Author: Emil Lazarian

SEVAN-HRAZDAN CASCADE FIGURES RELEASED
International Water Power and Dam Construction, UK
Oct 14 2005
The Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade in Armenia generated 475MkWh of
hydroelectricity in the first nine months of this year, unchanged
as compared with the same period in 2004, according to the Interfax
news agency.
Full-year production this year is expected to reach 510MkWh, as
compared with 532.5MkWh in 2004.
Armenia’s public services commission is considering a request by the
International Energy Corporation (IEC) to acquire a US$24M loan from
Germany’s KfW bank for the modernisation of the Yerevan hydro electric
pant, which is part of the Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade.
The IEC, which is part of Russia’s Unified Energy Systems (UES), must
receive permission from the public services commission to receive
the loan under Armenia’s energy legislation.
The IEC was established in May 2003 to operate the Sevan-Hrazdan
Cascade. The Cascade, which has a total installed capacity of 556MW,
comprises six hydroelectric power plants built in the 1930-1962 period.
;storyCode=2031823
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WITH THE DEVELOPMENT GOAL OF ARMENIAN-UKRAINIAN TIES
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Oct 14 2005
On October 13 RA NA President Artur Baghdasaryan received Oleksandr
Bozhko, the newly appointed Ambassador plenipotentiary and
extraordinary of the Republic of Ukraine to Armenia.
During the meeting the development issues of Armenian-Ukrainian
inter-parliamentary and interstate relations were discussed. Mr.
Bozhko expressed his gladness on the occasion of being re-appointed
an ambassador in Armenia and noted that the development of the
ties between two parliaments will be in the basis of his diplomacy
mission. By the Ambassador’s estimation the two countries have chosen
the way of Euro Integration and have a great impetus for mutual
promotion, especially the legislative experience of Armenia can
be useful for Ukraine on its way to become a member of World Trade
Organization. The Ukrainian experience will help Armenia in the sense
of the constitutional reforms. The cooperation was also mutually
highlighted in the sense of deepening the trade-economic ties. The
Ambassador presented the Parliament President the inter-political
situation of Ukraine.
During the meeting they touched upon the constitutional reforms of
Armenia, Mr. Bozhko highlighted the adoption of the reforms, as a
response, the NA President noted that the referendum day is already
fixed on November 27,and there are all preconditions that through
pan-democratic agreement Armenia will make a step forward on the
way of deepening the democracy and Euro-Integration. The Parliament
President highlighted the strengthening of the ties of the Supreme
Rada with the National Assembly and the cooperation at new level –
already at the inter-parliamentary level.
During the meeting they also touched upon other issues of mutual
interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SYNOPSIS BUYS SHARES OF HPL COMPANY
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily #185
14/10/2005
Synopsis, which functions in Armenia since last year, has recently
declared that it is going to buy the shares of HPL company paying $
13 million for them. 350 engineers and 150 students work at “Synopsis
Armenia.” HPL company was founded in 1995, in Armenia and was the first
branch among the foreign companies working in Armenia. Richard Goldman,
head of “Synopsis Armenia,” said that they created a very comfortable
atmosphere for the companies dealing with informational technologies.
Hovik Musaelian, executive head of “Synopsis Armenia,” said that it’s
quite a normal phenomenon when a leading company merges with another
one in the market of competition. He emphasized the importance of
this case for Armenia from the aspect of the regional developments.
Synopsis works out technologies that would avert drawbacks in
producing.
Today, the production period lasts 18-20 months. The new approaches
and the experience elaborated and accumulated by HPL will allow
shorten this period.
Rich Goldman hopes that this deal will make the work of “Synopsis”
more effective, as they will use the unique technologies of HPL and
the talented team of specialists. Brain Golden, deputy head of HPL,
expressed hope that Synopsis will become very competitive in the
world and create new jobs in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGIAN SECTION OF BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE OPENS
AZG Armenian Daily #185
14/10/2005
On October 12, the leaders of Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan
witnessed the opening of the Georgian section of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline.
According to Novosti agency, President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia
emphasized that the pipeline is firstly of political importance. “The
importance of Georgia grows on the world map. Next year, we’ll have
a gas pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum) that will also contribute to
Georgia’s economic and energetic independence,” Saakashvili said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LEVITIN: RAO UES WILL FURTHER PROMOTE ENERGY GRIDS OF ARMENIA
Pan Armenian
14.10.2005 00:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The matter of RAO UES participation in development
of energy grids of Armenia was discussed in the course of meetings
of Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission for
Economic Cooperation, Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitinwith
Armenian President and PM, Levitin reported at a Press briefing in
Yerevan today. He reported RAO UES is a participant of an energy
holding, operating in Armenia. RAO UES will continue dealing with
development of energy grids and generation of additional electric
power, he also confirmed. “As of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the matter
was also discussed and we understand Armenian party’s actions. I
consider these logical and correct in the situation that is available
between Gazprom and RAO UES and the Armenian party,” I. Levitin stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU ENVOY HOPES FOR “BREAKTHROUGH” IN ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER PROBLEM
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
Yerevan, 13 October, ARMINFO: The opening of the borders with Armenia
does not only arise from Turkey’s economic interests but also from the
interests of the European Union [EU], the head of the EU delegation in
Armenia and Georgia, Torben Holtze, has told an Arminfo correspondent.
He said that Turkey also realizes the necessity of opening borders
with Armenia and the frequent statements by Turkish representatives
on a need for lifting the blockade of the borders show this. The
envoy expressed the hope that a “breakthrough” will be marked in the
opening of the Armenian-Turkish borders within the next six months.
“I think we shall soon eyewitness the opening of the Armenian-Turkish
borders despite the fact that this is a very complicated and even an
emotional issue,” Holtze said.
He pointed out that the EU is making every effort for the establishment
of the regional cooperation and is not only interested in the
opening of the Armenian-Turkish but also the Armenian-Azerbaijani
borders. Nevertheless, he said that for the time being, we cannot
say that the Armenian-Turkish borders are fully closed as flights
between Yerevan and Istanbul are regular and Turkish lorries deliver
goods to Armenia via Georgia or the other way round.

TRIAL OF SOLDIER COOPERATED WITH ARMENIAN INTELLIGENCE STARTED
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005
BAKU, OCTOBER 13. ARMINFO. Preparatory hearing on the soldier Zaur
Veisov, who served in the military unit in Tovuz garrison located on
the Armenian border, started yesterday at the Court for War Crimes
under chairmanship of judge Mamedbagir Zeynalov. He is charged with
Article 274 (high treason) and 338.1 (violation of the rule military
duty).
“In the summer 2004 he was recruited by the Armenian intelligence.
Armenians were holding him during one hour and forced him to work
for Armenian intelligence and supply them with military information
using violence and blackmail. They also gave him $1,000. Later on the
soldier provided military information to Armenians while on duty. One
of the soldiers noticed that and informed commander. Veisov confessed
to the commander, but the commander took away $1,000 from him and asked
him to keep silence. The soldier continued providing information to
Armenian intelligence. After a certain period the soldiers informed
higher command about this fact. The soldier has again confessed to the
high command, but they failed to inform higher instances. After several
months security services arrested Zaur Veisov and instituted a criminal
case against him in June 2005. Trial will be closed and about 20
people will be interrogated as witnesses,” the 252th newspaper reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
October 13, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION CONTINUES TO MOUNT AGAINST
CAUCASUS RAILROAD PROPOSAL THAT BYPASSES ARMENIA
— European Commission Rules Out Support for Turkish
Railroad Proposal that would Institutionalize
Turkey’s Closed Border with Armenia
WASHINGTON, DC – The European Commission has added its voice to the
growing international opposition to a Caucasus railroad proposal by
the Turkish government that would, if built, institutionalize
Turkey’s border closure with Armenia, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
The Commission’s position was articulated this week by the
Directorate General for Transport and Energy. In explaining why
the European Union would not support the creation of this rail
line, the Directorate noted that its construction was both
unnecessary and inefficient in light of the existing railroad
connecting Kars, Gyumri, and Tbilisi. This line, which passes
through Armenia, was effectively shut down more than a decade ago
by Turkey’s imposition of its blockade of Armenia, which continues
to this day.
The Commission’s adoption of this position comes in response to a
May 21st letter from Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian to
Jacques Barrot, Deputy Chairman of the European Commission. In
this letter, the Foreign Minister outlined the destabilizing
implications of the proposed route bypassing Armenia, and stressed
the willingness of the government of Armenia to cooperate in the
reactivation of the existing Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway, which
remains fully functional but unused due to the unilateral Turkish
blockade.
“We welcome the wise position taken by the European Commission
against Turkey’s most recent effort to effectively institutionalize
its border closure with Armenia. The well founded concerns raised
by the Commission reflect and reinforce those being addressed in
the U.S. Congress by the South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “In
pressing forward so recklessly with this politically motivated
proposal, Turkey openly disregards the Administration’s repeated
calls to end its decade-long border closure with Armenia. Clearly,
this disregard must be recognized and reckoned with by the U.S.
Congress, which should, in the coming weeks, act in an urgent and
decisive manner to check Turkey’s growing indifference to U.S.
priorities in the region.”
On July 21st, Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
Frank Pallone (D-NJ), along with Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA),
introduced legislation addressing this issue by barring U.S.
financing for such rail projects circumventing Armenia. The ANCA
welcomed this bipartisan effort, noting that it would protect U.S.
taxpayers from subsidizing a totally unnecessary and regionally
destabilizing proposal by Turkey aimed at isolating Armenia. The
measure, known as the “South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act of 2005” (H.R.3361), currently has 39 House
cosponsors and is gaining support from both sides of the aisle.
The text of the legislation notes “the exclusion of Armenia from
regional economic and commercial undertakings in the South Caucasus
undermines the United States policy goal of promoting a stable and
cooperative environment in the region.” In its operative section,
the legislation prohibits U.S. assistance “to develop or promote
any rail connections or railway-related connections that do not
traverse or connect with Armenia, but do traverse or connect Baku,
Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey.” Specific forms of
U.S. assistance prohibited would include: foreign economic and
development aid, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Trade and
Development Agency, and the Export-Import Bank.
The ANCA raised this issue publicly as early as June 10th of this
year in a question to Foreign Minister Oskanian, during a briefing
at the National Press Club. Minister Oskanian expressed concern
that this would be a wasteful undertaking for the international
community. He said that they [Turkey] are “planning on spending
something from $600 million to $1 billion to put that railroad in
place.”
The Minister closed his comments, by stressing that, “This is in no
one’s interest – not the U.S. or European Union or the countries
involved. I have raised this issue with the Administration and
they understand, they promised to follow this, and to try to talk
them [the Turkish government] out of engaging in this type of
senseless, useless activity.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MEDIATORS TO VISIT THE REGION BY DECEMBER
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2005
Baku, October 12, AssA-Irada
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs mediating the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Upper Garabagh conflict are due to visit the region before December
after holding their own meetings, deputy foreign minister and the
President’s special envoy on the Upper Garabagh conflict Araz Azimov
said Wednesday.
He said the mediators will meet with Azeri and Armenian foreign
ministers separately within the summit of OSCE member states’ foreign
ministers in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana early in December.
“The meeting of the two ministers is not planned yet and it may
take place only if necessary.” said Azimov. He did not rule out that
the co-chairs will come up with new proposals during their visit to
the region.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A. AZIMOV: INDIVIDUAL APPROACH TO SOUTH CAUCASIAN STATES NOT TO SERVE EU INTERESTS
Pan Armenian
12.10.2005 23:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When commenting on the EU-South Caucasus relations
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov stated that
“theoretically the EU can demonstrate individual approach towards
the South Caucasian states, however it will not serve the interests
of the organization in the region, since the role, location, weight
and possibilities of Azerbaijan should be taken into account.” In
his words, the Azerbaijan-EU relations base first of all upon the
Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation.
Besides, Azimov noted, Azerbaijan is included in the EU New
Neighborhood Program and is an essential part of it. “Presently
EU members express various opinions on some issues, which can
result in postponement of the negotiations. In my opinion, these are
temporary political difficulties and the EU like Azerbaijan should be
interested in overcoming them within the shortest terms. This political
misunderstanding will be cleared up in the near future, for Azerbaijan
has always cooperated and will continue cooperation with the European
Union basing on the norm of jus gentium”, Araz Azimov stated. When
touching upon the relations between Baku and the Northern Cyprus,
the Azeri diplomat reminded that Azerbaijan has many times stated
that these relations are bound with “the humanitarian approach of
Azerbaijan towards the Cypriot problem. “A humanitarian element is
present here, however one should keep in mind that these ties are
exercised at an informal level and no conclusions should be made,”
Azimov resumed, Mediamax reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress