Author: admin

BOSTON FILM FESTIVAL
By Janice Page, Globe Correspondent | September 16, 2004

Boston Globe, MA
Sept 16 2004

[parts omitted]

‘Germany and the Secret Genocide’ One and a half million citizens of
the Ottoman Empire were exterminated between 1915 and 1923 during
the Armenian Genocide, and it’s the position of this J. Michael
Hogopian-directed documentary that Germany bears substantial
responsibility — if not for the Turkish government-ordered killings,
then at least for their coverup. Hogopian’s collection of evidence
seems well-researched and historically important. Unfortunately,
it’s more academic case-building than anything else.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATO cancels exercises in Baku

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 16 2004

NATO Supreme Command has decided to cancel the long-planned exercise
in Baku hours before it was due to start on Tuesday after Azerbaijan’s
authorities refused to allow officers from Armenia to participate. The
alliance spokesman in Brussels said in a written

statement that the exercises were called off due to the non-observance
to the principle of “inclusiveness” for all allies and partners,
under which all NATO exercises are conducted. The announcement
came after a wave of protests over the weekend in Baku against the
Armenian officers’ intended participation in the two-week exercises,
entitled Cooperative Best Effort. President Ilham Aliyev said last
week he opposed the Armenian officers’ visit and was taking necessary
measures to prevent it.

“There is hardly anyone in Azerbaijan who would accept Armenian
officers’ visiting the country. I therefore object to their arrival in
Azerbaijan. Armenia has occupied our land and violated Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Only after this aggression ends can our
relations become normal and conditions be created for journalists
and public figures to meet. Until the conflict is settled, any
communication is out of the question.” The United States has
criticized Azerbaijan for excluding Armenia from participation in
the exercises. The State Department said it supports NATO’s decision
to cancel the exercises and that it “deeply regrets” Azerbaijan’s
refusal not to issue visas for Armenian participants.

Public outcry

For the first time in many years, the Azerbaijani people share
unity of views. Regardless of party affiliation, positions or views,
the public has voiced a joint protest against the Armenian officers’
planned arrival. Garabagh Liberation Organization members, hundreds of
non-government organizations (NGOs), war veterans, and refugees held
numerous protest actions in Baku. Influential news media, including
independent ANS TV, expressed their protests by suspending broadcasts
for several hours. Over 10 newspapers voiced their indignation with
the Armenian officers’ planned visit by publishing their front pages
blank. Parliament members also expressed their protests with the
Armenian officers’ planned visit. Several MPs refused to attend a
parliament session last week in this connection. Defense Minister
Safar Abiyev said he strongly objects to Armenians’ intended arrival,
since there are no relations between the two countries. “Armenia
does not recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and would not
give up its territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and
Armenia have no diplomatic relations, therefore, participation of
Armenian military men in the exercises in Baku is inappropriate.” He
also mentioned that Azerbaijan refused to attend NATO exercises held
in Armenia last year. Caucasus clerical leader Sheikh Allahshukur
Pashazada also said that he opposes the Armenian officers’ visit. “I
do not support their arrival”, he said. With regard to the protest
actions conducted by the Azerbaijani public, Pashazada said that
“every citizen has rights and is entitled to using them”.

Opinion

Former Foreign Minister, political analyst Tofig Zulfugarov said such
a biased decision was made by NATO disregarding the real situation
in the region. He said that although this step was undesirable for
Azerbaijan, it gave some food for thought to those making decisions on
holding international events in Azerbaijan. “Azerbaijan is a victim
of aggression, and ignoring this is a mistake by the forces trying
to cover up the occupation of Azerbaijan’s land and the presence of
hundreds of thousands of refugees. I believe that NATO Secretary
General’s decision was erroneous.” Zulfugarov went on to say that
Azerbaijan’s refusal to allow Armenian officers to enter the country
is explained by the current situation in the region. The reaction of
the Azerbaijani public to a possible presence of Armenian citizens in
the country was natural, he said. “However, I believe this situation
will yield certain positive results to Azerbaijan, which has shown
a firm stance on the issue. This position should be considered by
NATO and other international entities in the future.” Nonetheless,
the political analyst did not rule out a future decline in relations
between Azerbaijan and NATO, in particular, the United States.

Concern

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday expressing its
concern with the cancellation of NATO’s “Cooperative Best Effort-2004”
exercises. Azerbaijan regards the exercises as an important step in
its integration into the Euro-Atlantic community and had created all
the suitable conditions to hold the exercises in Baku, the statement
says. The document also outlines the reasons for the Azeri public’s
protest against the planned visit by Armenian military men to Baku. “As
a result of Armenia’s aggression, 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory
was occupied and more than one million people became refugees and
internally displaced persons. The government of Armenia is taking
a non-constructive position in peace talks, therefore, the Armenian
officers’ participation in the exercises in Baku is impossible,” the
statement says. The statement also expressed Azerbaijan’s adherence
to Euro-Atlantic values and principles, its commitment to cooperation
with the North Atlantic Alliance, and a hope for further development
of long-term and fruitful partnership.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 16 2004

TRIPARTITE MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV AND
THE PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA ROBERT KOCHARYAN WITH PARTICIPATION OF THE
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN
[September 15, 2004, 16:32:08]

After the private meeting of two presidents, was held a tripartite
meeting of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President
of Armenia Robert Kocharyan with participation of the President of
Russia Vladimir Putin, correspondent of AzerTAj reported from Astana.

Having emphasized importance of carrying out of such meeting within
the framework of summit in Astana, President Vladimir Putin has told:
“It is very glad that presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia continue
the negotiations connected to settlement of this heavy problem. We
support these negotiations and bilateral meetings. And the main is
that both sides wish peace settlement of the conflict. I hope, that
the conducted negotiations will be productive. Though any result has
not been achieved yet, nevertheless, each meeting is a step forward.
It is confident, that leaders of both countries will come to the
common denominator. Irrespective of results of negotiations, the
today’s meeting is a step forward.

President Robert Kocharyan has told: “It is our second meeting. The
first had fact-finding character. The present meeting was enough
interesting, and the wide discussion connected to the conflict has
taken place. We have carried out a detailed exchange of opinions on
the certain moments”. Robert Kocharyan has told that informs about
it to the President of Russia in absence of journalists.

The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has thanked President of
Russia Vladimir Putin for the activity shown in the settlement of the
said question. The head of Azerbaijan State has told: “Russia as our
neighbor and the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, plays important role
in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. At
the present meeting, we have discussed the problem, had exchange of
opinions. We aspire to establishment of peace in our region. We hope,
that our further negotiations will be fruitful.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 16 2004

REPORT REFLECTING THE POSITION OF AZERBAIJAN FOCUSED AT PACE SESSION
[September 16, 2004, 13:11:17]

Regular sitting of Political Committee of Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe has taken place in headquarters of the Council
of Europe in Paris, 14 September, AzerTAj reported.

Members of Committee have discussed the new concepts of estimation
of the condition of the democratic development, the report under the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, connection between
Europe and the USA, position in Macedonia, the pact of stability in
Southeast Europe and other questions.

The report prepared in connection with the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, has caused hot discussions among deputies.
The English deputy Terry Davis, who started since September of this
year to work in the post of the Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, in detail informed the colleagues that in due time, during
his activity as the rapporteur, repeatedly visited the region for
detailed acquaintance with the problem, in detail talked not only
to heads of the state, politicians, but also representatives of the
public, has collected rich material and, at last, has prepared on
the said topic a report covering all spheres.

In the report, offered for discussion of deputies, completely have
found the reflection of the reason of occurrence and historical roots
of the conflict. In the report, it was emphasized that Armenia which is
putting forward territorial claims, occupied the lands of Azerbaijan
and has pursued in the occupied territories ethnic cleaning, that the
rights of more than one million Azerbaijan refugees and IDPs have been
breached, and that the aggressive state until now remains indifferent
to known resolutions of Security Council of the United Nations that
stipulates territorial integrity and sovereignty of each country,
on unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the
occupied Azerbaijan territories, and in activity of the Minsk Group
mediating in the peace settlement of the conflict while there is no
fundamental change, that for the prompt elimination of the problem
it is necessary to provide, first of all, territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, then it will be possible to raise the question about
status of Nagorny Karabakh, and the means allocated in the budget of
Armenia on military charges, much more than it is allocated for the
same sphere in Belgium, and it represents serious threat for region
of Southern Caucasus.

Deputies Asim Mollazadeh, Samad Seyidov, Daniel Gulle and Jose Durie
(France), Hanna Severinsson (Denmark), Andzey Vielovieysky (Poland),
David Atkinson (England) have emphasized in the remarks during
discussions, that Armenia conducting aggressive policy has occupied
not only Nagorny Karabakh, but also other Azerbaijan lands five
times surpassing it on territory, that activity of the Minsk Group
while remains ineffectual, and refugees and IDPs do not trust the
international organizations, that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
is recognized internationally, and granting to Nagorny Karabakh of
the status probably only under condition of inviolability of borders
of Azerbaijan, spoke about safety Armenians living there. It has been
marked also, that the report has a little bit compromise character.

Armenian deputies Tigran Torosyan and Armen Rustamyan, not receding
from the principle to blacken all and everything, began to prove that
Azerbaijan the first has untied war. A. Rustamyan, always distinguished
by his conservative statements, has gone further away, trying to impart
deputies the ideas that Azerbaijan, being guided by the positions
resulted in the report, will undertake new steps, even will untie war.

At discussion of the question on appointment of the new rapporteur in
connection with election of Mr. Terry Davis as the Secretary General,
participants of session have unanimously voted for nominee of candidate
David Atkinson.

The head of delegation Milli Majlis in PACE Samad Seyidov has
told: “The impressive part of the report submitted by Terry Davis
to Political Committee for discussion, reflects the position of
Azerbaijan. There were widely commented hard conditions of the refugees
and the facts of occupation of Azerbaijan territories, ethnic cleaning
by Armenia on the occupied territories, and the problem of one million
refugees and IDPs. But at the report, also there are moments, which
are not corresponding to Azerbaijan’s position. As a whole, I want to
note, that the report reflects our position. The new rapporteur is the
head of our democratic group David Atkinson. He should complete the
report and present it in the advanced form on forthcoming in January
of the next year of session for discussion of deputies. We trust, that
the substantive provisions found today the reflection in the report,
such questions as occupation of the Azerbaijan lands, territorial
integrity of our country, inviolability of its borders and others,
once again will find reflection in the report which will be submitted
to January session”.

Cancellation of exercises in Baku to hurt NATO-Azerbaijan relations – US ambassador

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 16 2004

Washington has expressed its regret with Azerbaijan’s refusal to
allow Armenian officers to attend NATO exercises in Baku.

The US ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish told journalists on
Wednesday that “this will somewhat negatively affect Azerbaijan’s
positions in the “Partnership for Peace” program”.

NATO administration decided to cancel the multi-national exercises
in Azerbaijan hours before they were due to start on September 14.

Shortly before the planned exercises, the opposition, public
organizations, the parliament of Azerbaijan voiced their protests
against the Armenian officers’ participation, reaffirming the fact
that Armenia occupies Azerbaijan’s territories.

Harnish mentioned that over the last year Azerbaijan had been making
preparations for the exercises and promised to resolve the problem
of Armenians’ participation in NATO exercises.*

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CIS leaders hope commonwealth reforms will yield good results
By Viktoria Sokolova

ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 16, 2004 Thursday

ASTANA, September 16 — CIS leaders said Thursday they were expecting
the proposed commonwealth reforms to be effective, ensuring, among
other things, implementation of the decisions made.

Commenting at the news conference on the program of reforms, proposed
by the Kazakh president, Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko noted
that “the CIS lags behind in its dynamics of the basic indicators
of activity.”

“The commonwealth leaders should decide within a year on the main
thing: what they want the CIS to be. Having answered this question,
it is necessary to begin reforms,” Lukashenko said.

He expressed the hope that “the overhauled CIS will be an organization
where decisions on the key issues will be made and where they will
be implemented.”

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan thinks that the main objective of
the reform is to preserve the bodies, which work, and make the rest
redundant. “I don’t doubt that the CIS has a potential,” Kocharyan
said.

“The main thing is that all the decisions we make be implemented,”
Ukrainian leader Leonid Kuchma stated.

Nursultan Nazarbayev said the CIS leaders had instructed the foreign
ministries to consider and make a final decision on the proposed
reforms within a year. The reforms then will be discussed by the
CIS leaders.

The reforms envision the setting up of the CIS Security Council
comprising the foreign ministers, the defense ministers, and the
heads of the border services and law-enforcement agencies.

The Council of foreign ministers will be preserved. It will control
the Security Council’s work.

The Security Council, to be chaired on rotational basis, will be
directly subordinate to the Council of CIS leaders.

Following CIS bodies will be dissolved: the Council of CIS defense
ministers, its secretariat, the headquarters for coordinating
military cooperation and the respective councils. In addition, the
reform proposes to eliminate the Economic Court and the Inter-State
Statistics Committee.

The CIS executive committee will cut its staff from 220 to 140. The
chairman will have two deputies, while the number of the Committee’s
departments will be reduced from nine to five.

The commonwealth will set up a council of representative under the
Security and Economic Councils at the level of ambassadors who are to
be appointed by the heads of states. It will abolish the institute
of envoys under the Economic Council and the Commission on Economic
Issues in Moscow, as well as a number of other CIS councils and bodies.

“I’d like to note,” Nazarbayev said, “that the heads of states showed
little respect for the bodies that had been set up, normally sending
to work there pensioners or people who needed to land a job. This
approach did not ensure effective work of our CIS secretariat.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
Sept 16 2004

The Head of Ra Parliament and Newly Appointed SAR Ambassador to
Armenia discuss perspectives of economic cooperation

RA Deputy Foreign Minister meets with representatives of Latvian
Defense Ministry

First meeting of Armenians of Europe to take place on Oct 18-19 in
Brussels

Political boycott cannot be considered a not valid reason by the
political structures

Armenia and Finland plan to activate cooperation in military and
economic spheres

The acknowledgement of Conversebank as the best bank in armenia by
The Banker is a serious event for the bank

*********************************************************************

THE HEAD OF RA PARLIAMENT AND NEWLY APPOINTED SAR AMBASSADOR TO
ARMENIA DISCUSS PERSPECTIVES OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION

YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. The Head of RA Parliament Arthur
Baghdasarian and Newly Appointed SAR Ambassador to Armenia Ashraf
Sentso discussed perspectives of economic cooperation, RA NA told
ARKA. Special accent was made on cooperation in jewellery and tourism
spheres. Besides, the parties discussed establishment and
strengthening of bilateral political and trade relations. They
emphasized the conclusion of base agreement on friendship and
cooperation that will contribute to multilateral cooperation between
Armenia and SAR.
The Ambassador invited Baghdasarian to visit SAR. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF LATVIAN
DEFENSE MINISTRY

YEREVAN, September, 16. /ARKA/. The RA Deputy Foreign Minister Tatul
Margaryan met today with Edgar Rinkevitchs, Secretary of State of the
Ministry of Defense of Latvia and Angey Wiloumsons, Director of
Defense Policy and Planning Department of Latvian Defense Ministry.
According to the Press Service and Public Relations Department of the
RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting, Margaryan
presented the approaches of Armenia to regional policy, Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement and measures undertaken by the republic
on ensuring regional security and strengthening of mutual confidence
between its neighbors. Besides, he also acquaint the guests with
Armenia-NATO relations current stage and further cooperation
perspective
In his turn, Rinkevichs noted the opportunity of cooperation
expansion between the defense authorities of the two countries in a
number of areas. L.V..–0–

*********************************************************************

FIRST MEETING OF ARMENIANS OF EUROPE TO TAKE PLACE ON OCT 18-19 IN
BRUSSELS

YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. First meeting of Armenians of Europe
will take place on Oct 18-19 in Brussels, Federation Euro-Armenienne
told ARKA. For this goal, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian will
arrive in Brussels. The meeting will create an opportunity of
dialogue between different Armenian communities, organizations and
institutes of Europe that will lead to create of joint position on
such an important issues as for example culture and language of
Armenians of Europe, the issue of Turkey joining Europe. European
experts, Europarliament deputies and representatives of
Eurocommission will also take part in the work of the meeting.
Today, more than two million Armenians live in EU countries. L.D.
–0–

*********************************************************************

POLITICAL BOYCOTT CANNOT BE CONSIDERED A NOT VALID REASON BY THE
POLITICAL STRUCTURES

YEREVAN, September, 16. /ARKA/. Political boycott cannot be
considered a not valid reason by the political structures, as stated
Gourgen Arsenyan, the leader of Unified labor Party at today’s press
conference. He added that political boycott is a common event and
occupies its special and important place in political field.
It should be reminded that on September 10, 2004, the Parliamentary
Commission on State-legal Issues of the RA NA decided to include the
issue of unacceptable absence of 26 deputies in the agenda of the RA
Parliament autumn session. The opposition deputies have been
boycotting the session of the Parliament since February 2, 2004.
L.V.–0–

*********************************************************************

ARMENIA AND FINLAND PLAN TO ACTIVATE COOPERATION IN MILITARY AND
ECONOMIC SPHERES

YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. Armenia and Finland plan to activate
cooperation in military and economic spheres. It was stated during
the meeting of the Secretary of National Security Council at RA
President, RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsian with newly appointed
Ambassador of Finland to Armenia Terji Hakkala. The parties discussed
perspectives of cooperation in the frames of NATO “Partnership for
Peace” program and peacemaking activity. Sargsian expressed
confidence that experience of Finnish military men will be useful to
Armenia. The Ambassador noted that first steps for the beginning of
military cooperation are already being made. It was noted that
Finnish specialists participated in the inspection of RA Armed Forces
with OSCE. The parties also stressed that Armenian and Finnish
peacemakers are successfully cooperating in Balcanas. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CONVERSEBANK AS THE BEST BANK IN ARMENIA BY
THE BANKER IS A SERIOUS EVENT FOR THE BANK

YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. The acknowledgement of Conversebank as
the best bank in Armenia by The Banker is a serious event for the
bank, according to the Director in Chief of the bank Smbat Nasibyan.
According to him, “it is a high appraisal of the activities of the
bank made on the base of the analysis of the speed of the development
of the bank and the implementation of technological innovations by
it”.
On September 9, 2004, The Banker, included into a group of Financial
Times, acknowledged Conversebank as the best bank in Armenia in 2004.
The bank was awarded a diploma and a prize “BRACKEN”, which was the
statuette of Drenden Bracken, the founder of the journal. British
HSBC was recognized as the best bank of 2004 in the world. Among the
Russian nominees the winner became the largest bank of the country –
Savingsbank.
All prize-winners are elected by The Banker on the basis of the
answers of the banks to the questions relating to the growth of their
capital, assets and profitability. In addition to that, they should
demonstrate the way the implementation of technologies assists them
in advancement in the market, as well as the structure and the
strategy they use to prepare for the further developments in the
market.
To remind, in 2003, HSBC Bank Armenia was acknowledged the best bank
in Armenia by The Banker. A.H. –0–

*********************************************************************

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTER OF HEALTH SAYS SECOND PART OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO BESLAN ON ITS WAY

ArmenPress
Sept 16 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: “At present the second part of
humanitarian assistance to Beslan is ready, including medicine,
blood and clothes,” Armenian health minister Norayr Davidian said at
parliament-government question and answer session yesterday.

According to him, the humanitarian assistance is organized by ministry
of employment and social issues in tandem with big medicine exporting
companies, Farmatex and Arpimed. More than 200 donors from the capital
and 100 from Giumry participated in the action. Specially active were
law enforcement bodies and students.

The minister noted that 21 boxes of medicine, 50 packs of frozen
plasma of blood were sent to Beslan on Sept 7. Also, readiness has
been expressed to receive patients.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

AMBASSADOR EVANS CALLS FOR GREATER U.S.-ARMENIA COOPERATION

Washington, DC – U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, in an interview
published in the September edition of The Advocate, the Armenian
Assembly’s official newsletter, underlined the need for greater
cooperation and a partnership in support of Armenia’s development
and said the United States wants to see Armenia succeed and prosper
in a stable and secure environment.

Ambassador Evans, a career diplomat, presented his credentials to
President Robert Kocharian on September 4 in Yerevan.

Following is the text of the Assembly interview:

Q. Your predecessor, Ambassador John Ordway, made it a priority
to expand the Embassy’s outreach to the Armenian-American Diaspora.
Do you anticipate continuing such consultations with and presentations
to our community?

A. Yes, I do. Ideally, the Armenian-American community and the U.S.
government, particularly the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, should
be partners in a common effort to support Armenia’s development.
We all want the Republic of Armenia to succeed and to prosper in a
stable and secure environment, and we want to see the healthy growth
of democratic institutions. So a good place to start is with good
communications, and I think visits in both directions are vital.

Q. As Ambassador, what steps will you take to deepen the
U.S.-Armenia partnership in the following sectors: regional
cooperation, economic development and democracy and governance?

A. We are already doing a lot in all of these areas, and I refer your
readers to the Embassy’s website and other available documentation
in the first instance. In the long run, the very high levels of
assistance to the Republic of Armenia that have characterized the
past decade are inevitably going to decline due to the overall
decline in the FREEDOM Support Act, but we still have a robust
program of assistance. The fact that Armenia has been selected as
an eligible country for a Millennium Challenge Account grant offers
a unique opportunity that should not be missed. I should add that,
when thinking about the American contribution to Armenia, one ought
not to confine oneself to the U.S. government’s efforts. The important
private activities that are underway should also be remembered.

Q. What role can confidence-building measures play in addressing
the long-term problems of the Karabakh conflict and border closures?
What have been the impediments to date?

A. For some very good reasons, Secretary Powell has appointed a
Special Envoy, my good friend Steve Mann, to represent the United
States in the Minsk Group that is trying to bring about an eventual
settlement of the issue of Nagorno Karabakh. My role as the bilateral
U.S. Ambassador to Yerevan will be quite different from Ambassador
Mann’s and I would not like to complicate his already difficult task
by commenting on the state of the talks or on the history of the issue.

Q. Since Armenia’s independence, investment funds or bond programs
to encourage and responsibly manage Diasporan patriotic investments
have been proposed or attempted. Is there a role for the Embassy in
supporting and promoting such initiatives?

A. The U.S. has always been interested in helping Armenia develop
into a strong, market democracy and investments from outside
sources, such as the Diaspora, are often necessary to jumpstart a
transition economy. Through our assistance programs, we have supported
development of capital markets, strengthening the banking system, and
technical assistance and loans to small and medium-sized enterprises.
The U.S. has provided some operating funding to a private investment
fund to provide it the opportunity to raise capital. While raising
capital has proved to be more difficult for the fund than it might
have hoped, we will continue to work on improving the business climate
in Armenia so that investors will be more attracted to participating
in Armenia’s economy.

Q. What have you been doing to prepare for this assignment?

A. I have been consulting with what I call “Team Armenia,” that is,
the U.S. government’s experts in various executive branch departments,
as well as with representatives of non- governmental organizations,
including several Armenian-American ones. I also have started lessons
in the Armenian language, which I intend to continue studying in
Yerevan. Haiots lezun shat dezhvar e, baits geghetsik yev hetakrkir e.

Editor’s note:

Subsequent to his Q and A with The Advocate, Ambassador Evans gave
his first interview to the Armenian media in Yerevan Wednesday in
which he commended the Armenian government for its plans to join
America’s “coalition of the willing” in Iraq with a small unit of
non-combat troops.

He also said the United States approved the cancellation of NATO-led
military exercises in Azerbaijan.

“We salute Armenia for its announced intention to send a transportation
unit along with deminers and some medical personnel to Iraq,”
Ambassador Evans told a news conference.

The planned deployment, which requires parliamentary approval, remains
controversial in Armenia, with two top Armenian army generals publicly
indicating their opposition to the idea, arguing that Armenia’s largely
symbolic military engagement could trigger terrorist attacks against
Iraq’s ethnic Armenian community.

Evans said Washington welcomes a public debate on the deployment
issue in Armenia. He also reaffirmed U.S. approval of the last-minute
cancellation of NATO-led military exercises which were scheduled to
begin in Azerbaijan on Monday. The NATO leadership pointed to Baku’s
refusal to Armenia’s participation in the maneuvers as the cause for
the cancellation.

“We do believe that the NATO authorities made the right decision to
cancel this exercise,” Evans said. But he was quick to indicate that
the move should not be seen as a diplomatic victory for Armenia,
saying that it hurt both parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-080

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

Caption: U.S. Ambassador John Evans presented his credentials to
President Robert Kocharian on September 4.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Armenian Tourism Development Agency /ATDA/
Tel.: (+3741) 54 23 03/6
Fax: (+3741) 54 47 92
Email: [email protected]
<;

ATDA/Armenia to participate in
JATA World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair 2004

15 September, 2004 — The Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA)
will be representing Armenia and the Armenian tourism industry at
the JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) World Tourism Congress
and Travel Fair 2004 in Tokyo from 23- 26 September, 2004. Armenia
participates in this prestigious event for the first time and is also
represented by Saberatours-Sevan, Tufenkian Hospitality and Armen Tour.

ATDA, working actively with many Armenian tour operators, agencies,
and other tourism representatives, has developed a winning program and
marketing strategy designed to further Armenia’s reputation as a “four
season destination” for world travelers and tourism professionals.
JATA World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair 2004 in Tokyo is another
opportunity to enlarge our target tourism population, specifically
in the Asian market.

With over 700 booths, the annual JATA World Travel Fair is Asia’s
largest travel trade and consumer travel exhibition. It provides
a unique opportunity for exhibitors to reach the three key targets
for travel promotion – travel trade, media, and consumers -together
at one show. Each year this show attracts over 100,000 visitors,
including 30,000 travel trade and media representatives.

JATA WTF with its comprehensive congress program, presentations
and supporting events represents the entire product spectrum of the
tourist industry. This event is a meeting ground for the development
of new ideas, global approaches and targeted marketing for local,
regional and international niche markets and their providers.

Armenia’s representation at such events is integral to securing maximal
benefits and growth for its burgeoning tourist trade and all its related
industry interests and economic ventures.

The JATA WTF
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air.itb-berlin.de/en/Ausstellerhallen/Gelandeplan/index.html>
exhibition hall is organized for optimum exposure and is grouped
according to geographic destination. For those who may be in Japan
during this event, the ATDA/Armenia exhibit will be at #A-31 , making
it easy to find and accessible to all.

For further information about JATA World Tourism Congress and Travel
Fair 2004 or other industry exhibitions and events, please visit us
at 3 Nalbandian Street in Yerevan, or call us at 54-23-03 / 06. We
are more than happy to provide information on this and other Armenian
Tourism matters.

Armenian Tourism Development Agency Address: 3 Nalbandyan Street
Yerevan 375010, Armenia Tel: (3741) 542303, 542306 Fax: (3741)
544792 E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> URL:
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress