Month: June 2005

AZG Armenian Daily #104, 08/06/2005
Obituary
ADRIANO ALPAGO-NOVELLO PASSED AWAY
On 4th June, at 6 p.m. Prof. Adriano Alpago-Novello passed away. Having been
suffering for many years, his health conditions quickly deteriorated in the
last days.
With Alpago Novello’s departure, the studies of Armenian Art, and especially
of Armenian Architecture, lose one of their most prestigious and most active
scholars of the last forty years. The late could unite to an intense
research activity an equally intense teaching and popularizing action of a
rare extension and of great quality.
He as the main conceiver and promoter of the exhibition of Medieval Armenian
Architecture which visited several Italian cities and more than eighteen
countries from South America to Iran. It is now preserved in Yerevan at the
Museum of Architecture.
Adriano Alpago Novello has always been eager of inviting to collaboration,
for his many projects, as many forces as possible, and especially of
involving in them young promises whom he considered with great sympathy and
trust. He matured, during the long years of his brilliant career, an
empathetic comprehension of the Subcaucasian Arts and Architectures. He
could perceive their inner dynamics and singularities without any temptation
of reductivism, even though he always moved in the sphere of the most
rigorous criticism. He had a particular, almost tender love for Armenia, for
its culture and people, so that he was known among friends as Alpaghian.
This name is also the title of the voluminous Miscellany on line in his
honor, edited by Prof. Gianclaudio Macchiarella, which was presented to him
on 27 April at the presence of the Ca’ Foscari Rector, Prof. Pier Francesco
Ghetti, as well as of many Colleagues, friends, and students.
Adriano Alpago-Novello was Doctor honoris causa of the National Academy of
Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.

A1plus
| 17:27:44 | 08-06-2005 | Official |
NATO IN ARMENIA IN NOVEMBER
On October 6-9 in Yerevan a seminar titled `Rose-Road’ will be organized.
And the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Fall session will take place in November
again in Yerevan.
80-100 members of the Parliamentary Assembly will take part in the session.
They will discuss issues of regional importance, as well as those referring
global policy.
From: Baghdasarian

A1plus
| 17:23:00 | 08-06-2005 | Economy |
DOLLAR WANTED STILL MORE
«The exchange rate of USD and ARMD is conditioned by the supply and demand.
When the demand rises, dollar becomes more expensive», this is the
explanation of Tigran Sargsyan about the raise of the exchange rate of the
US dollar for the last few days. According to him, the factors affecting the
dram-dollar exchange rate are numerous and it is impossible to say which one
of them is more important.
The President of the Central Bank offers to follow the economics growth in
different fields and thus to determine the demand of currency in these
fields. Besides, `it is also important to determine the sum entering the
country – directly, indirectly or by means of private transfers’. Tigran
Sargsyan says it is impossible to evaluate as there is a huge stream of cash
ARMD into Armenia.
`The best way to avoid risks is to keep the money in ARMD and to follow the
costs’, says the CB President adding that the Armenian authorities are
responsible only for it, and `the effect of currency market is beyond our
control’.
Let us also remind you that according to some economists, the high exchange
rate of the ARMD last year harmed mostly the local businessman.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
| 15:45:06 | 08-06-2005 | Economy |
UNIVERSAL CREDITOR
Today the official opening of the `Izmirlyan-Eurasia Universal Credit
Company’ LTD took place, although the Credit Company has been working since
2004 August.
According to the executive director of the Company Zaqar Boyajyan the two
companies have united `to make their investment in the improvement of the
economy and living level in Armenia’. Up to now the `Izmirlyan-Eurasia
Universal Credit Company’ has certified 41 credits of a total sum of 2.3
million with 275 working places. The credits are mainly given to
food-producing, service and agricultural companies.
The longest term of the credits is 48 months, the largest sum is 125 000 UA
dollars, and the yearly interest is15%. Asked if the interest is not high
for Armenia deputy head of the Izmirlyan fund Gregory Jerejyan said that
they have taken into consideration the interest rate in the market.
Moreover, according to him it is an attractive figure. Besides, as Mr.
Jerejyan said, the money from the payment of the interests is again
circulated in Armenia in the form of credits.
By the way, up to now only 3% of those who have received credits have not
paid it off on time. According to Boyajyan, different law sanctions are
imposed upon them.

AZG Armenian Daily #104, 08/06/2005
Armenian Genocide
WILL GENOCIDE ISSUE ENTER BUNDESTAG FOR HEARINGS?
The German Tagesspiegel newspaper wrote yesterday that the document on
Armenian Genocide worked out by Christian Democrat, Social Democrat and the
Green Party of Germany before the parliamentary elections again omitted the
word “genocide”. In order not to oppose Turkey’s interests and not to spoil
relations with Turks, the parties used the word “massacres” instead of
“genocide”. The document will be soon submitted to other parties for
discussion and afterwards it will enter the parliament to be discussed.
Allegedly, arguments over the document will get hot as the official and
scientific are diametrically opposite.
If Bundestag fails to adopt a resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide
once again, the issue will be put off till the next parliamentary election.

AZG Armenian Daily #104, 08/06/2005
Human rights
IN ARMENIA HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTOR HERSELF NEEDS PROTECTION
The New Times Party argues that the institution of human rights protection
needs to be protected. In a release put out yesterday the party expresses
support to the Armenian ombudswoman Larisa Alaverdian and emphasizes that
the institution she heads is the visiting card of a democratic state. The
institute of human rights protection has been consistent in its mission
during the time it functions in our country. “As every independent and
substantial initiative, the ombudswoman’s work was no exception in drawing
the pressure of today’s regime. As a result of the independent activity, the
RA justice minister following an unknown law appealed to the National
Assembly to limit already confined authority of the ombudswoman. No matter
how ridiculous, it is the human rights protector that needs protection in
our reality”, the party evaluated.

AZG Armenian Daily #104, 08/06/2005
Constitution
‘REFERENDUM WILL BE EQUAL TO REVOLUTION’, ARSHAK SADOYAN PREDICTS
Venice Committee Still Disappointed
Giovanni Buccicio, chairman of the Venice Committee, and Tigran Torosian,
chairman of the Committee for Integration to Europe, completed the works on
the bill on making constitutional amendments and gave a press conference
recently. Buccicio confirmed the disappointment of the Venice Committee with
the three points in the bill. The issue of electing the mayor of Yerevan is
definitely accepted by the Committee, while there is still much to do in the
human rights issue, as well as in balancing the power between the ruling
branches. Buccicio stated that the new variant will be elaborated till June
20 and the Venice Committee will accept it. He added that, after being
discussed in Strasburg, it will be submitted to RA National Assembly for the
second reading.
They recently adopted a memorandum of mutually agreed conclusions that
speaks of the decision of RA Government to keep in line with the criteria of
the Venice Committee when elaborating the new bill. Tigran Torosian said
that the elaborated bill on making constitutional amendments will be
submitted to the Venice Committee earlier than June 20 and it will be
possible to discuss it in Strasburg already on June 23. Buccicio informed
that they expect that the constitutional referendum will be held not later
than in October.
Earlier Arshak Sadoyan expressed the idea that the abovementioned referendum
can turn into a revolution. At the same time, he said that RA authorities
have submitted the bill he elaborated without translating that till the end
to the Venice Committee. He said he is going to provide the full translation
of the bill to the committee at his own initiative. Arshak Sadoyan is going
to represent 30-40 suggestions.
By Nana Petrosian

AZG Armenian Daily #104, 08/06/2005
Diaspora
ARMENIAN BARBECUE BECOMES VERY ‘ESTONIAN’
The expert chose the best 31 products during the tasting organized at the
Estonian Agriculture and Trade House on May 25. The Armenian khorovats
(barbecue) was announced the “Product well Accepted in Estonia” prize in the
“Best Product of 2005” nomination.
The Armenian dish appeared in Estonia in May 2000. The initiator of
producing this dish was Pilavsky Meat Factory, established by “Todas” JSC in
1998. One of the owners of the company is Spartak Hakobjanian, an Armenian
entrepreneur.
Before 2000 the factory was producing different summer grills but in 2000,
the market exports of the factory advised to produce new meat dish, i.e.
Armenian khorovats.
Armenian cook Ara Karapetian, great master of khorovats, helped to make this
dish popular with the Estonian consumers. He masters all the ways of making
khorovats.
The demand for khorovats grew for three times for the last few years. The
Estonians lost their hearts to the Armenian dish.
Gagik Saroyan, who sent an e-mail to daily Azg, also informed that from this
year the factory will enlarge the assortment of khorovats.
By Ruzan Poghosian

Pan Armenian News
TRANSPORTATION OF RUSSIAN ARMAMENTS TO ARMENIA – BAKU THREATENED MOSCOW WITH
`RETALIATORY MEASURES’
08.06.2005 06:11
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When commenting on the dislocation of the Russian military
bases from Georgia to Armenia Azeri FM Elmar Mamedyarov threatened Russia
with `retaliatory measures’ without going into detail however, IA Regnum
reports. To note, some Azeri media report that Azerbaijan is likely to sever
cooperation with Russia on the Gabali Radio location station lease. Earlier,
Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade hinted at possible `retaliatory
measures’. As Zerkalo newspaper writes these measures can appear as
denouncement of the agreement on Gabali Radio location station lease or
admission of US bases to the Azeri territory as `quick reaction forces’ or
`Caspian guards’. At that both variants can supplement each other. `Anyway
the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister has already made a formal statement on the
issue. It only remains to wait and judge how far Azerbaijan can go’, the
daily writes. At the same time well known political scientist Rasim
Musabekov told Nezavisimaya Gazeta Azeri newspaper that Gabali radiolocation
station will not close until the agreement between the two states is
expired. To note, the agreement provides for rather favorable conditions for
the Russian party. As for the further development, the station can be
liquidated. The possibility can be proved by Azerbaijan’s close cooperation
with Turkey, US and NATO without taking into consideration the presence of
the Russian military base. According to Musabekov, the amount of the Russian
armament in the Caucasus is conditioned by the Agreement on Armament in
Europe signed at the Istanbul summit of the heads of European states. `The
occurrence of the armament, let it be Georgia or Armenia does not matter for
the signatories. Russia will base it in Armenia due to the Georgian quote.
Thus formally, nothing changes for Russia and Azerbaijan. The matter is that
support to Armenia is offered openly now. With its military presence in
Armenia Russia is sheltering it from Turkey and stimulating its
non-constructive role in the region’, Rasim Musabekov said.

Pan Armenian News
CONGRESSMEN URGED BUSH TO RAISE ARMENIAN BLOCKADE ISSUE
08.06.2005 05:34
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the days leading up to Wednesday’s meeting between
Pres. Bush and Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, members of the
US House of Representatives raised serious concerns about Turkey’s 12-year
blockade of Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee o America
(ANCA). In a June 3rd letter, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) were joined by Reps. Adam Schiff
(D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) in urging Pres. Bush and Secretary of
State Rice to “again call upon Turkey to comply with your Administration’s
long-standing position that in order to restore economic, political, and
cultural links with Armenia, Turkey should immediately lift its ongoing
blockade with Armenia.” The House members detailed the high cost of Turkey’s
blockade on Armenia’s struggling economy. “A recent State Department report
estimated that the blockade is inflating Armenia’s transportation costs by
30-35%, thereby stifling its trade and economy,” noted the letter. “This
report also stated that opening the border would catalyze commercial
opportunities for Turkey and Armenia in the fields of energy, trade and
tourism, valued at $1 billion per year.”