Armenian premier upbeat on country’s economic growth

Golos Armenii
14 Dec 04

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan has said that in 2005 the
country will reach the economic level at which Armenia was in 1989. In
his interview with Golos Armenii newspaper, the prime minister noted
that international financial institutions treat Armenia as a country
with a developing economy. However, this creates certain difficulties
in getting credits on light conditions and the country will not be
able to give up credits in the next few years, he said. Andranik
Markaryan added that he will take an active part in the next
presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. He also
denied that the dispatch of an Armenian military contingent to Iran
poses a threat to the country’s security. The following is an excerpt
from Marina Lazarian report by Armenian newspaper Golos Armenii on 14
December headlined “They treat us as a country where the economy is
developing” and subheaded “says the Armenian prime minister and leader
of the Republican Party of Armenia, Andranik Markaryan”. Subheadings
as published:

Interview with the Armenian prime minister and leader of the
Republican Party of Armenia, Andranik Markaryan.

Certain people used the difficult situation

[Correspondent] Given the latest events, doesn’t the government think
it expedient to intervene in the currency policy of the Central Bank?
The population is suffering from the fall in the exchange rate of the
dollar and the explanations of the Central Bank do not convince people
any more.

[Markaryan] First, the rate of the dram for the dollar is stabilizing
in our country.

[Passage omitted: about processes in the world economy]

[Correspondent] Doesn’t the tendency of economic growth to stabilize
prompt the need and a possibility to refuse credits of the World Bank
and the IMF? Isn’t it time to stop living in debt?

[Markaryan] The aforesaid institutions monitor every year whether we
fulfil our obligations and meet certain criteria. On the basis of the
results of the monitoring, foreign investors decide whether it is
expedient to invest in our economy. Cooperation with our country is
based on the degree of IMF and World Bank assessments. Even Russia,
with its great natural reserves, stakes on credits. As for us, Armenia
is among the countries that are not given credits on light conditions,
we get only commercial credits. On the one hand, it is good as we are
treated as a country whose economy is developing. On the other hand,
it creates difficulties in getting credits on light conditions. We
will not be able to give up credits in the next few years.

In 2005 we will reach the level of Soviet Armenia of 1989

[Correspondent] There are reports which suggest that if the Armenian
economy cannot take an economic leap at the moment, in 2020 it will
find itself at the level of the Lithuanian economy in 2003. In other
words, can our country take a big leap, just the same way as they did
it in Holland or Singapore?

[Markaryan] We are developing leap by leap, and it is of no benefit to
us to have an 11, 12 or 13-per-cent growth in GDP every year. The
moment will come when we shall aspire to an 8-per-cent growth. We
still have resources (credits, incomes) and if they are used
correctly, we can go ahead, but tomorrow when the economy reaches a
certain level, a 12 or 13-per-cent growth will not be quite
normal. Developed European countries have a 3 or 4-per-cent growth
annually. In 2005, we shall reach the economic level of Soviet Armenia
of 1989. This is not bad. There are few countries among the
post-Soviet states that can boast the pace we predict for the next two
or three years.

[Passage omitted: Other details; A factory in Zangezur will start
operating soon]

There is a risk, but if we want to play by the generally accepted
rules… [ellipsis as given]

[Correspondent] What is the position of the Republican Party of
Armenia [RPA] on the issue of sending an Armenian military contingent
to Iraq? Will this mission not turn into a threat to our country?

[Markaryan] We think that we should interfere in the business of
superpowers as less as possible. But since we are a state and have
certain obligations, and what’s more, the point is about fighting
international terrorism and our state has always declared that it
supports this fight, the position of the state should not boil down
only to statements, it also suggests specific actions, i.e. we intend
to send only 50 doctors, drivers and sappers to Iraq. As for the
threat, there is always a threat. If you mean the interests of Iraq’s
Armenian community that might become a target for terrorists if an
Armenian military contingent goes to Iraq, that could have happened
when our country supported the American action in Iraq. Before this
support was declared and before we intended to send a contingent to
Iraq, Armenians also died in Iraq, Armenian houses and churches were
blown up. There is a risk, but if we want to play by the generally
accepted rules, we should take the risk. One should not forget that
the countries which have sent troops to Iraq, such as Poland, Spain
and others, and which are thinking of pulling them out now, had
fundamentally different tasks in Iraq. Their contingents took part in
the hostilities and suffered great casualties, which is why public
opinion in those countries is appropriate. In our country, this
problem has no such harsh nature.

[Passage omitted: Political parties are not that strong to affect the
economy]

The RPA will actively participate in the elections

[Correspondent] Are you going to run in the presidential elections?
And what will the RPA’s mission be in those elections?

[Markaryan] The RPA will take an active part in the local government,
parliamentary, as well as in the presidential elections. Certainly,
the level of participation in the presidential elections will depend
on the results gained by the party in the parliamentary
elections. Even if the RPA does not nominate its candidate, it will
nevertheless take an active part in the presidential elections, and
who is elected president will greatly depend on that.

[Passage omitted: Other details]

Personnel changes may always happen

[Correspondent] They are talking a lot about the personnel changes in
the government. How well-founded is this talk especially against the
background of ministers’ reports?

[Markaryan] Personnel changes may always happen, but I would not link
them to ministers’ reports. There is no programme on personnel changes
yet, but it may occur at any moment in connection with individuals
ministers. In this case, party affiliation plays no role. The recent
media rumours that I am allegedly firing my advisers under pressure
are not true. In this connection, I would like to recall that the
institute of the prime minister’s advisers does not depend on the
coalition, president or parliament. The prime minister chooses his
advisers independently. I have nine advisers, eight of them are
working and one of them, Vladimir Movsisyan, has changed his job. As
for the remaining advisers, they are all still working, but something
might change in January.

Azeri foreign minister tells radio about talks with Armenian counterpart

ANS Radio, Baku
15 Dec 04

[Presenter] Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has
revealed some aspects of the meeting in Brussels with his Armenian
counterpart, Vardan Oskanyan, on the resolution of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict.

[Mammadyarov, no picture] We discussed [the possibility of] sending an
OSCE mission to the occupied lands [of Azerbaijan] to examine illegal
settlements there. We are planning to continue the Prague process in
January [next year]. Of course, this is a difficult issue and there
are many questions. But, we, the Azerbaijani side, think that we
should continue the Prague talks, because there are opportunities to
make progress there.

[Presenter] Mammadyarov made this statement in London.

Foreign minister rules out Ukrainian scenario in Armenia

Arminfo, Yerevan
14 Dec 04

YEREVAN

The example of Ukraine must put an end to the Armenian opposition’s
claims, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told a news
conference in Yerevan today.

The minister said that many international organizations did not
recognize the Ukrainian elections, which means that if the elections
in Armenia had not reflected the reality, the same international
organizations would have said that without reservation. But since no
such statements were made, the Armenian opposition’s claims are
illegitimate, the foreign minister said.

Asked whether the Armenian authorities’ decision to congratulate
Viktor Yanukovych on his election as president was hasty, the minister
pointed to the decision of the Ukrainian Central Electoral Commission
and regarded the congratulation as a perfectly normal move.

The minister added that there is no reason to worry that the Ukrainian
scenario may be repeated in Armenia because all countries have their
own peculiarities. Also, the minister said that the situation in
Armenia is not similar to that in Ukraine and that Armenia is simply
not ready for such a turn of events. Therefore, the minister said the
concerns that the Ukrainian or Georgian scenario may repeat itself in
Armenia are unfounded.

Russian speaker says Armenia free to send troops to Iraq

Arminfo
15 Dec 04

YEREVAN

Armenia is a sovereign state and as a sovereign state, it has to solve
the issue of sending its peacekeepers to Iraq independently, the
speaker of the Russian State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, who is paying an
official visit to Armenia, told a news conference in Yerevan today
when commenting on the possible sending of 50 Armenian peacekeepers to
Iraq.

“Russia treats Armenia as a friend and respects its decisions,” he
said.

As far as Russia’s official position is concerned, Gryzlov said it has
been voiced on several occasions. He stressed that Russia considers it
appropriate to carry out peacekeeping operations in Iraq only with the
consent of the UN and the OSCE.

Visiting speaker says ferryboat link to diversify Russo-Armenian ties

Arminfo
15 Dec 04

YEREVAN

The Kavkaz-Poti ferryboat link will be launched in late January 2005,
which will help diversify the transport corridors between Armenia and
Russia, the speaker of the Russian State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, who is
paying an official visit to Armenia, told a news conference in Yerevan
today.

He said the issue of opening the Abkhaz section of the railway would
most likely be resolved in 2005.

“Russia has done a lot to restore the practically destroyed section of
the Sochi-Sukhumi railway and we have to continue our efforts to open
the entire Abkhaz section of the railway,” Gryzlov said.

The speaker of the Russian State Duma added that as a result of the
opening of the communication links the volume of trade between Russia
and Armenia would significantly increase. He also pointed to the
currently low level of trade relations, which stood only at 170m
dollars as of December.

Speaking about the five Armenian enterprises handed over to Russia as
part of Armenia’s 100m-dollar debt to Russia, Boris Gryzlov said the
only problem in that deal was the fact that the Mars [radio
electronic] plant was still idle. And that was a mistake on the part
of Russia. However, the speaker said that next year’s Russian state
budget contained a special entry which envisaged the allocation of
resources to make this enterprise operational.

“The other four enterprises handed over to Russia work normally,” he
said.

Gryzlov stressed that Russian-Armenian relations were at a high level
now.

“I can say that Russia and Armenia are friendly neighbours despite the
absence of a common border. Today Russia is home to 2m Armenians,” he
said. He added that both countries advocate a single position on many
issues discussed in international organizations where the Russian and
Armenian parliamentarians are cooperating with each other, which is
further proof of friendship between the two peoples.

Armenian speaker, visiting Russian counterpart discuss joint programmes

Arminfo
15 Dec 04

YEREVAN

Speaker of the Russian State Duma Boris Gryzlov, who is paying an
official visit Armenia, met Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly
Artur Bagdasaryan today.

During the meeting, which was also attended by the chairmen of the
Armenian parliament’s standing commissions, heads of parliamentary
factions and groups, Artur Bagdasaryan and Boris Gryzlov touched on
prospects for the development of interstate relations, the press
service of the Armenian National Assembly has told Arminfo.

Special emphasis was placed on ways of boosting the effectiveness of
the CIS Parliamentary Assembly (PA), cooperation in preparing model
laws for the Commonwealth’s PA, namely in developing a legal framework
to combat terrorism, implement joint programmes in the areas of
science, education and culture, expand regional relations, cooperate
within the framework of international organizations, etc.

The Armenian parliament speaker said Armenia was attaching special
importance to the role of the Russian Federation in settling the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk
Group. Bagdasaryan pointed to the importance of launching the five
Armenian enterprises handed over to Russia as part of the Property for
Debt agreement, adding that people were waiting for the creation of
jobs and investment opportunities, which is stipulated by the
agreement. The sides also pointed to the importance of resuming the
railway and ferryboat link between the two countries.

In reply, Boris Gryzlov said everything would be done to implement the
Property for Debt agreement, noting that the allocation of financial
resources to that end was envisaged in next year’s Russian state
budget. The State Duma speaker promised that the issue of restoring
the railway and ferryboat link would be tabled as soon as he returned
to Moscow. Gryzlov also shared with his Armenian counterparts the
results of the State Duma’s work this year. He said relations between
Armenia and the Russian Federation were friendly and described Armenia
as Russia’s outpost in the South Caucasus.

It was also said that the next meeting of the Russian-Armenian
intergovernmental commission due in Moscow in late December would
discuss issues raised today.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU Parliament Calls for Talks With Turkey

By CONSTANT BRAND
.c The Associated Press

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) – The European Parliament urged European Union
leaders Wednesday to open membership talks with Turkey as soon as
possible, but it also said Ankara should carry out more democratic
reforms and move toward recognizing Cyprus.

The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, France, voted 407-262,
with 29 abstentions, to pass the resolution, which is nonbinding but
nevertheless likely to influence leaders on the eve of a historic
summit in Brussels on Turkey’s membership application.

The resolution calls on leaders to “open the negotiations with Turkey
without undue delay.”

During their two-day summit, the 25 EU leaders are expected to approve
opening membership talks with Ankara sometime next year.

Jose Manuel Barroso, the European Commission president, also said the
talks should begin immediately, even though Turkey has not met all the
requirements.

“In 10 years, Turkey won’t be the same Turkey as today … and
certain fears that exist today can be put aside,” Barroso told
France-2 television station.

“I believe this is the moment,” Barroso said, adding that Turkey has
made “an enormous effort to come join the European Union” and its
membership “would be very positive for Europe.”

The parliament urged Ankara to meet demands for a “zero-tolerance”
approach to torture, which the legislature says is still being carried
out by authorities in Turkey.

The resolution also said the opening of negotiations would
“presuppose recognition by Turkey” of Cyprus, which joined the EU in
May.

It urged Turkey to acknowledge “the genocide perpetrated against the
Armenians” nearly a century ago. Turkey has been accused of killing
as many as 1.5 million Armenians during a 1915-23 campaign to force
them from eastern Turkey. Ankara vehemently denies this.

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the parliament
vote.

“This decision is very important. … There are still many issues
against (Turkey) but despite that, it is very meaningful,” Erdogan
said in Ankara.

Erdogan, meanwhile, reiterated that Turkey won’t hesitate to say no to
the EU if the bloc imposed unacceptable conditions on starting
membership talks with Turkey.

Also Wednesday, EU governments debated the merits of bringing Turkey
into the EU but also reflected on lingering misgivings – notably in
Austria, Denmark, Slovakia, the Netherlands and France.

The 25 leaders will likely agree to open membership talks without
setting a deadline on when the negotiations should end. Many say they
could last up to 15 years.

12/15/04 14:07 EST

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian leader, visiting Russian speaker praise improved trade

Noyan Tapan news agency
15 Dec 04

YEREVAN

The development of Russian-Armenian relations in the context of
bringing the two countries’ political and economic legislation closer
together and prospects for international cooperation were discussed by
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Speaker of the [Russian] State
Duma Boris Gryzlov today.

Boris Gryzlov is in Yerevan on an official visit.

Robert Kocharyan expressed his satisfaction with the fact that 2004
saw an improved trade structure between the two countries. For his
part, the speaker of the Russian State Duma said this was laying the
basis for boosting bilateral relations even further.

[Passage omitted: Reported details]

The sides also touched on ways of improving the transport link between
Armenia and Russia, namely issues concerning the railway and the
Kavkaz ferryboat lines, the press service of the Armenian president
told Noyan-Tapan.

The sides also exchanged views on regional and international problems.

Armenian president keen to see Russia making full use of Yerevan enterprises

Mediamax news agency
15 Dec 04

YEREVAN

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said today that he attaches great
importance to the meeting of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental
commission, planned for the end of December in Moscow, “during which
resolutions are expected to be found to speed up the process of
putting into operation the enterprises that have been transferred to
Russian Federation ownership to repay Armenian debts”.

The Armenian president talked about this today at a meeting with the
speaker of the Russian State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, who is in Yerevan on
an official visit, Mediamax agency reports.

The sides in particular declared the need for active work to modernize
and to put into full operation the Yerevan Mars [radio electronics]
plant. Boris Gryzlov said that the Russian side regards the issue of
Mars as paramount and is already debating the possibility of placing
orders at the plant.

The Armenian president and speaker of the lower house of the Russian
parliament also considered issues connected with stepping up transport
links between the two countries.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

December 15, 2004
___________________

ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY LEADER FINDS HOME IN SANCTUARY

If you’ve ever been to a service at New York City’s St. Vartan
Cathedral, chances are you’ve seen Araxie Cherishian. Her smiling face
and warm inviting spirit can fill the sanctuary, where she has served as
senior usher for more than two decades.

“She embraces all who come through the doors of this Cathedral, offering
a kind word, a listening ear, or a word of encouragement to all those
who need it,” said Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral.
“As our senior usher, Araxie takes her outreach mission and
responsibilities seriously. She has been a gift to St. Vartan
Cathedral, the Armenian Church, and to the greater community.”

Recently, she was recognized by the Council of Churches of the City of
New York, during a banquet held at St. Vartan Cathedral. In front of
hundreds of people, she was presented with the 2004 Recognition Award by
the organization’s president, Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts III, pastor of the
Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.

Araxie was one of only four lay leaders throughout New York City to be
honored by the ecumenical group during its 10th annual awards
presentation on October 21, 2004. She was recognized for her “pious,
loving soul” that has given strength and inspiration to the Armenian
community. Saying we do God’s work and serve as His hands, she told the
attendees that her service stems from seeing her parents give back and
support the community and church. She is merely following their
example.

Along with serving as St. Vartan Cathedral’s senior usher for 20 years,
she is also charged with coordinating community outreach for the
cathedral. She has served as the chair of the St. Vartan Cathedral
Guild and as a leader of the St. Gregory Church parish council and
Sunday School. She is a member of the board of directors of the
Armenian Home for the Aged in Flushing, NY, and chair of the Union of
Marash Armenians (Compatriotic Union/New York Chapter).

“Araxie’s spirit is the spirit of the Armenian people,” said Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern). “She is a tireless servant of God, answering His
call to stewardship in a humble and loving way. She truly is an
embodiment of Christian giving.”

She is more than a servant of the church: Araxie is also an active
member of her community. Araxie is the president of the Friends of St.
Vartan Park, which oversees the city park next to the cathedral. She is
a member of the board of directors of the Murray Hill Committee, the
Manhattan East Community Association, and the New York Police
Department’s 17th Precinct Community Council. For 17 years she worked
as a volunteer reading tutor with the Volunteer Services for Children
project.

“The qualities that define Araxie best are her spirit of service to her
community, Armenian and non-Armenian, and a compulsion to care for her
fellow men for their material and moral needs,” said her brother-in-law
Onnig Halajian. “Such qualities are rare and do not come by chance. I
see her as a product of an upbringing by parents who have also made an
impression on me by virtue of their unadvertised love for people, for
their community, and for their ancestral church.”

— 12/15/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Joined by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral, Araxie Cherishian, the cathedral’s senior usher, is presented
with the Council of Churches of the City of New York’s 2004 Recognition
Award by the organization’s president, Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, III.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Araxie Cherishian speaks of how her parents
instilled in her a devotion to the church and community during a banquet
hosted by the Council of Churches of the City of New York.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): St. Vartan Cathedral’s senior usher, Araxie
Cherishian, center in black, takes a moment to reflect in prayer in the
sanctuary.