US Ready to Assist in Investigating A-320 Disaster CauseMay 6, 2006 - 15:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Congressman Adam Schiff has sent a message of Armenian President Robert Kocharian, extending condolences on the crash of A-320 liner in the Black Sea. His letter says, "On behalf of the people of the 29th District of California and, especially the many thousands of Armenian-Americans in my district, I write to express my deepest condolences on the tragic loss of life aboard the Armavia Airlines Flight 967 that crashed in the Black Sea on Wednesday. I mourn the loss of the 113 passengers and crew aboard the plane and I extend my sympathies to the families of the victims and to the people of Armenia. I have seen television news reports on the tragedy and I have been especially moved by the anguish of the victims' relatives. I have been in contact with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is the transportation investigative arm of the U.S. government and is widely recognized as the preeminent agency in the world at investigating the cause of aircraft accidents. The NTSB has informed me that they stand ready to assist Armenian and Russian authorities in investigating the disaster and that either your government or the Russian government can request assistance through the United States Embassy in Yerevan or Moscow. If you would like NTSB assistance, or if there is any other way in which I can help at this difficult time, please do not hesitate to contact me." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia considers Cyprus as one of its main partners in EU - envoy Armenia considers Cyprus one of its main partners in the European Union, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan has said. Armenian, Albanian Foreign Ministers discuss ties, regional issues Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani. POLITICO: Baku lobbying agains detained Karabakh ex-leader abroad Azerbaijan is lobbying agains former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan, according to POLITICO. Armenia confirms will attend NATO summit in Washington Armenia has confirmed its participation in the NATO summit in Washington, a spokesperson has confirmed. |