Author: Chakrian Hovsep

Russia ranking third in CIS rated on inflation

RBC, 09.08.2005, Moscow 19:44:51.

In the 1st half-year of 2005, Russia ranked third rated on its
inflation rate (13.4 percent) in the CIS compared to the 1st half-year
of 2004, the CIS statistics committee has reported.

According to the committee, in the 1st half-year of 2005,the
highest inflation rate in the CIS was reported from Ukraine (14.1
percent), while Armenia boasted of the lowest inflation rate (2.3
percent). In Azerbaijan, inflation stood at 13.5 percent, in Moldova
at 13.3 percent, in Belarus at 11.5 percent, in Georgia at 9.4
percent, in Kazakhstan at 7.3 percent, in Tajikistan at 7.1 percent,
and in Kyrgyzstan at 4.5 percent. The average CIS inflation rate
amounted to 13 percent.

This said, in June 2005, Russia shared the first place with
Ukraine for inflation (0.6 percent from May 2005), while in most CIS
states, except for Kazakhstan (0.4 percent), Tajikistan (0.3 percent)
and Belarus (0.2 percent), deflation was registered in June 2005
compared with May 2005. No data are available for inflation in
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

European bank buys 35 per cent of Armenian company shares

Arminfo
3 Aug 05

Yerevan, 3 August: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
[EBRD] has purchased 35 per cent of the shares in Cascade Insurance &
Reinsurance Company. A relevant contract was signed today in Yerevan by
the executive director of the insurance company (IC), Levon Mamikonyan;
the deputy executive director of Cascade Capital Holdings, Jonathan
Stark; and the director for financial institutions of the EBRD,
Kurt Geiger.

According to Mamikonyan, with the conclusion of the contract, the
EBRD receives additional issue of shares for 88.4m drams (200,000
dollars). Thus, the authorized capital of the IC reaches 252.5m
drams (500,000 dollars) as against the previous 164.1m drams. As
to the authorized capital, Cascade Insurance & Reinsurance Company
leads 20 operating insurance companies in Armenia. In response to
the questions of Arminfo about the possibility of introducing new
insurance products, Mamikonyan said the development of life insurance
market was for special importance to the company.

Mamikonyan says at present insurance companies offer 67 types of
insurance, but medical insurance and life insurance are not developed
enough. In his words, the development of insurance market in Armenia
requires two conditions: the further development of the legal field
of the insurance sphere and the introduction of several compulsory
types of insurance. In this connection, he pointed out the active
work of the insurance department of the Armenian Ministry of Finance
and Economy, which carried out as much work during the last year as
in the previous seven to eight years. In turn, Kurt Geiger said the
contract would contribute to the development of insurance market and
financial stability of insurance company.

[Passage omitted: background info]

ARMENIA’S CUT DIAMOND PRODUCTION DROP 1.5% IN H1

August 01, 2005

Tacy Ltd., Israel
Aug 1 2005

Armenia cut diamond production totaled US$136.3 million in the first
half of 2005, a decrease of 1.5 percent as compared to the parallel
period last year, says Gagik Mkrtchian, the Trade and Economic
Development Ministry’s official in charge of gemstones and jewelry.

Mkrtchian said that diamond sales rose by 0.5 percent to US$136.4
million, while diamond exports rose by 1.1 percent to US$136 million.

Armenia cut diamond production fell by 20 percent in 2004 and sales
fell by 19.8 percent. The drop in production and sales was attributed
to the dollar’s devaluation against the Armenian dram in that year.

Russia starts withdrawal of military bases from Georgia

TBLISI, July 30 (RIA Novosti) – The first convoy of vehicles carrying
Russian military equipment has left a base in Batumi (Adzharia), and
is moving towards the Russian-Georgian border. Nine trucks and two
accompanying cars left the base early Saturday morning.

The convoy should arrive at Mtskhet (80 km from Tblisi) by evening. On
Saturday night, the convoy will pass through the Tskhinvaly Region and
the Rok tunnel, which links North (Russian) and South Ossetia,
crossing the Georgian-Russian border.

Security for the Russian military convoy is being provided by the
Georgian Defense Ministry and Georgian Internal Affairs Ministry
patrol police.

The Russian military equipment is being taken out of the country as
part of an agreement signed on May 30 of this year between the heads
of the Russian and Georgian foreign ministries on removing two Russian
bases (the second one is in Akhalkalaki near the Armenian border) from
Georgia by 2008.

HARVEST OF CEREALS

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
27 July 05

Although the harvest of cereals is still going on, the existing data
already give an idea about the results. Unfortunately, this year the
total yield of grain is lower than in the previous year. In 2004 the
average crop yield per hectare was 15900 kg (by July 18) whereas this
year the average yield in the republic is 13700 kg per ha (86.1 per
cent). But this decrease is not the same for the entire territory of the
republic. For example, the crop yield has decreased in the regions of
Askeran, Martakert, Martuni and Shushi since 2004, whereas in Kashatagh
and Hadrut it surpassed the indices of the previous year. In Kashatagh
it almost doubled, totaling 12300 kg per hectare against 6400 kg per
hectare in 2004. In 2005 the area under crop increased from 56336.5 to
60670.5 ha. This tendency cannot be applied to all the regions. In fact,
in Martakert the area under crop almost doubled, whereas in Kashatagh it
was reduced from 16246 to 9150 ha. The increase of the area under crop
necessitates the effective organization of harvesting. By July 18
55282.6 tonnes of grain was collected from 40294.6 ha against the
53982.8 tonnes from 33873 ha in the previous year (the figures were
provided by the NKR Ministry of Agriculture). These numbers give some
idea about the harvest of grain this year. For more details we talked to
the chief of the department for development and planning of branches of
agriculture of the NKR Ministry of Agriculture Hayk Lalayan. AA: `Mr.
Lalayan, the yield of arable crops in 2005 has decreased since the
previous year. What is the reason for this?’ H.L.: `The crop yield is,
in fact, rather law this year. The main cause is the weather. Dry
weather in the season when the crops need water caused a lot of damage;
this is the main cause of low yield. We should not forget that the
majority of arable lands are not irrigated, and favourable weather is a
very important condition. Nevertheless, the collected amount will be
enough for the needs of the NKR population and, besides, a considerable
amount of wheat will be exported.’ AA: `Today both the producers and
buyers are especially interested in the problems related to the price
for grain.’ H.L.: `First of all it should be noted that the price is
determined by the market, by the well known correlation of supply and
demand. But we should also take into account another circumstance. Here
the prices usually correspond to the prices of the Armenian market. As
for grain, this year a considerable amount of wheat was bought at a low
price from Russia (let us leave aside the quality now). It follows that
Armenia satisfied its demand on the Russian market. This causes the
price for bread to drop. The same happened last year. Let’s look back.
In 2003 the price for 1 kg of wheat increased from 80 to 170 AM drams
then dropped to 120 AM drams. In 2004 it was around 70. Moreover, if the
price is 70 drams in Armenia, the middlemen in NKR may try to buy grain
at even a lower price.’ AA: `Mr. Lalayan, successful harvest greatly
depends on the agricultural machinery. Is there lack of machinery and
may this result in damages to the harvest?’ H.L.: `About 280 combines
work in the fields, which, I think, is enough. Especially that the
harvest of grain does not take place simultaneously in different regions
of NKR because of climate. Part of the combines was brought from Armenia
but this does not make any difference. As to the fee for the machinery,
it is not controlled specially. The owner of the combine decides the
price for himself taking into account the market.’ AA: `You mentioned
that the crop yield suffered from the lack of rain. What about the
damage of hails?’ H.L.: `Certainly, considerable damage was inflicted by
hails. But hails do not damage all the area at once but several hectares
in one place or another. This year, thanks God, it did not happen that
hails damage all the fields of one region. This year hails damaged about
2545 ha of grain.’ AA: `Every year arable crops are destroyed by fires.
What action is taken to prevent this?’ H.L.: `There are fire brigades in
each regions, which are provided with the necessary means by the
government. So far they have done their job well and prevented great
damage. However, fires also damage the crops partly. The exact
evaluation of the damages of fire will be made after the harvest.’ AA:
`But we should not forget that behind these dry figures there are
families whose one or two hectares were also in those `partly damaged’.
Are there any subsidies for them?’ H.L.: `We do not have a complete
picture of the damage yet. But after the harvest the data will be summed
up and extended to the government of NKR which will decide the order and
size of support.’

NORAYR HOVSEPIAN.
27-07-2005

RIA Novosti, Russia
July 28 2005

Spokesman calls detention of Russian convoy on Georgian-Armenian
border misunderstanding

TBILISI, July 28 (RIA Novosti, Marina Kvaratskhelia) – The detention
of Russian military hardware at the Georgian-Armenian border was pure
misunderstanding, said Vladimir Kuparadze, the official spokesman for
Russian forces in Transcaucasia.

“The senior officer forgot the necessary papers,” he said. “The
convoy will continue moving as soon as these papers are delivered.”

Georgian border guards stopped a convoy of Russian military hardware
on the Armenian border Thursday.

The state borders department of the Georgian Interior Ministry said
the convoy, comprising four trucks and four armored vehicles, was
heading from Akhalkalaki (Georgia) to Armenia.

On inspection, Georgian border guards found five PKT machine guns and
five signaling pistols and detained the convoy, which lacked the
required documents.

Lraper Church Bulletin 26/07/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
<;

OPENING CEREMONIES FOR THE KINALI ISLAND CAMP

Photos: ;NewsCode=N000000767&Lang=ENG

On Sunday, 17 July 2005, His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of
Istanbul and All Turkey, presided over the opening ceremonies of the
Karagozyan Children’s Summer Camp on Kinali Island, run by the Alumni
Association of the Karagozyan Orphanage.

Father Tatul Anusyan officiated at the Divine Liturgy at the St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church on Kinali Island, while sacred music was provided
by the S. Vartanants Choir of the Ferikoy Church.

Before the Lord’s Prayer, His Beatitude the Patriarch preached on 1
Corinthians 6:19:

“Your body, you know, is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you
since you received him from God. You are not your own property.”

His Beatitude the Patriarch touched on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity
and spoke on the influential role of the Holy Spirit in the salvation of
our souls.

He said, “We receive the Holy Spirit with baptism and confirmation. Our
bodies are dedicated to God with the annointment of the Holy Myron,
signifying the Holy Spirit. Our bodies truly become temples of the Holy
Spirit with annointing, the reading or hearing of God’s word, and the
sharing of the holy and life-giving Body and Blood of Christ. Thus the
body of the believer is holy.

“Marriage through union with the life of another believer is also holy.
The believer should live within this reality and take care to keep away
from corrupt relationships that pollute the body. Every sort of sexual
relationship other than marriage cannot be accepted by the standards of
the Holy Book and are unclean.

“Even the dead body is considered holy by the Church and is therefore
buried with care and with faith. Cemeteries are therefore sacred places
and considered to be outdoor churches. Respect should be shown to them,
and one should behave there the same way as in the church.

“Unfortunately some unaware and ignorant people are seen eating and
drinking in cemeteries, which is disturbing. At the conclusion of
religious ceremonies in cemeteries, our local tradition calls for the
distribution of some ‘helva’, and that is sufficient.

“Some people engage in beautiful and constructive traditions such as
ditributing food to needy students and families, or to an orphanage in
memory of the departed, which suits our religion.”

On the occasion of the opening of the Karagozyan Summer Camp, His
Beatitude the Patriarch recalled with love the memory of the late
Patriarchs Karekin Khacaduryan and Sinorhk Kalustyan. They did
everything they could to develop this venture and keep it open.
Patriarch Mesrob said that just as the late patriarchs believed in the
need for this institution, we should do the same and contribute to it
from our material and spiritual resources.

The Patriarch welcomed the presence Rev. Gerhard Duncker, the former
pastor of the German Evangelical Church of Istanbul, who was present to
show his own church’s material and spiritual support.

The Patriarch also announced with joy that on 28 July four new religious
officials will be consecrated.

In the prayers of intercession after the Divine Liturgy, the benefactors
of the Kinali Island Summer Camp, the founder of the old camp at
Boyacikoy, the late Patriarch Karekin I Khacaduryan, and the founder of
the Kinali Island Camp, the late Patriarch Sinorhk Kalustyan were
remembered.

After the ceremonies there was a fellowship meal held in the Krikor
Cambazyan playground of the Kinali Island Summer Camp. In addition to
the Patriarch, also present were Rev. Gerhard Duncker; Father Tatul
Anusyan; Sister Hripsime Sasunyan; Governor of the Princes’ Islands,
Mevlut Kurgan; Mayor of the Princes’ Islands, Coskun Ozden; Assistant
Mayor of Sisli, Vazken Barin; Head of the Executive Board of the
Karagozyan Orphanage, Dikran Gulmezgil and spouse; benefactors; and
school and parish officials.

Speaking for the camp administration were Sevan Cavusyan, the
chairperson of the camp’s executive board, and Talin Nayir, camp
director. Everyone then watched with pleasure a show prepared by the
children of the camp. A favourite singer, Bartev, also livened up the
day with songs.

The sub-governor of the Princes’ Islands, Mevlut Kurban, spoke and
congratulated the Karagozyan Summer Camp on its 40th anniversary. He
said he would do what he could as an administrator for education and
praised the support of the community in social service.

Rev. Gerhard Duncker, representative of the German Evangelical Church in
Westphalia, also spoke. He talked about education for children. In
offering His Beatitude the Patriarch a cheque for 25,000 Euros from his
church’s budget as a contribution to the camp’s expenses, Rev. Duncker
hoped it would also be accepted as a contribution to ecumenical
relations.

In his closing speech, Patriarch Mesrob praised the camp administration
for its efforts to embrace the coming generation and raise it well. He
wished them success in their endeavours. The Patriarch then mentioned he
was upset about the unworthy and disreputable public conflicts that have
recently occurred on Kinali Island between groups of youth. He called on
young people to be well-mannered, kind-hearted, balanced, and honourable
members of their families and community.

The meal concluded with everyone saying together the Lord’s Prayer.

27% OF RUSSIA’S POPULATION RECOGNIZES ROBERT KOCHARIAN

Azg/arm
26 July 05

The Russian mass media made public the results of a recent public
opinion poll in the country. According to Radio Liberty, the most
recognizable presidents of CIS states are the heads of Ukraine and
Byelorussia. 85 percent of Russian citizens knows Alexander Lukashenko
and 76 percent recognized Victor Yushenko. Most renowned South
Caucasian president in Russia is Azeri President Ilham Aliyev with 54
percent in his favor. 47 percent of respondents recognized President
Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia. Armenian President Robert Kocharian
was recognized by only 27 percent of Russians.

CERTIFICATES ON BUYING APARTMENTS GIVEN TO 40 REFUGEE FAMILIES IN
ARARAT REGION

YEREVAN, JULY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. On July 22, 40 refugee families of
Ararat region were given certificates on buying apartments. According
to Aram Haroutiunian, RA Minister of Urban Development, this year
nearly 200 refugee families of the region will be given certificates
on buying apartments with the financing of RA state budget. The
certificates enable to buy an apartment within 3 months and this term
can be prolonged by 3 months in accordance with citizens’ applications.
The prices submitted by the state land-survey were taken into account
while setting the value of the certificates, in particular, in
separate communities of the region a sum of 1.6 mln drams (nearly 3.6
thousand dollars) is given for buying a 1-room apartment. According to
official data, in total 2 bln 356 mln drams (nearly 5 mln 235 thousand
dollars) were allocated this year from the state budget for the
purpose of solving the dwelling problem of refugee families, as well
as those who remained homeless after the 1988 earthquake. 1 bln 350
mln drams of this sum were allocated for the purpose of giving
certificates on buying apartments to 760 refugee families. Nearly 250
certificates on buying apartments have been given up to this day.

Pravda, Russia
July 21 2005

Pogroms are no problem for NATO
07/21/2005 11:30

The Georgian authorities would rather see NATO peacekeeping force
deployed in the conflict areas

The event that took place in Georgia last Sunday is seemingly
insignificant, yet it poses a serious threat to the Transcaucasian
republic. Residents of the town of Akhalkalaki devastated a local
school building. The incident per se is quite an extraordinary one.
Bearing in mind that the school destroyed by the Armenians was for
the Georgian children, the incident looks even more sinister. The
Armenians constitute a larger part of the population of Georgia’s
Samtskhe Zhavakhet region, Akhalkalaki is a regional capital.

Aside from wreaking havoc on the school building, a group of local
residents beat up students of the Akhalkalaki branch of Tbilisi
University. The students were cleaning up one of the derelict
churches in the village of Samsar, RIA Novosti reports citing local
administration.

There is a different version of the incident. The church in Samsar is
Armenian. The students were reportedly making it “more Georgian by
erasing distinctive inscriptions and making the new ones,” Regnum
reports. According to the news agency, the cleanup is just a
disguise. The insulting attitude of the young Georgians infuriated
the local Armenians and they stood up for the church, Regnum reports
citing a local resident.

Georgian prosecutors opened an investigation into the incident
involving criminal actions stipulated in the clause “religious
intolerance.”

It is noteworthy that many experts consider the above region of
Georgia as potentially explosive. Armenians are one of the largest
minority groups in Georgia. The majority of them reside in Samtskhe
Zhavakhet region bordering on Armenia.

The Russian military base is located in the town of Akhalkalaki. The
withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment has already started. By
the bye, the Russian military base had created many jobs for the
local population. Nobody knows for sure what is going to happen to
local workers when the pullout is completed. Tbilisi officials
promise to resolve the upcoming problems related to employment of the
local population. It is unclear how the Georgian leadership is going
to keep the promise. There are no impressive economic achievements
the Georgian authorities can boast about these days.

There are more questions than answers pertaining to the region.
Neither the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili nor his team made
any particular progress in terms of the national issues, especially
those related to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Georgian government
keeps gushing about the settlement of relations with two breakaway
republics. However, both Sukhumi and Tskhinvali are very suspicious
of any statement on the territorial integrity restoration coming from
Tbilisi no matter how innocuous it may look.

Anyway, people in the Georgian capital seem to get used to the
situation, at least to some extent. By all appearances, the Georgian
government’s proposals are designed more for the United States than
for the authorities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Needless to say,
Washington shows its full support and appreciation for the proposals.
The U.S. administration is even ready to facilitate Georgia’s
integration into NATO. During the state visit to the U.S. in early
July, Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burdzhanadze said that the
conflicts in Georgia should not impede its integration into the
Alliance. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice agreed to the
point of view. Agreeing on the issue does not mean that Georgia will
become a full-fledged member state of NATO. However, it clearly
indicates that Washington pledges its support to the Georgian
authorities whose true intentions look obvious. The Georgian
authorities would rather see NATO peacekeeping force deployed in the
conflict areas. The Russian peacekeepers are not welcome.