Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIA FOR COORDINATION OF ACTS WITH GEORGIA IN EUROPEAN INTEGRATION ISSUES
YEREVAN, JULY 22. ARMINFO. Armenia is for cooperation of acts with
Georgia in the issues of integration into Europe. Armenian Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan told journalists as a result of the visit of
his Georgian counterpart Salome Surabishvili to Yerevan.
He said that political relations between the two states are very good
and they can be even more improved in the course of rapprochement to
European structures. It would be better if we come out with the same
positions i.e. with a single vote, he said. However, Azerbaijan
prevents this, the minister said. There are regional tasks and the
main obstacle in their solution is Azerbaijan. But together with
Georgia we will try to coordinate our acts, and if Azerbaijan wants to
join us, we will do it, Oskanyan said. As regards the
Armenian-Georgian economic relations, Minister Oskanyan said that
these issues will be discussed during the forthcoming visit of
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan to Tbilisi.

GALA CONCERT INITIATES NEXT FESTIVAL
Azg/am
23 july 2004
The gala-concert of the Second Competition-Festival for Young
Musicians after Emin Khachatrian took place on July 21 at Aram
Khachaturian concert hall. The festival, organized by RA Ministry of
Culture and Youth Affairs, Ra Philharmonic Orchestra and Yerevan
Chamber Orchestra was not only directed to revealing the talented
young singers but also has the aim to support them in their education
process. The Competition-Festival began a month ago. There were 4age
groups that included 7-18 years old pianists, viola, violin, and cello
players. The 50 of these young musicians were awarded diplomas,
prizes and souvenirs. “The results of the competition held last year
were so promising that we decided to continue it,” said Vartan
Hakobian, organizer of the competition, chairman of the jury,
conductor of Yerevan Chamber Orchestra. He is sure that such festivals
are very important for the children, where they can display their
abilities and perform for the audience.
Garnik Gulumjian, Chairman of the Organizers’ Committee, stated with
joy that the festival showed once again that we have many talented
children. “Iâ=80=99d like to congratulate all the participants, as I
consider them all winners,” he said.
Anahit Ananian-Galstian, American Armenian philanthropist, greatly
contributed to the realization of the arrangement. The best
participants ofthe festival were given the chance to perform with
Yerevan Chamber Orchestra. Vartan Hakobian, encouraged with the
results of the competition, promised the participants to secure the
annual continuation of the festival.
By Tamar Minasian

Il Sole 24 Ore, Italia
July 20, 2004
Ankara chiede a Parigi un via libera per la Ue
Vittorio Da Rold
Il premier turco Erdogan vede Raffarin e Chirac – In gioco il si’ ai
negoziati
DAL NOSTRO INVIATO
PARIGI *c E’ una specie di e allo stesso tempo
una tappa cruciale quella che il premier turco, Recep Tayyp Erdogan,
in visita ufficiale a Parigi da ieri per tre giorni, tenta di portare
a compimento in terra di Francia per sostenere la causa di un
eventuale ingresso della Turchia nell’Unione europea.
Erdogan, un islamico moderato a capo di un governo monocolore che ha
raccolto buoni successi in campo economico rilanciando la crescita e
abbattendo l’inflazione, sara’ accompagnato da una numerosa
delegazione, tra cui una folta rappresentanza della Tusiad, la
Confindustria turca, per convincere Parigi, anche sul fronte dei
legami commerciali, ad ammorbidire la sua posizione ostile nei
confronti di Ankara.
Lo schieramento politico interno e’ abbastanza definito: la destra e’
contraria (la direzione dell’Ump, il partito di maggioranza ha votato
contro l’ingresso della Turchia durante la campagna per le europee)
mentre i socialisti sono favorevoli, in linea di principio
all’ingresso, ma pongono come condizione che Ankara faccia passi
avanti sul tema del rispetto dei diritti dell’uomo e sul
riconoscimento del genocidio armeno avvenuto durante la Prima guerra
mondiale (un tema pero’ che trova forti opposizioni proprio tra le
forze armate turche, guardiani discreti della laicita’ di Ankara).
Insomma, il quadro e’ abbastanza complicato al punto che Jean-Louis
Bourlanges, dell’Udf, il partito centrista, alleato con Chirac a
Parigi ma unito a Rutelli con i “Liberali per l’Europa” a Strasburgo,
non ha esitato ad affermare in un’intervista senza mezzi termini a
che . In altri
termini, non c’e’ spazio per Ankara, almeno per ora, in Europa pur
riconoscendo la possibilita’ di migliorare la natura di rapporti di
buon vicinato.
.
Comunque il governo francese, all’indomani dell’annuncio del
presidente della Repubblica, Jacques Chirac di indire un referendum
nel 2005 dagli esiti molto incerti sulla Costituzione europea, non
vuole correre altri rischi e non e’ favorevole all’eventuale ingresso
della Turchia nell’Unione. Roma, Berlino, Londra e Madrid, invece,
sostengono Ankara. Anche il presidente americano George W. Bush, nel
corso dell’ultimo summit della Nato svoltosi in Turchia, aveva
perorato la causa turca suscitando pero’ la reazione piccata di
Parigi che non si era lasciata scappare la ghiotta occasione per
l’ennesima polemica con l’iperpotenza americana: , aveva ribattuto Chirac a Bush che aveva
chiesto, senza successo, l’intervento della Nato in Irak. Ribaltando
la dottrina Monroe, Parigi aveva invitato gli Usa a pensare alle
politiche relative al proprio emisfero.
Da Parigi, dunque, passa la difficile strada di Erdogan per
Bruxelles, dal momento che la maggior parte della classe politica
francese e’ ostile all’idea di aprire un negoziato per l’ingresso
della Turchia nella Ue.
, ha precisato il premier Erdogan,
prima di partire per Parigi. Erdogan incontrera’ oltre a Chirac anche
il primo ministro francese, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, mentre ieri ha
partecipato a una cena con la comunita’ turca. .
VITTORIO DA ROLD

Armenian court adjourns hearings on opposition activist’s case
Arminfo
19 Jul 04
Yerevan, 19 July: The Court of Appeal has postponed until 21 July the
consideration of an appeal by the lawyer of Lavrentiy Kirakosyan who
has been convicted of illegal possession of narcotic and psychotropic
substances due to the defendant’s absence from the hearings, lawyer
Vardan Zurnachyan has told journalists.
“My client was not brought to the courtroom because of some
misunderstanding. As a result, the consideration of the appeal has
been postponed until Wednesday [21 July],” Zurnachyan said.
The lawyer added that Kirakosyan had to be hospitalized a short while
ago because his renal lithiasis disease got worse.
The lawyer insisted that Article 86 of the Armenian Criminal Code was
violated during the investigation. Under the article, police officers
cannot act as key witnesses for the prosecution.
[Passage omitted: reported details]

LA Times
July 16 2004
Third Defendant Guilty in Slaying of Teen
The 19-year-old is last to be tried in deadly fight outside Glendale
school.
By Arlene Martínez, Times Staff Writer
The last of three defendants was found guilty Thursday of aiding in
an attack that left a 17-year-old dead outside Hoover High School in
Glendale.
Rafael Gevorgyan, 19, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and
faces a maximum of 18 years in prison.
Gevorgyan, who was tried as an adult, has been in custody since his
arrest shortly after the May 5, 2000, fight that broke out between
small groups of Armenians and Latinos. Raul Aguirre, 17, was fatally
stabbed.
In the nonjury trial, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael
Johnson also found that Gevorgyan used a tire iron against Aguirre.
Karen Terteryan, 21, last week pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was
sentenced to 23 years and eight months for his role in the attack.
Anait Ano Msryan was sentenced to seven years in the California Youth
Authority after she pleaded guilty to attempted murder last year.
“It’s taken four years, but for all three justice [was served] and
more importantly for the victim’s family,” said Jane Robison,
spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.
Gevorgyan’s attorney Andrew Flier said he was considering an appeal.

ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER DISCUSS A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES
MOSCOW, JULY 14, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian delegation, headed by
prime Minister Andranik Margarian that arrived in Moscow on July 12
afternoon on a two-day official visit, laid a wreath on July 13
morning at the Monument toUnknown Soldier, followed by a meeting of
Russian and Armenian prime ministers at the Russian Government. Later
members of Russian and Armenian delegations joined the bilateral
talks.
Prime Minister Andranik Margarian first extended his
congratulations to his Russian counterpart-Mikhail Fradkov, for the
invitation to visit Moscow. Noting that the talks between the two
countries’ delegations usually proceed in the atmosphere of
friendship, frankness and constructiveness, the head of the Armenian
government assured of Armenia government’s readiness to continue
development and strengthening of cooperation between the executive
bodies of the two countries . Andranik Margarian expressed hope that
the friendly relations between the prime ministers of the countries,
both on personal and official levels, will continue with Mikhail
Fradkov as well.
Armenian prime minister expressed his satisfaction over high level
Armenia-Russian cooperation in all areas. According to him, Russia
continues to remain Armenia’s biggest trade and economic partner,
which is promoted alsoby the work of the joint Russian-Armenian
intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation. Margarian
expressed hope that the appointment of a new Russian co-chair of the
commission and its regular meeting will promote coordination and quick
solution to all existing problems in bilateral cooperation.
During the talks the two sides discussed a wide variety of issues,
referring also to the pace of implementation of obligations, set by
the Assets for Debt agreement. Andranik Margarian noted that Armenia
is interested in rapid upgrading and resumption of operation of
enterprises handed over to Russia (to settle Armenia’s $96 million
debt), adding that Armenia is doing everythingto promote it. Russian
prime minister also assured that Russia is likewise interested in this
issue, noting that they are inclined towards a broad andlong-term
interaction in the industrial area through mutually profitable
investments and other means. Mikhail Fradkov informed about the
intention of appointing Russian transport minister Igor Levitin a new
Russian co-chairman in the intergovernmental commission for economic
cooperation. The sides expressed hope that a regular meeting of the
commission will be held before the end of the year.
Russian and Armenian prime ministers discussed also prospects for
deepening cooperation in the area of small and medium-sized
enterprises. Establishment of joint ventures, attraction of Russian
investments in Armenia’s food processing industry, increasing the
volume of agricultural products exportsand imports was mentioned as a
key condition for interaction in agriculture.
A special focus in the talks was on the issues on developing
cooperation in transport and communication. The two sides underscored
that currently there exist a range of unresolved questions, which
impede interaction developments between the sides. Particulalry,
Armenia’s involvement in North-South transport corridor, opening of a
railway ferry line Kavkaz-Poti, the necessity of reopening the
Abkhazia section of the railway were mentioned.
Andranik Margarian and Mikhail Fradkov also referred to one of
themajor directions in bilateral economic cooperation-energy sector
and interaction in gas industry. Armenian prime minister proposed to
discuss possibilities of participation of Russian companies in the
implementation of Armenian gas projects. They also spoke about the
future operation of the fifth unit of Hrazdan Power Plant in Armenia.
Speaking about education and science cooperation, the sides noted,
particulalry the necessity of establishing close cooperation between
the two countries in fundamental and applied researches, information
technologies and establishment of cultural and research centers. The
talks also dwelt on establishing closer contacts between
administrative units of Russia and Armenia, development of cooperation
in military-political, military-technical and other areas.
Noting that current years was rich in bilateral cooperation
eventsand high-level meetings, Russian prime minister noted that the
recent visits to Russia by Armenian president and foreign minister,
followed by the visit byprime minister were also its proof, adding
that the dialogue between the two countries was filled with new
content. He spoke with satisfaction about theincreasing trade volumes,
noting at the same time that having in mind available potential it is
not yet sufficient. Mikhail Fradkov expressed hope that thevisit by
Andranik Margarian will give a new impetus to further development of
Russian-Armenian economic cooperation.
At the close of the meeting Armenian prime minister thanked his
counterpart for constructive and effective dialogue, expressing hope
that the meeting will become an important move towards deepening
Russian-Armenian economic cooperation, inviting Mikhail Fradkov to pay
a visit to Armenia at a suitable time.
Before the end of the talks Armenian education and science minister
and his Russian counterpart signed an agreement on cooperation in
education. Then prime ministers held a joint news conference, during
which Andranik Margarian first thanked his counterpart for the
invitation and the warm welcome. Assessing highly the progress in
cooperation between Russian and Armenian governments, he expressed
confidence that it will continue with the same pace, basing on
centuries-long friendship between Russians and Armenians and the two
countries’ strategic interaction. Margarian also mentioned with
satisfaction the high level of cooperation between the two countries
in all areas, saying that Russia continues to remain Armenia’s main
trade and economic partner.
He said the talks encompassed a wide scope of issues and several
agreements were reached for further development of cooperation. He
added that he and Russian prime minister agreed to hold frequent
meetings, to have more active contacts which will help efficient
solution to issues demanding constant attention. The Armenian prime
minister also spoke about Nagorno Karabagh conflict regulation,
economic and other issues.
Then an official dinner was given in the honor of the Armenian
prime minister by Russian prime minister Fradkov. Armenian prime
minister also attended the Armenia pavilion at the Pan-Russian
Exhibition Center. The Armenian side proposed that an agreement on
long-term lease of the pavilion be signed, asits operation has
increased the trade turnover between the countries by $3 million.
Today Andranik Margarian is scheduled to meet with the chairman
ofRussian state Duma (parliament) Sergey Mironov.

Armenia displeased with OSCE’s new decision-making rules – MP
Arminfo
12 Jul 04
YEREVAN
The refusal of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to adopt decisions on
the basis of a consensus can lead to the diktat of super powers in
this organization, which does not correspond to Armenia’s interests,
the head of the Armenian delegation in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
and deputy speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, Vaan Ovanesyan,
told a news conference today.
He said that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is gradually losing its
role in peace processes. “The main mission of the OSCE is to ensure
security, which now occupies a secondary place in the activities of
this organization. This organization has started to deal with issues
which, in principle, are not in the sphere of its activities,” the
deputy speaker stated.
Vaan Ovanesyan said that such organizations as the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe [PACE] or the Parliamentary Assembly
of NATO are already claiming the role of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly. “Naturally, high-ranking officials of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, who receive high salaries, are doing everything possible to
speed up the role of this organization in international
processes. This is the reason for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s
proposal to give up decision-making on the basis of a consensus,” the
head of the Armenian delegation stated.
Vaan Ovanesyan also stressed that if the new rules of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly are unacceptable to Armenia, the republic will
have the right to suspend its membership of this organization.

Armenian journalists on fact-finding visit to border area
Noyan Tapan news agency
6 Jul 04

Yerevan, 6 July: About 70 representatives of the Armenian media have
paid a one-day visit to the border region where the 3rd army corps of
the Armenian armed forces is deployed.
The press service of the Armenian Defence Ministry told a Noyan Tapan
correspondent that the reason for visiting the border section in
Tavush District was a truce violation by the Azerbaijani side. Two
cases of that have also been registered in the area of a pump station
close to the village of Berkaber of Idzhevan Region [northeast
Armenia], where two Armenian servicemen were killed in the enemy fire.
After these incidents there were rumours about the growth of tension
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces along the contact
line. To refute that, the administration of the Defence Ministry
organized this visit.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
July 6 2004
EU COMMISSIONER YANESH POTOCHNIK ARRIVED IN BAKU
[July 06, 2004, 22:53:44]
The EU commissioner on enlargement issues Yanesh Potochnik has
arrived in Azerbaijan, 6 July.
In the frame of his visit, the guest will meet Prime Minister of
Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade, Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz
Alaskarov, foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov, as well as
representatives of political parties.
Discussed are expected the issues of Azerbaijan’s integration to
Europe, the priorities of Europe New Neighborhood Policy, ways of
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict and
others.
Mr. Yanesh Potochnik is also to visit the children house in Saray
settlement of Absheron district.

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
July 1, 2004
FOR COOPERATION
By the invitation of State University of Vladimir, Russian
Federation, and the local Armenian community the delegation of
Artsakh State University headed by rector Hamlet Grigorian left for
Vladimir. The aim of the visit, as Hamlet Grigorian mentioned, is to
try to establish cooperation between the two universities and
exchange experience. “I think cooperation between the universities of
different countries and exchange of experience will only help to
raise the quality of education and develop,” said H. Grigorian.
LAURA GRIGORIAN