Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian
22 Sep 05
ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, US SENATOR DISCUSS EXPANSION OF TIES
[Presenter] The Foreign Affairs Commission of the US Congress has
already adopted two resolutions condemning the Armenian genocide and
efforts to recognize the Armenian genocide will continue, Californian
Senator Jack Scott said at a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan in Yerevan today.
The American senator also spoke about the opening of a regional trade
and investment centre of California in the Armenian capital.
[Correspondent] The regional trade and investment centre of
California will open in October, Californian Senator Jack Scott said
today. He did not hide his joy in this connection since he has spent
five years on the implementation of this programme.
[Jack Scott speaking in English with an Armenian voice-over] Why
should the regional trade and investment centre of California open in
Armenia? Because more than 50,000 citizens of Armenian origin are
living in California. Californian Armenians are very devoted to their
motherland and are doing their best to help Armenia’s development.
The opening of the office is the beginning of increasing trade
relations between Armenia and California. I am sure that the project
will be of benefit to both sides.
[Correspondent] At present, the trade turnover between Armenia and
the USA is 60-70m dollars with California having a big share in it.
Jack Scott said that thanks to the trade and investment centre, the
trade turnover will increase noticeably. He added that Armenians
living in California will be interested in agricultural produce,
fruits and vegetables from Armenia.
In turn, California will offer biological and information
technologies, engineering and agricultural produce. The trade and
investment centre will boost Californian export not only to Armenia,
but also to Ukraine, Georgia and Russia.
[Vardan Oskanyan] The senator is a good friend of Armenia. He has
made an important contribution to the promotion of the Armenian
question in California. Thanks to his efforts, the Armenian genocide
has been recognized in California.
[Correspondent] Speaking about the recognition of the Armenian
genocide, Senator Jack Scott said that they will continue their
struggle for its approval by Congress.
[Jack Scott] The resolution concerning the Armenian genocide was
passed at the Californian Congress with great difficulty because we
encountered a strong Turkish lobby. We will make every effort to have
the US Senate adopt a resolution on the Armenian genocide.
[Correspondent] Jack Scott noted that Turks are trying to persuade
them that there was no genocide. He said that he had met some Turkish
scientists and used facts and photos to prove the Armenian genocide.
Lilit Setrakyan, Arman Garibyan, “Aylur”.