Author: Chavushian

Azimov: “Baku Will Not Only Disagree with Partition of Lands, but Will Also Prevent It”

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.04.2006 21:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The US should understand and Armenia should
remember that the Azerbaijani state will not only disagree with
partition of its lands, but will also prevent it,” stated Azeri
Deputy FM Araz Azimov. In his words, the US comes for soonest
settlement of the conflict and is ready to activate efforts to that
end. “Azerbaijan comes for joint peaceful residence of the Armenian
and Azeri communities in Nagorno Karabakh and providing corresponding
guarantees to them. I am sure Azerbaijan will attain it at a certain
stage, as there is no other way,” stated the Azeri Deputy FM.

At that in Azimov’s words, Azerbaijan is ready to display the
corresponding flexibility in settlement of the conflict. “I say it
also addressing my compatriots – the Armenian community living in
Nagorno Karabakh should have self-government within certain limits. The
Armenian party says political forces of Azerbaijan are for expelling
Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh from the region. This is not so. We
never objected to Armenians of NK living in this region as Azeri
citizens. Just the contrary, we believe those people should have
corresponding social, public and political liberties, which should
be ensured to them,” he said.

“The Azeri community should return to NK without fail,” Azimov
said. “We are ready to shift from as a firm stand as non-recognition
of Armenians’ rights to a moderate position of ensuring their
rights. Thus, Armenia and Azerbaijan can reach a consensus. Calling it
in a certain way is premature now and is not important. The important
thing is that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored
and Armenians’ rights should be ensured,” he said. In Azimov’s words,
these issues were discussed with US Co-Chair of the OSCE MG Steven
Mann in Washington, Trend reports.

As an NKR MFA representative earlier told PanARMENIAN.Net when
commenting of statements of the Azeri FM, Karabakh authorities have
always come for NKR’s participation in the talks over settlement of
the conflict without preconditions. “NKR citizens have never been
and will never be Azerbaijan’s citizens.

The Azeri MFA makes statements for domestic use and these do not
reflect the actual state of affairs in the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict,” the NKR MFA representative underscored.

NUCLEAR ENERGY ALLOWS ARMENIA EXPORT ENERGY

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 31 2006

Yerevan, May 31. /ARKA/. By means of nuclear power Armenia is supposed
not only to satisfy its own energy needs, but also export energy,
Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Finance, Credit, Budget
and Economic Affairs Gagik Minasyan told reporters.

According to him, the construction of a new nuclear-power plant will
pursue this goal. “These prospects became possible after the European
Union somewhat moderated its policy toward Armenia’s nuclear-power
sector, and international experts arrived at the conclusion that
Armenia needs an NPP,” he said.

The Armenian NPP was put into operation in 1980. Specialists say that
it the NPP can operate until 2016.

In mid-April, 2006, the RA Parliament is to discuss amendments to
the RA Law “On energy”, which abolish government monopoly of atomic
energy. The amendments are aimed at the attraction of foreign private
capital to the construction of a new NPP in Armenia.

The construction of the new NPP with a capacity of 1,000 megawatt is
estimated at $1bln. P.T. -0–

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-10) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:

Foreign Minister Oskanian Concludes Visits with SG Kofi Annan and
UN Leadership

Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian concluded two days of visits with the
UN leadership in New York. On Thursday March 30 and Friday March 31,
Minister Oskanian met with Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN,
Jan Eliasson, President of the 60th Session of the General Assembly of
the UN and Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the UN Development Program.

With Secretary General Annan and with GA President Eliasson, Minister
Oskanian spoke about the Nagorno Karabakh resolution process as
well as recent ceasefire violations. He expressed Armenia¹s serious
concern that the military rhetoric of Azerbaijan¹s leaders is finding
its expression in an increasingly large number of violations by the
Azerbaijani military along the line of contact.

Armenia¹s Foreign Minister also discussed UN reforms, and welcomed
the formation of the new Human Rights Council, expressing Armenia¹s
interest in remaining engaged in human rights issues.

In these meetings, and during his talks with Mr. Dervis of the
UNDP, Minister Oskanian also stressed Armenia¹s commitment to rural
development.

He stressed that the Millennium Challenge Compact, recently
signed with the US Government, will create a momentum and that
the Armenian government is committed to building on this momentum
with a comprehensive plan for rural development that is based on
a public-private partnership which includes Armenia¹s Diaspora,
Armenia¹s business community, the Armenian government and international
organizations.

–Boundary_(ID_M6gyM uQd7KTXobdsy4Lktg)–

IS IT POSSIBLE TO AVOID ECOLOGICAL DISASTER IN TEGHUT FOREST?

YEREVAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Public hearings on the project of
the Theghut copper and mloybdenum deposit’s development took place
on March 23. The purpose of the hearings, which were organized by the
Armenian Copper Program (ACP) company, was to discuss the package of
the documents on assessing the enviromental impact which is currently
being examined by the RA State Ecological Expertise. The operation
period of the deposit, which is considered as lacking in prospects,
is 50 years. The decision about its development was taken after a jump
in the market prices of copper. In the last four years, the prices
of cooper increased from 1,400 USD to 5,202 USD for a ton, while
the prices of molybdenum – from 5,500 USD to 7,000-8,000 USD. “If
international prices fall to the same level as they were 4 years
ago, the further development of the deposit will become impossible,”
the company director Gagik Arzumanian said.

In his words, the company intends to use the open-cut ore mining
method. In reality the upper layer of the deposit is 600 ha of
Teghut forest with its unique ecosystem. For example, according to
the estimates of Professor Eleonora Gabrielian, one of the leading
botanists, 19 plant species found in the forest have been included
in the Red Book of Armenia. ACP envisages to compansate for damage
and plant trees on any area of 600 ha (not necessarily in Teghut) in
parallel with its main activities. In this connection the ecologists
expressed a unanimous opinion that tree planting does not mean forest
restoration, as it is impossible to move the animals and birds to a new
place or transplant each of the unique grass and flower species. The
Kharatadzor gorge with a small river flowing along it is also under
the threat of ecological disaster.

It is envisaged to turn the gorge into a tailing dump for molybdenum
ore waste. During the first stage, it is planned to mine 7 mln tons
of ore a year by gradually increasing the volume to 21 mln tons. The
concentrate yield will not exceed 2%, and 98% of the ore will be
dumped in the tailing pit of the gorge. Besides tails, slug-heaps
are also formed in the process of ore extraction: 54 cubic meters a
ton. These slug-heaps will be stored in the area of Teghut forest
near the deposit, with further land reclamation. The ecologists
also questioned one of the main arguments in favor of the program’s
implementation – the improvement of the socioeconomic situation
and creation of jobs in the region. If the ore extraction becomes
unprofitable or the deposit exhausts its potential, the population
will in any case remain jobless in an ecologically “dead zone” and
without any prospects for the future. The local residents are ready
to concede the forest in exchange for jobs. The Alaverdi ore mining
and processing enterprise also owned by the ACP company has been the
only source of their incomes in recent years. The document package
does not state the value of the ecological component, although the
amount of investments for the preliminary stage has been estimated: it
makes 130-150 mln USD. In the event of the project’s implementation,
the ecologists insist on accepting the proposal for the creation of
a specially protected area around the deposit in Teghut forest. The
proposal was made by Karen Manvelian, Director of the World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) Caucasus Program Armenian Office.

Armenian men’s table tennis national team will take part in the World Championship

ArmRadio.am
31.03.2006 18:05

The Armenian men’s table tennis national team will take part in the
world championship to be held from April 23 to May 2 in the German city
of Bremen. For the purpose of determining the team staff the “TOP 12”
tournament traditionally held at the end of the year was held earlier
this time. 3 strongest tennis-players were selected from 12 ones in the
selective tournament held on the sports ground of Hayastan Company. As
it was expected, David Sargsian took first place. The next places were
taken by Murad Asatrian and Mesrop Ghukasian. These 3 tennis-players
won the right to take part in the world championship. As Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by Felix Sargsian, senior trainer of the
Armenian national team, the team is included in the 5th group. Here
it will compete with national teams of Ireland, Sri Lanka, the United
Arab Emirates, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala.

In order not to be left out of the competition they should take 1st
or 2nd place in the group.

NOBODY WANTED TO PROTECT HIS PRODUCT

A1+
[07:58 pm] 30 March, 2006

The 91.1% of the 500 Yerevan inhabitants who took part in the inquiry
on “Television and Advertisement” want the advertisement broadcasted
on TV to be curtailed.

1.2 % want it to be increased at the expense of the taste and
quality. Only the 7.7 % of the inquiry participants want the
advertisement to remain the same.

The survey conducted by the Public Opinion Survey Centre revealed that
the reason for such sociological state is the advertisement language,
“the non Armenian mentality,” “the advertisement stories indecent
to an Armenian” and nonprofessionalism. When the same inquiry was
made in the regions there nobody turned out to be for the notion of
advertisement, especially when their “favorite serials are interrupted
by Advertisements”.

The Public Opinion Survey Centre organized a discussion today on the
theme “Television and Advertisement” which was but a failure. According
to the director of the Centre Karine Titanyan they also invited the
representatives of main advertising agencies but none of them came
to the arrangement.

Teachers of the Armenian language were present at the discussion who
expressed their attitude towards the “the fact of spoiling the purity
and the luxury of the mother tongue.”

By the way, the deputy of the Language State Board Director Marine
Hovyan was also present and declared that the Board does not have
lingers to control the TV advertisement. They can only hear whereas the
National Committee of Television and Radio can turn to the Court. Thus,
if the expression “special offer for special women” is heard on TV
or on radio nobody can accuse the Language Centre of not fulfilling
its liabilities properly.

BEE-KEEPING SPHERE TO BE REGULATED BY LEGISLATION

Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. A modern laboratory of expert
examination of honey has been created by joint efforts of the RA
Ministry of Agriculture and the Multi Agro scientific-producing
union. Works of being prepared for accreditation as a honey certifying
body are in process at present. Gagik Khachatrian, the RA Deputy
Minister of Agriculture informed about this at the March 28 round
table on the theme “Problems of Food Safety in Armenia” organized
by the “Ailyntrank” (Alternative) research center. According to him,
accreditation will be implemented by an European competent body what
will give a possibility to certify the Armenian honey corresponding to
the EN standards of the European Union and to export it to the EU. Roza
Tsarukian, the Chairwoman of the Multi Agro company mentioned that till
now the Armenian honey certified corresponding to the ISO standards
was exported only to the U.S. According to her, the sphere of honey
production will be regulated in the nearest future, after adopting
the draft “On Bee-Keeping” being in circulation at the RA National
Assembly. R.Tsarukian also mentioned that Multi Agro, winning the
competition announced by the RA Government, undertook allocation of the
bought honey medicines of 9 mln drams (about 20 thousand U.S. dollars)
to bee-keepers of all the marzes of the republic. Besides, Multi Agro
organizes delivery of 1400 families of bees to needy families of the
region of Vardenis, Gegharkunik marz, and Tavush marz. 50% of those
works is already done and the work must be finished on June 28.

FRIED: “USA DOES NOT EXERT PRESSURE ON AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA IN SOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT”

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 29 2006

“The USA does not exert pressure to the sides in the settlement of
the Nagorno Garabagh conflict.” The statement was made by Daniel Fred,
the USA State Secretary deputy on Europe and Eurasia issues.

Mr. Fred has stated that the USA will support the variant which will
satisfy the sides. However, the USA Secretary State deputy said that
the USA co-operates with Azerbaijan with regard to security issues:
“But the money allocated to Azerbaijan by the USA will not be directed
against Armenia, it will be used for fight against terrorism.” Mr.Fred
added that security of Armenia is significant for Washington: “In
this context parity should be observed in allocation of financial
aid to Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

CONFERENCE “KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY” TO BE HELD IN PRAGUE ON MARCH 28-30

Noyan Tapan
Mar 28 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN. A conference on the subject
“Knowledge-Based Economy” is being held by the World Bank (WB) in
Prague on March 28-30, during which the participants will discuss the
ways of encouraging the most efficient use of knowledge and improving
the innovation systems in the countries of Europe and Central Asia. NT
correspondent was informed at the WB Yerevan Office that there will
be an exchange of the best experience of improving the innovative
competition at the conference. The Armenian delegation will also
take part in the conference. The delegation is composed of Lilit
Gevorgian, Assistant to the RA President, Armen Gevorgian, RA Deputy
Minister of Trade and Economic Development, and Ashot Khandanian,
Head of the Ministry’s Science, Technologies and Innovation Policy
Department. According to a WB report, the countries of Europe
and Central Asia will encounter difficulties while carrying out
innovation activities, unless universities and research institutions
cooperate with the private sector in an efficient way. According to
a WB study, among European and Central Asian states, Estonia is in
first place and Tajikistan – in the last 25th place by the index of
their knowledge-based economy. Armenia is in 13th place.

‘YOU COUNTRY IS WAITING FOR YOU’: VAHAN HOVHANNISSIAN’S MEETING WITH ARMENIAN STUDENTS IN MOSCOW

Yerkir.am
March 24, 2006

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau member and Vice-Speaker
of the National Assembly Vahan Hovhannissian met Armenian students in
Moscow on March 15. The meeting was organized by “Mitk” Youth Union
with support of ARF’s Hay Dat Office in Moscow.

Representatives of the Association for Intellectual Cooperation of
Armenian Youth, the Association of Armenian Students at Moscow State
University, the Youth Association of the Union of Armenians in Russia,
Moscow State University for Foreign Affairs, Moscow Medical University,
Armenian Youth Unions in Podolsk and Dolgoprudni as well as Russian
students studying Armenian language at the Armenian Cultural Center
at Moscow State Linguistic University.

Officer in charge of the Moscow Hay Dat Office Yuri Navoyan opened the
meeting noting that by supporting the organization of the meeting the
Office had aimed at encouraging engaging the potential of the Armenian
students in Moscow in the cooperation projects between Armenia and the
Armenian communities in Russia. Chairman of the “Mitk” Youth Union
Mikael Harutyunian stated that this meeting was the first in the
series of discussions to be held this year with Russian and Armenian
political leaders and intellectuals.

Vahan Hovhannissian presented an analysis of Armenia’s internal
and regional political developments and answered the participants’
questions.

Commenting on the Armenian-Russian relations Hovhannissian noted that
these relations unfortunately depend not only on Russia and Armenia
since these countries do not share a common border.

There are two countries between Armenia and Russia, one of them has
hostile relations with Armenia, the other has unsolved issues with
Russia. These factors often influence the bilateral relations between
Armenia and Russia.

Commenting on Russia’s policies in the energy sector Hovhannissian
noted that Armenia has to learn from it. People in Armenia start
understanding that they always should have an alternative.

Hovhannissian presented ARF as a socialist party and a member of the
Socialist International. He noted that it is difficult to develop
inter-party relations with the political parties in Russia since
there are no stable socialist parties in this country.

Hovhannissian spoke about the political activities of Hay
Dat Offices and Committees. The students participating in the
meeting asked questions about the Karabagh settlement process, the
situation in Javakhq, the probability of another war launched by
Azerbaijanm the social issues of youth in Armenia, dual citizenship,
organization of the Armenian Diaspora in Russia, and a number of
other issues. Answering their questions Hovhannissian stressed that
Azerbaijan cannot solve the Karabagh problem with another war wince
Armenia has adequate defense resources.

Hovhannissian viewed the situation in Javakhq from the perspective
of ethnic minorities in Georgia. Since the issue of Georgia’s
administrative territorial division is currently being discussed the
Armenian in Javakhq are also aiming at consolidation of their rights
in the form of autonomy.

Hovhannissian informed the meeting participants that after the ban
on dual citizenship was eliminated in the new constitution a separate
law on dual citizenship must be adopted.

ARF’s faction has already developed the concept for this law, and the
concept will be discussed with the Diaspora. Hovhannissian called on
the meeting participants to actively participate in a seminar on dual
citizenship to be held in Moscow in near future.

Answering the question what can serve as a national ideology for the
Armenians Hovhannissian noted that the Hay Dat is the axis of this
ideology: uniting around Hay Dat we can realize our national goals.

A series of proposals were made by the organizations represented
at the meeting. It was suggested to develop a national program for
returning of the Armenian youth to Armenia, to create a database of
specialist needed in Armenia.

Concluding the meeting, Hovhannissian noted, “Today we have a
developing country that is waiting for you, for your opinions and
your proposals”.