Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Not the right road for status
By ANI AMIRKHANIAN

Glendale News-Press
Sept 3 2005

WRITING THE RIGHT

Three teenage Armenian girls pulled up to a local gas station on a
recent evening in a sleek, newer-model BMW and got out of the car,
chatting and laughing at what appeared to be an amusing story one of
them had been sharing.

The driver headed to the window to pay for the gas and returned to
the car and continued to chit chat with her friends. She headed for
the gas tank looking for a way to open the gas cap door.

After some fiddling, she managed to find the lever inside the car
that opened the gas cap door. Then the real task at hand awaited as
she questioned which type of fuel to use.

“Which one is it?” she asked, referring to the unleaded, super unleaded
and diesel options awaiting her. Her friends stood and pondered the
choices and offered seemingly uneducated opinions and blank stares.

The driver then reached for the diesel fuel. I quickly walked over
to the car after having purchased gas, and suggested she use the
unleaded fuel instead.

As I helped her adjust the nozzle, she sighed, relieved someone came
to her rescue.

They drove away from the gas station and continued their jovial
conversation. .

I drove off thinking to myself that what I witnessed is so common
among Armenian youth, or any teens for that matter.

It certainly isn’t uncommon to see inexperienced drivers, teens in
particular, driving $40,000 cars in the Armenian community.

There is no shortage of BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus or other luxury cars
being driven by Armenian teens. And it is not only about a desire to
exert one’s independence by driving. Driving, especially an automobile
with an expensive price tag, also creates the illusion of status.

To put it simply, a car is a status symbol for a younger generation
of Armenians.

Now, that is not to say that some parents don’t look at cars the
same way.

Often, they lend their luxury cars to their teens or even buy a luxury
car for their children.

Aside from one’s ethnicity and culture, it is beyond my comprehension
why a parent would hand over a Mercedes-Benz key to their 17-year-old
son or daughter.

Some parents, I suppose, proclaim that driving is an initiation into
adulthood and should be rewarded, while others simply want their
children to be part of a social circle that demands the display of
wealth and status.

Yet it also seems that many parents have no fear when their children
get behind the wheel; or perhaps they mask the fear by offering them
a car in exchange for the promise of safe and skillful driving.

I, for one, attempt to stay off particular roads, during certain
hours of the day, that these young drivers tend to frequent. Not only
do I have a concern for safety, but I also have no desire to view an
entourage of luxury vehicles that appear and reappear on the streets
for show and spectacle.

I think I will stick to my trusty Toyota and find alternative routes
to make my way through the city.

UEFA.com
Sept 3 2005

Armenia 1 – 3 Netherlands
Dutch do their job

by Khachik Chakhoyan

Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored twice and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie added another
goal as the Netherlands kept up their good position in UEFA European
Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 1 in Armenia.

Huntelaar double

The visitors were in control for most of the 90 minutes, but it was
not their fine passing game that yielded the first goal. Huntelaar
showed a moment of personal brilliance on 29 minutes when he received
a pass and sent the ball into the top corner of Armenian goal from
25 metres. With 12 minutes to go before the break, the Dutch doubled
their lead. Artur Stepanyan fouled Dwight Tiendalli in Armenia’s
penalty area, and Huntelaar was on hand to convert the penalty.

Victory sealed

However, after the break the first dangerous attack by Armenia resulted
in a goal. Vahe Tadevosyan’s corner came to Tigran Karabagtsyan,
who rose over the Dutch defence to power a header into the net. But
the Netherlands quickly replied, as their main playmaker Daniel De
Ridder spotted substitute Owusu-Abeyie on 76 minutes, and the striker
calmly finished. De Ridder and Eldridge Royer also hit the woodwork
in the first and second halves respectively.

October deciders

The Netherlands’ main challengers, Romania and the Czech Republic,
meet later. Whatever the result, victory for the Dutch in the Czech
Republic on 7 October and at home to F.Y.R. Macedonia four days
later would take them through to the play-offs. Armenia, in fifth,
end their fixtures on Tuesday in the Czech Republic.

GEORGIA’S EXPERTS SAY ARMENIANS NOT BARRIER BAKU-TBILISI-KARS RAILROAD PROJECT
[September 02, 2005, 16:19:59]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Sept 2 2005

The Georgian economic experts said the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad
project will not suffer from Armenians, reports AzerTAj’s Tbilisi-based
correspondent.

Georgi Khukhashvili, the expert for economic issues, noted that nobody
is don’t intends to ask Armenians about the project’s allowability. The
Armenian side is always against to carry out regional projects
and they want to prevent its because the railroad is bypass the
Armenian territory. But they must to understand that the Armenians
participation in the regional projects impossible while they do not
regulated relations with Azerbaijan, said the expert.

According to another economic expert – Demur Giorkhelidze, though
it’s well known the Armenia’s position on this question, but it’s not
political issue. Maybe, whenever relationships between Azerbaijan
and Armenia will be settled. It is very necessary the cooperation
of the South Caucasus countries in politic and economic spheres. But
the Armenia’s confrontation in regards of various projects is cause
of damage for this country, said the expert.

Bondo Zarnadze, the economic expert has said that after realization
of the project Georgia will became as transit country and to have a
big revenues. But official Yerevan will meet with serious problems
in connection with problem over Nagorno-Karabakh. It’s a cause of
Armenian’s anxiety, said the Georgian expert.

OSKANIAN SPEAKS AGAINST NEW RAILROAD

Armenpress
Aug 31, 2005

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign minister Vartan
Oskanian spoke harshly against plans of Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan
to build a new railroad from Turkish Kars to Tbilisi and from there
to Baku, saying his government will be fighting to thwart these plans.

Speaking at an August 30 news conference Oskanian argued that neither
Georgia nor Azerbaijan has the moral right to release money from their
budgets (which are supplemented by foreign aid) to build a railroad
that would bypass the existing Kars-Gyumri railway that is connected
also with Tbilisi. Oskanian said Armenia is developing steadily and
its neighbors’ actions must be in tune with the logic of regional
development, as after all conflicts in the region will be resolved
and the borders open to show that the money invested in construction
of a new railroad was a waste.

He said Armenia is even ready not to use the Kars-Gyumri- Tbilisi
railroad at the first stage should it resume. “We are saying to
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey; use the existing road to trade,”
he said.

Oskanian also indicated that Armenia may not endorse Kazakhstan as a
candidate for OSCE chairmanship in 2009 because of its biased position
on the Karabakh conflict, though leaders of CIS decided during an
August 26 summit in Kazan to support Kazakhstan’s bid.

Georgia’s continuing quest for international investment
By M. Alkhazashvili

The Messenger, Georgia
Aug 30 2005

In recent weeks the existing investment climate in Georgia has become
a topic of heated discussion. The authorities’ declarations that
the country is attracting large amounts of foreign investment are
contrasted by the contentions of opposition forces and independent
experts that the investment climate has deteriorated.

The issue of foreign investments in Georgia will by high on the agenda
at two upcoming business conferences dedicated to Georgia. The first,
the America-Georgia Business Council’s 8th annual conference in Chicago
this October is headlined, “Georgia: Potential for Growth.” The second,
the Georgia Business and Investment Summit in Tbilisi this November,
is being organized by the European Finance Convention together with
the Federation of Georgian Businessmen and AmCham Georgia. A major
question facing participants is whether the investment environment
is improving in Georgia and what can be done for future improvement
of the investment environment.

One indicator is the Index of Economic Freedom published by the
conservative U.S. think tank the Heritage Foundation that drops
Georgia’s rank in the list of nations from 91st place to 100th
since last year. The report ranks 161 countries and lower scores are
considered better; this year Georgia scored 3.34, 0.15 points worse
than in 2004.

A statement made by the Heritage Foundation explains that the most
negative aspects of Georgia’s economy are the country’s investment
climate and the recent increase in the informal market. “Based on
increasing evidence of informal barriers to foreign investment,
Georgia’s capital flows and foreign investment is 1 point worse
this year,” the country report on Georgia states. It is noteworthy
that the report, basically a survey of surveys, does not taken into
consideration new legislation on taxes, financial amnesty and the
even more recent reform of licenses and permits.

Another way of measuring the pros and cons of the local investment
climate has been to observe the dynamics of investment over the
years and compare them to those of neighboring countries. Foreign
investments in Georgia have shown a tendency for growth since 2001.
That year USD 109 million entered the country in foreign investments.
In 2002, this indicator totaled USD 176 million; 2003 – 339 million;
2004 -500 million and in the first six months of this year – USD
245 million.

However, the influx of foreign investment into Georgia cannot hope
to compete with that of neighboring Azerbaijan. In 2002 two billion
dollars in investment entered that country; 2003 – 3 billion and 2004 –
4.192 billion. Obviously, the vast majority of this sum was directed
toward the petroleum and gas business.

It is precisely Azerbaijani oil that is responsible for much of the
foreign investment in Georgia as well. For example, in the first six
months of 2004, 81 percent of foreign investments in Georgia came
from BP, the oil company operating the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline
project. After the completion of construction on this project, now
the natural gas pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum – which will transport
Azerbaijani gas through Georgia and Turkey to the Mediterranean Sea –
takes on key importance.

Construction on the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum pipeline, the Kulev energy
terminal and the Tbilisi International Airport are the projects that
will bring in the bulk of foreign investment this year and in 2006.

As far as Armenia is concerned, clearly the “Azerbaijani projects”
will not influence investment into this country. Key players in
foreign investment there are Russia and the vast Armenian Diaspora.
Foreign investment is overall on the rise, not counting a sharp
drop-off in 2001, though the total amount of investment is lower
than that of Georgia. The statistics look as follows: 2000 – USD 124
million; 2001 – 76 million; 2002 – 152 million, 2003 – 152 million
and 2004 – USD 183 million.

Finally, another way to look at foreign investments, their growth
or decline, is to look at activity on the ground. It is undeniable
that this year has seen several prominent international companies take
interest in Georgia. The U.S. insurer AIG opened its first office here,
the Russian bank Vneshtorgbank bought a large share in United Georgian
Bank and the Kazakh BankTuranAlem bought a large stake in the Silk
Road Group. Many others have taken an interest in privatization and
government tenders.

Still there is much to be done to improve the investment climate and
promote business activity – both foreign and domestic – in Georgia
and it is encouraging that this is a stated goal of the current
government. The big question is how the government will follow through
on this goal.

“CILICIA” DOCKS AT PORTSMOUTH

_ ()
Aug. 31, 2005

The modern replica of the medieval Armenian merchant vessel Cilicia set
sail on its historic voyage on July 14, 2004 from Poti, Georgia. Flying
the Armenian flag, the vessel followed the route of medieval Cilicia
Armenian merchants, who had close connections with European seaports
in the 13-th century. The voyage consisted of two stages: the first
included sailing from Poti to Venice, where the vessel moored for the
winter; the second part of the voyage covered the distance from Venice
to Amsterdam and on its way it moored at the U.K. port of Portsmouth
where on the 20th of August there was a welcoming ceremony and the
ship was greeted by a large group of members of the community.

The day’s welcoming arrangements which had been organised by the ACCC
included a Thanksgiving Lunch and a Welcoming Ceremony. The crew were
dressed in the ancient contemporary Armenian garments and the sight of
such an interesting and ancient vessel docked in the port of Portsmouth
was unique. The welcoming party included Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian,
Baroness Cox, members of the Armenian Embassy, members of the Council
of the ACCC and representatives of Armenian organisations in the UK.

The ambitious idea of constructing a ship in landlocked Armenia was
realized by the efforts of the members of the Ayas Nautical Research
Club. Without prior experience and ship-building industrial skills
absent in the country, it took them 11 years to build the model of a
13th century Armenian ship. Ancient Armenia had a seaport in Cilicia,
and one of the military ships was called Ayas. Hence, the name that
the Club borrowed. On completion it was transported to Poti on a
trailer. Cilicia will sail round Europe over seven seas through
22 countries.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 25, 2005 Thursday

Rice notes importance of Azerbaijan-Armenia talks in Kazan

By Sevindzh Abdullayeva and Viktor Shulman

BAKU

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said she attaches great
importance to the Azerbaijan-Armenia talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement to be held in Kazan on August 27 as part of the CIS
summit.

In her telephone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilkham
Aliyev on Thursday, Rice said she is hopeful that the talks would
facilitate the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

Aliyev noted the importance of his talks with the Armenian president
in Kazan. He expressed hope for the successful outcome, the
presidential press service reported.

During the conversation, Aliyev and Rice expressed satisfaction with
the development of multifaceted relations between Azerbaijan and the
United States. The conversation also focused on the situation in
Azerbaijan and preparations for the parliamentary elections in the
republic scheduled for November 6, the press service said.

UAE PLAYERS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE
By A Correspondent

Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates
Aug 25 2005

ABU DHABI – Though UAE players failed to attain any title norms or
gain ELO rating during the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival which concluded on
Tuesday, they have gained valuable experience and honed their skills,
Hussain Khouri, manager of the festival made these observations.

He said: “We need to enhance our preparations for these championships
and adopt a proficient approach for our players to use the opportunity
to gain norms”.

Zughair Ahmad, chief arbiter also said: “The quality of games in
the Masters section was excellent and even in the final round many
masters took risks”.

Grandmaster Anastasian Ashot of Armenia emerged as undisputed winner
with seven points after the ninth and final round in the Masters.

Anastasian nudged to the title after a draw with Grandmaster Federov
Alexei of Byelorussia. Ashot said: “I played the best tournament of
my career and I was able to raise my level in crucial games”

International master Kayumov Sergey of Uzbekistan defeated
Grandmaster Iuldachev Saidali of Uzbekistan and tied for the
runner-up position with Grandmaster Bocharov Dmitry of Russia with
6.5 points apiece. Kayumov Sergey will attain a GM norm based on his
ELO performance.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2005 Wednesday

Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders to meet in Kazan Aug 27 – FM

MOSCOW

The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan – Robert Kocharyan and
Ilkham Aliyev – will have a meeting in Kazan on August 27,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov said.

After his talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan on
Wednesday, Mamedyarov said, “We discussed the details of the
meeting.”

“But now it is early to talk about any progress in the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement,” the Azerbaijani minister added.

ITAR-TASS news agency
24 Aug 05

Moscow, 24 August: Moscow, Baku and Yerevan count on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani summit to be a success. The two Caucasus
republics’ foreign ministers held consultations in Moscow with
Russia’s participation today on the eve of the talks between the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ilham Aliyev and Robert
Kocharyan are to meet in Kazan on 27 August during a CIS summit.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out Moscow’s intention
to “create all conditions to achieve progress in settling the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem”.

He stressed that he “is unable to comment on the process of
negotiations led by the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group”. “No
doubt they have their ideas,” the minister said.

“The settlement should make each of the involved parties feel that
they have greater security and that the balance of forces which has
historically evolved in the region is not upset,” the Russian
co-chairman of the Minsk Group, Yuriy Merzlyakov, has said. According
to him, “if a mutually acceptable accord is reached, we can give it
our guarantees”.

“There are hopes that we can find common denominators,” the Armenian
foreign minister, Vardan Oskanyan, believes. “These can bring about
peace and stability to the Southern Caucasus.”

The main theme for the consultations in Moscow is “to prepare the
meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijanian presidents in Kazan on 27
August”. “We have discussed the details of the forthcoming talks,” he
said.

According to him, “the priority is given to the self-determination of
Nagornyy Karabakh which should manifest itself in the people’s right
to be free to shape their future”. “Other issues – eliminating the
consequences of the conflict, resolving territorial problems,
returning the refugees – will ensue because of this priority,”
Oskanyan believes.

Similar to his Armenian colleague, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov takes a positive view of the consultations in Moscow. On
the other hand, he believes that “it is too early to say that there is
any breakthrough in settling the conflict in Nagornyy Karabakh”. He
stressed that “active work is needed” to achieve a settlement. “Now
there is a window of opportunity there to reach a common denominator
on this problem,” the Azeri minister believes. [Passage omitted: the
Karabakh talks background]