Author: Torosian Aram

Providence Journal , RI
March 8 2005

Freedom, tears of joy for 641 new citizens

“God bless America,” says Fania Shpiller, 77, who is among the people
from 71 countries who became naturalized citizens yesterday.

BY KAREN LEE ZINER
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE — Fania Shpiller fled Nazi persecution in Ukraine. Vijay
Shastry left India to pursue higher education. Abdulai Muritala came
here from Nigeria with his soccer club, then married an American
woman.

Shpiller, Shastry and Muritala were among 641 people who took the
oath of allegiance yesterday at Veterans Memorial Auditorium during
one of the largest naturalization ceremonies ever held in Rhode
Island.

The new citizens came from 71 countries — from Antigua and Barbuda,
Bangladesh and Bosnia-Herzegovina, from the Dominican Republic,
Guyana and Laos, to Togo, Turkey, Vietnam and Yugoslavia. Many had
fled war, genocide, enslavement, drought and all manner of
persecution. Some came simply for opportunity.

“I dream to come to America. America is a free land for all people,”
said Shpiller, 77, a Jewish refugee who survived three years in a
Nazi ghetto during World War II.

“I am happy because now I am a citizen of the United States. I hope
all my life [to do this],” she said. Tears welled in Shpiller’s eyes
as she clutched a tiny paper flag. “God bless America,” she said.

Shastry, 37, who left India in 1989 to earn a doctorate in philosophy
at Ohio State University, arrived more than two hours before
yesterday’s 9:30 a.m. ceremony and claimed a front-row seat.

“I’m very excited,” said Shastry. “I think it’s a very big event in
my life — in everybody’s life.”

Maria Centeio, a 95-year-old from Cape Verde who has lived in Rhode
Island for 20 years, wore a green-flowered dress and white pearls.

“She don’t sleep nothing last night. She’s afraid to be late,” said
Centeio’s daughter, Louisa C. Resende of Connecticut. Resende left at
2 a.m. to drive to Providence; she said she had a celebratory cake
waiting.

Magistrate Judge Jacob Hagopian, who swore in the new citizens,
described his own mother’s flight from religious persecution that
necessitated an arduous, four-day trek across the Syrian desert.

“My parents came to escape the Armenian genocide,” said Hagopian.
“They were victims because they were Christian.” Just as his parents
endured hardship and heartbreak in order to survive, said Hagopian,
“I know it hasn’t been an easy journey for many of you.”

Hagopian urged those taking the oath of allegiance yesterday to
perpetuate their own culture. “Pass it on to your children and keep
it alive,” said Hagopian. “You and your culture are America.”

EVEN THE U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service acknowledges that
efficiency has not been its trademark, and that for years, huge
backlogs have delayed people’s efforts to become citizens of this
country.

But that is changing, the government says, and yesterday’s
super-sized naturalization ceremony was attributed to the national
effort to reduce the backlog of applications for immigration
benefits.

Nationwide, the Citizenship and Immigration Service has reduced the
backlog from 3.8 million cases in January 2004 to 1.3 million cases
in January 2005, according to Jeff Trecartin, officer in charge of
the agency’s office in Providence.

In October 2003, a Rhode Island resident who filed an application for
naturalization had to wait more than 17 months for a decision,
Trecartin said; by October 2004, that projected wait had been reduced
to less than 10 months.

The size of yesterday’s ceremony “shows that every day, we are
getting closer to eliminating our backlog of pending applications,”
said Trecartin.

That momentum “will carry us to our goal of processing all
immigration applications in under six months by the end of 2006,”
Trecartin predicted.

According to Trecartin, the ceremony yesterday was eclipsed only by
one last year involving 698 people. Two more in the 600-800 range are
planned for this year. Because of its size, yesterday’s ceremony was
held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, rather than U.S. District
Court, where such events are usually held.

“This is the best part of immigration — to see people do things
right,” Trecartin said, as he watched the newly naturalized citizens
pose for pictures after swearing their oaths of allegiance.

The fact that 71 countries were represented “tells us that Rhode
Island is a very diverse state,” said Trecartin, “and that people
want to come here from everywhere — people are already here from
everywhere.”

People from the Dominican Republic made up the largest share by far
of the new citizens, with 193 people sworn in from that country.

Dominicans are among the largest Hispanic groups in Rhode Island, and
Hispanics represent the state’s largest minority population.

The next-largest groups yesterday were people from Portugal (78),
Cape Verde (43), and Guatemala (40).

The large numbers of Liberians (22) and Nigerians (17) reflect data
collected by the International Institute of Rhode Island that show
“Africans represent the state’s fastest-growing new populations of
immigrants and refugees.”

The waves of Cambodian, Hmong, Lao and Vietnamese refugees that began
arriving in 1979 and continued to come throughout the 1980s and early
1990s have now diminished.

The institute, which is the state’s largest immigration agency, noted
last summer that there is “a steady increase in numbers of new
refugees and immigrants from the African continent, primarily from
Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and recently
Somalia.”

Vlademar Leite, 36, who lives in Middletown and owns a doughnut shop,
was 9 when he arrived in this country from Portugal. He cited the
right to vote as one of his primary reasons for becoming a citizen.
His wife, Palmira, also became a citizen.

Leite said he wanted insurance against deportation. Though he has
never been in any trouble with the law, “You never know what could
happen.”

Sebastiana Gaboriault, 61, was the only person from Belize to take
the oath yesterday.

Gaboriault said she came to the United States “because I wanted to
get a better life.” She raised two children here before meeting her
husband by answering his wife-wanted ad in the Yankee Swapper.

(“I said, ‘I’m trying to find a man who will take care of me,’ ” she
said. She also pointed out that she is just “a one-man woman.” It
worked.)

As for becoming a citizen, “I feel like, happy in my heart,” she
said.

Albert Gaboriault had plans for the miniature American flag that his
wife and the other participants received.

“We’ll put the flag on the car, on the antenna,” he said. “I feel
happy for her. I’m proud of her. . . . I’ll probably take her out to
dinner.”

PanArmenian News
March 7 2005

LATVIA TO SHARE EXPERIENCE OF EUROINTEGRATION AND REFORM CONDUCTION
WITH ARMENIA

07.03.2005 05:08

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Latvia is going to share with Armenia its experience
in eurointegration and conduction of reforms. These issues will be
discussed during the visit of Latvian Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre
to Yerevan. The parties are expected to discuss a wide range of
issues, including consolidation of cooperation and contacts between
the parliamentarians, regional cooperation and urgent international
issues. The Latvian and Armenian parliamentary Commissions on European
Affairs are also planning to sign a memorandum on cooperation.

PRESS RELEASE
Association for Disaster and Mass TraumaStudies
139 Cedar Streeet
Cliffside Park, NY 07010
Contact: Dr. Anie Kalayjian
Tel: 201-941-2266 Fax: 201-941-5110
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Sri Lanka: Post Tsunami Mental Health Outreach Project
Lessons learned

By: Dr. Anie Kalayjian

Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, February 24, 2005: We have all been hearing the
dollar amount donated to Sri Lanka by countries such as the United
States, Japan, Germany, and others, after the tsunami devastated the
country the day after Christmas. Since the tsunami occurred, various
international aid organizations are providing aid for basic needs such
as purified water, food, clothes, school supplies and medical
supplies. In spite of receiving mixed reports regarding the emotional
and psychological needs, thousands of people who lost their loved
ones, homes and livelihood, have just begun receiving psychological
first aide.

Mental Health Outreach Project (MHOP), a disaster relief organization
of Association for Disaster & Mass Trauma Studies, (not for profit,
501 c3) headquartered in New York and spearheaded by Dr. Anie
Kalayjian, Treasurer of the United Nations Committee on Human Rights,
and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Fordham University, has
organized teams of professional volunteers to go toSri Lanka to
deliver psychological first aide, training, and counseling to the
thousands impacted by the tsunami. The first team has just returned
from its mission after working with hundreds of survivors in camps,
refugee settlements, schools, and colleges. Hosted by the UNITED
SIKHS, a worldwide humanitarian organization, MHOP has collaborated
with the local Sri Lankan authorities and psychosocial workers to
provide ongoing psychological support to the thousands of people
affected by the disaster.

According to the National Geographic News, Tsunami (pronounced
soo-NAH-mee) comes from Japan, where it is a common occurrence that
has claimed thousands of Japanese lives in recent centuries. A
tsunami is a series of great sea waves caused by an underwater
earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. Tsunamis have been
relatively rare in the Indian Ocean. They are most prevalent in the
Pacific. But every ocean has generated the scourges, leaving many
countries at risk. In 1700, a great earthquake of magnitude 9 struck
the Pacific Northwest which created a tsunami that caused flooding and
damage on the Pacific coast of Japan. Though less common, a tsunami
can be generated by a giant meteor’ s impact with the ocean. A tsunami
is not a single wave but a series of waves, also known as a wave
train. The first wave in a tsunami is not necessarily the most
destructive. Tsunamis are not tidal waves. Tsunami waves can be very
long (as much as 60 miles, or 100 kilometers) and be as far as one
hour apart. They are able to cross entire oceans without great loss of
energy. The Indian Ocean tsunami traveled as much as 3,000 miles
(nearly 5,000 kilometers) to Africa, arriving with sufficient force to
kill people and destroy property.

MHOP developed by Dr. Kalayjian is comprised of a series of six
consecutive steps through which various aspects of traumatic exposure
are assessed, identified, explored, and worked through. The following
are the preliminary findings: Assess levels of trauma & coping as they
expressed their feelings: The predominant feelings expressed almost by
all survivors were that of fear: fear of the sea, fear of going back
to their homes, and fear of the tsunami reoccurring. Shock and
disbelief were expressed consistently. I just couldnot believe that
the sea was so black, the wave was so high, and I felt trapped, all
exemplify this feeling. As a result, there was a tremendous feeling
of helplessness expressed. Guilt was expressed by almost 92%; guilt
of surviving, and guilt of not doing enough to save their children,
spouses or relatives. Therefore, most survivors were haunted by
repetitive nightmares of hands of their loved ones waving in the air
as the waves were taking their loved ones away from them in the sea of
black water as they were calling out their names `father, help me..’
or `mother, help me please.’ Flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and
sleep disturbances were also expressed.

The team provided empathy and validation to the survivors in groups as
well as individually. It was reinforced that they did the best they
could in the circumstances above and beyond their control. Many team
members were sad and overwhelmed as they heard survivors, one after
the other, tell their stories of courage, creativity, survival, and
loss. People expressed multiple losses that they could not endure.
One man told the group that 48 members of his clan had died. He was
one of the two who survived. Often, the MHOP members were perplexed
as how to provide empathy when so much is lost. When trauma ruptures
the individual’s connection with the group, a strong sense of
isolation, disarray and helplessness occurs. Providing validation and
empathy in sucha group helped these survivors reestablish the mutual
exchange between the individual and the group.

Survivors were eager to tell their stories, as they expressed feelings
of wanting to feel normal again. When encouraged to express lessons
they learned and meanings associated with this devastation, some
expressed that they learned to be united, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian &
Muslim living collaboratively and as brothers. Many expressed that
they now want to spend more time with their family and relatives,
rather than pay attention to material goods. Others expressed that
they learned to not rely on government but rather on self and the
spirit of unity.

As for why did the tsunami happen? There was one predominant
response: Over twenty years of conflict between Tamil and Sinhalese
races, ethnic strife and civil war, caused this devastating tsunami.
Therefore, the lesson for them was to unite and appreciate one
another. Since the tsunami did not discriminate Tamil over Sinhalese
in death, they wanted to learn how to collaborate and unite in life.
Of course as one 25-year-old Christian Tamil man stated: `This unity
concept is in thought only and it needs a lot to have it put in
practice.’ The MHOP team members shared the technical
informationregarding how and why tsunamis are formed scientifically in
the didactic part of the model. Survivors were listening with great
interest and with a thirst for more. Several techniques were used to
release fear, sadness and guilt. Body, breath, and mind were
incorporated for intentional cleansing exercises. When one cannot
control Mother Nature, evil forces, and what happens outside of one’s
self, survivors are assisted in focusing and processing how they
respond tothe disaster. It is important to focus on things one can
control. Breath was used to help the survivors establish an inner
peace and inner strength. Visualization and positive affirmations
were also utilized and integrated in the model.

Survivors were also assisted in asking the empowering question rather
than the victimizing one of why? If one asks why it happened, one is
transformed to the past, to the tsunami, where feelings of fear,
victimization and guilt prevail. When one asks the question what can I
do now, one is assisted to remain in the here and now; the coping,
present state.

As for the tsunami, it was defined as the giant monster of the sea.
Parents used this phrase to deter their unruly children. `Behave, or
else the Giant (Monster) will come from the sea.’ Almost all
described the tsunami as a ` giant monster.’ Now parents are confused
as to what phrases to useto discipline their unruly children. Perhaps
they learned that fear provoking is not healthy for the children.

The MHOP provides daily group therapies, individual therapy, and art
therapy with the children, desensitization groups for those fearing
the sea and the return to their homes near the sea. Some of the
participants’ expressions that exemplify their empowerment and health
were `This morning I had nothing to live for, I had no hope, but now,
after the group, I feel so alive and so happy.’ `If you can come all
the way from America to help us, we can find ways to help ourselves
too.’ Members of the clinical team were Dr. Kalayjian, team
coordinator & Director, Dr. Kuriansky of Columbia University, Nancy
Moore, Fordham University, and Hishara Godanka, University of Texas.
Other team members were Drs. Christina Hoven and Donald Mendall,
Columbia University and Lousine Shamamian a documentarian.

The second team of the MHOP met with the first team in Colombo, before
their departure to Batticaloa. They received training, orientation,
and assignment from Dr. Kalayjian. Team three will be leaving on
March 8. Those interested in sending funding or getting involved as a
volunteer may contact Dr. Kalayjian.

Armenian-Russian company wins tender to build Iran-Armenia gas pipeline

Arminfo
3 Mar 05

YEREVAN

The HayRusgasard [Armenian-Russian gas company] company has won a
tender to construct the Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline from Megri to Kadzharan, Armenian Energy Minister Armen
Movsisyan told a news conference on 3 March.

The minister said that the major contractor, Iran’s Sanir company,
announced the tender at the end of last year. The minister did not
disclose the contract cost. He noted that all the technical
documentation on the construction of this sector of the gas pipeline
has already been completed and field work will start at the end of
March. It is planned to lay pipes and start welding in June. (Iran has
allocated a 30m-dollar loan for the construction of the 41-km-long
Megri-Kadzharan section of the pipeline.)

Movsisyan added that representatives from Russia’s Gazprom are
currently in Yerevan and talks are under way to involve this company
in the construction of the second section of the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline, Kadzharan-Sisyan-Dzhermuk-Ararat. A consortium of foreign
companies is also interested in this project.

The minister noted that the negotiations are about to finish and soon
the government will announce the contractor in the construction of the
second section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

He recalled that in accordance with an agreement between Armenia and
Iran, the construction of the gas pipeline is to be completed by 1
January 2007. At the first stage, Iran is to deliver to Armenia 1.1bn
cu.m. of natural gas annually. But starting from 2019, 2.3bn
cu.m. will be delivered a year. The agreement is valid for 20 years.

A1 Plus | 20:28:14 | 04-03-2005 | Politics |

THE REFERENDUM IS NOT FAR AWAY

29.3% of the 1500 citizens living in Yerevan and the regions are not
acquainted with the RA Constitution, 25.6% of them is acquainted but
does not understand its content. “The Strategy and National
Investigation Armenian Center” has carried out the first survey
consisting of 22 questions about the Constitutional and electoral
amendments.

Stepan Safaryan, regulating the results of the investigation of the
centre, representing the results, referred to the elections. According
to him, there is disappointment and growth of non-confidence towards the
authorities.

74.5% of the participants of the survey considered the 2003 presidential
elections disputable, a little less considered the 1998 presidential
elections disputable, and about half — the 1996 elections. About the
same percent considered the 2003 parliamentary elections disputable.

To the question if they are acquainted with the draft constitution the
overwhelming majority answered no. Let us remind you that the
Constitutional referendum deadline is 2005 June.

Los Angeles Times
March 3, 2005

HIGH SCHOOLS

Neither Would Mind Being Called ‘Winner’

Kucukkoseoglu brothers could give wrestlers — and those trying to pronounce
name — fits at state championships.

By Peter Yoon, Times Staff Writer

The state wrestling championships are fast approaching and the burning
question on the minds of fans is, how the heck do you pronounce
Kucukkoseoglu?

Poway is loaded and almost a shoo-in for the team title; Brian Moreno of
Santa Ana Foothill is chasing a third consecutive state title and
Bakersfield’s Jake Varner has pinned just about every opponent he has faced
this season, yet their opponents have nothing to fear compared with public
address announcers Sandy Stevens and Ramon Hendricks.

That’s because the way brothers Arman and Herman Kucukkoseoglu of Chino
Hills Ayala have been wrestling lately, their names are going to be
mentioned often Friday and Saturday in Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

For the record, the proper pronunciation is koos-UK-uh-SO-loo.

“I get asked about it just about every time someone sees it,” Arman said.
“Not too many people even try to guess how to say it.”

Said Herman: “It’s 13 letters and you can’t make any kind of English word
out of them. People just call me Herman K.”

The name is Turkish Armenian; the wrestlers are full-blooded outstanding.

Arman, a senior, is ranked No. 2 in the state at 189 pounds. He won the
Southern Section Masters title Saturday and was fourth in the state finals
at the same weight last season.

Herman, a junior, finished second in the Masters and enters the state
tournament unranked in the top eight in the 171-pound class. His only loss
at the Masters was to Jimmy Stormo of San Jacinto, ranked No. 2 in the
state.

Their success in wrestling is surprising, considering neither gave the sport
a second thought until they entered high school. Their father, Ara, played
soccer at the national level for Turkey and then professionally in Germany.

Arman went out for football as a freshman and was hesitant when wrestling
Coach Terry Martin suggested he give wrestling a try, but it took only a few
days to persuade him.

He gave up football and now wrestles exclusively. When he won at Masters
this year, he became the first wrestler from Ayala to win consecutive
titles.

“I really liked the one-on-one competition,” he said. “It’s just you out
there. You don’t have to rely on your teammates.”

Even as his brother started wrestling, Herman had no interest. He wanted to
follow in his father’s footsteps and play soccer, which is in the same
season as wrestling. Martin persuaded him to come out a few times, and
Herman found he liked it.

“I never thought too much of wrestling,” he said. “I was a soccer player all
my life, but I went to give it a try and I was pretty good at it.”

Herman still plays football. He started last season as a defensive lineman
and also played fullback and punted. He still likes to dabble in soccer too
but says he has become addicted to the demands of wrestling.

“Right now, it’s my No. 1 committed sport,” he said. “It’s all about
character and heart, which are my strengths. I’m going to the state meet
because of all the work I’ve put into the sport this season.”

Herman, as a junior and an unranked wrestler, has less to lose. Arman says
he is feeling some pressure this year because it’s probably his last in the
sport.

As a sophomore, he broke a vertebra in his lower back and the injury went
undiagnosed for several weeks. He has wrestled through pain the last two
seasons, suffering occasional numbness in his legs, cramping and an
uncomfortable tingling in his back.

Doctors have advised him to stop wrestling after high school.

“That was really hard to hear,” Arman said. “But I have to do what’s best
for my future. When I’m on the mat, I don’t really think about it too much.
Sometimes, I have to change my style a little, but that’s OK.”

Arman’s biggest challenge is Varner. Bakersfield’s 189-pounder is ranked No.
1 in the state and is generally considered the top wrestler. He has pinned
Arman in their two previous meetings this season. The two would meet in the
final of the bracketed tournament if both made it that far.

“I can’t really think about it,” Arman said. “If we both get that far, then
I’ll think about it and I’ll approach it like every other match. Anything
can happen at state.”

A Kucukkoseoglu victory over undefeated Varner would be a major upset, and
fans love to see upsets. The always-vocal crowd at the state championships
most certainly would cheer wildly.

Just don’t expect anyone to chant his name.

Today, Azerbaijan
March 2 2005

Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia to meet in
Paris on March 3

02 March 2005 [08:30] – Today.Az

The date of the meeting between Ministers for Foreign Affairs of
Azerbaijan and Armenia has been changed.

The meeting will not be held tomorrow as it considered but on March,
3. APA was informed of it by Matin Mirza-head of press service of
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to M.Mirza, the meeting of Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan
Oskanyan will be held in Paris not in Prague. M.Mirza said that, he
was informed by Elmar Mammadyarov who is in Prague now. Minister for
Foreign Affairs-Elmar Mammadyarov is expected to meet with
co-chairmen of Minsk group in Prague yesterday.

The sides will discuss the report presented by Fact Finding Mission
of OSCE during the meeting. It must be noted that, Armenian press
wrote, Vardan Oskanyan couldn’t leave for Prague because of health
problem. The concrete reasons of his health problem are not
explained.

MORE GREEN SPACE

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
27 Feb 05

The recent structural changes in the government, particularly the
creation of a separate ministry of city building, show that town
building has become a priority in the development of the country. The
post-war peace, even in the neither war, nor peace situation, is
gathering momentum. The country is reconstructed. Of course, mainly
owing to the tremendous help of the Diaspora; on the means provided
by the Armenian Diaspora roads, schools, medical institutions, houses
and irrigation systems are built. Besides, the government has also
begun investing large sums in this sphere. This year the state budget
provided 5.5 billion drams which exceeds the sum provided last year
1.5 times. The new ministry is headed by Boris Alaverdian who has
experience of engineer and economist and headed the former Ministry
of Development of Industrial Infrastructures and Building since
June 2004. What is the reason for creating a separate ministry,
what is the range of activity of the new structure and which are
its priorities? Minister Boris ALAVERDIAN answered this and other
questions. â~@~S This kind of attention of the government towards
building is dictated by the requirements of life and by the fact
that our state is becoming steadier and stronger. The structural
changes which resulted in the separate ministry of town building
also affected the internal structure. Particularly a new department
for policy of town building and architecture was established. Now a
thorough selection of high-quality specialists is carried out because
this department will work out the policies of the ministry. Besides,
the powers of the supervision bodies will be widened, which will
hopefully have a positive impact on the quality of building in the
country. Since last year all the building sites are controlled
by the ministry. After the separation of the ministry our work
became more specialized, which, I am sure, will be beneficial for
our activity. â~@~S Could you enumerate the present priorities of
the ministry? â~@~S First about the capital. The government intends
to expand the green area in the town. The people of the town feel
suffocated by the density of buildings. The town was smaller before
but it had several parks. Today there is only one park. This year
we shall expand the green area in the capital. As to the rest
of the republic, the activity of the ministry will be directed at
providing every village in Karabakh with comfortable buildings for the
village council, school and club. â~@~S What do you mean when you say
â~@~a comfortable buildingâ~@~]? â~@~S I mean conditions for normal
operation of the village council. Reconstruction works, building of
administrative, cultural buildings is planned. In village schools
boilers will be installed for central heating, problems of water
supply will be solved. The problem of electric power supply has been
almost solved. Only several villages in the regions of Kashatagh and
Shahumian do not have electricity. The next problem if gasification of
the country. In the coming year it is planned to complete gasification
of the towns of Stepanakert, Martuni and Shushi. This year gasification
of the region of Hadrut will begin at last. In the coming years we plan
to complete the program of gasification of the whole country. In the
coming years we also plan to complete the state program of providing
families of the killed and disabled soldiers with flats. â~@~S Last
year the architectural council under the Ministry of Industrial
Infrastructures and Building was dissolved, and its functions were
shared by the architectural council of the ministry and the local
governments. What was the reason for this change, and wonâ~@~Yt this
impact the efficiency of the council? As the architectural potential
is concentrated in the capital, how competent will the decision
of the architectural council of the city hall of Hadrut or Shushi
be if there is not a single architect in the council? By the way,
the architects think that in the case of Shushi the situation is
simply deplorable. â~@~S Yes, last year we did that in order for the
local bodies to be assessed by the competent body. This was done to
increase the responsibility of the local architectural and building
services. This mechanism, however, proved ineffective. Probably,
it is necessary to reconsider the former decision and seek for
positive results. â~@~S Mr. Minister, is the esthetic aspect
taken into consideration during competitions for engineering or
reconstructing valuable architectural monuments? â~@~S Of course, we
set such requirements during competitions for individual projects. I
can enumerate several examples: the projects of the buildings of the
museum of local lore, National Assembly, the republic library included
quite interesting architectural solutions. We set such demands before
projects of administrative and cultural buildings. And in the question
of reconstruction of Shushi we set special requirements. I know that
there is no architect in the architectural council under the Shushi
City Hall. However, I think, the problem can be solved; we may invite
architects from abroad, and solve the problems adequately. Recognizing
the importance of the issue we undertake other steps: we enable the
private sector to implement their programs at the condition that
their works be controlled by us.

SUSANNA BALAYAN. 27-02-2005

–Boundary_(ID_+nXi7jv6uXQrxkho6TmPDA)–

The Messenger, Georgia
Feb 25 2005

Russian paper: U.S. to increase pressure on Moscow

The Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta questions why the majority
of the Russian political elite still believes that the re-election of
George Bush is good for Russia.
It is true that, as Russian President Vladimer Putin has said,
American-Russian relations have visibly improved since Bush’s
election.
“But this does not really comply with reality,” the paper writes.
“Relations between both presidents are really very good, but from the
point of view of cooperation between America and Russia, especially
in the post-Soviet area, this is far from the reality.”
It also notes that during the last four years, Russia was ousted from
almost all post-Soviet states, and the Bush administration, which had
spoken of its wish to take Moscow’s interests in this zone into
account, did nothing to help it or at least to achieve a compromise.
It seemed that it was good for Russia, the paper states, that Bush’s
administration considered Russia a country that can be a reliable
ally in the fight against terrorism. The paper thinks that this view,
which the United States has toward other countries including Ukraine,
Caucasus and Central Asia , helped free the Kremlin’s domestic
activities.
“This is very good if you are an ally in the fight against terrorism
and bad if you are not,” Kommersant writes. “America will work with
all of you, by making every effort to transform you into allies. On
the one hand, it is convenient for Russia when it is considered an
ally in the fight against terrorism, when nobody goes deep into its
domestic problems.”
The paper states that in contrast, the Americans does not accept
Russia’s wish to have its own spheres of influence.
“Here Russia loses, because Washington continues to force it out from
the sphere of the post-Soviet area. This is not a conflict, but
rather a conceptual misunderstanding between Moscow and Washington,
which can become the reason for a serious conflict,” the paper notes,
adding that 13 years have already passed and while analyzing events,
its obvious the situation has only been aggravated.

America’s “primitive” view of the Caucasus
In the same article, the paper states that now the main task facing
America is to dare Russia and start to actively deal with the
Caucasus at the risk of Russian-American relations.
“It seems that Washington is far from the idea of reaching out to the
Caucasus and what is more important we should not forget that America
has a rather primitive idea about the Caucasus. The United States,
for example, thinks that Armenia is not the Caucasus and they think
that it needs a special approach,” the paper writes.
As the situation gets worse, Americans will increase their pressure
on Moscow with the aim to internationalize peacekeeping forces in the
region. First of all they intend to deploy peacekeepers from other
CIS countries and NATO in the conflict zones of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.
“This will be inevitable,” the paper states, “if there is a large
scale military conflict in the Caucasus and Russia is not able to
settle it.” This will show the west that the region is becoming a
threat and they will have to intervene, the paper concludes.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 25 2005

AZERBAIJAN-ITALY BUSINESS FORUM HELD
[February 25, 2005, 17:17:17]

The Azerbaijan-Italy business forum was held at the `Aldrovandi
Palace’ of Rome, February 25. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
attended the forum.

The Forum organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of
Azerbaijan and the Foreign Trade Institute of the Ministry of
Production Activity Affairs of Italy, was opened by rector of the
Institute Baniamino Quintieri. Then, speaking was the ambassador of
Italy in Baku Margarita Costa and minister of Economic Development of
Azerbaijan Farhad Aliyev, who dwelt on necessity of expansion of the
economic links between two countries, involvement if Italian
businessmen to invest in Azerbaijan’s economy.

As was stated, over 60 businessmen from 50 companies of Azerbaijan
were attending the Forum. They represented mainly the fields of light
industry, metallurgy, machine building, construction, furniture
production, and information technologies. Some 170 businessmen of
Italy took part at the action.

It was also stated that Azerbaijan’s Company `Gilan’ and the Italian
`Betvend TMCI Padovan’ Company has reached a 5-million Euro agreement
on construction of a tinned food factory. `Lotos’ of Azerbaijan and
`Aredo Luchia’ companies have sealed a deal on creation of joint
enterprise of production of chandeliers and other household devices.

The Italian businessmen have taken deep interest in many fields of
Azerbaijan economy, including agriculture.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a large speech at the
Forum. He spoke of his successful visit to Italy, noting it would
give good impulse to development of economic links between two
countries.

Speaking of the socio-political stability established in the country
under the leadership of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar
Aliyev, Head of the Azerbaijan State dwelt on economic reforms
conducted in the Republic, also emphasized that a good environment
has been created for the foreign investment in the country.

President Ilham Aliyev spoke of the works done in the country’s
oil-gas sector in the frame of the `Contract of the Century’ signed
on development of the hydrocarbon reserves on the Caspian in the
Azerbaijan sector, on billion dollars of investment made by foreign
companies, on successful realization of the one of the largest
projects in world – the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Pipeline.

Giving high value to the existent economic links between two
countries, head of the Azerbaijan State reminded the Italian `Eni’
Company cooperating with Azerbaijan oil projects since 1995, stressed
that increase of commodity turnover and mutual trade widening of
economic cooperation serves interests of two nations.

President Ilham Aliyev dwelt on integration of Azerbaijan to Europe,
saying the country successfully copes with its duties in the global
safety, in establishment of peace and tranquility in region.

Speaking of the reasons of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, its heavy sequences, Mr. Aliyev said delay of the problem
hampers economic progress and security. President of Azerbaijan
reminded the talk processes mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group in this
direction.

Head of the Azerbaijan State expressed confidence that bilateral
relations between two countries would further develop for the
national interests of two states.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev talks to the Italian businessmen.

***

Afterwards, President of Azerbaijan talked to member of the Italian
parliamentary delegation at the Council of Europe, Senator Fiorello
Provera. Cooperation of Azerbaijan with PACE and support of
Azerbaijan by Italy was in focus. Head of the Azerbaijan State
thanked Mr. Provera.

***

On February 25, President Ilham Aliyev met with John Powell, Regional
Director of World Food Program.