Author: Chilingarian Babken

Armavia dismisses reports of debts to Russian navigation services

TASS
October 1, 2004 Friday

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

A spokesman for Armenia’s national air carrier, Armavia, has dismissed
reports the company is in debt to Russian air navigation services.

“Rumors in Russian mass media the country’s air space may be closed to
the company’s planes due to debts are groundless,” Armavia public
relations manager Garik Siroyan has said.

He said the airlines had no debts for air navigation services to
Russia’s air traffic planning and control center.

The Armavia official described as “deplorable mistake” the mention of
the company’s name in the list of debtor air carriers. He confirmed
that Russia’s air space remained open to Armavia liners.

Russia’s air traffic and control center on Thursday formally notified
the aviation authorities of the other CIS countries navigation
services will stop to be provided as of October 1 to those air
carriers that have outstanding debts for flights in Russian air space.

Armenia’s Gyumri Airlines and Aero-Van airlines featured on the list
of debtors.

According to the Russian Transport Ministry a number of Georgian,
Kazakh and Ukrainian airlines have debts to Russian air navigators.

Alcatel to supply equipment worth 2 mln euro to ArmenTel

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
September 29, 2004

MOSCOW, Sept 29 (Prime-Tass) — France’s telecom equipment supplier
Alcatel SA is to provide equipment worth 2 million euros to Armenia’s
national fixed-line and mobile operator ArmenTel by August 2005,
Alcatel said in a press release Tuesday.

The equipment includes high-capacity switching units that are to be
installed in the cities of Stepanavan and Gyumri. This will improve the
telecommunications infrastructure in northern areas of the country,
which has a population of about 235,000 and has not yet completely
recovered from the damage incurred from an earthquake in Armenia in
December 1988.

ArmenTel shareholders are Greece’s Hellenic Telecommunications
Organizations SA (OTE) with 90% and Armenia’s government with 10%.
OTE has invested more than U.S. USD 200 million in upgrading and
development of Armenia’s telecom infrastructure, Alcatel said. End

ARMENIAN DEPUTY FM RECEIVES IRAQI FM’S ADVISER

ArmenPress
Sept 29 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: Armenian deputy foreign minister
Ruben Shugarian received September 28 an adviser to Iraqi foreign
minister Tarik Muhammad Yahia and the owner of Iraqi Nouruz Group
Holding Mustafa Jaf.

According to foreign minister press services, during the meeting
the sides emphasized that Armenia has always demonstrated a
balanced position on the Iraqi crises and supported peaceful and
swift regulation of the problem focusing on humanitarian actions and
projects in post-conflict period which is appreciated in Iraq.

The director of Nouruz Group Holding expressed readiness to develop
trade and economic relations with Armenia, particularly to establish an
Armenian-Iraqi joint venture and a bank as well as to import Armenian
products to Iraq. The Iraqi side also underscored organization of
direct flights between Yerevan and Baghdad.

Armenian president visits Shanghai

Xinhua, China
Sept 29 2004

SHANGHAI, Sept. 29 (Xinhuanet) — Armenia is expected to learn from
China’s largest commercial city and encourages its businessmen to
invest here as soon as possible, said Armenian President Robert
Sedrakovich Kocharyan on Wednesday.

Kocharyan arrived in Shanghai from Beijing on Tuesday to continue his
five-day state visit to China. It is the first state visit to China
by Kocharyan as president.

Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng met with Kocharyan, telling him that the
city has maintained “healthy, stable and rising momentum.”

Trade between China and Armenia has been increasing in recent years,
and the trade volume in the first eight months rose by 529 percent
compared with the same period of 2003.

During his stay in Beijing, Kocharyan and Chinese President Hu Jintao
signed a joint statement in which Armenia recognized China full market
economy status.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

September 28, 2004
___________________

ARMENIAN CHURCH SENDS REPRESENTATIVES TO HISTORIC CONFERENCE

On Saturday, September 18, 2004, about 35 young adults from the five
Oriental Orthodox sister churches gathered for a day-long conference at
the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Teaneck, NJ.

It was the first time the American branches of these churches have
organized such a gathering of young faithful. Members of the Central
Council of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) and
other young leaders represented the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) at the conference.

“Our histories are so closely tied, we are truly brothers and sisters in
Christ,” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese, said of
the gathering. “Anything that brings us closer to our fellow Christians
is a wonderful thing, which we should encourage in the future.”

The program included a keynote address by Dr. Roberta Ervine, associate
professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, who
spoke on the history of the Oriental Orthodox churches.

“That was the best presentation on church history and the differences
among Christians that I have heard,” said participant Karen
Khatchadourian, a member of the ACYOA Central Council.

Fr. John Meno, dean of St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Cathedral, lead the
group in a Bible study titled “The Passion of the Christ.”

One of the most important parts of the day’s activities was a session
during which the young representatives shared and discussed their common
concerns, such as the relationship between faith and culture, how the
youth of the church are organized, and how assimilated into American
culture their communities have become. The day ended with a vespers
service.

But the day’s events were about more than listening to lecturing about
and discussing theology and history.

“The goal was to give participants a better understanding of their
personal faith, more knowledge of the sister churches, and then to take
that knowledge back to their own communities,” said Nancy Basmajian,
executive secretary of the ACYOA. “As these young people got to know
each other, you could see new friendships growing, as they realized they
shared so many hopes and aspirations for their churches.”

The gathering was organized by the Standing Conference of Oriental
Orthodox Youth of America (SCOOYA), of which ACYOA is a vital part.
SCOOYA is made up of two young parishioners and a clergyman from each of
the participating churches.

Participating in the conference were: the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), the Archdiocese of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the
Archdiocese of the Ethiopian Church, the Malankara Archdiocese of the
Syrian Orthodox Church, and the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox
Church.

“It was great to interface, listen, and share openly with other young
people,” said Mora Sorial, a representative of the Coptic Church. “It
would be great to follow up with an action plan.”

The participants brainstormed ideas for future programs, retreats, and
educational programming. The SCOOYA board will meet to discuss
implementing those ideas.

The Armenian Church was represented by a variety of young people, youth
workers, and clergy: Fr. Tateos Abdalian, pastor of the Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA; Fr. Shnork Souin, pastor of the St. Mary
Church of Livingston, NJ; Dn. Ara Kadehjian, interim coordinator of the
Diocesan Mission Parish Project; Justin Ajamian, parishioner at the St.
Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ; ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian;
Daron Bolat, a seminarian at St. Nersess and former ACYOA Central
Council member; Diocesan College Ministry Facilitator Jason Demerjian;
Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor at St. Nersess Seminary; Julie
Hoplamazian, youth director at the St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ;
and Karen Khatchadourian, ACYOA Central Council member and parishioner
at the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ.

“It was such a blessing to feel drawn back through time by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit to a common experience and to feel the
sense of a historical unity that is finally emerging in this time and
generation,” Fr. Shnork Souin said.

— 9/28/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Dozens of faithful from the five Oriental Orthodox
churches gather for a unique day of discussion, prayer, and fellowship
on September 18, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Young Oriental Orthodox faithful join in a prayer
service at the St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Church in Teaneck, NJ.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Members of the SCYOOA, which organized the historic
gathering of Oriental Orthodox youth on September 18, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Dr. Roberta Ervine, from the St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary, talks with a group of young Oriental Orthodox faithful during
a historic gathering of youth from the sister churches.

# # #

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
09/28/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) The New Turkish Penal Code to Criminalize Recognition of Armenian Genocide
2) Armenian Caucus Puts Spot Light on Azeri Rhetoric
3) French Foreign Minister Adds Weight to Turkey Referendum Recall
4) No Deals Announced after Fresh Turkish-Armenian Talks
5) Novelist Paulo Coelho to Visit Armenia

1) The New Turkish Penal Code to Criminalize Recognition of Armenian Genocide

European Armenian Federation calls on European Commission to end silence

BRUSSELS–Following recent attempts to criminalize adultery in the country,
the Turkish government bowed to European Union demands last Sunday and passed
the country’s penal code, without the law on adultery; it did, however, manage
to place several articles in its provisional penal code that threaten freedom
of speech. For example, Article 306 of the new Code would punish up to 15
years
individual Turkish citizens or groups “Acting against the fundamental national
interests for directly or indirectly receiving benefits from foreign
persons or
institutions.” According to the Explanatory Note of this article, written by
the Parliamentary Committee of Justice, a citizen who demands the
withdrawal of
Turkish soldiers from Cyprus or declares that the Armenian genocide actually
took place during the First World War, can be pursued by virtue of this
article.
In its condemnation of the article, the European Armenian Federation writes,
“This provision threatens authors with jail sentences over statements that are
construed by government officials to undermine Turkish “national interests.”
Examples of so-called offensive statements listed in the provisional law
include, “The Turkish Army must withdraw from Cyprus,” and “Armenians
endured a
genocide during the Ottoman era.” Some parliamentarians introduced an
amendment, which would mandate sanctions against authors and individuals, if
determined that their statements are motivated by “material interests.”
The provision gives no legal justification for the law, the Federation
explained, which remains fundamentally incompatible with the European
values of
free expression.
The European Commission scarcely reacted when the Turkish Ministry of
Education brought genocide denial into the classroom, by institutionalizing it
in the curriculum. A coalition of European NGOs expressed its concern about
the
denialist curriculum and called for the suspension of EC grants to the Turkish
educational system. The European Parliament also expressed its concern in the
Oostlander report on the Turkish application for EU membership.
“Today, far from repenting for the Genocide, Turkey now wants to include
denial of this crime in its penal code. Clearly, the indifference of the
European Commission is partially responsible for the hardening of the Turkish
position on this issue,” said the Chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation Hilda Tchoboian. “Prime Minister Erdogan’s about-face on the
adultery issue will simply be a media ploy if Europe does not demand that
Ankara grant full freedom of speech to its citizens. We call on political
parties, governments, and human rights organizations to urge the European
Commission to call for justice for the Armenian Genocide. It is unthinkable
that the Commission would not consider Turkey’s denialist position a key
obstacle to the initiation of preliminary talks,” added Tchoboian.
“Whether they are in favor of a European Turkey, or whether they are against
its accession, the Union’s democrats cannot tolerate these attacks on the
freedom of press and thought that have free reign in Turkey. It is time for
the
European Union to call on Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide,”
concluded
Federation’s chairperson.

2) Armenian Caucus Puts Spot Light on Azeri Rhetoric

— Co-Chairmen Urge 141 Members of Caucus to Voice their Concerns in a letter
to President Bush

WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)–Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) this week called on their colleagues in the Armenian Caucus to ask
President Bush to publicly condemn Azerbaijan’s war rhetoric and other
increasingly bellicose remarks against the Republic of Armenia and Mountainous
Karabagh.
In a “Dear Colleague” letter circulated this week, the Caucus Co-chairs
documented a series of violent threats on the part of senior Azerbaijan
leaders. Citing the dangers of remaining silent in the face of such angry
rhetoric, they urged their House colleagues to “join us in signing the
attached
letter to the President urging him and the Administration to condemn these
remarks and call upon the government of Azerbaijan to desist in making any
further threats against Armenia and Karabagh.” The letter to President Bush
stresses that, “efforts to reinforce stability and reduce the risk of conflict
are in the best interests of the United States and the region.”

3) French Foreign Minister Adds Weight to Turkey Referendum Recall

PARIS (EUobserver.com)–French foreign minister Michel Barnier has added his
weight to calls for a referendum on Turkey’s entry into the EU.
Speaking on September 27, Barnier said, “When it comes to such an important
decision, in my personal opinion, it should be put… to a referendum when the
time comes.”
This follows similar calls from French finance minister Nicolas Sarkozy–seen
as a challenger to Jacques Chirac for the presidency–who told LCI television
on Sunday that Turkey will not join the European Union for at least 15 years
and could only do so once France had held a referendum on the issue.
Barnier recalled a precedent, saying, “we did it for the UK,” regarding a
referendum on the entry of the UK, Ireland, and Denmark in 1972, where France
voted to allow these three countries to join the bloc by a two-thirds
majority.
But polls show that similar support is not forthcoming for Turkey’s
admission.
A survey in Le Figaro showed that just over 36% French people are in favor of
Turkey joining the EU but over 56% are against.
Despite this, 63% say they would be prepared to accept Turkey as a member if
it makes the necessary efforts.

UP TO YOU

The Commission has declared that the organization of a referendum on Ankara’s
EU membership is a matter for member states.
Commission spokesman Reijo Kemppinen said, “If a member state wants to
organize a referendum, on whatever subject, this is up to its own discretion.
We have no comment on it.”
The Brussels executive will release its report–widely expected to be
positive–on October 6. Member States will then decide definitively in
December
whether to open negotiations.

4) No Deals Announced after Fresh Turkish-Armenian Talks

YEREVAN (RFE-RL)–The foreign ministers of Armenia and Turkey announced no
further progress towards the normalization of relations between the two
neighboring states following fresh talks in New York late on Monday.
A brief statement by the Armenian Foreign Ministry said Vartan Oskanian and
his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, “explored bilateral issues as well as
regional concerns” during the meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing
session of the UN General Assembly. There was no word on whether any
agreements
were reached by them.
Oskanian’s spokesman, Hamlet Gasparian, said that the two men again discussed
a possible reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border which Ankara has kept
closed since 1993 out of solidarity with Azerbaijan. “The issue of opening
borders is always discussed at meetings with Gul,” he said.
Gasparian did not give any details of that discussion, referring all
inquiries
to Oskanian. He also confirmed that the unresolved Mountainous Karabagh
conflict was on the agenda of the talks.
It was the fourth meeting between the two foreign ministers since June 2003.
Oskanian declared after the previous talks held in Istanbul in June that
Turkey
is “sincere” in its desire to normalize ties with Armenia.
The Karabagh conflict has until now been the key obstacle to improved
Turkish-Armenian relations, with successive Turkish governments refusing to
reopen the border before its resolution. One of Oskanian’s deputies, Ruben
Shugarian, said earlier this month that Karabagh is no longer the main Turkish
precondition for the lifting of Armenia’s blockade.
While in New York, Oskanian also met with US Undersecretary of State Mark
Grossman and Steven Mann, Washington’s top Karabagh negotiator. The meetings
followed the launch of what appears to be a new Karabagh peace initiative by
the US, Russian, and French mediators.

5) Novelist Paulo Coelho to Visit Armenia

YEREVAN–At the invitation of the Hamazkayin cultural organization,
influential
novelist Paulo Coelho will visit Armenia on October 4. Coelho will be
accompanied by Brazilian journalist Ruth De Aquino and Aztag Daily Newspaper
editor Khatchig Mouradian.
During his visit, the world-renowned novelist will lecture at the Yerevan
State University, meet with Armenian writers and artists, and participate in
the October 6 Hamazkayin-organized ceremony, which will mark the
publication of
the first Armenian-language translation of “The Alchemist.”
In an October 2003 interview with Coelho, Aztag’s Mouradian asked the author
if he loses “faith in mankind when you come face to face with the facts of
such
atrocities [as the Jewish Holocaust and Armenian genocide]?” to which he
responded: “Three days before receiving this interview, I was talking to my
driver in Paris, who happens to be Armenian, that I wish to go and visit his
country. I am fully aware of the genocide, of the Armenian diaspora, and I
want
to know–and to share–the situation of Armenia now. He is sending me what he
considers to be the best books on Armenia, and as soon as I finish, I will
probably go with him to his town. As for the faith on humankind, I am part of
it, and if I lose faith in myself, I am not worth living. Therefore,
instead of
blaming an abstraction, I should accept my responsibility, and fight to change
what can be changed.”

All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.

ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

Mid-Atlantic Regional Adult Seminar
Focuses on Current Ethical and Moral Issues

NEW YORK, NY – The bucolic St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, was the setting for a gathering of over 20 people who
attended the first of three regional seminars for adults sponsored
by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the Eastern
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.

The seminar, entitled “Critical Issues of Life and Faith: An Armenian
Orthodox Perspective,” attracted participants from New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, on the weekend of June 24-26,
2004, and included lectures, Bible studies, mini-group and panel
discussions, and worship services. The eminent Armenian Orthodox
ethicist and theologian, Professor Vigen Guroian, was the main speaker.

The weekend program began with a Bible study on Friday evening
presented by Deacon Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of
AREC. Setting the tone for the program, Dn. Shant expounded on
St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, Chapter 6, where the Apostle
underscores the reality that moral and ethical living is predicated
on one’s baptism into Jesus the Christ. Through a close study of the
text, Dn. Shant showed that while baptism in Christ confers new life,
which is a gift, it also imposes a great demand to live and behave
in a manner that corresponds to the Gospel, namely, to live under
the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Saturday’s program centered on current moral and ethical issues ranging
from abortion, reproductive technologies, homosexuality, suicide,
euthanasia, to gay marriage. The keynote speaker was Dr. Vigen Guroian,
Professor of Theology and Ethics at Loyola College in Baltimore,
Maryland.

Before delving into these topics, Dr. Guroian provided the necessary
background to Christian Ethics. He began by reflecting on a number of
scriptural passages, including Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 5:1-12, 2 Peter
1:1-11. Referring to the passage in Romans, Dr. Guroian said, based
on what God has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ, “Christian
ethics is born into the world. We don’t invent it. We don’t create
it. It is given to us, and then it becomes our responsibility, and
it becomes our calling to be in a certain way in the world. And that
certain way is incarnate, it is enfleshed in one man-representative
man-who was without sin, who was holy, who was perfect, just as he
called us to be perfect, ‘Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.’ ”

He went on to discuss the Beatitudes as “the constitution of the
Kingdom,” the graces of God communicated to us through the sacraments,
the role and the place of ascetical effort, the link between ethical
living and deification. “We have to be conformed to Christ, we have
to be embossed by Him. Our minds must be remade and our whole nature
must be transformed, and this begins with baptism,” he said.

After receiving a bit of training and background, the group was divided
into five teams of four or five people charged with researching the
Bible passages and discussing modern issues relevant to the topics
of abortion, suicide, reproductive technologies, gay marriage and
cremation. The purpose of this exercise was to enable each group
to research the topic assigned, present its findings and identify
modern issues and discuss these with the larger group. The discussions
brought to light the scriptural teachings of each topic and how the
teachings of the Bible transcend time and guide us even through modern
technological advances.

These topics were further revisited in a lively panel discussion in
the afternoon, which broadened and enriched the perspectives. The
panelists were V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chifjian, Communications Officer
of the Catholicate of Cilicia, Dr. Carlo Bayrakdarian, and Dr. Meline
Karakashian.

The participants were pleased that the Prelacy sponsored this event,
and encouraged the leadership to present the church’s views on these
important topics to a wider audience. The general sentiment was that
more of these seminars should be held, with similar size groups to
promote free discussion, understanding and fellowship.

In order to critique the two-day seminar, evaluation forms were
provided to all of the participants. The evaluations could be signed
or be submitted anonymously. Some of the comments were:

“I really enjoyed the Adult Christian Education program. The lectures
were very insightful, thought provoking and even controversial. It
resembled a Datev post-graduate class with more mature discussions
and experienced perspectives on the critical issues of Armenian
faith. Dr. Guroian is an exceptional lecturer and I learned a lot
from him.”

“The weekend was fulfilling, nourishing, and enlightening. I would
return next year and encourage others to do the same.”

“I learned how to use the Bible, how to use its teachings in my daily
life. And I learned more about our Armenian Church teachings.”

Almost all of the participants suggested that similar seminars should
be organized more than once a year. One participant realized he or she
needed “to start getting serious about reading the Bible.” Some felt
the seminars should be longer and at least one participant suggested
that the topics should focus on issues that the Armenian Church needs
to face as a matter of survival.

Everyone felt that it was a blessing to have a prominent theologian
like Dr. Guroian lead the seminar. Dr. Guroian is the first Armenian
theologian ever elected to the American Theological Society and the
Orthodox Theological Society of America. He has served on the Board of
Directors of the Society of Christian Ethics, has been active in both
the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches,
and is a member of numerous editorial boards. His published works
include nearly 150 articles, and six books with three more scheduled
for publication later this year.

The Prelacy bookstore has most of Professor Guroian’s published books
for sale. For information go to the web page, ,
or telephone the bookstore manager at 212-689-7810.

# # #

AZERBAIJAN ANGRY THAT ZORY BALAYAN WAS NOT ARRESTED BY TURKISH AUTHORITIES

ArmenPress
Sept 28 2004

BAKU, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: A Baku-based Ekho daily regretted
that Zory Balayan, a prominent Armenian publicist, was not detained
by Turkish border guards on Turkish-Syrian border, when entering
Turkey from Syria to meet with residents of an Armenian village in
Turkey. “Taking into consideration that the well-known Armenian
“terrorist” is outside Armenia (Balayan is on board of a ship,
replicated from medieval Armenian merchant vessels, sailing to
Europe-Armenpress) Azeri authorities intend to start a sweeping
manhunt after him,” the daily writes. To remind, Azerbaijan had asked
Interpol to arrest Balayan, whom it accuses of masterminding a series
of terrorist acts in Azerbaijan, but Interpol has dropped the case.

Z. Orduj, an Azeri parliament member, was quoted by the daily
as saying that he was going to ask the government at a regular
parliament session to request that Balayan be arrested and extradited
by the authorities of those countries which the vessel crew is pass
through. “Balayan regularly comes up with threats against Turkey and
the Turkish authorities should treat him just like Abdullah Ocalan,”
the Azeri deputy stated.

PACE session (4-8 October, Strasbourg):
Urgent debate on terrorism
The situation in the Chechen Republic
Monaco accession ceremony

Strasbourg, 27.09.2004 – An urgent debate on the challenge of terrorism in
Council of Europe member states as well as a joint debate on the political,
human rights and humanitarian situation in the Chechen Republic are among
highlights of the session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE), which takes place in Strasbourg from 4 to 8 October 2004.

Other items due for debate include the functioning of democratic
institutions in Serbia and Montenegro and in Azerbaijan, the honouring of
obligations and commitments by Armenia, as well as women’s participation in
elections.

Guest speakers include Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Crown
Prince Albert of Monaco – who is due to address the parliamentarians just
before the ceremony for Monaco’s accession – and the President of the new
Pan-African Parliament Gertrude Mongella.

Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment
Programme, is due to participate in a debate on global warming. The annual
enlarged debate on the OECD and the world economy will take place in the
presence of its Deputy Secretary-General Berglind Asgeirsdottir. The
Director General of the World Trade Organization Supachai Panitchpakdi will
address parliamentarians during a debate on the Doha Development Agenda:
world trade at a crossroads.

The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister and Chairman of the Council of
Europe’s Committee of Ministers Jan Petersen, the Organisation’s Secretary
General Terry Davis, the President of its Congress of Local and Regional
Authorities Giovanni Di Stasi and the President of the “Venice Commission”
Antonio La Pergola will also address PACE. Council of Europe Commissioner
for Human Rights Alvaro Gil-Robles will take part in the debate on the
situation in the Chechen Republic.

The first ever meeting of women members of the Assembly is also due to take
place on the fringe of the session (Tuesday 5 October).

_________

Peter Schieder, President of the Parliamentary Assembly, will give a press
conference on Monday 4 October at 11 a.m. (Room 1). Other press conferences
will be announced on the spot.
./..

The following is a provisional order of business which may be altered by the
Assembly on the first day of the session.

Monday 4 October
? Statement by Gertrude Mongella, President of the Pan-African
Parliament
? Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and the Standing
Committee
? Statement by Antonio La Pergola, President of the European
Commission for Democracy through Law (“Venice Commission”)
? Communication from Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe
? The Doha Development Agenda: world trade at a crossroads and
statement by Supachai Panitchpakdi, Director General of the World Trade
Organization (WTO)

Tuesday 5 October
* Functioning of democratic institutions in Serbia and Montenegro
* Communication from the Committee of Ministers to the Parliamentary
Assembly presented by Jan Petersen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway
and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers
* Address by H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert of Monaco
* Implementation of Resolution 1358 (2004) on the functioning of democratic
institutions in Azerbaijan
* European strategy for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and
rights
* Women’s participation in elections

Wednesday 6 October
* Election of a judge to the European Court of Human Rights with respect to
Slovakia
* Statement by Giovanni Di Stasi, President of the Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
* Possible urgent debate:Challenge of terrorism in Council of Europe member
states
* Address by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey
* The OECD and the world economy and statement by Berglind Asgeirsdottir,
Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD

Thursday 7 October
* Joint debate on the political situation in the Chechen Republic: measures
to increase democratic stability in accordance with Council of Europe
standards, the human rights situation in the Chechen Republic and the
humanitarian situation of the Chechen displaced population
* Implementation of Resolutions 1361 (2004) and 1374 (2004) on the honouring
of obligations and commitments by Armenia
* Global warming: beyond Kyoto and statement by Klaus Töpfer,
ExecutiveDirector of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Friday 8 October
* New concepts to evaluate the state of democratic development
* Campaign to combat domestic violence against women in Europe
* Education for Europe
* Population trends in Europe and their sensitivity to policy measures

See the Assembly’s website, , for further details.
Additional information may also be found on the Council of Europe web
portal,

Contact:
Communication Unit of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
Tel. +33 3 88 41 31 93 Fax +33 3 90 2141 34; e-mail: [email protected]

2

Press Release
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 451a04
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
[email protected]
internet:

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 626 members from the national
parliaments of the 45 member states.
President: Peter Schieder (Austria, SOC); Secretary General of the Assembly:
Bruno Haller.
Political Groups: SOC (Socialist Group); EPP/CD (Group of the European
People’s Party); LDR (Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group);
EDG (European Democratic Group); UEL (Group of the Unified European Left).

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
24 Sept 2004

‘IL CANTO DEL PANE’ POESIE DALL’ARMENIA ;
(NOTIZIARIO LIBRI)

ROMA

(ANSA) – ROMA, 24 SET – Esce una nuova edizione de ‘Il canto
del pane’ (Ed. Guerini e Associati) di Varujan, un libro di
poesie curato, tradotto e introdotto da Antonia Arslan, ormai
significativa mediatrice tra la nostra cultura e quella armena,
cui appartiene e alla cui storia ha dedicato anche il suo
fortunato romanzo ‘La masseria delle allodole’ (Rizzoli).

Nel simbolismo poetico di Varujan si svelano le radici
profonde dell’Europa: da Venezia alle Fiandre per arrivare a una
Costantinopoli fervida e incandescente. La terra, il grano,
l’aratro, un’anima contadina per impastare, tramite versi
apparentemente leggeri, quel pane che e’ linfa vitale per la
comunita’. Sono versi in cui si svela il bizantino senso
liturgico del canto.

Un libro che ripropone il nostro, sempre vivo bisogno di
parole che svelino la possibilita’ di un legame profondo tra
culture diverse, nei contenuti e nei gesti di tutti i giorni.
(ANSA).