Author: Chavushian

Armenian, Azeri leaders discuss Karabakh in Warsaw

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Apr 04

[Presenter] A second meeting between [Armenian President] Robert
Kocharyan and [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev is under way within
the framework of the European economic summit in Warsaw at the
moment. The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents discussed the Karabakh
conflict with the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group in
attendance. Then the leaders held a face-to-face meeting.

[Correspondent over telephone] Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Ilham
Aliyev have met in Warsaw with the mediation of the OSCE Minks Group
co-chairmen within the framework of the European economic summit. The
first meeting was held last December in Geneva. This is a one-to-one
meeting between the presidents, which, as President Kocharyan
announced in Paris, can be decisive in continuing discussions on the
Karabakh conflict settlement. At present, Robert Kocharyan and Ilham
Aliyev are continuing the talks they started an hour ago.

The newly-appointed Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
noted in an interview with “Aylur” [news programme] that they expect a
lot from the presidents’ meeting. Mammadyarov said that a certain
foundation had already been laid for the negotiations on the basis of
which the peaceful settlement of the conflict will be
continued. Mammadyarov did not confirm whether the Azerbaijani side
wants to start the negotiations from scratch, but to according to
official Baku, it is necessary to discuss ways of getting the
situation out of deadlock as soon as possible.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists, who are covering the meeting
between the two countries’ leaders, said that the presidents will
present details after the negotiations.

Times of Central Asia , Kyrgyzstan
April 29 2004

Unido Proposal for Attracting Fdi

BISHKEK (TCA). On April 28, an investment round table organized by
UNIDO in cooperation with the UNDP and the government of Kyrgyzstan,
with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Djoomart Otorbayev
and Minister for Economic Development, Industry and Trade Amangeldy
Muraliyev, various Ambassadors and representatives of the private
business sector, took place in Bishkek.

The Comprehensive Investment Promotion Program undertaken by UNIDO
aims to develop a new strategy capable of attracting much needed
Foreign Direct Investment to Kyrgyzstan. Although the statistics on
foreign investment attraction in 2003 show a remarkable increase, the
figure is still far below the required level and Kyrgyzstan needs to
develop a proper strategy with a suitable business approach.

According to statistics for 2002, global Foreign Direct Investment
amounted to US $651 billion and of this only $4 billion was directed
to Central Asia, or only 0.6 % of the world total. In 2002, $2.5
billion in FDI went to Kazakhstan, about 64% of the total amount
directed at Central Asia, 26% went to Azerbaijan and the remainder
was split between Armenia, Georgia and Turkmenistan, while Tajikistan
and Kyrgyzstan received very little.

It is clear that the main attraction for FDI in Central Asia is oil
and gas and other natural resources, and a country with low natural
resources like Kyrgyzstan will find it difficult to compete.
According to Mr. Daly, UNIDO expert for Kyrgyzstan, attraction of
foreign investment is becoming more competitive every day and a
business approach capable of developing a suitable results-oriented
marketing policy is needed.

There is a need to review the institutional system, streamlining the
process of investment approval and promotion. At present there are
about 15 different institutions in the country that have some
responsibility for the attraction of foreign investment, and only a
single body responsible for the overall investment policy of the
country can provide the necessary coordination. Although some
institutions may continue to contribute to the overall process, a
single Investment Promotion Agency with an independent board
consisting of public officials, private sector and multilateral
representatives is much needed, and would be able to combine the
expertise of the private and the public sectors.

Of course this will require a review of the functions of various
ministries but overall it will bring considerable benefit to the
country and to the development of a direct dialogue with potential
foreign investors. The proposed agency should be properly staffed,
and have the budget to pay salaries that are competitive with the
private market, and should be funded by several donors in addition to
the Kyrgyz government since it is expected that the initial budget
for a preliminary period of three years will not be less than $1.5
million.

Given the various priority areas, such as reform of the tax system,
reform of bureaucratic procedures and the legal system, if the
proposed project is approved Kyrgyzstan can expect an improved
investment climate, with an effective deregulation of the economy and
of course more foreign investment.

“TIME WILL TELL” SAYS AZERI LEADER ON PROSPECTS FOR KARABAKH TALKS

Turan news agency, Baku
29 Apr 04

Strasbourg, 29 April: During today’s press conference in Strasbourg,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev did not speak in Azerbaijani. All
journalists, including those from Azerbaijan, were told to ask
questions in English. Nobody explained the reason for such a strange
conduct of Ilham Aliyev.

Asked whether the political prisoners, including participants in the
October events (those arrested for post-election riots in 2003), might
be pardoned in near future, Aliyev said that this issue needs to be
“closed” soon.

As for the participants in the October events, a line has to be drawn
between those who “expressed their will and those who threw stones at
the police”. The trial is not over yet and it would be premature to
count them as political prisoners, Aliyev said.

On possibility of dialogue with the opposition, Aliyev said that he
proposed such a dialogue three times but received no response. “But if
the opposition displays its willingness, then this can be considered,”
he said.

Asked why the president’s press service invites to official events
only the pro-government mass media and journalists, Aliyev said that
it is up to them to decide who to invite and where. “It is impossible
to obtain an invitation to the president’s events by pressure.”

Armenian journalists asked Aliyev whether he will recognize Turkish
Cypriots’ independence as he promised. Aliyev said that Azerbaijan
will be in the first ranks of those countries which will do this when
the issue of recognition arises.

Responding to a question on prospects for settling the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict, Aliyev said that there are no agreements and “time
will tell” how and from which point the talks will continue.

Asked to comment on the killing of the Armenian officer in Budapest by
Azerbaijani serviceman Ramil Safarov, Aliyev said that this case
should not be turned into a “show”. In 2003 alone, Armenian snipers
killed 20 civilians in Azerbaijan, he said.

AZERI ENVOY DISPELS ANXIETY OVER FAILURE TO BACK TURKISH CYPRIOTS

ANS TV, Baku
2 May 04

(Presenter) The Azerbaijani ambassador to Turkey, Mammad Aliyev, has
come to a conclusion that Turkey’s anxiety about Azerbaijani
parliamentarians’ non-participation in the Cyprus vote has been
dispelled. Baku’s position has been explained to the Turkish media,
Aliyev said. The Azerbaijani delegation’s failure to participate in
the voting on Cyprus in the Council of Europe was simply the result of
carelessness.

(Correspondent) Azerbaijani MPs did not participate in the discussions
of the draft resolution “On Turkish Cypriot MPs’ participation in the
Council of Europe on behalf of their own state” on 29 April due to
shortcomings in organization and carelessness. This is the conclusion
the Turkish media drew following Azerbaijani ambassador Mammad
Aliyev’s explanation.

(Mammad Aliyev, voice) We explained that deliberate non-participation
was absolutely out of the question. This was due to shortcomings in
organization and carelessness.

(Correspondent) Mammad Aliyev said that one should not allow
Turkish-Azerbaijani relations to worsen due to this misunderstanding.

(Aliyev) There are circles serving the Armenian lobby. Regrettably,
there are circles, particularly in Istanbul, which spend big money to
worsen relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. They want to present
this as a deliberate act, i.e. allegedly the Azerbaijani MPs did not
participate in the voting deliberately. We have exposed them.

(Correspondent) Aliyev said that only 70 of the 450 members of the
PACE joined the voting, adding that the results would not have changed
if the Azerbaijani parliamentarians had joined the voting. At the same
time, Azerbaijan has always supported Turkey on the Cyprus issue.

(Aliyev) I reiterated our president’s words that our support for
Cyprus would continue. If there are favourable international
conditions to end the isolation and lift the embargo, Azerbaijan would
be one of the first (countries to recognize independence of the
Turkish Cypriots), our esteemed president said. I reiterated this in
my statement.

(Correspondent) The Azerbaijani delegation’s failure to participate in
the PACE discussions on the aforesaid issue was covered thoroughly by
the Turkish media. In particular, Hurriyet carried a front page
article, quoting President Ilham Aliyev “We would have dismissed them
if they were government officials”.

Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
May 1 2004

Classical prodigies perform at peace music festival

By A Staff Reporter

Dubai: Lovers of classical music will have their chance to listen to
young virtuosos from across the world at free concerts in Dubai from
today.

The prodigies – from nations as diverse as Egypt, Russia, Armenia and
the Czech Republic – will perform at the First International Peace
Music Festival for Young Virtuosos, that ends on May 5.

The event, organised by Emirates Children’s Symphony Orchestra (ECSO),
is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Disney
Channel, Bank of Sharjah and HSBC.

The ECSO aims to promote classical music among young people in Dubai.
The group of talented young musicians will take part in a daytime
competition and play with their hosts in the evening.

Riad Kudsi, director and conductor of the orchestra, said: “Music is
often referred to as the international language that brings together
people from different cultures and children are our future. ECSO in
Dubai symbolises those two elements.”

Admission to the evening concerts is free.

Key concert dates
May 1: American University in Dubai (Opening ceremony, 8pm)
May 2: Jumeirah Primary School Auditorium (Solo and chamber music,
7:30pm)
May 3: Jumeirah Primary School Auditorium (Solo and chamber music,
7:30pm)
May 4: Jumeirah Primary School Auditorium (Solo and chamber music,
7:30pm)
May 5: American University in Dubai (Closing ceremony, 8pm)

PRESS RELEASE
May 4, 2004
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]; Web:

Second Pan-Armenian Youth Conference to be Held in Yerevan in July 2004

A pan-Armenian youth conference will be held in Tsaghkadzor and Yerevan,
Armenia, on July 24-29, 2004, under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and the Pan Armenian Youth International Center. This is the second
in a series of youth conferences; the first was held in Yerevan in November
2002, following a decision by the Armenia-Diaspora Conference.

The objectives of the conference are to promote links between Armenians in
Armenia, Artsakh, and Diaspora, find solutions to challenges facing the
Armenian people, to increase cooperation between the Armenian youth
organizations and entities, and put forward pan-Armenian youth programs.

The participants of the conference must be engaged in activities related to
youth policies or organizations, and be endorsed by governmental and
non-governmental youth organizations in Armenia and Artsakh, and Diaspora
organizations and communities. The age limit for the conference participants
is generally from 18 to 35 years old. The participants should be able to
communicate in Armenian.

Application forms, agenda, and more detailed information, in Armenia, is
available at the website of the Pan-Armenian Youth International Center, at
, or upon request from the Embassy of Armenia.

The deadline for applications is June 10, 2004.

zawya

Lebanon: Lack of unity costs opposition in polls

Authorities are big winners with 40 of 48 municipal council seats in Metn

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

BEIRUT: The opposition’s less than stellar performance in Sunday’s Mount
Lebanon elections was attributed to its failure to forge robust alliances
when facing pro-government candidates, according to observers.

The authorities, represented by former Interior Minister Michel Murr, the
current Metn MP, were the big winners, securing nearly 40 municipal councils
out of 48 municipalities in the Metn, which is considered Murr’s turf.
Similarly, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt grabbed most Chouf villages,
including Deir al-Qamar, where National Liberal Party leader Dory Chamoun
won the mayor’s seat.

The opposition also lost in Jbeil, where the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM)
formed an alliance with the National Bloc, which considers Jbeil its
headquarters, as founder Raymond Edde was from that area.

Hizbullah grabbed 68 percent of the votes in the southern suburbs of Beirut,
according to unofficial election results. Official results were still being
finalized as The Daily Star went to press.

But the opposition was successful in Sin al-Fil, Baskinta, Zouk Mikael and
Tabarja, while FPM media Elias Zoghbi said that FPM candidates won seats in
different towns and villages, mainly in Baabdat, and the qadas of Jbeil and
Kesrouan.

Observers said these results should compel some opposition parties not to
overestimate their clout and power.

Metn MP Pierre Gemayel told The Daily Star on Monday that the election
should serve as a lesson to some “almighty opposition parties” that they are
simply not that powerful, in reference to the FPM.

But other political observers chalked off the opposition’s failure to a lack
of unity, noting the defeats in towns and villages were there was no
cooperation among the different parties, such as in Jounieh, Jbeil, Shiyah
and Beit Chabab.

“The lack of cooperation among opposition groups in all areas under a clear
and unified political slogan was the major reason for their unsuccessful
representation in the municipal councils,” said Fadia Kiwan, a professor of
Political Science at Universite Saint Joseph.

For some opposition groups, the defeat was due to the betrayal of their
partners.

The FPM blamed former President Amin Gemayel for betraying the opposition
groups, describing Gemayel’s move as a “pre-calculated strategy” for the
2005 parliamentary election.

“Gemayel betrayed us as usual and cooperated with the government-supported
lists to win more seats in municipal councils and to be prepared for the
2005 parliamentary elections,” Zoghbi said.

Amin Gemayel’s son, Pierre, denied the allegations and said no cooperation
between the Phalange Party opposition faction and the government was made
during the municipal election on May 2.

He said the Phalange Party opposition faction never considered the FPM as a
“competitor and did not regard General Michel Aoun as an enemy.”

“If we cooperated with the government, particularly with Murr, then let the
FPM name the areas where we did so,” Gemayel said. “When the FPM are
cooperating with (former MP) Najah Wakim and Hizbullah, is that not
polishing their cooperation with the government?”

The FPM formed a coalition with Hizbullah in Haret Hreik, a southern suburb
of Beirut and is allying itself with Wakim in the Beirut elections next
Sunday.

Gemayel also denied FPM claims that the party withdrew from Beit Chabab,
accusing the FPM of “rejecting the Phalange Party’s proposals for the
mayor’s seat.”

“They want to lead the battle alone, which they are directing against Amin
Gemayel and not Murr and against some opposition groups and not the
government,” he said.

A source in the Lebanese Forces said the results of the municipal election
could have been better had all opposition parties cooperated.
“We did not have conflicting positions like other parties by cooperating
with a group in Jbeil and its opponents in Jounieh, like other parties did.”

Some opposition groups justified their unsuccessful battle by the bribes
offered to voters.

Kiwan, who is also a member of the National Bloc and a candidate who ran for
the Jaj municipal election in Jbeil and failed, said that some $300 were
paid to voters as they stood at the voting booths.

Zoghbi said some Armenians were used by the government to win the municipal
battle, such as in Bsalim, where over 150 Armenians were registered on the
village’s electoral lists few weeks before the election day.

Nada Raad Daily Star staff

© Arab News 2004

The Hindu, India
April 26 2004

Eljanov shoots into sole lead

Dubai, April 26. (PTI): Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran, yet again
slipped to joint second spot after drawing with GM Artashes Minasian
of Armenia, in the seventh round of the Dubai International Chess
Championship at Dubai Chess and Culture Club here.

GM Pavel Eljanov of Ukraine, shot into sole lead following a
hard-fought victory over GM Alexei Federov of Belarus.

Eljanov on six points is closely followed by top seeded Liviu-Dieter
Nisipeanu of Romania, Azerbaijani World Junior Champion Shakhriyaz
Mamedyarov, Viorel Iordachescu of Moldova, Alexander Goloshchapov of
Ukraine, Norwegian whiz-kid Magnus Carlsen, Minasian, Sasikiran and P
Harikrishna who all have 5.5 points each in their kitty.

With just two rounds remaining in this $41,000 tournament, another
pack of 8 players is in contention for top honours with 5 points
apiece.

The Indian IM norm aspirants suffered a setback in their quest as
Parimarjan Negi and Manthan Chokshi went down fighting against
Russian GM Alexey Kuzmin, and Armenian GM Karen Asrian, respectively.

Also losing was National Champion Surya Shekhar Ganguly who failed to
counter the bubbling energy of 13-years old Carlsen and IM D V Prasad
who fell back on a 50 per cent score after losing to Goran Dizdar of
Croatia.

PRESS RELEASE
Adhoc Armenian Committee for Tibet China Negotiations
Viken L. Attarian
Dollard-Des-Ormeaux
Quebec CANADA
514-244-7575, [email protected]

AD HOC ARMENIAN COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF TIBET CHINA NEGOTIATIONS SECURES
THREE ADDITIONAL MP SIGNATURES AND DECLARES SUCCESS

Montreal, QUEBEC, CANADA April 23, 2004– The Ad Hoc Armenian Committee in
Support of the Tibet China Negotiations has secured three additional MP
signatures to Mr. Sarkis Assadourian’s in support of their cause. The MPs
who have signed just prior to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Canada
are Harvey André, Yolande Thibeault and David Price.

“We are grateful to these three new MPs who have signed on, bringing the
total of supporting Members of Parliament to 165 “, says Mr. Azad
Chichmanian, a member of the committee, “hundreds of emails and letters were
sent through our committee to achieve this objective and we have been
successful. The Prime Minister has actually met with His Holiness as a
result of the effort of all Canadians and we are proud to declare our
successful campaign to be officially closed”.

“Our special thanks go to those Canadian-Armenians who have listened to our
call and have responded postitively, and to all our friends who have worked
in the background to achieve this success” says Mr. Viken L. Attarian,
another member of the committee. “This is a particularly moving moment for
Armenians because in this same week, the Canadian Parliament, following in
the footsteps of the Canadian Senate, has officially recognized the Armenian
Genocide. Armenians, as a nation who have suffered a great historical
injustice, have reached out to our fellow Tibetans and actively worked in
support of human rights. It was our duty to do so as Armenians, as
Canadians and as human beings”.

For Further information please contact Viken L. Attarian at 514-244-7575.

ArmenPress
April 22 2004

STUDENTS START ELECTRONIC CAMPAIGN FOR GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS: The Student Council of Yerevan
Engineering University with the help of All Armenian Youth Fund has
initiated an electronic campaign dedicated to the victims of Armenian
Genocide. E-mail addresses of more than 90,000 organizations have
been collected, including NATO, UNESCO, leading universities of the
world, European Parliament, Embassies, foreign press services, as
well as e-mails of Turk and Azeri nationals for sending messages in
English, Russian, French, Spanish, German, Arabic and Armenian
languages denouncing the Armenian Genocide with photos picturing the
crime.
According to the Student Council chairman Hayk Akashmazian, Azeris
and Turks continuously distort historical reality of Armenian
Genocide committed by Turks at the beginning of the century. The aim
of the action is to once again remind the world that in 1915 millions
of Armenians were deported and massacred and to contribute to the
recognition of Armenian issue in the world.