Khatami begins tour of three regional countries

IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004

Tehran, Sept 8, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami left here Wednesday
for Yerevan, the Republic of Armenia, in the first leg of his regional
tour which will also take him to Belarus and Tajikistan. Heading a
high-ranking delegation, Khatami`s one-week visit is taking place at
the official invitations of his counterparts

Robert Kocharian, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Emomali Rakhmonov of
Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan, respectively.

During his visit to Armenia, which is in response to the 2001 visit
to Tehran of President Robert Kocharian, Khatami and senior Armenian
officials will discuss the latest regional developments as well as
expansion of Tehran-Yerevan cooperation in all areas, energy and
transportation in particular.

While in Belarus, the two sides are to review implementation of
Tehran-Minsk bilateral agreements and major regional and international
issues.

A number of new agreements in the fields of customs, economy and
agriculture will be signed between Iran and Belarus. Khatami will
also deliver a speech at the Academy of Sciences of Belarus. In his
second visit to Tajikistan, Khatami and Tajik officials will discuss
ways of consolidating trade, economic and cultural relations between
the two countries.

On the last day of his visit, Khatami is to take part in the summit
meeting of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization
(ECO).

Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and

Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President
Khatami in his regional tour.

Khatami: Citizens have a say in their destiny via parliament

IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004

Yerevan, Sept 8, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday
referred to parliament as an institution where citizens of every
country have a say in their destiny and a symbol of lawful political
competition.

Speaking at Armenia`s National Assembly here Wednesday, he added
that every country aiming to pave the way for national development
and build up a dynamic history should give special attention to
parliament as an institution where discords are solved peacefully.
“Efficient institutions, where political and social conflicts can be
settled, contribute to preparing the grounds for promoting dialogues
and understanding in the community and reduce the likelihood of
misunderstandings, violation and disputes,” he added. He referred
to the violent attack on Armenia`s parliament on October 27, 1999
resulting in the death of the country`s National Assembly speaker,
prime minister and a number of lawyers as a bad experience facing
attempts to achieve democracy.

Turning to the evidences on links among democracy, unity and national
development, he said that freedom of thought, logic and expression as
well as abidance by law pave the way for the prospect of development
in all domains.

“In today`s world, dialogue plays a significant role in democracy.
No political system can be successful, unless it aims to exercise
democracy.

“The recent developments leading to control the governments and
factors reducing public participation in political issues are the
cause of concern for the progress of democratic process,” he added.
President Khatami pointed to globalization as well as changes in
relations and international order as other factors influencing
democracy in its traditional sense.

He reiterated the need for redefining democracy more than ever and said
that associating `democracy` with `liberalism` in politics accounts
for the obstacles faced in promoting democracy in other fields.

Khatami says his trip to help establish peace in region

IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004

Tehran, Sept 8, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday
expressed the hope that his regional tour will help establish peace
and regional solidarity.

The Iranian President made the remarks prior to his departure for
Yerevan, the Republic of Armenia, in the first leg of his regional
tour which will also take him to Belarus and Tajikistan.

Terming Iran`s bilateral relations with the three countries as
friendly, he said the Islamic Republic welcomes amicable relations
with the regional countries in line with the establishment of stability
and unity in the entire region.

He also hoped that the existing relations will further profound by
signing several agreements during his regional tour of the three
countries.

Khatami reiterated that his visits to Armenia and Belarus are in
response to visits to Tehran of his two counterparts.

As to Iran-Tajikistan close relations, he said the two countries
share many cultural commonalities. The Islamic Republic is taking
part in several major projects in Tajikistan, he added.

The president further announced that he is to attend the summit meeting
of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)
on the last day of his visit to Tajikistan.

Expansion of bilateral cooperation as well as the latest regional
and international developments will top the agenda of talks to be
held between the Iranian delegation and senior officials of the three
regional countries.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Khatami`s one-week visit is taking
place at the official invitations of his counterparts Robert Kocharian,
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Emomali Rakhmonov of Armenia, Belarus and
Tajikistan, respectively.

Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and

Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President
Khatami in his regional tour.

Khatami arrives in Yerevan

IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004

Yerevan, Sept 8, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami arrived here
Wednesday morning on the first leg of a tri-country regional tour.
On hand to welcome him on his arrival at Yerevan int`l airport was
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan.

Khatami is to be given an official state welcome in the next few
hours by Armenian officials headed by the country`s President Robert
Kocharian.

Khatami`s official visit to Armenia is taking place in return for
an official visit made by President Kocharian to Iran in 2001.
The visit, it is believed, could open new phases of cooperation
between the two countries.

He will also be visiting Belarus and Tajikistan.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Khatami`s one-week regional tour
is on the official invitation of his counterparts Robert Kocharian,
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Emomali Rakhmonov of Armenia, Belarus and
Tajikistan, respectively.

Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and

Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President
Khatami in this regional tour.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Khatami officially welcomed in Yerevan

IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004

Yerevan, Sept 8, IRNA — Armenian President Robert Kocharian here on
Wednesday led an official ceremony welcoming Iranian President Seyed
Mohammad Khatami.

The ceremony, held in the presidential palace, was attended by
top-ranking Armenian and Iranian officials. It started with the
playing of the national anthems of the two countries followed by a
review of the Armenian national guard of honor.

According to reports, after the ceremony the two presidents forthwith
held private negotiations.

Meetings between high-ranking officials of the two sides are to follow
after the private discussion of the presidents.

Khatami, before he concludes his visit, is to attend a press conference
to answer reporters` questions on the subjects covered by the two
sides` negotiations.

Khatami`s official visit to Armenia is taking place in return for
an official visit made by President Kocharian to Iran in 2001.
The visit, it is believed, could open new phases of cooperation
between the two countries.

He and his delegation will next visit Belarus after concluding their
visit to Armenia.

Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and Commerce
Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President Khatami
in this regional tour.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Iran, Armenia review expansion of relations

IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004

Yerevan, Sept 8, IRNA — The chairmen of the Iran-Armenia Joint
Commission explored ways of expanding ties between the two countries
here Wednesday.

The Iranian chairman stressed Tehran`s firm will to expand bilateral
ties, and expressed hope the current visit of Iranian President
Khatami to Armenia would further consolidate and expand relations.

He pointed out that major steps have already been taken by the two
countries to boost relations in the energy and trade areas. He said
the volume of trade exchanges of the two countries in the cuurent year
shows an increase of 30 percent compared with the figure last year.

The Armenian official said he believes relations between the two
countries received a remarkable boost after the latest visit of the
Armenian president to Iran, and expressed satisfaction with ongoing
Iran-Armenia joint projects. He also called for the expansion of
mutual ties in agriculture, culture and commerce.

He said new contracts that are to be signed by the two sides during
the current visit of President Khatami to Yerevan would further
enhance relations.

President arrived in Armenia on Wednesday morning on the first leg
of a three-nation regional tour.

Iranian president visits Yerevan`s ancient mosque

IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004

Yerevan, Sept 8, IRNA — Iranian President Mohammad Khatami visited
on Wednesday the ancient Masjed-e Kaboud (Blue Mosque) in the Armenian
capital of Yerevan.

“Kaboud Mosque of Yerevan is a great historical site showing
coexistence among followers of divine religions,” Khatami wrote in
the memorial book of the mosque.

In the memorial book, Khatami also called for strong ties between
Iran and Armenia and between Islam and Christianity.

Kaboud Mosque, one of the eight ancient mosques in Yerevan, was
built in 1765 A.D. Iran`s Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation (MJF)
reconstructed the mosque during the 1996-2000 period.

The Republic of Armenia has a population of over 3.7 million people
most of whom are Christians. There are also Muslim, Russian Orthodox,
Protestant, and Yazidi communities living in Armenia. The national
flag consists of three equal horizontal stripes, of red, blue and
orange. The official language is Armenian.

At the invitation of his Armenian counterpart, President Mohammad
Khatami arrived in Yerevan on Wednesday morning on the first leg of
a three-nation regional tour.

Before concluding his visit, Khatami is to attend a press conference
to answer reporters` questions on the issues brought up and discussed
in the meeting with his Armenian counterpart.

Khatami`s official visit to Armenia is taking place in response
for an official visit paid by President Kocharian to Iran in 2001.
Khatami and his entourage will travel Belarus after concluding their
visit to Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“EVERYTHING WILL BE O.K.”

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
6 Sept 04

On August 8 the elections to the municipal governments were held in the
Republic of Nagorni Karabakh. The mayor of Martouni Artem Avanessian
was reelected to his post. â^À^Ó Mr. Avanessian, at the August 8
elections to the municipalities the population of Martouni for the
third time voted for you. What programs did the city hall implement in
the past years and what planned works remained unfinished? â^À^Ó First
I would like to thank all the voters who supported me. My approach
towards the voters who did not vote for me is twice more responsible.
I state frankly that this fact makes me more obliged. In the past
years the city hall implemented certain work on which I presented
an account to my voters. One of the most important programs is, in
my opinion, the large investments made by the Catholic Aid Service
in the system of water supply, which enabled us to have a modern
infrastructure. We only have to solve the problems of increasing
and economizing water resources after which 24-hour water supply
in Martouni will become real. We managed to regulate the drainage
system in a number of central streets, repair many streets, restore
the lighting system in seven streets, build sewage. Other works were
implemented, including building of fences, repairs in parks, planting
trees. Of the international organizations we are in close cooperation
with the Armenian Evangelist Association which implements 4 programs in
Martouni simultaneously. We have a cooperation agreement with the town
Martouni in the region of Gegharkunik, Republic of Armenia signed by
the community councils. Now about unfinished programs. These are also
many. The problem of housing is urgent, the rate of unemployment is
high, many streets need repairs, we have the problem of poor families,
we do not have a memorial to the victims of the war. However, I want
to mention that a greater part of these problems will be solved in
the near future. â^À^Ó What new ideas are there in your future plans
and what ways are there for their fulfillment? â^À^Ó The ideas are
very many, and the way of fulfillment is one â^À^Ó solution of the
problem of financing. Note that in 2003 the city hall for the first
time implemented budget receipts by 102 per cent, which enabled us to
implement all the planned works of repairs. This year also there are
prospects to provide budget receipts, which will enable us to make
larger investments for developing infrastructures in the town. We
have the problems of road repairs, street lighting, refuse collecting,
greenery, cultural and sports events, youth recreation. â^À^Ó Probably
there are difficulties also in implementation of programs. In your
opinion, which is the most effective solution to overcome it? â^À^Ó
I cannot see any difficulties because there is political will, there
are people who know what they are doing, the moral and psychological
atmosphere in the town and the region is healthy, and it only takes
active involvement in the process of program implementation. â^À^Ó
What is done for the construction of the memorial to the victims of
the Artsakh war? â^À^Ó This year due to our colleague A. Suleimanian
and me the foundation â^À^ÜMartouniâ^À^Ý was set up one of the first
aims of which is the construction of the memorial complex. The board
of trustees of the foundation has 7 members, an executive director,
a bank account where the financial means will be accumulated. There are
also other social, cultural and building programs which will be brought
into being if everything goes on well. We have great expectations
of the new construction. We must try to make it a place for bringing
together the mental and financial potential of our people. â^À^Ó What
did the privatization of land mean for the people of Martouni? â^À^Ó At
the beginning of 1999 according to the corresponding decision of the
government land was privatized. First it must be mentioned that as
different from other communities of the region the people of Martouni
were psychologically much less ready for taking up farming as in soviet
years very few of them were included in the local collective farm. The
major part of the population were officials and could not farm the
land. Today the private farmers have already acquired certain skills,
and a considerable part of the people of Martouni deal with their
plot with responsibility. Hundreds of families successfully work
their land and get income. I must say that this year for the first
time tens of families expressed wish to take part in the privatization
process and receive their own plot of farming land. Nevertheless, they
face certain difficulties while farming, which is mainly the lack of
machinery. There is not a sufficient number of tractors, combines,
therefore tillage, sowing, harvesting is not always carried out in
time, especially that in the past two years the area of farming land
has increased. In this reference serious work is to be carried out
to prevent problems during the next harvest. â^À^Ó What would you wish
to the people of Martouni? â^À^Ó First I want to thank them again for
electing me to the post of the head of the community of Martouni for
the third time. I assure that I will do my best to live up to their
expectations. The inhabitants of our town went through hardships
and managed to preserve the honour of our town during the Artsakh
war. I wish health to the people of Martouni. I wish all of us were
positive towards one another, did not ignore national undertakings
pursuing temporary interests and lived dignified lives. Let there be
smile on our faces. I also congratulate on the Day of Independence
of the Republic. It is clear that everything is not the way we would
like them to be. But in which young state are the problems solved
by a single strike of the magic stick? I am optimistic, it takes a
little patience and I am sure everything will be O.K. This belief of
mine is sufficiently grounded by the dynamic growth of the economy,
the step by step rising quality of life and the growing international
rating of our newly independent republic.

R. GHUKASSIAN.
06-09-2004

HALO Trust (USA) Inc.
850 Seventh Avenue #506
New York, NY 10019

Contact: Kurt Chesko
Tel: 212-581-0099
Fax: 212-581-2029
Email: [email protected]
Web:

For immediate release:

HALO Trust to brief Armenian community in San Francisco

Kurt Chesko, Program Officer for the HALO Trust, will speak about his
recent visit to Nagorno Karabakh and discuss the impact that landmines
and unexploded ordnance (UXO) have on the population there. He will
share photographs and give a mine clearance demonstration. This event
is hosted by the Armenian National Committee of San Francisco and is
open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

The HALO Trust is the world’s largest humanitarian landmine clearance
organization and operates a 200-person program in Karabakh, one of the
most mine-affectied regions in the world. HALO’s dedicated Karabakhi
staff have destroyed 2,300 antipersonnel landmines, 1,000 antitank
mine and over 26,000 items of UXO since 2000. HALO also provides mine
risk education to the goverment authorities and residents of Karabakh.

This briefing will be held on Wednesday, September 8th at 8:00PM. The
venue is Vaspourgan Hall at 51 Commonwealth Avenue in San Francisco.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 7 2004

ONE-ON-ONE MEETING OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AND PRESIDENT
OF FRANCE JACQUES CHIRAK
[September 07, 2004, 11:50:37]

One-on-one meeting of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and President
of France Jacques Chirak was held on September 7 at the Yelysee Palace,
AzerTAj correspondent said.

In the meeting, passed in a sincere atmosphere, underlined was
the quick development of the Azerbaijan-France relations in the
political, economic and other fields. The bilateral relations are at
excellent level, President Jacques Chirak said. Mr. Jacques Chirak,
in particular, noted that Azerbaijan is the third country in the
foreign trade of France, characterizing it as high indication.

In the course of conversation, also focused were the issues of
Azerbaijan’s integration to the European Union, widely discussed
was aspiration of Azerbaijan to join new neighboring policy and its
prospects. The President of France expressed confidence for expansion
of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the European Union and stressed
its necessity.

In the meeting, also were centered the regional problems, settlement
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh problem. The French
President stated its adherence to continuation of peace negotiations
for solution of the conflict, also stating that France would implement
its mediation mission as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair.

Heads of state had comprehensive exchange of views on the perspectives
of bilateral relations and other international questions.

After the meeting ended, President of France Jacques Chirak saw off
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the front of the Yelysee
Palace.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress