Baku Today, Azerbaijan
July 26 2005

Armenian PM Meets Georgian Leadership

26/07/2005 09:56

Visiting Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met with Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili and Parliamentary Chairperson Nino
Burjanadze on July 25 in Tbilisi.

Margaryan said after talks with Burjanadze that bilateral economic
cooperation and joint measure for social rehabilitation projects in
Armenian-populated Samtskhe-Javakheti region in southern Georgia were
discussed.

`In the course of this year USD 350,000 was already transferred [for
projects in Samtskhe-Javakheti] from the Armenian state budget,’
Margaryan told reporters. The funds were designed for construction of
schools and equipment.

Nino Burjanadze told reporters after talks that the Armenian PM
requested the Georgian side to speed up working over the issues
related with the ownership of the several churches in Javakheti and
in Tbilisi which are disputed between Armenian Apostolic and Georgian
Orthodox Churches.

Armenian Prime Minister, who arrived in Georgian on July 24 has
already visited Samtskhe-Javakheti region and met with his Georgian
counterpart Zurab Nogaideli.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SC Magazine, UK
July 26 2005

Unbeatable spammer takes beating, dies
by David Quainton

[Tue, Jul 26, 2005] Spam behemoth Vardan Kushnir has emailed his last
Russian after being bludgeoned to death on Sunday.
According to Russian news agency Interfax, the 35-year-old Armenian
was found dead in his apartment in Moscow, after apparently suffering
numerous blows to the head. His death brings to an end the career of
one of the world’s most prolific and committed spammers.

Kushnir waged a spam campaign from his company the American Language
Center (ALC), an English language school in Moscow. Although it
operated a website, it was often taken down by anti-spam forces, so
generally the emails asked users to call its phonelines.

“A huge amount of spam was (and is still being) sent to over 20
million email addresses belonging to Russian-speaking people,” said
Mikko Hyponnen director of antivirus research, F-Secure. “They say
that you can hardly find a Russian who has never received a spam
advertising the ALC.”

As a result of his efforts Russians were understandably annoyed and
launched their own anti-spam campaign against Kushnir. Users of
forums were encouraged to call his offices and disrupt phone lines.
ALC numbers were frequently found on call-girl cards in an attempt to
inconvenience Kushnir. A murder case has been opened by Moscow
police, who are still working out a motive for the attack.

“It will be interesting to see how this will affect spam volumes from
Russia in general. Other spammers must be scared now,” added
Hyponnen.

In November 2003 ALC was investigated by the Russian Anti-Monopoly
Committee but no legal case against the company was formed.

Earlier this month SC reported another of the world’s most notorious
spammers had decided to turn his back on spam. Self-d spam-king Scott
Richter has been spam free for over six months.

PanArmenian News Network
July 26 2005

ALIYEV: MORE POINTS FITTING BAKU APPEARED IN TALKS

26.07.2005 03:15

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ «The mediators became more active lately, various
ideas appeared. More points fitting Azerbaijan appeared in the talks,
first of all the stepwise settlement. This is an approach accepted by
the international community,» Azeri President Ilham Aliyev stated
Monday. Addressing residents of a settlement, Aliyev noted the
unsettled state of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is of most concern
to the authorities. «For many years the Karabakh conflict has been
unresolved, the mediation mission, unfortunately, did not produce an
effect,» he said. Having mentioned the importance of diplomatic
efforts the President emphasized the opponent should know Azerbaijan
has strength and army. I. Aliyev said that to solve the NK problem
official Baku has mobilized all its economic and diplomatic potential
and simultaneous to it strengthening the army is highlighted. «To
enhance the military power of Azerbaijan the budgetary spending is
increased 70%. Azerbaijan will liberate its lands by all means,» the
Azeri President is sure, Azeri media reported.

PanArmenian News Network
July 26 2005

ARMENIAN TOBACCO FACTORY TO OPEN IN TBILISI

26.07.2005 03:25

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgian MP Beso Jugeli stated Monday that an
Armenian Tobacco Factory will open in Tbilisi August 5. In his words,
it will produce cigarettes of about 32 titles at that using Armenian
raw materials. Local residents will form the factory staff and in the
initial period the production will be sold at the Georgian market.
After the meeting of Armenian Premier Andranik Margaryan with
Georgian Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze, Beso Jugeli said the
volume of investment made by Armenian enterprises into the Georgian
economy made some $4 million, reported RFE/RL.

PanArmenian News Network
July 26 2005

BURJANADZE: ARMENIAN PM HAS CORRECT AND FRIENDLY STAND

26.07.2005 03:38

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At their July 25 meeting Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan and Georgian Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze
discussed problems of Samtskhe-Javakheti region populated by
Armenians. During the conversation the parties touched upon the
incident in Samsa village, where there had been a fight between a
group of Georgian students and local population over belonging of the
local church. Burjanadze appreciated Armenian PM’s stand over the
Samtskhe-Javakheti region. In her words, `one should not focus on the
not very pleasant fact that has occurred in Samsa.’ At the same time
she noted `most population has taken quite a correct stand.’
Burjanadze reported a number of projects, specifically, road
restoration, will soon be implemented in Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
Georgia has asked US for assistance to accomplish the project as soon
as possible, the Speaker said. In her words, the Armenian PM has
proposed for the Governments of Georgia and Armenia, as well as the
Georgian and Armenian Churches `consider and decide for good the
issue of belonging of any church to avoid misunderstanding in the
future.’ `The Armenian PM has an absolutely correct and friendly
stand. Everyone should understand that sowing discord between the
Armenian and Georgian population means just playing into our enemies’
hands,’ the Georgian Speaker said, reported Novosti-Gruzia.

PanArmenian News Network
July 26 2005

ARMENIAN ISSUE STILL KEEPS TURKISH-SWISS RELATIONS TENSE

26.07.2005 04:11

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has censured
Switzerland’s actions aimed against Turkish politician Dogu Perincek,
the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Turkey. It should be noted that
addressing an event in Lausanne celebrating the 82nd anniversary of
the signing of the Lausanne Treaty, Mr. Dogu Perincek called the
Armenian Genocide «a lie of imperialists.» For that act he was taken
delivered to a police department. It should be noted that publicly
denying the Armenian Genocide is considered a penal action in
Switzerland. As noted by Gul, such actions do not suit a country like
Switzerland and he cannot imagine Turkey will put up with actions of
the type regarding the Chairman of the political party. The relations
between Turkey and Switzerland and Turkey were tense even since the
beginning of the trial of Turkish historian Yusuf Galagoglu, who is
also known for his anti-Armenian statements. It is not known yet
whether the visit of Swiss Federal Councilor Joseph Deiss to Turkey
scheduled in September will take place or not. The Turkish party has
yet not confirmed the visit, which has been doubtful for a month and
a half, the Associated Press reported.

PanArmenian News Network
July 26 2005

NAMES OF WINNERS OF WILLIAM SAROYAN PRIZE MADE PUBLIC IN US

26.07.2005 07:01

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Names of winners of the 2005 William Saroyan
International Prize for Writing are made public in the US. 2 works
are awarded the Saroyan prize annually. One of these has to represent
the real life, while the second should be fiction. Out of 125 works
this year The King of California by Mark Arax and Rick Wartzman, who
work for the Los Angeles Times, is selected as non fiction winner,
while The Laments by famous journalist of the Wall Street Journal
George Hagen is selected in fiction nomination. Each of the
competition winners will be awarded $13 thousand, the Yerkir
newspaper reported.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

SIAMANTO ACADEMY GRADUATION

NEW YORK, NY-The graduation ceremony for three Siamanto Academy students,
Emma Biramian, Mardo Piranian and Berj Tenguerian, took place on Saturday,
June 25, 2005, at the St. Illuminator’s Day School in Woodside, New York.
Family, faculty, ANEC and ARS representatives and guests attended the
year-end celebration that highlighted the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian
Alphabet.
A musical interlude and recitations by the students preceded the
official bestowing of the diplomas and gifts.
Emma Biramian recited “Khosk Im Vortoun” by Silva Gaboudikian; Antranig
and Arshag Haidotsian performed a Toccata by Bach and a segment of the 1st
concert by Mendelssohn on the piano; Arpi Shetilian played “Perpetum Mobile”
by Novacheck; Mardo Piranian recited Moushegh Ishkhan’s “Hye Lezoon Doonen
eh Hyoon” and Berj Tenguerian read a popular segment from Khatchadour
Apovian’s “Lezoon.” The graduates then read their heartfelt farewell
messages to the attendees.
In his opening remarks, Dn. Krikor Lakissian gave an overview of the
programs the students were involved in the last academic year. He commended
all those involved in the success of the program from the students to the
parents, the administration, teachers and guest lecturers.
Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, chairperson of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC) spoke about the importance of the Siamanto Academy mission
in preparing well-rounded citizens well equipped to serve their communities
and commended the ANEC Executive Director as the driving force behind ANEC’s
progress. Mrs. Anais Tcholakian, the representative from the “Mayr” chapter
of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) emphasized the Christian and Armenian
values imparted at the Academy and urged the graduates to translate these
into a life of service and dedication to their community.
At the conclusion of her remarks about the individual graduates and the
three year curriculum they completed, the Executive Director of ANEC, Ms
Gilda B. Kupelian reiterated the unique nature of the education they
received at the Academy and the diploma they were about to receive and the
necessity to maintain and share their culture. She commended the faculty,
especially Mr. Lakissian and Mrs. Hera Atamian, and the guest lecturers such
as Dn. Shant Kazanjian. She had special words of praise for the parents and
singled out an “ABC” parent (Armenian By Choice), Mrs. Gine Tenguerian,
whose dedicated service to the Siamanto Academy was deeply appreciated and
recognized in a plaque that was given to her. Mrs. Tenguerian was happy to
uphold her husband’s culture and help transmit it to their children. She
thanked everyone and urged all parents to send their children to the
Siamanto Academy for the enriching program it offered. The treasurer of
Siamanto Academy, Mr. Zaven Varjabedian, was also recognized, in absentia,
for his many years of volunteer service to the Academy.
The program concluded with closing remarks by Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian,
who represented the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Fr. Shetilian
underscored the dual nature and importance of the Armenian American identity
and encouraged the graduates to strive for the best, following in the
footsteps of all those Armenians who left their mark.

Investment Opportunities in Armenia

BISNIS Armenia Update
26 July 2005

Contents:
1. Now on the BISNIS web site
2. Upcoming Events in Yerevan
3. News briefs and press releases

*****************************************************************************
1.) New on the BISNIS web site

The Product Certification Process in Armenia, see

List of Major Freight Forwarding companies in Armenia, see

Press release – EBRD lends $1 million to microbusiness in Armenia, see

************* ************************************************** **************
2.) Upcoming Events in Yerevan

Armenia EXPO 2005
September 14-17, 2005
Yerevan, Armenia
Organizer: LOGOS EXPO Center
Official support: – Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of the
Republic of Armenia – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Armenia – Union of Manufacturers & Businessmen of the Republic of
Armenia – National Association of Publishers of the Republic of Armenia
Website:

Includes:
– “EXPO Food & Drinks 2005” Third specialized exhibition
– “BUILD EXPO 2005” Third specialized exhibition
– “Industrial Armenia EXPO 2005” Fifth regional universal
trade-industrial exhibition
– “COMP_EXPO 2005” Third specialized exhibition
– “TRANS EXPO 2005” Third specialized exhibition
– “Polygraphy. Publishing. Advertisement. EXPO 2005” Fifth specialized
exhibition

*****************************************************************************
DigiTec 2005
September 30 – October 2, 2005
Yerevan, Armenia

DigiTec 2005 is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
exhibition for computing, communications systems and applications
dedicated to the ICT industry and the advancement of entire business
environment.

DigiTec 2005 exhibition profile includes IT Equipment,
Telecommunication, Wireless Networks, Software Applications, Banking
Technology & Financial Services, R&D, IT and general business, Internet
applications and e-commerce, IT and education, E-governance, Computer
graphics and multimedia etc.

DigiTec 2005 ensures non-stop presentations of international and local
companies where visitors and exhibitors can maximize their participation
and demonstrate products, technologies and innovations targeting both
Armenian and regional and NIS markets.

Website:

Press coverage of the event:

UITE to Present Armenian IT Sphere in New Perspective

Yerevan, July 22. /PanARMENIAN.Net/

The Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE-) is
going to radically change the perception of IT consumers by means of
Digitech 2005 exhibition, UITE Executive Director Karen Vardanian said
in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, earlier
the attempts to hold such exhibitions were not successful, as similar
equipment was displayed. Digitech 2005 () will present
special exhibition sectors, which remained broach so far. It will
present not only hardware but also a wide range of ending solutions. In
part, solutions for information and communication technologies for
business, multimedia products, IT labor market with the information on
vacancies, job requirements and projects will be presented. IT in
banking sphere including the software companies and automation systems
of banks. Karen Vardanian informed that UITE is carrying out an active
work for attracting foreign organizations and is cooperation with the
Armenian Council of Informational Technologies of America and Armenian
diplomatic representations abroad. Companies from the U.S., Malaysia and
Iran wish to participate in the exhibition. `We also rendered 5 cubic
meters to the embassies for free’, he noted. Though the exhibition will
be the first in Armenia the organizers are going to make it traditional.
To note, Digitech 2005 will be held in Yerevan September 30 – October 2
with the assistance of Enterprise Incubator Foundation ().
During this period a number of events including Internet-search
contests, programming and e-contents will be organized.

*****************************************************************************
News Briefs

WORLD BANK APPROVES $20-MLN AGRICULTURAL LOAN FOR ARMENIA

YEREVAN. July 8 (Interfax) – The World Bank’s board of directors has
approved a $20-million agricultural credit for Armenia, Roger J.
Robinson, director of the World Bank’s Yerevan office, said at a press
conference on Friday.

He said the resources will be extended to the Armenian government to
implement the Rural Enterprise and Small-Scale Commercial Agriculture
Development program (RESCAD). The four-year program is aimed at
in-creasing productivity and revenue at farms.

The $20-million credit will be extended to Armenia on discount terms of
the World Bank’s International Development Association for 40 years at
an annual 0.75% with a delayed payment for the first ten years.

Robinson said the resources will not be allotted to big farms.

The official exchange rate on July 8 was 440.16 dram/$1.

*****

ARMENIAN FOREIGN TRADE UP 27% IN JAN-MAY

YEREVAN. July 5 (Interfax) – Armenian foreign trade in January-May 2005
amounted to $994.8 million, up 27.4% year-on-year, a source in the
National Statistics Service told Interfax.

Imports into the republic in January-May increased 27% to $650.4
million, with exports up 28.2% to $344.4 million.

The trade deficit in the first five months amounted to $306 million, up
25.7% year-on-year.

*****

Source: RFE/RL Newsline, 22 July 2005 ()

IMF LAUDS ARMENIAN ECONOMIC GROWTH

Speaking on 21 July at a press conference following two days of talks in
Yerevan with Armenian government officials, International Monetary Fund
(IMF) Deputy Managing Director Agustin Carstens praised Armenia’s
continuing high rate of GDP growth and progress in reducing poverty,
Noyan Tapan and RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reported. He noted that “very
few countries…have achieved such important progress in such a short
period of time,” and said the IMF “stands ready to assist Armenia with
policy and technical advice.” GDP in Armenia grew on average by 11
percent in each of the past four years, and by a further 8 percent
during the first six months of this year. At the same time, Carstens
pointed out that tax revenues still account for only a small proportion
of GDP, and he implied that some individuals or companies liable for
large tax payments seek to withhold them. He said an increase in tax
revenues would permit the government to increase spending on health
care, education, and infrastructure development. LF

*****

World Bank Press Release

Armenia: World Bank Supports Implementation of Government’s Urban
Heating Strategy

Contact
Washington: Miriam Van Dyck (202) 458-2931
Email: [email protected]

Yerevan: Vigen Sargsyan, (374 1) 524-884
Email: [email protected]

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2005. The World Bank’s Board of Directors today
approved an Urban Heating Project (UHP) for Armenia in the amount of
US$15 million. The project will support the implementation of the
Government’s Urban Heating Strategy for multi-unit apartment buildings
and will improve heating in urban schools.

The development objective of this four-year project is to increase the
use of clean, efficient, safe and affordable heating technologies in
urban schools and multi-unit apartment buildings. The project will
achieve this objective by removing barriers and creating market
conditions for the commercial provision of heating services; providing
long-term financing to service providers and consumers for their
investments in heat supply systems and energy efficiency measures;
building the capacity of local financial institutions in financing heat
supply and energy efficient systems to ensure sustainability after
project closing; promoting efficient and safe boilers, heaters, and
equipment to meter and control fuel and heat consumption; and
stimulating the creation and effective functioning of self-regulating
community organizations.

“We do hope that with the joint efforts of the Government of Armenia,
the World Bank, and other donors involved in the sector, that by the
completion of this Project the foundation for the sustainable
development of commercial heating services in Armenia will be laid,”-
said Gevorg Sargsyan, head of the World Bank team designing the Project.

— The Project combines investment, line of credit and technical
assistance financing:

— The technical assistance component will be targeted at community and
private sector mobilization and development of an enabling environment
for effective and safe provision of heating services, including the
improvement of the legal and regulatory framework, the development of
safety norms and standards, and the certification of suppliers and
equipment, capacity building of heat service providers, local financial
institutions, and home owner associations, implementation of broad
information campaigns and public education programs, etc.

— Investment financing for heating of residential buildings will be
supported under two subcomponents. The first subcomponent consists of
lending to heat providers, home owner associations, municipalities and
individual home-owners for heating infrastructure investments. It is
estimated that about 7,000 households in multi-apartment buildings
without access to operational heating services would benefit from these
investments. The second subcomponent consist of capital grants to
finance investments for the connection of gas, heat and hot water supply
to the apartments of the poor households. Roughly 10,000 poor households
are expected to be provided with a basic level of service from clean
heat sources.

–Installation and/or rehabilitation of gas-based local heating systems
for schools. Roughly 100 schools will receive funding under this
component. The primary focus of this component will be on urban schools
outside Yerevan.

The project will also be supported by a US$ 2.9 million co-financing
Grant from the UNDP/GEF project “Improving the Energy Efficiency of
Urban Heating and Hot Water Supply in Armenia”, which is designed as
technical assistance complementing the WB project.

The Credit will be made to Armenia on standard IDA terms, including 40
years maturity and a 10-year grace period.

Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, commitments to
Armenia total approximately US$896 million for 40 operations.

For more information on the World Bank’s activities in Armenia, please
visit:

********** Forwarded by: ***************************
Ellen S. House, BISNIS Trade Specialist for Armenia
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 202/482-2284, Fax: 202/482-2293

NEED FINANCING FOR A PROPOSED SALE TO EURASIA?
BISNIS FinanceLink helps U.S. companies find financing for export
transactions where a Eurasian buyer has already been identified. For
more information:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMANI’S ‘SOFA’ IN AMERICAN COLLECTION

Azg/arm
27 July 05

The Armenian Mirror Spectator weekly informed recently that “On the
Sofa” the play by Nora Armani, talented soloist, was included in the
Contemporary American Playwrights collection. The volume will be
published in the US by the end of the year. The volume will include
five plays only.

Midtown International Theatre Festival included the play in its
repertoire this year, too. “This is an interesting play, well
elaborated. Armani managed to fully display her skills and talent,”
“Talking Broadway” said about the play. While,
described Armani as “an established singer, actress, poet and
dancer. She is shining with warmth and optimism,” the website stated.

It is also envisaged to represent the play at Workshop Theatre on July
30 and August 2. It’s worth adding that this mono performance was
represented in English and French in Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit,
Philadelphia, Boston, Montreal, Lion, Paris and Cairo.

Nora Armani, prominent actress, represented her famous plays in 25
cities in English, French, Russian, Arabian, Italian and Armenian. She
played in such plays as “Site in Ararat,” Nanto Nanto,” “The Couples
of the World. Talkingof Love,” and “The Snow Flakes in April.” She is
going to play roles in “The King and I,” (Cairo), “The Arms and the
People,” (London), plays, as well as in “The Labyrinth,” “The Last
Station,” “The Seven Day Deadline,” “New Eva” films.

In June Mrs. Armani delivered a lecture on the History of the Armenian
Cinema at the London University and at “The Poetry Club.”

By Hakob Tsulikian