Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIA TO EXPORT SUGAR TO RUSSIA AND EUROPE SOON

Tert.am
17:48 ~U 07.12.09

In the case of a shortage, Armenia can produce its own sugar and
export it to Russia and European countries, said Edward Sargsyan,
director of a sugar production plant being built in Akhuria, while
speaking to journalists today, adding that Armenia has already received
a proposal from Russia.

In the director’s words, the plant will be operational in 2010.

Speaking about production volume, Sargsyan announced that of the raw
materials of the sugar produced in Armenia, 45% will be beet sugar
cultivated in Armenia, while the remainder will be partly manufactured
sugar imported from Brazil.

Sargsyan affirmed that the locally produced sugar will be different
not only in quality, but also in taste.

"The produced sugar will correspond with European standards, despite
the fact that the important Brazilian sugar is likewise a product of
the highest quality," explained the director.

As for the price, in Sargsyan’s words, one tonne of locally produced
sugar will be $30-40 USD cheaper than market price.

Other than supplying the local market, the plant in Akhuria is also
working to export its product. Already plans are in the works to ship
Armenian-produced sugar to Georgia and northern Iran.

RA President Serzh Sargsyan, during his visit to Shirak marz
(province), also paid a vist to the sugar factory today. As an aside,
the plant is owned by MP Samvel Aleksanyan.

YEREVAN TO HOST PROCESSION WITHIN "AVAILABLE YEREVAN" PROGRAM FRAMEWORKS

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.12.2009 18:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On Tuesday, Yerevan will host a procession within
"Available Yerevan" program frameworks, with action participants to
march from National Opera and Ballet Theater to Yerevan Mayor’s office.

The action aims at focusing public attention on disabled people’s
issues.

Action participants plan to find those among Yerevan streets better
accommodated to the movement of disabled people.

Based on the research performed, a program of reforms will be
developed, to be submitted to Yerevan Mayor.

The procession is organized by "Astkhik" Disabled Children’s Parents
Union, within "Available Yerevan" program frameworks.

U.S. WANTS TO TIE BOTH ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO ITSELF: POLITICAL EXPERT

Today.Az
07 December 2009 [14:43]

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political expert Rasim Agayev.

Day.Az: What do you expect from a coming meeting between Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Turkish prime minister said earlier that he plans to debate the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as well during the meeting. May the U.S.

administration change position towards the Karabakh issue after
the meeting?

Rasim Agayev: I think resolving the Karabakh conflict will be discussed
in relations with the Armenian-Turkish dialogue in Washington. These
two issues are interdependent. Turkish-American dialogue on this
issue will contribute to Washington’s better understanding of the
issue. Therefore, contacts between the U.S. and Turkey in this respect
are very important and useful.

Is the U.S. interested in resolving the Karabakh conflict?

On one hand, the United States has enough influence to persuade Armenia
to promote settlement of the Karabakh conflict. On the other hand,
Armenia is Russia’s ally and the pressure on Armenia could lead to the
Russian-American complications. I think the U.S. does not believe that
they should put pressure on Armenia to meet Azerbaijan’s aspirations in
the Karabakh issue. Washington has its own understanding of the problem
and its interests associated with each of the two conflicting parties.

I believe that the U.S. wants to resolve the Karabakh conflict so
that both sides were satisfied with Washington’s participation in the
negotiation process. The U.S. wants to tie both Armenia and Azerbaijan
to itself with the aim of strengthening in the South Caucasus region.

The United States needs it to pursue more flexible policies in the
Middle East.

How do you assess outcome of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign
ministers’ meeting in Athens and the follow-up statements?

I think these statements were made in a bid to show optimism on the
Karabakh negotiations. Indeed, there is a noticeable disappointed in
Azerbaijan at the negotiations. There is an impression of a deadlock.

But I see nothing in statements by the Azerbaijan Foreign that would
back this optimism.

Armenia attends ISAF Foreign Ministers’ meeting

armradio.am
05.12.2009 14:18

On 4 December, Foreign Ministers of ISAF troop contributing nations
met to discuss key priorities for Afghanistan, namely protecting
Afghan people, building Afghan security capacity, and facilitating
governance and development. They adopted a common declaration,
agreeing on the main principles guiding ISAF’s support of
reintegration and reconciliation processes.

The Armenian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Arman
Kirakosyan. This was the first such meeting attended by Armenia.

The meeting was chaired by Anders Fogh Rasmussen. It was attended by
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, the Foreign Ministers of Great
Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Afghanistan and others.

Following this week’s announcement by President Barack Obama on the
sending of 30 000 additional US troops, ISAF Foreign Ministers
reiterated their collective objective to hand over lead security
responsibility to the Afghan forces, starting next year, when
conditions allow. To this end, nations pledged to invest more in
training, equipping and sustaining the Afghan National Security
Forces, through the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

Allies and Partners adopted a declaration outlining a new approach for
Afghanistan in which the protection of the Afghan people is given a
particular focus. In support of this approach, at least 25 Allies and
Partners committed around 7 000 troops for 2010, with the possibility
of more contributions to come.

Touching upon the allied partnership between Armenia and NATO< the
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister specially emphasized the cooperation
in the field of peacekeeping. He noted that `with a clear intention of
contributing to international security and stability, Armenia has
decided to send a peacekeeping contingent to Afghanistan.’

The Armenian servicemen are expected to leave for Afghanistan in the
first months of 2010. In this regard Arman Kirakosyan expressed
gratitude to the German Government for comprehensive support.

ANC: ARMENIA RECOGNIZED PRINCIPLE OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY IN ATHENS

ArmInfo
2009-12-04 11:03:00

ArmInfo. During the meeting of OSCE MG cochair-countries’ foreign
ministers in Athens, Armenia gave its consent having recognized the
principles of territorial integrity. Such a viewpoint is expressed
in the statement of the Armenian National Congress provided to ArmInfo.

In view of the statement of OSCE 56 countries’ ministers Council of
December 1 in Athens on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement,
ANC notes that having taken part in the afore-indicated statements,
Armenia undertook to achieve the Karabakh conflict settlement within
the frames of nonuse of force or threat of force, territorial integrity
and the nations’ right for self-determination. ‘So, Armenia has first
officially gave its consent for resolution of the conflict within the
frames of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. In this case, inclusion
of a principle of the nations’ right for self- determination in the
document does not compensate the fixed concession of Armenia. Joint
use of the principles of the nations’ right for self-determination and
territorial integrity means the following: irrespective of the degree
of self-determination, given to NKR, it will be realized within the
frames of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity’, ANC statement says.

PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS OF 1 MILLION 566 THOUSAND DOLLARS CARRIED OUT AT NASDAQ OMX ARMENIA OJSC ON DECEMBER 3

Noyan Tapan
Dec 3, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Purchase and sale transactions of
1 million 566 thousand dollars at the weighted average exchange rate
of 385 drams per dollar were carried out at Nasdaq OMX Armenia OJSC
on December 3. According to the press center of the Central Bank of
Armenia, the closing price made 385 drams.

RUSSIA PUBLISHES ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI CONFLICT SETTLEMENT GROUP STATEMENT

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Dec 2 2009
Russia

Text of "Joint Statement by the Heads of Delegation of the Minsk Group
Co-Chair Countries and the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia,
Athens, Greece, 1 December" in English by Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs website on 2 December

The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries,
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Foreign
Minister of France Bernard Kouchner, Enhanced Coverage LinkingBernard
Kouchner, -Search using: Biographies Plus News News, Most Recent 60
Days and Deputy Secretary of State of the United States James Steinberg
met in Athens on 1 December with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
Elmar Mammadyarov and Foreign Minister of Armenia Edvard Nalbandyan.

The five Heads of Delegation recalled the commitments in the November
2008 Moscow Declaration and the December 2008 Helsinki OSCE Ministerial
Statement, They noted the positive dynamic in the talks, demonstrated
through six meetings this year between the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan. They agreed that the increasing frequency of these meetings
has significantly contributed to an enhanced dialogue between the
parties and forward movement towards finalizing the Basic Principles
for the Peaceful Settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict,
proposed in Madrid on 29 November 2007.

Foreign Ministers Lavrov and Kouchner and Deputy Secretary Steinberg
reiterated the commitment of their countries, as expressed in the Joint
Statement on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict at the L’Aquila Summit of
the Eight on July 10 issued by their three Presidents, to support the
leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan as they complete work on the Basic
Principles and urged that the parties complete this work as soon as
possible. They stressed that agreement on the Basic Principles would
provide the framework for a comprehensive settlement to promote a
future of peace, stability, and prosperity for the entire region.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan reported on progress
during the course of this year in achieving common understandings on
points of the Basic Principles. They stated the willingness of their
countries to complete work on the Basic Principles, as stipulated by
the Presidents of the Co-Chair countries at L’Aquila. The Ministers
reaffirmed their commitment to work intensively to resolve the
remaining issues, to reach an agreement based, in particular, upon
the principles of the Helsinki Final Act of Non-Use of Force or
Threat of Force, Territorial Integrity, and the Equal Rights and
Self-Determination of Peoples.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND US DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ASSESS COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES IN DEFENSE SPHERE EFFECTIVE

ARMENPRESS
Dec 3, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
received today US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste
Wallander.

Presidential Press Office told Armenpress that welcoming the guest,
President Sargsyan said that Armenian-US relations are warm and
friendly and Armenia is interested in their further deepening.

"Armenia highly assesses the assistance of the United States provided
since the independence of our country. We also highly assess the
efforts of the United States directed toward establishment of stability
and peace in our region," the president said.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense said that during the visit
she aims at better understanding of Armenia’s priorities in defense
sphere. Noting that her country highly assesses Armenia’s participation
in different peacekeeping missions, she said that today they visited
the peacekeeping brigade of Armenian Armed Forces and were impressed
with the abilities of the Armenian peacekeepers.

President Sargsyan highlighted Armenia’s participation in international
peacekeeping activity and noted that Armenia must and is able to have
its contribution to the consolidation of international security.

The president and the US official assessed the cooperation and programs
between the two countries in the defense sphere as effective and
noted that Armenia has used its opportunities at its best.

The interlocutors also exchanged thoughts over regional developments
and issues.

PRIME MINISTER DISCUSSED ISSUES ON UPPER LARS AND CHURCH WITH THE GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR

Lragir.am
02/12/09

The Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with the Georgian
ambassador to Armenia Grigori Tabatadze.

Tigran Sargsyan emphasized the boosting of the economic cooperation
focusing the attention on the fact that the current scale of trade does
not satisfy the sides. The prime minister noted that the reopening
of the Upper Lars checkpoint will create additional possibilities
for favorable activities.

Dwelling on the problems with regards to the Armenian churches,
the head of the government underscored the reconstruction of the
St. Gevorg church.

The sides discussed the work of the Armenian and Georgian
inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation. The press
service of the government reports.

ARMENIA: CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS URANIUM MINE

EurasiaNet
Dec 1 2009

A protest movement against a planned Russian-Armenian uranium mine
in southern Armenia appears to be picking up steam, with discussions
underway with three political parties about a partnership.

The mine, a 50-50 joint venture between Armenia and Russia, will be
located in the mineral-rich region of Syunik, already the home to
two copper and molybdenum mining operations.

Soviet-era studies indicated that Armenia could contain up to
approximately 60,000 tons of uranium. With uranium prices at roughly
$97 per kilogram, that means the Syunik mine could create considerable
revenue for Armenian state coffers.

Yerevan plans to export the uranium to Russia, where it would be
enriched for nuclear fuel to be used in Armenia’s nuclear power plant.

Exploration work in the field is already underway. Deputy Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources Areg Galstian stated at an late October
conference on Armenian-Russian energy cooperation.

The Armenian-Russian Mining Company holds a five-year permit for
exploration of uranium ore in Syunik. Company data indicates that
exploration is taking place in southern and northern Syunik.

But local residents, including inhabitants of the nearby regional
capital, Kapan, and the mining town of Kajaran fear the consequences.

Expressing concern about chances for a spike in cancer rates and
genetic mutations once uranium mining starts, the head of the Greens’
Union of Armenia, Hakob Sanasarian, called the project "a disaster
for both the local and the national population."

The director of a local Karabakh War veterans’ rights group agreed.

"If they start mining uranium, we will fight using all possible
methods," Khoren Harutiunian declared. "We will even block the roads."

Discussions are being held with three prominent political parties
about an alliance to block the mine, Harutiunian said. He declined
to identify the parties involved in the discussions.

The anti-mine movement also plans to start a letter-writing campaign
to government officials this week; some 2,000 Kapan residents have
already joined the protest, they claim.

Geochemist Sergei Grigorian, a member of the National Academy
of Sciences who is overseeing the geological survey of the Syunik
uranium deposits for the Armenian-Russian Mining Company, called the
outcry misplaced.

"[T]his is … caused by some misunderstanding because what we do
now is safe," Grigorian said. "The mining work should be organized
so that they will not cause any environmental problems."

The Soviet-era figures about Armenia’s estimated uranium deposits
could be 10 times higher than what exists in reality — a situation
that could impact the Company’s plans for Syunik, he continued.

Nonetheless, he underlined, Armenia requires fuel for its nuclear
power plant and must secure its own supplies.

"[W]hat if we can no longer get uranium from Russia?" Grigorian asked.

"We need to have some culture of mining. … We cannot just sit
and starve."

If the project proceeds on schedule, work on the surface of the
mine site will start in 2010, and holes will be drilled to reach
the uranium ore deposits, he said. But environmentalists question
Grigorian’s assurances on the environment. "It’s up to an international
independent expert group to decide whether [the uranium mining] is safe
or not," affirmed Inga Zarafian, chairperson of the non-governmental
organization EcoLur.

Grigorian stresses that public discussions have been held to explain
to some 1,000 local community members how the mine will operate and
safety standards maintained.

The head of the Lernadzor community administration, however, contends
that public discussions are not enough. "How can I support such
activities if all this results in is people wanting to leave the
village?" asked Stepan Petrosian. "I don’t know even whether I should
finish building my house or not. Will my grandchildren ever live here?"

For now, that question remains unanswered, but the fear about the mines
hangs on. Pledged activist Haroutiunian: "We will fight till the end."