MosJan

S.KIPRIANU: "FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN ARMENIA AND CYPRUS IS NATURAL" YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS: Today the delegation led by the chairman of house of Representatives of Republic of Cyprus Spirus Kiprianu arrived in Yerevan. During a two-day visit S.Kiprianu will have meetings with the Armenian president Robert Kocharian, the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Armen Khachatrian, the Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, the chairman of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunian and the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. He will also visit "Tsitsernakaberd" and will hand in to the Museum of Genocide the bill by which the Armenian Genocide is recognized adopted by the Cyprus' Parliament in 1982. "I'm glad to state that the relationship between the two countries are developing. The friendship between Armenia and Cyprus is natural", said Kiprianu at the "Zvartnots" airport. According to him a number of issues, including the issue of Cyprus' and Armenia's relations with Turkey, will be discussed during the meetings. The Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Armen Khachatrian expressed a hope that this visit will open a new page in the development of relations between the two countries' Parliaments. He also attached a great importance to the development of economical and political relations.

PRESS SECRETARY OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT DOUBTS THAT GULIYEV COULD MAKE "SUCH A PRIMITIVE STATEMENT" 14.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 14. /Mediamax/. The press secretary of the President of Armenia, Vahe Gabrielian expressed doubt in the interview to Mediamax that "Turan" agency has authentically presented the statements of the Azeri Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev. Commenting on Guliyev's words that Azerbaijan will turn to the United Nations and the International Court in the Hague with an appeal "to bring Armenian president before a military tribunal for war crimes against Azerbaijan's civilian population", cited by "Turan" agency, Vahe Gabrielian said, "I doubt that an official of that rank could make such a primitive statement". --0--

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER SUGGESTS TRYING PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA "FOR WAR CRIMES" 14.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 14. /Mediamax/. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Vilayat Guliyev suggests trying the President of Armenia Robert Kocharian for "war crimes". In the interview to "Turan" agency Guliyev stated that Azerbaijan had turned to the UN with an appeal "to bring Armenian president Robert Kocharian personally before a military tribunal for war crimes against Azerbaijan's civilian population". The minister said that the time had come for an official appeal to the International Court in The Hague. --0--

ARMENIA CAN BECOME A "BRIDGE" FOR EXPORTING UKRAINIAN COMMODITIES TO THE NEAREST EAST 13.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 13. /Mediamax/. Ukraine considers Armenia as a "bridge" for exporting its commodities to Iran and Near-Eastern countries, said today Ukrainian Ambassador to Armenia Alexander Bozhko at a press conference in Yerevan. In its turn, Ukraine is the most convenient transit way to Europe for Armenia, Ambassador Bozhko noted. The Ukrainian diplomat said that during the visit of the Armenian President to the Ukraine on March 1-2, the Ukrainian Belotserkovsky plant and Armenian CJSC "Nairit" signed an agreement on supplying 1500 tons of Armenian rubber to Ukraine in 2001. --0--

10 ARMENIAN COMPANIES TOOK PART IN INTERNATIONAL TOURIST EXHIBITION 15.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 15. /Mediamax/. 10 Armenian tourist firms took part in the exhibition of the International Tourist Exchange (ITB), held on March 3-7 in Berlin, director of the Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA), Vahagn Hovnanian said today at a press conference in Yerevan. V. Hovnanian noted that the participation of Armenian firms in the exhibition became possible thanks to the assistance of the Government of Armenia and the United States Agency of International Development (USAID), which allocated 150 thousand USD. V. Hovnanian said that ITB is a world famous organization, and the participation in its exhibitions is a good possibility to announce one's business. Speaking of the perspectives of development of this sphere, the director of ATDA noted that the main obstacle for tourism development in Armenia are the high tariffs on flights and hotel services. V. Hovnanian informed that at the meeting with the President of Armenia Robert Kocharian he introduced to the head of the state proposals on elimination of problems, hampering tourism development. --0--

ARMENIA DIDN'T YIELD TO U.S. PERSUASIONS TO WITHDRAW RUSSIAN FRONTIER GUARDS FROM THE IRANIAN BORDER SECTION, RUSSIAN PAPER REPORTS 15.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 15. /Mediamax/. "The traditional American suspiciousness, concerning any contacts with Teheran, makes the U.S. consider the 45-km long section of the Iranian-Armenian border as a serious threat of illegal supply of mass destruction weapon (MDW) components, Russian "Vremya Novostey" paper reports today. The article, entitled "Armenian diplomacy" and dedicated to the visit of the Director of the Federal Frontier Service of Russia, says that Konstantin Totsky remained true to the secret tradition, formed in post-Soviet time, which assumes avoiding visiting the Armenian-Iranian border section in every possible way. "This is needed to avoid unnecessary suspicions and reproaches on the part of Azerbaijan and the US. Azerbaijan regards very jealously the fact that Meghri frontier detachment (it controls the 45-km-long Armenian-Iranian border section) is directly dealing with Azeri territories, occupied by Nagorno Artsax army", the paper writes. "Vremya Novostey" notes that last year the USA insisted that Armenian frontier guards accepted as a gift special equipment, estimated about 300 thousand USD, which will help Armenian authorities to "prevent illegal transportation" of MDW through the territory of the country. "Armenia's diplomacy must be given its due: it didn't refuse to take the U.S. help, and at the same time it didn't yield to Washington's persuasions to withdraw Russian frontier guards from the Iranian section", "Vremya Novostey" paper reported. --0--

A RALLY DEMANDING THE REVIEW OF RUSSIAN-TURKISH AGREEMENT, SIGNED ON MARCH 16, 1921 TO BE HELD FRIDAY IN YEREVAN 15.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 15. /Mediamax/. "Self-Determination" Union will hold a "local" rally in Yerevan on Friday, demanding that the "anti-Armenian" Russian-Turkish agreement, signed 80 years ago on 16 March 1921, be annulled. The statement, released today by "Self-Determination" Union, says that the organization speaks for normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and with this very purpose the Union suggests that the Armenian authorities, "with the assistance of competent international instances reach annulment of the illegal agreement, signed between Lenin and Ataturk". "Self-Determination" Union notes that the decision to hold a "local", and "not national and multiparty" rally on March 16 is stipulated by the request of the Mayor's Office of Yerevan and the position of other political forces. On March 9 founder of "Self-Determination" Union, chairman of the Commission for human rights at the President of Armenia, Paruyr Hayrikian spoke for joining Nakhichevan and Turkish Kars and Ardahan vilayets to Armenia and declared about his intention to start a national action, demanding that the Russian-Turkish agreement, signed 80 years ago on 16 March 1921 be reconsidered. --0--

FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA TO LEAVE FOR WASHINGTON, D.C. THIS WEEKEND 16.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 16. /Mediamax/. Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanian will leave for Washington, D.C. at the end of this week to meet with the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powel, an informed source told Mediamax. Vardan Oskanian leaves for Moscow today to meet with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov. According to the source, during the visits to Moscow and Washington Oskanian will hold consultations before the coming meeting of Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, to be held in Florida on April 3. --0--

H. ALIYEV VOICES HIS HOPE THAT THE USA WILL "POSITIVELY INFLUENCE" THE COURSE OF HIS TALKS WITH R. KOCHARIAN 16.03.2001 YEREVAN, March 16. /Mediamax/. President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev named "unsuccessful" his last meeting with Robert Kocharian in Paris and voiced his hope that the United States will manage to have a positive impact on the course of the negotiations. The Azeri President, who is on a visit in Turkey, stated about this in the interview to the Turkish television. Heydar Aliyev confirmed his intention to meet with Robert Kocharian on April 3 in Florida. According to the Azeri President, the presidents of Russia, France and the USA have agreed upon holding this meeting in Florida. --0--

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.

Gayane jan isk Tramardkanst Hamar es tesak Programm chka ? de gites eli irents kanants yev Zokanchneri dzerk@ qashvats , Varvats , Halatsvats... mi qani hogi gitem karik@ unen

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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.