Armenia’s chief diplomat says progress possible on Nagorno-Karabakh
Associated Press Worldstream
June 3, 2004 Thursday
YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia’s chief diplomat on Thursday said that
negotiations over settling the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute may yield
progress in the near future.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are at odds over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave,
which Armenian forces seized from Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. A 1994
cease-fire has largely held, but no final settlement has been reached.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said Thursday that “certain
progress” may be achieved on the issue within the next two months,
without elaborating further.
Negotiations are being conducted by a small group of diplomats from
both sides, under the auspices of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, who tend to refrain from making the details
of the talks public.

HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ARMENIAN COOKBOOK
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
June 2, 2004 Wednesday Final Edition
“The Armenian Table: More Than 150 Treasured Recipes That Bring
Together Ancient Flavors and 21st Century Style,” (St. Martin’s
Press, $29.95, hardcover) is a collection of traditional favorites
and inspired contemporary variations.
CNY is giving away a copy of the book. Send your name, address and
phone number to: Armenian Cookbook giveaway, The Post-Standard, P.O.
Box 4915, Syracuse NY 13221. Entries must be postmarked by midnight
June 6. We’ll pick a winner in a random drawing.
The winner of “The Good Housekeeping Grilling Cookbook” is Lena
DeSantis, of Syracuse.
The winner of “Burgers Every Way” is Marion Wrobel, of Syracuse.

The Washington Times
June 2, 2004, Wednesday, Final Edition
Muscat ripe with summer opulence;
Big, sweet grape’s a refreshing departure from fashionably dry drinks
By Paul Lukacs, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Muscat is the forgotten grape, out of step and old-fashioned. But it
also is the original grape – or at least as close to original as we’re
likely to taste. Most important, wines made from it can be delicious.
Sugary or dry; sparkling, still or fortified, good muscats have a
haunting, head-spinning perfume – floral notes akin to rose petals
and orange blossoms, combined with echoes of luscious ripe summer
fruits such as peaches and apricots. They’re opulent wines, so even
when vinified to dryness, they smell at least slightly sweet.
That sweetness explains their current obscurity.
Muscats have become the victims of the contemporary vogue for
[supposedly] dry white wines flavored with vanilla-scented oak. When
sweeter wines were more in vogue, they used to be much more popular,
and odds are that they will become so again. But for now, flavor,
rather than fashion, is the reason to drink them.
Ampelographers, or grape scientists, have traced muscat to ancient
Greece, making it the oldest grape variety being cultivated today.
Wine growing is older still, going back about 8,000 years and
originating east of the Black Sea in what now is Armenia and Georgia.
No one knows exactly when the shift from wild vines to cultivated
ones occurred, but the first planned vineyard likely bore fruit that
tasted and smelled something like muscat.
Three types of muscat are cultivated in vineyards across the globe.
Muscat blanc a petits grains is the one the Greeks grew. [They still
do, most notably on the island of Samos.] It tends to produce the
finest wines – intense but at the same time refined and delicate.
Muscat of Alexandria came next. As the name suggests, it probably
originated in Egypt, and then was taken around the Mediterranean by
the Romans.
Widely planted today, much of the crop is used for table grapes and
raisins. The last of the muscat litter is ottonel, a much more recent
arrival, first propagated in a French nursery in the mid-19th century.
To make things more confusing, the three muscats go by a host of other
names, depending on where they’re grown and what the local nomenclature
may be. In addition, because they love to mutate and change, they all
come in multiple clones, with berries of different colors and sizes,
and [slightly] different aromas and flavors.
In Italy, particularly Piedmont, muscat, or moscato, is often used
to make sparkling wines. Some of the best come from vineyards near
the town of Asti. Because of their relatively low alcohol levels,
they are super summer sippers, especially before supper.
Moscato d’Asti from Cascina la Spinetta [$20] and Marcarini [$17]
both taste wonderfully bright and vibrant. Slightly sweeter, so
equally good with a fruit dessert, is Michele Chiarlo’s “Nivole”
[$12 for a half bottle]. With any of these, buy only the 2003 vintage,
as Moscato d’Asti deteriorates quickly with age.
A less expensive and equally exciting sparkling muscat choice comes
from the fairly obscure Clairette de Die appellation in the Drome
valley of eastern France. Grape-growing here goes back at least as
far as the Romans, Pliny the Elder having described sweet wine from
Die as the best in all the empire.
Clairette de Die is a misnomer, as the wine is made primarily from
muscat blanc a petits grains, not clairette. But it can be delectable
nonetheless.
The firm of Jaillance makes an excellent one called “Cuvee Imperiale”
that costs only about $13.
Truly dry muscats are relatively rare, the grape naturally tending
toward sweetness as its perfume intensifies. Alsace in northeastern
France is the one place that excels with them. Epicures there consider
muscat the perfect partner to the region’s rich foie gras.
Although admittedly less traditional partners, Indian and Thai dishes
also go very well with spicy Alsatian muscat. That’s why it’s a great
wine to have on hand when you’re ordering takeout.
A lot of Alsatian muscat is of the ottonel variety, although blanc
a petits grains is cultivated in the region, as well. When looking
for a dry rendition, ignore bottles that say “vendanges tardives”
[late harvest], as they’re likely to seem too sweet to drink with
savory foods.
Domaine Weinbach Muscat “Reserve” 2002 [$36] is beautifully crafted,
with that firm’s telltale minerality underlying the wine’s delicate
fruit flavor.
Firmer and tighter, Marcel Deiss “Bergheim” 2001 [$30] proves extremely
food-friendly. Not as complex but considerably less costly, Lucien
Albrecht 2002 [$15] is full of vivacious spice.
Many muscats come into their own with [or even as] dessert. The best
known come from grapes grown near the town of Beaumes de Venise in
France’s southern Rhone valley.
The wines here are called “vins doux natural,” meaning they have been
slightly fortified with grape spirit, thus arresting fermentation
and retaining sweetness.
Good examples include Domaine de Coyeaux [$15 for a half-bottle],
Domaine de Durban [$30] and P. Jaboulet [$32], all from the 2001
vintage. These would be excellent partners for fruit tarts or pies.
A few American wineries make good, balanced dessert muscats. A
consistent favorite comes from Robert Pecota in Calistoga in the
Napa Valley. Named for his daughter, Pecota’s Moscato d’Andrea [$15
for a half-bottle] tastes clean and refreshing, with a lingering but
not at all cloying finish. The grape is blanc a petits grains, here
going by its Italian moniker, canelli, and 2001 is the current vintage.
Finally, in Rutherglen in northeastern Victoria, Australia, vintners
fortify and age muscat in old barrels, yielding wines they call
“liqueurs.” These dessert nectars display an oxidative rather than
floral bouquet, so it’s hard to believe they come from the muscat.
But they do, and they can be outstanding, especially when paired
with chocolate.
Campbells and Chambers Rosewood are two producers that make some of
the best examples of Ausie fortified muscat.
Their basic cuvees average about 10 years of age. These wines cost
about $16 for a half-bottle, are light amber and taste evocatively
of dried fruits, caramel and toffee.
Try them chilled with ice cream. The older versions are thicker,
richer and even more expressive, but they cost upward of $70 per
half-bottle, so they have to be considered extra-special treats.
As with the younger, floral wines, fortified muscats taste truly
distinctive. And that, when all is said and done, is why any wine is
worth drinking – no matter what’s in or out of vogue at any given time.

PM MEETS IMF RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE
ArmenPress
June 3 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS: Prime minister Andranik Margarian received
today James McHugh, IMF resident representative, who briefed him on
a recent meeting of IMF Board of Directors and discussed also future
cooperation plans between the lending organization and Armenian
government.
McHugh was quoted by the government press office as saying that he
was happy to inform the prime minister about the growing confidence
of the IMF in Armenia. “IMF Board of Directors is pleased with the
ongoing economic progress of your country,” he was quoted as saying.
McHugh said IMF is completing its current program in Armenia in
June. After reviewing the fulfilled work in September, the Board
of Directors will consider release of a new aid, he said. McHugh
said the successful accomplishment of previous programs inspires
hopes that the current one will also be a success. Other economic
development-related issues were discussed during the meeting.
According to deputy finance and economy minister, Atom Janjukhazian,
Armenia’s foreign debt as of December 31, 2003 stood at almost $1.1
billion, constituting 39.3 percent of the GDP. Around $875 million
were the government’s direct credit liabilities, $214.6 million were
credit liabilities of the Central Bank and $73 million were credit
guarantees of the government.
Armenia paid last year around $141 million to service its foreign debt.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SMALL SINGERS OF ARMENIA’S REVELATION IN PARIS
ArmenPress
June 3 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS: The biggest revelation at a May 22
concert at Palais de Congres in Paris, that was celebrating French
singer, song writer and actor Charles Aznavour’s 80-th anniversary
was Small Singers of Armenia group, headed by composer and conductor
Tigran Hekekian. They performed Aznavour’s Pour Toi, Armenia (For You,
Armenia) song. The song was written after the terrible earthquake that
hit Armenia in 1988, when Aznavour brought in 89 artists to record
‘Pour Toi Armenie,” which was the first of the top fifty from the
first week it was out, remained on top of the list during several
weeks and sold over 2 million records in France.
The famous US singer, Liza Minelli that was among the guests, invited
by Aznavour, was delighted with the performance and was trying even to
replicate Armenian words. The Small Singers then performed another
song together with Aznavour in French. Hekekian said he noticed
tears in the eyes of Aznavour when he was listening to the children
singing Pour Toi, Armenie, while Liza Minelli said she was ready to
help issue a CD with the recording of the song.
French president Jacques Chirac reportedly asked the Armenian
ambassador to France to convey to Armenian president Kocharian that:
“You have a wonderful children choir that represents Armenia at the
highest level.”
In 1998 Aznavour was named Entertainer of the Century by CNN and users
of Time Online from around the globe with nearly 18% of the total vote,
edging out such greats as Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan.
Born in Paris of Armenian parents he made his debut at the age of nine,
acting, dancing, singing, and he has not left the stage since then,
except for a short period during the Second World War. His first song
“J’ai Bu” received first prize for the record of the year. After that
his songs were one success after the other, and several great singers
sang and recorded them. among them were Edith Piaff, Maurice Chevalier,
Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, Shirley Bassey, Fred Astaire, Liza Minelli,
Placido Domingo.
For his role in “La Tete Contre Les Murs” he received the prize of
the Crystal Star as the best the male actor. Sixty other acting roles
followed, among them -Tirez sur le Pianiste” by Francois Truffaut,
“Un Taxi pour Tobrouk”, “Le Diable et les Dix Commandments”, “Les
Aventuriers” and “Le Tambour” In 1997 President Jacques Chirac named
Charles Aznavour “Officier de la Legion d’Honneur,” the highest honor
in France.

HABITAT CONTINUES BUILDING HOMES FOR INSECURE ARMENIAN FAMILIES
ArmenPress
June 3 2004
ASHTARAK, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS: Habitat for Humanity Armenia, a
non-government charitable organization that supports community
development in the Republic of Armenia by building and renovating
simple, decent, and affordable homes, has renovated the first of four
semi-built homes in the village of Voskeat, Aragatsotn province.
US ambassador to Armenia, John Ordway, traveled today to the village to
attend the start of the renovation of the second cottage. Some $5,000
are envisaged for renovation of each house. This an interest free-free
loan that the owner has to pay back in 20-25 years.
Armenian Habitat charitable non-governmental organization (NGO) was
founded in Armenia in March 2000 by a group of enthusiasts headed
by a former US Peace Corps volunteer. The prototype of this local
non-profit was Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), which
“brings families and communities in need together with volunteers
and resources to build decent, affordable housing.”
Armenian Habitat operates in Armenia’s capital Yerevan and four
surrounding marzes – Aragatsoten, Armavir, Kotayk and Ararat. The
logic behind the NGO’s projects is that the grantee should be a needy
family but with a reliable source of monthly income, have an incomplete
house, and be prepared to pay roughly US $20-30/month for the next
20-25 years to reimburse fully Habitat’s non-interest-bearing loan,
and these funds will also be used for completing new houses.

ARAM IVANIAN’S PAINTINGS TO BE EXHIBITED IN FRANCE
ArmenPress
June 3 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS: Two French cities of Lyon and Marseille
will host a trade exhibition of 168 paintings by Aram Ivanian, a member
of the Armenian Astghik (Starlet) organization of disabled children,
which he painted by using computer technologies.
The Armenian-French Association of Disabled People (ALFA) was very
instrumental in helping organize this exhibition that will travel
to France later this month. Rosa Bashinian, a French citizen who
is the chairwoman of the ALFA is now in Armenia. She said she hopes
all the paintings will sell and the raised proceeds will be added to
the funds, being collected for construction of Hope Shelter Center,
run by Astghik.
“There is a peculiar simplicity in the works of Aram Ivanian,
typical only of children, but he is able to make masterly daring
generalizations. His works are many-style, sometimes unexpected and
courageous,” Levon Nersisian, the chairman of Astghik said.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June3, 2004
Contact at HFH Armenia:
Zara Tonapetyan
Aygestan 8-th str, h 5,
Yerevan-025, Armenia
Tel: (374 1) 556-114
e-mail: [email protected]
Yerevan, Armenia – June 3, 2004 – US Ambassador in Armenia, Mr. John
Ordway, has joined Habitat for Humanity Armenia local and International
volunteers to build a home in partnership with a disadvantaged family
in the village of Voskehat, Aragatsotn region on June 3, 2004.
Following the tradition of lending a hand to Habitat for Humanity
Armenia, Ambassador Ordway requested the opportunity to join HFH
Armenia local and US volunteers in constructing a house for a needy
Armenian family. With this volunteer effort the Ambassador demonstrated
his good will and commitment to the development of Armenia, and served
as an example to others in the community encouraging them to join
HFH Armenia in its work eliminating sub-standard housing in Armenia
and throughout the world.
Ambassador Ordway first collaborated with HFH Armenia local and
international volunteers to build a home for a disadvantaged family
in the village of Oshakan, Aragatsotn region in August 2002. Later,
in April 2003, he also participated in the dedication ceremony for
the house that he had helped to build.
“This a kind of example, when neither the government helps needy
people, nor the government pays to people to help those in need, but
volunteers come together with needy families and are helping them
to help themselves.” – said Ambassador Ordway speaking of Habitat
mission in the building site.
“I am sure the tradition of lending hands to those in need will
continue and HFH Armenia will attract many more volunteers, following
the illustration by Ambassador Ordway”,– said Executive Director
for Habitat for Humanity Armenia, Ashot Yeghiazaryan.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity
International and supports community development in the Republic of
Armenia by assisting in the construction and renovation of simple,
decent and affordable homes. The purpose of the organization is to help
families in need improve their living conditions, to raise funds to
support the vital work, and to give hope to thousands of people across
the country. The organization was formed in March of 2000 and, to date,
has dedicated 82 homes and given shelter to more than 400 people.
Sub-standard housing is all too common in Armenia. Many families live
in deteriorated housing, in cramped quarters with inadequate water
and heat. HFH Armenia’s selected target group is families living in
substandard, over-crowded and unacceptable living quarters. This group
comprises more than 50-60% of the country’s current population. These
families are unable to purchase their own homes, as they do not have
sufficient income to save to pay for the entire house cost up front,
nor can they risk, or would they be eligible for, a high-interest
loan from a commercial lender.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia has found a way to solve the
problem. Families, with two or three wage earners, pay back a
no-interest loan for a simple, decent, affordable, and healthy home,
and are still able to feed their families. Habitat for Humanity
Armenia is using a combination of two approaches to help Habitat
families solve their housing problems:
1) Completing half-built homes, which are numerous in Armenia. This
approach enables families to fulfill their dream of completing their
own home. Utilizing existing core structure reduces costs and prevents
the disruption of relocating.
2) Purchasing apartments to make use of Armenia’s existing
under-utilized housing stock. Purchased homes are resold at no-profit,
interest-free, to Habitat families who renovate their apartments and
help in the construction of other families’ homes.
To schedule an interview please email Zara Tonapetyan, Communication
Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Armenia [email protected].
See for more information.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a
non-denominational Christian, non-governmental, non-profit housing
organization that has helped more than 700,000 people of all races,
religions and backgrounds to have a simple, decent and affordable
place to live. Habitat for Humanity has built or renovated more
than 150,000 homes throughout the world, becoming a global leader
in addressing poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity is active in 92
countries worldwide, including 18 in Europe and Central Asia.

Azeris stage anti-Armenian protest in Brussels
Sarq, Baku
4 Jun 04
Text of Rasad report by Azerbaijani newspaper Sarq on 4 June headlined
“No to ‘Armenian genocide’ claims” and subheaded “Our compatriots
organized march in Brussels”
The cultural centre of Azerbaijanis in Europe, the Belgian Ataturk
centre and the Belgian Turkish Platform staged a joint sanctioned
march on Gare du Nord Square in Brussels yesterday [3 June].
Fatma Aliyeva, chairwoman of the cultural centre of Azerbaijanis
in Europe, has told the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with
Azerbaijanis Living Abroad that thousands of people attended the march
and carried various placards and the Azerbaijani and Turkish flags. The
placards read “Armenians occupied Karabakh”, “Karabakh is Azerbaijan’s
integral part”, “We condemn the so-called Armenian genocide and lies”,
and “The so-called Armenian monuments should be removed”.
The march was staged in the area of 5 km between Gare du Nord and Gare
du Midi Squares. The report says that mainly Azerbaijanis and Turks
joined the action. Politicians of Turkish origin were also among them.

Armenia to amend foreign policy if Turkey admitted to EU – minister
Mediamax news agency
3 Jun 04
Yerevan, 3 June: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan today
expressed the hope that US efforts towards the normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations would be successful in the end. The
Armenian foreign minister said this at a meeting with students of the
international relations department of Yerevan State University today.
Vardan Oskanyan said that negotiations on the date of Turkey’s
admission to the European Union might start this year, which “will
give a new status to this country” and will require some corrections
to Armenia’s foreign policy.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress