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AZERBAIJAN READY FOR COMPROMISE

JANUARY 7. Azerbaijan is ready to compromise with Armenia in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azeri President Heydar Aliyev said in his address to the Azerbaijanian people on the New Year Eve. According to him, he will make every effort towards settling the conflict as soon as possible. Despite the readiness for compromise, Aliyev once more stated that Nagorny Karabakh is "an integral part of Azerbaijan, and the conflict can only be settled proceeding from the principle of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity."

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS DISCUSS NEW STAGE OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

JANUARY 7. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have discussed a new stage of the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. As U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway told the Armenian Radio of New Jersey, the co-chairs met in the US recently. He said the blockade of Armenia and Karabakh by Azerbaijan and Turkey prevents the economic development of the region. Ordway said Washington would like to change the situation and to create mutually acceptable conditions for the conflicting parties to settle the conflict. The US is working with all the conflicting parties to settle the conflict as soon as possible to bring profit to Armenia and to open borders and create opportunities for economic development. Besides, the settlement of the conflict will promote the establishment of security and stability in the region as well as the prosperity of all the South Caucasian states.

PRESS SECRETARY OF ARMENIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER CALLED ABSURD THE ALLEGATIONS OF THE COMMANDER OF TURKEY'S GENERAL HEADQUARTERS ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN ARMENIA

JANUARY 7. The press secretary of Armenia's defence minister Seyran Sakhsouvarian called absurd the allegations of the commander of Turkey's General headquarters, general Husein Kivrikoghlu about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Armenia. According to him, Ankara for lack of real arguments raise absurd claims against Armenia, trying to discredit it in the eyes of the world community. According to Turkish mass media, the Turkish general has made the mentioned statement in his message to the administration of the U.S. president. He calls Washington to relinquish the idea of bombing Iraq. "Everybody knows that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction, but the sanctions Washington is applying to Baghdad in this connection, must also be applied to Armenia as well", he thinks.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT AND "ARMENTEL" COMPANY HAVE NOT REACHED ANY AGREEMENT

JANUARY 7. The negotiation process between the Armenian government and the "ArmenTel" company has not finished yet, Executive Director of this company Nicos Georgoulas told ARMINFO. He said the negotiation will end after 13 days, while the sides have not reached any appreciable results. Georgoulas pointed out that he hopes that a compromise will be reached next week. In case if the negotiations have no results, ArmenTel will start collecting from subscribers per-minute payment for local calls, the executive director said. It should be noted that resolution of Armentel's Board of Directors on introduction of per-minute payment system from Sept 1, 2001 is one of the most unpopular measure in Armenia. The government has repeatedly come out against this innovation and has reiterated its readiness to protect the citizens' rights, which resulted in starting negotiations with ArmenTel Nov 19, 2001.

ARMENIA'S EMERGENCIES DEPARTMENT DOES NOT HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT SITUATION ON MILITARY-GEORGIAN ROAD

JANUARY 7. The Emergencies Department, the Armenian Government, does not have yet any information about the situation on the Military-Georgian Road, ARMINFO learned from the department's press service. Meanwhile, the NTV Russian TV channel reports that a column of trucks has been blocked on the road because of avalanches. The trucks were full of first need goods and were heading for Armenia. The drivers refused to leave the vehicles fearing the goods might be lost. The layer of snow at the mountain passes connecting Russia with the South Caucasus has reached 1.5 m, which exceeds the critical level by three times. Nearly one hundred of avalanches have come down from mountains during the last day. Experts say there are twice as many to come. Rescue equipment is unable to come close to seven cars covered with snow. Rescuers say some people there may be dead.

TRIAL OF AGHALAM HARUTIUNIAN BEGINS

JANUARY 7. Today, the minor court of the Center and Nork Marash districts began the trial of the presidential bodyguard Aghamal Poghossian. According to the indictment, he is charged with involuntary murder of the citizen of Georgia Poghos Poghossian. Harutiunian himself did not plead guilty. It was reported earlier, on the night of September 25, 2001, after a squabble with the president's security service in the "Aragast" cafe, Poghos Poghossian was found dead in the restroom. The cause of Poghossian's death was a craniocerebral trauma. Besides, serious injuries were discovered on his body. During the court sitting, the witness Stepan Nalbandian said that evening he was at the same table with Poghos Poghossian. Soon after 12:00. p.m, President Robert Kocharian and the world-famed singer Charles Aznavour passed by. According to Nalbandian, Poghossian welcomed them, saying "Hi, Robik!", to which the president's bodyguards told him to shut up. In response, Poghossian asked "But what did I say?". A few minutes after the president and the guests left the cafe, a young man approached the table at which Poghossian, Nalbandian and their acquaintance Yuri Navoyan were sitting. With respect the young man asked Poghossian to "have a talk" or a few minutes. Nalbandian pointed out that he noticed a commotion near the restroom, which soon turned into a fight: several men were beating Poghossian. Nalbandian tried to interfere, but received some blows on the face. After the restroom was available again, Poghossian was lying there without conscience. The paramedic that arrived announced Poghossian dead. Nalbandian pointed out that he does not remember Poghossian was among those who were beating Poghossian. The next sitting of the court will be held on January 8.

YEREVAN CITIZENS MET NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS WITH HIGH QUALITY CUISINE AND DRINKS

JANUARY 7. The Yerevan citizens met New Year with high quality cuisine and drinks, data of the Central Station of Emergency Care is an evidence of it. In conformity to the station, no cases of alcohol intoxication or food poisoning were registered during holidays and the first week of the new year. However, Deputy Head of the Central Emergency Care Department Nune Zhamkochyan said some unnoticable growth of emergency calls was registered during the holidays (by 30-40) comparing to the last years. She also said public festivities have been held without intervention of paramedics.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TOOK PART IN SOLEMN LITURGY DEDICATED TO CHRISTMAS

JANUARY 7. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan took part in a solemn liturgy dedicated to the Christmas, which was held at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin Jan 6. Participating in the liturgy were also Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Armen Khachatryan, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, members of the government, servicemen of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps accredited in Armenia and representatives of public, political and cultural organizations. As ARMINFO was informed in the press-service of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, a water baptisms followed the solemn liturgy. It should be noted that another liturgy dedicated to the Eve was held at the Cathedral of the Mother See in the evening Jan 5. This evening liturgy is held twice a year on Christmas Eve and on the eve of the Holy Resurrection. According to traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church, today, Jan 7 is the Remembrance Day (Merelots). A liturgy and remembrance ceremonies will be held in all the Armenian churches.