Category: News

THREE AZERI BORDER TROOPS KILLED BY LAND MINE NEAR KARABAKH
ANS TV, Baku
14 May 04
A GAZ-66 truck was blown up on an anti-tank mine in Fuzuli District’s
village of Qazaxlar, which is near the Iranian border, on the night of
13-14 May at about 0100 (2000 gmt, 13 May). Three of the six people
in the vehicle died and three others were wounded, the Azerbaijani
National Agency for Mine Action has said.
ANS’s Karabakh bureau reports that the truck was carrying border
troops. The explosion occurred on the territory of the 35th border
post, which is 300 meters away from residential areas.
Military operations were under way in the area during the first
Nagornyy Karabakh war (as heard). The Armenians invaded the village
in October 1993. The Azerbaijani army retook it in January 1994. The
place is two kilometres away from the front line today.

Belarusian president sceptical of CIS defence treaty
Belarusian television, Minsk
14 May 04
Presenter Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka met the
secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
made up of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Russia , Nikolay Bordyuzha, today. Alyaksandr Lukashenka made several
statements of principle regarding the CSTO’s future. In particular,
Belarus is puzzled by the failure of some of the organization’s
members to notify their partners about their contacts with NATO.
Lukashenka said that Belarus was prepared to further cooperation within
the CSTO’s framework provided this organization was really beneficial.
Lukashenka We will do our utmost to strengthen this organization if we
see that this organization is beneficial. Only then will we finance
activities within the framework of this organization. If we do not –
changes tack Nikolay Nikolayevich Bordyuzha , we have made a decision
of principle not to throw away money no matter what kind of union or
organization we will have. We do not have any extra money. We do not
have oil or any other carbohydrate raw materials, which is extremely
pricey. You are fully aware of this. Those who have oil and gas can
relax and do nothing. We do not have either and thus we do not intend
to throw away any money. If we see efficiency, we are ready give all
we have to ensure the security of Belarus, Russia or all other states
that will be members of this or any other organization.
Audio and video available. Please send queries to
[email protected]

Article by: BatumiNews.com
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Civilians from Sokhumi march with slogans: “Misha, reconcile us!”.
posted: May 12, 2004
Individuals of different nationalities from Sokhumi applied to Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili with the slogan: “Misha, reconcile us!”.
On the report of the source, close with the government circles, yesterday,
the self- proclaimed Abkhazian Ministry of Interior Affairs and Security
Servicemen detained 16 citizens in the center of Sokhumi, rallying with the
Georgian five – cross state flags and President Saakashvili’s portraits.
The same source said small groups of citizens, gathered in the center of the
city demanded from the Georgian President Saakashvili rapid adjustment of
Georgian – Abkhazian conflict, conciliation of the Abkhazians and Georgians,
also of the civilians, living on the territory of Abkhazia.
The group of 16, mostly Armenians in it, with the slogan: “Misha, reconcile
us!”, were detained by the policemen in the Orakhelashvili street in
Sokhumi, when they were fixing Saakashvili’s portraits on the walls of a
mineral water shop opposite the street and the passers – by started joining
the rally.
Londer Tsaava, Chairman of the Abkhazian Council of Ministers confirmed the
information on the rally in Sokhumi.
The arrested rally participants are presently at the security service
isolator. On the reports, health state of many among them is critical, since
they were batoned by the police.

Article by: BatumiNews.com
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Situation still tensed in Tsalka
posted: May 14, 2004
The situation is still tensed in the Tsalka region, Georgia. The regional
Prosecutor launched a criminal investigation against the individuals, who
participated in the swoop-on-raids in the villages settled mostly by
Adjarans with the paragraph on hooliganism.
The investigators of the police and the prosecutor’s have been working in
Tsalka for 4 days already, though have not traced down the suspected
rowdies.
The Adjarans, whose houses were raided by the local Armenians, are demanding
punishing of the ruffians.
Nodar Kinkladze, the deputy chief of the Kvemo Kartli regional police, said
that the Armenian population is against the interior forces to stay on the
region, whilst the Adjarans are protesting against the withdrawal of the
military units, threatening they will leave the region.

Turkey should get rid of the Genocide burden
Yerkir
12.05.2004 14:32
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Speaking at a roundtable discussion Wednesday in
Yerevan, European Parliament member Per Garton said Turkey should
admit the 1915 Armenian Genocide.
“Turkey should get rid of that burden. The European Union has
reinstated this year its decision recognizing the Genocide and calling
on Turkey to do so too,” Garton said at the discussion titled “Wider
Europe. New Neighborhood.”
It makes no sense for Turkey to deny the Genocide, according to
Garton, since immediately after the Genocide was perpetrated, the
Istanbul courts sentences to death the Turkish officials accountable
for it. Where would Germany be now hadn’t it admitted the Holocaust
against the Jews, the European diplomat asked?
Meanwhile, he mentioned he supported Turkey’s accession to the EU,
saying it would contribute to settling regional issues, including
the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pennsylvania recognizes Armenian Genocide
Yerkir
14.05.2004 13:39
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives
unanimously passed a resolution designating April 24, 2004 as
“Pennsylvania’s Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of
1915-1923,” reported the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of
Pennsylvania.
The resolution identifies the Ottoman Empire as the perpetrators of
a genocide that claimed the lives of one and a half million Armenian
men, women, and children from 1915 to 1923. It also acknowledges
that modern Turkey continues to deny and distort the facts of the
Armenian Genocide.
In addition to the Pennsylvania House Resolution, the Pittsburgh
City Council passed a proclamation declaring April 24, 2004 “A Day
of Remembrance” for the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Armenian National Committee of Albany
7 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12205
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
May 14, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Antranig Karageozian
[email protected]
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
TROY, NY–On April 23, over 100 individuals from around upstate New
York gathered at Troy City Hall to commemorate the Armenian Genocide,
reported the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Albany. Among the
dignitaries who participated in the remembrance were Congressman
Michael McNulty (D-NY), Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, and Watervliet
Mayor Robert Carlson.
During the commemoration, Congressman McNulty spoke about the
devastating impact of the Armenian Genocide, which is still felt by
Armenians worldwide–89 years after the fact–and commended Armenian
Americans for being able to establish prosperous communities across the
US. The Congressman, a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, also touched upon his record of support on issues of concern
to Armenian Americans, noting that he is a current cosponsor of the
House Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193). Congressman McNulty closed his
remarks by informing the gathering that he would continue to support
Armenian Genocide recognition efforts.
Mayor Harry Tutunjian, the first-term mayor of the City of Troy,
described the recent progress on the international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide–the recognition of this great crime against
humanity by the Canadian Parliament, Switzerland, New York Times,
and several states across the United States. He continued by stating
that Armenians are a proud people who work hard and do not give up.
The Mayor further remarked that Armenians are looking for a better
future but refuse to forget the past.
Following Mayor Tutunjian, Watervliet Mayor Robert Carlson presented
a proclamation recalling the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during
the first genocide of the 20th Century.
Community leaders also spoke during the ceremony at Troy City Hall.
Among those speaking were: Co-Chairman of the ANC of Albany Antranig
Karageozian, Chairman of the Albany Homenetmen Leo Ohanian, and
Chairman of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) “Shoushi” Albany
Chapter Aramig Barkamian. Following the commemoration, the Albany
Homenetmen Chapter hosted a memorial dinner. During the dinner,
Raffi Mahserdjian of the ANC of Albany presented a slide show on the
Armenian Genocide.
The ANC Albany also hosted several other events, including a movie
night on April 24. Apo Torosyan’s “Discovering My Fathers Village”
and J. Michael Hagopian’s “Germany and the Secret Genocide,” were
shown at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church. Over 75 community
members attended the screening. Following the movies, Stepan and His
Band performed a concert of revolutionary songs.
On April 25, after the annual Requiem Service, in memory of the
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, at Holy Cross,
the Albany AYF held a memoriam where each AYF member read brief
descriptions of specific events, which occurred during 1915 and 1923.
Finally, on April 26, Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY), several State
Assembly members, and the Armenian American community of upstate New
York attended a rally at the State Capitol building steps.
“Unfortunately, and sadly, the Armenian Genocide was a precursor to
some of the worst horrific treatments of human beings in mankind’s
history: the Holocaust, Cambodia, and Rwanda are all the unwanted
stepchildren of the Turkish massacre of the Armenians” stated
Congressman Sweeney, one of two Congressional Members who is of
Armenian descent.
A member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Congressman
Sweeney has and continues to support numerous Armenian American
concerns. A cosponsor of H.Res.193, he most recently cosigned a
Congressional letter urging President George W. Bush to keep his
campaign pledge to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as
“genocide” in his annual April 24 statement.
Closing the rally was Assemblymember Ronald Canestrari (D-Albany)
who presented the Armenian American community with a resolution,
passed by the New York State Senate and Assembly, in recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.
“All our events could not have been successful if it wasn’t for the
support of the community,” said ANC of Albany Co-Chairman Antranig
Karageozian. “Although we are a small community, we remain active. All
the Armenian American organizations work well together which makes
us a strong
community.”
“We thank Congressmen Michael McNulty and John Sweeney, Mayor Tutunjian
and Carlson, along with all the State Assembly members, who took the
time out of their busy schedules and attended the various commemoration
events. We also thank these officials for their continued support of
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” continued Karageozian.
“As Mayor Tutunjian commented, we look towards the future but we
do not forget the past. Hitler once said ‘Who now remembers the
Armenians?’ Each year, the community in upstate New York can answer
him unequivocally that we do and we will not forget,” concluded ANC
of Albany Co-Chairman Leo Ohanian.
The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American
grassroots political organization in New York and nationwide. The ANC
actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY PRAISES ACTIVIST FOR ROLE IN
“KANSAS-ARMENIA PARTNERSHIP DAY” PROCLAMATION
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly this week praised Kansas
Armenian activist Alex Kotoyantz for his single-handed efforts and
role in securing a proclamation designating June 18 as “Kansas-Armenia
Partnership Day.”
“It is often true that a handful of dedicated people can be more
effective than a large group which remains passive. In the case of
Kansas, where no more than a few hundred Armenians live, the efforts
of one man, Alex Kotoyantz, made a profound difference and we thank
him for his hard work and determination,” Assembly Executive Director
Ross Vartian said.
Kotoyantz, a retired geologist and engineer who worked for the Kansas
Department of Transportation for 39 years, is an Armenian immigrant
from Iraq – the country he left 54 years ago to settle in the United
States.
Kotoyantz worked closely with Assembly activists and Minnesota
State Chair Lou Ann Matossian and several Assembly staff members in
Washington to secure the “Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day” proclamation
recognizing the importance of the recently-forged relationship between
the Kansas National Guard and Armenia within the framework of the
State’s Partnership Program.
His efforts paid off, and on April 27, Kansas State Governor Kathleen
Sebelius issued a special proclamation which said in part:
“Whereas, Kansas is proud to partner with Armenia in
military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian
contacts and development, and
“Whereas, the Kansas National Guard hopes that this endeavor will
foster goodwill between Kansas and Armenia and achieve a secure,
prosperous and dignified future for the citizens of Armenia, and
“Whereas, Kansas is grateful for the contribution of Armenian Americans
who have chosen Kansas as their adopted homeland; they have employed
wisdom, courage, and centuries-old traditions to enrich the character
of our state.
“Now, Therefore, I, Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas,
salute the modern nation of Armenia and Armenians everywhere, and do
hereby proclaim June 18, 2004, as: Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day.”
The governor’s proclamation was signed at a special ceremony which
was held at the Capitol in Topeka, Kansas. Alex Kotoyantz was the
only Armenian present at the ceremony which was attended by state
legislators and ranking Kansas National Guard officers.
In a statement, Kansas National Guard’s Adjutant General Maj. Gen. (KS)
Tod M. Bunting hailed the event and said:
“The National Guard is a shining example for the rest of the world of
how military and civilian authorities work together to protect citizens
at home and help preserve peace around the world. This partnership
with Armenia is a great opportunity for the Kansas National Guard not
only to be teachers – sharing the skills and knowledge we have – but
to be students, as well, as we learn more about Armenia, its people
and its rich cultural heritage.”
“It was a very happy and emotional moment for me,” Kotoyantz said
after witnessing the proclamation signing ceremony.
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#2004-053
CAPTION: L to R: Barbara Craft (Rep. 65th District), Randy Mettner
(Special Assistant to Lt. Governor), Senator Lana Oleen (Majority
Leader of the Senate), Ron Thornburgh (Secretary of State), Alex
Kotoyantz, Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Adj. Gen. Todd Bunting (Kansas
National Guard), Lt. Col. Joe Knowles (Coordinator, State Partnership
with Armenia), Col. Joe Wheeler, Maj. Kim Smith, Lt. Col. Charles
Brown.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/13/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Opposition No-show for Negotiations 2) Karabagh on Rice's Moscow Agenda 3) Ambassadors Ordway, Dryukov Meet with ARF 4) Armenia and Iran Seal Pipeline Deal 1) Opposition No-show for Negotiations YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Scheduled dialogue between Armenia’s ruling coalition representatives and the opposition was halted, when the opposition was a no-show for negotiations that were to take place Thursday. The opposition canceled the planned crisis talks with the governing coalition, saying that President Robert Kocharian has not stopped the month-long crackdown on his opponents. Opposition representatives were scheduled to meet on Thursday with leaders of the three ruling coalition parties. The meeting was supposed to be the first official “negotiation” between the two sides that have held a series of unofficial consultations over the past week. According to Artarutyun’s Victor Dallakian, the opposition will resume the contacts only after the authorities take “practical steps” stemming from the resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). “We have nothing to discuss with the coalition now,” he said. Parliament majority leaders said the decision to pull out of the talks was not immediately communicated to them as they waited for opposition representatives inside the parliament building in the evening. The boycott followed Artarutyun’s and the National Unity Party's (AMK) decision to resume their joint rallies in Yerevan on Friday. The opposition says it is only prepared to discuss with the authorities ways of ensuring Kocharian’s resignation “without upheavals,” suggesting in particular a referendum of confidence in the Armenian leader. The international community has strongly encouraged both sides to try to bridge their differences through negotiations, with the PACE resolution calling for a “dialogue without preconditions.” The head of the Yerevan office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Vladimir Pryakhin, echoed the calls on Wednesday. “I encourage both sides to engage in a meaningful and genuine dialogue in order to resolve, within the constitutional framework, the continuing difficulties,” Pryakhin said in a statement. Pryakhin also urged the Armenian authorities to “review the cases” of all those detained during recent opposition demonstrations and end the controversial “administrative detentions” repeatedly condemned by the Council of Europe and other human rights organizations. “This practice is incompatible with European human rights standards,” the Russian diplomat said. 2) Karabagh on Rice's Moscow Agenda MOSCOW (Armenpress/Itar-Tass)--US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice told Russian newspaper Itar-Tass on Wednesday that she will discuss possible resolutions to the Mountainous Karabagh conflict while in Moscow May 14-16. “Along with Russia, we are trying to settle a range of conflict situations. I think we are disappointed to some degree that we have not succeeded in the case of Karabagh," Rice said. She said that the issue has become “too protracted,” and has had a negative political and economic impact on both Armenia and Azerbaijan. She stressed that the two governments must resume seeking a settlement with a “serious attitude.” Rice is expected to focus on the situation in Iraq during her talks with Russian officials. “Whatever differences the two countries might have had in the past, now the accomplishment of success in Iraq is of key importance; stable, democratic, and prosperous Iraq meets bilateral interests,” Rice told journalists. Rice was last in Moscow in April 2003 to discuss bilateral relations in connection with the US military campaign in Iraq. The upcoming talks will also focus on the common fight against international terrorism, as well as bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. 3) Ambassadors Ordway, Dryukov Meet with ARF YEREVAN (Yerkir/A1Plus)--US Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway met with the leadership of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Armenia on Thursday to review the political situation of the country and ways to remedy the situation. The ARF also met with the Russian Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Dryukov on the same day. The ARF emphasized that dialogue is key to reaching a political agreement, and that the authorities and the opposition must meet each other halfway to jointly tackle critical issues vital to the welfare of the people. They agreed that destabilization of the situation in Armenia jeopardizes not only the development of the republic, but also in the entire region. Discussions were along the same lines between Ambassador Druykov and ARF Armenia Supreme Body representative Armen Rustamian, who said that the ARF and the other coalition partners are determined to resolve current tensions through dialogue with the opposition. Druykov praised the push for dialogue, pointing to Armenia’s stability as key to that of the region. Armenian-Russian relations were also discussed. 4) Armenia and Iran Seal Pipeline Deal YEREVAN (Armenpress/RBC/RFE/RL)--After more than a decade of negotiations, the Armenian and Iranian governments took the final step and signed an agreement on Thursday to begin construction of a pipeline which will be operational before January 1, 2007, and will continue to operate for at least 20 years. “Negotiations on this agreement have lasted for about 12 years and it has become a reality today,” Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisian said at the signing ceremony, attended by Iran’s visiting Oil and Gas Minister Bijan Zanganeh. The Armenia-Iran intergovernmental agreement covering the route of the 141 kilometer pipeline was signed in 1995. The construction of the Armenian part of the pipeline linking the city of Meghri with Yerevan at a length of 100 kilometers is estimated at $96-100 million. The Iranian portion of the pipeline will be 41 kilometers, and is estimated to cost $120 million. Each of the two countries is responsible for constructing its part of the pipeline. According to Movsisian, Iran has agreed to deliver no less than 1.1billion cubic meters of natural gas to Armenia, which will pay for gas with electric energy supplies. The minister declined to comment on possible sources of financing the construction. His Iranian counterpart Zanganeh declined to name the agreed price of gas supplies. He stressed that under the 20 year agreement, Iran is to deliver 36 billion cubic meters of gas to Armenia. Some estimate that the cost of gas supplies agreed to is $84 per 1,000 cubic meters. The Iranian minister said that the Iranian part of the pipeline will be constructed by the National Gas Export Company. Movisian only said that construction of Armenia’s portion would be financed by Armenians, and that proposals put forth by Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, China, and the US would be considered. Zanganeh arrived in Yerevan and met with President Robert Kocharian earlier in the day. A statement by the presidential press service said the gas project will double the volume of Armenian-Iranian trade, which stood at $90 million last year. Armenian leaders say the pipeline will be of strategic importance for their country as it will provide it with an alternative source of natural gas, which is used for meeting approximately 40 percent of its energy needs. Russia has been Armenia’s sole supplier of the vital fuel since the mid-1990s and was, until recently, uneasy about having a major competitor in the Armenian energy sector 80 percent of which is controlled by Russian firms. "We regard this project as a serious question for Armenian energy security," the President Kocharian stressed. Armenia imported about 1.2 billion cubic meters of Russian gas last year through a single pipeline running through Georgia, which is reportedly in poor condition and needs urgent repairs. The agreement commits it to buying almost as much Iranian gas in 2007. The annual volume of Iranian deliveries is due to jump to 2.3 billion cubic meters in the future, raising the question of whether there will be that much demand for the fuel inside Armenia. Armenian and Iranian officials have indicated in the past that Armenia could serve as a transit route for Iranian gas exports to third countries, notably Georgia and Ukraine--an option reportedly opposed by Russia. The Ukrainian government has shown interest in the project ever since its inception, and the issue was on the agenda of Prime Minister Andranik Markarian’s visit to Kiev this week. Markarian was reported to call for Ukrainian involvement in the pipeline’s construction. 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: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Kurt Chesko
HALO USA
850 Seventh Avenue #506
New York, NY 10002
T: 212-581-0099
F: 212-581-2029
Email: [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HALO Trust to Brief Los Angeles Community on Landmine Problem in
Karabakh
Kurt Chesko, Program Officer for the HALO Trust, will speak about his
recent visit to Nagorno Karabakh and discuss the impact that landmines
and unexploded ordnance (UXO) have on the Armenian population. He
will share photographs and give a mine clearance demonstration. All
are welcome to attend.
The HALO Trust is the world’s largest humanitarian landmine clearance
organization and operates a 200-person program in Karabakh, one of the
most mine-affectied regions in the world. HALO’s dedicated Karabakhi
staff have destroyed 2,300 antipersonnel landmines, 1,000 antitank
mine and over 26,000 items of UXO since 2000. HALO also provides mine
risk education to the goverment authorities and residents of Karabakh.
This briefing will occur at 10:30 AM on Saturday, 15th at The Glendale
Public Library’s Central Auditorium (222 East Harvard Street, Glendale,
CA 91205). We hope to see you there.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress