AZERI PRESIDENT RECEIVED OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS
Author: S.Ilhamgizi
TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006
On October 20, The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the
co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group in the Presidential Palace, Trend reports
with reference to the Press Service of the Presidential Apparat.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on the present situation
and prospects of negotiations were held regarding the settlement of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS INTEND TO ORGANIZE MEETINGS OF FMS AND PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA IN NEAR FUTURE
Author: A.Ismaylova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006
The visit of the OSCE Minsk Group to the region of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is to restore the direct contacts between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, the co-chairs of OSCE Minks Group told a Press-Conference
on October 2 in Baku,Trend reports.
American co-chair Mathew Mryza stressed that after the summer holiday,
the intensification is once again observed in the activities of
the co-chairs, and over the recent three weeks the co-chairs have
hold three meetings with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov. Touching on the status of the occupied Lachin and Kalbajar
districts of Azerbaijan, Bryza stressed that it is not as easy dilemma.
The Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov added that presently these
details are being discussed in the level of foreign ministers. But
the primary goal is to restore the direct contacts, and it has been
implemented in Azerbaijan. According to him, the co-chairs will depart
to Yerevan on October 3 and later Nagorno-Karabakh after which the
place and date of the next meeting of the foreign ministers will be
defined. In addition, the meeting of the presidents is planned.
The French co-chair Bernar Face the meeting with the Azerbaijani
President was open and irreproachable and such types of meetings
assist in the settlement of the problem. He stressed that after
meeting of the presidents in Rambue and Bucharest, the elements of key
principles of the regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continue to
be agreed. Face underlined that there is such an opinion in Paris,
Moscow and Washington that the military way for the settlement of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is impossible.
Touching on the statements of the Armenian foreign minister Vardan
Oskanyan regarding the possibilities of changing the format of talks,
the co-chairs stressed that its is unacceptable. But expressing the
attitude towards the GUAM countries’ including the issue regarding
frozen conflicts in the agenda of the U.N. Assembly General, the
settlement of the conflict within OSCE may be the fairest.
JACQUES CHIRAC: I BELIEVE IN THE CAPACITY OF THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE TO STRUGGLE FOR PEACE
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 30 2006
"I believe in the capacity of the Armenian people to struggle for
peace," declared French President Jacques Chirac, speaking at the
ceremony of opening the French Square in Yerevan.
"It is the hardest challenge, and the most difficult is that Armenia
has to resist. It is a challenge, which Armenia can and must win,
since only fairs and long-lasting peace will let our people realize
its hopes," the French President declared.
The times, when one could think that conflicts can be resolved through
forces have passed. Nowadays one cannot develop hereditary hatred,
while ignoring the real aspirations for peace and security.
Only the dialogue based on dignity and mutual respect allows to
look into future," Jacques Chirac underlined. The French President
reminded that in the course of over 10 years France has not been
sparing efforts to find a solution to the painful Karabakh conflict
in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. "I want to believe that
the time has come for peace, since I know the cost of war. One last
step is needed for establishing peace, a hard step, which inspires
belief in the future of humanity. Yerevan and Baku can and must take
this last step, since this will allow to open the horizon of light,
peace and prosperity. This is my wish to all Caucasian peoples,"
Jacques Chirac declared.
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
Cascade Credit Helps Develop Sound Securities Market with USAID Support
News Release
Cascade Credit
5 H. Kochar Str.Yerevan, 0033, Republic of Armenia,
Phone: + 37410 27.87.76 or 26.55.28, Fax: + 37410 27.82.21, Email:
[email protected]
Cascade Credit Universal Credit Organization issued short-term debt
instruments the proceeds of which will be primarily used for on-lending to
quality Armenian producers in need of export finance.
Yerevan, Armenia (September 28, 2006) – Cascade Credit has issued USAID
guaranteed bonds intended to spur development of short-term corporate debt
securities in Armenia and to ultimately help develop a sound securities
market, thereby enhancing financial intermediation in Armenia. The ceremony
set to mark the placement of the initial tranche of Cascade Credit UCO CJSC
debt securities and the conclusion of the Securities Markets Strengthening
Activities Project of the United States Agency for International Development
took place at the trading hall of Armenian Stock Exchange, September 28,
2006.
Cascade Credit is 100% owned by Cascade Capital Holdings, which in turn is
owned by the Cafesjian Family Foundation.
Cascade Credit CJSC, a Non-Banking Financial Institution works to introduce
a range of financial products and concepts that are specifically tailored
for Armenia and aims at becoming a major innovative financial intermediation
player in Armenia with a special focus on identifying market inefficiencies
and eliminating them through profitable strategies.
"This is a significant event for Cascade Credit, which in the last two years
has been devoting considerable efforts to make it happen. The first non-bank
public debt issuance in Armenia is a small, but nevertheless significant
step to sophisticated public debt market in the country."- noted Garegin
Gevorgyan, Cascade Credit CEO.
The USAID credit enhancement is a risk-sharing guarantee covering 50% of the
risk of loss of principal arising from a default on the bonds. Cascade
Capital Holdings CJSC also shares the risk by covering 100% of the risk of
loss of principal arising from a default on the bonds.
"We are proud to support Cascade Credit in this pioneering Armenian capital
market development and hope that many companies will follow suit in raising
capital through bonds. In addition, the secondary trading of these bonds on
ARMEX will bring further transparency to the financial market." – Karoly
Okolicsanyi, USAID, Program Manager.
Cascade Investments is the underwriter for the bonds and will also be
actively engaged in secondary trading.
"It is the first fully registered public offer of securities in the local
market. Cascade Investments will maintain market for these notes to provide
liquidity. We are pretty sure that continuation of Cascade Credit issuance
and gradual involvement of other quality issuers will finally establish
viable capital markets in Armenia." – stated Haik Papian, Cascade
Investments CEO.
Cascade Capital Holdings (CCH) was established by the Cafesjian Family
Foundation in 2004 to create and manage a group of commercial financial
services companies operating to western standards. The main goals of CCH are
to facilitate and support investments into Armenia and the Caucasus, improve
standards of trust, service and innovation across the domestic financial
services sector and introduce a comprehensive, integrated and innovative
product range. Cascade Capital Holdings´ other operating units include
Cascade Bank, Cascade Equity Managers, Cascade Insurance and Cascade
Investments.
CCH receives technical assistance from the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), as well as support from other US
Government Agencies, including the Development Credit Authority (DCA). CCH
also enjoys a growing relationship with the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD).
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Cascade Credit, 5 H. Kochar Str. Yerevan 0033, Republic of Armenia, phone: +
37410 27.87.76 fax: + 37410 27.82.21, e-mail: [email protected], web:
ARMINFO News Agency
September 29, 2006 Friday
FIRST LADY OF FRANCE ARRIVES IN ARMENIA
First Lady of France Bernadette Chirac has arrived in Yerevan.
ArmInfo’s correspondent reports from Zvartnots Airport that she was
accompanied by a group of French journalists. First Lady of Armenia
Bella Kocharyan and the wife of the Foreign Minister Nani Oskanyan
met Mrs. Chirac. President Chirac will arrive in Yerevan in a few
minutes.
Federation of Armenian Organisations in The Netherlands (FAON)
April 24 Committee For Recognition and Commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915
Address: Weesperstraat 91 – 2574 VS Den Haag
Tel. +31704490209
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Website:
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
FAON: position of candidate Albayrak of Turkish origin is still questionable
The Hague 26 September – The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the
Netherlands (FAON) welcomes the removal of 3 candidates from draft lists of
Dutch Christian Democrats Party (CDA) and of Dutch Labor Party (PvdA) for
the coming Dutch parliamentary elections, since they deny the Armenian
Genocide. The Armenian Genocide was unanimously recognised by Dutch
Parliament in December 2004. The Dutch parties have taken their
responsibility on time concerning these candidates. Mr. Sacan (PvdA), Mr
.Tonca and Mr. Elmaci (CDA) are no longer candidates for the elections.
In an earlier letter the Armenian Federation asked the Christian Democrat
Party (CDA) for clarification on the positions of a number of candidates of
Turkish origin who deny the Armenian Genocide (see ). The same
question was addressed to other parties with candidates from Turkish
origine.
The Dutch TV programme NOVA on 20 September, with particitapion of MP Mrs
Huizinga Heringa (Christian Union Faction) and the chairman of 24 April
Committee of FAON caused commotion, following which the candidates,
according to declarations of the parties, indicated to share the viewpoint
of their party on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Later, however, the candidates Sacan, Tonca and Elmaci indicated to not
share the viewpoint of their party. This opinion of Tonca and Elmaci became
apparent from their remarks in the Turkish newspaper Sabah. The Armenian
Federation therefore called once more upon the CDA and PvdA to remove Tonca,
Elmaci and Sacan from their lists, which they did on September 26th.
The Armenian Federation, however, has still major objections with some of
the remarks that PvdA candidate of Turkish origin Mrs. Albayrak (nr. 2 on
PvdA list) made in the Dutch daily newspaper Trouw on 26 September, These
remarks appear to be quite similar to the official denial policy of Turkey.
The Armenian Federation urges the PvdA to give more clarity over Mrs.
Albayrak’s precise position, before the PvdA candidacy list is finalized.
The Armenian Federation also requests a decisive answer from the political
parties regarding the viewpoint on the Armenian Genocide of a few more
members of parliament of Turkish origin: Curus and Eski (CDA), Orgu from
People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), who is not on the draft list
for the coming elections, Ozutok (Greens Left – GL) and Koser Kaya
(Social-Liberal Democrats – D66). The same question is also valid for other
candidates of Turkish descent for parliament elections.
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
September 28, 2006 Thursday
CHARLES AZNAVOUR: EVEN IF I AM ALL BEAT UP, I WILL BE IN GOOD SPIRITS
DURING MY CONCERT IN YEREVAN
"Even if I am all beat up, I will be in good spirits during my
concert in the main square of the Armenian capital as it is a gift to
my people." Such were the first words of the great chansonnier
Charles Aznavour on his arrival at "Zvartnots" airport in Yerevan on
September 2 midnight.
It is noteworthy that Charles Aznavour arrived in Yerevan immediately
after his concert in Los Angeles. During the 3-4 minutes of his talk
with journalists, Armenia’s favorite son frankly said that he is very
tired and hungry, as well as that he feels very incited as he always
do arriving in the Motherland. The talk was constantly interrupted by
the cries of fans "We love you very much!" The chansonnier refused to
comment on his concert scheduled for September 30. He just mentioned
through tears of happiness that it is of great importance for him to
sing for the independent Armenia and at the official opening of
Armenia’s year in France. Remembering his last concert in Yerevan at
the Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, Charles Aznavour said that
Armenia is changing for him and only to better.
The well-known French composer, Armenian by origin, Michele Legrand,
who accompanies the chansonnier, said: "I’ve returned to the
Motherland of my ancestors, what else can I say? I love you and
invite you to our concert ‘Aznavour and Friends’ where several of my
works will be performed as well."
Chalrnes Aznavour is accompanied by his friends Helen Segara, Nana
Mouskouri, Isabelle Boule, Lynn Renau, and the well-known French
actor Jean Claude Brialy.
The right of the concert’s broadcasting belongs to the French TV
channel Arte. The concert will start at 9:00pm Yerevan time. However,
Armenians can enjoy the life broadcasting of the concert on the
Armenian Public Television.
GHOUKASSIAN RECEIVES DELEGATION HEADED BY CAROLINE COX
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2006
STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. On September 26, Nagorno
Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian received the delegation headed
by Deputy Speaker of British House of Lords, Baroness Caroline Cox. A
number of British and American public figures supporting implementation
of various humanitarian programs in Artsakh were included in the
delegation this time. Noyan Tapan was informed about it from NKR
President’s Press Service.
After mutual greetings Mrs Cox congratulated NKR people and authorities
on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of proclamation of the
Republic. She mentioned that during each visit she is again filled
with optimism and is inspired with diligence of Artsakh people.
At the guests’ request Arkady Ghoukassian touched upon the origin of
the Nagorno Karabakh problem, the war thrusted upon the NKR people and
the current situation. NKR President reaffirmed the Artsakh people’s
will of living free and independently and Stepanakert’s readiness to
pecefully solve the conflict. Answering the questions of those present
the President mentioned the necessity to establish mutual confidence
between the sides as a very important precondition of settlement.
At the end of the meeting Arkady Ghoukassian expressed gratitude to
the guests for their constant attention to Artsakh and expressed the
hope that cooperation traditions will continue.
GEORGIA’S INTENTION TO SETTLE CONFLICTS BY FORCE TO HARM RUSSIA AND ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.09.2006 16:51 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Georgian leadership aims at "a military
resolution of so-called frozen conflicts," Secretary General of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay Bordyuzha
considers. "The actions of the Georgian leadership and especially of
the Defense Ministry are targeted at tensing the situation," Bordyuzha
said when addressing the 11th All Russia 2006 forum. He explained it
by the fact that "Georgia wishes to join the NATO but it’s impossible
without the settlement of the frozen conflicts." "That is why the
Georgian leadership wishes to resolve the Abkhazian and South Ossetian
problems by any means," he added. According to the CSTO Secretary
General, the Georgian authorities should understand that appliance
of force will cause escalation of the conflicts and this will harm
not only Georgia nut Armenia and Russia as well. "The most important
task now is to avoid speeding up the events and aggravation of the
situation," he said, reported RIA Novosti.
OSCE OFFICE FACILITATES DISCUSSION ON MEDIA SELF-REGULATION IN ARMENIA
Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)
Sept 26 2006
YEREVAN, 25 September 2006 – Media accountability and best practices
regarding self-regulation mechanisms, particularly for public
broadcasters, were discussed at a meeting that took place in Yerevan
over the weekend.
It brought together journalists and managers of the Public TV and Radio
Company of Armenia (PTRC) and other Armenian media, representatives
of international and non-governmental organizations.
They discussed the possibility of introducing an internal
ombudsperson’s institution for the public broadcaster, professional
ethics and the need to develop a professional Code of Conduct in
the PTRC.
"Journalistic ethics and self-regulation play a significant role
in the development of a professional, independent and accountable
media," said Blanka Hancilova, Democratization Programme Officer at
the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "We hope that this meeting helped to
identify mechanisms for institutionalizing media self-regulation,
which will enhance compliance with professional ethics."
Boris Navasardian, President of the Yerevan Press Club, added: "Media
self-regulation in Armenia will not only raise accountability of the
different news outlets, but will also strengthen their independence."
The two-day event, "Introduction of self-regulatory mechanisms in
Armenian media," was organized by the OSCE Office, the Yerevan Press
Club, PTRC, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization’s Office in Moscow.
Jeffrey Dvorkin, the first ombudsman of the U.S. National Public Radio
and executive director of the Committee of Concerned Journalists,
and Ian Mayes, president of the international Organization of News
Ombudsmen and the Guardian newspaper ombudsman shared their experience.