Author: Hambardsumian Paul

EU TO CONTRIBUTE TO ARMENIA-TURKEY RECONCILIATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.09.2008 14:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met
Sunday with EU Envoy for South Caucasus Peter Semneby to discuss the
recent regional development and Karabakh peace process, the RA MFA
press office told PanARMENIAN.Net.

At the guest’s request, Nalbandian briefed on the outcomes of Turkish
President’s visit to Armenia. "Armenia is willing to normalize
relations with Ankara to establish trust, stability and security in
the region," he said.

For his part, Mr Semneby said the European Union will contribute to
reconciliation between the two countries.

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul was in Yerevan on Sept. 6 to watch
a World Cup qualifier between the Armenian and Turkish national
teams. Before the match, the heads of state discussed possibilities to
normalize bilateral relations. "We hope we will be able to demonstrate
goodwill to solve the problems between our countries and not leave
them to future generations," Armenian President Sargsyan said after
the meeting.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Sept 8 2008

Turkey does the talking on the pitch

Turkish players (L) celebrate one of their goals against Armenia
during their 2010 World Cup qualifying match in Yerevan on Saturday.
Turkey, the better, stronger and faster team, won as the national team
shut out Armenia 2-0 in their 2010 World Cup qualifying Group 5 game
at Hrazdan Stadium in Yerevan on Saturday evening, with two
second-half goals by Tuncay Å?anlı and SemihÅ?entürk.

Looking at the latest FIFA rankings shows that Turkey and Armenia
belong to different galaxies in the universe of soccer. The Turks, the
2002 World Cup and Euro 2008 semifinalists, are placed 10th while
Armenia is a distant 98th. This means any soccer match between the two
countries should be a foregone conclusion — a clear victory for
Turkey.

But Saturday’s Armenia-Turkey encounter was much more than a soccer
match. It was the first ever game between the senior national teams of
the two neighboring countries with no diplomatic relations and a
closed border. And even though Turkey coach Fatih Terim said in his
post-match press conference in Yerevan that "we are here [in Armenia]
to play soccer and we do no not want to take responsibility for the
history between the two nations," everything was at stake in this
match. Apart from precious points, as we mentioned in our preview to
this match, nationalistic fervor, rivalry, precious points, pride,
prestige, history and bragging rights were all at stake.

Nothing is more natural than the big fish eating the small fish. And
as Armenia’s Danish coach Jan Poulsen predicted when he said: "Turkey
is considered the favorite. … Everyone expects them to win," the
Turks gave the Armenians a good soccer lesson and once again proved,
beyond reasonable doubt, that they are among the best top 10 in world
soccer — and they will beat the Armenians a thousand times if both
countries play a thousand times.

Match details

After a scoreless first half Tuncay gave the visiting Turks the lead
in the 61st minute, scoring from close range. Semih made it 2-0 in the
79th, capitalizing on a defender’s mistake in the box. Mehmet Aurelio
had an early chance for Turkey but his powerful shot from 14 meters
four minutes into the game was blocked by goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky.

Armenia had a half chance in the eighth when Volkan Demirel saved
Gamlet Mkhitarian’s drive from 25 meters. Though there were no goals
in the first half, Turkey, undisputedly the superior side, looked more
organized.

The Turks came close midway through the first half when captain Emre
BelozoÄ?lu shaved the crossbar from the edge of the box in the
27th minute. Three minutes later, Mevlut Erdinç broke down the
left flank only to hit the outer side of the net.

The game was marked by the presence of President Abdullah Gül,
making this the first visit by a Turkish president to
Armenia. Gül was invited to attend the game by his Armenian
counterpart, Serzh Sarksyan, who called for closer ties in a region
rocked last month by Russia’s war with Georgia.

So in the end it was a soccer match after all and the Turks proved
soccer can be a meritocracy. They did not allow the "beautiful game"
to fall prey to the politics of antagonism.

Also in Group 5 on Saturday, Belgium beat Estonia 3-2 at home and
Spain edged visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0. On Wednesday, Turkey
hosts Belgium while Armenia is to meet European champion Spain on its
turf.

Turkish Under-21s topple Czech Republic in Bursa

A pair of second-half goals from Aydın Karabulut took Turkey
past the Czech Republic and to the top of Group 2 with one match to
play after victory at Bursa’s Atatürk Stadium.

Aydın struck at the 63rd and 85th minute to seal a crucial
victory for coach Hami Mandıralı’s side, which will now
confirm its place in the playoffs should it draw at home with Armenia
on Tuesday. The Turks lead the group by a point over the Czechs, who
must win at home against Ukraine in their final match and hope, maybe
against hope, that the Turks slip against Armenia. Ä°stanbul
Today’s Zaman

08 September 2008, Monday

OKAN UDO BASSEY Ä°STANBUL

MARCH 1 "LOCOMOTIVE GROUP" IS BEING PROCESSED

A1+
[07:18 pm] 04 September, 2008

An interview with Vardan Harutiunian a member of the Committee for the
Protection of Political Prisoners, a former political prisoner himself.

Mr. Harutiunian, how many people of prisoners on the case of March
1 are remained imprisoned in cells?

76 People are under arrest, some of them have been sentenced to
different periods of imprisonment. A group of prisoners has been
separated since their cases should be sent to the Court. That group
to their understanding should be a "Locomotive Group", the leaders
who supposingly conducted March 1.

And that "Locomotive Group" will be blamed and found guilty by the
Court under article 300 of the Criminal Code /appropriation of power/,
won’t they?

As well as all accusations, their accusations will certainly not
be proved in the Court either and preliminary investigation hasn’t
even taken any care of that. They don’t need to ground and prove any
accusation, they just have to proclaim and read the verdict.

Mr. Harutiunian, how do you explain the fact that article 300 is being
dropped away from the accusation of some of the accused (e.g. Gagik
Jhangirian), while others are yet being persecuted with the very
article, e.g. Aleksandre Arzoumanian?

It doesn’t make any sense to find any explanation or logic in the
actions of pre-investigation body. Even Law doesn’t work here. All
is being executed by a phone call. There is a guiding team somewhere
over here which decides which article is the most suited for a certain
individual to be sent to the Court and how many years’ imprisonment
should he get.

Nevertheless, PACE appealed to stop criminal persecution under two
articles, including article 300. But up till now a group of politicians
are being persecuted just for power capture. The authorities don’t
take any actions to dismiss those cases, moreover, as you mentioned,
they are engaged in forming a "locomotive group" to forward the cases
to the Court under that article. How do you estimate the policy of RA
authorities not to satisfy the demands of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe?

They don’t adhere to PACE requirements furthermore they have crossed
all allowed boundaries. It’s not imperative for them to fulfill the
demands of any International or European Institution. It’s much more
essential for them to solve the current issues occurring at a concrete
moment. They think they will condemn people, send them to prisons
and then will see what happens. They don’t view the situation from
a long-term perspective.

We are aware of the health problems of political prisoners.

You are right, among political prisoners there are many whose health
state is critical and most of them have everyday health problems
which need urgent medical treatment but not within the jail. They
have to be taken to city hospitals and get permanent treatment.

And why isn’t that fact getting enough attention by state embodies?

Since our state embodies have taken those people to jails not
because of their fault but for general punishment, they are led by
the principle to punish certain people. They just revenge. They are
not prisoners, but hostages. And as a rule there is never a humane
attitude towards hostages. And it’s what our authorities demonstrate.

ARMENIA NATURAL TREASURES VIEWED AT MUSEUM ON SEPT. 11

Belmont Citizen-Herald
Sept 4 2008
MA

On Sept. 11, the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA)
and Armenia Tree Project (ATP) will debut their joint, juried
exhibition "A Photographic Journey of Armenia’s Natural Treasures"
in ALMA’s Contemporary Art Gallery. The exhibition features a series
of photographs ranging from majestic nature scenes to images that
document some of Armenia’s environmental problems. The photographs
will be offered for sale with 40 percent of the proceeds benefiting
ALMA and ATP.

When the idea for this joint collaboration first arose, the
organizers aimed to create a wide-ranging exhibition that not only
showed visitors Armenia’s stunning sights, but also raised awareness
about the serious threats to the country’s ecological heritage. After
holding a well-received call for submissions period this past spring,
honorary juror Judy Ann Goldman, owner of the Judy Ann Goldman Fine
Art gallery on Boston’s Newbury Street, helped the ALMA and ATP jurors
with the judging process.

Using an anonymous screening process, the jurors narrowed down 600
entries to 93 photographs from professional and amateur photographers
from six countries.

The following 35 photographers were chosen to participate in the
exhibition: Vahan Abrahamyan (Armenia), Chris Agazaryan (California),
Rich Bartell (China), Hapet Berberian (Massachusetts), Levon Berberian
(New York), Eli Burak (Vermont), Aram Comjean (Massachusetts),
Ireneusz Cyranek (Denmark), Joseph Dagdigian (Massachusetts), Julie
Dermansky (New Jersey), Ani Garibyan (California), Avetis Ghazanchyan
(Armenia), Karen Harutyunyan (Armenia), Sarah Hayes (Massachusetts),
Jirair Hovsepian (Massachusetts), Kathryn Howard (New York), Armen
Iskandaryan (Armenia), Matthew Karanian (California), Philip Ketchian
(Massachusetts), Hrair "Hawk" Khatcherian (Canada), Robert Kurkjian
(California), Ara Kahrmanian (Australia), Alexander Malkhasyan
(Armenia), Jeff Masarjian (Massachusetts), Ara Meshkanbarian
(California), Sossy Nercessian (Massachusetts), Rita Papagian (New
Jersey), Astghine Pasoyan (Armenia), Vahe Peroomian (California),
Elsa Ronningstam-Ketchian (Massachusetts), Hakob Sanasaryan (Armenia),
Kara Setian-Marston (Maryland), Anush Seyranyan (Armenia), Paul Vartan
Sookiasian (Pennsylvania) and Mikhayil Voskanov (Armenia).

"A Photographic Journey" runs through Oct. 11. The exhibition was made
possible by Wainwright Bank and Trust Co. and Staples Copy & Print
Shop in Watertown, with the support of Hagop Picture Frame and Design;
Watertown Savings Bank; Michals Insurance Agency, Inc.; Paul Neeson
and Deland, Gibson Insurance Associates, Inc.; and Eastern Lahmejun
Bakers, Inc. A weekly series of events will accompany the exhibition
to highlight its theme and give the public additional opportunities to
learn about Armenia’s environment from leading environmental activists.

Events All events take place in ALMA’s Contemporary Art Gallery,
which is handicap accessible.

· 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, Exhibition opens

· Saturday, Sept. 13, Private opening reception (by invitation only).

· 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, Presentation by Greens Union President
Hakob Sanasaryan: "At the Crossroads of Development — The Present
Situation of the Armenian Environment."

· 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, Presentation by ATP Executive Director
Jeff Masarjian: "The Dangers Facing Armenia’s Natural Treasures:
Current Risks and Opportunities."

· 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, Classical Concert with pianist Karine
Bagdasarian to mark close of the exhibition.

–Boundary_(ID_fcfRVKVetALrOdgkxNAbXQ )–

ARMENIA IN THE CROSSROAD OF THE CONFLICTS
Vasak Tarposhyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
04 Sep 2008
Armenia

As a result of the Russian-Georgian conflict the issue of the
search for the new communication channels has become urgent for
Armenia. Though after a short break the transit deliveries by Georgia
has been restored, it can be destroyed any time. And by the way the
conversation here is both about the deliveries made by the railway
and the gas pipeline.

At this stage the provision of gas delivery is number one issue for
Armenia, especially because winter is not very far.

It is quite understandable that any time Russia can stop gas
supply to Georgia. Which means Armenia will also be deprived of gas
supply. Georgia will hardly tolerate Russian gas supply to the third
country by its territory, no matter how much income it will bring.

On the other hand life shows that in such cases Georgia makes use of
the gas intended for Armenia, something that Russia will naturally
not tolerate.

Thus Armenia must think of alternative ways to receive gas. In that
respect, lots of work has already been implemented. Due to which today
it will be easier for Armenia to overcome the existing energy problems.

We have an alternative in the person of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. Of
course it is not completely ready. The problem is because of low
carrying capacity of the gas pipeline functioning in the t erritory
of Armenia, which is not able to push sufficient amount of blue fuel
required for Armenia.

Taking into consideration that circumstance the works aimed at the
increase of the carrying capacity of Meghry-Ararat gas pipeline have
started from last year, which is previewed to complete at he end of
this year.

In case of the launch of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline Armenia can receive
sufficient amount of gas from Iran.

If the problem of gas supply is much easier to solve, in case of
alternative gas pipelines, the same can’t be said about railway
transportation. The situation is a bit different in this case. Despite
Russian-Georgian conflict Armenia can continue to make use of
Georgian railway but the existing contradictions will have influence
on transportation of the loads. Moreover for different reasons the
load transportation can stop from time to time.

One thing is clear – that direction is hopeless for Armenia. Thus
we should also think of an alternative railway exit. Iran – Armenia
railways can serve as an alternative in this regard. But unlike the
gas pipeline the processes here are mainly on the level of programs
and it is not clear when they will be put into practice. The works are
in process on the level of experts. Even if they manage to complete
these works in a short period of time it will take around 2-3 years
to build Iran-Armenia railway.

Though the fun ding of this project is more than 1 billion dollars,
it will not hinder its implementation. Moreover Armenia will most
probably not shoulder financial load.

As we know a Russian company has taken the long-term governance of
Armenian railway and according to the agreement the governor commits
himself to serious investment obligations, which are directly linked
with the construction and launch of Iran-Armenia railway.

So we can say that the problems linked with funding are settled. But
there are lots of questions in terms of the efficiency of the railway’s
activity, which needs to be grounded.

Therefore the construction of Iran-Armenia railway can become part of a
complex program. It presumes also construction of an oil-reprocessing
factory in Meghry. The program has been elaborated 2 years back. But
as it was in case of the railway the works have not yet started.

Anyway Armenia can’t wait any more. We must make the search of the
alternative communication ways more active.

RUSSIA MAY GET SUPPORT AFTER ALL

Kommersant

Sept 3 2008
Russia

Russia expects the Collective Security Treaty Organization to form a
common position on the events in South Ossetia in time for its summit
in Moscow, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced yesterday at a
meeting in Sochi with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. Sargsyan is
among the CSTO leaders whom Russia is making efforts to sway before
they meet in the Russian capital on Friday. The foreign ministers of
the CTSO countries meet tomorrow.

"A significant number of our partners are ready to support the
peaceful steps of the Russian side," a Russian diplomatic source
said, "but we would like harsher condemnation of Georgia. So far,
it is reminiscent of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization option,
where they supported us in words, but supported the priority of
territorial integrity in the final declaration."

Moscow is pressing for the passage of a broad position piece on Friday
that will condemn Georgia and unambiguously stress the unacceptability
of the expansion of NATO on the borders of CSTO countries and the
placement of American missile defense elements in the zones of interest
of CSTO members. Russian diplomats are also hoping for support for
the idea of a European Security Treaty, which Medvedev introduced in
his new concept for Russian foreign policy in July.

The CSTO summit was to be held in Kyrgyzstan, but Russia asked that
it be allowed to host the event as an exception, due to the conflict
with Georgia. Russia will have a lot of convincing to do, since not
all CSTO members are eager to complicate their relations with the
West with such a position. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
was the first to feel press on August 20.

RECOGNITION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH "A MATTER OF TIME" – BREAKAWAY REGION LEADER

Interfax
Sept 2 2008
Russia

There is no alternative to the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, said
Bako Saakyan, president of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR).

"The existing differences must be resolved through direct dialogue.

Everyone should realize once and for all that independence has no
alternative and cannot be a subject of speculation," he said during
the festivities on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the self-
proclaimed NKR in Stepanakert on Tuesday.

"Today we can proudly state that we have created a strong and capable
army, a progressing country which complies with international standards
and is one of the key factors ensuring stability in the region,"
Saakyan said.

"We must fulfill the dream of our fallen comrades – to gain
international recognition of the NKR and bequeath to the next
generations a strong and independent, peaceful and prosperous Homeland.

Rest assured, this is only a matter of time," the NKR leader said.

GEORGIA OFFICIALLY BREAKS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.09.2008 13:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgia on Tuesday formally broke diplomatic
relations with Russia, the Foreign Ministry said.

"The Russian Federation’s envoy in Georgia, Andrei Smaga, has been
summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and handed
a note informing the Russian Federation that diplomatic relations
between Georgia and Russia are severed," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman
Nato Chikovani said, AFP reports.

"From this moment, there are no more diplomatic relations between
the two countries," she said.

The Foreign Ministry had announced Friday it was cutting diplomatic
ties with Russia but maintaining consular relations.

The move came after Russia recognized two breakaway Georgian regions –
Abkhazia and South Ossetia – as independent countries.

The consular department at Russia’s embassy in Georgia will shut down
on Wednesday following Tbilisi’s formal announcement.

REPRESENTATIVES OF 8 NGOs TO CARRY OUT MONITORING MISSION IN LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 7 IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Se p 1, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Eight NGOs have been accredited
in the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) in the established term
for carrying out a monitoring mission in the local self-government
elections to be held on September 7 in Yerevan’s Erebuni,
Kanaker-Zeytun, Arabkir, Nubarashen, Malatia-Sebastia, Achapniak
communities. As of September 1, the latters in total have accredited
1313 observers.

As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by Tatev Ohanian, CEC
Spokesperson, Institute of Free Society has accredited 501 observers,
Choice is Yours 481, Life International Association of Human Rights,
Policy and Humanitarian Problems 138, Will of Youth 91, Helsinki
Committee of Armenia 40, Against Legal Self-will 31, Center for Public
Dialogues and Initiatives 20, Transparency International 11 observers.

TRANSEUROENERGY
500 ` 900 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1E5

Transeuro and Questerre Commence Liard Shale Gas Test
August 27, 2008 TSX-V/ Oslo Axess: TSU

Vancouver, Canada: – Transeuro Energy Corp. (`Transeuro’, or the
`Company’) and Questerre Energy Corporation (`Questerre’) announced
today that joint operations are under way to test the deeper shale’s
in the Liard basin, northeast British Columbia, Canada. These shale’s
are Mississippian in age and are located approximately 100 km to the
east of the Horn River shale play.

There are two existing producing tight gas/shale wells (A2 and A7)
which Transeuro and Questerre both have 50% ownership and that
Questerre has operated for over two years with relatively low decline
rates. Compression was recently added to A2 with very promising
initial results. Production from the A2 increased to over 4.0mmcf per
day which is near its original peak production rate of 4.5mmcf per
day. The continued good production performance of these shallower
wells together with recent work by Questerre and Transeuro indicate
that there isalso strong potential for the deeper Devonian
shale’s. Gas in place numbers for this area for the Mississippian
siltstone/shale sequence are confirmed at over 1 tcf per section
(discovered resource) based on independent work by Nederland, Sewel &
Associates Inc. Transeuro has a 50% interest in 35 sections with take
away capacity in place.

The current operation is a re -entry of the A5 well. Three intervals
will be perforated and minor stimulations will be conducted to
evaluate reservoir and rock mechanical properties prior to an inflow
test. The gross thickness of these prospective deeper shale’s that are
confirmed with good gas shows are in excess of 500m and these tests
will assist in identifying the net productive reservoir intervals. If
the results of the inflow tests are promising, a full stimulation will
be carried out in a future operation to test for commercial flow
rates.

Michael Binnion, President of Questerre commented "We have great
control of land and infrastructure in this area. Expertise gained from
our Quebec shale play has allowed us to re-evaluate our past results
. We believe we have been able to correlate the results to particular
shale qualities which greatly encourage us that a predictive model can
be created. The very high gas in place numbers and promising
production results from our two wells in the Liard shale’s make this
test very interesting."

Hal Hemmerich, President of Transeuro commented `We are excited about
the prospects of the Liard basin shale and we see the similarities to
the Horn River shale. The license has six existing well bores, the
surface infrastructure and the export line that all add significant
commercial advantage. We also see the value in the continuation of the
development of the upper shale’s which have produced strongly over the
past two years and believe this work program will highlight the shale
commerciality in the Liard Basin.’

This resource is not classified as reserves, contingent resources or
unrecoverable resources at this time until determination of the
appropriate completion and stimulation techniques and the determining
of areas of maximum natural fracturing to maximize recovery of this
discovered resource. There is no certainty that it will be
economically viable or technically feasible to produce any portion of
the reported discovered resource.

Discovered resources are defined in the COGE Handbook, `Discovered
resources are those quantities of oil and gasestimated on a given date
to be remaining in, plus those quantities already produced from, known
accumulations. Discovered resources are divided into economic and
uneconomic categories, with the estimated future recoverable portion
classified as reserves and contingent resources, respectively."

Transeuro Energy Corp. is involved in the acquisition of petroleum and
natural gas rights, the exploration for, and development and
production of crude oil, condensate and natural gas. The Company’s
properties are located in Canada, Armenia , Ukraine and, through
majority ownership in Eaglewood Energy Inc, in Papua New Guinea.

On behalf of the Board of Directors
`Harold Hemmerich’ President and CEO

For further information contact:
David Parry – Vancouver, Canada Karen O. Jenssen ` Oslo, Norway
+1 (604) 681 3939 Phone + 47 917 29 787

[email protected]

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed, and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this
news release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell
or solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in th e
United States.

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the targeted
results. The Company relies upon litigation protection for forward
looking statements.

Barrel of oil equivalent (`boe’) amounts may be misleading,
particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio has been
calculated using a conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of
natural gas to one barrel and is based on an energy equivalent
conversion method application at the burner tip and does not
necessarily represent an economic value equivalent at the wellhead.