Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 11 2006
RA Parliamentary delegation leaving for Saint Petersburg
11.11.2006 12:20
November 14 the delegation headed by Chairman of RA National Assembly
Tigran Torosyan will leave for Saint Petersburg to participate in the
27th plenary session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. The
delegation comprises member of the Standing Committee on Social
Policy and Human Rights of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly
Hermine Naghdalyan, President of the CIS Interparliamentary
Assembly’s Economy and Finance Committee Gagik Minasyan, member of
the Standing Committee on International Cooperation and Political
Issues of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Grigor Ghonjyan.
In the framework of the 27th plenary session on November 17
conference on `Improvement of cooperation of CIS member states to
counter current security challenges and threats’ will be held in
Saint Petersburg.
The meeting of the Caucasian four, featuring Parliament Speakers of
Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Azerbaijan is scheduled November 16.
November 17 NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan will leave Saint Petersburg
for San Marino to participate in the sitting of PACE Standing
Committee, where the question of affirming the stability pact for the
South Caucasus will be discussed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 10 2006
CONSTRUCTION OF MEGHRI HPP TO START IN 2007 ON IRAN-BOUNDARY ARAKS
RIVER
Construction of Meghri HPP will start in 2007 on the Iran-boundary
Araks river, RA deputy Energy Minister, Ara Simonyan, told ArmInfo
correspondent.
According to him, the RA Government has approved, the day before, an
Interstate draft Contract on HPP construction. After its signing,
Simonyan said, the financing chart of this project will be specified
and the project implementation will stat. As Simonyan underlined, the
project’s feasibility study is completely ready. The project
implementation is envisaged to take 6 years.
RA Energy Minister, Armen Movsissyan, had noted earlier that the
Armenian side emphasizes the Meghri HPP’s construction on the
boundary Araks river with capacity of 140 MW and annual output of 350
mln kWh of electric power. This project, the Minister said, will
become the determining one in the Contract to be signed by the two
states’ Presidents. It is envisaged that the Iranian side will grant
a credit of $150 mln to Armenia. The latter will repay this credit by
electric energy supplies.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 10 2006
CONSTRUCTION OF THIRD HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONNECTING
POWER SYSTEMS OF ARMENIA AND IRAN, TO START IN BEGINNING, 2007
It is scheduled that construction of the third high-voltage
transmission line (PTL), which connects the power systems of Armenia
and Iran, will start in the beginning, 2007, RA deputy Energy
Minister, Ara Simonyan, told ArmInfo correspondent.
According to him, a credit Agreement is signed between Armenia and
Iran as of today, as well as a Contractor Agreement. The total amount
of the third PTL construction will make up about 65 mln EURO with
15%-share of Armenia’s co- financing . To note, the Principal of the
third PTL construction is the “High-Voltage Transmission Lines”
Armenian CJSC and the Contractor is the “Sanir” Iranian Company. It
is scheduled that the extension of the third two-chain PTL through
armenia’s territory will make up 300 km and 100 km – through the
territory of Iran. Its transfer capacity will make up 400 MW with
voltage of 220 kV in the RA territory and 230 kV in the Iranian
territory. A Memorandum had been signed in Yerevan on February 12,
2004, on construction of the third power transmission line between
Iran and Armenia. The Energy Minister of Iran, Habibolla Bitaragf,
had informed the journalists then that the construction of three PTL
is called to assure power flows between Iran and Armenia, exchange of
the Armenian power energy by the Iranian gas, as well as repayment
for the rendered engineering-technical services and electric
equipment of Iran by power energy. Two PTL with capacity of 200 MW
each connect Iran and Armenia at present. After construction of the
third line, the transfer capacity between the countries will rise to
800 MW.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 10 2006
JAVIER SOLANA: EU SUPPORTS MEDIATORY EFFORTS OF OSCE MG FOR KARABAKH
CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
The EU supports the mediatory efforts of OSCE Minsk Group for the
Karabakh conflict settlement, EU Supreme Commissar on foreign policy
and security, Javier Solana, said in an interview to the “Trend”
Azeri Agency. You cannot say the EU remains passive. The EU has done
a lot. The conflicts are at the root of many of the problems that the
region is facing. I underline the importance of continued and
sustained negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with a view to
reaching an agreement as soon as possible. The EU supports the
mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. I hope that the meeting of
both Foreign Ministers in Brussels on 14 November will help to make
further progress.
Also regarding Georgian internal conflicts, the EU considers that
peaceful resolution of these conflicts is of vital importance for the
future of all region. Peter Semneby, the EU Special Representative
for the South Caucasus is assisting Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
to pursue further political and economic reforms and the sustainable
development of the region, by contributing to the peaceful settlement
of conflicts, and by supporting further cooperation between the
States of the region, J. Solana said. Asked what importance does the
European Union attach to the co-operation with the South Caucasus
countries, J. Solana answered that the fact of the three South
Caucasus countries being neighbours of the EU, being included in the
European Neighbourhood Policy, already signals the EU’s desire for a
special relationship with the region. Having an ENP Action Plan with
the three countries will further deepen our relations by arriving at
agreed reform priorities which the EU will support through
partnerships for reform. The importance the EU attaches to its
relations with the South Caucasus is also reflected in the high
number of recent visits by EU and European officials to the three
countries. The EU Special Representative, in close coordination with
the EU Heads of Mission in Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan, is in constant
contact with the authorities of the three countries in order to
facilitate intensive and trustful communication between the three
countries and the EU. In our contacts with all three governments in
the South Caucasus we have stressed that resolving their frozen
conflicts is essential for the region to progress. Regional stability
is necessary for each of those countries to derive the full benefits
from the ENP Action Plans, EU Supreme Commissar said.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 10 2006
LEADER OF LABOR PARTY OF NETHERLANDS IS SUSPECTED OF ENGAGEMENT IN
TURKEY’S CAMPAIGN ON DENIAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The political parties of the Netherlands sharply criticized the
leader of the social- democratic labor party, Voiter Boss, who has
recently stated that Holland had acted hastily when determined the
events in Anatolia as the Armenian Genocide.
According to the “Yeni Shafrag” Turkish newspaper, the
representatives of Christian-democratic, liberal and Christian
parties had accused the labor party leader of its position being in
conflict with the common opinion of Holland’s society. The Dutch
politicians called Boss liar and claimed he had paid homage to the
Turkish elector. The source reports the statement of the labor
party’s leader was made to assure the voting in favor of Turkey.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 10 2006
STUDENTS COUNCILS OF ARMENIA ON THE HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION REFORMS
Representatives of the Students Councils of Armenia discussed
prospects of high school educational reforms in the Congress Hotel
today. The workshop was organized under the initiative of the ‘Nikol
Agbalyan’ students union of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF) ‘Dashnaktsytyun’. Levon Lazarian, Minister of Education and
Science of Armenia and a member of ‘Dashnaktsytyun’ party, attended
the meeting.
L. Lazarian said that he will support students’ initiatives
concerning reforms in high education system. As part of it,
regulations of Armenian declaration signed in Bologna will be
realized. He said that it is important that Armenian educational
system integrated into the international systems. “In order to be
successful, educational system of a small country should partake in
the international processes”, concluded L. Lazarian.

Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 11 2006
Richard Giragosian: Democrats may prioritize issues other than the
Armenian Genocide
11.11.2006 12:11
Marlena Hovsepyan
“Radiolur”
`US elections can give new quality to Armenian-American relations, as
well as to the US policy in the region and Iraq,’ famous
American-Armenian political analyst Richard Giragosian said in an
interview with `Radiolur.’ The most important for Armenia is that
Democrats having pro-Armenian position comprise majority.
`The Party which is more close to Armenians has become more powerful,
Democrats are prevailing in the Congress, and now the competition
should launch with Bush, the Republican Party and the White House,
the expert said.
According to his prediction, after the elections the Democrats,
particularly the Armenian Issue supporter, will get more active.
After these elections Armenians have the opportunity to reinforce the
Armenian-American relations: `This is one more window for the
Armenian Genocide recognition.’
According to the analyst, Turkish-American relations are surviving
the worst period because of the war in Iraq and the Kurdish issue.
For the first time in US history military relations are worse than
the political ones.
New House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is known for her pro-Armenian
position. Can we anticipate that the newly elected Senate might
recognize the Armenian Genocide? `Speaker Pelosi’s past is really
associated with the Armenian Genocide recognition, she is really
famous for her pro-Armenian position. But the US policy has more
important questions in the outlook – Iraq, Afghanistan, domestic
issues, economic questions, etc. `I’m afraid they will not attach
that much attention to Armenian issues, considering other challenges
more important,’ Richard Giragosian responded. Nevertheless, if the
Congress undertakes a pro-Armenian step and recognize the Armenian
Genocide, the White House can just veto the bill.
Is it possible that after the elections the Department of State will
decide to recall the newly appointed Ambassador to Armenia Richard
Hoagland? `The White House will continue backing Hoagland’s candidacy
not to yield to the victory of Democrats and the pressure of the
Armenian lobby,’ Richard Giragosyan says.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 11 2006
OFFICIAL OF ARMENIAN NATURE CONSERVATION INSPECTION TOOK BRIBES FOR
CONCEALMENT OF ILLEGAL DEFORESTATION
An official of the Armenian nature conservation inspection took
bribes for concealment of illegal deforestation.
According to the press-service of the Armenian Police, a group of
citizens turned to the police with a statement that Samvel Yeghikyan
(born in 1966), the senior state inspector of the Tavush territorial
department, Armenian Nature Conservation Ministry, during 2005-2006
took bribes for concealment of illegal storage of timber and
operation of a woodworking enterprise. Thus, the inspector earned 230
thousand AMD. The case materials have been handed over to the
Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 11 2006
ARMENIAN DM AND IRANIAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSS DATE OF VISIT OF IRANIAN
NATIONAL SECURITY SECRETARY TO YEREVAN
Today Armenian National Security Secretary, Defense Minister Serzh
Sargsyan met with Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Alireza Haqiqian.
The press secretary of the DM , Colonel Seyran Shakhsuvaryan reports
the sides to discuss the program of Iranian-Armenian cooperation. The
sides also discussed the details of the forthcoming visit of the
secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali
Larijani, who will come to Yerevan on Sargsyan’s invitation.

The Economist
November 11, 2006
U.S. Edition
Harry Potter revived; The Dutch election
Ahead of the November 22nd poll
An unexpected turnaround in the fortunes of Jan Peter Balkenende
A FEW months ago Dutch voters seemed ready to dump their centre-right
government in the election on November 22nd. Worries over immigration
and Islam, a sluggish economy and a spate of unpopular reforms led to
a big Labour win in local elections in March. The Labour leader,
Wouter Bos, seemed destined to be prime minister. Yet Jan Peter
Balkenende’s Christian Democrats now lead in the polls. With their
VVD (Liberal) partner, they are now predicted to be just shy of a
majority.
Part of the explanation for the turnaround is an improvement in the
economy. Growth has picked up sharply, to 2.8% this year; disposable
incomes have risen; and the labour market is lively again, with
unemployment down to only 5.6%. More voters are coming to see that
this reflects not just a broader European recovery, but also, in
part, the government’s reforms.
Over the past four years, the government of Mr Balkenende, an
ex-professor nicknamed Harry Potter, has reshaped and trimmed the
generous welfare state. It has scrapped incentives for early
retirement, reduced welfare benefits and introduced more competition
in health care. The reforms may have been aimed mainly at putting the
Dutch fiscal house in order, but they have helped the economy as
well.
Another explanation for the Christian Democrats’ revival is Labour’s
self-inflicted wounds. Mr Bos kicked off his campaign with a promise
to resolve a looming pensions crisis by imposing higher taxes on
richer pensioners. After an outcry, including from his own
backbenchers, Mr Bos changed his plan, lowering the tax rate and
increasing the pension bracket to be taxed. “Flexibility”, Mr Bos
dubbed it, but it was all the government needed to term him an
untrustworthy opportunist.
Mr Bos has also lost immigrant votes by following the lead of the
Christian Democrats in removing from his party list any ethnic
Turkish candidates who denied the Armenian genocide of 1915. The
Christian Democrats, as champions of the white middle-class, could
afford to take such a stand. But Labour has tried hard to gain
support among immigrants at a time of growing anti-immigrant feeling
after the 2004 murder by a Muslim fanatic of Theo van Gogh, a
film-maker who was rude about Islam. Turkish activists are now
campaigning for the tiny D66party, which walked out of Mr
Balkenende’s coalition in the summer, triggering the election.
Strangely, perhaps, immigration and Islam – the issues that have
dominated Dutch political life ever since 2002, when the populist Pim
Fortuyn was assassinated – have been conspicuously absent from the
election debate. This is not to say that anti-immigrant sentiment has
disappeared. On the contrary, it has become mainstream: all parties
now advocate stricter curbs on immigration and demand better
integration. “Immigration politics has been a great success:
immigration has diminished,” says Mark Rutte, leader of the VVD. His
party is best placed to pick up anti-immigrant votes. Rita Verdonk,
the abrasive immigration minister, is a leading VVD light (indeed,
she stood against Mr Rutte for the party leadership).
The election may not produce a quick result. Dutch governments are
coalitions, and the real battle often starts only once the votes are
in. The Christian Democrats and the VVD say they want to stay
together after the election. They may have to lure in a small,
fast-growing Calvinist party, the Christian Union, but its
relationship with the VVD is testy. A coalition between Labour and
the Christian Democrats is also possible. Mr Bos has even hinted that
he might seek an all-left majority with the Greens and the
Socialists.
After a turbulent four years, including not just two political
murders but a string of slightly different governments and the
voters’ rejection of the European Union constitution, the Dutch would
like a period of calm. That may boost their Harry Potter – but only if
there are no more scary confrontations with dark forces.