Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: October 13, 2004
Contact: Armen Carapetian
(818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR MOBILIZES GRASSROOTS IN ARIZONA

ANCA-WR Staff Meets With ANC Activists in Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) continued to reach out to Armenian communities across
the Western United States by traveling to Phoenix, Arizona on the
weekend of 25-26.

ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian and Government Relations
Director Armen Carapetian met with ANC activists from the Arizona
Armenian community and briefed community members on the importance of
the upcoming November elections. Their visit to the Grand Canyon State
was highlighted by an ANC workshop they held with community leaders
and activists and their participation in various community events,
including a dance at the local church hall and a community picnic which
was attended by over one hundred Armenian Americans living in Arizona.

“The Armenian American community in Arizona is growing and prospering,”
commented Kassakhian after his two-day trip. “The increasing political
awareness of Armenian Americans in Arizona impressed us. Clearly,
the ANC of Arizona is going to play an important role in a state with
eight Members of the House and two very important U.S. Senators,”
Kassakhian added. ANCA-WR staff spent the weekend in Arizona and
collected signatures from community members for a petition addressed
to Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) who serves as the Chairman of
the influential Congressional Subcommittee on Foreign Operations
Appropriations. The petitions urged Congressman Kolbe to maintain
language in the Fiscal Year 2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations
Bill authored by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) which prohibits
Turkey from using any U.S. foreign aid money to lobby against official
U.S. acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide.

Over 100 signatures in support of the Kolbe petition were collected
at a community picnic which was organized and hosted by the Arizona
chapter of the Armenian Relief Society. At the gathering, ANCA-WR
Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian gave the community a summary
of the priorities that the ANCA continues to work on in Washington, DC
and in the Western Region, including passage of a genocide resolution
and of a bill to provide normal trade relations between the United
States and Armenia.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns
of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Editor’s Note: Photos available upon request

#####

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN REGIONAL PAPER OFFICE RANSACKED OVER CRITICAL REPORTING

Public Television of Armenia
13 Oct 04

Yerevan, 13 October: Three rascals smashed the editorial office of
the Kapan-published regional newspaper Syunyats Yerkir (The country
of Syunik) in Armenia.

The editorial office of the newspaper told Arminfo news agency that
this morning the three members of the Kapan-based public organization,
(?”Syunik Eagles), led by the chairman of the organization,
Khachik Asryan, burst into the editorial office of the newspaper and
roughhoused it. The editor-in-chief of the newspaper was beaten with a
truncheon. He received blows mainly to his face and head. A spokesman
for the newspaper said that the bandits thought it was not enough just
to ransack the editorial office. They also threatened the newspaper’s
staff and took away the editor’s mobile phone. Before they left they
threatened the editor and told him that unless he leaves Kapan within
an hour, they will come back and burn down the editorial office and
his vehicle.

The spokesman for the newspaper said that the law-enforcement bodies
were immediately informed about the incident and a doctor was called
in to examine the marks of beating. A criminal case was launched into
the incident. They are being charged with hooliganism.

The spokesman explained the act of hooliganism by the publication
of recent articles about the government’s decision to close down
two schools in the district. After one publication, the editor of
the newspaper and press secretary of the region’s governor, Suren
Khachatryan, was dismissed from his post and the editorial office of
the newspaper was evicted from its two-room office in the building
of the district administration.

To recap, the aforementioned articles strongly criticized the decision
to close down the schools. It is also reported that the schools will
be replaced with new, private and fee-paying schools.

Ara Abrahamian’s Interview to Azg

Azg/am
14 Oct 04

– Mr. Abrahamian what can you say about the days of the Union of
Armenian’s of Russia and World Armenian Congress?

– The visits paid by the Union of Armenians of Russia and the World
Armenian Congress have become a tradition already. It is envisaged
that we will achieve our goals to bring great number of physicians,
scientists and businessmen that will be directly involved in
conferences, in delivering lectures and in participating in various
cultural and business arrangements. We will continue our line of
providing the Armenian schools with computers. We will bring over
a thousand PCs that will be distributed among the schools of our
republic according to our program.

This year, the International Economic Forum will become the most
important event of the UAR and WAC days. The forum is organized by
World Armenian Congress and pan-Russian Company on Foreign Economic
Cooperation. Implementing our programs, we have held a meeting of the
genocide experts to elaborate pan-Armenian position in this issue. We
created a group of the most authoritative experts in this issue, so
that they work at the given issue and represent the position they
have elaborated to NGOs and political parties, as well as to the
authorities of the Republic of Armenia.

Continuing to implement our programs, we try to establish serious
economic bases for the activities of the World Armenian Congress to
strengthen the economic relations between Armenia and Diaspora. To
achieve this aim, we invite various trustworthy businessmen of the
Armenian communities in the Diaspora and Armenian businessmen to
international business structures. On my initiative, Foreign Economic
Company is being created in Russia. Its aim is to establish trustworthy
relations between the Russian business and the leading business
structures of the world. We have already created Russian-Argentinean
and Russian-South Korean Companies for Economic Cooperation. In future
we will establish Russian-French, Russian-Italian and Russian-Brazilian
economic cooperation companies. We believe that with the time we
will manage to involve the leading countries of the world in our
business structure and establish more effective relations to implement
joint economic programs. We are supposed to establish a branch of
the given organization within the framework of CIS. I said about
this in my recent speech held in Tbilisi Economic Forum. We think
that the Armenian businessmen can also participate in that large
international business structure and use both the informational and
financial-economic opportunities of the given organization.

Besides, we want to represent two very important structures in
the forum that will contribute to economic development of our
historical motherland. The first will be the Investments’ Fund that
will finance a number of projects in Armenia, the second will be the
Center for Strategic Researches that will define the priorities for
the development of the Republic of Armenia and implement the vitally
important projects for the progress of our country. High ranked state
officials, RF ministers, authoritative businessmen of Russia and a
number of other countries will participate in the forum. We hope that
the forum will become an important event and will create beneficial
conditions for the further development of Armenia’s economy and
strengthening of the Armenian state.

– How is the World Armenian Congress developing? How close are the
Congress’ ties with national communities participating at WAC Assembly?

– We often encounter problems in organizing the work of such a
big establishment as the WAC, to tell the truth. The reason is
that different communities in different countries of the world have
different political, economic and other possibilities and each of them
demands personal approach and work. And consequently more organizing
capability is needed. Though we have dozens of staff workers within the
WAC, we still fell short. That’s why we think that a more wide-range
work may be done if a confident economic basis is created.

We keep in touch with the most developed communities of the world. We
note with pity that the European communities divided the European
Forum instead of uniting it. The Armenian Congress of Europe rose on
the Forumâ^À^Ùs ruins. This organization engaged in systematizing
European communities held its congress in Brussels lately. Our
representative of WAC was sent to Brussels to learn about their plans
and to strengthen our ties.

If we keep on dividing our organizations and establishments, we shall
not handle many things. We are certainly glad to know that the Europe’s
Armenians have their own office in Brussels and that they cooperate
with the European Parliament and European institutions. The forum is
doing the same. But all those establishments are weak if stand-alone.

We cooperate with the AGBU and America’s Armenian Congress. I think
the WAC will mark a breakthrough only when we have economic power
and when the membership in the WAC will be useful, necessary and
honorable for every community.

We try ourselves to create mechanisms that will make our projects
functional. Every Armenian community worldwide understands the need
to rally round one organization.

– What kind of relations do you have with the Republic of Armenia?

– Unfortunately our relations are not officially fixed up. I
personally have ties with the Foreign and Defense Ministries and
also the administration of the president. I meet President Kocharian
from time to time when he receives participants of our undertakings
in Yerevan. But there are no official relations as I said. And this
greatly hinders the activities of uniting the Armenians within the
framework of pan-Armenian Diaspora organizations. It’s obvious that the
Armenian state can play a great role in this issue. It should strive
for uniting all the Armenian communities and organizations. Though,
the political figures and statesmen have sometimes grounded or totally
ungrounded fears if some of the organizations becomes very strong and
influential, which means that the state should take it into account or
cooperate with it as an equal partner and not as a structure that can
dictate its own conditions to. It is not accidental that these fears
let neither Levon Ter-Petrosian nor the current authorities to create
a really functioning organization with officially fixed relations and
bilateral commitments from the held pan-Armenian forums and congresses.
Most likely, both the state and the NGOs should pass a definite path to
realize that officially fixed cooperation is greatly needed at present.

– Mr. Abrahamian, what kind of international relations can be observed
in Russia at present, particularly, after the recent events in
Beslan? We are concerned with the fact that RF President touched upon
Karabakh, as well as the other hotbeds of conflicts in the post-Soviet
territory in his speech. What is taking place in Russia generally,
and how can the current developments influence the Armenians in Russia?

– Certainly, the situation in Russia is really tense, as it is in any
multinational country. Moreover, if in the verge of that state there
exists armed and consistent conflict between the central authorities
and the rebels, especially if the conflict has religious and national
character, it is sure to have impact on the situation in common. On
one hand, the demonstrations of nationalistic and fascist elements
become more frequent. On the other hand, the fact that some of the
ethno-religious groups do not feel sufficiently protected may cause
tension. The mutual mistrust and suspicion is growing. This all exists.

I know that in Armenia RF President’s words about Karabakh,
Transdnestria and other conflicts said in connection with the events
in Beslan. But it seems to me that some of the Armenian political
figures misunderstood the context of the president’s words. It is
obvious that the president meant that the Soviet Union collapsed
through the national map. He meant only this, when saying that if
the authorities don’t take relevant measures to stop the extremist
demonstrations of religious and ethnic character, these conflicts
can spread in Tatarstan, Bashkiria and other regions of Russia and
exploit the Russian state that can have the same fate as the Soviet
Union had. Thus, I think that there was no negative shade in his
speech about Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia.

I think that though there is still tendency for the growth of the
tension between the nations, both the authorities and the mass media
try to be very cautious about this issue and to avert the danger of
a new fire. It is not accidental that RF President said that the
people who treat these serious issues with no responsibility may
involuntarily support the terrorists, while the authorit ies will
treat them in a relevant way. As for us, the Armenians, we condemned
the terrorism and morally and financially helped the victims of that
monstrous crime. Since the first day of its establishment, the Union
of the Armenians of Russia is engaged not only in organizing the
lives of the Armenians of Russia, in protecting of their interests
and in conducting cultural activities, but it established relations
with other ethnic and religious organizations, especially during the
recent years. Our Union tries to unite all the efforts of all the
national and religious organizations for creating a structure that
could be the partner of the Russian authorities. As very frequently
there occur problems sometimes with the Azerbaijanis, sometimes with
the Armenians, sometimes with the Chechens or with other nations. And
it is very important for the authorities to know that there is a
structure that protects these national groups on the behalf of the
publicity. These groups can be attacked, can become innocent victims
of the law enforcement bodies.

Already two years ago, we decided to organize Round Table with the
participation of national and religious organizations, and to make
some official structure for cooperating with the authorities, as the
national policy in Russia remains as if “hung in the air”.

That is why, after the House of Nations, the Ministry of National
Affairs were liquidated in Russia, and the existing problems not only
didn’t disappear but also doubled, we think that there should be a body
that will be able to submit the actual issues to the authorities of the
country and to concentrate the attention on their solution. Certainly,
it will be better to have such a structure at the President’s Office,
so that the representatives of various nations and religious groups
can be sure that their interest are represented on the highest level
and they have the opportunity to put the issues forward and punish
the law enforcement bodies, the local heads and solve the problems.

Unfortunately, the government’s reform, the presidential and
parliamentary elections didn’t let us complete our work. Recently,
after the events in Beslan, we again began the works of the round
table. I was elected the chairman of the board of establishers of
the round table and the Public House of Nationalities, taking into
account the authority we have in Moscow among the publicity, within
the administrative circles, at the Federative Assembly and at the
President’s Apparatus.

On September 30, we held round table on the role of the national and
religious organizations in the struggle against terrorism, national and
religious extremism. Over 100 national and religious organizations, as
well as authoritative structures and representatives of law enforcement
bodies participated in the round table. Taking into account the results
of the round table, it was decided to affirm the plenipotentiaries
of the board of establishers, its chairman (i.e. my) and to instruct
them about organization of an establishing congress in the first three
months of 2005, that is meant to organize the House of Public Nations.

We think that the House of Nations can become a part of the Public
House created at the initiative of RF President. He talked of this
structure in his speech after the events in Beslan. The Public House
is meant to control the activities of the executive power, the special
services and the law enforcement bodies. It is very important that the
House of Public Nations becomes a component part of the Public House,
that would control the national policy conducted by the authorities,
the relations between the nations and would become the partner
of the authorities in the solution of these important issues. We
very well realize that living in a multinational state, one should
build the happiness of one national group, just like one can’t build
the happiness of one social group or class. We, representatives of
different ethnic and religious groups, should work unanimously within
the framework of the House of Nations. In constructive cooperation
with the authorities we will spare no efforts to fight the monstrous
challenge of the 21-st century, i.e. the international terrorism,
as well as ethnic and religious intolerance.

– Mr. Abrahamian, we congratulate you with being awarded the Higher
Medal of the South Korea. Tell us, please, what achievements did you
receive this medal for and do you have any other foreign medals?

– Since 1999, I am the Co-Chairman of Russian-South Korean Business
Organization. I have established close ties with the political
and business circles of that country. Certainly, my activities
greatly contributed to strengthening business and economic relations
between our countries. In 2001-2004, thanks to my efforts, the goods
turnover between South Korea and Russia grew tenfold and amounted to
$5 billion. For this service the president of South Korea awarded me
with the medal in Kremlin during his recent visit to Moscow. This is
the second foreign medal that I get this year. Several months ago,
the authorities of Argentina awarded me with one of the higher medals
of their country. I don’t exclude that the number of foreign medals
can grow together with the establishment of the Foreign Economic
Organization that is meant to connect the Russian business structures
with other developed countries.

– On behalf of our newspaper, we wish you success in your work directed
not only to prosperity of Armenia but also to establishing effective
International Foreign Economic Organization.

Football: Andorrans celebrate historic first victory

The Independent – United Kingdom
Oct 14, 2004

Alex Prince

A CLASSY strike from the midfielder Marc Bernaus gave Andorra their
first victory in a competitive match with a surprise 1-0 win at home
against Macedonia in a Group One World Cup qualifier yesterday.

Bernaus, who plays for the Spanish Second Division side Elche, cracked
home a superb volley from the edge of the area on the hour to delight
the 200 fans gathered at the Estadi Comunal.

“For Andorra to win a special set of circumstances have to occur,”
said their coach, David Rodrigo. “First, we have to play to 100 per
cent of our ability; second our rivals have to be overconfident;
and third we need a bit of luck – all three of those things happened
today and we should enjoy it while we can.”

Although they have previously beaten Belarus and Albania in friendly
matches, Andorra, who only became members of Fifa in 1996, lost all
their 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 qualifying games.

The team from the tiny Pyrenean principality began this campaign in
similar fashion, losing their opener 3-0 in Finland and crashing to
a 5-1 defeat at home to Romania last time out.

But Rodrigo’s side, who conceded three goals in the first 16 minutes of
their defeat to Romania, made a far more convincing start by hounding
Macedonia in midfield and giving them little time on the ball in the
first half.

The visitors, who claimed a comprehensive 3-0 win over Armenia in
their opening match and a surprise 2-2 draw also at home against the
Netherlands on Saturday, enjoyed just two half-chances in the opening
45 minutes.

Striker Aco Stojkov was robbed of the ball by Andorra’s Koldo as
he tried to finish off an early attack and the goalkeeper produced
another sharp save to stop defender Txema heading into his own net
in added time.

But it was Andorra who broke the deadlock 15 minutes after the break
when Bernaus volleyed past goalkeeper Jane Nikoloski after chesting
down a long throw-in on the edge of the area.

The home side endured a nervous final quarter as Macedonia piled
forward in search of the equaliser but they produced a fine defensive
display to hold out for a memorable victory leaving the visitors with
just four points from four matches.

“This was a shameful result for us and has effectively ended our hopes
of qualifying,” said Macedonia coach Dragan Kanatlarovski. “I never
thought we would lose and it was certainly the worst performance I’ve
seen from the team since I took charge.”

In Group Eight, Bulgaria recovered from an early setback to hammer
Malta 4-1 in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier in Sofia. Malta’s Michael
Mifsud punished a defensive blunder when he volleyed in a cross from
Stefan Giglio in the 12th minute.

Bulgaria trailed for most of the half, but Dimitar Berbatov levelled
two minutes before the break, heading the ball in after being set up
by Martin Petrov.

Hristo Yanev made it 2-1 to Bulgaria with a free-kick from 25 yards
shortly after the break and then created a second for Berbatov in
the 56th minute. Chavdar Yankov scored from close range three minutes
from time after Bulgaria had squandered several opportunities.

The victory put unbeaten Bulgaria top of Group Eight with seven points,
the same as Croatia who they drew 2-2 with on Saturday.

The Czech Republic kept cool to see off a combative Armenian side
3-0, adding to last weekend’s victory over Romania to bring their
qualifying campaign firmly back on track in Group One.

Striker Jan Koller scored two in Yerevan – his first headed in from
a free-kick after three minutes. Tomas Rosicky also scored with a
crashing drive from outside the penalty area.

Armenia have lost all three of their games and remain firmly bottom
of the group.

Armenian president, Russian Constitutional Court chairman discuss cooperation

A1+ web site
13 Oct 04

13 October: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today received
representatives of the Russian Constitutional Court, led by Chairman
of the Constitutional Court Valeriy Zorkin.

Attaching great significance to the mutual contacts, Kocharyan welcomed
cooperation in the field of exchanging experience and evaluated it
as being beneficial and important.

The major topic discussed at the meeting was constitutional
justice and the activities of the Constitutional Courts of the two
countries. Zorkin familiarized the president with the activity of
the Russian Constitutional Court.

Drawing attention to the recent constitutional reforms in Armenia,
Kocharyan said that they were mainly designed for setting up civil
society and strengthening public and political stability in the
country, including the establishment of balance between different
branches of power.

Armenia registers Jehovah’s Witnesses after years of debate
By AVET DEMOURIAN

AP Worldstream
Oct 13, 2004

Authorities in Armenia registered the Jehovah’s Witnesses on Wednesday,
allowing the religious group to operate in the Caucasus Mountain
nation after years of debate and denial.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses first appeared in Armenia in 1988, after
a devastating earthquake in what was then still a Soviet republic,
but had been unable to register after the nation became independent
in the 1991 Soviet collapse.

Legalizing the Jehovah’s Witnesses group was one of the main conditions
set out by the Council of Europe when the continent’s leading human
rights organization granted Armenia membership two years ago.

Deputy Justice Minister Tigran Mukuchian told The Associated Press a
major obstacle to registration had been members’ refusal to serve in
the military, which in the past led to arrests and prison sentences. A
law institution alternative service has removed that obstacle, he said.

The leader of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia, Grach Heshishian,
expressed surprise at the Justice Ministry’s decision, while the
dominant Armenian Apostolic Church denounced it, calling the group
“anti-Christian.”

An Armenian Apostolic Church statement accused the Jehovah’s Witnesses
and other unspecified organizations of having missions that involve
“hunting for human souls, destroying families and creating a split
in society.”

Seeking to soothe church opposition to the registration, Justice
Ministry spokesman said the authorities would watch closely to make
sure the Jehovah’s Witnesses were acting legally, adding that “the
sect will have to respect the laws and rights of Armenian citizens.”

Official figures put the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia
at more than 4,000; one of the requirements for registration of a
religious group is that it have at least 200 followers in the nation.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have faced pressure from authorities in Russia.
Courts in Moscow outlawed the group’s activities in the capital
earlier this year under a law allowing bans on religious groups that
are considered to be inciting hatred or intolerant behavior.

Czech Republic 3, Armenia 0 in World Cup qualifying

AP Worldstream
Oct 13, 2004

Jan Koller scored two goals and his Dortmund teammate Tomas Rosicky
added one to lift the Czech Republic to a 3-0 victory over Armenia
in their World Cup Group 1 qualifier Wednesday.

The Czech Republic opened strongly, with Dortmund striker Koller
scoring three minutes into the game off a pass from Marek Heinz.

Edgar Manucharyan missed a clear chance to equalize seven minutes
later when his power shot from the right hit the crossbar of Petr
Cech’s goal.

Two minutes later, referee Jacek Granat disallowed a goal because of
an offside after Armen Shahgeldyan played one-two with Karen Aleksanyan
and beat Cech.

In the 30th minute, Dortmund midfielder Rosicky made it 2-0 after he
collected Tomas Uifalusi’s pass in the center and moved closer to the
Armenian box before hitting the target with a powerful drive from 25
meters (yards).

Zdenek Grygera missed a clear opportunity for the visitors two
minutes before the interval when Koller nodded down Marek Heinz’s
volley cross from the right, but the Ajax Amsterdam defender’s shot
was blocked by goalkeeper Apoula Bete.

The Czechs dominated the second half and Koller was close to scoring
again on a solo effort in the 68th minute. Goalkeeper Apoula Bete
blocked his close-range shot with a stunning save.

Koller made it 3-0 nine minutes later, firing home from the edge of
the box.

The Czech Republic has 6 points from 3 games, while Armenia remains
winless in four games.

___

Lineups:

Armenia _ Apoula Bete; Yeghisne Melikyan, Karen Dokhoyan (Artur
Mkrtchian, 46), Sargis Hovsepyan, Harutyun Vardamian, Artur
Petrosyan, Hamlet Mkhitarian, Rafael Nazaryan, Armen Shahgeldyan
(Andrei Movsisian, 80), Edgar Manucharyan, Karen Aleksanyan (Albert
Sargsian, 65).

Czech Republic _ Petr Cech; Zdenek Grygera, Tomas Galasek (Radoslav
Kovac, 55), Rene Bolf, Marek Jankulovski, Jan Koller (Vratislav
Lokvence, 84) , Tomas Rosicky, Stepan Vachousek (Jiri Jarosik, 74),
Marek Heinz, Libor Sionko, Tomas Uifalusi.

Azeri, Norwegian foreign ministers discuss Karabakh settlement

Assa-Irada, Baku
13 Oct 04

Baku, 13 October: The chairman of the Council of Europe Committee
of Ministers and Norwegian foreign minister, Jan Petersen, who is
on a visit to Baku, today met Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov,
Milli Maclis Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov and President Ilham Aliyev.

Elmar Mammadyarov told the Norwegian diplomat about the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem in detail and explained Azerbaijan’s position on
settling the conflict. The meeting also discussed the implementation
of Azerbaijan’s commitments to the Council of Europe and the fight
against international terrorism.

At a briefing after the meeting, Jan Petersen stated that the Council
of Europe is not in a position to solve the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
and the organization can only broker a solution to this problem. In
the opinion of the European guest, Armenia and Azerbaijan should
reach agreement between themselves.

[Passage omitted: Petersen also met the speaker of the Azerbaijani
president]

ARE USA AND AZERBAIJAN TO DECIDE THE FATE OF LIBERATED TERRITORIES?

A1 Plus
13-10-2004

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan has recently been making
strange expressions over Karabakhi conflict settlement. In particular,
answering the question of Opposition MP Aram Sargssyan in Parliament
Minister said: “I see nothing to alarm for. Our diplomacy is in a
good state, the political processes pass the way they are to. We are
the one to give something. But we won’t give Karabakh.”

Vardan Oskanyan announced 6 years ago no one allowed us even to
dream of Karabakh out of Azerbaijan whereas now the international
society has resigned itself that version, Minister thinks. Of course,
it doesn’t mean that they will accept and declare about it but the
fact they have complied with it is beyond controversy for Oskanyan.

Oskanyan doesn’t remember “any serious state” to make a statement over
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan at 6 recent years. Minister
says statements like that are made very carefully, without touching
upon the topic of Nagorno Karabakh.

By the way, Vardan Oskanyan generously agreed to the suggestion by Aram
Sargssyan that independence of Nagorno Karabakh must be recognized.

The most sensational statement of Vardan Oskanyan concerned the
agreement concluded between USA and Azerbaijan over stationing USA
military groups in the liberated territories, which are under control
of Armenian forces. “To tell the truth, it’s the task of Azerbaijan
and USA. But I don’t consider it real. I don’t think USA to make such
a decision”, he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian campaign is worth a shot

Nonprofit Children’s Vaccine Fund aiming to raise $1.5
million for various inoculations for Armenian children
for next 15 years.

Glendale News-Press
October 13, 2004

By Josh Kleinbaum

GLENDALE – While many Americans worry about the flu vaccine shortages,
children in Armenia and other countries around the world are trying
to get vaccines for more serious treatable diseases. In Glendale,
one group is trying to help.

The Millennium Armenian Children’s Vaccine Fund is attempting to
raise $1.5 million to provide the standard set of vaccinations for
children in Armenia for the next 15 years. The vaccinations, given
to children in America as standard practice, cover serious diseases
such as diphtheria, hepatitis B, polio and tuberculosis.

“The need is enormous,” said Eliza Karagezian, the fund’s project
manager. “Without vaccines, children get sick with preventable diseases
and suffer needlessly. The financial infrastructure in Armenia does
not allow [the government] to provide children with these vaccines.”

In the past, Armenia has relied on foreign aid from other nations to
provide the necessary vaccines, Karagezian said. This money raised
by the Millennium Fund will allow Armenia to be self-sufficient.

“Children in developing countries are under so much stress from
malnutrition and the environment that vaccines are a wonderful way
to make them less susceptible to other things, like diarrhea or
pneumonia,” said Celia Woodfill, epidemiologist in the immunization
branch of California’s Dept. of Health Services. “It’s very good
that they’re trying to go for 15 years, because then it could have
a sustained effect. If you could stop the disease in kids, you can
stop the disease in the community. Maybe by then, Armenia will have
found its feet.”

The fund is working with UNICEF and Armenia’s Ministry of Health to
get the vaccines to children. Karagezian said the fund, administered
by the Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation, has raised $1.3 million,
and she hopes to raise the additional $200,000 by the end of the year.

When the fund reaches its goal of $1.5 million, it will have enough
money to vaccinate 560,000 children in Armenia.

“Having a healthy economy and a healthy democracy starts with having
healthy individuals,” said Ardashes Kassakhian, executive director
of the Armenian National Committee’s Western Region. “We see how
important health care issues are here in this election in this country,
and other countries have the same concerns.

“Children are our future. We have to teach them well and let them
lead the way.”

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress