Author: Antonian Lara

Special Broadcasting Service, Australia
Oct 20 2004
Pyunik Armenian champions
SBS
Pyunik Yerevan showed off their almost embarrassing domination of
Armenian football by clinching their fourth straight league title in
style.
Pyunik thrashed Shirak Gyumri 6-1 to clinch the championship they
have made their own with four rounds of normal competition still
remaining.
The second place team, Mika Ashtarak were held to a 1-1 draw by
Katayk Abovyan leaving them 16 points behind the runaway leaders and
pace-setters of Armenian football.
The league victory means Pyunik Yerevan have completed the domestic
double as they have already won the Armenian cup competition.
This represents their second double in the last three seasons.

CNW Telbec (Communiqués de presse), Canada
Oct 20 2004
Sterlite Gold announces an initial resource estimate for its wholly
owned Zod property in Armenia
Trading Symbol: SGD : TSX
TORONTO, Oct. 19 /CNW/ – Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Sterlite
Gold, is pleased to announce the results of an extensive exploration
program at its wholly owned Zod property located in Armenia. More than
39,000 metres of drilling (300 holes) has been completed at Zod as
follows:
———————————————————————
Drilling
—————————————– —————————-
Category Drilled (metres)
———————————————————————
Surface Reverse/Circulation) 10,708
——————————————- ————————–
Surface (Diamond Drilling – NQ) 8,937
——————————————————————–
Underground (Diamond Drilling – NQ3)) 19,571
——————————————- ————————–
Total 39,216
———————————————————————
Over 1,400 metres of underground development has also been carried
out on four separate vein systems to add further confidence to the
present exploration program.
The exploration program and resource estimate has been carried out
under the direction of Mr. Trevor Jones, a “qualified person” as
defined under National Instrument 43-101. The resource estimate has
been audited and approved by Micon International Co. Limited, an
independent third party.
This estimate calculates that the Zod property contains the
following JORC resources:
———————————————————————
Resources (JORC Code)(1)
—————————————– —————————-
Category Tonnes Grade Gold Gold
(gm/t) (tonnes) (ounces)
———————————————————————
Measured 1.6 Mt 4.7 7.5 0.24 M
———————————————————— ———
Indicated 15.4 Mt 3.8 58 1.86 M
———————————————————————
Total (0.6g/t cut-off) 17.0 Mt 3.7 65.5 2.10 M
———————————————————— ———
————————————— ——————————
Inferred 1.8 Mt 2.6 4.5 0.15 M
———————————————————————
Note: (1) Resource classifications conform to the Australasian
Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by
the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and
Mineral Council of Australia (JORC Code). The Company intends to
prepare and file a technical report in accordance with National
Instrument 43-101 and as part of that technical report, intends to
prepare a reconciliation to CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and
Reserves as referred to in National Instrument 43-101. Mineral
resources that are not reserves do not have demonstrative economic
viability. Measured and indicated mineral resources are that part of a
mineral resource for which quantity and grade can be estimated with a
level of confidence sufficient to allow the application of technical
and economic parameters to support mine planning and evaluation of the
economic viability of the deposit. An inferred mineral resource is
that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade can be
estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and
reasonably assumed, but not verified.
All assays have been conducted by the Company using fire assay and
gravimetric finishes. Blanks and known standards are part of the
normal assaying procedures and duplicates on ten percent of these
assays have been sent to Als Chemex, in Vancouver. Half of the core
has been retained for future reference.
The Company has initiated studies to complete detailed open pit
design, plant engineering, metallurgical test work, and permitting
with regard to expanding the present mining operations at Zod and
moving the existing processing plant (which is 269 kilometres away at
Ararat) to the Zod site.
These initiatives are expected to be completed in the first
quarter of 2005. Micon is managing the Zod mining expansion study in
association with Ararat Gold Recovery Company, the wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company, through which it conducts its Armenian
operations.
Forward-looking statements: Statements contained in this release
that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and
uncertainties going forward. When used in this press release, words
such as “could”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”,
“potential”, “should” and similar expressions are forward-looking
statements. Those risk factors that could cause actual results to
differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not
restricted to fluctuations in the price of gold, delays in permitting,
or studies involved in the pre-feasibility, delays in construction and
or production, operational factors, environmental risks, financial
risks, political risks, currency risks and other statements that are
not historical facts as otherwise disclosed under the heading “Risk
Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s periodic filings with Canadian
securities regulatory authorities.
For further information: please contact: Mr. Sanjay Dalmia, President,
Sterlite Gold, e-mail: [email protected], Tel no: 374-1-542270/544287

Agence France Presse — English
October 18, 2004 Monday
Jewish religious student apologies for spitting at Armenian
archbishop
JERUSALEM
A Jewish religious student who spat at an Armenian archbishop during
a religious procession in Jerusalem’s Old City last week has
apologised for his behaviour, a police spokesman said Monday.
Natan Zvi Rosental, a student at the prestigious Har Hamor yeshiva,
or Jewish seminary, formally apologised to Archbishop Nourhan
Manougian at a meeting in a police station, spokesman Shmulik Ben
Ruby told AFP.
Manougian had said he accepted the apology as his faith taught
forgiveness.
The incident took place during a religious procession when Rosental
spat at the archbishop’s feet, causing the priest to react
physically, according to Ben Ruby.
A brawl broke out, during which Rosental ripped the cross from around
the archbishop’s neck. The two were separated and police arrested the
student.
Despite the apology, police were still likely to charge Rosental with
“insulting” the archbishop and could even add further charges for
attacking him, Ben Ruby said.
In defence of his actions, Rosental said he had been brought up to
see Christianity as idol worship, which is forbidden by the Torah,
the Jewish holy book, Haaretz newspaper reported.
Haaretz has said the student spat at the cross being carried during
the procession as well as at the archbishop, who reacted by slapping
him.
“To approach in the middle of a religious procession and to spit on
the cross in front of all the priests of the sect is humiliation that
we are not prepared to accept,” Manougian said.
“The Israeli government … cries out in the face of any harm done to
Jews all over the world, but is simply not interested at all when we
(Christians) are humiliated on an almost daily basis,” he said,
quoted by Haaretz.
The 3,000-strong Armenian community live in the Armenian quarter of
the Old City and many Jews walk through it on their way from west
Jerusalem to the Wailing Wall.
Christian clergy at an emergency meeting of parliament’s interior and
environment committee called to discuss the abuse of Christians by
Orthodox Jews in the Old City said the practise was widespread but
rarely reported.
Vandalism of church property has also been reported in recent months,
with Jewish graffiti scrawled on the Georgian-built Monastery of the
Cross in west Jerusalem.
Three months ago, an 11th-century fresco in the same church was
defaced by unknown assailants.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Xinhua News Agency – French
19 octobre 2004 mardi 11:01 AM EST
L’Arménie et la Chine vont promouvoir leurs relations
EREVAN
Le président arménien Robert Kocharyan a déclaré mardi au ministre
chinois des Affaires étrangère Li Zhaoxing, en visite en Arménie, que
son pays était prêt à renforcer davantage la coopération avec la
Chine.
Lors de sa rencontre avec M. Li à Erevan, capitale arménienne, M.
Kocharyan a qualifié de succès sa visite en Chine en septembre
dernier, visite au cours de laquelle les deux parties ont abouti à un
consensus sur le développement des relations bilatérales. L’Arménie
soutient la Chine dans son choix de voie de développement qui suit
les caractéristiques propres à son pays et est impressionnée par le
rôle actif joué par son partenaire dans les affaires internationales,
a-t-il ajouté.
Dans une rencontre séparée avec le ministre chinois mardi, le Premier
ministre arménien Andranik Margarian a fait écho aux remarques de M.
Kocharyan sur le renforcement des relations bilatérales. Il a dit que
son gouvernement oeuvrait pour l’application des accords conclus lors
de la visite de M. Kocharyan en Chine.
La coopération en matière de technologie et dans le domaine de
l’agriculture entre les deux pays est fructueuse et l’Arménie
souhaite voir élargir les liens entre les entreprises et recevoir
davantage d’investissements chinois, a assuré M. Margarian.
MM. Kocharyan et Margarian ont réaffirmé l’adhésion d’Erevan à la
politique d’une seule Chine. Ils se sont déclarés confiants sur le
fait qu’il existe, aujourd’hui mais aussi dans l’avenir, une seule
Chine dans le monde.
De son côté, M. Li a affirmé à ses hôtes que la Chine souhaitait
développer la coopération amicale avec l’Arménie et que sa visite
était l’illustration des actions concrètes de son pays pour appliquer
ce qui avait été conclu dans le consensus établi par les dirigeants
des deux pays. M. Li s’est dit optimiste sur les nouveaux
développements des relations bilatérales.
Il est arrivé à Erevan lundi pour une visite officielle et se rendra
également au Turkménistan et en Azerbaïdjan.

ARMENIAN HOSTAGE IN IRAQ SAVED
16.10.2004 13:28
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 47-year-old Armenian citizen of Lebanon Aram Nalbandian,
who was taken hostage by Iraqi militants, has been set free. As reported
by RFE/RL, Nalbandian was taken hostage on his way to Fallujah on
September 27. The fighters asked $100,000 for the hostage. However, on the
day the mediator was to pass the ransom the US troops bombarded Fallujah.
As result of the operation the house, where the hostages were kept, was
ruined and the fighters were killed. Nalbandian and one more surviving
hostage stayed under the debris for two days until the rescuers found them.

Analysis: Energy Geopolitics In The Caspian

RFERL
18 Oct 04

By Houchang Hassan-Yari
Intense competition for unimpeded access to the world’s natural
resources is continuing and is likely to increase, according to the 21
April edition of “Jane’s Foreign Report.” The current unprecedented
surge in fuel prices illustrates the growing need for a greater supply
and consequently demonstrates the volatile nature of the energy
market.
The Caspian Sea could meet some of that demand, because it has
sizeable proven and possible oil and gas reserves (“proven reserves”
are defined as oil and natural-gas deposits that are considered 90
percent probable, and “possible reserves” are defined as deposits that
are considered 50 percent probable). The littoral states of the
Caspian Sea — Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan
— collectively have an estimated 10 billion-32 billion barrels of
proven and another 233 billion barrels of possible oil reserves. In
comparison, Saudi Arabia has 261 trillion barrels of oil, while the
United States, China, and India’s proven oil reserves are respectively
22.677 trillion, 18.25 trillion, and 5.371 trillion barrels. The
proven natural-gas reserve of the five Caspian countries is an
estimated 170.4 trillion cubic feet (4.83 trillion cubic meters) while
their possible reserve is 293 trillion cubic feet (8.30 trillion cubic
meters).
Like the Persian Gulf, Nigeria, Venezuela, and other regions rich in
energy resources, the Caspian Sea is becoming a battleground for
states and business entities with competing interests. Eni, BP,
ChevronTexaco, Caltex, LUKoil, and Royal Dutch Shell are the main
companies actively developing Caspian Basin oil and gas as they
continue building pipelines to transport those hydrocarbons to
international markets. The United States, China, Russia, Iran, several
European countries, and to a lesser extent Japan are interested in
exploring and investing in Caspian resources as a supplement to
Persian Gulf supplies.The Persian Gulf countries normally maintain
almost all of the world’s excess oil production capacity.
The situation in the Persian Gulf has increased pressure on Caspian
countries and oil companies to contribute to global oil supplies. The
Persian Gulf contains 715 billion barrels of proven oil reserves,
representing over half (57 percent) of the world’s oil reserves, and
2,462 trillion cubic feet (69.72 trillion cubic meters) of natural gas
reserves (45 percent of the world total), according to the Energy
Information Administration’s “International Energy Outlook 2003.” At
the end of 2003, Persian Gulf countries maintained about 22.9 million
barrels per day of oil production capacity, or 32 percent of the world
total. Perhaps even more significantly, the Persian Gulf countries
normally maintain almost all of the world’s excess oil production
capacity. As of early September, excess world oil production capacity
was only about 0.5-1 million barrels per day, all of which was located
in Saudi Arabia.
Since the demise of the Soviet Union and emergence of independent
states in Central Asia and the Caucasus, a major issue in the Caspian
Basin has been the division of the energy resources that lie beneath
the sea. Other sources of regional tension include the complex
unsettled legal status of the sea; the existence of unresolved
conflicts in Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia; terrorism; and
increasing Islamic militancy. The landlocked position of Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan causes further tension, as all three
countries depend on their neighbors’ good will in order to export
their oil and natural gas to international markets.
In terms of reserves, production, and access to international markets,
Russia and Iran are in better positions than their neighbors. The CIA
“World Factbook 2004” put Russia’s proven oil reserves at 51.22
billion barrels, its proven natural-gas reserves at 47.86 trillion
cubic meters (1 January 2002), and its natural-gas exports at 205.4
billion cubic meters (2001 estimates). It puts Iran’s proven oil
reserves at 94.39 billion barrels (1 January 2002), its proven
natural-gas reserves at 24.8 trillion cubic meters (1 January 2002),
and its natural-gas exports at 110 million cubic meters (2001
estimate).
Regardless of how much oil is produced, there will still be enough
customers. For example, China’s rapid economic growth means the
country’s energy needs are increasing. China already uses a great deal
of foreign energy, and in a decade or so it is expected to be totally
dependent on the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea area for its energy
needs. Russia and Kazakhstan are both already eyeing the expanding
Chinese market. The United States, Europe, India, Japan, South Korea,
and many other countries will also be seeking alternative supplies of
oil. Guaranteed access to energy resources is becoming an important
component of foreign policy for these states and is gaining even more
prominence in light of the continuing insurgency in Iraq, as well as
the expanding U.S. presence in the Caspian region at the expense of
Iran, Russia, China, and India.
Caspian Sea Basin energy assets have the potential to significantly
reduce consumers’ reliance on Middle Eastern oil. Yet this raises the
prospect of crises and conflicts that directly involve China, Iran,
Russia, and the United States. The actual production of oil and gas is
not the only potential source of competition between international
actors; for the last decade there have been disputes over the best
routes for pipelines that would transport oil and gas to markets. Iran
promotes itself as the most economical route from Central Asia, while
the United States promotes the export of Caspian oil via Georgia and
Turkey.
(Houchang Hassan-Yari is the head of the Department of Political and
Economic Science at the Royal Military College of Canada.)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Moscow attempting to resume smuggling across S. Ossetia – Georgia
Interfax, Russia
Oct 15 2004
Tbilisi. (Interfax) – The Georgian president’s envoy in Shida Kartli
area Mikheil Kareli believes that Russia is attempting to channel
cargo and passengers from Russia to Armenia via South Ossetia in an
effort to reestablish a smuggling route and allow Ossetian separatist
to obtain funds.
Georgian authorities will not allow transport links between Armenia
and Russia across South Ossetia, he said.
Cargo may also be channeled across South Ossetia so as to set Georgia
and Armenia against each other, Kareli said on Thursday.
For the third day in a row, the Georgian police have not allowed a
bus carrying 36 passengers en route from Moscow to Yerevan to pass
through a checkpoint in the village of Ergneti because the carrier
has not cleared the transit with the Georgian authorities, an official
in the Georgian Interior Ministry told Interfax.

Czech Republic 3, Armenia 0 in World Cup qualifying
AP Worldstream
Oct 13, 2004
Jan Koller scored two goals and his Dortmund teammate Tomas Rosicky
added one to lift the Czech Republic to a 3-0 victory over Armenia
in their World Cup Group 1 qualifier Wednesday.
The Czech Republic opened strongly, with Dortmund striker Koller
scoring three minutes into the game off a pass from Marek Heinz.
Edgar Manucharyan missed a clear chance to equalize seven minutes
later when his power shot from the right hit the crossbar of Petr
Cech’s goal.
Two minutes later, referee Jacek Granat disallowed a goal because of
an offside after Armen Shahgeldyan played one-two with Karen Aleksanyan
and beat Cech.
In the 30th minute, Dortmund midfielder Rosicky made it 2-0 after he
collected Tomas Uifalusi’s pass in the center and moved closer to the
Armenian box before hitting the target with a powerful drive from 25
meters (yards).
Zdenek Grygera missed a clear opportunity for the visitors two
minutes before the interval when Koller nodded down Marek Heinz’s
volley cross from the right, but the Ajax Amsterdam defender’s shot
was blocked by goalkeeper Apoula Bete.
The Czechs dominated the second half and Koller was close to scoring
again on a solo effort in the 68th minute. Goalkeeper Apoula Bete
blocked his close-range shot with a stunning save.
Koller made it 3-0 nine minutes later, firing home from the edge of
the box.
The Czech Republic has 6 points from 3 games, while Armenia remains
winless in four games.
___
Lineups:
Armenia _ Apoula Bete; Yeghisne Melikyan, Karen Dokhoyan (Artur
Mkrtchian, 46), Sargis Hovsepyan, Harutyun Vardamian, Artur
Petrosyan, Hamlet Mkhitarian, Rafael Nazaryan, Armen Shahgeldyan
(Andrei Movsisian, 80), Edgar Manucharyan, Karen Aleksanyan (Albert
Sargsian, 65).
Czech Republic _ Petr Cech; Zdenek Grygera, Tomas Galasek (Radoslav
Kovac, 55), Rene Bolf, Marek Jankulovski, Jan Koller (Vratislav
Lokvence, 84) , Tomas Rosicky, Stepan Vachousek (Jiri Jarosik, 74),
Marek Heinz, Libor Sionko, Tomas Uifalusi.

Appeal
DECLARATION OF BENEVOLENT CULTURAL UNION OF IRAQI ARMENIANS
Azg/am
13 Oct 04
The Benevolent Cultural Union of Iraqi Armenians expresses its worry to
the authorities of the Armenian Republic for the decision of sending
a group of 50 Armenians to Iraq and notes:
1. This is a late initiative as today many coalition member states
are rushing out of the country.
2. The intention of squad sending may hinder the initiative of foreign
minister as regards Armenia’s willingness to be an observer in the
Arab League. The League is also against Armenia’s involvement in Iraq.
3. This intention may hinder some Arabian states’ pro-Armenian stance
in Karabakh issue.
4. Armenian squad’s presence in Iraq may endanger lives of Armenians
all over the Arabian states and especially Iraq.
5. The possibility of terrorist acts and kidnapping should not be
excluded.
Considering all these, the Benevolent Cultural Union of Iraqi Armenians
hopes that the Armenian authorities will review the intention. We
hope that the reason will win.
Administration of BCUIA

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
12 October 2004
YOUNG FAITHFUL ORDAINED AS SERVANTS OF THE CHURCH
Sydney, Australia – Sunday, 10 October, 2004 was a historically significant
day for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand when
the Primate of the Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian
accompanied by the Reverend Fathers, Father Norayr Patanian and Father
Bartev Karakashian and Deacons ordained four young faithful servants as
Acolytes (Tbir) and blessed the veil of a fifth servant of the church, Miss
Arda Lepedjian who faithfully takes on the role of church organist week
after week and is the official accompanist to the Lousavorich Choir. The
ceremony took place at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection in
Sydney.
The ordained Acolytes – Arman Lepedjian, Chris Nazarian, brothers Neshan and
Vatche Ansourian, have served the Church as altar boys over the past five to
ten years. Standing before the Holy Altar as young men of faith they will
now bring their service to the Church of Holy Resurrection at Chatswood and
the monthly worship service in the Western Suburbs of Sydney in their new
role.
It is our hope and prayer that the servanthood of these five young faithful
will be example for other youth to follow. Their dedication and
faithfulness to their mother Church is to be commended.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress