Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

HEARINGS ON KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT
YEREVAN, MARCH 29. ARMINFO. Two-day public hearings on the theme of
“Nagorny Karabakh Conflict: Ways of the Settlement” organized by the
Permanent Commission on Foreign Affairs of Armenia’s National Assembly
continue.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, Defence Minister Serje
Sargsyan, representatives of Armenian President’s staff and
parliamentary and non-parliamentary forces, NKR Foreign Minister Arman
Melikyan, members of NKR Parliament, heads of diplomatic missions in
Armenia, representatives of international organizations, scientists,
as well as Armenian and Russian experts participate at the hearings.
All the speakers stressed the significance of public and large-scale
hearings in such an enlarged format and noted that the action is
organized by the state structure for the first time within the last 13
years. Speaker of Armenia’s NA Artur Baghdasaryan noted that the role
of the parliamentary diplomacy rises every day as three international
inter-parliamentary structure – the OSCE, NATO and PACE discuss the
Karabakh problem now. He appealed country’s political forces to stand
higher that their narrow party interests and to be consolidated round
the solution of the Karabakh conflict.
Head of Armenia’s NA Commission on Foreign Relations Armen Rustamyan
noted that the hearings will allow to specify mechanisms of the
parliamentary diplomacy for achieving the speedy solution of
conflict’s settlement, to summarize the position of Armenian party in
this issue, to specify the place and position of Nagorny Karabakh in
negotiation process. Rustamyan also informed that the organizational
issues on holding the hearings were discussed with Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan.
The opposition representatives demanded participation of Kocharyan at
the hearings. A representative of Justice bloc Shavarsh Kocharyan
noted that it is necessary to elaborate the national concept based on
the issue of NKR’s independence. As regards the reimbursement of
territories controlled by the Armenian party, the issue should be
solved by Karabakh itself. Democratization of Armenia and Nagorny
Karabakh is the guarantee of conflict’s fair solution.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia
Henry Cyuny especially noted the importance of such discussions and
stated that the solution of Karabakh’s conflict is the prerogative of
only its participants. He stressed the necessity of conflict’s speedy
settlement to provide the economic development and integration of
Armenia into the international process. -r-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri TV reports Armenian truce violation, no casualties
ANS TV, Baku
29 Mar 05

Azerbaijani positions in Goranboy, Agdam, Fuzuli, Tartar Districts
came under fire from the Armenian armed forces on 29 March,
Azerbaijani ANS TV has quoted the Defence Ministry as saying.
It said that over the past 24 hours, the “Armenian army opened
intensive fire several times”, adding that no casualties are reported.

ArmenPress
March 29 2005
JAPAN TO GIVE $150 MILLION CREDIT FOR UPGRADING THERMAL POWER PLANT
AND $2 MILLION HEALTH GRANT
YEREVAN, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS: The government of Japan will issue
a $150 million privileged loan to the government of Armenia which it
wants to modernize the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant. The agreement to
this effect was signed today in Yerevan by Armenian energy minister
Armen Movsisian and Tetsuo Ito, a senior official of the Japanese
embassy in Armenia.
Speaking afterwards to reporters Tetsuo Ito said the credit will
help Armenia to enhance its energy generating facilities which in
turn will boost economic development.
He also said the agreement will promote further development of
Armenian-Japanese cooperation.
The government of Japan has pledged also a $2 aid to Armenian
health ministry to help it improve delivering of services to newly
born babies and their mothers. The agreement was signed today in
Yerevan by Armenian health minister Norayr Davidian and Tetsuto Ito.
Davidian said the Japanese grant will be instrumental in shifting
the attention from the capital city Yerevan to Armenian regions, to
supply new equipment to hospitals and clinics and improve the quality
of training programs designed for medical personnel.
He said this will be the third joint program implemented in
concert with Japan. The previous two programs, costing $8 million,
were used to establish a state-of- the- art diagnostic center at
Armenian Medical Center and upgrade hospitals in Abovyan and Yerevan.

Aravot, 29 March 2005
AS SOON IT IS SETTLED AS BETTER
Samvel Babayan about Karabakh conflict
Q: You were taking part actively in the process of changes of the
authorities in 1998 the official reasons of which were discrepancies
round Karabakh conflict. The settlement of the Karabakh conflict was
delayed for 7 years as a result. Will we win or loose during those 7 years?
A: I’m not introduced to today’s negotiation activities, I don’t know
what issues are being discussed now, so I can’t say what we have reached
to. As regards to the changes of the authorities in ’98 then there was a
principle problem- the status of Karabakh and its neighbor territories-
I have the same opinion; Neither Karabakh nor certain territories can be
the part of Azerbaijan.
Q: But what territories can be the part of Azerbaijan?
A: It isn’t right to declare beforehand what we’ll give and what we’ll
take when the issue still must be negotiated. There must be a situation,
which must provide the security of the Karabakh population.
Q: Do you see the opportunity of settlement of Karabakh issue?
A: I don’t see in the present stage. There is such an economical and
political situation both in Armenia and Azerbaijan that the authorities
of those countries can’t make concessions.
Q: Must this conflict be settled or we must keep this situation 50 or
100 years more?
A: I consider that it must be settled and as soon as better for us and
for South Caucasus in general. For this region to develop economically
the military tension must be weakened and the Karabakh conflict must be
settled. If these three states intend to be integrated in the European
Union first they must solve all such kind of problems, then integrate
economically and politically with each other. Having such prospects we
must settle the Karabakh conflict. But to settle not to the prejudice of
any party. First of all the independence and security of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh is important for us.
Q: Almost everyday the Azerbaijani side threatens to solve the issue by
military way. Do you consider those declarations serious?
A: I think Azerbaijanis preparing to take steps for military activities.
It tries to improve its military positions and save up artillery and
other ammunitions. That means it makes some preparations in case of
failure of the negotiations. And they form such a background in the
world that the concession is impossible that the Armenians want more
than it is possible to give and they have right to attack in favor
territorial integrity.
It is another question whether Azerbaijan is ready for the war. Maybe it
only seems to them. And the problem of Armenia and Karabakh is to have
such an army and economy to prevent the enemy of taking such steps.
Because if the war begins, new victims, invalids and distractions are it
isn’t important who will win. It must be so powerful to prevent the war.
Aram Abrahamian
—
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RIA Novosti, Russia
2005-03-29 14:17
EXPERT: KYRGYZ REVOLUTION TASTES LIKE OPIUM
MOSCOW, March 29 (RIA-Novosti) – According to Nikolai Bordyuzha, the
secretary general of the Collective Security Council Organization (CSTO)
including Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan),
CSTO leaders had the necessary levers to influence the situation in
Kyrgyzstan ahead of the revolution, Izvestia reported.
Bordyuzha personally offered ousted President Askar Akayev consultations
with CSTO representatives to prevent pillage and lawlessness in the country.
The CSTO had no plans to keep Akayev in power to push a revolution. However,
Akayev said that the situation was still within the norm and thought it
premature to engage the CSTO.
“We can see the result – a revolution that, among other things, tastes like
opium,” Bordyuzha said.
The local administration office was already burning in Osh in southern
Kyrgyzstan. Yet, Akayev believed he could solve the problem. He might have
thought that if he had agreed to use the CSTO, it would have meant
acknowledging his own weakness. However, he did consult the EU and the U.S.
ambassadors.
“Perhaps, some of them were against assisting us,” he said.
The masses were the driving force behind the democratic opposition’s coup.
The opposition included two forces, one of them participated in the
presidential race last autumn, and the other, from Osh and from outside
Bishkek, went to destroy the offices of the government agencies and loot
local businesses.
But most alarming, Bordyuzha said, is what is happening in Osh where the
presence of “the drug mafia is very strong”. He believes that the Islamic
terrorist organization, Hizb-ut-Tahrir, “is working hard” in the region.
Bordyuzha said coordinated efforts are needed to prevent the drug cartel’s
spread to CSTO countries, noting that Article 2 of the Collective Security
Treaty provides for immediate consultations in case of escalation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1 Plus | 11:31:28 28-03-2005 | Social |
ON APRIL 2
The TV company “A1+” has been deprived of ether for 1090 days already.
April 2 is the 3rd anniversary of the illegal decision of the National
Committee of TV and Radio.
On the initiative of several non-governmental organizations on April 2
at 12 a.m. an act of complaint will start from the address Grigor
Lusavorich 15.
If the democratic values are important to you, defend you right of
expressing yourself and getting information.
For information write to [email protected]
Thank you for your support.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanArmenian News
March 28 2005
ARMENIAN SINGERS REFUSED TO APPEAR AT THE SAME STAGE WITH PHILIP
KIRKOROV
28.03.2005 04:09
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The protestors against the upcoming concert of
Russian star Philip Kirkorov are ready to take drastic steps in case
the arrangers do not reverse the decision on conduction the concerts,
head of Nikol Abgalian students’ union of the ARFD Youth branch
Ishkhan Saghatelian stated in a conversation with PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter. To remind, March 24 about 30 youth organizations sent a
letter to the concert arrangers. The authors of the letter called to
cancel the concerts. They reminded of Kirkorov’s anti-Armenian,
moreover pro-Turkish position. Besides, he has recently outraged an
Armenian journalist and spoke scorn of her origin. In Saghatelian’s
words, if they do not get a response from the Manukian JCSC or if the
response is negative they will immediately proceed to action. When
asked what kind of action it will be, Ishkhan Saghatelian said, `It
will be a surprise.’ He also added that the rate of the ticket sale
has considerably decreased. When commenting on Kirkorov’s statement
that Bulgaria was under the Armenian for a long time he said that it
is one more reason due to which Armenians should prevent the
conduction of the concert. He stressed that not only the youth
organizations but also a number of cultural workers, whom he
preferred not to name, hold the same opinion. It should be noted that
Armenian singers Andre and Shushan Petrosian refused to appear at the
same stage with Philip Kirkorov and expressed readiness to assist the
protesters.

Posted on Mon, Mar. 28, 2005
Puerto Ricans are happiest people in the world, study finds
BY MATTHEW HAY BROWN
The Orlando Sentinel
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – (KRT) – Island of Enchantment, indeed: This
U.S. territory of sandy beaches and lush rain forest, close-knit
families and endless celebrations is home to the happiest people in
the world, according to a new study.
Never mind the low income or the high murder rate, the double-digit
unemployment or the troubled public schools. Puerto Ricans say
emphasis on extended family, an easy warmth among even strangers and a
readiness to celebrate anything, anywhere, at any time, all contribute
to a high quality of life here.
“There are over 500 festivals in Puerto Rico, and there are only 365
days in a year,” says Francisco Cavo, a U.S. Army medic at Fort
Buchanan, near San Juan. “That’s a lot of fun on the schedule.”
The United States ranked 15th among the 82 societies in the study by
the Stockholm, Sweden-based World Values Survey, which was based on
interviewswith 120,000 people representing 85 percent of the global
population. That put the United States ahead of Britain, Germany and
France, Japan, China and Russia, but behind Mexico, Colombia and
Venezuela, Ireland, the Netherlands and Canada.
The subjective well-being rankings are one part of the largest
social-science study ever. The World Values Survey, an ongoing
investigation by a global network of social scientists, measures
social, cultural and political change on all six populated continents.
Among its findings: As societies grow wealthier, they shift priorities
from maximizing income to maximizing well-being.
That means individuals become likelier to choose jobs based on how
interesting the work is, not simply how much it pays, said University
of Michigan political scientist Ronald Inglehart, chairman of the
survey. Communities, meanwhile, grow more likely to seek ways to
protect the environment, even if the measures they choose may slow
economic expansion.
Another key finding: As they grow wealthier, societies become more
tolerant of differences among members – and they become more insistent
on personal freedom.
“From a political scientist’s viewpoint, one of the most important
consequences is that demands for self-expression rise to the point
where democracy becomes increasingly probable, and even hard to
avoid,” said Inglehart, program director of the Center for Political
Study at Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.
The rankings are based on responses to questions about happiness and
life satisfaction. Generally, the wealthiest nations tend to be the
happiest. But Latin American societies, particularly those around the
Caribbean – Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela and the Dominican
Republic – prove an exception.
Inglehart calls it “the Latino bonus.”
“They’re not the richest people in the world,” Inglehart said. “You
seem to get a plus for being Latino.”
He says determining the reasons requires more study. But in Puerto
Rico, at least, Enrique Rodriguez said he already knows.
“We are a small island, and people are nice to each other,” said
Rodriguez, a retired government worker who lives in Old San Juan.
“Everybody gets along.
When we pass in the street, we say hello to each other.
“We have our problems like everyone, but they’re nothing like in Cuba
or the Middle East. Even those without jobs have something to eat.”
Cavo, 22, a married father of two, stresses the importance of family.
“We value friends and family a lot,” he said. “I don’t know other
countries.
But the meaning of what a family is seems to be a little bit different
here.
It’s not just your wife and kids. It’s your mom and dad, uncles,
aunts, all the cousins, everybody who’s got your last name.”
At the other end of the rankings, the former Soviet republics –
Ukraine, Russia and Georgia among them – and the formerly communist
nations of Eastern Europe, such as Romania, Bulgaria and Albania, are
disproportionately unhappy.
“That is not surprising,” Inglehart said. “It’s not that they’re the
poorest in the world, but they are societies that have gone from being
fairly well-off and fairly secure to being very disoriented – poor,
and life expectancy has fallen, and their standard of living has
fallen, and their position inthe world has fallen.”
Inglehart acknowledges the challenges of measuring happiness across
widely varying cultures. He calls the possible impact on the rankings
of interviewing different peoples in different languages, for example,
“a major concern.”
But he says language alone doesn’t explain the findings.
The Spanish-speaking societies of Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, El
Salvador and Venezuela for instance, all rated happier than most of
Western Europe, while Spain itself trailed most of the region.
Similarly, the French-, German- and Italian-speaking peoples of
Switzerland all rated significantly happier than the peoples of
France, Germany and Italy.
Culture also may color responses. In Japan, for example, which is
noted for valuing conformity – one maxim holds that the nail that
sticks out will get pounded down – respondents may be less likely to
identify themselves as very happy or very unhappy, Inglehart said.
Consequently, despite its wealth, Japan ranks 42nd of the 82
societies, last among the industrialized nations.
Puerto Rico seems less reserved about proclaiming its happiness. The
per-capita gross domestic product here is less than half that of the
U.S. mainland, while the homicide rate is more than three times as
high – factors that have helped to fuel the mass migration of
islanders to the U.S. mainland.
Still, to locals, this land of endless summer is la Isla del Encanto –
it’s on the license plate.
“The Latin temperament is to be very optimistic in many ways,” said
Lily Garcia, a radio and television-show host, newspaper columnist and
motivational speaker here. “You give Latin Americans open space and
music and a drink in our hands, and we’re happy.
“We just kind of make the best out of it, out of everything. It’s like
this laissez-faire attitude. People are like, `Yeah, whatever.’ That’s
an important part of being happy.”
—
LIFE-SATISFACTION AND HAPPINESS RANKINGS
Best
1. Puerto Rico
2. Mexico
3. Denmark
4. Ireland
5. Iceland
Worst
82. Indonesia
81. Zimbabwe
80. Ukraine
79. Armenia
78. Russia
—
© 2005, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).
Visit the Sentinel on the World Wide Web at _http://www.orlandosentinel.com_
() . On America Online, use keyword: OSO.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

HEATING BOILERS PRODUCING IN ARMENIA ARE 50% CHEAPER THAN SIMILAR FOREIGN BOILERS
YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Joint venture of South Korean Lotte
holding and Euroterm Armenian company, producing heating boilers, will
work with its whole capacity starting this May. As Edvard Ghazarian,
the President of Euroterm informed Noyan Tapan correspondent,
pilot series of boilers were produced in 2004. It was mentioned
that this year 3-4 thousand boilers are envisaged to be produced,
which will be sold both in internal market and exported to Russia
and Georgia. According to E. Ghazarian, the boilers assembled in
the joint venture, of parts imported from South Korea, are about 50%
cheaper than similar foreing boilers.

Russia to promote Karabakh conflict settlement – Putin
ITAR-TASS News Agency
March 25, 2005 Friday
YEREVAN, March 25 — Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the
situation in Nagorno Karabakh during the talks with his Armenian
counterpart Robert Kocharyan on Friday.
“We talked about the Nagorno Karabakh problem,” Putin told a news
conference.
“We will promote the settlement of this conflict,” he emphasized. “We
will hope for the soonest meeting of the presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan,” Putin pointed out.