Author: Frangulian Shushan

NATO DELEGATE REMARKS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
A1 Plus TV, Armenia
Sept 15 2004
YEREVAN, 15.09.04. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday after
meeting with Armenia`s officials, head of Germany`s NATO delegation
Markus Meckel, said Armenia plays a key role in the stability of the
South Caucasus, adding that neighbors should maintain good relations
for common security. A visiting delegation of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the NATO member states arrived Monday in Yerevan. Meckel
acknowledged the Armenian genocide, and maintained it must be
recognized by the international community. Meckel, a lawmaker, is a
member of Germany`s Social Democrat party, and a former East German
Foreign Minister.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:
PRESS RELEASE
14 September 2004
Sixth Armenia – European Union Cooperation Council Held in Brussels
On September 14, the sixth meeting of the European Union – Armenia
Cooperation Council took place in Brussels. Armenia’s Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian lead the Armenian delegation. Foreign Minister
Bernard Bot of the Netherlands, whose country currently holds the EU
presidency, headed the EU delegation.
This annual meeting was the first official one to take place following
Armenia’s inclusion in the European Neighborhood Policy last June. The
agenda included a discussion of that new approach to the Caucasus,
economic and political reforms, energy and regional issues, and
prospects for deeper cooperation.
Armenia’s foreign minister welcomed Armenia’s inclusion (together with
the other two republics of the South Caucasus) in the Neighborhood
Policy, and affirmed Armenia’s readiness to work with the EU to
correctly identify Armenia’s needs and priorities and work together to
benefit from the EU’s experience and resources. The Minister explained
that even as Armenia has embarked on a plan to approximate Armenia’s
legislation to EU standards, Armenia is prepared to go ahead with
additional legislative reforms.
The EU delegation noted Armenia’s successful political and economic
reforms, noting that there must be continuity in order for Armenia
to fulfill its international commitments. The Armenian delegation
commented on Armenia’s high economic growth of the last several years,
and affirmed Armenia’s efforts to sustain such growth in order to
continue to decrease the poverty level. Armenia also reiterated its
intention to obtain Market Economy Status from the EU, in order to
more confidently pursue exports and trade with Europe.
The issue of Armenia’s nuclear power plant and its eventual closure
was also on the EU agenda. Armenia reiterated its commitment to
ensuring the plant’s safety, even as efforts are undertaken to secure
alternative energy sources.
The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of establishing
a subcommittee to deal with issues relating to scientific and
technological research, as well as furthering the established exchange
and collaboration that exists between the two scientific communities.
Regional cooperation, conflict resolution and stability were at the
focus of the discussions. The Armenia-European Union Cooperation
Council also addressed the Nagorno Karabakh resolution process,
as well as the need to positively engage Turkey in regional processes.
The Armenian delegation included deputy ministers of Trade and Economic
Development, Finance and Energy. The European delegation included
the European Union’s Special Representative to the South Caucasus,
Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, and Nicolas Schmit, Minister Delegate
for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, which next holds
the EU Presidency.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Network of America, Washington Region
P. O. Box 10423
Arlington, VA 22210-9998
Email: [email protected]
Washington, DC. – The Armenian Network invites you to a presentation
on US support to science and technology development in Armenia hosted
by the US Civilian Research Development Foundation (CRDF).
This event is jointly sponsored with the Washington Section of the
Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (GMWAS/AESA, contact
Dr. Jack Kooyoomjian, [email protected]). It features CRDF
speakers John Modzelewski, Director of Centers and Institution Building
Programs, and Ms. Siri B. Oswald, Senior Manager for Institution
Building Programs. They will introduce and update participants to
the many programs and research and development activities sponsored
by the US CRDF and other organizations which directly benefit the
scientists and engineers in Armenia.
Network seminars provide great opportunities for professional
networking. In particular, this seminar should appeal to all those
interested in (1) supporting research projects that offer scientists
and engineers alternatives to emigration and strengthen the scientific
and technological infrastructure of Armenia; (2) funding collaborative
research and development projects; (3) helping move applied research
to the marketplace; (4) strengthening research and education in
Armenian universities. On the eve of its independence anniversary,
let’s celebrate Armenia’s past scientific achievements and explore
ways of sustaining its future development.
The presentation is scheduled for 6:30pm, Tuesday, September 21,
2004, at 1530 Wilson Boulevard, 3rd Floor CRDF conference room,
Arlington, Virginia 22209. CRDF headquarters are located two
blocks from the Roslyn metro stop. For driving directions check
Advance registration is required for security purposes. Please RSVP
by noon Sept. 20th to [email protected]. Refreshments will be
served. Event is free and open to the public.
The Armenian Network of America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
membership based organization dedicated to the advancement of the
Armenian American community.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 10, 2004
___________________
WORLD BEGINS TO RECOGNIZE GENOCIDE IN SUDAN
Yesterday (9/9), America’s secretary of state, Colin Powell, labeled as
“genocide” the ongoing violence and murder in the Darfur region of
Sudan. Powell’s remarks are the first time any international official
has directly accused another nation of perpetrating a current “genocide”
under the definition found in the United Nations Genocide Convention of
1948.
Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Powell said the
United States had been investigating the current state of terror in
Sudan, where the Arab Islamist government in Khartoum, through the
Janjaweed, an Arab militia it controls, has terrorized three African
tribes in the nation’s western Darfur province. The American team found
a pattern of planned violence and organized, horrific atrocities.
“[T]he evidence leads us to the conclusion that genocide has occurred
and may still be occurring in Darfur. We believe the evidence
corroborates the specific intent of the perpetrators to destroy ‘a group
in whole or in part’. This intent may be inferred from their deliberate
conduct.”
While applying unilateral economic sanctions against Sudan, America is
calling for the United Nations to get involved, and is calling for a
vote in the Security Council on a resolution supporting international
sanctions and the involvement of troops from the African Union, among
other measures.
While calling for sanctions against Sudan’s national government, the
American government and non-governmental organizations are providing
most of the humanitarian aid which is keeping Darfur’s 1.5 million
refugees alive.
(Source: National Review Online, 9/10/04)
* * *
ARMENIAN CHURCH SENDS AID TO REFUGEES
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), has asked parishes to hold a special
collection this Sunday (9/12) that will be used to send aid to the
victims and refuges of the genocide in Sudan.
The donations will provide aid through Church World Service, the
international aid arm of the National Council of Churches (NCC), to
which the Armenian Church belongs. Working to draw attention to the
ongoing suffering in the Darfur region, Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan
legate, has spoken to NCC leaders about the lasting effects genocide can
have on a people.
Many of you have already donated to the relief effort online. We thank
you for standing up to help those in desperate need. If you haven’t
yet, please give either through your parish this Sunday or on-line,
through our safe and secure Internet server.
To read the Primate’s directive on the Sudanese genocide and for
information on how to give online, visit our website today:
;selmonth=8&sel
year=2004
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 9/10/04)
# # #

Head of IMF mission hails cooperation with Armenia
Noyan Tapan news agency
8 Sep 04
Yerevan, 8 September: Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan
received the head of the mission of the International Monetary Fund
[IMF], Enrike Gelbard, the permanent representative of the IMF in
Armenia, James McHugh, and a member of the mission, (?Susan George).
Having described the nearly 10 years of cooperation with Armenia as
rather effective, the head of the IMF mission said that the purpose
of his regular visit was to continue the dialogue and discussions
with the executive authorities on a number of financial and economic
issues. They include issues of assisting small and medium-sized
businesses in Armenia, relations between businessmen and state
structures and the need to expand cooperation between appropriate
state structures.
The press service of the Armenian government told Noyan Tapan news
agency that the Armenian prime minister has submitted his approaches
regarding the aforesaid issues. Andranik Markaryan expressed the hope
that thanks to active cooperation with the IMF, the aforesaid issues
will be resolved effectively.

KOCHARIAN, KHATAMI SIGN DOCUMENT ON BASIC PRINCIPLES OF BILATERAL COOPERATION
ArmenPress
Sept 8 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert Kocharian
and the visiting Iranian president Mohammad Khatami, who is heading
a high-ranking delegation, discussed today a wide variety of issues
on bilateral relations, the current level of their partnership
and prospects for its enlargement, as well as the latest regional
developments, noting that a deeper regional cooperation is able to
pave the way for creation of a favorable climate for regulation of
the regional conflicts.
The talk between the two presidents was followed by a plenary session
of the joint inter-governmental economic cooperation commission. In
the presence of the two presidents several agreements were signed
envisioning mutual cooperation in the field of energy, constructing a
wind farm in Armenia, procedure for customs agreement, financing the
construction of a 40 kilometer Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline.
Also an agreement on mutual cultural exchange in the 2004-2007 period
and the protocol of the fifth Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission
are among the agreements inked by the two countries. The two presidents
signed an agreement on the basic principles of Iran-Armenia cooperation
Speaking to a joint news conference president Kocharian described
the visit by his counterpart as “an event of a crucial significance.”
“We have discussed the entire range of bilateral relations,” he said,
adding that the signed documents were a clear indication of a very
high level of partnership.
Kocharian said also that bilateral relations between the two nations
are becoming richer and expand day after day. ” I have informed
president Khatami on the current pace of Nagorno Karabagh regulation
and heard also his own approaches towards a variety of other issues,”
he said.
Khatami in turn said he was happy for a chance to visit Armenia
and meet Kocharian. “Armenia is a country where an industrious and
devoted people live that have contributed greatly to world culture
development,” he said commending the 200,000 strong Armenian community
in Iran for contributing to the country’s progress and a significant
role in the Islamic Revolution. “Armenia is Iran’s geographic neighbor,
and though our general policy is to establish good relations with
all our neighbors, our relations with Armenia are of a special
kind. Relations between Iranians and Armenians are a good example
for all those who want to live side by side and respect one another,”
Khatami said.
In a reference to regional affairs he said the sensitive region
that encompasses Iran and the Caucasus needs to have an ensured
stability. “We deem our neighbors’ security our own security and
believe that science and education development can serve as a good
stability guarantee,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

I’ll Be The First Soldier
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
8 Sept 04
On the occasion of the Independence Day of NKR the public organization
of the disabled azatamartiks “Vita” organized a meeting to which
members of the National Assembly Ararat Petrossian and Maxim Mirzoyan
were invited too. Not having their office the chairman of the public
organization Arevik Petrossian invited the members of “Vita”
to her home. The moods of the disabled could not be described as
festive. Perhaps they remembered details from their life during the
war, or maybe problems of everyday life. One thing is certain that
each of them dreams of living in a free, independent and peaceful
fatherland. They are conscious that the problem of Karabakh has long
ago been moved from the military arena to the sphere of diplomacy. And
the fair settlement of the problem is conditioned by the elimination of
the problems hindering the regular activity of political and public
structures of both the Republic of Armenia and Nagorni Karabakh,
and a joint and determined position of the people. The azatamartiks
proved by their actions that Artsakh is an Armenian territory, and
the land of the ancestors belongs to those who lived and continue
living on this land. Congratulating the disabled azatamartiks,
Arevik Petrossian mentioned that in 13 years NKR achieved all the
attributes of state. Along with the state political structures a
stable public sphere was formed in Karabakh. As to the recent
elections to the municipalities, I must say that all the conditions
are present in Karabakh for building a democratic state and a civil
society, emphasized the chairman of the organization. Touching
upon the problems of the organization, which is the solution of
the social problems of the azatamartiks, the problem of office and
transport, she mentioned that they rely upon the government of the
country and hope they will do everything for the protection of the
rights of the azatamartiks. According to member of parliament Ararat
Gevorkian, he had a dual feeling on the Day of Independence. “We
owe to these men for the independence of our statehood. At the same
time I feel pain and pity for the thing that many of the disabled
azatamartiks live in extremely hard social conditions. I would like
our government to provide more support to the disabled, the families of
killed azatamartiks,” mentioned Ararat Petrossian adding that our
people live in a country where war may break out at any time. ”
Independence is a great victory but not a final one. Our people
are at the tenuous borderline between war and peace. Our dream is
to live in a free and peaceful fatherland. Let there be no war ever
and the number of the disabled people do not multiply,” said the
member of parliament. Disabled soldier Edward Andrian said, the fact
of four members of “Vita” receiving treatment abroad speaks
about the willingness of the government. “The traces of war have
been erased in Stepanakert, the town has been restored, prospered and
become beautiful. I think in the course of time the quality of life
of the people who stood up for their rights in 1988 and assured the
entire world that their land is Armenian, will rise. Everyone must be
master of their fate and no one has the right to rule us,” said
Andrian adding that in case Azerbaijan resumes military actions, it
will have great losses because the Karabakh army is strong and ready to
counterattack the enemy. “If war breaks out, I’ll be the first
soldier of my country,” said azatamartik Armen Shahnazarian. Armen
is from the village Chartar. He was wounded in 1994, and his elder
brother was killed in 1993. “I want Karabakh become a rich country
for us to be able to provide well-being of our families. Several
of my acquaintances left Karabakh for Russia. I will never leave the
fatherland, maybe if I have the possibility I will leave abroad and get
treatment. But then I’ll come back. This is our land, we liberated
it and we must look after it. My children will grow here. I repeat,
if, God forbid, war resumes in our wonderful country, I will be the
first soldier of my country,”
NVARD OHANJANIAN. 08-09-2004

School siege victims receive humanitarian aid
RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
Sept 8 2004
RBC, 08.09.2004, Rostov-on-Don 10:50:12.Hospitals in Beslan are
still receiving humanitarian aid from abroad. According to the
Russian Emergencies Ministry, in particular, Italy has sent 7 tons
of medicines, the USA has sent 25 tons of medicines, an X-ray device
and an automatic lung ventilating machine. Norway and Azerbaijan have
sent 20 tons of medicines; Armenia has sent 200kg of donated blood.
Some 318 people injured in the school siege in Beslan remain in North
Ossetian hospitals.

Armenian troops to join Polish contingent in Iraq
Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan
6 Sep 04
Warsaw, 6 September: Armenia is to send 50 servicemen to Iraq who will
join coalition troops under the Polish command. The Armenian contingent
will go to Iraq under a security cooperation agreement signed between
the two countries by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and his
Polish counterpart Aleksander Kwasniewski on Monday [6 September].
[Passage to end omitted: earlier reported details.]

Poland, Armenia strengthen bilateral ties
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
September 6, 2004, Monday
Warsaw — The presidents of Poland and Armenia vowed Monday to continue
bilateral cooperation aimed at fostering western-oriented economic
and political development in the former Soviet Caucusus republic.
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski termed bilateral political
relations with Armenia “excellent”, following talks with Armenian
President Robert Kocharian. Asked whether Armenia’s membership of the
European Union could one day become a reality, Kwasniewski said he
was unable to “prophesize” about the prospect. However, he proposed
that as an E.U. member Poland was prepared to share its near 15 years
experience in transformation from dictatorship to democracy and from
a communist command to a capitalist market economy. Kocharian noted
that the most important task facing the southern Caucasus region
was achieving “predictable progress” in carrying out the political
and economic reforms needed to attract business and European Union
investment. Both leaders also expressed the hope that a solution
would be found to the long-standing dispute between Armenia and
neighbouring Azerbaijan over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. The
Armenian leader also vowed to send 50 soldiers including medical
personnel to join the Polish-led multi-national contingent stationed
in south-central Iraq. The contingent is unlikely to be deployed
before the end of this year. Bilateral Polish-Armenian agreements on
fighting international organised crime, as well as military, economic,
and industrial cooperation were finalized Monday in Warsaw, Poland’s
Kwasniewski confirmed. The Armenian president was due to meet with
Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka and the leaders of the upper and
lower houses of the Polish Parliament later on Monday. dpa sib bg
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress