Independent Online, South Africa
March 10 2004
Where was flight N4610 heading?
They were 64 “heavily built men”, mostly white. No, they were all
black. No, only 40 of them were black.
The plane left South Africa illegally from Wonderboom airport,
strayed into Zimbabwe airspace and was ordered down. No, the plane
left the country legally, having filed a flight plan to Harare and
then on to Burundi. No, the plane was headed for the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC).
The men on board were suspected of being mercenaries hired to
overthrow Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. No, they were on their
way to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. No, they were
going to the eastern DRC to carry out security duties.
These are just some of the stories surrounding the flight of N4610, a
Boeing 727-100 cargo plane that has been impounded in Harare.
‘Those guys have never caught a fish in their lives’
And 64 – though some reports say there are 67 – of those who were
aboard, whether they were white, black or a mixture, and whether they
were mercenaries or honest men, are in Harare cells facing intense
interrogation.
Not even Frederick Forsyth thought of so many twists and riddles in
his Dogs of War, probably the best-known novel about mercenaries.
The book was based on Forsyth’s personal adventures – he was involved
in an unsuccessful scheme to overthrow the head of state of
Equatorial Guinea in 1972.
But even the Dogs of War cannot rival this bizarre tale of confusion.
Some sources say the drama began in November 2003 or December when
the company Logo Logistics acquired a fishing concession in
Equatorial Guinea and bought or hired fishing trawlers.
“Those guys have never caught a fish in their lives,” one source
said.
The trawlers were really to be used first to reconnoitre and then to
transport mercenaries to oust the government of unpopular President
Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in a coup, the sources said. Though part of
Equatorial Guinea is on the African mainland, its capital Malabo is
on the island of Bioko, and it appears that a seaborne coup was
planned, though it is not clear from what staging post it would
happen.
Equatorial Guinea and its immediate neighbouring island state of Sao
Tome and Principe have become ripe for coups since oil was recently
discovered in their waters. That has made them big prizes for greedy
politicians and those who help them to acquire power. Sao Tome
experienced a coup in 2003, which was reversed by African Union
intervention.
On Tuesday the Mbasogo government announced that it had arrested 15
“mercenaries” in Malabo, including white South Africans, black South
Africans of Angolan origin and a few people from Kazakhstan, some
Armenians and a German.
“It was connected with that plane in Zimbabwe. They were the advance
party of that group,” Information Minister Agustin Nse Nfumu said. He
said the 15 had been in the country since December.
The arrests in Malabo corroborate the account of South African
security sources that the real destination of the plane seized in
Harare was Equatorial Guinea, though other destinations have been
claimed.
South African civil aviation sources say Harare was on the aircraft’s
official flight plan – en route to Burundi.
On Tuesday, a company named in connection with the flight disputed
all the speculation, saying the “mercenaries” were in fact security
people “going to eastern DRC”.
They were stopping in Zimbabwe to pick up mining equipment, “Zimbabwe
being a vastly cheaper place for such”.
Charles Burrow, a senior executive of Logo Logistics which had
chartered the Boeing 727 freighter, said via telephone from London
that most of the people on board were South African and had military
experience, but were on contract to four mining companies in the DRC.
He declined to name the companies.
How then did the crew file a flight plan to Burundi?
Perhaps the most murky leg of the journey was the detour to Zimbabwe,
and there are several different explanations offered of how the plane
came to land in Harare.
One was that the Boeing 727-100 strayed into Zimbabwe airspace by
accident – either through a navigational error or a technical fault –
and another that it flew there deliberately.
Several Zimbabwean aviation sources initially said the plane was
forced to land after entering Zimbabwe airspace illegally. They said
the Airforce of Zimbabwe (AFZ) were alerted once the plane showed up
on radar screens. The AFZ has been on alert for years because of
Mugabe’s fears that his enemies might mount an attack to topple him.
Sources behind this theory say that, upon being questioned, the crew
indicated they had wanted to refuel urgently so they could proceed
with their journey. The plane was then allowed to land.
A problem arose when the crew were told that the plane was going to
be searched, according to this theory. They panicked and tried to
taxi off the runaway but the attempt to escape did not succeed. If it
had succeeded it probably could have caused a disaster as there was a
plane arriving from Johannesburg on the same route.
However, Burrow, the Logo Logistics executive, said the aircraft was
bound for the DRC to do mine security work and had stopped in Harare
to pick up mining security equipment.
A senior Zimbabwean aviation official, involved in the
investigations, said the suspected mercenaries had indeed informed
their interrogators in Harare that they had been hired by a South
African firm for a noble mission to do both mining and demining
security work in the DRC.
The official said Zimbabwean police, army and intelligence officials
were unconvinced by this explanation as many of the suspects had
shown little knowledge of demining work during interrogation. It was
possible that some of the equipment seized was used for mining work.
It is known, however, that it was at Wonderboom Airport that the crew
picked up its passengers, and interesting cargo.
Wonderboom Airport manager Peet van Rensburg confirmed that the plane
landed there early on Sunday morning and departed later that
afternoon with 64 men on board. It is not clear whether this number
included the three-man crew, but the flight plan filed indicated 67
people were on board.
Of these, at least 20 are believed to be South Africans, with the
majority coming from Pretoria and Johannesburg.
According to Van Rensburg, who was phoned by the duty airport
manager, the plane landed without prior notice, and took on
passengers and cargo.
But Craig Partridge of Air Traffic and Navigational Services (ATNS)
said four flight plans for the plane, registration number N4610, had
been filed with ATNS’s briefing office in Johannesburg.
According to the documents, he said, the plane left Lanseria Airport
at 6.55am on Sunday. There were four crew members on board and they
were headed for Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria, where they touched
down at 6.59am.
Van Rensburg said that when he arrived at the airport, he found the
plane parked on the maintenance runway.
He was told that scores of bags containing various “military-like”
equipment had been loaded onto the plane by the crew after the ground
crew’s help was refused.
Army-style duffel bags contained night vision equipment,
waterbottles, apparent gun cases, cylindrical metal tubes, camouflage
uniforms and boots, and two-way radios.
His inquiries also revealed that the plane had a limited amount of
fuel on board as the Wonderboom Airport runway, which is 1,83km in
length, is too short to allow a plane with full fuel load and cargo
to take off.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson Moses Seate said the CAA
was conducting a probe into the circumstances of the plane’s
“illegal” departure from South African airspace.
But a flight plan filed with ATNS indicates that the plane flew to
Polokwane, an international airport, from where it would proceed to
Harare.
The plane arrived at Polokwane at 4.35pm. It parked on the main
international apron in front of the international departures building
which houses customs and immigration, Partridge said.
It then took off at 6.24pm, still with 67 people on board, according
to the paperwork, and headed for Harare.
“The air traffic controller on duty saw the men getting on board and
he described all of them as ‘non-white’,” said Partridge.
South African air control handed the plane over to air traffic
control in Harare when it crossed into Zimbabwean airspace at 6.40pm.
Partridge said a fourth flight plan on file shows that the aircraft
planned to leave Harare and fly on to Bujumbura, Burundi. However, it
was seized by Zimbabwean authorities.
A Zimbabwe official confirmed that the aircraft had, in fact, entered
Zimbabwean airspace legally on Sunday night after filing an earlier
flight plan. A problem arose when the crew made a false declaration
of its cargo and passengers.
A crew member allegedly attempted to bribe an airport security
official with wads of US dollars to avoid a search of the aircraft.
That only raised the anxiety of other security officials who
witnessed the bribery attempt, and a search was then mounted.
South African security sources offer another explanation – they also
say the aircraft flew deliberately to Harare, but with the purpose of
picking up Simon Mann, the head of Logo Logistics and leader of the
team heading for Equatorial Guinea, as well as some other members.
“But how they thought they could get away with that, I don’t know,”
one source said.
“The age of coups is past now, they must realise that. You could
probably take Equatorial Guinea with five people but the African
Union is not going to let a coup stand,” he added.
He said Nigerian troops had already been sent to Malabo to protect
Mbasogo’s government.
In 1999, the Organisation of African Unity passed a historic
resolution outlawing coups and resolved to banish from the
organisation any government that came to power by coup.
The men on Flight N4610 have been detained, their plane impounded,
and very little further information about the investigation is being
released.
It is understood the suspected mercenaries have been split up and are
being held at different places around Harare – Chikurubi Maximum
Prison, Harare Central Prison, Harare Central Police cells,
Rhodesville Police Station cells and army barracks around Harare.
They are being interviewed by different groups of interrogators, say
sources.
There is some concern among legal rights activists that the men may
be tortured to extract information.
It has not yet been confirmed whether any of the 64 arrested men on
board are, in fact, South Africans.
South African High Commissioner to Zimbabwe Jerry Ndou said his
office had written to Zimbabwe’s ministry of foreign affairs to ask
for information about the detainees. “Our interest is to confirm
whether or not any South Africans have been arrested,” he said.
“But part of the problem is that the cabinet is now in session and so
we have to wait for a reply. Anyway, we are hoping they will come
back to us as soon as possible,” he added.
Commenting on the delays in obtaining information, Ndou said: “I have
written to the ministry, and so there will be consultations with the
minister, the deputy minister, the administrator, the chief director,
all those people. It can be that at this stage we are just waiting on
the minister Stan Mudenge, who is in cabinet.”
Ndou said he needed to know the identities of the detainees so that
he could inform their families at home, and also offer them consular
services.
According to Ndou, the impounded plane has “made big news in the
state media”, with reports stating that Zimbabwe was under siege.
Equatorial Guinea is equally paranoid, believing that the
“mercenaries” were meant for a coup there.
Its information minister, Nfumu, said from Malabo that the suspected
mercenaries had arrived in the former Spanish colony, which borders
Gabon and Cameroon, in December and were picked up late on Monday
evening. He said some of them had been “presented to the diplomatic
corps”.
The clampdown comes amid growing tensions within Mbasogo’s family,
whose members hold most top positions in the country, and speculation
among exiled opposition politicians that a coup was in the offing.
But this could all be wrong: Logo Logistics, the company that leased
the plane on Harare’s tarmac, said it was carrying 64 mining
contractors to the DRC. It said that what had been described as
“military” items on board were, in fact, equipment such as boots, and
pipe-bending and wire-cutting tools.
“We can make it clear that we have no current or intended business in
Zimbabwe and certainly no illegal intentions against its government
and people,” the company said in a statement sent to Sapa.
It said the aircraft was recently purchased and still registered in
the United States. “There is no other link with the US,” the company
said.
So what’s the solution to all the mysteries? Easy. Frederick Forsyth
just needs to write Dogs of War II.

CalTrade Report, CA
March 10 2004
And the Bills Just Keep on Coming…
California Senate, Assembly bills cover a broad spectrum of
trade-related activities
SACRAMENTO – 03/10/04 – A juggernaut of trade-related legislation is
ponderously clanking a path through California’s Democrat-controlled
legislature as Sacramento continues to re-define its role as a trade
facilitator and promoter in a post-recall environment of dramatically
reduced budgets and a new Republican governor at the helm.
With the mismanaged and now-defunct California Technology, Trade &
Commerce Agency a bitter memory and the state’s overseas trade
offices shuttered, Sacramento is taking a fresh look at the impact
global business has on the state’s economy and what part, if any, it
should play in positioning the state in the global business arena.
On the Senate side, almost a dozen bills covering a broad range of
issues from promoting agricultural exports and tourism to trade
promotion and maritime security are up for consideration, while the
Assembly is pondering legislation affecting port congestion,
environmental controls, export development, and food labeling among
others.
A sampling from the Senate and the Assembly…
SB 1261 is a wide-sweeping, generic bill sponsored by Sen. John
Vasconcellos (13th District) that would provide that the Department
of Food and Agriculture “is the primary state agency for the
promotion of California agriculture, fish, and forest exports, and
for the administration of federal-state export programs for those
products;” mandate that the Business, Transportation and Housing
Agency fill a similar role “with respect to foreign investment,
international public infrastructure projects, and support for
California businesses in accessing international markets.
The bill also directs that the state Air Resources Agency and the
California Environmental Protection Agency assume the mantle of
promoting “the international exchange of environmental protection
technologies and the promotion of the transfer of environmental
technology to and from the state.”
Authored by Sen. Jackie Spier (8th District), SB 1390 – the
California Tourism Marketing Act – would budget at least $7.3 million
a year to establish a California Travel and Tourism Commission “for
the purpose of increasing the number of persons traveling to and
within the state.” The bill stipulates that the appropriation for the
Commission would be appropriated from the General Fund.
SB 1453 “would require any employer that outsources jobs that would
result in the replacement of 20 or more workers in California to, not
less than 60 days before the employer enters into a contract with a
contractor or subcontractor located outside the United States to
perform the outsourced job functions, give written notice of the
contract to the Employment Development Department and the employees
based in California whose jobs would be affected by the outsourcing.”
The bill was authored by Sen. Liz Figueroa (10th District).
Sen. Betty Karnette, a Democrat whose 27th District encompasses much
of the region adjacent to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, is
the author of SB 1837 which would establish an Office of Trade
Promotion in the Governor’s office “to serve as the state’s primary
resource and focal point for all trade-related activities and
inquiries” and “to faclitate collaboration among organizations that
can provide complementary trade services.” The bill stipulates that
the proposed Trade Promotion Office would be funded from existing
resources in the Governor’s Office.
The most controversial bill – SB 1857 – is an attempt to resurrect
the state’s shuttered network of overseas trade promotion offices. It
calls for the establishment of a California trade promotion office in
Yerevan, Armenia, and authorizes the Secretary of Business,
Transportation, and Housing to “accept private sector moneys made to
the state for the purposes of promoting international trade and
investment, subject to specific conditions.”
The bill – authored by Sen Dennis Hollingsworth (36th District) –
“would declare the intent of the Legislature to provide for trade and
international trade offices on behalf of the state through
public-private partnerships.”
On the Assembly side…
Bay Area Democrat Leland Yee (12th District), seen by some as the
Assembly’s new “flag bearer” on trade-related issues, is the author
of AB 2411, a broad-based bill “that would state the intent of the
Legislature to enact legislation to create and maintain relevant
organizational structures and procedures to support the
implementation and growth of international trade and investment in
California.”
Yee’s AB 2524 would “enact” the California Export Development
Corporation (CEDC) law and add provisions to establish the CEDC in
the Business Transportation and Housing Agency. The bill would also
authorize the guarantee of loans by the Corporation through the Small
Business Loan Guarantee Program.
Assemblyman Alan Lowenthal (5th District) is the author of several
bills currently before the Assembly that could significantly impact
the movement of goods in and out of California’s deep-water ports.
His AB 2041 would establish an as-yet undetermined charge for the
“privilege” of transporting cargo by commercial motor vehicle into or
out of the Port of Los Angeles or the Port of Long Beach between the
hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, inclusive, Monday through Friday,
inclusive. All revenues derived from the imposition of the charge
would be deposited in a so-called Congestion Management Fund “and
expended to fund certain projects to help alleviate congestion caused
by scheduling shipments by commercial motor vehicles during the
specified hours.”
Lowenthal’s AB 2042 would “require that the Port of Long Beach and
the Port of Los Angeles ensure that all future growth at each port
will have a zero-net increase in air pollution,” while AB 2043 would
compel the state’s ports to contribute “an unspecified amount of
money” annually to fund a Maritime Port Strategic Master Plan Task
Force tasked with approving ports’ development plans.
Assemblyman Keith Richman’s AB 1911 “requires the Governor to
instruct the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing to
establish, on a contract basis, an international trade and investment
office in Israel,” while AB 2206, authored by Assemblyman Marco
Firebaugh (50th District), would “require the Secretary, to the
extent that sufficient non-state funds are available…to develop a
statewide collaborative alliance of public / private sector trade
development organizations to achieve specified international trade
and investment purposes…”
The bill would also authorize the establishment of representative
offices in foreign locations “subject to the availability of
sufficient non-state funds for that purpose.”
AB 2887 – authored by Democrat Jenny Oropeza (55th District) – would
require the Governor to notify the Legislature “subsequent to signing
any document involving a foreign government.”
Under existing law, the Governor is the “sole official organ of
communication” between the government of the state and any other
state or of the United States.”

ARMENIAN NGO NEWS IN BRIEF
Volume 2, No. 41
January-February, 2004
IN THIS ISSUE:
*** RAISING AWARENESS ON RIGHT TO FREE MEDICAL SERVICES
*** EDUCATING AND COMMENTING ON THE ROA LAW ON CONSUMERS RIGHTS PROTECTION
FOR CITIZENS
*** BLACK SEA REGIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM
*** LET’S HELP DEBED RIVER
*** WORKING TOGETHER – BUILDING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
*** SOUTH CAUCASUS NGOs ENDEAVOR TO SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
*** ADVOCACY IN VANADZOR
*** ROA DRAFT LAW ON VOLUNTEERS AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
*** ANNUAL PROGRAM ON SOCIAL PROTECTION OF THE DISABLED
*** RAISING AWARENESS ON RIGHT TO FREE MEDICAL SERVICES
The Open Medical Club NGO’s Raising the Population’s Awareness on the Right
to Free Medical Services project is coming to its end. As a result of a
preliminary survey, only ten per cent of the population is informed about
their right to free medical services. The 5,000 booklets published contained
basic information on free medical services. Educational activities were
carried out through two video films produced by the NGO and aired by Yerevan
TV Channel, as well as discussions held with NGO representatives. Upon
completion of the project, another survey will be conducted, which will form
the basis for a new awareness-raising project on 2004 decrees. The project
is being implemented through funding support received from World Learning
Organization through USAID.
Contact:
Zaruhi Janibekyan
Open Medical Club NGO
60 Abovyan St.; Children’s University Hospital #1
Tel.: (374-1) 54-44-17; 54-44-18
E-mail: [email protected]
*** EDUCATING AND COMMENTING ON THE ROA LAW ON CONSUMERS RIGHTS PROTECTION
FOR CITIZENS
The final roundtable of the above mentioned project by the Anna National
Association of Consumers and Consumers Rights Protection Union NGOs was held
on January 29, 2004. Project staff presented to representatives of NGOs,
state structures, international organizations and Mass Media a summary of
the activities they implemented: survey to reveal the population’s awareness
of the law; booklets, brochures and Consumer newsletter published; radio
and TV programs aired; and seminars and consultancies provided. Within the
framework of the subproject, the Union of Consumer Rights Protection
developed and published Comments on Articles on the ROA Law on Consumers
Rights Protection, encompassing not only the general provisions of the Law,
but also issues related to protection of consumers rights during service
provision, and state and social protection of consumers rights. The Union
developed and launched their website – the
electronic version of the book is available, along with a number of other
legal acts related to the issue. The project was implemented with funding
support received from Eurasia Foundation through USAID.
Contacts:
Melita Hakobyan
Anna National Association of Consumers NGO
23 David Anhaght St., 3rd Floor
Tel.: (374-1) 24-92-04
Abgar Yeghoyan
Consumer Rights Protection Union NGO
10 Hanrapetutian St.
Tel.: (374-1) 46-08-24; 56-37-73
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:
*** BLACK SEA REGIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM
This forum was organized by the International Council on Social Welfare
(ICSW) and Mission Armenia NGO from January 15-17, 2004 in Yerevan.
Representatives of more than 50 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from
Black Sea Economic Cooperation nine member states (Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation and
Ukraine), ROA Ministries (Foreign Affairs, Social Security and Healthcare)
and international organizations participated in the event. The Black Sea
Regional Civil Society Forum anticipates establishing collaboration among
the regional CSOs and advocating to the BSEC that its mandate be expanded to
include social welfare issues. During the plenary sessions, the attention of
the Forum participants was drawn to problems of sustainable development,
poverty reduction, healthcare, human rights, global population aging,
migration, and more. Participants discussed the social priorities of the
region, which served as bases for a Draft Policy Paper. In this paper,
participants presented the ways and mechanisms of anticipated BSEC-CSO
collaboration to solve regional social problems. The Draft Paper will be
further developed during the coming two months before submission to the BSEC
General Assembly in April 2004. Another major result of the Forum was the
creation of the CSO Network. Headed by a Coordination Council, it has focal
points in all participating countries. Mission Armenia NGO has undertaken
the responsibilities of the Network Secretariat. The participants also
selected a Lobbying Team which will undertake necessary activities to
establish BSEC-CSO collaboration.
Contact: Hripsime Kirakossyan
Mission Armenia NGO
42 Garegin Nzhdeh St.
Tel.: (374 1) 44-47-92; 44-47-93; 44-47-61; 44-47-32
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
*** LET’S HELP DEBED RIVER
On January 13, 2004, the Vanadzor based Trichk (Flight) NGO organized a
discussion within the framework of Appeal for Consciousness project.
Leading specialists from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of
the Lori Regional Governor’s Office and the Center for Monitoring Hygiene
Epidemiology, pedagogues-biologists and representatives of NGOs dealing with
environmental issues participated in the discussion. They presented
suggestions related to environmental education, tree planting, improving
utilities and fighting against illegal utilization of forest land
contributing to landslides. Participants expressed their concerns about the
increasing levels of ammonium in the Debed River, as a result of which, many
fish have died.
Contact: Hovhanness Nikoghosyan
Trichk (Flight) NGO
Tel.: (374-51) 4-49-28; 2-16-75; 4-46-26
E-mail: [email protected]
*** WORKING TOGETHER – BUILDING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe, in cooperation with the All
Armenian Women’s Union and the Armenian Committee of Helsinki Citizens
Assembly NGOs, together are implementing the Working Together-Building
Community Connections project in Armenia. The goal of the project is to
promote dialogue between local authorities and the community, increase
community involvement in solving local problems and explore ways of
cooperation. Within the project framework, in January 2004, forums were held
in Yerevan’s Nor Nork and Arabkir communities with representatives of local
self-governing bodies (LSGB), mass media, schools, scientific and research
institutes and community members participating. During the forums entitled
Do We Contribute to the Establishment of Dialogue between LSGB and Society?
and Could We Jointly Improve our Community?, participants analyzed barriers
of cooperation between LSGB and society and suggested ways of overcoming
those obstacles. During the forum, recommendations were made. To implement
them, action plans were developed and initiative groups formed. Similar
forums are planned to be held in eight towns of Armenia. Civic Initiatives
newsletter will also be published and seminars on the Promoting Civic
Initiatives will be organized. The project is being implemented with
financial assistance from the US Department of State Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs.
Contact:
Natalia Martirossyan
All Armenian Women’s Union
Tel.: (374-1) 52-09-74
E-mail: [email protected]
*** SOUTH CAUCASUS NGOs ENDEAVOR TO SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
On February 3, 2004, six local NGOs presented their projects implemented
within the framework of Trans-boundary Grants Programme of the Regional
Environmental Center (REC.) Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation, the projects were designed to solve regional environmental
problems with the cooperation of NGOs. Brief descriptions of the projects
are presented below:
ž Tapan Eco-Club and its partners have developed an explanatory dictionary
of major ecological terms in Azeri, Armenian, English, Georgian and Russian
languages. The dictionary was distributed to interested NGOs and government
bodies and can be accessed at the website
ž Center of Bird Lovers and its Georgian partner studied the quantity and
seasonal composition of wetland biotypes and the ornithological fauna of
Armenia and Georgia. They developed a list of rare and endangered biotopes,
short and long-term plans for the protection of birds and recommendations
for creating protected areas. All of these materials were submitted to the
Ministries of Ecology in Armenia and Georgia. In addition, the NGOs
conducted ecological education activities among citizens of all ages.
The Association for Human Sustainable Development, with its Azeri and
Georgian partners, identified problems within the sustainable development
framework in two towns in each of the three republics. Solutions were
suggested to the local authorities and the NGOsoffered specific guidelines
for adopting Local Agenda-21 in each town studied.
ž Union of Consumers Rights Protection and its partners conducted
preliminary monitoring of selected foods in each country to reveal
potentially dangerous foods. They then carried out laboratory testing of
foods, and publicized the results in newspapers, and on radio and TV
programs. The NGOs also prepared a comparative analysis of laws relating to
food security in the three countries and developed recommendations to
harmonize this legislation in each country. These recommendations were
introduced to relevant state structures.
ž Armenian School and its partners developed a CD and the website
, which introduces environmental problems of the
South Caucasus countries through stories, animations, games and quizzes. The
CD, available in Armenian, Azeri, English and Georgian, was distributed
among schoolchildren and environmental NGOs.
ž Greens Union of Armenia and its partners studied international legislation
and standards related to pipeline construction. They assessed the current
and anticipated impact on the ecological situation along the planned
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Erzrum pipeline routes. Their reports were
disseminated among NGOs and society, thereby bringing them into the Caucasus
Network of Public Observers.
REC Caucasus is currently developing a publication which will highlight
success stories. When completed, this will be available for all interested.
Contact:
Hovhanness Ghazaryan
REC Caucasus Information Point, Armenia
1 Charents St., 2nd floor
Tel.: (374-1) 57-47-43
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
*** ADVOCACY IN VANADZOR
Lori Regional Office of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems
(IFES) organized Interests Protection seminar in Vanadzor on February 4-6,
2004. The seminar had two objectives: 1) transfer theoretical knowledge and
practical skills to participants and 2) form groups which would actually
carry out interests protection activities. Representatives of various
Vanadzor based NGOs and universities, as well as individuals concerned with
the issues of accessibility of information and freedom of speech in
communities participated in the seminar. During the training, some
participants decided to direct their activities towards contributing to the
provision of transparency and accessibility of information in condominiums.
Others chose to form a youth club/board, which will attempt to organize the
leisure time of young people and act as a link between the youth and local
self governing bodies, thus providing an opportunity for young people to
participate in decision making processes. The groups developed action plans.
The initiative groups began their activities on February 14. Preliminary
meetings have already been held and timetables set.
Those interested in the activities of the initiative groups or wishing to
get involved, may contact Lori Regional Office of the International
Foundation for Education Systems (IFES) at telephone number (374-51) 4-29-68
or by e-mail at [email protected].
*** ROA DRAFT LAW ON VOLUNTEERS AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
On February 11-12, 2004, the issue of legislative regulation of volunteer
activities was discussed in Tsakhkadzor. World Learning NGO Strengthening
Program and AAA NGO Training and Resource Center jointly organized the
workshop, with USAID support. The event brought together lawyers,
professionals from various backgrounds and NGOs. The workshop accurately
reflected the situation with Volunteerism in Armenia, both in the sense of
attitudes by government and public need. During the discussions, NGOs raised
the problems they face in this field, especially related to tax and social
welfare issues. The Draft Law on Volunteers and Volunteer Activities also
was discussed in detail. All participants emphasized the need for legal
regulation and suggestions were made regarding content and technical
structure. At the end of the second working day, participants decided to
form a working group of lawyers and NGOs, who will further develop the draft
legislation. Once completed, the draft will be presented to such interested
structures as ROA Ministry of Justice, the State Fund for Social Welfare, as
well as to a wider public. Future actions will then be defined.
Contacts:
Yan Karpovich
World Learning NSP
24 Moskovian St., #1
Tel.: (374-1) 58-26-20, 52-08-51, 54-35-76
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
AAA NGO Training and Resource Center
39 Koghbatsi St.
Tel.: (374-1) 54-40-12; 54-40-13
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
*** ANNUAL PROGRAM ON SOCIAL PROTECTION OF THE DISABLED
The Vanadzor based Lusastgh NGO is implementing their White Stick project to
educate on the need for protecting the rights of the blind. Designed to
contribute to the betterment of social conditions of the blind, the project
will reveal needs of beneficiaries and suggestions on solving their
problems. Within the framework of the project, events have been organized to
disseminate information and highlight problems faced by the blind. One of
these events was the February 24 roundtable devoted to the discussion of the
Annual Program on Social Protection of the Disabled, with a particular focus
on issues of the blind.
As prescribed by Article 5 of the ROA Law on the Disabled, the Government is
authorized to include an Annual Program on Social Protection of the
Disabled. The programs may include activities directed at social and legal
protection of the disabled and particularly ensuring education and
requalification of the blind. The discussion highlighted a number of
suggestions in this regard.
Contact:
Nune Pepanyan
Lusastgh NGO
Tel.: (374-51) 4-29-14
E-mail: [email protected]
__________________________________________________________________________
Armenian NGO News in Brief is a publication of the NGO Training and Resource
Center (NGOC) issued in the Armenian, English and Russian languages for
electronic dissemination inside and outside Armenia. Primary funding for the
NGOC, which is a project of the Armenian Assembly of America, is provided by
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Individual
NGOs are welcome to submit information for publication to the NGOC. The NGO
Center is not responsible for the clarity of information provided by
individual NGOs.
Dear Readers,
The not-for-profit, non-governmental sector of Armenia is rich with diverse
civic initiatives and activities. This electronic publication, though far
from covering all activities of the sector per any given period of time, is
intended to contribute to raising awareness, both inside and outside
Armenia, of the activities of Armenian not-for-profit, non-governmental
organizations.
Your comments and feedback about this electronic publication are greatly
appreciated.
Thank you.
NGOC staff.
Contact Information:
In Armenia:Armenian Assembly of AmericaNGO Training and Resource Center39
Yeznik Koghbatsi St.,Yerevan 375010Tel.: (374-1) 54-40-12; 54-40-13;
53-92-04Fax: (374-1) 54-40-15E-mail: [email protected]:
In the United States:Armenian Assembly of AmericaNGO Training and Resource
Center122 C Street NW, Suite 350Washington, DC 20001 USATel: (202)
393-3434Fax: (202) 638-4904E-mail: [email protected]:

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
March 10, 2004
___________________
EMOTION-DRENCHED SERVICE IS CULMINATION OF WORK FOR NEW PRIEST
By Jake Goshert
Tears came to the eyes of parishioners gathered at St. James Church of
Richmond, VA, on February 22, 2004. It was the second day of the two-day
ceremony, during which Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), ordained a new priest for the
Armenian Church: Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan.
“Fr. Hovsep has waited a long time for this moment,” the Primate said to
more than 180 parishioners and friends during the service. “He considered
carefully what road God was calling him to. And God’s plan for his life led
him here, to this moment. This is a lesson for us all, for God has a
purpose for each one of us.”
LONG ROAD
Fr. Hovsep, baptized as Tigran, was born in Armenia in 1972, to Ruben and
Tamar Karapetyan. His father was the athletics teacher at the seminary of
Holy Etchmiadzin, and that is where Fr. Hovsep first met and learned about
seminarians. From there he would study in Jerusalem, and then in New York,
after moving to the United States in 1997.
“My journey and longtime aspiration of becoming an ordained servant of God
has become fulfilled,” Fr. Hovsep said. “It is an incomprehensible joy for
me, as I finally and fully receive the call and accept the vow of the holy
priesthood.”
When he was in New York, studying at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, he was
befriended by Mary Bahadurian, a member of the St. Vartan Cathedral
community. She stayed a constant supporter of his ministry when he moved to
Richmond in 2000, to become deacon-in-charge of the St. James Church. Ms.
Bahadurian served as godmother during the ordination service.
“I feel very special and happy to be his godmother,” she said. “He has
always been quiet, modest, and fun-loving. And as the years have passed he
has become more reflective and committed to his vocation. Tigran’s parents
as well as his young wife are equally pious and sacrificing in their love of
God.”
Also helping in the ordination were Fr. Arakel Aljalian and Fr. Mardiros
Chevian, who served as the sponsors of Fr. Hovsep. Bishop Vicken Aykazian,
diocesan legate, offered a prayer during the banquet following the
ordination.
A FIRST FOR RICHMOND
For most people in the Richmond parish, this was the first Armenian priestly
ordination they had ever witnessed. Yeretzgin Jennifer Karapetyan said the
emotion of the event brought tears to the eyes of many. And, she added, it
brought the Holy Spirit to the eyes of Fr. Hovsep.
“It was very moving. I had seen a tape of an ordination, but this was
incredible witnessing it. A lot of people came up and said they were moved
to tears,” she said. “And you could see something in his face. I saw a
difference, he had an expression of complete humility in the process he was
going through. I could tell he was very emotional.”
Now Fr. Hovsep is in seclusion — traditional for 40 days after an
ordination — at St. Nersess Seminary. He will celebrate his first Divine
Liturgy with the St. James parish on Palm Sunday, April 4, 2004. And when
he does return, Yn. Jennifer, whom he married last year, is ready to stand
by him in his ministry.
“I look forward to being a help to Der Hovsep. The Armenian Church has
become a spiritual light for me, and I feel very fortunate to be embraced by
the community and to be serving,” she said. “The community is excited, too,
to have its own, newly ordained priest.”
— 3/10/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, joined by Fr. Arakel
Aljalian and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, ordains Dn. Tigran Karapetyan as Fr.
Hovsep during a two-day ordination ceremony, February 21 and 22, 2004, at
St. James Church, Richmond, VA.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian anoints Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
during his priestly ordination on February 22, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian ordains Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan at
the St. James Church in Richmond, VA.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Mary Bahadurian, godmother of Fr. Hovsep’s ordination,
holds his new priestly vestments during the ordination ceremony on February
22, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): Archbishop Barsamian joins Fr. Hovsep and Yn. Jennifer
Karapetyan, and Fr. Hovsep’s parents, Tamar and Ruben.
PHOTO CAPTION (6): The Primate blesses Yn. Jennifer Karapetyan during the
ordination of her husband, Fr. Hovsep, at St. James Church in Richmond, VA,
on February 22, 2004.
# # #

PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina NG Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
March 10, 2004
____________________
FAR BOARD PREPARING TRANSITION PLAN

New York, (March 10, 2004): The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
Executive Director, Simon Y. Balian, informed the Board of Directors
that he intends to step down this year and requested that a process
begin to appoint a successor. According to Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
and Mr. Kevork Hovnanian, respectively the President and the Chairman of
the FAR Board, Mr. Balian will stay on until the successor is named and
will help the new Executive Director through a transition period to
ensure the continued smooth operation of the organization and its many
projects.
Mr. Balian explained that it was a difficult decision because of his
profound attachment to FAR and to the people of Armenia. “I have been
very fortunate to have had this opportunity and feel honored to have
worked with a distinguished and dedicated Board of Directors. I am
grateful for the support and guidance I have received during my tenure
as Executive Director,” stated Mr. Balian, who also praised and thanked
the staff in New York and Armenia for their passionate commitment and
constant source of inspiration, making FAR a successful institution.
He explained that unlike most Diaspora-based Armenian organizations, FAR
has grown exponentially since its birth, which arose from the tragic
earthquake of 1988. The organization has completed every project it has
undertaken in Armenia. “I believe,” said Mr. Balian, “that this is a
good time to make a transition to a new Executive Director. It is also
a good time for me personally after 11 years at the helm of the
organization to move on to new challenges that, I hope, will continue to
be focused on Armenia in different ways.”

Archbishop Barsamian expressed his appreciation to Mr. Balian for
“guiding the organization through its tremendous expansion in the past
decade” and acknowledged Mr. Hovnanian’s extraordinary leadership and
the Board’s instrumental role in the growth of the organization.
Echoing the Archbishop’s sentiment, the Board also thanked Mr. Balian
for working to provide the necessary transition to a new Executive
Director. Understanding Mr. Balian’s reasons to step down, the Board
wished him the best and assured him of its continued support for
whatever he decides to do.
Mr. Hovnanian, one of FAR’s key founders, said of Mr. Balian, “he is an
outstanding person who turned FAR into the pre-eminent organization in
Armenia through hard work and by fostering a culture of integrity in the
operations of the organization.” Then he revealed, “I have enjoyed
working with him. Along with the rest of the Board, I will miss him.”
The Board appointed a Search Committee led by Mr. Hovnanian to seek and
review potential candidates for the position. The Search Committee will
be assisted by Randolph S. Gulian, President of InSearch Worldwide, an
executive recruitment firm. Mr. Gulian is volunteering his services to
the organization.
The organization’s administration and projects will continue without any
slowdown during the period of the search for a new Executive Director
and during the transition period. The Board will remain fully engaged
and Mr. Balian will continue to manage the daily affairs of the
organization. The Board, once again, expressed its gratitude to the
thousands of donors and supporters who have entrusted FAR with carrying
out their mission of helping the people of Armenia.
— 03/10/04
# # #

A1 Plus | 20:28:27 | 10-03-2004 | Politics |
PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN MET WITH STUDENTS
On Wednesday, speaking before students at Yerevan State University,
president Kocharyan said 19-percent economic growth is recorded in Armenia,
Azatutyun radio station reports.
He intends to continue his presidency under “welfare for citizens” banner.
Answering the questions the students put to him, Kocharyan said he found the
new bill on military service is too premature, as universities’ system
legislative field is still put in order.
It should be reminded that the government-proposed bill has sparked vigorous
protest from students and as a result been withdrawn from the National
Assembly floor.
Kocharyan said he backed the idea of compulsory national service for all
young men, including his two sons.
Answering the question about Armenia’s external debt, the president said
there are no reasons to worry.
—

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
March 10 2004
ILLEGAL BROADCASTING TO BE STOPPED
[March 10, 2004, 17:15:37]
In connection with broadcasting of Armenian TV programs in several
regions of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Communications and Information
Technologies has raised the problem before the regional communication
organization functioning within the framework of the Commonwealth of
Independent States. At he organization’s invitation, officials of the
Communication Ministry visited Moscow, where representatives of
Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia through the mediation of the regional
communication organization, have negotiated on elimination of the
problem emerged due to coordination of TV channels broadcasting.
The meeting participants have reached the agreement on suppression of
Armenian TV channels’ broadcasting in the territory of Azerbaijan,
and signed appropriate protocol.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
March 10 2004
PRESS CONFERENCE AT CLERICAL OFFICE OF CAUCASIAN MUSLIMS HELD
[March 10, 2004, 18:18:52]
Chairman of the Clerical Office of the Caucasian Muslims sheikh
ul-Islam hajji Allahshukur Pashazadeh has conducted a press
conference for media to speak of the results of the Inter-religious
Peacemaking Forum in Moscow. Mr. Pashazadeh noted that over 300
religious leaders from CIS countries had participated in the forum.
He said the major purpose of the event was forming CIS
Inter-religious Council to strengthen peace between nations and
religions, to achieve solidarity and stability in the society,
develop dialogue among religious leaders, unite efforts against the
common danger, co-ordinate joint activity for revival of the
traditional spiritual values.
The forum participants elected a Board of the CIS Inter-religious
Council consisted of 22 religious figures. Two of them – Patriarch
Aleksiy II and Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh – were
conferred special powers of honorary co-chairs. An executive
committee consisted of 19 Council members was also elected.
Within the frameworks of the international forum, sheikh ul-Islam A.
Pashazadeh and Aleksiy II held one-on-one meeting and discussed
bilateral relations and main goals facing religious leaders of CIS
countries. Moreover, a meeting of religious leaders of Caucasus
countries – sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, all Georgian
Catholicos-patriarch Iliya II, Catholicos of all Armenians Garigin II
and Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Aleksiy II – was also held
during the forum.
Within the frames of the meeting the `round table’ discussion mainly
revolved around `Experience of inter-religious cooperation expansion
at the regional level’, `Problems of religious education’, `Religion
and Media’, `Peacemaking efforts of religious organizations’.
In conclusion, head of the clerical office responded to the
journalists’ questions.

Anadolu Agency
March 10 2004
Tusiad Asks France To Support Turkey’s E.U. Bid
PARIS – Omer Sabanci, the Chairman of the Association of Turkish
Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSIAD) asked on Tuesday France’s
support for EU’s starting full membership negotiations with Turkey.
TUSIAD’s Paris Office was opened the same day in a ceremony in which
State Minister Ali Babacan, French Minister of Economy, Finances, and
Industry Francis Mer and Chairman of Association of French
Industrialists and Businessmen (MEDEF- Mouvement des Entreprises de
France) Antoine Seilliere participated.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Sabanci said that ”we firmly
believe that France will appreciate the historical, strategic and
political significance of helping Turkey join the EU.”
Sabanci stated that ”with the start of the negotiations early next
year, we expect an influx of foreign direct investment. This should
enhance the intensification of economic activities in our country.
Our economic dynamism is helping the economies of neighbouring
countries. We expect Armenia to soon join Syria, Iraq, Georgia,
Russia, Iran and other regional countries as a viable trade partner
of Turkey when the border is opened.”
”By the beginning of the next decade Turkey will be an energy
corridor as gas and oil pipelines cross the country north to south
and east to west. The EU would be one of the beneficiaries of such a
development since these multiple pipelines will enable it diversify
its sources of energy,” Sabanci noted.
Referring to the historical and cultural bonds between Turkey and
France in his speech, Sabanci also mentioned the importance of France
in modernization period of Ottoman Empire noting that ”it was the
philosophers of enlightenment, the literature and political thought
of France that attracted the reformers in Ottoman Empire.”
”The Turkish Republic was designed in large measure after French
political and administrative example. Kemal Ataturk’s private library
includes many well-thumped meticulously annotated works by French
thinkers, notably Rousseau and Montesqieu,” he said.
Sabanci said that the strong historical and intellectual bonds
between the two countries gave Turkey the assurance that France would
understand Turkey’s aspirations about EU membership.
TUSIAD Chairman said that important steps were taken in Turkey during
the last two years to meet Copenhagen criteria and remarked that the
economic system was being restructured.
Referring to the devastating economic crisis of 2001, Sabanci said
that ”with the guidance of a program supported by the IMF, and then
admirably managed by State Minister Babacan we have finally reached
calm waters. From now on the Maastricht criteria and the Lisbon
Strategy of the European Union are also our main guidelines.”
”As of this month, the rate of inflation dropped to single digit
levels. Growth has been restored to the economy even if employment
figures have not yet caught up with the rebound. Interest rates are
at their lowest since a quarter century ago and budgetary discipline
has been mostly restored. Turkish companies are emerging as
world-class competitors in sophisticated industrial products,” he
said.
Sabanci stated that he believed that Turkey would reach its goals in
privatization and administrative reforms, adding that TUSIAD aimed to
bring Turkey’s economy to the standards of most competitive countries
in terms of its technological sophistication.
Sabanci noted that TUSIAD worked hard and long for Turkey’s
democratization, adding that TUSIAD was the watchdog of the reform
process.
”What we ask from our partners in the EU is encouragement and a fair
assessment when December arrives. Turkey is ready for the process of
negotiations, which we know will take several years to successfully
conclude. By that European Council, Turkey will have done its part in
securing a Cyprus resolution. We hope that our Greek counterparts,
particularly in the island, will do the same,” Sabanci said.
”September 11 and the conduct of the war against Iraq led all of us
to a reassessment of Transatlantic relations,” he said adding that
Turkey would continue to play an important role strategically in the
new world order.
”We all have a common interest in not allowing a so-called clash of
civilizations. Just as much we have a common interest in stabilizing
the Middle East and assure the emergence of a secular, representative
political order in that critical region. I am sure you share my view
that such a task would be almost impossible without Turkey’s
participation and contribution. Developments of the past year and a
half particularly the context of the Iraq war have highlighted the
commonality of interests for Turkey and the EU. We should work to
deepen our dialogue and understanding. And this can only be achieved
as our partnership evolves to full membership in an EU that becomes a
full player in world politics just as France desires,” he added.

Anadolu Agency
March 10 2004
Roth: Resolution of Cyprus Question is very important for Turkey
BERLIN – Claudia Roth, the chairwoman of the German government`s
human rights board and the Turkish-German Parliamentary Friendship
Group, has said that resolution of the Cyprus question was very
important for Turkey.
Roth had a meeting on Tuesday in Berlin with Parliamentary Commission
for Adjustment Into European Union (EU) members headed by former
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis.
Speaking at the meeting, Roth said that end of human rights
violations and removal of regional economic differences were
important for Turkey`s EU membership.
Although it was not among the Copenhagen criteria, resolution of the
Cyprus question was very important and if it was not resolved, Turkey
would have difficulties because those who were against Turkey`s
membership might show it as a pretext, she said.
Noting that she completely supported the German government`s attitude
toward opening of membership negotiations with Turkey in case of
fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria, Roth said that also German
Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer believed that Turkey might play a
key role in securing peace and fight against terrorism.
Stressing that as the Green Party, they attributed great importance
especially to human rights, Roth said that she would have meetings in
Ankara, Diyarbakir, Mardin and Istanbul during her one-week visit to
Turkey in May.
Recalling that the Turkish press had harshly criticized her during
some periods, Roth said that criticism did not mean you were always
against something and her party believed in principle of equality
while other parties had concerns whether a Muslim country could
change them. Noting that there had been lobbying efforts in the
German assembly to bring so-called Armenian genocide onto the agenda,
Roth said she could not know how much those efforts would be
effective but Armenian issue might come to the agenda of the
assembly.
Defending that release of Leyla Zana would be positive for Turkey,
Roth added that Zana was well-known in international area.