Author: Emil Lazarian

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
May 12, 2006 Friday
Seabed examined with sonar to spot airbus recorders
by Galina Gridneva
The seabed area where Armenia’s A-320 airbus crashed has been
examined with a sonar from a rescue vessel.
Buoys were placed at the search operation site, and the sea bottom
was examined from the vessel Zaliv, the Russian Transport Ministry’s
press service said.
Two sources of signal radiation are detected accurately. It is highly
probable that it is the flight recorders, the press service said.
The Navigator vessel will conduct telemetric examination to confirm
the information.
The signal sources are at the depth of 496 metres and at a distance
of five metres from each other.
All needed examinations were conducted from the vessel Cheleken
overnight. The received information is being analysed. After the
work, it will be decided what operation to be conducted to raise the
recorders.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Le Monde, France
12 mai 2006
Les entreprises françaises s’alarment des menaces de boycott de la
Turquie;
COMMERCE PROPOSITION DE LOI DU PS SUR LE GÉNOCIDE ARMÉNIEN
par Guillaume Perrier
En dessous d’une caricature de Jacques Chirac, sont répertoriés les
produits français à boycotter, secteur par secteur. Cette liste noire
de plus de 400 marques, qui circule sur Internet, a été publiée en
réaction à la proposition de loi du Parti socialiste français sur le
génocide arménien, qui devrait être examinée à l’Assemblée nationale
le 18 mai.
En cas d’adoption, avertissent les milieux économiques franco-turcs,
les conséquences pourraient être catastrophiques. ” L’attitude des
hommes politiques français est irresponsable, clame Guillaume
Rougier-Brière, président des conseillers du commerce extérieur en
Turquie. Cela pourrait nous conduire à l’une des crises les plus
graves entre la France et la Turquie. ”
A la tête d’une délégation de 22 représentants d’entreprises
françaises, parmi lesquelles Renault, Peugeot, Total, Carrefour ou
Alstom, il a été reçu, mardi 9 mai, à Ankara, par le premier ministre
Recep Tayyip Erdogan. ” Il nous a avertis que nous pourrions être des
victimes collatérales potentielles “, indique M. Rougier-Brière. Dans
une lettre envoyée à chaque président de groupe parlementaire à
l’Assemblée nationale, les hommes d’affaires français ont expliqué ”
qu’un tel vote viendrait immanquablement décourager – leurs –
efforts. (…) Les marques de défiance sont déjà perceptibles dans
nos activités “.
Le week-end dernier, le président de la commission des affaires
étrangères au Parlement turc, Mehmet Dulger, a déclaré que les
importations françaises pourraient faire l’objet d’un boycott et que
les entreprises pourraient être écartées de procédures d’appel
d’offres.
AREVA, UNE CIBLE CERTAINE
Au premier rang des entreprises visées figure Areva, candidate à la
construction des premières centrales nucléaires turques. ” Il y aura
d’abord ceux qui traitent avec l’Etat ou avec l’armée, prédit M.
Rougier-Brière. Et ensuite un boycott spontané des produits de grande
consommation “, à l’image de Danone ou L’Oréal. La Société générale,
qui prospecte pour le rachat d’une banque turque, est aussi une cible
potentielle.
” Nous serons moins concernés mais nous prévoyons une petite baisse
du chiffre d’affaires, admet quant à lui Esref Hamamcioglu, directeur
de Sodexho. Nous avons un contrat de restauration collective en cours
de négociation avec l’armée et les choses traînent un peu. ”
Les retombées de cette nouvelle crise entre les deux pays seraient
sans doute plus importantes qu’en 2001, après la reconnaissance
officielle du génocide arménien par la France. Des contrats avec
Thomson et Alcatel avaient alors été annulés et les tracasseries
administratives s’étaient multipliées.
Mais le boycott avait été découragé par la grave crise financière
survenue quelques jours plus tard. Aujourd’hui, la situation
économique de la Turquie est plus stable.
” Le marché turc est en pleine expansion et on y investit fortement
“, rappelle Malek Sarmini, directeur général de L’Oréal. La ministre
déléguée au commerce extérieur, Dominique Lagarde, doit se rendre en
Turquie le 14 juin, accompagnée de 40 chefs d’entreprise.
Guillaume Perrier

RESIGNATION OF ARMENIAN SPEAKER NOT RESULT OF CONFLICT WITH PRESIDENT:
HEAD OF RPA FACTION
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. “The expected resignation of Armenian
parliamentary speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan cannot be connected with his
interview with the German newspaper ” Frankfurter Allgemeine ” wherein
the speaker tried to specify the priorities of Armenia’s foreign
policy ahead of the country’s president,> Galust Sahakyan, Head of RPA
faction, told ArmInfo.
G. Sahakyan believes that “withdrawing from the coalition, “Orinats
Yerkir” team is settling its own tasks.> He thinks it untimely
forecasting the election of the new speaker. Naming no nominee from
the RPA, G. Sahakyan stressed the role of the party in the election of
the new speaker. “The frames of cooperation with political forces
remain wide enough and our legislative activity will not be
interrupted,> he says.
Commenting on the statement by “Orinats Yerkir” representative
Hovhanness Margaryan, that “OY” displayed readiness to leave the posts
for ideas, hereby gaining new voters, G. Sahakyan says: “We shall only
welcome if they gain new voters.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND NORWEGIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS STATE SECRETARY
DISCUSS ISSUES RELATING TO COOPERATION AT INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 12, RA Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian received the delegation led by Norwegian Foreign Affairs
State Secretary Kjetil Skogrand who is in Armenia within the framework
of a regional visit. The guest expressed satisfaction with the level
of relations between Norway and Armenia giving assurance that there is
a potential of deepening them for even more. In particular,
possibilities of development of cooperation in the sphere of economy,
energy, nature protection were mentioned. As Noyan Tapan was informed
from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, the
interlocutors discussed issues relating to programs being implemented
in the region with the assistance of Norway. Then the sides touched
upon issues of cooperation within the framework of international
organizations. Presenting Armenia’s approaches towards regional issues
Minister Oskanian particularly dwelt on the recent developments in the
Nagorno Karabakh settlement process.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PRESENTS CURRENT STAGE OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
SETTLEMENT PROCESS TO OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The OSCE Secretary
General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut arrived in Armenia on the occasion
of launching the Melange Program on destruction of rocket fuel that
has remained in the territory of Armenia since the Soviet time. He met
with the Atmenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian on May 12. The OSCE
Secretary General expressed his appreciation for the contribution
Armenia has made to the OSCE activities. The sides spoke about the
programs being implemented in the country by the OSCE Yerevan Office,
as well as the process of democratic reforms in Armenia. According to
the RA MFA Press and Information Department, the interlocutors
discussed in detail the developments taking place in the OSCE region
and the ongoing reforms in the OSCE structure. V. Oskanian presented
the current stage of the Karabakh conflict settlement process. Marc
Perrin de Brichamaut was appointed as OSCE Secretary General in
January 2005, replacing Jan Kubish, representaive of Slovakia. The
Melange Program being implemented in Armenia is considered to be one
of the most successful programs carried out by the OSCE in its
participating states due to some peculiarities of the program, and the
high level of cooperation of the sides. The OSCE Secretary General’s
visit to Armenia will last until May 14.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THREE ARMENIAN FILMS TO PARTICIPATE IN GEORGIAN “SESILI” YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Within the framework of the “Directors
without Borders” program, three Armenian directors will participate in
the “Sesili” youth film festival to take place in Tbilisi on May
15-22, each of them presenting one documentary film. Vardan Hakobian
will present the “Duduk” (Armenian National Pipe) film, Anna Movsisian
the “-40 Degree” film, Aram Shahbazian will present “Wheels” film. As
the Noyan Tapan was informed by Susanna Haroutiunian, the Chairwoman
of the Film Critics and Film Journalists Association of Armenia, show
of 7 Armenian documentary films will be organized with a separate
program during the days of the festival: Aram Shahbazian’s “Shepherd’s
Monologue,” Aram Yeritsian’s “In the Open Air,” Suren Ter-Grigorian’s
“Born from Fire,” Ruben Khachatrian’s “Monologue” and “Pray for You,”
Vardan Hakobian’s “Duduk” and Nika Sheck’s “Song of Stones” and “I Saw
the World Here” films. Susanna Haroutiunian mentioned that those films
were shown in February in Iran as well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONVERSE BANK TAKES FIRST PLACE BY ITS OVERALL CAPITAL IN FIRST
QUARTER OF 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. In the first quarter of 2006, Converse
Bank was in first place by its overall capital in the RA banking
system. The newly appointed director general of the bank Artak
Hanesian stated during the May 12 press conference that in the
indicated period, the overall capital grew by 6.2% to about 9.5 bln
drams (about 21 mln USD). The bank’s assets increased by 10.7% over
the same period and made 46.2 bln drams, while crediting volumes – by
2.9% to 17.6 bln drams. By these indices Converse Bank took 3rd and
5th places respectively in the RA banking system. The bank’s profit
amounted to 612.8 mln drams. The total amount of transfers made by
natural persons grew by 24.8% on the same quarter of last year and
made 34.7 mln USD. According to A. Hanesian, in the period under
review, the share of mortgage credits made 372 mln drams, which is
more than half the programmed index. Converse Bank currently provides
credits repayable over 10 years at an annual interest rate of 13%. In
the words of the bank’s director general, these terms are quite
favorable for Armenia. In the first quarter of 2006, VIP MONEY
TRANSFER and INTEREXPRESS transfer systems, a new form of deposit – a
cumulative one, as well as provision of loans under the collateral of
real estate and cars were introduced in Converse Bank.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri minister, OSCE envoy discuss Karabakh conflict, energy projects
Azerbaijani news agency APA
12 May 06
Baku, 12 May: Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has received a
delegation led by Pierre Chevalier, a special envoy of the OSCE
chairman-in-office.
During the meeting, the sides discussed cooperation between Azerbaijan
and the OSCE, the peace talks on resolving the Azerbaijani-Armenian
conflict, reforms in various spheres and large-scale energy projects,
the press service of the Foreign Ministry has told APA.
During the meeting scheduled for the second half of May between the
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Strasbourg, he will
again display the principled stance of Azerbaijan, Mammadyarov said.
Pierre Chevalier said he hoped that the talks between Armenia and
Azerbaijan mediated by international organizations, including by the
OSCE Minsk Group, will produce positive results and help resolve the
conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 12 2006
It Is Important To Pursue Turkish – French Friendship, Poudade
ANKARA – It is important to pursue friendship between Turkey and
France, said French Ambassador to Turkey Paul Poudade on Tuesday.
Upon questions of reporters about recall of Turkish Ambassador to
France Osman Koruturk to Turkey (within the scope of debates on
so-called Armenian genocide in France), Poudade said that Koruturk
was recalled for consultations about the issue, adding that he will
meet Koruturk tomorrow. Poudade stressed the importance of
continuation of the friendship between Turkey and France.
Noting that there are good relations between the two countries in
economic and political areas, Poudade reminded that France is an EU
member, and it would be for the interest of Turkey to pursue its good
relations with France.
Poudade said that the issue should not be exaggerated and he believes
the developments will be kept under control.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 12 2006
Developments In France Can Be Prevented With Common Sense, Gul
IZMIR – “I believe that the developments pertaining to a draft law
which would make the denial of the so-called Armenian genocide a
crime can be hindered by acting with common sense,“ Turkish Foreign
Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday.
Gul said Turkish government, businessmen and non-governmental
organizations showed necessary reaction against the draft law,
stating that, “how this draft law would harm bilateral relations
should be explained.“
“I hope everybody would act responsibly,“ Gul indicated, and noted
that, “a proposal (the draft law which would make the denial of the
so-called Armenian genocide a crime) which restricts freedom of
expression would be wrong as France is accepted as a leading country
on issues like democracy and freedom of expression,“ Gul said.
Gul said it would be wrong to jeopardize relations between the
countries for small domestic political interests.
Gul also said the “Pontus Greek genocide“ monument built in Greek
city of Thessalonica has overshadowed friendly relations between
Turkey and Greece.
Underscoring that bringing the past issues which were left in the
history, onto the agenda would not contribute to relations, Gul said
NGOs in Turkey would launch some initiatives to protest erection of
such a monument.
Gul said some circles in Turkey decided to erect a monument in
(northwestern town of) Kesan in the memory of those who lost their
lives during the War of Independence.
Asked about the grenade attacks on Sisli office of the Cumhuriyet
newspaper, Gul said, “we harshly condemn such attacks.“
Gul said those attacks were made deliberately to create confusion and
to disrupt tranquility.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress