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EU AND USA CONDEMN THE MURDER OF HRANT DINK

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Olli Rehn, European Commissioner, condemned the today's murder of Hrant Dink in Istanbul.

Mr. Rehn said that H. Dink had always spoken for freedom of speech in Turkey and defending his views was making a contribution into establishment of the open dialogue. Ross Wilson, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and Nicolas Burns, U.S. Undersecretary of State, on his visit in Turkey also condemned the crime.

PARTY SHOCKED BY MURDER OF HRANT DINK

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. The Party is shocked by today's murder of Turkish publicist Hrant Dink, the editor of the Armenian-language newspaper, the told ArmInfo.

In Turkey Hrant Dink personified the national dignity and tolerance between nations, the Party's report runs. This crime threatens the freedom of speech and may cause anxiety among national minorities living in Turkey. The Party appeals to the Turkish Government to take all possible measures for soonest disclosing the crime and punishing the criminals.

THE MURDER OF THE FAMOUS ARMENIAN JOURNALIST BE STRONGLY CONDEMNED, PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Robert Kocharyan, President of Armenia, condoled with relatives of Hrant Dink, Editor of "Akos" Armenian newspaper in Turkey, who was murdered in Istanbul today.

"The murder of the famous Armenian journalist in Turkey, raises many questions and is the subject of strong condemnation. We hope that Turkish authorities will do all possible to find the criminal and punish him appropriately", Viktor Soghomonyan, Press Secretary of Armenian President, told ArmInfo today.

Tigran Torossyan, Speaker of Armenian Parliament, expressed his indignation about the murder and said - "after this, Turkey should dream of membership in the European Union no more".

ARFD HAY DAT OFFICE RESPONSIBLE PERSON FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS SHOCKED BY MURDER OF HRANT DINK

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. In his interview with TV company, Kiro Manoyan, the ARFD Hay Dat Office responsible person for political affairs, said that he is shocked by the murder of Hrant Dink, the editor of the Armenian-language newspaper, in Istanbul.

Hrant Dink said for several times that he had been threatened over the phone. Hrant Dink is killed for his political views which were different from those of not only official Turkey but also a part of the Armenian community in Turkey, K.Manoyan said. He emphasized that Hrant Dink had always come out for Armenian-Turkish dialogue and development of bilateral relations, however, life showed that even such a small difference from the general views in Turkey proved to be inadmissible for the Turkish society. Hrant Dink believed that the change of views is unavoidable but, unfortunately, he proved the opposite with his death.

In K.Manoyan's opinion, today's murder will deepen the tension in the Turkish society, and the atmosphere around Armenian-Turkish relations gives no reason for optimism. Hrant Dink and his views were the focus of those European structures which supported Turkey's intention to join the European Union, and they will most likely disappointed after what has happened, he noted.

ARMENIAN DEFENCE MINISTER: IT'S NOT STRANGE THAT MY NAME IS NOT AMONG "HEROES OF OUR TIME" ACCORDING TO GALLUP PUBLIC OPINION POLL

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sargsyan considers that it's not strange that his name is not among the "heroes of our time" according to the Gallup public opinion poll, S.Sargsyan said at a press-conference, Friday.

Asked to point out the "heroes of our time", the Armenian public named both commanders of the past (Andranik, Dro and Nzhdeh), and their contemporaries (Monte Melkonyan and Vazgen Sargsyan). Explaining his opinion, the Minister emphasized that he considers himself neither a hero nor a great commander. Moreover, in the Minister's opinion, the results of the public opinion poll show the common and modern thinking of the society.

As regards some people's opinion that Serzh Sargsyan's personality doesn't associate with the army, the Defence Minister reminded that anyhow he has been connected with the army over the past 20 years, 5 years of them - indirectly. "I have been serving in the Armenian Army for 15 years. Even if in this case I am not associated with the army, then there is no problem>, the Minister stated, adding that one should also know the opinion of officers and soldiers to clarify this question.

TURKS CONTRACT MOVIE "40 DAYS OF MYSA DAGH"

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Turkey's authorities try their best to prevent shooting of the "40 Days of Mysa Dagh" movie.

Three thousand e-mails were sent to the famous American actor - Sylvester Stallone in 30 days, Zaman Turkish newspaper reports referring to Savash Eilmezi, Chair of the 'Council on Fight Against the Groundless Ideas of the Genocide'.

S. Stallone intends to star in the screening of Franz Werfel's novel "40 Days of Mysa Dagh".

Alike mails were sent to the following companies: "Metro Golden Mayer Pictures", "Columbia Pictures" and "Revolution Studies Film" which arre likely to participate in shooting of the movie.

The mails say that the events decribed in F. Werfel's novel do not represent the facts as they are based on tales of Syrian and Lebanese Armenians who were "organizers of terrorist acts".

The propagandists propose S. Stallone to "come to Erzrum and have a look who was the victim of the massacre." Zaman says that the mails were sent to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the Congressmen who are the authors of the draft law on Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire in 1915. They all were called to visit Erzrum to see "tens of common graves of assassinated Turks."

MURDER OF HRANT DINK, EDITOR OF TURKISH NEWSPAPER, PROVES THAT TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS REACHED DEADLOCK: ARMENIAN MP

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. The murder of Hrant Dink, the editor of the Turkish newspaper, proves that the Turkish Government has reached a deadlock, Shavarsh Kocharyan, an Armenian MP and the leader of the National-Democratic Party of Armenia told an ArmInfo correspondent.

According to Shavarsh Kocharyan, Hrant Dink's murder is in the course of the present domestic political situation of Turkey. At the moment, the tendency in favor of striving for European values and recognizing the Armenian Genocide is becoming stronger in Turkey. Today's crime is a response to that tendency. The Turkish Government has reached a deadlock, as it cannot prove that it is a carrier of European values and, at the same time, deny the Armenian Genocide which is a monstrous crime against the humanity, the MP emphasized. He added that official Yerevan should give an immediate response to today's crime and express its concern about the crime.

MINISTER OSKANIAN CONDEMNS HRANT DINK ASSASSINATION

Yerevan. January 19, ArmInfo. We are deeply shocked by the news of the assassination of Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, a man who lived his life in the belief that there can be understanding, dialogue and peace amongst peoples, the press-service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told ArmInfo.

We categorically condemn this act, regardless of the circumstances, and call on the Turkish authorities indeed to do everything to identify those responsible.

TURKISH PREMIER CALLS MURDER OF HRANT DINK ATTACKS TURKEY'S STABILITY

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo-TURAN. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Premier, held a special briefing were he made an official statement concerning the murder of Hrant Dink, Editor of "Agos" Armenian newspaper in Turkey, committed in the center of Istanbul today, TURAN reports.

R. T. Erdogan said that it was "not occasional" that the murder took place especially now when acknowledgement of the "so-called" Armenian Genocide is being discussed in different states of the world. He evaluated the murder of the Editor as provocation aimed against Turkey and its people including Armenian minority. Whatever the reasons of the case, the government of Turkey condemns the murder and claims that law enforcement bodies investigate the case and punish the criminal in the shortest spell of time. The Premier condoles with relatives of H. Dink. Members of the government will participate in the funeral ceremony.

Note: Hrant Dink was shot by an unknown aged about 20 in the center of Istanbul today. H. Dink called for acknowledgement of Armenian Genocide of 1915 internationally. He was persecuted by Turkish government, was arrested and released only under the order of the Council of Europe.

20 YEAR OLD KILLED AKOS EDITOR HRANT DINK IN TURKEY

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Hrant Dink, Editor-in-Chief of "Akos" Armenian newspaper in Turkey, was shot with 3 bullets fired point-blank in the center of Istanbul about an hour ago.

Turkish Mass Media report that H. Dink was murdered by the unknown man aged about 20. The sources report that officials and representatives of political parties of Turkey condemn the murder.

H. Dink was known by his calls for acknowledgement of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire in 1915. For his speeches he was jailed and then released under the order of the Council of Europe.

THE CENTRE OF ISTANBUL

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. An hour ago, the unknown shot Hrant Dink, Editor-in- Chief of "Akos" Armenian newspaper, in the center of Istanbul.

Russian Mass Media report that H. Dink was shot at the building of the Editorial office and died at once. Turkish authorities are silent yet.

Hrant Dink several times was accused by Turkish courts for "insulting Turkish identity" and was persecuted by Turkish authorities. H. Dink had a line in "Akos" that said - "animosity of Turks poisons Armenian blood" - for which he was accused under 301 article of Criminal Code of Turkey for "insulting national identity of Turks" in July 2005. H. Dink was awarded with Oxfam Novib prize handed to journalists who are being chased in the country where they live and work.

AMERICAN GLOBAL GOLD CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RESTRUCTURING OF LICHKVAZ GOLD JV IN ARMENIA

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. The American Global Gold Corporation Wednesday announced the restructuring of its 20% joint venture interest in the Lichkvaz Gold Project in southern Armenia with Iberian Resources Limited of Australia, the GGC's report runs.

According to the source, during 2005, Global Gold joint ventured the Lichkvaz Gold Project with Iberian Resources to focus efforts within the North Central Armenian mineralized belt and other projects. Iberian Resources now has 100% ownership of the Lichkvaz Gold Project, and Global Gold retains the following: 5 mln fully paid shares in Iberian Resources, restricted for one year; a onetime 1 mln USD payment from Iberian Resources; the right to participate up to 20% in any other projects undertaken by Iberian Resources or its affiliates in Armenia.

If shares in Iberian Resources trade below Australian Dollars 0.50 for any consecutive period of 30 trading days during the escrow period, Iberian Resources shall issue an additional 2.5 mln fully paid shares in Iberian Resources to the Company.

To note, Global Gold has focused its activities in Armenia at Tukhmanuk, Hankavan and surrounding areas in the North Central Armenian belt. Global Gold is also conducting exploration at its Marjan and Getik properties, and has a twenty percent participation right in any new exploration undertaken in Armenia by Sterlite Gold Limited or its successors.

33 SOLDIERS DIED IN ARMENIAN ARMY IN 2006

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. 33 soldiers of a fixed period service died of different reasons in Armenian Army in 2006, Serzh Sargsyan, Minister of Defence, said at the press conference in Caucasian office of Regnum news agency in Yerevan today.

He pointed out that 47 soldiers died in Armenia's Army in 2005. "I do not mean that 33 is a small number. This is a pain of 33 families. On the other hand, we should remember that there are over 40 thnd military servicemen with different personalities in the Army. Presently, we are also guarding the 1200 km-long border. Over 80% of our army is at the military duty. This means that each of these militarymen is armed", the Minister said.

Along with it, to compare, he reminded that over 300 people died in traffic accidents in 2006. "As for the reasons of the soldiers' deaths, this is too difficult to deduce because the number is small", S. Sargsyan concluded.

DEFENCE MINISTER OF ARMENIA NEGATIVE ON COURTS DECISION ON 3 MILITARYMEN ACCUSED OF MURDER

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Serzh Sargsyan, is extremely dissatisfied about the judicial process on the case of three military servicemen of Mataghis region who are accused of murder. The case is on the two military servicemen of Mataghis region of Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) who were murdered.

The Court of the first instance imposed a sentence of 15-years of imprisonment, the Court of Appeal sentenced life-term imprisonment, and the Court of Cassation - passed the case for further investigation and set the militarymen free.

S. Sargsyan held a press conference in the Caucasian office of Regnum news agency in Yerevan today. He said that he is extremely disappointed about drastically different sentences of the courts. "Being a Defence Minister I have a question, which of the courts acted right? The judgment of the two courts was imprisonment, but that of the third - absolution. It is impossible that courts make such different judgments", S. Sargsyan declared.

He added that he intends to make scrupulous queries to find out the truth in the case. "I can't definitely say whether these soldiers are guilty or not", the Defence Minister pointed out.

FOUR BABIES BORN IN ARMENIA AT ONCE

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. For the first time within 13 years four babies were born at once in Armenia. Razmik Abrahamyan, Head of Republican Centre of Gynecology, told ArmInfo that Meline Mkhitaryan, 27, citizen of Yerevan, gave birth to the children.

Three baby boys and a baby girl weight v 1660, 1700, 1760 and 1560 gr. The babies will be kept some time in the hospital to undergo therapy.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT'S SONS HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH MILITARY SERVICE FOR A FIXED PERIOD

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Armenian President's sons Sedrak and Levon Kocharyans have no problems with military service, Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sargsyan said at a press-conference, Friday.

According to him, both sons of the Armenian President are serving in the army.

RA DM CONSIDERS POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT OF TURKISH GENERAL AS RA DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER UNDESIRABLE

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. It is undesirable for the representative of Armed Forces of one country to take a leading post in the Defense Ministry of another country, RA DM, Serzh Sargssyan, said at today's press-conference, asked about the possible appointment of a Turkish General a deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan. "It is undesirable for the representative of AF of one country to be a deputy Foreign Minister of another country", the Minister said. At the same time, he reminded that there have always been Turkish instructors in the Azerbaijani Army since the beginning of 90th. "I cannot say how it changed the Azeri Army since I do not know how it was without it", S. Sargssyan said. At that, the Minister stated a high level of the Turkish Army's preparation. "I thin, the Turkish General can be of use for the Azeri Army", RA DM said, having stressed that 1 or 2 official cannot introduce fundamental changes in the situation. This should be a result of a long work, he reminded.

RA DM CONFIRMS HIS POSITION ABOUT NECESSITY TO REGULATE ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. RA DM, Serzh Sargssyan, has confirmed his position about the necessity to regulate the Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions, he said at today's press-conference in the Transcaucasian Office of IA REGNUM.

Asked what is influence of the absence of Armenia-Turkey relations and what may be the influence of the border opening, S. Sargssyan said: "I will not give arguments for or against. My viewpoint is known long since and I confirm it. I do not think it will shortly change. In my opinion, we have to set the relations with Turkey without preconditions".

ARMENIA IS NOT GOING TO WHOLLY TRANSFER ITS ARMY ON CONTRACTUAL BASIS IN NEAR FUTURE

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Armenia is not going to wholly transfer its Army on a contractual basis in the near future, RA Defense Minister, Serzh Sargssyan, said at today's press-conference in the Caucasian office of IA REGNUM.

Asked if the management of the Armenian Army is going to transfer the Armed Forces on a contractual, "professional" basis, the Minister said "it is not harmful to think, however, opportunities are necessary for that". "I think we shall be able to wholly transfer to a professional army within the next few years", the DM said. According to him, today, about the third of the Armenian Army comprises professionals, officers and "contractors". Along with it, the Minister agreed with the opinion that the number of draftees will be somehow reduced in a couple of years since this will the time of a call-up age of the generation of 90th , when the birth rate in the Republic decreased for some known reasons. "However, it is of not of a decisive importance. Relevant measures are being taken. Only in 2006, relevant contracts have been concluded with over thousand of people", S, Sargssyan said.

ARMENIA'S COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICES EXTENDED RIGHTS OF "ARMENTEL" FOR USE OF RADIO-RELAY LINES

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. The Armenia's Commission for Public Services has resolved today, at extra session, to allow the "ArmenTel" CJSC to use the radio-relay lines, by which the Company render a fixed and cell communication, till March 3, 2013.

As the Chairman of the Commission, Robert Nazaryan, told ArmInfo, the necessity of an extra session has been caused by the fact that the permission for "ArmenTel" Company to use some radio-relay frequencies expires on January 21, 2007. Otherwise, "ArmenTel" would be deprived of the right for rendering of the fixed and cell communication services in some regions of Armenia. In particular, this decision concerns 50 base cell stations of "ArmenTel". The Company totals 200 base cell stations. By another decision, Commission has allowed the Company to use the radio-relay frequencies till March 3, 2013, to render a fixed telephone communication in the towns of Spitak and Yeghegnadzor. The permissions for use of the above-mentioned radio-rely frequencies were given to "ArmenTel" by the "Republican Telecommunication Center" CJSC on July 25, 2000. "ArmenTel" is a national communication operator in Armenia, 90% of shares of which have been sold to the Russian "VympelCom" OJSC at the end, 2006. The remaining 10% of shares belongs to the Armenian Government.

HEADS OF LEADING RUSSIAN TRAVEL COMPANIES VISIT ARMENIA

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. The heads of 16 leading Russian travel companies arrive in Armenia on January 22 to discuss the possibilities for cooperation with their Armenian partners.

As ArmInfo became aware from reliable sources, the visit of Russian specialists is carried out by invitation of the Mayor of Tsakhkadzor, Garun Mirzoyan. The guests are also accompanied by a group of Russian journalists. Within the frames of the visit, they will get acquainted with the tourist infrastructure of Tsakhkadzor, the Armenian kitchen. To note, the resort town Tsakhkadzor was very popular in the Soviet times among the Russian tourists, however, the town's structure became worse after the USSR collapse. Three years ago, the RA Government had started to implement the town development program. Presently, hotel complexes, which meet the international standards, have been put into operation, the highways are under upgrading.