Author: Vasilian Manouk

Calcutta Telegraph, India
Sunday , July 6 , 2008

Cat’s cradle of steel
flashback

The Howrah bridge under construction. A Telegraph picture

Howrah bridge turns rainbow-hued these days after dark but the ground
realities of the bridge that was opened to traffic in February 1943
are rather bleak. Men and women with vegetables and other ware open
shop at either end of the bridge, and this could not be good news for
an already fatigued bridge. However, in a city that is increasingly
being overwhelmed by ugly highrises and shopping malls, both Howrah
bridge and Vidyasagar Setu are pretty as a picture. But only an expert
can determine whether they are in the pink of health or not.

Ever since the city of Calcutta began to develop in Job Charnock’s
time, crossing the Hooghly had been a problem. A floating bridge was
proposed in 1883 but it was rejected. A suspension bridge financed by
Dwarkanath Tagore and Joykrishna Mukherjee never materialised. The
railways came to Calcutta in 1854, and the booking office was at
Armenian ghat. Steamers shuttled between Howrah and Calcutta as they
do now. After the Howrah-Delhi rail link was established in 1866, such
was the rush of passengers that it was too much of a burden for the
ferry service and country boats.

Sir Bradford Leslie, who became chief engineer of the East India
Railway after a stint with the Calcutta Corporation in a similar post,
took up the task of bridging the gap five years later. So the wooden
pontoon bridge that was meant to last 25 year but actually survived 75
years and built at a cost of Rs 18 lakh opened on October 17,
1874. Small boats could pass under the bridge at all times, but for
the benefit of larger vessels heading for the docks, its central
portion used to be floated, usually at night. The time of this
operation was announced in newspapers everyday. Like Howrah bridge,
the pontoon bridge, too, used to be blocked with a heavy flow of
bullock carts, rickshaws, horse-drawn carriages and American
cars. This bridge was dismantled after Howrah bridge was commissioned
in 1945.

The bridge, particularly the wooden parts, had to be repaired several
times. Thereafter, a six-member committee, including RN Mookerjee,
recommended that a cantilever-type bridge replace the existing
one. Maintenance of the pontoon bridge was such a costly affair that
at last the Bengal government decided to do away with it. Randal,
Palmer and Tritton prepared a design for a cantilever bridge of 1,500
ft span and with a fixed height.

The Cleveland Bridge Company of Darlington bagged the contract in
1936, although the quotation from Krupp’s of Germany was lower. Of the
26,500 tons used, 23,500 tons was supplied by the Tate Iron and Steel
Company of Jamshedpur. The best non-corrosive type steel with a high
percentage of copper was used. Braithwaite, Burn and Jessop Company,
who joined hands for this project, were the fabricators.

When the two monoliths (about 180 ft by 81 ft in plan) were sunk to
form the foundation of the main piers, ancient boats, cannons, and
coins dating back to the time of John Company were discovered in the
silt. At the work site, the British were the bosses but their
assistants were Indians, and the labourers ‘ skilled riveters and
`khalasis’ ‘ were Hindus, Sikhs, Punjabis and Pathans. The monoliths
sank all through the day at the rate of a foot or more a day. One
particular night, the entire girth crashed in two feet at one go,
causing a minor quake that was said to have been recorded on the
seismograph in Kidderpore.

Work continued apace, short breaks for local festivals and the
outbreak of World War II, notwithstanding. If eyewitnesses are to be
believed, during World War II, anti-aircraft guns manned by manacled
black men were kept on the ready at the base of the bridge to shoot
down enemy aircraft. This was the time of the Japanese bombing in
Calcutta. Although the major work was done at four different shops
here, steelwork shipped from the UK had to brave the German
submarines.

Thousands of people gaped at the mammoth construction work and the
giant cranes weighing 610 tons each. Gradually the steel towers came
up, and by 1940 the cantilever arms were being erected. The next year
in December, the two halves of the suspended arms had met despite some
technical glitches.

The media took no notice of the opening of the bridge, and not even
the Calcutta Port Trust’s log book recorded it.

SOUMITRA DAS

FITCH UPGRADES ARMENIA TO ‘BB’, OUTLOOK STABLE

ARKA
July 4

Fitch Ratings agency has upgraded Armenia’s long-term foreign and
local Issuer Default ratings (IDRs) to ‘BB’ from ‘BB-‘ (BB minus). The
Outlooks have been changed from Positive to Stable. The agency has
also upgraded the Country Ceiling to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB’ and affirmed
the Short-term IDR at ‘B’, says the Fitch report on Armenia.

Fitch experts say that the upgrade of Armenia’s sovereign ratings
reflects the economy’s rapid growth, rising incomes and strong
policy framework, which the agency cited as potential triggers when
it placed the ratings on Positive Outlooks in May 2007. The Armenian
economy grew 13.8% in 2007, extending a five-year rolling average
of 13% annual growth. This buoyed average incomes to around the ‘BB’
median of USD 3,000 in 2007, easing a previous rating weakness.

According to Fitch, Armenia scores relatively favourably on the World
Bank’s Doing Business survey, where the country ranks 39th out of
178 economies, well above the ‘BB’ median of 98th place.

The budget deficit has run at or below 2% of GDP since 2003,
contributing to a drop in general government debt to 65% of fiscal
revenues by 2007 from 139% in 2004, helping to make Armenia’s public
finances a clear rating strength, the Fitch experts say. The central
bank has allowed the dram to appreciate, driven by remittance incomes
and increasingly by strong capital inflows, helping to contain
inflationary pressure. Average annual inflation in 2007 of 4.4%
was below the ‘BB’ median of 7.9%.

According to Fitch, Armenia faces some risk of overheating, although
pressures are moderate relative to ‘BB’ peers.

Annual inflation was 9.9% in May 2008, boosted by rising food prices
(54% of the basket). Armenia’s central bank cites the strong seasonal
component to inflation, and 275 bps of policy rate hikes since June
2007 (to 7.25%), in support of its view that inflation will fall back
to around 6% by end-year.

Credit growth of 79% in 2007 is concerning, although Fitch bank
analysts note improvements in system quality, while the banks’
small size remains the key weakness. Total credit to the private
sector was just 14% of GDP at end-2007. Strong bank credit expansion
contributed to the widening of the CAD from 1.8% in 2006 to 6.2% in
2007, although strong capital inflows drove an improving external
liquidity position. According to Fitch, the violent crackdown on
post-election protests in March 2008 has made political risk more
salient in the credit profile.

However, tensions appear to have eased and the government has promised
some structural reforms to help address social grievances, while
political risk in Armenia is not out of line for the ‘BB’ range.

"Sustained growth and disciplined macroeconomic policies, and concrete
action on the new government’s reform agenda, could exert more upward
pressure on Armenia’s ratings in the long term. A failure to contain
overheating pressures, problems in the banking system, or signs of a
breakdown of political stability could be negative for the ratings,"
said Andrew Colquhoun, Director in Fitch’s Sovereigns Group. N.V.

PACE CHAIRWOMAN’S VISIT TO ARMENIA EXPECTED ON JULY 14

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 2

PACE Chairwoman Luis Maria de Puig, in all probability, will arrive
in Yerevan on July 14. The goal of the visit is to present PACE’s
decision regarding the current developments in Armenia and PACE
Resolutions N 1609 and 1620. David Haroutiunian, the head of the
Armenian delegation in PACE, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee
for State and Legal Issues, reported at the July 2 press conference.

The delegation head touched upon discussion of the process of
fulfilment of Resolution N 1609 On Activity of Democratic Institutions
in Armenia and adoption of Resolution N 1620 proceeding from it at
the PACE June session.

It was mentioned that postponing the discussion of the possibility
of suspending Armenian delegation’s right of vote until the opening
day of PACE 2009 January session does not mean at all that Armenia
has been given time until January for fulfilment of all provisions
of the Resolution.

According to D. Haroutiunian, "Resolution N 1620 has not come to
replace Resolution N 1609, and the two resolutions’ requirements
continue operating." Besides, the Council of Europe Commissioner
for Human Rights, at the September 11 sitting of PACE Monitoring
Commission, will present a report on criminal prosecutions in Armenia,
the process of releasing imprisoned people, as well as on activity
of the NA ad hoc commission on study of the March 1-2 events and
their reasons. Proceeding from it, the Monitoring Commission can
make the respective decision, including, it is not excluded,
on holding discussion of the issue regarding Armenia earlier,
during the 2008 October session. According to D. Haroutiunian, such
possible developments will be greatly conditioned by Commissioner’s
evaluation "whether Armenia keeps the proper rate of fulfilment of
PACE requirements."

ARMENPRESS

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSIAN VISITS RECONSTRUCTED HOUSE OF ARTISTS

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS: President Serzh Sargsian visited
today the House of Artists in central Yerevan, took a stroll inside it
and watched a jubilee exhibition of about 500 paintings by Armenian
artists.
The president was with Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosian and
chairman of the Union of Armenian Artists Karen Aghamian. The
exhibition features 500 works, one by a painter.
`This is an interesting exposition to asses what we have, what is
good and what is not. Programs are big and many, there is also the
enthusiasm,’ the chairman of the Union said.
Karen Aghamian said the reconstructed building is good. It has
modern heating and illumination systems, new exposition halls, which
are unique in the region by their size and technical equipment.
The reconstruction took 2 years. The old building was pulled down
and a new one was erected on its place. The company that funded the
project was allowed to build three floors above the House of Artists,
but on condition that they are not seen from Abovian street.
The exposition’s space has been doubled from 630 square meters to
1,020.

SARGSYAN MET WITH BORIS GRYZLOV, CHAIRMEN OF RUSSIA STATE DUMA

Official Web Portal of the President of Republic of Armenia
June 24 2008

President Serzh Sargsyan, who is ending later today a three-day
official visit to Moscow, met with Boris Gryzlov, chairman of Russian
State Duma (parliament).

Welcoming Armenia’s president Boris Gryzlov said that parliaments of
Armenia and Russia enjoy close relationships with high-level meetings
being held on a regular basis.

In his words, the latest national elections in Armenia and Russia
will give a new impetus to further development of their partnership
relations. Boris Gryzlov emphasized also both countries’ cooperation
within international organizations. He welcomed Armenia’s active
participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
underscoring that Armenia will assume soon its rotating chairmanship.

The chairman of Russian State Duma singled out active economic ties
between the two countries saying that close economic contacts have
resulted in active cooperation in other sectors. He stressed the
importance of active work of Russian-Armenian inter-parliamentary
commission, which is going to have its next meetings in Moscow and
Yerevan. He also expressed the readiness of Russian parliament to
promote deepening of bilateral relations.

President Serzh Sargsyan too underscored the work of the
inter-parliamentary commission and existing ties between
parliamentarians of both countries. He said Armenia and Russia have
signed about 170 various-level bilateral documents, which are ratified
by parliaments. He said active partnership is due also to well-designed
legal framework.

The Armenian president also emphasized the deepening of trade and
economic relations noting that three are about 1000 companies in
Armenia operating with Russian capital. He expressed confidence that
the bilateral trade will soon cross the $1 billion line with increasing
Russian investments in Armenian economy.

Serzh Sargsyan and Boris Gryzlov discussed also other issues of
bilateral interest.

Armenian president made a note in the book of honorable guests of
Russian State Duma.

REP. MCCOTTER PLEDGED HIS SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION CONCERNING TURKEY’S BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA

armradio.am
28.06.2008 13:04

Three-term Michigan House Member Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI-11) pledged
his support for legislation concerning Turkey’s 15-year blockade of
Armenia during a meeting this week with Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) activists.

The resolution, H.R. 6079, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-29),
requires the State Department to submit a report outlining the steps
taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey’s blockade
of Armenia.

During the thirty-minute meeting, Michigan resident Nieri Avanessian,
ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian, and activist Zori
Eurdekian thanked Rep. McCotter for his support of Armenian American
concerns and especially his cosponsorship of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H. Res.

106). The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss other issues
of interest, including continued US aid to Armenia, reducing military
assistance to Azerbaijan, and self-determination for the people of
Nagorno Karabagh.

PACE DECISION NOT TO DEBAR ARMENIA FROM VOTING TO FINALLY LET OFF THE LEASH OF AUTHORITIES: DOMESTIC POLITICAL EXPERT
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ArmInfo
2008-06-26 12:38:00

PACE decision not to debar the Armenian delegation from voting will
finally let off the leash of the country’s authorities, Director
of the Armenian Center of International and Political Studies,
a political expert Aghasi Yenokyan said today in "Mirror" club.

He also said that due to the actions of the European parliamentarians,
the country’s authorities feel impunity, that is testified by the
pre-election and post-election events: March 1 events in Yerevan, a
sharp turnround in prices for essential goods, etc. Some indulgence was
made by the authorities just before June hearings in PACE, however
now when the issue of debarring Armenia from voting is delayed
till January, the authorities will be finally let off the leash,
A. Yenokyan thinks.

Director of the "Caucasus" Institute, a political expert Alexander
Iskandaryan does not agree with him. He said that what happens is
a normal political process of Yerevan- Strasbourg relations. The
European political culture supposes a dialogue and not a boxing,
therefore, one should not transfer the internal struggle in Armenia
onto the pan- European level.

‘PACE is not interested in exposing Armenia to the tough sanctions like
it did with Belarus in due time. PACE is interested in elimination
of the tension and crisis available in the country and prefers to
discuss it at the negotiating table and not under conditions of tough
confrontation’.

MICHELINE CALMY-REY TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN ON TWO-DAY WORKING VISIT ON JUNE 26

NOYAN TAPAN

JU NE 25

A delegation led by Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey, Federal Chancellor,
Foreign Minister of Switzerland, will arrive in Yerevan on a two-day
working visit on June 26.

According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign
Ministry Press and Information Department, the delegation will meet
with RA President Serge Sargsian during the visit.

The delegation led by Micheline Calmy-Rey will meet with RA Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian on June 27, which will be followed by
their joint press conference.

ARMENIAN MP: COUNCIL OF EUROPE MAY HINDER KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS BY MAINTAINING SOME PROVISIONS IN REPORT ON AZERBAIJAN

ArmInfo
2008-06-24

"The Council of Europe may hinder the Karabakh peace process within the
frames of the OSCE Minsk Group if it maintains some conflict-relate
provisions in the report on Azerbaijan", Armen Rustamyan, a member
of the Armenian delegation to PACE, the chairman of the standing
parliamentary commission for external relations, said to ArmInfo
correspondent.

Rustamyan noted that he intends to make a speech during the hearings
on the report and draw attention to the part of the document, which
refers to the resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh passed at the United
Nations General Assembly on GUAM’s initiative. "By maintaining
these provisions in the document, the CoE will play a role of an
authoritative arbitrator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict", he
said. Furthermore, the MP stressed that when referring to the UN
document, it would be fair to take into consideration other documents
of the UN as well, particularly, the fundamental Charter of the United
Nations which gives a distinct formulation of the idea of people’s
right to self-defence and self-determination. "The Nagorno- Karabakh
people gained their independence and protect it on the basis of this
very provision", Rustamyan said.

To recall, the draft resolution "On Functioning of Democratic
Institutions in Azerbaijan" being discussed at the June 24 session
of PACE, points out that the Assembly takes into account the UN GA
resolution on the situation in occupied territories of Azerbaijan,
the resolution supports the internationally acknowledged borders of
Azerbaijan and demands immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from
the occupied territories.

FRENCH MP DRAWS ATTENTION OF PACE TO PROCESS OF MILITARIZATION OF AZERBAIJAN

ArmInfo
2008-06-24

French parliamentarian draws attention of PACE to the process of
militarization of Azerbaijan.

As ArmInfo correspondent reports from Strasbourg, during today’s
discussions of the document on Functioning of Democratic Institutes
in Azerbaijan, French MP Francois Rochebloine draws attention of PACE
to the circumstance that earlier-adopted Resolution of UN GA contains
doubtful formations, as it only calls on preservation of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity.

‘Unfortunately, it says nothing about the country’s intensive
militarization, the President Aliyev’s militaristic statements and
the aggressive actions. All this will hardly lead to Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement’, the French MP said. Commenting on the recent
statements of Azerbaijani representatives saying as if the Armenians
are an ‘alien people’, Francois Rochebloine emphasized that ‘one may
hardly count on any