Category: News

Exotisme alimentaire
par Jacques CAPELOVICI
Le Figaro, France
17 septembre 2004
Il n’est pas sans intérêt de noter que le nom de la pêche (fruit)
remonte au latin malum persicum signifiant littéralement « pomme de
Perse », le terme « pomme » étant pris dans le sens générique de
fruit. Le « r » de Perse est absent du français pêche, de l’anglais
peach et de l’italien pesca ; mais on le retrouve dans l’allemand
Pfirsich, le néerlandais perzik et le russe persik, d’origine latine,
ce qui donne à penser que, malgré la proximité de la Perse, ce fruit
a été probablement introduit en Russie par une autre voie.
Non moins exotique est le nom de notre abricot, qui remonte à
l’adjectif latin praecoquum qualifiant un fruit précoce, en
l’occurrence originaire de Chine, que les Grecs nommaient armeniaka,
fruit d’Arménie. Les Arabes le réintroduisirent dans l’Occident sous
le nom d’al-barqoûq, enrichi de l’article défini, qui a donné
naissance à l’espagnol albaricoque, au portugais albricoque, à
l’italien albicocco et, bien entendu, au français abricot, d’où
viennent l’anglais apricot, l’allemand Aprikose et le néerlandais
abrikoos. Rencontre inattendue : le russe abrikos est homophone du
mot néerlandais. Dans toutes ces langues, le « a » initial remonte à
l’article arabe al amputé de sa consonne.
Enfin, il faut se rendre en Israël pour y trouver l’origine de notre
échalote, qui vient du port d’Ascalon. Les exemples de ce genre sont
assez nombreux pour nous éclairer sur les voyages qu’accomplirent
certains produits alimentaires avant d’aboutir dans nos assiettes.

ARKA News Agency
Sept 17 2004
The Head of RA parliament receives newly appointed Ambassador of
Germany to Armenia
Chairman of Eurocommission Romano Prodi to visit Armenia on Sep 18-19
CBA Council left unchanged the rate on repo-agreements – 4% annual
MEDI program announces competition for the creation of the website of
MEDI
Spyur Armenian Information Service and ARKA News Agency implement
joint project
*********************************************************************
THE HEAD OF RA PARLIAMENT RECEIVES NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF
GERMANY TO ARMENIA
YEREVAN, September 17. /ARKA/. The Head of RA Parliament Arthur
Baghdasarian received newly appointed Ambassador of Germany to
Armenia Haike Renata Paisch, RA NA told ARKA. The Speaker expressed
hope that during the activity of new Ambassador Armenian-German
interstate links will continue developing. He paid attention to
German assistance to Armenia in trade-economic and science-cultural
sphere.
The Ambassador in her turn noted that her country pays attention to
the region and its integration in Europe. She expressed readiness to
assist to all processes and future development of Armenian-German
relations. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
CHAIRMAN OF EUROCOMMISSION ROMANO PRODI TO VISIT ARMENIA ON SEP 18-19
YEREVAN, September 17. /ARKA/. Chairman of Eurocommission Romano
Prodi will visit Armenia on Sep 18-19, RA MFA told ARKA. During the
official visit Prodi will meet with RA President Robert Kocharian, RA
NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian, RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
and RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian. Prodi will also visit
Armenian Genocide Memorial, Armenian Center Mkhitarian and regional
European Academy. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
CBA COUNCIL LEFT UNCHANGED THE RATE ON REPO-AGREEMENTS – 4% ANNUAL
YEREVAN, September 17. /ARKA/. The CBA Council decided to leave
unchanged the rate on repo-agreements – at 4% annual at today’s
session. According to the Press Service Department of CBA, the rates
on secure credits and attracted deposits also remained unchanged –
16% and 1% annual accordingly. L.V.–0–
*********************************************************************
MEDI PROGRAM ANNOUNCES COMPETITION FOR THE CREATION OF THE WEBSITE OF
MEDI
YEREVAN, September 17. /ARKA/. Micro Enterprises Development
Initiative (MEDI) program adjunct to the USAID announces competition
for the creation of the website of MEDI. According to the advertise
published in the press, local companies, which can develop website of
MEDI, may participate in the competition. The deadline for submitting
applications for the participation in it is September 30, 2004. A.H.
-0–
*********************************************************************
SPYUR ARMENIAN INFORMATION SERVICE AND ARKA NEWS AGENCY IMPLEMENT
JOINT PROJECT
YEREVAN, September 17. /ARKA/. Spyur Armenian Information Service and
ARKA News Agency implemented a joint project. As Ashot Grigoryan,
Director of Spyur said, along with analytic review of economic
situation in Armenia prepared jointly with the Armenian Development
Agency and National Statistical Service, for the first time the most
important economic events in Armenia provided by ARKA have been
included in the English version of the directory. In Grigoryan’s
words, the decision to include the news-reel in the directory can be
explained by the circumstance that all official economic reviews are
actually already one year old and do not contain info on today’s
economic trends. “The information provided by ARKA as a brief
news-reel of the current year allows filling up the gap formed in the
economic review”, Grigoryan said. He mentioned that the given
cooperation was on the initial stage and the works for its further
enhancements were being made. “The initiative is aimed at placing of
maximally useful news on minimal space, thus encouraging searching of
the required information”, he said. He also reported that the
Armenian version of the reference is in preparation stage and a
decision was taken to include ARKA’s news-reel in the directory.
In his turn Konstantin Petrosiv, Director of ARKA News Agency stated
that this is the first attempt to combine commercial and business
information in a single directory. “I think that inclusion of ARKA’s
news-reel in Spyur’s directory will enable the potential clients as
being acquainted with information on enterprises and organization of
Armenia as well as the most important developments in economic and
financial sectors.
Spyur Information Service was established in 1992. It collects,
processes and spreads information on enterprises and organizations in
Armenia. The company provides information thru free of charge phone
service, regularly issued business directory and yellow pages
references, Internet databases, e-versions and “Armenia” chapter in
intl information systems. Spyur’s business information directory
covers more than 1600 Armenian companies.
ARKA Information Agency operates since May 1, 1996. It specializes in
financial, economic and political information. Various organizations,
including state and private structures, banks, intl financial
organizations, consulting companies, embassies, mass media regularly
receive and use Agency’s information
ARKA News Agency was recognized by the Central Banks of the Republic
of Armenia the best agency providing economic information. In 2002
and 2003 BID intl organization awarded ARKA International Star Award
for Quality in Gold category. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************

SENATE RESTORES MILITARY AID BALANCE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
PanArmenian News
Sept 17 2004
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The full Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday
voted to reinstate military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan
in the Fiscal Year 2005 Foreign Operations bill. As reported by the
Armenian Assembly of America, the legislation, which allocates about
$9 million in military financing to both countries, not only foils the
Administration’s attempt to favor Azerbaijan but also exceeds the House
request of almost $6 million for each country. Having emphasized that
support for Armenia remains strong in the Congress upper chamber,
Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who is Chairman of
the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, noted that humanitarian and
relief assistance will keep flowing to Nagorno Karabakh. Thus, by the
decision of the Senate Appropriations Committee, both Baku and Yerevan
are slated to receive $8 million for Foreign Military Financing and
$750,000 for International Military Education and Training. It should
be noted that the next step in the legislative process is a vote on
the Foreign Operations bill by the full Senate.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS WILL PARTICIPATE IN NATO PA SEMINAR IN BAKU
PanArmenian News
Sept 17 2004
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian parliamentarians will participate in
NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rose Road seminar, scheduled in Baku
November 26-28, stated head of the Azeri delegation to the NATO PA,
Milli Mejlis Vice-Speaker Zayafet Askerov. In his words, Armenian
parliamentarians are not military men, thus their visit to Baku will
not cause serious protest. It should be noted that the seminar had
been postponed since 2003.

NUNE YESAYAN AND PATRICK FIORI PERFORMED CHARITABLE CONCERT FOR
BUILDING SPORT CENTER
PanArmenian News
Sept 17 2004
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The other day Armenian diva Nune Yesayan and
famous French singer of Armenian origin Patrick Fiori performed
a joint concert in the Sport and Concert Complex of Yerevan. The
measure was organized in favor of the initiative of Provence Armenie
French humanitarian organization for the building of a sport center
in Davidashen community of the capital. The concert passed in the
packed hall in the presence an audience of 8 thousand and received
an enthusiastic welcome. Besides people’s favorite hits, the singers
together performed two songs from their repertoire that enjoy wide
popularity – Belle from Paris Mother of God Cathedral musical and
Nune. As reported by a representative of Provence Armenie in Yerevan,
a similar concert may also be organized in the near future in France.

NATO WILL CURTAIL FINANCIAL AID TO BAKU, AZERI MILITARY EXPERT CONSIDERS
PanArmenian News
Sept 15 2004
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Due to the NATO making a decision on canceling
Cooperative Best Effort – 2004 exercises, which were to be held
in Baku, to all appearance the NATO will curtail financial aid to
Azerbaijan and will keep back the sum spent on preparation of the
exercises, Azeri military expert Uzeir Jafarov stated. “Our authorities
had to state about their protest against the arrival of the Armenian
officers beforehand, explaining it with Azeri military refusing to
participate in the same exercises in Armenia last year,” the expert
considers. In his words, in the coming 2 or 3 years Azerbaijan will
not be entrusted the holding of measures of such level. Besides,
one should expect serious statements of the Alliance leadership,
as for the first time in the history the holding of exercises was
failed a few hours before their beginning, U. Jafarov said.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
()
PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Friday, September 17, 2004
Contact: Armen Carapetian 818.500.1918
NEAR EAST FOUNDATION TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS ANCA-WR “FREEDOM AWARD” AT
ANNUAL BANQUET IN OCTOBER
Los Angeles, CA â^À^Ó On Thursday September 16, donors, supporters
and friends of the Armenian National Committee of America â^À^Ó
Western Region (ANCA-WR) gathered at the Cicada Restaurant in Downtown
Los Angeles for the ANCA-WRâ^À^Ùs traditional Banquet Kickoff
Party and to hear this yearâ^À^Ùs list of honorees. The Banquet
Kickoff Party has become an annual tradition and a prelude to
the organizationâ^À^Ùs gala event â^À^Ó the Annual Banquet,
which will take place on October 24, 2004 at the Ritz-Carlton
Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California. ANCA-WR Chairman Raffi
Hamparian announced that this yearâ^À^Ùs recipient of the
organizationâ^À^Ùs most prestigious award, the ANCA-WR Freedom
Award is the Near East Foundation.
The Near East Foundation was the first nationwide, large scale,
international assistance organization in the United States, founded in
1915 to rescue desperate and dying refugees of the Armenian Genocide.
The private American philanthropic organization was founded in New
York City under the name of the Near East Relief. It was created
in response to Ambassador Henry Morgenthauâ^À^Ùs urgent cable
to the U.S. Secretary of State on September 3 stating that the
â^À^Ü destruction of the Armenian race in Turkey is progressing
rapidlyâ^À^Ý and urging that a committee be formed â^À^Üto
raise funds and provide means to save some of the Armenians.â^À^Ý
Within two weeks a group of civic, business, and religious leaders
had formed such a committee. What NEF did at the turn of the century
and how it was done affected the shape of Trumanâ^À^Ùs post-World
War II recovery programs, the United Nations Development Program and
the Kennedy administrationâ^À^Ùs founding of USAID.
â^À^ÜThe Near East Relief gave again and again to the Armenian
people, demonstrating unparalleled humanity and great sacrifice
to save those suffering. Generations of Armenians are alive today
because of the hard work that the Near East Foundation did to rescue
orphans and survivors,â^À^Ý stated Chairman Raffi Hamparian.
â^À^ÜThe Near East Foundation is humbled and greatly honored by
the recognition of the Armenian National Committee of Americaâ^À^Ùs
Western Region with its Freedom Award. There is no more meaningful
acknowledgment than that which comes from those to whom we are most
closely connected historically,â^À^Ý said NEF President Dr. Ryan
LaHurd upon receiving news of the award.
In addition to the Near East Foundation, the recipients of the
Man of the Year and the Legacy Awards were announced as well.
One of the stateâ^À^Ùs highest ranking Armenian-American State
legislators, Senator Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno) has been chosen
to receive the honor of Man of the Year. During his tenure in the
State Senate, Senator Poochigian has led the way on numerous pieces
of legislation that directly affect Armenian Americans living in
the State of California. Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger signed
into law a bill authored by Senator Poochigian, Senate Bill 1689,
which will exempt Armenian Genocide life insurance settlements from
state taxation related to income.
The ANCA-WR has also announced this yearâ^À^Ùs Legacy Award
recipient, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA). Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
has been a leading advocate and supporter of the organizationâ^À^Ùs
newly launched ANCA Capital Gateway Program which mentors young
Armenians who want to work in government. The program provides recent
college graduates with housing and job bank resources to help place
individuals in positions on Capitol Hill and other government bodies
in the nationâ^À^Ùs capitol.
â^À^ÜEveryone is excited about this yearâ^À^Ùs banquet and
all the honorees. Our committee has worked very hard to make
this a fantastic event worthy of the ANCA name.â^À^Ý commented
Banquet Committee Chairwoman Aida Dimejian. â^À^ÜWe are honoring
two great Armenian-American public officials and have another
rising star, Councilman Frank Zerunyan, serving as the Master of
Ceremonies.â^À^Ý
Banquet annually draws over 750 individuals, including a long list of
dignitaries. The event is attended by prominent Members of Congress,
State Legislators, and a vast number of Armenian American political
activists. The ANCA-WR Annual Banquet is the largest event of its
kind that brings Armenian Americans together with a large number of
federal, state and local public officials.
For more information on this yearâ^À^Ùs Annual Banquet, or to
reserve a table, call the ANCA-WR offices at (818) 500 â^À^Ó 1918.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns
of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

NUMBER OF ASYLUM SEEKERS FALLS AGAIN, IN AUGUST THREE HUNDRED
Czech News Agency
September 16, 2004
PRAGUE, Sept 16 (CTK) – Number of persons who seek asylum in the Czech
Republic has fallen to 301 in August, which is this year’s monthly
minimum, according to the latest data of the Interior Ministry’s
asylum and migration department.
Only 261 adults and 40 children applied for asylum in August, compared
to 354 persons in July. As for this year, the highest number of asylum
applications (988) was presented in March.
This tendency has been confirmed by the office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). According to the UNHCR report,
the number of applicants so far this year has been the lowest in the
last 17 years.
This is connected with the return of refugees to Afghanistan, Iraq
and Kosovo and stricter laws in European Union member states, the
report says.
The Czech Republic’s accession to the EU in May has been the main
factor behind the lower number of asylum applications, Jana Pintova
from the ministry’s asylum and migration department said.
Most of the asylum applications were filed in August by refugees from
Ukraine (106), China (57) and Russia (27).
>>From January to August, 4,123 applications were filed, most of them
(1,350 or 34 percent of the total number) by Russians, followed by
1,133 Ukrainians, 266 Vietnamese and 215 Chinese.
The number of applicants was the highest in 1990, when 18,094
foreigners sought asylum in the Czech Republic. Last year the number
was 11,400, this being the second highest. On the other hand, the
least applications (841) were presented in 1992.
This year, the applications were handed most frequently in the
refugee centre Vysni Lhoty, north Moravia, which has registered 193
applications, including 101 by Ukrainian citizens.
The Czech authorities granted asylum to 2,520 applications from July
1900 to August 2004. Most of the affirmative answers were given to
citizens of Romania (474), Afghanistan (296) and Russia (200).
>>From January to August, 95 refugees were granted asylum, including
29 Russians and 21 Belarussians. In 2003, 208 refugees were granted
asylum. The highest number of applications was approved in 1991,
when 776 people were granted asylum.
>>From July 1990 to August 2004, the Czech Republic granted Czech
citizenship to 533 refugees. Most often, citizenship was granted to
refugees from Armenia (87), Vietnam (85), Romania (79), and Ukraine
(29).
On the other hand, asylum was withdrawn from some 200 foreigners,
160 of them from Romania and 20 from Bulgaria.

Baku wants close integration with European institutions – premier
By Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman
ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 17, 2004 Friday 12:21 PM Eastern Time
BAKU, September 17 — Baku wants close integration with European
institutions, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasi-zade said at a
Friday meeting with European Commission President Romano Prodi.
Azerbaijan is the only South Caucasian country, which has repaid $57
million in EU loans in full, he said.
The European Union is implementing over 25 joint projects in
Azerbaijan, primarily in the sphere of transport, telecommunications,
energy and foods.
Azerbaijan’s affiliation to the EU Neighbors programs began a new
phase in the integration of the Transcaucasian republic with the
European political and economic space, Prodi said.
The European Commission President also met with Azerbaijani
Parliament Speaker Murtuz Aleskerov. He touched upon peace
settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed the hope that parties
to the conflict will not allow a third party to interfere with the
peacemaking process and resolve the problem unaided. He promised EU
comprehensive assistance to rehabilitation of Azerbaijan and Armenia
after the achievement of peace.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Europe ready to cooperate with Baku under New Neighbors initiative
By Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman
ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 17, 2004 Friday
BAKU, September 17 — The affiliation of Azerbaijan to the New
Neighbors initiative of the European Union begins a new phase in the
Azerbaijani integration with the EU, European Commission President
Romano Prodi said at a Friday press conference in Baku.
He said it was the central item on his negotiations with Azerbaijani
officials, including President Ilham Aliyev.
Europe is ready for cooperation within the framework of the New
Neighbors policy, Prodi said. Everyone wants to see fruit and
benefits of expanded Europe, and Azerbaijan will get an access to
the 500-million European market through the New Neighbors initiative,
he said. The initiative will also promote broader cultural and public
relations between the EU and Azerbaijan, Prodi said.
He said the Baku meetings assured him that it was necessary to launch
the New Neighbors policy immediately. Cooperation priorities will
be defined at further negotiations between the European Union and
Azerbaijan. The New Neighbors initiative embraces Azerbaijan, Armenia
and Georgia, and all countries will enjoy the same approach. Yet
cooperation priorities will be different in each case, Prodi said.
The European Commission supports negotiations between presidents and
foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the Karabakh conflict
and hopes for settlement with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Prodi said. He said that the European Union will not interfere with the
dialog but it may assist the return of refugees and assistance to the
development of Azerbaijan and Armenia after the Karabakh settlement.
Baku wants close integration with European institutions, Azerbaijani
Prime Minister Artur Rasi-zade said at a Friday meeting with Prodi.
Azerbaijan is the only South Caucasian country, which has repaid $57
million in EU loans in full, he said.
The European Union is implementing over 25 joint projects in
Azerbaijan, primarily in the sphere of transport, telecommunications,
energy and foods.