Category: News

ARKA news Agency, Armenia
Nov 23 2004
CBA totals up the results of drawing contest “Armenian Dram through
the Eyes of Children”
Cost of Armenian-Japanese program on research of landslide zones of
Armenia makes about $2 million
Speaker of Armenian Parliament and Italian Deputy Foreign Minister
discuss issues of strengthening of bilateral relations
Armenian President and UNHCR discuss situation with refugees
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CBA TOTALS UP THE RESULTS OF DRAWING CONTEST “ARMENIAN DRAM THROUGH
THE EYES OF CHILDREN”
YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. CBA totaled up the results of drawing
contest “Armenian Dram through the Eyes of Children”, in which 8 of
193 participants won. According to CBA Chairman Tigran Sargsian, the
goal of the contest was to see understanding of Armenian dram by
children, imagine their picture of national currency.
The contest started on May 7, 2004 and represented 268 pictures of
193 participants from 29 schools of Yerevan, Shirak, Ararat, Kotayk
and Gegharkunik. The winners received certificates and memory medals.
L.D. –0–
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COST OF ARMENIAN-JAPANESE PROGRAM ON RESEARCH OF LANDSLIDE ZONES OF
ARMENIA MAKES ABOUT $2 MILLION
YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. Cost of Armenian-Japanese program on
research of landslide zones of Armenia makes about $2 million, RA
Minister of Urban Development Aram Harutyunian stated today.
According to him, given two-year program is realized together with
Japanese Government. He reminded that there are about 2500 landslide
zones in Armenia, of which 160 are active. L.D. –0–
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SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT AND ITALIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER
DISCUSS ISSUES OF STRENGTHENING OF BILATERAL RELATIONS
YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. Today Speaker of Armenian Parliament
Arthur Baghdasaryan and Margherita Boniver, Italian Deputy Foreign
Minister discussed the issues of strengthening of bilateral
relations. As Armenian Parliament Public and Press Relations
Department told ARKA, Baghdasaryan mentioned Italy’s contribution
into political, economic, cultural processes in Armenia and stressed
the importance of enlarging cooperation between two countries.
Touching upon Armenia’s commitments to the Council of Europe, he
mentioned that Armenia implements them as per set up schedule that
expires in 2005.
As it is mentioned in the press release, the sides mentioned
necessity of development of cooperation in tourist sector, as well as
small and medium enterprises as well as strengthening of ties between
regions of two countries. At that Speaker and Italian deputy Foreign
Minister attached importance to the establishing of House of Italy in
Armenia, that in their opinion will be a new stimulus in deepening of
interstate and inter-parliamentary ties.
Touching upon regional problems, the officials stressed the
importance of organization of dialogue between representatives of
various strata of three South Caucasus states that will contribute
into establishing of a favorable climate for the settlement of the
existing conflicts. In this regard the Head of the Armenian
Parliament offered to Italy to organize a forum with participation of
youth organizations of three South Caucasus states that was
understood by the Italian side.
Boniver mentioned that Italy wishes to develop the volume of
cooperation between two countries in all sectors, promising to
support the implementation of all mentioned programs. T.M. -0–
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ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND UNHCR DISCUSS SITUATION WITH REFUGEES
YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian and
UN High Commissioner on Refugees Rud Lubbers disuss the situation
with refugees. As Armenian President Press Service told ARKA, during
the meeting Kocharian highly appreciated the activity of Armenian
Office of UNHCR functioning since 1992. He also expressed a hope that
the Armenian Office also henceforth will cooperate with Armenian
Government in programs concerning refugees.
The sides also implementation of programs targeted at solution of
refugees problems. Kocharian considers the main problem related with
refugees their integration into the society. Attaching a great
importance to the issue of securing accommodation to refugees, he
particularly mentioned the program of delivering certificates to
accommodation.
Ruud Lubbers has been holding the post of UN High Commissioner for
Refugees since January 1, 2004, becoming the 9th High Commissioner.
This is his first visit t the region, the objective of which is to
acquaint with the real situation of the refugees on the spot, as well
as with the policy of the power concerning the refugees. During his
Armenian trip Lubbers was accompanied by Raymond Hall, Director of
UNHCR Bureau for Europe. T.M. -0–
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
November 23, 2004
___________________
ARMENIA’S ACADEMY OF SCIENCES GREATFULLY RECOGNIZES ARCHBISHOP BARSAMIAN
WITH HIGHEST HONOR
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern) and President of the Fund for Armenian
Relief (FAR) Board of Directors, was recently honored by the Armenian
National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
During a reception on November 8, 2004, the Primate was presented with
the Academy’s highest award, the Gold Medal by the president of the NAS,
Fadey Sargsyan.
“I thank the Academy for this honor, but truly it belongs to the members
of the Diocesan Council of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America, the members of the Board of Directors of the Fund for Armenian
Relief, and the faithful members of the Eastern Diocese,” the Primate
said in remarks during the ceremony.”
“It is truly the responsibility of the church to continue supporting
learning and education,” the Primate added. “The first words of the
Bible say that God told us to go forth and multiply and be masters —
and that is something we do with education. There’s so much potential
in humans; and through education and science we learn more each day.”
Also attending the ceremony were the academics who make up the NAS; the
heads of the different departments at the University of Yerevan and the
school’s rector; members of the Diocesan Council of the Eastern Diocese;
Garnik Nanagoulian, the executive director of FAR; and Krikor Tatoulian,
FAR’s country director in Armenia.
“We all know how important a strong education is, not just for the
scholar but for the larger community,” Archbishop Barsamian said. “The
Armenian Church will continue to ensure that Armenian scientists,
professors, scholars, and researchers have resources and support to do
the type of work that will allow Armenia to be active in the modern
world economy.”
During the award presentation ceremony, the president of the National
Academy of Sciences, Fadey Sargsyan, reflected on the enormous support
Archbishop Barsamian has been able to provide Armenian academics and
researchers. He said the Primate was one of the earliest supporters of
science and academics in Armenia, as the nation became independent. He
thanked the Primate and the Eastern Diocese for its work, especially the
Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF). ANSEF,
spearheaded by FAR, provides grants for research projects. Those grants
are awarded only after applications are peer-reviewed by American and
international experts.
“Our support to scientists and professors is helping halt a ‘brain
drain’ which would be disastrous for all Armenians,” the Primate said.
“We need brilliant thinkers to feel they can succeed on a global scale
while staying to work in Armenia. They serve as role models to the next
generation and provide a creative spark of ingenuity which can ripple
through the rest of Armenian society.”
ANSEF is not the only way FAR is working to promote education, science,
and academics in Armenia. Each year it awards a number of scholarships
to undergraduate students through its Mathevosian Scholarship program.
To promote study of the arts, FAR’s Maestro Arsen Sayan Scholarship
program aids students at Yerevan’s Komitas Conservatory of Music. The
FAR-run Ounjian School in Gyumri is an elementary through secondary
institution, which also offers college scholarships to its graduates.
“It is important for us to aid every level of study and research,” the
Primate said. “We need to support Armenians who are making strides to
better themselves, to improve the future of our homeland.”
— 11/23/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and President of the Fund
for Armenian Relief (FAR), is presented with the Gold Medal, the highest
award of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, on November 8, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Primate speaks to members of Armenia’s National
Academy of Sciences and other academics during a ceremony presenting him
with the Academy’s highest honor, the Gold Medal, on November 8, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian, members of the Diocesan
Council, and staff from the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), at Armenia’s
National Academy of Sciences.
# # #

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
November 23, 2004
___________________
ARMENIA’S YOUNGEST THRIVE WITH SUPPORT FROM CHILDREN OF ARMENIA
SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM (CASP)
Ararat Haroutyunian, 13, lives with his younger brother and mother in
Yerevan, Armenia. His mother, Nelli, was widowed when Ararat’s father
was electrocuted on the job. The family’s economic situation is
desperate, since Nelli cannot find regular work to provide food,
clothing, and shelter for her family.
But the family has been making ends meet, thanks to Bobby and Nazeni
Nakashian of Lakewood, NJ. The Nakashians signed up to sponsor a child
through the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP). They’ve
been paired with Ararat.
CASP is maintained under the auspices of the Women’s Guild Central
Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). And
since its founding in 1991, sponsors and donors have provided more than
$3.6 million to help needy children like Ararat. Sponsors like the
Nakashians donate $200 a year for their sponsored child’s family to
purchase food, clothing, and other life necessities for the child.
THOUSANDS OF KIDS NEED A HAND
CASP — whose motto is “To be loved and cherished, that is every child’s
birthright” — was formed to help children in the aftermath of the
earthquake that devastated Armenia in 1988. Since then, it has helped
children left in need from war and the weak economy. Orphanages aren’t
the only places where these children live.
“My definition of an orphan was a child who lost both parents. In
Armenia, however, children are considered orphans when one parent —
especially the father — is no longer living,” said Susan Avakian
Stoneson, CASP’s coordinator.
In Armenian society, which has been centered on an extended family with
a mother, father, and grandparents who nurture their children together,
the number of orphans has grown significantly since the Republic of
Armenia declared its independence. In an already struggling economy
with scarce jobs and food in short supply, together with the effects of
the earthquake and the war in Karabagh, many families’ situations have
become dire, with only one parent as provider and caregiver.
“My mother was orphaned during the Armenian Genocide, so I find it
especially rewarding to help another Armenian orphan,” said CASP sponsor
Bobby Nakashian.
The Nakashians had the rare opportunity to meet Ararat and his family
while on a pilgrimage to Armenia organized by the Eastern Diocese last
fall. Thanks to special arrangements made Dr. Sam Mikaelian, executive
director of the Diocese, Ararat, his brother Arayik, Nelli, and her
sister visited with Bobby and Nazeni at the Congress Hotel in Yerevan.
“The family was so appreciative of our support. Their gratitude nearly
brought me to tears,” said Nazeni Nakashian. It was evident the boys,
sporting pressed clothes and neatly combed hair, had benefited from the
contribution of the American couple.
“Their appreciation is genuine. And like everyone else we met in
Armenia, they were eager to share what little they had to welcome us,”
Nazeni Nakashian said. “The fact that our $200 could make such a
difference in their lives is inconceivable by American standards, but in
Armenia that same money goes a long way.”
SPONSORS GIVE KIDS A CHANCE
The CASP program is stronger than ever and continues to make a
difference in the lives of thousands of Armenian children and their
families, just like Ararat.
Sponsorship is easy and requires little more than filling out a form and
making an annual tax-deductible donation of $200 per child. Upon
assignment of a child, sponsors receive the child’s photo and
biographical information, including the family circumstances and
information about the loss of the child’s parent or parents. Sponsors
are not expected to accommodate visa or invitation requests made by the
child’s family. Sponsors can contribute for more than one child, but
each child can have only one sponsor. The monetary support, delivered
in two payments per year, is used for food, clothing, and general living
expenses for the child.
“Most of the children send notes of appreciation and sometimes the
mother will write on the child’s behalf,” said Stoneson, who coordinates
the donations and communication between the sponsors and children.
“Anyone can be a sponsor — an individual, a parish, a group, or an
organization.”
But CASP is more than individual sponsors helping specific children.
Generous donations from outside the sponsorship program (from
in-lieu-of-flowers memorials; wills and bequests; in honor of special
events such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries; and in
thanksgiving) provide yearly support benefiting the children at the
orphanage at Gamo (also called “Gavar”, near Lake Sevan) in the form of
food, clothing, medicine, shelter, education, and recreation.
Occasionally, special donations have been earmarked for specific
purposes, such as improving playground facilities, extensive renovations
for the orphanage, creating a youth center in Etchmiadzin, and for
special distributions to families in very poor, remote areas of Armenia,
Stoneson said.
CASP began in 1991, when Archbishop Torkom Manoogian appointed Mrs.
Julie Ashekian as coordinator of CASP. Julie was assisted by her
husband, Clement, who assumed the administrative responsibility for the
roughly 200 children in the program in its early days. Since that time,
the program has grown to include approximately 1,200 sponsored children,
now ranging in age from infants to 17 years old. The program’s donors
also help support 150 children living at the Gamo Orphanage.
For further information about sponsoring an Armenian child through CASP,
please contact Susan Stoneson by e-mailing [email protected], or
calling (201) 969-9303.
— 11/23/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Ararat Haroutyunian, 13, (left) pictured here with
his brother, Aravik, is an Armenian orphan aided by the supporters of
the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program. His CASP sponsors, Bobby
and Nazeni Nakashian, visited with him during the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern) pilgrimage to Armenia last fall.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): During a pilgrimage to Armenia, CASP sponsor Nazeni
Nakashian (center) meets with the orphan she and her husband, Bobby,
sponsor, Ararat Haroutyunian, 13, (bottom right). Also pictured are
Ararat’s brother, Arayik (bottom left), mother Nelli (top left) and aunt
(top right), is an Armenian orphan sponsored by CASP.
# # #

Turkish Speaker hosts Black Sea Economic Cooperation parliamentary meeting
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
23 Nov 04
Belek, 23 November: Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentary
Assembly (BSECPA) 24th Term Meeting started in Belek hamlet of southern
city of Antalya southwestern Turkey on Tuesday 23 November .
Making opening remarks of the meeting, Turkish Parliament Speaker
Bulent Arinc said: “BSECPA has been maintaining its activities since
1992-1993 with its 11 members. Earlier, Serbia-Montenegro applied to
become a member of BSECPA. Their membership will be approved during
the meeting.”
“BSECPA is an international organization having a population of nearly
350 million and gross national product of 300bn US dollars. Many
international organizations have been monitoring its activities,”
he added.
Representatives of member countries to BSECPA (Albania, Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine
and Greece) are attending the meeting.
On Thursday, BSECPA 22nd Term President Bulent Arinc will hand over
his mission to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodimir Litvin.
Arinc is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Parliament Speaker
Zoran Sami of Serbia-Montenegro on Wednesday and with Parliament
Speaker Volodimir Litvin of Ukraine on Thursday.

Hungarian court adjourns Azeri officer’s murder trial until February 2005
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
23 Nov 04
Presenter The trial of Azerbaijani army officer Ramil Safarov who
is charged with murdering an Armenian officer started in Budapest
today. Our officer has rejected the preliminary testimony given during
the investigation.
Reporter over Safarov’s still pictures, footage of Budapest Azerbaijani
officer Ramil Safarov, who stood trial in the Hungarian capital
of Budapest today, rejected his testimony given to the preliminary
investigation. Azerbaijani lawyer Adil Ismayilov who is observing the
trial has told ATV that although Ramil Safarov has changed some details
in his preliminary testimony, he has confessed to committing the crime.
Passage omitted: lawyer says there were language problems
In the second half of the day, the prosecution summoned Armenian and
Hungarian officers to the trial as witnesses.
Passage omitted: lawyer gives names of the officers
The lawyer said that the witnesses also confirmed that Ramil Safarov
had murdered the Armenian officer. The defence then asked the court to
summon two more witnesses, an Azerbaijani and a Lithuanian officers
who studied together with Ramil Safarov. The court adjourned the
trial until 8 February 2005 in order to summon the witnesses.

Russia’s Gazprom set to take part in Armenia-Iran gas pipeline construction
Iravunk, Yerevan
23 Nov 04
ArmRosgazprom, a Russian-Armenian joint venture where Russia’s Gazprom
holds 45 per cent of shares, is going to participate in a tender
to construct the Armenian sector of a pipeline that will deliver
natural gas from Iran, the company’s director-general has told Iravunk
newspaper. Karen Karapetyan also denied reports that the pipeline would
be used to export Iranian gas to European markets. The following is an
excerpt from K. Sarkisyan’s report by Armenian newspaper Iravunk on 23
November headlined “Gazprom is going to take part in the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline construction”; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
It is clear that society cannot but be interested in the activity
of Armenia’s only gas supplier AyRusgasard ArmRosgazprom taking into
account the significance of the sphere. Moreover, the company is also
operating in a number of important spheres such as power export and
heating projects. Two months ago ArmRosgazprom Director-General Karen
Karapetyan was appointed a member of the Razdan Power Plant RPP board
of directors from Russia’s Gazprom.
Karen Karapetyan In connection with my appointment as a member of
the board of directors I can say that the Razdan power plant is the
property of the Russian Federation and this country’s government
decided to appoint me as a representative of Gazprom.
No significant changes have been made to the Razdan power plant
management. Simply a new team has been formed which will carry
out management.
Passage omitted: on relations between Gazprom and Russia’s power grid
monopoly Unified Energy System
Gazprom set to take part in Armenia-Iran gas pipeline construction
Correspondent The principle “gas for electricity” is the basis of the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline project . Given this, can power be exported
outside this project?
Karapetyan It is known that high-voltage power lines are being
constructed between Iran and Armenia. It will give an opportunity to
export more power than that supplied in exchange for the received gas.
Correspondent Will AyRusgasard take part in the construction of the
Armenian sector of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline?
Karapetyan It is known that the right to construct the Armenian sector
was given to the Iranian party. The latter will soon announce a tender
where we shall also take part.
Correspondent Is Gazprom going to take part in the construction of
the second part of the gas pipeline’s Armenian sector?
Karapetyan Yes, it is. We are waiting for a working delegation to
visit Armenia. After talks with Armenia, a visit by a representative
delegation is expected.
Gas export to Europe impracticable
Correspondent There are rumours that the gas pipeline will go to
Europe. Is it real?
Karapetyan The capacity of the gas pipeline is not of a transit one. A
gas pipeline with the diameter of 700 mm will be constructed, which
will satisfy Armenia’s demand. If we construct a pipeline of bigger
diameter, we shall need bigger investment.
It is also clear that bigger diameter would be profitable for us if
there was demand in third countries’ markets. But today there is no
free space on those markets. The construction of a transit pipeline
demands three times more investment. Moreover, the construction of
a transit pipeline is fraught with numerous problems, and if we do
not resolve them we can hardly find an investor.
Correspondent According to some sources, the Iranian party is
nevertheless aspiring to reach the European gas market. Will they
settle the problems mentioned by you?
Karapetyan There was not such agreement. In 1995-96 when this project
was being prepared, they were speaking about a 700-mm diameter
pipeline. As for reaching the European market, Iran may settle this
problem by means of the existing gas pipelines, let us say those
which pass via Turkey.
Correspondent Exporting Iranian gas via other gas pipelines seems
not to be real as they do not reach Europe. Given this, it is logical
that Iranian gas export projects via Armenia are nevertheless on the
agenda. Will these projects come true in future?
Karapetyan No, not in the near future. First, it should be taken into
account that in case of transit, the Georgian gas pipelines should
be also used, which requires major investment as well. Time for this
topic may come in future.
Nairit’s debt
Correspondent Rumours are being recently circulated that to cover
Armenia’s major chemical plant Nairit’s 8m-dollar debt to AyRusgasard
Nairit’s shares of the same value will be given to the company. Is
this true?
Karapetyan There are no plans in this regard yet. Nairit indeed owes
us 8m dollars, and we are trying to find common ground with this
company’s management.
Passage omitted: Karapetyan on gas supply forecasts; gas supply safety

MONUMENT TO VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BEING CONSTRUCTED IN LYONS
Azg/arm
24 Nov 04
Gerard Colomb, Senator-Mayor of Lyons, and the local Armenian community
initiated the works on building a monument to the victims of the
Armenian Genocide. Le Monde informs that the monument will be the
symbol of all the crimes committed against humanity and the struggle
against them.
Lion Monument of the Armenian Genocide Company has been founded. It
unites 18 representatives of Armenian communities. The office of the
company is situated in the Becluar Square in Lyons.
The monument is being constructed in the Antonin Poncet Square of Lyon.
The municipal council that has signed a contract with the
abovementioned company will allocate 47500 Euros. In the spring of
2004, the company announced a competition for the artists and the
architectures. The monument will cost 110.000 euros in total.
Dominique Arnout, Leonardo Basmadian, Christian Aishen, Ann Perrot
and Marianne Ponslet are the authors of the monument. The monument
will be officially opened on April 24, 2005.
By Petros Keshishian

Ankara Suggests Kocharian To Recognize Turkey’s Borders
Azg/arm
24 Nov 04
And to Stop Pushing for International Recognition of “Alleged” Genocide
November 20 issue of Turkish Daily News touched upon President Robert
Kocharian’s speech made at Herbert Quant Foundation in Berlin and an
interview to the German Die Welt newspaper.
“Armenia’s blockade by Turkey is one of those factors hampering EU’s
cooperation with the South Caucasus. We consider it abnormal that a EU
member would-be country blockades a state included in New Neighborhood
initiative. This means that today we have the key to settle the issue,
and EU holds it”, Kocharian said in his speech.
In his speech and interview to the German paper President Kocharian
noted that the possibility of settling Armenian-Turkish relations
emerged after European Commission’s report, which suggested starting
accession talks with Turkey, and after Armenia was included in the
New Neighborhood.
In an article titled “Armenia urges Turkey to open border, Ankara
unmoved” the Turkish Daily News quotes an official saying that
normalizing ties with a country which refuses to recognize boundaries
would be inconceivable. “The issue of alleged genocide is also a
highly sensitive matter for Turkey and a major obstacle for the
normalization of ties”, writes the paper.
Another Turkish newspaper Zaman also writes that there will be no
relations established between Turkey and Armenia unless the latter
stops claiming for genocide recognition and recognizes Kars Treaty
of 1921 that set Armenian-Turkish boundaries.
Since Armenia’s independence in 1991, Turkey has been seeking after
Yerevan’s retreat in territorial demands and renunciation of Armenian
Genocide. In spring of 1993, when the Armenian forces took control
over Qelbajar region administratively belonging to Azerbaijan, Turkish
government took a decision (4 April, 1993) of closing border with
Armenia. Armenia’s blockade carries on since that very day. Ankara
drew forward a precondition for opening the border-gate: Armenia should
withdraw its forces from Nagorno Karabakh and contiguous territories.
Interestingly, neither Zaman nor Turkish Daily News mention about the
3d precondition. Ankara often uses Karabakh issue to pay a compliment
to congeneric Azeris. It should be noted that Turkey had time to
establish diplomatic relations with Armenia in the period of 1991-1993.
Turkish papers quote Kocharian saying, “For us, the recognition of
the Armenian genocide in 1915 by Turks is certainly very important,
but it will never be a condition for the development of bilateral
relations. If Ankara recognized this fact, it would be a significant
step forward in the direction of normalizing relations”.
An official from the Armenian Foreign Ministry informed Azg Daily
that Turkey will establish relations with Armenia only in case Yerevan
officially writes down that has no territorial pretense to Turkey. The
official noted that the former Armenian government did not take that
step nor will the present and future governments do.
Turkey’s demand of recognizing state’s present-day borders is
nonsense in itself. If the Kars Treaty was signed by Armenia, Georgia
and Azerbaijan why does not Turkey demand the other two states to
officially declare about recognizing Turkey’s borders? Moreover, if
a state joins the UN it means that the country recognizes borders of
all other member states. And in the end, even if Armenia recognizes
Turkey’s borders it will need diplomatic relations in order to discuss
all the issues the countries face.
By Tatoul Hakobian

“OUR GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE DE JURE RECOGNITION OF KARABAKH”
Azg/arm
24 Nov 04
Arkady Ghukasian, NKR President, during his visit to the US stated in
the course of the meeting with the Armenian community of California
that Karabakh will never surrender to Azerbaijan. “Our aim is
to achieve de jure recognition of Karabakh,” he said. Ghukasian
negatively assessed the activities of Baku authorities that try to
include in the agenda of the UN the issue of the so-called occupied
territories. He said that the provoking steps taken by the official
Baku make the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process more complicated. NKR
President said that the issues of territories and refugees occurred
as a result of the military aggression of Azerbaijan, these issues
are the results of armed conflict. “The main issue of the conflict
is Nagorno Karabakh’s status,” Ghukasian said.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
AGBU LENDS ITS SUPPORT TO KARABAKH NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY
New York, November 19, 2004 – AGBU President Berge Setrakian hosted
Nagorno Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian and his delegation at
a special luncheon on November 14, 2004, at Manhattan’s University
Club on the eve of Armenia Fund’s annual Thanksgiving telethon.
Special guests at the Sunday event included U.S. Congressman Frank
Pallone (D-NJ), Armenian Ambassador to the United Nations, Armen
Martirosyan, and Secretary of the Fifth Committee of the General
Assembly and the Committee for Programs and Coordination at the United
Nations, Movses Abelian.
Mr. Setrakian welcomed all those in attendance and encouraged their
active support in the fundraising campaign to expedite the completion
of the North-South highway.
President Ghoukassian, during his remarks, commended AGBU and its
leaders for their continuous support and dedication to Armenia in
general and to Karabakh in particular.
AGBU has supported Karabakh’s efforts to rebuild its economic,
educational and cultural infrastructure that most recently includes
the renovation and renaming of Alex Manoogian Street, the funding of
the Karabakh Chamber Orchestra, the building of a war veterans housing
complex and a public school-all in the capital of Stepanakert-and
the ambitious Karabakh Repopulation Project that seeks to rebuild
war-torn villages and provide livestock to local Karabakh families
in need. Earlier this year, AGBU opened an office in Stepanakert to
coordinate its activities and programs in Karabakh.
Founded in 1906, AGBU is the largest Armenian non-profit organization
with the mission to promote and preserve the Armenian heritage around
the world. For more information, please visit
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress