ARKA News Agency
June 2 2004
Kazakhstan Ambassador to Armenia hands credential to RA MFA
RA President receives three-times olympic champion, RF State Duma
Deputy Alexander Karelin
RA President receives delegation of CIS TIC Heads’ Council
CBA Chairman to take part in 13th international banking congress in
Saint-Petersburg
CBA Council receives delegation of Asian Development Bank
*********************************************************************
KAZAKHSTAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA HANDS CREDENTIAL TO RA MFA
YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. Kazakhstan Ambassador to Armenia Krymbek
Kusherbayev (residence in Moscow) handed credential to RA Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanian, RA MFA told ARKA. The parties stressed
absence of political splits between the countries. Besides they
discussed perspectives of deepening of bilateral cooperation,
especially considering dynamic growth of the economies of the two
countries. In accordance to that the parties noted the importance of
direct contacts and information exchange between the businessmen of
Armenia and Kazakhstan. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT RECEIVES THREE-TIMES OLYMPIC CHAMPION, RF STATE DUMA
DEPUTY ALEXANDER KARELIN
YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian received
three-times Olympic Champion, RF State Duma Deputy Alexander Karelin.
The parties discussed development of sport. Talking about activation
of joint contacts in sport sphere, Kocharian said that Armenia has
favorable conditions for conduction of gatherings, which allow
restoration of previous traditions. The President represented the
policy conducted by the State on development of physical training and
sport and said that he constantly visits sport objects and has good
relations with sportsmen.
Karelin heads delegation of Russian Federation at international
tournament of Graeco-Roman wrestling after Olympic champion Levon
Djulfalakian. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT RECEIVES DELEGATION OF CIS TIC HEADS’ COUNCIL
YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian received
delegation of CIS Trade Industrial Chambers Heads’ Council. Kocharian
paid attention to the work of the sittings of the Council and
expressed confidence that Yerevan meeting will give new stimuli for
development of cooperation. The President welcomed initiative of
conduction of exhibition and business forum in the frames of TIC
Council. The Chairman of RF TIC Eugenie Primakov in his turn called
the results of the sitting productive. According to him, the parties
discussed wide range of issues considering cooperation of subjects of
small and medium business of CIS countries, exchange of business
information and expanding of cooperation in the sphere of
organization of the exhibitions. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
CBA CHAIRMAN TO TAKE PART IN 13TH INTERNATIONAL BANKING CONGRESS IN
SAINT-PETERSBURG
YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. CBA Chairman Tigran Sargsian will take part
in 13th international banking congress “RF Banking System in the
Light of International Trends and Standards” in Saint-Petersburg.
Sargsian will make a speech “Lessons and Perspectives of
Modernization of Banking System”. The congress will discuss
international trends of development of banking business and their
influence on the economy, international standards of administration
of banking system, actual goals of banking activity in the frames of
Bazel-2 and the goals of corporate management of the banks and
internal monitoring. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
CBA COUNCIL RECEIVES DELEGATION OF ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
YEREVAN, June 2. /ARKA/. Council of CBA received delegation of Asian
Development Bank headed by Amarjit Vassan, deputy Secretary as CBA
Press Service told ARKA. According to the press release during the
meeting, the representatives of the Asian Development Bank presented
activity of the company that aims at implementation of loan projects
targeted at poverty reduction and securing sustainable development of
the organization member countries.
In his turn, the Chairman of CBA Tigran Sargsyan presenting CBA
activity, its main tasks and operations as well as the general
situation in the Armenian economy. As mentioned by Vassan, that
unofficial agreement between bank members of Asian Development Bank
around Armenia’s membership in the institution. In his opinion, the
purpose of the visit is clarifying terms of Armenia’s membership.
T.M. –0–
*********************************************************************

ARKA News Agency
June 3 2004
The issues of Karabakh conflict settlement discussed by Kocharian and
Steven Mann
RA President Kocharian receives the members of the CIS Customs
Council
RA President receives the Armenian- Russian interParliamentary
commission on cooperation
*********************************************************************
THE ISSUES OF KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT DISCUSSED BY KOCHARIAN AND
STEVEN MANN
YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. The issues regarding Karabakh conflict
settlement were discussed by RA President Kocharian and co-Chairman
of OSCE Minsk Group from the USA Steven Mann. According to RA
President’s Press Service Department, Mann introduced the results of
the meetings held in Baku where he had arrived from.
According to RA MFA Press Service Department, the same issue was
discussed also during the meeting of Man with RA Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vartan Oskanian. Mann confirmed the readiness of OSCE Minsk
group co-Chairmen to find mutually advantageous solutions for the
parties in the conflict. Also, the previous meetings between RA and
AR ministers of foreign Affairs, as well as some issues regarding the
regular meeting of the Ministers on June 21.
OSCE Minsk Group co-Chairman arrived in Armenia from Azerbaijan where
he participated in the 11th international exhibition-forum of oil and
gas. In the framework of his visit to Baku, Mann had meetings with
the AR President Ilham Aliev and the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Elmar Mamediarov. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN RECEIVES THE MEMBERS OF THE CIS CUSTOMS
COUNCIL
YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. RA President Kocharian received the members
of the CIS Customs Council session held in Yerevan. According to RA
President’s Press Service Department, in the course of the meeting
Kocharian expressed hope that the contacts and the share with
experience will contribute to more effective work organization. In
his turn, Michael Vanin, the Chairman of the Council of CIS Customs,
the Chairman of RF State Customs Committee noted that in 2004 it will
be the 10th anniversary since the Council’s functioning, and
significant progress has been achieved so far. According to him, year
by year the volume of trade turnover between CIS states grows. This
means that administrative barriers are removed and right work is
done. He attached great importance to simplification of customs
procedures and to struggle against contraband.A. H.—0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT RECEIVES THE ARMENIAN- RUSSIAN INTERPARLIAMENTARY
COMMISSION ON COOPERATION
YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian received today
the Armenian- Russian inter-Parliamentary commission on cooperation.
According to the President’s Press Service Department, during the
meeting Kocharian noted that the agreements reached during his last
visit to Moscow, are consequently being implemented. In his turn,
Nikolai Ryzhkov, the Co-Chairman of Armenian-Russian
inter-Parliamentary committee, Member of RF Federal Assembly
Federation Council informed the RA President, that the commission
session held in Yerevan was in the atmosphere of productive
discussions, where the issues of economic cooperation between the
countries and collaboration in international structures were
particularly emphasized. He also mentioned that there was made a
decision about the formation of working groups, which will organize
discussions on cooperation between individual administrative subjects
of the two countries and encouragement of small and medium
businesses. Ryzhkov said that bilateral economic relations are
gradually improving as a result of the sustainability of Armenia’s
and Russia’s economies, the activities of large joint enterprises and
implementation of the signed contracts. According to Ryzhkov, the key
role in further development of economic relations will play the
recently formed Association of Russian-Armenian Economic Cooperation,
which already has its representative office in Armenia. L.V. –0–
*********************************************************************

ARKA News Agency – Interview
June 3 2004
LOSSES FROM WINTER FROSTS ESTIMATED AT AMD 1.5B
Samvel Avestisyan’s, RA Deputy Agriculture Minister’s exclusive
interview, to ARKA News Agency.
ARKA – What is the sum of losses caused by the winter frosts? What is
the Ministry undertaking currently to compensate the farmers the
losses incurred?
S.Avetisyan – Based on preliminary calculations, the losses from the
frosts made AMD 1.5b. Apricot gardens suffered most of all,
practically for 90% and peach and wineyards to 30% and 10%
respectively. The Government allocated AMD 61.8 mln as a compensation
for purchasing fertilizers, also the Government regards other sources
to support the farmers, particularly the possibility of exempting
gardens from the land tax.
As for the foreign assistance, we applied to a number of
organizations, however there was no reply yet. Mainly, we hope to
FAO’s support that is our principle partner in these issues. An
independent group of experts of this organization to arrive in
Armenia soon that once more to evaluate the sizes of the caused
damage and to draw possible support programs.
ARKA – What’s the expected volume of bread-grain this year?
S.Avetisyan – We can supply one third of the inner demand for
bread-grain. The best harvest was in 2002, when 415 thsd. tons of
grain crop and 241 thsd. tones of wheat was collected. At the expense
of our own grain resources we can satisfy 40% of inner demand. The
average crop capacity of the republic makes 20-21% for 1 hectare. On
average, about 100-110 thsd. hectares make area under crop for winter
grain. If we bring the volume of harvest from 1 hectare to at least
30 centners, then we can satisfy 70% of demand. In this case our
dependence on import of grain will significantly reduce. We shouldn’t
forget that crop capacity was very high in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR), the main grain exporter of which is Armenia. Last year Armenia
exported from NKR grain of high quality and this is a good source for
the covering the shortage of grain in Armenia. However, crop capacity
in 2003 was not very high in Armenia, as only 310 thsd tones of crop
was collected. In 2004 we expect to have up to 400 thsd tones of
crop. On the whole, in order to satisfy the inner demand for
bread-grain, crop capacity to be increased to 50-55 centners for each
hectare, instead of enlarging areas under crop. However, in the near
future we cannot achieve such results.
ARKA – Climatic and geographically agrarian sector of Armenia is in
risk zone. What stage is the process of evaluation of insurance risks
of agrarian sector on? When can we have the first examples of
insuring the sector?
S.Avetisyan –This year for the first time budget financial means at
AMD 40a mln are assigned for the evaluation of agricultural insurance
risks. Tender for determination of the company to evaluate risks is
conducted by the agency for state purchases. Till the end of the year
the result of evaluation of agricultural risks will be submitted. In
this case, co-operation with international insurance agencies can
begin. If the risks be evaluated this year, then next year
experimental insurance of some crops.
ARKA – In 2004 implementation of the first pilot antihail program.
What stage is the implementation of the program on? Which of the two
models, namely French or Argentine is mot acceptable for Armenia?
S.Avetisyan – Government assigned AMD 180 mln on pilot program. We
dwelled on Argentine one of antihail settings installation. At
present a group of specialists from Argentina are in Armenia. They
conduct research for further work in Aragatsotn region. It is
expected that settings will be sent to Armenia one of th edays.
Everything is done as en experiment yet, and we will still have to
evaluate the efficiency of th esystems and decide whether to continue
the program implementation or not. The program to be finnced rom the
budget. If the outcome of the experiment is positive, then maybe
donors will be found for the installation of settings in regions with
high hail threat.
ARKA – The percentage of crediting of agriculture exceeds 10%. They
talk about possible reduction of interest rate for crediting farms by
banks. How real is it?
S.Avetisyan – Of course, the demand for crediting of agriculture was
satisfied only by 10% last year. Steps are done to increase credit
portfolio of banks and reduction of interest rate. Ra President
Kocharian ordered to find possible ways for reduction of the interest
rate to 12%. It’s real, as some banks grant credits at 13% of annual
rate instead of 16-20% of annual rate. Of course, the interests of
the banks cannot be neglected, and the contribution of the government
is important. IFAD program of crediting may be effective, and in the
framework of it Foundation for crediting agriculture will be created.
Also, Foundation will credit separate regions lose to the border and
mountainous regions that cannot get bank crediting. Credit clubs
created here will do crediting on cooperative basis at the expense
the Foundation. So the interest rate will be by 2-3% less than that
of bank credit, i.e. to 12% of annual rate.
Our future related to crediting is in space of formation cooperative
credit system where the farmer gets not only loan, but is a member of
that cooperation and manages those means. We already have experience
in this filed. Particularly, USDA applies this system due t which
around 40 credit clubs were founded in marzes that are functionin
sucssfully.
ARKA – Recently, the Government approved the strategic program of
sustainable growth of agriculture till 2015. What will be the
expected results by the completion of the program?
S.Avetisyan – The strategy covers full spectrum of problems facing in
Armenian agricultural sector. ñòðàíû. The solution of these problems
is not only business of the state but also the producers themselves.
According to this problem the aggregate agricultural production in
Armenia should increase by 70%. The sum of crediting agricultural
sector is expected to be increased 10 times. The program of
sustainable development of agriculture is harmonious to poverty
reduction program. It clearly sets up required actions and term for
their solution. The tasks for the forthcoming 2-3 years are approved
by the Government concern mid-term financing programs We can state
confidently, that this stage of realization of the strategy is
secured by financial resources.
The concrete priorities of the agriculture development are
anti-epidemic measures in animal raising, rehabilitation of
irrigation networks, plant protection from deceases, creation of
special and productive infrastructures, block of measures targeted at
food security.
ARKA – How perfect is legislative base in the agriculture?
S.Avetisyan – It cannot be ever stated that the legislative base was
perfect. This is a dynamic process. The life dictates its conditions
and according to them, the legislation changes. Currently we work on
several laws, particularly one concerning veterinary. We adopted this
law in a hurry as we had a commitment to the Council of Europe
however, it requires improvement. Also, we anticipate amendments
related to licensing of pest-killers. Definition of farms also needs
clarification. On one hand, eth Civil Code regulates those forms of
farming that exist in Armenia, but it says nothing about farms. One
the other hand, the law on peasant economy is still effective. I
think that we need to fix the stats of farming economies legally and
we need to pass this law next year. T.M. –0–

Armenian opposition holds demonstration in capital despite ban
Associated Press Worldstream
June 4, 2004 Friday
YEREVAN, Armenia — About 5,000 anti-government protesters defied an
order by the mayor of the Armenian capital and held a rally Friday,
the latest in a two-months-long series of protests aimed at forcing
the resignation of President Robert Kocharian.
Such protests have aimed at galvanizing dissatisfaction over the
country’s poverty and over the alleged fraud in elections that brought
Kocharian a second term last year.
Authorities have tolerated some of the demonstrations, but one
gathering in front of the presidential palace was broken up forcefully
by police. The mayor of Yerevan forbid holding a protest on Friday,
but the gathering went ahead.
“At the same time that the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe called on the Armenian authorities not to hinder peaceful
actions by the opposition, the mayor just forbid demonstrations,”
said an opposition leader Albert Bazeian.

Libération
4 juin 2004
Pourquoi exiger de la Turquie la reconnaissance du génocide arménien
avant de négocier son adhésion?;
Europeennes. Question à François Hollande, français. Premier
secrétaire du Parti socialiste.
par QUINIO Paul
“Comment ne pas avoir cette exigence ? J’ai signé, hier, avec les
socialistes arméniens un texte exigeant la reconnaissance du génocide
arménien par la Turquie avant l’ouverture de négociations sur son
entrée dans l’UE avec le souci d’être respectueux de principes. Je
précise au passage que les socialistes arméniens souhaitent l’ouverture
de ces négociations.
Sur le respect des principes, la France s’est engagée, en 1999
lors du Conseil européen de Copenhague, à ouvrir des négociations,
conditionnées au respect des critères sur la démocratie, les droits
de l’homme, le statut des prisonniers politiques… Comment ne pas
considérer la reconnaissance du génocide arménien comme un de ces
critères ? Le Parlement français a lui-même voté une résolution
en 2001 le reconnaissant. Plusieurs pays ont fait de même. Sur ce
sujet, Jacques Chirac m’a choqué quand il a déclaré que cette question
relevait des relations bilatérales entre la Turquie et l’Arménie. Pas
du tout. Le génocide est un crime contre l’humanité qui doit être
reconnu comme tel. Pourquoi les démocrates turcs ne reconnaîtraient-ils
pas ce génocide perpétré à l’époque de l’Empire ottoman. Ce n’est pas
une manière de fermer la porte. Je trouve que la position de refus
de la droite est indécente alors que, pour Jacques Chirac, il est
“prématuré de trancher”.”

Una bomba provoca 11 muertos en un mercado de la ciudad rusa de Samara.
By DANIEL UTRILLA. Corresponsal
El Mundo
June 5, 2004
Rusia. Atentados. Una bomba provoca 11 muertos en un mercado de la
ciudad rusa de Samara
MOSCU.- La detonacion de un artefacto explosivo tino ayer de sangre
el mercadillo de ropa al aire libre de Samara (800 kilometros al
oeste de Moscu), donde 11 personas perdieron la vida y medio centenar
resulto herido.
Un mosaico de jirones de tela entremezclados con despojos humanos y
cadaveres decapitados cubrio el lugar de la explosion, situado junto
a un anden del ferrocarril. La presencia casual en las vias de un
vagon cisterna amortiguo la onda expansiva, evitando que alcanzara
a la veintena de personas que esperaba el tren, informo el fiscal de
Samara, Alexander Yefremov.
La bomba detono junto a un puestecillo regentado por una familia
armenia a las 13.05 hora local (11.05 hora espanola), cuando el
mercado bullia de gente.
Aunque la policia estudia la pista terrorista, no se descarta el movil
criminal, vinculado a las fricciones comerciales entre mercaderes
rivales por hacerse con un puesto en el zoco. Segun el diario
Gazeta.ru, en los ultimos meses se habia producido en el lugar una
“redistribucion criminal” de la esferas mercantiles. La mayoria de
los mercadillos rusos suelen estar monopolizados por comerciantes
caucasicos o procedentes del Asia central ex sovietico.
La explosion -de potencia equivalente a un kilogramo de trilita- dejo
11 muertos y causo heridas de diversa consideracion a 50 personas, la
mitad de las cuales fueron hospitalizadas. Algunos heridos murieron
durante su traslado a los centros sanitarios. Aunque en un primer
momento se situo el origen de la explosion en un escape de gas,
el olor a polvora confirmo a los peritos que se hallaban ante un
atentado con bomba. Segun los primeros indicios de la investigacion,
el artefacto explosivo fue activado por medio de una mecha y pudo
estar revestido con esquirlas metalicas.

Karabakh’s Azeri community leader says separatist elections illegal
ANS TV, Baku
5 Jun 04
The Azerbaijani community of Nagornyy Karabakh will strongly protest
against the decision of the Armenian community to hold elections
to local government bodies in Nagornyy Karabakh. The community will
appeal to the OSCE Minsk Group and the OSCE’s Baku office.
The Azerbaijani community’s leader, Nizami Bahmanov, has told ANS
that the step which the Armenian community is going to take on the
occupied [Azerbaijani] lands is illegal. The Milli Maclis and the
[Azerbaijani] Central Electoral Commission should also comment on
the fact that the elections are illegitimate.
Bahmanov thinks that international public organizations should assess
the activities of the Armenian community as illegal. Even though the
presidential and parliamentary elections have been held [in Karabakh],
no international organization has recognized them as legal.
[Passage omitted: Reported details]
[Video shows Azerbaijani community leader Nizami Bahmanov speaking
at the news conference]

Djivan Gasparyan to Perform in Ankara
Zaman
06.05.2004 Saturday
World famous pipe player, Djivan Gasparyan, will perform at the Middle
Eastern Technical University (ODTU) tonight.
His work includes contributions to the scores of ‘Gladiator’, ‘Call
to Sin’ and ‘Dead Man Walking.’
Djivan Gasparyan arranged a press meeting before the concert.
“This is the first time I have visited Ankara,” Gasparyan said
during a press conference. “Before coming here however, I heard many
things… Ankara is a city of universities and a city that shows
interest in this kind of music. The concert which I will give in
Ankara will be different from the concerts I have given in other
parts of the world,”
He commented that his reception in Turkey was unexpectedly warm. Born
in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia in 1934, Gasparyan has worked
with Armenian musicians for 50 years. Gasparyan is also a professor
in the Yerevan State Conservatory.

OSCE hails release of Armenian oppositionist prisoners
Pravda
15:41 2004-06-05
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is
satisfied with the release from prison of Aramazd Zakarian and Zhora
Sapeian of the Armenian opposition Republican Party and the abolition
of charge against them.
This is mentioned in the statement of the head of the OSCE Yerevan
office, Vladimir Pryakhin, published by the OSCE secretariat in Vienna
on Friday.
The OSCE also approves the actions of the Armenian authorities
releasing Suren Sureniants of the same party and hopes that
investigation against him will be ended.
Vladimir Pryakhin’s statement reads: “The OSCE hopes that this step
taken by the Armenian authorities will promote political dialogue
between the opposition and the ruling coalition of Armenia and boost
stabilization in this country”.
Simultaneously, the head of the OSCE mission in Yerevan expressed
regret over the limitation of the human rights to the freedom of
assembly and speech in Armenia, a signatory of the OSCE main provisions
and the Istanbul Charter.
Mr. Pryakhin also stressed that the OSCE Yerevan office was going
to continue to closely monitor political developments in Armenia and
support democratic processes on-going there.

BBC rejects accusations of bias – Azeri agency
Turan news agency
4 Jun 04
Baku, 4 June: The BBC World Service has issued a statement expressing
its regret that Azerbaijan’s ANS TV and radio company suspended
the transmission of its regional programmes in Russian on 1 June
2004. The statement says that Azerbaijani state radio will continue
rebroadcasting BBC programmes in Russian and on 103.3 FM in Baku. “The
BBC remains committed to covering events in the region and in other
parts of the world, scrupulously observing impartiality, fairness,
accuracy, balance and editorial independence and presenting a wide
range of opinions from all the strata of society,” the statement said.
The BBC takes all criticism seriously and reviews its coverage of
events in the region regularly. “On the basis of such comprehensive and
careful scrutiny, the BBC is confident in rejecting the suggestion that
its reports contain bias against any community in the region,” it said.
“The BBC provides equal opportunities to its employees and is
legally bound not to allow discrimination on racial, religious,
ethnic, national and sexual grounds, as well as because of martial
status, sexual orientation, disability or age,” the statement said
in conclusion.
To recap, ANS suspended the transmission of the programmes of
the BBC Central Asian and Caucasus Service in Russian saying that
they are biased and “pro-Armenian” in covering events around the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
Turan note: The BBC World Service broadcasts its programmes throughout
the world in 43 languages on radio and the Internet. Some 150m people
across the world can listen to BBC radio, while its Internet web
sites receive 200m messages a month.
[Earlier, at 1130 gmt, Azerbaijan’s MPA news agency carried a similar
report on the BBC statement]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress