Month: October 2006

Associated Press Worldstream
October 26, 2006 Thursday 4:03 PM GMT

Kuneva accepted as Bulgaria’s first EU commissioner; Romania
nominates liberal senator

By PAUL AMES, Associated Press Writer

The European Commission welcomed Bulgaria’s Meglena Kuneva as her
country’s first member of the EU’s executive body Thursday, clearing
her to assume the post in charge of consumer affairs on Jan. 1 if she
is approved by the European Parliament.

Bulgaria and Romania are due to join the European Union on New Year’s
Day, bringing EU membership to 27 nations.

The European Commission said in a statement that Kuneva, Bulgaria’s
European affairs minister, was accepted for the post, but
consultations were continuing on Romania’s nomination, Liberal party
Sen. Varujan Vosganian.

All EU members have the right to send an official to serve on the
European Commission, the bloc’s executive body. The European
Parliament is to vote on the appointments in December.

Kuneva is expected to assume the new post of consumer affairs
commissioner, taking responsibility for an area that previously fell
within the portfolio of EU Public Health Commissioner Markos
Kyprianou.

"I believe Mrs. Kuneva has all the political, personal and technical
competencies for this very important job," said European Commission
President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Kuneva, 49, a lawyer and a former university teacher and journalist,
has led Bulgaria’s entry talks with the European Commission since
2001.

"Meglena Kuneva will be a worthy and efficient representative of
Bulgaria," Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev told reporters
in Sofia.

However, Vosganian’s nomination has raised doubts from the Socialist
faction in the European Parliament.

"The Bulgarian candidate is well known for her European attitudes and
political involvement, whereas the Romanian is unknown," said a
statement from Hannes Swoboda and Jan Marinus Wiersma, vice
presidents of the Socialist group.

"What is known is that he has been very much on the right wing of
politics and on the payroll of big economic tycoons," they added. "It
is clear that we will have to explore his European profile but also
his acceptance of European standards and European values."

Vosganian, 48, chair of the Senate’s budget and finance committee, is
known for supporting free-market policies. He also is a fervent
backer of his country’s flat tax of 16 percent, which Romania
introduced in 2005 to replace a progressive taxation scheme ranging
from 18 to 40 percent.

A mathematician and economist, Vosganian also is a writer and poet.
An ethnic Armenian, he heads the National Union of (Ethnic) Armenians
in Romania.

The European Parliament will grill both candidates at hearings next
month and is due to vote on their appointments in December.

Although the vote by the EU assembly is not legally binding, the
commission has made clear that a negative vote would likely result in
Barroso asking them to resign.

Pride Source, Michigan
Oct 26 2006

The wait is over: Naz Edwards to celebrate new CD at Kerrytown
Concert House

By Donald V. Calamia

Magical evening of cabaret theater planned for Oct. 27

ANN ARBOR – The long wait will finally be over for Ann Arbor resident
Naz Edwards when she takes the stage at the Kerrytown Concert House
Oct. 27 to celebrate the release of her first CD, "…..If The
Waiting Takes Years."

"All my life I’ve wanted to be a singer," the critically acclaimed
veteran of Broadway and regional musical theater recently told
Between The Lines. "But I was very intimidated by it. And then
musical theater came into my life. I was very shy; it was easier to
be an actor and be someone else than to be me. I’ve waited years to
do this, so if the waiting’s taken years, it’s worth it. Everything
I’ve done in my life has brought me to this place. I’m ready to do
this, because I’m fulfilling something that has been in my heart for
ever."

Edwards’ dream began as a seven-year-old Armenian girl singing opera
in Philadelphia. "The language would just pour out of me," Edwards
recalled. "But one day my teacher stood a full-length mirror in front
of me and said, ‘I want you to entertain yourself. This is called
musical theater.’ And I never went back to opera after that."

Instead, Edwards boarded an Amtrak train not long after high school
and headed for New York. "I went to college in New York – the
‘College of New York City.’ Back then you just kept auditioning and
auditioning. It was very different than it is now. The odds of
getting a job in an open call today is very slim, but back then, in
the 70s, you’d get lead parts. It was great."

Her first major role was at the famed Cincinnati Playhouse in the
Park where she appeared in "The Baker’s Wife" with Scott Bakula.
"From then on, I did a lot of regional theater and off-Broadway. I
also toured a lot, and then I got my first Broadway show."

Edwards’ debut on the Great White Way found her starring opposite
Anthony Quinn in "Zorba," a show that eventually toured the country
for a year. She later originated roles in Ken Hall’s "Phantom of the
Opera," Broadway’s "Anna Karenina" and the first full production of
Dennis DeYoung’s "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in Nashville.

TV and movie roles followed, and fans of the English language version
of the Japanese Anime series "Sailor Moon" might recognize her as the
voice of Wicked Queen Beryl.

Edwards’ life journey took an unexpected turn, however, while on a
job in New York with a young actress who studied theater at the
University of Michigan. "You have to meet my best friend," the
actress told Edwards. "Her father would be really great for you."

"Yeah, yeah, right, right," Edwards thought. But he was, so eight
years ago Edwards married attorney Jim Adams. At first she stayed in
New York and he returned to Michigan, but eventually Edwards tired of
the Big Apple. "I needed to move on."

Which meant joining her husband in Ann Arbor – and receiving critical
praise for roles in Performance Network’s "Man of La Mancha" and "She
Loves Me." With the Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company she earned
accolades for "Side by Side by Sondheim" and "Coming of Age" – for
which she recently won a 2006 Wilde Award.

With little work lined up for the current season, Edwards decided it
was finally time to pursue her lifelong dream. "So I finished my CD,
and it’s time to do my concert."

Both her CD and her cabaret-style concert feature songs that have
touched the artist deeply at various times throughout her life
journey. "Some of the songs – ‘I’m the Girl,’ especially – have been
with me since the 70s when I met Roberta Flack. After performances we
used to go to this piano bar and sing our hearts out. Her musical
director was there and I asked him if I could get a copy of ‘I’m the
Girl,’ and two weeks later I had it in the mail. I’ve never sung it –
ever. Most of these songs I’ve never sung in front of an audience, so
it’s going to be fun to do it for the first time."

The CD Release Concert will feature Edwards and pianist/arranger
Jerry Depuit performing a variety of tunes, from Broadway favorites
to contemporary songs. "It’s very magical. The music will take
everyone on a wonderful journey," she said.

It will also provide the audience an opportunity to get to know the
popular actress. "I’ve got some great theater stories, and what’s
great is whatever happens, happens. [In a cabaret show], you can stop
and talk to an audience member, or go kiss somebody in the audience
you haven’t seen in a while. That’s what I love about it – you break
that fourth wall. It’ll be so much fun!"

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

V.OSKANIAN HIGHLY ESTIMATES GERMAN MARSHALL FUND’S CONSTANT CONTACTS WITH
REGIONAL COUNTRIES

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 26, RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian received the experts group on conflicts of German
Marshall Fund. The group is in Armenia on a regional visit.

Representatives of U.S. Congressmen’s Staff are also included in the
delegation. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press
and Information Department, Minister Oskanian highly estimated Fund’s
activity and Fund’s constant contacts with the regional countries that
enable to more closely get acquainted with various directions of one
another’s policy. During the meeting the sides touched upon regional
problems, Armenia’s cooperation with NATO and EU, some aspects of
Georgian-Russian relations. At the guests’ request, Minister Oskanian
presented the peaceful process of Nagorno Karabakh settlement, spoke
about Armenian-Turkish relations.

U.S. German Marshall Fund is an independent American institution,
which is engaged in state politics and stipends. The Fund’s goal is to
contribute to cooperation and mutual understanding between U.S. and
Europe. It was founded in 1972 as a gift from Germany in memory of
the assistance received from Marshall plan. Besides the Washington
Headquarters, the Marshall Fund has offices in Berlin, in Bratislava,
Paris, Brussels, Belgrad and Ankara.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: ARMENIA IS INTERESTED IN EXTENSION OF COOPERATION
WITH JAPAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 26, Yasuo Saito, newly
appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to
Armenia (residence in Moscow), handed his credentials to RA President
Robert Kocharian. During the talk that followed the ceremony, RA
President said that Japan is a good example of success that can be
achieved thanks to efficient government and diligence. R.Kocharian
declared that Armenia is interested in extension of cooperation with
Japan. He highly estimated the Japanese government’s assistance to
development of Armenian economy. He especially attached importance to
programs implemented in the sphere of energy, in particular,
mentioning the agreement of taking preferential credit for the purpose
of reequipping Yerevan TPP.

According to the report submitted to Noyan Tapan from RA President’s
Press Office, during the talk the interlocutors also touched upon
international events, particularly, in the context of testing nuclear
weapons by North Korea.

CUSTOMS DUTY OF IMPORTED VODKA TO BE RAISED

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. At the October 26 sitting, the
Armenian government approved a legislative package on making
amendments in a number of laws. Vakhtang Mirumian, Head of the State
Revenues Policy Department of the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy,
told reporters after the sitting that the amendments aim to protect
the interests of domestic producers. He said that according to the
amendments proposed to the RA Customs Code, the customs duty of vodka
imported into Armenia will be raised. Now it makes 240 drams (about
0.6 USD) for a liter. The amendment in the RA Law on State Duty
envisages lowering the state duty for granting a licence for
production of alcoholic drinks from fruits and berries – from the
current rate of 15 million drams to 50 thousand drams. The amendment
in the RA Law on Excise Tax envisages lowering the excise tax for
imported and locally produced beer by 20 drams (currently it makes 70
drams for a liter). V. Mirumian explained the last amendment by the
fact that in Armenia the excise tax of beer is higher than in other
CIS countries. In his opinion, its reduction will not result in a
decline of state revenues, because sales of beer will increase. The
above mentioned amendments will take effect from January 1, 2007.

INCOME TAX FROM SUMS PAID TO CITIZENS AGAINST REAL ESTATE ALIENATED FOR
STATE NEEDS TO BE REFUNDED

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. At the October 26 sitting, the
Armenian government made a decision on the order of refund (in some
cases) and compensation (in other cases) of income tax taken away from
the sums paid to citizens for cancelling their right of property
during the alienation of their real estate for state needs. Davit
Hambartsumian, Head of the Budgetary Process Management Department of
the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy, told reporters after the
sitting that inflation will not be taken into account when paying back
these sums. It was noted that the total amount to be refunded makes
about 1 billion drams (about 2.5 mln USD) and will be allocated from
the state budget.

25 MILLION-DOLLAR CREDIT PROGRAM OF ARMENIAN SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND TO
BE SUBMITTED TO WORLD BANK FOR CONSIDERATION

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 26, a 25-million credit
program of the RA Social Investment Fund will be submitted to the
World Bank Board of Directors for consideration. NT correspondent was
informed at the WB Yerevan Office that the program envisages repairs
of infrastructures and schools in several communities. To recap, in
the last ten years the RA Social Investment Fund has implemented two
credit programs of a total of 32 million USD with WB resources.

ITB BECOMES PARTICIPANT OF KfW’s STABLE HOUSE FINANCING MARKET
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The International Trade Bank (ITB)
(Armenia) became one of the participants of KfW Bank’s credit program
on development of stable housing financing market. According a press
release of the bank, the KfW program is expected to be an important
stimulus for development of this sector of the Armenian financial
market and to cause local banks to improve their crediting conditions
by lowering interest rates and extending credit maturity terms. ITB
also intends to provide mortgage credits from its own resources. The
bank developed its program of mortgage crediting and will soon
announce its entrance into this market. It will provide credits for a
period of 10 years and over. The amount of a credit at the initial
stage will not exceed 12 million drams (about 30 thousand USD). It is
envisaged to launch KfW’s credit program on development of stable
house financing market in Armenia in November-December 2006. ITB CJSC
was founded in 1992 on the basis of Menatep-Yerevan Bank CJSC – the
Yerevan branch of Menatep Bank (Russia).

In April 2000, the bank’s shares were acquired by foreign
organizations which later joined Makarios (MG) Holding GMBH company,
and the bank was renamed "International Trade Bank" (ITB). In 2005,
Makarious (MG) Holdings GMBH acquired 99.91% of ITB shares. As of June
30, 2006, the overall assets of the bank made 5.1 bln drams, its
credit portfolio – 1.6 bln drams, overall capital – 2.98 bln drams.

The bank has 4 branches. Makarious (MG) Holdings GMBH unifies about 60
companies registered in Austria, Ireland, Switzerland, Cyprus, several
CIS countries. Makarious Group’s interest in Armenia is not limited to
the banking sector. The group invested 22.5 mln dollars in
construction of North Avenue in Yerevan.

INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES OF ARMENIAN RIFLEMEN HIGHLY ESTIMATED

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 26, Seyran Nikoghosian,
principal coach of Armenian national team of bullet shooting,
presented report at the Armenian State Sport Committee. Highly
estimating the international performances of Armenian riflemen, he
also mentioned that the first and for the present the only Armenian
sportsman who gained the right to take part in the Beijing-2008
Olympic Games is Europe Vice-Champion Norayr Bakhtamian. At the same
time, the report drew attention to the fact that training conditions
of riflemen are unsatisfactory in Armenia, there is lack of arms and
bullets. It was decided to carry out some partial repairs at some
shooting-grounds before putting into exploitation the new shooting
complex corresponding to international standards in 2007 in Yerevan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JAPANESE AMBASSADOR TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-JAPANESE
INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Both the Japanese and the Armenians
have many communities – ancient-old cultural rich heritage, beautiful
country and lack of natural resources, when the only natural resource
remains the human one, with skilful use of which it is possible to
achieve much success in the modern world. Newly aoppinted Ambassador
of Japan to Armenia, Yasuo Saito, said this at the October 26 meeting
with RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian. The Ambassador said that a
parliamentary friendship group with Armenia was created at the
Japanese parliament and one of his tasks will also be to develop
interparliamentary relations. In his turn, T.Torosian expressed
gratitude for the assistance provided to Armenia by the Japanese
government. He also expressed the hope that the Ambassador will
contribute to development of interstate and interparliamentary
relations. In response, Ambassador Saito said that Japan is in first
place in the respect of economic assistance programs to another
countries. Being in Armenia for two days he had an oppportunity to be
convinced in the efficiency of joint programs and will do everything
possible to continue these programs. Attaching importance to the
elections for democratic development and country’s progress, the
Ambassador also mentioned the importance of reforms, which gave
Armenia the possibility of economic development.