Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

TURKEY TRIES TO ESCAPE ITS HISTORY
By Dikran Ego Eastern Star News Agency

Assyrian International News Agency
Nov 14 2006

Stockholm — While the negotiations between Turkey and the EU are
proceeding, something that Turkey doesn’t want to know about has
happened. On October 19th, 2006 the news about the discovery of a mass
grave in the village of Dara, outside Nusaybin, came out. When locals
were digging graves for some deceased villagers, an underground cave
was found. It turned out to be a mass grave.

The Turkish military, which came to the site, did their investigation
and as soon as they were done with it they attempted to silence down
the discovery and to forbid all spreading of information about it.

Despite this ban the news paper "Ulkede Ozgur Gundem" reported about
this discovery on October 19th 2006, with pictures of the mass grave.

Turkish authorities tried with every means to keep it from becoming
widely known. But the news paper that published the news dug further
into it and they come in contact with professor David Gaunt at
Sodertorn University in Stockholm. David Gaunt has done a lot of
research about Seyfo — the Assyrian genocide. The first results of
this research are now ready. He has published them in his first book
about Seyfo. David Gaunt has in his research used many different
sources but also Turkish sources that confirm this genocide.

Concerning the mass grave that was found David Gaunt has the following
theories:

If most of the bodies are male, this can indicate that they are the
remains of Assyrians and Armenians that were gathered in Nusaybin’s
prison on June 13th, 1915 and then murdered on June 15th, 1915.

If the bodies turn out to be mostly women, then they are most probably
the remains of catholic Armenians, that were victimized in a mass
murder on June 28th, 1915.

If the bodies are mixed of different genders and ages it is most
likely that they are the remains of Assyrians from Nusaybin.

Apart from these theories there are other possible answers to who is
buried in the mass grave.

The grave is located quiet a bit away from Nusaybin, but it is located
right outside the village of Dara, which was populated by Assyrians
and Armenians during Seyfo.

Because of the mass grave’s location the bodies are most likely the
remains of the 120 Assyrian and 150 Armenian heads of families that
were gathered on June 14th, 1915 and murdered outside the village.

IHD, Insan Haklari Derneði, a Turkish organisation working with human
rights issues, has in an open letter to the ministry of the interior
demanded an investigation of the mass grave discovery and answers to
the following three questions:

To establish if the mass grave has something to do with the deportation
of Assyrians and Armenians during the year 1915.

To clarify if the bodies belong to Assyrians and Armenians.

To clarify this, a group of experts consisting of historians, forensic
physicians and independent scientists has to be appointed.

It remains to be seen how the Turkish authorities will manage this
issue. Will Turkey dare to face its dark history?

–Boundary_(ID_8iZ7fIzUdWEz2WDvf4AODA)–

PanARMENIAN.Net

Thomas Adams: U.S. Government to Continue Assisting
Armenia in Democracy Development
09.11.2006 18:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
received co-chair of the working group on the Armenian-American
cooperation, Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia
Thomas Adams, reported the RA MFA press office. The parties discussed
bilateral relations and the programs to be implemented. In this
context special attention was paid to the projects implemented jointly
with the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Mr Adams assured that the
United State will keep on rendering assistance to Armenia in the
development of democracy and stressed the importance of holding free
and just elections. The interlocutors also referred to the regional
issues, specifically the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and
voiced hope that the meeting of the Armenian and Azeri FMs will record
progress in the issue.

"KOMMERSANT" BELIEVES PUTIN PROPOSED ALIYEV CHEAP WEAPONS PRODUCED IN RUSSIA

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 9 2006

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed his Azeri counterpart Ilham
Aliyev, who is in Moscow, to resolve if he will continue the strategic
partnership with Russia. In case of an agreement, Azerbaijan will
be asked to participate in the struggle against Georgia in exchange
for Russian weapons and investments of RAO UES of Russia and Russian
Aluminum, writes the Russian newspaper "Kommersant" in an article
"Ilham Aliyev changes routes." The author of the article says the
Kremlin was concerned over the visit of Ilham Aliyev to Europe first of
all because of the expected growth of military expenses of Azerbaijan
for 2007 – from $600 million to $1 billion.

Azerbaijan makes rather equal military orders to the CIS countries
and suppliers of NATO. But in case of a sharp growth of purchases by
Azerbaijan, they in Moscow apprehend that Azerbaijan may change over
to the military standards of NATO. This may lead to announcement of
NATO a partner already by the second country in the Transcaucasia.

(To recap, Georgia was the first to announce its alliance with NATO
in the summer of 2006, after the conflict with Russia). All this will
lead to the use of the military bases in Azerbaijan by NATO and the
USA to control over the neighboring Iran. "Russia with respect to
Azerbaijan has principally different plans. That is why Vladimir
Putin proposed Ilham Aliyev to implement the plan of "strategic
partnership" development by lifting the bureaucratic longstops in the
way to purchase of relatively cheap Russian weapons by Azerbaijan,
"Kommerstant" writes referring to sources close to the presidential
administration. Earlier, Russia restricted these purchases not to
allow the prevalence of Azerbaijan over its another partner in the
region, Armenia," the author writes. He believes that creation of a
united front against Georgia is more important for Russia: the key
topic of negotiations is supposed to be Azerbaijan’s participation
in the energy blockade of Georgia in the winter of 2006-2007.

To recap, last winter Azerbaijan supplies electricity to a number
of Georgian regions during stoppages of gas and electricity supply
from Russia. Gasprom proposed Georgia 1,000 cubic meters of gas for
$230 (instead of $110) for 2007. According to data of "Kommersant,"
Gasprom proposed the same sum also to Azerbaijan instead of the
previous $95-100. Ilham Aliyev remained extremely dissatisfied with
the future price of the gas which is unlikely to meet the status of
a "strategic partner." The country imports from Russia about 1.5
billion cubic meters of gas annually. Moreover, by a single price
for Georgia and Azerbaijan Gasprom makes senseless the SWAP supply
of gas and electricity in case of electricity blockade in Georgia,
the newspaper writes. Russia’s other proposals to Azerbaijan are more
favorable. Thus, "Kommersant" writes that Vladimir Putin will present
Ilham Aliyev the proposals of Russian Aluminum under the project of
construction of an aluminum plant worth $1 billion in Gyandza. The
president will also informed his Azeri counterpart of the interest
of RAO UES of Russia’s structures in investments in the energy and
in electric networks of Azerbaijan.

VYMPELCOM DIDN’T RECEIVE PROPOSAL ON PURCHASE OF 10% ARMENTEL PACKAGE

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.11.2006 18:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ VympelCom Russian company has not received a proposal
from the Armenian government to buy the 10% ArmenTel package. "We have
not received a formal proposal on purchase of ArmenTel stocks but we
are ready to discuss any possibility," said VympelCom Spokesperson
Yekaterina Osadchaya. "VympelCom has not appealed to the RA government
with such a request either," she added, reports newsarmenia.ru.

Earlier Armenian Minister of Transport and Communications Andranik
Manukian told reporters that the RA government will sell its 10%
package to VympelCom if the latter refuses from monopoly rights.

US TO CONTINUE ASSISTING ARMENIA WITH STRENGTHENING OF DEMOCRACY

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 8 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. A wide range of issues related to
the Armenian-American cooperation was discussed during the November
8 meeting of the Co-chair of the US-Armenia Task Force (USATF),
Co-ordinator of the Office of US Assistance to Europe and Eurasia
Thomas Adams and the Deputy Ambassador of the US to Armenia Anthony
Godfrey with the Armenian President Robert Kocharian. According to
the RA President’s press service, the interlocutors underlined the
special role of the USATF in the bilateral relations.

The Armenian president expressed his appreciation for the target
assistance that the US government provides for the successful
implementation of reforms in Armenia.

Prior to the upcoming national elections, the interlocutors spoke
about the organization of electoral processes and the holding of free
and fair elections. It was noted that the US will continue assisting
Armenia with strengthening of democracy.

GEORGIA IS LOOKING FOR WAYS OUT

A1+
[01:08 pm] 03 November, 2006

President of Georgia Michael Sahakashvili ordered to create new energy
sources in the country in order not to depend on imported energy.

Prime Minister of the country Zurab Noghaideli informed today that two
new hydroelectric power stations are to be constructed in Paravani
and Gudauri. "I think in the present circumstances our answer to
the raise of the price of the Russian gas will be the creation of
alternative sources of energy", the Prime Minister said.

Let us remind you that "Gasprom" has decided to make the price of the
gas sent toe Georgia 230 USD for 1000 cubic meters instead of 110 USD.

David Babayan: Adoption of the Constitution somewhat resembles baptism

04.11.2006 14:54
Marlena Hovsepyan
"Radiolur"

December 10 Constitutional Referendum will be held in Nagorno Karabakh.
Yesterday NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan signed a corresponding
decree. It is characteristic that the referendum will be held just on
December 10. To remind, 15 years ago on the same day the Referendum
on Independence was held in Nagorno Karabakh, and 99.9 % of the
participants voted for independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

NKR is actively preparing for the important event to be held in a
month. Up to now discussions have been held in the political field. The
public sector did not stay apart, either. November will also be rich
in discussions and roundtables, political scientist David Babayan told
"Radiolur."

"Adoption of the Constitution somewhat resembles baptism. Some people
are baptized immediately after birth; others are christened in a more
mature age, when they start realizing what they are doing. During 15
years Nagorno Karabakh has really passed a long way. It has passed
through referendums, war, post-war reconstruction and economic
development. We look at our past and see evaluate it. We have an
exact view of the future," says the political scientist.

Are there any similarities with the Armenian Constitution? In response
to the question, David Babayan noted that there are some similarities,
but certain differences also exist. "Although we are one nation with
common culture, but the peculiarities should be taken into account,"
he said.

The political scientist calls on the people of Karabakh to play
an active role in the adoption of the Mail Law of the country –
the Constitution.

Armenia Says Its Gas Price Stays Fixed

BusinessWeek
Nov 4 2006

All Associated Press News

YEREVAN (AP) – Armenia said Saturday that the price it is paying for
Russian gas of US$110 (euro86) will stay fixed until the end of 2008,
an announcement certain to rile neighboring Georgia which has been
told to pay more than double that from next year.

Armenian Finance and Economy Minister Vardan Khachatrian said that
Russia’s Gazprom state monopoly had agreed to freeze the price
until Jan. 1, 2009, in return for Armenia transferring control
of an electricity power generating unit for almost US$250 million
(euro197 million).

Related newsMortgage rates dipInvestors Look to Weigh Economic Data He
also said that Yerevan was in talks with OAO Gazprom over the sale of
ownership rights to the Armenian segment of a planned pipeline bringing
Iranian gas to the country, which is due to open later this year.

Gazprom this week said it plans to charge Tbilisi US$230 (euro180)
per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, compared with the US$110 that it
pays now, ratcheting up economic pressure against Moscow’s small,
pro-Western southern neighbor.

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said that the sharp price
rise was obviously political because other ex-Soviet nations were
paying far less.

On Saturday, Nogaideli said that Georgia would not agree to pay such
a high rate because it was not commercially justified. "We are not
going to pay an non-market price," he said.

Energy Minister Nika Gilauri said Friday that talks were taking place
with Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey to secure alternative supplies of
gas. Analysts in Georgia warned of a repeat of the gas war between
Russia and Ukraine at the start of this year when Gazprom cut off
supplies.

That stoppage, amid fierce negotiations over a higher price
demanded by Gazprom, was seen as punishment for Ukraine’s pro-Western
policies. Ukraine, which finally agreed to pay almost double at US$95
per 1,000 cubic meters, has since managed to limit the increase for
2007 to US$130 after Russian-leaning Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych
took over as head of government in the wake of his party’s success
in March polls.

Neighboring Belarus faces a fourfold rise in gas prices to US$200,
although Gazprom is believed to be willing to compromise if the
country hands over 50 percent of the state pipeline through which
Russian gas transits to western Europe.

"DARK SIDES" OF A320 CRASH: WHO WILL BE LEFT "HOLDING THE BAG"

Regnum, Russia
Nov 2 2006

"The crash of Armavia’s Airbus A320 near Sochi on May 3, 2006 was
caused by the failure of the plane’s navigation system," a reliable
source from the air circles of France has told REGNUM.

It says that "on the night of the crash, there was almost zero
visibility in the area, and the pilot was guided exclusively by the
commands of the controller and the parameters of the sensors."

"During the landing, many passengers – due to their national
peculiarity – began calling their relatives on their mobile phones
in order to tell them that they were already arriving. The calls,
first, disturbed and, then – during the second approach – upset the
navigation system. The experts note that it was exactly after the
second turn that something strange began to happen to the plane and
the crew and the crash followed right afterwards."

The source says that "the investigation is being dragged on because
the sides are searching for the ‘scapegoat,’ and the Armavia company
will certainly be the one – even though it is not guilty."

"There are four concerned parties to this tragic story – Russia,
Airbus, Armavia and the re-insurer. The insurance contract says that
the beneficiary party is Airbus, but it also has a proviso that the
party responsible for a crash should recompense the re-insurer’s
indemnity expenses. In this particular case, Airbus may be the guilty
side and may be doing its best to conceal the information about
the failure of the A320," says the source. It notes that "the point
is not that Airbus has no money to pay the indemnity. Simply, the
problems of such big companies are usually a matter of international –
presidential-level – politics." The source notes that "exactly at that
time Airbus was preparing to sell 150 planes to China (the relevant
agreement was reached during the Chinese leader’s visit to France)
and the company was very much worried lest there might be a top-level
scandal."

"In fact, Airbus has ensured its immunity, while Russia will never take
the blame for something it did not do. Meanwhile, the re-insurer wants
his money back. The only way-out for the sides is to leave somebody
‘holding the bag’ and Armavia will be the one. That’s exactly why the
Armenian side was minimally involved in the investigation. Armenia was
not provided with all decoded data under the pretext that it might
give publicity to secret information," says the source. "There was
one more fact left. It was Armavia’s second plane – an absolute copy
of the crashed one, the plane that could be used for so-called bed
tests and where one had ‘suddenly’ found the technical documentation
of the crashed A320," says the source. To remind, the second A320
burned down in a servicing hangar of the Belgian airport, with no
tests ever conducted.

Asked if it was possible to test another air liner of the same
configuration, the source said that one should consider the fact that
the company got the plane from "third-rate" countries. There is one
more interesting circumstance: the black boxes were found only after
the fire in the hangar in Belgium.

The source notes that there are many "dark sides" in this story.

"But the darkest side is the insurance of Armavia’s plane. As you
may know, at first, part of Armavia belonged to Sibir Airlines. Their
insurer was a Russian company who insured Armavia’s aviation risks for
twice as much as on the market and used quite a strange reinsurance
scheme. The risks were, first, given to the Malakut reinsurance broker
(Russia), who gave them further to the United Brokers company. Only
then the risks were reinsured on the British market," says the
source. "The point is not even why they used two brokers, but that
50% of the money disappeared somewhere between Malakut and United
Brokers," says the source. "In fact, their objective was to pump
out as much money from Armenia as possible. But the strangest thing
is that Armavia’s owner and re-insurer (Grand company) have changed
but the scheme and the tariffs are the same. We can only guess who
is receiving all this money," wonders the source.

In fact, this version explains why Armavia’s owner has decided to
get rid of the company’s shares.

ARMENIA’S PERMANENT POPULATION UP TO 3.2 MILLION

Armenpress
Nov 01 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS; Armenia’s permanent population
by October 1, 2006 rose to 3, 220,800 people. The share of urban
population was 2.062 million and that of rural population 1.158
million people.

Population growth over the beginning of the year made 1,600 and 3,200
people from a year ago. Armenia’s national statistical service said
27,362 babies were born in January-September of 2006.

Before the collapse of the former Soviet Union Armenia had a 3.8
million population, but at least 1 million people have left the country
since the break-up and the resulting collapse of the Armenian economy
that was coupled with war with Azerbaijan. The majority of Armenians
have gone mainly to Russia, in search of employment.