Iraq to Seal Borders During Election

Guardian/UK
Tuesday January 18, 2005 1:46 PM

By BASSEM MROUE

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) – Iraqi officials announced Tuesday that they will
seal the nation’s borders, extend a nighttime curfew and restrict
movement inside the country to protect voters during the Jan. 30 vote,
which insurgents are seeking to ruin with a campaign of violence.

Attacks continued Tuesday, with a suicide car bomber detonating
explosives outside the offices of a leading Shiite political party,
killing three other people as part of an apparent rebel campaign to
frighten Shiites from this month’s election. Also, masked gunmen
killed a Shiite Muslim candidate in the Iraqi capital.

A video surfaced Tuesday showing eight Chinese workers held hostage by
gunmen who claim the men are employed by a construction company
working with U.S. troops, in the latest abduction of foreigners in
Iraq.

Elsewhere, a Christian archbishop kidnapped by gunmen in the northern
city of Mosul was released Tuesday, a day after his abduction. The
Vatican had called his kidnapping a “terrorist act.”

Sunni Muslim militants, who make up the bulk of Iraq’s insurgency, are
increasingly honing in on Shiites in their campaign to sabotage the
parliamentary election that is widely expected to propel their
religious rivals to a position of dominance.

Tuesday morning’s car bombing gouged a crater in the pavement, left
several vehicles in flames and spread shredded debris and flesh on the
street outside the offices of the Supreme Council for the Islamic
Revolution in Iraq, a main contender in the election.

The party, known here as SCIRI, has close ties to Iran, and is
strongly opposed by Sunni Muslim militants.

The U.S. military reported the bomber and three others were dead and
four people were injured.

A spokesman for the Shiite party said it would not be cowed. “SCIRI
will not be frightened by such an act,” Ridha Jawad said. “SCIRI
will continue the march toward building Iraq, establishing justice and
holding the elections.”

Iraq’s Independent Electoral Commission announced that the country’s
international borders would be closed from Jan. 29 until Jan. 31
except for Muslim pilgrims returning from the hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Iraqis will also be barred from traveling between provinces and a
nighttime curfew will be imposed during the same period, according to
a statement from the commission’s Farid Ayar.

Such measures had been expected because of the grave security
threat. U.S. and Iraqi authorities are hoping to encourage a
substantial turnout but fear that if most Sunnis stay away from the
polls, the legitimacy of the new government will be in doubt.

Iraq’s interior minister warned Tuesday that if the country’s Sunni
Arab minority bows to rebel threats and stays away from the polls, the
nation could descend into civil war.

Falah Hassan al-Naqib, a Sunni, told reporters he expects Sunni
insurgents to escalate attacks in the run-up to the election,
especially in the Baghdad area. Voters are to choose a new 275-member
National Assembly.

“Boycotting the elections will not produce a National Assembly that
represents the Iraqi people,” he said.

If that happens, he added, the Iraqi people “will enter into a civil
war that will divide the country.”

Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said in a news conference that he
will boost the country’s armed forces with 70,000 more troops in an
effort to take over more security tasks from U.S.-led forces. He said
they’d be “equipped with the most advanced weapons.”

A video delivered to several news organizations showed eight Chinese
captives in front of a small mud brick building. The men displayed
their passports for the camera and were flanked by two gunmen with
headscarves wrapped around their faces.

The Chinese government later confirmed they had been kidnapped.

In a handwritten note delivered with the tape, an insurgent group
calling itself the al-Numan Brigades said it abducted the men as they
were leaving the country.

“After interrogation, we found that they are working for a Chinese
construction company that is working inside American sites in Iraq,”
the note said.

The note indicated the group might release the hostages because China
did not participate in the war.

In Mosul, Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa of the Syrian Catholic
Church was freed a day after he was seized near his church, according
to local church officials and The Vatican.

“I’m happy to have returned to the bishop’s office,” Casmoussa told
Vatican Radio. “I can say that I wasn’t mistreated.”

He didn’t identify his captors but said he didn’t think his kidnapping
was meant as an attack on the Church.

The Vatican said that the 66-year-old archbishop’s captors had
demanded a $200,000 ransom for his release.

Christians make up just 3 percent of Iraq’s 26 million people. The
major Christian groups include Chaldean-Assyrians and Armenians with
small numbers of Roman Catholics. Several churches have been bombed in
recent months, presumably by Islamic extremists.

Elsewhere, a third American trooper died in fighting in Iraq’s
troubled Anbar province, west of Baghdad, the military said
Tuesday. Two other soldiers assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary
Force were also killed in action there on Monday.

It was unclear if the three were killed in a suicide car bombing in
the western city of Ramadi that U.S. officials said resulted in
American casualties. Further details were withheld for security
reasons.

In Baghdad, bursts of heavy machine gun fire were heard for about half
an hour in the afternoon coming from a southern neighborhood, and
witnesses said Iraqi National Guard units were battling insurgents in
that area.

Two U.S. Apache attack helicopters hovered over the area near the bend
in the Tigris River that flows through the center of the capital.

Also, masked gunmen Monday shot dead Shaker Jabbar Sahl, 48, a Shiite
who was running on the ticket of the Constitutional Monarchy Movement,
headed by Sharif Ali bin Hussein, a cousin of Iraq’s last king.

Iraq’s Shiite Muslim majority has welcomed the vote, but many members
of the country’s Sunni Muslim minority want the ballot postponed,
arguing that security is precarious and the election should not take
place under foreign occupation.

SHARE OF FLESH COMPANY IN CAPITAL OF ALIANZ INSURANCE COMPANY
INCREASED TO 55%

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18. ARMINFO. In connection with a governmental
decision to increase the minimum size of the authorized capital of
insurance companies, the share of the largest oil trader in Armenia,
Flesh company, in the capital of Alianz Insurance Company has been
increased to 55%. Executive Director of Alianz IC Karen Vahramyan told
ARMINFO.

He said that Flesh has been the promoter of Alianz IC since 1997, with
its share being 25%. Since promoters are provided with a top-priority
right to buy out shares, a decision was made to increase the size of
the authorized capital to the demanded size due to an increase in the
share of the above oil trader company. Vahramyan said that in
connection with redistribution of the participants’ shares, no
cardinal changes are expected in the company’s management and tariff
policy. The company has been just renamed into Alianz Flesh. Vahramyan
noted that the authorized capital will be increased in 2006 at the
expense of undistributed profits. He added that already at the end of
2004, a 100% growth of profits was secured due to an 80% increase in
the volume of insurance premiums and some decrease in the size of
compensations.

By the end of the current year, the volumes of insurance premiums and
profits will also be doubled due to an increase in insurance
operations and maintenance of last year’s level of risk
operations. “We intend to activate transport and property insurance as
well as to participate in the programs of compulsory automobile
liability insurance in case if a relevant law is adopted,” he said.
Vahramyan also pointed out that despite the increase in the share of
Flesh company, Alianz will not insure the imported fuel and
lubricants.

It should be noted that in conformity with the governmental decision,
starting from January of 2005, the minimum size of the authorized
capital of insurance companies was increased to 100 mln AMD. In 2006,
this figure will total 200 mln AMD, in 2007 – 350 mln AMD, and already
in 2008 – 500 mln AMD.

It is noteworthy that as a result of the first half of 2004, the
assets of Alianz IC totaled 113.9 mln AMD, funds – 29.5 mln AMD. At
the same time, the volume of premiums reached 174 mln, compensations –
2 mln AMD. The profits of the company totaled 10.5 mln AMD on June 1.

ISSUE OF KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BE RAISED AT CE SUMMIT

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18. ARMINFO. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
will participate in the third Summit of CE Leaders in Warsaw and will
speak at the sitting, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the
Presidential Executive Staff of Azerbaijan Novrus Mamedov told the
525th newspaper.

He confirmed the information of the Karabakh problem will be discussed
at the CE Summit, alongside with a number of urgent issues of Europe
and the conflicts in the South Caucasus. He said that raising the
Karabakh issue at such a representative forum may have positive
results only, Mamedov said.

The newspaper also presents a statement by a certain source at the CE
that advancement of the Karabakh issue for discussion at the
forthcoming session of PACE and adoption of a relevant resolution
allows a conclusion that the CE approaches the problem rather
seriously. According to the source, the CE Summit, which will start
only several months after discussions at PACE, will discuss the ways
of resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in the course of
discussion of the issue “On taking of immediate measures on resolution
of urgent problems in Europe” on the basis of January resolution. At
present, inclusion of the Karabakh problem into the list of the issues
to be discussed at CE Summit is determined, the newspaper writes.

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
Martedì, Il 18 Gennaio 2005

PAPA: DOMANI INAUGURA NUOVA STATUA SUL LATO ESTERNO S.PIETRO

CITTA’ DEL VATICANO

(ANSA) – CITTA’ DEL VATICANO, 18 GEN – Domani, prima
dell’udienza generale, Giovanni Paolo II inaugurera’ una nuova
statua, che rappresenta San Gregorio l’Illuminatore, collocata
in una delle nicchie di sinistra della basilica vaticana. Il
papa, come di consueto, benedira’ la statua, commissionata dal
collegio Armeno di Roma: e’ di marmo bianco di Carrara, alta
5,64 metri e pesa circa 20 tonnellate. E’ opera dello scultore
armeno Kazan Khatechik

Gregorio l’Illuminatore e’ l’apostolo degli Armeni, nazione
che si converti’ al cristianesimo nel 301. Nato nel 260 circa,
sopravvisse ad una strage della sua famiglia e venne educato
alla fede cristiana dalla nutrice.

Vicino al re Tridate, si rifiuto’ di sacrificare agli dei
pagani, come richiesto dal sovrano. Per questo fu imprigionato,
ma rilasciato in un secondo tempo dallo stesso Tridate ammalato.
La sua liberazione coincise con la guarigione del re: da questo
episodio deriva l’origine cristiana degli armeni, un popolo che
anche recentemente ha molto sofferto in persecuzioni e stragi, a
causa della fede.

Alcune reliquie del santo sono nella chiesa di San Gregorio
Armeno a Napoli, altre a Nardo’ e Costantinopoli. La piu
importante e’ il braccio destro, con cui in Armenia si benedice
il nuovo Katholikos. (ANSA).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
Martedì, Il 18 Gennaio 2005

IRAQ: 46 SOLDATI ARMENI IN MISSIONE ‘UMANITARIA’

(ANSA-AFP) – EREVAN, 18 GEN – Un gruppo di 46 militari armeni
ha lasciato oggi Erevan per il Kuwait, da dove proseguira’ per
una missione a carattere “umanitario” in Iraq, sotto il
comando del contingente polacco.

“E’ un giorno molto importante per le forze armate armene.
Non possiamo restare fuori dal processo internazionale per la
stabilita’ e la pace nella nostra regione e in particolare in
Iraq”, ha detto il ministro armeno Serge Sarkissian.

Il contingente armeno comprende anche tre medici e un’unita
per la bonifica dalle mine e sara’ di stanza a Kerbala e Hilla.

Il parlamento armeno aveva approvato a fine dicembre la
decisione del governo di inviare per la prima volta dei
militari, non combattenti, in Iraq.

L’opposizione e le organizzazioni della gioventu’ armena
hanno protestato contro questa decisione, preoccupati che la
diaspora armena in Iraq, circa 20.000 persone, venga esposta
alle vendette della guerriglia irachena.(ANSA-AFP)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Jan 18 2005

The Armenian contingent of peacekeepers to leave for Iraq today

Armenia takes 5th place on inflation level among CIS countries in
Jan-Nov 2004

Sitting of the commission on celebration of 1600th anniversary of
creation of Armenian written language takes place today

Appointed new Ambassador of Armenia to Bulgaria

Activity dedicated to 15th anniversary of Armenian massacre in Baku
takes place in Yerevan

An exhibition `Discover Armenia’ of the Armenian art is opened in the
art center of Ganshoren Brussels community

*********************************************************************

THE ARMENIAN CONTINGENT OF PEACEKEEPERS TO LEAVE FOR IRAQ TODAY

YEREVAN, January 18. /ARKA/. The Armenian contingent of peacekeepers
consisting of 46 people will leave for Iraq. Hercules C130 American
military airplane landed in Armenia to take Armenian servicemen to
Iraq. According to the commander of the group Garush Avetisyan, the
Armenian contingent will leave for Kuwait first and then for Iraq.
The contingent as a part of the Polish division will participate in
the process of maintaining stability in Iraq. Armenian peacekeepers
include a commander, signal officer adjunct to the headquarter of the
Polish division, a commander of the platoon, 3 doctors (a
cardiologist, a therapeutist and a psychiatrist), 10 combat engineers
and 30 drivers. The Division will be divided into two parts – drivers
and combat engineers will be located in the city of El-Hilla in the
South of Baghdad, and doctors will be located in the South-West of
the capital of Iraq. According to Avetisyan, two-week training will
be organized before the peacekeeping mission begins.
As RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan stated before, since the
authorities approved of the contingent’s staying in Iraq for a year,
6 months later the staff will be replaced.
On December 24, 2004, RA NA ratified the memorandum about sending
Armenians to Iraq, where they will be under the command of Polish
division. 91 deputies voted for sending the contingent to Iraq, 23
deputies-against, and 1 abstained. The decision was taken after the
discussions lasting for 7 hours behind the closed doors. Two
opposition factions boycotting the parliament, namely Justice bloc
and National Unity, participated in the discussions. Dashnaktrsutyun
party, which is a part of the ruling coalition, and Justice
opposition bloc were against sending Armenian servicemen to Iraq.
A.H.-0 –

*********************************************************************

ARMENIA TAKES 5TH PLACE ON INFLATION LEVEL AMONG CIS COUNTRIES IN
JAN-NOV 2004

YEREVAN, January 18. /ARKA/. Armenia takes 5th place on inflation
level among CIS countries in Jan-Nov 2004, with inflation level of
7.4%, CIS Statistic Committee reports. At this maximal growth of
prices was registered in Belarus – 18.4% and minimal – in Kyrgystan –
4.2%. In the rest countries it goes as follows Azerbaijan – 6.4%,
Georgia – 5.5%, Kazakhstan – 6.9%, Moldova – 12.4%, Russia – 10.8%,
Tajikistan – 6.8%.
At the same time the biggest growth of consumer prices was registered
in Azerbaijan – 2.3% and deflation in Tajikistan made 0.3%. In
Armenia the prices grew by 0.8%, in Russia – 1.1%. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

SITTING OF THE COMMISSION ON CELEBRATION OF 1600TH ANNIVERSARY OF
CREATION OF ARMENIAN WRITTEN LANGUAGE TAKES PLACE TODAY

YEREVAN, January 18. /ARKA/. Sitting of the commission on celebration
of 1600th anniversary of creation of Armenian written language took
place today in Yerevan under the chair of RA PM Andranik Margarian.
The Commission specified places and terms of conduction of more than
two dozens of activities envisaged by the program and determining the
figures responsible for their realization. The activities will start
in May-June 2005 with republican festival of declamation, the
activities will also be conducted in Nagorno Karabakh and Armenian
regions. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

APPOINTED NEW AMBASSADOR OF ARMENIA TO BULGARIA

YEREVAN, January 18. /ARKA/. The decree of RA President Robert
Kocharian appointed Sergey Manaserian Armenian Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Bulgaria, President’s press
service told ARKA. L.D. –0 –

*********************************************************************

ACTIVITY DEDICATED TO 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN MASSACRE IN BAKU
TAKES PLACE IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, January 18. /ARKA/. Activity dedicated to 15th anniversary
of Armenian massacre in Baku took place in Yerevan. According to the
organizer of the activity, the Chairman of Public Organization Center
of Civil Society Svetlana Aslanian `similar crime should not be
forgotten’.
RA Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdian refugees from Baku and representatives
of public organizations took part in the activity.
Aggression against Armenians of Baku in the form of murders, violence
and robbery became more frequent in December 1989. By January 12-13,
1990, massacres of Armenians in Baku acquired an organized and
ubiquitous character. On January 13, 1990, 60 thou activists lead by
the National Azeri Front in a mass meeting, started the methodical
`cleanup’ of the city from Armenians. There are numerous facts of
brutal carnages of the peaceful Armenian population in the Azeri
capital. The exact number of killed is still unknown. Only when the
Soviet forces entered Baku on January 20, the survived Armenians
managed to leave the country. L.D. -0 –

*********************************************************************

AN EXHIBITION `DISCOVER ARMENIA’ OF THE ARMENIAN ART IS OPENED IN THE
ART CENTER OF GANSHOREN BRUSSELS COMMUNITY

YEREVAN, January 18. /ARKA/. An exhibition `Discover Armenia’ of the
Armenian art is opened in the art center of Ganshoren Brussels
community. According to RA MFA Press Service Department, work by
artists Levon Aghayan, Avetis Balayan, Samo, and sculptors Mariam
Grigoryan and Suren Oganyan are exhibited. The exhibition will last
till January 23. A.H. –0–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
01/18/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) ANCA Criticizes State Department Statement Describing The Mountainous
Karabagh Republic as ‘Criminal Secessionists’
2) Twenty-two Novices Refresh Ranks of ARF
3) Armenia Kicks off Iraq Mission
4) Agricultural Concerns Addressed at Meeting with Kocharian
5) Prelacy Projects and Schools Receive Major Boost during Prelate’s Christmas
Dinner

1) ANCA Criticizes State Department Statement Describing The Mountainous
Karabagh Republic as ‘Criminal Secessionists’

Incendiary Remarks by Assistant Secretary of State Jones Undermine the
Karabagh
Peace Process

WASHINGTON, DC–The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) condemned
highly incendiary statements by US Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth
Jones
referring to Mountainous Karabagh’s leaders as “criminal secessionists” and
calling for their removal from power. The statement came as part of a January
13 digital video-conference with journalists in US Embassies in Moscow, Rome,
and Bratislava.
“Assistant Secretary Jones’s comments seriously weaken the foundation of our
role–as Americans–as impartial mediators of the Mountainous Karabagh
conflict,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “Her remarks unfairly attack the
right of the people of Mountainous Karabagh to express themselves
democratically through elections. They also prejudice the outcome of the OSCE
negotiations, materially compromising the search for peace, and–very
significantly–embolden the growing chorus in the Azerbaijan government
that is
calling for renewed aggression against Mountainous Karabagh.”
Expressing the Armenian American community’s shock and outrage at Assistant
Secretary Jones’ remarks, the ANCA condemned her statements “as counter to the
long-standing US policy of helping the parties reach a negotiated settlement.”
The ANCA also called on the Administration to begin repairing this damage by
immediately and clearly renouncing the unfair and inaccurate remarks.
During the video conference, Jones, in discussing US bi-lateral relations
with
Russia, called for increased engagement in resolving regional conflicts in the
former Soviet Union, stating:
“It is in Russia’s interest for these areas–for Transnistria, Abkhazia,
South
Ossetia, Mountainous Karabagh–to be stable, for corruption to end there, for
the criminal secessionists who rule there to be removed. It is not appropriate
for this kind of instability and criminality to exist right in the middle of
Europe.”
When asked to clarify her reference to “criminal secessionists” in the
region,
Jones stated: “The areas that are right around Russia’s borders where there
are, as I said, secessionists who are criminals seem to us to undercut
Russia’s
security by allowing and not really addressing in a concrete way the fact that
there are two secessionist areas remaining in Georgia and one in Moldova.
There
are still outstanding questions with Mountainous Karabagh. Russia can play a
very positive leadership role in addressing these questions. It cannot be in
Russia’s interest to allow this kind of criminal activity to take place so
close to its borders. This is where there can be a breeding ground for
terrorists. That is not in Russia’s interests. It is not in Russia’s interest,
or in the interests of the United States or Europe for these areas to be free
for weapons transportation, for narcotics transportation and trafficking.”
The complete transcript from the video conference may be obtained on the US
Embassy-Moscow, Russia website:
<;www.mo
scow.usembassy.gov/embassy/transcript.php?record_id=99

2) Twenty-two Novices Refresh Ranks of ARF

ENCINO–Twenty-two members joined the ranks of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Western Region during a swearing in ceremony on January 15.
ARF Western Region Central Committee (CC) member Khajag Dikranian served as
the
godfather for the 8 female and 14 male novices to the ARF ranks.
On behalf of ARF CC’s educational committee, Marzbed Margossian introduced
the
new members, affirming their competence to enter the ranks of the ARF, and
capability to assume responsibility. He urged the new members to immediately
take on tasks entrusted to them.
Addressing the novices, Khajag Dikranian said, “For our organization, this
moment is one of renewal; this pledge and the legacy of struggle have been
transferred from generation to generation to finally reach us.”
He reminded the audience that the novices must be nurtured, as each has
volunteered to join the ARF; their individual paths of continuous struggle
within the organization will be long and tireless.
He conveyed that the ARF is an organization that undergoes constant renewal.
Recalling the words of Nigol Aghbalian, he said that whoever leads the
organization, whatever form the methodology or direction, the ideal and vision
remain the same.
ARF CC Representative Hovig Saliba pointed to two distinct moments in the
life
of an ARF member–the oath of the Tashnagtsagan and the burial of a fellow ARF
member. In both cases, those assembled together renew their oath–united in
their emotion and conviction.
ARF Bureau member Dr. Vicken Hovsepian welcomed the novices into the great
family of the ARF, saying that we are born into families, but we join the
family of the Tashnagtsoutiun by choice. He expressed hope that the new
members
continue working within the ranks of the ARF with their current level of
eagerness and resoluteness–even in moments of doubt–and remain worthy of
being a member of the ARF by being exemplary and committed members of the
organization.
Following the swearing in of the new members, more than 600–mostly
youth–celebrated the evening’s dinner dance organized by the Papken Suni ARF
chapter, featuring singers Karnig Sarkissian and Hovhannes Shahbazian.

3) Armenia Kicks off Iraq Mission

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–After more than a year of preparations, a small
contingent of
Armenian non-combat troops set out for Iraq Tuesday on a mission that will
cement Armenia’s basic security ties with the United States.
Forty-six Armenian servicemen, among them medics, sappers, and truck drivers,
flew to Kuwait on board a US military transport plane after an official
ceremony attended by Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian and senior army
officers.
The unit is due to undergo final preparations in the Gulf state and proceed to
Iraq within two weeks.
“Our mission in Iraq is strictly humanitarian,” Sarkisian told the troops
lined up on the tarmac of Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport.
“We have chosen the most necessary ways of helping the Iraqi people: medical
treatment, demining, and cargo shipments that pursue the noble task of saving
human lives,” Sarkisian said. “The Armenian people have repeatedly seen
assistance from the international community in critical times. Today is our
turn to stretch a helpful hand to the Iraqi people caught in a destructive
whirlwind of war.”
The US ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, was also in attendance. “We applaud
the decision of the government of Armenia to deploy this contingent to Iraq,”
Evans told reporters.
“Armenian-American relations are in very good shape,” he said. “They are
improving day by day. In particular, our security relationship is growing in a
very positive way. So I think this deployment can only help to strengthen that
relationship.”
Armenian military presence in Iraq will give a largely symbolic boost to the
international legitimacy of the US-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein. The
administration of President George W. Bush has used the participation of over
30 other nations in America’s “coalition of the willing” to argue that its
military action in Iraq has not been unilateral.
However, some of those nations, notably Poland, are now considering recalling
their troops in the course of this year due to the deteriorating security
situation there. Incidentally, the Armenian contingent will be part of a
Polish-led multinational division deployed in south-central Iraq.
Both Sarkisian and Evans admitted that the decision to join the US-led
occupation force has caused controversy in Armenia. Critics of the deployment
have warned of possible terrorist attacks on thousands of ethnic Armenians
living in Iraq. Iraqi Armenian leaders have themselves pleaded with Yerevan
not
to send any military personnel.
In his speech, Sarkisian argued that peace and stability in Iraq is important
for Armenia. “Our efforts to fully integrate into the international community
create moral responsibilities to make our contribution to the resolution of
problems facing that community,” he said.
“We understand that the decision to send this contingent to Iraq was not an
easy one,” Evans said for his part. “But it is very important for the world
and
this region in particular that democracy and stability should come to Iraq,
the
people of which have suffered so much.”
“We have great confidence in the contingent. They are well trained, they are
well prepared, they have a good spirit,” the US envoy added.
The mood among the Armenian servicemen bound for Iraq appeared remarkably
festive. Some of them played folk music and danced to its tunes as they waited
for the arrival of the US C-130 Hercules plane.
Their family members, allowed to attend the ceremony, also sounded
optimistic.
But tears in some of the relatives’ eyes betrayed deep anxiety for the safety
of their loved ones. “We are wishing them a nice trip,” said one woman. “Let
Armenia’s army help other countries in trouble.”
The troops are to serve in Iraq for six months and be replaced by another
Armenian contingent. Each serviceman will get at least $1,000 for every month
spent there, a princely sum by Armenian standards.

4) Agricultural Concerns Addressed at Meeting with Kocharian

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–On Tuesday, President Robert Kocharian met with Agricultural
Minister Tavit Lokian to discuss the various technological and economic issues
that impact Armenia’s farming communities.
Prompted by the president, Lokian spoke about a number of advancements to be
introduced in 2005 that seek to boost crop yield through improvements in
irrigation technology and fertilizer quality.
President Kocharian reiterated his administration’s concern about the growing
burden farmers face as a result of high interest rates on government issued
loans–an issue brought to the ministry’s attention last year. Lokian assured
Kocharian that the ministry is attempting to ease such problems, and that it
will implement a 3 point cut in interest rates during the upcoming year.
The two men also discussed government efforts to repopulate the country’s
forests, which were devastated during the years following Armenia’s
independence. On the ministry’s agenda currently, is a proposal to reforest
approximately 5000 hectares of land, 200 of which runs adjacent to Yerevan.

5) Prelacy Projects and Schools Receive Major Boost during Prelate’s Christmas
Dinner

LA CRESCENTA–The Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church’s New Year
and Christmas dinner fundraiser on January 6, 2005 was a resounding success
for
Prelacy projects and schools.
The evening’s supporters included numerous dignitaries and representatives of
Armenian organizations, Prelacy benefactors, Representative Assembly members,
church boards of trustees, and associated church and school committee members.
Consul General of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Kirakosian, Central Executive
Council member Khajag Dikijian, ARF Bureau member Viken Hovsepian, ARF Central
Committee representative Hovig Saliba, Regional Executive members from ARS,
Homenentmen, and Hamazkayin were among the many supporters who gathered at the
Montebello Baghramian Hall. Longtime Prelacy benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. John
and
Asdghig Bedrossian hosted the dinner.
Organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary, the evening began with the
religious procession followed by welcoming remarks by Mrs. Mariam
Karapetian of
the Ladies’ Auxiliary. In a special taping, His Holiness Aram I stressed the
importance of expressing love towards the church, the Armenian people, and the
homeland.
Among the performers who entertained the crowd was soloist Rima Garabedian of
the Glendale St. Mary church, Hovig Shahbazian, and the young dancers from the
Djanbazian Dance Academy.
In his message, Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian reminded everyone of
the tsunami tragedy in Asia and said that special prayers were said at Prelacy
Churches for the victims. He also thanked the evening’s sponsors for their
continued support, while declaring 2005 as the “Year of the School.’
Recent accomplishments for various Prelacy schools were highlighted. The
Encino preschool was renamed “The Holy Martyrs ARS Ashken Pilavjian Preschool”
to commemorate Mrs. Pilavjian’s pledge of $200,000. Mrs. Pilavjian is also the
sponsor of the new chapel being built at the Prelacy and dedicated to St.
Dertades and St. Ashkhen. The chapel is expected to be completed by October
2005, in time for a Pontifical Visit by His Holiness, which will coincide with
the 25th anniversary of the See of Cilicia Catholicosate’s seminary.
Charles Keyan added $50,000 to his original donation to establish a
scholarship fund for Mesrobian High School. Ralph and Savey Tufenkian
donated a
property located adjacent to the Tufenkian Pre-School, to be used for parking.
Tony and Eileen Keusseyan donated 10 copies of the “Partzerpert” Bible to each
of the Prelacy school libraries, so the students can see and touch one of the
treasures of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Mrs. Rose Kasimian donated $150,000
in memory of her late husband, Kegham Kasimian, towards Prelacy Media
Department and equipments, a “khachkar” and religious publications. The
Compatriotic Union of Ourfa donated $50,000 in memory of the Ourfa martyrs by
sponsoring the Western Memorial Wall of the Prelacy Building, as well as a
khachkar and a fountain. The Carolan family continued their support of the
Christmas Fund with a $25,000 donation, in memory of Richard Carolan.
The Prelate also announced the establishment of a Mortgage Burning Fund to
pay
off the loan on the Prelacy building. Mr. and Mrs. John and Asdghig
Bedrossian,
one of the major donors of the new building, made the first major donation to
the fund.
Based on the recommendations of the Representative Assembly, the Prelate also
reported that youth groups have been established under the auspices of Prelacy
churches to help guide teenagers and young people with Christian values and
Armenian traditions in an atmosphere conducive to providing young souls the
spiritual guidance they need.
In concluding his message, Prelate Mardirossian wished for “the year 2005 to
be the year for great accomplishments for our organizations and churches,
individually and collectively, in the spirit for peace brought to us by the
Son
of God’s Birth. May our good intentions enrich our lives; may we find peace
and
love to brighten our spirits; and may our steps be led by the example of the
humble and modest shepherds. Let Christmas renew ourselves and help us lead
our
lives in peace and love, accepting God’s offer for knowledge and accepting Him
as our savior. And let us join our voices to the singing angels to praise the
Lord, to wish for peace and good will towards men, and say: Happy New Year.
Christ was born and revealed.”

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BISNIS Trades & Tenders
12/30/04 – 01/18/05

This issue of BISNIS Trades & Tenders includes opportunities in:

– Agribusiness
– Chemicals
– Food Processing and Equipment

** Companies replying to these leads should consider using the BISNIS
FinanceLink program, which distributes information about planned
transactions seeking financing to organizations open to financing
business activities in the region. Please see:
**

************************************************************************
AGRIBUSINESS LEADS

Ale Profil LLC – Corn and sunflower oil
Yerevan, Armenia

For more information on the Agribusiness Sector in the NIS, please
contact Charles Raether at BISNIS at [email protected]

=================================================CHEMICALS LEADS

Geocolor Ltd – Alkyd Tbilisi 0154 Georgia

Geocolor Ltd – Titanium dioxide Tbilisi 0154 Georgia

For more information on the Chemicals Sector in the NIS, please contact
David Mullins at BISNIS at [email protected]

=================================FOOD PROCESSING AND EQUIPMENT LEADS

Nomad Express – Juice processing line (used)
Yerevan 375019, Armenia

For more information on the Food Processing and Equipment Sector in the
NIS, please contact Charles Raether at BISNIS at [email protected]

**Note*******************************************************************

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.

This report is provided courtesy of the Business Information Service for
the Newly Independent States (BISNIS). BISNIS is the U.S. Government’s
primary resource center for U.S. companies exploring business
opportunities in Russia and other Newly Independent States of the former
Soviet Union. BISNIS website:

COMBATIVITY AND ALERT OF ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES EVEN MORE STRENGTHENED
IN 2004: HEAD OF GENERAL STAFF OF ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18. ARMINFO. In 2004, the combativity and
preparedness of the Armenian Armed forces was even more strengthened,
Head of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Deputy Defense
Minister of Armenia, Lieutenant General Michael Haroutiunyan told
ARMINFO’s correspondent commenting on the results of the Collegium of
the Armenian Defense Ministry convened last week.

He said that last year a special attention was paid to strengthening
of the alert and combativity and material and technical equipment of
the country’s Armed Forces. It brought them to a new level of
preparedness and readiness to fulfill the tasks set, Haroutiunyan
said. In his words, the Collegium determined the priorities of the
activity of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff. The deputy
minister also said that in 2005 Armenian Armed Forces will participate
in a number of military exercises of NATO, CSTO as well as regular
Armenian-Russian military exercises in Yerevan.

ARMENIAN PEACE-MAKERS LEAVE FOR IRAQ

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18. ARMINFO. Tuesday, an Armenian peace-making
continent left for Iraq. Talking to journalists at the ceremonial
seeing-off at the airport, Head of the General Staff of the Armenian
Armed Forces, Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia, Lieutenant General
Michael Haroutiunyan said that 46 peace-makers leave for Iraq,
including 10 sappers, 30 drivers and 3 doctors (therapeutist,
cardiologist, psychologist), as well as the commander of the platoon,
signalman, captain Garush Avetisyan.

He said that at first, Armenian peace-makers will arrive in El-Kuwait,
then they will be transported to Iraq in two weeks, to the populated
areas Kerbela, Al-Illa. The contingent will be dislocated as part of
the Polish peace-making division. The peace-makers will receive 1,000
USD monthly salary. Part of the maintenance cost is laid on the
Armenian party, but the greatest part of the expenses will be carried
out by the American party. The Armenian contingent will stay in Iraq
for six months with following rotation. Participating in the
ceremonial seeing-off were Defense Minister of Armenia Serge Sargsyan
and US Ambassador to Armenian John Evans.