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12/09/2004
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1) Dutch Ambassador, ANC Meet on Turkey EU Talks
2) Sargsian Outlines Conditions for Karabagh Conflict Resolution
3) Azerbaijan Cuts off Rail Traffic Fearing Goods Going to Armenia
4) EBRD Purchases 25 Percent Stock in Armenian Bank
5) Cyprus Warns Veto of Turkey’s EU Talks
6) Javakhk Conference Pushes for Integration over Amalgamation
7) Armenian Theater Group Lands Iran Officials in Court
8) BRIEFS

1) Dutch Ambassador, ANC Meet on Turkey EU Talks

LEBANON (Aztagdaily.com)–A delegation from Lebanon’s Armenian National
Committee (ANC) met with the Dutch ambassador to Lebanon G.J. van Epen on
Wednesday to protest the December 17 summit that will decide whether to launch
European Union entry talks with Ankara. The Dutch currently hold the six-month
EU presidency.
The delegation expressed concern about Turkey’s entry into the Union, and
presented a letter to the ambassador, intended for the foreign ministry of his
country. In the letter, the ANC outlined issues that clearly reveal Turkey’s
inability to adhere to European norms and standards.
The meeting took place at the Royal Netherlands Embassy of Lebanon.

2) Sargsian Outlines Conditions for Karabagh Conflict Resolution

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Armenian’s Defense Minister Serge Sargsian, who also
serves as the country’s National Security Council Secretary, said that
recently
emerging fears that a Karabagh resolution would not favor the Armenia side are
“completely unfounded.”
In an interview with the Aravot newspaper, he noted that a resolution to the
conflict must guarantee not only the security of the population of Mountainous
Karabagh Republic (MKR), but also ensure that MKR would not subordinate to
Azerbaijan, and would no longer be qualified as an enclave.
“There is a struggle, and the struggle continues. No one has declared that
the
conflict is over,” Sargsian said in stressing that the international community
is actively pursuing a resolution.
Commenting on recent speculation that Armenia wants to convey its
war-readiness, via photos of its president taken in the trenches of Karabagh,
the defense minister said, “neither the republic’s president nor I, to put it
plainly, are new to trenches, and we do not visit these positions just once a
year.” He explained that President Kocharian wanted to personally witness the
great progress that has taken place in Karabagh in 2004.

3) Azerbaijan Cuts off Rail Traffic Fearing Goods Going to Armenia

(AFP)–Azerbaijan shut down its cargo rail traffic to other Caucasus republics
Thursday because it feared that some of the goods were being delivered to
Armenia, officials said.
Azerbaijan’s rail ministry said the traffic was cut off to neighboring
Georgia, whose rail line leads to Armenia, because “we have received
information that part of the cargo sent to Azerbaijan from Russia is meant for
Armenia,” Moscow’s regional ally.
The Azeri rail ministry told AFP that 1,500 rail cars holding oil and grain
were intercepted at the Azeri-Georgian border. The rail ministry official said
that Moscow and Baku had signed a 1998 agreement that goods from Russia headed
for Armenia could not be transferred by Azerbaijan.
“That is why we have every right to do this,” rail ministry spokesman Nazyr
Azmamedov said.

4) EBRD Purchases 25 Percent Stock in Armenian Bank

Yerevan (Armenpress)–One of Armenia’s leading commercial banks, Armeconombank
and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) sealed an
agreement in Yerevan on December 8 whereby the European bank purchased 25
percent of the Armenian bank’s stock.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, a senior EBRD executive said they will
pay Armeconombank $1 million and grant it $500,000 in “technical assistance.”
An EBRD finance director, Maria-Luisa Cicogniani, told a news conference that
the agreement was in line with EBRD’s plans to expand investments in the
private sector of former Soviet republics.
“This is our first investment in Armenia’s banking sector, and if further
opportunities arise we will certainly consider them,” Cicogniani said. EBRD
had
made similar investments in one bank in Azerbaijan and two banks in Georgia
which conform to Western-style management and transparency.
“We are a long-term investor in the bank, and our investments are usually
five-year-long and more,” she said.
Armeconombank, in which the majority of stock belongs to Khachatur Sukiasian,
a business tycoon and parliament member, is one of few Armenian banks
structured as a public joint-stock company, with 2,000 small shareholders
receiving dividends.
The head of EBRD Yerevan office, Nikolay Hajinsky said the EBRD will soon buy
minority stakes in several Armenian manufacturing companies, but he did not
name those firms.
The overall EBRD investments in the Armenian economy since 1993 have covered
11 programs totaling $150.

5) Cyprus Warns Veto of Turkey’s EU Talks

NICOSIA (Combined Sources)–Cyprus has upped the ante in its demands for
recognition from Turkey, warning its European Union partners it may otherwise
veto the start of accession talks with Ankara, local newspapers reported.
The warning that Nicosia may “have no other option” but to use its veto at a
December 16-17 summit of EU heads of state was issued at a meeting of the EU
ambassadors of the bloc’s 25 member countries in Brussels on Wednesday.
Cyprus’s EU representative warned that Nicosia “may be pushed down a path it
does not want to take” if Ankara refused to recognize it, the Cyprus Mail
newspaper reported from Brussels. Other dailies carried similar reports.
Turkey is resisting calls to recognize Cyprus before the summit, which will
decide whether to launch EU entry talks with Ankara.
Turkey recognizes only the Turkish Cypriot enclave in north Cyprus, while the
rest of the world views the Greek Cypriot government in the south, which
joined
the EU in May, as the sole legitimate representative of the whole island.
The Cypriot government has demanded full recognition before Turkey’s talks
start. Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 in reaction to an Greek-inspired coup in
Nicosia and has kept 35,000 troops on the divided island ever since.
Many in the EU are wary of admitting Turkey, a large, relatively poor, Muslim
country of 70 million people because of concerns of social and labor
upheaval.
In Brussels yesterday, the Dutch presidency of the EU said it was sure it
could resolve the question of Ankara’s refusal to recognize Cyprus before this
month’s summit.
“We are discussing this with both Cyprus and Turkey…I am absolutely sure
the
presidency…will find a formula that will satisfy everyone,” Dutch Foreign
Minister Bernard Bot, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, told
reporters.
The Dutch presidency last week suggested a compromise under which Turkey
would
tacitly recognize the Greek Cypriot government by extending an existing
association agreement it has with the EU. Ankara and Nicosia have so far
rejected this idea

6) Javakhk Conference Pushes for Integration over Amalgamation

AKHALKALAK (A-INFO)–Javakhk Armenians are due to hold their first public
conference on December 11 to review the grave social and economic problems
that
are prevalent in the mostly Armenian-populated region of Georgia. The Council
of Armenian Social Organizations, which has organized the event, revealed that
additional conferences on language, culture, and local government will be held
in the future.
Organizers have chosen the theme “Integration But Not Amalgamation” to
reflect
that although they support integration, they categorically reject the
policy of
amalgamation advanced by Georgian authorities.

7) Armenian Theater Group Lands Iran Officials in Court

(Reuters)–Iran’s judiciary has arrested three cultural officials for
organizing a festival containing a brief display of dancing by a male and
female theater group from Armenia, the government-run Iran newspaper reported
on Thursday.
One hardline newspaper said the festival in the southern city of Ahvaz
contained “obscene and repulsive scenes of lewdness and ethical violations in
the guise of art.”
Physical contact between unrelated men and women in public is outlawed under
Iran’s strict Islamic moral code and female dancers and singers are banned
from
performing in front of men. Social and cultural restrictions have eased
somewhat under the government of moderate cleric President Mohammad Khatami.
But powerful conservatives deeply opposed to Western cultural influences have
stepped up their efforts to stamp out any watering down of Islamic values in
recent months.
Festival organizer Alireza Ajang, head of the Culture and Islamic Guidance
Ministry in southern Khuzestan province, and two of his colleagues were
arrested on charges of “encouraging immorality.” The three were later released
on $19,500 bail.
Deputy Culture Minister Mohammad Haqshenas said the incident had been blown
out of proportion. “The whole festival should not be questioned due to three
minutes out of an Armenian group’s 70-minute performance,” Iran newspaper
quoted him as saying.
But the hard-line Kayhan newspaper, in an editorial, called for the officials
to be fired. “The dancing of women in revealing gowns under the light of
strong
projectors, the mixed dancing of men and women, and other ugly scenes…were
just some of the scandalous incidents of that day,” the paper said.

8) BRIEFS

Pope Expresses Concern for Iraqi Christians

VATICAN CITY (CNS)–Pope John Paul II expressed concern for Christians in
Iraq
after the December 7 terrorist attacks on an Armenian Catholic church and the
Chaldean Catholic bishop’s residence in Mosul. Conveying his “spiritual
closeness to the faithful, ” the pope prayed for the intercession of the
Virgin
Mary to help “the
beloved Iraqi people” experience “a time of reconciliation and peace.”

Pope Visits Spanish Steps to Start Christmas

ROME (AP)–Waving from his white popemobile, Pope John Paul blessed shoppers
and tourists at the foot of the Spanish Steps on Wednesday as he began his
busy
Christmas schedule with a traditional visit to the popular square in the heart
of historic Rome.
Riding down narrow Via Condotti, a street lined with some of Rome’s swankiest
shops, John Paul read a prayer in honor of the Virgin Mary. Thousands of
Romans
and out-of-towners took a break from gift-buying on the first official day of
the city’s Christmas shopping season to catch a glimpse of the Pope in the
square with its towering column topped by a statue of Mary. Earlier Wednesday,
the Pope said he was praying for the Iraqi people after militants bombed two
churches in Mosul, the latest anti-Christian violence in the country.

Armenian Mining Giant Sold for $40M

YEREVAN (RFE-RL)–The government announced on Thursday the sale of Armenia’s
largest metallurgical complex to several private investors, including a large
German company, for just $40 million.
A government statement said Germany’s Chronimet will take over 60 percent of
shares of the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine, which was put up for
privatization last March. Fifteen percent of its stock will go to a
Yerevan-based metallurgical company, while two other firms–called Armenian
Molybdenum Production and Zangezur Mining–will each get 12.5 percent. The
Zangezur plant and adjacent mines are located near the town of Kajaran in the
southeastern Syunik region. The mountainous area has the country’s largest
deposits of copper and molybdenum ores, with thousands of people working
there.

Azeri Nationalists Unhappy with Armenian-Iranian Relations

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Iran’s financial and moral support for Armenia has raised
concerns in Azerbaijan, reported Armenpress. The nationalist Yeni Musavat
party
is planning to picket the Iranian embassy in Baku on December 10, according to
the party leader, Giuduz Jalilov.

Turkish Envoy says Ankara Ready to Assist Azerbaijan in Karabagh conflict

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Turkey is ready to participate more actively in settling
the
Karabagh conflict, newly-appointed Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan Turan
Morali said at his meeting with Azeri Parliament Speaker Murtuz Aleskerov on
Wednesday. Morali stressed the importance of settling the conflict both for
Azerbaijan and the region, including Turkey.

Armenian Patriarch Blames Turkey for Poor Relations

(NTV/MSNBC)–Catholicos of all Armenians Karekin II on Wednesday said
that Ankara was responsible for lack of formal diplomatic relations with
Yerevan, because of Turkey’s insistence on setting preliminary conditions for
the normalizing of relations. The Catholicos, however, said that it was
essential to resolve the question
of the Karabagh conflict. He stressed that the issue of genocide was not an
issue up for debate.

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Karabakh’s parliament passes new electoral code

Mediamax news agency
9 Dec 04

YEREVAN

The parliament of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic (NKR) has passed the
Electoral Code in its second and final reading.

In accordance with the new Electoral Code, a third of the MPs will be
elected on party lists, Mediamax news agency’s correspondent reports
from Stepanakert. The Democratic Artsakh Union faction which has a
majority of seats in the NKR’s parliament tabled the motion.

The National Assembly of the NKR also passed the law “On ombudsman”.

Marketing
December 8, 2004

CAROLYN.K

It’s cute, it’s feminine, but above all, it’s pink. Alexandra Jardine
reports on an accessories brand with celebrity fans.

If you can’t stand pink, Carolyn.K is definitely not the brand for
you. ‘Though I’m asked who the brand is aimed at, the idea is that
there is no age range or particular type of person – but it’s
definitely someone who loves pink,’ says Carolyn Nola, founder of the
cosmetics accessories brand

Welcome to girly, pampering heaven. From its packaging to its
polka-dot satin sleep masks, the brand is pink, cute and feminine.
It’s a theme continued in Nola’s West London office, whose white
carpet and walls are offset by a dazzling display of colour. Swatches
of bright, patterned fabric nestle among the well-thumbed copies of
glossy magazines.

There is a picture of a pink lily above her desk, and she has even
covered her diaries and notebooks in pink fabric.

Nola, however, is dressed smartly in black, with only a studded
wristband betraying her favourite colour. She may love pink, but
there is nothing frivolous about this focused, businesslike
33-year-old, who, inspired by her Armenian businessman father, has
always wanted to run her own company.

After working as a freelance make-up artist for 10 years, Nola
spotted a gap in the market for beautifully packaged make-up
accessories, and Carolyn.K was born. ‘Lots of make-up artists were
launching their own cosmetics ranges, but there wasn’t much available
to go with the make-up,’ she explains. ‘I would use these kinds of
accessories as a make-up artist, but I bought most of them abroad.
You couldn’t get them over here.’

Just under two years later, Carolyn.K is stocked in 80 stores, from
London to Loch Lomond, and has secured its first international
listing in Ireland.

It has also attained in a relatively short time what some
long-established beauty brands can only dream of – celebrity
endorsement from Britney Spears, Kelly Brook and Charlotte Church.
Brook has even called to say how much she likes the brand, and when
the Carolyn.K eye mask featured in OK! magazine as one of her
favourite products, the range sold out almost immediately.

Carolyn.K positions itself as a one-stop shop for beauty accessories,
offering more than 40 products that include brightly coloured PVC
make-up bags, make-up sponges and brushes, mini pink emery boards and
moisturising socks. All are priced between £2 and £20.

While the range was designed with travel in mind – most items are
small, practical and portable – its target customer isn’t necessarily
a jetsetting businesswoman. Not only is the brand sold in department
stores and beauty emporia such as Pout, it has also had great success
in Top Shop, where it is displayed near teen fashion. Nola agrees it
has a ‘cute’ appeal for the younger market.

>From being ‘very make-up artist-led’ in the beginning, Nola has found
the brand is evolving into a gift option. Compact and cutely
packaged, the products have turned out to be ideal stocking fillers,
and Carolyn.K has done its best business at Christmas. ‘People might
go to the counter to buy some sponges for themselves, but go away
with an eye mask for a friend,’ says Nola.

A distinctive feature of the brand is that it donates 5p from each
item sold to the Breast Cancer Campaign. It is an issue Nola feels
strongly about, and she claims not to be looking for PR from the link
– though she admits the charity’s pink ribbons fit with her colour
scheme.

Marketing has otherwise been confined to securing editorial coverage
in the beauty pages of women’s glossies, and with mentions in Red,
Glamour, New Woman and OK!, its strike rate has been impressive.

Nola employs a PR assistant on a contract basis and two people to
pack boxes at the small warehouse she rents in Greenford, West
London. By keeping overheads low, Carolyn.K has managed to achieve a
profit in its first full year.

Over the next five years, Nola’s plan is to secure further investment
and expand internationally. She hopes to launch in France, Italy and
Germany next, and the US by the end of next year. Her ultimate dream,
however, is to open her own chain of Carolyn.K-branded stores. Retail
designers take note – and get the pink paint ready.

TIMELINE

Apr 2002: Carolyn Nola, known in the make-up industry as Carolyn K
after her maiden name Karapetian, registers her company and brand
name. She begins sourcing products from the US, Japan and Far East,
and works with a designer on packaging and a logo.

Sep 2002: With the help of a £10,000 loan, which she pays back within
six months, Nola gives up her work as a freelance make-up artist. She
rents a warehouse for stock as products arrive.

Nov 2002: Carolyn.K secures its first retail listing at 10 House of
Fraser stores.

Jul 2003: Nola takes on a public relations executive to send products
to magazines and launches a website,

Jan 2004: Having originally sourced products from abroad, Nola moves
the majority of production to the UK, deciding that local quality and
convenience are superior.

Aug 2004: Carolyn.K secures its first international listing at six
McCabe’s Pharmacy stores in Ireland.

Agence France Presse — English
December 9, 2004 Thursday 1:34 PM GMT

Azerbaijan cuts off rail to rival Armenia

BAKU

Azerbaijan shut down its cargo rail traffic to other Caucasus
republics Thursday because it feared that some of the goods were
being delivered to its arch-foe Armenia, officials said.

Azerbaijan’s rail ministry said the traffic was cut off to
neighboring Georgia, whose rail line leads to Armenia, because “we
have received information that part of the cargo sent to Azerbaijan
from Russia is meant for Armenia,” Moscow’s regional ally.

The Azeri rail ministry told AFP that 1,500 rail cars holding oil and
grain were intercepted at the Azeri-Georgian border.

The rail ministry official said that Moscow and Baku had signed a
1998 agreement that goods from Russia headed for Armenia could not be
transferred by Azerbaijan.

“That is why we have every right to do this,” rail ministry spokesman
Nazyr Azmamedov said.

Neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia are still technically at war over
control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a sparsely populated range of mountains
with a mainly ethnic Armenian population that is formally part of
Azerbaijan.

A five-year war between the two countries ended with Armenia taking
control of the enclave in 1994. An estimated 35,000 people were
killed in the fighting and one million people fled their homes.

Georgia sits on the northern side of the two countries’ border,
providing another rail link between the two feuding states.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Dec 9 2004

AMBASSADOR JAMES COLLINS: `TODAY’S AZERBAIJAN IS A FRUIT OF
FARSIGHTEDNESS AND IDEAS OF HEYDAR ALIYEV’
[December 09, 2004, 15:43:57]

The ex-U.S. Aide to the Secretary of State on newly independent
states, former US ambassador to Russia James Collins, speaking to
Washington-based AzerTAj correspondent shared his views and
recollections on his meeting with the architect and founder of the
independent Azerbaijan state, world-scale politician Heydar Aliyev.

The diplomat, in particular, said:

`I have been working with President Heydar Aliyev for about four
years. My first meeting with him was in spring 1994. During my visit
to the region, I also visited Azerbaijan where President Heydar
Aliyev and his government received the delegation headed by myself.
Along the evening we had comprehensive discussions on opportunities
of cooperation between America and Azerbaijan.

I would like to remember that at that time the relations between our
countries were at the beginning stage. Heydar Aliyev used to think
over establishment of the links with the Western energy companies and
investors that would benefit his country. We also talk on the hard
and crucial problem over Nagorny Karabakh.

During the first meeting, I was deeply impressed how he farsightedly
thought about his country and nation. He used to seek ways for the
Country’s economic development to expand its opportunities. We had
significant talk on this. Then, later we witnessed how the
negotiations with the Western companies intensified, the links with
the United States expanded and Azerbaijan economy was opened to the
world. After that meeting, I often used to go to Baku. President
Heydar Aliyev received me in every visit. I took close participation
in organizing his meetings with President Bill Clinton and other
high-rank officials of US Administration both in Washington and in
other cities.

I remember that in these meetings, essentially, there were discussed
two questions. The first was how the economic ties established in
1994 to make a dialogue. It is because this cooperation did not cover
only the economic questions, but also the political issues. For
example, development of the Caspian basin hydrocarbons was an
international question. We talked on involving of the Western
companies to Azerbaijan, on the support the US government could
render in this process. As result, now our economic links are at such
high level.

The second question was connected to Nagorny Karabakh. During our
joint work, were grateful to huge efforts President Heydar Aliyev
made to find a formula of settlement of the hard and crucial
situation. During one of my visits, I had been in a refugee camp in a
south region of country. The situation was indeed hard and sorrowful.
President Heydar Aliyev tried very much to find solution to the
Nagorny Karabakh problem. We carried out negotiations in a number of
ways – directly with President and his aides, with the mediation of
Minsk Group. Sometimes, we looked like to find the way out. But when
it comes to adopt difficult decisions, we omitted the moment. In such
cases, President Heydar Aliyev regretted much. I am confident he
wanted very much to settle the problem. But there were limits in what
he could do. The national interests and justice stipulated these
limits. In addition, as a wise leader, President Heydar Aliyev
understood that his Armenian colleagues, too, have similar limits. I
would say the most regretful for President Heydar Aliyev was
uncertainty in the Nagorny Karabakh problem. I am confident that some
day the conflict will be solved. But I know also well that Heydar
Aliyev wished much to see that day.

I have also respect for Heydar Aliyev for other reason – when, in the
first years of independence, there was uncertainty in connection to
future of Azerbaijan, President Heydar Aliyev became the voice of his
Country and solved his destiny. Today’s Azerbaijan is the fruit of
farsightedness and ideas of Heydar Aliyev.

Sometimes, the Clinton Administration expected excessive democratic
reforms, open and pluralistic approach from Heydar Aliyev. But we had
deep respect for him, as President Heydar Aliyev well understood his
role as Head of State.

Heydar Aliyev has done significant deeds for Azerbaijan. He opened
Azerbaijan to the world, set important links with partners in the
West and other countries over the world, could balance the former
relations with the old friends in Moscow and other Soviet area.

Now, Azerbaijan is an independent and serious state of the region
playing important role in the international arena.

ArmenPress
Dec 9 2004

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT UNDECIDED OVER SENDING TROOPS TO IRAQ

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Grigor Ghonjeyan from the United
Labor Party’s parliamentary faction was the only parliament deputy
who said openly their faction welcomes the decision on sending a
non-combat contingent to Iraq, saying the faction would back it when
the parliament starts debates. On Wednesday Armenia’s Constitutional
Court paved the way for debates ruling that the decision does not run
counter to Armenia’s Constitution.
He said Armenia’s joining the US-led coalition of international
forces would raise the country’s international image. He said the
interim government of Iraq and the local Armenian community did not
speak against Armenians presence. However, his latest remark was
wrong as the Armenian community asked Armenian authorities not to
send its troops, saying it would prompt Islamic insurgents to take
retaliatory measures against local Armenians putting their lives at
higher risks.
Representatives of other factions refrained from comments saying
they would express their views when the issue would be debated and
only Viktor Dalakian from the opposition Ardarutyun alliance said
they would vote against.
If the decision goes through about 50 Armenian military doctors,
sappers and truck drivers will be placed under Polish command in
Iraq.
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday Constitutional Court hearing
of the issue defense minister Serzh Sarkisian said Yerevan will send
its nationals to Iraq on condition that the Armenian military
personnel take part only in “defensive and humanitarian activities”
and avoid joint actions with the bigger Azerbaijani contingent.
According to some estimations, there is a 25,000-strong Armenian
community in Iraq.

ArmenPress
Dec 9 2004

EBRD BUYS 25 PERCENT STOCK IN ARMENIAN BANK

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: One of the leading Armenian
commercial banks, Armeconombank and the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) sealed an agreement in Yerevan
on December 8 whereby the EBRD will purchase 25 percent of stock of
the Armenian bank.
Speaking after the signing ceremony a senior EBRD executive said
they will pay Armeconombank $1 million and grant it $500,000 in
“technical assistance.” An EBRD finance director, Maria-Luisa
Cicogniani, told a news conference that the agreement was in line
with EBRD’s plans to expand investments in the private sector of
former Soviet republics.
“This is our first investment in Armenia’s banking sector, and if
further opportunities arise we will certainly react ,” Maria-Luisa
Cicogniani said. EBRD had made similar investments in one bank in
Azerbaijan and two banks in Georgia, which were chosen as conforming
Western-style management and transparency. The same requirement was
applied to Armeconombank.
“We are a long-term investor in the bank, and our investments are
usually five-year-long and more,” she said.
Armeconombank, in which the majority of stock belongs to Khachatur
Sukiasian, a business tycoon and parliament member, is one of few
Armenian banks acting as a public joint-stock company. Its 2,000
small shareholders receive regularly their dividends.
The head of EBRD Yerevan office, Nikolay Hajinsky said the EBRD
plans in addition to buy minority stakes in several Armenian
manufacturing companies. The overall EBRD investments in the Armenian
economy since 1993 have totaled $150 million.

ArmenPress
Dec 9 2004

SOUTH CAUCASIAN CAPITAL CITIES BECOME MORE HOMOGENEOUS

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: A survey conducted by regional
centers of the South Caucasian Research Center in three South
Caucasian capitals in 2003 and 2004 have revealed that the
composition of their population is becoming increasingly homogeneous.
Unlike the Armenian capital Yerevan whose population has always been
composed of mainly ethnic Armenians, the number of ethnic minorities
in the composition of population of Tbilisi, Georgia and Baku,
Azerbaijan, has been shrinking for 15 years.
In 1989 96.4 percent of Yerevan residents were ethnic Armenians,
now this figure stands at 96.7 percent, while in Baku the share of
ethnic Azeris rose from 66 percent in 1989 to 90.7 percent in 2004
and in Tbilisi from 66.1 percent to 86.4 percent.
According to the survey’s findings, in 1989 there were no Azeris
in Yerevan, neither in 2004. In 1989 Armenians made 10 percent of the
population of Baku. According to 2004 census there were no Armenians
in Baku. The number of Armenians in Tbilisi decreased from 12 percent
to 6.3 percent and the number of Azeris from 1.4 percent to 0.6
percent.
The number of Russians in Baku has decreased from 16.5 percent to
6 percent, in Tbilisi their number has shrunk from 10 percent to 2.2
percent. In 1989 Russians made in Yerevan 1.9 percent of the overall
population, now they make 1.3 percent.
In Yerevan 89 percent of people belong to Armenian Apostolic
church, in Tbilisi 96.9 percent to Georgian Orthodox church and in
Baku 98.5 percent belong to Islam.
In Tbilisi only 18.7 people participate regularly in religious
services, in Baku-13.1 percent and in Yerevan only 9.1 percent.
Members of traditional religions are more tolerant to each other than
to members of various sects. The survey was conducted among 1,500
residents in every capital city.

ArmenPress
Dec 9 2004

RELEASE OF MEIN KAMPF IN AZERI ANGERS JEWISH COMMUNITY

BAKU, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: The Jewish community of Azerbaijan
said in a statement it was angered to learn that Adolf Hitler’s Mein
Kampf was translated into Azeri and released in 300 copies. The
community called on the authorities to confiscate the entire
print-run and punish publishers.
A Baku-based 525 Gazet reported police officers have confiscated
all copies and the translator (the translation was said to be done
from a Turkish edition) was taken to police but was later set free.

The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 9 2004

Georgian cargo still held at Azeri border

The Georgia Ambassador to Azerbaijan Zurab Gumberidze told
Azerbaijan’s Trend News Agency that the two countries need guaranteed
mechanisms of control over cargo transportations through Azerbaijan.
The ambassador was commenting on the detention of cargo bound for
Georgia by Azeri officials concerned that some of the cargo might
then be transported to Armenia.
He said that there are currently 700 cars detained by Azerbaijani
Customs, and that this situation has caused levels of new cargo to
fall. As owners are afraid of incurring losses as a result of their
products standing idle at the border.
Gumberidze denied the statement of Azeri Prime Minister Arthur
Rasizade that Georgia had not presented the necessary transportation
documents, saying that “the Georgian side presented enough documents
for a prompt settlement of the situation.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress