Author: Nalbandian Albert

Le Télégramme
2 août 2004

Festival du Ménez-Hom : la fête est en marche

C’était une réunion de mise au point pour tous les responsables des
postes de travail autour de C.

C’était une réunion de mise au point pour tous les responsables des
postes de travail autour de C. Bellin, jeudi soir, afin de ne rater
aucun détail de la fête au village qui va avoir lieu les 13, 14 et 15
août.

Dès samedi

Après l’inauguration du salon de peintures et sculptures qui se
déroulera vendredi en présence de différentes personnalités et des
artistes exposants, l’exposition sera ouverte au public, samedi, dans
la grande salle polyvalente. Pour la seconde année, l’installation a
été confiée à A. Lucas. Un thème a été choisi comme fil conducteur :
la Bretagne. L’inauguration, vendredi soir, sera suivie d’une soirée
gratuite et animée. Chants de marins, musique traditionnelle et
restauration seront au programme, invitant la population à ouvrir les
festivités.

Le reste du programme

Pas de changement dans le déroulement des journées suivantes. Le
concert aura lieu le 13, la fête bretonne retrouvera de vieux amis,
Sonerien Dû ou Salaün, Kerhoas, An Hejer et Leclere pour un
répertoire spécifiquement breton, agrémenté de danses et musiques à
l’école publique. Le défilé de la matinée du 15 comptera 15 groupes,
cercles et bagadoù confondus. Il passera dans les rues du bourg avec,
cette année, on l’espère, une nouvelle motivation des habitants et
commerçants pour la décoration de leurs façades ou vitrines.

Le syndicat d’initiative a mis en place une nouvelle formule, pour le
concours. Les amateurs de danses patienteront autour d’un jambon à
l’os jusqu’à la reprise, l’après-midi, par un spectacle sur podium.
Tous les groupes invités seront là jusqu’au spectacle de clôture.
Cette année, c’est le groupe musical Evit Dans et le cercle de
Quimperlé qui seront à l’honneur ainsi qu’un groupe arménien, Sasun.

THIRD MOMNITORING IN AREA OF VILLAGE OF BERKABER, TAVUSH REGION,
ARMENIA AND POPULATED AREA MIZAMLU, GAZAKH REGION, AZERBAIJAN

YEREVAN, JULY 29. ARMINFO. A regular monitoring of OSCE on the
contact-line of Armenian and Azerbaijani Armed Forces was in the area
of the village of Berkaber, Tavush region, Armenia and a populated
area Mizamlu, Gazakh region, Azerbaijan. It is already the third
monitoring in this section.

The press-service of the Armenian Defense Ministry told ARMINFO that
the section is again monitored because of the recent aggravation of
tension there. According to the source, Personal Representative of
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrjey Kasprzyk and his field assistants
Kenneth Picls (Great Britain) and Urgen Schmidt (Germany) monitored on
the Armenian party, his other field assistants Emre Palatinus
(Hungary) and Miroslav Vimetal (Czechia) on the Azerbaijani party.

In the course of the monitoring, the OSCE groups accompanied with
representatives of the Defense and Foreign Ministries of the two
states approached the border-line from the two sides on a visual
distance. As a result, the Armenian party confirmed the statement made
yet during the last monitoring concerning the necessity for direct
contracts under patronage of OSCE. Ambassador Kasprzyk welcomed the
proposal and expressed hope for the OSCE to contribute to such a
meeting in the near future. OSCE representative were informed that
unlike the previous monitoring, this time the situation on the
boundary was rather calm.

Armenian opposition leader meets US congressmen in Washington

Aravot web site, Yerevan
29 Jul 04

Text of report by Armenian newspaper Aravot web site on 29 July

The chairman of the People’s Party of Armenia PPA , Stepan Demirchyan,
who is at present in the USA, has held a number of important meetings
with politicians and state officials, representatives of the Armenian
Assembly of America and several congressmen, including Frank Pallone.
The PPA leader met representatives of the Armenian community in Boston.

AGGREGATE ASSETS OF CREDIT ORGNAIZATIONS IN ARMENIA INCREASE TOT 3.6
BILLION DRAMS

YEREVAN, JULY 28. ARMINFO. Aggregate assets of credit orgnaizations in
Armenia increased by 10% in the second half of 2004 totaling 3.6 bln
drams, the CB’s Press-Service told ARMINFO.

According to the submitted data, the growth of the aggregate assets is
accounted for by a 2,804% increase in the crediting of the employees
of credit organizations and mutually-connected persons (22.5 mln
drams). Besides, demands to banks and other financial orgnaizations
increased by 189%, totaling 74.7 mln drams. Crediting of legal
entities grew by 19.4%, totaling 251.2 mln drams, natural persons by
23.7%, totaling 1.3 bln drams. Other assets increased by 115.1%,
totaling 414.9 mln drams. Leasing and factoring operations decreased
by 17.2%, making up 210.3 mln drams. Investments in state securities
decreased by 48.6%, totaling 149.6 mln drams. Cash decreased by 54.7%,
totaling 69.9 mln drams.

At the same time, in the structure of assets, a 20.8% growth of basic
funds was registered (479.6 mln drams on July 1, 2004), the calculated
interests grew by 46.9% (20.9 mln drams), current accounts in banks by
4.9% (441.6 mln drams).

Provision of crediting grew by 9.9% in the second quarter and reached
2.2 bln drams, which was accounted for by an increase in the volume of
crediting of the agricultural sphere by 4.3%, trade sector by 0.5%,
financial sector by 205.2%, on consumer credits by 17.2% and other
branches by 40.6%, which totaled 312.5 mln drams. 110.8 mln drams,
74.5 mln drams. 862.6 mln drams and 234.5 mln drams, respectively. In
the crediting portfolio, a 10.8% decline was registered in the
crediting of the industrial sector, a 1.1% in the sphere of
construction, 4.2% in sphere of transport and communications, which
totaled 497.0 mln drams. 88.8 mln drams and 2.2 mln drams,
respectively.

The credits and receivables classified on risk groups increased by
4.9% in the second quarter of 2004, totaling 2.9 bln drams. As a
result, on July 1, in the structure of crediting portfolio, “standard”
credits totaled 89.8% or 2.6 bln drams, “controlled” credits – 5.7% or
164.3 mln drams, “nonstandard” credits – 1.7% or 50.3 mln drams and
“doubtful” credits – 2.8% or 81.6 mln drams. In the quarter under
review, some 59.6% and 4% was fixed on “controlled” and “standard”
credits respectively. While, some 9.7% and 0.1% decline was fixed on
“nonstandard” and “doubtful” credits, respectively.

According to data of the CB, by July 1, 2004, 7 credit orgnaizations
and 1 branch operated in the territory of Armenia. At the same time,
Express-Universal, SEF-International and Gladzor are universal credit
orgnaizations, ACBA-Leasing and Agrileasing – leasing orgnaizations,
Arfin – credit union and “First Mortgage Company” – mortgage credit
orgnaization.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS HOPE TO FIND TRACES OF PALEOLITE MAN’S ACTIVITIES IN RIVER
VOROTAN GORGE

YEREVAN, JULY 27. ARMINFO. July 28 An Armenian-French archaeological
group is to start examining the gorge of the river Vorotan, Sunik
region. They will study rocks where there may be the traces of the
activities of the paleolite man, says the director of the Archaeology
and Ethnography Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of
Armenia Aram Kalantaryan.

The project has been drafted by the Armenian side, the financing is
French. The laboratory research will be held in France where there is
all necessary equipment to determine their age. The findings will be
published in several languages.

Kalantaryan says that in the last decade the institute has cooperated
with many archaeological centers of the world – in France, Italy,
Germany, the US, Russia and Israel. Almost 1,000 books have been
published as a result of cooperation in archeology, anthropology,
paleography, sociology, ethnography and folklore.

US experts happy with “election process” in breakaway Karabakh

Arminfo, Yerevan
26 Jul 04

STEPANAKERT

International experts are closely following the situation in Nagornyy
Karabakh and have not registered any violations in the election
process over this period, the president of the Project on Transitional
Democracies and the head of the US Senate Committee on NATO, Bruce
Jackson, said at a meeting several days ago with the head of the
Central Electoral Committee CEC of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic NKR,
Sergey Davidyan. Jackson was on a one-day visit to Stepanakert.

Our Arminfo correspondent reports from Stepanakert that during the
meeting, Davidyan familiarized the guests with the NKR’s election
law. He said that the referendum on independence and a number of
presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections have been held in
Nagornyy Karabakh since the republic was proclaimed in 1991. Davidyan
informed the experts about preparations for the upcoming elections to
local government bodies on 8 August. Davidyan said that the NKR
adheres to democratic values, and the conduct of free and fair
elections was only a mechanism for forming legitimate authorities in
the republic.

According to the CEC, 375 candidates for community leaders have been
registered in the NKR. Commissions have registered 1,582 of the 1,708
candidates for membership of the councils of elders. Ten people have
been nominated for mayor of Stepanakert, however, only six candidates
are continuing the struggle at the moment, while 46 of the 52
candidates for membership of the council of elders have been
registered.

Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council
1900 S Eads #1231
Arlington, VA 22202
E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
July 25, 2004
Contact: Tsoghig Margossian
E-mail: [email protected]

Armenian Democrats to Join In Ethnic Diversity Celebration at the
Democratic Convention

* DNC Convention Features Ethnic Caucus Meeting; Highlights
Pivotal Role of Ethnic Vote

Boston, MA: The Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council
(AADLC) and Armenian American Democrats from across the country
will participate in a celebration of ethnic community activism
hosted by the National Democratic Ethnic Leadership Council (NDELC)
at this week’s 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. The
reception is part of a series of programs, meetings and events
spotlighting the key role of ethnic communities in this election
season and throughout the American political process.

Grassroots leaders representing a diverse groups of ethnic American
communities, including Albanians, Arabs, Armenians, Germans,
Greeks, Italians, Irish, Polish, Serbian among many others, will be
joining together at the reception on Wednesday, July 28th, at The
Harp, across from the Fleet Center. Participation in the “NDELC’s
Celebration and Appreciation of Ethnic Democrats” is by invitation
only and has received enthusiastic responses from Convention
delegates, Members of Congress and community leaders who understand
the pivotal role that ethnic voters are expected to play in
electoral swing states this November. The reception is one of
several daytime and evening functions organized by ethnic
communities throughout the Convention week.

“The Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council is proud to
partner with the NDELC as it brings together ethnic community
leaders from across the country in support of the Democratic Party
agenda,” stated NDELC Board Member and AADLC activist Sushan
Demirjian. “We look forward to mobilizing the Armenian American
community, with its active presence in key swing states across the
country, to play a decisive role in support of the Kerry/Edwards
ticket and pro-Armenian democratic candidates on November 2nd.”

The National Democratic Ethnic Leadership Council (NDELC) is an
ethnic constituency based organization encompassing the community
of immigrants and descendants of immigrants who primarily trace
their heritage from Europe and the Mediterranean. During the
Clinton presidential campaign in 1992, democratic activists began a
deliberate initiative to redefine the Democratic Party’s
relationship with Ethnic Americans. Over the past twelve years, the
party has made great strides to ensure that Ethnic Democrats
continue to be players in American politics. The NDELC, with its
diverse membership including representatives of the Armenian
American Democratic Leadership Council, plays a pivotal role in
nurturing that relationship.

==============================================================
Democratic Party to Host Ethnic Democrats Caucus Meeting and
Workshop at Democratic National Convention
==============================================================
The 2004 Democratic Convention will also feature a first-ever
Caucus Meeting and Workshop bringing together ethnic leaders
committed to a Kerry-Edwards victory in November. Community
representatives will participate in briefings and a full agenda of
activities on Wednesday, July 28th from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the
Sheraton Hotel.

“Ethnic Americans have always been a base in the Democratic party.
The values of family, hard work, faith and opportunity are the
values that they bring to the Democratic Party and contribute to
building a stronger America,” explained John Kerry for President
Director of Ethnic Outreach George Kivork, who is helping to
coordinate the function.

The AADLC works with the Democratic National Committee to
foster support within the Armenian American community for
the Democratic Party and national Democratic office
holders, while promoting the election of Armenian American
Democrats to political office and encouraging participation
by Armenian American Democrats at all levels of the public
policy process.

Interfax
July 22 2004

South Ossetia makes contacts with Abkhazia, Transdnestr,
Nagorno-Karabakh permanent

MOSCOW/TSKHINVALI. July 22 (Interfax) – The South Ossetian Foreign
Ministry has made permanent contacts with the foreign ministries of
other unrecognized republics, Abkhazia, the Transdnestr Moldovan
Republic and Nagorno-Karabakh, due to the escalating tension in the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone.

“We need regular contacts to supply the public with objective
information about the developments in Tskhinvali and to gain military
support if necessary,” South Ossetian Foreign Minister Murad Jioyev
told Interfax by telephone on Thursday.

“Nearly all volunteers, who had came to South Ossetia, left but they
would return as need be,” he said. “I must stress though that
Tskhinvali wants a peaceful settlement of the crisis and is ready to
continue negotiations.”

“OSCE intermediaries in the conflict zone should be more active and
objective,” he said. “The OSCE pays almost no attention to our
statements on the Georgian breach of agreements.”

South Ossetian representatives may soon meet with head of the OSCE
Mission in Georgia Roy Reeve, the minister said.

South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) and Abkhazia (Sukhumi) are de jure
provinces of Georgia, which gained de facto independence from Georgia
(Tbilisi) in the 1990s. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is
urging Abkhazia and South Ossetia to restore state relations, but
they have been declining the offer. Nevertheless Saakashvili pledges
that his victory over the separatist leader of Ajaria will be
followed by regained control of two breakaway provinces.

Nagorno-Karabakh and Transdnestr are also self- proclaimed republics.
Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh in a fierce conflict with
Armenia, and Moldova lost control of Transdnestr in the 1990s. <>

Associated Press
July 15 2004

Tech company picks South Georgia over exporting 250 jobs

SAVANNAH, Ga.

A metro Atlanta consulting and software development company announced
plans to locate 250 jobs in south Georgia after deciding against
sending those jobs overseas.

Alpharetta-base Aelera Corp. chose Savannah for a new software
application development center and Fitzgerald for a business process
outsourcing center over sites in India, China and Armenia.

Aelera CEO Dustin Crane said Thursday that lower salary demands in
south Georgia, because of a lower cost of living, will save the
company about 20 percent compared with the Atlanta area. That’s the
same savings Aelera expected from shipping the jobs abroad.

“We have literally traveled the world looking for the same
opportunities that are right here at home,” Crane said.

Chief Operating Officer Chuck Stallworth said the jobs would be about
evenly divided between Savannah and Fitzgerald. Aelera will open its
Savannah center Aug. 1, while the Fitzgerald operation will open in
about six months, he said.

Rapprochement the aim of OSCE mediators’ visit to Karabakh

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
13 Jul 04

[Presenter] The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group have arrived in
Stepanakert The negotiations with high-ranking officials of Artsakh
[Nagornyy Karabakh] ended a few hours ago. The co-chairmen have not
yet made any new proposals regarding the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict. The diplomats confirmed once again the conflicting sides’
positions.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said that the
co-chairmen had gone to Nagornyy Karabakh with the consent of official
Baku.

[Corespondent from Stepanakert by phone] The co-chairmen consider that
each conflicting side thinks that time is working in their
favour. Yuriy Merzlyakov [Russia] noted that the delay is complicating
the solution of the conflict. The co-chairmen said that today the
Expanded Europe programme will allow the settlement process to be
speeded up. Henry Jacolin [France] noted that Azerbaijan and Armenia
cannot use this programme until the conflict is settled and, by not
using this programme, they will fall behind in general development. At
the same time the co-chairmen noted that the OSCE Minsk Group does not
have the power to force the sides to accept this or any other
decision. The aim of this mission is to bring the sides closer
together.

Representatives of Karabakh non-governmental organizations, presenting
Artsakh’s position, said that the OSCE Minsk Group’s mediation efforts
to hold negotiations without the Karabakh side will be
unsuccessful. They presented proposals on establishing economic
cooperation between the sides, which would transform the problem. They
also noted that disappointment is felt in society with the OSCE Minsk
Group’s mission. The co-chairmen replied this that is natural, as they
have not reached any concise results in their 10-12 years of work.