Category: News

2005 BUDGET FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
02 Dec 04
The November 29 meeting of the NKR government was devoted to the chief
financial document of the country. Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian
briefly spoke about the results of the telethon in Los Angeles and
congratulated the participants of the meeting for this unprecedented
success. A. Danielian mentioned that the results were beyond all the
expectations and for the first time more than 11 million US dollars
was donated, which will allow to increase the length of the
`North-South’ highway. The prime minister of NKR thanked all the
participants of the telethon, the Diasporans, the population of
Armenia and Artsakh, the foundation `Hayastan’, all the state and
public organizations which assisted to the campaign of donations, and
stated that owing to unity they will maintain the victory in war in
the country’s economy as well. During the meeting Anoushavan Danielian
stressed the decisive role of NKR president Arkady Ghukassian in the
successful organization of the telethon and the record results. The
NKR minister of finance and economy Spartak Tevossian presented the
project of the NKR State Budget 2005. Analyzing the points included in
the documents the minister stated that the budget of the coming year
will be financed 100 per cent. According to the project, the
consolidated budget income in 2005 will total 7053.4 million drams
(excluding the interstate loan). The 2005 budget will provide for an
expenditure of 14864.3 million drams. Budget deficit will total
14864.3 million drams. Both the income and expenditure of community
budgets will total 1186.0 million drams. Thus, the NKR state budget
income will total 6 billion 460 million drams, and the expenditure
will total 21 billion 325 million drams against 15 billion 249 million
140 thousand of the previous year. The sum of the interstate loan
provided to NKR annually will total 13 billion 636 million 600
thousand drams. Spartak Tevossian pointed out that the anticipated
income will enable significant economic and social growth in almost
all the spheres. The rates of production growth will surpass the level
of the previous years, export of goods will increase. In the sphere of
business the government will continue wide-scale assistance to small
and medium-size business by legislative, tax, loan and economic
undertakings. According to the minister, the budget will have a mainly
social orientation. Special attention will be paid to the spheres of
industry, agriculture, building, social security, health care,
education and culture. In 2005 the salaries of teachers will be raised
by 65 per cent and salaries of health workers by 39 per
cent. Promotion of salaries is expected in the sphere of culture as
well. The budget of the coming year will provide considerable
expenditure for improvement of social conditions of the population
(particularly the pensioners and the disabled). Spartak Tevossian
emphasized that the government will pursue the implementation of
economic reforms directed at creation of jobs, improvement of the
quality of life, implementation of programs of economic and strategic
role for the country. Presenting his observations on the budget of
the year 2005, the prime minister of NKR Anoushavan Danielian stressed
its importance in further economic and social development and
mentioned that it will be directed at activation of the population
economically. The prime minister stated that by maintaining the
existing rates of growth and pursuing the economic and social reforms
it will be possible to achieve tangible progress in the new
year. According to Anoushavan Danielian, the 2005 budget will be a
starting point for implementation of wide-scale programs in the
republic. And maintaining the high rates of economic growth achieved
in 2003-2004 will result in the growth of people’s incomes and thereby
the general improvement of the quality of life of the population. He
mentioned that the state budget of 2005 will enable considerable
development in all the spheres of life, thereby promoting the
country’s economy several steps ahead. The members of government
approved the budget for discussion in the National Assembly. During
the meeting of the government decisions were madeon other questions
most of which referred to tax reforms. The government approved the NKR
bill on `Minimum Monthly Salary’ which maintains the minimum monthly
salary of 15 thousand drams. By another decision of the Executive the
monthly benefit of disabled children will increase from 3 to 6
thousand drams. The government also approved the 2005 social security
plan for the disabled.
AA.
02-12-2004

T. TOROSSIAN: `FOREIGNERS JUDGE BY THE SITUATION’
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
02 Dec 04
The head of the Armenian delegation in the PACE, the vice speaker of
the National Assembly of Armenia Tigran Torossian expresses his
viewpoint on the draft report of David Atkinson, the new reporter on
Karabakh in the Political Committee of the PACE. Mr. Torossian, how
would you comment on the fact that Atkinson presented his draft report
without a single visit to the region. You had personally suggested him
visiting Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan and Mr. Atkinson accepted
your suggestion. However, he did not have any visits. Why? – I met
Mr. Atkinson in London on November 15 and told him we were
dissatisfiedas after his appointment as a reporter he has never had
any meetings in Karabakh, Yerevan, Baku. Moreover, he has not met with
the co-chairmen of the Minsk Group, as well as the delegates of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. Whereas, he was offered to carry out
continuous work on the project. Besides, still at the September
meeting of the committee I proposed him to take into consideration my
suggestion made earlier in March, that is organize a round-table
meeting onthe issue with the participation of the representatives of
Nagorni Karabakh. By the way, Atkinson accepted my suggestion, whereas
Davis noticed with doubt that it would hardly be effective especially
that a similar attempt had been made already which, according to him,
failed. Although I tried to relieve their doubts saying that I would
guarantee correctness and willingness on the part of the participants
from Nagorni Karabakh and Armenia, and the rest was up to Azerbaijan,
of course, the meeting was not organized. Why was not this suggestion
accepted? Both during the meeting of the committee and the meeting
with Atkinson before that it became clear for me that there is,
nevertheless, a great wish to present the question at the January
session and there are no possibilities for changing anything. – The
Armenian delegation in the PACE managed tomake 7 changes in the draft
document. Nevertheless, during a press conference you mentioned that
there are still several points which are not favourable for Armenians.
I would like you to comment on these. – The wording to be argued
against are the following. In the first point there is a statement
that `separatist forces’ continue to control the territory of Nagorni
Karabakh. In fact, from the legal aspect this will not have any
consequences, however, it has a psychological aspect as well. Because,
as I have mentioned at the committee, this is an insult to the
Armenian nation, and especially the people of Nagorni Karabakh for
separatist forces may be at any place but they are usually few in
number. Whereas, the entire population of Nagorni Karabakh is
standing for the defence of its fair claim. This was proved by polls
of public opinion and the referendum, as well as the decisions made by
all the international organizations. Therefore, if this statement is
not changed, people will identify the Council of Europe with the
Soviet Union, which is not, of course, desirable. Another point states
that the Assembly reasserts that the independence and separation from
a state may be achieved only through a legal and peaceful process
based on the democratic assistance of the inhabitants of the given
territory and not through the wave of armed confrontation which
results in ethnic cleansing and de facto annexation of this area by
another state. The first part of this statement is obviously
favourable for us because the Karabakh movement began in exactly this
way, through democratic processes when the population of the area
expressed its opinion. At that time it was the decision of the
parliament of the region, the public opinion poll, many protest
meetings, and later the referendum for independence. That is to say,
the first part of the sentence is very important because if it is
maintained, we will later acquire basis for detailed presentation of
the matter and making our viewpoint fully comprehensible. In the last
part it is said, not through the wave of armed confrontation. Of
course, none of us wished an armed conflict. The settlement of the
problem through an armed conflict was attempted by Azerbaijan, and
everybody knows this. But there is a disagreeable mentioning of ethnic
cleansing and de facto annexation ofan area by another country. I
think, similar statements are disagreeable. My suggestion was putting
a full stop after the words `and not throughthe wave of armed
confrontation.’ Naturally, all the possible ways of omitting or
changing all the formulations that are not agreeable and favourable
for Armenia and improving the resolution should be put to use. But I
must also say that it will not be a tragedy if the resolution is
passed in its present form. -May we say that the report with all its
unfavourable points for Armenia will not have a practical effect upon
the settlement of the NK issue. – This document does not impose
anything. It may have a certain influence on the public opinion and
not more. After all, the practical in this resolution is the appeals
to Armenia and Azerbaijan to put an end to hostility, find ways of
cooperation, etc. That is to say, from the practical viewpoint there
is nothing dangerous there. On the contrary, I think, it may have only
positive results. For example, the document says that the
Parliamentary Assembly appeals to the Minsk Group co-chairmen to take
steps for conducting the free talks rapidly. Or, it is mentioned in
the resolution that efforts will be made to organize meetings in
Strasbourg where Nagorni Karabakh will also be represented. And I
think it will be more favourable for us. – Despite all the favourable
points enumerated by you the document is on the whole unfavourable for
Armenia. Whereas, in 1992 Atkinson presented a document of a
completely different character where it is statedthat the Armenians of
Karabakh cannot live within Azerbaijan taking into accountthe policy
of that country. What is, in your opinion, the reason for the changeof
standpoint 12 years later? – An important question, indeed. On
November 15 I, of course, presented that document to him and made
references to the document at the political committee. However, we
must take into account that the situation in 2004 is different from
the situation in 1992. That is to say, when Nagorni Karabakh was
bombed in 1992, almost everybody was beside Nagorni Karabakh because
what happened was really inhuman. And in your mentioned document it is
stated as well that Azerbaijan undertook a military aggression. And
there is even a question whether after all this it is correct to speak
about Nagorni Karabakh being within Azerbaijan. However important and
painful it is for us, we must recognize that foreigners judge by the
situation. And presently the so-called victim for them is neither
Karabakh, nor Armenia but Azerbaijan.- Actually, Azerbaijan has
completely changed its tactics replacing the role of aggressor by that
of a victim, the results of which are favourable for it.- What does
the Armenian side do? – Azerbaijan has adopted a new tactics. They try
to take certain steps in all directions, be active, get hold of
certain documents. However, no practical steps can be made in
reference to the problem. We must not forget that neither the PACE,
nor the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the UN are to solve the
problem. Everybody knows that the settlement will be sought for in the
framework of the Minsk Group. And I am sure that they tryto get to
these documents first of all for internal use. Because Ilham Aliev is
the son of Heidar Aliev but he is not Heidar Aliev. Of course, he
wants to have influence on his country in the way and to the extent
his father had and the best question to manipulate for this purpose is
the problem of Karabakh. After all, it is obvious that a lot of
falsifications are made to have certain influence on their people
inside Azerbaijan. Here are two small examples. The Azerbaijani side
had made only one change in the draft project, whereas the Azerbaijani
press wrote about 15 changes, which is utterly false. In October when
a resolution was adopted on the implementation of obligations by
Armenia and Azerbaijan, they wrote that the PACE had given strict
evaluation of the both countries whereas it referred to Azerbaijan
only. This is, I think, anotherwave from Azerbaijan. It is another
thing if Azerbaijan changes its tactics; we will also reconsider our
steps. I must say that Azerbaijan uses all its potential in this
direction and I do not think it is not possible to find good solutions
in this situation. It is not so absolutely. Life shows that when we
concentrate our possibilities and work efficiently the results do not
wait long. In this respect our delegation in the PACE needs wide
assistance. We already have an arrangement with the foreign minister
of Armenia Vardan Oskanian about assistance. And I hope that
everything will be done and we shall not have any obstacles for the
fair settlement of the problem of Nagorni Karabakh. â=80` The
oppositionist press in Armenia recently has been circulating the
viewpoint that under foreign pressure Armenia will make unilateral
concession of territories. What is your opinion? – There will never be
unilateral concessions because there is a principal question – how the
question will be solved, stage by stage or the package solution will
be chosen? The answer was given long ago. No one can concede anything
without seeing the aim. And in the case of Armenia I am sure that it
will not happen. And those who speak about pressure should rather do
real work displaying at home and abroad that in reference to the
problem of Karabakh among all the political forces in Armenia,
oppositionist or no, and generally among the Armenian nation, there is
unity.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
02-12-2004

DENTAL CENTER AT ASU
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
02 Dec 04
The dental center provided with modern equipment has been operating at
Artsakh State University for three months already. On November 26 the
official opening of the dental center took place. In his address vice
rector Artem Abrahamian mentioned that the dream of ASU to have a
dental center at last came true, for which he thanked the rector of
the university. During his visit to Iran last year the rector of the
university Hamlet Grigorian managed to obtain modern dental equipment
with the help of the Union of Armenian Doctors of Iran. According to
him, education in any field must be practical. The center has three
dentist chairs, x-ray apparatus. Three doctors provide dental service
with the participation of students. The center provides free dental
care to students. Lecturers are given 50 per cent discount. The
dental center may admit also a limited number of other patients.
AA.
02-12-2004

National Assembly of RA
30 Nov 2004
Shavarsh Kocharyan’s Press Conference
The topic of November 30-press conference of Shavarsh Kocharyan was the
history of Armenian democracy in the 90s and today. The opposition MP sees
the necessity of estimating the process of democracy, taking into
consideration its regression.
He presented the journalists his estimations on the former USSR republics.
As he, said the wave of democratization went back in 5 Middle Asian
countries, leaving space to authoritarian system. In the opinion of the
speaker, today a mixed system of authoritarianism and totalitarianism is
dominating also in Belarus, but conditioned by geographical position and
other activities, he thinks that the power of Alexander Lukashenko will not
last long. Georgia overcame the obstacles against the democracy by
“revolution of roses,” and the current process of Ukraine the deputy also
finds to be progressive. According to Shavarsh Kocharyan, the democratic
processes in Armenia and Azerbaijan are under a question. He considers this
a very painful fact, as at the beginning the world pinned big hopes with
Armenia. After the collapse of the USSR there were four countries (Baltic
countries and Armenia), which were initially directed to go through
democratic way. But Armenia has deviated from that way, said the deputy, and
appeared in a position, when having no alternatives, is contradicted to the
democratic values. Shavarsh Kocharyan noted that Russia does not always
speak for Armenia in the issues of strategic importance. The opposition MP
also thinks that our country is now in isolated situation,”in the aspect of
Karabakh we’ve reached to a point that it’s difficult to imagine what to do
next.”
The only way of coming out of the situation is to establish democracy, Mr.
Kocharyan believes. All this must be taken into distinct consideration and a
social order to be set up directed to all this, said Shavarsh Kocharyan.
Democracy is not only related to opposition, says Shavarsh Kocharyan.

The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 2 2004
Georgia benefits from Ukraine’s revolution
Over the last week the Georgian administration has declared its
position regarding the political turmoil in Ukraine, including
obvious statements in support of the opposition by Parliament, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mayor’s Office and even an allusion
by President Mikheil Saakashvili that the country is proud to see
other countries in the region following Georgia’s example.
In a comment published by the International Herald Tribune on
Tuesday, Saakashvili signed off noting that Georgians “also see that
the message of our revolution – that democracy is universal and can
be successful in post-Soviet states – is widely spreading in the
region.”
His political opponents have begun speculating that the Georgian
revolutionary leader has been contaminated with ‘Trotsky’ and ‘Che
Guevara’ illness and wants to export revolution. Leaders of the Labor
Party say that it would have been better for Georgia not to openly
assert its sympathies so as not to irritate Russia.
But Russia’s increasingly obvious meddling in another country’s
presidential election have backfired not only in Kiev but have also
drawn greater attention to Moscow’s inclination to interfere into
neighboring countries’ affairs, including Georgia’s. Tbilisi’s
current support for the opposition, and for democratic norms like
fair elections, serves to increase this attention.
Russia under Putin has drifted farther from democracy and is
gradually backing away from democratic reforms. It continues to
export its own administrative model to neighboring countries so as to
exercise its influence in post-Soviet countries. But already there is
a tradition of notable failures. In Serbia Russia supported Milosevic
yet he lost. In the last two months Russia has supported Khadjimba in
the Abkhaz presidential elections, and Yanukovich in Ukraine’s; but
in both cases popular support has been expressed for another
candidate; and there is the suggestion that support for Baghapsh and
Yushchenko is partly due to Moscow’s interference.
Although in Georgia one year ago Russia did not openly support
Shevardnadze, it did demonstrate its staunch support for Aslan
Abashidze. Within months Saakashvili was hailed as a hero in Batumi
and Abashidze was on a plane retreating to Moscow. Here too,
undemocratic interests in Russia lost.
The Georgian political establishment is trying to foresee future
developments in Ukraine and its impact on Georgia. Some forecast that
2005 will be very difficult year for Georgia no matter what: if the
Orange Revolution in Ukraine fails to materialize, it will equate to
a victory of Russian neo-imperialism and Georgia may become the
target of Russia’s next attack. If Yushchenko wins, some Georgians
worry that Russian imperialist forces will try to take revenge on
Georgia to compensate for their failure in Ukraine.
While Russia meddles, Georgia has taken a remarkably prudent approach
to elections in Abkhazia. The Tbilisi administration has taken very
wise steps from the very beginning, ufficials refusing to comment and
withholding statements even when the situation began to boil over.
Such an approach deprived neo-imperialists in Russia of the ability
to speculate on Georgia’s threat to Abkhazia.
Until recently Russia has demonstrated ‘skilled’ experience in
supporting separatism in South Ossetia and Abkhazia (Georgia),
Transdnestr (Moldova) and Karabakh (Azerbaijan). Recent events
indicate that policy managers for these regimes are losing their
grip. The worry in Ukraine is that Russia is increasingly desperate
and determined to prove that it can still influence satellites as it
did two decades ago.
Of course the best development for Georgia is the victory of
Ukrainian democracy, which will open the way for this country into
European integration and accelerate Georgia’s movement toward Europe
as well. This will facilitate further close collaboration between two
countries keen on European integration.
It will have inevitable repercussions for other post-Soviet states
too; and even in Russia questions will be asked about how long a
country can stand against the desire for genuine democracy.

OSCE mediator sees UN debates on Karabakh as Azerbaijan’s “mistake”
Azadliq, Baku
1 Dec 04

Text of unattributed report by Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq on 1
December headlined “The Minsk Group blames Azerbaijan for making a
mistake” and subheaded “Yuriy Merzlyakov explains his opinion by
Azerbaijan’s refusal to accept the suggested resolution”
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairman from Russia, Yuriy Merzlyakov, has
clarified some issues about the details of the resolution on Nagornyy
Karabakh submitted to the UN General Assembly for discussion on 23
November. It became known that the co-chairmen [from the USA, France
and Russia] who failed to prevent the discussions attempted to include
an alternative resolution in the agenda of the UN General Assembly.
However, official Baku opposed this demand.
“We submitted an alternative resolution to Azerbaijan four days before
the UN General Assembly discussions. Disagreeing with this, Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov insisted that the resolution submitted by
Azerbaijan should be put on the agenda. However, Azerbaijan did not
admit that it made a mistake by submitting its resolution for
discussion,” he said.
Saying that the meeting was confidential, Merzlyakov declined to
disclose the content of the draft they had put forward. The
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry did not declare either which resolution
the talk was about.
The head of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry press service, Matin
Mirza, said that there could be a certain resolution which Merzlyakov
spoke about. However, this proposal was unofficial.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

L’Expansion
1 décembre 2004
Arménie; Les patrons de la diaspora financent le réveil arménien
par Jean-Luc Barberi, à Erevan
Place de la République, à Erevan, une statue de Kirk Kerkorian,
enfant du pays et milliardaire américain, remplacera-t-elle un jour
celle de Lénine, abattue en 1991 lorsque l’Arménie est devenue
indépendante? Ce ne serait que justice. Car ce self-made-man
californien de 87 ans, capitaliste intraitable, roi de Las Vegas et
ancien gros actionnaire de DaimlerChrysler, dépense sans compter pour
embellir la capitale arménienne.
Par le biais de sa fondation Lincy, cet ancien laveur de carreaux
devenu la trente-troisième fortune des Etats-Unis a offert 170
millions de dollars en dix ans pour rénover les infrastructures du
pays. Il est loin d’être le seul. Si Erevan (1,2 million d’habitants)
va mieux, c’est notamment grce à la mobilisation de l’importante
diaspora arménienne – 3,5 millions de personnes dans le monde. Au
total, plusieurs dizaines de millions de dollars ont été récoltés
depuis une dizaine d’années. Et ça se voit. La plupart des centres
culturels, des thétres et des écoles de la capitale ont été rénovés
grce aux dons des patrons expatriés. Leurs fonds servent aussi à
financer de gros travaux d’infrastructures, comme l’actuelle
réfection des canalisations. Quant à Kerkorian, c’est lui qui a payé
la remise en état de la voirie et de l’éclairage du centre-ville. Un
changement majeur, rappelle un habitant, car, «voilà seulement quatre
ans, il n’y avait pas de lumière dans les rues.»
Aznavour et Alain Manoukian
Tout comme Kirk Kerkorian, Louise Manoogian Simone, présidente de
l’Union générale arménienne de bienfaisance (Ugab), basée à New York,
pilote la collecte de fonds aux Etats-Unis. Albert Boyadjian, roi du
pain industriel, et Hrayr Hovnanian, une pointure de l’informatique,
sont des contributeurs réguliers, comme l’Anglais Vatche Manoukian,
qui a facilité l’installation d’une filiale de la Banque HSBC. Tous
s’activent pour donner du tonus aux affaires de ce petit pays
caucasien de 3,6 millions d’habitants. Les Français ne sont pas en
reste. Parmi eux, le chanteur Charles Aznavour, bien sûr. «Beaucoup
de bienfaiteurs donnent par l’intermédiaire de notre association»,
rappelle Pierre Terzian, patron de la revue Pétrostratégies et
président du Fonds arménien de France. Le couturier Alain Manoukian
et le fabricant de lunettes Alain Mikli ont rejoint en 2003 les 13
000 familles françaises qui ont versé 1,5 million d’euros pour que
renaisse la «mère patrie».

Hovnanian plans to sell $300 million in notes
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 15 (Reuters) – Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. <_HOV.N_ (aol://4785:HOV/) >, a homebuilder, said on Monday it had agreed to
issue $200 million in senior notes and another $100 million in senior
subordinated notes.
The Red Bank, New Jersey-based company said it planned to use the
proceeds of the offerings to repay current debt and for other
unspecified corporate purposes.
11/15/04 17:08 ET
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
02 décembre 2004
Exposition-vente
Artisanat russe, avec l’association « Droujba », de 14 h à 19 h, à
l’hôtel de ville, jusqu’à samedi, ainsi qu’une exposition de photos
sur « L’Arménie, 3000 ans d’histoire, et la Lituanie, de la
mythologie à l’Union européenne ». Renseignements au 05.49.47.65.88.
Conférences
– « L’Arménie à l’épreuve des siècles », par Jean-Pierre Mahé, membre
de l’Institut, à 17 h 30, à l’hôtel de ville, salle du Blason, place
du Maréchal-Leclerc. Renseignements au 05.49.47.65.88.

SLOVAKIAN PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
BRATISLAVA, December 1 (Noyan Tapan). On November 30, the National
Assembly of Slovakia recognized the Armenian Genocide with the
overwhelming majority of votes. This information was provided by NT’s
correspondent in Bratislava.
According to the approved resolution, the National Assembly of
Slovakia recognizes and condemns the 1915 Armenian Genocide in Ottoman
Turkey, whose victims were “hundreds of thousands” of Armenians, as
the crime againt humanity.
The Slovakian parliament also touched upon the issue of Turkey’s
membership in the European Union, giving assurance that it is possible
only in case of Turkey’s fulfillment of the following preliminary
conditions: the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, lifting of
blockade on Armenia, the removal of the article from the Criminal Code
of the country, which foresees criminal punishment for statements
about the Armenian Genocide and the necessity of the withdrawal of the
Turkish troops from Cyprus; respect for the rights of the national
minorities in the country.
The Slovakian parliament faced strong obstacles of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the country for the approval of the decision on the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress