Author: Toganian Liana

IRAN CONSTRUCTS WIND POWER PLANT IN ARMENIA

ISNA Iranian Students News Agency, Iran
July 8 2007

ISNA – Tehran
Service: Economy

TEHRAN, July 08 (ISNA)-Iran is to construct three wind-based power
plants in Armenia.

The initial agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia
was signed on March and both sides are still negotiating on how to
expand cooperation in other fields.

The first wind-based power plant constructed in Armenia by Iran is
located at Vanadzor, a city located 150 kilometers from Yerevan.

This wind power plant has four V-47 turbines with 47 meter rotors
and 660 kilo watts power.

HOW DO THE HARVEST WORKS DEVELOP?
Nelson Avanesian.

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
05-07-2007

Inspite of difficulties created by weather conditions, on these
days harvest works move possibly forward in the republic. By July 2
condition, it was cropped 6611.5 hectare, which compiles 14.0 per
cent of sowing area exposed to harvesting, 7.67 thousand ton of
grain was thrashed. Average crop yield of a hectare compiles 11.6
centner , moreover in Askeran region- 56.1 hectare, 0.73 thousand
ton, 13.1 centner, in Hadrut- 2585.0 hectare, 2.64 thousand ton, 10.2
centner, in Mardakert- 426.5 hectare, 0.6 thousand ton, 14.1 centner,
in Martouni- 2939.0 hectare, 3.58 thousand ton, 12.2 centner, and in
Kashatakh regoin- 100.0hectare, 0.12 thousand ton, 12.0 centner. Crop
yield of grain cultured plants in 2006, in comparison with July 1
index, was decreased by 14.6 percent or 2.0 centner. According to
Hayk Lalaian, the department manager of developing and planning
agricultural branches of NKR Agricultural Ministry, in comparison
with the last year, the main reason of decreasing grain crop yield is
the dryness of march-april months. According to Vahram Hayrapetian,
the member of the state headquarters of harvest organization, 278
combines are involved in harvest works. Besides, 30 graingathering
combines also work brought from Armenia.Only 2 combines don’t take
part in harvest works because of their defects. Harvest works will
begin also in Shushi and Shahumian regions.

NKR FM: The fact that CE representatives condemn conducting of
presidential election in NKR arouses pity

arminfo
2007-07-04 14:39:00

"The fact that representatives of the Council of Europe condemns
conducting of presidential election in
NKR arouses pity", NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan said
commenting on the statement of Chairman of CE Committee of Ministers
Vuk Jeremic on the forthcoming presidential election.

As G. Petrosyan said, they prejudice the election institute as an
important element of democracy that conflicts with CE Statute. "If the
European officials do not wish to contribute to the democratic
processes in the NKR, we have a right to expect for them not to impede
strengthening of the democratic institutes in our republic", G.
Petrosyan said. "We are deeply sure that democratization is an
important prerequisite for the Karabakh conflict settlement, as
democratization envisages creation of mechanisms which allow settlement
of any conflicts in a peaceful way. This is what Nagorno
Karabakh aspires to. It would be natural if representatives of
different European structures share this aspiration", NKR FM said. As
ArmInfo’s special correspondent in Stepanakert reports, Vuk Jeremic has
recently said that the forthcoming presidential election in Karabakh
cannot serve the conflict settlement. Moreover, they hamper the
negotiation process.

BY ARMENIAN AND AZERI INTELLECTUALS’ JOINT TRIP OSCE TRIED TO SOFTEN
UNSUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF PRESIDENTS’ PETERSBURG MEETING, NKR PRESIDENT’S
ADVISER CONSIDERS

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Arman Melikian, the NKR President’s
Adviser, at the July 4 press conference, stated that the last trip of
Armenian and Azeri intellectuals to Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and
Azerbaijan was OSCE’s attempt to somehow soften the unsuccessful
outcome of the Armenian and Azeri Presidents’ Petersburg meeting.

In his words, each of the initiative’s organizers pursued his own
interests, which coincided in some things. According to A. Melikian’s
observation, for NKR, the initiative was important, as the Ambassador
of Azerbaijan to Russia met with the NKR President. "In this respect,
we can say that Azerbaijan admits the circumstance of Nagorno
Karabakh’s having legal authorities," the NKR President’s Adviser said
adding that the Azeri side understood that without negotiating with
Karabakh and receiving its consent they cannot expect any progress in
the negotiations process.

A. Melikian said that nevertheless, that initiative will not be
decisive for the future, as, judging by Azerbaijan’s position, there
are no real preconditions for that. "Maybe, there will be no need to
negotiate with Azerbaijan: we can just solve the problem through NKR’s
international recognition," he said. A. Melikian expressed confidence
that Karabakh’s independence will be recognized at last.

ARMENIAN STATE BUDGET FULFILLED BY 5.3 BILLION DRAM SURPLUS IN
JANUARY-MAY 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 30, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-May 2007, the crediting from
the RA state budget made 7.88 bln drams (about 22 mln USD), 7.82 bln
drams of which was provided to the NKR, 55.2 mln drams was provided to
repressed citizens on concessional terms for improvement of their
houses.

According to the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy, 178.8 mln drams of
previously provided credits was repaid to the state budget. As a
result, the net crediting made about 7.7 bln drams. The net crediting
increased by 25.2% on the same period of 2006 at the expense of the
interstate credit given to the NKR in 2007.

In the first five months of 2007, the state budget of the RA was
fulfilled with a surplus of 15.3 bln drams (without the inflow of funds
under credit programs from external sources). The budget was negatively
financed by 22.2 bln drams from the domestic sources of financing and
was positively financed by about 7 bln drams from the external sources.

The state budget was negatively financed by 573.4 mln drams at the
expense of treasury bonds (their issue made 15.8 bln drams, redeption –
16.4 bln drams). 472.7 mln drams was allocated from the domestic
sources of deficit financing for payment of promissory notes. Available
budgetary resouces grew by 21.2 bln drams.

In Janaury-May 2007, the World Bank provided a credit of 10.2 bln drams
under the Poverty Reduction Assistance Program. 3.2 bln drams was
allocated for payment of foreign liabilities.

3.2 bln drams was allocated for state debt’s servicing in the indicated
period, which ensured 61% fulfilement of the respective program for the
first half of 2007: particularly, over 2 billion drams was allocated
for servicing the domestic debt and 1.1 bln drams – for servicing the
foreign debt. Expenditures on state debt servicing declined by 7.2% as
compared with January-May 2006, mainly due to a decline in expenditures
on foreign debt servicing.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
June 30 2007

Exploring Military Culture in Ýstanbul

With the inescapable heated discussions about Iraq, Kurdish terrorism
and the now infamous April `e-memo,’ it is impossible to deny that
the military is the talk of Turkey.

The conversations are supplemented by newspapers and television, and
everything from the role of a military in a democracy to the best way
to ensure internal security is up for debate. The military, now so
ubiquitous in quotidian life, is equally present in any cultural
exploration in Turkey. Be it Military Police outside Dolmabahçe
Palace or naval vessels parked outside the Ýstanbul Modern, the
Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) presence is felt. The military is not
only visible in their official capacity; in Ýstanbul one can’t help
but stumble across the abundance of historical and cultural reminders
of this powerful state organ. In addition to numerous monuments in
honor of martial achievements, the city boasts two institutions
specifically designed to educate about the military: the Naval Museum
and the Military Museum.
A visit to the Naval Museum reveals the perennial cultural influence
of the Ottoman Empire on modern Turkey as well as the history and
role of the Turkish Navy. The first thing to be noticed upon when
arriving at the museum is the beautiful sculpture and cannon filled
garden that is sandwiched at the back between the building itself and
the Bosporus. The garden is patrolled by young sailors in white
uniforms, who reinforce the sense of discipline and pride echoed in
the exhibits inside. The garden is open to patrons via the main
building, and is a littoral display of naval objects, acting as a
tribute to those who served. Once inside the building, it is almost
impossible to ignore the section devoted to celebrating the deep
pride and respect shared for the republic’s origins. The other half
of the first floor acts as a showcase for Ottoman era artifacts,
including a stunning globe with Ottoman script once used aboard a
naval vessel. It is on the second floor, though, that the museum
reveals its true purpose: raising awareness about the relationship of
Turkey to its military institutions. As a foreigner in Turkey,
navigating the English language descriptions provided gives a sense
of how the nation views its military, a view which is perhaps an
unexpected one for a non-Turk. The first ideas brought about by the
idea of a Navy might be its militaristic actions, but in the case of
the Ottoman Empire, it was in fact not just a means of protection,
but a way to build trade routes and establish relations with other
cultures across their empire. The national approach is further
illuminated by the placards on the wall, which explain in detail the
victories and defensive holds, whereas any eventual defeat is
mentioned in passing and in the case of World War I, only in
reference to the independence movement launched by the Navy under the
command of Atatürk. This goes to show the immense pride the Turkish
people have in both their military victories and their historic
willingness to remain a sovereign entity.

This same pride is manifest at the Military Museum off Cumhuriyet
Caddesi, but the museum approaches it in a very different way. Gone
are the instructive placards, replaced with the undeniable grandeur
of the building and exhibits that dare the visitor not to be awed.
The building, which once acted as a military school, is a jewel-box
with long halls and high ceilings, and prominently showcases Turkish
and Ottoman weapons from centuries past. School children frequently
fill the halls, led around by teachers ebulliently explaining
historic victories pictured on the walls. It is organized by halls
devoted to a wide-ranging number of conflicts, people, and issues.
Perhaps the most interesting facet is that the museum does not shy
away from difficult subjects in its history, namely some that it dubs
`issues with Armenia.’ The hall devoted to this subject provides some
block text and a number of translated documents from the time that
provide fascinating evidence to help explain to an outsider the
widely held Turkish perspective on this still contentious issue. Nor
does the museum neglect its exterior in favor of its showy and
artifact-rich inside; regular concerts are held in the gardens to
demonstrate the pomp and practices of regiments past.

These two museums lend insight not only to the history of the TSK but
also help explain the sentiments surrounding them in the mind of
Turkish society. The academic culture of Ýstanbul helps pave a path
of understanding about the role of the military in Turkey as well as
in the current debates. The Turks display great pride in their
military accomplishments, expressed in addition to their renowned
love for their country. These two Ýstanbul museums are deserving
monuments to this tradition, both in recognizing the value of this
national institution and educating the world about its historical and
contemporary importance.

*BA candidate in military science
30.06.2007

DAVID MERAHN* ÝSTANBUL

RECTOR OF SORBONNE UNIVERSITY: IT IS AZERBAIJAN THAT HINDERS THE VISIT OF UNESCO MONITORING MISSION TO THE REGION

arminfo
2007-06-29 20:15:00

It is Azerbaijan that hinders the visit of a UNESCO monitoring
mission to the region, Gerard-Francois Dumont, Rector of the Sorbonne
University, who took part in a scientific conference "Minorities
and Conflicts in the South Caucasus" in Yerevan, told ArmInfo
correspondent.

According to him, the delay of the UNESCO monitoring mission’s visit
is connected with Azerbaijan’s reluctance to receive the mission. To
remind, the Armenian authorities appealed to UNESCO to send a
mission to investigate the facts of destruction of Armenian khachkars
(cross-stones) and other artifacts at the Armenian Old Julfa cemetery
in Nakhijevan by Azeri soldiers. For its part, the UNESCO leadership
said that it negotiates with Armenian and Azeri authorities to reach
an agreement on the initiative to send the mission, the structure of
the mission and the date of its visit to the region.

BAKU: AGO GROUP’S VISIT SCHEDULE PUBLICIZED

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 29 2007

Ago monitoring group from the Committee of Ministers of Council of
Europe on Azerbaijan and Armenia will be visiting Baku from July 4
to 7 in the framework of their visit to the region, spokesman for
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibrahim told the APA.

Permanent Swedish representative to the Council of Europe Per Sjogren
will chair the group that will be composed of German Ambassador
Eberhard Kolsch, French Ambassador Bruno Guen, Latvian ambassador
Peteris Elferts, Romanian Ambassador Stellan Stolan and Russian
Ambassador Alexander Alekseyev. They will be accompanied by CE
secretariat officials Puarel, Aarnio-Lvoff and Cheliento.

The current state of the relations between Azerbaijan and the Council
of Europe, fulfillment of commitments, election legislation, activity
of local authorities, independence of courts, freedom of media and
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be mainly debated at the meetings
with the Ago group.

The monitoring group is scheduled to meet President Ilham Aliyev,
Head of President’s Office Ramiz Mehdiyev, parliament speaker Ogtay
Asadov, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, chief of Central Election
Commission Mazahir Panahov, chief of National Television and Radio
Council Nushiravan Maharramli. The Ago group is also expected to take
part in the roundtable on "The Activity of the judicial system" with
the participation of Justice Minister, Prosecutor General, chairmen
of Constitutional and Supreme Courts, chief of the Bar and Ombudsman.

June 29, 2007

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

PRELATE TO CONSECRATE NEW BAPTISMAL FONT
AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH IN GLENDALE

On Sunday, July 1st, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, during
Holy Mass, will consecrate the new baptismal font at St. Mary’s Church in
Glendale. The Prelate will also present Rev. Ardag Demirjian, Pastor of St.
Mary’s, with a Pontifical Encyclical by H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, bestowing him with the privilege of wearing a pectoral
cross.

PRELATE MEETS WITH RERPESENTATIVES OF
ST. GREGORY CHURCH IN SAN FRANCISCO

On the afternoon of Thursday, June 28, the Prelate departed for San
Francisco, accompanied by Executive Council Chairman Dr. Garo Agopian, to
meet with the Pastor, Board of Trustees, and Delegates of St. Gregory
Church. During the visit they also met with the principal of
Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan School Mr. Yeprem Mehranian. Executive
Council member Mr. Garbis Bezdjian participated in the meetings.

Items on the agenda included the various endeavors of the parish
and future activities as well as issues relating to the school.

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER NATIONAL FUNERAL SERVICE FOR DR. MISAK ARZOUMANIAN

On the morning of Wednesday, June 27, the Armenian community lost one of its
prominent members, Dr. Misak Arzoumanian. On this sad occasion the Prelate
expressed his condolences to the members of St. Gregory Church and
affiliated organizations on behalf of the Prelacy Religious and Executive
councils.

The national funeral service will take place on the morning of
Saturday, June 30, at St. Gregory church. The Prelate will preside over the
funeral service and deliver the eulogy. He is also to convey the
condolences of H.H. Aram I to the family and friends of Dr. Arzoumanian.

PRELATE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPRESETNATIVES
MEET WITH DAVIDIAN-MARIAMIAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION MEMBERS

On the evening of Tuesday, June 26, the Prelate and Executive Council
representatives welcomed to the Prelacy members of Davidian-Mariamian
Educational Foundation.

Members of the Foundation reported to the Prelate that their work
which began twenty years ago has increased significantly and their mission
to provide Armenian language and culture instruction to Armenian students
attending public schools continues strong. The Prelate and Executive
Council members commended the Foundation for their dedicated work and
reaffirmed the Prelacy’s support of their endeavors.

CONCLUSION OF BIBLE STUDY AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH

On the evening of Tuesday, June 26, the last Bible study of this
season of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale took place prior to the commencement
of summer break. The sessions, which are led by Prelacy Christian Education
Department Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, have been taking
place every Tuesday since the start of the year with over 300 faithful in
attendance each week.

The Prelate attended this year’s concluding session during which
he commended Father Barthev, parish pastors, Board of Trustees, and the
participants.

The session concluded with a group prayer and the benediction by
the Prelate.

PRELATE TO PARTICIPATE IN CLOSING CEREMONIES
OF NAVASARTIAN GAMES

>From Tuesday, July 3rd, to Saturday, July 7th, the 32nd annual Navasartian
games will take place at Birmingham High School.

The Prelate will attend the Victory Ball on the evening of
Friday, July 6, at Sheraton Universal Hotel, as well as the closing ceremony
and parade on Saturday, July 7th.

As in previous years, the Prelacy Armenian Church Youth Association (ACYA)
will have a booth at the games.

ABSENCE OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS CANNOT IMPEDE OFFICIAL MEETINGS
By H. Chaqrian

Armenia-Turkey Relationships
AZG Armenian Daily #122,
29/06/2007

Insinuations about the Oskanian-Gul meeting in Istanbul, June 25, still
continue in the political circles of Turkey. Of all those the comments
of Armenian Studies Institute Director Omer Engin Lutem and reporter
Can Dundar, published in "Miliet" on June 28, are the most noteworthy.

In their articles both Lutem and Dundar clearly figure out their
position. Here we represent some of their most important statements.

Thus, Lutem writes, "Although Armenia is a member of BSEC, President
Robert Kocharian did not take part in the summit, and the Armenian
Foreign Minister explained it by absence of official dimplomatical
relations between the two states. If this was an impediment for an
official visit, why then did Oskanian arrive in Istanbul? Let us
remind by the way that in 1999 President Kocharian participated in
a OSCE summit, which was held in Istanbul. Kocharian’s absence on
such a meeting is caused by negative attitude both of the public
of Armenia and the Diaspora. Constant raising of the issues of
the alleged Armenian Genocide and of opening the border created
negative atmosphere about Turkey, wherefore the President of Armenia
preferred not to take part in the summit. In the meanwhile his
country has serious problems with Turkey. Although those problems can
be settled with talks, Armenia, being determined to settle them by
the means of pressure of the USA and the EU, is avoiding high-level
meetings with the Turkish side. Armenia has also serious problems with
Azerbaijan. Nevertheless those did not hinder Oskanian from advocating
the thesis of self-defense of the Armenians of Karabakh and efforts
to thus to justify the occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories".

Dundar also referred to Kocharian’s absence to the summit in Istanbul,
noting, "President Kocharian did not arrive at the summit organized
by heads of states but sent a message with the Foreign Minister. In
the morning of the day before the meeting we, a group of reporters,
met with Oskanian during the breakfast.

There are no news on the Armenian front. Moreover, it is likely that
the relations will be more complicated than they have been over the
last 3 or four years.

These circumstances can be explained by ’emotional’ reasons. Yearning
for being ‘One State and One Nation’, as well as the cooperation in
power engineering sphere with Azerbaijan, make Azerbaijani influence
on Turkey’s foreign policy stronger. We asked Oskanian what response
got in Armenia the ‘We-Are-All-Armenians’ slogans proclaimed on the
funeral of Hrant Dink. He answered that it was a great surprise
and that the Armenians were deeply moved and confused. Both the
sides have the same timidity, caused by lack of trust. The Armenians
should learn that in case of contesting a neighbor-state’s borders,
accusing it of perpetrating a ‘genocide’, occupying the territory of
its brother-state diplomatic relations can be hardly established. That
would require recognition of the present state borders and withdrawing
from Karabakh. In return, Turkey should open the border with Armenia,
as it did not close borers in spite of crisis with Greece and Bulgaria"