Author: Vanyan Gary

Baltic News Service
December 5, 2007 Wednesday 11:57 PM EET

ESTONIAN PRESIDENT HOPING FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH
CONFLICT

TALLINN Dec 05

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves hopes that the nearly
20-year-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the issue of
Nagorno-Karabakh will find a peaceful settlement.

Meeting with Azerbaijan’s defense minister Safar Abijev on Wednesday,
the Estonian president said that patience of all the parties and the
wish to find a peaceful settlement was needed to reach settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because frozen conflicts canot be
settled by war.

Ilves said the one-year-old European neighborhood policy action plan
in which a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
figured as an important point was an important landmark in the
relationship between the European Union and Azerbaijan, a country
with impressive economic development.

The plan also lays importance on the strengthening of democracy,
human rights, fundamental freedoms and legality, the fight against
corruption, support to balanced and sustainable economic development
as well as livelier energy cooperation between the European Union and
Azerbaijan.

According to the president’s office Abijev informed Ilves of Baku’s
evaluation of the situation in Southern Caucasus and the Caspian Sea
region in wider terms.

"Azerbaijan as the center of a very important region in strategic and
particularly energy security terms has a major role for the stability
and development of the whole region," Ilves said.

The meeting also addressed relations betwen NATO and Azerbaijan,
which are increasingly more frequent and matter-of-fact.

Ilves and Abijev also spoke about the situation in Georgia and
Russia’s role in Southern Caucasus and Central Asia.

Focus News, Bulgaria
Dec 5 2007

Bulgarian Orthodox Church honored the memory of Armenian genocide
victims 1915 and 1917

5 December 2007 | 13:18 | FOCUS News Agency

Sofia. Bulgarian Orthodox Church expressed sincere compassion
concerning the 90th anniversary from the genocide over the Christian
Armenian people. Bulgarian Orthodox Church will say prayers for the
cruelly killed ones, the letter says sent by Bulgarian Patriarch
Maxim to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, the Holly Synod informed FOCUS News Agency.
The Armenian Genocide, called as well Armenian Holocaust, is a term
which marks the forced mass deportation and homicide of over million
Armenians from the Young Turks authorities in the period 1915 and
1917 in the Ottoman Empire.

ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN "TWINNING" AND "TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE" PROGRAMS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 27 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The Yerevan working meeting on the
use of "Twinning" and "Technical Assistance and Information Exchange"
(TAIEX) tools within the framework of the EU European Neighborhood
Policy (ENP) is the first meeting in the Caucasus, the RA deputy
minister of finance and economy Davit Avetisian stated during the
November 27 press conference dedicated to this working meeting,
in which departments of the RA. the European Commission Office in
Armenia, and officials of EU countries’ diplomatic missions accredited
to Armenia took part.

According to D. Avetisian, "twinning" is the major and most important
tool used in countries included in the ENP program. It allows
to implement institutional reforms, improve legislative norms and
strengthen the social governance sphere of beneficiary countries. In
his words, "twinning" is an advisory assistance tool but it can also
contain an investment component.

The deputy minister said that until now about 1,100 "twinning"
programs of a total of over 1 billion euros have been implemented
with 25 beneficiary countries. According to him, the EU will provide
5 million euros a year for implementation of "twinning" programs
with Armenia. It is envisaged that the first program will start from
December 1, 2008. So far Armenian departments have submitted bids for
cooperation programs on statistics, aviation, environmental protection,
civil service and business environment.

The head of the European Commission’s Multi-Country Programmes Unit
Jorge de la Caballeria stated that like proposals of other countries,
Armenia’s proposals on programs will be chosen in 27 EU countries. The
programs to receive approval will be implemented by a twin composed
of a EU country’s department to assume this mission and the Armenian
department that submitted this proposal.

The French ambassador to Armenia Serge Smessov said that France
will try to promote Armenian-French cooperation on implementation of
"twinning" joint programs.

MANUC’S INN

Artline
anuc_s_Inn_13533.html
Nov 28 2007
Romania

Manuc’s Inn (Hanul lui Manuc) in Bucharest is not only one of the
oldest places in the Romanian capital, but also a major presence on
the map of the collective memory of those who live here. Despite the
fact that not so many of them have ever visited it, everyone knows
where it is, anyone could tell even a small story or legend about
it and so the Manuc’s Inn remains an ever so popular place. Being a
major touristic place, a historical monument and a beautiful place,
the Manuc’s Inn was actually founded by Manuc Bei (1769-1817) also
called Manuc Mirzaian or Manuc Mirzaiam. His actual name was most
likely Emanuel Marzaian, an Armenian who was a merchant and diplomat,
but also a very appreciated person by the Ottoman authorities. Born
in Rousse (today in Bulgaria) he must have been both inteligent and
a very good diplomat, to be so valuable for the Ottoman Empire. He
must have been, for at one time he was appointed the Bei for Moldavia.

Stories about his life are largely just stories, and we have little
about this misterious Bei, and surely he would have been forgotten if
it wasn’t for the inn. In about 1806 Manuc first came to Bucharest
and eventually settled here, most likely due to the hardships of
the Turkish – Russian war, during which he must have also acted as
a negociator. Far from the dangers of the conflict, Manuc decided
to use the time and wealth to start a business, in a thriving city
which was to his liking. And an inn seemed like the best ideea, as
the number of travellers and merchants grew day by day. Manuc Bei
bought the piece of land that we know today, and also a great number
of estates near Bucharest (but not only). He began building the inn,
and all was completed in 1808.

While we don’t know how the inn looked originally, for no drawings
survived, it must have been an impressive structure. A list compiled at
the beginning of the 19th century said that Manuc’s Inn had 15 cellars,
23 stores on the ground level, two large halls, 10 storage places,
several servant’s chambers, kitchens and a tunnel. Upstairs, there
were over one hundred rooms, most of them rented for guests. In the
interior court there was even a little coffee house and a small garden,
with a fountain. Facing Dambovita, the river that cut Bucharest in
half, the Bei built a stone pier. Later, by this facade several new
stores were opened.

By all means, even if this list would have several stlight
exagerations, the inn was huge compared to other structures in
Bucharest, especially in those times. After the Russian-Turkish war,
Manuc moved to one of his estates in the country, Hancesti, and
eventually decided to sell the famous inn, for he didn’t find the
time to take care of it properly. He must have asked for a large sum
of money, for in 1817, when he died, he still hadn’t found a buyer.

As his children were still underaged, his entire legacy – including
the inn -was managed by a custody. To ease all this, in 1827 the
custodes decided to lease most of the properties, including the inn,
to Dimitrie Dedu and Nicolae Alexiu.

A devastating earthquake that ravaged Bucharest in 1838 also severely
damaged Manuc’s Inn, and most of it’s structure was afected. The
authorities decided to demolish a large part of the inn, and then
to rebuild it, but Murat, the son of Manuc, was opposed to this
projects. After several years of pressures from both sides, in 1841 –
1842 Murat finally decided to sell the inn, as he didn’t have the
money to repair it. Manuc’s Inn was bought by Dimitrie Iconomidis
(Economu), together with another two investors, and the three would
run the inn until 1860, when it was once again on lease, this time
to Milan Lomovici. It was once again sold, in 1861 or 1862, this
time to Lambru Vasilescu, who changed it’s name to "Grand Hotel de
la Dacie", which in short time became an important place for high
life parties and a popular place in Bucharest. It would also host
theatre and illusionism spectacles, dances, parties. The Manuc’s inn
was renovated in 1848, 1863, 1966-1970 and 1991-1992 and is now going
through another rebuilding, mixing it’s former beauty and glory and
nowadays style and needs. It is surely not the end for Manuc’s Inn.

IT DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PAPER TO BE DISCUSSED STARTING TOMORROW

Panorama.am
17:46 29/11/2007

>From November 30 till December 2, a forum will be head in resort town
of Tsaghkadzor titled "IT leaders without ties." Union of Information
Technologies Enterprises (UITE) informs that the concept paper on the
development of information technologies will be discussed during the
event. The paper will later be submitted to the government.

The paper was developed by July 3 assignment of the president of
the republic by an interagency working group established for that
purpose. Nerses Yeritsyan, minister of trade and economic development
is the chair of the working group and is participating in the forum.

The forum is organized by UITE, Enterprises Incubator Foundation
(EIF), Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) and ministry of
trade and economic development.

ENCOURAGING THOUGHTS VOICED DURING MEETING OF AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA WITH OSCE MINSK GROUP’S CO-CHAIRS – POLITICAL SCIENTIST

Trend News Agency
Nov 30 2007
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. S.Ilhamgizi / An MP from the ruling
New Azerbaijan Party Aydin Mirzazade considers that the encouraging
thoughts were voiced at the meeting between the OSCE Minsk Group’s
co-chairs and the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers, which
took place on 29 November.

OSCE Minsk Group’s co-chairs on regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
called Azerbaijan and Armenia to fulfill the Peace Agreement in the
near future.

The political scientist said that participation of the United States
and Russian representatives demonstrated interest in settling of the
conflict. One of the important issues was the both countries turned
from principle bases to concrete details.

"It means that the sides agreed the base principles and now discuss
the details of the conflict. We hope that the process of settling
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is closing to end," the political
scientist said.

The successful policy of Azerbaijan and the Armenian unsuccessful
position creates possibility to settle the conflict within the
framework of international norms.

Another Azerbaijani political scientist Rasim Musabayov considers
that the both countries Foreign Minister do not believe in peace
agreements as a result of the latest meeting with OSCE Minsk Group’s
co-chairs. "I believe the sides to continue negotiations not to
lose made efforts. Musabayov said that the statement by the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly’s chairman Goran Lenmarker "there is a golden
chance to settle the conflict" was just the wish of international
organizations.

Thomson Financial News Super Focus
November 30, 2007 Friday 6:19 AM GMT

Armenia ‘Ba2’ rating balances low debt burden with modest development
– Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Service said its stable outlook and ‘Ba2’ local and
foreign currency debt rating on Armenia balances the low debt burden
of the government and economy against the country’s weak
institutional capacity and modest level of economic development.

The ratings agency said Armenia’s ‘Baa3’ foreign currency country
ceiling rating for bonds are based on Moody’s assessment of a low
risk of payments moratorium in the event of a government bond
default.

While Armenia’s debt burden compares well with similarly rated
countries, as a relatively poor nation in the process of
transitioning to a market-based economy, its institutions are still
relatively undeveloped, Moody’s said.

Armenia’s general government debt burden — at about 17 pct of GDP
and falling — compares favourably with other ‘Ba2’-rated countries.
The terms of its debt are also very comfortable relative to its
peers, Moody’s said.

The country’s double-digit growth continues, at one of the fastest
rates registered in the world, reflecting the economy’s small size,
and the government’s fiscal and monetary policies are prudent,
Moody’s said.

However, links between Armenia’s political class and the business
elite foster entrenched vested interests, while the level of
financial intermediation remains low. There are also geopolitical
uncertainties linked to the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabach region,
Moody’s said.

GRAVESTONES DISAPPEARED
Anush Shahumian

A1+
[12:21 pm] 03 December, 2007
Martuny

Eight years ago three gravestones with Persian and Armenian
inscriptions were lying near a market in the town of Martuny. Two
of the gravestones dating back to the 15th century have disappeared
today. The third one is on the brink of destruction.

Some residents say a neighbour had sold the gravestones to Persians
at the price of $100, others say they were broken to pieces and used
as construction material.

Part of the third gravestone broke down in the result of recent
displacements.

"The gravestones had disappeared before I assumed office. I am not
responsible for their disappearance," Gor Gasparian, the head of the
Environment Protection Service of Gegharkunik Marz, told A1+.

We learned that in order to lessen the weight the service concludes
agreements with different people who become "the owners of historical
monuments."

The law stipulates that monuments are a country’s property and all
sales and purchases of monuments are considered null and void.

SWIMMING POOL TO BE BUILT IN STEPANAKERT

KarabakhOpen
03-12-2007 10:32:57

The government will provide 1.34 hectares of land near the Botanical
Garden of Stepanakert to build a swimming pool.

Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan says this is the project of the
president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan. The president of Armenia
has transferred 350 million drams to Armenia Foundation for the
construction of the pool. In 2009 the government will finance the
construction of a sports center near the pool which the people of
Stepanakert need so much.

Stepanakert does not have a swimming pool, and the river is so dirty
that parents do not let their children swim there. There are swimming
pools in some hotels but it is too expensive to swim there. It is
the dream of every boy in Karabakh to learn to swim in a pool, in
big water. Their dream may soon come true.

LECTURE-ROOM NAMED AFTER PERISHED STUDENT-FREEDOM-FIGHTERS OPENED AND THAT OF NATIONAL HERO TATUL KRPEYAN REOPENED IN YSU

Noyan Tapan
Nov 16, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Lecture-rooms named after two heroes
of Artsakh liberation fight were opened simultaneously on November 16
at Yerevan State University. Two lecture-rooms of the economic faculty
were named after perished freedom-fighters-students of the faculty,
Vachagan Avakimov and Furman Gevorgian.

"The number of hero-students of the University is 26. Now 10
lecture-rooms of our University have been named after them, and we will
open another three by the end of the year. We, representatives of the
University, are happy that once we had an honor to walk side-by-side
with those heroes in these corridors," YSU Rector Aram Simonian
said. According to the Rector, this ceremony is an occasion for the
perished freedom-fighters’ friends to tell their memories about them.

Vasak Toroyan, a lecturer at the YSU Economic Faculty, shared his
memories about his student, Vachagan Avakimov mentioning that "Vache
never sat idly in the battlefield. When he came back from there, he
wrote articles. He was very shy, when he came to the University he
used to stand at the chair’s door and waited for me to come out to see
me. We had arranged that he was to continue his education in Leningrad,
but he refused categorically saying that he will never leave Armenia."

A lecture-room after RA national hero Tatul Krpeyan was also opened
the same day at the University’s history faculty, where his bust was
placed at last.

According to Vahe Sargsian, the Chairman of the ARFD Nikol Aghbalian
student union, national hero Tatul Krpeyan’s bust should have been
unveiled properly. "However, the bust donated by us was put in the
lecture-room as property, and today not its unveiling ceremony but the
lecture-room’s reopening is being held." According to him, in another
respect it became a good occasion for repairing the lecture-room. A
computer, a TV set, a video recorder was placed there, films were
shown, meetings were held there formerly.