MEETINGS OF NKR PRESIDENT IN UNITED STATED (NEW YORK)
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 16 2006
The people of NKR will never give up their independence, and for
the sake of lasting peace, stability and economic development we are
ready for a serious dialogue and cooperation with all the interested
parties, stated NKR President Arkady Ghukassian in his interviews
with the Novoye Russkoye Slovo and the Inner City Press Newspapers,
as well as the Ararat and the AGBU magazines in the United States.
With regard to the present stage of the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Arkady Ghukassian mentioned the
non-constructive stance of the Azerbaijani president, namely
the fact that he rejects direct talks with Nagorno Karabakh and
establishment of an atmosphere of confidence in the conflict area,
which impedes the final settlement of the problem. On these days,
NKR President Arkady Ghukassian is visiting the United States for the
preparations for the telethon of donations for the reconstruction of
NKR on November 23 in the US. In the framework of these preparations,
Arkady Ghukassian met with the primate of the Eastern Diocese of
North America Archbishop Oshakan Choloyan. After the meeting, the
president participated in a reception. The representatives of the
Armenian Relief Society, Armenian General Sport Union, the Armenian
Educational and Cultural Union Hamazgayin, the Central Committee of the
ARF Dashnaktsutyun, as well as a number of other organizations were
present. The president also met with Archbishop Khazhak Parsamian,
as well as the heads of several organizations cooperating with the
Eastern Diocese, including the Armenian Relief Fund. During the
meetings the archbishops asserted their willingness to help Artsakh
overcome the problems it is facing. For his part, the president of
NKR dwelled on state building, economic development and promotion of
democracy in Nagorno Karabakh. Arkady Ghukassian highly appreciated
the assistance of the Armenian Diaspora to the reconstruction and
development of the economy of NKR. Emphasizing the importance of
consistency in the reconstruction and development of the social
and economic infrastructure, he called the representatives of the
Diaspora to contribute to the reconstruction of the settlements in
Artsakh. Arkady Ghukassian also met with the American benefactors
Hakob Koyumjian and Harutiun Mekhchian and discussed the enlargement
of the humanitarian projects and business projects in NKR.

MEETINGS ARE BASIS FOR FUTURE COOPERATION
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 16 2006
The NKR minister of education, culture and sport Kamo Atayan and the
rector of Artsakh State University Hamlet Grogorian visited France
and Moscow from October 24 to November 4. They were invited to France
to take part in the conference devoted to the 15th anniversary of the
Independence of NKR. Before the conference the NKR delegation visited
the city of Meudon where they met with the mayor. The minister of
education said they discussed questions of mutual interest with the
mayor. The city has a college which trains specialists for services.
The mayor of Meudon advised to visit the college and discuss
possibilities of cooperation. Kamo Atayan said the college combines
theory and practice, and on graduation the alumni are ready to work.
The minister said they will use this practice in the new vocational
college in Stepanakert. And the first step will be starting to teach
French at the college to communicate with the invited specialists.
For the equipment, this is the most complicated problem because it
requires immense costs. Kamo Atayan raised this issue in a meeting
with a group of Armenian businessmen in France, organized by Hovik
Gevorgian, the NKR representative to France. Kamo Atayan says they
were interested in everything, from premises to the teaching staff
and placement of students. They proposed supporting the construction
of the new compound for the vocational college. The project of the
compound will be sent to France as soon as it is ready. In Paris,
the NKR delegation visited the Armenian Lyceum, met with the teachers
and students. The number of students tends to grow. The fact that
children come to this school from as far as 350 km shows that the
Armenian families want their children to get Armenian education.
After staying in Paris for two days the delegation left for the
city of Lille to participate in the conference devoted to the 15th
anniversary of the Independence of NKR held at University Charles
de Gaulle. The participants represented different universities and
nationalities. There were also Turkish professors. Hamlet Grigorian,
the rector of Artsakh State University made a report entitled
“Reflections and Forecast on the Settlement of the NKR Issue”
and Kamo Atayan reported on the achievements and problems of the
NKR system of education. The fate of the unrecognized countries of
the South Caucasus and in the world sparked a debate. The members
of our delegation say the debate came to the conclusion that the
self-determination of nations is superior to territorial integrity.
In Moscow, the NKR delegation met with the staff of Lomonosov
University and discussed possibilities of cooperation. They had a
productive meeting with the directors of the institutes of the Russian
Academy of Education. At the Public Chamber of Russia Kamo Atayan and
Hamlet Grigorian were awarded the medal of peace and humanism in the
Caucasus. They also met with the leadership of the Union of Armenians
of Russia. Two months ago the leadership of the Union had visited NKR
and made an arrangement on supporting Artsakh State University with
equipment, construction of a gym and financial aid to students. The
Union of Armenians of Russia transferred some money to ASU for grants
to talented students who cannot afford to pay for their education,
thereby implementing part of their project. The minister of education
says the meetings in Moscow and France provided certain basis for
further cooperation, and there are great expectations.

NKR SPEAKER MET WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 16 2006
On November 9 NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulian met with some representatives
of youth NGOs of Artsakh on the eve of the international day of the
youth. The speaker of the National Assembly emphasized the role of
the youth NGOs in building a civil society and promoting democracy
in all the spheres of life. He also appreciated that the problems
put forward by these NGOs are relevant to the needs of the society,
and are directed at the resolution of problems in parallel with the
efforts of the government. The speaker of the National Assembly
also asserted the willingness of the leadership of the country,
including the parliament to assist in the development of the youth
organizations. The speaker of parliament answered the questions of
the participants of the meeting on enhancing government control on the
education of the young generation, employment of young people, housing
of young families, establishment of a youth parliament in NKR, etc.

US APPROACH TOWARD NKR DIFFERS FROM THAT TOWARD OTHER UNRECOGNIZED REPUBLICS
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
US position on the referendum in NKR varies from that on the possible
referendum in South Ossetia. Head of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Kiro
Manoyan noted in a press conference today that the US policy on other
post-Soviet conflicts does not apply to Nagorno Karabakh. “It does
not mean that the White House cannot have a denialist position,
but the fact is that Nagorno Karabakh is the only conflict zone,
the only unrecognized republic, which annually receives filve million
USD from the United States,” he added.

KIRO MANOYAN: ARMENIA CAN LEGALLY RETURN ITS HISTORIC LANDS
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
The Sevres Agreement is the only legal document, which can fairly
satisfy Armenia’s claims on its historic lands in international
structures, Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Kiro Manoyan said in a
press conference today. He agrees with the former Armenian Ambassador
to Canada Ara Papyan’s idea of returning the Armenian lands in a
legal way. “Ara Papyan’s approach is quite realistic, since according
to Article 89 of the Sevres Agreement, US President Woodrow Wilson
was entrusted to clarify the border between Armenia and Turkey and
he allocated more than 160 thousand sq. km to Armenia,” he noted,
adding that the Agreement is a legal document.
Turning to the question of Turkey’s accession to the European Union,
Kiro Manoyan noted that it comes from the US interests. However,
it’s not in the authority of the US to suggest terms and requirements
of accession. “As far as the accession process is underway, and the
EU sets its requirements, the Armenian lobby has the right to demand
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and exert pressures on Turkey,”
said Kiro Manoyan.

TIGRAN TOROSYAN MET WITH CHAIRMAN OF THE RF FEDERAL COUNCIL
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
In the framework of the 27th plenary sitting of the CIS
Interparliamentary Assembly Armenian Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosyan
had a meeting with the Chairman of the Russian Federal Council Sergey
Mironov. During the meeting reference was made to the activities of
the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the Caucasus Four meeting, as well
as NA Chairman’s upcoming official visit to the Russian Federation.
The meeting of the Caucasus Four, featuring Parliament Speakers of
Armenia, Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan was held the same day.

BILL ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WILL BE PRESENTED IN NEXT CONGRESS
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
In the next Congress together with our partners Adam Schiff and George
Radanovich we shall prepare and present a bill on recognition of the
Armenian Genocide,” Congressional Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone and
Joe Knollenberg said during the meeting with Chairman of the Armenian
Association of America Brian Adouny. The Congressmen expressed hope
that the adoption of this bill will once and forever reconfirm the
crime committed against Armenians of the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1923.
“Proper acknowledgment of this awful reality will become the first step
for preventing reoccurrence of such crimes in the future and to give
meaning to the “never again” expression,” they said, appreciating the
fact that 90 percent of the Caucus members have been reelected. “We
expect that our joint work will reinforce the ties between the US
and Armenia, will prevent the efforts of Turkey and Azerbaijan to
isolate Armenia and will finally confirm the historic fact of the
Armenian Genocide,” the Congressmen mentioned.
Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg informed also that in April they
intend to organize a special event in the Capitol dedicated to the
92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Assembly of
America reports.
The Assembly expressed gratitude to the Co-Chairs for their consistency
and resoluteness to present the bill on Armenian Genocide recognition
to the Congress.

NKR PARLIAMENT DONATES 350 000 DRAMS TO “REBIRTH OF ARTSAKH” PROGRAM
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
NKR Parliament will transfer 350 thousand drams to assist the Telethon
in Los Angeles for the accomplishment of “Rebirth of Artsakh” program,
NKR Parliament Speaker Ashot Gulyan declared during the plenary
session of the National Assembly, ArmInfo correspondent reports from
Stepanakert. The sum was donated by deputies and staff of the National
Assembly. The Speaker called on all the citizens and organizations
of the Republic to have active participation in this nationwide event.

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV: THERE ARE STILL DISAGREEMENTS IN THE KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
We discussed the suggestion presented by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
in Moscow and came to the conclusion to continue the talks, said the
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, commenting on the
results of the meeting with Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian, Mediamax
agency reports.
Elmar Mammadyarov informed that after the November 20 the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-chairs will visit Yerevan and Baku. They suggested to arrange
the meeting of Presidents following their visit to the region. Azeri
Foreign Minister considers that the meeting of Presidents may be held
November 28 in Minsk in the framework of the summit of CIS leaders.
Commenting on the course of the talks with RA Foreign Minister,
Mammadyarov said here are still disagreements. He noted also that for
two years negotiations have been held in the framework of the Prague
process, and Armenia understands the position of Azerbaijan. “It is
still early to speak about any progress. It will be possible only
after the meeting of the Presidents,” said Elmar Mammadyarov. He
noted that the talks will be completed this year.

RA PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT THE BERTELSMANN FUND
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 16 2006
November 15 in Berlin RA President Robert Kocharyan attended the
festive ceremony of opening of the new Armenian Embassy building in
Berlin, which is located in one of the most celebrated districts of
the city.
Today Robert Kocharyan will have meetings with the Mayor of Berlin
Klaus Voverayt and Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
Angela Merkel.
RA President will deliver a speech at Bertelsmann – the most
influential political fund of Germany.