Month: March 2007

PRESS TV, Iran
March 26 2007

Ancient cave holds historic riches
Mon, 26 Mar 2007 08:39:52

Inhabited by the descendants of the Median Empire, the western
Iranian province of Kurdistan is an ancient area within the country
that is home to old and astonishing monuments.

There is a cave between the townships of Divandarreh and Saqqez that
reveals Arsacid dynasty riches which predate the birth of Christ.

The Karaftu cave has an engraving in Latin on the opening wall with a
stone script which literally reads, "Where Heracletus dwells the evil
can not enter." The cave is said to have been a temple of the Grecian
deity.

Another wall illustrates a rider who is hunting a deer.
Archaeologists attribute the scene to the Parthian king Gudarz after
he defeated the Armenian Monarch.

The 750-meter-long calcareous cave dug into the mountain has survived
many different eras with people using it as accommodation. It
includes four floors and a few chambers which all reflect different
elements of ancient civilizations.

The first archeological excavations conducted at the site occured in
2000.

CTV Canada
March 26 2007

Turkish police detain politician for questioning
Updated Sun. Mar. 25 2007 11:42 PM ET

Associated Press

ISTANBUL, Turkey — Turkish police late Sunday detained a right-wing
politician for interrogation in connection with the killing of an
ethnic Armenian journalist, a news channel reported.

The police detained Yasar Cihan, head of the local branch of the
conservative and nationalist Great Unity party in the Black Sea port
city of Trabzon, private NTV television reported.

The detention came several hours after Patriarch Mesrob II, the
spiritual head of the Armenian Orthodox community in Turkey, on
Sunday criticized authorities for failing to find those who ordered
the killing of the journalist Hrant Dink.

Dink was killed outside his paper, Agos, in Istanbul on Jan. 19.
Prosecutors have pressed charges against 10 suspects, including some
former members of the youth wing of Great Unity.

According to NTV, police were still looking for another leading
member of Great Unity, Halis Egemen.

Dink’s killing prompted international condemnation as well as debate
within Turkey about free speech, and whether state institutions were
tolerant of militant nationalists.

Dink, the 52-year-old editor of the bilingual Agos newspaper, had
been brought to trial numerous times for allegedly "insulting
Turkishness,” a crime under Turkey’s penal code.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 26 2007

Ankara concerned over EU plans for Genocide legislation

A draft resolution drawn up by European Union term president Germany
to introduce punishment for denial of genocide, war crimes and crimes
against humanity has raised concerns in Ankara, which fears it could
be used to silence debate about Armenian claims of genocide at the
hands of the Ottoman Empire.

The draft legislation was an issue in Justice Minister Cemil Çiçek’s
talks in Berlin last week and is expected to be debated at a Cabinet
meeting today. Çiçek will brief members of the government in detail
concerning possible unfavorable results of the resolution for Turkey
if it is eventually adopted. Germany, which took the helm of the EU
presidency as of Jan. 1, has been working on the draft since the end
of last year.The draft, which has been supported by the Armenian
lobby, would bring up to three years of imprisonment for those who
deny "genocides and war crimes committed against humanity." Çiçek,
who held talks in Germany last week, discussed the issue with his
counterpart, Brigitte Zypries, and expressed Ankara’s concerns over
the draft.

According to the draft, crimes of racism, xenophobia and denial of
genocide will be included in the joint legislation, which is binding
for all member countries. If the draft is adopted, any decision by a
national court or a national parliament of an EU member country which
would make it a crime to deny that Armenians were victims of
"genocide" at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, would open the way for
imprisonment for dismissing the genocide charges in other EU member
countries.

Germany’s goal is taking the draft on agenda of a meeting of Justice
and Home Affairs Council before July 1 when it hands over the EU
presidency to Portugal. In order to have the draft adopted as part of
EU legislation, EU members need to reach a consensus. There is
already an opposition to the draft within the EU. Britain, Italy and
Denmark are against the adoption of the draft, arguing that "it will
limit freedom of expression."

Turkey categorically denies charges that Armenians were subject to
genocide during World War I, and says that there were deaths on both
sides after Armenians took up arms and revolted against the Ottoman
Empire. The parliaments of a number of countries have endorsed
resolutions recognizing the alleged genocide, causing serious
deterioration in ties with Turkey.

The French National Assembly infuriated Turkey last October, by
backing a bill making it a crime to deny that Armenians were victims
of "genocide" at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, though it is
unlikely to become a law due to opposition from the Senate and
President Jacques Chirac. Ankara said the legislation would strike a
heavy blow to Turkish-French ties and also accused France, one of the
EU’s founding countries and which is known for championing liberties,
of staining freedom of expression with the bill it adopted. Slamming
the bill, the Turkish Parliament then released a joint declaration,
signed by all parties in Parliament, and said the bill was motivated
by calculations of domestic political gain. They said the bill would
also harm prospects for the normalization of relations between Turkey
and Armenia. Turkey also illustrated how seriously it takes the issue
when it said it would suspend military operations with France after
the vote.

Germany’s move as the EU term president comes at a time when the
public opinion in Turkey is highly concerned over passing of a
resolution supporting Armenian claims of genocide by the US Congress
as the April 24, anniversary of the alleged genocide approaches
closer.

Earlier this month, a senior US State Department official warned
Congress against passing the resolution, saying the move could result
in Turkey closing the Ýncirlik air base that is used by the US
military. Daniel Fried, the assistant secretary of state for European
and Eurasian affairs, told a hearing of a House Foreign Affairs
subcommittee on Europe that Turkish officials have informed the US
that approval of the resolution could lead to a shutdown of the base
or a restriction on US over-flight privileges granted by Turkey. He
also said the US has been informed that Ankara would respond with
"extreme emotion" if the Armenian resolution were approved. He added
that such a step would undercut those voices in Turkey which are
calling for a "truthful exploration of these events in pursuit of
Turkey’s reconciliation with its own past and with Armenia."

26.03.2007

Süleyman Kurt, Murat Aydýn Ankara

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
March 26 2007

Iran’s chances are getting slimmer for controlling future energy markets

by Ahmet Türker

Sunday , 25 March 2007

The troubles surrounding Iran is not ending. With mass reserves of
gas and oil, the ambition to develop nuclear technology is leaving
the Iranian industry handcuffed. While Iran is following the
footsteps of North Korea, Russia is using the gas to build an energy
empire.

Iran is currently only exporting gas to Turkey. Although not
officially accepted, most of the business circles in Turkey is
claiming that Iranian gas is not the most economical one. In terms of
energy security, it is far away from being reliable.

Iran has the world’s second biggest gas reserves. But because of
years of underinvestment and growing domestic consumption only a
fraction of the gas production is to be exported. During peak
consumption periods, as in the winter times, the reliability of
supply becomes a headache for Turkey.

The importance of Iranian gas lies in its importance of being an
alternative to Russian gas. But due to international sanctions and
growing international problems, Iran is finding it hard to attract
foreign investors. With the latest sanctions and the crises resulted
with the seizure of 15 British soldiers, the road ahead for Iran is
rather dimmed.

In this doomed times, Iran may be losing its only gas customer Turkey
and future customers. Although Iran has started the construction of a
Armenia-Iran pipeline, the Armenian side which has also suffered from
lack of investment, is rumoured to have lost the full control of
pipeline after a discount from Gasprom for 2007.

Turkey on the other hand has already tighting her schedule for LNG
exportations to backup unreliable Iranian gas supply. During the
winter, Iran is diverting the gas to its domestic market. This is
harming the Turkish-Iranian relations and Turkey’s perception of Iran
as a reliable and secure supplier.

Turkey-Iran gas relations have received another blow from US Senate.
According to Turkish Daily news, during the hearings Senator Jack
Reed asked the Undersecretary of State Nick Burns whether Turkey is
`still’ buying gas directly from Iran. After Burns said he believed
so, Reed then requestioned whether US involved in an effort to
persuade `our NATO ally not to do that’

Burns also said : `A number of our allies -Turkey is a prominent one-
a partner like India is another – have long term oil and gas
relationships [with Iran] and we are trying to suggest that there are
alternatives for the future.’.

The alternative routes, Burns mentioned is either Azerbaijan or LNG
market. Last year Turkey has exported 5.7 billion cubic meters(bcm)
of gas from Iran and 4.2 billion cubic meters of gas from Algeria. In
the first two monts of 2007, Turkey has exported a total of 6.65 bcm
of gas, where Russia has the lion’s share with around 4.4 bcm where
Algeria has 0.817 bcm and Iran has 0.84 bcm.

Azerbaijan gas however will be a good but not very sufficient
alternative. Therefore Turkey is expected to increase her interest in
the southern pipeline extension from Egypt-Syria pipeline. This route
will be advantegous due to different peak periods rather than
parallel peaks as happening in Iran.

With the seizure of British soldiers, Iranian tension is expected to
continue. The Iranian politicians firm belief in the exceptionality
of Iran is harming the relations with Iran. But the road ahead is not
bright for Iran.

There are several factors affecting Turkey’s decision to undermine
Iranian gas. Iranian unreliability in gas supply every winter,
Iranian-Armenian gas pipeline and growing underinvestment coupled
with growing domestic consumption are all factors dimming Turkey’s
outlook to Iran.

After some years, Iranian will look back and see what they have lost.
It is not because American’s asked it, but due to their own
understanding of playing political games. Although Iran will still
have the same second biggest gas reserves of the world even 5 years
from now on, the diplomacy and market side might be more under the
influence of Russia and LNG exporting countries. Then, Iran’s only
option could be to leave the development and operation of her gas
fields to foreign giants to compete in an energy market of
monopolists.
Ahmet Türker, USAK Energy Review

This commentary is from USAK’s Energy Review Newsletter

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 26 2007

ARMENIA CONTINUES RECEIVING CONDOLENCES ON PREMIER’S DEATH

YEREVAN, March 26. /ARKA/. Armenia continues receiving telegrams of
condolences on the death of RA Premier Andranik Margaryan from the
leaders of foreign states and governments, international
organizations, diplomatic missions, cultural and public organizations
of Armenia and of the Diaspora.
The Information and Public Relations Department, RA Government,
reports that telegrams of condolences have been receives from
Bulgarian Premier Sergey Stanishev, Ukrainian Premier Victor
Yanukovich, Kazakh Premier Karim Masimov, NKR Premier Anushavan
Danielyan, as well as from Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia
Aram I, President of the World Armenian Congress and of the Union of
Armenians of Russia Ara Abramyan.
Condolences have also been received from Head of the OSCe Yerevan
office Vladimir Pryakhin, Vice-Premier of the United Arab Emirates
Bin Zayed al-Nakhiran, RA Permanent Representative at the Council of
Europe Christian Ter-Stepanyan, as well as from heads of Armenia’s
diplomatic missions abroad.
Condolences have been received from the Board of Directors of the
"ITERA" Group of Companies, International Congress of Manufacturers
and Businessmen, Board of the United Liberal National Party,
Presidium of Confederation of Armenian Trade Unions, Union of
Relatives of Freedom Fighters killed in the NKR, collective of the
Armenian Encyclopedia, RA Academy of Sciences, State Engineering
University, Union of Writers of Armenia, Union of Painters of
Armenia, numerous educational, scientific, cultural and public
organizations.
Andranik Margaryan was appointed RA Premier in 2000. P.T. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 26 2007

NKR PRESIDENT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO ARMENIAN PREMIER’S FAMILY

STEPANAKERT, March 26. /ARKA/. President of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan addressed a telegram of condolences
to the family of the RA Premier, Chairman of the Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA) Andranik Margaryan.
In his telegram the NKR President says that Andranik Margaryan, who
died an untimely death, was a person who dedicated his experience,
knowledge and patriotic spirit to the formation of independent
statehood, economic progress in Armenia and improvement of the
Armenian people’s living standards.
"From the very first days of the Karabakh movement Arndranik
Margaryan was actively involved in our national-liberation struggle
and made a great contribution to victory and formation of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as the second Armenian independent state
and to its socio-economic development," the message says.
"At the time of heart-break for your family receive out sincere
condolences and support," says the telegram.
The RA Premier died at 1:20 local time on March 25. P.T. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 26 2007

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT, REPS OF PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY DISCUSS FURTHER
WORK OF GOVERNMENT

YEREVAN. March 26. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian met
with representatives of political forces, the parliamentary majority.
The press service of the Armenian president reported that they
discussed issues related to the Government’s activity after the
unexpected decease of Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan.
They also pointed to the importance to ensure regular and
uninterrupted work of the executive power. Kocharian reported that he
will take all necessary measures to form a new government according
to the Constitution.
Armenian Prime Minister, Chairman of the Republican Party Andranik
Margaryan died from heart attack at the age of 56 on Sunday morning.
Margaryan has led the Government since 2000. R.O. -0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 26 2007

ARMENIA’S SCPEC LEADERSHIP EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES BECAUSE OF PM’S
DECEASE

YEREVAN, March 26. /ARKA/. Head of the State Commission on the
Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) of Armenia Ashot
Shakhnazaryan and the Commission staff expressed condolences because
of decease of Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan.
The SCPEC press service that the text of the condolence said that the
life lived by Margaryan is an example for Armenia’s every citizen, as
many problems in the sphere of competition found solutions with the
direct participation of the deceased PM.
"Andranik Margaryan’s decease is a very big loss for the whole
country," said the condolences of the SCPEC.
Armenian Prime Minister, Chairman of the Republican Party Andranik
Margaryan died from heart attack at the age of 56 on Sunday morning.
Margaryan has led the Government since 2000. L.M. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 26 2007

ARMENIAN CB PERMITS INECOBANK TO PARTICIPATE IN MASTERCARD
INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT SYSTEM

YEREVAN, March 26. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)
permitted Inecobank CJSC to participate in the international payment
system MasterCard. The CBA press service said that the decision was
made by the CBA Board.
Inecobank CJSC was registered ob February 7, 1996. As of December 31,
2006, the assets of the bank made AMD 22.4bln, the total capital –
AMD 6.1bln, the balance sheet profit – AMD 2.4bln, the profit for
2006 made AMD 1bln. The bank’s authorized capital makes AMD 2.4bln.
According to the CBA recent data, 209,113 plastic cards were in
circulation in Armenia at the beginning of 2007. The number of Master
Cards issued by Armenian banks made 11,817.
National payment system "Armenian Card" became a full member of
MasterCard payment system in December 2002, which empowered it to
issue and serve EuroCard/MasterCard, CirrusMaestro cards and the
banks – founders of the company – to become its associated members.
($1 = AMD 359.96). L.M. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 26 2007

ARMENIA’S GOVERNMENT APPROVES 11 CHARITABLE PROJECTS

YEREVAN, March 26. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Government discussed and
approved 11 charitable projects last Friday, the Government’s Public
Relation’s department reported.
During its session the Commission on Coordination of Charitable
Programs approved, particularly, programs on preparation, purchase,
transportation and gratuitous allocation of the property by
All-Armenian "Hayastan" Fund for schools ¹ 1,2,3,4,5,6 in Artik,
Shirak region, for a secondary school in the Dasht village, Armavir
region, and secondary school ¹ 29 in Yerevan.
The Commission also approved repair programs of the admission
department of hospital in the town of Ijevan, Tavush region, capital
repair of a kindergarten in the village of Margashen, Kotayk region,
reconstruction of the "B" building of "School of Arts after Hovik
Edgaryan" NGO in the village of Parakyar, Armavir region, as well as
the reconstruction of the first floor of the obstetric-gynecologic
department of Masis medical centre in the Ararat region.
The Commission also approved the program of the "World Vision
International" Organization on importing medical accessories and the
program of importing charitable loads implemented by the Gyumri
branch of the International Solidarity between France’s Protestant
Church and Armenia" Organization. L.M. -0–