Category: News

Le Monde, France
15 novembre 2004
GUIDE ; CULTURE
CASSETTE,FILM,SPECTACLE,THEATRE
HUMOUR
p aris
Narek Dourian
Comédien, metteur en scène, « passeur » entre l’Arménie, son pays
natal, et la France, son pays d’adoption, Narek Dourian raconte, dans
Dieu, merci !, le parcours d’un pianiste soviétique venu d’Arménie «
pour goûter à notre belle démocratie ». Un spectacle humoristique,
sur un ton musical et rythmé.
Le Vingtième-Thétre, 7, rue des Pltrières, Paris-20e. Mo
Ménilmontant. Le 16 novembre à 20 h 30. Entrée libre. Réservation
obligatoire.
Tél. : 01-43-66-01-13.

Le Monde, France
15 novembre 2004
La police néerlandaise annonce le démantèlement d’un camp
d’entraînement de guérilla kurde
Le coup de filet dans le sud-est des Pays-Bas a abouti à
l’arrestation de trente-huit personnes impliquées dans la formation
de groupes armés destinés à être envoyés en Arménie
par Jean-Pierre Stroobants
Les opérations antiterroristes se succèdent à un rythme accéléré aux
Pays-Bas depuis l’assassinat, le 2 novembre, du cinéaste Theo Van
Gogh. Vendredi 12 novembre, la police a lancé de nouvelles
investigations qui ont abouti, à Liempde, dans le sud-est du pays, au
démantèlement de ce qui serait un camp d’entraînement du Congrès du
peuple du Kurdistan (Kongra-Gel), une émanation de l’ex-PKK, le parti
illégal des Kurdes de Turquie. Vingt-neuf personnes ont été
appréhendées dans le cadre d’une enquête qui aurait démarré il y a un
an et ne serait pas, selon le porte-parole du parquet national,
directement liée aux opérations de démantèlement de réseaux
islamistes. D’autres perquisitions ont conduit à neuf arrestations.
Divers équipements et des armes ont été saisis. Selon un membre du
parquet, les militants kurdes s’entraînaient avant d’être envoyés en
Arménie.
Divisé en plusieurs factions, Kongra-Gel – que Washington, Istanbul
et l’Union européenne assimilent à une organisation terroriste – a
officiellement renoncé au séparatisme, mais certaines de ses branches
ont ranimé le conflit dans le sud-est de l’Anatolie. La Turquie a
reproché aux Pays-Bas leur indulgence à l’égard de l’ex-PKK dont une
dirigeante présumée, Nuriye Kesbir, réclamée par Ankara, n’a pas été
extradée, un tribunal de La Haye jugeant que la Turquie violait les
droits de l’homme. Selon la justice, Mme Kesbir risquait d’être
torturée si elle était remise à la justice turque.
Jusqu’ici, les services néerlandais considéraient quant à eux que les
groupes kurdes ne se livraient qu’à des actions pacifiques aux
Pays-Bas. Vendredi, les autorités affirmaient que ce sont des
techniques de guérilla et des entraînements au combat physique qui
étaient enseignés à Liempde.
LACUNES POLICIÈRES
Cet épisode renforce un climat d’inquiétude, et souvent
d’incompréhension, qui règne dans un pays où les rapports entre les
différentes communautés se sont fortement détériorés depuis
l’assassinat de Theo Van Gogh par le militant islamiste Mohammed
Bouyeri. Quelque 40 % des Néerlandais estiment, selon un sondage,
qu’il sera impossible d’intégrer les musulmans.
C’est sans doute pour tenter de donner un signe d’apaisement que la
reine Beatrix s’est rendue, vendredi 12 novembre, dans un centre où
vivent de jeunes Marocains, à Amsterdam. Pressée par des responsables
politiques de lancer un appel au calme, la reine a préféré participer
à une discussion au cours de laquelle ont été évoqués le risque de
confusion entre islam, islamisme et terrorisme, et la nécessité de
s’attaquer aux causes de la radicalisation de certains immigrés.
Sur le plan politique, pour ne pas ajouter à la confusion, les
députés n’ont pas mis en cause le ministre de l’intérieur à l’issue
d’un débat consacré à l’affaire Van Gogh. De l’avis unanime, y
compris dans son parti – le VVD, libéral – Johan Remkes n’a pourtant
fourni aucune explication convaincante quant aux lacunes des services
de police et, surtout, de renseignement. Il se confirme, en effet,
que depuis l’été 2004, des informations permettaient de conclure
qu’une cellule islamiste préparait un attentat. D’autre part, des
menaces avaient été adressées à Theo Van Gogh, à Ayaan Hirsi Ali, la
députée d’origine somalienne qui avait, avec lui, dénoncé les
mariages forcés et l’islam fondamentaliste, ou encore à Geert
Wilders, un dissident du parti libéral qui a fondé une nouvelle
formation de droite. A aucun moment, les responsables de la lutte
antiterroriste ne sont apparemment parvenus à établir un lien entre
ces diverses informations.
M. Remkes, vivement critiqué par le président de son propre groupe
parlementaire, n’a pu expliquer pourquoi il n’avait été tenu compte
ni des menaces pesant sur Theo Van Gogh ni des éléments apparemment
accablants sur son meurtrier, Mohammed Bouyeri. Ce dernier avait été
dénoncé par certains informateurs mais les services de renseignement
ont décidé d’arrêter les écoutes de son téléphone. Connu de la
justice, Bouyeri donnait aussi asile à différents islamistes, ce qui
était connu des services. L’un de ses complices avait déjà été arrêté
en 2003.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse
14 novembre 2004 dimanche 7:54 PM GMT
Manifestation contre la position de Chirac sur l’adhésion de la Turquie
MARSEILLE 14 nov 2004
Une vingtaine de militants de la cause arménienne ont été évacués par
la police des abords de la bibliothèque marseillaise de l’Alcazar où
devait se rendre Jacques Chirac, à qui ils reprochent sa position sur
l’entrée de la Turquie dans l’Union européenne, a-t-on appris de
source policière.
Cette intervention s’est déroulée sans incident, selon la police.
Mais Patrick Mennucci, vice-président PS du conseil régional de PACA,
qui a assisté à la scène, a déclaré à l’AFP qu'”ils ont été frappés
avec une extrême violence”. Il a déploré cette intervention à l’égard
de “représentants connus d’associations arméniennes de Marseille”.
Dans la soirée, le conseil de coordination des organisations
arméniennes de France a dénoncé dans un communiqué une “atteinte à la
liberté d’expression”.
“Un collectif arménien s’est fait éconduire manu militari alors que
celui-ci protestait pacifiquement contre l’entrée de la Turquie dans
l’Europe sans la reconnaissance du génocide des Arméniens”, a
expliqué le conseil.
De son côté, Vartan Arzoumanian, président du comité de défense de la
cause arménienne Marseille Provence, a expliqué que la police était
“intervenue avec une violence disproportionnée, les manifestants ont
été brutalisés”.
Les militants scandaient “Chirac, négationniste” et brandissaient une
pancarte où était inscrit: “Turquie, Chirac révisionniste”. Ils
exigent que la Turquie reconnaisse le génocide arménien avant de voir
s’ouvrir des négociations pour son entrée dans l’UE.
Ils ont été conduits au commissariat voisin pour un contrôle
d’identité, a-t-on précisé de source policière, ajoutant que “les
injures à l’égard du chef de l’Etat ne sont pas tolérables”. Le
préfet de la région PACA et des Bouches-du-Rhône, Christian Frémont,
a indiqué à l’AFP avoir essayé en vain de discuter avec les
manifestants.
Les chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement européens doivent se prononcer
mi-décembre sur l’ouverture ou pas de négociations avec la Turquie.
Le président français a estimé dimanche à Marseille, dans le cadre
d’un débat de la “Cité de la Réussite”, que l’adhésion éventuelle de
la Turquie constituait “une chance extraordinaire pour l’Europe de se
renforcer”.

Agence France Presse
14 novembre 2004 dimanche 4:35 PM GMT
Des députés UMP marseillais pour un geste d’Ankara sur le génocide arménien
MARSEILLE 14 nov 2004
Des députés UMP de Marseille ont souhaité dimanche, lors d’un
déjeuner privé avec le président Jacques Chirac, que “la Turquie
fasse un geste de reconnaissance du génocide arménien” avant des
négociations sur son entrée dans l’UE, a indiqué à l’AFP le maire UMP
de Marseille Jean-Claude Gaudin.
L’entrée de la Turquie dans l’UE et la Constitution européenne ont
notamment été évoquées au cours de ce déjeuner, au domicile de M.
Gaudin, a précisé le maire. A propos de la question arménienne, le
chef de l’Etat “a dit que la Turquie essaie d’avoir de meilleures
relations diplomatiques avec l’Arménie”, a indiqué M. Gaudin.
Marseille compte la deuxième communauté arménienne de France après
Paris, avec 80.000 membres.
Au même moment à Marseille, la police évacuait une vingtaine de
militants de la cause arménienne aux abords de la bibliothèque
marseillaise de l’Alcazar, que devait inaugurer M. Chirac. Selon la
police, ces militants reprochant au président de la République sa
position sur l’entrée de la Turquie dans l’UE, scandaient “Chirac,
négationniste”.
Cette intervention s’est déroulée sans incident, selon la police.
Mais Patrick Mennucci, vice-président PS du conseil régional de PACA,
qui a assisté à la scène, a déclaré à l’AFP qu'”ils ont été frappés
avec une extrême violence”. Il a déploré cette intervention à l’égard
de “représentants connus d’associations arméniennes de Marseille”.
Auparavant, lors d’un forum avec des jeunes, le président de la
République avait affirmé que l’adhésion éventuelle de la Turquie à
l’Union européenne était “une chance extraordinaire pour l’Europe de
se renforcer”, estimant que “nous sommes tous des enfants de
Byzance”.
M. Chirac a partagé une bouillabaisse au domicile de M. Gaudin, avec
les cinq députés UMP de Marseille, la députée européenne UMP
Dominique Vlasto, ainsi que le secrétaire d’Etat aux Affaires
étrangères Renaud Muselier et l’ancien ministre marseillais de la
Santé Jean-François Mattei.

ROUND-TABLE ON THE PROBLEMS OF FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR
NKR MFA Web-site
On November 13, in Stepanakert, the Karabakh non-governmental
organization “Center of Civil Initiatives” (CCI) held a ’round-table’
called “The Problem of the Adaptation, Social Rehabilitation and
Reintegration of Former Prisonersof War and Hostages into the Society
in the Context of the Karabakh Conflict”. Leaders of the NKR
non-governmental organizations, representatives of the Parliament and
Government, a priest, journalists, psychologists, lawyers,
sociologists, and former prisoners of war took part in the
’round-table’.
CCI Director Albert Voskanian introduced the programs on the
rehabilitation of former prisoners of war and hostages implemented in
Nagorno Karabakh. In particular, he noted that under the aegis of the
International Working Group on the Search of Missing People, Liberated
Prisoners of War and Hostages (IWG), and “The Center of Civil
Initiatives”, a group of former prisoners of war, hostages and their
family members studied computer, got legal consultationsof qualified
lawyers, had talks with priests and ICRC representatives,
etc. According to Albert Voskanian, in the frameworks of the mentioned
programs, about 60 people got juridical and psychological aid in
Karabakh.
In the course of the discussion, factors hampering the full
rehabilitation and reintegration of former prisoners of war and
hostages into the society were noted, issues of rendering actual
assistance to psychologically vulnerable citizens, as well as the
problem’s legal aspects were discussed. The importance of the
cooperation between the governmental and non-governmental
organizations in implementing adaptation programs was emphasized.

A1 PLUS
| 22:39:32 | 15-11-2004 | Social |
TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO TOUR SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHK SOON
Turkish businessmen are expected to visit Georgia’s Armenian-dominated
region Samtskhe-Javakhk on Nov 25 to discuss the related to cooperation with
local businessmen, A-Info news agency reports.
The business congress will be held in Borjomi and a memorandum will be
signed in Akhaltsikhe.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN ARMENIA
Story and Photos Adapted from ‘The Stone Garden Guide to Armenia and
Karabagh,’ By Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian, reprinted with
permission
Yerevan Times (Armenia)
November 12, 2004
Since the 1990s, Armenia has been grappling with how to resolve its energy
shortages. Nuclear power delivers about 35 percent of Armenia’s energy
needs, but a government study several years ago determined that it might
be possible to develop alternative sources of energy to replace nuclear as
early as 2004.
If sufficient alternative sources were developed, then the nuclear power
plant could be shut down, according to an official who was the spokesman
for Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian at the time.
People sometimes hear what they want to hear, however, and so the
scuttlebutt for years was that Armenia had made a promise to decommission
its Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant by this year. They did, sort of. The
catch, of course, was that sufficient alternative sources had to be
available, first. The year 2004 is almost over, but those alternative
sources have not been developed – at least not to the extent necessary to
serve as an alternative to nuclear power. Some progress is being made,
however, especially with wind and solar-generated projects.
WIND
Renewable energy is cleaner than the traditional sources such as nuclear
and thermal power. Solar and wind power do have an impact upon our
environment, but they don’t pollute the atmosphere – unless one considers
the pollution that is emitted when the solar panels or wind turbines are
manufactured.
Armenia doesn’t have a wind stream that is comparable to the Gulf Stream
that exists in the US, but there is nevertheless some wind potential.
Armenia is a mountainous country, and strong winds frequently develop on
mountain ridges or on the saddles of mountain passes. Some of these local
wind currents are legendary.
At present, the economically viable capacity for wind energy is
approximately equal to that of nuclear, about 500 MW, but wind energy
development in Armenia is in its infancy. Still, wind energy is a strong
contingency plan for Armenia. Testing is ongoing, but if wind power proves
to be feasible, then Armenia could add wind-generated electricity to its
power sources.
Start-up costs for establishing wind as an alternative energy source would
be insignificant compared to the cost of building a new nuclear power
plant. Building a wind farm with a 10 megawatt capacity could cost $10
million to build, and another $1 million in legal fees. A new nuclear
power plant might easily cost $1 billion. Plus, storing the radioactive
waste – it cannot be `disposed’ of – is an expensive and risky business.
Start-up costs are only part of the equation, however. In order to be
economically feasible, a site must have consistent annual wind speeds of
roughly 8 meters per second. After the infrastructure is built, the price
of wind power depends on the wind speed at the site. At 6 meters per
second, it cannot compete with nuclear, coal or gas. But an annual wind
speed of 8 meters per second beats coal, and starts to compete with gas
and nuclear energy. At 9 meters per second wind beats them all. At this
wind velocity, wind turbines can generate electricity for as little as
three cents per kilowatt-hour, which is quite inexpensive.
But whereas nuclear energy might continue to be a major contributor to
Armenia’s energy needs, wind might contribute no more than five percent of
the country’s electricity. Wind is therefore just one important
alternative among a portfolio of energy sources.
SOLAR
Energy from the sun is more affordable than wind power for individual
residences when the power does not get added to the country’s electric
grid. This is because the photo voltaic cells needed for solar power are
far too costly to be used for the national electrical grid but they are
more economical in areas that the electric grid doesn’t reach.
Artak Hambarian, the director of a solar energy project in Yerevan,
estimates that it could take a business 20 or 30 years to earn enough
savings in energy costs to pay for its investment in solar panels that are
used to create electricity.
Solar is especially economical for heating water, however. This is where
solar power beats wind power. Solar energy generation capacity in Armenia
is currently around 650 MW, but estimates for future capacity are as high
as 3,500 MW. Unfortunately, says Hambarian, `this could take decades to
achieve.’ Hambarian is the Director of the Engineering Research Center
(ERC) at the American University of Armenia (AUA).
Hambarian says it could take $10 billion to convert all of Armenia’s
energy generation capacity to solar – assuming that anyone wanted to do
that. `In the future it could all be solar,’ he says. `But it would be too
expensive.’
Limited practical applications of solar energy have proven cost-effective
for AUA, however. This University is supplied with hot water and with
heating and cooling by a project that its academic engineers from ERC are
working on.
A solar photovoltaic system, also installed on the roof, provides
electricity to a solar driven electric system that makes the University
building independent from the electric grid and which serves to back-up
the University internet servers.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM ALTERNATIVE ENERGY?
The thermal, nuclear and hydro facilities that Armenia inherited from the
Soviet Union generate so much electricity that Armenia has been able to
sell some of it to the Republic of Georgia. How might the cost of wind or
solar energy compare with the cost of the existing nuclear energy program
in Armenia? Could electricity generated by wind or solar be sold
commercially, at a profit?
It’s difficult to compare the profitability of wind and nuclear generated
energy in Armenia, because the nuclear energy that the country generates
and sells is from a plant that was already here when the country gained
independence. Wind-generated power would include start-up expenses that
nuclear didn’t have.
What this means is that wind might not be exploitable today, but that it
might become a better bargain when, or if, Armenia scraps nuclear power.
Over time, wind and solar productions may attract more and more donor
support from the government and from others.
Wind power generates about 13,000 megawatts of electricity worldwide, with
much of the increases of the past few years attributable to new
installations in Germany and Spain. At the current rate of new
construction, wind may surpass nuclear energy in total world capacity in
just a few years.
THE STONE GARDEN GUIDE TO ARMENIA, WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY TWO INSIDERS
The photographers and authors of this story – Robert Kurkjian and Matthew
Karanian – have traveled extensively in Armenia and have just released a
new book about the region, `The Stone Garden Guide: Armenia and Karabagh.’
The travel guide highlights conservation efforts in Armenia, including
efforts at adopting renewable energy technologies, among its 304 pages.
The guidebook is unique among Armenian-subject guidebooks for its
beautiful color photography, its 25 color maps, and for the insider
perspective of its authors.
`The Stone Garden Guide: Armenia and Karabagh’ is available by mail order
from booksellers such as Amazon.com for $24.95. It is available in Yerevan
from Artbridge Café on Abovian Street. More information about the book is
available from

THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 11, 2004
Americans feel upbeat, poll finds
By Jennifer Harper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
America’s mood is upbeat: The Harris Poll’s annual “Feel Good Index” finds
the nation happy with home, family and friends – with the biggest increase
in positive feelings emanating from “morals and ethics.”
Life, in fact, seems downright harmonious, with 98 percent reporting
they’re pleased with their family relations, according to the poll, which
surveyed 1,016 U.S. adults Oct. 14-17.
Ninety-five percent feel good about their homes, 92 percent praised the
quality of their lives overall, 91 percent were positive about their social
lives, 88 percent said they were happy about their health and 85 percent
gave thumbs up to their standard of living.
All of the figures are increases from last year’s poll results by as much as
six points.
In addition, two-thirds of married respondents reported they were happy
with their spouses – up seven points from last year, and the highest number
in the history of the survey itself, which dates back to 1997.
The survey reflected one concern that proved paramount during the
presidential election last week.
It found that 77 percent felt positive about “the morals and values in
their community,” up seven points since last year and 12 points since 1997.
Another 55 percent applauded “the morals and values of Americans in
general,” up 8 points since last year, and 21 points since 1997.
Those numbers represent “the highest point ever” for values
measurements, the survey noted.
Election Day exit polls revealed to many stunned Democrats that 22
percent of voters identified the importance of “moral values” as their
primary motivation in the voting booth – an issue cited more than any other
concern, including the economy and terrorism.
These so-called “values voters” supported President Bush over
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry 80 percent to 18 percent.
Forty-three percent of the respondents in the Harris survey said they
felt good about the nation’s economy, up eight points from last year’s
polls. The figure stood at it highest point – 68 percent – in 1999 and 2000.
Its lowest point was 39 percent in 2002 .
The survey reflected other financially based attitudes: 60 percent were
happy with their jobs, down four points from last year. Sixty-two percent
felt good about their financial security, up three points from last year.
The actual “feel good” index is 74 when all the numbers are averaged, up
four points from last year and the same as it was in the pre-September 11
days of 1999. The highest number on record was 75, in 1998.
Meanwhile, the United States is a relatively satisfied nation, at least
according to the most recent “World Values Survey,” conducted 1999-2001, a
massive poll charting social and political change in 65 countries over three
years by a consortium of sociologists and academics here and abroad.
They advise that “factors that make people happy may vary from one
country to the next” in the survey, which is conducted every four years.
The latest numbers rank the United States the 16th-happiest nation on
the planet.
Nigeria was the happiest country, followed by Mexico, Venezuela, El
Salvador and Puerto Rico. The least happy were Russia, Armenia and Romania.

PRESS RELEASE
Hairenik Online Radio Station
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Contact: Jirayr Beugekian
Tel: 617-9263974 / 617-9263976
Fax: 617-9265525
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Hairenik Association Inc. launches Hairenik Online Radio Station
Watertown, MA — The Hairenik Association Inc. today formally launched
its new internet radio station, Hairenik Online Radio Station, which
broadcasts Armenian music and news about Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk and
the Armenian Diaspora 24 hours a day.
The station began broadcasting with a music-only format on August 10,
2004, and has since been updating its musical selection and conducting
small promotions to test the interest of listeners. “The response
from our listeners has been overwhelmingly positive”,- stated Jirayr
Buegekian, Programming Director. The number of listeners is increasing
steadily and emails of encouragement are pouring in. We have regular
listeners in more than 35 countries!” A measure of that popularity
was reflected in a recent report, which appeared on the website of
California’s Fresno Bee newspaper, citing the unique programming
provided by the station.
Hairenik Online Radio will start broadcasting an expanded format on
November 20, 2004. “We are currently broadcasting music 24 hours a
day. Based on listener requests, we will be expanding the format to
also include some news, interviews and special programs for children.”
stated Buegekian.
However, the station will still keep music at the heart of its
programming. Prior to launching the online radio station, the
Hairenik Association worked with Bentley College in Massachusetts to
undertake a study on the viability of the launching of an internet
radio station. Based on the findings of the Bentley team, Hairenik
Online Radio will reserve at least 80 percent of its airtime for
Armenian music. “Although we think our listeners will enjoy the
expanded format, we remain committed to broadcasting lots and lots of
music,” stated Buegekian.
The Hairenik Online Radio can be accessed via the web site of the
Hairenik Association (), which also includes an online
bookstore and the online versions of its two newspapers, the Armenian
language “Hairenik Weekly” and the English language “Armenian Weekly.”
Hairenik Online Radio can also be accessed at
and selecting the media player of your choice.
November 16, 2004
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijani minister wants more anti-terrorist cooperation with Russia
15.11.2004 10:56:00 GMT

Baku. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamedyarov has spoken for intensifying cooperation with Russia in
resisting terrorism.
“It is one of our main tasks to intensify cooperation because it is
virtually impossible to fight terrorism single-handedly,” he told
Interfax.
“The spread of the threat can be stooped only through joint efforts,”
he said.
“Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are at a sufficiently good
level and advancing steadily,” Mamedyarov said.
Speaking of a settlement in Nagorno Karabakh he said: “Russia has very
good possibilities to promote the speedy settlement of our conflict
with Armenia.”
“Russia has declared many times and at different levels its support
for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and we look forward to
Russia’s role inthe conflict settlement increasing,” he said.