Author: Emil Lazarian

SERGE SARGSIAN APPRECIATES OSCE MINSK GROUP’S EFFORTS AND EXPRESSES HOPE THAT FINALLY THEY WILL YIELD DESIRABLE RESULTS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 13 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The current state
and prospects of Nagorno Karabakh settlement were discussed at the
April 13 meeting of Secretary of the National Security Council under
RA President, Defence Minister Serge Sargsian with OSCE Minsk Group
French Co-chair Bernard Fassier. As Noyan Tapan was informed by Colonel
Seyran Shahsuvarian, Spokesperson for RA Defence Minister, Minister
Serge Sargsian appreciated the efforts of the Minsk Group expressing
the hope that finally they will yield their desirable result.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

April 13, 2006 04:45:06 PM | <; Archive | <; Russian | < ot_news.html> Hot News |
<; Vacancies in Georgia | <; CENN | 13.4.2006 News From Georgia < > >>

What Is this: Criminal Lobbyism or Incompetence?

Under such title on April 5, 2006 Entrepreneurs Party held press conference
in the building of State Parliament of Georgia.
The theme of press conference was duty on natural resources usage.

On December 29, 2004 Georgian Law on Duty for Natural Resources Usage
entered into force. At the same time the parallel amendment was made in the
Law on Basis of Duty System (06.02.1998) that was necessary as the law
forbids any kind of duty that is not listed in it.

On March 25, 2005 from the basis law sub item on Duty for Natural Resources
Usage was removed. Now, under the government initiative parliament was
presented proposal on amendment in Law on Basis of Duty System. To the fifth
article of the mentioned law will be added sub item on – Natural Resources
Usage that as it was already mentioned has been removed in 2005 year.

As Zurab Tkemaladze, leader of the opposition Industrialists party, declared
all the dues (that makes several million GEL) collected during this one year
are illegal and should be returned to entrepreneurs

All these amendments doubts that government either is lobbing certain
business or this is just results of Georgian government incompetence. Any
way, all this is at the expense of business, said Mr. Tkemaladze.

2006-04-06
Prepared by CENN
13.4.2006
News From < jan> Azerbaijan >>

Azerbaijani expert: BTC pipeline potential miliTary target for Iran

Source: The Messenger, 2006-04-06

“In case of US attack on Iran, says Egypt Al-Ahram newspaper, Iranian
missiles could strike the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The statement was
made by Azerbaijani military expert Uzeir Jafarov, re-ports Day.az. He added
that in case of US military operation against Iran Azerbaijan will not be
able to remain aloof.

“Even if Azerbaijani gives no consent to using its territory by US troops,
it should be not ruled out that Tehran, being in a desperate situation,
would strike objects of US economic interests in Azerbaijan: works in the
Caspian Sea, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline,” believes the military
expert.

It should be mentioned, last week the UN Security Council gave a month to
Iran for curtailing its nuclear program. Tehran responded immediately that
it would not stop uranium enrichment.”

13.4.2006
News From Armenia < > >>

ARMENIA AND “GASPROM” COMPLETE NEGOTIATIONS FOR TARIFF OF RUSSIAN GAS

Source: ArmInfo, 2006-04-05

Armenia and “Gazprom” completed negotiations for tariff of Russian gas. As a
result, they signed relevant agreement. An official of “Gazprom”, who wanted
to remain unknown, said this in the interview to “Liberty” Radio Station,
today.

According to him, Armenia agreed to hand 40 kilometers of Iran-Armenia gas
pipe line and the fifth energy block of Hrazdan TPP to “Gazprom” in exchange
to considerable decrease of tariff for Russian gas. The source refused to
tell the new tariff for gas, stating that “Gazprom” will make relevant
statement in the morning.

It’s worth mentioning that since April 1, 2006, “Gazprom” began selling gas
to Armenia at the new price that totaled to $110 for 1 thousand cubic
meters, but according to Aleksander Medvedev, deputy chairman of “Gazprom”
board, the given price is no final for Armenia. The unofficial sources State
that the tariff of gas for Armenia will amount to $68 for 1 thousand cubic
meters.

13.4.2006
International < tional> News
>>

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE TAKE AIM AT CLIMATE CHANGE

Source: ENS, 2006-04-04

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is ready to do battle with climate change.
Today he directed the California Environmental Protection Agency to host a
series of public presentations statewide to discuss recommendations to
combat global warming in the state’s Climate Action Team’s report, released
Monday. New legislation would set the nation’s first statewide limit on
greenhouse gas emissions.

13.4.2006
International < nce> Seminar /
Conference / Meeting >>

Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Develo pment
(EBRD)

We hope that you have received your invitation to attend the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development’s Annual Meeting on 21-22 May in London.

If you have not received the official invitation, please let us know and we
shall be happy to make the necessary arrangements in order for you to
register.

As always, NGO participation is free for two persons per organisation.
However, the Bank does not provide any financing related to participation.
Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of each organization.

Likewise, participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
Please remember to take the original letter of invitation with you to the
British Consulate when applying for a visa to United Kingdom. Information on
application forms, photographs and any other documents required for
applications is available at the various consulates.

This year the Annual Meeting will take place at the Hilton London Metropole
on Sunday 21 May and Monday 22 May, with the Business Forum starting at
09:00 on Sunday and the Board of Governors Session at 10:00 on Monday.

The deadline for pre-registration is 5 May, however we strongly recommend
that you register as soon as possible to avoid delay upon arrival at the
Annual Meeting venue in London. NGO representatives can register also online
at

We invite you to acknowledge by 21 April any specific topic or project you
would like to discuss at the Annual Meeting. This will help both you and
the Bank prepare for productive meetings, especially since the Annual
Meeting is spread over only two days. Since the Annual Meeting is in London
more EBRD staff will be available for one-to-one meetings and we are happy
to arrange these meetings for you.

Please let us know by 21 April, if you would like to have such a meeting and
on which particular topic or EBRD project. Please refer to the NGO
newsletters and our web pages for more information on projects and other
NGO-related topics at the following link

In order to help you plan your schedule at the Annual Meeting, the
provisional NGO programme is as follows:

Saturday: 14:00-16:00 – Sakhalin II, Phase 2 project

Sunday:

08:00-09:30 – Political Counsellors
10:00-11:00 – Public Information Policy
11:15-12:45 – Environment
12:45-13:30 – Working lunch
13:30-15:00 – Energy
15:30-17:00 – Board of Directors
17:30-18:30 – NGO reception

Monday

08:00-09:00 – Revenue Transparency and Production Sharing Agreements
10:00-11:30 – Infrastructure (Transport, Water and Waste)
12:00-13:00 – Project Evaluation
13:15-14:00 – Sandwich lunch
14:30-15:30 – Turnaround Management & Business Advisory Services

Tuesday
09:30-11:30 – Meeting with the President at EBRD Headquarters

Along with the main thematic panels, the Bank is holding a “Scenario
building” session which is designed to spark debate and identify drivers of
change that will affect the future of the EBRD region. It will be an open
exchange of ideas in small group discussions as well plenary, to allow
participants to network actively and engage with each other, while
contributing thinking that will help the EBRD plan ahead. The other panels,
which will most certainly benefit from your interest will be “Transition of
transition” and “Conserving the future: financing to fight climate change”.

The 2006 Country Promotion Programme will include for the first time a new
type of event: country update and networking sessions. Six countries have
chosen to hold country update and networking sessions (Albania, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia and Kazakhstan).

Your contact in London is:

Doina Caloianu
Manager of Outreach & NGO Relations, EBRD
Tel: +44 20 7338 6620 / Fax: +44 20 7338 6102
We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the EBRD’s Annual
Meeting 2006.

Outreach and NGO Relations team, European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development

13.4.2006
< ; Job / Internship / Study Opportunity >>

Master Programme

The School offers two Master Programs for the academic year 2006 / 2007:
The 10th International Master Program in Cooperation and Development;
The 6th International Master Program in Cooperation and International
Economic Integration.
For more detail information, please see – I
< df> taly-2006-2007.pdf.

13.4.2006
Grant/Tender < gt; >>

Municipal Development Fund of Georgia
Invitation for National Bidding Trade (Bidding)

Municipal Development Fund of Georgia announces tenders on the following
activities:

1. Kharagauli District Village Vani Secondary School Repairs;
2. Shuakhevi District Village Chvana Secondary School Repairs
3. Kharagauli District Village Ghoresha School Construction;
4. Kazbegi District,v. Kobi Water Supply System Reconstruction;
5. Kharagauli District Village Lashe School Repairs;
6. Ozurgeti District Village TV Tower Installation;
7. Shuakhevi District Village Shubani Secondary School Repairs;
8. Shuakhevi District Village Uchamaba Secondary School Repairs;
9. MDF Project II: Consulting Service (Expressions of Interest).
10.
MDF invites all interested persons to participate in the tenders.
For additional information, please see Tender
< oucement%20.zip> Announcement.
Municipal Development Fund of Georgia
Address: 7b, Yetim Gurjy st. 0105
Tel: (99532) 94 32 40, 94 29 47, 92 34 69, 92 34 70
Fax: (99532) 94 04 39
E-mail: [email protected]
web site: <; 13.4.2006 Announcement < ement> >>

Only Two Days!

Source: The Messenger, 2006-04-12

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia
would like to inform you on the 8th Internationals Tourism Fair of Silk Road
Countries, organized by Exhibition Center ExpoGeorgia on April 12-14, 2006.
On the event will be presented once inaccessible but now opened to everyone
the Georgian protected areas that for travelers looking for a new outdoor
destination is truly unique.

The Georgia protect areas offers everything for the savvy traveler-from
ancient village life, as it has been for hundred of years, to hospitable
mountain people serving glorious Georgian food and wine to old Georgian
architecture to an amazing array of truly untouched nature such as
mountainous landscape, rivers and the only badlands in all of Europe.

For more information, please visit:

<; <; Address: 118, Tsereteli ave., 0119a, Tbilisi Georgia 13.4.2006 Subscribing Information CENN lists are created to maintain e-mail discussions of Caucasus Environmental NGO Network members. CENN has been distributing information since 1998. All the published digests and bulletins issued in both English and Russian languages present incredibly rich environmental information base that give the reader the whole picture of the environmental process taking place during the recent 5 years in the South Caucasus region as well as abroad. To subscribe or unsubscribe from CENN mailing list service, please send an email to [email protected] and place the “subscribe” or
“unsubscribe” command as the first line of the message body.

If you would like the information about your organization and activities to
be distributed via the CENN mailing lists (the current number of CENN
mailing list members represents 11049), if you want your voice to be heard
around the world, please send your information at the following email:
[email protected].

For more information about the program, please visit CENN web-page:

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network 2006
< l?abkhazia&0&digest>
BannerDots Network
< pl?digest>

CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel:+995 32 75 19 03/04
Fax:+995 32 75 19 05
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: <; From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mr. Viken L.Attarian
Chairman
AGBU Montreal Inc.
805 Manoogian street
Ville St-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5
Tel: 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307
E-mai;: [email protected]
Website:
AGBU MONTREAL CENTENNIAL INAUGURAL EVENT AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS
Montreal, April 10, 2006 – On Friday April 7, 2006 AGBU Montreal inaugurated
its centennial celebrations with a unique event in the presence of the great
Canadian opera diva, Ms. Isabel Bayrakdarian and her talented pianist
husband, Mr. Serouj Krajian. Ms. Bayrakdarian is an internationally renowned
opera superstar whose credits include the soundtrack of the Oscar winning
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Ms. Bayrakdarian and Mr. Krajian
jointly won the 2006 Juno Award for best Classical Album of the Year.
The event started with a special cocktail reception in the Demirdjian Hall,
for selected guests to meet the two great artists. Soon after, well over
300 attendees had filled the AGBU Jirair and Elise Dervishian hall to the
brim and there was standing room only all the way into the entrance hall.
The event was held under the auspices of the Primate of the Canadian
Diocese, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian. Attendees included many
community leaders and dignitaries, as well as Mr. Francesco Miele,
representing the Hon. Stephane Dion, Member of Parliament and leadership
candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada, Mr. Yvan Bordeleau, Member of the
National Assembly of Quebec, Ms. Mary Deros and Ms. Nouchig Eloyan,
Counselors for the City of Montreal.
“This was certainly a top quality event and being a fan, I am extremely
thrilled to have met Ms. Bayrakdarian in person”, said Mr. John Mitchell,
who was representing Mountain Lake PBS of NY.
Mr. Viken L. Attarian, chairman of the chapter, thanked the attendees and
the organizers of the event. He outlined a brief history of how the AGBU
was founded and what its ongoing mission was, and he stressed the importance
of art and culture in the context of that mission. He then introduced the
guest artists and invited the audience to watch the Montreal premiere of the
unique documentary made about Ms. Bayrakdarian’s visit to Armenia in 2004 A
Long Journey Home.
After the screening, Ms. Bayrakdarian was presented with a special
centennial plaque in recognition of her showcasing of Armenian music and
culture. Isabel and Serouj then took the stage and graciously answered
several questions from the audience about their work and future projects.
The evening concluded with the word of His Eminence, Bishop Bagrat, who
focused on the pride created for Armenians by artists such as Isabel and
Serouj.
For further information, please contact the AGBU at 514-748-2428 or at
[email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x109
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April 13, 2006
NEW AGBU YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP HOSTS INAUGURAL EVENT IN BOSTON
Open House Draws Over 95 Armenian Professionals to AGBU Center in
Watertown

Watertown, MA – The latest addition to AGBU’s growing network of 14
Young Professionals (YP) Groups around the world, AGBU YP Boston
hosted its inaugural event-an Open House-on the evening of March 18,
2006, at the AGBU New England Center in Watertown, Massachusetts.
The kickoff event drew over 95 Armenians from the Boston area,
culminating in an evening of mingling, music and meze with guests
enjoying a variety of domestic and Armenian wine. Introducing an
artistic quality to the event, an exhibition of contemporary paintings
by YP Boston Co-Chair Garo Arakelian was also on display on the
spacious second floor. The evening continued with guests
enthusiastically completing questionnaires citing ideas for future
activities and volunteering to serve on event committees.
Warmly welcoming guests to YP Boston’s opening event, Kim Yacoubian,
AGBU Central Office YP Liaison from New York, remarked that the city
of Boston will benefit greatly from a YP Group aimed at fulfilling the
mission of AGBU through original activities and events geared
specifically for young Armenian professionals.
Funds raised from the Open House will benefit a designated
AGBU-sponsored project in Armenia.
The AGBU Young Professionals of Boston are committed to preserving and
promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information on YP Boston,
please email [email protected].
For more information on AGBU and its Young Professionals Groups,
please visit the Programs section of
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

From: “Federatie Arm. Org. Nederland”
Subject: Armenian Genocide Commemoration in The Netherlands
Federation of Armenian Organisations in The Netherlands (FAON)
24 April Committee
for the recognition and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915
Address: Weesperstraat 91
2574 VS The Hague – The Netherlands
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Tel: +31-704490209
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Commemoration of the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915
organised by the 24 April Committee of the Federation of Armenian
Organisations of The Netherlands (FAON).
Commemoration on 23 April 2006 in Amsterdam
Date: Sunday 23 April 2006
Time: 2 pm
Place: Hofkerk ()
Linnaeushof 94 – 1098 KT Amsterdam
Programme: Khachatour Avetisian¹s Armenian Oratorium performed by the
Dutch choir Sophie’s Voice, other artistic performances
and speeches by, among others, Dutch Senator and former
burgomaster (mayor) of Amsterdam Ed van Thijn,
the winner of education prize 2005 of Centre for
Holocaust and Genocide Studies Dirk Roodzant and on
behalf of Armenian Students¹ Association Gladzor
Lilit Arakelian
Admission: Free
Commemoration on 24 April 2006 in Assen
Date: Monday 24 April 2006
Time: 2 pm
Place: Cemetery “De Boskamp” in Assen ( )
Boskamp 5 – Assen
Programme: Laying of wreaths at the Armenian monument,
Commemorative Ceremony
Recommending Committee:
Prof B. Bichakjian – Professor of French language and Culture, University of
Nijmegen
Drs. H. van Bommel – Dutch MP
Prof. Dr. W. J. van der Dussen – Professor of Cultural History and
Philosophy at Open University Netherlands
L. C. van Dijke – Public affairs VolkerWessels; ex-MP
Mrs. Drs. K.G. Ferrier – Dutch MP
Freek de Jonge – Dutch Comedian
Seth Gaaikema – Dutch Comedian
Mrs. Drs. F. Karimi – Dutch MP
Dr. Th. M. van Lint – Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian Studies,
University of Oxford
Mr. A. Rouvoet – Dutch MP
Drs. Paul Scheffer – Particular Professor of metropolitan problems,
University of Amsterdam, publicist
Mr. C. van der Staaij – Dutch MP
Drs. E. van Thijn – Dutch senator, former Mayor of Amsterdam
Prof. J. Weitenberg – Professor of Armenology, University of Leiden.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA HAS SERIOUS PROSPECTS TO BECOME A DESERT
A1+
[01:31 pm] 13 April, 2006
According to the global meteorological station forecasts the global
temperature will increase by 1.7 (minimum) and 5 – 8 (maximum)
degrees. According to our meteorologists the temperature will increase
by 1.7 degree C in Armenia.
The “Armenian State Hydro-Meteorological Service” foresees that this
global warming will result in certain environmental changes. Mainly
the cases of freezing will double, the rains will decrease by 10%,
and the aridity will become a frequent phenomenon.
“There is already a trend of aridity increase in Armenia. The
observations held by the year 2002 testify to this,” says the
Vice-Director of the “Armenian State Hydro-Meteorological Service”
Hamlet Melkonyan. But he adds that the further observations were
stopped as there were not financial means.
The temperature increase will have its side effects on Lake Sevan. It
will lose 140 million liters drinking water in case the water level
increases by 1 degree.
We shall also have a loss of river waters by 15%.
Thus, Armenia will encounter the problem of water lack. The survey
made by the year 2004 revealed that the temperature increase also
accelerated the process of making the country wilderness.
The forecast of the world experts shows that the global warming will
have a larger scale than the climate changes of the last 10 000
years. Today many documents have been signed in order to decrease
the index of the threat. The Kioto treaty was made in 1997 by which
the developed countries are to curtail the waste of 6 main greenhouse
exhaust gases by 5%. By the way, the USA has the top scores with the
quantity of waste, and then come China, Russia and other developed
countries.
“The level of exhaust waste in Armenia is rather low in comparison
with other countries; it hasn’t even reached the 1990 year level. The
greenhouse gases are directly proportional to the economic prosper;
we don’t have a developed economy,” claims Hamlet Melkonyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA TO SUBSTITUTE GEORGIA IN RUSSIAN WINE MARKET
1 5:27 04/13/2006
Chairman of the Armenian Wine-Makers Union Avak Arutyunyan has
commented to a REGNUM correspondent on ban of Georgian and Moldavian
wine imports. He called the decision made by the Russian authorities
a rightful one. As he says, ” the Russian authorities should care,
first of all, about health of their citizens.”
As the expert believes, decision of the Russian authorities will be
“a severe blow to the economies of Georgia and Moldavia, as 25-30%
of GDP of these countries was secured exactly on the account of
wine-making.” “The parties can reach a compromise, if, of course,
the political aspect is settled. Actually, the issue of banning wine
exports contains two aspects, a technological and a political one,
and the latter is not predominant.”
Speaking about substitutes for banned Georgian wines, Arutyunyan
said Armenia could profit from the situation in the Russian market:
“In this case, Armenia can substitute Georgia, but we have a serious
rival in the person of France, and the Armenian government should at
this stage take immediate decisions and support Armenian wine-makers.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MORE THAN 16 THOUSAND DEPOSITORS IN GUGARK TO GET COMPENSATION TILL LATE THIS YEAR
Noyan Tapan
Apr 12 2006
VANADZOR, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The process of giving compensation for
the monitary deposits put in the “Armsavingbank” up to June 10, 1993,
starts on April 12. As Noyan Tapan was informed by Samvel Mkrtchian,
the Deputy Chief of the Social Security Service of Vanadzor, according
to preliminary data, in the city of Vanadzor and in 21 villages of the
region of Gugark, 16028 people involved in lists of people getting
benefits since July, 2005, will get compensation. It was mentioned
that a special duty shift with a movable schedule is defined at
the center of the service, and inspectors of the service will serve
inhabitants of rural communities at place. Paying money to that group
of depositors is envisaged to start from August and end late this year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

68 FIRST YEAR STUDENTS STUDY AT CORRESPONDENCE COURSES OF VANADZOR BRANCH OF AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY
Noyan Tapan
Apr 12 2006
VANADZOR, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Courses in the directions of the
“System of Land Tenure and Land-Survey,” “Accountancy and Audit,”
“Veterinary Sanitary Examination” specialities started in the newly
opened department of correspondence courses of the Vanadzor Branch
of the State Agrarian University of Armenia. As Alexander Hakobian,
the acting Director of the branch, a candidate of agrarian sciences
informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, 68 first year students are
involved in the department. According to him, during the next academic
year, besides the above-mentioned specialities, it’s envisaged to
hold entrance in the direction of the “Forest Economy and Planting
of Greenery in Settlements,” “Livestock Farming,” “Agronomy,”
“Mechanization of Agriculture,” “Milk and Dairy Produce Technology,”
specialities. A.Hakobian mentioned that everything is done to organize
at the branch the courses corresponding to the modern educational
standards. According to him, existence of a qualified lecturers’ staff
and corresponding material-technical basis is a hopeful guarantee
for the educational institution becomes a good smithy for preparing
qualified specialists for the agriculture of the region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

15 VILLAGES OF TAVUSH TO BE ABLE TO USE SERVICES OF INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CONNECTION
Noyan Tapan
Apr 12 2006
IJEVAN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Works are implemented by “ArmenTel” in
15 rural communities of the marz of Tavush, for the local subscribers
are able to make use of the international telephone connection. 7 of
those villages are in the region of Noyemberian, and 5 ones are in
the region of Ijevan. At present inhabitants of the cities of Ijevan,
Berd, Dilijan, Noyemberian and of the village of Koghb have possibility
to make use of that service.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress