Author: Elizabeth Jabejian

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2004
Russia Ready To Assist In Solving Nagorno Karabakh Conflict
AssA-Irada 20/10/2004 19:07
President Ilham Aliyev said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart
Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Tuesday that the political dialogue
between the two countries is on a high level.
Aliyev expressed a hope that Russia, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group, will step up its efforts to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.
The two presidents discussed implementation of agreements signed
during Aliyev’s official visit to Moscow in February 2004,
fulfillment of tasks set for doubling the turnover of goods between
the two countries and prospects for strengthening the joint combat
against terrorism.
The parties also stressed the need for stepping up the international
community’s efforts to fight international terrorism.
Aliyev and Putin exchanged views on the present-day situation in the
Caucasus region as well. The Russian President welcomed the
continuation of talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents
over the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Russia is ready
to assist the sides in settling the conflict, Putin said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkmen leader’s book of spiritual teachings to be published in Armenian
Turkmen TV first channel, Asgabat
18 Oct 04
Presenter A creative group of the Partev Armenian-Turkmen cooperation
centre in charge of the publication of Ruhnama in the Armenian
language has sent a message to Turkmen President Saparmyrat
Turkmenbasy the Great Nyyazow .
In the letter, they informed the Turkmen head of state that they were
preparing for the publication of the first volume of Ruhnama of our
esteemed leader Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy the Great in the Armenian
language. The authors of the letter say that when thinking of starting
the publication of Ruhnama in Armenian, that they were guided by the
followings words of Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy the Great: “Ruhnama is not
only for Turkmens! Ruhnama is also a book of other nationalities and
our brothers who live among us and share our joy and happiness and
create the Golden Age on this soil with us.”
Members of the creative group also wrote that the publication of
Ruhnama in Armenian would facilitate further understanding between the
peoples of Armenia and Turkmenistan and strengthen the cultural ties
of our countries.
“It will be a great honour for us to receive your approval for the
publication of Ruhnama in Armenian and hand you copies of the book
after its publication,” the message says.
Passage omitted: authors of the letter congratulate Turkmen president
and people on Independence Day
No video
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
September 20, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REPS. ESHOO AND SWEENEY URGE HOUSE COLLEAGUES
TO CALL FOR A VOTE ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— Support Continues to Grow for Congressional Letter to Speaker
Hastert in Support of the Schiff Amendment and H.Res.193
WASHINGTON, DC – New York Republican John Sweeney and California
Democrat Anna Eshoo have joined together in the effort to encourage
their Congressional colleagues to cosign a letter to Speaker
Hastert urging him to maintain the Schiff amendment in the House
Foreign aid bill and schedule a vote on the Genocide Resolution,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The
letter currently has over 60 signatories and support continues to
grow in the days leading up to the House and Senate conference to
finalize the FY 2005 foreign aid bill.
In a letter to House Members, Reps. Eshoo and Sweeney, both of
Armenian descent, explained:
“Under the Ottoman Empire, nearly two million Armenians who were
living in Eastern Anatolia were deported from their homes. Of the
two million deportees, only 500,000 survived this ordeal. The
historical record is clear. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire
succeeded in systematically eliminating the Armenians from their
historical homeland where they had lived for over two thousand
years. H.Res.193 reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to the noble
aims of the Genocide Convention, and urges the American people to
learn from the lessons of past genocides in order to help prevent
future crimes against humanity.”
The complete text of the Eshoo-Sweeney letter follows.
The Schiff Amendment, spearheaded by California Democrat Adam
Schiff, was unanimously adopted by the House in a voice vote,
during discussions of the FY 2005 foreign aid bill. The
legislation would bar the Turkish government from using U.S.
foreign aid funds for lobbying against the Genocide resolution.
Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and
Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) immediately denounced the measure in
a harshly worded press release placed on the front page of the
House Speaker’s website, citing concerns about its effects on U.S.-
Turkey relations and pledging to remove the language from the final
foreign aid bill.
Following the Speaker’s announced opposition to the measure, more
than a dozen national grassroots Armenian American organizations
cosigned a letter to the House leader, voicing the community’s
unequivocal opposition to efforts to reverse the Schiff Amendment
to the fiscal year 2005 Foreign Operations bill, and expressing the
community’s “great dismay with your public statement against
holding a vote on the Genocide Resolution, H.Res.193.” The
organizations that signed the community-wide letter were the ANCA,
the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church – Eastern and Western
U.S., the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church – Eastern and
Western U.S., the Armenian Missionary Association of America, and
the Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics, as well as the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Democratic Liberal
(Ramgavar) Party, United Armenian Fund, Armenian Relief Society,
Armenian Bar Association, National Organization of Republican
Armenians, Armenian Youth Federation, Homenetmen – Armenian General
Athletic Union, and Hamazkayn Armenian Cultural and Educational
Association.
Reps. George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) introduced the Genocide resolution
(H.Res.193) in April, 2003. The legislation (H.Res.193) was
unanimously adopted by the House Judiciary Committee in May of that
year and currently has 111 cosponsors. Similar legislation in the
Senate (S.Res.164) has over 40 cosponsors.
#####
Text of Sweeney-Eshoo Letter to House Colleagues
In Support of the Radanovich-Pallone-Schiff Letter to Speaker
Hastert
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
September 15, 2004
Help Honor the Victims of the Armenian Genocide
“It is generally not known in the world that, in the years
preceding 1916, there was a concerted effort made to eliminate all
the Armenian people, probably one of the greatest tragedies that
ever befell any group. And there weren’t any Nurenberg trials.” –
President Jimmy Carter
Dear Colleague:
As Armenian descendents, we respectfully request you to join us in
signing the attached letter to Speaker Hastert in support of the
Schiff amendment to the FY2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations
bill, and H.Res.193, the Genocide Resolution.
As you may know, the Schiff amendment was passed in July,
prohibiting the government of Turkey from using U.S. foreign aid to
lobby against H.Res.193, legislation officially recognizing the
Armenian Genocide. Following the adoption of this amendment,
Speaker Hastert issued a statement announcing his intention to keep
H.Res.193 off the floor, legislation which has already been
cosponsored by 100 of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Both H.Res.193, and its companion measure in the Senate, S.Res.164,
enjoy broad, bipartisan backing and the support of a broad-based
coalition of over 100 human and civil rights organizations,
including the National Council of Churches, American Values, Union
of Orthodox Rabbis, NAACP, National Council of La Raza,
International Campaign for Tibet, Sons of Italy, and all major
Armenian American groups.
Under the Ottoman Empire, nearly two million Armenians who were
living in Eastern Anatolia were deported from their homes. Of the
two million deportees, only 500,000 survived this ordeal. The
historical record is clear. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire
succeeded in systematically eliminating the Armenians from their
historical homeland where they had lived for over two thousand
years. H.Res.193 reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to the noble
aims of the Genocide Convention, and urges the American people to
learn from the lessons of past genocides in order to help prevent
future crimes against humanity.
As we watch violence all too familiar unfold in the African nation
of Sudan, we urge you to join us in asking the Speaker to give us
the chance to act by bringing the Genocide Resolution to the floor
for a vote. We hope that you will join us in this significant
endeavor. To sign this letter, or to receive more information, you
can contact Tim Bergreen in Representative Schiff’s office at
[email protected], or at 5-4176.
Sincerely,
[signed]
Anna Eshoo
Member of Congress
[signed]
John E. Sweeney
Member of Congress
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Putin to bring together Azerbaijani, Armenian leaders in Astana
By Viktoria Sokolova
ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 14, 2004
MOSCOW, September 15 — President Vladimir Putin will hold a tripartite
meeting in Astana on Wednesday evening with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan and Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev.
“The format of such a meeting has proven to be correct,” presidential
aide Sergei Prikhodko told Itar-Tass.
The Kremlin assumes that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
“should reach an accord between themselves,” while Russia “can make
its contribution to the development and deepening of dialogue,”
Prikhodko said.
The new tripartite meeting will be held on Moscow’s proposal, a source
in the presidential administration told Itar-Tass. The Kremlin does
not rule out that Kocharyan and Aliyev will have a one-on-one meeting
in Astana.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ENERGONOROGUM MANUFACTURES POLYETHYLENE PIPES
   YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: A local Energonorogum (Energy
Repair) company started production of polyethylene pipes late last
May and according to its chief manager, there are enough capacity to
manufacture around 100 km long pipes a month with a diameter ranging
from 60 to 160 cm. These pipes are successfully used both for laying
drinking water and natural gas pipelines.    Unlike metal pipes,
which can serve only for 15-20 years, pipes made of polyethylene,
can run for 60 years and demand no repair. They are also immune
against corrosion and other chemical exposure. The company brings
raw material from Belgium. It is now seeking prospects for selling
its products in Russia and other CIS countries.

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
A PRINCELY DONATION TO THE ARMENIAN CHURCH CANADIAN DIOCESE

In response to an appeal by His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate of the Canadian Diocese, an anonymous benefactor, a devout
believer and supporter of the spiritual mission of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin and of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, has
graciously donated the princely sum of 200.000 US dollars. The
donation is intended to promote the spiritual and national missions of
the Diocese and to foster the realization of many new projects.

This generous donation will permit the rekindle youth programs, as
well as educational and more specifically, spiritual projects.
For the past twenty years, under the auspices of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada has
been serving the faithful of the Armenian Church by advancing
spiritual, cultural and educational enrichment.

On behalf of the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
Canada, the Diocesan Council, the clergy and the faithful, we extend
our heartfelt gratitude to the noble benefactor, and pray that
Almighty God protect and grant good health and long life.

Divan of the Diocese
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
26 juillet 2004
Édition VIENNE; CHAUVIGNY et son pays – ARTS ET SPECTACLES; Page 9
Folklore arménien : salle comble
Les danseurs, danseuses et musiciens de l’Ensemble Bert d’Erevan, en
Arménie, ont présenté leur spectacle folklorique à guichet fermé, il
y a quelques jours dans le cadre de la programmation intercommunale
du festival d’été. Quelque six cents spectateurs ont assisté à un
spectacle d’une rare beauté, entre gestes gracieux de l’orient et
danses rustiques de l’occident.
Plusieurs dizaines de spectateurs ont fait grise mine à l’entrée de
la salle de spectacles (la météo a empêché la tenue du spectacle
devant l’hôtel de ville), bloquée pour des raisons de sécurité. La
troupe arménienne a été fondée en 1963 et a participé à une trentaine
de festivals internationaux. C’était sa huitième venue en France. Sa
première à Chauvigny.
– Prochain spectacle folklorique à Fleix, jeudi 29 juillet, 21 h,
avec l’Ensemble d’Etat de danses et chants Tchouvaches (Russie).
Gratuit.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
July 13 2004
120 MILLION DRAMS SET FOR REPAIR OF SCHOOLS, PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
GYUMRI
YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS: Authorities in the northern province
of Shirak are looking into proposals, submitted by local communities
for the use of 120 million drams, allocated by the government for
Work against Allowances program that is designed to provide seasonal
jobs to the unemployed. The money, earmarked for this year is 10
million less than for 2003.
The authorities have examined and approved 19 of 40 proposals, the
implementation of which will be backed by 28 million drams. Some 82
million are set aside for the administrative center Gyumri and
Akhurian.
The priority this year is on repair of schools and kindergartens,
gymnasiums and other facilities for public use.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Interfax
July 8 2004
Armenian NPP to shut down for overhaul on July 23
Yerevan. (Interfax) – The Armenian nuclear power plant, operated by
ZAO Inter UES of Russia, will shut down for an overhaul and refueling
on July 23 and not, as planned, on July 15, Armenian State Atomic
Energy Oversight head Ashot Martirosian told Interfax.
The decision was made because the plant is currently low on fuel.
The plant was originally scheduled to shut down on July 15, “but the
plant reduced capacity because of high waters from the spring
flooding and the diversion of water resources to generate
electricity,” Martirosian said.
The work will last 65 days, during which, after the nuclear fuel is
loaded, an overhaul is planned for the reactor and two operating
turbines of the second generating unit. One-third of the new fuel
consignment, some 100 cassettes, will be loaded and paid for by
Russia. This should be sufficient for the plant to work until summer
2005, Martirosian said.
The Armenian NPP generated 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity
in 2003, 36% of total electricity generation in Armenia.
ZAO Inter UES of Russia, which exports and imports electricity to
Russia and other countries, took over management of the plant in
September 2003. Inter UES is a subsidiary of Unified Energy System
(UES) of Russia, with 60% of the shares, and state-run enterprise
Rosenergoatom, with 40%.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Associated Press
June 30 2004
Armenian Minister: Turks Want Closer Ties
By AVET DEMOURIAN
Associated Press Writer
Armenia’s foreign minister said Wednesday that a brief meeting with
the Turkish leader at this week’s NATO summit convinced him that
relations could improve between the uneasy neighbors with a dark
history.
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian spoke for 10 minutes with Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the two-day
summit that ended Tuesday in Istanbul.
“During that meeting I was again convinced that the current Turkish
government sincerely wants to achieve a change for the better in
resolving relations with Armenia,” Oskanian said, without
elaborating.
The summit was attended by numerous leaders from non-NATO member
states like Armenia. President Robert Kocharian had refused to
attend, saying that he was dissatisfied with his country’s relations
with Turkey. He sent his foreign minister instead.
Armenia and Turkey do not have diplomatic relations, although the
Turks recently have expressed a willingness to improve the situation
between the two countries.
Armenians accuse Turks of a genocide of up to 1.5 million Armenians
between 1915 and 1923. Turks claim the number of deaths is inflated
and say the victims were killed in civil unrest.
The two countries also are at odds over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region
within Azerbaijan that has been under ethnic Armenian control since a
war that ended in 1994 without a political settlement.
Turkey, which shares close ethnic ties with Azerbaijan and supported
that nation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has maintained an
economic blockade of Armenia, hobbling development in this landlocked
former Soviet republic.
Oskanian said that he also discussed the possibility of resuming
railroad service between the two nations during a separate meeting
his with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul.
Oskanian noted, however, that despite gradually developing ties with
Turkey, Armenia would object to Turkey “pretending to be an impartial
mediator” in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Oskanian also said he held discussions Wednesday with the U.S.
administration about Armenia’s intention to veto a proposal that
would give Turkey the acting chairmanship of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2007.
Armenia thinks the role can only be filled by a nation that has
diplomatic relations with all the OSCE’s member states, Oskanian
said, but he added that talks were still being held on the issue.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress