ARMENIA PRIME MINISTER VISITS : OFFICIAL SEES NATION ON ROAD TO DEMOCRACY.

Byline: Eric Wahlgren Daily News Staff Writer

Wrapping up a whirlwind visit to the United States, the Republic of Armenia's newly appointed prime minister made a stop in Los Angeles on Saturday to discuss government reforms and reach out to the Southland's sizable Armenian community.

Armen Sarkissian, recently named prime minister by Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrossian, said his government is forging ahead with plans to promote economic growth, encourage a free press and build better links with Armenians living abroad.

``The new government has entered 1997 with a lot of problems but also with a lot of ideas,'' said Sarkissian, speaking to about 100 reporters and local Armenian leaders at the Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel. ``There is no alternative to market economy in Armenia. There is no alternative to democracy in Armenia.''

On the heels of meetings in Washington, D.C., with World Bank and International Monetary Fund officials, Sarkissian told the crowd that the government is working to lure foreign investment in Armenia and spur privatization.

Citing the need for a healthy free press, Sarkissian also said the government plans to encourage the growth of nongovernment controlled printing houses and had already dissolved the Soviet-style Ministry of Information.

``We see the Ministry of Information as a big remnant of the totalitarian regime that we inherited,'' Sarkissian said.

Ter-Petrossian was democratically elected in October 1991 as Armenia, now a country of about 3.5 million people, was solidifying its independence from the crumbling Soviet Union.

Armenian diplomats said Sarkissian's first visit to Los Angeles is significant because California's roughly 500,000 Armenians make up the largest Armenian community outside of Armenia, which is located near Turkey in the southern part of the former Soviet Union.

About 350,000 Armenians live in Southern California with more than 50,000 estimated to live in Glendale, making up about a quarter of that city's population.

``Armenia is in a transition period,'' said Anahit Stepanian, assistant to the consul general on economic affairs. ``From what we have heard so far from (Sarkissian), he looks very optimistic. People are interested in changes.''

During Saturday morning's news conference, Armenian-American leaders and journalists peppered Sarkissian with questions about the government's highly-criticized ban on opposition parties.

Sarkissian did not provide specifics, but said the government had recently opened dialogue with these parties, adding that ``we would like to see the government of Armenia as a round table of all political parties.''

In addition to political trouble, the young republic has also experienced much violence and economic hardship in the recent years, including a devastating earthquake.

But Peter Tomsen, the U.S. ambassador to Armenia, told the crowd the government is moving in the right direction.

``Tangible progress is being made,'' Tomsen said.

Sarkissian also told the Armenians gathered Saturday that the government planned to set up a special office to strengthen ties with Armenians living abroad.

He also said the government may soon recognize dual citizenship, a departure from the past when Armenia made it harder for Armenians who wished to gain citizenship of another country to retain their Armenian nationality, officials said.

Sarkissian planned to hold a public rally Saturday evening in Pasadena for Armenians before heading to Boston and Washington, D.C., for the end of his trip.

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Photo

Photo: Armenian Prime Minister Armen Sarkissian talks about his nation's progress Saturday.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News