Author: Kamalian Hagop

BLACK SEA REGION STATES UNITED BY COMMITMENT TO COMMON SYSTEM OF VALUES

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.06.2006 18:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Countries of the Black Sea region have rich and at
the same time dramatic history of co-existence,” Armenian President
Robert Kocharian stated when addressing Black Sea Forum for Dialogue
and Partnership. “The Black Sea has always been a center of strategic
interest. This led to many devastating wars that have formed its
current political map, ethnic and religious diversity.

However, this all has also resulted in substantial interrelation of
our cultures and traditions.

Partially that is why there are so many similarities in the process
of transformation underway in our countries. This is true in case
with the internal transformation, aimed at deepening of democracy and
transparency of the society. This also influences the shaping of new
types of foreign interactions in the context of the changing world.

We are present at the formation of new dynamic processes, changing
the region, forming new perceptions about it. Two objective questions
come across: how possible is a common direction of development of the
region? Will this lead to the formation of the new regional identity,
based on a common interest and inherited cultural interaction?

Our Forum is called to address these challenging issues,” the Armenian
leader remarked.

“We shall first evaluate the level of motivation in each country of the
region. Secondly, we shall work out approaches increasing our mutual
will for partnership. For Armenia, with limited natural resources
and emphasized entrepreneurial mentality of the people, the choice
was clear. Transformation for us primarily meant the liberalization
of economy, open trade regimes, and a competitive environment. These
reforms substantially changed the structure of Armenian economy. Today
over 85 per cent of GDP is produced in private sector, with over 40
per cent of it being produced in small and medium businesses.

Annual growth of GDP during last five years has averaged at above
12 per cent. It is natural, that we watch openness and regional
cooperation as the most effective way for our development. Only lazy
people do not speak about benefits of regional cooperation. It is an
axiom, which however comes across many obstacles, which are often of
a subjective nature.

There is a need for pragmatic evaluation of the positive and negative
realities.

Let us first assess what unites us: – Commitment to a common system
of values and readiness to play along the same rules.

– Obvious, tangible economic benefit of regional integration processes.

– Common challenges and threats to the stability and security caused
by the increasing transnational crime, extremism and terrorism.

Meanwhile, we are divided by: – Unresolved ethnic conflicts, – Certain
deficit of trust, caused by the negative experiences of the history
of the region.

I am confident that we shall concentrate on those elements which
unite us. We shall take steps to harmonize our reforms, achieve
unification of trade regimes and transportation tariffs. There is
a need for joint investment projects in the infrastructures of the
region. First of all, for energy and transportation projects, covering
the entire Black Sea basin, and increasing its economic attractiveness.

This will create favorable environment for resolution of existing
conflicts. Through cooperation to the settlement, through communication
to a bigger trust – that is the best formula for overcoming the
controversies, based on a search for a common interest,” Robert
Kocharian said, reported RA leader’s press office.

KOCHARYAN: ARMENIA WILL CONTINUE ACTIVE REFORMS OF INVESTMENT, BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 1 2006

Yerevan, May 31. /ARKA/. Armenia is not going to stop at what has been
achieved and intends to continue active reforms of its investment
and business environment, RA President Robert Kocharyan stated at
his meeting with WB Regional Director for Europe, Central Asia and
South Caucasus Donna Dowsett-Coiloro and Director of the WB Yerevan
office Roger Robinson.

The sides made a high appraisal of the implementation and results of
joint programs.

Dowsett-Coiloro pointed out that Armenia tops the WB’s ratings of
programs of reforming investment and business environment. The sides
also addressed a number of problems and ways of resolving them.

President Kocharyan pointed out that serious reforms in the customs
and taxation spheres are aimed at making these operations public and
transparent. Attempts are being made to minimize the possibility of
contacts between customs officers and economic entities.

The sides also addressed problems of corruption control. The RA
President reported that active judicial reforms are under way.

MICROPHONE WENT INTO ANDRE’S MOUTH IN SEMIFINAL

Panorama.am
16:20 31/05/06

During the semi-final of Eurovision, the microphone went into Andre’s
mouth that’s why the singer missed several lines of the song. “Many
people thought that I was so confused that I forgot the lines but it
is not so,” the singer told a press conference today. As the singer
told earlier, some among the audience heard neither the music nor the
voice. Besides, the dance partly disturbed his breathing. According
to Andre, the best voice was ensured during the performance of the
singers from Greece and Cyprus.

Andre thinks that this should not be end for hard work, as the
competition evaluated neither vocal nor voice merits but god knows
what. “The Finn came to tease the competition but as you saw they
won the contest,” Andre says.

Andre tries to get rest after the contest. In Athens as well he was
a lot in nature and did not read newspapers. Speaking about Turkish
score of 10 votes, Andre mentioned that he was not surprised. He thinks
not only the Armenian community abroad helped him to win but also
other nationals. He is discontent with the votes from Scandinavian
countries which considerably decreased his score. To the question
who he would like to see in Eurovision next year, Andre said, “Let
go the one who is the most deserving.”

ALL-UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL OF ARMENIAN ART TO BE HELD IN KIEV

ArmRadio.am
01.06.2006 13:00

June 2-4 “My Armenia” all-Ukrainian festival-contest of Armenian art
will be held in Kiev.

Ukrainian media report that he project has been initiated by President
of the Union of Armenians of Ukraine, Director General of the festival
Ashot Avanesyan.

The festival will be headed by famous singer Tamar Avetisyan, it will
be presided over by film director Roman Balayan. The jury comprises
opera singer Susanna Chakhoyan and artist Boris Yeghiazaryan. 275
participants all over Ukraine will take part in the contest.

TOURISM DEVELOPS IN NKR

Noyan Tapan
May 30 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 30, NOYAN TAPAN. There are 10 hotels with a total
of 400 beds in the cities of Stepanakert and Shushi, head of the
tourism unit of the company Asbar (NKR) David Ishkhanian told
NT correspondent. According to him, another 4 hotels will be put
into operation in Mardakert, Gandzasar, Hadrut and Martuni within
a year. He said that over the last 2-3 years, the annual number of
tourists to the NKR has made 7-8 thousand, whereas 3 thousand tourists
visited the republic in 2000. 85-90% of those visiting Karabakh
are ethnic Armenians. 10% of tourists to Armenia visit Karabakh as
well. D. Ishkhanian noted that the NKR is presented as a country of
tourism abroad both through participation of tourist companies in
various exhibitions and activities of NKR’s representative offices
in Russia, Australia, France, the US and Lebanon.

According to him, Asbar and NKR’s Tourism Development Agency on May
11-14 took part in an international tourism exhibition in Moscow
where they had their own pavilion “Nagorno Karabakh Republic”. The
Azerbaijani embassy in Russia sent a note of protest to the Russian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding that the pavilion’s name be
changed but to no avail. It is for the third time that the Armenian
embassy in Lebanon has assisted the NKR with participation in an
international exhibition of the Arab world tourism in Beirut. The
NKR tourism sector was presented at the pavilion ” Nagorno Karabakh
Republic” there too.

Yemen Times, Yemen
May 29 2006

Mocha…Yemeni coffee

Mozi Bayer Los Angeles, USA [email protected]

Most of the Americans know very little about Yemen but most of them
knows the word: Mocha, very well. Americans love to drink coffee. In
recent years Starbucks Coffee shops were open in all over the United
States. They became so popular that they even established branches in
European countries and even in Middle East. Most of the Americans
stop in one of the coffee shops on the way to work and they sip their
coffee while they drive.

When you are in Starbucks Coffee Shop, you will see lots of varieties
of coffees. Coffee from Brazil, from Colombia and Mocha Coffee. In
fact the Mocha coffee is one of the most popular ones.

The Americans who drink Mocha coffee don’t know that the name comes
from Yemen. Al Mucha, the historical port city of Yemen had given its
name to this popular coffee. When Yemen was ruled by Turks, coffee
was brought to Ottoman Empire from the port of Al Mucha. Turks
invented a cooking style of coffee and for many centuries it is known
as Turkish Coffee. Armenians and Greeks cook coffee exactly at the
same way, but for nationalistic purposes, they call the coffee;
Armenian Coffee, or Greek Coffee.

These days in my home country, Turkey, tea is drank much more than
the Turkish Coffee. First of all coffee is imported from South
America and it is much more expensive than tea which is grown in
Turkey. Secondly most of the young people finds coffee very strong
and they prefer the soothing taste of brewed tea. It is great to
drink a cup of tea flavored with a slice of lemon either in a cold
winter day, or in a hot summer night. Nevertheless Turkish coffee is
drank in some occasions, such as in engagement and wedding
ceremonies. The young people who prefer to drink coffee use the
instant coffee instead of traditional Turkish Coffee. Nescafe is the
most popular instant coffee brand and even when the people uses other
brands, they still call instant coffee as Nescafe!

Mocha gives its name not only to coffee, but also to coffee flavored
ice cream and chocolates.

I regret that Yemen today is producing much less coffee than a
century ago. I heard that Qat plants is replacing the coffee ones. I
hope the Yemeni farmers will show more interest to their legendary
coffee and they will give more chance to coffee lovers in the world
to taste their Mocha coffee.

;p= letters&a=1

Azerbaijani president demands Armenians’ unconditional withdrawal from
Nagorno-Karabakh

AP Worldstream; May 27, 2006

President Ilham Aliev marked the national Day of the Republic holiday
by calling for Armenian forces to unconditionally withdraw from the
Nagorno-Karabakh enclave and seven neighboring districts.

“Let Azerbaijanis, our citizens, who have already suffered more than
10 years from the politics of ethnic cleansing, return to their native
hearths,” Aliev said in a speech Friday, which was released the
following day by the Azertac state news agency.

Aliev reiterated that Azerbaijan is committed to a peaceful solution
of the conflict over the enclave. “But on the other hand, if
negotiations remain without result, then what choice do we have?”

Nagorno-Karabakh is inside Azerbaijan but populated mostly by ethnic
Armenians who have run it since an uneasy 1994 cease-fire ended six
years of full-scale fighting. Sporadic border clashes have grown more
frequent since the breakdown of talks, and the lack of resolution has
hindered development throughout the strategic Caucasus region.

Government officials in Baku and the Armenian capital, Yerevan, both
confirmed Friday that Aliev and Armenian President Robert Kocharian
intend to meet soon in Romania for talks aimed at resolving a nearly
two-decade-old conflict.

The two Caucasus leaders are expected to attend a forum for Black Sea
countries scheduled for June 5 in the Romanian capital, Bucharest.

Talks between the two presidents in France in February ended in
failure, despite international mediators’ efforts to push the leaders
to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh’s status.

NA NEWLY CREATED DEPUTIES’ GROUP MEMBERS TO KEEP GOOD-NEIGHBOURLY
RELATIONS WITH COALITION FROM NOW ON

YEREVAN, MAY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The choice of the name of the NA newly
created “Gortsarar” (Business) deputies’ group is provided by the
issue that it mainly involves former businessmen. As Grigor Margarian,
the group head, a former member of the “Orinats Yerkir” party informed
journalists, the group members will again pursue from now on solution
of issues concerning the economic policy for what they came to the
National Assembly three years ago. The group members will from now on
keep “normal good-neighbourly relations” with the political coalition
as it has been for the last three years.” Not wanting to comment upon
NA Speaker and party Chairman Artur Baghdasarian’s statements
concerning the faction members’ leaving the OYK as a result of
pressure,

G.Margarian mentioned: “If people have been in the ruling field for
three years and do not want to leave it today and go to the
opposition, what is it spoken about then?” He also assured that the
group members “have at all no obligations in any issue in front of
anybody.” The group has no goal to create a new party.

Grigor Margarian himself, as in 2003, intends to participate in the
2007 parliamentary elections as well, by the majoritary electoral
order.

A1+

AMBASSADORS IN THE PARLIAMENT

[08:48 pm] 26 May, 2006

NA deputy Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan accepted the OSCE
delegation including Ambassadors Carlos Sanchez de
Boado (Spain), Mette Kongshem (Norway), Alex Berg
(Germany) and Maria-Pin Kotbauer (Lichtenstein).

Mr. Hovhannisyan highly appreciated the activity of
the OSCE mission in Armenia and found the realization
of different programs important. He also briefly
referred to the events in the inner political life of
the country.

Referring to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict
and the relations between Armenia and Turkey the
Ambassadors mentioned that the relations with Turkey
will be easier if the conflict is settled. Mr.
Hovhannisyan answered that the Karabakh issue has
nothing to do with the conditions put to Turkey for
their membership in the EU and it wouldn’t be normal
if the relations between Turkey and the EU were
conditioned by two other countries which are not
members of the EU.

During the meeting other issues of mutual interest
were also discussed.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR COUNTRIES’ HIGH-RANKING
REPRESENTATIVES DISCUSS PRINCIPLES OF KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

YEREVAN, MAY 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian received on May 25 OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair
countries’ representatives: Assistant Secretary for State Daniel
Fried, RF Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin and French Foreign
Ministry’s representative, Ambassador Pierre Morel. OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairmen Steven Mann (U.S.), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard
Fassier (France) and Andrzej Kasprczik, the Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Nagorno Karabakh Issue participated in
the meeting. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s
Press and Information Department, the meeting participants, attaching
importance to the high level of the visit, discussed principles and
approaches of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Paying
attention to yet not solved and not agreed issues, the sides exchanged
opinions concerning settlement prospects.