Author: Antonian Lara

Too early to talk about mutual understanding on Karabakh – leader

Mediamax news agency
14 Jul 05

YEREVAN

The president of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic (NKR), Arkadiy
Gukasyan, thinks that it is too early to speak about fundamental
mutual understanding between the parties to the conflict on issues
that are on the agenda of the negotiating process.

Gukasyan said this at a meeting with the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk
Group in Stepanakert on 13 July, the NKR presidential press service
told Mediamax new agency today. At the same time, the NKR president
noted that “expectations of progress are nevertheless great”.

The mediators briefed the NKR president on details of meetings between
the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents and foreign ministers and on
the approaches of the mediating countries to prospects for tangible
progress in the peace process.

The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group said that there is a new
opportunity in the process of settling the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict. At the same time, they noted that the talk was not about any
new proposals submitted to the parties to the conflict.

ARMENIAN JOURNALIST FACES THREE YEARS JAIL FOR “INSULTING TURKISH
IDENTITY”

YEREVAN, JULY 14. ARMINFO. Reporters Without Borders today criticised
the current trial of a Turkish-Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink, for
“insulting Turkish identity” and said the government taboo against
publicly discussing the 1915 genocide against Armenians was a
“continuing barrier to freedom of expression” in Turkey.

It said that with only three months to go before negotiations were due
to start about Turkey joining the European Union, Dink risked being
jailed under article 301 of the criminal code for publishing an
article (on 13 February 2004) called “Getting to know Armenia” in the
Turkish- Armenian bilingual weekly, Agos, that he runs. His trial
began on 7 July before a court in Sisli, Istanbul.

The world press freedom organisation said it was concerned about fuzzy
language in the new criminal code that could “easily be used against
journalists discussing sensitive topics,” such as the Armenian
genocide or withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus.

Dink’s article urged Armenians to turn their attention “to the new
blood of independent Armenia,” as the only way to free them from the
burden of exile and called on them to symbolically reject “the
adulterated part of their Turkish blood.” Nine complaints for
“insulting Turkish identity” had been filed against him by 16 April
2004 before the Sisli court. “This trial is based on a total
misunderstanding,” Dink told Reporters Without Borders. “I never meant
to insult Turkish citizens. The term in question was taken out of
context and is only symbolic. The real subject of the article is the
Armenian diaspora who, once they have come to terms with the Turkish
part of their identity, can seek new answers to their questions from
independent Armenia.”

State prosecutor Turgay Evsen has called for a three-year prison
sentence for Dink under the new penal code, which came into force on 1
June. Dink founded his paper in Istanbul in 1996 and it has a
circulation of 5,500.

“ARMENIA EXPO 2005” ANNUAL EXHIBITION TO TAKE PLACE SEPT
14-17

YEREVAN, JULY 13. ARMINFO. The 5th Universal Regional Business and
Industry Expo-Forum Armenia Expo 2005 will be opened in the sports
and concert complex after K. Demirchyan, Sept 14-17.

LOGOS Expo Center Director Suren Nazinyan informed ARMINFO that the
square of exposition will total 1.500 sq meter – higher by 15-20%
than in 2004 (1.100 sq m in 2002). “This action is unique by its
sense as it stimulates the development of Armenia’s economic sphere”,
he noted.

The exposition includes six exhibitions on the following sections:
“Industrial Armenia EXPO 2005”, “Construction EXPO 2005”, “Trans EXPO
2005”, “Polygraphy. Publishing. Advertisement EXPO 2005”, “Copm EXPO
2005” and “Foodstuffs and Beverage Foods EXPO 2005”. A contest in
“High quality” nomination will be organized within the framework of
the latter. Nazinyan noted that more than 100 local and foreign
industrial and commercial organizations, companies and associations
have already confirmed their participation in the exhibition. In
particular, it is expected that guests from Central Asian and Western
European countries, USA, China, Iran, Russia, Syria, Turkey, UAE and
Georgia will arrive in Yerevan. The organizers think that another
60-80 organizations have time to present about their participation
till Aug 1 (the last day for presenting applications).

According to Nazinyan, the exhibition will help not only to the
search of new markets and new business-partners, and to the
attraction of foreign investments into Armenia’s economy, but also
will show in full Armenia’s economical potential.

Nazinyan also informed that the “Cooperation 2005” Armenian-Russian
business-meeting will take place within the forum’s framework.
Business delegations from Moscow and other Russian regions will
participate there. Besides, Business-Days of both the USA and China
will be organized on Sept 15-17: investment projects and business
proposal will be submitted there.

To note, LOGOS Expo Center has organized more than 45 exhibitions
within the last five years. They have been conducted in cooperation
and with the assistance of Armenia’s Trade and Economic Development,
Health-Care, Education and Science, Culture and on Youth Issues, and
Foreign Ministries, as well as of foreign diplomatic representatives
accredited in Armenia.

FIRE ON THE ZAQIYAN STRET

A1+
13-07-2005

Today at about 4:30 p.m. a fire broke up on the roof of the Zaqiyan
street house N8. the fire fighters put down the fire within 30
minutes.

We learned from the Police workers that the reason of the fire were
the electricity wires. Nevertheless, the residents of the building did
not exclude the possibility of the heat. The true reasons of the fire
are being cleared out.

CONSULATES OF SEVERAL EUROPEAN EMBASSIES IN ARMENIA DISCREDIT NATIONAL
INSURANCE COMPANIES

YEREVAN, JULY 13. ARMINFO. Consular services of the embassies of
Schengen zone – Germany, France and in several cases of Italy
accrediting in Armenia – take measures against Armenian insurance
companies, refusing to recognize insurance policies acquired by
citizens, who leave for foreign countries.

As President of the Association of Insurers of Armenia Levon Altunian
informed ARMINFO, since Jan of the current year several clients of
insurance companies of Armenia began to apply to the insurers, who had
given them accident and acute disease policies. They complain that the
embassies of the Schengen zone refuse to declare validity of the
policies and they put a claim to obtain the policies of foreign
countries for receiving the entrance visa.

According to the president of the Association, similar requirements
cause not only material, but more moral damage, thus undermining the
grounds of the development of Armenia’s insurance market. “One should
not deny that the Armenian insurance market is far from being
perfect. Unfortunately, dumping tariffs and imitation of re-insurance
and cases of groundless denials of insurance payments take place, but
at the same time during the last years the national insurance market
grew, strengthened and very positive processes are taking place in the
market”, Altunian said. During the last years the Armenian insurers
established very close business mutual relations with largest and
authoritative insurance companies of the West, many of which are in
the lead in the world ratings. the insurance market of Armenia became
quite attractive for foreign, including institutional investors as
well.

Moreover, this new practice of invalidation of the policies of
Armenian insurance companies by the consular services of the countries
of the schengen zone contradicts both the goals of the development of
Armenia’s economy and the acting legislation of Armenia, Altunian
said. In particular, the Law on insurance and Civil Code of Armenia
prohibit sale of policies of foreign countries and those unlicensed
organization, who today sell them for these embassies, in fact, are
liable to be punished according to the Criminal Code, the head of the
association said.

In order to avoid undesirable problems, Altunian suggests consular
services to restore earlier acting institute of accreditation of
Armenian insurance companies in foreign diplomatic representations and
in this connection to establish closer consultative relations with
Insurance Supervision of the Ministry of Finances and Economy and
Association of Insurers.

ARMENIA’s FOREIGN MINISTRY SPEAKS ABOUT PRESENCE OF CONTACTS OF MIDDLE
LEVEL BETWEEN OFFICIAL YEREVAN AND ANKARA

YEREVAN, JULY 12. ARMINFO. Contacts between Armenia’s and Turkey’s
Foreign Ministries have always been and they will be continued.
Countries’ FM representatives meet at good opportunities, within the
framework of various international actions, Armenia’s FM
press-secretary Hamlet Gasparyan stated in an interview to ARMINFO.

In his words, such meetings take place at the level of middle
echelon. “As regards meetings of Foreign Ministers, the society is
widely informed about it”, Gasparyan reminded.

To remind, radio Liberty, referring to the CCN-Turk TV-channel,
released an information about some secret meetings of Armenian and
Turkish diplomats in Europe. According to the source, the first
meeting has been already taken place, the second one will be soon.
Issues of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations have been
discussed there.

KYRGYZSTAN BECAME PARTIALLY DEMOCRATIC

A1+
11-07-2005

Yesterday Kyrgyzstan elected a new President. His name is Kurmanbek
Bakiev. The International Election Observation Mission which followed
the course of Presidential elections held after the long period of
agitations published today preliminary findings and conclusions about
the elections.

`The 10 July Kyrgyz presidential election marked tangible progress
towards meeting OSCE and other international commitments for
democratic elections, although the vote count proved to be
problematic. Fundamental civil and political rights were generally
respected and there was an improved media environment.’

Albert Jan Maat, Head of the European Parliament delegation, said:
“This election was a step forward, even though it was not without
flaws. Electionday was a sign of this. Now the European Union faces
the challenge of supporting further strengthening of democracy in
Kyrgyzstan.”

ANKA News Agency, Armenia
July 11 2005

ANNUAL CATALOGUE “NATIONAL EXPORT REGISTER-ARMENIA 2005″TO BE
RELEASED IN ARMENIA IN NOV 2005

YEREVAN, July 11. /ARKA/. The annual catalogue “National export
register – Armenia 2005” is to be released in Armenia in November
2005. The Center for Promotion of International Integration “Master”
reports that the annual project “National export register – Armenia
2005” is aimed at informing prospective foreign partners of Armenia’s
leading enterprises and organizations interested in exporting their
products in services. The catalogue is disseminated to 50 countries
by subscription. Among subscribers are now over 200 business
associations, including chambers of commerce and industry, sectoral
unions, big foreign exporters and importers. The catalogue is
simultaneously disseminated at forums, congresses and business
meetings held both in and outside Armenia. Among subscribers in
Armenia are representative offices of almost all international
organizations, foreign embassies, as well as top officials of
ministries and institutions.
A CD- version of the “National export register-Armenia 2005”
catalogue is to be released. The information on all the subscribers
can be found on the web-site The catalogue helps to
find new sale markets, increase exports, popularize Armenia goods and
services, establish new effective ties between the business
communities of Armenia and other countries.
The catalogue was complied by the “Master” center, with official
sponsorship of the RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, RA
Foreign Office and RA Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen. P.T.
-0–

A1plus

| 12:24:44 | 09-07-2005 | Politics |

ZAKHARYAN INNOCENT, CONSTITUTION TO BLAME

For already year and a half `Investigating Journalists’ public organization
has been at law with the Yerevan city administration. All the suits of the
organization were satisfied.

However the city administration does not consider it a basis for fulfilling
the decisions of the courts and furnishing the organization with the
information needed. The Yerevan city administration still remains a closed
structure and does not want the residents to be aware of its activities. The
demand to make the Mayor elected is in a way targeted at the settlement of
this problem.

The elected Mayor will have to account to the people. `For example the
people have no influence upon Yervand Zakharyan. The whole city is being
ruined. A great construction project has been launched and nobody asked the
opinion of the city residents. The Mayor is subordinate to the President. In
normal states the Mayors are afraid of taking personal decision, since he is
elected by the people. If he makes a mistake the citizens can claim his
resignation’, chairman of the `Investigating Journalists’ Edik Baghdasaryan
says.

In the opinion of the chairs of the `Investigating Journalists’ and
`Association for Sustainable Human Development’ Edik Baghdasaryan and Karine
Danilelyan, a separate article of the Constitution should state that the
Mayor is an elective official. `Details can be regulated by the law’, Karine
Danielyan says.

There is an opinion that if Ervand Zakharyan were elected by the people and
not by the President, there would have been no problems with the building up
and the residents would not have remained without roof, the green
plantations wouldn’t have been cut down and Yerevan would have remained a
harmonic city. The reviewed Constitution contains an article, which, in
Karine Danielyan’s opinion, can be come disastrous for Armenia. It article
says, `The right of property of foreign citizens and people without
citizenship can be provided by the law’. `One day residents of the Ararat
valley can wake up to find out that the valley belongs to an oligarch. After
his descendants will inherit it or sell it to a Turk or Persian. According
to Karine Danielyan, this clause would be admissible with the operating
clause of dual citizenship, when a foreign citizen would be subordinate to
the Armenian laws.

Lena Badeyan

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| 19:30:48 | 08-07-2005 | Official |

PM DECISION

By the decision of the RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, Artsruni
Aghajanyan has been resigned from the post of the RA Shirak region deputy
governor.

By another decision Rouben Sanoyan has been appointed Shirak region deputy
governor.