Author: Emil Lazarian

The Greens Union of Armenia
Dr. Hagop Sanasarian, president
Mamikoniants St. 47-13,
Yerevan, Armenia
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (374-10) 257-634
US contact: Dr. Anne Shirinian, 732-462-9089
Green Regarding Uranium Mining at Nor Getik
By The Greens Union of Armenia
May, 2006
The Greens Union of Armenia is deeply concerned regarding Global Gold
Corporation’s plan to mine uranium, copper and other metals at Nor
Getik, 18 km away from Lake Sevan (within the watershed of the lake),
and to transport the raw material to the City of Hrazdan for the
extraction of the uranium and other metals. Among the consequences of
the proposed plan will be that Yerevan city will be squeezed between
two threats of possible environmental catastrophes – from the west
there is the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) together with its storage of
radioactive waste and from the north-east, there will be Hrazdan city
with its storage of the uranium processing waste (although classified
as `low level radioactive’ waste, nevertheless it represents a grave
environmental health hazard). The processing of uranium, in
particular, will produce radioactive dust and wastewater. The latter
will be dumped into the River Hrazdan, which provides large amounts of
irrigation water. Thus, through dust and water, the fields and
inhabited lands along the River Hrazdan will become contaminated with
radioactive elements. In addition, during disasters, which occur
frequently in this region, such as earthquakes, landslides, flooding,
possible bombardment during wartime, the waste materials stored in
both Hrazdan and at NPP present a significant threat to the survival
of the people of Armenia, and also may become targets of terrorist
attacks.
The mining of uranium will begin its destruction at Nor Getik by
contaminating the waters and the beautiful valley of the River Getik –
a paradise, where many refugees from Azerbaijan have found shelter.
The River Getik flows into the River Aghestev, which means that all
the contaminants will also flow into the River Aghestev, which passes
through the center of the town of Ijevan. Villages in the valley of
the River Getik would need to be abandoned if radioactive dust
contaminates the air or irrigation water becomes radioactive.
Then follows the contamination of the River Hrazdan and the
destruction of the town of Hrazdan, known as a resort town – many
sanatoriums and health spas, children’s and students’ homes are
located there. The Soviets paid special attention to this area
allocating funding to limit industrial pollution in Hrazdan. Note
that the River Hrazdan flows out of Lake Sevan, then passes through
many towns, such as Hrazdan, Charentsavan, Abovian, Yerevan, Masis,
Ararat, and through many villages, and finally flows into the River
Arax. The water of Hrazdan River feeds the irrigation networks of
Ararat valley and of all the lands along the river. Thus,
contamination of the water of Hrazdan river is unacceptable.
Before the raw material reaches Hrazdan city via rail transport, it
will be stored in a storage area, right on the shore of Lake Sevan,
because the rail line is built along the shoreline, just as the main
road. This means that even if the raw material is transported via
trucks, and not stored on the shore, the trucks still have to drive on
a road, which runs along the shore. This represents a direct threat
of contamination for the water of Lake Sevan in case of a rail or a
truck accident.
Finally, the Government of Armenia must not only adopt public
transparency and accounting regarding the activities of various mining
companies in Armenia, but also a way, a mechanism, by which the
Armenian public can participate in the decision-making process
regarding the ownership and the exploitation of Armenia’s natural
resources. At the moment, our government seems to be buckling under
great external pressures, however, if the public at large is allowed
to be informed and to participate in important decisions (for example,
regarding the issue of ownership of strategic objects, such as
Armenia’s hydropower stations), then the general will of the public
will resist these external pressures and save our nation’s treasures
(i.e., water and land) from usurpation and excessive exploitation.
Also, without any doubt, if given a choice, the public will chose
development of alternative sources of energy, such as wind, hydropower
and solar (all of which are abundant in Armenia), instead of promoting
the interests of the nuclear industry by proposing a new expensive
nuclear power plant for a small earthquake-prone impoverished country.
Information on contamination caused by uranium mining and extraction:
Waste rock is produced during open pit mining when overburden is
removed, and during underground mining when driving tunnels through
non-ore zones. Piles of so-called waste rock often contain elevated
concentrations of radioisotopes compared to normal rock. Other waste
piles consist of ore with too low a grade for processing. All these
piles threaten people and the environment due to their release of
radon gas and seepage water containing radioactive and toxic
materials. In addition, to keep water out of the mine during
operation, large amounts of contaminated water are pumped out and
released to rivers and lakes. When the pumps are shut down after
closure of the mine, there is a risk of groundwater contamination from
the rising water level.
Ore mined in open pit or underground mines is crushed and leached in a
uranium mill. A uranium mill is a chemical plant designed to extract
uranium from ore. In most cases, sulfuric acid is used as the
leaching agent, but alkaline leaching is also used. The leaching agent
not only extracts uranium from the ore, but also several other
constituents like molybdenum, vanadium, selenium, iron, lead and
arsenic, thus, the uranium must be separated out of the leaching
solution. The final product from the mill, commonly referred to as
“yellow cake” (U3O8 with impurities), is packed and shipped in casks.
In the end, large amounts of radioactively contaminated scrap are
produced, which have to be disposed in a safe manner. Uranium mill
tailings are normally disposed of (dumped) as a sludge in special
ponds or piles, where they are abandoned. The amount of sludge
produced is nearly the same as that of the ore milled. At a grade of
0.1% uranium, 99.9% of the material is left over as scrap/tailing.
Apart from the portion of the uranium removed, the sludge contains all
the constituents of the ore. Because long lived decay products such as
thorium-230 and radium-226 are not removed, the sludge contains 85% of
the initial radioactivity of the ore. Due to technical limitations,
all of the uranium present in the ore cannot be extracted. Therefore,
the sludge also contains 5% to 10% of the uranium initially present in
the ore.
In addition, the sludge contains heavy metals and other contaminants
such as arsenic, as well as chemical reagents used during the milling
process. Moreover, the constituents inside the tailings pile are in a
geochemical disequilibrium that results in various reactions causing
additional hazards to the environment. For example, in dry areas,
salts containing contaminants can migrate to the surface of the pile,
where they are subject to erosion. If the ore contains the mineral
pyrite (FeS2), then sulfuric acid forms inside the deposit when
accessed by precipitation and oxygen. This acid causes a continuous
automatic leaching of contaminants. After hundreds of thousands of
years, the radioactivity of the tailings and thus its radon emanation
will have decreased so that it is only limited by the residual uranium
contents. (end)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
May 10, 2006
Armenia Fund Donates $25,000 to Armavia Victims’ Families
Los Angeles, CA – Armenia Fund and its worldwide affiliates donated
$25,000 to the account set up to assist the families of the recent
airliner crash that occurred in the Black Sea on May 2, 2006. The amount
was approved during the Fund’s Board of Trustees meeting which took
place on May 5, 2006 in Yerevan. The government of Armenia has set up an
international account for the families of the victims of flight 967. The
airliner crash is the worst aviation disaster in the history of Armenia,
prompting the President to declare May 5 and 6 as official days of
mourning in the republic.
Armenia Fund’s U.S. Western Region leadership was on hand during and
after the disaster in Yerevan. `Armenia Fund stands ready to further
provide financial and moral assistance to the victims of this tragic
incident. Armenia Fund will make every effort to help our nation recover
from this disaster,” stated Maria Mehranian at a press conference
following the Board of Trustees meeting.
Individuals or organizations interested in assisting the victims’
families through monetary means may donate to Armenia Fund and specify
it as `Armavia Victims’ Account’. Armenia Fund will safely transfer the
entire amount to the international account. Tax-deductible Donations
could be sent to Armenia Fund, Inc. 111 N. Jackson St. Ste. 205,
Glendale, CA 91206 or by making a secure online donation at
(Please specify `Armavia Victims’ Account). Armenia
Fund, Inc. is a reliable entity that draws years of experience in
facilitating humanitarian aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
International leaders and officials also sent their condolences. U.S.
Congressman Adam Schiff, representing the 29th District, pledged full
U.S. support for the investigation of the crash. `I have been in contact
with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is the
transportation investigative arm of the U.S. government and is widely
recognized as the preeminent agency in the world at investigating the
cause of aircraft accidents. The
NTSB has informed me that they stand ready to assist Armenian and
Russian authorities in investigating the disaster and that either your
government or the Russian government can request assistance through the
United States Embassy in Yerevan or Moscow’, stated Schiff in a letter
to President Kocharian.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’
All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RAPPEL DE L’AMBASSADEUR TURC: UNE DECISION QUI RELEVE D’ANKARA, SELON PARIS
Agence France Presse
9 mai 2006 mardi 12:00 PM GMT
Paris a souligne mardi que le rappel pour consultations de
l’ambassadeur de Turquie en France, en raison d’une proposition de
loi prônant des poursuites contre toute personne niant l’existence
du genocide armenien, “relevait des autorites turques elles-memes”.
“C’est une decision qui relève des autorites turques elles-memes et je
n’ai pas de commentaire particulier a faire”, a declare le porte-parole
adjoint du ministère des Affaires etrangères, Denis Simonneau.
M. Simonneau a egalement souligne que “les autorites turques
elles-memes ont indique que l’ambassadeur devrait regagner Paris
très prochainement”.
Interroge sur les consequences pour les relations franco-turques si
le texte de loi etait adopte, le porte-parole M. Simonneau a declare:
“pour le moment difficile a dire. Le fait est que nous suivons la
situation et les reactions des autorites turques avec grand interet”.
La Turquie a annonce lundi le rappel en consultations de ses
ambassadeurs en France et au Canada, en raison de desaccords sur
la portee des massacres commis contre les Armeniens du temps de
l’Empire ottoman.
Ankara avait averti la France la semaine dernière que les relations
bilaterales pourraient etre gravement affectees si l’Assemblee
nationale francaise votait cette loi.
Les autorites turques s’etaient egalement declarees “consternees”
par des propos du Premier ministre canadien Stephen Harper saluant
la commemoration du genocide armenien, reconnu par des resolutions
du Parlement canadien.
Le ministère canadien des Affaires etrangères avait reagi lundi
en estimant que “ces consultations (de l’ambassadeur turc) sont
une affaire interieure turque” et en refusant a se “livrer a des
speculations sur leur nature”.
Les Armeniens estiment que jusqu’a 1,5 million des leurs ont peri
dans un genocide orchestre par l’Empire ottoman entre 1915 et 1917.
Ankara soutient que 300.000 Armeniens et au moins autant de Turcs ont
ete tues au cours de troubles suscites par des soulèvements d’Armeniens
et leur ralliement aux armees russes en guerre contre l’Empire ottoman,
et lors des deportations qui ont suivi.
–Boundary_(ID_hUUBnGxAl0FRjSsCo8dGiA)–

RA PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN’S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON OCCASION OF HOLIDAY OF VICTORY AND PEACE
Noyan Tapan
May 09 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of the Holiday of Victory
and Peace marked on May 9, RA President addressed a congratulatory
message to the Armenian people. According to the report provided
to Noyan Tapan from RA President’s Press Service, the message read:
“Dear compatriots, I congratulate you on the occasion of the Holiday
of Victory and Peace. The Armenian people’s contribution to crowning
the Great Patriotic War with a victory is undeniable. The Armenian
soldiers, officers and generals took part in fights on all fronts of
the war. The end of the war was notable for Armenia with a peaceful,
creative work and country’s prosperity. On our calendar May 9 gained a
new significance by the liberation of Shoushi in 1992. It became the
symbol of the Artsakh liberation struggle and the resolution of the
Armenian people. Marking this day, we pay the tribute of our respect
to the brave soldiers w! ho perished in the Second World War and in
the Artsakh fight. Once more congratulating all of you on the occasion
of the Holiday of Victory and Peace, I wish peace and prosperity to
our people and good health to the war veterans”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SEARCH WITH NEW EQUIPMENT
A1+
[01:06 pm] 10 May, 2006
The search works of the Armenian plane A-320 have been going on since
morning with the participation of French specialists and their new
equipment. The French specialists are mainly looking for the record
boxes. For this purpose special equipment has been installed on the
ship “Navigator”.
“The five French specialists who have arrived in Sochi have brought
the necessary equipment to find out the record boxes,” one of the
members of the search group informed the agency “Interfax-South.” He
also informed that the installing will take about 6 hours after which
the French specialists will take up work.
Let us remind you that the experts of the French Bureau of aircrash
investigation announced that the record boxes of crashed A-320 planes
can be preserved up to 30 days up to about 6 000 meters deep under the
water. The radio of the boxes will continue to work for all those days.
One of the boxes records all the data of the flight – the speed,
the height, the course and the work of the pilot. The other one
records all the conversations in the cabin of the pilot. Everything
is recorded every second.
One of the boxes weighs 10 kg, 7 of which is the armored shell. So,
the box can sink up to 6 000 meters and endure heat up to about 1
100 C and pressure of about 2.2 tons for a whole month.
By the way, in 2004 the French specialists managed to take about the
Egyptian plane which crashed in the Red Sea. The plane lay 1000 meters
under the water.
The agency “Ria-Novosti” has just informed that the search works have
stopped because of the coming storm.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA WAS NOT ELECTED MEMBER OF THE UN NEWLY-CREATED COUNCIL
A1+
[03:15 pm] 10 May, 2006
Early in the morning in New York the UN Assembly General elected the 47
members of the newly created “Human Rights Defense Council”. Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia had also applied for membership. Armenia wasn’t
elected member of the Council, whereas Azerbaijan was.
The countries of Eastern Europe fought hard for membership in the
council. It took them three phases to finish the election. 13 countries
fought for 6 places. Armenia received 70 votes and disqualified from
the first phase. After the second phase only Russia, Poland and Czech
Republic received the necessary amount of votes. And in the third
phase Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Hungary were elected.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH SPEAKER VIEWS ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS, ADDRESSES SWEDISH PARLIAMENT
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
9 May 2006
Stockholm, 9 May: “Turkey will never recognize so-called Armenian
genocide because such a thing has not happened in our history,”
Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Tuesday [9 May].
Arinc, who is currently paying a state visit to Sweden, responded to
questions of Swedish MPs at the parliament.
Upon a question about so-called Armenian genocide, Arinc said:
“This issue has been discussed for a long time. It is a fact that
tragic events happened during the World War I. However, there is not
any court verdict that Turks committed genocide against Armenians.
Also Turks, Arabs and Kurds died during the World War I. Therefore,
it is a serious mistake to say that only Armenians were subject
to genocide.”
“Armenians had always lived freely during the Ottoman Empire era.
Last year, we proposed Armenia to set a joint independent commission
of historians to research the issue. However, Armenia turned down
Turkey’s proposal. On the other hand, Turkey’s archives are kept open
for researchers,” he stressed.
When asked whether Turkish people were ready for EU membership,
Arinc said: “Turkish people have always wanted to become a member
of the EU. Although Turkey has fulfilled the necessary criteria,
the EU asked Turkey to fulfil additional criteria. We do not want
any privileges, the EU should not discriminate Turkey. Turkish people
regret such humiliation and discrimination.”
“The EU is a 40-year process for Turkey. Our relations with the EU
are based on international agreements and mutual interests,” he said.
Replying to another question, Arinc said: “Turkey is a secular and
democratic state. Our citizens worship freely.”
“Turkish people’s religious belief has not prevented secular Turkey
from being an indispensable part of Europe so far, and it also has not
prevented Turkey from being member of organizations which represent
the Western world,” said Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. He
added: “Nobody questioned our religion when Turkey both joined NATO
in 1952 and defended freedom during Cold War in Europe.”
Arinc addressed parliamentarians at Swedish parliament on Tuesday. He
said: “Swedish parliament has a respectful place in the world. Sweden
is one of the leading countries that preserve democratic values and
contribute to peace and harmony. Similarly, Turkey preserves democratic
values in its region and produces stability by contributing to peace,
harmony and dialogue of civilizations.
Peaceful, realistic and coherent foreign policy is our basis on the
path to modernization.”
“The will of Turkish people and their spiritual values are two basic
elements of our foreign policy,” noted Arinc. “We are pleased that
all political parties in Swedish parliament support Turkey’s full
EU membership. Although there are people who are against Turkey’s
membership, the number of people who support Turkey is increasing
each day,” added Arinc.
“Those who oppose to Turkey’s EU membership are concerned about our
population and our religion. Our religion has not prevented us from
being an indispensable part of Europe so far. It will not obstruct
our membership to organizations representing the Western values.
Turkey is one of the founder members of the Council of Europe.
It means that Turkey has played an active and constructive role in
efforts to shape the project for a political Europe from the very
beginning. When Turkey joined NATO in 1952 and defended freedom in
Europe during the Cold War era, no one questioned our religion,”
he said.
Arinc said: “The EU showed its strategic vision and its will by
formally opening accession talks on 5 October 2005. The screening
process has been continuing since then. We expect the EU to start
negotiations on at least two chapter headings during the presidency
of Austria.”
“Turkey will create new political and economic horizons for the EU,
and it will further strengthen the EU in its efforts to become a
global actor. After Turkey’s accession, the EU’s influence will
increase in a huge area from the Balkans to Caucasus, from Central
Asia to Mediterranean and broader Middle East,” he said.
Arinc added: “Turkey has the potential to make important contributions
to the EU’s joint foreign and security policy and to the European
security and defence policy.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CAPTAIN”S PERFORMANCE WAS EXEMPLARY
Panorama.am
17:11 09/05/06
Exclusive Interview of Michael Bagdasarov, Armavia air company owner,
to Panorama.am (part 2) – In the course of the last 3 days Armavia
lost 2 airliners A-320. How will this loss impact the performance of
the air company, particularly in regards to flight management?
– First, many companies have expressed their assistance.
– According to our sources, the first assistance was rendered by air
company Siberia.
– Assistance was rendered by Siberia and Souz Atlant as well as
Volgograd airlines and Aeroport. Besides, as mentioned earlier, we
have already received new airliners. Therefore, the number of our
airplanes reaches 5, which will be enough for normal performance.
– There are some concerns that the company will go bankrupt.
– I may disappoint those people who think that Armavia will go
bankrupt. Our personnel will get stronger after such bitter experience.
– We had an impression that they wanted to put all the responsibility
for the accident on the captain of the airliner G. Grigoryan. What
is your personal opinion in this regard?
– These are stupid things expressed by non-responsible people. They
also said that there was not enough fuel in the airliner. However,
the place of the accident was contaminated with fuel. The recordings
between the air controller and the pilot prove that the performance
of the captain of the plane was exemplary which cannot be said about
the air controller.
– Is that true that the air controller was arguing with the captain
as some mass media say referring to Georgian sources?
– No, they were not arguing. But the point is that the air controller
sent the plane to the second round while the plane was almost to land.
However, we cannot assert that the accident happened due to
air controller’s fault. The air controller just worsened the
situation. There are series of issues why the accident could take
place.
There is a transcript where the air controller twice tried to send
the plane back to Yerevan and then again to Sochi after which it sent
the plane to the second round.
However, why coundn’t the pilot land the airplane? No one has enough
proof to blame the pilot in that, thus far. It was an experienced,
high-level pilot who was one of the best. He had previous experience
in Krasnodar and knew the location very well…
– We had an impression that some Russian parties are not very
interested in finding the “black box” recorder. What do you think?
– Impressions may be different. The Russian side is seriously engaged
in the investigation of the case. It should be noted that there is
also the Airbus which is interested to take the case to its end. As
far as Russians are concerned, it depends who we look at. The head of
commission is very interested. If we look on state bodies, they are
interested, too. May be someone is not interested. There were rumors
that there was not enough fuel or that the pilot was not experienced
weren’t they.
– They also say that there was no navigator on board.
– There was a navigator and a technician on board.
There is a group of people who just make up such stories, do you
understand?
– Thank you for the interview. Once again we render our
condolences.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A VICTORY ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF CONTINUOUS EFFORTS
Panorama.am
14:25 10/05/06
Today president of “Protection of Consumer’s Rights” Abgar Yeghoyan
came out with following statement:
“For the last seven months “Protection of Consumers’ Rights” /PCR/
NGO has kept a close eye on the problem of outrageous bills presented
by “Armentel” CJS to its subscribers for using telephone lines to
access internet.
At the end of last year, when first informed about the problem, PCR has
sent letters to the RA Ombudswoman, RA Attorney General and RA Public
Services Regulatory Commission. PCR and the National Assembly Deputy
Collaboration Group made a joint announcement in this regard. Besides
PCR has informed its partners and constituents through its e-network
about methods of blocking international call exits of ordinary phone
lines to avoid undesirable outcomes of being charged for undelivered
services and received positive feedback for this activity.
Since October 2005, PCR was open for consumers who were willing to
appeal against the bills presented to them. During six months PCR
has received 32 appeals.
PCR was not the only organization trying to protect deceived consumers,
several other civil society organizations as well several deputies
of the National Assembly joint their efforts to advocate for
telecommunication consumers. Taking into consideration the amount
of consumers’ appeals the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission
formed a working group to study the problem, which also included
representatives of various civil society organizations, as well as
PCR’s representative.
Examinations made by the working group showed that even specialists of
“Armentel” CJS at the company’s headquarters did not succeed to access
those foreign web-sites from where damaged files supposedly enter
subscribers’ computers, as well as it was proved that the methods
of blocking international call exits of phone lines provided in
“Armentel’s” information brochures did not function properly.
Even though this issue has become a public concern number of “Armentel”
subscribers who received outrageous bills kept growing. In order to
solve the problem PCR prepared a civil suit against “Armentel” CJS
on the behalf of 32 plaintiffs who have appealed to PCR. Before the
case went to court good news came from “Armentel” CJS. At the meeting
held on May 5th, 2006 the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission
decided to accept “Armentel” CJS’s suggestion, as an expression of
good will, of disregarding bills generated as a result of internet
access through telephone lines of those subscribers who have presented
a written appeal to “Armentel” CJS from November 2004 to April 1st,
2006. Those subscribers who have already paid their bills will have
a chance to make international calls according to the amount they
have paid beforehand. “Armentel” CJS is to inform all subscribers
about this decision until May 13th, 2006, also the company received
a recommendation from the Public Services Regulatory Commission
to consider the opportunity of including into the list all those
subscribers who have appealed in written form to “Armentel” CJS from
April 1st,2006 until May 5th, 2006.
The problem is not completely solved with this decision; meanwhile at
least rights of numerous consumers will not be violated. PCR believes
that this can be called a victor for the efforts made by the civil
society organizations and appropriate state structures”.

EUROPE DAYS TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 13:37
Traditionally Europe celebrates May 9 as the day of birth of united
and peaceful Europe. On this occasion May 11-18 events dedicated
to the Europe Day will be held in Armenia at the initiative of the
European Movement.
Head of the European Movement in Armenia Viktor Yengibaryan told
“Arminfo” that the opening of the Days of Europe in Armenia will be
held at the Museum of Folk Arts.
The event will be attended by representatives of RA Government,
National Assembly, NGOs and educational establishments. Greeting
speeches will be delivered by Head of the European Movement in Armenia
Viktor Yengibaryan and representative of the Armenian delegation to
the European Commission Georg Miller.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress