Category: News

Pravda.RU:World
13:17 2004-03-29
US intends filling in gaps in relations with Armenia
The United States has allowed its relations with Armenia to stagnate in
recent years, according to US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. As
reported by a Rosbalt correspondent, Armitage said during a briefing: ‘I
have now come to fill in the gaps in our relations. It cannot be denied that
the United States during the past few years has been busy in Afghanistan,
Iraq and in the fight with international terrorism. But the United States
has interests in the South Caucasus, Armenia interests us, and I have come
to reanimate our relations.’
The visit of Richard Armitage is the first to Armenia by a high-ranking
member of the US administration since 1999.
© RosBalt

UEFA.com, Europe
March 28 2004
Iceland fight back to win
Iceland won the race to be runners-up in UEFA European Under-17
Championship second qualifying round for Group 2 as they came from
behind to beat Armenia.
Stepanyan stunner
The Armenians had the better of the early exchanges and took a
deserved lead on 20 minutes when captain Arthur Stepanyan headed
Vardan Khachatryan’s corner into the net. They could have doubled
their advantage before the break but Edgar Manucharyan curled a
free-kick just wide.
Iceland fightback
In the second 45 minutes Iceland upped their game and eventually got
an equaliser after 64 minutes, Bjarni Vidarsson scoring from close
range following a Bjarki Sigvaldason corner. And it did not take long
for them to turn the match on its head as Matthias Vilhjalmsson
latched on to Sigvaldason’s ball over the top to finish confidently
just three minutes later.
Not enough
Despite the win, Iceland finished three points behind group winners
England, while Armenia end in third ahead of Norway.

Metropolitan News-Enterprise, CA
March 29 2004
National Group to Honor Former Justice Arabian At Ellis Island in May
By a MetNews Staff Writer

Former California Supreme Court Justice Armand Arabian will be among
those honored by a national umbrella group for ethnic organizations
at a gala event in New York City in May, the group said.
In a release last week, the National Ethnic Coalition of
Organizations, Inc. said it would extend to Arabian its Ellis Island
Medal of Honor at a black tie reception to be held May 15 in the
historic Great Hall on Ellis Island.
The medal is given, according to NECO, `to Americans of diverse
origins for their outstanding contributions to their own ethnic
groups and to American society.’
Honorees typically include U.S. presidents, Nobel Prize winners,
leaders of industry, and gifted artists, performers, and athletes.
Arabian, the first Armenian American to serve on California’s highest
court, has won a number of honors, including the Mesrob Mashdots
Medal. That honor, named for the creator of the Armenian alphabet and
among the highest in the Armenian church, was presented by the head
of the church at a ceremony in Lebanon in 1999.
Arabian retired in 1996 after 20 years in the state judiciary. He is
now an attorney and private judge in Van Nuys.

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 29 2004
AZERBAIJAN LEADER, DUMA SPEAKER PRAISE BILATERAL TIES
BAKU, March 29, 2004. (RIA Novosti correspondent Gerai Dadashev) –
During their Monday meeting in Baku, Azerbaijanian President Ilkham
Aliyev and State Duma (lower house) Speaker Boris Gryzlov expressed
satisfaction with the state and dynamics of the relations between
their countries.
“We can see positive dynamics in all aspects of our relations and
palpable progress in the political dialogue between the two
countries,” said Mr. Aliyev.
In his words, there are no unsolved problems in Russia-Azerbaijan
relations. “All the differences are left in the past,” said the
Azerbaijanian leader.
As for the upcoming Russian-Azerbaijanian business forum due in Baku
in early April, Mr. Aliyev expressed confidence that “active
participation of Russian businessmen in Azerbaijan will promote the
two countries’ rapprochement.”
Mr. Aliyev also noted the role of Azerbaijanian and Russian
parliaments in expanding the two countries’ interaction.
“The level of co-operation between our countries, including
parliaments, is extremely high,” Mr. Gryzlov said in turn.
In his opinion, the activity of working groups for co-operation
between the two countries’ parliaments “will be aimed at real
interaction and real consideration of the two countries’ legislation
for the sake of common approaches.” In early April, the working groups
will meet in Moscow to discuss a series of draft laws that might be
suitable for adoption in both countries,” said Mr. Gryzlov.
The meeting continued behind closed doors.
On Monday, the Russian Duma speaker met Azerbaijanian Prime Minister
Artur Rasizade to discuss the two countries’ economic interaction and
also the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. In particular, Mr. Gryzlov asked
about the prospects of the gradual settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
Mr. Rasizade gave detailed information about the sources of the
Karabakh problem and its current state. “Armenia today is acting as a
winner and shows no consistency in settling the conflict that causes
serious problems for the development of the region as a whole,” said
the prime minister.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
March 29 2004
MEETING AT THE CABINET OF MINISTERS
[March 29, 2004, 23:05:44]
Primer Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizadeh received Chairman of
the Russian State Duma Boris Gryzlov and members of the Russian
delegation.
Welcoming the guests, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that
the visit would become one more impetus for expanding Azerbaijan
-Russian relationship. After election of Vladimir Putin as Head of
the Russian State, he said, the bilateral relations between out two
countries have been brought up to a qualitatively new level. Mr.
Artur Rasizadeh pointed out rapidly developing economic cooperation
is, and growing commodity turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Speaking of the economic reforms being carried out in the country and
progress achieved in this sphere, the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan
noted that the unsolved Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh remains as the main problem of the country. He
showed on the map the regions occupied by the Armenian armed forces.
Afterwards, the parties have exchanged views on the issues related
development of relations between the two countries, and combat
against separatism.
Present at the meeting were Deputy Vice-Premier Abbas Abbasov,
Vice-Speaker Ziyafat Alasgarov and Ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan
Nikolay Ryabov.

ArmenPress
March 29 2004
COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES CENTER OPENS IN VANADZOR
VANADZOR, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS: UN Coordinator and UNDP Resident
Representative, Lise Grande, USAID Armenia Mission Director, Keith
Simmons, labor and social affairs minister Aghvan Vardanian, Lori
governor Henrik Kochinian, other officials and dignitaries attended
today the inauguration of the first Social Services Center Under One
Roof in Vanadzor, the capital of Lori. Addressing the present,
minister Vardanian expressed hope that after a successful test such
centers will be established in other Armenian regions as well.
The Center that hosts offices of five various social services- the
regional and territorial social security offices, the government-run
social security Fund, territorial employment centers, a medical
examination commission as well as a representation of 31
non-governmental local organizations, became possible thanks to
collaborated efforts of the UNDP and PADCO organization.
From now on the residents of Vanadzor will have not to travel from
one agency to another to seek solutions to their diverse social
problems. The Center, run by a trained staff is equipped with modern
computers and other devices to facilitate the process of paper
processing apart from a variety of booklets and guidebooks to help
applicants seek the required information.
Another peculiarity is application of modern software allowing
speedy online information exchange among offices, housed by the
Center.
High-ranking officials visited also a local charity canteen and
departed then to the village of Dsekh that is going to have what is
known as Family Doctor.

ArmenPress
March 29 2004
IEC NEGOTIATES 20 MILLION EUROS CREDIT FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF
YEREVAN-1 HYDRO POWER PLANT
YEREVAN, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS: The International Energy
Corporation (IEC), a Yerevan-based subsidiary of the Russian RAO UES,
said it is now negotiating a 20 million euro credit from German KFW
bank, which it wants for a major reconstruction of Yerevan-1 hydro
power plant, one in a chain of small hydro power plants, known as
Sevan-Hrazdan cascade. The IEC said negotiations are in the final
stage.
Yerevan-1 plant is the main supplier of electricity to the
capital. IEC experts estimate that the full reconstruction of the
Cascade, built between 1930-1962, which provides for almost 20
percent of all produced power, they will need tens of millions of US
Dollars.
The German bank had already allocated some 18 million euros for
reconstruction of Kanaker hydro power plant, which IEC has pledged to
return together with interest rates.
IEC was founded by Russia’s giant RAO UES to manage the
Sevan-Hrazdan cascade and was granted a 15 year-long permission for
energy generation.
A representative of the IEC said no negotiations are carried with
Turkey on sale of Armenian electricity, but added that the export of
Armenian electricity to Turkey is considered promising and that a
relevant scheme is being now discussed. He also said the export will
face no technical problems requiring only small-sized financial and
know-how investments.
Armenian electricity production capacities allow now to export
electricity to Iran and Georgia concurrently with meeting domestic
demands. With regard to Iran there is electricity swap in summer and
winter. The volume of electricity sold to Georgia has grown to 3
million kw/per hour daily.

ArmenPress
March 29 2004
ARMENIAN DIPLOMATS CONTINUE EFFORTS FOR RELEASE OF SIX ARMENIANS,
ARRESTED IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA
YEREVAN, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS: Official Yerevan is continuing
efforts with the help of third nations and international
organizations to secure the release of six Armenian nationals who
were arrested in Equatorial Guinea on charges of coup earlier this
month.
The Armenian nationals are among 15 foreigners accused by the
authorities of the West African state of plotting to overthrow
president Teodoro Obiang Nguema. In a statement, released last week
the Armenian foreign ministry said they are civilian pilots who
worked in the region on a private contract.
`The accusations of Equatorial Guinea in no way relate to their
professional activities,’ the Armenian foreign ministry said in a
statement last week. `Authorities in Equatorial Guinea present the
Armenian citizens as militant mercenaries, despite the fact that they
are professional pilots with a long work experience.’
Armenian foreign ministry said that Armenia’s envoy to the UN has
officially asked a special envoy of the UN Secretary General to
Equatorial Guinea, who was heading for that country, “to clarify the
situation on the site.” Another Armenian diplomat, Armenia’s
representative at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, met with
delegates of Equatorial Guinea who were participating in the
Commission’s session to insist that Guinea’s authorities must treat
Armenian nationals according to relevant international conventions.
Concurrently Armenian diplomats have contacted two influential
international human rights organizations, Amnesty International and
the International Red Cross to help release Armenian pilots. Amnesty
International has also called on Guinea’s authorities to refrain from
mistreating the arrested.
Armenian foreign ministry said also that Armenian diplomats have
already spoken with their Guinean counterparts in Moscow and New York
to explore ways of having the pilots freed. It said Armenian
diplomats are in constant contacts with French and Russian
authorities which have embassies in the country’s capital Malabo.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 29, 2004
Peace in Karabakh conflict should be reached without winners,losers
By Sevindj Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman
BAKU, March 29
Azerbaijan pins high hopes that Russia would play a positive role in
the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, speaker of Milli Medjlis,
Azerbaijan’s Parliament Murtuz Aleskerov said at a meeting with Duma
Speaker Boris Gryzlov on Monday.
According to him, Russia that is a co-chairman of the Minsk OSCE
group on Nagorno Karabakh plays an important role in the conflict
settlement. “We hope that using our powers and influence in the
region Russia will try to find ways of a just solution to this
problem,” the speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament said.
During the meeting the sides reached the agreement on the soonest
settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement by peaceful means.
“It is necessary to achieve peace without winners and losers,”
Gryzlov emphasised.

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
March 29, 2004
Armenia’s govt plans to raise $130 mln from stake sale in ZCMC
YEREVAN, Mar 29 (Prime-Tass) — Armenia’s government plans to raise
at least U.S. USD 130 million from the sale of the controlling stake
in the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC), Armenia’s Trade and
Economic Development Minister Karen Chshmarityan told a press
conference Monday.
The government currently plans to auction an unspecified controlling
stake in ZCMC, but if a good offer is received, it may sell a 100%
stake, he noted.
Several foreign companies, including Australia’s Rio Tinto and BHP,
and U.S.’ Phelps Dodge, have already expressed their interests in
ZCMC, he noted.
If a contender transfers USD 25-30 million to the Armenian government
in April it will be granted the right for exclusive negotiations, he
said without elaborating.
If the negotiations succeed the transfer will be included as part of
the payment on the stake, but if they fail it will remain with the
government.
ZCMC accounts for about 3% of the world’s molybdenum concentrate
output. End