Armenia develops relations with NATO and EU
Azg/Arm
5 Nov 04
Though NATO Membership Is not on the Agenda Negotiations Should be
Expected
Minister of foreign affairs of Armenia Vartan Oskanian noted recently
that Armenia doesn’t set a priority to become NATO member but will
deepen relations with the Organization.
Deputy foreign minister Ruben Shugarian informed Azg Daily that NATO
membership is not high on the agenda but there may come a point of
starting negotiations. NATO Secretary General is arriving in Yerevan
on November 5 within the frameworks of the South Caucasian visit.
“NATO is willing to deepen relations with Armenia. Though Armenia was
not as active in cooperation with NATO as its 2 neighbors, today we
see signs signaling of Yerevan’s readiness to maintain deeper
relations”, Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer informed Mediamax
news agency a day before his visit.
“Azerbaijan and Georgia have the NATO membership on their agenda’s.But
if take a closer look we’ll see that our cooperation with NATO does
not differ from those of Azerbaijan and Georgia. But if Azerbaijan and
Georgia have to take administrative, technical steps then Armenia has
too take political ones”, Shugarian said.
Deputy minister Shugarian held a speech recently in Michigan
University where he was invited to participate at a conference on
South Caucasus and Armenian policy. “My speech was mainly about EU’s
new neighborhood, Armenian-Turkish relations and political
perspectives for the 3 Caucasian states and region’s new geo-political
identity. My speech put an accent on the importance of the
Armenian-Turkish border-gate”, he said.
“That is not simply a Turkish border but NATO’s border with
Armeniawhich remains closed up to now. We may even call it the
region’s border with NATO as Georgia’s and Azerbaijan’s borders are
not wide enough to make relations tighter and secondly, it is not a
geographical issue but a geopolitical one”, Shugarian said in his
speech.
Yerevan should not pin hopes on NATO that it will make Turkey put an
end to Armenia’s blockade. On the other hand, Armenian authorities
hope that Turkey in its strive for the EU will open the
border. Shugarian said that at the European-Armenians’ congress in
Brussels last month the EU representative read a sentence from
European Commission’s report concerning Armenia.
“There is the following sentence in the report: â=80=98The perspective
that Turkey may become EU member will make it put relations right with
its neighborsâ=80=99. If the sentence were other way around, i.e. if
it said that the perspective that Turkey will not become EU member
will make it put relations right with its neighbors, that would be
completely a different thing. EU-Turkey talks may last a decade and
the day before the end of the talks Turkey may open the border”,
Shugarian said.
Six Armenian ambassadors from different European states participated
at the congress in Brussels. While the European-Armenians were holding
meetings appealing to European states not to include Turkey in the EU,
foreign minister Vartan Oskanian was speaking for Turkey’s accession
in Rome.
I don’t see any contradiction in what the European-Armenians say and
what the minister said. The issue was discussed in different legal
levels. We want to have a common border with the EU because our
further aim is joining the EU. Armenian communities of Europe may
have their view as regards Turkeyâ=80=99s accession. They may be
concerned about purely Armenian issues such as the blockade and the
Armenian Genocide”, Shugarian said.
Shugarian also notes that the issue of the Armenian Genocide is
mutually important for both the Armenian state and the Diaspora but
has diverse tints. “Firstly, Diaspora is a result of the Genocide. If
Diaspora considers Genocide acknowledgment, primarily by Turkey, a
reinstatement of historic justice then Armenia considers it a
guarantee for safety and prevention of possible recurrence in
future. They say that today’s Turkey is different. There are
differences, of course, but what’s Turkey’s attitude towards Armenians
today? We are in blockade and Turkey carries on an aggressive
policy. Blockade is a war action”.
By Tatoul Hakobian

US elections and faded hopes
Azg/Arm
5 Nov 04
Harut Sassounian, publisher of The California Currier comments with
pain on the US elections: “Kerry’s presidency could greatly support
the Armenian Cause. We should feel proud for supporting the side that
was more beneficial for the Cause. This is not the end, life goes on
and our struggle carries on”.
Sassounian does not think that George Bush’s re-election will have a
negative turn-up for American-Armenian relations. “I think the
relations will remain the same. Politicians don’t have personal
revenge. Just the contrary, Bush’s victorious supporters can even make
a friendly gesture”, Sassounian said.
Co-chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party Yervand Azatian informed
in a phone talk with Azg Daily that not all Armenians voted for
Kerry. Those whoput first the Armenian Cause voted for Kerry but there
were also Armenians who voted for Bush out of economic and ideological
views, Azatian said.
Yervand Azatian thinks that the political parties propping Kerry up
will not face difficulties in their later activity as America is a
democratic country. “There are no worries from this point of view but
on the other hand, Bush will carry on his policy in the Caucasus and
Armenia will even more get isolated as a result”, Azatian said adding
that the US is perusing its goals in Azerbaijan as regards the oil and
Georgia is viewed as potential NATO member. “In America’s Caucasian
policy Armenia is more weightless”, Azatian said.
Arpi Vardanian, regional president of the Armenian Assembly of America
in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, also noted that not all Armenians
voted for John Kerry. “I don’t think that Armenian-American relations
will undergoserious changes as this is Bush’s second term. We have to
keep on working as we did for the good of Armenian and American
nations”, Vardanian said.
Another source preferring to remain unknown informed from Washington
that Bush ‘s re-election will by no means influence Armenian-American
relations. “Armenians who voted for Kerry like myself were led by the
hope that Armenian-American relations will get even tighter with Kerry
as a president. But there were minuses in Kerry’s calculations as
well. For instance, he was planning to hand over America’s Eurasian
and Caucasian policy lynchpins to its allies. Turkey is playing that
role in our region. This means Kerry was going to implement regional
policy with the hands of Turkey”, the source informed and added that
Kerry’s pro-Armenian activity of the past still made them turn to him.
“Bush’s stance differs. He builds direct relations with foreign
countries, i.e. his policy is bilateral. If Armenia is ready to come
closer to USA then the latter is ready to maintain closer
cooperation. All depends on Armeniaâ=80=99s pose. Will Armenia send a
group to Iraq? If Yes, USA will consider Armenia a normal state. If
not, Armenia will be viewed as a non-important country”, the source
informed.
By Tatoul Hakobian

November 4, 2004
MID-ATLANTIC SEMINAR FOR ALTAR SERVERS
NOVEMBER 13 IN PHILADELPHIA
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will
host a Mid-Atlantic Seminar for altar servers next Saturday, November
13. The seminar will take place at the church at 8701 Ridge Avenue,
Philadelphia. Altar servers, including archdeacons, deacons,
sub-deacons, poorvaragirs, momagirs, and kshotsagirs, from parishes in
the Mid-Atlantic area will attend to further their knowledge of the
Armenian Church services. The main objective of the workshop will be
to introduce the new Badarak CD for altar servers, which will help to
establish uniformity in our churches in the celebration of the Soorp
Badarak. The seminar will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4
p.m. For information contact Archdeacon Shant at the Prelacy,
212-689-7810.

REGIONAL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES WILL
MEET WITH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, NOVEMBER 13
St. Gregory Church of Philly will also be the host of the regional
meeting of the Boards of Trustees and the Executive Council, on
Saturday, November 13.
This is part of an ongoing program started two years ago by the
Executive Council to establish better communications with the
parishes. Three regional meetings have already taken place: two in the
New England area and one in the Midwest. This Mid-Atlantic meeting
will be the fourth such meeting, and will bring together the pastors,
the boards of trustees, and NRA delegates from St. Illuminators
Cathedral, New York City; St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, NY;
St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia; Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
NJ; Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, MD; and Holy Cross Church, Troy,
NY.
Each parish will meet individually with the Council at a pre-arranged
time. All of the participating parishes and council will meet in a
joint session.
A Dale Carnegie workshop on Effective Communication will be part of
the program. The internationally known and respected Dale Carnegie
courses are considered to be the best in teaching basic and effective
communications skills. For information contact the Prelacy,
212-689-7810.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL
TO CHICAGO THIS WEEKEND
Archbishop Oshagan will visit the All Saints Armenian Church in
Glenview, Illinois, this weekend, November 6 and 7. On Saturday His
Eminence will attend the anniversary banquet and on Sunday he will
officiate and deliver the sermon during the Divine Liturgy.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN PRESIDES OVER
RIBBON CUTTING AT ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL
Last Sunday, October 31, Archbishop Oshagan presided over the ribbon
cutting ceremony of the new Pre-School addition at St. Stephen
Armenian Elementary School in Watertown, Massachusetts. Attending were
about 150 parents, teachers, students and dignitaries. Following the
ribbon-cutting, Archbishop Oshagan and Archpriest Fr. Antranig
Baljian, pastor of St. Stephen Church, blessed the Pre-School Afeyan
Building.
The School is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a series
of programs and events including a special gala, which will take place
on January 29, 2005.

REPRESENTATIVES OF WORLD VISION
VISIT CILICIAN CATHOLICOSATE
Representatives of World Vision visited His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, in Antelias, Lebanon, on
Tuesday, November 2. Also in attendance was Bishop Kegham Khatcherian,
Prelate of Lebanon.
The representatives presented an overview of their various
international programs. His Holiness praised their work and emphasized
the importance of the organization working together with the churches.
World Vision International, established in 1950, is a Christian relief
and development organization working for the well being of all people,
especially children. World Vision helps communities help themselves
through emergency relief, education, health care, economic development
and promotion of justice.

PRELACY SUPPORTS ARTSAKH PROGRAMS
Archbishop Oshagan has issued a statement to all parishes within the
Eastern Prelacy asking them to support the initiative of the Holy See
of Cilicia, to help rebuild towns and villages in Artsakh.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
asked that all churches under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of
Cilicia, collect funds through special collection plates on two
Sundays, November 21 and 28, as well as other means. All of the monies
collected will be allocated to the reconstruction of towns and
villages in Artsakh.
As in past years, the Prelacy is supportive of the Thanksgiving Day
Telethon by the Armenia Fund, Inc. The telethon will be broadcast on
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, from 8 a.m. to 8
p.m. (Pacific Standard Time).
NEXT THURSDAY IS VETERANS DAY
Next Thursday, November 11, is Veterans Day, formerly known as
Armistice Day, the anniversary of the Armistice which was signed in
the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918, ending
World War I. The War (old-timers still call it The Great War) involved
35 countries and lasted five years from 1914 to 1918 and was one of
the bloodiest wars in history. The United States was involved for only
one year (1917-1918). The Armistice was signed on the 11th hour, of
the 11th day, of the 11th month.
In the early 1950s there was a movement to change the name to Veterans
Day to honor all wars and those who fought. In 1954, President Dwight
D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th each year as
Veterans Day.
In 1968, during that era when holidays were moved to Mondays in order
to create long weekends, Veterans Day was changed to the fourth Monday
in October. There was great protest because the significance of
November 11th was lost. In 1978, Congress returned the observance to
its traditional date.
ARMENIAN CHURCH REMEMBERS
THE ARCHANGELS MICHAEL AND GABRIEL
This Saturday, November 6, the Armenian Church commemorates the
Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Archangel is a title given to an angel
of high rank in the celestial hierarchy.
Michael, which means Who is like God, is the great prince of all the
angels and leader of the celestial armies. He is considered to be the
protector of Christians in general.
Gabriel, which means Strength of God, is one of God’s chief
messengers. He was chosen by our Lord to announce to the Virgin Mary,
and to all Mankind, the great joy of the incarnation of the Son of
God. In Christian tradition Gabriel is considered to be the angel of
mercy. In recent times he has been adopted (unofficially) as the
patron saint of the Internet.
A PRAYER FOR DILIGENCE
In light of the Presidential elections this week and the observance of
Veterans (Armistice) Day next week we end with a prayer by President
Woodrow Wilson delivered as part of his inaugural speech on March 5,
1917.
I know now what the task [of the presidency] means. I realize to the
full the responsibility which it involves. I pray God I may be given
the wisdom and the prudence to do my duty in the true spirit of this
great people.
And while we render thanks for all things let us pray Almighty God
that in all humbleness of spirit we may look always to Him for
guidance; that we may be kept constant in the spirit and purpose of
service; that by His grace our minds may be directed and our hands
strengthened; and that in His good time liberty and security and peace
and the comradeship of a common justice may be vouchsafed all the
nations of the earth.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri president congratulates Bush on re-election
Azartac news agency, Baku,
4 Nov 04
To the president of the United States of America, His Excellency
George W. Bush
Dear Mr President!
I congratulate you on your re-election as president of the United
States of America and wish you success.
I want to express my conviction that you will continue your activities
to ensure peace and stability in the world.
We are a friend of the United States of America and attach special
importance to the development of our cooperation. Azerbaijan, which is
establishing democratic, law-governed and secular society, is
determined to raise its bilateral relations with the United States of
America to a higher level.
I express my gratitude to you for supporting the joint exploitation of
rich energy resources in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea,
their export to the world market, the construction of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas
pipeline.
As a reliable strategic partner of the United States of America,
Azerbaijan will continue to make its contribution to the ensuring of
peace and security in the region and to the fight against terrorism. I
want to stress again that Azerbaijan’s position on this issue is
unchangeable.
As has been the case from the very beginning, Azerbaijan is in the
same coalition as the United States of America in the fight against
terrorism and its various manifestations.
At the same time, we pin great hopes on the efforts of the United
States of America as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and your
efforts personally for a fair solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict within the framework of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and norms and principles of international law.
I believe that friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperation
between our countries will expand and strengthen even more in line
with the mutual interests of our peoples.
Dear Mr President!
I wish you strong health, success in your work and constant progress
and prosperity to the people of the United States of America.
Truly yours,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
Baku, 4 November 2004

Georgian president announces new US military training programme
Georgian State Television Channel 1, Tbilisi
4 Nov 04
President Mikheil Saakashvili has announced a major new US-funded
training programme for Georgian troops. Speaking at a joint briefing
in Tbilisi on 4 November with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop
Scheffer, Saakashvili said that the programme would focus on
peacekeeping operations and involve double the number of Georgian
troops trained by US instructors so far. He also said that Georgia was
“getting closer to NATO” but stressed his willingness to work closely
with Russia on security issues. He refused to speculate on a possible
date for NATO membership, just saying that it would happen “much
quicker than many people expect”. De Hoop Scheffer said that Georgia
would have to travel “a difficult and long and winding road” to NATO
membership. The following is the text of the briefing, broadcast live
by Georgian TV; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
Presenter NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer arrived in
Tbilisi a few hours ago. He and President Saakashvili have begun a
joint briefing at the State Chancellery, which we now bring you live.
New US military training programme
Saakashvili, broadcast begins in mid-sentence The approval of the NATO
programme IPAP, Individual Partnership Action Plan happened much
earlier than we expected and I think this was recognition by NATO of
the progress Georgia has made in reforms and development in recent
months.
You know that Georgia is actively participating in the antiterrorist
coalition. We are taking part in peacekeeping operations. Our soldiers
are in Kosovo, we have a contingent in Afghanistan and we are
increasing the number of our people in Iraq.
We believe that not only are we making use of international security
but we are also contributing to it.
At the same time, precisely because we are involved in peacekeeping
operations, the USA has announced a major new training programme for
Georgians to be involved in peacekeeping operations. This programme,
in terms of the number of people involved, is double what Georgia has
had so far.
On the day before his re-election President Bush wrote a letter to
Georgia, and in the coming months the main nucleus of our army will be
finally formed with the help of American instructors and drawing on
the best international experience.
At the same time, we of course want to work with all our neighbours,
especially Russia. We have many proposals for working with Russia in
the security sphere. I should say we are very open in this respect.
We do not intend to allow the establishment of new foreign bases in
Georgia. We intend to set up international cooperation mechanisms
which provide for a reformed Georgian army, together with large-scale
integration into the Euro-Atlantic area, being the main element of
stability in the region.
Switches to English Again, I would like to welcome the
secretary-general here. I think we are bringing, getting closer to
NATO. Switches back to Georgian We are truly getting closer to
NATO. Do not ask when, whether in one, two or three years, because you
will certainly not get an answer to this question. It would be
inappropriate. But it will be much quicker than many people expect.
And it is possible I will still be in office when this happens.
“Long and winding road” to NATO membership
De Hoop Scheffer, in English Thank you. It gives me great pleasure to
be here. The president made one mistake: We have met four times,
because the president forgot Davos where we met for the first
time. But, I guess we – all jokes apart – it’s a great pleasure to be
here in Georgia, to be back in Georgia, I can say, for the first time
in my new capacity as NATO Secretary-General.
As you know, the NATO summit in Istanbul at the end of June decided to
focus on the Caucasus and Central Asia. In the meantime, I have
nominated a special representative for the Caucasus and Central
Asia. You see him there, against the wall, it’s Mr Bob Simmons whom
you will see frequently in the region. And, on top of that, there will
also be a liaison officer who will first come to Tbilisi.
The president has already mentioned the very important Individual
Partnership Action Plan, the IPAP document which was accepted by the
NATO Council ten days ago. That marks, again, a very important moment
in the relationship between Georgia and NATO. And, as I discussed with
the president, it will now be a question of doing homework, as we say
in school, and seeing that everything which is in the IPAP will so be
implemented. And then NATO can assist Georgia in this respect, NATO
will assist Georgia.
NATO is, of course, ladies and gentlemen, very much sure of and
respects the territorial integrity of Georgia. NATO sincerely hopes
that solutions will be found for the problems, the political problems
in Georgia affecting this territorial integrity. NATO values and
respects Georgia’s participation in different peacekeeping operations,
as the president has already mentioned. And NATO follows, of course,
with great interest – and this is also in the IPAP – the fundamental
defence restructuring Georgia has entered into.
I am a realist and I am an optimist. I’m a realist because I know that
– if we discuss Georgia’s NATO membership – this will be a difficult
and long and winding road. But I am optimistic as well because I see
an enormous drive in Georgia, with the government and with the
Georgian people, to fulfil the ambitions Georgia has vis-a-vis
Euro-Atlantic integration. This is exactly what the heads of state and
government of NATO said in the communique in Istanbul at the end of
June.
So, it was a great pleasure to speak to the president. I know how
committed he is to the other vital elements of the North Atlantic
alliance since its birth, and that is human values, human rights, and
respect for democracy. Because, let me make it very clear, I’ve not
come here and NATO hasn’t come here to compete with any other country
or to compete with any other organization. I’ve come here because NATO
has an open door for any nation, including Georgia, who wants to share
and defend those same values which have always been at the core of
NATO. So, I end by saying: Let’s get to work on the IPAP. Thank you
very much.
President Bush’s re-election
Question, in English Natia Goksadze, Mze TV company. First of all,
thank you Mr Scheffer, you gave an exclusive interview to us
yesterday.
My first question to our president: How would you congratulate Mr
George Bush on his victory?
Saakashvili, in English I am going to call President Bush tonight and
congratulate him personally, but I have to underline that for us this
victory was important. He is a man of great principles and of great
understanding of complicated issues in our region and a personality
without whom fight against terrorism in this part of the world would
have hardly been possible.
Georgia has agreed to dramatically increase our presence in Iraq, to
take part in the UN protection mission. This is our contribution to
the fight initiated by President Bush against international terrorism
and against infiltration of all kinds of illegal activities in our
region. And I believe that President Bush, with respect to Georgia and
with respect to many other countries in this region, has very reliable
coalition partners. Certainly, these coalition partners, we are
rejoiced to see the re-election of the US president because we have
always found him also to be a very good partner and a very
understanding man, and very sophisticated one on the issues of the
region. That’s my response.
Relations with Russia
Question, in English TV company Rustavi-2. Mr Secretary-General, Mr
President, Georgia has now its IPAP programme with NATO and this
programme includes the normalization of relations with Russia. How can
NATO assist Georgia to make Russia, push Russia to fulfil its
agreements? I mean the agreements in Istanbul from 1999, I mean make
Russia withdraw its military bases from Georgia.
De Hoop Scheffer, in English There can be no doubt that Russia has to
fulfill fully the commitments Russia entered into in 1999 in
Istanbul. NATO has a good relationship with the Russian Federation,
and the Russian Federation is very well informed about the NATO
position as I am stating it now. And, of course short break in
reception I very much hope that in the talks between the Russian
Federation and Georgia a solution will be found for these bases and
for these problems but, let’s say, the fundamental opinion cannot be
any other than that Russia has to fulfill the Istanbul commitments.
Saakashvili, in English That’s exactly the case where our position has
not changed. I mean we are firm. switches to Georgian It is quite
clear that all the treaties that have been concluded have to be
fulfilled by Russia and Georgia. We are ready to make very many
compromises with Russia but not a single compromise will be to the
detriment of Georgian territorial integrity, Georgian independence and
freedom of choice for the Georgian people, the population of Georgia,
all its ethnic groups. If someone has hopes that some kind of pressure
will make Georgia change its fundamental course, these hopes will not
be realized. But, at the same time, our fundamental course envisages
good relations with Russia as well.
No specific timescale for accession to NATO
Question, in English Giorgi Kepuladze, TV company Imedi. I have two
questions, two small questions to Mr Secretary-General. If Georgia
successfully fulfils IPAP, will we get MAP Membership Action Plan ,
for example, to 2006, the next NATO summit as heard ? One more
question –
Unidentified person, in English Unfortunately we don’t have time for
more questions.
De Hoop Scheffer, in English OK, let me just say that I entirely agree
with what the president has just said. I’m not going to give dates. By
the way, I don’t know there will be a NATO summit in 2006. I’m not
going to give dates because dates will, let’s say, deviate our
attention from what should be done now, make IPAP into a success. And
I talked about Georgia’s ambition and I know there is a tremendous
ambition and drive in the government and in society to make it work,
and NATO will assist and will help to make it work.
Unidentified person, in English Mr Scheffer, there is one more
question from the BBC, just the last question.
Question, in English Secretary-General, very briefly, can you just
reflect a little bit on what you hope to get out from your trip to the
Caucasus in general?
De Hoop Scheffer, in English First of all, as I said, bringing into
practice what the heads of state and government of NATO decided in
Istanbul. That means a focus on the region. And now in Georgia,
focusing on Georgia’s ambitions, focusing on IPAP, focusing on the
reforms in Georgia, defence restructuring. I mentioned them in other
answers. I’ll go to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well in the coming days,
tomorrow in fact, to see where they are in their relationship with
NATO, where they want to be in their relationship with NATO. Do not
forget every sovereign country is of course fully sovereign in
deciding itself where it wants to go vis-a-vis NATO. Some countries
have more ambition than others. I want to focus on this region, like
two weeks ago I was in Central Asia, because these regions
matter. These regions matter, they are of strategic importance, so
Georgia matters to NATO.
And on 9 December we’ll have a ministerial meeting of the EAPC, the
Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, and you can see my trip, of course,
also as a preparation for this ministerial meeting in Brussels.

Azeri defence minister, Finnish envoy discuss military cooperation
Trend news agency
4 Nov 04
Baku, 4 November: Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with Finland in the
military field, Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev said at a
meeting with Finnish ambassador in Baku Terhi Hakala on 4 November,
the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry press service reported.
In his opinion, the level of relations between the two countries needs
to be raised. “I believe that Azerbaijan and Finland will cooperate
even closer in the future,” the minister said.
Hakala believes that good relations have been established between the
two countries and the political dialogue is continuing. She expressed
the desire of the Finnish side to develop relations with Azerbaijan in
the economic and military fields. The diplomat noted that Finland,
being a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, is engaged in peacekeeping
activity and this brings the country closer to Azerbaijan.
Abiyev stressed that all international organizations should carry out
explanatory work with Armenia and convince it to give up its
occupational policy. Otherwise, Azerbaijan will be forced to liberate
its lands by other means, he concluded.

Fresno State News, CA
Nov. 4, 2004

Contemporary Armenian Music Concert to be Presented Dec. 5
Award-winning composer and musician Robert Amirkhanian will present a
concert of his contemporary Armenian music, accompanied by vocalist
Seda Amirkarayan Sargsyan, on Sunday, Dec. 5, at California State
University, Fresno.
The concert will be held at 4 p.m. in the Music Building Concert Hall.
It is sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State.
Amirkhanian entered the professional musical world in the mid-1960’s
and soon became an acknowledged master of the vocal-instrumental genre.
He is head of the Composers’ Union of Armenia and chair of the
Department of Music Theory at the Komitas Conservatory of Music in
Yerevan.
Vocal accompanist Sargsyan, a graduate of the Komitas Conservatory, has
performed in concerts in Armenia, Russia, Lebanon, the United States
and elsewhere.

Interfax
Nov. 4, 2004
Yerevan to expand military cooperation with Washington
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Military cooperation between the United States
and Armenia will expand regardless of the outcome of the presidential
elections in America, Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian said
taking questions from journalists in Yerevan on Wednesday.
“Our cooperation with the United States has been developing and
expanding, and we will continue to follow this way,” the minister said.
He pointed out that the U.S. and NATO announced South Caucasus an area
of their strategic interests.
At the same time, Armenia is not seeking to join NATO now, and its
cooperation with the U.S. and the Alliance is not aimed at replacing
Russian-Armenian military-strategic partnership, he said.

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Nov. 4, 2004
UN to discuss Upper Garabagh conflict

The United Nations has considered the request submitted by the
permanent representative of Azerbaijan to include a provision on the
situation with the occupied Azerbaijani lands into the agenda of its
December session. The UN General Assembly approved putting the issue on
discussion by 42 votes, 2 against (including Armenia), with 99 members
abstaining.
Azerbaijan stated that the ongoing conflict has led to the occupation
of a considerable portion of the country’s territories and ousting a
great a number of people from their homes, and inflicted serious damage
to the Azeri economy. The document submitted by Azerbaijan says that
‘the actions by the OSCE Minsk Group dealing with the Upper Garabagh
problem have not yielded any results,
as illegal activity is going on in these territories, notably,
Armenians are being settled there in order to artificially alter the
demographic situation’.
A representative of France, speaking on behalf the OSCE MG, which also
includes USA and Russia, said that due to the efforts of the Minsk
group, the parties are engaged in talks, and proposed to continue
working in this direction. Stating the OSCE MG position on Azerbaijan’s
proposal to include the mentioned issue into the meeting agenda, he
said this may negatively affect the efforts aimed at settling the
conflict.
Commenting on the issue, Russian Foreign Ministry officials stated that
consideration of the Upper Garabagh conflict at the meeting will not
positively influence peace talks.
“Russia abstained from voting, along with the other OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs. We believe that consideration of the issue at the UN General
Assembly session, along with the OSCE, is not likely to favorably
affect the process of negotiations”, the same source said and added
that the results of the vote indicate that most of international
community adhere to the same position.

Interfax
Nov. 4, 2004
NATO nations discussing assistance programs to Transcaucasian armies
Tbilisi. (Interfax-AVN) – A two-day conference aimed at discussing
capabilities of NATO member nations to provide military aid to
Transcaucasian states opened in Tbilisi on Thursday.
The conference is very important for development of the Georgian,
Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces, because it will work out
specific programs of assistance from NATO member nations, Nikolai
Janjgava, spokesman for the Georgian General Staff, told reporters.
“In particular, the conference will make decisions on the shape of
programs of material and technical assistance to Georgia, various
instructional and training courses,” Janjgava said.
A spokesman for the Georgian Defense Ministry told Interfax-AVN that
two conferences of this kind have been held before. They took place in
Estonia and Germany.