Author: Maghakian Mike

Pan ARMENIAN Network, Armenia
July 15 2005

VIVACELL NOT TO LOWER TARIFFS

15.07.2005 04:35

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As “.am” PanARMENIAN.Net reporter came to know
from the VivaCell department of commerce, the tariffs of the second
cellular operator VivaCell will not be lowered. To remind, yesterday an
information on possible reduction of tariffs was spread by IA Regnum
with a reference to Armenian Minister of Transport and Communications
Andranik Manukian. The fact is that in a private conversation with
the journalists the Minister supposed that the competition caused
by the entrance of VivaCell to the cellular market can result in
reduction of tariffs. “Competition can provide cheaper and high-quality
communication”, the Minister noted without clarifying the possible
rate and date for reviewing of prices.

OSCE MG: CONFLICTING PARTIES READY FOR COMPROMISE

Pan ARMENIAN Network, Armenia
July 15 2005

15.07.2005 09:20

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Considerable progress has been fixed in the Karabakh
Conflict settlement lately, OSCE Minsk Group US Co-Chair Steven Mann
stated during today’s press conference in Yerevan. At the same time he
noted that though the Co-Chairs do not measure the efficiency of the
negotiations, the ongoing discussions can serve as the coefficient of
the common talks and as the basis for the final resolution. “We can
achieve results via negotiations only but we cannot foresee them”,
he noted. Meanwhile Russian Co-Chair stated that “present results
would not have been achieved but for the readiness of both parties to
make concessions. When asked about Turkey’s position in the conflict
the Russian Co-Chair said that “Turkey is not just involved in the
process but has a strong impact on it.”

Karabakh mediators positive about outcome of regional visit

Mediamax news agency
15 Jul 05

Yerevan, 15 July: Yuriy Merzlyakov, Russian co-chairman of the OSCE
Minsk Group, said in Yerevan today that during the visit to the region,
the mediators and the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan discussed
“thoroughly and in detail” the “key elements of the basis of the
future settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict”.

Speaking at a briefing in Yerevan today, the Russian mediator said
that “we are currently working on formulations”. Merzlyakov said that
the key outcome of their visit to the region could be considered
an agreement on the holding of a meeting between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani presidents in Kazan late August. Prior to this meeting, the
two countries’ foreign ministers are scheduled to hold consultations
on 23 August in Moscow.

Commenting on the mediators’ meeting with the president of the
Nagornyy Karabakh Republic (NKR), Arkadiy Gukasyan, on 14 July in
Stepanakert, Yuriy Merzlyakov said that “while working on the options
of the formulations, we need to know the position of the Nagornyy
Karabakh leadership”. The Russian diplomat refused to comment on the
reports about the possibility of a referendum in Nagornyy Karabakh,
referring to the confidentiality of the talks.

Steven Mann, US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, said there was
an opportunity to “achieve serious progress”. He said that the sides
to the conflict have managed to reach considerable progress over the
last year. Mann said that there were “very difficult issues” on the
negotiating table, however there was a “promising opportunity” to
reach a breakthrough in the peace process by the end of the year. At
the same time, the US diplomat said, “the existence of opportunities
does not guarantee that this will necessarily happen”. Anyway, Steven
Mann said, “today, the positions of the sides are much closer than
it was the case in summer or winter”.

Asked about the sides’ readiness to make concessions on vital issues,
Yuriy Merzlyakov said that “we have managed to reach the level at
which we work on formulations just because the sides have not only
shown readiness to compromise but have done so indeed”.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street, NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
July 14, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

REPS. MATSUI, STRICKLAND JOIN CONGRESSIONAL ARMENIAN CAUCUS

WASHINGTON, DC – Support continued to grow for Armenian issues on
Capitol Hill this week as Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and
Ted Strickland (D-OH) announced their membership in the
Congressional Armenian Caucus, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA). The latest additions bring the Caucus
to over 140 members.

“We are gratified that Representatives Strickland and Matsui have
joined the Congressional Caucus and look forward to continuing to
work closely with the body to further increase its membership and
promote Armenian American community concerns,” stated ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

Rep. Strickland joined 98 of his Congressional colleagues this week
in cosponsoring the Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.316), lead
by Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA),
and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). In 1997, soon after his first election
to office, Rep. Strickland voted in support of the Radanovich-
Pallone amendment, which maintained U.S. restrictions on aid to
Azerbaijan until that country lifts its blockades of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabagh. The six-term congressman serves on the powerful
House Energy and Commerce as well as the Veterans’ Affairs
committee. A native of Lucasville, Ohio, Rep. Strickland received
a Ph.D in Counseling and Psychology and served as a minister, a
psychologist, and a college professor prior to his election to the
House of Representatives.

“I am happy to be part of a group that supports a free and
independent Armenia,” said Rep. Strickland. “It is important for
Members of Congress to recognize the tragic history of the Armenian
people, and work toward a future which allows for a secure,
sovereign nation for all Armenians.”

Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) is a first term congresswoman representing
the Sacramento area. She succeeded her husband, Rep. Robert
Matsui, who had been a long-time supporter of Armenian American
concerns and a member of the Armenian Caucus. Rep. Robert Matsui
tragically lost his battle against a form of bone marrow cancer in
January, 2005. Within months of her election to office, Rep. Doris
Matsui began active support of Armenian American concerns,
cosigning the Congressional letter to President Bush urging him to
properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as ‘genocide.’ She is
also a cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.316).

“I am pleased to join the Armenian Caucus and look forward to
working with the Caucus on a range of political and educational
activities,” noted Rep. Matsui.

Baku Sun, Azerbaijan
July 13 2005

Karabakh veterans appeal to int’l organizations

BAKU – The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) has appealed to
international organizations on the occasion of the upcoming visit to
the region by OSCE Minsk group co-chairs this month.The notorious
group has been commissioned by the OSCE to mediate a peaceful
solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani ethnic conflict over Karabakh.
KLO unites Azeri veterans of the 1991-1994 Karabakh war, which left
one fifth of Azerbaijan’s areas occupied by Armenian forces, with
30,000 people dead and almost a million Azeris fleeing from their
homeland.

`The Minsk group doesn’t work efficiently (towards the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict) and seeks to conceal aggressive actions
towards Azerbaijan by Armenia,’ the Organization said in an appeal,
also addressed to the ambassadors of France, Russia and the United
States – the countries co-chairing the Minsk group.

The international community recognizes Karabakh as territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan.However, the KLO chairman, Akif Naghi, who
holds an academic degree in history, noted that the troubleshooters’
earlier visit to Karabakh from Armenia, bypassing Azerbaijan, had
caused a protest with the Azerbaijani public, as `this action had
been directed against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and
been in line with the interests of Armenia.’

Despite the occupation of almost 20 per cent of Azerbaijan’s
territory, the international community – including the Council of
Europe and European Union – refuses to recognize Armenia as an
aggressor country.

President inaugurates regional businesses

Journal of Turkish Weekly
July 13 2005

Closed talks between Turkey and Armenia confrimed

Source: Hurriyet

Amid rumors of a “secret meeting”, The Turkish Foreign office
confirmed on Monday that talks between Armenian and Turkish diplomats
took place in a European city recently. During the meeting Turkey
presented its proposals on the issue of normalizing relations between
the two countries. The meeting took place following the exchange of
letters between the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan. The letters addressed the
subject of the so-called Armenian genocide.

A second closed meeting is set to take place in an undisclosed
European town shortly. Armenia will present its proposals at the
second round of talks. One thing that is sure Erdogan and Kocharyan
have reached an agreement to take concrete steps to satisfy both
sides and to create an atmosphere of confidence.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry is yet to release a statement on the
talks.

AZG Armenian Daily #127, 12/07/2005

Culture

‘THE 2D GOLDEN APRICOT FILM FESTIVAL ENRICHED WITH FAMOUS NAMES’

Film director Edgar Baghdasarian’s “Mariam” will open the 2d Golden
Apricot international film festival today at the National Opera
Theatre. As last year, the apricot consecration at the Surp Zoravor
church will precede this year’s film festival.

Press conferences launched at Hotel Yerevan yesterday will carry on
all week long enabling Abas Kiarostami (Iran), Atom Egoyan (Canada),
Nikita Mikhalkov, Roman Balayan (Russia), Robert Gedikian (France) and
others to speak about their films presented in the festival.

Film critic Zaven Boyajian said yesterday that the borders of Golden
Apricot have widened this year. “Compared with the last year’s
festival, this Golden Apricot is a few steps in advance. Geography has
been widened, films of renowned directors added to the competitive and
non-competitive programs. This is one of the peculiarities of this
year’s festival. I think it has rather good perspectives if not
financial and organizational obstacles”, he said.

Lebanese filmmaker Carmen Labagi told about his documentary, which
though depicts the life of Lebanese-Armenians, touches upon affairs of
Armenians in other countries, too. For instance, Carmen met a group of
Bedouins in Syria who were aware of their Armenian origin. His film is
included in the program of non-competitive films about Armenian
Genocide.

Karine Torosian from Canada shot her “Stone, Time, Touch” fiction last
year in Armenia. The film deals with national identity issues and
issues that the modern Armenian women face, answer to which Karine
wanted to find in her homeland. Karine starred Arsine Khanjian in her
film. Armenian women share with the feelings they had from the first
encounter with Armenia, compare the real and the imaginative
homelands.

By Ruzan Poghosian

ARKA News Agency
July 6 2005

RA PREMIER RECEIVES GOVERNOR OF HORMOZGAN IRANIAN PROVINCE

YEREVAN, July 6. /ARKA/. RA Premier Andranik Margaryan received the
Governor of Hormozgan Iranian province, Ibrahim Derasgisu. According
to RA Government’s Press Service Department, Margaryan congratulated
Derasgisu with the presidential elections in Iran and sent its
greetings to the President of Iran Mahmud Ahmadinejavu. Margaryan
expressed hope that Armenian-Iranian relations will develop with the
same success. The sides attached importance to bilateral visits at
the highest level and noted that bilateral cooperation will favorably
influence on the whole region. Margaryan expressed his belief that
Iran will continue its balanced policy towards the South Caucasus
countries, which is an important factor to preserve stability and
peace in the region.
Touching upon bilateral economic relations, the sides noted with
pleasure positive factors for the last years in the sphere, as well
as growth of the volume of goods turnover. They attached importance
to mutual cooperation, particularly, in the area of energy, and
construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, and hydroelectric power
plants on Araks, new third double-circuit line of electricity
transmission. They emphasized activation of cooperation between
separate subjects of Iran and Armenia, in particular, Syunik, Armavir
and Ararat regions and provinces of Mazandaran, Ardebil and Western
and Eastern Atrpatakan. As a result of the negotiations, an agreement
on cooperation between the provinces of Hormozgan and Ararat region
of Armenia was signed.
Derasgis noted that with the consideration of free trade zones and
cargo transportation possibilities of the ports of the province,
there are possibilities for the development of the cooperation.
According to him, the Armenian community in Iran, actively
participating both in the political and economic life of the country,
may contribute to it. Margaryan assured the governor that RA
Government is ready to support implementation of all the above
mentioned programs. A.H.–0–

Pan Armenian News

ARMENIAN LEADER READY TO PERSONALLY PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION WITH
IRAN

06.07.2005 05:55

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian met in Yerevan with
Governor of the Iranian province of Hormozgan Ebrahim Derazmisu , RA
President’s press center reported. During the meeting Robert Kocharian noted
the necessity of strengthening of economic ties emphasizing that the
dynamically developing Armenian economy offers new possibilities for
cooperation. In this view, the President pointed out to the importance of
the highway connecting Armenia and Iran, thanks to what the volume of cargo
transportation can be considerably increased. He also noted that with two
free and three special economic areas, three international airports and a
seaport the Iranian province can create a good atmosphere for the
development of the Armenian-Iranian economic ties. The Armenian President
said he is ready to personally assist the Armenian businessmen.

AZG Armenian Daily #123, 06/07/200

Karabakh issue

GORAN LENMARKER CREATES ‘GOLDEN’ OPPORTUNITY TO SETTLE NKR CONFLICT

Regnum agency informed that Goran Lenmarker, OSCE PACE special
representative of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, stated that today a
“golden” opportunity is created for the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
issue, based on “victory-victory” order. In case this order is carried out,
both Armenia and Azerbaijan will suffer the least loses. The diplomat told
about that during the 14th session of PACE in Washington. He emphasized that
Nagorno Karabakh conflict is not frozen. “People are being killed at the
border each year,” he said.

Lenmarker offered to follow the example of the Europeans, when “democracy
and integration become basic components for peace.”

He didn’t specify what “victory-victory” order means in particular. The last
point of OSCE PACE formula on Nagorno Karabakh settlement says the
following: “OSCE PACE advices Azerbaijan and Armenia to follow the formation
of “victory -victory” situation, based on the current suggestions on
settlement that is supported by the European structures.”