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06/15/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Karabagh Tops Talks between Oskanian, Powell 2) EU Includes South Caucasus Countries in Neighborhood Policy 3) Congressmen Schiff, Radanovich Seek Committee Hearing on Armenian Victims Insurance Fairness Act 4) World Bank Extends $24 Million to Support Armenia Reforms 5) Gul Presents Turkey's Vision for Karabagh at Islamic Conference 1) Karabagh Tops Talks between Oskanian, Powell YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Armenia's Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and other top officials on Monday to discuss the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, during Oskanian's visit to Washington. Commenting on the meeting, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher noted that Oskanian and Powell "discussed progress towards settlement of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict." "They also discussed the possibilities for improving relations between Turkey and Armenia and Armenia's prospects for receiving funds under the Millennium Challenge Account," Boucher added. "We also understand that Foreign Minister Oskanian is meeting today with Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Beth Jones, to go into some of these issues in more detail." Oskanian was also due to meet with national security adviser Condoleeza Rice, and senior Pentagon officials. Armenian government officials have rarely held such high-level talks in the US capital in recent year. The meeting comes in advance of the June 21 Prague meeting between Oskanian and Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov. The two men have met twice in recent weeks under the auspices of the OSCE's Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia, and France. They have both issued cautiously optimistic statements, with Mamedyarov saying late last month that the peace talks are "intensifying" after a period of stagnation. Oskanian's trip to Washington follows an unexpected visit to Yerevan on June 3 by Steven Mann, America's chief Karabagh negotiator. 2) EU Includes South Caucasus Countries in Neighborhood Policy BRUSSELS (Armenpress/EurActiv.com)--The European Union (EU) this week formally included Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in its European Neighborhood Policy (ENP). The move does not open the door to EU membershipofficials studiously avoid speculation, saying simply membership is "not on the agenda." However, the new neighborhood initiative could, over the next decades, lead to free trade, substantial aid grants, and extensive political dialogue with the EU. EU foreign ministers hailed the decision--passed by EU's External Relations Council in Luxembourg on June 14--as a "significant step forward in the Union's engagement with this region." The ENP's goal is to create circumstances that will allow Europe and its neighboring countries to "share the benefits of an enlarged EU." Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia will be given equal opportunity to develop links with the EU, and be allowed to submit Action Plans aimed at bolstering reforms. The plans, which must last a minimum of three years and promote regional cooperation, will be assessed based on individual merits, and in conformity to general ENP policy. The EU also identified Russia as a key partner in the bloc's new strategy of upgrading political and economic relations with its neighbors. 3) Congressmen Schiff, Radanovich Seek Committee Hearing on Armenian Victims Insurance Fairness Act WASHINGTON, DCCalifornia Congressmen Adam Schiff and George Radanovich have formally requested a committee hearing on the Armenian Victims Insurance Fairness Act (HR 3323). The bill would allow states to require insurance companies to disclose the identity of Genocide-era insurance policy holders. Unable to access necessary documents, many victims and their families are still unable to collect benefits owed to them. The Armenian Bar Association endorsed the legislation in April. "It is important for Congress to speak clearly on this issue so that states are permitted to act if they so choose," Congressmen Schiff and Radanovich wrote in their letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Michael G. Oxley, requesting the hearing. "Private settlement negotiations between insurance companies and families have been slow with no final resolutions reached to date. Families should not have to wait any longer for disclosure of policyholder lists." Customarily, a committee hearing on a bill is the first step followed by the committee's votes on the legislation at a later date. 4) World Bank Extends $24 Million to Support Armenia Reforms WASHINGTON, DC-- More than 22 million dollars will be extended to the Armenian Water and Sewage Company to implement its Municipal Water and Wastewater Project. The allocation will come from a Development Credit Agreement between the Government of Armenia and the World Bank's International Development Association, signed on June 14 by Armenia's Ambassador to the US Dr. Arman Kirakossian, and World Bank's Resident Representative in Armenia Roger Robinson. Armenia's water utility has undergone fundamental reforms for more than four years, and the World Bank credit is expected to advance greater reforms. Also signed was a Development Credit Agreement, which will allocate a supplemental $1.75 million to Armenia's ongoing Agricultural Reforms Support Program. During the signing ceremony, Robinson praised the Armenian government for its cooperation in implementing the World Bank programs. Ambassador Kirakossian said that by way of its expertise and financing since the reestablishment of independence in Armenia, the World Bank has helped the Government in its effort to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth. 5) Gul Presents Turkey's Vision for Karabagh at Islamic Conference ISTANBUL (Anadolu Agency)--Speaking at the 31st session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul on Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stressed that the Azeri-Armenian conflict still stands as one of the principle obstacles to regional stability, prosperity, and cooperation in the South Caucasus. "The time has come to find a peaceful solution to this conflict [while] maintaining the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories has to be brought to an end. This is in the interest of the regional countries as well as the international community. Turkey is ready to play its role in settling this issue." Commenting on the Cyprus issue, Gul noted that it is time for the international community to give full backing to the Turkish Cypriots by engaging in direct economic, commercial, social and cultural contact. "The EU and the United States have already taken some steps with a view to putting an end to the isolation of Turkish Cypriots," Gul said, urging the Islamic World to also extend full support to Turkish Cypriot "Muslim Brothers." All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.