Author: Chmshkian Vicken

ARMENIAN PURCHASE PLAN FOR RUSSIAN ROUGH DIAMONDS STILL ROCKY

Israel Diamond Portal
Sept 9 2008
Israel

Despite optimism in Armenia that Russian rough diamonds will soon be
supplied in greater volumes to the Armenian diamond cutting industry,
the supply position remains uncertain, and volumes restricted.

An announcement from Yerevan, the Armenian capital, recently indicated
that Smolensk Kristall, Russia’s largest polisher, would supply
between 6,000 and 7,000 carats of diamonds by the end of this year.

But additional sources of supply from Russia are doubtful, and Kristall
cannot increase its volume.

Gagik Kocharian, head of Trade Policy and Domestic Market Regulation
at the Armenian Economics Ministry, revealed the Kristall commitment
has been agreed with the Diamond Company of Armenia (DCA). He also
noted that the first consignment of 650 carats of diamonds has been
dispatched.

An inter-government agreement between Moscow and Yerevan used to
provide supply of up to 6,000 carats of diamonds per annum on deferred
payment or tolling-fee terms. Direct sales at prevailing market
prices are very small, because of the limited financial capacity of
the Armenian diamond cutters.

Ararat Evoyan, executive director of the Russian Association of Diamond
Manufacturers, said that, under the regulations in place since 2001,

Russian manufacturers have the right, subject to government licensing
approval, to sell or process by tolling contract up to 15% of their
total rough diamond purchases.

Out-sourcing for stones that are not profitable to cut in the Russian
plants is what the Armenians cutters want. Tolling terms limit their
financial exposure, as the diamonds must be returned to the supplier,
leaving the Armenian cutters with a tolling fee for processing,
and throughput for their production lines.

The Kristall agreement, Evoyan believes, is a tolling arrangement
under the 15% proviso in the regulations.

Alrosa cannot supply Armenia with rough diamonds on tolling contract,
because it is a diamond mining company, not a processing enterprise.

Various alternatives for Alrosa to supply the Armenian diamond cutters
have been in discussion for months, but without concrete outcome.

Evoyan said that the Russian manufacturers would like the government
in Moscow to permit a larger volume of diamonds to be supplied to
Armenia on tolling contracts. "There have been no results, yet,"
he told PolishedPrices.

ORINATS YERKIR AND PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTIES SUPPORT RPA’S DECISION TO REPLACE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT TIGRAN TORROSYAN

ArmInfo
2008-09-08 19:07:00

ArmInfo. Even though Prosperous Armenia party has not yet discussed
RPA’s decision to replace Speaker of the Armenian Tigran Torossyan
it will support RPA as a coalition partner, says the member of the
parliamentary group of Prosperous Armenia Naira Zohrabyan.

The member of the parliamentary group of Orinats Yerkir
Hovhannes Margaryan says that RPA’s decision is acceptable to his
party. Parliament Speaker cannot stay in his office for ever, he says.

RUSSIA WINS BACKING OF SEVERAL CIS MEMBERS FOR ITS ROLE IN WAR IN GEORGIA
Grace Annan

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
September 8, 2008

At the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) late last week, the Russian delegation won the backing of all
member states for its actions during the five-day war in Georgia. The
approved text states that the CSTO–which consists of Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan–supports
the Kremlin’s role in "contributing to peace and cooperation in the
Caucasus" and asks for peace in the two separatist regions Abkhazia
and South Ossetia along the lines propagated in the peace plan of the
French government. The text entirely blames the Georgian government
for the start of the war, but none of the member states recognised the
two regions. The CSTO approved the idea to replace the current arms
reduction treaty with a European security treaty; Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev had floated this idea in July 2008.

Significance:The CSTO’s decision mirrors that of the European Union
(EU) last week, when they blamed one of the two main actors in the
war but refrained from any drastic immediate measures. Last week,
the Kremlin got a slap on its wrist and this week it was Georgia’s
turn. Indeed, the Peace Plan of mid-August 2008 has not put an end
to the diplomatic limbo over Georgia; an EU triumvirate is currently
visiting Moscow to discuss a way out with the Kremlin. Third countries
remain largely divided over the way ahead, regarding relations with the
Georgian government and the leaders of the separatist regions. Even
strong allies of the Kremlin cannot get themselves to recognise them
at this stage.

ARMENIAN AND TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREED TO MEET IN NEW YORK AND KEEP ON NEGOTIATING

arminfo
2008-09-08 15:31:00

ArmInfo. Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey Edward Nalbandyan
and Ali Babacan met on September 6 in Yerevan. The meeting lasted
over two hours.

As RA FM press service told ArmInfo, E. Nalbandyan said during the
meeting that the Armenian party attaches great importance to the visit
of the Turkish top delegation headed by Turkey’s President to Yerevan,
that creates wide opportunities for a dialogue between the Armenian and
Turkish authorities. He also said that this is a good start which will
get its positive continuation. RA FM confirmed the Armenian party’s
position on readiness to establish relations with Turkey without
preconditions and said that he considers Turkish President Abdullah
Gul’s visit to Armenia as a serious stimulus in this direction.

The parties confirmed their decisiveness in complete settlement
of bilateral relations. It was noted that consistent steps will be
taken in this direction. E. Nalbandyan and A. Babacan agreed to meet
in New York at late September within the frames of the UN General
Assembly’s session. The parties also touched upon Turkey’s initiative
on creation of a Caucasian Platform of security and stability. In view
of this, RA FM said that the Armenian party welcomes this initiative
aimed at establishment of stability, security and cooperation in the
region. During the meeting, the foreign ministers also considered the
latest events in the process of negotiations on peaceful settlement
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Sept 7 2008

TURKISH PRESIDENT SAYS VISIT TO ARMENIA "VERY FRUITFUL"

Ankara, 7 September: Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey
and Armenia shared common thoughts on the need for dialogue to
eradicate obstacles blocking the development of bilateral relations.

Speaking to reporters, President Gul stressed that his visit to
Yerevan on Saturday [6 September] was very fruitful.

"My visit to Yerevan is promising for the future. This visit
displayed, once again, Turkey’s importance in the region," Gul said.

"I have completed my visit to Yerevan with very positive feelings and
thoughts. I congratulate the Turkish national soccer team for high
performance and the successful result attained," Gul noted.

"Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and I discussed bilateral
relations, the developments in Georgia and regional matters," Gul
said.

"We were pleased with Armenia’s announcement that it supports Turkey’s
proposal of a ‘Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform’," Gul
said.

In reference to his visit to Yerevan, Gul stressed that "there was a
ball in our side. This ball should not have remained in our side."

"The most important issue in the Caucasus is the Karabakh issue. My
visit to Yerevan may contribute to the solution of this problem," Gul
said.

"Armenian officials did not make any comments on the ‘so-called’
genocide while I was in Yerevan," Gul added.

President Gul invited Sargsyan to Turkey-Armenia soccer match to be
played in Turkey.

Milliyet, Turkey
Sept 6 2008

MILLIYET CRITICIZES PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO ARMENIA

I had written of President Abdullah Gul’s criticisms regarding Armenia
15 years ago and asked what has changed in the intervening time. Some
readers objected, saying "of course a great many things have changed
in 15 years." So now let us read together what Abdullah Gul, speaking
as the president, said while addressing the Azerbaijani National
Parliament in 2007:

"The entire world finally has to recognize that Armenia’s on the one
hand engaging in hostile behaviour towards Turkey, and on the other
hand its keeping Azerbaijani territory under occupation, is the reason
for the current situation. As long as Armenia continues to press for
the events of 1915 to be commented upon in other countries’
parliaments, no development should be expected in terms of a
normalization of relations."

Let us ask once again: What has changed in the past year? Is there
even the slightest change in the policies of Armenia? Apart from
pressure from the United States and the EU, what else has changed from
Gul’s standpoint?

[translated from Turkish]

REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF A COMPOSER
By Nicole Laskowski

Arlington Advocate
/x997989615/Remembering-the-life-of-a-composer
Sep t 5 2008
MA

‘My purpose is to create music not for snobs, but for all people,
music which is beautiful and healing. To attempt what old Chinese
painters called ‘spirit resonance’ in melody and sound.’

Pasquale Tassone remembers the great composer and former Arlington
resident Alan Hovhaness. It was 1974, and Tassone was a young teacher
then. Hovhaness had returned to Arlington and stopped by his old high
school. Tassone and his students were in the middle of practicing
some of Hovhaness’ music when the famous composer quietly entered
the classroom, sat down at the piano and began to play along.

It left a lasting impression on Tassone, who describes Hovhaness’
music as atonal — a style that lost favor in the music world but is
now gaining recognition.

"He is the most illustrious graduate from Arlington High School. He’s
a major, major composer…and he published a tremendous amount of
music," said Tassone, who is the recently retired fine arts director
for schools.

Tassone is hoping that Hovhaness will return to Arlington again, if
only in spirit. In just a couple of years, Hovhaness would have turned
100 years old, and to commemorate this renowned composer, Tassone,
along with Bob Mirak, president of the Armenian Cultural Foundation,
Jack Johnston, neighbor of the Hovhaness family, Aruthr Maranian, John
Bilafer, Ara Ghazarian, curator of the Armenian Cultural Foundation,
and Elizabeth Gregory, formed the Alan Hovhaness Commemorative
Committee in June. The committee is currently planning a series of
events that will hopefully culminate in a plaque laid on the grounds
of Arlington High School.

Alan Vaness Chakmakjian was born in 1911 and moved to 5 Blossom St. in
Arlington with his mother and father, who was a chemistry professor
at Tufts University. To disguise his Armenian heritage, Hovhaness went
by the surname of Vaness until his mother passed away in 1931 when he
embraced his culture and began using the name Hovhaness, according to
a Web site, , and the foremost authority of Hovhaness’
life and music.

He attended Arlington High School and, while he was a student,
he composed two operettas and a lullaby that his fellow students
learned and performed. He graduated from AHS in 1929. While his
father didn’t support his son’s devotion to music and composition,
Hovhaness couldn’t be dragged away. He attended Tufts University and
then Boston’s New England Conservatory. Hovhaness traveled the world,
influenced by ethnic music and natural scenery wherever he went,
and worked with the most talented composers and musicians of his day.

In 1991, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence as
the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. While no country has recognized
the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent entity, Hovhaness
composed an entire symphony for them called "Artsakh."

"The president of Karabakh was so elated that Hovhaness has become
a national hero," said Mirak.

During the course of his musical career, Hovhaness composed more than
500 pieces of music, which includes everything from ballets to operas,
and composed 67 symphonies alone. Some of his more well-known pieces
include a symphony called "Mysterious Mountain" and a piece entitled
"And God Created the Great Whales," which incorporates the recorded
songs of Humpback whales.

In June 2000, Hovhaness passed away in Seattle, according to the
Web site.

Recently Johnston, a neighbor of Hovhaness, proposed commemorating
the musician’s centennial, which sparked the creation of the Alan
Hovhaness Commemorative Committee. The committee is currently in the
process of organizing several events for the community, including a
lecture on Sept. 25 by Tassone to be held at the Jason Russell House,
and a benefit concert on Oct. 5 at the Armenian Cultural Center,
441 Mystic St., featuring internationally renowned pianist Martin
Berkofsky who will perform some of Hovhaness’ music.

The climax of the commemoration will hopefully occur on May 17, 2009
with a dedication ceremony at Arlington High School and a concert
to follow.

At the School Committee’s Sept. 9 meeting, the Alan Hovhaness
Commemorative Committee is planning to present their schedule of
events and ask permission to erect a plaque on school property.

67,4 PERCENT OF TURKISH CITIZENS SUPPORT GUL’S VISIT TO YEREVAN

AZG Armenian Daily
05/09/2008

Armenia-Turkey

According to Turkish "Metropolis" strategic and social research
center’s sociological survey conducted among 1251 people of different
cities, 67,4 percent of Turkish citizens support the decision of
Turkish President Abdullah Gul who accepted Armenian Presidents
invitation to Yerevan to watch September 6 "Armenia-Turkey" football
match together.

According to the Center, only 22,9 percent is against Turkish
President’s visit to Armenia, "Armenpress" reported.

EU COMMISSIONER FOR ENLARGEMENT WELCOMES GUL’S DECISION TO VISIT YEREVAN

armradio.am
05.09.2008 13:14

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oli Rehn welcomed the decision of
Turkey’s President to attend the football game in Yerevan. "I warmly
welcome President Gul’s decision to attend the World Cup qualifying
match between Armenia and Turkey in Yerevan on Saturday. The crisis in
Georgia has underlined the importance of good neighbourly relations in
the region, including Turkish-Armenian relations. I hope that President
Gul’s important first step will be soon followed by others that lead
to a full normalization of relations between these two countries,
which would enhance stability in the region and prepare the ground
for strengthened regional cooperation," Oli Rehn said.

IRAN-ARMENIA GAS MAIN’S OUTPUT TO INCREASE BY MID-FALL

ARKA
Sep 4, 2008

YEREVAN, September 4. /ARKA/. Activities to boost Iran-Armenia gas
main’s output, ensuring 2.5bln cubic meters of annual gas supplies
to Armenia, will continue till early November, reported Armenia’s
President Serge Sargsian.

He believes the construction of the pipeline was a major achievement
for Armenia. "A number of important programs, including joint water
consumption projects, construction of an oil refinery in Armenia and
opening of Iran-Armenia railway, are under way," the President told
Armenian diplomats.

ArmRosGasProm, subsidiary of the Russian gas giant Gazprom, holds
monopoly in Armenia’s gas supply market. The company’s shareholders
are the Gasprom OJCS (72.16%), the RA Ministry of Energy (22.16%)
and the Itera Oil and Gas Company (5.06%).