AZG Armenian Daily #075, 27/04/2005

Concern

PROBABILITY TO LIBERATE ARMENIAN PILOTS IMPRISONED IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA
INCREASES

Ara Abrahamian Says ‘Negotiations with Malabo Authorities Took the Right
Course’

Ara Abrahamian, chairman of the World Armenian Congress, said during the
press conference in Yerevan that the probability to liberate the six
Armenian pilots imprisoned in the Equatorial Guinea increases. “The
negotiations are conducted in very beneficial for us direction. We have made
such suggestions (to the authorities of the country) that the probability to
liberate the Armenian pilots is rather high. Soon, everything will be
clear,” Ara Abrahamian stated.

He added that “one should be patient in this issue”. “If we say that, for
instance, tomorrow or in a month they will release the Armenian pilots, that
can hinder the negotiations. I recently met with the representatives of the
Equatorial Guinea in Europe. We have made suggestions that are being
discussed now. We are already close to the final settlement of the issue,”
Ara Abrahamian said.

Six Armenian pilots were arrested in the Equatorial Guinea in March of 2004
and were sentenced to 14-24 years of imprisonment accused of a coup d’etat
in Equatorial Guinea. Since the day of imprisonment they are being kept in
the notorious “Black Beach” prison together with other foreign prisoners.
Some days ago the International Amnesty issued a special release that said
that the prisoners are expected to starve to death. The Malabo authorities
immediately denied the news.

Ara Abrahamian assured that the Armenian pilots are not ill. “I try to
improve their state, to help them out to better condition than the rest of
the prisoners. We care about their health,” he said. These days the
delegation of Ara Abrahamian has again left for Malabo. Ara Abrahamian has
send $500 for each pilot, just like he did during the previous visit.

Ara Abrahamian has already visited this country once. Vartan Oskanian, RA
foreign minister, visited Equatorial Guinea in February. He met with the
authorities of the country. We know that Oskanian also rendered financial
help to the Armenian pilots.

Earlier, the mass media informed that Ara Abrahamian promised to liberate
the Armenian pilots till June 12.”When RA Foreign Ministry applied to me, we
arranged that I will be given three months to deal with this issue. That’s
an issue that should involve either the Armenian authorities or somebody
else. If there is a mediator, one shouldn’t hinder. I was asked whether it
is necessary for the authorities to apply. I said yes, they should apply, as
I can’t help them without the appeal of the Armenian authorities. Otherwise,
that may do harm to the case,” Ara Abrahamian said, touching upon the news.

“I asked for three months (from RA Foreign Ministry). The deadline is June
12. I will either settle the issue or fail. We have agreed with RA Foreign
Ministry to concur our steps without hindering each other,” he said.

By Tatoul Hakobian