Author: Khoyetsian Rose

The Daily Star, Lebanon
July 1 2005

U.K. firm on EU maintaining Lebanon effort

By Khalil Fleihan
Daily Star correspondent
Friday, July 01, 2005

BEIRUT: On the start of the United Kingdom’s six-month term as head
of the EU, the British Embassy announced its intention to concentrate
on work in Lebanon that contributes to global security, stability
and prosperity.

In a statement, the embassy said: “In Lebanon the key issues will be
taken forward in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
Priorities in the co-operation between the EU and Lebanon are:
democracy and human rights, economic and institutional development,
education and youth, improving the living conditions of Palestinian
refugees in Lebanon, environment and cultural exchanges.”

The U.K. will also lead the EU Troika (comprising the U.K., Austria
as future EU head and the European Commission) in representing the
EU in contacts with the Lebanese government.

Meanwhile, French Ambassador Bernard Emie informed Foreign Minister
Mahmoud Hammoud about the outcome of the conference held in Paris on
June 13 to discuss assistance to Lebanon according to a program set
forth by the new Lebanese government.

The conference, which included the participation of U.S. Ambassador
Jeffrey Feltman and Emie, as well as representatives of the EU and
the International Monetary Fund, focused on the political and economic
situation in Lebanon.

However, to the surprise of the gathered participants, Lebanon was
absent from the event.

In a press conference, Emie said Hammoud was not informed on time
about the conference, due to his absence from the country.

Emie revealed that participants proposed the reform of the UN Security
Council and its expansion to include new permanent and nonpermanent
members in a bid to increase its efficiency and restructure it in a
way that suits the world’s the geopolitical and geostrategic balances.

Russian Foreign Ambassador Alexander Saltanov expressed support to
the people’s electoral choices, saying he hoped Lebanon would succeed
in proceeding to democratic, social and economic development in a
climate of national consensus and stability.

Saltanov, who also met with Hammoud, said Russia fully supports
Lebanon’s objection to foreign interference in its domestic affairs.

The ambassador said: “The future of any nation in the region is linked
to the basic issue here, which is finding a fair and comprehensive
settlement between Israel and the Arab world.”

He added: “As supervisor of the International Peace Conference and
member of the International Committee for the Peace Process, Russia
will strive to reach this goal.”

Hammoud’s Armenian counterpart, Vardan Oskanyan said Armenia and
Lebanon share the same political view on the Arab-Israeli conflict,
adding both countries were coordinating their stands in international
forums as to the respect of international resolutions.

Oskanyan, in Beirut to hand out diplomas to graduating students at
Haigazian University, described his meeting with Hammoud as “positive
and fruitful.”

He said: “We are looking up to the Lebanese in their reconstruction
program and wish them success and stability.”

The ambassador also visited Beirut MP Saad Hariri, after which he
said Armenia was looking forward to consolidating cooperation with
the newly elected MPs and future Cabinet.

Oskanyan congratulated Hariri on his overwhelming victory in the
parliamentary elections and headed to Beirut’s Central District to
pray for the soul of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

In his second meeting with a Lebanese official, Oskanyan informed
former Prime Minister Najib Mikati of the improvement in Armenian
trade following recent Lebanese investments in the country.

He said: “We hope that this cooperation lasts because we believe in the
potentials of both countries, especially since there is no political
feud, which can set strong foundations to the economic relations.”

Kommersant, Russia
June 30 2005

Other Side of Details

// What Russian Ministry Keeps from the UN reports on weapons

Recently United Nations published on its website official information
about Russian export of conventional weapons in 2004. The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Russia provided for the document rare details. The
report shows the volumes of the weapons supplied to the countries,
which Russian officials usually do not mention and never comment
upon. However, the experts think that the UN register does not include
all Russian weapon supplies.

In December 1991, the UN General Assembly voted for creation of the
register of conventional weapons, which would be based on the report
of the all principal sales of weapons around the world. The register
includes seven main categories of the weapons: armored personnel
carriers and armored wheeled vehicles; tanks; artillery of big calibers
and multiple rocket launchers; military planes; military helicopters;
warships; missile systems. The missile systems include all types of
guided missiles supplied for army, navy and air force. Each category
shows the country-receiver of certain weapons and amount of the supply.

The main reason for the creation of such register was war between Iraq
and Kuwait and followed operation Desert Storm. The countries submit
the information into the register on voluntary base. According to
the General Assembly decision the states have to provide the annual
data for examination in April of each year. However, these terms
are not followed religiously. For instance, as of today such large
weapon exporters as USA, France, Great Britain, Israel, and also one
of the biggest importers – India, still did not provide the required
information. China does not submit its data into the register since
1997.

In Russia the Foreign Ministry gathers the data for submission, after
it receives the report from Federal Service of Military-Technical
Cooperation, Rosoboronexport (the biggest state owned weapon exporter)
and from the enterprises that have a license to export their own
production. Compare with other countries, Russia doesn’t break
down what types of weapons were sold but simply put total amount of
export. Russia also submits to UN the information about its supply to
the countries, which signed inter-government agreement not to disclose
the details of military-technical partnerships. For instance, Russia
has such agreements with China and Vietnam. Thus, despite the fact
that Russian officials formally announced that “the weapons export
to China and Vietnam traditionally stays without comments,” the
information about it still becomes public.

According to the data sent by the foreign ministry for the year 2004,
the main articles of Russian export in that period were fighter jets.
For instance, 24 aircraft were shipped to China (Su-30MK2; here and
further are shown possible types of weapons), 10-to India (Su-30MKI),
9 in Sudan (8 MiG-29SE and 1 MiG-29UB), 5 in Ethiopia (old Su-27 from
the current Russian air force), 4 in Vietnam (Su-30NK2B), 2 in Yemen
(MiG-29SMT) and 2 in Eritrea (MiG-29SE), 1 in Algiers (Su-24MK).
Besides two ground attack planes Su25 were supplied to Armenia within
the frame of Organization of Collective Security Agreement (OCSA).
The helicopter export in 2004 contained four crafts sold to Sudan
(Mi-24), three in Ethiopia (Mi-17) and one in India (Ka-31). In Naval
weapons systems, Russia sold one ship to India (Frigate Project 11356)
and one to China (Submarine Project 636M). In 2004, Yemen received
128 armored personnel carriers (BMP-2) and Kazakhstan got two within
the frame of OSCA.

However, the supplies of Russian missiles systems look much more
impressive. China received 749 units (guided missiles for jet fighters
Su-30MK2, missiles for the submarine project 636 and complexes of
anti-aircraft defense S-300PMU-1, naval anti-aircraft missile complex
Reef-M and Steel-1). India acquired 122 units (missiles for Su-30MKI,
attack and anti-aircraft missiles for the Frigate Project 11356),
Vietnam purchased 20 units to arm four Su-30MK2B.

However, according to the opinion of independent experts the UN
register does not reflect full information abut Russian weapons
export. “There were several cases when Russian suppliers submitted
to the foreign ministry for the UN registry incomplete information
about its total deals for the year,” Konstantin Makienko, deputy
director of Center of Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told
Kommersant. “For instance, the results of 2003 did not reflect two
frigates for India and in 2004 one ship Project 12332 for Greece.
Sometimes the reason for the underreporting is not political, but
rather bureaucratic miscalculations. There were some cases when the
suppliers were late with the data and the ministry of foreign affairs
doesn’t have enough competent and informed specialists in the field
of weapons export.”

by Konstantin Lantratov

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN CONNECTS INCREASE IN MILITARY
EXPENSES OF AZERBAIJAN WITH REDEPLOYMENT OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASES
FROM GEORGIA TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, JUNE 27. ARMINFO. ‘The reason on the increase in the military
expenses of Azerbaijan is connected with redeployment of Russian
military bases from Georgia to Armenia.’ President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev stated Saturday at a ceremony of graduation of the
students of Higher Military College after Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijani
sources report.

Despite deployment of the armamemtn to the Russian bases in
Armenia and not to Armenia, this step require adequate steps,
and Azerbaijan made them, Aliyev says. In his words, expenses for
military sphere in 2003 were 135 mln USD, in 2004 – 175 mln USD
and in 2005 this sum reached 300 mln USD, having increased 70% as
against the previous year. Aliyev says expenses for defense power
will increase constantly. ‘Azerbaijani Army is the strongest in the
South Caucasus at present. We have achieved our prevalence and will
strengthen it and maintain,’ Aliyev says. He thinks it necessary “to
put an end to Armenian aggression.” ‘The rival is to be aware that
Azerbaijani army can mobilize its forces every moment and liberate the
occupied territories,’ Aliyev says. The mediators have been speaking
of compromises for long years, but the greatest compromise of our
country is that we have remained adherent to peaceful settlement for
many years, the Azerbaijani president says for conclusion.

Pan Armenian News

DECISION ON PERIODICAL MEETINGS WITHIN PACE KARABAKH SUBCOMMITTEE MADE

25.06.2005 03:01

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Subcommittee formed to address the Karabakh issue has had its first meeting,
stated PACE Azeri delegation head, Subcommittee member Samed Seidov,
reported APA Azeri agency. In his words, the report of the Subcommittee
head, former PACE Secretary General Lord Russell-Johnston was heard first.
«In his speech Russell-Johnston said that the fifth item of the resolution
on establishing the Committee, passed at the PACE January session
recommended that the Council of Europe constantly include the issue in the
agenda and make its contribution to the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
A decision was made thereupon to hold meetings within the Subcommittee.» As
stated by S. Seidov, the recurrent meeting is scheduled in Paris September
12. «The agenda of the recurrent meeting includes 2 questions: 1) making
public the positions of the countries that are members of the OSCE Minsk
Group; 2) hearing of reports of the OSCE MG Co-Chairs or persons
representing them and inviting them to the Subcommittee next sitting,» he
said. S. Seidov also said that Committee members are expected to visit the
regions based on the information received at the Committee meetings.

LRAPER Church Bulletin
Contact: Deacon Vagarsag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (212) 516-4833
[email protected]

THE PATRIARCH MEETS WITH HIS ADVISORS

On Wednesday evening, 22 June 2005, His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian
Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey, met with the members of the
Patriarchal Advisory Council. The meeting was chaired by one of the members
of the Council, Erol Seheryildizi.

During the meeting, there was discussion concerning the draft of the new law
on Foundations. The members of the Council also deliberated on the state of
the Gumusyan Foundation, and the foundations belonging to the Parish
Councils of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Kuzguncuk-Istanbul, of
Saint Giragos Church of Diyarbakir, of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of
Kayseri, and of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Kirikhan. Also
discussed were the activities of the Uskudar Semerciyan-Nersesyan Schools
Alumni Association, invitations to the Patriarch from Bulgaria and Iran, the
financial situation of the Patriarchate, and the restoration of the Aghtamar
Church on Lake Van.

In attendance at the meeting were Prof. Dr. Avedis Hacinliyan, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Arusyak Yumul, Dr. Sosi Antikaciyan, Murat Bebiroglu, Murat Bilir,
Krikor Dosemeciyan, Hrant Kalatas, Murat Ozkan, Yervant Ozuzun, and Aret
Vartanyan.

Spiegel Online, Germany
June 23 2005

Why Turkey’s EU Bid Could Hinge on Britain

By Jürgen Gottschlich in Istanbul

The collapse of the European constitution has lent greater weight to
the powerful opponents of Turkey’s eventual membership in the
European Union. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is frustrated by
France and Germany, and increasingly Ankara believes that Tony Blair
is their last hope for joining the club.

When Tony Blair spoke before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on
Thursday morning, he could count on the fact that there would be no
shortage of viewers tuning in from Turkey to listen to each of his
carefully crafted words. After all, Britain’s prime minister has been
one of the most vocal proponents of future European Union membership
for Turkey. He continued with his supportive stance on Thursday, as
he laid out Britain’s goals for the EU presidency, a position it
assumes for six months starting July 1. Near the top of the list of
Blair’s agenda, he said, is to “carry out the Union’s obligations to
those like Turkey and Croatia that wait in hope of a future as part
of Europe.”

The preliminary collapse of the EU constitution, has suddenly
catapulted the British prime minister into the roll of Europe’s
most-powerful man. But for the Turkish government, he is far more.
Even if nobody is admitting it publicly, Blair is essentially
Ankara’s last hope — Obi-Wan Kenobi to Turkey’s pleading Princess
Lea. Even before the constitution disaster, Blair was one of the few
leaders in Europe whom Turks could count on. Now, he appears to be
the last chance the Turks have in a Europe divided by duelling
visions and internecine rivalries.

Earlier this year, eurocrats in Brussels openly worried that Turkey
had begun dragging its feet on reforms after Ankara had been given a
date at the December 2004 EU summit for accession talks to begin. At
that point, it was the British who stepped in to help its friend.
Behind the scenes, London helped the Turkish government search for a
solution to the Cyprus issue that would be acceptable to all. As a
way of saying thanks for the gesture, Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gül announced that Turkey would wait to amend a 1996 customs
agreement with the EU to expand it to the 10 new EU member states
after Britain took the helm of the EU presidency.

Does Turkey have a future in the EU?

Now, suddenly, the question being asked in Brussels isn’t whether or
not the Turks sign a document that would give de facto recognition of
the Greek-Cypriot government on an island which has been divided
since the Turks invaded the northern third in 1974. Instead, it rests
on whether any kind of EU expansion will ever even come to fruition.

At major Turkish newspapers, commentators quickly figured out that
some European leaders are reinterpreting the failure of the
constitution as a vote against expansion. Columnist Mehmet Ali Birand
poignantly wrote: “If you take a closer look at this argument, then
you have to assume that the decision has already been made for
Bulgaria and Romania. Croatia is a relatively small country that is
ill-equipped to take the blame, and for that reason everything will
now be blamed on Turkey.”

Last week, Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, passed a resolution
criticizing Turkey for not acknowledging its role in the “Armenian
massacre” a century ago. Parliament stopped short of calling it
“genocide,” but the response from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
demonstrated the great disappointment of the Turks in the
German-French EU axis. In Beirut, an irate Erdogan called the
decision “ugly” and “wrong.” And right after returning to Ankara, he
struck again, attacking his buddy, German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder, head on. “I admire politicians with backbones,” he said.
“When Mr. Schroeder was in Turkey a few weeks ago, he was still
supporting our position.” Not exactly the way you talk about a
politician whose support you may need in the future.

Privileged partner or full-fledged member?

Then again, Schroeder may no longer matter to Erdogan. With the
conservative Angela Merkel expected to succeed Schroeder as
chancellor after snap autumn elections and Nikolas Sarkozy likely in
line to become the next French president, Tony Blair is the last
remaining hope Turkey has for membership. Both Merkel and Sarkozy are
staunch opponents of giving Turkey a place at the table in Brussels.

So far, the official tenor in Turkey has been to remain distant from
the looming fight over the future of Europe. “Turkey has done its
homework on the road to the EU,” Foreign Minister Gül recently
reiterated. “We are continuing with our reforms.” He pointed out that
Turkey’s new criminal law went into effect on June 1, as promised,
adding that the Cyprus Protocol was ready and that it could be signed
as early as July. If the Oct. 3 date for starting accession talks
falls through, he said, it won’t be through any fault of Ankara.

But what kind of accession are the Europeans supposed to negotiate in
October? A growing number of supporters of a more deeply integrated
Europe — from the head of the Social Democratic faction in the
European Parliament, Martin Schulz, to European Commissioner for
Industry Guenther Verheugen to Angela Merkel — are calling for a
“privileged partnership” for Turkey rather than full EU membership.
So far, at least, Blair has not made any similar comments. Instead,
the British have always implied that they’ve been pushing for EU
expansion in order to torpedo the vision of many on the continent for
a United States of Europe.

But for now, at least, the Brits appear to have the next move. And
they are likely to find broad support in Turkey. Mehmet Ali Birand,
an untiring EU propagandist in the Turkish media, recently told his
readers that Blair is on the right track. “The agricultural subsidies
upon which the EU spends 40 percent of its budget, are an
anachronism,” he wrote. Besides, “Old Europe,” with its vision of
transferring ever more sovereignty to Brussels would have kept
raising the bar for membership, making it more and more difficult for
Turkey to join the EU. “Blair,” Birand wrote, “is flexible in that
sense. The conditions Turkey must fulfil will be less difficult.”

Next week, when Britain takes the helm of the EU for six months,
Birand’s thesis will be put to the test.

THREE LARGE HYDRO POWER PLANTS ARE TO BE BUILT IN ARMENIA TILL 2025,
AREG GALSTIAN INFORMS

YEREVAN, JUNE 23. ARMINFO. In accordance with the strategy of energy
development approved by Armenian Government, three large hydro power
plants are to be built in the republic till 2025, Deputy Energy
Minister of Armenia Areg Galstian informed during the briefing,
Thursday.

According to him, the largest HPP of Meghri with the capacity of 140
MW and productivity of 850 mln kW/h, as well as the Lori-Berd HPP with
the capacity of 60-75 MW and productivity of 214 mln kW/h of
electricity are to be built in the period from 2011 to 2016. And
construction of Shnokh HPP is to be built from 2017 to 2025. For
attraction of investments to the construction of the Shnokh HPP the
Armenian Government has appealed to Norway for assistance. The
increase of the hydropotential of the republic is connected with the
necessity of increase of the energy security and independence of
Armenia, Sargsian said.

7DAYS, United Arab Emirates
June 24 2005

Me and my job
Written by 7DAYS | Friday, 24 June 2005

Annie Thomassian

Annie Thomassian is French Armenian and opened the Nailstation, a
nail bar, waxing and tanning salon at Jumierah’s Town Centre mall two
years ago. `I’ve been in Dubai four years now, but I know the place
really well as my father had a business here when I was younger and I
would spend my summers in the UAE.

It was hard opening up the business as I sorted out all the paperwork
and visas myself, but in a way, being a woman made it easier because
government offices don’t allow women to wait in queues.’ Initially,
says Annie, her working hours were very long, but now she has more
balance to her life.

`In the first year we opened, I worked a seven day week from 9am
until midnight. It was really tough. But now the business is a little
more independent, I spend more time working from home,’ she explains.

`I’ll usually get to the salon at around 11am. Then I go home at
lunchtime and cook for my husband and two of my daughters. My third
daughter is studying in Paris. Our time together in the middle of the
day is very important because in the evenings, I’m away at the salon
again.’

But, she says, this comfortable routine will not continue for too
much longer as she has also opened up another branch of Nailstation
in Paris. `In some ways it’s very good because it means I get to
travel to Paris quite often and so spend time with my oldest
daughter, but life is more hectic with two businesses to run. The
Nailstation products that we use in the salons are also our own brand
so this line of the business also keeps me busy.’

The best thing about running her own business, says Annie, is the
satisfaction of a good day’s work. `I had my children very young, so
now it’s nice that I’m able to have my career and enjoy it. The
feeling you get from a profitable day that has run smoothly is really
satisfying.’

But, she says, businesses take a lot of work and things don’t always
run to plan. `I have to make sure I’m on top of things because if a
customer has a problem, it’s always my responsibility at the end of
the day. Hygiene is a huge issue for me because our reputation has
been built on our immaculate cleanliness.

`When you have staff who don’t carry out their duties properly, that
is the worst issue and is always difficult to deal with. Luckily,
things have progressed quite smoothly for me so far.’

A1plus

| 15:36:50 | 23-06-2005 | Politics | PACE SUMMER SESSION |

TODAY – DECISIVE FOR ARMENIA

Today the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will make
decisions on a number of issues vital for Armenia. The draft resolution on
constitutional reform in Armenia, adopted by the PACE Monitoring Committee
will be discussed.

Today at 4 p.m. the Venice Commission’s working group on constitutional
reform in Armenia will meet with the Armenian delegation, which also
includes Justice Minister David Harutyunyan and RA President’s
representative Armen Harutyunyan.

This evening the sitting of the PACE Committee on Karabakh will be held. To
remind, representatives of the Armenian and Azeri opposition Shavarshh
Kocharyan and Asim Molazade also serve on the committee.

Pan Armenian News

CSTO FM COUNCIL SITTING STARTED IN MOSCOW

22.06.2005 04:05

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The sitting of Foreign Ministers of the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) started in Moscow today. FMs of Armenia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are taking part in
it. According to special representative or the RF MFA Alexander Yakovenko,
the participants will focus on further strengthening of allied relations of
the Organization member states, promotion of military integration and that
in other fields. The detailed analysis of the military and political
situation in the CSTO responsibility zone and adjacent regions will be
carried out. `Foreground will be given to the recent developments in
Afghanistan as well as to further cooperation on struggle against new
challenges and threats, specifically terrorist and extremist organizations
jeopardizing security of the CSTO member-states’, the diplomat noted adding
that issues of interaction with the UN, OSCE, NATO and some other
international organizations will be also considered.