Author: Emil Lazarian

New Iranian envoys arrives in Armenia
Arminfo
8 Jul 04
YEREVAN
The new ambassador plenipotentiary and extraordinary of the Islamic
Republic of Iran [IRI], Ali Reza Haqiqian, arrived in Yerevan today.
The ambassador will soon present his credentials to Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan and start his duties, the press service of the
Armenian Foreign Ministry told Arminfo news agency.
The ambassador, Ali Reza Haqiqian, was born in Esfahan in 1958 and has
a university degree. He has been in the Iranian Foreign Ministry since
1981, represented the Islamic Republic of Iran in Canada, Germany and
Iraq.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
July 9 2004
TAX OFFICERS REVEAL ILLEGAL COFFEE PACKAGING WORKSHOP
YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian tax officers tracked down a
Lebanese Armenian who was running an illegal workshop that was
grinding and packaging coffee. The Lebanese, Arsen Sarkisian, hired a
building in a Yerevan community and installed makeshift equipment for
roasting, grinding and packaging of coffee. After searching the
workshop tax officers found around 1,000 kg of coffee beans, 6 kg of
peas that were mixed with ground coffee. The ground coffee was packed
in paper-bags carrying the trademark of Cafe du Brazil. The tax
officers revealed also 1,300 packs of ground coffee carrying the
trademark of Knarik and Black Coffee, granted to G. Mkhchian firm.
Sarkisian admitted that he was engaged in this business since last
April without having the license. Investigators are calculating now
the amount of damages he sustained to the budget and are trying to
discover the illegally produced packs of coffee in local trade
outlets. An investigation is started into the case.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
July 9 2004
Armenian population is not well informed on acting legislation of the
country – the Chairman of Asparez Club
Catholicos of All Armenians receives Minister of Internal Affairs of
Byelorussia
State Committee of Water Handling Facilities plans to collect about
AMD 4 bln for irrigation water consumption by the end of this year
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN POPULATION IS NOT WELL INFORMED ON ACTING LEGISLATION OF THE
COUNTRY – THE CHAIRMAN OF ASPAREZ CLUB
YEREVAN, July 9. /ARKA/. Armenian population is not well informed on
acting legislation of the country, the Chairman of Asparez Club Levon
Barsegian stated today. According to him, last 5 months, organization
conducted program on familiarization and education of population in
two regions of Armenia – Lori and Shirak (4 cities – Gyumri,
Vanadzor, Stepanavan and Alaverdi). In the frames of the programs,
some activities were held in the regions – seminars, TV debates, TV
reels considering the laws passed in the country, namely the law on
ombudsman, on freedom of information, on mass information, on public
organizations, on bodies of local self-government. `In result we
discovered that the citizens not only not familiar with the laws, but
even have no idea about functions of ombudsman for example’,
Barsegian said. `We think it is time to increase the role of
publicity in the processes of democratization of the country’,
Barsegian said.
The club operates at the territory of Gyumri for about 4 years. In
the beginning of 2004 the Club received grant from Open Society
Institute Assistance Fund in amount of $13.4 thousand and invested
additional $3.6 thousand of own assets. On these assets the Club
realized program on familiarization and education of population in
Lori and Shirak. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS RECEIVES MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF
BYELORUSSIA
YEREVAN, July 9. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness
Garegin II received Minister of Internal Affairs of Byelorussia
Vladimir Naumov and the Hayk Hariyunyan. As Holy See of St.
Echmiadzin , during the meeting the Head of Armenian Apostolic Church
mentioned the centuries-old ties of Armenian and Byelorussian peoples
highly appreciating the spirit of partnership between two Ministers.
Garegin II also touched upon the issue of interaction of the Church
and the State, introducing the guest with the mission of the Armenian
Apostolic Church. As it is mentioned in the press release, the Head
of the Armenian Apostolic Church asked Naumov to send his greetings
and warm wishes to the Patriarchal Exarch of All Byelorussia
Metropolitan Philaret. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
STATE COMMITTEE OF WATER HANDLING FACILITIES PLANS TO COLLECT ABOUT
AMD 4 BLN FOR IRRIGATION WATER CONSUMPTION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, July 9. /ARKA/. By the end of this year the State Committee
of Water Handling Facilities plans to collect AMD 3,5-4 mln for
irrigation water consumption, as stated Andranik Andreasyan, the Head
of State Committee of Water Handling Facilities at today’s
press-conference. He said that the total collection related to
irrigation system made 60% or AMD 2,1 bln for last year and mentioned
that the collection indicator made AMD 420 mln as of July 1, 2004
given the average tariffs of irrigation water, which corresponds to
the indicator of last year. He also said that the collection volume
will increase abruptly in coming days and months. In particular, the
expectations are connected with the farmers’ profit gained from the
realization of grain crop, which will allow making payments for
irrigation. Andreasyan informed that institutional changes are
carried out in the irrigation system and mentioned that 54
organizations-consumers are involved in the system, against the 18
organizations of last year.
The bill receivables make AMD 4,5 bln in the system of water industry
of Armenia, of which AMD 3 bln are due to irrigation water
consumption and AMD 1,5 bln – for drinking water. L.V. –0–

Azeri official hails results of Pakistani leader’s visit
525 Qazet, Baku
10 Jul 04

Text of unattributed report by Azerbaijani newspaper 525 Qazet on 10
July headlined “Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Azerbaijan is a great
political event” and subheaded “Novruz Mammadov thinks”
The Pakistani president’s visit to Azerbaijan should be regarded as a
great political event, Novruz Mammadov, head of the foreign relations
department of the Presidential Executive Staff, has told Olaylar news
agency.
Mammadov said that along with the fact that Pakistan is one of the
first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, there are
brotherly relations between the two countries. Novruz Mammadov
recalled that Pakistan supports Azerbaijan’s position on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict: “Pervez Musharraf stated that he
regards Armenia as an occupier and at the same time, he said that the
occupier must withdraw from the occupied territories.”
Mammadov said that our countries have already signed up to 20
agreements on expanding cooperation in the economic, cultural and
security spheres.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Alexandria Town Talk, LA
July 11 2004
TOMPKINS: U.S. Olympic boxer fought here last year
Bob Tompkins / Staff Reporter/Columnist
USA Boxing officials weren’t kidding last year when they said there
might be a future Olympian in the Under-19 National Championship
Boxing Tournament that was held last August in Alexandria.
There was.
Vanes Matriroysan, a native Armenian and resident of Glendale, Calif.
who lost the 152-pound title bout to Nick Casal of Niagra Falls,
N.Y., here last August, is one of nine members on the U.S. Boxing
Team that will compete next month in Athens.
Curiously, after Casal won the title by beating Martirosyan, he said,
“It was the most competitive fight I’ve had this year. He definitely
belonged in the finals. He’s a good fighter.”
Martiroysyan, 18, was ranked just 14th in his weight class in
January, but he won 11 fights in six weeks and took advantage of
slips by boxers with bigger reputations to make the U.S. Olympic
team.
A semifinalist at this year’s U.S. Championships in Colorado Springs,
Colo., Martirosyan then beat five foes in five days to win the
Western Trials, which got him to the Olympic Trials. After America’s
top two welterweights were disqualified, Martirosyan advanced to the
Trials final and beat Corey Jones, 18-4. He then outpointed Austin
Trout at the Box-Offs to make the U.S. team and won the Americas
qualifier in Tijuana, Mexico.
Vicente Escobedo, another member of the U.S. team, didn’t box here
last August, but Anthony Vasquez of Snyder, Texas, who was runner-up
in the 132-pound finals in the Under-19 Championships here, pulled
the upset of the U.S. Championships last March by defeating Escobedo.
The U.S. National Champion in ’03, Escobedo, 22, won the Western
Trials to get back on track to making the Olympic team.
Eric Parthen, the executive director of USA Boxing, expressed
disappointment last week that Alexandria is no longer trying to build
a USA Boxing Southern training center, as it hoped to do a year ago
before state and federal grants for such a project were rejected.
“We’re certainly disappointed that hasn’t become a reality,” Parthen
said, “yet Central Louisiana is still being mentioned as a possible
site in the future, so it’s not dead yet.”
Officials from USA Boxing spoke highly of this community, the
hospitality and news coverage during their experience here last
summer, when Alexandria hosted the U.S. Junior Olympics and the
International Invitational Boxing Tournament in addition to the
Under-19 National Championships.
After all those positives, it’s a shame the bitter aftertaste lingers
with Louisiana College’s logical legal bout with Houston’s Galena
Park Boxing Academy and Youth Center for not paying a $78,000 bill
for food and lodging for the boxers during the first two events.
Galena Park director Kenny Weldon said many times to local officials
that while his group could bring the events to town, it could not
afford to finance them. The England Authority last summer voted to
provide “up to $30,000” to help with the financing of the U.S. Junior
Olympics (facility rentals, lodging, etc.) and the City of
Alexandria, according to Councilman Myron Lawson, agreed to
contribute $35,000 as a general sponsorship for the first two events.
Those events, incidentally, never would have taken place here without
LC’s help.
We can’t wait to see how this gets resolved, and LC, understandably,
wants the waiting to end.

PRESS RELEASE
The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 8, 2004
National Citizens’ Initiative Determines Trends of Armenian Economic Growth
Yerevan–The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened a
specialized policy roundtable on “The Trends of Economic Growth in Armenia.”
The discussion, focusing on the challenges of this vital issue of public
concern, brought together government officials, academic circles, experts of
the field, public figures, and the media community to define the priorities
and development opportunities in the economic sphere, to make realistic
assessments of the current state of affairs, and to address the imperative
of a true struggle against corruption and the shadow economy.
Karapet Kalenchian, director of administration of the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies (ACNIS), greeted the audience with
opening remarks. He stressed the significance of economic reforms and
pointed to several mechanisms for achieving the objective. “In order to
settle a number of issues of strategic importance, in particular
strengthening the new independent state system and improving the living
standards of the population, we need to create prerequisites for the
proportional development of modern industry, the agricultural sector and
other fields of the economy, to improve tax policy, and to provide sustained
economic growth so that every Armenian family really enjoys its benefits,”
Kalenchian said.
Gagik Vardanian, the Republic’s deputy minister for trade and economic
development, addressed “The Strategic Directions of Armenia’s Economic
Development in Light of the Global Information Revolution,” detailing key
issues of efficiency and productivity in the Armenian economy. In his
opinion, information technologies provide great access and thus facilitate
quick orientation in the market as well as application of state-of-the-art
networks and electronic equipment, all of which lead to sustained progress
in the economy. “Given their efficiency in all spheres of life, the Armenian
government attaches primary importance to ITs. It has worked out a
development concept and a program of activities to face the challenges of
the world market,” he noted. “The government of Armenia has adopted
strategic programs for the country’s sustainable regional economic
development in order to play an active role in integrating into the global
information field.”
Gagik Makarian, director of the “Haiconsult” firm, delivered an illustrated
paper on “The Key Obstacles to Armenia’s Economic Growth and the Ways to
Overcome Them.” “It is senseless to speak of sustained economic growth
unless we struggle against corruption and the shadow economy, make a due
assessment of the operational branches of industry, provide mechanisms for
an attractive investment climate, make export volumes predictable, and draft
appropriate tax and customs legislation,” Makarian opined. According to him,
there are about 20 negative factors that impede economic growth in Armenia
in view of the relevant transportation expenses, unfair and unequal
competition, poor marketing experience, the political situation in the
country, and a number of other circumstances.
Yerevan State University economics professor Gagik Galstian entitled his
presentation “The Anatomy of Armenian Economic Growth.” “Economic growth is
not an end unto itself.” he said. “If there is growth there should be
prosperity, whereas the living standard of the population as measured by
substantive food intake per capita has been reduced twice over the last
decade.” An analysis of the data from 2003 brought Galstian to a pessimistic
conclusion: Armenia’s living standard is today on par with that of 1977 in
terms of its Gross Domestic Product, with 1980 in terms of its industrial
productivity, and with 1956 in terms of its cargo transportation and
residential construction. Thus, society is lagging behind by more than 25
years.
The formal interventions were followed by exchanges of views and policy
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were contributions by MP Shavarsh Kocharian of the
National Democratic Party; former minister of state Hrach Hakobian;
economist Edward Aghajanov; Artak Zeinalian of the Republic Party; Stepan
Mantarlian of Armaveni consulting company; Alexander Butaev of National
Democratic Union; Petros Makeyan of the Democratic Fatherland Party; Ruzanna
Khachaturian of the People’s Party of Armenia; law professor Hrair
Tovmasian; and many others.
ACNIS analyst Hovsep Khurshudian closed the meeting with summary remarks.
“Unfortunately, it is difficult to conclude the seminar on an optimistic
note regarding Armenia’s economic growth,” he said, underlining that
economic growth remains erratic, illusory, and narrow-based despite
government assurances. “Moreover, the authorities have demonstrated little
or no political will to struggle against corruption, as they are mired in
the very clan system which impedes competition.”
The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association founded
in 2001 by former foreign minister Raffi K. Hovannisian, his colleagues, and
fellow citizens with the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall
improvements in the state of the state, society, and public institutions.
The National Citizens’ Initiative is guided by a Coordinating Council, which
includes individual citizens and representatives of various public,
scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law and
State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and
Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the vehicles for the
Initiative’s work and outreach.
For further information, please call (3741) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax (3741)
52-48-46; e-mail [email protected]; or visit
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lansing State Journal, MI
july 8 2004
Eastside property values outpace rest of Lansing
Development has been a boon to diverse area

ROD SANFORD/Lansing State Journal
Rehabbing the east side: David Muylle works on a property Wednesday
on Regent Street on the city’s east side. Muylle has rehabilitated
six homes during his 20 years as an eastside resident. His family, he
says, has a commitment to the neighborhood.

Sources: City of Lansing; Boys Training School plan implementation
committee

By Tom Lambert
Lansing State Journal
A bulldozer pushes earth aside at the former site of the Boys
Training School, clearing the way for an upscale condominium
development.
Two new restaurants take root along a busy stretch of Michigan Avenue
and another expands.
And a resident transforms a former drug house into a family home.
These are just three of many signs of steady progress on Lansing’s
east side, a culturally diverse area bordered by Saginaw Highway,
U.S. 127, Interstate 496 and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The changes have driven up housing values, helped shape a positive
perception of the area and given many residents a feeling of
ownership.
“We are progressing here every year,” Rufus Galvan, an eastside
resident of 22 years, said while doing yard work. “And I think we got
to this point because just about everybody takes pride in taking care
of their property. That goes a long way.”
>From 1990 to 2003, homes in the 25 neighborhoods that comprise the
east side have jumped in value an average of 98.1 percent, according
to a city analysis. That compares with an 89.8 percent increase for
the rest of Lansing.
The $28 million housing project at the former Boys Training School
will establish a collection of 177 condominiums called East Village,
said Rick Kibbey, chairman of the Boys Training School plan
implementation committee.
The condos will cost $130,000 to $200,000, depending on whether they
are flats, townhouses or single homes.
Buyers may start moving into some of the homes by next summer, but
the entire project won’t be completed until 2009.
High demand expected
The homes will go on the market at the end of the year and Kibbey
expects demand to be strong, especially since the east side is
already a destination for young families because of its central
location.
“You are five minutes from Michigan State University and downtown and
you can hop on your bike and are five minutes from a ride in the
woods,” he said.
A lot of little things are adding up to make the east side a better
place to live, residents say. Those include the House of Kabobs,
Irene’s Diner and the expanded Lopez Bakery, Deli and Cafe.
For years, Elmira and Gennady Gevorkyan have wanted to open a
restaurant in honor of their Armenian homeland.
They finally got that opportunity, along with Elmira’s cousin Arsen
Sarkisov, on May 10 with the opening of the House of Kabobs.
“We are living our dream,” Elmira Gevorkyan said of the restaurant
that features shish kebabs, salads and other Armenian foods.
“We are already having regular customers come in once or twice a
week. It’s been a good decision to open here so far.”
Just down the street, Suchart and Irene Sivavajchaipong opened
Irene’s Diner on May 5, serving food that includes Thai and Mexican
dishes.
Lopez Bakery, which serves traditional Mexican food, is adding three
lofts on the second floor of the building, and a DolEnx – Mexico’s
answer to Western Union – will open within the next three weeks.
Rehabbing homes
Another person doing his part to enhance the east side is David
Muylle. He has rehabilitated six homes during his 20 years on the
east side. He has pumped $60,000 into his latest project, 124 Regent
St., which was an eyesore.
He bought the home after seeing people go in and out buying drugs
while he worked nearby.
“My initial reaction was let the city close it down,” he said. “But
the more I thought about it, I figured why not buy it and do
something positive with it.
“We’ve committed ourselves to staying on the east side,” said Muylle,
who may move into the home along with his wife, Carrie, and sons
Austin, 5, and Andrew, 9. “We aren’t just neighbors here. There is a
certain attitude about overcoming any obstacles in our way.”
Nancy Parsons, president of Eastside Neighborhood Organization, said
she believes the work on the east side gives prospective home buyers
confidence.
She points to the Michigan Avenue corridor improvements made in the
past year using a $100,000 grant from the Capital Region Community
Foundation that subsequently attracted more than $300,000 in private
investment.
Fixing up
Moriarty’s Pub used $2,500 for a new awning, Theio’s restaurant got
$2,700 for a new patio, and Ambs Message Center received $5,000 for a
new front.
“It’s impacting the whole city,” Parsons said. “Yes, it benefits us
moreso, but overall it shows the whole city is growing, which is a
good sign for our future.”
David Wiener, executive assistant to Mayor Tony Benavides, said there
is no doubt the east side is flourishing.
“They are a model for neighborhood development work for the whole
city,” he said.
By the numbers
98.1% -The average increase in home values on Lansing’s east side
from 1990 to 2003
89.8% -The average increase in home values for the rest of the city
during that time
$28 million -Cost to build 177 condominiums at the former Boys
Training School site
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIFA Rankings List
.c The Associated Press
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) – FIFA Rankings of national teams for June released
Wednesday (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Brazil, 835 points (1).
2. France, 813 (2).
3. Spain, 792 (3).
4. Czech Republic, 762 (11).
5. Netherlands, 748 (5).
6. Mexico, 743 (4).
7. United States, 735 (9).
8. England, 733 (13).
9. Italy, 729 (10).
10. Turkey, 723 (5).
11. Argentina, 722 (5).
12. Portugal, 715 (22).
(tie). Germany, 715 (8).
14. Greece, 710 (35).
15. Denmark, 706 (15).
16. Cameroon, 702 (12).
(tie). Ireland, 702 (14).
18. Nigeria, 697 (16).
19. Sweden, 686 (18).
20. South Korea, 670 (20).
21. Iran, 664 (19).
(tie). Saudi Arabia, 664 (24).
23. Croatia, 662 (20).
24. Japan, 660 (23).
(tie). Belgium, 660 (17).
26. Russia, 655 (31).
27. Poland, 653 (26).
28. Senegal, 651 (26).
29. Paraguay, 650 (25).
(tie). Costa Rica, 650 (26).
31. Morocco, 646 (33).
32. Romania, 638 (31).
(tie). Uruguay, 638 (29).
34. Egypt, 637 (29).
35. Tunisia, 634 (33).
36. Colombia, 622 (37).
37. Ecuador, 616 (37).
38. Norway, 613 (36).
39. South Africa, 610 (39).
40. Jordan, 605 (42).
41. Bulgaria, 602 (40).
42. Slovenia, 598 (41).
43. Iraq, 582 (45).
44. Finland, 578 (42).
45. Switzerland, 577 (47).
46. Mali, 576 (46).
(tie). Zimbabwe, 576 (48).
48. Serbia-Montenegro, 574 (44).
49. Jamaica, 565 (51).
50. Venezuela, 562 (50).
51. Bahrain, 559 (57).
52. Australia, 556 (49).
53. Latvia, 555 (53).
54. Honduras, 553 (55).
(tie). Qatar, 553 (54).
56. Kuwait, 552 (59).
57. Algeria, 550 (52).
58. Oman, 548 (63).
59. Scotland, 545 (55).
60. Israel, 544 (57).
61. Wales, 541 (60).
62. Ivory Coast, 539 (69).
63. Trinidad and Tobago, 536 (77).
64. China, 535 (65).
(tie). Thailand, 535 (61).
66. Chile, 534 (65).
(tie). Cuba, 534 (80).
(tie). Slovakia, 534 (61).
69. Congo DR, 532 (65).
70. Libya, 525 (82).
71. United Arab Emirates, 523 (76).
(tie). Ghana, 523 (89).
73. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 522 (64).
74. Zambia, 521 (77).
75. Peru, 518 (72).
(tie). Iceland, 518 (65).
77. Ukraine, 515 (71).
78. Hungary, 514 (74).
(tie). Angola, 514 (85).
80. Uzbekistan, 513 (83).
(tie). Burkina Faso, 513 (73).
82. Estonia, 512 (75).
83. New Zealand, 510 (80).
84. Syria, 508 (83).
85. Belarus, 507 (86).
86. Austria, 502 (70).
(tie). Kenya, 502 (79).
88. Guinea, 501 (92).
(tie). Guatemala, 501 (87).
90. Canada, 495 (95).
91. Haiti, 486 (88).
92. Macedonia, 484 (93).
93. Turkmenistan, 481 (90).
94. Albania, 480 (91).
95. Togo, 474 (94).
96. Indonesia, 472 (97).
97. Republic of Congo, 468 (107).
98. Rwanda, 467 (100).
99. Bolivia, 463 (97).
100. Vietnam, 461 (96).
(tie). Uganda, 461 (97).
102. El Salvador, 447 (104).
103. Malawi, 446 (101).
104. Cyprus, 443 (102).
105. Georgia, 437 (102).
106. Panama, 435 (120).
107. Sudan, 433 (105).
108. St. Kitts and Nevis, 431 (120).
109. Botswana, 430 (115).
(tie). Lebanon, 430 (109).
111. Moldova, 426 (108).
112. Northern Ireland, 425 (110).
113. Liberia, 420 (106).
114. North Korea, 418 (125).
115. Lithuania, 414 (110).
116. Barbados, 411 (113).
117. Singapore, 408 (114).
118. Armenia, 407 (116).
119. Azerbaijan, 401 (112).
120. Benin, 398 (122).
121. Gabon, 395 (122).
122. Malaysia, 390 (118).
(tie). Mauritius, 390 (118
(tie). Tahiti, 390 (117).
125. Swaziland, 384 (124).
126. Mozambique, 382 (126).
127. St. Lucia, 369 (128).
128. Madagascar, 367 (127).
(tie). Solomon Islands, 367 (130).
130. Lesotho, 366 (128).
131. Fiji, 362 (133).
132. Malta, 361 (131).
(tie). Palestine, 361 (132).
134. Cape Verde Islands, 347 (146).
(tie). Yemen, 347 (135).
136. Tajikistan, 344 (136).
(tie). Faeroe Islands, 344 (134).
138. Grenada, 331 (138).
139. Ethiopia, 330 (137).
140. Maldives, 316 (141).
(tie). Sri Lanka, 316 (139).
142. Vanuatu, 315 (142).
143. India, 314 (143).
144. Kazakhstan, 313 (140).
145. Hong Kong, 306 (145).
146. Gambia, 302 (144).
147. Myanmar, 294 (147).
(tie). Suriname, 294 (154).
149. Andorra, 287 (148).
(tie). Namibia, 287 (149).
151. Burundi, 277 (150).
152. Sierra Leone, 276 (151).
153. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 273 (163).
(tie). Liechtenstein, 273 (152).
155. Taiwan, 270 (153).
156. Kyrgyzstan, 263 (158).
157. Bangladesh, 252 (155).
(tie). Luxembourg, 252 (156).
159. Chad, 244 (157).
160. Nicaragua, 238 (161).
161. Eritrea, 237 (159).
162. Bermuda, 233 (164).
163. Antigua and Barbuda, 231 (162).
164. Papua New Guinea, 228 (160).
165. Equatorial Guinea, 217 (164).
(tie). Tanzania, 217 (166).
167. Dominica, 215 (168).
168. San Marino, 214 (167).
169. Netherlands Antilles, 210 (171).
(tie). Dominican Republic, 210 (172).
171. Seychelles, 202 (169).
172. Niger, 201 (170).
173. Laos, 198 (175).
(tie). Mauritania, 198 (173).
175. Nepal, 196 (174).
176. Pakistan, 192 (176).
177. Samoa, 178 (177).
178. Central African Republic, 173 (178).
179. British Virgin Islands, 169 (179).
180. Belize, 161 (180).
181. Guyana, 154 (181).
182. Tonga, 145 (182).
183. Cayman Islands, 141 (183).
184. Cambodia, 137 (184).
185. Mongolia, 135 (185).
186. New Caledonia, 119 (186).
187. Macao, 113 (187).
(tie). Guinea-Bissau, 113 (188).
189. Bhutan, 108 (189).
190. Cook Islands, 101 (190).
191. Philippines, 99 (191).
192. Bahamas, 98 (192).
193. Somalia, 95 (193).
194. SIao TomDe e PrDincipe, 90 (194).
195. Brunei, 75 (195).
196. Aruba, 71 (196).
197. Anguilla, 66 (197).
198. Afghanistan, 63 (198).
199. Djibouti, 50 (199).
200. U.S. Virgin Islands, 47 (200).
201. Puerto Rico, 35 (201).
202. Turks and Caicos Islands, 26 (202).
203. American Samoa, 19 (203).
204. Guam, 17 (204).
205. Montserrat, 6 (205).
07/07/04 13:18 EDT

RUSSIAN FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE IN KAZAKH TENDER FOR UPGRADE OF AIR TRAFFIC
CONTROL
Interfax-AVN military news agency web site, Moscow
7 Jul 04
Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Region, 7 July: Russian air traffic control
system designers and manufacturers will participate in a tender on
upgrading the Kazakh air traffic control system, Nikolay Bordyuzha,
secretary- general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO), told Interfax-Military News Agency at the Nizhniy Tagil arms
show on Wednesday (7 July).
“We have arranged for Russian manufacturers to display their air
traffic control systems and participate in the Kazakh tender,”
Bordyuzha said.
According to him, the Russian side has already made corresponding
proposals on upgrading the Kazakh air traffic control system, and is
continuing work with this end in view.
Bordyuzha said that many CSTO member-states enjoyed an economic boost,
singling Kazakhstan out as an example. “At the present time this
country is ready to participate in developing new weapon systems,” he
said.
According to Bordyuzha, Tajikistan, Armenia, and other CSTO
member-states are also experiencing economic growth. “CSTO
member-states will have enough real money in the near future, and
these assets will be used to procure Russian arms and materiel,” he
emphasized.
He also noted that cooperation had recently been revived within the
CSTO framework. “Many industrial enterprises embrace the approach of
establishing interstate holding companies. The Oboronitelnye Sistemy
Holding Company is being established at the moment. It will comprise
enterprises and companies from the following five CSTO member-states:
Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan,” he said.
Kazakh Defence Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev earlier told Interfax- AVN
that Kazakhstan would be studying proposals on modernizing the air
defence systems and air traffic controlling systems sometime before
2008 or 2010.
The Kazakh government has approved a plan to create an integrated
system for air traffic control for the period from 2004 to
2010. According to this plan, a tender will be held in the second
quarter of 2010 to determine who will carry out the project.
Experts say the value of the contract may amount to 1bn dollars.

525ci.com
7 July, 2004
Nagorno Karabakh problem not to be settled by any third party, Solomon Passi
Zabil Mugabiloghlu
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s summer session is hold in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The yesterday’s speech of Mr. Linkoln from Kanada followed by discussions on
“Security and cooperation.” Eldar Ibrahimov. Member of the Azerbaijan
delegation to OSCE PA told 525 that he made a speech during the discussions
and informed the parliamentarians about the Armenian aggression. According
to him, he informed the PA members about 20 per cent of the Azerbaijani
lands remain under Armenian occupation and the occupied territories are out
of the control. “I informed the PA members that Armenians are using the
occupied Azerbaijan territories for drug trafficking. I called them to
pressure on Armenia’s aggressive policy.”
Sattar Safarov, another member of the Azerbaijani delegation has asked Mr.
Solomon Passi, acting chairman of the OSCE to report what kind of works he
has done for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem since his 6 months
activity at the current position. Mr. Passi said that he has visited the
region and got familiarized with the current status of the settlement of the
conflict. “I think that the Nagorno Karabakh problem may not be settled by
any other third party. You yourselves have to solve your problem. Both of
the countries have to find political will to solve this problem.”
The OSCE rapporteur on NK conflict had to report about the problem
settlement yesterday. However, according to Ibrahimov he hadn’t submit the
report yet.
Solomon Passi
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress