ARMENIAN PM: OSCE PLAYS CONSIDERABLE ROLE IN ESTABLISHMENT OF STABILITY AND SECURITY IN REGION
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6. ARMINFO. OSCE has an active part in the
establishment of stability and security in the South Caucasus region,
in prevention and settlement of conflicts, as well as in processes
of expansion of democracy and human rights. Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan made this statement in the course of today’s
meeting with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister
Dimitrij Rupel, who arrived in Yerevan yesterday.
The press-service of the Armenian Government informs ARMINFO that
Andranik Margaryan pointed out that Armenia not only attentively
follows but also actively participates in the discussions on the
supposed reforming of OSCE, expressing hope that the forthcoming
reforms will contribute to further increase in the role and authority
of that international organizations. The premier pointed out the
attention by OSCE and personally by Dmitri Rupel to the process of
peaceful resolution of Karabakh conflict, and the second in succession
visit of OSCE Chairman-in-Office to Armenia and Azerbaijan testifies
to it. Andranik Margaryan confirmed the official position of Armenia
that OSCE and Minsk Group co-chairmen have enough potential in the
issue of versatile settlement of the conflict.
He said the meeting of he presidents and foreign ministers of
Armenia and Azerbaijan are also effective and must be continued,
naturally, not ruling out direct participation of the Karabakh party
at a definite stage of the negotiations. He thinks acceptable the
approach of Dimitrij Rupel not to oppose the principles of territorial
integrity and the peoples’ right to self- determination in the
issue of the conflict’s settlement proceeding from peculiarities
of conflicts. Andranik Margaryan also pointed out that Armenia
has always come out for implementation of regional projects not
only under the aegis of international organizations, but also for
strengthening of economic and trade ties with neighboring states in
favor of establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey without
preliminary conditions. He expressed regret in connection with the
fact that the above proposals remain without reply of Turkey and
Azerbaijan. Moreover, projects are implemented like the construction of
a new railroad Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi in conditions of the already
existing railway Kars-Gyumri-Akhalkalaki, as well as the project of
oil pipeline Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan etc.. These projects pass by Armenia
hereby contradicting to the spirit of the EU-elaborated program Wider
Europe: New neighborhood Armenia a member of.

SITUATION WITH KARABAKH UNFAIR: AZERI PRESIDENT
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5. ARMINFO. Azerbaijan is very strong and Armenia
will not stand its pressure. But we do not want war for it will claim
many lives. Let’s nobody doubt this, Azeri President Ilham Aliev says
in an interview to Hurriyet.
He says that each Azeri believes that one day the “occupied” lands
will be liberated and the Azeri flag will be hoisted over Karabakh.
Commenting on his Kazan meeting with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan Aliev says that there are no results yet. “The Armenians
are waiting for us to give them independence. But this is impossible!
Our territorial integrity is our top priority. I told Kocharyan that
we are ready to guarantee the security of Karabakh’s Armenians. I
stressed that Baku will not let them face any danger.” “But the
Armenian army does not want to leave our lands.”
Aliev says that during a recent phone talk US State Secretary
Condoleeza Rice told him that Washington wants the parties to settle
their conflict. “I wonder why being an occupant Armenia is still
unpunished though I certainly understand that the Armenian lobby is
strong. This situtaton is extremely unfair,” says Aliev.
He notes that after the talk he felt some softening in Kocharyan’s
position but this was not enough for settling the problem. “We have
taken all possible steps but Armenia keeps ignoring the international
public opinion. The West advocates quick resolution. We are doing our
best for that. Then we will sit down and think it over,” says Aliev.

ARMENTEL REGISTERS 67.8% GROWTH IN NET PROFIT IN JAN-JUNE 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5. ARMINFO. The net profit of the ArmenTel telecom
company grew by 67.8% to 14.6 mln EUR in Jan-June 2005 as against
Jan-June 2004, reports OTE, the Greek company owning 90% of ArmenTel.
The operating income grew by 66.7% to 16.5 mln EUR. The operating
revenues grew by 33.3% to 51.6 mln EUR. The operating income before
depreciation and amortization grew by 40.6% to 30.5 mln EUR. The
number of fixed telephone lines grew by 3.2% to 587,891. The number
of mobile phone customers grew by 87.4% to 257,679.
OTE bought 90% of ArmenTel in late 1997 for $142.47 mln. The remaining
10% belongs to the Armenian Government.

“LATE SUMMER” IN ARMENIA
A1+
| 15:39:57 | 07-09-2005 | Social |
The ArmHydromet Service informs that starting form today the weather
will become warmer, rains will stop and the wind will weaken. Up to
September 12 the air temperature will raise by 12 degrees.
The only bad news informed by the weathermen is that in the afternoon
the sky will be cloudy. They also refuse to forecast the weather
after September 12.

OUT CHANCES LOW AGAIN
A1+
| 14:58:41 | 07-09-2005 | Sports |
In today’s football match Czech Republic – Armenia the international
bookmakers give the advantage to the hosts. Their victory index is
only 1.02.
The victory index of the Armenian National team is 21, and the draw
index is 9. The same scene is in the case of the youth teams.
The National teams of Armenia and the Czech Republic will play today
at 08:30 p.m. by Yerevan time.

KAREN DAVTYAN LYING?
A1+
| 15:29:55 | 07-09-2005 | Social |
“When Shah Abas came to Armenia, the only church which was not leveled
to earth was the Echmiadzin Holy Temple… P.S. The picture of Shah
Abas was carved on the wall of the temple…”.
The residents of the Buzand street had written on the wall under the
photo of the President Robert Kocharyan. All the houses subject to
destruction have the photos of the President on their walls, as if
intending to delay their destruction. The policemen too became kinder
and did not interfere with this process.
Today the residents of the Buzand street spoke about the words of
the Municipality Investment and Reconstruction department head Karen
Davtyan during yesterday’s press conference. They considered his words
extremely offensive. According to them, Karen Davtyan’s announcement
about the residents of the street who refused to take the 925-940 USD
offered to them for one square meter, does not correspond to reality.
Resident of the Buzand street, victim of “State needs” Sedrak
Baghdasaryan claims, “There are many dark places in this process. By
the Government decision N909 lands have been allotted to the
organizations “Griar”, “Avan Tour” , “Gas Shin”, and “Meliq Gasparyan”
to carry our the construction of the Main Avenue. And what is the
“Griar” LTD? It was created in 2003, and by the Government decision
made in 2004 gets the larger part. The executive director is Arthur
Yordanyan who also works in the Armenian Compulsory Acts Realization
Department Arabkir section. That is, he evicts people from their
houses, securing work for the workers of his department and developing
his business. The second organization, according to the newspaper
“Republic of Armenia” had serious losses in 2004 and must pay more
than03 million drams as tax to the state. A question arises: How do
we trust this organization? What will it do and with what money?”
According to him, the “Griar” LTD must construct a 10-12 storied
living building, one square meter of which will cost 2000 USD. Sedrak
Baghdasaryan announces, “Davtyan says as if we have 30 sq.m. but we
demand 60. It is not so. We have 70 and we demand as much money as
to be able to buy a corresponding house in the same building. In my
case they have calculated about 600 USD for 1 sq.m. minus the income
tax 10%”.

TURKISH OFFICERS IN RETIREMENT SHOULD INTERPRET “GENOCIDE” TERM
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6. ARMINFO. About 300 Turkish officers in retirement
intend to take active part at “Armenia in period of Ottoman empire
downfall” forthcoming conference in Istanbul, as Turkish “Zaman”
informs, Head of Turkish retired officers Union, divisional general
in retirement Rza Kyuchugogly stated.
Kyuchugogly noted that he has sent a proper letter to conference
organizers and informed on their wish to take active part at both
the conference and the discussions. In his words, officers are
tuned resolutely enough and certainly will participate there. Both
Kyuchugogly and Union members prove their certainty with the importance
of the forthcoming conference in the interests of Turkey’s future. “If
this action are being organized under a slogan that the Armenian
issue will be given democratic explanation, we consider necessary our
participation there. If they use “Genocide” word, in fact groundlessly
blaming Turkey in its fulfillment, we at least will demand to interpret
“Genocide” term”, he stated.

ARMENIAN STUDENTS WITH SIGHT PROBLEMS TO STUDY IN U.S.
Pan Armenian News
07.09.2005 04:42
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During the ongoing visit to the United Stated
Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly Artur Baghdassaryan attended
the Armenian Church of Saint Mariam in Washington to discuss the issues
of concern of the West Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and
the construction of a new Armenian church to be build next year, RA NA
press service reported. When in the Armenian Embassy in the U.S. Artur
Baghdassaryan met with members of the Armenian Diaspora. During the
meeting the interlocutors considered political and social-economic
reforms in Armenia and the Armenia-Diaspora relations. Besides, the
RA NA Speaker met with chairman of the Society of Blind “Transparent
House” Peter Dempoy. The parties agreed on sending the Armenian
students with sight problems for training to the U.S.

ARMENIAN AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO EXPAND COOPERATION
Pan Armenian News
07.09.2005 03:53
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian National Assembly Chairman Artur
Baghdassaryan, who is on visit to the U.S., met in Washington with
Vice President of Habitat for Humanity project Thomas Lert Johns
and Director for Europe and Asia Ned Kelly, RA NA press center
reported. During the meeting the parties discussed programs launched
for the assistance to needy families. They also stressed the importance
of the joint program carried out in the village of Kharberd of the
Ararat region, which will be continued in the towns of Maralik and
Gyumri. The interlocutors also agreed on construction of dwelling
for the families without means.

OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER – ONE OF CONDITIONS FOR PEACE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS
Pan Armenian News
07.09.2005 03:07
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European community openly urges to open the
Armenian-Turkish border, Turkish-Armenian Business Development
Council head Kaan Soyak stated, APA Azeri news agency reported. In
his words, Europeans treat the issue not like the Azeris do. “The
conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot be settled with the
borders closed. Azerbaijan presses upon Turkey to keep the borders
blocked. However, the review of such policy will not only alleviate
Turkey’s problems but also promote the conflict settlement supported
by the international community”, he noted. “I believe in the soonest
establishment of peace in the South Caucasus. However, the opening
of the Armenian-Turkish border and reconciliation of Azerbaijan and
Armenia is the first condition for the establishment of peace in the
South Caucasus. The Kazan meeting was very important and certainly
the determination of the status of Karabakh in the most important
task. Thus the parties should work out a formula admissible for both if
them”, Mr. Soyak added. When asked whether the Turkish entrepreneurs
could establish trade relations with the Karabakh businessmen, Kaan
Soyak stated, “There should not be any obstacles for trade. But
Nagorno Karabakh is a region not recognized by the international
community. That is why credits are not allocated and the commodities
imported are not insured, international banks do not function on the NK
territory and the investments have no international guarantees. Thus
before the determination of Karabakh’s status free trade only can
develop with the region.” In his words, if peace is established and
the borders are unblocked Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia
should first of all revive tourism. The South Caucasus is one of the
world’s richest regions from the viewpoint of tourist potential, the
Turkish businessman noted. When touching upon TABDC’s initiative on
building Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline via Armenia K. Soyak said,
“The TABDC called such oil pipeline “the peace belt”, which would unite
us for many years. All the countries of the world including Azerbaijan
recognized that the construction of the pipeline through Armenia would
be economically more beneficial, since the expenses could be cut to
20%. There are pipelines in Armenia laid during the soviet period and
they can be used at present time. As result, Turkey and Azerbaijan
can derive a greater income form these pipelines”, Kaan Soyak resumed.