MosJan

THE MEETING OF U.S. AMBASSADOR WITH EX PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA BORE PRIVATE CHARACTER 16.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 16. /Mediamax/. The source of Mediamax in the U.S. Embassy in Armenia confirmed the fact that the U.S. Ambassador Michael Lemmon met with ex President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosian on Thursday. The source noted that the meeting of the U.S. Ambassador and ex president of Armenia "bore private character". "Haykakan Zhamanak" paper had informed today about the meeting of Michael Lemmon and Levon Ter-Petrosian. --0--

Swiss Parliament Rejects Genocide Resolution YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The Swiss parliament today rejected a non-binding resolution which if passed would have called on government to recognize the massacre of 1915 of Armenians in Ottoman Empire as a genocide. The resolution was defeated by a narrow margin. According to Swiss Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Daniela Stoffel , the Swiss National Council turned down the resolution by a vote of 73 to 70. Speaking to RFE/RL's Armenian Service, Stoeffel said that the government was against the pro-Armenian resolution and had urged lawmakers to reject it. She said the position of the Swiss government is not to make a unilateral, absolute declaration on the Armenian issue but rather to start a discussion with Turkey on an equal basis on human rights issues. She said that even if the Swiss parliament passed the resolution, the government would have refused to recognize the massacre of Armenians in Ottoman Empire as a genocide. In a separate move, a Turkish group from Germany petitioned the Swiss parliament to call on the government to recognize the genocide. That petition was signed by some 11,000 German citizens of Turkish origin.

New Mexico Becomes 25th State To Designate April 24 As Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day SANTA FE--The State Legislature of New Mexico unanimously passed a resolution March 10, designating April 24, 2001 as "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" (Senate Joint Memorial Resolution #34). New Mexico joins 24 other states across the country in recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Various local activists, including Mission Church and the Armenian Cultural Association of New Mexico joined forces and worked closely with the State Legislature to support this effort. Two survivors of the Armenian Genocide accompanied several activists to observe the final vote. Following passage of the "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" Resolution, the entire Senate body rose to applaud its passage. The resolution not only remembers those Armenians who perished, but also acknowledges the critical importance to teach present and future generations of the history of genocide. SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 34 45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - First Session, 2001 INTRODUCED BY: Cisco McSorley A JOINT MEMORIAL DESIGNATING APRIL 24, 2001 AS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY WHEREAS, beginning in 1915, the Ottoman Empire killed one and one-half million Armenians and forcibly deported five hundred thousand Armenians during an eight-year reign of terror; and WHEREAS, Armenians were deprived of their homes, their dignity and ultimately their lives; and WHEREAS, the United States has not made an official statement regarding the Armenian genocide; and WHEREAS, the Armenian genocide has been acknowledged by countries and international bodies such as Argentina, Belgium, Canada, the council of Europe, Cyprus, the European parliament, France, Great Britain, Greece, Lebanon, Russia, the United Nations and Uruguay; and WHEREAS, it is critically important for our nation to acknowledge what happened and to teach present and future generations of the history of genocide in order to prevent future genocides; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that April 24, 2001 be designated "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" in honor of the millions of innocent Armenians brutally murdered, in order to teach the horrors of genocide so that it may be eliminated from the human condition; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation, the United Nations and the Armenian Assembly of America.

Turkish Media Presents Supposed Peace Deals on Artsax ISTANBUL (combined sources)--Turkish newspapers have reported that President of Azerbaijan Heidar Aliyev has presented to the Turkish leadership the new plan to settle the Nagorno-Artsax conflict offered by the OSCE. The chief editor of the Istanbul-based Armenian newspaper "Marmara," Rober Hatejian, told RFE/RL that the Turkish newspaper "Cumhuriyet" reported that the Azerbaijani president informed the Turkish leaders about the details of the OSCE new plan. The Turkish newspaper "Sabah" reported that Aliyev asked Turkish leaders not to reveal details of the new Nagorno-Artsax plan. Heidar Aliyev arrived in Turkey on Monday for a five-day official visit. He met with the Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer as well as with the powerful Turkish military leaders, who assured him that they would agree to any settlement of Nagorno-Artsax conflict that Azerbaijan is willing to accept. Addressing the Turkish parliament in Ankara yesterday, Heidar Aliyev asked for help to settle the ongoing conflict with Armenians and to free occupied Azerbaijani land. In a one hour speech before Turkish lawmakers, the Azerbaijani leader said his country expects more political and military support from Turkey, rather than economic assistance. As reported by the local media, during the meetings with Turkish military and political leadership Aliyev said that the new plan would provide a corridor between Nakhichevan and Azerbaijan. An initial report by the Azerbaijanis claimed that the Armenians were willing to grant a corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through Meghri, in return for a "common state" model within the framework of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. These reports later claimed that the Armenians changed their position and refused to give up Meghri. The Azeris are holding the Russians responsible for this change of position, since the Russians would lose control of the border. The Turkish press reports claim that the new plan also envisages the withdrawal of Armenian forces from occupied Azerbaijani territories and the deployment of an international peace-keeping force to separate the conflicting sides. It is obvious that not much was decided on at the Paris talks and this is yet another example of nonobjective reporting by the Turkish and Azerbaijani media.

Soghomon Tehlirian's Legacy Honored In Armenia YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--The Armenian Veterans Association organized a gathering in commemoration of Soghomon Tehlirian's assassination of Talaat ***** in Germany eighty years ago on March 15, 1921. Talaat ***** was one of the masterminds of the Armenian Genocide, and his assassination committed by Tehlirian was justified by German courts as an act of vengeance. Hamlet Hovsepian, president of the Veterans Association, noted that all crimes committed against the Armenian nation must be punished regardless of when they occurred. A detailed description of Soghomon Tehlirian's efforts was presented by the association's political secretary Samvel Haroutyounian.

Turkish Parliament Prepares To Vote On Law Dealing With International Calls For Genocide Recognition ISTANBUL (Marmara)--Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish parliament, Kamran Inan, has prepared a bill which was passed by his committee and passed on for review by the parliament's Interior Affairs Committee. If the bill is ratified by parliament, it will consider any calls for recognition of the Armenian Genocide an "enemy action" against Turkey since the Armenian Genocide has "no historical proof." The bill is comprised of nine articles and targets those calls for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The bill also condemns France for instilling rebellious sentiments among the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The bill also condemns ASALA for its activities in the past, the "occupation" of Artsax and Azerbaijani territories, the forced migration of the inhabitants of these regions, and the use of military means to expand territory.

''We Will Give The Necessary Response To Those Who Covet Our Territories'' Says Turkish Minister ANKARA (Anatolia)--State Minister Suayip Usenmez said on Tuesday, "we do not have a wrongful desire on someone else's territory, and we will give the necessary response to those who covet our territories." Usenmez responded to the questions of reporters about the Armenians' claim for territory from Turkey. "They are living in a dream world. We cannot give them even a single pebble. We cannot accept such a claim," he stressed. Usenmez added, "our ancestors sacrificed their lives for the sake of these territories. No one can dare to covet our territories." In related new, Erzurum Mayor Mahmut Uykusuz reacted, on Wednesday, to the demand of Paruyr Hayrikyan, the chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Armenia, who asked for the annulment of the 1921 Kars Treaty, claiming Armenia gave its territory, namely Kars, Ardahan and Nakhichevan, to Turkey and Azerbaijan. "Armenian statesmen pursue a foreign policy with Turkish enmity in the 21st century by violating the diplomatic courtesy rules," Uykusuz said. Uykusuz noted that there is not an inch of Turkish territory that can be given to the Armenians. ''As the mayor of a city which experienced the Armenian massacre, I am addressing the Armenians: Erzurum, Kars and Ardahan are Turkey's territory for a thousand years and all these lands belong to us." "The Armenian statesmen will see the reality that the borders cannot be changed by force when they look at their own history,'' Uykusuz added. A similar statement was made by Turkish Foreign ministry envoy Huseyin Diryoz who said that making these types of territorial demands do not help in establishing friendly relations between neighboring countries.

US to Hold Artsax Summit in April WASHINGTON DC (combined sources)--Secretary of State Colin L. Powell has invited Presidents Heidar Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Robert Kocharian of Armenia to the United States for peace talks toward a resolution of the dispute over Nagorno Artsax. The talks will open on April 3 at Harry S. Truman's Little White House in Key West, Florida. These talks are sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and will be mediated by expert negotiating teams from the United States, Russia, and France - the three Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group. Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh, Special Negotiator for Nagorno Artsax, will lead the U.S. team. Presidents Aliyev and Kocharian started a direct dialogue in 1999 and have met over a dozen times since in an effort to bring peace and stability to the South Caucasus. Their most recent encounters were January 26-27 and March 4-5 in Paris where they met alone and with French President Jacques Chirac. These talks in Key West are a continuation of their direct dialogue and President Chirac's recent work.

Russian FBS Director Col-General Totsky Continues Meetings In Armenia YEREVAN (combined sources)--Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with the Director of the Federal Borderguard Service of Russia Colonel-General Konstantin Totsky, who arrived here for a two-day visit on Wednesday March 14 to discuss problems of financing the Russian borderguards in Armenia. Kocharian and Totsky discussed prospects for enlargement cooperation in joint guarding of Armenian borders. Kocharian said that Russian border guards fulfill their duties conscientiously. Totsky noted that Russian border guards feel good in Armenia, which, as he said, is the reflection of the population's attitude toward them. He said no serious incidents on the border had been reported last year, and added the number of Russian border guards will not be reduced and will remain unchangeable. Stressing the importance of regular contacts, Totsky evaluated highly the joint border guarding saying that both Armenian and Russian border guards work efficiently. The two men also spoke about the financing of operational activities of the border troops and regional issues. According to an earlier concluded intergovernmental agreement, the Operational Group of the Federal Borderguard Service of Russia is financed in equal proportion by the Russian and Armenian sides. The group includes four borderguard detachments deployed at Gyumri, Armavir, Artashat, Meghri and a separate control post at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan. This operational group guards Armenia's state border with Turkey and Iran. Director of the Federal Border Service of Russia Lieutenant-General Konstantin Totsky and his party also met with Prime Minister Andranik Margarian on the same day. During the meeting, Totsky reportedly presented the situation with border control to the Armenian premier. Both sides discussed the importance of ensuring Armenia's security by joint efforts and the need to maintain friendship between the two countries. Following the meeting, Armenia's National Security Minister Karlos Petrossian and FBS Director Konstantin Totsky signed a protocol on the results of the meetings. Armenia's Finance and Economy Minister Vardan Khachatrian and Konstantin Totsky signed the estimates of spending on the maintenance of the FBS operative group for 2001 and a protocol on approving these estimates. The following day, March 15, Totsky visited one of the detachments of the FBS operative group in Armenia. The colonel-general was accompanied by chief of the operative group Mikhail Naimilo, border troops commander major-general Levon Stepanian, head of the Ararat regional administration Alik Sargsian. A year ago, when he visited this unit last, Totsky was dissatisfied with the conditions. Currently, the territory of the military unit has changed beyond recognition. Totsky visited the Yeraskh post where he participated in the opening of new barracks built according to high standards. There, when asked how many such military units there are in Armenia, the officers accompanying the colonel-general, half joking, said it was the only one. Hinting that he understood why he was shown that very unit, Totsky observed: "I understand that the commanders of the detachment and the post wanted to show the work they'd done and that's natural. The most important thing is that people are trying to create normal conditions for service and life." As for the financial aspect, the FBS chief said that in the present situation there were two options: to increase the share of the Armenian side in conditions of joint financing or reduce troops group. The issue was discussed with Secretary of the Presidential National Security Council Serge Sargsian. The first variant was chosen. This year the Armenian side is to cover 57 percent of the expenses. Totsky said that the technical means can be operated for another 4-5 years, after which there will emerge the task of technical re-equipment. Meanwhile, possibilities of purchasing and repairing equipment must be found.

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UKRAINE'S AMBASSADOR SAYS VISIT WAS EFFICIENT YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: Ukraine's ambassador to Ukraine Alexander Bozhko described president Kocharian's March 1-2 visit to Ukraine as "efficient." Speaking today at a news conference that was convened by the ambassador to sum up the outcome of the visit, Bozhko said the agreement on Economic Cooperation, signed in Kiev, would definitely give a new impetus to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. Bozhko said the economic and political cooperation between Armenia and Ukraine corresponds to the national interests of the two countries. He cited both presidents as saying that the overall annual trade turnover must be brought to $40 million. A Ukrainian company has recently signed a contract with Armenian Nairit on purchase of 1,500 tons of synthetic rubber. Bozhko said several shops had opened in Ukraine which sell Armenia-made wines and brandy.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER RECEIVED SPAIN'S STATE SECRETARY ON EUROPEAN ISSUES YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: Today the Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Margarian received Spain's state secretary on European issues Ramon de Miguel. As it was reported to Armenpress from the press office of the Armenian government, the Armenian Prime Minister expressed a hope that this visit will stimulate the bilateral political and economical cooperation between the two countries. Andranik Margarian stated that Armenia is ready to support Spain in any international organization if the interests of the two countries do not contradict each other. He also said that being a memeber of Council of Europe Armenia is working hard to develop bilateral relationships with all countries members of European Council. Ramon de Miguel in his turn stated that his country also will support Armenia in EU as well as in different international organizations. He also attached great importance to activating the dialog between Spain and Armenia. The Armenian Prime Minister as well as Spain's state secretary on European issues stated that both Armenia and Spain are interested in stability in the region and active cooperation among European countries.

FINLAND'S AMBASSADOR PRESENTS HIS CREDENTIALS TO KOCHARIAN YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: Finland's extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Armenia Timo Lehelman (residence in Helsinki) presented today his credentials to Armenia's president Robert Kocharian. The ambassador was quoted by Kocharian's press office as saying that his country is willing to expand bilateral cooperation with Armenia. President Kocharian in his turn assured of Armenia's readiness to launch a mutually profitable cooperation with Finland emphasizing Finland's role in European policy and economy. It was stated that there are no political problems between the two countries. The two men stressed that the available potential for developing bilateral relations is not fully used, they also indicated that the necessary legal fieled for such cooperation should still be developed.

ARMENIAN PAINTER'S WORK DISPLAYED IN PARIS'S CAFE YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: A painting by Armenian painter Flora Baghdassarian called Maternity will decorate a wall in one of the famous cafes in Paris. The picture was bought at the exhibition of Flora Baghdasarian and her husband Vladimir Grigorian works, that was on display at Paris International Art Center. The couple's exhibition in Paris was on for 9 days, during which many people came to see their works. Then their paintings were displayed at St. Mesrop cultural center for another 13 days. Both exhibitions were devoted to the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity.

MAMMOGRAPHY CENTER GETS NEW LABORATORIES YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenia's First Lady Mrs. Bella Kocharian, US ambassador to Yerevan Michael Lemmon, a US Armenian benefactor Mrs. Rita Palian and other senior officials were present on March 7 at an inauguration ceremony of new laboratories at the Armenian Mammography Center, equipped with state-of-the art devices. The Center was established in Yerevan in 1997 on the funds provided by Mrs. Rita Palian and since then about 20,000 Armenian women have been thoroughly examined there. Each year the Center holds the so-called Open Door days to provide free medical aid to women who cannot afford paying for it.

ALIYEV TO DISCUSS KARABAGH REGULATION IN TURKEY YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: "Azerbaijan has never refused Turkey's mediation in the regulation of Karabagh conflict," Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev announced today in Baku before departing for Turkey where he is scheduled to meet with top Turkish officials and to address the Turkish parliament. Aliyev said his approach towards Turkey's foreign minister Ismail Cem's recent offer to mediate in the Karabagh conflict was positive, but "Armenia will never agree to it, as it has been condemning Turkey for its pro-Azerbaijani position." In Turkey Aliyev will also pay a visit to Ankara University where he will be awarded the title of honorary doctor. From Ankara Aliyev will travel to Istanbul to meet with leading Turkish businessmen. The main topics of Aliyev's talks in Ankara will be focused on the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, supply of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey, Karabagh conflict regulation and regional security issues. Aliyev is also expected to request from Turkey $3 million to meet the urgent needs of the armed forces. Ali Hasanov, a senior official of Aliyev's administration told that specific points of Azerbaijani-Turkey military cooperation will be discussed during the visit, but he ruled out Turkish active military participation in the Karabagh conflict. Aliyev will also undergo a thorough medical check up at Ankara Military Medical Academy.

ARMENIA LIKELY TO SUCCEED IN TENNIS, SAYS HARUTYUN PAMBUKIAN YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS: The president of the Armenian Tennis Federation (ATF) and parliament memeber Harutyun Pambukian said in his interview to Armenpress that he has a program for solving the ATF problems, which is already being implemented. As Mr. Pambukian said tennis is a special sport, and it requires much money for its development. He said there are good preconditions for it, namely good trainers and talented sportsmen. One of them is Sargis Sargissian, who moved to Germany from the USA opening a road for other Armenian tennis-players. As the president of the ATF said, another precondition for the development of tennis in Armenia is considered to be the fact that since 1993 Armenian tennis-players have been given the opportunity of living and training in the USA, remaining citizens of Armenia. Pambukian said that the ATF plans to organize an international competition 'Yerevan Junior Cup' under the sponsorship of the European Federation May 28, 2001. As Pambukian said ATF will make every effort to support the activities of all- Armenian tennis structures. At 9 schools of Yerevan the lessons of physical training are substituted by tennis lessons, which means that about 1,500 children will be in the center of attention and the ATF will be engaged in the 'selection' of gigted sportsmen. While referring to the ATF international plans, Pambukian said that his visit to the Great Britain is anticipated one of these days, as well as meetings with the leadership of the International Tennis Federation, during which issues concerning the assistance to the Armenian tennis will be discussed as well. He noted that close relations are established with the federations of Greece and the United Arab Emirates.

NEW DOCUMENTARY SHEDS LIGHT ON MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF PAINTER YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: A new documentary, shot by Ara Shirinian at Versus studio, has shed some light on the mysterious death of one of the most talented Armenian painter Minas, who was run over by a car in 1975. Since then the rumors that the accident had been planned have not subsided. Gohar Harutunian, who wrote the scenario, had started an independent investigation into the painter's death still five years ago. She told Armenpress that numerous unknown facts and names had been obtained during the investigation. "One of our goals was also to draw the authorities' attention to the fact that reporters have the right to carry out independent investigations," she said. In 1992 the then interior minister Vano Siradeghian ordered a new inquiry into the death of Minas. In 1994 the documentary's authors asked the minister to get permission to get acquainted with the new facts. In 1997 the ministry allowed the team to look into the new documents which, however, contained many contradictions. The team also met with witnesses and other persons. The director said the death version put forward by the film is proved by the facts. Gohar Harutunian said that the relatives of Minas "are still afraid, after 25 years of his death, to speak about it." The film will be shown by Armenian National TV March 15.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES LEGAL REFORMS LOAN AGREEMENT YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: As reproted earlier, the International Development Association (IDA) has released a total of $11.4 million for carrying out legal reforms in Armenia. Last Friday the Armenia parliament ratified the loan agreement between the IDA and the government, which is to be fulfilled by December 31, 2004. The loan is given for 40 years under privileged terms. The repayment will start from 2010. Armenian justice minister David Harutunian told Armenpress that the loan will be used for construction of three new court buildings and repair of 13 others, purchase of necessary equipment and provision of consulting. The latter will include a wide range of work from designing up to creation of an online database of legislature. The loan means will also be spent on improvement of conduction of legal proceedings, retraining of judges and other personnel and raising the people's legal knowledge.

SPAIN'S STATE SECRETARY ON EUROPEAN ISSUES TO PAY A VISIT TO ARMENIA YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS Spain's state secretary on European issues Ramon de Miguel will arrive in Armenia on a two-day official visit March 13. According to the foreign affairs ministry's public relations department, it will be the highest-level visit to Armenia of a Spanish official. Meetings with the president of Armenia, parliament speaker, prime minister and foreign affairs minister are scheduled. The Spanish government recognized Armenia's independence in December, 1991 and in January 1992 diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. Edward Khojayan was appointed Armenia's extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain (residence in Yerevan) July 12, 1999. The ambassador presented his credentials to Spain's King Carlos I June 27, 2000. The head of the Spanish Constitutional Tribunal Pedro Cruz Vilialon was in Yerevan on an official visit September 2-7, 2000. The head of the Armenian Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunian's return visit is expected March 21-25, 2001. Armenia's foreign affairs minister Vartan Oskanian was in Spain on an official visit November 14, 2000. During the visit Vartan Oskanian met with the state secretary on European issues Ramon Miguel, state secretary on economy, energy and small and medium businesses Jose Folgado Blanco. Within the framework of the visit a memorandum on holding consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries and inter-governmental agreement on transportation were signed.

ALL-KUBAN ARMENIAN CONGRESS ESTABLISHED IN KRASNODAR 12.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 12. /Mediamax/. Constituent Assembly of newly established Armenian non-governmental organization "All-Kuban Armenian Congress" was held on March 10 in Krasnodar, "Yerkramas" paper of Southern Russia Armenians reported. Armenian communities, as well as any other organizations, headed by Armenians, can join the Congress. Physical persons can also become individual members of the Congress. Gevorg Safarian, who once held the post of the first vice-president of the once existing Coordination Council of the Armenian cultural organizations of Krasnodar region, is elected chairman of "All-Kuban Armenian Congress". --0--

GEORGIA IS INTERESTED IN Artsax CONFLICT SETTLEMENT 09.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 9. /Mediamax/. "Georgia is vitally interested in the soonest settlement of the Artsax conflict, as a factor impeding regional integration", deputy head of the Service of International Relations of the State office of Georgia, Shalva Pichkhadze said, commenting at the request of Prime-News agency on the recent Parisian meeting of presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Heydar Aliyev and Robert Kocharian. Pichkhadze noted that regional Caucasian conflicts, especially the Artsax dispute as a conflict between two neighboring states, impede the South Caucasus to establish closer ties with Europe, which, undoubtedly, meets all the vital interests of Georgia. Pichkhadze reminded that President Eduard Shevardnadze had repeatedly stated of the willingness of Georgia to become a mediator in the Artsax peace process, but the Georgian leader had noted at the same time that Armenia and Azerbaijan should first of all wish that. "Realistically speaking, only the great powers participating in the OSCE Minsk Group, are able to eradicate the reasons which provoked the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Pichkhadze noted. --0--