TURKEY AND ISRAEL TO BUILD FOUR UNDERWATER OIL AND GAS PIPELINES
Yerkir
02.05.2006 14:06
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Turkey and Israel plan to build four underwater
pipelines to transport oil and gas from Russia to Israel, the
Palestinian Autonomy, Jordan, and Lebanon, The Washington Times
inform, stressing that India, which needs additional fuel supply,
expressed its interest in the project too.
According to statements of Turkish and Israeli officials, the project’s
technical and economic assessment (evaluated at $50 millions) is
financed by the European Investment Bank (headquarters in Luxembourg).
According to Israeli National Infrastructure Ministry Spokesman
Gabriel Levi, Israel is to become main beneficiary of the pipeline
system. He forecasts that 40% of Israeli energy resources will be
covered by imported gas by 2010.
Spokesman for the Turkish embassy in Tel-Aviv Mekhmet Kemal Bozay
stated that the matter concerns “long-term project,” which will
finally favor Lebanon, Jordan, and the Palestinian Autonomy. He
stressed that underwater pipeline is environmantally safer than oil
supply by tankers, and pointed out that Turkey is not interested in
flow increase of tankers, passing through Bosporus.
According to the newspaper, Russian Gazprom Company supports
the project too, taking into consideration potential of Israeli
market. Also, the edition points out to recent talks of Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US-ARMENIAN TASK FORCE MEETS IN YEREVAN
Armenpress
May 2 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS: The 12-th meeting of the US-Armenian Task
Force has started today in Yerevan chaired by Armenian economy and
finance minister Vartan Khachatrian and Tom Adams, a US administration
official in charge of Europe and Eurasia affairs.
The meeting will discuss a wide scope of issues of bilateral
interest. On the meeting’s agenda are also issues on measures to
promote Armenian economy development, democratic reforms, issues
pertaining to the Millennium Challenges Account program, reforms
in customs and taxation areas and others. Also discussed will be
agriculture, energy, education, judicial sectors related issues.
The US-Armenian Task Force was founded in 2002 to promote US-Armenian
cooperation. The Task Force holds two annual meetings, one in Armenia
and one in the USA. In the last decade the government of the USA has
carried out $1.6 billion worth various development and humanitarian
projects in Armenia.

PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN REITERATES THAT ARMENIA’S FUTURE IS WITH EU AND NATO AND NOT RUSSIA
Armenpress
May 2 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenian parliament chairman Arthur
Baghdasarian has confirmed today his earlier remarks that he sees
Armenia’s future as a member of the European Union and NATO. In a
late April interview to a German Frankfurter Allgemaine newspaper
Baghdasarian had said Armenia’s future was with EU and NATO and that
Russia should not stand on its way towards closer integration with
the West.
Before the opening of a recurrent parliament session today Baghdasarian
was asked by lawmakers to explain his remarks. “My words were about
Armenia’s future, and I believe it is the direction (integration
with Europe) Armenia must follow,” Baghdasarian said adding that he
is well aware of Armenia’s current foreign policy agenda, which does
not embrace Armenia’s joining NATO.
Baghdasarian went on to explain that his words were about Armenia’s
long-range policy, ‘because a country needs from 20 to 30 years to
pass the road of European integration.’ “I see the future of Armenia
with EU and not with Russia-Belarus Union,” Baghdasarian said.
Baghdasarian argued that Armenia’s persistent integration with Europe
does not mean strained relations with Russia. “I am not an advocate
of confronting Russia with western values. If Russia is trying to
deepen its relations with NATO why should Armenia avoid it,” he said.
Baghdasarian’s remarks were retaliated by president Kocharian who said
in an interview with a local newspaper that Armenia’s membership in
the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and its military and
technical cooperation with Russia were enough to ensure the country’s
national security. Baghdasarian reminded today of Armenia’s Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO, describing it as a’ serious
document envisaging institutional and legislative reforms.”
Baghdasarian argued there was no difference between his publicly
expressed ideas and those of other two members of the ruling coalition
and the president, but added his Orinats Yerkir would walk out of
the coalition in the event of serious controversies with coalition
partners.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REQUIEM ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS SERVED AT DER ZOR DESERT
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.05.2006 19:28 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the end of April a traditional pilgrimage
was held to Syrian desert of Der Zor, where hundreds of thousand
Armenians were slaughtered during the Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in
1915. Diaspora representatives, descendants of the killed Armenians
took part in the pilgrimage. A requiem was served at the Der Zor
chapel and the message of Berio Armenian Apostolic Church head,
bishop Shahan Sargsyan was read.
A delegation from Armenian lead by Deputy FM, Ambassador to Syria
Levon Sargsyan and Consul General to Aleppo Armen Melkonyan took part
in the pilgrimage, reports the Press Service of the Armenian MFA.

ANOTHER TRIAL AWAITS DINK
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.05.2006 19:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Editor of the Agos Armenian newspaper, ethnic
Armenian Hrant Dink was given a six-month suspended sentence last
October. He had written a newspaper article which addressed the mass
killings of Ottoman Armenians nine decades ago, the BBC reports. This
case is one of several monitored closely by EU officials concerned
about limits on free speech in Turkey.
In February, the chief prosecutor’s office at the Appeals Court
considered Mr Dink’s case and recommended that the remarks were in
no way insulting.
But now, in a surprise development, the court itself has chosen to
ignore that interpretation and ruled that the substance of the charge
still stands. The high-profile newspaper editor, whose publication
Agos appears in Turkish and Armenian, was first found guilty of
insulting Turkishness last year when a court ruled that one of his
articles described Turkish blood as dirty.
European Union officials have expressed serious concern about the
article of law that was used against Hrant Dink and several dozen
other writers here in Turkey. Despite a series of reforms linked to
Turkey’s bid for membership of the EU, it is still illegal to insult
the Turkish identity, the military and the judiciary and the line
between criticism and insult is often blurred.
We note that the next trial on Dink’s case is scheduled in Istanbul
May 16.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GREECE’S INTRALOT MULLS LISTING OF UNITS IN TURKEY AND BULGARIA – REPORTS
AFX Europe (Focus)
May 02, 2006
LONDON (AFX) – Greek betting technology company Intralot is considering
listing its subsidiaries in Turkey and Bulgaria on the respective local
stock exchanges, according to several unsourced Greek press reports.
The reports said that Intralot, along with its partner Turkcell, plan
to list Inteltek on the Turkish Stock Exchange. Inteltek is 55 pct
controlled by Turkcell and 45 pct by Intralot and has the exclusive
license to run fixed-odds betting for 8-years in Turkey on behalf of
Sportoto, the Turkish national betting company.
Turkcell is an affiliate of TeliaSonera.
Inteltek will reportedly use the capital proceeds from the listing
to expand to new markets like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan
and Armenia.
The press reports added that Intralot is also considering listing
Eurofootball, its 49 pct controlled Bulgarian fixed-odds betting
subsidiary on the Sofia Stock Exchange. Eurofootball is 51 pct
controlled by the Bulgarian State.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CALIFORNIA CONSIDERS OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH ARMENIAN AT SCHOOLS
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.05.2006 20:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Californian MP Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) has
introduced a bill, which provides for teaching Armenian at state
schools of the State. The MP, who represents Glendale and Burbank,
urges to attest Armenian teachers so as they be certified to teach
the Armenian language. 3904 Armenian children study at schools only,
who speak Armenian exclusively.
They make 49% of all schoolchildren, reports RFE/RL.

DR. DAN KARUNAKARAN JOINS AGTECH PRODUCTS; NEW DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICE FOR AGTECH PRODUCTS’ POULTRY BUSINESS
Business Wire
May 01, 2006
Dr. Dan Karunakaran has joined the technical service team at Agtech
Products, Inc., a biotechnology company serving the animal agriculture
industry. As the director of technical service for Agtech Product’s
poultry business, Dr. Karunakaran is responsible for the planning
and coordination of applied research and technical service supporting
the company’s direct-fed microbial products.
Karunakaran comes to Agtech with over 20 years experience in the field
of poultry health and production. He most recently worked as senior
veterinarian at Cargill Turkey Production, LLC. He also worked for
Cuddy Farms, House of Raeford, Oscar Mayer, Pfizer and Shady Brook
Farms. Karunakaran earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree
in 1977 and his Masters of Science, Masters of Public Health and
doctoral degrees in 1983, all from the University of Minnesota.
His academic research focused on avian influenza (bird flu.) He is
still involved with avian influenza projects, including a recent
consulting trip to help prepare a response plan for the Republic
of Armenia.
Dr. Karunakaran is a member of the American Veterinary Medical
Association, American Association of Avian Pathologists and a diplomat
of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians. He said, “I have
never worked with a company that has its foundation in science and is
driven by innovation and responsiveness to customer’s needs as much
as Agtech Products. I truly believe that the poultry industry will
benefit from Agtech’s innovative products in the days and years to
come.” His work will support Agtech’s existing products, including
MicroTreat(R) “P”, Avicorr(TM), Provalen(R) and the Company Specific
Inoculant Program.
Karunakaran will continue to reside in Harrisonburg,
Virginia, and can be reached at 414.313.4533, or via e-mail at
[email protected].
About Agtech Products
Thomas Rehberger, Ph.D. and Steven Woskow, Ph.D., founded Agtech
Products, Inc., in 1993, with the vision of using microbiological-based
research to develop products that solve problems and inefficiencies
in dairy, beef, swine, poultry and aquaculture operations,
worldwide. Agtech employs a number of research scientists, plus
manufacturing and administrative personnel at its headquarters 20
miles west of Milwaukee, in Waukesha, WI. To request a free brochure
and information on Agtech’s products and services, call 800.999.3899,
or write to [email protected] Products, Inc. Marianne
Bellot, 800-999-3899 [email protected]

TURKEY TRIES TO PLAY MEDIATOR ROLE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.05.2006 21:04 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey is trying to replace Russia in the South
Caucasus, Ruben Safrastyan the head of the Department of Turkey of the
Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of
Armenia, told journalists. “Turkey is trying to play a mediator role
in the South Caucasus, including in settlement of the Karabakh issue,”
he said when commenting on foreign political developments in Armenia
during the Caucasus 2005 international conference in Yerevan.
According to the expert, Turkey has already submitted a serious
application for enhancing its role in the region’s geopolitics, based
on its partnership relations with the NATO first of all, however it did
not get Washington’s approval at the moment. However, in the expert’s
opinion, in the future Turkey can play a more active role in the South
Caucasus, taking into account its involvement in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
largest regional oil pipeline project, as well as the location of
the county. “Turkey is a “bridge” between Europe and Asia and this
cannot be disregarded,” Ruben Safrastyan said, reports Novosti Armenia.

ZEYNO BARAN: PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH ISSUE IMPOSSIBLE NOW
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.05.2006 21:20 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “At present peaceful settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is not possible,” stated Director of International
Security and Energy Programs of Nixon Center Zeyno Baran. “If the
parties were ready to compromise, they would pursue another foreign
and domestic policy,” the expert believes. “Possible operation against
Iran may have a negative impact on Azerbaijan, however assessing the
scale of that impact is still hard,” she said. When commenting on
Iran’s negative stance over the project of an oil pipeline between
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on the bottom of the Caspian, the expert
noted that Teheran cannot prevent its implementation, reports IA
Regnum referring to Turan agency.