Author: Nargizian David

DJ VIMPELCOM CEO: ARMENIA, GEORGIA CAPEX IN LINE WITH STRATEGY

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
November 16, 2006 Thursday 7:22 PM EET

Capital expenditure plans for Georgia and Armenia will generally
follow OAO Vimpel Communications’ pattern of investment in second-tier
countries, Chief Executive Officer Alexander Izosimov told Dow Jones
Newswires on Wednesday.

That is to say $100 per subscriber, Izosimov said. He added that the
company could reach one million subscribers – and $100 million in
expenditures – in both countries in about 36 months.

Izosimov said he couldn’t disclose more specific numbers or timeframes
at the moment.

In the case of Armenia, the deal in that country has just won approval
from the Armenian government and it is too early to talk about set
numbers, Izosimov said.

"We are very happy to see the Armenian government give its blessings,"
he said. "We have yet to finalize a capex plan."

VimpelCom last week bought 90% of Armenian operator Armentel from
Greece’s Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA or OTE, for
EUR341.9 million in cash and EUR40 million in debt. The deal met
official approval last week.

Izosimov was in New York to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary
of listing in the New York Stock Exchange. VimpelCom, as it is more
commonly known, is Russia’s No. 2 mobile phone provider after OAO
Mobile TeleSystems, or MTS.

"We already entered key markets" outside Russia, such as Ukraine,
he said. "We’re now going through the second-tier (countries)" and
Armenia and Georgia are important for the company’s strategy in the
Caucasus region, Izosimov said.

In terms of measuring its growth, the company is now focusing on
"real, quality subscribers" rather than raw subscriber numbers based
on phone card sales.

Real subscribers are people who not only buy mobile phone cards but
also use them in a chargeable transaction in three months’ time,
he said.

"Our aspiration is leadership," Izosimov said. "We are very close,
we are a stone’s throw from closing the gap."

Izosimov said relations between Russia and Georgia aren’t interfering
with company’s business in Georgia.

Relations between the two countries have become strained, with Georgia
recently vowing to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and in an
apparent effort to counteract pressure from its neighbor.

"It has not affected at all. We enjoy great support from the (Georgian)
government," he said.

In September, VimpelCom posted a 23% rise in second-quarter net
profit, driven by price increases and tight cost controls. Net profit
increased to $194.9 million from $158.8 million a year earlier,
and revenue rose 46% to $1.12 billion from $769.8 million.

Shares of VimpelCom in New York were down 0.2% at $66.50 in early
afternoon trade Wednesday, when most Russian American Depositary
Receipts were seeing red.

CHORUS ANNOUNCES 2 SHOWS TO END YEAR
By Sarah L. Sullivan

Asbury Park Press, NJ
Nov 15 2006

The Monmouth Civic Chorus is rehearsing to perform its program,
"4 Trumpets and a Chorus," which will feature the U.S. premiere of
Henri Busser’s "Domremy Mass."

This recently unearthed piece by the French composer features the
rare accompaniment of four trumpets commemorating the parish church
of Domremy, France, where Joan of Arc is celebrated. Interspersed
throughout the work are descriptive thematic readings from the text
of her trial, and the chorus will sing the Mass.

This nonprofit organization comprising 120 adults, 95 of whom are
performance artists, includes many who are classically trained.

"This group has really achieved artistically a very high level," said
Artistic Director and Conductor Mark Shapiro. "It’s quite celebrated
in New Jersey for what it has done in terms of its repertoire and
the quality of its performances."

Since its inception in 1949, the chorus has had seven European Tours
as well as performances at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the New
Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark with the New Jersey Symphony
to name a few.

"It is wonderful that this ensemble embraces people ranging in age
from seniors in high school to well in their 80s who contribute not
just their spirit but real talent," Shapiro said.

The program also will include an unusual piece by an Armenian composer,
Arzas Voskanyan, that pays tribute to an Armenian battle from about
the same millennium as the Busser segment.

"It is an eerie piece with wailing trumpets and a brilliant finish,"
Shapiro said.

Although the chorus and Shapiro have never performed Gabriel Faure’s
Requiem together before, they are pleased to do so now. This portion of

the concert will feature soprano Jo Ellen Miller as a guest soloist.

Miller’s credits include performances at Tanglewood in Massachusetts
and being featured with the Sarasota Opera in Florida.

The chorus is funded with membership dues, varying levels of
sponsorships, and grants and ticket sales. Its operation is almost
entirely self-contained, said board member Susan Metz, with its
members managing it much like a business that performs about four
shows per year.

Mary Donnelly Pacheco, 75, past president and board member, has been
involved in one way or another for 37 years.

"Even though some members have moved away, they pay their dues and
keep in touch because it is like a family," she said.

A member since 1980, Gerald Metz, 58, explained that although he
is retired now, "I had a job which I needed to earn money, but this
is what I live for – this is what life is really for – the arts and
expressing yourself and being with others who express themselves."

In December, the Monmouth Civic Chorus will present Handel’s Messiah
at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, along with Christmas Pops
Around the World. Additionally, subsets from the chorus can be hired
to sing carols at various locations including home, office or community
settings such as senior homes and tree-lighting ceremonies.

For more information, call (732) 933-9333 or visit

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HARUT SASSOUNIAN SPEAKS IN ANTELIAS AND IS HONORED
WITH THE "SAINT MESROB MASHDOTS" INSIGNIA

"California Courier" editor Harut Sassounian delivered a lecture on
"Armenians facing new challenges" during a special event held in the
"Gulbenkian" hall of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on the evening of November
7. Sassounian was also presented the insignia of "Saint Mesrob Mashdots" by
His Holiness Aram I. The event attracted a large number of people.

V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer, highlighted during his
opening remarks that in addition to its spiritual role, the Catholicosate of
Cilicia’s mission includes national, religious, educational, intellectual,
political, ecumenical and cultural initiatives.

The speaker briefly presented Sassounian, adding that he had come to Lebanon
as the special guest of His Holiness and the Catholicosate of Cilicia, "with
a heavy financial burden on his shoulders."

"A sacred duty, the target of which is again our nation, with its cause and
struggle, its existence, conflicts, daily concerns and the education and
development of its new generations," V Rev. Fr. Chiftjian said, referring to
the 4.5 million US Dollar donation to Armenian schools by the Lincy
Foundation. The donation is the primary purpose of Vice Chairman Sassounian’
s visit to Lebanon.

Zakar Keshishian and Camilla Keshishian entertained the attendants with
beautiful performances of a few songs.

Sassounian then took to the stage talking about the main challenges
Armenians face today and stressing that after 91 years of the Armenian
Genocide, a need for reevaluation of efforts is needed.

Assuring, with compelling arguments, that the United States will recognize
the Armenian Genocide, Sassounian emphasized that the Genocide is an
internationally recognized fact today, which constitutes a victory for the
Armenian nation.

"We should not wait for Turkey to acknowledge the Genocide before we press
our demands. We should go beyond recognition, to presenting our cause and
rights to regional, international and other courts," he said.

Sassounian then talked in detail about the work carried out in the United
States with respect to the Armenian Cause, focusing on the developments
following the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by former US Ambassador
to Armenia, John Evans.

The lecturer maintained that the Armenian Cause is an international issue
today, emphasizing that Armenians should be prepared to seize the day when
the right conditions arise for its pursuit.

In the following question and answer session Sassounian renounced the
presence of Turkish troops in Lebanon as part of the United Nations
peacekeeping force and shed light on the main purposes of the financial
contribution of the Pan-Armenian Fund to Armenian schools in Lebanon.

After Sassounian’s lecture, the Catholicos talked about the significance of
the Armenian Cause for the Catholicosate of Cilicia. "The Armenian Cause is
not just a regular aspect of the Catholicosate’s mission, it is a constant
part of this Holy See’s identity. It is the people of this Holy See that
were massacred, deported. It is this Holy See that was deported with its
people, extradited and destroyed. It is, therefore, the duty of this Holy
See to pursue its rights, our nation’s violated rights, its cause, our
collective just Cause by all means," he said.

"The truth should be revealed and rights should be pursued. It is with this
realization that we will continue our efforts with the participation of all
our structures," concluded the Pontiff.

The Catholicos then presented the "Saint Mesrob Mashdots" insignia of the
Catholicosate to Sassounian, in recognition of his mutli-faceted work and as
an incentive for his future efforts. The Pontifical Encyclical was read by
V.Rev. Fr. Norayr Ashekian.

The Catholicos advised Sassounian to invite Ambassador Evans to Lebanon on
his behalf, pointing out that the latter should be honored for having the
courage to tell and defend the truth.

##
View the photos here:
10.htm

os11.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
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.

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 10 2006

ARMENIA JOINS TRANSASIAN RAILWAY NETWORK CREATION PROGRAM

BUSAN, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia and 17 other countries,
including Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and Russia signed an agreement in
the city of Busan (South Korea), by which they envisage to create a
branchy network of railways that will join Asia and Europe. According
to Radio Liberty, under this program initiated in the UN as far back
as the 1960s and now called "Railway Silk Road", the railaways will
pass through 28 countries covering over 80 thousand kilometers.

The RA Deputy Minister of Transport and Communication Hrant Beglarian
told Associated Press that Armenia with its only railway exit to a
Georgian port hopes that implementation of the program will allow to
reduce the price of transported goods. "Any regional program related
to cooperation in the sphere of transport is very important for us,"
the deputy minister stated.

According to preliminary calculations, new railways of a total of
6,500 km will be constructed, which will require about 2.5 bln USD.

AZG Armenian Daily #216, 11/11/2006

Home

HAYPOST FREED OF PROFIT TAX

In the course of yesterday’ government sitting, RA
Government adopted the decision to hand the
plenipotentiaries of managing the shares of HayPost
company to the state property management committee.
Earlier, RA Transport and Communication Ministry
carried out the management of HayPost shares. The
decision was directed to secure the effective
functioning of the company.

According to another government decision, HayPost was
freed of paying profit tax since January 1st, 2006.

By Aghavni Harutyunian

WILL ARMENIA HAVE PAYABLE MOTOR-WAYS?

A1+
[07:59 pm] 09 November, 2006

RA Government has initiated draft bill on "Motor-ways" which was
submitted to the NA for the first hearing.

There is a reference to the "payable motor-ways" in the bill which
seems to be obscure.

"Suppose an investor comes and announces, "It takes people three hours
to get to Sadakhlu from Yerevan. I want to open a direct road under
the mountains through tunnels. People can get to Sadakhlu within
half an hour. "Of course, we shall endorse his proposal as half an
hour is less than three hours," says Andranik Margaryan, Minister of
Transportation and Communication and adds, "People are free to choose;
if they want they can pay and go via shorter route. The payable roads
provide alternative solution for the RA passengers."

The prospect of employing payable motor-ways in Armenia is still deem
as no one has submitted such a proposal to the RA Government yet.

TURKISH LOCAL GOVERNOR ACCUSES EUROPE OF IGNORING ARMENIAN CRIMES IN AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 8 2006

France ambassador to Turkey Paul Poudade has been to Isgenderun city
of Hatay region, APA reports.

The head of municipality Mete Aslan criticized the ambassador. Paul
Poudade said that Turkey has lots of home tasks to do and this process
will be too difficult for them to be admitted to EU membership and
it infuriated Mete Aslan.

"I want Turkey not to be admitted to EU and the last signals coming
from EU are signs for it," Mete Aslan said.

Afterwards he touched upon the question of false Armenian genocide.

"Turkey did not commit genocide to Armenians. Europe new about
Armenian’s massacres in Azerbaijan, but did not take measurers. EU
observes Turkmen’s genocide while defending Kurds in Iraq," he added.

After these words the ambassador asked the journalists to leave the
room and they had closed talks. After the meeting Aslan said Europe
wants to separate Turkey. He stressed that the monument to Turkish
genocide committed by Armenians will be erected in Isgenderun.

CO-CHAIRS HAVE NO AGREEMENT ON NAGORNO KARABAKH REFERENDUM

Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 8 2006

"We have no agreement on Nagorno Karabakh referendum, we will have
discussions on the eve of the Azerbaijani and Armenian ministers’
meeting on November 14 in Brussels and determine our position on the
referendum," said OSCE Minsk Group co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov.

The referendum on Constitution will be held in Nagorno Karabakh on
December 10. There is a special paragraph in the constitution to be
accepted by referendum on separatist Nagorno Karabakh regime.

Foreign Ministry Press and Information Policy Department Tahir
Tagizadeh told the APA world community and OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
should estimate Nagorno Karabakh puppet regime unambiguously. "For
Azerbaijan everything is clear – these actions are realized by illegal
regime, contradicts the Azerbaijani Constitution and international
legislative norms and can not influence peace negotiations as to its
features," he told APA.

The diplomat considers that the steps made by illegitimate regime
can not achieve legal results.

URL:

PRESS RELEASE
Christian Solidarity Worldwide
020 8329 0045
email: [email protected]

8 November 2006

CSW RAISES FRESH CONCERNS OVER RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN TURKEY
AS EU COMMISSION RELEASES PROGRESS REPORT

As the EU Commission today releases its Progress Report on Turkey’s
preparations for EU membership, CSW highlights two cases which raise fresh
concerns over the implementation of the country’s religious freedom
obligations.

The trial of two men charged with `insulting Turkishness’ under article 301
of the Turkish penal code has been scheduled for 23 November 2006.

Hakan Tastan, 37, and Turan Topal, 46, worked for a local Bible
correspondence course. In October, Gendarme officials stormed Mr Tastan’s
residence with a search warrant. They then confiscated computers and
documents from the two men’s office in Istanbul. The men were transported to
Silivri, where they were interrogated by military officials and taken to the
prosecutor.

The men have also been accused of inciting hatred against Islam, negating
the Turkish Army, promoting sexual promiscuity, bribing Muslims to convert
to Christianity and gathering personal information about people they are in
touch with. They deny all charges.

In a separate incident, Odemis Protestant Church in Izmir was attacked with
six Molotov Cocktails by a group of fifteen people last Saturday. The church
building was damaged in the attack, but no one was injured. Whilst the
incident has been reported to police, no investigation seems to be
forthcoming and no arrests have been made.

The pastor of the church, Mehmet Sahin Coban, reported that the church has
been a target of similar attacks and threats in the past. In the two weeks
prior to the attack, groups of people had thrown stones through the windows
of the church.  This was reported to the police, but no preventative
measures were taken. Instead the church was asked to close down to comply
with city zoning laws.

This attack was reported in the local media in Turkey, while the arrests of
Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal were widely reported in national press.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s National Director, Stuart Windsor, says:
`Both incidents raise difficult questions over the extent of improvements on
religious freedom in Turkey. The Turkish Constitution guarantees various
rights for religious minorities, including the right to open places of
worship and propagate beliefs, but the implementation of such legal
provisions does not match Turkey’s obligations under national and
international law. As Turkey works to demonstrate its suitability to join
the EU, it must prove its commitment to protecting the rights of religious
minorities.’

For more information, please contact Penny Hollings, Campaigns and Media
Manager at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on 020 8329 0045, email
[email protected] or visit
 
CSW is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom,
works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes
religious liberty for all.

Notes to Editors:

1. Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk, the Armenian journalist Hrant Dink and
the author Dr Elif Safak have all faced allegations under Article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code. This was as a result of their remarks on the Armenian
massacres of 1908-1915.

ENDS

MERZLYAKOV: NO DECISION ON MEETING OF AZERI AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS YET

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.11.2006 15:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ No decision has been made yet as for the next
meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents, Russian Co-chair
of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov stated when commenting on the
statement of a possible meeting of the presidents within the November
28 Summit of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). According
to him, organizing the meeting of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham
Aliyev, and President of Armenia, Robert Kocharian, was discussed on 24
October in Paris during the consultations of Minsk Group Co-chairs with
the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers. But as yet no decision
has been made. On 14 November, the next round of consultations between
the mediators and ministers will take place in Brussels and a decision
may then be made, Merzlyakov added. In addition, the date of the next
visit of co-chairs to the region will be agreed on 14 November.

Answering the question: "were the ways of regulating the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict discussed at the recent meeting of the Armenian
and Russian Presidents in Moscow and will this issue be discussed
during the expected visit of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
to Moscow", Merzlyakov replied that "The Karabakh topic is one of
the blocks of the negotiations and is always present". Touching
upon the upcoming talks between the Presidents of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev and Russia Vladimir Putin in Moscow, he stressed that "it is a
bilateral visit," but is not linked only with Nagorno Karabakh talks,
reports Trend.