Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENTEL TO APPEAL AGAINST DECISION OF COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF
ECONOMIC COMPETITION

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26. ARMINFO. CJSC ArmenTel has made a decision to
appeal against the decision of the Commission for Protection of
Economic Competition of Armenia to impose $400,000 fine on ArmenTel
for low-quality communication.

Talking to journalists today, Chairman of the commission Ashot
Shahnazaryan said on August 25 evening ArmenTel submitted a letter of
administrative complaint to the commission. In conformity with the
effective legislation, the administrative act of the commission on
imposition of the fine is suspended till the commission replies the
complaint. The commission intends to made a relevant decision at its
next sitting on August 31, Shahnazaryan says.

At the same time, he added that one cannot constantly fine the same
company.

(ArmenTel was fined for four times during the last three years,
including three times for abuse of monopoly in the
market). Shahnazaryan thinks such an attitude to a company making such
investments in he country wrong. He says that ArmenTel assures that
the cellular communication quality will be considerably improved by
September 10-15 and the company is currently attracting large
investments for this purpose.

BAKU Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 26 2005

Russian MP Expects No Progress from Forthcoming Meeting of Azeri,
Armenian Presidents in Kazan

Baku Today / Trend 26/08/2005 09:09

There is no hope in progress during the forthcoming meeting of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents in Kazan, Russian MP Konstantin
Zatulin, the Director of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
Institute, said.

Zatulin noted that people should not pin strong hope in the
settlement of all problems, particularly the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, which have remained unsettled for many years between the
countries. He appreciated the initiative taking into consideration
that `generally there is a need in meetings and different problems
have occurred at organization of meetings between Azerbaijan and
Armenia in the different levels so far’.

The meeting of Ilham Aiyev, the President of Azerbaijan, and Robert
Kocharian, the President of Armenia, to be held within the summit of
the CIS heads of countries in Kazan. is scheduled for 27 August 2005

Schweizerische Depeschenagentur AG (SDA)
SDA – Servizio di base in Italiano
August 23, 2005

Svizzera-Turchia: Commissione estera Stati sdrammatizza

SCIAFFUSA, 23 ago

La Commissione della politica estera (CPE) del Consiglio degli Stati
getta acqua sul fuoco riguardo alle tensioni fra Svizzera e Turchia.
Secondo il suo presidente Peter Briner (PLR/SH), i rapporti fra i due
paesi non si sono particolarmente deteriorati nel corso degli ultimi
mesi.

La commissione, riunita ieri e oggi a Sciaffusa, ha discusso della
decisione di Ankara di procrastinare “sine die” la visita del
consigliere federale Joseph Deiss, prevista in settembre. Tale rinvio
– afferma Briner – e’ chiaramente dovuto all’apertura in Svizzera di
inchieste contro il politico turco Dogu Perincek per negazionismo del
genocidio armeno.

In una conferenza stampa odierna, il “senatore” sciaffusano ha
precisato che il viaggio del ministro dell’economia elvetico non e’
stato annullato. La visita e’ stata differita per motivi di
calendario, ha indicato, aggiungendo che Deiss si rechera’ in Turchia
quando gli animi si saranno calmati.

Briner, interrogato dall’ats all’inizio di agosto, aveva affermato
che le tensioni fra Berna e Ankara in seguito alla vicenda Perincek
erano state provocate in particolare dai media. La stampa turca ha
evidentemente “mobilitato l’opinione contro la Svizzera”, aveva detto
il politico. Un secondo procedimento e’ stato aperto dalla giustizia
elvetica anche contro lo storico turco Yusuf Halacoglu, sempre per
negazionismo del genocidio armeno.

Il consigliere agli Stati ha ribadito oggi che la Camera dei cantoni,
contrariamente al Nazionale, non affrontera’ il tema del genocidio
armeno. Non si puo puntare il dito contro la Turchia a 90 anni dai
fatti, ritiene il presidente della commissione.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Services
Aug 24 2005

TALKS ON PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT CONTINUED
IN MOSCOW
[August 24, 2005, 17:38:31]

On August 24, in a private residence of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Russia passed bilateral negotiations between the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan with participation of
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group from Russia, the USA and France.
The meeting has taken place with assistance of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation with participation of
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov.

Upon completion of negotiations, the head of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Russia of S. Lavrov, the head of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Azerbaijan of E. Mammadyarov and the head of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Armenia of V. Oskanyan have briefed for press.

S. Lavrov informed that the meeting of heads of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia with participation of
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group today has taken place. `It is
considered that at this meeting the further progress in negotiating
process on settlement of the conflict will be achieved. From our part
as organizers, we shall try to make everything that it was
comfortable to work for participants of negotiations in normal
conditions. At present, negotiations proceed with participation of
co-chairmen of OSCE MG which, undoubtedly, have some ideas, but about
them it is prematurely to speak’, has noted S. Lavrov.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, in turn,
has thanked the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs for the
conditions created for negotiating, and also co-chairmen of OSCE,
which have arrived to Moscow for participation in negotiating
process. E. Mammadyarov has declared: `The basic theme of
negotiations was preparation of a meeting of presidents of Azerbaijan
and Armenia which will take place on August 27 this year in Kazan. We
have discussed, how this meeting will pass at the Summit, and in what
format’. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
said: `As a whole, negotiations go ahead, there is a hope that we
together with the Armenian side will find the general positions to
bring peace and stability to region’.

V. Oskanyan also has confirmed that all questions of the agenda are
discussed, and now it is early to speak about details of negotiating
process. `Negotiations are underway, the question of preparation of
the meeting of heads of our states in Kazan was discussed’, he noted.

In negotiations took part also the deputy foreign minister of
Azerbaijan Araz Azimov, the head of OSCE Monitoring Group Andrzei
Kaspshik and other officials of Russia and Armenia.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 23 2005

Azerbaijan, Armenia to discuss Nagorny Karabakh conflict
17:41 | 23/ 08/ 2005

MOSCOW, August 23 (RIA Novosti) – The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan
and Armenia are set to discuss the resolution of the Nagorny Karabakh
conflict Wednesday in Moscow, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said
Tuesday.

Elmar Mamedyarov said he would have an informal meeting with Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan on Tuesday after the CIS Council of
Foreign Ministers session and an official meeting on Wednesday, where
the two ministers will discuss the resolution one of the bitterest
ethnic and territorial conflicts to affect the former Soviet Union.

Mamedyarov added that talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan had gained
momentum in the last couple of years. “I believe we should maintain
the dialogue and continue working on the issue,” he said. “There is
the possibility of a breakthrough in the negotiation process on
Nagorny Karabakh, and we must reach some sort of an agreement.”

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 22, 2005

Contact: Armen Carapetian

Tel: (818) 500-1918

COLORADO CONGRESSMAN ACKNOWLEDGES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO CONSTITUENTS

— ANCA-WR Praises Rep. Tancredo for His Unwavering Stance

CASTLE ROCK, CO – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) today praised Republican Representative Thomas G. Tancredo
(CO-6) for his moral stance on the Armenian Genocide.

In letters the Congressman sent in response to constituents asking for his
support of the Armenian Genocide resolutions pending in the 109th Congress,
Rep. Tancredo wrote “I believe that the atrocities committed against the
Armenian people is worthy of the term ‘genocide’. It was carried out the
Ottoman Empire in 1915-1916, and large numbers of Armenians were
methodically massacred.”

Colorado Armenian American community leaders and activists who began
receiving the letters this month expressed their appreciation for the
Congressman’s candid remarks. Long-time ANCA-WR supporter and community
leader, Dr. Garo Chalian, and ANC activist Simon Maghakyan, who were among
the constituents receiving Rep. Tancredo’s response, were encouraged by the
Congressman’s clear and unambiguous statement. Last week, ANCA Government
Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian met members of Representative’s staff in
Washington, DC to extend thanks to the Congressman and to discuss pressing
foreign affairs matters of concern to Armenian Americans.

“Congressman Tancredo voted for passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution
in 2000,” cited Steven Dadaian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR. “Having his support
again is critical as he serves on the House International Relations
Committee.”

The State of Colorado has a growing and vibrant Armenian American community.
Armenians of Colorado, an organization dedicated to advancing understanding
of Armenian history, culture, religion, language, and heritage, has
consistently maintained strong ties with the Colorado state officials and
its Congressional delegation. In 2003, the Colorado General Assembly
permanently designated April 24th “Colorado Day of Remembrance of the
Armenian Genocide” urged the United States Congress to likewise act to
commemorate the Armenian Genocide.

Two resolutions dealing with the Armenian Genocide have been introduced in
the 109th session of the House of Representatives. H.Res. 316 was introduced
on June 14, 2005 by Rep. George Radanovich (CA-19), and Rep. Adam Schiff
introduced H.Con.Res. 195 on June 29th. Both H.Res. 316 and H.Con. Res. 195
enjoy strong bi-partisan support, to date having earned 112 and 83
cosponsors, respectively. The resolutions have been referred to the House
International Relations Committee and are currently pending markup in the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations,
where Rep. Tancredo serves.

The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots
political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of
the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.

#####

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

ECUMENICAL SEMINAR IN BIKFAYA

The members of ecumenical committees of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s
various Dioceses participated in a one-day conference in Bikfaya on August
18. The conference was organized by the ecumenical relations committee of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I.

Around 50 young men and women, who participate in several ecumenical
conferences and meetings by decision of their Dioceses or the Catholicosate
of Cilicia, participated in the conference from the various Dioceses in the
Middle East.

Bishop Nareg Alemezian, director of the Catholicosate’s ecumenical
department, delivered the opening remarks and welcomed the participants.

His Holiness then delivered his message to the participants, emphasizing the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s insistence on delegating highly qualified
participants to ecumenical conferences and meetings.

“This is what has imposed respect towards our church and our seat in
general. Compared to others, we are a small church, but with our continuous
and high quality participation in ecumenical activities, we have brought an
important contribution to the movement’s mission and work,” said His
Holiness Aram I.

Nora Kabakian, the chairwoman of the committee, welcomed the participants
and called on them to make the conference a success through their
participation, exchange of views and experiences. She stressed the
importance of professionalism and self-preparation for a useful
participation in ecumenical conferences.

Bishop Alemezian then delivered a lecture on “The Catholicosate of Cilicia
and the ecumenical movement.” He pointed out that different approaches
should be adopted to involvement in the ecumenical movement on local,
regional and international levels.

Participants from different Dioceses talked about the conferences they have
attended during the last year and shared their experiences.

Teni Pirri Simonian, director of the World Council of Churches’ (WCC)
department for Church and Ecumenical Relations, then talked about the
challenges the WCC faces and talked about the 9th Assembly of the council,
to be held next year in Brazil.

Seta Khedeshian then talked about the Middle East Council of Churches and
the challenges it faces and Dr. Jan Salmanian delivered a lecture about the
Christian-Muslim Dialogue process and its current developmental phases.

Participants in the conference were given the chance to ask questions and
express viewpoints after each lecture. They later discussed the main
viewpoints expressed during the different sessions.

Bishop Alemezian praised the attendants and the level of their participation
at the end of the conference.

##

View pictures here:

*****

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

The Herald Sun, NC
Aug 18 2005

Imprisoned Duke student free

By Ray Gronberg : The Herald-Sun
[email protected]
Aug 17, 2005 : 8:57 pm ET

DURHAM — A Duke University graduate student is once again a free man
after receiving a suspended sentence from a court in Armenia that found
him guilty of illegally trying to remove old books from the country.

Yektan Turkyilmaz can’t leave Armenia until court officials there
formally file the verdict on Aug. 31. But he is no longer being held
in prison, and may resume the research effort that prompted his visit
to the country.

“I am happy to be free,” Turkyilmaz was quoted as saying in a report
by Armenialiberty.org, a branch of Radio Free Europe. “I now want
to concentrate on my doctoral dissertation. I was, I am and I will
remain a friend of the Armenians.”

Officials at Duke who’ve pressed for the Ph.D. student’s release
welcomed the news.

“We were pleased to hear the news that Yektan Turkyilmaz has been
released from detention … and will be able to return soon to the
United States,” Duke President Richard Brodhead said in a written
statement. “We look forward to welcoming him back to Duke University.”

Turkyilmaz — a scholar from Turkey who is in his fourth year in
Duke’s cultural anthropology department — was in Armenia to conduct
archive research for a dissertation about the political and ethnic
evolution of eastern Turkey in the early 20th century.

The topic is a touchy one because it invariably touches on the question
of genocide. The region in question once was home to many Armenians,
but about 1 million died there in the early years of World War I.

Armenians have insisted that the deaths amounted to genocide, but
Turkish governments have rejected the claim. Relations between the
two countries are frosty; they do not maintain diplomatic relations.

Turkyilmaz — a Kurd considered sympathetic to the Armenian point
of view — was pulled off a plane by authorities on June 17 as he
prepared to leave the country. He was later charged with two counts
of smuggling under a law that bars the export without permission of
books that are more than 50 years old.

Tuesday’s court hearing upheld the seizure of 88 books published
more 50 years ago that Turkyilmaz had purchased from second-hand
book dealers. A judge, however, ordered authorities to return to the
scholar compact discs that contained his research notes.

According to Armenialiberty.org, a prosecutor said the smuggling charge
was “absolutely substantiated,” but agreed that there were mitigating
circumstances. Turkyilmaz received a two-year suspended sentence.

The law in question would have supported a prison sentence of between
four and eight years.

Turkyilmaz’ supporters — including a core group of professors at
Duke and UNC Chapel Hill — have insisted that Armenia’s handling of
the case was extreme compared to the alleged offense. He was held in
a high-security prison and initially was not allowed to communicate
with his family or Duke officials.

Supporters of the Ph.D. student were able to rally assistance from
political leaders who included former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole and U.S.
Rep. David Price, a former Duke professor.

Dole — the husband of Duke alumna and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole —
wrote Armenia’s president, Robert Kocharian, to say that Turkyilmaz’
detention had raised “questions about Armenia’s democratic progress
and commitment to the rule of law.”

Turkyilmaz’ dissertation adviser, Duke professor Orin Starn, traveled
to Armenia to attend the trial and told Armenialiberty.org’s reporters
that Duke officials were “very pleased” by Tuesday’s court decision.

Starn could not be reached for further comment.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 17 2005

LATVIA SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN AND APPRECIATES
ITS PARTICIPATION IN PEACE-BUILDING MISSION
[August 17, 2005, 22:26:20]

As is known, defense minister of the Azerbaijan Republic
colonel-general Safar Abiyev has paid an official visit to Riga on
the invitation of the defense minister of the Republic of Latvia
Eynars Repshe on 15-16 August.

On 15 August, Mr. Safar Abiyev met with the Commander of National
Armed Forces of Latvia, vice-admiral Gaydis Andreys Zeybots. After
the briefing on the Armed Forces of Latvia for the defense minister
of Azerbaijan, Mr. Safar Abiyev informed on the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, on the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and the
cooperation links with NATO.

The same day, Mr. Abiyev met with defense minister of Latvia
Eynars Repshe. Mr. Safar Abiyev highlighted on the NATO-Azerbaijan
cooperation, on Azerbaijan’s participation in the anti-terror
coalition, and on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
“We believe that sooner or later all the states will recognize Armenia
as an aggressor and demand to withdraw its armed forces from the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan”, Mr. Abiyev stressed.

Mr. Eynars Repshe underlined that Latvia supports territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan and highly assesses its participation in the
peace-building mission.

After the meeting, the ministers have signed an agreement on
cooperation in the military field between the defense ministries of
the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Latvia.

The Agreement includes exchange of experience related to
participation in the NATO’s PfP Program, the defense policy and
strategy, commandment and management, international peace support
and humanitarian operations, cooperation in military construction
and military reforms, military education and others.

The same day, Speaker of the Latvian Seym Ms. Ingrida Udre received
the Azerbaijan delegation. Then, foreign minister of Latvia Artis
Pabriks met with the defense minister of Azerbaijan and discussed
issues of cooperation.

Defense minister of Azerbaijan also had a series of meetings with
representatives of relevant departments of Latvia.

On 16 August, colonel-general Safar Abiyev familiarized with the
activity of the Research-Rescue Service Center of the Navy of Latvia.

PRESS RELEASE

ARPA Institute
18106 Miranda St.
Tarzana, CA 91356 &
Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
417 W. Arden St., Suite 112C
Glendale, CA 91203
Contact: Hagop Panossian
Tel: (818) 596-9660
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARPA Institute and AESA present the Lecture/Seminar: “Technology,
Globalization and Entropy in Everyday Life,” by Jack Hokikian,
Ph.D. on Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 7:30 PM in the Merdinian school
auditorium. The Address is 13330 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
Directions: on the 101 FWY exit on Woodman, go north and turn right
on Riverside Dr.

Abstract: The author’s book The Science of Disorder: Understanding the
Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution in Our World will serve as the
basis of the evening’s lecture. Through the Laws of Thermodynamics-the
Laws of Energy and Entropy-the effects of technology, accelerated
consumption of goods and natural resources and globalization on our
environment and on our lives will be discussed. Questions such as
“why our lives are becoming increasingly complicated, disordered
and uncertain” and “why we have less time for ourselves, even though
we are surrounded with more ‘timesaving’ devices than ever before”
will be answered. Approaches and methods will be provided on how to
attain a philosophy of life that can guide us in our daily actions
and decisions.

Jack Hokikian received his Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics from
the University of Southern California. In the 1970s, he worked at the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he was involved in orbit determination
of spacecrafts. He has published numerous articles in the Bulletin of
the American Physical Society, Nuclear Physics, American Astronomical
Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Conference Proceedings. He has taught computer science courses at the
University of Southern California and the California State University
in Northridge. He recently worked for a health care organization
as a consultant/data architect. He is the author of The Science of
Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution
in Our World. He was interviewed on Voice of America and has appeared
on Horizon Evening News and Barry Kibrick’s “Between the Lines.”

For Information Please call Dr. Hagop Panossian at (818)586-9660