ARKA News Agency
Aug 5 2004
Handing of memory badge `15 Years Since Earthquake in Armenia’ takes
place in Russian Embassy to Yerevan
75 graduates of children’s homes in Armenia to be provided with
housing in 2004
Head of Cba Tigran Sargsyan leaves for Kiev today
Cultural arrangements to be held in Nagorno Karabakh in frames of One
nation, one culture festival
A memorable silver coin devoted to the plays of Football- 2006 World
Cup to be put in circulation in Armenia from September 1, 2004
ARKA News Agency publishes a quarterly bulletin `Activity Indicators
of Banks of Armenia’ by the results of Q2, 2004
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HANDING OF MEMORY BADGE `15 YEARS SINCE EARTHQUAKE IN ARMENIA’ TAKES
PLACE IN RUSSIAN EMBASSY TO YEREVAN
YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. Handing of memory badge `15 Years Since
Earthquake in Armenia’ took place in Russian Embassy to Yerevan.
According to RF Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Drukov, the badge is
handed to active participants of rescue and restoration works in
disaster area. According to him, the award was instituted by
Organization Committee on Conduction of Activities dedicated to 15
years since earthquake in Armenia, created in 2003 in Russia and
headed by Nikolay Ryjkov. Drukov added that today’s handing is a
symbol of indissoluble bonds of friendship between the two people.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Director General of Interstroy
Development Vardkes Artsruni in his turn said that he was surprised
how deep and warm did they welcome this date in Russia.
He said that the organization committee issued 20-25 minute film
dedicated to this occasion, with memories of the participants of the
rescue works and shots of the tragedy.
Memory badge `15 Years Since Earthquake in Armenia’ was handed to 80
people, including RF Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Drukov, his son
who participated in rescue works in Vanadzor and President of RA
National Science Academy Fadey Sargsian, the Governor of Lori Region
Genrik Kochinian and others. L.D. –0–
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75 GRADUATES OF CHILDREN’S HOMES IN ARMENIA TO BE PROVIDED WITH
HOUSING IN 2004
YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. 75 graduates of children homes in Armenia
will be provided with housing in 2004, RA Deputy Minister of Labor
and Social Issues Ashot Yesayan stated today. According to him, the
program includes all graduates of Armenian children homes starting
with 1992. He said that as of 2003 housing problem was settled for 35
of them, the rest 180 graduates will receive homes in 2005. He also
added that it was possible to settle the housing problem for most of
the children in 2004, however due to growth of prices on real estate
their number made only 75.
As Yesayan stated earlier, donor assistance to Armenia in the frames
of program of assistance to children in 2004 to make about $2
million.
There are 1150 children living in 8 state and 4 charity children
homes in Armenia. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
HEAD OF CBA TIGRAN SARGSYAN LEAVES FOR KIEV TODAY
YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. The Head of RA CB Tigran Sargsyan today
left for Kiev upon the invitation of Sergey Tigipko, Head of CB of
the Ukraine. According to the CBA Press Service Department it is
presumed that Heads of Central Banks will sign an agreement on
cooperation in area of control overcredit organizations on August 6.
The sides will also discuss the policies of both Central Banks
related to monetary and credit, currency spheres concerning the
issues of banking activities and bank control regulation. The
Armenian delegation will also have meetings with Alexander Sugonyako,
President of Ukraine Bank Association. The RA CB delegation consists
of Heads of bank control, juridical, bank methodology, monetary and
credit policy departments, as well as Samvel Chzmatchyan, Head of
Union of Armenian Banks and directors of Armeniancommercial banks.
L.V. –0–
*********************************************************************
CULTURAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE HELD IN NAGORNO KARABAKH IN FRAMES OF ONE
NATION, ONE CULTURE FESTIVAL
STEPANAKERT, August 5. /ÀÐÊÀ/. Various cultural arrangements will
take place in NKR in frames of One nation, one culture festival which
will start on August 15 in Yerevan. As the own reporter of ARKA
agency in Stepanakert informs, 1500 representatives of Armenian
Diaspora will arrive in Armenia to particiupate in the festival. The
aim of the festival is the strengthening of cultural links between
Armenia and Diaspora, a single presentation of Armenian culture,
creation of mechanisms for effective cooperation. The festival will
start with gala – performance in National Academic Opera and Ballet
Theatre after Spendiarov in Yerevan and will accomplish with a
concert on Republic Square on August 22. More than 1500 Armenian
cultural figures from Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, France, Austria,
Great Britain, the USA, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Russia, Georgia and
Kazakhstan.
The festival is held by the Ministry of Culture and Youth, Armenia
pan-Armenian Fund and One nation, one culture Foundation under the
high patronage of RA President. L.V.–0–
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A MEMORABLE SILVER COIN DEVOTED TO THE PLAYS OF FOOTBALL- 2006 WORLD
CUP TO BE PUT IN CIRCULATION IN ARMENIA FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2004
YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. A memorable silver coin, devoted to the
plays of Football- 2006 World Cup, will be put in circulation in
Armenia from September 1, 2004. According to CBA press service
department, such a decision was made on the session of CBA Board on
August 4, 2004. The nominal price of the coin is AMD 100. A.H –0 –
*********************************************************************
ARKA NEWS AGENCY PUBLISHES A QUARTERLY BULLETIN `ACTIVITY INDICATORS
OF BANKS OF ARMENIA’ BY THE RESULTS OF Q2, 2004
YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. ARKA News Agency published a quarterly
bulletin `Activity Indicators of Banks of Armenia’ by the results of
Q2, 2004. The bulletin is compiled on the base of financial reports
of banking organisations published in the press, as well as on
additional information provided by banks. ARKA is grateful to all
banks that shared additional information of their activities.
The bulletin consists of 70 pages of information on banks’ activity
indicators in tables and contain 9 main sections characterising the
banking sector: 1.Geberal Characteristics of Banks. 2. Assets. 3.
Liabilities. 4. Active and Passive Operations of Banks with
non-Residents. 5. Capital. 6. Profit/ Negative Profit. 7. Information
about Cash Flow. 8. Liquidity and Capitalisation Level. 9. Indicators
of Profitability of Banks.
The information in the Bulletin allows having general idea of the
financial state of RA Banks and carrying out comparative analysis of
their activity.
ARKA News Agency is the first agency in Armenia that began publishing
quarterly bulleting `Activity Indicators of Banks of Armenia’ from
1999. A.H. –0–

ARKA News Agency
Aug 6 2004
Denunciation of oncoming municipal elections by CE is estimated in
NKR as detachment from reality
Turkey is capable of another genocide, believe 56,3% of Armenians
89,2% of Armenian citizens consider Russia Armenia’s friend
*********************************************************************
DENUNCIATION OF ONCOMING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS BY CE IS ESTIMATED IN
NKR AS DETACHMENT FROM REALITY
STEPANAKERT, August 6. /ARKA/. Denunciation of oncoming municipal
elections by CE is estimated in NKR as detachment from reality, NKR
MFA press service states, commenting the statement of CE Secretary
General Walter Shwimmer on inadmissibility of oncoming election to
local self-government bodies of NKR scheduled for August 8. `NKR
administration thinks that only legally elected authorities can bare
the responsibility for the territories and have enough authority for
conduction of peaceful negotiations on settlement of the conflict.
That is why the logics that election can have negative impact on
Karabakh settlement is quite hard to understand’, press release says.
`More than 10 years as NKR lives as an sovereign state that has
nothing to do with Azerbaijan and independently organizes its life at
the territory that belongs to Karabakh Armenians historically. It
seems that all those international structures that make similar
statements, provide political support to the regime that started a
war against Nagorno Karabakh and till now did not refused of attempts
to use power against NKR. Besides, according to international
experts, Nagorno Karabakh is far ahead of Azerbaijan on the level of
its democratic development’, NKR MFA statement says. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
TURKEY IS CAPABLE OF ANOTHER GENOCIDE, BELIEVE 56,3% OF ARMENIANS
YEREVAN, August 6. /ARKA/. According to 56,3% of Armenian citizens,
Turkey is still capable of another genocide æèòåëåé Àðìåíèè, as
stated Stepan Safaryan, the expert of Armenian Center for National
and International Studies (ACNIS) at the seminar devoted to summing
up of expert survey and public opinion survey `Armenia in the context
of national and international security in course of 5-10 years’,
conducted by ïðîåäåííîì ACNIS on July 16 – August 4 2004. He said
that this opinion is supported only by 40% of Armenian experts. At
that he mentioned that 12% of the questioned experts and 11,7% of
Armenian citizens believe that the contemporary Turk is not the
barbarian of the beginning of XX century. 64% of experts and 42,8% of
citizens mentioned the necessity of opening of Armenian-Turkish
border. 43,7% of citizens and 30% of experts think that Armenian
-Turkish reconciliation is possible only after Turkey recognizes the
Armenian Genocide.
50 experts and 2021 citizens of Yerevan and all Marzes of Armenia
took part in the survey. L.V. – 0–
*********************************************************************
89,2% OF ARMENIAN CITIZENS CONSIDER RUSSIA ARMENIA’S FRIEND
YEREVAN, August 6. /ARKA/. 89,2% of Armenian citizens consider Russia
Armenia’s friend, as stated Stepan Safaryan, the expert of Armenian
Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) at the seminar
devoted to summing up of expert survey and public opinion survey
`Armenia in the context of national and international security in
course of 5-10 years’, conducted by ïðîåäåííîì ACNIS on July 16 –
August 4 2004. He also said that Russia is followed by France (74%),
Iran (49,9%), the USA (46,8%), the Ukraine (46,6%), Greece (45,5%).
He mentioned that the main enemy of Armenia is considered Azerbaijan
according to 90,9% of surveyed Armenian citizens, Turkey- 78,2%,
Israel – 11,8% ,Georgia – 9,8%.
According to Safaryan, only 66% of the surveyed experts consider
Russia Armenia’s friend. He noted that a similar amount of votes were
given to France and Greece. At that, 78% of experts consider Iran a
friend for Armenia, 76% – Lebanon, 64% – the USA, and Germany, China
and Syrian received 54% each. He also added that 76% and 64% of the
experts consider Azerbaijan and Turkey accordingly to be Armenia’s
enemies, at the same time, 6% of the surveyed experts believe that
these countries are friends.
50 experts and 2021 citizens of Yerevan and all Marzes of Armenia
took part in the survey. L.V. – 0–

ARKA News Agency
Aug 9 2004
18 Armenian sportsmen to take part in Olympic Games in Athens
Second round of municipal elections to take place on August 22 in
Nagorno Karabakh
The ceremony of opening of a renovated building of Gevorgyan
theological seminary takes place in Etchmiadsin
Elections to local governing institutions to create more
opportunities for the international recognition of NKR
Education campaign on using electronic systems of regional government
in the RA communities to begin from August
A military servant of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces arrested on the
North -East part of the state border of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
Belarus session of Armenian-Belarus Intergovernmental Commission on
Trade and Economic Cooperation opens today in Minsk
*********************************************************************
18 ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN TO TAKE PART IN OLYMPIC GAMES IN ATHENS
YEREVAN, August 9. /ARKA/. 18 Armenian sportsmen will take part in
Olympic Games in Athens, RA Government press office told ARKA.
Preliminary stage took place very successfully: all technical and
material issues were settled.
At the meeting with the sportsmen RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian noted that Armenia, Artsakh and Spurk with hope expect
successful performance of Armenian sportsmen. `Every single victory
of yours, raising of Armenian flag and sound of hymn will give our
people additional strength and surge of pride’, he said.
Armenian sportsmen will compete in 9 types of sports competitions.
Armenian delegation also includes official representatives, coaches
and mass media representatives. L.D. –0 –
*********************************************************************
SECOND ROUND OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 22 IN
NAGORNO KARABAKH
STEPANAKERT, August 9. /ARKA/. Second round of municipal elections
will take place on August 22 in Nagorno Karabakh, NKR Central
Election Commission. During the elections no one of 5 candidates for
mayor of Stepanakert did not collect necessary 50 and above percents
of votes. Second tour will be conducted among Ex Vice Mayor of
Stepanakert Pavel Nadjarian (43% of votes) and Chairman of Regular
Commission on Social Issues of NKR National Assembly Eduard Agabekian
(about 33%).
According to preliminary data, 61.1% of votes took part in the
elections. 41.1% of the votes took part in the elections in
Stepanakert. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
THE CEREMONY OF OPENING OF A RENOVATED BUILDING OF GEVORGYAN
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY TAKES PLACE IN ETCHMIADSIN
YEREVAN, August 9. /ARKA/. The ceremony of opening of a renovated
building of Gevorgyan theological seminary took place in Etchmiadsin,
according to St. Etchmiadsin press service department. According to
the press-release, repair works were carried out at the expense of
American sponsors of Armenian origin Gevorg and Sirvard Hovnanyans.
According to the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the Second, the
seminary always had an important mission. `With opening of the
seminary the dreams of many preceding Catholicoses came true: exactly
seminaries helped the Armenian nation to preserve its originality,
raise children according to the Armenian spirit’, he said.
About 30 members of the Hovnanians family were present on the
ceremony of opening of the seminary, as well as the members of the
Supreme Ecclesiastical Council, the Chairman of the Constitution
Court Gagik Harutyunyan, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport
Hovik Hoveyan, the Chairman of RA NAS Fadei Sargsyan.
Gevorgyan theological seminary exists already for 130 years. A.H.
–0–
*********************************************************************
ELECTIONS TO LOCAL GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS TO CREATE MORE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF NKR
STEPANAKERT, August 9. /ARKA/. Elections to local governing
institutions will create more opportunities for the international
recognition of NKR, according to Arkadi Ghukasian, the NKR President.
According to him, the elections to local governing institutions are a
symbol of democracy. Commenting the recent statement of the Secretary
General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer about the
unacceptability of holding municipal elections in NKR, Ghukasian
found the statement strange, noting that he doesn’t understand the
motivation of the protest against the lections, according to which
the reason is that NKR status is not definite yet and that it should
be defined on OSCE Minsk Group conference. `Today we do not discuss
the issue of NKR’s status, since it’s defined by our nation. We elect
governors of cities and villages, and an alternative to elections is
a dictatorship. It’s strange that European politicians and diplomats
make such statements to the detriment of democratic values’,
Ghukasian said. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON USING ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS OF REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
IN THE RA COMMUNITIES TO BEGIN FROM AUGUST
YEREVAN, August 9. /ARKA/. Beginning from August E- Armenia
Foundation together with UNDP and Project Harmony office will begin
education campaign on using electronic systems of regional government
in the RA communities. As the Executive Director of E- Armenia
Foundation Levon Galstyan stated on a press conference, the
implementation of the program will begin already tomorrow in Kotaik
region, and by September Shirak region will be involved into the
program. As he said, the goal of the campaign is to introduce the
regional system of e-governance so that people had closer
communication with the authorities by means of IT.
In his turn Artashes Darbinyan, the Coordinator of the UNDP program
on democratization and IT, noted that a site of the governing
institutions of RA regions is created already in the frames of the
program. The site is at `Each region has its own
server, which is in administrative buildings of the regions, and the
information on the site is published by the workers of administrative
structures’, he said. He also noted that internet-centers adjunct to
the administrations of the regions are opened, and each person can
get information about the region.
The program is implemented by E-Armenia Foundation together with UNDP
and Project Harmony Office with the support of Swiss Development
Co-operation Agency (SDCA). It has been implemented since February
2001. UNDP has invested about $600 thsd for the implementation of the
program, and the Swiss side assigned about $525 thsd for the last two
years. The system of e-payments for utility services was introduced
with the support of CBA and ArCa in Armenia in 2003 in the frames of
the program. Besides, Armenia became the second country in the
country, which introduced the system of e-visa.
Project Harmony Office operates in Armenia since 2000 and implements
a program on Schools Intercommunication over the republic. At the
moment 270 schools are involved into the network.
`E-Armenia’ Foundation implements Armenia Development Gateway program
in the country. The Foundation contributes to e-development in
Armenia, and carries out investigations in the field of electronic
development. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
A MILITARY SERVANT OF THE AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES ARRESTED ON THE
NORTH -EAST PART OF THE STATE BORDER OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC
STEPANAKERT, August 9. /ARKA/. On the North -East part of the state
border of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) a military servant of the
Azerbaijani Armed Forces Samedov Anar Misha, the citizen of Baku born
in 1983, was arrested by the military servants of NKR Defense Army
when he was crossing the line of demarcation. According to ARKA’s
reporter from Stepanakert, NKR State Committee on prisoners of war
and missing soldiers informed the offices of Red Cross International
Committee (RCIC) and OSCE accredited in Stepanakert about the
incident in the frames of the international commitments of NKR in the
area of human rights.
At present, the proper structures of the republic investigate the
circumstances and reasons of violation the borders of NKR by an
Azerbaijani soldier.
The authorities of the republic allowed RCIC representtaives to visit
Samedov freely. The office of RCIC is also informed of the readiness
of NKR authorities to pass Samedov to the Azerbaijani side in case
they agree to accept him back. A.H. – 0–
*********************************************************************
BELARUS SESSION OF ARMENIAN-BELARUS INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON
TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION OPENS TODAY IN MINSK
YEREVAN, August 9. /ARKA/. The Belarus session of Armenian-Belarus
Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation opens
today in Minsk. The session is headed by the Gennadiy Kurochkin, the
Belarus Minister of Architecture and Construction. According to Press
Service Department of Belarus Embassy in Armenia, the sides plan to
discuss pressing issues of bilateral trade and economic cooperation,
identify further steps aimed at intensification of economic relations
between Armenia and Belarus. Among the main points of the agenda are
questions related to cooperation of the two countries in spheres of
mechanical engineering, energy and energy conservation, interregional
relations and culture. The holding of the 6th joint session of the
Commission is planned for September 2004 in Minsk, in accordance with
the protocol of the 5th session of Armenian-Belarus Commission on
Trade and Economic Cooperation (October 2003). Representatives from a
number of Ministries and Departments will take part in the session,
including Ministries of Industry, Agriculture and Supply, Trade,
Committee on Energy Efficiency attached to the Council of Ministries
of Belarus, Belresursi, Bellesburprom, Belenergo and Belcoopsojuz
Holdings. L.V.–0 –

Noyan Tapan, Armenia
Aug 9 2004
Armenian Church Among Five Bombed over Weekend in Iraq
BAGHDAD (Combined Sources)–The Armenian Apostolic Church condemned
on Monday the weekend wave of bomb attacks on
an Armenian Catholic church and four other Christian worship sites in
Iraq that left 11 people dead and more than 50 others wounded. The
series of coordinated explosions rocked five churches across Baghdad
and the northern city of Mosul on Sunday, killing at least 11 people
and injuring dozens more in the first attacks targeting the country’s
Christian minority since the 15-month violent insurgency here began.
The attacks began just after 18:00 local time, when an attack parked
a vehicle packed with explosives and mortar bombs in front of an
Armenian church in the Karada neighborhood of Baghdad. The blast,
just 15 minutes into the evening service, blew out windows and
damaged cars and nearby houses. Some 20 minutes later, as survivors
gathered in the streets and rescue workers streamed to the scene, a
second blast occurred in front of the Assyrian Catholic church only
500 meters away.
There was no word on whether there were any Armenians among the dead.
“I saw injured women and children and men, the church’s glass
shattered everywhere,” Juliette Agob, a woman who was inside the
Armenian church during the first explosion, was quoted by the
Associated Press as saying. The church’s governing Mother See in
Etchmiadzin, said although none of its churches and other property in
Iraq was targeted in the apparently coordinated series of explosions
on Sunday, it is deeply saddened by the loss of life. “The Armenian
Apostolic Holy Church expresses her sympathies to the families of the
victims and all Iraqi people, and wishes complete recovery to the
wounded and injured,” the office of Catholicos Garegin II said in a
statement. “We pray that the centuries of friendship and peaceful
co-existence among Christian and Muslim peoples in the East will not
be endangered by similar condemnable violence; for peace to be
re-established in the region; and that the Iraqi people continue with
the creation of their safe and progressing lives.”
“I saw wounded women and children and men, the church’s glass
shattered everywhere. There’s glass all over the floor,” said
Juliette Agob, who was inside the Armenian church during the first
explosion.
After the second bombing, Iraqi police rushed to search other
churches in the city. The sweeps turned up a sixth bomb, which was
neutralized by American sappers. However, as police hunted for more
bombs, two more explosions occurred, one outside the Chaldean
Patriarchate in the southern district of Dora and the other in New
Baghdad in the eastern part of the city.
The attack on the Chaldean Patriarchate occurred as worshippers began
arriving for Mass around sunset. Five people were killed, including a
child. The LA Times quoted witnesses who described seeing two men
pull up in separate cars, park them near the church, then casually
walk away. Minutes later, the vehicles exploded, hurling shrapnel in
all directions and leaving gaping craters in the road.
The apparent target of the attack in New Baghdad was St. Elya’s
Chaldean Church. However, a nearby Shiite mosque bore the brunt of
the blast. Both the mosque and the church were holding funerals at
the time of the attacks. In the Mosul attack, insurgents parked a
white Toyota Supra packed with explosives and mortar shells outside a
Catholic church. The assailants first launched a rocket toward the
building and then detonated the car bomb, according to a US military
statement. The blast killed a passing motorist and wounded four other
people. The church office was badly damaged, but there was little
damage to the church itself. Police said the toll could have been
higher if all the mortar shells in the car had detonated. The attacks
all used similar modus operandi; carbombs filled with explosives and
crude bombs made of mortar shells were parked in front of the
churches.
The drivers left the vehicles and detonated the explosives by remote
control. None of the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers. The
methods and materials used were a departure from the high-profile
attacks on Shiite targets earlier this year, leading some experts to
believe they were carried out by a different group.
Numbering some 750,000, the minority Christians were already
concerned about the growing tide of Islamic fundamentalism, so long
repressed under Saddam Hussein. The majority of the Christians are
Chaldean Roman Catholic, the rest Syrian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox
and Assyrian. Most live in Baghdad and its outskirts and some dwell
further to the north. Islamic radicals have warned Christians running
liquor stores to shut down their businesses, and have turned their
sights on fashion stores and beauty salons. The increasing attention
on this minority community has many within looking for a way out.
Many are in neighboring Jordan and Syria waiting for the security
situation to settle, while others have applied to leave the country.

NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Aug 9 2004
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS CONDUCTED IN THE NKR
On August 8, elections to the bodies of self-government were
conducted in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
According to the preliminary data, in the Republic, as a whole, 61.1
per cent of the voters took part in the elections. The attendance of
voters in the NKR capital of Stepanakert comprised 41.1 per cent.
In Stepanakert, according to the results of the voting, none of the
five candidates for the post of the capital major did not get the
necessary 50 and more per cent of votes. According to the acting
legislation, the second round among the two candidates who gathered
the greatest number of votes must take place in two weeks, on August
22.
Former Vice-Major of Stepanakert Pavel Najarian who gathered almost
43 per cent of votes, passed to the second round. Head of the
Commission on Social Issues of the NKR National Assembly, leader of
the recently created political organization “Movement-88” Eduard
Agabekian is behind by almost 10 per cent.
It is possible to follow the process of the elections in the on-line
regime on the Internet site

NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Aug 7 2004
INFORMATION
OF THE NKR STATE COMMISSION ON ISSUES OF PRISONERS OF WAR,
HOSTAGES AND MISSING PEOPLE
On August 6, 2004, in the north-eastern section of the state border
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the servicemen of the NKR Defense
Army detained serviceman of the Azerbaijani armed units Samedov Anar
Misha Ogli, the native of Baku, born in 1983, when he was passing the
demarcation line.
In the frameworks of its international obligations of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic in the sphere of human rights, the NKR State
Commission on Issues of Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People
informed the International Committee of Red Cross and OSCE Offices,
accredited in the NKR, on the incident.
Currently, the Republic’s coresponding bodies conduct investigation
events for finding out the circumstances and reasons of the violation
of the NKR border by the Azerbaijani serviceman.
The Republic’s authorities granted the ICRC representatives free
access to A.Samedov. The ICRC office was also informed about the the
NKR authorities’ readiness to pass A.Samedov to the Azerbaijani party
in case of getting its consent to accept their serviceman.

ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY DATA, SECOND TOUR OF ELECTIONS OF STEPANAKERT
MAYOR TO TAKE PLACE
STEPANAKERT, August 9 (Noyan Tapan). The elections of local
self-government bodies finished in about 240 NKR communities.
According to preliminary data, the 2nd tour of elections of
Stepanakert Mayor will take place. According to unofficial data, from
5 nominated candidates Pavel Najarian and Edvard Aghabekian got 2.8%
and 34.5% of votes, respectively. To recap, the National Labor Union
public-political pro-governmental organization made and official
statement supporting the first candidate and the Artsakh Central
Committee of ARF supported the second candidature.

Haaretz
Sun., August 08, 2004 Av 21, 5764
Tennis / Hewitt crushes Robredo to book final berth vs. Agassi or Roddick
By News Agencies
Lleyton Hewitt crushed Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2 yesterday to set up a
Cincinnati Masters Series final against Andy Roddick or Andre Agassi.
The Australian former world number one, sacrificing the chance of an Olympic
medal to help revive his career, reached his first final for six months with
a 53-minute victory over unseeded Spaniard Robredo.
Hewitt’s play was full of his trademark counter-hitting and fierce refusal
to give up any cause, but more unusually it also featured unusually potent
serving. He has still dropped serve only once in the tournament.
Hewitt, who beat Gustavo Kuerten, Tim Henman, and Marat Safin on the way to
the last four, made the first break in the seventh game by winning a
forehand to forehand exchange. He then served out for the first set in the
most crushing manner, finishing it with a perfectly delayed forehand
top-spin lob winner.
Hewitt made the killer break in the fifth game of the second set,
relentlessly harrying and probing from the baseline and provoking Robredo
into an over-ambitious faded drive on break point.
The mistake punctured Robredo’s morale. Hewitt capitalized ruthlessly,
winning 12 of the next 13 rallies and the match to move within one victory
of his first title since triumphing indoors in Rotterdam in February.
Americans Roddick, the defending champion and number two seed, and Agassi,
seeded 11th, played in the second semifinal last night after press time.
On Friday night, Agassi outlasted 2002 champion Carlos Moya 7-6 (14-12), 6-3
to blast into his first semi-final in five months.
Meanwhile, Israeli double pair Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram downed the
second seed pair of Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 on
Friday but failed to keep up the momentum, losing 7-6, 6-3 to Max Mirnyi of
Belarussia and Sargis Sargsian of Armenia yesterday.

Armenian official slams Azerbaijan’s “non-constructive position”
Arminfo
6 Aug 04
YEREVAN
The Armenian Foreign Ministry has described as unacceptable the latest
attempt by Azerbaijan to conceal its non-constructive position on the
issue of achieving a lasting peace, the press secretary of the
Armenian Foreign Ministry, Gamlet Gasparyan, said while commenting on
the statement issued by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on 4 August
regarding the exercises in Nagornyy Karabakh.
“Azerbaijan’s militarist rhetoric, its discontent with the peaceful,
legal and democratic elections to the local government bodies in
Nagornyy Karabakh and its contemptuous statements regarding its
Karabakh’s right to self-defence are only aggravating the atmosphere
of mistrust and cynicism. Despite such futile comments by the
Azerbaijani side, Armenia is always ready to take part in the efforts
which the international organizations are making in the region,
specifically in the forthcoming NATO exercises, and also to continue
its involvement in a peaceful settlement to the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict,” Gasparyan said.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
August 7, 2004
Opening Ceremonies for Newly Renovated Gevorkian Theological Seminary in
Holy Etchmiadzin
The evening of August 5 inaugurated a memorable and historical event in the
life of the Armenian Church. Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin
II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the newly renovated
Gevorkian Theological Seminary building in the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin was re-opened. Present for the opening ceremonies were hundreds
of clergy and faithful, including more than 30 family members of national
benefactors Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian. Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian, from the
United States, were the sponsors of the year-long construction and
renovation work on the historic building.
The Catholicos of All Armenians accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian cut
the ribbon at the entry of the famous building and led the procession of
guests and dignitaries to the large hall of the seminary, where a home
blessing service was offered, with readings from the Holy Bible and prayers
asking for God’s protection for the seminarians, instructors and
administrators.
Following the service, as the program began, Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Archpriest
Sargisian, dean of the seminary, welcomed the guests and spoke about the 130
year glorious history of the seminary founded by Catholicos of All Armenians
Gevork IV in 1874, (after whom the theological school was named), and the
important role that it has played in the life of the Armenian nation and
people. The dean also presented a short synopsis on the present status of
the university, and the many plans and projects currently underway, all
aimed at preparing a new generation of Armenian Church clergymen for
throughout the world. The Theological Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin has more
than 300 young men enrolled in four campuses throughout Armenia.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), spoke eloquently of the unique and
exceptional role the Gevorkian Theological Seminary plays in the preparation
of young clergymen, noting that it has an irreplaceable duty in guaranteeing
the future of the Armenian Church. His Eminence also noted that in addition
to this princely gift for the worldwide Armenian Church and the Mother See,
the Hovnanian Family has also exhibited great generosity towards projects
supporting the Eastern Diocese in the United States, as well as the
independent Republic of Armenia.
President of the National Academy of Sciences Mr. Fadey Sargisian noted the
rich legacy of individuals, both priests and laymen, who received their
higher education in the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, among them being
Komitas Vardapet Soghomonian, Hrachia Ajarian, Makar Yekmalian, Aksel
Bakounts, and Levon Shant.
National benefactor Kevork Hovnanian next addressed the assembled guests,
and spoke tenderly from the heart, noting in part, “Your Holiness, I see
that a new Golden Age has begun for the Armenian Church. I pray that the
new generation of priests will follow Your Holiness’ example, greater
strengthening Holy Etchmiadzin and our Mother Church, because it is only the
Armenian Church, who through her 1700 year rich experience has succeeded in
keeping us Armenian, in keeping us Christian, and has warmed our hearts,
always keeping alive in our minds and souls the love for the homeland and
our Church.”
At the conclusion of the program, His Holiness Karekin II gave his message
of blessing and appreciation to the benefactors and guests. The Pontiff of
All Armenians spoke of the vital mission which is reserved for the Gevorkian
Theological Seminary, in the past as well as the present and the future.
His Holiness highly appreciated the devotion of the benefactors, Mr. and
Mrs. Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian, and noted his joy at the presence of many
members of their family, including Mr. and Mrs. Hrair Hovnanian, Mr. and
Mrs. Vahakn Hovnanian, and children and grandchildren numbering more than
30, who had all traveled to Armenia, many for the first time, to be present
for the opening ceremonies of the school. His Holiness further noted the
unselfish example set by the entire Hovnanian family in their dedication to
the Armenian Church, her worldwide spiritual and administrative
headquarters – the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian diaspora and
the state of the Republic of Armenia.
In his message, the Catholicos of All Armenians stated, “Our happiness today
is transformed into prayer in our souls for the memory of our blessed
predecessors, the Supreme Pontiffs of our Church, whose vision and dream it
had been to pass through the re-opened doors of this historic building and
institution. They had dreamed to see our Church strengthened and vibrant,
and today we mark one more great step in that progress. As our forebears
lived and kept their identity through our Mother Church, regardless of where
or when they lived, they likewise taught and raised their children in our
unique Armenian Christian spirit – resolute, strengthened and supported by
this institution.”
Also present for the opening ceremonies were visiting primates from Armenian
dioceses in Europe and the United States, high ranking clergymen and members
of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, visiting priests from the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, representatives of sister Christian Churches,
members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, President of the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Haroutiunian, RA Minister of Culture
and Youth Affairs Hovik Hoveyan, Yerevan State University President Dr.
Radik Martirosian, and many other guests from the spheres of science,
education, culture and the arts. The musical program for the evening was
provided by the Choir of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary under the
direction of Maestro Ruben Sharbatian.
The program concluded with a banquet held in the refectory of the Mother See
in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Kevork Hovnanian.