Author: Emil Lazarian

EXCHANGE OF FIRE IN NORTH AND SOUTH OF KARABAKH REGION
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
March 29 2006
On March 28 at 8:35 p.m. Armenian troops fired on Azerbaijani army
positions from Geyakh village in the Terter region.
>From 11:10 to 11:40 p.m. Armenian troops fired on Azerbaijani army
positions near Jojug Marjanly village in the Jabrail region.
On March 29 from 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. Armenian troops fired on Azerbaijani
positions from Jerabert village in the Terter region.
The Azerbaijani side has opened return fire, casualties are not
reported by Defense Ministry’s press office.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PERSPECTIVES OF IRAN GAS – SOUTH PARS AS GLOBAL ENERGY FACTOR
Regnum, Russia
March 29 2006
Perspectives of Iran gas extraction and transit, in particular,
current stage of realization of the Southern Pars project, as well
as international and regional political and economic tendencies,
connected with it, were presented by Deputy Director of Noravank
Scientific-Educational Fund Sevak Sarukhanyan on March 28 in Yerevan.
As a REGNUM correspondent informs, several Armenian experts and
analysts were present at the event.
According to Sarukhanyan, by the end of 2004, proven gas reserves
totaled 7.1 trillion of cubic meters in South and Central America,
7.32 trillion m³ – in North America, 14.06 trillion m³ – in Africa,
14.21 trl m³ – in Asian-Pacific region, 64.02 trl m³ – in Europe
and Eurasia, and finally 72.83 trl m³ – in Middle East. At the same
time, 28.5%, 15.2%, and 14.1% of world energy balance correspondingly
fall on Russia, Iran, and Qatar. Accordingly, parts of Russia, Iran,
and Qatar in world gas export vary near 34%, 1%, and 1%.
Meanwhile, as Sarukhanyan stressed, gas usage will triple in the EU
by 2020. According to the expert, such drastic rise of the fuel’s
consumption will be accompanied by sharp reducing of gas extraction
in Norway, and little by little strengthening of the Russian monopoly
concerning Turkmen and Uzbek gas transit to Europe. According to
Sarukhanyan, increasing of Russian gas supply to Europe will be
accompanied by diversification of its transit routes. During the
next 15-20 years, big part of Russian gas will be supplied to Europe
through three main routs: 120-150 billion m³ – through Ukraine, 50-70
billion m³ – through the North-European pipeline, 50-70 billion m³ –
through Norwegian pipeline system, taking into consideration decreasing
of gas production in Norway. In context of signing Russian-Chinese
agreements, Russia will, according to the expert, direct considerable
part of the Russian gas from Siberia to China.
“Even, if to take into consideration possible increase of Russian gas
to EU, European ‘negative’ gas balance will reach 150 billion m³ by
2025,” believes the Armenian expert.
According to his prognosis, solving problem of missing gas, Europe
has chosen Iranian South Pars project. It is known as world biggest
natural gas deposit, which may be connected with Europe by pipeline.
According to Sarukhanyan, South Pars contains huge gas reserves of
best quality, which are still uncontrolled by USA, Russia, and China.
According to the presentation’s information, 8 South Pars’ sections
are completely ready; every one produces 25 million m³ per day.
Annual production at these 8 sections totals 73 billion m³.
Mentioning rival projects of Iranian gas export, the Deputy Director
of Noravank Fund conditionally named them the ‘West’ and the ‘East’
ones. West Project is route Iran-Turkey (South Caucasus)-Europe, East
Project – Iran-Pakistan-India. Actually, according to Sarukhanyan,
Pakistan and India together pretend to 40 billion m³ of Iranian gas,
and Europe – to 150 billion m³. “Politicization of the question is
caused by fact that behind Iran and Pakistan stands threatening shadow
of Chinese People’s Republic, which is pretending to the lion’s share
of Iranian gas by 2020. The USA is worried by Chinese strategy of
energy import, based on two fundamental principles: seller of oil
and gas guaranties stability of supplies, and buyer (i.e. China)
guarantees their security at whole route. It naturally strengthens
military-economically China and Shanghai Organization of Cooperation
in regions of supply and transit”, stated the expert.
What does Iran want, asked he himself? According to Sarukhanyan,
basically Iran prefers European market, because EU countries are
ready to buy gas at European prices. As for Pakistan and India, they
suggested Iranian side making long-term agreement on gas supply
at fixes prices, which basically does not satisfy Iran. At the
same time, Iran skillfully uses the East Project in order to have
additional arguments in his European policy, as well as in talks on
nuclear problems. From other point, characterizing US position on
the question, Sarukhanyan stressed, energy strategies of US and EU
fundamentally differ. It was obviously demonstrated by the American
way of Iranian problem’s solution. “It is more favorable for the USA,
when Europe consumes Russian gas, but not Iranian one. From the other
side, US general aim is not to allow Iranian gas to get into China.
American-Indian agreement on construction nuclear reactors, aimed
at decreasing India’s energy needs, may be connected with the fact”,
stated he.
Mentioning perspectives of Iran-Armenia-Georgia-Ukraine-Europe route,
Sarukhanyan pointed out, construction of new pipeline in Ukrainian
territory would be very expensive. It will take from $35 billion up
to $40 billion, because 90% of existing infrastructure are used for
transit of the Russian gas. Hypothetical transit incomes of Armenia and
Turkey, for transition of Iranian gas, may approximately total $160
million for Armenia (in case of transit of 50 billion m³ annually),
and for Turkey up to $4 billion (in case of transit of 150 billion
m³ annually), according to the expert.
–Boundary_(ID_qJRhl6Z8KysmKNlec5TWZw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGIAN PRESIDENT, ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL RELATIONS
Arka News Agency, Armenia
March 29 2006
Yerevan, March 29. /ARKA/. Georgian President Mikhail Sahakashvili
and RA Ambassador to Armenia Hrach Silvanyan discussed the prospects
of developing bilateral relations.
The press and information department, RA Foreign Office, reports that
during the meeting Ambassador Silvanyan presented his credentials to
the Georgian President.
Before being appointed RA Ambassador to Georgia, Hrach Silvanyan
worked as RA Ambassador to Ukraine.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“GERMANY AND ARMENIA: 1914-1918” COLLECTION OF DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENTS BY JOHANNES LEPSIUS PUBLISHED IN ARMENIAN FOR FIRST TIME
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the occasion of
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide the History Institute of
RA National Academy of Sciences continues to publish works dedicated
to the Armenian Genocide. The “Germany and Armenia: 1914-1918”
collection of diplomatic documents by Johannes Lepsius has been
published in Armenian and Wolfgang Gust’s “Armenian Genocide” has
been published in Russian this year. The collection of documentary
materials by J.Lepsius that was published in Armenian for the first
time is one of the most important evidences of the genocide committed
by the Turkish government towards the Armenian people. The collection
contains secret reports of German ambassadors, consuls, diplomatic,
military representatives, which openly present the whole essence of
the Turkish government’s anti-Armenian policy. The documents were
translated from German by Valentina Minalian. She wrote in the book’s
preface that “numerous reports make certain the Turkish methods and
purpose – to exterminate the 2-million Armenian population of the
Ottoman Empire. Already in 1915 July 7 German Ambassador Wagenhaim
confessed on the basis of the reports presented to him that the
Turkish government indeed pursues the goal to exterminate the whole
Armenian nation in the Turkish Empire”. The second volume of “Germany
and Armenia: 1914-1918” collection of diplomatic documents by Johannes
Lepsius will be published in 2007. The work by W.Gust, editor of the
“Schpigel” well-known German magazine, also presents official documents
and materials kept in German archives. W.Gust continued J.Lepsius’
work and found out that the number of documents on Armenian Genocide
kept in German archives is more than 3000. To recap, W.Gust carries
out huge work in the direction of the international recognition and
condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. For this purpose he created
the web site containing documents on Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1918, kept in German archives.

GEORGIA IS ON THE VERGE OF SPLIT
by Irakly Gelashvili
Source: Rossiiskie Vesti, No. 11, March 23-29, 2006, p. 6
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
March 29, 2006 Wednesday
Tbilisi Plays The Dzhavakhetia Card; The Problem Of Dzhavakhetia Poses
A Threat To Georgia’S Security; Dzhavakhetia is another potential
hot spot on the Georgian map.
Residents of the region protest against the withdrawal of the Russian
military base.
The problem of Dzhavakhetia, which is inhabited by Armenian, poses
a serious geopolitical threat to Georgia. Incidents happen in this
region from time to time. A conflict between Georgians and Armenians
recently happened in Tsalka. One Armenian was killed.
Those who understand the mechanism and nature of ethnic conflicts in
the South Caucasus know that the matter concerns a qualitative change
of relations between residents of Dzhavakhetia and Tbilisi. Social
organizations support the federative structure of Georgia.
Dzhavakhetia is a region in the south of Georgia, which borders Turkey
and Armenia. Expert Alexei Vashenko said that the region plays a
very important role in Georgia’s geopolitical destiny. He noted:
“Dzhavakhetia could become a hot spot in the late 1980s. Armenia
established the Karabakh committee, which sought to restore Great
Armenia. The committee made decisions concerning the armed struggle.
Ass a result of voting the committee decided to start in Karabakh;
not Dzhavakhetia.”
Georgia faced a lot of ethnic problems after 1991. Abkhazia and the
South Ossetia became independent. Azerbaijanians defended their rights
in the east of the republic.
Saakashvili understands the challenges of the time. What does he do?
Firstly, he appoints Georgian officials in this region and tried to
merge Dzhavakhetia with neighboring regions inhabited by Georgians. A
branch of the Georgian University opened in Akhalkalaki in order
to integrate Armenian young people into Georgian society. All this
irritates Armenians. A serious conflict happened in the region last
year. Armenian customs officers were replaced with Georgian on the
border between Georgia and Armenia. At present, Armenia social forces
organize actions of protest against the withdrawal of the Russian
military base from this region. They note that the base created almost
2,000 jobs. Georgia tries to convince residents of Dzhavakhetia that
unemployment does not threaten them.
(…)

‘I WILL USE MY AWARD TO PAY TRAFFIC FINE’
by Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
March 28, 2006 Tuesday
Dubai: Care on the roads paid off for 12 drivers who were rewarded
with Dh750 each after being spotted by the Caltex RoadStar team on
the third day of the annual safety campaign.
One winner, Virginia Marutyan from Armenia, said she will use some
of the money to pay a traffic fine.
“I know I have received this reward for being a safe driver, but I have
one traffic fine that I will pay for with this money,” Marut-yan said.
She said it was good to see a motor sports federation carrying out
such a campaign to make drivers aware of safe driving.
Other lucky winners wanted to share their happiness and cash with
needy people. “I will give some of the money I won to charity because
happiness grows by sharing,” said Abdul Wahid, an Indian working as
an input assistant.
“I never expected to be a winner, although I have read about the
campaign in Gulf News, but I feel such campaigns are lessons for
motorists that good behaviour on the roads is safe as well as
rewarding,” he said.
Abdul Latif Mohammad from India, said “I was scared because I thought
the police were going to fine me for something I did wrong. But I am
happy and will send this money back home.”
“I was not familiar with the campaign and was really scared when
the police pulled me over, but it is a nice feeling and I will tell
my friends about this campaign,” said Mohammad Khan, who has been
driving for five years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND BELARUSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRIES HELD IN MINSK
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 29 2006
MINSK, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Consultations between
the Armenian and Belarusian Foreign Ministries were held on March
28. During the consultations held at the departmental level the sides
registered the high level of Armenia-Belarus relations, outlined the
prospects of development of cooperation in different spheres. As Noyan
Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department, during the discussions in a business atmosphere the sides
reached agreements on implementation of program of bilateral events in
2006, including organization of official visits, holding of the 7th
sitting of the Intergovernmental Commission of Economic Cooperation,
cooperation within the framework of international organizations,
including UN and CIS, buildings of Armenian and Belarusian Embassies
in Minsk and Yerevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALEXANDER SPENDIARIAN’S 135th AND A.SPENDIARIAN MUSIC SCHOOL’S 75th ANNIVERSARIES TO BE MARKED IN EARLY APRIL
Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. A number of jubilee events will be
organized in coming days on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of
great composer Alexander Spendiarian and 75th anniversary of Yerevan
music school named after him. As school Director Samvel Sahakian
informed at the March 29 press conference, the events will start on
March 31 and will be completed on April 13.
The music school pupils together with the Armenian State Chamber
Orchestra will have concerts at the Aram Khachatrian concert hall and
A.Spendiarian National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. It was
mentioned that Yerevan Mayor’s Office has allocated 2 mln drams (4.4
thousand USD) for the purpose of holding these events. Currently more
than 500 pupils attend A.Spendiarian music school that formerly had
more than 5000 leavers. Arno Babajanian, Edvard Mirzoyan, Alexander
Haroutiunian, Edgar Hovhannisian, Ghazaros Sarian and others are
among the leavers of this school. According to S.Sahakian, today the
country’s music schools are in a sad condition. As he mentioned,
they received a sufficient amount of financing from the state in
the Soviet years, while today these sums are miserable. Therefore,
the number of both the teachers and the pupils has reduced. It
was also mentioned that these schools haven’t been repaired and
heated for more than 30 years, as a result of which the musical
instruments spoil. “The amounts of dotations given by the state to
the comprehensive schools are gradually increasing but they almost
don’t involve music schools. Therefore, we should either raise the
payment for studies or make reductions. However, in both cases we
will have great losses,” S.Sahakian mentioned.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AAA WELCOMES SENATE LEGISLATION OPPOSING RAILROAD THAT BYPASSES ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 29 2006
WASHINGTON, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Senators Rick
Santorum (R-PA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced on March 28 a
major bill (S. 2461) in the U.S. Senate that would bar assistance for
a proposed $800 million railway that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Turkey while bypassing Armenia. The legislation, known as the South
Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, was introduced shortly
after participants of the Armenian Assembly of America’s National
Conference met with senior staff representing Senators Santorum
and Menendez – both longtime supporters of Armenian issues. The
three-day National Conference was co-hosted by the AGBU and Eastern
and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church. “United States policy in
the South Caucasus seeks to foster regional stability and enhanced
cooperation, and includes open borders and transport corridors,”
Santorum told the Assembly. “The proposed rail link would not only
undermine U.S. long-term goals for the region, but serves to isolate
Armenia. Efforts to foster economic integration and reduce the risk
of further tensions are in the best interests of the United States
and the South Caucasus.” Menendez, echoing Santorum, added that
“the sole aim of this costly project is to further isolate Armenia
by enhancing the ongoing Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades. I look
forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and members of
the Armenian-American community to block U.S. financial support of
this rail project.” “We commend the leadership of Senators Santorum
and Menendez for this Senate initiative to prohibit funding for
this ill-conceived route, which not only thwarts U.S. policy goals,
but is also a continuation of Azerbaijan’s blockade plus strategy
to marginalize Armenia, which we cannot allow,” said Assembly
Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “The realization
of this legislation is a testament to the grassroots activism
exemplified throughout this National Conference.” Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev told an Azeri news agency last summer that,
“We are currently working on a new project – a new rail road
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku..If we succeed with this project,
the Armenians will end in complete isolation, which would create
an additional problem for their future, their already bleak
future…” Armenian government officials have repeatedly said that
a new costly railway is unnecessary given that a railroad linking
Armenia, Georgia and Turkey already exists. The existing Kars-Gyumri
route is in working condition and could be operational within
weeks. Senator Santorum has consistently supported Armenian issues. He
is a strong proponent of U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide
and a cosponsor of S. Res. 320, the Armenian Genocide resolution. In
2000, he also urged the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign
Operations to direct economic aid to Armenia, to provide the timely
delivery of humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh and maintain
Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Santorum currently serves on
the powerful Senate Finance Committee and is Chairman of the Senate
Republican Conference where he directs the communications operations
of the Senate Republicans and is the third-ranking member of the
leadership. His colleague, Senator Menendez, is a longstanding advocate
of the Armenian-American community and a widely respected voice on
foreign policy. During his tenure in the House of Representatives,
Menendez helped secure robust U.S. humanitarian, technical and
developmental assistance for Armenia, while continuing to push for
sustained humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh. Menendez has
also repeatedly fought for U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, by publicly commemorating this crime against humanity,
co-sponsoring legislation that would properly recognize the events
and urging President Bush, as well as his predecessors, to accurately
characterize the crimes as genocide. The Senate bill is modeled after
House Resolution 3361, which was introduced by Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with Caucus
Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA),
last year. The resolution currently has 77 cosponsors to date, and
is expected to garner additional supporters.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST ISSUE OF MONTHLY “ARCHITECTURE-CONSTRUCTION” PUBLISHED
Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The first issue of the illustrated
monthly “Archtecture-Construction” has been published. The periodical
is published by the Union of Architects and Builders of Armenia. The
monthly’s editor-in-chief is Volodya Kirakosian, former editor of
the montlies “Carat” and “Economy”.
The first 64-page issue of the monthly “Architecture-Construction”
came out in 500 copies, and contains information about the 50-year
path passed by the Armproject Institute and its achievements, the new
solutions proposed by the Armenian architects, the modern approaches
in design, some construction organizations and new technologies,
and the benefactors the architecture and construction spheres.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress