MJ

STABILITY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS BECOMES AN URGENT FACTOR FOR ENSURING OF SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE EUROPE Mediamax 4 June 2001 YEREVAN 'Stability and peace in this region become more urgent factors for the ensuring of security and development of the whole Europe,' Armenian President Robert Kocharian said today in the exclusive interview to Mediamax. According to him, both the South Caucasian states and the European Union (EU) strive to have closer mutual ties. With the expansion of European structures to the East the mutual relations of the European Union and the countries of the Black Sea region acquire special importance, Robert Kocharian noted. 'The fact that all the three countries of the South Caucasus are members of the Council of Europe attests to their impartial interest in having closer ties with European institutions,' Armenian president told Mediamax.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO DISCUSS QUESTIONS OF SECURITY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS WITH EU LEADERSHIP Mediamax 4 June 2001 YEREVAN Armenia welcomes a more active cooperation in all directions between the European Union and Southern Caucasian states, Armenian President Robert Kocharian said today in the exclusive interview to Mediamax. The visit of Kocharian to the Headquarters of the European Union in Brussels starts Tuesday. During the visit the President will meet with EU, European Commission and European Parliament top officials. `We assume that the present development of European institutions should open significant and promising possibilities both for Armenia and for Azerbaijan and Georgia,' Robert Kocharian stressed. In a rather complex region, where the interests of different countries have clashed throughout the history, Armenia strives to establish equal, mutually acceptable relations with the countries of the region and with all the interested sides, the President said. According to him, Armenia doesn't try to play on the disagreements of different states in this region, while seeks an opportunity to smooth away these discords and find more common interests and compromise solutions to the existing problems. In response to the question of Mediamax - is the President going to discuss in Brussels the perspectives of realization of his proposal about establishment of regional security system with EU's participation, Robert Kocharian said, `Specifically, the discussion of regional security system is not among the plans of this visit. Nevertheless, in the context of other questions of economic and political nature, we will also speak of problems of regional security, about the role which the European community may play in the establishment of stable and long term peace in the Caucasus'.

ARMENIA IS INTERESTED IN INCREASE IN TURNOVER WITH EUROPE, KOCHARIAN SAYS Mediamax 4 June 2001 YEREVAN In his exclusive interview to Mediamax Armenian President Robert Kocharian expressed today his satisfaction with the dynamics and productivity of development of political relations between Armenia and European Union. Visit of Kocharian to the Headquarters of the European Union in Brussels starts Tuesday. During the visit President will meet with EU, European Commission and European Parliament top officials. 'We are linked by serious economic interests, too. About 40% of our trade exchange fall on countries of European Union. The export of Armenia to those countries makes $107 million. These are serious figures, and we are interested in their further increase,' Armenian President said. He noted that the bilateral economic cooperation with EU countries is also being developed, particularly with Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Greece. 'There are about 150 enterprises in Armenia partially or wholly based on European capital. Our businessmen more often find business partners in different European countries, and we promote the attraction of European capital into the Armenian economy. Certain work is being done also in connection with large projects. Issue of Armenia's energy security is of top priority in our relations,' Robert Kocharian said. At the same time, the President noted that there was an undeveloped potential of economic cooperation. 'We are doing everything to develop this sphere of our relations.'

Do you mean we consume too much energy?

What was it, Kazza? Did you mean I have caused the US Energy Crisis?

Try this, Araksya: http://elektron.its.tudelft.nl/~edo/writers.html

No scholars, here, Mike. Just people like you. Welcome to the Forum.

U.S. NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group [Headed by Vice President Dick Cheney] CHAPTER EIGHT [. . .] The Caspian Proven oil reserves in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are about 20 billion barrels, a little more than the North Sea and slightly less than the United States. Exploration, however, is continuing, and proven reserves are expected to increase significantly. For example, initial results of the exploration well at Kazakhstan's Kashagan field indicate the find is one of the most important in thirty years, and is comparable to Prudhoe Bay in size. Current exports from the region are only about 800,000 bar-rels of oil per day, in part due to limited ex-port route options. However, potential exports could increase by 1.8 million barrels of oil per day by 2005, as the United States works closely with private companies and countries in the region to develop commercially viable export routes, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) and Caspian Pipeline Consortium oil pipelines (Figure 8-10). Moreover, there is considerable optimism that exports could grow even more substantially in subsequent years because of positive prospects for new oil and gas finds as additional geologic structures undergo exploration, and the development of new export routes. Foreign investors and technology are critical to rapid development of new commercially viable export routes. Such development will ensure that rising Caspian oil production is effectively integrated into world oil trade. U.S.-supported East-West pipeline routes will add substantial new oil transportation capacity to allow continued expansion of production and exports. Over-land routes via pipeline, such as the planned BTC oil pipeline, will also help mitigate maritime risks in the crowded Bosporus Straits. To help countries prepare for increased oil production within the region the United States is working with Black Sea and Caspian Sea border states to ensure that they develop adequate oil spill response capabilities. Recommendations: -- The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretaries of State, Commerce, and Energy to support the BTC oil pipeline as it demonstrates its commercial viability. -- The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretaries of Commerce, State, and Energy to continue working with relevant companies and countries to establish the commercial conditions that will allow oil companies operating in Kazakhstan the option of exporting their oil via the BTC pipeline. -- The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretaries of State, Commerce, and Energy to support the efforts of private investors and regional governments to develop the Shah Deniz gas pipeline as a way to help Turkey and Georgia diversify their natural gas supplies and help Azerbaijan export its gas via a pipeline that will continue diversification of se-cure energy supply routes. -- The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct appropriate federal agencies to complete the current cycle of oil spill response readiness workshops and to consider further appropriate steps to ensure the implementation of the workshops' recommendations. -- The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretary of State to encourage Greece and Turkey to link their gas pipeline systems to al-low European consumers to diversify their gas supplies by purchasing Caspian gas. -- The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretaries of Commerce, Energy, and State to deepen their commercial dialogue with Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and other Caspian states to provide a strong, transparent, and stable business climate for energy and related infrastructure projects. Russia Russia has about 5 percent of the world's proven oil reserves. In 2000, Russia produced an average of 6.7 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids per day, making it both the world's third largest producer and second largest exporter at 4.2 million barrels of oil per day. Russia's oil production in 2000 represented an increase of 7 percent over 1999, the first increase since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A similar rate of increase is projected for 2001. New fields are being developed, including those with U.S. and other foreign investors. Nevertheless, substantial infrastructure investment is still needed, as well as legislation and a stable and reliable regime of contracting to finalize the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) (Schtj) mechanism for private-sector participation and actions to improve the general investment climate. Russian oil firms are increasingly active on a global scale, with upstream and down-stream investments in the Caspian, the United States, Africa, South Asia, and Europe, enhancing Russia's ability to develop its own and international oil reserves. Russia holds 33 percent of the world's natural gas reserves, exporting a full 35 per-cent of its production to Europe and Central Asia in 1999. Russian natural gas exports can increase regional fuel diversification and advance environmental goals. With production declines now evident in existing fields, development of new reserves that re-quire substantial new investments will be necessary. Recommendations: -- The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretaries of State, Commerce, and Energy to deepen the focus of the discussions with Russia on energy and the investment climate. -- The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretaries of Commerce, State, and Energy to assist U.S. companies in their dialogue on the investment and trade climate with Russian officials, to encourage reform of the PSA law and other regulations and related tax provisions, as well as general improvements in the overall investment climate. This will help expand private investment opportunities in Russia and will increase the inter-national role of Russian firms.

RUSSIAN FRONTIER GUARDS DETAINED A TURKISH CITIZEN "SEEKING BETTER LIFE" IN ARMENIA Snark 4 June 2001 YEREVAN A Turkish citizen, residing in Ismir gubernia (district), was detained June 1 by the Russian frontier guards of Gumry detachment of the Federal Border Service of Russia deployed in Armenia, the head of the press office of the detachment, sub-colonel Ivan Zhirenko told a SNARK correspondent. The 52-year old violator was detained with active participation of local population. As it became known, he was trying to cross the border seeking "better life in Armenia". According to the order, the National Security Ministry of Armenia investigates the case. The identity of the violator is being clarified. Noteworthy that it was the fifth attempt to cross the border of Armenia. The first three violators (Kurds by nationality) were detained in January 2001 and the forth one was taken in Zvartnots international airport in April, 2001.

quote:Originally posted by Arev: Thanks MJ for the update. Arev, Arev, durs ari... Good to see you back, Arev.

Agassi pulled out a difficulte five-setter today, and advnced to the quarter-finals, where he would meet with Grosjean ( a Franchman).

quote:Originally posted by THOTH: Is your question more properly regarding where and how we (in the Diaspora) should best expend our energies? Or will this track really ever get us anywhere - because it is basically only confrontational toward Turkey (and fuels the counter movement in Turkey and with Turks abroad etc) and is in some ways not very effective (as these resolutions are feel good but don't really do anything..no boycotts or such etc or plan of action). What can and should Diaspora Armenians do diffrently - in your opinion? Yes, TOOTH. Pretty much this is what I meant. I think Diaspora has to have a different strategy. One has to estimate where does the current strategy, even under the scenario of success lead us, and then decide whether it is the most rational way to get there. I think the issue has to be taken directly with the Turkish side. After all, all the recognitions of the Genocide by all the parliaments of the world so far (and I suspect in the future) are of only declarative character, as the very UN Resolution of Genocide is. With all this said, until there is a different strategy in place (if ever), I would support the old one, but would advocate revision of strategy. [ June 03, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

Hello Ararat, How are you? It's been a long time...

Good to see you back, Aharon. Have a good trip, and don't forget us.

Your next warning would imply termination of access. Your rights are unlimited beyond those of which are, in our view, limited by the Code of Conduct of the forum.

Dragon, This is your second warning. You are on your way out.

Edward, You are out of here. When the Administrator gets to his desk, your access would be terminated. Don't contaminate the forum, please.

quote:Originally posted by Thorny Rose: So, then, let's have some. )) I'll act them.

quote:Originally posted by Thorny Rose: MJ, you out there? I'm sure you can write nice poems! I was not, Thorny. Given that my whole life is a poem, sure, I could write some.

Sorry, I was not.

quote:Originally posted by ara baliozian: until saroyan, armenians were known as starving victims of turkish atrocities... Dear Ara, Let me disagree with you, please, in this. Hardly any significant number of non Armenians has read Saroyan, or has even heard his name. Saroyan is not Hemingway, and not even Scott Fitzgerald. Perhaps, at best, he has introduced Armenians to Armenian Diaspora, and has portrayed an image beyond that of "starving Armenians" to the Armenians themselves. In my view, Armenia(ns) was(were) introduced to the world as a result of two things: 1. Karabagh (being the first movement in the USSR over which the Kremlin has lost its control); 2. Earthquake (due to the fact that chronologically it has overlapped with the visit of Gorbachev to the UN Assembly, which was being highly publicised). [ June 02, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

Dear Naira, You don't need a lot of effort to sell your latest arguments to me. I am in! [ June 02, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

Berj, I understand the logic of your arguments, however, still disagree with it. While the ideas of Socialism/Communism and World Revolution were imported to Russia, the Bolshevism was not. It was born there. Additionally, even if it would’ve been imported it wouldn’t have relieved Russia from its responsibility for the consequences of Bolshevism, nor the actions of Bolsheviks. After all, Russia still hasn’t given a political assessment to its Bolshevik past. Note that a very significant segment of the Russian population still is committed to the Bolshevik ideals. The most graphical evidence of it is perhaps Lenin’s extended tenure in the Mausoleum. Additionally, the Communist Party of Russia is perhaps the most, or at least almost the most, nationalistic element of the political spectrum of radical forces in Russia. It is not by coincidence, I think. To the contrary, Bolshevism, I think, is most genuine Russian political mentality. We have to also remember that, by in large, Russian (Czarist) generals and officers had pledged loyalty to the Bolshevik government. There were only a handful of them in opposition (Denikin, Kolchak, etc.). The fact also remains that the Bolsheviks established their hegemony exactly on the territory of the Russian Empire - more so effective 1930, when they absorbed the Caucasian Federation. Subsequently, the same mentality came to occupy the Baltic states, and the countries of Eastern Europe, which certifies that while th forms and the slogans were different, Bolsheviks had the same aspirations and the same geopolitical preferences as the Russian Empire.

Agasi won a nice game today and advanced throught the thrid round.

Cheee-zzz