Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

EU Special Representative: `it will be a disappointment if the
presidential elections in Armenian will just be conducted at the same
level as the parliamentary ones’

December 21, 2007
Yerevan /Mediamax/.

Special Representative of the European Union in the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby stated today in an interview to Mediamax, that the
upcoming presidentil election `is an opportunity for Armenia to take
another important step towards consolidation of its democratic
institutions’.

Peter Semneby told Mediamax about this in a telephone interview from
Brussels, commenting on the results of his two-day visit to Yerevan.

`There is a positive backdrop to build on. The parliamentary elections
in May received an assessment that was largely positive. And the wide
field of candidates for the presidency should provide for a lively
campaign that will stimulate the interest in political life among the
public’, Special Representative of the European Union in the South
Caucasus said this.

`But at the same time, there are also a few question-marks that will
have to be taken seriously. Although the parliamentary elections
received a passing grade, it will be a disappointment if the
presidential elections will just be conducted at the same level.
Instead, Armenia should aim for further improvement. The international
observers noticed several areas with room for improvement, in
particular media coverage, voting procedures, vote counting, prevention
of vote buying, and use of administrative resources. The presidential
election is an opportunity to address the shortcomings that were
noticed last time’, Peter Semneby stated in an interview to Mediamax.

Armenian Energy Minister: New NPP in Armenia may be built by
international consortium

2007-12-22 16:17:00

ArmInfo. A new nuclear power plant may be built in Armenia by an
international consortium including representatives of several
countries, Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsissyan said at a
press-conference, Saturday.

According to him, the world practice may be applied with respect to
Armenia. He noted that over the past five years the international
community’s attitude to the construction of a new NPP in Armenia has
changed for the better. "Today the international community holds out a
helping hand to Armenia for construction of a new NPP", the minister
said. He added that Russia can install nuclear reactors, which are
reliable and good enough, Europe – electric equipment, and the USA –
automatic equipment. Movsissyan said that the feasibility study of the
new NPP’s construction will be prepared in September 2008, then the
design work will start and the general contractor will be chosen.

Movsissyan noted that at the moment, many show interest in the
construction of a new NPP in Armenia, and "Armenia has a choice". He
added that Armenia is privileged to have good nuclear energy
specialists lacking in the neighbor countries of the region.

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 22 2007

OFFICE OF PROSECUTOR GENERAL BRINGS CHARGES AGAINST HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK
DAILY

According to the December 21 news release of the press service of the
Office of Prosecutor General, the leader of the National Democratic
Union Vazgen Manukyan has lodged a complaint against the Hazykakan
Zhamanak Daily on December 20 for an article published on December 15
entitled `Vazgen Manukyan’s MEIN KAMPF’. The article contained
compromising facts and accusations of grave crimes.

According to the leader of the NDU, the article accuses him of
plotting a coup, a revolution, high treason, slandering and insulting
him. The department of crimes against person of the Office of
Prosecutor General brought charged on Article 135.1 and Article 136.1
of the Crime Code.

CBA ISSUES "PISCES" SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COIN

Noyan Tapan
Dec 21, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)
has put into circulation the "Pisces" silver commemorative coin with
a depiction of the Pisces zodiacal sign. The coin was issued under
the numismatic program "The Zodiacal Signs". According to the CBA
press service, commemorative coins depicting all the 12 signs of the
zodiac will be issued in this series.

The coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia is depicted in the middle
of the obverse of the coin. Below the coat of arms, the nominal value
of the coin is inscribed: "100" and "DRAMS" in Armenian and English
in a circle. The date of the coin’s issue – "2007" is inscribed above
the coat of arms. All this is enclosed in a striped circle. There
is another striped circle between the indicated circle and the
edge. The surface of the coin’s obverse between the two circles is
divided into 12 equal parts, in which the 12 zodiacal symbols are
depicted. "REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA" in Armenian and English is inscribed
in a circle along the edge of the coin.

The reverse of the coin has a depiction of the Pisces zodiacal sign
against the background of the starry sky. There is also a star made
of zirconium.

Below on the right, the Pisces zodiacal sign is depicted. All this
is enclosed in a striped circle. In the surface between this circle
and the edge, the name of the zodiacal sign is inscribed in Latin
(PISCES) in the top part of the coin and its name is inscribed in
Russian (RYBY) – in the bottom part. Color paints have been used for
the design of the reverse.

The commemorative coin was minted at the Polish Mint.

The nominal value of the commemorative coin is 100 drams, it is made
of silver (925 alloy). Its weight is 28.28 grams, diameter – 38.61 mm,
the number of the coins – 12 thousand.

VARTAN OSKANIAN: TURKEY MISSED TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO SPREAD ITS INFLUNCE IN REGION

Noyan Tapan
Dec 19 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Over the past 17 years, Turkey has
missed two historical opportunities to make its positive contribution
to the establishment of peace and stability and the economic
development of the South Caucasian region. The Armenian foreign
minister Vartan Oskanian stated this in his speech at the December
19 parliamentary hearings "Armenian-Turkish Relations. Problems
and Prospects".

According to him, in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union,
there was a vacuum in the region: Russia was weak and unable to spread
its influence, and the competition was going on between Turkey and
Iran. However, as the West opposed Iran’s penetration into the region,
the field was open to Turkey. But Turkey failed to subdue regional
strategic interests to its narrow ethnic interests and so missed this
opportunity. Turkey not only failed to acquire a positive influence
in the region but also in those years it formed its public opinion
in such a way that the authorities found themselves in a situation,
from which it was actually impossible to get out.

Besides, there was Azerbaijani pressure – not to open the
Armenain-Turkish border and not to establish diplomatic relations
with Armenia.

According to V. Oskanian, in order to get out of this situation,
Turkey could have used the second opportunity when negotiations on
its membership of the European Union started. Turkey could have told
its people and Azerbaijan that EU membership is the country’s supreme
task and so it is necessary to settle problems with Armenia. However,
Turkey did not take this step.

V. Oskanian said that Turkey’s joining the EU is in the interests of
Armenia just for the reason that in this case Armenia would have a
border with the EU. Armenia is concerned about whether the decision
of the EU on Turkey’s membership will be as fair as in case of other
countries or for certain reasons the EU will make a political decision.

TURKISH SCHOLARS DIDN’T ARRIVE IN YEREVAN OVER RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY?

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.12.2007 19:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There is no political motive for Turkey’s refusal
to participate in parliamentary hearings in Armenia, EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said in Yerevan.

"The date of the hearings coincided with one of the Islamic religious
holidays. Religion plays an important role in Turkey’s decision not
reject Yerevan’s invitation," he said. "I am hopeful that hearings
of the kind will be continued, since they provide the possibility to
speak of disputable issues.

The public of the two states should be prepared for a normal dialogue
and the EU will contribute to the process."

ARMENIA HONORS COLGATE PROFESSOR

Utica Observer Dispatch, NY

Dec 18 2007

HAMILTON – The government of Armenia has presented a Colgate University
professor with one of its highest civilian honors.

During a ceremony in November at the Embassy of Armenia in Washington,
Peter Balakian was awarded the Movses Khorenatsi Medal.

The medal is presented to individuals for their contributions in the
fields of culture, arts, literature, education and humanities.

Balakian is the Constance H. and Donald M. Rebar Professor in the
Humanities and professor of English at Colgate.

Balakian has spent decades unraveling his Armenian ancestry and
educating the world about the atrocities of the Armenian genocide.

Balakian is the author of eight books including "The Burning Tigris:
The Armenian Genocide and America’s Response," a New York Times
notable book and best seller.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE PARTICIPATION OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND
CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE MEETINGS IN GENEVA

Two international conferences were held in the Geneva headquarters of the
World Council of Churches on December 5-7 and 8-10 respectively. Archbishop
Sebouh Sarkisian (Primate of the Diocese of Tehran) represented the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in these conferences. Archbishop Avak Asadourian
(Primate of the Diocese of Iraq) attended on behalf of the Catholicosate of
All Armenians in Holy Etchmiyadzine.

The first conference was dedicated to the protection of human rights and
integrity, particularly during conflicts. About 40 representatives from
several countries in the world participated in the conference, especially
from those countries where Christianity forms a minority.

During the conference, Bishop Sebouh delivered a lecture on the status of
Christians in Iran starting from historic periods. In this context, he spoke
about the centuries-old presence of Armenians in Iran and their constructive
participation in the country’s political, cultural, social and educational
life. The conference discussed the peace and the establishment and
protection of human rights. In this respect, Archbishop Sebouh talked about
the neglected issue of the Armenian Genocide.

The second conference was dedicated to Christian-Muslim dialogue. It
attracted 30 clergy and lay delegates. General Secretary of WCC Dr. Sam
Kobia delivered the opening remarks. Speaking during this conference,
Archbishop Sebouh presented the various aspects of Christian-Muslim
relations in Iran. He particularly touched on the rights of minorities in
Iran and their protection by the state.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

KAZAKHSTAN INTERESTED IN ARMENIA’S ENERGY SECTOR

ARKA News Agency
Dec 11 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, December 11. /ARKA/. Kazakhstan is interested in Armenia’s
energy sector, said Charge d’Affaires of Kazakhstan to Armenia Yerlan
Kubashev. The country focuses on the delivery of pipes for Armenia’s
gas pipeline, implementation of energy projects and Armenia’s energy
sector, according to him.

The Kazakh party is studying a number of projects and is planning
to organize a meeting in the RA Ministry of Energy. The purpose of
the meeting is to attract Kazakh investors to Armenia, the Charge
d’Affaires said.

He pointed out that Kazakhstan does not rule out the possibility of
increasing oil exports to Armenia by constructing a new petroleum
terminal in Georgia and using the purchased Romanian petroleum
terminal. "We do not rule out the possibility of exporting oil to
Armenia by means of both terminals," Kubashev said.

45,000 small Armenian enterprises with 21 joint corporations were
registered in Kazakhstan in late 2006. Their main directivities are
trade, production and sales of construction materials.

Armenian-Kazakh trade turnover totaled $191.3mln in January-October
2007 – 62.4% increase. Armenian exports to Kazakhstan totaled $6.6mln –
80.4% increase as compared to January-October 2006.

Kazakh imports to Armenia totaled $184.7mln – 61.8% increase in the
reporting period. Imports from Kazakhstan increased thrice to $4.2mln.

The share of Kazakhstan in Armenia’s foreign trade turnover was 5.5%
in January-October 2007.

WITHIN ONE YEAR, RA FOREIGN NATIONAL DEBT INCREASES BY 153.4M USD AND DOMESTIC DEBT BY 3BN 798M DRAMS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 11, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. As of late September, 2007, the
RA foreign debt amounted to 443bn 751m drams or more than 1bn 321.5m
USD. In late September, 2006, it made nearly 1bn 168.1m USD. Thus, the
RA foreign national debt has increased by 153.4m USD within one year.

According to the data of the RA National Statistical Service, as of
late September, 2007, the RA domestic national debt amounted to 61bn
761.2m drams. As of late September, 2006, it totalled 57bn 962.8m
drams. The RA domestic national debt has increased by 3bn 798.4m
drams within one year.