Author: Chmshkian Vicken

Putin stresses the importance of dialogue on Nagorno-Karabakh
By Viktoria Sokolova

ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 15, 2004 Wednesday

ASTANA, September 15 — Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that
the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia should continue a dialogue
on Nagorno-Karabakh. “No matter what agreements you reach today,
personal meetings are always a step forward,” President Putin said on
Wednesday, opening a trilateral meeting of the presidents of Russia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Putin praised Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliev and his Armenian
counterpart Robert Kocharyan for their determination to search for a
settlement to the Karabakh problem. “I am very pleased to note that
you are going ahead with the dialogue despite the complex nature
of this problem. Preserving a high-level dialogue is important,”
the Russian president stressed.

Putin also said that he was sure that the meeting would be useful
for finding a solution to the Karabakh conflict.

ARKA News Agency
Sept 15 2004

Guilty of failure of Armenian team at summer Olympics in Athens must
be called to account

Ambassador of Great Britain to Armenia to visit Gyumri on September
20

Kilikia Armenian vessel arrives in Lebanon

Issues of strengthening inter-parliamentary ties discussed by
Armenian Speaker and vice-Speaker of Italian Senate

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of CIS discuss in Astana the issues
of activating the co-operation and business relations

*********************************************************************

GUILTY OF FAILURE OF ARMENIAN TEAM AT SUMMER OLYMPICS IN ATHENS MUST
BE CALLED TO ACCOUNT

YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. Guilty of failure of Armenian team at
summer Olympics in Athens must be called to account, RA Minister of
Regional Administration and Infrastructure Coordniation Hovik
Abrahamian stated today. At this he added that the Government does
not plan to rush in this issue and will study the situation in
details, after which publicity will know on made decision. “We will
by all means discuss this issue and make serious decision”, he added.

Armenian team consisting of 18 sportsmen could not win any medals at
the Olympics in Athens. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

AMBASSADOR OF GREAT BRITAIN TO ARMENIA TO VISIT GYUMRI ON SEPTEMBER
20

YEREVAN, September, 15. /ARKA/. Thorda Abbott-Watt, the Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
to Armenia will visit Gyumri on September 20. According to the Public
Relations Department of the Embassy, the purpose of her visit is to
call on the Lord Byron School, where she will meet the director, Mr
Harutyunian, and some of the school children. In frames of the visit,
presentation will be given on the Embassy website to the Lord Byron
School, introducing pupils to the activities of the Embassy and the
vast amount of information that is available through the website. “We
hope that this will not only enhance their knowledge of English but
will also help them to find sources of useful information which will
help them in their studies”, says the press release.
Also, a seminar for Shirak business representatives will be held on
‘How to find a business partner in the UK’ and the
website will be presented, which provides a free internet service
funded by the British Government to help businessmen to find products
and services from UK companies
The Lord Byron School was built with money provided by the British
Government following the 1988 earthquake. L.V.–0–

*********************************************************************

KILIKIA ARMENIAN VESSEL ARRIVES IN LEBANON

YEREVAN, September, 15. /ARKA/. Kilikia Armenian vessel arrived in
Beirut. According to the Press Service Department of RA Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, officials of Lebanon, in particular Ministers,
Deputies, spiritual leaders, ambassadors, representatives of Armenian
parties and organizations of Lebanon greeted the vessel in the port.
In frames of the welcoming ceremony, the participants were presented
a short excursus of the history vessel construction, as well as the
aim of the voyage.
Kilikia Armenian vessel, constructed by the analogy of Kilikian trade
vessels of 13th century by the members of Hayas marine researches
club. For first time in the last 800 years, starting from 13th
century a ship with Armenian flag put out in the sea. The ship
started from Batumi, and then headed for
Sochi-Kaffu-Burgas-Istambul-Athens-Ayas-Beirut-Haifa-Alexandria-Iraklion-Dubrovnik-Venice-Messina-La-Valetta-Tunis-Rome.
Then the ship will leave for
Genoa-Marseilles-Bacelona-Kartagena-Gadiz-Lisb on-port La
Corunia-San-Sebastian-La-Rochel-Brest-Kork-Dubl in-Portsmoth-Amsterdame.
This was the route of Kilikian merchants who had close trade
relations with the mentioned ports in the 13th century. L.V.–0–

*********************************************************************

ISSUES OF STRENGTHENING INTER-PARLIAMENTARY TIES DISCUSSED BY
ARMENIAN SPEAKER AND VICE-SPEAKER OF ITALIAN SENATE

YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. Arthur Baghdasaryan, Armenian Speaker
received members of Italian parliamentary delegation headed by
Lamberto Dini, Deputy Chairman of Italian Senate. As Armenian
Parliament Public Relations Department told ARKA, during the meeting
the sides mentioned importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary
ties, exchange of legal experience, particularly around electoral
code, activity of local self-governance bodies, small and
medium-sized business development. The side stressed cooperation of
regions that can create new opportunities for development of small
business and increasing foreign investments in Armenia. Baghdasaryan
and Dini touched upon the issue of construction of Italian House in
Armenia that would promote deepening of scientific-cultural and
trade-economic issues, pointing out to development of
Armenian-Italian relations in all spheres. The sides exchanged
invitations for response visits. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF CIS DISCUSS IN ASTANA THE ISSUES
OF ACTIVATING THE CO-OPERATION AND BUSINESS RELATIONS

YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of
CIS discussed in Astana the issues of activating the co-operation and
business relations. According to RA MFA Press Service Department, in
regard with this, the Board of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs
approved some documents submitted to them, namely, the decision on
further development of co-operation among CIS in opposing the threats
to stability and safety in the light of documents signed in the
frames of CIS, OSCE and UN, as well as intergovernmental program on
using joint finances for combating organized crime in 2005-2007, the
appeals of the Presidents of CIS to the peoples of CIS on the
occasion of the 60th anniversary of the victory in WWII. In the
course of the meeting, concepts of interregional co-operation among
CIS as well as documents of organizational character in the area of
education and information were approved.
To remind, the session of the Board of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
of CIS is held in the frames of the meeting of the Presidents of CIS
in Astana. Vartan Oskanian, the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs
participates in the session. A.H. –0–

*********************************************************************

Armenian MP stresses need to expand relations with NATO

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
11 Sep 04

[Presenter] The chairman of the standing parliamentary commission on
defence, national security and internal affairs, Mger Shakhgeldyan, has
aired Armenia’s position in the latest geopolitical developments. He
said that while Armenia is maintaining military relations with Russia
and playing its role in the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO), it is also maintaining relations with NATO whose role has
been increasing considerably in the region.

Shakhgeldyan is sure that Armenia should take part in international
peaceful activities in order not to lag behind political processes
going on in the world.

[Correspondent over video of news conference] Participation in
international peaceful activities is of great importance for Armenia’s
international rating, the chairman of the standing parliamentary
commission on defence, national security and internal affairs, Mger
Shakhgeldyan, said. Our regional neighbours have been involved in
these activities for a long time now. They participate as part of
international military contingents which are implementing peacekeeping
missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

[Mger Shakhgeldyan, captioned] If Armenia continues to be on the
sidelines or to be poorly represented in these activities, then it
will be lagging behind the processes in the region. Today there are
three issues: Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Correspondent] Armenian peacekeepers, mainly drivers, doctors and
sappers, will leave for Iraq. They will serve under the Polish command.

[Mger Shakhgeldyan] As for the danger of being taken hostage, I
understand what you mean, this is taking place today in Iraq. The
Armenian unit will be in the most secure area where there will be no
such problem.

[Correspondent] Mger Shakhgeldyan also said that the development
of relations with NATO was also a priority in the Armenian foreign
policy. Apart from military activities, NATO is playing nowadays
an important political role. Armenia’s relations with NATO are
deepening, according to the newly-appointed Armenian ambassador
[to NATO, Samvel Lazarian].

[Mger Shakhgeldyan] NATO is expanding and we have to develop, improve
and strengthen our relations and also maintain our relations with
our military partners.

[Correspondent] Touching upon Armenian officers’ participation in NATO
exercises in Azerbaijan, the chairman of the standing commission noted
that one state could not dictate the rules of its game to other states.

Ayk Ovanisyan, for “Aylur”.

KARABAKH CONDEMNS TERRORISM IN NORTH OSSETIA

STEPANAKERT, September 9 (Noyan Tapan). Many thousands of Karabakhi
people gathered in the streets of capital Stepanakert for a peaceful
march with candles and flowers thus condemning the act of terrrism that
was carried out in the North Ossetian city of Beslan. The participants
moved from the Renaissance Square to the memorial complex to pay
trubute to the memory of the victims. The humanitarian event was
organized by the NKR Fund of Motherhood.

PARLIAMENT WITHOUT OPPOSITION?

A1 Plus | 18:46:01 | 10-09-2004 | Politics |

Issue on stripping opposition MP of their mandates is put at the
top of Armenian National Assembly’s fall session by closed vote on
condition of anonymity.

It is hard to predict how the fate of opposition legislators will be
decided. Each MP will vote separately.

Whether those opposition MPs retaining their seats in parliament
will reject their mandates in solidarity with their less lucky fellow
parliamentarians? If so, there is no any way out from such a situation
stipulated in the constitution.

Armen Harytyunyan, the presidential representative on constitutional
issues, said new elections would be announced for 24 seats.

Iran gives Armenia $30 mln-loan for gas pipeline

IranMania News, Iran
Sept 9 2004

LONDON, Sep 9 (IranMania) – Iran has extended a 30-million-dollar
(25-million-euro) loan to Armenia to build a gas pipeline between the
two countries, Armenian President Robert Kotcharian said on Wednesday.

According to Agence France Press (AFP), the loan should enable Yerevan
to finance the 41 kilometres of the 141-kilometre (88-mile) pipeline
that cross Armenian territory, Kocharian told journalists after a
meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Khatami.

The construction contract has been awarded to Iranian company Sanir.

Iran and Armenia signed a contract in May, under which Iran will
supply Armenia with a total of 36 bln cubic metres of gas over a
20-year period, expected to start in early 2007.

NINE ARMENIANS DEATH IN BESLAN SCHOOL SIEGE CONFIRMED

ArmenPress
Sept 8 2004

ROSTOV ON DON, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: According to the latest
information from Armenian consul general in the southern Russia,
Ararat Gomtsian, at least nine of the hostages killed by the
terrorists in Beslan school siege were ethnic Armenians. Five of them
were children. He said all Armenians who suffered in the crisis were
taken to hospitals in Moscow and one, Mariam Simonian, to a hospital
IN Rostov-on-Don city. All in all 33 ethnic Armenians were among the
hostages, seven of them are reported missing. Another official of
the Armenian consulate general said the figures were not final and
could change any minute.

At least 335 people, most of them children, have been officially
confirmed dead since Russian special forces stormed a secondary school
in the North Ossetian town of Beslan seized by Islamist militants
fighting for neighboring Chechnya’s secession from Russia.

HALO Trust (USA) Inc.
850 Seventh Avenue #506
New York, NY 10019

Contact: Kurt Chesko
Tel: 212-581-0099
Fax: 212-581-2029
Email: [email protected]
Web:

For immediate release:

HALO Trust to brief Armenian community in San Francisco

Kurt Chesko, Program Officer for the HALO Trust, will speak about his
recent visit to Nagorno Karabakh and discuss the impact that landmines
and unexploded ordnance (UXO) have on the population there. He will
share photographs and give a mine clearance demonstration. This event
is hosted by the Armenian National Committee of San Francisco and is
open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

The HALO Trust is the world’s largest humanitarian landmine clearance
organization and operates a 200-person program in Karabakh, one of the
most mine-affectied regions in the world. HALO’s dedicated Karabakhi
staff have destroyed 2,300 antipersonnel landmines, 1,000 antitank
mine and over 26,000 items of UXO since 2000. HALO also provides mine
risk education to the goverment authorities and residents of Karabakh.

This briefing will be held on Wednesday, September 8th at 8:00PM. The
venue is Vaspourgan Hall at 51 Commonwealth Avenue in San Francisco.

NATO, USA to develop military aid programme in Azerbaijan soon – daily

Ekspress, Baku
2 Sep 04

“The USA and NATO intend to launch an unprecedented military aid
programme in the former Transcaucasus republics in the near future,”
a general of NATO’s European command and the director of the Force
Planning Section [in the Defence Policy and Planning Department], Frank
Boland, told Ekspress yesterday [1 September], commenting on results of
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s visit to the region last month.

“We are thinking about extending our aid to Azerbaijan within the
framework of the newly-drawn up programme. Discussions were held during
Rumsfeld’s meetings with Azerbaijani officials,” the general said.

Boland said that the US Congress had envisaged specific budget
loans for the development of military forces in the South Caucasus
countries in the current year. “This figure is higher in Azerbaijan
than in other countries,” Boland said. As for specific regions where
the new programme will be applied, the NATO general said that Baku
offered the Pentagon mainly two areas – the Caspian basin and [its]
borders. [Passage omitted.]

According to some reports, “the new aid initiative” by the USA and NATO
exceeds the limits of the Caucasus. Boland thinks that the initiative
is to help beef up onshore, offshore and air security of Azerbaijan
and Kazakhstan in the Caspian region.

Touching upon the regional conflicts, Boland said that NATO “is seeking
new ways” to resolve the Karabakh conflict. He thinks that NATO is
very much familiar with realities of the Karabakh conflict and “we will
increase our positive attempts to achieve a solution to the conflict”.

He said that cooperation between NATO and Baku in the fight against
terrorism and in the sphere of security was an important factor. “The
main priority for us is that peace and stability assume a lasting
character in the region, ” he said.

“Numerous projects” between Azerbaijan and NATO are now nearing
completion. “These projects mainly serve the development of security
in the region. The interests of NATO and Azerbaijan in the region
coincide. We will develop more successful projects together in the
future. I am convinced that these projects will create a need for
deepening our cooperation in other fields as well,” Boland said.

As for the Cooperative Best Effort 2004 exercises, the NATO general
said that preparations for the high-profile military event “were
being successfully completed”.

“We hope that Azerbaijani will entirely fulfil the commitments it
has undertaken,” Boland said.

Azeri parliamentary speaker is losing his power – daily

Baki Xabar, Baku
6 Sep 04

It is evident that the ruling team has completely cornered Azerbaijani
Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov. He will obviously have a problem getting
a deputy seat during the next parliamentary elections. As a result
of pressure exerted from everywhere, the speaker has been sidelined
from all processes within the government. Now it is only known that
Alasgarov is trying to maintain his post and get out of this situation.

It is now generally accepted that the speaker, who has the status of
the third most important official in the country, has been sidelined
from all processes. There are evidently problems between the different
branches of power. The “weak” are hit in the war for mutual reputation
[as published]. As a result, the staff led by a weak figure operate
just symbolically. In fact, the dynamics of the current process show
that the organization led by a weak figure is not a centre of power
in the government, as has been the case with Murtuz Alasgarov. His
tenure as speaker has shadowed the parliament’s activities and turned
it into a powerless one. This is just the result of the fact that the
speaker does not even attend the ceremonies of meeting and seeing off
the country’s president and does not accompany him on his visits to the
country’s districts and abroad. But being the speaker, he is expected
to attend these ceremonies. The fact that he is on the sidelines
from these events shows that he is among the “hit” people. Truly,
one might link the speaker’s isolation from the said ceremonies to
his physical condition. However, it seems to be implausible.

For this reason, one can assume that Alasgarov has already become
an undesirable figure in the government. He is even unaware of the
government’s Karabakh talks. This is not our assumption. Alasgarov
confirmed this in a statement he made a few days ago. Touching upon
the Karabakh discussions by the [Azerbaijani and Armenian] presidents
and foreign ministers, Alasgarov said that he had no information
about those. Saying so, the speaker confirmed that he has been
“hit”. [Passage omitted: repetition.]

The chairman of the Great Creation Party, Fazil Qazanfaroglu,
also verified this in an interview with our newspaper yesterday
[5 September]. He said that Azerbaijan had no supreme legislative
body. Therefore, the speaker’s unawareness of the Karabakh talks
should be regarded as natural.

“A parliament formed on the basis of a list [of people] drawn up in
the way the president wished cannot be regarded as a serious body,”
Qazanfaroglu said and added that Alasgarov was an unimportant figure
in the country’s authorities.

Fazil bay [form of address] also said that generally the people
leading various branches of power do not keep each other informed
because of intrigues among them. Everyone is trying to provide their
information mainly to the first person. Therefore, the head of one
body is unaware of another’s activities. Qazanfaroglu said that
Alasgarov’s unawareness was of this kind and the case will be the
same until the [current] administration methods and the team change.