Category: News

TV slams rights activist’s “anti-Azerbaijani” remarks in separatist Karabakh
ANS TV, Baku
2 Jun 04
[Presenter] Azerbaijan’s Avaz Hasanov [member of the international
working group on hostages and missing persons] is making unofficial
attempts to bring closer Azerbaijan and Armenia which occupies most
of its territories.
To recap, our compatriot attracted the attention because he acted
against his state by visiting Nagornyy Karabakh from Armenian territory
and by giving a news conference in Xankandi [Stepanakert].
[Correspondent, over video of the news conference] The members of
the international working group for releasing POWs and hostages and
for tracing missing persons, Avaz Hasanov, Bernhard Clasen, Svetlana
Ganushkina and Karina Minasyan, went to Nagornyy Karabakh without the
Baku government’s authorization. Their Georgian counterpart, Paata
Zakareishvili, told ANS that the working group stayed at Armenia’s
Ararat Hotel. From there they went to Karabakh.
To recap, this is what Avaz Hasanov told the news conference in
Xankandi, which was also attended by the head of the Armenian community
in Nagornyy Karabakh, Albert Voskanyan, about the Baku government’s
desire for Armenians not to visit Azerbaijan:
We are involved in humanitarian activities as members of the
international working group. Our mandate is quite different. We
represent neither Azerbaijan, nor Armenia nor Karabakh. I cannot
understand why the coordinators of this group are not allowed to visit
Azerbaijan. Clearly the fact that our president called on the NGOs not
to cooperate with Armenia has something to do with that. As a human
rights activist I am involved in the issue of POWs. As a member of the
working group I have been to Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh. Personally,
the president’s challenge is of no relevance to me, end of quote.
Commenting on the calls for war recently made in Baku, Avaz Hasanov
said that no-one needs another war in the region. The government
is artificially trying to give the impression that the Azerbaijani
public opinion is aggressive, Hasanov said.
To recap, Avaz Hasanov and his counterparts went to Armenia to
trace the hostages. However, relatives of the hostages regard as
insulting the anti-Azerbaijan remarks made by Azerbaijani citizen
Avaz Hasanov as he stood next to a separatist Armenian. For instance,
Asgar Nacafov, Gulsara Mahmudova’s husband, has been in captivity
for 11 years now. But there is no information about him. Before his
visit to Armenia, Avaz Hasanov told the woman that he would let her
know about her husband’s plight.
[Passage omitted: Gulsara Mahmudova questions Hasanov’s behavior]
[Correspondent, over video] Rafiq Nacafov [son of the hostage],
whose father is missing, accused Avaz Hasanov of circulating this
kind of reports.
[Rafiq Nacafov] They have gone there to trace the hostages. But
they have done nothing. On the contrary, they are involved in
anti-Azerbaijani propaganda.
[Correspondent, over video] Human rights activist Cingiz Qanizada
thinks that Hasanov made a mistake by going to Karabakh without
Azerbaijan’s authorization. He should explain this step.
[Qanizada, speaking to microphone in his office] I regret he said that
– if that is what he actually said. It is inadmissible to say that
the challenge by the Azerbaijani head of state is of no importance to
me, irrespective of who the president is. I think if the state and
the president, within his constitutional rights, make moves for the
liberation of Karabakh tomorrow, people like Hasanov might not join
such moves but form such opinions. Naturally, I denounce this.
[Passage omitted: Hasanov’s mother does not believe her son would
make statements against Azerbaijan]
[Correspondent, over video] There is another interesting
fact. Hasanov’s mother told us something interesting: she said that
Hasanov himself had once been in Armenian captivity.
Qanira Atasova, Sehrac Azadoglu, Sadiq Mammadov, ANS.

Opposition party meets voters in Armenian town despite police ban
A1+ web site
2 Jun 04
2 June: Despite the authorities’ ban, a meeting has taken place
in Gavar between members of the National Unity Party and the town’s
residents. The chief of the Gavar police, Manvel Shaginyan, banned the
meeting since it was not sanctioned. Shaginyan described as a trick
the explanation that it was a meeting with voters rather than a rally.
In his speech, National Unity chairman Artashes Gegamyan commented on
[Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan’s statement made in Gyumri on
1 June that “it is difficult to imagine that Vazgen Sarkisyan and
Karen Demirchyan [the Armenian prime minister and parliament speaker
assassinated on 27 October 1999] could act against their country
in Strasbourg”.
In the opinion of Gegamyan who is a member of the Armenian delegation
in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Robert
Kocharyan has no right even to mention the names of those killed on
27 October.

Azeris launch criminal cases against Armenian, Karabakh leaders
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
2 Jun 04
[Presenter] An investigation group set up by the Prosecutor-General’s
Office, the National Security and Interior Ministries to look
into crimes committed by the Armenians is trying to establish the
whereabouts of suspects. The head of the group, Mammad Cabbarov,
called on citizens who have evidence of Armenian crimes to help the
investigation.
[Correspondent] Criminal proceedings have been instituted against
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and the president of the
self-styled Nagornyy Karabakh Republic, Arkadiy Gukasyan. The head
of the joint investigation group set up by the Prosecutor-General’s
Office, the National Security and Interior Ministries to investigate
the Armenian crimes, Mammad Cabbarov, said that evidence which
proves the crimes committed by these people is being collected and a
petition will be sent to an international court to select a preventive
punishment for them.
[Mammad Cabbarov] As you know, Kocharyan was one of the leaders of an
organization in Nagornyy Karabakh. He was a member of the council of
people’s deputies and took part in the council’s session which issued
a statement on [Nagornyy Karabakh’s] partition from Azerbaijan.
Criminal proceedings have been instituted into illegal elections in
the self-styled Nagornyy Karabakh [Republic]. Our group is in charge
of the proceedings and is investigating this case. Both Gukasyan and
Kocharyan had taken part in the elections.
[Passage omitted]

Armenian leader sets up council to fight corruption
Mediamax news agency
2 Jun 04
Yerevan, 2 June: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan issued a decree
today setting up a council to fight corruption, the presidential
press service told Mediamax news agency.
The Armenian prime minister has been appointed the chairman of the
council to fight corruption, the members of the council are – the
deputy speaker of the National Assembly, the head of the government
staff, the presidential aide on issues of combating corruption,
the justice minister, the prosecutor-general, the chairman of the
Central Bank, the chief of the presidential staff, the chief of the
commission for the protection of economic competition and the head
of the parliament’s Audit Chamber.
The decision to set up the council to fight corruption has been taken
to effectively implement the anti-corruption policy, the press service
of the Armenian president told Mediamax news agency today.

Armenian president, US official discuss Millennium Challenge project
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
1 Jun 04
[Presenter] Armenia today received the first official congratulations
on its participation in the Millennium Challenge programme. Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan, CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation
Paul Applegarth and three MPs noted during their meeting today that
Armenia, as a country which is demonstrating efforts towards stable
development, has been recognized as a winner in the competition for
participation in the programme that involves many countries. According
to the head of the delegation, the US government’s assistance is
intended to ensure a stable economic growth in developing countries.
Paul Applegarth familiarized Robert Kocharyan with the conditions
of assistance.
For his part, Robert Kocharyan said that significant efforts are
required to achieve success in future activities. This is a good
opportunity to improve the situation in the country and create serious
conditions for future development, the president noted, expressing
the hope that the budding cooperation of the states will be effective
and consistent.
[Correspondent over video of meeting] Paul Applegarth is in Armenia on
two occasions. First, to congratulate Armenia on its participation in
the Millennium Challenge programme and to familiarize our government
with the details of the programme. Mr Applegarth has met the speaker
of the National Assembly [Artur Bagdasaryan] and the prime minister
[Andranik Markaryan]. After the meeting with journalists, he handed
over official congratulations to President Kocharyan. The member
countries of the programme must follow three standards: to promote
economic freedom, govern fairly and invest in people. Sixteen countries
out of 85 have been elected. Armenia has been selected according to
positive indicators achieved in these three directions.
[Paul Applegarth, in English with Armenian voice-over] Armenia has
been included in the green zone on this list. There are also red and
light green zones. The Armenian government’s policy must be directed
at eliminating them [as heard]. We shall succeed in this with the
help of the programme.
[Correspondent] Paul Applegarth familiarized the country’s leadership
with the conditions of the programme. The US government will follow
the implementation of the programme whose success will also depend on
continuing financing. It is necessary to preserve the success achieved
in these fields and to submit relevant requirements for financing.
[Paul Applegarth] Armenia has been chosen in the Millennium Challenge
programme because it has a high rating, but we shall not allocate
the funds immediately. First of all, it is necessary to submit a
programme of proposals, which will ensure stable economic development.
[Correspondent] Two months have been given to the Armenian government
for choosing the programme’s successiveness. The heads of the
delegation suggested that the Armenian side should not hurry. It is
necessary to discuss and then submit proposals. Because the financing
depends mainly on that.
For the implementation of the Millennium Challenges programme, the US
government has allocated 1bn dollars to all its member states in 2004,
and 2.5bn dollars will be allocated next year.
Elmira Shakaryan for “Aylur”.

Foreign investment in Armenia totals 42m dollars in first quarter of 2004
Mediamax news agency
2 Jun 04
Yerevan, 2 June: The volume of foreign investment in the Armenian
economy totalled 42m dollars in the first quarter of 2004.
The amount of direct investment totalled 28m dollars, the Armenian
National Statistics Service told Mediamax news agency. Against the
same period of 2003, the overall volume of foreign investment grew
by 21.7 per cent, and direct investment by 74.5 per cent.
In January-March 2004, 36.5 per cent of the direct investment was
channelled into the food production sector, including drinks. Some
27.1 per cent of the direct investment was channelled into the
communications sector and 11.7 per cent into the air transport sector.
Russia is ahead in foreign investment in Armenia. It invested over
14m dollars in the republic’s economy in January-March 2004.

Air shipment of nuclear fuel to Armenia not dangerous – watchdog
Mediamax news agency
2 Jun 04
Yerevan, 2 June: The chief of the Armenian State Atomic Inspectorate,
Ashot Martirosyan, today denied the allegations that the air shipment
of nuclear fuel to the republic is fraught with a potential nuclear
explosion.
Ashot Martirosyan said this in an interview with Mediamax news
agency while commenting on the statement of the representative of the
European Commission, Alexis Loeber, published by the British Guardian
newspaper today.
Loeber had said that he was concerned about the method of delivering
nuclear fuel to Armenia – using Russian transport planes. “It is the
same as a potential flying nuclear bomb. It does not happen anywhere
else in the world. Nuclear fuel is transported by sea or by rail
everywhere,” the representative of the European Commission said.
Ashot Martirosyan said in his interview with Mediamax news agency
that a new shipment of crude nuclear fuel, which is not radioactive,
is being sent to Armenia.
“Even theoretically, it is impossible to imagine that a chain-reacting
amount, which might cause a nuclear explosion, can occur in air-shipped
nuclear fuel” the chief of the Armenian State Atomic Inspectorate said.
Martirosyan also said that the Armenian Nuclear Power Station is
not the only station where nuclear fuel is delivered by air. He said
that nuclear fuel is also delivered by planes to the Bilibino Nuclear
Power Station (Chukotka, Russia).
“The Russian side is responsible for delivering nuclear fuel to
Armenian territory, and this is envisaged not only in bilateral,
but also in international agreements,” the chief of the Armenian
State Atomic Inspectorate said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia, Russia to boost relations in all spheres
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
2 Jun 04
[Presenter] The fate of five Armenian enterprises handed over to
Russia under the property-for-debt agreement was the key issue
which was discussed on Wednesday [2 June] during a sitting of
the Armenian-Russian interparliamentary commission in Yerevan. The
members of the commission stressed the importance of developing these
enterprises. The main obstacle to the development of Armenian-Russian
economic relations – transport communications – was also the key issue
of the Yerevan meeting. The Armenian and Russian parliamentarians
suggested that the Armenian, Russian and Georgian leaders sign a
trilateral agreement and create a transport corridor.
[Correspondent over video of the meeting] The seventh session of
the Armenian-Russian interparliamentary commission discussed mainly
economic issues. We have trade relations, the commodity turnover
increased by 30 per cent last year. According to the assessments of
the commission’s co-chairmen, there are various issues of cooperation
in the regional small and medium-sized business sphere.
[Russian co-chairman of the commission Nikolay Ryzhkov, speaking in
Russian with Armenian voice-over] Yes, there are problems, first of
all there are discrepancies in legislation. The enterprises have been
handed over to the Russian side, but Armenian laws are valid there,
which is creating problems. There are also technical problems.
[National Assembly deputy chairman Vaan Ovanesyan] Transport
communications in our relations are not at a good level. Russia
has made serious investments in Armenia, especially in the aviation
sphere. At the same time, they do not ensure a qualitative improvement,
and I think that there is a lot to do for cooperation.
[Correspondent] Transport issues were also discussed separately
during the session. According to the sides’ assessments, the main
obstacle in this field is the closure of the Abkhaz railway section
which connects the two countries.
[Vaan Ovanesyan] It is known that Azerbaijan is pursuing a policy of
hindering Armenia’s participation in all the transport and economic
programmes of regional importance. But our partners have no such
problems. Armenia will finally join the programme on establishing
the Russian-Azerbaijani-Iran transit communications line, which was
first designed as a Russia-Armenia-Iran one.
[Correspondent] The agreement adopted at the end of the Yerevan
session of the interparliamentary commission envisages setting up
five working groups which will be engaged in economic, political,
educational-cultural international parliamentary organizations and
deal with interregional cooperation issues. They also suggested that
the Armenian, Russian and Georgian governments sign a trilateral
agreement on establishing a transport corridor. In order to develop
Armenian-Russian cooperation, the session also approved the decision
to set up an Armenian-Russian Business Cooperation Association. The
member of the Armenian National Assembly, Volodya Badalyan, was
elected chairman of the Armenian-Russian cooperation association.
The Armenian-Russian cooperation association will hold a session in
Moscow on 29 June.
Nune Aleksanyan and Susan Badalyan for “Aylur”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“NORTHERN AVENUE” RESIDENTS PROTESTING
A1 Plus | 15:58:04 | 03-06-2004 | Social |
Under the decisions made by Government, the process of destroying the
erections in Northern Avenue territory and paying indemnity for real
estate and ground areas of the residents has started.
Dwellers of Northern Avenue assembled in Journalists’ House to express
their protest. Their statement says a citizen is given $10.000 and
another one receives $80.000 for the same dwelling space.
According to the inhabitants, “Artin” LTD assessed the houses without
presence of dwellers. “Majority of compensations hasn’t yet been
given to residents who are unable to purchase new flats”.
Journalists were informed that “Northern Avenue” social organization
had been established to support the rights of citizens.
“We have decided to fight in legal or political ways, through
rallies. We will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights”,
Vachagan Hakobyan, Chair of “Northern Avenue” says.
Avetiq Ishkhanyan, Chair of Armenia’s Helsinki Committee, informed
they would support the newly-set up organization in any case.
Dwellers say Yerevan Architect-in-Chief Narek Sargssyan doesn’t reckon
with the standpoint of residents and does anything he wishes.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/02/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Council to Tackle Corruption in Armenia 2) Vermont Becomes 37th State to Recognize Armenian Genocide 3) Georgia, Russia at Odds over South Ossetia 4) ARS Marks Children's Day in Javakhk 5) UCLA Conference on Armenians in Iran Marks another Milestone 1) Council to Tackle Corruption in Armenia YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The formation of a special commission to oversee the implementation of a government program to tackle rampant corruption in Armenia, was announced by President Robert Kocharian on Wednesday. The body, formally named the Council on Fighting Corruption, will be headed by Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and includes Justice Minister David Harutiunian, Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian, and Central Bank Chairman Tigran Sarkisian. The commission will coordinate the implementation of the government's anti-corruption program drawn up by a team of government experts last November. Funded by the World Bank, the three-year program contains legislative measures that would complicate endemic bribery, nepotism, and other corrupt practices. Kocharian's special anti-corruption adviser, Bagrat Yesayan warned last year that corruption in Armenia "has reached a point where it threatens our national security." Member of the ruling coalition government, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, of which Yesayan is a member, had for months been pushing for the creation of a body to deal with the problem. 2) Vermont Becomes 37th State to Recognize Armenian Genocide Governor James H. Douglas declares April 24, 2004, 'Armenian Martyrs Day' in Vermont MONTPELIER (ANC VT)--Vermont Governor James H. Douglas issued a proclamation last week on the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, specifically marking April 24, 2004 "Armenian Martyrs Day," bringing the total number of states to have properly recognized this crime against humanity to 37. "I'm sure I speak not only for the Vermont Armenian community, but all Armenian in thanking Governor Douglas for honoring the memory of the victims of this terrible crime against humanity," said ANC Vermont activist Kohar Der Simonian. "We trust that this strong statement from the Governor will be acknowledged by the US Congress in its deliberation of the pending resolution on the Genocide Convention." In the months leading up to the proclamation, ANC Vermont members and activists, including Massachusetts State Republican Committeeman Bob Semonian, worked closely with the Governor's office, which was highly responsive to the community's concerns. Semonian spoke extensively to the Republican Governor during the National Governors Association conference held in Washington, DC in March 2004. He has since worked with local ANC activists in the effort to secure Armenian Genocide proclamations from a series of states across the country. The proclamation notes, "since 1915, April 24th of each year has been imprinted in the memory of the Armenian people worldwide, for it was then that the mass genocide of the Armenian people began in the Ottoman Turkish Empire." It goes on to cite the importance of marking this tragedy, stating that "recognition of the 89th anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events." On the federal level, Senators Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT) and James M. Jeffords (I-VT) are currently cosponsors of the Senate Genocide Resolution (S.Res.164), which commemorates the 15th anniversary of the US implementation of the UN Genocide Convention. The resolution cites the importance of remembering past crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, Holocaust, Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, in an effort to stop future atrocities. The corresponding House measure (H.Res.193), currently has 110 cosponsors and was unanimously carried by the House Judiciary Committee in May, 2003. 3) Georgia, Russia at Odds over South Ossetia (Civil.GE/Itar-Tass)--Tbilisi and Moscow exchanged strongly worded statements after the Georgian central authorities staged a show of force in the Ossetian conflict zone on May 31, marking rising tensions in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetian Republic. Russia warned that Tbilisi's "provocative steps" might lead "to extremely negative consequences" in the conflict zone. In a statement issued on June 1, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Georgia's central government would be held responsible in the event of further deterioration of the situation and "bloodshed" in the region. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow's concerns were triggered by the sending of Georgian troops into the conflict zone on May 31. The Georgian authorities justified the action, saying police checkpoints were set up in the area to help fight drug smuggling in the region. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania on Wednesday slammed Russia saying that "the issue concerns the territory of Georgia and nobody can prevent the Georgian authorities from establishing order throughout the country." The Russian State Duma, meanwhile, issued a warning to the Georgia's leadership on Wednesday, and expressed alarm over what they described as the emergence of an explosive situation in the immediate proximity to the Russian state border. This situation, the State Duma said, "poses a threat to the security of many Russian citizens resident in the area of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict." The Russian lawmakers said Russia has the right and is obliged to take every action possible under the Constitution and the UN charter to protect their lives, health, and property. While expressing support for Georgia's "struggle against cross-border crime," they emphasized that "the need for such struggle cannot serve as an excuse for actions fraught with the risk of undermining the already strained situation and the full loss of confidence between the sides." "The introduction of commando units and troops of the Georgian Interior Ministry to South Ossetian territory on May 31 can be regarded in no way other than a show of force," Russian legislators said. 4) ARS Marks Children's Day in Javakhk YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Students of the mostly Armenian populated region of Javakhk in Georgia received prizes for their entries in the "I am Armenian" contest, sponsored by the Javakhk branch of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). The grand prize went to secondary school student from Gandza Vahe Tangamanian, who was awarded the prize on International Children's Day celebrated on June 1. Parents and children praised the ARS at the awards ceremony for the society's various activities in the region. Marking Children's Day in Armenia, the ARS Mgro chapter and the Haybusak University Student Council, donated books, stationary, clothing and toys to the students of the boarding school for children with speech disabilities. "Such acts of charity are crucial for children who feel a need for caring and attention," said school Principal Varduhi Kheboyan in thanking the donors. 5) UCLA Conference on Armenians in Iran Marks another Milestone LOS ANGELES--The fourteenth in a series of international conferences devoted to historical Armenian cities and provinces, the conference on the Armenian communities of Iran was held on May 14-16. Sponsored by the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian history at the University of California in Los Angeles, and organized by the holder of the chair, Professor Richard Hovannisian, the successful conference had a turnout of more than 1,000 people. The previous conference in this series, held last November, focused entirely on the community of New Julfa in Iran on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of its founding. The opening session on May 14 in the Glendale Presbyterian Church included lectures in Armenian on Saint Stepanos and Dzordzor monasteries, the Armenians of the Salmast region, and the life and works of Archbishop Melik-Tangian of Tabriz. The Saturday sessions on May 15 at the UCLA campus, included presentations that focused on the political, cultural, literary, economic, and social history of the Armenians of Iran or Persia. Sunday afternoon, May 16, included sessions in both Armenian and English, about the Gharadagh Armenian communities, the pioneering role of the Armenians in Iranian theater and cinema, and integration of Armenian Iranians in California. As in all previous conferences, an exhibit had been prepared by Richard and Anne Elbrecht, with the assistance of Setareh Mahdavi. The participants also enjoyed the hospitality of the Armenian Society of Los Angeles on Friday night and of Mr. and Mrs. Hacop and Hilda Baghdasarian of the Armenian Educational Foundation on Saturday night. With the curtains closing on this conference, Professor Richard Hovannisian, the tireless driving force behind the series, announced the next chapter to be unveiled. The fifteenth conference, devoted to the Armenians in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, will be held on November 6-7, 2004. It is a most timely event that will surely attract a large gathering of interested scholars and listeners. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Baghdasarian