Author: Tambiyan Samvel

Armenpress
MONUMENT TO ARAM KHACHATURIAN TO BE ERECTED IN MOSCOW
MOSCOW, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS: A monument to outstanding Armenian composer,
Aram Khachaturian, will be erected in Moscow. The decision to this end was
passed Tuesday by a Moscow city council commission on monumental art,
affiliated with Moscow parliament.
The monument will be erected in downtown Moscow in a public park near the
house in which the composer lived. The monument is a gift to Moscow by
Yerevan municipality, which has pledged to cover transportation expenses.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 6 2005
PACE Monitoring Committee meeting starts in Baku

Baku, July 5, AssA-Irada
A two-day meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) Monitoring Committee started in Baku on Tuesday.
Co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan Andreas Gross and Andres Herkel, as well
as the rapporteur on the Upper Garabagh conflict David Atkinson and
the Committee members are attending the meeting.
In his opening speech, the Milli Majlis (parliament) Speaker Murtuz
Alasgarov said Azerbaijan has fulfilled all of its commitments to the
Council of Europe (CE), as the country’s parliament has passed over
40 relevant decisions. Alasgarov noted that the `political prisoners’
issue has been fully resolved in Azerbaijan after President Ilham
Aliyev signed decrees on pardon.
Touching upon the November parliamentary elections, the Speaker said
they will play an important role in the democratic development in the
country. All the needed steps will be taken to conduct democratic and
transparent elections, he said.
Commenting on the amendments made to the Election Code, Alasgarov
said the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights and the CE Venice Commission have been
taken into account in the bill.
The Speaker said that Azerbaijan hopes for the PACE support in the
areas of democratization and human rights.
The Monitoring Committee members were briefed by leaders of political
parties, representatives of NGOs and media and heard reports from
Minister for Justice Fikrat Mammadov, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov
and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.*

A1plus
| 15:08:56 | 05-07-2005 | Social |
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST WINNER AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Ukrainian singer Ruslana, the winner of the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest,
agreed to support the campaign against human trafficking at a meeting in
Kyiv with Helga Konrad, the OSCE Special Representative on Combating
Trafficking in Human Beings.
“I have been looking for opportunities to make use of my popularity for the
benefit of the European community,” said Ruslana, who is already a UNICEF
Goodwill Ambassador. “I am very grateful for the chance to join the
anti-trafficking campaign and be involved in solving the pressing problem of
human trafficking in the Ukraine and in other European countries.”
Helga Konrad said: “Ruslana’s ability to reach the young people in the
Ukraine and beyond makes her an asset in helping raise awareness of the
risks of human trafficking – this modern form of slavery.”
Ruslana met OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Dimitrij Rupel, in Ljubljana earlier
this year to discuss human trafficking.

A1plus
| 14:27:44 | 05-07-2005 | Official |
KOCHARYAN CONGRATULATED ARMENIAN CITIZENS
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan congratulated the citizens of the
republic on the Constitution Day.
`Within the past decade our Constitution has demonstrated its viability and
has pointed out the way to overcome the hardest situations. The Organic Law
of our country is the major guarantor of civil accord, rule of law and
stability. At this stage the process of constitutional reforms has ripened
and reached its final phase. Much work has been done to that end by state
bodies, political forces and specialists. We have also made international
commitments thereupon. I am sure that the natural course of reforms of the
Constitution is of high importance for the progress of our country. I
congratulate the citizens on the Constitution Day and hope that the Organic
Law of Armenia will remain the legal basis for the life of the people and
the state,’ the congratulation statement of the Armenian President says.

A1plus
| 11:11:17 | 02-07-2005 | Politics |
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY OF POLITICAL CONSENSUS CREATED IN ARMENIA
Though various mechanisms of adoption of Constitution are applied in
international practice, Armenia has chosen the variant of referendum.
At that the barrier is very high: for the adoption of the Constitution more
than half of the voters and no less than 1/3 of those who have suffrage
should vote for the draft. There is also another demand stipulated by the
CoE: the new Constitution should not have the fate of the previous draft.
However there exists an opinion that even with strong desire the essential
participation of the voters cannot be secured.
I think people should vote. A unique opportunity of political consensus has
been created in Armenia and I think people should take the occasion’,
deputy, member of Orinats Yerkir party, Mher Shahgeldyan says. The society
would be more active of were informed of the changes in detail. `It was not
easy to do it before, since we were working at the changes with the Venice
Commission. Today, when the coalition political forces of Armenia, the
opposition and the Venice Commission came to agreement on the principal
clauses the draft can be presented to the society. People should know what
document they are going to adopt’, he says.
NA deputy, Justice faction member Grigor Harutyunyan also supports the idea
of adopting the Constitution via referendum. He also supports the strict
demands. `Now specialists and political forces should explain to the society
the fact of the matter’, he says.
It should be also taken into account that a whole package of reforms is
submitted on referendum. They say that 80% or 90% of the proposals of the
European structures were adopted. In states with parliamentary government
system the changed would be presented by items. But our situation is
different. `We have the parliament and the people vote for the whole
document, since various items of the Constitution are interrelated – the
government system, human rights, Ombudsman and the Justice Council, local
self-government and development of democracy. It would be unadvisable to
hold a referendum on each item in a country like Armenia.
Lena Badeyan

ARKA News Agency
June 30 2005
RA PRESIDENT MAKES THE FIRST CALL, USING THE SERVICE OF THE SECOND
PROVIDER OF MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE VIVACELL
YEREVAN, June 30. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan made the
first call, using the service of the second provider of mobile
communications service VivaCell. According to the ARKA’s reporter,
the call was made during the presenting ceremony devoted to the
beginning of work by VivaCell. The President of “K-Telecom” Pierre
Fattouch noted in his speech that VivaCell opens a new century of
communications in Armenia and is going to enlarge its network
throughout the country. “We hope that we will set low tariffs and
ensure high quality like in developed countries of the world”, he
said. According to him, investments of the company make already $75
mln., and there is possibility to increase their amount to serve up
to 400 thsd subscribers. Fattouch stated about the readiness to
participate in development of administrative resources. “We will
develop the Armenia network by applying Armenian forces and
potential”, he said.
>From July 1, VivaCell officially sets to providing services in the
sphere of mobile communications.
To note, VivaCell is a trademark of “K-Telecom” Company, which on Nov
4, 2004 was acknowledged by the RA Government the winner of the
tender for providing of mobile communications services.
ArmenTel, 90% of shares of which belong to OTE Greek Company and 10%
-to the RA Government, used to be a monopolist in the RA
communications market. A.H.-0–

ARMENIAN BRANDY MOSTLY EXPORTED
A1plus
| 14:05:00 | 30-06-2005 | Politics |
“Pernod Picard Company is successfully developing activities in
Armenia. We are satisfied with the results of the work and are proud
to represent the high-quality Armenian trade mark abroad”, Tierry
Bieu at the meeting with Robert Kocharyan.
In Mr. Bieu’s opinion after the privatization of the brandy factory
the company’s main goal is the improvement of the quality of the
production. In his words, the volume of export and sale have increased
10 times as compared to 1990. At that over 90% is exported to Russia
and Ukraine.
He also noted that along with the increase of brandy amount produced,
the purchase of grapes also increased. Last year the factory bought
grapes to the sum of 3 billion AMD. This year the sum will grow
with 20%.
Stating the improvement of the quality as a priority issue, he also
said that the company is trying to create favorable conditions for
the employees.
Robert Kocharyan in his turn noted that Armenia has obtained a serious
partner and there is no doubt that the privatization of the brandy
factory was a right bargain.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES NEW-ELECTED IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD
ARKA News Agency
June 28 2005
YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan sent
a message to newly elected Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
congratulating him on his election, Armenian Presidential Press
service says. “Congratulate you on behalf of Armenian people and
personally on your election to the post of the President of friendly
country”. Armenians attach a great importance to relations with Islamic
Republic of Iran, Kocharyan said in his message. “I hope for further
development of the relations between our countries for the sake of
our nations”, the massage says. Armenian President also wished sound
health and good luck to his Iranian counterpart as well as peace and
prosperity to Iranian people. M.V. -0–

Joan Allen Talks About Working with Sally Potter on “Yes”
>From Rebecca Murray,Your Guide to Hollywood Movies.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Allen on “Yes,” Simon Abkarian and Sally Potter, and Her Career Joan
Allen on Her Attraction to _`Yes:’_ ()
`When I saw Sally Potter’s name on the script I went, `Okay, I’m
probably going to do this no matter what,’ because I love he work so
much. Then I read the script and thought it was very rich and a great
character to work on with Sally. And it was. It was an incredible
experience making it.’ Joan Allen on Working with Simon Abkarian: `It
was a really wonderful, joyful experience. I don’t speak French and
was embarrassed becauseSally speaks French very well. It was a global
cast and crew and Simon speaks Arabic, French, Armenian, English…
This was [Simon’s] first English-language film. He knows English and
working on our relationship was wonderful. I think a lot of that was
because we have both had extensive theater backgrounds. He has his own
theater company in Paris and I was part of the theater company for
many years and there’s that sense of the most important thing, which
is the story. And I think we both approached our work in a similar
way, so interesting things happen.’
Freedom to Play with the Rhythm of `Yes:’ Sally Potter’s background as
lyricist contributed to her decision to write the movie as if the
dialogue were part of a song. Potter explains it by saying she chose
verse `because its deep rhythms and its long tradition (from medieval
sonnets to Icelandic sagas to rap) enable ideas to be expressed in
lyrical ways that might otherwise be indigestible, abstract or
depersonalized.’
Allen said Potter allowed the cast a little play when it came to the
dialogue. `There was a fair amount actually. Some of it has its
ownrhythm. Within the structure of the rhythm there’s a lot of
freedom and Sally just wanted it to be emotionally true more than
anything. Then the words would come out as emotional content. We had
three weeks of rehearsal and Sally would tweak some things. She’d be
counting the number of syllables and that was really cool to watch her
do that.
It was our objective to make it accessible conversational. Most people
who see it who aren’t aware…like half way through they go, `Oh, this
is rhyme,’ and I love that that’s what is does. It would be horrible
to turn people off thinking it’s all verse.’
On Taking Her Career a New Direction: After making a name for herself
in Hollywood playing Pat Nixon in `Nixon,’ a repressed housewife in
`Pleasantville, ‘ and Elizabeth Proctor in `The Crucible,’ Allen’s
last few roles have featured a whole different side of the
multi-talented actress. Joan Allen was gardening in the nude in “Off
the Map” and she’s involved in a few hot, sexy scenes in `Yes.’ Does
she view her most recent choices as indicative of a change in the
direction of her career? `I hope so – I loveit,’ laughed Allen,
adding, `Working in the garden in the nude, that took some decision
[time]. I didn’t decide to do that right away, but I finally did.
I had said I would never really do that [and] they had a body double
ready. But I started getting superstitious that if I didn’t do it, I
wouldbe cheating the character somehow. I said, `I think I won’t
understand this film unless I do it.’ And the way Campbell Scott
handled it, and the fact that it wasn’ t a sex scene, made a bit of
different to me. I characterize it as my ` National Geographic’ shot
because she’s naked in the garden and mesmerized by a coyote. I think
it’s innocent in that sort of way.’
Joan Allen on Taking Risks: `This business is tough, and Sally
familiarized me with a term the other day when we were talking about
what is the hardest part of this business. She said, `The financing.’
It’s difficult and she struggled, ultimately making it for a million
dollars. She said it’s a very risk-averse atmosphere we live in. As an
actor I like to do different things, and if no one is willing to take
that chance to take their risks financially, you get put in a place
that maybe you don’t want to necessary stay in.
I did `Nixon,’ `Ice Storm’ and `TheCrucible’ within a year and a half,
and `Pleasantville’ shortly thereafter. So all those happened very
quickly and, to me, at the time they were vastly diffident
characters. It’s only in retrospect after some journalists have
pointed it out to me, they all havea strong moral center. I’ve done
the best in those roles and am proud of all of those films. They were
interesting characters, but I don’t want todo that anymore. The vein
has collapsed for the junkie; it’s not going to give anymore. So
fortunately I had Campbell Scott come along who so wanted me to do
that film and for many years was trying to get it financed.’
What She’d Like to Do Next: `I’d like to do more comedy. I had a great
time on `Upside of Anger.’ Many parts of it were great fun. I think
it’s cool when there’s actors who are couples that is somewhat
authentic, andthere was a mini version of that with me and Kevin
[Costner]. We were of similar age, trying to have an adult
relationship with all the baggage that goes along with it.’

OSCE.org
June 22 2005
Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

OSCE Parliamentarians meet in Washington to debate international
security and human rights topics

/noticias.info/ COPENHAGEN, 22 June 2005 – Nearly 300
parliamentarians from the 55 OSCE participating States will meet in
Washington, DC, from July 1-5, to debate issues affecting the OSCE
area, including gender equality, Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia
(Georgia), trafficking in human beings, and respect for human rights.
The 14th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will be
addressed by senior officials including the US Secretary of State,
Condoleezza Rice, and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign
Minister Dimitrij Rupel. The current President of the Assembly is US
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings of Florida.
Coming from all parts of the OSCE, parliamentarians from North
America, Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia will meet to debate
current issues. In addition to the resolutions prepared by the
Assembly’s Rapporteurs on political, economic, environmental and
human rights issues related to the Session’s theme ’30 Years since
Helsinki: Challenges Ahead’, supplementary resolutions on specific
issues have been prepared.
Consideration will be given to topics such as piracy, trafficking in
human beings, standards of conduct by international humanitarian
workers, combating terrorism, trafficking in small arms, the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, gender equality, co-operation with
Mediterranean states, Abkhazia (Georgia), money laundering and
corruption, Moldova, anti-Semitism, election observation activities
and OSCE reform. The Final Document, to be adopted on the last day of
the meeting, will include recommendations on these and other issues.
Meeting for the first time in the United States, this will also be
the first opportunity for the OSCE parliamentarians to meet and hear
an address by the newly appointed Secretary General of the OSCE,
Ambassador Marc Perrin de Brichambaut. The Assembly will also honour
Ukraine Television Channel Five with the tenth OSCE Prize for
Journalism and Democracy, to be awarded on the first day of the
Session.
The meetings of the Assembly will take place in the premises of the
JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. All documents and forms for the
Session, including press applications, resolutions and other general
information, can be found on the Assembly’s website:
The Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, created by the CSCE Summit in
Paris in 1990, is the parliamentary dimension of the 55-nation
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The primary
task of the 317 member Assembly is to facilitate inter-parliamentary
dialogue, an important aspect of the overall effort to meet the
challenges of democracy throughout the OSCE area.