IRAN IS INTERESTED IN THE 5TH BLOCK OF HRAZDAN HEAT STATION
A1+
01-12-2004
Robert Kocharyan has today received the delegation headed by
Habibollah Bitaraf, Iranian Energy Minister. The delegation is in
Armenia in connection with launching construction of the Armenian
sector of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and signing a contract.
Iranian delegation head informed that erection of the Iranian sector
of the gas pipeline will start during coming 2,5 months.
Iranian side keeps focus on hydroelectric power stations, cooperation
with Armenia in the sphere of generating alternative energy. It is
also interested in the 5th block of Hrazdan Heat Station.
During the meeting the parts referred to the issues regarding
construction of Qajaran tunnel, import of fuel from Iran to Armenia
etc.

CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN PART OF IRAN-ARMENIA GASPIPE LINE BEGINS
Azg/arm
2 Dec 04
On the Armenian bank of Arax River, not far from town of Agarak, the
construction of the Armenian part of Iran-Armenia pipeline began on
November 30. Armen Movsisian, RA Energy Minister, emphasized the
importance of the gas pipeline for Armenia.
The gas pipeline stretches for 142 km. The first document on its
construction was signed 12 years ago. The construction in the Iranian
side began several months ago. The Armenian part of the pipeline is
constructed by “Sanir” Iranian company.
The officials visiting the ceremony emphasized in their speeches the
contribution made by the leaders of both countries to the
implementation ofsuch an important program. The agreement on the
construction of the gas pipeline was signed on May 13, 2004, in
Yerevan. The agreement on financing the project was signed in the
course of Iranian President Khatami’s visit to Armenia.
Habibollah Bitaraf, Iranian Energy Minister, said in his speech that
according to the agreement, the Iranian Export and Development Bank
allocated a credit for the construction of the Armenian part of the
gas pipeline. The credit amounts to $30 million. Bitaraf said that
Armenia will pay back with electricity for the Iranian gas.
“By implementing this project we develop Armenian-Iranian relations
one more step further. Much efforts were made, many negotiations were
held between Armenia and Iran to achieve the construction of the gas
pipeline,” Bitaraf said.
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian stated that “this day of 2004
will remain in history”. According to him, the gas pipeline has not
only economic and energetic importance for Armenia and Iran but will
also “make definite changes in the region”.
“This project is implemented through political and economic
sufferings,” Margarian said and reminded, “in the years of hardship
for Armenia Iran stretches out its hand to help us”. When we say a
friendly country, we mean the friendship, indeed, the prime minister
stated.
RA Prime Minister expressed hope that “in 2005or in 2006 we will again
gather here to open the construction of two hydro power plants on the
banks of Arax. “Today we open the second Armenia-Iran electricity
line in Shinuhayr village, and we are hopeful that the third line will
be opened, as well,” Margarian said.
The officials were hopeful that the construction of the gas pipeline
would be completed according to the schedule, i.e. by the end of
2006. According to the agreement, Iran should provide 36 billion
sq. meter of gas to Armenia in the course of 20 years. Prime Minster
Margarian said that besides economic and regional importance, the
construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will open new job positions
for Meghri and Syunik region’s residents. “This is a region that is
the back of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,” Margarian said.
Alireza Haghighian, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia, stated that the
construction of the gas pipeline will contribute not only to the
development of Armenia’ s economy but also to the regional stability.
By Tatoul Hakobian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JACQUES CHIRAC TO SIGN DECREE ON AWARDING ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN “LEGION OF
HONOUR”
Azg/arm
2 Dec 04
On November 28, Unification for Nation Party led by Jacques Chirac
held a congress. Mher Shahgeldian, head of National Security, Home
Affairs and Defense Committee at RA National Assembly, representative
of Orinats Yerkir Party, participated in the congress as a guest from
Armenia. Over 40 thousand delegates from 60 countries participated in
the congress. Mher Shahgeldian met with many of them, as well.
Central democratic forces were represented at the congress. According
to Mher Shahgeldian, Orinats Yerkir attracted great attention as a
party bearing European values.
Representatives of Armenian National Movement were also invited to the
congress. David Shahnazarian represented the party in Paris.
There have been practical arrangements on Orinats Yerkir’s mutual
visits and activities made at the congress, as well as on the future
visit European Foundations’ representatives to Yerevan. They are aimed
to support legislatively our parliament. Jacques Chirac didn’t
participate in the congress. France’s first lady and the Prime
Minister were present at the congress.
Mher Shahgeldian’s visit to France was important for another reason,
too. He returned with the news that Jacques Chirac has already signed
the decree on awarding Artur Baghdasarian “Legion of Honor”.
In response to the question put by Azg Daily what services Artur
Baghdasarian was awarded such a high rank medal for and whether the
political figures of other countries were awarded the medal, Mher
Shahgeldian said: “The medal is given for strengthening the
French-Armenian relations and for his contribution to spreading the
European values. There are political figures of other European
countries that were given this medal, but they are not many.”

ACYO GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN ENGLAND, AND CONDEMN GENOCIDE
IN SUDAN
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, December 1 (Noyan Tapan). The 56th annual General
Assembly of the Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO) held on
Thanksgiving weekend was a smashing success, the Press Office of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America
reported. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Western Diocese, presided over the gathering of more than 90 delegates
from parishes throughout California and Arizona.
The ACYO Central Council lead the General Assembly through topics
ranging from reports of last year’s activities to the formation of the
first ACYO chapter in Europe and the current Genocide being committed
in the Darfur Region of the Sudan. Uniquely inspiring was the
unanimous vote to accept a resolution condemning the aforementioned
Genocide and calling on the nations of the world to do the same.
His Eminence made time to meet individually with each delegation of
the 20 chapters, to give them the opportunity to discuss their
feelings regarding the Church.
“The presence of the youth in the life of the church reflects the
continuity and the stronger presence of Christ’s Church. I was
overjoyed to see the youth engaged and committed to the mission of the
Church. Their fervor during the 56th General Assembly was inspiring,
and a true expression of the power our youth can have when they are
united in Christ’s name”, exclaimed Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
Saturday was the election of a new Central council. This council
pledged to continue the previous Council’s initiatives, which include
the strengthening the existing ACYO chapters, establishing new
chapters in the growing Mission parishes throughout the Western
Diocese, and working to make the ACYO a relevant and effective
organization in the life of Armenian Youth. In addition, they will
continue to promote the missions of the ACYO: the Christian Youth
Mission to Armenia, the Brighter Future for Armenia scholarship
program, and the Armenian Alliance for Aid.
A festive banquet took place Saturday night with the attendance of
over 300 youth.

HRANT MARGARIAN PRESENTS NEW COLLECTION IN NEW YORK
NEW YORK, December 1 (Noyan Tapan). The presentation of the new
collection of American-Armenian playwright and poet Hrant Margarian
was recently held at the hall of the Armenian Center in New York. It
was held upon the initiative of Hamazgayin.
According to the “Marmara” daily newspaper of Istanbul, Arevik
Gabrielian, Haroutiun Msyrlian, specialist in literature Vehanush
Tekian and employee of “Marmara” Zarmine Poghosian spoke about the
book during the presentation.
Hrant Margarian writes both in Armenian and English.

CHAIRMAN OF TURKEY’S PARLIAMENT REGRETS FOR “TRAGEDY OF THE BEGINNING
OF THE CENTURY” BUT CONSIDERS INADMISSIBLE ITS “SPECULATION”
YEREVAN, December 1 (Noyan Tapan). The members of RA NA delegation who
participated in the 24th plenary session of Parliamentary Assembly of
Black Sea Economic Cooperation held on November 23-25 in Antalia had a
meeting with journalists on December 1. 2 of 4 members of Armenian
delegation hadn’t left for Antalia for valid reasons.
Mekhak Mkhitarian (Orinats Yerkir) and Vladimir Badalian (National
Deputy MP group) who participated in the session told the journalists
that about 20 issues were included into the agenda. In particular,
issues regarding simplification of border admission of people and
goods, economic results and perspectives, preservation of regional
stability and security, role of the parliament in struggle against
corruption, preservation of cultural heritage were discussed. The
2005 budget of the organization was also approved. The number of 11
member-states of the organizations increased by 1, Serbia also became
a member of the organization. The Ukraine assumed the chairmanship of
PA for the next 6 months. The next plenary session will be held in
July 2005 in Kiev.
It was also mentioned that Vladimir Badalian was elected Deputy
Chairman of one of 3 standing commissions of PA, commission on
cultural and social issues. The MP drew special attention to the sad
condition of 916 Armenian historic-cultural monuments in Turkey’s
territory, especially to the sad condition of Ani and proposed that
they should be restored jointly with Armenia. But, according to him,
the proposal was ignored.
The Parliamentary Assembly discussed and declined Georgia’s proposal
“to stop cooperation with the countries with separatist regimes”. The
proposal received 3 for and 3 against votes, 4 MPs abstained from
voting. Besides Armenia, RF and Turkey were also against the proposal.
The Armenian MPs were especially impressed by the meeting with Bulent
Arnj, Chairman of Turkey’s Parliament, and the “warm atmosphere.” The
perspectives of Armenian-Turkish relations, Turkey’s possible
membership in EU, issues of Nagorno Karabakh settlement were discussed
during the meeting lasting half an hour. In particular, the Turkish
high-ranking official called in question the efficiency of activity of
OSCE Minsk Group and expressed bewilderment in connection with the
fact that Armenia declined Turkey’s readiness of mediation in Karabakh
issue. He mentioned that the steps aimed at recognition of Armenian
Genocide and especially the activity of Turkish Armenians in this
issue hamper establishment of friendly relations between Armenia and
Turkey. Not using the “genocide” word Arnj said in private
conversation that he regrets for the tragedy of the beginning of the
century but considers inadmissible the speculation of the issue. The
Armenian MPs didn’t agree to Arnj’s viewpoint and, in particular,
expressed an opinion that Turkey should display equal approaches both
to the other countries of the region and to Armenia.

BAGRAT YESAYAN PRESENTS ACTIONS OF ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES DIRECTED AT
STRUGGLE AGAINST CORRUPTION TO ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES OF WESTERN NEW
YORK
November 30 (Noyan Tapan). On November 12-21, Adviser to RA President
Bagrat Yesayan visited the eastern states of the US at the invitation
of the Central Committee of Dashnaktsutyun of the US eastern region.
The purpose of the visit was to acquaint the Armenian communities of
the United States with the actions and measures undertaken by the
Armenian authorities for struggle against corruption, as well as the
tasks of the Diaspora in this context.
Bagrat Yesayan mentioned that Armenia has passed the certain way in
the formation of the legislative field. And all the prerequisites of
the free market for investments have already been established, and
even according to international organization, Armenia is considered as
a country with liberal economy. Bagrat Yesayan considers the step of
Armenia’s joining a number of international structures, such as GRECO,
as important.
In connection with the role of the Diaspora B. Yesayan mentioned that
living in the countries with the full-fledged democratic and civil
society, the compatriots in the Diaspora may greatly contribute to the
matter of the formation of the healthy public thought due to their
experience and personal example.
Taking occasion Bagrat Yesayan visited the Armenian Office in the UN,
where he spoke with Ambassador Armen Martirosian about the internal
problems of Armenia, as well as issues regarding Armenia within the
framework of the UN.
According to “Hayrenik” (“Motherland”) newspaper, the solemn
arrangement dedicated to the 114th anniversary of ARF was organized by
the Chicago Committee “Christopher” on November 20. And here Bagrat
Yesayan touched upon the issues regarding struggle against corruption
and answered the questions of participants of the arrangement.

ARAM I: “SYRIA AND LEBANON SHOULD JOINTLY PREVENT TODAY’S CHALLENGES
IN THE MIDDLE EAST”
ANTELIAS, November 30 (Noyan Tapan). Mufti of Aleppo Sheikh Hasun paid
an official visit to the Mother Church of Antelias on November 24, and
was received by Catholicos of the Great Cilician House Aram I
there. The Mufti was accompanied by his son and the main
secretary. Bishop Gegham Khacherian, the head of the Armenians of
Lebanon, Archimandrite Shahan Sargsian, the head of the Berio Diocese,
Ministers Sepuh Hovnanian and Alen Taburian, representatives of the
Central Administration and monks were present at the reception. The
head executive of the Syrian forces to Beirut was also present at the
reception.
Greeting Mufti Hasun’s visit, Supreme Patriarch Aram I said: “Your
visit is the evidence of brotherly cooperation between Syria and
Lebanon. These two independent countries, which strengthen owing to
mutual confidence, should jointly prevent today’s challenges in the
Middle East. Your presence here is also the evidence of the necessity
of the Christian-Moslem dialogue.
The Catholicos of the Great Cilician House also emphasized: “Syria
plays an important role in our people’s life. We have never forgotten
brotherly attitude that our Syrian brothers and sisters displayed
towards our people after the 1915 massacre, when Ottoman Turkey made
an attempt to annihilate the whole nation. Syria has become the second
Motherland for us and we continue contributing to its well-being and
development.”
Sheikh Hasun thanked for warm welcome, he also touched upon the
centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Arabian people,
especially Armenia’s contribution to the well-being of Syria. The
Sheikh also stressed the necessity of the Christian-Moslem dialogue
and called for cooperating in different spheres.
Then the Catholicos of the Great Cilician House organized dinner in
honor of the guest, in which officials, members of the Central
Administration and the head executive of the Syrian forces to Beirut
were present.
Sheikh Hasun was the guest of Supreme Patriarch Aram I, he has stayed
in Lebanon for few days and also had other meetings.

INTERNATIONAL MEMORABLE TOURNAMENT OF TIGRAN PETROSIAN TO BECOME
TRADITIONAL
YEREVAN, November 30 (Noyan Tapan). The international open tournament
dedicated to the 75th anniversary of world nine-time champion Tigran
Petrosian has completed in Yerevan. 128 chess-players of eight
countries participated in the memorable tournament.
Pavel Smirnov (Russia) placed first, he earned 7.5 points in the
tournament held by the Swiss system with nine rounds, Vacily Ivanchuk
(Ukraine), one of the strongest chess-players of the world, placed
second. He earned 8 points. Ten chess-players earned 6.5 points
each. Karen Asrian (Armenia) placed third due to the highest
additional coefficients. The chess-players, who placed first-third,
received 5,000 dollars, 4,000 and 3,000 dollars, respectively. And the
prize fund made a total of 35,000 dollars, so 36 participants of the
tournament were awarded with prizes. Armenian representatives Elina
Danielian, Nelli Aghinian and Lilit Mkrtchian received all the prizes
foreseen for women. Konstantine Shanayan (Georgia), Beniamin Galstian
and Zaven Andreasian (both from Armenia) became winners among the
juniors. Andreasian was also awarded with a special prize set for the
best game (for a victory in the game with Gega Majsu radze). Three
young chess-players of Armenia Beniamin Galstian, Tigran R. Petrosian
and Vardan Hakobian carried out the norm of international master, by
the way, Galstian and Petrosian – for the third time in succession.
After the completion of the tournament participants and guests
participated in the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone of
the monument to Tigran Petrosian. The monument will be erected in
Davitashen district of Yerevan in the street bearing the name of the
prominent chess-player. Chairman of the Armenian Chess Federation and
RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsian, Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakarian,
as well as Boris Kutin, the Chairman of the European Chess Union,
(Slovenia) and Tigran Petrosian’s son Vardan Petrosian participated in
the arrangement.
Serge Sargsian, the Chairman of the Armenian Chess Federation, said
during the ceremony of closing of the memorable tournament that the
tournament dedicated to Tigran Petrosian will become traditional.

BoxingTalk.com
Dec 1 2004
Undefeated cruiserweight contenders battle in Prague

Press release: Two undefeated European cruiserweight contenders clash
on Friday, Dec. 3, in Prague, Czech Republik. The top ranked Pavel
Melkomian, 17-0 (7), of the Universum boxing stable defends his WBA
international 190 lb. crown against hard punching home boy Lubos
Suda, 8-0 (7).
Confusingly Lubos Suda is holding the WBA international interim title
in the same weight class and defended it twice while in the same
period Melkomian defended his full title once as well. That’s why it
was about time that those two 190 lb Euro competitors met for this
European version of a unification championship.
`Pavel is in a very good constitution. He’s fresh and relaxed’, team
member and physio therapist Mathias Böhme said. `In contrast to
previous fights he’s not that strained. We played Billard yesterday
evening in Prague and Pavel was pretty well balanced.’
`We expect strong opposition from Suda’, coach Magomed Shaburow said.
`But Pavel is more variable. He can throw punches with both hands and
is the more mobile fighter. We’re confident that we return home with
a victory.’
The fight at the Kongress Hall of Hotel Hilton in Prague will be the
second defense of the WBA int. champion from Moscow. The Hamburg
based Armenian won the intercontinental title on April 26, 2003, with
a technical decision after round 5 in a brutal battle against
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk from Poland and defended it on May 18, 2004,
with an 8th round technical knockout against Gábor Halász from
Hungary.
24-year-old Pavel Melkomian is currently ranked WBC #5, WBA #11 and
WBO #10.
The official weigh-in for this event of OK-KO Promotion will be on
Thursday, Dec. 2, 16:00 at the Hilton.