Author: Antonian Lara

HILDA TCHOBOIAN: EP SHOULD ENCOURAGE TURKS WHO APOLOGIZED FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 16:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A new period is opening up for the two countries,
said the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation for Justice
and Democracy.

"The Turkish and Armenian intellectuals, united against the lies
and the denials of the genocide, for the first time call for a real
reconciliation based on truth, recognition and justice," Hilda
Tchoboian said. "We hail Turkish intellectuals for their courage
and democratic maturity, which the European Union has the moral and
political duty to support."

In connection with the next resolution of the European Parliament
on Turkey, the European Armenian Federation thinks that even if the
Parliament shows more and more indifference with the Turkish accession
question, it must be clear on the genocide issue.

The Federation stresses that the European Assembly has to follow the
evolution of the Turkish society, and stop supporting fixed attitudes
of a Turkish administration which "draws the society downwards,"
the EAFJD told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"The European Parliament should not drop these brave Turkish democrats
who not only risk condemnations by application of article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code, but also endanger their lives by openly calling for
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide," concluded Hilda Tchoboian.

The online petition initiated by three scholars, Ahmet Insel, Baskin
Oran and Cengiz Aktar, and a journalist, Ali Bayramoglu reads: "My
conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial
of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to
in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empathize with
the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them."

Earlier, Armenian intellectuals sent an open letter to Turkish
President Abdullah Gul calling on him to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, an outrageous crime against the humanity which has no
time limitation. "The historic memory of our nations is deep and
restless. Recognition of the indisputable fact of the Armenian
Genocide is first of all essential for the Turkish people. Relieving
this burden of history, they can turn this dark page and launch a
sincere dialogue for true reconciliation," the letter said.

PLYUSHCHENKO AT THE PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE

A1+
[07:24 pm] 16 December, 2008

Serzh Sargsyan received Olympic champion of figure skating, three-time
world and five-time European champion Evgeni Plyushchenko who is
in Armenia to participate in the current construction of the "Figure
Skating School" named after him and to get acquainted with the material
and technical foundations for the figure skating ring. The opening
of the school will take place at the end of December.

"Armenians love sports. It helps people get to know each other,
especially for small nations," said President Sargsyan.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to Evgeni Plyushchenko for showing
support in the development of figure skating in Armenia. He added
that more and more Armenians are becoming fans of figure skating and
the opening of the ring has made its contribution. Serzh Sargsyan
expressed support for the initiatives aimed at developing figure
skating in Armenia.

EXAMINATION FOR THE GOVERNMENT
KAREN NAHAPETYAN

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
12 Dec 2008
Armenia

Head of the Armenian Office of the World Bank Aristomene Varudakis
informed recently that the Armenian government, in cooperation with the
World Bank, is elaborating a project to confront world financial
economic crisis.

`We are working on two principle goals,’ he said and added that they
are making efforts to improve the indexes of the credits allocated to
the small and average business. For the second direction they preview
to elaborate the project of public investments. In this framework they
will show assistance particularly to the spheres of transport
communication, energy and water supply.

The elaboration of the anti-crisis project must naturally be a matter
of concern for any government but is it right to pin our hopes only on
the investments made by the foreign organizations.

Lets start from the fact that without the restriction of corruption it
is impossible to implement any anti-crisis project. Because it will
lead to robbery and corruption.

That is why what we really need is to:

a) Hold demonstrative anti-corruption court proceedings to scare them.

b) To define legally and to practice a clause according to which the
bribe-giver is freed from liability on condition that the latter
cooperates with the investigative body.

c) To hold similar activity like the American `Sheikh=E
2: to propose
bribes in huge amounts to the employees of the state apparatus and
deprive them of the right to work in the state service, for life.

It is evident that in conditions of the crisis it is very important to
ensure social stability. For which we need:

a) To ensure the minimum consumer basket of each citizen.

b) To struggle against the reasons of the inflation, aimed at stopping
the latter. To control the activity of the oligarchs and to raise the
fines for artificial inflation.

In case of the sharp fluctuation of prices the corresponding state
structures must have the right to firstly bring them to the previous
level and only after that to conduct investigation, because it will
take months.

g) To make corrections in the budget of 2009 taking into account the
possible influence of the world financial-economic crisis. To define
minimum level of state expenses.

It is appropriate in the real sector of the economy:

a) To separate the enterprises of strategic and social importance and
to pursue special policy towards them. For example to close the
`cashbox cracks’, to be able to allocate short-term credits for them.
In case they face serious financial problems to show financial
assistance, with strict control.

b) To establish an agency of Economic Reconstruction, which will
control the assistance shown to the non-financial sector and the whole
state property for the20realization of the strategic issue of the
country’s development.

c) To solve the issue of funding the investment projects by the state,
which is indispensable for the country’s development, but can’t be
realized by the private business.

Naturally all the before mentioned is the insignificant part of the
measures that the state should take to mitigate the possible influence
of the crisis on our country. But one thing is clear all the actions
should be well balanced. As Lenin used to say, we must find the circle
from where we can pull the whole chain.

We all know what was the Great Depression of the end of the 20’s and
the beginning of 30’s like. It is difficult to say but this is only the
beginning. The only similarity of the two crises is that they were both
of global character, which started from banking sector and credit
policy. They learned lessons from the Great Depression, which gave
possibility to the world to overcome the difficult moments in economy,
without disastrous crisis. That experience will be very helpful for
this moment.

As regards the citizens, the first thing they must do is not to yield
to panic. They should avoid taking expensive credits. They shouldn’t
invest money to purchase apartments and cars. It is high time to save
money.

Some people will face reduction of salaries or even unemployment. But
this doesn’t mean the end
of the world. At present Armenia has got
rather good chances to overcome the crisis, but everything depends on
the policy of the authorities.

The future will show to what extent our government is professional.

THE VISIT IS OVER

A1+
[08:54 pm] 11 December, 2008

In the framework of his visit to Bulgaria Presidents Serzh Sargsyan
and Georgi Prvanov participated in the festive concert that took
place in the "Bulgaria" concert hall of Sofia with the participation
of renowned Bulgarian and Armenian artists. Later in the evening, an
official dinner was served in the presidential residency of Bulgarian
President Georgi Prvanov in honor of the first-ever official visit
of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to Bulgaria.

This morning the Armenian-Bulgarian Business Forum took place in Sofia,
at which the Presidents of the two countries called on businessmen,
as well as the Bulgarian Armenians to actively participate in the
establishment of economic ties.

RUSSIA AND ARMENIA TO COOPERATE IN FIELD OF NANOTECHNOLOGIES

Panorama.am
18:07 11/12/2008

Alexander Zaitsev the representative of Chamber of Commerce of Russia
says that Russian side is interested to create cooperation between
Russian Company of Nanotechnologies and the Ministry of Economy
of Armenia.

According to him some recommendations have been made to the Armenian
side but still some other issues need to be defined. He has mentioned
that the project of the agreement is being drafted by the order of the
inter-governmental committee of Armenian-Russian economic cooperation.

GEORGIAN GROUP URGES ARMENIA NOT TO GIVE INTO "PROVOCATION" OVER DISPUTED CHURCH

Georgian Public Television Channel 1
Dec 11 2008
Georgia

[Presenter] The National Christian Movement is demanding that
Orthodox churches in Armenia be handed over to the Georgian
side. Representatives of the movement claim that Georgian churches in
Armenia are in deplorable condition and say Orthodox Christians should
be allowed to take care of them. Members of the movement gathered at
the Armenian embassy in Tbilisi. They sent the Armenian government a
list of their demands. There are about a dozen Orthodox churches in
northern Armenia.

[Giorgi Andriadze, National Christian Movement leader] Dear Armenian
brothers, do not succumb to provocation and let us avoid violent
actions of the kind that took place a few days ago at the Norashen
church [in Tbilisi, which is claimed by both the Georgian Orthodox
and Armenian Apostolic Churches] – the church was broken into by
citizens of Armenian ethnicity.

We think that the return of both Orthodox churches in Armenia and
churches [in Georgia] that Armenia regards as disputed should be
discussed in a peaceful atmosphere.

SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILWAYS – MANAGER OF THE ARMENIA-IRAN RAILWAY
by Gayane Sahakyan

Aravot
Dec 6 2008
Armenia

Statements of state leaders about the construction of the Iran-Armenia
railway are attempts to mislead the people. Some economists argue
that up to now, the government has not pointed out specific financial
sources for the construction of this project.

No budget earmarked for project

Besides, analysts believe that the construction of the railway
requires quite a big amount of money, and the next year’s budget has
no corresponding provisions. They believe that although statements
alleging Russia’s readiness to support the construction of the railway,
the Russian state budget does not envisage this either. Besides,
Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin has said quite recently
that they will not carry out such a policy.

We tried to clarify from Minister of Transport and Communications
Gurgen Sargsyan how realistic this project is and at what stage the
design work of the Iran-Armenia railway is. Sargsyan said: "All big
and good projects have been stalled at the initial stage. It is true
that it is quite expensive for our republic, but the global experience
shows that such projects are not implemented alone, not a single
state deals with such an issue on its own. The construction of the
railway has fundamental regional importance and aims at connecting
Asian countries with Europe. One of its importance is that Armenia
will become a transit country for cargo and passenger transit and
will ensure transport from Asia to Europe via Armenia. There is no
other route that would ensure such a transit at present."

Financial institutions ready to fund project

In a reply to a question on funding the railway construction, Sargsyan
said: "Naturally, our state cannot implement such a project on its own;
however, taking into consideration its significance, fortunately, there
are states and finance organizations, which are ready to co-finance the
construction. At present, the Asian Development Bank shows interest in
financing a feasibility study of the project and also participation in
the construction in the future. Discussions have been held with the
World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
as well."

As for that Russia does not have a real desire to take part in the
project, Sargsyan said: "There is no point to speculate on this issue,
there is a fact recorded. This issue was discussed during the meeting
between the Armenian and Russian presidents, and [Russian President]
Dmitriy Medvedev clearly said in this regard that let’s clarify what
amount of money is needed so that we are able to elaborate the degree
of our participation in the project. According to Sargsyan, Iran is
also interested in implementation of this project.

[Passage omitted: Sargsyan said Armenia and Iran will have discussions
on the design of the railway]

Construction of railway would stimulate economy

Sargsyan is sure that our economy will essentially develop due to the
construction of the railway: "The railway is of strategic significance
for the development of economy. If we are a transit country, everyone
will use this route, as there is no other alternative route. At
present a railway line, which goes from China via Middle East and
connects to Iran’s railway network, is being constructed and we have
an opportunity to become a corridor – from the Black Sea, Europe to
China – via the railway line. This is a very serious transport route."

[Passage omitted: Sargsyan puts the construction of the China-Iran
railway at about 1.5-2bn dollars]

The minister said that by the end of 2009, we will have some solution
regarding the construction of the railway. As for the issue who will
operate the new railway, Sargsyan said: "The South Caucasus Railways
[a Russian railway company]. It will be logical if this is done by
this concessionaire, which operates our railways. I do not think that
there will be two operators for a few kilometres of the line. However,
the final decision will be made at a political level." Sargsyan did
not wish to speak about disagreements regarding the operation of the
South Caucasus Railways and the activities of the company.

While answering our question how realistic he himself considers the
implementation of the project, Sargsyan said: "As a citizen, minister
of transport and communications, I am personally quite enthusiastic
about this project and will do my best so that it comes true by
all means."

[Passage omitted: Armenia is optimistic about the project]

ARMENIAN PAPER ACCUSES UK EMBASSY OF INSTRUCTING OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS

Hayots Ashkharh
Dec 4 2008
Armenia

An unattributed report in the paper says that two embassy officials
on 26 November visited the head of the opposition Miatsum initiative,
a group that supports making Azerbaijan’s breakaway region of Nagornyy
Karabakh part of Armenia and the release of "political prisoners". The
report said that after the meeting Zhirayr Seyfilyan, the coordinator
of the Miatsum initiative, and other activists started a hunger strike
in central Yerevan, demanding that the government reject making any
concessions to resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.

The newspaper asks whether the embassy is guiding the actions of
the Miatsum, saying that the major goal of this organization is
"struggle against the government". The paper concludes that "strange
masters-mentors have gathered" in the UK embassy because "instead
of teaching teenagers not to behave badly, they are teaching them
to misbehave".

SAAKASHVILI WANTS TO SPEED UP CONSTRUCTION OF CAUCASUS-TURKEY …

Interfax
Dec 9 2008
Russia

The process of creating a single power grid with Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Turkey should be intensified through building new power
transmission lines, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said.

Despite the consequences of the August war, the global crisis, and
"possible sabotage" Georgian power systems should operate without
failure, he said at a meeting with the country’s prime minister and
top energy officials.

"No matter what happens, the country’s power grid should operate
smoothly even in the event of a possible act of sabotage," the
president said.

"This year the Georgian energy sector has a minimum dependence on
Russian gas supplies, it is just 10% that we are getting from the
amount of gas transported to Armenia," he said. "I do not think that
Russia will leave Armenia without gas," Saakashvili said.

Whatever the political relations with Russia are, it is not in Russia’s
interests to refuse energy cooperation with Georgia, he said.

Currently, Azerbaijan is the main supplier of natural gas to Georgia
after the two countries signed a long-term contract for gas supplies
for the first time, said Prime Minister Grigol Mgaloblishvili.

"What is particularly important is the agreement that the gas price
will not be raised for five years," Mgaloblishvili said.

U.S., ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN INVENTORS DEVELOP DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON FILMS

US Fed News
December 9, 2008 Tuesday 6:38 AM EST

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 9 — Fu-Jann Pern of Golden, Colo., Kenell
J. Touryan of Indian Hills, Colo., Zhozef Retevos Panosyan of Yerevan,
Armenia, and Aleksey Alekseyevich Gippius of Moscow, Russia, have
developed an apparatus for making diamond-like carbon films. The patent
has been assigned to Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, Golden.

According to the abstract released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark
Office: "The present invention relates to deposition of diamond-like
carbon films, and more specifically to ion-assisted plasma-enhanced
deposition of diamond-like carbon films for uses including protection
of materials against exposure to harmful agents, for example,
encapsulation of surface of films, such as photovoltaic solar cells
for protection against chemical, mechanical, and radiation damage."

The inventors were issued U.S. Patent No. 7,459,188 on Dec. 2.

The original application was filed
on Dec. 2, 2004, and is available at:
t1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u= %2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&am p;l=50&s1=7459188.PN.&OS=PN/7459188&RS =PN/7459188.

For more information about US Fed News federal patent awards please
contact: Myron Struck, Managing Editor/US Bureau, US Fed News, Direct:
703/866-4708, Cell: 703/304-1897, [email protected]