FORUM OF KARABAKH AND IRANIAN BUSINESSMEN IN STEPANAKERT
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic Ministry of Territorial Management and
Development of Industrial Infrastructures, the Artsakh Development
Agency and Public organization of businessmen and merchants of Iran
in Armenia, a group of businessmen and manufacturers from Iran paid
a two-day visit to Stepanakert.
A number of issues of mutual interest were discussed in the course
of the forum conducted in the building of the NKR Government. In
particular, variants of import of raw materials and corresponding
equipment were discussed. It was decided also to organize an exposition
of Iranian goods in the NKR in future.
The Iranian businessmen visited a number of industrial enterprises of
the republic, got acquainted with the production of local businessmen,
showed interest in the tax field and breaks established for foreign
investors.
On behalf of the NKR Government Anoushavan Daniyelian expressed
readiness to render necessary assistance to the Iranian businessmen
in implementation of their programs in Nagorno Karabakh.

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: INVESTMENTS IN IT SECTOR INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Attaching special importance
to the role of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
sector in Armenia’s economic development, the Armenian government has
given it a top priority since 2000, with consistent and comprehensive
work being done to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth and
development. The Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian stated
this at the opening of the Innovative Information and Communication
Technologies international conference in Yerevan on September 20.
According to him, thanks to the joint efforts of the Armenian
government and the private sector, the amount of investments
in the IT sector has substaintially grown recently, with the IT
industry’s production accounting for 1.7% of GDP. “New educational and
training programs were introduced in schools and higher educational
institutions, as well as teaching centers of regional importance
were established. All this shows that Armenia has enough potential
to become a regional center of the IT sector,” A. Margarian said.
The prime minister noted with satisfaction that Armenia’s IT sector
is presented more and more efficiently in the international arena.
The holding of annual international ICT exhibitions “Digitec” in
Yerevan has become a tradition.
A. Margarian underlined the importance of Armenia-Diaspora efficient
cooperation in the IT sector. In his words, the Diaspora has had
an active and direct role in the establishment of IT companies in
Armenia. He expressed a hope that this cooperation will continue.
To recap, the conference was organized by the Enterprise Incubator
Foundation (IEF) in the framework of ICT Month and the second
Armenia-Diaspora economic forum.
The main purpose of the conference is to present Armenia as a regional
leader in the ICT sector and to discuss the modern IT sector-related
developments in the world. The event participants will have a chance
to familiarize themselves with the current trends of IT development,
exchange experience and get practical advice and proposals on WiMaxd,
RFID and other wireless technologies.

“WAR IS STILL CONTINUING IN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FIELD,” NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASIAN STATES AT ERABLUR
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The delegation
headed by the Armenian President Robert Kocharian on September 20
visited Erablur and laid a wreath at Monument to Unknown Soldier,
paying a tribute of respect to the Armenians who laid down their
lives for Armenia’s independence.
“If we don’t want a war, we should be prepared for it,” the NKR
President Arkady Ghukasian said during a briefing with reporters.
“The bravest die in war, and this was not an exception 15 years ago.
We must create a state worthy of their dreams. We won the war,
but it is still continuing in the political and economic field,”
the NKR President added.
During a talk with reporters, the Defence Minister Serge Sargsian in
his turn pointed out: “We should always be prepared for any turn of
events, because the problem is directly related to our security and
our future, that is, this is the most important problem for us. I am
convinced that the appropriate bodies are ready for this process.”
Serge Sargsian considered the 15-year path of Armenia as natural,
because while proceeding along this path, our country has had
achievements and successes along with its problems and difficulties.
“The past 15 years were full of the delight of success, and certainly
the bitterness of mistakes,” the minister said. In his words,
“the years of independence, which were full of numerous successes
and mistakes, have taught us to discuss them with a large number of
participants when taking a decision.”

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: BE SURE THAT ARMENIA-DIASPORA RELATIONS ARE PRIORITY FOR US
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “I would consider
this conference the highest body of Armenian people’s collective
wishes, during which we all make decisions and try to carry them out,”
RA President Robert Kocharian declared on September 20, at the closure
ceremony of the Armenia-Diaspora third conference.
The President considered that it was still early to give estimations to
the conference’s work, but informed those present that all proposals
voiced at the meetings held within the framework of the conference
will be summed up without fail. Robert Kocharian said that we should
avoid the issues that disunite Armenia and Diaspora and not unite them.
In his words, there are approaches, the solutions to which are
difficult to give today, at the same time, he declared: “We should
keep them in our mind, for them to be touched upon in the future, for
instance, the issue of spelling, the issue of a structure coordinating
Diasporan structures, etc.”
The President said that it is possible to form a very wide field of
consent and assured that all materials of the conference will be
summed up in a very short period: “In the line of the government
these decisions will become a part of the government activity
program, just like we did after the previous conference. Be sure
that Armenia-Diaspora relations are priority for us. Not to collect
such a powerful potential in the globalized world around one issue,
for solution of national goals, would be criminal negligence for the
Armenian leadership,” Robert Kocharian declared.

LIBERATED TERRITORIES WILL BE REPOPULATED IF RESPECTIVE CONDITIONS
ARE CREATED, MIKAEL APRESIAN IS CONVINCED
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. “The most part of the liberated
territories is not repopulated today because of indifference of the
current authorities, whereas many Armenians were driven from their
native lands and became refugees.” Mikael Apresian, Chairman of
the Armenian Voluntary Movement, declared at the September 20 press
conference at the Pastark club.
In his words, the interests and rights of these refugees are not
protected either by Armenia or by Karabakh. And in consequence
of such approach, in M.Apresian’s words, “Azerbaijan starts to
take the offensive and to take an aggressive position towards the
liberated territories.” “This has been spoken about so much today
that Kelbajar population paniced and thinks about moving. We have
the same situation in Lachin,” M.Apresian said. He is sure that if
the respective conditions are created, the Armenians having migrated
to various countries will resettle in these territories.
The movement members are also anxious about the fate of the Lebanese
Armenians. In M.Apresian’s words, the peacekeeping Armenian mission in
Lebanon is urgent, as Turkey has already sent a marine light infantry
there, which was dislocated in Armenian populated areas. In his words,
Azerbaijan is also going to send troops, whereas Armenia has taken
no step in this direction yet. “The Armenian volunteers are ready to
leave for Lebanon. Doing so we can support our compatriots, take part
in international political processes and noticeably raise Armenia’s
weight and rating,” M.Apresian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CNN STARTS BROADCASTING ADS ABOUT ARMENIA
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, September 20. /ARKA/. CNN American TV-company began
broadcasting ads about Armenia, Public television of Armenia reports.
Beginning from Tuesday CNN broadcasts two ads presenting the culture,
nature, traditions and customs of Armenia, its historical and cultural
monuments.
The advertisements were presented within the framework of
Armenia-Diasporas forum.
According to Armenian Public television, Arabic Al Jazira TV-channel is
also interested in Armenia. Beginning from September 21, (Independence
Day of Armenia – ARKA) the TV-channel, having already demonstrated
interview with Presidents of Armenia and NKR Robert Kocharyan and
Arkady Ghukasyan, will being broadcasting series of programs about
Armenia and NKR. S.P.–0–

“ENTERPRISES INCUBATOR FOUNDATION”, SUN MICROSYSTEMS SIGN CONTRACT ON COOPERATION
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, September 20. /ARKA/. The Enterprises Incubator Foundation
(EIF) and Sun Microsystems signed a cooperation contract today,
Tigran Davtyan, deputy minister of trade and economic development of
Armenia reported at the Armenia-Diaspora Second Economic Forum.
“This cooperation will extend the scope of programs on assistance to
small and medium entrepreneurship currently implemented in Armenia,”
he said.
Director of the EIF Bagrat Yengibaryan reported that the cooperation
will be carried out in three directions: the establishment of a
radio-frequency identification laboratory (RFID); establishment of
Java labs in cooperation with the country’s leading universities for
the training of young specialists; establishment of Solution Centers.
Yengibaryan explained that the Centers will allow the software
developers to test their products.
“This will allow Armenia to think of the next step. And it can turn
from a country executing foreign orders into one selling IT products,”
Yengibaryan said. R.O. –0–

PM: ARMENIA CAN BECOME REGIONAL CENTER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, September 20. /ARKA/. Armenia can become the regional center
in information technologies area, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan said at Innovative Information and Communication Technologies
International Conference launched Wednesday in Yerevan.
In his words, investments in innovative technologies sector grew a
great deal recently. It makes 1.7% of GDP.
In his opinion, Armenia has sufficient capacity to become the regional
center.
Margaryan stressed the importance of information and telecommunication
technologies’ role in Armenian economy development.
He said Armenia government does whatever necessary to ensure the
development.
As an example of the government’s efforts, the premier singled
out the government-affiliated Council for Information Technologies
Development set up to discuss strategic and legislative issues related
to information society building.
The PM stressed that Armenian information technologies area
presentation is increasingly widening and pointed out Digites annual
exhibition that is becoming traditional in Yerevan.
In his words, the government, taking into consideration the sector’s
quick development, has decided to hold Information Technologies Month
between September 15 and October 15 in Armenia.
“I’m convinced these efforts will produce results very soon”,
Margaryan said.
He also attached great importance to cooperation between Armenia and
Armenian communities worldwide in this area.
“Our overseas nationals take direct and active part in the process of
establishing IT-companies. I think this cooperation will be continued
and will become comprehensive”, the premier said.
He wished good luck to the conference participants. M.V. -0—

BOSTON DISTRICT COURT DENIED STATEMENT OF CLAIM OF TURKISH-AMERICAN
ASSOCIATIONS AGAINST TEACHING SUBJECT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OF MASSACHUSETTS
ARMINFO News Agency
September 20, 2006 Wednesday
The Federal District Court of Boston has made a decision the day before
to deny the statement of claim of the Turkish-American Associations
Assembly against teaching the subject of the Armenian Genocide in
the educational program of the Massachusetts state.
As ArmInfo was told in the Armenian Assembly of America, the assistant
of the Prosecutor General, William Porter, had given undisputable
arguments as to deny the statement of claim of Turkish Associations
and other claims for the purpose of elimination of this subject from
the training materials.

“OUR HOME -ARMENIA” PARTY LEADER OFFERED TO SHOOT ARMENIAN BRIBE-TAKERS
ARMINFO News Agency
September 20, 2006 Wednesday
“The members of “Our Home – Armenia” party are ready to extirpate the
bribery in the Republic within a month. It will be just enough to shoot
3-4 people and the problem of corruption will be resolved”, the leader
of “OHA”, Vachagan Chibukhchyan, said at the party’s special session.
He noted he intends to raise the issue of exemption of the Armenia’s
boundary village dwellers from the payment of communal services. “We
have oligarchs who had robbed our people for many years. Let them
share these 50 villages between them and pay money to the state
treasury instead of the countrymen”, Chibukhchyan said. In case
if they refuse, we “shall make them answer”, he said. The idea to
attract the Armenian Diaspora to such “charity”, as to Chibukhchyan,
is not serious, as in this case “the money will not reach those in
need and will be “eaten” by officials”.