Author: Emil Lazarian

ARGENTINEAN BUSINESSMAN EDUARDO EURNEKYAN INVESTS $40 MILLION IN CONSTRUCTION OF GEOTHERMIC POWER PLANT IN ARMENIA
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 20 2006
Argentinean businessman Eduardo Eurnekyan, the concessioner of Yerevan
airport “Zvartnots,” is investing $40 million in the construction
of the first geothermic power plant in Armenia, Armen Movsisyan,
Energy Minister of Armenia, told journalists in the course of his
working visit to Syunik region, Armenia.
The minister said the plant with 25 megawatt capacity is to be built
in Kyarkar volcanic valley in Sisian district, Syunik region.
Minister Movsisyan said the plant may be put into exploitation within
1-2 years. Preliminary estimations showed that the area has a big
potential of geothermic power that can be used for energy purposes,
the minister said.
On December 17 2001, the CJSC Armenian International Airlines
belonging to Eduardo Eurnekyan received concession of Yerevan airport
“Zvartnots.” By present, the concessioner has invested about $100
million in the modernization of the airport. E. Eurnekyan is currently
negotiating for the control stock of Areximbank, which belongs to
Moscow Impexbank and other structures of Russian businessman Boris
Ivanishvili.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U. S. ARMENIAN COMMUNITY READY TO PROMOTE NKR DEVELOPMENT
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 20 2006
“There is no Armenia without Artsakh, and there is no Artsakh without
Armenia. We should do our best to ensure Artsakh’s development”, the
Armenian Diaspora’s representatives repeatedly stated at a reception
in honor of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) President Arkady
Ghoukassian held last Saturday evening in Santa Anna (CA).
According to the information DE FACTO received at the Main Department
of Information under the NKR President, Arkady Ghoukassian had thanked
his American compatriots for their long-time support to Artsakh’s
social, economic, cultural and spiritual development. The President
underscored Nagorno-Karabakh’s achievements would be impossible without
the Armenian Diaspora’s aid. The meeting’s participants expressed their
readiness to go on rendering assistance to the NKR via implementing
various development projects in the Republic. The interlocutors
stressed the importance of the Diaspora’s active participation
in the TV marathon to be held in the U. S. November 23. The
marathon is targeted at fund raising for the Nagorno-Karabakh’s
further development, in part, Hadrut region’s construction. Famous
philanthropists Costi and Marian Shirvanian, Ralph and Savy Tufenkian,
Hakop and Mina Shirvanian, Vartkes and Mary Najarian, Vahe and
Veronique Karapetian, Roger and Ellen Ohannisian, Hakop Baghdasarian
and others were present at the reception. RÀ Consul General in Los
Angeles Armen Liloyan also participated in the event.
In the course of Arkady Ghoukassian’s meeting with the U. S. Armenian
Diaspora’s influential representatives Dr. Arthur Mesropian, Albert
Boyajian and Harry Turpanjian the interlocutors considered the
perspectives of the Nagorno-Karabakh’s all-sided development. The
NKR President also met with the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA)
leadership and activists in Los Angeles. The interlocutors discussed
the issues referring to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement,
the NKR regional security, social and economic development and further
democratization.
The NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian will hold a number of other
meetings within the frames of the TV marathon’s preparation.
–Boundary_(ID_UmO3FXaogIrQ/o85B22YT A)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN IM STAFF DEPARTMENT CHIEF VISITED BAKU
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
Armenian delegation participated in the 4th meeting of CIS member
states’ Interior Ministries Staff Department chiefs in Baku on November
16-17, APA reports quoting to IM sources. IM Press Service affirmed
the information.
Press Service officer Ehsan Zahidov told the APA that the
representatives from CIS member states, as well as from Armenia will
participate in the event. The Armenian IM Staff Department chief
participated in the meeting.
The development of cooperation among Interior Ministries, the problems
of struggle against organized crimes and international terrorism were
discussed in two-day meeting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YERKRAMAS NEWSPAPER GIVEN GOLD MEDAL FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY ON OCCASION OF ITS 10th ANNIVERSARY
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 20 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The 10th anniversary of the
Yerkramas newspaper of Armenians of Russia was marked on 2006 November
15 with a festive concert. The event was opened with speeches of
official guests who congratulated the newspaper’s editorial staff
and its readers on the occasion of the jubilee. In particular,
a representatie of the Embassy of Republic of Armenia to Russian
Federation read the greeting message of Ambassador of RA to RF, Armen
Smbatian to the newspaper, that read: “Ten years ago you started a
project that you realize with obstinacy deserving respect.
You managed to gather a team of co-thinkers and many interested and
attentive readers… Today the Yerkramas newspaper has obtained an
individual face, has determined its position, worked out its style.
It has also managed to become not only an objective mirror of life
of Armenian community of Russia, but also an arena for dialogue for
representatives of various nationalities, ages and religions.”
In connection with the jubilee, RA Minister of Education and Science
Levon Mkrtchian, RA Consul General to RF South Federal Okrug Ararat
Gomtsian, President of Society of Friendship and Cooperation with RA
Viktor Krivoruckov, Chairman of public movement For Self-Governance
of Workers, President of Association of Russian-Armenian Business
Cooperation Levon Chakhmakhchian and others also addressed written
congratulations to the Yerkramas newspaper of Armenians of Russia.
On behalf of the Elite of the World International Charity Fund of
World Humanity (President of the Fund is count Peter Sheremetev),
the editorial staff of Yerkramas received a gold medal For the Sake
of Humanity given to juridical persons and organizations having made
a considerable contribution to life to the advantage of the society
and having created a publicly useful work, as an expression of honor
and gratitude by the people. Yerkramas newspaper’s editor-in-chief
Tigran Tavadian on behalf of the International Armenian Cossack Union
(ataman Major-General Sergei Madatian) was also awarded order For H®nor
and Loyalty named after Lieutenant-General, prince Valerian Madatov,
hero of Patriotic War of 1812.
–Boundary_(ID_00akSwT0d7n7GCkrkq3ZKw)–

RUSSIAN AND FRENCH CO-CHAIRS OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN NOVEMBER 21
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 20 2006
November 21 OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia
and Bernard Fassier of France will arrive in Yerevan. “Armenpress”
was told at the US Embassy in Armenia that American Co-Chair Matthew
Bryza will not arrive in the region because of the crowded schedule.
The Co-Chairs will have meetings with RA president Robert Kocharyan
and Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. The mediators will leave Yerevan
for Baku.
The visit of the Co-Chairs is targeted at discussing the properness
of the meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The
meeting may be possibly held November 28 in the framework of the
summit of CIS leaders.
It is not certain so far weather Yuri Merzlyakov and Bernard Fassier
will visit Stepanakert or not.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Office of Public Information
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn NY 11201
Contact: David Semonian
Tel: 718-560-5600
Fax: 718-560-5619
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
November 14, 2006
Armenia acquits 19 conscientious objectors, but issue remains unresolved
YEREVAN, Armenia-Nineteen conscientious objectors who left alternative
labor service have been informed by the Armenian Prosecutor General’s
Office that they have been acquitted and that the criminal proceedings
against them have been terminated. The ruling opens the way for them
to apply for compensation for their illegal prosecution and
imprisonment.
Although the government of Armenia has organized nonmilitary work
assignments, they are under military control and supervision. Thus the
law providing for alternative labor service, as well as its
implementation, fails to meet the criteria laid down by the Council of
Europe, which calls for genuine and nonpunitive civilian alternative
service. In a series of videotaped interviews posted on the Web site
, four young Jehovah’s Witnesses describe in their own
words why Armenia’s alternative service was not an acceptable option
for them.
In a separate development, on September 12, 2006, Hayk Avetisyan was
sentenced to two years in prison for his conscientious refusal of
military service or alternative labor service. On September 25, 2006,
Assistant Prosecutor A. Manukyan appealed the decision, asking for a
stricter sentence. The October 18, 2006, decision of the Court of
Appeal granted the prosecuter’s appeal and increased Avetisyan’s
sentence from 24 to 30 months in prison. Despite the progress implied
in the latest acquittals, Avetisyan is one of nearly 50 conscientious
objectors who are Jehovah’s Witnesses currently in prison for their
conscientious refusal of military service. From their study of the
Bible, they learned that Christ’s followers should love their
neighbors and that Christians are bound together in an international
brotherhood. (Matthew 22:39; Acts 15:22) As such, they do not resort
to weapons of warfare or learn war anymore.-Isaiah 2:4; Matthew
26:52.
Until Armenia complies with its commitments to the Council of Europe
to adopt genuine civilian alternative service and release
conscientious objectors from prison, the issue of conscientious
objection to military service remains unresolved.
Contacts
Paul Gillies Phone +44 7775 833880
David Semonian Phone +1 718 560 5600

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO MAKE SYSTEM CHANGES IN SOCIETY
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
This year the Armenian Government has proclaimed a new priority that
will result in system changes in the society, Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan said while speaking at the Bertelsmann Foundation
in Berlin, Thursday.
The press service of the Armenian President reports Kocharyan as
saying that Armenia has launched a large-scale program to develop rural
areas. Presently, there is a big gap between Yerevan and the regions
and so, the Government has mobilized own resources and has applied to
Diaspora structures for undertaking joint efforts to improve living
conditions in Armenian villages. This will stimulate the youth to
develop their regions, towns and rural communities, Kocharyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER SERZH SARKISYAN IS ON A THREE-DAY VISIT TO IRAQ
Source: Krasnaya Zvezda, November 15, 2006, p. 3
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 17, 2006 Friday
The visit of Sarkisyan is dedicated to meeting with the Defense
Minister of Iraq, as well as acquaintance with conditions of service
of Armenian servicemen being in this country within the coalition
forces. There are 46 Armenian servicemen in Iraq including 30 drivers,
10 combat engineers, three doctors and three liaison officers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA’S OCCUPATION OF AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIES TOPS AGENDA-PRESS
by Kirill Zharov
ITAR-TASS News Agency
November 17, 2006 Friday 08:00 AM EST
Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev has described as the country’s
most pressing problem Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories.
“This is a huge problem for us and the whole region. Baku supports
peaceful settlement of this issue on the basis of the international law
and the UN requirements,” he told the eighth summit of Turkish-speaking
countries.
“If this problem remains unresolved, the two countries’ relations
may worsen,” Aliyev said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION WELCOMES SIGNING EU-ARMENIA ACTION PLAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.11.2006 14:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Armenian Federation (EAFJD) has welcomed
the adoption of the EU Neighborhood Policy’s Armenia action plan,
which was signed on November 14th, 2006 by the Armenian Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Vartan Oskanian, in the presence of the Commission
and the Council’s senior leaders. As the EAFJD told PanARMENIAN.Net,
“the EU takes note of the European aspirations expressed by Armenia
and will support the Armenian government as its continues to inform
the Armenian public concerning the Union, in particular through the
creation of a European information center in Yerevan.” “We welcome this
action plan to stimulate the integration movement between the European
Union and Armenia,” declared Hilda Tchoboian, the Chairperson of the
European Armenian Federation. “Building on a powerful convergence of
views and a strong sense of community, the Federation looks forward
to contributing to the future growth of Armenian-European relations,”
added Tchoboian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress