Author: Nahapetian Samvel

HOUSE COMMITTEE OPPOSES FUNDING FOR RAILROAD THAT BYPASSES ARMENIA: LAWMAKERS CALL PROJECT "PURELY POLITICAL"

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 15 2006

WASHINGTON, JUNE 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
Assembly of America commended Members of the House Financial Services
Committee for adhering to U.S. policy goals of regional cooperation
and economic integration by ensuring that no Export-Import funding
would be used for a proposed rail link project that would connect
Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, while bypassing Armenia.

Lawmakers approved on June 14 H.R. 5068, the Export-Import Bank
Reauthorization Act of 2006, which included an amendment introduced
by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), along with Congressmen Edward
Royce (R-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA), ensuring that taxpayer dollars
will not be spent on efforts that would exclude Armenia from regional
projects and commercial opportunities.

Unanimous approval of this amendment by the House Financial Services
Committee sends a strong message that it does not endorse attempts to
undermine U.S. policy goals, which seeks to normalize Armenian-Turkish
relations and to reach a peaceful settlement in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. Moreover, the Committee’s action echoes recent statements
made by Ambassador-Designate to Azerbaijan, Anne Derse, who indicated
that the proposed railroad would "not be beneficial to regional
integration…"

"With this amendment, we are sending a message to the governments
of Turkey and Azerbaijan that continually excluding Armenia in
regional projects fosters instability," Crowley told Members of the
Committee. "Bypassing Armenia is just another attempt to further
suffocate this republic, which has made great strides in democratic
and economic reforms notwithstanding its neighbors’ hostility. If the
Caucasus region is to move forward, we must ensure that all countries
move forward together at the same time."

During the mark-up, Royce noted that the amendment was modeled after
H.R. 3361, the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act,
and said that taxpayer dollars should not be used to exclude Armenia
which is already facing dual blockades by Turkey and Azerbaijan. The
legislation, which also has a Senate counterpart, would prohibit
U.S. assistance for the promotion or development of a railroad that
would connect the three countries and exclude Armenia.

The House bill currently has 85 cosponsors.

Sherman, who also addressed the Committee, said that the European
Union has already publicly indicated that it will not finance a rail
project in which Armenia is not involved.

"Export-Import made a huge mistake when it approved finance guarantees
for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline in 2003," Sherman told the Assembly. "This
amendment puts Congress on record opposing a repeat of that fiasco
embodied by this ill-conceived and wasteful rail project."

"Our foreign assistance should help end conflict by fostering
cooperation," Sherman continued. "We should not entrench divisions
by financing projects which exclude countries friendly to the United
States."

Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) also spoke in favor of the
Crowley-Royce-Sherman amendment and submitted a statement for the
mark-up, which stated in part: "Armenia is a friend and an ally of
the United States that for too long has been subjected to blockades
and aggression from its neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan….Allowing
the exclusion of Armenia from important transportation routes would
stymie the emergence of this region as an important East-West trade
corridor. It is in our economic and security interests to ensure that
the aggression against Armenia comes to an end."

"We thank Congressman Crowley, along with Congressmen Royce and
Sherman, for their leadership on this crucial issue which is a
key Assembly priority for the 109th Congress. We also commend the
Armenian-American community for rallying support for this important
initiative," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Passage of this
amendment protects U.S. goals and interests in the region and ensures
that attempts by Turkey and Azerbaijan to isolate Armenia will not
go unanswered."

The proposed railway is estimated to cost upwards of 0 million.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told an Azeri news agency last
summer that, "We are currently working on a new project – a new rail
road Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku..If we succeed with this project,
the Armenians will end in complete isolation, which would create an
additional problem for their future, their already bleak future…"

Armenian government officials have repeatedly said that a new costly
railway is unnecessary given that a railroad linking Armenia, Georgia
and Turkey already exists.

The next step in the legislative process is a vote in the full House
on H.R. 5068.

RF WILL GIVE MONEY

A1+
[12:48 pm] 15 June, 2006

RF was to assign money for the reconstruction of the old building
of the Gyumri Pedagogical Institute in 2005 in the framework of the
intergovernmental program. But according to Vardyevan Grigoryan, Rector
of the Institute the construction was delayed as there are certain
problems connected with the documents. On this score a special group
of experts has recently come to Gyumri from Moscow to observe the site.

A new building is not constructed, and the foremost issue they counter
today is to preserve the old building of the Institute. The necessary
financial support will be provided by the Russian Federation. In case
the problem is not solved in this way, Rector Vardyevan Grigoryan
intends to apply to the National Assembly.

TV Company "Tsayg," Gyumri

ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK RULES OUT CURRENCY MANIPULATION

Trading Markets, CA
June 14 2006

(RTTNews) – The recent strengthening of the Armenian national currency,
the dram, against the US dollar is caused by ‘market factors’
and not government manipulation, local press reports said Tuesday,
citing the central bank chief Tigran Sarkisian. Armenia follows a
floating exchange rate policy. In less than a month, the dram has
gained nearly 9% in additional value against the greenback.

The domestic currency is currently worth over 30% more, in dollar
terms, than its level ahead of the start of its dramatic appreciation
in late 2003. The strengthening of the dram has reportedly hit exports
and a significant part of the population relying on remittances
from expatriates.

CHIEF OF INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT OF ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES GENERAL STAFF PASSED AWAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.06.2006 19:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today 59-year-old chief of the intelligence
department of the Armenian armed forces general staff, major general
Basentsi Azoyan passed away, RA Defense Minister’s Spokesman,
colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net. In 1974-1995
Basentsi Azoyan occupied high posts in the national security
system. In 1980-1982 he was detached to Iran and in 1983-1986 to
Afghanistan. Since 1995 Basentsi Azoyan has served for the Armenian
armed forces. He was decorated with the orders for Military Service,
Marshal Baghramyan, Andranik Ozanyan, Garegin Njdeh, the order for
Strengthening Partnership and the order for Irreproachable Service
as well as with the USSR medals and orders.

The funeral ceremony will take place June 14 at 12-2 p.m. in the
building of the State Academic Theater after Paronyan. Basentsi Azoyan
will be buried in the Yerablur pantheon.

MINISTERS DIFFER OVER DEPORTATION DECISION
Reports by David Mugonyi, Jillo Kadida and Michael Mugwang’a
Story By Sunday Nation Team

Daily Nation , Kenya
June 11 2006

The Cabinet appeared split yesterday over the decision by the
Government to deport the two Armenian brothers.

Some ministers criticised the Government for failing to charge Mr
Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargsyan with any crimes.

Two ministers even differed in a public function on the decision to
deport the two and their four associates.

Also joining in the condemnation was the Law Society of Kenya which
said the two brothers should have been charged in a court of law for
assaulting custom officials and sneaking into the country uncustomed
goods.

Defence minister Njenga Karume and his Youth Affairs counterpart
Mohammed Kuti disagreed in public over the handling of the matter.

Mr Karume said the Government was justified to do whatever it felt
was right and did not need to explain its actions to anyone.

“People do not understand that the Government can do anything with
anyone and you do not have to understand,” the minister said when
asked if it was right to deport the two before taking them to court.

Kabete MP Paul Muite said Mr Karume’s comment simply worsens the
situation for the Government.

Dr Kuti said the two brothers, just like any other person living in
Kenya and who commits a crime, should be subject to the country’s law.

“We need to get rid of these two individuals as fast as we can. But
the bottom line is that due process of the law has to be followed,”
said Dr Kuti.

The two ministers were speaking after presiding over the opening
session of The Careers Workshop for secondary school students in Kiambu
district at Kanunga High School in Mr Karume’s Kiambaa constituency.

Planning minister Henry Obwocha said although he had not followed
the incident closely, he believed in the rule of law.

He told the Sunday Nation: “In my view the law should have taken
its course.”

And Local Government minister Musikari Kombo also condemned the action
by the Artur brothers who threatened airport staff.

Mr Kombo said it was sad that foreigners or even Kenyans could go to
the extent of drawing guns on government officers.

Immigration assistant minister Anania Mwaboza laid blame on the Office
of the President.

He said it was the OP which should answer any questions regarding
the presence and activities of the Armenian brothers, including the
breach of security.

Mr Mwaboza also faulted the decision to deport Mr Margaryan and Mr
Sargsyan, saying they should have been subjected to the full force
of law and charged in court with a criminal offence.

But the Kenya Airports Authority declined to comment on why the
foreigners were given unfettered access to any airport in the country.

Personal assistant to KAA managing director George Muhoho, Mr Dominic
Ngige, said the matter was being handled by the police.

Kanu secretary general William Ruto asked Mr Muhoho to explain to
Kenyans where the Artur brothers got the security passes.

Kisumu Town East MP Gor Sunguh asked President Kibaki to resign for
failing to protect Kenyans, including civil servants.

LSK chairman Tom Ojienda said the Government’s deportation the Armenian
brothers at the centre of mercenary claims violates the rule of law.

The law of the country must apply to anyone who commits an offence
unless he or she enjoys diplomatic immunity, he said.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims urged the Government to institute
an urgent public inquiry into the presence and activities of the
brothers.

The council said it was time the Government came clean on the presence
of the two and what connections they had with the top leadership in
the country.

Former Director of Public Prosecution Philip Murgor said the chaos
caused by the two Armenian brothers at the JKIA was a true reflection
that the administration of justice and law enforcement was in the
hands of people who are totally compromised by dubious characters
behind the Armenian saga.

He said the Police Commissioner Major Gen Mohammed Ali, CID boss
Joseph Kamau, Internal Security minister John Michuki and Immigrations
minister Gideon Konchella ought to be sacked for failing to advise
President Kibaki appropriately on the matter.

MICHELINE CALMY-REY: SWITZERLAND INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHING LASTING AND STABLE BALANCE IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

ArmRadio.am
12.06.2006 15:04

Switzerland is interested in establishing lasting and stable balance
in the South Caucasus. Deputy Chairman of the Federal Council of the
Confederation of Switzerland, Foreign Minister Mrs. Micheline Calmy-Rey
mentioned in her joint interview with RA Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan that this is associated with migration and security concerns.

She welcomed the efforts of Armenian authorities in the direction of
accomplishment of the readmission agreement.

The Swiss Foreign Minister noted Switzerland is ready to soften the
procedure of providing visas, especially for diplomatic visits.

“Armenia holds an important position in the region, and Switzerland is
ready to help and encourage it continue the reforms,” Calmy-Rey said.

In her words, her country supports he resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a diplomatic way: not only the relations
between Armenia and Azerbaijan will normalize, it will also indirectly
promote the establishment of relations with Turkey.

TAJIK-AZERBAIJANI MILITARY ACCORD

United Press International
June 5 2006

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 5 (UPI) — Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have
signed an agreement on military cooperation.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev and Tajik Defense Minister
Shirali Khayrulloyev signed the agreement in Baku on June 1.

AssA-Irada reported Thursday that Abiyev told a news conference
after the signing ceremony, “I believe the document will positively
influence the expansion of bilateral ties in the area of defense and
serve to establishing stability in the Caucasus and Central Asia.”

The document provides for holding joint military exercises and training
of personnel.

Abiyev told Khayrulloyev that large quantities of weaponry and
ammunition are stored in Azerbaijani territories under Armenian
occupation. As the USSR collapsed in 1991, Azerbaijan and Armenia
became embroiled in a shooting war. In 1994, a cease-fire was signed.

About one-seventh of Azerbaijan’s territory is occupied by Armenian
forces, and Azerbaijan has 800,000 refugees and internally displaced
persons.

Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are also involved in NATO’s Partnership for
Peace program and the Commonwealth of Independent States, a union of
11 former Soviet republics.

RA PREMIER DOESN’T ANCHOR BIG HOPES WITH KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV TALKS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.06.2006 17:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan stated
today he does not anchor big hopes with the Kocharian-Aliyev talks
held in Bucharest. In his words, the position of the Azerbaijani side
does not show promise. At that the Armenian Premier added there will
be no regress in the process. As for progress, time will show. He
also remarked that the outcomes of the Bucharest meeting will not
cause tension in Armenia.

To remind, the talks between Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev stated
in Bucharest June 4 within the framework of the Black Sea Forum for
Dialogue and Partnership.

BAKU: OSCE MG FEAR OF ABSENCE OF TALKS MAJOR MOTIVATION OF BUCHAREST MEETING

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.06.2006 14:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group think of
the situation of absence of talks between the Azeri and Armenians
leaders over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict with fear, Azeri political
scientist Ilgar Mammadov believes. “In my opinion, this fear was the
basic motivation of the Bucharest meeting. Imagine there are no talks
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Then the probability of resumption of hostilities is higher then. To
avoid this the co-chairs do their best to continue the meetings,”
Mammadov believes.

“Thereupon I want to mention that now resumption of hostilities, even
for a short term, is favorable to Armenia. Azerbaijan expects much
oil revenues in the coming years and short resumption of full-scale
military operation right now would have caused problems for our county
in this respect,” the Azeri political scientist stated, reports Day.az.

RUSSIA’S SISTEMA EYEING ARMENTEL

TeleGeography, D.C.
June 5 2006

Russia’s Sistema Group has submitted a tender offer to acquire
Armenian fixed line operator ArmenTel, the company’s chairman
Vladimir Yevtushenkov told journalists today. Although Sistema does
not consider the purchase a strategic priority, the company says the
acquisition would make sense from the point of view of expanding to
cover all former Soviet Union countries. ArmenTel is the dominant
telecoms company of Armenia. OTE of Greece holds 90% of its shares,
while 10% belongs to the Armenian government.