Author: Vardanian Garo

VIVACELL IS RENOVATING THE TELESCOPES OF BYURAKAN OBSERVATORY

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 3 2007

VivaCell, a subsidiary of MTS (NYSE: MBT), today announces that is
providing 23.3 million drams contribution for upgrading and renovation
of Byurakan Observatory telescopes’ management system, runs the news
release of the company.

Byurakan Observatory is the most important center of Armenian
astrophysics where for decades scholarly research have been conducted
by Armenian astronomers, and among them was also the outstanding
scientist Viktor Hambardzumyan.

The 2.6 meters long telescope of the famous Byurakan Observatory
is currently in a very bad working condition. Because of the lack
of means to cover the maintenance costs the telescope has become
non-operational. VivaCell has been always found to be there where
there is a demand for social support and action and a need for
supporting science and culture. VivaCell made 23.3 drams contribution
for the upgrade and renovation of Byurakan Observatory telescopes’
management system. This will help obtain and use state-of-the-art
equipment in the work of the 2.6 meters long telescope. In particular,
new computers will be bought for the control center, and the nitrogen
synthesis system used for the thermo isolation of the control center
which is necessary for the proper operation of the telescope, will
undergo complete renovation.

VivaCell’s contribution will also extend to the 1 meter long Schmidt
telescope the opening of which in 1961 was also attended by the
leader of the USSR Nikita Khruschov. Thanks to VivaCell support the
electronic system will also be renovated. In particular, a CCD matrix
will be created and the management system will be put into operation.

Owing to VivaCell’s support these two large telescopes again will be
made available to the employees of the observatory and our scientists.

EU LAWMAKERS TRY CARROT, RATHER THAN STICK, APPROACH WITH TURKEY

Agence France Presse
Oct 3 2007

BRUSSELS (AFP) – Members of the European Parliament changed tack
with Turkey Wednesday, preferring praise to the harsh criticism of
the past to try to encourage Ankara’s efforts at EU-oriented reform.

The complete change of tone comes in a new parliamentary report,
released exactly two years after Turkey began its often-torturous
membership talks with the European Union.

"Every critical point is mentioned in the report but the language is
different to keep the dialogue with Turkey," said Dutch Christian
Democrat MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten, who compiled the report for the
assembly.

"We want to have solutions rather than judgement," she said.

In their last report a year ago, the deputies deplored the lack of
reform progress and in a resolution criticised Turkey’s rights record,
laws infringing freedom of speech and Ankara’s refusal to acknowledge
the Armenian genocide.

This time there is praise for the recent election process as "a sign
of strength of the Turkish democracy".

Turkey categorically rejects Armenian claims that 1.5 million of
their kinsmen died in systematic deportations and killings during
1915-1918 as the Ottoman Empire was breaking up.

The word "genocide" is dropped from the non-binding report and
replaced by a call for "the Turkish and the Armenian government to
start a process of reconciliation for the present and the past …"

"It’s a good method," said European Commission expert Jean-Christophe
Filori.

"Turkey has just come out of a very difficult political crisis,
one in which it managed to reaffirm the respect for democracy. This
report strikes the right tone of encouragement," he said.

In a sign that others share the opinion of rapporteur Oomen-Ruijten,
the parliament’s foreign affairs committee adopted the document by
48 votes for, none against and four abstentions.

Even old foe Cyprus appeared to have been won over.

"It’s the first time there’s been a debate on Turkey without the
smell of brimstone," said Greek Cypriot MEP Marios Matsakis, after
debate on the report late Tuesday.

Cyprus, along with France and Austria, has been among the toughest
critics of mainly Muslim Turkey’s quest to join the European bloc
and has been locked in a trade dispute with Ankara that has damaged
its membership progress.

Turkey and Croatia were officially made candidates to join the EU two
years ago, but Croatia’s progress has far outstripped that of Turkey.

Ankara has been given no guarantee that it will be allowed to enter the
club when the membership negotiations end, at least a decade from now.

It remains to be seen whether the entire European parliament will adopt
the new softly-softly approach at a plenary session from October 22,
and whether the European Commission will follow suit in its key annual
on November 6.

MINISTER: EFFORTS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN ARMENIA TO REHABILITATE SYSTEM OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 2 2007

YEREVAN, October 2. /ARKA/. Efforts should be taken in Armenia to
rehabilitate the system of preschool education, said Minister of
Education Levon Lazarian during the round-table "Educational reforms
and problems of preschool education in the modern stage."

He said that today the system of Armenia’s preschool education is
the weakest link in the sphere of education.

"The material and technical basis are almost fully worn out, teachers’
and educators’ staff was for a long time had no possibility to upgrade
their professional skills, and the political filed is extremely
liberal, that gives a chance to anyone to form a structure and work
with children of preschool age," he said.

Lazarian believes that these three main shortages are the cause that
as compared to other countries in the region the level of involvement
of Armenian children in the sphere of preschool education is very low.

"To overcome the situation it is necessary to take serious steps
to take these establishments out of the local self-government
institutions," he said.

Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration Vache Terteryan pointed
out that Armenia’s Government attaches great importance to the role
of the preschool education in the issue of bringing up the rising
generation, and the approval of the Law "On preschool education"
is a bright example of this.

"We have a big field for activity, as preschool education is one
of the leading spheres of education and as a first link of all the
structure it plats an important role in the formation of competition
and effective system of education," he said.

Sheldon Yett from the Armenian office of UNICEF said that children
must attend preschool establishments to be psychologically ready for
entering the system of comprehensive education and optimally behave
in school.

Director of the National Education Institute of the Ministry of
Education and Science Noryar Ghukasyan said that the main aim of
the round-table was to elaborate a strategy for preschool education,
which is called to systemize and provide effective cooperation between
the government, local self-governing bodies, system of education,
country’s regions and international organizations.

The round-table was organized by the Ministry of Education and Science
together with UNICEF. Representatives from the Government, National
Assembly, International and Public Organizations, as well as heads
of regional administrations participate in it.

According to the Ministry of Education and Science, there are 768
state preschool establishments in Armenia, 166 out of which are in
Yerevan and 602 in the all regions of the country.

ARMENIAN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND QUALITY BROUGHT TO CONFORMITY WITH EUROPEAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Author: Ruzanna Bagratunian

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 2 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Education and
Science has already submitted to the RA government the complex
development program of the education of Armenia up to 2015, which
includes all the program amendments implemented from general education
up to professional one.

According to the information provided by Levon Mkrtchian, the RA
MInister of Education and Science, during the meeting with journalists
held on September 28, the necessity for making amendments in the
sphere of education is first of all conditioned by the circumstance
that it is necessary to be included in the European educational field,
which takes a great place in the world today, stage by stage , that
is to say, by programmatic succession.

According to him, integration makes it possible to provide the
continuation of higher and middle level professional education and
to organize a corresponding training abroad. "We aim at bringing the
Armenian educational programs, standards and quality in conformity
with the greatest European educational system," Levon Mkrtchian said.

According to the Minister, it is necessary to have such an educational
system rendering scientific-educational services, due to which not
only foreign students will study in Armenia, but also the rating
of the educational institutions of Armenia will rise in the region,
which, in the conviction of Levon Mkrtchian, can be provided only in
case of integrating into the European field.

OSCE: NO SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.10.2007 18:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Despite the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group and
CiO’s Special Envoy Josep Borrell the sides in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict failed to fix progress," OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish
Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos told the UN General Assembly.

"Unfortunately, signatures on official documents are not
enough. Distrust should be subdued and dialogue between the sides
established," he said.

As to Georgia, cooperation between the UN and OSCE is essential for
stabilization, according to him.

When commenting on the Kosovo problem, Mr Moratinos said the
Organization should proceed with its work irrespective of the status
decision. "We are ready to maintain presence in Kosovo for human
rights monitoring, especially for protection of religious and cultural
facilities," he said, IA Regnum reports.

HOUSING PROBLEMS OF KARABAGH DEAD WARRIORS’ FAMILIES TO BE SOLVED IN SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME

Defacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 28 2007

September 27 Nagorno-Karabagh Republic President Bako Sahakian convened
a working sitting, in the course of which a number of issues referring
to housing problems of the dead warriors’ families were discussed.

According to the information DE FACTO received at the Central
Department of Information under NKR President, at the sitting the
President underscored that improving social and housing conditions of
the dead warriors’ families was a paramount task the state faced. He
charged to provide housing for this category in the shortest
possible time. A new commission is to be established to deal with
the verification of the lists and other organization works.

Araik Harutyunian, NKR PM, Marat Musaelian, the head of NKR President’s
Administration, Boris Alaverdian, Deputy head of NKR President’s
Administration, Spartac Tevossian, NKR Minister of Finance, Narineh
Azatian, NKR Minister for Social Security, Alexander Mamunts, Minister
of Urban Planning, and Galina Arustamian, Chairwoman of the Union of
Relatives of NKR Dead Warriors participated in the sitting.

TURKISH GROUP HAS OWN IDEA FOR GREENWAY PARK
By Thomas C. Palmer Jr., Globe Staff

Boston Globe, MA
Sept 28 2007

Proposal adds twist to talks regarding Armenian memorial

Responding to a proposal by an Armenian-American group to contribute
a park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, a Turkish-American
group this week said it wants the land used instead for a "Boston
Peace and Heritage Park."

"Purpose of this proposal is to celebrate and highlight cultural
and linguistic diversity," the Turkish American Cultural Society of
New England wrote to four officials. "A source of strength for our
communities in the US is that we have left behind the conflicts and
animosities of the old world."

The letter could significantly increase tensions around the proposal
for an Armenian Heritage Park – just when Greenway officials appeared
to be moving toward compromise.

Last year, the Armenian Heritage Foundation proposed a park near
Faneuil Hall Marketplace to memorialize the 1915-era Armenian
genocide. About 1.5 million Armenians died under what is generally
accepted to have been a genocidal policy by the government of Turkey,
which today opposes labeling the events genocide, calling the term
"historically and legally baseless."

The conflict recently flared in Watertown, where community members ob
jected to a program sponsored by the Jewish Anti-Defamation League,
No Place for Hate, because the ADL at the time refused to acknowledge
the genocide.

Some parks advocates object to having an Armenian memorial on the
Greenway. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority supports the plan,
but critics say the park’s backers did not follow the established
process for developing cultural features on the Greenway.

In addition, the plan violates an unwritten understanding by the
Mayor’s Central Artery Completion Task Force and others that the
Greenway would not house monuments or memorials.

Recently, at the direction of Ian Bowles, state secretary of energy and
environmental affairs, a process was being followed that could have
allowed the park to be built. Armenian-American representatives and
Greenway officials were working out the sensitive wording of a plaque
that would have referred to immigrant groups in addition to Armenians.

The Turkish American Cultural Society’s letter now could draw the
site into the middle of the 92-year-old controversy.

Secretary of Transportation and Public Works Bernard Cohen, one of
the four officials who received the letter from the Turkish-American
group, had told the Globe this month that "The process remains open
to all proposals." He could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Erkut Gomulu, president of the nonprofit Turkish American Cultural
Society, told Cohen in the letter that a "Boston Peace & Heritage
Park will not be divisive but rather an inclusive place for all
communities in Boston." He proposed that a globe be part of the park,
with "a dove carrying an olive branch . . . ‘Peace’ could be engraved
on the globe in all languages spoken in Boston."

Peter Meade, chairman of the Greenway Conservancy, which is assuming
stewardship of the parks, and that board have called for a five-year
moratorium on any proposals for memorials on the Greenway.

"Back in the ’90s there was a significant sentiment not to have
memorials on the Greenway," he said yesterday. "Now we have two
well-meaning, thoughtful suggestions. I think this is part of the
reason people were hoping the Greenway wouldn’t have memorials to
begin with."

"I heard from somebody this week who was making a compelling case
for Darfur, a worthy thing to do," Meade added.

Rob Tuchmann, cochairman of the Mayor’s Task Force, the citizens’ group
that along with the Turnpike Authority and the Boston Redevelopment
Authority has overseen development of the Greenway, also received
Gomulu’s letter and proposal for a peace park.

"I think it’s a wonderful idea," he said late yesterday. "The proposal
from the Armenian Heritage Foundation is very close to being that,
and it’s my hope that by the time it’s done it’s a more universal
message celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of the Boston area."

No one from the Armenian group would comment, but state Senator Steven
Tolman said, "This is an offensive political stunt that is being
perpetrated by a group that has consistently rejected the Armenian
genocide, and frankly should be rejected out of hand."

CAN DASHNAKTSUTYUN MAKE GOOD OPPOSITION?

Lragir, Armenia
Sept 27 2007

In fact, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun cannot be an alternative to the
government in the presidential election of 2008, stated the secretary
of the ARF faction Samvel Nikoyan on September 27 at the Pastark press
club. He thinks the party which formed government and is a partner of
the coalition government cannot declare itself to be an alternative
to the government. "We understand the ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s intention
for nomination, and we respect the two possible candidates, but it
is not clear what the opposition is going to do if the pro-government
party takes its place," Samvel Nikoyan says.

Saying that the nomination of two interim candidates reveals democracy
inside the party Samvel Nikoyan said he wished the society also had
a chance to follow the competition inside the party.

SECOND SECTION OF IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE TO BE READY IN JANUARY 2009

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2007

ArmInfo. Construction of the second Kajaran-Ararat section of
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be completed in January 2009 instead
of the late 2008 as it was announced earlier. The Government made a
relevant decision Thursday, governmental press release says.

In order to meet the schedule, the government instructed
CJSC ArmRusgasprom to carry out construction and design works
simultaneously on the basis of the resolution on the project’s
ecological examination. The government approved the length of the
section and safety areas of 197.4 km and 987 ha in total. The
ministries and departments interested were instructed to study
the project and make proposals in case of ecological necessity or
compensation of possible damage to land owners.

Kajaran-Ararat section will allow increasing the carrying capacity of
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline from annual 450 million cubic meters to 2.3
billion cubic meters. Iran will supply Armenia with 1.1 billion cubic
meters of gas annually starting from 2009 and about 2.3 billion cubic
meters of gas from 2019 annually. Armenia will pay for gas in terms
of electricity i.e. 3 kW/h per 1 cubic meter. Under the investment
program of CJSC ArmRusgasprom, which is the general contractor of
Kajaran-Ararat section, will invest about 52 billion drams or $154
million (by current exchange rate) in the project.

TIME FOR REVELATION – IN THE PAST
Haroutyun Gevorkyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Sept 26 2007

Interview with ARAM SAFARYAN, Secretary of "Prosperous Armenia"
parliamentary faction

"Mr. Safaryan, in what stage do you think is the internal political
domain in terms of preparing for the presidential elections?"

"I can’t insist that the internal political domain is in full swing at
present. Although, the developments prompt that the political life has
a tendency of livening up. Some statements and potential predetermined
nominations, as well as some pretenders desiring to run for presidency
are now introducing an intrigue in the political atmosphere.

The preparations and developments of summer have not yet finished,
and they may still continue for a month. I think the conclusions on the
principal political players during the upcoming presidential elections
will become clear only in mid-October. I expect that there will be
many candidates of presidency. In spite of this, it is true that many
of the potential candidates do not publicly manifest themselves.

The thing is that the parliamentary elections served as a very
important demarcation line, and the political factions that suffered
a defeat are facing a serious necessity in terms of changing the
strategy and tactics of their activity. This interval that lasted a few
months and is still being delayed is probably used by the Opposition
for introducing itself to the public in the best manner during the
pre-election campaign.

Of course, many of the candidates will, with certain exceptions,
participate in the presidential elections not with purpose of
winning, but rather, with the purpose of specifying their identity
and displaying themselves."

"In short, the Opposition was trying and is still trying to propose an
alternative to the Government, but it won’t succeed in its efforts. Is
there a political substantiation for such an alternative?"

"Actually, there is only one leader on the political arena, i.e. Prime
Minster Serge Sargsyan, leader of the Republican Party. The continuous
economic progress of the country speaks in his favor, and he has no
equivalent rival as he enjoys support by the major part of society.

Although time may have not only positive but also negative consequences
for the Prime Minister, because, unlike the Opposition, he can’t remain
silent and sit in idleness. The Executive Power is currently engaged
in active work; it initiates the second stage of reform implementation
and may also adopt unpopular decisions and solutions. And the National
Assembly, where the Republican has a majority, also circulates bills
containing no populist elements.

In spite of this, the Opposition leaders, i.e. the potential rivals
of tomorrow, are free from such a burden of responsibility.

Many of them still appear on the arena with old, well-known and
unrealistic slogans. I am confident and I insist that the slogans
that were adopted as far back as a year ago but have already been
defeated cannot promise a tangible public support and political
rating tomorrow either. It will be naivety to hope that the same
unjustified and unsubstantiated criticism may change the public moods
and orientations."

"Having broken his 10 years’ silence, did L. Ter-Petrosyan say anything
new? Did he propose any alternative?"

"There is really a certain layer of society anticipating a
revelation. All the activists on our political arena know one another
well, and no revelation is possible. Our internal political domain
is very complex, and there is no need to wait for revelations. But
the attitudes of the potential pretenders have not only been clear
for a long time but also expressed long ago. Levon Ter-Petrosyan did
not even make use of an alternative new device. He appeared with old
ideas, known to the public for a long time and introduced a topic
that was once denied by society.

How is it possible to re-appear politics with old, ineffective
technologies and denied ideas and try to return the political arena to
an atmosphere of mutual hatred again. And this happens in a situation
when we are facing a new situation confirmed by the people as a result
of the Parliamentary elections as well as a political culture of a
higher level.

I am convinced that in the context of the presidential elections,
the factions operating in our internal political domain will not only
advance their candidates, but also make a demand of not frustrating
the internal political situation and turning the elections into a
destabilizing factor. Otherwise, we will be involved in an atmosphere
of hostility, and this will give advantage to our enemies only.