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"ARMENTEL" CUT OFF TELEPHONES OF MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

OCTOBER 18. The telecommunication monopolist "ArmenTel" company cut off the telephones of the Armenian Ministry of Transport and Communication because of debts, a well informed resource told ARMINFO. The telephones were cut off yesterday at 1:00 p.m. and were connected today. The debt's volume was not mentioned. The "ArmenTel" company confirmed the fact of the telephones' being cut off, but refused to mention the reasons. The company told ARMINFO that an investigation commission was established in this connection. It should be noted that the relations between the Armenian Minister of Trasport and Communication Andranik Manukyan and Executive Director of ArmenTel become exacerbated because of introduction of a per-minute payment system for local calls. The minister bans ArmenTel to introduce the above system, but the later does not take into consideration the minister's orders and instructions.

UNHCR CONCERNED OVER GROWING TIDE OF INTOLERANCE TOWARDS REFUGEES AFTER TERRORIST ACTS

OCTOBER 18. The UN High Commissariat for Refugees' Affairs is concerned over the growing tide of intolerance and hostility towards refugees observed in the USA and other countries after then terrorist acts in the USA, UNHCR Representative to Armenia Loyd Deikin told ARMINFO. According to him, a refugee is difficult to distinguish from a terrorist, the more so that criminals have their documents in order a as a rule. But a refusal to grant the refugee status based on one personal opinion is a gross violation of international conventions and principles of the UNHCR, Denki said.

PRESIDENT AND DEFENSE MINISTER PROMOTE CORRUPTION IN COUNTRY; ALBERT BAZEYAN

OCTOBER 18.It is President Robert Kocharian and Minister of Defense Serge Sargssian who promote growth of corruption in Armenia, Chairman of the political Council of the "Republic" party, ex-mayor of Yerevan Albert Bazeyan told reporters today. Commenting on the president's criticism of the opposition, Bazeyan pointed out that the country's leader is trying to lay all the blame for all the faults on the former officials. "If an official works honestly and does not please the authorities, he is dismissed and prosecuted," Bazeyan said. According to Bazeyan, Robert Kocharian's claims that during his [Bazeyan's] mayorship serious abuse took place do not correspond to the facts. "Immediately after the congress of the Republic' party Kocharian launched a propaganda campaign against the opposition, using the services' of the law-enforcement agencies," Bazeyan said. He did not rule out the possibility of being prosecuted. As regards the president's impeachment process and collection of signatures from Armenia's population to the demand of the president's resignation, Bazeyan did not cite any figures. Nevertheless, he stated that some Parliament members have already joined the initiative of the "Republic" party, but they are not yet putting their signatures to the aforementioned document, being afraid of the authorities' pressure. "The deputies must defend themselves somehow, considering the threat of the Parliament's dissolution," Bazeyan said.

MILITARY ACTIONS IN ABKHAZIA NOT CONNECTED WITH GEORGIAN OFFICIAL AUTHORITIES, ARMENIAN RESIDENT SAID

OCTOBER 18. The military actions in Georgia should not be connected with the Georgian official authorities, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan told journalists today. He said the Armenian authorities are staying in permanent contact with the Georgian authorities. The president also pointed out that the military actions in Georgia will not prevent the Georgian President Eduard Shevarnadze's visit to Armenia expected Oct 23.

AZERI POLITICIANS' STATEMENTS ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF KARABAKH CONFLICT'S FORCE DECISION MAY LEAD TO MILITARY HYSTERIA AND HOSTILITY IN REGION

OCTOBER 18.The Azeri politicians' irresponsible statements about possibility of the Karabakh conflict's force decision may lead to military hysteria and hostility in the region, Armenian Extreme and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in the USA Arman Kirakossyan made this statement in his interview to Armenian Mirror-Spectator newspaper. He said no progress is observed in the Karabakh settlement process after the Armenian and Azeri presidents' meeting in Key West. Moreover, Baku's recent statements show that Azerbaijan is likely to change over the military settlement of the conflict. Kirakossyan said Armenia has always stated about its commitment to peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. He expressed hope that the official Baku will weaken its hostility, which is of no benefit for both the sides.

STUDENT OF KETTY MALKHASYAN TO GIVE A CONCERT

OCTOBER 18. Extraordinary young pianist Karen Karapetyan will give a concert at the Hall of Sayat-Nova Music School Oct 20. Karen Karapetyan began his career aged 7. He drew the attention of many by his extraordinary playing of Mozart. He was later noticed by outstanding Armenian pianist Ketty Malkhasyan. She gave him her refined academic style and inner culture of playing. During the concert Karen Karapetyan will play Liszt and Chopin.

SAMVEL HAMBARTSOUMYAN'S "TAKING OFF THE CROSS" APPRAISED AT $1000 AT OPENING DAY OF EXPOSITION IN MOSKVA CINEMA

OCTOBER 18. An exposition of paintings has opened in the Moskva cinema dedicated to the 1,7000th anniversary of Christianity as state religion in Armenia. Most of the works are abstract paintings. Like many other expositions in the Moskva cinema this one is also an exposition-sale. The average price of the paintings is $250. The most expensive work is "Taking off the Cross" by Samvel Hambartsoumyan. The Christ is symbolized by a white spot resembling a lying man. The cost of the painting is $1,000.

FIRST PERFORMANCE OF BALLET "ST. HRIPSIME AND KING TRDAT" TO BE GIVEN IN NOV

OCTOBER 18. The State Theatre of Opera and BAllet in Yerevan is rehearsing a ballet of Melik Mavisakalyan and Loris Tchknavoryan "St Hripsime and King Trdat," manager of the Opera Gegham Grikoryan has told ARMINFO. The ballet is about St Hripsime, a great martyr, and despotic king Trdat is dedicated to the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity as state religion in Armenia. Maksim Martirosyan is the choreographer of the ballet. Nearly 40 dancers are engaged in the spectacle. The first performance is scheduled for mid Nov. This is the third spectacle of the Opera in 2001.

ARMENIAN BARD PREPARING CONCERT FOR "CHILDREN AGED 1-100"

OCTOBER 18. To "Children aged 1-100" will be dedicated a concert of the popular bard Ruben Akhverdian. The concert will be held at the Great Concert Hall of Philharmony on October 31. The concert programs includes children's songs with implications for adults composed by Ruben Akhverdian in different years. It will be the bard's second concert during this autumn. The concert will be sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).