Author: Khoyetsian Rose

HAJIEVA WANTED TOROSYAN TO HELP HER
Karine Asatryan
A1+
[02:51 pm] 30 June, 2006
The Azeris do not understand that fires have no administrative
borderlines. According to member of the Armenian delegation Hermine
Naghdalyan, they speak about the fires in the territories near Karabakh
without realizing that people can’t burn the fields and forests which
feed them. According to Naghdalyan, this is done to distract attention
from the destruction of the Armenian monuments in Nakhijevan.
During the discussions of forest fires Tigran Torosyan addressed
the session too. He mentioned that he would not make a speech if it
weren’t for the request of Gyultekin Hajieva, member of the Azeri
delegation who asked him to help her include the issue of fires in
the PACE agenda. Mr. Torosyan is ready to help but only about the
issues of the agenda.
“Why don’t they say that three years ago the NKR authorities applied
to Azerbaijan asking them to create mechanisms with the help of OSCE
in order to solve suchlike problems? Fires are possible in summer when
grass is too dry. The Azeris show with their behavior that they don’t
care why there are fires, they don’t care about extinguishing them,
all they want is to make fuss”, Mr. Torosyan said. He also informed
the PACE delegates that OSCE has held monitoring in the region and
has found no traces of fire.
Naturally, Gyultekin Hajieva who made speech directly afterwards denied
the fact of monitoring saying that it was not for investigating the
fires but for the violation of the ceasefire. What is interesting
is that after a one-week hubbub over the issue the representative of
Azerbaijan said that she would not speak about it if it weren’t for
the speech of the Armenian delegates.
By the way, Pashaeva, another representative of the Azeri delegation
announced that official Yerevan supports the “separatists”, that
is, the residents of Karabakh. For example, Robert Kocharyan sends
congratulating messages to them, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
pays visit to Karabakh, etc.
According to her, the Minks group must continue its work, but the
behavior of the Armenian side is an obstacle for it. “If we ignore
all this, we will face an ecological disaster”, Pashaeva concluded.

A WORD WITH ARAM SARGSYAN
by Jesse Schwartz, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Kyiv Post, Ukraine
June 28 2006
© Konstantin Klimenko
Aram Sargsyan, inspired entrepreneur, accidental restaurateur Aram
Sargsyan is an effortlessly warm person. Entrepreneurs often find
it necessary to affect geniality, but there is nothing disingenuous
about the man who sat before me, leisurely sipping an espresso and
explaining how a software developer like himself ended up opening a
restaurant. And, in fact, it’s in his own cafe that we’re meeting,
a few diners casually finishing off plates of fresh Armenian food.
“I wanted to have a laboratory in which I could try out and exhibit
my innovations,” he says, gesturing around the room.
If he were a chef, the statement would seem less out of place – but
the connection between computing and cuisine becomes clearer as new
patrons arrive. Along with a small metal basket of pepper, salt and
napkins, the waitress also leaves behind a small handheld computer,
the menu already loaded onto the screen.
Sargsyan explains that patrons browse the selections digitally
(there’s a normal menu, of course). Then I watch as the server,
equipped with a handheld, taps the selection into the screen and the
order wirelessly feeds to the kitchen.
I ask if his system will gradually circumvent the need for a wait
staff at all, Sargsyan’s broad smile returns.
“Well, perhaps one day, but the interaction between servers and diners
– between people – is still very important.” In fact, facilitating
human contact is a priority for the young inventor. “I’m working on a
system now where, along with our menu, patrons will have a selection
of games that they’ll be able to play wirelessly with each other.”
While this might sound like odd behavior for people enjoying a
quick lunch, the sounds of construction in the next room underscore
Sargsyan’s foresight.
“We’re expanding, building a full bar, and we plan to have live jazz
shows soon.”
For now, though, diners get to enjoy impressively fast wireless
connections free of charge as long as they bring their own laptops.
“I’d rather it be free and have people enjoying the technology and
community inside the cafe,” he explains.
I soon find out that the live music is as much a passion for Sargsyan
as the art of inventing. An accomplished jazz saxophonist in his own
right back in Yerevan, the capital of his native Armenia, he spent much
of his time organizing jazz festivals in his country. After receiving
an MBA from the American University of Yerevan, Aram Sargsyan tried
his hand at many things. But, as is so often the case with immigrants
to Ukraine, he soon realized there were better opportunities abroad.
“My friend owned a distributing business in Ukraine and I explained
to him how having salesmen and warehouse managers wired with handhelds
could streamline his practice and simplify the paper trail.
I then started selling these solutions to other businesses, opening
my own software company, eSoft.”
But Sargsyan realized that the lack of technological solutions in
Kyiv as well as the success of his first business underlined another
deficiency here in the capital.
“Ukraine needed more people who had basic computer skills. That why
I started BASIC education center, my training school. I was manager,
coordinator and teacher all at once. After only a year, though, the
work paid off. I brought my wife over from Armenia and she took over
the management.”
This freed Sargsyan up to return to his true focus: innovative
technology. Hence, MARM, his cafe (the name is a Russian acronym for
“mobile automated workplace”).
“Intel representatives here thought my idea was interesting. They
gave me funding to make two short movies about myself and my system.
I’ve sold three networks so far in Ukraine.”
But the big marker, of course, is Western Europe and North America.
Aram says that the restaurant industry here isn’t ready, for the most
part, for such high-tech gadgets.
“I want to work out any bugs first. But in the West my system would be
great for large restaurants, convention centers, cruise ships… But
I’m still looking for investors who know the markets there.”
I ask him if he himself plans to play during the live-music nights.
“I have a fear of playing here. In Armenia, I knew everyone and it
was easier for me. I had a band.”
Sargsyan smiles and finishes the interview with a word that defines
both his life and his growing success.
“Who knows, though?” he says, smiling. “Hopefully.”
–Boundary_(ID_Jp3jwcgqpsP IkC6U02TMJg)–

ARMENIAN FM: WE’LL INSIST ON AZERBAIJAN HAVING DIRECT TALKS WITH NK
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding the
negotiations for the settlement of the Nagorno Garabagh conflict (APA).
“Taking into account the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ report to the
OSCE Permanent Council, American co-chair Matthew Bryza’s statements
following that as well as Azerbaijan’s statement on solving the
conflict by peaceful way and giving autonomy to Nagorno Garabagh,
we state that the co-chairs announced some part of the principles of
settling the conflict. However, the issue regarding corridor between
Armenia and Nagorno Garabagh and status of Nagorno Garabagh until
the referendum has not been clarified. The co-chairs for the first
time declared that the status of Nagorno Garabagh will be determined
by Nagorno Garabagh population through a referendum. The disputed
issue in the negotiating process is not related to the referendum,
the Presidents have agreed on this matter. The clash of opinion
between Azerbaijan and Armenia is related to the succession of
removing consequences of the armed conflict in Nagorno Garabagh,”
the Armenian Foreign Ministry says.
The Armenian FM also stated that the principles proposed by the OSCE
Minsk Group create a ground for the continuation of the negotiating
process.
“We are ready to continue to have talks with Azerbaijan regarding
these principles. We think Azerbaijan’s changeable position regarding
these principles poses serious obstacle to achieving a success in the
talks. If this policy goes on, Armenia will insist on Azerbaijan’s
having direct talks with Nagorno Garabagh. We remind Azerbaijan that
it will not be able to make the Nagorno Garabagh population give
up the right to freedom and self-determination irrespective of the
volume of its military budget,” the Armenian FM concludes.

DAVIS AVOIDED THE QUESTION
A1+
[07:29 pm] 26 June, 2006
Answering the question of an Armenian TV Channel Terry Davis, Council
of Europe Secretary General referred to the relations between Armenia
and Turkey and connected them with the Karabakh conflict which has not
been settled yet. Taking the chance of meeting him in the PACE summer
session why asked Mr. Davis what is the logic for Armenia to accept
the precondition put forward by Turkey according to which the borders
will be opened if the NKR conflict is settled in favor of Azerbaijan.
Mr. Davis informed that he does not remember when he said so as he
had interviews with many journalists in South Caucasus. In any case
he is convinced that the Karabakh conflict must be settled within
the framework of the interests of NK, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and
that becoming member of the CoE, the two countries are obliged to
find the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
By the way, when one of the Georgian journalists tried to find out the
opinion of the Secretary General about the possibility of a referendum
in Osetia and Abkhazia, he offered not to compare the case with that of
Serbia and Montenegro. According to Davis, In Serbia and Montenegro
there was an agreement between the parties to hold a referendum,
whereas in Osetia and Abkhazia, as well as in Karabakh there in the
ethnic problem.

AZERBAIJAN TO EARN $140 BLN FOR 20 YEARS
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 25 2006
By estimation of international financial institutions, Azerbaijan
will earn $140 bln only from the oil projects for 20 years.
“Azerbaijan will take advantage of these opportunities to strengthen
the army, so that any moment it could win our occupied lands back. I
have no doubt about that and hope that our policy will lead to this,”
said President Ilham Aliyev at the graduation ceremony at the Heydar
Aliyev High Military School.
According to the President, Armenia gets nothing by temporizing.
“The time is not working for them, and on the contrary, the time is
on our side” said the President.
“Azerbaijan will never put up with separation of Nagorno-Karabakh
from Azerbaijan, and will restore its territorial integrity by either
peaceful or military means.”

Azerbaijan’s leader warns talks with Armenia over disputed enclave going nowhere
AP Worldstream; Jun 23, 2006
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev on Friday warned that talks with
Armenia over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh were going
nowhere and vowed to recover the territory.
“The negotiations are taking place in different frameworks but these
talks are ineffective because we can’t obtain a result,” Aliev said,
accusing Armenia of dragging out the negotiating process.
“Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity, either through
peaceful or military means,” he said.
The two former Soviet Caucasus nations’ presidents made two failed
efforts this year to resolve the status of the disputed enclave.
Nagorno-Karabakh is inside Azerbaijan but populated mostly by ethnic
Armenians, who have run it and seven contiguous districts since an
uneasy 1994 cease-fire ended six years of full-scale war.
Sporadic border clashes regularly break out. The unresolved conflict
has held up development in the strategic region.

ANCA Launches Action in Support of U.S. Amd. to Armenia John Evans
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.06.2006 17:34 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will
be holding a confirmation hearing for Ambassador Designate to
Armenia Richard Hoagland on Wednesday, June 28th at 2:30pm in
419 Dirksen Senate Office Building. The nomination hearing can
be viewed LIVE on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee website
The Armenian National Committee of
America launches an action in support of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans. “This may be our last chance to get an honest explanation
about this controversy, before it is swept under the rug by a State
Department all too eager to erase this “inconvenient truth.” Please
take 60 seconds today to call your Senator and leave a message for
his/her Foreign Affairs Legislative Assistant asking them to take
action on this issue,” the ANCA statement says.
To remind, Amb. Evans’ recall was caused by the statement on the
Armenian Genocide he made February 19, 2005 at the meeting with the
Armenian community of California. “Today I will call it the Armenian
Genocide,” John Evans said.

RUSSIA’S ROLE IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT AS GREAT AS IN ABKHAZIA, SOUTH OSSETIA
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2006
STEPANAKERT, June 22. /ARKA/. Russia’s role in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is as great as in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the German
scholar Tessa Hofman told reporters. She participated in the
international scientific conference “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic: past,
present, future”.
According to her, the Karabakh war can easily be called a war of
liberation because Armenian liberated the territory where they resided
as a majority.
Hofman said that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has so far been frozen
for two reasons. First, Karabakh does not take part in the negotiations
held with internationally recognized countries.
Secondly, no analysis of the real causes of the conflict is available.
Speaking of the possibility of the international community’s changing
its attitude to the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, she pointed out that,
although with reluctance, the international community recognized the
independence of Serbia and Montenegro. P.T. -0–

MTS, Vimpelcom on shortlist for Armentel
SKRIN Market & Corporate News
June 23, 2006 Friday 2:00 PM GMT
MTS, Vimpelcom and two foreign consortiums are on the shortlist in
the auction for a 90% stake in Armentel, Armenia’s fixed line monopoly
and a local GSM operator, Aton Capital said.
The former Soviet republic has a population of 3mn and cellular
penetration of around 21%. Armentel and K Telecom split the local
cellular market roughly 50/50 and the former reported 2005 revenue
of $145nm.
The acquisition of Armentel would add 3.6% to MTS’ top line or 2.6%
to Vimpelcom’s.
Aton estimates that Armentel’s cellular business accounts for 30% of
revenue, while the final buyer may opt to dispose of the fixed-line
segment. Aton would view a price of up to $350mn for the stake as
reasonable.

REPORT ON ARMENIAN MEDIA TO BE SUBMITTED TO OSCE
/PanARMENIAN.Net
21.06.2006 17:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Upon compellation of visit to Armenia a report
on freedom of the media in the republic and recommendations for
improvement of the situation will be submitted to the OSCE, Miklos
Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media stated in
Yerevan. In his words, the report will be free for press and NGOs
interested in the issue.
The OSCE Representative remarked that some positive tendencies can
be observed in the printing media.
“They furnish a wider scope of opinions, what cannot be said about
the electronic media, specifically the TV channels. However the
positions of the printing media are weak as compared to the TV,”
he said adding that journalists are not persecuted or assaulted in
Armenia and this is a considerable achievement. At that he remarked
that the National Commission for Television and Radio formed by the
President needs reorganization. “The chapter on the National Commission
for Television and Radio should be changed in accord with the reviewed
Constitution. The Commission should be more open and independent. We
have submitted out proposals on the issue,” the OSCE Representative
said. Mr Haraszti also remarked that there are many TV channels in
Armenia but all of them furnish almost the same information.