Russian foreign minister on ties with USA, Iran, foreign affairs
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
19 Jan 05

Russian agencies accorded extensive coverage to Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov’s news conference in Moscow today [19 January]
which dealt with numerous international issues of interest to Russia.
Commenting on US President George Bush’ statement that non-diplomatic
methods may be used to resolve Iran’s nuclear programme, Lavrov said:
“I do not think it useful to talk, even hypothetically, about a
situation that will arise if anyone decides to resort to other,
non-diplomatic methods of resolving this problem,” Russian Interfax
news agency said at 0928 gmt.
He said Russia’s construction of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power station
was “absolutely transparent and fully under the IAEA control” and
added: “As far as Iran is concerned, I would like to stress, first and
foremost, that all the main participants in the talks and contacts
aimed at resolving Iran’s nuclear problem proceed from the methods of
settling it by political means and there is every opportunity to do
this,” ITAR-TASS news agency quoted him as saying at 1004 gmt.
Russia welcomes the efforts by Arab countries to combat terrorism,
ITAR-TASS said at 1046 gmt. It quoted Lavrov as saying that “Russia
possesses certain documents and accords with Arab countries concerning
the fight against terrorism. There is also a dialogue during which
problems of internal and external security are discussed. Russia
welcomes the steps which her partners are taking to ensure their
territories are not used for terrorist activities.” Lavrov condemned
what he called “double standards in the fight against terrorism”.
“Those who prepare and carry out acts of terrorism must be judged by
the same yardstick. We expect persons suspected of preparing and
carrying out terrorist acts to be extradited.” “Ideally, it would be
necessary to compile a list of persons involved in terrorism. Russia
has already submitted a proposal to this effect to the UN Security
Council,” TASS quoted Lavrov as saying.
Lavrov described Condoleezza Rice as a “serious politician”. “I know
Condoleezza Rice and I do not think that the US administration will
depart from a course formulated by the Russian and US presidents,
aimed at developing partner relations,” ITAR-TASS said at 1236 gmt.
Commenting on US Department of State’s reports on Russia, he said that
“evaluations in them do not always coincide with Russia’s position”.
“Russia’s internal policies develop on the basis of the
Constitution. When constructive criticism of us is voiced, we pay
attention. When it is directed towards returning us all to the times
of the Cold War, we can not agree with this. Some people have recently
been trying, through the media, to portray the developments in Russia
as a throw-back to totalitarianism. I do not think this is in good
faith. Most likely some people do not like the fact that Russia is
getting stronger and becoming more independent economically and
financially.”
Looking forward to the Russian-US summit in Bratislava on 24 February,
Lavrov described relations between Vladimir Putin and George Bush as
“friendly, mutually respectful and based on an equal dialogue”.
Russian RIA Novosti agency said at 0910 gmt that Lavrov praised the
role of the CIS in the life of its members. “All CIS member countries
regard the CIS as an important forum for defining the strategic
interests of our states.” Lavrov praised trade and economic relations
with the CIS and advocated a closer integration among its members.
ITAR-TASS at 0921 gmt quoted Lavrov as saying that CIS needed to get
rid of a number of “ineffective” bodies, without specifying them. It
was necessary to implement reforms in such a way as to “preserve the
CIS’ underpinning principles of voluntariness and gradual
integration”.
Speaking of the issue of Nagornyy Karabakh in the context of his
forthcoming visit to Armenia in February, ITAR-TASS at 1042 gmt quoted
Lavrov as saying that Russia “is interested in the sides [to the
conflict] arriving at mutually-acceptable solutions to settle the
Karabakh issue”. Speaking of resumption of rail traffic between Russia
and Armenia, Lavrov said: “We hope, in the context of a general
progress of our dialogue with Georgia, to resolve the problem of
resuming the rail traffic on the Sochi-Tbilisi route and this will
make it possible to remove Yerevan’s long-standing concerns.”
Russian RIA Novosti agency at 0926 gmt said Lavrov was planning to
visit Azerbaijan on 2 February to prepare for the Azerbaijani
president’s visit to Moscow. Lavrov did not “rule out” discussing the
Karabakh issue: “Over the past few months, following the meeting
between Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Astana and their
meeting with Putin, positive shifts have begun to make themselves
felt. I am saying this with cautious optimism,” the agency quoted
Lavrov as saying.
Speaking of relations with the Baltic states, Lavrov said: “We want
our relations with the Baltic states to be good-neighbourly and
mutually advantageous, based on universally-accepted norms and on the
obligations our countries have internationally. We are interested in
developing mutually advantageous cooperation and settling all
problems, including the signing of border treaties,” ITAR-TASS, 0953
gmt, quoted Lavrov as saying.
Turning to the issue of Kosovo, Lavrov was quoted by ITAR-TASS, 1047
gmt, as saying that “Undue haste in resolving the status of Kosovo may
lead to unpredictable consequences. Russia has repeatedly called for
the decisions concerning Kosovo to be implemented. The situation of
ethnic minorities in Kosovo is becoming worse. A dialogue with Kosovo
authorities, national minorities and Belgrade is needed. Russia
regards it as necessary to cooperate with the international tribunal,
but not everything should hinge on the arrest of this or that leader,”
TASS said, quoting Lavrov.
Lavrov said that Japanese foreign minister’s recent Moscow visit “has
been very useful”. ITAR-TASS at 0955 gmt quoted him as saying that the
date of Putin’s visit to Japan may be specified after the visit’s
agenda has been agreed. “We confirmed the necessity of developing
relations on the basis of the Russian-Japanese action plan adopted at
summit level. This document provides for broad cooperation in all
fields with a simultaneous tackling of problems connected with a peace
treaty. We have acquired a more realistic idea of going forward in
keeping with the plan that has been adopted,” the agency quoted Lavrov
as saying.

Azeri ministry consents to OSCE fact-finding mission’s route via Armenia
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
19 Jan 05
[Presenter] The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has come to terms with
the OSCE fact-finding mission’s visit to Karabakh via Armenia. However,
while explaining its position it said this further attests to the fact
that Armenia is an aggressor.
[Correspondent over archive footage] Baku does not object to the OSCE
fact-finding mission’s travelling to the occupied territories through
Armenia, the head of the Foreign Ministry’s information department,
Tahir Tagizada, has said.
Pointing to the occupation of a fifth of Azerbaijani territory and the
fact that those areas are currently under Armenia’s control, Tagizada
did not rule out certain difficulties in the event of the experts’
visit to Karabakh through the territory of Azerbaijan. For this
reason, the Azerbaijani side sees the decision as temporary.
At the same time, the representative of the Foreign Ministry said that
the international experts’ decision to travel to Karabakh through
Armenia is the further proof of aggression on the part of Armenia.
To recap, the special representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office,
Andrzej Kasprczyk, said earlier that the decision to travel to
Karabakh via Armenia had been made in the interests of the experts’
safety.
Vuqar Aliyev, “Son Xabar”.

Viktor Yushchenko and Mikheil Saakashvili to address PACE winter session
Strasbourg, 19.01.2005 – Addresses by Ukrainian President-elect Viktor
Yushchenko and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili are among highlights
of the winter session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE), which takes place in Strasbourg from 24 to 28 January 2005.
Another highlight is a debate during which the Assembly will put forward its
proposals for the coming Third Summit of the Council of Europe. At the
summit, which takes place in Warsaw on 16-17 May, the heads of state and
government of the Organisation’s 46 member states are due to take stock of
its role as the guarantor of human rights across the continent and map out a
plan of action for the years ahead. French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier
will take part in the debate.
On Tuesday 25th at noon, there will be a ceremony to commemorate the 60th
anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, with the participation of the
Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council and former Knesset Speaker Szewach Weiss
and Auschwitz survivor Jean Samuel.
There will be possible urgent debates on the Asian Tsunami disaster and on
the prospects for Middle East peace. Other reports to be discussed include
relations between Europe and the United States, the circumstances
surrounding the arrest and prosecution of leading Yukos executives, and the
conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Kosovo’s Ombudsman Marek Antoni Nowicki will take part in a debate on the
protection of human rights in Kosovo and there will be the first assessment
since “the Rose Revolution” of Georgia’s honouring of its obligations and
commitments towards the Council of Europe.
The opening day of the session sees the election of a new Assembly President
as well as addresses from OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Alcee L.
Hastings, Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis – who will give
the annual communication on “the state of the Council of Europe” – and
Claude Frey, chairman of the Executive Council of the North-South Centre. On
Wednesday, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Truszczynski, representing
the Polish chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, will address the
Assembly.
The parliamentarians will also debate how European governments should
respond to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), put forward a proposal to
establish a European remembrance centre for victims of forced population
movements and ethnic cleansing, and consider Europe’s response to
unemployment.
The Assembly will adopt opinions on new draft Council of Europe conventions
on trafficking in human beings and on the prevention of terrorism, including
terrorist financing.
An updated list of scheduled press conferences is available on the
Assembly’s website.
The following is a provisional order of business which may be altered by the
Assembly on the first day of the session.
Monday 24 January
* Election of the President and Vice-Presidents of the Assembly
* Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and the Standing Committee
* Statement by Claude Frey, Chairman of the Executive Council of the
North-South Centre
* Statement by Alcee L. Hastings, President of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly
* Communication from Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, on the state of the Council of Europe
* Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Tuesday 25 January
* The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dealt with by the OSCE Minsk
Conference
* Ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz
* Address by Viktor Yushchenko, President-elect of Ukraine
* Protection of human rights in Kosovo
* Statement by Marek Antoni Nowicki, Ombudsperson in Kosovo
* The circumstances surrounding the arrest and prosecution of leading Yukos
executives
Wednesday 26 January
* Election of a judge to the European Court of Human Rights with respect to
Serbia and Montenegro
* Possible urgent debate: prospects for peace in the Middle East
* Address by Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgia
* Communication from the Committee of Ministers to the Parliamentary
Assembly presented by Jan Truszczynski, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
of Poland, representing the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers
* The Third Summit
* Statement by Michel Barnier, Minister for Foreign Affairs of France
* Honouring of obligations and commitments by Georgia
Thursday 27 January
* Election of a judge to the European Court of Human Rights with respect to
Serbia and Montenegro (possible second round)
* Relations between Europe and the United States
* Possible urgent debate: Europe and the Tsunami disaster
* Establishment of a European remembrance centre for victims of forced
population movements and ethnic cleansing
* Opinion on the Draft Convention on laundering, the financing of terrorism,
search, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds from crime
* Opinion on the Draft Convention for the prevention of terrorism
Friday 28 January
* What solutions to Europe’s unemployment?
* Boosting social cohesion and employment: more and better jobs
* Opinion on the Draft Council of Europe Convention on action against
trafficking in human beings
* Revision of the terms of reference of Assembly committees
* Constitution of the Standing Committee
See the Assembly’s website, , for further details.
Additional information may also be found on the Council of Europe web
portal,
Contact:
Communication Unit of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
Tel. +33 3 88 41 31 93 Fax +33 3 90 21 41 34; e-mail: [email protected]
2
Press Release
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 015a04
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
[email protected]
internet:
The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 630 members from the national
parliaments of the 46 member states.
President: Peter Schieder (Austria, SOC); Secretary General of the Assembly:
Bruno Haller.
Political Groups: SOC (Socialist Group); EPP/CD (Group of the European
People’s Party); LDR (Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group);
EDG (European Democratic Group); UEL (Group of the Unified European Left).

US official’s remarks not aimed at Karabakh authorities, US diplomat says
Mediamax news agency
19 Jan 05
YEREVAN
The recent statement by US Assistant State Secretary for European and
Eurasian Affairs Elizabeth Jones had to do with Russia’s policy and
was not intended to criticize the Nagornyy Karabakh authorities.
This statement was made by the assistant to the US co-chairman of the
OSCE Minsk Group, (?Elizabeth Ruth), in a telephone conversation with
the permanent representative of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic in the
USA, Vardan Barsegyan, on 18 January, the press service of the
Nagornyy Karabakh Republic told Mediamax today.
The Foreign Ministry’s press service said that on 14 January The
Moscow Times newspaper published Elizabeth Jones’s comments concerning
the role and interests of Russia in resolving conflicts in post-Soviet
republics.
“In those comments, Mrs Jones made ambiguous statements about Nagornyy
Karabakh,” the Foreign Ministry’s press service said.
[Jones said: “It is in Russia’s interests that Dniester, South
Ossetia, Abkhazia and Nagornyy Karabakh are stable and incorrupt and
that the criminal separatist regimes ruling there are brought down.”]

Institute for War and Peace Reporting
Jan 19 2005
ARMENIA BUSINESSMAN DIGS FOR PROFIT
All eyes are on a diaspora investor who is trying his luck with
investing in Armenia’s unpredictable agriculture.
By Naira Melkumian in Yerevan
For the first time, a major investor is putting his money into
Armenia’s undeveloped agriculture sector – an experiment in an
unpredictable area, which both farmers and economists are watching
with keen interest.
Up until now, agriculture – which employs around 40 per cent of the
working population of Armenia but makes a much more modest
contribution to the national budget – has had to rely solely on
government and international grants and loans for financing.
Eduardo Ernekian, an Argentinean-based entrepreneur of Armenian
extraction who manages Armenia’s Zvartnots airport, has signed an
agreement with the local Max Group, pledging to invest 25 million US
dollars in fruit orchard and grapevine plantings on an area of 3,000
hectares. The project also envisages a processing plant, an advanced
irrigation system, supply of modern agricultural machinery and
equipment and a quality control laboratory.
Ernekian, who is a major landowner in southern Argentina, plans to
plant apricot, peach and plum orchards and vineyards in the Bagramian
district of the Armavir Region of western Armenia over the next five
years.
Parliamentary deputy Hachik Manukian, who is chairman of the board of
Max Group, told IWPR the project would build the capacity to process
up to 50,000 tons of high quality fruit. “The fruit will be sorted by
look, size and colour according to a set of standards, and then
exported,” he said.
While some see Ernekian’s investment as a harbinger of growth in
Armenia’s agriculture, others say that is a risky venture to put
money into something as unpredictable and undeveloped as fruit
farming.
Samvel Avetisian, Armenia’s deputy agriculture minister, said the
project was practical and promising, because it relied on new
technology and promoted higher competition among fruit processors.
In 2004, the agriculture ministry reported a 12 per cent growth in
agriculture production from the previous two years, when the sector
grew at no more than four per cent annually. Avetisian said he
expected other foreign investors to follow Ernekian’s lead.
He also believes Ernekian is doing the right thing by starting an
agricultural business to set up export flows and keep his airport
busy. “He went into agriculture out of practical necessity, and
that’s a good thing,” the deputy minister said.
But Grachia Berberian, chairman of the Agrarian Union of Farmers, is
not so optimistic and says that Armenia’s agriculture is developing
very slowly despite its huge potential. “If the state treated and
managed agriculture right, the sector could start generating a profit
in two to three years,” he said.
Berberian believes investing directly in farming cooperatives would
be a better idea. “As matters stand, entrepreneurs exploit farmers to
maximize their own profits, while the processing plants stifle
farmers by imposing their own prices,” he said.
According to official figures, agriculture accounts for one fifth of
Armenia’s GDP, but employs half a million people or 40 per cent of
the workforce. Lise Grande, representative for the United Nations
Development Programme in Armenia, points to these figures as proof of
the low productivity of Armenian agriculture.
“Armenia’s agriculture needs intellectual, legislative and financial
investment to make it less dependent on external factors and more
stable in the long term,” Grande said.
External factors can all too often be disastrous. Berberian listed
the problems that farmers face, saying, “These include water
shortages, bad roads and lack of other infrastructure, but the main
challenge is to give farmers a firm guarantee of good harvest and
income.”
Avetisian added that the country’s agriculture loses some 30 million
dollars annually due to the weather. Last year, he said, 90 per cent
of Armenia’s apricot harvest, 30 per cent of the peaches and a tenth
of its vineyards were damaged by the weather.
But Manukian, the head of Max Group, argues that agriculture’s low
investor appeal is due to long payback periods because the majority
of Armenian businessmen want quick profits, and engage in businesses
that pay off immediately.
“As a farming country, we are still in our infancy, and nowhere near
to being an exporter,” Manukian said.
“Armenia exports only two types of agricultural product – apricots
and tomatoes – and all the other potentially exportable products are
yet to find their markets,” Manukian added, blaming this state of
affairs on the lack of a consistent government policy for
agriculture.
“Every farmer is his own manager,” he said. “No one really knows what
the market needs, and how much of it. Grapes sell well at the moment,
so everyone is planting vineyards. Pretty soon we may end up with
more grapes than we know what to do with.”
The agriculture ministry reports that 1,500 ha of new vineyards and a
thousand ha of new fruit orchards had been planted in 2004.
Garik Sardarian, marketing manager for the Marketing Assistance
Programme of the US Department of Agriculture, believes Armenia’s
agricultural products are marketed well enough. In his opinion, what
Armenian farmers lack is a practice of producing quality and assuring
the high sanitary level and safety of their products, which make them
attractive to overseas buyers.
Economic analyst Armen Grigorian said that the vast majority of
Armenian agriculture’s gross output comes from family farms – around
335,000 of which are in the country – and pointed out that improving
access to affordable credit resources might solve many problems for
such outfits.
Ashot Voskanian, head of the Republican Centre for Assistance to
Agriculture, said banks charge a prohibitive 15 – 18 per cent
interest rates on their loans, which are only issued on a short-term
basis. “Armenia’s agriculture financing system needs to be entirely
reformed – we need better laws and regulations in the field,” he told
IWPR.
In addition, farmers complain that the last piece of legislation
passed to defend their rights was back in 1990, leaving them all the
more unprotected against the daily challenges that everyday life in
Armenia throws them.
Naira Melkumian is an independent journalist in Yerevan

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Genocide Monument
Council of Glendale (AGMCG)
P.O. Box 4426
Glendale, CA 91222
Fax: (818) 240-2360
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MonuMENT COuncil OF GLENDALE TO ANNOUNCE COMPETITION
FOR DESIGN

COUNCIL LAUNCHES WEBSITE AND READIES FOR MONUMENT DESIGN COMPETITION

GLENDALE, CA (December 28 , 2004) – The Armenian Genocide Monument
Council of Glendale (AGMCG) announced on December 22 the launching of
their website (
<; ) and the beginning of their Monument design competition. The AGMCG will oversee the design and construction of a commemorative monument in the City of Glendale dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th Century. The monument will serve as a befitting venue to begin the educational process of honoring the memory of those who perished and acknowledging the memories of the heroic deeds and acts of the Americans whose actions helped save thousands of helpless Armenian men, women and children from the rage of the Genocide. The AGMCG is a newly established organization and is dedicated to enhancing cross cultural understanding amongst the different cultural and ethnic groups in the City of Glendale by promoting respect for past historical events and the recognition thereof through continuous education, specifically that of the Armenian Genocide. In August of 2001, the City Council of Glendale adopted a motion to accept the gift of a monument to honor the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian genocide and the memory of Americans whose actions helped save thousands of Armenian men, women and children from perishing in the genocide between 1915 and 1918. On April 8, 2003, the Glendale City Council approved the final location/site for the Genocide monument. The AGMCG has been working very closely with City staff to oversee the monument selection process and has established a Selection Committee comprised of community leaders, architecture and design experts and public officials. The announcement of the winner of the competition will take place in April of 2005. April 24, 2005 marks the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. All parties interested in submitting a design may do so by following the guidelines and rules for submission made available on the AGMCG website. For more information, visit Armenian Genocide Monument Council of Glendale

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
January 19, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
SENATOR ALLEN RAISES COMMUNITY CONCERNS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE
NOMINEE RICE
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly commended longtime Armenian
issues supporter Senator George Allen (R-VA) today for raising several
key community concerns, ranging from U.S. assistance to Armenia to
regional stability in the Caucasus, with Secretary of State-designate
Condoleezza Rice during her Senate confirmation hearing.
Allen, as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing
testimony from Rice, told the Assembly that a series of questions were
submitted for the record and that he is looking forward to receiving
Rice’s response, pending her Senate approval.
“We thank Senator Allen for taking the initiative to raise several
pertinent community issues with Dr. Rice on the occasion of her
confirmation hearing and join him in awaiting her answers,” said
Executive Director Ross Vartian.
Allen’s questions highlighted the following subjects: asymmetrical
military assistance to Azerbaijan and Armenia in Fiscal Year 2005,
Azerbaijan’s continuing threats against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,
regional security and the Turkish border blockade and the Armenian
Genocide.
The Senator also submitted three questions on the Administration’s FY
2005 budget request to Congress last year requesting $8.75 million in
military assistance to Azerbaijan and only $2.75 million for Armenia.
Allen initially raised the disparity issue last March during a Foreign
Relations Committee hearing and again last July during the nomination
hearing for Ambassador John Evans, explaining that such a difference
would undermine progress between the neighboring countries. By the
end of the year, Congress ultimately voted to provide equal levels of
military assistance ($8.75 million) to both countries.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
###

NR#2005-006

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
CAPTION: Senator George Allen (R-VA)

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 19 2005
`NEFTCHI’ WINS ARMENIAN `PYUNIK’
[January 19, 2005, 23:16:39]
Azerbaijani football club `Neftchi’ on January 19 clashed with
Armenian club `Pyunik’ in a Commonwealth Cup quarterfinal match in
Moscow. Before this match, `Neftchi’ secured 4:1 and 1:0 wins over
the Turkmen club `Nebitchi’ and Moldavian club `Sheriff’
respectively.
Azerbaijani club has turned out to be a stronger rival today and
clinched a convincing victory over the Armenian squad. Both goals
were netted by Vidadi Rzayev and Georgiy Adamiya in the second half.
Whole Azerbaijani Diaspora in Moscow supported Azerbaijani team. Many
Armenian supporters were also present in the match. However,
following the second goal of Azerbaijani footballers the Armenian
fans began leaving the stadium. Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan in Moscow Ramiz Rizayev viewed the
match.
Thus, `Neftchi’ cruised into the semifinal. The rival of our team
will be known very soon. Law-enforcement bodies maintained order and
the match was held without any incidents.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Jan 19 2005
US STATE DEPARTMENT COMMENTS OF ELIZABETH JONES’ REMARKS
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: The US Department of State
responded to a wave of protest of Armenian organizations caused by
what they say “highly incendiary” remarks by US Assistant Secretary
of State Elizabeth Jones referring to Nagorno Karabagh’s leadership
as “criminal secessionists.”
The US Embassy in Yerevan has disseminated a statement from
Washington, which says that the US has not changed its policy
regarding Nagorno Karabagh. “The US does not recognize Nagorno
Karabagh as an independent state and neither its leadership is
recognized internationally or by the US. The US defends the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and believes that the future
status of Nagorno Karabagh is to be defined in the negotiation
process in the frameworks of the OSCE Minsk group. The US continues
to actively support the peaceful resolution of the conflict. We are
hopeful of the ongoing talks between Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign
ministers,” the Washington statement says.
According to the Moscow Times, during a video conference the US
Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones, in discussing U.S.
bi-lateral relations with Russia, called for increased engagement in
resolving regional conflicts in the former Soviet Union. The US State
of Department statement says that Washington realizes that every
conflict is caused by peculiar and unique circumstances.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Jan 19 2005
US EMBASSY STARTS AMERICAN STUDIES WINTER INSTITUTE WORKSHOP
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: The United States Embassy in
Armenia has started today a week-long “American Studies Winter
Institute” workshop in Adigas Resort House, in Tsakhkadzor. This is
the first time the Embassy has organized this workshop, which will
feature in-depth seminars about American society, culture and
institutions. The program is initiated and implemented by the Public
Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Armenia.
The program is designed as a week-long faculty level seminar for a
university professors and secondary school teachers. The purpose of
the Institute is to provide the participants with a deeper
understanding of the United States, its government, people, and
history – in order to strengthen their curricula and improve the
accuracy of what is taught about the U.S. in Armenia’s schools and
universities. The program will offer a broad overview of the United
States in the context of American studies and its constituent
disciplines through an integrated series of lectures, readings,
interactive discussions, and some activities.
Open recruitment was conducted by the Public Affairs Section and
selection was based on merit. In total, 29 educators will attend the
program, with all expenses covered by the Embassy.