Author: Nadirian Emma

AGBU Southern California
Central Sports Committee
2495 E. Mountain St.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 794-7942 Office
(626) 794-2662 Fax
Contact: Carl Bardakian

November 24, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

President Arkady Ghoukasian and Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian of
Artsakh Participate in Athletic Events at Pasadena AGBU Center

On Tuesday, November 23, 2004 the AGBU Southern California District
Committee (SCDC) and AGBU-AYA Southern California Central Sports
Committee (CSC) hosted His Excellency Arkady Ghoukasian, President of
Artsakh and His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian, Primate of
Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in an afternoon of athletic events at the
AGBU Center of Pasadena. The basketball and indoor soccer games were
between the Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles and AGBU.

President Ghoukasian and Archbishop Mardirossian are currently visiting
the United States to encourage Armenians to contribute to the Armenia
Fund’s Thanksgiving Day Telethon. Telethon 2004’s goal is to raise
funds to complete the remaining 56 miles of the North-South “Backbone”
Highway in Artsakh. Upon completion, the $25 million, 105-mile highway
will link 150 towns and villages and provide crucial economic, trade and
development opportunities. Telethon 2004 will also provide continued
assistance in the areas of health care, education and infrastructure
development in the Republic of Armenia.

Other guests participating in the friendly basketball and indoor soccer
games along with President Ghoukasian and Srpazan Hayr included the
Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles Gagik
Kirakosian, Representative of Artsakh in the United States Vardan
Barseghian, Armenia Fund Inc. Public Relations Executive Sarkis
Kotanjian, renowned actor and comedian Hrant Tokhatian, and Executive
Committee Member of the Pan Armenian Games World Committee and lifelong
AGBU-AYA supporter Albert Boyajian.

President Ghoukasian and Archbishop Mardirossian, both active and avid
sportsmen, teamed up on the basketball court and competed with and
against members of the AGBU Valley Men’s Basketball team, winners of the
First and Second Pan Armenian Games in Yerevan in 1999 and 2001. Both
President Ghoukasian and Archbishop Mardirossian were warmly greeted by
younger AGBU-AYA boys basketball players who cheered their every move
during the games. President Ghoukasian completed five 3-point shots,
which delighted the crowd. Jano Baghdanian, AGBU Central Sports
Committee Chairman and executive director of the AGBU Valley 2003 Pan
Armenian Games championship soccer team in Yerevan, organized the indoor
soccer competition, in which both President Ghoukasian and Barkev
Srpazan scored goals.

A reception followed the basketball and indoor soccer games at Boyajian
Hall during which the AGBU honored President Ghoukasian and Archbishop
Mardirossian. Vahe Imasdounian, Chairman of the AGBU Southern
California District Committee, extended his greetings to President
Ghoukasian and Barkev Srpazan, welcomed them to the Pasadena AGBU
Center, and wished them much success with Telethon 2004. He
specifically paid tribute to President Ghoukasian and his leadership
over the past seven years, and reminded those in attendance that since
its inception in 1906 the AGBU has consistently and magnanimously
supported the development of Armenia and Artsakh through numerous
humanitarian and development projects. A book gift was presented to
President Ghoukasian entitled /Armenian-American / Canadian-American
Who’s Who of Outstanding Athletes, Coaches and Sports Personalities
(1906-1989),/ authored by Richard N. Demirjian. President Ghoukasian
thanked AGBU for their support of Artsakh and for hosting a memorable
afternoon of sports competition and friendship. He encouraged the AGBU
Valley men’s basketball team members to compete in the First
Pan-Armenian Basketball Championship – the Armenag Alajajian Basketball
Cup – and to visit Artsakh in August 2005.

On behalf of AGBU, Mihran Toumajan, AGBU Central Sports Committee and
Pasadena Chapter member, presented Archbishop Mardirossian with four
copies of /Gomidas Badarak and Explanation/ for use in Artsakh. Toumajan
praised His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian and stated that he
continues to inspire Armenians in Artsakh, Armenia, and throughout the
Diaspora with his unwavering faith in, and dedication to, the Armenian
Church and Nation. Archbishop Mardirossian has served on the front
lines in defense of Artsakh and continues to lead his flock. Toumajan
appropriately referred to Barkev Srpazan as a modern-day Ghevont Yeretz,
the latter having defended the Faith and the Nation at the Battle of
Avarayr in 451 A.D. The reception concluded with a prayer by Archbishop
Mardirossian.

For further information on the AGBU Sports Program, please contact Alan
Woskanian, Southern California AGBU Athletic Director, at the Pasadena
AGBU Center at 626-794-7942.

PRIMATE ATTENDS BANQUET IN HONOR OF ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, November 23 (Noyan Tapan). Sunday evening,
November 21, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America,
upon the official invitation of the Board of Armenia Fund, attended
a banquet in honor of His Excellency Arkady Ghoukassian, President
of Nagorno-Karabagh, held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.

According to the Press Office of the Diocese, Mr. Larry Zarian served
as Master of Ceremonies and invited His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian for the invocation. The program also included remarks from
Mrs. Maria Mehranian, Chair of Armenia Fund, and Ms. Naira Melkoumian,
President of Armenia Fund.

President Arkady Ghoukassian also addressed the attendees.

On Monday, November 22, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
hosted a reception in the Armen and Gloria Hampar Room of the Diocese
in honor of Arkady Ghoukassian, President of Nagorno-Karabagh.

Among many other guests, in attendance were His Eminence Archbishop
Barkev Mardirossian, Primate of Artsakh; the Honorable Gagik
Kirakossian, Consul General of Armenia, His Eminence Archbishop Dirair
Mardigian, Primate of Rumania and Bulgaria; His Eminence Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian, His Eminence Archbishop Arsen Berberyan, Ms. Naira
Melkoumian, President of Armenia Fund; Mrs. Maria Mehranian, Chair
of Armenia Fund; and Mr. Richard Moushegain, Chair of the Diocesan
Council.

The Primate addressed the guests with the words, “Each time a dignitary
pays a visit to the Diasporan communities, the ties are reestablished
between the Motherland and her children in the Diaspora. Therefore
with your presence and visits you inspire and strengthen the dispersed
children of Armenia and invite them to participate in the rebuilding
of Armenia.”

His Eminence extended his greetings to the President, welcomed him,
and wished him well on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians.

Vardan Oskanian: Azerbaijan Should Concentrate On Processes Within Framework Of Minsk Group

Noyan Tapan

YEREVAN, 24.11.04. Armenia’s position regarding putting the issue of
“occupied” territories of Azerbaijan to the agenda of the UN General
Assembly sitting on the demand of the latter is clear enough, this
step taken by Azerbaijan is wrong and they will understand this in
the future. Vardan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, declared this
during the November 23 press conference.

According to him, Armenia isn”t anxious about the issue of adoption
of the resolution connected with the above-mentioned territories. “We
are anxious about the political process around the issue of
settlement of Karabakh conflict. If such a resolution passes in UN
Armenia can”t continue bilateral negotiations with Azerbaijan any
longer.”

The Minister mentioned that if after the adoption of the resolution
in UN Azerbaijan is ready to hold negotiations with Nagorno Karabakh,
Armenia will continue participating in the negotiations, but
Azerbaijan should hold the main negotiations with the Nagorno
Karabakh authorities.

As for the possibility of adoption of such a resolution, Vardan
Oskanian mentioned that judging by the UN site, only Turkey has been
supporting Azerbaijan by now. “I think this is significant, we should
wait for the results.”

According to him, Azerbaijan mainly accentuates the issue of
settlement of the so-called “occupied territories.”But neither
Armenia nor Nagorno Karabakh have any problem with a mission of the
observer. “Azerbaijan itself hampered implementation of such
missions. Today Armenia has no such problem, on the contrary, we have
always invited the international community to come and estimate the
situation on the spot. Such a mission is also beneficial for us,
Armenians, in order that we should straightly raise the questions of
residents of Shahumian, Getashen, as some of them are forced to live
in these territories at present.”

Meanwhile, as Vardan Oskanian emphasized. the very Minsk Group has
the corresponding mandate for holding such a monitoring and Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh are ready to assist to implementation of such a
mission within the framework of this group. “But it’s not up to UN to
decide the issue of the mission.”

According to the Minister, if Azerbaijan seriously treats the issue
if negotiations and wants to achieve positive results it should
refuse of such accents and concentrate on the processes taking place
within the framework of the Minsk Group.

Holiday tree has deep roots in Valley
By Dennis McCarthy

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
Nov 23 2004

It had been a long time since Sadie Wolpert walked down Rhodes
Avenue to see her neighbors. She’s lived in the same home at the
end of the block since 1958, but rarely got up this way anymore —
until Monday morning.

“Here, it’s not much, but I wanted to give something,” she said,
handing George Herczak an envelope with a few dollars tucked inside.

The money will help pay the bill to light the Christmas tree in this
North Hollywood neighborhood, beginning this weekend.

“Thank you, Sadie,” said the keeper of Rhodes Avenue tradition,
taking his neighbor by the arm, and introducing her to the young
Latino family who’d moved into Dorothy Clemens’ old house in 1999.

“This is Walter and Judith Rivera, and their sons,” he said. “They’re
helping us keep our Christmas tradition alive.”

Across the street, there’s Pogos Zhamkochyan, who moved in with his
family four years ago, George said. Like most of the Armenian families
living in the neighborhood now, Pogos — everybody calls him Paul —
also was joining in the Rhodes Avenue tradition.

“Nice to meet you,” Sadie said warmly, then turned to walk back to
her home at the end of the block.

“You’re coming Saturday night, aren’t you, Sadie?” Herczak yelled
after her.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said, smiling.

Nobody who’s lived on this stretch of Rhodes Avenue will.

How many neighborhoods get a chance to relive Christmas past, Herczak
thought Monday, standing in front of the 70-foot-high evergreen in
front of the Riveras’ home.

He was getting his old neighborhood back — the one where people
talked, and spent some time with each other. The neighborhood where
you knew who lived in every house, and how many kids and dogs the
family had.

Yeah, Rhodes Avenue in 2004 was beginning to feel a lot like Rhodes
Avenue in 1958, when he and his wife, Barbara, moved in, among the
original owners on this block of 30 homes.

His neighborhood was back, and it was all because of this old tree
that had neighbors talking — and meeting — again.

In the 1980s, this evergreen was one of the most popular trees in the
city at Christmastime. TV stations sent out camera crews to record
the lighting of the Rhodes Avenue Christmas tree.

Police were brought in for crowd control on the night after
Thanksgiving when a 5-foot star and more than 500 lights decorating
the tree were illuminated, kicking off the holiday season.

One year, police estimated more than 65,000 cars drove slowly down
Rhodes Avenue so the kids could see this beautiful, shining Christmas
tree reaching for the stars.

Then the neighborhood began to change. Original owners moved out
or died, and new owners moved in. Most, though, were too busy or
disinterested to care about a Christmas tradition.

Only a handful of families still lived on the block who remembered
Dorothy Clemens telling the story of how she knelt in the dirt in
her front yard 40 years earlier to plant a seedling that would grow
to become a neighborhood Christmas tradition.

But that tradition basically died when Dorothy moved in the ’90s,
and the new owners just didn’t care. The electricity bill and cost
of fixing the electrical wiring on the tree was just too much for
only a handful of neighbors to bear.

“How do you knock on new neighbors’ doors, neighbors you haven’t even
met, and ask them for money for a tree-lighting tradition they don’t
even know about?” George asks.

You don’t. You let the tree stay dark during the holidays, and just
shake your head.

“Then we got lucky — the Riveras moved in,” George said.

With three young boys — Alex, Carlos and Walter Jr. — it didn’t
take much convincing for the family to realize that Christmas would
be a lot more meaningful for everyone if that old tree out front was
lit up again.

“We want our sons to respect tradition, and when George told us how
much that tree had meant to the neighborhood, how it brought everyone
together, we said, let’s do it again,” Judith said.

George took up a collection and, last Christmas, the star on top was
fixed and illuminated for the first time in almost 10 years. This year,
the whole tree has been rewired by volunteers so more than 500 bright
lights will rise up to the star on top.

Only one thing has changed. Instead of turning the lights off after New
Year’s Day, the tree will stay lit through Jan. 6, Armenian Christmas.

“They are doing that to honor our Christmas, and we are all very
grateful,” Zhamkochyan said.

“George has opened a lot of doors on this street so people can meet
and learn we’re not all that different. We’re just neighbors who want
the best for our families.”

Whether it’s 1958 or 2004, George Herczak has his old neighborhood
back.

prnewswire.com
Nov 18 PRNewswire

The US is Safer Than Ever

But US Businesses Abroad Face a Variety of Threats

Control Risks Group Publishes RiskMap to Forecast
Opportunities and Trouble Spots for 2005

LONDON, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ — Control Risks Group, the international
business risk consultancy, today launches RiskMap 2005, its annual study and
forecast of political and security risks across the globe.
Although the headlines in 2005 will continue to be dominated by the
ongoing ‘War on Terror’, the report argues that successful action against
al-
Qaida’s leaders, tightening of anti-terror financing laws and the continuing
restructuring of intelligence and law enforcement agencies have made the
United States safer than at any point since 9/11. The organized matrix of
international terrorism has been shattered and replaced by a new paradigm
that
sees small, decentralized cells of local militants attacking Western
interests
abroad.
While acknowledging the role that this type of terrorism plays in risk
management for business, RiskMap 2005 highlights other risks to business,
which will play as great a part in the success or failure of business as
terrorism. Longstanding political uncertainties such as coup threats,
regional economic instability, or civil unrest are all critical risks that
will affect business operating globally. Only by analysing the local as
well
as global threats will business be best prepared for the coming year.
The risks to a number of critical countries are detailed below.

MIDDLE EAST
Iraq:
* Insecurity in Iraq reached unprecedented levels towards the end of
2004 and looks set to continue.
* The US and Iraqi governments remain determined to hold elections
in
January 2005, regardless of the security situation.
* The severe restrictions on the abilities of companies to carry out
reconstruction work in 2004 will continue throughout 2005.

Iran:
* Iran’s nuclear programme will continue to dominate its
international
relations in 2005.
* Effective UN sanctions remain unlikely, which may force the US or
Israel to take decisive action, possibly involving air strikes
against nuclear sites in Iran.
* However, full-scale military action against the regime is not in
prospect.

Saudi Arabia:
* After more than a year of fierce battles against Islamic
militants,
the government appears to be gaining the upper hand, but further
large-scale terrorist attacks remain possible and small-scale
targeted killings of Westerners are probable.
* The wave of terrorist attacks has brought a broad consensus on the
need for far-reaching changes and Saudi Arabia’s rulers have a
rare
chance to define a positive agenda for the country’s future.
* Political and economic reform could limit the recruitment of
extremists among the burgeoning population of under-employed young
men.

AFRICA
Nigeria:
* Crime and corruption will continue to pose the main risks to
companies operating in the country.
* President Olusegun Obasanjo will continue to face challenges, but
opposition groups will not be able to threaten his position.
* Militant groups and community demands will continue to affect
business in the oil-rich Niger delta.

AMERICAS
Brazil:
* Investors will remain watchful for any sign that President Luiz
Inacio da Silva is moving away from business-friendly policies
towards more leftist, labour-orientated policies.
* Violent crime will remain the key security concern for business
personnel, especially in urban areas.
* Any Colombian guerrilla activity will remain restricted to border
areas in Amazonas state.

Venezuela:
* President Hugo Chavez, emboldened by his 2004 referendum victory,
is
likely to adopt a more confrontational approach, bringing greater
state intervention in the economy.
* Any fall in the oil prices would cause serious problems for the
government.
* The main security concerns are the risk of renewed political
violence and rising crime.

ASIA & PACIFIC
China:
* The government’s main priority is to avoid an economic hard landing
following several years of over-investment.
* The operating environment will continue to improve, with new
measures to deregulate the labour market and roll out legal system
improvements.
* Foreign investors’ enthusiasm for China will be boosted by the
build-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and related infrastructure
projects.

India:
* Key crisis points will include three state elections — in Bihar,
Jharkhand and Haryana — and the 2005-06 budget, all due in
February
2005.
* Economic policy will be broadly reformist, offering attractive
opportunities to foreign investors in many sectors.
* Growth in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector will slow in
a tightening labour market.

Indonesia:
* New President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will attempt far-reaching
policy reform, but will face difficulties in parliament.
* The convoluted regulatory system and corrupt judiciary will continue
to act as strong deterrents to investment.
* Following a number of counter-terrorism successes, the Islamic
extremist Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) could seek to adopt cruder tactics,
such as individual assassinations.

EUROPE & FORMER SOVIET UNION
Russia:
* President Vladimir Putin will continue to strengthen his rule and
his advisers will begin to prepare public opinion for the
possibility of a constitutional amendment to allow him to remain
in
power beyond 2008.
* The government will play an increasingly active role in the oil
and
gas industries, and deals reached without consulting the
authorities
will be subject to political risk.

For further information contact:
Nicola Hudson in London on +44 20 7970 2103 or via email
[email protected]

RiskMap is available to purchase at a price of 150.00 pounds Sterling.

Notes to Editors
Control Risks Group is an international business risk consultancy. Since
its foundation in 1975, Control Risks has worked in more than 130 countries
for more than 5,300 clients — including 86 of the US Fortune Top100
companies. Control Risks’ mission is to enable its clients to succeed in
complex or hostile environments. RiskMap 2005 is based on extensive
analysis
of 195 countries.

Data Sample
RiskMap 2005 includes Control Risks’ security risk ratings forecasts,
which identify the projected level of business risk in various countries
around the globe. Areas listed below have been classified as EXTREME or
HIGH
risk. The forecasts are followed by an explanation of the security risk
levels identified.

Ratings categories and countries/regions
Countries marked in bold refer to the whole country. Countries not in
bold refer to just the region in brackets.

EXTREME POLITICAL RISK
Russia (Chechnya region), Somalia.

EXTREME SECURITY RISK
Iraq, Somalia, Tajikistan (Afghan border area, Garm, Tavildera regions).

HIGH POLITICAL RISK
Afghanistan, Belarus, Bolivia, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Georgia, Guinea
(Conakry), Haiti, Iraq, Israel (Palestinian Authority (PA) areas), Liberia,
North Korea, Philippines, Serbia and Montenegro (Kosovo region), Somalia
(Somaliland), Tajikistan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

HIGH SECURITY RISK
Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia (Azerbaijani border areas), Azerbaijan
(Armenian border areas, Nagorno-Karabakh), Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon
(major cities), Central African Republic (north, north-western regions),
Colombia, Congo DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Eritrea (Ethiopian, Sudanese borders),
Ethiopia (eastern areas towards Somalia, towards Kenyan border, along
Eritrean
border), Georgia, Guatemala (Guatemala City), Haiti, Jamaica (Kingston and
Spanish Town), India (Kashmir, Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland),
Indonesia (Aceh, Papua, Central Sulawesi and Maluku), Israel (PA areas),
Kenya
(northern areas towards Somalia and along Ethiopian borders), Kyrgyzstan
(Tajik and Uzbek border areas), Laos (Xaysomboune Special Zone and Xieng
Khouang Province), Liberia (border with Cote d’Ivoire), Macedonia
(north-west
region), Moldova (Transdniestr), Nepal, Nigeria (Niger delta), Pakistan,
Panama (Darien Province on Colombian border), Papua New Guinea (Port
Moresby,
Lae and Mount Hagen), Peru (Upper Huallaga, Apurimac, Ene and Perene
valleys),
Philippines (south-central, west Mindanao), Rwanda (border with Burundi),
Russia (Dagestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia), Saudi Arabia, Serbia and
Montenegro (Kosovo, southern Serbia), Somalia (Somaliland), Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan (Tajik border areas, Fergana valley), Venezuela (Colombian
borders),Yemen, Zimbabwe.

MEDIUM POLITICAL RISK
Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Congo DRC, Croatia, Cyprus (TRNC),
Djibouti, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon,
Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos,
Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives,
Mauritania,
Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco (Western Sahara region), Mozambique, Nepal,
Niger,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe,
Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri
Lanka,
Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania (Zanzibar archipelago), Thailand, Turkey,
Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia.

MEDIUM SECURITY RISK
Albania (north-east regions), Algeria (Sahara region), Angola, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin (Nigerian border), Burkina Faso, Cambodia,
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, East Timor, Ethiopia,
Fiji,
France (Corsica, Les Landes, Alpes Maritimes region), Greece (Athens,
Thessaloniki), Guinea (Conakry), Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Italy
(Calabria, Sicily, Milan, Rome), Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon,
Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Moldova,
Mongolia, Mozambique, Niger (borders with Algeria, Libya), Nigeria, Oman,
Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands,
Sri Lanka (north, north-eastern regions), Swaziland, Tanzania (Zanzibar
archipelago, Rwanda border areas), Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Turkmenistan,
Uganda (northern areas affected by LRA insurgency), Ukraine, United Arab
Emirates, United Kingdom (Northern Ireland and London), Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe
(central urban areas).

Definition of Security Risk Levels

EXTREME
The severity of security risks to assets or personnel is likely to make
business operations untenable. There is no law and order; conditions may
verge on war or civil war. Companies must strongly consider withdrawal.

HIGH
There is a probability that foreign companies will face security
problems;
special measures are required. Assets and personnel are at constant risk
from
violence or theft by state or non-state actors OR there is a high risk of
collateral damage from terrorism or other violence. State protection is
very
limited.

MEDIUM
There is a reasonable possibility of security problems affecting
companies, but there is no sustained threat directed specifically against
foreign companies. Targeted crime or violence poses some risk to foreign
assets and personnel OR they are at risk from violence by terrorists or
unrest.

LOW
Assets are generally secure and the authorities provide adequate
security.
Companies and personnel face only infrequent exposure to violence from
terrorists or criminals; companies are unlikely to be systematically
targeted
for asset theft.

INSIGNIFICANT
Assets and personnel are not at risk except from isolated incidents or petty
crime. Levels of violent crime are low, the authorities provide effective
security and there is virtually no political violence.

Definition of Political Risk Levels

EXTREME
Conditions are hostile to/untenable for business. There is no investment
security. The following conditions may apply: the economy has collapsed;
law
and order has broken down and state bodies ceased to function; there is a
state of war or civil war; non-state actors cause suspension of operations;
or
the state is actively hostile to foreign business and expropriation of
assets
is likely.

HIGH
Business is possible but conditions are difficult or likely to become so
in the near future. Political institutions effectively do not function, the
regulatory framework is poor and judicial decisions are arbitrary. There is
little security for investments. Business may be exposed to the following
risks: economic and political conditions may become rapidly unstable;
international sanctions are possible; non-state actors actively target
business; or there is a risk of contract repudiation or re-negotiation by
state actors.

MEDIUM
Foreign business is likely to face some disruption from state or
non-state
actors OR long-term investment security cannot be guaranteed. There is a
risk
for business of exposure to some or all of the following: corruption; strong
and hostile lobby groups; absence of adequate legal guarantees; restrictions
on imports or exports; weak political institutions; and capricious policy-
making. In some Medium risk countries there is a latent threat of military
or
other illegal intervention.

LOW
Business can operate with few problems. Political institutions are
stable
but there is some possibility of negative policy change. Legal guarantees
are
strong but business may face some regulatory or judicial insecurity. Non-
state actors may occasionally hamper operations.

INSIGNIFICANT
The environment for business is favourable and likely to remain so.
Government policy is stable and the economy is secure. Business faces no
legal or regulatory disadvantages. There are no significant non-state
threats
to operations.

SOURCE Control Risks Group
Web Site:

A1 Plus | 19:25:17 | 18-11-2004 | Official |

RECONCILIATION WITH `ARMENTEL’ RATIFIED

Today Executive Power of Armenia has approved Reconciliation Agreement
concluded between Armenian Government, OTE and `ArmenTel’ JV CJSC.
Armenian Justice Minister David Harutyunyan has represented the main
clauses of it.

Cooperation with NATO “key component” of Armenian national security

Azg, Yerevan
11 Nov 04

NATO membership is not on Armenia’s agenda at present, although
cooperation with the alliance remains a key component of national
security, Samvel Lazarian, Armenia’s ambassador to NATO, has said. He
told Armenian newspaper Azg that Armenia is planning to complete a
draft of its Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO by the end
of the year. He said that Armenia and NATO at present cooperate on
monitoring emergencies, researching river pollution and the Virtual
Silk Road project, which will improve Internet access for Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia. The following is the text of Tatul Akopyan’s
interview with Samvel Lazarian in Azg on 11 November headlined
“Our cooperation with NATO a key component of national security”;
subheadings inserted editorially:

An interview with the Armenian ambassador to NATO, Samvel Lazarian.

After his meeting with President Robert Kocharyan NATO
Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer referred to Armenia-NATO
cooperation within an Individual Partnership Action Plan [IPAP]. What
kind of plan is this? And how far have Yerevan-Brussels relations
gone? The Armenian ambassador to NATO, Samvel Lazarian, answers
these questions in an interview to Azg daily.

Armenian to complete IPAP draft by end of year

[Azg correspondent] Cooperation with international structures generally
starts with applying what is called the “blanket approach” principle,
when an institution carries out a similar policy for all the states of
a region. At a certain stage of cooperation the institution needs to
specify the framework and content of cooperation. Certainly, not all
countries agree on the terms and demands of some programmes. And NATO
has collaborated on a new programme for cooperation and partnership,
which is called an Individual Partnership Action Plan. Now every state
engaged in the Partnership for Peace initiative within the framework of
an IPAP may put forward its suggestions. That means that a state sets
its priorities, evaluates its abilities and in accordance with them
creates its own work programme. If the opposite party approves the
programme, it may be put into action. We are thinking of preparing a
draft of our programme by the end of this year and presenting it to
NATO, after which it will be approved and implemented.

NATO membership still not on agenda

[Correspondent] Mr Lazarian, Armenia’s accession to NATO is
viewed as very probable in the near future, especially after the
secretary-general’s visit. Is it possible that Armenia will some
day declare, like neighbouring Azerbaijan and Georgia, its desire to
join NATO?

[Lazarian] In our political statements we have always been clear
and realistic, as opposed to others, and now we declare that NATO
membership is not on our political agenda now. We are keeping
to the chosen line in developing our relations with NATO. How
far our relations will go – that is another issue. But we do not
yet consider NATO membership a priority, because we are realistic
about the geopolitical issues facing our region. We also take into
consideration our readiness and the organization’s willingness to see
us as a member. Today NATO too is not longing for Armenia’s membership.

[Correspondent] Do you mean Armenia is not meeting NATO’s standards
today? Is that the reason why Armenia does not talk about joining NATO?

[Lazarian] No, that is not what I mean. It is a very subtle issue. Our
cooperation with NATO is a key component of national security, but here
we also have Russia and the Collective Security Treaty supporting us,
as well as individual states such as the USA with which we cooperate
in the defence sphere.

Armenia and NATO cooperating on emergencies, science, research

[Correspondent] As an ambassador you are going to represent Armenia’s
interests in Brussels. What aims does Armenia pursue in NATO?

[Lazarian] NATO is a multifaceted organization. Today Armenia and NATO
cooperate in monitoring extreme situations. We are also developing
our relations in the sphere of science. NATO is implementing two
very important projects in our region. The first is researching
rivers of the region and Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia will watch
that the rivers are not polluted. The second is the Virtual Silk
Road project through which the three states will gain access to the
Internet. Another primary issue is to secure the region’s security
with the help of NATO. The organization itself talks about this
function and it becomes a precondition for future development and
prosperity. The development and deepening of our cooperation will
largely depend on the success of the IPAP.

[Correspondent] Senior NATO officials have been speaking well of
Armenia lately. What is the reason for NATO’s optimism?

[Lazarian] NATO representatives assess Armenia’s abilities and
accuracy very highly. To be honest, NATO is interested in developing
relations with us, as our cooperation is rather loose. Certainly,
there are limits to our abilities, stemming from the general situation
in the region, including the unresolved Karabakh conflict, that holds
us back from taking further steps. But our cooperation within the
frameworks possible is efficient and that attracts both us and NATO.

SoHo in Vegas?
New Developments
Will Recast Sin City

By CHRISTINA BINKLEY
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
November 10, 2004; Page B1

Two giant development projects, each of them conceived as a minicity
with homes, shopping and gambling, are set to change the face of Las
Vegas by the end of the decade.

MGM Mirage announced today that it will build a $4 billion “city” on the
Las Vegas Strip. The company says the massive development is the size of
New York’s SoHo district, Times Square and Rockefeller Center combined.

At the same time, casino impresario Steve Wynn is planning to build a
huge resort development behind his latest casino project, Wynn Las
Vegas. According to the plans, described by several people familiar with
them, the project would entail as many as a dozen resort hotels
surrounding a vast lake that would be built behind the copper-colored
Wynn Las Vegas tower that now is rising.

“The goal is to create a pedestrian village where you walk, where
there’s stores and shopping in a beautiful environment with no cars,”
Mr. Wynn said.

MGM Mirage’s master-planned urban metropolis, approved by the casino
giant’s board during a lengthy meeting yesterday, is being designed by
the same architects responsible for Battery Park City in New York and
the Baltimore Inner Harbor East. It will be the largest private
development under way, said Jim Murren, MGM Mirage’s president and chief
financial officer.

“This is a fairly dramatic departure for Las Vegas and for our company,”
Mr. Murren said in an interview.

The development plans are set to take advantage of the recent
renaissance of Las Vegas, where casino profits and stock prices — and
land values — have been soaring. Boosted by the city’s return-to-sin
mentality and the success of a global advertising campaign — “What
happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas” — people from all over the
world have been flocking to the city’s nightclubs, shows and casinos.

Another catalyst for the development activity is the coming opening of
Wynn Las Vegas, which is set to debut in April. Given the previous
successes of Mr. Wynn’s earlier casino resorts — Bellagio, the Mirage,
and Treasure Island — most Las Vegas casino operators expect Wynn Las
Vegas to be a tough and highly luxurious competitor.

All this activity has contributed to a wave of mergers and acquisitions
this year in the casino industry, which is centered in Las Vegas. MGM
Mirage in June cut a $4.8 billion deal to buy Mandalay Resort Group.
Following that deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, Harrah’s
Entertainment Inc. agreed to make an even bigger acquisition — to buy
Caesars Entertainment Inc. for $5.3 billion. That was followed by
several additional planned acquisitions, including Penn National Gaming
Inc.’s planned purchase of ArgosyGaming Co., announced last week.

When its acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group closes next year, MGM
Mirage will have several hundred more acres to develop nearby along the
Las Vegas Strip. Ultimately, MGM Mirage will oversee most of the
southern end of the Las Vegas Strip in what some people who are familiar
with the dense, urban plans are calling “Kerkorian City.” MGM Mirage is
controlled by billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian.

The working title for the MGM Mirage metropolis is “Project CityCenter.”
The plans include a 4,000 room hotel and three smaller hotels. The
company has been talking with existing hoteliers that would manage those
smaller hotels. While no deals have been cut, the company is seeking
hotel brands that exist in Europe and Asia, places where Las Vegas is
competing heavily for high-rolling gamblers. Mr. Murren mentioned
Raffles, Peninsula and Cipriani as the type of hotel the company is
seeking.

There also will be 1,650 condominium and private residence club units
whose role will be to create a city-like 24-hour atmosphere. The 66-acre
development, designed by New York-based Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn
Architects, will sit next to Bellagio and the Monte Carlo casinos on
land that is owned by MGM Mirage.

It isn’t clear yet exactly how MGM Mirage will pay for the project. But
Mr. Murren, who this week put together a $9.7 billion package of bank
debt that can be used for the Mandalay acquisition and other things,
said he thinks the company will be able to fund CityCenter “easily.”

The CityCenter retail shopping area will be outdoors and “SoHo-type,”
Mr. Murren said, with streets designed for strolling as well as cars —
and no mall. Executives at MGM Mirage have been referring to this retail
area as “SoBella” for “South of Bellagio.” “We’re creating our own urban
environment,” Mr. Murren said.

One goal of both MGM Mirage and Mr. Wynn is to prevent their customers
from leaving for rival properties. The idea is to build vast resorts
with dozens of restaurants, several shows and endless shopping.

Mr. Wynn’s project would build out the 240-acre site where he is
building Wynn Las Vegas. The dozen or so resorts are to be built on the
$22 million Tom Fazio, Steve Wynn-designed golf course whose own
construction was completed just last week. “The whole thing would be
many waterfront resorts, not high-rise — medium-rise,” said Mr. Wynn in
a recent interview.

Several people familiar with Mr. Wynn’s plans there said that project
would be built around a vast lake — which could offer water skiing and
other entertainment — with a boardwalk that would lead to the high-rise
hotels. There would be more shows and entertainment, as well as vacation
homes that probably would be sold as timeshares or other forms of
“fractional” real estate.

Unlike MGM Mirage’s hotels, the elements of those resorts would be fully
owned by Wynn Resorts Ltd. “This is for my grandchildren,” Mr. Wynn
said. The costs would be paid for with cash flows from Wynn Las Vegas
and bank debt. Construction isn’t expected to start until 2008.

Write to Christina Binkley at [email protected]

Armenian Minister not to Attend Baku Conference

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2004

Armenian Minister for Transport and Communications Andranik Manukian
will not participate in a conference entitled “Expansion of transport
relations between Caspian basin countries and neighboring states” to
be organized by the European Union in Baku November 13-14, according
to the Armenian Ministry. The Armenian official is not invited to
the event, the ministry said.

Manukian told local journalists on Tuesday that ‘time after time the
Azerbaijani side puts Armenia into a time-out situation under the
pretext of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict’.

Commenting on the matter, head of the Azerbaijan Transport Ministry
Secretariat Namig Hasanov said that the planned participation of the
Armenian minister in the conference is undesirable for Azerbaijan.

“The Azeri government and the Ministry of Transport state that no
relations will be established with Armenia unless it withdraws armed
forces from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan,” Hasanov stressed.

The two-day conference will discuss issues of expanding cooperation in
automobile, railway and air transport, ensuring security in automobile
transportation and the work done within the TACIS program.

The event will be attended by representatives of transport ministries
from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran, Georgia and Turkey.

Veterans Day to be honored with events throughout the state

Providence Journal, RI
Nov 8 2004

The Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence,
will conduct its annual Veterans Day program on Wednesday, starting
at 10 a.m., in the fifth-floor auditorium. Keynote speaker will be
Chief Justice Frank J. Williamsof the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
Hosted by Vincent Ng, medical center director, the ceremony will
include a color guard from the Rhode Island National Guard, an ROTC
unit from Cranston High School East performing a flag-folding
ceremony and an ROTC unit from Coventry High School performing a
tribute to missing soldiers. Veterans’ activist David A. Rourke will
present a donation in memory of Cpl. Robert Lee Argenti, killed in
VietNam in 1970, to be used to purchase a new DAV transport van.

Also on Wednesday the Marine Corps League’s Kent County Detachment
will conduct a ceremony open to the public at the State House on
Smith Street in Providence, from 10 a.m. to noon, which will include
the flying of the Marine Corps flag over the State House to honor the
Marine Corps birthday.

Veterans Day events scheduled for Thursday include:

The Bristol Veterans Council Veterans Day Committee will conduct its
annual Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony in the Honor Roll Garden
in Bristol at 8:30 a.m., followed by an interfaith memorial service,
at 9:30 a.m., at the Rhode Island Veterans Home chapel, 480 Metacom
Ave., Bristol. There will be a brief speaking program featuring Cpt.
James Valente, an active-duty surgeon in the U.S. Navy and a
Middletown native, and a collation in the home’s lobby.

The Coventry Veterans Council invites the public to participate in a
Veterans Day memorial ceremony at 9 a.m. at AMVETS Post 4 on Meeting
Street.

A Veterans Day observance will be held at 9 a.m. in Portsmouth, in
Town Council chambers with a wreath presentation to follow at the
Portsmouth War Memorial at Town Hall.

The West Warwick Veterans Day observance, sponsored by the town’s
Veterans Council, will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park
at Two Legion Way.

Veterans Day parades will be held at 9:30 a.m. from Wilson Park in
Wickford; at 9:30 a.m. starting from South Kingstown High School; and
at 10 a.m. from North Scituate’s Berkander Field. East Greenwich
celebrates Veterans Day with a parade starting at 10 a.m. on Main
Street, which will include Quonset Air Museum’s award-winning 30-foot
model of the aircraft carrier Wasp (CV-18) that will be displayed
following the parade at American Legion Post 15, 1016 Main St., until
3 p.m.

The American-Armenian Veterans Memorial Committee will conduct a 10
a.m. Veterans Day memorial service at the group’s monument (second
one on the left past the administration building) in the Rhode Island
Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.

Quonset Air Museum, 488 Eccleston Ave., Quonset State Airport, North
Kingstown, will hold a Veterans Day open house, from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m., with free admission to observe its large aircraft collection
and artifacts from Rhode Island’s rich aviation history.

U.S. Submarine Veterans — Groton Base will hold its annual Veterans
Day memorial service at 11 a.m., at the World War II Submarine
Veterans Memorial at Bridge and Thames Streets in Groton, Conn. The
Tolling of the Boats ceremony will recognize the loss of 52
submarines and 3,300 men, as well as all those lost on all U.S.
submarines before and after World War II. Master Chief Dean Irwin
will speak.

The Rhode Island Office of Health and Human Services, the Department
of Human Services and the Division of Veterans Affairs will jointly
sponsor a Rhode Island Veterans Day tribute to all its veterans and
current military personnel at the State House rotunda in Providence.
The 2 p.m. ceremony will feature the display of a model of the World
War II Memorial under construction in Memorial Park on South Main
Street in Providence. Joseph Corrente, Memorial Commission project
chairman, and commission members will be present to answer all
inquiries about the memorial. Rhode Island claims 96,000 World War II
veterans. The 2,560 veterans who died during the war will have their
names inscribed on the honor roll memorial wall.

Army retirement seminar to be held in Quonset Leroy Bussells,
assistant director of retirement affairs for the Association of the
United States Army, will discuss retirement issues at a seminar on
Nov. 18 at the Quonset “O” Club in North Kingstown. Bussells will
present information on recent legislation passed by Congress that
affects survivor benefit plans and other regulation changes affecting
retirement planning.

The event, sponsored by the Rhode Island Chapter of the Association
of the United States Army, is free and begins at 6:30 p.m. with
appetizers and a cash bar followed by the speaking program. Attendees
must respond by Nov. 15 to Anthony at (401) 861-2997.

R.I. women veterans to gather for luncheon A luncheon designed to
bring together Rhode Island’s women veterans for camaraderie and to
educate them about their military benefits, will be held on Nov. 20
at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Warwick, starting at 11 a.m. All
services including active duty and retired military women are invited
along with male veterans or veterans’ organizations.

The program will include an appearance by Kim Graves from the Rhode
Island Veterans Affairs Office to address benefit questions. Tickets
cost $20 and will be sold until Nov. 15. Requests should be mailed to
All Service Women’s Lunch c/o Ginny Hanson, 76 Bliss Rd., Newport, RI
02840. For more information, call Maureen Holland at (401) 232-1659.

AMVETS Almeida-Borges Post 37 meets tonight at the Walley School,
High Street, Bristol, at 7 p.m. The Rhode Island Department will meet
Wednesday at Post 33, 140 South Bend St., Pawtucket, at 7 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary Post 45 assembles this evening
at the Silver Lake Community Center, 524 Plainfield St., Providence,
at 7 p.m. Washington County Post will meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., at
155 High St., Wakefield. A District 4 meeting will be held Wednesday
at 7:30 p.m., at Plainfield Community Center, 529 Plainfield St.,
Providence. Auxiliary president Dorothy Irving will visit Smithfield
Memorial Auxiliary 2929 on Saturday at 47 Putnam Pike in Smithfield.
Post 449 will host its annual turkey trot with raffles and prizes on
Saturday at 7 p.m., at the post home on Providence Street in West
Warwick. Tabor Franchi Auxiliary 2396 will host a veterans’
dinner/dance on Saturday, starting at 7:30 p.m., at 170 Randall St.,
Cranston; tickets cost $22.50. Kelley-Gazzerro Post 2812, 1418
Plainfield St., Cranston, will meet on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Eighth Air
Force Historical Society The Rhode Island chapter will meet tomorrow
at Bickford’s restaurant, Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, at 11 a.m.,
for Eighth Air Force veterans and friends. American Legion and
Auxiliary Post 18 will gather tomorrow at 7 p.m., at 3064 E. Main
Rd., Portsmouth, and the auxiliary unit will meet Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
Shields Unit 43 will meet tomorrow at the post home in Warwick at 7
p.m. The 8/40 Unit will gather on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., at
Charlesgate North on North Main Street in Providence. Post 39 will
meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., at 1948 Kingstown Rd., Peace Dale. Post
1 will meet Thursday at 1 p.m., at Macera’s Garden Room in Cranston.
Howard-Rogers Auxiliary Unit 25 will meet Thursday at 25 McCallum
Ave., Pawtucket, at 7:30 p.m. Auxiliary Unit 103 will host a Hawaiian
sunset luau on Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight, at Post 79, 46
Central St., Central Falls. Call Virginia at (401) 727-1524 for
tickets, which are $15. Korean War Veterans Association West Bay
Chapter 2 will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday at 7:30 pm, at
VFW Post 449, 197 Providence St., West Warwick. Northern Rhode Island
Chapter 3 will meet Wednesday at Terry Lane Post at Pinewood Park in
Chepachet, beginning at 7 p.m. The Reserve Officers Association The
Rhode Island Department will gather at the Harwood Reserve Center,
385 Niagara St., Providence, on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Military
Officers’ Association of America Narragansett Bay Chapter will meet
Friday at Chianti’s restaurant, 195 Forge Rd., East Greenwich,
starting at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $23, and reservations must be made by
today by calling Stan at (401) 783-0455.

The Retired Enlisted Association Narragansett Bay Chapter 79 will
meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday at VFW Post 4487, 52 Underwood Lane,
Middletown. Nominations for officers will be taken at this meeting.

George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn [at] verizon.net or
by writing to the Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI
02902.