Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Aug 9 2004
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS CONDUCTED IN THE NKR
On August 8, elections to the bodies of self-government were
conducted in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
According to the preliminary data, in the Republic, as a whole, 61.1
per cent of the voters took part in the elections. The attendance of
voters in the NKR capital of Stepanakert comprised 41.1 per cent.
In Stepanakert, according to the results of the voting, none of the
five candidates for the post of the capital major did not get the
necessary 50 and more per cent of votes. According to the acting
legislation, the second round among the two candidates who gathered
the greatest number of votes must take place in two weeks, on August
22.
Former Vice-Major of Stepanakert Pavel Najarian who gathered almost
43 per cent of votes, passed to the second round. Head of the
Commission on Social Issues of the NKR National Assembly, leader of
the recently created political organization “Movement-88” Eduard
Agabekian is behind by almost 10 per cent.
It is possible to follow the process of the elections in the on-line
regime on the Internet site

NO CASES OF COMPUTER CRIMES REGISTERED IN ARMENIA YET
YEREVAN, August 5 (Noyan Tapan). According to the official data, no
cases of computer crimes have been registered in Armenia, though it’s
not excluded that they are committed. Olga Safarian, the Legal Adviser
of the Internews public organization, informed Noyan Tapan about
this. According to her, detection of computer crimes is rather
difficult process, as those committing such crimes are “very
literate.” Besides, those who have suffered from computer crimes
aren’t always interested in announcing about such crimes. In
particular, if a computer crime is committed in a bank system the
banks often don’t want to declare this so as not to do harm to their
authority. In O.Safarian’s opinion, problems may arise also while
practical application of the articles of the Criminal Code regarding
computer crimes, as they lack exact definitions.

SAMVEL DANIELIAN LIKELY TO BE APPOINTED YEREVAN HEAD ARCHITECT
YEREVAN, August 5 (Noyan Tapan). According to reliable sources, Samvel
Danielian, Chief of the Department of Architecture and Urban
Development of the Yerevan Mayor’s Office, is likely to be appointed
Head Architect of Yerevan. At the same time, according to the RA
government’s press service, an official decision about it hasn’t been
made yet. To recap, by the decision of RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian, former Yerevan Head Architect Narek Sargsian was releived
of his post on July 14.

GDP OF ARMENIA INCREASES BY 9.2% IN JANUARY-JUNE 2004
YEREVAN, August 4 (Noyan Tapan). GDP of Armenia increased by 9.2% in
January-June 2004 in comparison with the same period of last year and
made 600 bln, 715.3 mln drams (about 1 bln, 155 mln dollars). During
the same period the volume of industrial output increased by 4.5% and
the volume of the gross agricultural output and retail commodity
circulation made 8.5% and 10.1%, respectively. The export and import
increased by 7.2% and 3.8%, respectively. The index-deflator of GDP
made 106.2% and the index of consumer prices made 107.6%. Stepan
Mnatsakanian, Chairman of the RA National Statistical Service (NSS),
said during the August 4 press conference that though NSS receievd
only 86.4% of the financing expected for the first half of this year
(about 218.6 mln drams), the planned work was carried out by 100%. In
particular, 35 names of statistical publications, which are included
in the open library and the internet site of the National Statistical
Service, have been prepared. Nin4e commissions of international
organizations and foreign statistical services and 12 experts visited
NSS during the indicated period.

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
AGBU GEN NEXT’S 2ND ANNUAL ARTISTIC SHOWCASE A HIT
Pasadena, CA – The Second Annual Artistic Showcase was held on Sunday
June 27, 2004 in the AGBU Pasadena Center’s Boyajian Hall. The unique
program brought together an array of musical, artistic and fashion
personalities that demonstrated to the Generation Next mentees the
cultural creativity in their own community.
Along with the performances of guest artists Lucy Nargizyan, Jaime
Avila, and Zvart Zulfayan, one of the mentees displayed rare talent
when they played a moving piece by Armenian composer Chebotaryan.
Those that attended the event, were also welcome to tour a special
exhibit of the visual culture of Armenians that included art,
photography, historical Armenian maps, and select objects from the
postal history of Armenia.
In addition to the exhibit, mentee Sona, who mounted a popular fashion
show at last year’s Artistic Showcase, returned this year to explain
the extensive work involved in designing dresses and accessories.
The afternoon ended with a surprise video production entited “Let’s
Dance,” which was realized through the combined efforts of a group of
mentors and mentees. Produced under the direction of Edna Shakhmalian,
who spent many hours finalizing the tape, all those involved in the
project were exposed and educated about the process of filming and
editing footage.
The AGBU Generation Next Mentorship Program is currently seeking
dedicated, qualified young adults to mentor the Armenian youth of
Southern California. Established in 1997 by AGBU Young Professionals
of Los Angeles, AGBU Generation Next’s mission is to serve the
Armenian youth of Southern California by providing them with guidance
and mentorship. Adult volunteers from the Generation Next Mentorship
Program act as positive role models and introduce young Armenians to
new experiences and alternatives, enabling them to become responsible,
self-sufficient, and independent adults.
To receive more information about the program or to request an
application to become a mentor, please call 626-794-7942 or email
[email protected].

SDA – Servizio di base in Italiano
August 1, 2004
Iraq: attacco a chiese; cristiani sono 3% popolazione
ROMA, 1 ago
I cristiani sono circa il 3% dei 23 milioni di iracheni, suddivisi in
maggioranza tra cattolici e ortodossi. Nel Paese sono presenti anche
i protestanti, in numero inferiore rispetto alle altre due
confessioni, in quanto arrivati solo da pochi anni. Nazione a
maggioranza musulmana, l’Iraq conta una forte presenza di sciiti, che
sono la confessione maggioritaria con circa il 63% della popolazione,
seguiti dai sunniti che rappresentano il 34%.
Tra le popolazioni curde, stanziate nel nordest dell’Iraq e contano
circa 4 milioni di persone, si trovano ancora pochissimi ebrei, ma la
comunita’ cristiana e’ tuttora presente. Nel Paese sono presenti
anche i cristiani assiri che hanno ripreso a sperare di poter vivere
la loro specificita’ religiosa e culturale dopo la caduta di Saddam.
Molto variegata la presenza dei cattolici: sono poco meno di 800
mila, tra caldei (700 mila), latini (2.500), siro-antiocheni (75.000)
e armeni (2.000). La popolazione caldea rappresenta il terzo gruppo
etnico in Iraq, dopo arabi e curdi.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HACHIKIAN TRAVELS TO SOUTHLAND TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE ANCA
LOS ANGELES, CA, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). The Chairman of the Armenian
National Committee of America Ken Hachikian joined the San Fernando
Valley and Burbank ANC chapters for two separate, but equally
successful, fundraising events on July 12th and 13th, the Armenian
National Committee of America Western Region reports. The two local
ANC chapters, in cooperation of the ANCA-Western Region office,
sponsored the events to raise money to expand and enhance the ANCA’s
effort to advance Armenian issues in Congress, the White House, and
among think tanks in Washington, DC. Speaking to the attendees at each
event, Ken Hachikian highlighted the recent accomplishments of the
ANCA. Notably, he highlighted the passage of H.R. 193, which marks the
15th Anniversary of the U.S. adoption of the U.N. Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. Hachikian reminded the
audience that this pivotal first step towards the passing of a
resolution that will ultimately gain recognition of the Armenian
Genocide would not have been possible without the efforts of local ANC
chapters and the dedication of thousands of ANC activists. Stressing
the many challenges that lie ahead for Armenia and the Armenian
Diaspora, Hachikian called attention to the significance of grassroots
activism and urged supporters to continue their advocacy on behalf of
the Armenian Cause. The San Fernando Valley ANC’s event, which was
held in Encino, attracted over 60 ANCA supporters and raised over
$10,000. The Burbank ANC event raised in excess of $6,000 for the
ANCA.

ArmenPress
July 30 2004
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT, WORLD BANK SEAL CREDIT PROJECTS
YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian government and World
Bank sealed today an agreement according to which the World bank will
allocate a US$10.15 million equivalent credit for the Public Sector
Modernization Project, a US$ 5.15 million equivalent credit for the
Armenia Social Protection and Administration Project, and a US$ 19
million equivalent credit for the Armenia Health System Modernization
Project.
The US$10.15 million equivalent Public Sector Modernization
Project will assist the government in its efforts to improve the
transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency of public
sector management. This is the first World Bank-supported project
focused on public sector reforms. The project will support civil
service reforms, and will make specific innovations in core public
institutions, which should become a catalyst for further
modernization efforts.
The Health System Modernization project will assist the government
in improving the organization of the health care system to provide
more accessible, efficient and sustainable health care services to
the population, in particular to the most vulnerable groups; and, to
better manage public health threats.
The Social Protection and Administration project will assist the
government in improving the performance by the public employment,
pension and social assistance agencies in providing services to the
population. The performance will be improved through the introduction
of improved business processes, administrative procedures and
techniques designed to enhance social protection to poor and
vulnerable population groups. Social Protection management
modernization remains a key priority in Armenia. Recognizing the need
to protect poor and vulnerable groups, the Government is planning to
undertake a range of actions aimed at increasing efficiency and
sustainability of social protection programs The credits will be made
to Armenia on standard IDA terms, including 40 years maturity and a
10-year grace period.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
July 28, 2004 Wednesday 12:15 PM Eastern Time
Putin, Kocharyan discuss relations
By Mikhail Petrov
MOSCOW
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with
his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan on Wednesday to discuss a
wide range of issues.
During the conversation, which was held on Armenia’s initiative,
Putin and Kocharyan discussed the development of relations between
the two countries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

USDA MAP CONTRIBUTES TO AIGEZARD WINERY
YEREVAN, July 26 (Noyan Tapan). According to Brent Trelan, USDA MAP
wine-making expert, the production of the winery of the village of
Aigezard of the Ararat region is the best among the Armenian dry and
half-dry wines. B. Trelan carried out the great work directed at the
increase of the quality of this wine.
According to the USDA MAP, which contributes to the enterprise, the
works were carried out with participation of B. Trenal, in particular,
on the line of the prolongation of terms of storing of and bottling of
wines. According to the message, the history of the winery-brandy
enterprise of Aigezard started in 1929. The winery being idle since
1998 and resuming its work in 2002 has an opportunity to annually lay
in at least 10 tons of grapes today.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress