Author: Basmajian Ani

25 STUDENTS OF YEREVAN INSTITUTE OF PEOPLE’S ECONOMY DO THEIR SUMMER
PRACTICAL WORK IN NOYEMBERYAN FORESTRY

NOYEMBERYAN, August 11 (Noyan Tapan). 25 students of the Yerevan State
Institute of People’s Economy did their summer practical work in the
Noyemberyan forestry. Vasil Chilingarian, Director of the forestry,
told NT’s correspondent that the students carried out work on the
sanitary cleaning of the forest. The practical work of the students
was organized by the RA Ministries of Education and Science and
Agriculture.

ARKA News Agency
Aug 10 2004

CBA Board makes a decision to leave the rate on repo-agreements
unchanged from -at 5% per annum

OSS Zvezda: the information about the planned meeting of the main
share holders of telecommunications provider OSS Zvezda with the RA
President Kocharian is not true

*********************************************************************

CBA BOARD MAKES A DECISION TO LEAVE THE RATE ON REPO-AGREEMENTS
UNCHANGED FROM -AT 5% PER ANNUM

YEREVAN, August 9. /ARKA/. On today’s session the Board of Central
Bank of Armenia made a decision to leave the rate on repo-agreements
unchanged – at 5% per annum. According to the CBA Press Service
Department, the rates of pawn credits and attracted deposits also
remained unchanged – 20% and 1% per annum, correspondingly. A.H.
–0–
*********************************************************************

OSS ZVEZDA: THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLANNED MEETING OF THE MAIN
SHARE HOLDERS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER OSS ZVEZDA WITH THE RA
PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN IS NOT TRUE

YEREVAN, August 10. /ARKA/. The information about the planned meeting
of the main share holders of telecommunications provider OSS Zvezda
with the RA President Kocharian, disseminated by Iravunk newspaper is
not true, according to OSS Zvezda press service department, which
reminds that the only reliable source of information is the
administration of the company, and all other sources are not true.
«We ask to apply not to «information sources», but to the company
itself. In case of the continuation of such publications (that we
consider a provocation against our company), they will be subject to
legal consideration», according to the press -release of the company.

According to today’s publication of Iravunk, referring to informed
sources, in the end of August the main share holders of the company
will arrive in Armenia and meet RA President Kocharian. According to
the source, the President has a quite favorable attitude towards OSS
Zvezda. One of the reasons is the active lobbing of the company’s
programs by Russia, in particular by the Defence Ministry of RF.
Armenian-Russian JV OSS Zvezda was registered in Armenia on September
24, 2001. The founders of the JV are both juridical entities and
individuals from some foreign countries, including Russia (Komin LLC
and LanRusinvest OJSC), as well as the residents of RA. The system of
Zvezda (OSS Zvezda) includes over 100 nets of IP communication and
paging all over the world. A.H.–0 –

Armenia to participate in NATO exercises

Yerkir web site, Yerevan
11 Aug 04

YEREVAN

“We will take a full part in NATO’s Cooperative Best Effort exercises
to be held in Baku in autumn,” Armenian Defence Minister Serzh
Sarkisyan has said, Armenpress reports.

He indicated that seven Armenian officers will participate in command
capacities. However, Armenia has agreed that a group of soldiers will
not participate in the exercises, he added. If Azerbaijan attempts to
prevent Armenia from participating in any NATO project, including the
Baku exercises, Armenia will expect a corresponding reaction from the
NATO leadership,” Sarkisyan mentioned.

Azeri MP says Soros Foundation hinders major pipeline construction

Sarq, Baku
11 Aug 04

Excerpt from V. Allahverdiyeva report by Azerbaijani newspaper Sarq on
11 August headlined “Soros’ trace in problems around the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline” and subheaded “Zahid Qaralov: The Soros
Foundation wages expensive campaigns and involves people in
destructive activities”

It is difficult to say that all the problems aroused by the
construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline have been surmounted
because there are new reports about the local population preparing for
protests at the construction.

Most observers share the view that these problems do not emerge by
themselves, and that some people are purposefully creating them. Some
cite the Soros Foundation among them. The chairman of the Milli Maclis
Azerbaijan’s parliament commission on local government, MP Zahid
Qaralov, has recently unmasked the foundation. He said that there are
unhealthy intentions behind Soros’ activities. He sees Soros behind
problems around the pipeline’s construction. “I am absolutely certain
that the Soros Foundation too is involved in this. It wages expensive
campaigns and involves people in destructive activities. Under the
guise of charity, Soros has always obstructed what could benefit
relations of Azerbaijan with Iran, Russia, Georgia and Armenia. One
may ask – what is his interest in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan? The
Foundation does not want the local population to live well. It wants
to turn the region into a cauldron. They were also involved in the
proliferation of separatism in the early 1990s. They were hiding then,
but now they have surfaced.”

Moreover, Armenian ideology, big empires and people who want a
shortage of oil in the world markets are interested in halting the
construction, Qaralov said. “Some say that it is Georgia’s ecology
minister and some say that it is the parliament’s speaker who is
obstructing this issue. But these are all only implementers. They
acknowledge the importance of the pipeline but they also want
environmental security, the pipes to be laid deeper under ground,
additional security measures to be taken, and more compensation to be
paid to locals. These are all small wishes but together with the big
ones they become decisive.”

Passage omitted: Repeating same ideas

Locals demand compensation for pipeline construction in southern Georgia

Arminfo, Yerevan
6 Aug 04

AKHALKALAKI

Residents from the area of the goods station in the town of
Akhaltsikhe Georgia are demanding compensation from the BP management
for the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

The A-Info news agency has learnt that about 600 residents of the
district think that construction of the oil pipeline creates many
problems for them. The residents are complaining about continual
noise, as the road along which the pipes are transported goes through
this area. Moreover, a large piece of land, which used to be used for
pasture, is now used for the pipes. The district’s residents said that
the water-supply system had been damaged by workers, so the district’s
residents were without drinking water for a long time. After the
restoration of the water system public health norms have not been
observed. Especially the district’s residents are indignant that,
when they had no drinking water, the workers used only ”Bakhmaro”.

According to the source, the BP representatives refused to pay damages
to the residents. However, the district’s residents intend to appeal
to the prime minister and the president of the republic or go to
court.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/06/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) ANCA Asks White House, Congress to Protest Azeri Talk of Armenia’s End
2) Representative Susan Davis Joins Caucus on Armenian Issues
3) Georgia, Russia Tiff over Abkhazia
4) Armenia Lashes out at Azeri Criticism of Karabagh
5) Khachadourians Grant One Million to KZV Armenian School
6) THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN REVIEW: Flip-Flop-Apalooza!

1) ANCA Asks White House, Congress to Protest Azeri Talk of Armenia’s End

WASHINGTON, DCIn letters sent to the White House and all Member of Congress on
Thursday, the Armenian National Committee Of America (ANCA) called for a
forceful, public protest of open threats by a senior Azerbaijani military
official against the continued existence of the Republic of Armenia. On August
5, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported that the chief spokesman
for Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, Colonel Ramiz Melikov, publicly stated that
“within the next 25-years there will exist no state of Armenia in the South
Caucasus.” He added: “Modern Armenia is built on historical Azerbaijani
lands…I think that in 25-30 years’ times its territory will again come under
Azerbaijan’s jurisdiction.” According to FRE/RL, Melikov made these remarks to
the Baku-based daily newspaper “Zerkalo.”
In its letters to members of Congress, the ANCA underlined the fact that
“these threats were not made by a professor, a columnist, or a private
Azerbaijani citizen. They were madeon the record in a major publicationby the
chief spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.”
Within the letter to the White House, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian
noted that it would be a “grave error for our government to dismiss these
remarks as rhetoric, or to address them solely through diplomatic channels.
Rather, we expect our government to forcefully and publicly confront the
Azerbaijani government over these patently hateful and destabilizing threats.
Failure to do so would send extremely dangerous signals to Baku.”

For the full text of the RFE/RL report, visit:
<;http:
//

2) Representative Susan Davis Joins Caucus on Armenian Issues

SAN DIEGO–On August 5, Representative Susan Davis (D-CA 53rd) became the
newest member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues reported the
Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR).
Representative
Davis’s entrance into the Caucus boosts its membership to 132.
ANC San Diego Chapter chairperson Garo Artinian, and board member Robert
Deranian, along with ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian, had the
opportunity to meet with Rep. Davis’s Senior Community Relations
Representative, Caridad Sanchez, on July 23, in order to discuss issues
impacting the Armenian-American community. After the ANC delegation briefed
Sanchez about the organization’s local initiatives, Kassakhian presented a
letter formally inviting Rep. Davis to join the 34 other members of Congress
from California who are members of the Caucus.
“We welcome Representative Davis’s decision to join the Armenian Issues
Caucus
and look forward to working closely with her on a number of issues of special
concern to her Armenian-American constituents,” stated Artinian.
“I look forward to working with the Armenian American community here in San
Diego, the Armenian National Committee, my colleagues on the Armenian Issues
Caucus, and others to help bring attention to the Armenian Genocide,” stated
Rep. Davis. “By working together, as one voice, we will help bring attention
to such crimes against humanity and stop the cycle of Genocide in our time,”
the Congresswomen added.
Earlier this year, Rep. Davis joined 169 members of Congress in co-signing a
letter to President George W. Bush, urging him to honor his 2000 campaign
pledge of properly acknowledging the systematic deportations and massacres of
the Armenian people by Ottoman Turkey as “genocide.”
Founded in 1995, the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues is a bipartisan
forum for the discussion of policies to foster increased cooperation between
the United States and Armenian governments and to strengthen the enduring
bonds
between the American and Armenian peoples. It was founded by Congressmen Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and John Porter (R-IL) in 1995.
Rep. Davis was elected to the House of Representatives in November of 2000
and
has since served two terms. In Congress, Rep. Davis in a member of the House
Armed Services Committee, the Education and the Workforce Committee, and the
Veterans Affairs Committee. She focuses on issues of defense, education,
environment, health care, and veterans affairs. Prior to her election to
Congress, Rep. Davis served on the San Diego City School Board and in the
California State Assembly.

3) Georgia, Russia Tiff over Abkhazia

TBILISI/WASHINGTON (AP-Civil Georgia)–Georgian officials ordered customs and
immigration authorities on Friday to begin screening all ships arriving in the
separatist Black Sea region of Abkhazia, a move likely to strain relations
with
the country’s giant neighbor, Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry reacted angrily, accusing Georgia of trying to
damage the Abkhazian economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism. These are
the peak summer months for travel.
The ministry also moved to reassure Russian tourists, saying they “can feel
relaxed and confident.” “Russia will ensure their security,” the ministry
said in a statement posted on its official Web site.
The order is just the latest effort by Georgia to assert control over its
breakaway regions. Abkhazia has been de-facto independent since splitting off
in a war in the early 1990s, and has close ties with Moscow.
The region’s lush Black Sea coast is a popular destination for Russian
tourists, who commonly arrive by boat.
Meeting with US officials in Washington, Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili warned Russians against traveling to Abkhazia.
“Abkhazia is no place for vacationing. It is a war zone from which 300,000
Georgians have been expelled. Tourists have nothing to do there,” Saakashvili
was quoted as saying by the ITAR-Tass news agency Thursday.
Earlier in the week, Saakashvili ordered patrols to open fire on boats
violating Georgia’s waters. Last weekend, a Georgian patrol boat fired at a
civilian vessel off Abkhazia after the boat failed to obey orders to stop
for a
check.
Abkhazian authorities have warned in return that they could fire on Georgian
ships.
In Washington, Saakashvili accused Moscow of trying to provoke a
confrontation
after the Russian lower house of parliament, the State Duma, passed a
resolution criticizing Georgian policies as “shortsighted and futile.”

SOUTH OSSETIA WITH POWELL

“Our policy is clear. We want to demilitarize. We want to democratize the
whole region and keep dialogue going, including dialogue with the Russians.
Some very crazy and outrageous things were said by some of the Russian
politicians, like the fact that Georgia is infringing on their sovereignty,”
President Saakashvili said after the talks with the US Secretary of State
Colin
Powell on August 5
He reiterated that the last thing Georgia wants is some kind of
confrontation.
“Certainly we’re going to overcome that kind of thing and I think the help of
the US Administration has been very helpful”.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell also mentioned the readiness of the United
States to help reduce the tensions. “I think we know how to deal with it
diplomatically,” he said.
“What we’re anxious to do is calm this situation down, remove tensions and
the
propensity for provocation and get back to dialogue,” the US Secretary of
State
added.

4) Armenia Lashes out at Azeri Criticism of Karabagh

YEREVAN (RFE-RL)–A fresh war of words between Armenia and Azerbaijan
continued
on Friday, with Armenia angrily rebuffing Azeri condemnations of the ongoing
military exercise and the upcoming local elections in Mountainous Karabagh
Republic (MKR).
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said that Azerbaijan is using the two events to
“divert attention from its unwillingness to negotiate a lasting peace.”
“Whether complaining about Karabagh’s peaceful, legal, democratic
elections, or
whether making disparaging remarks about the people of Mountainous Karabagh
and
their continued readiness to defend themselves, their families and their
property…these statements simply result in a continuation of the atmosphere of
distrust and cynicism,” the ministry spokesman Hamlet Gasparian, said in a
statement.
The Azeri Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern” over the ten-day
exercises
that MKR’s forces began on Tuesday, saying they would hamper preparations for
the next meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The latest bitter exchange between the conflicting parties was triggered by
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s fresh threat to restore Azerbaijan’s
territorial
integrity by force if the peace process remains deadlocked.
The Armenian government reacted angrily, warning Baku of “disastrous
consequences” of renewed fighting and questioning its commitment to peace. But
Armenian officials have not commented on the even more bellicose statement by
the chief spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry. The official, Colonel
Ramiz Melikov, was quoted by a leading Azerbaijani daily on Wednesday as
saying
that Armenia will cease to exist as an independent state and its territory
will
become part of Azerbaijan “in the next 25-30 years.”
Melikov’s reported prediction has alarmed a leading Armenian-American
advocacy
group. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) sent on Thursday
letters to the White House and the members of the US Congress urging
Washington
to denounce the threat.
“We expect our government to forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani
government over these patently hateful and destabilizing threats,” the ANCA
executive director, Aram Hamparian, said in a statement. “Failure to do so
would send extremely dangerous signals to Baku.”

5) Khachadourians Grant One Million to KZV Armenian School

LA CRESCENTA–Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian announced this week
that
Mr. and Mrs. Henry and Rita Khachadourian have donated one million dollars to
San Francisco’s Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan (KZV) Armenian School.
The grant was announced during a reception at the couple’s home on July 17,
during which Archbishop Mardirossian had arrived in San Francisco to honor
Henry Khachadourian with the order of the Cilician Knight, bestowed by
Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, for Khachadourian’s
consistent
dedication to the Armenian Church and KZV Armenian School. It was, therefore,
with great joy that those present discovered that the couple had, yet again,
pledged their support, and in great proportions.
The Prelacy Religious and Executive councils, along with the pastor and board
of trustees of San Francisco’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, and the
finance committee and principal of KZV Armenian School, joined Prelate
Mardirossian in extending their heartfelt appreciation to the couple for their
generosity and kindness.
The Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan (KZV) Armenian School is one of several
academic institutions under the auspices of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian
Apostolic Church of America.

6) THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN REVIEW: Flip-Flop-Apalooza!

BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN

The dust has settled and the waters appear calm again, but Democrats have yet
to feel the bump in the polls that everyone predicted from their Democratic
Convention last month in Boston. Pundits predicted that the Kerry-Edwards
ticket would make a ten point gain in the polls after the scripted and
rehearsed display of political clout that is the Democratic National
Convention–but alas, they’re still waiting for a boost in numbers that will
not come. Don’t wait too long boys, the election’s just around the corner
(less
than three months to be exact).
Here’s why I don’t think there was any major gain in the polls after the
Convention and you’re welcome to add your own two cents. First of all, the
Democrats have no message. They can’t make up their minds. They’re more
confused than a dyslexic contestant in a scrabble tournament. The second
reason
is that this election is one where most people have already picked which side
they support and are sticking to their choice.
Here’s a sample of the schizophrenia that has taken over the Democrats. One
day, they claim to be against the war in Iraq and bringing the troops home,
the
next day they’re talking about a stronger military, intelligence, and
“finishing the job right!” One day they’re criticizing the Bush administration
for handouts and tax-breaks for corporations and large businesses, the next
day, they’re handing out farm subsidies to farmers and agriculture business
and
paying farmers to burn and destroy their crops. The contradictions in what
they
say and do are so great that it’s no wonder that Senator Kerry has been
labeled
a flip-flopper.
Much like the Republican Party, Democrats realize they have a base of support
they need to count on to do the party’s dirty work–make calls, talk to
voters,
donate money. But they realize elections are won by winning over the center or
the “undecideds” as they are called in campaign-speak. That explains why the
real extreme Democrats like Howard Dean, Al Sharpton, Ted Kennedy, and Dennis
Kucinich weren’t allowed to speak during prime-time television. Unless you’re
addicted to CSPAN or you’re a feminist member of Greenpeace who owns a new-age
music store in Santa Cruz and listens to National Public Radio all day, you
wouldn’t have even known these guys were at the convention. Instead, those of
us who were unfortunate enough to catch the ridiculous spectacle on TV endured
hours and hours of dull, uninspiring speeches which focused more on John
Kerry’s four months on a swift boat in Vietnam than on how he plans on
improving the nation’s economy. In fact, if it wasn’t for commentators telling
me I was watching the Democratic Convention, I wouldn’t have even known there
was a difference in between Republicans or Democrats.
Sure, the speakers mentioned one or two sentences here and there about real
issues, but it was usually followed by a comment like “And if you don’t
believe
me, just ask the guys that served with him in Vietnam!” What guys? We’re
supposed to take advice from a bunch of folks that hung out with Kerry for
four
months? FOUR MONTHS!?? I’ve had relationships that lasted longer than that
where I still knew NOTHING about the person after it was over. But the
Democrats have to play the Vietnam card because they finally have a candidate
who served in the war instead of dodging the draft or smoking doobies in a
commune outside of Berkeley.
Hindsight is 20/20 and when we look back on this convention next year, we’ll
be able to see exactly where the shortcomings of it were. But for now, my
advice, if any, to the Democrats is “Pick a message and stick with it!” And
“Anyone But Bush” is not a good enough message. Say what you will about the
Republicans, they have a goal, albeit ridiculous, to end terrorism. I think
it’s a ridiculous goal only because I’ve grown up watching another Republican
war on an imagined and invisible enemy fail miserably–the war on drugs. You
can’t declare war on just anything. Democrats are no better. They’ve declared
war on racism and on poverty in the past but their declarations have been
symbolic. My point is that even though some of you may dislike the Republican
leaders or their agenda, at least respect that they have one. And if you’re a
Democrat supporting Kerry, pray that he comes up with a clear message soon.
“Hope is on the way” is not an exciting chant or rallying call in this
nation’s
time of need. This is what John Edwards told people to say when faced with
tough times–“Hope is on the way.” Just what Americans want in time of great
need–someone who tells them to yell for “Help.”
Speaking of help, I’ll need all the help I can get just to stay awake through
the Republican Convention in New York later this month. Especially when Dubya
takes the podium. On second thought, sleep isn’t such a bad idea. Someone wake
me up November 3rd , the day after the elections when the circus has
decided to
pack up it’s tent and leave town.
Skeptik Sinikian lives and works in Glendale. His hobbies include watching
CSPAN and giving his unsolicited opinions to innocent by-standers. He can be
reached for comment at [email protected].

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Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 6, 2004, Friday

MONITORING OF THE STOP FIRE REGIME OF THE ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJAN AIR
FORCES ENDED WITHOUT INCIDENTS

Monitoring of the stop fire regime of the Armenian and Azerbaijan air
forces, which was held on Wednesday by the representatives of OSCE,
ended without incidents. The press agency of The Azerbaijan Ministry
of Defense reported about this. The monitoring took place on the
territory of Shurabat settlement of Agdamskiy region of Azerbaijan.
In this monitoring participated the personal representative of the
acting chief of OSCE Andgey Kasprschik with field assistants Miroslav
Vymetal and Yurgen Schmidt on the Armenian side; and field assistants
of the personal representative of the acting chief of OSCE Kennet
Piklis and Imre Palatinus on the Azerbaijani side.

armenianow.com
August 6, 2004

Demonstration Art: Fourth festival hopes to bring international attention to
Gyumri

By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter

The fourth Gyumri International Biennial begins tomorrow
(August 7) and for the next three weeks will fill the city’s four museums
with contemporary and even avante garde art. And for the fourth time since
1998, spectators will have their chance to be surprised, engrossed, shocked
perhaps, and will no doubt exercise their rights as art “critics”.
Tadevosyan wants to bring international attention to Gyumri art
“In Armenia people are not ready for avant garde art, because of many years
of totalitarian and closed regime,” says Biennial founder Vazgen Pahlavouni
Tadevosyan. And, while Gyumri is a traditional center of art in Armenia, it
was also a center of traditional art.
Gyumri residents, however, like to “make defects in to effects,” Tadevosyan
says. “There is a thrust for art here . . .”
No other CIS country has such an art festival. And, when it was conceived
six years ago, organizers themselves were not sure how it would be received
in a place yet marked by Gyumri’s tragedy from the earthquake of 1988.
“But we were sure that especially in these ruins things will work,”
Tadevosyan says. “Advanced art is very dynamic, not petrified and
traditional. It can work in ruins, because it has many alternatives and
different methods.”
The first festival, called “Time, Territory, Research”, was a form of art
therapy for Gyumri. And it was a surprise for visitors from outside Armenia.
But the main goal, Tadevosyan says, was to give Gyumri a holiday.
The idea of course is not original. The first biennial was in Venice, 100
years ago. Armenian artist Martiros Saryan was among international artists
who participated in Venice.
“At the time when the USSR was collapsing, we already had such ideas,”
Tadevosyan says. “Gyumri was a flourishing city and there was a possibility
to make it an art center on an international level.”
But such dreams were shelved when Gyumri was destroyed by earthquake and
soon after the war in Karabakh broke out.
But the founders of the biennial were determined to take either a brave step
or a foolish one, and decided to inaugurate an international festival in the
ruins of a city.
“We have to do something according to international standards, otherwise
there is no meaning, but thanks God, the calculations were right and people
came,” Tadevosyan says.

“Critics” will get a chance to define “art”
This year the festival will include 60 to 70 artists from England, Ireland,
Russia, Iran, Austria, Italy, Germany, France and USA.
“We must make Armenia a country of international art,” Tadevosyan says.
“Through the biennial people started to know Gyumri. Our city is in a
healing process now and it is getting better with this art dialogue. ”
This year’s festival will be financed by United Nationals Developmental
Program, the British Council and “Ararat” Brandy Company. Different
embassies help participants from their countries.
Tadevosyan says:” We know that we are on the long road, and we will not see
the end, because other generations will continue our work. We also know that
we’ll not have an international reputation in soon. When you plant a tree,
you can only eat the fruit after some years. Gyumri`s biennial is very
important, because we have things to say to the world and to say them
bravely and proudly.”

The Messenger
August 3, 2004

Russia funds reconstruction of railway in Abkhazia
Russia is to fund the reconstruction of the Abkhazian portion of the railway
from Psou to Sukhumi, the information agency Apsnipress reports. This
follows an agreement reached between the government of the unrecognized
republic of Abkhazia and the authorities of the North Caucasus railway. Over
20 sleeper-wagons and special equipment have been delivered by the Russian
railway to Abkhazia to begin work on the project.
Meanwhile, after a recent meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian, Georgian PM Zurab Zhvania declared that the renewal of railway
communications between the South Caucasus and Russia via Abkhazia is
dependent on the safe return of Georgian refugees to Abkhazia.

Hamilton Spectator (Ontario, Canada)
August 3, 2004 Tuesday Final Edition

Finding richness in a new land; Canadians from the former Soviet
state of Azerbaijan are contributing here while respecting their past

Special to The Hamilton Spectator

by Nazila Isgandarova

Bitter territorial wars, people forced from their homes and made to
be refugees, and a passionate struggle for democracy. These are the
wounds of Azerbaijan.

Strong black oil, Caspian caviar and a history that is vibrant with
beauty and intellect. This is what Akbar Majidov thinks of as the
pearls of Azeri society. The bitter and sweet of Azerbaijan is what
Majidov and his Hamilton friends like to talk about when they get
together.

Majidov lives in Hamilton with his wife and two young sons. He is
originally from Karabakh, a western region of Azerbaijan, a former
Soviet state that hugs the Caspian Sea, sandwiched between Armenia to
the west, Russia to the north and Iran to the south. He is a member
of the Union of Azerbaijan Journalists.

Recently, Majidov and his friends formed a new organization, the
Azerbaijan Cultural and Education Centre, which operates in Hamilton
and Toronto.

The members of the centre hold meetings every Saturday in parks and
the homes of members.

There are about 1,000 people from Azerbaijan in Hamilton and the
Greater Toronto Area.

Majidov likes the cultural meetings. He says they help him learn the
language and build communication with other members of society. He
tries to contribute to Canadian society through facilitating the
strength and skills of the members of the Azeri community. He is also
an active volunteer in the Turkish community by representing their
newspapers Sunrise and Zaman in Hamilton.

Azerbaijan has a largely Muslim population. There are many problems.
This country is split and has not resolved a conflict with Armenia
over land issues. There are close to one million refugees.

Several Canadian Azeri organizations have recently split over
internal differences and shut down. But many members of the Hamilton
and Toronto Azeri community have united with the education centre.

Zeynalabdin Zeynalov, Ibrahim Aliev, Ilham Babayev and Sahib Hesenov
are senior members of the Azerbaijan Cultural and Education Centre.
It’s easy to feel their enthusiasm for what is happening.

Much of the area’s small Azeri population lives in Toronto. Majidov
says he likes Hamilton because it’s a city that makes him feel
welcome.

He is proud that the area community celebrated Azerbaijan’s
independence day May 30 in Dundas at Webster’s Falls.

Majidov says the Azerbaijan community has made many contributions to
Canadian society. Many prominent names are well-known in the field of
technology, medicine and science. Among them Dr. Reza Moridi, the
2001 recipient of Canadian Nuclear Society’s Education and
Communication Award, Dr. Ilham Akhundov, professor in McMaster
University and Yusif Savalan, the beloved musician of the Azeri
community in Canada.

But the centre stands on the shoulders of lay people such as
Zeynalabidin Zeynalov, Ibrahim Aliyev, Zemine Zaynalova, Munira
Babayeva and her husband, Ilham Babayev, Sanan Abbasov and his wife,
Gulebetin Abbasov.

Zeynalov and Aliyev are the inspiration for members. Zeynalov was
trained as an economist and he manages the centre’s affairs. Most of
the time he opens his apartment to members for the weekly meetings.
After every meeting his wife, Zemine, invites the participants to
share delicious Azeri food.

Majidov said one of his goals is to raise awareness about the
relationship between Azerbaijan and Canada. He said he hopes Canada
will support the development of civil society in Azerbaijan.

* Nazila Isgandarova is originally from Azerbaijan and converted to
Islam when she was 23. She is a member of the Union of Azerbaijan
Journalists and has worked as a journalist since 1995. She is writing
a thesis on Koranic translations in Azerbaijan. She is an interpreter
at Settlement Integration Services Organization and the North
Hamilton Community Health Centre. She speaks, reads and writes in
Azeri, Turkish, English, Russian and Arabic.

* Usman Khan is a freelance photographer based in Stoney Creek and
has worked for domestic newspapers and foreign wire services in
Pakistan before emigrating to Canada.

GRAPHIC: Photo: Usman Khan, Special to the Spectator; Akbar Majidov,
president of the Azerbaijan Cultural and Educational Centre, speaks
to members at a gathering recently. The pearls of Azeri culture are
black oil, beauty, intellect and Caspian Sea caviar, he says.