Igdir Residents Demand Closure of Metsamor Nuclear Plant
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
June 8 2004
Baku Today 08/06/2004 12:24
Residents of Turkey’s northeastern province of Igdir, which borders
Armenia and Azerbaijan’s autonomous republic of Nakhchivan, began
demanding Turkish authorities and international organizations help
close down Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power plant, Anadolu agency
reported on Sunday.
Mayor of the province, Nurettin Aras, reportedly said the residents are
deeply concerned over possible danger the plant may cause. He said the
Igdir residents were preparing an appeal to the Turkish government,
World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) to take necessary measures regarding the Metsamor plant.
“Our residents are worried about any possible leak or explosion at
the power plant,” Aras told the Anadolu agency. “Several trees near
Armenian border have died, causing us to feel we are in danger. I
call on the World Health Organization to take action as soon as
possible. Necessary initiatives should rapidly be launched to close
down this plant.”
Aras said the Igdir residents had collected 2,500 signatures on the
first day of a one-week campaign launched by his office for closure of
the nuclear power plant, which is some 15-20 kilometers east of Igdir.
Experts believe that the Metsamor nuclear plant is a source of a
potential danger for the whole region in view of Armenia’s being
a seismically active country. A powerful earthquake that jolted
Armenia in December of 1988 put end to the lives of tens of thousands
of people.

Japan to invest in Yerevan power plant
Interfax
June 8 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – The Japanese government plans to invest $4.5
million in the construction of a thermal power plant in Yerevan with a
capacity of 1.5 megawatts based on a waste incineration plant, Armenian
Natural Resource Minister Vardan Aivazyan told journalists on Monday.
He said that the ministry has approved the construction of the plant
and thermal power plant at the Nurabshen dump, which covers an area
of over 60 hectares. Talks are currently underway between a potential
subcontractor for the project – Japan’s Shimizu – and the Yerevan
Mayor’s Office.
Aivazyan said that the project would involve the use of up to 800 –
900 cubic meters of rubbish per day to produce methane to be used in
electricity production.
The minister said that recently Armenia set an output tariff for
electricity produced from burning biogas of $0.08 per 1 kWh. The
investor is happy with this tariff.
He said that the talks should be completed by September 10, after
which construction should begin.
Diana Arutyunyan, the national coordinator of the project, told
Interfax that the Japanese state company New Energy and Industrial
Technology Organization plans to finance the project.
She said that Shimizu has already completed the first stage of work on
an audit and preparation of a feasibility study. She also said that
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is interested
in this project.
Electricity production in Armenia fell 0.29% to 5.5 billion kWh
in 2003.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
June 7 2004
7 June
Goran Lennmarker: Europe is very interested in quick settlement of
Karabakh conflict
Ecological decade launched in Armenia
RA CBA work experience is in the centre of attention of colleges from
Russia and CIS countries
Europe’s Armenian Unions’ Forum sixth conference takes place in
Vienna
Robert Kocharian and Andranik Andreasyan discuss process of
realization of reforms in RA water sector
*********************************************************************
GORAN LENNMARKER: EUROPE IS VERY INTERESTED IN QUICK SETTLEMENT OF
KARABAKH CONFLICT
YEREVAN, June 7. /ARKA/. Europe is very interested in quick
settlement of Karabakh conflict, as stated by Goran Lennmarker, OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly Chairman Special Representative on
Nagorno-Karabakh, in the course of his meeting with NKR President
Arkadi Ghukasyan. According to NKR President’s Press Service
Department, Lenmarker, as a Special Representative of OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly, expressed his readiness to contribute to
Karabakh conflict settlement, using his experience in settlement of
conflicts in other regions. He stated about unacceptability of
resumption of military actions in the region. At the same time he
noted that he estimates the efforts made by NKR in order to be in
line with European standards. Lenmarker noted the importance of
visiting NKR to have more clear idea about the conflict. He noted
that the state of problem’s not being settled has a negative effect
on the economy and social state of the countries involved in the
conflict, especially on the life of refugees. It also hinders the
implementation of important regional problems, the integration of
South Caucasus countries into European community. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
ECOLOGICAL DECADE LAUNCHED IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, June 7. /ARKA/. Ecological decade, joint initiative of RA
Ministry of Environment and UNDP, was launched in Armenia. According
to UNDP Armenian representative office, ten-day period began from the
visit of RA Minister of Environment Vardan Aivazyan, ex-Chairman of
UNDP in Armenia Lise Grande, and the Head of UNDPI department in
Armenia Valeri Tkachuk the biggest garbage dump in Nubarashen.
According to Grande, it’s very important that Armenia has a high
economic growth for the last ten years. However, UNDP is concerned
about the ecological consequences of the economic growth that are
important not only from economic standpoint, but also from that of
future generations, “who have the right to live in pure environment”.
According to her, having polluted environment, the country cannot
have really good future. She noted that UNDP is one of the biggest
donors in the area of ecology in Armenia. She expressed her firm
belief that co-operation with state structures and civil society will
allow resist the challenges of the transition period and ensure
healthy environment. A.H.–0–
*********************************************************************
RA CBA WORK EXPERIENCE IS IN THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION OF COLLEGES FROM
RUSSIA AND CIS COUNTRIES
YEREVAN, June 7. /ARKA/. RA CBA work experience is in the centre of
attention of colleges from Russia and CIS countries. This was stated
at today’s press-conference by the Head of RA CBA Tigran Sargsyan,
presenting the CBA annual report for 2003. According to him, this is
conditioned by the leading positions that CBA occupies in the area of
banking supervision. “The administration of CB of Russia considers us
to be leaders among the CIS countries in this sphere, as well as in
terms of tools used by us”, said Sargsyan. He mentioned that there is
a great interest in many CIS countries towards “out experience” of
using these tools. According to Sargsyan, the matter concerns such
tools as credit register, Deposit Insurance Fund, which are still in
the process of discussion in the Russian Federation and CIS
countries. L.V. –0–
*********************************************************************
EUROPE’S ARMENIAN UNIONS’ FORUM SIXTH CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE IN
VIENNA
YEREVAN, June 7. /ARKA/. The 6th conference of Europe’s Armenian
Associations Forum took place in the capital of Austria. According to
EAAF, Vazgen Manukyuan, the MP of the RA National Assembly spoke at
the conference. Speaking about the strengthening of Armenia’s State
system and the role of Diaspora in this process, Manukyan mentioned
that this kind of policy should be the concern of all Armenians, as
only the State system can ensure the solution of all national issues.
The participants of the conference also discussed the question of
arrangement and holding of actions dedicated to 90th anniversary of
Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915.
The conference was organized by the Europe’s Armenian Associations
Forum and the Armenian Apostolic Church administration in Austria.
L.V. –0–
*********************************************************************
ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND ANDRANIK ANDREASYAN DISCUSS PROCESS OF
REALIZATION OF REFORMS IN RA WATER SECTOR
YEREVAN, June 7. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian and Andranik
Andreasyan, Chairman of Water Committee at RA Government discuss
process of realization of reforms in RA water sector. As RA President
Pres service told ARKA, during the meeting they touched upon the
issues concerning the programs, realized jointly with the
international institutions.
As Andreasyan reported earlier, two water sector investment program,
were not completed: condominium project was delayed, while water
supply and Armavir marz sewerage channels rehabilitation project was
fulfilled in 2003 only by 10%.
In 2003 in the frames of water supply project and rehabilitation of
Armavir marz sewerage channels financed by German KfW, it was
suggested to fulfill the works with the cost AMD 3.5 mln, while the
condominium support project (Japanese Social Development Foundation)
with the cost AMD 598 thous. (1USD – AMD 545.57). T.M. –0–
*********************************************************************

KOCHARIAN AIDE WANTS ANOTHER KARABAKH-BORN LEADER FOR ARMENIA
By Hrach Melkumian and Emil Danielyan
Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
June 7 2004
YEREVAN, 08.06.04. Garnik Isagulian, President Robert Kocharian’s
recently appointed national security adviser, said on Saturday
that Armenia’s next president should also be originally from
Nagorno-Karabakh, arguing that it is a “vital territory” for all
Armenians.
“Without Karabakh Armenia can not breathe, no matter how many borders
you reopen,” Isagulian told a roundtable discussion in Yerevan.
The adviser did not specify whom he would like to see succeed
Kocharian and when. Still, the remarks could be interpreted by some
local commentators as another indication that Kocharian’s preferred
successor is Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, the second most powerful
government official in Armenia and also a native of Karabakh.
The two men led the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic during its
successful war with Azerbaijan before moving to higher positions
in Yerevan, with Sarkisian appointed defense minister in 1993
and Kocharian prime minister in 1997. Some leaders of the Armenian
opposition frequently attack them as the heads of the “Karabakh clan”
allegedly governing the country.
Armenia’s next presidential elections are to take place in 2008, and
its existing constitution bars Kocharian from contesting them for a
third term in office. Neither the president nor his top lieutenant,
who have been busy dealing with an opposition campaign of street
protests for the past two months, have shed light on their long-term
political plans so far.
Isagulian joined the presidential administration in early April
to take up a position that has been vacant for the past decade. A
retired officer of the Soviet-era KGB secret police, he entered the
political arena in the early 1990s, getting elected to Armenia’s first
post-Communist parliament and joining the then opposition Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun). He was expelled from the
party about two years after it was controversially banned in 1994
by former President Levon Ter-Petrosian and emerged from a political
oblivion three years ago to set up his own nationalist group called
the National Security Party.
Isagulian has since been an outspoken supporter of Kocharian and
detractor of his political opponents. He on Saturday strongly defended
the recent government crackdown on the opposition, alleging that
the latter has attempted to stage a coup and labeled Kocharian as a
“murderer.”
Ironically, Isagulian had himself faced `terrorism` and coup charges
in July 1995 along with 31 members of Dashnaktsutyun, including Vahan
Hovannisian, who is currently the deputy speaker of the Armenian
parliament. But unlike them, Isagulian went into hiding and escaped
arrest and trial. He remained on the run until Ter-Petrosian’s
resignation in February 1998.

Daily questions US diplomat’s optimism on “fundamental changes” in Azerbaijan
Yeni Musavat, Baku
7 Jun 04
Text of Qosqay report by Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat on 7 June
entitled “Fundamental changes?”, subheaded “Seven months ago the West
returned Azerbaijan from threshold of these changes”
Speaking at a conference entitled “With Women towards Victory”,
the deputy US ambassador for political issues, Nancy McEldowney,
voiced an intriguing opinion. She said Azerbaijan was in the run-up
to fundamental changes and called on women to play a more active role
in public life. While mentioning fundamental changes, the diplomat
meant oil revenues (will there be revenues? – author), a peaceful
resolution to the Karabakh conflict, democratic elections and a
guarantee of freedom of speech.
Undoubtedly, these are fine words. We regret that what the experienced
diplomat mentioned as fundamental changes cannot simply be implemented
in Azerbaijan.
This process has been going on in Georgia. [Georgian President]
Mikheil Saakashvili has won democratic polls and is implementing the
democratic changes mentioned by Mrs McEldowney. The country’s budget
revenue has grown, important steps are being taken almost every day
towards building civil society. Finally, territorial conflicts, like
the long-drawn-out Karabakh conflict, are being resolved peacefully
as mentioned by the diplomat.
Following the West’s erroneous stance towards the last [presidential]
elections, Azerbaijan was halted on the threshold of radical
changes. To be more precise, voters’ hopes were betrayed, those
who showed the will were again returned to the Aliyev clan’s
enslavement. Everybody was in favour of changes and we regret that
this was impossible.
What changes have taken place since Ilham Aliyev stepped into
his father’s shoes (on 31 October 2003)? We have no intention of
mentioning them. There is no need for a guide if the mountain can be
seen. Budget money is being spent sporadically, corruption is rife,
freedom of assembly is suppressed.
We should not also forget that women, who are invited to play an active
role in public life, come across tremendous deprivations. Are women,
who sell their bodies for a loaf of bread, not a hostage to Aliyev’s
10-year-old policy?
Now the country’s population understand that nothing will change for
the better unless the dynastic regime disappears from Azerbaijan. Or
the other way round, without a radical power change.

WHICH OF TWO TV CHANNELS TO BE RETRANSMITTED?
A1 Plus | 16:22:11 | 08-06-2004 | Social |
After months of being turned off, the 23 UHF transmitter was
unexpectedly turned on today.
Testing signal appeared on the screen although no programs are being
broadcast.
The head of Radio and Television National Commission Grigor Amalyan
said recently in his interview with our correspondent that the
Commission won’t decide programs of which of the two Russian channels –
NTV or Culture – will be retransmitted on that broadcasting frequency.
NTV channel’s programs retransmitted before that. Some sources say
Armenian government gave an instruction to the Commission not to
announce tender for the frequency until negotiations with Culture
channel are completed. And what is the reason for today’s switching
on? Our correspondent tried to get the answer from NTV-retransmitting
Paradise Company, called there and had “an interesting talk” with
one of the company staff.
Question: Which TV channel will be retransmitted?
Answer: I don’t know.
Q.: What programs will be retransmitted?
A.: Don’t know.
Q.: If so, then why was the signal switched on?
A.: Don’t know.
Q.: Could we talk to the head of the company?
A.: He’s absent.
Q.: Maybe his deputy is present?
A.: He isn’t empowered to answer questions.
Q.: And maybe you are empowered?
A.: Call to Radio and Television National Commission.
So, the retransmission fate is still obscure and Paradise seems to
be absolutely not involved in decision-making process. At least the
conversation with the company employee is quite puzzling.

ONLY 10 OUT OF 270 PETROL FILLING STATIONS COMPLY WITH REQUIRED STANDARDS
ArmenPress
June 7 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: Only 10 out of 270 petrol filling station
in the capital city of Yerevan comply with standards, set by the
urban construction department of the municipality. Samvel Danielian,
the head of Yerevan municipality architecture and urban construction
department said some 30 petrol filling stations were e dismantled
and another 125 are expected to be dismantled soon.
Currently 105 petrol filling stations are under investigation where
violations of urban construction norms were reported. In response
to a question whether those who had authorized construction of those
petrol filling stations will be brought to justice, the department head
said they are not responsible for that. Their task is to ensure that
petrol filling stations are in accordance with the norms established
by urban construction.

Référence: Le Figaro, spécial 6 juin 1944
Ce parachutiste américain avait 19 ans quand il sauta sur Sainte-Mère-Eglise
Howard Manaoian.
(Photo J.- C. Marmara/Le Figaro.)
Howard Manaoian : «Partis à 44, nous revenons à 18»
Propos recueillis par Thiébault Dromard
[02 juin 2004]
Il a choisi la France. Caporal chef de l’infanterie parachutiste,
Howard Manoian a 19 ans quand il est parachuté au-dessus du petit
village normand de Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Le Figaro l’a retrouvé
soixante ans après dans cette bourgade du Cotentin, où il a établi sa
résidence principale depuis 1992. D’origine arménienne, cet enfant du
Massachusetts avoue apprécier le calme de la campagne normande, sauf
à la veille de chaque anniversaire du débarquement. Ses souvenirs de
la bataille de Normandie sont intacts. Il nous livre ici le journal
de ces heures et de ces jours historiques.
4 et 5 juin
«La tempête fait rage. Le vent et la pluie balayent le tarmac du camp
d’aviation située à quelques encablures de Leicester, en Angleterre. La
météo n’est pas de la partie. Ce n’est pas tant la pluie qui nous
inquiète, que les bourrasques de vent qui s’amplifient au fur et à
mesure de la journée du 4 juin. Le vent, c’est sans doute le pire
ennemi des parachutistes. Nous sommes pourtant prêts à y aller. Les
manœuvres, nous les connaissons par cœur pour les avoir répétées de
longs mois, ici, de l’autre côté du Channel. Mais la décision tombe, le
Débarquement est reporté de 24 heures. Une journée de plus à attendre,
à imaginer le pire, à ressasser les consignes dans notre tête, à
feuilleter, sans réelle motivation, le dictionnaire anglais-français
que la logistique nous a remis dans notre paquetage. La peur est
là. Nous connaissons tous les statistiques, un parachutiste sur
deux meurt avant d’avoir foulé le sol. Dans sa grande «générosité»,
l’Etat américain nous accorde d’ailleurs une sorte de prime de risque
mensuelle de 50 dollars.
Le 5 juin au soir, comme prévu, une légère amélioration se
dessine. Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne. Dans quelques heures, nous
survolerons la Manche, puis les côtes normandes. Dans mon esprit,
dans celui de tous mes camarades, cette opération doit être de courte
durée. Pas question de s’attarder en France. Le débarquement achevé,
nous foncerons sur Berlin, notre ultime objectif.
Nuit du 5 au 6 juin
L’avion décolle vers 1 heure du matin et gagne rapidement le Cotentin,
distant d’à peine 200 kilomètres de notre base. Mon bataillon, le 505e
régiment, a pour objectif principal de prendre un pont qui enjambe
la petite rivière de Merderet, un affluent de la Douve, située à 3
ou 4 kilomètres de Sainte-Mère-Eglise. L’avion entame sa descente,
il a prévu de nous faire sauter au plus bas, c’est-à-dire à 200 mètres
d’altitude maximum.
Je saute parmi les derniers. Mauvais présage, ou hasard d’un
pilotage imprécis, j’atterris au beau milieu du cimetière de
l’église du village. Je ramasse rapidement mon paquetage et décampe
de ce lieu inhospitalier. Je retrouve avec bonheur trois de mes
camarades. Mais la joie des retrouvailles est vite effacée par la
riposte allemande. L’alerte a été donnée, les batteries de la Werhmacht
s’exécutent. J’essaye de prendre contact avec le reste de ma compagnie,
mais la connexion de ma radio est défectueuse.
Le combat de position fait rage dans les rues de Sainte-Mère-Eglise. On
progresse très lentement, rue après rue, quartier par quartier.
6 juin
Le jour se lève et la lumière expose à nu les dures réalités de la
guerre. Les corps s’amoncellent déjà dans les rues, les blessés se
comptent par dizaines. Des fermes transformées en hôpitaux de fortune
accueillent les éclopés.
Un officier américain vient me trouver. Il a besoin de renfort
pour prendre le château de Fauville, quartier général des
officiers allemands. Cette solide bâtisse est située à la sortie de
Sainte-Mère-Eglise, sur la route de Carentan. Pris par surprise, dans
son sommeil, l’ennemi oppose une résistance passive à notre assaut. En
une demi-heure, l’affaire est bouclée, et les 40 officiers sont sous
notre contrôle. Six parachutistes sont affectés à la surveillance
du château.
Pour ma part, je regagne le nord de Sainte-Mère-Eglise, où une poche
de résistance sévit. Nous partons à 44, nous revenons, le 7 au matin,
à 18 de cette sanglante boucherie. Le commandant du bataillon, le
sergent Robert Nyland, qui avait débarqué quelques heures plus tôt
à Utah Beach, est mort.
7 juin
La journée entière est consacrée à la libération de
Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Le combat de rue est intense.
Bientôt, la ville ressemble à un champ de ruines. Cela fait maintenant
près de deux jours que j’ai été parachuté. Deux jours sans aucune
nouvelle du reste de ma compagnie, basée à 4 kilomètres d’ici, en rase
campagne. Nous tentons pourtant d’établir une communication mais nos
radios ont été mal montées et rien ne fonctionne. Il faut attendre la
fin de la journée du 7 juin pour que nous puissions enfin réaliser que
nous maîtrisons la situation. La résistance allemande est bien plus
forte que nous l’imaginions. Demain, nous pourrons enfin rejoindre
nos camarades.
8 juin
Nous quittons Sainte-Mère-Eglise au petit matin. Mais avant de laisser
cette bourgade derrière nous, il nous faut absolument trouver un point
d’eau. Plus que faim, nous avons terriblement soif. Je n’ai pas bu
depuis trois jours. Je frappe à une porte. Je ne parle pas un mot
de français. Un homme m’ouvre. Je lui montre mon drapeau américain
à l’épaule pour le rassurer. Je tourne fébrilement les pages de mon
dictionnaire pour trouver les mots qui me donneront à boire. «Je
veux boire…», je n’ai pas le temps de dire de l’eau que l’homme
apporte une bouteille enveloppée d’un papier journal de sorte que
je ne parviens pas bien à en distinguer le contenu. Il me sert alors
généreusement de son liquide, qui a une couleur bien jaunâtre. Je me
souviens alors que la logistique nous avait mis en garde sur le fait
que l’eau, dans la plupart des villages de France, n’est pas potable.
Je sors alors deux comprimés purificateurs. J’attends qu’ils fassent
leur effet, et avale à grandes gorgées ce breuvage. J’ai à peine le
temps de réaliser qu’il s’agissait d’un alcool fort que je suffoque
et manque de m’étouffer. Je comprends que cet homme a cherché à
m’empoisonner. Je pointe ma mitraillette sur lui, mais il m’explique
tant bien que mal qu’il m’a servi une sorte de brandy à la pomme
appelé calvados. Pour m’excuser, je lui offre mes cigarettes.
Nous arrivons en début d’après-midi à destination et retrouvons avec
joie le reste de mes camarades. Mais rapidement, je constate que notre
compagnie accuse de lourdes pertes. Le bilan est effroyable. Deux
cents soldats ont sauté sur le pont le 6 juin. Deux jours après, il
n’en reste que 60 debout. 80 sont gravement blessés, 60 ont péri au
combat. Postés sur l’autre rive de la rivière, trois chars allemands
ont riposté pendant deux jours sans discontinuer. Il s’agit d’engins
français de la marque Renault, que les Allemands se sont procurés dès
1940. Deux d’entre eux ont explosé à la suite de tirs de bazooka,
le troisième a pris la fuite pour contourner notre front et nous
attaquer par-derrière. Il n’a pas eu le temps de faire de dégâts
car nous l’avons intercepté et anéanti avant même qu’il ne tire sa
première salve.
9 juin
Première grande victoire, nous parvenons enfin à traverser ce
petit pont de pierre et à gagner l’autre rive de cette rivière,
la Merderet. Nous pouvons maintenant poursuivre notre avancée plein
ouest et contrôler une partie non négligeable de la presqu’île du
Cotentin. Nous gagnons enfin concrètement du terrain. Nous pouvons
désormais considérer que le Débarquement s’est achevé pour laisser
la place à la bataille de Normandie».
Howard Manoian est blessé gravement pour la première fois le 17 juin,
à Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte. Une balle lui traverse la paume de la main,
de sorte «qu’on pouvait voir à travers». Il est également touché aux
deux jambes. Il est transféré dans un hôpital de campagne aménagé
sur la plage d’Utah Beach. Le sort s’abat une nouvelle fois sur lui
à sa sortie de l’hôpital. Un chasseur allemand mitraille la plage
en rase-mottes et le blesse à l’autre main. Pendant que le 505e
régiment libère le sud de la Manche, et notamment la Haye-du-Puit,
Howard Manoian est transféré en Angleterre par navire-hôpital, et
placé en convalescence jusqu’au 13 septembre. Il participe ensuite à
la campagne de Hollande, puis à celle des Ardennes, particulièrement
éprouvante. «Je n’ai jamais eu aussi froid», confie-t-il.
Howard Manoian ne marchera pas sur Berlin, il sera arrêté de nouveau
dans sa course par une grave blessure en mars 1945, qui l’oblige à
regagner définitivement les Etats-Unis. Il foule le sol américain le
10 mai, et savoure six semaines de permission.
Au lendemain de la guerre, Howard Manoian quitte l’armée. Il devient
gardien de prison, fonction dans laquelle il «s’ennuie à mourir». Il
quitte l’administration pénitentiaire pour exercer le métier de
policier pendant 32 ans.

COMPETITION FOR JOURNALISTS ANNOUNCED
A1 Plus | 21:10:04 | 07-06-2004 | Social |
OSCE Yerevan office and Environment and Information Center / Orkhus/
has announced a competition for TV and press journalists.
To be eligible for Human Rights and Environment competition is an
applicant has to submit a 20-minute video-clip. If he/she is a TV
reporter, and a 1000-word article, if he/she is a press journalist,
produced/written in 2004.

EX FOREIGN MINISTER CONSIDERS NORMAL RELATIONS WITH TURKEY AS CRUCIAL FOR
CONSOLIDATION OF ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE
YEREVAN, June 4 (Noyan Tapan). A seminar devoted to the possibility
of opening Armenian-Turkish border, the situation in the region,
as well as the discussion of the possible prospects of relations
between Turkey and Armenia was organized with the initiative of the
Union of Young Conservatives on June 4. Ex-foreign minister of Armenia
Alexander Arzumanian said in his speech that the issue of the Genocide
must occupy its peculiar place in Armenian-Turkish relations but it
must not be the basis for bilateral relations.
According to him, first of all it is necessary to establish normal
relations with Turkey, including trade ones. The ex-minister said
implementation of different programs, including exchange ones, will
create a corresponding atmosphere in Turkish society and, hence, will
contribute to the discussion of the Armenian Genocide. Arzumanian
believes we must first of all demand that Turkey recognize the
Genocide: “When other countries recognize the Genocide we hail the fact
but only Turkey’s recognition will remove the gap in Armenian-Turkish
relations.”
In connection with the issue of Armenia’s European integration,
Arzumanian said efforts will be more effective if Armenia supports
the process of Turkey’s membership in the European Union. Alexander
Arzumanian stressed the necessity of working out a normal modus
of relations. Establishment of normal relations with Turkey, he
believes, is the most important factor for the consolidation of
Armenia’s independence.
“As a citizen of Armenia, it hurts me to hear that Armenia is Russia’s
advanced post in the region. We needn’t become the executor of the
will of this or any other country, moroever that Russia, as it did
in the past, is abandoning us,” he stated.