Author: Khoyetsian Rose

INFORMATION ABOUT PARTICIPATION OF CHINA AND KAZAKHSTAN IN KARS-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY PROJECT NOT CONFIRMED OFFICIALLY
Noyan Tapan
Aug 30 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, NOYAN TAPAN. Speaker for the RA President
Victor Soghomonian failed to receive any “official confirmation”
that China and Kazakhstan intend to participate in the construction
of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway. He stated this at the August 30 press
conference. In response to a question of NT correspndent about official
Yerevan’s attitude to the participation of China and Kazakhstan in
the indicated construction project, V. Soghomonian said that “it
is worth waiting a bit and then watching the developments to take
place.” He reminded that official Yerevan has repeatedly expressed
its negative position and concerns about the project. “If there
are developments in the future as well, we’ll not keep silent,” he
pointed out. To recap, in his recent interview with the newspaper
“Zaman”, the Turkish minister of transport Binali Yeldrum told
about China’s and Kazakhstan’s intention to participate in the
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway project. In his words, the “previous
contradiction” between Armenia and Turkey allegedly caused a delay
in this project’s implementation for years on end. In his opinion,
the railway is going to change the current situation in the region
and to improve general conditions there.
“Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are working jointly in order to
overcome all those difficulties that have a negative impact on the
regional economy,” the Turkish minister said. According to him, the
project will establish a direct link between Turkey and Azerbaijan
via Georgia: “The Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway will link Turkey with
Azerbaijan. It is important that all cargos in the region reach
Europe and Asia through Turkey.” It is noteworthy that many donor
states refused to participate in the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku construction
project on the grounds that in this way Armenia would be isolated
from the regional railway transportation network.

ENVOY SAYS RUSSIA INTERESTED IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
ANS TV, Baku
23 Aug 06
The newly-appointed Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Vasiliy Istartov,
has said that as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia is doing
a lot to find a solution to the Nagornyy Karabakh problem.
In an interview with the “Point of View” programme on commercial
ANS TV on 23 August, Istratov said: “As a co-chair, Russia is doing
quite a lot within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group to ensure
that the parties can negotiate and resolve the problem between
themselves… A decision cannot be imposed. A decision can be imposed
on the negotiating group. A decision cannot be imposed on this or
another people… A decision should be adopted. This issue will take
some time.”
Asked about his reaction to the statements that the problem is not
resolved as Russia does not want it, the ambassador said that Russia
is interested only in good relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan and
praised the current level of Russian-Azerbaijani relations.
Commenting on a statement that Russia wants to join the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export pipeline, Istratov said that “if
there arises a need for the Russian companies to use it, … then
they will probably use it. The issue is about the economy. Will it
be economical? If they want to send their oil products to the region
of the Mediterranean Sea, they will take their decision”.
The ambassador said that Russia is very interested in the
implementation of the North-South energy project. Speaking about
economic projects that Russia intends to launch in Azerbaijan, Istratov
said that Ural Region was ready to take an active part in trade with
Azerbaijan and stressed that RusAl [Russian Aluminium] company is
going to invest about 1bn dollars in Azerbaijan for a lengthy period.
Asked about repeated attacks on Azerbaijanis by skinheads in Russia,
the ambassador said that their violence was not directed only against
Azerbaijanis.
Meanwhile, he regretted attacks on them. The ambassador was optimistic
about the situation of Azerbaijanis in Russia as a whole. He also
praised ethnic and religious tolerance in Azerbaijan.
Asked about Russia’s position on the development of Iran’s nuclear
programme, the ambassador said that “in view of the fact that during
the previous decades, Iran did not show that it is actually open
for cooperation with the international community [changes tack]
In short, some secret programmes were found in Iran which caused
rather serious doubts on the part of the international community. In
view of this situation, an offer was made to Iran to enrich uranium
on its behalf but – in line with a somewhat more complex scheme –
not on its territory… This was a temporary measure proposed by
the international community, including Russia. Unfortunately, as a
rule, Iran rejected our proposals which we all regard as logical and
reasonable. This is one of the reasons why the given problem is acute”.
Commenting on the situation in the Middle East, the ambassador said
that Russia wanted stability and peace in the region. He stressed
that the international community needs at least to ensure that the
crisis does not deepen even further.

OLEXANDER BOZHKO: “THOUGH THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY OF ARMENIA IS NOT
OF GREAT NUMBER, BUT IS ACTIVE”
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The history of the Ukrainian community
of Armenia started at least from the middle of the 19th century when
a group of settlers who came from the region of Poltava founded
the village of Nikolayevka near Stepanavan. As Olexander Bozhko,
the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the
RA mentioned in the interveiw to the Noyan Tapan correspondent,
their huts have been kept there by now. It was also mentioned that
according to data of the 2001 census, 1633 ethnic Ukrainians lived in
Armenia, though, according to non-official data, their number makes
about 3000. The Ambassador stated that the “Ukraine” Ukrainians’
Federation of Armenia functions in Armenia. The federation founded
in 1995 has departments in the cities of Vanadzor, Gyumri, Hrazdan,
Ijevan and Sevan. The federation publishes the “Dnipro-Slavutich”
monthly in the Armenian and Ukrainian languages.
O.Bozhko stated that the community members have possibility to study
in Ukraine: the most gifted of them are sent annually to Ukraine to
get education.
“It’s pleasant for us that Ukrianians founded in Armenia the “Dnipro”
choir, “Verbichenka” song ensemble, children’s “Dzvinochek” choir
and “Malyatko” dance ensemble. Participants of those organizations
every year hold their holidays in Ukraine, particularly, in the
“Artek” camp,” the Ambassador said. The Ukrainians’ world forum, in
which representatives of the Ukrainian community of Armenia as well
participated, started in Kiev on August 18. In O.Bozhko’s words, the
“Ukrainian Song in World” artistic festival is being held within the
framework of the forum. The Ukrainian choir from Armenia participates
in the festival with its program. The Ambassador mentioned that this
choir, almost half of participants of which is ethnic Armenians,
performs songs both in Ukrainian and Armenian. As for the Armenian
community of Ukraine, in O.Bozhko’s words, about 30 thousand Armenians
lived in Ukraine in early 90s, and their number reaches 400-500
thousand at present. The Ambassador mentioned names of famous figures
of the Armenian origin, functioning in Ukraine: film director Roman
Balayan, Mher Mkhitarian, the Chairman of the “Poznyaki-Zhilstroy”
powerful construction corporation, Arsen Avagov, the Kharkov regional
administration head. He also emphasized that four Armenians were
deputies of the 4th convention of the Supreme Rada (parliament) of
Ukraine. O.Bozhko mentioned that the “Aragats” newspaper (enclosure
of the “Golos Ukraini” official newspaper of the Ukrainian Supreme
Rada) is published in Ukraine in the Armenian and Ukrainian languages,
the “Masyats Aghavni” periodical is published in Crimea, illustrated
“Haykakan Lraber” is published in Donbass. Besides, there are radio
and TV programs in Armenian. By financing of the state budget, Armenian
books are published in Ukraine, Sunday schools function, classes with
deep teaching of Armenian open. O.Bozhko stated that the Armenian
community very seriously arises the issue of creating the Armenian
University in Ukraine. “I consider it to be a very serious program, and
as of today, the Armenian community of Ukraine has all possibilities
for implementing it,” the Ambassador stated. In O.Bozhko’s words,
a new Armenian church is built in Ukraine every year. Today they
function in Kiev, Lugansk, Dnepropetrovsk, Simferopol, Odessa and Lviv.
“So, one may say for sure, that today Armenians are a noticeable part
of the Ukrainian society as well as Ukrainians of the Armenian one,
though their number is not big,” the Ambassador of Ukraine to the
RA said.

Construction of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway to start in 2007
ArmRadio.am
25.08.2006 17:22
Turkish Transport Minister Binali Yýldýrým declared that the
construction of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway will start in 2007. The
Minister said US$ 320 million will be invested for the accomplishment
of the project., MEDIAMAX Agency informs. He noted that due to the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway Turkey will play a decisive role in the
transportation market between Europe and Asia.
Binali Yýldýrým informed also about the decision to study the
opportunity of constructing another railway that would link Kars to
Iran throughout Nakhijevan.
–Boundary_(ID_MKQTmRMAQfRW93NLJtBl1g )–

DRAW CONCLUSIONS BUT DON’T MAKE A TRAGEDY OUT OF IT
Lragir.am
23 Aug 06
Arshak Sadoyan criticized Victor Dallakyan who quit Ardarutiun
Alliance. He also criticized the opposition. Arshak Sadoyan told news
reporters August 23 that he condemns the passivity of the Ardarutiun
Alliance over the past few months. However, Sadoyan said he thinks
Dallakyan’s step had nothing to do with activity or passivity, the
question is opposition’s being or not being.
“I condemn Victor Dallakyan who quit Ardarutiun Alliance, the post of
its secretary. At any rate, however, it is normal, man has freedoms
and rights, this is another question. I think serious conclusions
should be drawn. At any rate, this is not a big problem to make a
tragedy out of it. Moreover, there should always be clarity,” says
Arshak Sadoyan. He says the more clear people’s approaches, system
of values become, the better for politicians, the opposition.

ARF PASSED ITS OPPOSITION TO TURKISH TROOPS DEPLOYMENT TO PRIME MINISTER SANIORA
Yerkir
22.08.2006 13:14
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – A delegation of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Central Committee of Lebanon, comprised of Hovik Mkhitarian
and MP Hakob Bagratuni, met on August 19 with Lebanese Prime Minister
Fuad Saniora.
The ARF delegation voiced the Lebanese Armenian community’s
opposition to deployment of Turkish troops in south Lebanon as part
of international peacekeeping forces.
The delegation requested that the government discuss the issue of
the Turkish troops pointing out that such deployment would cause the
disappointment of not only the Lebanese Armenians but also Armenians
worldwide who have continuously supported Lebanon.
The prime minister took the expressed positions with understanding
saying, however, he had difficulty to secure an adequate number of
peacekeepers in the international forces.
Speaking to the press afterwards, MP Bagratuni expressed the Armenian
community’s support for the prime minister’s efforts in the domestic
and international area and its endorsement of the UN Resolution 1701.
He, however, reiterated the Armenian community’s opposition to
the participation of the Turkish military in the international
peacekeeping mission.
“We explicitly told the prime minister that we are against of the
presence of even one Turkish soldier,” Bagratuni noted.

THE SUNDAY CHESS COLUMN
By Malcolm Pein
Sunday Telegraph/UK
Filed: 20/08/2006
Eyebrows were raised when Carsten Hensel the agent for the Classical
Chess World Champion Vladimir Kramnik claimed his charge would be happy
with a 50 per cent score at the Dortmund Sparkasse tournament. Hensel
claimed that since his man was due to play Veselin Topalov in September
in the world title unification match he would be keeping secret his
new ideas for the opening. In addition the burden of four games out
of seven with black was lowering Kramnik’s expectations he claimed.
Naturally after such a dire pronouncement Kramnik duly won the
tournament on a tie-break, despatching the Georgian GM Jobava Baadur
in just 15 moves, and winning the key battle against Peter Leko with
white in the last round. Leko had been winning the event to that point.
England’s Michael Adams was very solid. He defeated Boris Gelfand
and drew the rest. While Baadur was a newcomer to the tournament who
qualified by virtue of his victory at the 2005 Aeroflot Open, Levon
Aronian’s failure was a surprise. The Armenian, ranked world number
three, had swept all before him of late but here scored just 2/7.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 Kramnik 2743 d * d 1 d d d 1 4.5 2 Svidler 2742 d *
d d d d 1 1 4.5 3 Adams 2732 d d * d 1 d d d 4 4 Leko 2738 0 d d * d 1
1 d 4 5 Gelfand 2729 d d 0 d * d 1 1 4 6 Naiditsch 2664 d d d 0 d * d 1
3.5 7 Aronian 2761 d 0 d 0 0 d * d 2 8 Jobava 2651 0 0 d d 0 0 d * 1.5
V Kramnik- P Leko Sparkassen Dortmund (7) Nimzo-Indian
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b6 7.Bg5 Bb7
Many GMs play this with both colours, it has become a very popular line
8. f3 h6 9.Bh4 d5 10. e3 Nbd7 11. cxd5 Nxd5 The theory of this line
goes very deep. As in many lines of the Nimzo-Indian Black’s extra
development is a counterweight to White’s bishop pair 12.Bxd8 Nxc3
13.Bh4 Keeping the bishops 13. …Nd5 14.Bf2 c5 15. e4 Ne7 16.Ne2 Rac8
17.Nc3 cxd4 18.Bxd4 Nc5 19.Rd1 Rfd8 20.Be3 White has also played Bb5,
Be2 and Bxc5 20. …Rxd1+ 21.Kxd1 e5 22. b4 The first new move, 24.Kc2
Na4 25.Bd2 f5 was Bareev-Almasi 2003 22. …Ne6 23.Kc2 Nc6 24.Kb2 Kf8
25.Bc4 Ncd4 26.Bxe6! Very surprising but Kramnik’s remaining pieces
become active. Note that his king is good 26. …Nxe6 27.Nb5 Ra8 28. a4
Ba6 29.Na3! Rc8 30. b5 Bb7 31.Rc1! Rxc1 32.Kxc1 Very deep home analysis
I suspect, the plan of a4-a5 looks hard to meet 32. …Ke7 33. a5 bxa5
34.Bxa7 The white king is going to take the Black a pawn 34. …f5
34. …f6 35.Nc4 a4 36.Kb2 Nf4 37.Na5 Bc8 38. g3 Nd3+ 39.Ka3 35.
exf5 Nf4 36. g3 Nh3 37.Nc4 Ng5 38.Nxa5 Bd5 39. b6 Nxf3 40. h3 Ng5
41. b7 Bxb7 42.Nxb7 Nxh3 43.Bb6 Kd7 44.Be3 Ke7 45.Nc5 g6 46. fxg6
Kf6 47.Bxh6 Kxg6 48.Be3 and Black resigned.

PRESS RELEASE
The Genocide Education Project
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 264-4203
[email protected]
www.GenocideEd ucation.org
Contact: Sara Cohan ([email protected])
ILLINOIS TEACHER AWARDED 2006 AHARONIAN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
6/08_15_2006.htm
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Genocide Education Project is pleased to
announce the first recipient of the Aharonian Award for excellence
in the teaching of the Armenian Genocide, Mr. Ronald Levitsky of
Northfield, Illinois. Mr.
Levitsky is an extremely accomplished educator who has received
countless awards for ground-breaking work in the classroom and serves
on various local and national educational committees.
The 2006 Aharonian Award is the first time that a national award
has been offered to secondary level educators who teach about the
Armenian Genocide.
“We know that teachers all over the country are teaching about the
Armenian Genocide in unique and interesting ways,” stated Raffi
Momjian, Executive Director of The Genocide Education Project. “Now
we have a chance to recognize and reward the important work educators
are doing on the subject.”
Mr. Levitsky’s curriculum project was based on an action alert
issued by the Armenian National Committee of America, suggesting
people submit a new design for a postage stamp to the Citizen Stamp
Advisory Committee.
The postage stamp activity became a springboard for studying the
Armenian Genocide as well as America’s response to it. Levitsky
noted, “Because adolescents have a sense of justice and sensitivity
to cruelty, students need to believe that, in the midst of genocide,
people can act affirmatively.” The lesson includes background readings
on the Armenian Genocide as well as information on America’s response
to the Genocide, which is culled from the research of Peter Balakian
and Merill Peterson. Students not only learn the details of the history
of the Armenian Genocide but they are also required to write journal
entries examining a variety of related topics from “why people bully”
to exploring ways to stop genocide. Finally, designing a stamp allows
students to express the ideas and issues they have learned about in an
artistic manner. Levitsky’s approach ensures his students will learn
both the history of the Armenian Genocide and the responsibility of
all people to respond to genocide in more effective way.
The Aharonian Award was inspired by Avedis Aharonian, a prolific
Armenian writer, public servant, and one of the founders of the
first independent Armenian Republic in 1918. Aharonian wrote, “If
evil of this magnitude can be ignored, if our own children forget,
then we deserve oblivion and earn the world’s scorn.” By sponsoring
an award in his name, The Genocide Education Project hopes to inspire
more U.S. educators to teach about the Armenian Genocide.
Additional information about the Aharonian Award and the full criteria
for submitting a lesson plan can be found on The Genocide Education
Project’s online resource library at Winners
of the Aharonian Award receive teaching resources on the Armenian
Genocide, a cash award, and the publication of their lesson plan on
A set of resources is also provided to the
award recipient’s affiliated institution’s library.
####
The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization that assists educators in teaching about human rights
and genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, by developing and
distributing instructional materials, providing access to teaching
resources and organizing educational workshops.

VLADIMIR PUTIN IS TIGHTENING THE CIRCLE OF HIS FRIENDS
by Vladimir Soloviov, Mikhail Zygar
Translated by A. Ignatkin
Source: Kommersant, August 15, 2006, pp. 1, 5
Agency WPS
What the Papers Say Part B (Russia)
August 15, 2006 Tuesday
The Launch;
A regional alternative to the World Trade Organization; An informal
summit of the Euro-Asian Economic Community opens in Sochi today. The
presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and
Belarus have confirmed their attendance. Armenian leader Robert
Kocharjan and new Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych have
been invited.
An informal summit of the Euro-Asian Economic Community opens in
Sochi today. The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan, and Belarus have confirmed their attendance. Armenian
leader Robert Kocharjan and new Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor
Yanukovych have also been invited to Sochi.
The Kremlin attaches considerable importance to the forthcoming
meeting. The Russian authorities want it to demonstrate that they are
not concerned about the failure of World Trade Organization (WTO)
membership talks. When negotiations with the United States broke
down on the eve of the G8 summit in St. Petersburg, Moscow decided
to organize an “alternative WTO” – based on the Euro-Asian Economic
Community (EAEC).
In fact, Russia began demonstrating exactly how it perceives the
future economic integration within the framework of the EAEC even
when preparations for the summit were under way. Mounting mutual
dependance of the neighbor states (with both states’ consent, that
is) for starters. Mounting pressure applied to the neighbors still
resisting as phase two. Expansion into the countries that have so
far escaped being in the focus of Moscow’s attention afterwards.
Traditionally for the Kremlin, energy sphere will become the number
one tool and lever. That is why establishment of the EAEC common
energy market is going to become the central issue of the informal
summit that will end on August 17.
Kazakh media outlets report on the eve of the Sochi summit that a
colossal project of water supply for Central Asia – Moscow’s latest
initiative – will become the most important issue on the agenda.
Water has always been a strategic resource in and for Central Asia.
Almost 80% of the water resources of the region are concentrated in
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan while the major consumers are Uzbekistan
and Kazakhstan. Tension usually mounted in summertime when water was
in a higher than usual demand but Kyrgyzstan began storing it up in
reservoirs for electric power production in winter. Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan inevitably brought economic leverages into play to bow
Kyrgyzstan, dependent on exported energy as it is, to their will.
The Kremlin is trying to turn the tables now and make use of the
opportunities this situation is presenting. The idea of an Eurasian
water-energy consortium was first conceived of in Moscow in early
summer. Sources in Moscow and Astana imply that the project may be
financed by the Eurasian Bank Russia and Kazakhstan established not
long ago… Inter RAO EES, a subsidiary of the RAO Unified Energy
Systems, is already building the Sangtuda 1 hydroelectric power plant
and Russian Aluminum the Rogun hydroelectric power plant in Tajikistan.
Realization of the water-energy consortium initiative will put in the
Kremlin’s hands a major geopolitical tool that will certainly boost
its positions in Asia. On the other hand, it will pave way to energy
expansion into the Indian, Pakistani, and Chinese markets.
Eager to do its neighbors great favors, Russia has never yet failed
to encounter one and the same old problem. A great deal of CIS
countries are in the focus of Washington’s interests and attention,
and Vladimir Putin will have to have “friendly chats” with the CIS
leaders who seem to be on too intimate terms with the United States.
Russia has several “problematic” countries to deal with in this
respect and Kyrgyzstan is one of them. Encouraged by Moscow, Kyrgyzstan
asked the United States to revise the terms of the presence of Khansi
airbase in Bishkek airport Manas in 2005. In short, Bishkek wanted
$207 million in rent per year. According to our sources, the Kremlin
feared at first that Washington would accept the new terms but the
latter turned the demand down. Moscow expected that it would result in
curtailment of American military presence in Central Asia but Bishkek
let it down. All of a sudden, it abandoned its new demands and let
the Americans stay for a much lower price that it had demanded at
first. The Kyrgyz-American talks ended on July 14. Under the terms
of the new agreement, Washington is expected to pay $150 million per
year for the airbase. Putin will certainly expect an explanation from
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan now.
One other subject will be raised in Sochi. Russia will do its best
to persuade Kyrgyzstan not to join the HIPC (Heavy Indebted Poor
Countries) program under the aegis of the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund. Kyrgyzstan will be told that membership of the program
will cost it tis sovereignty and place it at the beck and call of
the United States. Moscow will offer Kyrgyzstan dependence on Russia
instead.
Yanukovych as a special guest at the informal summit is the Kremlin’s
other potential headache. According to what information is available at
this point, Putin invited the new Ukrainian prime minister to Moscow
because of the alarming rumors from Kiev that Yanukovych’s contacts
with American negotiators become more and more frequent and that the
sides have all but reached mutual understanding already.
Neither do Yanukovych’s latest statements permit the Kremlin to
relax. The Ukrainian prime minister is resolved to demand a lower
gas price from Russia: $95 per 1,000 cubic meters. This is not
an initiative guaranteed to find Putin or Gazprom particularly
sympathetic. Last but not least, Moscow cannot help noticing that
Yanukovych, the erstwhile “pro-Russian candidate,” isn’t even thinking
of keeping his central pro-Russian campaign promises. (On a working
visit to the Crimea on August 11, Yanukovych announced that making
Russian the second state language is not possible for the time being.)
There are some guests expected in Sochi whose pro-Russian stance
is not something Putin doubts, but even that doesn’t make Russia’s
relations with their respective countries exactly cloudless.
The Russian-Belarusian talks promise to be particularly difficult.
Moscow is resolved to make no more advances to Minsk. Establishment of
a union state is one of the worst problems in the Russian-Belarusian
bilateral relations. Russia wants a common currency introduced in
both countries as soon as possible but Belarus never misses a chance
to delay and impede the process. Alexander Lukashenko demands from
Russia a recompense for the budget losses the forthcoming unification
of the two countries will entail. Belarusian economists maintain that
processes of integration has cost Belarus almost $2 billion in the
last twelve months. Russia, however, has an ace up its sleeve. The
Kremlin is enraged – and doesn’t bother concealing it – that Belarus
is exporting Russian gas and oil products to the third countries
without compunction. According to official estimates alone, Belarusian
petroleum product exports increased by almost 60% in January-May 2006,
to $3.2 billion. More than ample compensation for what losses Belarus
claims it is suffering.
There is one other factor that doesn’t make Russian-Belarusian
bilateral relations any more easier. When Lukashenko was re-elected
this spring, Gazprom announced that the price of Russian gas sold
to Belarus should be raised to match the European average. Moscow
is even prepared to discuss the matter, as long as Beltransgaz turns
over some elements of the gas transportation framework to Gazprom.
But official Minsk wouldn’t hear of it, so the gas price could soar
from $46 to $180-200 per thousand cubic meters. This would be a
near-fatal blow to the struggling Belarusian economy.
Lukashenko has made some frantic attempts to establish a dialogue
with Iran and Venezuela and even evinced vivid interest in the project
of the pipeline from Iran to Pakistan to India. And yet, it is clear
that all these contacts are merely a show, an attempt to make Moscow
more amenable.
Rapprochement with Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan, another “faithful
friend” of Russia, is not following the script Russia has chartered.
Tashkent found himself in international isolation after the massacre
in Andijan. Russia moved in, supported Karimov wholeheartedly, and
even signed a treaty of the relations of allies with him. Expecting
Uzbekistan to sell Russia its major assets in return. Well,
considerably glitches have developed in the process. Establishment
of an uranium-mining joint venture to develop the Aktau deposit came
to grinding halt because of the Uzbek redtape on the government level.
The future of the American-Uzbek Zarafshan-Newmont is another
unknown. US-based Newmont Mining withdrew from the project when the
Uzbek authorities slapped back tax claims on it ($11 million for 2005
and $37 million for 2002-04). Moscow hoped that Interros would take
the Americans’ place, but no progress at all has been made yet…
In fact, Moscow has a strong argument to be used in the disputes with
Uzbekistan. The matter concerns the group of Uzbeks currently in the
detention cell in the Russian city of Ivanovo. Suspecting them of
organization of the revolt in Andijan, Tashkent has been clamoring
for their extradition for a year now. Russia is prepared to turn the
Uzbeks over to Tashkent but only in return for serious condescensions
on the part of Uzbekistan. After all, the Russian authorities have
already granted the men in question the status of political refugees,
and their extradition to Uzbekistan will almost certainly make trouble
for Moscow’s image in the West (not to mention political problems it
will generate).
On the other hand, damage to its image in the eyes of the international
community is not what worries Moscow that much nowadays. Mad at the
West, the Kremlin is out to nail together a team of its own. Should
it set the West seething, Moscow will be only pleased.

ROCKIN’ THE UAE
by Aryeman Raj, Staff Writer
Gulf News, nited Arab Emirates
July 13, 2006 Thursday
Sisters Jackie Wartanian and Lara Teperdjian are the people who brought
Sting, Shaggy, Tom Jones and Whitney Houston to Dubai. The organisers
of the Desert Rock festival tell Aryeman Raj why their job rocks.
These two sisters certainly are “doing it for themselves” – as Annie
Lennox would have it.
Armenians Jackie Wartanian and Lara Teperdjian of Center Stage
Management have brought many big-name performers to Dubai, including
Shaggy, Tom Jones, Sting, Whitney Houston and Enrique Iglesias. Yet
they’ve made their mark as the organisers of the Desert Rock festival,
which – in its third year – attracted an audience of 8,000 in March.
“Having a rock festival in Dubai was a dream for me,” says
Teperdjian. “Years ago ? I told Jackie that I would love to produce
a rock festival in Dubai like Rock in Rio or Rock am Ring (in Germany).
I wanted to have the same energy that other festivals got from their
audiences, which you don’t get from a one-off show.”
Convincing her older sister was a difficult task. Wartanian was
content organising other shows that were safer bets. Yet Teperdjian
persevered and gradually won her over to the idea.
“I would have never thought of the rock festival, but she got me
thinking,” says Wartanian. “Her strong conviction and innate confidence
of ‘Let’s do what nobody else has done’ amazed me. I realised that
this magic would work.”
The sisters, who have lived in the UAE for 30 years, have music in
their blood. Their recently deceased father, who also worked in the
music business, tried to dissuade them from entering the field.
Yet the pair – who’ve organised concerts in Dubai since 1999 – have
since learnt that he was proud of their work. They share their vision
for the Dubai rock industry with Friday.
How did you conceptualise the Desert Rock festival?
Lara Teperdjian: We wanted to create an oasis of rock, fun and
togetherness for a day or two in the desert. I wanted to do something
drastically different; something that could mean pure enjoyment for
the entire family.
What makes rock festivals so special?
Jackie Wartanian: It is a new concept that we brought to the UAE, even
though there have been many around the world, such as Rock in Rio,
the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, Ozzfest and others.
A rock festival isn’t just about the bands or who are performing
or appearing, it is about spending a whole day out with friends and
family. You get more than just a performance – there are activities,
extreme sports, merchandise being sold, food and drinks.
It also caters for different types of people with different types of
music genres – from mainstream bands to British rock, classic rock
and alternative rock or heavy metal. It satisfies a huge range of
people who love music in general.
How did you get involved in the music business?
LT: While growing up, we were always surrounded by music. Jackie
always listened to the classics like Journey, Eagles, Reo Speedwagon
and Queen. I started getting into the harder rock in my college days.
I listened to Disturbed and techno rock like The Prodigy.
Our father was involved in the entertainment industry a long time
ago, but he was against us joining it. But somehow, music had already
infiltrated our bloodstream.
JW: Organising festivals – from the planning stage to the time when
the lights go on – is pure excitement. Our adrenalin keeps pumping
as it gets closer to the day. When we see people smiling, jumping,
releasing their stress and enjoying the moment, the experience they
will take with them is the ultimate thrill. Music is our passion and
we are lucky to make it our business.
Having been part of the entertainment industry himself, why didn’t
your father encourage you to venture into the same field?
JW: Dad (John Teperdjian) was a financier and was involved with a
studio organising shows like the Grammy Awards. (Prior to coming
to the UAE, we lived in the US.) He (felt) the entertainment arena
wasn’t a good place for a lady to be in.
LT: Dad passed away in August, 2005. Although he had never been to any
of the shows we organised, we learnt from (others) that he praised
the job we were doing to promote rock music in the UAE. Our mother
(Angel) is on tenterhooks whenever she sees me struggling to meet the
deadlines for a show. But once she sees the exuberant reactions from
the audiences, a smile lights up her face.
You’ve been through some hardship. Is it true Jackie was hospitalised
when one of the lead performers backed out of one of your shows?
JW: Well, the only shocker we have ever experienced would be Limpbizkit
backing out within 48 hours before the show (in 2004).
They decided to fly to the US directly (rather than stop over) and
gave no excuse for their fans here in Dubai. We were at the airport
waiting to receive them and I got a call that they weren’t arriving.
Yes, I was hospitalised, it was a stressful moment and a learning
experience. We had sold 8,000 tickets and were expecting to sell more
on the same day. After (they) backed out, we had to refund most of
it and also take the blame for it.
We ended up having 3,000 people to see the other bands. Besides this,
local band Juliana Down also didn’t perform. I would not wish this
to happen to any promoter, especially in your inaugural festival.
Because of this situation, sponsors pulled out and some asked (for)
half (their money) back and so on. We had to rebuild our relationship
with the media, audiences and companies ? and prove to them that
it was not our fault. I was almost going to call it quits, but with
encouragement from Lara and my staff we are in our third year now.
Lara, you seem to have been the pillar of strength when things went
wrong. Otherwise, it might have been the end of the festival.
LT: I told her (Jackie) I didn’t want our dream of promoting rock
music to end like this. This was just one bump on the road. As sisters,
we have a strong tendency to never give up.
We knew we could make rock festivals happen here. We made a mistake
by choosing the wrong artist, but you learn from mistakes. We were
charged up to make it even better the following year.
What are the UAE audiences like?
LT: The crowd out here realises that rock music gives you power and
relief. It de-stresses you when you are screaming, jumping up and down.
This year, we sold the tickets without announcing which bands would
be performing. We want people to understand the music, we want to
educate them – through radio and other media – that this is a great
day of having fun with music. We revamped the festival concept to be
an all-day outing with food and fireworks.
What does the public want out of a rock festival?
JW: All (people want) is to have a good time and see their favourite
artists perform. Unless you are in the industry, you will not know
or care how a festival is put together. We are still educating the
people in the UAE about what a festival is all about and about the
different types of music that are out there.
How innovative and creative are you in your approach to rock festivals?
JW: We love to be as creative as possible. We like to come up with new,
interesting ideas to keep audiences entertained or shocked. When they
leave the festival we want them to have the ‘wow’ factor. We always
seek to push the envelope, trying to be different.
What obstacles do you face when approaching performers?
JW: Most of the bands love playing in places they have never been to.
It is also interesting for them to see they have fans in the Middle
East that they didn’t know about. But first trying to go through
their agents is the hardest part in getting the bands to come.
Why are rock musicians put on a pedestal?
JW: Rock stars have a connection with their fans, not only through
their lyrics but also through the charity work and concerns they put
forward to help the community. Rock never dies.
The UAE fans are very similar to those in Europe and the US. They
are many and they are underground, waiting to come out.
We get e-mails every day begging us to have (various) metal bands
perform at the festivals. There are many metal fans out there – not
just in the UAE, but also in Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Egypt –
and they are die-hard fans.
Tell us about the most outrageous incident you’ve experienced
involving fans.
LT: There was this young kid who tried to get past the green room
security guard. He claimed that he was the long-lost brother of the
artist and needed to re-unite with him. Seriously, loads of fans want
to meet the band or lead singers whom they adore.
Different genres of rock music appeal to different people. Have times
changed with the rock scene? Who sells now?
LT: Rock is not just for the youth. Our audiences range from 13 to
50. Classic rock bands always top the list in (terms of) selling out
(tickets). For the British rock groups, (the most popular bands)
would have to be the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Stereophonics,
U2 and Coldplay.
For hard rock, it is Disturbed while for alternative rock, it
would have to be Nickelback. Also, you will always have the hard
metal/thrash scene.
Do you get a lot of people returning each year? Is the festival
attracting attention overseas?
JW: When people come to Desert Rock, they leave wanting to know what
is going to happen next or who is coming next year.
Once we announce the next date, we get calls asking if it is true that
this or that band is coming. The tickets are being sold outside the
country faster than locally. This year, we had people coming from the
US, UK, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia – even Russia and Iran.
LT: We have changed and improved our media coverage and have (gained
more) international coverage. We have managed to put the UAE rock
scene on the international music circuit.
What are your upcoming events?
JW: Coming up is the Desert Rhythm Festival on October 26, a world
music festival. We’re also organising Shamal 2006: The Battle 4 Dubai
Desert Rock Festival in December, which will help search for the most
talented unsigned rock band in and around the Middle East.
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