“JERMAGHBYUR” GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT EXPECTED TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION IN ARMENIA IN 2008-2009
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 10 2006
Yerevan. April 10. /ARKA/. The “Jermaghbyur” geothermal power plant is
expected to be put into operation in Armenia in 2008-2009, “America”
CJSC reports.
Low-potential sources of geothermal power were founded in Garni, Arzni,
Jermuk, Ankavan and Sisian. The geothermal power can be utilized
for heat-supply, heating of hothouses, residential buildings and
industrial enterprises.
“Ameria” CJSC was contracted by World Bank Energy Invest PIU
to develop a detailed feasibility study for the construction of
“Jermaghbyur” geothermal power plant in Syunik Marz of the Republic of
Armenia. The study was carried out in the scope of the process aimed
at diversifying energy resources in Armenia and achieving a higher
level of independence from the importing energy sources. The document,
elaborated by Ameria consultants, proved the strategic importance
and effectiveness of utilizing geothermal energy in Armenia, as well
as the investment attractiveness of the overall project. Geothermal
energy is considered as an effective resource for heat supply and
generation of electric power. Today geothermal plants with the
total heat production capacity of 12000 MW operate in more than 30
countries. The geothermal plants generate also electric power with
the total capacity of 8000 MW. The share of geothermal energy in the
world installed capacities is 0.4%.
“Jemaghbyur” station, which will be commissioned in 2008-2009, is
a unique project. It does not have any analogues in the region and
will positively differ from the majority of other energy generation
capacities, especially in its renewability of resources, independence
of importing energy sources, as well as in the minimal environmental
impact.
The feasibility study of the project has indicated that the station
based on 6 direct wells with the depth of up to 2.5 km each can have
a capacity up to 25 MW and generate up to 195 mln KW/hour electric
power a year.
Ameria is a group of professional services companies registered in
Armenia with the objective to provide a comprehensive package of
professional advisory and assurance services. Ameria specializes
in four major areas of professional activities: management advisory
services; assurance and advisory services; legal advisory services;
investment banking. Established in 1998, the company has become
a leader in the Armenian market of advisory services bringing an
international reach and local touch to complex issues rising in more
than 30 industry sectors.

ARMENIAN FM, SECRETARY OF RF SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSS PROSPECTS OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 10 2006
YEREVAN, April 10. /ARKA/. At their meeting in Moscow, RA Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan and Secretary of the RF Security Council
Igor Ivanov discussed the current state of Armenian-Russian relations
and prospects for their development. The sides discussed issues of
regional and international stability and security. A meeting with
Russian Co-Chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov was held
at the RA Embassy in Moscow as well. Minister Oskanyan also held a
meeting with Russia-based Armenian businessmen. During the meeting,
the RA Foreign Minister appreciated their interest and confidence
in Armenia’s economic progress. Expressing Armenia’s gratitude for
the programs implemented in Armenia, pointing out the necessity of
regulating this process.
Presenting a program of rural development in Armenia, Minister Oskanyan
reported that it will be one of the most important issues on the
agenda of the 3rd conference Armenia-Diaspora, on September 18-19,
2006. In their turn, the businessmen expressed their willingness
for participating in the discussions and implementation of specific
programs.
Minister Oskanyan made a report “Cooperation and Security in the South
Caucasus” at the Moscow-based Carnegy Center. The audience included
representatives of Russia’s governmental and political circles,
research institutes and higher schools, diplomatic missions in Moscow,
Russian and foreign mass media.
The RA Foreign Minister also held a meeting with students of Moscow
State Institute of International Relations. On April 7 morning
Minister Oskanyan held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov.

NATO FOR THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE NK CONFLICT- ROBERT SIMONS
Author: S. Agayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 10 2006
NATO supports the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
the NATO general secretary `s representative on South Caucasus and
Central Asia, Robert Simons told journalists in Baku on April 10,
Trend reports.
Simons has met a number of officials within the frames of his visit
to Azerbaijan and discussed the further perspectives of cooperation
between NATO and Azerbaijan.
During his meeting with the Defense minister, Safar Abiyev Simons has
discussed problems of reforming the Azerbaijan army. He confirmed
that the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is one of the vital questions to
be discussed during his visit.
Simons confirmed that NATO supports only peaceful resolution of
the conflict.

FIRST VICE-SPEAKER MEETS NATO REP ON SOUTH CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA
Author: J. Shahverdiyev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 10 2006
The first vice-speaker of Milli Mejlis, head of the Azerbaijani
parliamentary assembly in NATO, Ziyafet Askerov met with the
representative of the NATO general secretary on South Caucasus and
Central Asia, Robert Simons, the parliament press-release told Trend.
Askerov told that after signing the Partnership for peace program
in 1994 relations between Azerbaijan and NATO are developing
dynamically. Azerbaijan is interested in cooperation with the
alliance. It actively participates in the anti-terrorism struggle
and its soldiers participate in the peacekeeping missions in Kosovo,
Iraq and Afghanistan.
He also mentioned the Armenian- Azerbaijani conflict. Stressing that
the aggressive policy of Armenia is dangerous not only for Azerbaijan
but for the region in general.
Simons in his turn expressed his interest in developing relations
with Azerbaijan and noted that NATO is watching over the democratic
progress in the country.

SISTEMA TELECOM EYEING CIS ACQUISITIONS
RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
April 10 2006
RBC, 10.04.2006, Yerevan 15:53:15.Sistema Telecom (a Sistema
Corporation subsidiary) is interested in buying telecom assets in
the CIS, including Armenia’s ArmenTel, ARMINFO quoted Sistema’s PR
Director Anna Boyko as saying when asked about Sistema’s prospective
purchase of a 90-percent stake in the Armenian operator from Greece’s
OTE. At the same time she stressed it was still premature to talk of
any specific plans regarding ArmenTel.
OTE management recently issued an official statement about their
intention to sell the stake in the Armenian telecom. Analysts assess
the deal to be worth at least $350m.

CHANGE OF CURRENT FORMAT OF MEDIATORIAL MISSION ON SETTLEMENT OF NK CONFLICT IS INEXPEDIENT – RENE VAN DER LINDEN
Author: R.Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 10 2006
“Both Azerbaijan and Armenia are members of the Council of Europe (ÑÅ)
and we are interested in advancement of the negotiations on settlement
of the Nagonorno-Katrabakh conflict between the countries,” Rene Van
der Linden, the President of PACE, stated at a news conference on
opening of the PACE spring session on Monday, the correspondent of
Trend in Strasbourg reports.
Linden noted there was no progress during the last meeting of the
Azerbaijani-Armenian presidents (Rambue, France -‘Trend’ ).
“Nevertheless, in our opinion the sides must come to the peaceful
solution of the problem in the final,” he stressed.
Besides, Linden said it was wrong to change the current format of the
mediatorial mission. “We will wait for completion of the negotiations
through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group,” he underlined. The
President of PACE said that replace of the mediatorial format of the
OSCE Minsk Group to the CE format was inexpedient.
–Boundary_(ID_sufU2BD6eIkI4YkY79tsr g)–

PACE SPRING SESSION STARTS IN STRASBOURG
Author: R. Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 10 2006
EU – Council of Europe relations – will be the major point on the
agenda of the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE). The Luxembourg prime-minister, Jean-Claude
Junker will speak on that matter today, the Trend correspondent in
Strasbourg reports. The Euro Commission chairman, Jose Manuela Barrozu
is also expected to hold a speech.
The perspectives of the EU basic rights agency creation with the
participation of the General Secretary of the CE, Terry Davis and
the EC foreign affairs commission chairman, Elmar Broke will also
be discussed. The impossibility of rehabilitating the Nazi ideology
in Europe will be included on the April session agenda. Situation
in Palestine will be under the discussion as well; representatives
from Israeli parliament and Palestinian territories, including Hamas
movement representatives have been invited.
Two questions directly relating to Azerbaijan will be discussed at
the session – problem of maltreatment in the European armies and
the problem of refuges and displaced persons in Azerbaijan, Armenia
and Georgia.
The refuges problem will be discussed on April 13, the Azerbaijani
delegation member, Ganira Pashayeva told Trend.
The given problem has already been discussed at the PACE meeting on
June 2002 (resolution 94840). “The fact this problem is again included
on the PACE agenda is very important, as it gives the possibility to
keep the world `s attention on the problem,” she said.
Azerbaijani MPs will also distribute special brochures and books
dedicated on the Azerbaijani- Armenian conflict.
Other matters including the women trafficking at the eve of the world
championship in Germany will be discussed at the meeting.
PACE has decided to postpone the CIA secret prisons in Europe issue
till the summer session as there is not enough materials on the issue.

GLO HOLDS ACTIONS DEMANDING FAIR DECISION RELATED TO AZERBAIJAN ARMY OFFICER RAMIL SAFAROV
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 10 2006
Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) has started holding of actions
with regard to fair decision on Azerbaijani Army officer Ramil Safarov
in the trial who is convicted in killing Armenian officer Gurgen
Margarian, GLO chairman Akif Naghi has told APA. Mr.Naghi added that
actions will be held in regions and settlements of the region on the
initiative of local organizations of GLO.
The first action from these series has been held in Terter, where
displaced persons have been settled. They said state prosecutors’
to be ill-intentioned, support position of Armenia. Akif Naghi has
stated that analogical actions will be continued.

FRENCH AMB AT OSCE MINSK GROUP HOLDING TALKS IN BAKU
Author: S.Agayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 10 2006
French Ambassador Bernard Fassie, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair,
is holding consultations in Baku on the peaceable resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, French embassy in
Baku told Trend. The diplomat arrived in Azerbaijan on Monday morning.
During the visit the diplomat plans to meet with the senior leadership
of Azerbaijan. He is also scheduled to hold a news conference at
French embassy.
The French diplomat will leave Baku for Yerevan, the embassy said.

GREGORY PECK PROFILE – FATHER OF ARMENIAN ROOTS
>From Diana Saenger,
About – News & Issues, NY
April 10 2006
Notable Film Star
Date of Birth: April 5, 1916
Place of Birth: La Jolla, CA
Date of Death: June 12,2003
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California
Cause of Death: natural causes
Gregory Peck was a major screen idol in feature films from 1944 to
1998, but he was also known for many other endeavors. He was the
national chairman of the American Cancer Society (1966), president
of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (1967-1970), charter
member of the National Council on the Arts (1968-1974), recipient of
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, nation’s highest civilian award
in 1969 by Lyndon Johnson and he marched with Martin Luther King.
Peck’s Early Interest in Films Born Eldred Gregory Peck in the sunny
and posh seaside of La Jolla, California, Peck’s father, from Armenian
roots, was a pharmacist in San Diego. After his parents divorced when
Peck was five, he went to live with his grandmother, Kate Ayres. It
was she who sparked his early interest in films by taking him to
the movies every week. Peck attended grammar school in La Jolla,
graduated from San Diego High in 1933, and then headed north.
While enrolled in a pre-med program at Berkeley, Peck reconnected with
his childhood enjoyment of films and began taking acting classes. So
bitten by the acting bug, he ducked out on graduation at UC Berkeley
in 1939 and took a train to New York to enroll in the Neighborhood
Playhouse in New York. While honing his craft, Peck worked at Radio
City Music Hall as a tour guide and as a catalog model for Montgomery
Ward. After graduating he made his stage debut in 1942 in The Morning
Star. That same year Peck married Greta Kukkonen.
Instant Stardom Only one year later the handsome actor found himself
in Hollywood working for RKO pictures. Days of Glory (1944) was his
film debut; Peck played Vladimir in a film about the Nazi invasion
of Russia.
It’s rare for an actor to be nominated for an Academy Award on their
second film, but Peck was with his role as Father Francis Chisholm,
a young priest, sent to China to establish a Catholic parish among
the non-Christian Chinese in The Keys of the Kingdom(1944). Next came
the films Spellbound (1945), Duel in the Sun (1946), and The Yearling
(1946), which garnered Peck another Academy Award nomination.
Still feeling a draw to the stage, in 1947, Peck returned to La
Jolla accompanied by Mel Ferrer and Dorothy McGuire. The trio of
actors founded the La Jolla Playhouse, today a world renown playhouse
responsible for many Broadway bound long running shows. Their hope to
create a theatre where film actors could hone their craft on stage
away from Hollywood became a reality. The La Jolla Playhouse hosted
a myriad of stars from Vivian Vance to Dennis Hopper, and Peck would
return often to add his support to theatre’s fundraising campaigns.
“As our founder, Gregory Peck’s contribution to the Playhouse
and theatre in San Diego, as well as American film, leaves a
lasting legacy,” said Playhouse Artistic Director Des McAnuff in an
interview. “We want to honor that legacy by celebrating his life. He
is our artistic soul and will be in our hearts and minds as the
Playhouse moves forward into the future.” Fast becoming an extremely
fruitful actor, that same year in 1947 Peck earned two more Academy
Award nomination for his roles in Gentleman’s Agreement (1947) and
Twelve O’Clock High (1949). Other films would follow – Yellow Sky
(1949), The Great Sinner (1949) and The Gunfighter (1950) among them.
With his impressive resume, Peck could now call the shots. He chose
scripts that appealed to him, ones with noble and ethical undertones
such as Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951), The Purple Plain
(1954), Moby Dick (1956), Pork Chop Hill (1959) and The Guns of
Navarone (1961).
“They say the bad guys are more interesting to play but there is
more to it than that,” Peck once said. “Playing the good guys is more
challenging because it’s harder to make them interesting.”
In 1955 Peck divorced Greta Kukkonen. The couple had three children
– Jonathan, Stephen and Carey. That same year he married Veronique
Passani, who remained his wife until his death and gave Peck two more
children – Tony and Cecilia.
With his tall statue and heroic looks, it was only natural that
studios also wanted him for romantic leads. Peck chose these roles
as well based on stars he admired and wanted to work with, such
as Susan Hayward David and Basthsheba (1951), Audrey Hepburn Roman
Holiday (1953), Lauren Bacall Designing Women (1957) and Deborah Kerr
Beloved Infidel (1959). Peck lost the adage, “Always a bridegroom,
never a bride,” when he won his first Oscar for his performance as
Lawyer Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
So heartfelt was his performance, the film still ranks among many
classic fans’ favorite films. Atticus Finch, was voted the greatest
screen hero of all time by the American Film Institute in May 2003.
By the late 1970s, Peck was losing his A-list star status. He tried
his hand at producing in The Trial of the Catonsville Nine (1972)
and The Dove (1974), the 57th Annual Academy Awards (1985). He did
return to his native San Diego to film scenes for MacAuthur, in which
he played Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Peck appeared in some roles in TV
mini series during these years. His last role was as Father Mapple
in the 1998 TV movie Moby Dick .
His peers, coworkers, and fans all hailed Peck as a generous, talented
and kind man, who gave Hollywood some excellent films reels and deeply
cared about the world around him. “He was exactly what I expected,”
said La Playhouse’s artistic director Des McAnuff when he met Peck
in person at the Playhouse. “A giant of a man with wonderful dignity,
a great sense of humanity and humor.
Gregory Peck died at age 87.
gPckprfe40906.htm