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ARMENIA'S PRIME MINISTER AFTER SUCCESSFUL COURSE OF MEDICAL TREATMENT ENTERED UPON HIS DUTIES

OCTOBER 29. After successful course od medical treatment on one of Parisians clinics the Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Margaryan today entered upon his duties. According to the information of the press office of Armenia's government, the state of health of the premier is assessed as satisfactory. In the first working day after the recovery Andranik Margaryan received the head of the World Bank representation in Armenia Owaise Saadat.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS AND CHAIRMAN OF OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY DISCUSSED ISSUES OF ENSURING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE SOUTH CAUCASIAN REGION

OCTOBER 29. Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and Chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Adriano Severin discussed Oct 27 issues of ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasian Region, as well as the Church's role in the settlement of these problems. In the course of the meeting the Supreme Patriarch pointed out that Church is a preacher of peace, love and friendship and "the Armenian people and Church have been remaining faithful to these commandments of God over centuries," the Holy Echmiadzin's press-service told ARMINFO today. Touching upon the problem of the Karabakh problem's settlement, Garegin II pointed out that the Armenian Apostolic Church is aware of its mission, and being guided just by this mission, the spiritual leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan are continuing their dialogue. He also pointed out that on the part of the Church the OSCE may have an active partner in the process of the Karabakh conflict's peaceful settlement. Catholicos also pointed out that the Karabakh conflict has never had and does not have any religious grounds.

POSSIBLE IMPACT OF TRAGIC EVENTS IN UNITED STATES ON SOUTH CAUCASUS DISCUSSED BY ARMENIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER AND CHAIRMAN OF OSCE PA

OCTOBER 29. At a meeting yesterday Armenia's foreign minister Vartan Oskanyan and chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Adreano Severin discussed the impact the tragic events in the United States may have on the South Caucasus. As ARMINFO has learned from the foreign ministry's PR department, the participants in the meeting also discussed approaches and programs of the OSCE PA in the light of the acts of terrorism in the United States. Oskanyan told Severin about the process of the Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement and Armenia's concerns about this problem.

GOVERNMENT INVITES "ARMENTEL" TO NEGOTIATIONS

OCTOBER 29. The Armenian government invites the telecommunication monopolist, "ArmenTel" company, to negotiations to settle the controversial issues. According to the statement of Minister of Justice David Harutiunian provided to ARMINFO today, the negotiations are scheduled to be held in conformity with license No.60 issued to "ArmenTel", which stipulates negotiations over controversial issues within 60 days. The statement also points out that the Armenian government invites to negotiations the Greek OTE company, the owner of "ArmenTel", to settle the conflict over the introduction of per minute billing system. the Armenian government is willing to carry on negotiations on the basis of good will and expects a similar approach on the part of "ArmenTel" and OTE, the statement says.

VANADZOR CHEMICAL PLANT RE-OPERATED AFTER 13-YEARS IDLENESS

OCTOBER 29.After a 13-years idleness the Vanadzor chemical plant was re-operated, due to the new owner, the "Zaknaftestroy Prometeus" OJSC. The production of ammonia (20,000 tons annually) was resumed, due to $20mln investments, which is able to fully provide this production to the internal market, the Armenian president's press-service told ARMINFO. There is also possibility for production of calcium carbide (15,000 tons annually) corrundum (20 tons annually) and other chemicals. The enterprise has 1,500 jobs at the average salary of 57,000 drams monthly (about $100). The number of jobs is scheduled to increase to 2,000 in 2001 and to 2,500 in 2002. To recap, on the Armenian government's decision #283, May 3 1999, three Vanadzor enterprises i.e. Chemical plant, Plant of Chemical fibre and the State Regional Power Station, were sold as a united chemical complex through direct sale to the "Zakneftestroy Prometeus" OJSC for $1,5mln.

RESUMPTION OF MILITARY ACTIONS TO DELAY SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT FOR DECADES, ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS SAY

OCTOBER 29. The resumption of military actions will delay the settlement of the Karabakh conflict for decades, members of the Karabakh Security Council and chairmen of permanent commissions and deputy groups of the Karabakh parliament made this statement in the course of their meetings held with Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Adriano Severin in Stepanakert. In the course of the above meetings representatives of the Karabakh leadership came out for the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Adriano Severin emphasized necessity for reaching "a good peace, as the bad one may become a link to endless war." He also expressed hope that his visit to the region may contribute to political settlement of the Karabakh conflict. "Nobody knows the final result, but if the Karabakh people succeed in forming a free democratic society and, there by, capture sympathy of international community, Karabakh will take its deserving place in the world," the PACE chairman said, at the same time expressing confidence that Karabakh is able to form such a society. To recap, Adriano Severin arrived in Stepanakert after his visits to Baku and Yerevan. According to Azeri press, in the course of Severin's meeting with Azeri President Heidar Aliev the latter demanded from Severin to settle the conflict as soon as possible, otherwise the Azeri side will settle it in the military way. It should be noted that in response to the Aseri presidents' statements, Armenian President Robert Kacharyan and Secretary of the Security Council attached to the Armenian president, Defense Minister Serzh Sargssyan came out with their statements. They said the resumption of military action may become the beginning of Azerbaijan's utter defeat.