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FUTILE FIGHT: ANGRY PROPERTY OWNERS USE BARRICADES AS LAST DEFENSE
AGAINST `ELITE HOMES FOR ELITE GUYS’
By Vahan Ishkhanyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
In the late 1920s, Harutyun Muradyan built a house at 23 Buzand Street
in Yerevan. He lived there with his family just a few years before
going off to fight the `Great Patriotic War’, in which Muradyan died.
Now, when the reshaping of Armenia’s capital is at the expense of
family histories, Muradyan’s house itself has become a
battleground. It, and others standing in the way of Main Avenue, have
become flashpoints of fighting between those who see no difference
between progress and persecution, and those for whom the sacrifice of
common citizens is an acceptable tradeoff for the enriching of
oligarchs.
Eduard Muradyan’s grandfather built the home the grandson was evicted
from
Last Thursday, Muradyan’s 45 year old grandson, Eduard, watched
helplessly as authorities led by `red beret’ special police forces
evicted 11 members of his family. Eduard Muradyan’s mother, 65-year
old Anzheta, climbed to the roof of the building and threatened to
throw herself off, before being forced down by police.
The Muradyans say police loaded the family goods into a car and took
them away. `We don’t know where they took our things, they even took
the schoolbag of our child who was to go to school,’ Eduard Muradyan
says.
Then bulldozers leveled the two flats, as they have other residences
on Buzand, Amiryan, Khobatsi, Pushkin and Tumanyan streets in the
center of the capital where `elite’ buildings will stand in the place
of humble homes.
While making way for development, the machinery employed by men of
means is also kicking up dust that will not quickly clear at the
epicenter of the latest sociological debate in this country `in
transition’.
For the Muradyans, it is a clear case of the rich getting richer at
the expense of the poor, who have even less power than money.
Those who agree with the current plans expect a day when a glistening
new city center will outshine the cloud that presently hangs over
Yerevan’s lesson in the personal price paid for urban renewal. There
are plenty opponents, however, who say that the proposed development
collides with current Yerevan architecture, rather than compliment it.
In any case, for now, residents feel that they have been taken
advantage of and that the (constitutional) legal loophole of `state
needs’ has become a noose in which their rights as citizens have been
strangled.
Some simply do not want to leave their homes, at any cost. Many,
meanwhile, are not opposed to development, but are opposed to the
relatively low prices developers are offering for the property. (When
homeowners were being bought out in preparation for North Avenue, many
were satisfied with the prices they were offered. In the path of Main
Avenue, however, none have agreed that offers have been fair.)
Within the past few months, dozens of homeowners have been forced to
sign contracts and sell out their homes at prices three times below
market value.
It is widely believed, and in some cases officially documented, that
the money behind the development comes from the familiar names of
Armenian and Russian oligarchs – most of whom are either Members of
Parliament, or have strong ties with Yerevan’s power regime. (Click to
see ArmeniaNow’s previous report `Need’ or Greed?.)
In many cases, developers have taken their claims to court, demanding
that their offer be accepted. In every case, neither the lower court
nor court of appeals has ruled in favor of the homeowners. (Though in
one case, the appeals court sent the case back to the lower court,
where it is now being heard.)
In the case of the Muradyans, Griar Ltd. (development company) offered
$33,700 for the family’s two apartments, totaling about 95 square
meters – or, $355 per square meter. To outsiders familiar with the
standard of living in Armenia, the amount might seem like a
windfall. The reality, though, is that in the city center a square
meter of property may sell for as much as three times what the
residents were offered. (According to Torgon Hovhannesyan, head of
A.S. Real Estate Agency, prices for a square meter of property in the
center start $1,000.)
Their house now in ruins, the Muradyans nonetheless refuse to leave
Buzand Street. They dine in the street, at night some of the adults
continue to sit at the ruins, and the children and other adults sleep
in the houses of neighbors and relatives. When it rains they hide
under a roof that has been collapsed to the ground.
There are still bruises on Anzheta’s arms, from her encounter with
police taking her off the roof, while a bulldozer’s blade was already
digging into her home.
`I have dedicated my whole life to this country, I worked for 46 years
only to be reduced to a homeless person today,’ says Anzheta, age
65. `At least the neighbors understand what it means to be a homeless
person and help us.’
(Anzheta turned to the court with a claim that her house was measured
to be 6 square meters less than its actual size, the case is at the
court now. However, this circumstance did not play a role so that
they should not be evicted.)
Observing the current controversy, Yerevan State University
sociologist Lyudmilla Harutyunyan told ArmeniaNow that residents of
Buzand and other threatened areas had, in vain, pinned their hopes on
a leader emerging who would enforce their version of justice. But when
the blocks of Harut Muradyan’s house fell, nine other families
totaling 55 people awaiting their fate put up barricades in the
street.
Anzheta Muradyan continues to protest, amid the rubble of her home
One of the barricades passed by the ruined house of the Muradyans
where they were sitting: `Shouldn’t we sit here, should a car come and
go over us?’ says Eduard. `What shall we do, we have no other means of
struggle.’ When builders approach, Anzheta climbs the roof of the
demolished house to prevent the rest from being torn down. `Armenians
defended their land with a sword, and we want to defend our house and
land,’ says Sedrak Baghdasaryan, who expects eviction any day.
Two days later, meeting no resistance, police removed the barricade
with bulldozers, however the residents raised a barricade again on
September 5. Political figures, students, residents of nearby
Koghbatsi Street, who are awaiting the same fate, and those who had
already been evicted had come to help them.
`I have come to help my neighbors,’ says former Buzand resident Gohar
Gharibyan, who was evicted from her apartment on June 23 following a
court ruling. She did not sign any contract, however the Bailiff’s
Office gave her $14,000 for the 44 square meters of her apartment,
which is just enough to buy a one-room apartment in a city
outskirt. Now her four-member family rents an apartment outside the
center, paying $70 a month. `We didn’t take that money for two months
and in August the money was transferred to the Bailiff’s Office. They
told us if we didn’t take it, the money would be lost altogether,’
Gohar says.
The Gharibyans and several other evicted residents have applied to the
European Court of Human Rights.
The following day the police again destroyed the barricade and
continue to patrol the area.
Avetik Yeranosyan has lived at 15 Buzand Street for 40 years, from
where he and the families of his children – 12 persons – are to be
evicted. The territory is being developed by `Vizkon’ Ltd., a company
directed by Armenia’s former Minister of Ecology.
`They wanted to demolish my house during the Soviet times, I didn’t
allow it,’ Yeranosyan says. `They retreated. The Soviets collapsed,
all my money in the bank was lost, and now they are taking the house
that was left to me from my hands.
`They say they are building elite homes for elite guys, who do you
think are you to live here? And I say: To hell with the elite
guys. For centuries our nation has been a betrayer. Had we been
united, we would not have lost our lands and would not be building
elite homes for elite guys today.’
Government Ombudswoman Larisa Alverdyan argues that the tenet of law
concerning `state needs’ is being wrongly applied. She has sent
letters to the President and the Chairman of the Court of
Cassation. In connection with the latest eviction the court had ruled
that the owners and `other persons’ be evicted. Those `other persons’
are Eduard’s wife’s sister, a refugee from Azerbaijan, Emma
Aghajanyan, and her two underage children. In this regard, the
Ombudswoman spread an open letter wherein she says: `Emma Aghajanyan
was not made part of the judicial process, her name is not mentioned
in the court rule altogether and nothing is said about her, but the
bailiff evicted her as `other persons’ by seizing her by the arm.’
It is said in the letter that similar verdicts are not unique, and
that the Court of Cassation is negligent because it allows verdicts to
be unchanged although according to the law verdicts should be
suspended in relation to the rights and obligations of people who were
not made participants of the case.
Zhora Khachatryan, legal advisor to the Ombudswoman, says that legal
measures have been exhausted and the barricades have become the only
form of defense for the residents: `All the rulings of the court were
evidently unfair, the complaints are not investigated, no solution is
given. For formal reasons all objections are rejected. Today, the
residents are faced with a fact that court rulings must be
enforced. The Ombudswoman is now powerless, no matter how many
evaluations we give, the interested side says `I have a verdict in my
hand’. People have no other way, they take the way of resistance.’
PARTY POOPERS: POWERFUL POLITICIANS SPLIT FROM HANRAPETUTYUN AND SARGSYAN
By Marianna Grigoryan
ArmeniaNow reporter
On Tuesday (September 6) seven of the 15 members of the political
council of Hanrapetutyun political party, headed by a founder and
former mayor of Yerevan Albert Bazeyan and former Minister of Defense
Vagharshak Harutyunyan, announced their departure from the radical
opposition party.
The departure of Bazeyan (left) and Harutyunyan leave the party’s
future in question
The influential council members do not intend to leave politics, but
quitting the party will likely weaken party head (and former
presidential candidate) Aram Sargsyan’s leadership chances as the
opposition considers its chances in the 2007 elections.
Party member Gegham Haurtyunyan called Bazeyan’s and his supporters’
resignation a `heavy stab.’
`Our step is not a betrayal neither is it a stab,’ Bazeyan countered
to ArmeniaNow.
During a press conference at the National Press Club Bazeyan and
Vagharshak Harutyunyan explained their resignation to journalists
saying they have not agreed with the strategies of the party for the
past year, including the party’s call for political revolution.
Neither have they been satisfied with the unrealistic evaluations the
leaders of the party have given in the press.
`There was an impression as if the order for special presidential
elections is already signed and soon (press secretary) Suren
Surenyants will present it to (US President) Bush,’ says Albert
Bazeyan, referring to the widespread impression that party leader
Sargsyan leans toward the West.
Vagharshak Harutyunyan claims that the resignations were the beginning
of mass departure and the possible dissolving of the party. He says
that as many as 75 percent of members have left Hanrapetutyan.
The party has approximately 6000 members and if Vagharshak
Harutyunyan’s estimations are accurate, the party, in effect, no
longer exists. According to amendments to RA Law `On Parties’ of
December 8th, 2004 `…a party must have not less than 2000 members.’
Sargsyan says Harutyunyan’s figures are not realistic. `Several
members whose names were among those reported to have resigned have
learned about it only from TV,’ Sargsyan says.
But he added that he does not condemn those people who have followed
Bazeyan, because he has considerable political power.
In a statement published by Bazeyan, he accused the party of trying to
find a `scapegoat for its own misfortunes’ and of `creating an
atmosphere of mistrust inside the opposition’.
Media in Yerevan have commented that the split severely weakens
Armenia’s already-ineffective opposition. And some have speculated
that the reasons for the split include the fact that Bazeyan and
Vagharshak Harutyunyan have a pro- Russian orientation, while Sargsyan
is pro-US oriented.
Bazeyan says they have never declared that they see Armenia’s future
only with Russia, and that his partners who remained in Hanrapetutyun
consider themselves pro-American.
`I do not want to give personal evaluations. We (referring to
Sargsyan) have passed a joint way, we are close to each other, there
is something sacred in our relations (meaning the relationship with
assassinated Prime Minister Vazgen Sarsgyan, brother of Aram
Sargsyan),’ he says. `Recently we tried to solve everything, but the
others did not agree to compromise.’
Bazeyan says his supporters have left the party after being accused of
hindering its activities.
`Hereafter Aram Sargsyan is free to create a new pro-American format
and realize revolutions in color,’ Bazeyan said sharply. `And we are
for balanced relations with all countries.’
Bazeyan and Vagharshak Harutyunyan say they plan to form a new party
that will closely cooperate with the major forces of the opposition.
Meanwhile Aram Sargsyan says this page of Hanrapetutyun is turned.
`Of course this is the heaviest attack we have ever had,’ says
Sargsyan, who helped found the party in 2001 `But everyone knows I
have seen many hardships and tragedies and I have been able to
overcome.’
TALKING TURKEY: RHETORIC ESCALATES AS EU DISCUSSIONS APPROACH
By Aris Ghazinyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
A conference entitled `December 2004 – October 2005. Has Turkey
Changed?’ will be held at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg
September 22, initiated by the Armenian National Committee of America
(Hay Dat of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation).
The organizer of the forum is the European Parliament faction of
`Christian- Democratic Union’ (PPE) with the assistance of European
Parliament Deputy Speaker Ingo Friedrich. The holding of such a forum
is one of the measures undertaken by the Armenian Diaspora and
official Yerevan aimed against Turkey’s possible membership in the
European Union. (The 25 EU member states are to take up debate on
Turkey’s membership, starting October 3.)
Last week, Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian
defined the fact of Turkey’s possible membership in the EU as one of
the challenges to Armenian statehood, pointing out that Yerevan
intends to hinder the process. The forum slated for September 22 is
one of such manifestations of `national activity.’
`The diverse composition of the participants and speakers testifies to
the serious nature of this conference,’ Hay Dat Committee officials
said in a press release.
Besides Friedrich, conference organizers have invited Vice-Chairman of
the EU- Turkey parliamentary delegation Jacques Tubon, member of the
delegation Panagiotis Beglitis, Secretary General of the International
Federation of Human Rights Phillip Galfayan, Chairman of the Hay Day
Committee in Europe Hilda Chobanian and others. Invited are Austrian
Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, former foreign ministers of France
Michel Barnier and Huber Verdine, ex-chairman of the European
Commission Romano Prodi, leader of the European Parliament’s faction
`United Left’ Francis Wurtz, rapporteur on Turkey Keimiel Jorling,
Turkish publisher, representative of the Association on Human Rights
in Turkey Ragyp Zarkolu and others.
The forum at the European Parliament is only one link in a chain of
events prepared by official Yerevan and the Armenian Diaspora to
counteract Turkey’s possible admission to the EU. Among other actions,
the Commission of the Federation of Armenian Organizations of the
Netherlands has requested of the permanent commission on European
affairs Van Heteren that issues on the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by official Ankara and lifting blockades on the borders with
Armenia be included in the negotiating processes commencing October
3. Additionally, a consultative meeting of Armenians of Europe will
take place in Strasbourg on September 23.
Before the closing stage of the discussions around Turkey’s membership
in the EU, the states of the Old World are also finally clearing up
their own positions on this issue. Approaches of European entities are
not yet clear, though the European Union itself has softened
requirements put forward to Ankara. In particular, the recognition of
Cyprus by Turkey is no longer a precondition as it was during last
year’s debates.
`Most of the states originally opposing Turkey’s membership in the EU
do not look like changing their standpoints,’ says political analyst
Viktor Solakhyan. `France is in the forefront of these countries as
this state has repeatedly declared about the perniciousness of such a
scenario for European civilization. This issue is widely discussed
also in the aspect of the pre- election struggle in Germany:
opposition Christian Democrats are against Turkey’s full membership in
the European Union. The latest opinion polls conducted by ZDF TV
channel show that 62 percent of Germans oppose Turkey’s accession to
the EU.’
The Vatican has weighed in on the issue. Pope Benedict XVI has spoken
against the developments. Still as Cardinal Ratzinger he declared
about the inadmissibility of Turkey’s membership in the in EU. `Turkey
has always been a different continent and always contrasted with
Europe,’ the Pontiff said.
`The approaches of official Ankara were voiced by Turkish Prime
Minister Racep Erdogan in early September,’ the political analyst
says. `Commenting on the fact of the political resistance to the
membership of his country in the EU he stated that `the final refusal
is not an end of the world for Turkey.’ He also said that if two or
three members of the EU still do not wish to see Ankara in the
European Union and do not reconsider their positions, then Turkey had
better give up its intention. Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul also made such a statement.’
At the same time, Solakhyan noted that in practice Turkey is making
rather serious preparations for membership. In particular, authorities
in Ankara are now showing a constrained position concerning an
opportunity of holding a scientific conference on the Armenian
question by the Turkish University of Bogazci. Originally planned for
May of this year this action has been scuttled through the efforts of
Justice Minister Cemil Cicek. Today he already admits the thought of
holding the conference, while the country’s prime minister even stated
about the possibility of his presence at it.
`I will not call on domestic specialists to either participate in this
forum or boycott it,’ Oskanian said on August 30. `Let the Armenian
scholars decide this question for themselves, which in any case cannot
affect Yerevan’s efforts directed against Turkey’s admission to the
EU.’
The speech of the Patriarch of Armenians of Turkey, Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafian, who was in Cologne in the middle of August to attend the
forum of the World Youth Day, said:
`The fact that some external circles are engaged in issues of the
national minorities of Turkey disturbs us very much. We are citizens
of Turkey and if we have some problems, we solve them together with
the authorities of our country. The Armenians of Turkey have the same
problem as the Turkish population of Germany. So, let us not lay it on
thick.’
`As a citizen of Turkey he can be and has the right to deviate from
Armenia’s state policy, Solakhyan says. `However, when Armenia’s
second-ranked state official allows such a thing, it is already a
serious problem. The statement by Armenian Parliament Speaker Artur
Baghdasaryan in Washington DC makes one doubt the presence of a
government position coordinated at all levels of power in Armenia.’
On September 1, the day after the state policy of Yerevan towards
Turkey’s membership in the EU was voiced by the country’s foreign
minister, Armenia’s top legislator backed Turkey’s aspirations to
enter the EU speaking at the Center for National and International
Studies.
`What is so bad in having a neighbor that is a member of the EU?’ the
speaker said in Washington. `If Turkey manages to fulfill the EU
requirements and enter this organization, other countries of the
region may follow suit.’
CORPORATION AND COOPERATION: MARRIOTT TEAMS WITH ORRAN FOR SAKE OF
STREET KIDS
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter
With national songs and dances in front of the Armenia Marriot Hotel
Wednesday the hotel and Orran Non Governmental Organization, announced
their partnership in intensifying the struggle to help Yerevan’s
street children. Hotel waiters wore T-shirts with the Orran symbol and
crafts made by Orran children were on sell in the hotel lobby.
The Orran children performed in front of the Marriott Wednesday
Orran founder Armine Hovannisyan says that the cooperation between
Orran and Marriott will be a unique attempt at stepping up the fight
against destitution and begging on Yerevan’s streets. Every Wednesday,
at 5 p.m. during the month of September, the children of Orran will
perform traditional Armenian songs and dances at the entrance of the
hotel.
`The guests of the hotel will be provided with various occasions to
make donations. We want them to pay attention not to our organization,
but to the future of the children,’ Hovannisyan said. `Nothing is
compulsory, those willing will be told about the activities of Orran
and the situation of these children, and also they will be offered the
opportunity to buy something from the display. The goal is not so much
to raise money as to make people feel for these children.’
At the launching performance, passersby approached the Orran children,
hugging and kissing them.
Adrine Gzoghyan, 38, embraced with excitement her three children –
Artur, 11, Armen, 10, and Rita, 9. All three sing in Orran’s choir. `I
have five children. But for Orran’s help, I don’t know what my
family’s situation would be now,’ she says.
During the five years of its activities the charitable organization
has taken more than 100 children off the streets, providing them with
food, clothing, psychological and medical services, tutoring, and an
avenue for success. Some 140 elderly people are also helped through a
special program that provides them with hot food on a daily basis.
`This is not merely a duty but also a privilege for our hotel,’ said
Armenia Marriott Hotel general manager Katrin Hentszel. `The problem
of children and elderly begging on the street – and the more basic
problem of poverty – is something that needs to be solved. We are
happy to be working with the professional staff and truly delightful
beneficiaries of Orran to come one step closer to the solution.’
Orran co-founder (and independent Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign
Afffairs) Raffi Hovannisyan points out that Orran’s children represent
the generation that made a hard transition, finding themselves in the
streets.
`They have the right to be happy. It is our primary task to do away
with begging. I am confident that these children will be the last
needy ones,’ he said.
CONSTANT COMPLAINT: AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS, NAJARIANS CASE APPEARS
NO CLOSER TO SETTLEMENT
By Mariam Badalyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Last week Armenian law enforcement authorities for the third time
suspended investigation of embezzlement charges filed by American
Armenian philanthropists George and Carolann Najarian.
The suspension followed a court decision of August 16, which rejected
the Najarians’ petition to charge Grigor Igityan, a former Yerevan
associate of the Boston couple, for embezzlement of their property in
Armenia.
Igityan says he’s done nothing wrong
For more than two years, the Najarians have been engaged in a lawsuit
against Igityan. The lawsuit stems from events in which, they allege,
Igityan embezzled as much as $500,000 while purchasing property on
behalf of the Najarians.
Igityan allegedly misappropriated property – two buildings and land in
Dzoragiugh Quarter in Central Yerevan and a photo shop on Abovian
street. According to an independent evaluation firm, the total value
of the two Dzoraghiugh buildings today is about $3 million.
(The Najarians have said that their case is significant not only for
themselves, but because it establishes precedent for treatment of
other Diaspora investors.)
Twice, investigation into the criminal complaint was suspended, due to
`absence of criminal evidence’. But on April 16 the highest court of
Armenia assessed a fraud case and recognized George Najarian as the
aggrieved party and demanded that the Prosecutor General’s Office
reopen its investigation — which it did, on May 18.
The April court decision was hailed by the Najarians as evidence that
Armenia’s legal system can be trusted. Soon after that, however, the
Najarians, were disillusioned upon learning that the investigation had
been stopped again, on August 30.
`Now, it seems to be an endless process that might last for years and
years,’ says Najarian attorney Hrayr Ghukasyan. `Under Armenian law
criminal inquiry can last an indefinite period. Thus, we understood
that the Prosecutor’s office had adopted a different tactic – by means
of dragging out the investigation to take it away from public
sight. The end of this tactic was obvious – another suspension.’
In an interview with ArmeniaNow this week, Igityan denied having
intention of submitting the property to the Najarians or having it
promised to someone else.
`I have built the buildings for myself and on money from my own
pocket, which I earned as a translator,’ Igityan says. `Why should I
give it to someone else? I may sell it one day, if someone offers a
good price, but not necessarily to the Najarians.’
Igityan says he has documentation and expert assessment proving that
all the money he received from George Najarian was passed to the
people it was intended for.
`I have documents to prove what I say, whereas the Najarians use
testimonies of witnesses,’ Igityan says. `See which has the most
weight, paper or someone’s word?’
Among his documents is also a paper showing that, as a representative
of George Najarian, Igityan sold the building to himself, as a private
entity.
Grigor Nazarian, a US-based architect, whom George Najarian invited to
manage the construction process says he was unaware of Igityan’s
intentions to sell the property to himself.
Eduard, head of construction firm E. Korkotyan and Friends, who was
interviewed by prosecutors, says he thought his firm was working for
George Najarian, from whom they got their salaries. Igityan, Korkotyan
says, introduced himself as George Najarian’s representative.
Not wishing to wait for the prosecutors to indict Igityan, Najarian
attorneys filed a complaint in the court asking it to recognize
Igityan as the perpetrator of the fraud (recognized by the high court
in the April ruling).
The lower court decision on that complaint came out on August
16. Essentially, the court accepted explanations on the Prosecutor
General’s behalf, which said it required more time for a better
examination of the facts and additional interrogations. The court also
ruled (against a Najarian petition) that the Prosecutor General’s
Office was not required to allow Najarian attorneys to be present
during its interrogation of potential witnesses.
`Our complaint that the court name the accused was unprecedented, but
so was the Prosecutor General’s Office’ last decision which ignores
the court decision,’ Ghukasyan says. `I hope the court takes this into
account.’
If the court rules for the Prosecutor General’s Office to re-open the
investigation but does not recognize Igityan as the accused, the
lawyers fear it may result in an unending investigation process, since
under Armenian laws the investigation may last as long as the
investigators may deem it necessary.
`We simply want that this case be heard in the court open to the
public, and not be decided behind closed doors of the Prosecutor
General’s Office,’ adds Najarian attorney Ashot Poghosyan.
Meanwhile, the Najarians have vowed to take their complaint to
international court if necessary.
`It is very sad for us to inflict any harm on a country and people we
love and have been so caring,’ Carolann Najarian told ArmeniaNow. `But
we see no other way to show people who say it is they who make the
laws, that there are ways to hold them responsible for their
misdeeds.’
TALKING SCIENCE: CONFERENCE IN HONOR OF RUSSIAN BIOLOGIST DRAWS
INTERNATIONAL INTEREST
By Suren Deheryan
ArmeniaNow reporter
A five-day international conference on modern problems of genetics
began at the Business Center of the American University of Armenia
yesterday (September 8). About 80 scientists from several countries
are taking part.
The conference entitled `Modern Problems of Genetics, Radiobiology,
Radioecology and Evolution’ bears the name of Russian biologist
Nikolay Timofeeff-Ressovsky, who made a great scientific contribution
to the field of radio genetics from the 1940s and created great
prospects for the further development of biophysics.
Scientists (and interpreters) discuss new information at the
conference
Since 1983 it will be the fourth conference in Armenia dedicated to
the prominent scientist (such conferences also took place in 1989 and
2000). The organizer of the conference is the Pan-Armenian Biophysical
Association and its goal is to rally again the followers of the
distinguished scientist and share scientific advances in the field of
genetics.
During his 60-year career the scientist developed an integral doctrine
about microevolution – the origin of new biological species, which
became one of the bases of the modern synthetic theory of evolution
Timofeeff-Ressovsky is one of the founders of radiobiology and
molecular biology. He investigated the influence of nuclear radiation
on plants and living organisms. He wrote a book `Brief Theory of
Evolution’ together with his colleagues. It is the first work to fully
define the concept of evolution of living nature, thus revealing the
`black box’ of Charles Darwin’s theory, making Darwinism a science.
Timofeeff-Ressovsky conferences in the world so far have been held in
the countries where the scientist made his scientific contributions
during the years of his activities. Among such countries are Russia,
Ukraine, Germany, Tajikistan and Belarus.
Timofeeff-Ressovsky’s contacts with Armenia’s scientists began in the
1960s. Several Armenian scientists passed through his school and as a
result under Timofeeff’s immediate supervision a radio biophysics
laboratory was established at the Yerevan Physics Institute.
`Timofeeff-Ressovsky was such a powerful scientist that he managed to
make very profound contributions in four or five biological
directions,’ says the conference’s organizer and Pan-Armenian
Biophysical Association Chairman Tsovak Avakian.
`That’s why ecologists consider Timofeeff to be their scientist, radio
biophysics specialists consider him to be theirs, and specialists in
genetics theirs.’
According to Avakian, the current conference is unprecedented, since
this time reports will concern several spheres. There will be around
50 reports – on genetics, radiobiology, radioecology delivered by
scientists from Germany, Russia, the United States, Canada, Japan,
Sweden, France and elsewhere.
`We are still studying the rich scientific works left by Timofeeff,
which after each reading reveal a new thing,’ says Avakian. `We keep
all his lectures, as there is always something to learn in them.’
According to Avakian, the Yerevan conference first of all should boost
contacts between young scientists and prominent scientists who have
come from other countries, as a result of which it is hoped that
mutually beneficial cooperation will be set up.
Academician of the Agricultural Academy of Russia, conference
participant Rudolf Aleksakhin, who is also a follower of Timofeeff,
agrees with this thought.
`At such conferences we raise actual fundamental issues of basics of
biology. And the participation of Armenian scientists is very
important. Armenians had very prominent scientists and I think that
the young generation will also give very talented scientists. Such a
conference is a wonderful step on the part of the organizers,’ says
Aleksakhin.
And scientist Zen Drake from the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences, North Carolina, USA, expressed the following thought:
`Armenia has a long and excellent scientific history, particularly in
physics, and I think many of us from North America were attracted
because of the history of Armenia, and we wanted to see an
interesting, new country. So, we were happy to join the conference on
a topic like.’
Among the participants there were also scientists who despite having
made great achievements in the scientific field, discovered Armenia
for the first time.
`I had never heard of Armenia, says Carmel Mothersill, Research Chair
in Radiobiology of McMaster University of Ontario, Canada. `I had an
invitation and after that I found out where the country was and what
was the country’s language, to have an interpreter.’
Generally, Yerevan is now in an active scientific ten-day period, as
on September 12, when this conference is due to end, another
pan-Armenian symposium of physics will commence. About 50 local and
foreign physicists will take part in that symposium.