U.S. ARMENIAN MOVES FROM WORLD BANK TO PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE IN YEREVAN.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian yesterday appointed Vahram Nersisian as presidential adviser. Nersisian, a citizen of the United States, headed the World Bank’s permanent mission to Armenia from 1993 to 1998. Toward the end of his tenure in that post, Nersisian became publicly critical of Armenia’s economic performance. In the presidential office, he will be responsible for economics and for ties with international organizations. (Noyan-Tapan, August 10)

Following his election in April, Kocharian has filled several major posts with Armenian-Americans and other diaspora representatives. Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and presidential adviser Vahan Hovhanissian are among these officials. The practice ties in with Kocharian’s campaign promise to strengthen the role of the diaspora in the affairs of the mother country.

JAPANESE COMPANIES MODERNIZE UZBEK AIRPORTS.