Category: News

ARKA News Agency
July 27 2004
Armenian-Thai cooperation has big potential
‘HART’ GB Missionary Association to provide NKR population with the
humanitarian aid
A co-operation program till 2007 signed between the Georgian and
Armenian ministries of Science and Education
The representatives of Caucasus Europe News journal arrived in
Stepanakert
A building in the center of Yerevan, where the office of ARKA News
Agency is located, de-energized for about 4 hours
20-year-old Cadet of RA Military Institute breaks the previous
Guiness record when doing an exercise with rising and overturning on
a horizontal bar
RA PM and Georgian President discuss possibility of opening
Tbilisi-Gyumri-Kars railway
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN-THAI COOPERATION HAS BIG POTENTIAL
YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. Armenian-Thai cooperation has big potential
that must be developed, the Head of Deputy Group of Friendship
Thailand-Armenia, Senator Sanit Kulcharoen stated today at the press
conference. According to him, it first of considers trade, industry,
tourism and culture links. He said that after return of Thai
delegation in Bangkok, its members will start works on development of
the Agreement on cooperation. He expressed hope that all necessary
documents will be prepared by the end of the year and during December
visit of Armenian delegation in Thailand, the agreements between the
countries will receive legal base.
According to Thai Senator, today Armenia and Thailand have two joint
ventures on production of jewellery. At this he also added that
representatives of Armenian community of Thailand consisting of 40
families are basically employed in diamond processing and jewellery
production spheres.
Deputy Group of Friendship Thailand-Armenia visited Armenia on July
21-27, headed by Senator Sanit Kulcharoen. Representatives of
delegation met with RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian, members of
parliament group of friendship from Armenia, Foreign Minister,
Minister of Trade and Economic Development. L.D. –0 –
*********************************************************************
HART’ GB MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE NKR POPULATION WITH THE
HUMANITARIAN AID
YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan received a
delegation at the head of Baroness Caroline Cox, the Vice- Speaker of
the House of Lords of GB Parliament. As ARKA was informed in the main
news department adjunct to NKR President, the baroness noted with
satisfaction that positive changes in the area of formation of a true
democratic and civil society and restoration of housing complexes
destroyed during the war have taken place in the republic since her
last visit to NKR. She expressed her profound respect to NKR people
and their achievements on the way to their independence. At that, as
she said, `HART’ Missionary Association was founded by her with the
headquarters in GB and the USA, which will implement programs on
humanitarian aid to peoples of different countries of the world,
including NKR.
In his turn NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan expressed his gratitude to
the baroness for her permanent attention to NKR, and active
participation in the efforts of NKR people to form a modern
democratic state. He expressed her belief that understanding of a
fair position of the people and the Government of NKR regarding the
main principles of the conflict settlement by Cox has its objective
input in formation of an adequate attitude to the gist of the problem
and the ways of its settlement in the eyes of world community. A.H.
–0–
*********************************************************************
A CO-OPERATION PROGRAM TILL 2007 SIGNED BETWEEN THE GEORGIAN AND
ARMENIAN MINISTRIES OF SCIENCE AND EDUCATION
YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. A co-operation program till 2007 was signed
between the Georgian and Armenian ministries of Science and
Education. According to RA President’s Press Service and Public
Relations Department, the program was signed in the frames of two-day
official visit of RA Prime-Minister Andranik Margaryan to Georgia.
A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF CAUCASUS EUROPE NEWS JOURNAL ARRIVED IN
STEPANAKERT
STEPANAKERT, July 27. /ARKA/. The Director of Caucasus Europe News
(CEN) journal Selia Shoffur and Deputy Director Francois Gremi
arrived in Stepanakert. As Shoffur stated to ARKA’s reporter in
Stepanakert, the goal of the visit was to collect information about
Nagorno-Karabakh, as CEN is going to inform of the processes in the
countries of South Caucasus under the title `A Glance at East’. `We
decided to come and to see everything by ourselves, since we have too
little information about NKR’, she said. The guests met the
representatives of the Government as well as reporters, visited
Shushi, the regions of the republic, and talked with the citizens of
Stepanakert.
Caucasus Europe News is a journal covering events in the Caucasus and
is published in French, English and Russian. It studies key issues in
the South Caucasus, i.e. formation of civil society, settlement of
conflicts, co-operation of the region with EU. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
A BUILDING IN THE CENTER OF YEREVAN, WHERE THE OFFICE OF ARKA NEWS
AGENCY IS LOCATED, DE-ENERGIZED FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS
YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. For about 4 hours a building in the center
of Yerevan (1/3 Byuzand str), where the office of ARKA News Agency is
located was de-energized. As it was informed in the representative
office of Electric Supply Network, it was caused by a damage on
servicing sub-station. However, according to the staff of Electric
Supply Network, because of garbage heaps the access to the
sub-station was blocked and it made impossible to resume the supply
of electric power. To many telephone calls and demands to eliminate
the damage Electric Supply Network staff gave a laconic answer:
`Cleaning of garbage is not our duty’.
Meanwhile, in Sanochistka CJSC office organizing cleaning of garbage
they said that all garbage cleaning cars were busy. The staff of the
organization assured that as soon as they had a free car, they would
send it to the sub-station. However, at about 4:20 p.m. the electric
supply of the building was resumed. Electricians managed to get to
the sub-station through the heaps of garbage and eliminate the
damage.
It should be mentioned that the electric power supply was
periodically interrupted for the last 3 years in the above mentioned
building. At that, the reason as a rule was the same: garbage was
accumulated in front of the sub-station and made an obstacle to the
staff of Electric Supply Network to get into the sub-station to do
works there. A.H.–0–
*********************************************************************
20- YEAR-OLD CADET OF RA MILITARY INSTITUTE BREAKS THE PREVIOUS
GUINESS RECORD WHEN DOING AN EXERCISE WITH RISING AND OVERTURNING ON
A HORIZONTAL BAR
YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. 20- year-old Cadet Zarzand mkhitaryan, who
is in his 3rd year in Military Institute after Vazgen Sargsyan of RA
Ministry of Defense, broke the previous Guiness record when doing an
exercise with rising and overturning on a horizontal bar. The
resident of Pshatavan Armenian village in Armavir region of Armenia
made 1050 overturns within 2 hours and 48 minutes. On the average,
the cadet made about 6 overturns per minute. Thus, Mkhitaryan broke
the previous record of a Russian pupil whos record was 1013
overturns. According toSeiran Arakelyan, the Deputy Trainer of the
institute, in his 1st year in the Institute Mkhitaryan couldn’t do
the exercise at all, however due to his will and hard work achieved
brilliant results. The cadet told reporters that spent only two
months for breaking the record. `First I wanted to be the first in
the Institute, then I wanted to become the first in Armenia and then
to break a world record’, he said.
Vardan Tovmasyan, the Chairman of the Commission on registering
Guiness records in Armenia said that within a week the tape with the
results will be sent to London for the consideration by an
appropriate committee. According to him, the final reply about
registering Mkhitaryan in the book of Guiness is expected within 1-2
months. Tovmasyan also informed that since 1970 Armenians already for
5 times were registered in the book of Guiness.
The representatives of RA Ministry of Defense, local prefecture,
teachers from military institute, the press and other guests were
present on the ceremony of doing the exercise to be registered in the
book of Guiness. Mkitaryan was encouraged already for 28 times for
diligence, physical and combatant training and progress in studies.
A.H.–0–
*********************************************************************
RA PM AND GEORGIAN PRESIDENT DISCUSS POSSIBILITY OF OPENING
TBILISI-GYUMRI-KARS RAILWAY
YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. RA PM Andranik Margarian and Georgian
President Mikhail Sahakashvili discussed possibility of opening of
Tbilis-Gyumri-Kars railway. As RA Government Public and Press
Relations Department told ARKA, during the meeting Margarian stressed
that the operation of this railway will allow the countries of the
region to be included in the regional economic projects on more fully
level, particularly in the EU run TRACECA and INOGATE. The Armenian
PM also mentioned that RA was interested in the development of
Armenian-Georgian partnership between two countries in the
implementation of the regional programs.
As it is mentioned in the press release during the meeting the Head
of the Armenian Government expressed a confidence that the
centuries-old friendship between two peoples as well as the high
level of confidence between them enable them to develop and
strengthen relations of good neighbors between RA and Georgia that is
important for the regional security. T.M. -0–

PanArmenian News
July 27 2004
BRITISH PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION TO ASSIST NAGORNO KARABAKH PEOPLE
YEREVAN MAYOR TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL FORUM IN MOSCOW
BAKU WISHES TO KNOW WHICH QUESTION BESIDES TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE
BUILDING OF BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE CEASED IN GEORGIA DUE TO
POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
AZERBAIJAN POPULAR FRONT PARTY WILL NOW PROTEST AGAINST ARMENIANS
PARTICIPATION IN NATO EXERCISES IN BAKU
ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN COMMITTED SUICIDE IN PENZA RUSSIAN CITY
ARMENIA AND GEORGIA DID NOT COME TO TERMS OVER ELECTRICITY DEBTS AND
RAIL TARIFFS
MONUMENT BEING BUILT TO ARMENIANS, WHO FOUNDED BUDENNOVSK RUSSIAN
TOWN
FIRST ALL-ARMENIAN CULTURE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA AND NAGORNO
KARABAKH
*********************************************************************
BRITISH PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION TO ASSIST NAGORNO KARABAKH PEOPLE
27.07.2004 18:01
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the initiative of Deputy Speaker of the House of
Lords of the British Parliament Caroline Cox HART philanthropic
organization is formed with offices in the UK and US. As reported by
C. Cox at a meeting with the Nagorno Karabakh President in
Stepanakert, the organization will deal with questions of providing
humanitarian aid to the population of various countries of the world,
including Nagorno Karabakh.
*********************************************************************
YEREVAN MAYOR TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL FORUM IN MOSCOW
27.07.2004 17:45
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The third international forum of mayors of the
cities of the world will be held in Moscow September 15-18. In the
course of the conference three topics are expected to be discussed:
the role and the tasks for the cities of the world in XXI century,
interaction of the youth as a factor of strengthening pace and
confidence between residents of cities, sport as a means of
realization of diplomacy courses of cities. Mayors of over 100 cities
and leaders of a number of international organizations are invited to
participate in the conference. Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharian is
among them. As reported by the Press Service of the Yerevan
Administration, a forum on cooperation of the Black Sea basin
capitals, organized within the International Assembly of Towns will
be held in the Russian capital in September as well.
*********************************************************************
BAKU WISHES TO KNOW WHICH QUESTION BESIDES TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE
27.07.2004 17:31
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The question of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
is the most important one to us, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamedyarov told journalists, Baku sources reported, when speaking of
the outcomes of his meeting with American Ambassador of OSCE Minsk
Group for Karabakh settlement Steven Mann. In his words, he has
suggested that the Co-Chairs specify which question, besides that
one, are subject to compromise. “Now we are waiting for them to
specify it, then we will decide which concessions we can make,”
Mamedyarov stated.
*********************************************************************
BUILDING OF BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE CEASED IN GEORGIA DUE TO
POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
27.07.2004 15:29
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ After the official statement of the Minister of
Ecology and Natural Resources of Georgia July 19 construction works
were ceased at the Georgian part of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil
pipeline next to Borjomi gorge. As reported by BP-Azerbaijan company,
the cessation of works is due to the Ministry intention to complete
the assessment of observation of security measures for BTC protection
in the territory of Georgia. According to the source, it can
influence the current schedule of works, however it will not tell on
the overall terms of the building and exploitation of the BTC. When
commenting on the official Tbilisi decision to temporarily stop the
building, the Georgian Embassy in Azerbaijan told Turan news agency
that “the decision in question is due to the concerns over the
environmental safety in the region.”
*********************************************************************
AZERBAIJAN POPULAR FRONT PARTY WILL NOW PROTEST AGAINST ARMENIANS
PARTICIPATION IN NATO EXERCISES IN BAKU
27.07.2004 14:02
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Azerbaijan Popular Front Party plans to hold
protest actions in Baku. According to a press release, it has spread,
these are directed against participation of Armenian military in the
Cooperative Best Effort-2004 NATO exercises to be held in Baku. The
actions will be held in front of the buildings of a number of
diplomatic missions and state institutions. As reported by Echo Baku
newspaper, the Party has notified Baku Mayor Gajibala Abutalybov
about its intention to hold the actions. The pickets will be held
with slogans “We demand to respect Azeri people,” “Down with Armenian
occupiers”.
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN COMMITTED SUICIDE IN PENZA RUSSIAN CITY
27.07.2004 13:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A citizen of Armenia has committed suicide in Penza
Russian city by jumping out of the window of his suite, situated on
the 5-th floor of Russia Hotel. As reported by Interfax news agency,
the tragedy occurred July 26 at about 9 a.m. Resulting from the fall
the man got numerous fractures and died in the ambulance car. The
37-year-old entrepreneur from Yerevan had lived in Russia Hotel for a
week. Criminal proceedings are instituted on the occasion of the
suicide, the causes are being investigated.
*********************************************************************
ARMENIA AND GEORGIA DID NOT COME TO TERMS OVER ELECTRICITY DEBTS AND
RAIL TARIFFS
27.07.2004 13:54
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the sitting of the Armenian-Georgian
Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation Georgia and
Armenia did not succeed in coming to terms over the debts for
electric power and rail transportation tariffs. Specifically, as
reported by Novosti Russian news agency, questions referring to
Georgia’s debt engagements to Armenia remained unclear. Georgia did
not recognize its state debt of $6 million it had to pay within the
framework of an agreement between the Ministry of Energy and Fuel of
Georgia and Armenergo for the electric power supplied to Georgia in
2000. Tbilisi states it has paid off the debt to the Armenian party,
Yerevan assures no transfers were received from Georgia. To clear up
the situation the parties agreed to form special working groups, who
will study the issue in question in the course of a month. The
parties did not manage to close the bargain over reduced tariffs for
rail transport either. “A joint commission, will be formed to present
economic arguments for rail transport reduced tariffs,” Armenian Rail
Department head Ararat Khrimian told journalists. It should be
reminded that at present Armenia is granted 24% discount for oil
products transportation and 17% reduction for the rest of cargo
types.
*********************************************************************
MONUMENT BEING BUILT TO ARMENIANS, WHO FOUNDED BUDENNOVSK RUSSIAN
TOWN
27.07.2004 14:56
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A monument to Armenian migrants, who founded
Budennovsk (Stavropol region of Russia), is being built in the town.
As reported by Regions.ru, the construction works are carried out
with the support of town entrepreneurs and the active participation
of the Armenian community. According to the source, in the middle of
the 18-th century having been provided with land by a decree of
Emperor Paul I, Armenians founded there the town of Surb Khach (Holy
Cross), later renamed Budennovsk. The monument is being erected in
the old part of Budennovsk, called Karabakhla, where the first
Armenians had settled. The opening of the monument is scheduled for
the 205-th anniversary of the town.
*********************************************************************
FIRST ALL-ARMENIAN CULTURE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA AND NAGORNO
KARABAKH
27.07.2004 13:55
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ August 15-22 One Nation – One Culture First
All-Armenian Culture Festival will be held in Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh. Over 1500 Armenian culture workers from Armenia, Nagorno
Karabakh, Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, France, Austria, UK, US,
Syria, Lebanon and Iran will participate in the festival. As stated
by Armenian Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Karine
Khodikian, the goal of the festival is to strengthen the ties between
Armenia and the Diaspora, to present the common Armenian culture, to
create mechanisms for efficient cooperation. Achievements of figures
of Armenian art of dancing, dramatic, vocal, decorative arts and
crafts, as well as painters and elocutionists will be presented in
the course of the festival.

Le Monde
27 juillet 2004
Ces artistes étrangers qui ont choisi la France : Seyhmus Dagtekin.
Les mots libres de Seyhmus Dagtekin, pacifique contrebandier de la
langue
L’ÉTÉ DU MONDE CULTURE ;
Le poète et romancier, né et élevé dans un village du Kurdistan turc,
vit à Paris depuis 1987. Il ne s’y sent pas en exil
par Catherine Bédarida
NAÎTRE ICI, vivre là, grandir dans une langue, écrire dans une autre
: le chemin du poète et romancier Seyhmus Dagtekin est une suite de
passages, depuis sa naissance, en 1965, dans un village kurde du
sud-est de la Turquie, jusqu’à sa vie actuelle d’écrivain parisien.
Un itinéraire d’artiste toujours méfiant à l’égard des destins figés,
des identités assignées. « Personne n’est défini une fois pour toutes
par des limites de langue, de territoire ou d’appartenance. Chacun
est en devenir. Chacun peut exister dans une langue autre que celle
de son origine. »
Les hommes de son village vivaient, pour beaucoup, de contrebande,
chevauchant la nuit à travers les frontières afin de se procurer les
mille et un produits manquant dans ces vallées pauvres. Seyhmus
Dagtekin est un contrebandier pacifique, qui chevauche dans la nuit
de la littérature pour ouvrir le monde. « L’univers d’aujourd’hui est
plein de frontières et de toutes sortes de barrières. On vient d’une
culture, d’une langue, d’un pays. Alors on ne pourrait pas se glisser
dans ceux des autres. Je ne partage pas cette conception. L’autre ne
m’est pas étranger, mais seulement inconnu. D’inconnu, il peut me
devenir connu, si j’en fais l’effort. »
L’écrivain a grandi dans une bourgade de montagne au mode de vie
quasi autarcique. « Jusqu’à 10 ans, j’ai vécu au village, où il n’y
avait ni voiture, ni télévision, ni radio. Deux fois par mois, on
descendait au marché acheter le thé et les victuailles », se
souvient-il. Cette enfance, il la raconte – en français – sans
nostalgie dans son premier roman, A la source, la nuit, paru cet
hiver (« Le Monde des livres » du 5 mars).
Au village, l’écrit n’existe pas, sauf sur les emballages d’aliments
ou sur les paquets de cigarettes arrivés en contrebande des pays
arabes voisins. Le kurde, unique langue des villageois, est interdit
par l’Etat turc. Pendant la petite enfance de l’auteur, seuls deux
hommes, dont son père, parlent le turc et lisent l’alphabet latin.
Les années fastes, les paysans font appel à des lettrés pour diriger
les prières du ramadan. Ils apportent le livre sacré, écrit en arabe
que nul villageois ne sait déchiffrer. Mais l’Etat turc construit une
école et nomme un instituteur vers 1970, et l’enfant appartiendra à
la première génération scolarisée du village.
Ce passage en entraînera d’autres – vers la langue turque, vers
l’université à Ankara. Seyhmus Dagtekin y fait des études de
journalisme et d’audiovisuel.
Entre-temps, l’un de ses frères est parti travailler en France comme
ouvrier dans l’industrie lorraine. « En 1974, il a fait partie de la
dernière vague de travailleurs immigrés recrutés par contrat dans
leur pays. » En 1987, Seyhmus rejoint son frère aîné, pour compléter
ses études universitaires. Il « naît au français », selon
l’expression qu’il aime utiliser.
Au cours intensif du début à Nancy succèdent des études de cinéma à
Paris. Ces années-là, la répression turque dans les régions kurdes
est d’une extrême violence. « Je ne suis pas un militant, mais j’ai
la conscience de mon appartenance. Je ne me voyais pas faire mon
service militaire dans une armée qui menait la guerre contre mon
peuple. Je suis resté en France pour éviter d’aller à l’armée, puis
je me suis enraciné. Je me suis replanté dans le terreau de la langue
française, mais je reste l’arbre que j’étais. »
Seyhmus Dagtekin n’a jamais écrit dans sa langue maternelle,
interdite à l’oral comme à l’écrit. Les romanciers kurdes les plus
connus, comme Yacher Kemal, écrivent en turc. L’adolescent suit ce
chemin, pour ses premiers textes. Quatre ans à peine après son
arrivée en France, il commence à écrire en français.
D’entrée, il choisit la poésie, sans doute la porte d’accès la plus
difficile pour un étranger : elle exige, plus encore que la rédaction
d’un essai ou d’un livre document, une appropriation de la langue, un
travail d’émancipation.
Dans ses quatre recueils de poésie, les femmes aimées se prénomment
Agnès ou Cécilia, les lieux évoqués sont Montmartre, Belleville ou
les monts d’Arrée. « Je ne me sens pas en exil, je me place pas comme
étranger », affirme l’auteur.
Son premier roman plonge au contraire dans l’enfance. Il apporte des
éclairages sur la vie dans ces villages reculés. Mais c’est toujours
l’écriture qui prime, le choix d’un angle serré, d’une langue
poétique qui suggère plus qu’elle ne démontre. Fait rare sous une
plume turque, un passage évoque le génocide des Arméniens de 1915 et
la participation de Kurdes aux massacres.
Aujourd’hui, l’écrivain est ancré dans la vie littéraire française.
Il n’est plus retourné en Turquie depuis douze ans, où il reste en
délicatesse avec les autorités, suite à son refus d’effectuer son
service militaire. L’artiste va demander sa naturalisation française,
bien que l’idée de frontières lui reste étrangère. « Quand je suis
arrivé en France, je déchiffrais Les Fleurs du mal, à l’aide du Petit
Larousse. J’étais profondément touché et je ressentais comme une
appartenance immédiate. Je ne suis pas venu avec mes limites. Je suis
venu comme un territoire ouvert. »
NOTES: PROCHAIN ARTICLE Natacha Kouznetsova, danseuse contemporaine
russe

ARMINCO, INTEL CREATING WIRELESS INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JULY 26. ARMINFO. The largest provider-company “Arminco”, in
cooperation with the “Intel” corporation, is creating an
infrastructure to introduce the Centrino wireless Internet technology
in Armenia, Director of the “Arminco” company Andranik Alexanyan told
ARMINFO.
He said that since the program is first of all intended for students,
the concept of the “Intel” corporation is that as many students as
possible purchase notebooks operating on Centrino, which implies the
organization of wireless Internet points. “If this type of
communication arouses others’ interest, measures will be taken to
increase the number of such points in Yerevan,” Alexanyan said. The
“Arminco” company has installed 50 points in Yerevan today to serve
500-600 users. Alexanyan pointed out that the company charge standard
Internet access prices (except for the dial-up-type communication),
0.05 USD for 1Mbyte of information. “Whether it is much or little is
another matter, but, considering the price for the E1 Internet channel
(21,000 USD a month), this is the minimum that can be provided in
Armenia now,” Alexanyan said.
The Centrino technology is an integrated radiomodem-notebook, which
allows the user to get connected to Internet both as a fixed and a
mobile user. The UNICOMP company produces notebooks operating on the
Centrino technology in Armenia.

ARMENIAN MINISTRY FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION HAS NO DSEFINIT
POLICTY TO WI-FI ACCESS TO INTERNET
YEREVAN, JULY 26. ARMINFO. There is no definite policy of the Armenian
Ministry for Transport and Communication to the mobile radio modem
(Wi-Fi) access to Internet at present. Director of the largest
provider company in Armenia, Arminco, Andranik Aleksanyan told
ARMINFO.
He said that beginning from 2003, the given issue has been a subject
for discussion at several sessions of the IT Development Council
Support (ITDSC) initiated by ITDSC head M.Marosyan. The ministry
submitted a letter to ITDSC that small-capacity WI-FI radio modems
(for example, based on the technology Intel Centrino) can be used
without a relevant permission by the ministry, it is necessary to have
just a certificate on conformity to radio modem equipment. However,
Telecommunications Center CJSC of the Ministry for Transport and
Communications of Armenia is guided with other documents, and in order
to use Intel Centrino technology, it is necessary to calculate
electromagnetic compatibility for each radio modem and to pay for the
services on support of radio-air for the given device.
Job prices for mobile communication on the Intel Centrino technology
have not been established yet. Moreover, in conformity with the
acknowledged practice, it necessary to register all the radiant
devices (except cellular phones) at the TC CSJC and to pay for a
“permission to import.” He said that such an approach contradicts to
the letter of the minister for transport and communications to the
ITDCS, where Intel Centrino is allowed for use without a special
permission of TC CJSC. Such a situation is possible only if the CJSC
charges payment for use of the state property, the spectrum of radio
frequencies. Aleksanyan said that the world practice supposes levying
of the tax for the use of the radio spectrum. As a result, the TC CJSC
has no rights to prevent the illegal activity with use of the radio
spectrum, as it is not a state body. As any CJSC, the TC pursues
profits and development of information technologies is not prior for
it, the director said.
The ministry is an individual property of TC CJSC, which is
responsible for develoment of IT technologies in Armenia and
introduction of WI-FI technologies in Armenia. The contradiction is
supposed to be liquidated due to the newly established Regulating Body
in the sphere of telecommunications after adoption of a new Law on
Communications by the National Assembly of Armenia (in the first
reading in 2003).
At present radio modem can be purchased without permission of the TC
CJSC in any specialized shop, which violates the resolution of the
Armenian Government on the order of purchase of radio emissive
equipment. As a result, the orgnaizations legally importing radio
modems pay for the service of the TC CJSC, while others trade without
a relevant permission and gain super profits. Such a situation casts
doubt on the ability of UNICOMP company to issue and sale computers
with use of Intel Centrino technology, as it requires a license for
issue of radio emissive equipment and a permission for use of the
radio spectrum when producing computers, as well as registration of
each computer at the TC CJSC and its certification by a special
Certifying Body (there are at least two such bodies in Armenia
operating in conformity with the Law on Certification of Armenia) or
at the State Standard. This situation casts doubt on the possibility
of legal introduction of Wi-Fi technology in Armenia.

Slovenian envoy, Armenian minister discuss cooperation with OSCE
Arminfo
26 Jul 04
YEREVAN
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan received today Slovenia’s
permanent representative to the OSCE, ambassador Janez Lenarcic, who
is the would-be chairman of the OSCE’s Permanent Council and is paying
a visit to the region.
Since Slovenia will chair the OSCE in 2005, Lenarcic asked Oskanyan to
brief him on Armenia’s stance regarding cooperation with the OSCE
bodies and its office in Yerevan, the Foreign Ministry’s press service
told Arminfo. The sides also exchanged views on the OSCE’s activity
and missions in various spheres, including those in regions which are
undergoing transition, such as the South Caucasus.
In this connection, the sides noted the OSCE’s peacekeeping role in
resolving conflicts. They positively assessed the role of the OSCE
Minsk Group in settling the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
Oskanyan commented on a CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States]
statement regarding the OSCE’s activity with a view to conducting
necessary reforms. Armenian representatives in Vienna have repeatedly
raised the issue, Oskanyan said.
Oskanyan also briefed Lenarcic on the process of settling the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict, as well as on Armenian-Turkish relations. During
the meeting Lenarcic was accompanied by Vladimir Pryakhin, head of the
OSCE office in Yerevan, and Andrzej Kasprzyk, the personal
representative of the current OSCE chairman-in-office.

Armenia wants normal trade relations with neighbours – minister
Arminfo, Yerevan
26 Jul 04

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, accompanied by a
delegation, paid an official visit to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi,
on 26 June, Armenian news agencies Noyan Tapan and Arminfo reported on
the same day.
Markaryan met his Georgian counterpart, Zurab Zhvania, to discuss
bilateral and regional cooperation.
The Armenian government’s press service told Arminfo that a recent
stepping up of Armenian-Georgian ties had facilitated a high level of
mutual understanding between the presidents of the two countries and
the two prime ministers emphasized the importance of strengthening not
only bilateral, but multilateral, ties.
Andranik Markaryan told Zurab Zhvania about his plans to discuss with
the Georgian president the question of the Tbilisi-Gyumri-Kars railway
and opening the Abkhaz sector of the Georgian railway and using the
Poti-Caucasus rail-ferry crossing. Markaryan stressed Armenia’s
interest in the work of this crossing and wanted to discuss the
possibility of signing a trilateral Armenian-Georgian-Russian
agreement on cooperation.
He also stressed Yerevan’s interest in developing trade and economic
ties in all directions. “Armenia is ready to create normal relations
without pre-conditions with its neighbours, including Azerbaijan and
Turkey,” Arminfo quoted Makaryan as saying.
Zhvania also noted that Georgia was also interested in the speedy
opening of the Abkhaz section of the railway and negotiations were
continuing with Russia. He said Georgian was ready to work to resolve
the issues raised and said that Georgia was planning to build new
ports, which would be privatized, and would welcome Armenia taking
part in the process.
Markaryan and his delegation also took part in the third session of
the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic
cooperation which had about 10 points on its agenda, including
cooperation in transport, trade and communications, developing
tourism, legal issues and future development. Markaryan noted
Armenia’s firm interest in further developing both West-East as well
as North-South cooperation, Noyan Tapan agency said.
Arminfo said: “Particular emphasis in the intergovernmental relations
between Armenia and Georgia was placed on implementing the Transport
Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia [TRACECA] project. The commission
members are to turn to the corresponding EU structures with a joint
application for resources to be granted to restore the railway line
between Ayrum and Sadakhlo.”
After the session the two prime ministers signed a document “On the
work of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic
cooperation”.
Sources: Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan, in Russian 1640 gmt 26 Jul
04

Armenian provider targets students as users of wireless Internet
Arminfo
26 Jul 04

YEREVAN
Armenia’s largest Internet provider, Arminco, in tandem with the Intel
Corporation, are building the infrastructure in Armenia to introduce
Centrino technology – the wireless Internet, Arminco’s director
Andranik Aleksanyan has said in an interview with Arminfo news agency.
The programme’s main target group are students and therefore Intel’s
concept is to provide as many students as possible with
Centrino-powered laptops, Aleksanyan said. This means opening wireless
Internet hotspots in places where there are many students – in student
cafes and on campuses.
“If we find out that it’s not only students who are interested in the
wireless Internet, then we will ensure that such hotspots are created
all over Yerevan,” Aleksanyan said. As of today, Arminco has opened 50
such hotspots in Yerevan. Altogether they have between 500 and 600
fixed users.
Aleksanyan said that the company’s pricing for Internet services is
standard (except for dial-up links) – five cents per one megabyte of
information. “Whether this is too much or too little is another
matter, but considering the cost for renting the E1 Internet channel
(21,000 dollars per month), this is the minimum that we can get in
Armenia today,” he said. When connecting to a hotspot, the speed of
information transmission per user is 5 megahertz per second.
A radio-modem is installed in the Centrino-powered laptops and it can
provide fixed or mobile Internet connections. The UNICOMP company
produces Centrino laptops in Armenia.

WB TO ALLOCATE CREDIT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL PROGRAM
YEREVAN, JULY 26. ARMINFO. Today Minister for Trade and Social Affairs
of Armenia Aghvan Vardanyan and Head of program of social reforms in
Armenia financed by the WB, A. Posaraki, discussed an investment
agreement “Managerial program in the sphere of social welfare” to be
signed on July 30.
The press-service of the ministry told ARMINFO that the agreement will
be signed between the Armenian Government and the World Bank. The
sides discussed nuances connected with distribution of financial
allowances to unsecured families in 2004-2005. Vardanyan proposed
Posaraki to find a way to solve the problem with distribution of
poverty allowances to lonely pensioners. The sides also discussed
issues related to establishment of communities centers for care for
children from socially unsecured families in the Achapnyak community
of Yerevan and in the town of Gyumri.

CENN — July 27, 2004 Daily Digest
Table of Contents:
1. BP awards contracts for environmental investment Program along the BTC
pipeline route
2. BTC Construction Suspended
3. BP’s pipeline to nowhere: Georgia halts oil giant’s £2.4bn project
4. Who Conserves The World’s Forests?
5. International Resource Award for Sustainable Watershed Management
1. BP awards contracts for environmental investment Program along
the BTC pipeline route
Press Release
BP as operator of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil export pipeline and
South Caucasus (SCP) gas projects is pleased to announce that in June 2004
it has awarded contract to NACRES – Noach’s Arch Center for Recovery of
Endangered Species NGO, to implement the “Ecosystem and Species Conservation
in Georgia: Brown Bear Project”. This is the second contract award in the
framework of the Environmental investment Program (EIP) for the BTC and SCP
projects.
the principal objective of the Environmental investment Program (EIP) is
delivery of actions that are of ebnefit in the promotion and conservation of
biodiversity. The USD 3 mln EIP is divided into number of themes, which were
identified through the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment studies
and trough the process of consultations with the national and international
stakeholders. Themes include: Rare species conservation management;
Sustainable forestry; Capacity building for NGOs, Environmental Education,
etc.
A request for proposals for the rare species conservation management was
publicly issued in late September 2003. Proposals were ought specially for
the Caucasian Black Grouse and Brown Bear conservation management. However
proposals related to other rare species were also considered, if associated
with pipeline. The contract for the Caucasian Black Grouse research,
monitoring and conservation management project was awarded to the Georgian
Center for the Conservation of Wildlife NGO in January 2004.
Through a review process, the Ecosystems and Species Conservation in
Georgia: Brown Bear project was now selected for funding under the above
theme. The grant award for the project is USD 250, 000.
Project activities include estimation of the Brown Bear population
parameters within the Trialeti range, appraisal of current levels of
threats, description of the underlying reasons for loss of bear habitat,
development of a Bear Conservation Action Plan for the Trialeti range,
establishment of basis for community involvement in conservation activities.
The project will be implemented by NACRES Noach’s Arch Center for Recovery
of Endangered Species, an NGO founded in 1989 to research and safeguard
biodiversity, especially endanger species, in Georgia and South Caucasus and
to promote public awareness in the field of environmental protection.
Project activities stared in June 2004 and will finish in May 2006.
We believe that the Environmental Investment Program gives BP and the
selected NGOs a unique opportunity to make a positive difference to the
preservation of Georgia’s wildlife.
For the more information please contact:
Communication Department, BP Georgia
Tel: (995 32) 59 34 00
Fax: (995 32) 59 34 80
2. BTC Construction Suspended
Source: The Georgian Messenger, July 26, 2004
Minister of Environmental Protection and Nature Resources Tamar Lebanidze
decreed that construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyahn oil pipeline be
suspended for two weeks on July 20, 2004.
The suspension affected a 17-km section of construction through the Borjomi
gorge. The reason of suspension is permission and terms issued by the
Ministry of Environmental Protection on November 30, 2004.
The ministry argues that the ninth item of the agreement, which dealt with
safety measures, was not fulfilled.
The economic and political significance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline is high and the temporary time out does not appear to threaten its
completion. The issue is that one section of the pipeline, which passes
through the Borjomi gorge, recently caused a large scandal as many people
express concern that the pipeline will cross a canyon where there is a
unique mineral spring.
In an interview with the newspaper 24-Hours, minister Lebanidze agreed with
the opinion that the pipeline route has been chosen in an incorrect manner.
“If now the issue of choosing the route was on the agenda, we would by all
means choose a different route,” she said.
At that time there were two alternatives: either the pipeline should have
crossed Karakai route or Akhalkalaki route. investors were categorically
against Akhalkalaki route, because of the neighboring Russian military base
and instability in the region.
As for Karakai route, investors thought that it was too expensive. Instead
planners turned to the Borjomi gorge and Shevardnadze’s government agreed on
it provided there would be security guarantees.
The Borjomi gorge is characterized by very rugged terrain and requires
special environmental protection in order to minimize risks, like that from
landslides. Mtavari Gazeti quoted Tamar Lebanidze as saying that BP agreed
to fulfill these conditions in 2002.
But in Lebanidze’s opinion, Shevardnadze’s government should actually have
made every effort for changing the direction of the route in the past.
According to Georgia’s representative on the intergovernmental commission
for Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project implementation, Giorgi Vashakmadze, it will
be impossible to resume pipeline construction as long as all the conditions
are not met.
Lebanidze told Rezonansi that BP obeyed the requirements of the ministry and
it will resume construction in two weeks. Meanwhile, officials say two weeks
is plenty of time to find a solution and that this will not delay the
pipeline’s progress.
3. BP’s pipeline to nowhere: Georgia halts oil giant’s £2.4bn
project
Source: The Observer, July 25, 2004
The government of the former Soviet republic of Georgia has ordered BP to
halt work on a section of a controversial £2.4 billion Caspian oil pipeline
project. The environment minister, Tamar Lebanidze, said the company failed
to provide contractually required environmental information.
Lebanidze said BP should not have started laying the 42 inch-wide pipe until
her government was convinced that BP had in place the best technology to
ensure it could withstand both landslides and terrorist attacks.
BP was on site for just one week in Borjormi before being told to stop.
Borjormi is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty with a mineral
water spring that provides a 10th of Georgia’s exports.
The minister added that she would have rejected the scheme agreed by former
president Edward Shevardnadze, who was forced out of office last November.
Lebanidze fears oil leaks could devastate the region.
At 1,087 miles, the Caspian export pipeline will be the world’s longest,
taking Azerbaijani and Kazakhstani oil through Georgia to Turkey. It is
backed by US President George W Bush, who is keen to reduce US reliance on
Middle Eastern and Russian oil.
James Leaton of the World Wildlife Fund said: ‘BP considers itself above the
law on this project and has no respect for the environment.’
The news will take the gloss off BP second-quarter results, out this week.
Net profits could beat last quarter’s record £2.64 billion.
4. WHO CONSERVES THE WORLD’S FORESTS?
Source: IUCN, July 26, 2004
Indigenous peoples and other communities who live in and around the world’s
tropical forests often are as effective as their national governments at
conserving forests, and are outspending foreign donors by as much as two to
one, according to a new study by Forest Trends, an IUCN member organization
based in Washington, D.C. The announcement comes as delegates from 59
nations gather in Geneva to debate the renewal of the International Tropical
Timber Agreement. Speaking at a press briefing last Thursday, Stewart
Maginnis, Head of the IUCN Forest Conservation Programme, commented: “These
often very poor communities are making the same levels of investment, at a
minimum, perhaps a lot more, in conserving these areas, as developing
country governments.” Some 240 million indigenous and local community
peoples own and manage about one fifth of the world’s tropical forests, and
invest US$ 1.2 billion to 2.6 billion a year in forest management and
conservation, according to the study.
5. International Resource Award for Sustainable Watershed
Management
As one of the world’s leading reinsurers, Swiss Re has committed itself to
supporting the planning, evaluation and implementation of water-related
projects with the aim of promoting awareness and encouraging the efficient
use of this precious resource. To support and encourage water-related
initiatives, in April 2002 Swiss Re launched the ReSource Award for
Sustainable Watershed Management. On 5 April 2004, Peter Forstmoser,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Member of the Executive Board Walter
Anderau presented the 2003 award and launched the 2004 award at Swiss Re’s
Centre for Global Dialogue in R?schlikon. The award is worth USD 100,000 in
total and is granted to one or several projects selected by an international
jury. It is conferred annually.
What is the idea behind the award?
Access to water supply and sanitation is a fundamental human need. Human
beings and nature need it for their very survival. But water is a threatened
resource. The increasing pollution of the world’s water reserves, the
growing frequency of water shortages, the exploding world population and
resulting demand for water – not to mention risks arising from climate
change (eg changing water cycles) – are presenting a major threat to the
natural environment, human health, food production and the economy in
general.
The word “source” denotes origin and purity; it projects dynamism and even
mystical power. All water stems from a source: this is where rivers and
streams begin their life before embarking on the most diverse of journeys.
As the Chinese saying goes: “All water has a source and every tree a root.”
Strong leadership and community involvement are essential in preserving and
nurturing our water (re)sources. But there are a number of obstacles to be
overcome before a project of this kind can get off the ground. Swiss Re
established the International ReSource Award for Sustainable Watershed
Management in an attempt to actively support the planning, evaluation and
implementation of water-related projects with the aim of promoting awareness
and encouraging the efficient use of this precious resource. Swiss Re is
convinced that this commitment will attract further funds dedicated to
preserving water supplies.
For the more detailed information please visit:
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: