YASSER ARAFAT: "WE AND THE ARMENIANS ARE ONE PEOPLE"August 28, 2000 - 18:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 28.08.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has denied Israeli reports that he had accepted an Israeli proposal to annex the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem.The Palestinian daily, al-Ayyam, quoted Arafat as saying that he had strongly rejected this proposal. "The Armenian quarter belongs to us and we and the Armenians are one people", said Arafat. According to the Palestine daily, on August 25 the PLO official met with the representatives of the Armenian community in Palestine, and the Armenians declared that "they are partners of the Arabs in the struggle for a free and democratic Palestine". On January 18, 2000 during the unofficial visit to Jerusalem, a meeting of the Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Yasser Arafat took place in Bethlehem. Wishing prosperity and peace to Palestinian people, the President of Armenia told Arafat: "Every nation has its leaders, which come and go. But you, having leaded the struggle of your people for so many years, have become an integral part of world politics". The Armenian leader declared that his meeting with the Palestine Authority Chairman is the best indicative that Armenia is in no way trying to play upon the contradictions in the region. "I can firmly declare that our contacts with Israel can no way influence our friendly relations with Iran and the Arabian countries", said Robert Kocharian. -0- Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |