Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

Barbados and other islands given an extension to eliminate export subsidies
By Shawn Cumberbatch

Barbados Advocate, Barbados
Nov 10 2004

BARBADOS has been given another year to make the shift from a regime
of export subsidies.

There is a possibility, however, that this island and many others in
the developing world could be given an additional two yearly extensions
under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

In a decision handed down last week, the WTOs Committee on Subsidies
and Countervailing Measures, said it had extended by another year
(until the end of 2005) the transition period for the elimination
of export subsidy programmes of Barbados and 18 other developing
countries under the implementation decision adopted at the Doha
Ministerial Conference.

Apart from Barbados, there are another eight members of the Caribbean
Community which have had their time extended. These were Antigua and
Barbuda, Belize, Jamaica, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts
and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Other developing countries on the list were Costa Rica, Dominican
Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Jordan, Mauritius, Panama,
Papua New Guinea, and Uruguay. Officials explained that the WTOs
Subsidies Agreement provided for an eight-year transition period,
in this case until the end of 2002 for most developing countries to
eliminate export subsidies.

However, under the fast-track procedures agreed at Doha, the
Subsidies Committee may grant an annual extension to these countries
until the end of 2007, subject to annual review of transparency and
standstill obligations.

The Committee said it also reviewed status reports of Barbados,
Colombia, El Salvador, Panama and Thailand regarding their subsidy
programmes whose transition periods were extended last year under
the regular procedures.

WTO officials said the Committee had also discussed new legislative
notifications from Argentina, Canada, the European Community (EC),
Japan and Jordan, while it reviewed subsidy notifications from Armenia,
Mongolia and Singapore.

The WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures essentially
disciplines the use of subsidies, and it regulates the actions
countries can take to counter the effects of subsidies. Under the
agreement, Barbados and other member countries could use the WTOs
dispute-settlement procedure to seek the withdrawal of the subsidy
or the removal of its adverse effects. In addition, the country
could launch its own investigation and ultimately charge extra duty,
commonly called a countervailing duty, on subsidised imports found
to be hurting domestic producers. Meanwhile, the trade body noted
that under the transition review mechanism provided for in Chinas
Protocol of Accession, the EC, Japan and the United States urged that
country to notify its subsidies as required by the Subsidies Agreement.

China said it was doing its best to comply, and called for
understanding. It cited difficulties due to the size of the country
and the need to educate officials. China said it would transmit
concerns raised at the meeting to the relevant offices in Beijing.
The US and the EC expressed disappointment with the review, but said
they would work bilaterally with China to make progress in this area.

In the wake of this news from the WTO, European Union (EU) indicated
they would abolish all export subsidies on agricultural products if
the US did the same. This is what EU parliamentarian Paavo Väyrynen
told a parliamentary committee in South Africa on Monday.

Export subsidies to European farmers effectively render African farmers
uncompetitive, despite a free trade agreement between SA and the EU,
as European agricultural products often land in Africa and come on to
the market at selling prices that invariably undercut local producers.

Väyrynen, a former Finnish foreign minister and now an elected
member of the European parliament, was addressing the South African
Parliaments defence committee on the military, trade and diplomatic
implications for SA of the expansion of the EU, which this year
expanded by ten members.

Väyrynen, when asked about the removal of agricultural subsidies,
said: The EU has offered substantial decreases in export subsidies.
It is conditional, of course, that the other countries should be
ready to do the same.

It is a difficult issue in Europe. Farmers are important people in
all the member countries, politically and otherwise. It is clear some
kind of subsidy is necessary in Europe, otherwise there would be no
agriculture, he added..

–Boundary_(ID_B+5cul8tjBoczAm+KEVTEQ)–

Agency WPS
The Russian Business Monitor (Russia)
November 5, 2004, Friday

RUSSIANS CANNOT COUNT ON CHEAP WESTERN CREDITS

In the near future Russians cannot count on cheap Western credits and
Russia cannot count on entrance into WTO. Representative of the Russian
government at negotiations with WTO supported the stance of the Central
Bank that opening of branches of foreign banks was unacceptable for
Russia.

Officials of the Central Bank already said frequently that there would
be no branches of Western or Eastern banks in Russia. The government
supported them. This issue remained one of the stepping stones on the
path of Russia’s entrance into WTO. Even meetings of representatives of
the US and European Union with President Putin and Prime Minister
Fradkov in Moscow did not change anything.

However, only now an anonymous governmental negotiator said for sure
that Russia would not make concessions in this area. Whereas one of the
conditions for membership in WTO is opening of financial markets,
position of Russian authorities may result in drawing out of Russia’s
entrance into WTO for years.

After wards, on November 3 Senior Deputy Chair of the Central Bank
Andrei Kozlov announced in New York that direct access of foreign
capital to the Russian market of financial services was unacceptable.
The words of Kozlov showed that the Central Bank believed that very
much was already done to liberalize the market. Kozlov stated, “We
permit within a broad spectrum the so-called trans-border operations,
permit creation of foreign subsidiary banks in the territory of Russia
and grant the national regime to them equal to the regime for Russian
banks. Incidentally, this is practiced not in all countries.”

Such forms of business organization as buying into an already existing
bank or organization of a 100% subsidiary are offered for the
foreigners willing to work in Russia. However, the aggregate share of
foreign banks in the territory of Russia should not exceed 25% and the
authorities control observance of this limitation stringently.

A deputy director of the analytical department of one of subsidiaries
of a Western bank in Russia comments, “Organization of a subsidiary
bank in Russia is a difficult and costly process. Many Western
structures have been pressurizing negotiators from WTO to achieve a
possibility to open branches in Russia from the Russian party. But what
is a branch? This is an organization that has consolidated financial
statements with its parent company and pays taxes not in the country
where the branch works but at the place of registration of the parent
company. Could the Russian monetary authorities in the form of the
Central Bank and Finance Ministry allow this? Never.”

The Central Bank stopped the only experience of work of a branch of a
foreign bank in Russia a few years ago, right at the beginning of
negotiations between Russia and WTO. A previously registered branch of
Armenian bank ANELIK was opened in Moscow then. The Armenian bank
suffered because of the lobbying of WTO. According to representatives
of WTO, the fact of existence of a branch, although of a bank of a
former Soviet republic, in Russia contradicted to demands of banks from
developed countries to demand subsidiaries in Russia.

Financial authorities explain their stance not by the fact that they
did not want taxes to go out of the country. When the Central Bank
prohibits direct opening of branches of Western financial structures in
Russia it protects the banking system of the country.

Alexander Burya, director of the financial and operating risks
department of Mezhprombank, presumes that a new statement of Central
Bank officials that foreign banks will not be allowed to open their
branches in Russia directly once again emphasizes the course of the
authorities at creation of a strong national banking system capable of
independent investment of money in the national economy.

President of the Association of Russian banks Garegin Tosunyan comments
on the situation in the same manner. This lobbyist of the banking
community always says that cheap foreign resources will ruin the
“unnecessary” Russian banking system completely.

The reality is such that after coming of branches of large Western
banks credit resources for the population and for organizations would
become much more affordable because now Russian banks earn money on
borrowing of cheap money in the West and issue of short-term credits in
Russia at interest rates unthinkable in developed countries.

Alexander Burya from Mezhprombank remarks, “Foreign banks also have
other indisputable competitive advantages: reliability of the leading
foreign and Russian banks and their financial capabilities are
incomparable, also due to the difference between the ratings of Russia
and developed countries. Admission of foreign banks to the Russian
financial market would result in reduction of the national banking
system and ousting of majority of Russian banks to the marginal sectors
of the market. Naturally, this contradicts to the interests of the
country.”

This thesis is certainly disputable if speaking about interests of the
country we speak about the interests of its citizens and their wish to
live in apartments and drive cars bought on credit at a sensible
interest. After coming of the leading international investment banks
apartments will grow cheaper too. In any case, these are unrealistic
dreams

It is not beneficial for the state that direct branches of foreign
banks will receive direct access to international financial markets, to
which their parent companies have access. This would make control of
Russian supervisory agencies over capital flow from Russia abroad more
difficult. This means that supervision of the banking system in general
will be weakened.

The Central Bank and the government say that the market liberalization
measures already promised from 2007 by the new law on currency
regulation are sufficient. Private individuals and companies will
receive a possibility to open accounts in Western banks and to transfer
their money wherever they like. The law also implies abolishment of the
25% quota for participation of foreign banks in the market.

It is interesting that many foreign banks already working in Russia are
averse to liberalization of the market. Russian banking analysts say
that those representatives of Western capital who wanted to work on the
Russian market already came to it. They did not need to wait until
Russia’s entrance into WTO. Those who started operations in Russia in
the mid-1990s and did not close their business after the crisis of 1998
received the most profitable pieces of the Russian financial market and
their 100% subsidiaries would hardly be glad about coming of
competitors to Russia in the form of branches of their parent
companies.

Source: gazeta.ru, November 04, 2004

Civil Georgia, Georgia
Nov. 4, 2004

Georgia Matters for NATO

Scheffer: “there is no doubt that Russia has
to fulfill fully its commitment” and pull out
its military bases from Georgia.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who paid one-day visit to
Georgia on November 4 as a part of his South Caucasus trip, made it
clear that `Georgia matters for NATO’ and recommended the Georgian
authorities to `get on work’ on implementing Georgia’s Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), which has been endorsed by the North
Atlantic Alliance in late October.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer met with President Mikhail Saakashvili, Prime
Minister Zurab Zhvania, Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, Defense
Minister Giorgi Baramidze, Ambassadors of the NATO member states
accredited in Georgia and representatives from the non-governmental
organizations in country.

At a joint new conference with President Saakashvili, the NATO
Secretary General said that endorsement of Georgia’s IPAP marked `a
very important moment in the relationship between Georgia and NATO.’

`As I have discussed it with the President it will be now a question of
doing homework [by the Georgian authorities]. And where NATO can assist
Georgia in this respect, NATO will assist Georgia… Let’s get on work on
IPAP,’ Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said.

President Saakashvili said that Georgia has become the first country
whose IPAP has been approved by the NATO. `This was recognition by NATO
those achievements, which Georgia has made in respect of reforms and
development in recent months,’ Mikheil Saakashvili said.

Saakashvili also said that Georgia is `getting close to NATO.’ `But do
not ask when we will become NATO members, for example in one year, two
or three. You won’t get my answer on this question. But it will happen
much sooner than many might suppose. And when it happens I might still
be in this office’ Mikheil Saakashvili said referring to his
presidential term.

The NATO Secretary General has also refrained from speaking about
dates. `I am not going to give the dates, because the dates will
deviate our attention from what we should do now – make IPAP into the
success and NATO will assist and we will help to make it work,’ Jaap de
Hoop Scheffer said.

`I am a realist and I am an optimist. I am realist because I know that
Georgia’s NATO membership will be a difficult, long and winding road.
But I am optimistic as well, because I see an enormous drive of the
Georgian government and the Georgian people to fulfill the ambitions
Georgia has vis-à-vis to Euro-Atlantic integration,’ he added.

The North Atlantic Council, which is the decision-making body of NATO,
approved the Individual Partnership Action Plan of Georgia (IPAP) on
October 29.

`The IPAP deals with implementing defense, political, economic reforms
and it also concern the human rights in the country. It is a two-year
program and by the end of each year there will be an assessment
conference to find out if there are any flaws or indicate on progress,’
Gela Bezhuashvili, the Secretary of the Georgian National Security
Council, told Civil Georgia on November 4.

At a news conference Jaap de Hoop Scheffer also reiterated NATO’s
support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and called for peaceful
solution of Abkhazian and South Ossetian conflicts.

The Georgian president said that Tbilisi is `ready for a compromise.
But not at the expanse of Georgia’s territorial integrity.’

`No one should expect that it will be possible to change our
fundamental foreign policy course by mounting pressure on us. But I
also want to say that good relations with Russia is also a part of our
fundamental foreign policy course,’ Mikheil Saakashvili added.

The NATO Secretary General has also called on Russia to follow its
commitment undertaken during the OSCE Istanbul Summit in 1999 and pull
out remaining military bases from Georgia.

`There is no doubt that Russia has to fulfill fully its commitments
Russia has entered in 1999 in Istanbul [OSCE Summit]. NATO has good
relationship with the Russian Federation and Russia is very well
informed about the NATO’s position I have just stated… let’s say that
fundamental opinion can not be any other that Russia has to fulfill the
Istanbul commitments fully,’ the NATO Secretary General said.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer also said that NATO is not competing with any of
the country in the region.

`Let me make it very clear, that I have not come here and the NATO has
not come here to compete with any other country or to compete with any
other organization. I’ve come here because the NATO has an open door
for any nation, including Georgia, who want to share and defense those
same values, which have always been in the core of the NATO,’ Jaap de
Hoop Scheffer said.

`No one should expect that it will be possible to change our
fundamental foreign policy course by mounting pressure on us. But I
also want to say that good relations with Russia is also a part of our
fundamental foreign policy course,’ Mikheil Saakashvili stated.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that his trip to the South Caucasus
countries is a part of implementation of decisions of the NATO Istanbul
Summit, which was held this June. The governments from the NATO states
decided at the summit to make a focus on Caucasus and Central Asia.

To implement this decision Robert Simmons, a special representative for
these two regions, has been appointed. Simmons is also NATO’s Deputy
Assistant Secretary General for Security Cooperation and Partnership.

In addition, two NATO liaison officers, who will be in close
cooperation with the NATO’s special envoy, will be permanently
stationed in each of the two regions. Robert Simmons said in September
that the NATO liaison officer in the Caucasus will be stationed in
Tbilisi and will work closely with the Georgian Defense Ministry.

`I am now in Georgia – focusing on IPAP, focusing on reforms. I’ll go
Armenia and Azerbaijan as well to see where they are in the
relationship with NATO, and whether they want to be in the relationship
with NATO. Do not forget every sovereign country is fully sovereign in
deciding itself where it wants to go vis-à-vis NATO. Some countries are
more ambitious than others. I want to focus on this region, like two
weeks ago I was in Central Asia. Because these regions matter, they are
of strategic importance. So Georgia matters for NATO,’ Jaap de Hoop
Scheffer said.

Associated Press Worldstream
November 4, 2004 Thursday 11:41 AM Eastern Time

Six activists detained in Azerbaijan capital protesting upcoming NATO
seminar

BAKU, Azerbaijan

Police detained six activists on Thursday for holding an unauthorized
demonstration outside Azerbaijan’s parliament to protest the presence
of Armenian officers at a NATO seminar scheduled for later this month.

About 40 activists of the Organization of Karabakh Freedom gathered
outside the legislature carrying signs “Armenian criminals, get out of
here!” Other signs called on NATO to refrain from inviting Armenian
officers to Baku and urged Azerbaijanis to protest Armenian
representatives’ participation.

The seminar of NATO’s parliamentary assembly is to take place in Baku
on November 26-28.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are at odds over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave,
which ethnic Armenian forces seized from Azerbaijan in the early 1990s
in a war that killed 30,000 people and left about one million homeless.
A 1994 cease-fire has largely held, but no final settlement has been
reached.

Neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan is a NATO member, but both former Soviet
republics participate in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program.

Armenian minister says ties with USA not to depend on presidential poll
outcome

Armenian Radio First Programme, Yerevan
3 Nov 04

[Presenter] The US embassy in Armenia is watching the US presidential
elections since early this morning. The embassy has also invited
Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan and members of various
political organizations.

What is the significance of the US presidential elections to Armenia?

Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan said that it is not all that
important to our county.

[Serzh Sarkisyan] The USA is not a country the outcome of the
presidential election in which can influence the country’s policies. I
think that our relations will develop and deepen, especially in the
military sphere. Once again I would like to reiterate that the
relations between the USA and Armenia in the military sphere will not
depend on the outcome of the US presidential elections.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Serouj Aprahamian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ARMENIAN AMERICAN ISSUES SUPPORTERS
WIN BIG IN CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

— 100% of ANCA Endorsed Candidates for Senate
and 98.5% of House Endorsees Win Reelection

— 138 of 142 Armenian Caucus Members to Return to the House

WASHINGTON, DC — The Armenian American community scored bipartisan
Congressional victories across the political landscape yesterday,
with 199 of 202 Senate and House candidates endorsed by the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) winning their
elections.

“We are extremely pleased that such an overwhelming majority of our
supporters won yesterday, including over 98% of those we endorsed
in the House of Representatives and 97% of the Congressional
Armenian Caucus,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We
look forward to working with these friends and the many new members
of the 109th Congress on issues ranging from affirming the Armenian
Genocide to strengthening Armenia and defending Nagorno Karabagh’s
right to self-determination within secure borders.”

“More than ever, we were gratified by the dramatically increased
involvement of Armenian Americans in the electoral process, in
particular, by the positive response to our voter education
campaign on the ground in local communities and on our website –
In the weeks prior to the election, we registered
over 50,000 unique visits from Armenian American activists
interested in learning more about where their candidates for office
stood on the issues of importance to our community,” added
Hamparian.

In a separate statement issued earlier today, ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian congratulated President Bush on his election victory,
thanked Senator Kerry for a hard fought election campaign, and
praised the Armenian American community for an unprecedented level
of activism in this season’s electoral contests

U.S. Senate
————
All ten ANCA endorsed Senate incumbent candidates were re-elected,
including Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Evan Bayh
(D-IN), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Harry Reid (D-
NV), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
and Russell Feingold (D-WI).

In a stunning upset, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) lost
his seat yesterday to former South Dakota Congressman John Thune.
Daschle, who had received a “C” grade on the ANCA report card, had
been largely unresponsive to Armenian American concerns,
withholding his support for the Genocide resolution (S.Res.164) in
the 108th Congress.

Of the eight members of the Senate retiring, two – Illinois
Republican Peter Fitzgerald and Oklahoma Republican Don Nickles –
had received an “F” grade from the ANCA. The others, including
Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), Bob Graham (D-FL), Zell
Miller (D-GA), John Breaux (D-LA), and Fritz Hollings (D-SC)
generally failed to take a stand on Armenian American concerns. Of
the incoming Senators, the ANCA had endorsed Barack Obama (D-IL),
who had reached out to the Armenian American community in the
months leading up to the elections and Rep. Johnny Isakson (R-GA),
who, as a House Member, had supported Armenian Genocide recognition
initiatives. Rep. David Vitter (R-LA), who will be replacing Sen.
Breaux (D-LA), had received an “F” rating in the House from the
ANCA for his opposition to Armenian American concerns.

A consistent supporter of Armenian American issues, Democratic
Vice-Presidential candidate John Edwards, will be replaced by Rep.
Richard Burr (R-NC), who has received a “C” rating from the ANCA.

U.S. House of Representatives
—————————–

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) both will return to the 109th Congress,
along with 138 of the 142 Caucus members from the 108th Congress.
Also returning are Armenian American Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-
CA) and John Sweeney (R-NY) each winning re-election by large
margins.

Caucus member Rep. Martin Frost (D-TX) lost, in what emerged as one
of the most expensive House races, to Rep. Jeff Sessions, who has
received an “F” rating from the ANCA. Rep. Joe Hoeffel (D-PA) lost
his bid for the Pennsylvania Senate to Republican Senator Arlen
Specter. Other Caucus members retiring are Gerald Kleczka (D-WI)
and Jim Greenwood (R-PA).

ANCA endorsed non-incumbents Jim Costa (D-CA-20), Kenny Marchant
(R-TX-24), Joe Schwarz (R-MI-7), Dan Lungren (R-CA-3) and Cynthia
McKinney (D-GA-4), each of whom won their election bids. Central
California ANC members worked closely with the Costa campaign in
the months leading up to the vote. McKinney, who served in the
House of Representatives until 2002, was an outspoken advocate of
Armenian Genocide reaffirmation efforts, serving on the House
International Relations Subcommittee on Europe. Michigan area
Armenian American activists worked with and fundraised extensively
for Joe Schwarz, who is replacing outgoing House member Nick Smith,
who has received an “F” rating from the ANCA. Other House Members
with “F” ratings leaving Congress include New York Republican Amo
Houghton and Florida Republican Porter Goss.

For a full listing of ANCA endorsements visit

ARKA News Agency
Nov. 2, 2004

NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs refutes the information about holding
joint maneuvers by military units of Pridnestrovie, the South Ossetia,
Abkhazia and NKR

Recommencement of negotiating process with participation of Nagorno
Karabakh is the shortest way of Karabakh settlement – A.Ghulian

Business forum `IT for Corporate Companies’ to take place on Nov 5 in
Yerevan

4th specialized exhibition `Infortech 2004′ to take place in Yerevan on
Nov 4-6, 2004

On Nov 3, RA NA Speaker to leave for Paris for participation in the
meeting of South Caucasus parliament speakers

***********************************************************************

NKR MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REFUTES THE INFORMATION ABOUT HOLDING
JOINT MANEUVERS BY MILITARY UNITS OF PRIDNESTROVIE, THE SOUTH OSSETIA,
ABKHAZIA AND NKR

STEPANAKERT, November 2. /ARKA/. NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs Ashot
Gulyan in the course of today’s press conference in Stepanakert refuted
the information about holding joint maneuvers by military units of
Pridnestrovie, the South Ossetia, Abkhazia and NKR. According to
Gulyan, the information about holding military exercises by military
departments of four republics in the end of the month is not true.
`Besides ensuring the national security and protecting the borders, NKR
army has no other tasks, especially out of NKR’, he said.
To remind, recently Interfax referring to the Ministry of Defense of
Abkhazia disseminated information that the military units of
Pridnestrovie, the South Ossetia, Abkhazia and NKR are going to conduct
joint maneuvers. According to the Ministry of Defense of Abkhazia the
military exercises will be held on the territory of the South Ossetia
till the end of the year. The main goal of the military exercises is to
work out reaction on armed attack. A.H. –0 –

***********************************************************************

RECOMMENCEMENT OF NEGOTIATING PROCESS WITH PARTICIPATION OF NAGORNO
KARABAKH IS THE SHORTEST WAY OF KARABAKH SETTLEMENT – A.GHULIAN

STEPANAKERT, November 2. /ARKA/. Recommencement of negotiating process
with participation of Nagorno Karabakh is the shortest way of Karabakh
settlement, NKR Foreign Minister Ashot Ghulian stated today.
`Azerbaijan understands that the territories it always mentions are
under control of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia has nothing in common
with it’, he said.
He stressed that during last years Azerbaijan claims Karabakh with
numerous far-fetched accusations, the goal of which is to damage the
growing image of Nagorno Karabakh. `We have stated many times that are
ready to discuss any issue, including the issue of territories’,
Ghulian said. L.D. –0–

***********************************************************************

BUSINESS FORUM `IT FOR CORPORATE COMPANIES’ TO TAKE PLACE ON NOV 5 IN
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, November 2. /ARKA/. Business forum `IT for Corporate
Companies’ will take place on Nov 5 in Yerevan, EXPO MEDIA press
service told ARKA. The result of marketing researches showed that
Armenia has the necessity of cooperation of corporate companies with
firms that deal with implementation of IT. Business forum is conducted
for these goals.
Exhibition is organized by EXPO MEDIA Center in support of RA
Government, Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Trade and Economic
Development, Transport and Communication and Trade-Industrial Chamber
of Armenia, Yerevan TIC, Armenian Development Agency and Enterprises
Incubator Fund. L.D. –0–

***********************************************************************

4th SPECIALIZED EXHIBITION `INFORTECH 2004′ TO TAKE PLACE IN YEREVAN ON
NOV 4-6, 2004

YEREVAN, November 2. /ARKA/. 4th specialized exhibition `Infortech
2004′ will take place in Yerevan on Nov 4-6, 2004, EXPO MEDIA press
service told ARKA. The goal of the exhibition is analysis of condition
of development of IT market, familiarization with perspective
developments in the field of computer technologies and opportunity of
their use in different spheres of life.
Besides, exhibition will contribute to exchange of business
information, knowledge and practical experience in the field of
creation of effective business atmosphere at IT market and related
segments.
The topics of the exhibition: Computers and Accessories, Programming,
Providers, IT-education, Communication Facilities, Security Systems,
Protection of Information in Computer Networks, Design and Typography,
IT in Tele-and-Photo Industry, Services.
Exhibition is organized by EXPO MEDIA Center in support of RA
Government, Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Trade and Economic
Development, Transport and Communication and Trade-Industrial Chamber
of Armenia, Yerevan TIC, Armenian Development Agency and Enterprises
Incubator Fund. L.D. –0–

***********************************************************************

ON NOV 3, RA NA SPEAKER TO LEAVE FOR PARIS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE
MEETING OF SOUTH CAUCASUS PARLIAMENT SPEAKERS

YEREVAN, November 2. /ARKA/. On Nov 3, RA NA Speaker Arthur
Baghdasarian will leave for Paris for participation in the meeting of
South Caucasus parliament speakers, RA NA PR Department told ARKA. The
meeting of Parliament Speakers of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan is
organized by representative of French Senate Christian Ponsle. The
agenda of the discussions includes development of tourism and
estimation of culture heritage. L.D. –0–

Azerbaijan unhappy with US visitors’ Karabakh remarks

Ekho, Baku
29 Oct 04

“I do not understand why Nagornyy Karabakh does not take part in talks
(on a settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict – author),”
Regnum news agency has quoted the leader of the Project on Transitional
Democracies and director of the NATO Committee of the US Senate,
Bruce Jackson, as saying.

Earlier this week a delegation of MPs from Europe and the USA led by
Jackson held a number of meetings during a visit to Azerbaijan.

[Passage omitted: the delegation visited Azerbaijan, Armenia and
Nagornyy Karabakh; French MP admires combat readiness and cohesion
of the Karabakh army]

“We, obviously, knew nothing about this position of the members of
the delegation,” the head of the public and political department of
the Azerbaijani Presidential Executive Staff, Ali Hasanov, has told
Ekho newspaper. He said that during the delegation’s visit to Baku
the sides had discussed the development of democracy in the region and
the whole world. In addition, the meetings focused on the settlement
of conflicts in line with international legal norms.

“But, regrettably, we have to say that these people changed their
position to a certain extent following their visits to Yerevan and
Nagornyy Karabakh,” Ali Hasanov said and added that Azerbaijan had
its own arguments with regard to “Karabakh’s non-involvement in the
settlement”. He added that Karabakh was not a party [to the conflict],
but Armenia was.

In addition, Armenia does not deny the fact of its involvement in
the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories. “The Baku-Xankandi
[Stepanakert] talks will only be possible if Armenia steps aside in
favour of Nagornyy Karabakh and recognizes that the conflict is an
internal affair between the latter and the Azerbaijani Republic and it
is up to them [to solve it], as well as withdraws its occupying troops,
stops backing the separatists on the international arena and repeals
a decision of the Armenian parliament on Karabakh’s annexation,”
Ali Hasanov said.

“Only then can we start the talks with our citizens in Nagornyy
Karabakh. But, regrettably, Azerbaijan is currently in conflict with
Armenia, but not Nagornyy Karabakh. That is why, Nagornyy Karabakh’s
involvement in the talks is inadmissible.”

At the same time, the Azerbaijani side is always ready to consider
every possible aspect which can help settle the conflict, Ali Hasanov
pointed out.

[Passage omitted: Azerbaijan may re-consider its attitude to members
of the delegation, if Jackson’s statement is not Armenians’ hoax]

Manuk Adamian: Siamanto’s nephew

Interview by Hovhannes Yeranian
Culture

Yerkir/am
October 22, 2004

The 125th birthday of the great Armenian poet Siamanto, who was killed
during the Armenian Genocide, was celebrated in 2003. The celebration
was not organized on a scale appropriate for this poetâ~@~Ys talent
and his contribution to the Armenian culture. Siamanto is not very
widely known as opposed to some other Western Armenian poets.

Meanwhile, it is obvious that he was a poet of universal value whose
poetry has not been adequately appreciated. Siamantoâ~@~Ys nephew,
French-Armenian doctor Manuk Adamian visited Yerkir. Manukian is
doing his best to popularize Siamanto â~@~Ys poetry both among the
Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora. We interviewed doctor Adamian.

MA: I was born in 1942 in Paris. My father was born in Sis. Then he
moved to Izmir, Cyprus and then to Paris. My mother was the daughter
of Siamantoâ~@~Ys sister. She had moved to France earlier. She had
three children. I started reading Siamantoâ~@~Ys poetry quite late
even though our family was saturated with memories of him.

Q: Mr. Adamian, when did you come to Armenia for the first time?

A: I visited Armenia five times during the Soviet period. After Armenia
became independent, I came here in 1993. Then I was working at an
organization called Country and Culture. Its manager, Gegham Gevorgian
is my classmate. We reconstructed the church in Gogaran village near
Spitak. Next year I came to Armenia with my children. Then in 1995
I came alone again. There is a school named after Siamanto in the
South-West district in Yerevan. I wanted to assist that school.

We organized a week of appreciation of Siamantoâ~@~Ys poetry. Students
from several schools in Yerevan participated in essay and poetry
reading competitions devoted to his poetry. Now such competitions are
organized every year. Actor Azat Gasparian chaired the evaluation
committee of the poetry reading competition. I heard him recite
Siamantoâ~@~Ys poems and had an idea of producing a CD with his poems.

So we produced a CD with 15 poems recited by Gasparian. A thirty-page
booklet was included with the CD which was prepared based on the
materials provided by the Museum of Literature and Arts.

Q: Not many people know about the CD in Armenia. How many copies of
the disc were issued?

A: 500 CDâ~@~Ys were produced and 300 were taken to the Diaspora.

Q: What events did you organize last year when Siamantoâ~@~Ys 125th
birthday anniversary was celebrated?

A: We celebrated his birthday on August 13. Later in September some
other events were organized at Siamanto School and the Writers Union
in Yerevan. I tried hard to learn and read Siamantoâ~@~Ys poem called
Revenge of Centuries. The poem ends with these words, â~@~My name
is struggle and my end is victory.â~@~]

Q: I assume you have some plans connected with your current visit
to Armenia?

A: No, this time I just came here to enjoy myself. I do not have
any specific plans. I cannot imagine myself without Armenia. I come
here at least twice a year. I felt homesick and this is why I came
to Armenia this time.

Q: I see you have a camera. Is it an amateur camera? Did you take it
to take some pictures of Armenia?

A: No, I treat photography very professionally. I respect this art
very much. I have made thousands of slides and photos that I showed in
different countries accompanied with music. My only topic is Armenia
â~@~S Echmiadzin, Salbuchinar, Oshakan, Haghartsin, Sardarapat,
Byurakan and other places. I have also shown a series of photos of
Ararat. But these photos were shown not with music but with poetry
readings of Shiraz, Isahakyan, Charents and other poets. I have a
series of photos of Yerevan at night.

Q: Mr. Manukian, donâ~@~Yt you think that itâ~@~Ys time to publish
a full collection of Siamantoâ~@~Ys poetry?

A: Yes, we are now working on publishing a full collection of his
poems.

Q: Do you know when it will be published?

A: Not yet, but I hope it will be published soon.

–Boundary_(ID_1de0LaOqQ6sThdTCV9O9ZQ)–

A NEW ARMENIAN VILLAGE CALLED GOHAR IS BEING BUILT AT THE INITIATIVE OF
“KILIKIA” COMMUNITY IN THE ENVIRONS OF ALEPPO

ARKA News Agency
27 Oct. 2004

YEREVAN, October 27. /ARKA/. A new Armenian village called Gohar is
being built at the initiative of “Kilikia” community in the environs
of Aleppo. According to RA MFA Press Service Department, according to
the project, the village will initially have 100 comfortable cottages
and modern infrastructure. The members of “Kilikia” community are
Armenians.

On October 23, the ceremony of putting the fundament of the village
took place. The Minister of Urban Development of Syria Mohammad
Nihad Mushantat, the Governor of Aleppo Usame HAmid Adi, Council
General of Armenia to Aleppo Armen Melkonyan and other officials,
representatives of clergy and the public were present at the ceremony.

Century lasting Armenian-Syrian relations were touched upon and the
importance of the role of the Armenian community in the social-economic
life of Syria was emphasized. In the end of the ceremony Council
General of Armenia planted a tree in honor of the Republic of Armenia
near the fundament of the village. A.H. –0