Author: Madatian Greg

LEBANON MAINTAINS NEUTRALITY IN KARABAKH CONFLICT – ENVOY

Mediamax news agency
1 Jun 07

Yerevan, 1 June: Lebanon maintains neutrality in the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict settlement, Lebanese ambassador to Armenia Jibra’il Ji’arah
told a news conference today [1 June].

Asked about the participation of Turkish servicemen in the peacekeeping
mission in Lebanon, he experssed confidence that "Turkish servicemen
are carrying out only a peacekeeping mission and do not pose a threat
to Lebanese Armenians".

He added that "not a single Armenian has suffered during the entire
period of the military operations between Lebanon and Israel".

"I have always said that God protects Lebanese Armenians," he said.

ARMENIA TO DECOMMISSION ITS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN NEAR FUTURE – AGENCY

Arminfo
31 May 07

Yerevan, 31 May: Nine projects for a total amount of 7m dollars have
been implemented in the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) in the
past year, ANPP general director Gagik Martirosyan has told Arminfo.

He said that several projects aimed at increasing the plant’s security
will be implemented this year too. He could not give the overall amount
of the investments to be made in the plant in 2007 as the process
of the projects preparation and talks is still unfinished. He said
that over 55m dollars have been spent in total to increase the plant’s
security and that today, the ANPP meets all the international security
norms but the work in that direction will continue. "The security
issue will be a key one until the last day of the plant," he said.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said at yesterday’s [30 May]
meeting of the Nuclear Power Security Council under the president that
in the coming two months, the Ministry of Energy will submit to the
government a programme of decommissioning the ANPP. This document, the
president said, has been worked out in the framework of the technical
assistance extended by the European Union. Under the Actions Plan of
the New Neighbourhood Policy, Armenia has committed to shut down the
existing NPP as soon as possible.

[Passage omitted on background details]

FOUR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM JAVAKHK MARK GEVORG CHAUSH’S 100th ANNIVERSARY AND DAY OF REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 30 2007

AKHALKALAK, MAY 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. An event dedicated
to Gevorg Chaush’s 100th anniversary and Day of RA Independence
was held on May 28 in the village of Pokr Khanchali, Ninotsminda
region. The event was organized by Javakhk’s Zori Zorian youth union.

The young people from the village of Pokr Khanchali with the
tricolor, accompanied by spiritual leader Ter Yeghia, visited
the monument to Gevorg Chaush near the village where a spiritual
ceremony took place. The young people placed the tricolor near the
monument. According to A-Info, the monument was placed in 1987 by
resident of the village of Pokr Khanchali Lavrent Avagian.

Then young people of Zori Zorian youth union returned to the village
club with a procession where they listened to lectures, saw film
Humble Heroes, sang patriotic songs.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

GABR IEL CHEMBERDJIAN DONATES HALF A MILLION DOLLAR TO THE CATHOLICSATE
OF CILICIA

His Holiness Aram I awarded the Medal of "Cilician Prince" to Gabriel
Chemberdjian from the Syrian Armenian community and his wife, Dr. Angela,
during a ceremonious event organized in the hall of the Veharan on May 27.

Members of the Cilician Brotherhood, the Primates of the Dioceses of
Lebanon, Tehran and Aleppo, Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Vahan Der
Ghevontian, community leaders and a large public attended the event.

His Holiness underlined the worldwide mission of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, in the various spheres of community life. He also praised all those
who in one way or another, actively participate in the people oriented
witness of our church.

The Catholicos then mentioned the numerous services Mr. And Mrs. Gabriel
Chemberdjian have carried out in Syria, Lebanon and Armenia with his
blessing, contributing immensely to the Armenian nation’s spiritual,
educational and cultural progress. On this occasion His Holiness also
announced that Gabriel Chemberdjian has donated half a million dollar for
general renovations of the Veharan in Antelias. Several parts of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia were renovated during the last few years. However,
upon the decision of His Holiness, the renovation of the Veharan was
purposely left to the end.

"Highly praising this couple he awarded the Prince Medal of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia. "We are confident that the Chemberdjian family
will continue to support our religious, culture and educational projects
with the same commitment," the Cathholicos said.

His Holiness’ Encyclical was read by Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian.

The Catholicos then presided over a luncheon, during which speeches were
delivered by Pontifical Vicar Archbishop Terterian, Archbishop Gomidas
Ohanian, Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Communications Officer V. Rev.
Krikor Chiftjian and former Seminary student Sahag Aboyan from Damascus.

In his concluding remarks, the Pontiff once more highly praised the couple
and particularly their love and dedication towards the Catholicosate of
Cilicia.

##
View the photos here: m
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

WHY DEFENSE INDUSTRY FAIRS ARE NOT KID-FRIENDLY
By Lale Sariibrahimoglu

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 29 2007

As far as I know international defense industry fairs are not generally
open to the public. It is simply because the nature of the organization
— the exhibition of all sorts of arms — does not need people who
are not involved in the arms business to tour the defense fairs simply
to pick up brochures or gifts that do not serve their purpose.

Defense fairs are held to bring together buyers (the military and
the other security organizations), arms manufacturers and defense
industrialists to establish business contacts and to see the newest
models developed by companies.

Whether we like it or not this is the purpose of defense fairs. But
in Turkey we do not see any such restriction on these fairs; they are
not closed to the public. Indeed one may even see 4 or 8-year-olds or
other unrelated people wandering around the stands with no knowledge
about the equipment being displayed there.

Though perhaps not the kids, the public was again present at the 8th
International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF’07) organized May 22-25
in Ankara by the Foundation to Strengthen the Turkish Armed Forces
(TSKGV) in cooperation with TUYAP fair organizers under the sponsorship
of the Defense Ministry.

During the previous defense fair, held in 2005 in Ankara, I noticed
teenagers testing guns and rifles at one of the stands with an
enthusiasm and joy that horrified me. This prompted me to ask TUYAP
why the public at large and young men or women were allowed to enter
the fair. The man I asked that question answered, "As of this year
[2005] we decided not to allow the public into defense industry
fairs. But at the last minute the Defense Ministry allowed the fair
to be opened to the public."

You see common sense finally prevails, but at the last minute this
wise approach is broken again by the sponsors; i.e., the Defense
Ministry itself.

In addition during this latest fair, as I was waiting for my taxi to
come and pick me up just outside the entrance, I first noticed from a
distance a young officer holding one of the hands of his young son (he
looked to be about 4 years old), trying to enter the fair grounds. Soon
afterwards I saw a young civilian man accompanied by his son, asking
the officials at the security checkpoint whether they enter.

A female security official told this guy that those under 16 were
not allowed to enter the fair grounds. Then the boy suddenly said,
"But I am 8 years old."

There was really nothing funny about this conversation, though the
boy’s father timidly, but with a smiling face, tried his best to
enter into the fair ground with his son.

Of course he couldn’t get in, but that incident made me think again
about the sadness and the seriousness of the situation in my country
where young men carrying guns could kill with no hesitation either
Hrant Dink, a Turkish-Armenian journalist, or Father Andrea Santoro,
a priest in the Black Sea town of Trabzon.

If you remember, the teenager who shot and killed the priest was only
16 years old. And the age limit for entry into the defense fair in
Turkey is set at 16!

While the public does not have access to defense fairs in Western
countries, in Turkey access is only limited to those under the age
of 16.

What does this situation tell us? Is it a deliberate attempt by the
state itself to encourage young men, in particular, and the unrelated
public, in general, to arm itself?

In fact the state’s duty is to take any measure necessary to prevent
people from getting involved in crime. While this has been the case,
a defense fair organized by a state institution has been leaving
the impression that the state itself is encouraging young men, in
particular, to enjoy pistols, rifles, missiles or combat aircraft.

This is not the way we can stop increased acts of street crime in
Turkey. Turkey’s people need to be taught democracy and the rule of
law. Let the arms makers, the military and the other related security
organizations get together at fairs, but not ordinary people, and in
particular not young men, please.

tay.do?haberno=112540

PanARMENIAN.Net

Sakozy’s coming to power won’t influence on Karabakh talks, Fassier says
26.05.2007 14:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Nicolas Sarkozy’s coming to power will not have a
negative impact on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, OSCE
Minsk Group French Co-chair, Ambassador Bernard Fassier told a news
conference in Baku.

`Our main task is to find a fair solution that would base on
international norms and standards,’ Fassier said.

`Nicolas Sarkozy’s coming to power is not fundamental in the context
of Karabakh settlement. I do not rate the role of one government or
one President as crucially important. Agreement between the Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan is the most important task,’ Mr Fassier
said, Day.az reports.

RA PRESIDENT APPOINTS THE JUDGES OF THE COURTS OF FIRST INSTANCE

ArmRadio.am
25.05.2007 13:52

On May 23 RA President Robert Kocharyan signed a decree on appointing
Judges of the Court of First Instance.

According to the decree, Vazgen Lalayan was appointed Judge of the
First Instance Court of Avan and Nor Nork communities.

Khachatur Baghdasaryan was appointed Judge of the First Instance
Court of Kentron and Nork-Marash communities.

Harutyun Yenokyan has been appointed Judge of the First Instance
Court of Ararat marz.

Armen Khachatryan has been appointed Judge of the First Instance
Court of Shirak marz.

ARMENIA PLEDGES FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTION PROCESS

ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 23 2007

YEREVAN, May 22 (Itar-Tass) — There is still a lot to do for
holding elections in strict compliance with international standards,
Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan said at a Tuesday meeting of
the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission chief.

"We wanted the recent elections to be Armenia’s best," he said,
adding that it is not so easy to resolve the remaining problems.

The premier promised a thorough analysis of critical remarks from the
election observers and thanked the mission for an unbiased evaluation
of the recent ballot.

Sargsyan singled out three priorities: upgrading of the Election Code;
defining of culpable violations; and technical assistance to election
commissions, including additional training.

The Republican Party of Armenia, which gained the majority of mandates
in the National Assembly, will target for the maximum engagement of
political forces in the formation of a government, enjoying people’s
confidence, Sargsyan said. The premier is the Republican Party leader.

ARMENIA-U.S. MILITARY COOPERATION IS ON HIGH LEVEL AND WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP IN FUTURE

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.05.2007 17:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian side highly appreciates cooperation
with the U.S., Armenian Defense Minister Mikael Haroutyunyan stated
at the interview with journalists in Yerevan May 22. Answering the
question on cooperation between Armenia and the United States in
military sphere, the Minister stressed the bilateral cooperation is
on the high level and has potential of further development.

"I am grateful to American leadership for the assistance they provide
us," Haroutyunyan underlined, adding that he means not only the direct
financial aid, but also various joint programs. "They are quite a lot,
and if today we start to speak about them, we shall have to count them
very long. I want only to repeat that our cooperation with the United
States is on a rather high level. And be sure, it will continue to
develop," Haroutyunyan underscored, IA Regnum reports.

A department of English language was opened in the Humanitarian Mine
Clearing Center of Armenia May 22.

British Ambassador to Armenia Anthony Cantor participated in the
opening ceremony. Opening of the department became possible with the
active support of the British Embassy and the "British Council".

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ARMROSGAZPROM CJSC APPROVED PROGRAMME OF ISSUE OF MEDIUM-TERM BONDS FOR GASIFICATION OF POTENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS

ArmInfo
2007-05-21 20:50:00

The Board of Directors of "ArmRosgazprom" CJSC has approved the
bonded debt issue programme, the Company’s press-service told
Arminfo. According to the developed programme, the volume of the first
emission of bonds will make up 1 bln drams. The Company envisages
to issue the medium-terms coupon bonds of 10,000 drams at par with
18-months redeem term. The annual interest rate of securities will
make up about 9%, that exceeds the treasury curve by 3% on average. The
coupon payments will be carried out every six months. The total volume
of the issue will make up 100,000 bonds respectively.

As Ashot Malkhasyan, Financial Deputy Executive Director of
ArmRosgasprom, told ArmInfo earlier, the issue program of the
medium-term bonds is held to enable potential subscribers (PS) to
set up a gas system. The finances invited from the market will go
for gasification of about 37 thnd of PS. Priority will be given to
socially insecure PS. About 4.8 bln AMD is required for the whole
gasification project.

"Unfortunately, we are lacking the spare funds to finance gasification
of PS. In this regard, we intend to enter the loan market and
to maintain the first emission totaling to 1 bln AMD. In case of
successful bond placement – which I am sure about, the company will
issue loan bonds in a year and half," he pointed out.

As per experts’ estimates, the PS’s gasification program would have
cost the company by 75 mln AMD more if it applied to commercial banks
for a credit.

"The company has an unblemished crediting reputation – it has always
fulfilled its obligations on timely and to full volume. The issue of
bonds will even more consolidate the company’s grounds in the bonds
market. The effective debut in this segment will provide our company
with considerable freedom of choice in strategic projects of business
development and expansion," A. Malkhasyan pointed out.

The "Cascade Investment" Investment Company, which is in structure of
the "Cascade Holding" and has an experience of bonds underwriting for
"Cascade Credit" sister company and the ARARATBANK, is a consultant
for emission and an underwriter. As per the bonds issue program,
after the registration and primary placement are over, ArmRosgasprom’s
securities will undergo relevant procedures of listing at Armenian
Exchange (ArmEx). The specialists think that entry of one of the
biggest and solvent companies of Armenia in the open market will
become an original locomotive of a secondary market of borrowing costs.