Georgians who live in Russia
By M. Alkhazashvili

The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 12 2004

Russian politicians frequently mention that there are nearly one
million Georgian emigrants in Russia who work there and send nearly
USD 1.5 billion back to their homeland.

For example, speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe debate on Georgian-Russian relations last Thursday, Russian
delegate Natalia Narochnitskaya said that “twenty per cent of Georgia’s
population lived in Moscow.”

But how real are statements about one million Georgian emigrants
in Russia?

A census held in Georgia revealed that between 1989-2002, 977,000
people emigrated abroad, approximately one fifth of the total
population. The newspaper Rezonansi reports, however, that this number
includes only 280 thousand Georgians, while the other 697,000 were
from minority groups (including 163,000 Armenians and 62,000 Azeris).

This suggests that the majority of emigrants are not in fact of
Georgian ethnicity, and do not support family members living in
Georgia. Indeed, more generally, statistics suggest that only 41
percent of Georgian emigrants help their relatives, while 7 percent
actually receive support from relatives in Georgia.

Furthermore, the 2002 census held in Russia revealed that there are
only 198 000 Georgians living there, while the 1989 census found that
there were only 131,000 Georgians in Russia. This means that only
67,000 ethnic Georgians left for Russia from Georgia between 1989-2002.

It is noteworthy that in 1989 – 2002 the number of Armenians in Russia
increased by 598,000 and that there are currently 1,130,000 Armenians
living in Russia, while the number of Azeris increased by 265,000 to
a 2002 total of 621,000.

Despite such numbers, Russian MPs continue to highlight what they
describe as the very high number of Georgians living in Russia.

BRAWL EXPOSES OLD CITY TENSIONS –

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Israel
Oct 12 2004

A brawl that started when a yeshiva student spat at the cross being
carried by the Armenian Archbishop during a procession near the Holy
Sepulchre on Sunday has exposed growing tensions between traditional
Christian denominations and religious Jews in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Both were questioned by police and the yeshiva student will be brought
to trial, having been banned from approaching the Old City for 75 days.

;artid=2004/10/12/989689135

Minister Challenged over Turks’ Rights If Country Joins EU
By Joe Churcher, Chief Parliamentary Reporter, PA News

The Scotsman, UK
Oct 12 2004

No limit should be placed on Turkish immigrants seeking work in the
UK when their country joins the European Union, Europe Minister Denis
MacShane suggested today.

He told the Commons Turks should enjoy the same freedom of movement
rights as any other EU citizen and attacked the Tories for seeking to
impose quotas.

The European Commission last week recommended that accession talks
for the nation of 71 million, that lies mainly in Asia, should go
ahead.

Tory spokesman Graham Brady questioned whether the UK would set
limits for immigrants as some EU member states did earlier this year
when several Eastern European nations joined.

“Is it your view that Turkish accession should give Turkish citizens
of all ethnic groups immediate right to free movement within the EU
and the UK or will the Government seek a derogation with regard to
Turkey just as France, Germany and others did for the countries of
Eastern Europe which joined the EU this year?” he asked.

Mr MacShane replied: “When Turkey finally enters the EU, and that
frankly is a matter of some years of negotiation, then we expect that
Turkey will have the same rights as other countries.

“I regret and deplore the campaign against Poles, Hungarians and
Czechs led by the party opposite and the isolationist right-wing
press in the winter and I hope that when Turkey finally does enter
the EU the party opposite will have changed its spots and support our
partners in Europe instead of campaigning against them being allowed
to work in the UK.”

The Commission has cautioned that the talks, which could last up to a
decade and do not guarantee future membership, could be suspended if
Turkey backtracked on human rights or other reforms.

Mr MacShane said the rights of minority Kurds were “improving
steadily” as EU membership was increasingly used as a tool to secure
advances.

“For example, new laws allowing Kurdish people to study, broadcast
and register their own name,” he said.

But he was less forthcoming when pressed on what efforts Turkey
should take to address historic problems with Armenia.

“I’m a Foreign Office Minister not an historian and there are times
when history perhaps should be left to history,” he told the Scottish
National Party’s Angus Robertson (Moray).

“Turkey wants to look to a better future in the European Union. That
will require, as it requires of all EU states, to look with tolerance
and sensitivity at some of the problems of the past but sometimes the
past is best dealt by not excessively raking it up.”

Georgian-Russian border crossing closed again

Prime-News news agency
12 Oct 04

Tbilisi, 12 October: The Lars border checkpoint is closed again. The
Customs Department told Prime-News that the Lars crossing was only
open for a few hours on 11 October. Most of the vehicles which crossed
the border were lorries heading for Armenia.

“Several private cars and lorries heading for Georgia were able to
join those heading for Armenia, but after a few hours the border was
closed again,” the Customs Department said.

At present only a few cars are waiting at the Lars checkpoint,
although the Customs Department says this number could grow.

The crossing was closed unilaterally by the Russian government after
the Beslan tragedy.

In the last 40 days the crossing has only opened a few times, most
recently on 10-11 October.

CII inks MoU with Armenian chamber

The Hindu, India
Oct 12 2004

New Delhi, Oct 12. (PTI): As part of efforts to expand bilateral ties
with Central Asian nations, Industry body CII has signed a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
the Republic of Armenia.

The MoU was signed in Yerevan, Armenia during CII’s ongoing ‘Enterprise
India 2004’ show, which has been organised to promote awareness about
Indian industry in the region, a CII release said here today.

The MoU aimed at fostering mutual understanding between business
communities of the two nations and to promote trade, investment and
technological cooperation, it said.

India’s trade with Armenia has remained insignificant despite a
trade agreement, CII said, adding bilateral trade in 2001 was only
5.3 million dollar as per National Statistical Service of Armenia.

The central Asian nation has sought India’s assistance in small and
medium industries, information technology, science and technology and
agriculture, it said, adding the show aimed to showcase the country’s
potential in these specific areas.

Budget expenditures will increase due to surplus profits

Gateway 2 Russia, Russia
Oct 12 2004

Russia’s federal budget surplus in 2004 will be R505.7bn, a source in
the Russian government told Ria-Novosti on the eve of the cabinet’s
sitting to discuss changes to the Law on the Federal Budget for 2004.

Initially, according to the budget for this year, a surplus of R83.4bn
was expected. “The Ministry of Finance has presented to the government
a budget forecast till the end of the year. It expects revenues to
increase by R531bn, and expenditure by R108.6bn,” the source said.

It said the increase in revenues is thanks to higher tax collection –
to the tune of R430bn – on mineral extraction, and thanks to revenues
from customs export duties.

Interest related expenditure will be down by R40.9bn, and non interest
related expenditure will go up by R149.6bn.

The source said that this means overall federal budget revenue by the
end of the year will be R3,273,8bn and overall expenditure, R2,768,1bn.

The Stabilization Fund is expected to receive R397.4bn by the end of
the year, the source said. This is R313.9bn more than envisaged by
the budget.

According to the source, the funding of the international cooperation
efforts has also increased. For example, Belarus is to receive a
credit of 175m dollars in order to finance part of the Russian gas
supplies and to balance out the trade. In addition, credit to Armenia
is to increase by 31m dollars.

In the sphere of agriculture, the current year expenditures
will be increased by R5bn. In the words of the source, this is a
contribution to the charter capital of Rosagrolizing for the purchase
of agricultural technology.

The healthcare section will be increased by R1.7bn. This sum will
cover the purchase of medical equipment.

Amendments to the budget also envisage an increase in investments. In
particular, R4.75bn will be spent on roads infrastructure projects,
while R11.9 bn will go to other capital investments, including the
reconstruction of facilities in Beslan.

ARKA News Agency
Oct 4 2004

Exhibition of opportunities of studying in the USA to be held in
Yerevan on October 8

RA Prime Minister receives members of world committee of Pan-Armenian
Games

Finnish Foreign Minister to come on a one-day visit to Armenia
tomorrow

Newly appointed Ambassador of Bulgaria to Armenia hands credentials
to RA President

Favorable conditions are created for deepening of Armenian-Bulgarian
relations

NKR President receives group of Armenian entrepreneurs and
philanthropists

RA President Robert Kocharyan receives the members of the delegation
from Isere, the region of France

Catholicos of All-Armenians meets Chairman of Council of Russian
Federation

*********************************************************************

EXHIBITION OF OPPORTUNITIES OF STUDYING IN THE USA TO BE HELD IN
YEREVAN ON OCTOBER 8

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. An exhibition presenting the
opportunities of studying in the USA will be held in Yerevan on
October 8. According to International Research and Exchange Board
(IREX), exhibition of this type is being organized by IREX ninth year
running. The objective of the exhibition is to inform the population
about the activities of IREX and about the educational opportunities
and scientific and research work in the USA. Other international
organizations will also present their programs and lectures will be
delivered on study in the USA, films will be demonstrated about USA
higher education and possibility will be provided to take sample
English language tests. Armenian citizens who studied in the USA will
share their experience and impression with the visitors.
American study programs have been implemented in Armenia since 1992.
L.V. -0–

*********************************************************************

RA PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES MEMBERS OF WORLD COMMITTEE OF PAN-ARMENIAN
GAMES

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
received members of World Committee of Pan-Armenian Games. During the
meeting Margarian noted the importance of conduction of traditional
Pan-Armenian games in the view of strengthening and activation of
cooperation between Armenia and Diaspora. He expressed his support to
the members of the committee.
Vice President of World Committee Roland Sharoyan in his turn
represented oncoming programs related to conduction of Pan-Armenian
games. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

FINNISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO COME ON A ONE-DAY VISIT TO ARMENIA
TOMORROW

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Finland Erkki Tuomioja will come on a one-day working visit to
Armenia. According to the Press Service Department of the RA Foreign
Ministry, in frames of the visit, meetings of the Finnish Foreign
Minister with the RA President Robert Kocharian, RA NA Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan, the RA Prime-Minister Andranik Margaryan and RA Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanian are planned. In addition, the sides will
sign Armenian-Finnish intergovernmental agreement on investment
protection and promotion. Erkki Tuomioja will also lay a wreath to
the Memorial of victims of the of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman
Turkey. L.V.–0–

*********************************************************************

NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF BULGARIA TO ARMENIA HANDS CREDENTIALS
TO RA PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. Newly appointed Ambassador of Bulgaria to
Armenia Stephan Dimitrov handed credentials to RA President Robert
Kocharian. During the meeting Kocharian noted that Armenian is
interested in development of relations with Bulgaria and ready to
assist deepening of political dialogue and activation of bilateral
cooperation in all fields. According to him, the fact that one year
ago RA President paid official visit in Bulgaria and tomorrow
Bulgarian President will pay a visit to Armenia testifies to will of
the two states to expand partnership.
The parties also discussed bilateral economic links and noted growing
volume of mutual goods’ turnover. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS ARE CREATED FOR DEEPENING OF ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN
RELATIONS

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. Favorable conditions are created for
deepening of Armenian-Bulgarian relations, Bulgarian Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Stephan Dimitrov stated
at the meeting with RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian. The
Ambassador highly estimated centuries-long relations between the two
countries. Dimitrov expressed confidence that official visit of
Bulgarian President in Armenia will give new impulse to bilateral
relations.
Oskanian in his turn expressed confidence that newly appointed
Ambassador will even more expand good traditions created between
Armenia and Bulgaria. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

NKR PRESIDENT RECEIVES GROUP OF ARMENIAN ENTREPRENEURS AND
PHILANTHROPISTS

STEPANAKERT, October 4. /ARKA/. NKR president Arkadi Ghukasyan
received a group of Armenian entrepreneurs and philanthropists,
members to Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). As NKR President
General Information Department told ARKA, during the conversation the
guests shared their impressions on positive changes in Nagorno
Karabakh. They mentioned that NKR is an attracting place for
perspective businesses as e.g. tourism. At that AGBU Representatives
said that they are ready to provide assistance in realization of a
number of business and humanitarian programs in NKR.
In his turn Ghukasyan said that the Republic’s leadership considers
programs related to NKR development as priority. He said that it is
necessary to involve AGBU in Nagorno Karabakh development processes.
T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

RA PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARYAN RECEIVES THE MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION
FROM ISERE, THE REGION OF FRANCE

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan received
the members of the delegation from Isere, the region of France. The
delegation included the Mayors of Grenoble and Velobran Michel Desto
and Jan Pol Bred. According to RA President’s Press service
Department, the Mayor of Grenoble stated that the goal of his visit
to Armenia was to sign an agreement on cooperation between Grenoble
and Gegharkunik regions in the fields of education, healthcare and
tourism. In his turn Bred noted that French Velobran and Abovyan
Armenian city had been cities-blood brother for many years, and their
goal was to strengthen the cooperation even more. The Mayor of
Velobran also stated that he was in Yerevan 4 years ago and added
that quality changes and in the city during that interval were
obvious. A.H.- 0–

*********************************************************************

CATHOLICOS OF ALL-ARMENIANS MEETS CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL OF RUSSIAN
FEDERATION

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All-Armenians His Holiness
Garegin II met Chairman of Council of Russian Federation Sergey
Mironov. As Echmiadzin Holy See told ARKA, during the meeting
Catholicos of Armenian Church mentioned that similar visits will
strengthen the centuries proved friendly relations between two
peoples and countries. He also expressed his condolences n relation
of tragic events in Beslan.
In his turn Mironov informed Garegin II on meeting made during his
visit and arrangements achieved. As it is mentioned in the press
release the sides also the issue of closing of Russian-Georgian
border due to Beslan events, mentioning the necessity of solution of
the problem. T.M. -0—

*********************************************************************

6 MONTH IMPRISONMENT FOR BEATING A JOURNALIST

A1 Plus | 21:12:32 | 11-10-2004 | Social |

Today the First Instance Court of Kotayk District sentenced Gagik
Stepanyan, the defendant over the case of journalists Anna Israelyan
and Mkhitar Khachatryan to 6-month-long imprisonment.

Let’s remind that on August 24 this person seized a memory chip from
“Fotolur” Agency photographer Mkhitar Khachatryan cursing and doing
violence and outraged “Aravot” Daily correspondent Anna Israelyan.

At today’s trial the defendant cursed the journalists covering
the trial.

Lawyer for suspected mercenaries dies in Malabo

Mail & Guardian Online , South Africa
Oct 13 2004

Malabo — The lawyer for eight South Africans implicated in a coup plot
in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea died in Malabo on Tuesday of malaria,
his family said.

Fernando Mico Nsue, who also suffered from diabetes and high blood
pressure, died in Malabo at the age of 62, said his eldest son,
Alberto Nguema.

“He had not been feeling well over the past few days. He was suffering
from malaria and when he had a relapse this morning, we decided to
take him to the hospital. He died while he was being driven to the
hospital,” the son added.

Mico Nsue had also defended some of the 100 Equatorial Guinean
dissidents and former soldiers tried in 2002 for a threat to state
security.

Meanwhile there was no official word on whether the trial of the 19
accused of involvement in the coup plot last March to oust President
Teodoro Obiang Nguema would resume on October 18 as announced last
week by the Malabo court’s chief judge.

In addition to the South Africans, six Armenians and five
Equato-Guineans, including a former deputy minister, went on trial
in Malabo in August for allegedly trying to topple Obiang, who has
ruled the small central African country since 1979.

The case was adjourned on August 31 at the request of the country’s
attorney general, Jose Olo Obono, to get “further information”
following the arrest of Mark Thatcher in South Africa on August 25.

The son of the former British prime minister is suspected by Equatorial
Guinea and South Africa of bankrolling the alleged plot. – Sapa

El Pais
Oct 12, 2004

Monjes de clausura en blanco y negro

LEONXO GARCIA

Residen durante un mes en uno de los sitios mas bellos y ricos de
Europa, pero con una vida de monje de clausura, centrada en el
ajedrez de forma intensa y obsesiva. Su mision es afinar las armas de
sus jefes para las proximas partidas. Son los analistas del ruso
Vladimir Kramnik, vigente campeon del mundo, y el hungaro Peter Leko,
aspirante a la corona y que domina por 5,5 a 4,5 puntos a falta de
cuatro partidas de su duelo al mejor de 14 con una bolsa de 750.000
euros.

El canton suizo de Ticino, fronterizo con Italia, es paradisiaco.
Kramnik y Leko ven un problema en ello. “El entorno es tan relajante
que puede distraernos y tranquilizarnos en exceso”, coinciden. Desde
el Centro Dannemann, sede del Campeonato del Mundo, se puede admirar
la quietud del lago Maggiore, asi como el imponente anillo de
montanas que lo circundan. El patrocinador del evento es una marca de
puros habanos que invierte en deporte, cultura y ecologia por motivos
fiscales y de imagen. En Brissago, mientras siguen las partidas a
traves de tableros electronicos y un circuito cerrado de television y
escuchan comentarios de grandes maestros por medio de auriculares,
los espectadores observan a una mujer brasilena elaborando puros a
mano, catan los vinos de la region y degustan los embutidos locales.

Todo ese placer es tabu para los rusos Peter Svidler y Yevgueni
Bareiev y para el espanol Miguel Illescas, los analistas de Kramnik,
asi como para sus colegas rivales, los armenios Arshak Petrosian,
suegro precisamente de Leko, y Vladimir Akopian y el frances de
origen kazajo Vladislav Tkachiev.

Aunque todos ellos merecen la confianza absoluta de sus jefes y ya no
se dan casos de analistas traidores que venden informacion al enemigo
como los que salpicaron de escandalos la rivalidad de los rusos Gari
Kasparov y Anatoli Karpov entre 1984 y 1990, las normas internas son
muy estrictas: concentracion absoluta y nada de hablar con los
periodistas sobre su trabajo. Solo Illescas aparecio muy fugazmente
en el Centro Dannemann durante la primera partida para saludar a los
conocidos. “Mucho me temo que volare de aqui a la Olimpiada de Calvia
la ceremonia inaugural de la cita mallorquina sera el proximo jueves
y las piezas empezaran a moverse el viernes para jugar con Espana sin
disfrutar nada de las bellezas de este lugar”, admitio el catalan,
quien ya ayudo a Kramnik a destronar a Kasparov en 2000 y a los
programadores de Deep Blue (IBM) a humillarle en 1996.

Pertrechados con potentes ordenadores, bases de datos que clasifican
perfectamente dos millones de partidas -jugadas desde el siglo XVI- y
programas que calculan cientos de miles de jugadas por segundo, los
analistas buscan incesantemente nuevas ideas para las aperturas y las
defensas (primeros movimientos), posibles mejoras de las partidas ya
jugadas y formas de sorprender al equipo contrario, ademas de poner
el hombro cuando su jefe necesita consuelo.

No hay horarios. Se trabaja siempre, incluso sin tablero ni
ordenador, porque los ajedrecistas de ese nivel no los necesitan para
reflexionar sobre una posicion determinada: la tienen fotografiada en
su cerebro y son capaces de encontrar una jugada genial mientras
comen, pasean o duermen.

Kramnik, de 29 anos, y Leko, de 25, supervisan ese trabajo, pero solo
se suman a el en la parte final para dar el visto bueno a los
hallazgos porque es imprescindible que duerman mas de ocho horas
diarias y tengan la mente fresca antes de las partidas.

Aun asi, el esfuerzo les pasa factura: por ejemplo, ambos fueron
incapaces de dormirse hasta las cinco de la manana tras el primer
envite, que gano Kramnik, porque las dos torres que Leko movio hasta
la extenuacion en su lucha por el empate siguieron bailando en sus
mentes durante toda la noche.

Estos ultimos dias, Kramnik rumia las causas de su derrota
provisional mientras nota el cansancio de cuerpo y mente. Como
estaran entonces los seis analistas que, incluido el periodo de
preparacion, llevan meses con las 32 piezas del tablero incrustadas
en sus neuronas. Son monjes en permanente jaque, que hablan poco y
crean mucho.