Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press
July 7, 2004
‘THIS MARKET RECENTLY CHANGED HANDS.’ — 11 People Die in Blast at
Samara Market. By Vladimir Perekrest. Izvestia, June 5, 2004, p. 1.
Condensed text:
. . . The Kirov Merchandise Market is Samara’s largest. On Friday
[June 4], an explosion rang out at exactly 1 p.m. local time (12 noon
Moscow time) near the entrance to the market from the direction of
the Pyatiletka railroad platform. That area is always bustling, since
many province residents come to the market by electric train. Near
the entrance are several freight containers from which vendors sell
goods, as well as stalls selling shish kebab, shawarma and other
edibles.
“On weekends the place is jam-packed,” Daniyar Saifiyev, the main
spokesman at the Samara Province chief administrator’s press office,
told Izvestia. “If the blast had occurred on Saturday or Sunday, the
number of victims could have been far greater.”
But there were quite a few people at the market on Friday afternoon
as well. So in the wake of the explosion the area near the market
entrance was one big bloody jumble.
The force of the blast was so great that several sections of the
concrete wall surrounding the market were smashed to pieces and
strewn about by the shock wave. A large fragment of a concrete slab
landed on the railroad bed and damaged two of the five sets of tracks
that run through the Pyatiletka platform. The explosion overturned
about 10 freight containers and food stalls. A Vietnamese father,
mother and daughter who operated one of the stalls were killed on the
spot. A booth belonging to a family of Armenians was also destroyed,
and the owner’s wife and brother were killed. Some bodies were torn
to pieces by the blast, and the shock wave hurled one female
market-goer over the concrete wall.
Blood-soaked people were running back and forth between the market
and the railroad platform. Someone called the ambulance service and
the police. . . . All told, 27 ambulances came to help those injured
by the blast. . . .
One person died on the way to the hospital, and three others
succumbed in the intensive care unit.
The Ministry for Emergency Situations’ Samara division initially
reported that the tragedy had been caused by the explosion of some
gas cylinders in a vending stall near the market entrance. Such
things have happened in Samara before. . . .
But what blew up in Samara this time was not gas, according to
Samara Province Prosecutor Aleksandr Yefremov, who went to the scene
of the tragedy. He reported that a one-kilogram charge of plastic
explosive had been planted between the concrete wall and a vending
booth, at a height of 1.2 meters.
The main shock wave was directed toward the railroad platform,
where there were about 20 people at the time of the explosion.
According to the prosecutor, they were saved purely by chance. A
freight train had pulled up a few minutes before the blast, and one
of its tank cars absorbed the blow. . . . Explosives experts were
able to determine that the bomb had been detonated by a safety fuse,
the prosecutor said. There were also indications that the device had
been packed with ball bearings and pieces of scrap metal.
A criminal investigation has been opened in connection with the
blast, under Art. 205 and Art. 105, part 2, of the Russian Criminal
Code (“Terrorism” and “Intentional Homicide of Two or More Persons,”
respectively).
“It’s hard to say at this point whether there is any Chechen
connection,” a source in the Samara Province law-enforcement
community told Izvestia. “The market recently changed hands. It’s
possible that the bombing had something to do with that. The market
is a choice morsel, and it has been the focus of criminal turf wars
before.”
As this issue was going to press, the death toll had reached 11.
Some of the dead have not yet been identified. Thirty-three of the
injured are hospitalized, six of them in intensive care. The Samara
Province Disaster Medicine Center reports that doctors are seriously
concerned about the condition of several of their injured patients. .
. .

ARKA News Agency
July 5 2004
Constitutional reforms in RA to be performed in climate of
understanding among political streams
Catholicos of All Armenians received Mayor of Pasadena
Armenia celebrates Constitution Day on July 5
*********************************************************************
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS IN RA TO BE PERFORMED IN CLIMATE OF
UNDERSTANDING AMONG POLITICAL STREAMS
YEREVAN, July 5. /ARKA/. The constitutional reforms in RA to be
performed in a climate of understanding among political streams as
well as they must be supported by the society. As RA Government
Public and Press Relations Department told ARKA, this was said in the
message of congratulation of RA PM Andranik Margarian on occasion of
Constitutional Day. The message particularly says that `adopting in
1995 the Main Law of Armenia, our state and people expressed their
commitment to determination to go to integration with the civilized
world, rooting of democratic values, forming of civil society’. It
mentions that during the passed years the RA Constitution certainly
promoted the establishment of the independent state as well as
keeping of internal and external stability in complicated situations.
`New realities require new demands to the society and the state that
naturally should be fixed in the Main Law and only in case of
complexity approach, the RA Constitution would fulfill its principal
role for securing of well-doing and solidarity, preservation of main
human liberties and rights in accordance to the international
standards’, the PM’s message says. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS RECEIVED MAYOR OF PASADENA
YEREVAN, July 5. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness
Garegin II received Mayor of Pasadena Bill Bogard and the Head of
Police of the city Bernard Melikyan. As St. Echmiadzin Motehr See
told ARKA, during the meeting the Head of the Armenian Apostolic
Church expressed his satisfaction by the visit of the delegation of
the US city to Armenia that was called to strengthen of friendly
relations between sister cities Vanadzor and Pasadena. Garegin II
also mentioned the activity of the Armenian community of Pasadena and
St. Sargis.
In his turn Bogard presented the existing opportunities and practical
steps and programs on strengthening of relations with Vanadzor. T.M.
-0–
*********************************************************************
ARMENIA CELEBRATES CONSTITUTION DAY ON JULY 5
YEREVAN, July 5. /ARKA/. The Republic of Armenia celebrates the 9th
anniversary of adoption of Constitution. The acting Constitution was
adopted on July 5, 1995 in the period of government of Armenian
National Movement. The Ra Constitution consists of 117 articles,
which state that the State power in Armenia is executed in accordance
with the Main Law based on the principle of division of legislative,
executive and judicial powers.
On the occasion of Constitution Day, the RA President Robert
Kocharian addressed the people with a message of congratulation,
which says, in particular, that `the adoption of Constitution has a
historical meaning for every nation. It has become a powerful
stimulus for fundamental reform of RA legislative system, as well as
the establishment of priority of legislation and securing people’s
power’. The message also states that the current Constitution has
proved its vitality many times and it’s steady execution guarantees
legality and stability in the country. The President thinks that the
perfection of Constitution and its need for correspondence to
contemporary demands of development is imminent.
The introduction of amendments to Constitution is one of the
commitments of Armenia to the of EC. The deadline for referendum on
making amendments to Constitution in Armenia is June 2005. In the
course of 2004, the package of constitutional reforms will be sent
for examination to Venice commission. It should be mentioned that the
Constitution amendments put for national referendum on May 25, 2003
did not pass. L.V. -0 –

ARKA News Agency
July 6 2004
Stepanakert (Nagorno Karabakh) to be fully provided with gas by the
end of July
ISC-Star expresses its regret as ArmenTel’s license extended by 3
months in RA
Robert Kocharian and Mikhail Sahakashvili discuss perspectives of
more active mutual cooperation
*********************************************************************
STEPANAKERT (NAGORNO KARABAKH) TO BE FULLY PROVIDED WITH GAS BY THE
END OF JULY
STEPANAKERT, July 6. /ARKA/. Stepanakert will be fully provided with
gas by the end of July, Director of SCJSC Artsakhgas Maxim Mirzoyan
stated today. He also said that works in the regions are also
continued, namely Askeran provided with gas by 100%, Martouni is
gasified by a half. He noted that in 2004 works totaling 4.5 million
AMD are envisaged in Shushi City. Preliminary works on gasification
completed in Hadrut region.
Note as Mirzoyan stated earlier, SCJSC Artsakhgas plans to increase
the number of its subscribers by 4 thousand in 2004, at this in 2003
the company increased this number by 800. Totally at the moment about
700 subscribers of Stepanakert do not have gas yet. He said that only
in Stepanakert total works totaled 10 million AMD. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
ISC-STAR EXPRESSES ITS REGRET AS ARMENTEL’S LICENSE EXTENDED BY 3
MONTHS IN RA
YEREVAN, July 6. /ARKA/. ISC-Star expressed its regret as ArmenTel’s
license was extended by 3 months in RA . As the Information Service
of this Armenian- Russian-US JV told ARKA, the company confirms its
readiness to participate as operator on the telecommunication market
of RA. `We are long since ready to unfolding of full-scale high
quality and available mobile communication network in RA’, Eduard
Hakobyan, CEo fo the company said.
At the same time, the company’s delegation plans visiting Tbilisi for
submitting of application of interest for participation in tender for
receiving of mobile communication operator license in Georgia and
receiving of radio frequencies in the frames of 1800 MHz. The company
confirms its readiness to invest the resources as it would be
necessary for the construction of the mobile communication network on
the Georgian territory.
ISC Armenian-Russian-American joint venture was registered in Armenia
on Sept 24, 2001. The founders of the ISC-Star, JV are both legal and
physical entities of several foreign countries, including Russia and
residents of the Republic of Armenia. ISC-Star currently unites over
100 IP-communication and paging units all over the world.
*********************************************************************
ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND MIKHAIL SAHAKASHVILI DISCUSS PERSPECTIVES OF
MORE ACTIVE MUTUAL COOPERATION
YEREVAN, July 6. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian met the
Georgian President Mikhail Sahakashvili during his working visit to
Moscow on 2-4 July as well as the Igor Ivanov, Secretary of Russian
Security Council. As RA President Press Service told ARKA, during his
visit with Sahakashvili, the heads of two states discussed the issues
of development of mutual relationships, particularly more active
economic partnership as well as they touched upon the regional
issues. Ra President discussed with Ivanov the Armenian-Russian
bilateral relationships, regional problems and the issues related to
the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
During his visit, Kocharian received the heads of the CIS countries
in unofficial situation during which the heads were discussing the
issues of deepening of integration in the CIS, economic issues as
well actual problems of the international policy.
Ra President among the other CIS heads was present on Russian
President horse races on Moscow hippodrome. T.M. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
July 7 2004
EU Commissar Janosh Potoshnik to arrive in Armenia today
RA President Robert Kocharian studies the condition of Armenian
Diaspora in Komi

*********************************************************************
EU COMMISSAR JANOSH POTOSHNIK TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA TODAY
YEREVAN, July 7. /ARKA/. Janosh Potoshnik, the EU Commissar will
arrive today in Armenia with a two-day official visit in frames of
visiting the South Caucasus countries, according to the Yerevan
office of European Commission Delegation in Armenia and Georgia. In
the frames of the official visit, Potoshnik will have a number of
meetings with official persons, in particular with RA President and
Prime-Minister, representatives of opposition, society and business
circles, journalists and students. The presentation of EU financed
program `European Neighborhood Initiative’ will be presented, where
the EU Commissar will explain the importance of this initiative. `The
inclusion of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in this program is the
evidence of EU readiness to assist the countries of South Caucasus on
their way to the establishment of a stable society based on
democratic values’, he said. Potoshnik visited Georgia on July 5-6
and Azerbaijan on July 6-7.
It should be mentioned that the foreign ministers of 25 EU member
states made a decision to include Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan in
the European Neighborhood Initiative at the session in Luxemburg on
June 14. L.V –0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN STUDIES THE CONDITION OF ARMENIAN
DIASPORA IN KOMI
YEREVAN, July 7. /ARKA/. The RA President Robert Kocharian
familiarized himself with the condition of Armenians living in Komi
during his non-official visit to this Northern republic. As
Komiinform agency informs, referring to the Press Service Department
of Komi Government, during his meeting with Diaspora representative
in Syktivkar, Kocharian expressed interest concerning the condition
of Armenians in Komi, who are going to form a structural organization
soon.
According to Sargis Manasaryants, the Head of Trade and Industrial
Chamber of the republic, today the representatives of Armenian
Diaspora are involved in almost any sphere in Komi – educational,
medical, business, tourism. Vladimir Torlopov, the Head of the region
also took part in the meeting. L.V. –0 –
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMS TRADE DISCOUNTS BEGIN FOR CIS SECURITY TREATY STATES
Interfax-AVN military news agency web site, Moscow
7 Jul 04
Tagil, Sverdlovsk Region, 7 July: Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) member-states which have ratified corresponding
intergovernmental agreements and protocols are entitled to deliver and
procure arms and materiel within the CSTO framework on preferential
terms.
“A decree regulating prices and charges on arms and materiel,
delivered within the CSTO framework on preferential terms, was issued
about a month ago, and we have already started certain practical work
in compliance with this decree,” CSTO Secretary-General Nikolay
Bordyuzha told Interfax-Military News Agency at the Nizhniy Tagil arms
show today.
Quoting Russian media outlets, he said that two Il-76 Candid military
transports had recently been delivered to Armenia. The aircraft have
been sold on preferential terms.
(Passage omitted)
According to Bordyuzha, not all CSTO member-states have ratified the
necessary documents, which considerably hinders arms deliveries on
preferential terms. “Not all the states have ratified the agreement
proper, and the protocol on controlling arms to be delivered on
preferential terms. We have to be sure that such arms will not be
transferred to third parties in the future,” he said.
(Passage omitted)

RUSSIAN FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE IN KAZAKH TENDER FOR UPGRADE OF AIR TRAFFIC
CONTROL
Interfax-AVN military news agency web site, Moscow
7 Jul 04
Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Region, 7 July: Russian air traffic control
system designers and manufacturers will participate in a tender on
upgrading the Kazakh air traffic control system, Nikolay Bordyuzha,
secretary- general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO), told Interfax-Military News Agency at the Nizhniy Tagil arms
show on Wednesday (7 July).
“We have arranged for Russian manufacturers to display their air
traffic control systems and participate in the Kazakh tender,”
Bordyuzha said.
According to him, the Russian side has already made corresponding
proposals on upgrading the Kazakh air traffic control system, and is
continuing work with this end in view.
Bordyuzha said that many CSTO member-states enjoyed an economic boost,
singling Kazakhstan out as an example. “At the present time this
country is ready to participate in developing new weapon systems,” he
said.
According to Bordyuzha, Tajikistan, Armenia, and other CSTO
member-states are also experiencing economic growth. “CSTO
member-states will have enough real money in the near future, and
these assets will be used to procure Russian arms and materiel,” he
emphasized.
He also noted that cooperation had recently been revived within the
CSTO framework. “Many industrial enterprises embrace the approach of
establishing interstate holding companies. The Oboronitelnye Sistemy
Holding Company is being established at the moment. It will comprise
enterprises and companies from the following five CSTO member-states:
Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan,” he said.
Kazakh Defence Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev earlier told Interfax- AVN
that Kazakhstan would be studying proposals on modernizing the air
defence systems and air traffic controlling systems sometime before
2008 or 2010.
The Kazakh government has approved a plan to create an integrated
system for air traffic control for the period from 2004 to
2010. According to this plan, a tender will be held in the second
quarter of 2010 to determine who will carry out the project.
Experts say the value of the contract may amount to 1bn dollars.

Iran appoints new ambassador to Armenia
IRNA web site, Tehran
7 Jul 04
TEHRAN
President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami appointed Ali Reza Haqiqian as the
new Iranian ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, the Information and
Press Department of the Foreign Ministry announced here on Tuesday 6
July .
The appointment was made upon a proposal by Foreign Minister Kamal
Kharrazi. Haqiqian had previously served as a Foreign Ministry
director-general as well as Iranian charge d’affaires to Baghdad.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/07/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. 28th Annual Navasartian Games End With Festivities 2. No Truth to Withdrawal from Karabagh Territory Says Oskanian 3. Chief Prosecutor Cracks Down on Tax Evasion 4. NEWS BRIEFS 1. 28th Annual Navasartian Games End With Festivities 20,000 attend 29th Annual Homenetmen Navasartian Closing Ceremonies By Jenny Kiljian LOS ANGELES--The 29th Annual Homenetmen Navasartian Games came to a triumphant close on July 4, with a special ceremony at the Grant High School football field, marking the culmination of all activities, as well as the Honorary Presidency of Mr. and Mrs. Charly and Julie Ghailian. Thousands began to enter the field shortly before 6 o'clock in the evening, to secure seats in order to cheer for their chapters during the parade. They were entertained by the Aline dance troupe, who performed the renowned Vagharshabad Armenian dance. The Homenetmen marching band, under the direction of Harout Kilijian, delighted the crowd with its renditions of Armenian national melodies. The closing ceremonies officially began with the arrival of Honorary Presidents Charles and Julie Ghailian, Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Homenetmen Central Executive chairman Karnig Megerdichian, ARF Bureau member Viken Hovsepian, ARF Central Committee representative Hovig Saliba, Armenia's Consul General to the US Gagik Kirakosian, and 2004 Exemplary Homenetmen members Kapriel and Asdghig Panossian. Homenetmen Television (HTV) personalities Nora Tchaparian and Patil Aposhian-Kassabian served as announcers during the closing ceremonies. Immediately at 6 PM, as they directed the audience to turn attention to the sky, skydivers carrying the American and Armenian flags landed on the field, marking the beginning of the yearly parade. Taking permission from the Honorary Presidents, Regional Scoutmaster Hrair Boyadjian invited the Homenetmen flag guards to enter the stadium, carrying with them 28 Armenian flags, while the Homenetmen marching band roused the patriotism of the crowd by playing the national anthems of Armenia and the United States, and the Homenetmen anthem. Master of Ceremonies Stepan Boyajian asked the audience to stand for a moment of silence in remembrance of recently deceased Homenetmen members, noting especially Haig Hovsepian, in whose honor the year's Overall Event trophies were given. Boyajian also welcomed several special guests, including Glendale City Mayor Bob Yousefian; Glendale City Councilmembers Rafi Manoukian and Frank Quintero; State Senator Jack Scott; Boghos Patatian, Field Representative to State Assemblymember Steve Samuelian; Maria Armoudian, Legislative Analyst for State Senator Richard Alarcon; Glendale Unified School District Board of Education President Greg Krikorian, and Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Jon Lauritzen. In his address, Homenetmen Regional chairman Viggen Davidian congratulated all the teams who had participated in this year's tournament, and also to all the chapter executives, coaches, and parents who volunteered their time and supported their athletes and scouts throughout the year. Davidian charged the more than 7,000 members of the Homenetmen Western Region with the task of not only keeping the Homenetmen athletic and scouting alive, but also with passing the torch of Armenian culture and heritage to the next generation of Armenian youth. Homenetmen Central Executive chairman Karnig Megerdichian came from Lebanon to enjoy the Navasartian festivities with his Armenian-American counterparts. According to Megerdichian, the Western Regional Navasartian Games are a source of pride not only for the chapters who participate each year, but also for the entire Homenetmen family--91 chapters in 10 regions throughout the world. Megerdichian praised the Homenetmen Western Region for its 29 years of hard work and commitment to the Navasartian Games, also thanking the athletes and parents who have kept the fire of the Armenian heritage alive through their participation in Homenetmen. Prelate Moushegh Mardirossian addressed the crowd, reminding the spectators and Homenetmen members alike of their strong connection to the homeland, Armenia. Homenetmen, he said, has not only instilled its motto "Elevate Yourself and Others With You" in the hearts and minds of young Armenians, but has also allowed the Diaspora to maintain ties to the homeland. The 2004 Exemplary Homenetmen Members, Mr. and Mrs. Kapriel and Asdghig Panossian of the San Francisco chapter, were then invited to the stage to receive the award for their unparalleled devotion to the organization. The Panossians thanked Homenetmen for this recognition, and reminded the audience of the important role Homenetmen plays in keeping the Armenian language and spirit alive throughout the world. Then began the much awaited parade, heralded by the Armenian patriotic songs of the Homenetmen marching band. The region's 19 chapters each took their turn around the field, waving to the cheering spectators. Once the chapters had arrived on the football field, the Western Regional chairman Viggen Davidian, Western Regional Athletic Committee Representative Vicken Apelian, Honorary Presidents Mr. and Mrs. Charly Ghailian, and Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian took the stage to award this year's Overall Event trophies. After the trophies were presented, the crowd of thousands left the stadium and headed to the festival area, to be entertained by well-loved singers Joseph Krikorian and Harout Pamboukjian. They patronized the booths, ate delicious Armenian food, and danced until midnight, when the Navasartian Games and festival came to its official close. 2. No Truth to Withdrawal from Karabagh Territory Says Oskanian YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Armenia's foreign minister Vartan Oskanian dismissed reports by the Azeri press that he had agreed to the Armenian side's withdrawal from all territories, except Karabagh. Baku Today wrote that Turkey's Zaman newspaper reported on Wednesday, that Oskanian's Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul told a meeting of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday that an important step had been taken in resolving the 16-year-long Mountainous Karabagh conflict. Gul alleged that Oskanian said, "We can withdraw from all territories except Karabagh," during their meeting on the sidelines of NATO summit in Istanbul just last week. When asked about the statement, Oskanian told a Noyan Tapan reporter that no such thing happened, and that Gul's assertion does "not correspond to the facts." 3. Chief Prosecutor Cracks Down on Tax Evasion YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian called for a drastic toughening of punishment for widespread tax evasion in Armenia, saying existing sanctions are "absurdly soft." "Based on Armenia's criminal code, there is a maximum two year prison sentence for tax evasion," he told reporters. "I would say that this is an absurd punishment, a very soft one." Hovsepian said his agency will petition the Armenian government to push parliament to set the maximum jail term for such offenses at 10 years. The existing criminal legislation creates a "serious problem" for the prosecutors investigating fiscal fraud, he added. The current cabinet's tax revenues equaled less than 15 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product last year. Even the most lucrative of Armenian businesses routinely post suspicious financial losses in what many analysts see as an easy way to evade the 20 percent taxation on profits. Armenia's enterprises have claimed as much as 200 billion drams ($376 million) in aggregate losses in 2003, despite a record-high rate of economic growth. Hovsepian revealed that an unidentified person was recently prosecuted for and convicted by a court of tax fraud totaling 7 billion drams. He complained that the man got off with a short sentence and was freed in the courtroom because of the time he had spent in pre-trial detention. Many businesspeople, he said, prefer spending several months in jail to paying up. 4. NEWS BRIEFS Russian Foreign Minister Reports about His Armenian Origin MOSCOW (ARMENPRESS)During a joint press conference held with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had served as Kremlin's longtime representative to the United Nations, revealed his ethnic Armenian roots. Prompted by a reporter's remark about Lavrov's "Armenian-looking" face, the Russian Foreign Minister stated, "I have Armenian blood. My father is an Armenian from Tbilisi." Metropolitan Opera Soloist Isabel Bayrakdarian to Visit Armenia YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)In mid-July Metropolitan Opera singer, Canadian Armenian world famous soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian will visit Armenia. She is expected to also visit Stepanakert, where she will perform on July 24 at the city's cultural house. According to Pan-Armenian Educational and Cultural Union Armenian office head Lilit Galstian, the singer will perform the songs of Komitas, and will be accompanied on the piano by Meruj Krajian. After receiving the Metropolitan opera prize in 1997, Bayrakdarian moved on to place first in the 2000 Operalia contest of Placido Domingo. During the same year, she received a special golden medal from Queen Elizabeth II. Bayrakdarian's voice was recently used for the feature films Ararat and Lord of the Rings. Egoyan's Ararat Wins Top Prize at Yerevan Film Festival YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Atom Egoyan's two-year-old movie "Ararat" won the top prize at the Golden Apricot International Film Festival. The festival included 57 movies by directors from 20 countries. Toronto-based Egoyan is a Canadian of Armenian heritage. In 2003, the film won five Genie Awards in Toronto, including one for best picture. Armenia, Cyprus Sign Health Cooperation Agreement NICOSIA (ARMENPRESS)On Monday, Armenia and Cyprus signed a cooperation agreement in the field of health and medicine. Cyprus Minister of Health Constantia Akkelidou, told reporters after the signing ceremony that numerous exchange visits and other forms of cooperation between the two countries will result from the agreement. "Cyprus has fulfilled an old pledge it gave to Armenia by sending medicine and medical equipments to the country," Akkelidou said. Armenian Ambassador to Cyprus Vahram Kazhoyan who represented his country said the two countries have a long history of cooperation in the field of medical sciences and healthcare. "I am glad that we were finally able to sign the agreement which puts all this cooperation in a legal framework," he said. The ambassador added that as a gesture of good will, Cyprus will ship a container of medicine to Armenia in the near future. Imitation Armenian Brandy Operation Uncovered in Russia MOSCOW (ARMINFO)Russian and Armenian investigators recently uncovered an imitation Armenian brandy operation based in the village of Khripan, Russia. It was revealed that the workshop had been producing thousands of bottles of brandy bearing counterfeit stamps of the Yerevan Brandy Company. Fraudulent bottles of brands such as Ararat, Akhtamar and Nairi were being sold through wholesale firms. Operation heads are now facing criminal charges. Khatami Underscores Regional Stability and Peace TEHRAN (ARMENPRESS)At a joint press conference on Wednesday, Iranian president Mohammad Khatami and his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili, announced the further expansion of bilateral relations. In his remarks, Khatami noted that although steps towards closer relations have been taken by both countries, they have generally been insufficient. He emphasized the need to expand cooperation in the area of trade and commerce. For his part, the Georgian president referred to Iran as an important and influential country in the world, and said that Tehran is one of Tbilisi's major economic partners. Saakashvili's two-day official visit will end on July 8. Kocharian Delivers 'Constitution Day' Address YEREVAN (ARMINFO)On July 5 the Armenian public celebrated the 9th Anniversary of the Armenian Constitution. In his message, President Robert Kocharian noted that the "adoption of the Constitution encompasses a historic significance for any nation and state. The Constitution has become a strong impetus for fundamental reforms in the Armenian legislation, as well as for reinforcement of the people's power and establishment of the supremacy of law. Celebrating the Constitution Day we, as citizens, celebrate the Day of our rights and liberties." Pakistani President to Visit Azerbaijan BAKU (ARMENPRESS)Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will arrive in Baku on an official visit on Thursday. According to news reports, Pakistani and Azeri experts have been working to draft five documents that are expected to be signed during the visit. The documents outline future cooperation in the fields of commerce, agriculture and finance. Group of Armenian Journalists Visit Armenian-Azeri Contact Line YEREVAN (ARMINFO)On Tuesday, a group of over 70 Armenian journalists visited the Armenian-Azeri armed forces contact line. The group visited the north-eastern grouping of the Armenian army near the villages of Berkaber (Armenia) and Mizamlu (Azerbaijan). It was there that two Armenian servicemen were killed by Azeri snipers early last month. Azeri media reported that 7 Azeri servicemen were also killed. According to Armenian Defense Ministry reports, the skirmish began after Azeri soldiers attempted to capture a reservoir that supplies water to four Armenian villages. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

525ci.com
7 July, 2004
Nagorno Karabakh problem not to be settled by any third party, Solomon Passi
Zabil Mugabiloghlu
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s summer session is hold in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The yesterday’s speech of Mr. Linkoln from Kanada followed by discussions on
“Security and cooperation.” Eldar Ibrahimov. Member of the Azerbaijan
delegation to OSCE PA told 525 that he made a speech during the discussions
and informed the parliamentarians about the Armenian aggression. According
to him, he informed the PA members about 20 per cent of the Azerbaijani
lands remain under Armenian occupation and the occupied territories are out
of the control. “I informed the PA members that Armenians are using the
occupied Azerbaijan territories for drug trafficking. I called them to
pressure on Armenia’s aggressive policy.”
Sattar Safarov, another member of the Azerbaijani delegation has asked Mr.
Solomon Passi, acting chairman of the OSCE to report what kind of works he
has done for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem since his 6 months
activity at the current position. Mr. Passi said that he has visited the
region and got familiarized with the current status of the settlement of the
conflict. “I think that the Nagorno Karabakh problem may not be settled by
any other third party. You yourselves have to solve your problem. Both of
the countries have to find political will to solve this problem.”
The OSCE rapporteur on NK conflict had to report about the problem
settlement yesterday. However, according to Ibrahimov he hadn’t submit the
report yet.
Solomon Passi
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU envoys, Azeri Speaker discuss development of cooperation
Turan news agency
7 Jul 04

BAKU
Milli Maclis (parliament) Chairman Murtuz Alasgarov today received
Janez Potocnik, commissioner in charge of the EU’s European
Neighbourhood Policy, and Heikki Talvitie, special representative of
the EU in the South Caucasus.
During the meeting, Alasgarov said that as a country which respects
European values, Azerbaijan had joined many European conventions and
brought its legal system into line with European standards.
Speaking about the Karabakh issue, Alasgarov condemned the fact that
representatives of international organizations, including Talvitie,
have visited Nagornyy Karabakh without the Azerbaijani authorities’
permission. He objected to Talvitie’s view that Karabakh is
“developing”. He asked: how can we talk about development when
Karabakh has turned into a hotbed of terrorists and illegal drug
smugglers?
For his part, Potocnik praised Azerbaijan’s adherence to a peaceful
settlement to the conflict. Speaking about Talvitie’s mission, he said
that one of his tasks is assistance to the OSCE Minsk Group.
Also, touching upon the prospects for Azerbaijan’s cooperation with
the European Union, Potocnik said that the EU had allocated 400m euros
to Azerbaijan and plans to grant another 30m. He also explained that
the development of cooperation does not mean the country’s admission
to the EU. Azerbaijan should resolve many problems to achieve this,
above all, it should eradicate poverty and curb corruption. Also, the
EU can help the country resolve these problems.