The Washington Times
June 17, 2004, Thursday, Final Edition
EMBASSY ROW
By James Morrison, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
[parts omitted]
Beneficial embargo
Turkey’s economic embargo on Armenia has had an unexpected positive
effect on the economy, said Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian.
Turkey’s embargo is meant to force Armenia to relinquish land it
captured from Turkey’s ally, Azerbaijan, in the 1990s during a civil
war in the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, which declared
independence from Azerbaijan in 1988. One million Azerbaijanis were
displaced, and the conflict has yet to be resolved. An unofficial
cease-fire has held since 1994.
Although State Department reports say the embargo has devastated
the economy of landlocked Armenia, Mr. Oskanian said his country
has diversified.
“We are developing and developing well. We are more efficient, more
effective,” he told our correspondent Tom Carter in an interview at
the Armenian Embassy this 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.”
Mr. Oskanian met with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, National
Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and a variety of senators during
his brief “working” visit.
He said that Armenia was gratified that it had met the qualifications
necessary to be a part of the Millennium Challenge Account, which
will give Armenia access to U.S. financial aid in the next three to
five years.
“There are billions of dollars available, which will be extremely
valuable to our economy,” said Mr. Oskanian, predicting that his
country will continue to liberalize the economy, invest in “human
capital” and improve human rights and the rule of law.
Mr. Oskanian said Armenia supported the U.S.-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.
Mr. Oskanian 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 is aimed at encouraging
ties with the European bloc. However, he added that the designation
does not guarantee membership.
“This was a first signal saying, ‘Why not?’ It has not been ruled out,
but there is no firm commitment,” Mr. Oskanian said.

Armenian opposition holds new protest
Associated Press Worldstream
June 16, 2004 Wednesday
YEREVAN, Armenia — Opposition leaders in Armenia held the latest
in a series of anti-government protests on Wednesday and accused the
authorities of trying to fool European human rights representatives
by easing a crackdown against opponents during their visit.
About 5,000 people gathered in the capital for a protest in central
Yerevan, the capital of the former Soviet republic, where speakers
denounced the foreign and economic policies of President Robert
Kocharian and his government.
Opposition leader Stepan Demirchian said the authorities “imitated
democratic reforms” during a recent visit by representatives of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, or PACE.
An opposition party leader was released from jail the day the
envoys arrived in Armenia, and prosecutors dropped a criminal case
against official of the same party the day they left, speakers said.
Wednesday’s protest was the first this year to be held with government
permission.
Opposition leaders in the small, poverty-plagued Caucasus Mountain
country have organized a series of protests this spring aimed at
forcing the resignation of Kocharian, who won a second term last year
in an election they claim was marred by fraud.

EurAsEc integration committee drafts legislation adjustment agts
By Oral Karpishev
ITAR-TASS News Agency
June 17, 2004 Thursday 4:44 AM Eastern Time
ASTANA, June 17 — The integration committee of the Eurasian Economic
Community (EurAsEc) is working on two agreements to coordinate the
legislations of the community’s member-states, Kazakhstan’s Deputy
Prime Minister Sauat Mynbayev has said at the integration committee’s
meeting underway in Astana.
Mynbayev said “the signing of at least two agreements is expected,
when the EurAsEc interstate council will meet in session on Friday.”
One concerns the securities market and the coordination of EurAsEc
legislations in that sphere, and the other, coordination of
legislations related to the conclusion of foreign agreements.
The treaty to establish EurAsEc was signed in Astana in October 2000.
Its participants are Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and
Tajikistan. Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine have the observer status.
The community’s main goal is the creation of a customs union and a
common economic space.
The EurAsEc’s permanent body is the integration committee consisting
of the member-countries’ prime ministers.

El Pais, Espana
June 17, 2004
La policia investiga a empleados de un empresario muerto en Orihuela
R. LL.
Alicante
Un empresario de la construccion, de 45 anos y de nacionalidad
armenia, fue asesinado el martes a cuchilladas en la puerta del
garaje de un hotel de su propiedad, en la costa de Orihuela (Vega
Baja). La victima, que residia en la localidad desde hace 12 anos,
era un potentado empresario que poseia diversas mercantiles con
numerosos empleados a su mando. La policia judicial investiga en el
entorno de sus trabajadores. En principio, la hipotesis del ajuste
de cuentas a cargo de la mafia rusa ha perdido fuerza dado que, segun
la investigacion, los negocios de la victima son aparentemente legales.
La Guardia Civil tomo ayer declaracion a trabajadores de la victima.
El asesinato de A. G. se registro sobre las seis de la tarde,
cuando el constructor procedia a entrar a la puerta del garaje de su
aparthotel, en la urbanizacion Villamartin. Un individuo le asesto tres
punaladas, dos en el abdomen y otra en el costado, que le ocasionaron
la muerte. La urbanizacion Villamartin, en la costa de Orihuela, es
un enclave donde residen un gran numero de inquilinos extranjeros,
singularmente britanicos. La victima vivia alli con su mujer y sus
hijos. Es el segundo constructor asesinado en la Vega Baja este ano.

Armenian school puts students in multicultural USA
School honors rich heritage; Southfield’s Manoogian emphasizes Armenian
culture and history
The Detroit News
Neighborhood News (Southfield / Oak Park, MI)
June 7-13, 2004
Section U
Page 7U
By Andrea Bogos, The Detroit News
SOUTHFIELD — Armenian culture is everywhere at the AGBU Alex & Marie
Manoogian School.
It is on a stage with the kindergarten students rehearsing for their
upcoming graduation singing “I wish I could fly to Armenia.”
It is in the classroom with the eigth- and 11th-grade students
presenting projects about the future of Armenian heritage on topics like
an Armenian monastery and a famous Armenian artist.
It is also on the walls of the school, with pictures of past graduates
and the painted words “It’s easy to be born Armenian, but it is
difficult to remain one.”
Heritage is everywhere at this Armenian General Benevolent Union Alex &
Marie Manoogian School, and it is weaved into a curriculum that offers
students from kindergarten through 12th grade a unique education.
“It teaches me about my heritage,” said Vatche Bassmagian, 16, of
Southfield. “You’re a name here and not a number.”
The school will turn 35 in October and this summer will undergo an
expansion and renovation project, including a new media center and new
classrooms.
Started by Armenian philanthropist Alex Manoogian of Detroit, the school
stands by its mission to provide a quality education while enriching
students about Armenian history, regardless of whether they are of
Armenian heritage. About 65 percent of students are Armenian.
The Manoogian School offers free classes for students in grades K-12 and
a tuition-based prekindergarten program. Since the school became a
charter school 10 years ago, enrollment has jumped from 150 to 370.
Families typically find out about the school through word of mouth, said
Hosep Torossian, the assistant principal. With a population of 30,000
Armenians in Metro Detroit, the need for the school is there, he said.
“The community is strong and there is a demand to perpetuate the
culture,” Torossian said. “Not only are we exposing them to culture, but
also they learn world history.”
Coupled with the education is the close bonds students make while at
school, said Principal Nadya Sarafian.
“They know who they are and where they came from,” Dr. Sarafian said.
“Many of the students build life-long relationships.”
The school commemorates the Armenian genocide and has hosted guest
speakers, like a popular Armenian pop singer. Faculty and students agree
the experience at the school is well-rounded.
“The teachers care about you here,” said Rusha Waad, 16.
Sebouh Avedikian teaches Armenian language and history classes. He said
what students learn can be applied in many ways in their lives.
“It is a multicultural USA,” he said. “Here they learn about their
neighbors and most importantly, tolerance.”
One of the seven members of the first graduating class, Dr. Linda Darian
Karibian, now sends her daughter Ani to the school and volunteers for
field trips and to give students free dental check-ups.
“The aspect of preserving our Armenian heritage is very important,” she
said. “It’s a caring and nurturing environment, which is important for a
child’s development.”
You can reach Andrea Bogos at (313) 222-2613 or ([email protected]).
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
– Where it is: 22001 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, Michigan.
– Tuition: Free for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
– Students attending all grades and preschool: 370
– Class size: The range is 19 to 28 students per classroom.
– Age: The school celebrates its 35th year in October.
– Phone: (248) 569-2988.
Source: Assistant Principal Hosep Torossian.
Photo caption: “The Armenian General Benevolent Union Alex & Marie
Manoogian School in Southfield teaches Armenian heritage to students
like Paulina Sidi and Alex Baljian. ‘You’re a name here and not a
number,’ said student Vatche Bassmagian”. Photo credit: Elizabeth Conley
/ Special to The Detroit News.
Photo caption: “Kindergartners rehearse a song and dance for graduation
ceremonies. The school stands by its mission to provide a quality
education while enriching students about Armenian history.” Photo
credit: John M. Galloway / Special to The Detroit News.
Photo caption: “Mher Tcholakian stretches his muscles on the Manoogian
school playground. The heritage-based school turns 35 in October.” Photo
credit: John M. Galloway / Special to The Detroit News.

Under pressure and under fire, Zhvania perseveres
The Georgian Messenger
Thursday, June 17, 2004, #111 (0635)
One of the main intrigues in Georgian politics at the moment is
the intensification of criticism directed at Prime Minister Zurab
Zhvania. The PM meanwhile does not perceive himself to be in danger
and considers “Zhvaniaphopia” to be a temporary phenomenon. In any
case, Zhvania’s political future will be largely dependent on the
success or lack thereof of the government’s economic team over the
course of the not-so distant future.
The latest wave of anti-Zhvania sentiment has led some to insist
that parliament take a vote of confidence in the government. Staunch
Zhvania foe MP Koba Davitashvili maintains that the prime minister
does not have the faith of the people. The newspaper Rezonansi quotes
Davitashvili as saying “I have become convinced of one thing – the
people to not trust Zurab Zhvania. Since the people don’t trust him,
I don’t trust him either.”
The media has long ruminated about forces conspiring against Zhvania,
citing the tense relations between him and President Saakashvili,
and has even discussed candidates for his replacement such as new
Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze and new Interior Minister Irakli
Okruashvili. It is also frequently pointed out that Zhvania as
a politician enjoys much less sympathy in the Russian government
than Saakashvili. In a word, the prime minister is under fire from
all sides.
It must be said, however, that despite his unpopularity in society
and consistently low rating over the years, Zhvania has been at the
forefront of Georgian politics for 15 years and remains one of the
nation’s most influential political figures. His career has followed a
steady upward path, if we don’t count the three years that he toiled
in Shevardnadze’s opposition. But even this proved a wise long-term
strategy, as after the Rose Revolution he occupied the second highest
post in the government.
Zurab Zhvania is a unique figure in Georgian politics. He performs
the role of lightning rod. At any time the president can point the
finger of blame towards the prime minister for any failure of the
government. Zhvania is first and foremost associated with economic
policy, an area in which many analysts believe that thoughts of
success belong to the realm of fantasy.
Seven months have passed since the Rose Revolution and Zhvania’s
Cabinet of Ministers has been in existence for roughly three
months. In this period, the government has not experienced any economic
catastrophe, which is in itself a certain kind of success. At the same
time, the government can boast of achievements that, though modest,
were unthinkable during the Shevardnadze administration.
Society judges the success of economic policy based on the improvement
or lack of improvement of their own living conditions. Though the
standard of living in Georgia has not improved dramatically, over
the last few months pensions and salaries have been distributed
faithfully, monthly budget revenue plans have been fulfilled, the
IMF has revived its program in the country, U.S. and western aid has
increased and it seems that the donor conference underway in Brussels
at the moment will also emerge with positive results. In addition, a
new variant of the tax code has been presented for public discussion,
one that is liberal and designed to boost economic advancement. In
short, Zhvania has a lot to be proud of, but what’s important is
not momentary successes, but rather the concrete results of these
successes several months down the road.
The basis for stability in the new government has been the fact
that despite expectations to the contrary, the “Rose Triumvirate”
has managed to maintain a united front. After the revolution, many
feared that this triumvirate would split up and consequently place
the country in a difficult situation. But the past 7 months speak to
the contrary. Despite numerous confrontations and clashes of egos,
Mikheil Saakashvili, Zurab Zhvania and Nino Burjanadze still find it
in their interests to work together rather than separately for the
betterment of the nation.
*Note: Zhvania has recently come under attack because he has had to
defend his maternal Armenian roots.

Azerbaijan supports Georgia-Turkey railway
By M. Alkhazashvili
The Georgian Messenger
Thursday, June 17, 2004, #111 (0635)
At the recent meeting in Tbilisi of Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev, special emphasis
was placed on Azerbaijan’s interest in the planned construction of
a railway connecting Georgia and Turkey. As President Aliev stated,
his country supports this project because it is of a regional nature
and will facilitate cooperation between the countries of the South
Caucasus.
Aliev emphasized Azerbaijan’s support for the project, saying that it
is of great regional importance and will be a major breakthrough in
the South Caucasus in terms of the movement of goods. He also stated
that Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey would be of more importance to
the world community from a transit standpoint. Both presidents agreed:
“This will be a revolution in communications and transport.”
Aliev added that in order to speed up construction of the railway
connecting Georgia and Turkey, it is necessary to create an
international consortium that will make a significant contribution
to the implementation of the project. But it seems less a matter of
speeding up construction than getting the project off the ground.
The cost of the project will inevitably be the main stumbling
block. The building of the railway will require approximately
USD 700-800 million and it is unclear where the money will be
found. According to Saakashvili, Turkey is willing to allot funds
towards the project. “Both the governments of Georgia and Turkey are
trying to find the necessary funds,” he said.
The issue of constructing a Georgia-Turkey railway came up during
President Saakashvili’s visit to Turkey at the end of May. Turkish
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer stated that an agreement had been reached
regarding the construction of the Batumi-Rize Railway. Discussion of
this issue was made possible by the Adjaran Rose Revolution in early
May and the reestablishment of the central government’s authority
in the region. There is simultaneously discussion on constructing a
line between Kars and Akhalkalaki, though this idea is still waiting
for further elaboration.
The announcement regarding the Georgia-Turkey railway was greeted with
concern in Armenia. Yerevan worries that this is yet another regional
project that will cut Armenia off from the rest of the region. There
is a railway connecting Turkey and the South Caucasus between Kars,
Turkey and Gyumri, Armenia, though it has been out of operation due
in large part to the Karabakh conflict.
Taking Armenia’s interests into consideration, Georgia expresses
its willingness to restore the Transcaucasian Railway connecting
Armenia with its number one strategic partner Russia via Abkhazia. But
obviously, this will require significant progress in the resolution
of the conflict in that region.
During their meeting, the presidents also discussed the rail tariff
on the Georgia-Azerbaijan railway, noting the need to decrease the
tariff in order to increase the competitiveness of the route and that
an agreement to this end had already been reached.

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
June 17, 2004
Contact at HFH Armenia: Contact at Heifer Armenia:
Zara Tonapetyan Anahit Ghazanchyan
Aygestan 8-th str, h 5, apt.9, Amiryan str. 22
Yerevan-070, Armenia Yerevan 375002, Armenia
Tel: (374 1) 556-114 Tel: (374 1) 53 30 78
e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]
June 2, 2004 – Yerevan Armenia — Habitat for Humanity Armenia
beneficiaries will receive not only shelter, but animals, thanks to
a new partnership with Heifer Armenia.
On June 2, 2004 a partnership agreement was signed between Habitat
for Humanity Armenia and Heifer Armenia. Within the scope of the
collaboration, over the next five years, 100 Habitat for Humanity
Armenia families will receive an agricultural input and trainings
to support income generation and to enhance self-sustainability. In
the future, HFH Armenia hopes to see its rural partner families as
developed small-scale farm owners.
Under the agreement, each partner family will receive one heifer
and 10 laying crested hens and fodder for start up period, 50.000
Californian worms and barley and alfalfa seeds, as well as appropriate
trainings in agriculture and agribusiness. Then HFH rural family will
be obliged to pass on its animal’s offspring to another family from
the local community in a 3-year period. This aspect is in keeping
with the missions of Habitat for Humanity and Heifer International.
“This is the example when two charitable organizations with
complementary missions come together and create sustainable and
self-reliant communities” – says Ashot Yeghiazaryan, the Executive
Director for Habitat for Humanity Armenia.
Habitat for Humanity International and Heifer International are
considered to be sister organizations worldwide as both are struggling
against poverty, and providing needy families with the resources to
lead healthy and dignified lives. The motto of both organizations
could be summed up as, “helping people in need to help themselves”.
Heifer International helps resource-poor families become self-reliant
by providing them with food-and income-producing animals and
training. Since 1944, Heifer International has helped more than 4
million families in 116 countries.
The Heifer International program in Armenia started in November
1999 and since has assisted 840 families to build their own family
farms and 299 families have already benefited from passing on the
gifts practices. In Armenia Heifer has placed cows, goats, sheep,
beehives, rabbits, chickens, fish, turkeys, buffalos, bull calves,
Californian worms, potato seeds, alfalfa and wheat seeds. Since 1999,
Heifer Armenia has invested $903,192 into sustainable development in
Armenia and the South Caucasus as a whole.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity
International and supports community development in the Republic of
Armenia by assisting in the construction and renovation of simple,
decent and affordable homes. The purpose of the organization is to help
families in need improve their living conditions, to raise funds to
support the vital work, and to give hope to thousands of people across
the country. The organization was formed in March of 2000 and, to date,
has dedicated 82 homes and given shelter to more than 400 people.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia has found a way to solve the housing
problem in Armenia. Families, with two or three wage earners, pay
back a no-interest loan for a simple, decent, affordable, and healthy
home, and are still able to feed their families. Habitat for Humanity
Armenia is using a combination of two approaches to help Habitat
families solve their housing problems:
1) Completing half-built homes, which are numerous in Armenia. This
approach enables families to fulfill their dream of completing their
own home. Utilizing existing core structure reduces costs and prevents
the disruption of relocation.
2) Purchasing apartments to make use of Armenia’s existing
under-utilized housing stock. Purchased homes are resold at no-profit,
interest-free, to Habitat families who renovate their apartments and
help in the construction of other families’ homes.
For more information please email Zara Tonapetyan, Communication
Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Armenia [email protected].
See for more information.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a
non-denominational Christian, non-governmental, non-profit housing
organization that has helped more than 700,000 people of all races,
religions and backgrounds to have a simple, decent and affordable
place to live. Habitat for Humanity has built or renovated more
than 150,000 homes throughout the world, becoming a global leader
in addressing poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity is active in 92
countries worldwide, including 18 in Europe and Central Asia.
THE END

Soccer-Euro-Battling Greeks revel in surprise package status
By Karolos Grohmann
PORTO, June 17 (Reuters) – Greece have deservedly earned the title
of surprise team at Euro 2004 after sparkling performances against
two of the tournament favourites.
Their shock victory over hosts Portugal in the opening game and a
battling draw with a talented Spanish side have put Greece top of
Group A, only a point away from their first quarter-finals with one
game to play.
“These matches have shown that we are not a firework, that we did
not come here as tourists,” central defender Michalis Kapsis said.
Playing inspiring football at times, Greeks booked their place at the
tournament by winning six straight qualifiers, including away games
in Spain, Northern Ireland and Armenia.
That was already a major success for the Greeks and few were ready
to bet on them going past the group stage, which also includes Russia.
“Of course we are the outsiders,” said German coach Otto Rehhagel,
who took over the team three years ago. “Look at the football histories
of the three countries in our group. We can’t match that.”
But his players have eclipsed the soccer traditions of their rivals
and are firmly on course for the last eight.
With a mixture of young and old, Rehhagel has sculpted a team capable
of beating the best in Europe.
They have only lost twice in the last 20 internationals and have an
eight-game unbeaten run in competitive games,
But the experienced coach, with an illustruous 30-year Bundesliga
career behind him, is still calling for caution.
“Nothing has been won. Everyone says we are through to the next round
but that is not true,” he said on Thursday.
Few would bet against them now, though.
FIGHTING SPIRIT
It was not too long ago when Greece, following dismal appearances at
the 1980 European Championship and 1994 World Cup, where they conceded
10 goals in three matches, were renowned for quickly throwing in
the towel.
“Greece came to this tournament with a tag reading: this is a strong
defensive team which can only play well if it scores, but crumbles
when it concedes goals,” Kapsis said.
“Against Spain we had team spirit, we fought for 90 minutes and we
showed we can turn round the game after being 1-0 down. This is the
most positive thing to come out of the Spain match.”
Greece battled on against the Spaniards, even after falling 1-0
behind in the first half and managed to grab an equaliser midway
through the second.
“The Spaniards had a better team but we had soul,” striker Demis
Nikolaidis said. “Our secret is that we fight for 90 minutes.”
06/17/04 13:25 ET
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgia wins $1 bln aid pledge for reforms
By Patrick Lannin
Reuters
06/16/04 13:17 ET
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Georgia won pledges of aid on Wednesday worth
around $1 billion over the next two years to help with economic
reforms and fight poverty, months after a new leadership was voted
into power after a bloodless revolution.
The pledges from the United States, World Bank, European Commission,
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or EBRD,
as well as individual European states at an international donors’
conference were double what was expected by Georgia.
“Even the most optimistic expectations were far exceeded by the
overall sum of the pledges,” Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania told a
news conference.
“This is indeed a very important sign for Georgia that the processes,
the reforms, which are under way in our country are recognized and
supported by our partners.”
He told the donors’ conference that the government aimed to fight
poverty, overhaul the legal system, boost development outside the
capital, Tbilisi, and attract foreign investment.
President Mikhail Saakashvili was voted into power in January after
the popular revolt against veteran leader Eduard Shevardnadze.
He and his government have already started some reforms. One of the key
goals is to stamp out rampant corruption in Georgia, once prosperous,
but plunged into widespread poverty since the 1991 collapse of
Soviet rule.
“This assistance will allow us to build Georgia as a sustainable
democracy, a country which will become, through this assistance, much
less dependent on international assistance in the following years,”
Zhvania added at the news conference.
The World Bank said it backed the changes already launched. “We are
convinced that it is not just words, but that the actions that have
already been launched convince us there will be follow through,”
said Bank Deputy President Shigeo Katsu.
BETTER ECONOMIC GROWTH
The European Union has been steadily strengthening relations
with Georgia, seen as a key route for Caspian Sea oil to the west.
Along with Caucasus neighbors Armenia and Azerbaijan, it was included
this week in the EU’s program for boosting relations with a ring of
neighbors from Morocco to Russia.
Zhvania told Reuters that his government was also expecting the
domestic economy to pick up in the years ahead and grow by double
digits, although inflation would stay relatively subdued.
European External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said the
government had to make good on its commitment to reform.
“The stakes are high and the challenges ahead formidable,” he told
the conference.
Zhvania said reforms would include improving infrastructure like
energy plants and roads and institutional change like cutting the
size of government and the police.
Other priorities were to spread development outside Tbilisi,
particularly to the west of the country.
The reintegration of the former rebel region of Adzhara would also
boost the rest of the country, he said. The government reasserted
control over the area in May.