Author: Hovhannisian John

‘GOLDEN APRICOT 2006’ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO LAUNCH JULY 10-15
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
23/05/2006
“Golden Apricot 2006” international film festival will launch in
Yerevan on July 10-15. Moris de Hadeln, Godfrey Regio and Arsine
Khanjian will lead the competitions for the fiction films, documentary
and “Armenian Panorama” competitions respectively. The organizers of
the festival informed that 257 films from 56 countries will participate
in the festival.
Besides the competition program, the festival also had 4 out of
contest programs. Best 10 European films shot in 2005-2006 will be
represented within the framework of “One Day in Europe” program. While
“The Summer Euphoria” program will include 10 films picked up by Andrey
Plakhov. The new films by the festival guests will be included in
“Yerevan Premier” program, while “The Documentary World” program will
represent the films chosen by the organizers. On July 12-13, “Directors
without Borders” international seminar will be held in Yerevan by
the financial assistance of the European Cultural Parliament.
The organizers of the festival informed that Artavazd Peleshian,
one of the most contemporary prominent directors, will attend the
festival as an honored guest. He will receive the prize of “Golden
Apricot 2006” for the greatest contribution to the world cinema.
Harutyun Khachatrian stated that they have settled many issues and the
festival can compete with other festivals that cost $4-5 million. It’s
worth mentioning that the festival is being held within the framework
of budget of $300 thousand.
Mikeal Stanboltsian stated that they try to be strict when chosing
the Armenian films, trying to represent the most interesting ones,
so that the foreigners get familiarized with Armenian cinema.

VEDANTA RESOURCES IS READY TO INVEST $80 MLN IN GOLD MINING IN ARMENIA
Yerevan, 17.05.06 ArmInfo. According to the information distributed
by an Indian News Paper Economic Times Vedanta Resources is planning
to enter the precious metal business in Armenia.
The Economic Times also informs that the intention of Vedanta –
India’s major player in non-ferrous metals, in investing in gold
mining industry is based on an all-time high current prices of gold.
The Vedanta Resources listed in London Stock Exchange may make an
investment in Sterlite Gold, controlled by Agarwal family through
Volcan Investments. For expansion of their gold mining project Sterlite
needs $70-80 mln. Vedanta is likely to step in by investing the money
and thereby picking up a stake in the company.
The Armenian operations are controlled through Ararat Gold Recovery
Company (AGRC) owned by Sterlite Gold Ltd. As per the information
provided by Economic Times Vedanta is yet to decide on the move and
the rout to be followed, – ” A decision on whether to bring in funds
through Vedanta or through thee holding company is being debated.”
The company currently has a negligible presence in gold but is a
major player in copper, zinc and aluminium.
AGRC presently is doing mining at Sotk and Meghradzor gold deposits and
operates processing plant at Ararat. AGRC plans to expand capacities
in exploration, confirmatory drilling, mining and increasing gold
processing plant capacity to 1 mt per annum. The mine life, based upon
proven reserves and proposed capacity will be at least 10 years. AGRC
plans to upgrade some of the facilities of Ararat plant and to build
a brand new processing plant with POX technology. AGRC already has
invited expression of interest from companies, which can provide the
latest technologies, engineering, design, supply of equipment and
training of manpower for implementation of new project.
As per the available information, Vedanta is listed in London stock
exchange since December 2003 and is controlled by Agarwal family,
which also has full control over Sterlite Gold Ltd – the owner of
AGRC. Vedanta is the 3rd largest supplier of aluminium in India,
with a market share of 20%. In 2005 a new 300,000 tpa copper smelter
was commissioned. Another 250,000 tpa of copper is produced at their
property in Zambia. The company produces 210,000 tones of zinc planing
to increase production up to 400,000 tpa. Vedanta’s annual sales are
of $1.9 bln. Company properties are located in India, Australia and
Zambia. Vedanta is investing over $2 billion in growth projects over
the next three years.
The publication in Economic Times looks to contradict the information
circulated within trans -governmental circle in Armenia, which
particularly states that the Indian company has an intention to
terminate mining at Sotk.
We remember that AGRC’s suggestion to put up a new processing plant
at Sotk mine was rejected by Armenian Government because of certain
environmental concerns. The Government at that time did not display
any interest in that project and refused to further discuss this
matter. As per rumors, circulated at that time AGRC was to terminate
its activities in Armenia if approval for new plant in Sotk was not
granted. We have requested AGRC management to comment on this. As
we were tald by AGRC management – “AGRC does not have any intention
to terminate its activities irrespective of any circumstances. The
proposal for putting up a new processing plant at Sotk mine site was
just one of our several options, conditioned by certain technical
problems. We are ready to discuss and accept any other reasonable
suggestion by RA Government and immediately start investing of $70-80
mln. Unfortunately our numerous written requests to the Government
on this matter remain unanswered till now.”
In fact the publication in the Indian news paper gives a clear message
to Armenian government, that Indian company is ready to invest in
Armenian economy tens of millions of dollars, irrespective of where
the new processing plant will be located. Meanwhile the Investors are
still waiting for answers… If the matter is associated only with
environmental issues it is really difficult to apprehend why Armenian
Government does not make any suggestion to the company on location for
new processing plant, which is safe from environmental point of view,
thereby giving “green light” to inflow of millions of dollars.

EUROVISION 2006 SEMIFINAL DUE IN GREECE TODAY
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 21:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The semifinal of Eurovision 2006 is due in Greece
today. Armenia will for the first time represented at the contest
by singer Andre with a song titled “Without your love”. As head of
the voting project of the Armenian Public Television Ruben Muradyan
told PanARMENIAN.Net, residents of Armenia will have the possibility
to vote for the singer they liked via SMS or a phone call. The phone
number will be announced just at the beginning of the contest.
Voting service will be available within ten minutes.
Several calls from the same number are allowed. As R. Muradyan remarked
that Armenia will benefit from the big number of votes since it will
prove the interest of the Armenian audience. Armenian Diaspora can
view the contest via local channels. For example, Armenians in France
will watch the French channel, since the information on the screen
and the phone numbers vary depending on the state. It should also
be noted that the contest rule prohibits residents of any state from
voting in favor of its representative.

GEGHARKUNIK AGRICULTURE TO BE REPLENISHED BY 5 NEW MODERN TRACTORS
Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006
GAVAR, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. This year the agriculture of Gegharkunik
marz will be replenished by 5 modern tractors. NT correspondent was
informed at the agriculture department of the regional government
staff that Sonilka-1 tractors to be sold by auction will be provided
within the framework of the Armenian-Indian intergovernmental
cooperation. These tractors can perform 4 operations: ploughing,
cultivation, sowing and reaping. Although the real value of a tractor
makes 12 thousand USD, their reserve price at the auction will be 2
mln drams (about 4.5 thousand USD). The difference of this sum will
be compensated by the Indian government.

M.F.A.: WE EXPECT FRANCE NOT TO ALLOW ANY INITIATIVES THAT WILL HARM OUR HISTORICAL RELATIONS
Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 18 2006
ANKARA – “We expect the French parliament to reject the draft law
envisaging punishment of those who deny so-called Armenian genocide,”
said Namik Tan, spokesman for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
on Wednesday.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Tan said, “we expect France
not to allow any initiatives that will harm our historical relations.
We welcome that the French government and people share the same views
with us.”
The French parliament will debate the draft law tomorrow.

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-10) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Minister Oskanian Meets with Azerbaijani FM and OSCE Minsk Group co-Chairs
On Thursday, May 18, in Strasbourg, France, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in the presence of
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, in the ongoing Nagorno Karabakh negotiation
process.
Following the bilateral meeting, the co-chairs met with each minister
separately. The purpose of this round of talks was to prepare for the visit
to the region later this month of a high-level delegation from the co-chair
countries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Oskanian positively assessed the
talks, despite the outstanding issues that remain, he said.
On Friday, May 19, Minister Oskanian will take part in the 116th Session of
the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

GENOCIDE ARMENIEN: UNE PROPOSITION DE LOI PS QUI EMBARRASSE LES DEPUTES
Avant-Papier
Par Suzette BLOCH
Agence France Presse
16 mai 2006 mardi
Les deputes examineront jeudi matin une proposition de loi socialiste
rendant passible de prison la negation du genocide armenien de 1915,
un texte qui divise et embarrasse les elus tout en provoquant des
tensions entre Ankara et Paris.
Le texte vise a completer par un volet penal la loi du 29 janvier 2001
par laquelle la France reconnaît le genocide armenien. Elle fait de
la negation du genocide un delit punissable d’un an d’emprisonnement
et de 45.000 euros d’amende.
La proposition de loi ne devrait pas etre adoptee, une très large
majorite des deputes UMP y etant opposee.
Une incertitude demeure cependant et tout dependra du nombre de
deputes presents en seance. Des deputes UMP sont en effet favorables
a ce texte et le groupe leur a laisse la liberte de vote.
En outre, deux propositions de loi similaires d’elus UMP, ont ete
deposees juste après le texte du Parti socialiste, l’une d’Eric Raoult
(Seine-Saint-Denis) et l’autre de Richard Mallie (Bouches-du-Rhône)
et Roland Blum (Bouches-du-Rhône).
Très mobilisee, la communaute d’origine armenienne, estimee a 500.000
personnes (80.000 dans la region de Lyon et autant dans la region de
Marseille), represente un electorat non negligeable.
“Le negationnisme n’est sanctionne actuellement que s’il concerne
l’Holocauste. Cette specificite prive les victimes du genocide armenien
du respect de leur memoire et de leur identite que le negationnisme
remet en cause regulièrement”, argumente le rapporteur PS du texte,
Christophe Masse (Bouches-du-Rhône).
Il en veut pour preuve les evenements recents de Lyon où
l’inauguration, en avril, d’un memorial du genocide armenien a
entraîne des profanations et des manifestations pro-turques, avec
des slogans negationnistes.
L’UMP, echaudee par la recente polemique sur la colonisation, est
cependant opposee au texte.
Le rôle de la loi n’est “pas d’ecrire l’histoire”, a souligne le
president de l’Assemblee nationale, Jean-Louis Debre. “Nous avons tous
participe a un debat qui a conclu a la necessite de ne plus legiferer
sur les faits historiques, sur leur interpretation, sur la memoire”,
a rencheri Bernard Accoyer (UMP).
A la suite d’un tolle chez les historiens, les defenseurs des droits
de l’Homme et dans les rangs de l’opposition, le gouvernement avait
dû faire supprimer l’article 4 de la loi du 23 fevrier 2005 sur
“le rôle positif” de la colonisation en Afrique du Nord. A droite
comme a gauche, beaucoup avaient alors convenu qu’il ne fallait pas
legiferer sur l’histoire.
Plusieurs historiens de renom opposes au vote de “lois memorielles”
se sont declare “profondement choques” de l’initiative du PS.
Parmi les socialistes, elle ne fait pas non plus l’unanimite. Le chef
de file du groupe, Jean-Marc Ayrault, a fait part de ses “extremes
reserves”.
Du côte des centristes, la position est plus claire et selon Francois
Rochebloine, qui sera leur orateur, les deputes UDF devraient voter
le texte.
La proposition crispe a nouveau les relations avec Ankara deja furieuse
de la reconnaissance du genocide armenien. La Turquie a rappele son
ambassadeur a Paris pour consultation en avertissant la France que
les relations bilaterales pourraient etre gravement affectees par
cette loi.
Les Armeniens estiment que jusqu’a 1,5 million des leurs ont peri
dans un genocide organise par l’Empire ottoman entre 1915 et 1917,
tandis qu’Ankara evoque des massacres de part et d’autre mais recuse
les accusations de genocide.
–Boundary_(ID_fm1yzs9aigzj8d1J2yc8ig)- –

VAZGEN MANUKIAN: “THERE IS NO COALITION FROM FORMAL POINT OF VIEW”
Noyan Tapan
May 16 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. There is no coalition from the
formal viewpoint, as, according to one of the points of their
agreement, by one of member parties’ leaving, the coalition is
supposed to be liquidated. Vazgen Manukian, the Chairman of the
National Democratic Union expressed such an opinion at the May 16
press-conference. According to him, any separation (the “Orinats
Yerkir” (Country of Law) party’s leaving the coalition: “NT”)
brings some weakness into the rulling system. Manukian finds that
the Republic Party of Armenia makes use of the given situation, and
it is a “intimate situation” for the ARF Dashnaktsutiun. According
to Vazgen Manukian, it was decided for some reasons that National
Assembly Speaker, “Orinats Yerkir” party head Artur Baghdasarian
must be punished, and people engaged in business from the inside of
the party were easily obliged to leave the party. Thus, it shows that
“we live in a state the government system of which is the same Soviet
Union system, with a bit more “riff-raff” forms.” “And the country
may not develop with such a government, he emphasized.” According
to V.Manukian, the whole society must be anxious that this way of
government is destructive for the country. And it is necessary to
create a public movement to change this form, where not only parties
but the society, intellectuals, businessmen as well must unite. In
responce to the question if the “Orinats Yerkir” party may occupy
a place in the opposing field, the NDU Chairman said that places
of the authorities are limited, of the opposition are unlimited:
“So that, anybody may find his place in the opposition. The life
will show if Artur Baghdasarian will be able to find his place in
that field.” According to Manukian, it is sensible to cooperate in
the opposing field, if a public, political field is created as a
result of that cooperation. As for the NDU’s participation in the
coming elections, Manukian mentioned that if the electoral system of
Armenia continues to remain alike its present state, they will not
participate in any election.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN NOT TO TAKE PART IN NATO PA PLENARY SITTING
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 16 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian President
Robert Kocharian will not take part in the plenary sitting of NATO
Parliamentary Assembly (PA) to be held on May 26-30 in Paris. Viktor
Soghomonian, Spokesperson for RA President, reported this to radio
Liberty. “The President has received an invitation from President of
NATO PA Pierre Lellouche but, unfortunately, he cannot take part in
the sitting as his agenda of these days is busy. OSCE Minsk Group
Co-chairs are to arrive in Yerevan on these days, the festivities
dedicated to the Holiday of Republic are to be held on May 28,” Viktor
Soghomonian said giving a negative answer to the question, whether this
is connected with the current home political situation. The analysts
had made suppositions that a Kocharian-Aliyev meeting could take place
in Paris. According to different sources, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev has accepted the invitation to visit Paris. The three Co-chairs
of Minsk Group will arrive in the region in the period from May 25
to May 30, but, according to the Spokesperson, the concrete day of
arriving to Yerevan is not known yet.

REPORT: RICHEST ANGELENO IS WORTH MORE THAN $9 BILLION
NBC4.TV, CA
May 15 2006
LOS ANGELES — The richest man in Los Angeles is self-made investor
Kirk Kerkorian, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s annual
list of the 50 wealthiest Angelenos, which hits newsstands Monday.
Kerkorian is worth an estimated $9.3 billion, according to the
publication.
Born in 1917 in Fresno to Armenian immigrants, Kerkorian, who never
attended college, made billions in investments in Las Vegas casinos,
airlines, and MGM studios — which he later sold.
Last year’s richest Angeleno, media mogul Sumner Redstone, saw his
estimated wealth dip from $8.3 billion to $7.4 billion, and his ranking
drop to second on this year’s list. The media mogul led the split of
CBS and Viacom, but both companies’ stock later dropped.
Barbara Davis and her family, heirs to the Marvin Davis oil fortune,
ranked third with $6 billion, the Business Journal reported.
In fourth place was Eli Broad with an estimated net worth of $5.6
billion. Broad has invested heavily in revitalizing Los Angeles,
from revamping the Disney Concert Hall to proposing a $1.8 billion
makeover of Bunker Hill nearby.
Although rising real estate prices may be hurting California
homebuyers, they benefitted John Shea, a residential and commercial
developer and financier whose fortune rose 25 percent to $3 billion.
Shea’s real estate gains earned him the 12th spot.
Drooping revenues at the box office have sunk the fortunes of some
of those in Hollywood.
DreamWorks Animation SKG head Jeffrey Katzenberg’s wealth saw a 9
percent decrease, putting him in 45th place with $859 million. Steven
Spielberg, at No. 14, managed to stave off major losse3. His wealth
climbed 8 percent, to $2.8 billion, largely because the movie director
branched into video games.
The only actor to make the list was Mel Gibson, who came in at No.
47, with an estimated worth of $850 million.
Everyone on this year’s list was worth at least $760 million, which
is how much the Business Journal estimated investor Robert Peterson
was worth. That’s nearly $140 million more than it took to be No. 50
last year when former Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner brought up
the rear.