Attacks Blasted

Calgary Sun (Alberta, Canada)
October 27, 2004 Wednesday Final Edition

ATTACKS BLASTED

JERUSALEM

An Israeli chief rabbi held an unprecedented meeting yesterday with
Christian clergy in Jerusalem in an effort to ease tensions after an
Orthodox Jew spat at an Armenian bishop. Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger
denounced any attacks on religious clergy in Israel. The Oct. 10
incident saw a Jewish seminary student spit on an Armenian archbishop
carrying a cross in Jerusalem, sparking a fist fight that damaged
the cleric’s medallion.

Samvel Babayan Visited Erablur

SAMVEL BABAYAN VISITED ERABLUR

A1+
27-10-2004

General Samvel Babayan, ex Commander of Defense Army of Nagorno
Karabakh visited Erablur. He came alone, put a garland on the grave
of Vazgen Sargssyan and flowers to tomb stones of all the victims.

General Babayan was excited and refused to talk with
journalists. “Today I am not in the mood to talk. But I have something
to tell all of you and we will meet during 5-10 coming days”,
he promised.

Artcakh War fighters in Erablur greeted Samvel Babayan cordially and
embraced him calling him “Hope and Faith”.

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1) Turkish EU Bid Gets Vocal Support from German, French Leaders, but Chirac
Says ‘Not A Done Deal’
2) Armenia Marks Parliament Attack Anniversary
3) Turkey Condemned by Human Rights Court for Torture of Alleged Kurdish
Militant
4) Two Armenians in Lebanon’s Final Cabinet Lineup
5) Deliberation in Case Against Turkish Consul of France Underway; Verdict to
Be Announced on November 15
6) Kocharian Congratulates the Armenian Sailors of ‘Cilicia’

1) Turkish EU Bid Gets Vocal Support from German, French Leaders, but Chirac
Says ‘Not A Done Deal’

–German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac have
reiterated their support for Turkey’s EU bid, saying they will vote for
setting
a date for the start of accession talks when EU leaders meet at a summit in
December.

(International Herald Tribune, AFP, BBC, Reuters, Deutsche Welle)–German
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan,
said the EU’s December summit should set a date for starting accession talks
with Ankara.
Reiterating their support for Turkey’s EU bid, German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac said on Tuesday that they would
vote for opening accession talks with Ankara at the Union’s December summit in
Brussels.
“We are both of the opinion that on December 17, it is about a decision that
should give Turkey the opportunity to negotiate with the Commission with the
explicit aim of Turkey joining the EU and with no other aim,” Schroeder said
after a meeting with Chirac in Berlin, preceding three-way talks with Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Brussels summit, he added, would
serve
as a probable starting point for negotiations.
Earlier this month, the European Commission (EC) gave its preliminary
approval
for starting membership negotiations with Turkey. But it also warned that the
process could be suspended at any time if Ankara fails to meet its political
and human rights reform commitments. The commission’s recommendations are
expected to serve as a basis for the EU leaders’ decision in December.
Chirac said on Wednesday that Turkey’s EU membership bid was “not a done
deal,” although he believed it was in Europe’s best interests, a government
spokesman reported after a cabinet meeting.
“It is for Turkey to do the necessary to join the European Union, not for the
EU to adapt to Turkey,” he was quoted as telling ministers.
“It will demand a considerable effort by Turkey and a lot of time, and it’s
not a done deal,” he added, telling reporters the talks were likely to begin
“in 2005 or around 2005,” cautioning that it could take 15 years for Turkey to
complete its negotiations and eventually join the Union. “Adapting all of
Turkish law to the laws of the EU will demand a very major effort,
particularly
on Turkey’s part,” he said.
Should negotiations fail to result in Turkey joining the EU, another option
would be a “system designed to conserve strong links with Turkey”, Reuters
quoted the French president as saying.
Significant opposition to Turkish membership exists both in France and
Germany, with many worrying that the EU labor market would be flooded.
Responding to domestic pressures, Chirac has said Turkey’s EU entry bid
will be
put to a referendum in his country–an idea which sparked fierce criticism by
Turkish officials, who say none of the ten Central and East European countries
which joined the Union on May 1 were subjected to such a plebiscite.
“The rules of the game are known and established. You cannot have new rules
once the match has begun,” Erdogan was quoted as saying in Berlin on Tuesday.
He has sought to allay fears of a “clash of civilizations,” saying that his
country’s membership would instead reconcile Europe and the Muslim world.
Asked about the referendum on Tuesday, Chirac said it would only take
place at
the end of the negotiation process, voicing confidence that “the problem will
provoke much less passion at that time.” Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio
also voiced support for Turkey’s EU bid on Tuesday, viewing its eventual
admission to the club as “a promising venture of mutual interest.”
“On the one hand, it would reinforce the national consensus regarding the
secular nature of the Turkish state while, on the other hand, it would
certainly contribute in the turbulent world which we live in since September
11, for a better perception of Europe in Muslim nations,” said Sampaio,
addressing a conference on the future of Europe in Lisbon.
Also on Tuesday, Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda met with Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul, and voiced support for starting accession
negotiations. The two officials also said their countries planned to discuss
future visa liberalization.

2) Armenia Marks Parliament Attack Anniversary

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–Senior Armenian government officials marked the
fifth anniversary of the 1999 attack on Armenia’s parliament by visiting the
Yerablur military cemetery in Yerevan, where eight top government officials
are
laid to rest alongside hundreds of Armenians who died during the 1991-94
war in
Mountainous Karabagh.
Prime Minister Andranik Markarian visited in the morning together with
members
of his government, parliamentarians, and senior law-enforcement officials.
“The
1999 terrorist act pushed Armenia several years back,” Markarian said after
laying flowers at his predecessor’s grave. He said the two assassinated
leaders
laid the groundwork for Armenia’s economic recovery.
Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian, who also was at the cemetery, said Armenia
should reinforce its borders to prevent the country from becoming a transit
route for terrorists.

3) Turkey Condemned by Human Rights Court for Torture of Alleged Kurdish
Militant

STRASBOURG (AFP)–The European Court of Human Rights condemned Turkey on
Tuesday for the 1998 torture of a man accused of having links with the Kurdish
Workers’ Party (PKK–now renamed KONGRA-GEL).
It dismissed a similar case brought by a second man arrested in the same
incident but found Turkey guilty in both cases of failing to provide an
effective remedy to complaints of ill-treatment.
Turkish police arrested Abdurrahman Celik and Kasim Imret on May 17, 1998 on
suspicion of acting as couriers for the PKK; they were later cleared of the
charge.
Both Celik and Imret said that while in detention, they were subjected to
electric shocks, notably on their genitals, and also beaten, deprived of food
and water, kept in isolation, immersed in cold water and threatened with
death.

The Turkish government argued that injuries found on Celik’s body–a large
bruise under one eye and lesions in the groin area–were the result of a fall,
an account the Strasbourg-based court found “not very convincing,” ruling that
they were the result of treatment for which the Turkish government was
responsible.
Accordingly, it found that Turkey had violated an article of the European
Convention on Human Rights prohibiting torture.
In the case of Imret, it acquitted Turkey on the grounds that the plaintiff
had not provided proof of his allegations.
But it ruled that the Turkish authorities had been remiss in failing to
rapidly prosecute the police officers involved, and found Turkey in breach of
its obligation to provide an effective remedy to the men’s complaints.
Turkey was ordered to pay 10,000 euros (12,800 dollars) to Celik and 5,000
euros to Imret.

4) Two Armenians in Lebanon’s Final Cabinet Lineup

–30 member government includes two Armenians

BEIRUT (Daily Star)–Prime Minister-designate Omar Karami formed a
30-minister
Cabinet on Tuesday that includes two candidates proposed by the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Sebouh Hovnanian and Alain Tabourian to represent
Lebanon’s Christian Armenians. Hovnanian will again serve as Sports and Youth
Minister, while the incoming Tabourian was named Minister of State.
Karami’s Cabinet is the first to include two women, Leila Solh, daughter of
former Prime Minister Riad Solh and aunt of billionaire Saudi Prince Walid Bin
Talal, and Wafaa Hamza, a Shiite close to Speaker Nabih Berri. Karami said,
“Women constitute half the Lebanese population.”
Two of the most prominent portfolios, the defense and foreign ministries,
were
given to Syria’s allies Abdel-Hamid Mrad and Mahmoud Hammoud, while Syria’s
strongest ally, Suleiman Franjieh, was named interior minister.
Karami named economist and former Minister Elias Saba as finance minister, at
a time when his government is suffering from an estimated $35 billion national
debt.
Druze Talal Arslan was named minister of the displaced, replacing his
opponent
Chouf MP Walid Jumblatt, who said he will not participate in any Cabinet under
Lahoud’s mandate in opposition to the extension of the president’s term for
three years on Sept. 3.
In accordance with the Taif Accord, the Cabinet must include equal Christian
and Muslim representation spread between six Christian Maronites, four
Christian Orthodox, three Christian Catholics, two Christian Armenians, six
Shiites, six Sunnis and three Druze, headed by a Sunni Muslim prime minister.
The Cabinet was announced following extensive and lengthy consultations
between Lahoud, Berri, and Karami over the past five days.
Sources close to the Cabinet discussions said that Berri vetoed the presence
of former Speaker Hussein Husseini in the Cabinet and demanded that the names
of all six Shiites ministers receive his approval.
Berri, who heads the Amal Movement, issued a statement on Tuesday denying all
information about a “Shiite obstacle” in the Cabinet reshuffle.
“There is no Shiite obstacle at all in the Cabinet reshuffle. Several of the
names mentioned in the press are inaccurate,” the statement said.
After resolving the interior ministry obstacle, granted to outgoing Health
Minister Suleiman Franjieh after outgoing Interior Minister Elias Murr
announced he would not participate in the next Cabinet, other difficulties
emerged over the past 24 hours concerning the names to be appointed in the
culture and education ministries.
The new Cabinet excludes members of the opposition, such as Jumblatt’s
Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc, the Qornet Shehwan Gathering and any
ally of Hariri.
Karami’s extensive attempts to include members of the opposition in his
Cabinet failed late Monday. The opposition groups, although not opposing
Karami
personally, are determined not to participate in a cabinet that falls short
concerning basic national objectives, such as implementing the Taif Accord.
They have also repeatedly said that the next cabinet will not bring any
improvement to the current situation.
“We refused to participate in the next cabinet knowing…that the opposition
would be a minority and could not make any difference to face the majority of
pro-regime parties and forces that are determined to keep the situation going
as it is now,” said Qornet Shehwan Gathering member Batroun MP Butros Harb
in a
statement Tuesday.
What remains to be seen following the Cabinet reshuffle is whether it will be
granted the confidence of Parliament, which requires the vote of 86 out of its
128 MPs.
According to Article 64 of the Constitution, “The Cabinet does not exercise
its powers before it gains Parliament’s confidence.”
The 29 MPs who voted against the constitutional amendment of the extension of
Lahoud’s term may refuse to cast their vote for the new Cabinet. However, such
a number would not affect the Cabinet’s legitimacy. But if Hariri’s
parliamentary bloc decided not to vote in favor of the government, in addition
to the 29 other MPs, Karami’s Cabinet would not be able to exercise its
powers.

5) Deliberation in Case Against Turkish Consul of France Underway; Verdict to
Be Announced on November 15

PARISLawyers representing the Armenian National Committee of France in its
legal suit against Turkish Consul General Aydin Sezgin, presented their
argument before a Paris court on October 11. After listening to the parties,
the court decided to postpone the verdict to November 15.
“We are confident that the court will return with a favorable verdict,”
stated
ANC France Chairman Harout Mardirossian, after sitting through the hearings.
“Neither the opposing party, nor the public prosecutor contested the validity
of the facts presented by our side.”
On his personal webpage, the Turkish Consul General includes a copy of
“Armenian Allegations and Historical Facts”–the Turkish government’s
ten-point
thesis, which denies the historical validity of the genocide perpetrated
against the Ottoman-Armenians during World War I. After some deliberation, the
ANC decided to bring the matter under the attention of the French courts.
Wanadoo France Telecom, the internet company that hosts Sezgin’s webpage, was
also identified as a defendant in the suit. After refusing to suspend Sezgin’s
site, the ANC moved to gain convictions against both the counsel general and
the web hosting company for their respective roles in producing and
distributing denialist propaganda.
“As French citizens, we are confident in the justice of our country,”
concluded Mardirossian.

6) Kocharian Congratulates the Armenian Sailors of ‘Cilicia’

YEREVAN–On Tuesday, President Robert Kocharian congratulated the crew of
“Cilicia” after the successful completion of the first leg of their voyage.
The
president confirmed the Armenian government’s willingness to assist the crew
members, who have “shown to be steadfast in their goal and ready to overcome
all sorts of difficulties.” The sailing ship is named and modeled after the
13th century vessels used in and around the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia.

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Armenians `Offered To Bid For Georgian Ports’

Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep
Oct 22 2004

Armenians `Offered To Bid For Georgian Ports’

By Shakeh Avoyan 22/10/2004 11:04

Georgia has invited Armenian businessmen to participate in the
planned privatization of its Black Sea ports that serve as Armenia’s
main commercial conduits to the outside world, it was claimed on
Thursday.

Arsen Ghazarian, the chairman of Armenia’s biggest business
association, said the call for proposals was received by the Armenian
government recently and will be on the agenda of President Robert
Kocharian’s official visit to Tbilisi that begins on Friday.
Economic issues are expected to dominate his talks with President
Mikhail Saakashvili and other top Georgian officials. Kocharian and
Saakashvili will open an Armenian-Georgian business forum on Sunday.
In addition, more than two dozen Armenian firms will exhibit their
production in Tbilisi.

Ghazarian is one of more than 30 entrepreneurs that will accompany
Kocharian on the three-day trip. He said international tenders for
the Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi will take place within the next
six months and voiced his strong support for Armenian participation
in them.

`I we manage to make Armenian investments there it would be very good
because psychologically we will feel more confident [in external
trade],’ he told RFE/RL. `I am sure that the Georgians are making a
honest and sincere bid for investments. We will hold discussions with
them at the business forum.’

`I’m sure that Russian industrial groups as well as Western and
Turkish companies will also show interest. So the competition will be
tough,’ he added.

Ghazarian admitted that Armenian-based investors would stand little
chance of winning that competition without teaming up with their
wealthier counterparts from the Armenian Diaspora in Russia and the
West.

The Poti and Batumi facilities handle the bulk of cargo shipped to
and from Armenia. Their significance has grown further since the
closure of the land border between Georgia and Russia almost two
months ago.

Ghazarian, who owns one of Armenia’s biggest freight companies, said
the privatization will benefit Armenian traders regardless of its
outcome, arguing that the ports need substantial private investments
to increase their cargo-processing capacity.

ANC Praises Republican Senator John Ensign of Nevada

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
October 18, 2004

Contact: Armen Carapetian
(818) 500-1918

ANC Praises Republican Senator John Ensign of Nevada
Senator Serves As Vice Chairman of Republican Steering Committee

Las Vegas, NV – The State of Nevada’s largest Armenian American public
affairs organization issued a statement today praising Senator John
Ensign (R-NV). The Senator was commended for his outstanding tenure
in the U.S. Senate and his advocacy on behalf of the growing Armenian
American community in Nevada.

`John Ensign is our community’s best friend,’ commented ANCof Nevada
Chairman Hriyr Dadaian. `The Senator’s leadership on human rights
issues is deeply appreciated by Armenian Americans in Nevada. Since
he was elected to the U.S. Senate in November of 2000, Senator Ensign
has been a true supporter of the issues so important to Armenian
American voters here in Nevada, like recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and building stronger economic ties between the United States
and Armenia,’ Dadaian added.

In June of 2003 Senator Ensign drafted and introduced S.Res.164, a
Genocide Resolution that marks the 15th anniversary of the U.S.
implementation of the Genocide Convention. The bill reaffirms the
commitment of the American people to this landmark treaty and
specifically cites the importance of applying the lessons of past
genocides, like the Armenian Genocide, in order to make the world safe
from future genocides. Support for the Genocide Resolution has been
widespread outside of Congress as well, with a diverse coalition of
over 100 ethnic, religious, civil and human rights organizations
calling for its passage, including American Values, National
Organization of Women, Sons of Italy, NAACP, Union of Orthodox Rabbis,
and the National Council of La Raza.

Since his election to the U.S. Senate on November 7th of 2003, Senator
Ensign has passionately served the people of Nevada. Before being
elected to the Senate, Ensign was a veterinarian, small business owner
and distinguished member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Armenian National Committee of Nevada is part of the ANCA, the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization.

Working coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and
supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations
around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the
Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

#####

www.anca.org

Levitin: Closed Border

LEVITIN: CLOSED BORDER

Azg/am
16 Oct 04

Armenians Suffering Because of Russia’s “Anti-Terrorism” Actions in
South Ossetia

Igor Levitin, co-chairman of Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental
Commission on Economic Cooperation and Russia’s transport minister,
stated at the October 14 press conference that the Russian-Georgian
border will remain closed 30-40 more days. He said that Russia takes
measure for an effective anti-terrorism fight.

Levitin noted that the Russian-Armenian trade potential is not fully
used because of Georgia’s non-constructive policy. After a joint
press conference with Armenia’s defense minister, Levitin suggested
that Armenia may transfer its goods via Astrakhan and Enzel Iranian
harbor in Caspian Sea, then via Agarak-Meghri-Kajaran land route,
till Upper Lars remains closed.

Levitin also underscored that this route is more preferable to the
Upper Lars crossing point from economic point of view. “We should only
arrange with the Iranian side on several issues”, he said. Armenian
companies engaged in good conveying think that the Iranian route
will cost demand additional $1000-2000 for each truck. Besides,
Meghri-Kajaran route like Upper Lars becomes impassable for
transportation.

Russia’s transport minister emphasized that Upper Lars hasnâ^À^Ùt
closed for ever, and if there are more car congestion in the coming
weeks they will have to take up necessary measures. Levitin meant the
opening of the crossing point for a day allowing trucks and people
cross the border.

Levitin noted that civilians shouldn’t suffer as a result of
anti-terrorism activities.

Russians suggest Armenians crowded at Upper Lars to use Inner
Chamarag crossing point of the Russian-South Ossetian border. But
the Georgian side keeps declaring that it doesn’t recognize South
Ossetian checkpoint.

Later Tbilisi send a green light to Armenian vehicles to cross the
border at the South Ossetian site, suggesting meanwhile to find other
ways to cross the border and no to rely on Inner Chamarag crossing
point. It has been few days today that people are again crowded at
border. 100 citizens of Armenia are in uncertainty, Regnum news agency
informs. There are at least 12 children 4 of whom were send to the
Tskhinvali’s hospital. Eduard Kokoyti, president of South Ossetia
visited Armenians yesterday.

Georgian press writes that Russia intended to set Georgia and Armenia
against each other by sending Armenian citizens to the South Ossetian
border.

“Russian side told us that the border will remain closed for a while
and suggested the South Ossetian route. Armenia and Georgia alike are
against this route as the situation there is so wobbly that we cannot
secure our goods. Then Ilyichevsk’s and Astrakhan-Iran-Meghri-Kajaran
routes were suggested”, MP Andranik Margarian told Haykakan Zhamanak
in an interview.

Poti-Novorisiysk sea route has also been unavailable since September
12. Russia reason the harbor closing by a cargo ship repair. The
repair was supposed to take only 2 weeks but the harbor remains closed
today and will allegedly open on October 18.

On October 14 Levitin left for Azerbaijan and then to Georgia where
he is going to talk authorities into opening of the railway. Russian
minister was so confident speaking of the Abkhazia-Armenia-Azerbaijan
railway opening as though he was unaware of the conflicts battering
the region. He didn’t forget to mention of the high level of
Russian-Armenian relations.

By Tatoul Hakobian

World Armenian Congress to set up strategic studies center

World Armenian Congress to set up strategic studies center
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
October 13, 2004 Wednesday

YEREVAN, October 13 — World Armenian Congress and the Union of
Armenians of Russia will set up a center for strategic studies and
an Armenian investment fund, president of these two organizations
Ara Abramyan said on Wednesday.

Abramyan leads the work of an international Armenian economic forum
that convened in Yerevan.

He said the objective of the strategic studies center is to set
the main guidelines for the development of Armenia and the Armenian
community in the economic, social and cultural spheres, and work out
ways of realizing them.

The emerging Armenian investment fund will handle programs developed
by the center, as well as other projects.

Abramyan proposed to conclude an agreement on cooperation between
the Armenian government and World Armenian Congress, in order to set
the main parameters of economic cooperation and terms of implementing
investment programs.

Priorities are the development of entirely new mechanisms of
integrating Armenia’s economy into the global economy and international
business organizations.

He believes the country’s economic development should proceed along
the lines of pooling the efforts of business circles of the Armenian
diaspora and Armenian authorities, as well as the assistance to
specific business programs aimed at facilitating the socio-economic
development of the country.

A more effective use of the political and economic potential of the
Armenian diaspora in foreign states, and the opportunities provided by
international financial and economic organizations assumes increasing
significance, Abramyan said.

He proposed to discuss at the forum the projects to build a business
and trade center in Yerevan, and a housing complex in central Yerevan,
renovate the highland resort of Tsakhkadzor and build a tinned food
factory in the regional center of Yekhegnadzor.

Armenia registers Jehovah’s Witnesses after years of debate

Armenia registers Jehovah’s Witnesses after years of debate
By AVET DEMOURIAN

AP Worldstream
Oct 13, 2004

Authorities in Armenia registered the Jehovah’s Witnesses on Wednesday,
allowing the religious group to operate in the Caucasus Mountain
nation after years of debate and denial.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses first appeared in Armenia in 1988, after
a devastating earthquake in what was then still a Soviet republic,
but had been unable to register after the nation became independent
in the 1991 Soviet collapse.

Legalizing the Jehovah’s Witnesses group was one of the main conditions
set out by the Council of Europe when the continent’s leading human
rights organization granted Armenia membership two years ago.

Deputy Justice Minister Tigran Mukuchian told The Associated Press a
major obstacle to registration had been members’ refusal to serve in
the military, which in the past led to arrests and prison sentences. A
law institution alternative service has removed that obstacle, he said.

The leader of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia, Grach Heshishian,
expressed surprise at the Justice Ministry’s decision, while the
dominant Armenian Apostolic Church denounced it, calling the group
“anti-Christian.”

An Armenian Apostolic Church statement accused the Jehovah’s Witnesses
and other unspecified organizations of having missions that involve
“hunting for human souls, destroying families and creating a split
in society.”

Seeking to soothe church opposition to the registration, Justice
Ministry spokesman said the authorities would watch closely to make
sure the Jehovah’s Witnesses were acting legally, adding that “the
sect will have to respect the laws and rights of Armenian citizens.”

Official figures put the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia
at more than 4,000; one of the requirements for registration of a
religious group is that it have at least 200 followers in the nation.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have faced pressure from authorities in Russia.
Courts in Moscow outlawed the group’s activities in the capital
earlier this year under a law allowing bans on religious groups that
are considered to be inciting hatred or intolerant behavior.

Russia Pledges To Lobby For Renewed Rail Link With Armenia

Russia Pledges To Lobby For Renewed Rail Link With Armenia
By Atom Markarian 14/10/2004 10:48

Radio Free Europe, Czech republic
Oct 14 2004

Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin pledged on Wednesday to lobby
for the resumption of Armenia’s rail communication with Russia through
neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan.

But he did not comment on Moscow’s decision to close its border with
the two ex-Soviet republics which disrupted one of Armenia’s main
supply lines.

“Our delegation will fly from Armenia to Azerbaijan – and then on
to Georgia in order to try to reopen [rail] traffic throughout the
entire territory of the Transcaucasus,” Levitin told a Russian-Armenian
business forum in Yerevan.

“We do realize what a difficult task it is. We must try to solve
it together with you,” he added, referring to the conflicts over
Nagorno-Karabakh and Abkhazia that left Armenia without rail access
to the outside world more than a decade ago.

Armenia has mainly relied since then on Georgia’s Black Sea ports
as well as a Georgian-Russian border crossing to ship and receive
commercial cargos. Last month’s closure of that crossing, announced
immediately after the terrorist attack on a Russian school, thus
further complicated its external trade.

Armenian leaders have tried hard in recent weeks to get the Russians to
lift the blockade amid mounting criticism of Moscow’s policy voiced by
the Armenian press and prominent politicians. The issue was expected
to top the agenda of Levitin’s talks with officials in Yerevan that
began on Wednesday.

Levitin, who co-chairs a Russian-Armenian commission on economic
cooperation with Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, did not mention
the border crisis in his speech at the business forum. He instead
criticized the Georgian government for its reluctance to agree to the
reopening of a key railway connecting the South Caucasus to Russia
via the breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Tbilisi links it with the
repatriation of Abkhazia’s ethnic Georgian residents displaced in 1993.

Levitin sought to convince Armenians that Russia too has been
suffering from the closed borders in the volatile region. He said
Russian companies could have used it as a lucrative transit route
for shipping up to 15 million tons of freight to other parts of the
world every year.

Nominating Committee Announces Final Selections for Key LeadershipPo

Nominating Committee Announces Final Selections for Key Leadership Positions Within ICANN

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ — After an intense
period of outreach, consultation, recruitment, and evaluation,
the Nominating Committee (NomCom) of the Internet Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced today its final
selection of four ‘slates’ of Nominees for four of ICANN’s leadership
bodies: the Board of Directors, the Council of the Country Code Names
Supporting Organization (ccNSO), the Council of the Generic Names
Supporting Organization (GNSO) and the Interim At Large Advisory
Committee (ALAC). The Nominees will join the already seated members
of these bodies at the conclusion of the ICANN Meeting in Cape Town,
South Africa, December 1 – 5.

ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for coordinating
the global Internet’s systems of unique identifiers, including the
systems of domain names and numeric addresses that are used to reach
all computers on the Internet.

ICANN’s mission is to ensure the stable and secure operation of
these unique identifier systems, which are vital to the Internet’s
operation. In addition, ICANN coordinates policy development related
to these technical functions.

“We are very pleased that so many excellent Candidates from all five
geographic regions participated in this second NomCom Process,”
said Nominating Committee Chair and spokesperson Jean-Jacques
Damlamian. “This global participation reflects the Internet community’s
impressive array of talent, experience, and willingness to undertake
these volunteer leadership roles essential to ICANN’s evolution and
performance goals.”

The Nominees:

ICANN Board

Vinton G. Cerf (U.S.A. – North America)

Joichi Ito (Japan – Asia/Australia/Pacific)

Vanda Scartezini (Brazil – Latin America/Caribbean Islands)

Terms: Conclusion of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2004 until conclusion
of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2007

ccNSO Council

Yassin Mshana (Tanzania – Africa)

Term: Conclusion of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2004 until conclusion
of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2005

Eva Frolich (Sweden – Europe)

Term: Conclusion of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2004 until conclusion
of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2006

Charles Shaban (Jordan – Asia/Australia/Pacific)

Term: Conclusion of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2004 until conclusion
of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2007

GNSO Council

Maureen Cubberley (Canada – North America)

Term: Conclusion of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2004 until conclusion
of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2006

Interim At Large Advisory Committee

Roberto Gaetano (Italy – Europe)

Jean Armour Polly (U.S.A. – North America)

Terms: Conclusion of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2004 until conclusion
of ICANN Annual Meeting for 2006

Biographical information on the Nominees will soon be posted on the
NomCom web page.

In response to its June 30th Formal Call, the NomCom received 102
recommendations of potential candidates from all over the world. Out
of 84 individuals who subsequently submitted a Statement of Interest,
NomCom selected 9 outstanding individuals for staggered terms in these
leadership roles in ICANN. The terms range from twelve to thirty-six
months in length. Three individuals were selected to serve on the Board
of Directors; two individuals were selected to fill seats designated
for individuals from the North American and European regions on the
Interim At-Large Advisory Committee (which coordinates participation
by individual Internet users in ICANN’s activities); three individuals
were selected for the Council of the new Country Code Names Supporting
Organisation (which administers and coordinates the affairs of the
ccNSO and manages the policy development process of the ccNSO); and one
individual was selected for the Council of the Generic Names Supporting
Organization (which develops policy concerning domain names in generic
top-level domains such as .com, .net, .org, .info, and .biz).

The NomCom was asked to find high-caliber, experienced, open-minded
women and men with integrity, sound judgment, and objectivity. “Using
a holistic approach, the NomCom focused on the careful selection
of slates of Candidates with complementary skills and perspectives
who fulfilled the ICANN criteria and eligibility requirements for
each of the four roles to be filled, keeping all the Candidates in
consideration until the final slates were chosen,” Damlamian explained.

Through these strategies the NomCom pursued its dual charge: to
balance the other ICANN leadership selection processes which are based
on Supporting Organizations and Constituencies and to help ensure
that ICANN can benefit from the leadership of the women and men of
the highest integrity and capability who place the interest of the
global Internet community ahead of any particular interests. These
carefully selected slates will help ICANN ensure functional, cultural,
and geographic diversity in its policy development and decision-making
as the Internet itself evolves.

The Nominating Committee:

An independent Nominating Committee is a key element of the ICANN
structure. It is composed of a diverse set of individuals chosen by
the groups and entities that make up ICANN. The NomCom is charged to
act in the interests of the global Internet community rather than in
accord with specific interests. NomCom is presently responsible for
selecting 8 of fifteen Board Directors, 5 of fifteen Interim ALAC
Members, 3 of eighteen ccNSO Council Members and 3 of fifteen GNSO
Council Members. In the current process, nine of these positions
needed to be filled.

For more information about the Nominating Committee, its
Members, Formal Call and Procedures please visit its web page at
Further questions or
requests for information can be sent via e-mail to Kieran Baker
([email protected]).

NomCom Selection Statistics:

Total Number of Candidates: 84

Geographic Distribution Geographic Distribution of
of Candidates Selected Nominees

Africa 11% 13%

Asia/Australia/
Pacific 24% 24%

Europe 29% 13%

Latin America/Caribbean
Islands 10% 13%

North America 26% 37%

Total: 100% 100%

Citizenship of Candidates:

34 Countries:

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada,
China, Congo, France, Germany, Hong Kong S.A.R, India, Italy, Japan,
Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Spain,
Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, USA.

Citizenship of Selected Nominees:

8 Countries:

Brazil, Canada, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Sweden, Tanzania, USA.

Gender Distribution of Gender Distribution of Selected
Candidates Nominees

Male: 74% 56%

Female: 26% 44%

Recommendations Received:

Total Number of Recommendations: 102

Total Number of Recommendees: 90

Total Number of Recommendees who submitted
a Statement of Interest 54

Percentage of Candidates who are Recommendees 60%

About ICANN

The mission of ICANN is to coordinate, at the overall level, the
global Internet’s systems of unique identifiers, and in particular
to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet’s unique
identifier systems. In particular, ICANN:

1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of
unique identifiers for the Internet, which are

a. Domain names (forming a system referred to as “DNS”);

b. Internet protocol (“IP”) addresses and autonomous system (“AS”)
numbers; and

c. Protocol port and parameter numbers.

2. Coordinates the operation and evolution of the DNS root name
server system.

3. Coordinates policy development reasonably and appropriately related
to these technical functions.

SOURCE Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

CO: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; ICANN

ST: California

SU: PER NPT

Web site:

10/11/2004 18:10 EDT

http://www.icann.org/committees/nom-comm/
http://www.icann.org/committees/nom-comm/.
http://www.icann.org/committees/nom-comm
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