Author: Boshkezenian Garik

RIA Novosti, Russia
November 29, 2007

Armenia to join Russian international uranium enrichment center

YEREVAN, November 29 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia’s government has
approved a plan to join an international uranium enrichment center in
Russia, the government’s press service said on Thursday.

The center, part of Moscow’s non-proliferation initiative to create a
network of enrichment centers under the UN nuclear watchdog’s
supervision, will be based at a chemical plant in Angarsk, Siberia.
The center will also be responsible for the disposal of nuclear
waste.

"At its Thursday meeting, the government of Armenia endorsed a
proposal to join an agreement between the governments of Russia and
Kazakhstan on the establishment of an International Uranium
Enrichment Center," it said.

Russia had previously said it would grant any country in the world
the use of the future center.

Russia and its ex-Soviet neighbor Kazakhstan, which holds 15% of the
world’s uranium reserves, signed an agreement in October 2006 to
establish their first joint venture to enrich uranium, intended to
begin in 2013.

Ukraine’s Fuel and Energy Ministry said in June that the country
intended to join the project in the near future.

Russian President Vladimir Putin first raised the idea of joint
nuclear enrichment centers early last year, in a bid to defuse
tension over Iran’s controversial nuclear program. The president said
the centers would give countries transparent access to civilian
nuclear technology without provoking international fears that
enriched uranium could be used for covert weapons programs.

Russia & CIS General Newswire
November 29, 2007 Thursday 1:39 PM MSK

Russia content with outcome of Defense Minister visit to Azerbaijan –
Russian Ambassador

Russia is satisfied with the results of Defense Minister Anatoly
Serdyukov’s visit to Azerbaijan, which took place earlier this week,
Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasily Istratov said at a press
conference on Thursday.

"The parties signed a cooperation plan for 2008, and I would like to
note that the previous cooperation plan has been fulfilled. The
ministers were content with the negotiations and planned areas of
cooperation, including in the military-technological sector and as
regards the training of specialists," he said.

Serdyukov assured Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev that Russian
educational institutions are prepared "to satisfy any demands from
the Azeri side regarding the training of cadets," Istratov said.

No issues concerning fundamentally new areas of cooperation were
discussed during Serdyukov’s visit to Baku, Istratov said.

"The talks dealt with the expansion of military-technological
cooperation, including as regards purchases of weapons," he said.

The two ministers also discussed Baku’s concerns about the possible
deployment of Russian weapons withdrawn from a military base in
Georgia in Nagorno-Karabakh, he said.

"I can say categorically on this account that Russia is not deploying
weapons in Nagorno-Karabakh," Istratov said.

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PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS OF ARMENIA SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVE IN SOLVING PROBLEMS OF DISABLED PEOPLE

ARKA News Agency
Dec 3 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, December 3. /ARKA/. Public organizations of Armenia should be
more active in fulfilling their obligations toward disabled persons,
Armenia’s Prime-Minister Serge Sargsian said at his meeting with
NGO representatives dealing with the problems of the disabled in
the country.

"Dozens of public organizations apply to the prime-minister with a
request to provide financial means for charity needs. I am not against
the state appropriating funds for these needs, and this process is
under way, but a move should be recorded also from the other side
so that we can achieve more efficiency in solving the problems," the
Prime-Minister said adding that the state "knows its responsibilities,
but NGOs should also undertake certain part of responsibility".

He expressed conviction that Armenia has not reached the modern
level of perception of problems of the disabled in the society yet,
despite the legislative framework formed in the last 10-12 years and
the consistent increase in the government appropriations to solve
the problems of the disabled.

Sargsian pointed out the necessity to change "pitiful" regard of the
disabled and stressed the role of public organizations in this.

He also pointed out certain obligations that public organizations
and state structures have under the law and government decrees in
improving the life conditions of the disabled.

"Some of 300 public organizations dealing with the problems of
the disabled in the country are, no doubt, quite serious ones that
often deal with these problems even more efficiently than some state
officials," Sargsian said.

In 1992 the UN General Assembly declared December 3 as International
Day of Disabled People.

According to the information of Armenia’s Healthcare Ministry,
148,000 disabled persons are recorded in the country with 88,000 of
them being life-long disabled persons.

RA COURTS’ CHAIRMEN APPOINTED

Noyan Tapan
Nov 15, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. As Noyan Tapan was informed by
the RA President’s Press Office, RA President Robert Kocharian,
on November 15, signed a decree on appointing RA courts’ chairmen.

Vardan Abrahamian was appointed the Chairman of Yerevan Criminal
Court. His commissions of the Chairman of the first instance court
of Yerevan’s Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun communities were stopped,

Erna Hayriyan was appointed the Chairwoman of Yerevan Civil Court. Her
commissions of the judge of the RA Cassation Court’s Civil Chamber
were stopped,

Armen Tumanian was appointed the Chairman of the South Criminal
Court. His commissions of the Chairman of Syunik region’s first
instance court were stopped,

Anatoly Matevosian was appointed the Chairman of the South Civil Court.

Sergei Chichoyan was appointed the Chairman of the North Criminal
Court. His commissions of the Chairman of Gegharkunik region’s first
instance court were stopped,

Suren Antonian was appointed the Chairman of the North Civil Court. His
commissions of the judge of the RA Cassation Court’s Civil Chamber
were stopped,

Mher Khachatrian was appointed the Chairman of Yerevan’s Arabkir
and Kanaker-Zeytun communities’ court of general competence. His
commissions of the Chairman of the RA Appeal Criminal Court were
stopped,

Tigran Sahakian was appointed the Chairman of the RA Appeal Criminal
Court.

His commissions of the Chairman of the RA Cassation Court’s Criminal
Chamber were stopped,

David Avetisian was appointed the Chairman of the RA Cassation Court’s
Criminal Chamber. His commissions of the judge of the RA Cassation
Court’s Criminal Chamber were stopped,

Tigran Mukuchian was appointed the Chairman of the RA Administrative
Court.

His commissions of the Chairman of the RA Appeal Civil Court were
stopped,

Edvard Muradian was appointed the Chairman of the RA Appeal Civil
Court. His commissions of the Chairman of the RA Economic Court
were stopped.

LEADER OF YOUTH WING OF SOCIAL AND DEMOCRATIC HCHAKYAN PARTY NAREK GALSTYAN BEATEN IN YEREVAN

arminfo
2007-11-15 16:43:00

ArmInfo. The leader of youth wing of Social and Democratic Hchakyan
party "Sarkis Thruni" union Narek Galstyan was beaten in Yerevan
today morning.

As Arminfo correspondent was informed from the office of Social
and Democratic Hnchakyan party, at 10.00 – 11.00 local time when
Galstyan was going to the office, the route taxi was stopped and the
young oppositionist taken from the taxi and severely beaten at the
street. At present Narek Galstyan is in reanimation department of
Grigor Lusavorich medical centre.

To note, sources close to the opposition do not doubt that there is
political context in the incident, explaining it by Galstyan’s active
opposition activity.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
November 15, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2008 SUMMER INTERNSHIP
PROGRAMS IN WASHINGTON, YEREVAN

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America announced this week
that it is accepting applications for the 2008 Terjenian-Thomas
Assembly Internship Program in Washington, DC and the Summer
Internship Program in Yerevan, Armenia. Both internship programs
provide college students of Armenian descent an opportunity to work in
those cities while taking part in a full schedule of educational,
cultural and social activities.

Applications for the Washington and Yerevan programs are due December
10, 2007 and February 15, 2008, respectively. Students may submit all
application materials via the Assembly web site at

Students who are accepted into the Washington program will be placed
as interns in various offices including congressional, think tank,
media and governmental agencies. Interns also have the opportunity to
meet with U.S Representatives, Senators, other government officials
and noted academicians through the Capitol Ideas and Lecture Series
programs. Participants will also benefit from a wide variety of
social activities and networking opportunities that are planned
throughout their eight-week stay.

"The best decision I ever made was applying for the Terjenian-Thomas
Assembly Internship Program," said Ani Avagyan, who interned in
Washington this past summer. "What I gained through the program was
not just an incredible internship experience, but a renewed love and
understanding of my Armenian heritage. The friendships I formed with
fellow Armenian-Americans and the contacts I made in and around
Washington are invaluable on both a personal and professional level."

Students enrolled in the Yerevan program are typically placed in
Armenian governmental offices, inter-governmental agencies,
non-governmental organizations, medical centers and media outlets.
Over the course of eight weeks, they will have the opportunity to
experience life in their ancestral homeland, tour historical sites in
and around Armenia and meet with Armenia and Karabakh officials.

For additional information or assistance with the application process,
please contact Intern Program Manager Joseph Piatt at 202-393-3434
ext. 237 or via email at [email protected].

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2007-130

Photographs are available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following
links:

aaainc/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November /2007-130_2.jpg

Caption: The 2007 Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship class met with
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), a cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide
resolution (S. Res. 106) pending in the Senate.

ages/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-130 _1.jpg

Caption: The 2007 Armenia Program Interns enjoy the sites and sounds
of Yerevan.

RA DEFENSE MINISTRY: ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES DID NOT TAKE PRISONER

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2007 15:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Armenian armed forces did not take prisoner or
hostage," RA Defense Minister’s Spokesman Seyran Shahsuvaryan told
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Resident of Shihly-2 village of Ghazakh region, Masim Elhan oglu
Binnatov crossed the Armenian-Azeri border on his own free will,"
he said. "Our department doesn’t deal with civilians, who cross
the border. But I do repeat that the Armenian forces did not take
any prisoner."

Earlier, APA reported that Resident of Shihly-2 village of Ghazakh
region, Masim Elhan oglu Binnatov, 33, was taken prisoner by the
Armenian forces."

THE SCHEDULE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

"Hayots Ashkharh"Armenian Daily
10 Nov 07

During the session yesterday the Central Election Commission
confirmed the schedule of the main events of RA Presidential Elections
of February 19, 2008.
The documents of the nominated presidential candidates must be
submitted to the CEC from November 21 to December 6, 6.00 p.m. The
pre-election funds will be formed from the day of receiving the
certificate confirming the fact of the nomination.
The registration of the candidates is from December 31 to January 20
and pre-election campaign is from January 21 to February 17, midnight.
The candidates have the right to withdraw their candidacy before
February 9. From February 12 to February 19, 8.00 p.m. it is prohibited
to publish any information about the survey on the rating of the
candidates. The ballot papers will be released from February 10 to 16.
The candidates will be informed about the day, the place, and the
time of the elections before February 16. The election constituencies
and the precinct centers will be set up before January 5. Information
regarding this must be submitted to the CEC two days after the
approval. Precinct election commissions will be set up from January 31
to February 3.
The list of those under in-patient care and willing to vote and have
the right to vote must be submitted to the corresponding competent
bodies and the heads of the corresponding local subdivisions. The list
of those in prison must also be made before February 16. The same day
the list of those registered in the military subdivisions must be
introduced to the President.
The final lists of the voters as well as the forms to make
additional lists of the voters must be introduced to the Chairs of the
Precinct Election Commissions before February 17. Two days before the
voting day the final lists of the voters will be on the walls of the
precinct centers.
The voter-register, according to the election precincts, will be
submitted to the Commission before January 9, later to be posted in CEC
website.
The primary results of the presidential elections are ratified by a
protocol, and officially reported by the Public TV and Radio not later
than 24 hours after the end of voting.
The re-calculation activities are realized in the Constituency
Election Commissions, from February 21, 9,00 a.m. to February 24, 2,00
p.m.
The Presidential election returns are summed up and ratified by a
protocol not later than seven days after the voting day, that is to say
before February 26.

LITHUANIA TO ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTATION OF EU AND NATO PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.11.2007 14:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Armenia has much to learn from Lithuania in
respect of integration into European structures and we are hopeful that
Lithuania as a EU member state will assist in successful implementation
of the Armenia-EU Action Plan within the ENP," RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian said at a joint news conference with his Lithuanian
counterpart Petras Vaitiekunas.

Embassies of Armenia and Lithuania will be soon established in Vilnius
and Yerevan, he said.

For his part, Mr Vaitiekunas said, "Lithuania is not satisfied with the
current state of relations with Armenia. We should develop economic
ties. Lithuania will also assist in implementation of EU and NATO
programs in Armenia. We agreed on serious and constructive measures
in this field and seminars on European integration will be held in
Vilnius and Brussels December 14."

He informed that Lithuanian Prime Minister will pay a visit to Armenia
next year and emphasized the significance of the South Caucasus for
energy security of Europe.

BAKU CONCERNED OVER POSSIBLE PASSAGE OF H.RES.106 MORE THAN ANKARA

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.11.2007 17:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s statement
on an Armenia trace in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party was not made
accidentally. It will serve as one more reason to continue the blockade
of Armenia," political scientist Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan told a news
conference in Yerevan.

"Turkey can state that there are terrorist camps in Armenia and
keep the border closed as support to Azerbaijan. However, it forgets
that the list of organizations supporting the PKK includes 45 Azeri
organizations. By the way, Baku is concerned over possible passage
of Armenian Genocide House Resolution much more than Ankara, since
it fears to lose the only ally – Turkey," the political scientist said.