Author: Badalian Vardan

WB NOT GOING TO REVIEW PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN ARMENIA
Pan ARMENIAN Network, Armenia
July 20 2005
20.07.2005 06:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The World Bank does not see any reason for reviewing
the projects implemented in Armenia, head of WB Armenia Country
Manager Roger Robinson stated when commenting on the decision by
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to reconsider
the package of the assistance to Armenia in view of the information
about the sale of the Armenian Distribution Networks. According to
Mr. Robinson, in several days the World Bank will officially comment
on the contradictory information on purchasing of the Armenian
Distribution Networks by RAO UES of Russia branch. He noted that
«neither he nor the WB should convince the Armenian government that
law should be observed in the country.»
–Boundary_(ID_rAfLMiX3GjmCYQ7msVRkgw)–

ARMENIANOW.COM DIGEST July 15, 2005
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NEWS DIGEST JULY 11TH – JULY 15TH 2005
By Ruzanna Amiraghyan
ArmeniaNow Reporter
As part of their recurrent regional visits the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs for the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict settlement Yuri Merzlyakov,
Bernard Fassier and Steven Mann arrived on July 10 th in Baku. On
Monday they held closed consultations with Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov. After Baku the MG Co-
Chairs left for Yerevan to hold analogous consultations with the
Armenian leadership.
Azeri Minister of Education Masir Mardanov told on July 12th that the
Council of Europe has authored and sponsored the Caucasus History
new handbook stating the Azeri party has met all its commitments
on preparation of the book, while accusing the Armenian party of
expressing discontent, leading to a delay of publishing. The book was
to be issued before the beginning of the new academic year. The Council
of Europe has not expressed its stand over Armenia’s biased attitude.
“Armenia should withdraw its troops from the seized territories
of Nagorno-Karabagh and return them to Azerbaijan”, Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated at the international conference
initiated by the World Affairs Council of Northern Carolina on July
13th. When touching upon the Armenian-Turkish relations he said
that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the parliaments of
third states does not solve the problem of the Armenian- Turkish
relations. Tayyip Erdogan called upon Armenia not to “use common
past for stirring up enmity.” “There are more important problems to
be settled first of all”, he stated.
Turkish Foreign Ministry’s Press Secretary Namik Tan told
journalists that Turkey is willing to establish normal relations
with Armenia. Noting that Turkey abides by its policy of establishing
peace and stability with all the neighbor states, Mr. Tan stated that
the Turkish party wishes to settle relations with Armenia within the
framework of this policy. “It is known that during a long period of
time contacts at different levels have been established under the
aegis of the Turkish MFA and bilateral and regional issues of mutual
interest have been discussed”, he stated.
The regular meeting of the Armenian and Azeri FMs Vartan Oskanian and
Elmar Mamedyarov is scheduled for August 22 nd in Moscow during the
sitting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers. Their last meeting
took place in ParisJune 17 th- 18 th.
The Armenian community of Samtskhe-Javakhetia in Georgia adopted a
resolution during a forum called “Intelligentsia – an Institute of
Civil Society” calling upon the government of Georgia to take measures
for eliminating the created situation with the policy of ousting the
ethnic Armenian population from that region with the aim of settling
the Meskhetian Turks to that area.
Minister of Transport and Communication Andranik Manukyan stated it at
a press briefing July 14 th that ArmenTel will provide uninterrupted
cellular phone service beginning today (July 15). The provider’s
service has been practically shut down since competitor VivaCell
entered the cellular market July 1. Specialists from Greece and
Germany were brought to Armenia to troubleshoot and repair the service.
” Armenia is ready to take part in restoration works at the Abkhaz
lot of the Transcaucasian railway, provide technical, however by
no means financial assistance,” Armenian Minister of Transport and
Communication Andranik Marnukyan said at a press briefing July 14
th. In his words, Russia and Georgia will have to carry the financial
burden, which makes some $150 million. “The opening of the railway is
favorable both to Armenia and Georgia. The latter does not have direct
rail communication with Russia, uses the territory of Azerbaijan for
transit and pays large sums for it. In case of opening the Abkhazian
part of the railway, Armenia will give up ferry communication with
Russia,” the Minister said.
The Armenian Church announced with great sadness the death of one
of the most senior members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin,
His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Ajemian on June 13 th following a long
illness. At the time of his death, Abp. Ajemian was the dean of the
Theological Faculty of Yerevan State University. He was 79 years old.
On July 14 th Reporters without Borders criticized 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 February 13 th 2004) called “Getting
to know Armenia” in the Turkish- Armenian bilingual weekly, Agos,
that he runs. His trial began on July 7 th before a court in Istanbul.
Sources: , , ,
SPORT DIGEST: WRESTLING IN LITHUANA; TENNIS IN IRELAND . . .
By Suren Musayelyan ArmeniaNow Reporter
FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND:
July 13, Wednesday. Haka ( Finland) v Pyunik ( Armenia) – 1-0.
(The return match will take place in Yerevan on July 20).
UEFA CUP:
July 14, Thursday:
Banants ( Armenia) v Lokomotiv (Georgia) – 2-3
Mainz ( Germany) v Mika ( Armenia) – 4-0
(Second-leg matches of these pairs are slated for July 28).
WRESTLING
MEDALS FOR JUNIORS: The Greco-Roman style wrestling world
junior championships ended in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius
recently. Armenia’s Shavigh Gevorgyan (50 kg) beat all his opponents on
the way to the final where he lost earning only the silver medal. Artur
Shahinyan (84 kg) won the bronze.
Earlier, freestyle wrestlers Hovhannes Yenokyan also landed a bronze
medal. (A1 Plus)
ATHLETICS
In an Olympic tournament held in the Italian town of Lignano Haykanush
Beklaryan representing Armenia in triple jump showed a result of 12
meters, 74 centimeters, finishing 3 rd in the competition. (A1 Plus)
CHESS
The Chess Federation of Armenia has decided the composition of
Armenia’s men’s and women’s teams that will represent the country in
the European team championships to be held in Sweden from July 29 to
August 7.
Armenia ‘s men’s team includes five grandmasters: Vladimir Hakobyan,
Levon Aronyan, Rafael Vahanyan, Smbat Lputyan and Ashot Anastasyan. The
team’s coach is grandmaster Tigran Nalbandyan.
The women’s team includes grandmasters Elina Danielyan, Lilit
Lazarian, Nelli Aghinyan, international master Lilit Galoyan
and master Miranush Andreasyan. The coach of the women’s team is
grandmaster Arsen Yeghyazaryan.
Both teams will participate with four main and one reserve
players. (Armenpress)
TENNIS
Armenia led by Sargis Sargsyan got to a good start in Europe/Africa
Zone Group III 2005 Davis Cup being held in Dublin, Ireland, from 11
th-18 th July by beating Iceland on Wednesday. However, on Thursday,
Armenia lost to hosts Ireland, but still has a good chance to qualify
for the next round if it beats Nigeria today (July 15).
Competing teams in this pool are Turkey, Iceland, Nigeria, San Marino,
Ireland, Tunisia, Armenia, Cyprus.
The eight competing teams are formed into two round robin groups
of four. The first two teams from each pool will advance to another
round-robin group. The teams finishing first and second in this final
pool will be promoted to Europe/Africa Zone Group II in 2006.The
teams finishing third and fourth in each pool will advance to a
round-robin pool. The teams finishing in third and fourth in this
subsequent pool will be relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group IV
in 2006. Results in the round robin phase will be known by late
Friday and will determine further stage of play over Saturday and
Sunday. ()

PanArmenian News Network
July 14 2005
SPEAKING OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN KARABAKH CONFLICT PARTIES PREMATURE
14.07.2005 05:48
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday Nagorno Karabakh President Arkady
Ghukasyan met with Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group for settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Steven Mann (US), Bernard Fassier
(France) and Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia). The mediators informed the NKR
leader on the details of the meetings between the Armenian and Azeri
Presidents, as well as the FMs of the two countries, presented the
approaches of the mediator countries over prospects of making
considerable progress in the peace settlement. They reaffirmed their
concept implying that a new opportunity has appeared during the
settlement process of the NK problem. They noted at that the matter
does not concern any new proposals made to parties to conflict. In
his turn, A. Ghukasyan remarked that in spite speaking of mutual
understanding between the parties to conflict is premature, there are
considerable expectations of progress. He expressed hope for the
current visit of the Co-Chairs to the region to be productive and to
make everyone closer to a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of
the Karabakh conflict. The Co-Chairs thanked the NKR President for
the constructive conversation and readiness of the Karabakh party to
continue a mutually acceptable settlement model. NKR FM Arman
Melikyan took part in the meeting.

5-DAY DEMONSTRATION OF “GOLDEN APRICOT” FILMS IS OPENED WITH PREMIERE
OF “MARIAM”
YEREVAN, JULY 13. ARMINFO. The premiere of “Mariam” film by Armenian
director Edgar Baghdassaryan took place Jul 12 at “Moscow” movie
theatre within the framework of “Yerevan premieres” program of “Golden
Apricot” Second International Film Festival. The film made in Armenia
in 2005 has a deep psychological and philosophical coloring.

REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS NOTHING TO DO IN THE FIELD OF CONSTRUCTIVE OPPOSITION
A1+
11-07-2005
«Today the political circles are discussing a completely different
document ` the presidential one which has been agreed with the Venice
Commission and the President’s Residence. And where is the National
Assembly? », announced member of the Republican Party Smbat Ayvazyan
after the session of the Justice bloc. In his opinion the illegal
authorities have no right to change the main law of the country.
«The restoration of the Constitutional order must be done via
elections. First there must be fair and transparent elections and
legal authority, and only then reforms must come», said another member
of the party Gegham Haroutyunyan.
The members of the party think that the society is estranged from the
reforms process. Smbat Azvazyan is sure that «even if they try to pass
the Constitution illegally, they will not be able to get 830 thousand
votes for it».
Today there is a statement confirmed by everybody: the establishment
of democracy is indispensable. But the authorities want to say they
have resources, and they want to do it via evolutional way. «We say
the authorities do not have the resources, and we speak about
revolution. If the opposition tries to «cooperate» with the
authorities in order to reform the constitution, it becomes
constructive, and we have nothing to do in the field of constructive
opposition», said Gegham Haroutyunyan.

ArmenPress, Armenia
July 11 2005
ARMENIANS IGNORE DOCTORS’ CALLS FOR MEASLES IMMUNIZATION
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS: Samvel Mnatsian, an epidemiologist
from Erebuni medical center, complained that many grown-up Armenians
ignore doctors’ calls for their mandatory immunization against
measles prompted by a quick spread of the disease among people from
15 to 25 year old. He said out of 650 people in Erebuni community who
the doctors identified must be immunized only 51 have visited
clinics.
One ampoule of the vaccine is intended for 10 immunization shots,
but after the ampoule is opened it should be used within one day,
becoming ineffective otherwise Mnatsian said many explain their
refusal saying they had been immunized already, but he added that the
vaccine now is of far better quality. The most vulnerable group that
may be affected by the spreading disease are children who had been
immunized 15 years ago by what he said was ‘unstable vaccines.”
He said the virus causing the measles now is different from what
it was some 20 years. Most children who get measles will have a rash,
high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. These symptoms last
for 1 or 2 weeks. But measles also causes ear infections in nearly 1
out of every 10 children who get it. As many as 1 out of 20 children
with measles gets pneumonia. About 1 child in every 1,000 who get
measles will get encephalitis- inflammation of the brain that can
lead to convulsions, and can leave a child deaf or mentally retarded.
For every 1,000 children who get measles, 1 or 2 will die from it.
Measles can also make a pregnant woman have a miscarriage or give
birth prematurely. Measles spreads very easily from person to person.
You can get measles from an infected person who coughs or sneezes
around you or even talks to you.

PanArmenian News, Armenia
July 11 2005
PRE-ELECTION SITUATION AFFECTED BAKU POSITION ON KARABAKH ISSUE
11.07.2005 04:06
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the opinion of OSCE Minsk Group former Russian
Co-Chair Vladimir Kazimirov the proposal by official Baku on joint
operation of the transport communications is addressed to the voters
and international community. `Azerbaijan is preparing for the
parliamentary elections and the calculations already affect Baku’s
strategy on the negotiation process’, Vladimir Kazimirov said in a
conversation with Vremya Novostey Russian newspaper. In his words,
Armenians who are not influenced by the elections are more restrained
in assessing the negotiation process. Kazimirov also noted that
despite its belligerence Azerbaijan started mentioning of some trust.
V. Kazimirov reminded of Baku’s proposal on joint control over the
highway connecting Aghdam and Nakhichevan. `The problem of
communication in the conflict region is important, however it is not
the key to the conflict settlement. Official Baku wishes to partially
control the Lachin corridor connecting Armenia and Karabakh. During
17 years Azerbaijan has been imposing blockade on Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh and the blockage tells on other states as well. He also
noted that the status of Karabakh and the `liberation of the
territories seized by Armenia 11-2 years ago during the hostilities’
still remains the core of the dispute.

ECONOMIC GROWTH TO AFFECT THE TAX-PAYERS
A1+
11-07-2005
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID/Armenia)
is launching a new five-year project to advance tax reforms in
Armenia. {BR}
The Tax Improvement Project (TIP), which is being implemented through
a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, will focus on improving the
management of the State Tax Service (STS) in order to raise Armenia’s
tax/GDP ratio. Building on the impressive growth of Armenia’s economy
for the past three years, USAID/Armenia will work with the STS to
increase tax revenues, thus providing the state with additional funds
for health, education and other critical expenditures. While the
project’s emphasis will be on tax administration, TIP will also work
on tax policy as well as on providing the Armenian public with greater
information on the tax system.
The preparation of the Tax Improvement Project benefited from
significant cooperation among the Government of Armenia, USAID and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). Both donor organizations consider
revenue increases in Armenia as one of the most important
macroeconomic priorities.
Dennis Melton, who brings with him 24 years of experience in the U.S.
Internal Revenue Service, is the Director of the USAID Tax Improvement
Project. Mr. Melton has also served as a U.S. Tax Attaché in Riyadh
and Singapore. Armen Alaverdayn, Deputy Head of the Armenian Tax
Service, also played an important role in the preparation of the
project.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #126, 09/07/2005
Karabakh issue
TERRY DAVIS: ARMENIA OCCUPIED AZERBAIJAN’S LANDS
According to the Azeri Press, CE Secretary General stated that if any of the
sides in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict unfolds military actions, it will be
excluded from the CE. In 2001, when becoming CE members, Armenia and
Azerbaijan obliged to solve the conflict through peaceful settlement.
“Notwithstanding the approach of the Armenian political figures to the
Nagorno Karabakh issue, we all know that Armenia occupied the Azeri
territories laying between the two countries,” Terry Davis said.

Armenpress
PARLIAMENT RATIFIES TWO AGREEMENTS
YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS: Before wrapping up an extraordinary session
today lawmakers approved a German-Armenian agreement, whereby the government
of Germany commits to allocate a 6 million euro credit to Armenia for
implementation of a renewable energy program and a 1.6 million euro grant to
back up the program technically.
The credit will be given by German KfW bank with a 40-year maturity and
10-year grace period at 0.75 percent interest rate. The money will be used
for reconstruction and repair of power plants. The parliament also ratified
another agreement between Armenia and International Development Association
(IDA) for implementation of a $20 million worth water supply and waste water
removal improvement project. This project is supposed to be accomplished by
2010.