Author: Kanayan Tamar

ArmenPress
April 8 2004

“TOURISM AND REST ARMITT-2004” EXHIBITION HELD IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenian EXPO.com has initiated an
exhibition “Tourism and Rest ARMITT-2004” which is held at the Cinema
House in Yerevan on April 7-10. The exhibition aims to unveil the
potentials of Armenian tourism markets, emphasize the role of tourism
in the economic development of the country and contribute to a
growing interest to Armenia thus fostering investment and new
employment places.
Armenian deputy minister of trade and economic development Ara
Petrosian noted that these are the first steps and this exhibition is
going to become a tradition increasing in geography and supported by
the Armenian government. “Tourism is at an irreversible and dynamic
stage of its development in Armenia,” the deputy minister noted. The
statistics indicate that in the coming years it will keep on
developing as dynamically, he added. Some 30 per cent rise is
registered in this field as compared to the data of 2002. The deputy
minister expects similar growth in the coming year. Much should be
done in promotion activities and assistance programs while this event
serves particularly to those aims, the deputy minister said.
He also stressed the role of the private sector and stated that
“it is capable to record successes and attract tourists to Armenia in
the conditions of serious competition in the international market.”
A. Petrosian also expressed his gratitude to the diplomatic agencies
present at the meeting stressing that tourism has a great potential
in Armenia.
The deputy tourism minister of Lebanon Antoine Issa El Quirin
congratulated all the participants. He expressed his happiness for
this inaugural event and added that the historical backgrounds of
both Armenia and Lebanon allow to say that such events and tourism
will become a tradition.
Moscow office head of Armenian EXPO.com Hovhannes Khachatrian who
also supervises the current exhibition said that more than two dozens
Armenian and one Lebanese company participate in the event. For the
coming year, there are five applications received from Cyprus. An
international conference titled “Domestic Tourism: Problems and
Challenges,” another round table are also expected. At the end of the
event, the companies named as the best in 11 categories will receive
honor certificates.
The exhibition was officially supported by Armenian foreign
ministry, ministry of trade and economic development and
Interregional Internet-Commercial Net.

RUSSIA, CIS HOLD MAJOR AIR DEFENCE EXERCISES

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscowan
7 Apr 04

Moscow Region (Russian Air Force central command post), 7 April: One
of the features of the current command and headquarters exercise being
held by the CIS joint air defence system is the use of A-50 long-range
radar aircraft, Russian Air Force Deputy C-in-C Lt-Gen Aytech Bizhev
said today.

The A-50 is fitted with the Shmel radar station, developed by the
Moscow Science and Research Institute for
Instrument-Building. According to public-domain sources, it can
simultaneously track 50 airborne targets at a range of 230 km and
guide 10 interceptors towards them. Air force and air defence units of
eight CIS states – Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine – are taking part in a command and
headquarters exercise of the Commonweath’s joint air defence
system. Over 50 CIS air defence command posts are involved, plus about
60 aircraft including Su-29, Mig-29 and Mig-31 fighters, Su-25 ground
attack aircraft, Su-24 front-line bombers and Tu-22M3 long-range
bombers. The Russian Air Force unit based in Kant, Kyrgyzstan, is
taking part in such exercises for the first time.

Russian Air Force C-in-C Vladimir Mikhaylov is in overall charge from
the central command post. The main purpose of the exercise is to
rehearse the repulse of sudden airspace incursions and prevent hijacks
by terrorists. The Tu-22M3s are “imitating airspace violators in the
Caucasus, East European and Central Asian regions. At the same time
the Su-24s are carrying out manoeuvres and landings at bases in Russia
and Belarus, and Russian and Kazakh Mig-31s are doing something
similar. (Quotes not closed as in original)

Asked if NATO aircraft will be used as notional targets during today’s
manoeuvres, Gen Bizhev said: “We track them by electronic means. If
NATO aircraft breach established flight rules, we shall take
appropriate action.”

Bizhev also said that “these exercises should not be seen as a
response to NATO’s deployment of warplanes in the Baltics. We plan
exercises like these ones every year and they are routine.”

Mikhaylov himself added that the exercises confirm that “the CIS joint
air defence system is operating reliably”.

(An inflight refuelling tanker had been noted taking off from NATO’s
base at Manas, near Kant, ITAR-TASS reported at 0807 gmt. “They’re
carrying out reconnaissance, of course. They know about today’s
exercises, which are being watched with great interest at all military
bases in adjacent countries,” Gen Bizhev was quoted as saying.)

Manila Bulletin, Philippines
April 5 2004

Another Pacquiao sparmate punished

By winneleo campos

LOS ANGELES – At the end of six bruising rounds atop the ring,
Armenian Art Simonyan playfully planted a kick on Manny Pacquiao’s
behind. It was the only time he had the upperhand on the Filipino
pug.

Stepping up his preparation for a May 8 bout against world
featherweight king Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao knocked down the
undefeated Armenian in the first round of a sparring session at
Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in Hollywood.

A few days after cracking the rib of another Armenian fighter, Kahren
Harutyunyan, in training, the 25-year old GenSan southpaw sent
Simonyan to the canvas with a left straight even before fans who had
come to watch him at the gym could settle in their places.

He held back the rest of the way, finishing the six rounds on his
heels then responded to Simonyan’s kick with a spinning back-kick
that narrowly missed his opponent’s head.

Simonyan is 13-0-1 (win-loss-draw) as a pro and has never been
knocked down in his career, sources said.

“Masaya si Manny sa ensayo, kumakain ng tama at focused na focused
doon sa laban,” said Lito Mondejar, a member of Team Pacquiao.

Pacquiao has now got it 18 rounds of sparring on
Monday-Wednesday-Friday sessions in preparation for his bout with
Marquez, whose WBA and IBF featherweight titles the Filipino covets
to legitimize his claim to be the king of the world in the division.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are reserved for gym work,
calisthenics and sessions with the punch mitt with Roach.

“Manny is easy to deal with. He assimilates everything that you teach
him and he learns things very fast,” said Roach, unable to hide his
satisfaction over the pace of Pacquiao’s preparation.

On Monday, a new sparring partner that will come all the way from
Mexico will be fed to Pacquiao to give him a new perspective on how
to adapt to a fight.

Roach said the boxer fights like Marquez in some ways.

At the end of sparring sessions, Pacquiao, together with Filipino
trainer Buboy Fernandez and Mondejar, studied Marquez’s fight tapes
and took note of several weaknesses in his opponent’s style, whose
technical approach to boxing had been his meal ticket to success.

“Makikita na lang niya sa laban ang inihahanda namin,” said Pacquiao
of his fight plan. “Magaling s’ya sa counter-punching pero papasukin
namin siya.”

The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
April 1, 2004 Thursday Final Edition

AVERTING GENOCIDE IS FOCUS OF FORUM;
ENVOY BLAMES NATIONS FOR NOT PREVENTING SLAUGHTER OF TUTSIS IN RWANDA
IN 1994.

By Paul Riede Staff writer

Ten years ago this month, a genocide began in Rwanda that took the
lives of as many as 800,000 Tutsi people over 100 horrific days.

Since then, world leaders have acknowledged that the killings carried
out by extremist Hutus in the central African nation could have been
stopped or greatly reduced if they had stepped in.

The genocide and its lessons will be discussed today and Friday at a
symposium at Syracuse University. The symposium kicks off tonight
with a film about the genocide at 6:30 and a keynote address by
Stanislas Kamanzi, the Rwandan ambassador to the United Nations, at
7:30 at SU’s Heroy Geology Auditorium.

A full day of workshops is planned starting at 9 a.m. Friday in the
Schine Student Center. All the events are open to the public.

Horace Campbell, a professor in SU’s department of African-American
studies and the lead organizer of the event, said the symposium is
intended to help bring the Rwandan genocide to the same significance
in the public mind as other genocides in human history. He said the
Rwandan event was played down and distorted by the U.S. government
and media and therefore has not registered in the same way as the
Holocaust and other systematic ethnic killings.

“We believe at the university that genocide against Africans is just
as important as genocide against Armenians and against Jews,” he
said.

In a telephone interview earlier this week, Kamanzi said he
understands why the Holocaust registers more in the public mind than
the Rwandan genocide. It was a larger event that occurred during a
world war, and all eyes were focused on it. But he said it is
important for people to recognize that the Rwandan genocide was just
as evil, though it took place in a small African nation.

“It was a crime against the whole of humanity,” he said.

A report commissioned by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1999
concluded that the United Nations and its leading member countries –
especially the United States – could have prevented or ended the
genocide. It said the Clinton administration continually minimized
the disaster that was developing in Rwanda and blocked the Security
Council from taking significant action there.

The report said the United States was coming off the killing of 18
American Rangers in Somalia in 1993 and was reluctant to get involved
in another peacekeeping mission in Africa.

In a visit to Rwanda in 1998, President Clinton acknowledged the
shortcomings of U.S. policy, saying the United States and the world
could have done more to prevent the genocide.

Kamanzi said a recognition that something could have been done is the
key to preventing future genocides.

“It’s very good that leaders of these countries can acknowledge that
it was a mistake to think that nothing could stop this genocide,” he
said.

Remembering Rwanda

Here is today’s schedule for the Syracuse University’s symposium
“Remembering the Rwanda Genocide: Challenges of Healing and Peace in
the 21st Century.” Events are free.

Heroy Geology Auditorium

6:30 p.m.: “Triumph of Evil” video

7:30 p.m.: Keynote address by Stanislas Kamanzi, Rwandan ambassador
to the United Nations

Azerbaijani president appoints new foreign minister

AP Online
Apr 02, 2004

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliev on Friday appointed a career
diplomat as the new foreign minister of the ex-Soviet republic.

Almar Mammadyarov, the former Ambassador to Italy, replaces Vilayat
Guliyev, who held the post since 1999, the president’s office said in
a statement. Officials gave no reason for the dismissal.

Before his appointment to Italy, Mammadyarov, 44 had served as
counselor in Azerbaijan’s Embassy in the United States.

Batumi News
April 1 2004

Armenian Minister of Defense visits Georgia

Armenian Minister of Defense and Secretary of the Security Council
Serge Sarqisyan arrived in Georgia. The Armenian high official held a
meeting with his Georgian counterpart, Vano Merabishvili.

The parties tackled the issues of restoring Sochi – Yerevan railroad
connection, cargo transiting and interstate cooperation. Merabishvili
said restoring of the railway connection should be discussed within
the framework of Abkhazian conflict regulation. `It would be
appreciated if Armenia brokers peaceful resolution for Abkhazian
conflict with Russia, considering its friendly relations with this
country’, – Merabishvili said.

Serge Sarqisyan met Givi Iukuridze, chief of the General HQ of the
Georgian armed forces, Irakli Alasania, deputy Defense Minister of
Georgia. Mr. Sarqisiyan will hold meetings with Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili and Prime Minister of Georgia, Zurab Zhvania.

ARKA News Agency
April 2 2004

Expanding of economic links is a priority of development of
Armenia-Lebanese cooperation

Armenian dance and poetry party takes place in London

On April 3, RA Prime Minister to leave for Tavush region of Armenia
with two-day visit

1 April

RA President receives the head of USAID Yerevan Office

Compromise between Armenian authorities and opposition must be free,
RA NA Vice Speaker

Azerbaijani Minister’s statement not true

NKR President signs decree on establishing of interdepartmental
commission

The Leader of ULB faction suggests that the statement of the
opposition regarding Government shift be accepted with humor

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

EXPANDING OF ECONOMIC LINKS IS A PRIORITY OF DEVELOPMENT OF
ARMENIA-LEBANESE COOPERATION

YEREVAN, April 2. /ARKA/. Expanding of economic links is a priority
of development of Armenia-Lebanese cooperation. It was stated during
the meeting of RA President Robert Kocharian and Lebanese Prime
Minister Rafik Khariri. The parties noted high level of
Armenian-Lebanese relations and stressed the importance of activation
of links between business circles of the countries. The parties noted
important role of Armenian community of Lebanon in development of
bilateral relations. The parties also exchanged views on problems and
developments in Middle East and South Caucasus regions. L.D. –0–

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

ARMENIAN DANCE AND POETRY PARTY TAKES PLACE IN LONDON

YEREVAN, April 2./ARKA/. Armenian dance and poetry party took place
in London, RA MFA told ARKA. The party took place in Dartmouth House,
The English-Speaking Union. British Dancer of Armenian origin Shake
Avanesian danced Armenian dances and actor Peter Barker represented
English translations of Armenian lyrics. L.D. -0 –

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

ON APRIL 3, RA PRIME MINISTER TO LEAVE FOR TAVUSH REGION OF ARMENIA
WITH TWO-DAY VISIT

YEREVAN, April 2. /ARKA/. On April 3, RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian will leave for Tavush region of Armenia with two-day visit.
The Premier will get familiar with the work of irrigation system in
Parakavar system. He will take part in the opening of gravity
irrigation system in Airum village. The visit also includes meetings
with the citizens of the region, bodies of territorial and local
self-government. On April 4, Margarian will take part in opening of
chess school in Dilijan. L.D. –0–

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

RA PRESIDENT RECEIVES THE HEAD OF USAID YEREVAN OFFICE

YEREVAN, April 1. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian received the
Head of USAID Yerevan Office Keith Simmons, who finished his mission
in Armenia. RA President’s press office told ARKA that the President
handed Simmons a medal of Movses Khorenatsi for personal contribution
in socio-economic development Armenia. Kocharian thanked Simmons for
productive cooperation.
Simmons in his turn said that USAID programs have been developed and
realized along with reforms of RA Government and joint work was very
effective.
Simmons represented the President new Head of USAID Yerevan Office
Robin Phillips. L.D. –0–

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

COMPROMISE BETWEEN ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES AND OPPOSITION MUST BE FREE,
RA NA VICE SPEAKER

YEREVAN, April 1. /ARKA/. Compromise between Armenian authorities and
opposition must be free, RA NA Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian stated
today. `No bridge can built between authorities and opposition if
opposition states that they are ready to political dialogue only
after resignation of the president’, he said. He stressed that
discussions with opposition can be possible only if opposition
expresses versatility. `If opposition does not want it, then all
responsibility for breaking of stability in the country will lay on
it’, he stated. L.D. –0–

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

AZERBAIJANI MINISTER’S STATEMENT NOT TRUE

STEPANAKERT, April 1. /ARKA/. Namik Abbasov’s, Azerbaijan’s National
Security Minister statement, that Nagorno Karbakh produces drugs are
not true, as NKR Police Press Service told ARKA. As stated by the
Press Service, Azerbaijan follows a policy of discrediting of NKR
during the recent years and new `facts’ reported by the Azerbaijani
Minister are the continuation of this policy. As also said by the
Pres Service, NKR leadership was repeatedly applying to the relevant
international structures with the request to delegate an independent
group of experts to check so called `facts’ reported by the
Azerbaijani side.
Also a number of international organizations offices are accredited
in Nagorno Karabakh and their representatives have a free access to
all regions of NKR as well as to adjacent areas. `However,
Azerbaijan’s accusations never were confirmed by them’, as the
statement mentions. T.M. -0–

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

NKR PRESIDENT SIGNS DECREE ON ESTABLISHING OF INTERDEPARTMENTAL
COMMISSION

STEPANAKERT, April 1. /ARKA/. Today NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan
signed a decree on establishing of Interdepartmental Commission on
Information Security and Television Broadcasting of NKR Security
Council, as stated by the NKR President Press-Service told ARKA.
Georgi Petrosyan, Member of the Security Council, Advisor to the NKR
President was appointed as the Commission Chairman. T.M. -0-

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

THE LEADER OF ULB FACTION SUGGESTS THAT THE STATEMENT OF THE
OPPOSITION REGARDING GOVERNMENT SHIFT BE ACCEPTED WITH HUMOR

YEREVAN, April 1. /ARKA/. Gourgen Arsenya, the Leader of the United
Labor Party (ULB) faction, suggests that the statement of the
opposition regarding Government shift be accepted with humor. As he
stated in the Parliament, the reality to be accepted with humor,
since the political tension is just illusion. He is sure that the
reality is `a political process and not rebellion’. The Leader
estimated the present situation as a `brigandage’. `Everybody wants
something, but in fact they all want to gain power’, said Arsenyan.
He stated that the Government worries about the situation, since it
doesn’t want the activities of the opposition to bring to social
disorders. According to the leader, the power keeps the situation
under control.
The opposition in the person of the National Unity Party and Justice
Bloc stated of their intention to achieve the shift of Government at
the head of Robert Kocharian, the RA President. The opposition will
declare the day of the civic protest action till April 13. A.H. -0–

uefa.com, Switzerland
April 1 2004

Defeat costly for Sargsyan

FC Kilikia coach Albert Sargsyan has stood down after his team were
humbled by FC Pyunik in their Armenian Cup quarter-final.

‘Horrible result’
Sargsyan and his assistant Armen Bagumyan took the decision to quit
following a 7-0 away defeat by the defending champions in the
second-leg tie. He said: “One of the reasons for my leaving is this
horrible result, although there are other reasons as well. I also
need a rest after last season, which was quite hard.”

Won promotion
Sargsyan guided Kilikia to promotion in 2003, but will not lead the
team into the new Premier League season after the 8-0 aggregate loss.
Armen Khachatryan has been named caretaker coach.

A1 Plus | 16:44:13 | 01-04-2004 | Politics |

PARLIAMENTARIANS’ CLUB BACKING A1+ COMPANY

Armenian parliamentarian’s Supreme Council club’s chair Ruben Torossyan
issued a statement on Thursday on behalf of the club in support of A1+ TV
Company expressing appreciation of the company’s “great contribution to the
process of republic’s democratization” and saying nobody can dispute that.

The fact that the company has undergone oppression by the authorities is
“disgrace for all of us”, the statement says. The A1+ reputation hasn’t been
tainted by that.

The club members view company’s firm stance as a challenge to all those
trampling on our national values.

—

ArmenPress
March 30 2004

IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPE-LINE CONSTRUCTION TO START THIS YEAR

YEREVAN, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS: Negotiations on the construction of
Iran-Armenia gas pipe-line are in their final phase, Armenian Energy
Minister Armen Movsisyan said March 29. He noted that Gas Export
National Company will build the Iranian section of the pipe-line
Armenian will build its section. Initial estimates show that some 100
million USD will be spent to build the pipeline on the territory of
Armenia. A little more money is needed to build the pipe-line on the
Iranian side, the minister said.
The final agreement will be signed in April during when Iranian
Minister of Gas and Oil is expected to visit Armenia. The agreement
envisages that the construction will start later this year and is
expected to last 20 months.
The sides have agreed on the volume, price and other technical
issues of gas deliveries. These matters can be discussed after
signing the agreement. However the conditions are acceptable, the
minister noted.
In Armenia a new pipe-line will be built in Agarak-Kajaran. In all
other parts, capacities of old pipe-lines will be strengthened, A.
Movsisyan said.
Gas supplies to third countries was not officially negotiated.
Neither EU nor any other country has allocated financial means for
that. However, interested countries have expressed willingness to
participate in the construction. Presently, several Russian, Chinese,
Italian companies negotiate with the Armenian side.
Speaking on the importance of the pipe-line, the minister noted
that it facilitates the energy security in the country, provides with
stable sources of gas and is an energy guarantee for prospective
investors.
We can’t look at the gas pipe-line as a precondition for the
closure of ANPP, the minister said, as the gas pipe-line is not a
source of alternative energy.