Author: Zaminian Bedik

LAVROV INFORMS PUTIN ON VISITS OF PRESIDENTS, UN SECRETARY GENERAL

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Oct 30 2006

MOSCOW, October 30 (Itar-Tass) – The presidents of Armenia, Angola
and Egypt, as well as the South Korean foreign minister elected UN
secretary general will visit Moscow this week, Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov told President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

"We shall have full top level political contacts," he said.

The agenda of the president’s talks with the Armenian leader on Monday
would centre on trade and economic contacts, energy and transport.

"We expect that issues of Nagorno-Karabakh settlement within the
framework of the proposals put forward by you at the meeting with
the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be discussed," Lavrov
said, adding that the "situation in the Transcaucasus as a whole will
be reviewed".

"Tomorrow is a main day of the Angolan president’s visit. It is
planned to sign a whole number of bilateral documents at the level
of the government between ministries and companies. We hope that
this visit will help a more active implementation of the policy of
interaction with Africa that you have laid down by the recent visits
to this continent," Lavrov said.

The state visit of the Egyptian president to Russia this week is
expected to have a "rich bilateral agenda".

"You visited Egypt a year and a half ago, and the regular contacts with
the leader of this leading Arab country will allow paying attention
to problems of Middle East settlement in the light of Russia’s latest
initiatives," Lavrov said.

He said that "the foreign minister of the Republic of Korea, who has
been elected UN secretary general and will take office on January 1,
2007, will visit Moscow this week".

"We know him well, and it is important that he visits Moscow among
first capitals," Lavrov stressed.

He said the visit "will provide a possibility to discuss the role
of the UN as a centre of collective decision making and collective
actions to resolve international problems".

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 27 2006

REAL ORGANIZERS OF TERRORIST ACT IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT ON OCTOBER 27
1999 HAS NOT BEEN PUNISHED SO FAR: HEAD OF RPA FACTION

The real organizers of the terrorist act in the Armenian Parliament
on October 27 1999 has not been punished so far, said Galust
Sahakyan, Head of the Republican party faction, at a briefing in the
Armenian Parliament, Friday.

He said that only the persons who became instruments in the hands of
the organizers of the terrorist act have been arrested. "In a
definite period of time, it will become clear wherefrom the blow was.
I can only say that the terrorist act was organized by external
forces," he said.

In his turn, representative of the People’s Party of Armenia Stepan
Zakayan said that after the murder of the speaker Karen Demirchyan
and the prime minister Vazgen Sargsyan on October 27 1999, Armenia
has lost a definite part of its sovereignty. The incumbent
authorities are waging a policy of vassals. To prove his words, S.
Zakaryan said that the whole energy system of Armenia has been
transferred to Russia. "To prove their devotion to Georgia, Armenian
authorities have arrested one of the leaders of ‘United Javakhq’
organization Vahagn Chakhalyan, who was actively protecting the
rights of the Armenian community of Georgia," he said.

On October 27 1999 terrorists killed the speaker Karen Demirchyan,
the prime minister Vazgen Sargsyan, a number of parliamentarians and
government members. The terrorists were sentenced to life
imprisonment, except Hamlet Stepanyan, who was imprisoned for 14
years.

ANCA: Richard Hoagland’s candidacy not acceptable for Armenia

ArmRadio.am
27.10.2006 15:42

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) continues voicing
its concern about Richard Hoagland’s appointment as new Ambassador to
Armenia. `We continue insisting on our position: it is certain that
Hoagland is not a proper candidate for Armenia, particularly for
denying the Armenian Genocide,’ ANCA Press Secretary Elizabeth
Chuljyan told `Armenpress.’ She added that they are waiting for the
next step after Senator Menendez’s block on Hoagland’s nomination.

`Certainly, the Department of State should decide what it should do
for the resolution of the question: to uphold the status quo, to
bypass the Senate and appoint Richard Hoagland, or what is more
acceptable, suggest a new candidacy,’ Elizabeth Chuljyan noted

Let us remind that September 12 US Senator, Democrat Bob Menendez
blocked Richard Hoagland’s confirmation as new Ambassador to Armenia.

SOLDIER SHOT ONE AND HIMSELF

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 26 2006

A soldier serving in Military Unit N shot his soldier friend today,
APA Garabagh bureau reports.

The soldier shot himself too after the incident. Defense Ministry
Press service proved the fact. The officer of the press service
Ilgar Verdiyev told the APA that the soldier Nuriyev Asif Seyidbala
(drafted by Lenkeran region Military Registration and Enlistment
Office in April, 2006) wounded the soldier Mirzeyev Fakhraddin Natig
(drafted by Sumgayit city Military Registration and Enlistment Office
in January, 2006). Being shocked, Nuriyev killed himself. Nuriyev
died in the site, but Mirzayev was hospitalized. The criminal case
was launched on the facts. Verdiyev said that the incident happened
because of violating the security rules.

IMMIGRATION RANKS 25TH ON THE LIST OF CONCERNS FOR RUSSIAN CITIZENS

Source: Vedomosti, October 24, 2006
The Russian Business Monitor (Russia)
October 25, 2006 Wednesday

The ethnic conflict in Kondopoga will be remembered for a long time to
come. St. Petersburg and Voronezh are on the way to becoming cities
dangerous for foreign students. Russians and Armenians are at each
others’ throats in the town of Bogandinsky in the Tyumen region.

Pollsters maintain that ethnic intolerance, once concealed, is
surfacing. Why would it do so? And why now?

The State Statistics Committee claims that real incomes in September
2006 were 10.1% greater than in September 2005, averaging 10,077
roubles a month. However, Russia’s richest 10% end up with 26% of
all income and the poorest 10% with 1%.

Russian citizens are dissatisfied with the existing system of health
care and education, the quality of housing and communal services,
corruption in local government structures and the police. The data
compiled by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) indicate the public
is concerned about the following issues (in descending order): high
tariffs for housing and communal services (46%), alcohol abuse (37%),
inflation (36%), medical services and medicines they cannot afford
(32%), shortage of money for food and commodities (28%), difficulty
finding a good job (28%), bureaucracy and civil servants’ tyranny
(25%), drug abuse (25%), housing shortages (21%), unemployment (20%),
corruption (19%), low quality of medical and social services (16%),
and so on. Problems of immigration were mentioned by only 5% of
respondents, ranking 25th on the list of concerns for Russian citizens.

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: THERE ARE WIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE SWEDISH INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The Swedish Ambassador to Armenia
Hans Gunar Aden was received on October 25 by the RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian. According to the RA Government Information and
PR Department, congratulating the ambassador on his appointment, the
prime minister expressed confidence that his activities will promote
the further development of the Armenian-Swedish political and economic
relations. He restated the Armenian side’s interest in deepening the
mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. A. Margarian
said that he is optimistic about the prospects of cooperation between
Armenia and Sweden, taking into account the successful course of the
technical programs implemented in Armenia since 1995 with financing of
the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Underlining the
importance of these programs, A. Margarian suggested discussing the
issue of extenstion of sectors covered by these programs by including
the local self-government and democacratic development fields as
well. Speaking about the development of the Armenian-Swedish economic
relations, the sides indicated such sectors as telecommunication,
IT, machine building, agriculture, tourism as promising ones. Noting
that favorable conditions have been created for implementation of
investment programs in the country, the prime minister considered it
desirable to carry out cooperation in science, education and culture
along with the political and economic cooperation. Noting that 9
companies with Swedish capital are currently operating in Armenia,
he underlined the existence of wide opportunities to increase their
number and the amount of Swedish investments in Armenia. At the request
of the guest, the prime minister presented Armenia’s activities aimed
at Eurointegration, cooperation with NATO, noting that for security
reasons and not contradicting the interests of any country, Armenia is
also actively cooperating as a member state of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization. Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception,
Mr. Aden said that his country is ready to develop relations with
Armenia. He assured that henceforth the Swedish side will allocate
more time and resources for the South Caucasian countries, including
for promotion of relations with Armenia, attaching importance to
Armenia’s involvement in the EU European Neighborhood Program. The
ambassador stated that Sweden will continue assisting Armenia in its
efforts aimed at Eurointegration.

JAPANESE AMBASSADOR EXPRESSES HOPE ABOUT DEEPENING OF ARMENIAN-JAPANESE RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The Japanese Ambassador Yasuo Saito
(residence – Moscow) on October 24 presented a copy of his credentials
to the RA Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanian. Attaching
importance to the development of the Armenian-Japanese relations
since Armenia’s independence, the ambassador expressed a hope they
will further deepen and strengthen thanks to bilateral efforts and
stated his willingness to assist with this. During the meeting, the
sides presented the process of establishing the mutual embassies and
spoke about international developments, especially in the context
of North Korea’s nuclear test. According to a press release NT was
submitted by the RA MFA Press and Information Department, at the
request of the quest, G. Gharibjanian presented the current process
of negotiations on the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEFENCE OF HUMAN DIGNITY AND SECURITY

Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Valentin Varennikov, the Chairman
of the International League for Defence of Human Dignity and Security
presented His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians the activity and programs of the International
League for Defence of Human Dignity and Security. Noyan Tapan was
informed about it by the Information Services of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin. Receiving on October 24 the delegation headed by
Valentin Varennikov, a RF State Duma deputy, the Chairman of the
International League for Defence of Human Dignity and Security, Army
General, accompanied by Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan, the eparchic vicar
of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese, and RA Prime Minister’s Advisor
Fadei Sargsian, His Holiness Patriarch expressed confidence that the
Armenian Apostolic Surb Church will also support the national league
in its activity. His Holiness welcame the delegation’s visit to the
Mother See, congratulating upon the foundation of the National League
for Defence of Human Dignity and Security in Armenia. "We are glad
that today the number of our co-thinkers adds who are also anxious
about challenges of the present life, challenges that upmost endanger
spiritual and moral values in the human life by which a person’s
happiness, peaceful and honourable life are in reality provided,"
His Holiness Patriarch mentioned wishing kind results to the mission
of the international and national leagues.

RUSSIA’S ‘PLAYING THE VICTIM’ VOTED ROME’S FIRST BEST FILM
by Gina Doggett

Agence France Presse — English
October 21, 2006 Saturday 3:53 PM GMT

RomeFilmFest, a cinema extravaganza that featured a string of
high-wattage world premieres, wrapped up its first edition Saturday
with awards for Russian, British, Italian and Franco-Armenian entries.

"Playing the Victim," a dark comedy based on Shakespeare’s "Hamlet"
by Russian director Kiril Serebrennikov, was named Best Film.

France’s Ariane Ascaride was named best actress for her role in
French-Armenian director Robert Guediguian’s "Armenia," and Italy’s
Giorgio Colangeli was judged best actor in the film "L’Aria Salata"
by Alessandro Angelini.

A previously unannounced Special Jury Award went to "This Is England"
by Shane Meadows, a powerful film focusing on Thatcher-era skinheads
through the eyes of an impressionable boy.

The popular jury of 50 moviegoers created the award on the spot because
it was torn between the Russian and British entries, Georgio Gosetti,
general director of RomeFilmFest, told AFP.

"It’s amusing that you have to change the rules of the game," he
said. "In the end a large part of the jury fights for one title
and the other fights for a second one. (Jury director Ettore Scola)
tried to respect democracy. They had a very, very long discussion
and part of the jury agreed only with the assurance of recognition
of Shane Meadow’s film."

On accepting the award Meadows said: "I thank the jury because the
subject matter of the film is not something easy to vote for. It’s
about racial hatred… I applaud them for being brave and voting
for it."

In "Playing the Victim", Yuri Chursin, as Valya, has the odd job of
playing the victim in police reconstructions at crime scenes.

Just as the morbidity and absurdity of it all starts to get to him,
he has a vision in which his late father reveals to him that he was
poisoned by his own wife and her lover.

Colangeli, who played the father in "L’Aria Salata", about a prison
social worker who comes across his estranged father behind bars,
said his award for best actor was meant for the entire crew. "This
award is shared with the director and all the cast. It’s a good sign
for new talent."

Ascaride, for her part, said in halting Italian: "You can’t imagine
how happy I feel … to have an award in Rome, in Italy, because my
father’s parents are Italian. It feels like coming home."

"Armenia" relates the story of a voyage of initiation for Anna, a
young woman from Marseille, France, who travels to the Caucasus in
search of her ailing, elderly father who wanted to see his native
Armenia before he died.

"It’s a role and a personality that I invented personally, since I
wrote the script with (French writer) Marie Desplechin," Ascaride
told AFP. "I had a very strong desire to talk about this country,
Armenia, and I also wanted to confront this issue or roots … that
you haven’t yet gone to look for."

Rome’s first film festival, a nine-day, 10-million-euro
(12.5-million-dollar) event created by Mayor Walter Veltroni, had 16
films in competition, several world premieres and dozens more films
shown out of competition.

"It is a great, great, great success to achieve in the first edition a
real professional level and such a strong reaction from the audience,"
Gosetti said. "It’s a great success because of the general quality
of the movies, according to the press in any case, especially the
foreign press."

Some 56,000 tickets were sold to the public and nearly as many were
given out to journalists and other guests. The media corps consisted
of about 1,700 reporters, including nearly 600 from the foreign press,
and 200 photographers and camera crew. The total audience was estimated
at 150,000, attending 650 screenings.

Star power helped attract the crowds, with world premieres of Steven
Shainberg’s "Fur" starring Nicole Kidman, "The Departed" with Leonardo
Di Caprio and Jack Nicholson, "The Namesake" by Indian director Mira
Nair, "The Hoax" with Richard Gere and "Napoleon and Me" starring
Monica Bellucci.

Added glitter came with Scottish actor Sean Connery, who was honored
with the inaugural Acting Award and US star Harrison Ford, who bestowed
the PMQ award for actor’s agent on Jim Berkus.

Saturday US director and actor Robert de Niro was to present part of
his film "The Good Shepherd" starring Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie,
to underscore a partnership between the Tribeca Film Festival, of
which he is a cofounder, and the RomeFilmFest.

Veltroni, speaking after the award ceremony, again defended his
brainchild against critics who say it competes with the venerable
Mostra in Venice.

"Italy will have two great moments of cinema, Venice and Rome,"
he said. "There will always be so many films."

For his part, Gosetti said: "I was born in Venice. If I thought that
this kind of event could be dangerous for Venice, I don’t think I
could accept to be part of it."

He added: "Our goal is to try to define and then impose a different way
to promote films, and to celebrate directors, actors and actresses."

COMMUNITY PRIDE A KEY IN WARD 41
Nicholas Keung – Staff Reporter

Toronto Star, Canada
Oct 23 2006

Rooming house, parking violations seen as vital issues
Half of residents in Canada less than 15 years

Residents of Ward 41, Scarborough-Rouge River, are tired of uncut
lawns, garbage-strewn sidewalks and out-of-control street parking.

They point to a concern that has plagued the community for years:
the growing number of illegal rooming houses.

"The lawns are poorly maintained. There are so many cars on the
driveways and people just leave their junk on the sidewalks even
when it’s not on a collection day," complained Valerie Plunkett,
a retired TV production assistant who has lived in the ward for 17
years and heads the 1,600-household Rosewood Taxpayers Association.

"And you don’t see any bylaw enforcement because we are so short of
bylaw-enforcement officers."

Bounded by Steeles Ave., Highway 401, Markham and McCowan Rds. and the
CNR tracks to the west, Scarborough-Rouge has both a huge immigrant
community – nearly half the residents have been in Canada less than
15 years – and a higher median income and homeowner rate than Toronto
as a whole. More than half the residents are of Chinese heritage.

It’s no coincidence the three front-runners in a 10-person race for
the vacant council seat – long-time civil servant Hratch Aynedjian,
grassroots activist Chin Lee and former Etobicoke politician David
Robertson – tout community pride and ownership as key platform
points.Scarborough-Rouge, formerly held by Bas Balkissoon, is destined
to see one of the tightest races in its history on Nov. 13.

"It’s a wide open field," noted Tom Chang, who has lived in the
Brimley Forest neighbourhood more than two decades. "With that many
candidates, the votes are going to split. Whoever manages to get 10
votes plus one is going to win."

Media-savvy Aynedjian, 42, born in Lebanon of Armenian heritage,
has 16 years experience as a political assistant at city hall and
Queen’s Park. He said he’d prioritize the city budget to focus on
hardcore services such as maintaining infrastructure rather than
"soft" services like shelters. Tackling illegal rooming houses is a
top priority for him.

"Every other street in the ward has an illegal rooming house. The
problem is we’ve never had bylaws regulating it across the amalgamated
city."

A Scarborough resident since 1979, he has drawn fire from opponents
for living outside Ward 41. He has promised to relocate if elected.

"That’s a big issue," said long-time resident Clement Edwards.

"If someone is coming from outside, he or she may not know or even
care about the community."

Lee, 53, who came here as a Malaysian in 1971, believes his grassroots
involvement with the local police liaison committee and other community
groups will serve him well.

"When I first moved into the ward 17 years ago, it was much cleaner,
better-kept. But the community seems to be falling apart, and we need
to work hard to build a more stable, strong and vibrant community,"
said Lee, who ran (unsuccessfully) for a Scarborough council seat in
1994 to keep the incumbent from being acclaimed.

"Some of the people living in rooming houses are newcomers. They don’t
know anything about property standards and bylaws. It’s not just about
enforcement. We need to do a better job in educating our newcomers."

Robertson, 44, an Etobicoke councillor from 1978 to 1991, said he’s
upset with deteriorating recreation programs and would like to boost
immigrant-settlement services in the ward.

"We need to introduce a new property standards committee to strengthen
the city bylaws and enhance our neighbourhoods," said Robertson,
who teaches English as a second language and ran unsuccessfully for
the NDP in Scarborough-Agincourt in the federal election.

While Lee and Aynedjian, both from the Liberal party, have pledged to
roll back the 9 per cent council pay hike awarded this year, Robertson
said he would donate the raise (minus inflation) to community groups.

Also running are Jose Baking, John Ching, Min Lee, Malcolm Mansfield,
Thadsha Navamanikkam, Scott Shi and Sonny Yeung.