Author: Nanijanian Alex

ARMENIA IN TALKS WITH RUSSIA OVER NEW NUCLEAR PLANT
By Armen Dulian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 25 2007

Russia is ready to help Armenia build a new nuclear plan and is
currently discussing the ambitious idea with its government, a top
executive of a Russian atomic energy firm said on Thursday.

"We are discussing the issue of building a new 100 Megawatt unit in
the territory of the Armenian nuclear plant [at Metsamor,]" Aleksandr
Glukhov, vice-chairman of the state-owned Atomstroyexport company,
told the Itar-Tass news agency.

"Armenia has unique legislation which allows foreign companies
to acquire shares in [local] nuclear plants, which creates new
opportunities for them," he said.

The Armenian parliament enacted the government-drafted legislation
early last year in what was widely seen as the first step toward the
eventual construction of the new plant estimated to cost at least
$1 billion. The authorities in Yerevan hopes to raise the sum from
foreign governments or companies interested in financing the project.

President Robert Kocharian reaffirmed in late April Armenia’s intention
to replace Metsamor’s sole Soviet-era reactor, which is due to be
decommissioned by 2016, by a new, modern facility meeting Western
safety standards. "I think that as early as in 2012-2013 active work
will be implemented for a new nuclear power plant," he told university
students in Yerevan.

Sergey Kirienko, head of Russia’s Federal Agency on Atomic Energy
(Rosatom), visited Yerevan around that time and discussed the
matter with Kocharian and other Armenian officials. Deputy Energy
Minister Areg Galstian said afterwards that the Russian-Armenian
inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation has set up a
working group tasked with looking into the project.

A senior American diplomat said in June that the United States
is also ready in principle to help Yerevan put the project into
practice. "We are working with the Armenian Ministry of Energy
to develop a feasibility study as to just what would be the best
replacement for this capacity," Anthony Godfrey, then U.S. charge
d’affaires in Armenia, said.

The Armenian authorities have said all along that Metsamor, which
meets about 40 percent of the country’s electricity needs, will be
shut down only they find an alternative source of cheap energy.

YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR PEOPLE WILL ONLY BENEFIT FROM IT
Razmik Davoyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
Oct 23 2007
Armenia

Open letter to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Rejeb
Tayb Erdoghan.

Dear Prime Minister, The reason I’m sending you this letter is as
clear and lucid as a transparent day, not only for us – Armenians
and for you – Turks, but luckily for the majority of the people in
the world and it is an undeniable fact. It is about the displacement
of Armenians from our forefathers’ motherland and the annihilation
of more than 1,5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915,
which is a typical genocide.

Your government is making senseless efforts to find softer expressions
to qualify this genocide or even to completely deny it.

But it is also an undeniable fact.

I’m not the champion of new evidences, especially because they stir
the bloody memory of our people, and it is not the main topic of
my conversation with You. I have already had the chance to listen
to Your speeches on TV, I have attentively followed Your conduct,
and I’m sure You are a really civilized personality, conforming to
the European criteria of human civilization. All this served as a
guarantee for me to speak with You with a simple and sincere language,
the way my ancestors used to communicate with their Turkish friends
before that terrible phenomenon.

I also know that the question that troubles me, also troubles the
majority of Turkish people, particularly those who are honest and are
concerned about the future of their country, a considerable number
of intellectuals, state officials, whom You know well enough, those
who are waiting for Your answer like me.

And the question is as follows.

Do you want to be the inheritors of the crime conducted by a group
of fanatic leaders of Ottoman Empire, the notorious inheritors of
which became the much more fanatic young Turks, due to which the
coming generation of the Turks are facing the responsibility for
their heinous crime? Can this heritage guarantee a future for the
people like Turks, who strive for a dignified life, I ask You?

When You speak, Your speech sounds confident, in general, with
a determination appropriate for a leader. But when the point comes
to the genocide, Your speech becomes uncertain and wavering, false
and fake emphases appear. It immediately becomes clear that Your
expressions have nothing to do with Your internal beliefs and that
you yield to the demands of the fanatic chauvinists, to leave the
Turks in the debt of blood forever. Over again I ask You, "Is it
possible"? Especially towards the people who have made your country
prosperous, who have always been good to you?

The time, dear Prime Minister, has made this issue ripen for You and
for You power.

Don’t deny the desire and the opportunity of the Turkish people to
get rid of their sins.

Don’t deprive Yourself of becoming the idol of Turkish democracy and
purifying the Turkish people of their sins.

Your country and your people will only benefit from it.

Do you think Germany lost something by recognizing the Genocide of the
Jews? Of course no! Germany announced to the world and first of all
to their people that they refuse to be the inheritors of the criminal
Nazism and the bearer of that ideology and policy, thus strengthening
the German country, German viability and will.

What the followers do as compensation for the crime their ancestors
have conducted is just an insignificant prayer on their way to purify
themselves from the sins. You pray to your Allah three times a day. It
will be Your most sacred prayer.

I wish welfare and peace to Turkish people.

LIVING STANDARDS OF VULNERABLE SECTIONS OF ARMNIAN POPULATION CONSIDERABLY PROGRESSED OVER 15 YEARS OF UN ACTIVITY IN ARMENIA

arminfo
2007-10-24 13:04:00

ArmInfo. Over the 15 years of UN activity in Armenia, the living
standards of the vulnerable sections of the population have
considerably progressed, the poverty reduction data say. Ms. Consuelo
Vidal, the United Nations’ Resident Coordinator, the Resident
Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
in Armenia told ArmInfo on occasion of the 15th anniversary of UN
activity in Armenia.

Nevertheless, she said that much is still to be done especially
in local communities. As regards the key directions of UN mission
in Armenia, Ms. Vidal emphasized the necessity of settling the
problem of economic benefit disparity among the population. Although
Armenia showed an exclusive and impressive economic growth over
the 15 years, this success does not embrace all the sections of the
Armenian population, Ms. Vidal said. Thus, the key direction of the
UN activity in the country is to assist the most vulnerable sections
of the population such as the poverty-stricken, unemployed, refuges,
women and housewives. This applies mainly to the rural residents who
must have benefit from the general economic growth in the country,
she explained.

Ms. Vidal also added that UN officers constantly monitor the situation
to determine the needs of the local communities. For instance, she
said that UN World Food Program is distributing provisions to the
population, particularly, to the schools in peripheries in Armenia.

TER-PETROSIAN LOYALISTS ‘DETAINED BY POLICE’
By Astghik Bedevian and Ruzanna Stepanian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 23 2007

At least a dozen supporters of Levon Ter-Petrosian, among them two
newspaper editors, were reportedly detained by police on Tuesday as
they urged Yerevan residents to participate in a rally to be held by
Armenia’s former president this week.

Representatives of the pro-Ter-Petrosian Aylentrank (Alternative)
movement told RFE/RL that five of its leaders were detained after
defying police orders to stop announcing Friday’s rally through a
megaphone on a busy street intersection in the city center.

The five detainees were said to remain in police custody as of
late evening. They reportedly included the outspoken editors of the
"Haykakan Zhamanak" and "Chorrord Ishkhanutyun" newspapers staunchly
opposed to Armenia’s current leadership.

Another pro-Ter-Petrosian group, the former ruling Armenian
Pan-National Movement (HHSh) party, said several of its youth activists
were similarly detained by police officers while distributing leaflets
in the city’s northern Nor Nork district earlier in the day. The HHSh
chairman, Ararat Zurabian, told RFE/RL that some of them were released
shortly afterwards. "All of this is not causing us to panic," he said.

The Armenian police could not be immediately reached for comment.

The planned rally is widely seen as a further indication that
Ter-Petrosian will contest next year’s presidential election in a
bid to scuttle a planned handover of power from President Robert
Kocharian to Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. Ter-Petrosian loyalists
say the ruling regime is increasingly worried about Ter-Petrosian’s
participation in the vote.

In what may be a related development, reports from Armenia’s second
largest city of Gyumri said on Tuesday that tax officials raided the
offices of the local Gala TV station, which appears to have enraged
the authorities by broadcasting Ter-Petrosian’s September 21 speech
in Yerevan.

The Gala owner, Vahan Khachatrian, claimed on Monday that he aired the
speech, which contained harsh attacks on the authorities, as a paid
advertisement despite a serious warning from the Kocharian-controlled
National Commission on Television Radio.

Khachatrian also said that officers of the Gyumri branch of the
National Security Service visited him shortly afterwards and warned
Gala to stop covering Ter-Petrosian’s political activities.

USA BARGAINS WITH TURKEY OVER RECOGNIZING OR NOT RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE," KONSTANTIN ZATULIN IS CONVINCED

Noyan Tapan
Oct 22, 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The United States of America
is bargaining with Turkey over recognizing or not recognizing the
Armenian Genocide. This statement was made by Konstantin Zatulin,
an RF State Duma deputy and the Head of the CIS Institute, in the
National Press Club on October 21.

According to him, Resolution 106, which was recently adopted in the
Foreign Relations Commission of the House of representatives, is
unlikely to be adopted in U.S. Congress. In particular, the fact that
the number of the Congressmen supporting the adoption of the resolution
has decreased as a result of the pressure of Bush administration and
zionist lobbyist structures already speaks about this.

Mentioning that the United States of America is against taking military
actions in Iraq and makes it clear that in that case the resolution
can be adopted, Konstantin Zatulin convinced the Armenian mass media
to make conclusions with regard to the principles of the American
policy in the region.

In the opinion of the Russian political figure, Turkey will rather
not fulfil its threat, that is to say to invade into Iraq, and will
receive promises on not recognizing Resolution 106 instead. As a
result, Turkey will preserve the role of the USA as a stratagic
partner in the region, and the President of Turkey will strengthen
his positions in the country.

ARMENIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER TO TAKE PART IN THE SITTING OF BSEC FOREIGN MINISTERS’ COUNCIL IN ANKARA

ArmInfo
2007-10-22 13:48:00

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan will take part in
the sitting of BSEC Foreign Ministers’ Council in Ankara, ArmInfo
was informed from press-service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

The 17th session of the Foreign Ministers’ Council of BSEC will start
in Ankara on 25 October. It is supposed that representatives of all
the member-states of BSEC: Albania, Armenia, Russia, Romania, Serbia,
Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Greece will take
part in the session.

Kalamazoo Gazette (Michigan)
October 17, 2007 Wednesday

Prize-winning Prima Trio speaks the language of music

Members of Prima Trio Violinist Farhad Hudiyev is a native of
Turkmenistan and was, at age 10, the youngest performer ever selected
to play with the National Violin Ensemble of Turkmenistan. He came to
the United States to study at Interlochen Arts Academy. Since his
debut, he has performed in several countries and won several awards,
including the Neil Rabaut Composition Prize from the Interlochen Arts
Academy and third prize at the 30th Annual Glenn Miller Competition.

Clarinetist Boris Allakhverdyan is an Armenian who began playing the
clarinet when he was 9 years old. He earned his bachelor of music
degree with honors from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 2006
and is currently enrolled in the artist diploma program at the
Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Pianist Anastasia Dedik was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, to a
family of musicians. Dedik is currently pursuing an artist diploma at
Juilliard under a full tuition scholarship. She previously earned an
artist diploma at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and recently took
first prize at both the Rovero d’Oro International Piano Competition
in San Bartolomeo, Italy, and the Buono and Bradshaw International
Piano Competition in New York City.

BY JULIE PEKOWSKI

Special to the Gazette

KALAMAZOO — Upholding a tradition of collaboration with The Fischoff
National Chamber Music Association in Notre Dame, Ind., Fontana
Chamber Arts will tonight present the Prima Trio.

The Trio — consisting of violinist Farhad Hudiyev, clarinetist Boris
Allakhverdyan and pianist Anastasia Dedik — won the grand prize of
the 2007 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. It will perform
tonight at the Richmond Center for Visual Arts at Western Michigan
University.

The trio was formed at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where
Hudiyev, Allakhverdyan and Dedik were studying when the three decided
to play a Khachaturian piece together.

"We are an international group and a blend of different characters,"
Hudiyev said. "We are very different, but for some reason, it works.
We enjoy playing together. Anastasia came up with the name."

The Prima Trio’s program will include the following pieces: Aram
Khachaturian’s Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano; Darius Milhaud’s
Suite for Clarinet, Violin and Piano, Op. 157b; Charles Ives’ Largo
for Violin, Clarinet and Piano; Hudiyev’s Trio "Fleeting Miniatures"
for Clarinet, Violin and Piano; Peter Schickele’s Serenade for Three;
and two pieces by Astor Piazzola, Oblivion and Otono Porteno.

"There are many new, fresh pieces; an original mix of clarinet, piano
and violin," Dedik said. "It is fresh, exciting and joyful."

Of her fellow members of the Trio, Dedik said, "We are all from
different cultures, but we speak the same language — Russian and
music."

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 19 2007

Armenia ready for further development of cooperation with USA

YEREVAN, October 19. /ARKA/. Armenia is ready for further development
of cooperation with the USA, RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan stated
at his meeting with US Vice-President Richard Chaney.

The press and public relations department, RA Government, reports
that the sides discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral
relations. Pointing out a high level of the Armenian-American
relations, the RA Premier pointed out Armenia’s readiness for their
development.

Premier Sargsyan thanked Vice-President Chaney for the US assistance
to Armenia since the country gained independence. Speaking of
democratic reforms in the country, the RA Premier stressed that
Armenia’s authorities are determined to build up a democratic state.

Richard Chaney re-affirmed the USA’s readiness for further assistance
to the reforms in Armenia. The sides also discussed the Middle East
and Nagorno-Karabakh processes, as well as Armenian-Turkish
relations.

Presenting Armenia’s position on the issues, Sargsyan pointed out
that the problem of international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide remains on the country’s foreign-policy agenda, but the
Armenian state is ready for practical steps to improve its relations
with Turkey without any preconditions.

During the meeting, the US Vice-President expressed his appreciation
of the Armenian community in the USA and welcomed the RA Premier’s
intention to hold meetings with representatives of the community
during his visit to the USA.-0–

RA MFA: BAKU STATEMENTS ON GENOCIDE RESOLUTION’S HARM TO KARABAKH PROCESS ILLOGICAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.10.2007 15:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan’s statements that passage of the Armenian
Genocide resolution in the U.S. Congress will hamper the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement are absolutely illogical, RA Foreign
Ministry’s Spokesman Vladimir Karapetian told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter.

He voiced surprise at such an approach.

Azeri political scientist Zafar Guliyev along with other Azeri
officials said adoption of the Genocide resolution "is a blow on the
Karabakh settlement process."

October 10, with a vote 27 to 21 the U.S. House Committee on Foreign
Affairs passed the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, which
was introduced by Representative Adam Schiff January 30, 2007.

A non-binding resolution, it’s not supposed to be sent to Senate or
to be signed by the President.

AKTAN: THE ISSUE ON OPENING TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDERS IS OUT OF THE QUESTION

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Oct 16 2007

Opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Gunduz Aktan,
says Turkey should close the Istanbul-Yerevan air corridor, which is
open for trade with Armenia over the third countries and take radical
measures concerning 80,000 Armenians illegally employed in Turkey.

Aktan spoke to the Aezri News Agency (APA).

The interview comeas as the decision on the so-called Armenian genocide
is expected to pass the House of Representatives more easily, as more
signatures have been collected than needed APA said.

Aktan, was one of those, who was engaged in lobbying and debating,
on the eve of adoption of the resolution on the so-called Armenian
genocide by the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.

Here is the text of the interview Aktan gave to APA:

APA- What should be done to prevent the adoption of this decision in
the US House of Representatives?

AKTAN- The decision is expected to pass the House of Representatives
more easily, as more signatures have been collected than needed.

Taking this into account, we should take adequate steps and demonstrate
Turkey’s power. In fact, Turkey has adequate steps. We observed in the
US that the country’s administration worries that Incirlik military
base may close, weapons and food, which is sent to American army in
Iraq, may be restricted in Habur border checkpoint and that Turkey’s
military operation against PKK terrorist organization in Northern
Iraq may cause imbalance in the region.

Turkey should immediately limit the US’s operation in Incirlik and
restrict the number of weapons sent from Habur border checkpoint. The
members of the House of Representatives, who want to vote for the
bill on the so-called Armenian genocide, should see Turkey’s power.

APA- Anyway, Turkey called its ambassador to Washington back to Ankara,
Commander of Navy and minister of state refused visiting the US,
this is a part of this protest…

AKTAN- These are usual normal steps. Our steps should be more severe.

The US administration expressed its anxiety about our possible strict
steps. The main thing now is to demonstrate political will and take
concrete steps. The bill on military operations in Northern Iraq, which
will be submitted to the parliament this week, will prove how resolute
the government is. On the other hand, steps regarding Incirlik and
Habur will show the government’s reaction. The US expects our steps,
as the following reactions will depend on them.

APA- How will the decision on the so-called genocide impact on Turkey’s
steps concerning Armenia?

AKTAN- Though Armenian leadership and Diaspora try to stand apart
from the decision, previous statements of President Kocharian and
Foreign Minister Oskanyan show how interested they were in this.

Armenia and Armenian Diaspora are responsible for this decision.

Turkey should make its steps against Armenia more severe. The issue on
opening Turkey-Armenia borders is out of discussion. We should close
Istanbul-Yerevan air corridor, which is open for trade with Armenia
over the third countries and take radical measures concerning 80,000
Armenians illegally employed in Turkey.

APA- Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also made a statement condemning this
decision. What measures are taken for joint fight against this problem?

AKTAN- In Washington we spoke about Khojaly genocide committed by
Armenians recently. We asked why Armenia does not free the occupied
Azerbaijani lands. We could not get a clear answer. We should jointly
fight with Azerbaijan against Armenian slanders and occupation
of our territories by Armenians. We ought to inform the world of
Khojaly genocide.