Author: Jagharian Tania

Investment programme of ‘ArmRusgazprom’ CJSC for 2008-2010 valued at
$147,1 mln approved

2008-03-07 12:56:00

ArmInfo. Today, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia
approved the investment programme of "ArmRusgazprom" CJSC for 2008-
2010 valued at 45 188.5 mln AMD ($147,1 mln at the current rate).

Head of the Investment Development Department of "ArmRusgazprom" CJSC
Ashot Hakopyan, having represented the programme in the Commission,
said that the Company schedules to solve two primary tasks:
construction completion and launch of Kajaran-Ararat gas pipeline
section, as well as installation of gas annunciators in multistorey
houses. Solution of the first task will allow to assure alternative
sources of gas supplies and enhance the country’s energy security,
while solution of the second task will enhance the house gas supply
safety level and minimize accidents. He said that the investments are
divided into two main groups. It is scheduled to invest 25,2 bln AMD in
extension of the gas-transport system and 19,9 bln AMD – in a gas
distributing network. In a gas-transport system, the greater
investments (19,3 bln) fall on construction of Kajaran-Ararat gas
pipeline section. It is envisaged to invest 2,6 bln AMD in upgrading
and extension of Abovyan underground gas storage. It is also scheduled
to carry out construction and replacement of gas pipelines, upgrade the
gas distributing stations and perform other work. In the gas
distribution network, 52% will be invested in acquisition and
implementation of new equipment and technologies, and the rest
investments – in recovery and repair of the network and performance of
other work, A. Hakopyan said.

Chairman of RA Public Services Regulatory Commission Robert Nazaryan
said that the investments have been included in the tariff constituent
and will lead to the tariff increase by 3 drams on average, that is not
so much for such great investments. He also said that the tasks related
to the energy reliability and security assurance are strategic for the
country.

To recall, "ArmRusgazprom" CJSC was created in December, 1997 and is an
exclusive importer of natural gas to Armenia.

EVENTS IN YEREVAN PLANNED BEFOREHAND

DeFacto Agency
March 6 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 06.03.08. DE FACTO. On the instruction of the RA
Procurator-General the Special investigation service is investigating
a criminal case instituted on the facts that took place in Yerevan on
February 20-March 2, the spokeswoman of Armenia’s Procurator-General
Sona Truzian stated in the course of a press conference. In her words,
the criminal case was instituted on the actions targeted at the
power’s usurpation with the violation of the country’s Constitution;
on the organization of mass disorders accompanied by violence, murders,
pogroms, destruction of public, state and private property.

According to S. Truzian, in connection with the certain events criminal
cases were earlier instituted by the Police and NSS.

However, now all these cases have been united, and the investigation
is carried out by the Special investigation service. A proper
investigation group formed by 50 investigators has been formed with
that end in view. The Procurator-General’s spokeswoman noted that
according to March 5 the materials gathered by the investigation gave
occasion to affirm with confidence that the events had been planned
beforehand and mass disorders had been directed by a united center.

At present 27 people have been arrested within the frames of the
above-mentioned criminal case, 26 more have been charged with four
articles of the Criminal Code within the frames of the above-mentioned
criminal case.

As for the shops, where pogroms had been carried out, according to
S. Truzian at present most of the stolen products have been found and
returned. Some participants of the robberies have been identified and
arrested. By the way, the spokeswoman of the RA Procurator-General
noted that in the course of the investigation it had become obvious
that criminal elements, in their turn, had got advantage of the
disorders carried out in the capital city.

ARMENIA PRESIDENT SAYS NO EARLY END TO STATE OF EMERGENCY

Agence France Presse — English
March 5, 2008 Wednesday 1:18 PM GMT

Armenia’s embattled president said Wednesday he would ignore calls
to lift the state of emergency in the capital and seek to punish
opposition leaders involved in recent clashes.

President Robert Kocharian declared the 20-day state of emergency
in Yerevan on Saturday after eight people died in street battles
between riot police and opposition supporters protesting the result
of a presidential election.

"I do not see any reason for the shortening or for the extension of
the state of emergency," Kocharian told reporters in Yerevan.

"Everyone should get the punishment that he deserves and that in the
first place is the organisers."

The opposition claims the election was rigged to ensure victory for
Serzh Sarkisian, Kocharian’s hand-picked successor.

Kocharian said that the opposition would not be allowed to stage any
mass events even after the state of emergency is lifted.

"Our reaction will be immediate, harsh, so as to avoid any repeat of
such events," Kocharian said.

A mediator from the Western-led Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Tuesday that talks to resolve the
crisis would be impossible until the end of emergency rule, which
bans protests and censors the media.

AZERBAIJAN’S FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES NATO PA PRESIDENT

Trend News Agency
March 6 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 6 March /TrendNews/ On 5 March, Azerbaijan’s
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received the President of the
NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Jose Lello, the Foreign Ministry
told TrendNews.

Lello is confident of further fruitful relationships between the
NATO PA and the Azerbaijani Parliament, as well as on the expansion
of relationships between NATO and Azerbaijan.

The Minister said Azerbaijan’s key problem is the lingering of
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, which poses a serious threat to the
world and the stability in the region. Mammadyarov did not rule
out that Azerbaijan may resort to NATO PA’s opportunities to settle
the problem.

Mammadyarov and Lello exchanged their views about a range of the
regional and international issues.

FORK ON THE ROAD RECIPE: ARMENIAN SHISH KEBAB

Miami Herald
March 6 2008
FL

ARMENIAN SHISH KEBAB

Serve with lavash or pita bread with radishes, fresh herbs and feta
cheese or with rice and steamed or grilled vegetables. The kebabs
can be grilled if you prefer.

~U 1 cup olive oil

~U 2 tablespoons lemon juice

~U 1 teaspoon dry white wine

~U 1 tablespoon minced garlic

~U Salt and freshly ground pepper

~U 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano

~U 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary

~U 1 bay leaf

~U 2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut into 2-inch cubes

~U 2 large onions, peeled and cut into 8 wedges

~U 2 large green bell peppers, cut into 8 wedges

~U 12 button mushrooms, stems removed

~U 2 large tomatoes, cut into 8 wedges

Stir olive oil, lemon juice, wine and garlic in a large mixing bowl.

Add salt and pepper to taste and add oregano, rosemary and bay leaf.

Toss lamb with marinade until evenly coated, then pour into a
resealable plastic bag and refrigerate at least 24 hours.

Position oven rack to its top setting and set oven to broil. Remove
lamb from marinade and thread onto metal skewers. Boil marinade for
3 or 4 minutes. Thread onions, peppers, and mushrooms onto separate
metal skewers. Brush the vegetables with the boiled marinade.

Broil the skewers on a broiler pan, turning frequently. Cook onions
for about 12 minutes, lamb for 10 minutes, peppers for 7 minutes and
mushrooms for 3 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest until cool
enough to handle. Remove skewers from meat and vegetables and set
aside. Reassemble the skewers, alternating lamb, onions, peppers,
mushrooms and tomatoes. Place onto broiler pan and brush again with
the marinade. Discard remaining marinade. Broil skewers again to
finish cooking, turning frequently until the lamb is medium rare and
the vegetables begin to blacken in spots, about 5 to 7 minutes. Makes
6 to 8 servings.

Source: Adapted from allrecipes.com.

Per serving: 441 calories (75 percent from fat), 36.8 g fat (12.9
g saturated, 19.2 g monounsaturated), 74.8 mg cholesterol, 21.4 g
protein, 6.8 g carbohydrates, 1.7 g fiber, 84.2 mg sodium.

ARMENIA TO CONTINUE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS IN KOSOVO, IRAQ

Xinhua

March 7 2008
China

MOSCOW, March 6 (Xinhua) — The Armenian peacekeeping forces will
continue their missions in Kosovo and Iraq, First Deputy Defense
Minister, Colonel-General Sergei Oganyan, said on Thursday.

Armenia "should fulfill its obligations on ensuring security in any
region of the world and on the international scene, as it is not
only a consumer, but also a participant in the international security
system," Oganyan, who heads the general headquarters of the country’s
armed forces, was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.

By this Yerevan has won respect not only of superpowers, but also of
authoritative international organizations, including those "that are
engaged in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that is
very important for Armenia," Oganyan said.

"We’ve proved that Armenia’s armed forces not only guarantee
independence and integrity of the republic’s border, but also show high
responsibility in fulfilling tasks in Kosovo and in Iraq," he said.

"RELATIVE PEACE" ON KARABAKH BORDER

KarabakhOpen
05-03-2008 14:33:14

The violations of the cease-fire on different sections of the line of
contact between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Karabakh continue,
said the head of the press service of the Defense Army Senor Hasratyan
in an interview with Karabakh-Open.com this morning.

"The situation on the section near the village of Levonarch where the
fight between the forces of Karabakh and Azerbaijan took place could
be characterized as "relative peace". In the night of March 3 and
March 4 the special operation force of Azerbaijan crossed the line
of contact in the northwest and occupied one of the outposts of the
NKR Defense Army in the direction of the village of Levonarch. As a
result of the operation of the NKR armed force, after the intensive
fight which lasted for several hours the opponent left four killed
soldiers and escaped. According to the intelligence, the foe carried
four other killed soldiers. Two Karabakh soldiers were wounded,"
Senor Hasratyan said.

ARMENIAN DAY SCHOOL TO HOLD BENEFIT CONCERT

Western Queens Gazette
tures/027.html
March 5 2008
NY

Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) of Bayside will present
singers representing three generations of musical styles on Saturday,
March 8, at 8 p.m. in Kalustyan Hall, 209-15 Horace Harding Expwy.,
Bayside.

Anoosh Barclay, lyric coloratura soprano, has sung the title roles
of many famous operas- Gilda in "Rigoletto" and Despina in "Cosi Fan
Tutte", to name two.

Hasmik Khoren Meikhanedjian, mezzo-soprano, is known for her wide
vocal range and rich and velvety coloration.

Lucine Amara, a prima donna of the Metropolitan Opera, was hailed
by The Times newspaper of the United Kingdom as one of the greatest
lyric sopranos of our time.

The HMADS Junior Choir under the direction of Mrs. Anahid Boghossian
will open and close the program with Lucine Badalian and Janet
Marcarian as respective accompanists.

For tickets and more information, call the school office at
718-225-4826.

Photo: Lyric Coloratura Soprano Anoosh Barclay will perform at the Holy
Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) of Bayside benefit concert March 9.

Photo: Mezzo-soprano Hasmik Khoren Meikhanedjian will delight audiences
at the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) of Bayside benefit
concert March 9 with her wide vocal range and rich and velvety
coloration.

TANKS PATROL ARMENIAN CAPITAL AFTER PROTESTS, 8 KILLED AND 131 INJURED

Journal of Turkish Weekly
March 3 2008
Turkey

* Armenian Health Ministry says around 72 police officials, 59
civilians injured

* A dozen armored personnel carriers and around 100 soldiers stood
guard outside the main government building and foreign ministry.

Several tanks could be seen at the scene of the nighttime clashes.

Sevgi ARICAM (JTW and wires) – Tanks and troops patrolled the Armenian
capital Yerevan on Sunday after eight people were killed and dozens
injured during violent protests against the results of the presidential
elections. A state of emergency was declared in the country on Sunday
after clashes between riot police and protesters.

After 11 days of peaceful protests, the demonstrations became violent
on Saturday. The rioters clashing with armed police set fire to cars
in the capital, Yerevan.

Levon Ter-Petrossian, the opposition leader blamed the government for
the violence, saying it had sent provocateurs into the crowd. The
tensions in Armenia started with the presidential election on
February 19, the fifth since the independent. Sargsyan (Sarkisyan), a
political insider and the prime minister, ran against Ter-Petrossian,
an academic who was the country’s first elected president. Sargsyan,
like Kocharian, was one of the commanders who ordered bloody massacres
in the Karabakh War. The experts say that Kocharian whould also run
in the elections and definetly whould win if the term limits do not
bar Mr. Kocharian, from running.

The election conformed completely to the old Soviet standards or
‘Armenian style’: As International Herald Tribune underlines "Votes
were bought. Television coverage was embarrassingly skewed. Big men
in large cars bossed vote counters. As a result, the party in power
stayed in power, with 52 percent of the vote."

* "THE COUNT WAS BAD, VERY BAD"

Its government usually allows more dissent than most.

Election results have still not been fully recognized by the United
States and from the beginning, there were disturbing signs about
the presidential election: The OSCE for example, which deployed 333
observers, concluded that 16 percent of the count was "bad" or "very
bad." At one polling station, a quarter of all ballots were declared
invalid. In another, all but one of 1,449 voters in a set of polling
stations were for Sargsyan.

"We won the election," Ter-Petrossian said Thursday. He claimed that
he had received 65 percent of the vote, a figure that Ahrens said
was "not grounded in any factual evidence." Ter-Petrossian’s aides,
however, refer to him as "the president."

Europe’s top security watchdog said on Sunday it was sending an envoy
to promote talks between the authorities and the opposition.

Burnt-out cars, stones and poles littered the streets after the 11th
straight day of protests against alleged rigging of the February 19
elections. A foreign ministry spokeswoman said seven civilians and
one police officer had been killed. She said one police officer was
in critical condition and 17 had been hospitalized for gunshot wounds.

The state of emergency will be in effect in the capital until March
20 under a decree signed by President Robert Kocharian. The state
of emergency bans public demonstrations and requires the media to
publish or broadcast only information from government sources.

Armenia has thorny problems with neighboring Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Turkey. Armenian forces have been occupying almost 20 percent of
Azeri territories and about 1 million Azeris are still refugees due
to the Armenian occupation. The European Union and OSCE officially
named Armenia as occupier in Azeri territories. Yerevan also rejects
to recognize Turkey’s territorial integrity and supports all kind
of anti-Turkey activities in the world. The irredentist Armenian
nationalism also disturbs neighboring Georgia. Despite of the close
economic cooperation between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia, Armenia
prefers Iran and Russia in the region.

"I FEEL THEY WILL NOT ENDURE 10 DAYS"

A1+
[06:45 pm] 01 March, 2008

"I have not had time to analyze the situation; I do not even have
enough information, since I am deprived of the opportunity to
communicate with my friends. I feel that this is Robert Kocharyan’s
and Serge Sargsyan’s end. I feel they will not endure the situation
more than 10 days", declared the RA First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan
during the press conference at his place today.

Ter-Petrosyan noted that they would take all legal measures within
the frames of the Constitution, they would appeal to the Municipality
to organize rally, gatherings and assemblies, but if they deny they
would have to conduct spontaneous events.

Levon Ter-Petrosyan did not exclude that the CEC would have to revise
its final decision on the results of the election. Levon Ter-Petrosyan
hopes that the Constitutional Court may meet the requirements their
appeal and recognize the elections invalid.

Answering to the question of "A1+" who was responsible for 1 March
incidents, Ter-Petrosyan stated that both functioning and the "elected"
presidents were responsible for them. "If I were the elected president
I would not have any lever, but Serge Sargsyan is the Prime Minister
and all powers obey him". According to him, Serge Sargsyan cannot be
admitted by the world as a president, but if he stays in his post by
chance, he will never be considered a legitimate president.

"I do not imagine, that after this disgraceful election Serge Sargsyan
will be considered a legitimate president and will be able to head
the nation, which does not tolerate him", declared The RA First
President. He would be astonished if the outer world admitted the
RA authorities for committing 1 March violence against the peaceful
protestants after international community’s urges and appeals forwarded
to the authorities by a number of international structures.

"I will not understand if the international community tolerates the
occurrences at night", said Levon Ter-Petrosyan. He considers that
the behavior of the authorities is a challenge not only to our people,
but also to the international community

Levon Ter-Petrosyan also considers that the authorities stand benefit
from the fact that the European officials are not in Armenia, since
the majority of the observers and the international journalists are
focused on the presidential election in Russia and Armenia is out of
everybody’s attention. The First President also mentioned that the
diplomatic corpus is aware of the recent incidents, violations in
Armenia. Levon Ter-Petrosyan also stated that during the meeting
with the international observers Robert Kocharyan ensured them
that Levon Ter-Petrosyan also participated in the negotiations,
which was not true. "Two days ago Putin and Kocharyan talked
on the phone and Kocharyan ensured Putin that no force would be
used against the protestants. Putin stated that the use of force
was forbidden. Besides, Kocharyan has ensured Putin allegedly I am
involved in the negotiations", told Ter-Petrosyan. He informed the
journalists that no one had negotiated with him, but even if they
made an attempt to negotiate he would not respond.

Today Ter-Petrosyan expressed wish that the functioning authorities
were clean to be able to leave their posts. According to him "they
have such a criminal base, including 27 October incident that they
are unable to leave quietly".