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07/13/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. Possibility of Vacating Lands around Karabagh Empty Speculation Says Azeri Analyst 2. Russian PM Says Russian Investment Opportunities in Armenia Expansive 3. UN Calls on Tbilisi, Tskhinvali to Practice Restraint 4. Tenth Hamazkayin Summer Forum Begins Activities in Lebanon 1. Possibility of Vacating Lands around Karabagh Empty Speculation Says Azeri Analyst BAKU (Yeni Musavat)--In an interview with Zerkalo newspaper, political analyst Vafa Quluzada, who was formerly a national advisor to Azerbaijan said that reports suggesting Armenians are preparing to vacate certain "occupied territories" in and around Karabagh is nothing but empty speculation, and that no such negotiations to that effect are underway. He added that discussions on vacating certain districts has only taken place in Azerbaijan, while Armenia has not undertaken preparations to leave the territories. Quluzada did say that Armenia might agree to vacate certain territories, but only if Azerbaijan agreed to either allow Armenia to annex Mountainous Karabagh and the Lachin District, or recognize the independence of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic. Yeni Musavat reports that Quluzada is an experienced diplomat who has been involved in the Karabagh talks for many years, and as "one of the most competent people on the issue," his statements accurately reflect the "real situation around Mountainous Karabagh." Quluzada explains that as a result of the lack of progress in negotiations, the Azeri government began "generating" news that some of Azerbaijan's occupied districts may be freed. "For instance, there was a report that the Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Armenian foreign ministers had recently reached a preliminary agreement that Armenia would vacate seven Azerbaijani districts," he explains, "It wasn't long, however, before this report proved to be off mark." He said that similar accounts emerge following each and every meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia--that the liberation of five or six districts has been discussed. Quluzada emphasizes that the liberation of Azeri territories can be realistically discussed only when Armenia is allowed to annex Mountainous Karabagh, together with the Shushi and Lachin districts. "Only against this backdrop can Armenia agree to negotiate the issue of leaving the other territories." "The government propaganda machine, however, is trying to create the impression that thanks to the 'successful' policy of [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev, the situation is changing for the better and that the Armenians are about to agree to vacate a number of districts." He calls the effort "primitive and futile technology" that has been exhausted, but has been redesigned to convince the public of Ilham Aliyev's "successful Karabagh policy." 2. Russian PM Says Russian Investment Opportunities in Armenia Expansive MOSCOW (Armenpress/RIA Novosti)--Bilateral issues tied to Russian investment in Armenia will soon be settled, reassured Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, talking about negotiations with Armenian counterpart Andranik Markarian in Moscow. "We have been co-operating successfully in the economic sector; trade turnover has grown 30% compared to last year, but we should take additional measures to utilize remaining opportunities. Trade of $200 million is not the limit," Fradkov said during talks with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markarian on Tuesday. Fradkov noted that Russian and Armenian leaders have met frequently throughout the year. "Dialogue is constantly filled with new content." For Markarian, the visit is the first official one to Russia. Russia has also expressed an interested in updating its military technology in Armenia. "Our military-technology partnership is gaining momentum. Russian experts are training the Armenian military, and both parties are eager to expand the relationship when Russia updates military equipment in Armenia with spare parts," Fradkov said. The sides are also expected to prepare an energy cooperation agreement in the coming days on production and export of fuel and power supplies. On Tuesday, Fradkov and Markarian signed an education partnership agreement. 3. UN Calls on Tbilisi, Tskhinvali to Practice Restraint UNITED NATIONS (Itar-Tass)--The United Nations called on Georgia and South Ossetia to abstain from any moves that could escalate tension and trigger provocations. UN Secretary General Marie Okabe told Itar-Tass that the UN wants a peace settlement and reduction of tensions in the region. As for a possible UN peacekeeping role in South Ossetia, Okabe said the international community is involved in peacekeeping operations in Abkhazia and the UN Security Council has not considered the situation outside that region. Sources at the UN Secretariat said they are closely watching the South Ossetian situation, and are receiving regular reports from the UN Observer Mission in Georgia. Another source said the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has assumed the lead in peacekeeping efforts in South Ossetia. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili told a news briefing in London on Tuesday that Georgia has no intention of triggering an armed conflict in South Ossetia. "It is very important for us to create a stable situation in the country to draw major investments into the national economy," Saakashvili told journalists. "Active steps to settle the South Ossetian conflict will be taken by the Georgian side when such steps will cause minimal negative side effects, and not when some general decides to start a small war in Georgia to satisfy one's ambitions. At this point Tbilisi's task should be to support the population of the Tskhinvali district [South Ossetian capital] economically," Saakashvili said. Saakashvili is in London meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. 4. Tenth Hamazkayin Summer Forum Begins Activities in Lebanon BEIRUT (Hamazkayin)--More than thirty students from around Argentina, Canada, Iran, Switzerland, Syria, and the United States, gathered in Lebanon on July 12, to kick-off the 10th Hamazkayin Summer Forum. The official opening took at the Hamakayin Lebanon's Gomidas hall. Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Forum Board member Shoushig Arslanian welcomed participants and introduced counselors and supervisors, along with board members. Supervisor Serj Kalousdian detailed the program, expounding certain points and items. The participants then introduced themselves. The same afternoon, participants visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to receive his blessing and message. Forum participants will continue their activities in Lebanon until July 18, and will then depart for Armenia to continue the program until July 31. Students from Armenia, Georgia, Great Britain, and Mountainous Karabagh Republic will be joining the group in Armenia. Since its inception in 1995 the Hamazkayin Summer Forum has provided a friendly and exciting environment for bright young Armenians. Students get the chance to learn a great deal about Armenian culture, discover the sites and sounds of the host country, and, most importantly, plant the seeds for lifelong friendships. Thought provoking lectures, trips to historic destinations, and nights of dancing and entertainment are only some of the things the forum has to offer. Past participants have called it "an experience of a lifetime." In addition to the meeting with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, this year's forum highlights include visits to Khor Virab, Lake Sevan, Yeraplour, the Armenian Manuscripts Museum (Madenataran), the Sarian and Parajanov Museums, the Genocide Memorial Monument and Museum, and the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral. The forum lecture series this year features a diverse pool of speakers, including Yerevan State University President Radik Mardirossian, art historian and critic Shahen Khatchatrian, National Dance Academy choreographers Vanoush Khanamirian and Norayr Mehrabian and National Assembly Special Committee for Foreign Relations' Chairman Armen Rustamian. The West Coast participants of the 2004 Hamazkayin Summer Forum are: Alida Ararxian, Natalie Melissa Asik, Annie Babikian, Tamar Baldjian, Alex Beylerian, RJ Boyajian, Karin Cemcem, Arpi Chahenian, Noeme Chahenian, Alex Giragosian, Gabrielle Iagjian, Ari-Hovig Ishkhanian, Hovsep Kabaklian, Salpi Kabaklian, Noushig-Siran Karpanian, Hrayr Khanjian, Laura Kurkjian, Lori Markarian, Sebu Sabounjian, Sevag Simonian, Terenig Topjian, Annie Voskerchian, Armand Yardemian and Armen Yemenidjian. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA JOINS WASHINGTON, DC PROTEST TO STOP GENOCIDE IN SUDAN
— New York Congressman Charles Rangel Arrested
during Demonstration at Sudanese Embassy
“When human lives are in jeopardy, there should be outrage”
— Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY)
WASHINGTON, DC – Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
staff and activists joined with Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY)
and leading African American and human rights activists at a
demonstration today outside the Sudanese Embassy calling for U.S.
and international pressure to end the genocide in the Darfur region
of Sudan.
The protest, organized by the Sudan Campaign, featured the arrest
of Congressman Rangel, a senior New York legislator who serves as
the Ranking Member on the influential U.S. House Ways & Means
Committee. He was arrested for trespassing by the police after
stepping to the door of the Embassy. He was released within hours
from a Washington, DC jail after paying bail of fifty dollars.
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, Government Affairs Director
Abraham Niziblian and the ANCA “Leo Sarkisian” Internship program
participants, led by Director Arsineh Khachikian, joined the noon-
time protest which included some hundred and fifty activists and
representatives from a diverse coalition of Sudan Campaign partner
organizations including the Congressional Black Caucus, Center for
Religious Freedom at Freedom House, Institute on Religion and
Democracy, American Anti-slavery group, Wilberforce Project, and
Christian Solidarity International, among others.
“We marched today, in the name of all Armenians, to do our part to
help end the cycle of genocide,” said Hamparian. “As the
descendents of survivors of the Armenian Genocide, we bear a
special burden to fight intolerance and to demand moral leadership
– and decisive action – from our government to prevent hundreds of
thousands of deaths in Darfur.”
During the demonstration, Niziblian, in an interview with the
Associated Press (AP), was quoted as saying that, “A lot more
people should be protesting and taking to the streets now.” This
AP report, along with several photos from the demonstration, have
since appeared in New York NewsDay, CBS News wire, and a host of
other publications and media outlets. Significantly, the lead AP
photo featured Congressman Rangel, in handcuffs, being escorted by
police with an “Armenians against Genocide” poster in the
background.
The Sudan Campaign is led by Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, co-founder of
the Congressional Black Caucus, and Joe Madison, a civil rights
activist and radio personality in the Greater Washington, DC area.
The group has been holding noon-time protests in front of the
Sudanese Embassy for the past month, during which several leading
human and civil rights activists have been arrested.
Speaking to the protestors prior to his arrest, Congressman Rangel
said, “When human lives are in jeopardy, there should be outrage.”
During his remarks, Madison announced that he is launching a hunger
strike until the Sudanese government takes action to end the
obstruction of humanitarian assistance from reaching hundreds of
thousands in need in Darfur.
On Wednesday, July 14th, Robert Edgar, a former member of Congress
and the current president of the National Council of Churches, will
be arrested in front of the Sudanese Embassy. Similar protests are
planned in Boston, New York, San Antonio, San Diego and Toronto.
Over the past month, the ANCA has called attention to the
atrocities in Sudan through a series of letters to Congressional
offices, urging them to take a stand to stop the cycle of genocide
through support of Congressional initiatives regarding Sudan as
well as for the Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193, S.Res.164), which
reaffirms U.S. commitment to the principles of the Genocide
Convention. On June 23rd, Niziblian participated in a press
conference organized by the Congressional Black Caucus and Africa
Action. The ANCA has urged Armenian Americans to add their names
to the Africa Action petition drive for Sudan, by visiting
Some 30,000 have already perished over the past 18 months in
Darfur, Sudan, with approximately one million forced to flee their
homes. If the Sudanese government does not take action to allow
the distribution of international humanitarian assistance, the
death toll could rise to 350,000, according to conservative
estimates.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
AMERICANS FOR ARTSAKH
Contact: Hrant Jamgochian
[email protected]
Tel: 202-215-1800
July 13, 2004
ARTSAKH SEISMOLOGISTS PRESENT FINDINGS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Americans For Artsakh Organization Sponsors Their Participation
WASHINGTON, DC – Two seismologists from Nagorno Karabakh recently
participated in the “2004 Disaster Resistant California” international
conference in Sacramento, CA. The Executive Director of the Eastern
Department of the National Survey for Seismic Protection Boris
Petrosyan along with the Department’s Head of Foreign Affairs Naira
Hambardzumyan represented Artsakh in the conference, which was
attended by more than 500 seismologists from around the world. The
Americans for Artsakh (AFA) Organization sponsored the participation
of Karabakh seismologists in close cooperation with both the NKR
Foreign Ministry and NKR Office in the United States.
“We are extremely appreciative of the Americans For Artsakh
organization for their support,” said Boris Petrosyan. “This
conference allowed us to share our experiences in Artsakh with many of
our international colleagues. As a result, we gained valuable
information that will be applied to upgrade our systems.”
Petrosyan and Hambardzumyan presented a report along with the results
of their extensive research on the psychological impact of severe
earthquakes. Their findings emphasized the importance of preparing
the public to be resilient in times of crisis in order to better
address the challenges of such disasters. The panel discussion that
followed underscored the importance of addressing both the emotional
as well as the physical needs of those affected.
The seismologists from Artsakh, in talks with their counterparts from
around the world, discussed ways to increase cooperation. Some of the
California seismologists provided Petrosyan with literature, software
and other digital products dealing with forest fires, regional
information, conduct of the population during seismic threats and
other materials on up-to-date technologies.
The Eastern Department of the National Survey for Seismic Protection
currently works with seismological centers in Russia, Greece, Georgia,
and Azerbaijan as well as Japan and Iran. During a recent interview
with the Azat Artsakh daily newspaper Petrosyan noted that the
participation of the Artsakh delegation demonstrated that the Artsakh
Seismic Department was entering a new phase of international
cooperation.
“With Artsakh excluded from virtually all U.S. and internationally
sponsored educational and development programs, the Americans For
Artsakh organization is making education one of its top priorities,”
noted AFA President Zaven Khanjian. “We are delighted that our
support enabled the Seismic Department of Artsakh to participate in
this important conference. On behalf of the Board of Directors for
the Americans For Artsakh, I would like to express our gratitude to
Mr. and Mrs. Arsene Baran, Mr. & Mrs. Vahan Bezdikian, Dr. Nazareth
Darakjian, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Moses, and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tufenkian,
who provided additional funding for this endeavor.”
Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy,
foster economic development, protect the cultural identity and promote
the heritage of the people of Artsakh. The founding Board of
Directors include: Zaven Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian,
Vice President; Savey Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary;
and Edward Chobanian. To learn more visit:
The full text of Boris Petrosyan’s interview with Azat Artsakh is
available at:
;t=archive&d=22&m=05&y04&id=1459
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
PHOTO JOURNALIST CAPTIVATES SAN FRANCISCO
HARRY KOUNDAKJIAN PRESENTS PHOTOS AT AGBU YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (AGBU YPNC)EVENT
Renowned photojournalist, Harry Koundakjian, enthralled the crowd of
AGBU guests on Saturday, June 26th, at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Hotel
in downtown San Francisco. Mr. Koundakjian’s presentation, entitled,
“The History of Photo Journalism in the Middle East” captivated the
audience as guests witnessed over 80 of his most famous photographs
during his decades of work as an Associated Press photojournalist.
Mr. Koundakjian described some of the most touching moments of human
triumph and despair around the world as seen through the
photographer’s lens. From the snapshots of the joyous wedding of
Jordan’s King Hussein to Elizabeth Halebi to the harrowing images of a
hijacker pointing his pistol at a Lufthansa pilot’s head in Beirut,
the photographic journey covered many subjects and crossed countless
borders. To animate his stricking images, Koundakjian explained the
stories behind each photograph and the personal risks associated with
the more daring shots.
Mr. Koundakjian responded to questions about his experience at the
conclusion of his talk and presented the AGBU YPNC Chair Sako
Soghomonian and Vice-Chair Kim Bardakian with signed photographs as a
gesture of thanks for their role in organizing the event.
For more information about AGBU Young Professionals of Northern
California and their upcoming events, please visit:

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
13 juillet 2004
Les pierres du Symposium prêtes à être sculptées
Telles de véritables vedettes, elles ont fait l’objet de toutes les
attentions vendredi matin à leur arrivée au chteau. Pas de tapis
rouge pour les accueillir, juste l’émerveillement de Michelle Boutet
et de Francis Pollet.
Elles, ce sont les pierres de Lavoux qui vont imprimer l’inspiration
des artistes du 4e Symposium de sculpture. Ils seront huit
privilégiés à pouvoir sculpter ces blocs, les Français Christine
Aubert, Frédéric Neau, Eric Stambirowski, la Vietnamienne Mari Fang,
la Polonaise Dominika Griesgraber, l’Arménien Harutyun Yekmalyan, le
Néo-Zélandais Renate Verbrugge et Kaija Kontulainen, une Finlandaise
qui va marier la pierre à l’acier.
« La pierre de Lavoux est une pierre calcaire plus dure que celle de
Chauvigny qui peut toutefois se travailler en huit jours. Elle a la
particularité de ne pas comporter de fossiles qui provoqueraient des
trous en la sculptant, c’est une pierre pure », explique Michelle
Boutet. En attendant de devenir des oeuvres d’art, ces blocs en
provenance de Jardres dans la Vienne, d’un poids total de 22 tonnes,
ne sont que des cubes qu’il a bien fallu transporter. L’entreprise
bressuiraise Molema a été sollicitée pour acheminer les blocs
jusqu’au chteau avant de les déposer devant les futurs ateliers des
sculpteurs. Un travail qui a nécessité précision et réflexion pour
organiser ces pierres au pied de la forteresse médiévale.
– Le quatrième symposium de sculpture, aura lieu du 17 au 25 juillet
au chteau de Bressuire.

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
13 juillet 2004
Les Arméniens sont arrivés
Annie Dabin, présidente des RIFE, était aux abois. Prête même,
dimanche soir, de même que Léopold Moreau, à lancer la gendarmerie
sur la piste des enfants d’Arménie.
Ils sont enfin arrivés dimanche soir, après neuf jours et huit nuits
d’autocar, et un voyage qu’ils ne seront pas près d’oublier.
Pour pouvoir quitter leur pays, ils ont dû trouver un bus georgien,
ainsi qu’un chauffeur également géorgien. Dans l’impossibilité de
traverser la Turquie, ils ont effectué un interminable détour par
l’Ukraine, la Moldavie, la Roumanie, l’Allemagne, après avoir été
retardés, le premier jour, par un éboulement de pierres sur la route.
Bref, ils auront tout subi, une semaine dans leur car, mais ils sont
enfin là. Et c’est l’essentiel.

zawya
Zaitounah Museum new addition to Tunisian heritage
By Naceur M’tir
SOUSSE, Tunisia, July 12 (KUNA) — The Zaitounah (olive) Museum which was
opened recently in the eastern city of Sousse is considered a new addition
to the Tunisian cultural heritage due to the pivotal role the olive tree
plays in the lives of Tunisians and the population of the Medieterranean
region.
The two-storey building is bulit accoring to the ancient Islamic
architecture and depicts the various historic stages through which the olive
tree has gone in Tunisia thousands of years ago.
Visitors of the museum will see life-size photos and designs of people and
tools used in the planting of olive trees, harvesting, cleaning and storage
of olives before extracting oil from it.
The museum, the first of its kind, also shows visitors a complete picture of
the role of olive oil and its daily uses, be that in diets or in treatment.
On motives behind establishing this museum, its rector Aly Gadira told KUNA
that the oilve tree is not only a source of economic wealth, but also a
symbol of peace and vital part of the Tunisian society since ancient times.
Gadira said that it also aims at preserving the heritage of this “blessed”
tree for future generations, noting that this tree remained steadfast before
the various civilizations which ruled Tunisia over some 3000 years like the
Berbers, Phoenicians, Byzantines, Arabs, Spaniards and Turks.
He said that the most ancient documented sources available report that the
olive tree was brought into Palestine from Armenia 4000 BC and then taken by
the Phoenicians to Greece and later to North Africa, particularly Tunisia.
Since the ancient times, olive oil was the choice of the elite and notables
in Tunisia and other countries of the region. It was used in religious
rituals, as a massage oil, producing perfumes and for other medical
purposes.
According to the latest figures, there are an estimated 55 million olive
trees stretching from the country’s north to south and covering an area of
nearly 1.6 million hectares or 30 percent of Tunisia’s farmlands.
Tunisia is the world’s second largest producer and exporter of olive oil
after EU states, mainly Italy and Spain.
Article originally published by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) 12-Jul-04

Interfax
July 13 2004
Armenian president meets with Minsk group co-chairmen
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group on settling the Nagorno- Karabakh
conflict from Russia, the U.S. and France, the presidential press
service told Interfax.
During the meeting, the sides discussed the current status of issues
surrounding the settlement, the message says.
On July 13, the international mediators will visit Nagorno-Karabakh
to meet with the Karabakh authorities, and on July 15, they will
leave for Baku.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan said last week that the
co-chairmen will familiarize themselves with the situation during
this visit. “I think that during this visit the co-chairmen will not
make any new suggestions to the sides, as the recent meetings of
presidents and foreign ministers of the two countries have not yet
given the co-chairmen a foundation for creating new suggestions on
settling the Nagorno-Karabakh problem,” Oskanyan said.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov told journalists on
Monday that the visit of the OSCE Minsk group’s co-chairmen may have
a positive effect on the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement.
“They [the co-chairmen] have not visited the region for six months.
We think that the co-chairmen should visit the region. They are in
Yerevan today, and they will visit Azerbaijan tomorrow. It is very
important that the co-chairmen discuss the situation at the site. We
will see what they come to Azerbaijan with after meeting the Armenian
president and the foreign minister,” Mamedyarov said.
Mamedyarov said that he does not expect any concrete suggestions from
the co-chairmen, who were permitted by Baku to visit Nagorno-
Karabakh. Mamedyarov said, however, that the co-chairmen’s visit to
Nagorno-Karabakh would give them a chance to familiarize themselves
firsthand with the situation in the conflict zone.
Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent areas in
bitter fighting with Armenia which began in the 1990s. The UN
Security Council has denounced the occupation of Azerbaijani lands
and demanded the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the territory.
Co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group representing the United States,
Russia and France are attempting to resolve the conflict.

Cyprus Mail
July 13 2004
Two neighbours arrested in connection with woman’s murder
By Katya Diogenous
TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering Lyudmila Zipir,
34 from Ukraine, who was found dead in her apartment in Limassol on
Sunday.
Zipir was found by police after her employer called concerned at her
failure to turn up for work on Saturday and Sunday.
Police yesterday arrested Armen Grigorian, 25 from Armenia, and
Dionysis Tokalides, 26 from Georgia, who lived next door to Zipir.
They were taken to court yesterday and given an eight-day remand.
Zipir’s employer told police the victim had repeatedly complained
that the two men used to harass her with sexual innuendoes. He had
even visited the men on several occasions to ask them to leave her
alone.
When police arrested the two suspects, they appeared to have
scratches on their bodies as well as streaks of blood, believed to
belong to the victim. Blood was also found in the apartment building.
Police noticed there had been no forced entry into the apartment via
the front door, but that the balcony door connecting the victim’s
apartment with that of the suspects was closed but not locked.
The suspects deny any involvement in the murder, but cannot give a
clear story or confirm where they were at the time of the murder.
Zipir had lived in Cyprus for three years and worked in a bar in
Limassol. Pathologist Panicos Stavrianos, said the girl’s bruised
naked body was found on her bed in a pool of blood. He confirmed her
death was criminal.

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
July 13 2004
EU Wants To Prevent Drug trafficking from Armenia
By Ruzanna Stepanian 13/07/2004 15:51
The EU and UN will provide Armenia with special equipment worth
140,000 euros ($173,661) for the Bavra, Bagratashen and Meghri border
checkpoints and Zvartnots International Airport to stop the possible
smuggling of drugs from Armenia to Western Europe.
Since 2001 the EU has allocated the three South Caucasus states 5
million Euros within the special program designed to fight illegal
drug trafficking. Armenia alone has received over 1.5 mln euros from
EU funds.
“Though Armenian officials do their best to prevent Armenia from
becoming a transit country for drug trafficking, this doesn’t mean
that those involved in drug trafficking will not use Armenia for this
purpose,” said the Paris Customs Service deputy chief Joel Mencue,
who met journalists today in Yerevan. Mencue is visiting Armenia to
help organize training courses for Armenian customs officers.
An official from the Armenian Police Drug Fighting Department, Artyom
Azoyan, told RFE/RL heroin and opium are being smuggled to Armenia
mostly from Turkey, Iran, Russia, and Central Asian countries such as
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
There has been only one case of heroin seizure in Armenia this year.
Armenian custom officials recently seized at least one kilogram of
Iranian heroin. Armenian cannabis and hashish, which are the most
popular drugs among Armenian drug addicts, are not in demand on the
foreign drug market because of their poor quality. “The quality of
Armenian cannabis is too poor for buyers abroad,” Azoyan told
RFE/RL.” Up to 100 kilograms of hashish and tens of tons of cannabis
are seized annually in Armenia. According to Armenian officials,
these drugs are mostly produced in the Armavir, Gegharkunik and
Ararat regions.
According to the police officials, a matchbox of cannabis is worth 5
thousand drams (about $10) in Armenia, while a gram of heroin can be
purchased for no less than $150. According to official data, there
are about 20,000 drug users in Armenia, though police officials
believe that real number of drug addicts is 10 times higher than the
official statistics. On the other hand, Armenian officials insist
that the figure of 200,000 is too high and unrealistic.