Author: Jalatian Sonya

Portugal benefits from oil tycoon’s legacy

Bahrain Tribune, Bahrain
Aug 6, 2006

Daniel Silva
Lisbon

Portugal produces no oil yet for the past five decades oil wealth
has played a key role in the development of the country, paying for
library books, hospital equipment and thousands of scholarships.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, named after a Turkish-born Armenian
oil tycoon who left his fortune to the country, has given out two
billion euros (2.5 billion US dollars) at current prices since it
was set up in 1956, a year after his death.

Money provided by the foundation has also funded the nation’s top
symphony orchestra, several rehabilitation centres for the handicapped
and exhibition halls as well as the restoration of historical sites.

"The truth is that this foundation is the most extraordinary lucky
break in the history of this country," sociologist Antonio Barreto
said last month at a ceremony marking the 50-year anniversary of the
approval of the foundation’s statutes.

Barreto is writing a book on the impact that the foundation’s vast
resources have had on Portugal, one of western Europe’s poorest
nations.

Gulbenkian, who made his fortune in the Middle East, lived at a
Lisbon hotel during the last 13 years of his life after moving in
1942 to Portugal, at the age of 73, by car with his wife, from Nazi
Germany’s occupied France. Three years before his death he drew up
a will allotting the bulk of his fortune, as well as his vast art
collection, to Portugal to be used to set up a charitable foundation
to thank the country for providing him with a refuge from the ravages
of World War II.

The will specified that the foundation must be based in Lisbon, exist
in perpetuity and focus on the fields of arts, charity, education
and science.

Under the care of its executors the foundation’s assets have risen
to just over three billion euros, equal to two percent of Portugal’s
gross domestic product, from the equivalent of 14 million euros when
it was founded in 1956.

It is Europe’s sixth-biggest charitable foundation by assets.

Among its holdings is oil company Partex, which has interests in Abu
Dhabi, Algeria, Angola, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Oman. It produces some
13.5 million barrels of oil per year.

The foundation has an annual budget for its charitable activies equal
to four percent of its overall assets, which this year amounted
to 113 million euros, more than the budget of some government
ministries. Roughly 80 percent of the money is spent in Portugal
with much of the rest earmarked for projects in the country’s former
colonies in Africa.

Gulbenkian’s art collection, which includes Egyptian sculptures,
Chinese Qing vases and scores of gold and silver Greco-Roman coins,
is on display at a Lisbon museum set in a park that shares his name
which has become one of the nation’s top tourist attractions since
it threw open its doors in 1969.

"I think we’ll never be able to thank him sufficiently for his
generosity," the president of the foundation, Rui Vilar, said in an
interview published in July in literary magazine JL.

One of the first ventures which the foundation bankrolled was the
creation of a network of traveling libraries which operated out of a
fleet of buses, lending books to readers in the most remote parts of
the country. Five years after the foundation was set up it operated
61 "library buses" alongside 156 permanent libraries at a time when
Portugal was ruled by a repressive right-wing dictatorship which
vastly neglected social spending.

"Few actions touched the interior of Portugal during the second half
of the twentieth century as deeply as this one," Portuguese President
Anibal Cavaco Silva said at the celebrations marking the foundation’s
50-year anniversary. Speaking before an audience which included all of
Portugal’s living former presidents, Cavaco Silva also recalled how a
Gulbenkian scholarship allowed him to do a PhD in economics in England.

Since its establishment the foundation has given out more than 65,000
scolarships. Before Portugal, a nation of just over 10 million people,
joined the European Community, the precursor to the European Union
in 1986, the foundation was the nation’s main source of scholarships,
especially for studies abroad.

Born in 1869 to a family of well-to-do Armenian merchants in Scutari,
now part of Istanbul, Gulbenkian became a British citizen after
studying petroleum engineering in London and was one of the first to
open the Middle East to the oil trade.

AFP

Ambassador: Damage to Lebanon assessed at $5bn

Regnum, Russia
Aug 4, 2006

"Israeli Air Force strikes are mainly targeted at the vitally
important facilities. Three bridges were destroyed today morning in
Beirut. $50mln will be needed to reconstruct each of them. For the
22 days of the military action, about 22 Lebanese have been killed,
over 3, 000 wounded, millions became refugees, and the damage is
assessed at $5bn," Ambassador of Lebanon to Armenia Gabriel Geara
said at a news briefing at a National press club.

Geara said that representatives of foreign countries visit
Lebanon daily. "Nothing, however, has been done in the direction of
establishing ceasefire. They say that on Monday a decision on ceasefire
will be taken at the UN Security Council’s session. We urged everybody
to exert maximal effort." The Lebanese diplomat also informed that his
government drafted a document of seven items on establishing peace. "It
is necessary to establish ceasefire, to exchange prisoners of war, to
withdraw Israeli armed forces from the occupied territories, to deploy
the legal Lebanese army on the whole of the country’s territory, to
station peacekeeping forces under the UN aegis, to return Lebanon and
Israel to the ceasefire agreement signed in 1949, to announce Lebanon
a disaster zone and to apply for help to other countries," Geara said.

A conference of all Lebanon Muslim and Christian spiritual leaders
convened two days ago, at which Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I and
Head of Armenian Catholic Church Patriarch Nerses Bedros were also
present. The statement adopted at the conference fully corresponded
to the Lebanese government’s position, the ambassador said. Speaking
of the Hezbollah movement disarmament, Geara noted that the issue is
included in the agenda. "The government of Lebanon says that the issue
will be resolved after the seized territories liberated, prisoners of
war exchanged, and the ceasefire established. Hezbollah is a movement
of national resistance, that will become obsolete after is executes
its mission – returns the southern country’s territories – and continue
political activities in parliament and other state structures," Geara
said. He said the beginning of a civil war in Lebanon was unlikely.

A conference of all Lebanon Muslim and Christian spiritual leaders
convened two days ago, at which Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I and
Head of Armenian Catholic Church Patriarch Nerses Bedros were also
present. The statement adopted at the conference fully corresponded
to the Lebanese government’s position, the ambassador said. Speaking
of the Hezbollah movement disarmament, Geara noted that the issue is
included in the agenda. "The government of Lebanon says that the issue
will be resolved after the seized territories liberated, prisoners of
war exchanged, and the ceasefire established. Hezbollah is a movement
of national resistance, that will become obsolete after is executes
its mission – returns the southern country’s territories – and continue
political activities in parliament and other state structures," Geara
said. He said the beginning of a civil war in Lebanon was unlikely.

The entire world helps Lebanon these days. Gabriel Geara expressed
gratitude to the government of Armenia for the humanitarian aid
rendered to Lebanon. "I want to assure all the Armenians in the world
that Armenians living in Lebanon are in no danger, they suffered
neither material nor physical damage; even the smallest shop owned
by an Armenian remained intact. Probably, God loves Armenians. We
are glad that it is so," the ambassador said.

SENATOR SAYS HE’LL VOTE AGAINST ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR NOMINEE FREDERIC J. FROMMER

Contra Costa Times, San Francisco
Aug 2 2006

WASHINGTON – A Republican senator is planning to vote against President
Bush’s nominee for ambassador to Armenia because the nominee has
refused to refer to the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide.

"I continue to be troubled by our policy that refuses to recognize
what was a historical reality," Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman said in
a telephone interview Wednesday.

The Bush administration does not question that Turkish troops killed
or drove from their homes 1.5 million Armenians starting in 1915. But
it has omitted the word "genocide" to describe it.

Turkey strongly objects to the use of the term, and U.S. policymakers
are wary of antagonizing an important strategic NATO ally.

On Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on which Coleman
serves, postponed a vote on Richard E. Hoagland’s nomination until
next month. While other senators have raised concerns about Hoagland’s
nomination, Coleman is the first to say publicly that he will vote
against it, according to the Armenian National Committee of America.

California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who sits on the committee,
agreed with postponing the vote but hasn’t said how she plans to vote.

"The administration has to change its policy on Armenia.
Unfortunately, Mr. Hoagland is caught in the middle of this sorry
situation, and I will say more about this entire matter when the
committee votes on this nomination," she said Wednesday in a statement.

In May, the White House announced the recall of the current ambassador
to Armenia, John Evans, two years into the normal three-year diplomatic
term. Last year, Evans told Armenian-Americans, "The Armenian genocide
was the first genocide of the 20th century."

Sixty members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice protesting that Evans was being
punished for his reference to "genocide." In a separate letter,
Democratic Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry of Massachusetts
demanded an explanation from Rice for Evans’ recall.

"It absolutely was cut short because of that," Coleman said,
referring to Evans’ use of the word genocide. "That I also found to
be troubling. Evans was a good ambassador.

"As someone of the Jewish faith, I bring a heightened sensitivity
to the reality of genocide and mass murder, and the importance of
recognizing it for what it is," Coleman said.

"I was brought up believing you never forget the Holocaust, never
forget what happened. And I could not imagine how our ambassador
to Israel could have any effectiveness if he couldn’t recognize
the Holocaust."

Asked whether Evans was recalled for using the word genocide, State
Department spokesman Edgar Vasquez would only say, "U.S. ambassadors
serve at the pleasure of the president."

At a Foreign Relations Committee hearing in June, senators failed to
get Hoagland to use the word genocide.

"I have not received any kind of written instruction about this,"
Hoagland said at that hearing. "I simply have studied the president’s
policy. I’ve studied the background papers on the policy. And my
responsibility is to support the president." (AP)

ARMENIAN SINGER THE 9TH AT INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST

Panorama.am
15:16 01/08/06

Razmik Amian, a young singer from Armenia, took the 9th position at an
international contest of pop music "New Wave 2006′ in Yurmala. Anjeli
La Rouse from USA was announced as the winner of the contest over
scoring her contender Janny Fiorellino from Italy by 3 points. Georgian
singer Sofiko took the third place. This is the fifth year that the
New Wave takes place in Yurmala. Its award fund makes up $100 000 to
be divided among first, second, third places (50, 30 and 20 thousand
respectively)./Panorama.am/

PAROUYR HAYRIKIAN EXPECTS TO GET 15-30% OF VOTES IN CASE NEXT ELECTIONS ARE FAIR

AZG Armenian Daily #143, 01/08/2006

Home Politics

"If a miracle happens and Moscow reveals the secret
network of its agents in Armenia, and we have the
opportunity to hold fair elections in Armenia, our
party will get 15-30% of the votes," Parouyr
Hayrikian, Chairman of "National Self-Determination
Union" party, said at the recent press conference at
"Pakagits" club.

But, in fact, he doesn’t believe fair elections may be
held and counts on the unification of his allies. He
said this union would help hold election that will get
rid of the criminal elements that exist in our state
system. Hayrikian also pointed out the prosecution
cases carried out against his party members,
particularly, when some forces tried to deprive his
party of his party office in Ghapan.

Besides, Hayrikian stated that the state structures do
not pay proper attention to the arrangements dedicated
to the celebration of 15th anniversary of the
Independence. As for the necessity to compose a new
hymn of Armenia, he said that he has submitted three
versions of the hymn that he composed himself.

When commenting on the Nagorno Karabakh issue,
Hayrikian stated that only powerful Armenia can assist
Artsakh and none should sell the self-determination of
NKR.

Hayrikian also touched upon an article issued in
"Zhamanak" newspaper, according to which Hayrkian
managed to construct luxury buildings in Davitashen
thanks to $4 billion robbed in the course of the
Karabakh war. He cited the letter the sent to the
newspaper in response to the article and demanded that
the newspaper should openly apologize to him. "We can
meet scoundrels everywhere, but one should be a
scoundrel himself to let them work in a newspaper,"
Hayrikian said.

By Gohar Gevorgian

ISSUE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH’S PARTICIPATION IN NEGOTIATIONS ONE OF MAIN
COMPONENTS OF ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN’S AND MATTHEW BRYZA’S CONVERSATION

STEPANAKERT, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Arkady
Ghoukassian characterized the atmosphere of the July 29 meeting with
OSCE MG American Co-chair Matthew Bryza as "very constructive and
creative". "We exchanged opinions and looked for joint approaches
to promote the progress", – Matthew Bryza told the journalists after
the meeting.

As NT was informed from NKR Foreign Ministry Press Service, The
Co-Chair noted that his first visit to Nagorno Karabakh was purely
acquainting. "One should not expect any new elements yet – I have
just arrived to listen to your opinion", – Matthew Bryza said.

Commenting upon the meeting with the U.S. Co-Chair NKR President Arkady
Ghoukassian said: "Undoubtedly, one of the principal issues of our talk
was participation of Nagorno Karabakh in the negotiations, and I think
that Mr. Bryza understands that without Nagorno Karabakh the conflict
cannot be settled. Not only he but all the mediators realize it".

The President noted that without visiting the NKR and getting
acquainted with the situation on the spot the newly-appointed Co-Chair
would not be able to form full notion about what was going on in
the region.

"I have not had big expectations from Mr. Bryza’s visit as I knew that
he was not arriving with new formulas but to listen to us. In this
respect my expectations have been justified because we could entirely
present our positions. As regards the fact that the mediators had not
arrived in Nagorno Karabakh for a long time it was to a greater extent
connected with technical issues. I have been constantly receiving
invitation to meet with them in Yerevan but I think that it would be
right to hold such meetings in Stepanakert", – Arkady Ghoukassian said.

"In the course of the meeting a creative approach both by the President
and the American Co-Chair was displayed. The ideas, which were to
be specified, coordinated and discussed for a long time, have been
expressed", – in his turn NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian,
who participated in the meeting of the Republic’s President with the
OSCE MG U.S. Co-Chair, told the journalists.

"I am glad that the American Co-Chair has arrived as promised. We
agreed upon that in the USA. Mr.Bryza is energetic enough and makes
up his mind constructively", – NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

Armenian media situation improved, but more diversity needed

ArmRadio.am
31.07.2006 10:41

VIENNA, 2006 – Armenia has made significant progress in improving media
legislation, but media pluralism remains limited to the independent,
but financially weak, print media, OSCE Representative on Freedom of
the Media Miklos Haraszti said in a report released today.

Haraszti prepared the report following an assessment visit to
Yerevan between 19 and 21 July. "In order for Armenia to continue
the process of media democratization, the broadcasting sector needs
to reflect diversity of opinion, and the composition of all boards
should represent the political and social diversity of the country,"
Haraszti said. "Although Armenia has a good set of laws and has
adopted a progressive Freedom of Information Law, their proper
implementation should be ensured."

Armenian Diaspora Youth Can Contribute to NKR Development

PanARMENIAN.Net
31.07.2006 14:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ NKR President Arkady Ghukasian met
with the delegation of the Summer Internship Program
launched by the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). As
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter came to know from the AAA
office, the American students of Armenian origin have
arrived in Karabakh with a familiarization visit.

During the meeting Arkady Ghukasian expressed
satisfaction with the increasing interest of the
Diasporan youth towards Karabakh. The interlocutors
discussed possible ways of solving the conflict with
Azerbaijan, the role of the Armenian Diaspora in
solving the conflict and in the economic development
of NKR, the main directions of economic development of
NKR and de-mining operations.

The NKR leader proposed to enlarge the Student
Internship Program to NKR and remarked that the new
generation of the Armenian Diaspora can make a
considerable contribution to the cosio-economic
development of Nagorno Karabakh.

AZG Armenian Daily #142, 29/07/2006

A-320 Air Crash

"ARMAVIA" STATES INVESTIGATION CONCLUSION MADE BY IAC IS INCORRECT

"ArmAvia" company considers incorrect and untimely the conclusion by
IAC (International Aviation Committee) on the crash of the A-320 liner
in Sochi, which found the pilots guilty of the catastrophe. Today, on
a briefing the head of "ArmAvia" Flight Department Mihran Khachatrian
informed that the statement by the IAC, signed in Toulouse by
Armenian, French and Russian experts, contained the following phrase:
‘the cause of altitude reduction, which resulted the catastrophe, has
not been found out’. Due to unknown reasons the in the statement
published by the Russian side, this phrase was replaced by another,
telling of ‘inadequate actions of the aircraft commander and the crew
members’. Such statements are untimely, as the investigation has not
been finished yet, said Mr. Khachatrian. Head of the Flight Security
Inspection at "ArmAvia" Arshak Nalbandian, who was present to the
briefing, in his turn said that he was not invited by the Russian side
to the signature of the document, although he was included in the IAC
subcommission. He admitted that in the emergency situation the crew
could make some mistakes, but whether the mistakes caused the
catastrophe or no, is not known yet. He said that the Russian said
nothing about that the Sochi airport dispatcher failed to inform the
A-320 crew about high cloudiness and strong wind.

By Marietta Khachatrian

NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan met Stepan Demirchyan

ArmRadio.am
25.07.2006 17:25

July 25 NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan received President of
the Democratic Party of Armenia, Head of the "Justice" faction
of the National Assembly Stepan Demirchyan. Acting Spokesman of
NKR President told "ArmInfo" that during the meeting Mr. Demirchyan
presented his impressions from the journey to Artsakh. The guest said
he is impressed with what he saw and noted that the war consequences
are being eliminated and the progress is apparent. The interlocutors
dwelt on a number of questions of the NKR socio-economic agenda.

At the guest’s request, Arkadi Ghukasyan turned to the current stage
and prospects of the negotiations process over the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict.