Business Wire (press release), CA
Nov 15 2004
Global Gold Corporation Closes Private Placement With Firebird Funds;
Names Van Krikorian President, Ted Urquhart Vice President
GREENWICH, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 15, 2004–Global Gold
Corporation (OTCBB-GBGD) () announced today it
has completed a $1,500,000 private placement with Firebird Global
Master Fund, Ltd. (“FGMF”), Firebird Republics Fund, Ltd (“FRF”), and
Firebird Avrora Fund, Ltd (“FAF”) (). Global Gold will
use the proceeds to further its mining and exploration projects in
Armenia and Chile as well as for working capital to continue
evaluating other mining and exploration projects.
The transaction involved the issuance of 3 million shares of common
stock at $0.50 per share. Each new share issued carries a warrant to
purchase an additional share at $0.75 per share. The warrants are
exercisable on or before December 1, 2006. Three stockholders, NJA
Investments, Drury J. Gallagher and Van Krikorian, also agreed to
other conditions, including: to vote their shares to elect one
designee of FGMF, FRF, and FAF collectively to the Company’s Board of
Directors; and to grant FGMF, FRF, and FAF certain tag-along rights.
The Company, FGMF, FRF, and FAF also entered a Registration Rights
Agreement. As a further condition to close, the Company agreed to
reduce accounts payable.
In other developments, Van Krikorian, previously Vice President and
General Counsel became President of Global Gold succeeding Robert
Garrison, who resigned for personal reasons. Geophysicist Dr. W.E.S.
(Ted) Urquhart, resident in Santiago, Chile, became Vice President
for South America. Drury J. Gallagher continues as Chairman and CEO.
Global Gold Corporation is an international gold mining, development
and exploration company with mining properties in Chile and Armenia.
Global Gold Corporation is located at 104 Field Point Road,
Greenwich, CT 06830. The main phone number is 203-422-2300. More
information can be found at
To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly
historical, including statements as to revenue projections, business
strategy, outlook, objectives, future milestones, plans, intentions,
goals, future financial conditions, future collaboration agreements,
the success of the Company’s development, events conditioned on
stockholder or other approval, or otherwise as to future events, such
statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from the statements made.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assyrian International News Agency, CA
Nov 15 2004
U.S. Must Protect Iraq’s Christians
Iraqi Christians are being persecuted in unprecedented numbers since
the U.S. invasion and fall of Saddam Hussein. Iraq’s Christian
community is only 3 percent of Iraq’s population, but according to
the United Nations, 20 percent of the refugees who leave Iraq are
persecuted Christians.
In raw numbers this is 20,000 to 30,000 of Iraq’s Christian community
of 800,000. The United States, as the champion of liberty and
democracy, must address this unplanned consequence of the war.
Freedom of worship and religious tolerance are pillars of liberty and
democracy.
During Hussein’s regime, Iraq was a secular dictatorship. Christians,
for the most part, were able to worship unmolested.
Christians have lived in Iraq since the time of Jesus Christ.
Christian groups include Chaldean Assyrians (Eastern Rite Catholics
who recognize the authority of the pope), the independent Assyrian
church and Armenian and Syrian Catholics.
Since April 2003, those groups, which form one of the world’s oldest
Christian communities, has been threatened with extinction.
Christian businesses are closing because of violence. Iraqi
businesses that traditionally are run by Christians are being
vandalized.
Bishop Mar Adai of the Assyrian Church of the East was attacked on
the streets of Baghdad by people who wanted to steal the gold cross
around his neck.
In August, Islamic extremists systematically bombed Christian
churches.
In September, there was evidence that Islamic extremists were
systematically kidnapping and torturing Iraqi Christians.
On October 16 and 17, five churches in Baghdad were bombed by
extremists.
There are reports that non-Christians dump garbage in the homes of
their Christian neighbors.
The new interim Iraqi government is unable to provide protection to
minority Iraqi Christians from acts of violence and bigotry.
While we talk of democracy and liberty for Iraq and the Middle East,
we fail to discuss the details, including the freedom to worship as
one pleases without fear of persecution. This is overlooked by the
media and the politicians in their discussions of Iraq’s future.
Unfortunately, many of our allies in the Middle East, such as Saudi
Arabia, do not permit their citizens or others the right to worship
as they please. As a result, the native Christian community
throughout the Middle East is fast disappearing because of
persecution. It is now happening in Iraq.
Because of the U.S. presence in Iraq, there is an unequaled
opportunity to stop religious persecution there and to influence the
course of religious tolerance for years to come.
But for that to happen, we must let our elected representatives and
national policymakers clearly understand that democracy and liberty
include religious freedom for all.
Religious minorities should not be forced to flee Iraq because of
America’s foreign policy or lack of attention. As one Iraqi Christian
leader said, “If the doors were opened to America and Australia,
there would not be a Christian left in Iraq.” The United States must
address the plight of Iraqi Christians.
To be fair, Iraq is not the only nation in the Middle East lacking
religious toleration or whose Christian population is diminishing.
But the United States liberated Iraq and its people. To make that
liberation complete and to make democracy and liberty a reality,
Iraqi Christians — and all Iraqis — need to be guaranteed the right
to worship without fear of persecution.
By Paul L. Whalen
Kentucky.com
Paul L. Whalen, a Fort Thomas lawyer, presented a resolution at the
United Methodist Church’s 2000 General Conference recognizing the
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Independent Online, South Africa
Nov 15 2004
Trial resumes in alleged E Guinea coup plot
By Rodrigo Angue Nguema
Malabo – The trial of 19 defendants accused of seeking to overthrow
the president of this small, oil-rich West African nation, Teodoro
Obiang Nguema, was scheduled to resume on Tuesday after a two-month
recess.
The second act of this judicial saga opens two weeks before the
hearing in South Africa of charges against Mark Thatcher, son of
former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is accused of
bank-rolling the alleged coup plot here.
The prosecution asked for the case to be suspended in August, hoping
to obtain more information from Thatcher. But he has denied having
anything to do with the alleged coup, and has made it known through
his lawyers that he would not cooperate with the Equatorial Guinea
authorities.
They have denied seeking to overthrow Obiang
The defendants include eight South Africans, a six-man Armenian air
crew and five Equatorial Guineans, including a former deputy
minister.
They have denied seeking to overthrow Obiang, who has ruled over one
of the world’s poorest country with an iron hand since 1979
when he deposed and executed his uncle, and who has stashed millions
of dollars in oil revenues in a US bank, according to a US
Congressional report.
South African Nick du Toit told the court in August that he had
recruited personnel and taken charge of logistics for an attempted
coup, which authorities claim was masterminded from Madrid by exiled
oppositionist Severo Moto Nsa.
Du Toit said he had accepted the job at the request of Simon Mann,
the alleged leader of an alleged mercenary band arrested in Zimbabwe
in March while reportedly on its way to Equatorial Guinea.
Called for the death sentence against Du Toit
A Zimbabwean court sentenced Mann to seven years in jail on weapons
charges, 65 others to one year in prison for breaching immigration
rules and the two pilots of their aircraft to 16 months.
According to the prosecution, the defendants were in charge of plans
to receive 70 mercenaries from Zimbabwe and guide them to their
targets.
Only Du Toit, head of an air transport and fisheries company here,
has acknowledged having a marginal and non-operational role in the
alleged plot and has exculpated his fellow defendants, one of whom, a
German citizen, died in prison. They have categorically denied
knowing about any plot against Obiang.
In the absence of confessions, the only evidence against the
defendants is fragmentary – mysterious contracts they were supposed
to have signed and examples of weapons supposed to have been acquired
for the operation.
Nevertheless, prosecutor Jose Olo Obono has called for the death
sentence against Du Toit, and prison terms ranging from 26 to 86
years for the others.
Their outlook took a turn for the worse last month when Obiango, who
calls himself God, said “exemplary” sentences would be pronounced
against them. – Sapa

AssaIrada, Azerbaijan
Nov 15 2004
Armenian delegate attends energy conference in Baku

An international conference dedicated to energy cooperation among the
Caspian basin countries was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel of Baku
on Saturday on the initiative of the European Union.
Issues related to prospects for energy cooperation among regional
countries were discussed at the event attended by delegations from
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia,
Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, as well as by Armenian
Energy Ministry’s department head Levan Vardanian.
Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov said in the conference that the
Armenian representative’s participation in the event is not a sign
for Azerbaijan’s cooperation with official Yerevan.
Vardanian told journalists that he came to Baku without any
difficulties. He thanked the Azerbaijani side for highly organizing
the conference as well.
Despite the fact that the Azerbaijani government has concealed the
Armenian representative’s planned participation in the conference,
his arrival in Baku has sparked strong protests by local public and
political organizations.
The Garabagh Liberation Organization held a picket outside the Hyatt
Regency Hotel on Saturday in a protest against the Armenian
delegate’s visit. The opposition Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front party
of Azerbaijan, in turn, issued a statement protesting the position of
the government, which has offered facilities for Vardanian’s
participation in the conference and concealed the fact from the
public.
In the statement the party urges the government to express a decisive
attitude towards the issues related to Azerbaijan’s national
interests and take urgent steps to banish the Armenian delegate from
Baku.
During the 2-day visit, Vardanian will also participate in a
conference on cooperation in the area of transport to be held on
Sunday.*

ArmenPress
Nov 15 2004
ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND ARNOLD RUUTEL DISCUSS COOPERATION
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15 ARMENPRESS: The president of Estonia Arnold
Ruutel arrived in Armenian 13 November at the invitation of president
Robert Kocharian. Ruutel is accompanied by his spouse.
According to president press services, the two presidents had a
face to face meeting early today after the ceremonial reception of
the guest at the presidential residence. The two leaders conferred on
different domains of Armenian-Estonian relations and prospects for
their development. They also discussed a range of issues on regional
and international significance.
The two president expressed their determination to assist
deepening of political dialogue and bilateral cooperation between the
two countries. In the words of Arnold Ruutel, Estonia hails the
inclusion of South Caucasian countries in the European Union New
Neighborhood project. Estonia devotes wider attention to developing
relations with South Caucasian state, the Estonian president said.
On Sunday, Ruutel visited the Garni Temple, the Geghard Monastery
and the Sergey Paradzhanov Museum where culture ministers of Estonia
and Armenia signed a bilateral cultural cooperation agreement.
Today Ruutel met also with the Speaker of the Armenian National
Assembly Arthur Baghdasarian and Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian. Afterwards, Ruutel visited the genocide museum and laid a
wreath at the genocide monument.
On Tuesday President Ruutel will deliver a lecture, Estonia and
Armenia in Europe, at Yerevan University, visit the old manuscripts
museum of the Matendaran Institute, see the display of the Armenian
National Museum and the Yerevan brandy distillery.
Tuesday afternoon the Estonian head of state will meet with the
head of the Armenian church, Catholicos Karekin II, and see the
Etchmiadzin Armenian Cathedral.
The official delegation accompanying the president on the visit
includes, among others, Culture Minister Urmas Paet, Regional Affairs
Minister Jaan Ounapuu, State Secretary Heiki Loot, Jarva County
Governor Ullar Vahtramae, Tartu University Rector Jaak Aaviksoo and
Mayor of Tartu Laine Janes.
Besides, the president is accompanied by a business delegation of
11, headed by board chairman of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry Toomas Luman. Ruutel will return to Estonia on Tuesday,
November 16. President Kocharian made an official visit to Estonia in
June 2002.
From: Baghdasarian

ArmenPress
Nov 15 2004
WATER SUPPLY IMPROVES IN GEGHARKUNIK
GAVAR, NOVEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: An 8.5 km long drinking water
pipeline with a capacity of supplying 25 liters of water per second
was inaugurated today in Armenia’s biggest rural settlement, Vardenik
in the province of Gegharkunik. The construction cost was $88,000.
The bulk of money was released by the Armenian Social Investments
Fund and ten percent was raised by the community.
According to community head Manuk Manukian, future plans include
laying of 53 km long inner pipeline and taking water to residents of
newly built boroughs of the village that has 10,000 population.
In a related development the inner drinking water network of
another village in the province, Norakert, was repaired as part of
Poverty Reduction Program. The repair budget, some $11,5000, was
funded the government of Great Britain.

ArmenPress
Nov 15 2004
SCADA SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED BY THE END OF NOVEMBER
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Armenian-Russian HayRusGazArd
company said today it will accomplish the installation of SCADA
system by the end of November. According to the company’s deputy
chief manager Ashot Hovsepian, the SCADA equipment cost is $400,000,
which does not include the cost of its installation and putting into
operation.
The SCADA system will allow to collect updated information from
all main pipelines supplying natural gas to Armenia across Georgia.
The work for its installation began in 2003 October as part of TACIS
assistance to Armenia. The system will allow the company to maintain
reliable communication to ensure the safety operation of the pipeline
and decrease losses. The system will be the first one among former
Soviet republics.

Armenian leader downbeat on trilateral South Caucasus cooperation
Mediamax news agency
15 Nov 04
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said in Yerevan today that Armenia
was not objecting to a cooperation initiative between the Baltic
states and the South Caucasus on the three-plus-three formula,
“although he has serious doubts about the efficiency of this format”.
Robert Kocharyan said this today, replying to a question from a
Mediamax correspondent at a joint press conference with Estonian
President Arnold Ruutel, who is on an official visit to Armenia.
Kocharyan recalled that Lithuania made the cooperation initiative
between the Baltic and South Caucasus countries on the
three-plus-three formula three years ago. “Armenia’s reaction at that
time was positive despite the fact that we considered and continue to
consider bilateral cooperation to be more promising,” Kocharyan said.
The Armenian president said that the major goal of the Lithuanian
initiative was to show the advantage of Baltic regional cooperation,
which so far has been difficult to implement in the South Caucasus
because of the existing conflicts and other problems, our agency
reports.
“We do not reject cooperation in this format, but we do not think that
one should expect special results from this,” Robert Kocharyan summed
up.

Armenian leader feels no “great optimism” about Karabakh talks
Mediamax news agency
15 Nov 04
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan announced in Yerevan today that
“he does not feel great optimism” in connection with the current
situation in the process of settling the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
Mediamax news agency quoted Robert Kocharyan as saying this today at a
joint briefing with Estonian President Arnold Ruutel, who is paying a
three-day -visit to Armenia.
The Armenian president talked about two serious problems which, as he
mentioned, are hindering progress at the talks on the conflict
settlement.
“The first problem is the absence of representatives from the Nagornyy
Karabakh Republic [NKR],” Robert Kocharyan said, noting that official
Baku wishes to hold the talks exclusively with Armenia. The president
said that consequently, he is representing the position not only of
Armenia but also of the NKR at the negotiations. Apart from this,
Robert Kocharyan stressed that this is not a correct negotiation
format to reflect the essence of the conflict.
Mediamax news agency quoted Robert Kocharyan as saying that
Azerbaijan’s unwillingness to start regional cooperation is the second
obstacle. The president recalled that Armenia follows the formula
“through cooperation to the settlement”, but Azerbaijan considers
impossible any form of cooperation with Armenia until the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict is fully solved. Meanwhile, Robert Kocharyan noted
that “we continue to believe that regional cooperation can create a
more favourable atmosphere for the conflict settlement”.
Commenting on the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen,
Robert Kocharyan described the mediation of Russia, the USA and France
as “the best format”. The Armenian president said that ” the OSCE
Minsk Group is doing everything possible for the conflicting sides to
settle the problem”. Therefore “it is now possible to say that that it
is the conflicting sides and not the mediators who are at fault”,
Robert Kocharyan said, recalling that “there were situations when we
were close to settling the conflict”.
The Armenian president recalled that the OSCE Minsk Group “has first
of all the role of a mediator and has no mandate to force the
conflicting sides towards peace”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeris protest worldwide at youth forum in breakaway Karabakh
ANS TV, Baku
15 Nov 04

[Presenter] An international forum organized by Armenia on the duty of
young people in the area of conflicts, human rights, democracy and
participation is being held today in the occupied territory of
Azerbaijan, Xankandi [known as Stepanakert in
Armenian]. Representatives from 20 international youth organizations
are expected to take part in the conference, the head of the foreign
relations division of the International Central All-Armenian Youth
Foundation, which organized the event, Ruben Markasanyan, said. The
travel expenses of the visitors are covered by the foundation, which
is funded by the Armenian government.
The movement For Azerbaijan has staged a number of protests in several
cities of the world against the forum organized by Armenia on
Azerbaijan’s occupied land. The first protest of this kind was held in
Virginia, USA. A protest was also held in front of the House of
Azerbaijani Culture in central Tbilisi. Simultaneous protests were
mounted in Istanbul and Izmir.
[N. Abdullayev, representative of the movement For Azerbaijan,
captioned over still pictures of scenes in Turkey, speaking over
phone] Azerbaijani students living in Turkey are venting their just
protest at the international familiarization visit to be held by the
International Central All-Armenian Youth Foundation in Nagornyy
Karabakh on 15-19 November. Because the main reason behind organizing
this event in Nagornyy Karabakh is to have the separatist terrorist
regime in Nagornyy Karabakh recognized in the international community
and thus to have international legal and political relations. The key
principles of international law, such as the inviolability of borders,
territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, will be violated
following this event. Entry to Nagornyy Karabakh should take place
with Azerbaijan’s consent, since it is Azerbaijan’s territory and
within Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. For this purpose, we keep demanding
that delegates to the forum stop the offences they are making or are
likely to make.