Author: Jidarian Alex

The Associated Press State & Local Wire
December 1, 2006 Friday 6:53 PM GMT

Omaha band named finalist in international music competition

An Omaha band was named one of seven finalists in an international
music competition.

MLK and the Dreamers will travel to London Saturday to perform next
week in the British Broadcasting Corp.’s competition, "The Next Big
Thing." Entries were accepted from bands whose members were ages 18
or younger. More than 1,000 artists from 36 countries entered songs
in the competition.

MLK and the Dreamers is made up of eight teens ages 15 to 17 from the
Omaha area.

The band performs songs about civil rights history. Their entry tune,
"Great Man," is a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., who was
assassinated in 1968.

"We all really admire him," said band member Evelyn Taylor.

Other competitors are from Armenia, Brazil, Britain, Ghana, Liberia
and Malawi. The winner, who gets a trophy and more air play of the
winning song, will be announced Dec. 9.

Regnum, Russia
Dec 1 2006

Russian prime minister: Russia and Armenia should strengthen
relations within CSTO

Russia and Armenia have a large experience in cooperation in
investments, Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov at a meeting
with an Armenian delegation headed by Armenia’s Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan in Moscow. The delegation from Armenia arrived in
the Russian capital to hold consultations with the Russian party and
later it will go to St. Petersburg to participate in the ceremony of
closing the Year of Armenia in Russia.

According to the Russian prime minister, activity of ARMENAL Company,
investment program by Vympelkom Company in Armenia worth up to
$500,000, as well as Vneshtorgbank experience in the Armenian banking
investments market are good examples of such experience. `Cooperation
in transport and high technologies is also planned,’ Fradkov added.
Speaking on the problem of exploiting enterprises in Armenia handed
over to Russia for repayment of the public debt, Mikhail Fradkov
noted that interest of business needs to be secured in this issue.
`For example, the Mars enterprise is still provided with orders that
could allow the company develop,’ the Russian prime minister noted.
At the same time he added that there are some problems in this field
concerning privatization.

Answering a question by a REGNUM correspondent, whether it is
possible to suspend gas supplies from Russia via Armenia to Georgia,
if the Georgian party continues unsanctioned pumping out of gas,
Mikhail Fradkov noted that the Russian side is concerned with the
situation in the Russian-Georgian relations, however it hopes for the
best. `We take into account the fact that exacerbation of the
Russian-Georgian relations affects Armenia negatively. The problem is
a subject for discussion,’ Fradkov noted expressing hope that `the
situation will not become worse.’ `If the situation deteriorates, the
Russian party together with operative services will have to undertake
complex measures aimed at preventing from theft, but I hope it will
not go that far,’ the Russian prime minister said. He also stressed
that the current situation makes Russia and Armenia `fulfill their
obligations within the CSTO more actively without overlooking the
current frameworks.’

AZERI DEPUTY SPEAKER, BRITISH BARONESS DISCUSSED TIES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 30 2006

Baku, 30 November: Valeh Alasgarov, deputy chairman of the Milli Maclis
[Azerbaijani parliament], received Baroness O’Cathain, a member of
the British House of Lords, today.

The parliament’s press service told APA that during the meeting
Alasgarov said that Azerbaijan attached great importance to the
development of relations with the UK, and reciprocal visits by state
and government officials played a great role in the development
of cooperation.

Alasgarov briefed the guest on reforms being carried out in various
spheres and democratic processes in Azerbaijan: "Political, economic
and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UK is currently
developing. BP is closely involved in oil and gas production and
transport in our country. At the same time, British companies also
show great interest in the non-oil sector in our country."

Alasgarov said that the UK’s support for Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict was highly assessed.

Baroness O’Cathain said that Azerbaijan’s authority in the region
and international arena was growing day by day.

[The Azerbaijani state news agency Azartac reported at 1742 gmt 30
Nov 06 that Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Baroness O’Cathain
discussed the Karabakh conflict, regional projects and the fight
against international terrorism today.]

GAS IS NOT A CORNER STONE OF YEREVAN-MOSCOW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: ARMENIAN PM

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 30 2006

"Gas is not a corner stone of our strategic partnership," said Armenian
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan in an interview with the Moscow-based
"Kommersant" before his visit to Moscow.

Asked about the influence of the gas issue on the strategic
partnership of Russia and Armenia and the attitude of Yerevan to
the rise of the Russian gas tariff, the premier said that the term
"strategic partnership," which is used to define the two countries’
relations, is an evidence of the high level of relations in all the
spheres. The strategic partnership of Armenia and Russia is based
on close cooperation of our countries in the political, military,
trade- economic, scientific-technical, humanitarian spheres,
as well as on the common vision of the global developments, the
high level of coordination in the international arena, respect of
national interests. "I’d not like to emphasize the gas sphere as a
corner stone of our strategic partnership," the premier said. "Gas
is only one of the spheres of our energy cooperation. We effectively
cooperate in the sphere of atomic energy, thermal and hydro power
engineering etc.. Russia has its grounds to rise the gas tariff,
which are connected with many factors. At the same time, our strategic
partnership must be insured against the current political and economic
conditions and proceed from the logic of long-term interaction,"
the prime minister said.

At the same time, speaking of the possibility and the terms of the
transfer of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline under management of Gazprom,
Andranik Margaryan said that the construction of the pipeline has not
been completed so far and it is untimely speaking of its transfer
to any operator, including to Gazprom. "Armenia and Iran have been
successfully cooperating in the energy sphere for a long time already
and Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is one of the key bilateral energy
projects. It is at the stage of construction. A 39.5 km part of the
pipeline Meghri-Kajaran will open soon," the premier said.

The construction is to be completed by December 20. The company to
be exploiting the pipeline will be announced in the spring. The
pipeline is built on the funds of the Iranian party. The project
costs $30 million. AT present, the CJSC ArmRosgazprom is working on
the extension of the pipeline from Kajaran to Yerevan and on raising
the capacity of the operating gas transport net to 2.3 billion cubic
meters of gas annually.

ARMENIA: OPPOSITION MP FORECASTS START OF WAR BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR

Regnum, Russia
Nov 28 2006

Passing the law ‘On amortization for public and state needs’ initiated
a war between the rich and the poor; leader of Armenian Democratic
Party, opposition MP Aram Sarkisyan stated to a REGNUM correspondent.

According to him, the law had negative consequences even before it was
passed. Pointing to the situation arisen as a result of amortization
in connection with construction of Northern and Main Avenues, the
oppositionist mentioned that people received there compensation which
did not correspond with real estate’s market prices. He stressed that
active ‘dragging’ the bill at parliament was aimed at amnestying
violations made as a result of implementing an anti-constitutional
governmental decision. "These people will receive a kind of indulgence
for their deeds," he believes.

Stressing that the current law determines paying out compensations
at the level of market prices plus 15%, Aram Sarkisyan pointed to
necessity of granting real estate in place where owner of the realty
to be alienated lived. Additionally, the law determines that decision
on amortization for public needs should be made by government and not
parliament on the basis of some-organization’s proposal; the latter is
unacceptable. According to Sarkisyan, vivid interest of ruling clique
in passing the bill is caused by fact that, at present, everything
has already been sold in the country; only land remains to be unsold;
authorities need it to fill their own pockets.

It is worth stressing, the law ‘On amortization for public and state
needs’ was passed on November 27 in its third and final reading. 70
MPs voted for the law; two abstained from voting. Opposition boycotted
the voting.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN LEFT FOR ITALY AND FRANCE

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 27 2006

The delegation led by the leader of the Orinats Yerkir Party Arthur
Baghdasaryan left for Italy and France at the invitation of the
Institute of Public Policy and Human Rights, reports the press
service of the Orinats Yerkir. During the visit he will meet with
representatives of the legislative and executive bodies of France,
politicians, experts and reporters. Besides the meetings, in Rome and
Paris Arthur Baghdasaryan will make reports during the meeting of the
Parliamentary Assembly for human rights and freedom of religion, at
the Institute for International Relations and the French Foundation
for Political Innovations, on the democratic reforms underway in
Armenia and the region, the upcoming elections, European integration,
protection of human rights, etc.

VATICAN ENVOY: FRENCH MPS WHO VOTED FOR THE BILL CRIMINALIZING DENIAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DON’T KNOW THE ESSENCE OF PROBLEM

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 27 2006

The Envoy of Vatican considers that the French MPs who voted in favor
of the bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide don’t
know the essence of the problem, said Mons. Georges Marovitch, the
press-secretary of Vatican and spokesman of Turkish bishops.

According to EUOBSERVER, the Vatican envoy noted that the bill is a
result of political discussions. The press-secretary of Vatican hopes
that the bill will not pass the hearings in the Senate, otherwise it
will be a big mistake. Turks themselves acknowledge that Armenians
were slaughtered, but it wasn’t a genocide. He emphasized that it is
for historians, and not politicians to take up the issue.

The source also informs about a mass protest rally in Istanbul against
the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 24, 2006 Friday

MILITARY DOCTRINE OF ARMENIA TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE END OF 2007

In the course of discussion of the draft national security doctrine
in the national academy of sciences Defense Minister of Armenia Serzh
Sarkisyan announced that the military doctrine of Armenia would be
developed by the end of 2007. The minister adds that the military
doctrine will solve all problems of the army and military policy of
the country. Members of the national academy of sciences took part in
discussion of the draft national security strategy. This document
will be debated by the parliament on November 27, and after public
debates the interagency commission will submit the document for
approval to the government. It is expected that the government will
approve it in May 2007.

Source: Krasnaya Zvezda, November 22, 2006, p. 3

Translated by Pavel Pushkin

PanARMENIAN.Net

Gryzlov: Commodity Turnover between Armenia and Russia
Increased 50%
23.11.2006 18:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The growth of the commodity turnover
between Armenia and Russia within 8 months of 2006 is
about 50%, Russian State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov
stated at a meeting with Chair of the Armenian NA
Tigran Torosyan. He noted that warm friendly relations
are established between the two countries. Gryzlov
also underscored that Year of Armenia is held in
Russia this year, many bilateral meetings took place,
including at the level of leaders of the two
countries. The Armenian Speaker in his turn drew
attention to the economic component of bilateral
relations. Tigran Torosyan noted the need to
strengthen trade and economic cooperation between
Armenia and Russia, reports Vek.

GROUP OF ARMENIAN STUDENTS WIN COMPETITION IN RUSSIA

Panorama.am
18:55 22/11/06

A group of Armenian schoolchildren, who participated in an
international contest in Moscow, came back with certificates
today. Yelena Adamyan was among the 5 best in a competition at
Russian Language Institute after Pushkin in the Russian capital
which gives her the chance to be accepted at the institute without
examinations. Adamyan said she did not know whether she would take the
chance. Total of 14 schoolchildren have brought 21 certificates of
honor. Russian embassy in Armenia made book-gifts to children. The
embassy will also organize a party on Tuesday to celebrate the
victory.