Author: Harutyunian Christine

RUSSIAN PROVINCE DELEGATION DISCUSS COOPERATION IN ARMENIA

ArmenPress
March 22 2005

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: Prime minister Andranik Margarian
received today members of a Russian delegation, headed by the
governor of Sverdlovsk province Eduard Rossel. Russian and Armenian
officials were quoted by the government press office as saying that
Russian Putin’s visit to Armenia later this week will give a new
incentive to further strengthening of diverse bilateral ties.
Margarian said Armenia expects the visit of the delegation to give
a fresh muscle to advancing cooperation between Armenia and the
Russian province. He said Armenia has established vivid trade
relations with 25 Russian provinces.
Governor Rossel who contributed to rehabilitation of the
earthquake zone in late 1980-s, spoke highly of the Armenian
community in his province. Andranik Margarian and Eduard Rossel
discussed also a range of other issues.
Also Martin Sarkisian, the president of Armenian Commerce and
Industry Chamber, welcomed today chief managers of several industrial
enterprises in the Russian province of Sverdlovsk who have arrived
here together with the provincial governor to explore ways to expand
cooperation with Armenian counterparts.
Addressing participants of a joint business forum, Sarkisian said
it was evidence of their interest towards Armenian counterparts.
Larisa Scharf, deputy economic minister of the Russian province,
said the trade between Armenia and the province last year amounted to
$3 million, but added there are all chances to double and triple it.

ArmenPress
March 22 2005

HAMLET GASPARIAN SAYS ARMENIA EXPRESSES ITS SUPPORT IN RESTORATION OF
HISTORICAL JUSTICE WITHIN BOUNDARIES OF UNITED HOMELAND OF CHINESE
PEOPLE

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: The Chinese Parliament adopted law
on “Anti-Secession ” where China’s approaches to the regulation of
the Taiwan issue are presented.
Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister press secretary Hamlet Gasparian
told that Armenia always expresses its support in the restoration of
historical justice within the boundaries of the united homeland of
Chinese people.
“Armenia’s position to the issue is fully expressed in the joint
declaration signed by the Armenian and Chinese Presidents in
September, 2004. We express hope that the efforts aimed at re-uniting
the Chinese people and the adoption of “Anti-Secession” law will be
efficient and will give an opportunity to regulate the issue in
peaceful way,” said Foreign Affairs Minister press secretary.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

PALM SUNDAY IS CELEBRATED IN THE
ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL

All the Armenian Churches celebrated the Palm Sunday on March 20. On
this occasion Holy Liturgy was held in the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral in Antelias. Bishop Nareg Alemezian officiated the mass
and the “Shenorhali” Choir performed the hymns under the directions
of Fr Bartev Gulumian.

During the mass, thousands of Armenian children received His Holiness
Aram I ‘s blessing. The Catholicos gave a special speech on this
occasion from the balcony of the “Veharan”, Pontifical residence. The
central theme of his speech constituted the current political situation
of Lebanon.

The Palm Sunday procession toured the Cathedral’s yard and returned
to the Cathedral amid cheerful greetings by a huge crowd of faithful.

A service for the “opening of the door of heaven” was held in the
afternoon. The service was presided by His Holiness Aram I and
conducted by Bishop Nareg, who delivered a special sermon about
the occasion.

##

View printable pictures here:

*****

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.

The Sweet Science
Monday Mar 21, 2005

It matters little who sits in the corner, as it will be up to the two
warriors in the middle of the ring who determine who takes this one.

Boxing South Africa: Darchinyan – Sikali Set for Clash Down Under

by Deon Potgieter

South Africa and Australia have been archrivals for many years
and whenever these two countries go up against each other in any
sport there is added interest in what will transpire. Even though
IBF flyweight world champion Vic Darchinyan is of Armenian decent,
he now fights out of Australia, and when he climbs into the ring to
defend his title on March 27 against South Africa’s Mzukisi Sikali,
there’s going to be fireworks.

Sikali, the current IBO flyweight and former WBU junior fly and
super flyweight world champion, is a seasoned professional who has
come through the school of hard knocks to get where he is today. His
scarred face and gritty looks reflect that he is by no means a man
to take lightly – and it’s unlikely that the champion would do so.

Darchinyan (22 wins with 17 KOs), who is trained by hall of famer
Jeff Fenech, stopped the highly rated Irene Pacheco in 11 rounds to
claim the crown on December 16 and will be looking to celebrate his
newfound stardom in front of his “home-crowd” in Home Bush, New South
Wales Australia.

Fenech is no stranger to South Africa and has brought a number of
his charges to the southern most tip of the continent in hopes of
furthering their careers. Many of them have been against boxers trained
by Harold Volbrecht, who also trains Sikali. Fenech has not had much
success against Volbrecht’s charges, but that could all change with
the Darchinyan-Sikali encounter.

Few local pundits give Sikali a chance against the champion. Although
Sikali has always been respected, he is known to drift from the
garden path on occasion and is not always totally committed to his
fistic career. Sikali does, however, have an abundance of talent and
possesses a huge arsenal, boasting almost every shot in the book. If
he’s fired up and remains focused he has the ability to upset anyone
in the division.

To many people’s surprise, Volbrecht, who battled to inspire Corrie
Sanders in his clash with Vitali Klitschko, has had a tremendous
influence on Sikali thus far, and this partnership looks to be one
of those exceptional ones where trainer and boxer flourish in each
other’s company. Whether the 33-year-old Sikali (29 wins, 5 losses,
2 draws with 17 KOs), who is looking sharp in training, still has
the legs to claim a fourth world title remains to be seen. The fact
that he will be facing another southpaw in his quest will also add
an interesting dimension to the fight.

Nobody likes fighting southpaws, especially other southpaws. Finding
the perfect trainer to coach a southpaw to fight a southpaw, one
need look no further than Volbrecht. He is a southpaw who twice
challenged for the WBA welterweight world title and holds a national
record for defending his South African welterweight title a total of
19 times. With more opportunities at the right times in his career
there is no doubt he would have claimed a world title. Amongst his
past charges of the have been former two-time junior lightweight world
champion, Brian Mitchell, former two-time heavyweight world champion
Corrie Sanders, former welterweight world champion Jan Bergman,
and former two-time cruiserweight world champion Sebastian Rothman,
to name a few.

Fenech also has a well documented pedigree, but in the end it matters
little who sits in the corner, as it will be up to the two warriors in
the middle of the ring who determine who takes this one. Both have 17
KOs to date and methinks this one will end with one of them having 18.

PRO-WESTERN GOVERNING ALLIANCE POSSIBLE IN MOLDOVA
by Vladimir Socor

Eurasia Daily Monitor — The Jamestown Foundation
Monday, March 14, 2005 — Volume 2, Issue 50

On March 11, Moldova’s Central Electoral Commission released the final
results of the country’s March 6 parliamentary elections. The outcome,
verified by election observers in parallel vote-counting, shows the
Communist Party with 56 parliamentary seats (one more than initially
announced), the heterogeneous Bloc Moldova Democrata controlled by
pro-Moscow leaders with 34 seats (one fewer than initially announced),
and the right-wing Christian-Democrat People’s Party with 11 seats in
the 101-seat legislature. Thus the Communists, BMD, and CDPP garnered
46%, 28.5%, and 9%, respectively, of the votes cast. The other
parties and blocs failed to clear the parliamentary representation
thresholds. Among those who failed, three Russian left-nationalist
groups garnered almost 9 percent of the vote between them. (Moldpres,
March 11, 12).

Under Moldova’s constitution, the parliament elects the head of
state with a majority of at least three-fifths of its membership
and approves the president’s nomination of a prime minister and the
composition of the cabinet with a simple parliamentary majority.

The pro-Western team of Communist President Vladimir Voronin needs 61
votes to re-elect the president and 51 votes to approve a new cabinet
of ministers. Thus, it can form the cabinet single-handedly, and can
probably secure the president’s re-election by making tactical deals
with at least five, or preferably seven or eight, BMD members (unless
the Moscow operatives now active in Chisinau manage to lure some
Communist deputies away from Voronin quickly). One “centrist” faction
within BMD seems inclined toward such a tactical arrangement with
the president and perhaps further opportunistic deals down the road.

However, the presidential team and some groups of the traditional
pro-Western opposition are now considering the possibility of
joining together in a parliamentary and governing alliance. The
formation of such an alliance would signify a sea change to Moldova’s
politics, bringing together for the first time since 1991 some of
the anti-communist groups and the reformed section of the Communist
Party. A realignment along these lines is being referred to as
“national-interest alliance” or “pro-Europe alliance” in the internal
discussions now under way in Chisinau.

Three parallel processes have opened this prospect, which had seemed
beyond imagination only months ago, and which moved within a few
insiders’ grasp during the final phase of the electoral campaign.
Those processes are: First, the presidential team’s Western
reorientation (itself accelerated by Moscow’s heavy-handed pressures
on official Chisinau). Second, a realization by some pro-Western
opposition leaders that they must graduate at long last from the role
of protesters on the margins of the political system into the role
of national decision-makers and participants in governance. And, the
third and latest process, Moscow’s overt sponsorship of pro-Russian
“centrist” leaders in Chisinau, who dominate a confused and partly
corrupted BMD, and who must be prevented from creating a large
pro-Russian political bloc together with some diehard communists and
Russian left-nationalist groups.

A national-interest or pro-Europe alliance could: ensure the continuity
of Voronin’s European course; accelerate that course and broaden
its parliamentary and extra-parliamentary political basis; isolate
BMD’s pro-Moscow leaders; include the traditional pro-Western and
indeed anti-communist groups into the decision-making processes for
the first time in more than a decade; enable these groups to prepare
for better results in the 2009 parliamentary elections; and achieve
an overdue reconfiguration of Moldova’s political system, as the
Communist Party reforms itself into a European-type Socialist Party,
alongside Christian-Democrats and Liberals. Voronin and his aides
envisage such a reform of their party as one of the prerequisites to
the creation of a value-based coalition.

Preliminary discussions toward that end began even before the March
6 elections and accelerated afterward. The participants envisage
an alliance for the duration of the four-year mandate of this
parliament. Any programmatic document would have to stipulate:
scrupulous implementation of the European Union-Moldova Action
Plan, which was signed in Brussels on February 22; completion
of the internal reform agenda, itemizing specific goals — e.g.,
independence of the judiciary, administrative decentralization, turning
state-controlled television and radio into genuine public institutions,
cracking down on corruption, radically improving the legislative and
regulatory framework for Western investment — with time-tables for
implementation; intensifying efforts to rid the country of Russian
troops, and working toward a democratic solution to the Transnistria
problem with international support.

Participants in these discussions believe that they must
proceed cautiously and explain their steps properly to their
core electorates. At the same time, they realize that they need
to act expeditiously so as to preempt Moscow’s effort to assemble
a pro-Russian coalition under BMD’s top leaders — Chisinau mayor
Serafim Urecheanu, former prime minister Dumitru Braghis, and other
late-Soviet nomenklatura holdovers — alongside the Russian-leftist
Rodina movement and anti-Voronin defectors from the Communist
Party. The Christian-Democrats are keenly aware of this dangerous
possibility. Within the BMD, several social-liberal and liberal
deputies who never felt at home in that bloc (they joined it on
external advice and against their own better judgment) seem ready to
abandon the pro-Moscow leaders and to consider becoming one of the
parties to a value-based alliance.

Vladimir Socor

FINAL REPORT OF SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF OSCE PA GORAN LENMARKER ON
NAGORNY KARABAKH WILL BE READY BY THE SPRING SESSION OF OSCE PA

YEREVAN, MARCH 19. ARMINFO. The final report of Special Representative
of OSCE PA Goran Lenmarker on Nagorny Karabakh will be ready by the
spring session of OSCE PA. According to the Azerbaijani newspaper
Echo, a member of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation Eldar
Ibrahimov said after March 17-18 meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani
MPs with Goran Lenmarker in Brussels. He said that Azerbaijani MP
informed Lenmarker of the last information “on the occupied
territories, on living conditions of refugees, on the activity of
separatist regime in Nagorny Karabakh, as well as on the recent
frequent violations of cease-fire regime on the front line.” At the
same time, Ibrahimov expressed hope that all these data would be
reflected in Lenmarker’s report. The content of the report has not
been made public yet.

As it was report earlier, the Azerbaijani delegation promises to exert
all the efforts in order that Goran Lenmarker’s report reflects the
provisions of Atkinson’s report adopted by PACE and resolutions. In
July an annual session of OSCE PA will take place in Washington and
Lenmarker’s report to be presented there. If the above provision is
included in the report, Ibrahimov says that the adoption of
resolutions wherein Armenia will be recognized “occupant” will become
easier. According to the source, yesterday, members of the Armenian
and Azerbaijani delegations met with Representative of NATO Secretary
General on South Caucasus Robert Simmons. At that meeting, Azerbaijani
MP Sattar Safarov informed Simmons that cease-fire regime on the
front-line is violated every day by Armenia, several Azerbaijani
officers were killed and several were taken hostages. In his turn,
R.Simmons stated that he would bring these facts to NATO Secretary
General. Simmons expressed desire to bopth delegation that Nagorny
Karabakh conflict is resolved on the basis of international legal
norms. It should be noted that Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament
Vahan Hovhannissyan headed the Armenian delegation. However, he did
not mentioned any details.

Azer News
17/03/2005 12:49

British ambassador warns of threat to vital pipelines

Certain domestic forces opposed to democratic development in Azerbaijan may
jeopardize the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (BTE)
pipelines any time, the British Ambassador to Azerbaijan Laurie Bristow told
ANS TV channel.

As for the security of the BTC pipeline, Bristow said that co-operation
between Azerbaijan and NATO in this area is possible. At the same time, the
ambassador, mentioning the successful involvement of the Azerbaijani army in
international anti-terror operations, said that Azerbaijan may ensure the
pipeline’s security using its own forces.
Last week Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov said that Azerbaijan’s vital
pipelines have come under a terror threat from Armenia.

A MONTH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
15 March 05

On March 14 NKR Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian signed a decree on
holding a month of tree planting, refuse collection and repairs in the
Republic of Nagorni Karabakh on April 1-30. The heads of the NKR
ministries, governmental bodies, agencies, the City Hall of
Stepanakert, the regional administrations and communities were
instructed to work out the plan of the work to be done, settle
technical, financial and organizational questions, take steps for
participation of all the educational institutions, organizations,
offices and the citizens. According to the decree, the NKR ministries,
agencies under the NKR government, local governments will extend a
statement on the results of the month to the NKR National Statistics
Service before May 15, 2005.

15-03-2005

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 16 2005

SPEECH OF PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV
[March 16, 2005, 23:04:20]

Dear staff members of the Ministry of National Security,

Dear officers,

A few days ago, as a result of a special operation carried out by the
staff members of the Ministry of National Security a large criminal
gang was exposed, and members of the gang were arrested. The public
was informed on this. There is enough information on the
developments. I would like to note it was the largest one of the
crimes happened in Azerbaijan in the latest years. The operation
implemented by the National Security Ministry was successful and
significant. These criminals who committed heavy crimes and engaged
in numerous crimes have lived for many years in Azerbaijan with
impunity. The public of Azerbaijan was seriously concerned with these
developments, crimes and murders. This was a hard blow to our common
cause.

The socio-political stability and welfare established in Azerbaijan
last years is very important for us, and is a major condition for the
country’s successful development.

Such cruel and pitiless crimes, of course, have negative impact on
stability in the society. The professionally well-organized operation
once again showed that the state of Azerbaijan is able to defend its
citizens. The State of Azerbaijan demonstrated its strength and once
again all, including the criminals saw that we shall strictly fight
against any crime and any criminal gang.

I can tell that all the undertaken measures related to this crime
have been performed at high level. Both in investigation-inquiry and
realization processes of the operation, high professionalism was
demonstrated. In result, the hostage was freed uninjured, and at the
same time, several other crimes were revealed. I dare to say all the
measures were taken in high professional level and as a result, the
public of Azerbaijan, the people of Azerbaijan once again witnessed
that in fighting the criminals nothing and nobody can impede us.

I note this to express my personal gratitude to you. As the President
of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, on
behalf of the entire people of Azerbaijan and on my personal behalf I
extend my gratitude to you. I have no doubt personnel of the National
Security Ministry will and henceforth serve worthily to Motherland
and actively take part in maintaining safety of the nation, the
state.

In general, the national security bodies have many functions in
Azerbaijan. Taking into account that Azerbaijan is a young
independent state and as a young independent state has many problems,
and its geo-political situation, natural resources and the oil-gas
pipelines across its territory, realization of large energy projects
in Azerbaijan, we see that Azerbaijan is in the focus of numerous
forces. We should be ready for this. That is, we should be ready for
challenges of time, and from this point of view the Ministry of
National Security has exclusive importance and function. I am very
pleased that this function is successfully performed and today the
Ministry demonstrates high professionalism.

It has been for a year that staff changes happened in the ministry. I
have appointed Eldar Mahmudov as a new Minister and in this period
the done works pointed that it was a right choice. Though Eldar
Mahmudov did not work in the national security bodies until that
time, however, I knew him. I knew that he is a professional, devoted
to Motherland and state, and had no doubt that in short time he will
carry out rearrangements in the Ministry, create new atmosphere and
undertake necessary measures for our national safety. The life proved
it.

I would also to tell that the information related to the `Black Belt’
operation, this criminal gang was available in the past, too. Now,
the done work proves it. I can tell that still in 2001, the
Prosecutor General has informed the minister of national security
Namig Abbasov on this in written form. The person at the head of gang
was known. Other facts were also present to carry out operation and
launch investigation. Unfortunately, it was regarded indifferently.
Nothing was done and in result, we lost four years.

I have once stated that after this latest fact of kidnap I
commissioned the investigation to the Ministry of National Security.
Though it was not your direct function. And in the common cause of
Azerbaijan, in maintenance of stability and order in the country, of
national safety in Azerbaijan, there could not be corporative
interests. All the law-enforcement bodies should assist each other in
this cause, and jointly work. Should then the Ministry regarded this
timely and seriously, many crimes would be prevented.

In short, appointing Eldar Mahmudov to this position I knew it was a
right choice. I am very pleased that today, the people of Azerbaijan
and the public see and know it. I deem that the he will perform his
duties successfully, and do the best for the future of Azerbaijan,
for its future development, for safety of the Azerbaijani citizens.

You know that the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan people Heydar
Aliyev had particular relations towards the Ministry of National
Security. Long period of his life passed in this Ministry. He was
promoted from the lowest position in this Ministry to the highest. In
his further activity, after having been elected as the first
secretary in Azerbaijan, and later as President of Azerbaijan, he
always paid due attention to this body. He understood well the
importance of this body and knew well its activity.

This attention and today is paid. On my part, I try and shall try to
create all conditions for activity of the Ministry, to solve all the
questions related to this Ministry. I shall do it and henceforth. I
would also to note that the Ministry of National Security, this body
is very dear and native for me. I have no doubt that we all shall do
great deeds for future of Azerbaijan.

The Ministry’s material- technical base should be strengthened. We
have already done certain works in this direction. The Ministry
should gain modern equipment to prevent any possible threats for
Azerbaijan.

I reiterate that our country is experiencing important years of its
history. The ongoing processes, successful development of Azerbaijan,
successful construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP, construction
of Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, of course, all we know that
will create nice opportunities for Azerbaijan. Our people, the state
will develop. Material conditions will improve. Also is not a secret
that there are circles who dislike this. First of all, it is the
Armenian lobby, Armenia’s patrons in the world, who carry our dirty
campaigns against Azerbaijan. I would also say that last years the
Ministry of National Security has not carried out any notable
operation related to the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. I have given certain instructions to Eldar Mahmudov and on
this item. He investigated and it appeared that the work in this
direction was in general very weak. Not a secret that settlement of
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is priority for
Azerbaijan. We want to peacefully solve the problem. But, using all
other ways – political, diplomatic and etc. we want to find fair
solution of the question. I consider that today necessary steps are
being made and in this direction.

I reiterate that an organized world structure is fighting against us.
Our country possibly is the only country among the former soviet
republics that have to fight against purposeful and multilateral
forces.

We know the Armenian lobby has strong positions in the world. They
have great financial opportunities. Just taking this advantage, they
direct numerous politicians. We know all this. The anti-Azerbaijan
campaigns in some foreign mass media is organized and directed just
by the Armenians. Why? They want to damage image of Azerbaijan,
misrepresent out country. We know this and struggle against this. We
also should know that this lobby both politically and economically
has great influence. But I have no doubt that despite of these, the
fair cause of Azerbaijan, policy of Azerbaijan and other works done ,
the steps made in this direction, our approach to this problem will
lead to fair resolution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. I deem that the works done in this direction and made steps
will yield fruits. The works to be done by the Ministry of National
Security in this direction are also of great significance.

Dear officers,

I reiterate that many depend on your activity. Azerbaijan is to have
bright future. Azerbaijan marches confidently, and pursues its policy
independently. Collaborators of the Ministry of National Security
make their contributions to the people of Azerbaijan, to
strengthening of the Azerbaijan statehood. They are professionals,
devoted to Motherland, the state. I am pleased that as a result of
the works done in the Ministry, great successes were achieved and
many vital questions found solution. The gang of criminals that was
wanted and who threatened the society for many years has been
neutralized. This is your contribution, your victory, and the victory
of all of us.

Today I have issued some Decrees on conferment of staff members of
the Ministry. I want to present them to you. I have decreed on
conferring the rank of lieutenant general upon Eldar Mahmudov.

Chief of the Anti-terror Center Hilal Asadov has been conferred with
the rank of major general. I have also issued decrees on awarding a
group of staff members of the Ministry of National Security. The
Decree runs: `A group of collaborators of the National Security
Ministry of Azerbaijan Republic is awarded with different state
awards for expose of criminals engaged in murder, kidnap and
especially heavy crimes that last days caused serious resonance and
concern in the society, aimed at breach of rule and social order, for
high professionalism and courage shown in neutralization of the
criminals and liberation of hostage’.

I want to say that the heavy crimes committed by the gang were
uncovered. One revealed crime led to expose of other crimes of the
past, and also insidious murders were exposed. It is also important
that the crime did not remain unpunished. Now, I would begin
conferment ceremony.

***

Then, President of Azerbaijan presented high state awards to a group
of security personnel.

**
At the ceremony, also was speaking Minister of National Security
Eldar Mahmudov, deputy minister of national security Ali Nagiyev, and
others.

President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev summed up the ceremony.

I-Newswire.com (press release)
March 14 2005

The Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on
Contemporary Forms of Slavery concluded its tenth session on Friday,
11 March.

i-Newswire, 2005-03-14 – During its one-week annual session, the
Board considered 63 applications for project grants and 12
applications for travel grants. It recommended funding 25 projects
in 15 countries to extend humanitarian, legal and financial aid to
individuals whose human rights have been violated as a result of
contemporary forms of slavery.

The Board also recommended travel grants for seven persons to
participate in the deliberations of the Working Group on Contemporary
Forms of Slavery, to be held from 6 to 10 June 2005. These
beneficiaries will speak on contemporary forms of slavery in six
different countries. One of the seven will give first-hand testimony
as a former victim of slavery.

The five Board members, who have been appointed by the
Secretary-General, are: José de Souza Martins ( Brazil ), Prateep
Unsongtham Hata ( Thailand ), Cheikh Saad-Bouh Kamara ( Mauritania ),
Gulnara Shahinian ( Armenia ), and David Weissbrodt ( United States
). Mr. Kamara serves as Chairman.

The Fund was established by the General Assembly in its resolution
46/122 of 17 December 1991.

For further information, please contact the secretariat of the Fund
at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, CH-1211
Geneva 10 – Switzerland, tel.: +41 22 917 93 81/93 14, fax: +41 22
917 90 66, e-mail: [email protected].

If you have questions regarding information in these press release
contact the company listed below. Please do not contact us as we are
unable to assist you with your inquiry. We disclaim any content
contained in this press release.