Author: Nahapetian Samvel

HUNGARY JAILS AZERBAIJANI KILLER

BBC News, UK
April 13 2006

Safarov was also convicted of trying to kill a second Armenian An
Azerbaijani army officer has been jailed for life for murdering an
Armenian while the two were taking a Nato course in English in Hungary.

Lt Ramil Safarov confessed to hacking Lt Gurgen Markarian to death
with an axe in February 2004 in a dormitory used by Partnership for
Peace trainees.

The Budapest court sentenced Safarov to life in prison, with a 30-year
minimum term before any parole hearings.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been bitter rivals since a war in the
1980s-90s.

Verdict welcomed

Safarov, 29, showed little emotion as Judge Andras Vaskuti read out
the sentence.

He had claimed that he had been driven to his act by the plight
of fellow Azerbaijanis, including close family relatives, in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He also said he had been provoked by what he called the insulting
behaviour of Lt Markarian towards the Azerbaijani flag.

But the judge ruled that the murder was pre-meditated and had been
carried out with extreme cruelty.

Had his fellow officers not restrained him, the judge added, Safarov
would have killed a second Armenian officer as well.

A lawyer representing the victim’s family welcomed the sentence as a
“good decision for the Hungarian court and for [Armenian] society”.

Safarov’s lawyer said he planned to appeal against the verdict.

2.stm

ARMENIAN LIBRARY SHOWS PHOTOS OF IRAN, FRANCE

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
April 13 2006

The Armenian Library and Museum of America, 65 Main St., Watertown,
will present “Illumination in Two Movements” by Naveed Nour. Naveed,
an international photographer of Persian heritage, presents two beats,
France and Iran, in a simple harmony.

To preview a sampling of the exhibit, visit “Trois Jours” and “History
Recalls” galleries at

The exhibit runs from April 2 to May 4. Gallery Hours: Thursday 6-9
p.m., Friday and Sunday 1-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Gallery discussions will be held Sunday, April 23, 2-3 p.m., and
Thursday April 27, 7-8 p.m.

For more information call 617-926-2562 or visit

VERDICT ON CASE OF GURGEN MARGARIAN’S MURDER WILL CORRESPOND TO REQUIREMENTS OF LAW, HUHGARIAN AMBASSADOR ASSURES

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 11 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues regarding
strengthening of the legal-contractual field between Armenia and
Hungary were discussed at RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian’s April
11 meeting with newly appointed Hungarian Ambassador to Armenia Arpad
Sekey. They attached importance to development of interparliamentary
ties and study of the Hungarian legal experience, extension of
Armenian-Hungarian contacts within the framework of the EU New
Neighborhood policy, in consideration of the historical and current
communities between the two peoples. Congratulating the Ambassador
on the occasion of his appointment, NA Speaker gave assurance that
his activity will contribute to development of Armenian-Hungarian
contacts and expressed readiness to assist deepening of cooperation. As
Noyan Tapan was informed from NA Public Relations Department, Artur
Baghdasarian also touched upon the trial proceeding in Budapest on
the case of murder of Armenian Officer Gurgen Margarian and Ambassador
Sekey, highly estimating the Hungarian justice system, mentioned that
the verdict will correspond to the requirements of the law.

GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT TO BE BUILT IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Apr 11 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Within the framework of the the
process of energy sources diversification and gaining independence
from imported power-bearing substances, on the instructions of the
World Bank, Ameria CJSC has made a comprehensive analysis of the
program on construction of Jermaghbyur geothermal power plant in
Syunik marz. According to the company, such factors as renewability
of sources, independence from imported power-bearing substances,
and the low impact on environment set this geothermal power plant
(which will be put into operation in 2008-2009) from all other means
of electricity generation. Based on 6 pits up to 2.5 km in depth, the
plant may have a capacity of up to 25 megawatt and allow to generate
up to 195 mln kwh of electricity annually. Similar plants with a
heat supply capacity of 12,000 megawatts and an overall electricity
production capacity of 8,000 megawatts are currently operating in more
than 30 countries. Geothermal energy accounts for 0.4% of the global
capacities. Ameria is a group of companies providing comprehensive
expert services. It is operating in 4 main spheres of expert services
– business and audit advice, accounting and tax advice, legal advice
and investment and banking advice.

CHARLES AZNAVOUR ARRIVES IN YEREVAN BY THE MAIDEN FLIGHT OF AIR FRANCE

AZG Armenian Daily
12/04/2006

Air France launched its activities in Armenia by its first flight
on March 27. Henry Cuny, French ambassador in Armenia, represented
the guests that arrived in Yerevan by the first flight of Air France,
namely RA ambassador in France, counselor of French President Jacques
Chirac, the representatives of the French parliamentary friendship
group. Outstanding singer Charles Aznavour also was aboard this flight.

Emphasizing the importance of opening Air France office in Yerevan,
ambassador Cuny, stated that it is of great political importance, as
the company’s activities in Armenia will contribute to strengthening
of relations between our countries. He also pointed out to the economic
importance of the newly opened office of Air France that will establish
everyday communication between Armenia and France through the flights
of the French company and ArmAvia.

“What can I say? I am not a French Armenian. I want to emphasize with
pride that I am a Frenchman with Armenian origin. I am a Frenchman by
my homeland and education, but by my spirit, heart and family relations
I am an Armenian,” Charles Aznavour stated in his speech. Though
Mr. Cuny introduced Mr. Aznavour as one of the honored first passengers
of the first Paris-Yerevan flight of Air France, Mr. Aznavour said that
he had the impression that he was the representative of Air France.

Mr. Aznavour emphasized the importance of spreading the French
language in Armenia, stating that he would like the French to be
at least the third language in Armenia, as the second language is
already Russian. “I am glad to be here,” he said in the end of his
speech and added already in Armenian: “See you soon.”

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:

THE ANOINTMENT OF A PICTURE OF THE VIRGIN MARY IN THE SEMINARY

A restored painting of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus was anointed in the
Sourp Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya on March 31.

The beautiful painting by an anonymous painter used to be hung for years in
the chapel above the candle light area. Many pilgrims have lit candles and
prayed in front of this holy painting; many believers have received the
answers for their prayers there.

Unfortunately, due to careless candle lighting, one section of the painting
was damaged by fire flames and smoke, rendering it unrecognisable.

In February 2006 the painting was completely renovated and placed in the
newly built altar at the entrance of the Seminary building to avoid similar
accidents in the future.

After the evening mass on March 31, a procession of the Seminary students
and the members of the Cilician Brotherhood walked towards the newly build
altar and held a canonical anointment of the restored painting. Father
Walter Raymond, the spiritual Dean of the Anglican Church’s Mother Cathedral
in Quebec, also attended the event. Father Raymond has been teaching at the
Seminary during the last few months.

The Seminary students read the Psalms and the members of the Brotherhood
read special prayers. The Seminary Choir accompanied with special hymns. The
painting was then anointed with Holy Chrism.

The painting’s front was first anointed and then its right and left sides
respectively. During the anointment of the painting’s front, prayers were
said for all the travellers, ill people, sinners and lost people, asking God
to help them all.

With the anointment of the painting’s right side, the painting was given the
ability to cure the sick and put a good word in for believers. During the
anointment of the left side, God was asked to strengthen the Armenian
nation, free all prisoners, defeat all non-believers and protect believers.

All the present spiritual officers and students then kissed the newly
anointed painting, to receive its blessings.

The restored painting placed in the newly built altar will distribute daily
blessings to the Seminary students for success in their lessons and future
spiritual work. The Holy paintings will also be a daily prayer for all those
philanthropists who support the Seminary with their generous contributions.

##
View photos here:
es34.htm

*****

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary 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.

MISS IRAQ QUITS ‘CUZ OF DEATH THREATS

Sploid (satire)
April 10 2006

A young Iraqi-Armenian woman has relinquished her hard fought crown
as the sauciest lady in all of Iraq after only four days because of
numerous death threats.

When Tamar Goregian was crowned Iraqi Queen of Beauty on April 6 she
told the crowd, “Maybe beauty is the final step to end violence and
preach world peace after all.”

Nope.

On Friday, April 9, Goregian told pageant officials she could no
longer wear the crown. She was scared away by death threats from
religious zealots who called her “Queen of the Infidels.”

“I respect her decision. The country is undergoing rough times,
and we understand her desire to protect herself and her family,”
said the pageant’s director.

This was the first year that the Miss Iraq pageant had been held in
Iraq after four years in Kenya. It had been deemed far too dangerous
to hold the contest in Iraq. It appears it still is.

Inexplicably, Gorgian’s runner-up, Maiden of Beauty,” Mona Hilmi,
has agreed to take over the duties. She’s alleged to be “equally
intelligent and beautiful.”

Hilmi hopes to be the first Iraqi to represent her country at the
Miss Universe pageant since 1972, when Wijdan Sulyman attended the
cattle call in Puerto Rico.

q_abdic.php

FM LAVROV SAYS TOO EARLY TO SPEAK OF GIVING KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

RIA Novosti
13:17 | 10/ 04/ 2006

MOSCOW, April 10 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s foreign minister says it
is early to speak of granting independence to the troubled Serbian
region of Kosovo, the ministry said Monday.

Sergei Lavrov told Slovak newspaper Pravda last week that hasty
decisions on giving Kosovo sovereignty “would be immediately projected
on other conflicts, including in the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent
States].”

Lavrov said that it was tempting to establish the Kosovo case as unique
and say it did not create international legal precedent, but that
this was no more than an attempt to evade international legal norms.

“Double standards and selectiveness in conflicts settlements are
unacceptable,” Lavrov said.

Earlier, some Russian politicians expressed concern that independence
for Kosovo would create a precedent for recognition of breakaway
regions in the former Soviet Union.

Moldova is dealing with a separatist regime in Transdnestr,
while Georgia has two breakaway regions in Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. Nagorny Karabakh, a largely ethnic Armenian enclave inside
Azerbaijan, has long been a source of friction between the two
Caucasus states.

Formally part of Serbia, Kosovo has been a UN protectorate since
1999, following a NATO military campaign to drive out Yugoslav forces
accused of atrocities against Albanian civilians.

Le Figaro, France
08 avril 2006

Accord gazier entre la Russie et l’Arménie

L’ARMÉNIE vient de céder son gazoduc Arménie-Iran, encore en l’état
d’achèvement, au géant russe en échange d’un gel du prix du gaz pour
Erevan jusqu’en 2009. Le monopole russe avait prévenu l’année
dernière qu’il allait augmenter ses tarifs pour l’Arménie, dernier
pays de l’ex-URSS dans le Caucase sud resté proche de Moscou. Gazprom
vient de s’engager à modérer cette hausse en maintenant ses tarifs à
110 dollars les milles mètres cubes jusqu’à fin 2008 alors que le
prix actuel est de plus de 230 dollars pour l’Europe occidentale, y
compris l’Ukraine.

Cet accord stabilise donc la facture énergétique de l’Arménie. Mais
il lui fait en contrepartie renoncer à une réelle possibilité de
diversification de ses approvisionnements énergétiques. Accès vers
les marchés européens L’accord ne fait pas non plus l’affaire de
l’Iran pour qui ce futur gazoduc constitue un accès vers les marchés
européens. Après cet accord «l’or bleu» iranien devra transiter par
le réseau de transport du monopole russe. Un passage obligé qui ne
fait certes pas l’affaire de l’Iran mais dont Téhéran doit
s’accommoder, la Russie étant un allié dans le bras de fer nucléaire
qui l’oppose à l’Occident. Le gagnant de l’opération est Gazprom qui
verrouille un peu plus les canalisations de gaz vers l’Ukraine et la
Géorgie, deux pays sortis de l’orbite de Moscou.

PanARMENIAN.Net

5th Block of Hrazdan Heat Power Plant Sold to Gazprom
for $248.8 Million

07.04.2006 22:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ By the RA government decision of
April 6, the 5th block of the Hrazdan Heat Power Plant
was sold to Gazprom for $248.8 million, Armenian
Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan told journalists.
Movsisyan said $188 million will be subsidized to the
consumers during the period of April 10 – December 31,
2008, the rest of the sum will be transferred to the
budget. The tariff of 90 000 AMD for 1 thousand cubic
meters of gas set for natural persons will be
subsidized by the state at the rate of 25 000 AMD
while the tariff of $146.51 set for major consumers
will be subsidized at the rate of $52.01. The funds
will be transferred to the off-budget account. During
next two years the Russian party should invest some
$150-160 million in the 5th block of the Hrazdan Heat
Power Plant and complete the block. The agreement also
notes that till 2009 Gazprom will not change the price
for gas.