MEETINGS OF NKR PRESIDENT IN UNITED STATED (NEW YORK)

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 16 2006

The people of NKR will never give up their independence, and for
the sake of lasting peace, stability and economic development we are
ready for a serious dialogue and cooperation with all the interested
parties, stated NKR President Arkady Ghukassian in his interviews
with the Novoye Russkoye Slovo and the Inner City Press Newspapers,
as well as the Ararat and the AGBU magazines in the United States.

With regard to the present stage of the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Arkady Ghukassian mentioned the
non-constructive stance of the Azerbaijani president, namely
the fact that he rejects direct talks with Nagorno Karabakh and
establishment of an atmosphere of confidence in the conflict area,
which impedes the final settlement of the problem. On these days,
NKR President Arkady Ghukassian is visiting the United States for the
preparations for the telethon of donations for the reconstruction of
NKR on November 23 in the US. In the framework of these preparations,
Arkady Ghukassian met with the primate of the Eastern Diocese of
North America Archbishop Oshakan Choloyan. After the meeting, the
president participated in a reception. The representatives of the
Armenian Relief Society, Armenian General Sport Union, the Armenian
Educational and Cultural Union Hamazgayin, the Central Committee of the
ARF Dashnaktsutyun, as well as a number of other organizations were
present. The president also met with Archbishop Khazhak Parsamian,
as well as the heads of several organizations cooperating with the
Eastern Diocese, including the Armenian Relief Fund. During the
meetings the archbishops asserted their willingness to help Artsakh
overcome the problems it is facing. For his part, the president of
NKR dwelled on state building, economic development and promotion of
democracy in Nagorno Karabakh. Arkady Ghukassian highly appreciated
the assistance of the Armenian Diaspora to the reconstruction and
development of the economy of NKR. Emphasizing the importance of
consistency in the reconstruction and development of the social
and economic infrastructure, he called the representatives of the
Diaspora to contribute to the reconstruction of the settlements in
Artsakh. Arkady Ghukassian also met with the American benefactors
Hakob Koyumjian and Harutiun Mekhchian and discussed the enlargement
of the humanitarian projects and business projects in NKR.