Author: Kanayan Tamar

Armenia-Iran gas pipeline no alternative to nuclear plant – paper
Hayots Ashkarh, Yerevan
12 Apr 05

Excerpt from Vasak Tarposhyan’s report by Armenian newspaper Hayots
Ashkarh on 12 April headlined “Can the construction of a gas pipeline
become an alternative to the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant in case of
its closure?”
Preparations have started for the construction of the Megri-Kadzharan
sector of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. But there are some
obstacles. Although the AyRusgazard [Armenian-Russian gas] company won
the tender for the construction of the Megri-Kadzharan sector,
financial issues have not been fully resolved.
[Passage omitted: known details]
The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is viewed as an alternative to the
Armenian Nuclear Power Plant [ANPP]. We said many times that the
European Union is for closing the ANPP. It seems that Russia is too
interested in its closure, especially that Russian companies have
recently started showing interest in the fifth unit of the Razdan
[hydroelectric] power plant. Irrespective of their interest, it is
obvious that this can happen only in case there is a target market
where to sell the electricity produced by the fifth unit.
It is known that at present Armenia can fully meet its energy
demands. In this sense the domestic market is closed for the
electricity produced by the fifth unit. It may not be an alternative
to the ANPP in the first place because the electricity produced there
is more expensive, and second, if the electricity produced by this
unit is consumed within the country, then its sale is senseless. Until
today the fifth unit has been idle since we have not resolved the
problem of its target market. For this reason, Russian companies could
only be interested in the export of the electricity produced by the
fifth unit. On the other hand, it is not clear why Russia is
interested in closing the ANPP. It is being managed by Russia. Given
this, it is illogical to be interested in its closure.
May the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline become an alternative to the ANPP in
case of its closure? There is not such an opportunity because the
problem is not about having or not having gas supplies, but about
producing cheap electricity. It does not matter where this gas comes
from, especially that Iranian gas is more expensive. This is
advantageous to Armenia because we should pay with electricity for the
supplied gas, and energy facilities will work with even higher
intensity.
Thus, Russian companies’ interest may be viewed in the context of
using this capacity rather than closing down the ANPP. Iran has a free
and long-term market for energy companies. And finally, in order to
close down the ANPP, Armenia has to construct reliable plants that
produce cheap electricity. The best idea could be building another
nuclear power plant.

Zaman, Turkey
April 13 2005
Greens Conference Discusses Armenian Issue
A conference titled “The Future of the Past: Armenians in Turkey” and
organized by the Greens Group in the European Parliament (EP) has
called for the Armenian-Turkish conflict not to be handled like a
football match.
While the conference passed in a mature atmosphere though without
much attention from EP members much, there was a short moment of
tension when Greek Cypriot deputy Marios Matsakis’s alleged that
Turks had committed genocide in Cyprus. It was striking that no
academics had been invited to defend the Turkish thesis though Taner
Akcam of the University of Minnesota claimed that so-called genocide
had occurred. EP deputy Cem Ozdemir, of Turkish origin, said it was
impossible tocall representatives of all positions and that the
Armenian Diaspora had also protested that there was no one to arguing
the Armenian thesis. One of the three attendants, Zaman writer Etyen
Mahcupyan criticized both Turkey’s and Armenia’s approach to the
controversy and said that the two parties are similar in their
manners. Mahcupyan commented: “It would be easier for the Diaspora if
there were no Armenians left in Turkey, but Armenians in Turkey live
intermingled with Turks and perceive the issue at a more humanitarian
level.”
Mahcupyan emphasized on an expected gesture from Turkey regarding the
Armenian issue depends on gestures that the European Union could
make. Armenians should give up their insistence on the so-called
genocide and Turkey should accept it, he added. General Coordinator
of the Agos newspaper Hirant Dink, meanwhile, said that Europe should
play its part. Noting that relations between Armenian and Turkish
people were consumed by Europe, Dink argued that the EU should offer
an incentive by ascribing Armenia an EU perspective.
‘Don’t listen to Mahcupyan and Dink’
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy urged in a
letter sent to all EP deputies before the conference that Mahcupyan’s
and Dink’s statements should be approached cautiously because
Armenians were under pressure in Turkey. The Federation claimed that
one million Armenians currently live in Turkey, but that a majority
of them were converted to Islam by force.
Meanwhile Mahcupyan criticized remarks on the Armenian issue from
Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk saying that such “provocations” are not
beneficial. “I used to discuss these issues with 80 or 100 people
each week before Pamuk’s statement, many of whom were from the
Justice and Development Party (AKP). After his statement, these
people began to listen to me less. We should be careful of scoring
such own-goals.”

A1plus
| 21:11:00 | 11-04-2005 | Politics |
GALOUST SAHAKYAN SEES NO NECESSITY TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION
Today Arthur Baghdasaryan announced that no political agreement has been
reached to discuss the Constitutional amendments, that’s why the issue will
not be discussed in this 4-day session. Another question is what will be
discussed if the discussion of the Constitutional amendments and the
Electoral Code is postponed.
A different question is how they will manage to carry out Constitutional
discussions, even formally, and when they will manage to reach political
agreement.
By the way, as for dates, it is clear that the commitments taken upon before
EU will not be met. Let us remind you that according to them to
Constitutional Amendments referendum was to be organized before June 2005.
Orinats Yerkir deputy head Hovhannes Margaryan does not doubt that they will
manage to meet the commitments. And according to Galoust Sahakyan, `it is
even positive that the discussion of the matter is postponed, as all the
political powers will treat the problem more responsibility’.
Let us note that Galoust Sahakyan does not consider the meeting of the
commitments obligatory, `We must not inspire people that commitment taken
upon is like a stigma. If we want to carry out structural changes, the
society must accept them. Otherwise, I think our Constitution can remain as
it is. The years have shown that we have a good Constitution’.
And still, Mr. Sahakyan considers that if we have chosen the path of
democracy, we must accept the offered changes. And although national
traditions of constitutional amendments have not been formed, according to
Sahakyan, he does not worry about dates.

Pan Armenian News
EVENT DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 90-TH ANNIVERSARY HELD IN OTTAWA
11.04.2005 05:40
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An event dedicated to the 90-th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide initiated by the Armenian Students’ Union of the Ottawa
Universities with the assistance of the RA Embassy in Canada and the
Armenian community will take place in Ottawa April 8, Yerkir online reports.
Books by Armenian and foreign authors dedicated to the Genocide,
recollections of the Armenians, who survived the tragedy, articles published
in different times in the Armenian and foreign press were presented at the
exhibition, which opened within the frames of the event. `Forgotten
Genocide’ documentary of the well-known British director Michael Connors was
also shown. Armenian Ambassador to Canada Ara Papian and Adviser of the
Turkish Embassy were present at the event.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 11 2005
`Armenia ready to match Azerbaijan’s military spending in 2005′ –
Armenian defense minister

Armenia is ready to spend no less on armament than Azerbaijan in
2005, says Armenian defense minister Serzh Sarkisian.
`We have heard for 10 years about Azerbaijan’s hopes to solve its
problems through considerable military budget and will hear this for
another decade.’
Sarkisian said that armament and army capabilities are inseparable
and require major financial investments. He said that upgrade of the
existing arms is under way, as this requires less spending than
acquiring new weapons.
Commenting on the possibility of compromises between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, Sarkisian said: `Some say that compromises are unacceptable,
but we must decide where we want to take our people, and whether we
want a new or everlasting war’.
The Armenian minister said that eternal war is an alternative and if
the entire Armenian people make such a decision, he would support it.
`I am not required to listen to just one or two people that are
authorized to speak but do not see far ahead. They should realize
that bragging does not mean expressing views.’
Sarkisian added that he does not believe that considering compromises
represents a defeatist approach.
Pundits say that Armenia, whose military budget is three times less
than that of Azerbaijan, again relies on Russia as a source of
funding for its armament.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARPI VARDANIAN: “AAA SHOULD CONTINUE ITS ACTIVITY UNTIL US RECOGNIZES
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE”
YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. “The Armenian Assembly of America has
carried out active and compassionate work years running in order to
achieve the US government’s official and final recognition of the
Armenian Genocide and to avoid making it a political issue by the US
government as the fact remains,” Arpi Vardanian, Armenian Regional
Director of AAA, declared in her interview to Noyan Tapan’s
correspondent. She emphasized that the problem of genocides has become
much more urgent and received wide publicity during the recent 10-15
years. A number of genocides occured during 50-60 years in the world,
including the Jewish Holocaust, the genocides in Ruanda and Cambodia,
and these events changed the position of the international community.”
By the way, 20-30 years ago nobody was engaged and interested in
problems of genocide,” Vardanian mentioned. At the same time,
according to her, unless the Armenians had begun their activity aimed
at the Genocide recognition some decades ago today they would have
been be left out of this process. “Some changes gradually happen, even
some influential newspapers have begun to use the word “genocide” and
not “massacres” or “tragedy.” There are facts about the Genocide in
archives of the US and many other countries and it can’t be hidden but
the most painful is the fact the problem became a political one and
this hampers the issue of recognition,” Arpi Vardanian emphasized. She
said that the content of US President George Bush’s April 24
traditional address to the American Armenian community isn’t known to
her but according to her, some events may have a positive impact on
the President’s 2005 speech. Among these events Arpi Vardanian
attached special importance to US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans’
statement on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which was a great
progress in the process of Genocide recognition. Besides, according to
her, the positive response of the International Center for
Transitional Justice on the applicability of the United Nations
convention on the preventation and punishment of the crime of genocide
to events which occurred during the early 20-th century was also a
very great event. Arpi Vardanian also attached special imortance to
the initiative of J.Knolenberg and F.Pallone, Co-chairmen of the
Commission on Armenian Issues of the House of Representatives of US
Congress, saying that nearly 130 congressmen have already joined the
initiative. “The AAA should also continue working with the community
in order to make the latter active in this issue, as well as with
congressmen and US President George Bush’s administration until the US
recognizes the Armenian Genocide,” A.Vardanian said.

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONCURS THAT ARMENIAN KARABAKH CAN NEVER AGAIN BE
GOVERNED BY AZERBAIJAN
Arminfo
YEREVAN, APRIL 8. ARMINFO. said Ross Vartian, Executive director
Armenian Assembly of America in a letter to the editorial office of
The Washington Times.
AAA informs ARMINFO that the letter was a response to the article of
the head of Caspian Energy Consulting company Rob Sobhani. Vartian
says in the letter that Karabakh Armenians have long made their
choice for freedom and democracy and have defended that choice
in a war forced on them more than a decade ago. Besides he writes
that in “A ‘warehouse of evil,’ ” Mr. Sobhani claims that Armenian
authorities are unable to manage their armed forces and armaments. The
FBI disagrees and just two weeks ago praised “the professionalism and
active cooperation of the Armenian authorities” in a sting operation
in which would-be smugglers were nabbed before they attempted to move
the weapons into the United States. In fact, Washington has praised
Armenia’s military cooperation, calling the country a “key partner”
in the war on terror. To claim that Azerbaijan, as compared to Armenia,
has been unfairly penalized in foreign aid misrepresents the situation
on the ground. Mr. Sobhani could have added that U.S. assistance to
Armenia would not be so critical if Turkish and Azeri blockades were
not strangling its eastern and western borders, he writes.
“While Mr. Sobhani correctly notes that Armenia’s president supports
a peaceful resolution to the Karabakh conflict, his Azeri counterpart
does not. President Ilham Aliyev has declared repeatedly that he is
“not in a hurry” to settle the conflict and would start a new war at
the time of his choosing.”

PARLIAMENTARY HEARINGS ON THEME “ON LOCAL SELF-GOVERNCE” TO BE HELD
ON APRIL 27
YEREVAN, APRIL 8, NOYAN TAPAN. Parliamnetary hearings on the theme
“On Self-Governce” will be held on the initiative of the RA National
Assembly Standing Committe on State and Legal Affairs on April 27.
Drafts authored by the Government on additions and amendments proposed
in the RA law “On Local Self-Governce” adopted on June 5, 2002, are
envasiged to be dicussed. Foundation and dissolution of intercommunity
unions, legal status, powers as well as issues concerning property
and financing of the union are settled by one of them. Administrative
control concerning powers of local self-governmental bodies (LSG)
are defined by another one. As Rafik Petrosian, the Chirman of the
Committee informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, among those whom
invitations to attend hearings were sent are: all the regional
governors, heads of 47 urban and some rural communitis, NGOs
interested in self-governmental issues, the LSG Committee attached
to RA President.

Azeri foreign minister discusses Karabakh, economic ties in UAE
Trend news agency
8 Apr 05
Baku, 8 April, Trend correspondent S. Agayeva: The United Arab Emirates
[UAE] has always supported Azerbaijan’s fair position on the Nagornyy
Karabakh issue and it decisively condemns Armenia’s aggression against
Azerbaijan, UAE Foreign Minister Rashid Bin-Abdallah Ali al-Nu’aymi
said at a meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
during his official visit to the UAE on 6-7 April, the press centre
of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has told Trend news agency.
Elmar Mammadyarov thanked the UAE government for supporting
Azerbaijan’s fair position, condemning Armenia’s aggression against
Azerbaijan and providing humanitarian aid to refugees and displaced
persons.
The Azerbaijani foreign minister also met UAE Minister of Economy
and Planning Lubna al-Qasimi and discussed prospects for bilateral
economic development, expanding cooperation and exchanging experience
between the two countries in the oil, energy and other spheres.
Stressing the importance of increasing trade between Azerbaijan and
the United Arab Emirates, the sides pointed out that the establishment
of a joint intergovernment commission is of great importance to the
development of economic and trading relations.
The sides also pointed out that the holding of joint business forums
plays an important role in terms of studying the investment environment
in both countries.
During the visit, the Azerbaijani foreign minister read a lecture on
the subject “Azerbaijan in the modern world” at the UAE centre for
strategic research.

LEVON ARONIAN IS AMONG FIRST FIVE CHESS PLAYERS IN “GIBRALTAR MASTERS” TOURNAMENT
GIBRALTAR, February 7 (Noyan Tapan). The traditional tournament on
chess entitled “Gibraltar Masters” has completed. 120 chess players
from different countries participated in the tournament. Five
participants, including Armenian young grandmaster Levon Aronian,
earning 7.5 points each, placed 1st-5th in the tournament held by
the Swiss system with ten days. Alexei Shirov (Spain), Emil Surovsky
(Israel), Kiril Gevorgiev (Bulgaria) and Zakhar Yefimenko (Ukraine)
are the leaders of the tournament. Another Armenian representative
Gabriel Sargsian earned 7 points and shared 6-10th places.