US ambassador visits Syunik

US AMBASSADOR VISITS SYUNIK

ArmenPress
June 9 2004

KAPAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS: US ambassador to Armenia, John Ordway,
paid a two-day working visit to the southern province of Syunik on
June 8-9 to get a first-hand information on the ground about the pace
of implementation of an array of projects, funded and supported by
his government.

The first leg of his visit was to Meghri, home to one of the biggest
copper and molybdenum plant, that was privatized by a US-based company
recently. The same day the ambassador met with representatives of local
non-governmental organizations and community leaders in Meghri and then
in Kapan to introduce them to the projects, implemented in the region
with the support of the US government and hear also their opinions.

On the second day of the visit John Ordway visited a local kindergarten
being repaired by Save the Children Organization on USAID funds and
then attended a ceremony marking the end of a major repair of the
local mental clinic, funded also by Save the Children.

Summit is a huge global affair

San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday, June 8, 2004

Summit is a huge global affair

Jan Sandred, Chronicle Staff Writer

It’s not only the largest biotechnology gathering ever, but also the most
international. Fifty-nine countries are represented at this week’s BIO 2004
International Convention in San Francisco.

Nearly half of those countries are visiting with official delegations with
federal-level ministers of science and technology, trade, and economics.

In addition to Americans, the largest delegations are from Australia,
Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden,
Switzerland, Taiwan and Britain. Russia alone sent more than 65 senior
scientists and project managers.

There are 29 international pavilions on the exhibit floor with many times
more companies. For example, the Swedish pavilion in the North Hall of the
Moscone Convention Center features 14 biotech companies and organizations.

Countries participating for the first time include Algeria, Armenia, Ivory
Coast, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Peru, Romania, Slovenia, Uganda, Ukraine and
Yemen.

China, Japan and New Zealand all sent significantly more representatives
than in past years, in some cases doubling the numbers from last year, when
the convention was in Washington, D.C.

“Biotechnology is a global enterprise, thanks to solutions that now touch
the daily lives of millions in health care, the environment and
agriculture,” said Carl Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry
Organization, the meeting’s sponsor. “Our convention fully reflects the
international reach of this industry.”

E-mail Jan Sandred at [email protected].

BAKU: Azeri ANS TV suspends BBC broadcasts,but ready to continue coo

Azeri ANS TV suspends BBC broadcasts, but ready to continue cooperation

ANS TV, Baku
1 Jun 04

[Presenter in studio] The news bulletins of the BBC Russian service
will no longer be rebroadcast by ANS CM. Both companies have kept
their word.

[Correspondent over video of ANS office] As of today, the BBC
Russian broadcasts through ANS CM radio have been suspended on
Azerbaijani territory. The ANS independent broadcasting and media
company has taken this step in connection with the position of the
BBC’s morning programmes on Azerbaijan. We should remind you that
the ANS CM radio station had repeatedly sent letters of warning to
the BBC that the morning programmes of this service of the BBC and
the programmes by producer Mark Grigoryan are distorting the truth
about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. It was said that if Mark
Grigoryan is not taken off the air by 31 May, the transmission of
the Russian service will be suspended on 1 June. So it was suspended.

The BBC also regrets this decision. But at the same time, Hamid
Ismayilov, head of the BBC’s South Caucasus and Central Asia Service,
stressed that ANS is a democratic and independent channel.

Vahid Mustafayev, head of the ANS group of companies, made the
following comment on the decision: ANS had played a great role
in setting up the BBC’s Azerbaijani service. For this reason, we
will continue our cooperation. We suspended the transmission of the
Russian-language programmes because these programmes are run by an
Armenian producer which seriously worried Azerbaijani listeners.

I should note that the BBC leaders have accepted this step with
understanding, end of quote.

Ayaz Mirzayev, ANS.

120m drams provided to Shirak region for work against money project

120 MILLION DRAMS PROVIDED TO SHIRAK REGION FOR WORK AGAINST MONEY PROJECT

ArmenPress
May 27 2004

GYUMRI, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS: About 25 percent of the 500 million drams
provided by the Armenian government for ” Work Against Money” project
is given to Shirak taking into consideration the level of unemployment
in the region and the previous effectiveness of the project.

According to the data provided by regional employment center from
the total 120 million provided to the region 82 million is given
to Akhurian and Gyumri, 20 million to Artik and its neighboring
territories, 10 million to Maralik city and its neighboring communities
and 4 million each for Amasia and Maralik communities.

As different from the previous years, this year instead of cleaning
the streets people will renovate green zones and forest areas. At the
same time reconstruction of secondary and cultural establishment and
streets will be conducted.

Shortly registration of citizens eager to participate will start.
Last year such an initiation provided work to 1500 unemployed.

BAKU: Chairman of Milli Majlis returned home from Strasbourg

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
May 22 2004

CHAIRMAN OF MILLI MAJLIS RETURNED HOME FROM STRASBOURG
[May 22, 2004, 11:32:15]

The parliamentary delegation led by chairman of Milli Majlis of
Azerbaijan Republic Murtuz Alaskarov was on a visit to Strasbourg for
participation in conference of Chairmen of the European parliamentary
assemblies.

On May 21, the delegation of parliament of Azerbaijan has come back
home.

At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport Murtuz Alaskarov gave
interview to correspondent of AzerTAj on conclusions of visit.
Chairman of parliament has told: “IN the framework of visit, I have
addressed the Conference on the topic “Civil Europe – parliaments and
participation of citizens”, carried pout fruitful meetings with heads
of the Council of Europe and Parliamentary Assembly, chairman of
Great National Assembly of Turkey, chairmen of parliaments of the
countries of Southern Caucasus and GUUAM.

At a meeting of speakers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia,
discussed were the questions of signing of the Pact of Stability on
Caucasus, creation of Parliamentary Assembly of the countries of
Southern Caucasus. I have made protest against creation of
parliamentary assembly and have emphasized the opportunity of
carrying out further discussions connected to the Pact of Stability.
As if to restoration and development of our links with Armenia, I
have resolutely stated that until the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan will not be released, while refugees and the IDPs will not
return to their native lands, it is not necessary to speak about it.

The next meeting of speakers of the countries of Southern Caucasus is
planned to carry out in June of this year in the French Versailles
city.

One more interesting meeting has been carried out between speakers of
the GUUAM countries (Uzbekistan is not a member of the Council of
Europe, therefore, did not participate in the meeting). At the
meeting, discussed was the Strasbourg Convention signed in 1998
between the countries GUUAM and has been decided carry out this year
the constituent assembly of Parliamentary Assembly of GUUAM. The said
action is planned for September this year.

At the airport, first vice-chairmen of Milli Majlis Arif Ragimzade,
vice-chairman of Milli Majlis Ziyafet Askarov greeted Chairman of
Parliament Murtuz Alaskarov.

Russia, Armenia deepen strategic partnership

Russia, Armenia deepen strategic partnership

ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 21 2004

YEREVAN, May 20 (Itar-Tass) – Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov
said after talks with his Armenian counterpart Serge Sarkisyan on
Thursday that the Russian and Armenian defence chiefs had made another
vital practical step towards deepening the Russian-Armenian strategic
partnership, promoting bilateral security and maintaining peace and
stability in the trans-Caucasian region.

“We discussed a wide range of issues that concerned the implementation
of the earlier reached agreements on military and technological
cooperation, the provision of the vitality of the Russian military
base in the territory of the Republic of Armenia and interaction in
military construction,” Sergei Ivanov explained.

“We also exchanged views on developing military and political situation
in the trans-Caucasian region and clarified positions in counteracting
international terrorism,” the Russian defence minister added.

Ivanov believes that the decisions, which were passed during the
talks, came as a natural result of the sides’ reciprocal interest
in developing all-round military contacts. “They are the logical
continuation of intensive work which the Russian and Armenian
presidents do for the sake of promoting inter-state relations,”
Ivanov emphasized.

Speaking about Russia’s military cooperation with NATO, Ivanov
specified that Russia participated in joint military exercises with
NATO only if that meets its national interests.

“As far as the participation of the Russian armed forces in joint
exercises with NATO is concerned, we do it only if we can gain some
practical benefit from it,” the Russian defence minister said.

“We have a selective approach to this issue proceeding from our
national, including military interests. If joint exercises with NATO
are of no use to our troops, we openly tell our partners about it,”
Ivanov explained.

Sergei Ivanov ruled out any possibility of joint use of Russia’s
radar station in Gabalin, northern Azerbaijan, together with the
United States.

Asked to comment on some media reports that the Russian military
facility in Azerbaijan could allegedly be operated jointly with the
United States under a long-term agreement, Ivanov replied that he
could hardly imagine how an installation working in the interests of
the Russian Space Troops could be used jointly with the United States.

“It’s hard to imagine even if someone’s imagination is very great,»
he noted.

Lawyer accuses Hungarian TV of biased coverage of Azeri officer’s ca

Lawyer accuses Hungarian TV of biased coverage of Azeri officer’s case

ANS TV, Baku
19 May 04

[Presenter] Lawyer Adil Ismayilov, who visited Budapest between 3-17
May, today informed journalists of the investigation into the case
of Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, who is charged with killing
Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan [both were attending NATO courses
in Budapest].

[Correspondent, over video of news conference] Adil Ismayilov met Ramil
thrice during his visit to Budapest. The lawyer said that each meeting
had lasted for about an hour. He said that the Azerbaijani officer was
feeling better and had no complaints about the conditions in which
he was being held. However, Adil Ismayilov found some faults in the
course of the investigation. He said that Ramil had been questioned
in Russian twice. But our compatriot does not speak good Russian. For
this reason, he had to ask for an interpreter. The Hungarian side
promised to resolve the issue soon. In addition, Ismayilov said the
investigation was being delayed and only 10 people had been questioned
as witnesses and three forensic examinations had been carried out.

[Passage omitted: reported details]

It turned out during the news conference that Ismayilov had not been
allowed to closely familiarize himself with the case. The lawyer
also noted that Hungarian TV channels concentrated largely on the
incident and their positions were fairly biased. The TV channels
distort investigation materials, which no-one actually knows about,
Adil Ismayilov said.

The investigation is to end in the near future. The [Hungarian]
prosecutor’s office will examine the case after this. Ismayilov thinks
that the trial will open no sooner than in September. The hearings
will be open to the public.

Rasad Mammadov, Sadiq Mammadov, ANS.

Georgia To Deploy Troops In Ethnic Armenian District Following Clash

GEORGIA TO DEPLOY TROOPS IN ETHNIC ARMENIAN DISTRICT FOLLOWING CLASHES

Prime-News news agency, Tbilisi
10 May 04

Tsalka (south-east Georgia), 10 May: A 150-strong unit of the Internal
Troops numbering will be deployed in Tsalka District on Monday (10 May)
following mass disturbances involving the district’s ethnic Armenian
and Georgian residents on Sunday.

Prime-News correspondent has reported from Tsalka that the president’s
representative in Kvemo Kartli Region, Ioseb Mazmishvili, as well as
a group of investigators from the regional offices of the Interior
Ministry and the Prosecutor-General’s Office, arrived in Tsalka on
Monday to investigate the incident.

The Prime-News correspondent has said that the regional administration
will be based in Tsalka until the final settlement of the situation
in the district. A temporary command post coordinating law enforcers’
activities will be set up.

Ioseb Mazmishvili told Prime-News that the temporary command post
will work out a plan of special measures, including the disarming
of residents.

Disturbances involving ethnic Georgians and Armenians started during
a football match on Sunday and later transformed into mass clashes.

The president’s representative in the region has described the
situation in the district as tense.

Several dozen people, mostly Georgians, including children, were
injured. One young person suffered concussion.

Prime-News correspondent has reported that a group of doctors from
Rustavi went to Tsalka on Monday to treat the injured.

Mass disturbances involving ethnic Georgians and Armenians have
happened in Tsalka District before.

BAKU: Meeting in Milli Majlis

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
May 11 2004

MEETING IN MILLI MAJLIS
[May 11, 2004, 14:20:46]

Chairman of the Milli Majlis Murtuz Alasgarov received members of
the Germany-Caucasus parliamentary group of Bundestag.

Mr. Alasgarov touched upon the history of relations between the two
countries saying they have been developed intensively after Azerbaijan
has gained its independence. He especially emphasized the role the
two countries’ leaders and reciprocal visits had played in bringing
the relationship to todays level.

Dwelling on the reforms being successfully implemented in Azerbaijan,
the Chairman expressed satisfaction with the fact that a number
of German companies had made investments in various branches of the
country’s economy. He noted however that despite the rapid progress of
Azerbaijan, there are some problems seriously hampering the development
of the country and its integration into the West. Speaking in this
connection of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Mr. Murtuz Alasgarov informed the guests in detail on its historical
roots, position of our country in the problems settlement and expressed
gratitude the German Government for its support

Having passed the greetings from Chairman of Bundestag over to the MM
Chairman, Head of the German delegation Christoph Bergner noted Germany
is very interested in development of relations with Azerbaijan. The
agreements on development of bilateral links reached during the visit
by Foreign Minister Joschca Fischer to Baku, aroused keen interest
in the Bundestag, he said.

Mr. Bergner described the present visit as a continuation of that
one. He noted that Germany appreciates the Azerbaijan’s efforts for
establishment of cooperation with the European Union, and is ready
to help in this relation.

Later on, the parties have exchanged views on a number of other issues
of mutual interes.

No political forces in Russia wish Armenia’s destabilisation

The International Herald Tribune
May 7, 2004 Friday

No political forces in Russia wish Armenia’s destabilisation

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

In the opinion of Ara Abramyan, President of the World Armenian
Congress and of the Union of the Armenians of Russia, “There are no
political forces in Russia that would wish destabilisation or
internal unrest” in Armenia. “Stabilisation in Armenia is the main
thing,” he has told Itar-Tass.

This prominent public figure and businessman has dismissed assertions
about an ostensible involvement of Russian businessmen of Armenian
descent in the developments in Armenia. He believes that “it is
superfluous to say in this respect that some big Russian
organisations allegedly finance the opposition in Armenia”.

Commenting on the internal political tension in the republic,
Abramyan pointed out that he takes “a negative view of the
developments in Armenia, since this also concerns the Armenians of
Russia and of the whole world”. He recalled that half a million
Armenian nationals live in Russia.

Abramyan is convinced that the authorities and the opposition must
settle the internal political situation in Armenia. “Only at the
negotiating table, not in the street or in foreign countries,”
appealing to international authorities.

As for the opposition’s demands for President Robert Kocharyan’s
resignation, Abramyan believes that “any such demands must be decided
upon exclusively within the legal, constitutional framework”.