Author: Vanyan Gary

IRNA, Iran
December 28, 2004 Tuesday 11:57 AM EST

Shamkhani felicitates counterparts on birth anniversary of

Tehran, December 28

Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani sent a message to his
counterparts on Tuesday felicitating them on the birth anniversary of
Jesus Christ and the coming new year — 2005.

In his message, Shamkhani said that Jesus Christ was the harbinger of
peace, justice and freedom.

He was optimistic that peace and security would be established in the
world and bilateral ties with other countries would be bolstered with
the guidlines of the prophets.

Shamkhani`s message was sent to the defense ministers of Russia, ,
Ukraine, Spain, France, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Georgia, Greece, ,
Cuba, Venezuela, Armenia, South Africa, North Korea, Nigeria, India,
Kazakhstan, North Korea, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Zimbabwe.

Saakashvili’s campaign against corruption
By Molly Corso for PINR (22/12/04)

ISN, Switzerland
Dec 22 2004

Once the Georgian government starts interfering with the status quo
of people’s daily lives, President Saakashvili’s popularity might
drop and the public could quickly lose taste for strong reforms.

Corruption has plagued Georgia – as well as its neighbors Armenia and
Azerbaijan – for generations. While it was a problem even during the
Soviet regime, ever since the former republics gained their
independence in the early 1990s, the degree of corruption has
crippled economic development and stifled attempts at reform. The new
government in Georgia, which won power on a reformist platform, is
widely viewed in the country as Georgia’s last chance to defeat the
spread of corruption and create a stable economy and law-abiding
society. Before the peaceful revolution of November 2003, Georgian
President Eduard Shevardnadze had been unsuccessful in curbing the
rapid growth of corruption throughout Georgian society and the
political process. Corruption in Georgia under the leadership of
Shevardnadze was so widespread it affected life on nearly every
level. Despite very strong laws against corruption, little was done
to enforce them. Blatant vote rigging and fraud led to his
government’s demise last fall, shortly replaced by younger
politicians on a reform platform. Even as Georgians rejoiced Mikhail
Saakashvili’s victory, activists stated that the new government would
have to prove it was better at fighting corruption than the former
president, otherwise Saakashvili would share his fate. Corruption
among the Georgian authorities is so widespread that it consistently
affects foreign investments. Investors originally saw Georgia as a
land of opportunity as the country is strategically located between
Europe and Asia. Plans for new oil and gas pipelines created an
economic boom for Azerbaijan in the early 1990s and observers fully
expected Georgia to receive part of that wealth. But corrupt
officials, coupled with unclear laws and tax policies, continue to
frustrate investors. The foreign investment community was further
antagonized by high-level kidnappings and threats for ransom and
bribes. The American electricity provider, AES, which took over
electricity distribution in Georgia in the late 1990s, was repeatedly
taken to court and threatened. In August of 2002, the company’s CFO,
Nika Lominadze, was murdered. Other high profile cases include the
kidnapping of the Welsh banker Peter Shaw in July 2002. Although no
ransom was reportedly paid, Shaw escaped his captors after four
months of imprisonment. While the Georgian government ascertained
Shaw escaped due to a special military operation, speculation
continued after Shaw’s release that members of the government were
involved in the kidnapping business.

A turn of the tide

While the 2003 parliament election might have started like business
as usual, protestors and politicians quickly assembled in front of
the parliament to protest the voting results. After weeks of
protests, Shevardnadze resigned on 23 November. Mikhail Saakashvili,
a former justice minister in Shevardnadze’s government from
2000-2001, was voted into office 4 January 2004 with 96 per cent of
the vote. Originally seen as Shevardnadze’s groomed pupil,
Saakashvili left his position as the justice minister, citing that he
believed it was “immoral” to remain a part of the corrupt government.
He became one of the loudest voices of the opposition in the years
leading up to his election, and one of the country’s most popular
politicians. He was a visible face during the protests and led the
charge into parliament the day before Shevardnadze resigned.
Saakashvili started out his presidency with strong words. “We need to
introduce in the parliament very drastic anti-corruption legislation
that would give vast powers to a new elite, small, honest
investigative unit that would really tackle high-level corruption,”
he said in January 2004. During his inauguration speech, he pressed,
“We must root out corruption. As far as I am concerned, every corrupt
official is a traitor who betrays the national interest.” Many hoped
the difference would be Saakashvili’s young age, 36, and the Western
influence brought through his education in the US. With a high
popularity rating – and no real opposition – Saakashvili was free to
implement any reforms or laws he felt fit. Many supporters were
alarmed when one of his first acts, in addition to the high profile
arrests of infamous businessmen like Gia Jokhtaberidze,
Shevardnadze’s son-in-law, included constitutional amendments to
consolidate his power. While the overall response to reforms from the
business sector has been positive, Badri Patarkatsishvili, who is the
president of the Georgian Federation of Businessmen, has repeatedly
stated that businessmen in Georgia should feel secure and know that
their rights will be honored. In an interview with the BBC in January
2003, Saakashvili stated that one of his top priorities for Georgia
was creating a stable and safe climate for investors. As early as
February, the new government was warned by the Visiting Council of
Europe Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer that the country’s fight
against corruption should not abuse the law. Critics of the new
government also began citing media intimidation and accusing the
government of arresting political enemies without adhering to the due
process required by law. Although criticism of the new government
continued, culminating in an open letter to the president by
prominent civil leaders in Georgia, the new president has not backed
down from his system of arrests and has not made any open efforts to
compromise with the growing opposition. The open letter, published
widely in Georgia, spoke of a growing concern that Saakashvili was
actively squashing public debate with nationalist rhetoric, as well
as failing to come to terms with his power in a “post-revolution”
society. Nevertheless, during his first year in office, Saakashvili
has made progress encouraging foreign investment in his country.
Georgia was included in the EU’s New Neighborhood Initiative and
received one billion dollars in pledges to help finance reforms.

Neighboring states concerned over the Georgian example

Neighboring countries throughout the Caucasus and Central Asia are
threatened by Saakashvili’s November rise to power and his rhetoric
against corruption. A 25 November 2003 emergency meeting of foreign
ministers from the Commonwealth of Independent States in Kiev
highlighted the fear of neighboring governments that Georgia’s new
crusader against corruption would also adversely affect the status
quo in their countries. In both Armenia and Azerbaijan, opposition
parties celebrated the resignation of Shevardnadze. Although both
Azeri President Ilham Aliev and Armenian President Robert Kocharian
were not openly supportive of Saakashvili in November, the overriding
element in their relationship revolves around commerce and trade.
Both presidents have conducted high profile trips to Georgia in the
past year, and Saakashvili has warmly welcomed them both as
“brothers”. Georgian election observers, however, were not welcome in
Ukraine. Despite the chilly official reception, Georgians traveled to
Kiev and participated in the protests following the November run-off
election. The Georgian Foreign Ministry issued statements on November
28 supporting the call for a Ukrainian revote. Georgian Prime
Minister Zurab Zhvania also supported the protestors, wishing Ukraine
a “victory of justice and democracy”. Georgia’s relationship with
Russia was strained during Shevardnadze’s presidency. Despite a
positive beginning, that relationship has rapidly deteriorated under
Saakashvili. During the protests calling for Shevardnadze’s
resignation, it was widely feared in the country that Russia would
strongly back Shevardnadze. However, after some initial support, then
Russian Foreign Minister Ivan Ivanov flew to Tbilisi on 22 November
to help ease tensions, and he has been given credit for helping the
country avoid violence. Warm relations between the countries
continued through the summer, highlighted when a large group of
potential Russian investors came to Tbilisi in May to discuss joint
business projects between the countries. During the convention,
Russian businessmen repeatedly emphasized the need for a stable, safe
investment climate and tax reforms. Talk of business investment was
overshadowed by the growing violence in South Ossetia, however, and
Russian involvement in Abkhazia. Currently, the administration in
Georgia is dealing with Moscow’s accusations of anti-Russian
militants hiding in the country, near the border between Chechnya and
Georgia, and the likelihood that Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) border patrols will not continue after
the mandate expires later this month. Furthermore, an ongoing point
of contention between the two governments is the existence of two
Russian army bases that still exist within Georgian territory. The
Russians use the bases to potentially influence Georgian affairs,
explaining why Tbilisi wants them removed. No real progress has been
made on this issue. Georgia’s relationship with the US has improved
under Saakashvili. Although accusations of heavy-handed policies have
grown against the current administration, the US has been a steadfast
supporter of Saakashvili and his reforms. In light of the current
reforms taking place in the military, the US government has pledged
over US$15 million to help modernize the Georgian army and
Saakashvili has already sent over 150 soldiers to Iraq. Georgian
soldiers are involved in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan as
well, and Saakashvili has promised that over Georgian 800 soldiers
will eventually be dispatched. While Western powers initially faced a
quandary supporting the overthrow of an elected president, once the
degree of civil outrage toward the election became obvious, the US
issued a strong rebuke against Shevardnadze and his handling of the
election.

Rhetoric and reason

President Saakashvili has had some success fighting corruption
through tax reform and large scale arrests that include politicians
from the former regime and powerful businessmen. His peaceful
acquisition of the semi-autonomous Adjarian republic has given the
central government a great opportunity to reform invasive corruption
throughout the republic, especially in tax collection. The new tax
code, scheduled to begin February 2005, should help the government
receive lost revenue as well as prove to potential investors that the
new regime is serious about reform. Criticism of Saakashvili’s
policies is not unfounded. By refusing to follow due process, his
program of arrests could backfire by turning the accused into victims
in the eyes of the public. To date, the arrests have largely been
centered on high profile politicians and business leaders. In order
to fully eradicate corruption, citizens and low-level civil servants
involved in bribery and the black market will also need to be
arrested. Once the government starts interfering with the status quo
of people’s daily lives, Saakashvili’s popularity might drop and the
public could quickly lose taste for strong reforms. While he has
hired supporters of democracy into his government, he has distanced
himself from civil leaders outside of his government. Prominent civil
leaders in Georgia are giving Saakashvili some leeway as he gains
experience in office. However, his success will depend on his ability
to compromise heady rhetoric with reasonable public policy to lead
his country through difficult and painful reforms.

This article originally appeared in Power and Interest News
Report, PINR, at (). All comments should be directed
to [email protected].

PRESS RELEASE/NEWS REVIEW

MELKONIAN ALUMNI CYPRUS

Contact: Masis der Parthogh

P.O. Box 16077, CY 2085
Nicosia, Cyprus.
Tel. +357 22 678666
Fax. +357 22 678664
Email: [email protected]

____________________________

Melkonian students excel in exams, defying closure threat

Financial Mirror – Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Two Melkonian students were among the 135 recipients of the High
Achiever awards given out to students who gained top international
marks and top marks in Cyprus in A level, O level and GCSE exams at
an award ceremony in Nicosia last week.

Together with their schoolmates, they overcame the troubles caused
by the New York based administrators’ announcement on March 16 to
shut down the school and continued with their external examinations.

Hovhannes Atabekyan, a 2004 graduate of the school, was one of only
ten students in Cyprus to gain straight As in five Advanced Level
subjects, while only three other Cypriots gained six As.

Elizabeth Torossian notched up the highest Ordinary Level international
subject mark in Armenian, an award achieved in only ten other subjects
worldwide.

“These outstanding results cast a shadow over the true intentions
of the school’s administrators to shut down the Melkonian and sell
off the land,” the Melkonian Alumni Association of Cyprus said in
an announcement.

Jane Holliday, regional representative of the UK awarding body
Edexcel said an impressive record this year saw students in Cyprus
being awarded the top marks in the world in nine A level subjects
and 11 O level subjects.

“For so many students to have done so well is a tribute to all those
involved. As for the students, well, they are truly wonderful,”
she said.

The figures include entries from over 100 countries but exclude the
UK. Most subjects attract hundreds of entries worldwide, and many
have entries in the thousands.

Security issues

Yerkir
17 Dec 04

Present stage of social development is characterized by unprecedented
progress of informational field. Today informational system influences
the security of national, political, ideological, psychological and
other fields.

Level of informational content is most important index of
competitiveness of the nation. And time will only increase the role
of this aspect.

However, informational system should be based on national
ideology. This ideology should include ethic, religious, and
civilization characteristics of the nation. In these terms the national
can be creative.

Talking about informational system of Armenia we should take into
account the Diaspora. However today the Diaspora is not so homogenous
as before which creates certain issues. And yet its vast geography
creates flexible facilities for informational policy.

At the same time, despite the importance of this issue, there is still
no certain policy on it in Armenia. It is because our country so far
does not have a concept of informational security. In addition, even
the concept of national security has not been adopted in our country,
a part of which should be the informational security.

The above-mentioned indicates that the research of informational
security in frames of national security is an urgent issues in Armenia.

Analysis: EU says ‘yes’ to Turkey talks
By Gareth Harding, Chief European Correspondent

Washington Times
Dec 17 2004

Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 17 (UPI) — The European Union took a giant
step towards shedding its image as a rich, Christian club with
an aging population and spluttering economy Thursday when it gave
the green light to start membership talks with Turkey — a poor,
populous and predominantly Muslim state with a secular government,
booming growth and most of its landmass in Asia.

“Tonight, the European Union opened its door to Turkey,” European
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told reporters in Brussels
at the end of the first day of a summit of EU leaders in the Belgian
capital. Membership negotiations — which will deal with everything
from farm subsidies to state aid for energy companies — will start
on Oct. 3, 2005, and are likely to last at least a decade.

The details of the agreement will be thrashed out Friday, when EU
leaders will also tackle the thorny issue of Cyprus. Turkey refuses
to recognize the divided Mediterranean state — which became a member
of the bloc in May — but EU presidents and prime ministers expect
Ankara to soften its attitude towards the Greek-speaking half of the
island before it starts talks. “What kind of message does it send
when you do not recognize all the members of the club you want to
join?” asked Barroso earlier Thursday.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, whose country holds the
rotating presidency of the EU, will try to sell the carefully worded
deal to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over breakfast
Friday. “I genuinely believe this is an offer Turkey should accept,”
said Barroso. However, before leaving for Brussels, Erdogan said he
would not sign up to EU membership at any price.

The historic decision, which Ankara has waited 45 years for, will
change both Turkey and the EU for good. By 2015 — the earliest the
country is likely to join the 25-member bloc, Turkey’s population
is expected to jump from 71 to 82 million, boosting the Union’s
numbers to almost 600 million after the entry of Bulgaria, Rumania
and Croatia later this decade. As voting strength in the Council of
Ministers and the EU parliament — the club’s two legislative bodies
— is based largely on population, Turkey would overtake Germany to
become Europe’s largest and most powerful state.

The EU, a small, prosperous clique of Western European states for
almost half a century, would also see its point of axis shift radically
eastwards. With the entry of Turkey, the bloc would have a foot-hold
in Asia, share common borders with Syria, Iran, Iraq, Georgia, Armenia
and Azerbaijan, become a major player in the Caspian Sea and south
Caucasus regions, and increase its clout in the Middle East.

The entry of Turkey will also strengthen the EU’s fledgling defense
arm, increasing the club’s ability to carry out global peacekeeping
operations and acting as a buffer zone between a stable Europe and a
volatile Middle East. Turkey, a NATO member for more than 50 years,
has the largest armed forces in Europe and spends more of its budget
on defense than any other EU state — both great assets for a union
with big defense ambitions but pitiful resources.

Ahead of the decision, opponents of Turkey’s entry, such as Austria
and Denmark, argued that opening the door to the former Ottoman
power would lead to a wave of Turkish migrants flooding the EU. But
a recent report drawn up by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari
estimates that only 2.7 million Turks would head west after accession
— a figure equivalent to 0.5 percent of the Union’s total population.

Another fear raised by opponents was that Turkey’s entry would act as
a brake on EU growth and swallow up billions of euros of regional and
farm aid. However, a commission impact published in October estimates
the annual cost of Turkish membership by 2025 would be between $21.8
billion and $36.4 billion or between 0.1 and 0.17 percent of the
bloc’s gross domestic product.

Nevertheless, many Europeans remain fearful of Turkey’s entry, arguing
the country does not share European values, will import instability
from the Middle East, act as a Trojan horse for American interests,
weaken the club’s commitment to human rights and women’s equality,
and dilute attempts to create a political union.

After the European Parliament voted to back the opening of membership
talks by a 2-1 margin Wednesday, Hans Gert Pottering — the leader
of the assembly’s largest political grouping — warned, “If Turkey
becomes a member of the European Union, we will be enlarging ourselves
to death.”

There is widespread enlargement fatigue in the EU after the entry of
Malta, Cyprus and eight central European countries in May and ahead of
Bulgaria and Rumania’s accession in 2007. A commission opinion poll
last week showed majorities in France, Germany, Austria, Finland and
Luxembourg opposed to any new countries joining the ever-expanding
bloc. Another survey carried out by French daily Le Figaro Monday
showed 67 percent of French voters and 55 percent of Germans against
Turkish membership of the EU, with majorities in favor in Britain,
Italy and Spain.

“The challenge for Turkey is to win the hearts and minds of those
European citizens who are open to, but not convinced of Turkey’s
European destiny,” said Barroso Thursday. Yet 45 years after it first
applied for associate EU membership, Ankara still has a long way
to go before it can take its seat at the table of European nations
and EU leaders will have a hard task persuading their citizens that
Turkish membership of the bloc is in the interests of Europe.

Interfax, Russia
Dec 17 2004

Armenia sells Zangezur combine for $132 mln

Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia has sold the Zangezur Copper-
Molybdenum Combine to four companies for $132 million.

The sales contract was signed December 14 in Yerevan, Trade and
Economic Development Minister Karen Chshmaritian said at a news
conference.

He said 60% of ZMMK shares went to Germany’s Cronimet Mining, 15% to
Yerevan’s Pure Iron, 12.5% to Armenian Molybdenum Production (AMP)
and 12.5% to Zangezur Mining.

The new ZMMK shareholders will create a unified management company,
the minister said.

The first $45 million will be paid by January 1, and the remainder by
the end of 2005. The deal will be financed by a consortium of Germany
banks that includes Deutsche Bank, Chshmaritian said.

According to a preliminary agreement, $250 million to $350 million
will be invested in ZMMK by 2012. The final figure will become clear
after a feasibility study is prepared in 2005 for the company’s
modernization.

The investment is expected to boost ore production by 50% to 100%.
The project is expected to pay for itself in 6-7 years.

Armenia will stop exporting molybdenum concentrate as of January 1,
as it will all be processed inside the country, the minister said.
Given the current high world prices for molybdenum, even high
shipping costs are not expected to cause problems. The company
exports to Europe through Iran and Georgia.

Zangezur decreased production by 2.1% year-on-year to $24.8 billion
dram in the first half of 2004.

ZMMK mined 8.1 million tonnes of ore in 2003, and produced 6,300
tonnes of molybdenum and 11,000 tonnes of copper in copper
concentrate. The Kadzharan copper and molybdenum mine, which ZMMK
works, has the largest reserves of any in the former Soviet Union.

Darchinyan eyes title belt

Wodonga Border Mail, Australia
Dec 17 2004

BOXING: Vic Darchinyan intends to “destroy” International Boxing
Federation flyweight champion Irene Pacheco in their world title bout
today on a potentially huge day for Australian boxing.

Darchinyan enters the ring at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
in Hollywood, Florida, this afternoon, just a few hours before Shannan
Taylor fights Thailands Sakda Sorpakdi for the less prestigious World
Boxing Foundation super middleweight title.

Darchinyan, 28, who re-located to Australia after representing Armenia
at the 2000 Olympics,|has won all 21 of his professional bouts,
16 by|KO.

Colombian Pacheco, 33, has an immaculate professional record of 30
victories, 23 by KO.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 16, 2004

AGBU LAZAR NAJARIAN-CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN SCHOOL CELEBRATES 50th
ANNIVERSARY: LA ALUMNI RAISE CLOSE TO $30,000

The largest Armenian preparatory school in the Diaspora, the AGBU
Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian School celebrated its 50th
Anniversary with special events in Aleppo, Syria, while members of
the institution’s Los Angeles Alumni sponsored a gala this past spring
which raised close to $30,000 for their alma mater.

Anniversary Celebrations in Aleppo

Some 4,000 gathered in Aleppo this fall, to celebrate five decades of
dedicated service and achievement at AGBU’s largest school. Attended by
local government officials along with hundreds of Najarian-Gulbenkian
alumni from around the world, groups of graduates-beginning with
the Class of ’62-filed into the sports arena of the city’s Municipal
Youth Palace under banners indicating their graduating class.

The ceremony began with a performance by the AGBU AYA Scout
Marching band, and was followed by speeches from the Armenian
and Arab principals of the school who both spoke about the
institution’s continuing success at upholding the highest educational
standards. Sixty of the school’s past and present teachers were
recognized for their contributions with awards during the event. Guests
were also treated to a presentation by the city’s newly formed AGBU
AYA Antranig Dance Troupe.

A smaller formal event at AGBU’s Aleppo center took place the next
day and the messages of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicosate
of the Great House of Cilicia, and AGBU President Berge Setrakian,
were read to those in attendance. The special guest speaker for
the commemoration was former principal, Yervant Agishian (1956-69),
who currently resides in the United States. During the event, the
generosity of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was acknowledged
for the success of the school; the Lisbon-based Foundation funded the
building of the new Najarian-Gulbenkian school building inaugurated
last year. The Foundation’s Director of the Armenian Section, Zaven
Yegavian, has been a long-time supporter of Najarian-Gulbenkian and
its commitment to excellence in Armenian education.

The three-day anniversary celebrations concluded as AGBU leaders,
members, and guests participated in the Divine Liturgy at St. Kevork
Church which included a memorial service for the souls of the school’s
benefactors, principals and alumni.

Alumni Banquet in Los Angeles

Attended by 300 guests, the Los Angeles alumni banquet at the Brandview
Collection Banquet Hall in Glendale, California, included special
invited guest current Principal Hagop Mikayelian, former teachers,
and graduates who spoke about the contributions of the School to
generations of Armenians.

AGBU’s Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian School has an active and
energetic L.A. Alumni Association, chaired by Hovsep Nalbandian. During
the last 15 years, the L.A. Alumni Association has stayed true to its
mission to support the ongoing financial needs of the School, providing
funds for student scholarships and other grants on a near annual basis.

Guests of honor for the L.A. Gala were Class of ’77 graduate, Adam
Kablanian, and his wife Rita. In appreciation of the value and positive
impact the school played in the Kablanians’ lives, the couple made
a $10,000 donation to the Aleppo school.

Founding member of the L.A. Alumni Association, Vahe Ekmekjian (Class
of ’73) commented, “I would like to thank the Organizing Committee,
our guests of honor, and many friends for making this event possible.
I congratulate the School on its 50th anniversary and hope for another
50 years of success.”

Established in 1954 with 80 students, AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste
Gulbenkian School today educates 1,550 students from pre-kindergarten
to high school, with many students benefiting from financial aid
every year to further their education.

For more information on the AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian
School, visit their web site at , or visit Global AGBU
on the AGBU homepage,

Interfax
Dec 15 2004

OSCE to send monitoring mission to Nagorno-Karabakh

Baku. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – The Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe will send a monitoring mission to Nagorno-
Karabakh to check reports from Baku about Armenia’s plans to
establish settlements in the area, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists in London.

“The main thing is to define the format of this mission and the date
of arrival. We would like it to begin as soon as possible,”
Mammadyarov said.

An agreement to organize a monitoring mission was reached with
Armenia during talks between the Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers
in Sofia and Brussels in early December, he said.

The co-chairman of the Minsk Group directly settling the Nagorno-
Karabakh problem should join the monitoring mission, he said.

Mammadyarov urged Armenia to assume a constructive position in the
talks. “On the one hand we are conducting talks, but on the other
Armenia is building illegal settlements in the occupied territory. If
this continues, there cannot be any talk about serious negotiations,”
he said.

He welcomed the agreement with Armenia to continue the negotiating
process.

Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh in a bloody conflict
with Armenia in the 1990s.

Soccer-Teenager Manucharyan voted Armenia’s top player

YEREVAN, Dec 14 (Reuters) – Teenage striker Edgar Manucharyan, whose
goals helped Pyunik Yerevan clinch a fourth consecutive Armenian
league title, has been voted the country’s player of the year.

The 17-year-old, currently on trial with Dutch champions Ajax
Amsterdam, scored 21 goals this season to finish as Armenia’s joint
top scorer with team mate Galust Petrosyan.

The pair also led Pyunik to a league and cup double in 2004, their
second such feat in the last three years.

12/14/04 14:07 ET