Author: Nahapetian Samvel

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
May 1, 2004
STATE LOANS TO BE REPAID=20
The meeting of the NKR government discussed a number of draft laws and
decisions of important social-economic role for the country. The
meeting was conducted by the NKR prime minister Anoushavan Danielian.
Minister of finance and economy Spartak Tevossian presented
information on the bill “On confirming the annual account on execution
of the NKR state budget of 2003”, the first point in the
agenda. During the discussion the bill was approved and it was decided
to send the draft law to the parliament. In his speech prime minister
Anoushavan Danielian dwelled on the necessity to restore the repayment
of loans provided by the NKR government formerly. All the members of
government who addressed the meeting supported him. The heads of the
corresponding agencies and the regional administrations were tasked
with scheduling the procedure of repayment of expired loans and
present suggestions on restructuring of loans to be included as a
source of current incomes during drawing up the budgets of communities
starting with 2005. The prime minister wondered on the low rates of
loan repayment and the tolerable attitude of the supervising agencies
and demanded taking strict measures in reference to
lawbreakers. According to him, the process of repayment is not
coordinated duly. He considers unacceptable the fact that having a
strong state structure the legal levers of influence upon the
lawbreakers are not used adequately to return the sums. A. Danielian
mentioned that new programs of loaning will be considered only after
the full repayment of the former loans. The government members
discussed the NKR bill “On Confirming the annual account of 2003 on
implementation of the 2002-2003 program of privatization of state
property”. As a result of this program the number of private
enterprises grew, and the efficiency of their activity is illustrated
by the fact that 62.9 percent of the GDP of NKR is provided by the
private sector. The purchasers of the privatized companies implement
in a short period of time their payment obligations to the NKR state
budget and the NKR state pension fund. Of the 23 privatized companies
13 companies or 56.6 percent were put out to tender, 8 companies or
34.8 percent were privatized through direct sale, and 2 companies or
8.7 percent were privatized through direct free extension. The new
owners of the privatized companies assumed the obligations of making
investments and providing social guarantees to the personnel
(maintenance of jobs, stable salary, etc.) the receipts from
privatization totaled 347 million drams (of which 283.8 million drams
from privatization of state property in 2003), including privatization
of companies 290.5 million drams, privatization of units of the
inventory of the companies 24.7 million drams, small and half-ruined
buildings 31.5 million drams and unfinished buildings 1.2 million
drams. The total sum of the obligations transferred to the purchasers
of the privatized companies in 2002-2003 is 447.7 million drams. Of
the 75 companies included in the program 23 were privatized and 9
companies were dissolved according to the NKR government
decisions. The execution of privatization and dissolution of companies
in 2003 was 42.7 percent against the 14.8 percent of 2002. In
comparison to 2002 the number of privatized companies increased
twice. The account provides the real picture of the process of
implementation of contract obligations. According to this, a number of
companies (enterprises) did not implement their contract obligations
at full. In the past years purchasers of 14 companies privatized by
investment programs and whose term of implementation of contract
obligations has expired assumed making 1729 billion drams of
investments and opening of 359 jobs. The amount of investments made
totaled 2219.6 million drams and 580 jobs were created. According to
the mentioned rates, implementation of obligations was 128.3 and 161.6
percent respectively. The members of the government approved the
bill. Among the questions in the agenda was the account on
implementation of the 2003 state program of development of small and
medium-size business, which was presented by the NKR vice minister of
development of industrial infrastructures and building A. Abrahamian.
It includes the period from January 2003 to January 1, 2004. Starting
from the financial capacity of the foundation the loan resources (with
volume restrictions) were directed at the communities providing
territorial symmetry of development of small and medium-size business,
as well as for implementation of large business plans the means of the
debtor were involved. Mainly the business plans presented for
viticulture, orcharding, cattle breeding and fish breeding,
fabrication of food and agricultural products were loaned. Last year
138 applications for loan were presented to the foundation but
starting from financial abilities, 43 applicants received loans with
the total sum of 180 million drams. A. Abrahamian mentioned that the
granted sums were mainly used according to the business plans, there
were a few exceptions. After the interference of the board of trustees
of the foundation definite steps were taken at implementation of
business plans. Stressing the importance of loaning aimed at
development of small and medium-size business the prime minister
emphasized that the process must be absolutely transparent for
everybody and the mass media must inform the public about the business
plan and even the personal data of entrepreneurs. The meeting of the
government discussed a number of bills on simplification and
improvement of the tax system. Decisions were made on granting aid to
definite groups of the NKR population on the occasion of the Day of
Victory, the Liberation of Shoushi and the NKR Defence Army. Decisions
were made on continuing the process of reforms in the structure of the
police, on establishment of the governmental institution “the
personnel of the regional administration”, on confirming the code and
structure of the personnel. The executive also confirmed the bills on
the number of free and paid places in NKR state higher educational
institutions for the academic year 2004-2005 and the lists of
specialties of admittance to master=E2=80=99s course and postgraduate
course of Artsakh State University for 2004.=C2=A0=20
AA.

Worldwide Faith News (press release)
May 4 2004
Ecumenical Patriarch to cooperate and support
WCC Media
Date Tue, 04 May 2004 11:36:51 +0200
World Council of Churches 7 Press Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 04/05/2004 – pu-04-25
Istanbul: Ecumenical Patriarch assures WCC of continued cooperation
and support
Cf. WCC Upcoming Events May 2004 of 23 April 2004
“You are at home here,” were the words used by His All Holiness
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to welcome the World Council of
Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, on Saturday 1
May 2004.
Kobia was beginning his first visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople since taking up his new post in January; the
Patriarchate enjoys a “primacy of honour” among the Orthodox churches,
related to the ancient status of Constantinople as capital of the
Eastern Roman Empire.
In his welcome, the Ecumenical Patriarch said that, as one of the
founding members of the WCC in 1948, the Ecumenical Patriarchate “has
always collaborated fully” and “will continue to work within the WCC
towards the unity of the church”.
Recalling that “We have worked closely with your predecessors and will
continue to do so,” he assured the WCC general secretary of his
prayers and support, and encouraged him to visit the Patriarchate
regularly in coming years.
In recent years, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has given strong support
to the work of the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the
WCC, established in 1998 following mounting criticism of the WCC from
several Orthodox member churches.
Kobia highlighted “the pioneering role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
in the areas of ecology and interreligious relations,” and said that
it is “an important source of inspiration for all of us”.
Welcoming the new WCC general secretary during a Monday morning
meeting with the Patriarchate’s Synodical Commission on Inter-Church
Affairs, the president of the Commission, Metropolitan Prof. Dr
Athanassios of Helioupolis and Theiron, expressed joy that Kobia will
be bringing “African spirituality, culture and traditions to the
Council’s life and activities”.
For his part, Metropolitan Prof. Dr Gennadios of Sassima recalled that
as “the first major ecumenical gathering of the 21st century”, the
WCC’s ninth assembly in 2006 “should strengthen the call for unity and
renew the commitment to the fellowship of churches”.
Spirituality and ecumenical formation were evoked by Kobia and members
of the Commission – the highest decision-making body of the
Patriarchate on ecumenical relations – as being at the heart of the
WCC’s ongoing work and programmes. The Commission members and the WCC
visitors agreed that dealing only with structures without spirituality
could become “a meaningless exercise”. The need to “enlarge the circle
of younger ecumenists prepared to face the challenges of ecumenism in
the 21st century” was also affirmed.
On Monday afternoon, the WCC general secretary visited the Orthodox
School of Theology of Halki. Although the school has been closed since
1971, much hope and strenuous efforts have been directed towards its
re-opening.
The WCC visit ended today with a courtesy visit to the Armenian
Patriarch of Istanbul and all Turkey, His Beatitude Mesrop II.
The delegation, which was accompanied by Archimandrite Benedikt
(Ioannou), the permanent representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch to
the WCC, was composed of Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary, Mr
Georges Lemopoulos, deputy general secretary, and Ms Sabine Udodesku,
executive secretary.
For more information contact: Media Relations Office
tel: (+41 22) 791 64 21 / (+41 22) 791 61 53
e-mail:[email protected]

ARMENIAN PERSECUTOR’S OFFICE DECLARES WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
4 May 04
(Presenter) Armenian Prosecutor’s office is declaring war against
corruption.
Armenian Prosecutor General, Agvan Ovsepyan has signed a decree on
establishing a Department for Struggle against Corruption. The
department will have a head and four prosecutors. The newly-set up
department will cooperate with the Control Chamber of President.
Armenian General Prosecutor Agvan Ovsepyan stressed that there is a
political will to prevent corruption.
(Armenian General Prosecutor, Agvan Ovsepyan, captioned) Corruption
crimes will be precluded in both economy and legal spheres. Tax and
customs systems will be checked to disclose corruption crimes.

PRESS RELEASE
HAMAZKAYIN & DocuDays
113-7222 Beirut – Lebanon
Fax: 961-1-352256
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Beirut, Lebanon
April 22, 2004
Arevag; Festival of Armenian Filmmakers.
An unprecedented film event organized by Docudays and Hamazkayin
Armenian Cultural and Education Organization of Lebanon and the central
committee, will take place in Beirut, presenting a collection of films
made by Karekin Zakoyan (Armenian), Garine Torossian (Canada), Serge
Avedikian , Stephane Elmadjian(France) and Nigol Bezjian (Lebanon).
The festival kicks off on April 26th and will continue for the next five
days ending it on April 30,2004.
Each filmmaker is given a night to showcase his/her films to Lebanese
public.
All are welcomed
Entry is free and open to all.
For more details of program, location and the filmmakers please visit

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St. NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
April 24, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
PRESIDENT BUSH FAILS TO HONOR PLEDGE TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
FOR THE FOURTH TIME
WASHINGTON, DC – President Bush, ignoring calls from over 190
U.S. legislators, failed, once again, to honor his campaign pledge to
properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as “genocide,” reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In a statement issued today, on April 24th, the annual day of
remembrance for the Armenian Genocide, the President again resorted to
the use of evasive and euphemistic terminology to obscure the reality
of Turkey’s Genocide against the Armenian people between 1915-1923.
This year’s statement praised the Turkish Armenian Reconciliation
Commission (TARC,) the failed State Department funded initiative
devised to derail progress toward international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. The effort was universally rejected by Armenians
in the U.S., Armenia and around the world.
“We do appreciate that President Bush has, once again, taken the time
to mark April 24th as a day of remembrance. Armenian Americans,
however, remain deeply troubled that for the fourth year in a row,
despite his repeated calls for ‘moral clarity’ in the conduct of our
international affairs, he has allowed pressure by a foreign government
to reduce the President of the United States to using evasive and
euphemistic terminology to avoid properly identifying the Armenian
Genocide – an important chapter in America’s emergence as an
international humanitarian power – as what is was: a genocide,” said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The President’s failure to
honor his campaign promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide is
compounded by the fact that, in this statement, he commends the
thoroughly discredited Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission, a
transparent partnership between the U.S. State Department and the
Turkish government to block the growing international recognition of
and justice for Turkey’s crime against the Armenian nation.”
“It is also plainly disingenuous for the President to ‘call on both
Armenia and Turkey to restore their economic, political, and cultural
ties,’ when it is the Turkish government that has illegally imposed a
decade-long blockade of Armenia, and it has been Armenia that has
called for the normalization of bilateral relations without
preconditions. This formulation suggests either a lack of
understanding of the region or a deliberate effort to artificially
play down Turkey’s belligerent posture while simultaneously devaluing
Armenia’s very meaningful contributions to regional stability.”
The Bush Administration is formally on record in opposition to
Congressional legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide. For the
position of the Democratic Presidential hopeful John Kerry regarding
Armenian Genocide recognition, please visit
The text of the President’s remarks are provided below.
———————————————————-
The full text of the statement by President George W. Bush
———————————————– ———–
The White House
Washington
April 24, 2004
On this day, we pause in remembrance of one of the
most horrible tragedies of the 20th century, the
annihilation of as many as 1.5 million Armenians
through forced exile and murder at the end of the
Ottoman Empire. This terrible event remains a source
of pain for people in Armenia and Turkey and for all
those who believe in freedom, tolerance, and the
dignity of every human life. I join with my fellow
Americans and the Armenian community in the United
States and around the world in mourning this loss of
life.
The United States is proud of the strong ties we share
with Armenia. From the end of World War I and again
since the reemergence of an independent Armenian state
in 1991, our country has sought a partnership with
Armenia that promotes democracy, security cooperation,
and free markets. Today, our Nation remains committed
to a peace settlement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and is grateful for Armenia’s continuing cooperation
in the war on terror. By advancing understanding and
goodwill, free nations can help build a brighter
future for the world. Our country seeks to help
Armenia expand its strategic relations with the United
States and our European allies.
Generations of Armenian Americans have also
strengthened our communities and enriched our Nation’s
character. By preserving their heritage, faith, and
traditions, Armenian Americans enhance the diversity
that makes America great.
I commend individuals in Armenia and Turkey who have
worked to support peace and reconciliation, including
through the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation
Commission, and call on Armenia and Turkey to restore
their economic, political, and cultural ties. I also
send warm wishes and expressions of solidarity to the
Armenian people on this solemn day of remembrance.
GEORGE W. BUSH
#####

Associated Press Worldstream
April 23, 2004 Friday 3:43 PM Eastern Time
Armenian parliament speaker invites opposition to talk, says refusal
could worsen country’s tensions
YEREVAN, Armenia
The speaker of Armenia’s parliament on Friday called on opposition
representatives to meet with him next week in hopes of diminishing
the country’s tension and avoiding violence.
Artur Bagdasarian indicated that if the opposition refuses the offer,
Armenian authorities will take a tougher stance against the protest
rallies that the opposition has convened several times a week this
month in the capital.
In the event of a refusal to talk, “it could be considered, with
regret, that Armenia is rejecting democratic values in that the
authorities will be forced to use its resources of power,”
Bagdasarian said.
Police forcefully broke up a rally outside the presidential palace on
April 13, detaining more than 100 protesters and reportedly causing
injuries.
The opposition on Friday meanwhile called for a rally on Tuesday that
its leaders say will be “vast and decisive.”
The opposition rallies have focused on calling for President Robert
Kocharian’s resignation.
Kocharian won a second term in presidential elections a year ago that
sparked mass protests, including nearly daily demonstrations between
the first round and the runoff.
Opposition groups alleged widespread violations in both rounds of the
election, which was followed by a parliamentary ballot in which the
pro-government party won the most votes.
Also Friday, police reported that a dual Armenian-US citizen, Artur
Bardanian, had been arrested on charges including action to
forcefully seize state power. Bardanian was an active supporter of
Stepan Demirchian, the main opponent of Kocharian in last year’s
election.

Agence France Presse
April 22, 2004 Thursday
Canada House of Commons recognizes “genocide” in Armenia, rebuffing
FM
OTTAWA, April 21
Canada’s House of Commons rejected Tuesday appeals from Foreign
Minister Bill Graham by adopting a resolution to recognize that
Turkey, Canada’s ally in NATO, committed genocide in Armenia in 1915.
The 301-seat House of Commons voted 153 to 68 in favour of the
resolution, thanks to support from many members of the governing
Liberal Party. Several MPs said Graham had asked them to vote down
the measure during closed-door Liberal meetings.
The motion recognized Turkey’s alleged genocide as “a crime against
humanity.”
It has symbolic value and will not define policy.
In the vote, several leading members of the Liberal Party, including
parliamentary secretaries, voted in favour. However, no full cabinet
minister voted against.
Aris Babikian, of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, pointed
out that several key cabinet ministers, including Justice Minister
Irwin Cotler and even Prime Minister Paul Martin, were absent for the
vote.
He suggested they were absent because they did not want to vote
against the motion.
However, Babikian said it was a great “moral victory,” which would
add pressure on Turkey to at least recognize the genocide and even
apologize for it.
At a celebration party after Tuesday’s vote, Babikian said he owed
this victory to his grandfather who “lost six brothers and sisters in
the genocide” and “saw his own six-year-old sister burned to death.”

Horizon Weekly
Contact: Nanor Manoukian
April 20, 2004 Tel: 514-603-4373
QUEBEC’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMMEMORATE’S ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Montreal, QC – The National Assembly of Quebec commemorated the 89th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the presence of his Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Prelacy of Canada as well as a
delegation from the Armenian National Committee of Quebec. Through a motion
that was unanimously accepted by all parties, parliamentarians paid tribute
to the 1.5 million victims of the Genocide and the resulting impact of the
survivors as well as their progeny.
It is noteworthy that the National Assembly of Quebec has commemorated the
Armenian Genocide since 1980 and in November 2003 it became a member of the
family of legislative assemblies that has passed a law designating April
24th as a day of commemoration for the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian National Committee of Quebec is a grassroots organization
representing the interests of the Armenian Community in Quebec.

Glendale News-Press
LATimes.com
April 20 2004
A day of firsts for school board

Krikorian to become the first Armenian American president of GUSD
board under new rotation.
By Gary Moskowitz, News-Press
NORTHEAST GLENDALE – Greg Krikorian will become president of
Glendale’s school board today, making him the first Armenian American
to hold the position.
Krikorian was elected as a board member in 2001 and is the vice
president. Because the board changes its officers based on a rotation
policy, Krikorian will move into the president’s seat and replace Pam
Ellis during the board meeting.
According to the rotation policy, Ellis, who has been a board member
since 1995, would become a board member and board Clerk Mary Boger
would become the board’s vice president. Board member Lina Harper
would become the board’s clerk. Chuck Sambar would remain a board
member.
However, nothing is set in stone until the final board vote and
approval at Tuesday’s meeting, officials said.
“I am excited,” Krikorian said. “I want to get a good grasp of our
budget challenge, strengthen our district staffing and our programs
to make us the shining light of Southern California, so all parents
would want to move their kids into our city. When we look at these
budget challenges, it’s not just teacher-to-student ratios, but it’s
classified employees, custodians, everyone. We are one big family.
“One thing I’d like to implement this year is to give a State of the
Schools address once a year to give the status of our schools to the
community. I want to strengthen our communications with the
community,” Krikorian said.
The Board of Education had for years decided who its officers would
be based on vague descriptions of a rotation policy that in practice
allowed board members to nominate, vote for and elect its officers,
based on a majority vote in a public meeting.
But that changed in April 2003, when board members voted 3-2 in favor
of writing an official rotation policy into the board’s bylaws.
Boger and Harper voted against the policy, but the board accepted the
rotation policy and other board bylaws in June.
Ellis said that board members, at Tuesday’s meeting, have to readopt
the policy that allows the rotation policy to happen.

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
April 19 2004
WHEN WILL BE THE ROAD TO TALISH BUILT?
April 14 was the tenth anniversary of liberation of the village
Talish. During the meeting of the National Assembly member of
parliament Valery Babayan expressed gratitude to all who have their
contribution to the liberation of the village. He mentioned that the
question of repair of the road Martakert-Mataghis-Talish has been
raised for a number of times. Ten months ago the government promised
to repair it but so far the inhabitants of Talish are deprived of
normal communication. According to the acting minister of building
Vagharshak Palanjanian, the roadworks will cost 40 million drams.
This year 112 million drams in total has been provided for repairing
the village roads. Taking into account the cost, the road of Talish
was taken out of the list drawn up in December. According to V.
Palanjanian, however, a new list is being worked out in which the road
of Talish will be included by all means.