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11/23/2004
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1) Meeting with President Arkady Ghoukasian
2) Public Official and Former “Azadamard” Editor Mousegh Mikaelian Passes Away
3) Azeri Officer Admits Killing Armenian With Ax
4) Armenia Criticizes Atkinson Report on Karabagh

1) Meeting with President Arkady Ghoukasian

Among the many issues discussed between an Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF) delegation and Mountainous Karabagh Republic President Arkady Ghoukasian
on Monday, were the upcoming Armenia Fund telethon, national dues for
Karabagh’s advancement, as well as steps to resettle the population of
Karabagh. Joining President Ghoukasian were the Representative of MKR in the
United States Vardan Barseghian, and Karabagh Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian.
A lengthy political discussion included means to counter Azerbaijan’s latest
anti-Armenian policy, and the Karabagh peace process.
The ARF Western Region delegation was composed of co-chair Avedik Ismirlian
and Hovig Saliba, along with Vahe Bozoian, Hrair Der Krikorian, and Anahid
Stepanian.

2) Public Official and Former “Azadamard” Editor Mousegh Mikaelian Passes Away

YEREVAN (ARF Bureau Press Office)–The distinguished career of Mousegh
Mikaelian came to an end on Monday, November 23, when the accomplished
official
passed away in the capital city of Yerevan.
Born in the Talin region of Zovasar in 1948, Mikaelian graduated from the
“Sasnashen” school and shortly after gained entry into Yerevan State
University’s Philology Department.
Having served as a staff member of several publications, including “Karoun,”
“Avantgard,” and “Sovetagan Hayastan,” Mikaelian moved on to establish the
weeklies “Ourpat,” and “Azadamard,” and the monthlies “Varoujan,” “Midk,”
“Zankag,” and “Asbarez.” During his prolific career, Mikaelian also authored
four books.
He joined the Armenian Revolutionary federation in 1989, and served as the
editor-in-chief of the party’s official publications “Azadamard” (1991-94),
and
“Yerkir” (1998-99).
In 1999, he was elected to Armenia’s parliament and served as a member until
2003, when he was appointed as the country’s Deputy Minister of Education and
Sciences.

3) Azeri Officer Admits Killing Armenian With Ax

(Reuters)–An Azeri officer who killed his fellow Armenian officer Gurgen
Margarian with an ax at a Budapest military academy pleaded guilty in court on
Tuesday, saying he took revenge for Armenian attacks on Azeris, Hungarian news
agency MTI reported.
“It was not my plan to be so cruel, savage,” 27-year-old Ramil Safarov told
the court. When asked why he almost severed the head of the victim, he said,
“because they did the same to 8,000 people of ours.”
In February, Safarov entered the Armenian’s room, stabbed him several times
with a knife, and struck him repeatedly with an axe, almost severing his head.
Both were participating in a NATO Partnership for Peace English language
course.
Safarov was charged with committing premeditated murder with extreme cruelty,
and faces possible life imprisonment if found guilty, a Budapest Capital Court
press official told Reuters.

4) Armenia Criticizes Atkinson Report on Karabagh

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–National Assembly Vice-speaker Tigran Torosian
criticized
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteur on
Mountainous Karabagh David Atkinson, for failing to consult with the OSCE
Minsk
Group, tasked to find a resolution to the conflict, and establish ongoing
contacts with Armenian and Azeri delegations before presenting his report
during PACE’s November 17 session in Paris.
According to Torosian, who heads Armenia’s delegation to PACE, Atkinson’s
recent report on Mountainous Karabagh had not changed greatly from its
September 14 report. He also said that while the draft resolution is improved,
it does not contain all proposals put forth by the Armenian delegation.
Concerned that Azerbaijan is increasingly being perceived in Europe as the
victim of the conflict, he said Armenian authorities must revise their
practical approach in order to counter Azerbaijan’s aggressive policy in
international organizations–especially in light of Turkey’s increased
backstage efforts to find a resolution.
The PACE report does call on both Armenian and Azeri officials to meet in
Strasbourg to decide on Karabagh’s future status. It also calls on the
conflicting sides to withdraw their troops and refrain from military
activates.
Torosian stressed the necessity for Armenia to intensify efforts in the
international arena, and refrain from a policy of mutual accusations and
“behind-the-scene” talks in parliament.

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