Author: Kalashian Nyrie

ARMENIANOW.COM DIJESTS JULY 29, 2005
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News Digest July 25th – July 29th 2005
By Ruzanna Amiraghyan
ArmeniaNow Reporter
Parliamentarians of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia met in Dublin on
July 25 th. The Armenian delegation was headed by Vice Speaker Tigran
Torosian, who said that the meeting followed negotiations held within
the framework of the South Caucasian parliamentary initiative. To
remind, at that time the parliamentary leaders signed a memorandum on
the formation of an Interparliamentary Assembly of the South
Caucasus. The Azeri delegation claimed that efficient steps would be
undertaken only after the settlement of the Karabagh conflict.
A Renault bus with 38 Iranian tourists caught fire in the Vayots Dzor
region of Armenia on July 25 th. Nobody was hurt but the bus was
destroyed in the fire, which apparently was caused by overheated
brakes.
Defense Minister Serge Sargsian addressed the Third Pan-Armenian Youth
Forum on the issue of the possible resolution of the Karabagh problem,
saying: `I formed my opinion long ago and I am convinced that the
Karabagh problem can be settled on the basis of compromise only.’
He stated that no conflict in the world had been without
compromise. During parliamentary hearings, Sargsian noted that the
Armenian party has already made certain concessions and that he is
against the return of the territories.
The building of Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi railway is Georgia’s internal
affair, Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan stated in Tbilisi
on July 25th. In his words, Armenia can only express its opinion, but
cannot interfere directly.
`In the course of our previous visits representatives of the Georgian
Government noted that they will assist us in opening the
Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway. It matters for Georgia for the territory
to be linked with Turkey. It is natural that launching the existing
line is cheaper and more profitable than investing large sums to build
a new one,’ Margaryan stated.
Georgian MP Beso Jugeli stated tthat an Armenian Tobacco Factory will
open in Tbilisi on August 5 th. He said it would produce about 32
brands of cigarettes from Armenian raw materials. Local residents will
staff the factory and initial production will be sold in
Georgia. After the meeting of Armenia’s Premier Andranik Margaryan
with Georgia’s Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze, Jugeli stated
that the volume of investment by Armenian enterprises into the
Georgian economy is some $4 million.
Tehran and Kiev proposed the formation of a penta-lateral commission
with Armenia, Georgia and Russia for the study, design and
construction of the Iran-Ukraine gas pipeline through Armenia, says a
memorandum signed by representatives of the two countries in
Tehran. Iran’s deputy oil minister Mohammad Hadi Nejad-Hosseinian
stated that Ukraine is interested in importing 20-30 billion cubic
meters of gas per year. Ukraine is also ready to permit Iran to use
its infrastructure to transport 20 billion cubic meters of gas to
Europe annually.
According to an agreement signed in July, Bi Line Company became the
official distributor in Armenia of all products of Microsoft
Corporation. Bi Line’s Director General Artak Zakaryan reported that
Microsoft plans to increase the volume of sales in Armenia to $1
million.
Armenia has allocated $350,000 to implement programs in the
Samtskhe-Javakhk region of Georgia populated by Armenians, Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan said during his visit to Tbilisi. Part of
the money will be used to repair Armenian schools in the region.
Two Turkish soldiers and two Kurdish rebels were killed in a skirmish
with Kurdish units in Eastern Turkey close to the Armenian-Iranian
border on July 27 th. Since May 2005, 33 Turks and 44 Kurds have been
killed.
Armenia ranked 42 nd in the 2005 annual report on World Economic
Freedom issued by the Heritage Institute and the Wall Street
Journal. It is the only CIS member-state in the list to be rateed a
`partly free economy’.
During a meeting with European parliamentarians of Turkish origin,
Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on them to help
launch a campaign to prevent European parliaments recognizing the
Armenian Genocide. He urged German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish and Belgian
parliamentarians of Turkish origin to oppose activities of the
Armenian Diaspora targeted at Genocide recognition. However the
deputies said Europe is tending to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide
and that Turkey should carry out active lobbying against this
phenomenon.
Dr. Mohamed El Baradei, the Director General of the International
Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA), arrived in Armenia on July 27 th to hold
meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Minister of Energy. He was also due to visit the Metsamor
Nuclear Power Plant.
According to Anver Aliyev, a member of the Central Electoral
Commission of Azerbaijan, 44 per cent of Azerbaijani voters (about 1.5
million people) do not yet have personal identity cards to allow them
to participate in the parliamentary election this autumn. `If during
three years only 3 million people have received identification
documents then how can a million and a half get them in three months?’
said Aliyev. However, the head of the Central Electoral Commission,
Mazair Panahov, sees no grounds for concern since the Interior
Ministry has asserted that all voters will get identification
documents in time. Sources: , ,
, ,
Sport Digest: Armenia’s U-19s come of age on European stage
By Suren Musayelyan
ArmeniaNow Reporter
Football
Out but not down: Armenia’s U-19s national team returned with pride
this week from the European Championship finals in Northern Ireland.
The team failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament from
their qualifying group, but impressed observers with battling
performances against England and France.
Armenia had an opportunity to qualify until the final day of the group
event. They lost 0-2 in their opening match against Norway, but kept
their hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against England.
They needed a win in the final game against France, preferably with a
two-goal margin, to be certain of entry to the semis. However, Les
Bleus won 1-0 on Saturday, leaving Armenia bottom of Group B with one
point.
Armen Melikbekyan, the deputy executive director of the Football
Federation of Armenia, felt that the tournament had provided great
experience for the young squad. It was the first time that Armenian
footballers had taken part in a championship finals at any level.
`Armenia dropped out of the tournament, but when you look back at the
matches played by our team and at the level of their play, you get a
feeling that everything might have turned out the other way,’ he says.
Experts pointed to the maturity of Armenia’s play in all areas –
defense, midfield, attack – as well as the team’s ability to stay in
every game until the final whistle. Against England, for instance,
Armenia leveled the game only five minutes from time and came close to
snatching victory in the dying minutes.
In a press conference in Yerevan on Wednesday, the team’s head coach
Samvel Petrosyan and delegation head Artak Mnatsakanyan both said that
they were pleased with the football shown by team in Northern Ireland.
`It would not cause me pain if we had lost to those teams 0-3 or 0-4,
which would simply mean that we are weak and way behind. Imagine that
we didn’t yield to those teams, but even had chances to win,’ the
coach said.
Petrosyan complained of some misjudgments by the referees, which he
thinks influenced the outcomes of some matches and also regretted
Edgar Manucharyan’s failure to convert quite a few goal-scoring
chances throughout the tournament. He feels the best is yet to come
from his players.
`We only have five players in the squad whose age will not allow them
to play in the U19 team next season, so there is more to come from the
younger players who will be around next season,’ he said.
And the next season for Armenia’s U19s starts already in October. The
first qualifying round for the next European championship will be held
in the Latvian capital of Riga on October 17-23.
Armenia will play in Group 12 against Serbia & Montenegro, Ukraine and
Latvia.
UEFA Cup
Thursday July 28: second-leg matches
Lokomotiv Tbilisi (Georgia) v Banants (Armenia) – 0-2 (3-4 on
aggregate)
Mika (Armenia) v Mainz (Germany) – 0-0 (0-4 on aggregate)
Yerevan’s Banants pulled off a shock against Lokomotiv, overcoming a
deficit at home to register the two-goal victory they needed in
Tbilisi to progress into the next round of the UEFA Cup. Ashtarak’s
Mika had no such luck, going out after a goalless draw against the
German team.
The draw for the second qualifying round in the UEFA Cup is to be held
today (Friday).
Chess
Twelve reaches three: An Armenian 12-year-old finished in third place
at the world junior chess championships, which ended in the French
town of Belfort on Thursday.
Samvel Ter-Sahakyan from Vanadzor was close to winning the tournament
before the last day of the event, Armenpress news agency reports. He
won his final game, gaining 8.5 points out of a possible 11 and
matching the results of India’s Srinat Narayanay and Russia’s Sanan
Syugirov.
However, the Armenian representative yielded first and second places
after additional coefficients were taken into account.

ARKA News Agency
July 28 2005
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH LEADER HOSTS IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL
YEREVAN, July 28. /ARKA/. Armenian Apostolic Church leader Catholicos
Garegin II received Mohammad Al Baradei Director General of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). According to the Press
service of the St. Echmiadzin, Armenian Apostolic Church seat,
Garegin II noted with satisfaction that effective cooperation is
already established between Armenia and IAEA and stressed the
importance of non-stop and secure work of Armenian Nuclear Power
Plant.
The press release says, Garegin II introsuced Al Baradei Armenian
Apostolic Church background, its mission and the challenges it faces
today.
Global threats that pose to the humanity were discussed and special
emphasis was put on the major part played by religious leaders’
activity and inter-church dialogue aimed at strengthening moral
values in society in overcoming it. “The fall of moral values is as
major threat to the humanity as atomic force”, the Catholicos said.
M.V. -0–

Schweizerische Depeschenagentur AG (SDA)
27 juillet 2005
Négation du génocide arménien La Turquie a convoqué l’ambassadeur de
Suisse à Ankara
Rédaction étrangère f
Ankara (ats) Le ministère turc des affaires étrangères a convoqué
mercredi l’ambassadeur de Suisse à Ankara. Il a vivement protesté
contre les enquêtes ouvertes par la justice suisse contre un
politicien et un historien turcs pour négation du génocide arménien.
Le secrétaire d’Etat Nabi Sensoy a “vivement” fait part à
l’ambassadeur suisse Walter Gyger de “la mauvaise humeur des
autorités et de l’opinion publique turques”, a indiqué à l’ats le
ministère turc des affaires étrangères.
Le responsable du Parti des travailleurs turcs, Dogu Perincek et
l’historien Yusuf Halacoglu font l’objet d’enquêtes pénales en Suisse
pour leurs propos négationnistes sur le génocide arménien. La
dernière enquête a été ouverte ce week-end par le Ministère public de
Winterthour.

ARKA News Agency
July 27 2005
ARMENIAN AND AMERICAN SCHOOLS WILL BE WORKING OUT JOINT ONLINE
PROGRAMS
YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. Armenian and American schools will be
working out joint online programs. Project Harmony Press Service says
appropriate arrangement was made during 15 American teachers’ visit
to Armenia in the frame of exchange of Armenian and American
teachers. Armenian-American cooperation programs are expected to be
launched this fall.
Teachers exchange program’s aim is to strengthen cooperation already
established between the two countries’ schools and to lay groundwork
for development of cooperation between the U.S.A. and Armenia. 15
Armenian teachers from the republic’s 9 provinces along with their
American colleagues have taken part in courses focused on elaboration
online programs and online facilitation. Besides, ways of using
online platform have been presented as well.
Project Harmony office is functioning in Armenia beginning from 2000
and promoting strong communities creation through intercultural
education programs. The Project Harmony is also implementing Schools
Interaction program in Armenia. The program is funded by the U.S.
State Department’s Bureau on Culture and Public Relations and FREEDOM
organization. Total budget of the project makes $12.5mln and will be
targeted for establishing internet computer centers in 330 schools in
Armenia. M. V. –0-

SC Magazine, UK
July 26 2005
Unbeatable spammer takes beating, dies
by David Quainton
[Tue, Jul 26, 2005] Spam behemoth Vardan Kushnir has emailed his last
Russian after being bludgeoned to death on Sunday.
According to Russian news agency Interfax, the 35-year-old Armenian
was found dead in his apartment in Moscow, after apparently suffering
numerous blows to the head. His death brings to an end the career of
one of the world’s most prolific and committed spammers.
Kushnir waged a spam campaign from his company the American Language
Center (ALC), an English language school in Moscow. Although it
operated a website, it was often taken down by anti-spam forces, so
generally the emails asked users to call its phonelines.
“A huge amount of spam was (and is still being) sent to over 20
million email addresses belonging to Russian-speaking people,” said
Mikko Hyponnen director of antivirus research, F-Secure. “They say
that you can hardly find a Russian who has never received a spam
advertising the ALC.”
As a result of his efforts Russians were understandably annoyed and
launched their own anti-spam campaign against Kushnir. Users of
forums were encouraged to call his offices and disrupt phone lines.
ALC numbers were frequently found on call-girl cards in an attempt to
inconvenience Kushnir. A murder case has been opened by Moscow
police, who are still working out a motive for the attack.
“It will be interesting to see how this will affect spam volumes from
Russia in general. Other spammers must be scared now,” added
Hyponnen.
In November 2003 ALC was investigated by the Russian Anti-Monopoly
Committee but no legal case against the company was formed.
Earlier this month SC reported another of the world’s most notorious
spammers had decided to turn his back on spam. Self-d spam-king Scott
Richter has been spam free for over six months.

ENERGY MINISTER HAS NO OFFICIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SALE OF AEN
ArmenPress
July 19 2005
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS: After weeks of reluctance to either deny
of confirm the purported sale of the Armenian Electricity Networks
(AEN) to a subsidiary of the Russian RAO Unified Energy Systems
(UES), Armenian deputy energy minister told a press briefing today
the ministry had received no information from the Midland Resources
Holding, an off-shore registered company, that owns the AEN, about
the deal.
The news about the sale was posted by RAO UES on its website on June
30, saying one of its subsidiaries, called Interenergo BV, paid $73
million to gain control of the Armenian Electricity Network.
Speaking to journalists today, Armenian deputy energy minister Areg
Galstian, said under the terms of AEN sale to Midland Resources
Holding the latter can sell only 25 percent of its shares without
seeking the government’s permission. Galstian said the ministry
expects official explanations from the Midland Resources Holding to
either deny of confirm the news. He said if the company fails to do
so the law stipulates a range of measures that could be applied to
punish the off-shore company.
A spokeswoman for the Midland Resources Holding said earlier this
month it only signed a management contract with the Russians, but
her statement only angered the World Bank Resident Representative
in Armenia, Rodger Robinson, who retaliated on July 8 saying he had
seen a financial report of RAO UES posted on its website saying
its subsidiary, Interenergo BV, has paid $73 million to Midland
Resources. Robinson shrugged off the claim saying no company in the
world would pay a large sum for running another business. The process
of Armenian electricity distributing networks’ privatization was
kicked off, at the demand of the World Bank, back in 1999. The World
Bank’s demand that the government should privatize the networks was
attributed to the networks’ ineffective operation causing annually
some $50 million worth losses. Since the electricity distributing
networks were owned by the government, the losses were covered by
the state budget.
The World Bank not only initiated and pressed for privatization of the
electricity distributing networks but also moved to take the entire
process under its strict supervision. The government had to reconcile
and adjust all privatization-related normative documents and draft
laws with the World Bank, which in turn made the disbursement of a $45
million tranche of a stabilization credit contingent on the networks
privatization. Eventually in 2000 the government of Armenia announced
an international tender for privatization of the networks. The tender
was likewise conducted under the strict control of the World Bank. The
first tender attracted a US-based AES, French EDF, a Sweden-Swiss ABB,
the Spanish Union Fenosa companies. Russian Rosatomenergo also made
a privatization bid, but it was disqualified at the demand of the
World Bank for failure to present a full financial report about its
performance. A little later other bidding companies also refused to
participate in the tender.
In 2001 the government of Armenia decided to hold another tender, and
only two Russian companies- RAO UES and Itera made privatization bids,
but soon they refused and the Midland Resources Holding, emerged in
2002 to win the tender and become the owner of the Armenian Electricity
Networks paying $37 million. Under the Armenian law, the Midland
Resources Holding is entitled to sell, without the government’s
permission, only 25 percent of shares and no more. To sell more it
has to have the Armenian government’s accord. This provision in the
law was incorporated at the demand of the World Bank.

NKR AUTHORITIES KEEP TO THEIR STANDPOINT
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
18 July 05
On June 15 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian gave a press conference
after the recent visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs but the
topic of the press conference was not confined to their meeting.
RESOLUTION Naturally, the representatives of the mass media were
interested in the recent statements and comments on the resolution of
the Karabakh issue. In reference to Goran Lennmarker’s report the head
of state mentioned that the boldness of the reporter is commendable,
of course, but it should not arouse surprise because the Minsk Group
co-chairmen and all those who are related to the Karabakh issue in
one way or another (including Azerbaijan) admit that Karabakh is
a conflict side. The denial of this fact by Azerbaijan is just a
political game. “If Azerbaijan avoids recognizing NKR as a conflict
side, this means it avoids the resolution of the issue. The resolution
of the issue is impossible without recognizing Nagorno Karabakh
as a conflict side,” he said. Noting that certain details of the
talks with the co-chairs are confidential and cannot be published,
the president reassured that they did not deviate from the standpoint
of the NKR authorities and the people. “Different statements are made
not only on Lachin but also Shushi and Stepanakert. Lachin cannot be
part of a compromise. Nagorno Karabakh possesses forceful arguments
against this consideration. Lachin is a link of utmost importance
between Armenia and Karabakh. Not going into details, I would like to
note only that we keep to the standpoint of the NKR authorities and
people. No significant changes are to be made by us in the current
state of things,” said the president. He pointed out that there are
positive changes in the position of Azerbaijan which seems to have
adopted a more constructive attitude towards the Karabakh issue. The
statements about setting up relationships between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani communities are also a positive step (if we set aside
the fact that, according to the president, this is another political
game, an attempt to place the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities
on an equal plain). In answer to the question whether the positive
changes in the position of Azerbaijan are caused by the pre-election
moods and everything may change after the parliamentary election
in November, the president said that hopefully there will not be
abrupt changes although he did not exclude the probability either.
“However,” he said, “Azerbaijan is in close touch with various
international organizations, and it will not be easy to take such
a step. Otherwise, I think, the international community will draw a
corresponding conclusion concerning Azerbaijan. Anyway the impression
of the mediators and my impression is that Azerbaijan is trying to
conduct a more constructive policy and speaks for dialogue more often
than for hostility.” PROSPECTS OF COOPERATION WITH AZERBAIJAN As we
have already stated, Azerbaijan made a statement about organizing
meetings of the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities. In reference to
these meetings both on the day of the parliamentary election and during
the press conference A. Ghukassian said that Karabakh is willing to set
up relations. “I think the attempts to place these two communities on
an equal position are useless, nevertheless, I consider any relations
with Azerbaijan useful. However, I repeat, it is absurd to present the
people of Nagorno Karabakh as an Azerbaijani community. It would be
the same if we speak about the Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijan,”
said Arkady Ghukassian. Saying that Karabakh is open for discussions
and negotiations with Azerbaijan, A.Ghukassian said that no relations
worth mentioning have existed between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan
since 1997. Nagorno Karabakh has signed a number of agreements with
Azerbaijan. Since 1994 the talks have been conducted between Nagorno
Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan. But since the beginning of the
meetings of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan the latter has
avoided direct relationships with Nagorno Karabakh. In reference
to establishing means for communication, the president mentioned,
“The sooner communication is set up, the easier the problem will be
solved. But this step cannot be unilateral, the other party should also
take reciprocal steps,” he said. Recently the settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh territory with the Azerbaijani refugees has been considered
quite often. A. Ghukassian said the issue of the refugees cannot be
considered outside the general context. “I do not exclude the return
of the Azerbaijani refugees, but only after the resolution of the
Karabakh issue. It is early to consider this matter. There cannot be a
one-sided approach towards the issue because there is also the problem
of Armenian refugees, which also needs to be solved.” DOMESTIC POLICIES
The president said considerable work has been done in making the NKR
Constitution. The draft document is ready except certain points which
need additional consideration. In regard with the manpower policy of
the government of the country, A. Ghukassian said the government is
attempting to supply the administration of the country’s government
with quality officials, but there is need for a body which will deal
with this matter. Commenting on the defeat of the opposition in the
parliamentary election, the president said, “The opposition lost a
free, fair election and therefore it should first draw conclusions
from this. We would like them to have more seats in the parliament
but I think that forces represented in the National Assembly are able
to carry on with interesting processes both in the parliament and in
the life of the country.” Since last year the price for grain has
dropped, which may cause serious problems on the grain market. The
question referred to the measures taken by the government to regulate
the price for grain. A. Ghukassian confirmed that the situation
is serious, indeed, and the government attempts to take measures
in this direction. In answer to the question why the president of
Nagorno Karabakh Republic did not react to the incident between the
defence minister Seyran Ohanian and Pavel Manookian, A. Ghukassian
said it is impossible to justify the actions of either S. Ohanian
or P. Manookian. “No matter how unacceptable the behaviour of P.
Mannokian was, the minister of defence should not have acted that
way. The reassuring thing is that the incident appeared in the focus
of public attention, which means it is an exception and not a rule
in the life of the society,” said the president of NKR. Earlier this
year the president had criticized the executive power. In answer
to the question what has changed since then and how reliable the
information conveyed to the head of state is, A. Ghukassian said,
“Although not everything is satisfactory, there is considerable
progress. In any case the president cannot struggle alone; you ought
to help the government. Corruption is greatly spurred by law salaries
and the social state of the people in the country. Nevertheless,
we must fight corruption and uproot this vice from the society with
your support,” said A. Ghukassian.
SRBUHI VANIAN.
18-07-2005

Agreed element in talks on solving Nagrno Karabakh conflict is associated with returning 5 regions
Today, Azerbaijan
July 16 2005
15 July 2005 [09:23] – Today.Az
The question of returning 5 regions of the occupied territories to
Azerbaijan has already been solved; this question is not the subject
of the talks held by means of the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group
(MG).
This was informed to APA from the diplomatic sources. The source
noted that the Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri
Merzlyakov when saying ?Full consent was achieved on one element in
the talks on regulating the Nagorno Karabakh conflict? considered
that the sides reached a full agreement in the question of returning
five regions to Azerbaijan.
It should be noted that the source which name is not explained
informed in its explanation to APA given on May 12 that the Armed
Forces of Armenia gave their consent to withdraw in stages from the
Azerbaijani lands being under their occupation.
According to the information, ?The plan about Armed Forces? of
Armenia withdrawing from 7 occupied regions in stages was discussed
in the meeting held between the foreign affairs ministers of
Azerbaijan and Armenia and OSCE Minsk Group chairmen in London. The
Azerbaijani side delivered its changes proposed to the plan to the
chairmen of the Minsk Group and the co-chairmen discussed those
changes with Vardan Oskanyan. Then the latest variant agreed with
Armenia was presented to official Baku. The plan grounded upon the
?5+1+1? formula intends Armed Forces? of Armenia being primarily
withdrawn from five regions ? Gubadli, Zangilan, Fuzuli, Jebrail and
Aghdam. After these territories are given under the control of
Azerbaijan the peace agreement will be signed between the sides.
After the peace agreement is signed the Armed Forces of Armenia will
firstly leave Kelbajar, then Lachin.
The source informed in its explanation to APA given on May 12 that
the document was changed at the urgent request of the Azerbaijani
side in this form: ?If the process of withdrawing the armies is not
realized in accordance with the graphic after the agreement is
signed, then the signed document will automatically lose its
validity?.

CENN – JUly 13, 2005 Daily Digest – Armenia
Table of Contents:
1.. Armenians Ignore Doctor’s Calls for Measles Immunization
2.. Annual Catalogue “National Export Register – Armenia 2005″ to be
Released in Armenia in November 2005
3.. Pipeline Connections
4.. Iran Launches Huge Fiber Optic Network
5. Fire Destroyed 3.5ha of Forest in Razdan Gorge in Yerevan
1.. 2.6-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes in Armenia Tuesday morning
2.. Armenia: World Bank Supports Implementation of Government’s Urban
Heating Strategy
8. Full -Text Online Biomedical journals for Armenia’s Scientists
1.. Rusal Sums up Activity in First Half of 2005
1. ARMENIANS IGNORE DOCTORS’ CALLS FOR MEASLES IMMUNIZATION
Source: ArmenPress, July 11, 2005
Samvel Mnatsian, an epidemiologist from Erebuni medical center,
complained that many grown-up Armenians ignore doctors’ calls for their
mandatory immunization against measles prompted by a quick spread of the
disease among people from 15 to 25 year old. He said out of 650 people
in Erebuni community who the doctors identified must be immunized only
51 have visited clinics.
One ampoule of the vaccine is intended for 10 immunization shots, but
after the ampoule is opened it should be used within one day, becoming
ineffective otherwise Mr. Mnatsian said many explain their refusal
saying they had been immunized already, but he added that the vaccine
now is of far better quality. The most vulnerable group that may be
affected by the spreading disease is children who had been immunized 15
years ago by what he said was ‘unstable vaccines.”
He said the virus causing the measles now is different from what it was
some 20 years. Most children who get measles will have a rash, high
fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. These symptoms last for 1 or
2 weeks. But measles also causes ear infections in nearly 1 out of every
10 children who get it. As many as 1 out of 20 children with measles
gets pneumonia. About 1 child in every 1,000 who get measles will get
encephalitis- inflammation of the brain that can lead to convulsions,
and can leave a child deaf or mentally retarded.
For every 1,000 children who get measles, 1 or 2 will die from it.
Measles can also make a pregnant woman have a miscarriage or give birth
prematurely. Measles spreads very easily from person to person. You can
get measles from an infected person who coughs or sneezes around you or
even talks to you.
2. ANNUAL CATALOGUE “NATIONAL EXPORT REGISTER-ARMENIA 2005″TO BE
RELEASED IN ARMENIA IN NOV 2005
Source: Anka, July 11, 2005
The annual catalogue “National export register – Armenia 2005” is to be
released in Armenia in November 2005. The Center for Promotion of
International Integration “Master” reports that the annual project
“National export register – Armenia 2005” is aimed at informing
prospective foreign partners of Armenia’s leading enterprises and
organizations interested in exporting their products in services. The
catalogue is disseminated to 50 countries by subscription. Among
subscribers are now over 200 business associations, including chambers
of commerce and industry, sectoral unions, big foreign exporters and
importers. The catalogue is simultaneously disseminated at forums,
congresses and business meetings held both in and outside Armenia. Among
subscribers in Armenia are representative offices of almost all
international organizations, foreign embassies, as well as top officials
of ministries and institutions. A CD- version of the “National export
register-Armenia 2005” catalogue is to be released. The information on
all the subscribers can be found on the web-site The
catalogue helps to find new sale markets, increase exports, popularize
Armenia goods and services, establish new effective ties between the
business communities of Armenia and other countries. The catalogue was
complied by the “Master” center, with official sponsorship of the RA
Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, RA Foreign Office and RA
Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen.
3. PIPELINE CONNECTIONS
Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit Business Middle East, July 11.
2005
Cross-border pipelines are notoriously difficult to negotiate. But two
such schemes are now making progress The Nabucco gas pipeline project
which aims to transport up to 25.5bn cu metres/year of Caspian gas to
Central and South Eastern Europe via Turkey has taken a step closer to
being realized with the signing of a formal joint-venture agreement.
The agreement allows for the establishment of Nabucco Gas Pipeline
International, in which each of the five partners – OMV of Austria, MOL
of Hungary, Transgas of Romania, Bulgargaz of Bulgaria and Turkey’s
Botas – each hold a 20% stake. The new company will be responsible for
general development of the project including securing necessary
financing, which is expected to be in the region of 4.6bn (US$5.5bn),
negotiating transit agreements and establishing five Nabucco
subsidiaries – one in each of the participating countries.
The five subsidiaries, to be established in Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania,
Hungary and Austria, will be founded later this year with each being
responsible for acquiring necessary licenses for the operation of their
section of the pipeline and for its subsequent operation. The line
itself will remain 100% owned by the parent company, which will retain
all rights for exportation and sale of gas, hence, providing a
`one-stop-shop’ for gas shippers wishing to export through the line.
Following the completion of a feasibility study for the line late last
year and the signing of the joint-venture deal, Nabucco will now move
into the development phase.
Reinhard Mitschek, managing director Nabucco Pipeline Study, told BME
that work on the first phase which involves the construction of a
56-inch line from the Turkish capital Ankara to Austria is due to
commence in 2008 and to be completed within three years. For the first
two years of operation the line will lease capacity from the existing
Botas-owned lines from Ankara to Erzurum and from Erzurum running to
Iran and Azerbaijan – construction of the latter being scheduled to
start later this year. During this two-year period Nabucco will complete
its second construction phase which will involve the laying of new
Nabucco-owned lines from Ankara to Erzurum, and from Erzurum to
Azerbaijan and Iran, to be constructed in parallel with the existing
Botas-owned lines.
Once complete the line will have an initial capacity of 25.5bn cu
meters/y, which can be raised to 31bn cu metres/y by the addition of
extra compressors if demand is sufficient. Mr Mitschek said that
negotiations with gas shippers have already begun, with the aim of
putting together a portfolio of supply contracts and securing
take-or-pay agreements for an initial 6bn-8bn cu meters/y of
gas-sufficient to allow financial closure on the project by 2007.
Discussions have been conducted with Azerbaijan for between 10bn-14bn cu
meters/y, with Iran for 10bn-26bn cu meters/y, with Egypt for 8bn-10bn
cu meters/y and with Iraq for an undisclosed volume, he said.
4. IRAN LAUNCHES HUGE FIBER-OPTIC NETWORK
Source: TMCnet (press release), July 11, 2005
Iran on Monday inaugurated a US$700 million (euro580 million) nationwide
fiber-optic network, which outgoing President Mohammad Khatami said
could turn this country into a regional telecommunications hub.
Khatami was quoted by state-run media as saying the network, which
started being built in 1994, was akin to a digital Silk Road, a
reference the medieval byway that linked China to Europe via Iran.
“Enjoying the network, Iran now is ready to be the regional
communication hub,” Khatami said at an inauguration ceremony. “From now
on we are capable to provide telecommunication services to the world.”
Telecommunications Minister Ahmad Motamedi said replacing the former
analog microwave backbone with a 56,000 kilometer (34,798 mile) long
fiber-optic network will advance regional and international
communications.
The network has initially connected Iran with neighboring Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates while broadening
telecommunications services in remote parts of Iran. It will also link
Iran to Pakistan, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Turkey in the future.
5. FIRE DESTROYED 3.5 HA OF FOREST IN RAZDAN GORGE IN YEREVAN
Source: Arminfo, July 12, 2005
A big fire broke out in the Razdan gorge in Yerevan July 11. As ARMINFO
was informed in the press-service of Armenia’s Emergency Department, the
information of the fire broken out in Tsitsernakaberd park at “Getap”
restaurant was received at about 17:00. About 3.5 hectare of forest
burned down. The fire was extinguished at about 20:45.
6. 2.6-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES IN ARMENIA TUESDAY MORNING
Source: Arminfo, July 12, 2005
A 3-4 magnitude earthquake struck in the territory of Armenia. ARMINFO
was informed in the press center of National Service of Seismic Defence
of Armenia; the earthquake with the 2.6 magnitude was registered at 5.02
a.m. 14 kilometers far from Vedi to the east of Khosrov reserve. The
strength of the tremor in the epicenter was 3-4.
Besides, the 4-5 magnitude earthquakes struck in the territory of Iran
at 2.05 a.m.
7. ARMENIA: WORLD BANK SUPPORTS IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT’S
URBAN HEATING STRATEGY
Source: /noticias.info/ WASHINGTON, July 12, 2005.
The World Bank’s Board of Directors today approved an Urban Heating
Project (UHP) for Armenia in the amount of US$15 million. The project
will support the implementation of the Government’s Urban Heating
Strategy for multi-unit apartment buildings and will improve heating in
urban
schools.
The development objective of this four-year project is to increase the
use of clean, efficient, safe and affordable heating technologies in
urban schools and multi-unit apartment buildings. The project will
achieve this objective by removing barriers and creating market
conditions for the commercial provision of heating services; providing
long-term financing to service providers and consumers for their
investments in heat supply systems and energy efficiency measures;
building the capacity of local financial institutions in financing heat
supply and energy efficient systems to ensure sustainability after
project closing; promoting efficient and safe boilers, heaters, and
equipment to meter and control fuel and heat consumption; and
stimulating the creation and effective functioning of self-regulating
community organizations.
`We do hope that with the joint efforts of the Government of Armenia,
the World Bank, and other donors involved in the sector, that by the
completion of this Project the foundation for the sustainable
development of commercial heating services in Armenia will be laid,’-
said Gevorg Sargsyan, head of the World Bank team designing the
Project.
The Project combines investment, line of credit and technical assistance
financing:
The technical assistance component will be targeted at community and
private sector mobilization and development of an enabling environment
for effective and safe provision of heating services, including the
improvement of the legal and regulatory framework, the development of
safety norms and standards, and the certification of suppliers and
equipment, capacity building of heat service providers, local financial
institutions, and home owner associations, implementation of broad
information campaigns and public education programs, etc.
· Investment financing for heating of residential buildings will be
supported under two subcomponents. The first subcomponent consists of
lending to heat providers, home owner associations, municipalities and
individual home-owners for heating infrastructure investments. It is
estimated that about 7,000 households in multi-apartment buildings
without access to operational heating services would benefit from these
investments. The second subcomponent consist of capital grants to
finance investments for the connection of gas, heat and hot water supply
to the apartments of the poor households. Roughly 10,000 poor households
are expected to be provided with a basic level of service from clean
heat sources.
Installation and/or rehabilitation of gas-based local heating systems
for schools. Roughly 100 schools will receive funding under this
component. The primary focus of this component will be on urban schools
outside Yerevan.
The project will also be supported by a US$ 2.9 million co-financing
Grant from the UNDP/GEF project `Improving the Energy Efficiency of
Urban Heating and Hot Water Supply in Armenia’, which is designed as
technical assistance complementing the WB project.
The Credit will be made to Armenia on standard IDA terms, including 40
years maturity and a 10-year grace period.
Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, commitments to
Armenia total approximately US$896 million for 40 operations.
8. FULL-TEXT ONLINE BIOMEDICAL JOURNALS FOR ARMENIA’S SCIENTISTS
Source: Armenian Canadian Medical Association of Ontario; July 12, 2005
The Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI,
) is a project administered by the
World Health Organization (WHO) in conjunction with the six major
journal publishers worldwide to provide free-of-charge full-text access
to institutions in developing countries. To meet the criteria of free
access, the country’s GNP per capita has to be less than $1000 US;
whereas institutions in countries with GNP per capita $1000-3000 pay a
fee of $1000 per year per institution. Armenia is included in the list
of countries eligible for free access, as its GNP per capita is less
than $1000 US
().
The Armenian Canadian Medical Association of Ontario (ACMAO) put
considerable effort in distributing information about the availability
of this resource. However, only 4 institutions from Armenia currently
have this most valuable scientific resource – American University of
Armenia, Emergency Scientific Medical Center, Yerevan State Medical
University (YSMU), Yerevan State University Library and the University
Hospital # 1, all located in Yerevan. The majority of Armenian
physicians and scientists are still unaware of this resource.
All research institutions, universities and hospitals in Armenia qualify
for free access through HINARI. All that is required is a director, a
librarian and a computer technician. As of July 12, 2005, HINARI
provides access to full-text articles from 2884 biomedical journals.
We urge all Armenian biomedical and health care institutions to register
with HINARI by accessing and following
the registration requirements.
9. RUSAL SUMS UP ACTIVITY IN FIRST HALF OF 2005
Source: RIA OREANDA Economic News, Moscow, July 12, 2005.
OREANDA. RUSAL, a top three global aluminum producer has today announced
production and financial results for the first half of 2005. According
to the RUSAL press service, for this period RUSAL raised a $200 million
unsecured loan to partially refinance its purchase of a 20% stake in
Queensland Alumina Limited, Australia. The loan has been extended by
Paris-based Natexis Banques Populaires at a low interest rate.
RUSAL also secured a 46.6 million export loan from German-based
Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB) to fund a large-scale modernization
programme at RUSAL ARMENAL foil mill in Armenia.
RUSAL commissioned Lahmeyer International to conduct a banking
feasibility study for the first phase of the Rogunskaya hydroelectric
station construction project in Tajikistan. The company has opened two
representative offices in Arkhangelsk region – one in the region’s
capital Arkhangelsk and the second in the city of Plesetsk – to manage
the development of the three deposits of the North Onega bauxite group.
New casting pit started installed at Sayanogorsk Aluminium Smelter as
part of the plant’s foundry modernization program has reached its full
capacity of 90 000 tonnes of billets per year.
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 75 19 03/04
Fax: ++995 32 75 19 05
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

Daily News Tribune, MA
July 11 2005
Watertown man publishes book set in San Francisco
By Dan Atkinson / Daily News Staff
WATERTOWN — After living in San Francisco during the 1990s,
Watertown resident Ken Janjigian had seen enough to fill a book.

So he wrote one.

Janjigian recently published his first book, “Trapped Doors,” a
group of four novellas that take place mainly in San Francisco.
Janjigian said he wanted to capture the bohemian atmosphere that had
begun in the 1950s and was dying out during his time there.

Although some of the book is based on his experiences, “nothing
is 100 percent factual,” Janjigian said. For example, he spent time
as a bartender, but not in a transvestite bar like one of his
characters.

Janjigian, who teaches at the Bartlett School in Waltham and the
Harvard Extension School, started writing the book as a single novel,
but found the book’s progression “too contrived.” So he looked for a
more unorthodox way to tell the story.

“I came across four main characters, and I decided to break it
down and let each person tell their story,” he said. “Their voices
came alive.”

One of the characters, Dixson Naturian, is Armenian, and recalls
living in Watertown during his novella. Janjigian’s second book is
about a Watertown resident, but he didn’t want to give away too much
of the plot while he’s still working on the book.

Copies of the book can be purchased online at amazon.com and at
Porter Square Books in Cambridge and Back Pages Books in Waltham.