NA DEPUTY DID NOT CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY
A1+
| 17:00:52 | 22-09-2005 | Politics |
NA deputy Hmayak Hovhanissyan did not celebrate the Independence day
yesterday. To be more precise, he refused to take part in the official
solemn banquet.
According to H. Hovhanissyan Armenia has lost independence form the
very moment it launched the constitutional reform proceeding not
from the domestic political problems but for the sake of honoring
the commitments to European forces and justifying their hopes. “It
proves that we are not independent”, he says.
During a press conference titled “Internal political issues of Armenia”
held in Pakagits club the deputy tried to explain why he speaks out
against the constitutional amendments. One of the reasons is that
the Armenian leadership does not wish to make the post of the Mayor
of Yerevan elective.
The independent deputy did not forget to touch upon the topic of
deceived depositors, which can be referred to the unfulfilled
commitments undertaken by Speaker Atrur Baghdassaryan. In
Hovhanissyan’s words, the Speaker is trying to consign to oblivion
the fact that last year Hovhanissyan has collected 66 signatures to
include the issue in the agenda, however Artur Baghdassaryan stated
of his inability to solve this issue. “It means that the President
does not want the problem to be solved”, the deputy noted.
PRICE OF DASHNAKTSUTYUN
The defeat of ARFD at the presidential election in Karabakh Hmayak
Hovhanissyan rated as “shattering”. Though the Dashnaks disliked
such assessment Hmayak Hovhanissyan keeps on commenting on ARFD’s
participation in the LGB election. In part, the deputy said, “They
garnered 67 votes in Nubarashen community. This is all they deserve.”

NATO MEDCEUR – RESCUER – 05 EXERCISE HELD IN YEREVAN
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 04:07
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ September 8-19 MEDCEUR – RESCUER – 05 exercise
of NATO states and those participating in the Partnership for Peace
Program was held in Yerevan on the basis of Military Medicine Faculty
of Yerevan State Medical University. Armenian MOD Spokesperson Seyran
Shahsuvaryan reported it. This is the first exercise of the type
in Armenia. The Academic and Field phases were held in Georgia, in
which Armenian MOD servicemen, specifically 10 officers and cadets
of the Military Medicine Faculty, who master English, took part as
well. The Response Cell computer game was held at the staff circle
in Yerevan. The work was controlled and guided by 2 US Armed Forces
officers and 2 first category specialists. A senior officer of the
Department of Emergency Situations at the Armenian Government and 2
Military Medicine Faculty officers represented Armenia. US military
specialists appreciated the work of their Armenian counterparts. They
noted Armenian specialists managed to learn cooperation principles
within a short space of time and “these exercises were excellent
practical training for our specialists.” To all appearance, the next
phase of the RESCUER -06 exercises will be held in Armenia.

GEORGIA MAY BE NATO OFFICIAL TRANSIT TERRITORY
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 06:12
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ International Relations Commission of the Georgian
Parliament has discussed the draft of an agreement between Georgia and
NATO on transit of personnel and NATO forces and contribution of the
receiving country. After the debate Commission representatives said the
document is of much importance from the point of view of development
and strengthening Georgia-NATO relations. If the document is approved,
NATO member countries will be able to transport military materiel,
troops and equipment through Georgia’s territory after a preliminary
agreement. A NATO unofficial commission will visit Georgia in late
September to get acquainted with the course of implementation of the
program of cooperation between Georgia and the Alliance, reported
RFE/RL.

IMF FORECASTS 8% ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ARMENIA IN 2005
Pan Armenian news
22.09.2005 05:51
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The International Monetary Fund yesterday made
public a report on economic growth prospects. According to it economic
growth will make 8% in Armenia this year. The IMF forecasts reduction
of the economic growth rate to 6% next year. Azerbaijan is the leader
on the indicator among the CIS states. The report notes that economic
growth has made 18.4% in Azerbaijan this year, while it will make 26.6%
next year. According to the IMF forecasts, this year economic growth
will make 7.5% in Georgia, while it will be 6% in Russia.

SOAD FANS URGE DEBATE OF GENOCIDE RESOLUTION IN US HOUSE
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 04:22
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Thousands of fans of System of a Down rock
band have sent letters to US House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL),
urging him to introduce legislation on recognition of the Armenian
Genocide before the House, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America. Letters sent to Hastert via ANCA WebFax free system urge him
to keep his promise of 2000 to submit the Armenian Genocide Resolution
for vote. “The Armenian Genocide is a purely moral issue. Today the
fate of human rights is in your hands. Make the right move, keep your
promise. Serve to US interests and values by letting the legislation
be introduced before the House as soon as possible,” the numerous
messages say.

JACK SCOTT: UTMOST ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISSUE
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 06:07
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Two resolutions referring to the Armenian Genocide in
the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1923 were passed in the California Congress
with much difficulty, stated California Senator Jack Scott at a news
conference in the Armenian MFA. In his words, the strong Turkish lobby
caused this. “Their representatives were trying to persuade there had
been no Genocide. They were presented some facts, but we did not hear
them,” the Senator noted adding at that, “The Armenian Genocide is a
very important issue that should be paid utmost attention.” Mr. Scott
also stated, “We will made every effort for the Armenian Genocide
Resolutions to be passed by the US Senate.” In his turn Armenian FM
Vartan Oskanian stated that the Senator “is a good friend of Armenia
and has made an important contribution to promotion of the Armenian
issue in California,” reported IA Regnum.

A. RUSTAMYAN: ARMENIA – KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY GUARANTOR
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 05:37
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The International Relations Commission of the US
House passing two Armenian Genocide Resolutions will play a key role
in solving the issue of international recognition of the Genocide,
Stated Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Issues
Armen Rustamyan. In his words, Turkish society is not ready to
recognize the fact of the Genocide.
This is due to the inactivity of Turkish authorities, who at the
same time distort facts, Rustamyan said. Thereupon, he noted he sees
two options for solving the issue: first, recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by Turkey and opening of the border, second, establishment of
relations with Armenia and international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. Rustamyan also noted that “if Turkey does not recognize
the fact of the Genocide, there are no guarantees the history will
not repeat.” He reminded that there is an article in the Criminal
Code of Turkey, which provides for criminal penalty for statements
on the Armenian Genocide. He noted Armenia has raise the question
at the European Parliament for many times. One of the preconditions
for Turkey’s accession to the EU is withdrawal of the mentioned
article from the Criminal Code or introducing changes in it, the MP
said. Answering a question on the course of talks over settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Rustamyan noted “there are no talks
at the moment, as there can be no negotiations without the direct
participant of the conflict – Nagorno Karabakh.” If Azerbaijan submits
the Karabakh issue for discussion by the UN without participation of NK
representatives, Armenia will not take part in the debate. He stated
Armenia is a guarantor of independence and security of Karabakh. In
his words, the talks should be held over the “Armenian-Azeri”, not
Nagorno Karabakh conflict and should involve three parties. Speaking of
the coming referendum on constitutional reforms in Armenia, Rustamyan
noted the failure of the referendum over constitutional changes will
have a negative impact on further development of Armenia. Thus, in
his words, the issue should not be an apple of discord between the
opposition and authorities.

CALIFORNIA REGIONAL TRADE CENTER TO OPEN IN ARMENIA IN OCTOBER
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 05:05
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In October California Regional Trade Center will
open in Armenia under the aegis of the International Trade section
of the Department of Enterprise, Construction and Transportation of
California, stated California Senator Jack Scott. The Center will
launch activities not only in Armenia, but also in Georgia, Ukraine
and Russia. In the Senator’s words, a Memorandum of Understanding was
already signed between Armenia and California in 2001. He also noted
California will share experience in IT, agriculture, biotechnics,
while Armenia can export agricultural products.
Some half a million Armenians live in California. “Armenians of
California are devoted to their fatherland and do everything to assist
it,” Mr. Scott remarked. In his turn Armenian FM V. Oskanian informed
the commodity turnover between Armenia and the US makes some $60-70
million and California accounts for most of it, reported IA Regnum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN LEADER MET WITH AMERICAN ENTREPRENEUR JON HUNTSMAN
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 04:38
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with
American entrepreneur, Huntsman Corporation President Jon Huntsman,
reported the Press Service of the Armenian leader. Sharp and Associates
Company owner Edgar Sharp and owner of Reud, Morgan and Queen Company
Rein Allison Reud, who had arrived in Armenia along with Huntsman,
were present at the meeting.
Welcoming the guests, the Armenian President stated Armenian people
recall with gratitude J. Huntsman, who extended a helping hand to
Armenians after the Spitak earthquake in 1988. “I am happy to visit
Armenia again,” J.
Huntsman stated, noting he is going to implement several education and
health programs. In R. Kocharian’s words, the Armenian Government is
ready to promote the entrepreneur’s activities. The Armenian leader
said that he is sure the cooperation will continue and J. Huntsman’s
ideas will be implemented.

Daily Post (Liverpool)
September 21, 2005, Wednesday
BUSINESS PROFILE: HOW I ATTRACTED £1.8M THROUGH MY HOTEL DOOR;
DAVID JONES FINDS HOW MANAGER MARK GULESSARIAN HAS HELPED AN
ANGLESEY
by DAVID JONES
MARK Gulessarian knew all about the attractions of Anglesey from the
days when he holidayed there with his family.
He went on to work in hotel management in towns across the UK and
Europe. But when he saw an advert for a job running the Treaddur Bay
Hotel on the the island it immediately caught his eye.
“I saw this post in Anglesey advertised in a trade magazine and I
knew the area because as children we came to Rhosneigr on holiday for
about 15 years,” he says.
“And I knew Trearddur Bay, although I didn’t know the hotel. So I
came down and looked at the hotel and liked it.”
Gulessarian says he was attracted to the job, not just because of the
beautiful location and quality of life, but also because the hotel
was run by a privately-owned company and its two directors “came
across as genuine, and with a keen desire for the operation to
succeed at a higher level than it was”.
He moved to the Trearddur Bay Hotel as general manager in 1995 and
over the course of the past decade has doubled the hotel’s turnover
to £1.8m.
The business is part of Longford Hotels Ltd, owned by Manchesterbased
brothers Christopher and Richard Lees-Jones who have family links
with the Anglesey and Caernarfon areas. Richard is chairman of the J
W Lees brewing group and Christopher vice-chairman. Christopher is
chairman of Longford Hotels, whose registered office is at Trearddur
Bay, and Richard is a director of the group.
The 42-bedroom Trearddur Bay Hotel, two miles from Holyhead, trades
strongly in the leisure market from Easter to September and is
developing its business markets thanks to a new £1.1m conference and
banqueting centre, called the Canalfan Penrhos Centre, opened earlier
this year.
It is that development, supported with an EU Objective 1 grant of
£287,000 to retain and create jobs in the area, which is enabling the
hotel to look both east and west for new business.
“When I put together the business plan for the new banqueting and
conference centre we looked at the opportunities in Ireland,”
explains Gulessarian.
“Dublin has become very expensive for the day delegate. So we will be
looking to put together a package with Stena that will bring
delegates over here, give them a conference and overnight
accommodation at the hotel and get them back home at a rate cheaper
than the £120 day delegate rate in Dublin.
“We are also looking for business opportunities within the UK. We
have a natural corridor along the A55 to Cheshire, Merseyside,
Lancashire and Manchester and have identified conference organisers
and bluechip companies who use conference facilities.”
While new business opportunities further afield are being targeted,
the Anglesey-based business community continues to be an important
part of the hotel’s client base.
“Our local business clients are the RAF, Stena, Anglesey Aluminium,
BNFL and Holyhead Boatyard.”
All those businesses, in their own ways, have helped with the
economic regeneration of Anglesey over the past few decades. Stena
has, for instance, developed Holyhead port into a major European
transport hub, while Anglesey Aluminium has provided well-paid jobs
for almost 600 people through longterm power supply contracts with
Wylfa nuclear power station. But with the atomic plant earmarked for
closure in 2010, the smelter must devise an alternative energy
strategy or face possible closure.
Gulessarian said: “The Objective 1 programme has made a difference to
the island’s economy, not so much in GDP which has not risen,
although that is a problem afflicting Wales as a whole, not just
Anglesey.
“But I sense there is a buzz about Anglesey these days and a lot more
positive voices around.
“Ty Mawr Industrial Estate at Holyhead is on the point of going
ahead, and we have seen a lot of out-of-town retail development at
Penrhos,” he said. Tourism continues to be one of the island’s key
wealth generators. Gulessarian, trade director with the Tourism
Partnership North Wales and Anglesey Tourism Association chairman,
says: “I think tourism is probably the single biggest industry on the
island. Stena has been successful in attracting large cruise ships to
Holyhead this year, and that did give us some day visitors to the
hotel.
“There is also a plan to establish an airlink from RAF Valley to
Swansea and Cardiff by September 2006.
“There will be four return flights a day, opening opportunities for
both the business and tourism markets.
“But we must look at the wider picture. Valley to Stansted and Valley
to Dublin are the other opportunities.
“There are operating issues that need to be resolved with the RAF
because Valley is an exceptionally busy base and they have concerns
about the numbers of movements they can handle.”
The hotel is now in a position to be able to cater in a much more
comprehensive way. It can cater for a business breakfast, training
event or dinner for anything between 10 and 160 delegates.
Outside the traditional holiday period, more than 80% of the guests
staying at the hotel are business visitors, while on Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays that swings back to the leisure market with
short breaks.
Gulessarian says the all-year round room occupancy rate is 72%,
significantly higher than the Wales average.
“We now have 58 employees, of which 42 are full-time,” he says.
“Since we opened the new conference centre, we have already created
five full-time jobs, and that figure is set to rise to 11 by the time
we have rolled out the facilities and developed them to their full
potential.
“The centre was two and a half years in the planning and development,
but I can see it generating income in the region of £250,000 a year.”
Of Armenian extraction – his grandfather settled in Manchester to
work in the clothing trade – Gulessarian graduated from the Blackpool
Hotel School in 1980 with an HND in hotel management and catering
administration, before following what he describes as a traditional
trainee management scheme in the Southport, Manchester and Liverpool
areas.
A move to Switzerland enabled him to broaden his experience before he
returned to the UK as general manager with a hotel just outside
Swindon.
A spell with Trust House Forte gained him corporate experience before
he moved to Pontefract to become operations director in charge of
four hotels and four public hotels. From there, Anglesey beckoned.
He says: “Career opportunities are better now than when I joined the
industry. Then, it was long and unsocial hours and not particularly
well paid. Today there is a strong career structure available to our
employees
question.
ANSWER
Age 49 this week Hometown Northwich Now resident Trearddur Bay
Marital status Married, with three daughters Interests Golf, motor
racing Unfulfilled ambition To own and operate his own hospitality
business Personal business philosophy: Exceed guest expectations and
deliver quality
GRAPHIC: Mark Gulessarian is attracting trade from Ireland with
Treaddur Bay’s new banqueting facilities Picture: GERALLT RADCLIFFE