Author: Jabejian Elizabeth

ArmenPress
Oct 21 2004

NO DECLINE REPORTED IN JEWELRY AND GOLD-SMITH INDUSTRY

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS : Since the end of the last year
up to today, 7-8 gold companies have been founded in Armenia on
foreign capital, predominantly American, each employing 25-30 people,
Armenian trade and economic development ministry goldsmith department
head Gagik Mkrtchian told Armenpress.
In his words, the branch is not capital-intensive in terms of
investment with the major challenge to ensure floating assets for
procurement of raw gold.
“We need to promote opportunities in jewelry industry. Most of our
compatriots in US do not know that it is possible to start a
profitable business in Armenia. They believe that there are
subjective obstacles here. Meanwhile, I know hundreds of cases when
coming to Armenia they change their opinion and start their own
business here,” Mkrtchian noted.
The industry has given output worth of 86 bln 812,2 mln which
makes up 75% of the production in 2003.

Cyprus News Agency
Oct 20 2004

Cyprus and Armenian House Speakers reassure common views

by Maria Fili

Yerevan, Oct 19 (CNA) — Cyprus House of Representatives President
Demetris Christofias and Armenia’s National Assembly President Arthur
Baghdasaryan said they have reassured during their talks here the
common views Cyprus and Armenia share on issues of common interest
and full understanding of each side’s positions.

Christofias and Baghdasaryan were addressing a banquet hosted by the
latter in Christofia’s honour on the occasion of his official visit
to Armenia, at the head of a parliamentary delegation.

Baghdasaryan said relations between Cyprus and Armenia have to be
developed further, expressing certainty that with his personality and
political prestige Christofias will contribute significantly towards
this direction.

He reiterated his country’s support to Cyprus’ struggle for a
settlement to its political problem, wishing for a speedy solution.

Christofias noted the similarity of the history of the people of
Cyprus and the people of Armenia, noting that ”we are two victimized
people that through their struggle to survive have developed a high
sense of solidarity and love for the individual and of justice.”

He noted his talks in Armenia were fruitful and were a follow-up of
the talks that took place during Baghdasaryan’s visit to Cyprus.

He stressed that agreements between the two countries must bear fruit
and pledged he will make every effort in this direction.

MESSAGE

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
20 Oct 04

NKR president Arkady Ghukassian addressed the captain of the ship
`Kilikia’ and the members of the crew. The message runs, `Your voyage
is the fitting finale of your hard work of many years for restoring
the glorious traditions of navigation which seemed to have been lost
in the course of centuries. We are hopeful that the knowledge and the
precious experience restored piece by piece will help still more
enthusiasts to carry on with the undertaking the avant-garde of which
you are. Certainly your step once again displayed to the world the
cultural and historical wealth of Armenia, the talent and diligence of
its sons. The people of Artsakh know that their state flag also waves
on `CKilikia’ during its historic voyage through the `seven seas’. We
areproud of you and wish you a safe return home. I invite you to the
Republic of Nagorni Karabakh which has become the symbol of rebirth of
the spirit of the Armenian nation.’

AA.
20-10-2004

Trade & Tender Lead in Armenia

BISNIS Chemicals Sector Update
19 October 2004

Contents

BISNIS Trade & Tender Lead in Armenia

– City of Yerevan, Armenia
– Company: Oval LLC
– Industry: Chemicals (Granular polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene)
– Purchase desired immediately
– U.S. Dollar Value: $800,000-$1,000,000

Oval LLC is involved in the production of plastic items, including
disposable cups, plates, and dishes.

Brief Description: Oval LLC would like to purchase 800 tons of product
and develop a long-term distributorship.

Company Contact Information:
Oval LLC
Attn: Mr. Varuzhan Khalatyan
96 Romanos Melikyan Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (374-1) 72-00-59
Email: [email protected]

For more information, visit

These opportunities are provided solely as an informational service and
do not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Verification of these leads is the responsibility of the reader.

U.S. companies that wish to pursue these leads should directly contact
the NIS company via the contact information listed. A full listing of
BISNIS leads is available at

********** Forwarded by:
************************************************* **********
David G. Mullins, BISNIS Program Assistant for Chemicals Sector
U.S. Department of Commerce
[email protected]
Tel: 202/482-3100
Fax: 202/482-2293

Additional information on this sector in Russia and Eurasia is available
via BISNIS Online at

ARKA News Agency
Oct 14 2004

UN and Armenian Healthcare Ministry sign joint program of “Capacity
Building for struggling AIDS”

USAID marks the 10th anniversary of training programs in Armenia

Karen Chshmarityan: Armenia to focus on introduction of innovational
technologies

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

UN AND ARMENIAN HEALTHCARE MINISTRY SIGN JOINT PROGRAM OF “CAPACITY
BUILDING FOR STRUGGLING AIDS”

YEREVAN, October 14. /ARKA/. UN Population Funds, UNDO UNICEF UN AIDS
Program signed today a joint program “Capacity Building for
struggling AIDS”. The objective of the program is support to the
Republican program of treatment HIV/AIDS thru rising of awareness on
treatment of sexually transmitted infections and implementation of
efficient programs for struggling HIV/AIDS. As Armenian Healthcare
Minister Norayr Davidayan said, the first stage of the program with
the cost USD 133 thou. will start in Armenian marzes and will last
until late 2005. In his words, marzes have high rate of migration
that directly influencing on the number of HIV-infected.
In 2004 Armenia already registered 36 new cases of HIV infections.
Since 1998 to July 1, 2004 279 cases of HIV were registered in
Armenia. 287 HIV carriers were registered in the period of 1988 –
September 1 2004 ãîäà in Armenia, of which 272 are Armenian citizens;
50 people are at AIDS stage. “According to design data, there are
about 3 thou HIV carriers in Armenia.
The first HIV carrier was registered in Armenia in 1989 and in 1989
the first lethal outcome was registered. In 1990 the virus was
detected by a drug taker and in 2000 the first HIV carrier child
lethal outcome was recorded.

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

USAID MARKS THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF TRAINING PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, October 14. /ARKA/. USAID marks the 10th anniversary of
training programs in Armenia. As Karl Fickenscher, Deputy Director of
USAID told today on meeting-discussion devoted to development of
institutional capacities of Armenia “the trainings are the best
support to the country”. “Education is a considerable aspect of
practically all USAID programs”, he stressed. In words of Academy of
Education and Development (AED) President Stephen Moseley “10 years
is too little time for evaluation our activity results, but we know
that we make necessary and useful activity for Armenia”
Yerevan Office of AED was opened in 1994. During its activity, AED,
with support of USAID, organized around 970 programs participated by
around 11 thou. Armenian specialists. The main mission of AED in
Armenia is support to democratic reforms thru development of human
potential.
AED was established in 1961. AED targets at solution of social issues
thru education, social marketing, investigations, trainings and
organization f programs. T.M. –0–

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

KAREN CHSHMARITYAN: ARMENIA TO FOCUS ON INTRODUCTION OF INNOVATIONAL
TECHNOLOGIES

YEREVAN, October 14. /ARKA/. Armenia plans to focus on introduction
of innovational technologies, as stated Karen Chshmarityan, the RA
Minister of Trade and Economic Development speaking at the
International Armenian Economic Forum. According to him, in recent
years the annual growth of production pace makes 15-20% despite some
decrease of IT sphere in the world. At that, more than 200 companies
functioned in IT sphere in 2003, every third company having foreign
assets in the capital. He also note that the production of the sphere
makes amounts to $50 mln per annum which makes 2% of GDP. 85-90%
production is subject to export. “Taking into account the current
development of the branch, in the near future we plan to focus on
introduction of innovation technologies, transfer of technologies and
liquidation of technological defects”, said Chshmarityan. L.V. –0–

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

Iraq’s shrinking Christian minority struggles to survive

Agence France Presse — English
October 16, 2004 Saturday 4:44 PM GMT

BAGHDAD Oct 16 — The coordinated attacks on five Baghdad churches
Saturday sent tremors through Iraq’s small Christian community, which
finds itself being set adrift amid a tide of rising Islamic extremism.

The dawn attacks across Baghdad caused no casualties but were the
latest assault on Iraq’s ethnic mosaic as insurgents seek to sow
dissension among Iraq’s Muslim majority and dwindling Christian
community.

Five explosions in the span of an hour was one more blow to an
embattled minority that was shrinking even before the recent spate
of attacks.

The community stood at 1.4 million people according to a 1987 census
but has since shrivelled to 700,000 during a turbulent period of war
and years of crippling sanctions.

“The attackers have one goal: sowing strife in the heart of Iraqi
society. But they will not destroy our unity,” said Yunadam Kanna,
a Christian representative in Iraq’s interim parliament.

“Churches are easy targets because they are places of worship open
to all.””

Iraq’s Christian community, numbering just three percent of Iraq’s
25 million population, has been heavily targeted in the unrest that
has swept Iraq following last year’s US-led invasion and some have
picked up and left.

At the start of August, four attacks against Christian targets in
Baghdad and two others in Mosul left 10 people dead and 50 injured in
what the government said was the work of suspected al-Qaeda operative
Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi.

Liquor stores, owned by Christians, have been blown up by Islamic
militants. And Christian families, many considered wealthy by Iraqi
standards, have been targeted by kidnappers for huge ransoms.

Following the August bombings, Iraq’s Displacement and Migration
Minister Pascale Icho Warda, herself a Christian, said 40,000
Christians had left Iraq.

Shocked by the latest outbreak of violence, the patriarch of the
Chaldean Church, Monsignor Emmanuel Delly, said: “If the government
is powerless, what can we do.

“We call on them (attackers) not to touch the holy sites.”

Iraq’s provisional constitution, signed in March, guarantees freedom
for all religions, but it has not assuaged the anxieties of the
small community amid the torrent of violence and identity politics
sweeping Iraq.

The 1970 constitution adopted under the old regime also guaranteed
freedom of religion and prohibited any religious discrimination.

It also acknowledged that the people of Iraq consisted of “two
principal nationalities,” Arab and Kurd, and “other nationalities”
whose rights were considered legitimate.

In December 1972, the head of the ruling Baath Party identified these
by decree as the Assyrians, Chaldeans and Syriacs.

The Chaldeans, whose 600,000 people represent the majority of
Christians in Iraq, are an oriental rite Catholic community.

Their church emerged from the Nestorian doctrine, which it renounced
in the 16th century while preserving its rites. Former deputy prime
minister Tareq Aziz, currently in US custody, is the best known of
the Chaldeans.

The Assyrians, believed to number about 50,000, are Christians who
remained faithful to the Nestorian doctrine.

The Nestorian church became a dissident movement in 431 AD after
the Council of Ephesus. They affirm that Christ has two separate
personalities — namely human and divine — and not a single
personality possessing both human and divine nature as Roman
Catholicism and Orthodoxy believe.

In Iraq, there are also Catholic and Orthodox Syriacs, Catholic and
Orthodox Armenians, and since the time of the British mandate after
World War I, Protestants, Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

Many Iraqi Christians still speak Aramaic-Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic,
the language of Christ. During the 1970s, bilingual cultural magazines
in Arabic and Syriac were published and radio and television programmes
were transmitted in Aramaic.

In the northern region of Kurdistan, Christians number about 150,000,
mostly Chaldeans.

Since the fall of former president Saddam Hussein’s secular regime,
many of Iraq’s Christians have kept a lower profile for fear of being
equated with the largely Christian US-led forces in the country.

Armenian premier denies possible deal on Karabakh and power crisis rumours

Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
14 Oct 04

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan has denied in a newspaper
interview any plans to return three or four regions to Azerbaijan in
return for concessions on Karabakh. He also denied that parliament
was paralysed because the ruling coalition had not held any sessions
for several months; on this score he said “if there are problems,
they can be settled even in a telephone conversation”. The following
in an excerpt from of Naira Zograbyan’s report in Armenian newspaper
Aykakan Zhamanak on 14 October headlined “There is no crisis within
the coalition”. Subheadings have been inserted editorially:

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan answered journalists’
questions yesterday [13 October].

Karabakh

[Aykakan Zhamanak, correspondent] There have been rumours of certain
arrangements in connection with the Karabakh issue, and especially of
the return of three occupied regions bordering Iran. As the Armenian
prime minister, how aware are you of the recent developments around
the Karabakh issue?

[Andranik Markaryan] As you know the negotiations are being conducted
in the format of co-chairmen and two presidents, and the presidents
met in Astana recently. No serious proposals have yet been submitted
to the Armenian party for consideration. All these rumours about the
return of three or four regions are simply suppositions; there are no
such documents and none of the parties involved in the negotiations
officially made such a proposal.

As for the position of the Republican Party of Armenia, we have
repeatedly said that if we have to return something, we certainly need
to know why we gave it away. The price of the return will be the four
preconditions we have talked about many times: Karabakh must never
be within Azerbaijan; the security of Armenia and Karabakh must be
ensured; as a result of the negotiations Armenia must not yield even
an inch of its land; and Armenia and Karabakh should have a common
land border.

[Passage omitted: Republican Party opposes stage-by-stage settlement
in Karabakh]

No confrontation between president and defence minister

[Correspondent] Rumours are circulating about possible personnel
changes in the government. In particular they say that there is a
confrontation between the president and [Defence Minister] Serzh
Sarkisyan which will result in the defence minister’s dismissal. If
this happens, do you not think that the entire government will be
dismissed as a result?

[Markaryan] I do not want to make any conclusions on the basis of
an analysis made by a newspaper. I am sure there is no confrontation
between the president and Serzh Sarkisyan. As for personnel changes,
I always give the following answer: you will know when it happens.

No paralysis in parliament

[Correspondent] Mr Prime Minister, parliament is almost paralysed, the
[ruling] coalition has not held sittings for several months. Everything
testifies to a power crisis. Do you not think that the existing
situation is a result of illegal and rigged elections?

[Markaryan] If the National Assembly has exhausted its agenda in
one or two sittings, I would not say this is the result of bad work
by the parliament. Another problem is that the deputies should be
present at parliamentary sittings and this problem was discussed in
the Republican Party. But this disease is characteristic not only
of the current parliament but also of all the previous ones. So I do
not think that parliament is paralysed.

As for the fact that the coalition does not hold sittings, not
every meeting of the coalition member-parties should be called
a sitting. If there are problems, they can be settled even in a
telephone conversation. So it does not follow from your observations
that there is a power crisis. Of course, if the opposition took part in
the work of parliament, such an impression would not be created. But
even if they do not, it does not mean that there is a crisis within
the ruling powers.

[Passage omitted: Armenia rejects Russian proposal to deliver goods
via Ossetia for security reasons]

Poraz ‘repulsed’ by cases of Jews spitting on Christians
By Relly Sa’ar, Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies

Ha’aretz, Israel
Oct 13 2004

Interior Minister Avraham Poraz issued a strongly worded statement
Tuesday against incidents of Jews spitting at Christian clergy in
Jerusalem, saying he was “repulsed” by the repeated attacks.”

Poraz was referring to the most recent case of such behavior, when a
yeshiva student spat at a cross carried by Armenian archbishop
Nourhan Manougian in a procession on Sunday, police said. A fistfight
broke out, during which the archbishop’s medallion, worn by Armenian
archbishops since the 17th century, was damaged, and the archbishop
slapped the yeshiva student. The student was arrested, and the
Jerusalem District Court subsequently banned him from approaching the
Old City for 75 days. The archbishop was questioned by police.

Police spokesman Gil Kleiman said that the last such case handled by
police was more than two years ago, but Christian clergy complain of
frequent harassment.

Poraz called such behavior by ultra-Orthodox Jewish students
“intolerable,” and asked Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra to
“take all the necessary steps to prevent these incidents in the
future.” Poraz also expressed his dismay to the heads of the churches
in Israel and noted “Israel’s commitment to freedom of religion.”

Armenian officials charged that Israeli authorities were not doing
enough.

“When there is an attack against Jews anywhere in the world, the
Israeli government is incensed, so why when our religion and pride
are hurt, don’t they take harsher measures?” Archbishop Nourhan
Manougian told Haaretz.

CZECHS READY TO CASH IN ON DUTCH SLIP

sportinglife.com, UK
Oct 13 2004

The honeymoon period is over for Holland coach Marco van Basten
with the realities of international management really hitting home
on Saturday.

Holland were held to a shock 2-2 draw against FYR Macedonia, throwing
open a group which the Dutch appeared to be controlling following
their defeat of the Czech Republic.

The weekend disappointment means Van Basten’s men must pick up three
points from their home clash with Finland in Amsterdam on Wednesday
night.

Holland do have a few selection worries, though.

Defender Khalid Boulahrouz is suspended, leaving Van Basten with a
space to fill.

His first choice was Mario Melchiot but the Birmingham defender
declared himself not fit enough to play due to an illness.

Theo Lucius was then given the call and the PSV Eindhoven defender
may be thrust straight into the line-up as Wilfred Bouma is struggling
with a shin problem.

Finland arrive in good heart following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat of
Armenia in Tampere.

The Finns, who have nine points, currently lead the section on goal
difference from Romania although Holland and the Czech Republic –
who both have three points but have played two games less – are still
expected to come through.

The Czech’s next test is against Armenia in Yerevan.

The visitors will be without Milan Baros but Jan Koller is determined
the Liverpool striker’s absence will not prove decisive.

Baros picked up a yellow card in Saturday’s win over Romania – a game
in which Koller scored the only goal – and will sit out the match
due to suspension.

“It is true that we will miss Milan Baros in attack but his role
will be taken by somebody else and we still have a strong team,”
Koller told PA International.

“The responsibility for scoring goals will not be just on me, but on
all the players.

“It is not important who scores but important that we win. In Armenia
we have to follow up the victory on Saturday.”

Holland’s failure to beat Macedonia has given the Czech Republic
renewed hope, as Koller acknowledges.

The Borussia Dortmund star added: “Holland’s draw in Macedonia proved
that the favourites will have to work hard to beat the other opponents
who are capable of playing equal matches.

“But we have won an extremely important three points against unpleasant
opponents (Romania) and erased the loss from the opening qualifier.”

Koller admits, though, that the game against Armenia will test the
Czech Republic’s resolve.

“I expect a typical away match on Wednesday,” he said.

“The home side will start with resolute defending, waiting for
counter-attacks.

“It would be great to score an early goal that would force them to
leave the defensive formation.”

The visitors are likely to be without Ajax defender Zdenek Grygera
but Spartak Moscow’s Martin Jiranek could deputise after proving
his fitness.

In attack, coach Karel Bruckner has called up Sparta Prague youngster
Tomas Jun to replace Baros.

“Although he is not capable of doing the same amount of work as
Baros, Jun has the ability to find the right position in the box.
That is why he scores so many goals,” Bruckner said.

Armenia’s French coach Bernard Casoni will be without first-choice
goalkeeper Roman Berezovskij but midfielder Albert Sarkisjan is
available after completing a one-match ban.

Wednesday’s other game in Group One sees Macedonia visit Andorra
hoping to build on Saturday’s shock draw with the Dutch.

AGBU IS GOING TO IMPLEMENT NEW BENEVOLENT PROGRAMS IN ARTSAKH

STEPANAKERT, October 11 (Noyan Tapan). Representatives of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) paid a visit to Artsakh on
October 8 with the purpose of reaching concrete agreements on the
implementation of benevolent programs there. According to the Head
Information Department attached to the NKR President, the guests
visited Gandzasar historical-architectural memorial complex, as well
as the Hadrut region to get acquainted with the work carried out in
the village of Norshen established there with the support of AGBU. On
October 9, the group departed to Yerevan from Stepanakert.