MONUMENT TO POWS MAY BE ERECTED IN YEREVAN
ArmenPress
May 20 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS: A monument, dedicated to POWs from nations
that allied with the fascist Germany during World War II and who were
brought to Armenia to work here after the war, may soon be erected
in Yerevan.
The monument that may be set up at the end of central Abovyan street,
has been initiated by Alexan Avanesian, who is the chairman of the
Union of Armenians in Hungary. He told Armenpress that the idea was
supported by Hungary’s defense and foreign affairs ministries and
Hay Azg (Armenian Nation) Union, which promised to provide funds to
that end.
Avanesian said a monument to Armenian soldiers killed in the liberation
of Hungary from fascism was built in 2000 in Budapest. “I think that
Armenians whose beloved are buried in Hungary will come and put flowers
at this monument, as they cannot afford traveling to Hungary often,”
he said, adding that around 500 Hungarian POWs were brought to Armenia
after WW II, who worked in Armenian Spitak and Sevan.
If nothing prevents the idea from materialization the monument may
be erected in several months.

5,000 DRAMS BANKNOTES ISSUED IN 1995 REMAIN LEGAL TENDER
ArmenPress
May 20 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS: In response to numerous complaints
of citizens that trade and service outlets refuse to accept 5,000
Drams bank notes, issued in 1995 on grounds that they are no longer
deemed legal tender, the Central bank announced today that all
such banknotes are legal tender across Armenia and are subject to
obligatory acceptance by all trading and other outlets in return for
goods and services.
The Bank said outlets refusing to take these banknotes will be subject
to penalties, envisaged by the law.

PRESIDENT ESTABLISHES THREE CHALLENGE PRIZES FOR PROMOTING SPORTS
ArmenPress
May 20 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert Kocharian
has established three challenge prizes, which will be awarded to the
best athletic community, the best athletic neighborhood and the best
athletic family. Kocharian’s press office said the goal of prizes
is to promote development of sports and physical training by central
and local administrations and creation of favorable conditions for it.
The winners will be decided by a government-affiliated committee on
sports and physical culture.

Gul In Moscow
There Have Been Worrying Developments In Palestine
Anadolu Agency
5/20/2004
MOSCOW – Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah
Gul has said there had recently been worrying developments in
Palestine, adding, “incidents there have been developing in a way
that worries whole world.”
Following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in
Moscow where he had arrived under his meetings with the Middle East
Quartet (formed by European Union, United Nations, Russia and United
States) on the issue of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
Ministers Delegation’s Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Gul answered
Turkish reporters’ questions.
Noting that OIC’s meeting with Russia was occurring during an important
period, Gul said that important incidents had happened in Palestine
especially in last few weeks and in last few days.
“These are really worrying incidents and they have been developing in
a way that worries the whole region and the world. The latest policy
of Israel was condemned by the UN Security Council yesterday,” he said.
Stating that OIC wanted the problem to end peacefully, Gul said,
“as the Middle East Quartet said in its statements the day before,
both sides should act under framework of the road map. Israel should
stop use of force against civilians and innocent people, besides it the
policy of destroying homes should end. Any attempt that would split the
sides by building wall should be prevented and it should withdraw from
the territories it occupied under the UN Security Council resolutions.”
Noting that also Israel’s security and safety in the region should
be provided, Gul said, “these are important issues. I am here to talk
about these issues. With this respect I want to say that there will be
a session on Iraq issue in the Turkish parliament on next Tuesday. I
am thinking of directly bringing also the issues related to Palestine
and Middle East problem.”
Gul said that he had expressed his opinions about Cyprus to UN
Security Council permanent representative Russia and they had discussed
bilateral economic and political issues under his meetings in Moscow.
Stating that he had asked Lavrov to immediately lift economic embargo
on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), immediately start
direct flights to the TRNC and remove obstacles that prevent vessels
carrying tourists and cargo from stopping by the TRNC, Gul said that
there would be concrete developments in line with the report that UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan would present to the UN Security Council.
Stating that Russia requested observer status in the OIC but there was
not such a status, Gul said that OIC’s regulations would be reviewed
at meeting in Istanbul and studies would start on granting Russia
such a status.
Replying to a question about Russia’s stance towards the Cyprus issue,
Gul said, “it is real that relations between Turkey and Russia have
been improving. Mr. President Putin proved it with multi-dimensional
partnership. Everything should enhance properly and appropriately to
this, of course.”
“While all relations are enhancing and getting deeper, common
opinions should emerge on regional issues and other problems and
Russia should review its policies, of course. Undoubtedly, these are
our expectations. However, we have to hold close consultations to
make these happen. We have to explain our issues in detail. We have
to clearly put forward our reasons. And it is what I am doing today,”
he said.
Stating that Lavrov had clearly told him that they supported lifting of
embargoes, establishment of commercial relations and lifting economic
isolation of the Turkish Cypriot side, which was the right thing,
Gul said, “they say that efforts could be exerted for a solution
in the future and everything should happen under the UN framework
and Annan’s plan should be taken as the basis. However, they say it
would be right to lift economic isolation. They clearly said that
they would not create any obstacle in front of Russian companies’
relations with the Turkish Cypriot side.”
Replying to a question, Gul said that opening of Turkish-Armenian
border could be possible only after Armenia withdrew from the
territories it occupied.
Asked about the Armenian President’s decision on not participating in
the NATO summit in Istanbul, Gul said, “it is a NATO meeting. Armenia
has a representation in Istanbul under the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation Organization. Should Armenia close it, too? I suppose
that it was a statement that targeted domestic politics.”
Asked whether Turkey had “plan B” in case the EU would not set a date
for opening of accession talks at its summit in December, Gul said,
“we don’t have such a plan. We all think of opening of negotiations
in December.”
“Besides, decision on opening of negotiations with Turkey was made
in 2002. At that summit, the decision was made and it was said that
negotiations with Turkey would immediately start in December of 2004
if it fulfilled political criteria,” Gul added.

Russian, Armenian defence ministers to discuss mil cooperation
By Tigran Liloyan
Itar-Tass, Russia
May 20 2004
YEREVAN, May 20 — Russian Acting Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov’s
two-day working visit to Armenia that will begin on Thursday will
focus on Russian-Armenian military cooperation issues.
Ivanov will have talks with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisyan,
and they are expected to sign joint documents.
The two ministers will discuss developing Russian-Armenian relations in
the area of military and technical military cooperation and exchange
views on military issues, including ensuring regional security,
the Armenian Defence Ministry’s press secretary Seiran Shakhsuvaryan
told Itar-Tass.
Russian-Armenian military cooperation is considered the most advanced
area in bilateral relations.
The Russian military base in Armenia is believed to be one of the
most important constituent parts of Armenia’s national security.
The Russian Defence Minister on Friday will chair a meeting of the
CIS defence minister council.
Among the main issues on the agenda are development and supporting
of combat readiness of the CIS united air-defence system.
The meeting will discuss a draft programme for ensuring comprehensive
resistance of CIS countries to air attack forces and means.

Russian defence minister to visit Armenia
By Alexander Konovalov
Itar-Tass, Russia
May 20 2004
MOSCOW, May 20 — Russian Acting Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov will
leave for Armenia on Thursday for a two-day working visit.
After arriving in Yerevan, the minister will have talks with his
counterpart Serzh Sarkisyan to discuss prospects for development of the
military and technical military cooperation between Russia and Armenia,
including deliveries of Russian military machinery and weapons and
forming of a Russian-Armenian regional military unit similar to that
being formed by Moscow and Minsk, a Russian Defence Ministry source
told Itar-Tass.
The two ministers will also discuss international and regional
security issues, including the situation in Iraq, the Middle East,
Afghanistan and the Caucasus.
Ivanov will participate in the meeting of the CIS defence minister
council on May 21.
There are 20 issues on the meeting agenda, including development of
the CIS united air-defence system, joint exercises and cooperation
to prevent proliferation of mass destruction weapons.
The same day, the Russian minister will have a series of bilateral
meetings with CIS counterparts.
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is expected to receive the meeting
participants.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 20, 2004
___________________
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ASKS FOR INTERVENTION IN SUDAN
Joining efforts by the U.S. government, the United Nations, and a
variety of international aid organizations to stop the violence in
Sudan before it becomes genocide, the National Council of Churches
(NCC) this week issued a call for intervention in the troubled region.
During its meeting in Chicago, the NCC’s executive board passed a
resolution on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, urging member churches to push
for cessation of the apparent attempt at ethnic cleansing in the
Darfur region of western Sudan.
The violence has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and
displaced a million people.
A NEW GENOCIDE?
The year-long battle in the Darfur region is being propagated by the
majority Arab population which controls most of the nation’s wealth
and power. U.N. officials report a systematic attempt to rid the
Darfur region of non-Arab residents.
News reports tell of bombings from government airplanes followed by an
invasion by the Jinjaweit — a government-backed nomadic Arab tribe
which has been promised the land in Darfur — who are using rape,
killings, and arson to force the surviving black residents to leave.
Those able to flee the Sudan — which was recently elected to a
three-year term on the U.N. Human Rights Commission — have been
pouring into neighboring Chad, where food, water, and shelter are
growing scarce. American officials have unsuccessfully called on
Sudan to allow humanitarian aid to flow into the Darfur area.
“My family is victim of the first genocide of the 20th century,” said
Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and a member of the NCC
executive board. “I am very much concerned when I see that people in
other nations now are being massacred as well, simply because they
are black. Ten years ago, in Rwanda, in front of the civilized world,
one million people were slaughtered. The same thing is happening now
in Sudan. The NCC must take this very seriously and do something.”
The first NCC resolution dealing with the Sudan was approved in 2002.
This recent resolution “affirms and extends” the calls to action made
in the earlier statement of the NCC Executive Board — an 80 member
body representing leaders from the NCC’s 36 Protestant, Orthodox,
and Anglican member churches.
— 5/20/04
# # #

IRAN SEEKS ENERGY COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA
IPR Strategic Business Information Database
May 20, 2004
According to “Tehran Times”, a member of Sadid Saba Nirou Company’s
board of directors stated that Energy Ministry sought more cooperation
with Armenia in the field of wind energy. Shahram Aminian said that
Iran was capable of exporting technical know-how to neighboring
countries. He noted that Iran – Armenia negotiations in this regard
had not been finalized, but the Energy Ministry is following up the
issue. The official said Iran enjoyed technical know-how to build
wind turbines and was capable of exported relevant services to other
countries.

RINGSIDE; ABELYAN LETS RIP AT SCOTT
BY JIM BLACK
The Express
May 20, 2004
ARMENIAN William Abelyan went on the attack yesterday when he launched
a fresh verbal assault on WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison.
Abelyan is fired up after reading that Harrison plans to give him a
“hammering” when he bids to dethrone the title holder at Braehead
Arena on June 19.
Abelyan, who also had plenty to say prior to the enforced postponement
of the pair’s planned showdown in March, claims Harrison is all mouth
and is running scared.
“Harrison’s got a big mouth and I am going to shut it for him, ” vowed
Abelyan. “The boxing ring is my house and Harrison is not welcome.
“I’ve read what he’s been saying and he’s talking a lot of garbage.
He’s scared and that’s why he’s talking big. But we’ll see if he’s
talking just as big when he’s face-to-face with me.”
Fight bosses are praying it’s third time lucky after 26-year-old
Harrison also suffered a training injury, forcing promoters Sports
Network to scrap a second date on May 29.
But Abelyan insists he’s not fazed by the delay, adding that he
intends returning to his homeland for the first time in 16 years as
world champion.
“The reason I have not been back since moving to California at the
age of nine is because I wanted to achieve something special first,
” said Abelyan.
“I want the world title more than money and I will return to Armenia
as a hero and as the first champion to come out of the country.
“I’m ready to fight Harrison right now. If my handlers told me that
we were going to Scotland tomorrow I would jump straight onto the
plane because I have never been more up for a fight than this one.”
But Harrison, who has been receiving treatment for a damaged bicep
in his left arm sustained while doing pull-ups, has warned Abelyan
he is facing ring heartbreak.
“Abelyan is standing in my way and he will be removed, ” he said.
“The fact that he is mouthing off yet again tells me that he isn’t
very confident. He’s trying to talk himself up by sounding good.”
Meanwhile, Scottish amateur boxing has lost one of its staunchest
supporters following the death of David Jackson.
A former Scottish champion, David, who was in his early 70s, was both
a trainer and promoter and ran a number of shows at the Kelvin Hall.
He was also a highly respected European referee.
His funeral will be held at St Bridget’s Church, Baillieston at
9.30am tomorrow.

Armenia turns to Cyprus as bridge to E.U.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
May 20, 2004, Thursday
NICOSIA — Cyprus can act as a bridge between the European Union and
its neighbours, including Armenia, Parliament President Demitris
Christofias said Thursday after a meeting with Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian, on a working visit to the island.
Christofias said they discussed the latest developments in Cyprus as
well as the prospect of enhanced bilateral cooperation.
“Friendly relations, development of economic and cultural exchanges,
when accompanied by practical steps, become more solid,” said
Christofias.
“In future, we will focus on economic cooperation. There are no
political differences between our two countries. Just the opposite, we
have a lot in common on the resolution of conflicts and regional peace
and stability so we will continue to work together in international
organisations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oskanian also discussed Cyprus’ accession to the E.U.,
the problems in the Caucasus and the issue of Nakorno Karabakh with
his Cyprus counterpart George Iacovou.
He said “we see Cyprus as a friendly country, as an insider in the
E.U. and we can rely on its help to further advance our integration
processes with European structures and particularly with the E.U.”
Iacovou referred to the presence of an Armenian community in Cyprus
that is active in the economic, social and political life of the
country.
Oskanian said he listened to the explanation of the Cypriot minister
about the the U.N. unification plan and the reasons the Greek Cypriot
community rejected it in a referendum on April 24.
“We’ve also talked about other regional matters, particularly Armenia’s
relations with its neighbours, Turkey in particular,” he noted, adding
“as a goal before us we have the normalisation of ties between Armenia
and Turkey.” dpa mdp bg