Category: News

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY SUPERVISORY CHAMBER EXPOSE THE MOST LARGE-SCALE
FINANCIAL MISAPPROPRIATION IN 2004 IN USE OF FOREIGN CREDITS
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. The Armenian Parliamentary Supervisory
Chamber exposed the most large-scale financial misappropriation in
2004 in the sphere of the use of foreign credits. Chairman of the
Supervisory Chamber Gagik Voskanyan informs journalists today summing
up the results of the chamber’s activity in 2004.
In particular, Voskanyan says that the most observed is the practice
of unreturned credits of enterpreneurs issued under various programs
from the funds of foreign capital, as well as the companies which make
more attractive proposals at tenders. The SC exposed a number of
violations in the sphere of privatization as well. Thus, in conformity
with a governmental decision dated 2002 all the unfinished
constructions in the country were to be inventoried and transferred to
the Department for Management of State Property. Voskanyan also called
inadmissible the practice of privatization of facilities of strategic
importance through their bankruptcy and liquidation. Besides, the
privatized enterprises do not fulfill their obligations. For example,
he says, 4 privatized enterprises have not fulfilled their investment
commitments for some $10.7 mln.
He also says that in the park nearing the Institution of Mathematical
Machines after Mergelyan. 1,900 sq/m were transferred to the company
“Artsakh-91” subject to preservation of the green zone. The company
has not fulfilled this condition. Besides, the SC exposed violations
in the sphere of public health, he expresses bewilderment that
“healthy people undergo treatment on the state order.” Voskanyan
expresses doubts that a patient suffered from a heart attack could
recover on the 60,000 drams provided by the state.
Voskanyan also touches upon the inspections in the sphere of state
subsidizing of communities. Thus, in 2004 11.463 bln drams were
allocated to community budgets from the state budget, 11 bln were
provided to communities to equalize their budgets, 66 bln drams
dotations for preferential property tax, 19 bln drams other dotations
and 123 mln drams target allocations. Voskanyan says that mechanism
and principles of these allocations are not regulated. On the basis of
the materials of inspections of the Supervisory Commission to the
Prosecutor General’s Office, in 2004 7 officials were brought
administratively responsible and 4 criminal cases were initiated, with
19 mln drams being returned to the state budget.-m-

PROGRAM FOR SOUTH CAUCASUS “UNIVERSITY OF DISTANCE EDUCATION” LAUNCHED
IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, ARMINFO. A program University of Distance
Education is launched in Armenia for the first time. The program is
provided by the academy of study and development of
psycho-intellectual Abilities of human beings in Germany.
Talking to ARMINFO, Official Representative of the program in the
South Caucasus and Middle East, Head of the Association of
Cultural-Education and Labor International Programs Ara Galstyan says
that Armenia, also Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran can enjoy the
education. The system of education requires no departure to Germany or
big funds as the whole education process and payments are carried out
via e-mail. The payment for education ranges between 1,750- 2,500
EUR. To become a student of University of Distance Education
determining no age qualification, full or not full higher education or
years-long professional length of service on managing posts in a
number of spheres are required. The system provides an opportunity of
receiving such scientific degrees as Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor’s
of economy, business, administration, culture, science of law and art
meeting the demands of educational systems in Europe and the USA.

NATO SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE SATISFIED WITH NEGOTIATIONS IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. Robert Simmons, NATO Secretary
General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, is
satisfied with the negotiations in Yerevan. He declared during the
news conference in Yerevan, Thursday.
According to him, during the present visit to Yerevan he has met with
representatives of the leadership of the Republic of Armenia. During
these meetings the special representative has informed about the
results of NATO summit in Brussels and discussion of the theme of
Iran, meeting with the President of the Ukraine Victor Yushchenko, the
relations Russia-NATO and other partners of the organization. Robert
SImmons also introduced with the NATO Officer of Relations Romualds
Razuks. Mentioning Armenia’s cooperation with NATO within framework of
different events, the special representative especially stressed
Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping missions to Kosovo and
Iraq. Answering a question of journalists, Robert Simmons said that
the theme of Armenian-Turkish relations were not discussed during the
meetings. “Here I represent NATO as a whole, not going to the hearth
of the relations of Armenia with separate members of the
organization”, he mentioned. Returning Brussels he intends to report
on the good negotiations with the leadership of Armenia, said Robert
Simmons.

ROBERT SIMMONS REGRETS ASSASSINATION OF ARMENIAN OFFICER IN BUDAPEST
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. NATO regrets the assassination of
Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan by his Azeri counterpart Ramil
Safarov in Budapest a year ago, NATO Secretary General’s Special
Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Robert F Simmons
stated at today press-conference in Yerevan.
Simmons said that the partners should not have such relations and
noted that it is necessary to look ahead. -r-

ARMENIA TO ONLY BENEFIT FROM RUSSIA’S HIGH LEVEL COOPERATION WITH
US, NATO AND EU: ARMENIA’S DM
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. Armenia’s Defence Minister Serzh Sargsyan met
today with NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative to the Caucasus
and Central Asia Robert Simmons.
Sargsyan said that cooperation with NATO is important part of Armenia’s
security. Simmons introduced Sargsyan to NATO Communication Office to the
South Caucasus Romualds Razuks. He thanked Sargsyan for Armenia’s active
involvement in NATO programs. Sargsyan says that Armenia gives high
importance to its relations with NATO and will go on to deepen them and to
get more actively involved in NATO projects. “Were it not for our unsettled
conflict we would show even deeper involvement,” Sargsyan said.
Simmons said that the Karabakh conflict curbs the development of the South
Caucasus. NATO is not directly involved in the Karabakh peace process but
attentively follows it. Simmons believes that the conflicting parties will
reach mutually acceptable agreement on the issue.
He said that NATO does not rival with any neighboring country in the region.
Sargsyan said that Armenia will only benefit from Russia’s high level
cooperation with the US, NATO and EU.

AZERBAIJAN MUST NOW START TALKS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH
COMMUNITIES OF NK: PACE RAPPORTEUR ON NAGORNY KARABAKH
LONDON, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. Azerbaijan must now start talks with
representatives of both communities of NK, PACE rapporteur on Nagorny
Karabakh David Atkinson says in response to ARMINFO’s question that
Azerbaijan has not up today expressed a desire to negotiate with the
leadership of Nagorny Karabakh.
He does not think that in any case it is a fundamental part of the
resolution.
Concerning Turkey’s blockade of Armenia Atkinson urges that country to
end its blockade as a confidence building measure.
He calls nonsense the accusations of some politicians in Armenia who
consider that his decision was dictated by political order of the
state he represents and that the accepted resolution smells of Caspian
oil.
Atkinson evades the question what he thinks about the Armenians’
approach to the Karabakh conflict settlement – Cooperation then
settlement. He just says that his motto is to urge that Resolution
1416 be implemented.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

USA AND EU SUPPORT ARMENIA’s ASPIRATION FOR FURTHER INTEGRATION IN
EUROATLANTIC COMMUNITY
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. The European Union and the USA continue
to cooperate closely towards supporting the aspirations of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia for further integration in the Euroatlantic
community, says a note made by the US State Department on the occasion
of the US President George Bush’s visit to Europe.
As the source informs, the EU “New Neighborhood Policy” program and
the NATO “Partnership for Peace” program move ahead the values common
for both the US and Europe and are directed to the formation of closer
relations between the Southern Caucasian countries. Besides, the USA
and Europe realize challenges of security and stability in the
Southern Caucasus and Black See within the framework of non-settled
conflicts in Eurasia. “We advocate the territorial integrity of
Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan and cooperate in assisting
international efforts for peaceful settlement of the TransDnestrian,
Southern Osetian and Karabakh conflicts”, the reference says. -r-

Putin: Out of the Fire, Into the Fire
Stratfor
February 24, 2005
By Victor Gubareff and Marla Dial
U.S. President George W. Bush wrapped up a fairly uneventful
diplomatic tour of Europe on Feb. 24 with a joint press conference
with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava. For days, we have
been brushing past discussions of Bush’s meetings with other European
leaders, focusing keenly on what could come out of the Slovakia
sessions — a tete a tete between important world leaders who find
themselves on opposite sides of a widening geopolitical divide.
The public discourse, of course, revealed no sign of tensions. Both
spoke affably and utterly predictably about the friendship between
their nations, as well as specific points of agreement — such as the
need to cooperate on fighting illicit trade in man-portable air
defense systems and shared views on nuclear nonproliferation.
Beneath these diplomatic niceties, however, lies a very real
predicament — particularly for Putin, who is finding himself
increasingly beset by difficulties at home.
It is no secret, particularly to the Russians, that the United States
has been making firm and steady inroads into Moscow’s traditional
sphere of influence, with pro-Western governments now installed in
states such as Georgia and Ukraine. And if that were not enough to
light a few nationalist fires, Russian news media on Feb. 24 carried
two important stories — one noting rising unemployment, the other
chronicling a dependence on consumer imports that experts said is
hampering Russia’s own economic development. Foreign influence
encroaches.
On an even more personal level, Putin in recent months reportedly has
been blasted by former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov as a
controlling leader who now tolerates no dissent within his inner
circle, and — significantly — he was the target of a Feb. 23 protest
by active and retired military officers who demanded steps to stem the
collapse of the Russian military and NATO encroachment within the
region.
Against that backdrop, Putin met with Bush, who he knew could be
counted on to broach the subjects of Russia’s nuclear arsenal and
approach to democracy — both wild cards that, if not carefully
handled, could make him even more vilified as a U.S. lapdog than he
already is at home. On some levels, a strong rebuff of Bush would have
been in Putin’s best interests — but the prospect of being viewed as
a hostile state by Washington, which already is eyeing a number of
potential challenges in the Eurasian landmass, was a risky proposition
as well.
Russian sources close to the matter have told us that when Bush, in
private talks, suggested a joint monitoring program for Russia’s
active nuclear weapons, Putin essentially responded that to agree
would result in him being burned at the stake in Red Square. Bush then
asked for an agreement in principle — or, in other words, he gave
Putin the choice of being burned whilst doused in gasoline or being
slow-cooked, using only tender green saplings for kindling. In either
case, an agreement would be viewed by the Russians as a way of ceding
sovereign powers to Washington. Ultimately, Putin took the only out he
could — asking for more time to give Bush an answer (during which, we
suspect, he will cast about for flame retardants).
Discussions of democracy have been more publicly exchanged: Bush
earlier this week restated his foreign policy goals, which take a
critical view of freedoms in Russia; Putin responded separately that
Russia would achieve democracy on its own terms. During their joint
press conference, Putin (who we believe favors democracy along
Ataturkian lines — a long-term transition over which he solely will
preside) tried to gloss over the differences, speaking primarily of
“fundamental principles” rather than tactical steps.
“There are great differences between Russia and the U.S.” in practice,
he said. “If we talk about where we have more or where we have less
democracy, is not the right thing to do, but if we talk about how the
fundamental principles of democracy are implemented in this or that
historical soil, in this or that country — is an option, is
possible.”
Though Putin did appear to make a subtle overture to the Russian
people — emphasizing that democracy “should not be accompanied by the
collapse of the state and the impoverishment of the people” (a
reference to rampant corruption to which he has been accused of
turning a blind eye) — he ultimately jettisoned a very public
opportunity to portray himself as a strong leader who can appeal to
Russians concerned about their national security and cultural
identity. Putin, increasingly pressured to choose between U.S. or
Russian interests, has deferred the verdict to an unspecified later
date.
In other words, he remains tied to the stake, and the torch-throwers
are lining up.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE
OF LEBANON’S INTERNAL UNITY, INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY
His Holiness Aram I has been in Geneva for almost a week, chairing the
meetings of the Central and Executive Committees of the World Council of
Churches. Meanwhile, the Catholicos has been closely following the latest
developments occurring in Lebanon.
When addressing the meeting, His Holiness asked the participants to observe
a moment of silence in memory of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri, condemned the heinous crime and emphasized the imperative of
preserving Lebanon’s internal unity.
Aram I spoke during a press conference held later about the current
situation of Lebanon and strongly condemned the assassination of the former
Prime Minister, considering it an act targeting the whole country.
His Holiness considered the assassination “an attempt to disrupt Lebanon’s
internal unity, create political and confessional sensitivities, weaken
Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty and tarnish its dignity.” He
emphasized that now more than ever the Lebanese people need to strengthen
their internal unity and dignity.
“All the communities of Lebanon and their leaders should stick to the basic
values, principles and ideals that form Lebanon’s unique identity and
strengthen its independence and sovereignty,” His Holiness said.
The Catholicos emphasized that in light of the created situation the
Lebanese should rely on dialogue, mutual understanding and respect for each
other. He assured that dialogue is the only means of strengthening Lebanon’s
internal unity.
His Holiness Aram I stressed that the Lebanese should protect their country’
s interests and preserve a good relationship based on mutual trust with
their neighbor Syria, as a guarantee to the country’s independence and
sovereignty.
Speaking about Lebanon’s Armenian community His Holiness said: “As a
constituent member of the Lebanese society, the Armenian community also has
been deeply shaken by the assassination and is concerned about the current
situation. The Armenian community of Lebanon emphasizes the importance of
the full application of the Taef Accord and calls on all parties to
determine the road to Lebanon’s restoration through constructive dialogue.
The Armenians of Lebanon with their community and political leaders are
ready to actively and fully participate in all the efforts that lead to the
strengthening of the country’s internal unity, independence and
sovereignty.”
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Glendale News Press
24 Feb2005
Published February 24, 2005
Council member makes rare appeal
Manoukian isn’t happy with variances for 8-story building at 300 N. Central
Ave.
By Josh Kleinbaum, News-Press and Leader
GLENDALE CITY HALL — Councilman Rafi Manoukian appealed city approvals of
an eight-story condominium, taking a swing at the council’s shift toward
high-rise development in parts of downtown Glendale.
City officials could not remember a council member ever appealing a city
planning decision.
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Manoukian paid a city-required $500 fee Tuesday to appeal 10 variances city
zoning administrator Edith Fuentes granted for a proposed eight-story
building at 300 N. Central Ave. Fuentes granted the variances after the City
Council, acting as the city’s Redevelopment Agency, approved the project’s
design in January. Manoukian cast the lone dissenting vote on the design.
Because the project did not meet city codes, it then had to go to the zoning
administrator for approval.
The proposed eight-story, 114-foot building would have 72 condominium units.
The city’s zoning code allows for 27 units on three stories with a maximum
of 36 feet.
Manoukian hopes his appeal will draw attention to what he describes as “the
problem of rampant development in downtown Glendale.”
“We should ask for reasonable development that will enhance the downtown
area, as opposed to compounding the problem of traffic,” Manoukian said.
In her ruling, Fuentes said the project meets four requirements for a
variance: The code provides unnecessary hardship to the applicant; there are
exceptional circumstances on the property that do not apply to other
properties in the neighborhood; and the variances would not be detrimental
to public welfare or contrary to the objectives of the zoning code.
Fuentes said the Redevelopment Agency’s decision did not affect her ruling.
“I tried to stay away from even listening or hearing [the agency’s]
discussion,” Fuentes said. “I thought that everything was in accord with the
city’s general plan, and [the applicant] made the four findings.”
Manoukian’s appeal will be considered by the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals
within the next two months, Planning Director Elaine Wilkerson said. The
board’s decision can then be appealed to the City Council by either side. If
that happens, Manoukian may have to recuse himself from the discussion
depending on whether the wording of his appeal shows bias against the
project, City Atty. Scott Howard said.
The current City Council has encouraged downtown development, approving the
project on Central Avenue and a high-rise condominium project on the corner
of Brand Boulevard and Wilson Avenue.
Both projects required variances because Glendale’s zoning code does not
allow high-rise residential buildings in the downtown area. The city is
expected to rezone the entire downtown area by the end of the year to allow
such projects.
“Mr. Manoukian has been the only one who has been saying no to that over and
over again,” Mayor Bob Yousefian said. “But it takes more than one person to
set city policy.”
The city will study the impacts of high-rise residential buildings during
the rezoning process. Manoukian said the city should not approve high-rise
buildings until those studies are done.
“Traffic and development are the most important issues for the next 20 years
in the city of Glendale,” Manoukian said. “If we don’t prepare ahead of time
for what developments happen in the downtown, we will regret it in the
future.”
Yousefian appealed a variance in 1999 before he was on the council, while
serving on the Board of Zoning Appeals, then known as the Board of Zoning
Adjustments. He was elected to the council in 2001.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress