Author: Harutyunian Christine

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS General Newswire
January 29, 2007 Monday

Georgian media report seizure of another batch of enriched uranium

Georgian special services have detained an Armenian citizen who was
allegedly trying to sell 170 grams of enriched uranium, the Georgian
media reported on Monday citing a source in the Georgian Interior
Ministry.

According to media reports, the detainee stated that he received the
enriched uranium from Novosibirsk.

Meanwhile, the Georgian Interior Ministry told Interfax that such an
arrest did in fact take place two years ago, and that media
organizations reported it.

It was reported last week that a Russian and three Georgian citizens
had been detained in Tbilisi after they tried to sell 100 grams of
enriched uranium. A special operation to detain the criminals was
staged last February. However, the facts were not reported in order
to protect the investigation.

The Russian citizen was sentenced to eight years in prison, while
three Georgians received from four to five years in jail at a trial
closed to the public in Tbilisi.

Meanwhile, Rosatom claims that the samples of uranium confiscated in
Georgia more than a year ago do not allow to establish the country of
origin. The agency also claimed Tbilisi was unwilling to cooperate
with Russia on the issue.

TURKISH JOURNALIST ADDRESSES TO PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE DEMANDING TO PUNISH
THOSE USED THE SLOGAN "WE ARE ALL ARMENIANS"

ISTANBUL, JANUARY 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Mete Cagdas, an
article author of the "Haber 57" newspaper being published in Sinop
addressed to the city Prosecutor’s Office, stating that the slogan "We
are all Armenians, we are all Hrant Dink" is against Article 301 of the
Criminal Code and demanded that the authors and users of that slogan
are punished. "Hurriyet" wrote as if the grandfather of the journalist
presented the protest was killed by Armenians. And he now condemns his
colleague Hrant Dink’s murder but at the same time insists that the
slogan contradicts the law. As Marmara states Turkish Minister of
Industry and Trade Ali Coskun relates to the slogan "We are all
Armenians" with preservation. "By having respect towards everybody, I
pray the God that I am a Muslim and am happy that I am Turkish, he
said, adding that others must display the same respect towards him.
According to Radikal, Ankara Trade Chamber Chairman Sinan Aygun said:
"We, Turks, have lived in this geographic territory 1000 years. We are
not Hrant. My name is Sinan Aygun." And Minister of State Mehmet Ali
Sahin mentioned that those using the slogan "We are all Armenians, we
are all Hrant" want to say that the crime committed against Hrant Dink
is against all of us.

From Grigor Zohrap to Hrant Dink

Yerkir.am
January 26, 2007

`The Armenian who contributes even insignificantly to the process of
Turkey’s democratization will have a great contribution to the solution
of the Armenian nation’s problems,’ Hrant Dink insisted. However, this
opinion is not something new, it was expressed over a century ago.

The Armenian intellectual murdered in Istanbul was called the
1,500,001st victim of the Genocide. Hrant Dink is not the only Armenian
intellectual who was murdered because of his efforts to reform the
Turkish state.

The massacres in Western Armenia had already started when the Armenian
poet Ruben Sevak, who had started a brilliant career of a doctor in
Lausanne, returned to Polis from Europe.

Sevak lived with the most progressive European ideas and knew the most
outstanding European intellectuals. He returned to Turkey nurturing a
weak hope for the salvation of his nation hoping that he might b e able
to civilize the Turks with the progressive ideas that he had brought
from Europe.

The Armenian writer Grigor Zohrap who was also a member of the Turkish
parliament, wrote Turkey’s constitution together with the country’s
political elite trying to bring it as close to the European
constitutions as possible.

He too saw his nation’s salvation and solution of its problems only
through an effort to civilize the Turks. These two examples are not
unique. We can continue the list. They both were killed, so was Hrant
Dink.

The massive response that followed Dink’s murder, massive participation
of Turks in the protest actions and demonstrations still cause some
euphoric reaction among some Armenians.

We need time to digest the Turks’ and Kurds’ shouts saying `We are all
Armenian’. This is a political issue. I am concerned with another thing
` in what a tragic condition the Armenian political, social and
cultural leaders and intellectuals are that they have to deal with
civilizing the enemy, think about its welfare and progress in order to
serve efficiently the interests of his nation.

By Hovhannes YERANIAN

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES
YEREVAN, ARMENIA

Statement of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
Baku/Yerevan – January 29, 2007
After four days of meetings, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Yuri
Merzylakov – Russian Federation; Ambassador Bernard Fassier – France; Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza – United States) are encouraged
by the constructive approach of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan as
they seek to finalize a set of basic principles for the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Russian Federation Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosted Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
for talks facilitated by the Co-Chairs in Moscow on Tuesday, January 23. The
Co-Chairs met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Wednesday,
January 24. On Thursday, January 25, they traveled to Nagorno-Karabakh to
meet with NK leader Arkady Ghukasian. They met with Armenian President
Robert Kocharian in Yerevan on Friday, January 26.
The Co-Chairs appreciate the efforts of all the interlocutors they met
during the week. It is the responsibility of the presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan, with the assistance of the Co-Chairs, to find a lasting,
peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The presidents are
defending their national interests vigorously, and they are doing so in a
way that allows the peace process to continue moving forward.
The Co-Chairs urge all parties to sustain this momentum in the negotiations
and to prepare their publics for the necessary compromises. At the same
time, the Co-Chairs urge continued pursuit of confidence-building measures
and maintenance of the ceasefire to increase the level of trust and
understanding between the sides.

Kosovo sovereignty plan raises tensions in the heart of Europe
Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor

The TimesUK
January 27, 2007

Kosovo took an important step on the road to independence from Serbia
yesterday, after a United Nations envoy revealed plans that could lead
towards full sovereignty.

The move triggered an immediate diplomatic row between Western nations
and Russia, which sought to delay the initiative drawn up by Martti
Ahtisaari. It also raised fears of violence on the streets.

Although details of Mr Ahtisaari’s plan were kept secret, it is known
that they would allow Kosovo to join international organisations, such
as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and, eventually,
the UN itself.

Kosovo would also be allowed to raise its own security force and its
citizens to have dual nationality.

The plan sets out protections for the rights of minorities, mainly the
Serb population concentrated in northern Kosovo, who want to remain
part of the Serbian homeland.

During the transition period Kosovo would remain in a state of
`supervised independence’, much as Bosnia is today. An `international
civilian representative’, probably appointed by the European Union,
would oversee the government and Nato would maintain its 16,000strong
force in the area to deter any ethnic unrest.

News of the plan met a frosty reception in Moscow. The Russian
representative at the meeting in Vienna of the six-nation Contact
Group said that more time was needed and cautioned against `hasty
moves’. Moscow, which has traditionally supported its Orthodox
brethren in Belgrade, wants discussions halted until a new Serbian
government is formed, a process that could drag on until the end of
May.

America, Britain, France, Germany and Italy, the other members of the
Contact Group, insist that the plan must be presented to the Serb and
Kosovo sides without delay.

Although Moscow is isolated, it still has the power to block the plan
when it comes for approval at the UN Security Council, where Russia
has the right of veto.

Much of what happens next depends upon Mr Ahtisaari’s diplomatic
skills. On Friday he is due to unveil his plan to Serb and Kosovan
leaders and is prepared to make changes to the document to reach a
compromise.

That did not look very promising last night. In Belgrade, Vojislav
Kostunica, the Serb Prime Minister, said that he would refuse to meet
Mr Ahtisaari until a new government was in place. Like many Serb
nationalists, who did well in general elections this month, Mr
Kostunica is strongly opposed to independence for Kosovo, which is
regarded as the cradle of the Serb nation.

`Any attempt to impose independence for Kosovo would mean a forcible
change of Serbia’s internationally recognised borders,’ Vuk Draskovic,
the Serbian Foreign Minister, said.

In Pristina, the Kosovo capital, Agim Ceku, the Prime Minister, faced
the opposite problem from the Albanian community of Kosovo, who make
up 90 per cent of the population.

His people have been clam-ouring for independence ever since Nato
forces drove the Serb military out of the province in 1999, after
years of oppressive rule against the Albanian population, which
included murders, arrests and ethnic cleansing.

While Western leaders are sympathetic to the demands of the majority
of Kosovo’s people, diplomats said that they must move
carefully. There are fears that any unilateral action could provoke a
new round of ethnic violence. There is also concern that pushing for
the creation of a new state in the heart of Europe could prompt other
separatist territories to press home their demands for independence,
triggering a new period of instability.

VARTAN OSKANIAN: EUROPEAN DIRECTION IS AMONG ARMENIA’S FOREIGN POLICY
PRIORITIES

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. During the January 26 meeting, the
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and the State Secretary of
the Foreign Ministry of Poland Pavel Koval discussed issues of
bilateral cooperation, addressing the opportunities offered by the
Armenia-EU Cooperation Action Plan. V. Oskanian underlined that
European direction is among Armenia’s foreign policy priorities, and in
this context Armenia views Poland as an important partner. The sides
noted the high level of bilateral political relations, which is greatly
promoted by the lack of disagreements in positions on various
international problems. According to a press release of the RA MFA
Press and Information Department, the interlocutors also discussed
regional issues, energy security problems, the current process of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. An Armenian-Polish political
consultation took place at the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the
same day. The Armenian delegation was headed by the RA Deputy Foreign
Minister Armen Bayburtian.

A1+

DOES THE PUBLIC TELEVISION VIOLATE THE LAW?
[05:54 pm] 26 January, 2007

The RA Law on the Anthem came into force this year. According to the
law, all the TV and Radio companies have to start and finish
broadcasting programs with the RA National Anthem. If the TV Company
broadcasts round the clock, the anthem must sound at midnight and at
06:00 a.m. The majority of the TV Companies carry out the demand of
the law; the Public television does not.

Let us remind you that initially the broadcasting of the anthem was
obligatory only for the public television. Thanks to the efforts of
deputy Armen Ashotyan it became obligatory for all the TV Companies.

We learned from executive director of the Public Television Armen
Arzoumanyan that the reason is merely technical: «we need time in
order to adjust the broadcasting grid to the demand of the law».

«In this case it is up to Mr. Amalyan to take case about the
realization of the law as it refers to the Radio stations as well as
TV Companies», said deputy Armen Ashotyan in an interview to
`A1+’. The control does not refer to the Public television. As for
private ones, head of the control administration of the National
Committee on TV and Radio Valera Stepanyan did not agree to answer our
question and asked to send a letter to him. Nevertheless, it is
obvious that many of the private TV Companies do not carry out the
demand of the law either.

Voices Weekly, Turkey
Jan 26 2007

Thousands mourn Hrant Dink’s death
Posted on Cuma, Ocak 26 @ 21:37:03 EET by editor

THE cold-blooded assassination of Armenian journlist Hrant Dink in
Istanbul caused shockwaves around the world. His murder caused a wave
of outrage in Armenia, with calls for a new dialogue between the
countries.

Turkey itself has been shocked by the assassination. Tens of
thousands of people attended his funeral on January 23. Dink, an
ethnic Armenian and a Turkish citizen, had done much to encourage
dialogue between Armenians and Turks on difficult historical issues.
Many carried placards reading "We are all Hrant Dink." Turkey’s prime
minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday paid a personal call to the
family of Hrant Dink. Erdogan stayed over one hour at Dink’s home to
pay his respects – far longer than his scheduled visit of 20 minutes.
He then visited Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II to extend his
condolences over Dink’s killing. Dink was murdered on January 19, but
the next day, Turkish police arrested a teenager identified as Ogun
Samast from the eastern city of Trabzon. Samast is reported to have
confessed to the crime and said that he was motivated by reports that
Dink had said that "Turkish blood is dirty." Armenian President
Robert Kocharian offered his condolences to Hrant Dink’s family and
friends, saying, "The murder of a famous journalist in Turkey is
deeply reprehensible." All the churches of the Armenian Apostolic
Church held requiems for Dink, and political, cultural and
journalistic circles all expressed shock. Dink had worked as
editor-in-chief of the bilingual Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos in
Istanbul since 1996. He had been charged several times under the
controversial article 301 of Turkey’s penal code, "insulting
Turkishness." Dink trod a careful line, expressing loyalty to Turkey
while asserting his right to a distinct Armenian identity. Armenia
and Turkey have no diplomatic relations and their common border has
been closed ever since Turkey shut it in April 1993, when Armenian
forces occupied the Azerbaijani district of Kelbajar during the war
over Nagorny Karabakh. However, a lot of business still goes on
between the two countries, mainly via Georgia. Some estimates suggest
that 30,000 Armenian citizens have temporary jobs in Turkey. Most
experts agree that the murder marks a critical point in
Armenian-Turkish relations and that the way the issue is handled will
be important. American-Armenian analyst Richard Giragosian said: "It
is not the murder of Hrant Dink that is now a challenge to the
Turkish state; it is the way the Turkish authorities handle the
impact of his death that is most important."

News&file=article&sid=449

Slate
Jan 26 2007

If It’s Tuesday This Must Be Timbuktu

Today’s university alumni are citizens of the world. They cannot be
wooed, as potential alumni donors once were, with charter flights to
Paris in the company of some retired professor of art history. The
California Alumni Association’s in-house travel agency, Bear Treks,
has learned to change with the times. In December it mailed a 20-page
brochure to members offering alumni association members and their
families "an epic journey by private jet" to gawk at indigenous
peoples on three continents before they die out. Available for a
limited time only! "The powerful and widespread effects of
globalization threaten the future of these colorful cultures," the
brochure explains.

Up to 88 reservations are now being accepted, according to sample
pages of the brochure below and on the following nine pages, to
participate in this exclusive travel package. The three-week journey
features "the ultimate in convenience, security & service," including
an expedition chef who uses "only the freshest ingredients" and a
staff physician "knowledgeable in travel medicine." Further, "a world
class team of scholars will … illuminate the history of empires"
throughout the expedition. The cost of your Birkenstocks is not
included in the package.

The itinerary begins in Finland where "like-minded" U.C. grads will
discover Sami nomads "the oldest surviving inhabitants of the
Scandinavian Peninsula" on the Island of Inari for an "intimate" Sami
family gathering and "yodel-like singing of poems." The group then
jets south to study proud Armenians, "people of the world’s first
Christian nation," where U.C. alums are hosted by the Hayer people
who "believe they are descended from … the great grandson of Biblical
Noah."

Kommersant, Russia
Jan 26 2007

The Light at the End of the Pipe

// Russia builds an oil refinery in Armenia to annoy the United
States

Gazprom Neft confirmed yesterday that it is considering building an
oil refinery in Armenia. Kommersant has learned that the proposed
plant would have a capacity of 7 million tons of oil per year and be
located on the border with Iran. The refinery would cot a minimum of
$1.7 billion, not counting transportation infrastructure, which would
cost an additional $1 billion. Industry analysts say that the project
is senseless from an economic point of view and attribute interest in
it to political considerations. An oil refinery in Armenia would
indeed be a political undertaking and provide the participants with
political dividends.
Gazprom Neft officially confirmed for Kommersant that it is
considering the project, which was proposed by Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan and approved by Russian authorities. The company
declined to comment on the details of the project, saying that a
final decision has yet to be made and `discussion is at the initial
stages.’

Sources say that the Armenians originally suggested a refinery with a
capacity of 3-4 million tons per year. The Russians, however,
responded by suggesting that the capacity be doubled, although
Armenia’s consumption of petroleum products does not top 250,000 tons
a year. The location of the plant, on the Armenian-Iranian border
near Megri, explains the excess. Oil would be received by the plant
from Iran through a 200-km. pipeline from Tabriz, where a refinery
already exists. Petroleum products would be transported back to Iran
by train, on a line that, like the pipeline from Tabriz, does not yet
exist.

A well-informed Kommersant source said that the project was discussed
with Gazprom Neft, Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko and
Russian Railways head Vladimir Yakunin during Kocharyan’s visit to
Moscow. (Russian Railways would have to build a rail line to the
refinery.) Only Gazprom Neft would confirm the idea though. The
Industry and Energy Ministry declined to comment on the meeting.
Yakunin told Kommersant that that he met with the Armenian president
and discussed the construction of a rail line between the countries,
but that no refinery was mentioned. Kocharyan’s press service said
that the president’s visit to Russia was `of a private nature.’

Experts say that there is no economic basis for the proposed
refinery. Alfa Bank’s Andrey Fedotov estimated that a refinery with
that capacity would cost `a minimum of $1.7 billion.’ Experts also
note that transportation of the large equipment necessary for the
plant would account for much of its cost. The site’s distance from a
seaport could double the price of its construction. Troika Dialog
analyst Valery Nesterov estimates that a pipeline in that terrain
would cost about $400 million. The cost of the rail line was
calculated earlier. The Armenian Ministry of Transportation suggested
that a line from Marand (near Tabriz) to Jermuk and Megri would cost
$700-1000 million. Thus the total cost of the project would be no
less than $2.8 billion.

Mikhail Perfilov, business development director of Fearnleys oil
shipping company noted that `Armenia has no oil of its own and no oil
trunk lines. So crude oil imports will be expensive and
transportation costs will make export of the petroleum products more
expensive.’ Perfilov said the Tabriz and Tehran oil refineries in
northern Iran buy their raw materials in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and
Russia. An oil company source said that high transportation costs
would make the refinery’s products uncompetitive with Iranian
products. It can be suggested, therefore, that the Armenian refinery
is a political project.

Armenia’s interest in the refinery is obvious. After relations
between Moscow and Tbilisi deteriorated and Georgia adopted a
pro-NATO and pro-U.S. stance, Armenia was threatened with being cut
off from Russia, its main strategic partner and sponsor. Shipments
from Russia to Armenia could become problematic and Armenia could
find itself facing its enemy Azerbaijan alone. The refinery would
allow Yerevan to preserve some of its current status in the region.

The refinery could be beneficial to Iran in case the U.S. decides to
undertake military action against Tehran. Experts suggest that the
Americans would most likely hit strategic objects in Iran with
missiles, destroying all Iranian refineries within days. The
Americans would not hit a partially Russian-owned refinery in
Armenia. Russia is, of course, risking new upheaval in its relations
with the U.S., although there would be no formal grounds for
objection.
Denis Rebrov, Gennady Sysoev; Ara Tatevosyan, Yerevan