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

Daily Bruin
Friday, February 18, 2005
U.S. seeks to bring stability to Armenia
Ambassador speaks to UCLA community about American presence in nation
By Zahra Bazmjow
DAILY BRUIN CONTRIBUTOR
[email protected]
Over 100 students and faculty members gathered in Ackerman Thursday
to welcome U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans to UCLA.
People sat in chairs, stood and even sat on the ground during the
hour and a half discussion to hear Evans’ report from Armenia and
take part in the afternoon’s open forum.
During the event, Evans outlined the U.S.’s mission in Armenia
and highlighted its three projected goals there: to bring greater
stability and security to the Southern Caucasus, to build up the
economies of the region in a broad-based and sustainable way, and to
foster democratic institutions.
“We’ve had some victories and some setbacks,” Evans said.
Christina Ohanian, historian for the UCLA Armenian Students
Association, said that the interaction between the ambassador and
the local Armenian community was important.
“It’s important for the government to make such contact … so that
we can see what is going on first hand,” she said.
Evans was invited to UCLA by Modern Armenian History Professor
Richard Hovannisian. Robin Phillips, the U.S. Agency for International
Development director was also present.
Evans was sworn in as the ambassador to Armenia on Aug. 11, 2004 and
is visiting major Armenian communities for exchanges and forums.
The Armenian population in Southern California has grown to more than
500,000 since 1915, and is now the largest Armenian community outside
the country itself.
Armenia is a post-Soviet republic in the Caucasus. The country is
landlocked and on only a small portion of historic Armenia, most
of which is now in eastern Turkey. It was from this region that the
Armenian population was massacred during the genocide of 1915.
The Caucasus region is located between the Black Sea to the west and
the Caspian Sea to the east.
Armenia, a country slightly smaller than the state of Maryland,
sustained years of conflict and turmoil that culminated on April
24, 1915, in a genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks against
the Armenians.
One and a half million Armenians – 60 percent of that population –
are believed by many to have been killed between the years of 1915
and 1923.
The Turkish government denies the genocide ever occurred and the
United States refuses to term the events as genocide.
Over the centuries, Armenia, despite periods of autonomy, came
under the control of various empires. In 1991, Armenia gained its
independence from the Soviet Union.
Since then, the United States has played a major role in the
development of the country.
The per capita level of assistance offered by the United States to
Armenia is higher than any other former Soviet state, Evans said.
“From my perspective Armenia is headed in the right direction
and progress has been remarkable. We need to be patient but also
persistent,” he said.
“I think we’re making a difference,” Evans added.
Evans also said the United States supports free and fair elections
in Armenia.
“I want to put to rest the idea that the U.S. is causing turmoil in
the area. We are unabashedly in support of free leadership,” he said.
Many students agreed that the open forum and the opportunity to ask
questions during the event were highlights of the experience.
“I was excited to see the ambassador and happy that he came even
though I don’t agree with everything he said,” said Ani Nahapetian,
a member of the Armenian Graduate Student Association of UCLA.
Many students say they believe the United States would be even more
effective if it could recognize the genocide of 1915.
“The situation in Armenia is improving but there are glaring problems,
the main one being the continued denial of the Armenian genocide by
the U.S. government,” said Samvel Setyan, treasurer of the ASA.
“I feel that the United States, which stands for all of these ideals,
is hypocritical by not recognizing that the genocide occurred,” said
Gohar Gazazyan, a mass communications and history student and member
of ASA.
But overall, students seemed optimistic about the future of Armenia.
“I got a positive vibe from the forum, but the problem is that there
is still a lot left to be done,” Gazazyan said.

Armenian National Committee – Glendale
721 S. Glendale Ave
Glendale, CA 91205
Tel: (818) 243-3444
Fax: (818) 243-3009
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ Febraury 18, 2005
Contact: Alina Azizian – 818.243.3444
ANCG ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS FOR CITY ELECTIONS
Glendale, CA — The Armenian National Committee of Glendale announced
Thursday its list of endorsed candidates for the Glendale City
Municipal Elections. The endorsements include candidates for Glendale
Unified School District Board of Education, Glendale Community College
Board of Trustees, City Clerk and City Treasurer. The committee is
holding off on endorsements for city council until a later date.
“With 19 candidates in the City Council race, the endorsement
process is inevitably taking a few weeks,” stated board member
Armond Gorgorian. “We really want to make sure we take the time to
meet with candidates as well as community members in order to make
a well informed endorsement decision.”
Regardless of the City Council race, the ANCG went ahead with
it’s endorsement of 8 candidates for various races. In the highly
publicized City Clerk race, the Armenian National Committee of Glendale
endorsed Ardashes ‘Ardy’ Kassakhian. The committee endorsed incumbent
Ronald Borucki for City Treasurer along with all three incumbents
for the College Board of Trustees: Armineh Hacopian, Anita Quinonez
Gabrielian and Victor I. King. Finally, for GUSD Board, the ANCG
endorsed incumbents Greg Krikorian and Chuck Sambar as well as Nayiri
Nahebedian for the remaining seat.
“The Armenian National Committee of Glendale believes that these
8 candidates are the best candidates for their respective races.
We are confident that these candidates bring with them the experience
and leadership skills necessary to improve our city and serve our
community,” announced Alina Azizian, Executive Director of the ANCG
(or stated the announcement).
The endorsements come less than 2 months before the April 5th
elections. The ANCG will spend the next 6 weeks encouraging people
to register to vote and get active on campaigns, Azizian stated.
The ANCG will also be launching a voter education campaign to inform
voters about the candidates, the issues and the voting process.
For more information regarding the candidates or ways to get involved,
please contact the Armenian National Committee of Glendale at
818.243.3444 or [email protected].
#####

First ever Armenian Holy Mass in Manama, Bahrain
Azad-Hye, United Arab Emirates
Feb 17 2005
AZAD-HYE (17 February 2005): The spiritual leader of the Armenian
community in Kuwait and the GCC countries Archbishop Dr. Gorun Babian
visited Bahrain on 9th December 2004 and officiated, for the first
time in the Kingdom of Bahrain, an Armenian Holy Mass on 10th
December 2004, at the Awali Chapel at 7.30pm. This was followed by a
dinner at the “Majestic Hotel” in Juffair. His Grace was accompanied
by the priest of the parish in Sharjah, Father Aram Deyirmendjian.
Some 50 Armenians arrived from nearby Saudi Arabia (Khobar and Damam
cities) to join the small Armenian community in Bahrain, which
numbers around 30 people. Armenians of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia hold
passports of various countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Cyprus, USA, Canada, etc.
Archbishop Babian said in his speech address to the Armenians of
Bahrain and the neighbouring areas: “Wherever you are located,
whether in a large Armenian community or in a remote desert, that
place could be altered to a flourishing oasis, a kind of tiny
spiritual fatherland, with the blessing of the Armenian Church”.
Until recently, only in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, the
Armenians enjoyed organized community life. Recent changes,
especially in the attitude of Qatar and Bahrain towards their foreign
communities, encouraged Armenians to get organized in both countries.
The Diocese’s higher body based in Kuwait authorized therefore
Archbishop Babian to contact the Armenians in those countries and
assist them in organizing their community life. In April 2003 His
Grace visited Doha, where some 200 Armenians are settled and
officiated Holy Mass service. The Council of Qatar Armenians was
formed which started to conduct regular meetings, dealing with
community affairs.
Mrs. Adrine Khatchadourian, one of the main figures of the Armenian
community of Bahrain managed to find a suitable location for the
first time ever Armenian Holy Mass in Manama. She also managed to
contact almost all the Armenians of Bahrain and those who are living
in nearby Saudi Arabia, where no Christian clergy is allowed to
enter. She coordinated her efforts with Setrak Dakesian and Hayrabed
Hayrabedian, both residents of Saudi Arabia. The Holy Mass was
followed by a prayer dedicated to the souls of beloved ones.

The St. Petersburg Times
#1045, Friday, February 18, 2005
Phillip Morris Plans 40% Boost This Year
THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES
The Leningrad Oblast’s Phillip Morris plant will become the largest
tobacco factory in Russia by increasing production by 40 percent in
2005, up from the 50 billion cigarettes output last year, the company
said this week.
The increased capacity will come from an additional 50,000 square meter
facility that the company’s management hopes will be finished by the
end of this year, Guy Guffers, Phillip Morris’ production director,
said Tuesday at a news conference.
The new facility, which began construction in 2002, will include
a new processing line and a warehouse. The total cost of expansion
works is estimated at $240 million, Guffers said.
The Phillip Morris Izhora (PMI) factory was built in the Lomonosov
district of the Leningrad Oblast in 2000 with an initial investment
of $360 million. The factory is a fully-owned subsidiary of Phillip
Morris and produces the Marlboro, Parliament, Virginia Slims, L&M,
Chesterfield and Bond Street brands.
The company said no further expansion will be discussed until full
capacity levels are reached at the factory by the end of the year,
Phillip Morris operates two factories in Russia, one in Krasnodar and
the Leningrad Oblast plant from which it also exports cigarettes to
Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Moldova and Kazakhastan.
PMI was the largest taxpayer in the Leningrad Oblast in 2004,
transferring over 1.5 billion rubles ($54 million) to the local budget
– something that the oblast’s Governor Valery Serdyukov said he’s be
loathe to lose, even though he disapproves of smoking himself.
“I believe that smoking is bad. But if one has the habit, it is
better to smoke quality cigarettes,” said Serdyukov as reported by
Delovoi Peterburg.
“Once everybody stops smoking, though, we will find something else
for the factory to produce.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PACE RESOLUTION ON KARABAKH DOES NOT REFLECT UK’S POSITION
PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005
18.02.2005 15:30
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Though the PACE resolution on Nagorno Karabakh was
based on the report of a British parliament member, it reflects the
viewpoint of this parliamentarian but not that of the UK’s government,
UK’s Ambassador to Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt told IA Regnum. “First
of all we are interested in the settlement of the conflict, since it
impedes the economic development of the whole region”, she noted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Djorkaeff set to join MLS giants
Reuters
Friday, February 18, 2005
Former France international Youri Djorkaeff is joining Major League
Soccer outfit New York/New Jersey Metrostars.
The 36-year-old former Monaco, Paris St Germain, Internazionale,
Kaiserslautern, Bolton and Blackburn striker is eager to start his new
life in the United States after finally sealing the deal with the MLS.
“This is a new life starting for me,” Djorkaeff, a member of France’s
1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning teams, told a Paris press
conference on Friday.
“I have been spoilt throughout my career and I had decided to retire
if the deal with New York fell though.
“I had no wish to join a club in Qatar. On the contrary it was a
sporting and life choice, as it’s always been a dream for me to live
in the United States.
“I am leaving France on Sunday with all my family who are also eager
to start this new adventure with me,” added the veteran forward,
whose family roots are in Armenia and who is an honorary citizen of
that country.
Djorkaeff wants to help soccer develop in the United States.
“I have been in touch with them since I was at Bolton,” added the
Frenchman, who said that his three-month spell at Ewood Park earlier
this season was mainly to keep him fit.
“I really wanted to move to the United States. The MLS is a very
interesting league. There are 12 clubs this season but there will be
14 next which shows there is a real desire to take it forward.
“I would like to sort of open a door. Soccer is not well known in
America and I want to contribute to making it more popular.”
The length of Djorkaeff’s contract has not been revealed.
He said: “I can’t tell for how long I will stay because when you sign
for an American club there is no definite time.”
Club president Nick Sakiewicz added: “It’s been two years of
discussions. Youri is a real gentleman and I will be very happy to
see him play every weekend for us.
“As long as Youri has fit legs, he will play with us.”
The American league will kick off on April 2 with the Metrostars
facing Real Salt Lake City.
Djorkaeff is to join his future team-mates in Ecuador where the team
are currently following a pre-season training programme.

ARMENIA-EU COOPERATION COMMITTEE JOINT SITTING TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN IN 2005
PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005
18.02.2005 17:57
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The recurrent joint sitting of the Armenia-EU
Cooperation Committee will be held in May-June 2005, head of the
department for economic development of Armenia Garegin Melkonian
stated today. To note, the previous sitting took place in Brussels in
2004. According to Melkonian, the sittings of the Armenian-Ukrainian
and Armenian-Byelorussian Intergovernmental Commissions are scheduled
for late 2005 or early 2006.

POLITICAL TIES BETWEEN UK AND ARMENIA REMAIN TIGHT
PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005
18.02.2005 15:28
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The political ties between Armenia and the UK
remain tight, UK Ambassador to Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt stated
in her interview with IA Regnum. “We welcomed Armenia’s joining the
EU Neighborhood Policy last summer and we hope to witness progress
this year”, she noted. In her words, the UK will continue supporting
the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group for the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement. The Ambassador expressed hope that UK’s Special
Representative for South Caucasus Sir Bryan Fall will arrive in Yerevan
in spring to discuss the development of the negotiation process with
the Armenian leadership. “We will also carry on programs for regional
development, in part in the Tavush and Gegharqunik marzes (regions)
of Armenia. Formally the start of these programs will be announced
by Armenian Minister of Territorial Development and Coordination of
Infrastructures Hovik Abrahamyan on February 21.

SWITZERLAND-ARMENIA UNION CALLED PRESIDENT OF SWISS CONFEDERATION TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005
18.02.2005 17:26
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Switzerland-Armenia Union called President of
the Swiss Confederation Samuel Schmidt to acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide. In their statement the Union representatives reminded that
Geneva has recently recognized the Armenian Genocide while the Canton
leadership has not.