Author: Vanyan Gary

ARMENIA THIS WEEK
Monday, August 2, 2004
ARMENIA WARNS BAKU OVER WAR THREATS
In a special statement issued last week, the Armenian Foreign Ministry
warned Azerbaijan that it would face “disastrous consequences” should its
leaders again resort to military force in the Karabakh conflict. The warning
came after President Ilham Aliyev told his diplomatic envoys posted abroad
that should Azerbaijan fail to regain Karabakh through negotiations, it
would “use… the military option.” The Armenian statement further
questioned Azerbaijan’s commitment to ongoing negotiations, with yet another
summit between Aliyev and Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian planned for
September.

Similar threats have been coming from Baku for years and many observers have
began to ignore them. Last week, the Azeri daily Zerkalo cited one unnamed
Western diplomat in Baku as saying “militant calls of your leader are at
odds with the real situation in your army, attitude of your society and
moral parameters of your ruling class.” The source added that the threats
are no longer taken seriously in the West.

But Armenian officials chose to react this time since unlike typical war
rhetoric for domestic consumption, the most recent threat came in what was
supposed to be President Aliyev’s policy speech to the Azeri diplomatic
corps. It also appears that Azerbaijan is beginning to accelerate its
military preparedness. Last month, Aliyev gave an average of a 50 percent
salary raise to the Azeri military and security forces. Azeri officials have
also indicated plans to begin new weapons purchases in Russia, Ukraine and
Pakistan.

Separately, Azerbaijan is beefing up its border security forces, which
received a $19 million aid package from the U.S. last week. The program,
known as the Caspian Guard, focuses on Azeri ability to defend the Caspian
oil infrastructure and on counter-proliferation. But it does appear to have
special operations and air components that could potentially be used against
Armenia, which would in turn violate U.S. law.

The Azeris have also stepped up provocations along the Line of Contact this
year. The Armenian army reported six deaths from enemy fire so far this
year, with Azeris reporting about a dozen. This week, Karabakh forces began
their annual maneuvers, which this year will also test their
inter-operability with forces from Armenia proper. (Sources: Armenia This
Week 7-19, 26; Ekho 7-20, 29; Arminfo 7-23; Azg 7-23; Zerkalo 7-23; Armenian
Foreign Ministry 7-28; U.S. Department of Defense 7-29; RFE/RL 7-30, 8-2)
ARMENIAN ECONOMY CONTINUES TO TOP GROWTH EXPECTATIONS
Armenia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by more than nine percent in the
first half of 2004, the National Statistics Service reported this week.
While below the record-high 2002-2003 growth of 12 and 14 percent
respectively, the increase was well above the six to seven percent
anticipated by the government and international financial institutions
earlier this year.

Significantly, this year’s robust growth comes after completion of
infrastructure projects funded by the U.S.-based Lincy Foundation, as well
as an 11 percent decrease in diamond-processing and jewelry production,
which had been one of the fastest growing sectors in recent years.
Industrial output was up 4.5 percent, driven by growth in generation of
energy (up 17 percent) and mining and metallurgy (up 46 percent). Textiles
production was up 2.2 times, with garment / leather and rubber / plastics
up 1.4 times each. Investments in construction increased by 12 percent, with
agricultural production up 8.5 percent.

In January-June 2004, the volume of Armenian exports grew by over 7 percent
to $340 million and imports by 4 percent to $625 million. Dependence on
outside supplies of energy and fuel, and raw materials imported for
processing in Armenia, kept the trade deficit large. The list of main export
destinations for Armenian goods continued to be topped by Belgium (19
percent of all goods), Israel (12), Russia (11), the United States (10),
Germany (9) and Switzerland (6). Most imports arrived from Russia (18
percent), Belgium (11), the United States (8), Israel (7) and Great Britain
(6).

The Armenian government also reported to be on track with a projected
increase in revenue collection to reach $450 million this year. Combined tax
and customs revenue in the first half of 2004 reached $211 million, up 17
percent year-on-year. Nevertheless, the State Taxation Service chief
estimated that the so-called shadow sector continued to account for 30
percent of economic activity, with an equivalent portion of profits and
incomes remaining officially untaxed. At the end of June 2004 the average
private sector monthly salary was estimated at $100, up 28 percent
year-on-year, while average public sector wages stood at a meager $50,
despite a 46 percent increase. The unemployment rate remained largely
unchanged at 9.3 percent of the adult population. (Sources: Armenia This
Week 2-6, 4-30; Arminfo 7-31, 8-2; Golos Armenii 7-31)

Visit to read Armenia This Week
issues since 1997.
Armenian Assembly of America
Research & Information Office
August 2, 2004
ISSUE BRIEF: ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF IRAQ
On Sunday, August 1, 2004 Iraq’s Christian communities were the targets of
unprecedented violence. Five bombs exploded nearly simultaneously at four
churches in Baghdad and one in Mosul. The bombings claimed the lives of at
least seven people and dozens were wounded. Among the churches targeted was
an Armenian Catholic Church in Baghdad.
Christian Assyrians and Arabs make up the largest Christian groups in Iraq.
Since the Saddam Hussein take-over in the 1970s and due to subsequent
oppression and wars with Iran and the U.S. and coalition forces, many Iraqi
Christians have emigrated. Today, their number is estimated at about 500,000
people out of Iraq’s twenty seven million.
The Armenian presence in Iraq dates back centuries. But the largest group
arrived during and after the 1915 Armenian Genocide in the then Ottoman
Turkey. Today, the number of Armenians has decreased to under 20,000 people,
but a large community infrastructure remains, including some ten churches.
Most Armenians live in Baghdad, with communities in northern Iraq and Basra
in the south.
Below are the major landmarks sustained by the Armenian community in Iraq:

· Built in 1640, the St. Mary’s (Sb. Astvadzadin) Armenian Church is
the oldest in Baghdad. Reconstructed in 1967, it has been closed through
most of last year. It is also known locally as St. Meskenta (Shirin), named
after a 5th century female martyr. During its annual August 15 festival, the
church draws Christians of all denominations.
· Our Lady of the Roses’ Armenian Catholic Church, built in 1884 and
located in Baghdad’s Karrada district, was one of the targets of the August
1 bombing. As a result, three people were injured and the nearby
headquarters of the Armenian Catholic Church office destroyed. The church
itself sustained comparatively less damage. The Armenian Catholics, who also
maintain the newer St. Mary’s Armenian Catholic Church in Baghdad, are led
by His Grace Antoine Atamian.
· The Holy Martyrs’ (Sb. Nahadangats) Armenian Apostolic Church is
located at the Armenian cemetery in Baghdad and is used for observance of
last rights during funerals.
· St. Gregory the Illuminator (Sb. Grigor Lusavorich) Armenian
Apostolic Church in downtown Baghdad’s Younis al-Sabaawi Square was built in
1956. It also houses the Armenian Church headquarters, headed by the Most
Rev. Archbishop Avak Assadourian. Since 2003, the church has been closed for
services as “unsafe.”
· St. Karapet Armenian Apostolic Church, built in 1973 in Baghdad’s
Christian Camp Sarah neighborhood has remained open throughout the war and
continues to function attracting some 1,000 Armenian families from
throughout Baghdad.
· Outside Baghdad, there are functioning Armenian Apostolic Churches
in the southern city of Basrah, home to some 300 Armenian families, and
northern cities of Mosul and Kirkuk, with 300 and 120 families respectively.
The St. Mary and St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Churches serve the largely
Kurdish-speaking Armenian communities in Zakho and the nearby village of
Avzrug, respectively, which comprise over 200 families.
Since 2003, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the Eastern
Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United States have provided modest aid
to the Iraqi Armenian community’s neediest families. Armenians, along with
other Iraqis, have faced a precarious security situation over the past year
and a half. Dozens have become victims of ongoing violence. Until the August
1 attacks, none of the Armenians were targeted because of their faith or
heritage.
Sources:
The Armenian Assembly of America information 8/2/04
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Press Release 8/2/04
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) 7/7/04
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty 7/6/04
Atlas Travel & Tourist Agency (Jordan)
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122 C Street, N.W., Suite 350, Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 393-3434 FAX
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

July 23, 2004
PRESS RELEASE
R. Hrair Dekmejian
Professor of Political Science
University of Southern California
(213) 740-3619
Steering Committee Formed for Institute of Armenian Studies at USC
The long-held dream of the Armenian community of Southern California,
as well as thousands of USC Armenian Alumni to establish an Institute
of Armenian Studies is well on its way to realization.
A group of prominent community leaders, meeting at the Bistro Gardens
on July 14, responded enthusiastically to the establishment of an
institute that would strengthen and perpetuate the century-long
partnership between the Armenian community and the University of
Southern California.
At the dinner hosted by noted community leader, Charles Ghailian, the
attendees became acquainted with the institute’s unique mission as a
multidisciplinary center of Armenian studies, covering a variety of
fields — law, business, religion, politics, music, film, media, the
arts and sciences. Speaking passionately about the bright future of
the institute, Charles Ghailian welcomed the opportunity to establish
a world-class think-tank that would promote learning and scholarship
about the Armenian-American community, the global Armenian Diaspora,
and the Armenian Republic.
The attendees were: Dr. Mihran & Eliz Agbabian, Alex Baroian, John
Berberian, Sylva Bezdikian, Albert Boyajian, Mark Chenian,
Dr. R. Hrair Dekmejian, Charles Ghailian, Armen Janian, Esq., Onnik
Mehrabian, Varant Melkonian, Gerald Papazian, Esq., Harut Sassounian,
Hagop & Mina Shirvanian, Sinan Sinanian, The Honorable Dikran
Tevrizian, Ralf & Savey Tufenkian, Arda Yemenidjian, and Edward
Zohrabian.
After a lively discussion, the assembled guests unanimously resolved
to commit themselves to bringing the vision of the institute into
reality. By forming a Steering Committee, the members plan to raise
“seed money” and make plans for fund raising and other activities
involving many additional members in the Armenian community.
Since its founding over a century ago, USC has educated thousands of
Armenian-Americans who have gone on to distinguished careers in
business, government and the professions. It is only fitting that USC
serves as the home of an unprecedented venture in multidisciplinary
Armenian studies – the first of its kind in the United States and the
larger Diaspora.

RIA Novosti, Russia
July 25 2004
KARABAKH: INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS WEIGH SETTLEMENT CHANCES
YEREVAN, July 25 (RIA Novosti) – Stepanakert, capital of the
unrecognized Armenian-populated Karabakh Republic in Azerbaijan,
hosted an international expert team today, who were discussing
prospects for peaceful Armenian-Azeri conflict settlement, announced
the Central Information Board under the Karabakh president.
The visitors held a conference with the republican top to blueprint
measures the conflicting parties should take to pace up settlement.
They called to enhance international involvement in the cause. The
experts also reported their impressions of contacts with Karabakh
authorities and NGO spokesmen.
Leading the delegation is Bruce Jackson, NATO committee head in the
U.S. Senate, in charge of Project Transitional Democracies. The other
delegates are Daniel Twining, director for foreign politics, German
branch of the U.S.-based Marshall Foundation; Ronald Asmus, head
expert of the Marshall Foundation trans-Atlantic relations board;
Randy Scheuneman, Orion strategic center president; Istvan Gyarmati,
Hungary, board chair of the Center for Euro-Atlantic Integration and
Democracy; and Robert Cotrell, European branch editor of the UK-based
journal, The Economist.
A truce was made on Karabakh more than ten years ago. Painstaking
international mediation by the OSCE Minsk group has not brought
settlement a step closer since that day. Occasional skirmishes are
lately reported from the conflict zone day in, day out, the
belligerents shifting the blame on each other.
Azeri authorities are willing to grant extensive autonomy to what
they regard as a rebellious province, but are set on Azerbaijan
retaining it for the sake of territorial integrity. Baku also insists
on regaining long-established Azeri areas bordering on Karabakh and
seized in the warfare, and on Azeri refugees returning home. The
latter demand is a worthy reason for negotiations, agree Armenian and
Karabakh leaders. They, however, would not listen about Karabakh ever
getting back under the Azeri wing.

Gulf States Newsletter
Zawya.com
July 25 2004
Aleppo joins Syria’s Islamic revival, Damascus responds by courting
old foes

Cosmopolitan Aleppo has joined Syria’s Islamic revival, highlighting
a trend the Baathist regime can ill afford to ignore – which is why
President Assad is courting the Muslim Brotherhood his father smashed
two decades ago. GSN reports from Aleppo on the mood in the city and
from Damascus on rumours of political games-playing by the regime and
its Islamist opponents, and rapprochement with Turkey.
Syria’s northern capital has long been the region’s most cosmopolitan
town, its population including Armenians, Kurds, Turks, Jews and
Arabs. This diverse heritage remains to this day, with the mix of
churches and mosques resembling Jerusalem, Cairo and Damascus’
eclectic mishmash of religious orthodoxies. But tensions are running
high in Aleppo 2004 version: the Kurdish riots in parts of northern
Syria in March drew in Aleppo’s Kurdish minority – curfews were
imposed on their quarter – and the city is in the grip of an Islamic
revival. Only a handful of women, mainly Christian, now go around in
public without the hijab.
Throughout Aleppo’s famous souk, Koranic slogans hang from the
arcaded ceilings. This is a somewhat different town to the one that
provoked Egyptian-born World Trade Center lead attacker Mohammed
Atta’s ire during the 1990s, when the then star student’s research
into Aleppo’s architectural heritage played a role in his conversion
to Jihadist militancy. Atta had a long-standing affection for
Aleppo’s souk, the subject of his thesis at Hamburg Technical
University in the 1990s. According to the travel writer Jonathan
Raban, here, “Atta had found an age-old, smelly world of half-lit
arched passages, violated by shameless and greedy kufr
(non-believers).” Atta saw the souk as being under siege by tourists
and their architecture of fast-food restaurants and hotels.
A decade later, Atta might find Aleppo a more convivial prospect. One
theory for the popular revival of Islam is that the secular Arab
Baath Socialist Party Regional Command regime, weakened by the death
of Hafez Al-Assad and assailed by US policy-makers as a ‘state
sponsor of terrorism’, is unable to exert its grip as tightly here as
it can in its Damascus power base. In Aleppo, wearing the hijab can
be construed as a personal gesture of opposition to the regime.
The city boasts some firebrand preachers, including Sheikh Mohsen
Al-Qaaqaa, who was removed from his mosque in Q1 04 having previously
cultivated a private militia and openly called for Syria to become an
Islamic state.
On another level, the demise of Syrian secularism appears a
by-product of a shift in sentiment throughout the Middle East in the
wake of 9/11 and the Iraq war. Even Damascene women are turning to
the headscarf in increasing numbers.
But even an Islamicised Aleppo is unlikely to lose its cosmopolitan
edge, and the tourist coaches still queue outside the city’s famous
citadel. The city is increasing its ties with Turkey, only a short
drive across the border. Since Syria expelled Kurdistan Workers’
Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, relations with Ankara have
improved across the board; President Bashar Al-Assad visited in
January. Recent faltering ties between Turkey and its regional
strategic ally Israel – fanned by reports that Israeli special forces
are training and co-operating with Kurdish Peshmerga militias in
northern Iraq – are playing well in Syria.
If Aleppo is able to leverage its geographic influence as a regional
trading post, enabling Turkish products to penetrate Arab markets
further south, it could play a key role in fostering the emerging
bilateral economic relationship. GSN was in the city when in late May
when Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, a regular visitor, came
with 400 Turkish businessmen and 33 MPs to explore increased
commercial relations. Such was the minister’s enthusiasm, he happily
participated in communal dancing.
With its own Kurdish flank to look after and both countries wary of
US influence in the region, Damascus has reason enough to throw in
its lot with Ankara. A dose of Turkish secularism may also help to
offset the Islamic fervour gripping Syria’s second city
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Le Monde, France
22 juillet 2004
La France et la Turquie se félicitent de leurs échanges économiques
LE MONDE
A l’issue de sa visite en France, le premier ministre turc, Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, a parrainé démonstrativement, avec le président
Chirac, mercredi 21 juillet, dans un salon du palais de l’Elysée, la
signature par Airbus et Turkish Airlines d’un protocole d’accord sur
la vente de 36 avions.
La visite du chef du gouvernement turc, venu plaider pour l’entrée de
son pays dans l’Union européenne, a ainsi été l’occasion d’insister
de part et d’autre sur la bonne santé des relations économiques entre
les deux pays et les avantages que la France en retire. Parlant d’une
“explosion” des échanges, le directeur de la mission économique
française en Turquie a indiqué mercredi à Istanbul qu’ils avaient
atteint en 2003 un niveau record de 6,1 milliards d’euros,
poursuivant leur progression en 2004.
Le soutien de Jacques Chirac à la Turquie reste cependant contesté en
France. Le président de l’UDF, François Bayrou, reçu mercredi par M.
Erdogan, avait réitéré la veille son opposition à une adhésion
turque. “Le moins que l’on puisse dire, c’est que la Turquie n’est
pas une société européenne”, avait-il dit. Les responsables UMP
François Baroin et Alain Juppé, dont le parti défend un “partenariat
privilégié” avec la Turquie au lieu d’une adhésion à l’UE, se sont
montrés en revanche discrets sur la discussion qu’ils ont eue.
François Hollande, premier secrétaire du Parti socialiste a indiqué,
après avoir rencontré à son tour M. Erdogan, ne pas avoir
“d’hostilité à l’adhésion de la Turquie en tant que telle”, mais
qu’elle devait être “conditionnée à des progrès plus grands en
matière de droits de l’homme, de démocratie politique, de garanties
en matière de laïcité” ainsi qu'”à la reconnaissance du génocide
arménien”. Pour M. Hollande, “nous devons utiliser au mieux les
négociations sur l’adhésion pour que nos valeurs et nos principes
soient respectés”.
Le premier secrétaire du PS qui sait son parti divisé, façonne une
sorte de ligne d’équilibre : contre une entrée immédiate, sans
l’exclure à plus long terme dans une dynamique de négociations. “Je
ne comprends pas très bien la position du parti là-dessus”,
s’irritait mardi Henri Emmanuelli, en mettant notamment en avant “le
niveau des salaires en Turquie” et le problème des “délocalisations”.
“Je regrette que le PS ne soit pas plus attentif à l’opinion de son
électorat”, ajoutait-il, en affirmant que ce dernier est
majoritairement opposé à une telle adhésion.

Azer News, Azerbaijan
July 22 2004
Azerbaijan says ‘no’ to OSCE Minsk Group

The long-anticipated visit by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the
region has yielded absolutely no results, as this high-ranking group
lost even more credibility in the eyes of the Azerbaijani public. On
Thursday the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish hosted a
reception dedicated to
the co-chairs’ visit. Over 100 people were invited to the reception,
including representatives of political parties and NGOs, parliament
members, foreign ambassadors and journalists. Touching upon the Upper
Garabagh conflict, all the three co-chairs, Steven Mann of the United
States, Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia and Henry Jacolin of France,
pointed out the need for reconciliation, compromises and concessions,
without which a peace resolution would be impossible.
One of the co-chairs said that no third party will be able to resolve
the conflict and that the conflicting parties need to come to terms
on their own. The gist of all statements made by the co-chairs is
that Azerbaijan must submit to occupation, give up its demands on
restoring its territorial integrity and accept the independence of
Upper Garabagh. Addressing the meeting, former state adviser,
political scholar Vafa Guluzada said explicitly that such statements
are absolutely unacceptable, as they are aimed at compelling
Azerbaijan to relinquish its struggle for the liberation of its
territories. Guluzada told reporters after the reception that the
co-chairs are trying to blame Azerbaijan for the protracted conflict.
Azerbaijan is a victim of aggression, and instead of considering
liberation of its land, the co-chairing countries demand the country
to submit to occupation. The co-chairs are deliberately making this
blatant mistake by regarding the aggression as a conflict, Guluzada
said. The former state adviser emphasized the four resolutions,
passed by the UN Security Council on liberation of Azerbaijan’s
occupied territories. Particularly reprehensible is the position of
Russia, which is supplying arms to Armenia and has a military
cooperation agreement with this country, Guluzada said. Guluzada’s
statement caused confusion among the co-chairs, who subsequently
suggested that another speaker take the floor, but the other
participants supported Guluzada with an applause. Guluzada also said
he was confident that the goal of the meeting was to convince the
Azerbaijani public that the country must make concessions to Armenia.
Nonetheless, this attempt has failed again. The position of the OSCE
MG co-chairs has triggered a public outcry in Azerbaijan. Chairman of
the Party of National Independence of Azerbaijan (PNIA) Etibar
Mammadov said the co-chairs are making the same mistakes as before.
He said that they are not interested in a fair settlement of the
conflict and demand concessions only from Azerbaijan. Mammadov
further voiced his approval of Guluzada’s statement, saying that it
reflects the real state of affairs. “The co-chairs must understand
that neither the authorities nor the opposition of Azerbaijan will
make any concessions”, Mammadov said. Leader of Musavat Party Isa
Gambar also censured the position of OSCE MG co-chairs. He approved
of Guluzada’s statement, confirming that Azerbaijan will not make any
concessions to Armenia. Former Foreign Minister Tofig Zulfugarov said
the co-chairs must criticize the non-constructive position of one of
the conflicting parties. As for Guluzada’s statement, it was overly
emotional, Mammadov said and added that he still agrees with some of
its parts. Another political scholar Eldar Namazov gave a negative
assessment to the co-chairs’ utterances. He said the co-chairs do not
understand the real state of affairs and that nothing has changed in
their position. Moreover, the OSCE MG is absolutely unaware of the
public opinion in Azerbaijan and this statement by Guluzada was
unexpected for the co-chairs, Namazov said. “Vafa Guluzada gave a
very harsh response”, he added.
Disappointment
In a meeting with the co-chairs on Friday, President Ilham Aliyev
expressed his dissatisfaction with the inefficient activity of the
OSCE Minsk Group. He underlined that the co-chairs are well aware of
Azerbaijan’s position stated during the meetings of Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents and foreign ministers. Aliyev said his country
aspires to a conflict settlement within international legal norms and
noted that all conflicts should be settled this way. The President
underlined that Armenia has not honored the UN Security Council’s
four resolutions on an unconditional withdrawal of its armed forces
from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. On the same day, the MG
co-chairs held a private meeting with Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov. Commenting on the results of the meeting, Jacolin told
journalists that it was fruitful.
UN resolutions rejected
A heated debate unfolded during a meeting of Azerbaijani Defense
Minister, Colonel General Safar Abiyev with the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs on Friday. Jacolin stated that peace talks have entered a
new stage. “If the conflicting sides do not make compromises, there
will be no progress in the Upper Garabagh conflict settlement. Any
incident occurring on the contact line of the military troops may
lead to military action.” General Abiyev underlined that Armenian
armed forces must pull out of the occupied Azerbaijani lands. “It is
necessary to comply with the UN Security Council’s four resolutions
on unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the
occupied land of Azerbaijan in order to fully settle the conflict.
Finally, the OSCE should pass a relevant decision on the matter.”
With regard to the MG co-chairs, Abiyev said that the group’s mission
is to settle the conflict and ensure that the conflicting sides come
to terms. The US co-chair Steven Mann argued that the Upper Garabagh
conflict should be solved by the governments of Azerbaijan and
Armenia, but not by the OSCE Minsk Group. He added that the co-chairs
would only assist in this. In reply to General Abiyev’s question on
the priorities for the conflict resolution and the principles the MG
proposed to the conflicting sides, the Russian co-chair Merzlyakov
said international legal norms envision a peaceful solution and
litigation as options for settling conflicts. “Today, the UN
resolutions may not be executed as they were adopted in a different
atmosphere and new versions for a conflict resolution should be
sought” Merzlyakov noted. In reply, the Minister said that the UN
resolutions are still in force. “These resolutions have already been
executed in Yugoslavia and Iraq and one day they will be applied to
the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict,” Abiyev said.
Co-chairs indifferent to public opinion
In a news conference dedicated to the results of their tour of the
region at the International Press Center of Baku on Friday, the
co-chairs failed to elaborate on the work they carried out to resolve
the Garabagh conflict. The US co-chair Mann said that they were
confident of the peaceful settlement of the Upper Garabagh conflict.
Russian co-chair Merzlyakov said all the three countries co-chairing
the OSCE MG support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and do
not recognize the independence of the “Upper Garabagh Republic”.
Unlike in a meeting with Defense Minister, Merzlyakov, touching upon
the issue of observance to the mentioned UN resolutions, said he
believes they are still in effect. Some of the resolutions on
stopping military action adopted in 1994 have been observed. As for
other regulations, for instance, one on stopping the hostilities by
the conflicting parties, the MG continues working in this direction,
Merzlyakov added. Commenting on a possible mediation by Turkey,
Merzlyakov said that this country is already playing an active role
in the Minsk Group. “We are working closely with Turkey”, he said.
The French co-chair Henry Jacolin, in his turn, noted that the peace
talks entered a new stage after Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev’s
death and Vilayat Guliyev’s dismissal from the position of Foreign
Minister. Jacolin stressed that it would take Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents as well as foreign ministers a certain period of
time to bring their positions closer. Asked about Minsk Group’s
failure in solving the Upper Garabagh conflict, the MG co-chairs
underlined that Azerbaijan and Armenia should be blamed for this.
They declined to answer a question about the occupation of
Azerbaijani lands. Asked about the Azerbaijani public’s distrust in
the Minsk Group, Jacolin admitted that the co-chairs were not
concerned over this, as they are recognized by the Presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia. He noted that neither the UN nor the European
Union have assumed responsibility for mediating the conflict.
Unplanned meeting
Although the OSCE MG co-chairs did not plan to meet with the
leadership of the Azerbaijani community of Upper Garabagh, the
meeting took place on the insistence of the community leader Nizami
Bahmanov. Bahmanov said that if the co-chairs meet with the
separatist regime of Garabagh, they are obliged to meet with the
Azerbaijani community as well. The MG co-chairs, in turn, said that
they could not meet with the leadership of the Azerbaijani community
due to their busy schedule. Just like in the previous meetings, the
co-chairs did not come up with any concrete proposals.
>From The Editor-in-Chief
I was among those who attended the meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs with the Azerbaijani public on the first day of their visit
to Baku. The Azerbaijani public came out strongly against the
statements made by the co-chairs, backing their statements with
convincing arguments. I will try to look into the reasons behind such
a harsh objection by the public. First, it was apparent that the MG
co-chairs came to Baku to impose the idea of surrender on Azerbaijan.
Second, the MG co-chairs are far from recognizing the aggression of
Armenia, a country which has occupied Azerbaijan’s lands, driven out
about one million people from Garabagh by pursuing a policy of ethnic
cleansing, destroyed ancient historical monuments and residential
areas in this region. Third, the co-chairs claim that the mentioned
UN Security Council resolutions are no longer ‘valid’, as they were
adopted in ‘different conditions’. Fourth, they call on Azerbaijan
‘to accept realities’, saying that ‘if Azerbaijan does not make any
compromises today, the conflict will not be resolved for the next 60
years’. Although the co-chairs declined to explain what compromises
should be made, it is common knowledge that Azerbaijan is expected to
give up Upper Garabagh, the city of Shusha and the Lachin District,
which is unacceptable. Neither Azerbaijani authorities nor the
opposition can agree to sign such an unfair and disgraceful peace
agreement… It is amazing that Russian co-chair Merzlyakov expressed
conflicting opinions on the same issue in various meetings. These
utterances are not accidental and reflect the policy Russia is
pursuing in the region. It is common knowledge that Russia, a
mastermind of conflicts ongoing in South Caucasus, is not interested
in their settlement. Besides, Russia is still able to keep the two
countries under pressure using the Garabagh problem. I am amazed that
the United States, a superpower, which is, contrary to Russia,
interested in establishing stability in the region, is taking a
passive stance on the issue and following Russia’s path

ARKA News Agency
July 15 2004
Ovik Abramian appointed the head of Armenian delegation at summer
Olympic Games in Greece
NKR President receives the heads of Armenian Dance Group Ani
RA Foreign Minister and UK Ambassador to Armenia sign agreement on
culture centers
Spread of measles is recorded in Armenia
RA and RF authorities consider the possibility of creation of joint
commission
*********************************************************************
OVIK ABRAMIAN APPOINTED THE HEAD OF ARMENIAN DELEGATION AT SUMMER
OLYMPIC GAMES IN GREECE
YEREVAN, July 15. /ARKA/. RA Minister of Territorial Management and
Infrastructure Coordination Ovik Abramian was appointed the head of
Armenian delegation at summer Olympic Games in Greece, RA Government
press office told ARKA. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
NKR PRESIDENT RECEIVES THE HEADS OF ARMENIAN DANCE GROUP ANI
STEPANAKERT, July 15. /ARKA/. NKR President Arkady Gukasian received
the heads of Armenian Dance Group Ani from USA. During the meeting,
Art Director of the Dance Group Yeghia Asholian said that it is third
for the last five years visit of Nagorno Karabakh. According to him,
this time Armenian dancers from America came to Artsakh to perform at
Karabakh scene with holiday concerts dedicated to 30th anniversary of
the group.
Gukasian in his turn said that visit of Karabakh by foreign Armenian
art groups became a good tradition that should be by all means
supported. He wished the guests success in their work and expressed
hope that they’ll always remain good friends of Artsakh. L.D. –0
*********************************************************************
RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND UK AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON
CULTURE CENTERS
YEREVAN, July 15. /ARKA/. RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian and UK
Ambassador to Armenia Torda Abbot Watt signed today an agreement on
culture centers, RA MFA told ARKA. Agreement between the countries
puts it on official base the existing high level of culture links,
which increased with an opening of British Council in Armenia in
April 2001. According to the document, British Council is an official
body, coordinating culture links between Armenia and GB. Besides, the
agreement creates backgrounds for foundation of the same Armenian
culture representation in United Kingdom. The parties also receive an
opportunity to establish culture centers in the capitals of the two
countries and other cities on mutual agreement. The basic goal of
culture center is development of Armenian-British relations in the
spheres of language, literature, culture, art, science and
technology, etc. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
SPREAD OF MEASLES IS RECORDED IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, July 15. /ARKA/. Spread of measles is recorded in Armenia,
according to RA Deputy Minister of Health Haik Darbinyan. As he said,
in spite the fact that the disease is dominates in winter period,
this year already some cases of catching the disease in summer were
registered. However, Darbinyan didn’t state the exact number of the
infected. He just said that the disease could be caught through the
air, in particular, a whole bus of passengers recently caught the
disease. According to Darbinyan, cases of patients with intestinal
infections are registered this summer. Some of such infections
haven’t spread yet.
To remind, immunization of the population against 9 kinds of
infections is carried out among the population, and from the
beginning of the year the list of the injections included those
against Hepatitis -B, measles, roseola, parotids. A.H.–0–
*********************************************************************
RA AND RF AUTHORITIES CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATION OF JOINT
COMMISSION
YEREVAN, July 15. /ARKA/. Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov suggested
creating a joint commission of RA and RF authorities. According to RA
President’s Press Service and Public Relations Department, he stated
this during the meeting with the RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan. According to Luzhkov, the commission will allow the two
Governments directly solve problems of mutual interest. He added that
such commissions already function in some states of CIS. Luzhkov also
mentioned the issue of construction `Yerevan’ trade house in Moscow
with the participation of Armenian builders. According to him,
construction is planned to be completed in 2005.
According to the press release, the parties discussed the issue of
founding a center for wholesale in Moscow. As Luzhkov said, the
center would allow Armenian side to distribute goods lots without
wasting time on looking for buyers. He noted that such centers
already exist in Moscow. In addition to that, the sides discussed the
possibility of organizing Armenian trade fairs in central regions of
Moscow. Luzhkov expressed his readiness to contribute the issue of
setting stable rent taxes in Pan Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow.
A.H. – 0 –

EU transfers 1.5m euros to Armenian budget
Arminfo, Yerevan
9 Jul 04
YEREVAN
The European Commission has transferred the first tranche of 1.5m
euros to the Armenian budget under the food security programme
totalling 9.5m euros, Armenian Finance and Economy Minister Vardan
Khachatryan told a press conference today.
These funds have been given to agriculture, social security, the State
Land Survey, Property and National Statistics Services for several
years.
The minister said that the remaining 8m euros will be transferred in
two tranches by the end of 2004.
Speaking at the press conference, the head of the EU delegation in
Armenia and Georgia, Torben Holtze, said that the programme was very
important for enhancing the level of state management. He said that
this was already the eighth food security programme, which had been
realized in Armenia since 1997. As a whole, within the framework of
the programme, bearing in mind the transferred 1.5m euros, the EU has
given Armenia 68.5m euros. Holtze added that for the time being, the
sides are discussing the possibility of cooperation under this
programme for 2005-07. Armenia can count on receiving 9.5m euros per
year, he said.

ArmenPress
July 9 2004
COUNCIL OF EUROPE INFORMATION OFFICE IN ARMENIA IS ONE-YEAR-OLD
YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: On 8 July 2004, the Council of Europe
Information Office in Armenia organized a celebration of its first
anniversary and the presentation of its newly created website.
Armenian Government and National Assembly officials, heads of
diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in
Armenia, representatives of non-governmental organizations and media
attended the official ceremony that took place in the premises of the
Information Office.
Samvel Mkrtchian, Head of the European Department of the RA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened the ceremony and congratulated
the Information Office with its first anniversary and its
achievements during the first year of existence.
Among other honorary guests, the CoE Information Office in Armenia
had the honor to host a representative of the ‘big CoE family’ – Ms.
Mariana Nitelea, the Director of the CoE Information Office in
Bucharest, Romania. The former delivered the address of Klaus
Schumann, the Director General of the Council of Europe Directorate
General of Political Affairs.
The Director of the Information Office in Yerevan Susan Marukhyan
thanked the guests and opened the floor for the presentation of the
newly-created Armenian-English website The website is
both informative and interactive: while the general materials on the
Council of Europe and Armenia within its framework ensure public
awareness at large, the daily media digest, press releases and
news/announcements provide up-to-date information on the CoE
developments with particular relevance to Armenia. One of the most
striking features of the website is the online virtual library that
gives the opportunity to browse and find relevant library materials
online prior to visiting the library.
The Council of Europe has established 22 Information Offices in
its 45 member States in order to facilitate the CoE-related public
awareness-raising in the native languages of the respective
countries. The CoE Information Office in Armenia was officially
opened on 8 July 2003.

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
July 8, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
Asssembly Interns Meet With Congressman Pallone
———————————————–
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following links:
-066-1.jpg
CAPTION: Armenian Assembly summer interns met with Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) on Capitol Hill July 8 to
discuss issues of concern to the Armenian Diaspora, as well as current
legislation to extend permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Armenia.
The legislation, introduced by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI) and Congressman Pallone in the House of Representatives last year,
would remove a provision requiring Armenia to obtain presidential approval
for continued access to low tariffs. The meeting with Congressman Pallone,
a staunch supporter of Armenian-American issues, is part of the Assembly’s
Capitol Ideas program which gives interns the opportunity to meet with U.S.
Senators and Representatives.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-066