Author: Jagharian Tania

Armenian president names new envoy to Egypt
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
11 Oct 04
By a decree of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, Armenian ambassador
to Egypt, Sergey Manasaryan, has been recalled.
Under another presidential decree, Ruben Karapetyan has been appointed
the ambassador to Egypt.

ZDNet France News
6 octobre 2004
Responsabilité des hébergeurs: la LCEN mise à l’épreuve judiciaire
Estelle Dumout, ZDNet France
Le consul de Turquie à Paris est assigné le 11 octobre pour
propagande négationniste sur internet par le Comité de défense de la
cause arménienne. L’hébergeur du site, Wanadoo, devra aussi rendre
des comptes pour n’avoir pas coupé l’accès au site.
Le Comité de défense de la cause arménienne (CDCA) fournit un cas
d’école parfait pour éprouver les dispositions de la loi pour dans la
confiance dans l’économie numérique (LCEN), relatives à la
responsabilité des hébergeurs de contenus internet.
Le CDCA a assigné le consul général de Turquie à Paris, Aydin Sezgin,
pour «propagande négationniste» sur le site officiel du consulat. Il
lui reproche d’avoir mis en ligne un document intitulé “Allégations
arméniennes et faits historiques”, accessible depuis la page
d’accueil du site. Il traite du génocide perpétré sur la population
arménienne en Turquie en 1915.
Selon le plaignant, il s’agit «d’un pamphlet à vocation clairement
négationniste, destiné aux internautes à la recherche d’informations
générales sur la Turquie. Il reprend la thèse développée, depuis de
longues années, par l’État turc, (…) avec une série d’arguments à
caractère pseudo-scientifique».
«La loi du 29 janvier 2001 reconnaît la réalité du génocide arménien
de 1915», explique à ZDNet Vartan Arzoumanian, responsable de la
communication du CDCA. «Nous avons donc dans un premier temps mis en
demeure le consul et l’hébergeur du site, Wanadoo, de retirer ce
texte». Le consul n’a pas donné suite à cette requête – et n’a pas pu
être joint par ZDNet.
Wanadoo attend une décision de justice pour couper l’accès au site
De son côté, la filiale de France Télécom a préféré jouer la
prudence: «Ils nous ont expliqué qu’ils s’en tiendraient à une
décision de justice, et qu’ils couperaient l’accès si un juge le leur
ordonnait», poursuit Vartan Arzoumanian. L’hébergeur est donc lui
aussi assigné, tout comme le consul, malgré son statut de diplomate.
«Nous avons estimé que, dans la logique des choses, l’hébergeur était
lui aussi responsable du contenu qu’il hébergeait», soutient le
représentant du CDCA.
La LCEN (adopté en mai dernier) précise que la responsabilité civile
et pénale des hébergeurs ne peut pas être engagée «s’ils n’avaient
pas effectivement connaissance du caractère illicite [des contenus]
(…) ou si, dès le moment où elles en ont eu cette connaissance,
elles ont agi promptement pour retirer ces données ou en rendre
l’accès impossible». Après coup, le Conseil constitutionnel avait
précisé qu’il fallait, pour que cet article s’applique, que le
contenu litigieux soit «manifestement illicite».
Les premières audiences se tiendront le 11 octobre devant le tribunal
de grande instance de Paris. Les juges devront déterminer si Wanadoo
a eu raison ou non d’attendre une notification émanant de l’autorité
judiciaire avant d’agir, un point crucial pour de nombreux tenants de
la liberté d’expression.

NEW BOOK OF PROBLEMS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
06 Oct 04
There is need for specialized literature in the field of physics in
the Armenian language. This time the specialist were presented with
the first volume of the book `Problems in Physics: Types and Methods
of Solutionâ=80=9D, co-authored by Kamo Atayan and his colleagues from
Yerevan. The presentation of the book was held in the framework of the
fourth conference of young physicists and Atayan Readings, and the
four co-authors of the book were present. The bookis of great
importance for the teachers and students of physics. Each type of the
problems is preceded by a theoretical part where examples are observed
as well. The book contains more than 900 problems with keys to their
solution. The book also contains tables. The second volume of the book
will come out next year.
SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN.
06-10-2004

Armenia ready to counter Azerbaijan if need be
01.10.2004
Yerevan. (Interfax-AVN) – Armenia does not want to resume military
operations against Azerbaijan, Armenian Defense Minister Serzh
Sarkisian has told Armenian Public Television.
“Armenia will declare war only if attacked by Azerbaijan. However, if
it is the case, Azerbaijan will be repulsed so as not to even mention
the war again for years to come,” he emphasized.
Azerbaijani authorities have recently repeatedly stated the
possibility of resuming military operations against Armenia to settle
the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis, if peaceful negotiations do not yield any
results.
“The aftermath of the war will be heavy for both sides,” the Armenian
defense minister said.
“Given the most favorable outcome of the war for Armenia, we do not
wish to resume military operations, since a war always results in
human casualties. Even if the losses ratio equaled 1:7, as was the
case in 1993-1994, we would not be willing to start a war,” Sarkisian
pointed out.
In addition to that, in wartime the sides will have to spend their
limited resources on solving military problems, he noted.
At the same time he emphasized that the Armenian Armed Forces were the
most combat ready force in Transcaucasia.
Sarkisian also said that NATO’s decision to cancel the military
exercise in Azerbaijan, slated for mid-September, due to the fact that
Armenian officers were not allowed to participate in it, had not been
a surprise to him.
At the same time he said that Armenia was interested in Azerbaijan’s
participation in the NATO-sponsored Partnership for Peace
program. “Azerbaijan’s participation in this program imposes certain
commitments on Baku, and we will be better off dealing with
Azerbaijan, committed to its promises,” he pointed out.

AFTEREFFECTS OF OPEN BORDER WITH TURKEY DISCUSSED
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: A roundtable discussion convened by the
Political Dialogue and Development Center together with the US embassy in
Yerevan on September 29 to explore consequences of a possible opening of the land
border between Armenia and Turkey brought together local politicians and
economists, whose opinions differed significantly.
A parliament member Tatul Manaserian argued in favor of using the full
potential of Armenia’s relations with Georgia and Iran and only then try to
extend the expected experience to its relations with Turkey.
Seyran Avagian, a presidential adviser, put the blame for the sealed
border on Turkey, saying open borders would benefit both nations, as “Armenian
businessmen are familiar with Turkey’s market and Turkish consumers have
discovered the quality of Armenian goods.”
A senior transport and communication ministry official Vahagn Badalian
voiced concern over Turkish-Georgian plans to build a railway connecting Turkish
Kars with Akhalkalaki saying it would further aggravate the blockade imposed
on Armenia.
According to Ashot Yeghiazarian, a senior member of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, fears that the Armenian market would be flooded with cheap
Turkish goods in the event of an open border must be thrown off. He added that
open borders would first of all benefit underdeveloped eastern regions of
Turkey, while Armenia would get a transit route across Turkey to Middle East
markets.
Gagik Melikian from the ruling Republican Party said open borders would
result in more exports and consequently more budget revenues.
According to official figures, Turkish-Armenian trade is estimated
annually between $40 – $60 million and is mainly carried out through neighboring
Georgia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU a fragile hope for Istanbul’s Christian communities
Agence France Presse
October 3, 2004 Sunday
BY Nicolas Cheviron
ISTANBUL
Andrea is a “Rum”, Tarin is Armenian, Giovanni a Levantine. For
centuries, their communities served as bridges between Europe and the
Ottoman Empire whose successor, Turkey, is now seeking full membership
in the European Union.
All three are Christian and favor the mainly Muslim country’s entry
into the EU and see in it a fragile hope for their disappearing
cultures.
Andrea Rombopoulos single-handedly produces Iho, one of two
Greek-language dailies to still appear in Turkey.
He claims 80 percent of Istanbul’s “Rums” — Romans, as Greeks of
Turkish nationality are called here, in reference to the Eastern Roman
Empire from which they descended — read his paper. That makes about
1,600 people.
Rombopoulos believes Turkey’s membership in the European bloc will end
all the problems his community faces in trying to defend its rights.
“We have about 60 foundations that run our schools and our churches,”
he explained. “But for the past 37 years, the (Turkish) state has
forbidden any elections to renew their management — has sometimes
seized their property — and prevented them from functioning
properly.”
Turkish membership in the EU, he believes, will be the best guarantee
for the future of his dwindling community.
In the editorial offices of his newspaper, in a 19th century townhouse
built by the great Zarifi “Rum” banking dynasty that is witness to the
past grandeur and current decline of Istanbul’s Greeks, Rombopoulos
laments: “We are on the verge of extinction.”
The EU, he explained, can mean salvation. “When Turkey enters the EU,
foreign firms will invest in Turkey and they will need staff who know
how to trade with the Turks,” he said. “The Greeks are in the best
position to do that.
“If new (Greek) families settle in Istanbul, then maybe we can save
our culture.”
Tarin Karakasli, who works for the Armenian daily Agos, agrees.
“Turkey joining the EU means normalizing relations with Armenia,” she
said. “For people like us, who live in the shadow of their ancestors,
this will be like a drop of cool water through a parched throat … we
could even speak of a cultural renaissance.”
She is a fervent supporter of Turkey’s rapid accession to the European
bloc — contrary to most of the Armenian diaspora, which says Turkey
should be kept out of the EU until it admits that the 1915 massacre of
hundreds of thousand of Armenians was an act of genocide.
“My newspaper believes that only a fully democratic country can
question its past,” she said. “As things stand, Turkey can neither
confirm nor deny something it does not really know about — something
that has been kept under wraps like a terrible taboo.”
She believes that the democratization process accompanying membership
talks will free the Turkish mindset — and allow the country’s
45,000-strong Armenian community to finally cast off the yoke of the
past.
The grandson of a Neapolitan cook who emigrated to Istanbul in
mid-19th century on his father’s side, and of an Italian family long
established in the Greek islands on his mother’s, Giovanni
Scognamillo, 75, is a Levantine — a Roman Catholic born on Turkish
soil, although the term can also apply to Protestants.
Scognamillo, a well-know figure in the Istanbul intelligentsia, has
been a bookdealer, a decorator, a bank employee, a filmmaker, a
journalist, an author and a historian.
He believes the extinction of his community — a few hundred souls, he
said, in Istanbul and Izmir, on the Aegean coast — is inevitable.
“Mine is the last generation of Levantines,” he said, without a trace
of nostalgia. “The young now go live abroad.”
He is all for Turkey joining the EU, but he does not have much hope
for the Levantine community.
“That there will be a rush of Turks into EU countries, I do not doubt
for a moment,” he said. “But a rush of Levantines into Turkey — I
don’t think so.
“Anyway,” he joked, “once Turkey is part of the EU, at least I won’t
have to queue for my residence permit every five years.”

IF COALITION FAILS TO FULFILL ITS TASKS, ARFD WILL WITHDRAW FROM IT:
CHAIRMAN OF ARFD SUPREME BODY ARMEN ROUSTAMYAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1. ARMINFO. ARF Dashnaktsutyun joined the ruling
coalition with the object of solving the country’s urgent problems, if
the coalition fails to fulfill its tasks, ARFD will withdraw from it,
Chairman of ARFD Supreme Body Armen Roustamyan said at a
press-conference today.
At the same time, he said that if ARFD withdraws from the ruling
coalition, it will not join the opposition, as it has its own place in
the political arena. Meanwhile, Roustamyan said that in spite of
definite gaps in the activity of the coalition, the latter has a
achieved considerable results, in particular, Armenia’s international
authority has been upgraded and the domestic political situation has
been stabilized just due to the ruling coalition.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkey’s president views internal, external issues in keynote speech
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
1 Oct 04
In his keynote speech at the Assembly to mark the beginning of a new
legislative year, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that Turkey was
making steps to become a” powerful country by means of social
consensus”, and emphasized that the “secular and democratic Turkey”
made these reforms possible. Sezer said that Turkey had “reached a
significant point at its EU membership process” but warned that “we
should not give any pretext that would strengthen those who want to
keep Turkey outside of the European Union”. The Turkish president
complained that the USA and its allies had done nothing to stop the
Kurdish rebels in Iraq but insisted that “Turkey’s relations with the
United States should be carried out on the basis of alliance and
friendship”. Sezer also said that “ending unjust isolation of Turkish
Cypriots is a requirement of credibility and consistency of
international society”. Concluding his speech, Sezer said that “Turkey
would continue to support a democratic, prosperous Iraq” with “its
territorial and national integrity preserved”. The following is text
of report in English by Turkish news agency Anatolia
Ankara, 1 October: Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday
1 October : “In systems where the rule of law prevails, supremacy of
one of the legislative, executive or judiciary organs over the others
cannot be in question.”
In his keynote speech at the parliament to mark the beginning of the
new legislative year, President Sezer said: “Our parliament is
representing the national sovereignty and is the basic institution of
our democratic regime. The parliament speeded up development of the
secular and democratic Republic of Turkey with its decisions.”
“The world and Turkey are going through an important period. In the
light of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s reforms and constitutional
principles, we are making the necessary steps to reach the joint goal
of modern society-modern state-powerful country by means of social
consensus,” he said.
“I want to emphasize once again that the republic which was founded by
our nation with great sacrifices under the leadership of Ataturk, is
our most precious wealth. The secular and democratic Republic of
Turkey led us to make all those reforms which were appreciated by the
world. The republic is the most important warranty of a brilliant
future. We do not have any doubt that our citizens will act with
solidarity and responsibility in order to protect Ataturk’s principles
and reforms as well as our unity. When we fulfil our responsibilities,
we will easily reach a better future,” he said.
President Sezer added: “The most advanced and modern stage in social
structure is the rule of law. The values which have been adopted under
the Constitution are the guarantee of all other characteristics of the
republic. The rule of law also includes prevention of abuse of state’s
power because the rule of law is the essential tool to prevent a
political power turning into a repressive regime. In systems where the
rule of law prevails, supremacy of one of the legislative, executive
or judiciary organs over the others cannot be in question.”
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday that Turkey reached a
significant point at its EU membership process, adding “yet at the
point we have reached, we should not give any pretext that would
strengthen those who want to keep Turkey outside of European Union.”
He also noted that Turkey should test the sincerity of EU countries.
In his keynote speech at the parliament to mark the beginning of the
new legislative year, President Sezer said, “our EU membership
symbolizes universal values and high living standards and means
concretization of most important social projects to reach the level of
contemporary civilization that was put forward by Ataturk. EU
membership will also be an additional assurance for secular,
multi-party democratic structure of Turkey and will strengthen our
country against every kind of extremism.”
Recalling that Turkey had undertook significant constitutional and
legislative changes to strengthen itself and take under guarantee
basic rights and freedoms, as well as democracy and supremacy of law,
Sezer said, “we have clearly put forward our determination and
capability to take them further.” Sezer said Turkish nation who
carefully noted the statements emanating from Brussels, expected a
just and unbiased evaluation from the EU. “In the Progress Report that
will be issued by the EU Commission we expect a fair evaluation on
comprehensive reforms Turkey has fulfilled and a clear statement on
starting negotiations as soon as possible as it happened with other
candidates,” he said.
Sezer added that contributions that Turkey’s membership would bring to
EU’s global values were obvious. Sezer said EU’s starting membership
talks with Turkey and Turkey’s membership in the end of this process
is the most important message that will be given to Middle Eastern
countries and, in a wider sense, to Islamic world. “This message is
that: values like democracy, human rights and supremacy of law are
universal and the line that separates societies today passes not
between civilizations and religions, but between those who adopt these
values and those who do not. And the West and Islam can embrace each
other by taking these values as basis.”
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday that it was unacceptable
to describe Turkey as an Islamic republic or to propose a meaningless
model like “moderate Islam” for Turkey and to show Turkey as a model
country with the pretext of Greater Middle East Initiative. In his
keynote speech at the parliament to mark the beginning of the new
legislative year, President Sezer said, it was impossible to bring
together democracy and a state of religion whether it is “moderate” or
“radical”. Noting that Turkey has chosen its political regime 81 years
ago with proclamation of the republic, Sezer said the regime of
Republic of Turkey is built on the basis of a secular, democratic and
social state of law. He said: “Abuse of religion causes significant
harm both to our constitutional order and democratic progress and to
Islam religion. The reactionary movement continues to pose a major
threat against our democratic and secular state, based on the rule of
law,” adding that fight against fundamentalism should continue with
determination.
Regarding the existence of terrorist organization PKK Kurdistan
Workers’ Party in Iraq, he said that the failure of the United States
and international force in Iraq in starting initiatives against this
terrorist organization in the north of Iraq, contradicted Turkish-US
friendship and international responsibilities in fighting against
terrorism.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday that ending unjust
isolation of Turkish Cypriots is a requirement of credibility and
consistency of international society. In his keynote speech at the
parliament to mark the beginning of the new legislative year,
President Sezer said they were pleased to see that Turkey’s efforts to
establish good relations with its neighbours yielded more significant
results every year. “We are taking necessary steps to take further our
relations with Greece, which is an ally and which we target to be a
close partner through the European Union,” Sezer said.
Noting that sincerity and dialogue constituted two essential elements
in relations with Greece, Sezer added: “Turkey thinks the steps it has
taken through this dialogue will not remain unanswered. It should not
be disregarded that sincerity and dialogue are insufficient to
overcome all problems in international relations. It is very obvious
that no just point has been reached in Turkey’s and Turkish Cypriots’
rightful case in Cyprus despite their self-sacrifices and sincere
compromises. Turkish Cypriots have clearly put forward their will to
compromise through democratic processes with the support of
international community, including the UN and the EU. The Greek
Cypriot side had succeeded to make international community believe
just the opposite. Now against insistent attitude of Greek Cypriots in
refraining from peace and unification, ending unjust isolation of
Turkish Cypriots should be a natural result of requirement of
complying with rules of law and justice, political sincerity,
credibility and consistency of international society. We expect some
initiatives that has been started to end this isolation of Turkish
Cypriots to be resulted in a way that meets expectations in a short
period of time.”
Noting that neighbours such as Bulgaria and Romania responded
affirmatively to Turkey’s friendly and constructive attitude, Sezer
said the point reached in relations between Turkey and Russian
Federation was also pleasing. Sezer said reaching permanent stability,
security and prosperity in South Caucasus was of significant
importance for Turkey, which tried to contribute to solutions of
problems through peaceful means. Sezer said the reasons why relations
with Armenia could not be normalized so far were obvious, adding that
“it is Turkey’s sincere wish that this situation created by Armenian
policies should be overcome and the cooperation ring in South Caucasus
should be completed. For this, Armenia should pursue a foreign policy
complying with rules of international law and good neighbourliness
with a will to compromise. It is certain that Turkey will respond in
the same manner to the positive steps that will be taken in this
direction. Every country acting openly, friendly and without
prejudices towards Turkey benefits from this. We expect Armenia to act
with this understanding.”
Sezer said that Turkey’s relations with the United States should be
carried out on the basis of alliance and friendship. He added that the
maturity and mutual benefits of this friendship and alliance have been
proved. “We cannot close our eyes to terrorist organization PKK’s
finding shelter in Iraq and infiltrating from our borders. It is very
obvious that we will not permit restarting of terrorist acts against
Turkey taking advantage of developments in Iraq. We expect our
strategic partner and ally United States to fulfil its
responsibilities on this issue.”
Noting that Turkey would continue to support a democratic, prosperous
Iraq of which its territorial and national integrity are preserved,
Sezer said Turkey’s attributing importance to situation of Turkomans
who were kinsmen to Turkish people should be considered natural. He
added that the uneasiness created by the efforts to possess Kirkuk by
any ethnic group would not be limited to this town, and a turmoil that
would spread to the whole of Iraq would ignite a regional instability
of which its results could not be predicted.
Sezer said that developing relations between Turkey and Syria revealed
benefits of Turkey’s constructive approach. “We think we support
searches for peace and stability in the region as we develop our
relations with Syria. Syria’s establishing normal relations with other
countries, especially Western countries, is to the interest of
Turkey. We will continue to encourage Syria in this direction.” Noting
that normalization in the Middle East was a necessity which should
have been reached much earlier, Sezer said Turkey was ready to make
any contribution that would be asked by the sides for solution of
problems in the region, especially Israel-Palestine dispute. He said:
“We believe that acting together with regional countries and western
friends as well as Israeli and Palestinian authorities will yield a
result in solution of this dispute.”
Sezer added that Turkey would continue to support Afghanistan with
which it has historical and close ties.

CENN – OCTOBER 1, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. EBRD — Country strategy for Georgia
2. Workshop on SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) in Tbilisi and
Pilot Project as the Capacity Building Tool for SEA Protocol
Implementation in Georgia
3. Public Movement “Stability” Intends to Unite All Public Organizations
of Armenia to Strengthen Activity of Public Sector
4. Armenian Metallurgical Plants Report Major Output Growth
5. Russian energy group plans expansion drive
6. Invitation to Workshop on Clean Development Mechanism and Project
Financing in Tbilisi, Georgia
1. EBRD — COUNTRY STRATEGY FOR GEORGIA
Please be informed that the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) country strategy for Georgia is now available at:
2. WORKSHOP ON SEA (STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT) IN TBILISI AND
PILOT PROJECT AS THE CAPACITY BUILDING TOOL FOR SEA PROTOCOL
IMPLEMENTATION IN GEORGIA
First workshop on Strategic Environmental Assessment took place in
Tbilisi on September 29-30, 2004. Representatives of UNDP and REC for
Central and Eastern Europe presented their vision on SEA, UN/ECE SEA
protocol, its implementation in South Caucasus countries. Leading
specialists of the MoE made a national overview on problems, gaps, needs
and challenges related to the environmental assessment in Georgia.
Representative Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) presented
results of the regional project on effectiveness of EIA system in South
Caucasus countries implemented by the organization and also informed
attendants about new projects of CENN in environmental assessment field,
namely two new projects:
In October 2004, CENN starts a new project: `Strengthening of
Environmental Assessment (EIA/SEA) System in the South Caucasus
Countries’.
The objectives of the project are:
(i) Improvement of EA legislation in Georgia – Elaboration of Law on EA
(incorporating provisions both on EIA and SEA) for Georgia;
(ii) Increase of public environmental awareness through nation and
region wide campaign in the South Caucasus region to stimulate active
public participation in environmental decision-making.
– Establishment of Public EA library in Georgia;
– Organization of public oversight of EA activities in the South
Caucasus countries;
In November 2004, CENN plans to start a new Project on: Improvement of
EA Practice in Georgia through Development of EA Implementation Tools.
The Project aims at improvement of EA practice in Georgia through
development of EIA implementation tools – sector guidelines that will
significantly promote effective application of the EIA related legal
requirements.
Ecoline EIA Centre, Moscow presented suggested principles for quality
control of SEA within environmental review.
Pilot SEA project was chosen as the capacity building tool for SEA
protocol implementation in Georgia (Port Development Concept).
The Seminar was organized by the UNDP Georgia country office and the
Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe.
Prepared by: CENN
Katya Nakashidze
3. PUBLIC MOVEMENT “STABILITY” INTENDS TO UNITE ALL PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS
OF ARMENIA TO STRENGTHEN ACTIVITY OF PUBLIC SECTOR
Source: ARMINFO, September 28, 2004
The Public Movement “Stability” intends to unite all the public
organizations of Armenia to contribute to the vulnerable groups of the
population, Head of the Initiative Group of “Stability” Tigran
Urikhanyan made this statement today at the Constituent Congress.
He said that to implement joint programs, the possibilities and the
whole potential of the public sector of Armenia would be united.
Besides, the movement’s activity will be aimed at developing and
strengthening the public organizations interested in protection of human
rights. The supporters of the movement intend to contribute to the
fruitful activity of the state bodies of Armenia cooperating with them.
At present, 174 public organizations of Armenia have joined the
movement, such as the Fund of Armenians Aryans, the public organization
of invalid freedom fighters “Heritage,” the Union of Progressive Women
and others. Urikhanyan, who also heads the Progressive Party of Armenia,
said that any parallels between the activity of the movement and the
party are ruled out.
The Initiative Group of the Movement consisting of 174 NGOs was
established on June 9, 2004. That day a Declaration on Establishment of
the Stability Public Movement was signed,
4. ARMENIAN METALLURGICAL PLANTS REPORT MAJOR OUTPUT GROWTH
Source: ArmenPress, September 28, 2004
Output of 26 ore mining enterprises in the first eight months of this
year, monitored by a trade and development ministry department,
amounted, in terms of money, to 90 billion Armenians Drams, virtually as
much as in the first eight months of last year. The department head,
Arthur Ashughian, said last year’s figure included also the 11 billion
AMD output of Armenal foil manufacturing plant. Armenal is not operative
now because of undergoing a sweeping process of equipment upgrading.
This year’s increase was due to efficient operation of an ore mining
plant in Agarak, in southern Armenia, whose production capacity has gone
up by 25 percent after it was privatized by a foreign company. The plant
has doubled its production growth rate against last year. Another ore
mining plant in Kapan, also in southern Armenia, has also doubled its
output after implementation of a development plan of Shahumian mines.
The leading Armenian metallurgical company, the Armenian Copper Program,
has designed developments plans for both Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh,
reporting also a 20 percent output increase. According to
Ashughian, if Armenian metallurgical plants maintain this dynamic, their
overall output may amount to $280 million by the end of the year against
$170 million in 2003.
He said a total of $8 million were invested in Agarak and Kapan plants,
more than committed by their new owners.
The gold extracting plant in Ararat has produced this year 10.5 billion
worth gold, 30 percent less than last year. According to Arthur
Ashughian, the decrease had been planned after the Zod mines began
exploring new mines. He said the current capacities of the mine ould be
exploited for another 6-7 years, as it has been exploited for decades.
He said there are other gold mines in Armenia, but added that they do
not contain much gold.
5. RUSSIAN ENERGY GROUP PLANS EXPANSION DRIVE
Source: FT, September 29, 2004
Unified Energy System, the Russian electricity monopoly, is considering
politically sensitive moves to supply power to Iran, Turkey and China as
part of an international expansion drive.
The group is planning investments in power generation and/or
distribution in the countries of the former Soviet Union on Russia’s
southern borders, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which
would complement existing UES investments in Georgia and Armenia. Once
these are in place, UES will be in a position to build connecting links
to Iran, Turkey and China and use an existing link between Armenia and
Iran.
Anatoly Chubais, UES chairman, said the moves would make sense
commercially in spite of the political challenges involved in dealing
with several different countries lying in a politically sensitive
region. “There’s a business logic. There’s a good price for electricity
in Iran, China and Turkey,” he said.
The planned investments by the state-controlled UES might be seen in
some of the former Soviet republics as a new form of Russian
imperialism.
But Mr. Chubais, a leader of Russia’s liberal Union of Right Forces
party, said UES’s plans were in tune with his programme of “liberal
imperialism” in which businesses, not governments, took the initiative,
acting out of commercial, not political, motives. Mr Chubais said the
proposed Kazakh investment was a stake in a large power station but he
declined to give details of the plans in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as
talks were at a sensitive stage.
The group’s existing investments in the region include about 20 per cent
of Georgia’s generating capacity and 35 per cent of its distribution
network. In Armenia, it controls 85 per cent of generation through its
management contract for the Metsamor nuclear plant. Mr. Chubais said
these investments could open doors to larger markets.
Earlier Mr Chubais told an investment conference that the company was
preparing for reform of the domestic electricity market, in spite of the
fact the government postponed key decisions this year.
Under the plan, UES would be broken into distribution, transmission and
generating companies which would mostly be privatised. But Mikhail
Fradkov, the prime minister, delayed implementation, saying he needed
more time to study the mechanism of deregulation and its impact on
households.
The government is now due to reconsider the reforms on December 2.
Mr Chubais said yesterday that UES had proposed new plans under which
prices would be liberalised only slowly – over 3 to 5 years – to protect
vulnerable consumers.
6. INVITATION TO WORKSHOP ON CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM AND PROJECT
FINANCING IN TBILISI, GEORGIA
Dear Sir/Madame,
Two-day workshop on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and project
financing will be held on 18-19 October at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel,
Tbilisi Georgia.
We would like to formally extend an invitation for your attendance at
the workshop which is aimed at project developers, governments
(Designated National Authorities), banks, and consultancy organizations
in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The workshop is organized by Ecofys under assignment from the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and is sponsored by the
Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and The Environment, through
the Netherlands Environment Trust Fund at the EBRD. It is being held in
partnership with the PPC, back-to-back with the Second Joint Meeting of
the EAP Task Force/PPC and the Conference of Environment Ministers from
the countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) and
their Partners, taking place in Tbilisi on 21-23 October.
If you are interested in attending the workshop, please send your full
detail (Name, Organisation, Address,
City, Country, Zip/Postcode, Telephone/Fax numbers and E-mail address)
to: Yvonne Hofman (Ecofys) at [email protected].
If you have any questions concerning the workshop, please contact Yvonne
Hofman directly.
For the more detailed information please see the following link:
announcement.doc
Drs. Yvonne Hofman
Energy & Climate Strategies
Ecofys bv
Kanaalweg 16-G; P.O. Box 8408; NL-3503 RK Utrecht; The Netherlands
T: +31 (0)30 280 83 39; F: +31 (0)30 280 83 01
E-mail: [email protected]
Info:
—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
September 30, 2004
ST. VARTANANTZ CHURCH HOSTS RECEPTION
FOR “PILLARS OF THE PRELACY”
by Yn. Joanna Baghsarian
PROVIDENCE, RI – On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
the Executive Council of the Eastern Prelacy and the Sts. Vartanantz
Board of Trustees and Delegates, Rev. and Mrs. Gomidas Baghsarian
hosted a reception for the “Pillars of the Prelacy” on Sunday,
September 12, 2004, at their home in Cranston, Rhode Island.
The star-studded sky illuminated the white tent that beckoned the
arriving guests to enter its portals and partake of classical music,
fine wines, and the best of Armenian delicacies prepared by the women
of the community.
The beautiful setting created an ambiance of solidarity and friendship
as guests arrived. Centered on every table was a crystal pillar and
perched delicately on the rim of each slender column, stood a white,
wing-spanned dove. A tapered lit candle was the crowning finishing
touch and strongly reflected the people-the invited “Pillars of the
Prelacy”-who came to give their financial and moral support to the
Prelacy and the many Prelacy programs that contribute to the glory
of the Armenian Church.
The arrival of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan as the honored guest
allowed everyone to engage in personable and pleasing conversation
with His Eminence.
Rev. Fr. Gomidas, the pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, welcomed
everyone and invited Peter “Doc” Bedrosian, Chairman of the Board,
and Hagop Khachadourian, a member of the Prelacy’s Executive Council,
to address the guests.
Archbishop Oshagan, offered his words of welcome and thanks to the
hosts and explained in detail the importance of the stewardship
fund appropriately entitled, “Pillars of the Prelacy.” His Eminence
elaborated on the significance of the Sunday school, the Armenian
school, the St. Gregory of Datev Institute, the Siamanto Academy, the
Orphan Sponsorship program in Armenia and Artsakh, and the important
task of recruitment and training of clergy candidates. All of these
programs benefit from the annual commitment made by the Pillars.
Because the Armenian Church is the traditional keeper of our Christian
ministry and the guardian of our national culture, these youth-oriented
programs must not only continue but also expand to meet the growing
needs of our community, the Prelate said. The Pillars agreed that the
Prelacy is the heartbeat of the community and needs and deserves the
support of all of the faithful.
The following individuals from the Providence community are proud
to stand tall as a “Pillars of the Prelacy:” Roxanne Arzoomanian,
Peter ‘Doc’ and Oppie Bedrosian, Ray and Gladys Boornazian, Aram Der
Manuelian, Mary Fermanian, The Hon. Aram and Jane Garabedian, Elyse,
Louise and Rosette Garabedian, Azarig and Liz Kooloian, Eddie and Liz
Kopoian, Everett and Rose Marabian, Varkis and Lillian Markarian,
Vark and Lynn Markarian, Charles and Irene Matoian, Anto and Carol
Mesrobian and Children, Souren and Sally Mouradjian, Mark and Nancy
Nahigian-Tavitian, Ara and Maggie Nalbandian, Vahe and Hermine
Oharonian, Raffi and Lucy Rafaelian, Harout and Anoush Taraksian,
Harry and Agnes Toumasian, Joyce Yeremian, Ramon and Sonya Zorabedian.