Interfax
May 7 2004

Armenia raises $5.6 mln from gold reserves sale

Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia raised 3 billion dram (about $5.6
million) in net profit for the country’s budget from the sale of gold
reserves, Central Bank of Armenia Chairman Tigran Sarkisyan told the
press.

Armenia sold its entire gold reserve of 1,396.5 kilograms, estimated
at $17.1 million on October 1 2003 and forming part of the country’s
international reserves, at the end of 2003.

The sale was made in accordance with the international reserve
management strategy and had the approval of the Central Bank of
Armenia board, Sarkisyan said. The Armenian government made
transaction through international dealers when the price of gold
topped $400 per troy ounce.

When foreign debt is double the volume of international reserves,
there is no need for a gold reserve because debt payments are made in
dollars, euros or SDR, Sarkisyan said.

Sarkisyan would not say whether the Central Bank would buy gold again
if international prices dropped.

The Finance Ministry reported that foreign debt on January 1 2004
totaled $1.097 billion and international reserves amounted to $512
million.

ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 7 2004

Armenia parliamentary majority, opposition agree to continue talks

YEREVAN, May 7 (Itar-Tass) – The ruling majority in Armenian
parliament and the opposition agreed to continue political
consultations on the situation in the country. Partakers of
Thursday’s talks will work out the agenda of further consultations,
their joint statement said on Thursday.

`Participants of the consultations attach importance to creating a
new situation in the country’ taking as the basis the statements of
the parties of the ruling pro-presidential coalition and the
opposition.

Representatives of the factions representing the political majority
— the Armenian Republican Party, the parties Orinats Erkir and
Dashnaktsutyun, and of the opposition — the faction Edinstvo (Unity)
and the party National Unity and neutral political forces — United
Labour Party and the deputy group People’s Deputy participated in the
talks.

The resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) contains the demand for the political dialogue between the
Armenian authorities and the opposition. The PACE considered the
internal political situation in Armenia on April 28.

The opposition continues to insist on Robert Kocharyan’s resignation
from the post of the Armenian president. The release of its arrested
activists, provision of the television air, free road for residents
of Armenian regions in Yerevan who want to take part in
anti-government rallies are among the demands of the opposition.

The republic’s authorities call opposition actions `demonstrations of
political extremism.’ Police dispersed the opposition rally in
Yerevan downtown overnight to April 13. The opposition stated on
Wednesday that it would refrain from rallies in Yerevan in the next
ten days `as a sign of good will.’

The talks of Armenian parliament speaker Artur Bagdasaryan with the
opposition were first held on April 26-27, but they were interrupted
later.

Mail & Guardian , South Africa
May 7 2004

In key for a new season

The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s (JPO) fourth birthday is on
June 21 – an unbelievable feat, because the months between January
and June 2000 were some of the blackest for orchestral musicians in
Johannesburg. Paul Boekkooi looks back on four years of the
Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and previews its new season

he Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s (JPO) fourth birthday is on
June 21 – an unbelievable feat, because the months between January
and June 2000 were some of the blackest for orchestral musicians in
Johannesburg.

At the end of January 2000 the old National Symphony Orchestra was
disbanded owing to a lack of funds. That orchestra gave two
heart-rending free performances to the Johannesburg public in
Parktown’s Linder Auditorium without a conductor. Both houses were
brimful. Many thought it the final death knell for orchestral music
in Africa’s richest city.

The musicians thought differently. They started forming committees to
investigate the possibility of establishing a new orchestra where
each member would be a stakeholder in the company they collectively
own. The JPO gave its inaugural concerts on June 21 and 22 that year
in the Linder with Finnish maestro Hannu Lintu conducting. The
sustainability of regular symphony seasons was one of the challenges
facing the new orchestra. It met only sporadically during the first
30 months of its existence. However, since 2003 it presented four
symphony seasons annually. With ample corporate funding, the JPO is
now able to plan seasons at least a year ahead. After an excellent
first season in 2004 with only a couple of artistic disappointments,
lovers of symphonic music can look forward to an arguably better
second symphony season, starting on May 12 at the Linder. The
five-concert season on Wednesdays and Thurdays at 8pm ends on June
10.

Although United States composer Alan Hovhanness’s Mysterious Mountain
(1955) is apparently popular on Classic FM, a live performance of
this work by the composer of Armenian and Scottish parentage might
have a different impact.

Only a minority might appreciate the composer’s New Age sounds and
his sometimes boringly conservative harmonies. The orchestration is
colourful and mystical, but unfortunately at times, also wearisome.

However, the same concert presents French pianist Jean Dubé (23) who
won the International Liszt Competition in Utrecht, The Netherlands,
two years ago. He’ll be playing the Liszt Piano Concerto No 1 in E
Flat Major.

But how adroit will conductor Michael Hankinson be and what kind of
exoticism will he be able to evoke in the full score of Stravinsky’s
Firebird Ballet?

The week after that, on May 19 and 20, a new conductor will take his
bow with the JPO – Pretoria-born Conrad van Alphen, who already has
an international reputation. He will conduct Russian master pianist
Boris Petrushansky in a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No
4 in G Op 58, while he will also bring us one of the 20th century’s
most celebrated symphonies: the Shostakovich No 10 in E Op 93. In
terms of formal analysis, few of the composer’s symphonies have had
more written about them than this one.

For the three remaining concerts, the JPO has contracted a maestro
who has had a special relationship with it from the very first year –
Germany’s Bernhard Gueller. He or the riveting Charles Ansbacher from
the US, who conducted during this year’s first season, is the kind of
orchestra trainer the JPO needs to continually grow as an symphonic
entity. Gueller brings us three stimulating, divergent programmes.

The first, on May 26 and 27, are by Czech, Hungarian and Russian
composers, opening with a selection of Dvorák’s Slavonic Dances,
followed by a rare performance of Bartok’s Viola Concerto as prepared
for performance from the composer’s original manuscript by Tibor
Serly.

The brilliant, Russian-born violinist, who lives in Pretoria but is
often one of the JPO’s sub-principals, will be the soloist. The
concert ends with Rachmaninov’s swansong, the broodingly melancholic
Symphonic Dances, Op 45.

The following week Anton Nel (piano) is the soloist in music by
Viennese composers: Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, the Brahms Piano
Concerto No 1 in D Op 15 and Beethoven’s Symphony No 3 in E Flat Op
55 (The Eroica), also performed at the JPO’s inaugural concert.

The theme for the final concert on June 9 and 10 is The Planets. Not
only will Gustav Holst’s famous suite be heard, but the June concert
opens with Mozart’s last and arguably greatest symphony, No 41 in C
K551 (The Jupiter). Book at Computicket.

Analytical Information Agency, Russia
May 7 2004

Russia’s 8th amid CIS countries in industrial production growth in Q1.

Russia was the eighth amid CIS countries with 7.6% industrial
production growth in Q1, according to the preliminary data of the CIS
Statistics Committee.

Only Azerbaijan (4.2%) and Armenia (2.8%) were behind. No data on
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is available.

Ukraine is still the growth leader (+18.8%), Georgian is the 2nd
(+17.3%), Moldova – the 3rd (+16.7%).

The average growth for ten CIS countries stood at 9% in Q1 vs. 7% a
year earlier.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
May 7 2004

Armenia’s Returning Occupied Districts To Be Debated In Strasbourg
Meeting

Yerevan’s releasing seven occupied Azerbaijani districts in return
for the latter’s opening communication links to Armenia will be
discussed during the foreign ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan
Oskanian’s upcoming meeting.
The meeting planned to be held in Strasbourg on May 12, the 525th
newspaper reported on Friday, citing Mammadyarov.
Mammadyarov said that the peace nogotiations would not be continued
unless they yield tangible results.

`We should not hold meetings just for the sake of meetings,’
Mammadyarov said, adding that the sides would define directions for
future negotiations in Strasbourg.

The Azeri foreign minister said the Strasbourg meeting would be
attended also by the OSCE Minsk group’s co-chairs, and special
representatives of the both conflicting countries.

President Ilham Aliyev also stated on Wednesday that his government
hopes for finding a peaceful solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The president said if there were no hope, he wouldn’t keep supporting
the talks.

Armenia occupied Azerbaijan’s former autonomous region of
Nagorno-Karabakh and also seven districts surrounding it in 1991-94
war. Despite a shaky seace-fire signed between the two countries on
12 May 1994, the peace talks mediated by OSCE’s Minsk group have
failed to find a settlement to the conflict.

A1 Plus | 16:00:09 | 07-05-2004 | Politics |

HARUTYUN ARAKELYAN FINDS NO USE OF PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN’S RESIGNATION

Armenian Ramkavar-Azatakan Party leader Harutyun Arakelyan convened a news
conference to say that confidence referendum could lead the country to
deadlock. He offers constitutional referendum instead.

Speaking on National Assembly, he said, in his opinion, its seats should be
filled only through party lists.

As always, Arakelyan criticized the ruling coalition, this time referring to
the party-conducted survey, which showed 60% of respondents were opposed to
the coalition government.

He voiced disapproval over the idea of president Kocharyan’s resignation.
“Will all problems be solved if Kocharyan resigns?” he asked.

Arakelyan was reluctant to speak also on the party’s internal troubles. Four
members were dropped out of the party because of the party charter
violation, he said without specifying their exact wrongdoing.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish Daily News
May 7 2004

Azerbaijan, Turkey not to sour ties over KKTC seat rejection

Azeri Foreign Ministry says attitude of Azeri deputies at the Council
of Europe Parliamentary Assembly does not reflect their country’s
stance on Cyprus while Foreign Minister Gul calls on people not to
rake up the issue

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said the attitude and statements of
Azeri deputies at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly did
not reflect their country’s policy on Cyprus, following rejection of
a resolution to grant seats for Turkish Cypriot deputies after Azeri
parliamentarians didn’t attend the voting.
The statement released by the Azeri Foreign Ministry on Wednesday
emphasized the friendly and historical ties between the two
countries, adding, “It is not true that the bilateral relations have
been damaged due to the fact that some Azeri deputies did not attend
the voting.”

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly rejected a draft
resolution on April 29 designed to allow deputies from Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), which lacks international
recognition, to attend and participate in the assembly’s meetings.

The reversal came after eight deputies from Azerbaijan, which
previously pledged strong support for efforts to end isolation of
Turkish Cypriots, did not attend the voting.

Instead, the assembly voted on an amendment proposal which called for
closer relations with Turkish Cypriot parliamentarians in the body
and which envisaged placing Turkish Cypriot parliamentarians among
the Greek Cypriot delegation within the Council.

Head of the Azeri delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe said earlier this week that the Azeri deputies had
consciously avoided to attend, explaining that the success of the
draft resolution would have set a dangerous precedence that could
later allow Armenian deputies from Nagorno-Karabakh to attend Council
of Europe meetings.

Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, has been under
Armenian invasion since the beginning of the last decade.

The Azeri position sparked huge disappointment and reaction
especially among the Turkish media.

“The attitude of the Azeri deputies should not be interpreted as a
sign of a shift in political relations between the brother countries
of Turkey and Azerbaijan,” read the statement.

It was also noted that Azerbaijan has always been in favor of a
solution on the divided island of Cyprus.

A U.N. plan to reunify the island was defeated in twin referenda at
the end of last month due to a strong Greek Cypriot rejection
although Turkish Cypriots voted overwhelmingly in favor of a united
Cyprus.

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said the no-show of the Azeri deputies
was to be blamed on poor coordination between Turkish and Azeri
delegations and added that the Azeri delegation should have been
better informed on the vote.

Gul advises calm
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul advised calm on the matter.
Replying to questions prior to leaving for Dublin for a
EU-Mediterranean meeting on Wednesday, he said Turkey had some
expectations from “friend and brother countries,” referring to
Azerbaijan.

Recalling the rejection of the resolution, Gul went on to say, “The
only point I feel sorry about is that this resolution has been the
best one in favor of Turkish Cypriots to date. It seemed as if there
happened something against the Turkish Cypriots. However, there is
nothing like that.”

Gul called on people not to rake up the Azeri’s not attending the
voting, saying, “There is no need to further sadden people from both
countries by meddling with the issue too much. Everyone should derive
lessons from this.”

“I hope the Azeri deputies’ move was not done on purpose. Now, we
expect more support in the coming meetings. What happened has
happened,” Gul added.

A1 Plus | 17:39:30 | 07-05-2004 | Politics |

NATALIA VUTOVA SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE

On Friday, the CE Special Envoy in Armenia Natalia Vutova, speaking at a
news conference in Yerevan, said there was nothing surprising, when the CE
member countries put their domestic troubles on PACE floor, and this has
never been considered as treason in any of 45 member countries, but Armenia.

Speaking on the PACE recent resolution on situation in Armenia, Vutova found
it irrelevant to speak about the opposition’s or the authorities’ defeat or
victory. The resolution calls on both sides to start a dialogue, she said
invoking Human Rights Convention’s provision of freedom of speech.

It was noted that, contrary to Venice Commission experts’ negative opinion,
Armenian authorities adopted the law on rallies, demonstrations and marches.

“We will continue to negotiate with the authorities for amending the law. It
must be based on Human Rights International Convention”, she said.

Responding to some Armenian officials’ attempts to play down the
significance of the resolution, because, as they say, it is grounded on
facts obtained from unreliable sources, Vutova said the CE is always
verifying the information given.

A1 Plus | 14:57:01 | 07-05-2004 | Social |

ARMENIAN STUDENTS TO HEAD TO SHUSHI

On Armenian Polytechnic University initiative, fifty students will start
procession on May 9 following the 1992 route of the Armenian National Army.
The students will take their route to Shushi fortress and then to St.
Ghazanchetsi Church.

Nagorno-Karabakhi students are expected to join the march.

A1 Plus | 18:32:24 | 07-05-2004 | Politics |

AUTHORITIES HAVE NO INTENTION TO FULFIL THEIR CE COMMITMENTS

Republic party came up with a statement Friday pointing out facts of
Armenian Constitution and PACE 1374 resolution violation by Armenian
authorities.

In a clear breach of the Constitution and the PACE above- mentioned
resolution,

Yerevan Municipality refused to authorize peaceful rally;

On May 4, roads to Armenian capital were blocked in a bid to prevent people
from attending the rally;

New arrests were made;

Political prisoners’ motions to release them from pre-trial detention were
denied;

Media outlets were bared from operating.