Mehr News Agency, Iran
Sept 23 2005
Armenia negotiating purchase of Iran-140 aircraft
TEHRAN, Sept. 23 (MNA) – Iran Aircraft Mfg. Company (HESA) is
negotiating with Armenia over the sale of 3 Iran-140 turboprop
aircrafts, executive director of HESA Abbas Fallah announced on
Thursday. However, there has been no actual demand or solid proposal
for purchase of this plane by domestic airlines due to their more
conventional view of employing jet planes and the prestige that is
associated with it, he added.
It seems that Iranian airliners prefer to buy or lease even used jets
for awhile in order to move more passengers from point A to B, while
Iran-140 offers certain advantages that compensates for the larger
capacity of jet planes and presents the buyers with more
profitability in the long run. For example, although due to its
technical specifications, the travel time takes longer with Iran-140
but, passenger boarding time is 7 minutes shorter than with the
larger jets. So, overall, a given trip requires less time by this
turboprop.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Fallah indicated that the production
capacity of Iran-140 is projected to be 32 to 40 planes by the end of
the 4th Socio-economic and Cultural Development Plan if adequate
market support is offered.
As to the criticisms set forth on having such a plane in Iranian
fleet, he maintained that the turboprop consumes 500 to 600 kgs of
fuel per hour compared to 2.2 tons of Fokker 100’s consumption. In
other words, this is 2 times more hourly fuel consumption per
passenger for the 100. Moreover, the 140 is designed for the
country’s wide ranges of climates and the tests performed testify to
this matter. For instance, most planes have landing and take-off
problems at Khorramabad Airport, whereas despite some limitations
140, like any other plane, performs the tasks with ease and
competence.
He also stated that the contract to sell 3 Iran-140s at the cost of
$27m to Sudan will soon be going into effect and HESA would be also
receiving $3m to offer necessary services and support for maintenance
and personnel training for a year.

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Sept 23 2005
2006-2007- Armenian Days in France

On September 23, Hranush Hakobyan, The Chairwoman of the NA Standing
Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Youth met Anni Monry,
councilor on coordination and cultural affairs and Mathieu Leblik,
coordinator for educational and linguistic affairs.
The issues related to the organization of 2006-2007 `Armenian Days’
declared in France and in order to choose 100 schoolchildren leaving
for France. By the proposal of Mrs. Hakobyan it was decided for the
productive organization of the activities to create a working group,
which will leave for marzes to get acquainted with the children,
choose them, taking into consideration the presented demands,
especially the knowledge of the French language and cultural
interests.
It was decided to organize the next meeting in November and do
practical steps, taking into account the concrete proposals for the
program to be carried out.

Middle East Times, Egypt
Sept 23 2005
Bashing the Turks
Tony Brittan
PARIS
September 23, 2005
In an article in the Middle East Times, the Turkish government point
blank denies that the Ottoman Empire killed some 1.5 million
Armenians in genocide (“Turkish court blocks discussion of Armenian
massacres,” September 23) and has banned a conference to debate the
issue.
Some European Union countries quite rightly are upset that
intellectuals are being silenced, considering that Turkey wishes to
join Europe.
But before we Europeans get too high-and-mighty, shouldn’t we clean
up our own house first? To deny the Holocaust in Switzerland is a
crime! Where is freedom of thought there? Talk about double
standards. Shouldn’t we look at ourselves before bashing the Turks?

Reporter.gr , Greece
Sept 23 2005
X-Sender: Asbed Bedrossian
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Turkey: World Bank Estimates Turkey’s Inflation at 7.11%
16:08 – 23 September 2005 – The Central Bank’s latest survey showed
that inflation will reach 7.11% in December below the 8% end-year
target from 7.16% in the previous survey.
An EU member stated that a Turkish court’s decision to postpone a
conference on the Armenian genocide was a provocation two weeks
before accession talks begin.
Turkish government officials pointed out that this year’s primary
surplus would meet or exceed the 6.5% of GNP target.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

I-Newswire.com (press release)
Sept 23 2005
X-Sender: Asbed Bedrossian
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Genocide conference to be attacked
Turkish nationalists are going to attack participants of the Armenian
Genocide conference; first Genocide conference in Turkey not
organized by the Turkish government.
(I-Newswire) – On 23 September, 2005, Turkish nationalists are going
to attack participants of the Armenian Genocide conference; first
Genocide conference in Turkey not organized by the Turkish
government.
As the Turkish media report, members of Turkish Retired Officers
Association are going to attack the Conference on Armenian Genocide
organized by Turkish academicians who do not share Turkish
government’s denialist approach against the Armenian massacres. A
Turkish news website, , has
posted the `plan of attack,’ which informs that protesters are to
gather at 7:45pm in the Uskudar district, take the ferryboat over to
Dolmabahce Palace and Taksim Square, and proceed to Bosporus
University in Istanbul.
In the meanwhile, other Turkish news agencies, such as
, have published various anti-Armenian
articles on 22 September 2005, just a day before the Conference
starts.
The Conference, organized by the Bosporus University and attended by
Turkish academicians and scholars throughout the world, was postponed
early this year due to threats from Turkish nationalists and
officials.
The Armenian Genocide was organized and carried out by the Turkish
government during 1915 and 1923. The Genocide resulted in the
complete annihilation of western Armenians in their historic
motherland. Turkish government and its agents spend millions of
dollars each year to deny the Armenian Genocide. Recognition of this
Genocide in Turkey is a legalized crime.
Genocide.com regrets the plan of this sinister attack and hopes that
the academicians won’t be harmed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Winnipeg Sun, Canada
Sept 23 2005
Live Review: SOAD in Winnipeg
Intense SOAD reward fans
By ROB WILLIAMS — Winnipeg Sun

WINNIPEG – Talk about a mesmerizing night of music.
Last night’s System of a Down show at the MTS Centre featured three
bands playing heavy, challenging, experiential metal that both
thrilled and bewildered a crowd of 8,000.
Taking the stage an hour late after being delayed by Hurricane Rita
at LAX in Los Angeles, SOAD showed why they are one of the most
unique mainstream metal acts in North America with a jarring display
of hardcore thrash mixed with Middle Eastern textures inspired by
their Armenian roots.
>From the first notes of intro Soldier Side the floor was a swirling
mass of bodies and fists. The intensity was cranked to eleven when
they launched into the war-bashing B.Y.O.B., the first single off
their latest album Mezmerize.
Frontman Serj Tankian shared vocal duties with guitarist Daron
Malakian, who handled the grittier side of things while ripping
through the intricate guitar lines that make up their socio-political
manifests.
Bassist Shavo Odajian and drummer John Dolmayan were put to work
keeping up with the abrupt pauses, fractured rhythms, tempo
variations and time signature changes that make up the group’s
arsenal.
The set was heavy on material from Mezmerize and their 2001
breakthrough Toxicity, although they threw in a few numbers off their
1998 debut.
At press time the band were about half-way through their 90-minute
set getting the crowd airborne with Bounce.
Before SOAD, The Mars Volta tore through a one-hour set featuring
only four songs of absurdist avant-garde prog-metal and cerebral
psychedelia.
The Texas group performed as an eight-piece, including three
percussionists and two keyboardists, but the main focus was on
vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala and guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez,
formerly of emo-heroes At the Drive In. They may have ditched the
sound of their former band, but it’s nice to see they kept their
famous afros.
Bixler-Zavala was a madman on stage howling in English and Spanish
while convulsing like the bastard child of Iggy Pop. Rodriguez-Lopez
stood beside him at centre stage tearing through solos and thrashing
his guitar above a roaring wall of drums, horns and effects.
Each song was its own sprawling mini-epic, starting slowly and
building to a cacophonous climax before calming down to a dull roar
and rising again. For a similar effect smash a brick into your head,
relax with a therapeutic massage then beat yourself stupid.
As strange as some might have found The Mars Volta, opening act Hella
were just as mind bending.
The Sacramento, Calif. duo of Spencer Seim and Zach Hill, on guitar
and drums respectively, added a bassist and keyboardist-guitarist to
expand on their experimental noise rock.
Without following the traditional verse-chorus-verse structure, Hella
were anything but linear, venturing into adventurous spastic freak
outs of thrash, surf, electronica, jazz and no wave anchored by
Hill’s out-of-control non-stop drumming.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 23 2005
ROBERT KOCHARYAN MET JOHN HUNTSMAN
On September 22 RA President Robert Kocharyan met an American
businessman, President of the `Huntsman’ Corporation John Huntsman.
According to the information De Facto got at the RA President’s press
service, the owner of the `Sharp and Associates’ company James Edgar
Sharp and the owner of the `Reaud, Morgan and Quinn’ company Wayne
Allison Reaud participated in the meeting as well.
In the course of the meeting Robert Kocharyan stated Armenians
remembered with gratitude John Huntsman, who had reached his hand to
the Armenian nation after the earthquake in Spitak in 1988.
`I am happy to visit Armenia again,’ said Jon Huntsman having noted
he intended to realize a number of programs in educational and health
care fields. Robert Kocharyan voiced confidence that the cooperation
would go on and John Huntsman’s ideas would become a reality.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 23 2005
ROBERT KOCHARYAN: REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA HAS POWERFUL FOUNDATIONS
The Republic of Armenia celebrates its fourteenth year of
independence as a steadily developing country. We continue to
successfully implement pervasive programs of amendments. RA President
Robert Kocharyan stated it speaking at the reception organized on the
occasion of RA Independence Day.
`For the last four years Armenia’s economic growth has been showing
double-digit numbers. First of all, this is a result of our people’s
diligent work as well as of the effective policies of the
authorities. It has also become possible through the internal
political stability, which is a necessary precondition for the
country’s advancement’, said RA President.
`It is important that the results of this progress are channeled
predominantly into the social sphere. The economic growth should have
a direct impact on the well-being of our citizens, and we are
resolute to fully implement the plan on Reduction of Poverty. Work
and social protection – this should be our dictum for the coming
years. The guarantees of overcoming challenges faced by our country
are strengthening of the rule of law, more efficient administration
and civil accord’, stated Robert Kocharyan.
Touching upon the forthcoming constitutional amendments referendum
Armenian President stressed the people had already made their choice
to build a free, democratic and prosperous country.
As for foreign policy, RA authorities go on deepening the country’s
international involvement taking an active part in the discussions
and resolutions of the problems. `We consider cooperation of all the
countries of the region to be the best way for the gradual solution
of the existing conflicts. We are committed to a peaceful resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh issue, which must be built on the actual
existence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and right of people to
self-determination’, stressed Robert Kocharyan.
`Our state is safe and secure thanks to Armenia’s armed forces, which
were born by our independence and have now become its shield. Our
army was formed by the heroes, who shed blood to create powerful
foundations for the Republic of Armenia – the motherland of all
Armenians’, noted the President.
`Independence Day is a holiday, which the best sons of our people
have dreamed of and made possible through the centuries-long
endeavors. I am confident that present and future generations will
continue this sacred task in the name of strong and prosperous
Armenia’, stressed the Head of the state.

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Sept 23 2005
French proposal for special partnership
ANKARA – Text defines ‘privileged partnership’ under 8 headings:
common commercial policy, support for state of law, immigration
control, maritime security cooperation, development aid, joint
defense and foreign policies, peaceful solution to Cyprus problem and
cultural cooperation
In an obvious reply to claims that the idea of “privileged
partnership” is an unclear idea, French members of the European
People’s Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, have
prepared a draft text on just how a special status for Turkey would
be defined.
Jacques Toubon, member of the European People’s Party (Christian
Democrats), gave the three-page document to ABHaber, a news website
based inBrussels.
The text defines privileged partnership under eight headings: a
common commercial policy, support for the state of law, control of
immigration, cooperation in maritime security, aid to development,
joint defense and foreign policies, peaceful solution to the Cyprus
problem and cultural cooperation.
The paper urges the full implementation and the extension of the
Customs Union. It goes as far as saying that Turkey can be integrated
into commerce-related councils and working groups on trade policy.
The paper claims that judicial cooperation between Turkey and the
European Union should continue with the aim of enhancing democratic
development in Turkey and pay particular attention to women’s rights
and to the freedom of expression. It also refers to the “Armenian
genocide” — claiming that Turkey was the only country in the world
to deny it.
Turkey and the EU should cooperate in a concrete manner on the
control of immigration and maritime security as well as common
foreign and defense policy, says the text. It also urges cooperation
in cultural policy.
The paper urges a “realistic” aid system for Turkey.
The text says that Turkey could not become a member of the EU while
refusing to recognize one of its members. Given this situation it
would be best to give Turkey privileged partnership, it says.
In conclusion, the text claims that privileged partnership with
Turkey would both solve the difficulties in the Union regarding
Turkish membership and remove the difficult task of adaptation Turkey
may face. “It would also allow Turkey to play a key role in its
region,” it says.
From: Baghdasarian

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Sept 23 2005
Turkey Almost Ready For Negotiations With E.U., Babacan
ANKARA – Turkey is almost ready for full membership negotiations with
the EU, Turkish State Minister and chief negotiator Ali Babacan said
on Friday.
Answering questions of reporters before he left for the United
States, Babacan said that the negotiation team had almost been set
up, and added, ”how can public institutions or NGOs contribute to
negotiations? We will discuss these matters in detail (after October
3rd when the EU is expected to launch full membership negotiations
with Turkey).”
Commenting on the court decision to suspend a conference titled
”Ottoman Armenians during the Empire’s Fall: Scientific
Responsibility and Problems of Democracy”, Babacan said that
hampering thoughts are not in compliance with the human rights and
freedoms that Turkey is trying to catch up with.
-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS-
Touching on economic developments, Babacan expressed no worry about
the primary surplus target, and said, ”according to our estimations,
we may record a primary surplus more than 6.5 percent (this year).”
Babacan forecast the year-end inflation rate below 8 percent, while
stated that Turkey had to pursue a firm budget policy even next year
since current deficit problems were not solved yet.