Author: Hovhannisian John

NEW STAFF OF CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION DEFINED BY DECREE OF RA PRESIDENT

Noyan Tapan
Aug 3, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The following staff of the Central
Electoral Commission was defined by the August 3 decree of Robert
Kocharian, the RA President:

Garegin Azarian – representative of the President of the Republic
of Armenia,

Abram Bakhchagulian – representative of the Republican party of
Armenia,

Haroutiun Shahbazian – representative of the Bargavatch Hayastan
(Prosperous Armenia) party,

Hamlet Abrahamian – representative of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun party,

Sona Sargsian – representative of the Orinats Yerkir (Country of
Law) party,

Zoya Tadevosian – representative of the Zharangutiun (Heritage) party,

Ashot Abovian – representative of the Judicial Department of the
Republic of Armenia,

Karen Poladian – representative of the Judicial Department of the
Republic of Armenia.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, the decree will be in force since August
6, 2007.

Armenia Tree Project
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE (8733)
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

August 3, 2007

Environmental Film No. 9: "Poisoning for Profit"

New Documentary Film Exposes Problems Caused by Mining in Armenia

The ninth in a series of environmental films produced by Vem Media Arts in
Armenia, titled "Poisoning for Profit" was released on World Environment
Day. The documentary was funded by Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Forests
NGO, World Wildlife Fund Caucasus Office, and the Greens Union of Armenia.

There are 630 mines operating in Armenia today, which include copper, gold,
decorative stone, and other minerals. Foreign companies such as Global Gold
Mining of Connecticut are also exploring for uranium mines in the Getik
River Valley and other parts of Armenia. "Uranium is a mineral of strategic
importance, but I can state that there are no confirmed, registered reserves
as such," according to the head of underground resources at the Ministry of
Nature Protection in the film.

Armenia is one of the top 10 world suppliers of molybdenum, and one of the
more active plants is located in Zangezour near the Kajaran copper mine.
"The plant is a source of immense pollution, but the tailings at Kajaran are
hidden under a green cover," states the narrator. In fact, the residents of
Kajaran need to be relocated because of the tailings and pollution from the
plant.

"Even the remediated soil contains heavy metals that accumulate in
fruit-bearing plants. When they get into the food chain they cause organ
damage, sterility, genetic mutations, and weaken the immune system. The
problem can be solved only by moving the town away from the plant’s zone,"
declares the film.

The villagers of Geghanoush have become victims of mine pollution, and now
they have to buy food instead of growing it themselves. "Not a single crop
grows in the village because of the waste dump and its toxic tracks,"
reveals the head of the local community.

Tailings waste flows into the Voghji River in Syunik village, passing
through residential gardens, fruit orchards, and other cultivated land,
contaminating vegetables, fruit, and animals. "They didn’t realize the
magnitude of the danger until their children got sick," states the narrator.
"For the damage caused, Dino Gold Mining paid a fine of $28,000 (US) to the
government and reimbursement of $2,800 (US) to the villagers–not a big fine
for damaging the health and the environment of an entire village."

"We, the population, gain almost nothing from the mining industry, in terms
of improvement of social conditions or strengthening the country
strategically. The main profits from mining goes to the owners and those who
mediate granting them mining licenses. That’s it! We are left with vanished
pastures and lands, and a polluted environment," states Hagop Sanasaryan,
head of the Greens Union of Armenia.

"The mines produce huge cavities in the mountains. During the ore
processing, the ground up powder is further treated, using cyanide or other
methods. The waste enters the air, the soil, and ultimately pollutes the
irrigation and drinking water," concludes Sanasaryan in the film.

Written by Inga Zarafyan, produced by Manuk Hergnyan, and directed by Hayk
Kbeyan, the 23-minute documentary "Poisoning for Profit" is being made
available for personal and public viewing in DVD format. To acquire a copy
of the film in the diaspora with English subtitles, contact Armenia Tree
Project via email at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> .

For more information about mining in Armenia and to sign a letter to
President Robert Kocharian expressing concern with a new mine planned in
Teghut village, visit the Armenia Tree Project web site at
<; .

PHOTO CAPTION (Alaverdi 2007.jpg): The new film "Poisoning for Profit"
documents the human health problems and environmental destruction caused by
mining in Armenia, which occurs when mining waste products enter the air and
soil and pollute irrigation and drinking water

SECOND LEGS OF FIRST QUALIFICATION STAGE OF UEFA’S CUP TOURNAMENT TO TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 2

Noyan Tapan
Aug 1, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian Mika Yerevan, who have won
the cup for five times, will receive MTK Budapesht (Hungary) in the
Republican sports ground in the second leg of the first qualification
stage of UEFA’s Cup Tournament on August 2. It should be mentioned
that the first match ended with a score of 2:1 with the victory
of Hungarians.

Banants Yerevan, the deputy champion of Armenia, will meet with Young
Boys in the second leg of the first qualification stage of the UEFA’s
Cup Tournament in Bern on August 2. The match of these teams held in
Yerevan ended in a draw: 1:1.

By the way, the match will take place in the "Stade de Suisse" in
Bern, where the matches of the group tournament of the final stage
of the European Championship will be held in 2008.

MATTHEW BRYZA HOPES SENATE WILL CHOOSE AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA SOON

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.07.2007 18:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The U.S. administration doesn’t want to drag out
absence of Ambassador to Armenia. The U.S. and Armenia have plenty of
joint programs, including the IPAP," U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair
Mattew Bryza told reporters in Yerevan.

The U.S. attaches big importance to relations with Armenia, according
to him.

"Appointment of mature diplomat Rudolf Perina the U.S. charge d’Affairs
in Armenia proves this republic’s importance for the United States. I
am hopeful the Senate will take a decision soon," Mr Bryza said.

Vice Ambassador Anthony Godrfey has acted as U.S. ambassador since
September 2006. Previous Ambassador John Evans was recalled because
of public recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Currently, OSCE MG
Co-chair in 2001-2004, former U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Rudolf Perina
occupies the post.

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE OF ARAGATSOTN REGION REJECTS COURT ACTION OF KHACHIK MANUKIAN, FORMER CANDIDATE FOR MP OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Noyan Tapan
Jul 30, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The Court of First Instance of the
Aragatsotn region rejected the court action of Khachik Manukian, a
shoemaker by profession, a non-partisan and former parliamentarian
candidate from Electoral Constituency 15 by the majoritarian
electoral system of the National Assembly, on July 27. The plaintiff
appeals against the negligence of the electoral commission of the
above-mentioned electoral constituency and claims that the decision of
the latter concerning the non-registration of his candidature should
be invalidated. According to Khachatur Manukian, the ordered letter,
with which he had made a self-rejection and which has become a basis
for the decision of the commission, has not been written by him.

RA DEFENSE MINISTER DEPARTING FOR KOSOVO JULY 31

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.07.2007 15:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The delegation of the Armenian Defense Ministry
led by Minister Mikael Harutyunyan will depart for Kosovo July 31
to meet with the Armenian peacekeepers and the top officer staff of
the multinational peacekeeping contingent. August 1 the delegation
will return to Yerevan, Defense Minister’s Spokesman, Colonel Seyran
Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Armenian military have been participating in the peacekeeping mission
within a Greek battalion since February 12, 2004. The seventh shift
of the Armenian peacekeepers is in Kosovo at the moment.

BAKU PROTESTS AGAINST INVENTED "ARMENIA’S PURCHASE OF ARMAMENT FROM ALBANIA"

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.07.2007 18:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry will send a
note to Albania. Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov told Azeri TV channels that
it will be a note of protest against "illegal selling of armament to
Armenia." The Minister emphasized that according to a UN resolution,
"no country can sell armament to other countries which are in state
of war."

"Armenia has never bought weapons from Albania and is not going to do
it. The information spread by APA agency is a lie from the beginning
to the end," Spokesman for the RA Defense Ministry Colonel Seyran
Shahsuvaryan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter yesterday.

Quoting Industrywatch APA reported that Turkish authorities have
refused transit to a sizeable consignment of Albanian weapons and
ammunition bound for Armenia. They forced the Albanian ship to sail
back with its cargo.

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berishi said Turkey forced back the
Albanian ship loaded with armament.

"One of our naval vessels loaded with containers full of weapons,
mainly heavy artillery and ammunition, was berthed at Durres port. The
ship had sailed from Durres to Istanbul," he underlined adding
that problematic relations between Armenia and Turkey resulted in a
situation when the ship had to return and the armament was unloaded
in Duress port. MEIKO Company director stated that Albania is not
interfering in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The
Albanian Defense Ministry had appointed the MEIKO Company to fill the
Armenian order, since it had some experience in this business selling
Pinari armament. The Armenian side would pay for the consignment of
armament," APA reported.

CRIME RATE DOWN IN ARMENIA – PROSECUTOR-GENERAL’S OFFICE

Armenian Second TV Channel, Yerevan
25 Jul 07

[Presenter] A sitting of the board of the Prosecutor-General’s
Office was held today. The results of the first half of 2007
were summed up. The crime rate in the country is down; however,
the Prosecutor-General’s Office is unhappy about the rate of the
solved crimes. They are also unhappy with the courts of first
instance and the Court of Appeals. High-profile murders were also
discussed. It has emerged that it was Hayk Israyelyan who had killed
[high-ranking tax official] Shahen Hovasapyan and Goga Arakelyan,
known in the criminal circles. [Former Yerevan district mayor’s son]
Sedrak Zatikyan’s murder is also among those solved.

[Correspondent] According to the figures of this year’s first half,
the crime rate has dropped in the republic. However, the rate of the
solved crimes has also decreased.

[Mnatsakan Sargsyan, deputy prosecutor general, speaking at the
meeting] The rate of the solved crimes has decreased by 6.7 per cent
in the first half of this year. While 83.8 per cent of the crimes
were solved last year, this year’s rate is 77 per cent.

[Correspondent] The prosecutor general is concerned: the rate of crimes
committed by juveniles has increased. Such cases should be examined
thoroughly to find out those who have pushed them to commit crimes;
their parents too should be examined.

[Mnatsakan Sargsyan] We have a permanently operating joint commission
with the Education and Science Ministry under the board’s instruction,
and once a year, the commission summarizes its work paying attention to
the regions and communities where [juvenile crime rate] has increased.

[Passage omitted: more instructions given to the commission to find
out reasons for the growth in juvenile crime]

[Correspondent] While the rate of serious crimes is down, the rate of
other crimes is up. The number of women sentenced for serious crimes
is also down.

The Prosecutor General’s Office says some high-profile murders have
been solved. Special investigators have established that the same
person, Hayk Israyelyan, had killed both Shahen Hovasapyan and Goga
Arakelyan, while another person, Suren Harutyunyan, was sentenced
for killing Goga Arakelyan.

[Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan] Hayk Israyelyan is the immediate
perpetrator of that murder. The accomplice, who was sentenced, had
just assumed the responsibility.

[Passage omitted: investigation details]

[Correspondent] Only half of the persons announced missing has
been found.

[Passage omitted: Prosecutor General’s Office says courts are slow;
some prosecutors hide real crime rate numbers to show a better picture]

14 SPECIALISTS OF ARMENIAN MILITARY-MEDICAL SERVICE TO TAKE PART IN Medceur-2007 EXERCISES TO BE HELD IN MOLDOVA

Noyan Tapan
Jul 26, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Medceur-2007 (Doctor-2007)
multi-national medical exercises will be held from July 28 to August
10 at Moldova’s Bulboaca military educational center. The main goal
of the exercises is cooperation of military-medical services during
possible armed conflicts.

60 specialists of military-medical services of 13 NATO member-states
and those cooperating within the framework of the Partnership for Peace
Program, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrghyzstan, Macedonia, Serbia, the Ukraine, Croatia, Moldova, and
the U.S. will take part in the exercises.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Defence Ministry, the Armenian
Armed Forces in Moldova will be represented by 14 specialists of the
Military-Medical Department of the RA Defence Ministry and of Yerevan
M. Heratsi State Medical University’s Military Medical Department:
officers, lecturers, and students.

MATTHEW BRYZA TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA JULY 30

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.07.2007 17:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European
and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza arrives in Armenia on July 30 in
the framework of his regional tour, the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist
was told in the Press Office of US Embassy in Yerevan. The agenda of
his visit is under specification.