Author: Jabejian Elizabeth

THERE IS NO ARMENIAN “TRACE” IN HAROUTYUNYAN’S CASE: ARMENIAN PM

TBILISI, JULY 25. ARMINFO. Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
who is presently visiting Georgia says that there is no Armenian
“trace” in Vladimir Haroutyunyan’s case.

Russian media report him as saying that even though the suspect in the
May 10 terror act on Tbilisi Liberty Square is Armenian he is Georgian
citizen. This is by no means related to Armenia or the
Armenians. Haroutyunyan is Georgian citizen, says Margaryan.

To the remark that the grenade RGD-5 thrown in Bush’s direction was of
“Armenian manufacture” Margaryan says: “Why of Armenian manufacture –
may be of Chinese one?”

To remind, Haroutyunyan is now in the Tbilisi Republic Hospital with
four wounds he got during the arrest. His lawyer says that he is
feeling well and will probably be taken to the prison hospital this
evening. Haroutyunyan is sincerely mourning for the policeman killed
during the arrest skirmish and will not dispute the three-month
preliminary imprisonment verdict against him. He still refuses to
testify which is not proof of his guilt.

Forbes
July 22 2005

Russian Electricity Monopoly to Manage Grid
07.22.2005, 11:14 AM

Russia’s electricity monopoly Unified Energy Systems has acquired
the right to manage and receive profits from Armenia’s national grid
company for the next 99 years, UES said Friday.

The giant Russian utility paid US$73 million (euro60 million) in the
deal, which was signed June 23, making UES the effective owner of
the company – but sidestepping the need to seek approval from the
Armenian government as in the case of an outright purchase.

A spokeswoman for UES said Friday that the company would not comment
on the structure of the deal. She did not rule out, however, that
the company could acquire shares in the grid company – Electricity
Networks of Armenia – in the future.

UES had reported in its 2004 financial statement at the end of
June that it had paid the US$73 million (euro60 million) to buy the
company. It said Friday this information was not true and had been
mistakenly included in the financial statement.

State-controlled UES, hungry to cement influence in the former Soviet
republics, has struck several high-profile electricity deals with
Russia’s smaller neighbors.

In Georgia it controls a chunk of generation and power distribution,
and has negotiated generator-building deals in Tajikistan, which
supplies neighbors Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Mikhail Mantrov, the head of UES’ international division Interenergo
B.V., said Friday in Yerevan that UES also controls 10 percent of
the former Soviet republic’s electricity-generating capacity via the
Sevano-Razdansky hydroelectric power station.

British company Midland Resources Holding paid US$37 million (euro30.4
million) for Electricity Networks of Armenia in 2002, of which US$25
million (euro20.5 million) was earmarked to pay down the cash-starved
company’s debts and overdue wages.

Iraqi Christians fear prospect of Islamic law

The Tablet , UK
July 22 2005

RAMPANT violence across Iraq is threatening the rebuilding of the
country as it moves towards the drafting of its first post-Saddam
constitution, which religious minorities are concerned may leave out
any meaningful provisions for religious freedom.

More than 130 people were killed in a three-day bombing frenzy last
weekend, including 90 who lost their lives when a suicide bomber blew
up a propane gas tanker on Saturday near a Shia mosque in the town
of Al-Musayyib, south of Baghdad.

The attack was the single deadliest strike since the formation of
the new government in May, and was believed to have been the work
of Sunni insurgents intent on sparking off sectarian conflict with
Iraq’s Shia majority. Iraqi and US officials believe that keeping the
political process on track is the only way to prevent the insurgency
from spiralling out of control. Sticking to the political schedule
looks to be key in preventing a full-scale civil war but, on Tuesday,
three Sunnis working on the draft of Iraq’s new constitution were
gunned down in Baghdad, rattling hopes expressed earlier in the day
by interim president Jalal Talabani that the new charter might be
completed ahead of next month’s deadline.

The latest attacks came as Iraq’s Christian leaders petitioned
the United Nations and their country’s interim officials to urge a
constitutional separation of religion from politics. Nine Christian
leaders, including the Roman Catholic Archbishop Jean Sleiman
of Baghdad, the Syrian Archbishop Athanase Matoka, the Chaldean
Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni and Mgr Andon Atamian, administrator
for Armenian Catholics, made the plea in a letter delivered mid-July
to Mr Talabani and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

In the letter, the Christian leaders said they feared discrimination
if the draft constitution, to be completed by 15 August, enshrines
sharia, or Islamic law. Iraq’s minorities are concerned that if
the constitution names sharia as the main source of civil law –
as suggested by many Shia Muslims, who make up 62 per cent of the
country’s population – non-Muslims will be relegated to second-class
status at best and, at worst, be driven out of the country, slain or
forced to convert.

Painting a grim picture of life for minorities in Iraq, Christian
leaders say that religious persecution has worsened since the Americans
arrived in the spring of 2003 and that tens of thousands of Christians
have fled to neighbouring countries. They are worried that things
could get worse still, and that the discrimination experienced by
other Christians under sharia, in Sudan and Nigeria for example,
could also arise in Iraq if such a constitution is ratified.

Last week, Chaldean Bishop Andreos Abouna, an auxiliary in Baghdad,
took the appeal to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of
Westminster. He warned that a pro-sharia constitution would massively
speed up the exodus of Iraq’s 800,000 Chaldeans. Highlighting the
unprecedented unilateral action by the Church leaders, Bishop Abouna
told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need: “If we do not
act together, we will lose. It is very urgent that we address this
problem and that we do so together.”

“If there is a move toward the confirmation of the role of the Islamic
religion in Iraqi society, then it is only natural to confirm the role
of other religions that have been historically established in Iraq,”
the Christian leaders said in their letter. “We are only asking for
… equality, freedom and equal opportunities and [prevention of]
racial, religious and denominational discrimination.”

On Tuesday, President Talabani predicted the new constitution could
be ready by the end of the month pending the settlement of some final
differences with minority Sunnis on the drafting panel.

The Iraqi Government has promised that the constitution will be put
to a referendum before it is ratified. Until then, Iraq will continue
to be under the authority of an interim constitution, prepared before
sovereignty was handed over in June 2004. This effectively sidestepped
the issue of sharia, saying its place in Iraqi law would have to be
decided at a later date.

Mr Talabani said this week that the fast trial of Saddam was also
essential in weakening the insurgency, with almost 25,000 Iraqi
civilians killed since US-led troops invaded in March 2003, an average
of 34 a day, according to a British study. Last Sunday the ousted
dictator was charged for the massacre of 143 Shia villagers in 1982.

Michael Hirst

THE ONLY WAY IS BOYCOTT

A1+
16-07-2005

“The draft constitutional amendments sent to the Venice Commission
does not reflect the political and economic situation in Armenia”,
first secretary of the RA Communist Party Ruben Tovmasyan says.

The project did not undergo democratic discussions, even the deputies
themselves are not acquainted with the draft sent to the Commission.
According to Tovmasyan that “when speaking of independence they fall
into the direct dependence of the Venice Commission and other European
states, which have much to learn from Armenia.”

“First of all I do not admit that our Constitution should get the
OK from outside. There are national customs, historical past. Why
should foreigners instruct us? The Constitution should be assessed
by the people via discussions”, he considers

“The process of constitutional reform is doomed to failure”, expert
of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies Stepan
Safaryan considers. Though he has not examined the draft that was sent
to the Venice Commission he is convinced that it will not solve the
problems, which arouse in the course of political processes. “Besides,
one should keep in mind that the project served to one purpose: to
adept the Constitution to own political aims and interests. In his
opinion, even the amendments of the Venice Commission cannot make
the constitution more democratic.

Stepan Demirchyan in his turn noted that the coalition lacks political
will “for the adoption of proposals made by the opposition.” “It
is incorrect to start constitution reform when the forces within
the coalition have already launched the race for President”, Stepan
safaryan said adding that the only way under such circumstances is
to boycott the referendum on constitutional reform.

“This is an imitation”, leader of New Times party Aram Karapetyan said
when commenting on the constitutional amendments. He considers that
not all the essential reforms have been implemented. Aram Karapetyan
says he respects the Venice Commission, however “we but not they will
live due to this constitution.” The New Times leader called upon the
opposition to boycott the constitutional reform as this process has
no sense.

Karine Asatryan

UEFA

July 15 2005

UEFA Cup: Lokomotivi Tbilisi take control

Three goals in eleven minutes either side of half-time helped
FC Lokomotiv Tbilisi take the initiative in their UEFA Cup first
qualifying round tie at FC Banants, although strikes from Aram Hakobyan
and Tigran Gharabaghtsyan brought the home team back into contention.

Three-goal burst

Much of the pre-match hype surrounded Lokomotivi Tbilisi’s midfield
prodigy George Alaverdashvili and the 17-year-old did not disappoint,
breaking the deadlock on 42 minutes. Lasha Kebadze and George Oniani
made it 3-0 early in the second period as the visitors seized control,
but Banants dragged themselves back into the tie in the closing stages.

Alaverdashvili strike

The late goals will be a blow to Lokomotivi Tbilisi, who looked at
ease for much of the encounter in Yerevan, not least Alaverdashvili.
The teenager caused his Armenian hosts problems from the kick-off and
it was little surprise that he struck first just before the interval,
springing the offside trap before sliding the ball past Manuchari
Ivardava.

Attacking intent

The Banants goalkeeper was beaten again three minutes after the
restart when Kebadze, who had earlier seen a long-range effort hit
the post, lashed the ball in from an acute angle. By now the Georgian
Cup winners were pouring forward, with wing-backs Roin Oniani and
Mikheil Makhviladze playing as auxiliary wingers.

Banants recovery

But it was another Oniani, centre-back George, who secured a three-goal
cushion on 53 minutes, converting from the penalty spot. However,
with the tie seemingly in their hands, the away team eased off. Samvel
Melkonyan soon took advantage, testing Beka Shekriladze with a fine
shot, but Lokomotivi Tbilisi did not heed the warning and were made
to pay.

Tbilisi date

With eight minutes remaining Hakobyan revived the home crowd’s
hopes by pulling a goal back and that optimism grew when substitute
Gharabaghtsyan further reduced the deficit in the final minute. The
stage is set for an intriguing second leg in Georgia on 28 July.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 15 2005

RECEPTION ON THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY OF FRANCE, BASTILLE DAY
[July 15, 2005, 12:09:08]

The French Embassy in Baku has arranged on July 14 at the Azerbaijan
State Philharmonic named after Muslim Magomayev an official reception
on the National Holiday of France, Bastille Day.

At the event were sounded the national anthems of France and
Azerbaijan.

French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Rolan Blatman in his opening speech
noted the both countries – Azerbaijan and France, being as republics
with democratic traditions have been developing a bilateral political,
economics and cultural ties. In his opinion it’s will develop
henceforth on the interest of peoples of the countries.

Then, speaking at the reception chairman of the Milli Majlis
Murtuz Alaskarov first of all has conveyed to the French people
congratulations of the Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on
the National Holiday of France, Bastille Day. The Parliament
speaker has noted that being deeply rooted Azerbaijani-French
ties have been getting a new impulse in 1992, after establishing
of diplomatic relations between the countries. Mr. Alaskarov has
also highly estimated the France efforts to find solution to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The reception was attended be the Azerbaijan officials, Ambassadors
of foreign countries in Baku.

World Bank

Armenia: World Bank Supports Implementation of Government’s Urban
Heating Strategy

/noticias.info/ WASHINGTON, July 12, 2005. – The World Bank’s Board
of Directors today approved an Urban Heating Project (UHP) for
Armenia in the amount of US$15 million. The project will support the
implementation of the Government’s Urban Heating Strategy for
multi-unit apartment buildings and will improve heating in urban
schools.

The development objective of this four-year project is to increase
the use of clean, efficient, safe and affordable heating technologies
in urban schools and multi-unit apartment buildings. The project will
achieve this objective by removing barriers and creating market
conditions for the commercial provision of heating services;
providing long-term financing to service providers and consumers for
their investments in heat supply systems and energy efficiency
measures; building the capacity of local financial institutions in
financing heat supply and energy efficient systems to ensure
sustainability after project closing; promoting efficient and safe
boilers, heaters, and equipment to meter and control fuel and heat
consumption; and stimulating the creation and effective functioning
of self-regulating community organizations.

`We do hope that with the joint efforts of the Government of Armenia,
the World Bank, and other donors involved in the sector, that by the
completion of this Project the foundation for the sustainable
development of commercial heating services in Armenia will be laid,’-
said Gevorg Sargsyan, head of the World Bank team designing the
Project.

The Project combines investment, line of credit and technical
assistance financing:

· The technical assistance component will be targeted at community
and private sector mobilization and development of an enabling
environment for effective and safe provision of heating services,
including the improvement of the legal and regulatory framework, the
development of safety norms and standards, and the certification of
suppliers and equipment, capacity building of heat service providers,
local financial institutions, and home owner associations,
implementation of broad information campaigns and public education
programs, etc.

· Investment financing for heating of residential buildings will be
supported under two subcomponents. The first subcomponent consists of
lending to heat providers, home owner associations, municipalities
and individual home-owners for heating infrastructure investments. It
is estimated that about 7,000 households in multi-apartment buildings
without access to operational heating services would benefit from
these investments. The second subcomponent consist of capital grants
to finance investments for the connection of gas, heat and hot water
supply to the apartments of the poor households. Roughly 10,000 poor
households are expected to be provided with a basic level of service
from clean heat sources.

· Installation and/or rehabilitation of gas-based local heating
systems for schools. Roughly 100 schools will receive funding under
this component. The primary focus of this component will be on urban
schools outside Yerevan.

The project will also be supported by a US$ 2.9 million co-financing
Grant from the UNDP/GEF project `Improving the Energy Efficiency of
Urban Heating and Hot Water Supply in Armenia’, which is designed as
technical assistance complementing the WB project.

The Credit will be made to Armenia on standard IDA terms, including
40 years maturity and a 10-year grace period.

Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, commitments to
Armenia total approximately US$896 million for 40 operations.

Ethnic gang warfare seen as cause of Ukhta deadly fire – Russian TV

NTV, Moscow
12 Jul 05

According to latest reports, the death toll in the shopping centre
fire in Ukhta has reached 24, the [Russian] Emergencies Ministry told
NTV.

Thursday, 14 July, has been declared a day of mourning in the Republic
of Komi.

The first funerals will take place soon. The authorities have promised
financial aid to the victims.

The fire was most probably caused by arson, police say. A criminal
investigation has been opened on charges of murder of two or more
people.

Two teenagers are the main suspects. Witnesses saw them hurling
containers filled with a flammable liquid under a staircase on the
ground floor.

Some investigators working on the case have told the Kommersant
newspaper that, I quote, authoritative businessmen [commonly used
euphemism for criminal bosses] of Slavic origin, unquote, may be
behind the fire. They have been dreaming for a long time of forcing
people from the Caucasus out of the city trade. The shop destroyed by
the fire belonged to a certain Vladimir Gevorkyan [an Armenian name].

An official from the Ukhta mayor’s office has suggested another
theory. He told the newspaper, I quote, there is no criminal, or,
moreover, ethnic dispute in the town’s business. There was no arson
either. The fire broke out accidentally, because of negligence,
unquote.

Pan Armenian News

ROTATION OF ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN IRAQ JULY 10

08.07.2005 03:22

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ June 10 Armenia will carry out the rotation of its
peacekeepers in Iraq. To remind, the Armenian peacekeeping contingent
numbering 46 people (30 drivers, 3 doctors, 10 combat engineers, a
communication officer, a platoon commander and a joint command officer) was
deployed in Iraq this January. The Armenian officers serve in Iraq as a part
of the Polish peacekeeping division. The expenses for deployment, rear,
communicative, technical and medical security are covered by the US
government, IA Regnum reported.

Libération, France
mercredi 06 juillet 2005

Le “Quid” condamné pour sa présentation du génocide arménien

PARIS – Le tribunal de Paris a condamné les éditions Robert Laffont
pour une présentation jugée erronée dans le “Quid”, entre 2002 et
2004, du génocide des Arméniens de Turquie en 1915.

L’éditeur devra verser un euro symbolique de dommages et intérêts à
quatre associations arméniennes et devra en outre publier dans trois
quotidiens, trois hebdomadaires et sur son site internet un
communiqué déclarant que la présentation de l’événement historique a
été jugée “fautive”.

La modification de l’édition 2005, déjà réformée, de même que
l’insertion d’un texte demandé par le Comité de défense de la cause
arménienne (CDCA) et le Comité de défense des organisations
arméniennes en France, ont en revanche été refusées.

Le tribunal estime que le “Quid” a eu le tort, dans les articles
“Turquie” et “Arménie”, de présenter comme des informations
éventuelles des bilans sous-évalués du génocide établis par des
historiens négationnistes.

Il reproche aussi à l’ouvrage de juxtaposer les positions turque et
arménienne sur l’événement en privilégiant la première et de recourir
à des termes négationnistes tels que “voyage” au lieu de
“déportation”.

Enfin, le “Quid” est sanctionné pour avoir donné du crédit à la thèse
selon laquelle les Arméniens auraient été massacrés en raison de leur
collaboration avec la Russie pendant la Première Guerre mondiale.

“Cette faute cause incontestablement aux proches et aux héritiers de
cette communauté (arménienne) un trouble et une douleur morale
d’autant plus vifs que le souvenir et l’attention historique venaient
de triompher de décennies de silence”, dit le tribunal dans ses
attendus.

Le génocide des Arméniens par les Turcs, reconnu par l’Onu, le
Parlement européen, le Conseil de l’Europe et le Parlement français,
a fait jusqu’à un million et demi de morts en 1915.

La Turquie nie l’existence d’un génocide mais admet qu’il y a eu des
massacres. Elle conteste également le nombre de victimes.

“C’est une grande victoire pour la mémoire de nos grands-parents.
Avec ce jugement, la France vient d’envoyer un message clair à la
Turquie pour qu’elle cesse sa propagande négationniste, dont le Quid
se faisait le relais”, a estimé après le jugement Harout
Mardirossian, président du Comité de défense de la cause arménienne.