Author: Vasilian Manouk

CONTACT FRONTLINE OF TROOPS IN AGHDAM REGION MONITORED

Azeri Press Agency
July 16 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Teimour Zahidoglu-APA. The contact frontline of troops in
Yusifjanli village of Aghdam Region has been already monitored in
accordance with mandate of OSCE personal representative today, APA
Karabakh bureau reports

Andrzey Kaspszyk, OSCE personal representative and his field assistants
Imre Palatinus and Vladimir Chountulov represented Azerbaijani side
in the monitoring, field assistants of OSCE personal representatives
Peter Kii and Antal Herdich and Irji Aberle on the opposite side.

TIGRAN SARGSIAN RECEIVES LEBANESE AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
JULY 15

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian received today Lebanese
ambassador to Armenia Zhebrail Zheara. Governmental press service
told Armenpress that noting about the deep historic roots of
Armenian-Lebanese relations and formed traditions, the prime minister
underscored the necessity of their preservation and development.

The two sides noted about the high level political dialogue and
actively developing economic cooperation. In this respect the sides
underscored the developing cooperation in financial-banking sphere
which is reflected in establishment of Lebanese banks in Armenia. The
ambassador agreed it also with the active efforts exerted by the
prime minister when he was the chairman of the Armenian Central Bank.

Tigran Sargsian and the ambassador also underscored re-starting of
the work of the Armenian-Lebanese inter-governmental commission
and discussion of a number of mutually interested issues within
its framework.

During the meeting the Lebanese ambassador presented to the prime
minister the inner-political situation in Lebanon, spoke about the
newly formed government. He also referred to the Lebanese Armenian
community highly assessing its role in political, economic and cultural
life of the country.

EDWARD NALBANDIAN DISCUSSES A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH U.S. TOP OFFICIALS
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian met on July 14 with U.S. State Secretary Condoleezza Rice.

Armenian Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress that during
the meeting the minister said that Armenia underscores the deepening
of relations with USA and will seek the development of friendly
partnership and consolidation of the cooperation.

The sides noted that the history and traditions of U.S.-Armenian
relations give opportunity to develop more bilateral relations in
different spheres.

Edward Nalbandian highly assessed the programs of the U.S. government
directed towards the development of different branches of Armenia’s
economy.

The interlocutors discussed also the developments over Nagorno Karabakh
conflict regulation and noted that it may be regulated only through
peaceful negotiations which are taking place within the framework
of the OSCE Minsk Group. The two sides highly assessed the efforts
exerted by the Minsk Group co-chairs and underscored the continuation
of the negotiations on the basis of 2007 Madrid suggestions which
give opportunity to register progress in the peaceful process.

Referring to the perspective of normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations, the Armenian foreign minister reconfirmed Armenia’s
readiness to establish diplomatic relations without pre-conditions
and opening of the Armenian-Turkish border.

The interlocutors also referred to the process of approval of
the U.S. new ambassadorial nominee by the Senate. In this respect
E. Nalbandian expressed hope that the candidacy of the new ambassador
will be approved and she will arrive soon in Armenia which on its
part will have a positive impact on the further consolidation of
bilateral relations.

On the same day E. Nalbandian met in the White House with the
U.S. president aide, deputy consultant to the president on national
security issues James Jeffrey.

During the meeting the sides discussed Armenia’s and U.S. partnership
in the security sphere, pace of Armenia-NATO cooperation, referred
to the issues on ensuring security in the region.

E. Nalbandian and J. Jeffrey also exchanged thoughts over the
process of regulation of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, regulation of
Armenian-Turkish relations.

On July 14 the Armenian minister also visited U.S. Congress where
he met with the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the
House of Representatives Howard Berman.

Edward Nalbandian highly assessed the role of the U.S. Congress
in the process of development of Armenian-U.S. relations and the
attention the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives paid towards
the Armenia-related issues.

With the request of Congressman Berman, E. Nalbandian presented
the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation,
prospects for regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations as well as
Armenia’s approaches towards regional and international issues.

Howard Berman noted that the commission headed by him underscores
the development of cooperation with Armenia in all the spheres and
will continue exerting efforts in that direction.

THOMAS HAMMARBERG ABOUT LAW IN ARMENIA

A1+
15 July, 2008

More images Today RA Speaker of the National Assembly Tigran Torossian
received CoE Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg.

The meeting also hosted Special Representative of EC General Secretary
Boyana Urumova and Swede expert Yohan Hirshfeldt.

Greeting the guests Speaker Tigran Torossian introduced what had
been done, attaching importance to bringing the "Law on holding
meetings, rallies, marches and demonstrations" into line with European
standards. He noted that Armenia is resolute to fully investigate
the events of March 1 and punish the guilty.

In his turn Mr. Hammarberg noted that PACE appreciates the changes
made in cooperation with the EC Venice Committee. According to him
the opposition leaders more complain of the way laws are interpreted
rather than of laws themselves. Mr. Hammerberg also attached great
importance to the impartial and reliable activity of the NA ad
hoc commission investigating the 1 March events. The Human Rights
Commissioner was especially concerned about the fact that opposition
does not participate in the investigation process; moreover they
are eager to form their own commission that would investigate the
post-election developments.

In this respect Tigran Torossian noticed that the opposition is
reluctant to cooperate with the authorities, declaring that the
commission does not enjoy people’s confidence. "They are sending
ultimatums instead, which contributes neither to dialogue, nor to
the disclosure of the events," he said. The Speaker also attached
importance to the involvement of international experts in the
commission activities, which will provide objectivity of investigation
process and will instill confidence for the investigation results.

ARMROSGASPROM’S AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK TO TOTAL $1.150 BLN. IN LATE 2008

ARKA
July 15

ArmRosGasProm’s authorized capital stock will total $1.150bln by late
2008, ArmRosGasProm General Director Karen Karapetyan said at today’s
ceremony on the placement of non-documentary bonds.

"At present, our company’s authorized capital stock totals $900mln,"
he added.

Karapetyan believes the company’s market capitalization will be worth
some $2bln.

Karapetyan formerly said the Armenia will keep increasing its share
in the company’s authorized capital stock (22.78%) thanks to the
IFAD program on financing gas supply projects, TACIS support and
budget funds.

On February 15, the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC)
allowed Gazprom to purchase 19mln worth nominal bonds of ArmRosGasProm.

After the additional issue of the bonds, the company will pump 95.5bln
drams into its authorized capital stock.

On July 15, ArmRosGasProm announced issue of nominal coupon
non-documentary bonds worth 1bln drams. The nominal value of the
36-week bonds was 50,000 drams with their interest yield being 9.5%.

Monopolist in Armenia’s gas supply market, the ArmRosgasprom CJSC
was established in 1997. The company’s capital amounts $900 mln.

Its shareholders are the Gasprom OJCS (72,16% of shares), the RA
Ministry of Energy (22,78%) and the Itera Oil and Gas Company (5,06%).

ARMENIAN CB FORECASTS 6.2% ANNUAL INFLATION IN 4TH QUARTER 2008

ARKA
July 14
YEREVAN

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) forecasts 6.2% annual inflation
in the 4th quarter of 2008, and 5.1% inflation in the 2nd quarter of
2009. The protocol on the forecasts and monetary policy of the Central
Bank of Armenia (CBA) for the 3rd quarter of 2008 says that the new
forecast has been scaled down as compared with the previous ones, the
actual inflation rates recorded in the 1st half of 20098 considered.

Specifically, the CBA forecasts a 20% fall in the domestic prices for
baked goods in the 3rd quarter of 2009. As regards the 1st and 2nd
quarters of 2009, the aggregate index of consumer prices considers
both direct (0.8%) and indirect (0.5%) shares in the rise for gas
price, a 0.6% share in the possible rise for electricity prices,
as well as indirect influence (a 0.3%-0.4% share) on the rise in
oil prices. Also, the CBA considers secondary influence by a rise in
prices for food products, which prices are gradually falling now.

The CBA does not rule out some uptrend in inflation rates. Specially,
with the world prices for cereals falling, a more serious fall
in the prices may be expected in Armenia due to a faulty domestic
market. Besides, higher-than-forecast world prices for cereals may be
formed. Also, a greater than forecast deficit of the current account
of the balance of payments may cause a higher rise in prices for
imported goods thereby causing a rise in inflation rates.

Among the factors that may curb inflation is a possible high increase
in the agricultural sector due to favorable weather conditions.

A deflation rate of 0.5% was recorded in Armenia in June as compared
with May 2008, which is in conformity with the CBA’s forecast made
in March.

The annual inflation recorded in June was exceeded the target by 4%.

INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SEMINAR "AZERBAIJAN AT THE TURN OF CIVILIZATIONS" STARTS IN BAKU

Today.Az
July 15 2008
Azerbaijan

A source from the Baku office of the OIC youth form for dialogue and
cooperation told Day.Az that the summer seminar "Azerbaijan at the
turn of civilizations", organized by initiative of the representative
office of Heyday Aliyev’s foundation in Moscow and General Coordinator
on the Alliance of Civilizations of the OIC Youth Forum Leyla Aliyeva.

Seminars are held for activists of the students movement of the leading
high schools of Russia under support of the Ministry of Youth and
Sports of Azerbaijan and OIC Youth Forum for dialogue and cooperation.

Students of the Moscow State Institute for International Relations,
Moscow State University and other high schools of Russia, selected
by the Azerbaijani youth organization of Russia will hear lectures
about our country, history of Karabakh as a center of the Azerbaijani
historical and cultural heritage, realities of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh in the international context. Moreover,
in the framework of the lectures "Azerbaijan-address of tolerance",
the seminar participants will familiarize with the program of the
movement "Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations", founded in Baku
in autumn of the last year.

A separate session of the seminar will be devoted to presentation
of the international initiative of Leyla Aliyeva "Justice to
Khojaly-Freedom to Karabakh", which is an innovative project of the
OIC youth forum, approved at the conference of the Foreign Ministries
of the OIC member-states. The lectures will be delivered by specialists
in the sphere of history, international relations, leading Azerbaijani
diplomats and international experts.

In the framework of the program of the summer seminar its participants
will hold meetings with Minister of Youth and Sports A.Rahimov,
rector of Diplomatic Academy Pashayev, leading representatives of the
state and youth nongovernmental organizations of Azerbaijan and will
familiarize with natural and cultural wealth of our country.

SABINE FREIZER: RECOGNITION OF AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY DOES NOT EXCLUDE THE RIGHT OF KARABAKH PEOPLE’S SELF-DETERMINATION

AZG Armenian Daily
12/07/2008

Karabakh issue

" The European Union member countries recognize the Azerbaijani
territorial integrity, but it does not mean that they are
against giving the population of Nagorno Karabakh the right of
self-determination", announced International Crisis Group’s Europe
Program Director Sabine Freizer in an interview to Azerbaijani
"Day az".

According to Freizer, the European Union may play a greater role by
having a separate, special representative especially by implementation
of observatory mission.

What about the model of Karabakh issue, according to Freizer, EU
members do not have a joint agreed opinion whether Nagorno Karabakh
should be a part of Azerbaijan or an independent state.

It is more interesting that according to Freizer, the EU countries do
not show interest in having a key role in the settlement of Karabakh
conflict; moreover, they are not interested in involvement with Minsk
Group as they are absolutely satisfied with the present format of
the negotiations.

What about the UN involvement in the issue, Freizer told "Day az"
that two parallel mediator missions and even two negotiation processes
will lead to no result. .

What about the Minsk Group proposals and not-agreed points, the
principles are the best way to move forward, according to Sabine
Freizer.

"Azerbaijan has done everything possible to include the paragraphs
about release of seven occupied regions and return of refugees,
including the territory of Nagorno Karabakh. The main dispute is
over the status of Karabakh. Armenia insists that the possibility
of Nagorno Karabakh independence should be included in the basic
principles, but Azerbaijan is categorically against it. I think the
decision on the status of Nagorno Karabakh should be postponed until
mutual confidence between Armenians and Azerbaijanis is restored".

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 10 2008

Azerbaijan’s military doctrine to be adopted at the Parliament’s
autumn session

[ 10 Jul 2008 15:37 ]

Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev`APA. A military doctrine of Azerbaijan will
be adopted at the Parliament’s autumn session, said Ziyafat Asgarov,
First Vice-Speaker of Milli Majlis at the press conference summarizing
the spring and extraordinary session of the Parliament, APA reports.

The First Vice-Speaker said the document had not been discussed yet
because of geopolitical changes in the world and region. Asgarov said
all realities would be taken into consideration during its adoption.
Touching upon the question about non-discussion of Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorno Karabakh conflict at the Parliament, the First Vice-Speaker
said solution of this problem is in the sphere of the President and
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. `We can discuss concrete agreement, if it
is reached. There is no need in discussion without subject’. Asgarov
said draft law on education had been sent to the international
expertise and there was boom around this issue. `There is no any force
prevented adoption of this law, but we desire to adopt more improved
law’. Asgarov expressed opinion about the draft law on alternative
military service and said this document was prepared for the
discussion. `The country’s realities will be taken into consideration
during the adoption of this document because Azerbaijan is at war’.

FRANCE’S PLANS AS EU CHAIR STATE
Nana Petrosian

AZG Armenian Daily
10/07/2008

Europe

Two countries a yesr chair the EU. The second half of 2008 France
will be chauring the organization. Yesterday, on the occasion of the
coming chairmanship, Ambassador of France to Armenia George Smessov and
Eurocomission Coordinator in Armenia Raul de Lutzenberger organized
a press conference in Yerevan. They represented the four priorities
of EU policy in this region: nature protection and power engineering,
emigration issues, EU security, agriculture development.

The Ambassador assured that France wants the EU to serve the rest of
the world as an example of ecologically safe power engineering. He
assured that the EU shall enhance its cooperation with Russia in
this field.

The EU is elaborating a global emigration policy, which will include
active cooperation with countries from which illegal immigrants come
to Europe. According to the French side, the European agreement on
emigration and asylum, to be adopted by the EU in the nearest future,
shall document all the commitments on this issue.

Mr. Smessov emphasized ensuring the security of the EU and facing
all the challenges with its own forces, without diminishing the NATO
functions. He said he would advice Brussels to revise and to increase
the EU security and defense budget.

The Ambassador said that France shall never restrict itself with
the aforementioned programs and shall continue its activities on
Lisbon Agreement, on extending the cooperation of the Mediterranean
states and facing different challenges and emergencies around the
world. France shall also enhance its contacts with Eastern Europe.

Answering the reporters’ questions George Smessov said that both
as member of OSCE Minks Group and as EU chair country, France
remains confident that warlike statements can by no means benefit
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Regarding Turkey’s possible
membership in the EU the French diplomat said that the negotiations
with Turkey will be continued, but it is too soon to speak of any
results.

Being asked about France’s position on PACE Resolution 1620 and if
France will support sanctions against Armenia if any are taken,
the Ambassador first noted that it was not the aim of the press
conference to focus on that matters. Secondly he said that the issue is
something for the whole organization to decide, and not the chairing
state. Mr. Smessov assured that France is advocating the dialogue
between any political powers.

Raul de Lutzenberger in his turn assured that failure to accomplish
the 1620 Resolution’s requirements cannot result in suspension
of cooperation with Armenia in the frameworks of the New European
Neighborhood program.

STUDIES FROM E.M. SARKISYAN ET AL IN THE AREA OF LASER PHYSICS DESCRIBED
Laser Physics

Science Letter
July 8, 2008

"We propose a method for the detection of a dynamical Casimir effect,"
scientists writing in the journal Laser Physics report (see also
Laser Physics).

"Assuming that the Casimir photons are being generated in an
electromagnetic cavity with a vibrating wall (dynamical Casimir
effect), we consider electrons passing through the cavity to be
interacting with the intracavity field. We show that the dynamical
Casimir effect can be observed via the measurement of the change in
the average or in the variance of the electron’s kinetic energy,"
wrote E.M. Sarkisyan and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "We point out that the enhancement of
the effect due to finite temperatures makes it easier to detect the
Casimir photons."

Sarkisyan and colleagues published their study in Laser Physics
(Detection of Casimir photons with electrons. Laser Physics,
2008;18(5):621-624).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting E.M. Sarkisyan,
Yerevan Physics Institute, Alikhanian Bros St. 2, Yerevan 375036,
Armenia.

The publisher of the journal Laser Physics can be contacted at:
Maik Nauka, Interperiodica, Springer, 233 Spring St., New York,
NY 10013-1578, USA.

Keywords: Electromagnet, Electromagnetic, Electronics, PhotonsLaser
Research.

This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and
other reports. Copyright 2008, Science Letter via NewsRx.com.