Author: Kajoyan Gevork

RUSSIA FREEZES INVESTMENTS IN MINING INDUSTRY IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2010-01-20 14:55:00

ArmInfo. Russia has frozen investments in the mining industry in
Armenia for indefinite periods because of the global economic crisis,
Aleksander Zaycev, Trade Representative of Russia in Armenia, said
in a press conference on Tuesday.

He said Russia has particularly suspected the projects of investments
in geological exploration of the uranium deposits in Armenia and
development of Tekhut copper and molybdenum deposit with participation
of the VTB Bank. "There is no progress yet. These projects are
suspended for indefinite periods," he said.

Earlier in April 2009 the Armenian-Russian Mining Company was licensed
to conduct geological exploration of deposits in Armenia for 5 years.

Specialists forecast 10-60,000 tins of uranium reserves in Armenia.

Recovered uranium is to be processed at the International Center in
Angarsk, Russia. In 2007 VTB Bank signed a credit with the Armenian
Copper Project for $257 million to develop Tekhut deposit.

RUSSIA’S BASES IN ARMENIA HAS SPECIAL POLITICAL IMPLICATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.01.2010 19:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The issue of appropriateness of Russia’s military
bases in Armenia will not be considered, Alexander Iskandaryan ,
Director of Caucasus Institute, political scientist said during the
Yerevan-Moscow tele-bridge devoted to Armenia-Russia relations and
outcomes of the visit of RF Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Yerevan.

"Even the most favorable development of Armenian-Turkish relations
will not lead to elimination of Russia’s bases in Armenia, " the
politician said. According to Alexander Iskandaryan, Russia’s bases
in Armenia has special political implication.

The political scientist was sceptical to the view that Armenia-Turkey
relations can improve to such extent that Armenia would demand the
withdrawal of Russia’s base. He stressed, that the military base is
a symbol of Russo-Armenian strategic relationship.

The Russian 102nd Military Base is a Russian military base in Gyumri,
Armenia, part of the Transcaucasian Group of Forces. The base is about
120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the Armenian capital, Yerevan. The
261st Rifle Division was originally formed in 1941. It was probably
activated in the Odessa Military District in July-August 1941. It was
assigned to the 12th Army of the North Caucasus Front later in 1941
and remained with that Army up to at least August 1942 but then was
assigned to the Transcaucasian Front’s Black Sea Group of Forces. It
then spent much of the later part of World War II, from January 1,
1943, onwards with the small 45th Army of the Transcaucasian Front
which was guarding the USSR’s borders with Turkey. After the war ended,
the 261st Rifle Division was briefly designated the 37th Rifle Division
but then became the 127th Motor Rifle Division in 1965.

KARABAKH ISSUE CANNOT BE SETTLED UNDER TWO SIDES’ ACCORD: ISKANDARYAN

news.am
Jan 18 2010
Armenia

Karabakh issue is not at the stage where it can be settled under two
sides’ accord, Caucasus Institute Director Alexander Iskandaryan said
in the course of Jan. 18 Yerevan-Moscow telethon, underlining that in
this respect Armenia-Turkey reconciliation cannot influence Karabakh
peace process in any way.

According to Iskandaryan, even if Armenia-Turkey relations entail the
opening of the embassies in both states "it might not directly bring
to Karabakh conflict settlement." He also stated that intensification
of Ankara-Moscow cooperation will inevitably result in changes in
communication-transportation field and energy projects. In its turn
this will definitely affect the course of Karabakh peace process.

Alexander Skakov, the expert of Russian Institute of Strategic Studies
outlined that improvement of Russian-Turkish or Armenian-Turkish
relations will impact not the result but process of Karabakh conflict
settlement. First, it will dramatically weaken Baku’s position as for
Azerbaijan it was the pressure factor on Yerevan. Besides, improvement
of Armenia-Turkey relations will make Yerevan more compliant, though
it does not mean that Armenia would be ready to cede Karabakh,
Skakov considers.

TURKS INSIST ON CLOSING ARMENIAN ATOMIC STATION IN METSAMOR

Panorama.am
16:21 18/01/2010

Headlined "Armenian Atomic Station should be closed" Turkish Sabah
Daily issued a report, stating Turkey’s eastern and south-eastern
regions are gravely concerned over the Armenian Atomic Station in
Metsamor.

The alert was brought for the fear that in case the atomic station
suffers casualties, Turkey’s considerable part will be radiated.

The source says, Turkey is intent to cooperate with the European
instances over closing the station.

It also highlights that number 1 issue to be raised during the
Armenian-Turkish normalization process should be the closing of the
atomic station.

Aysor, Armenia
Jan 16 2010

Azerbaijan sent a note to CSTO

Azerbaijani embassy in Russia sent a note of complain to RF Foreign
Ministry as well as the embassies of Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) member ` countries expressing their bewilderment
about the comments on the disposition of Polad Byulbyulogly the
Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia.

As Gazeta.ru informs referring to Azerbaijani media, in the document
is mentioned that Azerbaijan not being a member of CSTO has never
tried to breach the sovereignty and regional integrity of the member
countries of the organization.

On December in one of his interviews in Russia the Azerbaijani
ambassador stated that the time of solving the Karabakh issue has
arrived and every Azerbaijani should have its participation in
liberation of the territories. He has also mentioned that a lot of
things will depend on the Azerbaijani living in Russia. Byulbyulogly
has stated that in case of military solution in the Karabakh issue the
CSTO interference will be impossible.

The CSTO Institute has considered this statement as a war provocation.

`Ambassadorial statements can be interpreted as disbelief in political
and diplomatic methods of conflict settlement and hostility
solicitation,’ CSTO Institute said on December 30, 2009.

`Such approach leads to aggravation of regional situation, and goes
counter to OSCE MG efforts and Armenia-Azerbaijan presidential
negotiations’ context’ Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
Institute said in a statement.

The CSTO Institute has mentioned that it is not the first time that
the organization `as well as other international institutions announce
that they are for the peaceful settlement of the NKR conflict and
today the organization continues supporting the efforts of OSCE,
giving a political solution to the issue.’

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Los Angeles Young Professionals Take AGBU Generation Next Mentors and
Mentees to LA Lakers Game

Reported by Aleen L. Khanjian

Los Angeles, CA – On Sunday, January 3, 2010, the AGBU Young
Professionals of Los Angeles kicked off the New Year by taking an eager
group of Young Professionals, as well as mentors and mentees of the AGBU
Generation Next Mentorship Program, to the Staples Center in Los
Angeles. Everyone arrived enthusiastic to watch their home team, the Los
Angeles Lakers, beat the Dallas Mavericks by a final score of 131-96. As
the Los Angeles Times reported, it had been a long time since the
Lakers’ starters sat on the bench the entire fourth quarter. In fact,
the Lakers scored a season high in points and won by their largest
margin of the season.

YPLA Steering Committee member, Theodore Khachaturian, applied for the
tickets through the Lakers Youth Foundation. The Lakers Youth Foundation
has a limited number of tickets designated for group donations
throughout the season. The Southern California non-profit beneficiary of
these tickets for the Lakers vs. Mavericks game was AGBU YPLA. "That was
a lot of fun. Making it to Staples is always an invigorating experience.
Good start for 2010!" says Khachaturian. "Also, it is always nice to
contribute to AGBU’s prized Mentorship Program, a project launched by
YPLA nearly 11 years ago It was amazing to see the smiles on the
Generation Next mentees’ faces, as they enjoyed the game with their
mentors. We are grateful to the Lakers Youth Foundation for their
generosity and support of AGBU and its programs."

The AGBU Generation Next Mentorship Program assists Southern California
youth of Armenian descent by providing them with positive role models,
guidance, and support. Through one-on-one mentoring, monthly group
activities and parenting seminars, the program assists and supports
Armenian students who are faced with difficult choices in today’s
sometimes tense school environment. Those interested in becoming a
GenNext mentor and making a direct impact in the life of a young
Armenian may attend the "Get in the Game" information session scheduled
for January 21, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Pasadena
Center, located at 2495 E. Mountain St., Pasadena. Additional
information is also available at

YPLA is the Los Angeles Chapter of the AGBU Young Professionals — a
growing network of individuals, between the ages of 22 and 40, who
individually and collectively mirror the AGBU’s mission to preserve and
promote the Armenian identity and heritage by adding dimensions to the
lives of young professional Armenians through educational, cultural,
social and humanitarian programs. YPLA puts on monthly activities,
including social-networking and professional career-building events,
signature weekend getaways, hiking and camping trips, international
video-conferences, service-oriented activities targeted toward Armenian
youth, benefit events, as well as casual get-togethers, where up to 250
young Armenians can come together to exchange ideas and get to know each
other better. YPLA is always looking for individuals who would like to
volunteer their time either as a board member or on an event-by-event
basis. For more information on how to get involved with YPLA, please
contact: [email protected].

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULING ON PROTOCOLS IS A SIGNAL TO ANKARA THAT YEREVAN READY TO CONTINUE RECONCILIATION PROCESS

ARKA
Jan 15, 2010

YEREVAN, January 15. /ARKA/. A senior member of the governing
Republican Party of Armenia said today the ruling of Armenian
Constitutional Court that two Turkish-Armenian protocols on
establishment of diplomatic relations and normalization of bilateral
ties do not run counter to the Constitution, is a signal to Ankara
that Yerevan is ready to continue the reconciliation process.

Speaking at a news conference Friday, Eduard Sharmazanov, the
secretary of the party’s parliamentary faction, said the Constitutional
Court’s ruling is very important in terms of raising the country’s
international image showing its readiness to observe its international
commitments.

"Now the ball is again on the Turkish side of the field, which has to
demonstrate whether it really wants normalization of relations with
its neighbor or what it done and said was only an imitation,’ he said.

Sharmazanov said Turkey is facing the problem of preserving its
international reputation and by ratifying the two protocols it will
show that it is a reliable partner. He blamed Ankara for what he
described as ‘artificial dragging of the protocols ratification.’

According to him, some members of the British House of Commons,
who have personally recognized the Armenian genocide, are pressing
the government to follow their suit. He said the US Congress is very
likely to consider an Armenian genocide bill again.

Eduard Sharmazanov said Armenia will never agree to one-sided
concessions in this issue. In a reference to state borders, he
said Armenia and Turkey, as members of UN and other international
organizations, have recognized one another’s borders.

On June 12 the Constitutional Court indicated that the protocols
can not have any bearing on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict or inhibit
Armenia’s pursuit of greater international recognition of the Armenian
genocide.

NORMALIZATION OF ANKARA-YEREVAN RELATIONS IS RELATED WITH SOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: TURKISH PM

Trend, Azerbaijan
Jan 15 2010

Turkey’s Prime Minister Receb Tayyip Erdogan said the normalization of
Ankara-Yerevan relations is related with solving the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict while estimating the results of Russian ambassador’s activity,
Turkish CNN Turk news portal reported.

Erdogan also said that although people often say about lack of
connection between Ankara-Yerevan relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, tension in Turkish-Armenian relations with further closing
of the borders occurred after occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

Erdogan said that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be solved and
Azerbaijan’s occupied territories must be liberated soon.

EDITORIAL: TRADE & CUSTOMS IN THE CIS

Who’s Who Legal
Jan 15 2010

A total of 24 lawyers are listed in this chapter as leading
practitioners in a field in which three firms stand out as leaders
in their countries.

At Turcan & Turcan in Moldova, Alexander Turcan is "brilliant" and
Octavian Cazac provides "excellent" counsel. Kalikova & Associates
in Kyrgyzstan also has two nominees in our list. Maksim Smirnov
has been noted for his work in the field as has Gulnara Kalikova,
the managing partner of the firm. From Vlasova Mikhel & Partners
in Belarus Konstantin Mikhel has been "highly active"; his partner
Alexey Anischenko has a "very good" practice.

We identify a further five leading lawyers in Belarus. At Borovtsov &
Salei Alexander Botian is "first class" while at Businessconsult Eugeny
Malinovsky is a "highly skilled" customs lawyer. Eugene Lazarenkov
from Law Firm Trust has "very good experience" in the field; Denis
Aleinikov from Law Group Argument, who also serves as general counsel
of the CIS economic court, is also listed. Denis Turovets at Magisters
focuses on dispute resolution and is "an authority" in this field.

Five lawyers based in Russia make it into this chapter. The "excellent"
Amiran Gogiberidze at MGAP Attorneys at Law concentrates on customs
law. Victor Snegirev from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP specialises in
customs regulation while Jonathan Russin at Russin & Vecchi LLC is
"highly knowledgeable" in Russian trade matters.

Vladimir Tchikine from Goltsblat BLP is also "very experienced" in
customs regulation and has recently advised a global film producer and
distributor with respect to customs clearance, as well as representing
the company in court appealing against customs authority actions.

Irina Anyukhina from ALRUD Law Firm has also been recognised for her
work in the field and is a "very skilled" lawyer.

Our research has located three prominent lawyers in Ukraine. Tatyana
Slipachuk chairs the international trade and international arbitration
practice group at Vasil Kisil & Partners and offers "excellent"
counsel. Sergii Koziakov at Volkov Koziakov & Partners is a "real
player" in international trade. Olena Kibenko is a well-regarded
senior partner at Inyurpolis.

In Azerbaijan, two lawyers stand out in our research. Ismail Askerov
from MGB Law Offices is a leader in the field and the "very good"
Aykhan Asadov at Baker & McKenzie also focuses on customs. In
Kazakhstan we identify Vsevolod Markov at McGuireWoods LLP as being
"very experienced" in trade while in Armenia we pick out David Sargsyan
from Ameria Legal Practice as an "expert" in the field.

article/19732/editorial-trade-customs-cis/

FREEDOM HOUSE NEW OBJECT OF AZERBAIJAN’S HATRED
By Ivan Gharibyan

news.am
Jan 14 2010
Armenia

Whatever we may say, official Baku has never been able to forgive the
United States for launching the Armenia-Turkey normalization process
and calling for normalization without any preconditions. Throughout the
recent months the Azerbaijani authorities have been seeking occasions
for attacks on the United States. The developments are perceived with
even greater pain by the official Azeri propaganda.

Late last December all the central Azeri media outlets were indignant
at the U.S.A. for its decision to provide essential financial
aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. After the efforts failed, Baku began to
look for "fresh food" for its worn-out propaganda machine and has
found it – this time it is a regular report by the Freedom House,
a Washington-based international non-governmental organization.

The point is that the report describes Azerbaijan as "not free,"
while Armenia is "a partly free" country. It was enough for Baku to
start telling "awful stories" about Freedom House being incompetent
and biased. Well, the organization dared challenge Ilham Aliyev’s
policy of constructing "democratic and prospering" Azerbaijan.

This time, the key role in "exposing" the U.S. human rights
organization has been assigned to Elnur Aslanov, Head of the Political
Analysis and Information Department, Azerbaijani Presidential
Administration. He began telling tales about the Government’s concern
for mass media and non-governmental organizations, without saying a
single word about how this concern is shown in practice. Was Aslanov
to tell about the Presidential Administration’s total control over
all the TV channels, as it is practiced in such rogue states as
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, or about the Azeri NGOs, which first
of all swear their loyalty to the "national leader" Heydar Aliyev
and his son Ilham? Aslanov also held back the truth about dozens of
Azerbaijani journalists losing years in jails.

However, Azerbaijan’s campaign against Freedom House is absolutely
pointless. One needs great imagination to accuse the organization of
lobbying for Armenian interests — its distinctly negative appraisals
of the Armenian authorities’ actions during the 2008 post-election
period are still fresh in our mind. If the situation is even worse
in Azerbaijan they had better try to improve it instead of going off
into hysterics.