Zaman Online, Turkey
April 16 2005

US Armenian Lobby Prepares Show of Power
By Anatolia News Agency (aa)

Members of the US Congress belonging to the Armenian lobby will
reportedly organize a large-scale meeting next week in Congress Hall
to commemorate the alleged Armenian genocide.

According to the remark of the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANKA) which gathers the radical Armenian organizations under the
roof, some Congress members and the notables of Armenian society will
make speeches about the so-called genocide. Observers expect a
proposal for the recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide to be
submitted to the US House of Representatives. They think that such a
scheme could be accepted after discussions in May in sub-committee.
However the observers indicate that it is not expected that the Chief
of the House of the Representatives Dennis Hastert will submit the
proposal to the agenda of the general assembly. According to ANKA,
160 Congress members wrote to US President George W.Bush requesting
him to use the term “genocide” in his April 24 statement reached 160.
Diplomatic observers in Washington, however, note that it is not
expected that Bush will use the term.

Zaman Online, Turkey
April 16 2005

Turkish Armenians Condemn American Priest
By Zaman

The Turkish Armenian Patriachate has condemned Washington Armenian
Orthodox Church Representative Father Vertanes Kalayjian, for his
insult to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in a
meeting last week in the US.

The Patriarchate issued a written statement and Press Spokespersin
Luiz Bakar said regarding the subject that they are stunned by
Kalayjian’s remark about Ataturk, “Kemal was also a butcher.” A
clergyman who utters these words cannot be the member of the Turkish
Armenian congregation and the person has no link with the
Patriarchate or the Church scolded Bakar. He concluded that these
kinds of remarks does not help for Turkish-Armenian dialogue.

ARKA News Agency
April 12 2005

Regular conference of Council of Europe member-states’ Justice
Ministers to be held in autumn 2005 in Yerevan

New telephone codes to be put into operation on May 1, 2005

Photo exhibition entitled `Cultural Genocide’ opens today in Yerevan

CTS-2005 tourist exhibition to be held in Yerevan April 28-30

Photo exhibition `People Who Won the War’ dedicated to 60th
anniversary of Victory, opens today in Yerevan

7th annual meeting of the Board of BSTDB Governors to be held in
Yerevan on June 5-6

46.3% of Armenia citizens view NKR as independent state

Most Armenia citizens consider Russia’s role important in Karabakh
settlement

Central Bank of Armenia: 8-% economic growth in Armenia likely in
2005

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REGULAR CONFERENCE OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBER-STATES’ JUSTICE
MINISTERS TO BE HELD IN AUTUMN 2005 IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. Regular conference of CE member-states’
Justice Ministers will be held in autumn 2005 in Yerevan, as the RA
Ministry of Justice told ARKA News Agency, the corresponding decision
was made at the meeting of CE Justice Ministers in Helsinki.
Note, RA Justice Minister David Harutunyan also participated in
Helsinki meeting of April 7-8 as Vice-Chairman of the conference.
L.V.-0–

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NEW TELEPHONE CODES TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION ON MAY 1, 2005

YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. New telephone codes are to be put into
operation on May 1, 2005, as AtmenTel telecommunication company told
ARKA. In particular, Yerevan’s international code will be 10 instead
of 1 formerly. It means 0+374+10+ the number of customer should be
dialed to make phone call to Yerevan. 0+374+91 number is set for
mobile communication. Mobile communication code of the K-Telecom, the
second operator, will be 0+374+93 (or 94).
Phone codes of Gyumri and Vanadzor, the other largest cities of
Armenia, will be 0+312 instead of 0+41 in Gyumri and 0+322 instead of
former 0+51 in Vanadzor.
Besides, 2 is added to the present codes of Armenian regions of
Kortayk, Armavir, Ararat, Aragatsotn, Shirak, Gegharkunik,
Vayots-Dzor, Tavush, Sunik and Spitak, Alaverdi, Tashir and
Stepanavan cities (0+2+ present code). In Lori region, 51 is replaced
with 322.
4 is added to Nagorno-Karabakh current codes (0+4+current codes of
the cities). Nagorno-Karabakh codes of mobile communication will be
changed as well – 097 instead of 07 in case of a call from Armenia
and 0374+97+ the number of customer in case of offshore calls.
As a result, to call a customer in Yerevan from the republic’s
regions, Karabakh and by ArmenTel and K-Telecom mobile networks, one
should dial 0+10+ a customer’s number. For entering calls, 0+a region
code+ the number of a customer should be dialed. For ArmenTel mobile
communication from Yerevan, regions and Nagorno Karabakh 0+91+the
number should be dialed and to contact with a K-Telecom customer 0+93
(or34) + a number should be dialed. Along with that, six-figure
dialing numbers in ArmenTel mobile communication from mobile phone to
mobile phone stops functioning. M.V. -0–

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PHOTO EXHIBITION ENTITLED `CULTURAL GENOCIDE’ OPENS TODAY IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. Photo exhibition entitled `Cultural
Genocide’ dedicated to 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide opened
today in Yerevan. As Vahe Sargsyan, the head of the Students Council
of Yerevan State University Faculty of History, it is vital to
preserve the cultural heritage of various peoples given the active
communication and dialogue of different cultures and civilizations.
`For this purpose, measures should be undertaken on international
level to prevent the barbarity and encroachments like the cultural
genocide carried out by the Ottoman Turkey in Western Armenia’, he
noted. The exhibition which presents about 36 pairs of photos in old
and new variants will last 2 days.
The organizers of the exhibition are `Nicol Aghbalyan’ Students Union
of Armenian Revolutionary Federation `Dashnaktsutyun’ and the
Students Council of Yerevan State University Faculty of History. L.V.
-0–

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CTS-2005 TOURIST EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN APRIL 28-30

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. The 5th international tourist exhibition
CTS-2005 is to be held in Yerevan on April 28-30, Yeghishe Tanashyan,
Director of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) told ARKA.
According to him, both local and foreign firms are to take part in
the exhibition. Among them are the First Insurance Company,
Association of Tourist Operators of Armenia, `Belavia’ air carrier,
Czech Airlines, and five hotels. Tanashyan said that workshops will
also be held to discuss the role of international and regional
tourist cooperation and ongoing processes.
The CTS-2005 exhibition has been organized by the ASTA and the RA
ministry of Trade and Economic Development, with the sponsorship of
the Yerevan Brandy Company, `Congress’ and `Golden Tulip Yerevan’
hotels, Czech Airlines, and the Visa Concord company, which is
General Agent of Czech Airlines in Armenia. The information support
is being provided by the `TourInfo’ magazine, Spyur information
service, Ardzagank radio and the National Tourist Development Agency.
P.T. -0–

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PHOTO EXHIBITION `PEOPLE WHO WON THE WAR’ DEDICATED TO 60TH
ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY, OPENS TODAY IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. Photo exhibition `People, Who Won the War’
opened today in Yerevan dedicated to 60th anniversary of Victory in
Great patriotic War. As Marine Kalacheva, Attache on Cultural Issues
of RF Embassy in Armenia stated at the opening ceremony of the
exhibition, the exhibited documentary photos fully convey the
atmosphere of the military years. `These pictures provided by the RIA
Novosti, give us the opportunity to perceive the horrors and deep
tragedy of this war ‘, she noted.
According to Armen Darbinyan, the rector of Russian-Armenian
(Slavonic) University, this victory is the result of feats of not the
commanders or marshals, not the coalitional government, but the feats
of the people.
The exposition which includes 30 pictures will last for 8 days, from
April 12 to 20. The exhibition was organized by RF Embassy in Armenia
and Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University.
RIA Novosti has presented more than 150 unique black-and-white
photographs of 1941-1945 from the archives of Sovinformbureau, the
assignee of which is RIA Novosti. The first show of the mobile photo
exhibition took place in September 2004 in the headquarters of Polish
Printing Agency in Warsaw. L.V.–0–

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7TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF BSTDB GOVERNORS TO BE HELD IN
YEREVAN ON JUNE 5-6

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. 7th annual meeting of the Board of
Governors of Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) and Black
Sea Business day will be held in Yerevan on June 5-6, 2005. As the RA
Ministry of Finance and Economy told ARKA News Agency, members of
BSTDB Board of directors and Board of Governors will take part in the
meeting. Top officials from other countries of the Black Sea region,
international financial institutions (EU, EBRD, IMF, WB,
International Financial Corporation), private investors and business
leaders active in the region will be invited to Black Sea Business
Day.
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international
financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and
Ukraine. With an authorized capital of SDR 1 billion (approx. 1,4
billion US dollars), the Bank supports economic development and
regional cooperation by providing trade and project financing,
guarantees, and equity for development projects supporting both
public and private enterprises in its member countries. L.V. – 0–

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46.3% OF ARMENIA CITIZENS VIEW NKR AS INDEPENDENT STATE

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. 46.3% of Armenian citizens view
Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent and sovereign state, Research
Coordinator Stepan Safaryan stated tt a seminar organized by the
Armenian Center of Strategic and National Research. Presenting the
results of an interview `Artsakh Problem: ten-year-long unfinished
story’, which was conducted by the Center and involved 1,900 Armenian
citizens and 60 experts, he reported that 30% of the experts and 38%
of the respondents believe that Nagorno Karabakh will eventually
become part of Armenia.Safaryan pointed out that 2.6% of the
respondents and 3.4% of the experts do not rule out the possibility
of Nagorno Karabakh’s remaining part of of Azerbaijan as an autonomy,
and 6.7% of the experts and 0.7% of the respondents consider possible
the formation of a common state between Azerbaijan and Nagorno
Karabakh.
According to Safaryan, 73.3% of the experts and 50% of the
respondents consider possible concessions to Azerbaijan at the
expense of the Nagorno-Karabakh security zone (Lachin, Kelbajar,
Aghdam, Fizuli, Zangelan, Kubatly, Jebrail). 66.7% of the experts and
50.4% of the respondents consider concessions possible in exchange
for Nagorno Karabakh’s independence or for its joining Armenia.P.T.
-0–

*********************************************************************

MOST ARMENIA CITIZENS CONSIDER RUSSIA’S ROLE IMPORTANT IN KARABAKH
SETTLEMENT

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. Most Armenian citizens consider Russia’s
role most important in the Nagorno-`Karabakh settlement, Research
Coordinator Stepan Safaryan, Armenian Center of Strategic and
National Research (ACSNR), stated at a seminar organized by the
Center. He said that an interview `Artsakh problem: ten-year-long
story, which was conducted by the Center and involved 1,900 Armenian
citizens, showed that 60% of the respondents and 73.3% of the experts
consider Russia’s role in the Karabakh settlement process a key one.
According to 60% of citizens and 60.2% of the experts the USA plays
the second important role in this process. On 1.7% of the experts and
7.1% of the respondents consider France as a key country in the
settlement process. 19.1% of the experts and 13.4% of the respondents
pointed out the EU’s important role. Also, 38.4% of the experts and
18.8% of the respondents assigned an important role to the OSCE. P.T.
-0–

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CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA: 8-% ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ARMENIA LIKELY IN
2005

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia expects 8-%
economic growth in Armenia in 2005, was said at the Bank’s Board
regular quarter meeting with the republic’s commercial banks, as the
CBA Press Service reports.
In this year Jan-Feb the economic growth made 7% comparing to the
same period of last year while planned growth for the first quarter
was 7,3%. The growth was mostly ensured by industry sector (excluding
diamond processing) and construction that grew by 9,3% and 22,2%. The
growth in agriculture sector was due to season factors. This sector’s
growth pace is expected to speed up considerably in 2 and 3 quarter.
The bankers gathered at the meeting pointed out significant increase
in commodity turnover volumes for the first two months of 2005
comparing to the previous year. In particular, the export (without
taking into account precious metals and jewelry) rose by 36% while
the import by 26%. As a result, trade balance deficit deepened by 21%
with its weight share in GDP reduced four points to 34%.
According to the CBA press release, it was said at the meeting that
significant deflection was visible in tax-budget sector at the first
quarter of 2005. The expenditures program is underfulfiled by AMD
15bn, despite the fact that the program of taxes was overfulfilled by
AMD 5bn. Comparing to the same period of previous year, expenses rose
by 10,6% and taxes by 19,3%. M.V. -0 –

ARKA News Agency
April 13 2005

214 shares of 212 companies registered at Armenia’s Securities
Commission by Jan 1, 2005

Steps to ensure equal competition made in Armenia

RA Minister of Foreign Affairs: the issue of recognition the Armenian
Genocide is important for Armenia from the standpoint of safety

Armenia to celebrate Global Youth Service Day

Government commission set for World War II Victory celebration
preparation holds Wednesday a widened session

*********************************************************************

214 SHARES OF 212 COMPANIES REGISTERED AT ARMENIA’S SECURITIES
COMMISSION BY JAN 1, 2005

YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. By January 1, 2005, the RA Securities
Commission had registered 214 shares of 212 companies, against 225
companies by January 1, 2004, Commission Chairman Eduard Muradyan
told a press conference. He reported that in 2004 the RA Securities
Commission registered two issue prospectuses, one of them being open
issue, when shares worth a total of 633mln AMD were placed.
In 2004, the Commission considered 36 declarations of registration of
issuers (basic documents on the information on activities). After the
Commission discussed them, 53 amendments were proposed. Muradyan
reported that only 25 declarations were registered as a result. In
2004, the Commission stopped registering the securities of 41
issuers, which violated the country’s legislation.
In carrying out its supervisory activities in 2004, the RA Securities
Commission received 1,716 reports of companies, organized hearings
attended by the companies’ representatives. To eliminate faults in
the reports, the Commission issued 61 instructions.
Muradyan also pointed out that in 2004 the Commission carried out
work to consolidates the registers of shareholders of 20 emitters. As
a result, 6,676 shareholders’ accounts were consolidated.
The Commission also conducted inspections of 44 emitters, including
37 current checks, recording 1,708 violations. The Commission made
relevant decisions and issued 190 instructions.
In 2004, the Commission discussed complaints received from
shareholders and registers 18 complaints about violations of
corporate management requirements.
In 2004, the RA Securities Commission initiated 123 actions on
administrative violations, and in 177 cases relevant decisions have
been made. A total of 16.76 AMD fines were to be paid. Legal
proceedings were initiated against 23 entities, and claims for the
payment of 10.6mln AMD have been made. A total of 6.2mln AMD were
confiscated in favor of the state budget.
The RA Securities Commission was formed in August 2000. It has five
members appointed by the RA President for five years. The Commission
is entitled to license, register, regulate and supervise the
activities of broker companies, stock exchanges, RA Central
Depositary, as well as other self-regulating organizations
specializing in securities. P.T. -0–

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STEPS TO ENSURE EQUAL COMPETITION MADE IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. Steps to ensure equal competition and put
an end to `patronage’ in business are being made in Armenia, RA
President Robert Kocharyan stated at his meeting with the members of
the newly elected Presidium of the Union of Manufacturers and
Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA). The RA presidential press service
reports that as an instance the RA President cited inspections of tax
and customs sphere conducted by the Presidential Supervisory Service
to ascertain interrelated persons in business. `The most simple and
efficient means here is ensuring transparency, which reveal all
deviations and makes struggle more effective,’ Kocharyan said.He
pointed out the importance of businessmen proposing mechanisms of
accomplishing this task. The meeting participants also discussed
problems of ensuring equal competition in business, encouraging local
producers, especially their export activities, softening effects of
exchange rate fluctuations.
Addressing the problem of taxation of the import of production
equipment, President Kocharyan pointed out that, considering the
urgency of this issue, he issued relevant instructions to the
establishment in charge of the economic sector. Kocharyan said that a
package of proposals is currently under preparation, which envisages
new solutions and is being discussed with international financial
organizations. Kocharyan assured the businessmen that the
possibilities of resolving all the problems raised at the meeting
will be thoroughly discussed and most effective will be selected.
President Kocharyan wished success to the businessmen, pointing out
that simultaneously with developing their business they should pay
more attention to their tax commitments. P.T. -0–

*********************************************************************

RA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: THE ISSUE OF RECOGNITION THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE IS IMPORTANT FOR ARMENIA FROM THE STANDPOINT OF SAFETY

YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. The issue of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide is important for Armenia from the standpoint of safety, as
RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian stated at a press
conference in Yerevan. `Without recognition of the Genocide and
admitting the fault by Turkey, we cannot trust that neighbor, which
from the military standpoint is quite powerful and definitely
protects Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh issue’, he said. According to
him, with such a neighbor Armenia cannot feel safe. Oskanian
emphasized that though 90 years later after the Genocide the fact of
it hasn’t been uniquely recognized by international community,
Armenia should be consistent in its activity. The Minister noted that
on the threshold of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Turkey not only fails to recognize it, but, on the contrary, pursues
even more sever policy. `Instead of being more tolerant and
understanding, Turkey chose contrary position, and today hearings are
held in Turkish parliament on possible counteraction to the efforts
of Armenia to achieve international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide’, he said. According to Oskanian, `this seriously undermines
the authority of Turkey, and will return to Turkish authorities as a
boomerang’. Oskanian emphasized that there are serious discrepancies
between the Turkish authorities and the population regarding that
issue, and Turkish intellectuals more actively discuss that issue and
accept the mistake. `We in our turn ought not to forget bloody pages
of the history, and should every year pay tribute to the victims of
the Genocide to obtain justice’, he said.
No diplomatic relations have been established between Armenia and
Turkey. The stumbling block between the two countries remains to be
the event of 1915 in Ottoman Turkey. The fact of the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915, as a result of which over 1,5 mln
people were massacred, is recognized by some states. A.H.-0–

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ARMENIA TO CELEBRATE GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY

YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. Armenia will celebrate Global Youth
Service Day on April 15-17, 2005. Programs of community service and
special event will be carried out. As the Press Service of Prohect
Harmony told ARKA News Agency, also, the events will include visits
of schoolchildren to elderly houses in various marzes of Armenia,
concert of young musicians of Swallow NGO, visits to veterans of
Great Patriotic War in Vayots Dzor, Human Rights workshop for
disabled children in Lori marz and visit to Gavar children’s home.
Orphan children from different orphanages in different regions of
Armenia will visit the Internet Computer Centers of the Armenia
School Connectivity Program network. In addition, cleaning works will
be carried out in different regions of Armenia giving youths an
opportunity to make contribution through the volunteerism. 303
schools of Armenia School Connectivity Program network will
participate in the cleaning works.
Project Harmony Yerevan office holds this event 6th year running in
Armenia in association with more than 100 organizations of different
countries
Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is an annual global event organized
by Youth Service America and the Global Youth Action Network,
together with a consortium of 32 International Organizations,
including the UN, Peace Corps, WB, Habitat for Humanity
International, Jane Goodall Institute, Roots&Shoots program, etc.,
and 150 National Coordinating Committees
The Project Harmony opened its office in Armenia in 2000, when it
launched the Armenia School Connectivity Program in the country.
Armenia School Connectivity program is a program of the US Department
of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funded through
the FREEDOM Support Act and implemented by the Yerevan office of the
Project Harmony. The project budget is $12.5mln and envisages the
opening of Internet computer centres in 330 Armenian schools, 300 of
such centres actually functioning now. L.V.–0–

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GOVERNMENT COMMISSION SET FOR WORLD WAR II VICTORY CELEBRATION
PREPARATION HOLDS WEDNESDAY A WIDENED SESSION

YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. Government commission set for World War II
Victory celebration preparation held Wednesday a widened session in
Armenian Defence Ministry. According to Armenian Defence Ministry`s
Spokesman Seyran Shahsuvaryan, the course of the preparatory work for
the celebration was discussed at the Wednesday’s session presided by
Armenian Defence Minister Serge Sargsyan. The session participants
came up with a number of proposals focused on proper holding a series
of events connected with the Victory.
Speaking on behalf of 9015 Armenian veterans of World War II,
Major-General Rafik Karapetyan, the Chairman of Armenian Union of
Labor Veterans, Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, proposed
to change the name of one of Yerevan’s schools by naming it after
General Safaryan. Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakaryan said a decision on
the issue will be made within a week.
Alexan Harutyunyan, the Chair of the Council of Public TV and Radio
Company of Armenia, presenting a lit of TV programs about the war
broadcast on television and radio, said a series of films about
Armenian soldiers buried in Europe are being shoot now by Yerevan
studio.
Fadey Sargsyan, the President of National Academy of Science of
Armenia, speaking on behalf of veterans, thanked Armenian President,
Government and Defence Ministry for cordiality and willingness to
organize festive events that is necessary not only for veterans , but
also for young generation to implant patriotic ideas in the young.
Armenian Defence Minister Serge Sargsyan said summarizing the session
that `May 9 is the double holiday for our nation’. He said he
convinced that `proper celebration of this glorious holiday depends
on warm and cordial attitude of all of us toward it’. M.V. – 0–

ARKA News Agency
April 14 2005

UNICEF approves ratification of an optional protocol to the
convention on Right of a Child by RA NA, banning use of children in
armed forces

Armenia is interested in activation of the work of European Bank of
Reconstruction and Development in the country

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UNICEF APPROVES RATIFICATION OF AN OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE
CONVENTION ON RIGHT OF A CHILD BY RA NA, BANNING USE OF CHILDREN IN
ARMED FORCES

YEREVAN, April 14. /ARKA/. UNICEF approves ratification of an
optional protocol to the convention on Right of a Child by RA NA,
banning use of children in armed forces and the Convention on
protection of children from worst kinds of work. According to UNICEF
Yerevan Office, in regard with the ratification, the Head of the
Office Sheldon Yett noted that adoption of the two documents
alleviates the compliance with 10-year program on protection of
rights of children by RA NA. `it’s an important step to create `safe
environment ‘ for children in Armenia’, he said.
The optional protocol to the Convention on Right of a Child,
forbidding to use children in armed forces was adopted by UN General
Assembly on May 25, 2000. The protocol bans countries, participating
in armed conflicts, to send children under 18 to conflicts and
recruit teenagers under 16. It was ratified by RA NA on March 21,
2005 and signed by RA President Robert Kocharyan on April 13, 2005.
Currently the protocol is signed by 116 countries and ratified by 83
ones. A.H. –0 –

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ARMENIA IS INTERESTED IN ACTIVATION OF THE WORK OF EUROPEAN BANK OF
RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRY

YEREVAN, April 14. /ARKA/. Armenia is interested in activation of the
work of European Bank of Reconstruction and Development in the
country, as RA President Robert Kocharyan stated during the meeting
with the Head of EBRD Board Michael Weinstein, according to RA
President’s Press Service. In his turn Weinstein noted that the bank
as never before is interested in Armenia, and a package of programs
that are planned to be implemented in the country, is already
developed. According to the program, EBRD is going to begin crediting
enterprises and to participate in mining industry and projects
connected with the infrastructures.
On April 1, 2005, EBRD appointed Michael Weinstein a new Head of
Yerevan Office. `I look forward to fruitful work in Armenia, an
ancient country with huge potential’, as he stated at his first press
-conference in Yerevan.
Armenia became the member of the European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development on December 7, 1992 with its share of capital amounting
to Euro 10 mln. As of December 31, 2004, EBRD signed an agreement on
seven investment programs in Armenia with the total worth of Euro 88
mln., which makes 0,3% of total volume of investments of the bank.
A.H. –0 –

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee of Canada
3401 rue Olivar Asselin
Montreal, Qc, H4J 1L5
Contact: Shant Karayan
Tel: 514-334-1299
Fax: 514-334-6853
E-mail: [email protected]

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA MEETS WITH INFLUENTIAL CANADIAN-ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION

Montréal – Right Hon. Paul Martin met with representatives of the
Armenian National Committee of Canada on thursday, april 14, 2005.

The representatives of the ANCC thanked the Prime Minister for his
policy of allowing a free vote in the House of Commons which rendered
possible the adoption of motion M-380 recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. They asked the PM for a declaration by the government to
declare the 24th of April of every year as a day of remembrance for
the Armenian Genocide.

The Prime Minister received as a token of gratitude from the ANCC an
antique Armenian Karabagh rug.

Dr. Vagharsh Ehramdjian, Chairman of the ANCC stated that “it is very
rewarding to know that the Prime Minister of our country, can take
time out of his busy schedule to discuss matters relating to
minorities.”

“It is the first time that we meet with the Prime Minister, and i must
admit that he was very sympathetic of our aspirations,” added
Dr. Girair Basmadjian, President of the Armenian National Committee.

-30-

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE – SCANDINAVIA /ANCS
Prylv. 7
12637 Hägersten
Sweden
Contact:Suzanne K. Holmquist
Agop Khatcherian
Tel. +46 708 809316
Fax: +46 8 6456592
e-mail: [email protected]

`MRS FREIVALDS: WHAT WILL YOU DO TO HELP OPEN THE OTTOMAN ARCHIVES?’

Stockholm. 14/04/05-

`The Turkish government has promised to open the ottoman
archives. These archives are very important for those who are working
with the genocide of Christian minorities, Armenians, Assyrians,
Caldeans in perpetrated by the Ottomans in 1915. However the Turkish
promises appear to be empty words. Until today Turkeys has not kept
its promises. What does the Swedish foreign minister Leila Freivalds
plan to do in order to make the Turkish government respect its own
words.’ These are the questions that Mrs. Annelle Enochson ,

a Christian Democratic Party member elected to the Swedish Riksdag has
addressed to the foreign minister Leila Freivalds.

The Turkish government has promised now a while to make the Ottoman
archives available to historians and researchers. `That was good news,
`says Prof. David Gaunt, `Our university, the SÖDERTÖRNS HÖGSKOLA was
one institution that had shown interest in the archives. `

`After several unfruitful attempts to get out documents from the
Ottoman archives, I turned to the Swedish Committee for Human Rights,
for help’ says Prof David gaunt. This is a support committee working
in the frame of the Swedish Parliament, and they in their turn
presented a list of the documents Gaunt was interested in to the
Turkish foreign minister in November 2004. Until March 2005, the
Turkish government has given no signs, not the slightest signal, about
the requested documents. – I have no other choice but see upon the
promise of opening the archives by the Turkish authorities as nothing
but empty words, says Annelle Enochson. So I have decided to take up
the issue with our foreign minister and submitted a wr

A1plus

| 12:52:55 | 16-04-2005 | Politics |

MAJORITY NOT DETERMINED YET

The RA President forms the National Security Council and appears as its
chairman – this amendment is provided by a draft of changes to the acting
Constitution. To date a National Security Council is functioning in Armenia;
however it was not formed on the basis of a concrete constitutional clause.
Presently the Security Council is ruled by the President, while the Defense
Minister is its Secretary.

Should the formation of the Security Council be fixed by the Constitution?
We addressed this question to 100 citizens April 8-12.

22% of the respondents consider that there is no need in it but they could
not explain why. 43% of those surveyed found difficulty in answering. 35%
hold the opinion that the Council should be formed on the constitutional
basis. `The appropriate body should be engaged in an appropriate activity’,
one of the citizens said.

To note, half of the respondent consider that the body should not be
necessarily headed by the President

Karine Asatryan

A1plus

| 12:53:15 | 16-04-2005 | Politics |

TODAY’S SECURITY COUNCIL – MERE FORMALITY

Vazgen Manukyan, Paruyr Hayrikyan and Ashot Manucharyan once stated that as
a matter of fact the National Security Council is not functioning in Armenia
to date. The issues that should be considered by the council are being
settled by one or two persons.

Representatives of other opposition forces share this opinion. Head of the
National Self-Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikyan consider that the clause
on the Security Council should be fixed in the Constitution `The National
Security Council is a structure dealing with the issues of state and
national strategy, consequently neglecting it in the Constitution testifies
of the non-perfection of the latter’, Paruyr Hayrikyan says.

In his opinion, if in Armenia the division of power the activities of the
Council should have been headed by the head of the executive power. `I think
in some cases the certain limitations of publicity of the Council are
natural, since the security is bound with gander and demands cautiousness’,
the NSD leader says.

When commenting on the issue deputy chairman of the National Unity Alexan
Karapetyan said, `There are national issue, which should be discussed
somewhere’. As for the structure of the Council, he supports the new variant
– two-level Security Council. The first level should have a rather expanded
composition to discuss the problems referring to the state security in all
the fields. The second level should be more limited and will be dealing with
issues, which demand secrecy. To note, the second composition should include
representatives of the whole political field. `All the parties of the
National Assembly should be presented in it. It should be trusted as their
mission is considerable’, Karapetyan says. He affirms that the National
Security Council should determine the regularity of its activities
proceeding from the necessity. If actual issues do not demand everyday
sittings the Council members should gather at least once a month to consider
the problem in the economic, political spheres as well as the internal and
external policy. At that the process should be rather transparent, he says.

Leader of the National Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan adheres to the
opinion that the activities should regulated by a separate law and points
out to the experience of some foreign states. `The Council should be
composed by the President, Prime Minister, Defense Minister, NA Speaker,
Minister of Home Affairs and other figures, who will jointly consider the
security issues. Thus the members of the Council will not be able to impose
some decision upon the President by voting while the President will have to
count with the opinion of the majority’, he said. He is convinced that the
activity of the must not be public. The outcomes of the activities can be
published only with the agreement of the council members. Vazgen Manukyan is
should be headed by the President and no one else.

Lena Badeyan

A1plus

| 16:03:19 | 15-04-2005 | Politics |

ARSENYAN HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE ARMENIAN REVOLUTIONARY FEDERATION

Today during the Parliamentary briefings Gourgen Arsenyan, head of the
United Labor Party, brought a `historic’ charge against the nationalist side
of the present authorities. Although Arsenyan did not mention any political
power during his accusation, everyone knows that the nationalist side of the
RA authorities is the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Gourgen Arsenyan
has `revealed’ why several Armenian political powers are against forming an
Armenian-Turkish Committee to investigate the historical documents of the
Armenian Genocide.

`They fear that the investigation of the existing documents will reveal
their guilt’, says Gourgen Arsenyan meaning that is were those nationalist
powers that stimulated the Armenian Genocide.

In answer to this Levon Mkrtshyan, head of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, also without giving names, advised the authors of the accusation
`to open the names of the family and to count how many of them were murdered
by the Turks’.

Generally the opinions of the Parliamentary fractions are almost the same
about the creation of the Armenian-Turkish Committee. According to the
Armenian Parliamentarians the idea of creating such a committee is not bad,
but the fact of the Armenian Genocide does not have the need to be proved by
documents, and thus the question is not subject to discussion.