RUSSIAN AND IRANIAN COMPANIES SUBMIT OFFERS ON COMPLETION OF 5TH POWER
UNIT OF RAZDAN TPS

YEREVAN, MARCH 29. ARMINFO. Armenian Ministry for Energy will publish
its conclusion concerning the investment offers of three companies on
completion of the 5th power unit of the Razdan Thermal Power Station
(TPS) within 1-2 month, Energy Minister Armen Movsissyan informed
journalists, Mar 29.

In his words, “Gasprom” OJSC and “Russian UES” JSC presented a joint
technical-and-commercial offer to the Ministry some days ago.
According to the offer, it is planned to complete the 5th power
station of the TPS with 300 Mgwt installed capacity and supplement it
with up-to-date 150 Mgwt gas turbine capacity. Gas consumption for
production of 1 Kw electric power will total nearly 250-270 gram as
against 330 gram in accordance with unit’s previous project.
Movsissyan refused to call the cost of Russian companies’ investment
program. However, it should be noted that President of “Russian UES”
Anatoly Chubays informed Russian mass-media that the $120 mln would be
required to realize the project. An Iranian company (Movsissyan did
not mention its name) presented the another offer on completion of
TPS’s 5th power unit. Both offers are being discussed at present and
it is early to draw any conclusions, Minister said.

Movsissyan noted that supplies of electric power in exchange for
Iranian gas after construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipe-line will be
fulfilled from those TPS which will be more efficient. In this case,
the project of reconstruction of the Yerevan TPS out of the proceeds
of $150.2 mln Japanese government’s credit (it is planned to consume
about 160-170 gram of gas to produce 1 Kw electric power as against
current 372 grams) rivals with the Razdan TPS.

To add, “Russian UES” JSC has stated about its interest to become the
operator on exchange of Armenian electric power instead of Iranian
gas. -r-

WILL ERDOGAN BE FAR-SIGHTED ENOUGH TO OPEN BORDERS?

Azg/arm
30 March 05

David Phillips, coordinator of TARC, said in the interview to the
Liberty Radio Station, that Armenia would help the opening of the
border with Turkey if the Armenians announced that they have no
territorial claims from the Turks. He accused the Bush administration
of failing the long lasting efforts of the US directed to the
improvement of the relations between Ankara and Yerevan.

“I told the Turks when I had the opportunity that it is impossible
that Armenia will stop their activities directed to the international
recognition of the Armenian genocide,” Phillips said. He noticed
during his recent visit to Turkey that they are particularly attentive
to the Armenian Cause in that country. “They accept in Turkey that it
is necessary to turn back to the past. The talks on opening the border
with Armenia are widely spread among the Turks.I hope that Erdogan’s
government will prescience and braveness and take that step,” he said.

MOSCOW RESPONDS TO PUTIN’S YEREVAN VISIT

Azg/arm
30 March 05

I did not notice many articles in the Russian press concerning the
Yerevan visit of President Vladimir Putin and those I read really
surprised me: the flourishing Russian-Armenian relations please not
everyone. Even if I came across stinging motives, they were equally
addressed to both states. The headlines themselves spoke well for the
implication of the visit. “Putin Visits the Last Outpost in CIS”,
“Putin Trying to Keep the Last Ally by His Side”. One of the
newspapers hailed the visit – “The Yerevan Gambit”.

The cunning Russian press guessed right indeed the main purpose of its
president’s “tour”. “The protocol pompous arrangements that the
presidents opted in were a veil to hide the tension of the dialogue
Embarrassed over colorful revolutions in the CIS, Russia fears to
lose its nearly the last trustworthy leg”, wrote Commersant. The paper
highlighted Russia’s hopes to transport its troops and armament from
Georgian bases to Armenia. Meanwhile, the paper writes that Armenia
gave consent to this initiative but putting forward a number of its
own preconditions.

The state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta points out, “A political libretto is
ready for the Days of Russia launching today in Armenia”.

Putting in a nutshell that Armenia is the most faithful partner of
Russia, Izvestia tracks down why, “=80¦ because its relations with US
policy’s outposts – Azerbaijan and Turkey – are historically
complicated. It’s possible that Yerevan’s policy will change but not
in a rather long perspective”.

Remaining faithful to the gutter press manner, Moskovski Commersant
thinks that Putin is rather popular in Armenia and takes the chance to
be witty, “Perhaps more than Kocharian himself”. The author of the
article, AlexanderBudberg, could not help displaying his anti-Armenian
“astuteness”, “Alliance with Russia is of great significance for the
republic. They say shamelessly in Yerevan that the country lives on
the money that Armenians worldwide send to their homeland. But at
least half of the country has moved to Russia”.

Interestingly, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, not distinguished for pro-Armenian
views, was rather moderate in its “independent” approach. “Visit of
the Moscow delegation was called to show that there are still
countries among the post-soviet republics that are not under the
West’s influence yet”.

By Ruben Hayrapetian in Moscow

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

World Bank Group, DC
March 29 2005

Young and at Risk : Living With HIV

March 28, 2005 – The 1990s ushered in many positive changes in Eastern
Europe and Central Asia, but rapid social change also exposed these
transition countries to problems that tight borders previously held
at bay-drug and sex trafficking and the onset of HIV/AIDS.

Sharing needles and injecting drugs is driving the spread of the
HIV/AIDS in this region, particularly among youth.

Between 1.5 and 3 million Russians are believed to inject drugs.
Ukraine has more than 800,000 injecting drug users, while Kazakhstan
some 200,000.

Economic hardship has been especially difficult on young people, who
are increasingly poor and jobless. An increasing number aren’t
completing secondary school and are exposed to trafficked drugs and a
burgeoning sex trade.

All of this makes youth more vulnerable to drug use, and,
consequently, to HIV/AIDS. As a result of this risky behavior, the
number of new infections has skyrocketed over a short period of time.

While the number of actual infections (prevalence rate) in the region
remains low-0.8%-the number of those infected reached some 1.4
million people by the end of 2004, which represents more than a
nine-fold increase in less than 10 years, according to UNAIDS
estimates.

The Russian Federation has the largest number of infections in the
region – 860,000. HIV is thought to have gained a foothold among
high-risk groups – injecting drug users and commercial sex workers —
in Southeastern Europe.

Under 30 at the Epicenter

More than 80% of those living with HIV are under the age of 30.

Young men are at the greatest risk. Drug use often lands them in
prison for possession, where they continue injecting and sharing
needles, spreading HIV to other inmates and becoming susceptible to
tuberculosis, which easily attacks those whose immune systems are
weakened by HIV.

Tuberculosis has emerged as a parallel epidemic to HIV/AIDS and is
considered to be “critical” in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova,
Romania, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine,
and Uzbekistan, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Sexual transmission of HIV is increasing as well, particularly in
Estonia, Russia, and Ukraine, the region’s most seriously-affected
countries, allowing the epidemic to gain a foothold in the wider
population.

Difficult socio-economic circumstances are forcing young women and
girls to engage in commercial sex work, which also fuels the spread
of HIV.

Demographic Decline Fueled Further

Unless its spread is contained, HIV/AIDS will have grave economic and
social consequences.

In Russia, where prevalence is estimated at around 1.1%, AIDS is
accelerating a pre-existing demographic crisis- further reducing life
expectancy as well as overall population.

If current trends continue, Russia’s GDP could drop by 4.15% by 2010,
and without any intervention the GDP could fall by 10.5% by 2020,
according to a 2002 World Bank study.

The uninhibited spread of HIV would diminish the economy’s long-term
growth rate, taking off half a percentage point annually by 2010 and
a full percentage point annually by 2020.

Stemming the HIV Tide

The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia started
relatively late compared to other places in the world.

In many countries the epidemic is still in its early stages-largely
contained within high risk groups- providing a window of opportunity
to contain its spread.

Increasing awareness about HIV/AIDS and establishing effective
prevention, care and treatment services are crucial to tackle the
epidemics. Country governments, civil society, the private sector and
international agencies must work together for these interventions to
succeed.

Two examples of such joint action are taking place this week in
Moscow – a Russian Business Summit on HIV/AIDS being supported by the
World Bank Group and other partners, and a CIS ministerial meeting
from March 31-April 1, organized by UNAIDS and its co-sponsors.

Mobilizing Resources

In addition to helping mobilize resources to fight HIV/AIDS in
Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the World Bank has conducted
extensive research and analysis of the issue to support policy design
and project planning.

In a regional strategy laid out in 2003, Averting AIDS Crises in ECA,
the Bank estimated that the region will need US$1.5 billion in
resources by 2007 to stem the spread of HIV.

International assistance for fighting HIV/AIDS in the region has
risen twelve-fold over the past four years -from US$52 million in
2001 to more than US$600 million by the end of 2004-through the
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria (GFATM), the World Bank,
and major bilateral donors.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

`AS FAR AS THE ARMENIAN NATION HAS THE WILL TO GO ON WITH ITS CLAIMS,
IT WILL GAIN ITS RIGHTS’

Azg/arm
30 March 05

“Our wish is that the Armenian nation regains its former borders, gets
back its historic lands and creates free, independent and united
Armenia”, Muhammad al Fares, head of the Al Tay tribe, said after the
12 Arab tribe leaders prayed at the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide.

Delegation of the Syrian tribe leaders accompanied by representatives
of the Armenian Revolutionary Party visited Tsitsernakaberd yesterday
to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Each of them
has something to say as they brought with them memories of their
families about the Armenians who escaped massacres and their starving
orphans.

Sheikh al Fares recalled his grandfather telling that their settlement
was dangerous for Armenians and together with his tribesmen he led the
Armenians out to a Yezidi at the mount of Snjar until situation
settled in his region.

“Our Armenian brothers are part of our life. We contribute to
Syria’s social, economical development hand in hand. At first,
Armenians lived in rural areas, working the soil, breeding cattle,
wearing our national dresses and keeping their traditions and
customs. They lived their lives beside us, identified with us, showing
their courage, hospitality, openness, the best features oftheir
character. Moreover, during arguments, discords and even clashes
within our tribes they stepped in displaying the main feature of the
Armenian nation- love for peace. We have noticed no evil intentions in
Armenians”, he said adding that Armenians living in deserts with Arabs
even got used to eating with hands.

Answering daily Azg’s question as to what he thinks about
Turkey’s denialist policy in the Armenian Genocide issue, he said
that the existence of today’s Armenia is the greatest answer to the
Turks and that it’s not essential whether they recognize the Genocide
or not. “As far as the Armenian nation has the will to go on with its
claims, I am sure it will gain its rights”, he said.

Sheikh Nauaf al Bashir from the Bagar tribe told that the Arabs helped
Armenians even when their were threatened not to do so. But the Arabs
fearlessly hid the Armenians in their homes treating them as friends.

“They want to tell those questioning the fact of Armenian Genocide
that their fathers were eyewitnesses of the events, that all they told
was true”, Khachik Majikian from Aleppo said.

The tribe leaders said that the elders of their tribes bequeathed to
have a place for the Armenians in their hearts. There were newborn
orphans among the Armenians of Al Tay tribe who were fed up by Arab
women. Half of around 70 thousand Armenians of Syria returned to
motherland in 1946, others wedded Arabs.

Armen Melkonian, Armenian envoy to Aleppo, was in the Syrian
delegation as well. He noted that the tribe leaders voice their
personal opinion, as Syria has not defined its state policy in regard
to the Armenian Genocide.

By Ruzan Poghosian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE REPORT MAY TURN INTO A HEADACHE FOR ARMENIA

Azg/arm
30 March 05

Stepan Safarian, expert at the Strategic and National Research Center,
thinks that the report of OSCE Minsk group’s fact-finding mission may
result in world community’s attempts to solve the issue of neighboring
territories separately, leaving the issue of Nagorno Karabakh for
future.

The Cooperation for Open Society called a round table on March 28
inviting NGO representatives, politicians, political scientists and
experts to discuss the report of the fact-finding mission.

Safarian pointed out to the threats that Armenia may face in
future. The impression Safarian got from the report is that all
neighboring territoriesof Nagorno Karabakh but Lachin are out of
control, something that Azerbaijan continuously claims. The report
notes that the region of Lachin was inhabited under direct supervision
of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The last fact, Safarian thinks, may
result in manipulations in future. But the most dangerous thingthat
may happen is that the neighboring regions can be viewed separately
from Karaba kh settlement.

Varuzhan Nersisian from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs almost
repeated all the paragraphs of a March 17 press release by the
Ministry, which said thatthe fact-finding mission refuted accusations
of Baku made at the UN in fall of 2004.

The report dispelled particularly Azerbaijan’s claims that the number
of inhabitants in neighboring regions of Karabakh is from 30 to 300
thousand, that Armenia conducts a state-financed policy of
inhabitation and that most of the settlers are citizens of Armenia or
Diaspora. Nersisian agreed that the report “cannot be put aside” but
added that it might be considered success for Armenia in the
diplomatic sphere.

Paruyr Hayrikian labeled the report “a shameful defeat” for
Armenia. He asked the Foreign Ministry representative whether there
was no Armenian at the Ministry to say “we do inhabit the territories
and will continue doing so”. Nersisian said that there is no lack of
patriots at the Ministry but the issue is considered from the angle of
international rights.

Political scientist Aghasi Yenoqian hailed the report “an awful
document”. He posed a rhetoric question, “If we are not allowed to
inhabit the territories, why did we take them over?”

We have to explain to the outsiders why the Armenian forces took under
complete control 5 and partial control 2 neighboring regions of
Karabakh. Meanwhile, Yenoqian’s meaningless rhetoric speech can only
surprise.

By Tatoul Hakobian

ARMENIANS IN SWEDEN UNITE IN STRUGGLE

Azg/arm
30 March 05

The Coordination Center of the Armenians of Sweden is closely
cooperating with the Congress of the European Armenians. During the
March 12 annual meeting of the organization, its members discussed
further plans and activities, as well as the efforts directed to the
enlargement of the structure’s democracy and the issues concerning the
organization’s regulation. In particular,they discussed the
arrangements envisaged for the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide that include exhibitions, conferences and lectures in many
cities of the country. They decided to hold a united sitting and rally
on April 23-24 in Stockholm. While in September, a number of
arrangements are envisaged throughout Europe directed against Turkey’s
membership to EU.

The annual congress reconfirmed its assistance to the activities of
the European Armenians’ Congress that are to contribute to the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, to the strengthening of the
Armenian state and the just settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

By Hakob Tsulikian

PanArmenian News
March 29 2005

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN AGREEMENT ON COMBATTING ILLEGAL DRUG CIRCULATION TO
BE SIGNED IN MOSCOW

29.03.2005 04:32

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today representatives of Armenia and Russia will
sign in Moscow an agreement providing for conduction of joint
measures on combating illegal drug circulation, Federal service for
control over drug circulation reported.

PanArmenian News
March 29 2005

PHILIP KIRKOROV WILL TRY TO SMOOTH AWAY MISTAKES

29.03.2005 04:09

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian singer Phlip Kirkorov considers the project
of performing Turkish songs to be a rash decision, press secretary of
the company-initiator of Kirkorov’s concert tour in Armenia Termine
Ayrumian stated. She reminded that these songs were performed 4 years
ago and it is a bit late to speculate in this subject. When
commenting on the incident with the Armenian journalist she said that
Kirkorov has already apologized to the young woman. Meanwhile,
Termine Ayrumian informed that Philip Kirkorov and his father Bedros
Kirkorov, who will arrive with him, are going to visit the Memorial
to Armenian Genocide victims and the Genocide Museum. Besides, Bedros
Kirkorov promised to make a surprise for the Armenian audience and
sing some favorite Armenian songs.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanArmenian News
March 29 2005

VARDAN OSKANIAN: KARABAKH PROBLEM CAN BE SETTLED BY RECOGNIZING
KARABAKH PEOPLE’S RIGHT FOR SELF-DETERMINATION

29.03.2005 01:17

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Nagorno Karabakh conflict cannot be resolved
militarily. Once there was a war and the Armenian party won it.
However the problem was not solved. It cannot be solved via working
out various documents confirming the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, as Karabakh will by now means agree to become a part of
Azerbaijan again», Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian stated
at the hearings in the National Assembly, IA Regnum reports. In his
words Armenia is following three major principles: 1. Nagorno
Karabakh cannot be a part of Azerbaijan, 2. there should be overland
communication between Karabakh and Armenia, 3. the population of
Karabakh should be given real security guarantees. However, the key
item is Karabakh’s right for self-determination, he stressed. The
Minister also divided into 4 stages the cycle of negotiations that
has now gone on for over a decade. – The first stage began with the
OSCE Budapest Summit and ended with the OSCE Lisbon Summit. – The
second stage covered the post-Lisbon period through the change of
presidential administration in Armenia. – The third stage stretched
to the death of Father Aliyev. – And the fourth stage is the one
we’re in now, that started with the change of administration in
Azerbaijan. «The permanent institute of the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs formed in Budapest in 1994 made a successful effort in
reconciling the principles of territorial integrity and
self-determination. The result was the Common State document which
was rejected by Azerbaijan. Direct meetings between the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan followed Azerbaijan’s rejection of the Common
State. All together, during the third stage the two presidents met
nearly two dozen times. They came to share an awareness of the need
for a comprehensive solution. Father Aliyev, accepting the
inevitable, tried to negotiate in a way as to reap such dividends
that would make the whole package acceptable to his people. The
result, in April 2001, was the Key West document, the second
important document created during this third stage. The Key West
document clearly affirmed the fact of the self-determination of the
people of Nagorno Karabakh. Thus, in the six years from Lisbon to Key
West, there had, in our opinion, been fundamental, radical changes in
thinking on this issue – changes in sync with contemporary
international developments and self-determination processes in
different parts of the world’, Vardan Oskanian said. `Azerbaijan’s
new authorities attempt to reverse the wheel of history. The
presidents do meet, although not with the former frequency. There is
a parallel track of foreign ministers meetings. During those talks,
the issue of Nagorno Karabakh’s status is always on the agenda.
Azerbaijan is part of those discussions. Despite Azerbaijan’s
engagement, and the efforts of the sides to search for an acceptable
resolution of the issue, Azerbaijan continues to attempt to
simultaneously introduce the Nagorno Karabakh issue in those
international forums which continue to abide by a traditional,
conservative approach to the issues of territorial integrity and
self-determination. The approach of those organizations is that when
the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination
clash with each other then the first receives preference all
conflicts should be treated within a single resolution
framework, regardless of the degree of legitimacy of
grievances and gravity of the issue if a deviation is allowed and
self-determination is recognized, it will become a precedent
and a domino effect will result. Their answer to claims of
self-determination is simply greater human rights and certain
economic benefits. This approach ignores a great many factors
including the role of history in shaping of one’s identity and
destiny’, he noted.