Asbarez.com news room 08-17-2000

[Guest]

1. Democratic Platform Highlights Expansion of US-Armenia Economic Ties

 

* Platform plank reflects economic priorities outlined in Armenian-American Democratic Leadership Council's testimony to DNC

Platform hearing.

 

FALLS CHURCH, Va.--The platform adopted today by the Democratic National Committee's Convention in Los Angeles reaffirmed

America's long-standing commitment the "security and economic growth of Armenia," and highlighted Vice President Al Gore's ongoing

efforts to "intensify economic cooperation between the United States and Armenia."

 

The Democratic Party platform plank on Armenia reads as follows:

 

"Remembering the historic suffering of the people of Armenia, and recognizing the need of the modern Armenian state for security and

economic growth, Al Gore and the Democratic Party are committed to continuing our efforts to bring a permanent end to tensions

between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno Artsax, along with the restoration of diplomatic, commercial, and economic ties

between Armenia and her neighbors, including Turkey. Al Gore helped bring about a special task force to intensify economic cooperation

between the United States and Armenia."

 

"We welcome the Democratic Party's recognition of the historic and enduring bonds between the American and Armenian peoples," said

Armenian Americans for Gore/Lieberman National Chairman Michael Mahdesian. "The Platform's emphasis on Armenia's security and

economic growth reflects Vice President Al Gore's long-standing friendship with Armenia, as demonstrated by his leadership in creating

the U.S.-Armenia Economic Task Force, which has already begun promoting increased trade, investment, and broad-based economic

cooperation."

 

The Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC) contributed to the Democratic Party's platform process by offering

testimony at its July 6th platform hearings in St. Louis, Missouri. In its remarks, the AADLC underscored the importance of Vice

President's US-Armenia Economic Task Force and outlined the views of Armenian American Democrats on a broad range of foreign

policy issues, including Armenian Genocide Recognition; US Aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Artsax; Self-Determination for the

Republic of Nagorno-Artsax, and; the Ban on US Aid to Azerbaijan. On the domestic policy front, the AADLC offered the Platform

Committee its views on: Education Policy; Public Safety; Social Security; Healthcare, and; Housing.

 

Armenians Americans for Gore/Lieberman is a project of the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council, which works with the

DNC to foster support within the Armenian American community for the Democratic Party and national Democratic office holders, while

promoting the election of Armenian American Democrats to political office and encouraging participation by Armenian American

Democrats at all levels of the public policy process.

 

The Honorary Co-Chairs of Armenian Americans for Gore/Lieberman are Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of California and Dick

Harpootlian, the Democratic Party Chairman of South Carolina State. Also serving on the Honorary Committee are California State

Senator Jackie Speier, Connecticut State Representative John Geragosian, as well as Massachusetts State Representatives Rachel

Kaprielian and Peter Koutoujian.

 

The organization's National Chairman is Michael Mahdesian of Potomac, Maryland. Members of the National Steering Committee

include Raffy Ardhaldjian (NY), Sahag Baghdasarian (Calif.), Berge Bulbulian (Calif.), Tom Chaderjian (Ill.), Caro Danielian (Calif.),

Aram Kailian (DC), Tamar Kazarian (DC), George Kazazian-Casen (Hawaii), Lucy Keshishian (Va.), Maria Mehranian (Calif.), Kate

Nahapetian (Calif.), Richelle Noroyan (Calif.), Sylvia Parsons (Md.), Kyle Tertzag (Mich.), Zaven Sinanian (Calif.), and Hratch Zadoian

(NY).

 

 

 

 

 

2. National Security Ministry Urges Azeri Cooperation on POWs

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--The Ministry of National Security of Armenia refuted the statement of the press service of the Ministry of

National Security of Azerbaijan that several hundred Azeri POWs and hostages are kept in Armenia. The statement of the Ministry of

National Security of Armenia says that the lies and falsification of the facts in the Azeri mass media are intensified each time a POW is

released. All the anti-Armenian propaganda is spread by the press service of the Azerbaijanian Ministry of National Security and by the

State Commission for POWs, Hostages and Missing Persons.

 

The statement of the Armenian Ministry of National Security points out that "unlike the Azeri side, Armenians do not invade the Azeri

territory for the purpose of taking hostages for further sale." On the contrary, the Ministry of National Security of Armenia has at its

disposal serious and irrefutable proofs of the "falseness of the statements made by the Azeri authorities that there are no Armenian POWs

and hostages in Azerbaijan are concealed from the International Committee of Red Cross, OSCE, and other international organizations."

The Armenian Ministry of National Security has at its disposal facts that after the information on the location of Armenian citizens in

Azerbaijan was received by the Azeri authorities, the traces of the Armenian prisoners disappeared.

 

Regarding Azeri POWs, their delayed stay in Armenia is accounted for by their unwillingness to return to Azerbaijan. It is the Armenian

side that, with the assistance of international humanitarian organizations, as well as Armenian and Azeri human rights organizations,

persuades the Azeri POWs to reconsider their decisions not to return to Azerbaijan.

 

The Ministry of National Security of Armenia demands the Azeri side to stop making attempts to involve Armenia in the propaganda

warfare, speculating in the fates of the POWs and hostages, and urges it to start a constructive cooperation.

 

The statement contains an appeal to the Azeri colleagues to display goodwill to cooperation and pay attention to the numerous proposals

of the Armenian Ministry of National Security.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Karekin II to Visit Russia, US and Germany

 

ETCHMIADZIN (Armenpress)--The press office of the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin announced Wednesday that His Holiness Karekin

II, Catholicos of All Armenians will travel to Moscow Thursday to take part in the inauguration of the Holy Savior Church, where a

monument will also be unveiled as a sign of Armeno-Russian friendship.

 

The unveiling ceremony will also be attended by the Patriarch of All Russian Alexii II.

 

From Moscow, the Catholicos is expected to travel to New York to take part in a UN-organized summit of all world religious leaders,

devoted to addressing the establishment of peace in the new millennium.

 

Karekin II will present a talk entitled "Forgiveness and Reconciliation," to the 1000 religious leaders at the conference.

 

On September 1, Karekin II will travel to Germany, where he will attend an exhibit of treasures from the Catholicosate of the Holy See of

Cilicia. The exhibit is dedicated to the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity as a state religion.

 

Catholicos Karekin II will also take part in a symposium entitled "Armenia 2000" in the German city of Halle-Vitenberg.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Parishes in Iran Granted Right to Convene Meetings

 

TEHRAN (Alik)--After 14 years, Armenian Apostolic parishes in Iran may hold annual meetings to elect delegates to the National

Representative Assembly.

 

Armenian community member of parliament Dr. Levon Davtian told the IRNA news agency Tuesday, that because of contradictions in

the Church by-laws and the Iranian Constitution, these meetings were prohibited from taking place for the past 14 years.

 

Davtian explained that talks between Armenian Prelacy officials and a commission on Article 10, the provision of the constitution which

prohibited the meetings, resulted in a consolidation of efforts, based on which the right to parish assemblies was granted.

 

"Since the National Representative Assembly is the highest entity of the Armenian Prelacy, a severe need was felt for new election and the

infusion of new blood in Prelacy activities," Davtian said.

 

"Based on this imperative, we agreed on several principles and discussion of other matters were postponed to a late date," concluded

Davtian.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Turkey Signs Two Accords to Meet EU Criteria

 

ANKARA (Combined Sources)--Turkey on Tuesday signed two international agreements in a step toward joining the European Union

which some observers say could pave the way for granting cultural and political rights to minorities living in Turkey.

 

The signing of these protocols also place the thorny issue of cultural rights for the largest minority group in Turkey--the Kurds.

 

Turkey has withheld its signature from the documents for 34 years, but has faced increased calls from Europe to ease its limitations on the

use of Kurdish language in education and broadcasting since winning EU candidacy in December.

 

The international agreements would provide extensive rights to all minorities living in Turkey, as far their social, economic and cultural

rights are concerned.

 

The document was signed at the United Nations by Turkish ambassador to the UN Volkan Vural.

 

A Turkish foreign ministry official said last week that Turkey was considering placing reserves on some sections but did not elaborate.

 

Granting cultural rights to some 12 million Kurds is a highly sensitive and controversial issue in Turkey for many who argue such a move

could fuel separatist Kurdish nationalism.

 

Under these agreements, groups, as opposed to individuals, may bring cases to the European Court of Human Rights. Furthermore, the

agreement on Citizens' Rights agreements guarantees freedoms of speech, assembly and expression to all citizens, as well as the right to

cultural emancipation, utilization of state health care programs, public education, insurance and the formation of organizations.

 

Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan, condemned to death for treason and appealing against the verdict in a European court, says he wants

the rebels to be a political force to win cultural rights for Kurds.

 

Turkish authorities see his peace overtures as cynical and refuse to negotiate with the rebels they dub ``terrorists.''

 

But some observers see the signing of the two accords as a tentative step toward an easing of curbs on Kurdish language education and

broadcasting.

 

``What the EU has been seeking is happening now. Turkey is giving cultural rights to the Kurds,'' Bakir Caglar, Turkey's former lawyer at

the European Court of Human Rights, said in comments published in the liberal daily Yeni Binyil.

 

He said sections of the covenants on self-determination would oblige Turkey to allow some Kurdish cultural rights.

 

There are others who remain suspicious whether Turkey will actually meet obligations brought by the two agreements.

 

``I do not belittle these two accords. I am sure they will create new horizons for Turkey's democratization. But when I look at history I

see the state has not stood by its signatures,'' said international strategy expert Haluk Gerger.

 

Turkish officials earlier set 2004 as a date to start full EU membership negotiations, but many observers at home and abroad see a

10-year time frame as more realistic.

 

 

 

 

 

6. CIS Heads Of State To Meet In Yalta

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—Armenian President Robert Kocharian will join the leaders of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan,

Kirgizstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and host-country Ukraine. The countries will gather for one-on-one and round-table discussions

in Ukraine.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin will lead the informal talks, to be held during a regularly-scheduled CIS member-states summit on late

Friday and Saturday in the Crimean resort city Yalta.

 

Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov and Turkmenistan President Saparmurad Niyazov are not participating in the summit, both because

of pressing domestic problems, a spokesman for Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma was quoted as saying.

 

Ukraine will deploy 7,000 police to provide security for the event.

 

A specific agenda has not been announced for the discussions, which are described as "informal meetings" by Ukrainian officials.

 

Besides participating in talks, the country heads will attend a folk music concert and take a ride on a cruise ship, the report said.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Company Sold To Aznavour Pour L'armenie For $1

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The Armenian government decided to sell its portion of shares of the Manuk Ltd. joint venture to the

Aznavour pour l'Armenie charitable organization for $1.

 

The decision was made taking into account that due to the efforts of the Aznavour pour l'Armenie, the joint venture Manuk was set up at

the cannery factory in Oktemberian to produce baby food. The organization also paid energy bills for needy families during three winter

months in 1993-1994, it also brought food, clothes, medicine and medical equipment to Armenia and was very much instrumental in

helping to restore the disaster zone hit by 1988 earthquake.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Archaeologists Complete Excavations In Aragats Region

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—A joint expedition involving archeologists from the USA and Armenia completed a two month excavation at

the foot of Mount Aragats, famous for its ancient monuments. The group of American specialists were led by professor Adam Smith of

the Chicago University.

 

Ruben Badalian, the head of the expedition, told Armenpress that by using advanced equipment, the archaeologists studied fortresses,

settlements and tombs left from the Bronze-Early Iron Age near the villages of Tsakhkahovit, Hnaberd and Gegharot.

 

"It is the second season that we have work together", said Ruben Badalian adding that the outcome of the studies of Armenian

monuments dating back 3-5 thousand years ago is to be summed up and published in a separate book.

 

 

 

 

 

9. Armenian State Shares Of The Ararat Plant Sold

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The YerPetVin Concern production company, registered in Yerevan and engaged in the production of

spirits, bought the shares belonging to the government in St. Petersburg's Ararat Plant for $300,000.

 

$50,000 is to be paid within next 10 days, another $100,000 until December 31, 2000 and $150,000 until June 1, 2001.

 

According to the government decision, YerPetVin Concern is obliged to purchase about 2,000 tons of grape from the rural economies of

Armenia annually up to the year 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

10. March 22 Defendant Can't Stand Trial Due To Physical, Mental Duress

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—Sasun Aghajanian, who is one of the accused in the March 22 attempted murder case, is in a state of utter

emaciation. Edik Aghajanian, the defendant's lawyer told the Fund Against Violation of Law that he does not communicate with anybody,

and the state of his physical and mental health is alarming. Sasun Aghajanian was a bodyguard of the former commander of the Nagorno

Artsax Republic Defense Army Samvel Babayan, who is the principal suspect in the case. On the eve of the March 22 assassination

attempt on the Nagorno Artsax Republic President, the bodyguard was meeting his patron.

 

The lawyer believes his client needs urgent medical aid and cannot stand trial in his current condition.

 

FAVL, basing on what was stated above, urges the administration of the Nagorno Artsax Republic's Central Military Hospital,

Supreme Court and Interior Ministry to do the needful to restore the physical and mental health of Sasun Aghajanian.

 

FAVL Executive Director Larisa Alaverdian emphasized that regardless of the degree of the defendants' guilt, they all must be treated

humanely. She said FAVL representatives would be dispatched to Artsax to see the defendants. The date of their department will be

announced later on.

 

 

 

 

 

11. Roundtable Held On Problem Of Yerevan's Green Belt

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—A roundtable was organized by the Environmental Public Advocacy Center (EPAC) on August 15. It

discussed the problem of Armenia's green belt - the felling of trees and illegal construction in territories with greenery. Representatives of

environmental public organizations, Ministry of Nature Protection, Yerevan Municipality, and scientists discussed the major problems of

the green belt. The public organizations and the Yerevan Municipality displayed contradictory approaches both to the existence of such

problems and to their solution. Environmentalists were indignant at the so-called rejuvenation of trees in Yerevan's streets and parks.

According to the representative of the Armenian Botanical Society, Gohar Oganezova said that under the pretense of rejuvenation, the

actual felling of trees was carried out; after this procedure such trees as plants and oaks may die without proper care.

 

The arguments for such measures advanced by representatives of the Yerevan Municipality did not satisfy either the public organizations

or botanists who participated in the roundtable.

 

Special attention was also paid to the illegal construction because of which forests are felled. Many facts were presented, such as the

construction of cafes in parks and of "Bingo-Poker" near the Aragast cafe, which resulted in the felling of over 20 trees. Responding to

the explanations provided by the representatives of the Yerevan Municipality that the building permits were granted by former mayors,

EPAC Chairwoman Aida Iskoyan pointed out that illegal decisions may be appealed in court.

 

The public and government structure arrived at a common conclusion on one issue, the establishment of a coordinating council for

environmental problems in the city.

 

 

 

 

 

12. Reference Book On Armenia's Open Joint Stock Companies Published

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—The recently published reference book entitled "Armenia's Open Joint Stock Companies" contains

information on 750 OJSCs operating in Armenia's different regions. The reference book contains information not only on the products

manufactured by OJSCs, but also on the type and number of their shares, and the dividend payment periods. The next edition of the

reference book is expected to contain information on more enterprises.

 

The author of the reference book, Nerses Hakobian, said that the reference book is intended for potential investors and companies and

was published on the grant of the Eurasia foundation. Members of the Union of Security Market Members rendered considerable

assistance in compiling the reference book.

 

The USMM comprises 24 legal entities, Armen Melikian being the USMM president. The USMM submitted a package of model

documents to relevant bodies. The package includes several normative acts on the protection of interests of association members,

reduction of brokers' losses through the establishment of guarantee insurance funds, and investment efficiency and support of broker

companies.

 

 

 

 

 

13. Head Of UN Children's Fund To Visit Armenia

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—President Robert Kocharian held a meeting with Head of the Armenia-based office of the UN Children's

Fund Gloria Fernanda. Fernanda informed the Armenian president of the programs implemented by the organization in Armenia. She also

informed the president of the coming visit of the head of the UN Children's Fund to Armenia. During the meeting the sides pointed out the

need for coordinating efforts in defending children's rights