HEAD OF PACE VISITS TSITSERNAKABERD

Armenpress

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: The head of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Rene van der Linden paid a two-day
visit to Armenia and met today with the ambassadors of the Council
of Europe member countries and representatives of NGOs.

Today he also visited Tsitsernakaberd and paid respect to the memory
of the victims of the Armenian genocide. After walking around the
museum of the genocide he wrote his impressions in the memory book of
the museum. “In 1915 Armenians suffered a lot. It is a great pain. We
must hope that the history will not be repeated. It is possible to
pray for everybody. I am sure that PACE will be useful for Armenia
in its strive to live within stabile and rich Europe,” said he.

On August 19 Rene van der Linden will meet with the NA delegation
to PACE, members of permanent commission of foreign relations, NA
political forces as well as will have a face-to-face meeting with the
NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian. On the same day he will meet with
Foreign Affairs Minister Vartan Oskanian, Justice Minister David
Harutyunian and Armenian President Robert Kocharian.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA CALLS ON STATE DEPARTMENT TO END INACTION
ON TURKISH AND AZERBAIJANI BLOCKADES

— Urges Congress to Increase Pressure on the Administration

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
this week called on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to condemn
Turkey and Azerbaijan’s illegal blockades, and urged Members of
Congress to escalate their pressure on the Administration to oppose
these blockades and other attempts by Ankara and Baku to
economically isolate Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.

In an August 16th letter to Secretary Rice, ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian expressed the Armenian American community’s “profound
disappointment regarding the continued lack of meaningful diplomacy
on the part of our government to pressure Turkey and Azerbaijan to
lift their longstanding and illegal blockades of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabagh.” Hachikian recalled the Secretary’s recent
comments sharply criticizing Syria’s border closure with Lebanon
and her statement that “good neighbors don’t close their borders to
their neighbors.” Hachikian closed the letter by asking the
Secretary to ensure that “our government’s policy of opposition to
blockades and support for open borders is applied universally and
without double standards.”

In an August 18th memo to Congressional offices, the ANCA urged
Senators and Representatives to increase their pressure on the
Administration to oppose growing Turkish and Azerbaijani efforts to
isolate, circumvent, and harm Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. The
ANCA specifically called on legislators to press the Administration
to not provide any U.S. assistance to railroads traversing the
Caucasus that circumvent Armenia. The letter voiced support for
H.R.3361, the “South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act of
2005,” which was introduced on July 21st by Armenian Caucus Co-
Chairmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep.
George Radanovich (R-CA).

Commenting on the day of the resolution’s introduction, ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian, welcomed the “effort to protect
U.S. taxpayers from subsidizing an ill-advised and over-priced
railroad project that – at the insistence of Turkey and Azerbaijan
– has been designed to exclude Armenia. Constructing this railroad
around Armenia runs directly counter to U.S. foreign policy and –
as if that wasn’t bad enough – makes absolutely no financial sense
– which is precisely why its sponsors will surely turn to the
American taxpayer to foot the bill.”

The ANCA Congressional memo also called for increased support for
H.R.3103, known as the “End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act.”
This measure, which was introduced by Representative Adam Schiff
(D-CA) and Frank Pallone, calls upon Turkey to end its blockade of
Armenia and requires the U.S. Department of State to report on its
efforts to reverse this violation of international law.

Activists continue to send ANCA WebFaxes to their Members of
Congress in support of these two pieces of legislation using the
ANCA’s website –

#####

Text of ANCA letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

August 16, 2005

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Madam Secretary:

I am writing, on behalf of the Armenian American community, to
express our profound disappointment regarding the continued lack of
meaningful diplomacy on the part of our government to pressure
Turkey and Azerbaijan to lift their longstanding and illegal
blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.

Our community was once again reminded about the absence of any
serious U.S. effort to end these violations of international law by
your comments on another matter involving the closing of borders.
Speaking in Beirut at a July 22nd news conference with the Lebanese
Prime Minister, you demanded that Syria fully open its border with
Lebanon, appropriately noting that, “good neighbors don’t close
their borders to their neighbors.” In your strongly worded
remarks, you drew international attention to the “very serious
situation on the Lebanon border where Lebanese trade is being
strangled.”

As you know, according to the World Bank’s estimates, the Armenian
economy has suffered billions of dollars in losses due to the
Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades. Successive Administrations and
the Congress are on record condemning Turkey and Azerbaijan’s
conduct as hindering our country’s interests, undermining American
values, and preventing progress in this strategically important
region. Yet, these blockades have remained in place for more than
a decade, with little more than pro forma protests and ineffective
gestures on the part of our government.

We would respectfully ask that our government’s policy of
opposition to blockades and support for open borders be applied
universally and without double standards. In this spirit, we call
on you to forcefully and publicly condemn the Turkish and
Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh and to use
the full leverage of our government to immediately end these
violations of international law.

Thank you for your consideration of our concerns. We look forward
to your response.

Sincerely yours,

Kenneth V. Hachikian
Chairman

GTM’s TYRES ALREADY SOLD ON DOMESTIC MARKET

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN. In the next few months, the company
GTM (former Doghadorts) will produce 80 thousand tyres monthly instead
of the current 15 thousand. GTM Director Ara Margarian told this to
NT correspondent, adding that it is envisaged to export over half
of the production, mainly to Russia, Georgia and Ukraine. It was
noted that natural rubber is imported from Indonesia and Malaysia as
raw material, which allows to produce low-cost tyres quite light in
weight, while the press moulds also imported from abroad are used to
produce durable tyres of modern design. According to A. Margarian,
the price of GTM tyres on the domestic market is lower by about 12%
than that of foreign tyres. A. Margarian said that the company is
now producing tyres for “Zhiguli” and “Gazel” cars, but also plans
to manufacture tyres for “Niva” and RAF in the future.

EXIM BANK CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR FINANCING STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES OF ARMENIA AS WELL

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN. At the August 12 meeting of the
Armenian Ambassador to the US Tatul Margarian and the President and
Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of the US EXIM Bank (Export
and Import Bank) James Lambright, the sides discussed the prospects
for using the Bank’s programs for the further development of trade
and economic relations between Armenia and the US. T. Margarian
presented the current process of reforms in Armenia and the measures
taken by the country’s authorities to encourage domestic and foreign
investments and promote the foreign trade. J. Lambright expressed
satisfaction at the process of the reform implementation in Armenia
and the positive dynamics of the economic indices, noting that in
March 2005, EXIM Bank opened an opportunity for financing enterprises
of the Armenian state sector as well. According to the RA MFA Press
and Information Department, during the meeting, the sides reached an
agreement to carry out joint activities aimed at implementing the
EXIM Bank-financed programs in Armenia and most appropriately
reflecting the risk classification of Armenia’s current economic
state at international organizations.

NEWSPAPER “HARAJ” (PARIS) CELEBRATES ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY

PARIS, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. According to the
newspaper “Marmara”, this year the Armenian newspaper “Haraj” (Paris)
celebrates its 80th anniversary. “Haraj” was founded in 1925 by
Shavarsh Misakian, whose daughter Arpik Misakian carried on business
after his death. Despite many difficulties, “Haraj” is continuing its
activities today and keeps the lamp of the Armenian culture burning.

“GOHAR” CHOIR OF GYUMRI TO COME TO CITY SOON

ISTANBUL, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. According to
the “Marmara” daily, the “Gohar” choir of Gyumri will have four
performances at the Lutfu Gertare concert hall of Istanbul on October
9-12. The choir will leave for Turkey by the invitation and under
the patronage of the District Council of Samatia and the “Sahakian”
ward union. The head of the choir is Sepuh Abgarian, an Armenian from
Cyprus who has worked at the Melgonian seminary many years. Having
left Cyprus receintly, he devoted himself to the “Gohar” choir of
Gyumri, when brothers Khachatrians, Armenian art-lovers from Lebanon,
decided to found a choir perpetuating the name of their mother,
Gohar, in Armenia. The brothers wanted that the choir acts not in
the capital but in one of other cities of Armenia, and chose Gyumri.
Members of the symphonic orchestra, soloists, dancers, one pantomime
actor and others are in the 150-people staff of the choir.

“JUSTICE” SEES NO REASON FOR SAYING YES TO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, VICTOR DALLAKIAN NOTES

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN. “The bloc “Justice” sees no reason
for saying yes to the version of constitutional amendments – it
is our opinion.” Secretary of the RA National Assembly faction
“Justice” Victor Dallakian told this to reporters following the
August 18 sitting of the bloc “Justice”. “At present, our proposals
have not been accepted neither in terms of their contents nor in
connection with confidence,” he said. At the same time, according
to V. Dallakian, most of the bloc deputies, except for the party
“Hanrapetutyun” (“Republic”), will participate in the special session
of the National Assembly on August 29. He stated that during the
session, the bloc will make a statement related to the referendum
on the Constitution. Asked how “Justice” will participate in the NA
session in case its proposals are not accepted, V. Dallakian said
that the participation in the constitutional amendments is a broad
notion. “By taking part in the process, it is possible to say or no to
the version of the constitutional amendments. That is, to participate
in the discussions of the contents and to participate in the process
are two different notions, and in this respect we will participate
in the process,” Secretary of “Justice” noted.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FINAL RESULTS OF ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS TO BE MADE PUBLIC ON AUGUST 25

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Final results of the entrance
examinations to institutions of higher education of Armenia will be
made public on August 25. The Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed
about this by the Republican Commission on entrance examinations of
institutions of higher education. On the whole, 30,141 entrants from
33,515 ones took entrance exams from July 20 to August 16. 8,127 of
them got 18-20 points, and 3,676 ones got bad marks. Marks of 1,500
works were appealed, as a result of what marks of 1,254 ones remained
unchanged, 247 were raised, and 9 were reduced.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II: WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE WE
MUST MAKE THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE REGION IRREVERSIBLE

ECHMIADZIN, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On August 18, President of
the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Rene van der
Linden was received by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in
the Mother See of Holy Ecmiadzin. His Holiness expressed gratitude
for the assistance provided to Armenia by the Council of Europe in
asserting democratic values in the independent state, in the process of
Armenia’s integration into the European Union, as well as in the issue
of peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. “We hope that with
the assistance of the Council of Europe we will be able to make the
peace process in the region irreversible, achieve the fare solution
of the problems facing the region, especially the Karabakh probem,”
Catholicos of All Armenians noted. Rene van der Linden presented PACE
activities aimed at establishing democratic values and protecting
human rights. He pounted out the important role of the churches and
religions in these processes, which can make a great contribution to
further strengthening of these values in society through interchurch
dialogs. According the information service of the Mother See of Holy
Echmiadzin, at the meeting, the sides also discussed issues related
to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and
establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.

ANNUAL CELEBRATION “EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS” TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA ON SEPTEMBER 3-18

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The annual celebration “European
Heritage Days” held in European countries will be held in Armenia under
the title “Book of Way, Way of Book” this September 3-18. Within the
framework of the events dedicated to the 1600th anniversary of the
invention of the Armenian letters, subject shows, a conference, show
of films will be held with the help of which the way of the Armenian
letters and book will be presented. Visits will be organized to
those monuments and sightseeings of Armenia where publishing houses
and literary centers acted. The “European Heritage Days” program
officially affirmed by the Council of Europe in 1991 has been held
under the slogan “Europe: Common Heritage” since 1999. The goal of
this march including all Europe is to make citizens closer to their
cultural values, save the dangered heritage, icrease public awareness
concerning security of that heritage. Within the framework of the
program, an active struggle is led against racialism, xenophobia and
intolerance. This year, the “European Heritage Days” officially will
start on September 3, in Prague.