Author: Ekmekjian Janet

50 TONS OF CONFIRMED GOLD RESERVES IN SOTK MINE
Noyan Tapan
June 05 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The Sotk mine is a promising one: it
contains 50 confirmed tons of gold. B. Sharman, Director General of
the Ararat Gold Extraction Enterprise, stated this during a media tour
organized by the Club of Economic Reporters. To recap, since 2002,
the owner of 100% shares of the enterprise is the First Dynasty Mines
Armenia company. The enterprise was set up in 1998 for extraction of
gold-containing ore at Sotk and Meghradzor mines and processing this
ore at the Ararat gold recovery factory. B. Sharman noted that this
year the enterprise already exported 1.4 tons of gold, in 2002 – 3.2
tons. It is envisaged to increase the mining amount of ore to 1 mln
tons annually, 6 grams of gold on average is obtained from 1 ton of
ore. In 2001-2005, the total turnover of the company amounted to 116
mln USD, but it has not paid yet dividents. It was noted that the last
studies here were conducted in 1988 and, according to preliminary data,
the confimed reserves of gold total 120 tons. B. Sharman said that it
is envisaged to build a a new gold processing plant, and the company
applied for permission two months ago. Previously the government
rejected the project of constructing a plant 6 km from the shore of
Lake Sevan. The enterprise director Vardan Vardanian said that now
it is proposed constructing a plant 35 km from Lake Sevan, which,
as he assured, poses no threat to the lake. About 85 mln USD will
be invested in construction of the new plant. To recap, 145 thousand
tons of gold has been exported in the world from 1858 until now. The
US is in first place in terms of gold reserve resources, followed by
Germany and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
India is the largest consumer of gold. The biggest gold mine is in
Indonesia. The reserves of mines currently operating in the world
will have been exhausted in 12 years.

6 PRESS AND FREEDOM CASES THIS WEEK
Erol ONDEROGLU
BÝA, Turkey
June 5 2006
Istanbul courts to be busy this week with journalists, jurist and
publisher on trial. Journalist Magden to appear at court on June 7,
columnist Belge, reporter Saymaz, Selek and jurist Kaplan on June 8
and Peri Publishing House owner Onal on June 9.
BÝA (Istanbul) – Istanbul courts will be busy this week hearing six
cases against journalists, a jurist, sociologist and publisher in
a judicial marathon that will once again put press freedoms and the
freedom of expression in Turkey under the spotlight.
Journalist Perihan Magden is to appear at court on June 7 while cases
against columnist Murat Belge , reporter Ismail Saymaz and sociologist
Pinar Selek will be heard on June 8.
Jurist Hasip Kaplan, who was on trial last week, will stand before
the court once again on June 8 while Peri Publishing House owner
Ahmet Onal also tried last week will be at court again on June 9.
The Initiative Against Thought Crimes has described the cases as “an
ongoing festival” and issued an appeal for as many people to attend
the hearings as possible.
Magden’s case on June 7
On trial for her article “Conscientious Objection Is A Human Right”
that appeared in the “Yeni Aktuel” magazine, the case against
journalist Perihan Magden will continue at Istanbul’s 2nd Criminal
Court of First Instance at 10:30 on June 7, Wednesday.
Magden is charged under article 118 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK)
for “discouraging the people from military service”.
Belge to appear at court
A day after the Magden case is heard, “Radikal” newspaper writer
Prof. Dr. Murat Belge will appear at court charged under article 288
of the TCK for his article titled “A Court Verdict”.
Belge is accused of attempting to “influence justice” by criticising
an administrative court decision that postponed a controversial
conference in Istanbul related to Ottoman Armenians.
Belge will appear before the Istanbul Bagcýlar 2nd Criminal Court of
First Instance on June 8, Thursday at 10:30.
Selek held responsible for explosion
The same day Belge stands before judges, Pinar Selek who is known
for her researches into children outcast from society and the Kurdish
problem, will face charges holding her responsible for a bomb explosion
at Istanbul’s historic Spice Market.
Selek will appear before the 12th High Criminal Court at the Besiktas
Justice Hall at 14:00 on June 8, Thursday, where she is charged
under article 125 of the TCK and faces life time imprisonment if
found guilty.
Kaplan on trial for TV remarks
Again on June 8, the Beyogu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance will
hear the case against jurist Hasip Kaplan who is on trial for remarks
he made on private Flash TV’s “Alternatif” program.
Charged under TCK article 216, Kaplan is accused of “inciting hatred
and enmity” with his remarks and his hearing is listed to start
at 10:00.
Saymaz faces “influencing justice” case
Another case that will be heard on June 8 is that against “Radikal”
newspaper reporter Ismail Saymaz in relation to his news report titled
“Torture allegation involving 11 year old child”.
Saymaz, similar to Belge, is charged with influencing justice. The
former chairman of the Contemporary Journalists Association (CGD)
Istanbul Branch is listed to appear before the judge at 10:35, at
the Bagcilar 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
No end to cases against publisher Onal
Peri Publishing House owner Ahmet Onal who was sentenced on May 31
in relation to another book is to be tried on June 9 at the Fatih
2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of insulting modern
Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk by publishing the book “Being
an Alawite in Dersim”.
The book, authored by Munzur Cem and Huseyin Baysulun, is only one
of 27 charges levelled against the publisher up till now.
The Turkish language CETELE web site gives updated information on
all freedom of expression and opinion cases that have been opened in
Turkey.
–Boundary_(ID_dmcgpKE3zedW+tvftdzxoA) —

SURVEY: ARMENIA IN TOP TEN OF RUSSIA’S FRIENDS
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.06.2006 15:24 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the returns of a sociological survey,
held by Levada-Center, the top ten of Russia’s friends includes Belarus
(47%), Kazakhstan (33%), China (24%), Germany (22%) and India (15%),
Armenia (14%), Bulgaria (10%), Ukraine (10%), France (8%) and Italy
(7%).
As of Russians’ opinion over hostile countries, the list includes
Latvia (49%), Georgia (44%), Lithuania (42%), US (37%) and Estonia
(28%). The second fide include Ukraine (27%), Afghanistan (12%),
Iraq (9%), Moldova (9%) and Poland (7%). It is significant that
Ukraine was included both among Russia’s friends and enemies, reports
Russkaya Liniya.

PRIME MINISTER SAYS THERE IS NO REASON FOR RESIGNATION
Lragir.am
05 June 06
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan believes that there is no reason why
the government should resign. But if a member of government is changed,
“you will learn.” Andranik Margaryan says in February and March 2007
the council of the Republican Party will define the party ticket and it
will become clear whether the Republican Party will run for election
alone or in an alliance. At any rate, “all the forces are potential
allies.” For the property of the party, the prime minister said,
“Our political party did not own Hrazdan stadium. It does not own it
now either. All our property is our offices and cars. But we do not
own businesses.
The members of the party may own a lot of things, but it has nothing
to do with the party.”
Andranik Margaryan thinks there will be no ballot stuffing, and “people
will decide who will appear in the parliament, not the plans.” Andranik
Margaryan declined to say whether Serge Sargsyan will be on the party
ticket of the Republican Party. “You will learn it in time.”

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 3 2006
JUSTICE MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN VISITED STRASBOURG
[June 03, 2006, 12:48:24]
Minister of Justice of Azerbaijan Fikret Mammadov has been visiting
Strasbourg on May 3- June 2, to participate at the 13th general
sitting of the Council of Europe Local and Regional Authorities
(CELRA) Congress.
In the frame of visit, Mr. Mammadov met with the newly elected
chairman of the CELRA, the Norwegian deputy H. Scard and ex-chairman
C. Di Stai.
Discussed were issues linked to improvement of the election
legislation in the country, the works done related to the last
parliamentary re-elections and reforms in the penitentiary
establishments.
In the meetings with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry
Davis and human rights commissioner T. Hammerberg, focused were
issues of cooperation and priorities in this direction.
Minister of Justice also updated on the negations concerning
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Armenian aggression
and its sequences, noting that the rights of over one million of
Azerbaijanis were violated.
Head of the Permanent Representation of Azerbaijan at the Council of
Europe Agshin Mehdiyev took part in the meetings.

Armenian premier, OSCE rep discuss joint projects
Arminfo
2 Jun 06

Yerevan, 2 June: Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan today met
Vladimir Pryakhin, head of the OSCE office in Yerevan.
The meeting discussed cooperation between the OSCE office and the
Armenian government. Pryakhin expressed his satisfaction with
cooperation in a number of spheres. He in particular noted the
implementation of a joint project on eliminating the rocket fuel
components – melange with the Armenian Defence Ministry.
He also noted cooperation in the ecological sphere, fighting human
trafficking and the implementation of projects on fighting corruption
and reforming the police system. They also discussed other projects,
their implementation, existing tasks and the OSCE’s possible
assistance to this effect.

THE LAST OF RECTORS AND ANOTHER CHAMPION OF SWIMMING
Lragir.am
02 June 06
On June 2 a new rector of Yerevan State Engineering University was
elected. Vostanik Marukhyan, member of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, was elected rector, reported ARKA News Agency. 30 out of
the 32 members of the managing board of YSEU showed up. 29 voted for
Vostanik Marukhyan. One member voted against him. Vostanik Marukhyan
replaced Yuri Sargsyan, whose age did not allow him to be
nominated. Before his election he was the head of the Chair of Thermal
Energy and Environmental Protection. Vostanik Marukhyan is also member
of parliament, elected on the party ticket of Dashnaktsutiun. In his
new position he cannot be a member of parliament. Hence, within the
last 10 days Vostanik Marukhyan is the second ARF member of parliament
who takes up a post in the system of education, providing an
opportunity for deciding to make another `champion in swimming.’

GRASSROOTS PRESSURE BUILDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON EVANS FIRING
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 1 2006
WASHINGTON, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Tens of thousands
of Armenians – in the United States and Armenia – have voiced
their outrage over the Administration’s firing of U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Marshall Evans, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA). In Armenia, tens of thousands of Armenians took
part in the “Yellow Ribbon Campaign” to protest the Evans firing and,
more broadly, to voice opposition to a number of recent instances in
which foreign diplomats stationed in Armenia have denied the Armenian
Genocide. The campaign, which took place at the Tsitsernakaberd
Memorial to the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan, started on April 24th
with countless thousands of individual Armenians each tying a single
yellow ribbons on 100-yard lengths of rope stretched along the walking
path leading to the Genocide Monument. In the United States, Armenian
American activists have called for Congressional hearings into the
Government of Turkey’s role in dismissal of this highly-respected
35-year Foreign Service veteran over his honest and accurate
description of the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of genocide. The
ANCA WebFax system – on the web at – has been used by
activists from throughout the United States – including a large number
from state and districts represented by Members of committees with
oversight responsibility of the State Department. In their WebFaxes,
these concerned citizens have stressed that: “Ambassador Evans is, in
effect, being punished for honoring his President’s pledge to properly
recognize the Armenian Genocide – a promise that George W. Bush made on
the campaign trail in February of 2000 but abandoned once in the White
House. Ambassador Evans should be praised, not dismissed, for rejecting
“gag-rules” imposed by the Turkish Government on the discussion of
the Armenian Genocide by America’s leaders at home and diplomats
abroad.” In demanding hearings on the Evans firing, the WebFaxers
note that these inquiries should “include testimony by all the key
figures involved, including the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley. Among the issues that
should be explored are the role of the Turkish Government in exporting
its suppression of speech to the United States and the implications
for the future of the Foreign Service if a senior American diplomat’s
career has been ended simply for acknowledging the historical record
on one of the world’s greatest human rights tragedies.” Commenting
on the lack of openness by the Administration in dealing with this
matter, the WebFax letters note that, “the Administration has lacked
the courage to speak honestly – either to Congress or the American
people – about its reasons for firing Ambassador Evans. Hopefully,
these hearings will provide the transparency that we, as citizens,
have the right to expect of our government.” The firing of Amb. Evans
was the result of his February 2005 statements at Armenian American
community functions characterizing the Armenian Genocide as a genocide.
Following his statements, Amb. Evans was forced to issue a statement
clarifying that his references to the Armenian Genocide were his
personal views and did not represent a change in US policy. He
subsequently issued a correction to this statement, replacing a
reference to the genocide with the word “tragedy.”
The American Foreign Service Association, which had planned to
honor Amb. Evans with the “Christian A. Herter Award,” recognizing
creative thinking and intellectual courage within the Foreign
Service, reportedly rescinded the award following pressure from the
State Department a few days before Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan traveled to Washington, DC to meet with President
Bush. Congressional Response: On the eve of the announcement of
Evans’ replacement, sixty Members of Congress, led by Rep. Ed Markey
(D-MA), sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asking
for clarification of the reasons behind Amb. Evans’ recall. Earlier,
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Adam
Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) had each officially
called on Secretary Rice for a clarification of the State Department’s
position on this issue. They have yet to receive any response to their
inquiries. Media Response: The Los Angeles Times, in a strongly worded
March 22nd editorial, made direct reference to Amb. Evans’ impending
dismissal, calling on the Turkish Government and U.S. State Department
to end their policies of Armenian Genocide denial. On March 24th, the
Fresno Bee, published a similarly strong editorial condemning Evans’
firing. The Washington Times, on May 26th, ran a story about the
“geopolitical firestorm” created by Evans’ remarks. The publisher
of the California Courier, Harut Sassounian, in his weekly column,
urged U.S. Senators to place a “hold” on the nomination of Richard
Hoagland, the diplomat slated to replace Ambassador Evans. This
action in response to the Administration’s unresponsiveness, argued
Sassounian, will force the White House to fully explain the reasons
behind its early termination of Ambassador Evans’ career. Armenian
Youth Response: At the Armenian Youth Federation Junior Educational
Seminar, held in Western Pennsylvania over the Memorial Day weekend,
over 400 young Armenian Americans designed, produced, and signed
original petitions protesting the Administration’s decision to fire
Amb. Evans for telling the truth about the Armenian Genocide.

MEETINGS OF ARMENIAN AND TURKISH DIPLOMATS NORMAL EVENTS
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2006 13:57 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There is nothing extraordinary in meetings between
Armenian and Turkish diplomats, it is normal, said Ruben Safrastyan
Ph.D. In his words, there is normal communication between diplomats of
the two countries. “The matter is that the Turkish party organizes leak
of information on purpose. What do they need this for is hard to guess
yet. Turkey’s goal today is Armenia’s consent for forming a commission
of historians to study the issue of the Armenian Genocide. We will not
do it of course. My opinion is that our MFA works very productively
in this respect,” Safrastyan underscored.

WHO CELEBRATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR FIGHTING SMOKING
ArmRadio.am
31.05.2006 12:52
All countries member to the World Health Organization celebrate today
the International Day for Fighting Smoking. On this occasion an event
will be held at UN Armenia Office.