APPEAL TO PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA

Azg/arm
19 Feb 05

On Feb. 17, Javakhk NGO handed daily Azg its appeal to President
Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia. The NGOâ~@~Ys appeal reads: “Recently,
Georgian tombstones appeared in the churchyard of Surb Astvatsatsin
Armenian church in Tbilisi. A Georgian clergyman threatened the
Armenian priests saying, â~@~Xgo and pray in Armenia. This is our
church from now onâ~@~Y. We are sure that people who behave like the
Georgian priest cast a shadow on the history. Therefore such a deed
should be condemned from both sides”.

A caring attitude towards untold Armenian monuments would be more
proper for Georgia as it heads for democracy. The authors of the
appeal ask to take appropriate measures to remove causes that make
people vandalize Armenian monuments, especially churches.

Hopefully the appeal will not remain a voice in the wilderness.

By Marietta Makarian

–Boundary_(ID_FQPrFxuXQP8pvwmb0HU3dg)–

Russia hopeful of “constructive” talks with Georgia

XINHUA online

2005-02-18 10:38:13

TBILISI, Feb. 17 (Xinhuanet) — Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
said Thursday that he hoped to have “constructive” talks with Georgian
officials over their differences on a number of issues during his visit to
Georgia.

Speaking upon arrival at the airport in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital,
Lavrov said he had received proposals from his Georgian counterpart Salome
Zurabishvili and he believed the two sides “will have constructive dialogue”
over their disputes.

The Russian minister said he hoped the visit will be “fruitful.”

Lavrov’s trip, the first by a Russian foreign minister in more than a
year, is overshadowed by the two countries’ spats over Lavrov’s refusal to
lay a wreath at a memorial honoring Georgians killed in the wars in
breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgia on Wednesday relegated Lavrov’s trip from an official visit to a
working one. Some reports attributed it to failed bilateral talks last week
and speculated the trip could be canceled.

During a visit to Armenia on Thursday, Lavrov said Russia intends to
“develop close good-neighborly, friendly relations” with Georgia and hopes
the two sides will make progress in a numbers of areas, including the
schedule and procedure of the withdrawal of Russian military bases from
Georgia and the creation of a joint anti-terror center.

“We have definite proposals to make on the military issue and on
questions of a broader pact,” he said.

Moscow wishes to see a prosperous Georgia and will be striving to assist
it in the settlement of regional conflicts, Lavrov said.

But he defended his decision to decline to lay a wreath at a memorial
honoring thousands of Georgian soldiers killed in separatist wars in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“Naturally we mourn the Georgian lads who laid down their lives… but
we also mourn the victims suffered by the other side,” Lavrov said.

Negotiations between Russia and Georgia held last week in Tbilisi failed
to produce any concrete result over a security cooperation draft and a joint
anti-terror center.

Georgia blamed the failure on Russia’s insistence on a tie-up of the
anti-terror center issue to Russian troops’ pullout, while Moscow accused
Georgia of reneging on its position. But the two sides said talks will
continue.

Russia and Georgia have long been at odds over the Russian military
bases in Georgia and the two regions of Abkhazia and pro-Russian South
Ossetia. The disputes seriously hampered bilateral ties.

Zurabishvili said earlier that Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili
may travel to Moscow in May to attend a ceremony marking the 60th
anniversary of the victory of the anti-Fascist war.

He said the president will hopefully sign a framework agreement on
friendly cooperation between Georgia and Russia, turning a new page in
bilateral relations. Enditem

PALLONE AND KNOLLBERG CONGRATULATE PEOPLE OF NKR

Azg/arm
19 Feb 05

Dear President Ghoukasian and the people of Nagorno Karabakh:

We congratulate the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the seventeenth
anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Freedom Movement. As we all know,
the Karabakh Movement was the first sustained campaign for freedom in
the former Soviet Union. On February 20, 1988 the people of Nagorno
Karabakh officially petitioned the Soviet government to correct the
historical injustices of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin by reuniting
the area with Armenia.

This peaceful and legal request was met with violent reactions from
the central Soviet and Azerbaijani leadership, which escalated into
full military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh. The people of
Nagorno Karabakh bravely defended their right to live in freedom on
their ancestral land. Today, Nagorno Karabakh continues to strengthen
its statehood with a democratically elected government, capable armed
forces and an independent foreign policy.

On this anniversary, we reiterate our unwavering support to Nagorno
Karabakh’s freedom, democracy and continued economic development.

Last year, the U.S. Congress appropriated another $3 million in
foreign assistance to Nagorno Karabakh to help you rebuild your land
and restore your lives, devastated by Azerbaijan’s war against your
freedom. We assure you that we will continue to do everything we can
to ensure that your interests are represented in Congress.

As always, we applaud your constructive approach and ongoing
contribution to peace and stability in the region. Our support for
your democracy and your quest to live free, under the government of
your own choosing, remains strong.

Sincerely, Joe Knollberg and Frank Pallone members of Congress

ARMENIA TO APPOINT TRADE REPRESENTATIVES TO USA, EUROPE AND WTO

ArmenPress
Feb 18 2005

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, ARMENPRESS: A senior official of the
Armenian trade and economic development said today Armenia will open
this year trade representations in the USA and Europe. Garegin
Melkonian, head of a department for external policy, said the
representations will be attached to Armenian embassies in Washington
and Brussels. He said Armenia will also have a representative in the
World Trade Organizations (WTO).
Melkonian said a great deal of work was done to introduce the
institution of economic attaches with Armenian embassies abroad. The
Armenian law on Diplomatic Service has specified their status and
this was followed by a government decision to establish trade
representations in a number of countries.
Armenia has so far a trade representation in Russia. The 2005
budget has earmarked some $105,000 for creation and maintenance of
trade representations.

Russian lawmakers ratify military accord with two ex-Soviet republics

The Associated Press
02/18/05 08:12 EST

MOSCOW (AP) – Russia’s lower house of parliament on Friday ratified
security accords with two former Soviet republics in Central Asia
aimed at deepening cooperation between their militaries.

The State Duma unanimously approved the agreement with Kyrgyzstan,
which allows both militaries to use each other’s military and civilian
facilities.

It also stipulates that the countries consult one another before
deciding whether to allow troops from a nation that is not a signatory
to a post-Soviet security treaty to deploy in their territories. The
Russia-dominated Collective Security Treaty unites several ex-Soviet
republics, including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Belarus and Armenia.

Kyrgyzstan is already host to a U.S.-led coalition air base at the
country’s main airport just outside the capital, Bishkek, and Russia
didn’t object to the deployment in 2001. The base supports combat
operations in nearby Afghanistan.

The Central Asian country also holds a Russian air base, established
in 2003 as the U.S. military was bolstering its presence in the
region. The Kremlin views Central Asia as its traditional sphere
of influence.

The Kyrgyz foreign minister said earlier this week that his government
had turned down a U.S. request to deploy AWACS radar planes in the
country after consultations with regional allies, including Russia
and China. U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Stephen Young denied that
Washington ever sought permission to use the planes in Kyrgyzstan,
according to a transcript of his remarks released by the U.S. Embassy
on Friday.

The Russian-Kyrgyz accord, signed by the leaders of both nations in
2002, is an effort to “enhance peace, increase stability and security
in Central Asia and in the world as a whole,” the document said. The
agreement will be effective for 10 years.

Russian lawmakers also approved a five-year military accord signed
with Kazakhstan last year that will allow for joint military planning
“in the use of troops at times of peace and war.” That accord was
approved in a 415-1 vote.

Three Azerbaijani soldiers detained by Armenian forces in Nagono-Karabakh

Associated Press Worldstream
February 18, 2005 Friday

YEREVAN, Armenia — Three Azerbaijani soldiers were detained in
Nagorno-Karabakh, where a tense cease-fire holds more than 10 years
after ethnic Armenian and Azerbaijani forces went to war over the
disputed enclave, officials said Friday.

The soldiers were captured by ethnic Armenian forces Tuesday after
they crossed the line of control that separates the two sides in the
northeastern section of the enclave, Nagorno-Karabakh law enforcement
officials said.

The soldiers were being interrogated, the officials said.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry confirmed the capture.

The two sides regularly exchange gunfire across the line of control,
and troops from one side or another are occasionally caught crossing
into enemy territory. Officials with the International Red Cross
typically negotiate prisoner exchanges.

Ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia drove Azerbaijani troops out
of Nagorno-Karabakh in the 1990s during a six-year war that killed
some 30,000 people and sent 1 million fleeing from their homes.

A cease-fire was reached in 1994, but the final status of the enclave,
whose self-proclaimed sovereignty is not recognized internationally,
has not been determined. The unresolved dispute damages both nations’
economies and the threat of renewed war continues to hang over
the region.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been involved in an international effort
to reach a settlement, sponsored by the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe.

GEORGIA PUSHING FOR SPEEDIEST POSSIBLE PULLOUT OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASES

RIA Novosti
Feb 18 2005

TBILISI, February 18 (RIA Novosti) – The timeframe for the withdrawal
of the Russian military bases from Georgia is likely to be set within
the next couple of months, Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze
announced Friday.

“Putting a timeframe on the pullout of the Russian bases from Georgian
territory is a key issue to us,” Ms Burjanadze pointed out as she
met with Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, in the capital of
Tbilisi today. Russia has two military bases in Georgia, one in Batumi
(in the Ajarian autonomy) and the other at Akhalkalaki, on the border
with Armenia.

As she said, Georgia seeks a settlement in its relations with Russia.
“Georgia is mindful of Russia’s legitimate national security concerns,
but seeks such good-neighborly cooperation that would meet the needs
of both nations,” the Parliament Speaker said.

According to the Novosti Georgia news agency, both she and
the visiting Russian minister hailed the idea to set up joint
Russo-Georgian counter-terrorism centers, drawing from the military
bases’ resources. They hope these centers will help prevent acts of
terrorism in the two countries.

Ms Burjanadze brought up the issue of bringing the Roki Tunnel under
the control of Georgian and Russian forces. Presently, the tunnel
is being controlled by paramilitary groups of South Ossetia, one of
Georgia’s breakaway autonomies. Mr Lavrov pointed out in his connection
that the Ossetian people’s opinion should be taken into account.

Elias II, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, who also met with Mr
Lavrov today, emphasized that Russia should help to restore Georgia’s
territorial integrity. “The main problem in Georgian-Russian relations
is [the controversy over the breakaway provinces] Abkhazia and South
Ossetia,” the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia argued.

The two men met behind closed doors. Their delegations included Russian
Ambassador Vladimir Chkhikvishvili and members of the Georgian Orthodox
Church’s Holy Synod. At the end of the meeting, Lavrov and Elias II
presented each other with remembrances.

Fresno State News, CA
Feb 18 2005

Ambassador to Armenia to Visit Fresno State
Friday, Feb. 18

When: Friday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m. reception and media availability
Where: Viticulture and Enology Center conference room, 2360 E.
Barstow
Who: Ambassador John Evans, U.S. State Department and USAID
officials
Backgrnd: Background Links

Fresno State Armenian Studies Program

Official site: Embassy of the United States, Yerevan, Armenia

Armenian Agribusiness Education Fund

John Evans, who named U.S. Ambassador to Armenia in August 2004, is
making a 10-day trip throughout the country to visit
Armenian-American communities. He requested a visit with Fresno State
faculty and staff who have participated in the university’s various
programs and exchanges in Armenia.

Fresno State’s connection with Armenia goes back more than 20 years
and includes:

Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, director of Armenian Studies Program at Fresno
State, served as Fulbright scholar in Armenian in 1987. Fresno State
has one of the most active Armenian Studies Programs in the United
States.

A variety of student/faculty exchanges with Yerevan State University
over the years.

Fresno State will coordinate first summer study program in Armenia in
fall 2005 and a full semester study course in spring 2006.

President John Welty visited Yerevan in May 2004 and signed a
memorandum of agreement with both Yerevan State University and
Armenian Agricultural Academy to promote further student and scholar
exchange, develop cooperative research initiatives and additional
teacher training programs.

Fresno State just completed 5-year federal grant: “NIS College and
University Partnership Program” – between faculty of business
programs at Fresno State and Yerevan State Universities.

Fresno State was primary university contractor to USDA MAP from
1996-97, providing leadership in curriculum reform at Agricultural
Academy, faculty training
and creating initial concept for the Agribusiness Teaching Center.

Fresno State serves as headquarters for the Armenian Agribusiness
Education Fund, designed to provide sustainability to agricultural
education initiatives currently under way in Armenia. This summer,
Fresno State winemaster Ken Fugelsang will travel to Armenia to
present viticulture and enology workshops for farmers and educators.

Fresno State has one of the most active Armenian Studies programs in
the United States.

Informtn: Shirley Armbruster at 278-5292 or Bill Erysian at 278-
0317.

AZERBAIJANI PARTY LEADER REQUESTED GEORGE BUSH TO PERSONALLY ASSIST KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005

18.02.2005 15:50

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Leader of the National Front of Azerbaijan Ali
Kerimli appealed to US President George Bush to assist the Karabakh
conflict settlement. The message says that being the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chair the US should be more active to settle the conflict fairly.
“The present situation, which can be described as “no war, no peace”
impedes both economic and democratic development of Azerbaijan and the
whole region. We would like the US and George Bush personally to take
active part in the fair settlement of the conflict. The Presidents
of the US and Russia are to meet in several days. And we hope that
during this meeting the US will support Azerbaijan, which fell a
victim to Armenia’s occupation”, the appeal runs.

ATKINSON’S REPORT REFLECTS HIS OWN VIEWS, UK AMBASSADOR SAYS

ArmenPress
Feb 18 2005

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, ARMENPRESS: In an interview to a Russian
Regnum news agency, Great Britain’s ambassador to Armenia, Thorda
Abbot-Watt said her government hailed the EU decision to include
Armenia’s into its New Neighborhood initiative, adding also that
political relations between Armenia and Great Britain remain to be
close. She said the first progress from the Neighborhood Policy is
expected this year.
She said Great Britain will continue to support the activity of
the OSCE Minsk Group. “I hope Sir Brian Fall, a special UK
representative for the South Caucasus will visit Yerevan this spring
to meet with top Armenian leaders and discuss plans for further
strengthening of bilateral ties,” she said.
The ambassador said the embassy will continue to work for
implementation of development programs targeting two Armenian
provinces of Tavush and Gegharkunik. She said the programs will be
officially launched on February 21.
She also reiterated that the Government of the United Kingdom has
offered to pay 10% of Armenia’s World Bank debt repayments until
2015. The British Department for International Development (DFID)
will pay the money into a World Bank trust fund. The International
Development Association (the World Bank agency which provides funding
on concessional terms to the poorest developing countries) will in
turn reduce the repayments which Armenia makes over the next ten
years.
The British Government have offered this financial help in
recognition of the difficulties which low income countries face in
trying to reduce poverty while at the same time service their
international debt. The objective is to free additional resources to
enable Armenia to achieve its development goals. Armenia is one of
five countries to benefit in this way, all chosen in recognition that
they have sound public expenditure policies in place which will
ensure that the money saved will be targeted towards poverty
reduction. The other countries are Mongolia, Vietnam, Nepal and Sri
Lanka.
Armenia is due to repay the World Bank US$ 8 million, US$ 11
million and US$ 12 million in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively. The
United Kingdom contribution will be 10% of this – US$800,000,
US$1.1million and US$1.2million. Over the ten years of the initiative
(until 2015), the total United Kingdom contribution will be just
under US$20 million.
The ambassador also downplayed an opinion spread among Armenian
political circles that a resolution adopted by PACE on the basis of a
report by a British delegate to PACE David Atkinson, perceived here
as “anti-Armenian,” reflects the position of Great Britain.
“Though the report, on the basis of which PACE adopted the
resolution was drafted by a member of the British Parliament, it
reflects Atkinson’s personal views, but not the position of the
British government. In the first place we are all interested in the
peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, as it blocks
the economic development of the region,” she concluded.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress