MosJan

http://wwwi.reuters.com/images/2001-09-11T222143Z_01_GALAXY-DC-MDF50560_RTRIDSP_2_NEWS-CRASH-TRADECENTER-BUSH-DC.JPG Bush Says Has Taken Steps to Protect Americans By Arshad Mohammed BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, Louisiana (Reuters) - President Bush said on Tuesday the United States had taken all appropriate steps to protect the American people and would hunt down and punish those responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "We have taken all appropriate security precautions to protect the American people," Bush, facing the first big test of his eight-month presidency, told reporters at a hastily arranged appearance at Barksdale Air Force Base. "Make no mistake, the United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts." Bush said the U.S. military had been put on "high alert status" and said he had taken security precautions to ensure the proper functioning of the U.S. government. "Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faithless coward," Bush said. "Freedom will be defended." Offering his prayers for the victims, the president added: "I want to reassure the American people that the full resources of the federal government are working to assist local authorities to save lives and to help the victims of these attacks." "Our military at home and around the world is on high alert status and we have taken the necessary security precautions to continue the functioning of your government," Bush said. "We have been in touch with the leaders of Congress and with world leaders to assure them that we will do whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans." Bush said that he had been in contact with the vice president, the secretary of defense, his national security team and members of his Cabinet. He spoke after departing Florida upon word that three hijacked planes crashed into major U.S. landmarks, destroying both of New York's mighty twin towers and plunging the Pentagon outside Washington into flames -- an unprecedented assault on key symbols of U.S. military and financial power. Loss of life was expected to be catastrophic from the destruction of the giant towers of the World Trade Center where some 50,000 people work. The two 110-story towers collapsed one at a time in a huge cloud of smoke and fire two hours after the initial impacts. Desperate people were seen jumping out of the burning towers before they collapsed. Bush cut short his trip to Florida and flew at high altitude to the Air Force base in Louisiana for a brief stop before taking off again for an undisclosed destination. The attacks, the worst on the U.S. mainland in modern history, plunged the country into chaos and panic, paralyzing communications, forcing the evacuation of key buildings, closing markets, schools and even theme parks. American Airlines said two of its jets carrying a total of 156 people were lost. United Airlines said two of its planes had crashed, one in Pennsylvania, with unknown loss of life.

Taliban Rules Out Bin Laden in U.S. Attacks KABUL -- Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement today said Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, taking shelter in Afghanistan, was not responsible for the attacks on the United States. "What happened in the United States was not a job of ordinary people. It could have been the work of governments. Osama bin Laden cannot do this work, neither us," a Taliban spokesman, Abdul Hai Mutmaen, told Reuters from the southern city of Kandahar. "We are not supporting terrorism. Osama does not have the capability. We condemn this. "This could have been the act of either internal enemies of the United States or its major rivals. Osama cannot do this work...," he added. Two hijacked planes crashed into the giant towers of the World Trade Center in New York and a third plane struck the Pentagon outside Washington, plunging the United States into unprecedented chaos and panic. U.S. authorities have not accused anyone of orchestrating the attacks, but bin Laden has been accused by Washington of masterminding the almost simultaneous destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998 that killed more than 200 people. The Taliban ambassador in neighbouring Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, also condemned the multiple attacks as "terrorist acts" and said those found responsible after a thorough investigation "should be brought to justice." He told a news conference that bin Laden, now living in Afghanistan as the Taliban "guest," had no link with the outside world after the Taliban withdrew communication facilities from him about three years ago. "We do not allow Osama bin Laden to use the soil of Afghanistan against any other country," he said. "He has no facility to carry out such activity," Zaeef said. Asked if the Taliban feared a U.S. attack on Afghanistan after today's attacks, he said: "We do not expect it from America to take such a speedy and tragic action without completing the investigation." The United States hit suspected bin Laden bases in eastern Afghanistan with cruise missiles soon after the embassy bombings. For information about reprinting this article, go to http://www.lats.com/rights/register.htm http://www.latimes.com/media/thumbnails/photo/2001-09/634362.jpg

Plumes of smoke pour from the World Trade Center buildings in New York on Tuesday. Planes crashed into the upper floors of both World Trade Center towers minutes apart Tuesday in a horrific scene of explosions and fires that left gaping holes in the 110-story buildings. The Empire State building is seen in the foreground. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/PATRIK SISON) Sep. 11, 2001 http://orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2001-09/633987.jpg A uniformed Secret Service agent carries an automatic weapon outside the White House Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 as the White House and other Washington buildings were evacuated. The Capitol, White House, Pentagon, State Department and other buildings were evacuated as an apparent coordinated terrorist attack spread fear and chaos in the nation's Capitol. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/KAMENKO PAJIC) Sep. 11, 2001 http://orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2001-09/634252.jpg Smoke rises from the Pentagon in Washington in this image taken from television, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The Pentagon was struck by an aircraft in an apparent terrorist attack in the nation's capital. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/ABC) Sep. 11, 2001 http://orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2001-09/634265.jpg People run from the collapse of World Trade Center Tower Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 in New York. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/SUZANNE PLUNKETT) Sep. 11, 2001 http://orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2001-09/634347.jpg [ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: MosJan ]

A plane heads for the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11 http://snsimages.tribune.com/media/photo/2001-09/633674.gif An explosion erupts after a plane crashes into one of the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11. http://snsimages.tribune.com/media/photo/2001-09/633685.gif Smoke and fire surround the upper floors of the World Trade Center in New York City on Tuesday in this image from television, after a second plane crashed into the building. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/NBC) Sep. 11, 2001 http://orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2001-09/633995.jpg Plumes of smoke pour from the World Trade Center buildings in New York on Tuesday in this photo taken from the Brooklyn borough. Two planes crashed into the upper floors of both World Trade Center towers minutes apart in what President Bush said was an apparent terrorist attack, blasting fiery, gaping holes in the 110-story buildings. (ASSOCIATED PRESS ) Sep. 11, 2001 http://orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2001-09/633960.jpg Flames erupt from the upper floors of the World Trade Center in New York City on Tuesday in this image from television, after a second plane crashed into the buildings. Planes crashed into the upper floors of both World Trade Center towers minutes apart Tuesday in a horrific scene of explosions and fires that left gaping holes in the 110-story buildings. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/NBC) Sep. 11, 2001 http://orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2001-09/633997.jpg Rescue personnel respond along Liberty Street following the first explosion at New York's World Trade Center following the first explosion Tuesday. Planes crashed into the upper floors of both World Trade Center towers minutes apart in a horrific scene of explosions and fires that left gaping holes in the 110-story buildings. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/ROBIN L. MARIN) Sep. 11, 2001 http://orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2001-09/633974.jpg

September 11, 2001 Arafat Horrified by Attacks By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 11:49 a.m. ET NABLUS, West Bank (AP) -- Thousands of Palestinians celebrated Tuesday's terror attacks in the United States, chanting ``God is Great'' and distributing candy to passers-by, even as their leader, Yasser Arafat, said he was horrified. The U.S. government has become increasingly unpopular in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the past year of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, with many Palestinians accusing Washington of siding with Israel. In the West Bank town of Nablus, about 3,000 people poured into the street shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and government targets in Washington. Demonstrators distributed candy in a traditional gesture of celebration. Several Palestinian gunmen shot in the air, while other marchers carried Palestinian flags. Nawal Abdel Fatah, 48, wearing a long, black dress, threw sweets in the air, saying she was happy because ``America is the head of the snake, America always stands by Israel in its war against us.'' Her daughter Maysoon, 22, said she hoped the next attack would be launched against Tel Aviv. In traditionally Arab east Jerusalem, there was a smaller gathering of about two dozen people, many of them young children led in chants by adults. Some drivers passing the scene honked their horns and flashed victory signs from their windows. Arafat and his top advisers huddled at his seaside office in Gaza City, watching the events unfold on television. Arafat later emerged to speak to reporters. ``We are completely shocked. It's unbelievable,'' he said. ``We completely condemn this very dangerous attack, and I convey my condolences to the American people, to the American president and to the American administration, not only in my name but on behalf of the Palestinian people.'' In the West Bank, meanwhile, the leader the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine denied his group was involved in the attacks. Qais Abdel Rahim was reacting to reports that two Arab satellite stations in the Gulf had received anonymous claims of responsibility on behalf of the DFLP, a radical PLO faction. Abdel Rahim said his group condemned the attacks.

PLANE CRASHES • American Airlines Flight 11 en route from Boston to Los Angeles • American Airlines Flight 77 en route from Dulles Airport near Washington to Los Angeles • United Airlines Flight 93 en route from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco • United Airlines 175 en route from Boston to Los Angeles -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTACT NUMBERS Friends or family members who want more information on the crashes should contact: • American Airlines - 1-800-245-0999 • United Airlines - 1-800-932-8555

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222 ARMENIAN ENERPRISES OPERATE IN THE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FIELD 11.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today 222 enterprises in Armenia operate in the field of information technologies. As reported by "Arka" agency, Executive Director of the Union of Information Technologies Enterprises Victoria Ter-Nikoghosian reported it at the presentation of IT studies in Armenia held by the Union. In her words, some 60 companies are engaged in producing software, 26 of which are created with attraction of foreign capital. Besides, there are 24 education institutions preparing IT specialists, 19 companies providing Internet-services in the country. 68% of Armenian software export falls to the U.S. share. Germany, Holland and Russia have the share of 8% each and Georgia and France's share is 4% each. Approximately 65% of software produced in Armenia are being exported, and there are different estimates concerning their prices. According to the estimates of the World Bank, which has used data of 35 enterprises, Armenian annual export makes 15-20 million dollars, while according to the data by the Department of Statistics of the Republic of Armenia, which is based on the activities of 15 companies, the export makes 2 million dollars. Victoria Ter-Nikoghosian enumerated poor marketing and management, the monopoly of "ArmenTel" Telecommunication Company, "which is not interested in developing Internet in Armenia," among the obstacles for development of the branch. She also pointed out "due to the country's imperfect legislation concerning intellectual property protection, some companies prefer registering in Russia." Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

Terror attacks hit U.S. Posted: September 11, 2001 People walk away from the World Trade Center as ash rains down. NEW YORK (CNN) -- Terrorists struck the United States Tuesday morning in harrowing, widespread attacks that included at least three commercial jet crashes into significant buildings. • In the first attack, a plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan shortly before 9 a.m., followed by another plane into the second tower about 20 minutes later. Both towers later collapsed. • About an hour later, a plane crashed into the Pentagon, part of which later collapsed. • Building hit by debris near the World Trade Center is on verge of collapse. • American Airlines told CNN that it lost two planes, both en route to Los Angeles: American Flight 11 from Boston with 81 passengers and 11 crew aboard was lost. This is believed, but not confirmed, to have been one of the planes that crashed into the trade center. ... American Flight 77, a Boeing 757 from Washington Dulles airport with 58 passengers and six crew is unaccounted for. The jet that crahed into the Pentago may have been this one, but that is still unknown. • United Airlines lost two planes: United Airlines Flight 93 airliner headed from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco, crashed near Somerset, Pennsylvania -- police said initial reports indicated no survivors. ... United confirmed the crash of Flight 175 from Boston to Los Angeles with 56 passengers and seven crew aboard. It's possible, but not cofirmed, that this is the second plane that hit the World Trade Center. • The Pentagon, the White House, the State Department, the Justice Department, the Capitol, the CIA and all other government buildings in Washington are evacuated. • President Bush calls the crashes "apparent terrorist attacks" and "a national tragedy." Bush is to issue a statement from Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, Louisiana. • In the first-ever national ground stop of aircraft, all flights nationwide have been stopped at their departure airports. • International flights had been diverted to Canada; FAA says later, however, that 22 U.S.-bound international flights would be allowed to land. • Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, said in reaction to the news of the terror attacks that "we want to tell the American children that Afghanistan feels your pain and we hope that the courts find justice." • In New York, more than 10,000 rescue personnel rushed to the scene. Lower Manhattan is being completely evacuated. • Israel has evacuated all its missions around the world. • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta was evacuated. CDC was preparing bioterrorism teams in case they become necessary. • Philadelphia landmarks were also evacuated. • In Chicago, the Sears Tower was evacuated; United Nations in New York evacuated. • The New York Port Authority said it had closed all bridges and tunnels into the city. • U.S. stock markets were closed after the New York attacks. • NATO sent home all non-essential personnel from its Brussels, Belgium, headquarters. • The Immigration and Naturalization Service has put the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada on highest state of alert. • Los Angeles International Airport has been evacuated. • All Disney parks in Orlando, Florida, and Disneyland in Anaheim, California have been closed.

NEW YORK -- In a horrific sequence of destruction, terrorists hijacked two airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center in a coordinated series of attacks this morning that brought down the twin 110-story towers. A plane also slammed into the Pentagon, raising fears that the seat of government itself was under attack. "I have a sense it's a horrendous number of lives lost," Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said. "Right now we have to focus on saving as many lives as possible." A high-ranking city police official said the number of people killed or injured could be in the thousands. Authorities had been trying to evacuate those who work in the twin towers, but many were thought to have been trapped. About 50,000 people work at the Trade Center. American Airlines said its two aircraft were carrying a total of 156 people. Friends or family members of American Airlines passengers may call 1-800-245-0999. "This is perhaps the most audacious terrorist attack that's ever taken place in the world," said Chris Yates, an aviation expert at Jane's Transport in London. "It takes a logistics operation from the terror group involved that is second to none. Only a very small handful of terror groups is on that list. ... I would name at the top of the list Osama bin Laden." President Bush ordered a full-scale investigation to "hunt down the folks who committed this act." Within the hour, the Pentagon took a direct, devastating hit from an aircraft. The fiery crash collapsed one side of the five-sided structure. The White House, the Pentagon and the Capitol were evacuated along with other federal buildings in Washington and New York. Authorities in Washington immediately began deploying troops, including an infantry regiment. The Situation Room at the White House was in full operation. And authorities went on alert from coast to coast, halting all air traffic and tightening security at strategic installations. "This is the second Pearl Harbor. I don't think that I overstate it," said Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. American Airlines identified the planes that crashed into the Trade Center as Flight 11, a Los Angeles-bound jet hijacked after takeoff from Boston with 92 people aboard, and Flight 77, which was seized while carrying 64 people from Washington to Los Angeles. In Pennsylvania, United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 en route from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco, crashed about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh with 45 people aboard. The fate of those aboard was not immediately known and it was not clear if the crash was related to the disasters elsewhere. In a statement, United said another of its planes, Flight 175, a Boeing 767 bound from Boston to Los Angeles with 65 people on board, also crashed, but it did not say where. United Airlines said friends or family members seeking information on flights may call 1-800-932-8555. United also said it would post any information it has on its Web site, www.united.com. Evacuations were ordered at the United Nations in New York and at the Sears Tower in Chicago. Los Angeles mobilized its anti-terrorism division, and security was intensified around the naval installations in Hampton Roads, Va. Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., was evacuated. At the World Trade Center, "everyone was screaming, crying, running, cops, people, firefighters, everyone," said Mike Smith, a fire marshal. "It's like a war zone." "I just saw the building I work in come down," said businessman Gabriel Ioan, shaking in shock outside City Hall, a cloud of smoke and ash from the World Trade Center behind him. Nearby a crowd mobbed a man on a pay phone, screaming at him to get off the phone so that they could call relatives. Dust and dirt flew everywhere. Ash was 2 to 3 inches deep in places. People wandered dazed and terrified. The planes blasted fiery, gaping holes in the upper floors of the twin towers. A witness said he saw bodies falling and people jumping out. About an hour later, the southern tower collapsed with a roar and a huge cloud of smoke; the other tower fell about a half-hour after that, covering lower Manhattan in heaps of gray rubble and broken glass. Firefighters trapped in the rubble radioed for help. "Today we've had a national tragedy," Bush said in Sarasota, Fla. "Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country." He said he would be returning immediately to Washington. The crashes at the World Trade Center happened minutes apart, beginning just before 9 a.m. Heavy black smoke billowed into the sky above one of New York City's most famous landmarks, and debris rained down on the street, one of the city's busiest work areas. When the second plane hit, a fireball of flame and smoke erupted, leaving a huge hole in the glass and steel tower. John Axisa, who was getting off a commuter train to the World Trade Center, said he saw "bodies falling out" of the building. He said he ran outside, and watched people jump out of the first building. Then there was a second explosion, and he felt heat on the back of neck. WCBS-TV, citing an FBI agent, said five or six people jumped out of the windows. Witnesses on the street screamed every time another person leaped. People ran down the stairs in panic and fled the building. Thousands of pieces of what appeared to be office paper drifted over Brooklyn, about three miles away. Several subway lines were immediately shut down. Trading on Wall Street was suspended. New York's mayoral primary election Tuesday was postponed. All bridges and tunnels into Manhattan were closed. David Reck was handing out literature for a candidate for public advocate a few blocks away when he saw a jet come in "very low, and then it made a slight twist and dove into the building." Terrorist bombers struck the World Trade Center in February 1993, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000 others. "It's just sick. It just shows how vulnerable we really are," Keith Meyers, 39, said in Columbus, Ohio. "It kind of makes you want to go home and spend time with your family. It puts everything in perspective," Meyers said. He said he called to check in with his wife. They have two young children. In New York, "we heard a large boom and then we saw all this debris just falling," said Harriet Grimm, who was inside a bookstore on the World Trade Center's first floor when the first explosion rocked the building. "The plane was coming in low and ... it looked like it hit at a slight angle," said Sean Murtagh, a CNN vice president, the network reported. In 1945, an Army Air Corps B-25, a twin-engine bomber, crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building in dense fog. In Florida, Bush was reading to children in a classroom at 9:05 a.m. when his chief of staff, Andrew Card, whispered into his ear. The president briefly turned somber before he resumed reading. He addressed the tragedy about a half-hour later. For information about reprinting this article, go to http://www.lats.com/rights/register.htm

http://graphics.theonion.com/pics_3735/attack_on_america.jpg 2 Suicide Planes Hit World Trade Center; 3rd Attacks Pentagon http://www.latimes.com/media/thumbnails/photo/2001-09/634362.jpg http://www.latimes.com/media/thumbnails/photo/2001-09/634288.jpg http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2001-09/634138.jpg http://nbc.com/promotes_images/387.jpg http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2001-09/634903.jpg http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2001-09/634903.jpg [ September 13, 2001: Message edited by: MosJan ] [ October 04, 2001: Message edited by: MosJan ]

Mike JAn it was at rollingstone.com

http://www.azg.am/IMAGE/200116202.jpg KOCHARIAN VISITS PLANT IN YEREVAN Armenian president Robert Kocharian visited on Saturday the Luis electrical bulbs producing factory which was marking its 50th anniversary. After being privatized by one of the Armenian tycoons Hrant Vardanian the company was renamed Grand Sun. A year and a half ago when the factory, standing idle for almost ten years, was privatized president Kocharian welcomed it saying that "if the new owner commits to resume the company's operation, to provide with jobs the former workers I will not object to selling it even at conventional price of one Dram." Kocharian also praised the company for establishing good neighborly relations with Iran, where the biggest portion of the outcome is exported. Th company's head Hrant Vardanian said that the bulbs would soon be exported to Iraq, Europe and USA. Vardanian has so far invested $3.5 million in the factory giving jobs to more than 1,000 people. © Copyright AZG

ECONOMIC ‘INTRUSION’ OF RUSSIA USEFUL FOR ARMENIA Armenian ambassador to Russia Suren Sahakian assures that Armenian-Russian strategic-political relations remain on a high level Q: Mr. Sahakian, for the first time in the last 10 years Russian president pays an official visit to Armenia. The current Yerevan-Moscow strategic cooperation, especially the coming September 14-16 visit of Russian president Vladimir Putin to Armenia, show the high level of relations between the two countries. In your opinion what can the visit of Russian president give to Armenian-Russian relations? A: Our relations with Russia are really on a very high level, but they develop only in several directions- military, political, cultural and economic. Armenian-Russian economic relations didn’t reach such a level as Yerevan-Moscow strategic-political cooperation, though. Russia is our strategic partner, and that reality is expressed in many documents signed between the two countries. Because of blockade imposed on Armenia by its neighbor countries, absence of common border and transport isolation the Armenian-Russian economic relations didn’t reach the level they could have. As you know Armenia has debts to Russia, which can be paid off in several ways- creating joint enterprises instead of paying off the state debt or delivering parts of shares of some Armenian enterprises to the Russian side. This will bring to increase of Armenian products’ share in Russian market, and opening of new jobs in Armenia. We expect that Putin’s visit to Armenia will boost Armenian-Russian economic relations. Q: Mr. Sahakian, it has been talked about a ‘paradoxical’ situation created in Armenian-Russian relations during Putin’s presidency, and sometimes ARmenian-Russian relations are described as ‘hard’. In your opinion will Putin’s visit to Armenia smooth the issue about which it is written and talked much in Russian mass media? A: Frankly speaking I didn’t notice publications about Armenian-Russian ‘hard’ relations in Russian press. There were articles where the events had been elucidated in different ways. You know the political field is multi-tonal and probably that is the reason why such articles are being published. And second, what I think more important, is that after Putin was elected president Russia conducts pragmatic policy in economic issues, and when economic relations are transferred to pragmatic field, it gives rise to various talks. If Armenia has debts to Russia, then these debts had to be paid off, and to consider it a difficulty in Armenian–Russian relations is not right. In this respect all the CIS countries have this kind of ‘difficult’ relations with each other. But I repeat that Armenia and Russia are strategic partners, and the two countries have a common security system. Armenia is going to continue strategic-political cooperation with Russia because Armenia’s security is the most important thing for us. Armenian-Russian economic relations are slow as far as not much attention has been paid to them. We highly value Russia’s support to Armenia during those heavy years for our republic, especially the nuclear fuel supply. To say that Armenian-Russia relations are ‘hard’, in my opinion, is a wrong political approach. Q: Official Yerevan conducts foreign policy of complementarity. Don’t Kremlin and Russian circles in general see pro-Western tendencies under this name? A: In my opinion Armenia conducts pro-Armenian foreign policy. We have four neighbors, shall we conduct ‘pro-neighbor’ policy? Interests of super powers clash in our region. Shall we conduct a policy which is ‘pro’ these powers? Russia itself conducts complementarity policy in some issues, and so does USA. And we approach some issues sentimentally – seeing only black and white, leaving aside other colors. Q: Is it finally coordinated what documents will be signed during Putin’s visit, and are the names of those enterprises which will be re-formulated as Russian-Armenian joint enterprises already known? A: The general list of the enterprises was discussed, and the Russian side is especially interested in Armenia’s radio-electronics and military-economic complex enterprises. I don’t want to enumerate the concrete names of the enterprises, because the final agreement process is long lasting and many changes will take place during it. Now experts work on it and give their estimates. Q: Mr. Sahakian, as you have noted, Armenian-Russian strategic-political relations are on a very high level, and Russia establishes in Armenia economically as well. There is an opinion in some political circles of Armenia that the increase of economic influence of Russia in our country can negatively affect Armenia-West, and especially Armenia-international financial organizations relations. How should we act in order not to ‘offend’ Russia or the West? A: We must see what results Armenia gets after each step. I don’t think that Russia’s economic ‘intrusion’ into our country is harmful for us. We must be guided by Armenia’s interests. Russia is a market with 150 million customers, plus the whole CIS territory, and if by creating Armenian-Russian joint enterprises we are succeeding to expand the export of Armenian goods by several times, then this surely will not do any harm to our republic. By Tatoul Hagopian, Moscow author : AZG Daily #162

ARSHAK II DEBUT IN SAN FRANCISCO Composer Tigran Chukhadjian wrote ``Arshak II'' in 1868, creating Armenia's first opera. Then opera was never fully staged before and its international debut took place Saturday, September 8, in the San Francisco Opera. The debut was a great success, 1200 seats of the opera hall were all full, and notable Armenian singers Hasmik Papian, Tigran Martirosian and Parandzem’s role player Frenchwoman Nora Gyubish were happy. The experts especially gave a high mark to the performance of Hasmik Papian. The performance pleased both American-Armenian and American audience. Hasmik Papian said that by this debut we acquainted the world with Armenia’s opera and music. The opera will be staged again on September 11, 16, 21, 27 and 30.

http://www.azg.am/IMAGE/200116201.jpg MUST COUNCIL OF EUROPE TAKE PART IN KARABAGH REGULATION? The chairman of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Lord Russell Johnston opened on Monday the session of the Armenian parliament which resumed its work after summer vacations. The essence of his speech, addressed to the parliament members, was that Armenia should fulfil the commitments it has assumed after joining the Council of Europe earlier this year. Lord Russell Johnston singled out Armenia’s commitment to abolish death penalty and expressed hope that Armenia, which has chosen the path of democracy, would meet this obligation, even with the ongoing trial of the October 27 trial when part of the political forces demand capital punishment for the perpetrators. Johnston even urged the Armenian lawmakers to ignore the public opinion. In his words, the Armenian lawmakers need courage to ignore the public demand, as the Council of Europe is categorically against application of death penalty. In a reference to Karabagh conflict regulation Lord Russell Johnston announced it was high time for the COE to intervene in the decade-long conflict regulation process on grounds that the two conflicting sides are Council of Europe members. As a substantiation Russell Johnston declared that the OSCE Minsk group has exhausted itself and the fruitless face-to-face talks between the leaders of the countries proved it. Russell Johnston argued that he had discussed Karabagh regulation with the late parliament speaker Karen Demirchian, killed in 1999 parliamentary attack, who, he argued, supported the following principles: Armenia must withdraw from the occupied territories, Armenia must have an overland connection with Karabagh. But the Lord did not mention the Karabagh status, the return of refugees, and other relevant issues which prove that the Council of Europe did not make an in-depth analyses of the conflict. This prompted some 20 deputies to leave the chamber in sign of protest. Deputy parliament speaker Tigran Torosian said Johnston’s speech was very long, tiresome and frustrating. “But we have to take it calmly,” he added. The head of the ARF faction Aghvan Vardanian said later that Lord Russell Johnston admitted that the Council of Europe statement issued on August 24 which called on Karabagh authorities to refrain from elections to local management bodies, describing them as “illegitimate” was a mistake. The parliament members also voiced their opposition to the Council of Europe urge to abolish death penalty. “As a Council of Europe member country Armenia has to respect this provision, but having in mind that the October 27 crime was a grave one and that that majority of people and lawmakers want them to be executed, Council of Europe should respect this,” Aghvan Vardanian said. It is hard to say now if the Council of Europe will allow an exception with respect to Armenia. But Russell Johnston’s other announcements come to prove that Europe is taking bigger interest in this region. © Copyright AZG

PRESIDENT ORDERS TO INVALIDATE ARMENTEL’S DECISION Armenian president Robert Kocharian reaffirmed on Saturday the government's intention to prevent Armentel from enforcing its earlier decision to raise telephone charges. Speaking to reporters on Saturday president Kocharian said he had instructed transport and communication minister Andranik Manukian to invalidate by his order ArmenTel's decision. "We have all possibilities and levers to solve this dispute in the legal field," he said. According to Kocharian, in serious deals the government should bear the responsibility. In a related development prime minister Andranik Margarian said on Saturday that the government was against the per-minute payment and "is doing everything to make sure that it is not enforced from October 1." Margarian said that the parliament has suggested to start a legislative initiative that would seek changes to the relevant laws, but "the government has asked not to take up the step for the time being." According to Margarian, the license which granted Armentel 15 year monopoly in the domestic communications market provides for possibilities to prevent introduction of per minute charges for domestic calls. Armentel company, owned by the Greek state-owned OTE, decided to introduce the new payment scheme in January. The Armentel chief executive, Nikos Georgulas, has said he will press ahead with the measure over the government's objections. The prime minister said his government had drawn up a strategic policy for cooperating with Armentel which covers not only per minute charges but also seek a creation of conditions to enable other companies enter the sector.

REVANCHISM http://www.azg.am/IMAGE/200116203.jpg Rouben Mirzakhanian The 20-th century was marked for Armenia by two key events, first it regained its independence, lost centuries ago, and second, it had to go through a severe ordeal to live in two radically different social-political and economic systems. They were realities which differed in the manner of organizing economy and in the content of human values, as well as in the conception of national ideology and the basic tasks. During the years of the First Republic (from 1919) a one-party system was established in the country. The government was composed of members of the Armenians Revolutionary Federation (ARF, Dashnaktsutyun), which appointed the parliament and introduced the judicial system. The Bolsheviks who would come to replace the Dashnaks were doing underground work and using their entire potential were trying to oust the Dashnaks. In 1920 after seizing the power, they outlawed the Dashnaks. Decades later any contact with the ousted party. which ruled the First Republic, was punished with all the strictness of the law. In 1921 February, several months after the Bolsheviks’ victory the Dashnak party made an attempt to seize the power back, but failed. This attempt was assessed differently by the historiography. During the Soviet times it was described as an “adventurism”, now it is qualified as a national-liberation movement, directed against the totalitarian Bolshevik state. We are not going to assess the inter-political developments in 1921, but would like to mention that it was the first attempt of revanchism. By the way , from 1918 up to 1921 there was a death and life struggle between the Communists and Dashanks for political power, each of the sides was trying to eradicate its political rival. Acting in the Diaspora, the Dashnaks never ceased the idea of coming back to power. Declaration of the Third Republic in 1991, which, first of all, was the result of serious geopolitical changes , brought to power an organization of quite different political quality, the Pan-Armenian National Movement (HHSh), which was formed as a result of people’s movement for fair resolution of the Karabagh problem, an organization which was straying in ideological searches even after reaching the top of power. First it was trying to get in contacts with the Socialist Internationalist, then declared its adherence to the principles of liberalism. Proceeding from this, categorical denial of the past became one of the main mottoes of the HHHh. The Communist party of Armenia, which already lost its independence under the Soviets, was not able to start a campaign of revanchism under the conditions of national revival. In 1991 in Moscow an attempt was made by revanchists to keep the power. The Armenian political elite, including senior Communist members, were silently following the developments in Moscow. The failure of Moscow revanchists was the beginning of a short period of time when the Communists in Russia were declared out of law. Several years later, however, the Armenian Communists became stronger and as a result of the economic policy of the HHSh the Communist party of Armenia not only won seats in the parliament but also declared openly about its revanchist aspirations, coming out against the sovereignty of the Armenian state and advocating for the restoration of the collapsed USSR. Passage of the power from the Dashnaks to Bolsheviks and from them to the HHSh is the outward side of the changes, that took place in the life of our people. What actually occurred was a radical change in all the areas of life, and aspiration to restore the lost power, revanchism, has become the main objective of the aforementioned forces. The present The change of power in 1998 was not followed by the change of the political system. The turmoil in the inner-political situation as a result of the change of power, as well as October 27 crime in the Armenian parliament were surpassed thanks to the acting Constitution, adopted in 1995, but the existence of several forces striving to restore the lost power is evident. These parties are trying to present themselves to the public as the political opposition. But in reality none of them can be qualified as “classical opposition: none of them demonstrates ideological differences with the acting power, they not only cooperated with the current authorities in different years, but also formed the ruling system, but have assumed an opposition stance only after losing the power. The first group of these people is the closest surrounding of the ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian, which from 1990 up to 1998 were governing the country. Having at their disposition certain material and informational resources and continuing contacts with individual financial tycoons in the Diaspora, representatives of this group understand that the majority of the people reject them. Some other revanchist groupings avoid open and public cooperation with the representatives of former administration of Ter-Petrosian. The dominant objective of these people is ousting the current president and to bring to power another revanchist group with the aim of integrating in it for a certain period of time and then restore the lost power. To reach this goal this group is ready to collaborate with anyone. Being a grouping with no clearly cut ideology when in power, especially in the recent years, and rejecting the national ideology, some members of this group entered the so-called Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC), a Commission, the main goal of which was described by former deputy foreign minister of Turkey Ozdem Sanbark as “ prevention of initiatives seeking international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which may weaken Turkey’s positions.” “It is important for us that this question should not be considered in the US Congress,” Sanbark said. “As long as we continue the dialogue, I am sure, the issue will not be put on the Congress agenda and we ,Turks, will only benefit from it.” When needed , these groupings assume a pro-Russian position, under other circumstances they become pro-Western. They come out with social-democratic mottoes, but assure they are proponents of liberal ideology. In 1999 parliamentary elections the legislative and the executive power were chiefly formed by Karen Demirchian and Vazgen Sargisian. As a result of October 27 crime in the parliament, a certain portion of the political layer, that was closely connected with these political figures, has lost power levers. Their families were deprived of economic privileges and lost the power to influence the inner-political development. The second group striving to restore the lost power was formed. Part of it, having inherited rather serious material resources and having direct links with the top military officials and representatives of the executive power has as their dominant goal ousting the acting president. The third group of revanchists is represented by individuals who held senior positions in late 80s and early 90s and who kept their positions, after the HHSh came to power, but in the course of the years they have not put up with the idea of becoming outsiders of the real power. Representatives of this direction have no direct links with each other. Narcissism, exaggeration of their mental and organizing capabilities which creates an illusion that they are popular among the people are the main characteristics of this group. They think that admiration they receive from part of the people who are in heavy social conditions and by certain group of people who connect their promotion with them may, become a crucial factor in future political developments. Representatives of this group in general welcomed change of power in 1998, but having not received top positions, that is failing to reach their revanchist goals, have turned into most noisy “opposition.’ Can these groups, different with respect to their genealogy, way of thinking, which even were rivals at different period of time, unite? Yes! The core of their objectives is apparent-ousting of the acting president. Can they reach their goal by joint efforts? No! The modern political history says: the opposition will be able to reach its goal, but revanchists never. Future Existence of opposition is a compulsory component of any developed political system. Political opposition is the bearer of a certain ideology. Its task is to implement the goals, based on the aforementioned ideology. Revanchism has only one goal-to restore the lost power. Revanchism is based on hatred, which, as a rule is individualized. The notion of revanchism is derived from French “revanch”, which means “to take revenge” A political movement based on revenge has no prospects and is doomed to bankruptcy. Revanchists cannot accept new ideas and they lack creativity. Their main goal is to take revenge on those who have “occupied” their place. Revanchism is dangerous. To reach their goals these people will do everything. They are ready not only to constantly deceive the people, but also to sell themselves out to anyone who will help them to satisfy their feeling of revenge. Any stranger, and even enemy may be this “anyone.” Political alliances, based on revanchist ideas are existent in the countries with developed political system as well, but there they do not form any quality because of the political opposition, which, as a rule strives to go back to power, if it had it, but using radically different methods, and what is more important, the opposition’s goals are very different from those of the revanchists. Political opposition strives for power to make social and economic conditions better and to avoid the mistakes of the past. Revanchists strive for power to take revenge and restore what they had when in power. What kind of situation there should be to allow the political opposition to become a factor promoting progress of the country and to eliminate conditions of revanchism? First of all, we need a political system with 4-5 parties, carriers of most important ideologies and formed not on clan principles or personal devotion. We need a political system formed on the outcome of elections in which the force structures do not occupy privileged positions and are depoliticized. We need an economic system which will reject monopolies and which will be operating on the principles of free competition. It is evident that implementation of all these aforementioned tasks in a short period of time in a post-Soviet country which suffered from economic and political turmoil is very difficult. But we had to strengthen progress tendencies. We believe that the process of formation of local self-management bodies in 2002 elections and then in the legislator will be a serious step towards establishment of power and formation of a civilized opposition. There is a mere chance for it and nothing more…

ABOUT 900,000 PEOPLE EMIGRATED FROM GEORGIA SINCE 1995 YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS The head of Georgia's refugees and migration department Toma Gugushvili told the France Press Agency, that according to the data provided by the independent experts, about 900,000 people have left Georgia since 1995. According to him, the population of the country makes hardly 3.5 mln, while several years ago it comprised 5 mln.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL TEAM WINS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS Armenian weightlifter G. Kamalian (85 kg) has won Europe's champion title under 21 in the city of Kalmar in Sweden. The Armenian national team has also placed the first. It should be mentioned that the Armenian sportsmen won 2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medals.

PHILATELY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OPENED IN YEREVAN YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS An international exhibition of philately dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity, opened today at the Modern Art Museum in Yerevan. The exhibition, organized by the transport and communication ministry, displays more than 150 collections of philatelists from Armenia, Greece, Spain, Argentina, Germany and Russia. Armenia's transport and communication minister Andranik Manukian, who opened the exhibition, said that philately was a means of presenting the Armenian cultural values to the world, so as the tradition of this exhibition should be continued and developed. The deputy head of the Philatelists International Federation Erisero Ruben Otero expressed hope that the Armenian philately will reach international standards. Among the former USSR countries Armenia, Russia, Belarus and the Baltic states are members of this Federation, which includes 127 countries of the world.

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO RESUME OPERATION IN 6 WEEKS YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: The director of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Souren Ayvazian, fresh back from Moscow, where he had signed an Armenian-Russian agreement on resumption of Russian nuclear fuel supplies to Armenia, said that the first batch was expected to arrive in Yerevan in two weeks, given all the terms of the contract were observed. The nuclear power plant was brought to a halt in July 10 for a 45-day planned repair and refueling and was supposed to resume operation in the first half of September, but the Armenian government's failure to secure payment for the fuel deliveries prolonged the plant's resumption. n early September Armenian energy and then defense ministers had pledged in Moscow to pay 4$ million in advance and the rest of a $13.7 million worth deal within the next 90 days. Souren Ayvazian said another 3 weeks will be needed for refueling the plant if the fuel arrived in due time. Armenian nuclear power plant accounts for nearly 40 percent of energy production in the country.

ATLANTIC TREATY ASSOCIATION DELEGATION ARRIVES IN ARMENIA SEPTEMBER 11 YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: An Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA) delegation, led by its chairman Alan Lee Williams will be visiting Armenia from September 11 to September 16, the Armenian Atlantic Association (AAA) has said today. The delegation also includes ATA secretary general Antonio Borges de Carvalo and the chairman of the Greek Atlantic Association Theodossis Georgiou. The ATA includes non-governmental organizations of the countries involved in NATO Partnership for Peace Program. The ATA delegation arrives in Armenia at the invitation of the AAA. The ATA delegation is scheduled to have meetings with Armenian lawmakers, foreign and defense ministries' senior officials as well as with the head of the Armenian Church. Within the framework of the visit the AAA plans to hold a seminar on September 14 in Yerevan, entitled 'NATO- Security Prospects in Armenia/ Caucasus' with participation of Armenian law makers, representatives of the executive power and public organizations. The Armenian Atlantic Association has taken several steps to seek full membership to the ATA. Before considering the possibility of the AAA joining the ATA, the delegation plans to get first-hand information about the current state of affairs in Armenia. Based on the visit's results the ATA will present a report on Armenia at its 47th Assembly, slated for October in Slovenia's City of Bled. AAA application was already considered at the ATA meeting in Brussels and got a preliminary approval. The visit of the ATA delegation is rich in cultural events. They will be told about an extensive range of festivities and events held in Armenia and dedicated to 17 centuries of Armenia's conversion to Christianity. The delegation members will visit several historical and cultural sites in Armenia. The Armenian Atlantic Association has launched its activity in 2001 and seeks promotion of Armenia's relations with NATO member-countries and to raise the Armenian public's awareness about NATO's goals and mission in the rapidly changing world.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN'S ON-LINE CONFERENCE ON GAZETASNG.RU YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: -Natalia Sashtik, deputy chief editor of the Gazetasng.ru: -Dear friends, we are beginning an on-line conference with the President of Armenia Robert Kocharian. We would like to thank all the visitors to our web site for their questions. These questions will be answered by president Kocharian on a priority order. Unfortunately, we are short of time, because of the over-employment of our guest. Armenia is getting ready today for some key events, among them the visits of president Vladimir Putin, the heads of all Orthodox Churches and Pope John Paul II to Armenia. -Mr. Kocharian, we hope you are there, let me once again to thank you for your courtesy to participate in our conference, which, as we can see, has caused a big interest. Taking the advantage we would like to congratulate you on your birthday and to remind our visitors that the president of Armenia has become 47. Our congratulations, Mr. President. -R.K. Thank you for your congratulations. I would also like to take the advantage and congratulate all the citizens of Armenia, our Diaspora compatriots and Armenia's friends with the upcoming 10th anniversary of our independence. I would also like to thank all the participants to this conference. I am happy to communicate with you. Your questions are very interesting and I believe we shall have a useful conversation. -Andrey Simonov, Moscow. What do you think about virtual communication, many people of your generation say online chats are meaningless and even harmful? Do you allow your children to log on to Internet? -R.K. Unfortunately, I do not have much free time to use Internet, but everyday a pile of materials, retrieved from Internet is put on my table. There are also many e-mails coming. This, for the time being, restricts my communication with Internet. But my children use it and very actively. I learn many things from them. I welcome this and do not pose any restrictions. -Armen Karapetian, economist. When you were running for presidency, you used to say that Armenia needed an economic breakthrough, but the country continues suffering from heavy economic conditions. Do you think that you have managed to improve, though a little, the state of affairs? -R.K. Economically strong Armenia is my number 1 objective. You are right, we are continuing to resolve many problems in economy and they still remain Armenia's priorities, but I would like to say that the essence and character of the problems have changed and they are different from what we had a couple of years ago. In the past years the economic environment in Armenia has seen a significant change. The main thing I think I have succeeded in is that we have shifted from the conception of survival to the conception of active development. We have reformed the tax legislation to target business development, the judicial system, and thanks to it the businessmen have got real guarantees for protection. Approaches towards privatization have also changed: we demand specific and clearly cut guarantees from potential buyers that the to be privatized companies should be operational and that the amount of investments, fixed in takeover contacts, should be made. A as a result of all this some leading Armenian enterprises are gathering momentum. The main goal is advancement in all directions. Armenia is resolving its economic problems and the content of these problems is different from what they were several years ago, the development dynamic is also different. Of course, we all would like to see faster growth and more tangible results, but I believe this all will come. -Panarmenian. Net, Yerevan. Leaders of many countries have different viewpoints regarding Internet. Possibilities for uncontrolable exchange of information cause concerns and cautiousness. Internet makes people less controllable and less dependent from the state. What does the leadership of Armenia thinks about Internet development? -R.K. The entire core and the bulk of reforms which are underway in Armenia is to make people as less dependant on the state as possible. Government bodies should be overseen by the public and it is here where Internet provides great opportunities. The power should become transparent and predictable. Such methods of work are entering the life. Practically all state bodies have their own web sites where they should post data, which have public importance. Besides, very interesting and important projects of informational, entertainment character are being implemented in the Armenian domain of Internet. An Internet project that was collecting texts of the Armenian literature and historiography and posting them on Internet was awarded presidential prize. This, I think speaks about what I think about Internet. Internet is a serous tool for the president in his work. -Azadinfrom@azerin.com, Baku, Azerbaijan. What does Armenian leadership mean under "compromise solution" and will the Armenian public support compromise's terms? -R.K Armenia has more than once announced its adherence to package solution of the Karabagh conflict. In this case all the sides to the conflict have a clear idea about what they will get and what they will be sacrificing. We have clearly formulated three main principles, which should be on the basis of the regulation: legal equality of all the sides to the conflict, exclusion of Karabagh enclave status, international security guarantees for Karabagh population. If these principles are observed, Armenia will be ready to consider potential compromise solution options. -As regards the second part of your question; if a compromise solution is adopted, leaders of each side should have enough political will and explain to their respective people the advantages of the option and convince them to take it. If such will is not in the place, this leader cannot conduct the negotiation process. -Larisa Sarukhanian, Yerevan, dear Mr. President, I would like to voice my full support to you. I voted for you I 1988 and next time if you decide to be re-elected my family and I will again cast our ballots in your favor. The opposition in Armenia has become active and new parties are being set up. Do not you think that their only goal is to seize power? How long you are going to put up with it? -R.K. Thank you for your kind words. I have enough patience and I am not going to change my main principle of how to work with the opposition- that is to be tolerant. The word is about the culture of political communication. One has to have respect for his partners, irrespective of whether you like their position or not. Unfortunately, the response is not often adequate. But in general, there is a normal political process underway, at least, the dialogue with parliament represented parties is constructive. What causes my concern is the level of political culture. President should be criticized for mistakes and shortcomings, but he is powerless when he is insulted, I cannot retaliate, I was brought up differently and my position does not allow me to retaliate. I am trying to explain my actions, be frank with the population. Some of my actions may cause criticism, some people may not like them, but when you are frank with people, criticism is not something to be afraid of, as the people trust you and understand your actions. The main thing for me is the feeling of the accomplished duty before my voters. -Vardges Hakobian, Moscow. You promised that some 40,000 new jobs would be created in Armenia this year. This made me very happy. Almost five years ago I was sacked and had to leave for Russia in search of a job. Now there is some hope, but I am afraid we are too many and there will not be enough jobs for all those who left Armenia. What are you doing to reduce unemployment? -R.K. The remedy for curing this disease is the same everywhere. Economic growth, development of industry, small and medium businesses. The unemployment in Armenia, according to official data, is about 17 percent, but actually, I think it is bigger. This year we have made our task to create 40,000 new jobs. The government is to follow such an economic policy that would promote attraction of new investments and creation of new jobs. Forty thousand jobs are really a big figure for Armenia. This, of course, will not eliminate the problem, but we have made the first step. At the end of the year we shall summarize the results to outline the future measures. -Anatoliy Volk, journalist. What is your vision of the future of Russian-Armenian relations? -R.K. I see them as I used to. Based on friendship, mutual understanding and respect for one another's interests. The interests of the two countries coincide in many parameters. This, in the first place, conditions our strategic partnership. Common history, deep cultural similarities give a special coloring to our relations. -Sergey Gevorgian, Yerevan. What do you know about how ordinary people live in your country? -R.K. Armenia is a small country and to build a fence not to see the others' problems is impossible. I never forget that many of my compatriots live in hard conditions, but I also know that I can help them only by concrete deeds, which require pragmatic approaches and purposeful efforts. Each year people should feel tangible improvement, unfortunately, under positive economic trends, part of the society does not yet feel it. But the quantity changes into quality and our everyday work will have its impact on the quality of life of all our citizens. -Rouben Matevosian, former engineer. Your government has sold to foreigners the Telephone Company, the brandy plant and now you are going to sell energy distributing networks. What will remain for Armenia? How long the national riches of Armenia will be plundered, what are we going to leave for our children? -R.K. The life has shown that the state is not the most efficient owner, otherwise the Soviet Union would have been prospering. The executive power is not to run businesses but to create conditions for normal entrepreneurship. This is my strong belief. Efficient and correct privatization is another question. Here we have problems. As regards the Yerevan Brandy Company and other enterprises, they continue remaining in Armenia and no one is going to move them out. I would also like to add that all the companies privatized by foreigners operate and very successfully, by the way the quality of Armenian brandy has improved. Raisa214@aol.com, Los Angeles. Why Armenia, that won the war, lives in economic poverty and political isolation? -R.K. You are right when saying that Armenians do not live well, but if we compare our social and economic conditions with other CIS countries, we shall see that, if we asses per capita GDP and other economic indices, it will turn out that Armenia is not at the bottom. These indices were assessed by international financial institutions. We have taken the lead in some indices and besides, the positive dynamic is apparent. The word "political isolation" you mentioned surprises me , I think you are not well aware of our foreign policy activity. -Konstantine Martsev, Petersburg, Russia. Why Armenia does not make a good will jester and liberate one of the occupied Azerbaijani territories, controlled by Armenian troops. This, I think will be a powerful political move, which will be assessed by the international community. -R.K. I would like to stress that this conflict is based on the people right to self-determination, but not on territorial problems. The regions you have mentioned are held with one aim-to ensure the security of the population of Nagorno Karabagh. These territories are a component of the established balance of forces and this is the basic formula of the truce continuing from 1994. Any changes on the line of contact without security guarantees will destroy the balance of forces and may provoke resumption of hostilities. This is why we favor the so-called package option of the solution and this territories are a component of it. -Sisak, Krasnodar. Our family moved to Russia after the destructive earthquake of 1988. I am a student now, but have always dreamed of going back to may native Gyumri. All my family wants to go back. But shall we have a shelter, shall we be able to earn our living? What is the situation now in the earthquake zone? -R.K. The volumes of major construction in Armenia are rather big and a significant portion falls on the earthquake zone. A number of serious programs are being implemented there by the government and international organizations to provide homeless families with apartments or houses. In the next two years the conditions there will improve radically. As regards jobs, there is already a demand for workforce, besides the government is drawing up some projects targeting revival of industrial enterprises and attraction of foreign investments. Several leading plants have resumed operation in the zone. Positive changes can also be observed in the agricultural and food processing sectors. We have built many hospitals, outpatient clinics there and by the end of the year we are planning to get rid of schools, located in temporary buildings. -Csmptn2B@aol.com, USA. Hello, my name is Gevorg Alexanian and I am writing from the USA. I would like to ask Mr. President what are his steps towards creating an equal opportunity atmosphere in the areas of economy, especially in the private sector of the small businesses? -R.K. You have mentioned a very important issue. Creation of business friendly conditions is the main precondition for economy development. I cannot say that we have been consistent in this area in the recent ten years, but a range of cardinal steps have been taken. Very important laws have been passed regulating this sector and the limits of the state interference are clearly outlined. In many issues we have managed to minimize the administrative arbitrariness. Tax legislation has also improved, small and medium businesses are encouraged and we can boast of certain results in the areas of informational technologies, trade, tourism, services, jewelry and diamond-cutting. It is enough to have a stroll in Yerevan streets to see what I have mentioned. It would be naive to think that all the problems we are facing can be solved in a day or two. -Shakin Aliyev, Baku. Can you agree with a thought that Armenia has won the battle but not the war? Do you admit that Armenia's resources are too small to secure complete victory? Do not you have apprehensions that Azerbaijan may renew hostilities in Karabagh? -R.K. Your question sounds a little bit malicious. I believe that what is important for both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and for all Southern Caucasian countries in general is to win the peace. The history has shown many times that any enmity in our region, be it a battle, a war or just an opposition, did not bring good to no one. You, as a resident of Azerbaijan, may have felt it as well. Our region will be prospering, given peace, a stable peace is established here. The Armenian leadership is working in this direction. As concerns the resources, you may make sure, based on the facts, that Armenia's economy is developing no less dynamically than your country's economy. Now about apprehensions. In the passed years the both sides have reinforced their positions and it is certain that the side that renews hostilities would lose the battle. -Tigran Tavadian. Chief editor of Armenian Yekramas newspaper in Krasnodar, Russia. Mr. President, how are the things with reforming the Constitution? I mean the changes that may allow the so-called duel citizens for Armenians living outside their homeland? -R.K. The package of constitutional reforms is ready and will be formally submitted to parliament's consideration this month. It contains some changes relevant to dual citizenship. But I cannot specify whether the referendum on constitutional reforms will be held this or next year. I would like to add that I support this idea of duel citizenship, as I think that a country with such a strong Diaspora has to provide its compatriots with relevant mechanisms for strengthening their ties with their historical homeland. -Arthur Hakopov. Do you think that Karabagh conflict may be regulated in near future? -R.K. I do not think that prognosis in such issue should be made. I can only say that we are continuing to work for it. -Arka news agency. Yerevan. Do you think that a recently created Turkish-Armenian Commission for Reconciliation may influence Armenia's relations with Turkey? -R.K. Armenia supports any step aimed at building civilized and neighborhood relations with Turkey. At the same time, having in mind that this is a very sensitive question, it would be desirable that this issue be discussed on state level, which Armenia has never avoided or with involvement of a broader community of political forces. -Souren Ayvazian, businessman. Mr. President, we have plans to launch a business in Armenia but after wasting several months of talks with government officials have not received information we need. What should be done to have the issue move ahead? Can you help us? -R.K. We have established the Development Agency to help advancement of private business projects; it actually serves as a starting point for many businessmen, who open businesses in Armenia. Unfortunately, the red tape problems exist, though they have reduced a little. If you have concrete proposals you may submit theme to presidential staff. I guarantee that you will receive answers to your questions. -Arman Kazarian, dentist. When will Armenia join the World Trade Organization? -R.K. We are planning that Armenia will join World Trade Organization by the end of the year. This actually means acknowledgement of the fact that market relations have established in this country. Without serious rise in export volumes we shall not be able to raise the country's economy. WTO membership first of all means predicted markets of WTO member- countries. This will also mean that we can predict developments in our domestic market, a basis for favorable investment climate. -Natalia Sashtik: Our time is out and we cannot keep Mr. President any longer. We thank you again Mr. Kocharian for your courtesy to participate in our on-line conference.

PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN INTENDS TO STAND FOR A NEW TERM 10.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian intends to stand for the next presidential elections to be held in spring 2003. He declared it in an interview to journalists in course of his visit to Yerevan electric-bulb factory. The head of the state said he had doubted the expediency of becoming a candidate till recently. The leaders of a number of opposition political parties ("People's Party of Armenia", "Republic", "National Unity"), who came out demanding that the President resign, helped him to make the final decision. "There is so much malice in their statement that it is easy to understand how dangerous its authors are for the country. They can poison the whole state with their venom. Having recognized it I came to a conclusion on the necessity of announcing my candidacy," – Robert Kocharian stated. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"