Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005
AMERICAN ARMENIAN SCIENTIST NERSES KRIKORIAN CONFERRED TITLE OF
HONORABLE DOCTOR OF RA NAS
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Nerses Krikorian, well-known
American Armenian specialist of nuclear chemistry, was conferred a
title of an honorable doctor of RA National Academy of Sciences
(NAS). As Noyan Tapan was informed by RA NAS Press Service,
N.Krikorian’s great contribution to prevention of proliferation of
nuclear weapons was highlighted at the October 11 solemn sitting at
the academy.
Scientist’s main activity was connected with the Los Alamosi national
laboratory where he was engaged in obtaining of superpure uranium.
His scientific elaborations were successfully used during cosmic
flights to the planet of Mars. N.Krikorian has been actively engaged
in public activity over the past years.
Some programs on the line of the International Scientific and
Technical Center are implemented in Armenia with Nerses Krikorian’s
immediate participation. He received the highest prize of Los Alamosi
national laboratory, is the author of 6 scientific licences
registered by the Atomic Energy Commission of US State Department.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005
INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION CONTINUES TO MOUNT AGAINST CAUCASUS
RAILROAD PROPOSAL THAT BYPASSES ARMENIA
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The European
Commission has added its voice to the growing international
opposition to a Caucasus railroad proposal by the Turkish government
that would, if built, institutionalize Turkey’s border closure with
Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The Commission’s position was articulated this week by the
Directorate General for Transport and Energy. In explaining why the
European Union would not support the creation of this rail line, the
Directorate noted that its construction was both unnecessary and
inefficient in light of the existing railroad connecting Kars,
Gyumri, and Tbilisi. This line, which passes through Armenia, was
effectively shut down more than a decade ago by Turkey’s imposition
of its blockade of Armenia, which continues to this day.
The Commission’s adoption of this position comes in response to a May
21st letter from Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian to Jacques
Barrot, Deputy Chairman of the European Commission. In this letter,
the Foreign Minister outlined the destabilizing implications of the
proposed route bypassing Armenia, and stressed the willingness of the
government of Armenia to cooperate in the reactivation of the
existing Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway, which remains fully functional
but unused due to the unilateral Turkish blockade.
“We welcome the wise position taken by the European Commission
against Turkey’s most recent effort to effectively institutionalize
its border closure with Armenia. The well founded concerns raised by
the Commission reflect and reinforce those being addressed in the
U.S. Congress by the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads
Act,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “In pressing
forward so recklessly with this politically motivated proposal,
Turkey openly disregards the Administration’s repeated calls to end
its decade-long border closure with Armenia. Clearly, this disregard
must be recognized and reckoned with by the U.S. Congress, which
should, in the coming weeks, act in an urgent and decisive manner to
check Turkey’s growing indifference to U.S. priorities in the
region.”
On July 21st, Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
Frank Pallone (D-NJ), along with Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA),
introduced legislation addressing this issue by barring U.S.
financing for such rail projects circumventing Armenia. The ANCA
welcomed this bipartisan effort, noting that it would protect U.S.
taxpayers from subsidizing a totally unnecessary and regionally
destabilizing proposal by Turkey aimed at isolating Armenia. The
measure, known as the “South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads
Act of 2005” (H.R.3361), currently has 39 House cosponsors and is
gaining support from both sides of the aisle.
The text of the legislation notes “the exclusion of Armenia from
regional economic and commercial undertakings in the South Caucasus
undermines the United States policy goal of promoting a stable and
cooperative environment in the region.” In its operative section, the
legislation prohibits U.S. assistance “to develop or promote any rail
connections or railway-related connections that do not traverse or
connect with Armenia, but do traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan;
Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey.” Specific forms of U.S.
assistance prohibited would include: foreign economic and development
aid, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Trade and Development
Agency, and the Export-Import Bank.
The ANCA raised this issue publicly as early as June 10th of this
year in a question to Foreign Minister Oskanian, during a briefing at
the National Press Club. Minister Oskanian expressed concern that
this would be a wasteful undertaking for the international community.
He said that they [Turkey] are “planning on spending something from 0
million to billion to put that railroad in place.”
The Minister closed his comments, by stressing that, “This is in no
one’s interest – not the U.S. or European Union or the countries
involved. I have raised this issue with the Administration and they
understand, they promised to follow this, and to try to talk them
[the Turkish government] out of engaging in this type of senseless,
useless activity.”

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 14 2005
ARMENIAN OMBUDSMAN DISSATISFIED WITH THE REFUSAL OF ARMENIAN
GOVERNMENT TO FULLY SATISFY APPLICATION OF OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTION
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14. ARMINFO. Armenian Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan
is dissatisfied with the refusal of the Armenian Government to fully
satisfy the application of Ombudsman Institution.
Speaking at the Armenian Parliament Friday she said the Institution
applied for 141 million AMD, meanwhile the Government has agreed to
allocate only 130 million AMD. She stressed the necessity for
replenishment of the Ombudsman’s Staff with 5 employees for the
increasing number of applications (12% in 2005). Besides, the issue
of representing the Institution in Shirak, Syunik and Gegharkunik
regions still needs solution. Larisa Alaevryan said the average wages
of an employee of the Ombudsman Institution is 90,000 AMD. The draft
state budget for 2006 has ignored this problem.
Meanwhile, Armenian Minister for Finance and Economy Vardan
Khachatryan said financing of the Ombudsman Institution is not prior
for the Government. The more so as state allocations to the other
ministries or departments have not increased as much as those of the
Ombudsman Institution. Annual allocations for the latter rise by 30%.
Besides, V. Khachatryan disagreed with the size of the wages
presented by Larisa Alaverdyan. The minister said Ombudsman
Institution employees receive 102,000 AMD monthly wages.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 14 2005
LATEST MODEL OF LADA ON SALE IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, 14.10.05.ARMINFO. “KALINA” Latest Model of Lada is being
sold in Armenia.
Ashot Shahmouradian, deputy head of “Armenia Lada” CJSC informed
Arminfo that recently three “Kalinas” were brought to Armenia to
advertise them in Armenia. The sale of Lada’s latest model will begin
in 2006. Mr. Shahmouradian said that it is planned to sell several
hundreds of such cars in Armenia annually. It’s worth mentioning that
“Kalina” will be very convenient for Yerevan’s streets and will cost
as mush as the tenth model of Lada, i.e. $7800. “Kalina,” as well as
the rest of the cars sold by Armenia Lada” may be purchased in
installments and with guarantee services. The new model surpasses the
previous ones by its design and comfortable cabin. It is equipped
with an engine of 1,6 litres with 18th version of valve. “Armenia
Lada,” official dealer of “VAZ” accepts orders for the new car
already today.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 14 2005
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS KAREKIN II AND UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO
ARMENIA MEET
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14. ARMINFO. Catholicos of all Armenian Karekin II
met with New Ambassasdor of Ukraine to Armenia Alexander Bozhko,
Friday. It is noteworthy that Ambassador Bozhko has been appointed
the head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission to Armenia for the
second time. The press-service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
told ARMINFO.
In the course of the meeting, Supreme Patriarch welcomed Alexander
Bozhko and expressed confidence that the Ambassador will further
contribute to developing the friendly relations of the Armenian and
Ukrainian peoples. “It is pleasant that the old friend of Armenia,
Azexander Bozhko, is entrusted with this honorable mission. Both
Armenia and the Ukraine will gain from this,” said His Holiness
Karekin II.
In his turn, Ambassador Bozhko said Armenia has become dear to him
and he was with Armenia during the last 4 years of his absence from
the country. The Ambassador touched upon his close cooperation with
the Armenian community of the Ukraine, in particular, with Leader of
the Ukrainian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Grigoris Buniatyan. He assured the Supreme Patriarch that he intends
to further help developing and strengthening the Armenian- Ukrainian
relations.
Catholicos Karekin II wished the Ukraine to overcome the domestic
political problems and achieve stability in all the spheres.

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005
TURKISH LAWYER CONSIDERS PUNISHMENT IMPOSED ON HRANT DINK TO BE
INSUFFICIENT
ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The lawyer of
Mehmed Soykan, a party involved in the legal proceedings against
Hrant Dink, editor of the “Akos” Armenian newspaper of Istanbul,
submitted a claim to Turkish Cassation Court insisting that the
punishment of 6 months imposed on Hrant Dink and the delay of the
punishment contradicts the laws. As the “Marmara” daily informs
referring to the “Anatolu” agency, the lawyer insists that the court
had no right to impose a minimum punishment and to delay it. The
lawyer also reminded that another legal proceedings against Hrant
Dink continues in Urfa.
To recap, by the decision of the court Hrant Dink was convicted to 6
months’ imprisonment for “insulting the national originality of the
Turks.” At the same time, in consideration of defendant’s model
behaviour during the trial, the court delayed the punishment, which
means that Dink won’t be imprisoned unless he repeats what he has
done.
In an article published in early 2004 Dink applied to Armenians
calling up them to “give up hatred towards Turks, which poisons your
blood.”

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005
VICE-SPEAKER OF TURKISH PARLIAMENT INTENDS TO REFUTE STATEMENTS MADE
BY HALIL BERKTAY IN YEREVAN IN HIS LETTER TO NATO PA
ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Turkish
press widely touched upon the participation of historian Halil
Berktay, Sabanc University lecturer, in the Rose Roth Yerevan seminar
of NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA). According to the “Marmara” daily
of Istanbul, the publications in Turkish press make known that the
Turkish parliament refused to send a Turkish delegation to the
seminar in order that Halil Berktay should become the only Turkish
participant of the seminar. Berktay left for Yerevan and speaking at
the seminar, supported the point of view that the leadership of the
Ottoman period pursued the goal of annihilating the Armenian people
by means of displacement and slaughter and the events of 1915 must be
qualified a genocide.
Simon Lu, NATO PA Secretary General, sent the text of Halil Berktay’s
Yerevan speech to Vahid Erdem, Vice-Speaker of Turkish Parliament,
after which Vahid Erdem gave commentaries at the October 12 press
conference. He reported that NATO PA had applied to the Turkish
parliament with a request of sending a delegation to the seminar, but
the parliament, putting forward reasons about a “long and unsafe
way,” decided that the Turkish delegation won’t participate in the
seminar. Erdem mentioned that indeed the delegation was able to come
to Yerevan but the parliament made the opposite decision motivating
it by the fact that Turkey has no diplomatic relations with Armenia.
After these explanations Erdem regretted to say that the organizers
gave the floor to “such a historian as Halil Berktay” whose speech
was “one-sided.” Objecting to Berktay’s viewpoints, Erdem declared at
the press conference that there is no study proving that Armenians
became victims of a genocide.
Vahid Erdem noted that the NATO organizers didn’t have a secret
purpose but they had better send someone who were “unbiassed” and in
this case there would be a more “sound” debate on the issue.
Vahid Erdem added that he is going to send a letter consisting of 3
pages to NATO PA Secretariate General, in which he will respond to
Berktay’s points of view.

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005
DEPUTIES OF GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT SEE “RUSSIAN TRACE” IN LATEST
PROVOCATIONS IN AKHALKALAK AND AKHALTSKHE

TBILISI, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. According to Van
Bayburt, a Deputy of the rulling majority of the Georgian Parliament,
who is of Armenian origin, proclamations threatening Armenians
appeared in Akhalkalak and Akhaltskhe are a provocation organized by
Russia. “Who else is not satisfied with the peace in Georgia?” the
Deputy questioned.
According to the “Vesti.net” site, Giga Bokeria, one of the leaders
of the rulling party “United National Movement” doesn’t dout the
presence of a “Russian trace” either. “We don’t share the country by
the ethnic principle. All citizens of Georgia are equal. Those who
wants to lead the country on another way are enemies of this state.
In the given case, all this is too similar to actions of our northern
neighbour,” he said. During the intervew to journalists some other
Georgian Deputies also expressed such opinion.
To recap, proclamations appeared in Akhalkalak and Akhalthkhe, the
cities of the region Samtskhe-Javakhketi, Georgia, mainly
Armenian-populated, which , particularly, say: “It’s time for
revenge. Armenians, we come, one who appears on our way will die.
Russians won’t help you, their time on our land passed.” The
proclamations are signed by “Akhaltskhe Liberation Brigade.” A
criminal action has been brought on the fact.
A Russian military basis is placed in Akhalkalak which must be
replaced from the territory of Georgia till late 2008. A definite
part of Armenian inhabitants demands replacing of the basis, and,
besides, demands giving the region populated with Armenians an
autonomous status in the structure of Georgia.

ARKA News Agency
Oct 14 2005
ARMENIAN FLAG HOISTED ON MOUNT ARARAT
YEREVAN, October 14. /ARKA/. Rene Reacher, Director of the
Environmental Research and Protection Center, American University of
Armenia (AUA), is the first woman-conquerer of Mount Ararat. She
hoisted the national flag of Armenia on the top of Ararat and
descended from 3,000 meters on a paraplane. The AUA press service
reports that the ascent was started from Dogubayazet, Turkey, on
August 18, 2005, in association with two other US citizens, Dan Retz
and John Tace. The ascent lasted for three days. P.T. -0–

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005
VARTAN OSKANIAN MEETS WITH HIS COLLEAGUE, LOCAL ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN
SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Vartan
Oskanian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia who is on an
official visit to countries of Asia and Pacific Ocean, met with his
colleague George Yeo on October 13 in Singapore.
At the meeting Minister Oskanian presented briefly the state of
Armenia within the present geographic-political surroundings,
opportunies of the region and development tendencies. Then exchange
of ideas was promoted around a number of issues of mutual interest.
In this sense, possibilities of development of bilateral relations
were discussed starting with holding consultations between the
Foreign Ministries and creation of a legal-contractual field. The
possibilities of holding a consultation concerning the Singaporian
development experience was also discussed. Appreciating the attempt
of cooperation in international organizations, especcially the UN, a
bilateral readiness was expressed to deepen that cooperation from now
on as well.
As Noyan Tapan was ifnormed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Information
and Public Relations’ Department, conflicts present in different
parts of the world and ways of their settlement were spoken about at
the meeting. Within this framework, Minister Oskanian presented the
present state and prospects of the negotiation process of the Nagorno
Karabakh issue.
On the same day, Minister Oskanian visited the Armenian Church of
Singapore and had a meeting with local Armenians.
In the evening, V.Oskanian had a working visit with Zainul Abidin
Rasheed, the State Minister of Singapore. Late on the same day, RA
Foreign Minister left Singapore for Yerevan.