Author: Mary Lazarian

Pan Armenian News
CSTO ADVANCED PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AGAINST DRUGS
11.05.2005 06:11
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In addition to the Partnership for Peace NATO Program
Russia and other post-soviet states serving on the Collective Security
Treaty Organization (Armenia, Belarus, Kyrghystan, Kazakhstan and
Tajikistan) have advanced a partnership program against drugs, Kreml.org
reported. During the OSCE Forum held in Vienna today CSTO Secretary General
Nikolay Bordyuzha addressed the NATO member-states with an appeal to join
`Channel’ complex prophylactic operation for blocking the routes and
preventing contraband of drugs. The drug traffic is a universal threat and
nobody should remain indifferent to the problem. To make the activities more
efficient the CSTO Coordination Council of the Heads of Counter-Drug
Structures was formed under the CSTO Secretariat’, the CSTO Secretary
General stated adding that the Organization has already adopted the plan of
measures and initiated a number of practical steps. He also noted that
during the `Channel’ operations carried out in 2003 and 2004 over 8 tons of
drugs were confiscated, over 4000 crimes revealed as well as several
hundreds of weapons and explosive assemblies seized. `Several months ago we
proposed NATO to joint the operations. However we got no response’, Nikolay
Bordyuzha said. `The CSTO is ready for close cooperation with the
international organizations to secure peace and stability in the world’, he
stressed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
May 5 2005
Development of an individual activity plan in Armenia in the
framework of the programs of European neighborhood should be
completed till the end of 2005
Central Bank of Armenia calls on Armenia’s citizens not to become
panic-stricken because of groundless rumors
RA President promises the veterans of the World War II to solve their
social security problems
Subsidiary Law Enforcement Detachments of Yerevan NGO to observe
order in Armenian capital’s streets
CBA Chairman: a single data base needs creating in Armenia for the
collection and proceeding of information in Armenia
Ardshininvestbank, Armeconombank, HSBC Bank Armenia, Anelik Bank,
Inecobank and Armenian Savings Bank leading in ARKA News Agency’s
press-rating for 1st quarter 2005
ARKA News Agency publishes the quarterly bulletin “Activity
Indicators of Banks of Armenia ” for Q I, 2005
*********************************************************************
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY PLAN IN ARMENIA IN THE
FRAMEWORK OF THE PROGRAMS OF EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD BE
COMPLETED TILL THE END OF 2005
YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Development of an individual activity plan in
Armenia in the framework of the programs of European neighborhood
should be completed till the end of 2005, as stated the EU Special
Representative in the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie. He noted that
the work on the plan is being done and after it’s over the plan will
be submitted to EU for the consideration and introduced after its
approval. “The plan is a joint instrument for deepening the relations
of the EU with other countries”, he said. Talvitie emphasized that EU
tries to preserve balance of relations in the region, though it will
act in the framework of separate individual programs. “After the
“velvet revolution “in Georgia the main attention of EU is focused on
contributing to the restoration of the infrastructures in the
country. However, Armenia and Azerbaijan are also important for the
EU”, he said. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA CALLS ON ARMENIA’S CITIZENS NOT TO BECOME
PANIC-STRICKEN BECAUSE OF GROUNDLESS RUMORS
YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Central Bank of Armenia called on Armenia’s
citizens not to become panic-stricken because of groundless rumors,
the CBA press-release says. The Bank also urged people not to run
such a risk of sustaining losses that are inevitable because of
groundless rumors. The CBA takes measures to ensure legitimacy of all
deals in the countries currency exchange offices and normal liquidity
of Armenian dram in market.
According to the CBA press-release, today the situation with USD
exchange rate is volatile in stock market. The USD exchange rate
fluctuation in the stock market is due to absolutely groundless
rumors going around about artificial exchange rates. The whole fuss
over exchange rates that triggered such a situation is assumed, the
press-release says.
USD became stronger against Armenian national currency by AMD 4,77 or
1,09% at par nominal exchange rate for last two days from AMD 439,17
per $1 on May 3 to AMD 443,94 per $1 on May 2005 while market
exchange rate leapt to AMD 450-460 for $1. M.V. -0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT PROMISES THE VETERANS OF THE WORLD WAR II TO SOLVE THEIR
SOCIAL SECURITY PROBLEMS
YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan promised the
veterans of the World War II to solve their social security problems.
According to the RA President’s Press Service, Kocharyan stated about
it in the course of the meeting with the delegation of the Union of
the Veterans of WWII. Kocharyan also congratulated the veterans on
the Victory in the War.
The veterans of WWII presented the president a book telling about the
heroism of Armenian soldiers protecting Leningrad. A.H. –0-
*********************************************************************
SUBSIDIARY LAW ENFORCEMENT DETACHMENTS OF YEREVAN NGO TO OBSERVE
ORDER IN ARMENIAN CAPITAL’S STREETS
YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Subsidiary Law Enforcement Detachments of
Yerevan NGO will observe order in Armenian capital’s streets. The aim
of the NGO is to help law enforcement bodies to prevent order
violation and help in case of natural disasters, Arman Baghdasaryan,
a member of the NGO, said at a press conference. In his words, it is
planning to do explanation work with Yerevan residents and to
implement education and upbringing programs. It is expected that one
of the NGO’s detachments will operate in each of Yerevan district.
The detachments’ workers will wear special gears. The detachment work
will be funded by special open fund, money in which will be donated
by various commercial and non-commercial organizations, communities
and ordinary citizens.
At present, the organization comprises of 70 members. M.V. -0–
*********************************************************************
CBA CHAIRMAN: A SINGLE DATA BASE NEEDS CREATING IN ARMENIA FOR THE
COLLECTION AND PROCEEDING OF INFORMATION IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. A single data base needs creating in Armenia
for the collection and proceeding of information in Armenia, as
stated the CBA Chairman Tigran Sargsyan. According to him, this
implies determination of the volume and quality of the information
proceeded as well as the format of accumulation of data from various
departments, so that to reveal suspicious operations on the base of
the data. “It implies the existence of a software, which will ensure
interdepartmental connection and efficient exchange of information”,
he said. He added that corresponding personnel should be trained.
A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
ARDSHININVESTBANK, ARMECONOMBANK, HSBC BANK ARMENIA, ANELIK BANK,
INECOBANK AND ARMENIAN SAVINGS BANK LEADING IN ARKA NEWS AGENCY’S
PRESS-RATING FOR 1ST QUARTER 2005
YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. ARKA News Agency published press-rating of
Armenian banks as of 1st quarter of 2005. According to the
press-rating, leading banks are following: 1. Ardshininvestbank, 2.
Armeconombank, 3. HSBC Bank Armenia, 4. Anelik Bank, 5. Inecobank
(Armenia) and 6. Armenian Savings Bank.
Press-signals analysis shows, the quarter was fare less active than
the same quarter in 2004, considering banking information. As a
result, the number of press-signals reduced 36,6%, comparing with
Jan-March a year earlier. Negative the number of negative signals
grew from 7,5% in the first quarter last year to 11,1% now.
Considering broad information about banks, the information related to
following themes increased for 1st quarter 2005 comparing to the same
period of 2004: General Information About Bank (from 27,4% in 2004 to
27,9% now), Banks Development Policies (from 23,8% to 28,7%) and
Personnel Opinions and Forecasts about Economy (from 7,7% to 12,6%).
Information related to following sections lowered instead: Clients
and Services (from 3,6% to 2,8%) and Digital Illustration of Banking
Activity (from 37,6% to 27,9%). According to ARKA News Agency’s
press-rating for Jan-March 2005, Ardshininvestbank is a leader on
General Information and Digital Illustration of Banking Activity.
Inecobank is ranked first considering information related to
Development Policy. HSBC Bank Armneia is placed first in Clients and
Services ARKA News Agency’s press-rating list’s section. Anelik Bank
was the most active among other banks in expressing opinions and
predicting situations in economy area.
It should be reminded that following banks topped ARKA News Agency’s
press-rating for the first quarter of 2004: 1. Armeconombank, 2.
Conversbank, 3.Anelik Bank, 4. Ardshininvestbank, 5. Armenian Savings
Bank and 6.HSBC Bank Armenia.
ARKA News Agency’s press-rating is grounded not on financial and
economic indices, but on banking activity facts, information about
which is released through media outlets. It means the higher the rate
of releasing actual information about a bank’s activity the more
effective and communicative its policy. Information of advertising
nature isn’t a subject of study and analysis while press-rating is
composed.
See more detailed information in Press-Rating of Banks bulletin #02
(25) for the first quarter 2005. M.V. -0–
*********************************************************************
ARKA NEWS AGENCY PUBLISHES THE QUARTERLY BULLETIN “ACTIVITY
INDICATORS OF BANKS OF ARMENIA ” FOR Q I, 2005
YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. ARKA News Agency has published the quarterly
bulletin “Activity Indicators of Banks of Armenia ” for Q I, 2005.
The bulletin is compiled on the base of the published uniform
financial statements of bank organizations published in the press, as
well as additional information provided by banks. ARKA is grateful to
all of the banks that provided information about their activity.
The bulletin consists of 75 pages of table material on bank
indicators and consists of 9 main sections, characterizing the
banking system: 1. General Characteristics of Banks. 2. Assets. 3.
Liabilities. 4. Active and Passive Operations of Banks with
Non-Residents. 5. Capital. 6. Profit /Losses. 7. Information about
Movement of Funds. 8. Liquidity and Capitalization Level. 9.
Indicators of Profitability and Yield of Banks.
The information allows having general idea about the financial state
of banks of Armenia and carry out the comparative analysis of their
activity.
ARKA has begun the issue of quarterly bulletin “Activity Indicators
of Banks of Armenia” since 1999. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Review: System of a Down ready for a hard-rock reign
Jon Bream, Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune , MN
May 3 2005
The line for tickets on Monday morning stretched literally around
the entire block on which the nightclub First Avenue is located.
Hard-rock fans wanted to see System of a Down, the night’s attraction,
in a rare club appearance.
It was obvious from Monday’s knockout 90-minute, 24-song performance
that System of a Down, a longtime underground favorite, is going to be
the next huge hard-rock band. The 10-year-old Los Angeles quartet is
playing 10 club shows around the country before unleashing the rest
of its multi-pronged attack: the double-disc “Mezmerize/Hypnotize”
(with the first CD on May 17, the other in the fall) and a summer/fall
arena tour.
Surprisingly, System did only three new numbers and instead
concentrated on material from its previous two CDs, 2001’s “Toxicity”
and 2002’s “Steal This Album.” Not that any of the 1,500 fans was
complaining.
In the spirit of Led Zeppelin, System mixes hard and soft with some
Middle Eastern exotica (the members are of Armenian descent). More
specifically, System melds the thrash of Metallica with the theatrical
bombast of Queen, seasoned with Middle Eastern guitar figures and
chants.
Looking like a cross between Frank Zappa and Josh Groban, Serj Tankian
was a frenzied frontman who had the manic moves to match the music of
System. But he also showed a sense of theatrics à la Queen’s Freddie
Mercury, especially when he’d break into folk chants or dances.
Even though System’s songs are often politically charged, Tankian
didn’t make any statements in introducing his diatribes. The opening
“B.Y.O.B.,” the group’s current single, speaks for itself as Tankian
railed against war. “Everybody is going to the party/Have a real
good time. Dancing in the desert/Blowing up the sunshine,” he sang
during a melodic part. Before too long, he was barking: “Why don’t
presidents fight the war? Why do they always send the poor?”
The rabid sellout crowd responded with a explosive roar and hands,
with pinkie and index fingers raised in the universal metal sign,
thrust in the air.
Another new number, “Kill Rock ‘n’ Roll,” was equally virulent but
more personal in its politics and more dramatic in its presentation.
And “Cigaro,” the other new tune, was a juvenile male novelty led by
guitarist Daron Malakian.
Much more compelling was the old material — the rhythmic thrash of
“Suite-Pee”; the change-of-pace, quieter love song “Roulette,” the
spacey, almost mystical “Spiders”; the crowd-pleasing, Pogo-inducing
“Bounce,” and “Mr. Jack” with its ferocious ending.
System isn’t as dangerous and pulverizing as Rage Against the
Machine, but System’s more musical sense of rage is going to make
this politicized machine the next monster of rock.
–Boundary_(ID_N/pyky0JLh876wpga9lhIA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 25 2005
Armenians concerned over strengthening Azeri disapora

Baku, April 22, AssA-Irada
The number of Azeri Diaspora organizations in foreign countries has
exceeded 300 since the establishment of the state committee on
Azerbaijanis living abroad, says the Committee chairman Nazim
Ibrahimov. He said in a meeting with students at the Baku State
University that the number of Armenian communities abroad is
alarming, as it has exceeded 1,300 in the United States alone. Their
number in Russia is 230.
Ibrahimov continued that Armenians are growing perturbed with the
strengthening of the Azerbaijani community and voiced their concerns
over this at a recent meeting of Armenian communities in Yerevan.
They indicated that if the Armenian government does not step its
support to Armenian Diaspora organizations, the strengthening Azeri
Diaspora will soon nullify the success they accomplished over past
100 years.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian leader urges increased efforts against “manifestations of genocide”
Mediamax news agency
20 Apr 05
Yerevan, 20 April: The recognition of the Armenian genocide “is
important for Armenian-Turkish relations, because it will give
answers to many questions existing between our two countries and
provide an opportunity to look to the future,” Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan said in Yerevan today.
The Armenian president addressed an international conference called
“Ultimate crime, ultimate challenge: genocide and human rights” today,
Mediamax reports.
“We remember the past with grief but without hate. It is difficult for
us to understand the Turkish side’s aggressive reaction which is being
expressed not only in a denial of the past, but also in a blockade
of present-day Armenia. We have encountered a paradox which needs to
be considered carefully. Resentment has remained with the side which
is responsible for the tragic past, not with the victim. We are sure
that the international recognition of the genocide will help Turkey
to reconcile with its past and overcome a complex which, passing
from generation to generation, is creating fresh complications in
relations between our countries,” Robert Kocharyan stressed.
“The Armenian issue today continues to remain hostage to geopolitical
interests,” President Robert Kocharyan said.
“World War I with its global interests concerning the alteration
of the world and the following great ideological confrontation of
the 20th century were the main obstacles standing in the way of
recognizing the legitimate rights of the Armenian people. We were
a victim of World War I, although we did not start it. Our right to
remember fell victim to the Cold War,” the Armenian president said.
Robert Kocharyan said that “the world community should increase its
efforts towards effective counteraction to manifestations of genocide”.
“It took mankind time to classify genocide as a crime against humanity
with all its consequences,” the Armenian president recalled. He said
that “it took fundamental humanitarian values time to stop being
sacrificed on the alter of the geopolitical interests of superpowers
and morality to become a constituent part of the foreign policy of
the civilized world”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATIONAL TEAM OF ARMENIAN JOURNALISTS WON BRONZE IN MINI FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN ODESSA
Pan Armenian News
18.04.2005 03:06
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The International Mini Football Tournament among the
CIS journalist teams came to an end in Odessa, IA Regnum reports. To
remind, the tournament was dedicated to the 60-th anniversary of the
victory in the Great Patriotic War. The Armenian journalist team with
the patronage of the RA President took the third place having defeated
Odessa-2 with a score 4:2, the team of Nikolayev 5:0 and the Belarusian
team 5:2. The matches with the teams of Odessa-1 and Volgograd were
decisive – Armenia lost 4:1 and 3:0 respectively. The final match
was played by the teams of Volgograd and Odessa, whose footballers
won the victory after eleven-meter penalty kick. It should be noted
that besides the meetings on the football ground the journalists
met to discuss timely issues and to exchange experience. By the way,
Donbassaero air line within the frames of the celebration provides
veterans with free tickets during a month. The Armenian journalists
also got their tickets with 20% sale.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
| 16:30:25 | 14-04-2005 | Official |
GOODS IMPORTED TO ARMENIA
The government took note of the report of the RA government Committee on
coordination of charitable programmes concerning the implemented activities.
According to the report, in 2004 within the framework of the programmes
recognized as charitable by the committee, cargo amounting to 18,42 billion
AMD were imported to the republic from 29 countries addressing 124
organizations. 50,54% of them belonged to health care sphere, namely medical
supplies and equipment. 70.89% of the goods were imported from the USA,
5.85% from Italy, 3.8% from Germany and 3.41% from Iran.
As the report said, in particular, about 170 tons of goods amounting to 13.7
million USD were imported to Armenia through the US United Armenian
Foundation during the year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TRANSACTIONS CONCLUDED ON BEHALF OF 5 NON-REGISTERED COMPANIES
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. During the fulfilment of the
investigation functions by State Tax Service attached to RA
government it was found out that different persons sign and give
accounts documents on behalf of the “Pipo,” “Karik,” “Fed-1,” “Ira,”
“Ashotsk-1” LTDs. But according to the report submitted by the State
Tax Service, no such companies exist indeed, they aren’t registered
in the state register bodies of juridical persons and in the State
Tax Service. In this connection the State Tax Service suggests that
all economic entities should abstain from concluding transactions
with persons acting on behalf of the above-mentioned companies.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lithuanian DM believes his country should recognize Armenian Genocide
06.04.2005  17:29    
YEREVAN (YERKIR)- Lithuanian Defense Minister Gedeminas Kirkilas,
accompanied with Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsian and top army
officers, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial of Genocide Victims
to pay his respects, Armenpress reported.
“We the politicians should make sure that genocides are not repeated,”
Kirkilas said, adding that it should be condemned by all. He also noted
that no document on the Armenian Genocide is in official circulation
in Lithuania but as a politician he believes that the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by Lithuania would be right.
–Boundary_(ID_TblFpWGm3bWWYyA3p3C/IQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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:
CHARGÉE D’AFFAIRES OF THE AMERICAN EMBASSY
VISITS HIS HOLINESS
Chargée d’Affaires of the American Embassy of Lebanon visited His
Holiness on March 19 on behalf of Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, who
was away from the country. The two discussed the current political
situation of Lebanon.
Right after this meeting, His Holiness met with representatives of
the Lebanese opposition. His Holiness and the delegates discussed
the challenges Lebanon faces currently.
In light of his long meeting with the president of the republic,
His Excellency Gen. Emile Lahoud, and driven by his desire to bring
Lebanon out of its current situation, His Holiness emphasized the
importance of the full application of the Taef Accord, the formation
of a national unity government and the use of dialogue as a means of
solving problems.
##
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.
–Boundary_(ID_j/xzLFP73smpn3Ota1W7ww)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress