Author: Zaminian Bedik

Georgian president’s speech at Independence Day parade

Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
26 May 05

President Mikheil Saakashvili has praised Georgia’s “spiritual
mission” as “a beacon of freedom for the whole world”. Addressing the
Independence Day military parade in Tbilisi, Saakashvili said that
GUAM [Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova] was transformed into
an “alliance of democratic states”. He also called for “close,
goodneighbourly and humane relations” with Russia and said that
Georgia was “extending a hand of friendship to Russia”. The following
is an excerpt from Saakashvili’s speech broadcast live by Rustavi-2
and other Georgian networks on 26 May; subheadings have been inserted
editorially:

Georgia’s example inspires democratic changes in other countries

[Saakashvili] My compatriots, soldiers of our motherland, today we are
celebrating the day of our freedom, our liberation and our
independence, 26 May. This is a most beautiful day, most beautiful
holiday.

Georgia is a proud nation, a nation which consists of people of
different nationalities – Georgians, our citizens of Azerbaijani,
Armenian, Russian, Abkhaz, Ossetian backgrounds. All of them are
citizens and patriots of our proud motherland.

We live in a very important time in history. Georgia’s Rose
Revolution, just like our national liberation movement in the past,
paved the way for a new and very important wave of Europe’s
liberation. Georgia’s revolution inspired Ukrainian patriots, as they
say themselves, and led to the Ukrainian revolution. On your behalf,
I proudly stood before a million Ukrainians on 31 December on their
Independence Square. Such moments are unforgettable in the history of
any nation, even in the many centuries-long history of our nation. The
Georgian revolution inspired similar liberation movements in the
Middle East, in Central Asia, in Kyrgyzstan . Freedom fighters in
Belarus look at our example for inspiration.

However, Georgia is an exemplary country not only because of its
revolution. The most important things for us happened after the
revolution, they happened for the first time in our country. We have
achieved great successes in international politics. Under Georgia’s
chairmanship, GUAM has managed to transform itself into an alliance of
democratic states. Now we are building an axis of democracy and
stability. It is a great honour for us and it is symbolic that Latvian
President [Vaira Vike-Freiberga] and Latvian Prime Minister [Aigars
Kalvitis] are our guests today on our Independence Day [applause]. It
is symbolic because the Baltic countries and Georgia jointly managed
to destroy the Soviet empire. It is symbolic because we fought
together for freedom and independence and we inspired each other. It
is symbolic because Georgia has yet to embark on the road which Latvia
and other Baltic states have already travelled, the road to the
European Union and NATO. We shall get to the end of this long and very
difficult road by our joint efforts, our unity and our endurance. We
will reclaim our place in the great European family. Georgia, the
Georgian nation is one of the most distinguished and ancient members
of this family.

“New Yalta process has begun”

At the same time, Georgia has already created examples of democratic
consolidation. Romania and Lithuania joined us at the latest meeting
of GUAM. On our initiative, a new Yalta process has begun. In the
past, Yalta [conference] divided Europe into spheres of influence. Now
we have started talking about a new association of democratic
countries of the Black Sea basin. It will be a model of democracy,
democratic standards and a better life of its peoples for the whole
post-empire space. [Passage omitted: talks about Georgia’s
achievements in tackling corruption, building modern armed forces and
police, improvements in the health care and education systems, culture
and sport, and the governments efforts to rebuild roads and
infrastructure]

Georgia “will not be entirely free” until separatist conflicts are
resolved

Georgia is a beacon of freedom for the whole world. You know that
these are not my words. This is Georgia’s spiritual mission, Georgia’s
special role in its relation to humanity. But of course Georgia will
not be entirely free until all our regions are entirely free, until we
are able to mark our Independence Day in Sukhumi [in Abkhazia]. And I
promise you, I pledge before the whole nation that we will manage to
do this, together with you, my compatriots. [applause]

We want peace. Nothing is more important than peace for today’s
Georgia. Peace enables real development and real success. Peace will
enable us to achieve miracles like our revolution which ended with
only one broken window of this parliament building, like our faith,
our endurance and our unity which enabled us to resolve the Ajaria
problem. We were able to reclaim Ajaria which was lost for
Georgia. Troops were deployed on the other side of the Choloki River
who were ready to shoot at the Georgian army. There was a dictator
there who was ready to blow up beaches and destroy the region. By our
faith, our endurance and our courage we were able to reclaim our
Ajaria without shedding a drop of blood. We should manage to unite
Georgia and achieve its final integration in the same manner.

Georgia “extending a hand of friendship to Russia”

We want to have special relations with all neighbours. I reiterate
that we are extending a hand of friendship to Russia. We want
friendship with Russia, we want equal and decent relations with
Russia. Everyone should realize that Georgia is independent, everyone
should understand that Georgia is free and that it is easier, better
and more convenient to have relations with a free country. There
should be close, goodneighbourly and humane relations between decent
countries. We want this kind of relations with Russia and I’m sure
that we will achieve this kind of new relations when Russia respects
Georgia’s integrity and unity. I’m sure that everyone will realize
that imperial relations will never be restored. Instead, there will be
free and friendly relations between independent and proud nations. We
will achieve this together. [Passage omitted: says that Georgia still
faces many problems with poverty, lack of energy resources, problems
in the health care and education sectors, corruption, and excessive
licensing requirements]

We have seen during the last 18 months that history is on our side, we
have seen that time is working for us, for free Georgia and its
future. We have seen that God is on our side. Every time we needed,
Saint George was on our side. I wish you a peaceful and successful
holiday, I wish you success and victory. I congratulate you on
Georgia’s Independence Day. [applause]

ARMENIA ADDS TO ITS ARMORY UN CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION

YEREVAN, MAY 20. ARMINFO. Armenia signed a UN Convention against
corruption. Its aim is to prevent and extirpate this occurrence by
strengthening of international cooperation and rendering technical
assistance to member-countries.

As ARMINFO was informed in the UN Yerevan Office, the signing
ceremony took place May 19 at the UN headquarters in New-York. The
document was signed by Armenia’s permanent representative to the
UN Armen Martirossyan. According to the source, the Convention was
approved by the General Assembly on October 31, 2003 and signed by 123
countries. It will come into force only after its ratification by 30
countries. Byelorussia, Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Turkmenistan are
amongst those 22 countries ratified the Convention. This international
agreement provides measures on preventing corruption, punishment of
those guilty, as well as mechanisms of international cooperation in
the fight against it. It obliges the affiliated countries to carry
out a counteraction policy against corruption, to adopt appropriate
laws and establish special bodies for the fight against this
occurrence. According to the Convention, the states should try to get
their officials are to be incorruptible, honest and responsible. -r-

Romania recalls striker Adrian Mutu for World Cup qualifiers

AP Worldstream
May 20, 2005

Romania recalled striker Adrian Mutu for next month’s World Cup
qualifiers against the Netherlands and Armenia.

Mutu is serving a seven-month ban after testing positive for cocaine
while playing for Chelsea. The ban expires at the end of May, leaving
the striker free for the matches on June 4 and 8.

“Mutu is still one of the best Romanian players,” coach Victor
Piturca said.

The striker is now with Italian side Juventus. Piturca said he
hoped Mutu would play at least one game before the end of the season
in Italy.

Including Mutu, Piturca called up 15 foreign-based players.

The Netherlands tops Group 1 with 16 points, one more than the Czech
Republic. Romania is third with 13 points, but has played one more
game than the top two teams.

Azerbaijan worried about Russian military bases

RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
May 20 2005

RBC, 20.05.2005, Baku 09:18:25.Azerbaijan condemns the fact of
military equipments being dislocated in Armenia, the press department
of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has told the Trend news agency
commenting on the recent announcement of chief of the Russian General
Staff Yury Baluyevsky. Baluyevsky said that Russia would withdraw its
military bases from Georgia and some equipment would be transferred
to Armenia. This move will enable Russia to withdraw its bases from
Georgia within four years.

Georgia, Russia to reach agreement on military bases: parliament speaker

Xinhua, China
May 20 2005

2005-05-20 23:30:28

TBILISI, May 20 (Xinhuanet) — Georgia and Russia are expected to reach
an agreement on the deadline of Russian military bases’ withdrawal
from the country next week, Parliament Speaker Nino Burdzhanadze
said Friday.

The two former Soviet states will hold talks on the issue next Monday,
Burdzhanadze said at a parliament meeting. He also said Russia’s latest
proposal “is more constructive” than ever before, so they will have
a chance to strike a deal at the negotiation table.

Burdzhanadze’s remarks came one day after Yury Baluyevsky, chief of
general staff of the Russian army, said the bases will becertainly
withdrawn to Russian territory, yet some of the military equipment
and property will be moved to neighboring Armenia.

The move “will help us to reduce the withdrawal period to four years,”
Baluyevsky said.

Russia still has two military bases in Georgia after closing another
two under an agreement reached in 1999. Moscow has insisted it needs
four years to complete the withdrawal while Tbilisi says it must be
finished before January 2008.

Since the two sides had failed to reach any agreements before May
15, Georgia declared the Russian bases “in the state of demolition”
as of May 16, which triggered a tough reaction from Moscow.

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, appealed to
President Vladimir Putin to recall its ambassador from Tbilisi,
stop issuing entry visas to Georgians, and raise prices of energy
resources provided for Georgia.

On Wednesday, the Russia Foreign Ministry said the two sides are
prepared for fresh talks next week that will focus on a plan envisaging
the completion of the bases’ withdrawal in 2008. Enditem

Mideast Mirror
May 17, 2005

>>From today’s Turkish press

[parts omitted]

ARMENIAN ISSUE-UK: Ismet Berkan comments on the Armenian issues and
relations with the UK in the centre-Left Radikal: “As far as I know,
only the UK has made a statement at government level saying: ‘There
was no Armenian genocide’. Now if the UK says ‘the things written in
the Blue Book are all true’ as an answer to our parliament’s letter
asking the British parliament to acknowledge that genocide
allegations in the so-called Blue Book were just British World War I
propaganda against Turkey what will we do then? Is there any sense
losing a friend for no reason? Unfortunately, Turkey’s initiatives
about the Armenian issue do not give the impression of being well
conceived.”

Construction Industry Update

BISNIS
May 19, 2005

BISNIS Search for Partner Lead:

Company: Shen Concern

Description: Shen Concern seeks a U.S. partner to establish a production
facility for dry wall. It will contribute all its existing production
facilities, well-established distribution channels, as well as a
financial investment of $300,000 (USD). For this project, it seeks an
American partner who would provide equipment for the production of dry
wall, as well as a financial investment of approximately $200,000 (USD).

The company has already successfully utilized the BISNIS Search For
Partner Program and secured a partnership with a U.S. company for a
separate project. In late 2004, the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) aquired 28 percent of Shen Concern for an investment
of 850,000 Euros. This is the first time that EBRD has invested in a
private construction enterprise in Armenia. Shen Concern will use funds
to begin production of concrete products and other construction
materials. By April 2005, the EBRD plans to increase its share of Shen
concern to 36 percent.

Shen Concern was established in 1970 as a state-owned enterprise. It was
privatized and converted into a joint stock company in 1995. The company
specializes in the production, importation, and distribution of building
materials. The company owns large building material production and
storage facilities equipped with modern machinery and tools. Shen also
has a large distribution network of building materials located in
Yerevan and other major cities. The company’s production and sales
volume in 2004 reached $2 million.

The company has a business plan in English.

Shen Concern can conduct business in English.

Location: Yerevan 375043, Armenia

Lead Link:

BISNIS Search for Partners program in collaboration with the U.S.
Industry Coalition (USIC) presents innovative technologies and high-tech
products from Eurasia. USIC is a nonprofit association of U.S. companies
that are involved in partnership projects with scientific institutes and
companies from Russia and other Newly Independent States (NIS). USIC
works to facilitate technology commercialization for the Initiatives for
Proliferation Prevention (IPP) program of the U.S. Department of
Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The IPP mission is to
enhance U.S. national security by engaging NIS scientists, engineers and
technicians currently or formerly involved with weapons of mass
destruction in peaceful and sustainable commercial pursuits.
For additional projects, please go to:

These opportunities are provided solely as an informational service and
do not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Verification of these leads is the responsibility of the reader.

BISNIS Programs available to you FREE OF CHARGE:
BISNIS ExpoLink Eurasia
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**** ****** Provided by:
************************************************* *****
Irina C. Mitchell, BISNIS Trade Specialist for Construction Industry
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 202/482-3729, Fax: 202/482-2293
e-mail: [email protected]

ELECTION CODE AWAITING PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE

A1plus

| 16:34:41 | 19-05-2005 | Politics |

Today with 84 votes in favor, 2 against and no abstentions the Armenian
parliamentarians in the last reading adopted the amendments to the
Election Code. Thus the law will come into force since the moment
President Kocharyan signs it.

According to the amended Election Code 90 out of 131 deputies will
be elected by party rolls. Earlier the number was 75. The authority
of the empowered persons of the candidates has been expanded and they
will be rendered the right to participate in the poll.

It is known already that according to the law, the Central Election
Committee as well as other election committees consisting of 9 members
will be formed till July 1. Parties presented in the parliament,
Justice bloc and People’s Deputy group will have the right to appoint
one member of each committee. Besides Robert Kocharyan and the Court
of Cassations are empowered to appoint one member of the committees
as well.

To note, after the elections the People’s Deputy group’s right of
appointing its committee members will be conveyed to the council of
court chairmen.

US envoy hails Azeri-Armenian Karabakh talks

Arminfo
18 May 05

Yerevan, 18 May: “We are welcoming the latest meeting of the Armenian
and Azerbaijani presidents, Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev, in
Warsaw. I think it is being hailed by everyone,” the US ambassador
to Armenia, John Evans, has said.

He said the US government understands that the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict is a complicated issue and it is impossible to reach an
agreement on it overnight.

“But we are pleased with the dialogue,” John Evans said. The ambassador
refused to comment on the process of dialogue, adding that the
issue was dealt with by the US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Steven Mann.

Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev discussed a negotiated settlement
to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict in Warsaw on 15 May and decided
that the negotiations should be continued by the foreign ministers
of the two countries.

THE RESEMBLANCE OF ARMENIA AND ITALY MUST BE USED

A1 plus
| 17:25:33 | 18-05-2005 | Official |

Today during the meeting of the RA NA President Arthur Baghdasaryan
and Mr. Enrico La Loggia, Italian Minister on Territorial Affairs,
issues about the cooperation between Armenia and Italy have been
discussed. It was mentioned that besides the regions Veneto, Toscana,
Frilui, Venetia and Giulia, there is also potential of economical
and scientific-cultural links between the Armenian regions and other
regions of Italy, which is not used yet.

The creation of the “House of Italy” was considered important. The
agreement about it has been reached during the official visit of the
NA President to Italy and it will have a considerable role in the
enhancing of regional links.

The geographical resemblance of the two countries gives us the
possibility to realize joint programs especially in mountainous
areas. During the meeting agreement was reached that the Italy
Territorial Ministry experts will come to Armenia both for exchange
of legislative experience and for the working out of several programs.