RA STATE BUDGET REVENUES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY EXCEED 42.5% IDNDEX OF SAME MONTHS OF 2004

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. In January and February of 2005,
the revenues and state transfers of the RA state budget grew 42.5%
compared with the same period of last year and made 51 bln 765.8 mln
drams (about 110 mln USD). According to the RA National Statistical
Service, in the period under review, the current budgetary revenues
increased 42.6% to 51 bln 561 mln drams, with tax revenues growing
25.8% to 41 bln 275.2 mln drams and customs duty revenues declining
2.8% to 1 bln 863.4 mln drams. The state budgetary expenditures made
38 bln 63.2 mln drams in January and February of 2005, which exceeds
by 19.2% the respective index of last year. The budgetary surplus
made 13 bln 702.6 mln drams.

YEREVAN WATER CANAL TO CARRY OUT 2 MLN DOLLAR WORK THIS YEAR

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. This year the company Yerevan Water
Canal envisages to carry out work of 2 mln dollars in the system within
the framework of the second credit program, including capital repairs
worth 869 mln drams (about 1.8 mln USD). Deputy mayor of Yerevan
Vano Vardanian stated at the April 4 press conference that 66.4%
of the consumers currently have 24-hour water-supply.

Azerbaijani Convict Fought Beside al-Qaida

The Associated Press
03/17/05

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) – The government in this tightly controlled
former Soviet republic said Thursday that the leader of a group of
six men convicted last month on charges of plotting terror attacks
once fought alongside al-Qaida in Afghanistan.

Amiraslan Iskendrov, who was convicted in a closed trial on Feb. 7
along with five other suspects and sentenced to 14 years in prison,
spent time in Afghanistan from 1999 to 2003 and fought in the ranks
of Osama bin Laden’s terrorist group there, the Security Ministry
said in a statement.

After the trial, authorities did not name the men convicted, saying
only that they were followers of Wahhabi Islam, bin Laden’s spiritual
underpinning and dominant in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

According to the Security Ministry, Iskendrov returned from Afghanistan
and began recruiting mostly young people to join a militant group. It
said the group was planning for terrorist attacks, including by
conducting surveillance of crowded areas, the offices and homes of
foreigners and government and law enforcement facilities.

In arresting the six alleged group members, authorities confiscated
large amounts of explosives, detonators and grenades as well as
literature and audio and videotapes containing terrorist propaganda,
the statement said.

Political tensions have grown in Azerbaijan – an oil-rich, mainly
Muslim country on the Caspian Sea – since an October 2003 election in
which Ilham Aliev replaced his father, longtime leader Geidar Aliev,
as president. The opposition said the vote was marred by fraud.

Geidar Aliev, who died in December, voiced support for democratic
reforms but also employed authoritarian means to stay in power. His
son has vowed to follow the same policies.

FEDERATION OF ARMENIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS (FAON)
24 April Committee
Weesperstraat 91
NL – 2574 VS The Hague
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Tel. 070 4490209
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

Press Release

The implementation of motion by Rouvoet on Armenian Genocide is followed

BOT: Armenian Genocide keeps full attention

The Hague 30 March 2005 – The Federation of Armenian Organisations
in the Netherlands (FAON) follows carefully the follow up of the
motion submitted by MP Mr. Rouvoet on 21 December 2004 and adopted
unanimously by the parliament, wherein the Dutch government is
requested to bring up continuously and expressly the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide in the dialogue with Turkey. Following this
parliamentary decision the Armenian Federation had several contacts
with Members of Parliament and also with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. Members of Parliament, particularly Mr Rouvoet of Christian
Union faction, have insured us that the government will be reminded
of this issue at appropriate occasions.

The European summit on 22 and 23 March was a good occasion for the
Federation to ask once again Mr. Rouvoet to put parliamentary questions
to the government about the progress made in this field and the point
of view of the government on this matter. Accordingly on 29 March
during a debate on the results of the European meeting Mr Rouvoet
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs about the position of the
Dutch government with respect to the motion adopted unanimously by the
Parliament. Mr Rouvoet called on the government to show determination
and to commit itself entirely that during the political dialogue with
Turkey the Armenian Genocide and in correct wording and not in terms
of the events in the period of 1915-1917, constantly and expressly
to be raised, as clearly requested in the motion.

Minister Bot insured that resolution on Armenia continues to
keep the full attention of the government and that this issue is
regularly reminded to the Turkish authorities. Regardless of the
fact that neither the Turks, nor certain number of Member States in
this context speak about the Genocide, minister Bot, however, brings
this up expressly. “We keep track of the developments in Turkey”, the
minister said. Provisional “no” against Croatia has been a good sign
for Turkey, that it is not possible to make fun of the conditions. “The
negotiations will not start if all the conditions are not met with”,
according to Bot.

Mr Rouvoet continued by asking minister Bot why Dutch embassy in Paris
had issued a notice as a result of adoption of the motion concerning
the Armenian Genocide, that an official recognition was out of question
and that this would still possibly happen later? The minister answered,
that he will examine this matter as he was not aware of it.

The other Members of Parliament, cosignatories of the motion
on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, when asked by the
Armenian Federation, have indicated, that although the parliamentary
questions was presented by Mr Rouvoet who had submitted the motion,
they reflected the opinion of the other factions in the Parliament.

This month in the whole world the commemoration of 90th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire takes place. In this
respect the 24 April committee of the Armenian Federation organises a
range of activities, among which a commemoration concert on 17 April
at 14.00 in the Pieterskerk in Leiden. Armenian classical music will
be played by Armenian and Dutch musicians. Also there is an exhibition
on the Armenian Genocide in the Pieterskerk in Leiden from 17 to 21
April. On 24 April the annual laying of wreaths and ceremony for the
commemoration of 1.5 the million victims of the Armenian Genocide
will take place at the Armenian monument in Assen and commemoration
in the auditorium with speakers and Armenian music.

100 PEOPLE SEEKING POLITICAL ASYLUM WITH OTHER STATES

A1 Plus | 12:47:21 | 05-04-2005 | Social |

Today the residents of the Northern and Main Avenues asked for
political asylum in the UK and US Embassies. Over a year they have
been struggling to preserve their property, however in vain. About
47 hearings were conducted but neither of the suits was satisfied.

During that time the residents appealed to Robert Kocharyan, the
government, the NA, Ministry of Justice and to the Ombudsman. Some
officials of the President~Rs administration said they should apply
to the office engaged in implementing the program. In the letter
addressed to the Embassy officials the people tried to depict the
situation with the human rights in the republic.

The residents of the Northern and Main avenues noted that if rejected
in the US and UK Embassies they will turn to the Embassies of other
states, even the Muslim ones.

Armenia’s Direction
By FIKRET ERTAN

Zaman
04.04.2005 Monday – ISTANBUL 17:54

I think Armenia is at the top of the list of the countries that
Russian Leader Vladimir Putin loves and places importance in. Putin
visited this country three times, in 1999, 2001, and 2002, and he was
in Yerevan again last week for the fourth time. This clearly shows
us that Putin places a special importance in Armenia. Many issues
were discussed during Putin’s last visit to Armenia. Included were,
activities within the frame of “Russia Year” in Armenia, cooperation
in energy, industry and trade, new investments in metal industry,
excluding iron production and investments in banking, construction,
transport, military and technical issues and the reduction of Armenia’s
debt. It is not yet clear on which topics there were any developments
or increased cooperation because there has been no open explanation
from either countries yet, but I will likely discuss these issues
when the time comes.

It is no secret that the relationship between Russia and Armenia is
very strong. Russia remains Armenia’s number one strategic partner.
The strong military, economic and political relationship between the
two countries has been sustained over many years. Today there are
thousands of Russian soldiers and numerous Russian military bases
throughout Armenia. Gumru, located just outside our boarders, is the
largest Russian base in the country. Together, Russian and Armenian
soldiers guard both the Turkish and Iranian boarders. Although there
is no common boarder between the two countries, both the military
and economic relations are strong. The level of economic relations,
which is conducted by Georgia, was over $208,000,000 last year. Putin
made a huge effort during his last visit to Armenia to increase this
figure and ensured that Russian companies undertake whatever was
necessary to make this a reality.

There are currently 589 registered Russian companies in Armenia. Of
this number, 300 are actively operating in Armenia. According to
the Common Head of the Armenia-Russia Cooperation Intergovernmental
Committee, Igor Levitin, the companies Armenal and Sibir aviation are
the most successful of the companies currently operating in Armenia.
The Russian companies which have huge significance for the Armenian
economy are expected to add more value and importance in the future.
However, in order for this to occur, Russia must empower the financial
structures of the former Armenian companies that it took over,
in order to repay the debt of Armenia and they need to activate
the capital that is not active at the moment. Russia bought the
Mathematics Machinery Scientific Research Institute for $2,750,000,
Operation-Automatic Systems known as SRI for $3,370,000, the Mars
Facility for $56,290,000 and the Hirazdan Hydroelectric Power Plant
for $31,000,000. If Russia empowers, makes new investments in and
re-operate these institutions as soon as possible, it is certain that
the influence of Russian companies over Armenian organizations will
be strengthened. But so far, Russia has not able to do that ; it is
difficult to anticipate whether or not it can succeed in this venture
in the future because Russia needs to spend a great deal of money on
these companies. For example, Russia needs to spend $21,000,000 alone,
in order to operate the Mars Facility.

It is certain, that today, the Armenian government complains about the
Russia’s moving too slowly for these companies. Also, more importantly
than this, today there is a general discontent regarding Russia among
the government and the opposition in Armenia that continues to emerge
day by day. Reports in the news and comments made in the country
that the government and the opposition seriously consider changing
Armenia’s direction from Russia to America and it is also said that
the strong Armenian Diaspora in the USA is said to be struggling to
close the gap between Armenia and the US.

These are the opinions that I gathered from what I heard and
read regarding Armenia and its future direction. In short, the
Russian-Armenian relationship weakens day by day, while the Armenian-US
relationship continues to grow stronger. As an example, we can show the
recent visit of General Charles F. Wald, USAF to Yerevan. Who knows,
what other things have been happening in this countryâ~@¦ I think
Turkey, which is struggling against the so-called 1915 genocide claims
and arguments, needs to also seriously consider these perspectives
â~@¦

e-mail:[email protected]

–Boundary_(ID_YGE9BGnKaPLREe/my+pZKA)–

Lithuanian defense minister to visit Armenia

Apr 4 2005 4:38

VILNIUS. April 4 (Interfax) – Lithuanian Defense Minister Gediminas
Kirkilas is leaving on Monday for a visit to Armenia, his ministry’s
press service told Interfax.

On Tuesday, Kirkilas will meet with Armenian Defense Minister Serzh
Sarkisian to discuss Lithuanian-Armenian defense cooperation, prospects
for multilateral and regional military cooperation, NATO’s enlargement,
armed forces reforms and participation in international operations.

On Wednesday, Kirkilas will meet with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian and Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian.

ARAM I: POPE JOHN PAUL II TO REMAIN UNIQUE PERSONALITY IN HISTORY OF
CHRISTIANITY

04.04.2005 07:28

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Kilikian Catholicos, member of the World Council
of Churches Aram I noted, “Pope John Paul II did believe in the
importance of inter-church and inter-religious relationships and
realized significant transformations in this field”, Yerkir online
reports. “John Paul II was a brave apostle of love, peace and justice
in the world full of violence and unfairness. I am deeply convinced
that he will remain a unique personality in history of Christianity”,
Aram I stated.

TIGRAN SARGSIAN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF INTERNATIONAL BANK COUNCIL

04.04.2005 07:03

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Last Friday the Council of the International
Bank founded by the CIS member-states elected Armenian Central Bank
President Tigran Sargsian the chairman of the Council, the statement
issued upon completion of the sitting says. Heads and representatives
of the Central Banks of the founder-states – Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine – took part in
the sitting of the council. The Council considered the activities of
the bank in 2004, confirmed the annual balance sheet, the report on
profits and losses, etc.

GEORGIAN PRESIDENT REFUTED INFORMATION THAT ROBERT KOCHARIAN MET WITH
HIM BY VLADIMIR PUTIN’S ORDER

04.04.2005 06:15

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili refuted
the information that Armenian leader Robert Kocharian met with
him by order of Vladimir Putin, IA Regnum reports. “Armenia is an
independent state with its own interests”, he stressed in his interview
with Rustavi-2 TV company. “Armenia is our neighbor, her President
and the political elite show friendly attitude towards Georgia. Our
attitude is the same. It will be extremely difficult for us to achieve
progress within the country of beyond its borders without each other’s
assistance. It is natural”, he added. When commenting on Armenian
President’s unexpected visit to Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili said,
“If a neighbor wants to drop in for a cup of tea he does not have to
call and warn of his visit 2 weeks earlier. We can visit each other
without warning when there is something to talk about.” At that the
Georgian President underscored, “We will always have a subject for
conversation with Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are mutually dependent
and tied, we have a lot of common problems and one should be silly
to refuse contacts of the kind.”