Month: October 2006

STRATFOR EXPERTS DON’T BELIEVE IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT TILL YEAREND

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.10.2006 14:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The analysts of Stratfor, a security consulting
intelligence agency, do not consider that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
will be settled till the end of the year even in case of a new round
of talks.

Azerbaijan is reinforcing its army but has not made big achievements
yet. Meanwhile, according to the experts, during the next three
months Azerbaijan will have a new source of income – a gas pipeline
will be put into operation in addition to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline. The Stratfor analysts suppose that the Georgian conflicts
will aggravate and the referendum in South Ossetia scheduled for
October 12 will worsen the situation.

Georgia will long to strengthen ties with the West, first of all with
the United States. Russia will try to encourage separatist movements
and undertake steps to hinder the possibility Georgia’s joining the
NATO, the experts say, reported RFE/RL.

ARMAVIA FIXES 30% GROWTH OF MOSCOW-YEREVAN PASSENGER FLOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.10.2006 14:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armavia national carrier has fixed a 30% growth of
the Moscow-Yerevan passenger flow.

"Armavia national carrier fixes the growth of the Moscow-Yerevan
passenger flow from the airports of Vnukovo and Domodedovo," said
Armavia’s press service.

This is mostly conditioned by the suspension of air communication
between Russia and Georgia. It should also be noted that increase
of the number of passengers departing from Yerevan for Moscow is not
observed, reports newsarmenia.ru.

FULL SENATE BLOCKS US SUBSIDY FOR KARS-BAKU RAILWAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.10.2006 15:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Committee of America welcomed
the adoption by the US Senate of legislation protecting US taxpayers
from funding an unnecessary and costly proposed railroad between Turkey
and Georgia that would, if built, circumvent Armenia. The Senate,
during its final day in session before the November 7 mid-term
elections, passed the measure by unanimous consent as part of its
reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. On September 21 the Senate
Banking Committee, during its consideration of the Export-Import
bill, had agreed to add the railway language, offered initially as an
amendment by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), to the larger measure. The
Menendez Amendment was ultimately accepted as a "manager’s amendment"
by Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Ranking Democrat Paul
Sarbanes (D-MD) and unanimously approved by the panel. "Armenian
Americans welcome the Senate’s strong stand against the efforts of
Turkey and Azerbaijan to institutionalize their blockades of Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian,
reports asbarez.com.

GERMAN KFW BANK TO GIVE 12 MILLION CREDIT TO BOOST ARMENIAN MORTGAGE MARKET

Armenpress
Oct 04 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The German government-owned KfW bank
will soon allocate a 12 million euro credit to Armenia’s Central Bank
to support the country’s developing mortgage market. The Central Bank
will distribute the German credit among 6 local commercial banks and
2 crediting organizations which will offer mortgage loans to Armenians
wishing to buy new apartments and houses.

KfW’s credit is given with a payment period of 40 years and at 0.75
percent annual interest rate. The first tranche will be 6 million
along with 1.5 million euro grant that will be used for consulting
services and organization of training courses for local specialists.

This program is supposed to give a boost to local mortgage market,
to force interest rates down and extend repayment period. Karapet
Gevorkian, a representative of the KfW in Armenia, said to a news
conference today that under the German bank’s terms, mortgage loans
must be allocated in national Armenian currency, their amount must
not exceed 12 million drams or $30,000 and the repayment period must
be no shorter than 10 years.

Another mandatory term is that borrowers must have life and property
insurances. Gevorkian said the interest rate will be defined by the
local market.

First credits from the KfW loan will be issued next year.

Currently interest rate are between 10-15 percent annually. Experts
estimate there is a $150, million demand for mortgage credits now.

ARMENTEL PROMISES TO RESTORE TELEPHONES IN ALL ARMENIAN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Armenpress
Oct 04 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: ArmenTel telephone operator has
pledged a $30 million investment to digitize completely or partially
telephone communication transmission and inter-operability systems
in 20 provincial centers across Armenia by the end of this year.

The company, owned by the Greek OTE, said as a result virtually
all rural communities in the country will have telephone
communication. ArmenTel will also repair existing infrastructure,
will install CDMA wireless network and will concurrently digitize 80
percent of telephone lines in the capital city Yerevan.

By the end of the year ArmenTel will also install ADSL system that
will allow a speedy and quality Internet connection.

LAW AGAINST BIN LADEN

A1+
[04:20 pm] 04 October, 2006

"We are sick and tired of seeing large cars stopping in the middle
of the street in order for the driver to have a word with someone and
the police unable to punish those who break the law. We are sick and
tired of the atmosphere of impunity", said NA deputy Speaker Vahan
Hovhannisyan during the discussions of the RA draft Law on "The
Activity of Guards". The latter is also the co-author of the draft.

Continuing his speech, Vahan Hovhannisyan noted that the law does
not increase the authorizations of the guards but limits them, and
the police are given a real chance to take the sphere under control.

According to him, the Russian authorities have managed to do exactly
the same and the punish those who break the law.

"Some of the deputies considered this draft insignificant, but in that
case combat against pornography may be considered insignificant too",
Vahan Hovhannisyan announced.

Other co-author of the draft Hrayr Karapetyan announced that the
necessity of the law proceeds from the discontent of the people, and
the private guard organizations and those who realize their activity
in the illegal field must be brought to the legal sphere.

He also informed that if the field is not regulated, Ben Laden may
arrive in Armenia one day, create a guard organization and commit and
terrorist act. He added that the Government has made 17 offers which
they are ready to accept in order for the law to be accepted by the
first hearing and amended later.

The discussion of the issue is over; the draft will be voted as soon
as the deputies deign to arrive at the Parliament hall.

KURDS DECLARED CEASE-FIRE

A1+
[04:45 pm] 04 October, 2006

>From October 1 the Union of Kurdistan Organizations declared cease-fire
calling on the Turkish authorities "to give up their attempts to
solve the problem by force and to start negotiations".

This was the order of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdish
people, who is sentenced to life imprisonment in Turkey. The Kurds
have decided to follow it, as "Turkey displays a desire to settle
separate issues".

President of "Kurdistan" Committee, editor-in-chief of newspaper
"Mesopotamia" Rash Charqyazeh says that after 2.5 years of bloodshed
between the Kurds and the Turks the international community and the
Turkish and Kurdish public and political circles are seriously
concerned and make statements about the necessity of a new
cease-fire. The previous one was violated on June 1, 2004.

"Cease-fire does not mean weakness; it means decisiveness to take new
political and diplomatic steps", says Midia Rezan, representative of
the Caucasian wing of the Kurdistan Organizations Union>

According to member of "Kurdistan" Committee, member of the National
minorities committee adjunct to the RA President Knyaz Hasanov,
during the last 20 years the Turks have leveled to earth more than
5000 Kurdish villages, more than 10 000 Kurdish people have been
sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism and tortured. "They have
also blown up a kindergarten where 11 children died and more than 10
were injured", he added.

And still, the Kurds of Armenia condemn every kind of terrorist act,
whoever might commit them.

WILL THE USA RECOGNIZE THE INDEPENDENCE OF NKR?

A1+
[03:49 pm] 04 October, 2006

Washington, DC – To mark the 15th Anniversary of Artsakh’s
Independence, Members of Congress joined the Co-Chairs of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), in sending a letter to President Bush
urging him "to recognize the 15th anniversary of the independence of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic [Artsakh]" and calling the President’s
attention to Artsakh’s "efforts in furthering their democracy and
creating an independent state."

Nagorno Karabakh’s decision to establish a sovereign state came as a
continuation of the national liberation movement that began immediately
after Joseph Stalin awarded administrative control over Karabakh
to Soviet Azerbaijan in 1921. After suffering from over 70 years of
discrimination and oppression by Azerbaijan and the Soviet regime, the
people of Artsakh stepped up their struggle for freedom and democracy
by establishing the independent Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh.

The congressional letter, signed by 77 members and sent to the White
House on September 29, highlights a long history of U.S support to
Nagorno Karabakh and the will of the people of Artsakh to build a
democratic and economically viable country. The letter also notes
the continuation of Azerbaijan’s destructive policy, which
threatens peace and stability in the region and "goes against
U.S. interests." Most importantly, the congressional letter advocates
for expansion of U.S. political and economic engagement with Nagorno
Karabakh.

The letter said in part: "As we work towards peace, the United
States can and must expand its engagement with the lawfully and
democratically established Nagorno Karabakh Republic. These ties
should not be dictated by outside forces but rather should be guided
by the shared values of our two nations. […] We should build on this
success by investing in developmental and good governance programs that
will strengthen Nagorno-Karabakh’s economy, democratic institutions,
and promote even greater cooperation on a range of regional and
security issues." (The full text of the letter is provided at the
end of the release.)

Despite the overwhelming challenges of the past 15 years, Artsakh has
registered impressive achievements: successful defense of its freedom
against Azerbaijani military aggression, nearly complete restoration of
its war-devastated economy, continued strengthening of its democracy,
unprecedented economic growth and constructive partnership with the
international community to bring about lasting peace and stability
to the South Caucasus.

"Everyday, we are advancing in building a country of our dreams – a
free, democratic and prosperous Artsakh. Fifteen years of independent
statehood have proved the righteousness of the historic path chosen
on September 2, 1991. Throughout these years, the people of Artsakh
have been truly blessed to enjoy the political and economic support
of the U.S. Congress.

We are deeply thankful to the American people for their generous
economic assistance that helped restore dozens of war-torn
villages, drinking water supplies and medical facilities," said NKR
Representative in the United States Vardan Barseghian.

Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), who co-chairs the Armenian Caucus,
said: "The United States stands for freedom and democracy, values
that have vividly triumphed in Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh, without
any international support. I am proud to support this nation as it
works to achieve formal international recognition of its well-deserved
independence. The U.S. economic assistance to Nagorno Karabakh should
be continued."

"Time and again, the people of Nagorno Karabakh have demonstrated
their firm commitment to values of liberty and peace. They have
also worked hard to establish a developing democracy and growing
market economy. The United States should expand its political and
economic engagement with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic," echoed fellow
Armenian Caucus Co-chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). Congressmen
Knollenberg and Pallone also thanked their colleagues, the co-signers
of this congressional letter to President Bush, for supporting this
critical initiative. "In its quest for freedom and its efforts to
strengthen its democracy and develop its economy, Nagorno Karabakh
enjoys a broad-based congressional support. Our collective aim was to
convey this message to President Bush as the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
celebrates the 15th Anniversary of Independence," the congressmen said.

This congressional effort enjoyed strong support of the two
Armenian-American advocacy groups in Washington, DC.

"The Armenian Assembly commends Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone
for their initiative and leadership in urging the U.S. to strengthen
relations with Karabakh as it celebrates 15 years of independence,"
said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "As we mark this
special occasion, we are reminded of the accomplishments the people
of Karabakh have already achieved. The Assembly will continue to work
with its friends in Congress and the Administration to advocate for
Karabakh’s right to self-determination."

"We want to thank Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone and all those
who joined with the Armenian Caucus in marking this milestone of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s continued contribution to the growth of
democracy, economic development, and the prospects for an equitable
and lasting peace in the Caucasus," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian.

On behalf of the NKR Government, Barseghian thanked the Armenian
Assembly of America and the Armenian National Committee of America
for their effective work on Capitol Hill.

"We are also grateful to our congressional friends for their continued
support of Nagorno Karabakh on our path towards freedom, democracy
and prosperity — universal values that have been guiding Artsakh
since independence," said Representative Barseghian.

The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia
and the public representing the official policies and interests of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

POWER SUPPLY HALTED BECAUSE OF LIGHTNING

A1+
[03:30 pm] 04 October, 2006

The residents of several districts of Yerevan have serious concerns
about the possible resumption of periodical cessation of power supply,
especially taking into account the fact that the Nuclear power station
has ceased its work for 45 days. Power supply was halted in Ajapnyak,
Nor Norq, Arabkir and Kentron.

The situation lasted up to 10 hours.

According to press secretary of "Armenian electricity supply network"
Zara Torikyan, the reason was the weather: the strong wind and the
rain damaged the overhead cables which were rather old. According
to the press secretary, the cables are being repaired. By the way,
in several districts were power supply wasn’t halted, the residents
themselves switched off the safety devices.

Zara Torikyan informed "A1+" that the situation lasted
only a few hours, and the results of the incident were soon
eliminated. Nevertheless, the building in Buzand 1/3 was deprived of
electricity for ten solid hours.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE-LED TEAM STARTS MISSION TO ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SOUTHERN CAUCASUS FIRES

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

Oct 4 2006

BAKU, 3 October 2006 – An OSCE-led team of international experts,
backed by a United Nations General Assembly resolution, began an
11-day mission today to assess the environmental impact of fires in
and around Nagorno-Karabakh.

Bernard Snoy, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental
Activities, heads the Environmental Assessment Mission, which
includes United Nations, Council of Europe and European Union and
NASA specialists and other local and international experts. Other
OSCE officials will also participate.

"The mandate of the Mission is to assess the short-term and long-term
impact of the fires on the environment in the fire-affected territories
and to make recommendations on how to counteract those consequences,"
said Mr. Snoy. "We will make recommendations for a future environmental
operation that would, among others, prevent the reoccurrence of
such fires."

"It is significant that this team draws on specialist knowledge from
several international organizations as well as local expertise,"
he added.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/60/285)
last month that called on the United Nations Environment Programme
in particular to work with the OSCE. The resolution asked the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office to provide a report to the United Nations General
Assembly by 30 April 2007.

The UN resolution said the General Assembly was seriously concerned by
the fires and said they had inflicted widespread environmental damage.

To ensure the assessment is as comprehensive as possible, the Mission
will examine and assess fire-affected areas along both sides of the
Line of Contact, Mr. Snoy said.