GEORGIAN PRESIDENT’S NEW RESIDENCE TO BE BUILT IN ARMENIAN DISTRICT OF
TBILISI
21.06.2004 17:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The new residence of Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili will be obviously built in Avlabar, the Armenian district of
Tbilisi. As Georgian leader told journalists in Batumi, the construction
speeding-up depends on the sale of the previous residence located in the
suburbs of Tbilisi – Krtsanisi, where Saakashvili does not have any desire
to work. Speaking of the possibility of selling the old residence, Georgian
President said: “If someone wants to live in a building, in which Lavrenty
Beria used to sleep, and near which Eduard Shevarnadze lives, God be with
him”.

EU Commissioner Tours South Caucasus To Explain ‘New Neighborhood’ Offer
RFE/RL Caucasus
Monday, 05 July 2004
By Ahto Lobjakas
Janez Potocnik, a junior EU commissioner working with enlargement
commissioner Guenter Verheugen, today begins a four-day tour of the
South Caucasus. He will meet the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and
Georgia to talk about the EU’s recent decision to include the three
countries in its “new neighborhood” policy.
Brussels, 5 July 2004 (RFE/RL) — Janez Potocnik is a junior
commissioner. But he is by far the highest-ranking EU official to tour
the South Caucasus region in recent years.
As a commissioner for a new EU member state, Slovenia, Potocnik works
with the enlargement commissioner, Guenter Verheugen. Verheugen is in
charge of the EU’s “new neighborhood” program, which offers closer ties
to some EU neighbors.
Although not directly responsible for the new neighborhood program,
Potocnik fully represents the views of the European Commission.
He will spend this week traveling to Georgia (5-6 July), Azerbaijan (6-7
July), and Armenia (7-8 July). Potocnik’s visit will emphasize the EU’s
renewed interest in those three countries. Following Georgia’s “Rose
Revolution” last year, the EU was quick to bring them into the new
neighborhood policy. The formal offer was finalized on 14 June.
Jean-Christophe Filori is a European Commission spokesman. He explained
to RFE/RL today what the offer will mean for the three countries: “The
next steps are to consider the possibility of setting up a so-called
action plan with those three countries — setting the [reform]
priorities they should address. And, on our side, offering an
approximation with the European Union. That, as you know, could
eventually — but in the longer term — lead very far toward a share in
the internal market, for instance, or [alignment] with several EU
policies, like environment or [energy and transport] networks.”
Filori said Potocnik will tell the three South Caucasus governments that
they could eventually have a voice in Europe.
Potocnik will not offer precise details of the financial aid likely to
accompany new neighborhood membership. EU member states are still
debating the contents of the bloc’s next budget for the years 2007-2013.
But EU officials say Potocnik will reiterate the bloc’s willingness to
take a more active approach to the region’s many conflicts. The bloc
will not act as a mediator. But it will use incentives inherent in
closer ties to foster compromise.
Filori says this strategy has proved successful elsewhere: “Take, for
instance, the example of Romania and Hungary, the issue of the Hungarian
minority. Through a very early and intense political dialogue, we
[found] a solution. And we really hope that with this prospect of
getting closer to the European Union we will also have the possibility
of a much better political dialogue with [the South Caucasus] countries.”
The EU promotes its new neighborhood policy as distinct from bloc
membership but offering many of the same benefits.
Filori said the EU is not likely to discuss anytime soon a further EU
expansion that would bring countries like Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan into the bloc: “We can never say never, of course — we will
have to see. What we’re trying to do now is to set the prospect for the
foreseeable future. And in the foreseeable future, we have an approach
allowing for much closer involvement of those countries in Europe, and a
much closer involvement of the EU in those countries — much closer
relations. It would be a first step. Let’s seize this offer first.”
The EU has made it clear that it will consider developing relations with
the three countries on the basis of individual merit. So far, Georgia
has emerged as a clear leader.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
July 6, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA WELCOMES SEN. KERRY’S CHOICE FOR
DEMOCRATIC VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
— Sen. Edwards Outspoken in Favor of U.S. Recognition of
Armenian Genocide; Lifting of Turkish Blockade of Armenia
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today welcomed the presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee John
Kerry’s announcement of Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) as his Vice-
Presidential running mate.
“The ANCA welcomes John Kerry’s choice of John Edwards – a friend
of Armenian Americans in North Carolina and around the nation – as
his running-mate,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
“The contrast between Senator Edwards and sitting Vice President
Dick Cheney could not be more stark. John Edwards has consistently
taken a stand for Armenian issues, while Dick Cheney – as Chairman
of Halliburton and later as Vice President – has consistently,
often stridently, opposed issues of concern to Armenian American
voters.”
Sen. Edwards, currently finishing his first term in the Senate, has
been a staunch supporter of Armenian American concerns. In 2002,
he cosponsored the S.Res.307, marking the 15th anniversary of the
U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention. He was an original
cosponsor of a similar bill currently in Congress, S.Res.164,
spearheaded by Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ),
which currently has 39 cosponsors.
During his run for the Democratic Presidential nomination, Sen.
Edwards met with ANCA activists in May of 2003, at a private
reception held in Los Angeles in his honor. There ANCA-WR Chairman
Raffi Hamparian and Board Member Steven J. Dadaian discussed issues
of concern to the Armenian American community with the Senator.
Hamparian spoke to Senator Edwards about Turkey’s illegal blockade
of Armenia, to which Edwards responded that the “wrongful blockade”
must end, stressing that America has to stand behind Armenia and
let its neighbors know that “We [America] stand fully behind
Armenia.” In a statement before reception attendees, Edwards
explained that it is in America’s interest to recognize the
Armenian Genocide and added that “It is the just thing to do. It is
about time we [Americans] recognized it.”
Sen. Edwards’ positions on Armenian American concerns contrasts
sharply to Republican Vice-presidential nominee Dick Cheney’s
record. During his years serving in the U.S. Congress, Cheney
voted against resolutions commemorating the Armenian Genocide both
in 1985 and 1987. In 1995, he joined the Halliburton Company, an
oil and energy services corporation, and after his appointment as
Chairman of the Board in 1996, worked extensively with the
government of Azerbaijan in oil exploration ventures. He was a
vocal advocate of efforts to repeal restrictions on U.S. aid to
Azerbaijan despite that country’s ongoing blockades of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabagh. In a keynote speech at a U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber
of Commerce (USACC) conference on February 18, 1997, Cheney stated:
“I must also say that I believe that our current policy prohibiting
U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan is seriously misguided. In my
experience, this kind of unilateral sanction, based primarily on
U.S. domestic political considerations, is unwise. Such a policy
limits U.S. influence in any given situation, and in this case, it
reduces rather than enhances the prospects for ultimately resolving
a very complex and important set of regional issues.”
In 1997, Cheney, who was a member of the USACC “Honorary Council of
Advisors,” was awarded its “Freedom Support” award, for his
“outstanding services to this organization [USACC] as well as
contribution toward promoting peace, democracy, freedom and
economic development in Azerbaijan and a closer cooperation between
the United States and Azerbaijan.”
For more information about the Kerry-Edwards ticket, visit:

FEDERATION EURO-ARMENIENNE
pour la Justice et la Démocratie
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B – 1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web :
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
06 juillet 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27
PREMIERE CONVENTION DES ARMENIENS D’EUROPE AU PARLEMENT EUROPEEN
Bruxelles, Belgique – A l’initiative de la Fédération Euro-Arménienne, la
première Convention des Arméniens d’Europe se déroulera au Parlement
européen à Bruxelles, les 18 et 19 octobre 2004. Ce rassemblement
paneuropéen sera le lieu d’expression des sensibilités et opinions qui
traversent les communautés arméniennes d’Europe sur les sujets qui les
concernent.
Les citoyens européens d’origine arménienne représentent aujourd’hui plus de
deux millions de personnes issues de trois grandes vagues d’immigration,
résultant du génocide perpétré par l’empire ottoman (1915) , de la guerre au
Proche-Orient (1975) et de la chute de l’URSS (1991). Parfaitement intégrés
dans la vie économique et socioculturelle de leur pays d’accueil, ils ont
néanmoins su préserver leur identité et leur intérêt pour les questions
arméniennes.
Cette convention devrait permettre de dégager des lignes de convergence sur
différents thèmes d’actualité liés aux mutation géopolitiques récentes ou
aux transformations socioéconomiques globales.
Les orateurs pourront s’exprimer dans le cadre de trois sessions :
– Cultures et identités arméniennes en Europe
– Relations Union européenne – Arménie
– Enjeux de l’élargissement de l’Union européenne
« L’ensemble des associations, groupements et organisations arméniennes d’
Europe est convié, quelles que soient la nature de leurs activités et
indépendamment de leurs orientations politiques ou religieuses. » a expliqué
Hilda Tchoboian, présidente de la Fédération Euro-Arménienne.
« Avec cette première convention européenne, nous ne visons pas la mise en
place d’une superstructure associative qui se substituerait à la diversité
des associations impliquées dans les questions arméniennes en Europe ; nous
ambitionnons plutôt de créer un espace d’expression par lequel se dégageront
des positions et des opinions qui font consensus dans les communautés d’
Europe. ». a-t-elle précisé.
La Fédération Euro-Arménienne va incessamment lancer des centaines d’
invitations aux associations arméniennes d’Europe et appelle d’ores et déjà
les responsables associatifs qui souhaitent participer à cette convention à
s’inscrire soit par retour de courrier, soit sur le site Internet de la
Fédération .
Elle appelle les associations dont elle n’aurait pas connaissance et qui n’
auraient pas été contactées à se manifester spontanément. Elle invite
également chacun à faire un écho aussi large que possible à cette annonce et
précise qu’un programme provisoire sera communiqué fin juillet.
La Fédération Euro-Arménienne attire l’attention sur le fait que cette
convention constitue une occasion unique de faire entendre aux responsables
politiques européens – parlementaires et membres de la Commission – les
questions qui préoccupent les Arméniens d’Europe.

Monday,
05 July 2004
Caucasus: EU Commissioner Tours South Caucasus To Explain ‘New
Neighborhood’ Offer
Czech Republic World News Services
By Ahto Lobjakas
Janez Potocnik, a junior EU commissioner working with enlargement
commissioner Guenter Verheugen, today begins a four-day tour of the
South Caucasus. He will meet the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and
Georgia to talk about the EU’s recent decision to include the three
countries in its “new neighborhood” policy.
Brussels, 5 July 2004 (RFE/RL) — Janez Potocnik is a junior
commissioner. But he is by far the highest-ranking EU official to
tour the South Caucasus region in recent years.
As a commissioner for a new EU member state, Slovenia, Potocnik works
with the enlargement commissioner, Guenter Verheugen. Verheugen is in
charge of the EU’s “new neighborhood” program, which offers closer
ties to some EU neighbors.
Although not directly responsible for the new neighborhood program,
Potocnik fully represents the views of the European Commission.
He will spend this week traveling to Georgia (5-6 July), Azerbaijan
(6-7 July), and Armenia (7-8 July). Potocnik’s visit will emphasize
the EU’s renewed interest in those three countries. Following
Georgia’s “Rose Revolution” last year, the EU was quick to bring them
into the new neighborhood policy. The formal offer was finalized on 14
June.
Jean-Christophe Filori is a European Commission spokesman. He
explained to RFE/RL today what the offer will mean for the three
countries: “The next steps are to consider the possibility of setting
up a so-called action plan with those three countries — setting the
[reform] priorities they should address. And, on our side, offering
an approximation with the European Union. That, as you know, could
eventually — but in the longer term — lead very far toward a share
in the internal market, for instance, or [alignment] with several EU
policies, like environment or [energy and transport] networks.”
Filori said Potocnik will tell the three South Caucasus governments
that they could eventually have a voice in Europe.
Potocnik will not offer precise details of the financial aid likely to
accompany new neighborhood membership. EU member states are still
debating the contents of the bloc’s next budget for the years
2007-2013.
But EU officials say Potocnik will reiterate the bloc’s willingness to
take a more active approach to the region’s many conflicts. The bloc
will not act as a mediator. But it will use incentives inherent in
closer ties to foster compromise.
Filori says this strategy has proved successful elsewhere: “Take, for
instance, the example of Romania and Hungary, the issue of the
Hungarian minority. Through a very early and intense political
dialogue, we [found] a solution. And we really hope that with this
prospect of getting closer to the European Union we will also have the
possibility of a much better political dialogue with [the South
Caucasus] countries.”
The EU promotes its new neighborhood policy as distinct from bloc
membership but offering many of the same benefits.
Filori said the EU is not likely to discuss anytime soon a further EU
expansion that would bring countries like Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan into the bloc: “We can never say never, of course — we
will have to see. What we’re trying to do now is to set the prospect
for the foreseeable future. And in the foreseeable future, we have an
approach allowing for much closer involvement of those countries in
Europe, and a much closer involvement of the EU in those countries —
much closer relations. It would be a first step. Let’s seize this
offer first.”
The EU has made it clear that it will consider developing relations
with the three countries on the basis of individual merit. So far,
Georgia has emerged as a clear leader.
Related Stories About Caucasus: EU Increasingly Targeting Georgia Over
Conflict-Stricken Armenia, Azerbaijan EU, Azerbaijan Discuss
Nagorno-Karabakh Does The Georgian-Russian Rapprochement Threaten
Chechens? European Parliament Rapporteur Sees Hope For
Nagorno-Karabakh Robust Nature Conservancy Blossoms In South
Other Articles Written By Ahto Lobjakas:
Summit Wrapup — Iraq, Afghanistan Are Subjects Of Alliance Agreements
Past Rifts Resurface As Both Sides Struggle To Build Ties Alliance
Chief Says Details Of Afghan Troop Increases To Be ‘Worked Out’ Summit
Agrees Training Program For Iraq Constitution Talks Deadlocked At
Brussels Summit Donors Conference Wins $1 Billion In Pledges Leaders
Meet To Finalize Constitution Talks International Donors Conference
Opens In Brussels EU Increasingly Targeting Georgia Over
Conflict-Stricken Armenia, Azerbaijan Foreign Ministers To Discuss
Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan

Pravda.RU:Russia
Armenian Foreign Minister to arrive in Moscow
11:22 2004-07-05
Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan will arrive in Moscow on an
official visit on Monday. An exchange of opinions on the entire
complex of bilateral relations as well as on most important
international and regional problems is expected to be conducted during
the visit.
An official spokesman for the Russian foreign ministry Alexander
Yakovenko reported that one of the priority issues to be discussed
will be the Russian-Armenian trade, economic, cultural and
humanitarian cooperation, and a special accent will be made on the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
The sides will also discuss the coordination of the efforts of the two
countries’ foreign ministries in the improvement of the situation in
the Caucasus, settlement of conflicts in the region, the creation of
the atmosphere of trust for developing all-Caucasian security.
The sides will also consider interaction with the CIS, by using the
Collective Security Treaty Organisation, (Russia, Belarus, Armenia,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) and the EURASEC (except Armenia
which, just as Ukraine and Moldova, has the status of an observer.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to hold
negotiations with Vardan Oskanyan.
The visit will last till July 7.
© RIAN

Hellenic resources Network
European Commission Spokesman’s Briefing for 04-07-05
Janez PotoÄnik to visit Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia (05-08/07)
European Commissioner Janez PotoÄnik will visit Georgia on 5-6 July,
Azerbaijan on 6-7 July and Armenia on 7-8 July. The visits follow the
decision by the Council on 14 June to include the three Southern
Caucasian countries in the European Neighbourhood Policy. Mr PotoÄnik
will welcome the countries into the European Neighbourhood Policy and
explain the significance of the initiative to his counterparts.

Arms exhibition to open in Nizhny Tagil
MOSCOW. July 5 (Interfax) – An international arms exhibition will be
held in Nizhny Tagil from July 6-10 to display, among other exhibits,
the latest developments of the Russian defense sector, the
Rosoboronexport press service told Interfax. “The Nizhny Tagil
exhibition will feature advanced weapons and upgraded military
hardware from more than two dozen countries,” the press service
said. Alexander Orlov, spokesman for the Collective Security Treaty
Organization’s secretariat, told Interfax on Monday that the
exhibition will also include military hardware and arms the Collective
Security Treaty Organization plans to sell at lower prices. The
hardware includes 80 armored personnel carriers, modernized artillery
launchers and munitions, Orlov said. The Collective Security Treaty
Organization comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia, and Tajikistan. The organization’s collective rapid deployment
forces, which were created on May 25, 2003, involve nine battalions of
more than 5,500 people. Russia opened its air base on the premises of
Bishkek’s Kant airport in October 2003 to support the collective rapid
deployment forces’ operations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RECEPTION AT CABINET OF MINISTERS
Azer Tag
July 05, 2004
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Republic Artur Rasizade received the
delegation led by Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov on 5 July.
Greeting the guests, Premier of Azerbaijan expressed confidence that
such an authoritative delegation would become another stimulation for
expansion of Azerbaijan-Russian relations. After election of Vladimir
Putin as President of the Russian Federation, he continued, the
bilateral relations between the two countries have acquired higher
level.
Actively developing the bilateral relations in the economic field, Mr.
Rasizade said. The goods turnover is increasing. Speaking of the
economic links, Premier noted the necessity of ties with the regions,
and especially with Moscow in the field of economy and cultural
sphere. He also stressed his adherence to expand cooperation with the
government of Moscow in all fields.
Touching upon the ongoing economic reforms, the reached
accomplishments in this sphere, the Premier of Azerbaijan noted that
priority in the economic program is given to social sphere, which will
receive additional source of finance after commissioning of the Main
Export Pipeline. Mr. Artur Rasizade stated that the major problem for
eh country is dissolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh
conflict.
Yuri Luzhkov, thanking for warm reception, noted the positive
alterations in Baku, actively being realized constructions
works. Mayor of Moscow gave a high assessment to new level of the
Azerbaijan-Russia mutual relations, also underlined the necessity of
development of the Azerbaijan-Moscow links having good experience in
the humanitarian-social sphere.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Ramiz Rzayev attended the meeting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenians Next in Line for Native Language Broadcast
Zaman
07.05.2004 Monday
Following Turkish Radio and Television broadcasts in Kurdish, Armenian
representatives have demanded that the Supreme Board of Radio
Television (RTUK) offer broadcasts in Armenian as well.
In the statement filed yesterday, Armenian representatives said they
want to broadcast through their own radio and television station to be
established. Armenian Agos newspaper Editor-in-Chief, Hrant Dink,
said Armenian radio will begin this year. Armenians already have their
own schools and newspapers. Armenian radio has been a dream for 10
years, and the Armenian community has launched a donation drive to
help it be realized. It is expected that a total of US$300,000 will be
donated.
07.05.2004
Habib Güler
Ankara