Category: News

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 16 2004
ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN HAVE TO BE MAIN FORCE IN SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNY
KARABAKH PROBLEM, BAKU BELIEVES
BAKU, March 16, 2004. (RIA Novosti) – Azerbaijan and Armenia have to
make the main efforts to settle the Nagorny Karabakh problem,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev told reporters after his
meeting on Tuesday with the incumbent chairman of the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Bulgarian
Foreign Minister, Solomon Pasi.
“The OSCE plays the role of a mediator in this process today,”
underscored Mr. Guliyev.
He noted that in the course of the meeting with Mr. Pasi the role of
the OSCE in settling the Nagorny Karabakh problem was discussed.
Apart from that, they discussed the problems of democratic reforms in
Azerbaijan, the preparations for the municipal elections in the fall
of 2004, the events of October 15-17, 2003 in Baku (during the
presidential elections, the opposition organized several unsanctioned
protests) and freedom of the press in Azerbaijan.

Polish Press Agency
PAP News Wire
March 16, 2004 Tuesday
Polish, Armenian MPs discuss bilateral relations
Warsaw
Sejm Speaker Marek Borowski and head of the Armenian National Assembly
Artur Bagdasarian met Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations,
international affairs and Armenia’s policy towards the Polish
minority.
Borowski said after the meeting that Bagdasarian was interested in
European legislature, Poland’s political system and the functioning
and powers of the Sejm. The Armenian side expressed readiness to
develop closer interparliamentary contacts between the two countries
and interest in Polish experience in European integration.
On Wednesday the guest will be received by President Aleksander
Kwasniewski, PM Leszek Miller, Foreign Minister Wlodzmierz Cimoszewicz
and presidia of the Sejm’s foreign affairs and European committees.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 16, 2004 Tuesday
Armenia hopes for peaceful settlement of Adzharia situation
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said he was hoping that Tbilisi
and Batumi would settle their disagreements through talks. Yerevan
hopes that the situation will normalize and that it will not affect
the functioning of Black Sea ports, he said.
“Georgia on the whole and the Black Sea ports of this country have a
very important significance for Armenia,” Kocharyan said in the
course of his visit to a Defense Ministry’s military college on
Tuesday.
The president noted that Armenia’s authorities wish for a peaceful
settlement of the situation around Adzharia was voiced during the
recent official visit to Yerevan by Georgian leader Mikhail
Saakashvili.
“Stability in Georgia has an extremely important significance for
Armenia,” said Serzh Sarkisyan, Armenia’s Defense Minister and
Secretary of the National Security Council under the president.
The minister said he did not share the view that a new war would
break out in the region.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
March 16, 2004, Tuesday
Students protest in Cyprus over closure of historic boarding school
Over 200 students of an historic Armenian boarding school in Nicosia
demonstrated Tuesday against its impending closure.
The U.S.-based foundation that runs the Melkonian Educational
Institute announced it will close the school in June 2005, after over
seven decades.
News of the closure has angered critics who say that profits from the
40 million Cyprus pound (84 million dollars) sale of the school’s
prime assets will leave Cyprus.
Protesting students blocked the main road leading out of the capital,
chanting “Melkonian not for sale” and brandishing placards condemning
the foundation.
The school, Cyprus’s only boarding school, was established in 1926 by
two Armenian brothers to provide shelter to orphans that escaped
genocide at the hands of the Ottomans during the First World War.
Students and teachers claim the New-York based Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU), which had been entrusted with the management
of the school, decided to close the institute without sufficient
justification. dpa mdp ch sc

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 16, 2004 Tuesday
Putin receives congratulations on his re-election
MOSCOW
Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to receive numerous
congratulations on his re-election to the highest executive post in
Russia from foreign leaders.
Vladimir Putin and his ARMENIAN counterpart Robert Kocharyan held a
telephone talk, a source in the Russian Presidential press service
told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. The Armenian side initiated the talk to
congratulate Vladimir Putin on “great success in the March 14
presidential election in Russia.”
Kocharyan and Putin also discussed practical issues of the
Russian-Armenian cooperation and situation in the Transcaucasia.
UZBEKISTAN President Islam Karimov telephoned Vladimir Putin on
Tuesday, the source said. During the conversation, Islam Karimov
expressed sincere congratulations to his Russian counterpart on “the
convincing victory in the presidential election.”
The two presidents decided to hold a working meeting in Moscow in
April.
SERBIA and MONTENEGRO President Svetozar Marovic sent a message of
congratulations to Putin on his re-election to presidency.
“I am sure that you, filling this executive post, will continue to
make efforts for the further successful development and prosperity of
friendly Russia for the benefit of all its citizens,” Marovic said in
the message.
A source in the Serbia and Montenegro presidential office conveyed
the message to Itar-Tass.
“The deepening of political dialogue with Russia, development of
many-sided and mutually advantageous cooperation and keeping of
traditionally close contacts between our two states” are of much
importance to Serbia and Montenegro, Marovic said.
JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi phoned Vladimir Putin to
congratulate him on his winning the presidential election, the source
said.
The two parties also discussed the vital issues of bilateral
cooperation in 2004, including the schedule of high-level contacts.
Chairman of CHINA’s Central Military Council (CMC), former president
Jiang Zemin warmly congratulated Vladimir Putin in a telegram on his
re-election to the post of Russian president for the second term.
Former Chinese leader expressed confidence that the joint efforts of
the two parties will ensure still more brilliant prospects for
strategic partnership between China and Russia, Xinhua news agency
reported.
On the previous day, Chinese Chairman Hu Jintao congratulated
Vladimir Putin on a landslide re-election for the second term.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 16, 2004 Tuesday
Direct negotiations are only way to Karabakh settlement- OSCE
By Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman
BAKU
OSCE thinks that direct negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia
are the only way to the Karabakh settlement, Bulgarian Foreign
Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Solomon Pasi said at a Tuesday
meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku.
He noted with regret that the OSCE Minsk Group mission had not
brought positive results. “I expect a lot from dialog between the two
presidents, and I will declare that during a visit to Yerevan,” Pasi
said. Pasi will go to Yerevan on Tuesday evening for discussing the
Karabakh problem with the Armenian administration.
The Azerbaijani president said he hoped for more intensive efforts of
the Minsk Group in the Karabakh settlement. The unsettled problem “is
a great danger to the region,” he said.
“Solomon Pasi promised support to the Azerbaijani striving for closer
integration into Europe,” the AzerTadz news agency reports.
The absence of dialog is characteristic of conflicts in the South
Caucasus, Pasi said. He noted that OSCE would boost dialog between
Azerbaijan and Armenia for settling the Karabakh conflict. “We can
offer a dozen of settlement options, but neither of them will be
workable until Azerbaijan and Armenia reach understanding,” he said.

Baltic News Service
March 15, 2004
ALCOHOL WHOLESALER PERNOD RICARD LATVIA BOOSTS TURNOVER 34 PCT TO EUR
2 MLN IN 2003
RIGA
Pernod Ricard Latvia premium alcoholic beverage wholesaler posted a
turnover of 1.346 million last (EUR 2 mln) in 2003, up 34 percent in
the previous year, reported the company.
The company sold a total of 167,000 liters of beverages, mainly
brandy, cognac, tequila, vodka and wine last year, up 28.5 percent.
20.5 percent of the beverages sold by the company come from Armenia’s
Erevan Brandy Company and its Ararat brandy.
Pernod Ricard Latvia is a subsidiary of the Groupe Pernod Ricars,
Europe’s largest alcohol producer, and was established in 1998.

ARKA News Agency
March 16 2004
Forum dedicated to international Women Month to take place on March
19 in Yerevan
ArmenTel tries to evict largest provider of Armenia Arminco Company
from the market
RA Deputy Foreign Minister receives the Ambassador of Ghana to
Armenia
Armenian PM releases Martun Matevosyan from position of Yerevan Vice
Mayor
*********************************************************************
FORUM DEDICATED TO INTERNATIONAL WOMEN MONTH TO TAKE PLACE ON MARCH
19 IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, March 16. /ARKA/. Forum dedicated to International Women
Month will take place on March 19 in Yerevan, US Embassy to Armenia
told ARKA. The forum will discuss the role of women in such spheres
as international relations, politics, business, mass media and
legislation. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
ARMENTEL TRIES TO EVICT LARGEST PROVIDER OF ARMENIA ARMINCO COMPANY
FROM THE MARKET
YEREVAN, March 16. /ARKA/. Armentel tries to evict largest provider
of Armenia – Arminco Company -from the market, Director General of
Arminco Global Telecommunications Andranik Alexanian stated today. He
said that Armentel does not create conditions for development of IT
sector and prevents the one who wants to do it. Alexanian stressed
that Armentel sent official letter to Arminco stating that the
infrastructures created by the provider are illegal. `If Armentel
does it deliberately it means that the company damages us on
purpose’, he said. He added that Arminco plans to build its own cable
through Mehri to Georgia to avoid communication with Armentel.
Joint Russian-Armenian Company Arminco Global Telecommunications was
founded in 1991. 80% of the shares belongs to Armenian party.
The Armenian Government took decision on 8 September 2003 to deprive
ArmenTel company of its monopoly license on mobile services and
Internet.
The Greek telecommunication company OTE obtained through an
international tendering 90% of shares of the telecommunication
company ArmenTel for USD 142.42 mln in the end of 1997. The rest 10%
of shares belong to the Armenian Government. According to the
agreement terms signed by the Armenian Government, ArmenTel was
awarded monopoly rights in the telecommunications sphere for the
period of 15 years. According to the agreement, OTE has undertaken a
commitment to invest in the Armenian telecommunication network USD
200 mln during the first five years. L.D. -0 –
*********************************************************************
RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF GHANA TO
ARMENIA
YEREVAN, March 16. /ARKA/. RA Deputy Foreign Minister Tatul Margarian
received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ghana to
Armenia Francis Yahaya Mahama (residence in Moscow), RA NA told ARKA.
The parties noted the necessity of stimulation of links and
development of cooperation between Armenia and African countries and
the role of Ghana in this issue. Margarian expressed hope that the
relations of the countries will receive new stimuli during diplomatic
activity of newly appointed Ambassador.
Yahaya Mahama in his turn stressed the interest of his country in
establishment of multilateral relations with Armenia. He noted the
importance of direct contacts between the businessmen of the two
countries. L.D. –0 –
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN PM RELEASES MARTUN MATEVOSYAN FROM POSITION OF YEREVAN VICE
MAYOR
YEREVAN. March 16. /ARKA/. The decree by the Armenian PM Andranik
Margarian released Martun Matevosyan from the position of Yerevan’s
Vice Mayor, as ARKA News Agency was told in the Armenian Government
Apparatus Public Relations and Press Department. T.M. -0–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/16/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) House Members Urge Speaker Hastert to Schedule Vote on Genocide Resolution 2) ARF Armenia Condemns British Ambassador's Ignorant Remarks 3) Kocharian Congratulates Putin, Talks about Region 4) "No War, No Peace" Mood Settles over Renegade Georgian Region of Ajaria 5) Melkonian Educational Institute to Close in June 2005 1) House Members Urge Speaker Hastert to Schedule Vote on Genocide Resolution --REP. RADANOVICH LEADS EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF H.RES.193 WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--A bi-partisan group of over 60 House Members called on Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) last Friday, to bring the Genocide Resolution--H.Res.193--for a full floor vote. "As we saw in Rwanda a decade ago, and as we witness today the signs of a possible new genocide emerging around the world--as a government and a people--we must make sure that we apply the lessons of past genocide to prevent future crimes against humanity," stresses the letter initiated by Rep. Radanovich (R-CA). The Genocide resolution was introduced in the House last April by Representatives Radanovich, Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI). It was adopted unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee in May, and has 111 cosponsors. Its companion legislation in the Senate, S.Res.164, was introduced last June by Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and currently has 37 cosponsors. The resolution, in an effort to stop future atrocities, cites the importance of remembering past crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, Holocaust, Cambodian, and Rwandan genocides. Support for the measure has been widespread, with a diverse coalition of over 100 ethnic, religious, civil and human rights organizations calling for its passage, including American Values, National Organization of Women, Sons of Italy, NAACP, Union of Orthodox Rabbis, and the National Council of La Raza. Joining Rep. Radanovich in cosigning the letter to Speaker Hastert were Representatives: Tom Allen (D-ME), Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), William Delahunt (D-MA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), John Dingell (D-MI), Elliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Michael Ferguson (R-NJ), Bob Filner (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mark Green (R-WI), Jim Greenwood (R-PA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Jerry Kleczka (D-WI), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), James Langevin (D-RI), Jim Leach (R-IA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Marty Meehan (D-MA), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Mark Souder (R-IN), John Sweeney (R-NY), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). The full text of the letter follows. Text to Speaker Dennis Hastert Dear Speaker Hastert: We are writing to share with you our strong support for bringing H. Res. 193 to the House floor for a vote as soon as possible. This measure, as you know, commemorates the 15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention and reinforces our nation's dedication to this landmark human rights treaty. Approved in the shadow of the Holocaust, the Convention stands today as the international community's best hope for the realization of the noble aim of eradicating forever the crime of genocide. The House Judiciary Committee, recognizing the importance of this effort, adopted H. Res. 193 without opposition on May 21st. One hundred and ten Representatives have cosponsored this measure, including both the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee. As we saw in Rwanda a decade ago, and as we witness today the signs of a possible new genocide emerging around the world, as a government and a people, we must make sure that we apply the lessons of past genocide to prevent future crimes against humanity. Sadly, even as we confront new genocides, we still have among us those who, against all facts and morality, deny the Holocaust or seek to rewrite the history of the past atrocities. These hateful deniers dishonor the dead and threaten the living. They make the world a more dangerous place by emboldening future potential perpetrators of genocide to believe that their crimes can be committed with impunity. Adolf Hitler confirmed this with his chilling remark to his military staff prior to launching the Holocaust, "who, after all remembers the annihilation of the Armenians." Clearly, the struggle against genocide is not over. The pressing need to remain ever vigilant was underscored recently by Samantha Power, Pulitzer Prize winning author of " A Problem from Hell: American in the Age of Genocide." Commenting on similar legislation in the 107th Congress, she noted that, "For too long American leaders and citizens have reflexively uttered the phrase 'never again' without taking concrete steps to give the slogan meaning. This legislation marks the beginning of a twenty-first century campaign to get the U.S. government to commit itself politically and operationally to prevent future genocide." Recalling your support for H.Res. 596 in the 106th Congress and knowing of your principled advocacy for human rights around the world, we ask that you please move quickly to schedule a vote on H.Res. 193. Thank you for your consideration of our request. 2) ARF Armenia Condemns British Ambassador's Ignorant Remarks YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Speaking at the National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) NA faction leader Levon Mkrtchian condemned British Ambassador to Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt's statements on the Armenian Genocide. "A foreign ambassador is obliged to honor the principles and the history of the people of the country to which they are assigned. . . We have to question the effectiveness of the ambassador's future activity in Armenia," said Mkrtchian, and asked: "Is the ambassador aware of her country's policies in the Middle East in the period between 1880's and 1918? If so, what could prompt her to make such statements?" He suggested that if the ambassador is ignorant of the policy, she should begin to review British diplomatic literature on the issue that sharply differs from her view. Abbott-Watt was quoted by Armenian media as saying that "I do not think that recognizing the events [1915 mass killings of Armenians in Ottoman Empire] as genocide would be much of use." In later comments, she had said that the evidence "was not sufficiently unequivocal that what took place could be categorized as genocide under the 1948 United Nations Convention on genocide." "We are going to pose these questions to Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well, and ask that the issue at hand--the ambassador's announcement--as well as her behavior be addressed with great seriousness," said the ARF leader. 3) Kocharian Congratulates Putin, Talks about Region YEREVAN (Armenpress)--President Robert Kocharian congratulated the re-elected president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, in a phone conversation today, where both leaders also discussed issues concerning Armenian-Russian cooperation, as well as the situation in the South Caucasus region. 4) "No War, No Peace" Mood Settles over Renegade Georgian Region of Ajaria BATUMI (Eurasianet.org)--A mood of "no war, no peace" spread over the renegade Georgian region of Ajaria on Tuesday, amid calls by the international community for restraint. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili appeared in no mood for mediation, as he accused Ajaria of engaging in "banditry" and "treachery." In Batumi, despite the imposition of an economic blockade, Ajarian leaders are remaining steadfast in their refusal to submit to Tbilisi's authority. Since Ajarian police prevented Saakashvili from entering the region on March 14, both sides have mobilized for a fight, while probing for an opening to negotiate. Many observers believe that a prospect for compromise, if one exists at all, is very small. Both Saakashvili and Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze have shown no willingness to be the first to make concessions. Saakashvili remains insistent that Tbilisi's authority take precedence over Ajaria's, especially in the area of customs and tax revenue collection. Abashidze, meanwhile, rejects any move that could reduce his control over the regional apparatus. Saakashvili has explicitly stated that he will not negotiate with Abashidze, casting the Tbilisi-Batumi dispute as a make-or-break moment for his administration's credibility. He insists that Georgia's sovereignty depends on Tbilisi's ability to assert its authority over all regions of the country. "Either we now stand firm, all together, and once and for all eradicate banditry, feudalism, and treachery in Georgia ... or we will no longer exist as a state," Saakashvili said. Abashidze claims that Saakashvili's aggressive stance is pushing the Ajarian leadership down a secessionist path. Unless Tbilisi moderates its position on revenue collection, Abashidze hinted that Ajaria, like Georgia's other autonomous regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, would seek to make a formal break with the central government. "We have already brought Abkhazia and South Ossetia to the stage of separatism; we have forced them to leave Georgia," Abashidze was quoted as saying by the Russian RIA news agency. "Ajaria should not be treated this way." Georgian officials have stressed that they have no intention of resorting to arms to compel Batumi's recognition of Tbilisi's authority. However, Ajarian leaders suggested the possibility of a clash remained high. "We have sufficient strength to meet force with force," said Jemal Gogitidze, an Ajarian security official told the Russian Itar-Tass news agency. Georgian leaders are presently striving to tighten an economic blockade they imposed on Ajaria on Monday. Georgian warships reportedly prevented at least 10 vessels from entering Batumi harbor. In addition, Turkey appears to be honoring a Georgian government request to close its border crossing into Ajaria. According to accounts from Tbilisi, the early effectiveness of the blockade has unsettled Abashidze. They point to reports that the Ajarian leader has placed several calls to Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania over the past 24 hours to bitterly complain about the closure of the Batumi port. The dangerous escalation in tension has already prompted several mediation attempts. In a telephone conversation, US Secretary of State Colin Powell urged Saakashvili "not to allow this situation ... to escalate," a State Department spokesman said on Monday. Powell also contacted Russian officials, seeking assurances that Russian troops based in Batumi would not become involved in the dispute. In addition, US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles met with Georgian leaders to promote a negotiated settlement. Solomon Passy, the Bulgarian foreign minister who currently serves as the chairman-in-office for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, held telephone talks with Abashidze, calling on the Ajarian leader to help preserve the "peace, stability, and territorial integrity of Georgia." Also on Monday, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov arrived in Ajaria to act as a go-between for Ajarian and Georgian officials. Georgian officials view such initiatives with suspicion, given that the sympathies of Russian leaders lie with Abashidze. Luzhkov told the Moscow daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta that he embarked on his mission to Ajaria out of a desire to express solidarity with Abashidze. "We consider ourselves brothers and, at a time like this, one wants to stay close," Luzhkov said. The Moscow mayor added that the source of existing tension "does not come from Ajaria--it comes from Tbilisi." The newspaper report indicated Luzhkov didn't coordinate his mission to Batumi with the Russian Foreign Ministry. In Moscow, Russian politicians have been quick to criticize Saakashvili for the Georgian government's "unpredictable policy." The deputy chairman of the Russian Duma's International Affairs Committee, Konstantin Kosachev, suggested that Saakashvili's unsuccessful attempt to enter Ajaria on Monday may have been an act designed to provoke a confrontation, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. Kosachev also suggested that much of the goodwill built during Saakashvili's early February visit to Moscow had dissipated amid the Ajaria tension. Observers in Tbilisi believe the pressure will build on Saakashvili in the coming days to take action to break the existing stalemate. Georgia's parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 28. If the status quo remains in place on election day, most experts say Ajaria will not participate, therefore discrediting the results. A faulty election would be a political disaster for Saakashvili's administration, perhaps permanently hampering its ability to promote reforms. The March 28 elections are also exerting influence over Abashidze's decisions, analysts believe. Elections in Ajaria are routinely rigged in favor of Abashidze and his political allies, observers explain. Saakashvili's stated desire for a free and fair vote is seen as a threat to Abashidze's stranglehold over Ajaria's political system. Thus, many believe Abashidze is anxious to find an excuse to cancel the vote in the region. Kote Kemularia, Georgia's ambassador to Russia, said Abashidze's aim is "to wreck the parliamentary elections in Georgia" and so "obstruct the establishment of democracy in the country," Itar-Tass reported. While Saakashvili undoubtedly feels a need to act, his options may be limited. Political analysts in Tbilisi say that the Georgian military has the capability to subdue Ajarian defense units, but only in the event that Russian forces in Ajaria remain neutral. Russian military commanders have said that the Batumi garrison will under no circumstances intervene in the Ajarian dispute. At the same time, Russian politicians have stated that Moscow cannot be a bystander. Some Georgian political analysts believe that if Saakashvili attempts military action, Russian troops stationed in Batumi would come to the aid of Abashidze. Moscow has a geopolitical interest in promoting tension, even conflict, some Tbilisi experts maintain. Saakashvili has repeatedly stressed a desire to steer Georgia out of Russia's sphere of influence and into the Western camp. A conflict in Ajaria would offer Moscow an opportunity to again insert itself into Georgian domestic affairs, and thus bring a halt to Georgia's drift towards the West. 5) Melkonian Educational Institute to Close in June 2005 NICOSIA--The Central Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) announced that The Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI) will close in 2005. The statement (full text below) reads that, "after extensive deliberations and thorough assessment, the Central Board has resolved unanimously to discontinue MEI [operations] in June 2005. This decision is based largely on the Board's conclusion that MEI no longer meets the challenges of its mission in the present context of the Armenian world." The 'Gibrahayer' website reported that the situation at Melkonian on Tuesday morning was very sad. Staff members were shocked and devastated by the decision, while students tearfully staged a demonstration under the eyes of the local TV channels and press. The following is the complete text of the Board's unanimous decision: (AGBU Website)--In the spirit of the discussion and analyses at the AGBU General Assembly meeting in October, 2002, and consistent with the on-going assessment of our educational institutions and activities worldwide, the Central Board has carefully evaluated AGBU programs in respect to their past achievements, current challenges, and future prospects. The Board has done so in furtherance of the goals of the organization and its founding fathers. The Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI), as a significant and historical institution within AGBU, has been a concern of the Central Board over many years. After extensive deliberations and thorough assessment, the Central Board has resolved unanimously to discontinue MEI in June 2005. This decision is based largely on the Board's conclusion that MEI no longer meets the challenges of its mission in the present context of the Armenian world. The Board fully recognizes and honors the continued legacy of the visionary Melkonian Brothers and is determined to perpetuate their memory through new educational programs to be implemented within and outside Cyprus, in line with the spirit of their donation to AGBU. Throughout its century-long history, AGBU has survived and thrived primarily because it has recognized and addressed the needs of the Armenian people, taking bold and forward-looking initiatives in challenging times as necessary. The statement is signed by AGBU Central Board members. 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.

16 March 2004
OSCE CHAIRMAN CALLS ON AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA TO CONTINUE TALKS ON
NAGORNO-KARABAKH
BAKU, 16 March 2004 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign
Minister Solomon Passy, has called upon the sides involved in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to continue dialogue without any preconditions.
Speaking in Baku, on Tuesday, the Chairman-in-Office said: “The key to the
solution is in direct dialogue.”
“The OSCE is always prepared to be a facilitator. We can offer many
scenarios on the resolution of the conflict but it will all be just
laboratory work until both Azerbaijan and Armenia reach an agreement at the
table. The only scenario that will work is the one which is negotiated
directly, with mutual compromises.”
Nagorno-Karabakh was one of the main topics in discussions which the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office held with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
During his visit to Baku, the Chairman-in-Office also met Prime Minister
Artur Rasi-Zade, the Speaker of Parliament, Murtuz Aleskerov, and Foreign
Minister Vilayat Guliyev, as well as opposition leaders and representatives
of non-governmental organizations.
Minister Passy said the OSCE Minsk Group was working very hard to help
achieve a solution to the conflict. “But the OSCE is not capable of miracles
and can’t impose a ready solution. History teaches us that with conflicts
time always works against us. The later a solution is found, the more
painful it may be for the people of the region.”
The Chairman-in-Office expressed hope that education, a priority of the
Bulgarian OSCE Chairmanship, would eventually play a role in resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In particular, he noted the importance of having
accurate and objective history books.
“We must invest in the education of the next generation,” the Minister said.
“If we allow our children to be misled by propaganda, the next generation
will find it hard to be objective and walk away from old scars.”
Another topic in the discussions was the follow-up to the recommendations to
the report of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
on the conduct of the Presidential Election of 15 October last year.
“I believe we may now move on, utilizing the lessons learned and thereby
opening the way to free and fair municipal elections, scheduled for later
this year,” the Chairman-in-Office said. “I trust they may provide a
substantial platform for building public confidence across the political
spectrum.”
Minister Passy also brought up the question of disturbances after the
October election and the arrest of a number of people who are now awaiting
trial. He said he had a positive reaction on this issue from President
Aliyev.
“I am pleased to note that court proceedings are now underway. It is my
fervent hope that the process will be transparent and the judgements fair
and appropriate,” he said.
Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: