Union Network International
Aug 17 2004

Central & Eastern Europe Newsletter – 31

TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENTS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Armenia

OTE in licence negotiations OTE, the Greek operator which is the
majority shareholder in fixed-line operator Armentel, for which it
has been seeking a buyer, is to hold negotiations with the Armenian
government in the attempt to resolve outstanding issues. The
government has put off until September 28 the award of a second
mobile licence as a means, it said, of ‘facilitating the conduct of
the negotiations’.

[other countries omitted]

ARKA News Agency
Aug 16 2004

Presidents of Armenia and Russia to conduct a working meeting in
sotchi on August 20

RA President meets with the delegation of Russkij Aluminy company
today

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PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND RUSSIA TO CONDUCT A WORKING MEETING IN
SOTCHI ON AUGUST 20

YEREVAN, August 16. /ARKA/. The Presidents of Armenia and Russia
Robert Kocharian and Vladimir Putin will conduct a working meeting in
Sotchi on August 20. According to the Press Service Department of RA
President, a large scope of issues of Armenian-Russian bilateral
relations will be discussed. L.V. – 0–

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

RA PRESIDENT MEETS WITH THE DELEGATION OF RUSSKIJ ALUMINY COMPANY
TODAY

YEREVAN, August 16. /ARKA/. The RA President Robert Kocharian met
today with the delegation of Russkij Aluminy (RusAl) Company headed
by Alexander Livshits, the Deputy Director General of the company.
According to the Press Service Department of RA President, Livshits
presented the projects related to the activities of the factory and
the process of their implementation to the President. He said that it
is planned to implement a volume program of industrial reequipment of
the factory by means of attracting foreign investors. As a result of
the program, Armenal will become the most modern factory in CIS and
Europe. The Deputy Director also informed that financial mechanisms
of the investment program are currently being developed.
After the meeting, Livshits told the media, that `the meeting was
held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere’
The first meeting of RA President and the delegation of Russkij
Aluminy (RusAl) company took place on July 30, 2003. Then, it was
planned to invest $38 mln in industrial reequipment of Armenal. Now,
the investment in factory modernization will make $70 mln. L.V.-0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

August 17, 2004

CLASS OFF 2004 COMPLETES SIAMANTO ACADEMY PROGRAM

NEW YORK, NY-They all spoke with nostalgia about their three years at the
Siamanto Academy. This year’s graduates, Mark Yetemian, Sylvie Aghjayan,
Marie Demirchyan, and Massis Sarkissian, each read their graduation speeches
with emotion and gratitude for the enriching experience they had at the
Academy.
Sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), the three
year weekly program focuses on language, literature, history, Christian
studies and current events in addition to guest lecturers on various
Armenian cultural disciplines. This, in addition to the field trips that
enhance the traditional, national values that the students embrace, provide
a unique educational opportunity.
In the presence of parents and guests, Siamanto principal, Deacon Krikor
Lakissian, and ANEC executive director, Gilda B. Kupelian, the graduates
dressed in their caps and gowns, walked into the hall amidst enthusiastic
applause.
Dn. Lakissian gave a brief account of last year’s activities and Ms
Kupelian provided an overview of the Academy’s three year accredited
program. The graduates received their diplomas, awards and gifts from ANEC.
A reception hosted by the parents concluded the day’s joyous
festivities.
The Academy’s 2004-2005 term will begin next month. For information
contact the ANEC office, [email protected] or 212-689-7810.

New coaches make mark as road to World Cup begins

By RAVI UBHA
.c The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) – Three of soccer’s traditional powerhouses have new
coaches. It didn’t take them long to make their mark.

Italy’s Marcello Lippi dropped a star player he long managed, the
Netherlands’ Marco van Basten left out the country’s all-time leading
scorer, and Germany’s Juergen Klinsmann named a new captain.

As part of four World Cup 2006 qualifiers and more than a dozen
warmups in Europe on Wednesday, France – also with a new manager –
begins life without Zinedine Zidane; European champion Greece has a
rematch against the Czech Republic; and England’s Sven-Goran Eriksson
is on the touchline for the first time since a sex scandal almost cost
him his job.

European World Cup qualifying begins in Groups One and Three, with
Romania hosting Finland without injured Roma defender Cristian
Chivu. In the other qualifiers, Macedonia faces Armenia, Liechtenstein
takes on Estonia and Slovakia is at home against Luxembourg. Most
European nations begin qualifying Sept. 4. There also are five World
Cup qualifiers in the North and Central American and Caribbean region
on Wednesday.

Lippi, the cigar-smoking former Juventus manager, didn’t pick Juve
forward Alessandro Del Piero for a friendly at Iceland – and he made
no guarantees about his future.

Considered one of the most gifted players in the game, Del Piero has
disappointed in big tournaments, including Euro 2004, where Italy was
eliminated in the first round.

“Del Piero doesn’t have any particular problem,” said Lippi, who
replaced Giovanni Trapattoni. “It’s just that at the moment, I
believe it’s better that he improves his general condition. He’ll be
taken into consideration again once he’s done that.”

Lippi suprised many by adding forward Luca Toni – the Serie B’s
leading scorer last season with Palermo – and Sampdoria’s Francesco
Flachi, a 29-year-old uncapped player.

Striker Christian Vieri, defender Fabio Cannavaro, playmaker Francesco
Totti and another midfielder, Antonio Cassano, all on the Euro 2004
team, are injured.

“This is the national team of this moment,” Lippi said.

Van Basten, who took over from Dick Advocaat, omitted Patrick Kluivert
in selecting a young squad for a friendly at Sweden. Kluivert, with 40
goals in 79 appearances, recently joined England’s Newcastle.

“Kluivert has had a poor preparation for this season and first has to
prove at his club that he’s scoring and that a spot in the squad would
be a logical choice,” Van Basten said.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy hurt, Roy Makaay could start up front for the
first time in more than a year.

Also injured are regulars Philip Cocu and Clarence Seedorf. Speedy
winger Marc Overmars retired after Euro 2004, and defender Jaap Stam
has retired from international competition.

Arsenal’s Robin van Persie and Feyenoord’s Romeo Castelen, both
uncapped, were chosen. The Netherlands reached the Euro 2004
semifinals.

Klinsmann is trying to rebuild a German side eliminated in the first
round of the Euros. Since Rudi Voller left, he’s replaced almost every
official connected to the national team.

One of his first on-field moves was to strip goalkeeper Oliver Kahn of
the captaincy in favor of midfielder and Bayern Munich teammate
Michael Ballack.

Germany, hosting the 2006 World Cup, plays Austria in Vienna.

“I wanted an outfield player as captain, a player who is connected to
all parts of the team and will take the reins in his hands when the
going gets rough,” Klinsmann said.

France’s Raymond Domenech also appointed a new captain – though he
didn’t have much choice. Zidane, the reigning FIFA player of the
year, announced his international retirement last week.

With Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira hurt, veteran keeper Fabien Barthez will
lead the team out in a home friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“I’m aware that a goalkeeper has already a lot to think about, but
it’s going to be him for this match,” said Domenech, Jacques
Santini’s replacement.

Apart from Zidane, defenders Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly and
Bixente Lizarazu have all retired from the national team. The four had
a combined 409 caps.

France, as one of the favorites, was eliminated in the first round at
World Cup 2002 and in the quarterfinals at Euro 2004.

Greece stunned soccer by winning the tournament in Portugal, downing
the Czech Republic 1-0 in the semifinals before edging the host in the
final.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel will be without defender Traianos Dellas in
Prague because of injury. The Czechs won’t have European footballer of
the year Pavel Nedved and fellow midfielder Vladimir Smicer, who also
are hurt for the friendly.

England didn’t change coaches – barely. Eriksson faced criticism from
the British press when it was revealed he and Football Association
chief executive Mark Palios had affairs with a 38-year-old FA
secretary. Palios eventually resigned, although Eriksson was cleared
of any wrongdoing by the FA earlier this month.

England hosts Ukraine in another warmup.

“If we don’t succeed this time, the knives will be out,” captain
David Beckham said about upcoming World Cup qualifying.

Luis Aragones manages Spain for the first time, against Venezuela in
Las Palmas. Aragones, hired to replace Inaki Saez following Spain’s
first-round exit at Euro 2004, included Arsenal’s 20-year-old forward
Jose Reyes.

08/17/04 09:28 EDT

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER OFF TO MOSCOW TO DISCUSS KARABAKH

MPA news agency, Baku
17 Aug 04

BAKU

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov began his official
visit to Russia today (17 August). Prior to his departure from Baku,
Mammadyarov told MPA news agency that during his stay in Moscow (till
19 August) he will have meetings with his Russian counterpart, Sergey
Lavrov, high-ranking officials from the Russian State Duma and the
presidential administration and with representatives of the
Azerbaijani diaspora. A news conference will be held at the end of the
visit.

The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and Russia’s activities as a
co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group will be the main topic of the
talks, Mammadyarov said. He will raise the issue of the military
exercises staged by Armenia in the occupied territory of Nagornyy
Karabakh. The sides will exchange views on regional issues, terrorism,
drug trafficking and illegal migration and consider plans for holding
a Year of Azerbaijan in Russia in 2005.

US DIPLOMAT SAYS KARABAKH MEDIATORS NOT TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIA AS AGGRESSOR

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
17 Aug 04

(Presenter) The US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Steven Mann,
has made a bizarre statement. In an interview with Azartac news
agency, Mann said that recognition of Armenia as an aggressor was not
relevant to the Minsk Group’s mission. In addition, Mann stressed that
they made no differences between the occupier and the occupied.

(Correspondent, over Mann’s archive footage) Illegal elections in
Nagornyy Karabakh (to local government bodies on 8 August) will not
have an impact on the conflict settlement within the framework of the
OSCE Minsk Group, Mann said. Recalling the US stance on these
elections, Mann added that his country did not recognize Nagornyy
Karabakh as an independent entity and backed Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. But he said that recognition of Armenia as an aggressor was
not relevant to the Minsk Group’s mission. Wishes of all people in the
region should be taken into consideration while settling the Karabakh
conflict, Mann said. He added that the Minsk Group did not side with
anybody because the international community had not authorized the
Minsk Group to act as a judge, end quote.

Mann once again called on the sides to the conflict not to expect the
mediators to perform miracles. He said that the settlement of the
problem depended not on the mediators, but on Azerbaijan and
Armenia. That is why, Mr Mann believes that Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev’s decision to take part in the peace process is correct
and based on Azerbaijan’s national interests.

Speaking on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Mann admitted that
the Washington government had been surprised at the delay in the
construction of the pipeline’s Georgian section. He said that this
issue had been widely discussed during Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili’s visit to the USA. Mann expressed his satisfaction with
the resumption of the construction. Mr Mann added that he was against
linking the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline with
the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. This project has
nothing to do with the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict,
he said. Mann added that the oil pipeline reflected the South
Caucasus’ economic realities, but not political ones, end quote.

Qalib Sukurov, for “Son Xabar” programme.

ArmenPress
Aug 17 2004

AGBU TO OPEN A NEW SCHOOL YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS: Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU) is planning to open “Melkonian educational center”, a youth
complex in Yerevan in the coming years. The school may host up to 200
students from around the world. AGBU Armenian representation director
Ashot Ghazarian told Armenpress that Diaspora Armenians will learn
Armenian language, literature and history which will contribute to
preservation of Armenian identity and Armenian education. According
to Ghazarian, many young Armenians from around the globe will make
contacts with motherland and communicate with national values. “Of
coarse, this is not a tourism program, the focus is on education,”
Ghazarian said.
The educational establishment will be equipped with modern
technology with lingo-phone and computer auditoriums. University aged
students may continue their education at local Armenian higher
educational establishment as well as at American and French
Universities here in Yerevan. Ashot Ghazarian informed that they are
negotiating with Yerevan municipality to provide facilities for that
purpose. The project will be funded by AGBU.
The project has been discussed with president Kocharian, chairman
and members of writers’ house, Yerevan state university rector Radik
Martirossian and minister of education and science Sergo Yeritsian.

ArmenPress
Aug 17 2004

ASSUMPTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

ANTELIAS, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS: On August 15 all the Armenian
Churches in the world celebrate the Assumption of the Holy Mother of
God (Verapokhoum). Although in modern Armenian Verapokhoum means
change again, in Classical Armenian it means transport up. For
fifteen years after the Crucifixion Mary remained in Jerusalem under
the watchful eyes of the apostles, especially John to whom she had
been entrusted. When she died all of the apostles were present at her
burial, except Bartholomew. When he returned to Jerusalem he went to
her grave to pay his respects. The apostles gathered in the cemetery,
but when the gravestone was lifted, they were surprised to find that
her body was not there, instead there was an exceeding sweet
fragrance. It was believed that Mary was physically taken into
heaven. Based on this the church fathers established the Feast of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Blessing of the Grapes, although not connected with the
Assumption, is generally commemorated on the same day. First the
special hymn of the day is sung, then passages from the Gospel are
read, after which the prayer pertaining to the blessing of grapes,
which was composed by Catholicos Nerses is read. In this prayer it is
mentioned that on the third day of Creation, God created the
fruit-yielding trees and vegetation on earth. The prayer seeks the
blessing of God to be bestowed on those who give the first yield of
their vineyards as gifts to the church, and asks the Lord to protect
the crops and gardens from harm. After the prayers, the grapes are
blessed and distributed to the congregation.
On Saturday 14 August 2004, The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
celebrated the feast of the Holy Virgin Mary’s Assumption. The
Catholicosate also celebrated the pilgrimage day of St. Mary’s
Armenian Monastery in Bikfaya, Lebanon, site of the summer residence
of the Catholicos, and also site of the Seminary. A celebration
dating from 1952, when the Chapel was consecrated in the name of St.
Mary.
Since the first year of his Pontificate (1995), His Holiness Aram
I has emphasized the importance of the feast as a special day of
spiritual renewal, and especially the pilgrimage day as the day of
the youth. This year, along with thousands of faithful, youths from
many of the Armenian youth organizations walked from Antelias to
Bikfaya as pilgrims of St. Mary’s Monastery, where they joined His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, who presided over the
ceremony.
Thousands of people attended the Divine Liturgy which was
celebrated in the courtyard of the monastery. His Holiness delivered
his pontifical message to the faithful. This year His Holiness
focused his message on the importance of family. Family is the basis
of society. I cannot imagine, spiritually and morally healthy
society, without the family. I cannot imagine an organized and
credible society without the family. Indeed the family remains an
important point of reference, in any society. That is why we as
Catholicos declared this year as the Year of Family. We consider the
family, in a sense, the extension of the church, of the school, of
our homeland. It is in and through the family that the foundation of
Christian formation and Armenian education is laid down. Therefore a
crucial role is given to the Armenian family. It is called to
preserve and promote our Armenian Christian values and tradition in
the context of a world which constantly question the credibility and
relevance of spiritual and moral values. We must, therefore, preserve
the integrity; the credibility of the Armenian Family said His
Holiness.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the ceremony of blessing of grapes
and Madagh took place headed by His Holiness Aram I.

ArmenPress
Aug 17 2004

CHARGE D’AFFAIRS ANTHONY GODFREY OPENS THE COUNTRY’S SECOND
“COMMUNITY SELF-HELP FUND” PROJECT IN LORY MARZ

VANADZOR, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS: On August 17, U.S. Charge
d’Affairs a.i. to Armenia Anthony Godfrey inaugurated the
newly-completed Vanadzor Playground in Lori Marz. This project is the
second in a series of the U.S. Government’s “Community Self-Help
Fund” initiatives in Armenia. A grant from the U.S. Government and
contributions from the local community funded the construction and
equipment of the playground in Vanadzor’s Taron 4 district, which was
built after the 1988 earthquake. It is an area of new, multi-storied
buildings lacking facilities for children to play. Children used to
play on the dangerous ruins of semi-destroyed buildings. As a result
of the project, children in the neighborhood have a safe, fenced play
area, including swings, merry-go-rounds, soccer field, and a
basketball court as well as seats for spectators.
The formal ceremony awarding the first round of grants of the U.S.
Embassy’s new Community Self-Help Fund program took place March 15.
The Embassy awarded grants to ten communities in eight marzes. The
Community Self-Help Fund assists local communities to implement
small, grassroots projects that address their most urgent needs. The
community of Vanadzor’s Taron 4 district made significant
contributions of time and resources in order to ensure the success of
the project. Save the Children is implementing the project. The U.S.
Embassy hopes to continue this program in the future and is currently
reviewing applications for the second round of the program. For
further information about the program, please contact Save the
Children (tel. 56-23-35, or on the web at ).

Armenian National Committee of Florida
PO Box 741364
Boynton Beach, FL 33474
954-401-9787
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
August 17, 2004

Contact: Bedo Der-Bedrossian
[email protected]

SOUTH FLORIDA ANC ACTIVISTS REACH OUT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS

— Urge Senator Nelson to Support Genocide Resolution, Strengthen
US-Armenia Relations

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Florida ANC activists joined with ANCA national and
regional staff in a meeting, today, with representatives of Senator Bill
Nelson’s (D-FL) district office to discuss issues of concern to the Armenian
American community in the Sunshine State, reported the Armenian National
Committee of Florida.

The meeting is among the first in a series of activities involving Members
of Congress and the Florida Armenian community during a 10-day trip to the
region by ANCA Eastern Region Director Doug Geogerian and ANCA Government
Affairs Director Abraham Niziblian.

Over a dozen Florida Armenians participated in the meeting Sen. Nelson’s
Broward County Regional Office Director Willowstine Lawson. Activists
joining Niziblian and Geogerian were ANC South Florida Chairman Bedo
Der-Bedrossian, Rev. Vasken Bekiarian, Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Church
of South Florida, Marilyn Vaboolian McClean, Sonya Toumayan, Gloria Toroyan,
Michael Toumayan, Arlys Koushakjian, Naomi Davitian, Eugenie Megherian
Rodrigues, Sevag Tokatlian, and Siran Der-Bedrossian. Michael Toumayan
recently finished an eight-week internship at the ANCA national
headquarters, during which time he met with Senator Nelson and his
Washington, DC staff.

During the hour-long meeting with Lawson, community participants urged the
first term Senator to take an active role on a number of key Armenian
American concerns including Congressional reaffirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, stronger US-Armenia bilateral economic and political relations,
and a lasting and equitable resolution to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.
Der-Bedrossian specifically asked that the Senator cosponsor S.Res.164,
legislation marking the 15th anniversary of US implementation of the
Genocide Convention. The resolution, introduced by Senators John Ensign
(R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ), currently has 40 cosponsors. Der-Bedrossian
also briefed Lawson about activities planned in commemoration of the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide next year in South Florida and invited
Senator Nelson to join the Armenian American community in marking this
solemn occasion.

Participants urged the Senator’s support for S.1557, which would ensure
permanent normal trade relations between the US and Armenia. The ANC
activists will be meeting personally with Senator Nelson regarding these and
other pressing issues later this week.

Geogerian and Niziblian arrived in Ft. Lauderdale this past weekend, where
they joined the South Florida community in celebrating the Feast of the
Ascension and the Blessing of the Grapes at St. Gregory Armenian Church.
Last night, Niziblian and Geogerian gave an update on Armenian American
advocacy efforts in Washington, DC and around the nation to local activists
at a public forum hosted by the ANC of Florida. Over the next seven days,
they will be traveling throughout the state, meeting with Members of
Congress and local Armenian American activists in an effort to strengthen
the community’s political advocacy efforts in Florida.

The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American grassroots
political organization in Florida and nationwide. The ANC actively advances
a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community.