Category: News

OSKANIAN RECEIVES MEMBERS OF GERMAN BUNDESTAG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP
ArmenPress
May 14 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian
received today members of the German Bundestag multi-party South
Caucasus parliamentary group- Kristoff Bergner, Jorg Tauss, Lidia
Westrich and Ulla Heller.
Foreign ministry press services reported, that Oskanian underlined
that the delegation’s visit followed a successful visit by German
foreign minister to Armenia Joschka Fischer. He voiced his hope that
German -Armenian relations will continue developing.
The sides emphasized a decision by the European Commission whereby
Armenia and South Caucasus are included in the EU Wider Europe –
New Neighborhood project.
During the talk, the Bundestag delegation members noted that their
group has contributed to the passing of this decision because they
attach importance to South Caucasus’s integration to the EU.
During the meeting, the sides referred to the present phase of Nagorno
Karabagh conflict regulation. Armenian foreign minister has presented
his impressions from his recent talks with his Azeri counterpart
Mamedyarov in Strasburg.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/14/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Putin, Kocharian Discuss Economic Ties 2) Some 1,000 Georgians Eager to Move to Tsalka 3) Pennsylvania House Passes Armenian Genocide Resolution 4) Ferrahian Celebrates 40th Anniversary 1) Putin, Kocharian Discuss Economic Ties (AP/Itar-Tass)--Boosting trade between the two former Soviet republics topped the agenda at Friday's meeting between Armenian President Robert Kocharian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Putin noted that trade has increased 34 percent in recent years. "This is a record indicator that we are moving in the right direction." Kocharian recalled last year's major agreement that gave Russia financial control over Armenia's sole nuclear power plant, in exchange for the cancellation of $40 million dollar debts to Russian nuclear fuel suppliers. The start of true economic cooperation came with that "major equity-for-debt agreement," Kocharian said. "I would like to say with utmost confidence that we started and are moving together on all issues." The meeting took place on the second day of Kocharian's working visit to Moscow that included meetings with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and the chief executive of the Gazprom natural gas giant, Aleksei Miller. Kocharian welcomed the increased bilateral commercial ties of recent years, saying, "Until recently, we only talked about military cooperation while mentioning that economic interaction is lagging. Now I can state with full confidence that we began to move in all directions at a very even pace; it serves as a very serious impetus to effective cooperation and diversification." 2) Some 1,000 Georgians Eager to Move to Tsalka TBILISI (Armenpress/Civil.GE)--The Georgian ministry of refugees and resettlement reported that approximately 1000 applications have been submitted by Georgian families wishing to relocate to Georgia's Tsalka district. 150-strong unit of Interior Troops were dispatched to the southern multi-ethnic district of Tsalka on May 11, following clashes between local ethnic Armenians and Georgians on May 9. Several people were reportedly injured. Ethnic Armenians comprise 57% of population of Tsalka district in the Kvemo Kartli region, which has a population of around 20,000, according to the Georgian department of statistics; 4,500 ethnic Greeks, 2,500 ethnic Georgians, and up to 2,000 Azeris live in the Tsalka district. Local officials had described the clashes between ethnic Georgians and Armenians sporadic "communal violence," which has flared-up in the past several years. 3) Pennsylvania House Passes Armenian Genocide Resolution PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL COMMEMORATES FIRST GENOCIDE OF 20TH CENTURY HARRISBURG (ANC-PA)--The Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution designating April 24, 2004 "Pennsylvania's Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923." Representative Daylin Leach (D) and 56 co-sponsors introduced Pennsylvania House Resolution No. 593 (HR593). "The Armenian National Committee of Pennsylvania thanks Rep. Leach for his leadership in introducing this resolution. We also commend the House of Representatives for their unwavering commitment to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to honor the memories of the victims whose descendants are citizens of the Commonwealth," said ANC Pennsylvania co-chairman Dr. Ara Chalian. "The ANC of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania General Assembly have an enduring relationship that spans nearly twenty years. We look forward to continue working closely with Rep. Leach and others who take an active role in supporting the issues of the Armenian American community." 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. Through this resolution, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reaffirms its commitment to condemn atrocities, such as the Armenian Genocide, and to prevent similar crimes against humanity from occurring again. This is the second consecutive year that the first-term legislator has introduced an Armenian Genocide resolution. Rep. Leach, whose wife is of Armenian descent, represents a district which includes a large Armenian American constituency, two Armenian churches, and the Armenian Sisters Academy. "It is important that we never forget the atrocities visited upon the Armenian People in the last century," stated Rep. Leach. "It is only by remembering the past that we can recognize the gathering warning signs of new oppression. As long as I am in the legislature, I can assure you that no one will forget the struggle of the Armenian People," concluded Rep. Leach. 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. The City Proclamation was introduced and spearheaded by Councilman Douglas Shields, and was co-sponsored by Council President Gene Ricciardi and Council members Luke Ravenstahl, Jim Motznik, William Peduto, Len Bodack, Alan Hertzberg, Twanda Carlisle, and Sala Udin. "On behalf of the Pittsburgh area Armenian-American community, I would like to thank Councilman Doug Shields and the City Council for observing the Armenian Genocide," stated ANC activist Rostom Sarkissian, who resides in Pittsburgh. "This proclamation and others like it not only honor the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, but they also send a strong message to the Turkish government that continued denial of this Genocide can no longer be a state-sponsored policy. Time has come for Turkey to join the international community in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide for what it wasgenocide," concluded Sarkissian. The ANC-PA urges all Pennsylvania Armenians to contact their State Representative to thank them for passing HR593 and the Pittsburgh City Council for their "A Day of Remembrance" Proclamation. 4) Ferrahian Celebrates 40th Anniversary ENCINO-- Over 700 people--alumni, past and present students, parents, and faculty and staff--gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Armenian School in the United States--Holy Martyrs Armenian Elementary and Ferrahian High School. The May 2 event served to honor faculty members and teachers who have dedicated over 15 years to the school for their exceptional contributions. Former students praised the school not only for the level of education it provides, but also for preserving and passing on Armenian language, history, and culture to successive generations. The school's founder Gabriel Injejikian delivered a heartfelt address, praising the school's achievements and encouraging a continued path toward similar success. 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.

NEW UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE IN ARMENIA
ArmenPress
May 14 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: UNHCR issued a press release informing
about the assignment of Mr. Peter Nicolaus as the new UNHCR
Representative in Armenia. He took up office on May 12, 2004.
Mr. Nicolaus holds a Doctorate in Law and has been working with UNHCR
since 1986. Before being appointed in Armenia Mr. Nicolaus was the
UNHCR Chief of Mission in Uzbekistan. He speaks English and German.

CAUCASIAN FOUR GATHERINGS TO RESUME
ArmenPress
May 14 2004
MOSCOW, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: The chairman of the upper chamber of the
Russian State Duma (parliament), Sergey Mironov, announced today that
the traditional and regular meetings of parliament chairmen of the
so-called Caucasian Four (Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia)
will resume soon.
Speaking to a news briefing Mironov said the meetings, held once in
three months, were stooped pending the end of Georgian parliamentary
elections on March 28.
“Now with the election results announced we can resume our meetings,”
he said, adding that the next gathering will most likely take
place in Tbilisi. According to Armenian parliament chairman, Arthur
Baghdasarian, one of the meeting’s topics will be discussions on ways
to end the Karabagh conflict.

Russian, Armenian leaders note progress in economic cooperation
Channel One TV, Moscow
14 May 04
[Presenter] A Russian-Armenian summit has taken place in the
Novo-Ogarevo residence outside Moscow. [Russian President] Vladimir
Putin met Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, who is in Moscow on
a three-day working visit.
The Russian president said he was satisfied with economic cooperation
between the two countries. But he said he thought there was room
for improvement.
[Putin, sitting next to Kocharyan] It is necessary to note that this
work is not just intensive but also fruitful. It is reflected mainly
in the pace of our economic cooperation. The trade turnover between
Russia and Armenia last year rose by more than 34 per cent. This is
a record. In my view, this is the best kind of evidence that we are
moving in the right direction.
[Kocharyan, in Russian] I think the impetus was the major
debt-for-property deal. Prior to that, we had only been discussing
the military technology factor in cooperation and had been saying
that the economic factor was lagging behind. I can now say with total
confidence that we have caught up and are now progressing together
in every field at a synchronized rate.

Armenian, Russian presidents discuss regional issues
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
14 May 04
[Presenter over video of meeting] The Russian and Armenian presidents
[Vladimir Putin and Robert Kocharyan] met an hour ago in Moscow
today. This is the fifth meeting of Vladimir Putin and Robert Kocharyan
in one year.
The strengthening of trade-economic relations was the main issue the
presidents discussed during the meeting. The volume of the commodity
turnover between the two countries increased by 34.5 per cent last
year.
The presidents also exchanged opinions on the main regional
issues. In this context, they talked about the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict.

Russian president meets with his Armenian counterpart
AP Worldstream
May 14, 2004
Boosting trade between the two former Soviet republics topped the
agenda at Friday’s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin
and his Armenian counterpart, Robert Kocharian.
Putin said that trade has increased 34 percent in recent years.
“This is a record indicator that we are moving toward the right
direction,” Putin said.
Kocharian recalled the major agreement last year under which
Armenia ceded control over its only nuclear power plant to Russia’s
state-controlled electricity monopoly in exchange for the cancellation
of US$40 million debts to Russian energy suppliers.
The start of true economic cooperation came with that “major agreement
of debt-for-property,” Kocharian said. “I would like to say with utmost
confidence that we started and are moving together on all issues.”
Putin and Kocharian have met frequently in recent years.

Russian, Armenian leaders upbeat on bilateral cooperation
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
14 May 04
Novo-Ogarevo, 14 May: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan believes
that the “major Russian-Armenian deal to write off debts in exchange
for property” has made it possible to develop not only military and
technical cooperation but also economic collaboration on the whole. He
said this today at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Very interesting events are taking place at present in the economic
sphere, for instance, a major Russian bank, Vneshtorgbank, has launched
its work in Armenia. A very interesting contract in the chemical
sphere has been signed: the chemical industry is being developed on
a major scale in Armenia with the help of Russian investments. There
are many examples of Russian businessmen’s active participation in
construction and other spheres,” the Armenian leader said.
According to Kocharyan, ” a major deal on writing off debts in exchange
for property has served as the starting point”. “We used to discuss
the military and technical components of cooperation all the time
before and outline what sectors of economy were lagging behind,” the
Armenian president said. “I can say with full confidence that there has
begun very synchronized progress regarding all the positions,” he said.
[In an earlier report at 0928 gmt the agency said that Putin was
satisfied with the development of cooperation with Armenia, but at
the same time he believed that there was a great potential for future
developments. “Moscow and Yerevan have many opportunities to work
even better and more efficiently,” the agency quoted Putin as saying.
The agency said in a separate report at 0938 gmt that Putin expressed
his hope the current visit would be useful for both sides. “I don’t
only hope, I am confident that your current working visit will be
beneficial for our collaboration and will help us to intensify our
links,” the agency quoted Putin as saying at the talks with Kocharyan.]

Iran’s presence in region of great importance – Armenian foreign minister
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
14 May 04
Since the first days of its independence, Armenia has attached great
importance to Iran’s presence in the region, which plays a balancing
role, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said during a meeting
with Iranian Oil Minister Bizhan Namdar-Zangeneh in Yerevan.
The Iranian official, who signed an agreement on the construction of
the Iran-Armenian gas pipeline yesterday, noted that this will be a
symbol of strengthening friendship between the countries of the region.
Minister Oskanyan received the Iranian oil minister three hours after
his return from Strasbourg.

Cooperation with Armenia in full swing, Russian premier
Mediamax news agency
14 May 04
Yerevan, 14 May: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said in
Moscow today that “Armenian-Russian relations are developing in
all directions”.
A Mediamax correspondent reports from Moscow that the Russian prime
minister made this statement today during a meeting with Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan.
Fradkov said that the meeting with the Armenian president would make
it possible to improve the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation.
Robert Kocharyan, in turn, said that while earlier Russia and Armenia
were more focused on military and technical cooperation, today their
bilateral relations cover all spheres, and the sides have accumulated
tremendous potential for economic cooperation.