NATO appoints special envoy to Caucasus, Central Asia
by PAUL AMES; Associated Press Writer

Associated Press Worldstream
September 15, 2004 Wednesday

BRUSSELS, Belgium — NATO announced the appointment Wednesday of
a special representative for Central Asia and the Caucasus as part
of the alliance’s efforts to build closer ties with former Soviet
republics in the strategically important region.

Former U.S. State Department official Robert F. Simmons Jr. will hold
the post, with responsibility “for establishing high-level working
contacts with regional leaders,” the alliance said in a statement.

Simmons told reporters that one of NATO’s aims was to help modernize
armed forces in the region and boost their ties to allied militaries
so they can play a more effective role in international crisis
management missions.

Western allies see the region stretching from the Black Sea to the
borders of Afghanistan as vital in the fight against terrorism. They
have used bases in the region to support military operations in
Afghanistan.

Simmons is scheduled to travel to the region in October and November
with NATO’s Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

The eight-former Soviet republics in the region are already part of
NATO’s “Partnership for Peace” outreach program offering political
and military cooperation.

But while some, such as Georgia, have enthusiastically sought closer
links, and even the prospect of NATO membership, others have been
reluctant to build up closer ties.

Simmons declined to comment on Moscow’s threats to strike at terrorist
bases outside its borders following the school massacre in southern
Russia this month, which have raised speculation that Georgia might
be a target.

“We have not discussed that in this house,” Simmons said. He rejected
a suggestion that NATO might consider sending peacekeepers to the
Georgia.

Simmons said NATO would use its contacts with Central Asian and
Caucasus nations to promote human rights and democracy, although he
said prime responsibility in that field lay with other organizations.

Difficulties in the building of ties in the region were underscored
this week when NATO was forced to cancel military exercises
in Azerbaijan at short notice when the country objected to the
participation of officers from neighboring Armenia.

Although both countries are members of Partnership for Peace, relations
between them remain tense a more than decade after the war between
them over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

No breakthrough in Azerbaijan, Armenia talks on Nagorno-Karabakh dispute

Agence France Presse — English
September 15, 2004 Wednesday 5:26 PM GMT

ASTANA Sept 15 — The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Wednesday
held talks in presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid
to resolve their dispute over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, but
failed to report any breakthrough.

“We cannot boast any particular success. We must continue to quietly
and patiently discuss this problem which we have inherited,” Armenian
President Robert Kocharian told reporters after the talks.

His Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev was equally cautious. “We must as
usual content ourselves with making fairly vague declarations. Today
is no exception,” he said.

“We hope to progress towards a settlement” of the issue surrounding
the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, over which Armenia and Azerbaikan
fought a five-year war in the early 1990s, Aliyev added.

Kocharian and Aliyev held two-way talks before joining Putin for
more discussions.

“I am happy to see that you have not lost your optimism… and are
continuing the dialogue at the highest level,” Putin said as the talks
began, on the sidelines of a summit of former Soviet republics here.

Though a fragile ceasefire is in force in Nagorno-Karabakh, the two
sides are still officially in a state of war. Azerbaijan had threatened
to renew hostilities unless peace talks produce results soon.

“Hopes are very high, despite the complexity of the problem,” Putin
said, adding that “whatever the result, a meeting of three leaders
is always a step forwards.”

Aliyev thanked Russia for taking part in the summit talks.

“Our neighbour Russia, co-president of the Minsk Group, plays a key
part in the settlement,” he said. The Minsk Group, comprising France,
Russia and the United States, has been mediating between the two
states for the past decade.

Some 35,000 people were killed and about one million displaced by
the conflict, which erupted during the break up of the Soviet Union.

The war ended with Armenian forces in control of Nagorno-Karabakh,
but the enclave is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan’s
territory.

NEWS Press
15 septembre 2004

Assemblée des Arméniens d’Europe : Adhésion de la Turquie : angle
mort pour l’Union Européenne. Les minorités non-musulmanes sont la
cible d’une campagne discriminatoire

par Assemblée des Arméniens d’Europe

Mercredi 22 septembre 2004, à 14 h 00

Résidence Palace Centre de Presse Internationale

Rue de la Loi 155, 1040, Bruxelles, Salle « Passage ».

Embargo jusqu’à mercredi 22 septembre 2004, 14 h 00

La Commission européenne jugera-t-elle la Turquie «apte» à
l’adhésion, dans le rapport qu’elle doit publier le 6 octobre 2004?
Le Conseil européen lancera-t-il les négociations en vue de
l’adhésion de ce pays à l’Union lors du sommet de décembre prochain ?

La Turquie a connu un processus de réformes légales et
administratives sans précédent ces dernières années. Mais, dans le
même temps, elle a sensiblement durci ses activités à l’encontre de
la liberté d’opinion sur son territoire, maintenant une politique
fortement répressive à l’égard de ses minorités. En particulier, les
préjudices traditionnels contre les minorités non-musulmanes sont
maintenus vivaces par le système d’éducation publique et par les
médias. Cette attitude est en nette contradiction avec les critères
de Copenhague dont le respect est la condition préalable à
l’ouverture des négociations en vue de l’adhésion d’un nouvel État
membre.

Dans cette perspective, le Groupe de Travail Reconnaissance, contre
le génocide et pour le dialogue international (Berlin), et
l’Association Suisse-Arménie (Berne), ont soumis un Mémorandum au
Conseil européen, au Conseil de l’Union européenne, à la Commission
ainsi qu’au Parlement européens.

Rappelant les critères de Copenhague et les résolutions du Parlement
européen faisant de la reconnaissance du génocide des Arméniens une
condition préalable à une éventuelle adhésion de la Turquie à l’UE,
le Mémorandum exprime le soucis des signataires quant à la situation
des minorités non-musulmanes en Turquie et demande une amélioration
durable de celle-ci. Les très nombreuses ONG nationales et
internationales qui ont signé le Mémorandum protestent contre la
campagne de haine relancée par le ministre turc de l’éducation, le
Dr. Hüseyin Çelik, ce qui inclu le négationnisme officiel du génocide
commis contre les populations chrétiennes de l’empire ottoman,
faisant 3.5 million de victimes entre 1912 et 1922. Pour ces raisons,
les signataires désirent attirer l’attention de l’UE sur la nécessité
d’instaurer des réformes profondes dans le système d’éducation et
dans le contrôle des medias qui sont tous deux les principaux
vecteurs de cette haine. Ils forment l’opinion publique et ils sont
donc les premiers responsables de la perception extrêmement négative
envers ces minorités en Turquie. Ils portent également la
responsabilité des attaques qui en découlent, et que les récentes
réformes n’ont en rien jugulé, contre les institutions représentant
ces communautés non-musulmanes : les églises, les synagogues, les
écoles, etc.

L’Assemblée des Arméniens d’Europe ainsi que les auteurs du
Mémorandum vous invitent à la conférence de presse pour la
présentation de ce document.

Intervenants (par ordre alphabétique):

– Monsieur Baastian Belder, Groupe de Démocratie/indépendance, Député
du Parlement Européen, Pays Bas;

– Monsieur Michalis Charalambidis, écrivain, membre du comité central
de la Ligue internationale pour les droits et la libération des
peuples, spécialiste du génocide des Grecs pontiques, Athènes;

– Madame la Baronne Caroline Cox of Queensbury, vice-présidente de la
Chambre des Lords du Royaume Uni, Présidente de Christian Solidarity
Worldwide, Londres;

– Madame Hülya Engin, membre du comité du TÜDAY, organisation pour la
défense des droits de l’homme en Turquie, Cologne;

– Madame Dr. Tessa Hofmann, expert en sociologie; documentaliste
scientifique à l’Université Libre de Berlin; écrivaine, activiste des
droits de l’homme; présidente du Groupe de Travail Reconnaissance,
contre le génocide et pour le dialogue international;

– Monsieur Johny Messo, président de la Fondation des études
araméennes et représentant principal de l’Alliance Universelle des
Syriaques (AUS) au bureau des Nations Unies à Genève;

– Monsieur le Prof. Dr. Yves Ternon, médecin, historien et écrivain,
chercheur et spécialiste des génocides, notamment celui des Arméniens
et de sa négation, Paris.

La modération de la conférence de presse sera assurée par Monsieur
Nicolas Tavitian, spécialiste en relations politiques
internationales, Bruxelles.

Une traduction simultanée vers le français et l’anglais sera assurée.

A partir de 13h30, le welcome coffee sera offert aux journalistes
devant l’entrée de la salle Passage de la Résidence Palace.

Arminé Grigoryan

Assemblée des Arméniens d’Europe

Responsable du Bureau de contact et d’information auprès de l’Union
européenne

Bruxelles

Le 22 septembre 2004 à partir de 14h00, toute l’information
concernant la conférence de presse (en anglais, en français et
partiellement en allemand) sera disponible sur les sites internet
suivants :

Pour une information ultérieure, vous pouvez contacter :

Assemblée des Arméniens d’Europe
Contact : Arminé Grigoryan
Tél. : +32 2 647 08 01
Fax : +32 2 647 02 00
E-mail : [email protected]
M. Nicolas Tavitian
Modérateur de la conférence de presse
Tél. : +32 4 95 770 867
E-mail : [email protected]

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

El Mundo
September 15, 2004

EL ZOO DEL SIGLO XXI / KIRK KERKORIAN.
El ultimo ‘tiburon’ del Pacifico.
Albanil, boxeador, piloto suicida y multimillonario. El magnate que
demando a Daimler Chrysler ha vendido MGM a Sony.

PABLO PARDO / Especial para EL MUNDO

EEUU. Kerkor Kirk Kerkorian, el magnate que demando a Daimler
Chrysler, ha vendido MGM a Sony

WASHINGTON.- Kerkor Kirk Kerkorian esta a punto de vender por tercera
vez el estudio de cine Metro Goldwin Mayer (MGM). A sus 87 anos, todo
hace pensar que esta vez es ya la definitiva. Pero con Kerkorian
nunca se sabe. El viejo leon del capitalismo estadounidense puede
volver a la carga. Al fin y al cabo, esa es su especialidad.Albanil,
boxeador, piloto suicida en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, adicto al
juego, amigo de mafiosos y de artistas, Kerkorian es el hombre que
ejemplifica el sueno americano. Se ha convertido en la trigesimo
tercera mayor fortuna de Estados Unidos, con un capital de 5.000
millones de dolares, segun la revista Forbes y ha sobrevivido a tres
divorcios y a dos investigaciones de la Comision del Mercado de
Valores (SEC) de EEUU. Y todo ello sin haber ido nunca a la
Universidad.

Desde que empezo a trabajar a los siete anos no ha dejado de cerrar
tratos, muchos por medio de los tribunales, ha partido la cara a mas
de uno -dentro y fuera del ring- y ha transformado a Las Vegas de una
pacifica ciudad con unos cuantos casinos en una especie de
Disneylandia no apta para menores de edad.

Las Vegas ahora teme que con la venta de MGM Kerkorian pase a un
segundo plano. Pero parece improbable. Con una mala leche y ganas de
pelea iguales que siempre -que le pregunten a DaimlerChrysler, a la
que demando por 9.000 millones de dolares el ano pasado- Kerkorian,
un destacado miembro de la influyente minoria armenia de EEUU, no
parece nacido para irse a envejecer a una residencia de ancianos en
Florida.

Con su ultima operacion, Kerkorian vende MGM a la japonesa Sony por
4.800 millones de dolares (3.900 millones de dolares). El gigante de
la electronica se queda asi con tres grandes casinos de Las Vegas y
con la productora de exitos de taquilla recientes como Una rubia muy
legal, la serie de James Bond y, sobre todo, unos 4.000 clasicos
listos par ser transformados en DVDs y puestos a la venta. Siguiendo
su mas puro estilo, Kerkorian ha jugado a enfrentar a Sony y a Time
Warner en una puja de la que esta se retiro al llegar a 5.600
millones de dolares.

Para Kerkorian, vender MGM es casi una rutina. En treinta anos lo ha
hecho tres veces. Es el estilo empresarial de un ‘buscavidas’ pura
sangre.

Kerkorian nacio en Fresno (California), en una familia en la que solo
se hablaba armenio. “No aprendimos ingles hasta que empezamos a vivir
en calle”, ha dicho. Lo cual, en su caso, fue pronto. La recesion de
1921 arruino a los Kerkorian, y a los nueve anos de edad el joven
Kirk ya vendia periodicos viejos en Los Angeles.

La familia viajaba constantemente en busca de oportunidades de
trabajo, y Kerkorian siempre era el nuevo en la escuela. Asi que tuvo
que aprender a hacerse respetar. Se convirtio en pandillero, y de ahi
en boxeador.

En sus ratos libres, cuando no estaba internado en un reformatorio en
el que la disciplina se imponia a latigazos, siguio entrenando, hasta
convertirse en campeon amateur de boxeo del Pacifico.

Despues de pasar un ano trabajando de vaquero en Nevada para pagarse
un curso de piloto, Kerkorian se fue a Canada. En 1940, y por un
sueldo de 1.000 dolares de entonces (10.000 dolares de hoy), acepto
el trabajo mas peligroso de su vida: pilotar bombarderos ‘mosquito’
desde Canada a Gran Bretana.

Con mas de 25.000 dolares de la epoca en el bolsillo, se fue a
celebrar el fin de las hostilidades a Las Vegas. En su primera noche
en la ciudad, gano en el casino 700 dolares. Fue el inicio de una
ludopatia que le llevaria a perder -o ganar- hasta 80.000 dolares de
1950 en una sola noche.

La relacion de amor entre Kerkorian y Las Vegas ha durado mas de
medio siglo. Ha sido uno de los grandes transformadores de la ciudad.
Ayudado por sus excelentes contactos con la comunidad armenia
estadounidense -un lobby casi tan influyente como el judio-, lleva
sesenta anos realizando operaciones urbanisticas y especulativas en
la ciudad.

Su carrera ha sido una sucesion de exitos, aunque no ha logrado dos
de sus objetivos fuera de Las Vegas: el control de Chrysler y
convertir a MGM en una inmobiliaria que no tenga nada que ver con el
cine.

El general McArthur dijo que “los viejos soldados no mueren, solo
desaparecen”. Todo hace pensar que Kerkorian no morira nunca.En todo
caso, cuando desaparezca de la faz de la tierra reaparecera en
cualquier pelicula de Scorsese o de Coppola.

LO DICHO Y HECHO

“Soy un hombre hecho a mi mismo. Empece a aportar ingresos a mi
familia con nueve anos”

1917: Nace en Fresno (California). 1939: Aprende a pilotar
aviones.1967: Abre el primer hotel-casino de Las Vegas. 1971: Compra
por primera vez MGM. 1985: Vende la compania a Ted Turner, dueno de
la CNN. 1988: Recompra MGM y se desprende de ella dos anos despues.
1995: Lanza una OPA hostil por Chrysler. 1996: Compra de nuevo MGM.
2003: Demanda a Daimler por la compra de Chrysler.2004: Vende MGM a
Sony.

UE: DA DOMANI PRODI IN AZERBAIGIAN, GEORGIA E ARMENIA

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
September 15, 2004

BRUXELLES — (ANSA) – BRUXELLES, 15 SET – Il presidente della
Commissione Ue Romano Prodi sara’ in visita ufficiale domani e venerdi’
in Azerbaigian, poi in Georgia e il 19 settembre in Armenia. Lo rende
noto la Commissione europea precisando che i colloqui con questi tre
paesi saranno incentrati sui prossimi passi della politica europea
di vicinato e piu’ in generale sulle relazioni bilaterali.

Prodi lancera’ un appello ai governi dei tre paesi per spingere avanti
le riforme e la risoluzione dei conflitti. La visita fa seguito ad
una decisione del Consiglio Ue del 14 giugno scorso che ha incluso
i tre paesi della regione sud del Caucaso nella politica europea
di vicinato.(ANSA).

ARKA News Agency
Sept 13 2004

Cancellation of NATO exercises due to position of Azerbaijan is a big
loss for regional cooperation – RA MFA

Presentation of collection of sociological polls takes place in
Stepanakert

Since 15, 2004 Converse Bank (Armenia) announce a month of free
services for its clients

On September 14 RA Prime Minister to leave for Astana to take part in
the sitting of CIS States Prime Ministers

RA National Assembly Speaker considers negative the efforts of
Azerbaijan on banning the participation of the officers of RA Armed
Forces in NATO exercises in Baku

RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian leaves for Brussels
and Astana on September 12-16

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

CANCELLATION OF NATO EXERCISES DUE TO POSITION OF AZERBAIJAN IS A BIG
LOSS FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION – RA MFA

YEREVAN, September 13. /ARKA/. Cancellation of NATO exercises due to
position of Azerbaijan is a big loss for regional cooperation, RA MFA
told ARKA that it was stated by RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian
during the meeting with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
Oskanian highly estimated NATO position in the issue of equal
participation of all parties in the exercises. He said that Armenia
remains attached to the necessity of preservation of the atmosphere
of cooperation and mutual trust in the region.
Scheffer in his turn expressed deep concern with the fact that Azeri
party makes obstacles for participation of Armenian military men in
NATO exercises in Baku. He stressed that similar approach is
inadmissible from any party being a member of Partnership for Peace
program.
NATO Cooperative Best Effort -2004 exercises scheduled for September
14-26 in Azerbaijan were cancelled, according to RIA Novosti with
reference to Exercises press center. This decision was taken by NATO
Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces in Europe. According to the
information, this necessary decision was based on the fact that
during the organization of the exercises the principle of openness
for all countries cooperating with NATO in frames of Partnership for
peace was not applied. L.D. –0–

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

PRESENTATION OF COLLECTION OF SOCIOLOGICAL POLLS TAKES PLACE IN
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, September 13. /ARKA/. Presentation of collection of
sociological polls took place in Stepanakert. According to the
President of Stepanakert Press Club Gegham Baghdasarian, the project
is directed on support of democratic reforms, creation of traditions
of conductions of sociological polls in young republic, study of
dynamics of changes of public opinion under the influence of internal
and external factors. The Press Club conducted 4 polls, during which
it question 1000 people in the capital and regions of the republic.
The polls represented opinions of different strata of society
considering development of democratic processes in Nagorno Karabakh,
activity of different power branches, legal system and
law-enforcement bodies, perspectives and ways of Karabakh settlement.
The results of the polls are published in Armenian, Russian and
English.
Conduction of polls in Karabakh was realized in accordance to the
agreement achieved 2.5 years ago between Stepanakert Press Club and
German Fund of Friedrich Ebert. L.D. –0–

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

SINCE 15, 2004 CONVERSE BANK (ARMENIA) ANNOUNCE A MONTH OF FREE
SERVICES FOR ITS CLIENTS

YEREVAN, September 13. /ARKA/. Since 15, 2004 Converse Bank (Armenia)
announced a month of free services for its clients, the bank told
ARKA. This activity is dedicated to 10th anniversary of bank’s
activity and will last till October 15.
CJSC Converse Bank was registered on Dec 20, 1993. According to
financial reports of the bank, the assets of the bank as of June 30,
2004 amounted to 30.7 billion AMD, total capital – 4 billion AMD, net
profit in first half of 2004 – 852.9 million AMD. ($1 – 514.54 AMD).
L.D. –0–

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

ON SEPTEMBER 14 RA PRIME MINISTER TO LEAVE FOR ASTANA TO TAKE PART IN
THE SITTING OF CIS STATES PRIME MINISTERS

YEREVAN, September 13. /ARKA/. On September 14 RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian will leave for Astana to take part in the sitting
of CIS States Prime Ministers, RA Government press office told ARKA.
According to the press release, the parties plan to discuss the
report on activity of agency on coordination of fight against
organized crime in CIS states, and creation of regional operative
group on coordination of fight against illegal turnover of drugs in
Central Asia. Special attention in the agenda is paid to economic
issues, namely issues of joint budget of CIS structures, financed
from the budgets of these countries.
The parties will also discuss cooperation in the sphere of television
and radio broadcasting on preparation and celebration of 60th
anniversary of victory in Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Besides
it is planned that the prime ministers will sign several agreements
on future development of cooperation in the sphere of energy,
transport, education, fight again illegal migration, in military and
other fields.
Armenian delegation includes RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian,
Regular Representative of Armenia to CIS States Suren Harutyunian,
Regular Representative of Armenia in Commission on Economic Issues in
CIS Economic Council Artak Vardanian and others. L.D. –0–

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

RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CONSIDERS NEGATIVE THE EFFORTS OF
AZERBAIJAN ON BANNING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE OFFICERS OF RA ARMED
FORCES IN NATO EXERCISES IN BAKU

YEREVAN, September 13. /ARKA/. Arthur Baghdasaryan, the Head of RA
Parliament considered negative the efforts of Azerbaijan on banning
the participation of the officers of RA Armed Forces in Cooperative
Best Effort-04 NATO exercises in Baku. “The position of Azerbaijan
has always been harsh and unacceptable, it avoids contacts both on
regional level and on level of Heads of the Parliaments”, said the
speaker. According to him, Armenia should continue the regional
cooperation and active contacts both in frames of NATO and other
international organizations. “Issues of peace and security require a
constructive position and we should show to the world community that
Armenia is the supporter of civilized processes and problem solution
in calm and constructive atmosphere, and not through unsubstantiated
and warlike announcements”, noted Baghdasaryan. L.V.-0–

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

RA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS VARTAN OSKANIAN LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS
AND ASTANA ON SEPTEMBER 12-16

YEREVAN, September, 13. /ARKA/. RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan
Oskanian left for Brussels and then for Astana, the capital of
Kazakhstan, on September 12-16. According to the RA MFA Press Service
Department, on September 13-14 Oskanian will head the Armenian
delegation at the 6th meeting of the Council on EU -Armenia
co-operation. Oskanian will meet its colleagues and the
administration of NATO in the framework of the working visit. On
September 14 Oskanian will leave Brussels for Astana, where he will
participate in the session of CIS Ministers of Foreign Affairs on
September 15-16, as well as in the regular Summit of CIS. A.H. -0–

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

ARKA News Agency
Sept 14 2004

Presentation of notebooks of Armenian Unicomp Company takes place in
Yerevan

NATO PA representatives conduct meeting with public organizations of
Armenia

Catholicos of All Armenians meets with the newly appointed US
Ambassador to Armenia

Newly appointed Ambassador of South-African Republic hands
credentials to RA President

RA President to leave for Astana on September 15 to participate in
Council of Heads of CIS member countries session

Meeting of RA and Azeri presidents to take place on September 15 in
Astana

Control of illegal construction in Armenia should be tightened

Conversebank (Armenia) announces contest on best economic development
project for RA communities

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

PRESENTATION OF NOTEBOOKS OF ARMENIAN UNICOMP COMPANY TAKES PLACE IN
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, September 14. /ARKA/. Presentation of notebooks of Armenian
Unicomp Company took place in Yerevan. The presentation represented 6
types of notebooks with historic names Argishti and Nairi. According
to Director of CJSC Unicomp Armen Baldrian, several other models are
being developed. “New Intel technologies allowed assembling of
notebooks in Armenia”, he said.
Repetition works of Armenian notebooks based on Intel Centrino
technology that envisages wirelss technology of Internet connection –
WiFi, started in July 2004. According to Baldrian, at the primary
stage production volume will amount to 100 notebooks a month, during
six month period this number will be increased to 200, while capacity
of the company is 1000 notebooks a month. “Prices on Armenian
notebooks will be 30% less than foreign ones, however we are
constantly working on price policy and in six month we expect
decrease of prices by another 10%”, he said. Baldrian added that
prices on computers range between $1300-2200, including VAT. He
explained low prices with “correctly chosen components and optimal
production”, when basic accent is made on quality of notebooks,
without spending extra assets on “small design applications”.
Baldrian did not say which percent of the products will be exported
and noted that export is among the plans of the company. He said that
the experts will conduct researches to conclude future agreements
abroad and the company expects Intel support.
Unicomp Company was created in 1996 on the base of famous in Armenia
computer firm Nairi-91 that dealt with development of software for
banks and realized its products in USSR republics. Assortment of the
products is wide, starting from small computer accessories – cables,
connectors, ending with computer systems. In 2002 annual turnover of
the company made $1.2 million and in result of 2003 the growth made
30%. L.D. –0–

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

NATO PA REPRESENTATIVES CONDUCT MEETING WITH PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS OF
ARMENIA

YEREVAN, September 14. /ARKA/. NATO PA representatives conduct
meeting with public organizations of Armenia, RA Government press
office told ARKA. The parties discussed financing of organizations,
activity of mass media and opportunity of decrease of migration and
volumes of black economy in Armenia.
Tomorrow these meetings will continue. L.D. –0–

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

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS MEETS WITH THE NEWLY APPOINTED US
AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, September, 14. /ARKA/. Garegin II, the Catholicos of All
Armenians, met today with John Marshall Evans, the newly appointed
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the USA to Armenia.
According to the Press Service Department of the Mother See of
Echmiadzin, during the meeting the Catholicos mentioned with
satisfaction the support and assistance rendered by the US to Armenia
in course of all independence period, as well as careful attitude
towards American Armenians.
In his turn, Mr. Evans assured Garegin II, that he will do everything
in his power for the success of his mission and assistance to
strengthening of friendship and bilateral cooperation between the two
countries.
According to the press release, the sides also touched upon the
significant mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the life of
Armenian people and establishment of Armenian State system. L.V.–0–

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

NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF SOUTH-AFRICAN REPUBLIC HANDS
CREDENTIALS TO RA PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, September 14. /ARKA/. Newly appointed Ambassador of
South-African Republic to Armenia Ashraf Sentso (residence in Kiev)
handed credentials to RA President Robert Kocharian, President’s
press office told ARKA. During the meeting Kocharian stressed the
necessity of development of cooperation between Armenia and African
countries and stressed the important role of SAR in this context.
The parties noted that both countries productively cooperate in the
frames of different international structures. As the most perspective
directions of cooperation they noted diamond processing and tourism.
L.D. –0–

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

RA PRESIDENT TO LEAVE FOR ASTANA ON SEPTEMBER 15 TO PARTICIPATE IN
COUNCIL OF HEADS OF CIS MEMBER COUNTRIES SESSION

YEREVAN, September, 14. /ARKA/. The RA President Robert Kocharian
will leave for Astana on September 15 to participate in the session
of Council of Heads of CIS States. According to the Press Service
department of RA President, during the session it is planned to
discuss issues of further development of CIS security cooperation in
frames of UN and OSCE adopted documents. The leaders will also
exchange views on certain issues having a negative impact on trade
and economic cooperation of CIS countries. During the session, the
elections of the President of Economic Court of CIS and his Deputy
will be carried out as well as the elections of Head of the
headquarters on military cooperation coordination, the President of
the Council of Heads of CIS States. It is also planned to sign a
number of documents.
On the eve of the Summit, sessions of Councils of Heads of
Governments and Councils of Foreign Ministers of CIS will take place.
L.V.–0–

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MEETING OF RA AND AZERI PRESIDENTS TO TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 15 IN
ASTANA

YEREVAN, September 14. /ARKA/. Meeting of RA and Azeri presidents
will take place on September 15 in Astana, RA President’s press
office told ARKA. The meeting will take place in the frames of the
sitting of CIS States Presidents’ Council.
It will be the third meeting of the presidents of the two countries.
First meeting took place in the frames of World Summit of Information
Society in Geneva on Dec 11, 2003 and second – in Warsaw on April 28,
2004. L.D. –0–

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CONTROL OF ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION IN ARMENIA SHOULD BE TIGHTENED

YEREVAN, September 14. /ARKA/. The control of illegal constructions
should be tightened in Armenia. According to the Press Service
Department of RA President, this was stated by Robert Kocharian
during his meeting with Manuk Vardanyan, the Head of State Committee
of the Real Property Cadastre at RA Government. The President gave
instructions to quickly solve the question of illegal construction
and in particular, to include them in the tax field or liquidate, if
necessary. This order of the RA President resulted from the
presentation of the real estate market situation by Manuk Vardanyan,
in particular when he mentioned that a number of constructions need
to be granted a right of property and are not included in real estate
tax database.
Kocharian also instructed Vardanyan to regulate the process of
registration of real estate alienation operations and lease of state
lands, which are carried out on community level. In particular, the
President mentioned the need for legislative regulation of auction
publicity, starting price of the object in order to control the
operations and ensure the equitable participation of all citizens.
L.V.–0–

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CONVERSEBANK (ARMENIA) ANNOUNCES CONTEST ON BEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT FOR RA COMMUNITIES

YEREVAN, September 14. /ARKA/. Conversebank (Armenia) announced a
contest on best economic development project for communities of
Armenia. According to the press service of the bank, both RA citizens
and legal entities can take part in the contest. The applicants
should submit a proposal consisting of 25 lists at minimum with a
corresponding review, as well as submit an application and fill in a
form. The deadline for submission of the proposals is November 12,
2004. The best project will be awarded $2000.

CJSC Conversebank was registered on December 20, 1993. According to
the published financial reports, the assets of the bank as of June
30, 2004 amounted to AMD 30,7 bln, total capital – about AMD 4 bln
and the net profit in the first half of 2004 made AMD 852,9 mln. ($1
– AMD 514,65). L.V. –0–

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ARKA News Agency
Sept 15 2004

Guilty of failure of Armenian team at summer Olympics in Athens must
be called to account

Ambassador of Great Britain to Armenia to visit Gyumri on September
20

Kilikia Armenian vessel arrives in Lebanon

Issues of strengthening inter-parliamentary ties discussed by
Armenian Speaker and vice-Speaker of Italian Senate

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of CIS discuss in Astana the issues
of activating the co-operation and business relations

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GUILTY OF FAILURE OF ARMENIAN TEAM AT SUMMER OLYMPICS IN ATHENS MUST
BE CALLED TO ACCOUNT

YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. Guilty of failure of Armenian team at
summer Olympics in Athens must be called to account, RA Minister of
Regional Administration and Infrastructure Coordniation Hovik
Abrahamian stated today. At this he added that the Government does
not plan to rush in this issue and will study the situation in
details, after which publicity will know on made decision. “We will
by all means discuss this issue and make serious decision”, he added.

Armenian team consisting of 18 sportsmen could not win any medals at
the Olympics in Athens. L.D. –0–

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AMBASSADOR OF GREAT BRITAIN TO ARMENIA TO VISIT GYUMRI ON SEPTEMBER
20

YEREVAN, September, 15. /ARKA/. Thorda Abbott-Watt, the Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
to Armenia will visit Gyumri on September 20. According to the Public
Relations Department of the Embassy, the purpose of her visit is to
call on the Lord Byron School, where she will meet the director, Mr
Harutyunian, and some of the school children. In frames of the visit,
presentation will be given on the Embassy website to the Lord Byron
School, introducing pupils to the activities of the Embassy and the
vast amount of information that is available through the website. “We
hope that this will not only enhance their knowledge of English but
will also help them to find sources of useful information which will
help them in their studies”, says the press release.
Also, a seminar for Shirak business representatives will be held on
‘How to find a business partner in the UK’ and the
website will be presented, which provides a free internet service
funded by the British Government to help businessmen to find products
and services from UK companies
The Lord Byron School was built with money provided by the British
Government following the 1988 earthquake. L.V.–0–

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KILIKIA ARMENIAN VESSEL ARRIVES IN LEBANON

YEREVAN, September, 15. /ARKA/. Kilikia Armenian vessel arrived in
Beirut. According to the Press Service Department of RA Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, officials of Lebanon, in particular Ministers,
Deputies, spiritual leaders, ambassadors, representatives of Armenian
parties and organizations of Lebanon greeted the vessel in the port.
In frames of the welcoming ceremony, the participants were presented
a short excursus of the history vessel construction, as well as the
aim of the voyage.
Kilikia Armenian vessel, constructed by the analogy of Kilikian trade
vessels of 13th century by the members of Hayas marine researches
club. For first time in the last 800 years, starting from 13th
century a ship with Armenian flag put out in the sea. The ship
started from Batumi, and then headed for
Sochi-Kaffu-Burgas-Istambul-Athens-Ayas-Beirut-Haifa-Alexandria-Iraklion-Dubrovnik-Venice-Messina-La-Valetta-Tunis-Rome.
Then the ship will leave for
Genoa-Marseilles-Bacelona-Kartagena-Gadiz-Lisb on-port La
Corunia-San-Sebastian-La-Rochel-Brest-Kork-Dubl in-Portsmoth-Amsterdame.
This was the route of Kilikian merchants who had close trade
relations with the mentioned ports in the 13th century. L.V.–0–

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ISSUES OF STRENGTHENING INTER-PARLIAMENTARY TIES DISCUSSED BY
ARMENIAN SPEAKER AND VICE-SPEAKER OF ITALIAN SENATE

YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. Arthur Baghdasaryan, Armenian Speaker
received members of Italian parliamentary delegation headed by
Lamberto Dini, Deputy Chairman of Italian Senate. As Armenian
Parliament Public Relations Department told ARKA, during the meeting
the sides mentioned importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary
ties, exchange of legal experience, particularly around electoral
code, activity of local self-governance bodies, small and
medium-sized business development. The side stressed cooperation of
regions that can create new opportunities for development of small
business and increasing foreign investments in Armenia. Baghdasaryan
and Dini touched upon the issue of construction of Italian House in
Armenia that would promote deepening of scientific-cultural and
trade-economic issues, pointing out to development of
Armenian-Italian relations in all spheres. The sides exchanged
invitations for response visits. T.M. -0–

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THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF CIS DISCUSS IN ASTANA THE ISSUES
OF ACTIVATING THE CO-OPERATION AND BUSINESS RELATIONS

YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of
CIS discussed in Astana the issues of activating the co-operation and
business relations. According to RA MFA Press Service Department, in
regard with this, the Board of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs
approved some documents submitted to them, namely, the decision on
further development of co-operation among CIS in opposing the threats
to stability and safety in the light of documents signed in the
frames of CIS, OSCE and UN, as well as intergovernmental program on
using joint finances for combating organized crime in 2005-2007, the
appeals of the Presidents of CIS to the peoples of CIS on the
occasion of the 60th anniversary of the victory in WWII. In the
course of the meeting, concepts of interregional co-operation among
CIS as well as documents of organizational character in the area of
education and information were approved.
To remind, the session of the Board of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
of CIS is held in the frames of the meeting of the Presidents of CIS
in Astana. Vartan Oskanian, the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs
participates in the session. A.H. –0–

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NATO names envoy to boost C.Asia, Caucasus links

BRUSSELS, Sept 15 (Reuters) – NATO appointed U.S. diplomat Robert
Simmons on Wednesday as its envoy to the Caucasus and Central Asia
to build up cooperation between the 26-member alliance and states in
the two regions.

Former Soviet republics in the regions, especially Georgia, are widely
thought to have been the focus of threats last week by Russian Chief
of Staff Yuri Baluyevsky to mount pre-emptive strikes against terrorist
bases anywhere in the world.

“We’ve discussed Russia’s relations with Georgia with Russia and
Georgia for a long time … We urge both countries to cooperate
proactively,” said Simmons, who dealt with Eurasian policy at the
U.S. Department of State before going to NATO.

“Our focus is on greater inter-operability with NATO, helping them
with defence reforms and consulting on issues that are of concern to
them,” said Simmons.

Baluyevsky’s threat followed a Chechen rebel siege of a school in
the town of Beslan in Russia’s southern region of North Ossetia in
which more than 300 people — half of them children — were killed.

Moscow has traditionally seen the Caucasus and Central Asia as within
its sphere of influence.

The Caucasus states of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan have joined
a European Union programme to boost ties.

09/15/04 13:43 ET

PRESS RELEASE

Armenian National Committee
San Francisco – Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: (415) 387-3433
Fax: (415) 751-0617
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
_www.ancsf.org_ ()
_www.teachgenocide.org_ ()

Contact: Roxanne Makasdjian (415) 641-0525

ARMENIAN-AMERICANS JOIN “SUDAN: DAY OF CONSCIENCE” IN SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco, CA August 25, 2004 â^À^Ó Armenian-American community members
joined hands with others at San Franciscoâ^À^Ùs Civic Center to raise public
awareness about continuing massacres in Sudan. The event, called â^À^ÜSudan:
Day of
Conscienceâ^À^Ý was organized by the Save Darfur Coalition in tandem with
several
other organizations, including the Bay Area Armenian National Committee, the
Interfaith Council, Human Rights Watch, the Jewish Community Relations, and
the
United Muslims of America. Local Armenian priests from the St. Gregory and
St. John churches also participated it the rally.

In light of the escalating violence and the looming threat of genocide in
Sudan, representatives spoke about the desperate need for united action on all
levelsâ^À^Ôregionally, statewide, nationwide, and globally. Referring to the
recent past, they illustrated the destructiveness of international blindness
to
gross violations of human rights. It was only ten years ago that the genocide
in Rwanda took the lives of 800,000 victims as the world stood idly by
despite the many warning signs of the atrocities. In Sudan, government-backed
Arab
militias, known as the Janjaweed, have been engaging in campaigns to
displace and wipe out entire communities of African tribal farmers. Witnesses
report
that villages have been razed, women and girls are systematically raped and
branded, men and boys murdered, and food and water supplies specifically
targeted and destroyed. There have also been reports of government aerial
bombardments of explosives as well as barrels of nails, car chassis and old
appliances hurled from planes to crush people and property. Over fifty
thousand have died and over a million have been driven from their homes.
Only in
the past few weeks have humanitarian agencies had limited access to a
portion of the affected region.

Representing the ANC, Haig Baghdassarian spoke to the several hundred people
gathered about the Armenian Genocide and traced the bloody history of the
20th century, pointing to the genocides which followed and condemning
international reluctance to take action. “When will we learn that we cannot
tolerate
this to happen time and time again? Perhaps not until, we as Americans, can
tell our Turkish allies, that although we may be friends, we will not allow
them to deny history and escape with impunity for the murder of a nation. And
perhaps, not until, we as Americans can come to terms with our own bloody
past â^À^Ó and the destruction of the indigenous peoples of America.”

“But these noble goals may take years or even decades to achieve, and we
cannot stand by and watch yet another genocide occur, whether itâ^À^Ùs in
central
Europe or in the heart of Africa, or on the very periphery of human
civilization,” said Bagdassarian

Reverend Father Avedis Torossian, pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic
Church, and Reverend Father Sarkis Petoyan, pastor of St. John Armenian
Apostolic Church were also present to express their solidarity with the “Sudan:
Day
of Conscience”. The peaceful collaboration of the representatives of the
Armenian community with those of the Jewish, Cambodian, and Rwandan
communities
demonstrated how the one common aspect of these groupsâ^À^Ù histories can
unite
them in trying to prevent genocide from becoming a dark chapter in the lives
and history of another people.

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