Author: Emil Lazarian

Arminfo, Yerevan, in Russian
17 Nov 04
Estonian leader backs democratic processes in Armenia

Yerevan, 17 November: “During my talks with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan, Armenian Speaker Artur Bagdasaryan and Prime Minister
Andranik Markaryan, among other issues we discussed the issue of
using Estonia’s experience of European integration,” Estonian
President Arnold Ruutel said in an interview with Armenian Public TV.
He said that Estonia actively supports Armenia in speeding up
democratic processes in the country. Undoubtedly, the democratic
processes will also speed up Armenia’s economic development, for
which there are all the necessary conditions.
Friendly relations between the Armenian and Estonian people would
also serve as a good basis for successful cooperation, the Estonian
president stressed.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 18 2004
FM receives new Turkish Ambassador

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received a copy of the credentials
of newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Turan Moral on
Tuesday.
During the meeting the parties exchanged views on multi-faceted
bilateral cooperation and energy projects.
Ambassador Moral underlined that his country is eager to expand
relations with South Caucasus countries. Turkey adheres to settlement
of the Upper Garabagh conflict within international legal norms and
Azerbaijan’s integration into European structures, he stressed.
Mammadyarov, in turn, highly appreciated Turkey’s support to
Azerbaijan in solution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper
Garabagh and during the discussions of putting the `Situation in
occupied lands of Azerbaijan’ item into the agenda of the UN General
Assembly’s session.*

Rzeczpospolita, Warsaw in Polish
18 Nov 04
Polish general: Our troops to stay in Iraq; “new allies” may join

Text of an interview with Gen Mieczyslaw Cieniuch, deputy chief of
the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, by Jacek Przybylski
entitled “The sector will remain under Polish command” published by
Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita on 18 November
Przybylski The third turn of duty of the Polish military contingent
in Iraq will complete its mission at the end of January. Will the
fourth tour really be smaller?
Cieniuch Yes. The exact number of men, however, will be specified in
a decision the president is to make in December. The size of our
contingent, naturally, will depend on how events in Iraq unfold.
Przybylski Will the south-central sector continue to be commanded by
a Polish general in the first half of 2005?
Cieniuch Yes. The strongest candidate for this post is Lt-Gen
Waldemar Skrzypczak, who currently commands the 11th Airborne Cavalry
Division in Zagan. This division will be the core of the fourth tour.
Gen Skrzypczak has taken part in all the preparations for the mission
and has paid a reconnaissance visit to Iraq.
Przybylski Is the Ministry of National Defence MON carrying out any
negotiations with the United States on handing over responsibility
for the so-called Polish sector?
Cieniuch No. Poland is not negotiating any such issue with the United
States. Poland will continue to be responsible for the central-south
sector.
Przybylski Hungarian troops are to pull out in December. Bulgaria is
also planning to downsize its contingent. Are any countries offering
to send more men? Do we have any new allies?
Cieniuch Yes. Armenia and Bosnia and Hercegovina have expressed
willingness to join the Centre-South Multinational Division. We do
not know of any plans Bulgaria may have regarding the troop
reduction. No such reports have reached the MON.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian
17 Nov 04
Armenian president, German chancellor discuss relations
Presenter High-level negotiations have started in Germany. The
Armenian president Robert Kocharyan met Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
in the German capital Berlin about two hours ago. Schroeder
characterized the two countries’ relations as friendly. He also spoke
about achievements in economic cooperation, noting that the
Armenian-German trade had increased by 40 per cent as against the
last year.
Correspondent Lilit Setrakyan from Berlin, on telephone The Armenian
president’s plane landed at Berlin Tegel airport this afternoon.
Robert Kocharyan’s working visit started with the meeting with the
German chancellor. Gerhard Schroeder met Robert Kocharyan at his
residence.
The ethnic Armenian children welcomed the Armenian president here.
Before the meeting, Schroeder spoke about the German-Armenian
relations at a briefing. The two countries have no problems, their
relations are friendly in the economic and political spheres, he
said.
Passage omitted: reiteration
Robert Kocharyan and Gerhard Schroeder also discussed the
opportunities for increasing the German investments in Armenia.
Schroeder noted that the main condition for the investments was how
they would be protected and how favourable the business atmosphere in
Armenia would be.
Robert Kocharyan and Gerhard Schroeder discussed the EU’s New
Neighbourhood programme as well.
Passage omitted: Kocharyan attended concert by German Armenians
Video showed the meeting
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Interfax
Nov 17 2004
Armenia to sign 50% ZMMK sale deal with Cronimet soon
Yerevan. (Interfax) – During a working visit to Germany November
17-19, Armenian President Robert Kocharian is expected to sign a deal
with the German company Cronimet for 50% of the stock in Zangezursky
Copper and Molybdenum Plant, or ZMMK, a source familiar with the
negotiation process told Interfax.
Cronimet and Comsup Commodities, which is in line to buy the other
50% stake in ZMMK, each paid the Armenian government $12.5 million in
security for exclusive negotiations for the enterprise.
The government set ZMMK’s price at $130 million, and each of the two
companies is to pay half that for their 50% stakes.
Cronimet owns 48% of the stock in Yerevan’s Chistoye Zhelezo (Pure
Iron), which processes molybdenum concentrate produced by ZMMK.

PRESS RELEASE
Office of the Independent Councillor, City of Ryde
Email: [email protected], or Alt. Email: [email protected]
Phone: (02) 9879 4159 , Mobile: 0412 048 330
PO Box 631, Galesville, NSW 2111, Australia
Science prize goes to UNSW again
16 November 2004

The Australasian Science prize has been awarded to an academic from
UNSW, for the second year in a row.
The 2004 prize has been awarded to Professor Levon Khachigian, an
NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow in the Centre for Vascular
Research (CVR) in the Faculty of Medicine.
Professor Khachigian and his 15-strong team in the Transcription and
Gene Targeting Laboratory are hoping to develop novel treatments for
arterial diseases, including several aggressive cancers, based on
innovative ways for identifying genes that damage blood vessels.
“I think that one of our strengths is our ability to translate
fundamental observations into potential therapeutic strategies,” said
Professor Khachigian. “We like to think of inventive ways to interfere
with key molecules and the cellular events that would otherwise lead
to the manifestation of disease.”
Their most recent discovery is of molecular tools that block the
growth of aggressive melanoma in mice.
In accepting the prize, Professor Khachigian called for increased
funding for health and medical research by Government in its new term
– an area, which he claims, received scant attention in the recent
federal election campaign. “Otherwise we risk losing the opportunity
of capturing and building upon the people, project and infrastructure
investments already made,” he said. “Our competitive position as an
international player in research is squarely dependent on adequate
government funding.”
“Fundamental understanding is critical to any area of research, which
is why we need to support curiosity-driven research,” said Professor
Khachigian.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Wainwright, and Professor Michelle
Haber, Director of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia applauded
Professor Khachigian’s impressive body of research. He was presented
the Award by the editor of Australasian Science Guy Nolch.
Last year, another UNSW academic, Emeritus Scientia Professor Mark
Rowe, was presented with the prize for his work as a sensory
neuroscientist.
Next month Professor Khachigian will be awarded his Doctor of Science
(Research), his third degree over 23 years from UNSW.
Our Congratulation to Professor Levon Khachigian and his family,
Prof. Khachigian is born in Lebanon of Armenian Parents he resides in
Ryde, he is married and has two children.
Sarkis Yedelian, Councillor, City of Ryde.
For further information about Australasian Science go to the website.

Media Monitors Network
Nov 16 2004
Arresting Vanunu While Burying Arafat
by Mary La Rosa
“Mr. Vanunu, who is a Christian and who claims his faith profoundly
directed and sustained him during the worse of his imprisonment,
gives much credit to the spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ.”
They stormed St Georges early in the morning
just like it was Ramallah
and the Ghost of some other plot the base of their desire
Machine guns poised ready to fire
How many agents do you think it takes
to intimidate Anglican Bishop Riah?
How many agents needed to crash a cathedral gate
How many agents to dash past clergy and Pax Ecclesiae
How many agents to frighten the Christian pilgrims
and seize the unarmed Mordechai?
Mr Vanunu remained calm.
They took him away with automatic weapons and hostility
Later they returned him without harm but missing his technology
Without regard for laptop sanctity and inviolability
towards sacred place, circle, temple, mosque or church
how many security agents DOES it take to represent a fascist state?
MLR
On November 10 2004, Fredrik Heffermehl, Norwegian author of the book
“Peace Is Possible” and spokesperson for the International Free
Vanunu Campaign distributed an online report and analysis concerning
the ongoing and active campaign for full human and civil rights for
Israeli nuclear whistle blower Mordechai Vanunu. Mr Vanunu is
currently living with the ambiguity of not quite full freedom. While
it appears that he was physically released from one Israeli styled
prison six months ago, he is seemingly further punished and being
held prisoner by being forced to remain under court restrictions that
prevent him from leaving the country that does not really want him,
but also does not really want him to be free. The overt theme of
Israel’s continued restrictions over Mr Vanunu’s civil rights and
liberties is one that claims security , not vengeance, to be at the
core paranoia about Mr Vanunu’s twenty year old memory of such
“secrets” now known and published throughout the free world.
Fredrik Heffermehl, who is also a lawyer and Vice President of the
International Peace Bureau had only just presented the newly proposed
legal strategy based upon review of Mordechai’s situation and the
progress of the campaign thus far. Due to various aspects of Mr
Vanunu’s unique case re: its legality, civil rights, environmental
concerns, an international awareness and interest in the case has
been growing. Mr. Heffermehl’s report welcomed a larger international
presence including special interest groups that support Mordechai and
umbrella together in support of the abolition of nuclear
proliferation. Another lawyer and activist, Jennifer Harbury joins Mr
Heffermehl in Lawyers For Full Freedom For Vanunu . She is currently
working on a project that exposes the various use and users of
torture and she brings to the Vanunu campaign her expertise in
championing political prisoners and human rights causes.
Less than one day after Mr Heffermehl posted his report to an
international community of supporters, Mordechai Vanunu was taken
away in a fanfare of commando style mobbing. If indeed this event
took place to contrast the event of Yasser Arafat’s death and
funeral, why did Israeli security still deem it so necessary to
utilize such armed force against unarmed Christian clergy and
pilgrims.? Some witnesses reported as many as thirty security agents
arriving in various kinds of vehicles brandishing weapons across the
threshold of the sanctity of the Church grounds, and against the much
outraged indignation of the Right Reverend Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal.
Bishop Riah is the Christian leader of the Anglican community at the
Cathedral of St George in Jerusalem where Vanunu has been living in
sanctuary from those who wish to do him physical harm. This is not
the first time Bishop Riah has been rudely approached by security
police with regards to Mordechai Vanunu. Since offering Mordechai
Vanunu the hospitality and protection of the Church, Bishop Riah has
been stopped and detained at Tel Aviv airport. There he was subjected
to a body search and he was interrogated by the Shin Bet.
Bishop Riah , as a Palestinian Christian, has experienced most of his
life living under Occupation.
Considering his past and present status in the Anglican community
this recent incursion is a great disrespect and an affront to all
Churches. Since this inappropriate incident and armed visit that
included Mordechai’s arrest, the Anglican Church and the Compass Rose
Society have featured Bishop Riah’s letter and reaction to this
latest assault.
He remains Mordechai’s loyal friend and spiritual adviser.
The motivation behind making the dramatic kind of arrest at St
George’s that befitted some dangerous kingpin with some equally armed
entourage, is unclear at this time, except that it has provided the
Vanunu campaign with further vitality in the medias. Mr Vanunu
remained calm and the other guests and clergy, after expressing their
initial shock and dismay, are now expressing their outrage. It has
been alarming to notice how an established religious leader at his
center and consecrated ground, is treated by an over active police
force thus setting further example for those “unofficial” and self
proclaimed police gangs known for acting out racist hatred and
violence near illegal settlements. Other religious leaders, pilgrims
and concerned travelers must consider if this incident is part of a
current trend by the Israeli government to single out certain types
of Jesus followers, especially those involved in human rights issues
and/or unpopular causes.
An unpopular cause, besides Mordechai Vanunu’s complete freedom,
appears to be any overt defense of the Palestinian people’s basic
human rights and needs. Christians involved in using their presence
in order to protect Palestinians from settler violence have been
physically attacked while walking as a protective presence with
school children. The Christian Peacemaker Team in Hebron has reported
on such settler violence for some time now. Israeli and Christian
groups report that the rate of incidence has increased but with
little or no real policing of the hate crimes.
Recently tensions in Jerusalem involving chronic abuse of Christian
clergy by orthodox students culminated when a Jewish orthodox student
spat at an archbishop during a procession from Jerusalem’s Armenian
Quarter to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site that
comemorates the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The student in this
particular incident was arrested, after ripping the cross from the
neck of the cleric. The Armenian Christians reported that the
spitting is an ongoing and continuous problem and one that comes from
adult men and women , as well teens.
The Presbyterian Church has been recently featured in alternative and
some mainstream medias for its latest strategy and decision to do
something positive on behalf of the existing and continuing suffering
of the Palestinian people living under occupation. Tired of waiting
for yet another official UN veto to stop “even” investigation of
human rights violations in the Occupied Territories, the Presbyterian
Church has decided to take direct action against illegal settlements
and the illegal targeting of human rights activists in the Occupied
Territories.
By making such brave and courageous commitment to peace in the name
of values directly associated with the life and teachings of Jesus,
the Presbyterians, have come under attack.
As a pro active commitment to peace and justice, the Presbyterian
Church announced it would target specific companies and businesses
that operate on occupied land, and or companies that support illegal
settlements, build barriers and make business with organizations that
support violence against the Palestinian people. The Church further
explained that all Companies can balance their past bad business
practices by protesting the occupation, helping victims, contributing
to a viable economy for an independent Palestinian state, or
employing Israeli Arabs or Palestinians.
“The goal is not to divest but persuade organizations to change their
behavior,” said Jerry Van Marter, director of the Presbyterian News
Service.
This statement and statements like this have inspired bullying and
threats from violent Jewish extremist groups operating in the US and
abroad. Tensions have risen with the most recent arson threats that
have been directed specifically towards Presbyterian churches all
around the United States. Threats of arson were sent to individual
Churches and included swatiska signs condeming each Church and the
Presbyterian organization as a whole, for its human rights efforts
against illegal settlements, that either promote or inflict apartheid
style racism or that defiantly stand as obstacles to peace.
Mr. Vanunu, who is a Christian and who claims his faith profoundly
directed and sustained him during the worse of his imprisonment,
gives much credit to the spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ.
Throughout his hardship and the loneliness of solitary confinement,
Mordechai held strong to his Christian beliefs. If eighteen and a
half years did not break him of those beliefs, thirty men with
weapons will not succeed either. Afterall, the universal message of
Christ is one of peace and love and is still held in “some” popular
esteem at his birthplace and elsewhere around the world, more than
two thousand years later.
This year Mr Vanunu was once again nominated for the prestigious
Nobel Peace Prize. Had he won he would have had to have made his
acceptance speech from inside Israel while under restrictions for
doing that which put him in prison eighteen and a half years ago
which in turn led him to be nominated. He was recently honored at the
United Nations along with Seymour Hersch as recipient of the Lennon
Ono Peace Award and also because of his restrictions he could not
attend. Instead , his adoptive parents, Nick and Mary Eoloff accepted
for him and gave his speech for him in absentia.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament recently made a tribute by
naming its national headquarters in London after him.
In October, Mordechai Vanunu celebrated his 50th birthday . Because
of the court restrictions he could not share his cake and toast with
all his friends, but supporters from all around the world celebrated
his special day . Shortly after, David Frost contacted him and he
answered David’s questions in interview format . This interview was
considered a defiance of the restrictions placed on him upon his
release. However, if David Frost calls Mordechai Vanunu how is it
possible to comply with such restrictions and still be a man free to
answer the door or pick up the phone?
Among his last words to David Frost :
“I tried to inform the world and to try to stop this nuclear
proliferation”
— Mordechai Vanunu
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Messenger, Georgia
Nov 16 2004
Economic Analysis
Georgian government goes looking for investors
By M. Alkahzashvili
The Georgian leadership’s attempts to attract foreign investments in
the country have so far produced little visible results. Despite the
undoubted energy with which the government, led by Minister of
Economic Development Kakha Bendukidze, has set about persuading
foreign entrepreneurs to invest in Georgia – organizing business
forums and conferences to display what Georgia has to offer and
reiterate the administration’s guarantee of stability and support for
entrepreneurs – there has been very little in the way of private
foreign investments since the Rose Revolution.
The Rose government considers foreign investment as vital for the
country’s economic development and a major priority. Hence the
business forums that have been held this year along with discussions
with Russian, Armenian, Turkish, Israeli and Kazakh businessmen. The
government has also called on Georgian businessmen working abroad to
return to their country and invest in businesses here.
The government continued its pursuit of potential investors last
week, when Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania traveled to London with
Bendukidze and Finance Minister Zurab Nogaideli, as well as
representatives of such Georgian companies as Tbilvino, Bagrationi
1882, Tbilaviamsheni, and Batumi and Poti Ports, to try to persuade
foreign businessmen to come to Georgia. The ‘Invest in Georgia’
business forum opened on November 11, and will be followed by similar
events in Italy, later this month, and New York, in January 2005.
Whether or not such international conferences will result in
increased investments remains to be seen, but the fact is that up
until now the government’s attempts have been largely fruitless,
suggesting that private investors remain wary of setting up new
businesses in Georgia. The tense situation in South Ossetia (and
Abkhazia) and the possibility that it could develop into an armed
conflict, is one reason for hesitancy among businessmen.
But there are other factors too. Although the government repeatedly
stresses that investors in Georgia will receive protection and
support from the government and the law, there is still much to do to
persuade investors that this is in fact the case. Stamping out
corruption is one task for the government which is far from
completed; changes to the law, and equally importantly, to the
implementation of the law, are another.
The government hopes that the adoption of the new tax code, which
should come into effect from January 2005, will help to attract
foreign investors. Indeed, Akhali Taoba reports that the code has
been created solely with foreign businessmen, and less local
entrepreneurs, in mind.
However, analysts think that the adoption of the new tax code will
not be enough to change the situation to any great extent. Very much
depends on the law on financial amnesty, which needs to be
implemented quickly, but also needs to be improved so that there is
no possibility of entrepreneurs coming under pressure from the
government. If there remain possibilities for different punitive
institutions to continue attacking businessmen, the business
environment will continue to put off potential investors.
There is still little, if any, trust in law enforcement bodies –
prosecutors, police, or the court system – and entrepreneurs are well
aware of current cases of unlawful conduct, human rights violations,
bribery, and so on.
Georgia is still a high risk country for investors, and although the
government should be praised for its energetic attempts to lure
businessmen at such events as ‘Invest in Georgia,’ it also needs to
continue the long and hard fight to improve the country’s business
environment.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lawrence.com, Kansas
Nov 16 2004
Cohesive chamber orchestra unites for priceless performance
By Sarah Young – Special to the Journal-World
Not even technical difficulties involving the Lied Center’s stage
lighting could dim the musical fire emanating from the stage Sunday
afternoon during the concert by Camerata Sweden. Also known as
Camerata Nordica or Camerata Roman, the 15-member chamber orchestra
performs without a conductor, relying on the heightened sense of
collective unity usually reserved for small chamber ensembles.
A traditional orchestra’s lines of communication run primarily from
individual players through the conductor. In a quartet or other small
ensemble without a conductor, the individual players must connect to
one another in ways that are sometimes difficult in the larger
orchestra. In a camerata, the difficulties multiply because there are
so many players. The possibilities for loss of cohesion multiply when
more individuals are added to the group.
However, Camerata Sweden excels at that kind of cohesiveness.
Everyone – with the exception of cellists – performs standing,
accentuating the possibilities for physical communication. Through
direct eye contact and body language, the members of the ensemble
maintain an intense, high-level, sensitive connection with one
another, moving as individuals yet playing with one glorious sound.
Saying the ensemble is not being led is false, however. Just as a
quartet follows the lead of the first violinist, Camerata Sweden
relies on the subtle direction of its music director and violinist
Levon Chilingirian, whose expressive body language guides the
ensemble through intricate musical phrasing.

Special to the Journal-World
Camerata Sweden, a 15-member chamber orchestra, performed Sunday at
the Lied Center.
Chilingirian was also the featured soloist in the aurally striking
`Violin Concerto’ by Alan Hovhaness, which was an alteration from the
announced program. Hovhaness, a 20th-century composer of Armenian and
Scottish descent, found much of his musical inspiration in Armenian
church music. The `Violin Concerto’ is a haunting piece whose first
movement – `Pastoral’ – sets the scene for the concerto’s evocation
of lazy summer days. During one of the later movements is a moment of
spectacular sound and bowing technique as the instruments emulate the
buzzing of bees. All the while, the sound of Chilingirian’s violin
soared above the ensemble with crystalline clarity.
The concert began with the Mendelssohn `String Quartet in F minor,’
which established the intense emotional content of the afternoon’s
selections. Obviously reflecting the composer’s state of grief and
despair following his sister’s death, the music is often strikingly
dissonant and macabre, but its emotional peak occurs in the third
movement, when the violins and cellos cast out the opening phrase of
profound sadness that is borne throughout the sections in an elegy of
despair.
The second half of the program contained the familiar Barber’s
`Adagio,’ played with breathtaking delicacy; however, the featured
number was the Beethoven `String Quartet in F minor.’ Mirroring the
emotions of the Mendelssohn, it is moody and intense, written in 1810
during the composer’s bleak years of worsening deafness, ill health
and familial frustration. With its emotions ranging from violent
anger to anxiety and despair and finally to hopeful resolve, it is a
piece well-suited to the chamber orchestra’s talent for emotional
investment.
Overall, Camerata Sweden’s performance offered priceless
opportunities for intense, complex musical experiences.
Sarah Young is a lecturer in Kansas University’s English department.
She can be reached at [email protected].

ANTI-ARMENIAN TENSIONS INSIDE AZERI COMMUNITY OF MOSCOW PROVOKED BY
TURKISH LOBBY
MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 16. ARMINFO. The present anti-Armenian tensions
inside the Azeri community of Moscow are being inspired by the Turkish
political lobby, says the president of the Armenian National Club
Miabanutyun Smbat Karakhanyan.
Now they are trying to play off the Moscow Azeris with the Moscow
Armenians and to set the Russian authorities especially Pres. Putin
against the Russia-based Armenian community.
To remind, some 300 Moscow Azeris held Monday a sanctioned rally in
the center of Moscow. Many of them came in special buses. They
demanded that the Russian authorities change their attitude towards
their “false” strategic partner Armenia and turn their eyes towards
“honest” Azerbaijan. Nov 20 they are planning to rally in front of the
Armenian Embassy in Moscow.
Karakhanyan says that pressurized from abroad certain Azeri
politicians are plotting regional destabilization and stoppage of the
Karabakh conflict settlement talks.
The next step, according to Karakhanyan, will be the return of Azeri
refugees to their homes first as peaceful civil marches and then as
bloody clashes. In case of war resumption Azerbaijan will try to break
through Armenia’s territory to Nakhichevan to create a direct passage
towards Turkey.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress