Author: Tadevosian Garnik

KfW CONDUCTS STUDY OF MORTGAGE MARKET OF ARMENIA

YEREVAN, August 23 (Noyan Tapan). The prospects of assistance of KfW
to implementation of the mortgage crediting program in Armenia were
discussed at the August 23 meeting of Aram Haroutiunian, RA Minister
of Urban Construction, and Raymond Strike, the Head of the advisers’
group of the KfW German bank. A.Haroutiunian mentioned that for the
purpose of regulation of the corresponding legislative field the
experience of European countries in this sphere is being studied at
present. According to the Minister, KfW may render assistance to both
families with average incomes for the purpose of buying an apartment
and to condominiums for the purpose of solving the problems of
buildings’ repair up to the problems of local heating.

The Press Service of RA Ministry of Urban Construction informed Noyan
Tapan that at present KfW conducts study of the mortgage market of
Armenia and the issues that were discussed will be submitted to the
leadership of the bank.

Azer News, Azerbaijan
Aug 19 2004

EBRD refutes reports on operations in Upper Garabagh

Local media have released reports saying that the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is operating or funding
operations in Upper Garabagh.

On Thursday the EBRD office in Baku said that these reports are
inaccurate, as the bank is not involved in financing such operations.
In 2002, EBRD provided a $3 million loan to the Armenian Copper
Program (ACP), a closed joint-stock company operating in Armenia. The
owner of ACP is Valery Medzhlumian, a Yerevan-based entrepreneur with
business interests in Armenia and Russia, according to the EBRD Baku
office.

Medzhlumian also owns a company in Upper Garabagh. The EBRD means
have not been used to finance this business. The Bank has also taken
steps to ensure that its loan to the ACP is not used for operations
in Upper Garabagh.

Opinion Editorials, VA
Aug 18 2004

FROM THE HEARTLAND/Will it be as it was?
Alan Thederahn

`There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not
know'(Harry S. Truman). The current armed uprising in Iraq is not a
surprise to anyone familiar with the Iraqi revolt against the British
military occupation in 1920. Resentment of the occupation led to the
formation of a secret society, Haras al-Istiqlal (Independence Guard)
led by Muhammad al-Sadr, (Grandfather of Moqtada Sadr, the leader of
the current Iraqi uprising) a son of the prominent Shi’a mujtahid
Ayatollah Hasan al-Sadr. Haras al-Istiqlal also had a close liaison
with esteemed cleric Ayatollah Muhammad Tami al-Shirazi who in April
1920 issued a fatwa pronouncing that service in the British
occupation administration was unlawful. By May there was active
cooperation between Sunnis’ and Shi’a against the British occupation.
The armed uprising broke out in June, set off in part by the arrest
of the son of Ayatollah al-Shirazi by British authorities. The
response of Ayatollah al-Shirazi, the premier Shi’a cleric in Iraq,
was to send out another fatwa appearing to encourage armed
insurrection. British measures to pre-empt an uprising only resulted
in the revolt breaking out and acquiring momentum. Inadequate British
forces were compelled to regroup and the uprising was not suppressed
until the end of October 1920 at a cost of lives of approximately 500
British and Indian soldiers and 6000 Iraqis.

If viewed from a time outlook of years rather than months the current
American military invasion and occupation of Iraq shares conspicuous
affinities with the campaign of the Roman emperor Trajan in the same
geographic region between 113 and 117 A.D. In both instances
political instability in the region jeopardized vital economic
interests which motivated both America and Rome to attempt to impose
a radical political solution upon the region by military conquest and
de facto annexation. It is a noteworthy fact that in both cases this
fundamental and far-reaching revision of previous established foreign
policy was instigated by `War cliques’ within the current American
administration and the emperor’s retinue. In both cases initial rapid
and complete military success was followed by an occupation
characterized by chaos, growing resentment, and ever more pervasive
violence which served only to generate even more political
instability in the region. Finally in both instances the military
invasion and occupation produced enormous strains upon both the
military capacity and financial solvency of both America and Rome.
These costs could not be recouped from the economic exploitation of
the occupied territory. A brief review of the main factorsand
sequence of events comprising Trajan’s campaign and its aftermath
clarify these four defining similarities with the present American
position in Iraq.

The prudent moderation of Emperor the Augustus fixed the geographic
limits of the Roman Empire within the Empire’s military capacity to
protect Rome’s vital economic
interests. These economic interests were essentially coterminous with
the Commerce of the Mediterranean world. On its eastern frontier Rome
had come to an arrangement in 66 A.D. with the Parthian Empire (the
regions of present day Iran and Iraq) over the disputed buffer
Kingdom of Armenia to the satisfaction of both Rome and Parthia. This
modus vivendi produced conditions that fostered regular caravan trade
which was a source of income for both powers. Such commerce yielded
large customs duties to both empires Treasury’s and brought
prosperity both to Roman Syria and Parthian Mesopotamia. The
arrangement permitted Rome to continue consolidation of its eastern
frontier to promote the affluence of the Empire’s urban and upper
classes.

The diplomatic and commercial understandings between Rome and Parthia
were ruptured in the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117 A.D.). An
irregular succession inthe buffer Kingdom of Armenia and attendant
disorders in that realm provided Rome with a pretext to place matters
in the East on an entirely new footing. The death of Trajan’s
confidante L. Licinius Sura about 110 A.D. was an evil day for the
Empire because it strengthened the influence of the military element
in the emperor’s entourage. From his experiences in the Dacian wars
(105-108 A.D.) Trajan had acquired distaste for compromise which
played into the hands of those who advocated an aggressive policy in
place of the established traditional policy of Augustus.

The end result was that Trajan determined to annex Armenia as a Roman
province and end the threat posed by Parthia by occupying portions of
its territory by military garrisons and appointing a Roman nominee as
king of Parthia. This radical military solution would also entail a
tremendous commercial coup for the conquest to of Iraq would
eliminate Parthia from its middleman roll in the lucrative India
trade leaving the caravan routes to Syria completely in Roman hands.
Initial and complete military success attended Trajan’s plans from
114-116 A.D. With the fall of the Parthian capital, near present-day
Baghdad, and the emperor’s advance to the Persian Gulf the war seemed
over. Revolt quickly broke out to in the occupied areas of Iraq and
Rome regain control only after extensive heavy fighting. However, the
resources of Rome had been severely strained and it became a serious
question of how much effort would be required from the Roman Army to
preserve the bulk of Trajan’s conquests with Parthian military forces
still very much present and active. With the memorable failure of the
Roman Army before the key caravan city of Hatra in Iraq in 116
A.D.and the death of Trajan in 117 A.D., his successor Hadrian was
left to wrestle with the formidable legacy Trajan’s radical policy
had bequeathed to him. The new emperor, who had served on the Army
staff in the recent campaigns, was deeply impressed that Trajan’s
conquests were a severe political miscalculation and that it was
unsafe to attempt any extension of the Empire’s eastern frontiers
beyond the boundaries Augustus established 100 years previously. The
discretion of Hadrian recognized that in the East there were alien
and indissoluble cultural structures that might well exhaust the
energies of the Empire to provide the institutions and laws which
characterized the pax Romana. He also fully appreciated the extent to
which the Roman army had been stretched in the recent fighting and
for the preservation of the Army it was necessary to disengage the
troops from Iraq. The first acts of Hadrian were to evacuate the new
conquests in Iraq, to reestablish the former arrangement with Partha
over Armenia, and to withdraw the legions within the traditional line
of the Euphrates. The wisdom of these measures was quickly
demonstrated when the withdrawal of the legions made available extra
military forces for the suppression of an extensive insurrection
which had broken out among the Jewish Diaspora in the possessions of
the Empire itself while Trajan had been campaigning in Iraq. In his
actions on becoming emperor demonstrated a political courage that
enabled him to reject a failed radical policy, and in doing so save
the Army and restore peace within the Empire. The present American
position in the occupied Iraq leaves unanswered the critical
historical question: Will it be as it was?

Comments may be sent to: [email protected]

Alan W. Thederahn Director
Robert W. Meyer Deputy Director & Senior Analysts
The Old Virginia Military District Institute

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part B (Russia)
August 16, 2004, Monday

THE BLUFF IN THE CAUCASUS

SOURCE: Nezavisimoe Voennoe Obozrenie, No. 30, August 2004, p. 3

by Alexander Khramchikhin, chief analyst at the Political and
Military Analysis Institute

The sudden escalation of the war of nerves first around South Ossetia
and then Abkhazia leaves the impression that a full-scale war (or
rather, wars) could be possible between Georgia and these
unrecognized republics in the near future. Under the circumstances,
it is necessary to asses the military resources of both sides.

Like the national armies of other CIS countries, the Armed Forces of
Georgia are part of the remnants of the Soviet Armed Forces. Ukraine
and Belarus, for example, took possession of whatever was on their
territory at the moment that the USSR disintegrated (numerous and
well-equipped second-echelon troops), but Georgia found itself with
only a part of the much weaker Caucasus Military District. It didn’t
even inherit everything stationed or located on its territory: only
what Russia agreed to part with. It should likewise be admitted that
that skills of Georgian officers and soldiers cannot match those of
Slavs, or the nearby Armenians, for example.

The weakness of the Georgian military was one of the major reasons
for its defeat in the wars with Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the
early 1990s. At the same time (the second important reason), these
rebel republics had help. On the one hand, they were assisted by
Russia’s federal government; on the other, by the Russian regions in
the Caucasus – above all, by the then-independent Chechnya. In fact,
in the Georgian-Abkhazian war Russia managed to help both sides at
once. In any case, Georgia lost both wars and found itself deprived
of a great deal of military hardware – most of it seized by the
Abkhazians and South Ossetians as trophies of war.

These days, the Georgian Ground Forces number almost 25,000 men, or
six brigades and two battalions. One of these battalions has been
trained by American instructors according to American curricula. They
have 80 tanks, but only thirty T-72 tanks may be regarded as more or
less modern (the rest are hopelessly outdated T-55s). There are also
80 battle infantry vehicles, 110 armored personnel carriers, over 100
artillery pieces, 18 BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, and about
200 portable SAM launchers.

The Georgian Air Force includes five to ten SU-25 ground-strafers
(seven more were shot down in the war with Abkhazia). In theory, all
these aircraft were assembled in Tbilisi, but the factory there
depended entirely on spare parts and components sent from Russia.
Israel equipped one of the ground-strafers with its own avionics.
This aircraft was named the Scorpio. Georgia takes a great deal pride
in it.

As for the Georgian Navy, it has up to 20 vessels – made in the
Soviet Union, America, Germany, Romania, Greece, and Turkey.

Information about the armed forces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is
much sparser. Most of their military hardware was seized from the
Georgians 10 or 12 years ago. It is reasonable to assume that some
light weapons (perhaps plenty of them – including anti-tank and air
defense weapons) were received from Russia after the wars. According
to some estimates, Abkhazia has up to 50 tanks, 80 battle infantry
vehicles and armored personnel carriers, and 80 artillery pieces.
There may even be some MI-8 helicopters (in fact, the Abkhazians even
used gliders in the war), and there is one SU-25 fighter. The
Abkhazian Navy is mostly made up of converted civilian barges and
boats. The South Ossetian “military” is even weaker.

On paper, the Georgian Armed Forces are stronger than the forces of
both unrecognized republics combined – but not by much. In fact,
however, this is a textbook case of a strategic stand-off: neither
side can hope to win a war of conquest, but can and will succeed in
defending itself. It is likewise clear that neither the Abkhazians
nor the South Ossetians need to mount a war of conquest.

Just like in the first wars, the psychological advantage (should a
new war take place) will be on the side of Abkhazians and South
Ossetians. Their eagerness to defend their ancestral lands is much
stronger than the Georgians’ desire to restore territorial integrity.
Terrain will also play into the hands of the Abkhazians and South
Ossetians – defense in the mountains and cities is much easier than
offensive action. If the Georgian troops overrun some part of the
territory of an unrecognized republic, they will encounter guerrilla
resistance – much worse than what the Russian military is
encountering in Chechnya. Moreover, personnel and weapons would start
entering Abkhazia and South Ossetia unchecked from Russia. Abkhazian
and South Ossetian detachments will be able to retreat to the
territory of Russia to rest and regroup. Moreover, Abkhazian and
South Ossetian forces may use the territory of Russia for
maneuvering, where they will be completely safe from the Georgian
regular army.

Even Georgia’s advantage in aerial and naval warfare won’t help. The
Georgian Air Force is too small to have any substantial effect on the
situation, particularly since their opponents undoubtedly have
portable SAM launchers. The Georgian Navy could lay siege to the
Abkhazian coast, but the rebel republic would have its supply lines
on land. The Georgian Navy cannot be relied upon to mount any
substantial frontal operation.

There is no point in even discussing the idea that America might
enter the war on Georgia’s side. The United States has never been
prepared to fight for anyone else’s interests at the cost of a direct
confrontation with Russia. Now that it is helplessly losing the
campaign in Iraq, this option is clearly out of the question.

President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia understands all this. He
doesn’t intend to go to war either. He has been bluffing since the
very first day of his presidency. It’s hard to blame Saakashvili for
doing so, since it’s really his only option.

Saakashvili inherited a country in such a pitiful condition that he
could either finish stealing whatever hadn’t already been stolen, or
take advantage of the enthusiasm of the public and his own mandate.
Being an honorable man, the president of Georgia chose the latter
option. He scored a brilliant victory in Adzharia, which he literally
bluffed into submission. So Saakashvili decided to build on his
success, but… The problem is that Adzharia never fought Georgia or
declared its independence from Tbilisi. Abkhazia and South Ossetia
did do so – and became sovereign states, de facto. That is why taking
them back by bluff alone will be much more difficult than it was to
take Adzharia. Actually, it is only possible if the restive republics
are crushed economically and Russia is outmaneuvered and outbluffed.

It isn’t hard to see that Abkhazian and South Ossetian sovereignty
are entirely based on Russia. If stripped of Moscow’s support, their
regimes would collapse instantly – just like Aslan Abashidze’s regime
in Adzharia. As for Russia itself, it is in an extremely sensitive
position. It is difficult to support separatists elsewhere while
fighting them on one’s own territory (in the same general region).
Doing so while formally recognizing Georgia’s territorial integrity
is even more difficult. Neither is the task made any easier by the
fact that Russia doesn’t really know what it wants, while Saakashvili
knows exactly what he is after.

Needless to say, Russia would prefer to maintain the status quo – but
that’s impossible. Moreover, the existence of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia as unrecognized states may benefit their local elites, but it
doesn’t benefit their citizens. South Ossetia, and particularly
Abkhazia, are “dirt-poor millionaires” that have considerable mineral
resources but are forced to survive by smuggling because of their
uncertain status. This state of affairs cannot satisfy the
impoverished population. The elites have enough – that much is clear;
and they cannot go back. The point of no return was passed long ago
as far as they are concerned. As for the people, they close ranks
around the elites merely because they fear another war.

Russia probably could have absorbed Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the
early 1990s. Owing his presidency entirely to Russia, Eduard
Shevardnadze was too weak to put up a fight then, and post-Soviet
territory (the Baltic states and probably Ukraine being the only
exceptions) was as much Russia’s back yard then as Latin America was
and remains Washington’s back yard. Unfortunately, at the time Russia
was content to annex the Georgian autonomies de facto, and the legal
status of the matter was ignored. (Boris Yeltsin was notoriously
incapable of taking advantage of the fruits of his own victories.)
The situation is different now. Tbilisi will never consider the idea
of giving up Abkhazia and South Ossetia, while any unilateral action
by Moscow aimed at absorbing them would be viewed negatively by the
West.

If the authorities are off limits from the legal point of view, why
maintain the status quo? Russia’s positions are much weaker than
Georgia’s, and it is bound to continue backing off in the face of
Saakashvili’s bluffing, supported by Washington. If the autonomies
find themselves under an economic siege (and this would further
exacerbate the already-bad economic situation there), they may find
themselves in trouble. Without a war as such to fight, the people
will inevitably turn their wrath against their rulers sooner or
later. It is with economic isolation in mind that Saakashvili is
declaring Abkhazia a war zone and promising to open fire on tourist
vessels. The Georgians will not actually do it. They only want to
ruin tourism, the foundation of Abkhazia’s economy.

On the other hand, Saakashvili is treading on thin ice. He could
miscalculate at any moment and find himself with a war on his hands –
and a war would only benefit the authorities of the rebel autonomies.
Their people would rally around the separatist regimes, and Georgia
doesn’t stand a chance in an all-out war. It will be either defeated
or find itself fighting a guerrilla war. Either option would mean a
debacle for Saakashvili – but not, unfortunately, a victory for
Russia. Russia would only get another war in the Caucasus, even worse
and more hopeless than the war in Chechnya.

Translated by A. Ignatkin

COMMERCIAL BANKS ATTRACT MORE THAN YEAR DEPOSITS WITH HIGHEST INTEREST
IN EARLY AUGUST

YEREVAN, August 9 (Noyan Tapan). In the period from July 29 to August
5, the commercial banks of Armenia attracted more than a year deposits
with the highest interest rate (9%) and 180-day deposits with the
lowest interest rate (4%).

According to the data of the Central Bank of Armenia, during the same
period the commercial banks extended 90-day loans with the highest
interest rate (22%) and 60-day loans with the lowest interest rate
(5%). The dynamics of the deposits attracted by commercial banks is as
follows: 29.07.04 05.08.04 30 days 5% 7% 60 days 5% 5% 90 days 5% 6%
180 days 7% 4% 360 days 7% 8% More than a year 9% 9% The dynamics of
the interest rates of the loans issued by commercial banks: 29.07.04
05.08.04 30 days 13% 20% 60 days 20% 5% 90 days 20% 22% 180 days 21%
11% 360 days 21% 21% More than a year 21% 18%

Federal Information and News Dispatch, Inc.
The Washington Daybook
August 10, 2004

ORGANIZATION: The National Press Club holds a news conference to
discuss the Armenian economy and the Millennium Challenge Account.

TIME: 2 p.m.

LOCATION: National Press Club, 14th and F Streets NW, Zenger Room,
Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: Peter Hickman, 301-530-1210 or 202-662-7540; e-mail,
[email protected]

PARTICIPANTS: Vahram Nercissiantz, chief economic adviser to the
president of Armenia

TYPE: News conference

LN-ORG: NATIONAL PRESS CLUB (91%);

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
August 7, 2004

Opening Ceremonies for Newly Renovated Gevorkian Theological Seminary in
Holy Etchmiadzin

The evening of August 5 inaugurated a memorable and historical event in the
life of the Armenian Church. Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin
II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the newly renovated
Gevorkian Theological Seminary building in the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin was re-opened. Present for the opening ceremonies were hundreds
of clergy and faithful, including more than 30 family members of national
benefactors Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian. Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian, from the
United States, were the sponsors of the year-long construction and
renovation work on the historic building.

The Catholicos of All Armenians accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian cut
the ribbon at the entry of the famous building and led the procession of
guests and dignitaries to the large hall of the seminary, where a home
blessing service was offered, with readings from the Holy Bible and prayers
asking for God’s protection for the seminarians, instructors and
administrators.

Following the service, as the program began, Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Archpriest
Sargisian, dean of the seminary, welcomed the guests and spoke about the 130
year glorious history of the seminary founded by Catholicos of All Armenians
Gevork IV in 1874, (after whom the theological school was named), and the
important role that it has played in the life of the Armenian nation and
people. The dean also presented a short synopsis on the present status of
the university, and the many plans and projects currently underway, all
aimed at preparing a new generation of Armenian Church clergymen for
throughout the world. The Theological Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin has more
than 300 young men enrolled in four campuses throughout Armenia.

His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), spoke eloquently of the unique and
exceptional role the Gevorkian Theological Seminary plays in the preparation
of young clergymen, noting that it has an irreplaceable duty in guaranteeing
the future of the Armenian Church. His Eminence also noted that in addition
to this princely gift for the worldwide Armenian Church and the Mother See,
the Hovnanian Family has also exhibited great generosity towards projects
supporting the Eastern Diocese in the United States, as well as the
independent Republic of Armenia.

President of the National Academy of Sciences Mr. Fadey Sargisian noted the
rich legacy of individuals, both priests and laymen, who received their
higher education in the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, among them being
Komitas Vardapet Soghomonian, Hrachia Ajarian, Makar Yekmalian, Aksel
Bakounts, and Levon Shant.

National benefactor Kevork Hovnanian next addressed the assembled guests,
and spoke tenderly from the heart, noting in part, “Your Holiness, I see
that a new Golden Age has begun for the Armenian Church. I pray that the
new generation of priests will follow Your Holiness’ example, greater
strengthening Holy Etchmiadzin and our Mother Church, because it is only the
Armenian Church, who through her 1700 year rich experience has succeeded in
keeping us Armenian, in keeping us Christian, and has warmed our hearts,
always keeping alive in our minds and souls the love for the homeland and
our Church.”

At the conclusion of the program, His Holiness Karekin II gave his message
of blessing and appreciation to the benefactors and guests. The Pontiff of
All Armenians spoke of the vital mission which is reserved for the Gevorkian
Theological Seminary, in the past as well as the present and the future.
His Holiness highly appreciated the devotion of the benefactors, Mr. and
Mrs. Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian, and noted his joy at the presence of many
members of their family, including Mr. and Mrs. Hrair Hovnanian, Mr. and
Mrs. Vahakn Hovnanian, and children and grandchildren numbering more than
30, who had all traveled to Armenia, many for the first time, to be present
for the opening ceremonies of the school. His Holiness further noted the
unselfish example set by the entire Hovnanian family in their dedication to
the Armenian Church, her worldwide spiritual and administrative
headquarters – the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian diaspora and
the state of the Republic of Armenia.

In his message, the Catholicos of All Armenians stated, “Our happiness today
is transformed into prayer in our souls for the memory of our blessed
predecessors, the Supreme Pontiffs of our Church, whose vision and dream it
had been to pass through the re-opened doors of this historic building and
institution. They had dreamed to see our Church strengthened and vibrant,
and today we mark one more great step in that progress. As our forebears
lived and kept their identity through our Mother Church, regardless of where
or when they lived, they likewise taught and raised their children in our
unique Armenian Christian spirit – resolute, strengthened and supported by
this institution.”

Also present for the opening ceremonies were visiting primates from Armenian
dioceses in Europe and the United States, high ranking clergymen and members
of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, visiting priests from the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, representatives of sister Christian Churches,
members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, President of the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Haroutiunian, RA Minister of Culture
and Youth Affairs Hovik Hoveyan, Yerevan State University President Dr.
Radik Martirosian, and many other guests from the spheres of science,
education, culture and the arts. The musical program for the evening was
provided by the Choir of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary under the
direction of Maestro Ruben Sharbatian.

The program concluded with a banquet held in the refectory of the Mother See
in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Kevork Hovnanian.

The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Australia)
August 7, 2004 Saturday

Slick Vic has strong support

by Grantlee Kieza

VIC Darchinyan’s dad ran a petrol station back home in Armenia and
the little Sydney strongman is on a high-octane surge toward the
world flyweight boxing title.

Darchinyan, a fighter who can bench press nearly double his 51kg body
weight, fights for the IBF flyweight title on September 3 against
Colombia’s Irene Pacheco in a battle of left-handers.

Irene is unbeaten in 30 fights and with the most embarrassing
Christian name since A Boy Named Sue, he’s had to fight hard all his
life.

Darchinyan, 28, who represented Armenia at the Sydney Olympics and
settled in Ryde, fights Pacheco in Hollywood, Florida and says he has
the power to beat the tall southpaw.

“I like to fight against boxers who are taller than me,” Darchinyan
said. “There is more of them to hit.

“I believe I have the punching power to throw Pacheco off his plan
and worry him from the first bell.” Darchinyan is unbeaten in 21 pro
fights and has been preparing for the fight in torrid sparring
sessions against world-ranked junior-welterweight Lovemore Ndou at
Jeff Fenech’s Marrickville gym.

The man with 16 KOs will be accompanied to America by training
partner Danny Green, the WBC Interim super-middleweight champ, who
fights South African Andre Thysse in Perth on October 17.

Green will spar former world light-heavyweight champ Julio Gonzalez
and undefeated world-rated super-middleweight Librado Andrade in Los
Angeles.

MX (Melbourne, Australia)
August 6, 2004 Friday

Don t I know you?

You probably know the face, yet struggle to remember the name.
However, these actors deserve accolades for the off-beat roles they
play.

TILDA SWINTON

Swinton generally appears in independent films, such as Young Adam,
Orlando, The Deep End and Adaptation. The outspoken Scot believes
that the average moviegoer isn’t sure what to do with women whose
looks are unconventional, by Hollywood standards.

She is now filming The Chronicles of Narnia.

EMILY MORTIMER

Mortimer belongs in the women’s role hall of fame for her work in
Lovely and Amazing. In Bright Young Things, she’s a party girl, and
in the musical version of Love’s Labours Lost, she’s fantastic. She
is filming The Pink Panther with Beyonce and Steve Martin.

SARAH POLLEY

Even Dawn of the Dead fans probably aren’t familiar with Polley’s
best work. She’s attracted to personal films by directors with skewed
visions. Not exactly big box office stuff, but this former child star
hasn’t made a false move since The Sweet Hereafter in 1997. She also
starred in Go, with Katie Holmes.

HOPE DAVIS

Davis raised her profile as Jack Nicholson’s annoying daughter in
About Schmidt, but is still relatively unknown.

She will soon be seen in The Weather Man, opposite Nicolas Cage,
playing a wry and down-to-earth character.

ISABELLE HUPPERT

French actor Huppert has made at least 40 films in which her
character usually has a secret.

Whether it’s the homicidal mum in Merci pour le Chocolat or the prim
nag in 8 Women, they’re almost always

upper-class.

She’s drawn to dark stories that explore the extremes of emotional
behaviour.

JUDY GREER

Greer takes the Joan Cusack roles that Cusack doesn’t want.

She has made a nice little career out of playing the ditzy, slightly
pathetic sidekick. She’s made almost 30 movies in the past six years,
playing that part in virtually all of them, most memorably in What
Women Want. She will soon be seen in The Village.

SANDRA OH

Wry, straightforward Oh made a bewitching debut as a young woman
rebelling against the Chinese traditions of her uptight family in
1994’s Double Happiness, and she hasn’t had a well-rounded role
since. It’s a common mistake for actors who make big, early splashes.
Oh has taken what she could find, including small roles in The
Princess Diaries and Under the Tuscan Sun.

ARSINEE KHANJIAN

Canadian-Armenian Khanjian had intriguing roles in the French films
Late August, Early September, Irma Vep and Fat Girl, but her fierce
intelligence is best showcased in films by her husband, director Atom
Egoyan. In Felicia’s Journey she wittily hinted at the dark side of
being a domestic goddess long before Martha Stewart’s downfall. She
also starred in The Sweet Hereafter.

armenianow.com
August 6, 2004

Street of Sites and Smells: A tasty visit to ” Khorovats Street”

By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter

Like so many steam liners puffing on the sea of good eating, the khorovats
(barbecue) cafés of Proshyan Street have turned the thoroughfare into an
entity all to itself in Yerevan.
>From Baghramian to Paronyan streets, about 50 restaurants line the 1,450
meters of “Barbecue Street”, and send their smoky advertisement of greasy
pork and mutton on an aromatic sells pitch that thousands find irresistible.

”A few years ago there was nothing here except for private houses and
several char grills. Today it turned into one of the richest streets of the
city,” says Yerevan resident Zaven Hambardzumyan.
The Proshyan day begins at night. Not so long ago, the fires of burning
grapevines (the kindling for khorovats) were the street’s beacon. Today,
however, it is a parade of neon, as what started as small family cafes has
turned into big business restaurants competing for attention by announcing
themselves through gaudy displays.
”In afternoons we mainly have rest,” say Hov Hotel employee Mary Sargsyan.
“Through the whole night I stand and wash dishes. It is hard at nights, but
it is harder today to find work.”
Now known as ” Barbecue Street”, the khorovats boom began on Proshyan in the
1990s.
Zhudex Sargsayn, a geologist by profession, was among the first to start a
café in his home.
”’If there was a place where I could work using my profession I would leave
everything and go there to work. This doesn’t suit me and it is also a
question of ambitions,” Sargsyan says. “There was a time when I had a good
job and I lived very well. But I also realize that people continue not to
appreciate geology and I have to maintain my family.”

Viva Las Proshyan
And what is a necessity for some, becomes an indulgence for others. Ranging
from modest street-side cafes with little more than a box of fire and some
plastic dishes, to elaborate Vegas-like (one is called Ceasar’s Palace)
megaliths, Proshyan attracts tourists as well as locals and is a favorite
address for wedding parties and other celebrations.
Sargsyan, who named his place “At Zhudex” has a clientele built on former
classmates and associates.
Almost everyone in Proshyan Street remember how khorovats first appeared
here.
”There were two garages at the place, where Golden Fork’ restaurant is now
located,” Zhudex recalls. “People began making khorovats in those garages.
They were making thousands of khorovats slabs and those days meat was more
expensive. In the beginning they were only selling, and they almost didn’t
even have places where visitors could sit and eat. Everything began from
that place.”
Next to At Zhudex, Lianna Khalatyan owns ”Hatsarat” (Plentiful Food).
”We began slowly. First we placed one char grill then we constructed a
small room then we built the rest and today I have this small restaurant,”
she says.
Like everybody Lianna also insist that khorovats made in her restaurant
differs from khorovats prepared in other places of Proshyan Street.
All restaurants and snack bars of the street try to remain unique. But in
every restaurant one can find the mandatory khoravats menu: skewers of
roasted meet, complemented by greens, tomatoes, lavash, and plenty of vodka
to wash it down.

It’s all about the meat . . .
”You need several things for making good khorovats – good meat, a person
who can make good basturma and finally a person, who can professionally keep
the meat over the fire,” explains Yegor Arakelyan of Hov Hotel. “Several
hours before starting making khorovats it is necessary to put meat in
basturma (marinade) using only Armenian spices. It should be done on a heavy
fire but try to avoid bursts of flame. You must constantly turn spits with
meat over fire so that it doesn’t burn.”
Arakelyan doesn’t talk about professional subtleties saying that it is his
secret. According to him, the best basturma is the one that came to us from
our ancestors and which consists of onions, salt and pepper.
Zhudex says Armenians usually preferred lamb khorovats but now they mainly
prefer pork.
”Armenians from Diaspora come and say, ‘we came to Proshyan to eat tasty
khorovats.’ Here people mainly order lamb khorovats, real Armenian
khashlama. Also they order khorovats called ”Iki bir”. When they order
”Iki bir” we put meat potatoes and onions on spits,” says director of Hov
Hotel’ Ruzanna Hambaryan.
Prices in Proshyan Street don’t differ too much. Pork chops cost 2000 drams
(about $3.80), tender mater cost 1800 drams (about $3.40) and lamb khorovats
1900 drams (about $3.60). Kibab is cheaper. It costs 500 drams (about 95
cents).
The biggest restaurants of the street are Dzoraberd, Caesar’s Palace,
Urartu. But next to them, small stalls serve their peculiar clientele.

. . . and fire
“My business is small and I’m not even interested in a big one,” Lianna
says. “Big restaurants are not standing on the way of the smaller ones, they
have their business, we have ours. Weddings and parties with a lot of people
are done there and if there are a few people they prefer going to a smaller
place. Two or three people will definitely not go there.”
Summer is off season for Proshyan. It is the time, merchants say, when
people prefer going out of the city to do their barbecue dining.
And, new summertime restaurants in the Hrazdan Gorge (twice as expensive)
have taken a bite out of Proshyan. But not enough to devour its colorful
environment.
And on Proshyan Street businessmen also know very well the man whose name
the street bears.
“He who doesn’t know the great writer Pertch Proshyan has no right to live
and work on Proshyan Street,” says Ruzanna.