Author: Antonian Lara

Armenian opposition warns public against “spontaneous action”
Arminfo
19 Apr 04

YEREVAN
The Armenian opposition does not rule out the possibility of dialogue
with the authorities without any conditions attached provided they
halt political repression in the country, set the opposition activists
they arrested free, make it possible for citizens to move freely
around the republic and punish those who falsified the results of the
2003 presidential and parliamentary elections. This was said in a
joint statement by the Justice bloc and the National Unity party
received by Arminfo today.
“The incumbent regime, led by President Robert Kocharyan, has burnt
all the bridges leading to reconciliation with the nation after the
tragic night of 12-13 April [when the opposition rally was
dispersed],” the statement said.
The statement added that there is no other way but change the
authorities but this should be done in a peaceful manner. The
opposition told the authorities that they would not be able to hold on
to power for a long time “by violently attacking their own people”.
[Passage omitted: reported details on vote of confidence]
The statement urged the public “not to yield to provocation and to
avoid spontaneous action”.

Like her first novel, Three
Armenian Diaspora
The Washington Post
April 18, 2004 Sunday
Like her first novel, Three Apples Fell from Heaven, Micheline
Aharonian Marcom’s The Daydreaming Boy (Riverhead, $23.95) revolves
around the Armenian genocide committed by Ottoman Turks from
1915-23. This time Marcom concerns herself with the campaign’s
aftermath, when Armenians have dispersed to, among other places,
idyllic Beirut in the 1960s, before the onset of civil war there.
The narrator is troubled by memories of not just the genocide but the
long-ago suicide of a boy he hardly knew (“You were brave, not, as
they claimed, a coward. Is there a more courageous man than the man
who with his will unmakes his life?”). The novel incorporates takes
such diverse approaches to its material as an old photograph of boys
at an orphanage, lists, an application form, and short chapters in
which the narrator descends into his haunted self.
— Dennis Drabelle

RULING COALITION PARTIES NOT TO TAKE PART IN A REGULAR SESSION OF ARMENIAN
PARLIAMENT
2004-04-12 20:28
YEREVAN, April 12 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – The
parliamentary factions of the ruling coalition parties – the
Republican Party of Armenia,the Orinatz Yerkir (Land of Laws) party
and the Dashnaktsutyun party – will nottake part in the session of a
regular three-day session of the National Assemblyof Armenia on April
12-14, 2004.
The joint statement of the ruling coalition parties received by RIA
Novosti says that this decision was taken in order to preclude the
“artificial whipping-up of passions”.
Since April 9 the opposition has been holding in Yerevan
non-sanctioned rallies and has stated its intention to continue mass
protest actions until president Robert Kocharyan resigns.
The opposition announced that if on April 12 the ruling coalition
failed to meet the demands on holding a referendum on vote of
confidence in the president, a meeting would be organized on the same
day after which its participants would head to Marshall Bagramyan
avenue where the presidential residence and the republic’s parliament
are located.
Earlier the opposition lodged a complaint with the Constitutional
Court of Armenia demanding to recognize the results of last year’s
presidential elections which resulted in the victory of Kocharyan
invalid.
The Court dismissed a complaint and suggested that a referendum on the
vote of confidence in the president should be held. However, later the
Court chairman Gagik Arutyunyan declared that this proposal had lost
its urgency.

ArmenPress
April 9 2004
OPPOSITION ACTIVIST ARRESTED FOR DISTRIBUTION OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT
LEAFLETS
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Prosecutor’s Office
said today it continues investigation into public calls for violent
overthrow of the constitutional order and offensive languages
directed at authorities.
Prosecutors said they have detained today a citizen of Yerevan,
Artak Gabrielian on the same charges. Gabrielian was arrested when he
was distributing leaflets of the opposition National Unity of
Artashes Geghamian urging people to participate in the unsanctioned
rally with concurrent calls for illegal seizure of power. These
actions were classified as violation of article 301 of the Armenian
Criminal Code.
In a reference to the April 8 detention of an opposition
parliament member Viktor Dalakian, prosecutors said he had been
summoned as a witness for a case under investigation, but refused to
come and therefore was brought by force, an action stipulated by
article 153 of the Armenian Criminal Code.

IranMania News
April 3 2004
Iran, Armenia finalize gas accord

TEHRAN, April 2 (IRIB) – Negotiations with Iran regarding the
construction of a gas pipeline to Armenia reached the final stage,
Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsesyan said.

The sides have already reached accords on the main technical
parameters of the pipeline. Iranian oil minister is expected to
arrive in Yerevan in early April to sign an agreement on building of
a gas pipeline, Movsesyan said.
According to the minister, the construction, due to begin later this
year, will last 20 months and to be completed in 2006. Either country
will be fully responsible for laying its stretch of the pipeline.
According to preliminary estimates, the Armenian section will cost
dlrs 100 million to lay, and the Iranian stretch, slightly more.
According to the draft agreement, Iran will deliver gas to Armeniain
amounts sufficient only for the country’s domestic consumption,
Movsesyan said. The question of extending the pipeline farther to
carry Iranian gas to Europe was not considered, contrary to
allegations by some mass media.
The gas pipeline from Iran will ensure continuous gas supply to
Armenia and enhance its energy security.

Hellenic Resources Network
Saturday, 3 April 2004
Armenian Genocide Quotes
Mustafa “Ataturk” Kemal
Founder of the modern Turkish Republic in 1923 and revered throughout
Turkey, in an interview published on August 1, 1926 in The Los Angeles
Examiner, talking about former Young Turks in his country…
These left-overs from the former Young Turk Party, who should have been made
to account for the millions of our Christian subjects who were ruthlessly
driven en masse, from their homes and massacred, have been restive under the
Republican rule.
Adolf Hitler
While persuading his associates that a Jewish holocaust would be tolerated
by the west stated…
Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?
Yossi Beilin
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister. April 27, 1994 on the floor of the Knesset
in response to a TV interview of the Turkish Ambassador
It was not war. It was most certainly massacre and genocide, something the
world must remember… We will always reject any attempt to erase its
record, even for some political advantage.
Gerald Ford
Addressing the US House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, with mixed emotions we mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish
genocide of the Armenian people. In taking notice of the shocking events in
1915, we observe this anniversary with sorrow in recalling the massacres of
Armenians and with pride in saluting those brave patriots who survived to
fight on the side of freedom during World War I. – Congressional Record, pg.
8890

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/29/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Canada ANC Steps-up Efforts Leading up to Genocide Resolution Vote 2) High-ranking American military officer set to visit Armenia 3) Congressional Support Grows for Bush to Properly Commemorate Armenian Genocide 4) Saakashvili Allies Victorious in Polls 5) Turkey's Ruling Party Strengthens Its Position 6) Schiff Lauds Contributions and Service of Cesar Chavez 1) Canada ANC Steps-up Efforts Leading up to Genocide Resolution Vote OTTAWA (ANCC)--The second reading of Motion M-380 that would recognize the Armenian Genocide is expected to take place in late April in the Canadian House of Commons. Introduced by private member Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, M-380 was read and debated on February 25. According to House of Commons rules, motions by a private member are subject to two readings of one hour each. The vote on the motion will take place after the second reading. Leading up to that vote, the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) has not only been working within Canada's parliament, but has also been aggressively pursuing Members of Parliament (MP), as well as affiliated bodies so as to ensure passage of the motion that states, "That this House acknowledges the Armenian genocide of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity." To date, of the more than 50 MPs approached, most have committed to supporting the motion. Alongside these efforts, representatives of ANC regions have been meeting with respective MPs, while the ARF Youth of Canada have initiated a mass email and letter writing campaign to garner support. Area Armenian organizations are doing the same. Representative of ARF Canada's Central Committee and ANCC have met with executive members of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) to outreach and gain even wider support for the effort. The CRRF's mission is to build a national framework for the fight against racism in Canadian society. Its mission is to bring about a more harmonious Canada that acknowledges its racist past, recognizes the pervasiveness of racism today, and is committed to creating a future in which all Canadians are treated equitably and fairly. Members of the CRRF executive promised to extend cooperation and practical assistance--assuring they would discuss the matter with minister with that cooperate with the CRRF. Results of CRRF's promises came through the following day during a conference in Montreal, titled Hate and Racism: Seeking Solutions. In their speeches, UN Special Envoy Stephen Lewis and Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire introduced Armenian efforts to the body, urging cooperation. The CRRF was a partner in the planning and implementation of this important and timely conference. 2) High-ranking American military officer set to visit Armenia YEREVAN (Yerkir)--The US European Command Headquarters' Director of Plans and Policy, Major General Jeffrey Kohler, will be in Armenia on Tuesday. Over a period of two days, the General will be meeting with Armenian Defense Minister and Security Council Secretary Serzh Sargsian, and Chief of Staff General Mikael Harutiunian. Kohler is also scheduled to visit the 12th peacekeeping battalion of the Armenian Army. 3) Congressional Support Grows for Bush to Properly Commemorate Armenian Genocide WASHINGTON, DC-- (ANCA)--Bipartisan support for a Congressional letter urging President Bush to keep his campaign pledge and properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as `genocide' continued to expand this week, with over 80 House Members having added their name to the list of signatories, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The grassroots effort to secure additional supporters will be expanding in the upcoming week. Initiated by House Genocide Resolution lead sponsors George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the letter calls on President Bush to reaffirm the United States record on the Armenian Genocide in his April 24 commemorative statement. It argues that, `by properly recognizing the atrocities committed against the Armenian people as 'genocide' in your statement, you will honor the many Americans who helped launch our first international human rights campaign to end the carnage and protect the survivors.' It continues, noting that `Now more than ever as your administration seeks to bring an end to global terrorism and to help establish democracies in Afghanistan and Iraq, the memory of the genocide underscores our responsibility to help convey our cherished tradition of respect for fundamental human rights and opposition to mass slaughters.' Congressional colleagues joining Representatives Radanovich, Schiff, Pallone, and Knollenberg pledging to co-sign the letter as of Friday, March 26, include: Tom Allen (D-ME), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ken Calvert (R-CA), William Clay (D-MO), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Duke Cunningham (R-CA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), John Dingell (D-MI), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Lane Evans (D-IL), Bob Filner (D-CA), Vito Fossella (R-NY), Barney Frank (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Tim Holden (D-PA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Jesse Jackson (D-IL), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Sue Kelly (R-NY), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Nick Lampson (D-TX), John Larson (D-CT), Steven LaTourette (R-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), John Lewis (D-GA), William Lipinski (D-IL), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), James McGovern (D-MA), John McHugh (R-NY), Buck McKeon (R-CA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Devin Nunes (R-CA), John Olver (D-MA), C. L. `Butch' Otter (R-ID), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Edward Royce (R-CA), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Christopher Shays (R-CT), Brad Sherman (D-CA), John Shimkus (R-IL), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Mark Souder (R-IN), Pete Stark (D-CA), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH), Christopher Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Visclosky (D-IN), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Curt Weldon (R-PA), and Frank Wolf (R-VA). Support for the letter is expected to grow considerably, as the Armenian American community continues its grassroots campaign to urge legislators to become signatories. The ANCA launched a WebFax campaign last week, which calls on House Members to speak out on a number of Genocide reaffirmation initiatives including this letter, as well as urging Speaker Hastert to schedule a vote on the Genocide resolution, H.Res. 193. That legislation was unanimously adopted by the House Judiciary Committee and currently has 110 cosponsors. Activists are also asking their Representatives to co-host the 10th Annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill, which currently has the support of over 85 Senators and Representatives. 4) Saakashvili Allies Victorious in Polls TBILISI (Reuters)--Georgians have handed President Mikhail Saakashvili's allies a big victory in a parliamentary election, bolstering his mandate to press ahead with reforms but leaving little opposition to scrutinize him. Despite tension in a wayward province, the election--a rerun of a November poll seen as rigged--proceeded peacefully on Sunday in the volatile Caucasus nation that is set to become a key transport corridor for Caspian oil. An exit poll for Rustavi-2 television forecast that Saakashvili's National Movement-Democrats bloc had won 78.6 percent of the vote and no opposition party would clear a seven percent hurdle needed to win seats in parliament. "The message is Georgia will take the route of dramatic economic and liberal democratic reforms," Saakashvili told reporters. "I'd rather have a bigger opposition representation but it's not up to me; that's the will of the people." A rival exit poll suggested one right-wing pro-business party might have cleared the hurdle. Preliminary official results were due on Monday. Saakashvili, elected president by a landslide in January after leading a bloodless revolution that ousted veteran leader Eduard Shevardnadze, has pledged to unite the divided country and stamp out rampant corruption. The United States, which backs Saakashvili, is keen to see a stable Georgia as the former Soviet republic lies on the route of a Western oil pipeline due to start pumping Caspian oil to the Mediterranean next year without the need to cross Russia. SMOOTH VOTE Initial reports of disruptions to voting in Ajaria, an autonomous province whose leader has been at odds with Saakashvili, were denied by local election officials. Saakashvili's success in tapping deep-seated frustration with a post-Soviet history marked by civil wars, corruption and Russian efforts to wield influence has left many opponents discredited and in disarray. US ambassador Richard Miles had hoped opposition parties would win some seats. "Any democracy needs an opposition in the parliament," he said. Sunday's poll was for 150 seats in the 235-seat chamber; the other 85 seats were not nullified after the November vote. If the Rustavi-2 exit poll proves correct, only some deputies elected first time round will provide parliamentary opposition. Saakashvili's attempts to bring to heel Aslan Abashidze, leader in Ajaria, had raised tensions in the Black Sea region. Kalashnikov-toting supporters and military units loyal to Abashidze have increased the danger of armed conflict in a country that has two openly separatist regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which did not participate in the vote. "For the first time in 10 years the local powers in Ajaria have lost an election," Saakashvili said. "The age of feudalism has ended in Georgia." For his part, Abashidze accused the government of planning to falsify results in Ajaria to prevent his Revival party returning to parliament. Ajaria has jealously guarded its autonomy and control of the oil-exporting sea port at Batumi. 5) Turkey's Ruling Party Strengthens Its Position (Eurasianet.org)--Turkey's ruling conservative party won a strong mandate in local elections on Sunday that could strengthen its hand in taking the largely Muslim country into the European Union and in pushing for reunification of the divided island of Cyprus. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) retained control of key municipalities, including the capital, Ankara, and the country's largest city, Istanbul, with gains in regions long dominated by left-wing groups. "Turkey has voted once again for stability and progress," said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after claiming victory. Erdogan assured Turks that "this victory will not cause us to lose our heads. To the contrary, it will increase our sense of responsibility." He has backed the latest UN plan to reunite Cyprus. He was expected to fly to Switzerland this week to join four-way reunification talks between Turkey, Greece and the Turkish and Greek Cypriots. Western diplomats say Sunday's result is likely to strengthen his position against hawks within Turkey's powerful armed forces, who oppose the UN plan. At the national level, Erdogan has already pushed through many social reforms aimed at opening membership talks with the EU. These include easing bans on the Kurdish language and stiffening penalties for torture. 6) Schiff Lauds Contributions and Service of Cesar Chavez ON CESAR CHAVEZ DAY, REP. ADAM SCHIFF COMMENDS ONE OF AMERICA'S GREATEST ADVOCATES FOR WORKING FAMILIES WASHINGTON, DC--In honor of his many contributions to the farm labor movement and for his leadership on behalf of working families, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) issued the following statement on this day set aside for remembering Cesar Chavez: "Today we remember Cesar Chavez--one of our nation's greatest advocates for working families. Cesar Chavez is best known as the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO (UFW) and for his work on behalf of the farm labor movement. That, however, was only the tip of the iceberg. Throughout his entire life, Cesar Chavez championed non-violent social change, dedicated himself to public service, and petitioned for improved workers' rights. "Cesar Chavez led the first successful farm workers union in American history, achieving dignity, respect, fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits, and humane living conditions, as well as countless other rights and protections for hundreds of thousands of farm workers. His union's efforts brought about the passage of the groundbreaking 1975 California Agricultural Labor Relations Act to protect farm workers. Today, it remains the only law in the nation that protects the farm workers' right to unionize. "In California, we have Cesar Chavez Day to remember and honor his contributions, but we must work together to bring national attention to the work of this great leader. The significance and impact of Chavez's work transcends any one cause or boundaries and that is why I support legislation to establish a national Cesar Chavez Day (H. Res. 112, introduced by Rep. Joe Baca) and protect historic sites associated with his life and the farm labor movement (H.R. 1034 introduced by Rep. Hilda Solis). "Today, we honor Cesar Chavez, an inimitable leader and great humanitarian who influenced and inspired millions of Americans to seek social justice and fight for civil rights." Rep. Schiff represents California's 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, and Temple City. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

LA Weekly
March 26-April 1, 2004
Let There Be Light
by Siran Babyan

Armenian folk:
Soul and inspiration

The eight members of Armenia’s Shoghaken Ensemble (the name means
`source of light’) are folk-music ambassadors, representing not only
their country’s biggest musical export but a bright torch of cultural
pride that dates back to pagan roots, before Armenia was the first
nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in A.D. 301. The
group was founded in 1991, the same year the former Soviet republic
became an independent nation-state.
If your ABCs of this music don’t expand beyond the weeping willow of
wind instruments, the duduk, delve into one or all three of
Shoghaken’s albums. There’s a lot of ground to cover: With more than
20 pages of liner notes each, they’re mini-encyclopedias, really,
complete with English lyrics, dance instructions, maps, photos from
1913 and descriptions of all the classical instruments ‘ centered on
the duduk, kamancha, kanon and dhol.
The ensemble’s first release, 2002’s Armenia Anthology, is an example
of folk music as an oral tradition of largely unknown authors, except
for ashughs such as the 18th-century troubadour Sayat Nova, who
composed and gathered the treasured bulk of Armenia’s classical
songbook, its origins ranging from Anatolia to the Caucasus. Two of
Sayat Nova’s ballads for his beloved, `Kani Voor Jan Im’ (`As Long As
I Live’) and `Nazani’ (`Gracefully’), are sung here by brother and
sister Aleksan and Hasmik Harutyunyan and played on the upright fiddle
called the kamancha, the instrument most associated with the traveling
minstrel, which was thought to `console the heartsick, cure the ill.’
Anthology also contains the typical village-centric songs born or
popularized in ancient Armenian cities or towns now in modern-day
Turkey, Syria or Azerbaijan, including `Shiraki Harsanekan Bar’
(`Wedding Dance of Shirak’), on which ensemble founder Gevorg
Dabaghyan showcases the twittering, birdlike delights of the
pencil-thin reed shvi ‘ a sharp and exuberant contrast to the wailing
of the duduk.
You can hear more of Harutyunyan’s clear-as-the-wind vocals as she
plays mother on Shoghaken’s 2004 Armenian Lullabies, another
collection of historic tunes named after villages and provinces such
as Sassun and Kessab. With minimal backing ‘ usually the dham duduk,
which holds the drone in the background ‘ she repeats the word oror
(to rock) with language-defying stillness and comfort, turning these
somber songs about the hardships of mothering into aural blankets.
Folk dances are so intertwined with much of this music that it’s
really all one art form, from the song-dance baryerg to the popular
shourch dance performed professionally for the stage or at social
functions. Shoghaken’s other recent release, Traditional Dances of
Armenia, isn’t a definitive collection ‘ it’s missing `Im Anoush
Davigh’ (`My Sweet Harp’), the most recognizable and loveliest melody
in all the land ‘ but it features all the standard bars. In the
kochari and shalakho, men dance shoulder to shoulder with soldieresque
kicks, jumps and cross-legged footwork. (The latter is a familiar
tune, and here, Karine Hovhannisyan plucks the lap harp kanon at an
ear-boggling, almost unrecognizable speed.) Perennial wedding
selections such as the shoror and the favorite tamzara call for
everyone to put down the fork, link pinkies or join hands, and dance
in circular motion to the pounding of the dhol.
It’s women, however, who’ve elevated the art form on the stage to its
highest level. In the naz or zangezuri, they wear traditional costumes
with brocade bodices, and headdresses over long braided hair, while
executing slow upper-body movements and hand gestures (it’s all in the
wrist) that mimic knitting, sewing or rocking a cradle.
This preservation of one of the world’s oldest musical styles has
earned the group high praise from the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, who invited
the members to take part in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2002,
and Atom Egoyan, who included them in the soundtrack to his film
Ararat. Shoghaken’s performance at the Skirball is not only the first
stop on their national tour but their first-ever local appearance.
They’re guests, but not strangers; it’ll be like a homecoming to a
land that has become a second mother country.
Shoghaken Ensemble performs at the Skirball Cultural Center on
Thursday, April 1, at 8 p.m., preceded by Lucina Agbabian Hubbard’s 7
p.m. lecture.

Azeri agency downplays Iran-Armenia-Europe gas pipeline project
Turan news agency
26 Mar 04
BAKU
The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the construction of which is expected
to begin by late 2004, will go across Georgia’s territory through the
Black Sea and Ukraine to western Europe. Thus, the Iranian and Turkmen
gas will go to the European Union countries bypassing Russia, Armenian
Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan told reporters yesterday 25 March .
The idea of laying the pipeline emerged in 1994, when the Georgian
section of the gas pipeline supplying gas to Armenia from Russia was
constantly out of operation due to chronic instability in Georgia. To
create an alternative source of power supply, in 1995 Armenia and
Tehran signed an agreement on laying the 141-km-long Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline.
Armenia, however, could not start implementing the project: either the
sides could not agree on the gas price (Iran does not agree to supply
gas at Russian prices), or financial problems arose etc. Since early
2004, the Armenian side has been saying at all levels that a contract
will be signed soon and the construction will begin this year.
If we believe Movsisyan, Armenia is about to launch a large-scale
project which in the first place jeopardizes the energy security and
political ambitions of the country’s strategic partner, Russia. The
latter will sustain huge losses if gas is successfully transported via
the Turkmenistan-Iran-Georgia-Ukraine-Western Europe route. Russia
will lose at least transit tariffs from supplying Turkmen gas to
Ukraine, gas markets in Georgia and Armenia, and partly in Ukraine,
sales markets in eastern and partly western Europe, and finally the
economic levers of exerting pressure on its CIS neighbours.
Despite a very difficult geographic route, the project is feasible
technically, but will require huge investments. The implementation of
its subwater part will cost at least 2bn-3bn dollars. In addition,
many players along the route have great expectations concerning
transit tariffs, which in the long run will make the project
commercially unattractive. Given the fact that Armenia’s entire gas
market, including its gas distribution and gas transport network, is
managed by Russia, the project is unlikely to have bright future. The
project is based not on realities of the current market economy, but
on illusions of an Armenian myth similar to “Greater Armenia”.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 24, 2004 Wednesday 8:26 AM Eastern Time
Armenia ready to develop economic ties with neighbouring states
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Armenia is ready to establish and develop economic relations with all
neighbouring countries without any preconditions, Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan said.
In his meeting with EU Special Envoy to the South Caucasus Heikki
Talvitie on Wednesday, Margaryan said these relations would provide a
foundation for the peaceful settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia’s membership in the Council of Europe and the compliance of
obligations before the CE will allow the country to hope that it will
be able to integrate into a European family, the Armenian prime
minister said.
In his view, the EU efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with
European countries and reforms in Armenia prove that these are real
goals.
Talvitie said the European Union was discussing a possibility of
involving the South Caucasus in Wider Europe/New Neighbours
Initiative. Ambassador Talvitie said he is hopeful that this process
would yield positive results. He is in Yerevan on a four-day visit as
part of an extended regional tour
In order to achieve this goal the EU envoy stressed that it would
necessary to develop regional cooperation, encourage economic
relations between the region and West European countries, and settle
the existing conflicts, in particular the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Talvitie said he is ready to help find a peaceful solution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem.