SERGO YERITSIAN PARTICIPATES IN “CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ACADEMIC VALUES
OF EUROPEAN UNIVERISITIES” FORUM IN VATICAN
VATICAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Under the high
patronage of the Pope, an international forum on the theme “Cultural
Heritage and Academic Values of European Universities” opened on
March 29 in Vatican. A delegation headed by Sergo Yeritsian, the RA
Minister of Education and Science participates in it. According to
the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the Press Service of the
RA Ministry of Education and Science, the forum is held within the
framework of the Bologna education declaration, the goal of which
is to regulate and sum up the experience of different countries,
to envisage future works. The report of the speaker of the day, Sjur
Bergan, the Science and Education Department head of the Council of
Europe, was dedicated to tendencies and prospects of development of
peculiarities of the education systems of European countries. The
speaker mentioned that striving for educational generality doesn’t
mean liquidation of national peculiarities, but just the opposite,
it means to reach a new level by keeping it. On the first day of his
visit to Rome, the RA Minister of Education and Science visited the
Embassy of Armenia where the Armenian-Italian educational relations
and prospects of their development were discussed with Ambassador
Ruben Shugarian. The Minister will meet with a number of people
responsible for education during the days of the forum.

FIRST ISSUE OF “TESANKYUN” PERIODICAL PUBLISHED IN TAVUSH
IJEVAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. The number of mass media of the Tavush
marz was added by one more. The first issue of the “Tesankyun”
(Viewpoint) periodical to be published once in a fortnight was
printed. The newspaper editor is Voskan Sargsian, the Tavush marz
correspondent of the Noyan Tapan Information-Analytical Agency. The
independent periodical of the information character is published
in Yerevan, at the Noyan Tapan publishing house. The newspaper of
2 quire volume is published with 300 copies, but it is envisaged to
add the print run up to 1000.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IS IT POSSIBLE TO AVOID ECOLOGICAL DISASTER IN TEGHUT FOREST?
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Public hearings on the project of
the Theghut copper and mloybdenum deposit’s development took place
on March 23. The purpose of the hearings, which were organized by the
Armenian Copper Program (ACP) company, was to discuss the package of
the documents on assessing the enviromental impact which is currently
being examined by the RA State Ecological Expertise. The operation
period of the deposit, which is considered as lacking in prospects,
is 50 years. The decision about its development was taken after a jump
in the market prices of copper. In the last four years, the prices
of cooper increased from 1,400 USD to 5,202 USD for a ton, while
the prices of molybdenum – from 5,500 USD to 7,000-8,000 USD. “If
international prices fall to the same level as they were 4 years
ago, the further development of the deposit will become impossible,”
the company director Gagik Arzumanian said.
In his words, the company intends to use the open-cut ore mining
method. In reality the upper layer of the deposit is 600 ha of
Teghut forest with its unique ecosystem. For example, according to
the estimates of Professor Eleonora Gabrielian, one of the leading
botanists, 19 plant species found in the forest have been included
in the Red Book of Armenia. ACP envisages to compansate for damage
and plant trees on any area of 600 ha (not necessarily in Teghut) in
parallel with its main activities. In this connection the ecologists
expressed a unanimous opinion that tree planting does not mean forest
restoration, as it is impossible to move the animals and birds to a new
place or transplant each of the unique grass and flower species. The
Kharatadzor gorge with a small river flowing along it is also under
the threat of ecological disaster.
It is envisaged to turn the gorge into a tailing dump for molybdenum
ore waste. During the first stage, it is planned to mine 7 mln tons
of ore a year by gradually increasing the volume to 21 mln tons. The
concentrate yield will not exceed 2%, and 98% of the ore will be
dumped in the tailing pit of the gorge. Besides tails, slug-heaps
are also formed in the process of ore extraction: 54 cubic meters a
ton. These slug-heaps will be stored in the area of Teghut forest
near the deposit, with further land reclamation. The ecologists
also questioned one of the main arguments in favor of the program’s
implementation – the improvement of the socioeconomic situation
and creation of jobs in the region. If the ore extraction becomes
unprofitable or the deposit exhausts its potential, the population
will in any case remain jobless in an ecologically “dead zone” and
without any prospects for the future. The local residents are ready
to concede the forest in exchange for jobs. The Alaverdi ore mining
and processing enterprise also owned by the ACP company has been the
only source of their incomes in recent years. The document package
does not state the value of the ecological component, although the
amount of investments for the preliminary stage has been estimated: it
makes 130-150 mln USD. In the event of the project’s implementation,
the ecologists insist on accepting the proposal for the creation of
a specially protected area around the deposit in Teghut forest. The
proposal was made by Karen Manvelian, Director of the World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) Caucasus Program Armenian Office.

ANAND AND MOROZEVICH WIN IN “AMBER-2006”
MONTE CARLO, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Representative of Armenia Levon
Aronian shared 7-8th places among 12 grand masters in the “Amber”
chess tournament held in Monte Carlo. In the last, 11th tour Aronian,
competing with Russian chess-player Pyotr Svidler, won in the games
held both by “blind” and quick chess rules and won the mini-game with
a score of 2 to 0. Finally, Aronian gained 10.5 out of 22 possible
points. Vishvantan Anand (India) and Alexander Morozevich (Russia)
won in “Amber-2006” gaining 14.5 points each. The second prize-winner,
Spanish Francisco Valekho, was left behind by the winners by 2.5
points.

Armenian ex-minister says Karabakh settlement part of USA’s Iran plan
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
25 Mar 06
Excerpt from Nikol Pashinyan’s report in Armenian newspaper Aykakan
Zhamanak on 25 March headlined “Unfortunately, there is no alternative
to Ter-Petrosyan”
An interview with former Interior Minister Vano Siradegyan.
[Passage omitted: Siradegyan on what he has been doing since leaving
the post]
[Correspondent] How do you assess today’s domestic political situation
in Armenia?
[Siradegyan] There has been no sign of a political life over the past
18 months. The political elite is evidently confused and is gradually
slipping into a state of panic. Incidentally, the opposition is in
more panic.
[Passage omitted: minor details]
[Correspondent] How do you assess the international position of Armenia
and, in particular, today’s situation around the Karabakh issue? Can
hostilities resume?
[Siradegyan] Those who support preserving the status quo in the matter
of Karabakh, i.e. political idlers, and those who have cashed in on
the blockade believe that the situation created around Iran will delay
the Karabakh issue even more. They think we shall be forgotten. But
quite the contrary is more likely. I am afraid that Iran’s problem
may be settled “stage by stage” and that Karabakh will be its first
stage. That is to say, Armenian troops will be removed from the left
bank of the River Araz.
One should not think that Washington is exhausted because of the
situation in Iraq. Nobody knows whether or not the occupation of
Iraq was the next stage after Afghanistan in the programme of Iranian
“problem settlement”. Anyway, the problem of the left bank is always
on the agenda. It becomes the third and even the fourth stage if we
take into account the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.
The threat of war is serious because both political and diplomatic
resources of the authorities have been exhausted. One or two more
meetings will mean nothing. There are two ways out: either resignation
or war. I think that resignation is more possible.
[Passage omitted: Siradegyan speculates on domestic political
relations, possible development of events]

Azeri leader endorses state programme for orphans
Turan news agency, Baku
30 Mar 06
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has endorsed a state programme
for 2006-15 for the handover of orphans from state institutions
to families.
The programme notes that about 21,000 children were orphaned as
a result of Armenian aggression, low living standards in refugee
families and other social factors. They are currently living in
children’s homes.
The goal of the programme is to promote “comprehensive and balanced”
development of children. The programme is to be funded from the
state budget, as well as from technical and financial aid provided
by international donor organizations and other sources.

The CIS and Baltic press on Russia
RIA Novosti, Russia
March 31 2006
ARMENIA
According to the local press, Russia does not want to settle
conflicts in the South Caucasus. “Contradictions in Armenian-Russian
relations are fuelled by the fact that Russia supports the
establishment of totalitarian regimes in the Commonwealth of
Independent States, whereas Armenia links its future with democracy
and European integration.” (Azg, March 23.)
“Russia will do its best to keep up the pockets of paramilitary
tension in Karabakh, Ossetia and Abkhazia, because this allows it to
force all sides to do its bidding. This is logical, for Russia is
acting to satisfy its own interests. Moreover, Armenia has actually
become Russia’s stick used to influence different processes in the
South Caucasus.” (168 zham, March 24.)
The republican media write about a possible revision of Russia’s
stand on the independence of Kosovo. “Russia and China have hinted to
the United States that they would not hinder the adoption of a UN
resolution on Kosovo’s independence, preferring to abstain from
voting. The Bush Administration has convinced Moscow and Beijing that
the recognition of that country’s independence would not create a
precedent for the recognition of the independence of Chechnya, Tibet
and Taiwan. Analysts note that certain quarters in Moscow may
nevertheless use the example of Kosovo to request recognition for the
independence of Abkhazia and other separatist regimes.” (168 zham,
March 22.)

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 31 2006
ARAZ AZIMOV: ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN CAN COME TO COMMON DENOMINATOR
[March 31, 2006, 23:08:37]
On March 30, working visit of the deputy minister of foreign affairs
of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov to Canada and the USA has come to an end.
It should be reminded, that Araz Azimov is the co-chairman from the
Azerbaijan side in the American-Azerbaijan dialogue on safety created
in 1996. The American co-chairman is John Hillen, Assistant Secretary
of State on Political-Military Affairs. Annual dialogue envisages
discussions on cooperation between two countries in military,
political spheres and in the field of security. At the present stage
of dialogue, the Azerbaijan party has been presented by delegation of
high level. Alongside with the deputy minister of foreign affairs, it
included the deputy minister of national security Fuad Iskenderov,
the deputy chief of State Frontier Service Farhad Tagizade and the
commander-in-chief of Navy Shahin Sultanov. The dialogue on safety
passed within a day on March 9 in the State Department. The agenda
included such questions, as cooperation in war with global terror,
prevention of distribution of the weapon of mass destruction,
strengthening of boundary security, activation of the
American-Azerbaijan cooperation in the international organizations.
Araz Azimov, along with participation in the dialogue, has met in
Washington with representatives of the state structures of the USA.
In talks with representatives of the Council of National Security,
Pentagon and Congress, have been considered such themes, as situation
on Southern Caucasus, ways of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
made statement in the Washington Center for Strategic and
International Studies on the topic “The Diary of Security of
Azerbaijan”.
Araz Azimov has given interview to Washington-based correspondent of
AzerTAc about results of visit to Northern America.
-You are the first official representative of Azerbaijan who has made
visit to Ottawa. At what level is the interest to Azerbaijan in this
country? What can you tell about the held discussions?
-Indeed, it is the first visit of the high-ranking delegation of the
Azerbaijan Republic to Canada. But our dialogue with Canada is going
for some years. I mean the meetings held Baku, bilateral meetings
within the multilateral forums. Canada and Azerbaijan are members of
a number of organizations. We cooperate within the Council of the
Euro-Atlantic partnership, OSCE. Though Canada geographically is far
from the Europe, nevertheless, it shows interest to processes
occurring in region and accepts in them participation. The Canadian
companies as the companies of the country rich with natural
resources, take direct participation in global power projects,
however, their interest to Azerbaijan yet cannot be named wide. For
this purpose, both parties should undertake mutual steps. First of
all, it is necessary to develop legal basis of our connections. Now
we have only one bilateral agreement. As the member of NATO, Canada
can promote performance of obligations of Azerbaijan in the
“Partnership for Peace” program. Besides, Canada has achieved
significant successes in the field of planning natural resources,
their development, creations of institutes, communications of the
state structures with private sector, information technologies, and
this experience can be useful for us.
Though it was not presented possible within one-day visit to discuss
all questions, nevertheless, we managed to concern basic problems
causing our concern. The position of Canada in the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict usually is not shown
distinctly enough. As a member of OSCE, this country till now
satisfied with only superficial moral and political support. But
gradually it is possible further approach of Canada to the given
question. In our region, there is a number of questions connected
with Canada causing our concern: for example, participation of some
Canadian companies in a number of illegal projects in Turkmenistan,
participation of the Canadian company in development of gold mines in
the occupied Kalbajar region of Azerbaijan. We have brought it to
attention of the government of Canada. But the explanations received
by us have shown, that the government of Canada do not connect itself
with the given companies and tries not to interfere with these
questions. We have listened to explanations, but have declared, that
Azerbaijan will continue to lead up the concern to the government of
Canada and to ask its help in the said questions. Certainly, simple
watching from aside will give nothing. Our embassy in Canada has been
functioning for two years. It managed to recover some of the
Azerbaijan societies in Canada. All these are the steps undertaken by
us. Simultaneously, we wait from Canada for reciprocal steps, first
of all, opening of Canadian embassy in Baku.
-The American-Azerbaijan dialogue on safety co-chairman of which you
are, is a frame mechanism. Projects initiated here are lead up to the
country leaders for reception of the right to realization. With what
concrete projects you come back in Baku after the present stage of
dialogue?
-The dialogue of safety – started in 1996 has opened opportunities
for studying questions in the field of safety between the USA and
Azerbaijan. Dialogue is necessary for strengthening even more. In
process of growth of authority and opportunities of Azerbaijan, it
will grow internationally and the threats for security. Azerbaijan
should be ready to it. The significant part of cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the USA concerns military-political sphere, area of
safety, practical works in the said spheres. Though the support
rendered by America to Azerbaijan in these fields, is up to the mark,
nevertheless, we have more requirements. Attitude of America to the
given requirements testify that it is ready to closer cooperation. As
a whole, dialogue passes positively. Issues of the agenda also have
remained unchanged: safety of Azerbaijan at national and regional
level, relations within NATO, increase of the role of OSCE in ongoing
processes, settlement of regional conflicts, the relations among the
Caspian coastal states, military-political situation in the Caspian
basin. The complex of risks and threats in the Caspian region is
complicated enough. Elements of war, terrorism, and environment are
peculiar to it. In this sense, the USA will closely cooperate with
Azerbaijan. We have achieved some agreements. Some groups of experts
will arrive in Baku. They will study opportunities of connection of
Azerbaijan to the initiative on power, sea safety, and also the
initiative put forward by the “Great 8”, against distribution of the
weapons of mass destruction.
-Whether you had touched the question connected with Iran?
-On consideration of the situation in region, discussed was and this
question. We have informed, that the 130-kilometers site of the said
border is under occupation. The threats deriving from here should be
by all means considered. Also has been discussed the conditions in
the sector of Caspian adjacent with Iran. Some steps undertaken by
Iran in this area concerns Azerbaijan. We have repeatedly declared,
that over border of neighboring countries should be peace, it is
necessary to be respectful to these borders and observe them. We also
have noted, that we have various connections, trade relations with
Iran, as with a neighboring country. Many of our compatriots live in
Iran. In this sense, Azerbaijan with interest and concern watches
development of situation in Iran. We would not like, that there was a
crisis. We are for the peace settlement of questions.
-Recently Vartan Oskanian in his statement in Washington has told,
that Armenia approaches to the Nagorno-Karabakh question from the
position of definition of self-government of the mentioned region.
Azerbaijan repeatedly declared, that has faced in Nagorno Karabakh
with a separatist regime. Under what of these aspects the United
States consider the given conflict?
– The USA directly is engaged in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
They support the quick settlement of the conflict and ready to make
active efforts in this direction. Though various expressions are
used, nevertheless, the situation all the same. It is a question of
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the conflict over the
Azerbaijani land, its settlement. Azerbaijan supports joint peaceful
residing of the Armenian and Azerbaijan communities in Nagorno
Karabakh and granting to them corresponding guarantee. I am
convinced, that at any stage Azerbaijan will achieve it as we have
other way. America should understand, and Armenia – to remember, that
the Azerbaijan state not only will disagree with the partition of the
lands, but also will prevent it. It should not be perceived as
toughening of our position. It is a position of principle with which
Azerbaijan holds from the very beginning, from first day of the
conflict. We shall remain on this position. We are ready to show
corresponding flexibility in settlement of conflict. I speak it,
including addressing to my compatriots, – living in Nagorno Karabakh,
the Armenian community should be provided by self-government in any
frameworks. As the Armenians assert, political forces of Azerbaijan
support proscription of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh from this
region. It is not so. We never objected to residing of Armenians of
Nagorno Karabakh as citizens of Azerbaijan, in this region. On the
contrary, we consider, that these people should possess corresponding
socio-political freedom, which it is necessary to provide with. It
should not be regarded as weakness of the Azerbaijan side. Azerbaijan
as the strong, modern, democratic state is ready to provide a normal
life of each citizen of any ethnic origin. However, from both sides,
there are extreme points. It is necessary to refuse them and come to
a common denominator. The extreme position of Armenia consists that
Nagorno Karabakh never was and will not be a part of Azerbaijan. It
is necessary to refuse this position. And the Azerbaijan government
should provide the Armenian population living in Nagorno Karabakh
with model of self-government. Being based on the European models,
this model should recognize our territorial integrity, inviolability
of borders. It is not necessary to forget, that in Nagorno Karabakh
alongside with the Armenians also lived and the Azerbaijanis. In
statement of Vardan Oskanian and other politicians of Armenia they
admit distortions. They approve, that Azerbaijani population of
Nagorno Karabakh was few in number. First, it so not so, there lived
about 50-60 thousand Azerbaijanis. Secondly, what is the difference,
many, or few? Even if the point is of one thousand, value of the
given question cannot be denied. The Azerbaijani community by all
means should return to Nagorno Karabakh. We should provide use by
both communities of the same models of self-government within the
legislation of Azerbaijan. It is a constructive position of the
Azerbaijan side. We are ready to pass from such hard line, as
non-recognition of the rights of the Armenians, to such moderate
position, as maintenance of their rights. Thus, Armenia and
Azerbaijan can come to a common denominator. To name it somehow
definitely is premature, and it is unimportant. The main thing is,
that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored with
assistance of the international community, and it is necessary to
guarantee the rights of the Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh.
This question has been brought to attention of the American side. We
have discussed it with the co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group from
the USA Steven Mann. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who the next weeks
will visit Washington, will continue discussions with Mr. Steven
Mann.
-Till 2001, one of the objects of discussion of dialogue on safety
was the 907th section. It has been for some years, as it has become
invalid, but continuing, nevertheless, to remain an unfair part of
the American law. Whether the given question on discussions was
touched?
-Yes, the 907th Section is still discussed. But I should tell, that
when the section held good, owing to the work carried out within the
dialogue of safety, it was possible for US to render assistance to
Azerbaijan. Today, nobody considers this Section strong. Very soon it
will be possible to cancel it completely. But our long efforts,
political will are necessary for this purpose and comprehensible
political conditions. Though the canceling of Section is a question
of principle, nevertheless, it should not interfere with our
cooperation with the USA. As I have already told, it has become
invalid. It should serve as a good lesson for the Armenians.
-As a result of work of dialogue on safety, it became possible
creation of the American-Azerbaijan working group on economic
reforms. Whether there are plans of creation in future of working
groups on other spheres of mutual cooperation?
-Owing to efforts of dialogue on safety between the USA and
Azerbaijan, there began our cooperation not only in the field of
economic reforms, but also have begun regular contacts, meetings in
the military sphere. Other power structures also closely cooperate.
Currently, we develop programs of cooperation on the Caspian and the
basin. For realization of it, it will be possible to create
corresponding working groups in coming years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HEAD OF MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES CORPORATION TO VISIT ARMENIA
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 31 2006
Yerevan, March 31. /ARKA/. Executive Director of the USA Millennium
Challenges Corporation John Danilovich is to be on a visit to
Armenia on April 10-15, 2006, RA Minister of Finance and Economy
Vardan Khachatryan told a press conference. The goal of the visit is
discussing the details of the Millennium Challenges Corporation~Rs
program in Armenia and getting acquainted with preparatory work.
Danilovich intends to get acquainted with the terms of establishing
the Corporation~Rs office in Armenia, which is expected to be opened
in June 2006, as well as with the projects implemented and planned
under the program.
On March 27, 2006, the Millennium Challenges Corporation and the
Republic of Armenia signed a 5-year compact worth $235.5mln under the
program of assistance to Armenia. The program envisages 6% poverty
reduction through a steady increase in agricultural produce.
The Millennium Challenges Corporation was founded early in 2004 under
the US Department of State~Rs program of economic development and
poverty reduction worldwide. P.T. ~V0–

Artur ready to withdraw case against Raila
By Faith Pino ( Saturday, April 01, 2006)
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya
March 31 2006
Artur Margaryan one of the two Armenian brothers at the centre of
the mercenary claims now says he is ready to withdraw a defamation
case against Langata MP Raila Odinga if the legislator apologizes.
Margaryan Thursday filed a defamation suit against the legislator at
the Nairobi law courts.
Speaking to the press at his Runda home, Margaryan alleged the
defamation had greatly affected his businesses in the country.
He cited a case where a property development firm had suspended his
contract until the mercenary allegations against him are cleared.
Meanwhile, the Armenian said he is ready to kick start his low cost
housing project in Athi River and Mlolongo in the next one week.