Author: Emil Lazarian

German co. signs $70-mln deal to upgrade Rusal’s Yerevan foil mill
Interfax
Oct 11 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Germany’s Achenbach will start upgrading Russian
aluminum giant Rusal’s Armenal foil mill in Yerevan, Armenia, in the
middle of October under a contract worth $70 million signed on Friday.
A spokesman for Armenal told Interfax that a consortium of German
banks led by Bayerische Landesbank, the project’s financial consultant,
would lend $45 million and that Rusal would provide $25 million. German
state insurer Hermes is insuring the credit.
The contract states that the upgrade must start in the middle of
October and will take 18 months to complete. Armenal will achieve
full capacity by the end of the period.
The upgrade will turn Armenal into a fully integrated foil mill with
enhanced product range and increase profit margins. Capacity will
rise to 25,000 tonnes of foil annually.
The first trial consignment of 150 tonnes of foil should be produced
by the end of 2005.
Armenal said it was aiming for a 2.5%-share of the world aluminum
foil market by 2008.
Siemens will partner Achenbach in the upgrade. Orders worth $10
million will be placed with local factories.

ARMENIAN FM AGAINST TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP
ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian disapproved today the European Union’s intention to start
talks on Turkey’s accession process, saying it did not deserve the
membership. Speaking at a joint news conference with the visiting
foreign minister of Norway, Jan Petersen, Oskanian blamed Turkey
for the continued closure of its border with Armenia and a law that
criminalizes mentioning of the Armenian Genocide. Oskanian also
rejected any possibility of Turkey’s involvement in the Karabagh
regulation, proposed lately by a Russian co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk
group, but admitted that Turkey is one of the major regional countries.
Jan Petersen, who is the Council of Europe’s chairman of the Committee
of Ministers, said his government could not express an opinion on
Turkey’s membership since Norway is not an EU member.
Norway’s foreign minister also said his government will continue its
projects in Armenia, singling out the Norwegian Refugee Council’s
project of building houses for refugees. He then said Armenia
and Norway should work hard to raise their relations to a higher
level. He said Norway can help Armenia develop its energy system,
particularly, hydro-power stations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian minister says EU membership talks with Turkey “politically-motivated”
Mediamax news agency
11 Oct 04
Yerevan, 11 October: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said in
Yerevan today that the decision of Brussels to give the “green light”
to open membership talks with Turkey is “largely politically-motivated
because Turkey does not fully comply with the requirements set forth”.
Vardan Oskanyan was quoted by Mediamax as saying that Armenia cannot
play a crucial role in the issue of EU admission talks with Turkey
because it is not a member of the European Union itself.
Vardan Oskanyan expressed concern about the fact that Turkey was
considerably behind Romania and Bulgaria which are also in talks with
the EU. The minister also voiced his regret about the fact that the
EU has not given a due assessment of the fact that Turkey is refusing
to open the border with Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Market Wire (press release)
Oct 7 2004
Legendary Casper’s Hot Dogs Chain to Close Flagship Location on
October 22
Historic Bay Area Eatery Closes Doors After Over 60 Years of
Operation
OAKLAND, CA — (MARKET WIRE) — 10/07/2004 — Casper’s Hot Dogs, one
of the Bay Area’s oldest, family-run fast-food chains, has announced
that it plans to close its flagship store in Oakland, California on
October 22nd.
Originally opened in the early 1940s, the Casper’s on 1st Avenue has
been a favorite hang out and eatery for area neighbors. When the
store was moved from its original building to the current location at
1240 1st Avenue in the late ’40s, it quickly became a mainstay for
professional athletes, judges, and rock stars due to the store’s
close proximity to The Oakland Coliseum and the Henry J. Kaiser
Auditorium which is across the street.
“We just don’t see the activity that we used to down in that part of
Oakland,” says Ronald Dorian, one of several third-generation owners
of the Casper’s family and co-General Manager. “But it doesn’t seem
all that long ago that it was a busy location,” he adds.
This closure is particularly sad because of the recent loss of
92-year-old Rose Agajan, the last founding member of the partnership
that started the chain, which included Rose and her husband Paul, and
their partners, Stephen and Ardam Beklian — all immigrants who had
survived the Armenian Genocide.
The Casper’s story began in 1934, when several Armenian families
moved from Chicago to Oakland to sell their hot dogs from stands
along Telegraph Avenue and Fruitvale Boulevard. After gaining a
reputation for serving extra long frankfurters in freshly steamed
buns, a freestanding store was opened on 1st Avenue.
Longtime Casper’s employee Dolores Larkin was hired to work at 1st
Avenue almost 50 years ago and still remembers the prices: “The hot
dogs were only 25 cents, drinks were 10 cents, and chips were 5
cents,” remarks Larkin. She is currently the manager of the Casper’s
Hot Dogs restaurant in Pleasant Hill, located at the corner of Vivian
Dr. and Contra Costa Blvd.
“I still get phone calls at the store from people who have just
landed at Oakland Airport and want directions to the 1st Avenue store
because they’ve heard about our famous hot dogs and want to find out
for themselves if they’re as good as their reputation,” says Paul
Rustigian, another third-generation owner and co-General Manager with
Dorian.
Today, there are 10 Casper’s throughout the Bay Area, including
locations in Oakland, two in Hayward, Dublin, Walnut Creek, Pleasant
Hill, San Pablo, Richmond, and Albany. The “Casper Dog” has become so
popular throughout the years, that they have won many “Best Of”
awards in the Bay Area, including Best Fast Food Restaurant in the
Bay Area from the listeners of KABL radio station.
Oakland’s Mayor Jerry Brown remarks: “Casper’s hot dogs, with their
unique fixings, have been an East Bay fixture for 70 years. We lament
the closing of the 1st Avenue location but are heartened by the fact
that the delicious Casper’s dogs we all know and love are still
available at nine other locations.”
Norman Tuttle, a longtime Oakland lawyer adds: “Whew! We are glad
that only one Casper’s is closing! We discovered Casper’s when we
moved to the East Bay in 1950 and have always thought of them as the
great American hot dog.”
For additional information, interviews and photos, please contact
Caroline Rustigian at (310-399-5525) or [email protected].
About Casper’s Hot Dogs
Casper’s, the award winning hot dogs west of the Rockies, have been a
California favorite since 1934. At the Casper’s restaurants, this
tasty old-fashioned style hot dog is made from a street vendor recipe
and garnished with mustard, relish, freshly cut tomatoes and onions,
and made to your order on a feather-light, steamed bun. Casper’s has
restaurant locations in Oakland, Hayward, Dublin, Walnut Creek,
Pleasant Hill, San Pablo, Richmond and Albany. In 1989, the partners
opened SPAR Sausage Company and began production of their proprietary
hot dog for wholesale distribution, and now deliver the Bay Area
delicacy to club and grocery stores throughout the western region of
the United States. The family expanded their manufacturing facility
in 1997, and SPAR is now housed at 688 William Street in San Leandro
()
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Oct 8 2004
ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN COMMENTS ON AZERI PRESIDENT’S
INTERVIEW
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenpress news agency asked
Hamlet Gasparian, a foreign ministry spokesman, to comment on a
recent interview by Azeri president Ilham Aliyev to Reuters, in which
he again complained of the international community’s reluctance to
curb Armenian “aggression,” warning also that “Azerbaijan will not go
for compromise and that Nagorno Karabagh will never be independent.”
Gasparian was asked to share Armenia’s position in the light of the
recently stepped up negotiation processes over Karabagh resolution
and the expectations of the international community.
“Usually the president of Azerbaijan does not save words to praise
his father, Heydar Aliyev’s contributions to the development of
Azerbaijan, calling him “the national leader of Azerbaijani people,
he symbol of Azerbaijan, its independence, dignity and courage,”
Gasparian said.
“I should remind that Aliyev Sen. accepted arrangements, reached
in Paris and Key West, which his son is now rejecting by brandishing
his sword. I should also like to remind that today, when Azerbaijanis
keep on calling Armenia “aggressor,” they should remember the
1991-93, when they launched a large-scale offensive along the entire
front line, nearing Stepanakert and neighboring areas that were under
constant fire day and night and only due to the courage and heroism
of Karabagh people they were pushed back. Today Azeris are reaping
the fruits of the military aggression they themselves unbridled,
becoming the captives of their own policy towards Nagorno Karabagh,”
he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
October 9, 2004 Saturday 11:42 AM Eastern Time
Ukraine has the largest GDP in CIS countries
By Valery Rzhevsky
KIEV, October 9
Ukraine has the largest GDP among the CIS countries. “Ukraine’s GDP
grew by 13.6%, the fastest rate among the CIS countries, in
January-August 2004,” says a report of the CIS Committee for
Statistics that was published in Kiev on Saturday.
The economies of Tajikistan, Belarus and Armenia developed at a rate
of 11.7%, 10.7% and 9.6%, respectively. Then come Azerbaijan (9.5%),
Georgia (9.42%), Russia (7.55%), Kirghizia (7.3%) and Moldova
(6.52%).
The GDP in the CIS countries grew at an average rate of 8% in
January-August 2004. Industrial production also grew at 8%. The
growth of retail trade turnover is estimated at 12%, the report says.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Nouvel Economiste
1 octobre 2004
Politique & Économie – La chronique de… Sylvie Pierre-Brossolette
– Derrière la Constitution, la Turquie- La question de l’adhésion de
la Turquie va s’inviter dans le débat pour ou contre la Constitution.
Dangereux téléscopage.
La Turquie va devenir un acteur important du référendum sur l’Europe.
Le sujet a beau être largement tabou, les promoteurs du " oui
" tentant d’escamoter une source de mécontentement dans
l’opinion, il sera forcément dans l’actualité avec la décision de la
commission de Bruxelles qui doit décider le 6 octobre de valider ou
non l’ouverture des négociations avec ce grand voisin à la fois laïc
et musulman. Stupeur et tremblement dans les partis : l’affaire de
l’adhésion de la Turquie peut déterminer le sort de la future
Constitution. Si un feu vert est donné à Ankara, la campagne risque
de se focaliser sur l’enjeu de son entrée dans l’Union. Dans des
conditions étranges : le chef de l’Etat est quasiment le seul de son
camp à approuver le projet. Même Jean-Pierre Raffarin, dans une
déclaration maladroite mais frappée au coin du bon sens pour une
grande partie de la population française, s’est interrogé sur
l’opportunité de faire couler le fleuve de l’Islam dans le lit de la
laïcité. Gaffe ou répartition des rôles ? Quels que soient ses
motifs, cette déclaration est symptomatique d’un malaise. La droite –
à l’image de la grande majorité des Français – est hostile à l’entrée
de la Turquie dans le club européen. Le débat provoqué sur ce point
par l’avis supposé – et sans doute réel – de la commission de
Bruxelles n’est que le début de la polémique qui aura indubitablement
lieu si le conseil des chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement des 16 et 17
décembre donne aussi son accord au processus.
Les partisans du non n’auront qu’à se baisser pour ramasser les
bulletins quelques mois plus tard. Jacques Chirac en est conscient
tout en ne voulant pas en démordre : la Turquie serait mieux à
l’intérieur qu’à l’extérieur de l’Union. Tant pis si les Etats-Unis
sont du même avis, avec pour objectif à peine voilé de dynamiter
toute possibilité d’élaborer une politique européenne cohérente. Le
Président français pense qu’il vaut mieux intégrer à tout prix un
pays qui doit servir d’exemple à ses voisins islamiques. Le rejeter
maintenant serait un camouflet contre-productif à la cause de la
laïcité et de la paix. La plupart des partis politiques de l’Hexagone
ne sont pas sur cette ligne. Aucun à droite n’est prêt à prendre le
pari de l’intégration d’une nation qui, hier encore, était prête à
voter la criminalisation de l’adultère. A gauche, les avis sont plus
partagés. Officiellement, le Parti socialiste est plutôt favorable à
l’entrée de la Turquie, mais il y met des conditions – comme la
demande de reconnaissance du génocide arménien – auxquelles les Turcs
refusent de se soumettre. Et son électorat est plus que rétif.
Curieusement, personne n’ose parler ouvertement de la question, de
peur de polluer le référendum avec une problématique délétère. On se
demande pourquoi les dirigeants sont tellement gênés : il serait très
facile de défendre l’idée que la Turquie n’est toujours pas prête. Le
chef de l’Etat, en particulier, pourrait utilement déclarer en
décembre qu’il réserve encore son opinion. Une manière pour lui
d’assurer l’issue du référendum. Tout en ménageant l’avenir.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

L’Humanité
5 octobre 2004
Les frontières de la peur;
Éditorial
par Pierre Laurent
* Plutôt que le débat souhaitable, tout est fait pour nourrir la peur
d’une entrée de la Turquie *
La confirmation que l’on se dirige vers l’ouverture de négociations
d’adhésion de la Turquie à l’Union européenne provoque dans la droite
française une agitation aussi spectaculaire que malsaine. Alors que
ce dossier mérite réellement le débat, tout est fait pour en
brouiller les cartes, pour réveiller les peurs et nourrir amalgames
et confusions là où il faudrait au contraire saisir l’occasion de
travailler au rapprochement des peuples et à leur compréhension
mutuelle. Tentons de débrouiller quelques-unes des questions posées.
La première à laquelle il convient de répondre est celle de savoir si
le principe même de cette adhésion, indépendamment du résultat
éventuel des négociations qui la prépareraient, est acceptable ou
non. Ceux qui répondent « non » le font, comme François Bayrou hier
dans le Figaro, au nom de « la nature de l’Europe ». « La société
turque, ajoute le président de l’UDF, a sa propre identité très
éloignée des traits communs qui font l’identité européenne. » C’est
la conception d’une Europe blanche et chrétienne par nature, avec
toutes les dérives que cela peut engendrer. Dans le Wall Street
Journal, le premier ministre Jean-Pierre Raffarin n’y échappait pas
en osant déclarer : « Voulons-nous que le fleuve de l’islam ne
rejoigne le lit de laïcité ? » Outre que cette conception est
inacceptable au plan éthique, et totalement réductrice si l’on veut
bien examiner la réalité de l’histoire européenne, elle est
triplement dangereuse pour l’idée que l’on se fait de l’Europe :
accepter cet argument, c’est mettre le doigt dans la théorie du «
choc des civilisations » ; c’est entériner les pratiques
discriminatoires à l’égard de populations croissantes à l’intérieur
de l’Union ; c’est contredire le principe de la laïcité en
introduisant le critère religieux dans les valeurs de l’Union.
Le second refus de principe avancé par les adversaires de ces
négociations tient aux frontières, et au caractère « extra-européen »
de la Turquie. C’est un argument que l’histoire ne retient pas ; car
celle de la Turquie s’est toujours écrite tout à la fois au sein et
aux portes de l’Europe. De ce point de vue, une intégration réussie
de la Turquie ouvrirait utilement l’Europe vers tout le Moyen-Orient.
Quant à craindre une influence renforcée des États-Unis dans l’Union
avec l’arrivée de la Turquie, question qui mériterait au demeurant
d’être prise au sérieux, ce ne sont pas ceux qui plaident aujourd’hui
pour l’inscription de l’OTAN dans la constitution européenne qui
paraissent les mieux placés pour donner des leçons.
S’il convient donc d’écarter les rejets de principe proférés à
l’égard de la Turquie, il importe en même temps de mettre sous
surveillance les négociations qui seront conduites. D’une part, pour
veiller à ce que soient entendues et relayées les exigences des
démocrates turcs, qui veulent faire de ces négociations un levier
pour la démocratisation du pays. Les dossiers sont nombreux :
libertés, droits des femmes, respect de la laïcité, droits du peuple
kurde, reconnaissance du génocide arménien… D’autre part, parce que
les conditions économiques et sociales de cet élargissement doivent
être discutées. Laissera-t-on les élargissements successifs de
l’Union, celui-là après ceux vers l’Est, servir de bases arrière aux
stratégies de dumping social des grands groupes multinationaux ? Les
travailleurs turcs pas plus que ceux des pays actuels de l’Union n’y
ont intérêt.
Reste enfin la question du référendum revendiqué par l’UMP de Nicolas
Sarkozy. Si le principe d’une consultation populaire n’est pas en soi
illégitime, personne n’est dupe. Pour l’heure, les motivations sont
très politiciennes : donner des gages à un électorat de droite et
d’extrême droite hostile à cette entrée sur des bases peu
recommandables, et plus encore faire oublier une autre consultation
qui nous attend en 2005 et dont la droite craint par-dessus tout le
résultat : le référendum sur le projet de constitution.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Athens News Agency, Greece
Oct 7 2004
EU Parliament majority accepts Commission proposal on Turkey’s
accession negotiations
The majority of the political parties participating in the EU
Parliament responded positively to the European Commission’s proposal
regarding the beginning of EU accession negotiations for Turkey
during a parliamentary session held here on Wednesday.
Head of the European People’s Party (EPP) Hans-Gert Petering said
that the EPP – although there are divergent opinions within the party
– agrees that if Turkey becomes an EU member then it will be
different in terms of geography and living standards than what it is
today. The EPP recognises the efforts Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan has made to date, but emphasised that much still needs to be
done. He also criticised the EU’s Commissioner for Enlargement
Guenter Verheugen for recently saying that torture is not carried out
in Turkey on a regular basis.
Petering said that members of the EPP insist that if negotiations
begin the result must be open-ended: either full accession or no
accession, adding that it would be good to include the possibility of
establishing a privileged alliance with Turkey. Additionally, even if
Turkey does not become an EU member, this would be no excuse for the
halting of democratic reforms, he said.
Martin Schultz, head of the Socialist Group is also in favour of
negotiations for Turkey’s EU membership to begin, pointing out that
this does not necessarily guarantee accession. He said that if a
Muslim community could consider the European Union their union, then
the foundations for peace in the 21st century will be set.
Schultz also emphasised that progress checks surrounding the
criteria Turkey must meet should be conducted frequently, and said
that if reforms were not proceeding smoothly then negotiations should
be suspended.
Head of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats Graham Watson said
that the majority of his party approved of the European Commission’s
proposal for negotiations to begin, but there are many who doubt
Turkey. He added that a conflict of culture must be avoided but also
noted that Turkey must make some dramatic changes (ie., human rights,
respect for the rule of law, opening up of the economy). He stressed
that the beginning of negotiations does not necessarily mean a happy
ending. Watson also emphasised that the EU must treat Turkey in the
same way as any other country-candidate, but that protection of human
rights in the country must be closely monitored.
Daniel-Kohn Bendit, head of the Group of the Greens, was more
positive, supporting the beginning of negotiations, without placing
emphasis on the possibility of a failed accession attempt.
Francis Wurtz of the European United Left was also supportive of
Turkey’s European potential, saying that Turkey’s EU accession could
serve as a bridge between the West and the Middle East, contributing
to establishing peace in a region plagued by “war and chaos”. He also
said that using Turkey as a scapegoat would be a mistake, but
acknowledged that there are a series of issues Turkey must resolve.
These include certain clauses of the new penal code, which according
to Wurtz, pose a threat to freedom of expression; the Turkish
occupation forces in Cyprus and the Turkish authorities’ refusal to
recognize the Armenian genocide.
Jens Peter Bonde of the Independence/Democracy Group opposed
Turkey’s EU prospects, stressing that Turkey’s values are not in line
with those of the EU. Instead, he suggested that in 2009 – and once
the EU constitution is in place – the EU can establish an open and
flexible cooperation with Turkey.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer News, Azerbaijan
Oct 7 2004
Military exercises would be useful – US official

The US Assistant State Secretary on political and military issues
Lincoln Blumfield said in a meeting with Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov on Monday that US-Azeri military exercises would be
useful.
He also gave a high assessment to Azerbaijan’s support for the USA in
fighting terrorism. Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan attaches a particular
importance to its partnership with the United States and pointed out
the assistance provided by Azeri peacekeepers in Iraq, Afghanistan,
and Kosovo. He also voiced a hope that the OSCE Minsk Group would
step up its efforts at settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Upper Garabagh.
Blumfield pointed out the tensions caused by the conflict in both
countries and pledged that the USA would continue making efforts to
resolve the problem.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress