12TH MEETING OF US-ARMENIA TASK FORCE TO START TODAY IN YEREVAN

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 10:35

The 12th meeting of the US-Armenia Task Force (USATF) will start
today in Yerevan. The meeting will be chaired by RA Minister of
Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatryan and US Coordinator for Europe
and Eurasia Tom Adams. According to the Press Service of the RA
Ministry of Finance and Economy, it is envisaged to discuss issues
of bilateral interest, present the programs under implementation and
to clarify issues of the programmed measures. Among the issues on the
USATF agenda are measures to encourage Armenia’s economic development,
democratic reforms, the Millennium Challenge Program-related issues,
macroeconomic policy and long-term development promotion programs,
tax and customs sector reforms. Problems of agriculture, judicial
and energy sectors, educational and scientific issues, as well as the
fight against terrorism and other programs of mutual interest will be
addressed during the meeting. The USATF was established in 2000 with
the aim of promoting the cooperation between the two countries and
enhancing the efficiency of assistance programs implemented by the
US government in Armenia. The USATF holds two meetings annually –
in Washington and Yerevan. Over the past decade, the US government
has implemented various development and humanitarian programs of a
total of 1.6 billion dollars in Armenia.

KARS-AKHALKALAK-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY COMMUNICATION ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED AT TRASECA SITTING

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 11:43

The issues of Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway communication
will be discussed at the sitting of the intergovernmental commission
of TRASECA participant countries to be held in Sofia, Azerbaijani
Ministry of Transport informs.

PACE RAPPORTEUR ON MONITORING OF CULTURAL MONUMENTS TO PAY A VISIT TO THE REGION

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 12:54

“PACE Rapporteur on monitoring of cultural monuments in the South
Caucasus, British MP Edward O’Hara’s visit to Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Nagorno-Karabakh is expected between May25 – June 7, 2006,” member
of the Azeri delegation to PACE Rafael Huseynov told “Trend” Agency.

“I am a member of the PACE delegation for investigation of facts,”
Huseynov said, noting that the first pat of the reporter’s visit
will be dedicated to the investigation of the state of Azerbaijani
monuments on the territory of Armenia. Huseynov said that the exact
date will be set after the sitting of the PACE Committee on Culture,
Education and Science, which will be held May 18-19 in Paris.

OPENING OF THE FIRST BUILDING UNDER THE “CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II WORK PROJECT” TO BE HELD MAY 3 IN GAVAR

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 13:10

On May 3, 2006 the opening ceremony of building will be held under the
” Catholicos Karekin II Work Project: An Armenian Building on Faith”
project in Gavar city, Gegharkunik region.

“The partnership with HFH Armenia and also being the first to
implement such a great project is much responsible for us,” said
Gurgen Martirosyan, the mayor of Gavar city, “We will do our best in
the mission of eliminating poverty housing in our community.”

The construction of this building was stopped in 1993 because of the
huge grade the country was exposed. Now the city administration gave
the building to the families selected by HFH Armenia to be homeowner.

GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA RECOGNIZES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 13:25

Jab Bush, Governor of Florida, US President George Bush’s brother
declared April 24th the day of commemoration of Genocide victims,
Turkish “Hurriet” informs. According to the source, the Jab Bush
issued an official statement saying, “Turks carried out genocide
against Armenians.”

“1915-1923 Osman Turks subjected 1.5 million Armenians to mass
assassination, who became victims of a genocide,” the statement says.

The source reminds that “the Governor of California Arnold
Shwarzenegger declared a week of commemoration of Genocide victims in
California, while President Bush has not been using the word “genocide”
ever since undertaking his position, despite the great pressure.”

ASHOT GALOYAN APPOINTED RA AMBASSADOR TO ESTONIA

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 13:48

With RA President Robert Kocharyan’s decree dated April 29, RA
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Poland Ashot Galoyan
was appointed RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to
Estonia.

“ARMENIA AND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE: FIVE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP” CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 14:00

Achievements in building pluralistic democracy based on respect for
human rights and rule of law during Armenia’s five year membership
in the Council of Europe will be the main theme of the “Armenia and
the Council of Europe: Five Years of Membership” conference to be
held 5 May 2006, at the Armenia Marriott Hotel.

On 25 January 2001, by joining the Council of Europe, an organisation
that promotes democracy, human rights and rule of law continent-wide,
the Republic of Armenia made an important step towards freedom and
democracy. The conference intends to bring together national policy
makers, RA National Assembly deputies, civil society and media as well
as representatives of international community to celebrate the fifth
anniversary of Armenia’s membership in the Organisation and exchange
views on future cooperation between the Council of Europe and Armenia.

The conference will be concluded by a panel discussion entitled
“The Many Facets of Cooperation: Armenia’s Contribution to Building
European Standards” with participation of Armenian professionals
engaged in the Council of Europe activities regarding Armenia.

US EXPERT: ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN ARE NOT READY FOR SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 14:43

Peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is currently
impossible, Director for international security and energy programs
of the Nixon Center Zeyno Baran said, “Turan” Agency informs.

“If the parties were ready for concessions, they would lead a different
foreign and domestic policy,” he considers.

“The possible action against Iran may have a negative influence on
Azerbaijan. However, today it is still hard to estimate the volume
of this influence,” the expert noted.

NKR PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS AND FACTIONS ISSUED A STATEMENT

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 15:25

The press conference featuring representatives of NKR Parliamentary
groups and factions was dedicated to the 15th anniversary of
displacement of the population of Getashen region. “Arminfo”
correspondent reported form Stepanakert that head of the “Democracy”
Party, Head of the NKR NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations
Vahram Atanesyan made a statement on behalf of Parliamentary groups and
factions regarding the tragic events of 30 April, 1991, characterizing
these as terrorist acts against the peaceful population of Getashen.

The Deputy informed that the displacement of the Armenian population
was preceded by anti-Armenian actions of the leadership of Soviet
Azerbaijan. In Vahram Atanesyan’s words, the displacement of the
Armenian population from Getashen was carried out with the permission
of Moscow. He noted that April 6, 1991 USSR Deputy Interior Minister,
Colonel-General Boris Gromov secretly arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh
and met with the Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Azerbaijan Viktor Polyanichko.

“Based on the agreement between the two on April 30 divisions of the
4th Soviet Army deployed in Kirovabad surrounded Getashen,” Vahram
Atanesyan reminded, adding that more than 4 000 citizens were displaced
by May 6, 1991. He reported also that the NKR National Assembly will
hold hearings, featuring former Getashen residents.

“FREEDOM HOUSE” ANNUAL REPORT WAS PRESENTED TO NA CHAIRMAN

ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 15:35

On May 2 RA National Assembly Chairman Arthur Baghdasaryan received
the delegation leaded by Deputy Director of the “Freedom House” NGO
Tomas Melia, Head of the European Office Christie Evenson, Editor of
the “Economist International Unit” Anna Walker.

Mr. Melia presented the 2006 “Freedom House” annual report to the
NA Chairman.

Other issues of mutual importance were also discussed during the
meeting.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress