Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenian TV programme “indefinitely” taken off air
A1+ web site
15 Oct 04
A new television program created by and featuring news and analysis
from RFE/RL’s Armenian Service, was abruptly pulled from the schedule
of the local Armenian television station “Kentron” on 13 October,
according to service director Hrair Tamrazian. Although the television
station’s management has made no comment on the decision, it is widely
suspected that Kentron was pressured to suspend further broadcasts of
the program, either by official interests or local media competitors.
The television show, a 30-minute long analytical program called
“Azatutyun” (Liberty), debuted to rave reviews on Kentron Sunday, 10
October and was rebroadcast by Kentron the next day on 11 October. Two
days later, Tamrazian was informed by Kentron director (?Petros
Ghazarian) that the show would be “indefinitely suspended”. Kentron
has not commented on the reasons behind his station’s decision.
Tamrazian said: “I am very disappointed that, after tireless efforts
by RFE/RL and Kentron that resulted in a very successful TV show, it
was suspended for as yet unknown reasons. I call on the authorities
to investigate this matter and hope that Kentron and RFE/RL will
continue in a joint project that was eagerly awaited by many viewers
and listeners in Armenia.”
Many viewers called the Armenian Service after the show, to express
their appreciation for the program. Viewers said that the program
was a “breakthrough” for Armenian television, because of RFE/RL’s
objectivity, as well as for featuring a new format with two moderators
(male and female) and the show’s ability to “connect” with its
audience. The first show featured an exclusive report from Strasbourg
on the recent debate about Armenia in the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe (PACE), as well as exclusive interviews about
Armenian-Turkish relations with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan and the new US ambassador, John M. Evans. Passage omitted:
background information

Baku seeks mechanism to implement UN’s Karabakh decisions, stated Azerbaijani
President Ilkham Aliyev
13.10.2004, 12.14
BAKU, October 13 (Itar-Tass) – Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev
stated it is inadmissible to apply double standards with respect to
conflicts, including the one in Nagorno Karabakh.
“All issues should be considered through the prism of international
law,” the head of state said in an interview with Baku-based television
channels.
In his view, the main task is to develop a mechanism to implement
the UN and OSCE decision on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
“Regrettably, there is no such mechanism at present. The United
Nations adopted four resolutions on the Karabakh conflict, but none
of them is being implemented.”
Despite this fact, the mechanism of sanctions is not used. The
Azerbaijani leader said he was convinced that “the use of mechanisms
of international law will help achieve the settlement of the conflict
soon.”
He said the situation around the Karabakh problem would be considered
at the January session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe.
“The report on the subject is ready, it’s very positive, reflecting
the real situation,” Ilkham Aliyev said.
The head of state expressed confidence that the discussion of the
document “will prove the fact of Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani
territories.”
Azerbaijan wants the Council of Europe to give a political evaluation
of the conflict.
“It will become a solid legal basis for resolving the problem,”
the president said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OPPOSITION KEEPS ACCUSING
A1 plus
12-10-2004
The opposition MPs were very active at Tuesday’s parliamentary hour
of announcements. They spoke mostly on Karabakh problem. Shavarsh
Kocharyan said Karabakh had found itself out of negotiation process
thanks to the current authorities. In his words, Armenia is seeking
international recognition for Karabakh while it hasn’t recognized the
republic formally. He said only after power transfer Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic’s independence will be recognized.
MP Tatul Manaseryan brought his economic analysis to show the desperate
situation Armenia found itself.
Victor Dallakyan remembered the 2003 rigged elections and said the
republic’s all troubles caused by the illegitimate authorities that
must be ousted from power with all their supporters.
Vardan Lazarian announced about the rally the opposition will hold
on October 27 to mark anniversary of terrorist attack on Armenian
National Assembly.

INDIAN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ARE ON DISPLAY IN YEREVAN
ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: An exhibition of Indian products and
services opened in the Armenian capital Yerevan on October 10 featuring
products and services of 17 companies, engaged in manufacturing of
garments, pharmaceuticals, Ayurvedic medicines, jewelry, tea, coffee,
herbal cosmetic products, engine mounting and others.
Parallel to the exhibition Armenian and Indian businessmen will
meet to look into possibilities for establishing new contacts. The
exhibition is organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry,
Indian embassy in Yerevan and Armenian Commerce and Industry Chamber.
Speaking to reporters India’s ambassador to Armenia, Deepak Vohra, said
Indian capital is safe in Armenia thanks to its political stability and
friendly and open trade legislation. He said many Indian businessmen
want to start business in Armenia. He added that Armenia is becoming
one of the biggest India’s trade partner in CIS.
According to the ambassador, Armenian-Indian trade grows annually by
30-40 percent. “These are the official figures, but Indian products
arrive here also from Russia, United Arab Emirates and other countries
and the real trade volume is bigger, “he said.
According to figures of Armenian statistics committee, Indian-Armenian
trade in the first six months of this year went up 47 percent, mainly
due to Indian exports to Armenia. Armenian exports are still very
small, mainly synthetic rubber and medications.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Itera holding negotiations on selling 10% in Armenian gas
distributing company
RosBusinessConsulting Database
October 11, 2004 Monday
Itera is holding negotiations on selling 10 percent in Armrosgazprom,
a source close to the company said. A large European investment
holding is among the potential buyers of a 10-percent stake in the
Armenian-based company, the source reported. The 10-percent stake
is valued at $28m, the source said. The press department of Itera
confirmed information about negotiations and declined to disclose
probable participants of the proposed deal.
Gazprom and the Armenian government both have 45-percent stakes in
Armrosgazprom. As Itera does not deliver gas to Armenia, the company
considers the possibility of disposing of this non-core asset, Itera
representatives said. Analysts believe that Gazprom may be interested
in acquiring Itera gas assets. Armrosgazprom controls Armenian gas
distributing networks.

Le Monde, France
04 octobre 2004
Les réticences à l’entrée d’Ankara dans l’Union européenne dominent
largement dans le débat politique français ;
FRANCE ÉLARGISSEMENT DE L’EUROPE M. Chirac promet un référendum sur
l’adhésion de la Turquie
Jean-Michel Bezat
L’ÉCHÉANCE est lointaine, mais le sujet est si sensible qu’il
mobilise déjà, en France, l’ensemble des chefs de partis. Tous ont
officiellement arrêté une position – pour ou contre – l’adhésion de
la Turquie dans l’Union européenne (UE). Dans le camp du « oui »
comme dans celui du « non », chaque argument avancé est retourné par
l’adversaire. Un élargissement de plus, pour le premier ; une
dilution, selon le second. L’arrivée d’une nation musulmane mais d’un
Etat laïque ; le cheval de Troie de l’islamisme dans la vieille
Europe chrétienne. La poursuite d’un projet destiné à contrebalancer
la superpuissance américaine ; la mort du projet d’Europe-puissance.
Une chose est sûre, les « turcosceptiques », pour reprendre
l’expression de huit intellectuels turcs ( Le Monde du 29 septembre),
dominent la classe politique française. Ils relaient ainsi une
opinion publique majoritairement hostile à l’entrée de la Turquie
dans l’Union, qu’il s’agisse des sympathisants du FN (74 %), de l’UDF
(72 %) et de l’UMP (63 %), mais aussi des partisans du PS (55 %),
selon un sondage Ipsos publié, le 28 septembre, par Le Figaro. Le FN
et le Mouvement pour la France (MPF) de Philippe de Villiers mettent
en avant le risque d’une perte de l’identité culturelle, voire
religieuse, du Vieux Continent. Il est d’autant plus fondé, selon
eux, que le parti du premier ministre, Recep Erdogan, défend les
valeurs islamiques.
Les craintes des dirigeants de l’UMP sont aussi fortes, mais elles
s’expriment de façon plus nuancée – sauf quand Jean-Pierre Raffarin
redoute, dans un récent entretien au Wall Street Journal, que « le
fleuve de l’islam » ne rejoigne « le lit de la laïcité ». Ces
positions sont éloignées de celles de Jacques Chirac, qui juge que la
Turquie a « vocation » à intégrer l’Union « à long terme ». Le chef
de l’Etat récuse notamment les argumentaires ethniques ou religieux,
persuadé qu’ils confortent tous ceux qui, aux Etats-Unis et en
Europe, ne voient plus dans la marche du monde qu’un « choc des
civilisations ».
Encore président du parti chiraquien, Alain Juppé avait été sans
ambiguïté. Invitant les militants à « ne pas confondre élargissement
et dilution », il soulignait, en mai 2004, que ni « la culture » ni «
l’histoire » de la Turquie – pas plus que celles de la Russie, de
l’Ukraine ou du Maghreb – ne la destinent à entrer dans « la famille
» européenne. Nicolas Sarkozy, le futur président de l’UMP, défendra
un point de vue similaire : il affirmait récemment, et en termes
presque identiques à ceux de M. Juppé, que la Turquie « n’a pas sa
place en Europe ».
Président de l’UDF, François Bayrou joue, lui aussi, sur le triple
registre de la culture – « une autre conception de l’homme, de la
famille, de la femme » -, de la démographie – « choisir de faire d’un
pays non européen le plus important d’Europe par sa représentativité
au Parlement est un danger » – et de la politique – « une adhésion
éventuelle signifie en fait le renoncement au projet d’union
politique » – pour la rejeter aux marges de l’Union. Il préfère lui
accorder le statut de « partenaire associé » prévu par les traités
européens, comme Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Edouard Balladur et…
Laurent Fabius.
« PAS UN CLUB CHRÉTIEN »
Comme le projet de Constitution européenne, la question turque
suscite une divergence entre l’ancien premier ministre et le premier
secrétaire du PS, François Hollande. M. Fabius renvoie le pays de
Kemal Atatürk dans le troisième des « cercles concentriques » autour
desquels l’Europe devrait, selon lui, s’organiser. Plus ouvert à une
intégration dans l’Union, M. Hollande cherche, lui, un point
d’équilibre entre ses partisans et ses adversaires. En recevant M.
Erdogan, le 22 juillet, il lui a confirmé son « oui » de principe,
tout en l’assortissant de conditions strictes, dont la reconnaissance
du génocide arménien de 1915 et un respect plus strict des droits de
l’homme.
Sans états d’me, Michel Rocard, européen fervent, défend pour sa
part l’intégration de la Turquie, notamment au nom de la sauvegarde
de la paix dans la région. La refuser, argumente l’ancien premier
ministre, ce serait « attiser le brasier » que l’invasion de l’Irak
par les Etats-Unis a allumé dans le monde musulman.
Dans cet environnement fait d’hostilité et de prudence tactique, les
Verts apparaissent les plus « turcophiles ». Ils souhaitent que le
processus d’adhésion soit engagé « le plus vite possible »,
soulignant que « l’Union n’est pas un club chrétien » et que « la
Turquie est un pays laïque ». Deux arguments régulièrement invoqués
par le PCF et la Ligue communiste révolutionnaire (LCR) pour
défendre, eux aussi, son entrée dans l’Europe.

The Gateway, NE
Sept 30 2004
New sunscreen technology reported by Omaha scientist
As summer comes to an end, an Omaha physician-scientist has recently
reported research findings on a unique sunscreen that could help
people against the sun’s exposure.
Dr. Ramon M. Fusaro, M.D., of the UNMC and Creighton University
Medical Center faculty, presented the results of a sunscreen that is
built into and bound to the skin. The results were presented at the
Eighth International Symposium on the Maillard Reaction in
Charleston, S.C. He conducted the research along with colleague Edwin
Rice, M.D. of Minneapolis’ Park Nicollet Clinic.
The two reported that the formation of melanoidins in the skin, a
keratin-bound sunscreen, protected 30 Caucasian patients from
developing a sun rash from their allergy to sunlight without any
therapeutic failures. The sunscreen was chemically formed in the top
later of the skin by the overnight sequential bedtime applications of
two chemically pure medications. The first medication was
dihydroxyacetone (sunless tanning lotion) followed 15 minutes later
by lawesone (active dye in henna). Serious side effects could be
caused by over-the-counter versions, if used by the public. Fusaro
and Rice warn that those are not pure and may degenerate.
Fusaro said that experimental records of the studied patients
revealed that they also never experienced any sunburns during the
seven months of the study even though 60 percent of them were in
sunlight for eight to six hours per day.
While there are many advantages to the sunscreen, there remains one
major disadvantage of the keratin-bound sunscreen. It cannot be used
in individuals who have a rare disease known as glucose-6 phosphate
dehydrogenase deficiency. Fusaro said, however, that the presence of
the genetic mutation could be identified by a blood test.
The keratin-bound sunscreen will most likely be a prescription
medication, and the user will have to take vitamin D supplements
because of the sunscreen’s efficiency of blocking the sun’s rays
entering the skin.
UNMC teams to help Arab nursing education
Last Monday, UNMC’s College of Nursing formalized a three-year
contract affiliation with the Al-Zaytoonah Private University of
Jordan that will include sharing UNMC’s traditional and online
nursing education and clinical curriculum. It also will provide
faculty training in integrating online courses into traditional
curriculum.
The affiliation was established to advance nursing education in
Jordan and the Arab region.
UNMC’s college of nursing already provides courses to faculty of
Erebouni College in Armenia -the pilot site for the college’s
strategy of a “global classroom” moving into other regions– as well
as India and China.
Officials say the advantages of the partnership include raising the
quality of nursing education, ultimately improving patient care, and
addressing nursing shortages in Jordan and the Arab region. There are
eight colleges of nursing in Jordan.
One of the first things the partnership will support is the creation
of a learning resource center at AZPU. The center will be equipped
with computers and other technology allowing students to learn and
practice nursing skills on their own. The center will also integrate
online courses, audio-visual resources and address improvements in
clinical instruction and evaluation.

Azeris in Moscow protest Garabagh occupation
Azer News
30 Sept 04
Ilgar Gasimov, chairman of the Movement for Azerbaijan, held a
news conference on Monday in the wake of a protest action held by
Azerbaijanis on Teatralny Square in Moscow on September 25 under the
“There is not Azerbaijan without Garabagh” motto.
Gasimov said that during the action, which drew hundreds of Azeris
living in Moscow, Kaluga, Tula and Kostroma provinces of Russia,
protesters condemned Armenia’s policy of aggression and stated that
Azerbaijan would not allow aggressors to appropriate its lands. The
protesters adopted an appeal to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The appeal to President Aliyev says that the Movement will support
all steps by the President at liberating Garabagh. In the appeal to
Russian President Putin, the Movement condemns the recent terrorist
attacks tragedy in Beslan, North Ossetia and urged Russia to take an
impartial position towards the Garabagh problem. The Mayor’s Office
of Baku did not sanction the rally.

Iodine Deficiency Disorders Plague Europe, Central Asia, says UNICEF
By Lisa Schlein
VOA News
Sep 28, 2004
Anatoly Karpov(UNICEF)
GENEVA – The UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says Iodine Deficiency
Disorders, which cause mental retardation, are a huge problem in
Europe and Central Asia. UNICEF says this disorder can be solved for
as little as five cents per person per year by iodizing salt.
In this video clip, UNICEF’s regional ambassador and 16-time world
chess champion, Anatoly Karpov, tells children they must have iodine
in their diet, if they want to be smart. He repeats this message in
a joking manner to a group of journalists.
“I can answer you like a joke that I believe that, when we solve
the problem, every child will play chess,” said Anatoly Karpov. “I
believe that this is extremely important, and this is a problem we
know how to solve. One of the few problems we know how to solve.”
Mr. Karpov comes from Russia, located in one of the regions of the
world most seriously affected by iodine deficiency. UNICEF statistics
show that more than half of the people in Western and Central Europe
live in iodine-deficient countries. Surprisingly, some of the most
developed countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, France and Germany
suffer from a lack of iodine. However, the problem is most severe in
countries such as Russia and the Ukraine.
UNICEF says these two countries account for 1.3 million newborn babies
a year, who are not protected from iodine deficiency. This out of
five million iodine deficient babies born in all of the region’s 22
countries. Mr. Karpov says the babies suffer because their mothers
did not include iodine in their diets when they were pregnant. He
says, unfortunately, the mental retardation that results from iodine
deficiency in the womb is not reversible in later life.
“We believe that the cheapest, simplest and general message, to
avoid iodine deficiency, is to have general iodization of salt,” he
said. “And, it does not cost too much. It is about five cents per
year, per person-very cheap.” Mr. Karpov says governments should
pass legislation to make iodized salt mandatory. He says, in countries
with such laws, iodine deficiency disorders have decreased. He notes
this can be seen even in poor countries, such as Serbia-Montenegro,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia and Georgia.
UNICEF says governments often do not promote iodine in food out of
ignorance or widely-held misconceptions. For example, it says India
rescinded legislation on iodized salt under pressure from consumer
groups. It says these groups claimed that iodine in salt causes
a variety of health problems. Tragically, it says, by eliminating
iodine from the diet, mental retardation among children in India,
once again, is on the rise.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 27 2004
CHAIRMAN OF AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENT VISITING UKRAINE
[September 27, 2004, 18:49:03]
As was stated, Chairman of Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic
Murtuz Alaskarov is on an official visit in Ukraine.
In the morning on September 26, M. Alaskarov has assigned flowers to
the monument of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev.
Members of parliamentary delegation, representatives of the Congress
of Azerbaijanis of Ukraine (CAU) also have assigned flowers to the
monument of the father of the Azerbaijan nation. Then, Murtuz
Alaskarov together with deputies of Milli Majlis has planted trees in
the territory of the embassy of Azerbaijan in Kiev where was erected
this monument.
Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament has met in the embassy the
diplomatic corps in this country.
The same day, M. Alaskarov met the activists of the Congress of
Azerbaijanis of Ukraine at the “Natsionalniy” Hotel.
With the opening remarks, ambassador Talat Aliyev opened the meeting.
Then, warmly having welcomed on behalf of the Congress the Chairman
of Milli Majlis and members of delegation, chairman of the CAU Ogtay
Efendiyev informed on activity of Azerbaijani Diaspora. He has noted
that today there are half million Azerbaijanis live in Ukraine,
regional branches of the Congress function in 27 subjects of Ukraine.
As he said, the Diaspora differs with high activity in all spheres of
the life of Ukraine. He has assured the head of Azerbaijan Parliament
that CAU would and further strengthen its number in the name of
consolidation of the nation to promote the state policy of our
national leader Heydar Aliyev and successfully carried out by
President Ilham Aliyev.
In his statement, Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament has noted stable
political situation in the country, has told about the big
accomplishments of Azerbaijan under the direction of President Ilham
Aliyev in all areas of life of the Republic that inspires the nation
on new achievements in the name of well-being of our people and
prosperity of Azerbaijan, strong base of which was laid by ingenious
Heydar Aliyev.
Speaking on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Garabagh conflict, Mr.
Alaskarov has called the Ukrainian Azerbaijanis to bring the truth up
to the Ukrainian public. He also has emphasized, that official Kiev
firmly stands o the position of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
that has been once again confirmed during the meeting with chairman
of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine Vladimir Litvin and the first deputy
foreign minister of Ukraine Vladimir Yelchenko
Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament wished the management and activists
of Azerbaijan Diaspora news successes and accomplishments in the name
of independent Azerbaijan and their second Motherland – Ukraine.
In the second half of day, members of parliamentary delegation have
familiarized with historical memorial complexes of Kiev.
The official visit continues.