ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Nov 17 2004

Combating smoking should be strengthened gradually in Armenia

RA Minister of Defense and Indian Ambassador to Armenia discuss the
issues of cooperation in military sphere

A Campaign of protest by Armenian community to take place today in
front of the House of Parliament in Paris

USAID assigns $15 mln for the implementation of humanitarian projests
in NKR

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COMBATING SMOKING SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED GRADUALLY IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, November 17. /ARKA/. Combating smoking should be
strengthened gradually in Armenia, according to RA NA Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan during the Parliamentary hearings devoted to
anti-tobacco policy in the republic. According to him, the policy
pursued in the republic, in particular approval of the law on
limitation of sales and consumption of tobacco during the first
reading, is very important for future generations. He expressed hope
that till the end of 2004 the law will be adopted, which will limit
smoking in the objects for healthcare, culture and education. HE
added that in European countries and the USA the struggle is more
serious and `we also should gradually make serious steps’. He Speaker
stated that under the influence of anti-tobacco campaign he himself
quitted smoking and noted that `the struggle against smoking already
yields good results in the RA NA’.
The hearings were organized by RA AN Standing Committees on Science,
Education, Culture and Youth, and on Social Affairs Health Care and
Environment, as well as by the Council of Health Care headed by RA NA
Speaker and Youth Parliament. A.H. – 0–

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RA MINISTER OF DEFENSE AND INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA DISCUSS THE
ISSUES OF COOPERATION IN MILITARY SPHERE

YEREVAN, November 17. /ARKA/. RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan
and Indian Ambassador to Armenia Deepak Vohra discussed the issues of
cooperation in military sphere. According to Information and
Propaganda Department of RA Ministry of Defense, the parties
discussed issues included in to the memorandum on cooperation signed
between the Ministries of Defense of Armenia and India in 2003.
According to the memorandum, military-training centers of India are
ready to accept Armenian servicemen for them to take course for
rising the level of their skills. Vohra noted that India will accept
all suggestion from Armenia regarding the participation in training
courses. A.H. –0–

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CAMPAIGN OF PROTEST BY ARMENIAN COMMUNITY TO TAKE PLACE TODAY IN
FRONT OF THE HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT IN PARIS

YEREVAN, November 17. /ARKA/. A campaign of protest by Armenian
community will take place today in front of the House of Parliament
in Paris. The participants of the action demand that the issue of
membership of Turkey in EU be included into the agenda of the
Parliament. According to ARF Dashnaktsutyun Press Service Department,
the campaign will be held at the initiative of Hay Dat Commission of
ARF (D), Ramkavar Azatakan party with the support of Armenian
organizations of France.
At the Summit of Presidents of European states, which will take place
on December 17, the issue of Turkey’s membership in EU will be
discussed. The campaign aims to keep the President of France aware of
the will of French people, the majority of which are against the
membership of Turkey in EU. The participants of the campaign also
intend to demand that acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide by
Turkey be the main condition for its becoming a member in EU. Also,
several scores of French MPs will participate in the campaign.
On October 14, notwithstanding the demands of numerous parties, the
French Parliament will discuss the issue without voting. French
Government and French President in particular were against voting.
A.H. – 0 –

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USAID ASSIGNS $15 MLN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMANITARIAN PROJESTS
IN NKR

STEPANAKERT, November 17. /ARKA/. The Fund for Armenia Relief (FAR)
has started the implementation of a humanitarian project in NKR in
frames of USAID financing to the sum of $15 mln. According to Garnik
Nanagulyan, the Executive Director of FAR, the funds will be directed
at construction and rehabilitation of residential houses, first-aid
stations, water supply lines, agriculture. `Currently, projects in
Martakert, Askeran and Hadrut regions are simultaneously being
implemented. 52 residential houses were repaired in Askeran region,
53 are still being repaired. 310 houses will be constructed in
Martakert region, 150 of which will be pout into commission in March,
2005. The development projects are planned to be completed by 2007′,
he said.
Note, the Fund for Armenia Relief has been implementing construction,
agricultural and improvement projects in NKR since 2002. L.V.-0 –