Author: Alex Jidarian

September 19, 2005
PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Bruce Janigian appointed Vice President for Development and Government
Relations of AUA

Oakland, CA – The Board of Trustees of the American University of Armenia
Corporation (AUAC) approved the appointment of Bruce Janigian, Esq. A.B.,
J.D., LL.M., as Vice President for Development and Government Relations of
the University.
Bruce Janigian is a member of the Public International Law and Policy Group,
and leads the US delegation in the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.
His international appointments have included the vice presidency and
directorship of the Salzburg Seminar, Fulbright and visiting professorships
in international law, attorney adviser for the US Agency for International
Development, and legal counsel for the US Navy. His California appointments
have included chairman of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board,
and deputy director and general counsel of the California Employment
Development Department. He has been a scholar at the Hoover Institution on
War, Revolution and Peace and has taught public and private international
law in the US and overseas for the past 30 years. He is a Phi Beta Kappa
graduate of UC Berkeley’s honors program in International Relations, and
holds law degrees from the University of California and the George
Washington University.
AUA is confident that Bruce Janigian will contribute immensely to the
development and prosperity of the university, and will help lead the
institution into new direction bringing AUA to a new level of
professionalism.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

La Croix , France
22 août 2005
Un été dans La Croix.
Les Arméniens de Turquie (1/7).
Dossier. Sur les routes d’Anatolie, le retour aux racines. Le
génocide des Arméniens.
En 1915 et 1916, alors que l’Empire ottoman participe à la Première
Guerre mondiale aux côtés de l’Allemagne et de l’Autriche-Hongrie, le
gouvernement “jeune-turc” à Istamboul décide de déporter les
populations arméniennes des provinces de l’Est proches des lignes
russes. Dans les faits, une politique d’épuration ethnique est mise
en place, qui s’étend bien au-delà de ces provinces et dont le
principal responsable est Talaat Pacha, ministre de l’intérieur. Des
historiens estiment que 1,2 à 1,5 million d’Arméniens sont morts
entre 1915 et 1917 dans ces massacres qui ont pris la forme soit
d’exécutions sommaires de masse, soit d’une lente agonie sur les
routes qui conduisaient jusqu’à Alep et Deir-Ez-Zor, dans la Syrie
actuelle. Les deux tiers de la population arménienne de l’Empire
ottoman auraient ainsi péri. Les historiens officiels turcs divisent
ces chiffres par trois ou quatre.
Déjà, entre 1895 et 1897, plus de 300 000 Arméniens avaient été tués
lors de pogroms et de massacres à travers tout le pays sous le sultan
Abdhul Hamid.
Pour en savoir plus: Le Génocide des Arméniens, par Anne Dastakian et
Claire Mouradian, Éd. Tournon, 95 p., 6,90 Euro.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: “DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE STARTS NEW STAGE OF
ARMENIAN NEWEST HISTORY”
YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, NOYAN TAPAN. “The Declaration of Independence of
Armenia adopted on August 23, 1990, as a matter of fact, started a new
stage in the Armenian newest history: expressing the common will of
the people of Armenia, the start of the process of establishing an
independent state was declared.” This is said in RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian’s congratulation message on the occasion of the
15th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of
the Republic of Armenia. The text was submitted to Noyan Tapan by the
RA NA Public Relations Department. Then the message reads: “In a year,
in September, the independent Republic of Armenia was already a
reality fixed as a result of a public referendum. Further efforts were
led to fulfilment of national goals of the declaration of independence
and main principles as a result of what, overcoming many difficulties,
our state of already 14 years old advances confidently, assuring in
his devotion to humane values and strengthening basis of our state
year by year. Since its independence, wide opportunities have been
created for integration in the civilized world and walking concomitant
with it, establishment of equal in rights mutual relations with other
states and peoples, at the same time, for keeping our identity,
securing it and fulfilling national dreams, for inheriting a powerful
and prosperous Armenia to our generations. Even today, in a dozen of
years, we can say surely that the Declaration of Independence was a
clearly realized choice based on the hard but heroic struggle to keep
the Armenian freedom-loving soul in generations and to reach the
desired day of independence of those devoted to the independence
during the previous decates, and before it as well. On the occasion of
this day important for all of us, let’s congratulate each other and
bend down before the saint memory of the martyrs for independence. I
am sure that we shall be able to secure the approaches of the passed
difficult way with joint efforts, to add them new ones, confront all
challenges and continue our march of independence firmly.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY ISTANBUL: Five for food and drink
The Independent – United Kingdom; Jul 30, 2005

Boncuk at Nevizade Sokak 19, Beyoglu (00 90 212 243 1219) is one of
the best meyhane, a raucous eatery where locals imbibe raki, an
aniseed-flavoured drink, and partake of meze with an Armenian
touch. Call to reserve a table outside.
Balikci Sabahattin at Cankurtaran Sait Hasan Kuyu Sokak 1, Sultanahmet
(00 90 212 458 1824). There are no menus at this popular up-market
fish restaurant in the Old City; waiters help you choose from options
which change daily. Try the house special, tahini ice cream.
Bambi at Siraselviler Caddesi, Taksim Square, is an ultra-cheap
24-hour stand-up joint where locals go for the best doner kebab:
sliced grilled meat served in fresh bread ” an essential after
late-night partying.
Hamdi at Tahmis Cad, Kalcin Sok 17, Eminonu (00 90 212 528 0390)
specialises in meat, particularly of the spicy south-eastern Turkish
variety, like meatballs with pistachio, pomegranate salad and eggplant
kebab. Served with endless rounds of freshly baked flatbread.
Saray at Istiklal Cad 102″104, Beyoglu (00 90 212 292 3434), also at
Tesvikiye Cad 105, Tesvikiye (00 90 212 296 1617), is a dessert shop
notable for baklava and milky sweets, as well as other exotic, syrupy
fare such as ‘sultan’s navel’ or ‘nightingale’s nests’.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 25, 2005
____________________
FAR LAUNCHES NEW CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR DOCTORS IN
ARMENIA’S PROVINCES
New York, NY – The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) launched a new project
in June 2005 to help doctors practicing in Armenia’s provinces. The aim
of this Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program, jointly implemented
by FAR and the FAR Fellowship Alumni Association (FARFAA), is to enhance
their professional knowledge and skills, allowing them to master
innovative approaches, methods, and technologies, in the fast-changing
medical field. This project meets a dire need – the lack of accessible
CME for doctors in the provinces.
The first four doctors to participate in the new FAR project included a
cardiologist from Sevan, an anesthesiologist from Goris, as well as a
neonatologist and a neurologist from Vanadzor. They were selected from
among 50 highly qualified applicants, completing the four-week CME
Program on July 15, 2005.
“Within the very first week of the program,” said Dr. Lusine Voskanyan,
the anesthesiologist from Goris, “I was reminded of and convinced that
having regular continuing medical education is critical for each and
every physician.”
Participation in the CME Program will improve these doctors’ ability to
treat their patients and hence reduce morbidity and mortality in
Armenia. They will acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge
about new methods of treatment. They will learn the use of computer
applications and apply new skills to help in their medical research,
particularly internet-based medical library resources, at the National
Medical Library of Armenia. They will follow courses in English medical
terminology to help them stay abreast of new developments published in
medical literature and journals.
COMPONENTS OF THE CME PROGRAM
During one month, the four doctors had hands-on training in the best
clinics of Yerevan under the supervision of leading specialists, who
will continue to serve as their mentors.
Dr. Marina Serobyan, the cardiologist from Sevan, was mentored by Dr.
Aram Nazaryan at the Nork-Marash Medical Center, the famous cardiac
hospital in Yerevan. The post-graduate training she received will be
put immediately to use in her practice since the population in the Sevan
region is known for cardiac problems.
“This is just the beginning,” said Dr. Gayane Gasparian, the neurologist
from Vanadzor, “We will continue our work from our homes in the
provinces. With the valuable exposure we’ve had in Yerevan, we know
where and how to research modern medicine to help us identify problems
in the situations we face. This knowledge and the networking have been
the keys to the CME Program.”
The trainees networked between themselves and also with doctors in
Yerevan, including the FARFAA members. They will also be meeting guest
lecturers from the U.S., Canada and Europe. This aspect of the CME
Program will likely facilitate future professional collaborations and
networking opportunities.
The final components of the CME Program include an independent research
project using the resources and tools in Yerevan and a lecture series
organized in the provinces to multiply the benefits of post-graduate
training.
The CME Program graduates will become resources within the provinces and
mentors to forthcoming trainees. In fact, the next three trainees have
already begun the second session of the CME Program: two pediatricians
from Ijevan and Berd and a general practitioner from Vanadzor.
CME PROGRAM PARTNERS
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, the Fund for
Armenian Relief (FAR), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered
in New York, has served a cumulative 10 million people through its 130+
relief and development programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has
channeled more than $250 million in humanitarian assistance by
implementing a wide range of projects including emergency relief,
construction, education, medical aid, and economic development. FAR is
dedicated to realizing the dream of a free, democratic, prosperous, and
culturally rich Armenian Homeland.
The FAR Fellowship Alumni Association (FARFAA) is a non-governmental
organization of medical professionals aimed at improving the health care
system of the community and advancing medical sciences in Armenia.
Established in 2000 by doctors who had participated in FAR’s Medical
Fellowship Program at major medical centers in the U.S. and Canada
between 1991 and 1997, FARFAA has conducted lectures, medical missions,
and helped the next generation of Armenia’s doctors secure training
opportunities overseas through the Salzburg Medical Seminars.
For more information about the CME Program, how to be a guest lecturer
or to send donations, contact the Fund for Armenian Relief at 630 Second
Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150, fax (212)
889-4849; , [email protected].
— 7/25/05
E-mail photos available upon request.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: During the July 15, 2005 ceremony, Bagrat Sargsyan,
Acting Director of FAR’s Yerevan Office (right), gave each of the four
doctors practicing in Armenia’s provinces an award and certificate for
completing the newly launched FAR and FARFAA CME Program.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: Dr. Aram Nazaryan, a leading specialist in cardiology
at the Nork-Marash Medical Center (right), mentored Dr. Marina Serobyan
from Sevan (left) during her four-week intensive, hands-on post-graduate
training course in Yerevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Educating against violence
By Nimrod Aloni
Ha’aretz, Israel
July 18 2005
These days everyone is obsessed with stamping out violence. There are
“Giuliani save us” rituals; projects to flood Israel with police and
military to control every bit of our lives; plans to fine parents for
the sins of their children, and proposals for the harsh punishment
of violent pupils.
Even if the intentions are good, when dealing with violence it is
important to think things through before taking action. Maybe severe
discipline can develop humanism, but discipline that fails to make
human dignity its main focus is what creates fascism.
Not every use of force involves violence. Violence is using force
to do evil while trampling on human dignity. It is bullying conduct
that harms the person, soul and dignity of human beings. Violence
has many faces. There is violence between communities or nations
based on religious, national, ethnic or ideological hostility. There
is violence between individuals and within communities according to
different circles of social life.
The most radical example of violence between communities is reflected
in Nazism, which is responsible for the Holocaust of Europe’s Jews and
for many millions of victims of war and oppression. Other examples
include the mass murders of the Armenians by the Turks, the Tutsi
by the Hutus, and of millions of “reactionaries” or “dissidents”
by communist regimes in Russia, China and Cambodia. In the Israeli
context, such violence is reflected in the occupation regime in
the territories, in the Palestinian terror against Israelis and in
persecution of foreign workers.
As for intra-communal and inter-personal violence, the most prominent
examples are murder, rape and battery of women, child abuse, street
thuggery, racial humiliation, corporal punishment in schools – to
which teachers have also been subjected recently – and excessive use
of force by the law authorities.
It is important to mention that although there is no necessary
connection between intra-communal and inter-personal violence, in
many cases the two are bound up with one another. Violence in wars is
usually accompanied by the rape of women, and hooliganism in football
fields is often inflamed by racial hatred.
Violent conduct can certainly be reduced by proper education. The
first principle of such education is recognizing that in order
to avoid such behavior, three elements must be present in the
individual’s consciousness: free will to act nonviolently based on a
moral commitment; self-restraint to curb a violent outburst and fear
of social sanctions.
The second principle of education to prevent violence is the
recognition of three factors conducive to violence. The first factor
is economic distress, especially the despair among the impoverished
and the frustration caused by economic differences. The second factor
is an authoritative, tribal and belligerent world view, which is
also reflected in rigid thought and zealousness favoring a certain
moral code. The third factor is displayed in cultural wantonness,
which attributes no meaning to demanding norms concerning morality,
education and culture.
The third principle, which can be deducted from the first two,
incorporates the pedagogical means to prevent violence. On the one
hand, the pupils’ personality should be fostered within a social
climate of humanism and decency, an intellectual culture of open
minds and critical thought, and a universal value code centering on
human dignity and the equality of man. On the other hand, educational
fostering must include strict standards of respect for human and civil
rights, fair and egalitarian behavior, self-restraint, obedience to the
law and preservation of public property and the natural environment.
To sum up, the combination of proper education, a fair society
and a demanding and humanistic culture could conceivably lead to a
significant reduction of violence in our midst. But there is a price
to pay: To achieve these goals we must renounce nationalistic and
religious ethnocentricity, all-devouring capitalism and abandonment
of culture.
Anyone want to pick up the gauntlet?
Dr. Nimrod Aloni is head of the Institute for Educational Thought at
the Seminar Hakibbutzim Teachers College, and the academic chairman
of the HAMA network for state-humanistic education.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Masco Corporation Announces Date For Earnings Release And Conference
Call For 2005 Second Quarter
Press Release
PRNewswire-FirstCall
Wednesday July 13, 2005
TAYLOR, Mich., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Masco Corporation
(NYSE: MAS – News) today announced that it will hold a conference call
regarding 2005 second quarter earnings on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at
11:00 a.m. ET. The conference call will be hosted by Masco Chairman and
CEO Richard A. Manoogian. Participants in the call are asked to register
five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time by dialing: (719)
457-2692 (confirmation #4876876).
The 2005 second quarter supplemental material will be distributed prior
to the conference call and will be available on the Company’s website at
The conference call will be webcast simultaneously and in its entirety
through the Masco Corporation website. Shareholders, media
representatives and others interested in Masco may participate in the
webcast by registering through the Investor Relations section on the
Company’s website.
A replay of the call will be available on Masco’s website or by phone by
dialing (719) 457-0820 (replay access code #4876876). The replay will be
available approximately two hours after the end of the call and continue
through August 9, 2005.
Headquartered in Taylor, Michigan, Masco Corporation is one of the
world’s leading manufacturers of home improvement and building products
as well as a leading provider of services that include the installation
of insulation and other building products.
Statements contained herein may include certain forward-looking
statements regarding Masco’s future sales, earnings growth potential and
other developments. Actual results may vary materially because of
external factors such as interest rate fluctuations, changes in consumer
spending and other factors over which management has no control. The
Company believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios,
used in managing the business, may provide users of this financial
information with additional meaningful comparisons between current
results and results in prior periods. Non-GAAP performance measures and
ratios should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for,
the Company’s reported results under accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. Additional information about the
Company’s products, markets and conditions, which could affect the
Company’s future performance, is contained in the Company’s filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and is available on Masco’s
website at Masco undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Source: Masco Corporation
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Massis Weekly Vol. 25 No. 24
Http://
June 25, 2005.
– 20 Martyrs 90th Anniversary Commemorated In Uruguay
– Ruling Party Wins Karabakh Parliamentary Vote
– Homenmen Athletes Participate in the 35th Annual Armenian Summer Games
———————
– 20 Martyrs 90th Anniversary Commemorated In Uruguay
Uruguay Vice-President Key Note Speaker
MONTEVIDEO — On June 15th, the Armenian community of Uruguay
commemorated the 90th anniversary of the martyrdom of the 20 Armenian
heroes. The solemn event was organized by the Social Democrat Hunchak
party’s Uruguayan central committee. Dignitaries who attended the
commemoration included; keynote speaker Vice-President of the Oriental
Republic of Uruguay Mr. Rodolfo Nin Nova, Uruguayan Minister of Housing
and Territorial Development Mr. Mariano Arana, Greek Ambassador Nikolaos
Diktakis, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Uruguay Archbishop
Hagop Kellendjian, Primate of the Armenian Catholic Church of Uruguay
His Eminence Antonio Keshishian, Owner and Director of Uruguay’s Radio
Armenia, Mrs. Araksi Roupenian, as well as officials of Uruguayan
Armenian organizations.
In his speech, Archbishop Kellendjian noted `remembering the Hunchakian
20 martyrs, is parallel to remembering crucial parts of Armenia’s
history. It is through their heroic actions and martyrdom that (the
Armenian) people lives on.’
Addressing the overflowed auditorium, Uruguayan Vice-President Mr.
Rodolfo Nin Nova stressed that the 20 Hunchakian Armenian martyrs are
not just Armenian heroes but heroes for all humanity. The Vice-President
also announced to the attendees that he sent a letter to the EU urging
them to advise Turkey to accept historical truths and recognize the
Armenian Genocide.
Representing the S.D. Hunchakian Central committee, Mr. Santiago
Odabashian thanked the dignitaries, and assured the attendees that the
Social Democrat Hunchak Party, and its sub-organizations will continue
to pursue the aspirations of the 20 martyrs, and continue to work and
sacrifice for the betterment of Armenia, recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, and protection of the Armenian people and culture.
– Ruling Party Wins Karabakh Parliamentary Vote.
Elections Praised By Western Monitors
STEPANAKERT — Political groups loyal to Nagorno-Karabakh President
Arkady Ghukasian swept to a surprise landslide victory in a weekend
parliamentary election which was praised by international observers.
Preliminary results released by Karabakh’s Central Election Commission
(CEC) on Monday showed Ghukasian’s Democratic Party of Artsakh (AZhK)
winning 12 out of the 33 seats in the republic’s legislature. The Azat
Hayrenik (Free Fatherland) party, an obscure pro-establishment group,
finished second with 10 seats.
The CEC said eight other seats were won by individual candidates not
affiliated with any party. Most of them are also thought to be loyal to
Ghukasian. The CEC put the voter turnout at 78 percent.
The official figures gave the main opposition bloc uniting the local
branch of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and the
Movement-88 party only three seats. All of them were won on the party
list basis that covered one third of the parliament seats. The 22 other
seats were contested under the first past the-post system.
Some local observers regarded the Dashnaktsutyun/Movement-88 bloc as a
front-runner during the election campaign, making its poor showing
particularly humiliating. Dashnaktsutyun alone had nine
deputies in the previous legislature and all of them were elected from
single-mandate constituencies.
The Ghukasian administration’s conduct of the vote was largely praised
by over 120 Western monitors representing international non-governmental
organizations.
`This was a transparent election,’ said Paul Williams of the U.S.-based
Public International Law and Policy Group. `The voting procedures were
properly conducted and we had no complaints about the actual conduct of
the election proceedings from either ordinary voters who we spoke to or
from proxies or members of election commissions or observers in the
polling stations,’ agreed Mark Almond of the British Helsinki Group.
Significantly, the poll was also endorsed by representatives of
Armenia’s largest opposition group, the Artarutyun (Justice) alliance.
`It would be great to have such transparent elections in the Republic of
Armenia,’ Arshak Sadoyan, head of Artarutyun’s election monitoring team,
told a news conference in Stepanakert. Predictably, reaction from
Azerbaijan was very critical of the elections.
`Armenia is eager to legalize the occupation,’ Azerbaijan’s Central
Election Commission charged in a written statement on Saturday cited by
AFP. `Elections and referendums on the occupied territories must be
conducted only after the territory’s restoration to Azerbaijan,’ it said.
Turkey, Azerbaijan’s staunchest ally, echoed the condemnation. `Turkey
believes that such unilateral initiatives… will not help efforts for a
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and considers those
elections as illegitimate,’ said a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in
Ankara.
The elections were contested by seven parties and 185 individual
candidates. The new Karabakh parliament will serve for a five-year term.
– Homenmen Athletes Participate in the 35th Annual Armenian Summer Games
Glendale’s Armenian Athletic Association Homenmen `Vanig’ track and
field team, along with Homenmen Pasadena’s `Artsakh’ basketball team
participated in the 35th annual Western Armenian Athletic Association’s
Armenian summer games in Clovis (near Fresno) California 17thth through
19th of June, 2005. `Vanig’ track and field team competed along with
hundreds of other athletes of Armenian origin, competing in 22 events
and gaining 22 medals (17 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze).
Participating in track and field were, Homenmen Glendale `Vanig’
members, Alex Kojababian, Simone Darakjian, Taline Kojababian, Mher
Margosian, Sebou Kouyoumjian, Araz DerTavitian, Vartan Kojababian, and
Razmig DerTavitian. Representing Pasadena’s Homenmen `Artsakh,’ Raffi
Koroghlian competed in track and field as well.
Pasadena’s `Artsakh,’ basketball team competed against Fresno’s three
main Homenetmen Sasoon teams. Friday night, `Artsakh’ basketball team
won a close game against Sasoon 2, 32-31, when Serge Djaghalian made two
free throws as time lapsed. Saturday morning `Artsakh’ lost against
Sasoon 3, 73-28, but made a great come back Saturday afternoon against
Sasoon 1, 49-34.
Even though the win gave Homenmen `Artsakh’ a spot in the championship
game and a rematch against Sasoon 3 the following morning, Homenmen was
dealt a blow when their center; Serge Djaghalian was sidelined due to
injury.
On Sunday morning `Artsakh’ players were determined to redeem their
reputation, and played valiantly in a game filled with excitement with
the was frequently exchanging. But with a man down Homenmen `Artsakh’
was not able to overcome the hometown team, as they lost to Sasoon 3,
and secure second place in the tournament.
Pasadena `Artsakh’ team was composed of the following members; Taron
Eliazaryan, Raffi Krikorian, Hovig Boyadjian, Raffi Koroghlian, Vicken
Banjarjian, Serge Djaghalian, Joe Djaghalian, Levon Avakian, Chris
Boyadjian, and their coach Peter Koroghlian.
MassisWeekly.com – Massis Weekly Online – Organ Of the Social Democrat
Hunchak Party – Western USA – All rights reserved. Republication and
redistribution of Massis Weekly Online content is expressly prohibited
without the prior written consent of Massis Weekly Online. Massis Weekly
Online shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or
for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RIA Novosti, Russia
June 10 2005
Russia unable to pull out military bases from Georgia before 2008 –
Russian lawmaker
14:44
MOSCOW, June 10 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will not be able to complete
the pullout of its military bases from Georgia until 2008, as is
stipulated in a joint statement of both countries’ foreign ministers,
signed in Moscow on May 30, a prominent Russian lawmaker told
reporters on Friday.
Russia will meet the 2008 deadline only “with half the vehicles
discarded and people not accommodated after the pullout,” said
Gennady Gudkov, a member of the Security Committee in the lower house
of the Russian parliament, after a Duma visit to the bases, part of
which he was.
“We will need 3.5 to 4 years to withdraw heavy combat vehicles alone.
While it is possible in Batumi (Adzharia), because the sea is close,
it is unclear how to pull out [vehicles] from Akhalkalaki (on the
Armenian border),” Gudkov said.
“From Akhalkalaki, the vehicles will not get to the sea because the
bridges will collapse. Between Akhalkalaki and Batumi, only six
bridges out of 16 will not collapse under battle tanks,” he said.
Gudkov added that approaches to most military sites are
mine-infested, and a demining effort will take at least two years.
Some vehicles and munitions stored there are subject to destruction,
rather than withdrawal, but the Russian-Georgian statement does not
stipulate how it will be done.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said
previously, “The pullout of Russian military bases from Georgia will
be completed in 2008.”
According to the minister, the Russian-Georgian statement divides the
pullout into three stages: pullout of heavy combat vehicles, pullout
of the personnel, and handover to the Georgians.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IMF APPROVED OF $35 MILLION CREDIT TO ARMENIA
Pan Armenian News
02.06.2005 04:45
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The IMF Executive Council has approved of a credit
of SDR 23 million (some $35 million) to Armenia, reported Regnum news
agency. The credit will be provided by 7 tranches in 2006-2008, the
first one making SDR 3.28 million (some $5 million) will be provided
upon the approval of the PRGF new program. In the future the IMF will
make a decision on provision of the following tranches based on the
course of economic reforms. The program will focus on assisting the
Armenian Government in tax, customs and financial reforms, as well as
providing for a macroeconomic stability, development of the private
sector and stabilization of prices.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress