Category: News

Mediamax news agency, Yerevan
17 Nov 04
Armenian defence minister displeased with 2005 military spending
YEREVAN
Armenian Security Council Secretary and Defence Minister Serzh
Sarkisyan said in Yerevan today that the volume of military spending
envisaged by the 2005 draft state budget is not satisfactory.
At the same time, the minister said that the budget hearings are
continuing and expressed the hope that “the government will find a
possibility to increase this sum”, Mediamax reports. According to the
minister, the salaries of officers and ensigns should be increased
first.
Serzh Sarkisyan said that “beginning from 1 January 2005, we want to
increase the salaries of officers by 50,000 drams 96 dollars , that
of contract ensigns – by 30,000 drams 58 dollars , and that of the
other military – by 10,000 drams 19 dollars “.
“We are facing a serious problem regarding the growth of
international prices, these sums must be compensated, and I am sure
that the country’s leadership will allocate enough funds for the
Armenian army in order not to harm our armed forces’ fighting
readiness,” Serzh Sarkisyan said.
The secretary of the Armenian Security Council also denied the
information that the Armenian side does not finance the Russian
border guards stationed on the territory of Armenia.

BBC News
Last Updated: Tuesday, 26 October, 2004, 13:33 GMT 14:33 UK
Q&A: Equatorial Guinea ‘coup plot’
Lawyers for Sir Mark Thatcher are arguing in a South African court against
an order for him to answer questions about claims he helped finance an
alleged coup plot in Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, another 14 men are awaiting the resumption of their trial in the
Equatorial Guinean capital, Malabo, in connection with the suspected plot.
How was the suspected plot discovered?
In March, Zimbabwean police in Harare impounded a plane which flew in from
South Africa with 64 alleged mercenaries on board.
Simon Mann (second right) was jailed in Zimbabwe
The group said they were providing security for a mine in Democratic
Republic of Congo, but a couple of days later an Equatorial Guinean minister
said they had detained 15 more men who were the advance party for the group
captured in Zimbabwe.
Nick du Toit, the leader of the group of South Africans and Armenians in
Equatorial Guinea, said at his trial in Equatorial Guinea that he was
playing a limited role in a coup bid.
He told the court he was recruited by Simon Mann, the alleged leader of the
group held in Zimbabwe, and that he was helping with recruitment, acquiring
weapons and logistics for the attempt. He says he was told they were trying
to install an exiled opposition politician, Severo Moto, as head.
In September, Mann was sentenced to seven years in jail in Zimbabwe after
being convicted of illegally trying to buy weapons. Others arrested with him
were acquitted of any links to a suspected coup attempt after magistrates
said prosecutors had failed to prove their case.
Why organise a coup attempt?
Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony, has been ruled by President
Obiang since he seized power from his uncle in a coup in 1979. His
government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of
ruthlessly suppressing political opposition.
Yet the discovery of oil several years ago has meant huge wealth and massive
investment flowing into this poor country of just 500,000 people.
Not much of this has trickled down to ordinary people. The United States
Senate is currently investigating the discovery of hundreds of millions of
dollars in US bank accounts belonging to the family of President Obiang.
And it is these massive oil revenues which could lend some credence to
President Obiang’s accusation that multinationals and foreign powers were
involved in a plot to overthrow him.
Both Mann’s trial in Zimbabwe and the Equatorial Guinea trial began amid
complaints of abuse and unfair treatment from relatives of those being held.
One suspect, a German, died in prison in Equatorial Guinea after what
Amnesty International claimed was torture.
So who was behind the apparent plot?
So far it remains unclear who was backing any plot, although the list of
suspects is growing.
Sir Mark Thatcher has denied any involvement
Mann, the old Etonian and founder of the mercenary firm Executive Outcomes,
has not been talking, although President Obiang has.
He has accused the Spanish government and the son of the former UK prime
minister, Sir Mark Thatcher, amongst others, of being behind the plot.
The South African authorities have arrested Sir Mark and charged him with
contravening two sections of South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance Act,
which bans residents from taking part in any foreign military activity.
Sir Mark is being held in South Africa on suspicion of providing financing
for a helicopter linked to the coup plot. He denies the charges.
What is known is that Sir Mark has admitted to being good friends with Mann.
Others President Obiang alleges are involved are a former British cabinet
minister, whom he refuses to name, an oil tycoon, Eli Calil, and the exiled
politician Severo Moto, who lives in Spain. Both named men have strongly
denied involvement.
The BBC’s Newsnight television programme saw the financial records of Mann’s
companies showing large payments to Nick du Toit and also some $2m coming in
– though the source of this funding they say is largely untraceable.
What is South Africa’s role?
Mercenary activities were banned in South Africa several years ago after
complaints about security organisations like Executive Outcomes, in which
Mann was involved.
The majority of those alleged to have been the mercenaries planning to carry
out the coup are based in South Africa, with many being former members of
the apartheid-era security forces.
South Africa will be determined to be seen to be acting tough against any
attempt to destabilise another country.
However, it also will want to protect its nationals, and has vowed to
intervene if any of the alleged mercenaries are sentenced to death.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:
PRESS RELEASE
13 November 2004
Minister Oskanian Attends CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization
Ministerial
On 12 November, Minister Oskanian attended a Ministerial Meeting of CIS
Collective Security Treaty Organization in the framework of his working
visit to Moscow.
The agenda of the Ministerial included issues of developing security system
for CSTO member states, prompt and efficient response to new challenges and
threats, prevention of drug trafficking and combating organized crime.
In his statement, Minister Oskanian referred to voting by some CSCO member
states in support of Azerbaijan’s initiative in the UN. He qualified their
position as inexplicable and divergent from the position of Co-chairs of
OSCE Minsk Group in charge of Nagorno Karabagh conflict settlement.
On the same day, Vartan Oskanian had a meeting with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov.
The two ministers explored issues of the current state and prospects of
Armenia – Russia relations. While discussing other issues of common
interest, the ministers stressed the importance of consolidated position of
the two countries’ delegations in international fora.
In the evening, Minister Oskanian received Co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group,
Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia and Henry Jacolin of France in Armenian mission in
Moscow and discussed current issues and prospects of Nagorno Karabagh
conflict settlement.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:
PRESS RELEASE
15 November 2004
Minister Oskanian Receives Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’
Monitoring Group
On 15 November, Minister Oskanian received Council of Europe Committee of
Ministers’ Monitoring group (also known as Ago Group) headed by Germany’s
Permanent Representative to CoE Ambassador Roland Wegener. This is the
second visit of Ago Group to Armenia to assess the country’s progress in
meeting the commitments made to the Council of Europe upon membership.
Ambassador Wegener stressed the importance of continuity and consistency of
the Group’s operation and briefed the Minister on constructive dialogue held
during the Group’s meetings with National Assembly Vice Speaker,
parliamentary factions and opposition representatives. The Group also
briefed the Minister on its views on constitutional reform progress, reform
of the electoral code and the need for a dialogue between the authorities
and the opposition, importance of ensuring equal conditions for the mass
media, progress of judiciary reform and things yet to be done.
Foreign Minister stated that the Group’s visits render an additional
momentum to the reforms and contribute to Armenia’s fulfillment of
commitments towards the Council of Europe. He further introduced Armenia’s
approaches and steps taken for meeting the CoE commitments. The Minister
stated that in spite of notable achievements, there is still much to be
done.
The discussion continued during a business dinner and involved exchange of
views on several issues of international concern, including latest
developments with Nagorno Karabagh conflict regulation. Minister Oskanian
expressed hope that after elimination of current bottlenecks, it would be
possible to register a serious progress in the conflict settlement.
On the same day, Minister Oskanian and Ago Group members held a press
conference in the Ministry’s Media Hall.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:
PRESS RELEASE
16 November 2004
Minister Oskanian Answers Questions by Armenian Mass Media On Colin Powell’s
Resignation
Question: Mr. Minister, how would you comment on Colin Powell’s
resignation?
Answer: I was sorry to hear of Secretary Powell’s resignation. During his
four years tenure, Armenia – US relations have deepened and our agenda has
become more multifaceted.
State Secretary Powell closely followed developments in our region and
wanted conflicts to be resolved and normal relations to be established
between neighbors.
I would like to emphasize Powell’s personal contribution to Armenia’s
selection for Millennium Challenge Account funding.
We value greatly Secretary Powell’s great role in each of these and other
areas. At each of our meetings, it was very clear that Secretary Powell’s
deep, multifaceted knowledge, personal integrity, and professional
commitment all come together to better serve all of us who have had the
opportunity and good fortune to work with him.
I am sure that we will continue our efficient cooperation with the new
Secretary of State for the benefit of our two nations.

Interfax
Nov 17 2004
Armenia against UN involvement in Nagorno-Karabakh issue
Yerevan. (Interfax-AVN) – Armenia expressed disapproval on Tuesday of
any international body except the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) being involved in efforts to settle the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“Either Armenia continues negotiations with Azerbaijan within the
framework of the Minsk Group of the OSCE and in the context of the
agreements that have been reached or Azerbaijan should hold
negotiations with Nagorno-Karabakh or with Armenia with the
participation of the Karabakh side,” Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanian told reporters.
He said UN resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh proposed by Azerbaijan
would be an obstacle to the settlement process.
“If Azerbaijan wishes to remove individual tasks and solutions from
the total package of the Karabakh settlement process and to lobby
them with organizations that have nothing to do with the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan should in that case hold
negotiations either with Nagorno-Karabakh or with Armenia with the
participation of the Karabakh side,” he said.
Earlier, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammedyarov told
Interfax: “The inclusion of an item on the situation on the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan in the UN General Assembly agenda will
exercise nothing but a positive effect on the negotiation process.”
“We take the view that the debate in the UN by no means replaces
debates in the OSCE Minsk Group,” he said.
“It is difficult to see the negotiations as frank when, along with
them, the Armenian side is populating occupied territories in
Azerbaijan, including beyond the administrative border of Nagorno-
Karabakh,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Interfax
Nov 17 2004
Armenia to sign 50% ZMMK sale deal with Cronimet soon
Yerevan. (Interfax) – During a working visit to Germany November
17-19, Armenian President Robert Kocharian is expected to sign a deal
with the German company Cronimet for 50% of the stock in Zangezursky
Copper and Molybdenum Plant, or ZMMK, a source familiar with the
negotiation process told Interfax.
Cronimet and Comsup Commodities, which is in line to buy the other
50% stake in ZMMK, each paid the Armenian government $12.5 million in
security for exclusive negotiations for the enterprise.
The government set ZMMK’s price at $130 million, and each of the two
companies is to pay half that for their 50% stakes.
Cronimet owns 48% of the stock in Yerevan’s Chistoye Zhelezo (Pure
Iron), which processes molybdenum concentrate produced by ZMMK.

New Britain Herald, CT
Nov 17 2004
Fay Vincent may speak at chamber event
By SCOTT WHIPPLE, Staff Writer
NEW BRITAIN — At Yale Law School, they were as close as the three
musketeers. Following graduation, they went their separate ways.
Bart Giamatti became commissioner of Major League Baseball. Fay
Vincent, a securities lawyer, ran Columbia Pictures for nearly 10
years before succeeding Giamatti as commissioner in 1989 following
his death. Harry Mazadoorian became a published author and law
professor at Quinnipiac University.

On Thursday, Mazadoorian will receive the New Britain Chamber of
Commerce’s prestigious Distinguished Community Service Award. Vincent
will be on hand for the celebration, and may say a few words on
behalf of his long-time friend.
“There are few people you meet in life about whom nobody says
anything bad,” Vincent said Tuesday. “To my knowledge, nobody has
ever said anything bad about Harry. Everyone likes him.”
Vincent said he and Giamatti used to call Mazadoorian “the designated
friend” after baseball’s designated hitter.
“The three of us had a lot in common,” Vincent said. “We’re all
ethnic. Harry’s Armenian; Bart was Italian; I’m Irish. We were all
from families that didn’t have much to start with. Harry’s family
worked for (The) Stanley Works; my grandfather worked for Scoville’s
in the factory.”
Vincent said that although Mazadoorian has become a significant
figure, he’s never changed.
“He’s always been very likable, very smart,” he said. “And he loves
New Britain.”
Mazadoorian and Vincent talk every day. Often, they chat about
baseball.
In September 1992, baseball owners voted 18-9 for Vincent’s
resignation. Vincent had ordered New York Yankees owner George
Steinbrenner to resign as the club’s general partner. Steinbrenner
had made a $40,000 payment to confessed gambler Howard Spira for
damaging information about Yankee star Dave Winfield.
“I liked having a job where part of it was going to baseball games,”
Vincent said. “I liked hanging around the ballparks, talking to the
umpires, managers and players.”
What he didn’t like were “the politics, the back-stabbing owners, and
all the anonymous quotes about me in the newspapers.”
Vincent spent the summer of 1956 at George W. Bush’s boyhood home in
Midland, Texas. He worked for George H.W. Bush in the oil fields that
summer and lived with the Bushes. The president was 9 years old then,
playing Little League baseball, and hardly a major league scout’s
dream candidate. When Bush owned the Texas Rangers, Vincent told him,
“You’d better be nice to me. Remember, I saw you play Little League
baseball.”
Barbara and George Bush were hospitable to Vincent that summer.
When Vincent got elected baseball commissioner, President George H.W.
Bush called to wish him well.
“If I had known you were going to become baseball commissioner when
you were working for me in the oil fields back in Texas, I would have
been a lot nicer to you,” Bush allegedly said.
Vincent replied, “Mr. President, if I had known you were going to be
president, I would have been a lot nicer to you.”
To Vincent, George H.W. Bush has always been a hero.
“I look up to him,” he said. “And, Georgie, his son — as we used to
call him — has come on to be a great man. I admire him, too.”
On Thursday, Vincent’s wife, Christina, will accompany him to the
awards dinner at the Student Center ballroom of Central Connecticut
State University. He said he hopes Mike Halloran, another Yale Law
School grad and gridiron great from New Britain High School, will be
at his table to cheer Mazadoorian on.

Daily Californian, California
Nov 17 2004
Efficient Vertical Wind Turbines Developed
Wind Turbines Provide More Power, Reduced Maintenance Compared To
Traditional Models
By NATALIYA ROVENSKAYA
Contributing Writer

Berkeley researchers have helped to fashion a wind turbine that can
provide power at a more efficient rate, with lower noise and
maintenance and fewer bird fatalities than traditional windmills.
This month, the researchers collaborated with engineers in Russia,
who have been working to establish 1-kilowatt and 3-kilowatt wind
turbines in barren locations.
The vertical turbine blades spin at about twice the speed of the
wind, much lower than the tip speeds of horizontal turbine blades.
The faster tip speed makes the blade both noisy and dangerous to
birds – many species of birds are being killed by wind farms, leading
land stakeholders to find a solution.
`The blades travel at roughly 40 mph in a 20 mph wind, so if the
blades are made plainly visible, birds should be able to see and
avoid the blades most of the time,’ said Glen Dahlbacka, researcher
in the Department of Energy at the Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory.
Dahlbacka and fellow researcher Joseph Rasson traveled to Russia to
inspect the 3-kilowatt turbine unit.
Infrequent high storm winds cause the blades to spin faster than
researchers intend, so the turbines are shut down on storm days.
The vertical turbine system has an alternator designed to spin at the
speed of the turbine and generate about 200 volts of energy. The
alternator and turbine are a single moving part of the system and
lead to reduced maintenance requirements.
A computer controls the speed of the turbine and keeps it operating
at a maximum efficiency for a given wind speed.
The researchers are expecting success and they believe the Russian
market alone will guarantee this. Projects are also being conducted
in Khazistan, Armenia, Ukraine and Georgia, and all have a U.S.
industrial partner involved. Empire Magnets will attempt to
commercialize the wind turbines in the United States and in
California and New York especially, as these states, according to
Dahlbacka, have good rebate and tax structures for renewable energy.
The researchers are expecting the first windmills to arrive in
February and March.
`The city of Berkeley has even offered a site for a demonstration
wind turbine near the Marina. Around the Bay Area the environmental
conditions are among the most favorable you can imagine.’ Dahlbacka
said.
The windmills are also convenient because they are suitable for both
residential and ranch areas. Since Russia has a lot of remote open
space that can be used for wind power generation, there have been
many requests from people who live in Russian country houses or
villas, called dachas.
`The 1-kilowatt wind turbine is very good for nomadic cultures
because it is designed to be disassembled and put in the trunk of a
car or equivalent space and taken from place to place,’ Dahlbacka
said.
In the next year researchers plan to field 30 of the units in
environments from Siberia to the Altai Mountains and from British
Columbia to the Mohave to test the systems in extreme conditions of
wind, temperature and precipitation.

Baku Today
Nov 17 2004
Energy Ministers of Caspian/Black Sea Region Discuss Cooperation with
EU
The international conference with the participation of Energy
Ministers of the Caspian/Black Sea basin countries, opened in the
Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baku, last Saturday.
The conference was organized at the initiative of Francois Lamorod,
General Director of the Euroðean Commission for Transðort and Energy,
Turan reported today.
The conference was aimed at the development of cooperation for
increasing the safety of power suððlies from the Casðian/Black Sea
region to the EU countries, as well as at develoðment of energy
sector of countries of the region under the EU assistance.
The conference was attended by Energy Ministers of Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkey,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekstan. Armenia was reðresented by Levon
Vardanyan, head of foreign relations deðartment of the Ministry for
Energy of Armenia. In his interview with Azeri journalists, he said
that Armenia was ready to sell its electricity to the Nakhchivan
Autonomous Reðublic in Azerbaijan.
A joint declaration was adoðted by the results of the meeting.