September 7, 2005 - 14:00 AMT
BUILDING RAILWAY PASSING ARMENIA ROUND UNACCEPTABLE
Chairman of the Armenian Parliament Artur Baghdassaryan being in the US met with Chair of the US Democratic Party Howard Dean, reported the Press Service of the Armenian National Assembly. In the course of the meeting the parties discussed matters of Armenian-American relations, as well as processes in Armenia and the region. During his meetings with Executive Vice-President of US International Republican Institute Judy Van Rest and Director of Europe and Asia Affairs Stefan Nixie A. Baghdassaryan discussed domestic development, constitutional and electoral reforms in Armenia, as well as matters of activities of US International Republican Institute in Armenia. In the course of the meeting with Senator Paul Sarbanes and a number of Congressmen the Armenian Speaker discussed matters of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, regional security and cooperation, as well as democratic reforms in Armenia. A. Baghdassaryan considered Turkey's intention to build a railway passing Armenia round instead of using the already existing Kars-Gyumri branch unacceptable. He urged US Congress to defend Armenia's fair stance during the coming congressional debates. Mr. Baghdassaryan also met with leaders of a number of research centers in Woodrow Wilson International Center. Matters of democratic reforms, as well as those referring to struggle against corruption were discussed with Center Director Lee H. Hamilton.