AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 29 2004
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV MET US PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH
[June 29, 2004, 17:06:19]
In the frame of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Summit in
Istanbul, on 29 June, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev met President of the United States Mr. George Bush.
During the meeting, discussed were current state of the dynamically
developing strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and the
United States of America and prospects of these relations.
Noting the intensification of the conducted reforms in the Republic
the last times, the US President highly assessed these processes.
Touching upon construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil MEP, Mr.
Bush expressed his confidence that the pipeline would serve the
Republic of Azerbaijan and ensure economic development, peace and
stability in the entire region.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude to
President George Bush for support of realization of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan by the US government.
In the meeting, also was focused the peaceful settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
The parties also exchanged views on a number of other issues of
mutual interest.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 29 2004
ADDRESS BY H.E. MR. ILHAM ALIYEV, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
AZERBAIJAN EAPC SUMMIT MEETING IN ISTANBUL
[June 29, 2004, 17:06:15]
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to participate at the Summit, which I believe will
have strong impact on development of the Alliance.
I congratulate the new NATO members whose efforts to meet criteria of
membership have led to its logical results. I am sure that the
biggest ever enlargement of NATO will contribute further to expanding
the boundaries of peace, security and freedom to the whole
Euro-Atlantic area.
Since 1994 Azerbaijan is actively participating in “Partnership for
Peace” Program. Our bilateral relations with NATO are developing very
successfully.
Participation in the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP)
initiative marks an important milestone in Azerbaijan’s partnership
with NATO and will significantly contribute to the development of our
security policy. Azerbaijan’s policy aimed at integration with
European and Euro-Atlantic structures, conducted for more than 10
years will continue. We are sure that this integration will bring
more security to our region and prosperity to our people, Azerbaijan
has already proved, not only by statements, but by practical steps
that it is a reliable partner. We expressed our political will and
readiness to contribute to the cause of common security joining
NATO’s peace support operations. Today our peacekeepers together with
troops from NATO and Partner Nations contribute to stability and
security in different parts of the world.
Azerbaijan was one of the first countries that joined anti-terror
coalition after the September 11th attacks on the United States.
Today, our country effectively contributes to the global fight
against terrorism.
Suffered itself from Armenian terrorism – more than 2 thousands
people were killed in 32 terrorist acts – we know that only by joint
efforts of the whole international community we can effectively
combat this evil.
Continuing for more than 10 years occupation by Armenia of 20% of the
territory of Azerbaijan is one of the biggest threats to peace and
security in our region. As a result of Armenian aggression and ethnic
cleansing more than 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees and
internally displaced persons, Nagorny Karabakh and 7 other regions of
Azerbaijan are under occupation. Territorial integrity of our country
is violated. Armenia continues to ignore 4 United Nation’s
resolutions, which demanded unconditional withdrawal of Armenian
troops from occupied territories.
Peaceful negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan held for more
than 10 years do not have any results. Azerbaijan will not compromise
on its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Nagorny Karabakh is a lawless, uncontrolled zone, which is a constant
threat to security and stability in the South Caucasus.
We hope that outcomes of this Summit will extend our capabilities to
provide more security and stability in Euro-Atlantic area and its
neighborhoods,
Thank you.

Times of Oman, Oman
June 29 2004
Oman Mobile unveils new plans to serve you wherever you are

By Sharifa Al Kindi
MUSCAT – Oman Mobile yesterday unveiled further plans to fulfil its
pledge to `serve the customers wherever they are’.
`We hope to serve our customers wherever they are, through
innovative, simple and tailor-made solutions and services,
value-added features and to introduce a positive impact on the
national economy in general,’ said Dr Amer bin Awadh Al Rawas,
managing director of Oman Mobile Telecommunications Company, at a
press conference held at Hotel Grand Hyatt yesterday.
These plans include the opening of a large multimedia contact centre,
GPRS and MMS services and other services such as
transmitting/receiving photos, music, video and roaming facilities
for Hayyak (prepared card).
The press conference was also addressed by Dr Rasheed Alsafi Al
Huraibi, assistant head of Networks Division; Erik Van Essen, deputy
managing director; and Adil Al Raisi, head of customer service, who
explained to the gathering the details of the new company, its aims,
concepts and strategies.
The multimedia contact centre will `attend to the calls, SMS,
e-mails, fax enquiries, complaints, etc. A customer can even send us
an SMS for his/her bills, and it will be well attended to. This
multimedia call centre will be well staffed, with over 150 personnel
to attend to calls promptly. We will also be introducing multi-access
billing and collection system for our customers to increase their
convenience to pay the bills,’ said Adil Al Raisi.
Oman Mobile believes that growth of the telecommunications sector is
possible through `balanced and meticulously planned concepts and
strategies,’ stressed Al Rawas.
`Our aim is to provide a wide spectrum of telecom services round the
clock. Our first priority is to concentrate on both customers and
services that we provide; introduction of more value-added services,
expansion of company’s services and products portfolio, and
activation of the partnership with both public and private sectors.
We believe and aim to provide telecom services as an acquired right
for every citizen at an affordable price for all community sectors.
Oman Mobile will implement significant projects and will facilitate
more services in the months to come, in addition to increasing the
number of the trained Omani in the telecom field,’ Al Rawas stressed.
As part of the official launch they have waived off deposits for
post-paid users and cut down prices on the pre-paid Hayyak tariffs
and rates. This has been possible because `we now have grown in
technology; we have better internal systems and standards. Earlier
the deposits were levied because of the fear of bad debts, but now
with this waiver on deposits of post-paid users, we are bound to grow
in both sectors tremendously,’ he added.
The GSM subscriber population in the Sultanate recorded 220,745 in
2003, jumped to 232,663 in May 2004, whereas pre-paid Hayyak
subscriber population, which was 359,359 last year, increased to
409,000 last May.
`And we are sure it is going to be mutually beneficial, for both the
customers as well as for the telecoms sector in general,’ Al Rawas
said.
Speaking of value-added services being introduced, Al Rawas said
further to the recently introduced `Hala’ service enabling the
subscribers to receive various subject/channel selected information,
Oman Mobile has also put forward the GPRS and MMS services as a pilot
project prior to putting them into practical service in the near
future.
As far as the international roaming service, the number of the
international mobile service operators which have active roaming
agreements with Oman Mobile have reached 115 operators in 65
countries in various continents. New agreements were signed recently
to provide the roaming service in Russia, Iran, Bulgaria, New Zealand
and Armenia.
Highlighting the importance of the roaming services, Al Rawas said:
`There were lots of complexities in acquiring the roaming facility
with a new country. Especially if Oman did not have any business or
tourist tie-ups with those nations. In the past we have faced great
difficulties in getting the roaming facilities in various countries.
Now it has been made easier. New mechanisms, new professionalism, new
ideas, new strategies have enabled Oman Mobile to achieve roaming
over many countries. We keep an eye on the economic development and
tie-ups our country has internationally and then tap the source.
These agreements are good for the economy of our nation too. Today we
have strong international links and we were able to bring in
countries who were previously hesitant to enter into an agreement.
The brand identity and logo for Oman Mobile was unveiled at a
ceremony on Monday, under the auspices of Maqbool bin Ali Sultan,
minister of commerce and industry.
The brand identity is both unified and modern with technology
undertones. The first inspiration was the Cellular Telephony’s Basic
Structure, which works on the principle of hexagonal cells. The two
colours connote both technology and nature. Colour orange, in which
the letters are written, is the colour of the shade of sunrise –
symbolising the dawn of new technology – as well as the deserts and
mountains of the Sultanate.
It also depicts the colour of honey, seen as pure and full of
goodness. The `fluorescent green’ circles signify the essence of
life, of fertility and growth – aims of the organisation itself.
The hexagon encloses two letters in each of the words of the
typography – both English and Arabic – to depict cellular
communication. This high degree of bilingual compatibility shows up
as the orange hexagon in Arabic, forming the first alphabet `Meem’ of
the word written as mobile, while in English, the green inner circle
forms the second letter `o’ of the word mobile.
To further drive home the technology feel, a new techno-looking
typeface has been used. After the presentation of the logo and the
brand identity, there was a live acrobatic event presented by the
youngsters of the New-Age circus – reinforcing the four pillars that
will reflect Oman Mobile’s values – flexibility, connectivity,
coverage and customer care.

Portland Maine Press Herald, ME
June 29 2004
On a mission
By BETTY JESPERSEN
Staff Writer

FARMINGTON — Mormon missionaries Donald and Jeanette Christensen
have left their home in Preston, Idaho, to spend the next two years
in Maine putting fragile, aging probate documents onto microfilm.
Since April, the retired couple has been spending about eight hours a
day in an upper room of the Franklin County Courthouse with the
shades drawn, microfilming more than 6,400 documents listing the
estates and assets of people who died here between 1838 and 1915.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through its
Genealogical Society of Utah, has long collected names from
government and church documents worldwide to preserve genealogical
records and also add them into its enormous database of names.
In return, hosts are given a copy of the film. Mormons place great
emphasis on genealogical research so that living members may undergo
baptismal rites on behalf of deceased ancestors, a practice known as
posthumous or “vicarious” baptism.
But the practice has come under fire. In the process of amassing
names from town halls, parish churches and government files, millions
of other names not connected to church members have been harvested —
from Jewish Holocaust victims to Catholic popes to 18th-century
Russian Orthodox and Armenian Christians. Millions of those have been
baptized as Mormon.
“For them to come in and baptize deceased relatives without the
family’s permission is very unbecoming, is un-American, is illegal
and could lead to a court case. I think it is invading territory that
is private, and unless they get permission from the family, it is
none of their business,” said Rabbi Harry Sky of Temple Beth-El in
Portland.
“If my family had wanted to be baptized, they would have done it
centuries ago. They decided to remain Jewish, so don’t do it to us
now,” Sky said.
The genealogical society’s 6 million names on digitized and
microfilmed copies of records from more than 100 countries are stored
in a climate-controlled vault beneath 700 feet of solid granite
outside the church’s Salt Lake City, Utah, headquarters. It is
available on certain Web sites — for a fee — or can be seen at
computer banks at Family History Centers in Mormon churches.
“The primary purpose is to preserve vital records worldwide and make
it available to everyone,” said church spokesman Paul Nauta.
He said published reports about the extent of the baptism-by-proxy
practice are over-blown.
“Members of the church are encouraged to identify their ancestors as
part of our doctrine because we believe families are eternal and ties
and bonds exist beyond death,” he said.
He said that if deceased who are not related to living Mormons have
been baptized, it was done unintentionally by a small number of
overzealous church members out of a caring expression of faith. He
said it was very difficult to police all proxy baptisms, but
regardless, a change of religion is not forced on anyone.
In 1995, the Mormon church came to an agreement with Jewish leaders
that it would stop posthumous baptisms of anyone known to be Jewish.
It also agreed to remove about 6 million names from the International
Genealogical Index if they are presented to church officials.
In Maine, many small county probate offices still have paper files of
the assets and estates of the deceased.
The church just completed Oxford County’s documents and did Kennebec
County’s years ago.
The Christensens have temporarily moved into an apartment in Wilton
while they work at the Franklin County courthouse. They pay all their
own living expenses.
“We are going to every state and every place where there are people,”
Donald Christensen said.
Jeanette Christensen said she has been told not to discuss the
church’s religious use of the names.
Franklin County’s register of probate, Joyce Morton, said the
microfilm offer means she can finally preserve her records, some so
brittle they are turning to dust. “This is being done at no cost to
the taxpayer,” she said.
Betty Jespersen

ArmenPress
June 29 2004
TURKEY WANTS TO PROGRESS IN RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA, SAYS ARMENIAN
FOREIGN MINISTER
ISTANBUL, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS: The delegation headed by Armenian
foreign minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian arrived June 28 in
Istanbul to attend NATO Summit.
Within the framework of the visit the foreign minister had
meetings with the Turkish deputy prime minister, foreign affairs
minister Abdullah Gul. During the meeting, according to Oskanian,
obstacles impeding progress in bilateral Armenian-Turkish relations
were outlined. “These obstacles are known to both sides and I think,
we will be able to focus on them and will try to eliminate them in
order to be able to register progress. I think that Turkey wants
progress but it seems that the time did not come for it yet”, said
Oskanian. In his words, because of some recently voiced comments on
Armenia’s position, he once again reaffirmed that Armenia is ready to
normalize relations with Turkey without pre-conditions, to start
trade and establish diplomatic relations. During the dialogue the
issue of Nagorno Karabagh was also discussed. “I informed Mr. Gul
about the results of my meeting in Prague with Azerbaijan’s Elmar
Mamedyarov “, said Oskanian.
The meeting between Armenian, Azeri and Turkish foreign ministers,
initiated by Turkish side, was also held. Speaking to the reporters
after the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with it. Mr.
Gul particularly said that the South Caucasus was recently involved
in EU’s “Wider Europe” program and must develop a corresponding
policy, promote economic development and cooperation. The three
ministers also discussed economic, political and other issues.
The foreign minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov said that it
was decided to continue the meetings in such format. “Everything must
be done to establish security, peace and stability in the region”, he
said.
Oskanian also assessed the meeting as constructive and useful,
saying that this was the first trilateral meeting with the
participation of Azeri foreign minister Elmar Mamedyarov. He said
that there was no agenda prepared in advance for this meeting. He
said that the conversation went on in the context of international
and regional developments. “The issue is to form a new concept for
the region in accordance with the recent developments, which are NATO
enlargement and new strategic approach to the countries of Caucasus
and Central Asia. The other is the EU enlargement”, said Oskanian.
During the trilateral meeting the sides also touched upon the
issue of Nagorno Karabagh. The sides did not go into details as, in
Oskanian’s words, Turkey is not a mediator. “This was a meeting
between the three equal sides which have interests and benefits in
the region”, he concluded.

ArmenPress
June 29 2004
JOURNALISTS URGED TO JOIN EFFORTS TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS
YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS: Boris Navasardian, the chairman of
the Yerevan Press Club, joined today both pro-government and some
opposition figures to commend president Kocharian for his “positive,
frank and interesting’ speech at June 23 PACE session.
He was speaking at another discussion on current political
developments in Armenia and their reflection in mass media, organized
by the Yerevan Press Club in cooperation with Friedrich Nauman
Foundation.
Another speaker, Levon Barseghian, the chairman of Asparez Press
Club in Armenia’s second largest town of Gyumri, said the reflection
of the most recent developments by mass media was “very polarized.”
He said analytical stories and comments were faulty and incomplete.
In his estimation, even the pro-opposition mass media was critical of
the opposition and its modus operandi in the last month.
Asparukh Panov, the deputy coordinator of Friedrich Nauman’s
projects in Bulgaria, Moldova and the South Caucasus said Armenian
domestic developments were also reflected in foreign media,
particularly, the events of April 13 morning when the authorities
used force to disperse an anti-government rally staged by the
opposition.
Before wrapping up the discussion the Yerevan Press Club, the
Union of Armenian Journalists, Internews organization and the
Committee for Defense of Freedom of Speech issued a joint statement
calling on all mass media and journalists to act more consistently
when the point in question is their professional solidarity and
violation of their right to free collection and dissemination of
information.

G I B R A H A Y E R
e – n e w s l e t t e r
[email protected]   
 
TURKEY INVITED TO RECOGNISE CYPRUS THROUGH EUROPEAN COUNCIL CONCLUSION
ON CUSTOMS UNION
Extension of Turkey’s customs union towards Cyprus cannot be prevented
Nicosia, Jun 17 (CNA) — The extension of Turkey’s customs union towards
Cyprus cannot be prevented, Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros
Chrysostomides has said.
Chrysostomides described as satisfactory paragraph 26 of the European
Council draft conclusions which says ”the European Council invites
Turkey to conclude negotiations with the Commission on behalf of the
Community and its 25 Member States on the adaptation of the Ankara
Agreement to take account of the accession of the new Member States.”
The spokesman described the European Council, which started today in
Brussels, as very important, and expressed certainty that the EU wisely
and in the way it functions will find the way forward for the Convention
for the Future of Europe, so that there will be unity among the states
and people… with every EU citizen at the epicentre of its interest.”
————————————————–
FRENCH SOCIALIST LEADER URGES TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE FOR
EU MEMBERSHIP
Saturday June 5, 2004.- French Socialist Party (SP)
leader Francois Hollande yesterday said that the European Union giving a
date to Turkey to begin its accession talks should be contingent on
Ankara recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide. In a joint press
conference with Murat Papazyan, the European head of Armenia’s Tashnak
Party, Hollande said that in addition to the Copenhagen criteria, Turkey
should heed a 1987 European Parliament 1987 resolution calling for
recognition of the so-called genocide, withdrawal of Turkish troops from
Cyprus and respect for human and minority rights. /Milliyet/
————————————————–
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF EUROPE TO HOLD OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING
Brussels, 11/06/2004 – The Administrative board of the Assembly of
Armenians of Europe informs you that AAE’s general annual meeting will
take place on September 25-26, 2004 in Brussels, Belgium.
AAE’s all members and guest organizations will take part in the general
annual meeting. Important issues, such as Turkey’s accession to the
European Union, the strengthening of EU-Armenia relations and
Armenia-Diaspora relations, the resolution of Nagorno Kharabakh problem
will be discussed during the annual general meeting.
The annual general meeting will be followed by exhibition on Armenian
Cultural Heritage in South Caucasus and Middle East to be held in the
European Parliament on September 27, 2004. The AAE’s Administrative
Board will take into account your proposals and suggestions while
finalizing the Agenda of the Annual meeting. Therefore, you are kindly
requested to send your proposals and suggestions to the AAE’s Brussels’
Head Office until August 10th, 2004.
The AAE’s general annual meeting is open to the general public, as well.
In order to take part, you can contact  AAE Brussels’ Head Office,
Assembly of Armenians of Europe, Rue de Treves 10, 1050 – Brussels –
Tel: +32 2 647 08 01  [email protected] until September 15th, 2004.
————————————————–
NEWS IN BRIEF
– Foreign Minister Oskanian was on a two-day working visit to the
U.S.On Monday, June 14, he held two separate meetings with Secretary of
State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice.
– Speaking at a conference on Monday, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer said, “we note with regret that concrete steps have not been taken
for the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute.”
– Local human rights activists joined about 1,000 Armenians in a
demonstration in Paris on June 12 calling to prevent Turkey’s accession
to the European Union citing that country’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide.
– Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian and his Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov are scheduled to meet in Prague on June 20
and 21 for another round of the Nagorno Karabakh peace talks.
– The European Armenian Federation has sent a questionnaire to a
representative sample of some 20,000 candidates participating in the
upcoming European Parliament elections.
– Azerbaijani forces opened fire from machine guns on the early hours of
June 11 on the Paravakar village of the Tavush region.
– Armenia expects to receive $700 million in aid from the United States
in 2004-2008 under the Challenges of the Century program, Armenia’s
Finance Minister Vardan Khachatryan said on Thursday.
————————————————-
THE END OF AN ERA?  NOT EVEN CLOSE –
     By Skeptik Sinikian
I have a confession. I wasn’t really upset when I heard about the
passing of President Ronald Wilson Reagan last Sunday. Judging from the
media frenzy and the hordes of people lining up to view his casket, I’m
probably in the minority when I say that I wasn’t really moved by the
loss of our 40th President. In fact, I felt bad but it wasn’t because
Reagan had suffered from Alzheimer’s in the last years of his life but
because I had thought that he had already died some time ago. C’mon. As
if any of you knew he was still alive. Some folks in the media have gone
so far as to say that the passing of President Reagan is the end of an
era. I wasn’t sure what era they were referring to.
Would it be the era that plunged our nation into its worst deficit ever,
caused thousands to drop out of college due to slashing of federal
grants for poor students, ignored the AIDS crisis which cost thousands
of lives and is ravaging Africa today? Or was it the era that witnessed
blatant disregard for the rule of law in the way of the Iran-Contra
scandal, the ludicrous invasion of Grenada and Lebanon, and the Savings
and Loan disaster? to read the rest of the commentary click here
Skeptik Sinikian is trying to become an actor so that he can break into
politics. After his first movie starring a gorilla, orangutan or chimp,
he plans to declare his candidacy for Governor of California. His
campaign can be reached at [email protected]
————————————————
GIBRAHAYER MOBILE ALERTS
Gibrahayer are initiating Gibrahayer mobile alerts, a mobile sms
notification service about upcoming events and happenings as well as
important news related to Armenia and Cyprus.
If you would like to subscribe to this service, you can do so by sending
an sms to 99437073 with your subscription notification reading: YES HOS
EM and you will be added to the list.
Alternately to unsubscribe you can send a notification reading: TS
The service will begin on a trial run for FREE from July 2004. Details
to follow. Friday June 11, 2004. Gibrahayer – Nicosia.
————————————————
RECOMMENDED SITES
For all your Notary Public services you can visit Vazken Medzavorian’s
site at
——————– —————————-
g i b r a h a y    c a l e n d a r
* HAND PAINTED CLOTHING…Anahid Nassibian’s SPRING-SUMMER 2004 FASHION
COLLECTION on FRIDAY 18th JUNE 2004 From 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Venue: AGBU
clubhouse Nicosia – Free entrance, Snacks & Drinks. An exhibition of
unique & original hand painted designs on clothing for all ages. All
artistic designs are hand painted on fashionable garments and sold at
reasonable prices.All welcome. For more information: Anahid: 99 428052,
Alidz: 99 487701
* Tour to Armenia and Artsakh organised by the Armenakan Movement of
Armenia from August 7-14, 2004. Open to all diaspora youth from 13-35
years old. Participation fee 335 CYP, including seven day stay and full
board at Lousagerd Hotel 20 m from Yerevan. All rooms, fully equiped
with modern facilities, TV, constant supply of hot water. Daily tours to
historic sites. Book early to ensure participation to the following
numbers in Cyprus. 99747798 and 99929343.
* A Tour to Armenia is being organised by the Central Executive of
Hamazkayin from August 20-September 3, 2004 with the participation of
members and friends from Armenian diaspora communities. Trips to
Karabagh are also scheduled. To receive more info and to apply for the
trip please contact the Cyprus Hamazkayin committee members until June
30 2004.
* The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus announces that the next permit for
the Armenian Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line,
is scheduled for this Sunday June 27, 2004.
* HAMAZKAYIN FORUM 2004 The 10th Forum, Lebanon:From July 12-18
(Optional) Armenia: From July 19-31, 2004. Thought provoking lectures,
trips to historic and amazing destinations, and nights of dancing and
entertainment are only some of the Forum highlights. For many Armenian
students across the globe, the Hamazkayin Summer Forum is one of the
most anticipated events of the year. Those interested should visit the
website for more details on how to apply.
* JOURNEY TO ANATOLIA 2004
13th. August 2004 – 28th.August 2004
– Flights – Istanbul – Kayseri  (2004-08-13)
               Kars – Istanbul  (2004-08-28)
Airport Transfers*Boat Transfers*Package of Excursions*All Entrances for
Museums & Sights*Guide Interpreter*Overnight stay in 4 star Hotels with
breakfast (only double rooms)
Price: EURO  1150 – Inquiry:
Alfrant Bedros Tel:00491739026590 Email: [email protected] Journey
details  (details are posted, as sent to us by the organiser)

The Times (London)
June 28, 2004, Monday
Wherever you go people want to bend your ear. Erica Wagner takes up
the tale
by Erica Wagner
Thought the festival season was over? Think again. Sure, you’ve done
books at Hay-on-Wye and mud at Glastonbury. But don’t give up yet
-the best is yet to come, with festivals and performances that bring
something out of the ordinary across the country.
This year’s Beyond the Border International Storytelling Festival in
the Vale of Glamorgan (July 2-4, 01446 799100) promises to be another
corker. Last year was this wonderful festival’s tenth anniversary,
but its directors clearly have no intention of resting on their
laurels.
Every year the gorgeous setting of St Donats Castle (home to Atlantic
College) hosts a remarkable gathering of storytellers from all over
the world -artists of the revival of this vibrant form as well as
bearers of living oral tradition.
Within the castle’s walls, and in the beautiful landscaped gardens
that surround them, you will be able to experience the art of Ai
Churek, a female Tuvan shaman from southern Siberia. She will be
working with Karashay (below) -Tuvan throat singers collaborating
with Steven Kent, master of the Australian Aboriginal didjeridu.
Praline Gay-Para, a one-woman whirlwind, tells stories from all over
the world, including Freeze-Frame Beirut, a guided tour of her native
city which, she says, has forgotten its true identity.
Mike Burns is an Irish storyteller and aikido master living in
Montreal; he tells stories heard from his father in Gaelic and Irish
English. He is funny, magical, mysterious. There will also be the
“Young Storyteller of the Year” competition, presided over by Jan
Blake, one of Britain’s premier tellers, and talks by Professor
Ronald Hutton, an authority on myth and shamanism, and Jeanette
Winterson. More wondrous tales can be found at the latest series of
Stories within Stories at the Barbican Pit in London (July 7-9, 0845
1207598). This summer you’ll be able to catch a real masterpiece: the
Company of Storytellers (Hugh Lupton, Pomme Clayton and Ben Haggarty)
are reviving their astonishing adaptation of the Grimm tales, The
Three Snake Leaves.
Book early -then head back to the countryside for the 13th annual
Festival at the Edge in Much Wenlock, Shropshire (July 16-18, 01939
236626). This festival takes place in a lovely greenfield site and
includes workshops, story rounds and sessions for those who want to
take part.
Here you’ll find A Spell in Time, a unique British-Bulgarian
performing arts company comprising Moni Sheehan, storyteller and
dancer, Ivor Davies, musician, and Dessislava Stefanova, singer, who
perform works including The Dark-Eyed Warrior, a gripping tale of a
man who finds a bride but loses his heart.
Also appearing are Vergine Gulbenkian, a young British storyteller of
Armenian origin; Hugh Lupton, one of Britain’s finest storytellers;
and the wonderful, unpredictable TUUP -The Unorthodox, Unprecedented
Preacher. A children’s festival runs in parallel with the Edge, so
there’s something for everyone.
Afterglow Circus Arts, a group of young stilt-walkers, jugglers and
unicyclists, will also be appearing at the Festival at the Edge -but
if circus arts and street theatre are your passions, you might want
to try the Winchester Hat Fair, now in its 30th year (July 1-4; 01962
849841). It began as a buskers’ festival in Covent Garden, but one of
the performers, Jonathan Kay, took it to his home town. Hat Fair
brings Winchester to life with its breathtaking stunts, specialist
circus acts, clowning and world music. Highlights include the UK
premiere of Producciones Imperdible’s Mirando Al Cielo from Andalucia
-they are an innovative dance company who will perform on a glass
stage while the audience is seated comfortably below. What’s more,
the whole festival is free.
* For information on national storytelling events, contact the Crick
Crack Club, [email protected]

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part B (Russia)
June 28, 2004, Monday
NEGOTIATED PRICE
SOURCE: Vremya Novostei, June 28, 2004, p. 2
by Nikolai Poroskov
The Duma has voted to ratify the adapted Conventional Forces in
Europe (CFE) Treaty by 355 votes in favor, 28 against, and two
abstentions. The CFE treaty is called the “cornerstone of European
security.” At present, this is the only legally functioning mechanism
of interstate arms control. The treaty was signed as far back as
November 1990 by NATO member states and Warsaw Pact states, aiming to
improve the security balance in Europe by means of reducing five
kinds of armaments: battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, artillery,
combat aircraft and attack helicopters. The Agreement on Adaptation
of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was drawn up in
Istanbul in November 2003. Russia insisted then that the Baltic
states and Slovenia must sign the treaty before they join NATO. NATO
ignored Russia’s position at the time, although new NATO Secretary
General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer promised that the Baltic states would
certainly join the treaty.
At the moment, some 30 European states and the US and Canada have
signed the treaty. However, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan have been
the only nations to ratify it so far. NATO member states say they are
prepared to ratify the adapted CFE treaty after Russia, but only
after Russian bases are withdrawn from Georgia and the Trans-Dniester
region. Russia sees no legal link here, and regards withdrawal of its
bases to be a subject for bilateral interstate talks. In the opinion
of Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, Russia has already fulfilled the
demand on flank restrictions by removing two of four bases from
Georgia.
The main distinction of the adapted CFE treaty is that the levels of
arms permitted are determined individually for each state, rather
than according to a state’s affiliation with a military-political
bloc. This considerably reduces the ability of NATO member states to
deploy troops in other countries. Ratification of the CFE treaty will
yield many advantages to Russia. Firstly, according to Sergei Ivanov,
the treaty contributes to strengthening Russia by no-military methods
and is in line with our national interests. Secondly, the Russian
military will have to receive information about the location of NATO
aircraft across the entire treaty area. Besides, the Alliance will
have to inform Russia whenever over 18 aircraft are brought into the
application areas, and submit quarterly figures about the strength of
aviation in the area of NATO member states. Overall, the 19 “old”
NATO members will discard around 4,800 battle tanks, 4,000 armored
vehicles, and almost as many artillery systems. This is equivalent to
10 full NATO divisions. Russia won’t have to make any cuts, since we
are already within the parameters of the treaty (6,350 tanks, 11,280
armored combat vehicles, 6,315 artillery systems, 3,416 battle planes
and 855 attack helicopters). Besides, the increased quota for arms
for regular troops will enable Russia to preserve its military
presence in Armenia and Ukraine.
The Duma is urging states which have signed the CFE treaty to ratify
the adapted treaty, if only because the former version of the treaty
is out of step with the current situation. Formally, NATO has the
ability to deploy its arms and military facilities on the territory
of new member states, but doing so would raise doubts about arms
control and Russia-NATO relations on the whole. In case of an
emergency which could endanger Russia’s overriding interests, Russia
will take measures, “including measures which infringe the CFE treaty
limits.”
Translated by Andrei Ryabochkin

MENA Business Reports
June 28, 2004
IRAN’S DEFENSE MINISTRY EXPORTS LIQUID AND SOLID PRODUCTS
Iran’s Defense Ministry exported liquid and solid cooking oil, and
soap to Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Armenia in the first quarter of
the current Iranian Year (started March, 20 ). The goods were
produced in the ministry s affiliated-organization “Etka”. The
exports amounted to about $ 135,000.
According to IRNA, the Defense Ministry also exported $ 1.537 million
of similar goods to western Europe, Central Asia and Caucuses and
Afghanistan last year.
Iran’s Customs Administration reported last month that non-oil
exports including carry-on luggage and border market trade exceeded $
5.708 billion in the first 11 months of the last Iranian year
(started March 21, 2003.) It added the figure was 25.6 percent higher
compared to the same period last year. (menareport.com)