Author: Zakarian Garnik

A.ABRAMIAN: PROBLEM OF ETHNIC TENSION REALLY EXIST IN RUSSIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.12.2006 16:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The main cause of ethnic and religious tension in
Russia is in the fact, that many ethnic groups in Russia continue
to look for national identity, said Ara Abramian, the head of CAR
(Council of Armenians of Russia) during an interview to The Novoye
Russkoye Slovo. In his words, first of all it concerns to Russians,
who, being the core of the Soviet Empire, are trying to define their
place in the Russian State, their interests and goals and build new
relations with other ethnic groups.

"The problem really exists. We can just take the latest example
of obstruction towards people with Georgian nationality. Or the
long-playing problem of monopolization in the food markets by
Azeris. All those issues create a negative background both in home and
foreign policy and harm Russia’s reputation," he stressed. Alongside,
the head of CAR underlined that traditionally Armenians beginning
from soviet times not only were adopted in all those systems, but
also were part of their elite. If we touch the adaptation problems we
can speak about the integration of Armenians of the new wave. The 5th
part of 2.5 million Armenians living in Russia make the so-called new
migrants, who have Armenian passports. And just those we, the Council
of Armenians of Russia, assist first of all. People come from Georgia
to Russia because of the conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia,
from Azerbaijan, fearing from probable new war between Armenians and
Azeris. To tell the truth, the integration process of new migrants
has not gone and is not going without problems. Say, in 1990-ies we
were having serious conflicts with Cossacks in Krasnodar and Stavropol
Territories. But thanks to CAR’s active mediation the degree of that
opposition was greatly decreased. I think, that we would not have such
results, if our organization did not have chambers in 70 regions and
300 towns," Abramian said.

WE HAVE A TRANSITIONAL ANTHEM

A1+
[02:08 pm] 22 December, 2006

The Parliament adopted the draft law on the National Anthem with 64
deputies for and five against. Let us remind you that according to
the transitional provision of the draft, "Our Homeland" will be the
national anthem of the country until a new one is decided upon.

The ARF Dashnaktsutyun was for the provision.

Nevertheless, "Our Homeland" will be a kind of a "transitional"
anthem with which we shall see the New Year in.

SUSPECTS AND CRIMINALS DEPRIVED OF NATIONALITY

Kommersant, Russia
Dec 21 2006

An unscheduled session of the Moscow City Duma will consider
introducing a legislative initiate into the State Duma to prohibit
mentioning the ethnicity of suspected or accused criminals and victims
of crimes in the media and on computer networks. The United Russia
Party is proposing the amendment to the law "On the Media" because
it holds that the mention of such information inflames ethnic strife.

The drafters of the amendment say that, because only a citizen himself
can define and indicate his ethnic membership under the Constitution
of the Russian Federation, such indications in the media "without
sufficient bases can be seen as unsubstantiated information and a
violation of civil rights." Leader of the United Russia faction in
the Moscow Duma Andrey Metelsky also mentioned that that information
could lead to ethnic strife.

The opposition in the Moscow Duma reacted to the initiative without
enthusiasm. "If crime has an ethnic element, it makes no sense to hide
it," commented Communist faction leader Vladimir Ulas. Yabloko faction
coordinator in the Moscow Duma Sergey Mitrokhin told Kommersant that
"often the ethnicity of a criminal can be guessed from his name or
photograph. This can be taken to the absurd. As a result, a journalist
might suffer for objective coverage of a situation."

Representatives of ethnic organizations in Moscow took a different
view. Samvel Grigoryan, chairman of the board of the National-Cultural
Autonomy of Armenians of Moscow, approved of the initiative, stating
that such information "enflames ethnic strife whether intentionally or
not." Tofik Melikov of the Ochag Azeri cultural center saw unequal
treatment of Slavs and non-Slavs in the press "with the goal of
forming a negative image of certain nationalities."

Alexander Belov, leader of the Movement against Illegal Immigration,
was critical of the initiative, saying that it "treats the symptom, not
the cause." "There are peoples who commit more crimes than others," he
added. "There are a lot of societies with no media at all, somewhere in
Africa, but peoples there hate each other and cut each other up too."

ARMENIAN CB PERMITS "ITB" TO JOIN "LEADER" PAYMENT SYSTEM

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 20 2006

YEREVAN, December 20. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)
permitted the International Trade Bank (ITB) to join the "Leader"
international payment system.

By September 30, 2006, Armenia’s banks had been members of the
following payment systems: Western Union, Money Gram, Anelik,
Unistream, Express Post, Interexpress, Contact, Lider, Migom, Privat
Money Transfer, STB Express, Armenian Express.

Also, the following nonblank organizations participated in
money-transfer systems: "Haypost", Armenian Express, Contact, Travelex
and Stefi.

The LEADER system is a system of express money transfers for
individuals without opening bank accounts. The LEADER system is
operated by the Moscow-based "BMT" company.

The system work in 14 countries (594 cities).

The ITB was founded on the basis of the "Bank Menatep-Yerevan" CJSC
in 2992 as the Yerevan branch of the "Menatep" bank.

In April 2000, the bank’s shares were purchased by foreign companies,
which alter merged to form Makarios (MG) Holdings GMBH. The bank was
renamed the International Trade Bank (ITB) CJSC.

Makarios (MG) Holdings GMBH purchased 99.91% of the bank’s shares.

Makarios (MG) Holdings GMBH unites about 60 companies incorporated
in Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, Cyprus as well as
in a number of the CIS countries.

By September 30, 2006, the ITB’s total assets had amounted to AMD
4.3bln, AMD 2bln, total capital AMD 3bln. The bank currently has four
branches.

SERGEY LAVROV ON KARABAKH: ESTABLISHING FORECASTS UNGRATEFUL

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.12.2006 16:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In 2006 significant progress was achieved in the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement, Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov told a news conference in Moscow December 20.

"Establishing forecasts is ungrateful. Russia is the Co-chair of the
OSCE Minsk Group jointly with the U.S. and France, and the task of the
Co-chairs is to assist the conflicting sides to reach an agreement,"
he said.

According to him, the direct contacts between the Azerbaijani
and Armenian Presidents, as well as Foreign Ministers, assume key
importance. He said that the mediators assist in organizing these
contacts, listen to what the leaders say, and prepare for the next
negotiations, by devising proposals, which help the leaders to
move ahead.

Highlighting the progress in the negotiation process this year,
Lavrov said that there is an understanding that the Co-chairs play
their role in the contacts between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and
Armenia. He refrained from establishing forecasts regarding the date
of the agreement, noting that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia
have a wish to find a way out from this complicated crisis. He said
that OSCE Minsk Group supports all principles of the international
law, but the main fact is to create maximal available conditions for
the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia with regards to the stages and
dates of the future negotiations.

ZAVEN ANDREASYAN WON IN A CHESS TOURNAMENT COMPLETED IN ASTANA

ArmRadio.am
21.12.2006 12:15

In a chess tournament in Astana, the under-20 World Champion,
Grand Master from Yerevan Zaven Andreasyan scored 2.5:1.5 in the
game against Anvar Ismagambekwv, member of the men Olympic team of
Kazakhstan. The tournament consisted of classical and four quick games
and was dedicated to the 15th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence.

MEDICAL ADVERTISING PROHIBITED IN ARMENIA

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 19 2006

YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. The advertising of medicines and methods
of treatment was prohibited in Armenia on December 16, 2006.

Chairman of the Armenian Medical Association Parunak Zenvelyan said
that the order of licensing the advertising of medicines, medical
equipment and methods of treatment was approved by the RA Government.

He pointed out that the Government-approved order is most topical
and meets public interests.

"Public attention should be focused on the execution of this decision,
and necessary mechanisms should be elaborated," he said.

Zenvelyan added that the order will allow advertising without violation
of ethical standards.

Zelvelyan also believes that the RA Ministry of Health must form a
commission to make examinations and grant the advertising right.

The order specifically prohibits the advertising of methods of
treatment not approved by modern medical science.

The advertisers are supposed to be licensed to distribute medicines,
medical equipment and treatment.

SAVE DARFUR COALITION SUPPORTS CLOONEY-LED DELEGATION WITH EXPERT ANALYSIS

AZG Armenian Daily
20/12/2006

Experts from the Save Darfur Coalition will be available for interview
immediately following the George Clooney-led press conference at
the United Nations on Friday, December 15. Save Darfur Coalition’s
Executive Director David Rubenstein and Ambassador (ret.) Lawrence
Rossin traveled with and advised the high-profile delegation of
celebrities and athletes who will return today from a human rights
mission to China and Egypt to discuss the genocide in Sudan’s
Darfur region with senior government officials of both countries.The
delegation includes Darfur activists, actors George Clooney and Don
Cheadle and Olympic athletes Joey Cheek and Tegla Loroupe, who have
each supported the mission of the Save Darfur Coalition and worked
to raise public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and to
mobilize a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives
of people throughout the Darfur region.The Coalition has available
for media use new B-roll footage of Darfuri refugees in Chad, still
photographs of celebrity activists advocating on behalf of ending
the violence in the region, and experts for insightful comment about
the humanitarian crisis in the region.On Friday, December 15, 2006,
actors George Clooney and Don Cheadle and Olympic athletes Joey Cheek
and Tegla Loroupe will meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and
hold a press conference at the United Nations about their human rights
mission to China and Egypt to discuss the genocide in Darfur. The
Clooney-led delegation met with senior government officials of both
countries and urged them to use their influence in Sudan to end the
killing. The delegation included: George Clooney (who in September
2006, met with U.N. Security Council members together with Nobel
Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel to urge them to act on Darfur. The
American actor and activist also visited Darfur in April), Tegla
Loroupe (Kenyan Olympic distance runner and World Champion and record
holder who serves as a UN Ambassador of Sport), Joey Cheek (American
speed skater and Olympic gold medal winner), Don Cheadle (Academy
Award nominee for "Hotel Rwanda"), David Pressman (human rights
lawyer and former aide to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright),
David Rubenstein (Executive Director of the Save Darfur Coalition.),
and U.S. Ambassador (ret.) Lawrence Rossin (Senior International
Coordinator for the Save Darfur Coalition).

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
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PRE SS RELEASE
18-12-2006
Minister Oskanian Visits the Islamic Republic of Iran

Minister Oskanian paid a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, at
the invitation of Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran¹s Foreign Minister. The visit
took place on Sunday, December 17.

The two ministers met first at the airport, then later, at a formal meeting.
They noted with satisfaction that since President Kocharian¹s visit to Iran
in July 2006, bilateral agreements are being steadily completed,
particularly such projects as the Iran-Armenia pipeline, the third
high-tension electricity transmission line, as well as the construction of
alternative roads. They also touched upon the possibility of deepening
cooperation in the energy field.

They also discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. They
expressed satisfaction with the active development of relations, and
productive bilateral communication at different levels.

While attaching importance to the work of the intergovernmental commission,
the interlocutors also spoke of current trade and economic ties. They noted
that multi-faceted cooperation between Armenia and Iran is not only in the
interest of the two countries, but is beneficial for the whole region. In
this connection, they emphasized fully activating the North-South axis.

Minister Oskanian and his Iranian counterpart exchanged views on regional
issues, specifically the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle
East. They also touched upon the possibility of deepening the cooperation in
international organization. The Armenian Minister briefed his Iranian
colleague on the latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement process.

Later the same day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad received Minister
Oskanian. The two evaluated highly the cooperation between Armenia and Iran,
and focused on issues having to do with the bilateral agenda.

Speaking about the longstanding Armenian-Iranian relationship, Minister
Oskanian underscored that these ties serve as the basis for the development
of the special relations between the two countries, which are based on
reciprocal respect and confidence.

During the meeting with Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme National
Security Council, Mr. Larijani informed Minister Oskanian about the latest
developments in international organizations regarding Iran¹s nuclear
project, stressing the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to use nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes.

At Ali Larijani¹s request, Minister Oskanian spoke about the current stage
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process.

During the meeting with Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel, Speaker of the Iranian
Parliament – the Majlis, the interlocutors welcomed the activation of
intergovernmental ties between the two countries, and expressed confidence
that the speaker¹s upcoming visit to Armenia in September will give new
impetus to bilateral relations.

Minister Oskanian also met with the Armenian-Iranian delegation to the third
Armenia ­ Diaspora Conference as well as other high-level representatives of
the Armenian community of Iran.

–Boundary_(ID_vpJZYOOLBKF97Uz3Gasilg)–

PETER SEMNEBY: THE REACTION OF INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURES NOT DIRECTED AGAINST DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES

ArmRadio.am
18.12.2006 11:34

One should not conceive the reaction of international structures to the
Constitutional referendum in Nagorno Karabakh as a negative reaction
towards democratization processes, EU Special Envoy for the South
Caucasus Peter Semneby told the journalists after the meeting with
the President of Nagorno Karabakh in the NKR Permanent Representation
in Yerevan.

"We recognize that there is a high level of democratic culture
in Nagorno Karabakh, and it is positive. As for the referendum, it
includes other questions of principle, which we cannot agree to, since
it predicts the questions due to be resolved during the negotiations,
including the issue of the status of Nagorno Karabakh," Semneby noted.