey, which faces an uphill battle to win over the French public in hopes of
gaining eventual entrance to the European Union.
Turkey also recalled its ambassador to Canada over the Genocide issue, saying
remarks by the Canadian prime minister recognizing the Genocide could
seriously
harm Turkish-Canadian relations.
Turkey has said it would return both ambassadors after consultations in
Ankara.

3) Azeri And Armenian Foreign Ministers to Meet Next Week

BAKU (Armenpress)–The Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers, Vartan Oskanian
and Elmar Mamedyarov, will meet on May 18-19 in Strasbourg, France.
Mamedyarov confirmed Oskanian’s statement Wednesday that the two would
meet in
Strasbourg to discuss the possibility of holding a meeting between the
Presidents of the two countries in June.
The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk will also join the talks to be held between
Oskanian and Mamedyarov.
Meanwhile, Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Yury Merzlyakov, said
that he and his two counterparts from the US and France, Steven Mann and
Bernard Fassier, were waiting for reaction to their latest proposals from
officials in Yerevan and Baku.
These new proposals were delivered to the Azeri and Armenian governments by
Fassier during his latest visit to the region.
“I think it was the most important visit following our meeting in Moscow to
formalize these proposals,” Merzlyakov said.

4) Armenians Participate in Fourth European Social Forum

(Combined Sources)Approximately 30,000 people gathered in Athens on May 4-7
for
the fourth annual European Social Forum (ESF) to discuss the war in Iraq,
neoliberalism in Europe, and immigrant rights.
The forum, which brings together all social movements in Europe, featured
hundreds of seminars, booths sponsored by various organizations at the event’s
main fair, and a meeting on Friday night to hear anti-war activists.
At the end of the forum, over 80,000 people joined a demonstration through
the
center of Athens, where “hands off Iran” echoed through the streets.
Two representatives from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) youth
organization of Armenia and five ARF youth organization members from Greece
participated in the Forum.
The delegates ran a booth during the fair, where they handed out
informational
packets and brochures educating attendees about the organization, the Armenian
genocide, and selling Armenian CDs.
With over one thousand Turks also participating in the forum, representatives
of the two groups had a chance to discuss some of the most pertinent issues in
Armenian-Turkish relations.
The Armenian delegates spoke to their Turkish counterparts about the
importance of Genocide recognition.
The Turkish participants agreed that Turkey must recognize the Armenian
genocide and acknowledged the wrongdoing of their government.
Although the Armenian and Turkish delegations got a chance to meet and
discuss
important issues, the ESF did not have any plenary sessions where participants
could debate some of the major issues facing the movement.
Organizers of the ESF reported that it was the biggest political gathering in
Greece since the student uprisings of the 1970s.

5) FC MIKA Wins Armenian Cup

FC MIKA won their fifth Armenian Cup after a 1-0 win against FC Pyunik in
Tuesday’s final. Both teams played a great game, but it was Armen
Shahgeldyan’s
23rd minute
goal that clinched the game for MIKA.
MIKA and Pyunik are the only two teams to have won the Armenian
Cup since 2000, but they had never played each other in the final before.

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111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206

Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222

Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
May 10, 2006

Mark Geragos Elected to Armenia Fund International Board

Yerevan, Armenia – Prominent celebrity attorney and CNN legal analyst
Mark Geragos was appointed to the International Board of Trustees of
Armenia Fund – the governing body of the worldwide organization. The
Board of Trustees, which is chaired by President Robert Kocharian,
unanimously approved Geragos’ appointment as a new Trustee to the Board.
As a premier organization tasked with crucial nation-building projects
in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Geragos stated, `What I like about
Armenia Fund is what I call the `ecumenical nature’ of the organization,
meaning that it brings together Armenian political, cultural
organizations, and religious institutions around the world under one
mission – to rebuild Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.’

In the past three years Geragos has participated in Armenia Fund’s
annual Thanksgiving Day Telethons and assisted the organization with its
fundraising efforts. “Geragos is a great addition to the International
Board of Trustees of Armenia Fund. He brings enormous access and a wide
range of resources to our organization to further our nation-building
activities in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,” said Maria Mehranian,
Chairperson of Armenia Fund, Inc.

During his visit, Geragos had the opportunity to meet with His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All-Armenians. On the sidelines of the Board
meeting, Geragos also had a private meeting with President Robert
Kocharian. The President warmly welcomed his election to the Board of
Trustees and expressed his willingness to work closer with him.

Geragos has been quite active within the greater Armenian-American
community realm. Recently, along with other Los Angeles based attorneys,
Geragos filed a lawsuit against German banks – Deutsche Bank A.G. and
Dresdner Bank A.G – regarding heirs of Armenian Genocide survivors that
the banks have refused to pay.

Geragos’ clients among others have included Hollywood actress Winona
Ryder and pop icon Michael Jackson. A graduate of Loyola Law School in
Los Angeles, Geragos was recently named as one of the most influential
attorneys in the country. The Los Angeles Times describes him as
`seemingly unbeatable’. As a Trustee of Armenia Fund, Geragos is
certainly going to further rally the financial resources of the Diaspora
for infrastructure development projects in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’
All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698

MIKA triumph in Armenian Cup
Tuesday, 9 May 2006

FC MIKA have won their fifth Armenian Cup after Armen
Shahgeldyan’s 23rd-minute goal earned them a 1-0 win
against FC Pyunik in Tuesday’s final.

Crucial breakthrough
Both teams made a bright start with plenty of chances
in the opening 15 miutes but it was to be Shahgeldyan
who made the crucial breakthrough. Pyunik defender
Rafael Safaryan failed to clear Arsen Meloyan’s long
ball, allowing Shahgeldyan to ghost past Robert
Arzumanyan and score with the outside of his boot.

Other chances
Shahgeldyan had other chances to score later in the
game as MIKA made up for previous defeats against
Pyunik in the league, but the Yerevan side will have
more than a few regrets after the game with Agvan
Lazarian, Arsen Avetisyan, Levon Pachahjyan and
Tigran Karabagtsyan all missing good chances.

Final meeting
MIKA and Pyunik are the only two sides to have won the
Armenian Cup since 2000, although this is their first
meeting in the final. MIKA have qualified for the
first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup while Pyunik
will compete in the first qualifying round of the UEFA
Champions League as reigning Armenian champions.

The Greens Union of Armenia
Dr. Hagop Sanasarian, president
Mamikoniants St. 47-13,
Yerevan, Armenia
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (374-10) 257-634
US contact: Dr. Anne Shirinian, 732-462-9089

Green Regarding Uranium Mining at Nor Getik

By The Greens Union of Armenia
May, 2006

The Greens Union of Armenia is deeply concerned regarding Global Gold
Corporation’s plan to mine uranium, copper and other metals at Nor
Getik, 18 km away from Lake Sevan (within the watershed of the lake),
and to transport the raw material to the City of Hrazdan for the
extraction of the uranium and other metals. Among the consequences of
the proposed plan will be that Yerevan city will be squeezed between
two threats of possible environmental catastrophes – from the west
there is the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) together with its storage of
radioactive waste and from the north-east, there will be Hrazdan city
with its storage of the uranium processing waste (although classified
as `low level radioactive’ waste, nevertheless it represents a grave
environmental health hazard). The processing of uranium, in
particular, will produce radioactive dust and wastewater. The latter
will be dumped into the River Hrazdan, which provides large amounts of
irrigation water. Thus, through dust and water, the fields and
inhabited lands along the River Hrazdan will become contaminated with
radioactive elements. In addition, during disasters, which occur
frequently in this region, such as earthquakes, landslides, flooding,
possible bombardment during wartime, the waste materials stored in
both Hrazdan and at NPP present a significant threat to the survival
of the people of Armenia, and also may become targets of terrorist
attacks.

The mining of uranium will begin its destruction at Nor Getik by
contaminating the waters and the beautiful valley of the River Getik –
a paradise, where many refugees from Azerbaijan have found shelter.
The River Getik flows into the River Aghestev, which means that all
the contaminants will also flow into the River Aghestev, which passes
through the center of the town of Ijevan. Villages in the valley of
the River Getik would need to be abandoned if radioactive dust
contaminates the air or irrigation water becomes radioactive.

Then follows the contamination of the River Hrazdan and the
destruction of the town of Hrazdan, known as a resort town – many
sanatoriums and health spas, children’s and students’ homes are
located there. The Soviets paid special attention to this area
allocating funding to limit industrial pollution in Hrazdan. Note
that the River Hrazdan flows out of Lake Sevan, then passes through
many towns, such as Hrazdan, Charentsavan, Abovian, Yerevan, Masis,
Ararat, and through many villages, and finally flows into the River
Arax. The water of Hrazdan River feeds the irrigation networks of
Ararat valley and of all the lands along the river. Thus,
contamination of the water of Hrazdan river is unacceptable.

Before the raw material reaches Hrazdan city via rail transport, it
will be stored in a storage area, right on the shore of Lake Sevan,
because the rail line is built along the shoreline, just as the main
road. This means that even if the raw material is transported via
trucks, and not stored on the shore, the trucks still have to drive on
a road, which runs along the shore. This represents a direct threat
of contamination for the water of Lake Sevan in case of a rail or a
truck accident.

Finally, the Government of Armenia must not only adopt public
transparency and accounting regarding the activities of various mining
companies in Armenia, but also a way, a mechanism, by which the
Armenian public can participate in the decision-making process
regarding the ownership and the exploitation of Armenia’s natural
resources. At the moment, our government seems to be buckling under
great external pressures, however, if the public at large is allowed
to be informed and to participate in important decisions (for example,
regarding the issue of ownership of strategic objects, such as
Armenia’s hydropower stations), then the general will of the public
will resist these external pressures and save our nation’s treasures
(i.e., water and land) from usurpation and excessive exploitation.
Also, without any doubt, if given a choice, the public will chose
development of alternative sources of energy, such as wind, hydropower
and solar (all of which are abundant in Armenia), instead of promoting
the interests of the nuclear industry by proposing a new expensive
nuclear power plant for a small earthquake-prone impoverished country.

Information on contamination caused by uranium mining and extraction:

Waste rock is produced during open pit mining when overburden is
removed, and during underground mining when driving tunnels through
non-ore zones. Piles of so-called waste rock often contain elevated
concentrations of radioisotopes compared to normal rock. Other waste
piles consist of ore with too low a grade for processing. All these
piles threaten people and the environment due to their release of
radon gas and seepage water containing radioactive and toxic
materials. In addition, to keep water out of the mine during
operation, large amounts of contaminated water are pumped out and
released to rivers and lakes. When the pumps are shut down after
closure of the mine, there is a risk of groundwater contamination from
the rising water level.

Ore mined in open pit or underground mines is crushed and leached in a
uranium mill. A uranium mill is a chemical plant designed to extract
uranium from ore. In most cases, sulfuric acid is used as the
leaching agent, but alkaline leaching is also used. The leaching agent
not only extracts uranium from the ore, but also several other
constituents like molybdenum, vanadium, selenium, iron, lead and
arsenic, thus, the uranium must be separated out of the leaching
solution. The final product from the mill, commonly referred to as
“yellow cake” (U3O8 with impurities), is packed and shipped in casks.
In the end, large amounts of radioactively contaminated scrap are
produced, which have to be disposed in a safe manner. Uranium mill
tailings are normally disposed of (dumped) as a sludge in special
ponds or piles, where they are abandoned. The amount of sludge
produced is nearly the same as that of the ore milled. At a grade of
0.1% uranium, 99.9% of the material is left over as scrap/tailing.

Apart from the portion of the uranium removed, the sludge contains all
the constituents of the ore. Because long lived decay products such as
thorium-230 and radium-226 are not removed, the sludge contains 85% of
the initial radioactivity of the ore. Due to technical limitations,
all of the uranium present in the ore cannot be extracted. Therefore,
the sludge also contains 5% to 10% of the uranium initially present in
the ore.

In addition, the sludge contains heavy metals and other contaminants
such as arsenic, as well as chemical reagents used during the milling
process. Moreover, the constituents inside the tailings pile are in a
geochemical disequilibrium that results in various reactions causing
additional hazards to the environment. For example, in dry areas,
salts containing contaminants can migrate to the surface of the pile,
where they are subject to erosion. If the ore contains the mineral
pyrite (FeS2), then sulfuric acid forms inside the deposit when
accessed by precipitation and oxygen. This acid causes a continuous
automatic leaching of contaminants. After hundreds of thousands of
years, the radioactivity of the tailings and thus its radon emanation
will have decreased so that it is only limited by the residual uranium
contents. (end)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress