Month: June 2005

EXCUSE US FOR DISCOURTESY, BUT…
YEREVAN, JUNE 29. ARMINFO. As a result of implementation of
UMCOR-elaborated program “Upgrading the level of coverage of public
health sphere,” all the goals were achieved, think the participants
of the program and specialists of the Armenian Heath Ministry.
In particular, the experts of the ministry say the public awareness
of public health issues was upgraded in regions. For this purpose,
booklets on citizens’ right to free medical aid were published
as well as possibilities of medical personnel were increased for
creation of an effective concept of public health. Under the program,
two seminars were organized in Armenia and one in the USA. Besides,
the major components of the program were implemented: partnership,
coordination and coverage. Basing on the fact that Mass Media was
not involved into the work of the seminars and the component of the
program was “coverage,” ARMINFO has drawn a conclusion discourteously
presenting it to readers that the USAID grant for $150,000 was “eaten
up.” The agency did not mean in a strict sense that the grant was
used ineffectively. This phrase was used in a figurative sense. In
this connection, the agency apologizes to the executives for the
project’s implementation. At the same time, the editorship thinks
the task on coverage of the public health and other spheres must not
be limited with publication of booklets and organization of seminars
for representatives of public organizations, it must include active
work of Mass Media able to cover the topic for broad sections of the
population at a professional level.

BENEFIT FROM OPENING OF BORDERS WITH TURKEY INADEQUATE TO POSSIBLE
POLITICAL CONCESSIONS
YEREVAN, JUNE 29. ARMINFO. The real benefit from saving funds for
transport expenses in case of opening of the borders with Turkey will
be inadequate to possible political concessions on the part of Armenia
to that country. Head of the economic bloc of the Armenian-European
Policy and Legal Advice Center (AEPLAC), the former minister of
economy of Armenia, Armen Yeghiazaryan, made this statement speaking
at a seminar “Turkey in New Geopolitical Situation: Expectations in
Armenia” organized by the Center for Strategic Analysis SPECTRUM.
Speaking of a short-term effect from the borders’ opening, the expert
thinks it maybe from transition of the railway traffic of Armenia from
the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Calculations show that it will
save some 400-500 USD for transportation of one container. That is,
the expert dwells on, if transportation of a container from Batumi
to Marseilles costs $680 USD and some $1,000 USD back, from Beirut
or the Turkish Mersin this container would be transported for only
$100-150 USD. As regards the land transportation, so there is no
much difference in the cost between the current Georgian way and the
supposed Turkish one. The whole savings will be from the transportation
by the sea. AEPLAC experts’ calculations on international methods
show that Armenia could save only some $20 mln taking into account
its current foreign commodity turnover. Turkey will have no shorterm
prospects, as the commodity turnover between the two states is only
$2 mln, Yeghiazaryan thinks. Some benefit is possible for the regions
bordering with Armenia wherein the living conditions of the population
is low enough. Meanwhile, Georgia may lose part of the Armenian
traffic and even part of the Azerbaijani traffic if the roads open.
In this connection, Yeghiazaryan disagrees with the opinion that the
issue of opening of transport communications is crucial for Armenia.
“I share the opinion of our foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan that we
can easily live without these roads. Of course, opening of the road is
a positive phenomenon, but it does not worth political concessions,”
the expert thinks.

AZG Armenian Daily #120, 30/06/2005
Telecommunication
LOWER THAN ARMENTEL’S, FARES OF VIVA CELL ARE NOT MUCH DIFFERENT
The second mobile phone operator, VIVA Cell, finally made public
its fares. The fares, as it was predicted, are lower than those of
ArmenTel but only somewhat. But still, the prices of the new operator
justified the hopes of thousands of people waiting for the company
to get in.
VIVA Cell’s Alo card, equivalent to ArmenTel’s Easy, will cost 7.000
drams. The top-up cards will be available at the price of 2.000,
4.500, 7.000, 9.500 and 18.000 drams with expire dates of 20, 55,
100, 150, 300 days respectively. In each case, it is possible to win
5 extra days.
The fares for per minute payment are very close to those of ArmenTel
with only, but essential, difference of low fare for rush hours. Within
the VIVA Cell network a minute of talk will cost 80 drams for non-rush
hours (from 11 pm to 7 am), 90 drams for rush hours and fares for SMS
will be 20 drams for local and 55 drams for international connection.
If Alo cards are available at the stores of other companies and banks
but VIVA Cell itself, then the Classic cards, equivalent to SIM cards
of ArmenTel, will be on sale only at the stores of the operator. For
switching on a subscriber needs to pay 4.500, and the license fee
is 4.000 drams. Fare for SMS is the same. Per minute payment within
the network will be 48 drams and 55 drams for connected with other
operators. A novelty that the company provides is the low fare –
44 drams – on Sundays.
The fares for international calls are the same for both cards. Calls
to Russia and Georgia in rush hours will be 235 and non-rush hours
165 drams, calls to other CIS and Baltic states – 285 and 200 drams,
calls to Canada, USA, Europe and Australia – 430 and 300, calls to
Middle East countries – 350 and 245 drams.
The other innovation of VIVA Cell is the alternative of acquiring a
corporative package. In this case, the “Business” group comprised of
5-20 lines will pay 40 drams per minute, the “Business Plus” group
comprised of 21-100 lines – 38 drams per minute and the “Optima”
group having more than 100 lines will pay 36 drams per minute. All
the fares include VAT.
By Ara Martirosian

AZG Armenian Daily #120, 30/06/2005
Contest
BEAUTIES OF THE CAUCASUS TO GATHER AT WATERLAND
For the first time, Miss Caucasus 2005 beauty contest will be held at
Yerevan’s Waterland, an outdoor aqua park, on July 16 with a final
following the next day at Valencia Complex. The contest presents
the following 7 nominations: Miss Cooperation, Miss Tourism, Miss
Top-Model, Miss Photo-Model, Miss Charm, Miss Bikini and Miss Disco.
It is envisaged that the beauties participating in the Miss Caucasus
contest will bring peace and mutual understanding to the region. The
jury will be comprised of ambassadors to Armenia as well as the heads
of the agencies organizing beauty contests in neighboring states.
Miss Caucasus will be granted the chance to take part in Miss Europe
and Miss Universe. The beauty contest will be broadcast in all the
countries represented.
The preparatory committee of the contest invites businessmen to join
them on terms of partnership and co-organizers.
By Ruzan Poghosian

AZG Armenian Daily #120, 30/06/2005
Neighbors
GEORGIA-ARMENIAN ROAD CLOSED BECAUSE OF AN AZERI MULLAH
As a result of disappearance of mullah Haji Falangov of Georgia’s
Azeri-populated Marneuli region, the locals have closed the road
leading to Armenia demanding to “return the mullah”.
The chief of Kvemo Kartli region’s police, Koba Sharvadze told
Regnum that the mullahs relatives turned to him a day ago telling
that Falangov was away to bring the sheep back home but he did
not return. Sharvadze said that the local population stymies the
investigation of the police keeping them away from the village where,
they say, traces of blood can be seen.
Residents of Sadakhlo (southern Georgia) presume that the mullah was
murdered. Georgian Meze TV informed that the villagers headed by the
mullah protested against police official Sharvadze.

A1plus
| 18:27:25 | 29-06-2005 | Official |
POLITICAL CONSULTATION WITH THE SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
Today the RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan received the Deputy
Foreign Minister of the Syrian Arabian Republic Ahmad Arnus. The joint
delegation of the Foreign and Finance Ministers with Ahmad Arnus
at the head is in Armenia on June 28-30 to take part in political
consultations, as well as to sign the agreement between the Governments
of the two countries about avoiding double tax.
During the meeting the sides discussed two-party relations, regional
problems and issues about reforms in the UN.
The sides found the cooperation of the two countries in the
international structures extremely important.

A1plus
| 18:19:52 | 29-06-2005 | Official |
THE PRIME MINISTER VISITED THE SIGHTS
The delegation with RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan at the head
left for Lithuania on a three-day official visit on the invitation
of the Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brasauskas.
Tonight the RA Prime Minister and the members of the delegation visited
Old Vilnius and its historical and architectural monuments. The Prime
Minister also had a meeting with the representatives of the local
Armenian community.
Tomorrow, on June 30 the Prime Minister ill meet the Lithuanian
President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Algirdas
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Daily News, Lebanon
June 30 2005
Byblos International Festival presents world-class music for all
tastes
Ancient Phoenician town to be transformed in late July, August by
top-notch jazz, pop and classical sounds
By Ramsay Short
Daily Star staff
Thursday, June 30, 2005
BEIRUT: It hasn’t been easy for Naji Baz and his Buzz Productions
company to put together the Byblos International Festival in the
northern Lebanese town of Jbeil this year. First his preferred dates
to hold the festival in the cooler month of June had to be dropped in
favor of late July due to Lebanon’s four-week long elections, thus
bringing him into direct competition with the Beiteddine and Baalbek
Festivals making it more difficult to put bums on seats.
Second, he has had to face – like all the other festivals – questions
of ensuring his acts’ safety after the spate of bombings which began
with the Valentine’s Day killing of former Premier Rafik Hariri and
the weeks of political uncertainty that have ensued. Persuading some
acts that Lebanon was a safe place has not been easy.
Third, Baz dealt with the most painful situation for any promoter and
that was the confirmation of the Scottish punk-rock band Franz
Ferdinand for the festival and then, as word spread, the announcement
of their cancellation due ostensibly to recording commitments.
Finally, on the day of the Byblos Festival Program announcement last
Tuesday, the Lebanese politician George Hawi was brutally murdered in
a car bomb and though no one would ever give more importance to a
musical event over the assassination of a respected man, the press
conference was cancelled. The same had happened on the day of the
Beiteddine Festival’s program announcement when the outspoken
journalist Samir Kassir was similarly killed.
And so rather than the excitement normally generated by the
announcement of the summer festivals’ line-ups, in 2005 the programs
have gone off with a mere pop.
Despite all of this, Baz and his team have come up with a festival of
world music that, though not on par with last year’s hugely
successful edition featuring reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, pop-rocker
Bryan Ferry and glam-rockers Placebo, is still a celebration of music
that is rarely witnessed in Lebanon.
“It has been a nightmare but I am confident we have put together now
a tight line-up that is worthy of the Byblos Festival brand,” Baz
told The Daily Star.
For the two nights of July 22 and 23 a Lebanese audience will have
the opportunity to witness the popular rock of Roger Hodgson, the
lead singer and guitarist of 1970s and 80s band Supertramp. They will
have the chance to listen to the brilliant abstract jazz of pianist
Brad Mehldau and his trio, (July 24), as well as the Cuban sounds of
Omara Portuondo – one of the few remaining living stars and only
female one, of the now legendary Buena Vista Social Club (July 29).
Add to that the 20-string Armenian Serenade Chamber Orchestra with a
deep and haunting classical program (July 31), and the oriental jazz
of the stunning Azerbaijani pianist and singer Aziza Mustafa Zadeh
(August 4) followed by a Rahbani family musical based on Gibran
Khalil Gibran’s famous book “The Prophet” (August 17-20).
Baz is also putting on, as he does every year, a show of the Arab
Star Academy kids though this is not strictly part of the Byblos
Festival on July 15.
Perhaps the best thing, though, about Byblos is the setting. All the
performances take place in the heart of the ancient town’s old
quarter with the backdrop of the fantastic Crusader Citadel magically
lit against the night sky. The whole experience of Byblos, like
Beiteddine and Baalbek, is one of elegant beauty and singular moments
with the buzz of the modern-day souk surrounding the festival and
fine foods available at the restaurants in the old port and town
center. Go for a weekend, stay the night and enjoy the city’s beaches
during the day. A great advantage of Byblos is that it is just
half-an-hour’s drive from Beirut, a much shorter journey than those
to Baalbek and Beiteddine.
In the end, however, it is for the music that you will go and though
the caliber of performers this year is second to none in their
fields, the lack of a superior name may well affect sales. The
program is also not one that will attract the younger generation that
Byblos has so actively pursued in recent years. That plan was dented
by Franz Ferdinand’s cancellation, although Baz and the band’s agent
at Helter Skelter in London insisted they would come in 2006 fresh
off the release of their new album later this year.
The highlights of Byblos 2005 though, without question are Mehldau
and Portuondo. The former is an American jazz piano virtuoso who can
fill venues as prestigious as London’s Wigmore Hall and with his trio
is reminiscent of a quietly reflective Ahmad Jamal. Mehldau makes no
concessions to the audience, rarely communicates with them and simply
plays brilliant original music. There are no electronics, fusion or
smooth-jazz singers, just powerful composition and long
improvisations. On the Byblos stage it is likely to be an immensely
satisfying performance.
The septuagenarian Omara Portuondo will be very different and perhaps
more accessible to an unquestioning audience – a diva of great
presence, she will perform with 12 Cuban musicians and transform
Byblos into Havana for a night of traditional Latin sounds. In the
1940s and 1950s hers was the velvet voice of the jazz/bossa
nova-inspired genre known as filin. Today Portuondo’s show is a
translucent one made up of 5 decades of Afro-Cuban artistry seasoned
with strings, woodwinds, guitars, and background vocals, all about
love.
Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, though less well-known, has been performing for
many years and has played to audiences around the world. Her father
was the leader of the Azerbaijan Jazz movement until he died in 1979
and she has continued his legacy playing a brand of world jazz on her
piano, scatting like Ella Fitzgerald and incorporating the
traditional Azerbaijan form of Mugam into her jazz. A highly
improvisational style, Mugam refers to a modal system of music of
which there exist over 70 types, all defined by their specific
pattern of intervals, range, as well as direction of melodic movement
and rhythm. This will be a fascinating show.
For lovers of classical music the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra
presenting the Serenade Chamber Orchestra from Yerevan will be an
elegant evening of pure string pleasure, while Oussama, Mansour and
Marwan Rahbani’s latest musical play telling the story of Gibran’s
“The Prophet” features the artwork of over 80 Lebanese artists.
The show that will pack the Byblos Festival, however, will be that of
Hodgson. Famed for his unique alto voice, Hodgson’s former band
Supertramp achieved global fame with the soft rock of songs like
“Dreamer” and “Breakfast in America,” and his many fans in Lebanon
are unlikely to let him leave the stage without at least three
encores.
For more information or tickets for the Byblos Festival go to
or contact the Virgin Megastore Ticketing
Office on +961 1 999666

The New Anatolian, Turkey
June 30 2005
Turkey to the EU: ‘We will continue our way’
* Gul sends positive signals to EU on the eve of framework document
release: We have no hesitation.
Sanaa, Yemen – Turkish FM says Turkey will normalize its relations
with neighboring countries, including Armenia, by its own initiative.
‘We don’t need to hear such things from the EU,’ says Gul. ‘These are
issues that we’re already working on. Words from abroad on these
issues shouldn’t be seen as impositions or conditions’
Even surrounded by dozens of diplomats from a host of Islamic
countries, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul still could not
forget the issues of Ankara’s European Union membership bid.
Despite being at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
summitin Yemen, reporters’ questions towards Gul yesterday mostly
concerned the path of Turkish-EU relations. And in answering these
questions, Gul sent positive messages to the EU on the eve of the
declaration of the framework document, the “road map” for Turkey’s
accession negotiations scheduled to begin on Oct. 3.
“We have no hesitation. We will continue our way,” said Gul, batting
to one side a question on whether the normalization of relations with
Armenia would be included on the document.
But the Turkish foreign minister did underline that Turkey would
normalize its relations with neighboring countries, including
Armenia, by its own initiative. “We don’t need to hear such things
from the EU,” said Gul. “These are issues that we’re already working
on. The words coming from abroad on these issues should not be
understood as impositions or conditions.”
He claimed that Turkey had satisfied the conditions for the start of
the negotiations by fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria. The period
for fulfilling “the Copenhagen criteria has ended,” he said. “This
was a condition for the negotiations, but it was finished by the
decision to start our accession talks.”
Conceding that there were still some deficiencies in the
implementation of the criteria, Gul said that Turkey would implement
them “for the sake of the Turkish people.”
Gul also said that he had had a chat with Iranian Foreign Minister
Kamal Kharrazi in the wake of the weekend landmark Iranian elections.
“It is obvious that a new period will begin in Iran after the
presidential elections,” Gul said. “We hope for the improvement of
our friendship, cooperation and brotherhood with Iran during this
period.”

ARMENIAN PM PAYS OFFICIAL VISIT TO LITHUANIA
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS: A delegation headed by Armenian
prime-minister Andranik Margarian has arrived today in Vilnius,
Lithuanian capital, on a three-day official visit at the invitation
of his Lithuanian counterpart Algirdas Brazauskas.
Armenian government press service said the delegation includes the
finance and economy minister Vardan Khachatrian, trade and economic
development minister Karen Tshmaritian, deputy foreign affairs minister
Armen Baiburtian, deputy agricultural minister Levon Rukhkian, a
parliamentarian Martin Sukiasian, head of the Commerce and Industry
Chamber Martin Sargsian and other officials and heads of companies.
Tonight the prime-minister and members of the delegation will visit
the Old Vilnius and get acquainted with its sightseeing, historic
architectural monuments. During the visit Andranik Margarian will also
meet with the representatives of the Armenian community. On June 30
the prime-minister will meet with Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus
and his counterpart Algidas Brazauskas.