Author: Vardanian Garo

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
July 20 2004

MUTUAL VISITS EVEN MORE TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS
[July 20, 2004, 11:26:45]

On July 19, Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov has received
the delegation headed by the head of group of friendship of Grand
National Assembly of Turkey with parliament of Azerbaijan Haluk Ipek.

Warmly having welcomed visitors, Mr. Alaskarov has told: `WE have
good relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Due to purposeful
policy of the heads of our states our relations have reached a level
of brotherhood. As our national leader Heydar Aliyev said, `we are
one nation, two states’. Our parliaments should cooperate and, having
taken for a basis the told, it is even more to expand our
connections. I hope, that similar visits will play important role in
the even greater development and strengthening of our relations.

Then, Chairman of Milli Majlis has told about principles of
development of our inter-parliamentary contacts, has in detail
informed on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. He has
stated that Azerbaijan would give nobody a span of its land and by
all means would release the occupied territories.

Mr. Haluk Ipek has told: `The purpose of visit of delegation to
Azerbaijan is even more to develop inter-parliamentary links. The
majority of members of delegation are women-deputies. Their basic
purpose also consists in adjustment of cooperation with the women
deputies represented in Milli Majlis. We hope, that we shall reach an
object in view. As if to the Nagorny Karabakh conflict, in this
question Turkey always near to Azerbaijan, and the policy remain
constant irrespective of the fact which party will come to power.

Then, at the meeting, the parties exchange opinions on a number of
other questions representing mutual interest.

National Post (Canada)
July 16, 2004 Friday National Edition

Liberals and the ethnic vote

There’s no shortage of Canadian politicians seeking to pander to
cultural or religious groups. But ordinarily, they target a specific
minority constituency when doing so.

Not Carolyn Parrish. Speaking to a reporter while heading into this
week’s Liberal caucus meeting, the newly re-elected MP for
Mississauga-Erindale suggested that her party is indebted to
immigrant voters-at-large for helping it hold on to its suburban
Toronto-area ridings. Or, in her words: “We owe the ethnic community
some recognition for what they did to save our lives.”

Ah, yes, “the ethnic community.” That rainbow coalition, we suppose,
of everyone whose skin drifts past ivory and on into puce. Or,
perhaps, of everyone who speaks with a perceptible accent. Or with a
hard-to-pronounce last name. It doesn’t matter: We know who you’re
talking about, Carolyn. And indeed, we are inspired by the image
you’ve summoned of Latvians, Armenians and Samoans high-fiving
Trinidadians, Filipinos and the Senegalese as they celebrate the
Liberal victory at their pan-ethnic fiesta: All the colours of
Benetton, united by their ethnic-ality.

Tonight, we expect Ms. Parrish will be out chatting up a couple of
her “ethnic” constituents, spreading soy sauce and tzatziki on her
tandoori-cooked, jerk-spiced blintzes and cabbage rolls as she
presses the miscellaneously pigmented flesh. Don’t forget, Ms.
Parrish, to give your supporters a big “thank you” in their native
language … whatever that may be.

OSCE KARABAKH MEDIATORS MEET AZERI PUBLIC

ANS radio, Baku
16 Jul 04

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen, Yuriy Merzlyakov (Russia), Henry
Jacolin (France) and Steven Mann (USA), have met representatives of
the Azerbaijani public at the US embassy in Baku. The director of the
Institute for Peace and Democracy, Leyla Yunus, told ANS that leaders
of political parties, ambassadors, human rights activists and other
representatives of the public attended the meeting. The OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairmen met the Azerbaijani public openly for the first time
since the group’s establishment.

Talking about the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the co-chairmen said
that the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers were currently
conducting serious talks. They think that a peaceful solution to the
conflict will be impossible if the two sides do not compromise with
each other. The director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy,
Leyla Yunus, said that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen told the
meeting that it would be wrong to leave the resolution of the conflict
for the future generation. The sides should try to resolve the
conflict. The co-chairmen think that the South Caucasus countries
wishing to enter the European Union should speedily resolve conflicts
among themselves. Otherwise, they cannot be admitted to the European
Union.

Petroleum Economist
July 13, 2004

NEWS IN BRIEF.

** National Iranian Gas Exporting Company has agreed to export 36bn
cm of natural gas by pipeline to Armenia, over 20 years, beginning in
2007. In return, Armenia will transmit power to Iran from a state-run
power plant in Yerevan. The agreement will require construction of a
141-km pipeline, expected to cost $220m.

**The EU froze Euro100m ($122m) of aid after the government refused
to agree a timetable on decommissioning a Soviet-designed nuclear
power plant, sited 40 km from Yerevan. The reactor was closed in the
mid-70s after an earthquake devastated the area, but was restarted in
1995 because of energy shortages.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
July 12, 2004 Monday 1:25 AM Eastern Time

Media advisory: meeting at Federation Council

Federation Council
Press Service

Speaker of the Federation Council Sergey Mironov will meet with
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan at the Federation Council
(26, Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, meetings hall) at 12.30 on Wednesday,
July 14.

Please apply for accreditation to the press service of the Federation
Council before 11.00 on July 14.

Press Service telephone numbers are 292-1877, 292-7525.

Fax: 292-4305.

Itar-Tass

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/12/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1. Lennmarker Underscores Karabagh Security
2. Armenian, Greek Americans Disappointed at President Bush’s Push to Get
Turkey into EU
3. OSCE Minsk Group Mediators Begin Tour of Region with Armenia
4. House Foreign Aid Bill Passes Second Hurdle
5. Both Russia, Georgia Say Eager to Settle South Ossetia Conflict
6. NEWS BRIEFS

1. Lennmarker Underscores Karabagh Security

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–National Assembly Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian rebuffed
reports in the Armenian press that the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has raised the issue of returning “occupied
territories,” to Azerbaijan.
Hovhannisian, who heads the Armenian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, told a news conference on Monday that OSCE rapporteur Goran
Lennmarker’s draft report on the Karabagh makes no mention of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity.
“During his meeting with the Armenian and Azeri delegations, Lennmarker
addressed all of the occupied territories–including parts of the Shahumian
and
Martuni districts under the Azeri occupation–but in the context of de-mining
and eliminating of other hurdles for the return of residents,” clarified
Hovhannisian.
“In fact,” explained Hovhannisian, “the Azeris were seriously concerned that
the document did not make mention of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.”
The document apparently does not address the issue of Mountainous Karabagh
Republic’s status, concentrating instead, on its security.
Hovhannisian revealed that the Armenian delegation managed to thwart Azeri
attempts to include a section in the resolution, that recognizes “uncontrolled
territories” are a haven for drug and weapons trafficking.

2. Armenian, Greek Americans Disappointed at President Bush’s Push to Get
Turkey into EU

ANCA, AHI send letter to White House after Bush’s Istanbul speech praising
Turkey’s treatment of minorities

WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)–The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and
the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) expressed their profound disappointment
over recent remarks by President Bush praising Turkey’s treatment of
minorities
and calling for that nation’s acceptance in the European Union.
During his official visit to Istanbul, Turkey to participate in the NATO
summit, President Bush repeatedly called for the European Union to support
Turkey’s candidacy for membership. “Turkey is a strong, secular democracy, a
majority Muslim society, and a close ally of free nations,” Bush noted, and
continued, “with 150 years of democratic and social reform, stands as a model
to others, and as Europe’s bridge to the wider world.”
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and AHI President Gene Rossides, in a July 8
letter to the President, point out, “the reality is that Turkey is neither
secular nor democratic and, if anything, represents a negative role model for
the states of the region. Over the past one hundred and fifty years,
successive
Turkish governments have been characterized by their violence toward their own
citizens, their disdain for democracy, and their aggression against
neighboring
states. . . Significantly, during this period, Turkey has dealt with its
minority populations by committing genocide against Armenians, massacring and
driving Pontians and other Greeks from its shores, denying the existence of
its
Kurdish citizens, and restricting the rights of Christians to worship freely.”
Responding to calls by President Bush for European leaders to endorse Turkish
membership in the European Union, Rossides and Hachikian stated that “Turkey’s
candidacy for this European institution does not enjoy the backing of our
nation’s citizens, who recognize that the Turkish government falls far
short of
meeting even the most basic standards of democracy and human rights that we
embrace as Americans. Nor does Turkey’s application have the support of
Europeans–including European Greeks and Armenians–who clearly reject
Turkey’s
candidacy.”
ANCA and AHI concerns about continued US calls for Turkish membership in the
European Union are shared by ANCA affiliates across Europe, who have actively
worked with activists in their respective countries urging European leaders to
bar Turkey’s membership due to a range of issues, including significant human
rights violations and Turkey’s failure to recognize the Armenian genocide. In
1987, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on Turkey to
acknowledge the Armenian genocide and to establish political dialogue with
representatives of the Armenian people as a precondition for European Union
membership.
In addition to the joint letter to President Bush, ANCA representatives
attended an American Hellenic Institute sponsored forum on Capitol Hill last
week regarding Turkey’s illegal occupation of Cyprus. The event was titled
“Cyprus: 30 Years Later–An Assessment of the Annan Plan and Where Do We Go
>From Here.” Guest speakers at the forum included noted author and television
commentator Christopher Hitchens, Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairman
Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) as well as Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Rob Andrews (D-NJ).
ANCA Government Affairs Director Abraham Niziblian and Capital Gateway Program
Director Arsineh Khachikian led a delegation of ANCA “Leo Sarkisian”
Internship
participants to the luncheon, which was attended by several dozen
Congressional
staff members and a broad range of Greek and Cypriot American activists.

ANCA/AHI letter to President Bush

July 8, 2004

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express the profound disappointment of our nation’s Greek
and Armenian American communities over your remarks of June 29th forcefully
advocating for Turkey’s membership in the European Union.
Turkey’s candidacy for this European institution does not enjoy the
backing of
our nation’s citizens, who recognize that the Turkish government falls far
short of meeting even the most basic standards of democracy and human rights
that we embrace as Americans. Nor does Turkey’s application have the
support of
Europeans–including European Greeks and Armenians–who clearly reject
Turkey’s
candidacy. Beyond the specific problems with Turkey’s eligibility, we also
want
to share with you our reservations about the propriety of a US President
seeking to direct the internal decision-making of our European allies
regarding
the conduct of their diplomacy and multilateral affairs. Turkey’s membership
is, ultimately, a European decision.
In your remarks, you argued that, “Turkey is a strong, secular democracy, a
majority Muslim society, and a close ally of free nations.” You added that
Turkey “with 150 years of democratic and social reform, stands as a model to
others, and as Europe’s bridge to the wider world.” The reality is that Turkey
is neither secular nor democratic and, if anything, represents a negative role
model for the states of the region. Over the past one hundred and fifty years,
successive Turkish governments have been characterized by their violence
toward
their own citizens, their disdain for democracy, and their aggression against
neighboring states. Turkey’s aggression against and occupation of 37% of
Cyprus
is now in its 30th year.
Significantly, during this period, Turkey has dealt with its minority
populations by committing genocide against Armenians, massacring and driving
Pontians and other Greeks from its shores, denying the existence of its
Kurdish
citizens, and restricting the rights of Christians to worship freely. Last
April, the Turkish Education Minister Huseyin Celik issued a decree requiring
that all Turkey’ school children–Greeks and Armenians included–be taught to
deny the Armenian Genocide. As recently as this February, the State
Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices documented that,
“torture, beatings, and other abuses by security forces remained
widespread” in
Turkey.
Extending uncritical support to an unrepentant and unreformed Turkish
government only encourages and enables Turkey’s continued refusal to respect
international norms for responsible membership in the family of nations.
Rather
than turning a blind eye to Turkey’s serious failings, US interests and
American values would be better served by bringing to bear the full
pressure of
our government to ensure that Turkey meets basic standards for domestic and
international behavior.
Thank you for your consideration of our concerns. As we have noted to you in
the past, we stand ready to meet with you to discuss these and other
matters of
concern to our communities.

Sincerely,
Gene Rossides, President
American Hellenic Institute

Kenneth V. Hachikian, Chairman
Armenian National Committee of America

3. OSCE Minsk Group Mediators Begin Tour of Region with Armenia

YEREVAN (RFE-RL)On the first leg of their regional tour, the French, Russian
and US co-chairs of the OSCE’s Minsk Group met on Sunday with senior
representatives of political parties in Armenian parliament. The meeting was
held in the US embassy.
According to Orinats Yerkir party representative, Mher Shahgeldian, the
meeting aimed to “make clear” to everyone that delay in the settlement of
Mountainous Karabagh conflict would bring no dividends to either side.
“They were also seeking better understanding of the positions and approaches
of the policy makers and politicians who are able to influence public opinion
in Armenia,” he added.
On Monday the co-chairs held talks with President Robert Kocharian and
Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian. They will leave for Stepanakert on Tuesday.
The Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov said he could not unveil the content of
the talks, and stated, “At this stage the consultations between co-chairs and
Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers that have begun in Prague are
continuing.” “This time we wanted also to compare our perception of the
results
of Prague consultations with the perception of the sides,” Merzlyakov added.

4. House Foreign Aid Bill Passes Second Hurdle

Armenia/Azerbaijan US military aid parity maintained; bill Allocates $65
million in economic assistance for Armenia; $5 million for Mountainous
Karabagh

WASHINGTON, DC–The House Appropriations Committee on Friday voted on the
Fiscal Year 2005 foreign aid bill, affirming an earlier decision by the
Foreign
Operations Subcommittee to maintain parity in US foreign military financing
(FMF) assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
The committee, chaired by Florida Republican Bill Young, agreed to
allocate $5
million in military financing assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan,
respectively, as opposed to President Bush’s earlier request of $8 million for
Azerbaijan and $2 million for Armenia. The committee also supported an earmark
of $65 million in US assistance to Armenia, and $5 million for Mountainous
Karabagh. By contrast, the Bush Administration had requested $62 million for
Armenia and had not specified any funding level for Mountainous Karabagh.
With the adoption of this measure by the Appropriations Committee, the foreign
aid bill will move to the full House for a vote. The Senate version of the
bill
will follow a similar path.

5. Both Russia, Georgia Say Eager to Settle South Ossetia Conflict

TBILISI (BBC/Eurasianet/Interfax/Itar-Tass)–The co-chairman of the mixed
controlling commission, set up to maintain a handle on the Georgian-Ossetian
conflict, met last Sunday and decided to hold a high-level meeting to find a
settlement to the latest outbreaks in South Ossetia.
Georgia’s National Security Chief Guela Bejuashvili, and his Russian
counterpart Igor Ivanov, along with the Georgian, Russian, South Ossetian and
North Ossetian co-chairmen of the Commission are scheduled to meet in
Moscow on
July 14.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili praised Russia, on Sunday, saying
he is
convinced Russia is not interested in using force to quell the situation in
South Ossetia. “Russia’s special envoy Lev Mironov has been sent to settle the
conflict. Mironov is demonstrating constructive approaches,” Saakashvili told
journalists at the government building in Tbilisi.
Saakashvili did charge that “certain forces in Russia” are preparing for
“aggression against Georgia,” the news site Civil Georgia reported. Calling on
Putin to “restrain these forces,” Saakashvili warned that any armed
conflict in
South Ossetia would not be a fight between Georgians and Ossetians, but would
become “a serious problem between the two countries, Georgia and Russia.”
Like Moscow, Tbilisi has been quick to take credit for avoiding a full-scale
armed conflict in the territory. “Due to coordinated activities by the
Georgian
government, international support and because of frequent contact with Russia
and the United States, Georgia has avoided the bloody conflict which [South
Ossetian leader Eduard] Kokoev and his backers in Russia wanted to launch,”
Civil Georgia reported Saakashvili as saying upon a July 12 departure for
London.
“Kokoev will not succeed. Tbilisi is prepared for talks on South Ossetia’s
status as a part of Georgia. The most important thing for us is to preserve
peace. South Ossetia will be reintegrated into Georgia in just one year,” the
president said.
In the latest fighting on Sunday, four Georgian soldiers were wounded.
Violence broke out when separatist forces opened fire at Georgian troops
in an
ethnically-Georgian village in South Ossetia.
A few days earlier, South Ossetia came close to renewed hostilities when
separatists detained a group of Georgian peacekeepers for 24 hours, forcing
them to their knees in a humiliating display that was broadcast on Georgian
television.
It came after Georgian troops impounded two Russian lorries which were
carrying military equipment to the region.
Russia, which jointly patrols the region with Georgian and South Ossetian
troops, said the arms were needed for peacekeeping purposes.
There have been angry exchanges between Moscow and Tbilisi over the last few
days.
South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s after a war that
followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. It claimed independence from
Georgia
and wants to join North Ossetia, which is ethnically similar and part of
Russia.

6. NEWS BRIEFS

EU Ready to Support Nuclear Plant Security Measures

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)The European Union (EU) announced that it is ready to
provide Armenia with 4-5 million euros for the implementation of security
measures at the nuclear power plant. According to the Head of the European
Commission Delegation in Armenia and Georgia, Torben Holtze, Armenia must
present a thorough proposal before receiving the funds. Holtze added that the
offer has no bearing on the organization’s willingness to allocate 100 million
euros for the power plant’s closure.

President Mohammad Khatami to Visit Azerbaijan

BAKU (ARMENPRESS)Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is scheduled to spend the
first ten days of August on an official visit to Azerbaijan. The details of
the
president’s visit will be announced during Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamediarov’s visit to Iran at the end of the month.
According to an Azeri news source, several documents–including a reportedly
major political declaration–that are now being drafted, will be signed by
both
sides during the visit.
Azeri 525 daily writes that the visit of the Iranian president was
expected in
1998. President Heydar Aliyev made two official visits to Iran-one in 1994 and
another in 2002. According to the Azeri daily, the Iranian head of state
declined Azeri invitations during the eight year period due to considerations
linked to Caspian Sea politics. The Iranian president is expected to visit
Armenia later on this year.

$48,000 Pledged for Construction of Disabled Persons Center

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Levon Nersisian, the chairman of the Astghik (Starlet)
union of handicapped people, announced that nine international and local
organizations have pledged $42,000 for the development of a rehabilitation
center. The center is to be built on two hectares of government allocated land
in Yerevan’s Nor York community. It will serve as the home of the “Hope
Shelter” program, which Nersisian said will require $6 million dollars and
adhere to internationally accepted standards of care for the disabled. When
complete, 60 children will be placed under the care of a 148-member staff. The
center will also accommodate local senior citizens and elderly tourists.

Kocharian Receives Indonesian Ambassador

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On Monday, Armenian President Robert Kocharian received
Indonesian Ambassador to Armenia Remi Romauli Siahan, who is ending his
two-year long diplomatic mission in Armenia. According to president press
services, the ambassador thanked the Armenian government for the support it
provided him during his tenure. The sides discussed bilateral relations and
prospects for their development.

Georgia Protests Against Violation of its Air Space

TBILISI (ARMENPRESS)On July 11 the Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed its
disapproval over the violation of Georgia’s airspace by Russian forces and
assessed the incident as being “another provocation aimed at aggravating and
escalating the situation in the breakaway region of South Ossetia.”
On July 11, at 6:34 am, a military aircraft penetrated Georgian airspace over
the South Ossetian region of the Georgian-Russian border. The aircraft
penetrated Georgian airspace, usually reserved for commercial airlines, and
stayed in the region for 6 minutes heading back toward Russia. The Georgian
Foreign Ministry claims that the Russia continues the illegal delivery of
armored vehicles and equipment into Georgia.

French-Armenian Bicycle Marathon Launched

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Approximately 40 children from Armenian and French
orphanages started a twelve-day bicycle marathon on Sunday that is jointly
organized by the French Pa-de-Calais Orphanages Association and the Armenian
Bicycles Sports Federation. During the marathon, participants will pass
through
several of Armenians regions, including mountainous areas. Pa-de-Calais
Orphanage Association head, Francis Rambo, said that they seek to promote
friendship and healthy competition amongst the children of the two nations.

Armenian Health Minister Visits Karabagh

STEPANAKERT (ARMENPRESS)On July 9, Mountainous Karabagh Republic President
Arkady Ghoukasian received an Armenian Health Ministry delegation, headed by
minister Norayr Davidian.
According to presidential press services, Davidian reported that their
delegation has visited a number of hospitals, met with medical personnel and
patients and the Mountainous Karabagh ministerial employees to learn about the
health sector of the country. The problems which exist, the services reported,
could be ameliorated through the joint efforts of the two ministries. Davidian
assured the president that his ministry is ready and willing to support
Karabagh in a variety of ways, including the training of medical personnel and
improving the technological capacity of hospitals.

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Pakistan Times
July 9 2004

Musharraf, Aliyev reiterate support on Kashmir, Nagorno-Karabakh
Pakistan Times Foreign Desk

BAKU (Azerbaijan): President General Pervez Musharraf and his Azeri
counterpart Ilham Aliyev Thursday agreed to upgrade bilateral
relations in various fields, reiterating their countries’ support to
each other on issues including Kashmir dispute and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Joint Press Conference

“Pakistan and Azerbaijan support each other on all international and
regional issues,” declared Azeri President Aliyev at a joint Press
Conference with President Musharraf.

The joint press conference followed official talks between the two
sides and signing of four agreements on promoting cooperation in
various fields.

‘Azerbaijan supports Pak on Kashmir’

President Aliyev said Azerbaijan supports Pakistan’s stand on the
Jammu and Kashmir dispute while “Pakistan supports us on the issue of
Nagorno Karabakh. We believe that these two issues should be settled
according to international and UN resolutions,” he said.

President Musharraf told newsmen that the two countries had a
complete identity of views on all major international and political
issues. He said the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia is a
cause of concern for Pakistan and we will continue our support for
Azerbaijan on this issue.”

Musharraf said during the talks, they also discussed issues including
the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Palestine question and
agreed to keep in touch with each other.

Agreements

Referring to the agreements signed between the two sides, President
Musharraf said they will lead the two countries to a new era of
cooperation.

The agreements pertain to promotion in the fields of tourism and
culture, cooperation in customs, cooperation in combating narcotics,
drug production and trafficking and cooperation in controlling
international terrorism and crime.

Joint Declaration

The two leaders also signed a joint declaration, reaffirming the two
countries’ mutual commitment to maintaining and augmenting political,
trade and economic cooperation.

President Aliyev said both countries are eager to improve economic
cooperation. “It will continue to grow, and energy, tourism,
agriculture are some of the sectors for joint ventures between two
countries.”

President Musharraf said Azerbaijan has expertise in oil and gas and
Pakistan can benefit from these, while Pakistan can extend expert
level cooperation to Azerbaijan in the fields of information
technology and banking sector.

JMC, Scolarships

The joint ministerial commission of the two countries, Musharraf
urged, must meet annually to provide follow-up to progress on various
issues to the mutual benefit of both.

President Musharraf also announced offering 15 scholarships to Azeri
students, including ten in the IT field and business administration
and five in the banking sector.

President Musharraf invited his host to visit Pakistan which
President Aliyev accepted. During the official talks, the two sides
also exchanged views on defence training and production.`

International Journalist’s Network
July 9 2004

Fellowships available for Internet course in the Netherlands

Journalists can apply for fellowships to attend a course in the
Netherlands on using the Internet for research, publication and
distribution of news.

The Radio Netherlands Training Center (RNTC) will conduct the course
from May 9 to June 17, 2005. Full scholarships covering travel,
accommodation and course fees, are available for journalists from
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, and
Mongolia.

Applicants should be mid-career broadcast journalists with a
secondary or professional education and at least three to four years
of media experience. Applicants must also have a good command of both
written and spoken English and basic computer skills.

Before applying for a fellowship, candidates must apply directly to
the RNTC to attend the course. Course applications are due October 1.
Should they be accepted, candidates will receive a conditional letter
of acceptance, after which they can apply for the fellowship.

Fellowship applications must be received in the Netherlands by
January 1, 2005, but fellowship officers at Dutch embassies or
consular posts in the applicant’s country may need up to a month in
advance to process the application.

Course information and application forms are at

Windsor Star (Ontario)
July 6, 2004 Tuesday Final Edition

Cigars in demand

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s
personal label cigars have become a coveted currency at the state
Capitol.

California political insiders who’ve received a stogie straight from
Schwarzenegger or lifted handfuls from his open humidor save the
cigars as keepsakes or pass them on to friends.

“It’s not a status thing,” Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian told The
Record newspaper in Stockton, Calif., last week. “It’s more like you
know when someone’s been to the governor’s office when they have a
cigar in their hand.”

Aghazarian, who doesn’t smoke because of asthma, said the cigars have
helped him break the ice with constituents.

GRAPHIC: Colour Photo: Arnold Schwarzenegger

AMIC’s Newsletter, Montreal, Canada
AMIC’s Info-Flash
2340 Chemin Lucerne # 30
Ville Mont-Royal, Quebec
H3R 2J8, Canada
Tel : (514) 739 8950
Fax : (514) 738 2622
Web:
Email: [email protected]

June, 2004

1. Article 1: ” AMIC’s Annual General Assembly:
Discussions and Results
2. Article 2: ” Chronomically (time-structurally)
interpreted vascular monitoring in
pregnancy in the Armenian BIOCOS
arm”
3. Article 3: ” Conference- Mental Health
Perspectives in Public Health”
4. Article 4: ” A new initiative from the Ministry of
Health of Armenia”
5. Article 5: ” Announcement from the Armenian
Medical Association and Birthright
Armenia”
6. Article 6: “A new medical book”
7. Article 7: ” What is AMIC?”

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

1. AMIC’s Annual General Assembly: Discussions and Results

On May 28 and 29th, 2004, AMIC held its annual General Assembly in Toronto
warmly hosted by AMIC member association the Armenian-Canadian Medical
Association of Ontario (ACMAO). The discussions focused primarily on the
following subjects:

– The AMIC Journal: an agreement was reached on a new formula of
collaboration with the publisher Regimedia USA to publish a quarterly
medical journal tentatively called the Armenian Medical Journal. Once a
contract is signed, the principal guidelines will be given out to our
readers.

– The 9th Armenian Medical World Congress, scheduled to be held in San
Francisco from June 29 to July 2, 2005. For all practical information (hotel
reservation rates and deadlines, registration fees, programs, please visit
the website for the Congress referred to above). Brochures and registration
forms are available; some associations have already received them and are
sending them out to their members. If you wish to receive one, please
contact AMIC’s office (Phone (514) 739 8950, e-mail: [email protected]).

We are proud and happy to announce that the Rector of Boston University, Dr.
Aram Chobanian, has accepted to be the keynote speaker at the Congress. Stay
tuned for other important announcements!

– AMIC has received official confirmation from the Minister of Health of
Armenia, Dr. Norayr Davidian, that the Second International Medical Congress
of Armenia will be held in 2007 in Yerevan, in accordance with the
understanding signed between AMIC and the Ministry of Health of Armenia.

– The site of the 10th Congress to be held in 2009, will be decided at the
2005 General Assembly in San Francisco during the 9th Congress. Any
interested candidates should contact the AMIC office. It would be
interesting to hold the next Congress in South America or Europe (including
Russia).

– The AMIC – AUA Health Projects Database () was
discussed and it was decided to continue updating the Database for another
year. All those who have projects in Armenia are requested to submit their
information to the database through the web site.

– Long discussions were held concerning AMIC’s mission and its finances and
the necessity of increasing its budget. It was strongly recommended that the
current budget be increased by $25 000 CDN (double its current budget) to
permit AMIC to fully reach its potential. The means to achieve that goal
will be reviewed later on.

-A very fruitful session was devoted to the on-going activities of member
associations in particular in Armenia and Artsakh. AMIC`s experience has
been that those associations which have active programs in Armenia as well
as in their local communities tend to be the most motivated and dynamic.

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2- “Chronomically (time-structurally) interpreted vascular monitoring in
pregnancy in the Armenian BIOCOS arm”

The following appeal was sent to AMIC’s Info-Flash by Professor Franz
Halberg of the University of Minnesota (USA). Please read it carefully and
respond to it. It is of the utmost importance that this kind of
collaboration be encouraged and supported by all means, by the Health Care
Community of the Armenian Diaspora. In his own words, Professor Halberg
remarked in his message: “I fully endorse this appeal, originating from
Armenia, not only for the sake of Armenia, but for the sake of all pregnant
women”.

“A group of Armenian physician-scientists under the guidance of Prof. Nubar
Levon Aslanyan at the suggestion of Prof. Franz Halberg (F. Halberg
Chronobiologic Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
) has undertaken the investigation of
circadian blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) rhythms in pregnant women
at the Maternal and Child Health Protection (M&Ch HP) Scientific Center of
Yerevan (Armenia). This follow-up on an earlier Minnesota investigation (1)
was begun in January 2001. Up to now, more than 310 pregnant women 18-35
years old, have been monitored and data from 176 of these have been
summarized, in addition to the use in everyday clinical practice of all data
from the chronomically interpreted monitoring.

OBJECTIVES – The aim of this investigation was to collect reference values
and on this basis to detect pregnant women with disturbances of variability
in BP and HR; to do this by gauging circadian and infradian BP and HR
rhythms and yet broader chronomes (time structures) and, in the light of any
alterations, to carry out prophylactic and therapeutic measures for the
prevention of the development of any pathologic process by the treatment of
as early abnormalities as possible.

SUBJECTS – Completed analyses concern the results of chronomic BP and HR
monitoring of 53 healthy MESOR (chronome-adjusted mean) – normotensive
pregnant women, 55 pregnant women at risk for developing gestational
hypertension, 45 pregnant women with gestational MESOR-hypertension and 24
pregnant women with preeclampsia.

METHODS – The monitoring of BP and HR was performed by means of a
non-invasive device TM-2421 (A&D, Tokyo, Japan) at 30-min intervals during a
span of (only) 3-5 days (72-120 hours) (because of insufficient numbers of
available instruments). A processor, TM-2021, was used to transfer the data
of the monitor to a personal computer with the aid of manufacturer-supplied
software Doctor-pro 2430-13. The data were sent to Dr. Germaine Cornélissen,
director of the Halberg Chronobiology Center of the University of Minnesota,
where they were analyzed by rhythmometric methods and results returned by
e-mail with a turnaround time usually not exceeding one day, to be used in
everyday health care, primarily for the prediction of an elevated risk of
gestational hypertension and preeclampsia and for the institution of
countermeasures as well for scientific elaboration.

RESULTS – In healthy normotensive pregnant women statistically significant
circadian rhythms’ characteristics for systolic (S) and diastolic (D) BP and
HR, were mapped-MESOR, M; circadian amplitude, A (a measure of extent of
within-day change); and acrophase, _(a measure of timing)- as a function of
gestational age. The A of SBP and the MESOR of HR increased in the second
and third trimesters.

In healthy normotensive pregnant women, non-parametric indices, a hyperbaric
and tachycardic index and the timing and percent time of elevation of
circadian variation in blood pressure and heart rate above age-and
gender-matched peer values gave complementary information about the degree,
the timing and the duration of BP and HR elevation. All were near zero for
the healthy group by comparison to U.S. standards. Any increase of these
indices indicates a disturbance in the circadian chronostructure of BP and
HR.

These chronomic criteria served for the early detection of indications for
action on pregnant women at elevated risk for gestational hypertension:
MESOR- and/or circadian hyper-amplitude-tension (CHAT) were an increase of
MESORs and amplitudes of the circadian rhythm of SBP, above preliminary
reference values.

Rhythmometric criteria were also established for early detection of the risk
of preeclampsia, beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy. These
criteria are the changes of parametric (MESOR, double amplitude and
acrophase) indices of circadian rhythms in systolic and diastolic blood
pressures when compared with the data of healthy MESOR-normotensive pregnant
women.

A 10-50 fold increase of non-parametric indices of systolic and diastolic
blood pressure circadian rhythms (hyperbaric index and percent time excess)
has also been found, which potentially complements non-dipping, a reduction
of the extent of nocturnal sleep-associated BP fall, for an early
chronodiagnosis of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, before
clinical symptoms appear.

Changes in MESOR, hyperbaric index, percent time of excess and acrophase of
circadian rhythms in systolic and diastolic BP, according to our data, are
chronodiagnostic criteria that differentiate gestational hypertension from
preeclampsia. An analogous test is the timing of excess of diastolic blood
pressure, found in the early morning hours in pregnant women with
gestational hypertension and during the early night hours in pregnant women
with preeclampsia.

These preliminary results of our investigations based on the monitoring of
BP and HR during a span of three days, were useful for obstetricians at the
Scientific Research Center of Maternal and Child Health Protection (MCHP) in
Yerevan (Armenia). Monitoring is in demand to have an objective diagnosis of
BP and HR behavior in pregnant women to detect any abnormal behavior in BP
and HR disturbances, whether during the day and/or by night. A similar
surveillance is impossible when only casual time-unspecified BP and HR
readings are taken with manual sphygmomanometers and even when 24-hour
profiles are examined only for daytime and nighttime averages and dipping.

Much more informative results are anticipated from routine chronomically
interpreted 7-day monitoring. Thereby, one can evaluate reference values for
the characteristics of about half-weekly and weekly rhythms, with one
replication of the half-weekly characteristics.

Consequently the Armenian chronobiologists and obstetricians at MCHP need
more monitors for the prophylaxis and treatment of blood pressure disorders
in pregnant women, while the MCHP is at the forefront of research aimed at
exploring the merits of continuous monitoring during pregnancy.

Added monitors are available with an 85% reduction in actual price through
the courtesy of a Japanese firm. Because of this price reduction, U.S. $ 10
680 would buy 20 monitors instead of just three or four, but any lesser
number would also be helpful. The team at MCHP provides new kinds of
reference values that may improve the detection of abnormality in pregnancy
and otherwise, not only in Armenia but also worldwide.”

Donations can be sent according to your geographic location, to the
following persons and countries:
-Dr. Nubar L, Aslanyan (Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor and Chief,
Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry & Chronobiology, Institute of Cardiology,
P. Sevak Str. 5, Yerevan 375044, Armenia.
Phone + 374-2 288583, e-mail: [email protected]
-Dr. Germaine Cornélissen, Director, Halberg Chronobiology Center,
University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code 8609, Dept. of Laboratory Medicine
Minneapolis Campus 420 Delaware Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Phone (651) 454-6334 or 484-3160 Fax (612) 624-9989. E-mail:
[email protected] Web site:
-Mrs. Aida Boudjikanian, Administrative Director, Armenian Medical
International Committee, 2340 Chemin Lucerne, # 30, Ville Mont-Royal, Qc.
H3R 2J8, Canada.
Phone (514) 739 8950. E-mail: [email protected]

The amount donated will be immediately sent to Dr. Germaine Cornélissen,
from whom you will receive a confirmation.

(1) Cornélissen G, Kopher R, Brat P, Rigatuso J, Work B, Eggen D, Einzig S,
Vernier R, Halberg F. Chronobiologic ambulatory cardiovascular monitoring
during pregnancy in Group Health of Minnesota. Proc. 2nd Ann. IEEE Symp. On
Computer-Based Medical Systems, Minneapolis, June 26-27, 1989. Washington
DC: Computer Society Press; 1989. p. 226-237.

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3. Conference – ” Mental Health Pespectives in Public
Health”

Announcement and Invitation from the Vice-Chairman of the Organizing
Committee, Vardan Karamyan, Ph.D.

Dear Colleague,

The World Psychiatrists Association, the Armenian Association of
Psychiatrists and Narcologists and the Armenian Medical Association take
pleasure in inviting you to participate in a Conference concerning “Mental
Health Perspectives in Public Health”, devoted to the 100th anniversary of
Academician A.H. Mehrabyan.
The Conference will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from October 7-10, 2004.

We invite you to participate in the conference with an oral presentation
and/or a poster. Your best research work will be carefully reviewed by the
Scientific Committee. There will be an award for the best oral presentation.
There will also be a special A.H. Mehrabyan’s Award, Conference President’s
Award, as well as several other awards (for detailed information please
visit ).

We hope to welcome a number of attendees who we believe, will benefit from
and contribute to, the discussion of recent advances in our understanding of
Mental Health.

The Conference will also have extensive cultural and social programs, which
will give you an opportunity to get to know Armenia, its ancient history and
tradition. The period during which the Conference will take place coincides
with the celebration of the 2786th anniversary of the ancient town
Erebouni – Yerevan, which will make your visit even more interesting.

Hope to meet you in Yerevan,

With Best Regards, on behalf of the Organizing Committee,

Vardan Karamyan Ph.D.

Armenian Medical Association
P.O. Box 143, Yerevan, 375010, Armenia
Phone: + (3741) 535868. Fax + (3741) 534879. E-mail : [email protected]

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4. A new initiative from the Ministry of Health of
Armenia.

The Ministry of Health of Armenia has decided to put up big posters in all
the entry halls of the hospitals and the polyclinics of the country. The
objective is to inform the population of the medical services and care which
the concerned establishments should provide freely. Dr. Ara Ter Grigoryan,
president of the Social Healthcare Agency, explained the objectives of the
initiative during a press conference held on June 9, warning the population
of the importance of taking note and reading the posters, which are written
in simple and understandable language. They will explain to patients what
are their rights in the health care system, also normalizing the relations
between patients and physicians.

This initiative has the material support of USAID.
***********************************************

5. Announcement from the Armenian Medical
Association and Birthright Armenia

The Armenian Medical Association would like to extend an invitation to any
young Diaspora Armenians interested in the field of medicine who would like
to volunteer in Armenia. The Armenian Medical Association, in collaboration
with Birthright Armenia, has begun a new program that aims to give Diasporan
Armenians between the ages of eighteen and thirty-two, the opportunity to
volunteer in a medical capacity in Armenia – networking with healthcare
professionals in Armenia and forging future links between medicine in
Armenia and in Armenian communities abroad. The Armenian Medical
Association, with its extensive network of medical professionals, will be
able to find and place those interested in suitable medical positions.

The Armenian Medical Association is a non-governmental, non-partisan
organization of medical professionals who strive to advance medicine in
Armenia. For more information, please refer to our website at

Unlike other opportunities, this program offers many ways to easily discover
Armenia, including fully subsidized round-trip travel costs to any
individual who qualifies with Birthright Armenia’s criteria. It is
Birthright Armenia’s mission to strengthen ties between the homeland and
Diasporan youth by affording young Armenians an opportunity to be a part of
Armenia’s daily life and to contribute to Armenia’s development through
work, study and volunteer experiences, while developing life-long personal
ties and a renewed sense of Armenian identity.

For the exact specifications for qualifying for Birthright Armenia, and for
more information on the organization, please refer to their website at

There are currently three (3) available positions for the summer of 2004.
Interested candidates who qualify under Birthright Armenia’s specifications
should contact Birthright Armenia at [email protected] immediately
to secure their position.

APPLY NOW TO BE IN ARMENIA IN JULY!

Gevorg Yaghjyan, MD Ph.D.
Chairman of the Educational Committee, Armenian Medical Association.

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6. A new medical book

Drs. Jerry and Mariam Manoukian, besides presiding the organizing committee
of the 9th World Armenian Medical Congress in San Francisco (see above),
have managed to find the time to write a book entitled “Metabolic Syndrome
Survival Guide”, bearing the subtitle “Learn to Prevent Diabetes and Heart
Attack”. Inspired by their patients, and written for them, the book is very
easy to read and to understand.

The authors would like to hear your comments and questions, and to include
the answers in the second volume. Dr. Jerry Manoukian says that “Metabolic
Syndrome is increasingly recognized as the precursor to most adult diabetes
and a large percentage of cardiovascular disease.”

Their website, , describes the syndrome and the book.

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7. What is AMIC?

The Armenian Medical International Committee was created fourteen years ago.
It is an umbrella organization that unites Armenian medical associations
throughout the Diaspora, creating thus a large network through which
information and data are exchanged.
AMIC organizes Armenian Medical World Congresses. So far eight have been
held in different cities of the Diaspora. In 2003, “The First International
Medical Congress of Armenia”, organized by Armenia, was held in Yerevan from
July 1 to July 3.
The 9th AMIC Congress will be held in 2005 (from June 29 to July 3), in San
Francisco (USA). You can have the latest news by visiting the website

AMIC publishes since 1998 an online newsletter and sends it freely to all
Armenian Health Care professionals. If you are a health care professional
and are interested in receiving Info-Flash, please send us your e-mail
address ([email protected]) . To all those who already receive the Info, please
do not forget to send us your new e-mail address when you change it.
For further information visit our website:

A useful information to remember: you can send freely from wherever you are
located, medical equipment/medicine through the services of the United
Armenian Fund; President Mr. Harout Sassounian ([email protected])