Author: Kanayan Tamar

AZERTAG

March 14, 2005

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF TURKEY
[March 14, 2005, 17:37:55]

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation
of Turkey led by the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Ahmet
Uzumchu, March 14.

The Head of State said the friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan-Turkey
relations are developing in all fields, and recalling with satisfaction his
official visits to Turkey, highly appreciated the regular political
consultations between the two countries.

Noting the high standard of cooperation in the framework of international
organization, President Ilham Aliyev described the involvement of both
countries in the world-scale energy projects as very significant factor.

Touching upon the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over
Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijani leader advised the talks now taking place
in the framework of the Prague process are held at foreign ministers level.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope these talks would contribute to the
conflict’s resolution, and stressed the importance of more attention to the
problem from the international organization.

Mr. Ahmet Uzumchu first conveyed to the Azerbaijani President sincere
greetings from President of Turkey Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The guest confirmed that friendly and fraternal
relationship between Azerbaijan and Turkey is successfully developing in
political, economic, military and other spheres. As for the negotiations on
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he noted that Turkey
regularly holds political consultations with the Foreign Ministry of
Azerbaijan towards peaceful solution to the problem.

El Pais, España
viernes, la 11 de marcha de 2005

Kasparov anuncia su retirada definitiva

LEONTXO GARCIA

Linares

El ruso Gari Kasparov, numero uno del mundo, anuncio ayer en Linares
(Jaen) que abandonaba definitivamente el ajedrez de competicion.
Kasparov, con sonrisa triste y un rostro entre alegre y preocupado,
dijo que la enorme presion que tiene en estos ultimos anos le han
hecho tomar esta decision. “Jugare al ajedrez, porque me gusta mucho,
pero no en plan profesional. Podre participar en simultaneas o en
partidas rapidas pero nada mas”, dijo con aire compungido. El ruso,
que cumplira 42 anos el proximo 13 de abril, anadio que los problemas
de los ultimos anos se han ido agravando y se quejo de que en
Federacion Internacional de Ajedrez (FIDE) nadie le haya apoyado.

De hacer efectivo su anuncio, su ultima partida habria sido una
derrota, la que cosecho ayer contra el bulgaro Topalov en la ultima
jornada del torneo andaluz.

Hijo de padre judio y madre armenia, se inicio en la practica del
ajedrez a los seis anos. A los trece se convirtio en campeon
sovietico juvenil y a los dieciseis se adjudico su primer torneo
internacional.

Su imparable progresion en el mundo del ajedrez se debio, en buena
medida, a los cuidados de Mijail Botvinnik, antiguo campeon mundial,
en cuya escuela estudio entre 1973 y 1978. A partir de esta ultima
fecha se puso a las ordenes de Aleksandr Nitkin. Maestro
internacional desde 1980, en 1985 se convirtio en el campeon del
mundo mas joven de la historia al derrotar a su compatriota Anatoli
Karpov. En 1996 vencio al potente ordenador Deep Blue.

–Boundary_(ID_fNqAXUcqbL4eFE4D9DZ10g)–

PanArmenian News
March 11 2005

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ADVISED NOT TO MAKE FAR-REACHING CONCLUSIONS FROM
DIFFERENT REPORTS OR STATEMENTS ON KARABAKH

11.03.2005 06:55

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Presently Armenia has no reasons for anxiety over
the Karabakh conflict settlement process, Armenian President Robert
Kocharian said. In his words, the admitted format of international
mediators formed to settle the conflict does its work. The President
also advised not to make far-reaching conclusions from different
reports or statements on Karabakh.

Council of Europe

March 9 2005

Venice Commission discusses Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia,
Italy and Serbia

/noticias.info/ Strasbourg, 10 March 2005 ~V The constitutional
situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the powers of the High
Representative, judicial reform in Georgia and the status of South
Ossetia, media freedom in Italy – these are among the items on the
agenda of the plenary session of the Council of Europe~Rs Venice
Commission which will take place on 11 and 12 March in Venice, in the
Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista.

The efficiency and rationality of current constitutional arrangements
in Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting from the Dayton Peace Agreement,
are the subject of a comprehensive document to be adopted by the
Commission. This opinion will outline major changes required if the
country wants to make further progress, and examine whether the
present practice of decisions by the High Representative is
compatible with European standards. A further opinion on Bosnia and
Herzegovina concerns the responsibility of the United Nations for the
dismissal of former police officers.

The Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia, Mr Konstantin
Vardzelashvili, will inform the Commission on further developments on
the status of South Ossetia, following the recent visit of the
Commission to Georgia. In addition, the Commission will adopt its
opinion on the latest draft constitutional amendments relating to the
reform of the judiciary in Georgia.

The laws on the conflict of interest and on principles governing the
broadcasting system of Italy and the draft law on religious
organisations of Serbia are also on the agenda of the 62nd plenary of
the Venice Commission. It will also express its opinion on the law on
public meetings and on draft amendments to the electoral code of
Armenia.

Georgia’s foreign debts show signs of growth
By M. Alkhazashvili

The Messenger, Georgia
March 11 2005

In 2005 Georgia will again receive credits from the World Bank, from
the government of Germany and from the Japanese Development Bank. As
a result of this Georgia’s foreign debt will increase by USD 487
million and by the end of the year it will total USD 2.335 billion.
Georgia currently has debts to large financing institutions as well
as 15 states, and debt repayment remains a serious outlay for the
country.

According to Finance Ministry data, as reported in the newspaper 24
Saati, Georgia’s foreign debt by the end of 2004 was USD 1.857
billion. Of this, USD 1.68 billion is owed to international
organizations such as the World Bank, European alliances, the
International Agricultural Development Fund and the International
Monetary Fund. The biggest creditor is the World Bank with USD 677.61
million. The total debt to foreign governments totals USD 693.22
million, of which more than USD 157 million is owed to Turkmenistan.

Servicing debts is a major problem for the Georgian budget, while
repaying them is even more so. In recent years despite the chronic
budget deficit, fulfilling debt obligations remained a top priority.
In 2004 Georgia allotted approximately GEL 199 million to cover
foreign debts, GEL 150.441 million of which was allotted for
repayment and GEL 48.502 million to pay off interest.

This year GEL 217.38 million has been allotted for servicing foreign
debts (GEL 119.053 million – principal and GEL 43.85 million –
interest). The Finance Ministry hopes that if the revenues planned
from privatization are doubled, an additional GEL 39 million will be
allotted for foreign debts servicing.

The biggest debt that Georgia had was to Turkmenistan – approximately
USD 400 million. Turkmenistan did not permit the re-organization of
this debt, but did allow Georgia to repay in the form of goods and
services. This process began in 1998 and the debt now stands at USD
157 million. It was recently announced that Georgia is holding
negotiations with Russia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan regarding debt
repayment in a similar manner.

The newspaper 24 Saati speaks to economist Niko Orvelashvili who says
much of the money credited to Georgia was actually spent outside the
country. “Foreign assistance morally ruined society and especially
the ruling elite,” he said. “80 percent of this so-called ‘aid’ did
not even get to Georgia and was spent in the form of salaries,
honoraria, etc. Why it was called ‘aid’ I do not understand,”
Orvelashvili continued.

Given this, questions must be asked regarding the nearly USD 500
million in credits to be received this year. The representatives of
the post-Rose Revolution government state that this money will be
spent well and will be used to finance new investment projects that
occur in the country. If this happens, and the economy develops as a
result, the credits will be in Georgia’s interest; although even if
this is the case, future budget expenditure on debt servicing will
necessarily increase as a result of the loans.

Azeri church sparks political row

Armenians say the church is part of their heritage

BBC
10 March 05

The restoration of a centuries-old Christian church in predominantly
Muslim Azerbaijan is hanging in the balance amid a row over wall
inscriptions.

The local Udi people, a Christian community, removed lettering they
say was put there by Armenian Christians.

The white-stone building in the northern mountain village of Nij
is undergoing renovation with funding from a Norwegian charity, the
Norwegian Humanitarian Enterprise, but the organisation is unhappy
about the alterations.

The Udis say they erased the inscriptions over the entrance to the
church and next to the altar to right a historic wrong.

Armenians, they contend, put the lettering there long after the church
was built so they could lay claim to it.

‘Fake inscriptions’

“If those fake inscriptions are not erased, the renovation will lose
its importance,” the head of the Udi community told Azerbaijan’s
ANS TV.

The Udis, who number around 8,000, are keen to distance themselves
from Azerbaijan’s arch-foe, Armenia.

I regret that they have been erased. This was a chance for Azerbaijan
to set an example to the whole world

Norway’s ambassador Steinar Gil

“We live in Azerbaijan, and when people came into the church and saw
Armenian letters, they automatically associated us with Armenians,”
one of the village elders told the AFP news agency.

The Udis have struggled to separate their heritage from that of their
fellow Christian Armenians, who fought a war with Azerbaijan over
the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in 1988-1994.

The Armenians argue that churches with this type of inscription are
an indication of their long roots in the region.

‘Vandalism’

The Norwegians view the erasing of the inscriptions as “tantamount
to vandalism”, the Azeri newspaper 525 Qazet reported.

The Norwegian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Steinar Gil, said politics
should not play a role.

“Any historical monument should be protected. One should take care
of historical monuments despite political relations,” he said.

“I visited that village in November last year and saw the Armenian
inscriptions. I regret that they have been erased… This was a chance
for Azerbaijan to set an example to the whole world.”

And the head of the Norwegian Humanitarian Office in Azerbaijan,
Alf Henry Rasmussen, told the BBC that the organisation was now
reconsidering the whole restoration project.

Azeri magazine staff launch own investigation of editor’s murder

Azadliq, Baku
10 Mar 05

Text of unattributed report by Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq on 10
March headlined “Monitor’s staff are setting up a new magazine” and
subheaded “Eynulla Fatullayev: ‘We have launched our own investigation
besides the official one'”; subheading inserted editorially:

The editor of Monitor magazine, Eynulla Fatullayev, cast light on some
points related to slain journalist Elmar Huseynov during yesterday’s
event held by the local media.

Monitor’s fate

[Fatullayev] First of all, I would like to ask journalists not to
ask Elmar’s father any questions. He is under stress. Some media go
on to distort his statements. Do not ask him questions for the sake
of Elmar’s memory. Understand his plight.

As for Monitor, the magazine will continue to come out, but under
a different name. We buried Monitor together with Elmar. However,
I am saying with full responsibility that Elmar’s colleagues will
continue his activity. All the staff of Monitor will work for the
new publication. Our stance will not be changed. We still believe
that a democratic state should be built in Azerbaijan. And we will
push ahead with our struggle in this area.

[Interviewer] Who will fund the new magazine?

[Fatullayev] Who funded Monitor? Its readers.

[Interviewer] Do you believe that by showing concern opposition
leaders are seeking to benefit from the situation?

[Fatullayev] Not at all. I agree that Monitor has never belonged
to the opposition. I would dare to say that this magazine laid the
foundation of Azerbaijan’s independent press. As to the political
leaders, they represent the part of the population who are protesting
against this barbarism.

[Interviewer] There are reports that Elmar Huseynov was about to get
a grant from the US embassy… [ellipses as published]

[Fatullayev] This is inaccurate information. The embassy can also
confirm that it is untrue. There was neither a grant nor an offer
from the US embassy. We were just planning to publish a Caucasus-wide
newspaper. We applied to the Eurasia Foundation in regard to this
project. The founders of the newspaper would have been Monitor
magazine, Georgia’s Rezonansi and Armenia’s Aravot newspapers. The
Eurasia Foundation asked those two publications to replace Monitor
with another Azerbaijani print media outlet. That is it. Monitor has
never received any grant throughout its publication.

[Interviewer] When will the last issue be published?

[Fatullayev] This Saturday. This will not be Monitor, since we
have already announced its closure. In 10 days we will make another
announcement about the new publication that will supersede Monitor.
The new magazine will be even fiercer than the previous one, because
we are angrier since the killing of our colleague.

[Interviewer] Who do you think ordered the murder of Elmar Huseynov?

[Fatullayev] The causes of Elmar’s killing lie in those whom Monitor
has been fighting. ANS TV believes that we have been fighting the
opposition, but the Azerbaijani public knows very well whom we are
fighting and whom we will fight. The fight has not stopped, it is
continuing. That is why we have launched our own investigation besides
the official one. We have announced the murderers of [Academician]
Ziya Bunyadov, [former investigation chief of Prosecutor General’s
Office] Rovsan Aliyev, [former vice-speaker] Afiyaddin Calilov and
[special presidential department chief] Samsi Rahimov. Will we not
find and announce the killers of our brother, Elmar Huseynov? They
do not have to worry, we will.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENTHRONEMENT OF HIS HOLINESS AND THE 75TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SEMINARY ARE CELEBRATED IN NICOSIA
The 10th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Aram I and the 75th
anniversary of the establishment of the Seminary of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia were marked during a special ceremony held under
the patronage of His Holiness on Saturday the 5th of March in Nicosia.

The opening remarks were delivered by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian,
Catholicosal Vicar of the Diocese of Cyprus, who presented the unique
aspects of a decade of service by His Holiness as Catholicos of Cilicia. He
also highlighted the important role of the Seminary in the life and mission
of the Catholicosate.

Sebouh Tavitian focused on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the
Seminary, presenting its history and talking about the difficulties it faced
during the first years of its establishment. He emphasized that the Seminary
has been the heart of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and has carried out its
mission with this realization.

Vartan Tashdjian talked about the decade long services of Aram I. He said
that it is not possible to present His Holiness through a lecture, because
the Catholicosate’s expanding mission during the last ten years is a
testimony His Holiness’ extensive work. He highlighted some of aspects of
His Holiness’ work and person, focusing on the Pontiff, intellectual,
international ecumenical figure and constructor.

Archbishop Nourhan Manougian of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, who
had arrived in Cyrus to take part in the ceremony, also spoke during the
event. The Archbishop, once a classmate of His Holiness in the Antelias
Seminary, gave a personal testimony about the Catholicos, highlighting the
unique aspects of his services as Catholicos of Cilicia.

The “Shenorhali” choir of the Catholicosate also took part in the event,
delivering Armenian spiritual and classical songs, under the directions of
Fr Bartev Gulumian.

His Holiness Aram I delivered the closing remarks. The Catholicos thanked
the organizers of the event and emphasized two points during his speech.
First, the work being conducted in Antelias is a collective effort and
second, it is a mission that requires dedication, faith and vision. “It is
with renewed faith and vision that we will continue our mission through
Antelias for our entire church and people,” concluded His Holiness.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

ASSEMBLY OF ETCHMIADZIN AND CILICIA PATRIARCHIES AT HOLY SEE OF
ETCHMIADZIN

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. An assembly of representatives of the
Patriarchies of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Great House of Cilicia was
held at Holy See of Etchmiadzin March 4-5.

The press service of Holy See Etchmiadzin informs ARMINFO that the
meeting aimed preparation of a single project of the two Patriarchies
“Renewal of the Armenian Apostolic Church.”

On March 4 Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received the
assembly participants. The current canonic situation in the AAC,
Christian education of the Armenian flock, maintenance of spiritual and
cultural heritage, training of priests, development of inter-confession
relations, the Church-state relations, as well as protection of the
Armenian people’s rights and use of up-to-date technical means were
discussed.

The meeting resulted in preparation of a joint document for its further
submission to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I.

“TURN KEY” SOLUTIONS FROM SOURCIO OR COMMERCIAL OPEN SOURCE

YEREVAN, MARCH 4. ARMINFO. The commercial project Open Source
lab. Sourcio will offer open source “turn key” solutions for small and
medium-sized companies, says the co-founder of the project, director
of Lycos/Armenia Hovhannes Avoyan.

The project’s task is not to design new open source products but to
use and integrate them. The key sales markets are Europe and North
America while Armenia for Sourcio is rather a source of experience
than a profit generator. “We consider Armenia a kind of ground for
testing new applications and pilot programs,” says Avoyan.

Based on the experience of open source specialists Sourcio will offer
solutions in E-Government, E-Medicine, E-Education, e-document and
other spheres.

The emphasis is laid on low price – $1 per an employee of a
client-company (some $500 for average small European company). The
authorized capital of Sourcio projects will also be small. The clients
will also be offered a close hosting (in Europe rather than in
Armenia) as well as advising and training services.

Lycos/Armenia was founded with the financial assistance of Lycos,
USAID/Armenia and EIF. The cost of the project is over $1 mln. Experts
says that in Armenia Open Source is developing much more intensively
than in the other CIS countries.