Author: Boshkezenian Garik

Perpetual War or Perpetual Peace?
Published in “Panorama”, Institute of War and Peace Reporting, July 2004

Hikmet Hajizade, Vice-President of FAR Centre, Baku

Baku
13 June 2004

“And how is the Karabakh conflict?” a famous Pakistani journalist
asked me at a seminar in a small German town. “Just the same, the
conflict continues, there’s no peace, no war,” I replied. “How
interesting,” he said with a smile. “The break-up of the USSR began
with this conflict. Now the USSR no longer exists and the conflict is
still continuing?”

Yes, on the whole things are pretty much the same. But we can notice
some changes which are unfortunately changes for the worse. What I
have in mind is Azerbaijani public opinion on the Karabakh issue,
which could be described as close to despair. “It’s impossible to
fight, Russia is behind Armenia, while the West is stubbornly
demanding a peace settlement to secure it’s investments in Azerbaijani
oil. Negotiations, with all possible mediators, have been going on
for years and lead to nothing. Oil diplomacy (our oil in return for
Western support on the Karabakh issue) has brought no
results. People’s diplomacy, sponsored by the West, has also failed?”
So there is a growing feeling in society that Azerbaijan is betrayed
and besieged on all sides. Society is close to a frustration which has
begun to be expressed in uncontrolled hatred and its desperate
manifestations very similar to what is happening in the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

“And we understand this despair and hatred,” well-known Armenian
journalist Mark Grigorian told me several years ago at a conference in
Tbilisi. “First it was you who were victorious for a long time (it
seems he meant the Armenian-Turkish conflicts of the last thoutsand
years) and we it was us who hated you. Now we have defeated you and
you are hating us…”

I didn’t have an answer to this piercing observation, I just felt
despair. What is the solution here? If, inshallah, we manage to
defeat them, then they will hate us again and we will carry on
destroying each other till the end of the world. Are we to have
perpetual war?

It seems that the question “who, in the end, finally won in history”
is one of the main questions, if not the prime question, in the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Of course the issues of protecting the
rights of national minorities and of individuals are important and so
is the role of the super-powers. But “who, in the end, finally
won…?” is still more important for us?

But of course there will be no final victory here, only perpetual
despair and hatred and it is time we all understood this. And
generally whichever of the opposing sides “won” a certain round in
this millenium-long dispute failed to understand this. Today Armenia
has won and it now wants to “cooperate” with us, hoping that
cooperation will heal the wounds of defeat. But it is not working:
“There can be no cooperation with the occupiers of our land,” even new
head of state Ilham Aliev said recently and his words reflect public
opinion in Azerbaijan.

As long as this problem is unsolved no road can lead us to peace. Even
if well-intentioned international powers force peace on us, our hatred
will only be driven deep inside us and could flare up again.

Our mentality, our view of the world and history, have to change. We
have to understand that all these “noble historical victories” were
nothing but the pillage and violent eviction of neighbours in the era
of a battle of all against all for limited resources — and that now
these resources over which we destroyed each other have lost whatever
value they once had.

Our confrontational mentality can’t be changed by “third forces” or
written constitutions and ratified European conventions on human
rights. It can change only as a result of honest and free discussion
conducted by citizens of a free country. So I believe that for
perpetual war to be replaced by perpetual peace our countries should
become democratic. Or as Kant wrote in his “Perpetual Peace”: “The
Civil Constitution of Every State (that wants perpetual peace) Should
Be Republican”.

Before beginning negotiations (negotiations with international
mediators, bilateral negotiations or negotiations within the framework
of people’s diplomacy), the parties ought to pay attention to
themselves! The parties ought to become republics, free and diverse
discussions have to begin in their societies about anything and
everything that is of concern to their citizens. The societies have to
find the civic courage in themselves to throw off their historical
ghosts and discuss the problem of perpetual war and perpetual
peace. And if the international community wants to help our countries
establish Perpetual Peace, it should stop spending money on senseless
“joint projects and research” and help our countries become honest and
open, help them become democratic. Democracies do not fight one
another?

As for Azerbaijan, which is sunk in its internal political despair and
internal political apathy, then I have to forecast that Karabakh,
which we have desired all this time, won’t return until we build a
democratic society. Even if Azerbaijan is three times as strong as
Armenia, the world won’t allow a government which oppresses its
citizens to extend its inhuman rule to the Armenian national minority?

I don’t intend to forget about the influence of third forces or the
role of superpowers in fanning the conflict but I believe that first
we have to get to grips with ourselves and then it will be clearer
what we should do about third forces?

Earlier this year I met Mark Grigorian again in Durban, South Africa,
at the Third Assembly of the Word Movement for Democracy. Mark had had
to leave his country and move to London because he was being
persecuted in Armenia for his journalistic work. I was also reluctant
to leave the fairytale beauty of Durban to go home to a country which,
after the presidential elections at the end of 2003, had suffered a
massive crackdown on opposition activists and protestors.

It occurred to me later that, without agreeing to do so, neither of us
uttered a word about the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict. Mark showed me
the wounds left by the exploding grenade which had left 32 pieces of
shrapnel in his body which pro-government forces had thrown at him. I
told him about torture in our prisons which our citizens who protested
against mass vote-rigging in the presidential elections endured.

No desire emerged to destroy one another, even in argument. The desire
emerged to help one another?

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

Crossroads E-Newsletter August 5, 2004

CATHOLICOS ARAM I ISSUES STATEMENT
ON BOMBING OF CHRISTIAN SITES IN IRAQ
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, issued a
statement on the bombing of churches in Iraq on August 1. One of the
churches that was hit was the Armenian Catholic Church in Baghdad. The
Christian population in Iraq is estimated to be about 800,000 of which
approximately 20,000 are Armenians.
His Holiness said:
For centuries Christians and Muslims have lived together in the Middle
East. Centuries of coexistence, interaction and dialogue of life have
created close affinities in different spheres of society life as well as
common values and traditions. Therefore, the Christian-Moslem coexistence is
neither a conceptual notion nor an imposed reality, it is an integral and
inseparable part of the societies in the Middle East. Violence in all its
forms and expressions is against human and religious values and principles.
We have repeatedly stressed the need for dialogue, solidarity, mutual
tolerance, respect and understanding. Neither Islam nor Christianity will
accept violence as a way to solve problems. Bombing of Christian churches in
Iraq is a deep harm against the Christian-Moslem existence. Both Christians
and Moslems with their equal obligations and rights are co-citizens of the
Arab countries. It is my firm expectation that the government of Iraq will
take the necessary measures to protect the rights and the well being of all
citizens. It is also my expectations that Christians and Muslims in Iraq and
in different parts of the Middle East will continue their dialogue and
collaboration based on shared values and aspirations, and strengthen their
commitment to peace and justice.
We pray for peace and understanding in the entire region.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL
TO HOLY SEE OF CILICIA, ANTELIAS, LEBANON
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan will leave for Lebanon on
Wednesday, August 11, where he will meet with the Catholicos, His Holiness
Aram I. The church leaders will discuss various projects for next year
including programs related to the 75th anniversary of the Theological
Seminary of the See of Cilicia.
Archbishop Oshagan will also examine the papers of the late Archbishop
Zareh Aznavourian related to the church and especially the Bible translation
project he and the late Archbishop were collaborating on since the early
1980s. Archbishop Oshagan will also discuss with the Catholicos the ways and
means to continue the translation project. One of the final thoughts
expressed by Zareh Srpazan was his regret that the translation project was
unfinished.

PAN-ARMENIAN CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION IS UNDERWAY IN LEBANON
Initiated by His Holiness Aram I and organized by the Catholicate of
Cilicia, the Diaspora conference on Armenian education began today, August
5, in the main hall of the Theological Seminary in Bikfaya, Lebanon. The
theme of the conference is Armenian education in the Diaspora. Approximately
100 specialists and intellectuals from all communities of the Diaspora are
in attendance and will address this timely issue with their different
perspectives and contexts.
The conference began with a critical and analytical evaluation of the
present state of Armenian education in the Diaspora and will identify
emerging concerns and will endeavor to redefine Armenian education within
the context of new challenges and realities. The conference will continue
through Saturday, August 7.
The Minister of Education, the president of the Cultural and Educational
Commission of the Parliament and the president of the Armenian writers in
Armenia are expected to attend.
His Holiness addressed the opening session of the conference today and
will participate throughout the proceedings.
Ms Gilda Kupelian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC), Ms Nayiri Balanian, chair of ANEC, and Ms Houry Boyamian,
Principal of St. Stephen Elementary School in Watertown, Massachusetts, are
attending the conference.

75th ANNIVERSARY OF CILICIAN SEMINARY
TO BE COMMEMORATED NEXT YEAR
The year 2005 marks the 75th anniversary of the Theological Seminary of
the Holy See of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is expected to issue an
encyclical in January in honor of this occasion asking all dioceses within
the See of Cilicia to mark this occasion with appropriate commemorations.
Also celebrated next year is the 10th anniversary of the election and
consecration of His Holiness Aram I.
The Seminary’s anniversary will be marked at different times during the
entire year beginning in January through to December in all of the dioceses
within the jurisdiction of the Cilician See. His Holiness is expected to
attend the various commemorative events around the world, including the
Eastern Prelacy from October 21 to November 8.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL PRESIDE
OVER ANDASTAN SERVICE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, accompanied by V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan
Tanielian, Vicar General, and Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director
of the Armenian Religious Education Council, will travel upstate New York to
the village of Mountaindale in the Catskill Mountains, where they will spend
the day with a large group of Armenian American vacationers this Saturday,
August 7. Archbishop Oshagan together with Hayr Anoushavan and Deacon Shant
will perform the Andastan service (Blessing of the Four Corners) and the
Blessing of Grapes ceremony.

COUNCIL OF EPHESUS REMEMBERED
This Saturday, August 7, the Armenian Church commemorates the Council of
Ephesus (431). The third general council was summoned by Emperor Theodosius
II in 431 to settle the Nestorian heresy. Nestorius was dethroned and exiled
to Egypt. The council affirmed the Nicene Creed and approved Theotokos
(Godbearer) as a title for the Virgin Mary.
Ephesus was the main city of the Roman province of Asia, at the
crossroads of the coastal route between Smyrna and Cyzicus. The temple of
Artemis in the city was one of the great wonders of the ancient world. Paul
took Christianity to Ephesus and stayed there for two years on his third
missionary journey (Acts, chapters 18 and 19).
Ephesus did not satisfy everyone and this led to a lasting schism in the
Church. Theologians attempted to formulate a compromise and met at
Chalcedon, on the eastern shore of the Bosporus across from Constantinople.
The Armenian Church did not attend and refused to accept the decisions of
the Council of Chalcedon on the nature of Christ and continued to abide by
the resolutions of the Council of Ephesus. The Armenian Church accepts the
legitimacy of three Ecumenical Councils: Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381),
and Ephesus (431).
In recent years there has been promising dialogue between the
Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian churches. In a joint statement issued on
December 13, 1996, Pope John Paul II and Catholicos Karekin I (of blessed
memory) welcomed the great advance that their churches have registered in
their common search for unity in Christ.

FAST OF ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
The Armenian Church celebrates eight feasts of the Holy Mother of God.
This Sunday, August 8, begins the Fast leading to the Feast of the
Assumption of the Holy Mother of God (Asdvadzadzin), which is next Sunday,
August 15.
The Armenian words Dzom and Pahk (fast and abstinence) are used
interchangeably, but actually Dzom means a total fast and Pahk means to
abstain from certain foods. (In Krapar the word Pahk applies for both). In
the Armenian Church Pahk means abstaining from all foods originating from
animals, including dairy products and eggs. There are about 160 days of
abstinence (Pahk) lasting one day, one week, and forty days. The week
before Asdvadzadzin is a week of abstinence. Fasting is always combined with
simple living and spiritual renewal through prayer.

When you fast, do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do. They neglect
their appearance so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure
you, they have already been paid in full. When you go without food, wash
your face and comb your hair, so that others cannot know that you are
fasting. Only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father, who
sees what you do in private, will reward you.
Matthew 6:16-18

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ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
August 1, 2004

IRAQ: ATTACCHI A CHIESE; TIMORI PROCURATORE CALDEO S.SEDE

DATELINE: ROMA

BODY:
(ANSA) – ROMA, 2 AGO – “Quello che e’ accaduto ieri in Iraq
e molto strano, dubito che chi ha condotto questi attacchi
possa dirsi musulmano o appartenente a qualsiasi altra
religione. Ieri sono stati compiuti atti orribili contro persone
che erano andate a pregare”. E’ quanto ha detto mons. Philip
Najim, procuratore dei Caldei presso la Santa Sede, commentando
alla Misna gli attacchi di ieri.

“Gli uomini e le donne uccisi da quelle esplosioni – ha
detto – erano entrati in un posto in cui ci si incontra con Dio.
Proibire l’esercizio della propria fede va contro qualsiasi
principio”.
“Si nota che e’ stato un attacco coordinato contro la Chiesa
cattolica perche tutti gli obiettivi erano cattolici. A Baghdad
hanno scelto la cattedrale armena e sila, hanno bombardato tre
chiese caldee e a Mosul un’altra importante chiesa caldea e
finita nel mirino dei terroristi. E’ la prima volta che
succede” prosegue.

Interrogato se l’alto numero di chiese caldee interessate
dagli attacchi di ieri fosse casuale o nascondesse un qualche
recondito messaggio, il procuratore dei Caldei in Vaticano
sottolinea: “non posso pensare ad altro se non a una
casualita’. Nel governo attuale e nel personale diplomatico non
c’e nessun caldeo, ci sono alcuni siri. Ma anche in questo caso
si tratta della fede personale di un singolo che niente ha a che
fare con la politica”.

Monsignor Najim, iracheno originario di Baghdad, e’ convinto
che quanto accaduto ieri sia solo l’inizio di una nuova sfida
all’Iraq del dopoguerra: “Tutto quello che sta accadendo nelle
ultime settimane, mostra la chiara volonta’ dei terroristi di
dividere il popolo iracheno, distinguendo tra sunniti, sciiti,
curdi, cristiani, non cristiani e cosi’ via. Voglio invitare il
mio popolo, il popolo iracheno, a restare unito e compatto
adesso piu’ che mai”. (ANSA).

Maltamedia Daily News, Malta
Aug 1 2004

Malta wins bronze medal in Women’s Promotion Cup
By MM Sports
Aug 1, 2004, 10:53 CET

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The Women’s National team made history once again by winning the
first ever medal at senior level at a Promotion Cup. The team won the
bronze medal in the 9th edition of the Promotion Cup in Andorra after
beating Armenia 69-61.

The result does not show the superiority that Malta had throughout
the match as it was only in the last session were the team was
administrating the game that the Armenians managed to make the result
more respectable.

This win means that Malta won four out of its five games played in
Andorra, and has by far got the best ever result in a Promotion Cup.

The scores in the four sessions were: 17-14 18-16 26-14 8-17. Top
Scorers for Malta were Lucienne Bezzina 25, Irene Farrugia 20,
Dorianne Galea 9.

The team will arrive back in Malta on Monday early morning.

armenianow.com
July 30, 2004

Vacation Armenian Style: The healing value of Dendropark

By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter

>From the road leading to Stepanavan, travelers get a first glimpse of
the pride of that city, the Dendropark. The tops of big pine trees
sway humbly as if to wave at approaching guests.
The 35 hectares park is in unfortunate decay, yet from a distance it becomes
an emerald lake, rippling after rain in the colors of every imaginable
green.

Natural health for the soul
Dendropark was created in 1933 by Polish forester Edmond Leonovich. Over the
years Leonovich collected trees, bushes and flowers from across the world.
>From about 2,500 species, he identified 600 that would thrive in the
Northern Armenia climate and they became the park. The work was later
continued by Leonovich’s son, Vitali, a doctor of biology.
Given the travel restrictions of Soviet times, it was a massive chore for
Leonovich to collect samples from throughout the world. And today, because
of quite different problems, it is equally difficult to maintain the park,
the son says.
Still, during summer months Dendropark is filled with guests. Leaving the
wearisome heat, people hurry here to enjoy the dizzying fragrance of fir
trees, calm rustling of tree branches and crystal clear air.
Vanadzor resident Narine Kirakosyan, 27, is a big fan of this garden and at
least one day a week she spends close to this wonderful nature.

Green peace
“When I’m angry or very tired I get into the car and come to Dendropark
without hesitating and as if by some miracle I relax,” says Narine. She says
the experience allows her soul to merge with nature.
“No one knows what the paradise in heaven is like, but the earthly one is
definitely like our Dendropark, at least my friends and I have that
feeling,” says Narine.
This heavenly park that spreads behind the small gates attracts not only due
to its beauty but also due to its medicinal qualities. In early summer
people come even from different countries to breathe the pollen of fir
trees. According to specialist Grigor Nerkararyan the fir tree pollen has a
natural makeup that is good for treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma,
pneumonia and allergies. Taking into account nature’s own remedy, in 1937
the Sotchut Health Center for Mothers and Children was constructed next to
the park.
Despite various problems and poor financing visitors are accepted at
Dendropark free of charge. Director Vitali Leonovich says nature belongs to
everyone and it’s in a way immoral to ask money from people who want to
enjoy it.
“These days complaining is a sin. We ???? sprouts from several famous brands
such as sitka spruce ? r fir and sell them and spend the money that we make
of it on the works on improving the park’s conditions,” says Leonovich.

Surrounded by beauty
The 71-year old park starts each day like the one before. Rays of sun, like
naughty children trying to break in, try to penetrate the thick foliage of
so many old trees and are laughed at by twittering birds. Rains do not keep
one waiting here, often the clouds start roaring and heavy rain slakes the
thirst of the plants.
Here people and nature are as a single whole, even on cold winter days
Vitali Leonovich and his family do not leave the park, he caresses it like
his own child and speaks with every tree and bush.
“This nature is a part of me,” Leonovich says. “In general, a person is a
part of nature, so the closer and more harmonious you are to nature, the
more valuable a person you are both spiritually and physically.”

Interfax
July 29 2004

New bank with foreign capital to be set up in Armenia

Yerevan. (Interfax) – A new commercial bank with foreign capital is
being set up Armenia, Armenian Central Bank Chairman Tigran Sarkisian
told journalists.

He said that the Central Bank has agreed to provide a license to
ArmSwiss Invest & Trust Bank, founded by Swiss citizens of Armenian
origin involved in international finance and industry.

Sarkisian said that the initial charter capital of the bank amounts
to $6 million.

“The founders of ArmSwiss Invest & Trust Bank plans to introduce new
banking instruments, that are not used by the other 19 commercial
banks in the republic,” Sarkisian said. He said that the new bank
will work on the international market and will have an active
investment policy. The bank should start to operate in three months.

Armenia currently has 19 commercial banks with total charter capital
of $65 million, of which non-residents accounts for 53%.

ArmenPress
July 29 2004

DOCUMENTARY AIMS TO PROVOKE DEBATES ON HOW TO END CONFLICTS

STEPANAKERT, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS: A documentary shot by Georgian
filmmakers in cooperation with their counterparts from the breakaway
region of Abkhazia and telling about the Armenian-Azeri dispute over
Nagorno Karabagh was shown to residents of Stepanakert, the capital
of Karabagh. The film became possible thanks to funding from Heinrich
Bell Foundation from Germany and the British Reconciliation Resources
organization.
Walter Kaufman, a representative of the Heinrich Bell Foundation
in the South Caucasus, said before the show of the documentary that
one of the major objectives of the Foundation in the region is to
help societies of the conflicting nations to restore the confidence.
The documentary, he said, was to show how people on different sides
of the barricades were looking at the conflict.
Mikhail Mirziashvili, one of the directors of the film, said: “You
will not find in this documentary an answer to a question as who is
to be blame for the conflict, who is right and who is wrong. We have
tried to describe the conflict from a human being’s viewpoint.”
According to him, one of the goals is to push people from rival
camps to start debates over what to do to and how to do to end
confrontation. Two other documentaries, shot by the same team and
telling about Georgia’s conflicts with South Ossetia and Abkhazia
will be also shown to Stepanakert residents

ArmenPress
July 26 2004

ROYAL ARMENIA ACCUSES CUSTOMS OFFICERS OF BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION

YEREVAN, JULY 26, ARMENPRESS: Chief managers of Royal Armenia
company dealing with imports of coffee to Armenia, accused today
customs officials of bias and discrimination against their company, a
practice which they said was started from 2003 spring. The managers
claimed that customs officials demand 50 and even 100 percent higher
customs fees than the real cost of the coffee suggests.
Company managers said they had asked a local court to protect them
against such treatment and despite three verdicts issued by it, which
deemed the customs officials’ treatment illegal, the practice is
going on. “We announce officially that we are not going any longer to
work according “the rules” imposed by customs officials and we have
also decided to speak out about corruption practices corroding the
customs service,” the company’s managers announced during a special
news conference.
A lawyer of the company said also that customs officers have been
refusing to let through a batch of 93 tons of coffee beans for two
weeks already forcing the company to pay $50 in penalties for each of
the five containers. The company has sent letters of complaint to the
president, prime minister, justice and foreign ministers.
Royal Armenia in which 96 percent of the capital is of
non-Armenian origin, exports 7o percent of its products and is
planning to extend the geography of its partners to CIS and Europe
countries. It brings in annually some 9,000 tons of coffee beans.

ArmenPress
July 23 2004

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT GEORGIA ON JULY 25

YEREVAN, JULY 23, ARMENPRESS: On July 25 Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan will pay an official two-day visit to Georgia. Armenian
Prime Minister will confer with his Georgian counterpart, Zurab
Zhvania and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. Prior to these
meetings Andranik Margaryan, as a co-chairman of Armenian-Georgian
joint commission on economic cooperation, will participate in its
regular session.
Within the frameworks of the visit Armenian Prime Minister will
visit the Pantheon, where many prominent Armenian writers, musicians
and scientists rest and a Monument commemorating heroes, who fell for
the cause of Georgia’s unity. Then Andranik Margaryan will visit the
Armenian Church of Saint Gevorg, the site of a planned meeting with
representatives of the Armenian community of Georgia.
The Prime Minister will also visit the Georgian Art Museum,
Georgian State Museum and Jvaria and Svetitskhoveli Mother Cathedral.
Andranik Margaryan will be hosted also by the Armenian Embassy in
Georgia.
After the concluding meeting of the Armenian-Georgian commission
on economic cooperation and the ceremony of documents signing, Prime
Ministers Andranik Margaryan and Zurab Zhvania will hold a joint
press conference.
The delegation, headed by Andranik Manukian includes members of
the inter-governmental commission Vardan Khachatryan, Minister of
Finance and Economy, Karen Chshmaritian, Minister of Trade and
Economic Development, Armen Movsisyan, Minister of Energy, Vardan
Ayvazyan, Minister of Nature Protection, Tatul Margaryan, Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Artak Sahradian, Deputy Minister of
Education and Science, Gagik Gyurjyan, Deputy Minister of Culture and
Youth Issues, Gagik Khachatryan, deputy Chairman of
Government-Affiliated State Customs Committee, Stepan Margaryan,
Advisor to Prime Minister, as well as Ararat Khrimyan, Chief Manager
of Armenian Railway cjsc, Hovsep Kloyan, Deputy Minister of
Agriculture, Vladimir Badalyan, a parliament member, heads of the
government and foreign ministry appropriate staffs.

US ENVOY TO ARMENIA DENIES WORKING AGAINST IRAN

Arminfo
22 Jul 04

YEREVAN

“Working as a US ambassador to Armenia, I did not perform a so-called
anti-Iranian task at all,” the outgoing US ambassador to Armenia, John
Ordway, told a final press conference today while speaking about the
construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

He said that he had not issued any harshly-worded statements regarding
the gas pipeline. At the same time, he said that US actions concerning
Iran are dictated by the sanctions that stem from the Iran law
approved by Congress which has not been repealed yet. “However, I did
not perform any anti-Iranian task in Armenia during my tenure,” John
Ordway said.