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| September 3 |
A series of complicated negotiations
over the rescheduling of the $24 million Georgian debt to Armenia
concludes with a new agreement signed by Armenian Finance Minister
Vardan Khachatrian and Georgian Finance Minister Zurab Noghaideli.The
new agreement states that Georgia will begin repayments of the debt
with an initial $800,000 disbursement in 2001, followed by further
annual installments spread over two decades. The major portion
of the Georgian foreign debt to Armenia arises from the Georgian theft
and subsequent losses of natural gas supplies destined for Armenia
in the early 1990s. Another $4 million in outstanding debt is
for past purchases of Armenian electricity. |
September
4 |
After more than a year of internal
discord within the parliamentary Unity bloc, leaders of the People's
Party of Armenia announce an end to the coalition and calls for new
parliamentary elections. The Unity bloc, the largest bloc in
the parliament, has experienced significant conflict between the People's
Party of Armenia, led by Stepan Demirchian, and its larger partner
the Republican Party of Armenia, led by Prime Minister Andranik Markarian.The
People's Party announcement accuses Markarian of using the Republican
Party as a vehicle to maintain President Robert Kocharian's hold on
power in the government, resulting in a series of defections of People's
Party deputies from the unity bloc over the course of the summer. |
September
5 |
Protests mount over the recent increase
in per-minute telephone charges introduced by the Greek owned telecommunications
monopoly ArmenTel. Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications,
Vaghinak Kocharian, responds by threatening to seek legal action against
ArmenTel's price increase and urges the population not to pay the
charges. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) calls on
the Kocharian government to begin negotiations with ArmenTel to ease
this situation. |
| September 3-7 |
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY),
Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
praised the establishment of the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission.
"I was heartened to see that such a positive step had been taken,"
said Senator McConnell. "Your efforts to create mutual understanding
between the peoples of both countries truly transcend international
politics, and I wish you the best of luck in your efforts." McConnell
is the leading Senate Republican in support of the U.S.-Armenia relationship. |
| September 3-7 |
Nagorno Karabagh President Arkady
Ghoukasian said in a September 2 speech marking the tenth anniversary
of the Republic's independence from Azerbaijan, "the Nagorno
Karabagh Republic has shown to the world its state self-sufficiency,
aspiration to live and develop according to the universally accepted
norms of democratic society strictly observing the rights and liberties
of citizens and safeguarding rule of law." President Ghoukasian
praised continuing support of the Armenian Diaspora for the social-economic
and cultural development of Nagorno Karabagh. An official delegation
of the Republic of Armenia including Catholicos Karekin II, Armenian
President Robert Kocharian, and other Armenian dignitaries were in
Stepanakert to take part in the celebrations. President Kocharian,
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), member of the Russian Parliament
Dmitry Rogozin, the Armenian Assembly and others issued congratulatory
statements.
NKR residents cast their votes in local elections Wednesday. The political
party of President Ghoukasian, the Democratic Artsakh Union, claimed
victory on Thursday, reporting success in at least 140 out of 223
towns and villages including the capital, Stepanakert. |
| September 3-7 |
Eleven representatives of Nagorno
Karabagh's non-governmental sector began a week-long visit to Azerbaijan
this week. Billed as a significant popular diplomacy step, the visit
may be cut short due to threats from Azeri nationalist groups.
The NGO delegation, led by prominent Karabagh human rights activist
Karen Ohanjanian, is sponsored by the Open Society Institute of George
Soros. They met with senior members of President Heydar Aliyev's staff
and editors of Azerbaijan's mass media. However, their meeting with
leaders of the Social-Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (SDPA), an organization
advocating direct dialogue between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabagh,
was thwarted when a group of militant Azerbaijani youths burst into
the party's office and threatened "physical violence," should
their meeting with Armenians proceed. The group later urged the government
to launch criminal proceedings on charges of "treason" against
an SDPA member and a human rights activist for her role in the visit.
Zardusht Alizade, who is SDPA co-chairman, urged the protestors "to
stop and think: should we show to the whole world our ethnic intolerance?"
Others also sharply criticized organizers of the visit and the Azerbaijani
government for not preventing the visit. Head of the Azerbaijani Resource
Center for Human Rights, Mehti Mehtiyev urged police to detain the
Karabagh Armenian delegation immediately. He also said that the fact
that the group arrived in Baku on a UN plane "means that the
UN took a step towards recognizing the independence of Nagorno Karabagh."
The Karabagh Armenians remained in their hotel under tight security
yesterday. |
| September 3-7 |
The Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II has invited the leader
of the Caucasus Muslims, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade to
visit Armenia for celebrations of the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's
adoption of Christianity. Pope John Paul II, Patriarch of the Russian
Orthodox Church Alexiy II and other religious leaders are expected
to visit Armenia later this month. Pashazade said he would make a
decision on whether to visit Armenia "after consultations."
Karekin II and Pashazade met last November in Moscow with the Russian
Patriarch's mediation to discuss ways in which they can contribute
to peace between Armenians and Azeris. |
| September 3-7 |
Following ArmenTel's decision to charge
for domestic phone calls on a per-minute basis, Minister of Transport
and Communication Andranik Manoukian claimed that the company had
no right to introduce the new policy because the government had not
authorized it. Under License No. 60, ArmenTel must apply to the government-authorized
body for consent 60 days prior to implementation. According to Manoukian,
ArmenTel's proposal was rejected in May and a subsequent proposal
was returned because it was submitted in English.
Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Vaghinak Kocharian has
warned ArmenTel of the Armenian Government's intention of bringing
the matter before the International Court of Arbitration in London.
However, the Armenian Government has made no official statement on
the matter, drawing criticism from opposing parties. Student groups
and women's organizations have joined Manoukian in protesting the
new tariff.
ArmenTel's Chief Executive Nikos Yorgoulas said the per-minute charges
are comparable to other CIS countries and noted that the company plans
to reduce tariffs on international calls by 40%. |
September
7 |
A joint statement issued by the opposition
People's Party of Armenia, Republic (Hanrapetutiun) Party, and the
National Accord Front, demands the resignation of President Kocharian.
The statement accuses Kocharian of violating the constitution, impeding
the investigation into the October 1999 attack on parliament, and
leading the country into a severe economic and political crisis.
Former Yerevan Mayor and Armenian National Movement (ANM) member Albert
Bazeyan announces his support for the "removal of the Kocharian
regime [by] constitutional means." According to Republic
Party leader and former Prime Minister Aram Sarkisian, the three parties
are now considering the formation of a new opposition alliance as
well as plans for a national petition supporting impeaching Kocharian. |
September
8 |
President Kocharian announces that
the recent opposition's demand for his resignation has convinced him
to seek reelection in 2003. The president warns that the opposition's
statements are "filled with malice [and] people with so much
malice endanger the country by seeking power." |
September
10 |
In an address to the parliament, Lord
Russell Johnson, the head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE), calls on the Kocharian government to revise its
penal code and abolish capital punishment in Armenia. Johnson
reminds the deputies that Armenia is obligated to enact the
abolishment as part of its terms for membership in the Council of
Europe. |
September
11 |
Gagik Poghosian, a senior aide to
Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, is killed at his home's front door
by an exploding grenade. The assassination of Poghosian is believed
to be linked to his efforts to combat corruption and organized crime.
Poghosian served as Tax Minister from May to October in 2000 and was
the chief of the State Oversight Committee since this past July.
During his tenure as chief of this committee he proved his commitment
to using the body's powers to investigate state agencies use of public
funds. |
| September 11 |
Joining the international outpouring
of sympathy for the United States, the Armenian government and Armenians
around the world condemned this week's terrorist attacks in New York
and Washington, DC and expressed their support for the U.S. and its
president George W. Bush. In his September 11 message, President Robert
Kocharian expressed "utter shock" at the news of the attacks
and urged "determination and resolve" in confronting the
terrorists. "We share your grief and wish you strength and patience,"
he said.
Speaking on behalf of the members of the Collective Security Treaty
(CST) of the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),
President Kocharian called for joint action against international
terrorism. Armenia currently holds the rotating presidency in the
six-member defense grouping that also includes Belarus, Kazakstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. The latter country borders on Afghanistan,
where plans for this week's attacks on the United States may have
been hatched. At their most recent summit in Yerevan in May of this
year, CST members called the struggle against international terrorism
one of their priorities.
President Kocharian was joined by Nagorno Karabagh President Arkady
Ghoukasian, leaders of the Armenian Parliament and Government, Catholicos
of All Armenians Karekin II and Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I in expressing
condolences and offering support to the United States. Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian said in a statement that "the United States and
the American people have been good friends of Armenia and Armenians
and we are aggrieved that a tragedy of such horrendous proportions
has befallen themƯ We consider this an attack not only against the
U.S. but against all peace-loving, democratic peoples everywhere."
Scores of citizens came to the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan to lay flowers,
wreaths, with lit candles and notes expressing sympathy for the American
people. The Armenian police provided additional security for the embassy
building, and Armenia's search and rescue teams, experienced in dealing
with the aftermath of disasters, offered to provide assistance in
U.S. relief efforts. The New York-based Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America worked to identify Armenian-American victims of
this week's tragedy to provide pastoral ministry and counsel. |
September
13 |
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF) parliamentary leader, Aghvan Vardanian, calls for a 30-50 percent
increase in pension payments. However, Social Welfare Ministry
official, Ardem Asatrian, states that the government is unable to
raise pension payments until next year at the earliest. The
average monthly pension payment is reported to be 4600 drams, an increase
from the 1999 level of 4404 drams per month. |
| September 13-14 |
President Robert Kocharian releases
a statement in his capacity as rotating Chairman of the Commonwealth
of Independent States (CIS) Collective Security Treaty group calling
on all signatories to offer collective support for U.S. efforts to
combat the "danger of international terrorism." Kocharian
adds that the cooperation should include military logistical support
and the sharing of relevant intelligence information. The CIS
Collective Security Treaty comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgystan, Russia and Tajikistan. |
| September 14 |
After discovering a large hidden cache
of arms, ammunition, and explosives, police arrest Azat Arshakian,
a former leader of a paramilitary organization and a Soviet-era dissident
who also served briefly in the parliament.The weapons cache includes
300 mines and detonators, more than 200 hand grenades,thirty military
flame-throwers, and more than 13,000 ammunition cartridges.
Arshakian's paramilitary group, formed in the late 1980s with current
Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, was later integrated into the Armenian
army and its structure was fully dissolved by the early 1990s.
Arshakian once headed the small Christian Democratic Union party,
aligned with former president Levon Ter Petrosian. The uncovered
arms cache follows similar seizures in July from buildings owned by
the former ruling Armenian National Movement (ANM). |
| September 7-14 |
America's Ambassador to Armenia for
the past three years, Michael Lemmon, is concluding his tour of duty
later this month. Speaking to reporters this week, Lemmon said he
has witnessed major improvements in Armenia, since his arrival in
1998 and noted that the country was "physically quite different"
now. He said that while trends continue to be positive, changes are
not coming fast enough and urged the government to continue its course
of economic and political reforms. Armenians may be proud, but not
content with their successes, he said. Lemmon also underscored the
continued U.S. commitment to assist Armenia. Bilateral economic ties
remain on a modest level. Trade between U.S. and Armenia in the first
six months of the year stood at $57 million.
Lemmon also called Armenia's foreign policy, aimed at maintaining
close ties with both Russia and the West, "wise and successful."
He reiterated his conviction that Russian-Armenian security cooperation
does not contradict the development of Armenia's ties with the Euro-Atlantic
community. He called "outdated" notions such as the "Big
Game" (in reference to tough competition between various world
powers).
The outgoing U.S. Ambassador disagreed that negotiations over the
Karabagh conflict were deadlocked. Lemmon called the current impasse
"a normal period of consolidation, reflection and assessment
after a great amount of solid work and progress over the last year."
He also stressed the need for regional peace and cooperation, in particular,
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. He said that Turkey can
potentially become Armenia's largest trading partner, and that the
recently-established Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission is
an opportunity to promote bilateral relations. Lemmon also said there
was little chance that a new Armenian Genocide resolution would be
introduced in this Congress. |
| September 7-14 |
President Robert Kocharian said over
the weekend that he plans to run for a second term in the Republic's
highest office, local news agencies reported. Kocharian was elected
President in April 1998, and according to the Constitution can run
for another term in the next presidential election expected in early
2003. Kocharian made the statement shortly after three Armenian political
parties announced plans to jointly oppose the President. The People's
Party, National Accord and Party of the Republic said they will try
to impeach the President over what they see as his violation of the
Constitution. A similar challenge against Kocharian fell through in
April of last year after his opponents failed to collect enough signatures
in Parliament to appeal to the Constitutional Court.
Observers expect an identical outcome this time around. Oddly enough,
the opposition against Kocharian is spearheaded by directors of two
state-owned enterprises: Ararat Cement's (and former Prime Minister)
Aram Sargsian and Mars Electronics' (and Chairman of the People's
Party) Stepan Demirchian. Both enterprises are slated for privatization
by the end of this year. enterprises to Russia to cover much of Armenia's
$100 million debt accumulated since the early 1990s. |
| September 7-14 |
A delegation from the Atlantic Treaty
Association (ATA), led by its chairman Alan Lee Williams, is in Armenia
with a week-long fact finding mission. ATA is an umbrella group, affiliated
with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), that brings together
non-governmental organizations from countries of NATO members and
in its Partnership for Peace (PfP) program. The ATA delegation came
to Armenia at the invitation of the Armenian Atlantic Association,
which is expected to join ATA next month. The Armenian association
was established earlier this year by former Prime Minister Armen Darbinian
and Professor Nikolay Hovanesian. |
| September 14-15 |
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets
with President Robert Kocharian and several senior Armenian officials
during a state visit to Yerevan.The Russian and Armenian presidents
discuss the expansion of bilateral economic ties and conclude a new
ten-year agreement on measures to further integrate the two economies.
The officials also review the draft debt-for- assets agreement in
which Armenia will transfer ownership of several large state-owned
enterprises to Russian firms in exchange for having much of its $100
million debt to Russia forgiven. The draft agreement is to be ready
for final ratification in the coming months. |
| September 14-15 |
President of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Putin arrived in Armenia this week for two days of talks
with his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian. The Russian President
is accompanied by his top foreign policy officials, including National
Security Advisor Vladimir Rushailo, Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov,
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov and Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. Putin
previously visited Armenia in May of this year and, as Russian Prime
Minister, in November 1999, but this is the first official visit by
a Russian President to Armenia, since its independence in 1991.
Putin and Kocharian are expected to sign a document outlining bilateral
economic cooperation between the two countries during this decade.
Armenia and Russia have an extensive security cooperation arrangement
and a Russian contingent patrols Armenia's border with Turkey, but
economic relations have declined steadily and last year Russia's share
in Armenia's foreign trade stood at just 15 percent. Armenia relies
particularly on imports of nuclear fuel and natural gas from Russia.
During the visit, the parties are expected to work out a share-for-debt
deal, under which Armenia would transfer shares at several of its
defense-related enterprises to Russia to cover much of Armenia's $100
million debt accumulated since the early 1990s. |
September
17 |
Journalist Nairi Badalian, who was
jailed last December for eight months during the investigation into
the October 1999 attack on parliament, accuses the Armenian military
prosecutor of pressuring him throughout his detention. According
to Badalian, he was coerced to falsely implicate presidential aide
Aleksan Harutiunian in the attack and subsequent killings of senior
government officials. Badalian adds that he was subjected to
several incidents of torture by the authorities. Harutiunian
was also detained for four months before both he and Badalian were
finally released from custody as the military prosecutor was unable
to produce evidence supporting the criminal charges against them. |
| September 14-21 |
The Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR)
issued a statement September 17 supporting the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation
Commission (TARC). A blatant mischaracterization of the statement
was earlier posted in the internet. The statement noted that "both
sides are beginning to understand the need to reach a settlement in
Turkish-Armenian relations" and, while there were some apprehensions
about TARC's formation, UAR "does not reject any conscientious
honest efforts at any level and in any format, which really pursue
the achievement of the mentioned goals."
The statement also included the organization's position that the dialogue
should include discussion of the Armenian Genocide and proceed in
"an honest and open way." "Our nation," the UAR
statement said "is ready to begin building new relations on the
condition of a genuine repentance by Turks and their condemnation
of the committed crime." Given the broad debate taking place
throughout the Armenian communities about TARC, the Russian Armenian
organization notes the need to develop a mechanism "for formulating
an All-Armenian position" and said that "the entire Armenian
nation of the entire Diaspora, the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno
Karabagh Republic" should participate in the process. The next
TARC meeting will be held in Istanbul on Sunday, September 23. |
| September 14-21 |
President Robert Kocharian called
last week's terrorist attacks on the United States a "challenge
against humanity" and vowed to assist in the U.S. effort to bring
its organizers to justice. He made the comments in his meeting with
outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Michael Lemmon this week. Kocharian
again extended condolences to President George Bush and the American
people. In his remarks on the previous day, Defense Minister Serge
Sargsian said that "Armenia can not fail to support anti-terrorist
actions" that may involve U.S. military actions against suspected
terrorist camps in Afghanistan. Sargsian noted after his meeting with
Lemmon that they discussed in detail how Armenia can help and confirmed
that Armenia would definitely support the United States.
Many of Armenia's military officers have first-hand experience in
fighting Afghanistan-based mujaheddin (as Islamic warriors there are
known), both as part of a protracted Soviet deployment in Afghanistan
in 1979-89 and more recently in Karabagh. In 1993 and 1994, Azerbaijan
sought assistance from Islamic radicals in the war against Karabagh
Armenians and brought over 1,000 Islamic mercenaries from Afghanistan,
that according to some reports included the suspected terrorist leader
Osama Bin Laden. Armenian forces then succeeded in beating back several
Afghan-led offensives against Nagorno Karabagh. Chairman of the Armenian
Veterans of the Afghan War told a local newspaper this week that Armenians
are ready to share their combat experience against the mujaheddin
with the United States military and even participate in operations,
if necessary.
In more recent years, Azerbaijan continued to cultivate ties with
Islamic radical groups, which reports indicated included those affiliated
with Bin Laden, in a hope of their continued assistance against Armenians.
A program broadcast by C-SPAN in 1999 noted a growing role of the
radical Islam in the Azerbaijani designs against Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh. It also noted the growing terrorist infrastructure in Azerbaijan
and said that the United States could not effectively deal with terrorists
there by "bolstering corrupt regimes." |
| September 14-21 |
The Republic of Armenia celebrated
the tenth anniversary of its independence this week, which this year
coincides with the 1700th anniversary of Armenians' adoption of Christianity.
In a popular referendum, held on September 21, 1991, Armenian citizens
overwhelmingly voted for independence and shortly thereafter the republic's
parliament formally announced Armenia's separation from the Soviet
Union. Armenia was the only former Soviet republic to secede from
the union in accordance with a corresponding Soviet law. Armenia's
independence was internationally recognized after the formal dissolution
of the Soviet Union in December 1991.
"Ten years ago our people embarked on a difficult and sacred
mission of building an independent Armenian statehood, making their
choice for liberty, independence and democracy," President Robert
Kocharian said in a public address Friday, adding that he is confident
that Armenians will successfully achieve the stated goals through
"joint and consistent efforts." As in previous years, all
senior government officials from Armenia and the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic visited the Yerablur Military Cemetery outside Yerevan to
pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives for the independence
and security of Armenia.
U.S. President George W. Bush, in a congratulatory message sent to
President Kocharian, noted the dual jubilee and wrote that "thanks
to the unbreakable soul of Armenians" their culture, religion
and independence have been preserved and developed over the years.
Bush also said that the United States has a special relationship with
Armenia owing to the large Armenian Diaspora, which "enriches"
the United States culturally and economically. He said that the two
countries "will continue to work together to achieve their common
goals of peace, stability and prosperity in Armenia" further
deepening their bilateral cooperation.
Events marking independence day and the 1700th anniversary of the
adoption of Christianity this week included several concerts, highlighted
by a 1700-voice choir. Recent terrorist attacks on the United States
permeate the public mood in Armenia. At nearly all public events,
moments of silence, lighting of candles for the victims of the attacks
and playing of the U.S. national anthem along with the Armenian one,
show the degree of Armenian sympathy for the United States. Prayer
services for the killed and missing are being held in churches in
Armenia and throughout the Diaspora.
Several senior delegations, most notably from France and Russia, are
visiting Armenia to participate in the celebrations. Russia's President
Vladimir Putin was in Armenia for an official two-day visit late last
week. Putin visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial outside Yerevan,
where in the Book of Honorary Guests he left the following note: "Russia
has always accepted the pain and tragedy of the Armenian people as
its own. We bow our heads before the memory of the victims of the
Genocide of the Armenian people."
Also this week, President Kocharian bestowed the country's highest
civilian decorations on several individuals for their contribution
to Armenia's development. An Armenian-American businessman, Kirk Kerkorian,
received the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots, while Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian and several others were awarded with the Mkhitar Gosh
Medal. |
September
20-21 |
The day before the deadline for submitting
bids for the privatization of Armenia's four energy distribution networks,
the Spanish Union Fenosa utility withdraws from the bidding. Fifty
parliamentarians submit a petition to the Constitutional Court seeking
to overturn the legislation adopted last July setting forth the guidelines
for the privatization process. This is the second attempt by
the government to request bids. |
September
22 |
Visiting Armenia just prior to the
scheduled visit of the Pope, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Aleksii II
meets in Yerevan with President Kocharian and Catholicos of all Armenians
Garegin II.The Russian Patriarch participates in a joint ecumenical
service with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Romanian Orthodox Patriarch
Teocist and the Armenian Catholicos during his visit to Armenia.
The visit and related celebrations coincide with the 1700th anniversary
of Armenia's adoption of Christianity as its state religion. |
September
25 |
The recently formed Turkish-Armenian
Reconciliation Commission (TARC) convenes a meeting in Istanbul and
agrees to balance its composition by including additional Armenian
members. TARC has caused heated controversy throughout the Armenian
Diaspora and in Armenia proper for various concerns, including an
agreement by TARC members not to include any discussion of the Armenian
Genocide in their meetings. As a result, the TARC members resolve
to launch an extensive public education effort to promote support
for their effort. The next meeting of the commission, slated
to be held next month, is also moved from Yerevan to New York after
members voice concern over the strong opposition facing them in Armenia. |
September
25-28 |
Arriving from Kazakhstan, Pope John
Paul II begins a visit to Armenia to mark the country's 1,700th anniversary
as a Christian state. The Pope makes a special tribute to the
suffering of the 1.5 million Armenians killed between 1915 and 1923.
A joint statement condemning the Armenian Genocide is issued by Catholicos
Garegin II and the Pope which elicits a antagonistic response from
Turkey. |
| September 21-28 |
Pope
John Paul II became the first Roman Pope to visit Armenia,
and to the joy of Armenians around the world, used the term Genocide
in his prayers and in a declaration issued jointly with the Catholicos
of All Armenians Karekin II. The Pope said in his prayer at the Genocide
Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd: "Listen, O Lord, to the lament that
rises from this place, to the call of the dead from the depths of
the Metz Yeghern..." Metz Yeghern is the Armenian term for the
Genocide. In the joint declaration, he said: "the extermination
of a million and a half Armenian Christians, in what is generally
referred to as the first genocide of the twentieth century" is
a tragedy that lives "in the memory of the present-day generation."
The Pope's visit to the Genocide Memorial took place despite renewed
Turkish diplomatic pressure.
While in Armenia this week, John Paul II also called for a peaceful
settlement of conflicts and urged Armenians not to lose hope in the
future, in spite of continued economic hardship. The Pope's arrival
coincided with the 1,700th Anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity
and included visits to the Holy See in Echmiadzin, the Khor Virab
monastery and the newly consecrated St. Gregory Cathedral in Yerevan. |
| September 21-28 |
The United States government has made
an official request for Armenia to open its air space for American
aircraft and Armenia has immediately agreed, presidential spokesman
Vahe Gabrielian told Armenia's Public TV Thursday. Gabrielian also
said that the U.S. "made use of that permission" the same
day. The aircraft are part of preparations for anticipated military
strikes against terrorist networks reportedly based in Afghanistan.
Since neither Iraq nor Iran are expected to open their air space for
American use, Armenia offers the most direct flight route between
the U.S. air base at Incirlik, near Turkey's Mediterranean coast,
and Central Asia. Several Central Asian states, including members
of the Collective Security Treaty (CST) of the Newly Independent States,
have also allowed the U.S. use of their air space.
Also this week, Armenia's Defense Minister Serge Sargsian said Armenia
supported the U.S.-led anti-terrorist effort. He said Armenia sees
no problem in permitting over flights from bases in Turkey towards
Afghanistan "for aircraft that do not pose a threat to Armenia."
He added Armenia and the United States were holding continuous consultations
on the matter on "ambassadorial and other levels." Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanian said earlier that "considering the scale
and the form [of the terrorist attack on the U.S.], we believe that
not taking retaliatory measures may have very negative consequences
for the international community. We think that appropriate measures
should be taken and Armenia is ready to contribute [to these efforts]." |
| September 21-28 |
Foreign Minister of the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic (NKR) Naira Melkumian said this week that the suspected terrorist
Osama Bin Laden and his allies continue to target NKR, which they
see as an obstacle to their plans for establishing Islamic rule in
the Caucasus. At Azerbaijan's invitation, Bin Laden's mujaheddin had
fought against Karabagh in the early 1990s, but were rebuffed by Karabagh
Armenians. Other groups close to Bin Laden had threatened to launch
a war against NKR as recently as last year. President Arkady Ghoukasian
offered NKR's condolences to the U.S. President and the American people
immediately following the September 11attacks. |
| September 21-28 |
While Armenia and Turkey have no diplomatic
relations, last week saw the arrival of Arsen Avagian, who is the
former head of the Turkish desk in the Armenian Foreign Ministry,
as Armenia's official representative in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
(BSEC) organization. It is headquartered in Istanbul. |
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