Author: Chatinian Lara

Fresh push on ‘genocide’ law threatens ties with Turkey
By Daniel Dombey in Washington and Delphine Strauss in,Ankara

FT
March 6 2009 02:00

The US Congress is renewing a push on legislation that Turkey has
warned could devastate Washington’s ties with one of its staunchest
Nato allies.

Sponsors of a resolution branding the Ottoman empire’s 1915-1923
massacres of Armenians as genocide have begun gathering backers for the
measure, which has long been supported by Barack Obama, US president.

Ankara, which has frequently warned that the legislation could endanger
both Turkish-US and Turkish-Armenian relations, halted an attempt to
pass the legislation in 2007 after calling into question US use of its
Incirlik airbase.

Mr Obama is confronted with a choice between breaking a campaign pledge
or risking long-standing defence ties with a strategic ally.

Ali Babacan, Turkish foreign minister, said this week that Ankara would
take a "positive" approach if Washington asked for help in its exit
from Iraq. The US also wants more assistance from Turkey in
Afghanistan. A Turkish delegation is in Washington to hammer home the
message that the genocide resolution is "unacceptable" and would
inflame public opinion.

Turkey’s leaders are expected to raise the issue with Hillary Clinton,
US secretary of state, when she visits Ankara tomorrow. They are likely
to argue that passing the resolution would also derail a drive to mend
relations between Turkey and Armenia, including moves to open the
border.

Mr Babacan says settlement is closer than at any point since 1915.

Members of Congress say US frustration with recent Turkish behaviour
raises the chances of the resolution going through. In particular, the
denunciation by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, of
Israel’s Gaza offensive has angered Jewish and pro-Israel groups that
supported Turkey behind the scenes in 2007.

Mr Obama promised during his election campaign "to recognise the
Armenian genocide" were he to become president – a step that would have
more impact than the House of Representatives’ resolution.

Samantha Power, one of Mr Obama’s closest foreign policy advisers and
author of a book on genocide, also supports such recognition.

A key moment will come on April 24, the official day of remembrance,
which in previous years has seen former presidents Bill Clinton and
George W. Bush refer respectively to "the deportations and massacres"
and the "annihilation" of 1.5m Armenians.

But congressional backers of the resolution say they will formally
introduce it before then.

"I don’t think it serves our interests well to be complicit in Turkish
denial of something that is historical fact," said Adam Schiff, a
Democratic member of the House and one of the measure’s chief sponsors.

Turkey denies systematic killings, and maintains thousands of Turks
also died during the violent disintegration of the Ottoman empire.

The US state department has always fought the resolution, fearing its
impact on relations with Turkey.

Discussing the 1915 massacres is no longer the taboo it once was in
Turkey, but the "G-word", as Turkish diplomats refer to it, still
provokes official outrage and a visceral reaction from nationalists.

A foreign ministry spokesman said Turkey expected "third parties" to
avoid making talks with Armenia more difficult, but added: "There are
no assurances in life."

Mark Stephen Kirk, a Republican backer of the resolution who denounces
the use of millions of dollars of Turkish "taxpayers’ money" for
"foreign lobbyists" fighting the measure, says the Incirlik base is
less important now that the Obama administration plans to keep up to
50,000 troops in Iraq until the end of 2011.

But the administration says Incirlik is still significant for
operations in Iraq – while acknowledging it has yet to make up its mind
on the genocide resolution.

"Incirlik airbase has all the time been an important transit hub," says
a senior state department official. But his comments on the genocide
resolution were much more cautious than the Bush administration’s
admonitions against it.

ARMENAL FOIL ROLLING MILL IS UP AND RUNNING AT FULL CAPACITY

ArmInfo
2009-03-04 11:19:00

ArmInfo. OC RUSAL, the biggest producer of aluminum and alumina oxide
in the world, informs about running of ARMENAL foil rolling mill
(Armenia) at full capacity of 25,000 tons.

According to the source, the volume of the annually produced output at
the enterprise has been increased 1,5 times since December, 2008, that
has become possible due to complex upgrading of the basic equipment
and assimilation of up-to-date foil production technologies. Since
early, 2007, after completion of complex upgrading, ARMENAL has
produced and sold about 30,000 tons of finished products. ‘A new
process policy has been developed and implemented at the enterprise,
the labour discipline has been much improved, as well as backgrounds
have been created for further assimilation of the upgraded equipment
design capacities and serious work has been performed on improvement of
the organizational structure, the forms and methods of the personnel
motivation and staff deployment – in short, the bases of a long-term
success have been laid’, Director General of ARMENAL Sergey Borovik
said. Considerable enhancement of efficiency of the work of ARMENAL
is testified by reduction of the prime cost of metal processing by
42% in December, 2008 as compared with July, 2008. Improvement of
the production indicators was also followed by almost 13% growth
of salary in the second half year, 2008, as compared with the first
half year. This was achieved due to change of the labour payment fund
structure and optimization of the personnel number.

At late, 2008, a delegation of the biggest European traders visited
ARMENAL to get acquainted with the improved production technology
and the foil quality. Upon the results of the meeting, the experts
concluded that the enterprise’s production meets the international
requirements. At present, the mill production is tested for compliance
with the specific requirements of the European clients, and positive
assessments have already been received. The enterprise’s products
will be supplied to the Near East and African countries, besides the
USA and EU states, in the near future.

Despite the world reduction of demand for the primary aluminum, the
foil-rolling products is still in demand in almost all the fields
of application. Running of ARMENAL at full capacity will allow the
Packing Division of RUSAL to meet the demand in foil-rolling products
which grows also because of reduction of the foil production volume
in Northern America.

It is also scheduled to increase production of an ultra-fine foil
with width of 7- 9 mkm which is strongly sought-for.

ARMENAL foil rolling mill was founded in May 2000 as part of the
Kanaker aluminum smelter. It is one of the biggest production
facilities in Armenia and is the only producer of aluminum foil in
the Caucasus and Central Asian regions.

On May 18th, 2000 the mill was integrated into United Company RUSAL
and in January 2003, the Armenian government and United Company RUSAL
signed an investment cooperation agreement, under which United Company
RUSAL acquired a 26% share and undertook modernization of the mill.

Together with two other foil mills, Sayanal in the Russian republic
of Khakasia and Urals Foil, ARMENAL forms the company’s Packaging
Division. The mill employs over 800 people. RUSAL is the leader in
the world aluminum industry. It occupies nearly 12% of world aluminum
market. RUSAL employs 90000 people. It is represented in 19 countries
on 5 continents.

ARMENIA RESCHEDULES REGIONAL MEETING TO ACCOMMODATE TURKEY

Today’s Zaman
March 4 2009
Turkey

Armenia has rescheduled a foreign ministerial meeting of Black Sea
countries, apparently as a goodwill gesture to ensure Turkish Foreign
Minister Ali Babacan will be among the participants, diplomatic
sources have said.

Armenian authorities moved the date of the Organization of the Black
Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) meeting from the previously announced
April 29 to April 16. The shift is significant because April 29 is
only a few days after April 24, which Armenians claim marks the
beginning of a genocide campaign against Anatolian Armenians in
the early 20th century. April 24 is also the day when US presidents
release a traditional message to commemorate the Armenian killings.

Armenian-American groups expect President Barack Obama to break with
presidential tradition and use the word "genocide" in his message this
year, given the strong promises he made to Armenian-American voters
during his election campaign that he would endorse the genocide claims.

Turkey is concerned that any US move to acknowledge the genocide
claims would deal a heavy blow not only to Turkish-US ties but also to
ongoing efforts to normalize relations with neighboring Armenia, with
which Turkey has had no formal ties since 1993. Ankara wants a change
in Yerevan’s policy toward the genocide recognition campaign under
way around the world before normalizing its ties with Armenia. Other
conditions posed by Turkey are peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and
formal Armenian recognition of its current borders with Turkey. Foreign
Minister Babacan said in an interview with Today’s Zaman this week
that Turkey and Armenia were closer than ever to resolution of their
dispute. Turkish and Armenian diplomats have been holding closed-door
meetings on restoration of ties since a landmark visit by President
Abdullah Gul to Yerevan in September.

Turkish officials have refrained from discussing whether Babacan will
attend the BSEC meeting. Although Ankara has a high opinion of BSEC
and wants to revitalize it as an influential regional consultation
mechanism, Babacan’s participation in the group’s next meeting in
Yerevan will still depend on Armenia’s commitment to the ongoing
rapprochement process and on the course of closed-door talks with
Armenia, officials say. The same officials also make it clear that
Turkey has made no request for the foreign ministerial gathering to
be rescheduled.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian traveled to Ä°stanbul to
attend the previous BSEC meeting held there. Nalbandian said then
that his country wanted to invite Babacan to the next BSEC meeting
in Yerevan. It is not clear whether a formal invitation for Babacan
has yet arrived.

Before the foreign ministerial gathering, BSEC countries are due
to hold ministerial-level working meetings also in Yerevan. The
energy ministers of BSEC countries will meet on March 13, while
the transportation and agriculture ministers will gather on March
27 and April 10, respectively. This means other Cabinet ministers
may visit Yerevan before Babacan. Diplomatic sources do not rule
out the prospect of ministerial visits to Armenia, underlining the
importance Turkey attaches to the BSEC functioning effectively. Turkey
has traditionally favored senior-level attendance at BSEC meetings,
and sources say Ankara is unlikely to scale down its role in BSEC
because of problems with Armenia.

BAKU WON’T PARTICIPATE IN YEREVAN BSEC EVENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.03.2009 21:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Azerbaijani delegation is not visiting Yervan
where a number of cultural events is going to be held within the
framework of Armenia’s Black Sea Economic Cooperation Chairmanship
(BSEC), reports "Novosti-Azerbaijan"

Within the framework of Armenia’s BSEC chairmanship a round-table will
be held in Yerevan on March 4-5 "Protection and Restoration of BSEC
Cultural and Historic Monuments, " exhibitions of BSEC countries’
painters will be opened at the National Picture Gallery of Armenia
and the Natioanl Centre of Aesthetics presenting children’s works
under the heading "Sunny sky for the Black Sea."

Screenings of documentaries on protection and restoration of cultural
and historical monuments in the BSEC member states will also be held.

ARONYAN’S CHANCES ARE LOW

A1+
[12:15 pm] 03 March, 2009

Armenian chess master Levon Aronyan lost the chance of winning in the
chess competition taking place in Linares. In the 10th round of the
competition, the Armenian chess player lost to Azeri Temur Rajabov
with black figures and is already behind the leading chess player by
1.5 points.

There are four rounds remaining and Aronyan is at 5th place. The
defeat in the 10th round made it difficult for the player to reach the
top. Alexander Grishchuk from Russia heads the table. He faced-off
with Ukrainian Vasili Ivanchuk in the 10th round and took a step
further towards victory. Indian chess player Vishvanatan Anand was
not able to win Cuban Leinier Dominguez with the white figures. The
match was tied and the world champion is at 4th with 5 points. Magnus
Carlson lost to Chinese Vang Tsiu and this was a shock for everyone.

Levon Aronyan still has a chance to improve his score in the upcoming
four rounds. He will compete against lower ranking chess players
Dominguez and Vang Tsu. After that, Aronyan will go against leading
chess players Vasili Ivanchuk and Alexander Grishchuk.

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA RETURNS TO FLOATING EXCHNAGE RATE
Hasmik Dilanyan

"Radiolur"
03.03.2009 13:07

"The economic system of Armenia is stable, sufficiently capitalized
and is ready to resist the future challenges of the crisis," the
Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Armenia stated.

Taking into consideration the continuous worsening terms of trade and
slowing capital inflows in the current stage of the global financial
crisis, the CBA Board decided to limit currency interventions and
return to free float policy. That latter will allow the exchange
rate to be formed in line with the current macroeconomic indices,
which will considerably improve the external competitiveness of the
country and will promote the process of creation of new jobs.

The Central Bank expects the dram to average 360-380 to dollar. The
refinancing rate was raised by 100 basis points to 7.75 percent.

STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN NOT GOING TO RUN FOR MAYOR OF YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.03.2009 11:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Leader of opposition People’s Party of Armenia
Stepan Demirchyan has no intention to run for Mayor of Yerevan.

"The rumors are untrue," Mr. Demirchyan said in a conversation with
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"The Armenian National Congress has held no discussion on the issue
yet. It’s only known that the ANK will nominate a single candidate
for the Mayor’s post," he said.

Russia assures about its readiness to take part in construction project
of new nuclear energy block in Armenia

2009-02-28 19:03:00

ArmInfo. Russian authorities have assured us about their readiness to
take part in the construction project of a new nuclear energy block in
Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister, Tigran
Sarkisyan, told Armenian journalists at the plane board yesterday when
coming back to Yerevan after his working visit to Moscow.

He also added that within the frames of the visit the Russian party was
aware that the tender on selection of an international operator for the
energy block construction will end on 13 March.
"We shall invite investors to take part in the project and naturally,
South Caucasus countries will be also interested in the project. We are
open for our neighbours as well",- Sarkisyan said.

To note, construction of the new nuclear energy block along with
construction of Iran-Armenia railway and restoration of the Spitak
earthquake zone and its infra-structures are priorities of the
incumbent authorities. To recall, nuclear energy block construction
will cost $5,7-7,2 bln. Russian, French and other companies show
interest in the project. The new block will be ready in 2016 when the
resource of the functioning energy block is exhausted.

HEAD OF ARMENIAN POLICE AND US DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS

ArmInfo
2009-02-27 17:31:00

ArmInfo. Head of Armenian Police Alik Sargsyan categorically does not
agree to assessment of the actions of the police bodies during the
events of the 1 March 2008, presented in the reports of US Department
of State and Human Rights Watch.

‘The police was acting within the frames of the law and did not nothing
beyond these frames’, – head of Armenian Police, Alik Sargsyan, said
at today’s press-conference in Yerevan. He also added the police is
cooperating with human rights protecting organizations, and every
critical note is taken into account and investigated if necessary.

Asked about adequacy of the police actions on 1 March 2008, first
Sargsyan was surprised by such interest of the press to the "March
events" and advised journalists to ask more serious questions. He
also recalled that at present the fact collecting group and the
parliamentary commission are investigating the case.

SYRIA’S PRESIDENT TO VISIT ARMENIA THIS YEAR

armradio.am
27.02.2009 11:44

Within the framework of his visit to Damascus, the Foreign Minister
of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, had a meeting with the President of
Syria, Bashar Al-Asad.

Greeting the Armenian Foreign Minister, the President said Syria
attaches importance to the development of multifaceted relations with
Armenia, underlining that they have the necessary political will and
a broad legal-treaty basis for it.

Conveying the Armenian President’s message and an invitation to
visit Armenia, Edward Nalbandian said our country is interested in
expanding and reinforcing the mutually beneficial cooperation with
Syria – one of the leading countries in the Arab world.

President Al-Asad and Minister Nalbandian exchanged views on the
settlement of issues existing in the Middle East. The Armenian Foreign
Minister presented the process of negotiations on the Karabakh issue
and the opportunities for normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

President Asad welcomed Armenia’s steps towards establishment of
relations with Turkey, expressing confidence that those will contribute
to the reinforcement of stability and security in the region. The
President of Syria asked to convey his greetings to RA President
Serzh Sargsyan and said he would be pleased to visit Armenia this year.