Author: Nargizian David

Armenian Culture Week to be held in Krasnodar University

ArmRadio.am
27.10.2006 14:37

October 30 ` November 3 Armenian culture week will be held in
Krasnodar University of the Russian Ministry of Interior
Affairs. `Yerkramas’ newspaper of Russian Armenians informs that the
week is organized in the framework of the Year of the Republic of
Armenia in the Russian Federation. Different events will be held in
the University in the framework of the Armenian Culture Week, which
will be concluded with a concert on November 3.

AZG Armenian Daily #205, 27/10/2006

Karabakh issue

NOVEMBER 14, BRUSSELS: TRY AGAIN

On October 25, in response to the question of Aram G.
Sargsian, member of RA National Assembly, RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian said that there is really the
issue of returning territories in the agenda of the
Nagorno Karabakh settlement process, but the issues of
NKR people’s self-determination and status are
priority ones in the package. He added that the rest
of the issues will be discussed stage by stage after
the above ones. Mr. Oskanian also said that they
negotiate for a part of the Armenian Martaket and
Martouni regions under the control of Azerbaijan. At
the same time, he added that these regions aren’t
observed at the same level with those under the
control of Nagorno Karabakh. Thus, Mr. Oskanian said
that the settlement package is likely to be carried
out stage by stage, but that will be accepted as a
whole package.

Mr. Oskanian made the statement above regarding the
new ideas expressed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
on October 6 Oskanian-Mamediarov meeting. Moreover,
the Armenian side also represented the position of
Nagorno Karabakh. Besides, Mr. Oskanian stated that
the sides haven’t reached any agreement about these
new ideas. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the
Foreign Ministers of Armenian and Azerbaijan will try
to find the agreement terms again in the course of the
coming November 14 meeting in Brussels. After the
meeting in Brussels, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
will visit the region

By Marietta Khachatrian

AZG Armenian Daily #205, 27/10/2006 (2nd Irem)

Someone opens burst of fire on home affairs minister
of Georgia

Recently, in unknown circumstances, someone opened a
burst of fire on Vano Merabishvili, Georgian Interior
Minister, in Kodor gorge, who was then visiting the
region. According to the web site of the Georgian
"Roustavi-2" TV, there had been no victims in the
accident. Merabishvili stated that there had been
three bursts of fire directed to Azhara village. He
informed that the fire was opened from the Abkhazian
side, where Abkhazia’s defence forces are currently
holding military exercises. The Georgian authorities
consider that the case was the provocation carried out
by Abkhazia and Russia. Besides, the case coincided
with the recent online conference of Vladimir Putin.

By Aghavni Harutyunian

KAREL DE GUCHT: SETTLEMENT OF "FROZEN CONFLICTS" PRIORITY FOR THE OSCE

ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 17:19

Wednesday OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Belgium Karel de
Gucht spoke at the North-Atlantic Council. During the meeting with NATO
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Gucht noted that he considers
the settlement of "frozen conflicts" the priority of OSCE’s activity,
"Trend" agency reports, referring to NATO release.

In his turn, NATO Secretary General said that no organization can
accomplish its targets alone, and that coordination of efforts should
be a priority.

Karel de Gucht’s visit fell in the framework of the regular high-level
political dialogue between the two organizations.

ITHACA HIGH TENNIS: MEHRABYAN EYES ANOTHER RUN AT STATES
By Maria Wolman

Ithaca Journal, NY
Oct 25 2006

ITHACA – Ithaca High School student Lucy Mehrabyan learned a lot
about hard work and winning as a youth on the tennis courts of Armenia.

Mehrabyan was born in Armenia and began playing tennis there at the
age of 4 before coming to the United States.

"In Armenia, we play on red clay. We don’t have many sponsored
tournaments and there are not too many opportunities, but we do train
very hard. The coaches are very serious," Mehrabyan said.

That hard work, plus a lot of tennis skill, has paid dividends for
Mehrabyan. She has not lost a high school tennis match all year.

This weekend, she will attempt to qualify for her third straight trip
to the New York state high school tennis tournament.

The Section 4 state qualifier begins Friday at the Binghamton Tennis
Center. Mehrabyan won the past two state qualifier meets and hopes
to do the same this year.

"I expect her to win it this year," Ithaca High School tennis coach
Sue Redding said.

What’s remarkable about Mehrabyan’s accomplishments is that the she
is just a freshman, meaning her previous state qualifier victories
came when she was in only seventh and eighth grades.

The top three finishers in the Section 4 state qualifier advance to
the state tournament, held the following weekend in Syracuse.

Although Mehra-byan has advanced to states the past two years, only
last year did she play well enough to advance to the second day of
state competition.

The state field will likely be wide open this year.

"I can’t say if I will win," Mehrabyan said. "I would like to play
the best tennis I can. For me, playing the best tennis I can is better
than winning."

Despite Redding’s 20 years of experience coaching high school tennis,
she too is unsure of whether Mehrabyan will be the 2006 state champion.

"I can’t say [if Lucy will win states] because I haven’t seen what’s
out there," Redding said. "I think she should do pretty well, but to
win it, I just can’t say. If she continues at the rate she’s going,
then she’s bound to win it sometime – she’s only a freshman."

Mehrabyan’s off-season is dedicated to training and practicing. She
takes lessons from a coach at Cornell University and also spends time
playing with her father and sister.

"She is very well-respected and works well on the court and helps out
members of her team. She does very well in school, and she’s got a very
hard work ethic and is very consistent [in her game]," Redding said.

Consistent tennis success has produced thoughts of turning
professional.

"I’ve been wanting to turn pro for a long time, but turning pro is
very serious. It’s a lot of moving from one place to another, and
I’d have to leave my school. For now, I think I want to try to play
at a good college," Mehrabyan said.

With professional dreams and the limitless possibilities of a college
career, Mehrabyan recognizes that her introduction to tennis in
Armenia has allowed her to keep her tennis options open.

"I know she can play at a Division I college," Redding said. "She’s
very consistent and she loves the game. This is my 23rd season [around
high school tennis] and Lucy is the best female I’ve seen out there
at such a young age."

KAPAN DEPOSITS OF "DINO GOLD MINING" STILL POLLUTE ENVIRONMENT OF REGION

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 23 2006

"Dino Gold Mining" company engaged in exploitation of Kapan
copper-and-sulfur deposit and Shahumyan gold-and-polymetallic
deposit in Armenia plans to raise the capacities of ore processing
to 1 million tons annually instead of the present 300,000 tons, Vahe
Vartanyan, Head of "Dino Gold Mining" Nature Protection Department,
told journalists, the participants of a media-tour organized by
"Ecolur" public organization.

He said to raise the capacities causing minimal pollution to the
environment, the company has started construction and restoration of
Geghanush tailing dump. The works are to be completed by the beginning
of 2007. Under the tailing dump exploitation project prepared by
the National Research Institute of Mining Metallurgy, the wastes
of flotation plants of the company will be subjected to mechanical
cleaning. Only after this, the purified water will be poured into the
River of Geghanush. Earlier, the company leadership was repeatedly
brought to administrative responsibility for illegal throw of chemical
wastes into the nearby small rivers. Thus, the company had to pay a
10 million AMD fine to the state budget and another 1 million AMD to
the budget of the village of Syunik for environment pollution. "Dino
Gold Mining" was allowed to use Arvanik tailing dump in the territory
of Syunik. However, the company failed to fulfill its financial
commitments to the "owner" of the tailing dump, Zangezour cooper-and-
molybdenum plant. Thus, it was no longer allowed to use the tailing
dump. Afterwards, an ecological examination in the Syunik region showed
that chemical wastes were thrown by the plants of "Dino Gold Mining."

In addition, the company recompensed the privates cultivating the lands
around the drained tailing dump Geghanush, as in case of reactivation,
the tailing dump will rise by 50 meters leaving the agricultural lands
under poisonous slush. Despite the fact that the company recompensed
the farmers for the damage and pledged to carry out re-cultivation
works in future, Grigor Safaryan, Head of the rural community
of Gomaran and Geghanush, told journalists that the villagers were
against the reactivation of the tailing dump. "We do not need these
300-400,000 drams if we are deprived of our pastures and agricultural
lands," Safaryan said. He added that the villagers still feel the
negative impact of the Soviet mining metallurgy on their health.

To recap, a Canadian company Dundee Precious Metals acquired the 80
pct stake of "Dino Gold Mining" for $22 million early in 2006. The
investment program of the new shareholder provides for observation
of ecological norms and rules out development of open-pits by banned
methods, V. Vardanyan said.

The media-tour was organized with support of the WWF and the Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).

KURDISH DOCUMENTARY BOOK CONCERNING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TRANSLATED INTO PERSIAN

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 23 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The book entitled
"Kurdistan during World War I and Armenian Genocide" was translated
from Kurdish into Persian. The book written by Kurd historian
Kamal Mazhar Ahmad was translated by Rauf Kyarim, as well a Kurd
by origin. According to the "Alik" daily, the documentary work is
valuable especially in the sense that its author is a Kurd, the book
gives new documentary information to the readers about the Armenian
Genocide. New facts appear concerning the Turky’s anti-Armenian policy,
when the book author uncover the young Turks’ genocide programs and
goals impartially and based on true bases, which, in words of Kamal
Mazhar Ahmad, always attempted to ascribe their own sin to Kurds,
to spread enmity among the latters and Armenians.

USD AVERAGE WEIGHTED EXCHANGE RATE ON ARMEX AMD 384/$1

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 20 2006

YEREVAN, October 20. /ARKA/. The USD average weighted exchange rate
was AMD 384/$1 on ARMEX on October 20, 2006 – a 0.9% rise compared
to October 19.

Twenty-seven transactions with USD worth $1,450ths (AMD 556.8mln)
have been effected. No transactions with EURO have been effected.

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) set the following exchange rates:
AMD 381.76/$1, and AMD 478.84/EUR 1.

NEARLY 80 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS URGE U.S. PRESIDENT TO EXPAND RELATIONS

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
Oct 17 2006

Washington, DC – To mark the 15th Anniversary of Artsakh’s Independence,
Members of Congress joined the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), in sending a
letter to President Bush urging him "to recognize the 15th anniversary of the
independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic [Artsakh]" and calling the
President’s attention to Artsakh’s "efforts in furthering their democracy and
creating an independent state." Nagorno Karabakh’s decision to establish a
sovereign state came as a continuation of the national liberation movement that
began immediately after Joseph Stalin awarded administrative control over
Karabakh to Soviet Azerbaijan in 1921. After suffering from over 70 years of
discrimination and oppression by Azerbaijan and the Soviet regime, the people
of Artsakh stepped up their struggle for freedom and democracy by establishing
the independent Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh. The congressional
letter, signed by 77 members and sent to the White House on September 29,
highlights a long history of U.S support to Nagorno Karabakh and the will of the
people of Artsakh to build a democratic and economically viable country. The
letter also notes the continuation of Azerbaijan’s destructive policy, which
threatens peace and stability in the region and "goes against U.S. interests."
Most importantly, the congressional letter advocates for expansion of U.S.
political and economic engagement with Nagorno Karabakh. The letter said in part:
"As we work towards peace, the United States can and must expand its
engagement with the lawfully and democratically established Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. These ties should not be dictated by outside forces but rather should be
guided by the shared values of our two nations. […] We should build on this
success by investing in developmental and good governance programs that will
strengthen Nagorno-Karabakh’s economy, democratic institutions, and promote even
greater cooperation on a range of regional and security issues." Despite the
overwhelming challenges of the past 15 years, Artsakh has registered
impressive achievements: successful defense of its freedom against Azerbaijani
military aggression, nearly complete restoration of its war-devastated economy,
continued strengthening of its democracy, unprecedented economic growth and
constructive partnership with the international community to bring about lasting
peace and stability to the South Caucasus. "Everyday, we are advancing in
building a country of our dreams – a free, democratic and prosperous Artsakh.
Fifteen years of independent statehood have proved the righteousness of the
historic path chosen on September 2, 1991. Throughout these years, the people
of Artsakh have been truly blessed to enjoy the political and economic support
of the U.S. Congress. We are deeply thankful to the American people for
their generous economic assistance that helped restore dozens of war-torn
villages, drinking water supplies and medical facilities," said NKR Representative
in the United States Vardan Barseghian. Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), who
co-chairs the Armenian Caucus, said: "The United States stands for freedom and
democracy, values that have vividly triumphed in Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh,
without any international support. I am proud to support this nation as it works
to achieve formal international recognition of its well-deserved
independence. The U.S. economic assistance to Nagorno Karabakh should be continued."
"Time and again, the people of Nagorno Karabakh have demonstrated their firm
commitment to values of liberty and peace. They have also worked hard to
establish a developing democracy and growing market economy. The United States should
expand its political and economic engagement with the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic," echoed fellow Armenian Caucus Co-chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone also thanked their colleagues, the
co-signers of this congressional letter to President Bush, for supporting this
critical initiative. "In its quest for freedom and its efforts to strengthen its
democracy and develop its economy, Nagorno Karabakh enjoys a broad-based
congressional support. Our collective aim was to convey this message to President
Bush as the Nagorno Karabakh Republic celebrates the 15th Anniversary of
Independence," the congressmen said. This congressional effort enjoyed strong
support of the two Armenian-American advocacy groups in Washington, DC. "The
Armenian Assembly commends Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone for their
initiative and leadership in urging the U.S. to strengthen relations with Karabakh
as it celebrates 15 years of independence," said Assembly Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. "As we mark this special occasion, we are reminded of the
accomplishments the people of Karabakh have already achieved. The Assembly will
continue to work with its friends in Congress and the Administration to
advocate for Karabakh’s right to self-determination." "We want to thank
Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone and all those who joined with the Armenian Caucus
in marking this milestone of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s continued
contribution to the growth of democracy, economic development, and the prospects for
an equitable and lasting peace in the Caucasus," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. On behalf of the NKR Government, Barseghian thanked the
Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Committee of America for
their effective work on Capitol Hill. "We are also grateful to our
congressional friends for their continued support of Nagorno Karabakh on our path
towards freedom, democracy and prosperity — universal values that have been
guiding Artsakh since independence," said Representative Barseghian. The Office of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is based in Washington,
DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and the public representing
the official policies and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. September
29, 2006 The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States The
White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President:
We write to recognize the 15th anniversary of the independence of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and to call your attention to their ongoing efforts in
furthering their democracy and creating an independent state. The United States
has a long history of supporting Nagorno-Karabakh’s democracy and its right
to live in freedom and peace. Since 1992, our government has taken part in
international efforts to reach a sustainable resolution to the conflict between
Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. A durable cease-fire has been in place since
1994, bringing relative stability to the region. However, a comprehensive
peace agreement has not been reached and the continued standoff could lead to
yet another cycle of violence. The democratically elected leaders of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic have repeatedly offered to implement mutual
confidence-building measures, for which the U.S. government has continued to allocate
funding. These leaders have consistently demonstrated a willingness to make
difficult compromises in the interest of a lasting peace. However, in contrast,
Azerbaijan has rejected confidence-building measures and demonstrated a
consistent pattern of inflexibility in the negotiating process. To further
destabilize the region, Azerbaijan continues to maintain a blockade of both
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia and regularly threatens a new wave of violence against
Nagorno-Karabakh. We have every reason to believe this threat is realistic
given their rapidly increasing military budget. An arms race or new violence in
the South Caucasus region goes specifically against U.S. interests in the
region. The key to preventing this outcome is for the United States to send a
clear message to Azerbaijan that we will not tolerate renewed aggression against
Nagorno-Karabakh. Earlier this year, we were pleased with Assistant
Secretary of State Dan Fried’s statement that, "the will of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh has to be respected." We wholeheartedly share this view and hope that
you will build upon this constructive approach to a long-term settlement. Our
interest is in working, in a manner consistent with fundamental democratic
principle, to bring a durable resolution, acceptable to all parties, to the
region. As the world’s greatest force for freedom, we should always champion
values of liberty, democracy, and peace. As we work towards peace, the United
States can and must expand its engagement with the lawfully and democratically
established Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. These ties should not be dictated by
outside forces but rather should be guided by the shared values of our two
nations. Our decision in 1988 to aid Nagorno-Karabakh has become one of the
most effective assistance efforts anywhere in the world, providing thousands of
people with housing, water, and healthcare needs. We should build on this
success by investing in developmental and good governance programs that will
strengthen Nagorno-Karabakh’s economy, democratic institutions, and promote even
greater cooperation on a range of regional and security issues. Mr.
President, as we mark the 15th anniversary of independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, we
urge you to join with us in celebrating this nation’s courageous choice for
freedom, its strong commitment to democratic values, and its sincere desire to
work toward lasting peace. We appreciate your consideration of our concerns.
Sincerely, [signed] Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Joseph Baca (D-CA), Charles Bass
(R-NH), Melissa Bean (D-IL), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL),
Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Loi Capps (D-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), John Conyers
(D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Anna
Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ),
Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rush
Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Jesse Jackson (D-IL),
Sue Kelly (R-NY), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Mark Kirk
(R-IL), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), James Langevin (D-RI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Sander
Levin (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Stephen Lynch (D-MA),
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Thaddeus
McCotter (R-MI), James McGovern (D-MA), Howard McKeon (R-CA), Michael McNulty
(D-NY), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Candice Miller
(R-MI), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Devin Nunes (R-CA),
John Olver (D-MA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Collin Peterson
(D-MN), George Radanovich (R-CA), Michael Rogers (R-MI), Steven Rothman
(D-NJ), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Jan
Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), E. Clay Shaw (R-FL),
Chris Shays (R-CT), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Robert Simmons (R-CT), Hilda Solis
(D-CA), Mark Souder (R-IN), Fortney Stark (D-CA), Ted Strickland (D-OH), John
Sweeney (R-NY), John Tierney (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Visclosky
(D-IN), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Frank Wolf (R-VA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA),
Albert Wynn (D-MD)

A.A..
17-10-2006

19-YEAR-OLD ARMENIAN SERVICEMAN DIES FROM SHOT FIRED FROM AZERBAIJANI SIDE

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 18 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Term serviceman, private soldier
Alexander Papakhchian got fire-arms injury in the thorax tract from
a shot fired by an Azeri sniper on October 16. NT was informed about
it from RA Defence Ministry Press Service.

The 19-year-old serviceman called up for military service from
Vardenis military registration and enlistment office was taken to
Erebuni medical center where he died at 12:30.

Investigation is carried out.