Author: Tigranian Ani

Azeri army strengthening positions in besieged village – TV

Lider TV, Baku
17 Jun 04

Armenians have encircled the village of Mazam in Qazax District
[northwest Azerbaijan].

Reliable sources in Qazax District have told Lider TV that yesterday
the Armenian armed forces violated the cease-fire on the territory
of the district. Despite retaliatory fire, the Armenian armed forces
launched an offensive. They managed to block the roads leading to
the village.

This report has been confirmed by the head of the district executive
authorities, Asad Orucov. He said that there was an exchange of fire
outside the village of Mazam yesterday.

Qazax police chief Mohubbat Huseynov has told Lider TV that the
situation around the village remains tense. Representatives of the
National Security Ministry and the district executive authorities
are in the village now. The Azerbaijani army is strengthening its
positions, Mohubbat Huseynov said.

In the meantime, the Defence Ministry press service reports that
Armenian military units deployed 1,300m northeast of the village of
Berkaber in [Armenia’s] Idzhevan District fired from their positions
on occupied unnamed heights in Qazax District on the positions of
Azerbaijani troops deployed in the village of Qizil Hacili in Qazax
District on 16 June from 0910 to 0915 [0410-0415 gmt] and from 1955 to
2010 [1455-1510 gmt]. The enemy was silenced by retaliatory fire. There
were no casualties.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 17 2004

FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS NEW AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE
[June 17, 2004, 11:48:02]

As was informed to AzerTAj from the press center of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, on June 16, minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met the
newly appointed ambassador of France to Azerbaijan Roland Blatman.

Having congratulated the ambassador with new assignment, Minister of
Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov has emphasized, that highly
estimates expansion of relations between Azerbaijan and France. The
Minister has expressed confidence that the ambassador would actively
use on this post the wide experience in the field of diplomatic
service for development of bilateral links.

The Minister in detail informed the ambassador on the political
situation in Azerbaijan, carried out reforms, protection of human
rights, the work done in the field of settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.

Ambassador Rolland Blatman, having emphasized, that during the
diplomatic activity will use the best efforts for the further
strengthening and expansion of links between our countries, has
expressed hope for the fair and peaceful settlement of the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict due to joint efforts of the international
community.

Upon termination of the meeting the ambassador has handed over
minister Elmar Mammadyarov a copy of the accrediting letter.

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
for Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B – 1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web :

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 11th, 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION POLLS EUROPEAN ELECTIONS CANDIDATES

Brussels, Belgium – The European Armenian Federation has sent a
questionnaire to a representative sample of some 20,000 candidates
participating in the upcoming European Parliament elections.

The questionnaire was addressed to 1354 candidates from 25 European
Union countries, in proportion to the number of seats by country and
political party affiliations. The poll is made up of four multiple
choice questions, focusing on Turkey’s aggressive policy lead toward
Armenia and its Armenian community, in the framework of its candidacy
to join the European Union.

“The first question deals with genocide denial and the incitement of
hatred against Armenians through the Turkish scholar programmes,”
explained Laurent Leylekian, Director of the European Armenian
Federation. “The second is concerning the destruction or the conversion
of Armenian cultural heritage in Turkey. The third deals with the
blockade of Armenia, while the fourth is a more general question
regarding the European Union’s final borders.”

He went on to note: “We understand the procedural restrictions and
limitations on Members of Parliament. That is why we provided a choice
of questionnaire responses which do not deal with overall principles,
but call for concrete commitments within the framework of possibilities
and which deal with Ankara’s candidacy to the European Union.”

The European Armenian Federation office has already begun receiving
answers to the questionnaire. The results will be published,
following the tabulation of responses, on the Federation’s website —
— and through press releases.

####

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 9 2004

AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF ASSEMBLY OF
TURKISH AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS
[June 09, 2004, 23:19:53]

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received at the
Presidential palace a delegation led by Chairman of the Assembly of
Turkish American Associations /ATAA/ Mr. Ercument Kilic, June 9.

Sincerely greeting the guests, the Head of State Ilham Aliyev noted
in particular that the Assembly of Turkish American Associations has
a great prestige, and plays an important role in development of the
Turkey-US relationship. We are closely watching your activities and
pleased at you achievements, he said.

The President pointed out active participation of Azerbaijani
delegation in the Assembly’s January 2004 Congress, and expressed
satisfaction with development of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the
organization. He also mentioned activity of the State Committee for
Working with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad, which had been founded at the
initiative of nation-wide leader of Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev.

As you know, Turkey-Azerbaijan relationship has always been
very friendly, we are brotherly countries, President Ilham Aliyev
stressed. He noted that Turkey had been the first country to recognize
Azerbaijan after re-gaining the state independence, and that relations
between the two states had been brought up to very high level since
then.

These relations have brought great benefit to both peoples; Turkey
and Azerbaijan are implementing large-scale economic projects in the
region, and we have always supported each other in the international
organizations, the Head of State said.

President Ilham Aliyev also pointed to high-level relationship between
Azerbaijan and the United States both in political, economic and
other spheres. He described Azerbaijan as very reliable partner of
the United States. For the last decade, he said, we showed more than
once our adherence to this policy not only by issuing statements but
also by taking practical steps, the President emphasized.

The Head of State noted with great satisfaction the recent formation of
the US-Azerbaijan working group in the United Sates Congress, and the
importance of dissemination of truthful information about Azerbaijan
among the Congressmen. Despite the US President’s waiver of the
unfair Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act regarding Azerbaijan,
the President said, it still remains in force. He described the
Section 907 as one of the results of the great job Armenian lobby in
the United States is doing against Azerbaijan.

We are trying to settle peacefully the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, President Ilham Aliyev continued, but unfortunately,
there is no result yet. Everyone should be aware, and the American
public in particular, that exactly Azerbaijan is a victim of the
conflict; it is our land that is under occupation, and over one
million of our people have become IDPs and refugees from the conflict;
what we want is observance of the international legal norms, and as
its reflection – withdrawal of the Armenian occupation forces from
our lands and restoration of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
President Ilham Aliyev concluded.

Having thanked the Head of State for the sincere meeting, ATAA
Chairman, Mr. Ercument Kilic noted that it is a great honor for him
to meet the President of Azerbaijan.

The guest expressed his great satisfaction with the positive changes
occurred in Azerbaijan for the past years, among which he called new
airport, hotels etc. He also pointed out the evident achievements
of the country in the spheres of democracy development, transition
to market economy, as well as its participation in the international
peacemaking operations that according to him, is widely propagandized
in the United States.

Having stressed the good relations established recently with American
parliamentarians, Mr. Ercument Kilic noted that members of his
organization are actively involved in clarifying the situation with
respect to Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh. He said Karabakh is a
common wound, and on behalf of the 300 thousand American Turks and
20 thousand Assembly members assured President Ilham Aliyev that they
would do their best to achieve the goal.

In conclusion, the ATAA Chairman extended to the Azerbaijan President
best wishes for every success in his activity.

Present at the meeting was Chairman of the State Committee on Working
with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad Nazim Ibrahimov.

ONE COMPANY BIDS FOR ZANGEZOUR PLANT

ArmenPress
June 9 2004

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS: Trade and development minister Karen
Chshmaritian told a news conference on Tuesday that only one German
company has made a bid for participation in a tender for privatization
of Zangezour metallurgical plant in southern Armenia.

The deadline for filing bids is June 26. Chshmaritian said the shares
of the plant are estimated $130 million. The minister said the plant
works with profits, which last year amounted to $20 million.

IN THIS ISSUE:

*** HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IN NGO PROGRAMS

*** YEREVAN ECOLOGICAL PUBLIC ALLIANCE AGAINST ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF GREEN
ZONES

*** SEXUAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

*** FOR INTEGRATION OF BOARDING HOUSE CHILDREN INTO THE SOCIETY

*** SECOND EDITION OF CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENTAL NGOs DIRECTORY IS PUBLISHED

*** ARMENIAN NGO SUCCESS STORIES

*** NGOs SIGNED AN AGREEMENT

*** THE PROCESSION-MARATHON OF WHEELCHAIR DISABLED

*** GRANTS PROGRAM CARRIED OUT IN SECURITY AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

*** HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IN NGO PROGRAMS

On May 26, the Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource
Center hosted its regular Thematic NGO/Media devoted to Healthy Lifestyle.
The goal of similar encounters, initiated by the AAA NGOC, is to introduce
the problems of vulnerable groups to the public-at-large, NGOs activities
directed at solving those problems, and obstacles encountered. Healthcare
NGOs and representatives of media, international organizations and state
structures participated. Mary Khachikyan of the For Family and Health
Armenian Association NGO, Narek Zeinalyan of the Adam Youth Health NGO and
Karine Manukyan of the Women for Green Ways for Generations NGO made
presentations on Sexual Culture, Smoking Hazards and Prevention, and Food
Safety and Nutrition Culture, respectively. The spokespersons presented
their activities, shared success stories, disseminated samples of their
publications, and answered questions. They also emphasized critical problems
in their field and made significant suggestions for their solution.

Contact:
Mary Khachikyan of the For Family and Health” Armenian Association NGO
E-mail: [email protected]

Narek Zeinalyan of the Adam Youth Health NGO
E-mail: [email protected]

Karine Manoukyan of the Women for Green Ways for Generations NGO
E-mail: [email protected]

*** YEREVAN ECOLOGICAL PUBLIC ALLIANCE AGAINST ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF GREEN
ZONES

On May 22, members of the Yerevan Ecological Public Alliance, (uniting 37
NGOs), together with human rights and youth organizations and the local
population organized a picket against destroying a territory known as “Mkoyi
Antar.” Located in Yerevan’s Zeytun community, this wooded area has been
recently partially destroyed by construction activities. The construction
has damaged the upper layer of soil and almost 3,000 trees and plants.
Alliance members had contacted, via letter, relevant state structures but
received no response. Through the May 22 picket, they made the issue public
and demanded the illegal construction be stopped, reviewing ROA Government’s
decree regarding provision of the territory and restoring the green zone. In
the event that their demands are not met, the Alliance plans to apply to
juridical bodies.

Contact: Silva Adamyan
Coalition of Green Zones of the Yerevan Ecological Public Alliance
Tel.: (374-1) 28-11-82
E-mail: [email protected]

Arman Vermishyan
Tel.: (374-1) 25-06-71
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

*** SEXUAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

During the 2003-2004 academic school year, with the assistance of Medicins
Sans Frontiers – Belgium and on the initiative of Hope and Help NGO, the
Healthy Lifestyle and Sexual Education pilot extra curricular course was
introduced in seven schools of Noyemberyan region. Initially teachers of
biology underwent training through seminars, and the course was taught to
650 schoolchildren of 8th and 9th grades. On April 29, the Sexual Education
in Schools conference was held in Noyemberyan school #1. School directors,
teachers, representatives of regional government, NGOs and Mass Media
participated. The spokespersons introduced the results and discussed
positive and negative aspects of the activities. Within the conference
working groups, issues of course topics and methodology were discussed.

Contact: Yenok Shatvoryan
Hope and Help NGO
23 Mashtots St., #31
Tel.: (374-1) 53-17-70
E-mail: [email protected]

Tavush Branch of Hope and Help NGO
13 Noyemberi 29 St.
Tel.: (374-66) 2-24-53

*** FOR INTEGRATION OF BOARDING HOUSE CHILDREN INTO THE SOCIETY

The Future is Yours Charitable, Social NGO’s project, aimed at integrating
boarding house children into society, especially into their peer group, is
currently underway. For this purpose, a series of events were held to
encourage communication among children from various groups. The May 21
event, organized in Yerevan School #5 after Mushegh Ishkhan, was one event
in the series. At this event, 17 children of Zeytun community boarding house
were hosted. They prepared a performance on the occasion of the 135th
anniversary of the Armenian poet and writer Hovhanness Tumanyan. During the
event, Narine Sargsyan, the NGO Chairwoman, emphasized the smooth
integration of boarding house children into regular secondary schools. The
activity is carried out with the assistance of Project Harmony and World
Vision organizations.

Contact: Narine Sargsyan
The Future is Yours Charitable, Social NGO
Tel.: (374-1) 58-23-68
E-mail: [email protected]

*** SECOND EDITION OF CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENTAL NGOs DIRECTORY IS PUBLISHED

The Regional Environmental Center (REC) has published the second edition of
the Environment and NGO Community, Directory of Environmental
Non-Governmental organisations in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, the
presentation of which was held on May 14. The last edition was published in
2002. This new publication, covering 374 environmental NGOs in Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia, provides more accurate, updated and additional
information: contact data, activity areas and directions, implemented
programs, etc. The directory, available in English and Russian, was
published with financial assistance received from the European Union. The
publication will be beneficial not only for NGOs, but also for donors, state
structures, private and academic sector. The electronic version of the
directory will soon be available at The
publication is available from the Armenian Office of the REC Caucasus
Information Point.

Contact: Hovhanness Ghazaryan
REC Caucasus Information Point, Armenia
1 Charents St., 2nd floor
Tel/Fax: (374-1) 57-47-43
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website:

*** ARMENIAN NGO SUCCESS STORIES

On May 6, presentation of the Armenian NGO Success Stories book, initiated
by the World Learning organization, was held. Ten of 66 stories presented
for the competition announced by the World Learning organization have been
announced winners and are included in the book. As stated during the
presentation by Yan Karpovich, World Learning Organization Chief of Party,
“The book is a powerful tool to educate the public on the role and
implemented activities of the NGOs.”

Contact: Yan Karpovich
World Learning Organization
24 Moscovian St., #1
Tel.: (374-1) 52-08-51, 58-26-20
E-mail: [email protected]

*** NGOs SIGNED AN AGREEMENT

To better represent the public-at-large in the process of policy
implementation and decision-making in the public services regulation field,
on May 31, 11 NGOs signed a cooperation agreement on creating an NGO Council
on Public Participation in the Field of Public Services Regulation. Its
objectives are to promote dialogue and cooperation between state structures
and beneficiaries of civil society constituencies and ensure transparency of
activities of the ROA Public Services Regulatory Commission. Members of the
NGO Council bring valuable experience in the following areas to this
council: consumers rights protection, condominium development, legal
assistance, environmental protection and human rights. The main directions
of the Council activities are legislative improvements, raising public
awareness, legal consultancies, follow up of consumers’ appeals and
suggestions and research. Any NGO, whose mission is consistent with the
Council goal and objectives, can become a member of the Council.

Contact:
Secretariat of the NGO Council on Public Participation in the Field of
Public Services Regulation
Tel.: (374-1) 53-27-25
E-mail: [email protected]

*** THE PROCESSION-MARATHON OF WHEELCHAIR DISABLED

On May 28, the annual procession-marathon of wheelchair disabled of Pyunic
Union of Armenian Disabled began its trek from near Yerevan’s Aram
Khachatryan Concert Hall and continued to Etchmiadzin. The marathon was
devoted to the Armenian Statehood Day. The goal of the marathon was to draw
public attention to the problems of the disabled and their full integration
into society. Disabled people from Yerevan, Gyumri, Spitak, Vanadzor,
Stepanavan, Etchmiadzin, guests from local and international organizations
and Mass Media participated. Marathon participants were greeted by Pyunic
Chairman Hakob Abrahamyan, Chairwoman of the Department of Disabled and
Elderly of the ROA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues Jemma Baghdasaryan
and ROA National Assembly Deputy Artak Arakelyan. The marathon-procession
ended in Holy Etchmiadzin where participants were greeted by priests.
Arminco CJSC was the primary sponsor of the marathon and Antares Media
Holding sponsored the marathon.

Contact: Hakob Abrahamyan
Pyunic Union of Armenian Disabled
16 Tsitsernakaberd St.
Tel.: (374-1) 56-07-07
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

*** GRANTS PROGRAM CARRIED OUT IN SECURITY AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Yerevan Municipality and AAA NGO Training and Resource Center (NGOC)
announce the results of the competition of Grants Program Carried Out in the
Spheres of Social Security and Primary Health Care. The winning NGOs are:
Maternity Fund of Armenia Charitable NGO; Haghartsin Youth Health NGO; Paros
Disabled Center for Development of Education and Culture; and Fund
Shirakatsi Lycee. Within the framework of the program, the activity form and
directions of the NGOs are: supporting lonely invalids, the elderly, and
beggars; providing care for women during the pre-natal period; arts and
crafts training for mothers with many children, lonely mothers and refugees;
personal services for lonely disabled and elderly; preparatory education for
preschool children; advocacy for healthy lifestyle; and basic, first-aid
training for families of the disabled. Beneficiaries of the program are
lonely disabled; mothers with many children; young families; preschool and
schoolchildren; disabled with mobility difficulties; families with disabled.
Projects will be carried out in Yerevan. The grants program is funded by
USAID.

Contact: AAA NGO Center
39 Koghbatsi St.
Tel.: (374-1) 54-40-12; 54-40-13
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

__________________________________________________________________________

Armenian NGO News in Brief is a publication of the NGO Training and Resource
Center (NGOC) issued in the Armenian, English and Russian languages for
electronic dissemination inside and outside Armenia. Primary funding for
the NGOC, which is a project of the Armenian Assembly of America, is
provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Individual NGOs are welcome to submit information for publication to the
NGOC. The NGO Center is not responsible for the clarity of information
provided by individual NGOs.

Dear Readers,

The not-for-profit, non-governmental sector of Armenia is rich with diverse
civic initiatives and activities. This electronic publication, though far
from covering all activities of the sector per any given period of time, is
intended to contribute to raising awareness, both inside and outside
Armenia, of the activities of Armenian not-for-profit, non-governmental
organizations.

Your comments and feedback about this electronic publication are greatly
appreciated.

Thank you.
NGOC staff.

Contact Information:

In Armenia:
Armenian Assembly of America
NGO Training and Resource Center
39 Yeznik Koghbatsi St., Yerevan 375010
Tel.: (3-741) 54-40-12; 54-40-13; 53-92-04
Fax: (3-741) 54-40-15
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

In the United States:
Armenian Assembly of America
NGO Training and Resource Center
122 C Street NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001 USA
Tel: (202) 393-3434
Fax: (202) 638-4904
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PROTESTERS DETERMINED TO KEEP STRUGGLING UNTIL LAST POLITICAL PRISONER FREED

A1 Plus | 15:59:28 | 07-06-2004 | Politics |

So far 6,700 signatures of Armenian citizens are collected by the
protest action participants outside the Prosecutor General Office
in Yerevan. The series of protests is staged by the republic’s
organizations. The protesters are demanding to release political
prisoners from jail.

The number of signatures could be greater but many refrain from signing
the paper with the demand as they fear of reprisals against them. Now
the protesters demand to release Vagharshak Harutyunyan and Lavretni
Kirakosyan from detention and to dismiss Suren Surenyants case.

It is known that other political prisoners were freed recently. The
picket participants are convinced their action played a crucial role
in that.

Village of Discontent : Residents of Dimitrov charge they are being mistreated
By Zhanna Alexanyan ArmeniaNow reporter

ArmeniaNow
04June2004

During Soviet times Ararat Region’s Dimitrov village was populated
mainly by Assyrians. There were also Armenians living in the village,
but just a few. After Armenia became independent or, as villagers say,
“in the years of perestroika”, many people left, mostly the Assyrians.

Today, there is either 1,550 villagers or 550, depending on who
you listen to. The higher number comes from village head Ludwig
Khlkhatyan, who cites the total registered residents. Villagers say
the true population is closer to the lower number, about 30 percent
of which are Assyrian, and others refugees from Azerbaijan.

It is a small settlement, but big enough for political problems: Some
in the village accuse Khlkhatyan of misappropriating humanitarian
aid and of maintaining his office through election fraud.

After crops and gardens were damaged last year, International Food
Organization allotted 2,100 kilograms of wheat seeds for families
who suffered loss.

Villagers claim they never got the wheat, and lay the blame on village
head Khlkhatyan. They filed a complaint with the Prosecutor General’s
Office, charging that Khlkhatyan sold wheat intended as aid, and gave
some to friends, rather than to families who needed it.

Further, they claim that Khlkhatyan faked the signatures of the
villagers for whom the wheat was intended.

Villagers say they are always late with getting information about aid –
flour, potatoes, etc. – that is sent to the village.

“Humanitarian aid, which the government gives, is stolen and after that
they are surprised when people fill streets protesting and organizing
demonstrations. We have a lot to protest about but we lack fact and
this is the fact,” says villager Feodor Badalyan, showing a document
he of what he claims are faked signatures.

“If they fake our signatures can you imagine what else they do? Grabbed
wheat is a fact. Law-enforcement bodies love facts. The crime has
been committed and let it be solved,” says Assyrian Ernest Yakubov.

“We had no idea the aid was sent to village and I bought 150 kg. of
wheat for 180 drams (about 33 cents per kilo),” says Assyrian Liova.

However, villagers are more concerned with the fact of faking
signatures than about mis-assigned seeds. They allege that the village
head cohorts with those above him to make profit off of charity.

“So this is how they live on villagers. If head of the village is
punished then crimes committed by people of higher ranks will be
revealed and that’s why they protect him,” concludes specialist of
Russian and Assyrian languages Taisia Muradova.

Taisia Arsentievna, 79, was born in Dimitrov. She was deputy principal
of the school and is an Honored Teacher.

“For many years head of the village has been stealing and people see
that. But who gets ‘ Paros’ aid? Poor people don’t get the aid. Those,
who have cars and cattle, get the aid,” the teacher says. “The father
of head of the village says residents of Dimitrov are sheep and his
son is shepherd and he will treat them the way he wants. How long
are we going to live like this and be subjected to mockery?”

For his part, Khlkhatyan is confident of his actions. And, since the
Regional Prosecutor’s Office threw out the villagers’ case on grounds
that there was “absence of crime in the act”, he does not deny that
signatures were faked.

The 39-year old village head says it is wrong to give the villagers
humanitarian aid.

“They teach people to become beggars,” Khlkhatyan says. “It doesn’t
matter among whom I distributed aid as people would have complained in
any case. If they complain why did they elected me for the third time?”

Villagers answer that they didn’t, in fact, elect Khlkhatyan, but that
his election was assured by outdated election rosters that inflate
the number of voters.

The election list, Badalyan says “contains the names of dead
people. Many people are registered in the village but haven’t been
living here for a long time.”

A winning village head candidate must get two thirds of the
votes. Badalyan says there is no way the actual number of villagers
can outvote the number that were fraudulently counted for Khlkhatyan.

Villagers, both Assyrians and Armenians, are displeased with
administration of the region, especially with Minister of the Regional
Administration Hovik Abrahamyan.

Villagers say all positions in the region are held by relatives of
the minister, including the position responsible for the water pipe
supply, and water is the most painful problem in the village. As a
result of the lack of water people cannot grow vegetables, which is
a more profitable business than wheat (which requires less water).

“Everything dries up and dies and only then we get water,” says
villager Nadia Alaverdova. “That’s why people leave. And if Assyrians
had water and grew vegetables would they leave? They work in Krasnodar
and Rostov but in that case they would have worked here.”

US SUPPORTS UN RESOLUTIONS ON KARABAGH, AMBASSADOR SAYS

ArmenPress
May 26 2004

BAKU, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS: Reno Harnish, the US ambassador to
Azerbaijan, has reiterated today that his government is interested in
a soonest resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. In a meeting
with students of Baku State University, the ambassador said unresolved
conflicts remain a major problem not only for Azerbaijan but also
for the entire region, warning concurrently that the Armenian-Azeri
confrontation over Karabagh carries elements of resumption of
hostilities. He added, however, that the US government is working
hard to help the conflicting sides to reach a mutually accepted
peace formula.

Reno Harnish spoke also about resolution options, proposed by
international peace brokers, saying Armenia and Azerbaijan were close
to striking the peace deal in Key West talks in the USA, sponsored
by Collin Powel.

The ambassador also shrugged off fears, voiced by Azeri parliament
members that the US companies are preparing to invest in Nagorno
Karabagh. “The US has made no investments in Karabagh and does not
support trade with and investments in Karabagh,” he said and added:
“The US supports all four UN Resolutions on Nagorno Karabagh, which
call on Armenia to pull out its troops from occupied Azeri regions.”

UNUSUAL TOURNAMENT IN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

A1 Plus | 18:26:54 | 25-05-2004 | Politics |

A chess tournament initiated by MP Hranush Hakobayn will be held
Wednesday in National Assembly. Two MPs from each parliamentary
fraction will play chess with grandmaster Smbat Lputyan.

Opposition MPs Victor Dallakyan and Aram G. Sargssyan will participate
in the event as well.