The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS CALL ON NATO AND AZERBAIJAN TO RECTIFY ARMENIA'S EXCLUSION FROM MILITARY TALKS WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO. The Armenian Assembly of America today commended Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Reps. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) for calling on NATO to investigate and rectify Azerbaijan's hindrance of Armenia's participation in a key NATO military conference in Baku. In a letter addressed to NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and General James L. Jones and issued yesterday, the Congressmen ask that NATO consider an alternate host country if Azerbaijan intends to block Armenia's future participation in meetings for the 2004 "Cooperative Best Effort (CBE)" exercises. The congressional letter to NATO said in part: "We concur with the comment of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, that [Azerbaijan's] actions, 'contradict the spirit, letter and logic of the Partnership program and question the very fulfillment of its goals to enlarge cooperation and dialogue between the peoples of the Euro-Atlantic region and specifically, the South Caucasus region.'" "Moreover, we question whether Azerbaijan, an aspirant to NATO, will work towards strengthening regional cooperation between the Organization and Partner countries should it become a Member." "We had hoped for a more resolute response from the State Department," Executive Director Ross Vartian said. "If the U.S. cannot secure a reversal of policy from Azerbaijan to allow unhindered participation by Armenia, the host nation ought to be changed." ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS CALL ON NATO AND AZERBAIJAN TO RECTIFY ARMENIA'S EXCLUSION FROM MILITARY TALKS WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO. The Armenian Assembly of America today commended Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Reps. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) for calling on NATO to investigate and rectify Azerbaijan's hindrance of Armenia's participation in a key NATO military conference in Baku. In a letter addressed to NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and General James L. Jones and issued yesterday, the Congressmen ask that NATO consider an alternate host country if Azerbaijan intends to block Armenia's future participation in meetings for the 2004 "Cooperative Best Effort (CBE)" exercises. The congressional letter to NATO said in part: "We concur with the comment of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, that [Azerbaijan's] actions, 'contradict the spirit, letter and logic of the Partnership program and question the very fulfillment of its goals to enlarge cooperation and dialogue between the peoples of the Euro-Atlantic region and specifically, the South Caucasus region.'" "Moreover, we question whether Azerbaijan, an aspirant to NATO, will work towards strengthening regional cooperation between the Organization and Partner countries should it become a Member." "We had hoped for a more resolute response from the State Department," Executive Director Ross Vartian said. "If the U.S. cannot secure a reversal of policy from Azerbaijan to allow unhindered participation by Armenia, the host nation ought to be changed." THERE IS NO SPLIT IN RANKS OF ARMENIAN DELEGATION IN PACE YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO. There is no split in the ranks of the Armenian delegation in PACE. VIce Speaker of the national Assembly of Armenia, Head of Armenian delegation in PACE Tigran Torosian stated during the press conference concerning the results of the winter session of PACE on Jan 26-29. According to him, the representatives of both pro-power and opposition forces, represented in the Armenian delegation, were interested in removal of the word "the rest" from the wording "Nagorny Karabakh and the rest occupied territories of Azerbaijan", which was written in the draft report concerning the monitoring in Armenia. Tigran Torosian stressed the representative of "Justice" bloc Shavarsh Kocharian and the leader of the party "National unity" Artashes Geghamian have expressed readiness to make a speech regarding this question. The fact that Shavarsh Kocharian has made an initiative to make a proposal to the resolution for conducting a referendum is not the evidence of that there had been a split in the ranks of the Armenian delegation, the vice speaker said. According to him, the opposition has the right to raise questions in the international instances which interest it. The fact that Shavarsh Kocharian intended to raise in PACE the question of conducting a referendum of confidence in the president was not a surprise not for the parliament members not for the representatives of the foreign political office of the country, Tigran Torosian said. The vice speaker considered inexpedient the statement of the Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanian, who had said that the Armenian delegation staff in PACE must be revised because the representatives of the opposition have raised there the question of the referendum of confidence in the president. NA SPEAKER: A PROVOCATION WAS ORGANIZED IN RESPECT TO MINISTER OF CULTURE FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS OF ARMENIA TAMARA POGHOSYAN YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO. A provocation was organized in respect to Minister of Culture for Youth Affairs of Armenia Tamara Poghosyan. Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan said at a press-conference today. It should be noted both Artur Baghdasaryan and Tamara Poghosyan are members of "Orinats Yerkir" party included in the ruling political coalition in the country after the May, 2003 elections. Commenting on the activity of the above minister at the request of journalists, Artur Baghdasaryan said that as a result of a target-orientated activity of definite political forces (he did not named any) a process of Tamara Poghosyan's discredit started. The "Orinats Yerkir" party have not discussed the issue of her supposed resignation with any offical, including, RA President. Robert Kocharyan has not made any proposals to the party in connection with the minister's resignation. The issue of her occupation of this post within the framework of agreements inside the coalition is the prerogative of the party. At the same time, Speaker Baghdasaryan said that the activity of the ministry will become a subject of political discussion inside the party soon and the public will be informed of the results. SEVERAL TYPES OF GEORGIAN WINES MADE OF GRAPES GROWN IN ARMENIA YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO. Several sorts of grapes grown in Armenia are exported to Georgia, Chairman of the Union of Armenian Wine-Makers of Armenia Avag Haroutiunyan told ARMINFO. He said although the Georgian wines are more widely known than Armenian ones, however, the Armenian grapes used by Georgian wine-makers is more popular among them than the local ones. Haroutiunyan connects this fact with the taste quality of the Armenian grapes. Nevertheless, he could not mention the exact volume of the exports of Armenian grapes to Georgia. Haroutiunyan said that Armenian wine-makers work on renewal of both technologies and marketable state of the exported wines. PATRIARCH OF ISTANBUL AND ALL TURKEY GETS INTO ROAD ACCIDENT YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO. Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey Mesrop Mutafyan got into a road accident Sunday while going by bus from Saklikent to Antalia. The accident was caused by a brake failure. Mutafyan broke his nose and leg and was taken to the Antalia hospital. Also on bus were 12 clergymen. Some of them got minor injuries. ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE INJURED IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO. According to news received today in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, was injured in an automobile accident. His Beatitude and his delegation were traveling on a pilgrimage to Antalia. As a result of the accident, Abp. Mesrob's leg and nose were broken, and suffered numerous other minor injuries. He was immediately transported to a hospital, the press-service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin told ARMINFO. On February 2, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, spoke by telephone with the Vicar of the Patriarchate, His Eminence Archbishop Shahan Svajian, and learned of the details surrounding the incident and the condition of the health of the Patriarch. His Holiness requested that Abp. Shahan convey his wishes for a quick and complete recovery to His Beatitude. The cause of the accident was attributed to a failure of the automobile's brakes. Also slightly injured in the accident were Rev. Fr. Sahak Mashalian of the Patriarchate, and ten others who were accompanying the Patriarch. The Patriarchate is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. NORTHERN AVENUE RESIDENTS HOLD ACTION OF PROTEST YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO. Over 50 Yerevan citizens residing near Northern Avenue held an action of protest against the authorities' intention to remove them and pay compensations. The Yerevan Municipality decided to demolish the old buildings occupying an area of 80 hectares, offering the local residents twice as less money as necessary to buy housing in the center. Protesting against the authorities' policy the residents formed a committee, which declared the Government's decision alienating land-plots for construction anticonstitutional. The committee applied to the Armenian Parliament. One of the leaders of the district chapter of the "Republic" party Vardan Petrossian urged the people to defend their rights. HEADLINES OF FEBRUARY 2 CHECHGAZPROM THREATENS TO STOP GAS SUPPLY OF GEORGIA PROFITABILITY OF ARMENIA'S BANKING SYSTEM GROWING INTERIM PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION FOR INDEXATION OF POPULATION'S SOVIET-TIME SAVINGS TO COMPLETE ITS WORK MAT 30 2004 TURKEY MUST NOT OPEN ITS BORDER WITH ARMENIA: AZERI MINISTER STATIONING OF NATO BASES IN AZERBAIJAN NOT ON AGENDA: ILHAM ALIEV PARLIAMENT TO SHORTLY HEAR PROBLEM OF RAISE IN GAS, WATER AND ELECTRICITY FEES PACE RAPPORTEUR FOR NAGORNY KARABAKH TO VISIT ARMENIA ON FEB 23 KARABAKH TELECOM CJSC ANNOUNCES PREFERENTIAL TARIFF FOR PURCHASE OF CELLULAR COMMUNICATION NUMBER PACE's RESOLUTION ON MONITORING IN ARMENIA EXAGGERATES COUNTRY's PROGRESS: TIGRAN TOROSSIAN NA SPEAKER: ARMENIA SHOULD COME OUT IN A UNITED TEAM AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL IN ALL ITS OFFICAL DELEGATIONS GROSS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE IN ARMENIA GREW BY 4.3% IN 2003 POPULATION'S INCOMES INCREASED BY 15.1%, EXPENSES BY 17.5% IN JAN-DEC, 2003 ARMENIA-NATO COOPERATION IMPROVED ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ON VACATION 72 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS SIGNED IN 2003 ARMENIA'S FM REPORTS TO GOVERNMENT ARMENIAN MP ACCUSES CHAIRMAN OF LEGAL COMMISSION FOR ILLEGAL ACTIONS ARMENIAN DELEGATION's PARTICIPATION IN STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE PART OF PREPARATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL FORUM IN YEREVAN SPEAKING ABOUT ACTIVITIES OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO CONFUSE PUBLIC LEVEL WITH STATE OR DIPLOMATIC ONE: RUBEN SHUGARIAN TURKISH PREMIER's STATEMENTS TACTICAL: VARDAN OSKANIAN HRAZDAN TPP OFFICIALLY REGISTERED AS RUSSIAN PROPERTY 92 ARMENIAN REPATRIATES RETURNED FROM TURKMENISTAN ASHOT MELKONIAN: ARMENIAN SCIENTISTS-HISTORIANS READY TO MEET WITH THEIR TURKISH COLLEAGUES IN VIENNA ARMENIA TRIPLES ENERGY SUPPLY TO GEORGIA YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY INTENDS TO COMPLETE OPTIMIZATION OF YEREVAN PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM AREAS UNDER GRAPES TO BE ENLARGED IN ARMENIA NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN ARMENIA INCREASED BY 27.1% IN 2003 16.6% INCREASE IN TAX OFFENCE CASES RECORDED IN 2003 IN 2003 COMMUNICATION SPHERE OF ARMENIA PROVIDED SERVICES TO POPULATION WORTH 29.5 BLN DRAMS 13.9% GDP GROWTH REGISTERED IN ARMENIA IN JAN-DEC, 2003 ECONOMIC CRIMES DECREASED IN 2003 IN ARMENIA "ARMAVIA" STARTS CARRYING OUT NEW YEREVAN-ASHKHABAD FLIGHT 14.2% DECREASE REGISTERED IN CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN JAN-DEC, 2003 IN ARMENIA ARMENIA'S FOREIGN TRADE TURNOVER TOTALS $1,947.5 MLN IN JAN-DEC, 2003 ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN ARMENIA DECREASED BY 0.2% IN JAN-DEC, 2003 AS AGAINST SAME PERIOD OF 2002 "ARMAVIA" STARTS OPERATING SECOND ATR42 PLANE ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN ARMENIA DECREASED BY 0.2% IN JAN-DEC, 2003 AS AGAINST SAME PERIOD OF 2002 ILHAM ALIYEV: NO FULL-SCALE REGIONAL COOPERATION IS POSSIBLE AS LONG AS OUR LANDS ARE OCCUPIED IN 2003 NUMBER OF BREACHES OF ECOLOGICAL LEGISLATION IN ARMENIA DECREASED BY 24.9% AZERBAIJANI LEADER INTENDS DISCUSSING NAGORNO-KARABAKH SETTLEMENT IN MOSCOW CHAIRMAN OF NKR PARLIAMENTARY STANDING FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMISSION DOES NOT THINK EUROPE TO FORCE ANY RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT UPON US ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN: IN 2003 ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SUSPENDED POLICY OF PRIVATIZATION OF STATE PROPERTY NA SPEAKER TELLS ABOUT NA's ACTIVITIES IN 2004 OSCE SPECIAL REP. ON KARABAKH MEETS MILLI MEJLIS SPEAKER IN AZERBAIJAN NA SPEAKER TO VISIT BELARUS, GEORGIA, ITALY, USA ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN: MY APPEAL TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF ARMENIA SHOULDN'T BE CONSIDERED AS AN INQUIRY, WHICH REQUIRES SPECIAL CONSIDERATION NA SPEAKER WELCOMES SOUTH-CAUCASIAN INITIATIVE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN ARMENIA MADE UP 14.9% IN JAN-DEC, 2003 CE IS NOT THE VERY INSTANCE WHEREIN THE KARABAKH PROBLEM IS SOLVED NA VICE-SPEAKER COMPLAINS OF PASSIVITY OF ARMENIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS UNEMPLOYMENT LEVEL FALLS IN ARMENIA OVER 49,900 COMMERCIAL LEGAL ENTITIES REGISTERED IN ARMENIA BY JAN 1, 2004 FIRST WINTER YOUTH GATHERING OF ALL ARMENIAN MOVEMENT "BAZE" STARTS IN TRAKHKADZOR 1,860 ENTERPRISES WORTH A TOTAL OF 109.8 BLN DRAMS HAD BEEN PRIVATIZED BY JAN 1, 2004 No information from Site can be used without prior permission of ARMINFO http://www.arminfo.am -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=media.arminfo&email= http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com