Author: Mamian George

Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Ave, S-803
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317
E-mail: [email protected]

Famed Attorney Mark Geragos Calls for Support to Armenia Fund USA at
Pre-Telethon Gala Dinner at Harvard Club

NEW YORK, New York – An air of excitement and anticipation filled
the well-appointed dining room as renowned attorney Mark Geragos
approached the podium to address more than 130 guests at Armenia Fund
USA’s pre-telethon gala dinner. Set in the prestigious Harvard Club,
New York City, the evening’s event was held on November 10, 2006 and
honored Nagorno-Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian accompanied by
Mrs. Ghoukassian. Attended by many dignitaries, the guest list included
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese; Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy; Armenia’s Ambassador
to the United States Tatoul Markarian; and Permanent Representative
of Armenia to the United Nations Ambassador Armen Martirosyan.

Master of ceremonies Mark Momjian, currently a partner in the
Philadelphia law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, opened the
evening introducing guest speaker Mark Geragos. Mr. Geragos, presently
the managing partner of the preeminent law firm Geragos&Geragos,
has been a passionate supporter of the Fund’s activities, and has
recently joined the Board of Trustees of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
in Yerevan. He has many times made special appearances at Armenia
Fund’s Thanksgiving Telethons that have become an annual tradition for
Armenians around the world. In his address, Geragos pointed to more
unified efforts to help Armenia Fund deliver much needed development
to Karabakh. Also, another highlight of Mr. Geragos’ speech was
his sharing about the class action lawsuits, both successful with
more pending, which are recovering millions of dollars to heirs of
Armenians killed in the Ottoman Empire.

President Arkady Ghoukassian, visiting the United States in connection
with the Thanksgiving Telethon, also welcomed the guests and related
warm appreciation on behalf of the people of Karabakh. The President
emphasized the need for winning the war against poverty in the region
and for opening the road to more serious investments in Karabakh.

Following the President’s address, Chairman of Armenia Fund USA Kevork
Toroyan spoke of recent developments in 18 villages of Mardakert where
rural communities were among the first beneficiaries of the newly
established agricultural cooperative for subsistence farmers. About 900
farming households will have access to badly needed mechanized services
and technical advice from US agricultural experts. This would represent
a significant portion of Mardakert’s population. The project, which
is part of the "Rebirth of Artakah" Regional Development Initiative
for Nagorno-Karabakh, targets rural poverty by raising the average
family income through improved agricultural practices and technical
assistance. More than this, 30 families are currently benefiting from
a pilot 3-year community development program co-managed by Armenia
Fund USA and Heifer International.

The pilot program will provide seeds, fertilizers, cows and technical
assistance in animal husbandry. Armenia Fund USA and its international
affiliates are also constructing 3 schools, a hospital, and a major
water-pipeline in the Mardakert region.

The proceeds of the 9th International Armenia Fund Telethon, to be
aired on November 23, 2006, Thanksgiving Day, will go toward the
regional development of Hadrut. The project encompasses all key
aspects of socio-economic development – access to education, proper
healthcare, and clean water, as well as sustainable infrastructure to
support irrigation water systems, roads and agricultural development.

Armenia Fund USA, with its international affiliates, has had strong
and measurable impact on the development of Karabakh and Armenia since
independence. The organization remains the largest contributor to
socio-economic development projects there since 1992, having invested
more than $150 million in large-scale infrastructure.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of the first of
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves
constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit,
non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all
Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international
affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia
and Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go "Beyond Bricks and
Mortar" to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

The Alliance of Civilizations and the Pope’s Visit
By HUSEYIN GULERCE
11.17.2006 Friday – ISTANBUL 19:44

Zaman, Turkey
Nov 17 2006

The 4th High-level Group Meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations
held last Monday at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul also pointed out
the importance of the visit to our country 12 days from now by Pope
Benedictus XVI.

The Alliance of Civilizations initiative was begun by the efforts
of UN General Secretary Kofi Annan. Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero
and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan were named as co-chairmen of
the organization. The enterprise has a High Level Group. After the
September 11th terrorist attack in the US and the occupation of Iraq
by the Bush administration using Saddam as an excuse and the Lebanese
attacks in which Israeli massacres directed towards civilians once
again appeared on the agenda of world public opinion, hostility and
tension between the Western world and the Islamic world can only be
prevented by dialogue efforts among countries and country leaders.

We see that Turkey has become a very important country in respect
to both efforts. Turkey’s EU membership candidacy increases this
importance even more. With the reality of "Turkey as an EU member," it
can be seen that the West hasn’t rejected Islam and doesn’t see it as
the "new enemy" and, therefore, that it is possible to have dialogue
and tolerance among members of different religions for the sake of
permanent peace. If not, it is inescapable that interpretations will
be strengthened to the effect that the Holy Crusades are continuing
with ways and means compatible with this era.

With the culture of tolerance that Turkey inherited from the Ottomans
and its republican experience that doesn’t clash democracy with Islam,
it has shown that it approves of coming together on universal human
values and of integrating with the world, and that it can succeed in
"sharing" in mankind’s common march.

In spite of voices raised on the inside by those who want polarization,
but whose voices are not proportional to their strength, the Justice
and Development Party experience displayed today in administration
is accepted both by the society and the external world, and it is
hoped that this experiment will be successful. There not yet being
any alternative political party on the horizon according to public
opinion polls emphasizes that it is.

We see acceptance of dialogue and tolerance in society. Dialogue begun
by Fethullah Gulen, a leader of this view, 10 years ago with the
Phanariot Patriarch, Head Rabbi of the Jewish community in Turkey,
and the Armenian Patriarch and later expanded with Gulen’s visit to
Pope Paul VI at the Vatican was well-received by a large mass of the
population, in spite of the protests of certain circles and their
efforts to stir up muddy water. The dialogue dinners during Ramadan
that were initially criticized were later officially stood up for. And
these dinners are spreading today as meetings that build bridges of
peace throughout the world from America to Europe and from Australia
to Africa.

When dialogue and tolerance efforts that are continuing among
peoples both by means of administrations with UN initiatives and the
exertions of voluntary organizations are remembered, the visit to
Turkey by Pope Benedictus XVI from November 28th-December 1st looks
like a milestone. Prime Minister Erdogan’s attending the NATO summit
on November 28-29 should not prevent him from seeing the Pope and
taking advantage of this opportunity. The Pope will be in Istanbul
on November 30th. There is still a possibility for this meeting to
take place. Criticized for his words directed towards out Prophet, the
Pope’s finding an opportunity for self-criticism and his doing this in
Turkey would be meaningful world-wide. An Erdogan-Pope meeting would
be an essential answer to domestic and foreign EU opponents allied
to prevent Turkey’s EU membership. There are important historical
moments that separate statesmen from politicians. The Pope’s visit
to Turkey presents Erdogan with such an opportunity…

STEP BY STEP IN NATO’S DIRECTION; FOREIGN MINISTRY OF AZERBAIJAN REFRAINS FROM POLITICALLY STIRRING STATEMENTS
by Jasur Mamedov

Source: Voenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer, No 43, November 8 – 14, 2006, p. 3
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 15, 2006 Wednesday

Tahir Tagizade, Chief Of The Directorate Of Politics, Press, And
Information Of The Foreign Ministry Of Azerbaijan: We Are Not Saying
We Will Be In NATO Tomorrow;

An interview with Tahir Tagizade, Chief of the Directorate of Politics,
Press, and Information of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan.

Two NATO delegations visited Azerbaijan in October. One of them was
headed by Robert Simmons, Special Envoy of the NATO General Secretary
for the Caucasus and Central Asia, the other by NATO Parliamentary
Assembly Vice President Vahit Erdem. As a matter of fact, a great
deal of NATO functionaries visited Baku in September and October.

What for? This correspondent met with Tahir Tagizade, Chief of the
Directorate of Politics, Press, and Information of the Foreign Ministry
of Azerbaijan.

Question: As far as experts are concerned, frequent visits of NATO
representatives to Azerbaijan indicate that it is its turn now to
follow in Georgia’s steps and establish intensive contacts with the
Alliance. Would you care to comment?

Tahir Tagizade: We do not make politically stirring statements.

That’s our position. We are not saying that we will be in NATO
tomorrow, a week or a month from now. We believe that the existing
framework of partnership offers us an adequate opportunity for
development of cooperation and relations of partnership.

All countries of the southern part of the Caucasus promote different
objectives nowadays. It does not take a genius to see by the way
that Armenia’s practical deeds do not concur with its proclaimed
determination to integrate into Euroatlantic structures. NATO sets
political frontiers for countries of this part of the Caucasus within
whose framework they are welcome to aspire for their objectives. That
is why I believe that the Alliance will take resolution of regional
conflicts as progress, a step forward, a positive factor in the
process of Euroatlantic integration.

As for the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,
Azerbaijan keeps trying to attract the attention of international
organizations to the problem. I know for a fact that the Alliance too,
would like to play a political part in conflict resolution.

Azerbaijan welcomes this determination.

Question: Some reports indicate that IPAP compels Azerbaijan to stick
to a non-violent resolution of the Karabakh conflict. Does it?

Tahir Tagizade: To tell you the truth, I have no information
pertaining to any such obligations within the framework of this
particular document or any other international documents that bear
Azerbaijan’s signature. I can only say that Azerbaijan views peace
talks and diplomatic efforts in conflict resolution as a priority. On
the other hand, as I’ve said more than once already, Azerbaijan finds
it unacceptable when identical demands are put forth to the aggressor
and the victim.

Being a victim of aggression, Azerbaijan cannot afford talks just
for the fun of it. Neither do we maintain in the meantime that the
potential of diplomatic contacts is expended. We will contemplate
every acceptable proposal. Nobody can accuse Azerbaijan of being
resolved to restore its territorial integrity regardless of the cost.

Question: The Gabala Radar is the only Russian military object in
Azerbaijan. Do you think it may eventually create problems with NATO?

Tahir Tagizade: Firstly, it is not a military base. Secondly, the
object in question is property of Azerbaijan on lease to the Russian
Federation. Purposes and terms of the lease are known. That is why
this object cannot be regarded as an obstacle impeding Azerbaijan’s
integration in NATO.

Question: The lease expires in 2012. Do you think there is a
possibility of prolongation?

Tahir Tagizade: Why make guesses? When 2012 comes, we will make the
decision with the current regional, political, and military situation
analyzed.

Question: Do you perceive Azerbaijan in NATO at some future date?

Tahir Tagizade: I know that Azerbaijan perceives advantages of regional
integration into European and Euroatlantic structures. What counts is
that this integration will certainly bring about regional stability,
that it will facilitate normalization of the situation.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
November 13, 2006  
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS ON THEIR ELECTION VICTORIES
Plan To Introduce Armenian Genocide Resolution Next Congress

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly today congratulated Congressmen
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Co-Chairs of
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, on winning re-election
to the House of Representatives and welcomed their confirmation to
introduce an Armenian Genocide resolution in the next Congress.

"We will be preparing to introduce an Armenian Genocide resolution with
our colleagues Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich
(R-CA) next Congress," said Pallone and Knollenberg. "With this
legislation we hope to once and for all reaffirm the historical truth
that the Ottoman Empire carried out a campaign of race extermination
against Armenians from 1915-1923. Proper recognition of this horrific
event is the first step in preventing future crimes and gives meaning
to the phrase Never Again."

The Congressmen have also informed the Assembly of their intention
to spearhead a special Capitol Hill event commemorating the 92nd
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April, which they have also
done in the past. During the 90th anniversary, the co-chairs organized
a pan-Armenian commemoration.

"The Assembly congratulates Congressmen Pallone and Knollenberg
on their success and thanks them for their sustained leadership,"
said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We look forward to
working with them and the entire Armenian-American community and all
supporters of genocide prevention to secure passage of an Armenian
Genocide resolution in the House."

Ardouny also noted that over 90 percent of Armenian Caucus Members
who stood for re-election on November 7, retained their seats.
Their bipartisan support will be necessary to advance a resolution on
the Armenian Genocide, as well as other Armenia-specific legislation.

"We are pleased that the majority of Members on the Armenian Caucus
were re-elected and look forward to working with them to strengthen
relations between the U.S. and Armenia, prevent attempts by Turkey
and Azerbaijan to isolate her, and once and for all reaffirm the
U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide," said Pallone and Knollenberg.

The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issue. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

####
NR#2006-099

Editor’s Note: Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following links:

9/2006-099-1.JPG

Caption: Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), right, and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

099/2006-099-2.jpg

Caption: Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) flanked by Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

–Boundary_(ID_drCMQk5RvKWqrfjEq8ev8A)- –

RIA OREANDA
Economic News
November 11, 2006 Saturday

Fitch Assigns VTB Bank (Armenia) Local Currency Ratings

Moscow. OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has today assigned VTB Bank
(Armenia) ("VTBA") local currency ratings of Issuer Default ‘BB’ and
Short-term ‘B’. The Outlook is Stable.

The assigned ratings are aligned with the bank’s foreign currency
Issuer Default ‘BB’ and Short-term ‘B’ ratings.

The local currency ratings reflect the moderate probability of
support being forthcoming, if required, from VTBA’s majority
shareholder, Russia’s Vneshtorgbank ("VTB", Issuer Default ‘BBB+’),
but also take into account Armenian country risks.

AZG Armenian Daily #216, 11/11/2006

Exhibition

`THE SOUTH CAUCASUS THROUGH YOUNG PEOPLE’S EYES’

In late October regional exhibition "The South
Caucasus Through Young People’s Eyes" with the
participation of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan was
held in Georgia.

A selection stage was held on September 29 at the
"Moscow" cinema and 15 best pieces of young artist
from Gegharkuniq, Ararat, Shirak, Armavir and Kotayk
regions as well as Yerevan were chosen to be displayed
at the exhibition.

Through their pieces the participants expressed their
ideas of friendship, the present and the future. By
the end of the exhibition in Tbilisi all works were
published in a booklet.

By Ani Baghdasarian

Armenpress

YEREVAN TRAFFIC CREATES CHAOS

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Road police
officers in Yerevan say the crucial increase in the
number of cars is number one problem that hinders
their efforts to bring some order to the streets.
Around 12,000 cars are said to be bought by Yerevan
residents annually. In addition to it, some 20,000
other cars enter the city from nearby and remote
regions.
A drastic increase in the number of taxis is
another problem. Some 6,000 officially registered
taxis alone run in the town’s streets, but road police
officers say their real number is thrice bigger,
implicating that some 12,000 taxis are not registered
avoiding taxes.
The government has released 600 million drams for
upgrading traffic lights in Yerevan. The Yerevan
municipality is negotiating with World Bank a credit
that it wants to spend on reforming the transport
system. Last week the president of the country
instructed several government agencies to join efforts
and bring order to the streets, saying the focus must
be on thousands of minibuses which are the main
commuter means in the city.
Police officers are trying to prevent minibuses to
stop and pick up or unload passengers wherever they
want, but at special stops only.
Officials in Yerevan municipality cite also the
construction boom in the city, the absence of a ring
road and few parking lots as yet other reasons that
create chaos in the streets.

KASPRZYK CONCERNED WITH INJURED RESIDENT AT ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI BORDER

Panorama.am
15:35 08/11/06

Andrzej Kasprzyk, personal representative of the acting chairman at
OSCE on Nagorno Karabakh, most probably will observe Tavush section
of Armenian-Azerbaijan border, Kasprzyk told Panorama.am.

Kasprchik is taking part in a conference organized by Wilton Park on
challenges in South Caucasus.

Panorama.am asked him on the recent incident in Tavush marz when
Azeri sniper shoot at a peaceful resident.

"I think the situation is quite stable during the recent few months,"
Kasprchik said also saying the incident is concerning. "Such cases
were reported in the past. But the fact that a person is injured is,
of coarse, concerning," he said.

BREAKDOWN OVER THE BOSPHORUS
Ian Traynor

The Guardian, UK
Nov 6 2006

To bring Turkey in would be a heroic move by Europe. To reject it
could be construed as a concession to fear and pessimism.

About Webfeeds November 6, 2006 05:42 PM | Printable version To let
Turkey into the European Union? One helluva problem, no doubt about
it. And keeping the Turks out? An even bigger problem, perhaps?

Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

The bad-tempered sparring that has characterised the EU’s negotiations
with Ankara since Brussels gave the go-ahead for membership talks
last year is shifting into a more perilous phase, propelled by quite
separate dynamics on both sides.

In Europe a panoply of diffuse factors are combining to wreck Turkey’s
chances. Islamophobia, European dilemmas over how to integrate or
exclude the growing Muslim minorities in their societies, paralysis
and indecision among EU political elites about how to revive the
European project, "expansion fatigue" as the EU grows to encompass 27
countries. There is a broad mood of drift, clueless and helpless. At
a time like this, who needs or wants Turkey?

On the other side of the Bosphorus, the grievances are great and
growing. A big proud nation is being antagonised and humiliated on
an almost weekly basis. Prickly to a fault, Turkey is less inclined
to do the EU’s bidding the more it is ordered to.

This week the European Commission will take Ankara to task on a whole
host of issues. A couple of weeks ago it was the French parliament
sitting in judgment of Turkish history, seeking to criminalise denial
of the Turks "genocide" of the Armenians in 1915.

The Brussels report card on Wednesday goes much further than a
ticking off or "could do much better". The class teacher in Brussels
is severely reprimanding the Turks for lagging behind on everything
from military interference in politics to free speech curbs to
women’s rights to corruption and police brutality. And then there’s
Cyprus. Turkey? Not very European at all, concludes the report card.

When the report goes to the head teacher at an EU summit in December,
the pupil, if not expelled from school, may find himself suspended
from class. And if that happens, the damage could be immense.

Turkey is already in an election season. A new president has to be
voted on by next May and parliamentary elections held by the end of
next year. Nationalism, militant secularism, and moderate Islamism are
all forces on the rise and being played out as the prime minister,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, struggles to keep Turkey’s European vocation
alive.

The constant hectoring tone from the EU hardly helps him.

Recalcitrance in response to the routine criticisms, particularly from
France, Germany, and Austria, also make it difficult and politically
risky for Mr Erdogan to equate Turkey’s modernisation with its
"Europeanisation." Both sides are digging in their heels.

There is no denying the scale of the problem, the dilemma, or the
opportunity. Although it cannot happen for at least a decade, for
the EU to let Turkey join would be a mammoth step. The country of
more than 70 million would be bigger than Germany by the time of
entry, meaning that a Muslim country would instantly become the EU’s
biggest. For the Vatican and for the Christian democrats of Europe
(and not a few social democrats as well) this is a leap too far,
hence the current unsuccessful attempt by centre-right governments in
Europe to try to get the EU commission to define the EU’s "absorption
capacity" – in plain English, Europe’s territorial limits.

Furthermore, under the new voting system likely to be revived at
some stage despite the moribund condition of the EU’s constitution,
Germany’s status as the EU’s biggest member is recognised by giving
it enhanced voting clout. If fairness were to prevail, Turkey would
automatically have the biggest say in EU councils. And, with the
biggest Nato army this side of the Atlantic, Turkey would also
instantly become Europe’s foremost military.

Again, if fairness were to prevail, Turkey’s size and relative poverty
would entitle it to a huge share of EU funds such as to make current
squabbling over budgets and farm subsidies seem paltry. A great unsung
success of the EU over the years has been the smooth redistribution of
wealth to, say, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and now to eastern
and central Europe. Will the generosity extend to Turkey?

If these are just a few of the major problems of letting Turkey in,
what about keeping it out? Europe would willy-nilly be confirmed as
a Christian bastion of anti-Muslim prejudice. It would demonstrate
it is not up to seizing the grand, historic, strategic opportunity
of integrating and consolidating a large Muslim democracy.

There would inevitably be hell to pay. Geographically and historically,
Turkey is a pivotal power, straddling and connecting Europe and the
Middle East. Rejection would tip Turkey towards the Middle East,
push Turkey away from the west and towards authoritarian historical
enemies such as Russia and Iran, vindicate "clash of civilisation"
pessimists, strengthen anti-democratic Islamists and nationalists. To
bring Turkey in would be an uncharacteristically heroic move by Europe,
ringing with promise, opportunity, and optimism. To reject it could
be construed as cowardice, a concession to fear and pessimism. Either
way, the choices, still a long way off, are damnably hard.

But if not dishonest, there is something fundamentally depressing
about the Turkey-EU negotiations which, only a year after the formal
go-ahead for the talks, have degenerated into a dialogue of the deaf
and look to be heading towards breakdown.

The Turks have an uncanny aptitude for shooting themselves in the
foot, arming their critics and opponents whether by putting their most
celebrated writer (as well as many others) on trial for speaking his
mind or charging dozens of ethnic Kurdish mayors with offences for
asking Denmark to keep a Kurdish TV station on the air. And in Europe,
governments and leading politicians repeatedly state that Turkey will
never join. They then devise mechanisms to ensure that Turkey is kept
out just after those same governments and leaders at a European summit
have launched negotiations designed to bring Turkey in.

Rather than a courtship that is looking forward to a happy wedding,
the relationship over the past year has been more like grumpy divorce
proceedings, with the estranged partners making peremptory demands
of one another and always looking to blame the other. It is a strange
way to prepare for a marriage.

_traynor/2006/11/breakdown_over_the_bosphorus.html

KAZAKHSTAN, ARMENIA SIGN AGREEMENTS TO DEVELOP RELATIONS

RIA Novosti, Russia
Nov 6 2006

ASTANA, November 6 (RIA Novosti) – Kazakhstan and Armenia have
concluded a number of agreements to develop bilateral relations during
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s visit to Astana.

The two countries signed an intergovernmental agreement on citizens’
trips, a convention on avoiding double taxation, an agreement on
investment protection and a cultural cooperation agreement.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said bilateral trade turnover
does not meet the two states’ demands.

According to Kazakhstan’s statistics agency, bilateral trade turnover
in the first eight months of 2006 was $16.4 million, compared to
$45.2 million in the entire 2005.

"The trade level cannot satisfy either side, this low indicator does
not meet our states’ demands," Nazarbayev told a press conference
Monday.

He partly attributed the situation to an insufficient contractual
base. "Documents signed today create a legal base for closer
cooperation between our companies," he said.

Nazarbayev called investment protection agreements very important.

"As a result of talks, we confirmed the urge of our states to further
strengthen our relations. Increasing trade and economic ties will
contribute to this, for Kazakhstan’s business and capital not to be
afraid to go to Armenia," he said.

Robert Kocharyan, in turn, said Armenia hoped for an inflow of
investment from Kazakhstan.

"We want this visit to prompt the arrival of Kazakh investment in
Armenia," Kocharyan said.