Author: Frangulian Shushan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2004 Tuesday 8:28 AM Eastern Time

Putin, Levitin discuss development of transport in South Russia

By Mikhail Petrov

SOCHI

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Transport Minister Igor Levitin
discussed Tuesday the development of transport infrastructure in
southern Russia.

Levitin noted that one the main tasks of the ministry is to harmonise
motor, railway, sea and air transport to reduce expenses in passenger
and cargo traffic.

“Southern Russia accounts for about 30 percent of the volume of
traffic,” Levitin emphasised. Meanwhile, “the transport network is
developed irregularly, he said, noting that it is possible to get to
some cities only with changes. “Our main task is to unify transport
so that people could get to southern Russia from any part of the
country,” the minister emphasised.

Speaking on highways, Levitin stressed that their network is quite
developed, but is not always safe for passenger traffic, as roads are
going in the highlands. “We reconsidered the transport concept in
order to retarget funds and provide for safe travelling of people,”
he said, adding that the ministry is planning to implement plans for
the construction of tunnels quicker.

Among tasks of the ministry and development of seaports “we want to
restore sea shipments, particularly between Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia
and Russia as there is a need but no possibilities for this,” Levitin
pointed out.

The minister also informed the president that he would make a trip in
the Krasnodar territory with governor Alexander Tkachev on Wednesday
in order to inspect all facilities.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (E.)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

August 19, 2004
___________________

ARCHBISHOP BARSAMIAN ISSUES APPEAL TO HELP VICTIMS OF SUDAN GENOCIDE

Primate Urges Faithful to Help Victims of “Another Genocide”

EDITORIAL NOTE: In response to the continuing tragedy of death and
displacement in the Sudan, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, issued an appeal to
all Diocesan parishes, to send humanitarian relief to the victims of
this latest attempt at genocide. What follows is the full text of
that appeal, issued on August 11, 2004.

* * *

CONFRONTING ANOTHER GENOCIDE

To us Armenians, “genocide” is more than just a word. It is more than
an abstract calculation of how many died at such a time, in such a
place. It is more than a legal designation, used to describe a
species of mass murder.

We know that genocide is the utter destruction of a people: its great
figures and common folk; its high culture and everyday customs.
Genocide is the attempt to extinguish the future of a nation–and so,
diabolically, to render that nation’s history meaningless, and
obsolete.

Our own ancestors felt the cold hand of genocide rake across their
shoulders. And still today, we shudder from the chill of events that
took place nearly a century ago. That is the larger truth about
genocide: not only does it wipe out lives in the present; it also
sends ripples of sorrow outward, to torment future generations.

Through hard experience, we Armenians have learned to recognize
genocide

when it rears its hideous head. But we have also learned, by the
grace of God, how critical it is for the wider world to stand up, take
notice, and lend support to the victims–whenever and wherever
genocide appears.

This monster is abroad again–this time committing atrocities in the
Darfur region of the Sudan. Shocking reports tell of a marauding band
of mercenaries, called the Janjaweed, which is supported by the
Sudanese government to rid the region of its non-Arab residents.
Their weapons of genocide include systematic killing, punishment by
rape, and the burning of entire neighborhoods. An estimated 50,000
people could die in the near future from the violence and refugee
crisis. ONE MILLION PEOPLE have reportedly left their homes in the
Darfur region, and are barely surviving in neighboring Chad.

There is little need to draw the obvious parallels to the things our
ancestors endured in their own desperate hour.

Over the past months, our Diocese has been working with the National
Council of Churches (NCC) to bring the issue to the forefront of
public discussion, and we will be working with the NCC’s aid
organization, Church World Service, to provide assistance to the
victims of Sudan’s genocide.

With this directive, I strongly appeal to all our parishioners and
parish leaders to collect funds in an effort to provide humanitarian
aid to the

victims of this horrendous genocide. Please urge your parishioners to
contribute to the Diocesan “SUDAN GENOCIDE RELIEF FUND.” The most
efficient way to donate is through our Diocesan website,
, where you can click on the “Donate” link and
make a credit-card donation on our secure server.

Naturally, individuals and parishes can also send checks via mail to
the

Diocesan headquarters in New York (please write “Sudan Genocide
Relief” in the memo).

Finally, I hereby direct our parishes to hold a special collection for
this cause during badarak on Sunday, September 12. All funds
collected should be sent to the Diocesan headquarters by Friday,
September 17. Please use the occasion to discuss the genocide in
Sudan, and our moral obligation as Armenian Christians to come to the
aid of those in despair.

May God bless you and your parishioners. And may He answer the
prayers of all people who call out to Him from the depths of their
suffering.

–8/19/04

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Aug 19 2004

FOREIGN MINISTER EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH MOSCOW TALKS
[August 19, 2004, 19:51:04]

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov staying
in the Russian capital on an official visit, commented the results of
the talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, AzerTAj
Moscow-based correspondent reports.

The relations with Russian Federation, according to him, are one of
the priority directions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, and can be
marked at the moment as a strategic partnership of the two
independent states.

The Minister noted the talks were focused on the set of political and
economic issues including fight against terror, narcotics traffic and
illegal migration, as well as a number of international problems.

The parties also dwelled on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Azerbaijan’s stance on the conflict
was accepted to a large extent by the Russian side, Minister
Mammadyarov stated. He stressed that the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
should be solved on the principles of the international law including
that of territorial integrity of states. Minister Lavrov’s `Russia
stands for urgent resolution of the conflict’ shows that the position
of Azerbaijan demanding withdrawal of the Armenian forces from the
occupied territories and return of refugees to their native lands
becomes more and more acceptable for Russia.

Touching on the economic issues, the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister
advised as well that very interesting debates had been held over
several economic issues. In context of the instructions of both
Presidents and the documents signed between the two countries, the
Ministers supported increase in commodity turnover, development of
trade and economic links, and `North-South` transport corridor

On the same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mamadyarov met with the Russian State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov to
discuss prospects of the Azerbaijan-Russia relationship development
and the two countries interparliamentary links.

He also gave a talk on the `Exo Moskvy’ radio and answered a number
of questions concerning prospect of the Russia-Azerbaijan
cooperation.

Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
Aug 18 2004

Anastasian and Gleizerov emerge as joint leaders after third round

By A Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi : Grandmasters Ashot Anastasian of Armenia and Evgeny
Gleizerov of Russia emerged as joint leaders with a score of 3 points
after the third round of the Masters’ Championship at the Abu Dhabi
Chess Festival.

Bocharov (left) and Kobalia during their third round match. ©Gulf
News
Grandmaster P Harikrishna of India scored an emphatic victory over GM
Safin Shukhrat of Uzbekistan to move into joint third spot in the
$16,000 tournament being played under FIDE’s swiss rules.

With six rounds still remaining in this 56-player event, six players
– GMs Dmitry Bocharov, Mikhail Kobalia (both Russia), Artashes
Minasian (Armenia), Marat Dzhumaev (Uzbekistan), Ghaem Maghami Ehsan
(Iran) and Harikrishna are half a point adrift with 2.5 points each.

A pack of 11 players, including top seed GM Evegeny Vladimirov of
Kazakhstan and GM Tejas Bakre, share the ninth spot with 2 points
apiece.

Harikrishna is known for his technical skills in the endgame and yet
again his strong point came to fore against Shukhrat who always
thought he was within striking distance of achieving a drawn
position.

Playing the white side of a Nimzo Indian, Harikrishna opted for the
Capablanca variation and went for a long game. Shukhrat fought quite
well in the first time control and it looked as though he would
survive White’s well-conceived onslaught on both flanks.

But once Harikrishna opened the position completely, even trading of
pawns at regular intervals failed to deliver the goods for the Uzbek.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 18 2004

Azeri, Armenian Foreign Ministers May Not Meet In Paris

Baku Today 18/08/2004 17:04

It is still to be ascertained whether the next meeting between
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his Armenian
counterpart Vardan Oskanian scheduled to be held in Paris in August
will take place, Mammadyarov has told journalists before leaving for
Moscow on an official visit.

The minister said that issues related to the forthcoming meeting
remain unsettled. Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers were
scheduled to meet this August after the last visit of the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs to the region in July.

However, no steps in this respect have been taken since then,
Mammadyarov underlined.

SFGate.com

War and peace in a small Anatolian town

Reviewed by Charles Solomon

Sunday, August 15, 2004

Birds Without Wings

By Louis De Bernières

KNOPF; 553 PAGES; $29.95
“Birds Without Wings” is Louis De Bernières’ first novel since “Corelli’s
Mandolin” (1994), which won the Granta Prize, sold 2.5 million copies
worldwide and became a big-budget Hollywood film with Penelope Cruz and
Nicolas Cage. Even the author acknowledges that his new novel may not
duplicate the success of the previous one. “Birds” is a long, interesting
and sometimes challenging book. An account of the changes the first third of
the 20th century brings to a small Turkish village may not appeal to a mass
audience, particularly without an overriding romance to leaven the tale.

At the dawn of the 20th century, Eskibahçe is a town of no distinction in
western Anatolia. Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Armenians live there in
relative peace under the policy of tolerance that represented the Ottoman
Empire at its best. In Eskibahçe, a Christian father veils his young
daughter at the request of the learned imam, who finds that her beauty is
distracting the local men; a Muslim housewife asks her Christian neighbor to
light a candle before the icon of the Virgin — just in case. The scandals,
triumphs, solutions and problems remain local matters that the local people
can handle, just as their parents and grandparents did.

Then what Iskander the Potter calls the “great world” intervenes,
precipitating decades of wrenching sorrow and bloodshed. The Armenian
genocide is followed by World War I, the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and
the emergence of modern Turkey. The end of the war produces the forced
expulsion and resettlement of half a million ethnic Greek Christians to
Greece (and of 1 million ethnic Turks to Turkey), a socially and
economically disastrous policy dictated by the Lausanne Settlement.

De Bernières presents the suffering of the inhabitants of Eskibahçe in
counterpoint to the life of Kemal Ataturk, commenting that history “is
finally nothing but a sorry edifice constructed from hacked flesh in the
name of great ideas.” De Bernières writes dense, fine-grained prose that
moves with the measured grace of a 19th century novel. But he often seems to
have spent too much time with the thesaurus and to have picked up a little
too much local color. If there’s an obscure, multi-syllable adjective that
can replace a simple, familiar one, he invariably chooses the former. He
delights in including words and phrases in Turkish and Greek, but rarely
bothers to translate them. When a grotesque, eccentric beggar takes up
residence among the nearby ancient tombs, the people of Eskibahçe provide
alms in the form of food: “They arrived with their small but honourable
offerings of kadinbudu köfte, green beans in olive oil and iç pilàv, and
then departed, having greeted him with a quiet ‘Hos geldiniz.’ ”

In an interview with the Observer, De Bernières said, “I’m one of those
writers who’s always going to be trying to write ‘War and Peace’: failing,
obviously, but trying.” A more apt comparison would be Dickens. De
Bernières’ narrative doesn’t proceed with the irresistible, martial sweep of
“War and Peace”; events seem like the product of chance and myriad small
decisions made by individuals, rather than historical inevitability. There’s
a Dickensian tone to De Bernières’ accounts of the everyday experiences of
his numerous characters, including minor, eccentric ones. It’s easy to
imagine Pip encountering Daskalos Leonidas, the embittered teacher who
spends his days teaching Greek to students he disdains and his nights
writing subversive political tracts that everyone ignores.

“Birds Without Wings” also lacks the passion that marks the novels of
Tolstoy (and Dickens, for that matter). Although Iskander’s son Karatavuk
takes part in it as a sniper, De Bernières fails to convey the horrors of
Battle of Gallipoli in 1915, where 281,000 Allied troops and 250,000 Turks
perished. The intimate domestic vignettes come to life in a way that the big
set pieces don’t. When two village housewives help each other during hard
times, blithely ignoring the religious and ethnic differences that will
later tear their lives apart, the reader can almost smell the onions and
olives in their kitchens. Karatavuk describes the stench and filth of the
battlefield in endless detail, but the images don’t register with the same
force. The catalog of tortures inflicted on the civilian populace by various
armies and brigands has less impact than the list of dishes at the feast
that Rustem Bey’s new mistress prepares for him.

Ultimately, “Birds Without Wings” is an ambitious book in which the little
things are what come to life. –

Charles Solomon is a Los Angeles writer.

KARABAKH WAR GAMES DEADLY BLOW TO CONFLICT SETTLEMENT – AZERI ARMY OFFICIAL

Zerkalo, Baku
14 Aug 04

As is known, military exercises were held by the separatist regime on
the occupied territory of Nagornyy Karabakh a couple of days ago and
Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan watched the course of the
exercises. We contacted the head of the Defence Ministry’s press
service, Col Ramiz Malikov, for comments.

(Passage omitted: background details)

(Ramiz Malikov) By holding the military “exercises” on the occupied
territory, the Armenian political and military leadership demonstrated
their aggressive stance towards Azerbaijan. These exercises showed
once again the true face of the Armenian separatists.

The Armenian military leadership wanted to demonstrate the existence
and might of the “Karabakh army” to the world. However, who will
believe in their fairy tales? The entire world knows that the Armenian
occupying troops took part in these exercises.

The participation of Armenia’s senior generals clearly showed who
planned this make-believe under the guise of exercises. (Armenian
Defence Minister Serzh) Sarkisyan wanted to demonstrate his muscles to
Azerbaijan. However, it is useless. Azerbaijan is well aware of their
military force.

I think that the exercises held on the occupied territory were a
deadly blow to the peaceful settlement of the conflict. It is the
Armenian side which is fully responsible for this.

(Correspondent) “One of the principles applied to the large-scale
military exercises conducted by the Karabakh defence army was to bring
these exercises as close to military operations as possible,” the NKR
(Nagornyy Karabakh Republic) defence minister, Seyran Oganyan,
said. “I think that the future military operations, if they happen to
take place, will be different from those of 1992-94. The present
exercises were like military operations that could be expected in the
future.” What can you say about this?

(Malikov) Azerbaijan has not heard of and does not know anything about
“the Karabakh army”. It is a gang that is functioning on the occupied
territory of Azerbaijan. This gang includes thugs, drug addicts,
terrorists and separatists. Therefore, I do not want to comment on
statements issued by the ringleader of a bandit formation.

However, I can say that the Azerbaijani army is much stronger than the
Armenian. The strength of our army is based on the logistics and
economy of our state, which makes the army develop continuously.
Armenia, however, is independent only in words. The troops of another
state are guarding its borders today. In fact, Armenia’s entire
industry is in the hands of another country. Armenia is not a
sovereign state, it is a vassal of another country.

(Passage omitted: minor details)

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 10 2004

Defense Ministry Confirms Reports on Azeri Soldier’s Capture

Baku Today 10/08/2004 18:20

The Defense Ministry has confirmed the reports saying that Anar
Samadov, 21, a soldier of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, has been
taken captive by Armenians.

According to the Ministry, work is underway to release the soldier
from captivity. Samadov’s parents have appealed to the Defense
Ministry and the International Committee of the Red Cross to get the
latest information about the fate of their son.

Samadov, who was doing his military service in the «N» military unit
in Gapanli village of Terter District, was taken captive on August 2
after he lost his way and came closer to the positions of the
Armenian military units.*

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

August 9, 2004

DATEV INSTITUTE: A SCHOOL FOR ARMENIAN CHRISTIAN FORMATION

NEW YORK, NY-“There is something about the evening service that is so
moving. It offers a chance to reflect, a time to meditate. Every day, as
night sets in, I look forward to this special time to communicate with God,”
said Krista Guzelian (a 17-year-old Datev Institute participant from North
Andover, Massachusetts). In the morning around 7:15, groups of teens begin
filing from their dorms towards the chapel, a long driveway away. It is a
sight to behold! This happened every day, every evening and every morning,
for seven days.

Worship framed the communal life of the 76 students from 13 parishes
gathered for the 18th St. Gregory of Datev Institute at St. Mary of
Providence Center in bucolic Elverson, Pennsylvania from June 27 to July 4,
2004, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, under the directorship of
Vicar General Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian.

Sandwiched between morning and evening services, the day was packed with
educational events (8:30am-12: 30pm and 7pm-9pm) and recreational activities
(1:30pm-5:30pm). Through interactive presentations, lectures, discussions,
Bible studies, panel discussions the curriculum exposed the participants to
a range of the essentials of Armenian Christianity, from Bible and creeds,
sacraments and chants, feasts and saints, personal and communal prayer,
language and history, to ethics and moral living.

Nora Palandjian, a second year student from Providence, Rhode Island,
captured the spirit of Datev when she said, “Prayer, education and
fellowship-these are the reasons why I come to Datev.” Granted, not everyone
attends Datev with these objectives in mind, or in that order. But they
leave with those three objectives etched in their minds, because they have
been formed and shaped by the prayers and hymns of the Armenian Church, by
the essential elements of the Armenian Apostolic Christianity, and also by
new and renewed friendships. (Visit the Prelacy web site for more
impressions at )

The St. Gregory of Datev Institute is a four-year faith-based, youth program
(one week each year). Those who complete the 4-year program may return for
postgraduate classes. All five levels of study take place concurrently. In
addition, this year the Institute had pre-Datev classes for students ages
10-12. There were 6 pre-datev students, 18 first-year students, 14
second-year students, 11 third-year students, 11 fourth-year students
(graduates), and 16 post-graduates.

The participants enjoyed the presence of the Prelate, His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan, who took time out of his busy schedule to be with the
Datevatsies, accompanied by Hon. Judge Sarkis and Ardemis Teshoian. Judge
Teshoian delivered the evening lecture telling the students about the
importance of being Armenian in our society and what it means to be an
Armenian American. Utilizing experiences from his own life, he advised the
students to be good citizens and meet the challenges ahead. “Don’t think
that others are better than you, or that you are better than others,” he
said. He told them that participation in both Armenian and American society
is very important. He also stressed the importance of education and the
knowledge of other languages, not only Armenian and English. “In this age of
globalization,” he said, “the one who knows more will be hired and will
advance up the ladder of success. Remember that just as you get happy when
you read about a successful and famous Armenian, someday an Armenian
youngster will read about you and your success and become happy.”

The weeklong program came to a close with the celebration of the Soorp
Badarak at St. Gregory Armenian Church in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 4,
followed by luncheon, graciously provided and served by the Artemis Chapter
of the Armenian Relief Society.

THE EDUCATORS
The instructors of the Institute were: Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian,
Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Tashjian, Rev. Fr. Khoren
Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr.
Gomidas Baghsarian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, and Dn. Shant Kazanjian. In
addition, the following postgraduate “datevatsies” taught several classes:
Dn. Nishan Baljian, Dn. Dr. Arsen Mekaelian, Barbara Baljian, Nayiri
Baljian, Martha Mekaelian, Jeanette Nazarian.

This year the Institute was privileged to have three guest lecturers: Very
Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian (Media Relations Officer, Catholicosate of
Cilicia), Hon. Judge Sarkis Teshoian, and Prof. John Barnett of St.
Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, NY).

A WORD OF THANKS
Archbishop Oshagan praised the Datev program and thanked the dedicated
teachers who manage to make the entire Datev experience exhilarating,
enjoyable and educational. “I was so pleased to be able to spend a day with
the Datev students and their teachers. I found the caliber of the
participants to be exceptional. “The atmosphere was joyful and very
respectful,” the Prelate said. “I told the students that they are part of
our family and they have the love of God and our Church in their hearts.”

As Archbishop Oshagan noted, a program of this scope is made possible
through the collaborative efforts between AREC and parishes, parents,
volunteer workers, and a number of organizations and individuals. It is meet
and right to acknowledge and thank them for their support and contributions
to the work of the Institute. In the first place, the Institute wishes to
thank the instructors for their labor of love and the parents for entrusting
their children to the Institute for a week of spiritual formation. The
Institute would like to express its gratitude to the following datevatzies
for their invaluable services as supervisors and counselors: Dn. Nishan
Baljian, Dn. Dr. Arsen Mekaelian, Ms. Barbara Baljian, Ms. Nayiri Baljian,
Mr. Arek Hamalian, Mr. James Haddad, Mr. Harout Khatchadourian, Mrs. Martha
Mekaelian, Mr. Mikhail Mekaelian, Ms. Jeanette Nazarian, and to ANEC
director Gilda Kupelian for conducting the Datev Jeopardy program. Many
thanks to those parishes that subsidized a portion of the expenses by
providing scholarships.

The Institute extends its appreciation to the Pashalian Family Education
Fund for the donation of $2,750. The Institute thanks the following generous
supporters: The Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), the National Association of
Ladies’ Guild (NALG), the Artemis Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society,
Mrs. Asdghig Kazanjian, and Mr. and Mrs. Noubar Megerian. Thanks also to the
following donors: Mr. and Mrs. Hrant Jilozian, Mrs. Sirvart Kaloustian, Mr.
and Mrs. Zaven Oranjian.

A photo gallery of the 2004 Datev Institute is on the Prelacy web page,

ArmenPress
Aug 9 2004

AZERI CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE ISSUED A STATEMENT ON MUNICIPALITY
ELECTIONS IN NAGORNO KARABAKH

BAKU, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: Azeri Central Electoral Committee
(CEC) issued a statement in relation to municipality elections in
Nagorno Karabakh which says in particular, “the August 9 illegal
municipality elections in unrecognized Nagorno Karabakh which run
contrary to international legal norms, Azerbaijani constitution and
legislation will affect negatively on the process of peaceful
regulation of the conflict. Azeri CEC considers the elections which
are against Azeri sovereignty and territorial integrity as illegal
and does not recognize them. Lawful municipality elections can be
held in Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan only after the occupied
land is vacated, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan restored and the
refugees returned to their places of living based on Azerbaijani
Constitution.” the statement says.