Author: Chilingarian Babken

10-HECTARE AREA ALLOCTED FOR CONSTRUCTION WASTE COLLECTION

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. A 10-hectare area has been allocated
within the administrative territory of Malatia-Sebastia community for
construction waste to be collected there. Deputy mayor of Yerevan Vano
Vardanian noted at the April 4 press conference that prior to this,
construction waste was dumped everywhere. According to V. Vardanian,
over the last 50 years, the rubbish left at the dump near Nubarashen
highway has not been processed, as a result of which 7-7.5 tons’
household waste has collected there. He noted that 430-450 tons of
household waste is dumped every day from Yerevan’s 2,050 high-rises,
2,500 apartment buildings and 52,000 detached houses. 12 organizations
with the total staff of 1,500 and special equipment of over 250 pieces
are currently collecting garbage in Yerevan. The speaker pointed out
that the fleet of refuse collectors has not been replenished over
the last ten years. According to V.Vardanian, there are 3,800 big
dustbins and 2,600 small ones in the city, which, however, do not
meet the sanitary hygienic requirements. He said the municipalities
are going to increase the number of dustbins soon – 105 dustbins were
put in various yards of the city during one week.

Georgia Denies Entry to Russian Spy Plane

Baku Today, Azerbaijan

Civil Georgia, Tbilisi 05/04/2005 15:56

Commander of the General Staff of the Russian Air Forces Boris Cheltsov
said that Georgia denied Russian long-range reconnaissance aircraft
A-50 (NATO codename: Mainstay) to over fly Georgia as a part of the
maneuvers of the air forces of the Commonwealth of Independent State
(CIS) member countries, which was launched on April 5, RIA Novosti
and Itar-Tass news agencies reported.

Boris Cheltsov said that two A-50 aircrafts will participate in the
maneuvers. “One will conduct a flight over Belarus.

It was planned that another would have been used in the Armenian
airspace; however, Georgia did not let it [the A-50 aircraft] through
its airspace,” Commander of the General Staff of the Russian Air
Forces stated.

THE ARMENIANS OF GEORGIA DO NOT WANT TO ASSIMILATE

A1+
04-04-2005

«The discriminatory policy of the authorities in the field of
educational, cultural, language and religious rights of National
Minorities or the ignorance of these rights can harm the international
reputation of Georgia and the development of democracy in the
country», this was the concern expressed in the resolution adopted in
the second summit «Integration but not assimilation» in Akhalqalaq.

It is also introduced in the resolution what the Armenians of Georgia
are worried about, «The postponing of the solution of accumulated
problems can create new tension. The tension is increased still more
by the hostility preached by several Mess Media and non-governmental
and governmental organizations».

According to the agency «A-info», not only representatives of the
Armenian community but also those of international organizations,
Embassies and Georgian Government took part in the summit. But not all
those invited came to the summit. Particularly, the representatives
of the Georgian Government are for the second time ignoring the
invitation.

By the way, the discussion of the educational, spiritual-cultural
and language problems of the region was also in the agenda of the
Samtskhe-Javakhq non-governmental summit.

Another reason for the Armenian community of Georgia to worry was
that «although the religious peculiarities of the two nations in
Samtskhe-Javakhq do not cause conflicts, still the arguments about the
true owner of the several churches and sacred places in the region,
and the non-balanced steps of the Georgian church create ground for
unnecessary tension».

At the end of the summit a resolution was adopted in which the list of
the activities which must solve the problems of the Armenian community
in Georgia was processed.

–Boundary_(ID_UDNnaVUOOwZUTP19wws5cA)–

Armenian premier warns against “excessive politicization” of state agencies

Arminfo
2 Apr 05

YEREVAN

Despite various hardships, the ruling coalition of Armenia has proved
its resilience, the leader of the Republican Party of Armenia [RPA],
Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, told a meeting dedicated to the
15th anniversary of the RPA today.

Markaryan expressed the hope that the coalition will fulfil its
mission before the tenure of the third parliament expires. He also
said that some contradictions emerge within the coalition over certain
issues from time to time, but they are all resolved through political
consultations.

The country still has many problems that the coalition has to resolve,
Markaryan said. The prime minister pointed to corruption, the shadow
economy, favouritism and poverty as the problems that undermine the
foundations of statehood.

Markaryan added that excessive politicization of government structures
may bring about bitter ramifications for the country.

“Of course, if the ruling forces possess an appropriate personnel base
to work in state administrative structures, one should only welcome
this. However, if people are appointed only for their party
affiliation, not for professional skills, or if people occupying this
or that position are made to join this or that ruling party in one
day, this is a blow to statehood and the political system,” Markaryan
said.

He stressed that the government aims to form a class of professional
public servants to work in administrative structures regardless of who
is in power.

The State, SC
Posted on Sat, Apr. 02, 2005

Critics assail planned festival

Religious leaders oppose event for gays in Jerusalem

By LAURIE GOODSTEIN and GREG MYRE

The New York Times

International gay leaders are planning a 10-day WorldPride festival and
parade in Jerusalem this August, saying they want to make a statement about
tolerance and diversity in the Holy City, home to three great religious
traditions.

Now a number of leaders of the three faiths – Christianity, Judaism and
Islam – are making a rare show of unity to try to stop the festival. They
say the event would desecrate the city and convey the erroneous impression
that homosexuality is acceptable.

`They are creating a deep and terrible sorrow that is unbearable,’ Shlomo
Amar, Israel’s chief Sephardic rabbi, said Wednesday at a news conference in
Jerusalem attended by Israel’s two chief rabbis, the Jerusalem leaders of
the Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian churches, and three Muslim sheiks.
`It hurts all of the religions. We are all against it.’

`We can’t permit anybody to come and make the Holy City dirty,’ said Abdel
Aziz Bukhari, a Sufi sheik in Jerusalem.

Israeli authorities have not indicated what action, if any, they might take
to limit the events. Banning the festival appears to be unlikely, though the
government could withhold the required permits for specific events, like the
parade.

Interfaith agreement among leaders of these three religions is unusual,
especially in Israel. Their opposition was initially sparked by the Rev. Leo
Giovinetti, a little-known evangelical pastor from San Diego who is both a
veteran of the American culture war over homosexuality and a frequent
visitor to Israel, where he has formed relationships in recent years with
rabbis and politicians.

Organizers of the gay pride event, Jerusalem WorldPride 2005, said that 75
non-Orthodox rabbis had signed a statement of support for the event and that
Christian and Muslim leaders, as well as Israeli politicians, are expected
to announce their support soon.

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, co-chair of the gay festival and rabbi of
Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, a gay synagogue in New York, said the
controversy was another sign that each religion has become internally
polarized between its liberal and conservative wings.

The gay festival, planned for Aug. 18-28, is expected to draw thousands of
gay and lesbian visitors from dozens of countries. The theme is `Love
Without Borders,’ and a centerpiece will be a parade Aug. 25 through
Jerusalem, a city that remains deeply conservative, though other parts of
Israel have become increasingly accepting of gays in recent years. Other
events include a film festival, art exhibits and a conference for clerics.

LRAPER Church Bulletin 02/04/2005
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
Licensee: The Revd. Fr. Drtad Uzunyan
Editors: The Revd.Dr.Krikor Damatyan,
Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Press Spokesperson: Attorney Luiz Bakar
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (533) 942-7019
E-mail: [email protected]

ISTANBUL (Lraper Church Bulletin – 02/04/2005) – His Beatitude Mesrob
II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey, said that His
Holiness Pope John Paul II has been a profound influence in his
spiritual life.

The Patriarch of the largest Christian church community in Turkey said
that the dying Pope has made a tremendous impression on religions
worlwide with his outstanding encyclicals on moral, inter-church and
inter-faith issues.

“I was ordained a bishop in 1986 by Catholicos Vazgen I, Patriarch
Shnorhk I and Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, and weeks after that
ordination I met Pope John Paul II in Rome. Since then, I have met
him personally and with groups, and had the opportunity to pray with
him numerous times. Last time I prayed with him was about one and a
half years ago when he celebrated the Eucharist in his private chapel.
He will always be remembered not only as the beloved ‘Papa’ of the
worldwide Roman Catholic Church, but also, regardless whether other
denominations say it loudly or not, as the leading pastor of
Christendom worldwide. He has been a good and courageous pastor who
fought the good fight. Patriarch Shnorhk of beloved memory and the
beloved Holy Father have indeed been the strongest influences in my
spiritual life. May the Lord grant His servant peace and rest.”

A vigil was held at the Holy Spirit chapel of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Istanbul for Pope John Paul II. The Pope had visited
the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul in November 1979.

The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church has four hierarchical sees in
the world – in Etchmiadzin (Armenia), Antelias (Lebanon), Jerusalem
(the Holy Land) and Istanbul (Turkey) respectively.

FURNITURE TO BE PRODUCED BY ITALIAN TECHNOLOGY IN YEGHVARD

YEREVAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. The Ellipse company specialized in
production and installation of security systems will set working an
enterprise on production of furniture in mid-April in Yeghvard. Gurgen
Zakarian, company’s Chairman, told journalists that modern Italian
equipments were installed in the enterprise, which will enable to
produce different kinds of furniture, including office and hotel
furniture. At the initial period 15-20 masters will work at the
enterprise and in the future their number will reach 100. According to
G.Zakarian, the furniture produced in Yeghvard will be sold both at
the home and foreign markets. It was mentioned that there is a
preliminary agreement to export the furniture to Moscow. To recap, the
annual commodity circulation of Ellipse makes nearly 2 mln dollars.

ARMENPRESS
01.04.2005

AZNAVOUR DEMANDS THAT GERMANY RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

BERLIN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS: World renowned French singer and composer
of Armenian origin Charles Aznavour demands that Germany must recognize the
Armenian genocide as “a crime against humanity, as France and Switzerland
did.”
In an article published by German newspaper Die Zeit Wednesday, the son
of Armenian refugees from Turkey who fled it at the beginning of the 20-th
century, Aznavour explains that Germany also bears responsibility for that
crime, “not because German government officials ordered the extermination of
Armenians but because they watched it happen as spectators.”
“If Germany recognizes the Armenian genocide that would be a great step
to urge other countries to do the same,” he says.

SUGAR PLANT OF SEVAN TO DOUBLE ITS PRODUCTION THIS YEAR

SEVAN, MARCH 31, MOYAN TAPAN. The CJSC Sugar Plant of Sevan, which is
the only company in Armenia that produces granulated sugar, is
planning to produce 5-7 tons of granulated sugar this year, which is
twice the amount produced last year. The company’s director general
Armen Arakelian told NT correspondent that the plant meets 5-7% of the
domestic demand amounting to 100 thousand tons.

According to A. Arakelian, granulated sugar is of strategical
importance, so the state should assist with its production. There are
currently some obstacles, in particular related to the estimation of
customs value and the collection of a 10% customs duty from raw
sugar. A. Arakelian pointed out the necessity of legislative
amendments so that raw sugar imports will not be liable to customs
duties. A. Arakrlian noted that at present, the local sugar beet is
not used in sugar production. It is envisaged to make capital
investments and install equipment to process local raw materials. He
said that in this case the company will provide assistance to farms
for organizing the production of sugar beet.

The Commentator , NY
March 30 2005

Pulitzer Winning Lecturer Explores Genocides Past and Present
By Gil Landau
Published: Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Genocide is not a topic generally greeted with much enthusiasm.
However, when Samantha Power addressed the subject on March 1, the
auditorium on the Beren Campus was filled to capacity. Employing
humor to make the subject palpable, Power discussed genocides past
and present, as well as their future prevention. She asked if America
can respond to genocide in an age of terror, and answered yes, but
only if it addresses its own human rights issues first.

Samantha Power is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for her book A
Problem from Hell about the history of genocide and ways to prevent
it in the future. She is also a professor at the Kennedy School of
Government in Harvard, and Executive Director for the Carr Institute
for Human Rights Policy.

The lecture began with a synopsis of American foreign policy, or lack
thereof, regarding genocide during much of the 20th century. During
that time, genocide occurred around the world, generally without any
censure. The massacres of the Armenian Christians, Cambodia’s killing
fields, Rwanda’s tribal genocide, and Hitler’s gas chambers occurred
with nominal outcry. Power explained that “bystander syndrome” and
“political inertia” were to blame for the silence. Only in response
to Bosnia during the middle of the Clinton administration did the
public begin to place political pressure on the government.

Power lauded Jewish groups for being instrumental in bringing human
rights and genocide to the forefront of the political scene. She
reasoned that the Jewish cry of “never again” did not only apply to
the holocaust, but to any genocide in any place. However, she
explained, because Jews have been the target of genocide, they are
uniquely qualified to combat it.

Power concluded with an assessment of the post September 11 world.
She addressed the benefits of such an age, which is attuned to terror
and determined to eliminate it. However, she cautioned against using
homeland security as a tool for violation of human rights. In an
equally harsh condemnation, she attacked both Democrats and
Republicans for ignoring issues of genocide. She also chastised the
European and Canadian governments for dumping genocide issues on
America, and America for not leading the world in a campaign against
genocide. However, along with her condemnation of President Bush, she
praised him for recognizing Darfur as genocide, when others would
not. According to human rights groups, pro-government Arab militias
have forced more than one million black Africans from their homes and
killed thousands in Sudan’s western region of Darfur.

A short question and answer period was filled with questions ranging
from the usefulness of international organizations to ex-presidential
candidate Kerry’s position, and included a short rant by one audience
member on the despicable nature of the Bush administration.

At the end, Power’s rallying cry was “Darfur, Darfur, Darfur….” She
urged students to get involved and put pressure on the government to
deal with Darfur, warning that if we do not intercede today, in ten
years “Hotel Darfur” will replace the recent movie Hotel Rwanda.

The lecture was the second speech in the lecture series on human
rights planned by the Dr. Marcia Robbins-Wilf Scholar-in-Residence
Program in conjunction with the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Center for
International Affairs.