The Messenger
Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Cargo accumulating on Azeri border
By M. Alkhazashvili
Azerbaijan continues to delay cargo bound for Georgia as it crossed the
border between the two countries, on the grounds that part of that cargo,
they suspect, may be then transported to Armenia.
Georgian importers report they are losing millions of dollars as a result of
the hold-up, but they are not the only ones losing out: the dispute is
seriously undermining the reputation of the TRACECA (Transport Corridor
Europe-Caucasus-Asia), the functioning of which is also very important for
Azerbaijan. Local importers are demanding Georgian officials to intervene in
the settlement of the issue.
Blocking of cargo trucks bound for Georgia first became a problem in 2004.
Azerbaijani legislation forbids the transit of cargo to any other country if
it is then forwarded on to Armenia. An agreement was signed between
Azerbaijan and Georgia on June 14 last year, according to which it was
forbidden that cargo transported form Azerbaijan to Georgia be then exported
to Armenia. The agreement was finally ratified on November 22.
The existence of this agreement has not stopped the Azeri side from
currently preventing more than 700 rail wagons from crossing the
Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Only when Baku is assured that the cargo will not
be forwarded to Armenia will the trucks be allowed to proceed into Georgia.
The Georgian side is seeking to speed up the process, and part of the
cargo – some 400 rail wagons – have now crossed the border. 316
Georgia-bound wagons remain, however, including 195 loaded with wheat, 36
with liquid gas, 6 with distillates, 2 with flour and 2 with oil, reports
Rezonansi. Georgian officials state that none of the cargo is destined
ultimately for Armenia.
Apart from the rail trucks, road vehicles are also being held at the border,
bringing the total value of cargo not permitted to cross the border to
nearly USD 10 million, according to newspaper Akhali Taoba.
Although the official reason for holding the cargo is that it might be then
transported to Armenia, other reasons for the Azeri decision have been
speculated, including Georgia’s decision to move to Euro-standard petrol,
which is not produced in Azerbaijan, although the introduction of this rule
has been postponed for a year, giving Azeri factories time to change to
producing petrol which meets European standards.
Oil importers believe the main reason for suspending the cargo is an
internal disagreement with Azerbaijani oil producers, reports the newspaper
Rezonansi, while another version is that it represents Azerbaijan’s response
to Georgian efforts to stop contraband from entering the country. Analyst
Gia Khukhashvili, meanwhile, believes Russia may be behind the disagreement
between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Whatever the truth of the matter, the fact is that the disagreement is
seriously harming businesses on both sides of the border.

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02/22/2005
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1) Karabagh National Assembly Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Resolution of
Conflict
2) Aram I Discusses 90th Anniversary of Genocide; WCC Calls for Genocide
Recognition
3) Website on Armenian Genocide to be Launched
4) Armenian Platoon Begins Duties in Iraq

1) Karabagh National Assembly Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Resolution of
Conflict

STEPANAKERT (Combines Sources)–In a February 20 statement, the National
Assembly of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) reaffirmed its
readiness to
construct an independent democratic state based on the right to
self-determination.
The statement came on the 17th anniversary of the February 20, 1988 decision
of the mainly ethnic Armenian Mountainous Karabagh’s Supreme Soviet that
called
for the transfer of authority over the region, from Azerbaijan to Armenia.
In its newly released statement, the MKR National Assembly of reaffirms not
only the determination of the people of Mountainous Karabagh people to
build an
independent and democratic state based on the right to self-determination, but
also reiterates the authorities’ allegiance to settle the conflict through
peace negotiations under the OSCE Minsk Group. They also call on the Azeri
authorities to renounce their unreasonable policy of confrontation, and
direct
their efforts to the establishment of peace and stability in the region.
The statement also appeals to members of foreign parliaments to support
efforts for MKR’s international recognition.
Vigen Hayrapetyan, chairman of the recent session of the National Assembly,
said that the convening of the extraordinary session on February 20, 1988
was a
historical necessity. “Any delay would have threatened Armenians with
annihilation…it was the decision of the session, along with the support of
progressive political forces, and the international community that prevented
mass violence against the local population [of Mountainous Karabagh].

2) Aram I Discusses 90th Anniversary of Genocide; WCC Calls for Genocide
Recognition

In his report to the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, which
meets once a year, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia,
stated, “This year my church and people will commemorate the 90th Anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide. During the First World War in 1915, one-and-a-half
million Armenians were massacred by the Ottoman-Turkish government
according to
a well-devised and systematically executed plan. Although my generation did
not
directly experience the tragic past, the Armenian Genocide has had a strong
impact on our spiritual and intellectual formation. The past haunts the
victims; we cannot free ourselves from the past unless that past is duly
recognized.”
The Cathlicos’s reference was made in the context of his analysis of the
question of forgiveness and reconciliation. He said: “The acceptance of truth
is the sine qua non condition for forgiveness. The past must be confronted
boldly and be challenged responsibly. Neglecting the past with its wounds will
not help to build a new future. When the memories are not healed, they hold us
hostage to the past; when they are healed, through confession and forgiveness,
they empower us to rebuild relationships, promote mutual trust and acceptance,
and engage in a process of transformation. Unhealed memories cause violence,
hate and fragmentation. Forgiveness, as a response to confession, is a
determining factor in the healing and reconciliation process. Through
forgiveness, we accept each other in truth and justice. Forgiveness is costly;
only confession must lead to forgiveness, which is a pre-condition for real
healing and reconciliation.”
During its meeting, the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches
drafted a statement calling for the recognition of the genocide against the
Armenian people. “Sunday April 24, 2005 will be the 90 years Commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide, the tragic massacre of one-and-a-half million Armenians
in Turkey and the deportation of another million from their homeland.
“The World Council of Churches has on different occasions addressed the need
for public recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the necessity of Turkey to
deal with this dark part of its history,” read the statement. “The importance
of Turkey evaluating its history has recently also been addressed by the
Conference of European Churches relating to Turkey’s relation to the European
Union.
“From the Christian perspective, the path towards justice and reconciliation
requires the recognition of the crime committed as a sine qua non condition
for
the healing of memories and the possibility of forgiveness. Forgiveness does
not mean forgetting but to look back with the intention to restore justice,
the
respect for Human Rights and relationships between perpetrators and victims.
“The Public Committee recommends to the General Secretary and the staff, to
propose to all member churches to make Sunday April 24 a day of memorial of
the
Armenian Genocide and to consider further appropriate actions related to
the 90
years Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.”
In a separate statement concerning the International Criminal Court, the
Central Committee noted: “Human History is filled with examples of horrendous
cruelties, aggressions and inhumanities. In just 20th Century there are four
recognized genocides–90 years ago the Armenian genocide, 60 years ago the
Holocaust, nearly 30 years ago the Khmer Rouge and the most recent genocide in
Rwanda, a little more than 10 years ago. There were very different ways of
addressing these horrific crimes: there was no consequence for the Armenian
genocide, the victors justice in the Nuremberg trail for the Nazi war
criminals, a failed local response with UN support to the Khmer Rouge and the
ad-hoc International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda.”
164 voting members, together with over 100 advisors, consultants, and
representatives of the Vatican and various international organizations, are
participating in this year’s meeting in Geneva. His Holiness Aram I has served
as the moderator of the Central Committee since 1991.

3) Website on Armenian Genocide to be Launched

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Over 50 Armenian genocide experts will participate in the
events commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Genocide. A new website will
be launched, in addition to a photo exhibition to be on display at the
Charents
Literature Institute, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Yerevan State
University.
A film, as well as an audio cassette, containing documents from the British,
German, Russian and French archives, photos, and narrated accounts of genocide
survivors will also be released.

4) Armenian Platoon Begins Duties in Iraq

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Armenia’s 46-member member non-combat platoon, which
left
for its peacekeeping mission in Iraq on January 18, has begun the
implementation of its duties in Iraq.
Artak Tonoyan, the Commander of the 12th peacekeeping platoon of the Armenian
armed forces, said the Armenian military servicemen finished the training
classes and exercises.
According to Tonoyan, no incidents have taken place with the Armenian
servicemen in Iraq.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Eurasia Insight:
ARMENIA: US SUPPORT FOR KOCHARIAN HOLDS FIRM
Haroutiun Khachatrian: 2/22/05

When a top US diplomat recently referred to Nagorno-Karabakh leaders as
“criminal secessionists,” policymakers and pundits in Yerevan worried that
the White House was rethinking its support for Armenian President Robert
Kocharian’s administration.
Armenia’s ties with the United States have long been a subject of vigorous
discussion in Yerevan. While the United States ranks as the country’s main
foreign aid donor, Armenia has traditionally hinged its foreign policy on a
strategic partnership with Russia, the only country in the South Caucasus to
do so. Maintaining equilibrium between the two powers has not been easy for
Armenian authorities, and recent events have strained the policy still
further.
The January 2005 deployment of 46 Armenian military personnel to Iraq was
met by strong public opposition, mainly caused by concerns that the move
might spark anti-Armenian reactions in Iraq and other Middle Eastern
countries with Armenian minorities. Opposition members claimed that the
troop deployment was an ill-calculated maneuver by Kocharian and Defense
Minister Serge Sargisian to curry favor with Washington. [For background see
the Eurasia insight archive]. Government officials, however, have denied
that support for US Iraq operations was ever named as a condition for aid to
Armenia.
After the so-called Orange Revolution in Ukraine, in which opposition
demonstrators in late 2004 reversed the results of a rigged presidential
election, some regional political analysts suggested Armenia might be next
in line for a political make-over, noting some similarities in the political
mood in both Yerevan and Kyiv, in particular the bitter relations between
government and opposition forces. They went on to suggest that the United
States might welcome any regime change in the region that was viewed as
accelerating the pace of democratization.
Not all analysts agree. “I do not see a reason why the American
administration, which has cooperated with Kocharian so far, should take any
moves to remove him now,” Alexander Iskandarian, a Caucasus analyst and
director of the Caucasus Media Institute in Yerevan said. Tevan Poghosyan,
executive director of the International Center for Human Development, a
Yerevan-based think tank, agreed. For the United States, stability in
Armenia and the South Caucasus is the most important factor, he said.
Conjecture about Washington’s intentions reached its peak in late January,
when reports circulated that US Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones
had used the term “criminal secessionists” to describe ethnic Armenian
leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. [For background see
the Eurasia Insight archive]. Despite Jones’ later apology, many analysts
and opposition politicians in Yerevan saw the comments as a sign that
Washington’s stance on Nagorno-Karabakh was becoming “anti-Armenian.”
Aid numbers tell a different story. Armenia remains one of the world’s
largest recipients of US financial assistance, in per capita terms. Although
the US draft budget for fiscal year 2006 would leave the country $20 million
less than was allotted last year — $55 million – the document also contains
the first humanitarian assistance for Nagorno-Karabakh, some $3 million.
More assistance could also soon be in the works. As part of Washington’s
Millennium Challenge program for developing democratic countries, Armenia
could receive up to $350 million in the next two years.
Despite the aid commitment, some political observers believe that Armenia is
a comparatively low foreign policy priority for Washington. “For the USA,
the key countries in this region are Azerbaijan, for its oil, and Georgia,
for its role as a territory needed for the stable [transport] of this oil,”
said Poghosyan. “Armenia presents an interest for the American government
mainly due to the 1.5 million ethnic Armenians who are American citizens.”
Even as Armenia struggles to balance its relations with Washington and
Moscow, it continues to look to diversify its policy options. In recent
years, Yerevan has cultivated relations with Iran, which plans to build a
gas pipeline to Armenia that would allow the country to break its dependency
on Russian natural gas. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Tehran has also indicated a willingness to broker a resolution to the
standoff with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. In addition, Yerevan has
begun talks to gain observer status in the League of Arab States and the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, while exploring an expansion of
trade ties with the Persian Gulf states of Kuwait and Bahrain.
So far, Washington has not publicly responded to the strengthening
Yerevan-Tehran relationship. Armenian leaders are thus treading carefully,
hoping to avoid angering the Bush administration. For now, though,
Washington appears ready to accentuate the positive – at least in public.
Speaking at a February 11 meeting in New York City with representatives of
the Armenian Diaspora, Ambassador John Evans was succinct: “Armenia today is
on the right track.”
Editor’s Note: Haroutiun Khachatrian is a Yerevan-based writer specializing
in economic and political affairs.

AGBU Press Office
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Tuesday, February 22, 2005

AGBU PRESIDENT BERGE SETRAKIAN VISITS ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

New York, NY – AGBU President Berge Setrakian, on a visit to Jerusalem
on February 3rd and 4th, met with the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem,
His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, to discuss matters of
mutual interest concerning the Armenian community at large.

During his visit, Mr. Setrakian emphasized the importance of the
spiritual, cultural, and ethnic heritage of the Patriarchate and its
crucial role in the preservation of the historic center of Armenian
Christian faith. He also expressed his appreciation for the work the
Patriarchate undertakes for the benefit of the Diaspora through its
efforts in educating the seminarians who will be serving the various
communities around the world and who will be looking after the
protection of the Patriarchate’s interests in the Holy Land. “After
Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem is one of the
most important centers of our Armenian religious heritage, serving as
a focal point for the preservation of our identity and development of
our spiritual values,” said Mr. Setrakian.

The visit also presented an opportunity for Mr. Setrakian to express
to His Beatitude AGBU’s commitment towards working closely with the
Patriarchate in supporting and further developing joint
programs. Mr. Setrakian also met with Father Pakrad Bourjekian of the
Patriarchate Real Estate Office and became familiar with issues
concerning that department. He also toured the Armenian Quarter and
Holy Translators School (Serpots Tarkmantchats Varjaran). While in
Jerusalem, Mr. Setrakian attended a lunch meeting with the Brotherhood
of St. James and a dinner meeting with the seminarians and the
teaching staff of the seminary presided over by His Beatitude.

Established in 1906, AGBU is the largest Armenian non-profit
organization in the world and has been at the forefront of promoting
and preserving the Armenian heritage around the world through
educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs. For more information
on AGBU, please visit

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TO RAFIK HARIRI’S FAMILY

Azg/arm
22 Feb 05

February 16, 2005 Mrs. Nazig Hariri

Mr. Bahieddine & Mr. Saaddine Hariri Beirut, Lebanon

Dear Hariri Family,

To say that we are shocked by the tragic loss of your beloved husband
and father, HE Rafik Hariri, is an understatement. The entire Middle
East, along with the people of Lebanon, is in deep sorrow.

The late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was a great humanitarian and a
visionary leader, who single handedly rebuilt Lebanon, after the
prolonged and devastating civil war. Then he steered the country to
political stability and prosperity.

Thousands of young students, from all denominations, enjoyed his
generosity and were able to receive higher education and build their
careers. They will all miss their fatherly figure.

We, as members of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar),
are especially touched because of our deep admiration for this
legendary leader. We were very proud to have our regional leadership
in Lebanon politically associated with Mr. Hariri for the last several
years.

We will never forget his support and friendship to Armenia and the
Armenian community in Lebanon.

Rafik Hariri has already carved his place in Lebanon’s modern history,
and will go down as one of the greatest leaders of the country.

Our Central Board joins its esteemed member and representative, Hagop
Kassardjian, and the entire Armenian community in Lebanon to express
our sorrow to you and to the members of your bereaved family.

With sincere sympathies,

A.D.L. Central Committee

KARABAKH JOINS INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

A1+
22-02-2005

Recently the NKR parliament appealed to Azerbaijan to recognize its
independence and in this context called the world community to welcome
thisstep of Nagorno Karabakh.

«I do not rule out that Armenia will recognize Karabakh’s
independence, however it not a priority», NKR Minister of Foreign
Affairs Arman Melikyan stated during today’s press conference in
Yerevan. In the course of his first press conference the Minister
decided to get acquainted with the Armenian journalists, thus no
expected statements were heard.

Nagorno Karabakh is going to join a number of international
conventions including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
and Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. According to the Minister
though other states have not recognized the NKR, it does not impede
the republic to join international agreements and laws.

The NKR leadership have another legislative initiative . According to
Melikyan the residents of Karabakh feel responsible for the refugees
from Azerbaijan. Presently the law on «On NKR Citizenship» is being
considered by the parliament. The bill will come into force in two
month and all the refugeeswill have the right to receive the NKR
citizenship.

IMPRESSION OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES IN MIDDLE EAST AND GEORGIA

Azg/arm
23 Feb 05

We met father Haroutyun Bezdikian from Mkhitarian Congregation in
Venice upon arrival in Yerevan after a trip to Armenian communities in
the Middle East. The aim of this trip to Lebanon and Syria with the
president of Paradiz Company Martun Adoyan and few other members was
to get acquainted with historic places of Syria for shooting a feature
film on “Ara the Beautiful and Shamiram” epopee. We met Syrian
officials as well as representatives of Syrian c inematography for
this purpose. The film is an attempt to present to international
spectators the famous story of Armenian king Ara (his name was
mentioned in”The Armenian History” by Movses Khorenatsi) and the queen
of Assyria Shamiram.

During our stay, archimandrite Bezdikian had a chance to meet Armenian
families in Aleppo and to deliver a lecture titled “National Ideology”
at the Levon Shant hall of Aram Manukian Center. His impression of
Armenian communities of Middle East was not that optimistic. “The
Syrian community, famous for its warmth, has much changed, as I
see. There are less Armenians in Syria with every year, and the
majority of those who did not leave the country for the US or Europe
did so out of national feelings and wishing to keep their children
away from depravity. Few of them, mostly craftspeople, come to
Armenia. The Syrian community makes every effort to revive: they
opened a new benevolent centerand organize cultural arrangements. But
I think that the Armenian community of the Middle East is devoid of
its previous glamour and needs attention from the Armenian
government. Something has to change, and those reforms should come
from Armenia. The Armenian government should awake”.

In three days after he arrived in Yerevan he learnt about acts of
vandalism in Georgia against Armenian churches and headed for
Tbilisi. Upon his return from Georgia he visited daily Azg to share
his impression and to show pictures he shot. “I left for Tbilisi to
find out whether the media ruckus that Georgians began using Armenian
churches and replacing Armenian tombstones with Georgian ones was true
or not. I saw that sacrilege with my own eyes. The Armenian Norashen
church was deprived, Karmir Avetaran church was blown up by dynamite
and other churches were remade into Georgian ones.

“This savagery aroused Armenian community’s indignation, and the
Armenian diocese of Georgia took measures by urging mass media to
inform about these falsifications, writing letters to the Georgian
president and prime minister. A group of patriots – director of
Sundukian Theatre, lawmakers â=80`demand punishment for those
vandals. Those acts were committed by Georgian clergy mainly. The
fanatic mob attacked the churches blowing one of them and setting
another one on fire. There was a TV interview scheduled for Saturday
with father Abgar Hovakimian from the Armenian diocese.

“I am hopeful that the uproar will make Georgians settle down and
cease their barbarism”.

Nevertheless, the member of Mkhitarian Congregation was impressed by
the Georgians’ watchful attitude towards their language (Georgian
language predominates on signboards in Tbilisi).

By Melania Badalian

AZERI STUDENTS VISITING ARMENIA

Azg/arm
23 Feb 05

The Union of Youth Clubs of Armenia has organized its second regional
program that will include representatives from Azerbaijan as
well. Azerbaijani Hamlet Ismailov from the Center of Social Diplomacy
and Tolerance stated last year in Armenia that bilateral visits are
necessary. Ismailov is participating in “Human Rights Study for
Minority Young Leaders” regional student program that launched today
in Lusakert.

Head of the Union of Youth Clubs, Atom Mkhitarian, thinks that the
fact that Ismailov and another Azeri, Leyla Masmaliyeva, participate
in the program speaks well for the previous program’s success. The
program that hosts 20 representatives from Georgia, Azerbaijan,
Russia, Nagorno Karabakh as well as Kurds, Yezids, Ossetians, Ajars,
Abkhazians was sponsored by European Council. The program is set to
disclose the role of national and religious minorities inthe processes
of regional integration, the minority rights in the global context of
human rights and the importance of young leaders’ activity in solving
piles of issues.

During 5 days of the program participants will meet the staff of the
Armenian ombudsmen, officials from the Department of National and
Religious Minority Issues and will elaborate mutual programs. Atom
Mkhitarian noted that this year the number of applicants from
Azerbaijan was 5-6 contrary to last yearâ=80=99s number, and they had
to choose among them. Mkhitarian considered it possible that students
from Artsakh and Azerbaijan will elaborate a mutual program.

By Tamar Minasian

PanArmenian News
Feb 22 2005

PALLONE AGAIN RAISED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISSUE IN US CONGRESS

22.02.2005 15:45

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When addressing the Congress Co-Chair of the US
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone (D-NJ) cited
the speech of Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian at a special
sitting of the UN General Assembly devoted to the 60-th anniversary
of liberation of prisoners of Osventsim concentration camp. “By
remembering all the cases of inhuman treatment with people we
reaffirm our stand to always prevent the opportunity of repetition of
the crime against humanity, thus denying the statement that history
is doomed to repeat,” the Congressman stated.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
Feb 21 2005

Round-table on `multicolored revolutions’ to be held in Yerevan

Speaker of RA NA to pay visit to Austria

Total capital of new BNF-Bank CJSC to make $5 mln

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s National Assembly reiterates Karabakh
people determination to build independent democratic state basing on
the self-determination right

NKR Ministry of Defense: Murder of Armenian lieutenant Gourgen
Margaryan is considered as a result of anti-Armenian and militarist
propaganda of Azerbaijan

A youth movement was organized in Stepanakert on the occasion of
Artsakh Revival Day

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

ROUND-TABLE ON `MULTICOLORED REVOLUTIONS’ TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, February 21. /ARKA/. A round-table to discuss the phenomenon
of `multicolored revolutions’ is to be held at the Caucasian
Institute of Mass Media (CIMM) in Yerevan on February 25. Acording to
the information reported by the Institute, the following subjects are
to be discussed: `External influence or internal processes?’, `Who is
next?’, `What is Armenia`s place in this list?’, `Does this await
Armenia or has it already been?’. CIMM Director, political scientist
Alexander Iskandaryan is to make a brief reports. P.T. -0–

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

SPEAKER OF RA NA TO PAY VISIT TO AUSTRIA

YEREVAN, February 21. /ARKA/. An Armenian delegation headed by
Speaker of the RA National Assembly Artur Baghdasaryan is to be on an
official visit to Austria on February 22-25. The public Relations
Department, Ra National Assembly, reports that the Armenian
delegation is to hold meetings with Austrian President Heinz Fischer,
Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, Chairman of Bundestag Andreas Holl and
other representatives of the country’s Legislature and Executive. The
Armenia delegation is also to hold a meeting with the President of
the Austrian Academy of Sciences. On February 24, the Armenian
delegation is to take part in the ceremonial opening of the winter
session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The Speaker of the
Armenian Parliament is to hold special meeting with the Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Christian Schtrohal,
Slovenian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dmitry Rupel
and OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubish. A meeting owith the Armenian
community in Austria is also planned. On February 25 the Armenian
delegation is to return to Yerevan. P.T. -0–

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

TOTAL CAPITAL OF NEW BNF-BANK CJSC TO MAKE $5 MLN

YEREVAN, February 21. /ARKA/. Total capital of BNF-Bank, a new CJSC
in Armenia, will make $5 mln, as stated the Chairman of Armenian
Central Bank Tigran Sargsyan. In his words, one of the bank’s key
shareholders is Canadian entrepreneur making his business also on CIS
territory, the Middle Asia and the East. According to Sargsyan, the
businessman, who is familiar with Armenian law, thinks it is
acceptable to him as well as to Armenia’s banking system.
It should be reminded that the CBA Board made a decision on February
1, 2005, to approve preliminarily the idea of giving license to the
BNF-Bank CJSC to authorize its bank activity.
By January 1, 2005, total capital of the bank system of Armenia
increased by 30% up to AMD 65 bln. The authorized stock capital made
AMD 40.1 bln rising by AMD 3,4 bln. Along with that, weight share of
non-residents in the authorized stock capital made 52,6%. Today 20
banks and 230 branches are functioning in Armenia. ($1 = AMD 472,68).
M.V. -0–

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

NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REITERATES KARABAKH
PEOPLE DETERMINATION TO BUILD INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC STATE BASING ON
THE SELF-DETERMINATION RIGHT

YEREVAN, February 21. /ARKA/. Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s National
Assembly reiterated Karabakh people determination to build
independent democratic state basing on the self-determination right,
Karabakh Parliament stated in its address on the occasion of the 17th
anniversary of the historic parliamentary session of the Council of
national deputies of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region held on
February 20,1988, when the decision on independence declaration was
made.
In its address, the Parliament says Karabakh authorities keep seeking
peaceful settlement of the conflict under the auspices of the OSCE
Minsk Group and urge Azerbaijani leadership to abandon
having-no-prospects policy of confrontation and concentrate efforts
on reaching peace and stability in the region and forming the
atmosphere of trust and tolerance.
`NKR National Assembly addresses all countries’ parliaments calling
on them to promote international recognition of NKR as independent
state and hope that international community will give due
appreciation to Karabakh people efforts focused on creating lawful
state and civil society’, says the National Assembly’s address on the
Artshakh Revival Day. M.V. -0–

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

NKR MINISTERY OF DEFENSE: MURDER OF ARMENIAN LIEUTENANT GOURGEN
MARGARYAN IS CONSIDERED AS A RESULT OF ANTI-ARMENIAN AND MILITARIST
PROPAGANDA OF AZERBAIJAN

STEPANAKERT , February 21. /ARKA/. Murder of Armenian Lieutenant
Gourgen Margaryan is considered as a result of anti-Armenian and
militarist propaganda of Azerbaijan, which is of consistent
character, as stated in the message of NKR Ministery of Defense on
the occasion of killing Margaryan when asleep with an axe by
Azerbaijani Officer Ramil Safarov in Hungary.
According trot he message, such policy creates an atmosphere of
intolerance between the peoples of the parties in conflict, thus
affecting adversely to Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and threats
peace and security in the region. `This outrageous crime not only
failed to be condemned in Azerbaijan, but on the contrary, the
criminal was declared a national hero, notwithstanding the fact that
Azerbaijani authorities proclaim from the house-tops about democracy
and human values’, he said.
According to the message, such an image of Azerbaijan, the attempts
to make the criminal a hero once more testifies to the fact that the
independence of Nagorno-Karabakh is not only the matter of
self-determination of the nation, but also its existence, which in
itself should be a precondition for any version of the conflict
settlement.
`NKR Defense Army is an important guarantor for regional stability,
and under the conditions of the absence of international peacekeeping
forces, in the zone of tension caused by Azerbaijan it assumes the
role of a deterring factor. For successful carrying out of the
mission, NKR Defense Army will continue increasing its alertness, in
order to defend both independence and territorial integrity of the
republic in case of necessity’, as stated NKR Minister of Defense.
A.H. -0–

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A YOUTH MOVEMENT WAS ORGANIZED IN STEPANAKERT ON THE OCCASION OF
ARTSAKH REVIVAL DAY

STEPANAKERT, February 21. /ARKA/. A youth movement was organized in
Stepanakert at the initiative of Karabakh Youth Organization `Hayki
Serund’ (Haik’s generation) under the motto `Following the Path of
Elders to Final Victory’ on the occasion of Artsakh Revival Day.
Representatives of youth organizations of NKR, students of schools of
the republic and teachers collectives, as well as delegates of
military-sport college after General Christopher Ivanyan participated
in the youth movement.
According to ARKA’s reporter in Stepanakert, the participants of the
movement gathered on the Victory square of the republic. The rector
of Artsakh State University, an activist of Karabakh movement hamlet
Grigoryan spoke on the square and stated that exactly 17 years before
the square had been full of thousands of Karabakh people, and they
had been proud of being able to speak freely, not being afraid of
decisive steps, and now it’s the time to show the world that Artsakh
was Armenian and remains to be Armenian territory. Also he told the
people present that some details of the events tracing to February
20, 1988 and appealed to people for continuing the deeds of older
people not only on the battle field but also in all areas of life.
Afterwards, the youth movement directed to the Memorial Complex of
Stepanakert, where they paid tribute to the memory of the soldiers
perished in Karabakh war.
To remind, on February 20, 1988 a special session of the Council of
Deputies of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAR)took place. The
crucial decision on ` submitting a petition to the Supreme Councils
of Azerbaijani and Armenian SSRs regarding withdrawal of NKAR from
Azerbaijan and becoming a part of Armenia’ was taken at the session.
This decision was preceded by analogous ones made by regional
Councils of national deputies. However, the political bureau of CC of
CPSS adopted a decree on February 21 which contradicted to
international principles for self-determination of peoples: the
political solution of the problem was attempted to be replaced by the
political bureau with social-economic ones, which caused categorical
protests of the population. The Azerbaijani side replied with
aggression to the decision of NKAR to join Armenia. A.H. -0–