Author: Chavushian

PRESS RELEASE

June 14, 2005

American University of Armenia Corporation
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Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576

Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]

Developing a National Strategic Plan for Prevention of Blindness in Armenia

Yerevan -From June 8-10, 2005, Armenia’s Ministry of Health, with
financial support from the Christoffel-Blindenmission organization
of Germany and technical assistance from AUA’s Garo Meghrigian Eye
Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology (GMEIPO), organized a three-day
workshop to develop a National Strategic Plan for the prevention
of blindness in Armenia. Geneva’s World Health Organization (WHO)
also provided its expertise.

The main foci of the workshop, consistent with the WHO Vision 2020
concept, included eye disease control, infrastructure assessment and
development, human resource development, and management structures
to support the National Strategic Plan. Working groups will assess
the present epidemiology of eye diseases in Armenia, review eye care
delivery, compile and analyze information on ophthalmic education, and
review and analyze activities of various NGOs involved in prevention
of blindness in Armenia.

Participants formulated strategies to achieve WHO’s Vision 2020 targets
within five years through a detailed national and regional level
plan. They began to identify roles and responsibilities for various
stakeholders, define ways and means of mobilizing resources, and define
parameters for monitoring and evaluating eye care service delivery.

“In the next 4 months, we anticipate finalizing the plan. After
discussing the plan with a large audience, including eye care
professionals and the general public, it will be submitted
for Governmental approval,” said Naira Khachatryan, Principal
Investigator of AUA’s Garo Meghrigian Eye Institute for the
Preventative Ophthalmology. “As part of those efforts, the Vision
2020 Initiative in Armenia will be launched and Armenia will join in
the efforts of blindness prevention worldwide,” stated Khachatryan.

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

The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit
educational organization in both Armenia and the United States
and is affiliated with the Regents of the University of California.
Receiving major support from the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading
to the Masters Degree in eight graduate programs. For more information
about AUA, visit

Photo: Lilit Lazarian (translator); Michael Hansmann,
Assistant Regional Representatives, Christoffel-Blindenmission;
Dr. Naira Khachatryan, Principal Investigator, GMEIPO/AUA; Dr. Vahan
Poghosyan, Head of Medical Care, Ministry of Health, Head of National
Tuberculosis Program; Dr. Hayk Darbinyan, Vice Minister, Ministry
of Health; Dr. Norayr Davidyan, Minister of Health; Dr. Haroutune
Armenian, President, American University of Armenia; Dr. Ramachandra
Pararagasegaram, Consultant Ophthalmologist, World Health Organization
(WHO)/Geneva

ARF – Movement 88 issues address to people

14.06.2005 17:27

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Movement
88 coalition has issued an address to the people of Karabakh in
connection with the upcoming parliamentary election in the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. Below is the text of the address.

Dear Compatriots,

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation – “Movement ’88” coalition
appeals to you–our homeland’s faithful , indomitable, and
fearless comrades-in-arms. Once again, our country’s future is
endangered. Certain servants of our ruling authorities–abusing their
official posts, using their levers of power, relying on the wealth
they have amassed through plunder and unlawful means, casting aside
the values of basic human morality, resorting to forcible pressures
and trampling upon the most basic human rights, spreading fear and
terror, everywhere employing dirty tricks and lawless means, using the
temptation of money and bribes–now seek to place in parliamentary
seats pro-government candidates, and through them to prolong an
atmosphere of acquiescence, license, corruption, bribery, power,
authority, etc.

Just as yesterday, when we won our victory through efforts of
solidarity, through the unbreakable will of our young, at the price
of blood shed by our freedom-fighters, today once more let us gather
our forces, rally around the course of democratization, defense of
human rights, and ideology; let us stand up for our rights and our
dignity; let us not be fooled by the empty promises of pro-government
candidates, and with the steadfast stance befitting the people of
Artsakh, let us raise our voice resolutely, and give our votes to the
ARF-“Movement ’88 coalition, both in general and especially through
its candidates, who have gone through the path of war, and who have
been forged in the crucible of battle.

Dear Compatriots,

You, through your voice, and we, through our determination, together
are destined to secure the future dignity of the people of Artsakh.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation – “Movement ’88” Coalition

NEGATIVE EVALUATION

A1plus

| 13:39:45 | 13-06-2005 | Politics |

The party «Human Rights and Democracy» organized a survey with
the theme «Elections of the Avan community head» asking questions
to 38 political bodies. 97.0% of them evaluated the organizations
of elections with only one candidate negatively. Let us remind you
that the son of the Prime Minister Taron Margaryan was elected head
of the Avan community.

Asked the question why there was no other candidate in the election of
the Avan community head, 69.0% answered, «Probably the Parliamentary
majority had agreed upon it, the opposition considered it all in
vain, and individuals avoided to compete with the son of the Prime
Minister».

29.0% of the participants of the survey thought that the Prime
Minister has exercised pressure. 68.2% thought that not referring
to the elections the political powered committed a grave political
error. 22.3% thought that they did not consider it proper, as those
who violated the law in 2003 have not been punished yet.

–Boundary_(ID_xH2S9qekZ3p+/Jp/y5SA+g)–

ARTSAKH STATE AWARDS GIVEN TO A NUMBER OF RA AND NKR FIGURES ON
OCCASION OF 1600TH ANNIVERSARY OF INVENTION OF ARMENIAN LETTERS AND
FOUNDATION OF AMARAS SCHOOL

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 4, Arkadi Ghukasian, the NKR
President signed a number of decrees on the occasion of the 1600th
anniversary of the invention of the Armenian letters and the Amaras
school’s foundation. As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Information
Department attached to the NKR President, Academimician Radik
Martirosian, the Yerevan State University’s Rector was awarded with
“Mesrop Mashtots” medal for exclusive services to the Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh in the sphere of education and science
development. Kamo Atayan, Khoren Baghdasarian, Varduhi Gabrielian,
Stepan Dadayan, Jamil Martirosian, Mels Minasian and Rafael Petrosian
were awarded with “Vachagan Barepasht” medal for purposeful and
productive activities in the spheres of development of education and
science in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, training qualified
specialists, teaching and education. Zhanna Anastasian, Margo Lalayan
and Anyuta Mnatsakanian were awarded with the medal of
“Yerakhtagitutiun” (“Gratitude”) for significant contribution in the
spheres of teaching and education of the young generation. Sokrat
Khanian, the Literature and Journalism Department Chief of the Artsakh
State University, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor was
awarded with an honorary title of the Honoured Scientist of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh for the great contribution in the
development of the education and science spheres, displaying exclusive
professional abilities. Romela Avagian, Susanna Gabrielian, Rafael
Gasparian, Sveta Gevorgian, Sveta Davtian, Naira Tamrazian, Albert
Khachatrian, Arpik Khasapetian, Vigen Hayrapetian, Ofelia Hayrapetian,
Zaven Shahbarian, Rita Poghosian and Ira Sarinian were awarded with an
honorary title of the Honoured Teacher of the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh for the exlusive contribution in the spheres of teaching and
education of children, teenagers and youth. Rashid Aghamalian and
Samvel Virabian were awarded a honorary title of the Honoured Artist
of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh for the high mastery, activities
supporting to the art development.

Journal of Turkish Weekly
June 7 2005

Russia to move some armaments from Georgia to Armenia – minister

Jan SOYKOK, ST. PETERSBURG – Russian armaments will be moved from the
Russian bases in Georgia to the Russian base in Armenia, Defense
Minister Sergei Ivanov told a Monday press conference in St.
Petersburg. Russia will start withdrawing two military bases from
Georgia in 2005 and complete the withdrawal in 2008, Interfax news
agency reported.

“The armaments will not be transferred to Armenia. They will be
simply moved to another Russian military base,” he said. He further
said Russia would stick to limits on armaments under the Treaty on
Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. However the transfer will change
the balanace of power in the region.

Baku is against any Russian militarization in Armenia. Russian
military forces backed Armenian occpation forces against Azerbaijan
during the Karabakh War. Armenian forces occupy 20 percent of
Azerbaijan territories. The EU and the US have called the Armenian
forces to withdraw. Yet Yerevan rejected all proposals.

MAGAZINE FOCUSED ON INFORMATION AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO BE
LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, June 6. /ARKA/. A magazine focused on information and
advanced technologies as well as innovation processes in society is to
be launched in September 2005 in Armenia, Information Technologies
Enterprises Union’s Executive Director Karen Vardanyan said at a
seminar titled Public Relations in Information Technologies Area in
Armenia. In his words, the magazine format will be analogous to that
of Expert magazine. According to Vardanyan, the issue of whom the
magazine should target is now under discussion. In his opinion, it
will be a scientific popular magazine like Tekhnika Molodezhi targeted
the youth, or it will be focused on project and problems existing in
Armenia. However, it isn’t ruled out that it will be a mixture of
these two magazines. He also said the magazine would be issues in
5thnd copies. M.V. -0–

HAGEL: CAUCASUS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO US AND WORLD

Pan Armenian News
04.06.2005 03:13

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The South Caucasian region is of great importance
to the US and the whole of the world, US Senator Chuck Hagel stated
in the course of a press conference in Tbilisi June 3. “The main
reason for my arrival in the South Caucasian region is the great
geopolitical importance the region has not only to the US, but also
the whole of the world. In my opinion US Congress members should be
well-informed over the processes developing in that region,” the
Senator stated. He noted that “certain difficulties in the region
persist, however, it is important that a right course is chosen.”
“There is work still to be done in implementation of democratic,
electoral reforms, making borders more transparent and lifting the
restrictions, however the leaders of the region understanding that
these problems should be solved and working over them is the most
important,” the Senator remarked. In the course of his stay in Tbilisi
Mr. Hagel had meetings with the Georgian President, Defense Minister,
National Security Council Secretary, visited the Krtsanis Training
Unit of the Georgian Defense Ministry, where Georgian servicemen,
who are to participate in international peacekeeping operations, are
trained within the US Sustainment and Stability Operation Program,
reported Novosti-Gruzia.

ARMENIA TO RECEIVE BSTDB MANAGERS

AZG Armenian Daily #102, 04/06/2005

Economy

The press center of the RA Ministry of Finances and Economy informed
that the 7th annual summit and the Day of Black Sea Cooperation of the
Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) will be held in Yerevan,
June 5-6. The summit will host the representatives as well as members
of the directors’ board of Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia,
Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Armenia is the country in chair of the BSTDB this year. RA minister
of finances and economy, Vartan Khachatrian, as well as president of
the Bank Mustafa Gyurtin will make speeches at the annual summit.

Among other participants of the Black Sea Cooperation Day there are
representatives of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and International
Financial Corporation (IFC). It is envisaged that investors, bankers
and businessmen will join the summit.

By Ara Martirosian

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part B (Russia)
June 3, 2005, Friday

FROM BASE TO BASE

SOURCE: Vremya Novostei, June 3, 2005, p. 5

by Gajane Movsesjan

Colonel Seiran Shakhsuvarjan, spokesman for the Armenian Defense
Minister, said yesterday that the relocation of Russian weapons from
Georgia to Armenia does not require “any additional documents or
agreements.” The first echelon with Russian military hardware left
the Russian military base in Batumi for the Armenian town of Gyumri
on Tuesday, May 31. According to the spokesman, deployment of Russian
servicemen from Georgia in Armenia was not even discussed.

The plans to move military hardware to Armenia became public
knowledge even before this week, when Moscow and Tbilisi finally
reached an agreement on withdrawing the Russian military presence
from Georgia in 2008. The 102nd Military Base of the Russian Defense
Ministry has been stationed in Armenia since 1995. Needless to say,
official Baku (Azerbaijan) isn’t exactly enthusiastic about the
Kremlin’s intentions. Novruz Mamedov of the Azerbaijani presidential
administration said yesterday: “The relocation of military hardware
to Armenia, a country that still occupies some Azerbaijani land, will
not promote Azerbaijani-Russian relations.”

Russia is moving military hardware from one military base to another,
Russian Charge d’Affaires in Baku Pyotr Burdykin said in his
statement, released yesterday. “That does not mean we intend to turn
the military hardware over to Armenia.”

Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisjan says that “the increase of
the stocks of weapons” in the Russian military base promotes
interests of Armenia. All the same, not everybody in Armenia itself
shares this opinion. David Shakhnazarjan (envoy for Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement when Levon Ter-Petrosjan was the president) maintains that
the appearance of a new consignment of Russian weapons “will polarize
the region to an even greater extent.”

Georgia and Azerbaijan are en route into NATO, while Armenia is a
member of the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization, from which
Georgia and Azerbaijan withdrew from in 1999. Moreover, Sarkisjan
himself confirmed the other day that NATO membership is not on
Armenia’s foreign policy agenda at this point.

Amajak Ovannisjan, president of the Association of Armenian Political
Scientists and a member of parliament, says that Russia may decide to
move some of the military hardware or personnel to the base in
Armenia, its only ally in the region and a member of the CIS
Collective Security Treaty Organization. “But Armenia may demand from
Russia better fulfillment of its obligations to the ally,” he said.
Ovannisjan maintains that Yerevan may demand changes in Russia’s
stance on the matter of Nagorno-Karabakh, which “Russia, as a legal
successor to the Soviet Union, should formulate bearing in mind its
historic responsibility for the fact that Karabakh was absorbed by
Soviet Azerbaijan against its will.”

Translated by A. Ignatkin

Kurdish party reports Iranian army bombardment of border pasture areas

Ozgur Politika website, Neu-Isenburg
2 Jun 05

Text of report by German-based Kurdish newspaper Ozgur Politika
website on 2 June; subheading as published (report by Mesopotamia
News Agency’s Sherko Mahabadi in Mahabad entitled “Iranian Military
Bombs Mountain Pastures”; Mahabad is in eastern Iran, near the Iraqi
and Turkish borders)

The PJAK [Free Life Party of Kurdistan ] has announced that the
Iranian military has bombed the mountain pastures between Qandil
Mountain and East [i.e., Iranian] Kurdistan in an operation in which
thousands of troops took part. It was also reported that Iran has
been putting pressure on the people in East Kurdistan by utilizing
Village Guards and “repentants” dressed as guerrillas.

The Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), in a statement it has issued,
has reported that Iranian state forces have staged a large-scale
operation, in which thousands of troops took part, in the mountain
pastures between Qandil Mountain and the town of Piranshahr, in East
Kurdistan. It is stated that hundreds of sheep have been killed and
a large number of houses and tents have been destroyed in the pasture
areas, which were bombed with helicopters.

The PJAK reported that, on 27 and 28 May, the Iranian army conducted
an operation against the mountain pasture areas between Qandil Mountain
and the Eastern Kurdistan town of Piranshahr.

It is reported that in the bombing, which was carried out because
PJAK guerrillas were there, peasants going up into the [summer]
pastures have suffered great material losses. It is noted that
thousands of Iranian soldiers and hundreds of Village Guards took
part in the operation.

The PJAK, noting that Iran has recently been taking the operations
it conducts in villages up into the highland pastures, pointed out
that Iran has achieved no results in these operations, which have
been staged against the PJAK, but that civilians were harmed greatly
in the two-day operation conducted in the Sheykhaisheh region.

It is reported that peasants whose sheep were killed in the operation
went to the PJAK headquarters and asked that these operations by the
Iranian military not be left without a response.

Pressure on people from “repentants”

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Iran has been exerting pressure
on the people in East Kurdistan by utilizing Village Guards and
“repentants” dressed as guerrillas. It has been learned that, after
Village Guards in the Salmas, Orumiyeh, and Mahabad regions of East
Kurdistan extorted money from the people while dressed as guerrillas,
now in Mako, Village Guards going about dressed as guerrillas, as
well as a “repentant” by the name of Ali Balkhanlu Milan, have been
forcing the people to vote in the elections.

Both Azeris and Kurds live in Mako, which is situated between Turkey,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nakhchivan. It is stated that the people
of Mako have reacted against the Village Guards and “repentants” who
have been engaging in election propaganda while dressed as guerrillas.

Meanwhile, the PJAK has issued a call to the people and asked that they
not remain silent in the face of these machinations of the Iranian
state. The PJAK again called for the elections [in Iran on 17 June]
to be protested against.