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News Release
Armenia Fund Raises Close to $70,000 during a Reception in Orange County

OC Armenian community adopts a drinking water distribution project in
Vayots Dzor province

FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
June 28, 2004
CONTACT: Sarkis Kotanjian
Phone: 818 243-6222
Fax: 818 243-7222
E-mail: [email protected]

Glendale, CA – More than fifty Orange County Armenians gathered at
Bistango Restaurant in Irvine, CA on Friday, June 18, 2004 for a
reception organized to thank Armenia Fund’s longtime supporters. The
Chair of the local organizing committee Seda Hambarsumian introduced and
welcomed Naira Melkoumian, Executive Director of “Hayastan” All-Armenian
Fund to her first official visit to Orange County and thanked the
audience for their strong commitment and support of the Fund.
Addressing the audience, Melkoumian said that the enthusiasm shown by
Orange County Armenians demonstrates that Armenia Fund remains an
organization that has earned the trust of the Diaspora. “Armenia is not
only our homeland but also our common heritage that we have received
from our forefathers. It belongs to all of us – the people who live in
Armenia and the people who live in the Diaspora. It is our common duty
to make it strong and prosperous and Hayastan Fund is the organization
that unites our resources to fulfill that duty,” she said. She stressed
that despite the tremendous work that the Fund has done in Armenia and
Artsakh during the last decade, there are yet many problems that need to
be addressed, which is dependent on the continued support of the
Armenian Communities throughout the world.
During the reception, members of the Armenia Fund’s Public Relations
Committee announced the launching of the new “Adopt-A-Project” campaign,
which offers the opportunity for “supporters to select projects that are
close to their hearts and do what they think is most important for
Armenia”. A slide presentation gave details of a select group of nine
projects that ranged from schools, drinking water treatment and
distribution networks to health care centers.
The Orange County Armenian community adopted the construction of a water
treatment and distribution network in Khachik village of Vayots Dzor
province in Armenia, pledging to fully sponsor the $67,520 project. “I
thank the Armenian community of Orange County for their vision and their
patriotism. Together we are making a difference in the lives of our
compatriots in Armenia and Artsakh one project at a time,” – said the
Chairperson of Armenia Fund, Inc. Maria Mehranian.
Armenia Fund, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt non-profit corporation
and is the U.S. West Coast affiliate of Hayastan All-Armenia Fund – the
largest Yerevan-based benevolent organization in Armenia. With is
affiliates in sixteen countries around the world, Hayastan All-Armenian
Fund has raised more than $100 million resulting in the construction of
210 residential buildings, 138 miles of roads, 81 miles of waterways, 36
schools, 14 health care centers and three electric transmission
networks.
###

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
July 1 2004

COURT OF REVIEW UPHOLDS EDGAR ARAKELIAN’S VERDICT

YEREVAN, JULY 1, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian appeals court upheld on
Wednesday the 18-month imprisonment of an opposition activist, Edgar
Arakelian, who hit a police officer by a plastic bottle when the
police used force to disperse an April 13 morning anti-government
demonstration, staged by the opposition forces.
The officer, hit by Arakelian, told the Review Court that the
strike did not cause damage to his health and that probably the young
man failed to see that he was hitting a police officer because of the
turned off street illumination.
The Review Court ruling came on an appeal by Edgar Arakelian
against the lower court verdict of May 26, but the panel of three
judges ruled eventually that the lower court decision was right.
Arakelian’s lawyer dismissed the ruling saying he will take the
case to the Court of Appeals..

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Associated Press Worldstream
June 30, 2004 Wednesday

Small plane crashes in Armenia, killing pilot

YEREVAN, Armenia

A small agricultural plane crashed Wednesday in northeastern Armenia,
killing the pilot, emergency officials said.

The X-32 agricultural plane, rented from a company in neighboring
Georgia, crashed while surveying forests outside the Agveran village
in the Kotaisky region, said Nikolai Grigorian, chief spokesman for
the Armenian Emergency Situations Ministry.

The pilot, David Kakhianidze, was killed, he said. The cause of the
crash was not immediately known and an investigation was opened.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian foreign minister, EU envoy praise expansion of ties

Arminfo
1 Jul 04

YEREVAN

We are satisfied with Armenia’s involvement in [the EU’s] European
Neighbourhood Policy and are ready to begin joint work with the
European side within the framework of the Individual Partnership
Action Plan, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said today at a
meeting with the special representative of the EU for the South
Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie.

The Armenian presidential press service has told Arminfo that the two
men discussed Armenia’s relations with the European Union and with
Turkey, as well as a settlement to the Karabakh conflict. Speaking
about relations with the EU, they noted the importance of the
forthcoming visit to Armenia by Janez Potochnik, an official in charge
of EU enlargement. During the visit, the sides will consider prospects
for bilateral cooperation.

Oskanyan spoke about the results of the Armenian-Azerbaijani-Turkish
trilateral meetings in Istanbul within the framework of the NATO
summit. Discussing the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, they noted
the need to organize more confidence-building meetings.

The minister also noted the significance of other programmes of
regional cooperation for the development of the South Caucasus.

For his part, Talvitie spoke about the results of his visit to
Nagornyy Karabakh on 29 June. He also met the [Armenian] deputy
foreign minister, Ruben Shugaryan, today.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian foreign minister believes Turkey wants better ties – Turkish TV

NTV television, Istanbul
1 Jul 04

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskankyan has said that in the brief
meeting he had with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the
NATO summit, he was convinced that Turkey wants to improve the
relations between the two countries. Commenting on the 10-minute
meeting he held with Erdogan, Oskanyan said: I believe that the
Turkish government sincerely wants a change towards the amelioration
of the relations with Armenia.

Oskanyan remarked that the issue of reinstating the rail transport
between Turkey and Armenia was discussed with Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul. On the subject of the Nagornyy Karabakh issue between
Armenia and Azerbaijan, Oskanyan said: Armenia will not accept
Turkey’s acting as an impartial mediator.

Oskanyan reported that with US officials, he discussed the intention
to veto the proposal to appoint Turkey as the term president of the
OSCE in 2007. The Armenian foreign minister expressed the belief that
the position of OSCE term president should be filled by a country that
has diplomatic relations with all member countries.

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
June 29, 2004

Contact at HFH Armenia:
Zara Tonapetyan
Aygestan 8-th str, h 5,
Yerevan-070, Armenia
Tel: (374 1) 556-114
e-mail: [email protected]

The UK Ambassador to Armenia Ms. Thorda Abott-Watt and other Armenian
and Armenian resident female officials joined Habitat for Humanity Armenia

Yerevan, Armenia – June29, 2004 – UK Ambassador to Armenia, Ms. Thorda
Abbott-Watt, the president of the Diplomatic Spouse Association Mrs. Nani
Oskanian, The Armenian Assembly of America’s Acting Executive Director Arpi
Vartanian, the deputy minister of Culture and Youth affairs Lilit Asatryan.
Armenia Legislative Strengthening Program Director Eleanor Valentine,
representative of ministry of Urban Development Sona Matevosyan and other
Armenian and Armenian resident women-officials have joined Habitat for
Humanity Armenia local and International volunteers to build a home in
partnership with a disadvantaged family in the village of Voskehat,
Aragatsotn region on June 29, 2004 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This time Habitat for Humanity Armenia was hosting a Global Village team,
consisting only of women. These teams are called Women Build teams. The
mission of the Women Build department of Habitat for Humanity International
is to work through affiliates to nurture, recruit and train women to build
simple, decent, healthy and affordable houses. Women Build brings together
women from all walks of life to actively address the problem of children in
poverty by building Habitat for Humanity houses. Safe, decent housing is
critical to a child’s health and development, yet children are the single
largest age group living in poverty. The Women Build program is expanding
internationally with women crews building houses all over the world.

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Armenia, Ms. Thorda Abbott-Watt and
other female high ranking officials joined the Women Build team to help
build for the family of Tonoyan’s. With this volunteer effort they hope to
demonstrate their good will and commitment to the development of Armenia,
and serve as an example to others in the community encouraging them to join
HFH Armenia in its work eliminating sub-standard housing in Armenia and
throughout the world.
<a quote>
The event is aimed to encourage the involvement of woman in the construction
of Habitat homes. The need for the adequate shelter is great in Armenia,
but it can be met. Women can be a part of the solution – one house, one
family at a time. Women Build challenges and empowers women to build safe,
healthy housing where children can flourish and grow to be all that they can
be.

Habitat for Humanity Armenia is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity
International and supports community development in the Republic of Armenia
by assisting in the construction and renovation of simple, decent and
affordable homes. The purpose of the organization is to help families in
need improve their living conditions, to raise funds to support the vital
work, and to give hope to thousands of people across the country. The
organization was formed in March of 2000 and, to date, has dedicated 82
homes and given shelter to 473 people.

Sub-standard housing is all too common in Armenia. Many families live in
deteriorated housing, in cramped quarters with inadequate water and heat.
HFH Armenia’s selected target group is families living in substandard,
over-crowded and unacceptable living quarters. This group comprises more
than 50-60% of the country’s current population. These families are unable
to purchase their own homes, as they do not have sufficient income to save
to pay for the entire house cost up front, nor can they risk, or would they
be eligible for, a high-interest loan from a commercial lender.

Habitat for Humanity Armenia has found a way to solve the problem. Families,
with two or three wage earners, pay back a no-interest loan for a simple,
decent, affordable, and healthy home, and are still able to feed their
families. Habitat for Humanity Armenia is using a combination of two
approaches to help Habitat families solve their housing problems:
1) Completing half-built homes, which are numerous
in Armenia. This approach enables families to fulfill their dream of
completing their own home. Utilizing existing core structure reduces costs
and prevents the disruption of relocating.
2) Purchasing apartments to make use of Armenia’s
existing under-utilized housing stock. Purchased homes are resold at
no-profit, interest-free, to Habitat families who renovate their apartments
and help in the construction of other families’ homes.

For more information please email Zara Tonapetyan, Communication Coordinator
for Habitat for Humanity Armenia [email protected]. See also
.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a non-denominational
Christian, non-governmental, non-profit housing organization that has helped
more than 700,000 people of all races, religions and backgrounds to have a
simple, decent and affordable place to live. Habitat for Humanity has built
or renovated more than 150,000 homes throughout the world, becoming a global
leader in addressing poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity is active in 100
countries worldwide, including 19 in Europe and Central Asia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Anadolu Agency:
6/29/2004

Erdogan: Turkey Accomplished A Very Difficult Mission Hosting Nato
Summit

ISTANBUL – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on
Tuesday that Turkey accomplished a very difficult mission by hosting
NATO Summit in Istanbul.

Erdogan who held a news conference following the NATO Summit stated
that Turkey accomplished a very important mission by hosting NATO
Summit. He said that heads of state and government who attended the
summit shared a similar view as well.

Erdogan said that Turkey represented a synthesis between Islam
culture and democracy, between traditionality and modernism and
between the past and the future, and stressed that this summit showed
once again that Turkey was a powerful light of hope for dialogue
between civilizations and cultures.

Underlining that Istanbul Summit pointed to a critical aspect in
NATO`s transformation process, he said that decisions taken in the
summit would be a historical turning point for the future, world
peace and stability.

Erdogan said that decisions on extension of NATO mandate in
Afghanistan to areas beyond Kabul, upon the demand of central
government to support elections that would be held in this country,
were confirmed in the NATO Summit.

He said: “It has been decided to end NATO operation in Bosnia
Herzegovina at the end of the year and assist the EU that is going to
undertake a new operation there in light of achievements in this
country. A new package of measures like enhancement of capabilities
for prevention of possible chemical, biological and nuclear attacks
and exchange of intelligence including several measures in fight
against terrorism.

It has been decided to initiate work on removal of logistic and
financial difficulties which restrict participation of member nations
in NATO operations and to provide capabilities which are determined
to be necessary to fight new threats.

It has been stressed that accession of seven new countries would not
be the last expansion and that the Alliance`s open-door policy would
be preserved.

It has been decided to give priority to Caucasian and Central Asian
countries within the NATO`s partnership relations.

The `Istanbul Cooperation Initiative` which the leaders decided to
carry out in full partnership and consultation with the regional
countries in line with the approaches at the G-8 meeting and U.S.-EU
summits has been put into practice. It has been decided to improve
the existing Mediterranean Dialogue by preserving its peculiar
identity in parallel to the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.

In accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1546 and in line
with the Iraqi interim government`s demand, it has been decided that
NATO will undertake a role in the training of Iraqi security forces
and a domestic study will be initiated regarding supplementary
steps.“

Erdogan added, “in line with all these decisions, we clearly see
that the NATO`s transformation process that is built on new
capabilities, new partnerships and operations has gained a new
horizon and been accelerated at Istanbul summit. This visionary
quality of the Istanbul summit was actually mentioned also in the
Istanbul Declaration that was adopted at the summit. Releasing of
such a statement in addition of its content for the first time since
the London summit in 1990 that was held shortly after end of the Cold
War, affirms the importance of the Istanbul summit.“

ERDOGAN: “WE HAVE INITIATED A PROCESS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN“

Erdogan said that they had initiated a negotiation process between
Armenia and Azerbaijan during the 17th NATO Summit in Istanbul.

Erdogan said, “I held talks with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan of
Armenia during the summit. I also had the chance of bringing Oskanyan
and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan together. Meanwhile, Foreign
Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has initiated a
process by bringing together foreign ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan.“

“We want a solution to be found to Azerbaijan-Armenia dispute on the
basis of the understanding of win-win. However, wishes are not enough
at all. The most important thing is to come to a conclusion,“ he
said.

Upon a question, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey would
undertake command of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
in Afghanistan in the February-August period of 2005, adding that
details would be clarified in the coming days.

JOINT STATEMENT ON IRAQ IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY

Erdogan said this statement was also very important as allies who
went through a difficult period during Iraq crisis put forth a
consensus on Iraq issue.

“The statement on Iraq includes noteworthy observations on general
situation in Iraq and principles that should be complied with,“
Erdogan noted.

Erdogan said that the statement`s underlining clearly that terrorist
activities stemming from Iraq threatened neighbor countries, and
security of the region was of great importance for Turkey.

Recalling that Afghan President Hamid Karzai also attended
Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) meeting, Erdogan said,
“especially the meeting with Karzai is a historical one. This
meeting was very beneficial and constructive, as it showed
Euro-Atlantic group`s commitment toward the future of Afghanistan.
This issue appeared clearly both in NATO meetings and also in
bilateral meetings.“

Erdogan noted that this summit also contributed to European Union
(EU) countries` approach toward Turkey`s EU membership.

In regard to Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul`s holding a trilateral meeting on Monday with Foreign
Minister Elmar Memmedyarov of Azerbaijan and Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanyan of Armenia, Erdogan said that he hoped that foreign
ministers` decision to continue to hold such meetings would
contribute to regional stability and solution of regional issues.

Noting that he had had the opportunity of holding a series of
bilateral meetings during the summit, Erdogan said that he had
reviewed bilateral and Turkey-EU relations with the Italian, Spanish
and Slovenian prime ministers.

Recalling that he had held a detailed meeting separately with
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and
Afghan Head of State Hamid Karzai, Erdogan said that he had met with
French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder prior to last night`s banquet and held a brief exchange of
opinions. Erdogan said that he had held several meetings with all
heads of state and government during NATO meetings.

Erdogan added that the Istanbul summit was a well-timed, beneficial
and successful meeting in terms of steering the NATO`s future,
Turkey`s promotion and bringing importance of Turkey to the
forefront.

ERDOGAN: “SEMINARY ISSUE WAS DISCUSSED DURING MY MEETINGS AT
SUMMIT“

Erdogan said that reopening of the seminary on Heybeliada island in
Istanbul had been discussed at some of his meetings he held within
framework of the NATO Istanbul summit.

Erdogan held a press conference after end of the summit and answered
questions of reporters.

Asked whether the seminary issue had been brought onto the agenda,
Erdogan said, “yes, the seminary was brought onto the agenda and I
said that our study on the issue had been under way. As you know that
the real source of the problem was its closure in 1971 under a
constitutional court decision. Our relevant institutions have been
conducting necessary study on the issue. We will act according to the
result of the study, but we seek if there are any other ways out.“

Erdogan said that he had also met with Greek Prime Minister Costas
Caramanlis during the summit and it was a very positive and sincere
meeting.

Asked of his opinions about use of tear gas by police against
demonstrators who protested NATO summit, Erdogan said, “policemen
fulfilled their duty while civil organizations used their democratic
rights.“

Erdogan said that policemen fulfilled their tasks successfully at the
point of deterrence.

Replying to a question on Turkey`s European Union (EU) membership
process, Erdogan noted that they approached the EU from the point
that there was not any problem regarding negotiation process.

Erdogan said that Turkey took very important steps on its membership
process, stressing that they expected the report on Turkey that would
be announced by the EU Commission in October would be positive.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Associated Press
June 30 2004

Armenian Minister: Turks Want Closer Ties

By AVET DEMOURIAN
Associated Press Writer

Armenia’s foreign minister said Wednesday that a brief meeting with
the Turkish leader at this week’s NATO summit convinced him that
relations could improve between the uneasy neighbors with a dark
history.

Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian spoke for 10 minutes with Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the two-day
summit that ended Tuesday in Istanbul.

“During that meeting I was again convinced that the current Turkish
government sincerely wants to achieve a change for the better in
resolving relations with Armenia,” Oskanian said, without
elaborating.

The summit was attended by numerous leaders from non-NATO member
states like Armenia. President Robert Kocharian had refused to
attend, saying that he was dissatisfied with his country’s relations
with Turkey. He sent his foreign minister instead.

Armenia and Turkey do not have diplomatic relations, although the
Turks recently have expressed a willingness to improve the situation
between the two countries.

Armenians accuse Turks of a genocide of up to 1.5 million Armenians
between 1915 and 1923. Turks claim the number of deaths is inflated
and say the victims were killed in civil unrest.

The two countries also are at odds over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region
within Azerbaijan that has been under ethnic Armenian control since a
war that ended in 1994 without a political settlement.

Turkey, which shares close ethnic ties with Azerbaijan and supported
that nation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has maintained an
economic blockade of Armenia, hobbling development in this landlocked
former Soviet republic.

Oskanian said that he also discussed the possibility of resuming
railroad service between the two nations during a separate meeting
his with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul.

Oskanian noted, however, that despite gradually developing ties with
Turkey, Armenia would object to Turkey “pretending to be an impartial
mediator” in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Oskanian also said he held discussions Wednesday with the U.S.
administration about Armenia’s intention to veto a proposal that
would give Turkey the acting chairmanship of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2007.

Armenia thinks the role can only be filled by a nation that has
diplomatic relations with all the OSCE’s member states, Oskanian
said, but he added that talks were still being held on the issue.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
June 30 2004

NATO SUMMIT IN SPOTLIGHT OF TURKISH PRESS
[June 30, 2004, 22:24:46]

The NATO Summit held in Istanbul June 28-29 was widely covered in the
Turkish press. Turkish journalists were mainly focused on the
statements by Presidents George Bush of USA, Jacques Chirac of
France, Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia,
as well as Federal Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder and Prime
Minster of the Great Britain Toni Blair.

Besides, the trilateral meeting of Foreign Minister of Turkey
Abdullah Gul, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and
Armenian Minister Vardan Oskanian also in the aroused great interest
of local and foreign media. In the course of the meeting, Abdullah
Gul stated to his Armenian counterpart that Azerbaijan and Turkey
expect positive steps from Armenia, reputable Turkish newspapers
Sabah, Radical and Milliyet said. Newspapers say that Armenia keeps
Azerbaijani lands under occupation and has claims as to `genocide’
and that is why, it should not expect any compromise from Turkey and
Azerbaijan. Opening of borders is impossible.

Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled the same
position. During the meeting between President of Turkey Ahmat Necdet
Sezer and President of France Jacques Chirac, the Turkish President
showed discontent of Turkish society on French parliament’s decision
related to the `genocide’ and lambasted radical position of Armenia

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
June 30 2004

KARABAGH FOREIGN MINISTRY SWEEPS ASIDE AZERBAIJAN’S ASSERTIONS

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS: Nagorno Karabagh foreign affairs
ministry swept aside today Azerbaijani authorities’ allegations that
the August 8 elections to local self-management bodies are illegal as
they run counter to international laws and Azerbaijan’s legislation
and without the participation of the Azeri population of Nagorno
Karabagh.
A statement issued by Karabagh foreign ministry today said the
slated elections is another step towards building a civic society.
“We proceed from the fact that only legally elected representatives
of authority are empowered with necessary power and bear
responsibility for the fate of people of Nagorno Karabagh,” the
statement says.
The statement described Azerbaijan’s assertions “as cut off from
current realities.” “Nagorno Karabagh has been living independently
for 16 years already and has noting to do with Azerbaijan’s laws and
therefore citing them is absolutely groundless,” the statement said.
The statement scoffs also at Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry’s
assertions that the elections cannot be regarded valid as the
Azerbaijani population of Karabagh cannot participate in them. “If we
follow this kind of logic then all national elections in Azerbaijan
are invalid, as almost half a million of ethnic Armenians had to flee
it as a result of ethnic cleansing,” the statement says.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress