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04/15/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Coalition Joint Statement Calls on Opposition to Enter Into Dialogue 2) Oskanian Criticizes US position on latest Yerevan events 3) Putin Confident Armenia Able to Maintain Stability 4) TARC Disbands Saying Goals Accomplished 5) Library Established in Memory of Catholicos Karekin I 6) Mikaelian Faces Venus Williams 1) Coalition Joint Statement Calls on Opposition to Enter Into Dialogue YEREVAN (Yerkir)Armenia's parliamentary coalition again called on opposition parties to enter into dialogue with them. The Republican Party of Armenia, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and the "Orinats Yerkir" party also pointed out in their joint statement that they had frequently forewarned the opposition about the dangers of outright confrontation. The further escalation of already-high tensions eventually led on Tuesday to the forcible dispersion by police of an opposition rally in the center of the city, and the temporary detention of several leading opposition activists and scores of demonstrators. The coalition statement, issued at a press conference, was read by the head of the ARF's bloc in Parliament Levon Mkrtchian, who enumerated key issues around which cooperation between the opposition and the authorities could aid in Armenia's development. Discussing the Tuesday events, the head of the Republican Party parliamentary bloc Galust Sahakian, said, "If illegal operations were carried out that are criminally punishable, the subsequent investigation will, in the light of objective evidence, reveal the circumstances." He was responding to reporters' questions citing opposition statements that it is possible to speak about dialogue only after those responsible for the events that transpired on April 13 have been punished. Regarding the resumption of opposition rallies, Sahakian said that the opposition can both hold rallies and enter into dialogue. The full text of the joint statement by the coalition parties follows. The intolerant and extreme posture current in the political realmthe approach of setting a priori unacceptable preconditions for dialogueheightened tension and consequently resulted in open confrontation. The accepted way and civilized means of resolving the fundamental problems of the country, intended to secure the prospect of jointly and effectively resolving the vital issues of concern to the people, were supplanted by the shortsighted modus operandi of continuous confrontationwhich presents a serious danger to society and causes rifts in the people. The parties constituting the political coalition, through their formal statements and offers of dialogue, have repeatedly warned of the undesirable consequences of such developments. The unfortunate clash of April 12-13 and the incidents that followed it, once again prove that it is society as a whole that reaps the destructive consequences of confrontation and clashes. The modus operandi of ruling out dialogue would further diminish [1] the influence of political forces in resolving the problematic situation as well as [2] the likelihood of finding political solutions, thereby relegating the process to the legal arena, where only the letter and spirit of the law operate. Based on the conviction that there is no alternative to dialogue and that dialogue should never be rendered obsolete, the political coalition, rising above the accusations leveled against it, once again proposes and puts forth those issues, the resolution of which together with the opposition could ensure real progress in the country and the deepening of democratic reforms, without splitting society into winners and losers: 1. Defining the parameters of adopting key constitutional amendments through consensus 2. Defining the parameters of adopting, through consensus, amendments to the Election Code fully in line with international standards 3. Formulating the ways in which the opposition can actively participate in the anti- corruption campaign 4. The implementation, through a clear timetable, of obligations assumed before the Council of Europe The political coalition is willing to examine, during the dialogue, the possibility of including on the agenda, at the opposition's suggestion, other fundamental issues that confront our country. Arriving at an agreement would bring about a new state of affairs in the country and create the potential to resolve the problems that have accumulated. With this proposal, the political coalition invites the political forces representing the opposition to beginat any time, in the National Assemblythe political process of dialogue. Republican Party of Armenia Armenian Revolutionary Federation Orinats Yerkir Party 2) Oskanian Criticizes US position on latest Yerevan events YEREVAN (Armenpress/Interfax)--Armenia's Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian cautioned against making superficial judgments on the internal political situation in Armenia, saying that the country's stability is deeply rooted. "The events we witness today have been created artificially and will soon be overcome," he told a roundtable session in Yerevan on Wednesday. He criticized the US Department of State's report addressing the latest developments in Yerevan, as an "attempt to make a balanced statement." "The United States has forgotten to condemn the opposition's calls for a coup in the republic. If not for this failure, I myself would have signed off on the US Department of State's report. At the same time, it is these opposition calls that can be viewed as the underlying reason for what has been happening in Armenia over the past few days," said Oskanian. Tensions continued on Thursday between Armenia's authorities and opposition, which is demanding that President Robert Kocharian resign. Earlier, the opposition started to boycott parliamentary sessions, calling for a vote of confidence in the authorities, and staged a series of rallies. On the night of April 13, police broke up an opposition rally outside the presidential residence, and banned all unauthorized large-scale assemblies in Yerevan. Oskanian blamed "both the opposition and the republic's authorities for what has happened." "We have already reached a certain level of the country's democratic development, but the biggest challenge--to make democratic processes in Armenia irreversible--still lies ahead. And, we need the opposition's constructive assistance to succeed in this task," the foreign minister said, expressing hope that "Armenia will manage to prove to the international community that the political situation in the republic is still stable." The official representative of the US Department of State Richard Boucher, said on April 13 that "the United States is concerned about the current political situation in Armenia, particularly the sharp escalation in confrontation between the government and the opposition." He also noted that "physical assaults, raids on political party offices, and widespread arrests and detentions of opposition activists by the police do not contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to political dialogue." 3) Putin Confident Armenia Able to Maintain Stability MOSCOW (Interfax)--Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Robert Kocharian discussed pressing bilateral issues during a Wednesday telephone conversation, reported the Kremlin press service. Kocharian briefed Putin on recent internal political tensions in Armenia and latest developments. Putin expressed confidence that Armenia's leadership would use its existing potential of democratic reforms to maintain stability, law, and order. The two presidents also discussed various levels Russia-US relations. 4) TARC Disbands Saying Goals Accomplished PLANS "TURKISH-ARMENIAN RAPPROCHEMENT AND RECONCILIATION" CONFERENCE, AS WELL AS TURKISH ARMENIAN CONSULTATIVE GROUP [Excerpts] YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC) said on Wednesday that it has achieved its main objectives and is disbanding. The announcement came after a three-day meeting in Moscow between three Turkish and four Armenian members of TARC. "TARC is announcing that its work as a commission is ending," they said in a statement obtained by RFE/RL. "TARC's term was to be one year, but the course of events required a longer period to accomplish our goals. "We feel that advances in civil society contacts are now permanent and will only grow in time. We also feel that beyond our recommendations, official relations can now best be continued and advanced independent of the TARC structure." The commission, which was set up in July 2001 with close US State Department involvement, finished its work by approving a set of "recommendations" to the governments of Turkey and Armenia on how to improve their strained relations. Their content was not disclosed. "The recommendations have a better chance of being implemented if they are presented privately," one commission source told RFE/RL. He said it will be up to the two governments to decide whether they should be made public. TARC is likely to have reaffirmed its strong support for the unconditional reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border sealed by Ankara eleven years ago out of solidarity with Turkic-speaking Azerbaijan. It is unclear whether TARC recommendations address the 1915 genocide of Armenians by the Ottoman Government. TARC also announced plans to hold a big conference on "Turkish-Armenian rapprochement and reconciliation" this fall. "In addition, we intend to support a Turkish Armenian consultative group which would meet at least annually to exchange views, review progress, and recommend actions to promote improved relations," the statement said. TARC has faced strong criticism from groups in Armenia and especially the Diaspora for hampering the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. 5) Library Established in Memory of Catholicos Karekin I RESEDA--The Los Angeles Kessab Educational Association held two functions earlier this month, to celebrate the memory of Catholicos Karekin I, and to honor Archbishop Ardavazt Terterian. The official opening of the Library in memory of Catholicos Karekin I took place on April 4. The library has been established on the second floor of the Association's center. The chairman of the Kessab Educational Association executive Katchig Titizian, its chairwoman Zvart Apelian, and Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian delivered remarks at the event. Archbishop Adavazt Terterian of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon was the quest of honor at an April 7 reception. Consul General Gagik Kirakosian was among the distinguished guests present to honor Archbishop Terterian. Keynote speaker Haigaz Terterian noted the Archbishop's many accomplishments, including his meticulous study of the Armenian language. Both events were held under the auspices of Prelate Mardirossian. 6) Mikaelian Faces Venus Williams Tennis player Marie-Gayanay Mikaelian beat Virginia Ruano Pascual 7-6, 6-3 in the second round of the Family Circle Cup 2004. Mikaelian will face Venus Williams these evening, who defeated her second-round rival Samantha Reeves 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. The Family Circle Cup taking place in Charleston, South Carolina April 10-18, is one of the oldest all-women's Tier 1 events in the world. With 14 of the Top 20 players in the world, this year's tournament will feature one of the best draws this event has ever seen. 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.

The Jordan Times
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Easter week – the other snapshots of the Holy City
Christians, Muslims were unable to enter city after the assassination of
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
By Omar Karmi
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Photo
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM – Anywhere else in the world it would have been an
unseemly melee. But in the Old City of Jerusalem, the sight of robed
Armenian youths scuffling with robed Assyrian youths at the entrance to
Christianity’s holiest site, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, just seemed
par for the course.
Easter has just passed in Jerusalem, and a city already groaning under
multiple strains was visited by a whole new set of complications.
There were the thousands of tourists that, despite reams of travel warnings,
descended upon the Old City, much to the elation of shopkeepers in the midst
of a fourth lean year.
There was the coincidence with the Jewish Passover holiday, bringing suited
and extravagantly hatted Orthodox Jews into the streets along with the robed
monks and covered nuns of all denominations.
Some tourists carried large wooden crosses on Good Friday to emulate the
last day of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Jews carried the Torah. In the
background, the sounds of ringing church bells mixed with the calls to
prayer from the mosques.
But the multiethnic Technicolour appearance of inter-religious tranquillity
was only that. Jews walked in groups accompanied by armed guards. Muslim men
under 45 were barred from Friday prayers at the Aqsa Mosque, and on April 9,
Good Friday for Christians, they prayed instead outside the walls of the Old
City in front of Damascus Gate.
Palestinian Christians from Bethlehem and Ramallah were largely unable to
enter Jerusalem due to the closure enforced by the Israeli army since the
assassination of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, and tightened
during the Passover holiday. Palestinian Muslims, needless to say, had no
chance.
Meanwhile, Christians of various denominations are locked in a continual
battle over control of the Holy Sepulchre and other sites that are held in
uneasy check by the so-called Status Quo, based on agreement between the
denominations reached back in 1767. The result is that processions and
ceremonies are very tightly regulated, and any deviation is pounced on by
other denominations.
April 10 marked the biggest day on the Orthodox calendar, the Day of the
Holy Fire, traditionally believed to be the day of resurrection, and
protocol is observed at every turn. The entrance to the Holy Sepulchre is
divided into two. On the left, Armenians, Assyrians and the Copts enter in
that order in their respective processions, the Armenians, entrusted with
the responsibility to open the doors of the church on this day in the year
alone, also guarding the doors. The right, meanwhile, is reserved for the
Arab and Greek Orthodox processions, which entered in that order. Anyone not
respecting the order, or not part of the congregations, will be turned away,
probably the cause of the above-mentioned melee.
The height of the Holy Fire ceremony comes when a light is passed by the
Greek patriarch and an Armenian bishop from inside the supposed Tomb of
Christ to members of their respective congregations waiting outside the
tomb, the Armenians on the north side and the Greeks on the south. The light
gets passed on to the other orthodox communities and is taken to other
Palestinian cities including Bethlehem and Ramallah – that is if they are
allowed across the checkpoints – and by private plane to Greece and Russia.
The light, of course, signifies the resurrection, and how it is lit is a
secret.
But here too there is controversy. The Greek Orthodox believe they should
have exclusive access to the Tomb on this day, and this year it took
intervention from the Israeli authorities to maintain the status quo and
ensure that an Armenian bishop gained entrance as per tradition. The
controversy is an old one, and some think it is the friction between the two
clergymen that creates the spark for the candles.
Even tourists are not immune or spared the idiosyncrasies of this city. One
moneychanger on the Via Dolorosa, traditionally believed to be the route
Jesus carried the cross, did not seem too concerned with garnering business.
On a newly printed sign hung prominently outside the door of his shop, he
had written: `All currencies welcome, EXCEPT the USA dollar. We do not
exchange the money of the people who kill our prophets.’
A small group of young American-sounding tourists paused outside the shop
for a while, looking somewhat taken aback. Soon they regained their
composure, however, and started snapping away with their cameras.
A Polish tourist outside the Garden Tomb on Nablus Road – believed by some
to be the true site of the crucifixion (as opposed to the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre) – lost his composure with a persistent postcard salesman who
apparently saw no reason why carrying a large, wooden cross across town on a
hot, sunny day should preclude one from wanting to buy postcards.
Had it not been for the intervention of other cross-bearers, that point
might have been made in a rather un-Christian manner.
Not exactly the stoic example set by Jesus, at least not as depicted by Mel
Gibson in his movie, `The Passion of the Christ.’ But then, anyone hoping to
have watched the movie in Jerusalem over Easter would have been
disappointed. While, contrary to some reports, the movie has not been banned
in Israel, no Israeli distributor has picked it up, and as a result it has
not been shown in the cinemas.
That is not to say it can’t be seen. DVD copies are widely available in the
Old City shops, and, according to one shopkeeper, they are selling like hot
bread. One East Jerusalem hotel based its Easter charity drive around
charging to show the movie (and raised around two-thirds of their target of
$1,800 that way), but advertised only through Christian missions and
word-of-mouth.
With no theatre licence, an illegally copied DVD sent from the US by a
friend of the deacon of a local church, and under the impression that the
film had been banned by the Israeli authorities, the manager was adamant
that neither his name nor the name of the hotel be mentioned, lest he incur
a penalty.
As for the film, on April 8 only four people were in the audience, three of
them journalists.
The fourth, Irene, a born-again Christian from Bulgaria, declared herself
`inspired’ when she was encountered 24 hours later at the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre. `I have been filled with the spirit all day,’ she said, `except
for a brief period when I needed a rest.’

Caucasus Stability Under Threat as Armenia’s Kocharian Faces Opposition,
Azerbaijan’s Aliyev Issues Fighting Talk
WMRC Daily Analysis (World Markets Research Centre Limited)
April 15, 2004
By Dario Thuburn, WMRC Perspective
Significance
President Robert Kocharian’s government in Armenia is looking in trouble
and the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan
increasingly fragile.
Implications
Domestic political pressure at home may push Kocharian’s government
into a more confrontational attitude towards Azerbaijan, with a
pre-emptive attack against an increasingly threatening enemy a
possible worst-case scenario. Azerbaijan’s Aliyev will also seek to
escalate tensions in the fragile stand-off as a way of putting
pressure on Turkey not to lift its blockade on Armenia.
Outlook
If Turkey lifts its blockade on Armenia, Russia’s leverage over the
country will be seriously diminished and regional economic development
will be boosted but this is only likely to happen over the
medium-term.
The question of what effects Georgia’s ‘rose revolution’ in November
2003 and the sweeping changes that have taken place in that country
will have on Georgia’s neighbours Armenia and Azerbaijan is fast
rising in prominence. In Armenia, the opposition has consolidated and
has made clear its specific intent of toppling President Robert
Kocharian’s strong-arm rule through a series of relatively large-scale
demonstrations that are ongoing. In Azerbaijan, newly installed and
relatively inexperienced President Ilham Aliyev has softened some
aspects of the authoritarian system in place but also signalled a more
nationalistic and tough attitude towards Armenia over the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. The region as a whole has come under the
international spotlight because of its rising importance as a source
and transit route for oil and gas from the Caspian sea.
Political Pressure
After international criticism of a crackdown on opposition
demonstrations by the Armenian authorities, most notably from the US
and the Council of Europe, Armenian President Robert Kocharian
yesterday said he was prepared to talk to opposition leaders who have
vowed to oust him from power. The opposition is questioning the result
of Kocharian’s re-election in March, which was deemed flawed by
international observers. So far they have limited their protest action
to recourse to the country’s Constitutional Court and boycotts of the
country’s parliament but, most probably inspired by the ‘rose
revolution’ in neighbouring Georgia, they have now embarked on a more
confrontational strategy, bringing thousands of disaffected people out
into the streets of the Armenian capital Yerevan. Police used water
cannons to break up an anti-government demonstration earlier this week
and dozens of police and protesters were reported injured, with
several opposition activists detained.
International Influence
The stand-off between government and opposition in Armenia is clearly
not only an issue limited to the country’s borders. The revolution in
Georgia could not have taken place without the implicit backing of the
international community, particularly the US, for opposition leaders
against President Eduard Shevardnadze. Then Russian Foreign Minister
Igor Ivanov tried and failed to broker a last-minute compromise
between Shevardnadze and his pro-Western opponents. Despite the
rhetoric of strong personal relations between new Georgian President
Mikhail Saakashvili and Russian President Vladimir Putin it is clear
that Georgia’s orientation is now more firmly pro-Western and the
country is slipping from Russia’s sphere of influence. Russian foreign
policy hawks are intent that the same should not happen in Armenia,
which has been traditionally strongly pro-Russian and where Russian
business plays a major role. Putin today urged Kocharian to uphold
stability and the rule of law amid the protests – a statement that
implied backing. The US State Department, on the other hand, expressed
‘concern’ and appeared to criticise the Armenian authorities’ handling
of the protests (see Armenia: 14 April 2004: US Criticises Armenian
Authorities for Demo Crackdown).
Fragile Peace
The confrontation could also have a negative impact on the delicate
‘frozen conflict’ with Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh
territory, which is currently occupied by pro-Armenian forces. Open
armed conflict was brought to an end through international mediation
in the early 1990s but low-intensity confrontation on the front line
has been ongoing and there is no formal peace agreement in place
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with stability largely ensured by a
balance of forces on the ground. This balance is now under
threat. Azerbaijan is due to reap massive financial rewards from the
oil and gas windfall over the next few years, which it could use to
increase its military capability. The US, for one, has promised
defence assistance and Azerbaijan has been receiving training and
assistance from Turkey for several years now (see Azerbaijan: 6 April
2004: Azerbaijan is Better Prepared for War, National Television
Reports and Azerbaijan: 15 March 2004: US Steps Up Military Presence
in Azerbaijan, Pressures for Reforms).
Fighting Talk
Political rhetoric in Azerbaijan, which still faces the socio-economic
fall out of tens of thousands of internally displaced people from the
conflict has also been more combative recently, particularly as the
failure of high-level peace negotiations between Presidents Aliyev and
Kocharian has become increasingly clear. In an address to the Turkish
parliament yesterday. Aliyev said ‘Azerbaijan will liberate its own
territory whatever the price’. This is the kind of rhetoric that will
appeal to domestic populism and hawks in the establishment but it is
also a warning to Turkey not to lift its blockade on Armenia, which
has been in place since 1993. For his part, Kocharian in Armenia may
see the Nagorno-Karabakh issue as a helpful distraction to his
domestic political troubles, particularly as parts of the defence
establishment reckon a pre-emptive strike on Azerbaijan, before the
country has a chance to build up military might, would be beneficial.
Implications and Outlook
The dogs of war in the South Caucasus are not yet loose but it is
clear that the effects of momentous political change in Georgia, a
groundshift in Turkey’s foreign policy and the region’s rising
prominence on the energy map have the potential to undermine
stability. While it is still difficult to see the Armenian opposition
coming to power in the short-term, Georgia-style, the potential for an
escalation of tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan is high. Turkey
too may change the complex geopolitical map of the region by lifting
an economic blockade on Armenia as a way of improving its standing
with the European Union, though this is only likely to happen over the
medium-term. The regional economic effects will be massive. The World
Bank estimates that the lifting of both the Azerbaijani and Turkish
blockades could increase Armenia’s GDP by as much as 30-38%. The
Turkish-Armenian Business Council has estimated that bilateral trade
could reach US$300m per year with the lifting of the blockade, a
drastic rise from the current US$70m. It would also lessen Armenia’s
dependence on Russia and therefore the influence of Russian politics
and business over the country, as well as undermining the mafia
structures that have profited from limited import routes and smuggling
over the past decade.
In the short-term, the ousting of President Robert Kocharian in
Armenia is possible. This would bring a more youthful, less corrupt,
but also more populist, leadership to power in a similar way to
Georgia’s new government. The likelihood is lessened however because
of Russia’s far stronger influence in Armenia, the power of mafia
structures within government, the opposition being less consolidated
and organised and the country being far less strategic than Georgia
for the international community. An announcement of the lifting of a
blockade between Turkey and Armenia is possible, though restrictions
are likely to be removed only gradually over the medium-term. In any
case, the risk of renewed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
Nagorno-Karabakh is increased.

15.04.2004 09:41:00 GMT
Armenian FM criticizes U.S. position on latest Yerevan events
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian has
criticized the U.S. Department of State’s report addressing the latest
developments in Yerevan.
In its report, the U.S. Department of State expressed concern over the
situation in Armenia and called on the country’s authorities and opposition
to hold negotiations to resolve the problem.
“The United States has forgotten to condemn the opposition’s calls for a
coup in the republic. If not for this failure, I myself would have signed
off on the U.S. Department of State’s report. At the same time, it is these
opposition calls that can be viewed as the underlying reason for what has
been happening in Armenia over the past few days,” Oskanian told a
roundtable session in Yerevan on Wednesday.
Tensions are running high today between Armenia’s authorities and
opposition, which is demanding that President Robert Kocharian resign.
Earlier, the opposition started to boycott parliamentary sessions, calling
for a referendum to assess the population’s trust in the authorities, and
staged a series of rallies. On the night on April 13, police broke up an
opposition rally outside the presidential residence, and all unauthorized
large-scale assemblies have been banned in Yerevan.
Oskanian blamed “both the opposition and the republic’s authorities for what
has happened.”
“We have already reached a certain level of the country’s democratic
development, but the biggest challenge – to make democratic processes in
Armenia irreversible – still lies ahead. And, we need the opposition’s
constructive assistance to succeed in this task,” the foreign minister said.
He expressed hope that “Armenia will manage to prove to the international
community that the political situation in the republic is still stable.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
April 15, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA SHARES ARMENIAN AMERICAN DISAPPOINTMENT OVER
THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
— Letters to Speaker Hastert and
Majority Leader Frist Outline Specific
Armenian American Policy Concerns
— ANCA Chairman Praises Republican
Friends of Armenia in Congress
WASHINGTON, DC – In letters sent this week to Congressional
leaders, the Armenian National Committee Of America (ANCA) voiced
the disappointment of the Armenian American community over the Bush
Administration’s record on Armenian issues. In its correspondence,
the ANCA called for renewed efforts by the leadership of the
legislative branch to urge the White House to adopt more
constructive policies on issues of special concern to Armenian
American voters.
Included with the letters, signed by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian
and sent to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority
Leader Bill Frist, were copies of the ANCA’s 2004 Armenian American
Presidential Report Card, which gave the President generally low
marks on a range of fifteen different Armenian American issues.
These issues, were grouped into three general categories, as
follows:
1) Unfulfilled commitments: Most notable among
the unfulfilled commitments were the President’s
failure to honor his campaign pledge in February
of 2000 to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide,
and his decision this February to abandon the 2001
White House agreement with both Congress and the
Armenian American community to maintain parity in
military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
2) Opposition to community concerns: In terms
of active opposition to community concerns, we
have seen the White House block Congressional
legislation concerning the Armenian Genocide,
waive Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act,
propose reductions in U.S. aid to Armenia, and
mistakenly place Armenia on a Department of
Justice/INS terrorist watch list.
3) Failure to prioritize Armenian issues: The
Administration has failed to prioritize either
U.S.-Armenia ties or the White House’s relationship
with the Armenian American community. An example
of the former is the failure of the Administration
to take meaningful proactive steps to foster
increased U.S.-Armenia commercial relations, or
even to press Congress to move quickly to adopt
Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status for
Armenia. An example of the latter is that the
President has not invited the collective
leadership of the Armenian American community to
a meeting at the White House despite repeated
requests for such interaction.
Both the Senate and House letters included more than a dozen
specific recommendations by the ANCA about how the Congressional
leadership could encourage the White House to improve its standing
among Armenian American voters.
The ANCA letter also stressed that, while disappointed with the
President’s performance, the ANCA “highly values our many close
friends in Congress and throughout the country and wants to ensure
that they can effectively reach out to Armenian Americans this
election season, confident in the knowledge that their national
leadership has been supportive of Armenian issues.”
Hachikian highlighted that Armenian Americans “have great respect
for the tremendous leadership of Congressman Joe Knollenberg as Co-
Chairman of the Armenian Caucus and appreciate his spearheading of
the adoption of legislation in the House granting Armenia Permanent
Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status. This important measure,
which is awaiting Senate action, was provided crucial Committee
support by Chairman Bill Thomas of the Ways and Means Committee.
Our community deeply appreciates the efforts of Congressman George
Radanovich in introducing and advocating tirelessly on behalf of
the Genocide Resolution, and those of Judiciary Committee Chairman
James Sensenbrenner for moving this important measure out of
Committee. We admire the efforts of Congressman Mark Kirk, who has
worked with Congressman Knollenberg and Chairman Jim Kolbe of the
Foreign Operations Subcommittee to address Armenian American
concerns in the foreign aid bill. Throughout the nation, Armenian
Americans value their friendships with Republican legislators, from
David Dreier in California, Eric Cantor in Virginia, Chris Smith in
New Jersey, Mark Souder in Indiana, to New York’s John Sweeney, who
is of Armenian heritage, and many others.” In the Senate,
Hachikian made special mention of “Senators Mitch McConnell, John
Ensign, George Allen, Elizabeth Dole, and many others,” noting that
the ANCA wants to “ensure that they can effectively reach out to
Armenian Americans this election season, confident in the knowledge
that their national leadership has been supportive of Armenian
issues.”
In a similar letter sent last week to the Chairman of the Bush-
Cheney -04 campaign, Marc Racicot, the ANCA included a copy of its
Bush Administrations’ Report Card and suggested “a number of steps
that the Administration can take to improve its standing among our
nation’s one and a half million citizens of Armenian heritage.”
The letter went on to note that, “these issues are of profound
importance to our entire community – Republicans, Democrats, and
independents – all of whom, sadly, are united in the view that this
Administration, despite its early promise, has fallen far short of
their expectations.” Racicot, in addition to being the former
Governor of Montana, was the immediate past Chairman of the
Republican National Committee.
For the full text of the ANCA 2004 Armenian American Presidential
Report Card visit:
;pressregion=anca
For the National Organization for Republican Armenians perspective
on the Bush Administration’s record visit:
The Armenian American Leadership Council’s (AADLC) review of the
Bush Administration can be found at:
A review of Sen. John Kerry’s (D-MA) record on Armenian issues is
located at:
#####

USING STATE MEANS EFFECTIVELY
Azat Artsakh–Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
14-04-2004
On March 22-29 at the NKR Writers Union, Artists Union and Journalists
Union the Audit Inspection Chamber conducted an audit to study the
effectiveness, legality and aim of the use of the means provided to
the mentioned organizations from the state budget. To sum up the
results of the audit in April the chairmen of the mentioned
organizations gathered at the regular meeting of the NA Audit
Inspection Chamber Council. The meeting was conducted by the chairman
of the AIC, NA member Arkady Soghomonian. After the meeting we talked
to A. Soghomonian. According to him, the audit inspection of the
mentioned organizations included the period 2002-2003. In 2002 17
million 47 thousand drams was provided to these public organizations,
and in 2003 14 million 410 thousand drams was provided. According to
the articles on expenses, during the audit inspection ungrounded
expenses were recorded, in certain cases even excessive
expenditure. In 2002 1 million 309 thousand drams was provided from
the state budget to the NKR Writers Union, and in 2003 2 million 77
thousand drams. Thus, in 2002 instead of the 18 thousand drams
provided for business trips 407 thousand drams were spent. The
excessive expenditure of the Writers Union totaled 390 thousand drams,
i.e. in average 34 thousand per month. In 2003 instead of the 28
thousand maintained by the articles about 94 thousand drams was spent
and excessive expenditure totaled 66 thousand drams. In 2002-2003
cases of breaking the law were reported at the NKR Writers Union. The
NKR law “On Minimum Salary” maintains the minimum salary in the
republic 10 thousand drams, whereas this organization paid 9
thousand. The articles of the law “On Accounting” the salary list
provided 31 thousand drams, after the payment of the withholding tax
the worker was paid 10 thousand drams. There were also problems with
the terms of the business trips. According to Arkady Soghomonian, the
official instruction of the Ministry of Finance and Economy maintains
that the business trips to Yerevan cannot last more than 7 days,
whereas at the Writers Union the duration of the business trip was
maintained even 10 days. In 2002 the total number of the business
trips totaled 140 days. According to the chairman of the Audit
Inspection Chamber, the NKR law “On Public Organizations” maintains
that the public organizations may have other sources of income. The
Audit Inspection Chamber is not authorized to conduct audit of the
extra-budgetary allotments. According to him, the audit inspection of
the Writers Union revealed also inefficient expenses of state
financial means. In 2002, instead of the provided 17 thousand drams
for electricity 50 thousand drams was transferred. In 2002 1 million
889 thousand drams was provided to the Artists Union, in 2003 the
budget remained unchanged. For the expenses on business trips 200
thousand drams were provided. In the mentioned year there was an
economical use of financial means on business trips – 168 thousand
drams was spent. According to the member of parliament, of the
mentioned three organizations only the Journalists Union did not break
the law. A. Soghomonian mentioned that the activity of the audit
inspection and checking commissions is on a low level. According to
the NKR law “On Public Organizations” part of the financial means of
the public organizations is acquired from membership fees, whereas in
some organizations the membership fees were not paid, which means that
the organization should be dissolved. The chairman of the Audit
Inspection Chamber proposes the government to work out a draft
decision for strengthening control over financial means of the public
organizations, and the checking commissions of the public
organizations will present a report to the Ministry of Finance and
Economy providing the transparency in the concerned questions. In
answer to the question whether the Audit Inspection Chamber has the
authority to suit an action in the mentioned cases of breaking the
law, Soghomonian mentioned that the sphere of activities of the Audit
Inspection Chamber is limited by the NKR law “On Audit Inspection
Chamber”. According to the acting legislation, the report and the
conclusion are confirmed at the meeting of the Audit Inspection
Chamber council, the findings are delivered to the NKR president, the
government and the NA speaker. The latter decides whether the
materials should be delivered to the public prosecution, or to discuss
at the annual report of the NA at the end of the year. “In my opinion,
the facts maintained in the result of the audit should be seriously
discussed at the consultations of the government as an agenda
point. During the discussion of the concerned question between the
Audit Inspection Chamber and the minister of finance and economy the
minister shared our anxiety and agrees to our suggestions. I am sure
that serious and responsible steps will be taken in this direction,”
said the chairman of the Audit Inspection Chamber.
NVARD OHANJANIAN.
14-04-2004

NEVER IN THE PAST 50 YEARS
Azat Artsakh–Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
14-04-2004
The cold weather in the republic in the past week caused great damage
to agriculture, especially the private farmers. Vladimir Zakiyan, head
of the department of land farming of the NKR Ministry of Agriculture),
touched upon this problematic matter. – For many years already I have
been working inthis sphere and such a situation, i.e. frost in April,
has not occurred in the past 5 decades. Of course, there were cases
when the temperature fell to zero degree but 7 degrees below zero is
an exceptional phenomenon. If you remember the temperature before the
frost was high, 22-25 degrees. Early blossoming trees, pear, peach,
apricot trees were damaged from too low temperature on these days. The
vineyards were “provoked” by early warm weather and then were
completely frozen.
NIKOLAY BAGHDASSARIAN.
14-04-2004
From: Baghdasarian

NKR PRESIDENT SIGNED
Azat Artsakh–Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
14-04-2004
On April 12 NKR president Arkady Ghukassian signed a decree on spring
conscription and demobilization of 2004. On the same day NKR president
signed the regulations of the NKR Security Council and the Security
Council staff, as well as the decree maintaining the structure of the
staff of the Security Council. On April 12 NKR president Arkady
Ghukassian signed the law “On changes and amendments to the NKR law on
licensing”.
AA.
14-04-2004

MEETING OF THE NKR NA CHAIRMANSHIP
Azat Artsakh–Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
14-04-2004
The topic of discussion of the NA plenary meeting was the question of
working out the agenda. The permanent committees presented their
messages referring the thematic range of the draft laws ready for
parliamentary discussion and the work already done. During the
discussion formal and other problems referring separate projects were
ascertained, the ways and means of their solution were mentioned. The
chairmanship maintained the range of agenda questions to be presented
to the plenary meeting of the National Assembly in April. At the end
of the meeting the speaker of the National Assembly according to the
legislative regulations, announced that the plenary meeting is
convened on April 14, at 11.00, in the big hall of NA meetings.
AA.
14-04-2004

A1 Plus | 20:22:16 | 15-04-2004 | Politics |
THE WAY OUR POLICE DEALING WITH REPORTERS
Russia’s ORT TV channel cameraman Levon Grigoryan, who was severely bitten
Monday night while fulfilling his professional duty shooting peaceful
demonstration in Baghramyan Avenue, told our correspondent barbed wire had
been taken away to pave the way for water-carrying vehicles.
Then, explosives were dropped at demonstrators and assault against them
began. The people tried to resist the attack throwing plastic bottles at
attackers.
“I was standing and shooting what was going on. Four men dressed as
civilians attacked me and tried to tear the camera from my hands. I resisted
the attack in a bid to save the camera. Then, a group of men in special
detachment uniforms thew me on the ground and beat me with their feets using
also electroshock and batons and spraying gas onto my face. I was bleeding”,
Levon Grigoryan said.
He heard one of them had said to another: “That’s enough he’s nearly
croaking”.
Grigoryan says he was pulled and thrown under a tree. He says those
attacking him were well-aware of who he is. “You are working for Moscow, we’
ll see what you’ll give them after that”, they were shouting while beating
him and then broke his camera and emptied his pockets.
Levon Grigoryan says long years he worked as cameraman, but he has never
seen such a brutality against reporters.
“I don’t know, if someone will be charged”, he said.