Author: Kanayan Tamar

Earthtimes.org
Jan 29 2007

Armenia deals with Iran, Russia on energy

YEREVAN, Armenia, Jan. 29 An Iran-to-Armenia natural-gas pipeline
will come online later this year while Gazprom is considering
building an oil refinery near the Iranian border.

Armenian presidential spokesman Viktor Sogomonyan said the 90-mile
pipeline this spring will start to deliver the first of 36 billion
cubic meters of natural gas to Armenia over a 20-year span. The two
sides can extend the contract to 47 billion cubic meters over five
more years, RIA Novosti reported.

The pipeline cost between $210 million and $220 million.

Armenia will use the gas to power electricity plants to meet domestic
demand, as well as export it back to Iran.

Also Monday Sogomonyan said Russian gas giant Gazprom is looking at
building an oil refinery in Armenia near Iran.

I can confirm that Russia’s Gazprom is considering the possibility of
building an oil refinery in Armenia, he said, though negotiations are
not far along. The topic was brought up during meetings between the
Armenian and Russian presidents last week. Russian President Vladimir
Putin said Russian cell-phone company VimpelCom, aluminum company
RUSAL and Gazprom will increase investments in Armenia to $1.5
billion — double what the trio is currently investing. UPI

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
7 Vazgen Sargsian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.00.03, 27.16.00 (temporary)
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46 (temporary)
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

January 23, 2007

HERITAGE STATEMENT: HRANT DINK AND THE FACE OF TURKEY

Yerevan–The Heritage Party deplores the murder of Hrant Dink, pioneering
thinker and editor-in-chief of the Agos Armenian weekly of Turkey, and
extends its deep condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends.

No matter who is behind this heinous crime and who pulled the trigger, the
fact remains that it is the logical outcome of the Turkish government’s
long-standing xenophobic policy toward the Armenian people–in Armenia, in
Turkey, and in the Diaspora–who continue to nurture their national
identity.

This dastardly act of terrorism against our dedicated, righteous compatriot
unmasks, in dreadful fashion, the contemporary face of Turkey to the entire
world. It serves also as a final alarm for the national minorities of that
country, and as a grave warning to the growing number of progressive Turkish
intelligentsia who have dared to express alternative, conscientious points
of view on the past and the present.

If Turkey really does want to become a democratic country–to which Hrant
Dink devoted his life and his death–where human rights are protected,
freedom of speech is guaranteed, and history is faced, the Turkish
authorities cannot now limit themselves to ostentatious pronouncements and
self-defensive mechanisms alone. They must instead react with integrity and
dignity finally to transform the theory and practice of their domestic
policies and international affairs.

The Heritage Party extends its solidarity to those who are committed to
meeting this decisive challenge, with its attendant implications for the
region and for the world.

Hrant Dink’s life and love have not gone in vain.

Levon Aronyan beats Karyakin in the Corus Chess Tournament

ArmRadio.am
27.01.2007 13:36

In the 11th round of the Corus Chess Tournament held in the Dutch city
of Wijk aan Zee Grand Master of Armenia Levon Aronyan beat Grand
Master Sergey Karyakin, thus gaining 7 points and equaling to Teymur
Rajebov, who played a draw with Russian Grand Master Vladimir Kramnik.

Currently Levon Aronyan, Teymur Rajebov and Pyotor Svidler share the
2nd-4th places. The leader of the tournament is Vesselin Topalov with
7.5 points.

Grand Master Gabriel Sargsyan, representing Armenian in Group B, has
6.5 points and shares the second place with a number of chess
players. Pavel Elyanov is leading with 7 points, Armenpress reports.

Associated Press Worldstream
January 27, 2007 Saturday 2:37 PM GMT

Armenia sends new rotation of troops to Iraq

Armenia on Saturday sent a fresh contingent of troops to serve in the
U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, officials said.

The 46 servicemen were to rotate in for the same number of troops
deployed since July, the Defense Ministry said.

The Armenian troops have been deployed to Iraq since January 2005,
and parliament voted in December to extend the deployment for another
year. The contingent serves under Polish command.

The mission has been met with criticism from opposition parties, many
Armenians and even the 30,000-strong Armenian community in Iraq,
which fears being targeted by attacks.

President Robert Kocharian and his government have sought to portray
the deployment as a way to boost ties with Europe.

Turkish Daily News
Jan 27 2007

What others say
Saturday, January 27, 2007

The rulers and the ruled

Yücel SARPDERE, Evrensel

Many comments can be made about the hundreds of thousands at Dink’s
funeral. You could say the people are not racist; they are filled
with reaction to the deeper state or speak about the anger caused by
murders of intellectuals, the influence of intellectuals or the
possibility that people would be living peacefully if racist and
chauvinistic ideologies weren’t being pumped into the society.
However the masses at the funeral showed one thing for certain:
People retain their humane side in the deepest part of their hearts,
while those who rule the country are fanning racism and chauvinism.
Imagine the `supreme race’ theme being promoted everywhere, from
textbooks to newspaper pages and TV screens. For tens of years the
paranoia of the `betrayer within’ and the disintegration syndrome
have been nurtured. If this many people are flocking to the streets
in such an environment and calling for brotherhood then what would
the world be like if we lived in an environment where racism and
chauvinism did not dominate?The rulers will always fear that free
thought will create the free man. They invent imagined enemies and
try to cover up class conflicts drawing on `racial
differences.’Suppose that an unemployed youth goes to bed wondering,
`Who will be disintegrating our country tonight,’ and then goes on a
hunt for `betrayers’ in the morning. He will fire a bullet. Then
those at the top, the moguls and their supporters in the media will
shed crocodile tears as if they were not the ones to manufacture
those internal and external enemies. The people have flocked to the
streets and shown who it is that creates hostility and racism.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
January 26, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
Email: [email protected]

Representative Schiff, Lawmakers Send Letter to Turkey’s Prime Minister
Erdogan Condemning Dink’s Murder

Washington DC – The Armenian Assembly commends Representative Adam B.
Schiff (D-CA) for sending a letter to Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan condemning the murder of Armenian journalist and citizen
of Turkey, Hrant Dink, who was gunned down on January 19 in Istanbul,
Turkey. The letter, signed by 41 lawmakers, calls for a proper
investigation of this crime and urges the elimination of causes leading
to violence in Turkey.

"The Assembly thanks Congressman Schiff for his letter to Erdogan
condemning this heinous crime," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
"Hrant Dink was a courageous champion of human rights and tolerance and
a strong advocate for democratic change. His death should serve as a
wake-up call for Turkey to take a closer look at the internal changes
within its society. The U.S. must also redouble its efforts and urge the
Turkish government to reform its laws."

The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2007-020

Editor’s Note: Below is the full text of the letter sent to Prime
Minister Erdogan.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Republic of Turkey
Ankara, Turkey

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

We write to express our shock and condemnation of the murder of Hrant
Dink, the Armenian-Turkish editor of newspaper Agos, who was shot three
times outside its offices in Istanbul.

We urge you to personally oversee the investigation into Mr. Dink’s
murder and to ensure that this crime is solved and that those
responsible are punished.

The silencing of such a prominent and outspoken voice is not only a
personal tragedy; it is also a tragedy for those who believe in a free
and unfettered press, and those who are committed to a thoughtful
examination of the past. Hrant Dink had the courage to confront the
facts of the Armenian Genocide, and that courage may have cost him his
life.

We hope that you will also use the occasion of Mr. Dink’s murder to
repeal the odious law making it a crime to "insult Turkishness." As
you know, Mr. Dink was prosecuted under this law and was given a
six-month suspended sentence in October 2005 after writing about the
Armenian Genocide. Repealing this statute, which is repellant to those
of us who believe that a free and independent press is a cornerstone of
a democratic society, would be a fitting tribute to Mr. Dink and to the
other courageous Turkish writers and intellectuals who believe that
their country’s future can only be secured by accepting its past.

Finally, we also ask that you pass on our deepest condolences to his
family and colleagues.

Sincerely,

Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY)
Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA)
Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV)
Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA)
Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)
Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY)
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA)
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)
Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez (D-TX)
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ)
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Rep. Michael M. Honda (D-CA)
Rep. Jesse Jackson (D-IL)
Rep. James R. Langevin (D-RI)
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL)
Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ)
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
Rep. Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-MI)
Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. Michael R. McNulty (D-NY)
Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA)
Rep. John W. Olver (D-MA)
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
Rep. Donald M. Payne (D-NJ)
Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM)
Rep. George P. Radanovich (R-CA)
Rep. Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ)
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA)
Rep. Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA)
Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-PA)
Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ)
Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark (D-CA)
Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA)
Rep. Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY)

"VYMPELCOM" COMPANY SIGNED CONTRACT ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH
"WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM"

Yerevan, January 26. ArmInfo. The "Vympelcom" Company has signed a
Contract on strategic partnership with a non- commercial Fund "World
Economic Forum" (WEF).

As the Russian Mass Media report, the strategic partners of WEF,
along with "VympelCom", are the biggest world corporations, which
play a leading role in the Forum’s activity. They take an active
part in all the actions of the Forum at global, regional and branch
levels, using their resources and expert opportunities to achieve the
common objects of WEF. Commenting on the signing of this Contract,
the Director General of "VympelCom", Alexander Izosimov, said that
"receipt of the strategic partner status by the Company is a additional
evidence of strengthening the authority of Russia and the Russian
business in the world business and political circles". "I am glad
that the Company could join the most influential business structures
in the world community. I hope the "VympelCom", as a partner of WEF,
will be able to worthily represent the advanced Russian business and
its interests in the international arena", Izosimov said.

The group of "VympelCom" companies includes the cell operators , which
render their services in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan, as well as the recently gained operators in Georgia and
Armenia. The licenses of "VympelCom" group of companies for rendering
of cell communication services cover a territory with 240 mln people
inhabited. This includes 78 regions of Russia, as well as the whole
territory of Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia
and Armenia.The "VympelCom" has become the first Russian Company,
included in the listing of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The
Company’s shares are rated at NYSE under VIP symbol.

MCA-Armenia receives the first transfer of the second disbursement

ArmRadio.am
26.01.2007 12:23

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), on behalf of the United States
Government, has transferred the first tranche of USD 1,460.000 from
the second disbursement to Armenia. The second transfer of USD 270.800
is scheduled for the next month. The funds for Armenia’s Millennium
Challenge Compact are approved quarterly by the MCC and disbursed
monthly into MCA-Armenia’s bank account.

The money will be mainly directed towards the Agreements that
MCA-Armenia signed in January 2007. Specifically, the Implementing
Entity Agreement with National Statistical Service which will collect
data through surveys and provide MCA-Armenia with household survey
data, as well as data on rural poverty rates, income changes, and
satisfaction with the MCA program. The second Implementing Entity
Agreement was signed with the Armenian Road Directorate, which will
be responsible for the implementation and the oversight of the Rural
Roads Rehabilitation Project. The money will also be used towards the
cost of the contract expected to be signed with the Water-to-Market
Activity Project Manager later this month.

Official Baku not empowered to settle issues regarding NKR

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.01.2007 16:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Official Baku is not empowered to decide on sending
any international mission to Nagorno Karabakh, NKR President’s
advisor on foreign affairs Arman Melikian told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter. "Only the NKR authorities have the right to give consent to
presence of an EU mission. Such issues are decided in Stepanakert but
not in Baku. It’s another matter that the EU eyes Nagorno Karabakh
as a part of Azerbaijan.

All this happens because NKR doesn’t take part in the negotiation
process. They speak only of the meetings of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani Presidents, so it turns out to be an Armenian-Azeri
conflict but not Nagorno Karabakh one, what is totally incorrect,"
Melikian underscored. He also remarked that Armenia can nothing but
approve such a mission.

EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said
if Azerbaijan gives consent a mission for creation an atmosphere
of trust will be sent to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict region. The
purpose of the mission is to investigate the possibilities of carrying
out measures in conflict zones within the EU New Neighborhood Policy.

Police Looking for Ultranationalist Trace of Dink Assassination

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.01.2007 17:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish police have focussed their investigation
into the murder of ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink on alleged
links between the prime suspect and an ultranationalist group. "We
are looking into the political aspect of the murder and possible
links with illegal organizations," Istanbul police chief Celalettin
Cerrah said. Quoting sources close to the investigation, newspapers
on Monday said police were probing links between Ogun Samast and a
small, ultranationalist group in his hometown, Trabzon, on the Black
Sea Coast. Samast told police he was told to kill Dink by a friend,
Yasin Hayal, who spent 11 months in jail for a 2004 bomb attack against
a McDonald’s restaurant in Trabzon. "Yasin told me to shoot Dink. He
gave me the gun. So I did," the teenager said. Turkish newspapers
described Hayal, who is also in police custody, as an "older brother"
figure who frequently met youngsters in the area and influenced them
with his ultranationalist views.

Hurriyet said Samast, an unemployed secondary school graduate,
was among 10 youths aged 15 to 17 whom Hayal had last year trained
to handle and shoot small arms in order to assassinate Dink. "I
was chosen because I was the best shot and the fastest runner,"
Samast told the police. His mother, Havva Samast, said Monday that
she believed her son was a mere tool.

Samast’s testimony turned the spotlight on Trabzon, a Black Sea port
of one million and a hot-bed of nationalism, which hit the headlines
in February 2006 with the murder of an Italian Catholic priest by a
16-year-old boy. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
Sunday that police would look into possible links between Dink’s
killing and that of the priest, report Turkish media.