Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

Alcatel wins multimillion Euro contract to develop a new mobile network in Armenia

Alcatel

Aug 3 2005

Paris, August 3, 2005 – Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA)
today announced the signing of a multimillion contract to deploy
a GSM/GPRS mobile network for VivaCell, the second mobile operator
in Armenia. Alcatel partnered in this project with Intracom company,
a Greek telecommunications integrator. Implementation of this project
will enable VivaCell to anticipate the growing demand for a reliable
mobile communication network in the country and to provide advanced
high-quality services to the Armenian end-users.

Under the terms of this contract, Alcatel will deploy a complete
GSM network based on its industry-proven multi-standard Evolium~Y
solution. Alcatel’s solution will cover the whole territory of
Armenia and will include Mobile Switching Centers (NSS) for 400
000 subscribers, more than 200 Base Stations Sub-Systems (BSS) with
natively embedded GPRS capabilities, as well as a backbone solution
based on Alcatel’s next-generation SDH Optical Multi-Service Node
(OMSN) systems and access network.

Alcatel will also deliver its Open Services Platform (OSP) solutions,
an IT-based system which will enable VivaCell to rapidly develop
and deploy new high-value mobile services such as mobile VPN and
convergent payment. These new services are expected to help building
customer loyalty and support the operator’s efforts to increase its
market share in the country.

Commercial launch of the network was announced on July 1st, 2005.

Mr. Ralph Yirikian, General Manager of VivaCell said: “VivaCell’s
vision is to be the Leading Provider of Mobile Communications in
Armenia and to achieve this vision we have partnered with leading
worldwide suppliers to provide brand new state of the art technology,
partners like Intracom – for the network system integration, Alcatel –
for the radio, transmission, switching and IN (Intelligent Network)
platform and some others”.

Johan Vanderplaetse, vice-president of Alcatel in the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) added: “This contract not only gives Alcatel a
good footprint in the mobile market in Armenia but it also reinforces
our presence in the overall CIS market. We are committed to enable
VivaCell to become a stronger competitive operator in Armenia and
to help them provide the Armenian end-users with the most advanced
mobile services”.

Alcatel is one of the leading suppliers in providing advanced mobile
communication solutions in Russia and in the CIS, a position the
company established as early as 1994 when it introduced the first
Russian GSM network in the city of Nizhniy Novgorod. To date Alcatel
Evolium~Y solutions have already been installed in several markets
of the CIS and in more than 35 cities in Russia.

Alcatel’s Evolium~Y multi-standard platform natively integrates all
GSM-based mobile technologies, from GSM/GPRS to EDGE and UMTS, and
allows all solutions in one, for a smooth upgrade of existing networks.

About K Telecom (VivaCell) K Telecom CJSC was granted a license to
operate the second mobile communication network in the Republic of
Armenia in November 2004 and in seven months K Telecom announced
the commercial launch of its network as of July 1st, 2005 under the
VivaCell brand name.

About Alcatel Alcatel provides communications solutions to
telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises
for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers
or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile
broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners
and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of
EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in
more than 130 countries

“When I’m 64,” “Sevigne” “Guys & Balls,” and “Girl Play” Take Philadelphia
Gay Fest Accolades

Indiewire
July 28, 2005
by Brian Brooks

A scene from Sherry Horman’s “Guys & Balls,” which won the audience award
for best feature (gay male) at the recently concluded Philadelphia
International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Image courtesy of the
Philadelphia Film Society.

The Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival concluded its
two-week run last week, with a screening of Craig Lucas’ “The Dying Gaul,”
preceded by the announcement of jury and audience competition winners.
British director Jon Jones’ “When I’m 64” won the jury prize for best
feature (gay male), while Spanish director Marta Balletbo-Coll’s “Sevigne”
won the best feature prize in the ‘lesbian’ category.

BBC-produced “64” is the story of a retiring Latin teacher, who meets a
similar aged former football (soccer) yob, and embarks on an intense
friendship that later morphs into more. “Sevigne,” meanwhile, is the story
of a screenwriter who attempts to get her story on French socialite Madame
de Sevigne off the ground with the help of a former actress turned theater
director. The festival’s jury prize for best documentary went to American
director Nicole Conn’s “little man,” the story of a lesbian couple’s
determination to see their surrogate newborn son’s survival, despite a
0.00004% chance of living.

In other jury awards, Canadian director Armen Kazazian’s “Gold” won best
short (gay male) and Jennie Livingston’s (“Paris is Burning”) “Who’s the
Top” took best short (lesbian), and American Eric Smith’s “Irene Williams:
Queen of Lincoln Road” took best short documentary.

German director Sherry Horman’s “Guys & Balls” took the fest’s audience
award for best feature (gay male). The film, which also took an audience
prize at Outfest, is the story of a closeted gay man who gets kicked off of
his homophobic soccer team and vows revenge by assembling a motley crew of
fellow gays determined to exact a sporting revenge on the field. “Girl
Play,” by Lee Friedlander (U.S.) won the audience award for lesbian film.
The feature, based on the original play “Real Girls,” revolves around two
actresses with opposite personalities, who are cast in an L.A. play.
Initially, their love scenes are difficult, but as the rehearsals continue
and the pressure increases, the acting becomes real. Finally, the audience
nod for best documentary went to Daniel Peddle’s “The Aggressives.” The film
follows six lesbians around New York City. The women each fall into a
category ranging from “bull dyke” to “pretty tomboys,” but their style is
not a temporary drag persona, rather its a lifestyle.

PIGLFF featured 59 features, 23 documentaries, 75 shorts and two special
screenings from 26 countries, with eight world premieres screening in the
line up. The festival, produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, which also
hosts the annual Philadelphia International Film Festival, took place July
7-19. Next year’s dates are slated for July 13-25.

Azeri official points at economic disadvantage of Armenians in Karabakh

Trend news agency
18 Jul 05

Baku, 18 July, Correspondent R. Abdullayev: The Armenian community
of Nagornyy Karabakh has lost more than it gained in the ongoing
conflict with the Azerbaijani side, the deputy foreign minister of
Azerbaijan, Araz Azimov, said on 18 July at a news briefing dedicated
to the outcome of the visit of the OSCE co-chairmen to Baku.

Azimov stressed that the pseudo-formation called the Nagornyy Karabakh
Republic is not in a position to meet social needs of its population.

“The Armenians living in Karabakh, like all other citizens of
our republic, could have taken advantage of the economic growth in
Azerbaijan [if Karabakh was part of Azerbaijan],” he said, stressing
that Baku would not maintain its current stand on the matter should
any other form of settlement be proposed. [Passage omitted: comment
on advantages of the Agdam-Sahbuz road]

POSITIVE CHANGES FELT IN NEGOTIATIONS: ARKADY GHUKASYAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 15 2005

STEPANAKERT, July 15. /ARKA/. Positive change can be felt in the
negotiating process, and the most important thing is that a softer tone
is used in Azerbaijan when the negotiations and the two conflicting
parties are mentioned, President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan told a press conference. According to him,
aggressive attitude reigned in Azerbaijan a few years ago, whereas
attempts are being made to assume a more constructive position. “It
is a good thing that Azerbaijan is trying to alienate itself from
this aggressive position and talks of a peace process, that is a
political settlement, can be heard there,” Ghukasyan said.

According to him, this all is evidence of positive changes and of the
fact that the international community has exerted serious influence
on the Azerbaijani authorities’ position.

As regards specific discussions, Ghukasyan said that positive changes
are obvious. The main change is that the sides do not avoid discussing
issues raised by the opposite side. “The priority task for us is the
NKR’s status, and Azerbaijan’s authorities are discussing this problem
with the mediators and with Armenia’s authorities. As regards the
position of Nagorny Karabakh, we have never avoided any discussions and
are always open for considering any issues,” Ghykasyan said. P.T. -0–

Srebrenica massacre commemorated in Keciören

Saturday, July 16, 2005

ANKARA * Turkish Daily News

A park and monument commemorating the Srebrenica massacre was
dedicated in the Keciören Municipality of Ankara on Monday in a
ceremony organized by the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in
conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the killings.

The ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Algeria, Tunisia, Palestine and
Kuwait, Bosnian Chargé d’Affaires Yasmina Saraylic, Justice and
Development Party (AKP) Sakarya deputy and Turkish-Bosnian
Parliamentary Friendship Group Vice Chairman Suleyman Gunduz and
Keciören Mayor Turgut Altinok all attended the solemn ceremony held
in the Baglarbasi neighborhood of Keciören.

Mayor Altinok delivered a speech and said thousands of Bosnian
Muslims died in a war that exploded after the dissolution of the
Soviet Union. Altinok described the incidents as “genocide”
and said the entire world — especially international foundations —
had simply watched the massacre unfold. “Turkey isn’t only big
as its geography; it’s bigger than that. Turkey will help the people
there to live in safety. Our mission is to provide unity and
peace,” said the mayor.

‘One of the biggest brutalities the contemporary world has seen’:

AKP deputy Gunduz said the Srebrenica massacre was one of the
biggest brutalities the contemporary world has seen. “But ironic
as it is, nowadays we’re accused of an Armenian ‘genocide.’ This kind
of brutal, systemic and coldly calculated violence never happened in
Ottoman lands,” said the deputy.

Bosnian Chargé d’Affaires Saraylic thanked all for the respect
shown to the Bosnian people. Saraylic said Bosnian officials are
still trying to find mass graves and properly bury the victims of
massacres. “There are 30 more mass graves not yet unearthed.
This pains us, but it helps when friends like you lend us
your support. Please don’t forget the massacre for the sake of every
weeping child and mother in Bosnia,” said Saraylic. Following
the speeches a red ribbon was cut to open the park, while the
monument was unveiled with the cutting of a black ribbon.

–Boundary_(ID_nEp1qZs4aCz3MbtU7FsGhw)–

Biz-lib.com: New Report Says Armenia’s Telecommunications Sector Set to Grow

Business Wire; Jul 15, 2005

“2005 Central Asian Broadband and Internet Markets”, a new report
offered by Biz-lib.com, suggests that Armenia’s telecommunications
sector is steadily growing. With almost 600,000 fixed-line subscribers
for a population of about 4 million people, the level of investment
in infrastructure and new services has begun to increase.

The report warns, however, that there are major structural issues to
be addressed in the sector. ArmenTel, the country’s national telecom
provider, has exclusive rights to the provision of all telecoms
services, including public switched telephony services and mobile
telephony, in Armenia until 2013.

The report notes that Internet services are outside ArmenTel’s
monopoly. The country’s Internet market is small (penetration 7.5%),
but has been developing steadily. However, there are still several
major obstacles in the way of improved Internet connectivity. Not
unexpectedly, these include poor telecom infrastructure; expensive
telephone lines; the high cost of computer equipment relative to
an average worker’s salary; political unrest in some regions of the
country, which impedes infrastructure reform and intimidates potential
sponsors and donors, and a heavy dependence on international funding,
making long-range planning difficult.

Full details of this latest Biz-lib.com analysis can be found at
Jennifer Cowlard
[email protected] Tel: +44 1494 771734 Fax: +44 1494 778994

‘IF WE WORK OUT FORMULAE, IT MEANS THE SIDES MADE MUTUAL CONCESSIONS’, YURI MERZLIAKOV SAYS

Karabakh issue

Azg/arm
17 July 05

Yuri Merzliakov, Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, stated
at the conference that they discussed the details of the sides’
approaches and paid special attention to the key issues of the further
settlement during the meeting with RA President Robert Kocharian. “We
dealt with the key formulae of the settlement,” Yuri Merzliakov said
and added that a progress was fixed in the settlement of a number of
issues, while the formulae of the rest of the issues are still being
specified. He emphasized that RA and Azeri presidents are sure to
meet in Kazan by the end of August. While, before that, the Foreign
Ministers of both countries will meet in Moscow on August 23.

Though Minsk group co-chairs didn’t specify the details of the
negotiations, they stated for many times that certain progress has
been fixed and that the meetings in the capitals of both countries
and in Stepanakert yielded good results.

In response to the issue whether the settlement will be reached by
the end of the year, Steven Mann, U.S. Co-Chair, said that there
are complicated issues but there are also objective conditions to
achieve the settlement by the end of the year. Mr. Mann added that
though there is a probability to achieve the settlement, there are
no guarantees for that yet. Afterwards, he repeated the idea that the
conflict may be settled by the end of the year or last for a century.

Bernard Fassie, French co-chair, expressed the opinion, that
there are serious possibilities to achieve serious progress, but
the presidents of both countries should achieve an agreement fist
of all. “if we yield to temptation and make an agreement, anyway,
it doesn’t mean that agreement will be reached between the sides,”
He said. Mr. Fassie added that they don’t want to express extreme
optimism, but it doesn’t mean that there is no progress.

Mr. Merzliakov said that they can’t guarantee that great breakthrough
will take place during the meetings in Kazan. He added that they just
hope a positive development of the negotiations will be fixed.

As for the mutual concessions, Merzliakov said that they can say
that certain progress was achieved in the given issue after the
Prague process and the meetings of the presidents in May. “if we
have reached the point when the sides are working out the formulae,
it means that they really made certain mutual concessions,” he said.

In response to the issue what impact will the formulae and the decrees
of various international organizations have on the settlement process,
Bernard Fassie said that various organizations have their own mandates,
but only the Minsk Group is a mediator. For example, the EU is no
mediator, though this organization tries to make conditions for the
issue’s settlement through New Neighborhood project.

As for the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and the constitutional
referendum in Armenia, the Co-Chairs said that they think these
processes shouldn’t have any influence of the results of the
negotiations.

By Ara Martirosian

REFUGEES MAY PRIVATIZE DORMITORIES

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
14 July 05

At its recent meeting the NKR government confirmed the procedure of
privatization of the living space in former dormitories owned by the
state-financed enterprises and communities by the displaced persons
from Azerbaijan in 1988 1992, who got citizenship of NKR. The living
space in dormitories, except in those belonging to state educational
institutions are privatized free of charge by the refugees who became
NKR citizens having lived there for more than three years. These
persons have to submit an application and the permission of the adult
members of the family living together in written form to the
organization which runs the dormitory. The applicant should also
attach to the application corresponding documents certifying that the
applicant is a refugee, has got citizenship of NKR and has been living
in the dormitory for more than 3 years. The body on privatization
attends to the application within 15 days. According to the head of
the Agency for Migration, Refugees and Re-settlement Pavel Najarian,
this decision must improve the living conditions of refugees in the
republic. “At last they will own some property. This is the first step
of the programme by which the dormitories will be closed down. These
buildings will be turned into apartments and provided to the
refugees.” At present, according to the head of the agency, 26
families are living in dormitories. Mr. Najarian mentioned that the
actual living space will be privatized; the corridors, kitchens and
bathrooms will be communal. As to the 32 families of refugees living
in student dormitories, they will move as well. One-storey detached
houses will be built for them in the district of Ajapnyak in
Stepanakert.

AA.
14-07-2005

PanArmenian News Network
July 14 2005

ARMENTEL PLEDGES TO FIX MOBILE COMMUNICATION ON JULY 15

14.07.2005 07:03

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ ArmenTel, one of the mobile communication operators
in Armenia, will provide uninterrupted cellular communication
beginning on July 15. Specialists invited from Greece and Germany
were able to discover and shoot troubles in company servers. Minister
of Transport and Communication Andranik Manukyan stated it at a press
briefing July 14. He added that ArmenTel communication quality can be
considered satisfactory already today. In his words, the quality may
become better after the intervention of specialists. The Minister
also informed that certain problems are also registered in the
network of the second mobile operator – VivaCell. `Before the end of
the day all troubles will be eliminated 100%. They merely have to do
with technical causes,’ Manukyan noted. At that he said he was
satisfied with the competition at the mobile market of Armenia. Mr.
Manukyan informed that beginning on July 15 VivaCell company intends
to reduce tariffs again. At that he remarked that more than two
cellular operators should be available in Armenia, Regnum news agency
reported.

European lawmaker: Turkey’s accession would destroy EU

14.07.2005 11:55

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – European Parliament member Jacques Toubon harshly
criticized the speech Turkey’s chief envoy in the accession talks made
in the European Parliament.

Noting he did not understand anything from Babacan’s speech, the
French Christian Democrat said Turkey takes EU membership as granted,
and that before talks could begin, Turkey should meet certain
requirements, including recognition of Cyprus, Armenian Genocide and
minority rights.

Speaking to the Turkish news agency ABHaber, Toubon said that by
admitting Turkey in the EU, the Brits would fulfill their old dream of
free trade cooperation, but it would result in European Union
destruction. “Turkey has a different concept of state and
culture. Turkey does not belong in EU,” Toubon indicated.