Black Sea Business Day Hosted by BSTDB

The Messenger, Georgia
June 17 2005

According to the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), the
Black Sea regional economy is expanding, although further development
demands a more stable investment climate and a wider range of social
services for low income populations.

On June 6 BSTDB hosted Black Sea Business Day in Yerevan, Armenia.

An annual event, participants used this year’s meeting to explore
the investment potential of the Caucasus, the role of international
institutions, assistance to SME (small and medium enterprise) sector
development, and financial sector development.

According to Mustafa Gurtin, the chairman of the board of directors and
president of BSTDB, business prospects in the region are expanding. He
added, however, that the region needs to take steps toward “more
liberal agriculture,” develop intellectual property rights and improve
access to textile and other commodity markets.

He underlined that the government should act as a facilitator
that “encourages dynamism in the private sector and structures
their financial systems to make them more attractive for foreign
investments.”

In an interview with The Messenger, Gurtin highlighted that assistance
rendered to different countries does not depend on the amount of shares
owned by these countries. The priority is given to the viability of the
projects submitted by the countries – including regional cooperation
which complies with the BSTDB’s principles.

Representatives of Georgia at the conference included Philip Sigwart,
the CEO of ProCredit Bank. The bank also received a USD 5 million
loan from BSTDB in January this year and is successfully implementing
a SME assisting program in Georgia.

In an interview with The Messenger, Sigwart said the meeting was
primarily a chance to talk shop with businesses and international
donor organizations active in the Black Sea region.

He also praised the BSTDB for “offering an alternative to IFC, EBRD,
with sometimes more flexible conditions.”

As for the potential of cross-border economic development in the Black
Sea region, he said this is “very good, but many obstacles remain.”

Also attending the meeting, Georgian Deputy Minister of Finance Lasha
Gotsiridze said he supported the BSTDB’s activities in Georgia. He
added that Georgian financial organizations should further promote
cooperation with the bank.

BSTDB is an international financial institution established by Albania,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania,
Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Next year the annual meeting will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

IMF, World Bank meet in Georgia Leading figures from the International
Monetary Fund and World Bank met in Tbilisi over the weekend to discuss
the current processes in these financial institutions as well as the
organizations’ work within the scope of the European Union.

Representatives of the member countries of the Netherlands Constituency
Group also participated in the meeting.

Jeroen Kremers, an IMF Executive Director who represents the interests
of the twelve Netherlands Constituency countries (including Georgia),
underlined to President of the National Bank Roman Gotsiridze the
importance of the fact that such a senior-level meeting was held
in Tbilisi.

Participants included IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato, World
Bank Vice President of the Europe and Central Asia Region Shigeo
Katsu as well as governmental representatives from Israel, Romania,
Bulgaria, Ukraine, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia,
Moldova and Cyprus.

Gotsiridze reminded journalists that the Georgian government is
expecting a USD 20 million loan from the IMF by the end of the year
as part of the Poverty Reduction Program.

He said the next IMF mission delegation would arrive in Georgia in
October and that a decision would be made on allotting the loan after
the next round of monitoring.

“We hope that the economy will develop in a healthy way over the year,
that the GDP will increase by more than 8 percent, that inflation
will be a single-digit number and that macroeconomic parameters will
satisfy the IMF,” said Gotsiridze.

In April the level of 12-month inflation rose to 10.3 percent, the
highest level of inflation in over three years. However according to
statistics released last week, in May inflation fell 1.3 percent.

The Department of State Statistics reported that this was due to
decreased prices of food because of the start of the seasonal harvest,
the decreased price of fuel due to the decline of oil prices on
international markets and the strengthening of the lari in comparison
with the dollar.

Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli, who participated in the meeting,
commented on Sunday that Georgia will receive the IMF loans “even
earlier than previously planned,” although he added that what was
most important was that “we do not depend on this assistance.”

Noghaideli said the government has already structured the parameters
for future cooperation with the World Bank.

CHURCHES WORK WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY DURING THE JIMMY CARTER WORK PROJECT

Religion News Service (press release)
June 17 2005

Armenian Church leaders announce new partnership to build Habitat
homes

Contact: Duane Bates Jennifer Lindsey
Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity
Cell 229-938-1917 Cell 202-270-2030
[email protected] [email protected]

BENTON HARBOR and DETROIT, Mich. (June 16, 2005) – Volunteers from more
than 50 churches will help sponsor and build more than 40 homes during
Habitat for Humanity’s 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Michigan,
June 19-24.

During the annual event, thousands of volunteers will join former
U.S. President and Nobel Peach Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and
his wife, Rosalynn, to make the dream of homeownership come true
with families in need. Volunteers will complete more than 230 homes
throughout Michigan and in Windsor, Canada. The Carters will build
in host cities Benton Harbor and Detroit.

Leading up to the project, denominational leaders Bishop Gary Hansen
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Bishop Bob Gepert
of the Episcopal Church led a campaign to get denominations engaged
by providing seed money and matching grants to encourage involvement
from local congregations. Diverse church groups represented include
Presbyterians, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Baptists
and many non-denominational churches including Willow Creek Community
Church near Chicago, which is sending more than 200 volunteers and
sponsoring two homes

Representatives from faith coalitions such as Bob Edgar, general
secretary of the National Council of Churches, and Michigan Faith
Leaders Council will show their support by building along with church
members from various denominations and nondenominational churches.

On June 21 in Detroit, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians will preside over an announcement
regarding the Armenian Church’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity
to build in Armenia, the United States and other countries.

“For many years Willow Creek has engaged with Habitat for Humanity
locally, nationally and internationally. The role Habitat plays
in reaching out to those unable to afford housing is vital and
unparalleled,” said Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek
Church. “The opportunity for the Church to partner with Habitat allows
a unique expression of Matthew 25 to be lived out. We are honored to
be participants in the 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Michigan.”

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is
an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty
housing. By the end of 2005, Habitat will have built its 200,000th
house and more than one million people will be living in Habitat homes
they helped build and are buying through no-profit, zero-interest
mortgages.

Ankara Haunted by Armenian Massacre

Deutsche Welle, Germany
June 17 2005

Armenians honor the 1.5 million victims of Turkish violence

When the German parliament condemned the mass killing of Armenians by
Turks 90 years ago, it sparked angry protest from Ankara. But if it
wants to be taken seriously by the EU, it needs to face up to its past.

In a vote Thursday, Germany’s main parliamentary parties joined forces
to deplore the systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenians between
1915 and 1916. Berlin is now urging Turkey to set up an independent
committee of Turkish, Armenian and international historians to document
what happened.

The resolution looks set to test relations between Ankara and Berlin.

So far, the German government has been a key supporter of Turkish
EU aspirations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul described the resolution as
one-sided and “provocative,” and said German lawmakers had ignored
repeated warnings of the harm the resolution would do to bilateral
ties.

Time for reconciliation

Faruk Sen is the director of the center for Turkish studies in Essen
in Germany. He feels disapointed by the Turkish Foreign Minister’s
harsh criticism of the resolution, and says Turkey has to look forward.

“80,000 Armenians live in Turkey,” he told DW Radio. “Each year,
more than 100,000 come to Turkey to work there. It is time for
reconciliation. I think to look back on 90 years of history doesn’t
help at all. Turkey and Armenia need good relations today.”

Genocide?

Turkey is worried that it will come under mounting pressure to
recognize the killings as “genocide” after it starts EU entry talks
in October. Other European nations, including Poland and Greece,
have also passed resolutions condemning the genocide.

President Jacques Chirac of France, home to Europe’s largest Armenian
diaspora, said failure by Turkey to recognize the genocide could harm
the country’s EU bid.

Faruk Sen, however, is critical of the EU’s stance.

“If that’s the opinion of the EU, it is a shame,” he insisted.

“Because then, Turkey and the EU cannot negotiate anymore. The EU
would have to do without Turkey.”

Turkey gets impatient

The German resolution comes at a time when the EU is already displeased
with Turkey over its dragging human rights and judicial reform.

Faruk Sen says the EU has tested Turkey’s patience.

“People in Turkey are increasingly against the EU and now the Armenia
debate has been added to Turkey’s obligations to join the EU. I think
if the EU-membership fails because of the Armenia-issue, the people
in Turkey won’t be too sad.”

Turkey denies the claims that 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered
in a systematic genocide between 1915 and 1923 as the multi-ethnic
Ottoman Empire collapsed. It accepts that hundreds of thousands of
Armenians were killed, but says even more Turks died in a partisan
conflict in which many Armenians backed invading Russian troops.

Ignorance and taboos

But political theorist Ahmet Insel pointed out that the reason so
many Turks deny the extent of the massacre has nothing to do with
nationalistic or racist sentiment — it’s simply ignorance.

“Generations of Turks have grown up never learning about this
tragedy,” he said. “Now that it’s being discussed, they’re realizing
how little they actually know. At the moment, we’re experiencing a
time of complete confusion.”

He explained that much of the population is appalled by the wave
of recent media reports depicting the crimes perpetrated by their
forefathers.

“The cat is out of the bag,” he said. “Turkish society is finally
beginning to talk about these matters. We have to come to terms with
our past, and the first step is to face up to our history.”

DW staff (jp)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The New Anatolian, Turkey
June 17 2005

In Lebanon, Erdogan Pushes for Mideast Democratization
The New Anatolian / Beirut

In Lebanon yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan worked
to keep his promise to U.S. President George W. Bush by pushing for
further democratization in the Middle East.

Erdogan promised Bush, during their meeting in Washington last week,
to encourage democratization in the Middle East and to become a “key
player” in the Greater Middle East Initiative (GME). His Lebanon
visit is his first following his meetings in the U.S.

During his talks with Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati, Erdogan
said that in this globalized and increasingly democratized world,
it is apparent that Middle Eastern states need to reform. “Turkey
and Lebanon are good examples forother regional states in this
democratization process,” Erdogan added.

Armenian protesters waiting for PM

Erdogan was met by Armenians protesting his visit at his arrival
in Lebanon on Wednesday. Demonstrators burned the Turkish flag and
called on Lebanon to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide claims.

Shortly before his arrival in Beirut, some 1,500 Armenians demonstrated
in the northern Beirut district of Bourj Hammoud against Turkey’s
refusal to recognize the Armenians’ claims of genocide.

Lebanese protesters burned a Turkish flag and closed their shops for
an hour in Bourj Hammoud, which has a large Armenian community. Some
100,000 Armenians live in Lebanon.

A newly elected Armenian member of Parliament, Hagob Pakradounian,
recently said that Lebanon must follow 18 other countries in officially
recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide claims.

East Valley Tribune, AZ –
June 17 2005

Armenian pope, parish consecrate church ground
By Andrea Falkenhagen, Tribune
June 17, 2005

Men in gold and red robes carried crosses and swung smoking incense
holders, surrounding Karekin II, supreme patriarch and catholicos of
all Armenians, as he walked over a gravelfilled plot of land.

The pontiff, who leads the world’s 7 million Armenian Apostolic
Christians, was in north Scottsdale on Thursday evening to bless the
ground where Arizona’s first Armenian Church will stand.

An estimated 1,200 Armenians live in the Valley, with one-third of
them living in the north East Valley, said Scottsdale City Councilman
Kevin Osterman, who attended the ceremony at the Armenian Church
Cultural Center.

When Karekin II addressed the crowd in Armenian, he spoke of the growth
in Scottsdale’s Armenian community, as well as the survival of his
people in the face of genocide 90 years ago, explained parishioner
Hasmik Takoushian.

“Our ancestors adopted Christianity more than 1,700 years ago, and that
has been the color of our skin since. It is how we are recognized,”
he told the audience.

Karekin II is the 132nd successor of St. Gregory the Illuminator,
who converted Armenia to Christianity in 301, making it the first
nation to formally adopt the religion.

The ceremony attracted East Valley residents and clergy of other
faiths, too.

Scottsdale Rabbi Robert Kravitz told the audience there were
similarities between the Armenian and Jewish communities.

“We maintain our language and our cultures, even in the mix of modern
society that often erases tradition,” he said. “Both our peoples
maintain vibrant diaspora communities.”

Teresa and Burk Wurts of Scottsdale recently returned from a vacation
in Armenia and attended the ceremony. They said the architectural
drawing of the church reminded them of the many churches they saw
during their travels.

Parishioner Victoria Manoogian said the Armenian congregation has
met in Scottsdale since the 1950s, and having the resources to build
a church is a dream come true for many of its members.

Zaman, Turkey
June 17 2005

Miqati: Erdogan Lights our Path
By Erdal Sen
Published: Friday 17, 2005
zaman.com

The first Turkish Prime Minister visiting Lebanon, Recep Tayyip
Erdogan called on Arab leaders not to make enemies but win friends
and offered cooperation for political reforms at the Arab Economy
summit in Beirut, where he is the honorary guest.

Erdogan met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati after the summit,
attended by representatives from 30 countries. At a news conference
after the meeting, the two leaders answered questions.

When asked about the Broader Middle East Project (BMEP), the Lebanese
Prime Minister said, “We have been watching Erdogan, his attitudes
and his activities. His behavior in projects has been illuminating
to us. Democracy and freedoms are important arrangements. No country
can reject these principles. If Erdogan finds support from the floor,
he might be successful. Lebanon and Turkey are two countries, which
record development in democracy day by day.”

When asked about his comments on the protest by Armenians against the
alleged genocide, Miqati responded: “It is an issue that interests
historians. It was not on the agenda of our meetings.” Praising
economic stability in Turkey, Miqati said that there are numerous
cooperation opportunities in Turkey.

Flood of praise for Erdogan at summit

As the first Turkish Prime Minister to visit Lebanon, Erdogan was
invited to the rostrum for a speech at the summit with the following
introduction, “The Prime Minister, who is shown a flood of love from
the Islamic world.” Erdogan, who was the honorary speaker of the
forum, was introduced with the words, “His service in Turkey has no
equal throughout history.”

Erdogan gave important messages during his speech. Urging the Arab
world to make political reforms and proposing close cooperation in
the reform process, Erdogan said: “I would like express our wish
to develop and continue cooperation friendship in all fields within
the economic and political reform process that has been rooting in
our region with countries that Turkey has cultural and historical
links with.” Pointing out that Turkish-Arabic relations should be
developed on many dimensions, Erdogan called on Arab leaders to not
to make enemies but friends. Explaining his successes within the
last 2.5 years with examples and numbers, Erdogan said, “Turkey is a
trustworthy business partner for the Arabic world.” Erdogan stressed
they make no differentiation between domestic and foreign investors
and guarantee he would personally interfere if Arab businessmen,
who plan to make investments in Turkey, face bureaucratic obstacles.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Germany passes bill on Armenian massacre

ISN, Switzerland
June 17 2005

ISN SECURITY WATCH (17/06/05) – Germany’s lower house of parliament
on Thursday approved a motion that criticizes Turkey for failing to
recognize the Ottoman Empire’s massacre of hundreds of thousands of
Armenians in 1915.

The motion – which was proposed by the opposition and passed
unanimously – prompted an angry response from Turkey.

The German resolution calls on the German government “to ensure that
the Turkish parliament, government, and society reappraise their role
towards the Armenian people in the past and present without prejudice”,
news agencies reported.

More than one million Armenians died in massacres, camps, and death
marches through the Syrian Desert during 1915.

“Acknowledging the former injustice would help normalize the
relationship between Armenia and Turkey and stabilize the Caucasus
region,” the German resolution read.

Turkey has vehemently and persistently denied that the Ottoman Empire
perpetrated a massacre, saying that the Armenian deaths were not the
result of a planned genocide, but rather the result of an Armenian
rebellion that lead to deadly clashes.

Turkey has warned that the German resolution could have severe
consequences for the two countries’ relations. However, Turkey is
depending on German support for its bid to begin EU membership talks in
October this year – a bid whose fate is becoming increasingly uncertain
as many of the bloc’s countries are against further enlargement.

“We regret and strongly condemn the resolution,” the Turkish Foreign
Ministry said in a statement on Thursday, describing the motion as
“provocative”.

“We are proud of our history. Therefore, we cannot stand by while this
issue is being used as a political tool, as free political capital
by lobby groups,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told
reporters at a press conference in Beirut on Thursday.

During a visit to Turkey on 4 May, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder
urged the Armenian government to accept a proposal by Turkey that
scholars from both countries study the genocide claims. Armenians
have rejected that idea.

But the German motion also accepts responsibility for the German
state’s role in the Armenian massacre as an ally of the Ottoman Empire
during World War I.

Police in Berlin said that Turkish citizens living in the city were
planning a protest in front of the Armenian Embassy over the weekend,
according to news agencies.

TBILISI WARMS TO IDEA OF RESTORING RAIL LINK TO ABKHAZIA
By Zaal Anjaparidze

Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
Jamestown Foundation
June 17 2005

Friday, June 17, 2005

The prospects of reopening the Georgian-Abkhaz railway line seem to be
improving. The issue has been the subject of discussions at various
high-profile meetings in recent months. The Georgian government has
significantly softened its initial tough stance on the issue. Reopening
the railway branch between Georgia and Abkhazia was one of the central
topics at the June 15 summit of CIS railway CEOs in Tbilisi, although
the issue was not officially on the agenda.

Experts estimate that the full restoration of the Abkhaz railway
branch will cost at least $100 million. Ararat Khrimian, chief of
the Armenian railway company, said that Armenia would definitely
participate in this venture if the Georgia and Russian governments
reach an agreement. The blockade of this railway branch costs Armenia’s
state budget about $500 million annually.

As early as April, Tbilisi showed a willingness to reconsider
its opposition to reopening the Abkhaz portion of the railway,
when Georgian parliamentary chair Nino Burjanadze told her Armenian
counterpart, Artur Bagdasarian, that Tbilisi has “changed its position
over restoration of a railway link via Abkhazia and is ready to
discuss this issue if concrete progress is made in resolving the
[Abkhaz] conflict” (Resonance, Civil Georgia, April 29).

The Georgian government is showing a moderate optimism. “We
should not create euphoria around this issue, since there are
still many unresolved problems, particularly with regard to the
safe repatriation of refugees,” said Georgian Prime Minister Zurab
Nogaideli. He admitted to having discussed the issue with his Russian
counterpart, Mikhail Fradkov, during his visit in Tbilisi on June 3.
“Georgia’s former government was against the reopening of the railway,
while the new government has a positive approach to this issue,” he
added. If the Abkhaz portion is restored, the Trans-Caucasus Railway
will again operate along more than 2,300 kilometers (Civil Georgia,
June 16). The railway line connects Armenia and Georgian Black Sea
ports with central Russia. This would likely revitalize the region’s
faded economy. However, all stakeholders are wondering who will be
the biggest winner.

It appears that Tbilisi still seeks unilateral advantages from this
venture. “We are ready to start rehabilitation work, and sooner or
later the railway has to be opened. Georgia must have an advantage
from this venture in the first turn,” Davit Onoprishvili, chief of
the Georgian railway, declared (24 Saati, June 16).

On June 15, the Georgian, Russian, and Abkhaz delegations met in Moscow
to discuss reopening the rail connection and returning refugees to
Gali district, although no concrete documents have been signed. The
self-styled president of Abkhazia, Sergei Bagapsh, said reopening
the rail communication via Abkhazia “is advantageous for Russia,
Abkhazia, Armenia, and Georgia” (Apsynpress, Caucasus Press, June
15). Yesterday, Sergei Shamba, the foreign minister of the Abkhaz
separatist government, said that the organized return of refugees to
Gali could possibly begin in September (Caucasus Press, June 16).

Meanwhile, Leonid Lakerbaya, deputy prime minister of Abkhazia,
conceded the need to quickly restore the railway line, but added that
the Abkhaz leadership has to discuss the issue with the Abkhaz public
and other governmental bodies (24 Saati, June 16).

The railway is scheduled to be discussed at a July 1 meeting in the
office of the UN special envoy in Gali district. This meeting of
Georgian, Russian, and Abkhaz specialists will focus on technical and
financial issues related to the restoration of the railway. “This
meeting will help us to define our further plans,” said Georgian
State Minister for Conflict Resolutions Giorgi Khaindrava.

Georgian analysts have different views about the issue. “We have to
separate politics and economics,” says Sandro Tvalchrelidze, who is
against linking the railway project with the repatriation of Georgian
refugees to Abkhazia, as Tbilisi demanded several months ago. Other
analysts, however, are less optimistic and argue that reopening the
railway link would be less productive without a concurrent solution
of the refugee issue. There are also numerous technical problems,
including guaranteeing the safety of cargo and the installation
of customs points. (Tbilisi likely wants to install them at the
Russo-Abkhaz border and not on the Enguri River, which could serve
as a provisional demarcation line between Georgia and breakaway
Abkhazia). These analysts argue that under no circumstances should
Georgia separate the issues of railway and repatriation issues. “It
turns out that the Georgian side is doing something for the welfare
of Abkhazia, but what is Abkhazia doing for Georgia?” asked analyst
Ramaz Sakvarelidze (Resonance, June 16).

However, the Abkhaz leadership remains distrustful of Georgia’s
apparent desire to resolve the Abkhaz conflict by non-violent means.
Nugzar Ashuba, chair of the Abkhaz parliament, complained at a June 15
meeting with a British delegation headed by Special Representative to
South Caucasus Brian Fall that Georgia was not interested in stability
and strengthening Abkhazia. He said that the National Bank of Georgia’s
appeal to the Central Bank of Russia to close all accounts in related
Abkhazian commercial banks revealed their true intention. The accounts
have reportedly been closed (Caucasus Press, June 16).

The perception that Tbilisi harbors a grudge against Abkhazia appears
to still dominate the Abkhaz political sphere. Any inconsistency
in Georgian policies toward Abkhazia only serves to further this
perception.

SERGE SARGSYAN AND IGOR LEVITIN TO DISCUSS ISSUES CONNECTED WITH THE
WORK OF ARMENIAN ENTERPRISES PASSED TO RUSSIA TO REDEEM THE DEBT

YEREVAN, June 17. /ARKA/. Co-Chairs of Armenian -Russian
Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Serge Sargsyan
and Igor Levitin will discuss June 21 the issues connected with the
work of Armenian enterprises passed to Russia to redeem the debt.

According to RA Minister of Defense Press Secretary, Colonel Seiran
Shakhsuvaryan, the RA Minister of Defense Sargsyan and RF Minister
of Transport Levitin will discuss other issues of mutual interest as
well in the course of the meeting.

According to the press release, June 22 the delegation headed by Serge
Sargsyan will participate in the sessions of the Council of Defense
Ministers and Committee of Secretaries of the Security Council of
states-members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
in Moscow. On June 23 Sargsyan together with the delegation headed
by RA President Kocharyan will participate in Moscow session of the
Council of CSTO. On June 24 the delegation headed by Sargsyan will
leave for Dushanbe to participate in the session of the Council of
the CIS Defense Ministers. A.H.-0-

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SATISFIED WITH INTENSIFICATION OF
ARMENIAN-INDONESIAN COOPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

YEREVAN, June 17. /ARKA/. The newly appointed Ambassador of
Indonesia to Armenia Alexander Laturiuv (residence in Kiev, Ukraine)
presented his credentials to RA President Robert Kocharyan. During
the meeting the RA President expressed his is satisfaction with the
intensification of Armenian-Indonesian cooperation within international
organizations. Speaking of the possibilities of expanding bilateral
relations, the sides pointed out the priority task of creating a
necessary contractual basis. They also pointed out the importance
of exchanging information and of business contacts in encouraging
bilateral business ties. The Armenian President wished the Indonesian
people success in eliminating the aftermath of a devastating tsunami
that shocked the entire world several months ago. P.T. -0–