Author: Boshkezenian Garik

Cyprus marks 30th anniversary of military coup
XINHUA NEWS AGENCY.
July 15, 2004, Thursday 11:16 AM Eastern Time
NICOSIA
Cyprus on Thursday marked the 30th anniversary of 1974 military coup,
paying tribute to those who lost lives defending the republic.
The military coup against President of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios,
engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece, was followed five
days later by the Turkish military intervention, which resulted in the
de facto division of the island.
Sirens began to wail at 08:20 a.m. local time (0520GMT), the very time
when the coup took place.
A church service for those killed during the coup was held at Saints
Constantinos and Eleni Church in Nicosia, in the presence of Cyprus
President Tassos Papadopoulos, House President Demetris Christofias,
Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus Christos Panagopoulos, political
officials and relatives of the victims.
When addressing the ceremony, Interior Minister Andreas Christou said
the government condemned the coup and the Turkish intervention while
honoured all those who fought and especially those killed for
democracy and freedom in Cyprus.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to reunite the
state and the people within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal
federation on the basis of the Annan plan so that “all people, Greek
Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, A rmenians, Maronites and Latins, will be
able to live peacefully and in brotherhood.”
“We do not abandon this vision. We renew our hopes and our efforts and
we declare to be ready to take the big step for conciliation and
compromise,” he promised.
President Papadopoulos and other officials laid wreaths at the tombs
of those killed defending the republic.
The 56-seat House of Representatives held afterwards a special session
to mark the events.
Cyprus was divided into north Turkish cypriots part and south Greek
Cypriots part when Turkey entered the island in 1974 after a failed
Greek coup seeking union with Greece.
In April, two separate referendums were held simultaneously on both
sides on the Cyprus reunion plan, only rejected by the Greek Cypriots
south with an overwhelming no.
This led the world-recognized south into the European Union on May 1,
while the Turkish Cypriots north was left outside the body.

PRESIDENTIAL SUPERVISORY SERVICE SAVES GREEN AREA IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JULY 15. ARMINFO. A green zone in front of building 28, Isahakyan
street in Yerevan was saved after intervention of the Presidential
Supervisory Service.
Journalists signals to various instances did not produce any results before.
It was not until the journalists applied to Presidential Spokesman Ashot
Kocharian that the President was informed of the fact. The construction in
the land-plot has been suspended, and planting of trees and bushes has even
begun. Talking to ARMINFO, Edmon Zakharyan, Press Secretary of the Yerevan
Mayor, “credited” the salvation of the green zone in the center of Yerevan
to his boss Yervand Zakharyan. He stressed that this is a testimony to the
Mayor’s determination to battle illegal construction and destruction of
green zones.
We would remind you that a 5-meter-deep pit was to be dug in the plot of
land with an area of 500sq. meters for the construction of an entertainment
club. According to yet unconfirmed information, the construction was
sponsored by RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Coordination of
Infrastructures Hovik Abramyan. This is the first example of a favorable
outcome of a conflict over green areas between the public and high-ranking
officials.

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen bring new proposals to Baku
BAKU. July 15 (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – The co-chairmen of the OSCE
Minsk Group have brought new proposals on a Karabakh settlement to
Azerbaijan, Russia’s representative in the group, Yury Merzlyakov,
said in Baku on Thursday.
“There are new ideas, but we have to negotiate with the Azerbaijani
administration first. The new ideas have been discussed with the
Armenian authorities, and now they will be introduced to Azerbaijan,”
he said.
A decision on Karabakh’s involvement in the negotiations is up to the
negotiating parties, he said. “To my mind, all parties must take part
in the negotiations,” he said.
Merzlyakov is visiting Azerbaijan together with France’s co- chairman
Henri Jacolin. U.S. co-chairman Thomas Mann has left Armenia for
Tbilisi as the American representative for the settlement of conflicts
in the South Caucasus. He will meet with Georgian officials to discuss
the situation in South Ossetia and come to Baku afterwards.
Baku lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts in
a conflict with Armenia in the 1990s.
The UN Security Council has denounced the occupation of Azerbaijani
lands and demanded that Armenia withdraw its forces.
The U.S., Russian and French co-chairmen of the OSCE’s Minsk Group are
working to settle the conflict.

PRESS RELEASE
AMERICANS FOR ARTSAKH
Contact: Hrant Jamgochian
[email protected]
Tel: 202-215-1800
July 13, 2004
ARTSAKH SEISMOLOGISTS PRESENT FINDINGS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Americans For Artsakh Organization Sponsors Their Participation
WASHINGTON, DC – Two seismologists from Nagorno Karabakh recently
participated in the “2004 Disaster Resistant California” international
conference in Sacramento, CA. The Executive Director of the Eastern
Department of the National Survey for Seismic Protection Boris
Petrosyan along with the Department’s Head of Foreign Affairs Naira
Hambardzumyan represented Artsakh in the conference, which was
attended by more than 500 seismologists from around the world. The
Americans for Artsakh (AFA) Organization sponsored the participation
of Karabakh seismologists in close cooperation with both the NKR
Foreign Ministry and NKR Office in the United States.
“We are extremely appreciative of the Americans For Artsakh
organization for their support,” said Boris Petrosyan. “This
conference allowed us to share our experiences in Artsakh with many of
our international colleagues. As a result, we gained valuable
information that will be applied to upgrade our systems.”
Petrosyan and Hambardzumyan presented a report along with the results
of their extensive research on the psychological impact of severe
earthquakes. Their findings emphasized the importance of preparing
the public to be resilient in times of crisis in order to better
address the challenges of such disasters. The panel discussion that
followed underscored the importance of addressing both the emotional
as well as the physical needs of those affected.
The seismologists from Artsakh, in talks with their counterparts from
around the world, discussed ways to increase cooperation. Some of the
California seismologists provided Petrosyan with literature, software
and other digital products dealing with forest fires, regional
information, conduct of the population during seismic threats and
other materials on up-to-date technologies.
The Eastern Department of the National Survey for Seismic Protection
currently works with seismological centers in Russia, Greece, Georgia,
and Azerbaijan as well as Japan and Iran. During a recent interview
with the Azat Artsakh daily newspaper Petrosyan noted that the
participation of the Artsakh delegation demonstrated that the Artsakh
Seismic Department was entering a new phase of international
cooperation.
“With Artsakh excluded from virtually all U.S. and internationally
sponsored educational and development programs, the Americans For
Artsakh organization is making education one of its top priorities,”
noted AFA President Zaven Khanjian. “We are delighted that our
support enabled the Seismic Department of Artsakh to participate in
this important conference. On behalf of the Board of Directors for
the Americans For Artsakh, I would like to express our gratitude to
Mr. and Mrs. Arsene Baran, Mr. & Mrs. Vahan Bezdikian, Dr. Nazareth
Darakjian, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Moses, and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tufenkian,
who provided additional funding for this endeavor.”
Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy,
foster economic development, protect the cultural identity and promote
the heritage of the people of Artsakh. The founding Board of
Directors include: Zaven Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian,
Vice President; Savey Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary;
and Edward Chobanian. To learn more visit:
The full text of Boris Petrosyan’s interview with Azat Artsakh is
available at:
;t=archive&d=22&m=05&y04&id=1459
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan backs Georgia in South Ossetia conflict – minister
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
12 Jul 04
The Azerbaijani government supports Tbilisi in the Georgian-Ossetian
conflict, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said.
The latest developments in South Ossetia concern Azerbaijan as well,
and Baku supports Georgia’s territorial integrity, Mammadyarov
said. What is more, Georgia is Azerbaijan’s strategic partner, he
said. Although the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has issued no
statement over the situation in South Ossetia, it has informed Georgia
of its stance, he said.
The minister also spoke of the current visit to the region of the OSCE
Minsk Group cochairmen, who are mediating the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict. It is too early to talk about the co-chairmen’s any new
proposals or ideas on how to resolve the conflict. The co-chairmen –
Yuriy Merzlyakov [of Russia], Henry Jacolin [France] and Steven Mann
[USA] – visited Armenia today [12 July]. Tomorrow, they will leave
Yerevan for the occupied part of Azerbaijan, Karabakh, and will visit
Baku on 14 July.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
July 8 2004
TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN WILL HOLD WORTHY PLACE AMONG WORLD STATES
[July 08, 2004, 20:41:36]
Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Mr. Murtuz Alaskarov met at the
Heydar Aliyev Hall of Parliament the Turkish Minister of Ecology and
Forestry Osman Pepe and his entourage on 8 July.
Mr. Alaskarov said that the existing relations between the two
counties have developed thanks to the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan
people Heydar Aliyev and acquired the level of fraternity, AzerTAj
correspondent reports. President of Azerbaijan Republic attaches
special attention to this cause and the mutual links between Turkey
and Azerbaijan are quickly developing and strengthening in all
fields.
Your current visit will give a new impulse to these ties, the Speaker
stressed.
Noting the close links between the parliaments of two countries, said
that chairman of the Great National Assembly of Turkey has invited
him to visit Turkey. Members of the Azerbaijan Parliament will go to
the Northern Cyprus shortly. Adherence by the parliamentarians of the
two countries of the same position is noteworthy. Just as a result of
such policy, Turkey and Azerbaijan will hold a worthy place among the
world states, Mr. Alaskarov underlined.
Then, Murtuz Alaskarov updated the guest on the adopted laws, in
particular, the laws on environment protection, on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. He also expressed his
gratitude for firm position of Turkey related to the conflict.
Mr. Osman Pepe said that the key goal of the visit is to expand
cooperation in the field of ecology and forestry. The documents to be
signed with the Azerbaijani colleagues will greatly benefit the said
area, he emphasized. He expressed his satisfaction with continuation
of Heydar Aliyev’s policy in the Republic of Azerbaijan. We hope the
policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev will reinforce the position
of Azerbaijan among the world states.
In the meeting, also were shared views on other issues of mutual
interest.

Xinhua, China
July 7 2004
Russian parliament ratifies Euro weapons limitation treaty

MOSCOW, July 7 (Xinhuanet) — Russia’s parliament on Wednesday
completed ratification of the amended Treaty on Conventional Forces
in Europe (CFE) which limits the deployment of heavy weapons across
the European continent, the Interfax news agency reported.
The Federation Council, parliament’s upper house, approved it
Wednesday by a vote of 137-1 following ratification by the State
Duma, the lower house of parliament, on June 25 and the treaty now
goes to President Vladimir Putin for signing.
The modified accord could significantly reduce the deployment of
warplanes, tanks and other heavy non-nuclear weapons in Europe. It
will take effect when all 30 signatory countries ratify it.
Under the treaty, Russia can have 6,350 tanks, 11,280 armored
personnel carriers, 6,315 artillery, 3,416 combat aircraft and 885
helicopter gunships.
Russia can also keep its weapons and military hardware in Armenia
and Ukraine under the treaty.
The original CFE treaty was approved in 1990 by the 22 members of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Warsaw Pact alliances.
An amended version of the treaty was signed in 1999 following the
collapse of former Soviet Union.
Russia has been particularly concerned about the reluctance of the
four new NATO members — Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia —
to ratify the amended version of the treaty.
Some Russian officials fear that if the four do not join the
treaty they could become NATO outposts for nuclear arms or army
bases.
However, NATO argues that until Russian forces and weapons are
pulled back from Georgia and Moldova, they cannot ratify the treaty.
Moscow says its pledge to withdraw forces from the two countries is a
separate issue from the treaty. Enditem

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
July 5, 2004, Monday
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT EARNS MONEY ON “DODGERS”
The Armenian government has earned some $74,000 on “dodgers” from
military service: 120 Armenian citizens liable for military service
preferred to pay money into the budget to being conscripted. The
might-have-been protectors of fatherland used the opportunity,
provided by the law on dodgers from military service, passed on March
1, 2004. The law envisages payment of 100 minimum wages (about $200)
twice a year as a “compensation” for each conscription missed. The
amount of $200 suffices six months. The maximal fee per conscript has
been $3,300. So far, this chance is only give to persons, who reached
the age of 27 before the law was passed.
According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, over 5,000 citizens come
under this law. After the above sums are paid, these persons are
fully relieved of criminal responsibility for dodging the military
service.
Source: Moskovsky Komsomolets, July 2, 2004, p. 7
Translated by Andrei Ryabochkin

Radio Free Europe, Czech republic
June 30 2004
Armenian Official Praises U.S. House Panel For Military Aid Increase
By Hrach Melkumian 30/06/2004 14:11
A senior Armenian official commended on Tuesday a key subcommittee of
the U.S. House of Representatives for supporting equal U.S. military
assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan opposed by the White House.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ruben Shugarian also said Yerevan should
respond by expanding military cooperation with Washington.
A bill approved by the subcommittee last week calls for $5 million in
military financing to each of the two countries locked in a bitter
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The earlier version of the bill
drafted by the administration of President George W. Bush would
allocate $8 million to Azerbaijan and only $2 million to Armenia.
In an interview with RFE/RL, Shugarian welcomed the amendment which
has yet to be endorsed by the full House Appropriations Committee. He
said it was not only the result of heavy Armenian-American lobbying
but also an `explanatory work’ conducted by Armenia’s foreign and
defense ministries.
Shugarian took issue with the Bush administration’s arguments that
Azerbaijan deserves greater military aid because it has already
committed troops for the U.S.-led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
`No matter how much countries differ in their attitude toward Iraq
developments, this can not be the decisive argument because the issue
relates to our region,’ he said. `There is a frozen conflict in our
region and when the parity is disrupted…there arise some dangers.’
But Shugarian also stressed that Armenia, which relies on a military
alliance with Russia in its national security policy, should seek
closer military ties with the United States if it is to maintain the
aid parity. `We should think in the future about expanding the
[defense cooperation] programs if we want to continue to keep that
parity because the aid depends on our proposals as well,’ said
Armenia’s former longtime ambassador to Washington.
The Armenian leadership has already taken steps in that direction in
recent years, stepping up its participation in NATO’s Partnership for
Peace program and promising to join the U.S.-led `coalition of the
willing’ in Iraq with a small contingent of non-combat military
personnel. A team of Armenian military drivers, doctors and demining
experts is expected to be deployed in Iraq in September.
Shugarian denied any U.S. pressure behind the deployment plans,
saying that Yerevan will continue to exercise caution in its Iraqi
policy primarily because of the existence of a vulnerable ethnic
Armenian community in Iraq. `I can say that both the State Department
and the White House understand our approach,’ he said.
Unlike neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia declined to
endorse the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq last year and did not sent
armed combat units to the country. It at the same time welcomed the
quick overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
June 23 2004
OFFICIALS OF ARMENIA AND NKR DENIED
Top officials of Armenia and Nagorni Karabakh denied the news that the
American co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Stephen Mann during his
latestvisit to Yerevan (June 3) unofficially discussed with the
president of Armenia the question of returning three regions
controlled by the Karabakh armed forcesto Azerbaijan as a manifestation
of good will. In particular, in the interviews to the radio station
`Liberty’ this news was denied by the prime minister of Armenia
Andranik Margarian and foreign minister Vardan Oskanian, as well asthe
speaker of the National Assembly of Nagorni Karabakh Oleg Yessayan. ‘I
do not think that such discussions ever took place,’ stated Oleg
Yessayan and added that `if Karabakh did not agree to return five
regions for opening the railroad Yerevan-Baku, it would be naiv to
think that Karabakh would agree to return the three regions’.
PANARMENIAN.
23-06-2004