Author: Hovhannisian John

Interfax
Nov. 3, 2004
Armenia’s trade deficit expands 6.6% in Jan-Sept
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia ended the month of September with a
$463.4 million foreign trade deficit for January-September, up from
$434.7 million for the same period of 2003, the country’s national
statistics service told Interfax.
The country posted foreign trade volume of $1.846 billion for these
nine months, for 3.1% year-on-year increase. Exports increased 1.3% to
$511.1 million and imports increased 4.1% to $974.4 million.
Trade with the European Union came to $548.8 million in January-
September, representing 36.9% of Armenia’s total trade volume. The
country’s trade deficit with the EU was $160 million.
The country’s trade with Commonwealth of Independent States countries
came to $299.7 million in January-September, or 20.2% of overall trade.
The trade deficit with CIS countries was $125.7 million.
Armenia engaged in $1.948 billion worth of foreign trade in 2003, a
30.5% increase from the year prior.

ArmenPress
Nov. 3, 2004
RUSSIAN ARMENIANS INDIFFERENT TO AGREEMENT ON THEIR VOLUNTEER RETURN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: A senior official of the
government-affiliated department for refugees and migration, said to
Armenpress that no Russia-based Armenian has responded yet to a
bilateral government agreement on volunteer return of Russian Armenians
back to home and Russians from Armenia to Russia.
Irina Davtian, head of a division dealing with migration policy
development, said the agreement was supposed to mainly apply to
Armenians who emigrated in mass to Russia in the recent decade, as
there are virtually no Russian citizens living here on a permanent
basis.
She explained the reluctance of Russian Armenians to come back home
by the fact that the agreement in question applies to those who are
officially registered by the authorities and “it would be naive to
expect them who are close to be granted Russian citizenship to come
back to Armenia.”
Based on this, she said, the department is working now to broaden
the frameworks of the agreement and to extend it to Armenians with no
official status in Russia, who make the majority of Armenian immigrants
in Russia and who are most likely to come back. She also said the
Russian side was informed about their intention.
The agreement exempts re-settlers from paying customs duties and
other taxes when bringing their property.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Nov. 2, 2004
RUSSIAN-AZERBAIJANI RELATIONS EXAMPLE FOR OTHER COUNTRIES
[November 02, 2004, 18:57:40]
As the member of Committee on security of the State Duma of the Russian
Federation Gennady Gudkov informed in his exclusive interview to
correspondent of AzerTAj, for today, Russia and Azerbaijan have
developed enough warm and good relations. As he said, this positive
example of interstate cooperation, especially in maintenance of the
common safety, highly is estimated both by authority, and the Russian
people. `To this example should follow and other countries’, G. Gudkov
has told.
Gennady Gudkov has especially noted progress in the Russian-Azerbaijan
relations in the field of combat against terrorism. ` We count
absolutely right the position held by Azerbaijan in this question, and
we hope for further understanding of our problems and cooperation in
this area’.
Concerning the situation on the Russian-Azerbaijan border, the Member
of Parliament has stated that all these problems have temporary
character, in due time they will be settled and stabilized.
The Russian Member of Parliament also has expressed his views
concerning settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh
conflict and the role of Russia in this process. In particular, he has
stated that Russia recognizes territorial integrity of all states which
were part of Soviet Union, and is interested in the prompt settlement
of the conflict by peace way.
`It is complicated question in the Trans-Caucasia, and Russia would
like to resolve it, we with deep regret note that such conflict takes
place. Russia, as one of co-chairmen of the Minsk Group of OSCE, makes
all efforts to find compromise in solution of this conflict. As soon as
between the sides the conciliatory suggestions will be found, the
conflict will be settled, it will sharply strengthen safety of all
region and it will enable Russia to carry out more active joint
military policy, military-technical cooperation and to strengthen
political stability of region’, he underlined.
`Certainly, we are for the quick resolution of territorial problems,
for recognition of firmness of borders. Russia has many times stated
that is ready to become the guarantor of invariance of borders. We very
much want that there were conciliatory suggestions that Azerbaijan and
Armenia have found mutual understanding, and Russia is ready to act as
the guarantor. I think, then nobody will have desire to try to change
something in the status-quo, Mr. Gudkov added.

Defence chief says sending peacekeepers to Iraq Armenia’s task
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
28 Oct 04
Text of unattributed report by Armenian newspaper Aykakan Zhamanak
on 28 October headlined “Actually, we have become independent”
Does the head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Deputy Defence
Minister Mikael Arutyunyan, not think that the dispatch of Armenian
peacekeepers to Iraq might endanger the security of the Armenian
community in Iraq?
In response to this question of our correspondent yesterday, the deputy
minister said: “Do you think that there are no Georgian or Azerbaijani
communities in Iraq? Of course, there are. But both Azerbaijan and
Georgia think of increasing their presence in Iraq. The point is not
that we fulfil someone’s desire by sending troops to Iraq, we solve
our own tasks. Otherwise, let’s surround our country with a fortress
and say that we cannot step out of this boundary.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN CAUSE TO BE DISCUSSED IN VENICE?
Azg/am
28 Oct 04
The Azg Daily informed readers in its October 26 issue about
a scientific conference titled “Armenians and Turks Throughout
History. Millennium-long Relations” to be held in Venice on October
28-30.
The Turkish Akos wrote about the conference in October 15 issue without
giving any information on the organizers but telling where it will
launch and also mentioning the names of participants. The fact that
Levon Zekiyan and Ramon Gevorgian were engaged in organizing the
conference evidences that the initiative came from the Armenian side.
Ruben Safrastian, head of the Turkish department of Oriental
Studiesâ~@~Y Institute of Armenia, will also participate at the
conference but his name together with the names of Zekiyan and
Gevorgian were not included in the list of reporters. Taner Akcam,
a Turkish scientist, will lecture on “Ittihad Solution to Armenian
Cause and the Problem of Republican Turkâ~@~Ys Identity”, Iv Ternon
on “Psychology of Denying”, Murad Belge on “Armenian Cause and
Human Rights”, Bask?n Oran on “The Origin of a Taboo. Historic and
Sociological Barrier in Turkish Public Opinion Concerning the Armenian
Cause”, Ferhad Qemal on “The Art of Being Armenian in Turkey”, Rag?p
Zaraqolu on “From Ottoman Multinational Society to National Monopoly
of a Republic. Where is the way out?”
All of the reports touch on the Armenian Genocide either directly
or indirectly. The reason for this is that the Armenian Cause,
especially in Turkish perception, includes this issue. The Turkish
taboo and the problems Turkish public opinion faces directly result
from the Genocide.
According to Akos, the conference is envisaged to seat Armenian and
Turkish scientists at the table to discuss the Armenian Cause and to
bring closer the sides.
Itâ~@~Ys obscure what the newspaper means with “bringing the sides
closer”. We may presume that Turkey understands that the Turkish
policy towards Armenia stands for bad relations. Even if the Venice
discussions have no influence on Armenia its results will certainly
have.
The influence will be notable as regards the Armenian Genocide
acknowledgment. There are organizational minuses in the conference
preparation, besides the fact that the scientist representing Armenia
will have no report in Venice which turns him into observer. The
major miscount of Armenian organizers is in representing only 4
scientists with only one report whereas Turkey has 6 participants
with as many reports.
This fact makes us worry especially while considering the possibility
that the Genocide issue may come up during discussions and especially
if these discussions are aimed at “bringing closer the nations”.
Besides the quantitative inconsistency there is another bothering
circumstance, i.e. the tendency of discussing Armenia-related issues
(Armenian Genocide, Armenian-Turkish relations) in isolation from
Armenia. Will the Venice conference continue the tragic practice of
solving the Armenian Cause without Armeniaâ~@~Y s participation? Time
will show.
By Hakob Chakrian
–Boundary_(ID_AjBpqpckzm5PVHEuL0ZCwA)–

GERMANY PLANS TO ASSIST ARMENIA IN DEVELOPING MORTGAGE MARKET
YERENAN, October 23 (Noyan Tapan). The process of creating
infrastructures necessary for the long-term mortgage crediting in
Armenia may finish in 2008-2010. The CB Chairman Tigran Sargsian told
journalists about this on October 22. According to him, the mortgage
market cannot develop without “long money”, and in order to create
this it is necessary to have developed pension funds, investment and
insurance companies. According to T. Sargsian, in these three
directions Armenia must implement smooth reforms. “Long money” will
enable the banks to provide mortgages of 30-35 years maturity instead
of credits of 3-7 years maturity, which are presently provided. At
present the crediting resources of Armenia’s commercial banks are
formed by deposits of up to 5 years maturity. It was noted that in
2002-2003 the banks provided mortgage credits of only $7.1 million,
most of which was provided to the banks’ employees. According to the
CB Chairman, the respective legislative field should be improved in
order to develop the mortgage market. The banks implementing mortgage
crediting should be “protected” and, if necessary, have no problems
selling the security. According to T. Sargsian, the problem of
securities is of great importance: it should be possible “to buy and
sell” credits. It is envisaged to set up secondary operators in order
to conduct the purchase and sale of mortgage bonds. T. Sargsian also
stated that at present a mortgage crediting program is being developed
with the German government, and if the German side provides
assistance, the development of this field will be considerably
promoted in Armenia. It was also mentioned that the meeting of the
Armenian-German Fund’s Board of Trustees will be held on November 1 in
Germany.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:
PRESS RELEASE
21 October 2004
The Deputy Foreign Minister, Tatul Markarian, receives the
representatives of United Kingdom-Armenia friendship group the
Parliament of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords
On 21 October, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Tatul Markarian, received the
representatives of the United Kingdom-Armenia friendship group of the House
of Lords of the United Kingdom
In the course of the talks the sides paid attention to the wide agenda of
Armenian-British cooperation, the process of Euro-integration of Armenia and
the possible assistance of Great Britain’s parliamentarians in that process.
The deputy foreign minister informed the British parliamentarians about the
position of Armenia in regional and international developments, as well as
the steps Armenia has undertaken in the field of solutions to urgent
concerns.
Mentioning the work towards the settlement of Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, T.
Markarian, reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of the
conflict. The deputy foreign minister expressed his gratitude to the British
parliamentarians, especially baroness Caroline Cox for the multi-faceted
assistance rendered to the people of Nagorno-Karabagh in its just
aspirations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
October 21, 2004
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian
818.243.6222
[email protected]
www.ar meniafund.org
Prime Minister of Karabakh Concludes Statewide Tour of California
-Tour Highlights AFI Accomplishments, Karabakh Economic Development-
Glendale, CA (October 21) – The Prime Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Republic
(Karabakh), H.E. Anushavan Danielyan, concluded a statewide tour of
California’s Armenian-American communities in support of Telethon 2004 Make
It Happen – Armenia Fund’s (AFI) annual fundraising event scheduled for
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2004.
Visiting Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco,
the prime minister’s delegation attended numerous community briefings and
receptions, as well as met with AFI donors and Armenian-American political
and cultural organizations. The delegation included Maria Mehranian, AFI
Chairperson; Gagik Kirakossian, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia;
Ara Aghishian, AFI Vice-Chairman; and Vardan Barseghian, NKR Permanent
Representative in the US.
AFI hosted several public briefings that provided opportunities for
community members to learn more about Karabakh’s economic progress, as well
as AFI’s accomplishments in implementing $100 million of humanitarian aid
and infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. The delegation also
visit numerous Armenian-American owned agriculture businesses in California’s
Central Valley. “The Prime Minister’s tour helped us generate greater
momentum and support not only for Telethon 2004, but also for future
economic and development opportunities in Karabakh. AFI is committed to
providing such vital links between the Diapsora, Armenia and Karabakh,” said
Mehranian.
On Tuesday, October 12th, AFI supporter Kosti Shirvanian hosted a reception
honoring the prime minister at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. The event,
attended by Newport Beach Mayor Tod Ridgeway, Orange County Sheriff Michael
Corona and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, raised over $30,000 for
Telethon 2004 and the North-South Highway.
In a final public appearance, AFI hosted a kick-off reception with the prime
minister for the upcoming presidential gala dinner. The reception held on
Thursday, October 14th in Glendale, California, sold 45 tables for the
November 21st dinner welcoming Karabakh’s president, Arkady Ghoukasian. The
prime minister stressed the strategic and economic significance of
completing the North-South Highway in Karabakh – Telethon 2004’s beneficiary
project. Upon completion, the highway will link over 150 villages and towns
in Karabakh and provide increased economic, trade and foreign investments
opportunities, as well as significantly enhance the security of the region.
Throughout the statewide tour, the prime minister met with numerous federal,
state and local officials including Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), State
Assemblyman Ronald Calderon (D-CA), Montebello Mayor Norma Lopez-Reid and
Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian.
The delegation also met with H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America as well as with the leadership of the Armenian
Assembly of America, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian National
Committee of America, Armenian Ramgavar Azatakan Party, Armenian Relief
Society, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Knights of Vartan and the Social
Democratic Hunchakian Party. Danielyan also met with the students and
faculties of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, the Rose and Alex Pilibos
Armenian School and the Arshag Dickranian Armenian School.
Scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, November 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
(PST), Telethon 2004, airing live from Glendale, California, is a 12-hour
event that will be broadcast throughout the United States, Europe, South
America, the CIS, Armenia, Karabakh and the Middle East. The broadcast will
feature live entertainment by various Armenian performers, interviews with
numerous celebrities and political leaders, development and construction
footage from Armenia and Karabakh, stories of individuals impacted by AFI
projects, as well as a phone bank with 50 operators and volunteers.
To provide increased opportunity for international viewing and
participation, Telethon 2004 will also be available in full-motion webcast
on Internet users will be able to view and make secure
contributions online.
For more information regarding the prime minister’s visit and/or Telethon
2004, please call the Armenia Fund office at 818.243.6222 or visit
Armenia Fund, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, is the US
West coast affiliate of the “Hayastan” All-Armenia Fund (HAAF). Established
in 1994 to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Karabakh, HAAF
has administered over $100 million in humanitarian, rehabilitation and
construction aid through the united efforts of Armenian communities
internationally.
###041018

AZERBAIJAN STRESSES COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA, IRAN IN ELECTRICITY
Asia Pulse
Oct 21, 2004

BAKU, Oct 21 Asia Pulse – Azerbaijan`s First Deputy Prime Minister
said here Tuesday that Baku attaches immense importance to its
cooperation with Iran and Russia in the electricity sector.
Speaking at an electricity seminar in Baku, Yaqob Yaqobev said that
Azerbaijan has signed several agreements with Iran and Russia on
electricity which is an economic priority for Azerbaijan.
Several electricity projects including `Astara` 10 kilowatt
electricity transfer line between Iran and Azerbaijan will make
available the needed electricity in the Azerbaijan southern region.
An Iranian delegation is also attending the seminar as observers.
Iran is considering connection of its power grid to European and
Russian electricity networks in the near future, Iran`s Energy
Minister Habibollah Bitaraf said here last week.
Bitaraf said that grounds should be paved for Iran`s connection to the
electricity networks in Europe and Russia in future, in addition to
connection to the neighboring countries.
Given that a great amount of electricity is exchanged in the networks
of Europe and Russia, Iran`s connection to these networks would bring
about many advantages for the energy market, he added.
Iran`s electricity network is presently connected to those of Turkey,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq, with the voltage of 130
KV, the minister explained
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Cyprus official in Armenia against Turkey’s growing role in South Caucasus
Mediamax news agency
19 Oct 04
YEREVAN
The president of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Dhimitrios
Khristofias, said in Yerevan today that ”the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict by taking into account the interests of the people
Nagornyy Karabakh will stop the growth of Turkey’s influence on the
region”.
Replying to a question from a Mediamax correspondent, Dhimitrios
Khristofias said that ”the conflict should be resolved peacefully by
taking into account the interests of Armenia and other countries of
the region”.
Dhimitrios Khristofias noted that Cyprus is interested in establishing
good relations with all South Caucasus countries, and particularly,
with Azerbaijan.