Month: March 2007

50 YEARS OF EUROPEAN UNION

ArmRadio.am
21.03.2007 17:52

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the European Union Benita
Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and
Neighborhood Policy, issued a message, which says, in part:

"Fifty years ago six European countries came together to create a
unique form of regional organization. The objective was to ensure
war would never again ravage the European continent, and to bring
lasting security to its peoples.

It has undoubtedly been a tremendous success. For fifty years its
members have enjoyed unprecedented levels of peace, prosperity and
stability. And so they have pushed it to go further. Over the years it
has evolved to be much more than a simple trading bloc coordinating
members’ trade policy and setting common tariffs. Now numbering 27
members, the European Union today is a political organization active
in all the areas that pose the greatest challenges to society in the
21st century.

For countries around the world that means we are no longer just a
trading partner. Now we are a strategic partner for issues as varied
as international terrorism, climate change, HIV/AIDS, and resolving
the world’s most entrenched conflicts.

In our relations with our international partners we project the values
we believe have contributed to our own success. Our prosperity has
grown out of a particular form of regional cooperation which has
developed hand in hand with a deeper commitment to democracy, human
rights and the rule of law. It is this experience, the secret of our
own success, which we seek to offer to others.

Around the world the European Union has a dense network of formal
agreements and over 130 delegations, including one in Yerevan, to
cooperate with countries on issues like trade, energy, the environment,
human rights and international organized crime. We have a growing range
of foreign policy instruments available, not just our trade and aid
policies, but also our rapid response to humanitarian emergencies,
and our police and military missions. In strengthening our role in
the world our task is to deploy these instruments as coherently and
effectively as possible, whether that be in Lebanon, the West Balkans
or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We are already making a difference – by playing a part in finding
a solution to conflict in the Middle East and trying to resolve the
international stand-off over Iran’s nuclear intentions. We are leading
by example on questions like climate change and energy security. All
these questions will be at the heart of the international agenda in
the months and years to come.

The EU is not a finished story. Our institutions and powers are
still evolving and nowhere is that more true than in the area of
foreign policy. But it is already clear that our partners see us as
a different kind of partner than the purely trading partner we once
were. They see the strategic value of greater cooperation with us,
just as we see the strategic value of greater cooperation with them.

Similarly, the EU’s citizens expect their leaders to put Europe on
the world map. They want us to create better lives not only for them
and our neighbours but for everyone. So this is our objective for
the next 50 years: using the achievements of the last 50 years – our
wealth, peace and experience – not only to maintain our own standard
of living, but also for the benefit of others."

UN SECRETARY GENERAL’S MESSAGE ON WORLD WATER DAY

ArmRadio.am
21.03.2007 17:42

UN Secretary General issued a statement on the occasion of the World
Water Day. UN Department of Public Information Yerevan Office informs
that the message says, in part,

"World Water Day is celebrated this year with a special focus on
"Coping with Water Scarcity."

Water scarcity can be physical, economic or institutional, and can
fluctuate over time and space. Today, about 700 million in 43 countries
suffer from waters scarcity, and by 2025 this figure could increase
to more than 3 billion people.

The state of the world’s waters remains fragile, and the need for
an integrated and sustainable approach to water resource management
is as pressing as ever. Available supplies are under great duress
as a result of high population growth, unsustainable consumption
patterns, poor management practices, pollution, inadequate investment
in infrastructure, and low efficiency in water-use.

Yet even more water will be needed in the future: to grow food,
to provide clean drinking water and sanitation services, to operate
industries and to support expanding cities. The water-supply-demand
gap is likely to grow wider still, threatening economic and social
development and environmental sustainability. Integrated water
resources management will be of crucial importance in overcoming water
scarcity. So will international cooperation, since many of the world’s
rivers and aquifers are shared among countries. Such cooperation can
also promote harmonious cross-border ties in general.

The Millennium Development Goals have helped to highlight the
importance of access to safe drinking water supplies and adequate
sanitation, which undeniably separates people living healthy and
productive lives from those living in poverty and who are most
vulnerable to various life-threatening diseases.

Making good on the global water and sanitation agenda is crucial to
eradicating poverty and achieving the other development goals.

The way forward is clear: strengthening institutional capacity
and governance at all levels, promoting more technology transfer,
mobilizing more financial resources, and scaling up good practices
and lessons learned. On this World Water Day, I call on the UN system
and all stakeholders to forge stronger partnerships and take more
concerted action, not only this year, but throughout the entire
International Decade for Action: "Water for Life", 2005-2015."

TIGRAN TOROSYAN’S CONDOLENCES TO HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPARTS

ArmRadio.am
21.03.2007 18:00

Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Tigran Torosyan sent
telegrams of condolence to the Chairman of the Russian State Duma
Boris Grizlov and Chairman of the Council of Federation of the Federal
Assembly Sergey Mironov.

NA Public Relations Department informs that the message says, in
part: "On behalf of the National Assembly and myself I express deep
sorrow for the victims of the tragic events in Samara, Kemerovo and
Krasnodar region.

I sincerely condole with you, with the whole Russian people, the
families and friends of the victims."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MAY 12 ELECTIONS WILL ENABLE ARMENIA TO CORRECT FACT OF HOLDING NOT FREE AND NOT FAIR ELECTIONS UP TO THIS DAY, OSCE ODIHR OBSERVATION MISSION HEAD SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. "The elections held in Armenia up
to now have not corresponded to European standards of free and fair
elections."

Ambassador Boris Frlec, head of elections observation mission of
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR),
gave assurance at the March 21 press conference. He said that the May
12 parliamentary elections will enable Armenia in case of manifesting
a political will to correct the fact of continuous holding not free
and not fair elections.

B. Frlec added that the Armenia’s Electoral Code amended lately is
a sound legal base for holding of democratic elections, but only
that circumstance is not enough for achieving positive results. As
he affirmed, the necessary condition for holding the forthcoming
elections in accordance with commitments assumed by Armenia towards
OSCE "is manifestation of good will of country’s authorities, as
well as of civil society, of parliamentary and extraparliamentary
political forces and media."

ODIHR observation mission is in Armenia at the invitation of RA Foreign
Ministry. The mission’s experts are going to carry out long-term
observation activity in preelectoral, electoral and post-electoral
periods. B. Frlec said that the observers will watch the process
of elections and will make the respective protocols, but will never
intervene into the electoral process.

OFFICIAL WEB-SITE OF RA SOCIAL INSURANCE FUND STARTS TO OPERATE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The presentation of RA Social Insurance
State Fund’s web-site () took place on March 21. In the words
of Vazgen Khachikian, Chairman of RA Social Insurance State Fund,
the main goal of web-site’s launching is to inform the public about
reforms and works done in the social insurance sphere. Besides, in his
words, it will contribute to improval of quality of social services.

The trilingual web-site (in English, Russian, Armenian) presents
complete information about Fund’s current activity and future plans. It
will also enable to calculate the amount of various pensions through
a special pension calculator. V. Khachikian said that the web-site is
intended not only for wide circles of public, but also for specialists
of pension sphere and for journalists.

It was also mentioned that nearly 530 thousand pensioners use Fund’s
services. And more than 118 thousand people receive disability
pension. Currently basic pension is 4250 drams (nearly 11 USD) and
average pension 13.5 thousand drams.

ARMAGH NEW ANTI-DIABETES MEDICINE PRODUCED IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Armagh new anti-diabetes medicine has
been produced in Armenia. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed
by Doctor of Biological Sciences, professor Aramayis Aghajanian,
the manufacturing of the new medicine lasted more than 12 years. In
his words, the efficiency of this medicine is felt the next day
after taking it. In A. Aghajanian’s words, in difference to other
anti-diabetes medicines, Armagh has no counterindications.

This preparation contains nettle, alpine sorrel, garlic, onion,
onion seed and ethyl alcohol.

The professor said that it is advised taking the medicine in case of
great quantity of glucose and cholesterol in the blood, high blood
pressure, heart failure and a number of other diseases. A. Aghajanian
also said that he has prepared another two, more efficient
anti-diabetes medicines, which have not received permission for
production yet.

COCAINE DRUG SENT FROM U.S. FOUND AT ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 12, employees of RA State
Customs Committee found a great quantity, 139 g cocaine drug
at Zvartnots airport’s luggage complex in the parcel sent from
U.S. through FedEx post service. As Noyan Tapan was informed from
Committee’s Press Office, they tried to pass the drug by hiding it
in a hiding-place prepared in advance in a candle.

Though the report mentioned that the organizers of the crime have
been revealed, no concrete names were mentioned in it.

US REPORT CALLING KARABAKH ARMENIAN-OCCUPIED LAND "OBVIOUS MISTAKE" – MINISTER

Mediamax news agency
21 Mar 07

Yerevan, 21 March: The US State Department has admitted that the
passage in a human rights report which reads that Armenia has
"occupied" Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories is an
"obvious mistake", Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said in
Yerevan today.

"I understand very well that representatives of the US State Department
will read my words. Realizing the degree of my responsibility, I can
say that the US side has admitted that this was an obvious mistake,"
the Armenian minister said.

Oskanyan did not rule out the possibility that the US State Department
will make corrections to the text of the report, which has been posted
on its official website.

It should also be taken into account that the human rights report of
the US State Department "is not a document related to the Karabakh
settlement process", Oskanyan said, stressing that its wording has
no legal force.

HOW DEATH METAL IS THE SOUNDTRACK OF CHILD PRODIGIES
Jonathan Brown

The Independent – United Kingdom
Published: Mar 21, 2007

Heavy metal has long been saddled with a reputation for attracting
admirers more interested in decibels than Descartes. New research,
however, promises to rescue the genre from the mosh pit of intellectual
obscurity.

A study has revealed that death metal and thrash bands such as
Slayer and Slipknot produce the music of choice for today’s brightest
youngsters.

A survey which was carried out among students at the National Academy
for Gifted and Talented Youth, a cohort drawn from the top 5 per
cent of the nation’s youngsters, drew praise for metal’s "visceral
brutality" with more than a third rating it among their favourite
styles. Researchers admitted they were surprised to find that
"intelligent" genres traditionally associated with the precociously
bright, such as classical and jazz, were the least popular.

What they discovered instead was that youngsters liked to let off
steam to hardcore sounds, particularly if it had an emotionally
charged or overtly political message behind it. One respondent said:
"You can’t really jump your anger into the floor and listen to music
at the same time with other types of music."

Stuart Cadwallader of the University of Warwick, which conducted the
survey, said heavy metal was found to provide a form of "catharsis",
particularly for those with low self-esteem.

They found the aggressive music a useful conduit for their
frustrations and anger, according to the findings revealed at the
British Psychological Society conference in York yesterday.

Mr Cadwallader said this intellectual elite often found themselves
facing situations and issues not encountered by less able students.

"Perhaps the pressure associated with being gifted and talented can
be temporarily forgotten with the aid of music," he said.

While other musical forms such as rock, pop and R& B were rated as the
most popular, students said they felt particularly attracted to the
"thrashiness" of heavy metal.

Answering questions in an online survey, one student said Systems
of a Down’s anti-war track, "Bring Your Own Bombs" particularly
appealed. Another track, "Aenima" by Tool, was praised for its subject
matter – "the stupidity of the celebrity culture".

Another praised "the visceral brutality offered by metal bands like
Slipknot and Machine Head." The student added: "The cathartic release
offered by heavy music played loud, either by my hi-fi or myself on
guitar, is a wonderful thing when it’s needed."

However, many of the students disagreed over what constituted a heavy
metal fan and argued that they liked to pick and choose from different
styles according to the way they were feeling.

One student concluded: "As with most music, it depends heavily on the
person’s mood at the time. So while there probably is your ‘average
metalhead fan’, there will also be a lot of other fans who just feel
‘met-alheady’ every so often. Which I guess goes some way to justify
my playlists being named ’emotions’."

School of rock

System Of A Down: Los Angeles-based four-piece whose
politically-charged output has much to do with the fact they are
descended from Armenian genocide victims.

Machinehead, far right: Boasting albums entitled Burn My Eyes and
Hellsalive, the Oakland-based nu-metallers were banned by MTV for
lyrical insensitivity after the Waco siege.

Slipknot, left: Once compared to a "threshing machine devouring a
military drum corps" this Des Moines nine-piece achieved notoriety
with their first album, Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat.

Slayer, right: Recently celebrated 25 years of exploring the delights
of satanism and serial killers.

Finntroll: Finnish folk-death metal band that sings in Swedish and
draws on Norse legend.

THERE IS OBVIOUS MISTAKE IN U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT’S REPORT, VARTAN OSKANIAN AFFIRMS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. U.S. State Department’s 2006 annual
report on Human Rights relates to human rights, it is not a document
expressing America’s policy and does not regard the Nagorno Karabakh
problem. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian stated this at
the March 21 press conference.

"I have already declared that the formulation included in the report,
according to which Nagorno Karabakh is Azerbaijan’s occupied territory,
is a wrong formulation, this is one of the defects of the document
and we will present our approaches to U.S. State Department. I can
more groundedly say the following: this is an obvious mistake,"
V. Oskanian stated.

In his words, U.S. State Department admits that a wrong formulation
has been included in the report, which should not have taken place. In
the Minister’s opinion, it is clear that for purely bureaucratic
reasons it is officially difficult to make corrections there after
document’s publishing. He said that the American side has promised
the Armenian side "to introduce some clarity to this issue, which
will be done either in the form of a statement or on the web-site of
State Department." "I again confirm that as a result of my contacts
an agreement has been reached that this is an obvious mistake and
they will try to correct it," RA Foreign Minister said.

As regards the statement of U.S. Embassy in Armenia, according to which
there is no mistake in the report, V. Oskanian said that the Embassy
spread that statement before his negotiations with the American side.