Author: Jagharian Tania

EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE: AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA SHOULD INTENSIFY CO-OPERATION WITH PUBLIC

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 19 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr A. Ismaylova / Peter Semneby, the EU
Special Representative in the South Caucasus, urged that Azerbaijan
and Armenia should intensify their co-operation with the public in
order to sign a peace agreement.

Semneby believes both Azerbaijan and Armenia could exert more effort.

The issue has not been given enough attention to date.

Semneby expressed his hope that the peace agreement will be signed
as soon as possible. He was commenting on the statement of Goran
Lenmarker, the President of the UN Parliamentary Assembly, on the
possibility of the peace agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
being settled after the presidential elections in Armenia.

"Some two decades have past since the conflict and it is high time
for the parties to sign the peace agreement. We hope that on the basis
of the last meeting of the presidents of the two countries in Minsk,
the settlement can be achieved," he noted.

PanArmenian News Network, Armenia
March 19 2007

Shahan Kandaharian:
Armenian people to benefit from dual citizenship

The Near East has always been the center of the Armenian Diaspora.
Armenians who survived the Genocide in 1915 found shelter here. The
Armenian community of Lebanon is one of the oldest and weighty ones
throughout the Diaspora. Shahan Kandaharian, the Editor-in-Chief of
Azdak Beirut-based newspaper, comments to PanARMENIAN.Net on the life
of the community and situation in Lebanon.
19.03.2007 GMT+04:00

The law on dual citizenship has been recently adopted in Armenia.
What’s the attitude of the Diaspora about it?

The debates on the law on dual citizenship were focused in the
`classic’ Armenian Diaspora residing in the Near East, specifically
in Lebanon. As a matter of fact, this document is of utmost
importance for Armenians who were deprived of homeland. The law will
restore historical justice and a proper approach to the Diaspora. The
former authorities prohibited dual citizenship over political
reasons. Nowadays, the Armenianhood being dispersed throughout the
globe has been offered a new outlook. We will join our efforts and
the Diaspora will possess a document proving its existence at the
international level. We, the people living beyond our fatherland,
will know that our children will be citizens of Armenia. However, the
discussion develops in two directions. First, you shouldn’t forget
that many people left Armenia during the recent years and adoption of
the law will help them to restore or maintain Armenian citizenship.
Second, the issue also needs consideration from the viewpoint of the
European Neighborhood Policy. Armenia is integrating into European
structures and the law must meet European standards. I suppose,
neither of the EU member states bans dual citizenship. Thus,
proceeding from the interests of the nation and the state, I am
convinced that we all will benefit from the adoption of the law.

How would you comment on the role of the Diasporan press?

The activities of the Diasporan press have always been targeted at
maintenance of nation and language. However, there are some urgent
problems that need to be spoken about. It’s not a secret that press
is experiences hard times. New alternative media structures fill in
the information space with comments and reviews. Furthermore, the
number of readers decreases. Under the circumstances the mission of
the Armenian press should be changed. With the help of electronic
media information is quick to reach the audience. Three Armenian
dailies are issued in Lebanon. These are Azdak (ARF Dashnaktsutyun),
Zartonk (Ramkavar-Azatakan party) and Ararat (Hnchakyan party). When
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Lebanon we
published a joint number dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. We also
protested the presence of Turkish peacekeepers in Lebanon.

The war in Lebanon is over but the country is far from living in
peace. Comment, please, on the life of the Armenian community of
Beirut and other Armenian-inhabited towns.

When speaking of the Armenian community of Lebanon I should first of
all refer to the post war situation and international political
crisis. Although the Armenian population was safe, the deep political
crisis, the strike of the opposition and absence of dialogue between
the government and opposition arouse concern. The community, like the
other people, experiences hard economic circumstances. However, we
are accustomed to hardships, During 17 years of civil war our people
were among those who laid down their lives in struggle, but were are
strong enough to recover. The Armenian community of Lebanon is
special. The Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, the
Armenian Evangelical Church, numerous Diasporan centers and head
offices of Diasporan organizations are situated in this country.
Despite difficulties and losses the community is firm. Beirut is the
capital of the Armenian Diaspora, we say.

Would you describe the current situation in Lebanon, please?

The current situation is complex and unstable. The authorities are in
severe confrontation with the opposition. Muslims shiites refused to
join the coalition government. The Armenian political parties
sometimes disagree on the Lebanese problems as well, but,
traditionally, Armenian organizations are wise enough to distinguish
Lebanese problems from Armenian national problems and reach a common
ground on the issues, especially if the matter concern security of
the community.

«PanARMENIAN.Net», 19.03.2007

Orhan Pamuk to be back in Turkey in April

ArmRadio.am
19.03.2007 14:26

According an interview to French journalist Tristan Mendes-France
published on the website , Professor Ahmet Insel
from Galatassaray University and literary editor of Orhan Pamuk said
the latter would be back in Turkey in April after a visit to Paris,
French journalist Jean Eckian informs.

Winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Literature will publish his new
novel in autumn 2007.

Fars News Agency, Iran
March 18 2007

Iran and Armenia to Open Gas Link Monday

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran and Armenia will inaugurate a new gas
pipeline between the two neighbors tomorrow.

The move is part of Tehran’s strategy to add new export markets.

Iran plans to deliver 1.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to
Armenia this year through the pipeline, the volume rising to 1.5
billion in 2013 and 2.3 billion in 2026, Reuters quoted the website
of Iran’s oil ministry as saying on Saturday.

The deal was initially approved by Iran and Armenia over a decade ago
but was not finalized until 2004 because the issue of financing the
$200 million pipeline to Armenia was stalled.

Armenia’s gas and power markets are dominated by Russian firms.

Armenia is due to pay for the gas by exporting electricity to Iran.

Iran has the world’s second largest gas reserves after Russia.

"It is expected that in 20 years a total amount of 36 billion cubic
meters of natural gas will be exported to Armenia and it is possible
that this amount reaches 47 billion cubic meters," the ministry’s
website said.

The 141-kilometre long pipeline cost $210-$220 million to build, it
said, adding Armenia contributed $120 million. The two countries’
presidents will attend tomorrow’s ceremony at the border.

Iran exports only modest volumes of gas, mainly to neighboring
Turkey, but it will soon start exporting large volumes to Pakistan
and India via a pipeline between the three countries also known as
IPI ‘Peace Pipeline’.

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
March 17, 2007 Saturday 03:08 AM EST

CIS humanitarian cooperation council focused on particular projects

ALMATY, March 16

Almaty has hosted the first meeting of the CIS Humanitarian
Cooperation Council.

Special presidential representatives from the eight member-countries
of the Commonwealth of Independents States, as well as senior
officials for culture, science, and education met here on Friday to
map out plans for 2007-2008, discuss the council’s regulations, and
other procedural issues.

Participants in the meeting focused on the Interstate Humanitarian
Cooperation Fund, which will begin implementing real projects soon.

The council also discussed the possibilities to set up national
offices of the fund. One of their key tasks will be the intensive
drawing of non-budgetary funds for the projects with due account of
peculiarities of each CIS country.

“We have already discussed certain programs, which will be launched
in the near future,” Russia’s special presidential envoy for
humanitarian cooperation with the CIS countries Dzhakhan Pollyyeva,
who was elected as the Council’s chairperson, told Itar-Tass.

“All the necessary legal documents were signed. The financing
support of the projects is being coordinated,” she said.

“The keen interest voiced by CIS representatives and their proposals
showed that they view the fund as a source of new and broader
possibilities and expressed the readiness to work jointly for the
common benefit,” Pollyyeva said.

Chief of the Russian Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography
Mikhail Shvydkoy, who attended the meeting, believes that the main
task of the fund is “to provide young talents with broader
possibilities for further growth.”

“It is necessary to start common projects in the spheres of museums,
theatres, and music,” he said.

“We are setting up a symphony orchestra jointly with the SIC Slavic
countries. This will be the biggest project of 2007,” he stressed,
adding, “We would like to draw in our Kazakh counterparts.
Therefore, the orchestra may turn into the Eurasian Youth Symphony
Orchestra.”

“We are going to establish a broad range of institutions and
agencies, which will select talented young people from former Soviet
republics and promote them on the markets of Eastern and Central
Europe,” Shvydkoy said, adding, “We should do our utmost to give
broader possibilities for young artists and scientists. We will find
the starting capital, and then they can make money themselves.”

“We are lacking performers from Kazakhstan and Georgia. This is a
good project, which is in demand on the market,” he said.

“It is of huge importance to keep up a certain cultural balance, a
balance of languages and humanitarian relations,” Shvydkoy stressed.

The second forum of CIS intellectuals due in Kazakhstan in autumn
will be one of the most important events of this year.

Participants in the Almaty meeting proposed to hold a forum of book
publishers in Armenia and to focus on translators and interpreters
activity in the CIS countries.

They also offered to establish a databank of ideas for the joint
production of films and to develop a program for preserving the CIS
cultural variety and heritage.

“The top priority of the CIS Humanitarian Cooperation Council is to
sustain and develop the cultural community of peoples that has formed
over decades,” famous Azerbaijani artist, the country’s Ambassador
to Russia Polad Bul-Bul ogly said at the meeting.

5 LOCAL AND 2 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS’ OBSERVERS ACCREDITED AT RA
CEC

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, NOYAN TAPAN. As of March 16, 15:00, five local and
two international organizations were accredited at RA Central
Electoral Commission (CEC) for implementing observation mission at the
May 12 parliamentary elections. Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed
about it from CEC Spokesperson Tsovinar Khachatrian.

In addition to 2292 and 10 observers of Choice is Yours and Center for
Electoral Systems local NGOs, respectively, CIS Interparliamentary
Assembly (12 observers) and CIS Executive Committee (8 observers)
accredited earler, CEC accredited observers of another 3 local
organizations. The All Armenian Center for Long-Term Programs
accredited 12 observers, Apaven 60 observers, F. Nansen Human Rights
Armenian Center 17 observers.

To recap, the deadline for accrediting observers is May 2.

GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED DECLARATION ON GEORGIA’S MEMBERSHIP TO NATO

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.03.2007 17:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On March 13 with 160 votes "for" Georgian Parliament
unanimously adopted the text of Declaration on Georgia’s full and
urgent membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – NATO. A
memorandum is attached to the Declaration undersigned by leaders of all
parliamentarian fractions and political parties, which are represented
in the Supreme Legislative body of the country. The memorandum also
is open to sign for political parties outside the parliament, which
support Georgia’s membership to NATO.

The text of the Memorandum and Declaration touches upon Georgia’s
defense policy aiming at subsequent integration of the country to the
Euro-Atlantic structures. They also indicate that it is necessary to
speed up the realization process of all commitments taken by Georgia
after joining the format of Intensive Dialog with NATO. The Memorandum
and Declaration also say that Georgian armed forces must participate
in all military operation under the NATO aegis, as well as reconsider
all new challenges and risks, which threaten Georgia and the necessity
to maximally protect the security of the country. The documents also
underline the importance to revise all necessary financial resources
during approval hearings of the budget in order to provide fulfillment
of commitments in the Declaration.

On the ceremony Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze stated, it is a
very important document, which fixes the joint stance of country’s
political spectrum. "The adoption of this document is more important on
the background of the events in Upper Abkhazia. NATO is a priority for
the whole Georgian nation. Hopefully with the help of the Alliance
we will be able to restore country’s territorial integrity and
protect sovereignty. And this organization is the only guarantee
for peace and stability in the region," Burjanadze underscored,
"Novosti-Gruzia" reports.

28 SCHOOLS AND 6 HOUSES OF CULTURE TO BE REPAIRED IN KOTAYK MARZ AT EXPENSE OF STATE BUDGET

Noyan Tapan
Mar 14 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The socioeconomic situation in Kotayk
marz and programs on its further improvement were discussed by the
Armenian president Robert Kocharian and the governor of Kotayk marz
Kovalenko Shahgaldian during the March 14 working meeting. NT was
informed about it from the RA President’s press service. According
to the governor, in 2006, the collection of communities’ budgetary
revenues exceeded by 970 mln drams (about 2.7 mln USD) the 2005 index,
which allowed to solve a lot of social problems. The interlocutors also
discussed the programs on repairs of 28 schools, one hospital and 6
houses of culture in Kotayk marz, as well as the problem of assisting
property owners of Voghjaberd community in the landslide zone.

US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HOLDS DISCUSSION ON DRAFT NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY CONCEPT

ArmRadio.am
13.03.2007 11:20

On March 13, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a roundtable
discussion on a draft national food safety concept.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Caucasus Agricultural
Development Initiative (USDA/CADI) has embarked on a long term
"Armenian Food Safety Technical Assistance" project. The Project
Mission is to establish a viable, effective and sustainable food
safety system in the Republic of Armenia.

One of the many components in establishing a successful food safety
program in Armenia is to open a workshop with key stakeholders. USDA
is holding a half-day workshop concerning the Armenian National
Food Safety Concept. More than 50 key stakeholders are invited to
participate in the discussion, including representatives of Ministry
or Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Economic
Development, processors, consumer organizations, universities, and
donor organizations.

The objective of the round table discussion is to establish an
internationally recognized food safety policy and enforcement
system. The ultimate goal is that the Concept be legalized in Armenia
and become an official part of the regulatory framework.

ARMENIA AND TURKEY CAN DISCUSS THEIR RELATIONS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF NATO?

arminfo
2007-03-12 15:07:00

It turns out that Armenia and Turkey can discuss their relations in
the framework of NATO.

When asked about NATO’s position on the blockade of the Armenian border
by Turkey, NATO Deputy Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Jean
Fournet said today that NATO has lots of mechanisms and instruments
and IPAP is one of them. All this is going on against the background of
Armenia’s dialogue with NATO. This is a good opportunity for discussing
mutual problems and attaining substantial progress, Fournet said.