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August 19, 2005
Raffi Hovannisian-Kostas Karamanlis Consultations
Athens–Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos A. Karamanlis received
Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian at
his government office here today.
Karamanlis and Hovannisian, who studied together at the Fletcher School
of Law and Diplomacy 25 years ago, deliberated on a full agenda of
issues ranging from regional security and European integration to
domestic developments and the bilateral relationship between the
Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Armenia.
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is chairman of the New Democracy
Party of Greece. Raffi Hovannisian, who is founder of the Armenian
Center for National and International Studies () and
the National Citizens’ Initiative (), currently chairs the
Heritage Party of Armenia ().

WIDOW OF KAREN DEMIRCHYAN AGAINST PRIVATIZATION OF K.DEMIRCHYAN SPORTS AND CONCERT COMPLEX
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. Widow of Karen Demirchyan Rima Demirchyan
is against privatization of K.Demirchyan SCC.
Talking to ARMINFO, she stated that SCC is a facility symbolizing
revival of Armenia’s spirit as counterbalance to the Memorial for
the Victims of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. Besides,
Rima Demirchyan stated that construction of the complex cost 40
mln Soviet rubles to the country, which is equal to $40 mln, so its
privatization for $6 mln is illegal. Meanwhile, the promised $9 mln
investment will be made at the expense of SCC’s incomes.
She also stated that the Armenian Government will made a decision
on privatization on August 18. In his turn, Prime Minister assured
Rima Demirchyan that the complex will not be renamed even after
privatization. However, she doubts in it.
It should be noted that a Russian construction concern BAMO expressed
intention to buy SCC.

LEADING SHAREHOLDER CJSC “UCS-ZVEZDA” DECIDED TO SELL HIS SHARE IN COMPANY
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. Leading shareholder, Chairman of the
Board of Shareholders of the CJSC “UCS-Zvezda” Aghasi Yesayan decided
to withdraw from the staff of the company’s shareholders and to sale
his share. “OCS-Zvezda” informs ARMINFO.
Yesayan’s share in the company is not mentioned. He refrained
from comments regarding the reasons that made him go on such
step. At the same time, he expressed readiness to give necessary
explanations “after the above issue is finally settled.” The company’s
press-service supposes that such decisive acts are connected with
the failure when entering the telecommunication market of Armenia
as a mobile communication operator. According to the existing data,
it was Yesayan that planned to attract 60 mln EUR investments for
implementation of this project in Armenia. An agreement on financing
of a business-project was concluded with one of the first class banks
of Europe. Mow, these funds are most likely to be used to implement
telecommunication projects in EU member-states in agreement with
the bank.
It should be noted that the Armenian-Russian-American transnational
CJSC “United Communication Systems -Zvezda” yet in the middle of 2004
started launching a modern land station of satellite communication
in Armenia and planned to get a license for provision of mobile
communication services in Armenia. The company’s leadership has always
hidden the staff of shareholders from the press, which aroused distrust
in the plans of this enterprise.

AZG Armenian Daily #146, 19/08/2005
Visit
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF
EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
On August 18, His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians
received president of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Rene
van Der Linden in company with deputy speaker of Armenian Parliament,
chairman of the temporary commission on integration into European
structures, Tigran Torosian.
Greeting the honored guest in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His
Holiness spoke of the role of the Armenian Church in the life of
Armenian people. The Patriarch expressed his gratitude to the PACE
president for the support of the Assembly in instilling democratic
values in Armenia as it integrates into European Union and in the
issue of peaceful regulation of Nagorno Karabakh issue.
Mr. Linden, on his part, spoke of the PACE’s contribution in
establishing democratic state and in human rights protection,
emphasizing the role of churches and religions in these processes as
they start interdenominational dialogues.
The challenges that the Armenian Church and people face today as
well as peaceful regulation of Karabakh conflict and Armenian-Turkish
relations were also discussed at the meeting.

AZG Armenian Daily #146, 19/08/2005
Neighbors
RECONSTRUCTION OF SURP KHACH OF AKHTAMAR GOES ON
The website of Turkish NTV informed on August 18 that the
reconstruction of Surp Khach Armenian church on Akhtamar Island
has been completed by 35 percent. The primary goal is to finish
restoration of outward walls before autumn rains begin. The NTV notes
meanwhile that “the church built by Armenian king Gagik I on Akhtamar
Island of the Lake Van in 915-921 stood against time”. The money for
restoration, 200 million 400 thousand lire, were allocated by the
Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Representative of the firm carrying out the restoration, Adna Vural,
told NTV, “Natural disasters and treasure hunters have severely damaged
the church. We are done with the roof in the first stage. As soon
as the facade is ready, we’ll turn to the frescos, and specialists
invited from abroad will do that job”.
NTV writes that 25 specialists take part in restoration works. The
works are scheduled to finish by 2006 unless nothing unplanned happens.
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily #146, 19/08/2005
Insurance
NO NEWS FOR LEGAL SUCCESSORS OF ‘NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE’
Azg touched upon the process of getting back the deposits from “New York
Life Insurance” American-French company. As we informed before, a charge
free consulting committee that helped the applicants fill the documents was
created at RA Justice Ministry on September 27, 2004. The documents were to
be sent to the board of the US Resolution Fund. The deadline for the
application submission was February 28. 1211 applications were sent to the
US. and only 13 of them had insurance policies.
Already six months passed from the day the applications were sent. We tried
to find out at RA Justice Ministry whether there is any news for the legal
successors or the inheritors. Ara Saghatelian, spokesperson of RA Justice
Ministry, said that there is no news, adding that they spared no efforts to
achieve positive results. He said that our ministry had the
plenipotentiaries to accumulate and send the applications only, while the
rest of the developments of the procedure depend on the verdicts of the US
courts.
“We have no influence on the procedures that take place in the US,” Mr.
Saghatelian added.
By Gohar Gevorgian

AZG Armenian Daily #146, 19/08/2005
Neighbors
YUSCHENKO TO ARRIVE IN BAKU ON THE EVE OF ELECTIONS
The representative of Ukraine in Azerbaijan said the official visit
of Victor Yuschenko, President of Ukraine, is envisaged on November 6,
on the eve of the parliamentary elections.
Referring to the Azeri Press, Regnum agency informed that the members
of “Pora” organization that played an important part during the days of
“the orange revolution” have already visited Baku.

123 COMPANIES AND ASSOCIATIONS TO TAKE PART IN ARMENIA EXPO 2005 EXHIBITION
Armenpress
YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: Some 123 industrial and trade companies
and associations have confirmed their will to participate in “Armenia
EXPO 2005” 5th universal trade-industrial exhibition which will be
held in sport-concert complex after K. Demirchian September 14-17.
The officials from “LOGOS EXPO Center”, which is the organizer of the
exhibition, said it is expected that 160-180 participants from Western
Europe, Middle Asia, China, Iran, Georgia, Turkey, Syria, Ukraine and
United Arab Emirates will take part in the exhibition. Within the
frameworks of the “Armenia EXPO 2005” 6 international specialized
exhibitions will be organized, “Cooperation 2005” Armenian-Russian
business meeting will be conducted, “China’s Day” will be held. The
specialized exhibitions will be organized on industry, construction,
transport, printing, publishing and advertising, and information
technology themes.
The exhibition conference will be held with the support of the Armenian
Trade and Economic Development Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry
and Manufacturers and Businessmen Union. “Printing, Publishing and
Advertising EXPO” and “Comp EXPO” thematic exhibitions will be held
with the support of the National Association of Publishers and the
Union of Information Technology Companies respectively.

CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II RECEIVES HEAD OF PACE
Armenpress
YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II
received today the Head of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE) Rene van der Linden who is in Armenia at the invitation of the
NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian. The head of PACE was accompanied by
NA deputy speaker Tigran Torosian.
The Catholicosate press service said during the meeting the Catholicos
expressed his satisfaction for the support of PACE in contribution to
the development of democratic values in Armenia, for helping Armenia
in the process of Euro-integration as well as in finding peaceful
regulation of the Karabagh conflict. “We hope that with the support
of the Council of Europe peace will be established in the region,”
said the Catholicos.
On his part, the head of PACE thanked for the warm reception and
referred to the works of PACE on establishing democratic values
and securing human rights protection. He noted that in all these
processes the role of churches and religions is very important. He
said the inter-church and inter-religious dialogues can make great
contribution to the establishment of democratic values. During the
meeting they also discussed issues on the Karabagh conflict regulation
as well as issues on establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey.

AZG Armenian Daily #146, 19/08/2005
Karabakh issue
WILL KOSOVO RECOGNITION PIONEER KARABAKH?
An influential organization in conflict study, the International Crisis
Group is going to represent the UN letters of credence concerning 44
persisting conflicts, including Karabakh conflict. Regnum agency quoted
vice-president of the Group Alan Deletroz as saying that independence
is the only alternative for Kosovo. “That’s our fundamental stance
which is accepted by a number of officials in the UN and EU but is not
supported so far by countries of contact group and the capitals. There
are not less than 2 million residents in Kosovo today and the territory
is within the EU in fact. If you think the world community will meet
the claims of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno Karabakh halfway
that is, in my opinion, not very realistic”, he said.
The ICG is preparing proposals on Karabakh regulation. “We have
made two reports on inner political situation in Azerbaijan and
Armenia. But we have not formulated proposals as yet. If none of
the sides want to compromise, there will be no peace”, Deletroz
said earlier. In mid-July, the Group organized a closed discussion
on Karabakh issue in Tbilisi with the participation of Armenian and
Azerbaijani experts. According to the Azeri press, the Group presented
Armenians and Azeris a project of conflict regulation that dissatisfied
the Azeri side. Gyulteki Hajiyeva, participant of the discussion, said
that the project did not mention the “fact of occupation and tended
to legalize the administration de facto existing in Karabakh”. The
project proposed to settle Karabakh issue through a referendum.
International analysts think that the recognition of independent Kosovo
will open doors for other conflicts as well. Moscow-based analyst
Sergey Markedonov voiced an opinion in Baku press recently that the
recognition of Kosovo “will put Nagorno Karabakh next to be recognized
in post-soviet territory”, as “Karabakh, among other unrecognized
states, is the one that has organized system of governance”.
By Tatoul Hakobian