Author: admin

Armenianow.com
July 9, 2004

Public Relations Job: Americans train, hire locals to fill gap in
construction force

By Julia Hakobyan ArmeniaNow reporter
When the United States started discussion of constructing a new embassy in
Yerevan in 2001, the work initially caused a controversy among society and
mass media for two reasons. First: the new embassy will be the largest U.S.
Embassy (in total real estate) worldwide. Secondly: Turks (plus Bulgarians
and Filipinos) were among the laborers, but, in some specialities, Armenians
were not.
400 Armenians are included in the embassy construction workforce

A backlash of bad press criticized the Yanks for importing labor into a
country where so many natives can’t find work.

The Americans said they had good cause to hire outsiders. Simply, the
available Armenian labor force was not trained in the skills required for
the jobs.

“At the beginning of the construction the embassy advertised vacancies for
local construction workers but for some categories no one came,” said
Kimberly G. Hargan, Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy.

“The reason why JA Jones, the US Construction Company, took workers from
third countries was that Armenians were not familiar with western
construction techniques and were not acquainted with some specialties, such
as American standards of electrical works, plumbing and others.”

In a bit of goodwill (and good public relations), the Americans decided to
make jobs available to the locals by training them for such skilled labor.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the
United States Embassy designed a program for training of local laborers and
invited experts from the United States and JA Jones Company to conduct
training of the Armenians.

The training for different construction trades lasts three to four weeks,
including a week of practical work. The schedule allows participants to be
placed in jobs as quickly as possible.

Now, more than 600 employees are building the embassy, 400 of whom are
Armenians.

“We think that once the new embassy is finished, people who were involved in
construction and were trained according to western standards would be highly
marketable,” Hargan said.

“We expect that with the continuing growth and improvement of the economy
more western companies are interested in coming here and constructing
hotels, office buildings . . . And Armenian constructors can apply their
knowledge to the western construction sector in their native country.”

But there’s still plenty of work for the embassy laborers. The project is
scheduled to be completed next March.

As for the need of the new embassy, Hargan said it was caused from the
tremendous expansion of US relations with Armenia in recent years. He said
dozens of sites were evaluated to find one that would best meet the needs of
the U.S. and Armenian governments.

The current embassy on Bagramyan Avenue does not meet US safety requirements
and is small for hosting staff. The new embassy compound is being built to
the highest engineering standards to resist blast and earthquake.

The new embassy will contain a five-story Chancery Building, USAID Building,
two-story Marine Security Guard Quarters, Warehouse, Main and Service
Compound Access Control Structures. It is located on the edge of Yerevanyan
Lake, a few kilometers outside the city center on the road to Zvartnots
International Airport.

The total space covers 90,469 square meters (22 American acres). It is the
biggest lot on which a US embassy has been built and its office space will
be among the largest for US embassies worldwide. The United States bought
the property from the Government of Armenia for about $5 million.

The new embassy will not block citizen access to the lake, which remains the
property of the Republic of Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Sunday Herald (Sydney)
July 11, 2004 Sunday

Hamdan marks Abraham for destruction

By ADRIAN WARREN

NADER Hamdan will adopt a “destroy or be destroyed” approach for a
fight he recognises is risky, but too good an opportunity to turn
down.

Hamdan heads to Germany next Sunday for a WBA International
middleweight title showdown on July 24 with Armenian Arthur Abraham,
who has won all 12 of his fights by KO.

Described as the “best kept secret” in European boxing, 24-year-old
Abraham has the same trainer and manager as former super-middleweight
world champions Markus Beyer and Sven Ottke, who defeated Danny Green
and Anthony Mundine respectively.

Frustrated at the lack of big fight opportunities his seven-year
professional career has generated, 30-year-old Hamdan is dropping
down a division.

Winning the vacant title would give him a top-10 ranking and move him
closer to a fight with New Zealand’s WBA champion Maselino Masoe.

“I did have reservations about going to Germany and about going back
to middleweight, but it’s a huge opportunity and I’ve always been
waiting for one to come,” Hamdan said.

“I’ve been waiting for opportunities for five or six years and I’m
not going to say no to it now that I’m here.

“It’s a big risk, but that’s what fighting is about. I’ve never said
no to a challenge.”

Not surprisingly, Hamdan is wary of fighting in Germany after Green
suffered a controversial disqualification loss and Mundine was hit
with a two-point deduction by the referee.

A chat with Green on Thursday left him in no doubt about the tactics
he would need to employ in Germany, where Abraham lives.

“Even if I give him a boxing lesson, there’s no way I’m walking away
with a points win,” he said. “I know it’s knockout or be knocked out.

“Greeny basically told me to go in there with that attitude, destroy
or be destroyed, don’t give him any respect.”

With 17 KOs in a 36-1 record, Hamdan believes the extra power he has
displayed since moving up from junior-middleweight will serve him
well.

He has acquired a video of a couple of Abraham’s fights.

“He’s got a very good left to the body and a very good right to the
head,” he said.

“Billy [Hussein] told me the guy is very tight in his defence and
very strong,” added Hamdan, who has also targeted Germany’s Danilo
Haussler as a potential opponent.

Hamdan has sparred with prominent local fighters and has a couple of
sessions scheduled this week with Mundine, whom he helped prepare for
his world title defence against Manny Siaca.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

July 8, 2004

National Citizens’ Initiative Determines Trends of Armenian Economic Growth

Yerevan–The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened a
specialized policy roundtable on “The Trends of Economic Growth in Armenia.”
The discussion, focusing on the challenges of this vital issue of public
concern, brought together government officials, academic circles, experts of
the field, public figures, and the media community to define the priorities
and development opportunities in the economic sphere, to make realistic
assessments of the current state of affairs, and to address the imperative
of a true struggle against corruption and the shadow economy.

Karapet Kalenchian, director of administration of the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies (ACNIS), greeted the audience with
opening remarks. He stressed the significance of economic reforms and
pointed to several mechanisms for achieving the objective. “In order to
settle a number of issues of strategic importance, in particular
strengthening the new independent state system and improving the living
standards of the population, we need to create prerequisites for the
proportional development of modern industry, the agricultural sector and
other fields of the economy, to improve tax policy, and to provide sustained
economic growth so that every Armenian family really enjoys its benefits,”
Kalenchian said.

Gagik Vardanian, the Republic’s deputy minister for trade and economic
development, addressed “The Strategic Directions of Armenia’s Economic
Development in Light of the Global Information Revolution,” detailing key
issues of efficiency and productivity in the Armenian economy. In his
opinion, information technologies provide great access and thus facilitate
quick orientation in the market as well as application of state-of-the-art
networks and electronic equipment, all of which lead to sustained progress
in the economy. “Given their efficiency in all spheres of life, the Armenian
government attaches primary importance to ITs. It has worked out a
development concept and a program of activities to face the challenges of
the world market,” he noted. “The government of Armenia has adopted
strategic programs for the country’s sustainable regional economic
development in order to play an active role in integrating into the global
information field.”

Gagik Makarian, director of the “Haiconsult” firm, delivered an illustrated
paper on “The Key Obstacles to Armenia’s Economic Growth and the Ways to
Overcome Them.” “It is senseless to speak of sustained economic growth
unless we struggle against corruption and the shadow economy, make a due
assessment of the operational branches of industry, provide mechanisms for
an attractive investment climate, make export volumes predictable, and draft
appropriate tax and customs legislation,” Makarian opined. According to him,
there are about 20 negative factors that impede economic growth in Armenia
in view of the relevant transportation expenses, unfair and unequal
competition, poor marketing experience, the political situation in the
country, and a number of other circumstances.

Yerevan State University economics professor Gagik Galstian entitled his
presentation “The Anatomy of Armenian Economic Growth.” “Economic growth is
not an end unto itself.” he said. “If there is growth there should be
prosperity, whereas the living standard of the population as measured by
substantive food intake per capita has been reduced twice over the last
decade.” An analysis of the data from 2003 brought Galstian to a pessimistic
conclusion: Armenia’s living standard is today on par with that of 1977 in
terms of its Gross Domestic Product, with 1980 in terms of its industrial
productivity, and with 1956 in terms of its cargo transportation and
residential construction. Thus, society is lagging behind by more than 25
years.

The formal interventions were followed by exchanges of views and policy
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were contributions by MP Shavarsh Kocharian of the
National Democratic Party; former minister of state Hrach Hakobian;
economist Edward Aghajanov; Artak Zeinalian of the Republic Party; Stepan
Mantarlian of Armaveni consulting company; Alexander Butaev of National
Democratic Union; Petros Makeyan of the Democratic Fatherland Party; Ruzanna
Khachaturian of the People’s Party of Armenia; law professor Hrair
Tovmasian; and many others.

ACNIS analyst Hovsep Khurshudian closed the meeting with summary remarks.
“Unfortunately, it is difficult to conclude the seminar on an optimistic
note regarding Armenia’s economic growth,” he said, underlining that
economic growth remains erratic, illusory, and narrow-based despite
government assurances. “Moreover, the authorities have demonstrated little
or no political will to struggle against corruption, as they are mired in
the very clan system which impedes competition.”

The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association founded
in 2001 by former foreign minister Raffi K. Hovannisian, his colleagues, and
fellow citizens with the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall
improvements in the state of the state, society, and public institutions.
The National Citizens’ Initiative is guided by a Coordinating Council, which
includes individual citizens and representatives of various public,
scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law and
State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and
Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the vehicles for the
Initiative’s work and outreach.

For further information, please call (3741) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax (3741)
52-48-46; e-mail [email protected]; or visit

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Mothers of detained Azeri anti-Armenian protesters ask presidential pardon

MPA news agency
8 Jul 04

BAKU

The mothers of the KLO [Karabakh Liberation Organization] members,
Mursal Hasanov, Manaf Karimov, Rovsan Fatiyev and Ilkin Qurbanov, who
were detained for protesting against the involvement of Armenian
officers in NATO’s conference on 23 June have appealed to President
Ilham Aliyev.

They said in their letter that the presence of the occupying army’s
officers in the republic could not but stir up emotions. The women
said that one could understand the detainees but could not understand
police officers who used force against the protesters. They asked the
president to show humanity and release their sons, saying they are
ready to bear responsibility for their sons’ guilt.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lansing State Journal, MI
july 8 2004

Eastside property values outpace rest of Lansing

Development has been a boon to diverse area

ROD SANFORD/Lansing State Journal

Rehabbing the east side: David Muylle works on a property Wednesday
on Regent Street on the city’s east side. Muylle has rehabilitated
six homes during his 20 years as an eastside resident. His family, he
says, has a commitment to the neighborhood.

Sources: City of Lansing; Boys Training School plan implementation
committee

By Tom Lambert
Lansing State Journal

A bulldozer pushes earth aside at the former site of the Boys
Training School, clearing the way for an upscale condominium
development.

Two new restaurants take root along a busy stretch of Michigan Avenue
and another expands.

And a resident transforms a former drug house into a family home.

These are just three of many signs of steady progress on Lansing’s
east side, a culturally diverse area bordered by Saginaw Highway,
U.S. 127, Interstate 496 and Pennsylvania Avenue.

The changes have driven up housing values, helped shape a positive
perception of the area and given many residents a feeling of
ownership.

“We are progressing here every year,” Rufus Galvan, an eastside
resident of 22 years, said while doing yard work. “And I think we got
to this point because just about everybody takes pride in taking care
of their property. That goes a long way.”

>From 1990 to 2003, homes in the 25 neighborhoods that comprise the
east side have jumped in value an average of 98.1 percent, according
to a city analysis. That compares with an 89.8 percent increase for
the rest of Lansing.

The $28 million housing project at the former Boys Training School
will establish a collection of 177 condominiums called East Village,
said Rick Kibbey, chairman of the Boys Training School plan
implementation committee.

The condos will cost $130,000 to $200,000, depending on whether they
are flats, townhouses or single homes.

Buyers may start moving into some of the homes by next summer, but
the entire project won’t be completed until 2009.

High demand expected

The homes will go on the market at the end of the year and Kibbey
expects demand to be strong, especially since the east side is
already a destination for young families because of its central
location.

“You are five minutes from Michigan State University and downtown and
you can hop on your bike and are five minutes from a ride in the
woods,” he said.

A lot of little things are adding up to make the east side a better
place to live, residents say. Those include the House of Kabobs,
Irene’s Diner and the expanded Lopez Bakery, Deli and Cafe.

For years, Elmira and Gennady Gevorkyan have wanted to open a
restaurant in honor of their Armenian homeland.

They finally got that opportunity, along with Elmira’s cousin Arsen
Sarkisov, on May 10 with the opening of the House of Kabobs.

“We are living our dream,” Elmira Gevorkyan said of the restaurant
that features shish kebabs, salads and other Armenian foods.

“We are already having regular customers come in once or twice a
week. It’s been a good decision to open here so far.”

Just down the street, Suchart and Irene Sivavajchaipong opened
Irene’s Diner on May 5, serving food that includes Thai and Mexican
dishes.

Lopez Bakery, which serves traditional Mexican food, is adding three
lofts on the second floor of the building, and a DolEnx – Mexico’s
answer to Western Union – will open within the next three weeks.

Rehabbing homes

Another person doing his part to enhance the east side is David
Muylle. He has rehabilitated six homes during his 20 years on the
east side. He has pumped $60,000 into his latest project, 124 Regent
St., which was an eyesore.

He bought the home after seeing people go in and out buying drugs
while he worked nearby.

“My initial reaction was let the city close it down,” he said. “But
the more I thought about it, I figured why not buy it and do
something positive with it.

“We’ve committed ourselves to staying on the east side,” said Muylle,
who may move into the home along with his wife, Carrie, and sons
Austin, 5, and Andrew, 9. “We aren’t just neighbors here. There is a
certain attitude about overcoming any obstacles in our way.”

Nancy Parsons, president of Eastside Neighborhood Organization, said
she believes the work on the east side gives prospective home buyers
confidence.

She points to the Michigan Avenue corridor improvements made in the
past year using a $100,000 grant from the Capital Region Community
Foundation that subsequently attracted more than $300,000 in private
investment.

Fixing up

Moriarty’s Pub used $2,500 for a new awning, Theio’s restaurant got
$2,700 for a new patio, and Ambs Message Center received $5,000 for a
new front.

“It’s impacting the whole city,” Parsons said. “Yes, it benefits us
moreso, but overall it shows the whole city is growing, which is a
good sign for our future.”

David Wiener, executive assistant to Mayor Tony Benavides, said there
is no doubt the east side is flourishing.

“They are a model for neighborhood development work for the whole
city,” he said.

By the numbers

98.1% -The average increase in home values on Lansing’s east side
from 1990 to 2003

89.8% -The average increase in home values for the rest of the city
during that time

$28 million -Cost to build 177 condominiums at the former Boys
Training School site

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Interfax
July 8 2004

Armenian NPP to shut down for overhaul on July 23

Yerevan. (Interfax) – The Armenian nuclear power plant, operated by
ZAO Inter UES of Russia, will shut down for an overhaul and refueling
on July 23 and not, as planned, on July 15, Armenian State Atomic
Energy Oversight head Ashot Martirosian told Interfax.
The decision was made because the plant is currently low on fuel.

The plant was originally scheduled to shut down on July 15, “but the
plant reduced capacity because of high waters from the spring
flooding and the diversion of water resources to generate
electricity,” Martirosian said.

The work will last 65 days, during which, after the nuclear fuel is
loaded, an overhaul is planned for the reactor and two operating
turbines of the second generating unit. One-third of the new fuel
consignment, some 100 cassettes, will be loaded and paid for by
Russia. This should be sufficient for the plant to work until summer
2005, Martirosian said.

The Armenian NPP generated 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity
in 2003, 36% of total electricity generation in Armenia.

ZAO Inter UES of Russia, which exports and imports electricity to
Russia and other countries, took over management of the plant in
September 2003. Inter UES is a subsidiary of Unified Energy System
(UES) of Russia, with 60% of the shares, and state-run enterprise
Rosenergoatom, with 40%.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Art Museum Network News
July 8 2004

Art from the Byzantine Empire Examined in New Getty Exhibition
Tuesday, September 14, 2004 – Sunday, December 5, 2004

J. Paul Getty Museum

“Saint Luke.” New Testament, Byzantine, 1133. Tempera colors, gold
leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment. Collection: The J. Paul Getty
Museum.
LOS ANGELES, (amnnews.com) – The widespread influence of the
Byzantine Empire on neighboring countries and the enduring legacy of
its art are explored in the new Getty exhibition “Byzantium and the
West,” at the Getty Center, September 14 – December 5, 2004. The
exhibition features manuscripts that showcase the distinctive
brilliance of Byzantine art and highlight the manner in which
different cultures reacted to the artistic heritage of the Empire
over time.

Drawn primarily from the Getty’s rich collection, the works on view
include bound manuscripts, leaves, and a painting, all dating from
the 11th through 17th centuries. Among these are several loans from
other West Coast collections. The exhibition explores the striking
naturalism and courtly splendor that distinguishes Byzantine art, and
examines the diverse ways in which the highly admired style was
emulated by three of Byzantium’s closest neighbors: Germany, Italy,
and Armenia.

The Byzantine Empire, which lasted from 330 until 1453, inherited the
territories and cultural traditions of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Drawing upon the art of classical Greece and Rome, Byzantine artists
continued the naturalistic tradition in their depictions of the human
form. One hallmark of their style was to arrange the folds of
garments to suggest the body underneath the garments. Byzantine art
was also known for its rich visual brilliance. Strongly influenced by
the sumptuous ceremony of the emperor’s court, artists from the
Empire illuminated their manuscripts with bright gold and other
precious materials. The geometric patterns and lush decorations they
used were partly based on motifs found in Byzantine metalwork and
jewelry of the period.

Trade, intermarriage, and military expeditions facilitated the
exchange of ideas and goods between Byzantium and the West.
Paintings, illuminated books, and silk textiles from the Empire were
among the luxury items given away as diplomatic gifts. As rulers in
Western Europe established their centers of power, they looked to
Byzantine models for symbols of imperial greatness. They adopted
Byzantine religious imagery, and artists in the region incorporated
Byzantine themes and styles into their work, reinterpreting and
adapting them to suit their own culture and the interests of their
patrons.

In Germany, the intermarriage of the imperial family with Byzantine
aristocrats in the 900s intensified the connection between the two
peoples. German artists adapted poses from Byzantine art, used bright
patterns inspired by silks from the Empire, and often followed the
naturalistic tradition of depicting Christ as vulnerable and human
rather than as a triumphant figure, much to the disapproval of the
Western Church. They also depicted their subjects dressed in exotic
robes. A German miniature of the Annunciation, created around 1240,
shows the Virgin dressed in a Byzantine costume called a “maphorion,”
with a veil that covers the head and shoulders and a star on her
forehead. In the drapery of the archangel Gabriel, the German artist
also incorporates the bright highlights and angular folds of
Byzantine illumination, but in a departure, he does not follow the
tradition of hinting at the body underneath.

Parts of Italy were once within the boundaries of the Empire, and
strong ties persisted through commercial and military activity,
especially with the beginning of the Crusades around 1095, which
brought about the greatest interaction between Byzantium and the
West. As more people became familiar with the landscape of the Holy
Land, Western artists began to respond to this expanded worldview. An
Italian manuscript created in the late 1200s follows the Byzantine
tradition and sets the Nativity within a mountainous landscape with
the Holy Family taking shelter in a cave, rather than resting in a
stable as described in the Bible. Italian artists also borrowed
imagery, such as the Virgin’s swoon, which is known from a small
number of examples in Byzantine manuscripts of the 1000s, but
flourished in the West only after 1250.

Armenia, the closest eastern neighbor to the Empire, remained an
independent Christian state but looked to the Byzantine Orthodox
Church for inspiration. In an Armenian manuscript, Saint Mark is
shown in the Byzantine manner as a Gospel writer who is bearded and
seated at a lectern. The background of gold is also adopted from the
Byzantine tradition and suggests a heavenly setting for the figure.
The Armenian artist, however, includes more elaborate architectural
details and a distinctive sun, which suggest a natural setting.
Armenian artists also incorporated Islamic art forms into their work.
Years of contact with the Byzantine Empire, Western Crusaders, and
Islamic neighbors allowed Armenian artists to choose selectively from
different artistic traditions, resulting in the development of a
distinct style that reflected the exchange and integration of many
cultural sources.

When the Byzantine Empire ended with the fall of its capital,
Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), to the Ottoman Turks in 1453,
its artistic traditions continued and were sometimes entwined with
innovations of the Italian Renaissance, especially in areas such as
Venetian-ruled Crete. Byzantine scholars who took refuge in Italy
after the fall of the Empire contributed to the sustaining power of
its art and culture, and Constantinople continued to be imagined as
the seat of Christian splendor. Western artists, however, began to
visualize Byzantine courtly splendor in familiar terms. Rather than
depicting the Byzantine emperor in the gold and jewels of an Eastern
ruler, for example, they might show him in the ermine-lined cloak and
crown common to European kings, this time adapting imagery from the
West to Byzantine subjects.

# # #

About the Getty: The J. Paul Getty Trust is an international cultural
and philanthropic institution devoted to the visual arts that
features the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Research Institute, the
Getty Conservation Institute, and the Getty Grant Program. The J.
Paul Getty Trust and Getty programs are based at the Getty Center in
Los Angeles.

Visiting the Getty Center: The Getty Center is open Tuesday through
Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed Mondays and major holidays.
Admission to the Getty Center is always free. Parking is available
for a fee; no reservation required. Reservations are required for
event seating and groups of 15 or more. Please call 310-440-7300
(English or Spanish) for reservations and information. The TTY line
for callers who are deaf or hearing impaired is 310-440-7305.

Additional information is available on the Getty Web site at

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
July 8 2004

Environment And Forestry Minister Pepe In Baku

”WE SHOULD IMPROVE COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN”

BAKU – Turkish Environment & Forestry Minister Osman Pepe, who is on
an official visit to Azerbaijan said on Thursday that Turkey and
Azerbaijan should increase cooperation as a matter of friendship
between the two countries.

Pepe met Azerbaijani Ecology and Natural Resources Minister
Huseyngulu Bagirov.

Stating that there were significant changes in environment and world
climate, Pepe said that living in a healthy environment was among
basic human rights. Studies on forestation were speeded up in Turkey
recently, Pepe underlined. He also added that cooperation between the
two countries would conribute to the prosperity of both countries.

Bagirov, on the other nad, gave information about Azerbaijani Ecology
and Natural Resources Ministry’s activities.

Stating that there were some problems on fresh water, Bagirov said
that some rivers, including Aras River of Turkey, was polluted in
Armenia at great extent before reaching Azerbaijan. Bagirov noted
that they were concerned to face serious problems in the near future.

He stressed that they could cooperate with Turkish companies on water
treatment and fishery.

Pepe and Turkish businessmen accompanying him, met also Azerbaijani
Economic Development Minister Farhad Aliyev, sources said.

Investment and cooperation opportunities were discussed in the
meeting.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Advertiser
July 8, 2004 Thursday

Games official attacks Australia
Olympic drugs battle widens

By PAUL CARTER in Sydney

WORLD sport’s top drugs czar yesterday launched a scathing attack on
Australia’s handling of the Mark French cycling affair as evidence
emerged of doping allegations in weightlifting.

The Australian Weightlifting Federation has launched an investigation
after being told by the Australian Sports Drug Agency an unnamed
lifter had refused to take a drug test. The Court of Arbitration for
Sport is expected to hear the case next week.

Australia’s Olympic weightlifting team is due to be named tomorrow
with Caroline Pileggi and Armenian-born Sergo Chakhoyan expected to
be the only two weightlifters going to Athens.

“There is an incident that is causing us some concern which is being
looked at right now,” said AWF president Sam Coffa, who would only
identify the athlete as being an AWF member.

The average penalty for such an offence is a two-year ban. The
Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian Sports Commission are
monitoring the situation and have offered to help the federation
present its case against the athlete, who is contesting the charge.

World Anti-Doping Agency president and International Olympic
Committee member Dick Pound, meanwhile, said the ASC should make
public the results of former judge Robert Anderson’s investigation
into allegations against five Olympic cyclists.

“What’s going to happen if some of these people go to Athens as part
of your Olympic team,” Mr Pound told the ABC. “Australians are going
to wonder if they have sent athletes who are guilty of doping
offences. The rest of the world is going to say how is it that
Australia deals with all these things in secret.

ASC chief executive Mark Peters said he was disappointed at Mr
Pound’s criticisms which came only weeks after he welcomed the
Anderson investigation.

“One has to wonder what has changed in those two weeks that now has
him saying, without any supporting evidence that ‘Australia has badly
handled numerous drug inquiries’,” Mr Peters said.

Mr Pound said his organisation was considering writing to federal
Sports Minister Rod Kemp in a bid to force the release of the
Anderson investigation into world champions Graeme Brown, Jobie
Dajka, Sean Eadie, Shane Kelly and Brett Lancaster.

The investigation followed French’s allegations the five had injected
legal vitamins in his room at Del Monte, the Australian Institute of
Sport’s track cycling headquarters in Henley Beach.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Business Opportunities and Challenges: Spotlight on Armenia,
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine

REMINDER

BISNIS
JULY 8, 2004

The Event is organized by:
The Office of the Governor, Economic Development & Tourism
U.S. Department of Commerce – BISNIS
Austin U.S. Export Assistance Center

WHEN: Wednesday, July 14, 2004
8:30 a.m. Registration
8:00-12:30 a.m. Presentations
12:30-1:30 p.m. Networking Lunch
1:30-3:30 p.m. One-on-One Meetings

WHERE: Austin Community College
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd, Room 201
Austin, Texas

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Irina Mitchell, BISNIS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
George Isayan, BISNIS Representative in Armenia
Asel Sulaimanova, BISNIS Representative in Kyrgyzstan
Iulian Bogasieru, BISNIS Representative in Moldova
Andryi Vorobyov, BISNIS Representative in Ukraine
Michele Smith, OPIC Investment Services Manager for Russia and the CIS

INDUSTRIES SECTORS TO BE COVERED: IT, Telecommunications, Construction, Agribusiness, Pharmaceuticals/Medical, Consumer Goods, Environmental Technologies and Banking/Finance.

COUNTRIES COVERED: Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine

Presentations: Speakers will provide executive briefings on the business climate in their countries, and present trade and investment leads, as well as information on promising projects. A Q&A session will follow the presentations, and then an opportunity for one-on-one meetings with individual BISNIS representatives.

For more information or to register, please contact Mortada Mohammed ([email protected]; tel:512-936-0530 or Karen Parker ([email protected] ; tel: 512-916-5939)

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REGISTER DEADLINE: July 13, 2004!

IF INTERESTED IN ONE-ON-ONE APPOINTMENTS, please circle selected country:

Armenia Kyrgyzstan Moldova Russia Ukraine

Number of people attending Names of attendees

Company: __________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________ _________________________

Phone: _____________________ Fax: __________________ E-mail: __________________________

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WHAT IS BISNIS?

BISNIS (), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
was founded in 1992 to assist in the economic development and
transition of the countries of the former Soviet Union by helping
U.S. companies to export to and invest in the region. BISNIS has 20
representatives posted throughout Eurasia, including 11 in Russia. In
addition, BISNIS has 10 trade specialists in Washington, DC. BISNIS
mainly assists U.S. and Eurasia companies by identifying and
disseminating trade and partner leads, preparation of regional
overviews, commercial news updates, and industry reports, counseling
U.S. companies interested in entering Eurasian markets, and referrals
to U.S. government programs as well as sources of financing and other
resources. Since 1992, BISNIS has helped U.S. companies generate over
$3.5 billion of export and investment transactions. In FY03 alone,
BISNIS facilitated transactions exceeding $204 million. In 2002,
2003, and 2004, BISNIS was recognized by Forbes Magazine as “One of
the Best of the Web” for information on Eurasia. The BISNIS website
gets over 1 million hits per month.

PROGRAM SPEAKER PROFILES

· Irina Mitchell is an International Trade Specialist at BISNIS
Headquarters in Washington, D.C. She is covering Construction/Real
Estate, Transportation, Customs and Certification portfolios for all
Eurasian (a.k.a. NIS) markets. She also manages one of BISNIS core
trade facilitation programs – Trades and Tenders and the newest BISNIS
PartnerLink Eurasia initiative. Irina also covers Northwest Russia
region working closely with BISNIS representative located in
St. Petersburg, Russia as well as the country of Moldova. Irina’s
current responsibilities are a continuation of her educational
background in Civil Engineering and previous private-sector experience
in the realm of contract procurement, logistics and operations
management. She has extensive hands-on experience in importing goods
into Russia and exports to Middle East and Japan.

· Asel Sulaimanova – BISNIS Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic
Ms. Sulaimanova has worked for BISNIS in the Kyrgyz Republic since
late 2002. Before joining BISNIS, she worked both in the private
sector and for international donor institutions. Specifically, she was
Project Manager for the European Union Program “Small and Medium
Business Development” and an international consultant for several
Asian Development Bank projects in the Kyrgyz Republic. Her commercial
experience has been gained through working for several foreign
companies doing different businesses in the Kyrgyz Republic. She
graduated from Kazakh State Economic University in Economics and later
received an MBA from the Bishkek International School of Management
and Business in 1995.

· Andriy Vorobyov – BISNIS Representative in Ukraine
Andriy Vorobyov has worked for BISNIS in Kiev since October 2000. He
has a background in agriculture, having graduated from the National
Agricultural University of Ukraine. His previous work experience
includes agribusiness and food processing, and work for the Department
of Foreign Economic Relations at the Ukrainian Ministry of
Agriculture. His recent reports for BISNIS have covered the Ukrainian
Construction Sector, Trade and Project Financing in Ukraine, Customs
Procedures in Ukraine, and overviews of several Ukrainian
regions. Last year, Mr. Vorobyov accompanied a delegation of 25
Ukrainian companies to the International Builders Show in Las Vegas,
and he has organized a number of U.S. Product Literature Centers at
the largest Ukrainian trade events, including construction,
automotive, food processing, pharmaceuticals shows.

· Iulian Bogasieru – BISNIS Representative in Moldova
Iulian Bogasieru joined BISNIS in December 2000. His previous
experience includes working with the Moldovan Agency of Enterprise
Restructuring ARIA as a consultant for three years on World Bank and
European Union projects. His responsibilities were analyzing markets
and providing turnaround management consulting for Moldovan
businesses. Mr. Bogasieru graduated from the Academy of Economic
Studies, Chisinau, Moldova, with bachelor degree in foreign economic
relations. He speaks English, Russian, Romanian and Italian. Among his
achievements as BISNIS representative, he organized three catalog
shows of U.S. products in Moldova, which resulted in U.S. export
contracts.

· George Isayan – BISNIS Representative in Armenia
George Isayan has represented BISNIS in Yerevan, Armenia, since
January 1998. During 1989-1992, he worked in Armenia’s Chamber of
Commerce as the head of business information department. In 1992-1997,
Mr. Isayan worked at a private export-import company in Prague, Czech
Republic, covering the company’s financial issues. As BISNIS
representative, Mr. Isayan accompanied delegations of Armenian
companies at Comdex IT show in Las Vegas (2000), BILISIM IT show in
Istanbul (Turkey) in 2001, International Builders’ Show in Dallas,
Texas, in 1999 and 2000, and SviazExpoComm ICT show in Moscow, Russia,
in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Mr. Isayan speaks Russian, Armenian, English,
Czech, and Arabic fluently.

· Michele Smith, OPIC Investment Services Manager for Russia and the CIS
Michele R. Smith is the Investment Services Manager for Russia and the
CIS at the Overseas Private Investment corporation (OPIC) in
Washington, D.C. In this capacity Ms. Smith develops and reviews
investment opportunities across all sectors in project finance and
political risk insurance with U.S. and international businesses.
Ms. Smith is scheduled to manage OPIC’s new investment development
office in Moscow, Russia later this year.

Ms. Smith holds an MBA from Thunderbird, The Garvin School of
International Management, in Glendale, Arizona where she specialized
in international finance. Prior to this she managed business outreach
for the Port of Portland in Oregon; served as the co-director of an
international development organization in Vladivostok, Russia; and
managed housing and real estate reform projects in the Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. She received her BA from the College of
William and Mary, Virginia, where she majored in Economics and
International Relations.

COUNTRY OVERVIEWS

Armenia

Area: 29,800 sq. km. (11,500 sq. mi.); Population (est.): 3 million;
GDP growth rate: 13.9% (2003)
Natural resources: Copper, zinc, gold, and lead; hydroelectric power;
small amounts of gas and petroleum.
Agriculture: fruits and vegetables, wines, dairy, some livestock.
Industry: chemicals, electronic products, machinery, processed food,
synthetic rubber, and textiles.
2003 Trade: Exports-$678.1 million (81.3% to countries outside CIS):
diamonds, scrap metal, machinery and equipment, brandy, copper
ore. Export partners-Belgium 18.3%, Israel 21%, Russia 13.9%,
U.S. 8.3%, Iran 3.3%. Imports-$1.269 billion (73.6% from countries
outside the CIS): natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products,
foodstuffs, diamonds. Import partners-Russia 16.4%, Belgium 10.2%,
Israel 9.7%, Iran 5.3%, U.S. 8%.

Approximately 70 U.S.-owned firms currently do business in Armenia,
including such multinationals as Procter & Gamble, M&M-Mars, Xerox,
Dell, and IBM. Recent major U.S. investment projects include the Hotel
Armenia; the Hotel Ani; Tufenkian Holdings (carpet and furnishing
production, hotels, and construction); several subsidiaries of
U.S.-based information technology firms, including Viasphere
Technopark, an IT incubator; a Greek-owned Coca-Cola bottling plant;
petroleum exploration by the American-Armenian Exploration Company;
jewelry and textile production facilities; a large perlite mining and
processing plant; and the joint venture Jermuk, which produces one of
the more popular brands of mineral water in Armenia.

Recent BISNIS efforts have facilitated U.S. sales to Armenian private
firms of medical diagnostic equipment and construction materials
equipment, as well as the signing of an exclusive dealer contract
between Ford and an Armenia company.

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Kyrgyz Republic

Area: 77,181 sq. mi; Population: 5.03 million: GDP Growth Rate: 6.7% (2003)
Natural Resources: coal, oil, natural gas, antimony, gold, tungsten,
tin, mercury, uranium, zinc, lead, rare earth metals, copper, iron,
bauxite, hydropower, water resources.
Agriculture: Tobacco, cotton, wheat, vegetables and fruits, berries;
sheep, goats, cattle, wool.
Industry: small machinery (electric motors, transformers); light
industry (cotton and wool processing, textiles, food processing),
construction materials (cement, glass, slate), shoes, furniture,
mining, energy.
Trade (2002): Exports-$4485.5 million: Precious metals, minerals,
textiles, tobacco, hydropower. Partners: Switzerland 19.4%, Russia
16.2 %, United Arab Emirates 13.5 %, China 8.8%, U.S. 7.9%, Kazakhstan
7.8%. Imports: $586.7 million: oil and gas, machinery and equipment,
foodstuffs. Partners: Kazakhstan 21.5%, Russia 19.5%, Uzbekistan
10.2%, China 10%, US 8.2%, Germany 5%, Netherlands 2.8%.

Major foreign investments: Hyatt Regency Bishkek Hotel (renovation),
Metromedia International (cable TV venture), Marvel worldwide Ltd. (80
% of VLKSM Garment Factory), WimmBillDann (dairy, juices), Kumtor
(gold mining), Coca-Cola (bottling), Philips (light bulb manufacture &
equipment), Malaysian Company (semiconductor production plant)

Recent BISNIS efforts have facilitated establishment of an office in
Bishkek for a small U.S. firm seeking contracts with the U.S. airbase
in the Kyrgyz republic – the company has already won one tender and
has additional projects in the pipeline for FY04, sales of restaurant
equipment to Kyrgyzstan, assistance to a U.S. company to set up
production in the Bishkek free economic zone.

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Moldova

Area: 33,843 sq. km. (13,000 sq. mi.); Population: 4.4 million: GDP
real growth (Jan.-Sept. 2003): 7.0%
Natural Resources: Lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone.
Agriculture: vegetables, fruits, wine and spirits, grain, sugarbeet,
sunflower seeds, meat, milk, tobacco.
Industry: Processed foods and beverages, including wine and refined
sugar; processed fruit and vegetable products, including vegetable
oil; dairy and meat products; tobacco items; metal processing and
production of machinery; textiles and clothing, shoes; furniture.
Trade (2002): Exports $644 million (of which 46% go to countries
outside the former Soviet Union): foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles
and footwear, machinery, chemicals. Major export markets: Russia,
Ukraine, Italy, Romania, Germany. Import: $1,039 million (of which 61%
come from countries outside the former Soviet Union): gas, oil, coal,
steel, machinery and equipment, chemical products, textiles,
foodstuffs, automobiles, and other consumer durables. Major suppliers:
Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Germany, Italy.
U.S. companies active in Moldova include McDonalds, FoodPro
International, Food Master International, Coca-Cola, Trans Oil Invest,
Europharm, MetroMedia International, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, KPMG,
Caterpillar, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Proctor & Gamble, John Deere,
General Electric, and Apple Computer.
Recent BISNIS efforts have facilitated sales of
U.S. telecommunications equipment and medical diagnostic equipment to
Moldova, as well as assisted in the development of ties between North
Carolina and Moldova and supported efforts of OPIC and TDA to find
projects for possible financing.

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RUSSIA
Area: 17 million sq. km. (6.5 million sq. mi.); about 1.8 times the
size of the United States. Broad plain with low hills west of Urals;
vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains
(Caucasus range) along southern borders.
Cities: Capital–Moscow (pop. 8.3 million). Other cities–St. Petersburg
(4.6 million), Novosibirsk (1.4 million), Nizhniy Novgorod (1.3 million).
GDP: 7.3% during 2003 to 13.255 trillion rubles or U.S. $460
billion. (Purchasing power parity estimated at $1.27 trillion in 2002)
Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, timber, furs, precious and
nonferrous metals.
Agriculture: Products– Grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, meat,
dairy products.
Industry: complete range of mining and extractive industries producing
coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building
from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles;
shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications
equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction
equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment;
medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles,
foodstuffs, handicrafts
Exports (F.O.B.): $$134.4 billion (2003 est.)
Export commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas,
wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of
civilian and military manufactures
Export partners: Germany 7.5%, Italy 6.9%, Netherlands 6.7%, China
6.3%, US 6.1%, Ukraine 5.5%, Belarus 5.4%, Switzerland 5% (2002)
Import (C.I.F) $74.8 billion (2003 est.)
Import commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods,
medicines, meat, sugar, semifinished metal products
Import Partners: Germany 14.3%, Belarus 8.9%, Ukraine 7.1%, US 6.4%,
China 5.2%, Italy 4.8%, Kazakhstan 4.3%, France 4.1% (2002)

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Ukraine

Area: 603,700 square miles; Population: 48 million: GDP real growth
(2003 est.): 5.5-6.0%
Natural resources: Vast fertile lands, coal, ironstone, complex ore,
various large mineral deposits, timber
Agriculture: Products-Grain, sugar, sunflower seeds.
Industry: Types-Ferrous metals and products, coke, fertilizer,
airplanes, turbines, metallurgical equipment, diesel locomotives,
tractors.
Trade (2002): Exports-$17.95 billion: Ferrous and nonferrous metals,
mineral products, chemicals, machinery, transport equipment, grain,
and textiles. Imports-$16,97 billion: Energy, mineral fuel and oil,
machinery and parts, transportation equipment, chemicals, textiles,
and paper.

More than 300 U.S. companies are represented in Ukraine. Among the
major U.S. companies are: Apple Computer, Avon Cosmetics, Automobile
Group (Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hummer), Bechtel National, Inc., Citibank,
Colgate-Palmolive, General Electric, Kraft foods Motorola, Monsanto,
Mary Kay Ltd.

Recent BISNIS efforts have facilitated sales of U.S. machinery and
machine tools, as well as medical, printing, and telecommunications
equipment to Ukraine, as well as creation of joint projects in the
financial services sector. telecommunications equipment to Ukraine,
as well as creation of joint projects in the financial services
sector.

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********** Provided by: **************************
Irina C. Mitchell, International Trade Specialist
BISNIS, U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 202/482-3729, Fax: 202/482-2293
e-mail: [email protected]

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress