‘TELASI’ TO CONTINUE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO TBILISI DURING REHABILITATION OF ‘ENGURI HPP’
Prime News Agency, Georgia
March 30 2006
Tbilisi, March 30 (Prime-News) – There will be no interruptions in
electricity supply of Tbilisi during rehabilitation of the ‘Enguri
HPP’. Tbilisi electricity distributing company ‘Telasi’ has already
provided for the electricity supply resources to balance the needs
in electricity during the four months, when the rehabilitation of
‘Enguri HPP’ is accomplished, Prime-News was told at the ‘Telasi’.
According to Yuri Pimolov, Director General of “Telasi”, ~DThe company
together with the Ministry of Energy of Georgia elaborated a schedule,
which pre-conditions smooth electricity supply of Tbilisi”.
Tbilisi will receive the necessary amount of electricity by means of
local generation and imported electricity, including: the 9th power
unit of ~DMtkvari Energy” (220 mWh); ~DKhrami 1″ and ~DKhrami 2″ HPPs
(90 mWh and 60 mWh); ~DOrtachala HPP” (15 mWh); import of electricity
from Armenia (110 mWh).
Electricity balance of ~DTelasi” during rehabilitation period:
March 25-31: 46 million kWh per month; 7.6 million kWh per day;
peak load – 450 mWh.
April: 210 million kWh per month; 7 million kWh per day; peak load –
410 mWh.
May: 320 million kWh per month; 5.5 million kWh per day; peak load –
320 mWh.
June: 280 million kWh per month; 4.9 million kWh per day; peak load –
280 mWh.
July: 240 million kWh per month; 4.7 million kWh per day; peak load –
240 mWh.
According to the approved energy balance, ~DTelasi” will stop
electricity import from Armenia on March 31. The 9th power unit of
~DMtkvari Energy” will work till June 01, 2006.
According to ~DTelasi”, in view to prevent possible electricity
deficit during April-October period “Telasi” signed an additional
agreement with “Armenian Electricity Network” on electricity supply
in emergency regime. In case of need, Tbilisi will receive 50-60
Mt of power form Armenia. The similar agreement was signed with the
Russian energy system. According to the agreement, “Telasi” will be
supplied with the needed amount of electricity by means of 500-kilovolt
“Kavkasioni” electricity transmission line.

AZERBAIJANI MP CLAIMS FOR AZERBAIJAN QUITTING ANTITERRORIST COALITION
Regnum, Russia
March 30 2006
As head of the pro-governmental People’s Front Yeni Azerbaijan Party,
MP Gudrat Gasanguliyev announced on March 29, “Azerbaijan should quit
the antiterrorist coalition established by Americans and withdraw
its corps from Iraq.”
According to him, if initiators of the coalition do not assist in
settlement of problems in Azerbaijan, there is no sense to remain in
the coalition, reports a REGNUM correspondent.
Gasanguliyev noted that member states of the coalition render financial
aid to Armenia and separatists from Nagorno Karabakh. “This is just
another reason for Azerbaijan to quit the coalition,” he said.

NKR MFA STATEMENT
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 30 2006
Current March 29, in the course of a monitoring held by the OSCE
mission to the East of the populated locality of Seysulan of the NKR
Martakert region, the units of the Azeri Armed Forces violated the
case-fire, having fired the NKR Armed Forces. To guarantee security of
the participants of the monitoring the OSCE Chair-in-Office’s Personal
representative Andrzey Kasprzyk rendered a decision to suspend it.
Drawing the international community’s attention to the repeated
facts of violation of the Azeri-Karabakh contact line by the Azeri
military units that have recently become regular, the NKR Ministry
of Foreign Affairs finds it necessary to state that the actions are
direct consequence of the Azeri leadership’s incessant belligerent
rhetoric that has not been properly estimated by the concerned states
and organizations.
The mediators’ attempts to confer equal responsibility on all the
parties of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict for the case-fire violation
create prerequisites of impunity of Azerbaijan as the violations’
real culprit, which is absolutely inadmissible.
In this connection the MFA believes any silent support of the conflict
parties may result in upsetting equilibrium and destabilization in
the South Caucasus.

HEAD OF THE CAUCASUS MUSLIMS VISITS SAUDI ARABIA
Author: S. Agayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 30 2006
The Caucasus Muslims Administration Chairman, Sheikh of Islam,
Allahshukur Pashazadeh will pay a visit to Saudi Arabia, the Caucasus
Muslims Administration told Trend.
The aim of the visit- is participation at the international
conference ‘Islamic World Unity’ that is to take place on April 1-2 in
Mecca. Conference is organized under the auspices of the Saudi king,
Abdallah bin Abdul-aziz al-Saud. The famous Muslim leaders and well-
known Islamic clerics will take part at the conference.
Pashazadeh is expected to present a report on the Islamic world
problems and will emphasize the role of the Muslim unity in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution.

WORLD COMMUNITY STILL INDIFFERENT TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL TERROR IN LACHIN – ECOLOGY MINISTRY
Author: S.Babayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 30 2006
The world community till remains indifferent towards the terror in the
Azerbaijani territory under the Armenian occupation, the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources told Trend.
At present red oak trees are cut in the Armenian-occupied territory of
Lachin and Gubadly districts for sale to foreign countries with respect
to use further in the production of cognac, nut trees for manufacturing
of furniture. Moreover, wild animal are hunted in these regions.
“As the territory is out of control of the international organizations
and the Azerbaijani government, the ecological convention is grossly
violated and the world community still has not estimated the true
essence of the situation,” the Ministry underlined.
One of the biggest state nature reserves – Gubadly State Reserve,
which was placed in the territory of Gubadly District, has turned out
under the Armenian occupation from 1993. The total area of the reserve
which covers Basarat, Deshtakhat, Muradkhanly, Yukhari Amudurkh of
Gubadly District, Yukhari Farajan, Ashagi Farajan, Suarasi Gishlak
and Khanlar villages of Lachin District and Khojabird, Arpa Gadik and
Tag villages of Nagorno-Karabakh region, is 22,000h. The reserve is
in the territory of Boyuk Kirs, Bala Kirs and Maral mountains in the
height of 1500-1600m over the sea level.

TIME RUNNING OUT FOR PEACE, US MEDIATOR SAYS
AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
March 30 2006
The American mediator of the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) brokering settlement
to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh has
warned that time is currently of essence to achieve peace this year.
“Time is not on anyone’s side. 2006 is suitable for a peace accord.
We have to complete the important work we started this year to
achieve progress,” the US co-chair of the MG, Steven Mann, told Radio
Liberty. He reminded that the co-chairs met in Istanbul on March 20
for another meeting to discuss plans for further Garabagh talks. He
said that during the discussions, the other two diplomats – from
Russia and France – were informed about the outcome of the recent
meetings he held in Baku and Yerevan.
Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov did not attend the Istanbul meeting,
Radio Liberty quoted diplomatic sources as saying. He was reportedly
substituted by another diplomat at the discussions, whose name is not
disclosed. The Russian Foreign Ministry explained this by Merzlyakov’s
illness. Mann dismissed some statements saying the Minsk Group’s
format for mediating peace talks has been fruitless. The OSCE is the
most appropriate format for the conflict resolution and reaching
the desired results this year depends on the sides themselves,
he said. “Regardless of the format, you will always face the fact
that both parties have to find a common ground to solve the dispute,”
said Mann. The head of the President’s Office international relations
department, Novruz Mammadov, said holding consultations by the MG
co-chairs could be seen as a positive development in general.
“However, this is insufficient for us. We want the negotiating
process to produce specific results,” he said. Mammadov dismissed the
statements saying the talks are deadlocked as no information on their
gist has been made public. “The negotiating process has never been
divulged in a comprehensive manner and there is no need for this. If
any agreement or a step forward is achieved, only in this case any
information could be made available.”
‘Two options’ Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said there are
currently two alternatives to continue peace talks. “One of them is the
next visit of the [mediating] OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region,
while the other one – holding the next meeting of the two foreign
ministers.” Oskanian said it is unclear what steps will be taken for
the peaceful settlement of the dispute after the Istanbul meeting of
the OSCE mediators. “Armenia has made all the needed compromises to
resolve the conflict in peace and is now waiting for the Azerbaijani
side to follow suit.” The Armenian official added that the hopes
for finding a solution in 2006 that were cited earlier have somewhat
dwindled. The discussions held by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert
Kocharian in the French town of Rambouillet in February turned out
fruitless, which was followed by Azerbaijan’s threats to use force to
free its land from under occupation. Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Markarian maintained that recognition of the self-proclaimed Upper
Garabagh republic by Armenia in the future is possible, but this will
depend on the outcome of the negotiations. “This can be one of the
decisions to be made,” he said while commenting on the reports. The
Armenian official added that it would be inappropriate to elaborate
on the future steps at this point, as the talks are under way.
Markarian said resumption of military actions in Garabagh would
not favor either Azerbaijan or Armenia, “or the ‘self-proclaimed’
entity”. “Armenia is interested in continuing the negotiating process,”
he said.

STRENGTHENING OF PARLIAMENT-SOCIETY LINK HIGHLIGHTED
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
March 30 2006
On March 28, a meeting of volunteers of citizens’ information and
communication centers was organized in the National Assembly, in
which NA employees, representatives of USAID/Armenia: Legislative
Strengthening Program, 20 communities of the republic, public
organizations attended.
In his opening speech Hovhannes Zargaryan, Deputy Chief of NA Staff,
informed that by NA President Artur Baghdasaryan’s order a task was
given to strengthen the parliament-society link, which will promote
the further development of democracy and freedom of speech. Hovhannes
Zargaryan proposed those present to promote the solution of the
community problems by ongoing meeting in non-formal conditions. Mr.
Zargaryan informed that studies have been carried out in the
communities of the republic on the establishment of the information
centers. He is convinced that National Assembly and USAID/Armenia:
Legislative Strengthening Program promoted the qualification of NA
Staff employees and rise of work efficiency.
Jill Pender, Director of USAID/Armenia: Legislative Strengthening
Program noted that the goal of the meeting is to promote the
strengthening of parliament-society link. As Mrs. Pender characterized,
USAID/Armenia Legislative Strengthening Program is a special model
of parliament and citizens cooperation.
Hovik Ohanyan, Head of Local Governance Issues Division of Regional
Policy and Analysis Department of the National Assembly and Edward
Safaryan, USAID/Armenia; Legislative Strengthening Program specialist
on Community Policy highlighted the establishment of information
and communication centers, making participant the community in the
legislative works, the establishment of the working relations between
the communities and the National Assembly.
Gohar Poghosyan, Deputy Head of NA Public Relations Department,
Tatul Soghomonyan, Head of Secretariat, Ashot Khachatryan, Head of
Legislative Analysis and Development Department, Lusine Hovhannisyan,
Head of the Division of Information Supply of the Computer Network,
Marusya Asatryan, Head of Information Department, Fatma Khachatryan,
Head of Library Division, Hakob Harutyunyan, Head of Citizen and Letter
Reception Division, Tigran Ghazaryan, Head of Social Policy Research
Department presented the main functions of their subdivisions, the
procedure of organization of parliament works, saying that the freedom
of information is carried out through information accessibility,
which is also an impetus for strengthening parliament-society link.
Concluding the results of the meeting Hovhannes Zargaryan,
Deputy Chief of NA Staff, highlighted the further cooperation, the
implementation of practical steps directed at the establishment of
the communication centers, ensuring that the National Assembly and
USAID/Armenia: Legislative Strengthening Program are ready to promote
their implementation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT CHIDES ARMENIAN CAUSE IN NATIONWIDE ADDRESS
AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
March 30 2006
President Ilham Aliyev said on Tuesday that Armenia’s policy of
aggression and genocide against Azerbaijan has a history of nearly
200 years. “The bottom-line of this crafty policy is aimed to drive
Azerbaijanis out of their historic land and to implement the ‘Great
Armenia’ obsession conjured up by Armenian historians and ideologists.
“To pursue this policy, ideological, military and organizational
work was systematically carried out using different methods and
techniques,” Aliyev said in an appeal to Azerbaijani citizens over
March 31, the anniversary of a brutal carnage unleashed by Armenians
in early 20th century. In March 1918, over 50,000 Azerbaijanis were
brutally killed by Armenian terrorists, including women and children,
in Baku, Shamakhi, Khachmaz, Lankaran and other regions.
In the Azeri capital alone, the number of victims made up 12,000. The
president said the history of the Azerbaijani nation was blatantly
distorted, its cultural and material monuments and geographical names
appropriated by Armenian bigots. The head of state went on to say
that the Armenians were propagating the principles of nationalism and
chauvinism by establishing “national”, political and even terrorist
organizations to promote the concept of hatred for neighboring
peoples. In doing so, the opportunities of the Armenian lobby were
mobilized, the president said. Aliyev added that Armenia was still
continuing its policy of aggression, which is also affecting the
fates of its own people. “Armenian ideologists are very experienced in
political and ideological propaganda and misinformation. The Armenian
lobby has unleashed a propaganda war on Azerbaijan and its people
using very subtle technologies. They are misleading the international
community by making false allegations. This is being done to distract
the attention of the world from Armenia’s policy of aggression.” Aliyev
blamed the unresolved status of the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh issue on
Armenia’s non-constructive position in the protracted negotiations. At
a time when the principles of peaceful co-existence and cooperation are
gaining ground in the world and all countries are aspiring to mutual
integration, the Armenian ideology represents a clear defiance of
international law, aims to set people against each other and promotes
the policy of discrimination and aggression. “However, this policy
pursued by Armenia and its benefactors is doomed to failure, as it
runs counter to the key trends of world politics. The ever-growing
military and economic potential of the Azerbaijani state, as well as
its political standing in the world and a powerful army will simply
not let this happen,” the president said.
Calls for condemnation Ombudman Elmira Suleymanova has appealed to
the world community over the Day of Azerbaijanis’ Massacre. In a
statement, the rights champion condemned the carnage, which went down
as a bloody page in Azerbaijan’s history and one of the horrendous
manifestations of Armenia’s hostile policy. Suleymanova said that
under international law, the massacre is classified as aggression
and a grave crime against humanity similar to war and international
terrorism. “It is time for the international community, which has set
out a goal to combat terror worldwide, to start acting rather than
talking. They should give an unbiased political and legal assessment
to the tragedy that beset the Azerbaijani people.” Suleymanova
said Armenia has been trying to use fabricated documents alleging
that it was subjected to genocide itself. She reminded that it
was this country that occupied Azerbaijan’s upland Garabagh region
between 1990 and 1993 with the aid of Russian forces, ruthlessly
killing and wounding tens of thousands of people, and committing
acts of vandalism. The Ombudsman urged influential international
organizations to back Azerbaijan’s fair cause and impose sanctions
on Armenia. The appeal was forwarded to the UN Secretary General,
the Council of Europe, OSCE, international rights organizations and
foreign embassies accredited in Baku. The World Azerbaijanis Congress
(WAC) plans to hold public actions and events in a number of European
cities over the anniversary of the tragic date to convey the truth to
the international community. It will also launch protests in April
to condemn the fake Armenian genocide, in particular, in countries
with a strong presence of Armenian chauvinism, including Russia.

DIVERSITY DAY CELEBRATED BY SOME LOCAL STUDENTS
Midland Daily News,
March 30 2006
Recently 8th grade English and history students at Jefferson Middle
School participated in an annual “Diversity Day.” The day was part of
“Prejudice and its Consequences,” a unit in which students read “The
Diary of Anne Frank” and “Flowers of Algernon” as well as several
novels with prejudice-related themes; learn about World War II and
the Holocaust; and research and write about a different kind of
prejudice. They learned first hand about the value of diversity in
today’s world.
Thirty-three presenters held a total of 80 sessions, running
concurrently during four 20-minute time slots. In groups of 8-10,
students went to four different sessions to hear about the different
kinds of prejudice. Ranging in age from 16 to 91, presenters came
from Mount Pleasant, Midland, Grand Rapids and Detroit.
Students heard from people who had experienced being a POW and fighting
in the Battles of the Bulge, working as a “Rosie the Riveter,”
being in Memphis during the assassination of Martin Luther King,
living with a disability and being among the first African-Americans
living in Midland, among others. Stories of others’ battles against
prejudice covered Armenian genocide, the Japanese internment camps,
landmark civil rights Supreme Court decisions, the 6,000,000 paper
clip project and more. Students also had a chance to test their own
gender stereotypes in a “Men are from Mars” game and learn about
working with people with mental illness and physical and mental
disabilities from professionals in those fields.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DANCER IN PREMIER UNH SHOW
By Amanda J. Mantone/ Staff Writer
Medfield Press, MA
March 30 2006
One Medfield High School alumna will dance her way through the
roaring twenties this weekend, as a soloist in the University of New
Hampshire’s most prestigious ballet performance of the year.
Niari Keverian, a senior at UNH, has been in the school’s ballet
company for four years, and has been a dancer since the age of one –
but this is her college soloist debut, and it’s in the biggest show
of the school year, called “Intrigues.”
“Dance has been a huge part of my life. I auditioned every year
(at UNH) and I was accepted every year, but this is the first year
I’m one of the actual soloists,” she said in a recent telephone
interview. “We actually start rehearsing in September and I didn’t
get the solo part until January, so I’ve been rehearsing half the
time of everyone else. It’s a huge production and a great show.”
The show, which features ballet and jazz, is set in the 1920s in a New
Year’s Eve hotel party. Each soloist presents a different situation,
all of them intertwining in a leaping, twirling spectacle that keeps
audience members in suspense until the very end.
“They all come to a party, and all their situations come out to
play. I play the role of a sexy assassin, you could say,” Niari said.
“The suspense is that you never know what happens.”
She said the jazz component includes aerial trapezes, and there’s
also a tap dance show. There are only three soloists in the show,
which also features some duets.
Keverian is minoring in dance and majoring in marketing, a field
she hopes to enter upon graduation this year. She also dances in an
Armenian folk dance troupe based in Watertown, and as a member of that
company she and her younger brother Jack will tour Armenia this summer.
She also choreographed a student dance showcase in December at UNH,
and she’ll be in a student showcase come May, where she can show off
her individual talent and areas of expertise in ballet.
“I’m so thankful to be able to still dance in college. It’s something
I’ve been doing my whole life, and the thing that makes me the most
happy,” Niari said. “I plan on doing it until I can’t walk anymore.”
Show times are 7 p.m. nightly from Wednesday, March 29 through
Saturday, April 1, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 2.