Author: Chatinian Lara

Hindu, India
Oct 8 2005

Shekhawat conferred with honorary degree

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was on Friday
conferred with a honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine by the Yerewan
State Medical University at Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

Mr. Shekhawat is the first Indian to receive this Armenian honour.
The degree along with a gold medallion was presented to Mr. Shekhawat
at a special convocation that coincided with the diamond jubilee of
the university, according to reports received here.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-President said that improving the
quality of education and providing effective healthcare were the two
primary means to achieve the objectives of human development and
happiness.

He said the challenge to build an affordable public health system was
very formidable and demanded an innovative approach.

Earlier, Mr. Shekhawat held talks with the Prime Minister of Armenia,
Andranik Margarian. He also visited the Holy Echmiadzin Church.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 6, 2005

HIGHLIGHTS:

PERSPECTIVE
INDEPENDENT CIVIL INSTITUTES MUST REFRAIN FROM ADVOCATING FOR OR AGAINST
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO RA CONSTITUTION

CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF PUBLIC TV AND RADIO COMPANY THREATENED TO PULL
THE EARS OF “AZG” OWNER

BAN ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE ADVERTISING ON RADIO AIR

ASHOT GAZAZIAN: “IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN”

“YERRORD UZH” WEEKLY CLOSED

15TH ANNIVERSARY OF “RESPUBLIKA ARMENIA” AND “HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTIUN”

RADIO “VAN” – AWARDEE OF “SIBERIAN DECIBEL”

PERSPECTIVE
INDEPENDENT CIVIL INSTITUTES MUST REFRAIN FROM ADVOCATING FOR OR AGAINST
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO RA CONSTITUTION

The President of Armenia Robert Kocharian supported the draft of amendments
to the RA Constitution and appointed the date for the referendum – November
27, 2005. Thus, the document development process is over, and the fate of
the Main Law of the country will be decided by national ballot.

As it was noted in the statement of Yerevan Press Club, disseminated before
the third hearing of the draft amendments at the Parliament, “the public of
Armenia has been insufficiently involved in the constitutional reform
process; attention was not duly paid to a number of alternative proposals
made, as a result of which certain provisions of the draft continue to arise
serious concerns” (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 9-15,
2005).

After that several editorial revisions were made, also as proposed by YPC.
Yet, in the most principal issues of concern to the journalistic community
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, August 25 – September 1, 2005, July 8-14, 2005,
September 9-15, 2005) and referring mostly to the formation of independent
bodies regulating the broadcast media sphere, the Armenian lawmakers and the
President have, in fact, declined the proposed amendments.

Yerevan Press Club maintains that the Constitution must not define detailed
procedures for the appointment (election) of bodies, regulating specific
spheres. Instead it was proposed to stipulate in the Main Law the
participation of the RA National Assembly in the formation of independent
(not constituting a part of the executive power) structures, created on
temporary or permanent basis to regulate spheres of particular public
significance. The Constitution in force gives an exhaustive description of
the function of the NA and it excludes its involvement in the formation of
similar structures. This has repeatedly caused dead-end situations and
became a subject of criticism on behalf of local and foreign experts.
However, the draft amendments did not give a solution to the problem;
exception was made only for the participation of the NA in the appointment
of the RA Human Rights Defender and the members of the broadcast regulatory
body. It was initially proposed that the latter should be nominated by the
President and approved by the Parliament.

The journalistic associations insisted that if the constitutional reform
stipulated the involvement of the legislators in the formation of regulatory
bodies only in certain spheres, the procedure should then be turned from
head to feet: the members of this structure should be nominated by the
Parliament and be approved by the President. However, here, too, the authors
of the draft decided to make only partial concessions, proposing an option
when half of the member would be elected by the Parliament and half –
appointed by the President.

YPC and its partners again displayed their readiness for compromise: let
this be 50/50, but the procedure should apply not to one, but to two bodies,
regulating both public and private broadcasting (in Armenia these are the
Council of Public TV and Radio Company, and the National Commission on
Television and Radio), since all the documents of the Council of Europe on
the commitments of Armenia to the CE referred not to the “body”, but “the
bodies” that regulate broadcasting.

The further developments showed the invincible affection of the Armenian
authorities towards “the singular”, moreover, they rejected the last,
compromise proposal by YPC: to make a distinct specification in the
Constitution that the body to be established, since it is one and only,
should regulate both private and public broadcasting. Thus, it became
obvious that “the independent body” is envisaged solely for the regulation
of the activities of private broadcasters, and the Public TV and Radio
Company remains the patrimony of the President of the country, who forms the
Council at his own discretion.

While the rationale that Armenian authorities have behind this story is
transparent – to retain maximum control over broadcast media, the approval
given to the appropriate provision in the draft amendments by the Council of
Europe Venice Commission is not quite in the line with the context of CE
demands on Armenia fulfilling its commitments. These commitments, in
particular, called for the transformation of state broadcasting into public.
Meanwhile it has become clear – long ago and for everybody – that under the
present procedure of forming the Council of Public TV and Radio Company it
is not a transformation that we have but a pure change of the label. And the
constitutional reform came to change nothing in this regard.

Besides, the reports of the CE monitoring groups repeatedly raised the issue
about the soonest change of the composition of the National Commission on
Television and Radio (meaning that this body discredited itself by having
ousted from the air the independent “A1+” TV company). However, the
transitional provisions of the current constitutional amendments stipulate
that the present NCTR members retain their positions until the official end
of their terms. Therefore, the membership proportion, as provided for by the
amendments (even given its very limited independence), will be fully
realized no sooner than in 6 years! Meanwhile, the National Commission will
hold many more “impartial” broadcast licensing competitions! Yet, even this
circumstance caused no objections on behalf of the Venice Commission…

Such examples of partial modifications and negligence for constructive
proposals in the process of constitutional reform can be quoted from other
spheres, too. Thus, it is strange to hear the opinions of representatives of
different international organizations saying that the draft takes into
account the expectations of the public at large and the work on the document
was held in an open atmosphere.

Anyhow, the final text of the draft Constitution with amendments is ready.
On the one hand, it contains provisions that are indisputably progressive.
On the other, some of its sections are in no way compliant with the demands
of the present stage of democratic development and the level of political
thinking, proper to a country aspiring for Europe. Unfortunately, it cannot
be said that the society is offered an unequivocal choice between past and
future. The decision to be made by each voter is rather political than
contextual: not so much for better or worse Constitution, but rather for or
against the present authorities, for whom the success of the referendum is a
guarantee of success in the upcoming elections, and the failure is an
alarming signal on the eve of 2007-2008 election cycle and significant
decline of international reputation.

In this regard it seems that the most correct behavior for independent civil
structures of Armenia is to refrain from advocating either for or against
the amendments. Any such appeal, whether we want it or not, will mean
supporting certain political forces. This is hardly the mission of
independent public organizations or the press. The task of the latter is to
achieve utmost public awareness, to help it impartially comprehend the
essence of the amendments proposed, in realization so its objective
interests and informed voting. Also – in ensuring the free display of
people’s will and fair results of the referendum. The solution of these
tasks, no matter what the distribution of votes on November 27 is, will
signify the victory of democracy and real progress against the sad political
practice of the past decade.

CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF PUBLIC TV AND RADIO COMPANY THREATENED TO PULL
THE EARS OF “AZG” OWNER

On October 5 “Azg” daily published an article “Is 4 mln. USD Little for
Laudation of the President?” The editorial was a response to the complaint,
voiced by “Haylur” newscast of Public Television of Armenia to the effect
that the amount, equivalent to 4 mln. USD, envisaged for PTA in draft state
budget of Armenia in 2006, is very small, even in comparison with other CIS
countries. To this “Azg” remarked that while 4 million USD per se is not a
very big amount, “our Public Television is not so public, and several
hundreds of people are busy with promoting the President Robert Kocharian,
his family, environment”. To confirm this, the newspaper listed the first
four reports of “Haylur” newscast on October 4. They all were dealing with
the activities of the President, the First Lady and higher officials of the
country. Only the fifth news, as “Azg” notes, was presented by the newscast
to be the relations of European Union and Turkey.

The next day, on October 6, “Aravot” daily published the opinion of the
Chairman of the Council of Public TV and Radio Company Alexan Harutiunian,
expressed in an interview to “Aravot” with regard to “Azg” piece. “I will
not answer this newspaper, I will only pull its owner’s ears”, the Chairman
of the Council of Public TV and Radio Company said.

BAN ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE ADVERTISING ON RADIO AIR

Since October 1 “Van” and “Russkoe Radio”/Radio Alfa stations of Yerevan
stopped airing commercials in foreign languages. This decision was adopted
by the National Commission on Television and Radio in accordance with
Article 5 of the RA Law “On Advertising”, which in particular stipulates:
the language of advertising is Armenian, with possible translation into
foreign languages, in a smaller typeset. Thus, the law does not actually
regulate the possibility for placing commercials in foreign languages on
radio air.

As YPC was informed by the Director of “Van” radio station Shushanik
Arevshatian, on September 27 “Van” and “Russkoe Radio” addressed a letter to
the RA Ministry of Justice, State Language Inspectorate, RA National
Assembly and National Commission on Television and Radio, asking to permit
broadcastings of Russian-language commercials during programs in Russian. No
answer to this address has been received yet.

ASHOT GAZAZIAN: “IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN”

“Vellas Print” publishing house produced a book by well-known journalist,
the correspondent of “Deutsche Welle” radio in Armenia and a member of
Yerevan Press Club Council Ashot Gazazian, titled “In the Shadow of the
Sun”. The book is written in a genre, defined by its author himself as
“Bioreport”, and represents memories, true stories and reflections about the
time, events, friends and colleagues, everything that “has stuck in the
memory”.

“YERRORD UZH” WEEKLY CLOSED

“Yerrord Uzh” weekly stopped its issuance. According to press reports, the
reasons for the closure of the weekly are financial. The Chief Editor of
“Yerrord Uzh”, published since June 2004, was Vahram Aghajanian.

15TH ANNIVERSARY OF “RESPUBLIKA ARMENIA” AND “HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTIUN”

October 9 will mark the 15th anniversary since the issuance of “Hayastani
Hanrapetutiun” and “Respublika Armenia” newspapers – the first Armenian and
Russian language official publications of independent Armenia.

Yerevan Press Club congratulates its colleagues and wishes them further
success and prosperity.

RADIO “VAN” – AWARDEE OF “SIBERIAN DECIBEL”

On September 28 – October 1 2005 in Russian city of Tomsk the Fifth Festival
of Audio Advertising “Siberian Decibel” was held, organized by “Advertisers
of Tomsk” and local “Radio Siberia” station. The competition of the festival
in 7 nominations 253 works of different radio companies and advertising
agencies of CIS were presented. One of the winners is Armenian private “Van”
radio station that received 4 awards: the first prize in “Infomercial”
category, second prize in “Public Service Announcement”, second and third
prizes in “Air Design” nomination.

It should be noted that Radio “Van” was an awardee of “Siberian Decibel”
Festival in 2001 and 2002.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

Armenian Youth Federation
104 N. Belmont St. #206 — Glendale, CA 91206

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ September 26, 2005
Contact: Razmig Haroun (818) 507-1933

3rd Annual AYF Little Armenia Cleanup Gathers Hundreds for Volunteer Service

(Little Armenia, CA September 25, 2005) – Well over two-hundred Armenian
youth gathered in the “Little Armenia” district of Los Angeles Sunday
providing their volunteer service to the AYF’s 3rd Annual Little Armenia
Cleanup. Volunteers from all over Northern and Southern California;
including Fresno and San Francisco, helped remove thousands of pounds of
trash from major streets in Little Armenia, bringing the three year total to
over 23.5 tons of trash removed by the AYF.

Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation and cosponsored by Los Angeles
City Council member Eric Garcetti’s Office, the cleanup attracted volunteers
from the public at large and community organizations such as the AYF,
Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter, and the ARF Badanegan Organization.

Before the clean up began Nora Ounjian relayed the AYF Central Executive’s
message to the youth. “The AYF will remain at the forefront of serving our
community and, in particular, will continue to provide our youth with
opportunities of social service,” said Ounjian. Reverend Father Vicken
Vassilian representing his Grace Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
of the Western Prelacy Armenian Church, blessed both the effort of the AYF
and the volunteers’ willingness to serve the community.

Los Angeles City 13th District Council member Eric Garcetti thanked the
volunteers for their efforts and welcomed the initiative of both the
volunteers and the AYF. The Council member awarded the AYF with a desktop
plaque that carries the seal of the city of Los Angeles and reads Little
Armenia.

In the coming weeks many “Welcome to Little Armenia” light-post banners will
be added to the existing 63 erected from past years. Depicting the
Tri-color, Sardarabad Monument, and Mount Ararat, the banners have added a
touch of Armenia to the community.

The Armenian Youth Federation would like to thank the volunteers and the
official sponsors of the Little Armenia Clean Up, without whom the event
would not have been the success that it was. Adin of California, Asbarez
Daily Armenian Newspaper, Horizon Armenian Television, Nor Hayastan Daily
Newspaper, USA Armenian Life Magazine, Closet World, Color Depot, Donoyan
Insurance Agency, Sylvie’s Costumes, Carpet Show, Sun Work’s Tanning, Eric
Garcetti’s Office and staff, and the A.R.F. Hollywood Karekin Njteh Gomideh,
played a fundamental role in the success of this public service effort.

The Armenian Youth Federation of Western United States strives to serve
Armenian American Communities west of the Mississippi through education,
athletics, political activism, cultural activities and social settings. To
learn more about the Armenian Youth Federation please log on to

LAND SALES IN REMOTE CALIFORNIA DESERT ARE QUESTIONED

Associated Press
San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA
Oct 4 2005

CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. – Seda Shadkamyan paid $39,500 for a patch
of vacant land in the remote Kern County desert, hoping to pass on
something of value to her three children.

The county assessor determined the land was worth just $2,040.

“I feel used,” said Shadkamyan, an Armenian immigrant who lives
in Glendale. “My husband didn’t want it, but I forced him. It was
my mistake.”

Shadkamyan bought the land from Silver Saddle Ranch and Club, which
buys tax-defaulted land in California City at auctions and sells it
for up to 50 times what the Kern County Assessor’s Office considers
fair market value, according to a report in the Bakersfield Californian
that cited public records.

Another company, National Recreational Properties Inc., which uses
actor Erik Estrada as its television pitch man, has had a similar
operation since 2003 in the area about 100 miles north of Los Angeles,
records show.

Silver Saddle customers told the newspaper that the company marketed
itself in Korean newspapers, on Armenian-language television and
through Tagalog and Mandarin-speaking callers offering prizes. NRPI
markets itself in English and Spanish language television commercials
featuring Estrada.

Properties’ assessed values are publicly available, and representatives
from both companies said their sales practices are legitimate and
sales prices are fair.

“That’s the market,” said Silver Saddle sales manager Robert Kvassay.

But California City Mayor Larry Adams and other officials said
Silver Saddle’s sales tours, which show off new development in the
9,400-resident city, do not reflect conditions where the properties
are located. Adams said there’s no plan to install water lines,
electricity or paved roads into the area where Shadkamyan’s quarter
acre of desert and about 20,000 other parcels sit.

Several other people told the Californian they believe the companies
overcharged them for land purchases.

After buying a property from NRPI for $18,000 in 2004, Anaheim resident
Domingo Gomez said he was stunned to learn that he could acquire a
bigger and better located lot from Coldwell Banker for $9,500.

He said he reached a settlement with NRPI but was forbidden from
disclosing the terms.

“The company is bad to Spanish people,” said Gomez. “We got a little
money together and somebody took it.”

Investment Opportunity in Armenia

BISNIS Trades & Tenders
09/21/05 – 10/04/05

BISNIS Trades & Tenders program designed to help U.S. companies secure
export transactions and take advantage of tender opportunities in the
region. Trades & Tenders summary reports are distributed via email. To
search previously distributed Trades & Tenders leads online, visit

This issue of BISNIS Trades & Tenders includes opportunities in:

– Aviation and Aerospace
– Consulting

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
AVIATION AND AEROSPACE LEADS

EBRD – Armenia: Advisory Services – EBRD – Armenia, Consultancy
Services, Airports/Transport: Armenian International Airports

New Passenger Terminal – Advisory Services to EBRD

For more information on the Aviation and Aerospace Sector in the NIS,
please contact Irina Mitchell at BISNIS at [email protected]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CONSULTING LEADS

EBRD – regional – consultancy services – banking – EBRD – Regional,
Consultancy Services, Depository credit (Banks), Medium-sized
Co-financing Facility – Advisory Services

For more information on the Consulting Sector in the NIS, please contact
Ellen House at BISNIS at [email protected]

+++Note+++

These opportunities are provided solely as an informational service and
do not represent an endoresment by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Verification of these leads is the responsibility of the reader.

This report is provided courtesy of the Business Information Service for
the Newly Independent States (BISNIS). BISNIS is the U.S. Government’s
primary resource center for U.S. companies exploring business
opportunities in Russia and other Newly Independent States of the former
Soviet Union. BISNIS website: .

++++++++++Forwarded by: ++++++++++
Katie Kane, Trade Program Assistant
BISNIS- U.S. Department of Commerce
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 202-482-3100

NEED TO FINANCE YOUR SALE IN EURASIA?
If you have an identified Eurasian buyer but are lacking the financing
necessary to complete the sale, the BISNIS FinanceLink program
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IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE DIRECTLY FROM BISNIS
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+++END of MESSAGE+++

‘IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF TURKEY’S EU PROCESS DIDN’T COMPLETE ITSELF’
By Ali H. Aslan

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 3 2005

zaman.com

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs Matthew J. Bryza shared Washington’s views with Zaman prior
to Turkey’s critical European Union (EU) negotiations.

Underlining that the beginning of the negotiations has great importance
with regard to the continuation of the reform process that dated back
to the administrative reforms of 1839 (Tanzimat Edict), Bryza said,
“It would be a shame if that process didn’t complete itself. But I
think it will.”

Bryza also discussed recent high-level diplomatic traffic between
Washington and Ankara: ‘We have decided that we want to do everything
to restore sense of partnership in US-Turkey relations’ He explained
why Turkey’s integration with the EU mattered for the US, “Why that
matters to us, frankly is that, we believe that the prospect of
membership in the EU encourages TR to take very difficult decisions
that make TR a stronger and more reliable partner for us both in
terms of diplomacy and economics as well as in a broader sense, in a
broader social-cultural sense as an inspiration for others who search
for same sorts of freedoms Turks enjoy.”

Reminding that the process of modernizing reforms in Turkey had a
history that dated back to the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid period of the
1840s, then continued with the Ataturk reforms and the foundation of
the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and gained momentum during President
of the Republic Turgut Ozal’s period, Bryza indicated that the reform
process has really increased recently as Turkey strives to attain EU
membership. He said, “So, if you look at that historical progression,
Turkey’s full incorporation to the European family is an ongoing
process and we need to complete it together.”

Bryza defended that “privileged partnership,” which Austria wants
inserted into the negotiation framework document, is not strong enough
to make Turkey take decisions which are “politically difficult”
and emphasized, “We have long thought that it is the prospect of
absolutely full inclusion in Europe that provides the best incentive
for Turkey to stick with that process.”

This is appropriate for the long run, Bryza said. “What we care about
is that Turkey feels sufficient motivation to undertake very difficult
reforms that are groundbreaking and truly historical in nature. So the
point is make sure we all provide Turkey with the sufficient incentives
to take decisions that are politically difficult but ultimately in
the long run interest of Turkey as well as other European friends.”

“So, the important thing is everybody focuses primarily on strategic
gains rather than tactical maneuvering,” he continued.

When asked, “What is your view of the EU counter-declaration on
Turkey? Do you find it a fair and balanced document?” Bryza replied,
“It’s up to TR to decide whether it’s fair and balanced. But I can
just say that I am convinced that our friends in the EU especially
under the current leadership of the UK presidency completely understand
how important it is to continue that process of Turkey’s anchoring in
Europe. I think all of the parties understand that. The Greeks,. GR
Cypriots, the Brits, the Austrians, the Germans, the French, everybody
understands the strategic importance of that process continuing.”

‘Our friends in the EU completely understand how important it is to
continue that process of Turkey’s anchoring in Europe’

Bryza noted that everybody including the Austrians, Greeks, Cypriot
Greeks, the British, Germans, and the French realizes the strategic
importance of continuing the “process of Turkey anchoring in Europe”.

However, he commented: “What is not clear how much any one state
would like for technical reasons to try to squeeze a little bit more
out of the negotiation process.”

Recently, Greek Cyprus, which wants to receive certain concessions
from Turkey, is leading EU countries. Bryza did not want to become
involved in the polemics on whether or not the counter declaration,
which established the recognition of Greek Cyprus as a condition to
Turkey, was a “fair and balanced” document.

In response to Zaman’s question asking what else the US could do in
order to convince Greek Cyprus on a solution for the island, as they
already regularly send messages relating to their official position.

Bryza noted that they perceived the UN Secretary-General Annan’s
plan as “the most hopeful proposal ever put out there for a just and
lasting settlement” and they would maintain their “absolute undying
support”. He said: “So it seems only logical therefore that our friends
on the Greek Cypriot side of the island and Rep of Cyprus would specify
what they don’t like about the plan and allow the negotiations to
continue. That’s what Secretary General has said this is requirement
for his reengagement. So we stand fully supportive of him and hope
that that is the next step. And once that happens, yes, of course the
US will be fully supportive of and as engaged as we ever have had,
which is pretty engaged.” Indicating that the US will maintain its
efforts to soften isolations on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC), Bryza informed that they could pump economic assistance into
small and medium size enterprises and launch initiatives to facilitate
the direct sale of TRNC products. As for direct flights by US planes
to the Turkish Cypriot side, he said that such arrangements should
be commercially available and this seemed more possible for Europeans
rather than US air transporters.

Bryza commented on the European Parliament’s (EP) call for Turkey
to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide. “I would suggest that
our friends in Turkey don’t worry so much about those statements of
political opinion but instead also remain focused on the historical
significance of the beginning the accession talks.”

The US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary pointed out that
such decisions were meaningful as long as they were internalized
by the European Commission and the Council of Europe, but this has
not happened.

Conveying the US perspective on the issue, Bryza urged: “Our position
is that, the characterization events of 1915, the horrible killings
and forced relocation and exile that occurred in 1915, which is
an issue to be more properly decided by deep introspection that’s
not political. So it’s not politicians alone that should grabble
with these facts. And a political decision should not determine
how we characterize those events. It’s deeply thoughtful people,
common people, and academics and all sorts of intellectuals, writers,
screenwriters, and philosophers need to think these things through. A
political decision shouldn’t determine what happened in 1915.”

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State expressed his opinions on
the decisions of the European Union (EU) and its relative political
organs regarding Turkey, with particular effort to avoid giving the
image of interfering in the internal affairs of European countries.

The decisions are taken in the EU and Turkey needs to meet the
requirements set out by the EU in order to become a part of the EU
club, emphasized Bryza while making frequent expressions of admiration
for EU term president Britain.

“I don’t know,” he replied in response to our question, “Do you think
Turkey can really play a role in preventing clash of civilizations?”

emphasizing the US tendency to have different opinions regarding such
matters. “I think Turkey can play an important in inspiring people
within societies in the immediate region where Turkey finds itself.

Those regions are both Europe and Middle East. Not just the Middle
East, not just Europe, but both. That’s what so unique about Turkey.

Turkey is simultaneously a European country, a Middle Eastern country,
a Balkans country, a Caucasus country, all these things at the same
time. So Turkey matters in its ability to inspire people in all those
regions who seek to find a way to advance democratic reform often
with predominantly Muslim populations, but not exclusively. So I am
not talking about a clash between civilizations, I am talking about
movements within all sorts of civilizations,” he commented.

FIRST LADIES TURN OVER BOOKS FROM HOME LIBRARIES TO CHILDREN

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
October 3, 2005 Monday 7:21 AM Eastern Time

Lyudmila Putin, the wife of the Russian president, and the wives of
the leaders of five other countries have turned over books from their
home libraries to Children’s s Homes in Russia.

Lyudmila Putin addressed her book collection to the Children’s Home
in the town of Blagoveschensk in Bashkortostan, First lady of Britain
Cherie Blair gave her collection to the Children’s Home in Troitsk
in the Chelyabinsk region, the wife of the Austrian president Margit
Fischer sent books to the settlement of Ishma in Komi, Zorka Pyrvanova-
the wife of the Bulgarian president, turned over her book collection
to the Children’s s Home in the Sverdlovsk region.

In return, the Russian Post Service has presented the first ladies
with a gilded model of the first stamp carrying the logotype of the”
Bibliobraz- 2005″ book festival. The new stamp is hoped to occupy its
own niche in world stamp collections as a rarity. Lyudmila Putin and
Russian Minister for Information Technologies and telecommunications
Leonid Reiman canceled the stamp at the ceremony,

“The idea to issue a stamp with the symbol of the “Bibliobraz” festival
occurred to us a year ago, but it was not simple to put the idea into
practice,” the wife of the Russian president said.

“Collecting stamps has always been her dream, and philately is one of
the most interesting hobbies,” Lyudmila Putin said. “I am glad that
we have got the stamp at last,” Mrs. Putin declared, saying she was
very proud of being honored to cancel the stamp.

Similar stamps cancelled and signed by Lydmila Putin and Leonid Reiman,
put into souvenir frames and enclosed into special envelopes, were
presented to the first ladies of Austria, Armenia, Bulgaria, Great
Britain, Kyrgyzstan and Russia who took part in the festival.

ARMENIAN PARTY LEADER BLAMES USA FOR BACKING SECTARIANISM

ArmInfo News Agency
Oct 1 2005

Yerevan, 30 September: “We have turned [Yerevan’s] Nork subdistrict
into a base for clearing the city and republic from so-called Jehovah’s
Witnesses and other sects,” the leader of the United Nation Party
[UNP], Gor Tamazyan, said at a press conference today.

He said that the UNP’s tactic of going to the country with
anti-sectarian propaganda, including among sects, has yielded
considerable results in the 1-5th subdistricts. Attempts to continue
anti-sectarian work in the 6th and 7th subdistricts have met with
stiff resistance from “Jehovah’s Witnesses”.

“It is hard to fight sects in Armenia because they receive considerable
financial support from the USA and are puppets in the hands of the US
security services,” Tamazyan said. On this basis, the United Nation
Party, acknowledging a number of positive changes in the constitutional
reforms, is against lifting the ban on double citizenship.

Unlike the chairman of the Nationalist Union, Ruben Gevorkyants,
Tamazyan says that “however good the intentions of US citizens of
Armenian origin, the Washington administration, which is hostile to
Armenia, will use them against us,” he said.

Investment Opportunity in Armenia

BISNIS: Construction Industry Update
October 3, 2005

In today’s message you will find:

— BISNIS Search for Partners (1)
— INTERFAX NEWS DIGEST

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BISNIS Search for Partner Lead (1):

1. Company: Mehrabyan Medical Institute

Description: Private educational establishment Mehrabyan Medical
Institute seeks a U.S. investor for a hotel construction project. The
project envisions the construction of an international standard, elite
youth-student hotel. The hotel will be a six-story building plus
basement, with a parking lot situated in front of the hotel and a
playing ground for volleyball, basketball and other sports behind it. A
recreation complex (a large pool, sauna, training hall, a body massage
room, jacuzzi and a bar) and an entertainment complex (disco and bar
karaoke) are situated in the basement. A two-story restaurant for 150
persons, administration, travel agency and conference hall are to be
situated on the ground floor. The Mehrabyan Medical Institute plans to
provide co-financing and management of the facilities once the hotel is
commissioned.

Web site:

Location: Yerevan, Armenia

Lead Link:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INTERFAX NEWS DIGEST

NOKIAN TYRES TO PUMP EUR 21.5 MLN INTO RUSSIAN FACTORY EXPANSION

ST. PETERSBURG. Sept 23 (Interfax) – Nokian Tyres signed a contract
worth 21.5 million euros with Finland’s YIT Construction Ltd to expand
its new tyre factory in Vsevolozhsk, Leningrad region, Nokian said in a
press release.

The contract covers the construction, by the end of July 2006, of two
factory premises measuring 20,255 square km and a 16,600-sq m warehouse,
the release said.

Nokian Tyres opened the EUR52-million tyre plant in Vsevolozhsk on
September 22.

Copyright (c) 2005 by Interfax Information Services B.V.
c/o Interfax-America, Inc., 3025 S. Parker Rd., Suite 737, Aurora, CO
80014, USA.
Tel: +1 (303) 368-1421, Fax: +1 (303) 368-1458, Email:
[email protected]
Internet:
Reproduction without permission of the copyright holder is strictly
prohibited.

Note: Articles by non-U.S. government employees express the views of the
authors and should not be construed as a statement of U.S. government policy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BISNIS Programs available to you FREE OF CHARGE:
BISNIS ExpoLink Eurasia
BISNIS Trades & Tenders
BISNIS Search for Partners
fm
BISNIS FinanceLink

For industry-specific information, please go to Construction Industry
page at

+++++++++++++++++ Provided by: ++++++++++++++++
Irina C. Mitchell, BISNIS Trade Specialist for Construction Industry
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 202/482-3729
Fax: 202/482-2293
e-mail: [email protected]

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Oct 1 2005

October 3?

By Mustafa UNAL

Breaths are being held, three days before the historic rendezvous
with Europe. The air in Ankara is misty, even October 3 has not been
clarified yet, let alone the upcoming days.

No good news coming from Brussels and Strasbourg. The Cyprus issue
already was boring, now “Armenian genocide” has been added to it.
Christian Democratic MPs at the European Parliament, in a last minute
attack on Turkey, said, “Recognize the Armenian genocide.” However,
their “no” reply to the “privileged partnership” proposal was good
news.

Turkey, which has adopted European Union principles as a basic
policy, is exerting maximum efforts to approach this negative
atmosphere that has emerged in a coolheaded manner. Prime Minister
[Recep Tayyip] Erdogan pointed out that the European Parliament does
not have the power to impose sanctions and said its decision will not
affect Turkey’s membership process. Republican People’s Party leader
Deniz Baykal, who was in London, said, “Turkey has done its homework.
Now Europe must keep its promise, nobody can push Turkish people into
a state of uncertainty that will last for years. ”

While voting in Parliament on the recent decisions, there were two
deputies in Strasbourg from Turkey — former minister Yasar Yakis and
Turkish Group chairman of the Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly (COEPA), Murat Mercan… It would be useful to draw
attention to the fact that the European Parliament is not like the
Council of Europe, only member countries can send representatives.
Yakis and Mercan were not in the mechanism, they were there only for
lobbying purposes.

I talked to Mr. Mercan, but he had not yet overcome the shock of the
decisions, “The European parliamentarians’ attitude disappointed me,’
he said. `I was gripped by genuine worries about the future of the
European Union. It was not a very conducive atmosphere, nonetheless,
I really never expected anything like this.” One can’t help asking, ”
Wouldn’t it have been better if there had been more deputies from the
government and opposition parties in Strasbourg?” Maybe it wouldn’t
have been enough to change the result but the loud booming voice of
Turkey would have been heard from the lobbying being done.

The Strasbourg decisions are not acceptable to Turkey. It should be
emphasized that the Parliament’s decisions reflect the inner
sensitivities of their public opinions. It must be accepted that
anti-Turkey winds have been blowing for long in European capitals.
Besides the sanctional aspect, these decisions are controversial as
well. The Negotiating Framework Document that will determine the
destiny of October 3 has not been clarified yet, it appears as if
efforts to reach a consensus will continue until the last minute.
Austria has not abandoned its obstinacy regarding privileged
partnership…

What will Turkey do in this situation? In fact, Turkey has fullfilled
all its liabilities during the last three years with incredible
performance. Now it is Europe’s turn, it must thoroughly fulfill its
responsibilities. The Turks have every right to expect this. Turkey
has become introverted, it is discussing October 3 diplomatically and
with political will.

Turkey also has a public opinion just as Europe does. The society has
its sensitivities and the political will cannot ignore this. Choosing
not to go there and not to sit at the negotiation table is something
that cannot be ignored. The Framework Document will be the
determining factor. It is certain that giving shape to the contents
will last until the last minute. Which is right, never to sit at the
negotiating table or to give up during the negotiation process? are
now being evaluated. Who should abandon the negotiating table, Turkey
or Europe?

Turkey should continue its journey towards the West without making
any concessions on its basic policy and should not be the party that
surrenders, let Europe think about the rest… We accepted the risks
while setting out on this journey. That’s why the expression, “a long
and difficult road,” has been used from the very beginning. The road
to Brussels has sharp curves, it is full of obstacles. Besides, we
did not expect them to put a red carpet before us and throw roses
along our way.

It is not right to compare Turkey with other candidate countries such
as Bulgaria and Croatia. Turkey has a huge potential that can change
the Union’s chemistry. That’s why these obstacles emerge. October 3
is important not only in terms of foreign policy but in terms of
domestic political balances as well. Even if the last stop is not
Brussels, Turkey’s journey towards the West must continue…