DELEGATION LED BY YEREVAN MAYOR TO VISIT NAGORNO-KARABAKH ON JULY 7
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 7 2006
STEPANAKERT, July 7. /ARKA/. Armenian delegation led by the Yerevan
Mayor Yervand Zakharyan is going to visit Nagorno-Karabakh on July 7.
The delegation consists of representatives of “Shushi” fund and a
group of entrepreneurs, the NKR Government press service reports.
During a meeting with the NKR officials members of the delegation
intend to discuss issues connected with reconstruction of Shushi city.
The plan to meet with the NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan. S.P. -0–

Over 400 Attend Annual AYF-YOARF Eastern Region Junior Seminar
AYF-YOARF Eastern Region
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472
617-923-1933
[email protected]
Contact: Tamar Kanarian; [email protected]
Watertown,MA- Over Memorial Day Weekend, over 400 AYF junior and
senior members, representing over 15 chapters of the Eastern Region,
gathered at Camp Lutherlyn in Prospect, Penn., for the annual
AYF-YOARF Junior Seminar. Attendees, as well as lecturers and guests,
gathered for a weekend of educationals, discussions, and AYF
camaraderie.
This year’s theme was “Identity. Spirit. Tradition: Experience AYF.”
The weekend’s educational content revolved around this
central message where members learned about the various realms that
the organization encompasses. The educational aspect of the weekend
commenced early Saturday morning where members attended various
lectures geared to their specific age group.
Various topics such as Armenian Kingdoms; the AYF-ers college
experience; AYF evolution; and the AYF-ers role in the Armenian
community, sparked discussion on all levels amongst juniors, seniors,
and lecturers. “This year’s content was exceptional. Given that we
are two years away from celebrating the 75 th anniversary of the AYF,
it is important for our members to know about the AYF as it relates
to itself, the community, and other organizations with which it works
with,” said Nora Keomurjian, 2006 Junior Seminar committee
chairperson.
In addition to taking part in eight lectures, attendees rekindled
friendship and met fellow ungers and ungerouhis from various
chapters. “One of my favorite parts about Junior Seminar when I
attended as a junior was meeting new people from so many different
places. I continue to do so today as a senior,” said 2006 Junior
Seminar committee member Simone Dinkjian-Soultanian.
Evening activities also added excitement to the weekend, including
the traditional Saturday night talent show. Entertainment throughout
the weekend was provided by DJ Chris Krikorian, Aram Hovagimian, and
Sevag Khatchadourian. A special addition to this year’s program was a
showcase of young talented members from the New Jersey Arsen chapter.
Brothers Shant and Raffi Massoyan, and Raffi Kouyoumjian played
Armenian melodies on traditional Armenian instruments such as the
zurna, oud, and dhol.
In its 36th year, Junior Seminar continues to be the driving force
that brings together membership, not only providing them with social
outlets, but the tools and knowledge needed to continue their
membership in the AYF.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
NATO ARRANGES INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP IN BAKU
[July 07, 2006, 20:36:49]
On 6-7 July, NATO has organized in Baku an international seminar
attended by some 50 representatives from 32 world countries.
Minister of national security Eldar Mahmudov made opening remarks.
The Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov greeted the participants on
behalf of the Azerbaijan Government.
Minister Eldar Mahmudov wished success to seminar participants to
make contributions to combat against terrorism, noting effective and
important character of the 12-years long cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the NATO.
The Minister, in particular, stressed the important role of the Plan
of Operations within the Individual Partnership approved by
Presidential Decree and being implemented on base of certain programs
in the frame of NATO-Azerbaijan ties.
Despite Azerbaijan is a country that undergone threat of aggressive
separatism, religious extremism and international terrorism, Minister
Mahmudov said quick and dynamic economic development, political
progress, raising regional and international reputation of Azerbaijan
sets firm ground for settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, the reality of which should be understood by
Armenians, too. The Minister also underlined the importance of the
Baku Seminar in strengthening of regional and international safety.
The experts and policy makers from NATO and Partner countries have
discussed ways and means for further cooperation on
counter-terrorism, also noted active participation of Azerbaijan in
the anti-terror collation.

ARMENIAN PM MEETS WITH AAA LEADERS
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 7 2006
YEREVAN, July 7. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan held a
meeting with Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America
(AAA) Bryan Arduni and AAA Regional Director Arpi Vardanyan.
During the meeting Arduni informed the RA Prime Minister of the
AAA’s current activities aimed at the development of pro-Armenian
initiatives in the USA.
The sides also discussed issues of Armenian-American relations,
particularly the implementation of the “Millennium Challenges -Armenia”
program, as well as a number of regional programs. P.T.
-0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 7 2006
AMBASSADOR OF BULGARIA IN ARMENIA POINTS OUT NECESSITY OF
STRENGTHENING AND DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TWO
COUNTRIES
YEREVAN, July 7. /ARKA/. During a meeting with the RA Minister of
Culture and Youth Affairs Hasmik Poghosyan the Ambassador of Bulgaria
in Armenia Stefan Dimitrov pointed out necessity of strengthening
and developing spiritual relations between the two countries, the Ra
Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs reports.
In confirmation Dimitov presented Poghosyan the first copy of the
unique Armenian-Bulgarian and Bulgarian-Armenian practice dictionary
consisting of about 50 thsd words, as well as a supplement of
geographical names. The author of the dictionary is a Bulgarian
linguist of Armenian origin Margarita Terzyan.
In her turn Poghosyan emphasized that development of relationship
between Armenia and Bulgaria is predestined by the historically
developed friendship.
She said best manifestation of establishment of language relations
between the two nations may become, particularly translation of
“pearls of the Armenian literature” into Bulgarian and training of
translators of Armenian and Bulgarian languages.
Poghosyan emphasized that dialogue between cultures, as well as
between businessmen is preferable to be direct without mediators.
During the meeting sides pointed out preferable priorities of
the cultural cooperation between the two countries emphasizing
importance of maintaining cultural originality and individuality
during integration in common cultural processes. S.P.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Iranian Ambassador: “Region’s countries should be represented in OSCE Minsk Group”
Today, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
07 July 2006 [20:32] – Today.Az
“Despite the ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Armenians
violate ceasefire regularly, village population fired. People live
in fear on borderline territories.”
This statement was made by Ambassador Suleymani visiting Tovuz region
at the invitation of parliamentarian Ganira Pashayeva.
West bureau of APA reports that the ambassador visited borderline
territories of Tovus with Armenia – Aghdam, Munjuglu, and Alibeyli
villages, met with local population.
“OSCE Minsk Group works have not any results in the settlement of
the conflict. For investigating Minsk Group work there is necessity
of holding special conference in Baku. Politicians, experts should
be invited; they should announce the non results of OSCE Minsk
Group work.”
According to Ambassador, one of the reasons of OSCE Minsk Group works’
being of no result is related to France and the USA being represented
there as not region state.
“In Minsk Group, Russia is in some meaning the only country close
to the region. This country has close relations with Armenia, but it
has borders with Azerbaijan.”
The Ambassador in case if the war launches he did not give define
answer on his country’s support.
“The government of Iran does not want Nagorno Karabakh conflict to
be settled through war. If Azerbaijan wages on and applies to Iran
for support, then this apply might be looked into.”
It should be noted that, ambassador of Iran to Azerbaijan, Afshar
Suleymani will visit Ganja tomorrow. Within the visit program the
ambassador will meet with city leadership and visit historical places
of Ganja.
URL:

French rescuers awarded for rescue operation off Sochi
by Dmitry Gorokhov
ITAR-TASS News Agency
July 7, 2006 Friday
Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin has handed in awards to a
group of French rescues who took part in a rescue operation in the
area of a plane crash of the Armenian airlines company off the Russian
city of Sochi. The ceremony was held at the residence of the Russian
ambassador to France on Friday.
“When the catastrophe occurred, I telephoned my French counterpart
Dominique Perben, and they gave us help,” the Russian minister told
Tass. ” It was a common mischief, and at times of hardships France,
Russia and Armenia pooled efforts,” Levitin said.
“For the first time the flight recorders were lifted from the depth
of 500 meters on the bottom of the Black Sea. Russian rescuers did
that with the help of their equipment. France provided more equipment
and sent its experts.” Levitin said.
The Russian minister summed up the results of the talks held in
France. During a meeting at the French Transport Ministry on Thursday
the two sides decided to strengthen interaction in all fields. “We
have very many points of contact with France,” the Russian minister
stressed.

EXPULSION OF TURKISH ELECTRICITY COMPANY PROMISES GEOPOLITICAL LOSSES FOR AZERBAIJAN
By Fariz Ismailzade
Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
July 7 2006
Friday, July 7, 2006
After months of mutual accusations, arrests, investigations,
and political statements, the Turkish electricity company Barmek
has broken its contract with the Azerbaijani government to manage
electricity supplies for Baku, the capital, and the northern regions
of the country. “I did not want to do it,” said Barmek president Huseyn
Arabul at a press conference on July 3, “but the other side has forced
me to with their constant pressures and monitoring” (Day.az, July 4).
The contract between Barmek and the Azerbaijani government was signed
in 2002 for a period of 25 years. It was widely reported at the time
that former Turkish President Suleiman Demirel has personally lobbied
on behalf of Barmek, which defeated its German competitor Siemens in
the bidding process. Barmek’s arrival in Azerbaijan was portrayed as
another important step for Turkish-Azerbaijani economic partnership
and integration.
Since then, Barmek’s relations with its Azerbaijani counterpart,
Azerenergy, has passed through many ups-and-downs until finally in
2006 Azerenergy concretely accused Barmek of mismanagement and asked
the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to break the contract.
This was followed by the arrest of several high-ranking Barmek
officials, and the launch of an investigation by the Ministry of Taxes
and the prosecutor general’s office. Last month Barmek’s bank assets
in Azerbaijan were frozen.
“It is impossible to work under these conditions. I broke the contract
unilaterally. And now I will demand compensation for all the investment
[$67.45 million] I have made in Azerbaijan,” Arabul told journalists
at the press conference (Sharg, July 4). The Azerbaijani government,
on the other hand, accuses Barmek of evading taxes, violating the
terms of the contract regarding investment volumes, and falsifying
invoices. “We have studied the lawsuit that Barmek has filed in the
International Court on the Protection of Investments. He demands $300
million from us. It is nothing more than blackmail. The Court will
decide,” said Minister of Economic Development Heydar Babayev after
freezing Barmek’s assets and bank accounts.
In May ministry officials had stated that Barmek has invested only
$3 million toward improving Azerbaijan’s electricity-distribution
network, which constitutes only 10% of the investment required by the
contract ($27.8 million). Furthermore, Barmek took out loans from
the International Bank of Azerbaijan to purchase transformers and
allegedly misappropriated those funds. Finally, the ministry argued
that invoices for work subcontracted to outside companies have been
inflated and falsified. These serious accusations have been backed by
evidence discovered as a result of the investigation by the prosecutor
general’s office.
Yet despite these problems, Barmek’s departure will still hurt
Azerbaijan in the long run. Foremost, Barmek brought Western-style
practices and consumer relations to Azerbaijan’s electricity system,
which was notorious for its mismanagement during Soviet times. Income
from electricity payments has been always low in the former Soviet
republic, as many citizens and businesses either secretly steal
electric power or refuse to pay, citing poverty. Barmek has fought this
“free-lunch” mentality through a series of public-service announcements
and has markedly improved the rate of payment for electricity among
ordinary citizens. People have finally begun to understand their
responsibilities related to electricity usage, and Barmek made it easy
for them to pay the bills at banks and many customer service centers.
However, Barmek’s expulsion brings opportunities for regional
utilities to compete for the right to manage Azerbaijan’s
electricity-distribution network. Russia’s electricity monopoly Unified
Energy Systems (UES) appears to be the front-runner, as its officials
have frequently visited Azerbaijan in the past and cooperation between
the two sides has increased over the past few years. Having already
taken control over Armenia and Georgia’s electricity assets, UES is
eager to complete the deal with Azerbaijan for total control over
the South Caucasus. This, in turn, could have very negative political
and security implications for the Azerbaijani people and government.
Minister of Economic Development Heydar Babayev has denied that any
company has yet made any offers. Local experts, however, have no
doubt that some Russian company will soon be knocking on their door.
Some even believe that opening the market to Russia is Aliyev’s way
of repaying Russian President Vladimir Putin for the political support
Moscow provided during last year’s disputed parliamentary elections.
It is also possible that Azerbaijan will manage the distribution
network itself, as occurred when another private company, Bayva,
had its contract to manage the electricity-distribution network in
western regions cancelled last year. Rising oil revenues now allow
the Azerbaijani government to invest in infrastructure and thus reduce
the dependence on a foreign company. In any case, the end of Barmek’s
era in Azerbaijan promises uncertainties for the country.

Zaman Online, Turkey
July 7 2006
FM Gul Blames EU Leaders for Plunge in Turkish Support for EU
By Cihan News Agency
Published: Friday, July 07, 2006
zaman.com
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul blamed some European leaders for the
plunge in Turkish public support for the European Union (EU).
Gul told a press conference on Friday after his US visit that the
remarks of some EU leaders, who cater to their domestic politics
without considering the impact of these remarks in Turkey, are
responsible for the drop in support for the EU.
A Eurobarometer poll, carried in April over 1000 people in Turkey,
found that only 43 percent of Turks have a positive image of the
union. The recent figure shows a plunge in Turkish support for the EU
over a six-month period, as the corresponding figure was 60 percent
six months earlier.
FM Gul stated that the European side should act responsibly to
prepare the Turkish public. Gul noted; however, that the exaggeration
of certain issues in Turkey was partly responsible for the fall in
Turkish support for EU membership. Foreign Minister Gul pledged that
the ruling AKP would take measures to tackle the fall in Turkish
support for the union.
Most of the Turkish people are unhappy with the EU stance on Cyprus,
PKK terrorism, the so-called Armenian issue and the Greek Orthodox
Patriarchy. Remarkable numbers of Turks believe that the EU the
cynical intention to divide Turkey.
Unceasing EU demands on the Turkish government and increasing
pressure over Cyprus are seen as the main reasons why Turkish people
have begun to turn their back to the European Union. The more EU
leaders criticize Turkey, the more nationalist sentiment gains ground
in Turkey.
Turkey commenced actual accession talks with the European Union in
mid-June, following its eight-month screening process.
Turkey’s EU accession process is expected to be long, arduous and
susceptible to crises, especially on Cyprus. Optimistic analysts
predict that Turkey, with its large population, may enter the wealthy
bloc by 2014 at the earliest.

Ambassador of Iran Afshar Suleymani: “States including the region
should be represented in OSCE Minsk Group”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
[ 07 Jul. 2006 20:12 ]
“Despite the ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Armenians
violate ceasefire regularly, village population fired. People live
in fear on borderline territories.”
This statement was made by ambassador of plenipotentiary and
extraordinary of Iran to Azerbaijan, Afshar Suleymani visiting Tovuz
region at the invitation of parliamentarian Ganira Pashayeva. West
bureau of APA reports that the ambassador visited borderline
territories of Tovus with Armenia -Aghdam, Munjuglu, and Alibeyli
villages, met with local population: “OSCE Minsk Group works have
not any results in the settlement of the conflict. For investigating
Minsk Group work there is necessity of holding special conference in
Baku. Politicians, experts should be invited; they should announce the
non results of OSCE Minsk Group work. ” According to the ambassador,
one of the reasons of OSCE Minsk Group works’ being of no result is
related to France and the USA being represented there as not region
state. “In Minsk Group, Russia is in some meaning the only country
close to the region. This country has close relations with Armenia,
but it has borders with Azerbaijan.” The ambassador in case if the war
launches he did not give define answer on his country’s support. “The
government of Iran does not want Nagorno Garabagh conflict to be
settled through war. If Azerbaijan wages on and applies to Iran for
support, then this apply might be looked into.” It should be noted
that, ambassador of Iran to Azerbaijan, Afshar Suleymani will visit
Ganja tomorrow. Within the visit program the ambassador will meet
with city leadership and visit historical places of Ganja./APA/