The Australian
The Age, Australia
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia
Daily Telegraph, Australia
June 22 2004
NATO conference disrupted
>>From correspondents in Baku, Azerbaijan
A NATO conference in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan was
disrupted today when hardline nationalists tried to storm the hotel
where the meeting was taking place.
Police arrested 12 demonstrators, who were protesting against the
presence at the conference of two servicemen from the neighbouring
country of Armenia.
Azerbaijan and Armenia are officially in a state of war after
fighting in the early 1990s over the disputed enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh.
About 30 demonstrators broke through a police cordon outside the
venue for the meeting, a hotel in the Azeri capital, Baku, and
smashed the glass door of the conference hall, witnesses at the scene
told AFP.
They were prevented from getting into the hall by the hotel’s
security guards and were later detained by police. The meeting was
suspended for five minutes as a result of the disturbance.
Earlier, the protesters had marched through Baku carrying placards
with the slogans: “Armenians Out!” and “The Armenian criminals have
the blood of our people on their hands.”
“We will continue this protest action all day,” said Akif Nagi, who
led the demonstration. “Our aim is to force the Armenians to leave
the conference.”
The conference is being held to prepare for a training exercise of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, called “Cooperative Best
Effort,” which is due to take place in Azerbaijan later this year.
The conference is being attended by delegates from 24 NATO member
states and partner countries, including the two Armenian officers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia hopes for Iranian credit to build hydro plant
Interfax
June 22 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia is hoping to receive a credit from
Iran to build a hydroelectric plant on the Araks river, the cost of
which is estimated at $140 million, Armenian Energy Minister Armen
Movsisian told journalists.
He said that Armenia plans to repay the credit with supplies of
electricity to Iran.
The minister said that there are plans to build two identical
hydroelectric plants on the Araks river – the Megrin Hydroelectric
Plant on Armenian territory and the Karachilar Hydroelectric Plant
in Iran. Movsisian said that in the coming two months a feasibility
study would be prepared for the construction of Megrin Hydroelectric
Plant. Construction is set to begin in mid-2005 and an agreement with
Iran will be signed by the end of this year.
The minister said that the plant will have a capacity of 140
megawatts and will produce 841 million kWh of electricity per year.
For comparison he said that 30 small hydro plants are operating in
Armenia, producing a total of 600 million kWh of electricity per
year. He said that the new plant would be the best in Armenia as
regards its technical and economic parameters and in time it is planned
to build a whole chain of plants on the Araks river together with Iran.
The Armenian government and Energy Ministry are currently working on a
program to develop alternative energy production, to ensure Armenia’s
security in the event of Armenian Nuclear Power Plant closing. The
main emphasis in this program is being placed on developing hydro
production.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REMEMBERING OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND OUR SAINT
11 June, 2004 – (Gibrahayer) – Last weekend, the Armenian community of
Cyprus, in two separate events remembered the people, who with their
presence in the history of our nation and through their presence
in our lives, changed the course of the history of our nation and
changed our perceptions on life.
The Dashnakstoutiun family remembered the “Davids” of our nation who
under impossible and uneven circumstances dreamed of freedom and a
better future for our nation. In a commemorative gathering at AYMA
on June 5, 2004 more than 200 community members heard Archbishop
Hergelian and speaker of the day Harout Tahmazian pointing out the
importance of the days of May 28, 1918 which started the process of
our nation’s, state building.
The following day on Sunday June 6, around 120 community members
gathered at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church for the 40 day memorial of
Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian who served in Cyprus from 1977-1983.
While we are in constant search to try to find solutions to the
everyday challenges of our community, the spirit of the freedom
fighters of 1918, will always remain a source of inspiration to strive
for better things for our community through the every day decisions
that we all take, remembering that the super men of May were people,
like each and every one of us.
Finally, while we seek spiritual guidance to accomplish what we feel
is important, we will always remember our own Saint, Archbishop Zareh
Aznavourian, who for most of us was undoubtedly a divine being on
earth, through whom we learned to love better, and to forgive. But our
Saint’s presence in our lives was much more than that. He helped us
filter our life to see and decide what is important, and what is not,
what is real and what is not.
For that collective strength that our Saints provide us with, we are
eternally grateful. The least we can do is remember them by mapping
aspects of their lives on to ours.
Images from both events can be viewed at
:
ARMENIANS KILL AZERI OFFICER
Azrebaijani TV report that Armenians kill Azeri officer and wound soldier
ANS TV report , Baku 7 Jun 04 – The chief of a battalion, Capt Zaur
Ismayilov, 28, became a martyr today when Armenians fired from their
positions in the village of Horadiz at the Azerbaijani positions in
the village of Cocuq Marcanli, near Iranian border in southwestern
Azerbaijan at 5:00 a.m. local time.
The 19-year-old soldier Bagirov Ramil Vagifoglu was wounded. This
was confirmed by the head of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry’s
press service, Ramiz Malikov. It was impossible to take the body of
the officer away until retaliatory fire forced the Armenians to stop,
ANS TV’s Karabakh bureau reports, quoting local residents. The wounded
soldier was rushed to a military hospital. According to another report
from the Defence Ministry, units of the Armenian armed forces fired
from a point 1.5 kilometres northeast of Berkaber village [in Armenia]
in Idzhevan District at the Azerbaijani positions in the village of
Qizil Hacili in Qazax District a few hours before midnight for about
twenty minutes on 6 June.
>>From the same point and from a point located 1.4 kilometres southeast
of the occupied village of Xeyrimli in Qazax District, the Armenians
subjected the village of Mazam in Qazax District to fire from assault
rifles and large-calibre machine guns in the early hours of June
7. The enemy was forced to stop by retaliatory fire in both cases.
CYPRUS PREPARES FOR EURO PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS
Nicosia – Friday June 11 (Gibrahayer) Cyprus prepares for its first
European Parliament elections this Sunday, in which nearly sixty
candidates will be contesting the six Cyprus seats.
The fiercely contested pre-election campaign that ends tonight,
failed to address the political, economic and social issues facing the
European Union and perhaps understandably concentrated on the solution
of the Cyprus problem and the position of the candidates. Most of the
pre-election campaign evolved around the resurrection or not of the
Anan Plan, the stance of the Government towards the economic assistance
towards the Turkish Cypriots, prospects of solution in the EU as well
as the feud in the Democratic Rally Party in which a great friend
of the Armenian people Eleni Theocharous ( )
is running.
The Armenian community of Cyprus was also targeted by candidates who
paid frequent visits to organisations seeking our vote. The Socialist
EDEK Party ( ) circulated a flyer in Armenian, while Arto
Malian ( ) hopes to make a statement with his candidacy
as the first Armenian candidate seeking an EU Parliament seat.
Although the results of the vote will be known only hours after the
elections, they will be announced just before midnight.
CONSTRUCTION OF AIRPORT TERMINAL TO TAKE ZVARTNOTS TO NEW HEIGHTS
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Construction of a new terminal at Armenia’s main
international airport began on Monday by the Argentine Corporaion America
Company
managing the project.
Representatives of the Argentine company and Armenian government
ministers inaugurated the start of construction, describing it as
the first stage of the reconstruction of Zvartnots airport, which
is to conform to international standards with the completion of the
project. The airport’s commercial director Juan-Pablo Guechigian,
said the project would cost at least $42 million.
Justice Minister David Harutiunian, who oversees project
implementation, said the new three-story building is slated for
completion by 2007, and added that its ground floor, available for
passenger use, will be ready at the end of next year, as well as
construction of the upper floors.
Argentinean Armenian Eduardo Eurnekian, who operates 33 airports
across South America, owns Corporacion America which signed a 30-year
management contract with the Armenian government in December 2001
and took over Zvartnots several months later.
Officials in Yerevan said earlier that the reconstruction will enable
Zvartnots to handle at least 1.2 million passengers a year. Up to
800,000 people presently arrive at and depart from the airport each
year. Eurnekian reportedly looks to transform the airport into a
major transit hub for long-haul flights between Europe and Asia.
DASHNAKTSOUTIUN’S MARGARIAN MEETS WITH FRANCE’S SOCIALIST PARTY
REPRESENTATIVE
Announces the establishment of Hrair Maroukhian Foundation
PARIS (ARF Press Office)–Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau
representative Hrant Margarian congratulated France’s Socialist Party
first secretary François Hollande for his party’s firm stance on
Turkey’s entry into the European Union, suggesting the party exert
efforts to convince other European socialist parties to follow
suit. Hollande confirmed that he has pursued the matter with newly
elected President of the European Socialist Party Poul Nyrup Rasmussen,
and will work more actively in the coming weeks to push the issue.
The two met at the Paris headquarters of the Socialist Party on June 3.
Hollande explained that though it was not possible to get an ARF
representative to an electable position in the upcoming European
Parliament elections, he assured that the matter would be resolved in
time for other European and French elections. Noting ARF’s integral
participation in Socialist International, Margarian said the ARF
of Armenia, as a coalition government partner, is able to advance
socialist ideology through its activities, and works toward Armenia’s
European integration. The Bureau representative invited Hollande
to visit Armenia as a guest of the ARF, on the occasion of General
Assembly of CIS Socialist parties; Hollande accepted.
Margarian revealed that the ARF plans to establish the Hrair Maroukhian
Foundation to follow the example of France’s Jean Juares Foundation,
which seeks to foster democracy and social justice by assisting
Socialist International party members in the “new democracies” that
emerged following the collapse of dictatorships in Latin America,
Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hollande promised to collaborate with the
ARF on the venture.
Also participating during the meeting between Holland and Margarian
were France’s Socialist Party international secretary Philip Cordery
and ARF Western Europe Central Committee members Mourad Papazian and
Charles Papazian.
During a joint press conference that followed, Hollande announced
that in a recent letter he appealed to the president of Turkey to
address the issue and recognize the Armenian Genocide.
The sides also announced that a joint ARF, Socialist Party of France
announcement had been signed that calls for Turkey’s recognition of
the Armenian Genocide and calls on [European] citizens to cast their
votes in favor of Socialist party candidates.
 
NEWS IN BRIEF
– Foreign ministry spokesman Gamlet Gasparian said that dozens of
Armenian pilots are being forced to find work in Africa because the
state aviation company Armenian Airlines, has been declared bankrupt
and is facing a Russian takeover.
– A one-day seminar on Khomeini’s Thoughts and Views was organised by
the Iranology Department of Yerevan University and Iran’s cultural
advisor to Armenia. The seminar was attended by Armenian scholars
and politicians.
– The Armenian Chess Academy has decided to organise an Internet
Chess Tournament in December of this year, in which the four best
countries -China, India, Russia and Armenia – will take part.
– Steven Mann, the new U.S. chief negotiator on Nagorno-Karabakh,
paid an unexpected and low-key visit to Yerevan which officials said
focused on international efforts to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict. Mann had separate meetings with President Robert Kocharian
and Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian for the second time in six weeks.
– About 5,000 anti-government protesters defied an order by the mayor
of the Armenian capital and held a rally Friday, the latest in a
two-months-long series of protests aimed at forcing the resignation
of President Robert Kocharian.
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  
g i b r a h a y    c a l e n d a r
* Armenian Independence celebrations in Cyprus: Images from the TASHDAHANTES
of the 86th anniversary of The Armenian Republic as well as the Memorial
service in memory of Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian at:
* Memorial Service in memory of Hnchakian Ksan Gakhaghanner. Sunday June 13,
2004 at at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church, Nicosia.
* 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 13, 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.
* If you are in London don’t miss this year’s SUMMER’S BOAT PARTY date: This
Saturday 12 June ’04, venue: The Yacht Club, Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment
WC2,  closest tube: Temple (circle & district line), time: 9:30pm to 3:00am,
entrance: £6 before 11pm £8 after age: strictly 18+ (id may be required) HAPPY
HOUR: 10:30pm to 11:30pm ALL DRINKS £2.50 music: Resident Josey Kray + FBI
Squad will be playing the hottest and latest hip hop & rnb tracks to rock da
boat. Plenty of Armenian, Arabic & Iranian, xtra: MC Battle to take place
Unofficial freestylers on show Top deck open to chill out and enjoy the amazing
view
Plenty of free parking close-by (map will be sent week before party) contact:
John 07961 166 969, Mel 07957 278 122 [email protected]
* 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)
Gibrahayer is an independent electronic environment, now in
its fifth year, disseminating news & posting upcoming events
about the Armenian community of Cyprus, Armenia, Artsakh and the
Diaspora. The list also promotes the discussion of issues brought
forward by its members. The subscription to this service is free. To
subscribe to Gibrahayer e-newsletter, follow the instructions at
To contact the listmaster
send an email to [email protected] This service to Gibrahayer is
provided by GAP Vassilopoulos E-Media Ltd ()
GAP Vassilopoulos E-Media Ltd is not responsible for the database and
newsletter contenet of its customers but has a stict Opt-in/Opt-out
policy, this protects the subscriber and enforces the policy to which
the newsletter publisher has agreed to abide. If this newsletter
has no unsubscribe link, or the link does not work. please report it
and it will be dealt immediately. Include this code in your report
LATROBA123 (GIBRAYER7).

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/21/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. Oskanian Holds 'Useful' Talks with Azeri Counterpart 2. Vartan Gregorian Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom 3. Baku-bound Armenian Officers Arrive 4. KLO Threatens Armenian Officers in Baku 5. Oskanian Discusses Positive Effects of Turkish Blockade 1. Oskanian Holds 'Useful' Talks with Azeri Counterpart PRAGUE (RFE-RL)After a meeting in Prague on Monday with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov, Vartan Oskanian noted that the talks were "useful" for the long-running international efforts to resolve the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. "The process is continuing. I cannot state at this point that we have reached any concrete agreements. However, we find the overall course positive," Oskanian commented shortly after the meeting, which included the participation of the French, Russian, and US mediators of the OSCE Minsk Group Although Oskanian did not provide any new details about the ongoing peace negotiations, he did confirm Mamedyarov, who earlier stated that the two sides have begun considering the option of combining the resolution strategies utilized by both sides of the conflict. Reports have made clear that the Azerbaijani side wants a "step-by-step" plan that would indefinitely put off an agreement on Karabagh's status, while the Armenian side remains resolute in its desire of a single "package" accord. "The course and nature of the negotiations is such that one should really opt for a synthesis of the two different positions," Oskanian said. But he added that Karabagh's statusthe bone of contentionmust somehow be addressed under any compromise arrangement. "That synthesis should not be radically different from our emphasis on Karabagh's status," he stated. Oskanian once again denied speculations of the imposition of a US-backed plan that requires the hand-over of three of the seven Armenian-controlled districts around Karabagh. "There is no concrete proposal. There are just general discussions and nothing is being imposed on any of the parties," he said, commenting on his high-level talks in Washington earlier this month. 2. Vartan Gregorian Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom WASHINGTON, DC--(Combined Sources)--George W. Bush announced on Friday that Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United State's highest civil award. The award was established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their service during World War II, and it was reinstated by President Kennedy in 1963 to honor distinguished service. "We are greatly pleased to see Vartan Gregorian's years of public service and tremendous contributions to the field of education recognized by President Bush with the Presidential Medal of Freedom," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Armenian Americans join today with Armenians around the world in honoring Dr. Gregorian's scholarship and many achievements in world of learning, his truly tireless leadership in the civic life of the United States, and, of course, his abiding devotion to his Armenian heritage." Born in Tabriz, Iran, Gregorian received his elementary education in Iran and his secondary education in Lebanon. In 1956 he entered Stanford University, where he majored in history and the humanities, graduating with honors in 1958. He was awarded a PhD in history and humanities from Stanford in 1964. A former university professor who has taught European and Middle Eastern history at San Francisco State College, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the University of Texas at Austin, Gregorian joined the University of Pennsylvania faculty in 1972 and was appointed Tarzian Professor of History and professor of South Asian history. He was founding dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania in 1974 and four years later became its twenty-third provost until 1981. That year, Gregorian assumed his position as president of the New York Public Library, an institution with a network of four research libraries and eighty-three circulating libraries. Prior to his current position with the Carnegie Corporation, which he assumed in June 1997, Gregorian served for nine years as the sixteenth president of Brown University following his appointment to the position in 1989. The recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, Gregorian was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1986 and the American Academy of the Institute of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Service to the Arts in 1989. In 1998, President William Jefferson Clinton awarded him the National Humanities Medal. Gregorian joins His Holiness Pope John Paul II, American entertainment icon Doris Day, entrepreneur Estee Lauder, famed golf champion Arnold Palmer and eight other distinguished men and women in receiving the prestigious award. Bush will honor the recipients at a White House ceremony on Wednesday, June 23. 3. Baku-bound Armenian Officers Arrive YEREVAN (Armenpress/RFE/RL)--In their second attempt to participate in a NATO conference Armenian officers Murad Isakhanian and Aram Hovhannissian arrived in Baku, on Monday to take part in a June 22 NATO conference within its Partnership for Peace (PfP) program. Armenian officers were not able to attend the first NATO planning conference in Baku last January after Azerbaijan blocked their arrival. Defense Ministry spokesman Seyran Shahsuvarian said the two army officers boarded a Baku-bound plane in Tbilisi after being formally allowed to enter the country by the Azerbaijani embassy in Georgia's capital. The Armenian mission in Tbilisi confirmed that they were issued a special "written permission" on June 11, to attend the conference. Armenia has repeatedly stated its intention to take part in the exercise and, under the PfP rules, does not need Azerbaijan's consent for doing that. "I am ready to go there even if they kill me," said Colonel Murad Isakhanian, one of the two Armenian officers attending the NATO seminar shortly before flying to Baku. "I am a military officer and must obey orders," he added. According to Shahsuvarian, responsibility for ensuring their security primarily lies with NATO. 4. KLO Threatens Armenian Officers in Baku BAKU (Baku Today)--The Karabagh Liberation Organization (KLO) lashed out at Azerbaijan's high-ranking foreign ministry officials, as well as some local human rights activists and celebrities for "falling victim to Armenian policies." KLO accused Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his deputy Araz Azimov of "making irresponsible and illogical" statements in approving the planned visit of Armenian military officers to Baku for a June 22 preparatory conference for military exercise to be held in Azerbaijan in September under NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) program. Mammadyarov and Azimov apparently told the local media that since the conference is a NATO organized event, it would be unwise on the part of Azerbaijan to create obstacles for the Armenian officers. "By making irresponsible and illogical statements, Mammadyarov and Azimov have demonstrated that are ready to go for concessions on the Karabagh issue," a statement by KLO read. "They invite and express readiness to sit down at the same table with the Armenian officers who have slaughtered more than 20,000 Azerbaijanis, occupied our territories, and now continue murdering our soldiers and officers," continued the statement, vowing to take radical action to stop the entry of Armenian officers. "The Karabagh Liberation Organization believes that these people have been trapped by the Armenian Diaspora and they have become…participants of a vast plot against Azerbaijan… But we will not allow this treacherous design to be carried out," the statement added. 5. Oskanian Discusses Positive Effects of Turkish Blockade WASHINGTON, DC--Turkey's economic blockade of Armenia has had an unexpected positive effect on the economy, said Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, in a June 17 interview with The Washington Times. Oskanian said the Turkish embargo, imposed on Armenian since the early 1990s, has forced Armenia to diversify its economy "We are developing and developing well. We are more efficient, more effective," he told Washington Times correspondent Tom Carter in an interview at the Armenian Embassy last week. "We have strengthened our [information technology] industry. We have diversified into diamonds and jewelry: things that can go out on satellite or in small pouches on airplanes." Oskanian met with Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and a host of Congressional members during his brief working visit. The foreign minister stated that Armenia was gratified for being selected as part of the Millennium Challenge Account, which will give the country access to US financial aid in the next three to five years. "There are billions of dollars available, which will be extremely valuable to our economy," noted Oskanian, predicting that his country will continue to liberalize the economy, invest in "human capital" and improve human rights and the rule of law. Oskanian said Armenia supported the US-led effort to liberate Iraq, although it did not provide troops. Armenia granted permission for coalition planes to fly over its territory and is prepared to send a specialist team to help remove land mines. The minister also said Armenia's relationship with the European Union improved this week when the union welcomed Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia under its "neighborhood policy," which aims to encourage ties with the European bloc. However, he added that the designation does not guarantee membership. 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.

Armenian Grids seeks $38 Mln from JBIC
Interfax
June 21 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenian Grids expects to sign an agreement with
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) later this month for
a loan worth $38 million to finance energy projects, company General
Director Yevgeny Gladunchik said Friday.
He said $30 million would be used to reconstruct low-voltage power
plants acquired during privatization and $8 million would be used to
buy and install 150,000 electric meters.
JBIC representatives will visit Yerevan June 21 – 28. Gladunchik said
the loan would be used by the end of 2006.
The Armenian government and JBIC signed a loan agreement in 1999 to
finance the reconstruction of 33 power substations. The money was
never received because Armenia began privatizing its power grids.
The loan will be used to modernize just 30 substations since prices
for energy equipment have risen substantially in the past five years,
he said.
Armenian Grids must pay $2 million on the loan each year. The loan
will be provided for 30 years at 1.8% annually. Britain’s Midland
Resources Holding Ltd bought 100% of Armenian Grids for $12.15 million
in November 2002.

Armenian govt forecasts 6%-7% GDP growth in 2005-2007
Interfax
June 21 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – The Armenian government is forecasting growth
in GDP in 2005-2007 of 6%-7% per annum and average yearly inflation in
this period is planned at not more than 3%, Armenian Finance Minister
Pavel Safarian said at a press briefing.
He said that in absolute terms GDP in 2005-2007 would amount to 1.953
trillion dram, 2.133 trillion dram and 2.33 trillion dram respectively.
The deputy minister said that the government approved a mid-term
program for expenditure in 2005-2007. He said that priority would be
given to expenditure on education, healthcare and social welfare.
Armenian GDP in 2003 increased 13.9% year-on-year to 1.62 trillion
dram. The Armenian Central Bank forecasts that inflation in the
republic in 2004 will not exceed 3%. Consumer prices increased 8.6%
in 2003.
The official exchange rate on June 17 was 545.63 dram to the dollar.

Azerbaijani, Armenian Foreign Ministers Meeting in Prague
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
June 21 2004
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers are going to meet in
Prague, Czheck republic, on Monday to discuss ways of finding a
peaceful settlement to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Vardan Oskanian of Armenia are also
expected to discuss the recent breaches of the cease fire agreement
in the contact line between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.
Co-chairs of the Minsk group of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that has been mediating the peace
negotiations since 1992 are also to attend the meeting.
Oskanian said before the meeting that no new proposals from the Minsk
group are expected, ANS reported.
The chief diplomats of Azerbaijan and Armenia last met in Strasbourg
on May 12 and after the meeting Oskainian said no agreements were
reached between the two.

Cher on Farewell Tour in Moscow, Armenian Declares Being Her Cousin
Moscow News
June 21 2004
American singer Cher will perform in Moscow Kremlin palace on Monday
and Tuesday. On June 24, she will have a concert in St. Petersburg,
at the New ice arena.
These concerts are part of her farewell world tour. In an interview
to the NTV television channel, she said that one should leave the
stage at the golden age.
Cher’s concerts coincided with Moscow International Film Festival.
Hollywood star Meryl Strip who had arrived to Moscow for the festival
will attend Cher’s show, Moscow government information center
reported. In 1983, Strip and Cher played in the Silkwood movie by
Mike Nichols.
Cher is of Armenian origin, she was born as Cherilyn Sarkisian.
Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper wrote that a citizen of Yerevan, the
capital of Armenia, approached to the bus in Moscow airport where
Cher was sitting and showed her a photograph of his father who, as
he was quoted by the paper as saying, was the brother of Cher’s father.
Marvel Sarkisian quoted by the paper said that his father Vardan was
killed in the World War II and his brother Karapet who allegedly is
Cher’s father went to the United States via Bulgaria and changed his
name to John. Marvel was ready to make a genetic analysis of his blood,
the paper wrote. However, Cher did not talk to him and left after he
had shown the photo to her.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 21 2004
EXTENDED MEETING OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AND GREEK
PRESIDENT KOSTANTIONOS STEPHANOPOULOS
[June 21, 2004, 18:22:41]
After the one-on-one meeting of the twp presidents, was held an
extended meeting of the heads of states.
After the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed the guests,
he said:
“The relations between Greece and Azerbaijan successfully develop. We
would like these relations to cover all the fields. We have discussed
this question in our private meeting. We want the political dialogue
strengthened. There are many economic projects and opportunities. I
hope the economic links will accelerate.
We are delightful that together with the president a large number of
businessmen have come to Azerbaijan and they are having useful
meetings. We have also successful links in humanitarian sphere. A
Greek department is functioning in the Baku Slavonic University and
attracts many students.
As you know, we are to cooperate in energy sector fruitfully. We have
made fist steps in this field. I hope our energy cooperation will
acquire higher level. I once again welcome you and am convinced that
after this visit, our relation swills develop in all spheres”.
President of Greece Constantinos Stephanopoulos said:
” Thank you very much, Mr. President,
Taking the opportunity of presence of the media representatives, I
would like to tell we attach great importance to this visit. Also I
would revere memory of your great father with whom I have met twice
and had exchange of views connected to regionally important questions
and issues related to your country.
Today, we shall have conversation of possible ways of cooperation
between our countries. Our country is interested in the energy sector
of your country. We hope we shall take part in development of natural
gas deposits of Azerbaijan.
We would also to set up trade links with your country and on this
purpose a large number of Greek businessmen have come to Baku. I am
convinced that the 2-day economic forum that I am invited too, will
also make its contributions to this.
Mr. President, Greece is a country with ancient culture and
traditions. We would like to develop our cultural links, have close
relations among the higher educational institutions and scientists.
It is pleased that I will visit the Baku Slavonic University
tomorrow. I shall be ranked honorary doctor of the University. We
shall open a Greek Studies Center in the University”.
Touching upon the Armenia- Azerbaijan Nagorny Karabakh conflict,
President Constantinos Stephanopoulos said: “We fully understand the
problem. It is because we are facing a similar problem. Despite the
difficulties, we wish the problem found its solution. And this, of
course, depends on the sides’ sincerity and will, as well as support
of the international organizations.
Mr. President, I assure You that Greece in the frame of the European
structure, will do its best that Europe played active role in
settlement of the conflict.
Mr. President, permit me to thank You for warm hospitality and invite
You to visit our country. Of course, the diplomatic channels will
ascertain the schedule of the visit. It is a regret that probably it
will not be me who will receive you in Athens. But this does not
change anything. We have unchangeable feelings of respect for you.
During the meeting, also were discussed a number of other isues of
mutual interest.

Iranian Prodigy Qaem-Maqami Humbles Vaganian
Mehr News Agency, Iran
June 21 2004
TEHRAN, June 21 (MNA) – Iranian grand master Ehsan Qaem-Maqami gave
top Armenian player Rafael Vaganian an unforgettable lesson at the
World Chess Federation (FIDE) Championships in Tripoli, capital of
Libya, Monday.
The Iranian phenom checkmated once world No. 3, Vaganian, who stood
top in Russia’s Aeroflot event in 2004.
Maqami found himself in the top 64 players’ list as he beat the
Armenian twice.
Playing with black pieces in his first challenge Sunday, he displayed
unexpected prowess against Vaganian in a queen’s Indian defense after
offering his opponent a draw, which was declined.
“The game was normal for first 18 moves. I offered my opponent draw
but he tried to win and did some bad moves,” said the Iranian genius
after the first match.
He managed to defeat Vaganian in their second fight on June 21.
Morteza Mahjub, Maqami’s teammate, who also emerged victorious in his
first fight and overcame Georgian grand master Zurab Azmaiparashvili,
was booted out of the tournament Monday when he lost the return and
semi-rapid matches.