ASBAREZ Online [04-20-2004]

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04/20/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Opposition Moves Strengthen Coalition Says Kocharian 2) Russian Mediator Says Prague Meeting Raises Optimism 3) Ghulian Tells Mann Karabagh Must Be Active Participant 4) US Envoy Meets Armenian Opposition Leaders 5) Holy Mass and Requiem Service in Memory of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide 1) Opposition Moves Strengthen Coalition Says Kocharian YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Meeting with reporters at the National Picture Gallery on Tuesday, President Robert Kocharian dismissed allegations that he plans to disband parliament and appoint a new cabinet. "I can say for certain that I do not have such intentions," Kocharian told reporters. "We are able to work effectively with this political team. We are going to work together at least until the next parliamentary elections, which is for three more years." He pointed to the absurdity of such assertions especially when considering Armenia's economic growth and smooth implementation of the national budget. "Dissolution of a government that provides economic growth is nonsense," he said. Rumors of internal dissentions emerged last week when coalition government members, in a joint statement, announced they would not be attending parliament sessions, so as to avoid possible clashes between their supporters and the opposition crowd. Referring to those rumors, Kocharian insisted that the governing coalition partners have not boycotted parliament sessions, and plan to resume work next week. "The previous session did not take place because of the demonstration and threats specifically addressed to the parliament." He suggested that the coalition has even strengthened and begun to work more effectively, in having to face the opposition. "The concept of having to work within a coalition has not yet developed in our country; this [was perhaps] the incentive necessary for the political forces in the coalition to work more closely and in a coordinated manner." Asked about the opposition's pledge to continue to seek his resignation, he said that as long as the opposition organizes its meetings and demonstrations without closing the streets and without unlawful actions, they are allowed to do so. He cautioned that though it is natural for the opposition to seek to replace those in power, it is also natural for the leadership of any country, to take steps to provide stability. "We are doing our job; we have done it, and will continue doing it, while the opposition shirks its duties in parliament, and gathers meetings in the streets." 2) Russian Mediator Says Prague Meeting Raises Optimism YEREVAN (Armenpress)--The Russian co-chairman of the Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov, told Azeri ATV that new ideas on resolving the Mountainous Karabagh conflict were put forth during the meeting between Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian and his new Azeri counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov. The meeting which took place in Prague was mediated by the US, Russian, and French co-chairs of the Minsk Group, which spearheads the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe's (OSCE) efforts to find a political solution to this conflict. Merzlyakov called the meeting "useful," and disclosed that the co-chairmen presented fresh ideas and suggestions on how to end the conflict. Merzlyakov also said that the Prague meeting has roused certain optimism about future prospects fore a settlement--a sentiment shared by the foreign ministers of the countries, who conferred they were satisfied with the meeting. The group's co-chairman, along with Oskanian and Mamedyarov, will be drafting a joint statement on the results of their latest meeting to present to the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. "The new venue of the meeting can be decided only after the presidents of the two countries are fully informed about the Prague meeting," Merzlyakov said. According to the Baku-based 525 Gazet, Mamedyarov said that the Prague meeting's end result was to set a tentative agreement to meet again next month, and that the meeting did not discuss the new proposals put forth by the mediators. 3) Ghulian Tells Mann Karabagh Must Be Active Participant YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Mountainous Karabagh Republic's (MKR) Foreign Minister Ashot Ghulian and the new American co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk group Steven Mann met on April 19 at the MKR permanent representation in Yerevan. In presenting MKR's official position on regulating the conflict, Ghulian stressed that Karabagh, as a side to the conflict, must directly participate in peace talks. Ghulian also summarized the economic and political situation of the country. Mann confirmed the determination of the US to continue the regulation process, working within the framework of OSCE Minsk group. Mann's next visit will include meetings in Stepanakert with MKR authorities. 4) US Envoy Meets Armenian Opposition Leaders YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--US Ambassador John Ordway met on Tuesday with the two most senior leaders of Armenia's opposition, but did not comment on his separate meetings with Stepan Demirchian of the Artarutyun alliance and Artashes Geghamian of the National Unity Party (AMK). Demirchian and Geghamian did not provide details either. Geghamian said only that both the United States and the European Union would like to see a peaceful end to the Armenian political crisis. "The ambassadors of both the United States and the European Union are calling for all contentious issues to be resolved through negotiations," he said. The US State Department urged both sides last week to embark on a "dialogue." Anther opposition rally is planed for Wednesday in Yerevan. 5) Holy Mass and Requiem Service in Memory of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide On the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Armenians all over the world will commemorate the tragic events, and will attend church services to exalt the sacred memory of our martyrs. On this occasion, a special requiem service will be held on Saturday, April 24, at St. Mary's Apostolic Church in Glendale with the participation of the spiritual leadership of the three Armenian religious denominations in the Western United States. The ceremony will be held under the auspices of the Prelate His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Very Rev. Vrouyr Demirjian, the Pastor of Forty Martyrs Church will conduct the Holy Mass. Very Rev. Rafael Minassian, the spiritual leader of the Armenian Catholic Community in California, and Rev. Apraham Chaparian of the Armenian Evangelical Church will participate in the ceremony. Also present will be the spiritual leaders of sister Churches who will deliver their word of blessing. After the 9:30 AM Holy Mass, a requiem service will be held in the churchyard, in front of the monument dedicated to the 1.5 million victims of the Genocide. His Eminence the Prelate will deliver his message during the ceremony. 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.