Author: Khoyetsian Rose

Business and Industry
FN
August 15, 2005
ARABIAN SIGHTS WOMEN’S : WITH HER GROWING EAST-MEETS-WEST COLLECTION,
KARINE ARABIAN HAS HER EYES ON ATTRACTING THE ATTENTION OF LARGER
DEPARTMENT STORES.
by Michelle Baran
Karine Arabian is ready for romance.
Four years after launching her eponymous shoe collection, the
Frenchwoman is hoping to court a better department-store business.
But Arabian knows she’s going to be up against numerous other suitors.
“Fashion nowadays is very difficult,” said the Paris-born designer,
during a recent visit to New York. “Big companies are in China —
they have small prices. And for me, I am little and I have high
prices. It’s very challenging.”
Arabian, who has had her own store in Paris for five years and built a
substantial European business, most notably in Russia, is hoping that
her 30-style, elegant yet eclectic footwear collection will catch
the attention of larger U.S. retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman,
Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue. Arabian’s shoes are sold at
upscale boutiques, including Pasadena, Calif.-based In Soho Curve in
Los Angeles and Primadonna in Marlton, N.J. Arabian is also toying
with the idea of unveiling a second store, in New York, within the
next two years.
“It’s a dream for me,” said Arabian, whose cousin, Dan Yeremian serves
as her business partner. (Arabian and Yeremian are both of Armenian
descent.) “I love New York.”
But as passionate as she is about pushing into the American market,
Arabian said she is aware that such a move will require a keen
business sense. In hopes of seriously growing her business, Arabian
said she also plans to show at The Train in New York and Premiere
Classe in Paris, along with having made her WSA debut earlier this
month. “I want to design, but I also want to be practical,” she said.
“A designer now has to be an artist and a businesswoman.”
After studying at Paris-based fashion schools, ESMOD and Studio Bercot,
Arabian started out designing jewelry and handbags for Swarovski and
Chanel before deciding to create her own line. The Karine Arabian
collection also includes her own jewelry, belts and handbags, along
with footwear. “I’m a woman, I love shoes and I’ve broken a lot of
heels,” said Arabian, whose grandfather is a shoemaker. “It was very
natural for me to do shoes. Shoes made by a woman for a woman.”
Two years ago, Arabian moved production from France to Italy’s Veneto
region. The change reflected a focus on improving the quality of her
line as well as an evolution of her design philosophy. Her styles
have segued from 1960s- and 1970s-influenced erraticism to more
romantic sophistication, ranging from $450 for a pump to $1,000 for
a knee-high boot.
A self-proclaimed fan of boots, Arabian admits that although her
passion originated in fall styles, she has grown to love designing and
developing spring product. Three main themes provided inspiration for
her spring ’06 collection of sandals and pumps: romance, the desert
and the Italian Riviera.
Meanwhile, in addition to her own shoes, Arabian has already been
approached by Swarovski to help design younger, trendier footwear
under the Swarovski name.
Surrounded by inspiring male French shoemakers, from Louboutin to
Frissoni to Clergerie, Arabian is in the minority as a Frenchwoman
designing shoes — a distinction she hopes will come across in the
way she designs her collection. “All the designers, they are all men,
and they do things too masculine, over-sexy,” she said. “I do shoes
very feminine, but not tacky.”
Caption(s): Designer Karine Arabian has partnered with Swarovski to
produce youthful styles.Copyright 2005 Fairchild Publications, Inc.554

Yerevan – Los Angeles: Sister Cities
National Assembly of RA (press release), Armenia
Aug 20 2005
On August 19 the members of the Armenian-American friendship group
of the National Assembly met Eric Garcetti, member of Los Angeles
city council.
He arrived in Armenia on the initiative of declaring Yerevan and Los
Angeles sister cities. It is envisaged to sign an agreement in the USA
about it after holding relevant discussions in Yerevan. The Armenian
parliamentarians refer to this proposal with satisfaction taking into
account the existence of the big Armenian community: it’s the third
largest after those in Armenia and Russia. Levon Lazarian, Head of
the friendship group, noted that this is a good occasion to deepen
the relations between the two communities and strengthen cultural
and scientific ties. In case of the implementation of the program
and in future opening of an economic representation of California in
Armenia those present expect big progress. Besides, the cooperation
will be moved into more practical plane. During the meeting with
Hranush Hakobyan, Chairwoman of NA Standing Committee on Science,
Education, Culture and Youth Eric Garcetti discussed the issue of
possible cooperation in the sphere film industry.
In the state of California three models of elections of the community
head is applied. In case of having the electoral system of Mayor
of Yerevan (it’s envisaged within the framework of constitutional
reforms), it will useful to apply the experience of California:
a preliminary agreement was reached about this.
Levon Lazarian informed that the tradition of friendship groups is
planned also to spread on state parliaments.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 19 2005
CIS and Baltic press on Russia
[parts omitted]
ARMENIA
The media continue to show interest in the subject of the need for
Armenia’s integration with Europe. “Armenia has no alternative to
integration with Europe… In foreign policy, the republic should be
guided exclusively by economic interests, that dictate the need to take
a course for integration with the European Union” (Aravot, August 16.)
At the same time, the press continues assessing prospects for the
development of the Commonwealth of Independent States. “The CIS is
an interstate structure which really exists in the geopolitical sense
and which should be reckoned with… The Commonwealth has a positive
dynamics of the development of all-round ties”.(Armenpress, August 12.)
Experts are sure that Russia, which is interested in the preservation
of the status quo, fully controls the situation in Armenia. “As a
result of a revolution, our country may find itself under Russia’s
control, the way this happened in Kyrgyzstan… Russia may provide
assistance in carrying out a revolution in Armenia. Outstripping other
countries in this respect, Russia will try to preserve Armenia’s
pro-Russian authorities, which are suitable for it” (Aravot,
August 11.)
Against the background of a lull in political life in August,
several criminal incidents in various regions of Russia in which
Armenians suffered are widely covered in the press. The press is
publishing detailed reports about the incidents, refraining from
making comments yet.

AZERBAIJAN ASPIRES TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT IN PEACE WAY
BAKU, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. The greatest problem in Azerbaijan is the
Armenia- Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and remaining of the
territories under occupation, Azeri President Ilham Aliev said during
his speech at the Tuesday solemn ceremony dedicated to presentation
of battle flags to the military units of the state frontier service
We aspire to resolve the question in peace way, by negotiations.
International organizations pay more and more attention to this
problem. Fair voice of Azerbaijan is heard and the decisions adopted
by world organizations reflect the justice. And along with all these,
along with the diplomatic, political successes, the problem cannot find
its resolution. Therefore, we cannot reconcile with this situation. We
shall and further make efforts to settle the problem by negotiations,
peacefully, by political means, to liberate the occupied lands of
Azerbaijan from the aggressive forces, and then refugees return to
their homelands. We shall do our utmost for this, Aliev said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenians take captive Azeri officer – TV
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
16 Aug 05
The Armenian army has taken hostage Ramin Xudaverdiyev, a 23-year-old
warrant officer of the Azerbaijani army.
The head of the working group of the Azerbaijani state commission
for POWs, hostages and missing people, Firudin Sadiqov, has told
“Son Xabar” that the commission does not know where and when the
warrant officer was taken captive. The International Committee of
the Red Cross has been informed of the case, he said.
Xudaverdiyev, whose service term expired some time ago, was recruited
from Baku’s Xatai district.

AZG Armenian Daily #143, 16/08/2005
Healthcare
BLOOD: A MATTER OF BARGAIN
Only Voluntary Donoring Guarantees Safe Blood
The process of hospital privatization gave birth to private blood
departments and banks. The post-soviet era of market relations made blood a
subject of bargain. In Armenia, there are state-run blood transfusion
stations only in 5 provinces – Shirak, Armavir, Syunik, Kotayk and Lori. In
other provinces people get blood in appropriate departments of central
hospitals. The Haematology Center is empowered to control all state and
private blood banks. “There are many private companies that are better
equipped than the state-run Haematology Center, and in this respect it’s
somewhat irrational to supervise them. We often feel shame to go to a blood
bank for an inspection when we ourselves have far humbler conditions. This
is an issue demanding urgent solution as all blood services within a state
should be regulated by the same standards and methods, and each patient
getting blood transfusion should trust the quality of the blood”, head of
the Haematology Center Smbat Daghbashian said.
The head of the Haematology Center indicated that the overwhelming majority
of paid donors are socially vulnerable people who are more likely to have
blood infections. A donor in Armenia gets 20-50 USD for one portion of
blood. There is a danger that social conditions can make donors conceal
their diseases, used medicines etc. Having their services refused at one
clinic they may turn to another till they get the money they need. Center N1
is in charge of inspection over blood infections. Thanks to the computerized
process an ill donor that was declined at one place but managed to sell his
blood somewhere else can be easily detected.
“Donoring should be on voluntary terms to guarantee safe blood”, Daghbashian
said.
Only 5-6 percent of donors in Armenia are volunteers. 80-85 percent donoring
falls to the relatives’ lot. Blood collection at the Center is carried out
by means of special scales acquired by the help of German Embassy. Other
clinics do not posses such scales and the measurement is approximate.
Correct freezing of blood is another guarantee for safe blood. Elements of
blood are kept in certain temperature and under certain procedure, which
differ depending on each case. Blood freezing requires special refrigerators
that the Center lacks so far.
To solve the issue of safe blood each country needs 40-50 volunteer donors
in every 1000 population. In Armenia, only 3-4 people enlist as donors in
every 1000. People, very passive in giving their blood in daily life, get
activated in case of disasters such as the earthquake of 1988 and the Beslan
tragedy.
By Karine Danielian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH THE DIRECTOR
OF THE “ARMENIA FUND”
His Holiness Aram I received the director of the “Armenia fund” Naira
Melkoumian, the Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon Arek Hovhannisian and the
representatives of the fund in France and Germnay, Bedros Terzian and
Gilbert Momdjian on August 11.
His Holiness Aram I stressed the importance of the fund, especially within
the context of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. He praised the work done by the
directors of the fund and particularly the dedication of Naira Melkoumian.
He pointed out that the fund should carry out more organized work within the
dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
The discussions during the meeting revolved around the Armenian community of
Lebanon. His Holiness emphasized the importance of reforming the fund’s
local committee in Lebanon so Lebanese-Armenians can more actively
participate in the building of Armenia.
##
View picture here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

86% OF YEREVAN POPULATION BELIEVES MAYOR OF YEREVAN SHOULD BE DIRECTLY
ELECTED
YEREVAN, August 9. /ARKA/. 86% of the Yerevan population believes that
the Mayor of Yerevan should be elected by the population through
direct elections, the public opinion study center Vox Populi reports.
The Center has conducted a survey through telephone inquiry of 684
inhabitants of Yerevan. According to the survey, 9% of respondents
believe that the Mayor should be appointed by the President or the
Prime Minister and 2% believe that he should be elected by the Council
of Elders of Yerevan. 3% of respondents found it difficult to respond
to the question. The respondents were of age 18 and over. A.A. -0–

Azeri opposition leader accuses president of masterminding attacks on his
party
Yeni Musavat, Baku
8 Aug 05
Excerpt from Kanan’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat on 8
August headlined “Ilham Aliyev has been dragging Azerbaijan into
bloodshed” and subheaded “Ali Karimli: ‘We are ready to counter the
authorities by any mean of struggle'”
A big campaign was launched against the PFAP [Peoples Front of
Azerbaijan Party, reformist wing] after the arrest of Ruslan Basirli,
head of the Yeni Fikir [New Thought] youth organization. In line with
the rules of Soviet propaganda, “working people” are making speeches
on TV channels and trained bands have repeatedly made attempts to
stage rallies outside the PFAP office. However, these attempts failed
due to heroism of the party members. The campaign is expanding and the
“working people” now demand the closure of the PFAP.
We yesterday contacted PFAP Chairman Ali Karimli to learn his attitude
to these events. He described them as another black campaign by the
authorities.
[Passage omitted: Karimli says those attempting to stage a rally
outside the party office on 6 August were civil servants]
[Karimli] In fact, the [ruling] New Azerbaijan Party attempted to
bring about a serious civil confrontation in the capital. Over the
past two days, we have seen four attempted attacks on the PFAP and
me. Those attempts were foiled only thanks to bravery and courage of
the PFAP members.
[Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev is dragging us into bloodshed
before the eyes of the whole world. I am saying that Ilham Aliyev is
behind this policy. He is deceiving international organizations
saying that he will hold democratic election. He is putting up a
smokescreen by meaningless decrees and statements. But in reality, he
is dragging the country into a serious confrontation by issuing orders
to all his subordinate [government] bodies.
[Passage omitted: authorities are using all their resources against
the PFAP]
I think this provocation by the government has already been
exposed. This process is about to finish. God willing, the
provocateurs’ identity will be established in the near future. It will
become clear that they were not Armenians, but Georgian citizens
recruited by Azerbaijan’s special services to work as actors in this
special operation [reference to footage showing Basirli’s alleged
meeting with Armenian special agents]. Then this campaign will be
turned against the authorities with all its strength.
[Passage omitted: footage of Basirli’s meeting with alleged Armenian
intelligence officers has undergone many changes]

Karabakh gets new composition of main electoral body
Arminfo
8 Aug 05
Yerevan, 8 August: New members of the Central Electoral Commission [CEC] of
the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic [NKR] have been appointed.
NKR President Arkadiy Gukasyan has recently appointed Sergey Nasibyan as CEC
chairman, Seyran Ayrapetyan as CEC deputy chairman and the chief specialist of
the department for state and legal issues under the NKR security council
staff, Karen Sagiyan, as CEC member, an Arminfo correspondent reports from
Stepanakert .
The central council of the Free Motherland Party appointed Samvel Arakelyan,
head of the staff of the party, and Inga Sarkisyan, a clerk of the party, as
members of the CEC.
The central council of the Democratic Party of Artsakh [Nagornyy Karabakh]
endorsed Raya Nazaryan as secretary of the CEC. Semen Afiyan, head of the
protocol section of the NKR Foreign Ministry, was appointed CEC member.