Author: Garnik Zakarian

Armenian president appoints new head of mission to NATO
Mediamax news agency
10 Sep 04
Yerevan, 10 September: The Armenian president has appointed Samvel
Lazarian head of the Armenian mission to NATO.
Mediamax news agency reported that by another decree of the Armenian
president, the Armenian ambassador to the Benelux countries and the
European Union, Vigen Chitechyan, has been dismissed from the post
of head of the Armenian mission to NATO.
Samvel Lazarian headed the European department of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry until his appointment to the post of head of the
mission to NATO.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
August 25, 2004
New Diocesan Council Elected in the Armenian Diocese of Damascus
The Armenian Diocese of Damascus (Syria) officially informed the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin that on August 15, a Diocesan Assembly was convened at
the St. Sarkis Armenian Cathedral of Damascus. During the meeting a new
Diocesan Council was elected. The elections were organized by the
initiative of the Parish Council of St. Sarkis and the (Armenian) national
representative assembly of Damascus, and were conducted according to the
rules of the National Constitution, under the supervision of the Election
Oversight Committee.
An election such as this, with the participation of all Armenian
organizations of Damascus, had not happened in the last thirty years within
this diocese.
The newly elected Diocesan Council is comprised of eleven lay members from
throughout the community and two clergymen from the Diocesan Religious
Council. In accord with the national constitution, the president of the
Diocesan Council is the primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus, Very
Rev. Fr. Armash Vardapet Nalbandian.
The new diocesan council members, under the guidance of their diocesan
primate, will bring their efforts and devoted service to the progress and
prosperity of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus, for the glory of the
Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
has conveyed his Pontifical Blessings and good wishes to the newly elected
members of the Diocesan Council of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Webindia123.com, India
Deepika, India
July 27 2004
Mysore Zoo to gift female elephant to Armenia
Mysore, July 27 (UNI) The Mysore Zoo has pride of place with
contributing to the bilateral ties between India and Armenia as an
eight-year-old ‘Komala’ a female elephant has been selected to be
gifted to the former soviet Republics-Armenia.
It would be flown to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, from Bangalore
in the first week of September, Zoo Executive Director Kumar Pasha
said.
Following a direction from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Central
Zoo Authority wrote all Zoos in the country asking them to locate a
female elephant to gift it to Armenia. ‘Komala’, born in 1996, would
be a partner to nine-year-old male elephant at a Zoo in Yerevan, he
added.
The Mysore Zoo, has in the earlier occasion, has gifted elephants one
each to Sweden in 1994 and Sri Lanka in 1998.
‘Komala’ was hale and healthy and special care would be taken to
shift her to the new location in the Zoo, he added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
July 22 2004
RA President gives concrete guideline via to instability of national
currency rate
Outstanding figure of Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Dashnaktsutyun left this world
Armeconombank, Conversebank (Armenia), Artsakhbank and
Ardshininvestbank leading in ARKA Press Rating for Q2 2004
Robert Kocharian: RA sincerely interested in stability of Georgia
RA President highly appreciates activity of US Ambassador to RA
Armenian fiction film Sniper receives Grand Prix on Kids for Kids
International Film Festival in Athens
The Ukraine Embassy in Armenia opens a book of sorrows in regard with
the tragedy on `Coal Company `Krasnolimansk Mine’
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT GIVES CONCRETE GUIDELINE VIA TO INSTABILITY OF NATIONAL
CURRENCY RATE
YEREVAN, July 22. /ARKA/. During today’s working meeting with the
ministers of finance and economy, trade and economic development, the
chairmen of CBA, State Custom Committee RA President Robert Kocharian
gave concrete guideline via to instability of national currency rate,
President’s press office told ARKA. The details of the meeting are
not represented.
Note today CBA increased exchange rate of USD by 3.97 AMD up to
515.99 AMD per $1. It is the first increase of exchange rate for last
several weeks. On previous week the rate was decrease in average by
1.5-2 AMD daily. For the first three days of current week the rate
decreased by 10.35 AMD, of which only yesterday – by 8.04 AMD. L.D.
-0–
*********************************************************************
OUTSTANDING FIGURE OF ARMENIAN REVOLUTIONARY FEDERATION
DASHNAKTSUTYUN LEFT THIS WORLD
YEREVAN, July 22. /ARKA/. Outstanding figure of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun, Director of Munich Institute
of Armenian Studies Eduard Ovannisian left this world being 72 years
old, ARF (D) told ARKA All his life Ovannisian cared about past,
present and future of Armenian people. Press release notes that he
was an advanced soldier in modern fight in Diaspora for protection of
Hai Dat and became its driving force. `Loss of Eduard Ovannisian is
terrible for his party friends and by all means for all Armenian’,
press release notes.
Eduard Ovannisian was born on February 16, 1932 in Yerevan. He
graduated from Moscow Instrument Making Institute. In 1964 defended
his doctoral degree. In 1984-93 he was a director of Armenian Edition
of Radio Liberty. Ovannisian took active part in creation and edition
of The Armenian Genocide book in Munich. In 2003 he issued a book
called Hai Dat Problems and the Ways of Their Settlement. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
ARMECONOMBANK, CONVERSEBANK (ARMENIA), ARTSAKHBANK AND
ARDSHININVESTBANK LEADING IN ARKA PRESS RATING FOR Q2 2004
YEREVAN, July 22. /ARKA/. ARKA News Agency published Press Rating of
Armenian banks for Q2 2004. The leaders of ARKA’s Press-Rating for
the II Q, 2004 are 4 banks 1. Armeconombank, 2. Conversebank, 3.
Artsakhbank, 4. Ardshininvestbank. As the analysis of press signals
showed, Q2 appeared to be more active from the point of banking pres
information as a result of which the number of press signals
increased by 6.9%, while the Total Index (TI), characterizing the
number of information depending of its address increased by 4.3%. At
that there can be observed a stable tendency of reduction of negative
press signals, the weight share of which versus the previous Q
reduced from 7.5% to 3.7%.
In the structure of the overall information for Q2 2004 versus the
last Q, the share of information for the sections `General on Banks’
and `Banking Activities in Figures’ increased in the total volume of
information about the banks for the 2nd Q, 2004 from 27.4% to 32.5%
and from 37.6% to 41.6% correspondingly, as compared to the same
period of 2003. Meanwhile, information entries for the other sections
reduced. Thus, the share of information for the section `Bank
Development Policy’reduced to 18.9% versus 23.8% in the 1st Q, 2004,
for `Clients and Service’ – to 2.2% versus 3.6%, for `Bank’s Economic
Forecasts and Opinions’ – to 4.8% versus 7.7%. According to the
analysis of the structure of the total information of banks, the
share of negative press releases reduced from 7.5% to 3.7% as
compared to last Q.
In the 2st Q, 2004 the highest index for information entries was for
the section `General on Banks’ for Ardshininvestbank. Armeconombank
became a leader in sharing information for `Bank Development Policy’
and Banking Activities in Figures. Conversebank and Armenian
Development Bank were most active in sharing information for `Clients
and Service’. At that, the most active in making prognosis of the
economic development were Conversebank, HSBC Bank Armenia and
Armsavingsbank.
To remind the leaders of ARKA Press Rating for Q1 2004 were the
following banks: 1. Armeconombank, 2. Conversebank, 3. Bank Anelik,
4. Ardshininvestbank, 5. Armsavingsbank, and 6. HSBC Bank Armenia.
The ARKA Press rating is calculated not based on fianncial -economic
indicators, but the facts of actual activity of the banks which are
reported thru mass media. As a result, the higher the level of actual
information on the bank’s activity, the more efficient is its policy.
When composing the Press rating, the information of advertising type
was not subject of study and analysis.
Please see more detailed information in Banking Information Bulletin
#03 (22) for Q2 2004.T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
ROBERT KOCHARIAN: RA SINCERELY INTERESTED IN STABILITY OF GEORGIA
YEREVAN, July 22. /ARKA/. `RA is sincerely interested in stability of
Georgia’, RA President Robert Kocharian said during his meeting with
the Salome Zurabishvili, Georgian Foreign Minister who is visiting
RA. As RA President’s Press Service told ARKA, Robert Kocharian
expressed his satisfaction that the relations of RA and Georgia are
on high level and are based on centuries old trust and friendship
among the peoples of two countries. Mentioning that Georgia currently
lives quite hard times, the President expressed confidence that the
Georgian authorities would be able to overcome the difficulties
rapidly. During the meeting the sides touched upon the key issues
concerning Armenian-Georgian relations and perspectives of the
region.
In words of officials, the current level of mutual economic relations
does not correspond to the real capacities of two countries.
Kocharian attached importance to more active work of
Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Kocharian and
Zurabishvili stressed that inclusion of the South Caucasus countries
into EU Neighborhood creates large possibilities for the cooperation.
T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT HIGHLY APPRECIATES ACTIVITY OF US AMBASSADOR TO RA
YEREVAN, July 22. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian received
today Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USA to RA
H.E. John Ordway who completed his diplomatic mission in the country.
As RA President’s Press Service told ARKA, the Head of the Armenian
State highly appreciated the activity of the activity of the US
Ambassador aimed at deepening of the Armenian-US relations.
The Ambassador in his turn expressed his gratitude to the RA
President for his support during his diplomatic work.
During the meeting the sides discussed the reforms that are being
implemented in RA and the related support of the US Government.
John Ordway was appointed US Ambassador to RA in 2001. He will
continue his diplomatic mission as US Ambassador to Kazakhstan. US
President George Bush offered appointing as new US Ambassador to RA
John Marshall Evans, the Head of US Department of State on Russian
Affairs. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN FICTION FILM SNIPER RECEIVES GRAND PRIX ON KIDS FOR KIDS
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN ATHENS
YEREVAN, July 22. /ARKA/. Armenian fiction film Sniper received Grand
Prix on Kids for Kids International Film Festival in Athens, as Nune
Manukyan, Chairman of Rolan Bykov Armenian Foundation. In his words,
Grand Prix in Animation, fiction, documentary and sportive films
created by the kids in the age from 6 to 12 years was handled to
authors of Sniper – Hovnan Bagghdasaryan (8) and VArdan Arshakuni
(10), representing educational-cultural center Manana. Manukyan
mentioned that the members of the jury of the Festival were
thunderstruck by the flight of mind of the authors of Sniper, that
were able to create in the film an atmosphere of permanent
expectation. She also said that in nomination `art and documentation’
in 13-16 age category film Grandmother of an inmate of the same
center Nane Sahakyan was ranked among six best films. The Chairman of
Rolan Bykov Armenian Center mentioned that 44 states were
participating in the festival and only 22 films were selected.
In her turn Ruzanna Baghdasaryan, Director of Center Manana told that
that this was the third success of Sniper in international festivals.
In her words, in March and July 2004 the film won on festivals in
Tampere, Finland and Sheffield, UK. She also added that the film was
shot with the support of UNIFEM – UN Development Fund for Women. As a
whole, she mentioned that the inmates of the center were awarded many
times on various international festivals (Italy, Holland, Germany,
Spain, US) and their films were shown TV companies of more than 20
nations. She also mentioned that lack of technical means of the
Center do not allow bringing to life many ideas and scenarios of the
kids. In her words, for this reason the films shot by the inmates of
the Center do not exceed 1 – 1.5 minutes.
Kids for Kids International Festival was held in Athens on 18-21
June. The festival was organized by ECFA – European Children’s Film
Association and CIFEJ – International Center of Films for Children
and Young People. The jury consisted of representatives from Armenia,
Iran, Serbia, England, Sweden, Australia, Denmark and Canada. T.M.
-0–
*********************************************************************
THE UKRAINE EMBASSY IN ARMENIA OPENS A BOOK OF SORROWS IN REGARD WITH
THE TRAGEDY ON `COAL COMPANY `KRASNOLIMANSK MINE’
YEREVAN, July 22. /ARKA/. In regard with the accident on `Coal
Company `Krasnolimansk Mine’ (Donetsk region), which happened on July
19,2004 and as a result of which some miners died, the President of
the Ukraine declared July 21-22 as mourning days in the Ukraine. As
ARKA was informed in the press service department of the Ukraine
Embassy in Armenia, a book of sorrows is opened in the Ukraine
Embassy in Armenia on July 22, where everybody can write his
condolences regarding the tragedy.
To remind, an explosion of methane happened 997 meters under the
ground on July 19 at about 7:55 p.m. by the local time. The explosion
was followed by fire. At that time 48 miners were underground. 12 of
them managed to get out of the mine by themselves, and the bodies of
31 dead miners were taken out of the mine, 20 of which were
identified. Five miners are missing. A.H.–0–
*******************************************
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian president sets up culture council
Arminfo
19 Jul 04

YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has signed a decree setting up a
presidential culture council in order to conduct a single, effective
state policy on culture.
The council is a consultative body, the head of state’s press service
told Arminfo today.
[Passage omitted: list of council members]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Karabakh’s security important to OSCE – Armenian MP
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
12 Jul 04
The Armenian deputy speaker has said that the OSCE is in favour of
ensuring Nagornyy Karabakh’s security. According to Vaan Ovanesyan,
the special representative of the OSCE for the Karabakh problem, Goran
Lennmarker, does not see Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan and his report
on the conflict settlement does not mention Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. Nor does the report contain any mechanisms for settling the
conflict, he said. The following is the text of report by Armenian
Public TV on 12 July:
[Presenter] The special representative of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly on Nagornyy Karabakh, Goran Lennmarker, attaches great
importance to the security of Karabakh. The deputy speaker of the
Armenian National Assembly, Vaan Ovanesyan, today denied reports that
the special representative of the OSCE for the Karabakh problem had
spoken about the return of the occupied [Azerbaijani] territories. On
the contrary, Vaan Ovanesyan said, the Azerbaijanis were seriously
dissatisfied with the document which did not point to Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, did not mention the Artsakh [Karabakh] problem
and attached great importance to the security of Nagornyy Karabakh.
[Correspondent over video of meeting] Mr Lennmarker, the special
representative of the OSCE for Nagornyy Karabakh, asked not to
publicize the contents of his report, as it is still a draft. Vaan
Ovanesyan said that this document does not put forward any settlement
mechanisms. As some Armenian media representatives said, commenting on
the return of the occupied territories, Vaan Ovanesyan added that the
document says all the occupied territories must be liberated and
cleared from the land mines for future resettlement. But it does not
say who the occupied territories belong to.
[Vaan Ovanesyan] There are many documents which speak about the
territories occupied by Azerbaijan. There is nothing about the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan there.
Second, the document does not speak about the administrative return of
the territory, it applies only to the conflict settlement.
Third, the document does not say who has occupied the territories. We
tried to clarify this in the presence of Azerbaijani MPs and asked Mr
Lennmarker whether the expression “occupied territories” implies
villages occupied by Azerbaijan, for example, Shaumyan [Goranboy
District], Mardakert [Agdara] and part of Martuni [Xocavand] occupied
by Azerbaijan. Mr Lennmarker said yes.
[Correspondent] In his report, Mr Lennmarker suggested setting up a
reconciliation commission which would include representatives of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani sides. As for the refugees, it was noted
without repeatedly mentioning the territories that they must be
granted the right to return home if they wish and get back their
lands.
[Vaan Ovanesyan] The document does not mention the territories we are
always concerned about – Shusha [Susa], Lachin [Lacin] and other
territories which are of strategic importance.
[Correspondent] The main section of the document, which is the most
important to us, is that the security of Nagornyy Karabakh must be
ensured.
[Vaan Ovanesyan] Lennmarker did not mention the settlement [of the
Karabakh conflict], which is important to us. He does not see Karabakh
as part of Azerbaijan. In general, he did not mention the issue of its
status. Irrespective of the final settlement, the security of Karabakh
must be ensured. This is the main point of the document signed by all
the factions of the previous National Assembly, which is the main
guarantee for the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
The Azerbaijanis were dissatisfied that the document did not mention
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Tatevik Nalbandyan for “Aylur”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ACE IN HANDS OF ARMENIA
Azg/AM
14 July 04
Touching upon the statement made of RA Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian made in the U.S. recently, saying that Armenia can use its
right of “veto” and prevent Turkey’s becoming a PACE presiding country
in 2007, Haruth Sasunian, publisher of “Californian Courier” writes
that “During the conversation with the journalists RA Foreign Minister
exploded a bomb, stating for the first timethat Armenia will use its
right for veto, as Turkey is not on the relevant level, height.”
“Turkey is the only candidate for that year. The presiding country has
certain privileges and rights that can be used against Armenia. Taking
into account the policy conducted by them (the Turks) in the region in
the course of the past 12 years, that was too misbalanced and its
support to Azerbaijan, Armenia merely can’t stand Turkey as a
presiding country for a yeareven if it wished, ” Vartan Oskanian said.
“It is a courageous decision and I think it’s a right one. Such
decisions can’ t please the American authorities, that will try to
exert pressure and demand to reconsider the decision, as well as, we
should evade contradicting the U.S., but I think, that notwithstanding
all this, Armenia should make decisions taking into consideration its
own national interests and not the interest of a foreign country (the
U.S., Russia, France, China and Turkey),” Sasunian said.
The American -Armenian community should show resistance to the members
of Bush ‘ administration that will try to exert pressure on
Armenia. Particularly, in this year of elections, we should use all
our force as an electors to resist the people that will demand from us
to make favour to Turkey. We should undertake a firm position in this
issue. We hope that the Armenian authorities will not repeat the
mistake committed in 1999.
If the U. S. and Turkey really want the latter become a presiding
country at PACE, they should stop the blockade of Armenia or recognize
the Genocide of the Armenians. This is one of the rare cases, when the
ace is in the hands of Armenia. And Armenia should use it in the best
way.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian assembly promotes cooperation with diaspora, supporters abroad
AP Online
Jun 18, 2004
Armenian lawmakers met with ethnic Armenian and other colleagues from
foreign legislatures on Friday for the first plenary session of a
group called the Armenian Parliamentary Assembly of Friendship.
About 70 delegates from countries including the United States, Russia,
France, Canada, Georgia, Ukraine, Cyprus, Argentina, Brazil and Iran
took part, reflecting the global reach of the diaspora from this small,
economically struggling Caucasus Mountain nation.
The stated goal of the assembly is to join forces to improve democracy
in Armenia _ where the opposition says President Robert Kocharian
won a second term last years in fraud-marred elections _ to solve
problems facing the country and Armenians abroad.
“We have accumulated great experience in work with the diaspora and
with those countries where there are Armenian communities, and we are
interested in deepening and enriching it in all ways,” Kocharian told
the group.
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said lawmakers should work to develop
the economy and democracy in Armenia, achieve international recognition
of what Armenians call a genocide of up to 1.5 million Armenians by
Turks in 1915-1923, and settle the conflict with Azerbaijan over the
disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The assembly is expected to hold plenary sessions twice a year in
the capital, Yerevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress