Category: News

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Aug 5 2004
Syrian-Armenian Committee / Concluding
Erivan, Aug 5 ( SANA )

The Syrian-Armenian joint Committee for scientific , trade and
economic cooperation, chaired by Economic and Trade Minister Ghassan
al-Refaee and the Armenian Minister of Agriculture Davit Lokain,
Thursday ended its 3rd session in the Armenian capital Erivan.
The two sides discussed aspects of cooperation in the trade,
investment , banking and finance fields, and means of enhancing the
trade exchange between Syria and Armenia in the transport, industry,
petroleum and agrarian fields.
They signed a number of agreements on health, medical sciences,
communications, tourism and information services.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 5 2004
ILLEGAL DIAMOND, EMERALD TRADE CHANNEL SHUT IN BASHKIRIA
UFA, AUGUST 5 (RIA Novosti) – Operation of a criminal ring engaged
for a long time in illegal gemstones trade has been ended in
Bashkiria (federal republic in the southern Urals), the press service
of the FSB directorate for Bashkiria informed on Thursday.
According to the FSB, several residents of Sterlitamak arranged the
channel of delivery of diamonds and emeralds from fields in Siberia
and the Ural region.
The FSB has carried out the operation “check purchase”, placing its
agent as a wholesale buyer.
As a result, three persons have been detained, and natural diamonds
and an emerald (total weight 35 grammes, or 150 carats) were seized.
On fact of the illegal turnover the republican prosecutor’s office
has begun a criminal case.
Investigation has found that, alongside illegal trade in gemstones in
Bashkiria, the group arranged their transportation to the Krasnodar
region to be smuggled out to Armenia for cutting.
The criminals brought in gems themselves or through couriers. Their
close relatives were engaged in this or that way, selling gems or
securing the deals, the FSB press service said. The network
functioned smoothly for three years.

AzerNews
Aug 5 2004
Police thwart opposition picket

Some 30 members of the Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (WAPFP)
attempted to hold an action in front of the Foreign Ministry at about
noon on Monday protesting the participation of Armenian officers in
the NATO training sessions due in Baku in September. The action was
not sanctioned by the Mayor’s Office of Baku.
40 police officers prevented the protesters holding slogans, “Death
to aggressor”, “Respect for our state and nation”, “Take Armenian
criminals to international court”, from approaching the Ministry
building. The police also prevented the protesters from reading out a
declaration they adopted but allowed them to submit it to the
ministry. WAPFP initially intended to hold similar protest actions in
front of several ministries and embassies of NATO member-states in
Baku, including the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Poland,
Italy and Greece, before August 10.
The party members also plan to hold a picket in front of the Ministry
of Justice demanding that their party be registered.
Mayor sued
However, on Tuesday WAPFP postponed the protest actions for three
days. The party has sued Mayor of Baku Hajibala Abutalibov following
the refusal of the mayor’s office to sanction the actions. According
to the WAPFP deputy chairman Elchin Mirzabayli, the lawsuit was filed
to the Sabayil district court on the grounds that the Mayor violated
the provisions of the law on freedom of gatherings. Mirzabayli added
that the court does not issue a fair ruling, the party will continue
protest actions. WAPFP, founded early this year, along with two other
entities, the Popular Front Party “reformers” and the Popular Front
Party “classics”, considers itself the legal successor of the Popular
Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), which was chaired by the
ex-president of Azerbaijan Abulfaz Elchibay prior to his demise.
WAPFP is currently chaired by parliament member Gudrat Hasanguliyev.

ArmenPress
Aug 5 2004
SECRETARY GENERAL OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE REGRETTED ABOUT ELECTIONS IN
NAGORNO KARABAKH
STRASBOURG, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS: Referring to the previous call
by Council of Europe leaders to refrain from staging one-sided “local
self-government elections” in Nagorno-Karabakh, Walter Schwimmer,
Secretary General of the 45-nation Council of Europe, regretted that
elections would again be held in the province on 8 August 2004.
“One-sided actions are counter-productive. The future status of
Nagorno-Karabakh must be decided through negotiations”, said Mr.
Schwimmer, who confirmed that the Council of Europe fully supports
the efforts undertaken to this end by the “Minsk Conference” under
the auspices of the OSCE. “I further welcome the recently revived
contacts at the highest political level by Armenia and Azerbaijan to
find a peaceful solution to the conflict, as well as the efforts by
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to foster
parliamentary co-operation in the region”, added Mr. Schwimmer.

ArmenPress
Aug 5 2004
ARMENICUM WIDELY TESTED IN INDIA
YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenicum is considered the best
medicine against AIDs. One week ago it was massively tested in India,
Armenian defense minister Serj Sargssian said adding that the number
of people using the medicine totals to several dozen thousands in
India.
The minister noted that tests are over in Russia which passed
under the supervision of Russian Health Ministry. He voiced his hope
that by September Russia will also register the medicine. He said the
leading specialists in medical science prove the role and
significance of Armenicum.

ArmenPress
Aug 5 2004
AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY ISSUED A STATEMENT ON MILITARY EXERCISES IN
NKR
BAKU, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS: Azeri foreign ministry did not stay
indifferent to the military exercises conducted in Nagorno Karabakh
jointly with Armenian military force. The agency has come up with a
statement which says that the military exercises together with August
8 elections in Nagorno Karabakh are a “regular provocation” by
Armenia. The military exercises “strain the atmosphere” before the
participation of Armenian representatives in the upcoming NATO
military exercises in Azerbaijan.
“Not only the actions taken by Armenian side sharpen the situation
but create difficulties for the upcoming meeting of Armenian and
Azeri foreign ministers,” the statement says. “Once again the
military exercises indicate the aggression from the side of Armenia
and its desire to keep the issue of Nagorno Karabakh unresolved,”
Azeri foreign ministry concludes.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/05/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) US to Urge Georgia-Russia Rapprochement During Saakashvili Visit 2) Russian State Duma Adopts Anti-Georgian Statement 3) Iranian President on Baku Visit 4) Jordan's Prince Hassan Extends His Support to Catholicos Aram I 1) US to Urge Georgia-Russia Rapprochement During Saakashvili Visit WASHINGTON (AFP)--US Secretary of State Colin Powell and other top US officials are to press Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili this week for an easing in Georgia-Russian tensions, now inflamed over two separatist regions in the former Soviet republic, the State Department said. Powell will raise the issues of Abkhazia and South Ossetia when he meets with Saakashvili on Thursday, spokesman Richard Boucher said. The president, who is on a private trip to the United States, will also see officials from the US National Security Council and the Pentagon. "The Georgians and the Russians have had meetings and discussions about it, and we have certainly encouraged them all to try to work this out and reach arrangements that avoid raising tensions and avoid potential clashes between them," Boucher told reporters. Boucher spoke as the two countries appeared on war footing after Russia hinted it could resort to military action in response to a Tbilisi threat to open fire on vessels that "illegally" entered the Black Sea waters of Abkhazia and a top Russian lawmaker said he was shot at by Georgian troops while visiting South Ossetia. Russia's defense minister said Georgia's leaders were turning into "pirates" while the foreign ministry in Moscow described Saakashvili's policies were "unprecedented" and warned of a looming war. The 36-year-old US-educated Saakashvili has vowed to reunify his fractured republic since toppling the old administration in a peaceful "rose revolution" last year and has taken a dim of view of Russian involvement in his impoverished nation. He is coming to the United States to attend the annual convention of the American Bar Association in the US state of Georgia during which he will be awarded the group's Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative Award for promoting the rule of law in his country. 2) Russian State Duma Adopts Anti-Georgian Statement (Combined Sources)On August 5, the Russian State Duma unanimously adopted a special statement concerning "the deterioration of the situation in the Caucasus." The document reads, in particular, that there exists conditions of unending threats on the part of the Georgian leadership in regard to Russian citizens permanently residing in the territory of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and "there appear circumstances that infringe upon the Russian sovereignty." The Russian parliamentarians noted that the conflict in Georgia "is swiftly moving toward a large-scale military confrontation in the Caucasus." "Because of the Georgian leadership, the Russian Federation may be involved in it. In the event of the development of a military conflict, thousands of Russian citizens residing in the Caucasian region's republic might be involved," reads the document. The State Duma called upon the President and Government of Russia to help normalize the situation in areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and guarantee the security of Russian citizens living the regions. In responding to the Duma's statement, the Georgian Foreign Ministry noted that the Russian parliamentarians used "unacceptable terminology" and misrepresented facts. Responding to an August 4 threat issued by the Russian side concerning the use of water routes off the coast of Georgia, which stated that "any attempts to harm, or moreover, threaten the lives of Russian citizens would be duly repelled," the Georgian Foreign Ministry said that Abkhazia and its territorial waters enter the jurisdiction of Georgia, giving Georgia full right to establish control over the territories. 3) Iranian President on Baku Visit (BBC)--Iran's President Mohammad Khatami has arrived in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, for a two-day visit with Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev. The two will hold talks on Tehran-Baku relations, as well as cooperation at the regional and international levels, and are expected to sign a string of bilateral agreements aimed at bolstering economic, educational, and cultural co-operation between the two states. This is President Khatami's first ever visit to Azerbaijan, Iran's crucial strategic neighbor. The most important issues on the agenda will be regional security and disputed territorial rights over the oil-rich landlocked Caspian Sea. Although Azerbaijan and Iran's shared border runs across important oil reserves, the two countries share more than just a frontier. Nearly 20% of Iran's population are ethnic Azeris and Shia Islam is the dominant religion in both countries. Nevertheless, past relations have been frosty. Tehran has expressed concern over Baku's pro-Western stance, with Azerbaijan America's ally in the "war on terror" and Washington backing the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project in the region. For its part, Baku is worried about the possible spread of Islamic fundamentalism in Azerbaijan. Thus, few expect President Khatami's visit to bring major changes, although analysts say any co-operation with Iran is important for the security of this extremely fragile region. The two presidents are expected to issue separate joint statements on political issues and that of the Caspian Sea at the end of their meeting to be held later on in the day. 4) Jordan's Prince Hassan Extends His Support to Catholicos Aram I (Combined Sources)--On Tuesday, August 3, His Highness Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan--uncle of King Abdullah and brother of the deceased King Hussein--extended his condolences and support to His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of all Armenians of Cilicia, on the eve of the brutal church bombings that rocked Iraq over the weekend. In his letter, Prince Hassan noted, "The destruction of God's homes disturbed us all. The mischievous acts targeted not only Iraq, but also every single one of us. May God grant peace unto the souls of the innocent victims and immediate physical and spiritual recovery to the injured." Prince Hassan also stated that he stood in solidarity with the Catholicos's persistent efforts to build understanding amongst the Christian and Muslim peoples through peaceful and productive dialogue. Prince Hassan, who paid a visit to Aram Catholicos only two weeks ago, is scheduled to lecture on Christian-Muslim relations at the Antelias Seminar sometime during the upcoming weeks. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
August 5, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA CALLS ON WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS TO
PROTEST AZERBAIJANI THREATS AGAINST ARMENIA
— Senior Azerbaijani Defense Official
Calling for End to Armenia’s Existence
WASHINGTON, DC – In letters sent today to the White House and every
Member of Congress, the Armenian National Committee Of America
(ANCA) called for a forceful, public protest of open threats by a
senior Azerbaijani military official against the continued
existence of the Republic of Armenia.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported yesterday that
the chief spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, Colonel
Ramiz Melikov, stated publicly that, “within the next 25-years
there will exist no state of Armenia in the South Caucasus.” He
added that, “”Modern Armenia is built on historical Azerbaijani
lands. . . I think that in 25-30 years’ times its territory will
again come under Azerbaijan’s jurisdiction.” According to FRE/RL,
Melikov made these remarks to the Baku-based daily newspaper
“Zerkalo.”
In letters to each Congressional office, the ANCA noted that,
“these threats were not made by a professor, a columnist, or a
private Azerbaijani citizen. They were made – on the record in a
major publication – by the chief spokesperson for the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Defense.” In the ANCA letter to the White House,
Executive Director Aram Hamparian wrote that it would be a “grave
error for our government to dismiss these remarks as rhetoric, or
to address them solely through diplomatic channels. Rather, we
expect our government to forcefully and publicly confront the
Azerbaijani government over these patently hateful and
destabilizing threats. Failure to do so would send extremely
dangerous signals to Baku.”
For the full text of the RFE/RL report, visit:
54F-736F-4A52-A74C-A5CFAA15132F.ASP

MONETARY BASE TOTALED 106.3BLN. AMD IN JANUARY-JUNE, 2004
YEREVAN, AUGUST 3. ARMINFO. In January-June, 2004, Armenia’s monetary
base decreased by 10.4% and totaled 106.3bln. AMD. According to the
preliminary data of the Armenian CB, in June it increased by 2.3%.
In January-June, 2004, in the monetary base structure net external
assets decreased by 9.2%, and in June alone increased by 4%., totaling
139.7bln. AMD. The CB-set AMD/USD average exchange rate totaled
558.18 AMD/US $1 in Jan-June, 2004, and 543.90 AMD/US $1 in June
alone.
According to the CB, net internal assets remained negative and
decreased by 5.1%, and increased 9.9% in June alone, totaling 33.4bln
AMD. This is accounted for by a decrease in government liabilities by
31.5bln. AMD, to a negative level of 32.3bln. AMD, these increasing by
13.3% in June. As regards bank liabilities, they increased by 5.8% in
January-June, 2004, and by 97.8% in June alone, totaling
9.1bln. AMD. Other assets, remaining negative, decreased from
12.3bln. AMD to 10.2bln. AMD in January-June inclusive, which is by
57.4% higher than the indicator of May.
The CB’s monetary program for 2004 envisages a 9.1% average annual
increase in the monetary base and a 4.9% increase by the end of the
year.

HSBC BANK ARMENIA, CONVERSE BANK AND ARDSHININVESTBANK HAD LARGEST
LEVEL OF NET PROFIT DURING FIRST HALF OF 2004
YEREVAN, AUGUST 3. ARMINFO. HSBC Bank Armenia, Converse Bank and
Ardshininvestbank had the largest level of net profit during the first
half of 2004 – 964.9 mln drams, 852.9 mln drams and 551.9 mln drams
respectively. According to the ranking of commercial banks of Armenia
formed by specialists of ARMINFO on the basis of financial reports of
commercial banks and data provided by the banks, Armeconombank ranks
the fourth as regards this showing – 526.6 mln drams, and the
Armsavingsbank ranks the fifth – 417.7 mln drams. At the same time as
regards the level of efficiency of investments the INECOBANK is in the
lead, then follow the Converse Bank, Armeconombank, Ardshininvestbank,
Anelik Bank, ACBA and Unibank.
Thus, the share of net profit in the assets (ROA) of the INECOBANK
totaled 4.21%, of the Converse Bank – 2.78%, Armeconombank 2.43%,
Ardshininvestbank 2.06%, Anelik Bank 2.02%, ACBA 1.74% and Unibank
1.45%. The Converse Bank is in the lead as regards the showing of net
profit in the capital (ROE) – 21.49%, then follow HSBC Bank Armenia –
17.91%, INECOBANK 17.59%, Armeconombank 15.37%, Armsavingsbank 13.51%,
Ardshininvestbank 13.14%, Anelik Bank 12.23% and Artsakhbank
8.78%. Noteworthy, the indices of the Anelik bank include the data of
the Moscow branch, which was reorganized to Daughter Bank Anelik RU in
Dec 2003.
Total net surplus of the banking system of Armenia was 4.320 bln drams
during the first half of 2004. According to data of 19 banks, 16 banks
had worked with profit, their total net surplus was 5.020 bln drams. 3
banks completed the accounting period with losses, which totaled
699.287 mln drams.
During the first half of 2004 the total capital of the banking system
grew by 11.4% – from 50.024 bln drams to 55.729 bln drams. In this
period, as regards the showing of replenishment of the total capital
the Armenian Development Bank is in the lead (40.18%), then follow
Areximbank (39.89%), Armsavingsbank (19.11%), Converse Bank (17.59%)
and INECOBANK (16.04%).
During the first half of 2004 assets of the banking system increased
by 11.19% – from 287.2 bln drams to 319.3 bln drams, which was
accounted for by the growth of provision of crediting and investments
in STBs. Volume of real provision of crediting increased by 14.17% –
from 125.0 bln drams to 142.7 bln drams, making up 44.69% out of the
assets. By July 1, 2004 the share of the credits to legal entities
made up 54.13% in total provision of crediting or 77.3 bln drams,
increasing by 13.54% during the first half of 2004. The largest level
of crediting of legal entities has been provided by the Armsavingsbank
– 11.3 bln drams, Converse Bank 10.8 bln drams, Ardshininvestbank 8.6
bln drams, Artsakhbank 5.7 bln drams, Armimpexbank 5.1 bln drams ACBA
4.5 bln drams, Anelik Bank 4.2 bln drams, Armeconombank 4.1 bln drams
and ADB 3.1 bln drams. As regards the volume of crediting to natural
persons the ACBA is in the lead (9.6 bln drams), Ardshininvestbank
ranks the second (5.9 bln drams) and Armeconombank (5.7 bln drams). In
the structure of assets during the first half the volume of funds in
correspondent accounts in the banks decreased – from 68.6 bln drams to
68.1 bln drams, the share of which int he assets decreased from 23.9%
to 21.3%.
In Jan-June the investments in state loan bonds increased by 16.82%,
reaching 36.5 bln drams by July 1, 2004. The most growth were provided
by the Armsavingsbank (196.51%), Anelik Bank (143.66%), Unibank
(94.11%), ACBA (85.32%) and Ardshininvestbank (66.78%). By the way, 6
banks out of 19 reduced their investments in state securities in the
period under review, in particular, Areximbank reduced by 88.99%,
Arminvestbank – by 75.98%, ADB 36.5%, Converse Bank 14.59%, ITB 10.2%
and Mellat bank – 3.27%.
According to the data of 19 banks of the country, total liabilities of
the banking system, increasing by 11.15% reached 263.6 bln drams by
July 1, 2004. In their structure fixed deposits increased by 4.64%,
totalling 84.1 bln drams or 31.88% in total liabilities.
The share of the total capital of the banking system in GDP (600 bln
drams – by July 1, 2004) totaled 9% (55.7 bln drams), the assets- 53%
(319.3 bln drams), and the volume of provision of crediting – 24%
(142.7 bln drams). By Jan 1, 2004 these indices made up 3%, 18% and 8%
respectively.