Month: August 2008

ARONIAN ENDED IN DRAW

Panorama.am
20:41 08/08/2008

The seventh round of FIDE Grand Prix finished and Armenian GM
Levon Aronian ended his meeting with Russian Dmitri Yakovenko in
draw. Totally six meetings from seven ones ended in draw.

To conclude, after the seventh round first horizontals are shared
by Ivan Cheparinov and Temur Rajabov who have 4.5 points, Levon
Aronian and Hashimov are on the 3-4 horizontals, 5-11 horizontals
are occupied by Kamski, Wang Yue, Svidler, Yakovensko, Grishchuk,
Ivanchuk and Kariakin.

ARMENIA-DIASPORA COLLABORATION PROVISION PROJECT DRAFTED

Panorama.am
20:37 08/08/2008

In these days Hrayr Hovnanyan, the president of Armenian Assembly
in the USA had a meeting with Hranush Hakobyan, the president of
Diaspora State Committee. During the meeting various questions of
Armenia-Diaspora collaboration have been discussed.

Mr. Hovnanyan expressed his gratitude towards the President of Armenia
for the initiative to establish Ministry of Diaspora. He expressed
his hope that the new ministry is to carry out various projects by
the close participation of All Armenian Organization of Diaspora
and added that Armenian Assembly of America is ready to fulfill
different projects.

Mrs. Hakobyan said that the project of Armenia-Diaspora provision
has been already drafted; the project of the Ministry’s legislation,
the structure is also ready.

ARMED DEMONSTRATORS WAITING FOR THE POLICE
Gevorg Haroutyunyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on Aug 09, 2008
Armenia

In its extraordinary session convened yesterday, the NA interim
committee investigating the March 1-2 events and their causes gave
clear-cut details as to why David Shahnazaryan recently made a
statement saying that the committee no longer exists for their
team. There emerge facts, irrefutably proving the guilt of the
organizers of the March 1 clashes.

Colonel of the Police HOVHANNSES TAMAMYAN, Head of the Chief
Criminal Investigative Department of the Police, was invited to the
extraordinary session of the interim committee to give clarifications
as to what operations were carried out by the Police on the Theatrical
Square in the morning of March 1.

Mr. Tamamyan gave a detailed description on the events which had taken
place on March 1 and the previous day. "According to the reliable
information first received from the National Security Service on
February 28 and then from the Department on Fight against Organized
Crime and the Operative Service of the Garrison of Yerevan (February
29), the participants of the demonstration organized on the Theatrical
Square were going to destabilize the situation. At the same time,
the demonstrators were reported to possess fire-arms, explosives,
iron sticks, clubs made of wood and metallic ‘hedgehogs.’

As a result of obtaining additional proofs and checking the operative
data, it was clarified and asserted that the operative information
corresponded to the reality. Then I submitted a report to the former
Head of the Police. He issued an instruction for undertaking relevant
operative measures and exploring the scene of action. There were 133
police officers involved in the operations.

Considering that exploring the scene of action was an investigative
operation, a decision was made to carry out the activities on
Theatrical Square on March 1, at 07:00 a.m. I was responsible for
the operative part of the activities.

Not having taken the registered arms, we went to the Theatrical Square
at the appointed hour. Armed, prepared and disposed aggressively, the
crowd launched attack on the police forces before they could reach
the square. The consequence was that 41 police officers received
injuries of different degrees of gravity.

The law enforcers were able to pacify the uncontrollable situation
only with the help of the forces they had in the reserves. We
managed to avoid graver consequences. We were also able to banish
the demonstrators from the square and only thereafter did we examine
the site and discover arms, ammunition, iron sticks, iron hedgehogs,
as well as narcotics and different drugs.

Colonel Tamamyan stated with regret that the investigative operations
wouldn’t have turned into a clash if there hadn’t been traitors
among the police officers. And the20traitor was Deputy Chief of the
Operations-Investigative Department of "Soviet" district, Yerevan.

His guilt has been proven and he is now serving his sentence.

"From February 26-27 till March 1, I maintained the whole information
in strict confidentiality.

However, there turned out to be a traitor in our ranks. Before going
to the square, we thought the number of the demonstrators would not
exceed 300.

However, as we found out later, they had received a warning, and there
were more than 1000 demonstrators waiting for us there. And they were
not sleeping; armed and prepared long before, they were waiting for
our arrival.

As a result of equivalent operations we managed to prevent much
graver consequences."

Head of the Chief Investigative Department of the Police read out the
appeal which was voiced on the Theatrical Square but not followed
by the demonstrators. "Dear citizens, the Police have information
that there are arms, ammunition and other objects intended for using
violence kept on the Theatrical Square. We warn you that the illegal
maintenance of arms is punishable by law. The police officers are going
to examine the site. We request you not to impede the police operations
aimed at detecting arms and ammunition and comply with the instructions
and demands of the police officers. Non-compliance envisages liability
under the law." This text was read out several times.

8 0I have neither been a Communist nor become an activist of the
Armenian Pan-National Movement so far. Nor do I belong to any political
party at present. I am the father of my son and the servant of my
people. This was the first time I saw an Armenian rebel against
a policeman. This doesn’t do credit to our nation," H. Tamamyan
announced at the end.

SERZH SARGSYAN SENT A LETTER OF CONDOLENCES

Panorama.am
20:40 08/08/2008

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to Yuri
Barseghov’s family and relatives reported the press service of the
President’s Administration. According to the source it is particularly
stated in the message: "I have felt great sorry to hear about the
death of famous lawyer and diplomat Yuri Barseghov."

The President has also mentioned about Yuri Barseghov’s international
acknowledgement as a scientist, his investment in the investigation and
examination of the legal political principles of Armenian Genocide. His
attempts towards the regulation of the NKR conflict have been also
appreciated.

IN FACT, BAKU-TBILISI-JEIHAN PIPELINE IS NOT ACCURATELY PROTECTED

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.08.2008 GMT+04:00

The present and future possible explosions may strike the Nabucco
project, though it is already on the verge of collapse.

Fire on the oil-pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Jeihan (BTJ) is not yet put
out and it may still continue for several days. As the Turkish side
informs, repair work will last till August 14. Actually happened what
was repeatedly spoken about: the pipeline passes through a hazardous
zone and terrorist acts are not excluded. In spite of confirmations,
Azerbaijan and Turkey are not able to ensure security of the pipeline.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The responsibility for the explosion in the BTJ
pipeline terrorist act was undertaken by the Kurdistan Workers’
Party. At the moment Baku-Supsa pipeline is enabled for exporting
oil. Railway delivery of oil is also being discussed. The main
oil provider in the BTJ is Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) oil field,
where more than 800 thousand barrels of oil is extracted a day. The
accident might make the BP Azerbaijan apply all the transport
alternatives of Jeihan: Baku-Novorossiysk (output – 100 thousand
barrels daily), Baku-Supsa (output – 135 thousand barrels daily),
railway of Baku-Batumi (carrying capacity – 300 thousand barrels a
day), and Baku-Kulevi (carrying capacity – 200 thousand barrels a day).

As it turns out, the pipeline is not as secure as the U.S.A. would
like to see it. But the present and future possible explosions
may strike the Nabucco project, though it is already on the verge
of collapse. Last Friday "Gazprom" signed two important contracts
with Ashgabat, which outlined a new scheme of delivering the Turkmen
gas. The first contract gives a thorough description of conditions
on which Russia is going to purchase gas in Turkmenistan for the
coming 20 years. The second contract is unique in itself as it makes
"Gazprom" a regional donor for the Turkmen energy projects. As
a matter of fact, both contracts ensure Russia’s control over the
export of the Turkmen gas. According to the second contract "Gazprom"
must finance and build new transport networks, as well as extend the
gas fields of Turkmenistan. According to the calculations of experts,
the amount of financing the Turkmen projects will mount to USD 4-6
billion. Head of "Gazprom" Alexei Miller said: "We have agreed that
"Gazprom" is to finance and build new large pipelines starting from
the eastern part of the country, extend the gas fields and enlarge
possibilities of the Turkmen sector to increase the flow capacity
of the Caspian pipeline up to 30 milliard cubic meters." "Gazprom is
to finance these regional projects in the form of 0%. Net profit of
Turkmenistan is calculated 240-480 million," oil.ru reports.

Besides, Russia has revived its interest toward the idea of
"gas cartel". President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev referred to
this idea at the visit of the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in
Moscow. "Such forum of gas exporters would promote a world balance
on this matter. The forum might give answers to such questions as
where and how much gas must be mined," considers the Head of "Gazprom".

Hitherto Moscow has been hypersensitive toward the European
opposition’s idea of such a cartel. However, the high prices for gas
weaken the negative position of the EC.

The contracts with Turkmenistan further consolidated Russian control
over the export of central gas. "Gazprom" has proposed Azerbaijan
purchasing all of its gas at the European price (Medvedev visited
Baku on July 3-4). Presently Baku is enthusiastically studying the
Ashgabat agreements. The main point of such a move on the part of
Russia is her serious treatment of the campaign conducted by the
U.S.A. and the EC on initiating the Nabucco project, which, passing
from Turkey through Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary, laid hopes on
the Turkmen gas and on the pipeline that would join Turkmenistan and
Azerbaijan on the seabed of the Caspian Sea. The project would join
the system of pipelines passing through the Caucasus with the already
existing pipelines, such as Baku-Tbilisi-Jeihan.

However, with no access to the Turkmen gas the vitality of Nabucco
is put at stake. And without Nabucco the U.S. strategy directed to
the reduction of European dependence on the Russian energy suppliers
is useless. Accordingly, Washington faces a choice: to take what she
is offered or to take nothing. In the light of the Friday agreements
signed in Ashgabat the implementation of this project depends on the
delivery of gas from the Middle East, in particular from Iran. As for
Turkey, it is inclined to the idea of supplying the Iranian gas into
Europe, and offers its mediation in the USA-Iran opposition.

Meanwhile, the Economist writes: ""Elite egoism" must probably be
considered the most dangerous problem, since the scale of state
willfulness in Azerbaijan has overstepped all the limits, even in
comparison with such countries as Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, or
such neighbouring states as Georgia and Armenia. For the last two
years a whole range of large-scale enterprises have been "attacked"
by the authorities like in the case of "UKOS". The Azpetrol Ltd,
which specializes on the sale of oil products and is considered the
most effective company of the country, was seized by the Government
on the eve of the Parliamentary Elections 2005 and its shareholders
were imprisoned. Shortly after it, the Turkish power supplier Barmek
was made to terminate its activities in Azerbaijan. These are only the
best known examples that confirm the fall of the business atmosphere in
the country. However, the fact was not revealed in the international
Mass Media: from the second half of 2006 Azeri businessmen initiated
mass "migration" into Georgia and Kazakhstan, where, in their opinion,
the business atmosphere was more appealing.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NO ARMENIAN IS INJURED

Panorama.am
20:41 08/08/2008

Yesterday a big explosion took place in Sochi. According to the
Foreign Ministry of Armenia no Armenian is injured. There are two
people dead one was from Kiev and another from Rostov. 13 people have
been seriously injured and an eight-year-old girl. According to the
Russian mass media 5 of them are still in hospital.

Today the President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev authorized his
representative to leave for Sochi and to take the investigation under
his control.

Note that 2 million Rubles are promised if any information is provided
which will help the release of the accident.

THE 29TH OLYMPIC GAMES BEGIN

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published On Aug 09, 2008
Armenia

The 29th Summer Olympic Games yesterday began in Beijing, the capital
city of China.

The games were opened by the Chinese President Hu Tszintao and Head
of the International Olympic Committee Jack Roguey.

This year, the procedure of the countries’ participation in the Olympic
parade was changed. Armenia, formerly appearing in the first rows, was
this time the 74th country, in accordance with the Chinese alphabet.

In these Olympic Games, Armenia will represent 25 sportsmen in 7
forms of sports, including weigh-lifting and Greco-Roman wrestling
(6 sportsmen in each), box (4 sportsmen), free-style wrestling (3
sportsmen), judo and athletics (2 sportsmen in each), shooting and
swimming (1 sportsman in each).

President Serge Sargsyan was also present at the opening ceremony of
the Olympic Games in Beijing.

ANTI-ARMENIAN OR FOR THE PRESERVATION THE ARMENIANS?

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on Aug 09, 2008
Armenia

Recently, the representatives of our country have started raising
the issue of the Armenian-Turkish border being close, considering it
a manifestation of an anti-Armenian policy, an incomprehensible and
scandalous fact.

While it seems to us that by doing this Turkey is conducting a policy
aimed at the preservation of the Armenians.

How come? Because, by demonstrating a fundamental consistency, the
Turks do not allow and even forbid us to forget who we are. We are
an enemy.

Even if all of us become ultimately stupid – something which many
people have already managed to do, and begin considering that the Turks
are not our enemy, the Turks themselves will never let us forget that
we are their enemy.

Because, we have the courage to declare that half of their country
is, as a matter of fact, our homeland. Because we label the deeds
of their ancestors as an atrocity and genocide, and what’s more,
demand that others call them likewise. And so on and so forth.

In this respect, it is noteworthy that the native authorities do
not set any precondition for having friendly relations with the
Turks. While the Turks, who are fundamental and consistent in his
attitude, do. They will be very pleased to take us into account and
establish friendly ties with us should we waive our vain demands and
cede Karabakh to Azerbaijan.

Thereafter, they will trade with us and organize tours to
Ararat. Otherwise, we will be the enemies of the Turks, i.e. Armenians.

It turns out that it is the Turks that make us preserve our national
identity and remain Armenians. If, instead of being so fundamental and
consistent, they were as insidious and cunning as we sometimes imagine
them to be, they would have lessened their firmness and opened the
border. The consequences in that case might have been unpredictable.

Judging by the kind of music and manner of speech preferred by a
definite number of citizens of the Republic of Armenia, seeing their
appearance and the form of their ears, their posture and behavior, it
is possible to approximately imagine how many thousands of Armenians
would rush to their … historical homeland. Of course, not for
climbing the Mount Ararat, but rather, for human purposes so to say.

And it’s quite possible that having disgraced ourselves on the
international arena or in the eyes of our nation, we will have to
state that the Armenians emigrate from an abnormal country like
Armenia and settle in a normal country like Turkey.

And thousands of Turks will visit Armenia, with lots of kind
wishes. They will set up some business and buy a house. And in 50
years’ time, that would put an end both to the Armenian statehood
and the Armenian issue.

Those Turks do not have brains at all. But they are fundamental in
their attitude. And it is not absolutely bad for the time being.

Having an open border is a good thing, dear compatriots. In our
society, we ourselves have erased and continue erasing so many
borders that is even good that the Turks still mark a borderline
between themselves and us.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: NONE OF THE ARMENIAN CITIZENS WHO ARE PRESENTLY IN GEORGIA HAS BEEN INJURED

arminfo
2008-08-09 14:41:00

ArmInfo. None of the Armenian citizens who are presently in Georgia has
been injured, reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The
Information and Press Department of the Ministry says that today,
Aug 9, the Consulate General of Armenia in Batumi has organized the
return of 150 Armenian citizens. The buses are being escorted by
Georgian policemen. For detailed information call 56-25-43.

SITUATION IN JAVAKHK MAY BE ESCALATED BY THIRD STATES: ARFD MEMBER

arminfo
2008-08-09 15:58:00

ArmInfo. The situation in Javakhk may be escalated by third states,
the leader of the parliamentary group of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Dashnaktsoutyun Vahan Hovhannissyan said during a
press-conference today.

Unfortunately, the problem of Javakhk (Georgia’s region with mostly
Armenian population) is within the competence of people who act in the
interests of third forces and states and whose actions may be quite
dangerous for Armenian-Georgian relations. Hovhannissyan refused to
name those people.

To remind, an explosion took place near the house of the chief
of police of Akhalkalaki Samvel Petrossyan on July 17. Nobody was
injured but a big number of Georgian special service men arrived
in the city and started searching the houses of members of United
Javakhk organization. Many of them, particularly, the leader of the
organization Vahagn Chakhalyan, were arrested.