Armenian National Committee of Pennsylvania
360 Highview Drive
Radnor, PA 19087

[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
May 13, 2004
For Immediate Release

Contact: Karine A. Shamlian
[email protected]

PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
UNANIMOUSLY PASSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

— Pittsburgh City Council also Commemorates First Genocide of 20th Century

Harrisburg, PA–The Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed
a resolution designating April 24, 2004 as “Pennsylvania’s Day of
Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923,” reported the Armenian
National Committee (ANC) of Pennsylvania. Representative Daylin Leach (D)
and 56 co-sponsors introduced Pennsylvania House Resolution No. 593 (HR593).

“The Armenian National Committee of Pennsylvania thanks Rep. Leach for his
leadership in introducing this resolution. We also commend the House of
Representatives for their unwavering commitment to recognize the Armenian
Genocide and to honor the memories of the victims whose descendents are
citizens of the Commonwealth,” stated Dr. Ara Chalian, co-chairman of the
ANC of Pennsylvania. “The ANC of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania General
Assembly have an enduring relationship that spans nearly twenty years. We
look forward to continue working closely with Rep. Leach and others who take
an active role in supporting the issues of the Armenian American community,”
concluded Dr. Chalian.

The resolution identifies the Ottoman Empire as the perpetrators of a
genocide that claimed the lives of one and a half million Armenian men,
women, and children from 1915 to 1923. It also acknowledges that modern
Turkey continues to deny and distort the facts of the Armenian Genocide.
Through this resolution, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reaffirms its
commitment to condemn atrocities, such as the Armenian Genocide, and to
prevent similar crimes against humanity from occurring again.

This is the second consecutive year that the first-term legislator has
introduced an Armenian Genocide resolution. Rep. Leach, whose wife is of
Armenian descent, represents a district which includes a large Armenian
American constituency, two Armenian churches, and the Armenian Sisters
Academy.

“It is important that we never forget the atrocities visited upon the
Armenian People in the last century,” stated Rep. Leach. “It is only by
remembering the past that we can recognize the gathering warning signs of
new oppression. As long as I am in the legislature, I can assure you that
no one will forget the struggle of the Armenian People,” concluded Rep.
Leach.

In addition to the Pennsylvania House Resolution, the Pittsburgh City
Council passed a proclamation declaring April 24, 2004 “A Day of
Remembrance” for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The City
Proclamation was introduced and spearheaded by Councilman Douglas Shields,
and it was co-sponsored by Council President Gene Ricciardi and Council
members Luke Ravenstahl, Jim Motznik, William Peduto, Len Bodack, Alan
Hertzberg, Twanda Carlisle, and Sala Udin.

“On behalf of the Pittsburgh area Armenian-American community, I would like
to thank Councilman Doug Shields and the City Council for observing the
Armenian Genocide,” stated ANC activist Rostom Sarkissian, who resides in
Pittsburgh. “This proclamation and others like it not only honor the victims
and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, but they also send a strong message
to the Turkish government that continued denial of this Genocide can no
longer be a state-sponsored policy. Time has come for Turkey to join the
international community in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide for what it
was–genocide,” concluded Sarkissian.

The ANC PA urges all Pennsylvania Armenians to contact their State
Representative to thank them for passing HR593 and the Pittsburgh City
Council for their “A Day of Remembrance” Proclamation. A copy of the
resolution can be found online at:
The
full text of the City Council statement can be found below.

The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American grassroots
political organization in Pennsylvania and the United States. The ANC
actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian
American community. For more information about the ANC of Pennsylvania or
assistance in contacting your elected officials, email:
[email protected].

####

—————————-
TEXT OF PROCLAMATION
—————————-

Pittsbu rgh City Council

Proclamation

WHEREAS, During the period leading to the breakup of the Ottoman empire,
Ottoman leaders promulgated Anti-Armenia policies, including mass
deportation of Armenians; and,

WHEREAS, these policies resulted in the systematic annihilation, through
massacres, disease, and starvation of a large segment of the Armenian
population; and,

WHEREAS, 1.5 million men, women, and children of Armenian ancestry were
victims of the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 through
1923; and,

WHEREAS, Armenians have historical roots and a national identity dating back
three thousand years in what is now Eastern Turkey, Northwestern Iran, and
South-Central Soviet Union; and,

WHEREAS, Armenians have distinctive linguistic and religious heritage within
the Christian tradition,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh
does hereby remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does
hereby declare Saturday April 24, 2004 as “A Day of Remembrance” here in the
City of Pittsburgh.

Passed in Council on Tuesday April 20, 2004

Gene Ricciardi
President of Council

Attest: Linda Johnson-Wasler
City Clerk

Sponsored by Councilman Douglas Shields
Cosponsored by
Council President Gene Ricciardi
And members of Council
Luke Ravenstahl, Jim Motznik, William Peduto, Len Bodack, Alan Hertzberg,
Twanda Carlisle, Sala Udin

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

May 13, 2004
___________________

ST. LEON HOSTS APPRECIATION DAY

On May 2, 2004, the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, held an
Appreciation Day Celebration, during which it honored many parish
volunteers and leaders.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), attended the festivities, and presented S.
Rex Kachigian with the prestigious St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and a
Pontifical Encyclical on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians. The St. Nersess medal is awarded to individuals who
demonstrate outstanding commitment and service to the Armenian Church.

Mr. Kachigian is currently on the parish council and has served the
church for more than 40 years. He has served as parish council
chairman, a diocesan delegate, and oversees the maintence of the parish.

“Pretty much, he has had a hand in every aspect of the life of this
community,” said the parish priest, Fr. Diran Bohajian.

Also honored by the parish that day were Minas Arakelian, Bert
Bedrosian, Dr. Barry Halejian, Barbara Hovsepian, George Kachajian, Anne
Kachigian, Hermon Kasaryan, Rose Kirian, Anne Marootian, Mary Ann
Mozian, Gregg Najarian, Katherine Ohnikian, Grace Pinajian, Takouhi
Soultanian, Dovie Tilbian, Eliz Tossounian, Edna Tungrian, Bertha
Vaniskhian, Berjouhi Varjabedian, and Alice Yazmajian.

“We honored them for their years of service to the community,” Fr.
Bohajian said. “It was a time to say ‘thank you’ to those who have
served in various capacities within the life of the St. Leon Community.
These are people who have really worked diligently to build up the
Armenian Church and the St. Leon community. And they all continue to
serve in the community.”

This was the first such recognition event organized by St. Leon. Fr.
Bohajian says he hopes to create a regular on-going recognition program,
holding celebrations every few years.

“Rex Kachigian is a wonderful example of how to be a good steward. All
these people who were honored are wonderful stewards,” said the Primate,
who noted that this year the Diocese will be focusing on the idea of
stewardship. “Being good stewards mean we are called on to contribute
to the perfection of God’s chosen vessel, His church. By contributing,
I mean giving of ourselves — of our time and talent, as well as our
financial resources – to the greater good of the church.”

— 5/13/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): The Primate presents S. Rex Kachigian with the St.
Nersess Shnorhali Medal and a Pontifical Encyclical on behalf of His
Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, held a celebration
to honor volunteers on May 2, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Two volunteers are feted by St. Leon Church of Fair
Lawn, NJ, during its Appreciation Day Celebration.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian speaks to the
parishioners of St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, on May 2, 2004.

# # #

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED DUE TO SCUFFLES BETWEEN ARMENIANS AND
ADZHARIANS OF TSALKA GEORGIAN REGION

13.05.2004 17:25

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Criminal proceedings are instituted on facts of
scuffles between the Armenian and Adzharian populations of the Tsalka
Georgian region May 9, A-Info news agency reported. According to
the source, at present the passions have relatively settled down. As
Chairman of the regional administration Razmik Hanesian assures, the
contingent of internal forces in the region was not increased. 150
soldiers of internal forces, brought in the other day, will stay for
several days. However, the Adzharian community of the region continues
expressing concern, stating “Armenians have arms and these should be
taken away.” Meanwhile, the Armenian population says Adzharians are
armed, citing a range of cases, when arms were used against them
“for the purpose of frightening.” Georgian Minister of Internal
Affairs Georgy Baramidze has arrived in the Tsalka region May 13
to familiarize with the situation at the scene. Besides, Armenian
deputy from Tsalka region Hayk Meltonian is expected to discuss
the question with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania or National
Security Minister Zurab Merabishvili in the evening. It should be
reminded that May 9 in the regional center of Tsalka (Eastern Georgia)
after a football match between young residents of local villages a
scuffle between Adzharians and Armenians took place. As a result,
10 were injured.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: GEORGE SHIRINIAN
DATE: May 13, 2004 Tel: (416) 250-9807

Toronto – Turkish scholar Dr. Taner Akçam will be speaking about his new
book, From Empire to Republic: Turkish Nationalism and the Armenian
Genocide in several cities in the coming weeks.

Dr. Akçam is one of the first Turkish academics to acknowledge and discuss
openly the genocide of the Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish government in
1915. He is one of a handful of scholars who are challenging their
homeland’s insistent declarations that the organized slaughter of Armenians
did not occur; and he is the first Turkish specialist to use the word
“genocide” publicly in this context. His new book represents the first
scholarly attempt to both document the Genocide and understand that
genocide from a perpetrator, rather than victim perspective, and to
contextualize fully the events of 1915 within Turkey’s political history,
and western political policies towards the region more generally.

Taner Akçam was born in northeastern Turkey and became interested in
politics at an early age. He was active in Turkish politics until he fled
to Germany as a political refugee, where he received a Ph.D. from Hanover
University. Dr. Akçam is the author of numerous books and articles in
English, German and Turkish. Through his research, writings, and lectures,
he has worked tirelessly and courageously to help the Turkish people come
to terms with their history and to bridge the gap between Turks and
Armenians. He is currently Visiting Associate Professor of History at the
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

The schedule of his lectures is as follows:

Thursday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
Boston-Cambridge. Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, 79 John
F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA. Starr Auditorium. Parking is available at
the Harvard Square Parking Garage at the corner of Eliot and JFK streets or
at the Charles Hotel Parking Garage. This lecture is co-sponsored by the
Zoryan Institute for Contemporary Armenian Research and Documentation, the
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, the Mashtots Chair
in Armenian Studies at Harvard, and the Harvard Armenian Society. For more
information contact the Zoryan Institute at 617-497-6713 or NAASR at
617-489-1610.

Friday, May 21, 6:30 p.m.
Montreal. McGill University, Moot Court, New Chancellor Day Hall Law
Faculty, 3644 Peel. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Zoryan Institute of
Canada and the Armenian Students’ Associations of Concordia, McGill, and
the University of Montreal. For more information contact the Zoryan
Institute of Canada, 416-250-9807.

Saturday May 22, 6:30 p.m.
Montreal. Bolsahay Cultural Association, 2855 Victor Dore. This lecture is
co-sponsored by the Zoryan Institute of Canada, the Bolsahay Cultural
Association and the Armenian General Benevolent Union of Montreal. For more
information contact the Zoryan Institute of Canada, 416-250-9807.

Sunday, May 23, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto. Glendon College, 2275 Bayview Ave. (at Lawrence), Dining Hall.
Parking is free. This lecture is organized by the Zoryan Institute of
Canada, with the participation of the Armenian Association of Toronto, the
Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto, the Armenian General Benevolent
Union of Toronto, the Armenian Missionary Association of Canada, the
Armenian National Committee of Toronto, the Armenian Students’ Associations
of Ryerson University, University of Toronto and York University, the
Bolsahay Cultural Association, the Canadian Armenian Business Council, Holy
Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Gregory’s Armenian Catholic Church,
St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Social Democrat Henchak Party, and
other organizations. For more information contact the Zoryan Institute of
Canada, 416-250-9807.

Friday, June 4, 6:30 p.m.
New York-Manhattan. City University of New York Graduate Center, 365 Fifth
Avenue, Elebash Recital Hall. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Zoryan
Institute for Contemporary Armenian Research and Documentation and the
Middle East & Middle
Eastern American Center of CUNY. For more information contact the Zoryan
Institute of Canada, 416-250-9807.

Admission to all lectures is free. A question-and-answer period will follow
the lecture. Copies of Dr. Akçam’s new book, From Empire to Republic will
be on sale and available for signing.

THE MESSAGE OF NKR PRESIDENT

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
May 10, 2004

May 9 is a great holiday for our country. This day has always been dear
to our nation. Not very long ago on May 9 we celebrated the victory of
our common homeland against fascist Germany in the Great Patriotic War,
a war where every second soldier from Artsakh was killed. However,
12 years ago May 9 acquired a special meaning for us becoming fatal
for the Armenians of Artsakh. On this day Shoushi was liberated again
becoming Armenian, as it should be. Shoushi was liberated by the NKR
Defence Army which surprised the world with its valor and military
efficiency, and on this day it also celebrates the day of its creation
on May 9. By the liberation of Shoushi the â^À^ÜRoad of Lifeâ^À^Ý
to Armenia was opened saving the people of Artsakh from the danger
of physical extermination. This is the essence of the liberation of
Shoushi. It is very symbolic that we celebrate these three holidays
on the same day. This coincidence incarnates the succession of
generations. The glorious military traditions of the grandfathers and
fathers, who worked miracles of courage and valor during World War II,
were duly continued by the new generation of the people of Artsakh,
who obtained and defended the freedom and independence of Artsakh in
the battles with the enemy exceeding them in number and arms. Glory
to the martyrs for the happy future of Artsakh. The duty of us the
living is not to let the blood shed by them be in vain. Glory to our
veterans of war. The government of the republic will continue to keep
in the center of attention their needs and cares. The NKR Defence
Army formed in the furnace of the struggle for independence continues
to be the most reliable guarantor of the security of the Republic of
Nagorni Karabakh and its people. Today when in Azerbaijan they try to
hinder the course of history cherishing revanchist hopes to solve the
problem of Karabakh by force, we have no right to weaken the military
building, we must equip the army with modern weapons, maintain the
rates of improvement of military skills. At the same time once again
I declare with full responsibility that the NKR Defence Army is the
army of peace. Its priority was and remains the defence of Nagorni
Karabakh and its population from external aggression. Be sure that our
army is ready to counterattack the enemy at any moment if it dares to
disturb our peaceful life and encroach upon our independence. Dear
fellow countrymen, the May holidays overlap with another important
event; 10 years ago in the area of the Karabakh conflict Azerbaijan,
Nagorni Karabakh and Armenia signed the agreement on cease-fire. At
that time Azerbaijan had to recognize Nagorni Karabakh as a conflict
party and signed the cease-fire with Karabakh due to the success
of our army. And if the cease-fire is maintained up today, the
main role in this belongs to the power of the NKR army defending
our homeland. Therefore, our army is one of the active guarantees
for the maintenance of the peaceful process of the regulation of the
conflict. I want to assure you that the NKR government is as formerly
loyal to peaceful regulation of the Karabakh conflict. Dear people of
Artsakh, I congratulate you on our Victory. I wish all of us peace,
well-being and happiness.

AA.

INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY OF NKR SECURITY COUNCIL K. BABURIAN

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
May 10, 2004

Mr. Baburian, it is the tenth anniversary of the cease-fire on the
Karabakh front. Negotiations go on but even ten years later the
president of Azerbaijan again speaks about starting the negotiations
from the zero point. How would you characterize the present stage of
the negotiations and how big is the probability of breaking the
cease-fire? â^À^Ó The cease-fire signed by both Azerbaijan and Karabakh
and maintained for already ten years once again testifies to the fact
that for the settlement of any problem Azerbaijan must negotiate with
the government of Nagorni Karabakh. As to the new wave of appeals for
military actions, these have always existed. In my opinion, giving
consent to the construction of the pipeline Baku-Geihan and the
inflow of billions of loan Azerbaijan significantly reduced the
probability of solving the problem through military ways. The big
interests of great powers have come forth in the region, and the
great powers are not interested in destabilization of the situation
in the region, which they have stated for a number of times. As to
the negotiations, these are held confidentially. I cannot, therefore,
say anything definite about the latest meeting of the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. â^À^Ó Special reporter of the EU on Karabakh
conflict Terry Davis stated that in his report he would pay special
attention to humanitarian problems, especially that of the refugees.
During his visit to Stepanakert Mr. Davis stressed the necessity of
return of refugees of the both parties. Armenian refugees, as the
polls of public opinion show, do not want to return, whereas the
Azerbaijani refugees still living in tents are ready to return at any
moment. â^À^Ó How will these problems be solved? â^À^Ó The problems of
refugees, status of Nagorni Karabakh and the occupied territories,
which are guarantee of the security of the population, are mutually
interrelated. These are the core questions of the conflict with
Azerbaijan and must be solved in a complex way, that is in a package
way. â^À^Ó Let us suppose that the problem of the status of Nagorni
Karabakh is settled but at the same time 500 thousand Azerbaijani
refugees return to Karabakh. How will this affect the demographic
situation in the region and to what extent is the â^À^Üobligatory returnâ^À^Ý
of the refugees probable? I think any question, even the most
delicate one, may be discussed and mutually acceptable solutions can
be found. Azerbaijan must by all means sit at the table of
negotiations with Nagorni Karabakh. â^À^Ó The so-called organization for
liberation of Karabakh announced about its intention to organize a
march to Shoushi on May 9. It is true that according to the
Azerbaijani mass media the force agencies of that country did not
react to the appeals of that organization. Nevertheless, to what
extent are we secure and prepared for such actions? â^À^Ó This is an
utter lie. The entire state and its armed forces organized a â^À^Ümarchâ^À^Ý
against Nagorni Karabakh and were bitterly defeated; against this
background the announcements of a group of provocateurs may be
described as a propagandist gesture. â^À^ÜEchoâ^À^Ý of Baku proudly published
in one of its editions that diplomatic Azerbaijan had declared a
wide-scale war against the communication company â^À^ÜKarabakh Telecomâ^À^Ý,
and started the war in Uzbekistan. â^À^Ó Azerbaijan constantly conducts a
war against the people of Nagorni Karabakh and tries by all means to
deprive them of elementary conditions for a decent life. Thus Baku
proves that it does not recognize the population of Nagorni Karabakh
as its citizens. After the recent developments in Batumi and the
assistance of Sahakashvili to the Adzhars it is apparent that
Azerbaijan has never had such attitude towards the people of Karabakh
and has got used to the idea of losing it. â^À^Ó Let us continue the
topic of Adzharia. They say Adzharia will be followed by Abkhazia,
Osia, and all this will have its influence upon Karabakhâ^À¦ – Those are
completely different problems. In Adzharia people came out to the
streets with the portraits of Mikhail Sahakashvili and the slogan
â^À^ÜMisha, we are with youâ^À^Ý. Is it possible to imagine the people
organize a demonstration in Stepanakert with the pictures of Ilham
Aliev and express their solidarity? Besides, Adzharia has never had
the problem of seceding from Georgia and Adzharia never declared its
independence. â^À^Ó One more question. Recently, the question of
relationships of Armenia and Karabakh is widely circulated in the
Azerbaijani press. There were even articles with sensational
headlines such as â^À^ÜArmeniaâ^À^Ùs New Enemy â^À^Ó Karabakhâ^À^Ý, etc. In
fact, did
something come between Armenia and Karabakh? â^À^Ó I think it is natural
that the Azerbaijani machine of propaganda should try to tap a wedge
between Karabakh and Armenia. Unfortunately, certain adventurous
people favour them. All their attempts, however, are doomed. The
unity of the Armenian nation was obtained at a high cost through hard
trials and I am sure the people themselves will not allow anyone
disrupt their unity. â^À^Ó Recently the NKR parliament has made changes
in the staff of the Constitutional Commission. Does this mean that
the commission will activate its work? â^À^Ó On the whole the work on the
constitution was not interrupted, however, after the election to the
parliament, the rotation of the cadres 2/3 of the staff of the
commission was, actually, unable to work. As to the adoption of the
Constitution, this question was always on the agenda and had a
significant place in the election program of president Ghukassian.
Presently the constitutional experience of other countries is
studied. For us it will be easier in the sense that the basic laws
have been adopted and are in effect in our country. – And the last
question. There are rumours that the former minister of defence
Samvel Babayan was pardoned. Some people relate this with the pardon
of General Syuret Huseinov in Azerbaijan. â^À^Ó As the head of the
commission on amnesty I assure that we did not receive any
applications from either S. Babayan, or his next-of-kin applied for
amnesty. Besides, in the given case the initial application of the
convict is important because by the request of his relatives we
started gathering the necessary data for the amnesty and came across
such facts that the convict himself refused the application of the
act of amnesty. I must say that the president of the country had a
rather humanistic approach to the problem and continues to. It is
known that a number of other participants of the terrorist act were
released and the terms of the others were shortened. 

NAIRA HAYRUMIAN

Handing over “liberated lands” to Azeris senseless – Armenian foreign minister

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan,
13 May 04

The discussion of the handing over of the seven liberated territories
from the Armenian side to the Azerbaijani side is senseless. Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan announced in an interview with the
Radio Liberty.

He said that no agenda for the meeting between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani foreign ministers has been confirmed. So, any issue can
be discussed.

Vardan Oskanyan did not clarify that the Azerbaijani side will try to
include in to the discussion the handing- over of the territories,
which was spoken about recently in Baku. Oskanyan also noted that
the Armenian side will also introduce some issues to the discussion.

The minister stressed that it is impossible to forget that the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents met recently, which they assessed
as positive. The presidents announced that they will instruct the
two countries’ foreign ministers also to cooperate in the same path
during the meeting.

Vardan Oskanyan expressed hope that the foreign ministers’ negotiations
will be continued. Vardan Oskanyan also stressed that Armenia is also
for the settlement, as soon as possible, of the Karabakh conflict. This
is one of the main issues of the Armenian diplomacy.

Azeri TV reports Armenian truce violation

ANS TV, Baku
13 May 04

At about 1500 [1000 gmt] today, the village of Qapanli of Tartar
District came under fire from the Armenian-occupied Agdara District’s
village of Seyid-Suvan. The gunfire from large-calibre machine guns
lasted for 10 minutes. The enemy was silenced with retaliatory fire.

Local residents reported no casualties during the incident.

Armenian president, Iranian oil minister discuss Iran-Armenia gas pipeline

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
13 May 04

The main agreement of the construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
will be signed in Yerevan today. A delegation headed by Iranian
Minister of Oil and Gas Bijan Namdar Zanganeh is in Armenian for
this occasion.

During the meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan Bijan
Zanganeh noted that the agreement which will be signed today, is
a result of both sides’ constructive work. The interlocutors noted
the high level of Armenian and Iranian political relations. Noting
that enhancement of the two countries’ cooperation has a favourable
influence on regional developments.

Robert Kocharyan said that the energy industry is a kind of engine
of Armenian-Iranian relations. The Armenian president said that
deepening of cooperation in the energy is of big importance and
Armenia is interested in the successful implementation of the project.

The sides stressed that Armenia-Iran gas pipeline’s construction will
double the volume of bilateral economic relations and will has major
importance for the development and deepening of both Armenian-Iranian
and regional cooperation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri, Armenian talks in Strasbourg yield no result – paper

Ekspress, Baku
13 May 04

The meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers held on
the sidelines of a Council of Europe session in Strasbourg on 12 May
yielded no results, the Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress has said. The
newspaper quoted the Russian mediator in the talks, Yuriy Merzlyakov,
as saying that the stage-by-stage settlement, which was allegedly to be
discussed at the meeting, was a failure. At the same time, the Armenian
president’s special envoy said that the goal of the meeting was to
update the parties on their positions on the Karabakh settlement. In
accordance with this settlement plan, Armenia is to return the seven
occupied districts around Nagornyy Karabakh in exchange for the
reopening of the railway link with Azerbaijan. The following is an
excerpt from Alakbar Raufoglu report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress
on 13 May headlined “The Strasbourg meeting yields no results. Yerevan
rejects the ‘option to liberate the seven districts'”:

The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and
Vardan Oskanyan, held a meeting in Strasbourg yesterday. The meeting
took place on the sidelines of the 114th session of the committee of
the foreign ministers of the Council of Europe member states. Apart
from the ministers, the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group, as well as
the special representatives of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents
for the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, Araz Azimov and
Tatul Markaryan, participated in the talks. This was the second meeting
of the new Azerbaijani foreign minister with his Armenian counterpart.

The talks that started at 1700 Baku time [1200 gmt] ended at 2030
[1530 gmt]. After expanded three-hour discussions, the ministers
held tete-a-tete talks. After the talks, the foreign ministers left
without making any statement for the media.

“We managed to hold quite an open and successful meeting,” Russian
co-chairman Yuriy Merzlyakov told Ekspress after the meeting. But
since the talks were “strictly confidential”, it was decided not to
provide information about the ministers’ dialogue.

The discussions were aimed mainly at “familiarization with ideas”,
and the mediators informed the parties about new proposals. “The
participants in the meeting were also made aware of the Azerbaijani
option on seven districts [Armenia returns the seven occupied districts
around Nagornyy Karabakh in exchange for the reopening of transport
links between the two countries],” Merzlyakov said. “What was most
important for us was to compare the positions of the conflicting
parties and to search for possibilities to continue the dialogue.”

Although the Russian diplomat said nothing specific about Armenia’s
stance on the return of the seven districts, he admitted that this
option was a failure. “The position on this settlement option was
equivocal from the very beginning, and therefore, I was against
discussing this idea on its own. But no-one listened to us,” said
Merzlyakov regretfully.

During the talks, Mammadyarov once again voiced the Baku government’s
stance on the settlement. “Our position is unchanged: Azerbaijan
will never agree to Nagornyy Karabakh being independent or part
of Armenia. Any new settlement proposal should be based on these
principles,” the minister said.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a joint statement by the two
countries’ foreign ministers yesterday evening. The statement says
that the meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen and the Armenian
and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Strasbourg “opened an opportunity
to discuss future prospects”.

According to the statement, Armenia and Azerbaijan “stated once again
that they were interested in the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict and agreed to continue this useful dialogue”.

The major achievement of the meeting is that the parties agreed to
continue the talks. “We did not focus on specific options, but simply
expressed our views,” the special representative of the Azerbaijani
president for the Karabakh settlement, Araz Azimov, told [the Armenian
news agency] Mediamax after the meeting.

He also commented on the recent calls for war in Azerbaijan and
Armenia. In the official’s opinion, in the current situation, peace
talks “are the best option, and the talks have not run out of their
potential”. Azimov said that the next meeting of the foreign ministers
“will be agreed by the parties, depending on the situation”.

The special representative of the Armenian president, Tatul Markaryan,
also described the talks as “very useful” at a news conference in
Strasbourg yesterday evening. “No new proposals were put forward. The
goal of the meeting between the ministers and the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen was to clarify the parties’ stance, to learn the other
side’s views and to find a common position,” he said.

Asked by French journalists to comment on Azerbaijan’s proposal that
the seven districts be vacated in exchange for the reopening of the
railway link, Markaryan said that Armenia was against this option and
that the Karabakh problem could be resolved only under the “package
settlement” plan. “This is not a conflict just between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, this is also a problem of ensuring the Karabakh people’s
independence and security,” the Armenian diplomat added.

[Passage omitted: Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the Karabakh
cease-fire agreement]

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress