YEREVAN (Armenpress-Noyan Tapan-RFE/RL)–President Robert Kocharian visited some of his numerous campaign offices in Yerevan on Friday to meet with campaign managers the second day running.
Kocharian’s campaign spokesman Vahagn Mkrtchian revealed that the working meetings with campaign staff focused on ways to prevent vote irregularities in the second round. "Our task is to hold elections that [...]

LOS ANGELES COUNTY–The Armenian National Committees (ANC) of the East and West San Fernando Valley–and the ANC Crescenta Valley Chapters announced their endorsemen’s for the upcoming local council and school board elections this week. The Crescenta Valley ANC endorsed La Canada-Flintridge Councilmember Anthony Portantino in his re-election bid to city council. For the second available [...]

YEREVAN (Armenpress/Yerkir)–More than 10,000 people gathered at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Dzidzernagapert on February 28 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Sumgait massacres.
Armenian President Robert Kocharian laid a wreath on the Khachkar (cross stone) devoted to the victims of the Sumgait massacres.
Archbishop Barkev Martirosian of the Artsakh prelacy offered prayer for the souls [...]

BAKU (Armenpress)–According to Azeri news agencies–the issue of Karabagh was one of main discussion topics between Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliev and US President George Bush Thursday.
The same sources said that after being provided with a full review about the conflict and the current situation–George Bush instructed US Secretary of State Colin Powell to become engaged [...]

ANKARA–Turkey-based Marmara daily reports that the Armenian community of Turkey faces a critical issue regarding the Soorp Khatch Armenian Seminary there.
In citing a rule on religious establishmen’s–the Turkish Treasury has filed a law suit against the seminary disputing its ownership rights (based on the conclusion that the seminary does not qualify as a religious institution–and [...]

The Associated Press–announced that the Best Action Photo for the year 2003 has been awarded to an Armenian–Kevork Djansezian–41–for his baseball image of the Giants bat boy being taken out of harm’s way during the World Series. Kevork– who lives in Los Angeles–is now on assignment in Kuwait for The AP. As a member of [...]

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–In preparing for the second round of presidential elections–the incumbent Robert Kocharian–who had campaigned heavily in regions of Armenia in the first round of presidential elections–is now focusing on working closer with residents of Yerevan–as well as his campaign managers there. He met on Wednesday with hundreds of campaign staff at his main [...]

BAKU (Reuters)–Azeri state oil firm SOCAR said on Thursday US oil giant Chevron Texaco planned to leave Absheron–an offshore project in Azerbaijan–because it failed to find enough oil or gas during the exploration period.
The move follows a number of recent failures by rivals such as Exxon Mobil–TotalFinaElf and Agip to find oil in the Azeri [...]

"VOTING JUST AGAINST THE CURRENT AUTHORITY–NO MATTER HOW IMPERFECT IT IS–WITHOUT CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROGRAM OF THE POWER-SEEKING OPPOSITION CAN GIVE THIS POWER EITHER TO DEMAGOGUES AND ADVENTURERS–OR SIMPLE AMATEURS."
MOSCOW (ITAR-TASS/Noyan Tapan)–In a statement released to the press–the Union of Russia’s Armenia’s (URA) on Wednesday urged both sides in Armenia’s presidential race "to [...]

PASADENA–The Armenian National Committee of Pasadena announced on Wednesday its endorsement of candidates for upcoming City of Pasadena and Pasadena Unified School District Municipal Elections.
For the mayoral race–it endorses the incumbent mayor of Pasadena–Bill Bogaard. "Bill Bogaard has worked with the Pasadena ANC–and we are looking forward to a continued relationship with him. He has [...]

VALLEY ARMENIANS CELEBRATE COMPLETION OF BUILDING TO REALIZE CHURCH–SHOOL AND ADMINSTRATIVE COMPLEX TO SERVE COMMUNITY ENCINO–More than 250 Armenian community members–Prelate Moushegh Mardirossian–ARF CC members Harout Donoian–Armand Keosian–and Hagop Tufenkian–as well as benefactors–supporters–members of affiliated organizations–and guests gathered on Saturday–February 22 for the official opening of a new building in the Ferrahian School and [...]

YEREVAN (Armenpress-Noyan Tapan-RFE/RL)–Meeting with reporters on Wednesday to summarize the outcome of the first round of presidential elections held on February 19–Armenia’s incumbent President Kocharian countered accusations that he exercised all available administrative resources in a bid to ensure his outright victory.
Citing the opposition’s accusations of fraud–Kocharian maintained that the elections instead demonstrated tolerance on [...]

SALAHUDDIN–IRAQ (Reuters)–Iraq’s opposition warned on Wednesday against US rule or Turkish intervention in a war to oust President Saddam Hussein–but a US envoy sought to reassure them Washington wanted Iraqis to govern themselves.
Gathering on their home soil–Saddam’s long-divided opponents rejected US plans for a period of military rule after a war–in which Turkey vows to [...]

GLENDALE–In celebrating International Women’s Day–that marks and honors accomplishmen’s of women–the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) has organized activities worldwide. Locally–the Public Relations Committee of the ARS of Western USA has planned week-long activities.
In Southern California a unique art exhibit of Armenian women artists–as well as a forum are scheduled.
On Friday–March 7–a wine and cheese reception [...]