Author: Hakobian Adrine

Raleigh Biblical Recorder, NC
July 6 2004

To the ends of Armenia
By Tony W. Cartledge
BR Editor

AGARAK, Armenia – The journey from Yerevan to the southern Armenian
town of Agarak involves a tortuous eight-hour drive that begins and
ends with pleasant hills and valleys, but climbs over three tall
mountains in between, one of them more than 10,000 feet in elevation.
The roads are narrow, crooked and often filled with deep potholes
that reduce speeds to a crawl and feast on a steady diet of broken
shock absorbers.

Just getting to Agarak is a major challenge. Other cities with larger
populations would be much easier targets for church planting. So why
make the considerable effort of planting a church near the very end
of Armenia?

The answer is apparent to Asatur Nahapetyan, who believes Armenian
Baptists should follow the Great Commission wherever it leads. Agarak
sits on the north bank of the Araks River at the southernmost point
in Armenia: beyond the narrow river lies the country of Iran.

Armenia and Iran have an open border that allows a steady stream of
truck drivers and tourists to pass freely between the two countries.
Visitors to Iran are not allowed to share their faith in Christ
openly – but the same restrictions do not apply while Iranians are
traveling in Armenia.

Nahapetyan sees Agarak as a strategic outpost where Iranian visitors
can experience the hospitality of Armenian Christians, learn of
Christ, and perhaps take a copy of the New Testament back home with
them.

The Baptist church in Agarak sponsors a chess club where pastor
Slavik Vartanyan, a former chess champion, offers lessons and holds
tournaments as a means of acquainting others with the church.
Individual believers share New Testaments in the Farsi language with
truckers and tourists who stop to buy fuel or food.

Multiple Iranians have come to trust Christ as a result of the
outreach efforts, Nahapetyan said. He is hopeful that Iranian
believers will take their newfound faith back home, sharing their
experience with others and possibly establishing churches in their
country.

To receive his seminary training in Ashtarak, Vartanyan had to ride a
public bus for eight hours or more, twice every week during the
school years. The effort required was considerable, but he and other
Armenian Baptists are willing to do what it takes to carry the gospel
to the ends of Armenia – and beyond.

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TOP STORIES
07/06/2004
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1- ANCA Welcomes Sen. Kerry’s Choice for Democratic Vice-Presidential Nominee
2- Pilgrimage to Seremjian Memorial
3- First Convention of European Armenians to Take Place at European Parliament
4- ARF’s Nalbandian at Spanish Socialist Party Congress
5- Bolshoi Star Baritonist Pavel Lisitsian Dies at 93
6- Oskanian Discusses Karabagh on Russia Visit

1- ANCA Welcomes Sen. Kerry’s Choice for Democratic Vice-Presidential Nominee

WASHINGTON, DCThe Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today welcomed
the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry’s announcement of
Senator John Edwards (D-NC) as his Vice-Presidential running mate.
“The ANCA welcomes John Kerry’s choice of John Edwardsa friend of
Armenian-Americans in North Carolina and around the nationas his
running-mate,”
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The contrast between Senator
Edwards and sitting Vice President Dick Cheney could not be more stark. John
Edwards has consistently taken a stand for Armenian issues, while Dick
Cheneyas
Chairman of Halliburton and later as Vice Presidenthas consistently, often
stridently, opposed issues of concern to Armenian American voters.”
Sen. Edwards, currently finishing his first term in the Senate, has been a
staunch supporter of Armenian-American concerns. In 2002, he cosponsored
S.Res.307, marking the 15th anniversary of the US implementation of the
Genocide Convention. He was an original cosponsor of a similar bill currently
in Congress, S.Res.164, spearheaded by Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine
(D-NJ), which currently has 39 cosponsors.
During his run for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Edwards met
with ANCA activists in May of 2003, at a private reception held in Los Angeles
in his honor. There, ANCA-WR chairman Raffi Hamparian and board member Steven
J. Dadaian discussed issues of concern to the Armenian-American community with
Edwards. Hamparian spoke to the Senator about Turkey’s illegal blockade of
Armenia, to which Edwards responded that the “wrongful blockade” must end,
stressing that America has to stand behind Armenia and let its neighbors know
that “We [America] stand fully behind Armenia.” In a statement before
reception
attendees, Edwards explained that it is in America’s interest to recognize the
Armenian Genocide and added that “It is the just thing to do. It is about time
we [Americans] recognized it.”
Sen. Edwards’ positions on Armenian-American concerns contrasts sharply to
Republican vice-presidential nominee Dick Cheney’s record. During his years
serving in the US Congress, Cheney voted against resolutions commemorating the
Armenian Genocide both in 1985 and 1987. In 1995, he joined the Halliburton
Company, an oil and energy services corporation, and after his appointment as
chairman of the board in 1996, worked extensively with the government of
Azerbaijan in oil exploration ventures. He was a vocal advocate of efforts to
repeal restrictions on US aid to Azerbaijan despite that country’s ongoing
blockades of Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh. In a keynote speech at a
US-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC) conference on February 18, 1997,
Cheney stated: “I must also say that I believe that our current policy
prohibiting
US assistance to Azerbaijan is seriously misguided. In my experience, this
kind
of unilateral sanction, based primarily on US domestic political
considerations, is unwise. Such a policy limits US influence in any given
situation, and in this case, it reduces rather than enhances the prospects for
ultimately resolving a very complex and important set of regional issues.”
In 1997, Cheney, who was a member of the USACC “Honorary Council of
Advisors,”
was awarded its “Freedom Support” award, for his “outstanding services to this
organization [USACC] as well as contribution toward promoting peace,
democracy,
freedom and economic development in Azerbaijan and a closer cooperation
between
the United States and Azerbaijan.”

2- Pilgrimage to Seremjian Memorial

PLOVDIV–Organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) youth of
Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a pilgrimage to the monument to Bedros Seremjian, Onnig
Torosian and others heroes took place on June 29 in Plovdiv.
Seremjian headed a mixed Armenian-Macedonian group in 1901 to battle Turkish
troops in the Turko-Bulgarian border region, before they were captured and
hanged in Adrianople (Edirne). Seremjian also took part in the small
battles of
Van, Shadakh, and was one of the most active and popular members of Bulgaria’s
ARF.
Pilgrims included citizens, friends and relatives of the heroes, and
representatives of sister organizations, including the Homenetmen scouts, and
Bulgarian unions.
ARF’s Vachagan Giligian recalled Seremjian’s last words: “Yes, I am a
revolutionary, but don’t forget that, today, I represent an ideology. Do you
think that it is possible to hang an ideology at the gallows?”
The ceremony ended with the singing of “Verkerov Li,” a nationalistic song
dedicated to Seremjian.

3- First Convention of European Armenians to Take Place at European Parliament

BRUSSELS–The first Convention of European Armenians will be held October
18-19
at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Organized by the European
Armenian Federation, the pan-European meeting will serve as a forum to share
ideas and concerns on important topics for Armenian communities across Europe.
European citizens of Armenian descent now number more than two million. Most
immigrated in large waves as a result of the genocide perpetrated by Ottoman
Turkey, the outbreak of war in the middle-east during the 1970s, and the fall
of the Soviet Union. Though well-integrated in the economic, social, and
cultural life of their new countries, they have kept their identity and their
interest in Armenian issues.
The convention will allow participants to discuss a number of issues to
recent
geopolitical events and socio-economic developments. More specifically, the
convention will focus on Armenian culture and identity in Europe, EU-US
relations, and the enlargement of the EU.
“All European-Armenian associations, groups, and organizations are invited,
regardless of their political or and religious affiliations,” stated Hilda
Tchoboian, chairwoman of the European Armenian Federation. “Through the first
European Convention, we are not seeking to establish a superstructure that
would replace the various organizations that deal with European-Armenian
issue.
Rather, we want to create a framework for free expression that will allow
various positions and opinions to emerge.”
For more information about the conference visit

4- ARF’s Nalbandian at Spanish Socialist Party Congress

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau member and
ARF’s representative in the Socialist International (SI) Mario Nalbandian, was
among 120 guests at the 36th congress of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party
(PSOE) that convened in Spain on July 2-4.
Nalbandian had the opportunity to meet with PSOE leadership and
representatives of other Socialist parties on the sidelines of the congress.
The ARF recently became a full-fledged member of the SI and has boosted
relations with the PSOE in recent years.
The Congress of the 125-year-old party re-elected Prime Minister Jose
Rodriguez Zapatero for a new four-year term as secretary general. Zapatero,
the
only candidate running for the position, garnered 96 percent of the 972 votes
at the party congress.
Zapatero, 43, became Spain’s prime minister after his victory in the March 14
general elections.
Addressing the Congress, Zapatero encouraged party members to sustain unity.
He was first elected as the PSOE secretary general in April 2000.

5- Bolshoi Star Baritonist Pavel Lisitsian Dies at 93

After a lengthy illness baritonist Pavel Lisitsian, who once lead the Bolshoi
Opera for over twenty-five years, died at the age of 93 at his summer home in
Russia.
Lisitsian was born into an Armenian working-class family and seemed destined
to work in a factory. His vocal talents became so evident, however, that he
began to take singing lessons, and eventually entered the Leningrad
conservatory in 1932, while still working as an electric welder.
Graduating from the conservatory, Pavel, like many other budding singers,
signed with Leningrad’s experimentalist Maly Opera Theater. After a brief
stint
there, he moved on to join an opera company in the Armenian capital Yerevan
and, in 1940, he was admitted to the venerable Bolshoi Opera.
“He was full of kindness and optimism, and had the ability to see the bright
aspects of life. . . Nature endowed him with a velvet baritone tinged with
subtle overtones conveying joy, tears, pain and happiness…” says
Daughter Karina Lisitsian.
Less than a year later, German troops crossed the Soviet border, and
Lisitsian
immediately volunteered to join a team of musicians performing at the
frontlines and in military hospitals in Moscow.
“We gave 72 concerts in just 26 days performing three to four times a day,
sometimes right under enemy fire,” he later recalled.
He played a total of about 500 concerts during the war.
“I sang many Russian, Armenian and Georgian folk songs,” he had said. “There
were people of many nationalities fighting at the frontlines and they really
enjoyed them.”
After the war there was no stopping Lisitsian’s fast growing fame. He sang at
every single premiere the Bolshoi, including one of his all-time bests–the
part of Germon in Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata.
“Dad wasn’t one of those typical vocalists who used to take a two-days rest
before a performance–speaking to no one so as not to strain their voice. I
remember how on the eve of the premiere of Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Sadko,’ dad
spent
the whole afternoon in his vegetable garden, digging the earth, and planting.
He then ladled a pot of icy water out of a well, drank it, and went off to the
premiere,” recalls his daughter.
In 1966 Lisitsian quit the Bolshoi to make way for the young new talents
eager
to take center stage.
Lisitsian became one of the first Soviet soloist to perform at the La Scala,
Metropolitan-Opera and New York’s Carnegie Hall. For nearly a quarter of a
century he conducted master-classes in Germany and he also ran a vocal studio
at the Moscow Philharmonic Society. Lisitsian’s pedagogical career was,
perhaps, more versatile than even his concert activity.
He consulted young singers absolutely free of charge, only to gain energy and
vitality from the lessons.
“I want my students to be more than just good singers,” he said. “I want them
to be educated, intelligent, and capable of fulfilling their ideas on stage.
Opera singing is too complicated a profession to be taken lightly.”
Many of his student became laureates of international competitions.
Lisitsian spent his long life filled with love for art and Dagmara
Dolukhanova, his wife of over six decades. Three of his four children became
singers and his family joined him to form the “Lisitsian Quartet.”
A superb interpreter of Armenian (folk) songs, he became one of the most
popular singers of the Soviet Union and was recognized by the government as
the
“People’s Artist of the USSR.”

6- Oskanian Discusses Karabagh on Russia Visit

MOSCOW (RFE/RL)–The Mountainous Karabagh conflict and economic issues were
key
during Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s talks with senior Russian
officials in Moscow on Tuesday.
Oskanian met with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and high-level
lawmakers during his visit to the Russian capital.
“We discussed the Karabagh problem and can talk about some positive movements
there,” Lavrov told a joint news conference with his Armenian counterpart. He
cited the recent series of meetings between the Armenian and Azeri foreign
ministers as well as the “more active” work of the Russian, French and US
co-chairs of the OSCE’s Minsk Group.
Both Lavrov and Oskanian would not go into details of their discussions on
Karabagh. The latter said only that he is “very satisfied” with the results of
the talks. “This shows that the agenda of our dialogue is quite extensive and
deep.”
A separate statement by the Armenian Foreign Ministry said Oskanian briefed
Lavrov on his trilateral meeting in Istanbul last week with the Azeri and
Turkish foreign ministers.
The statement said Russian-Armenian commercial ties was another major
topic of
the Moscow talks, with both sides agreeing on the need for “restoring
transportation means” between the two allied states. “The Russian side
promised
to keep the issue at the center of its attention,” it said.
Oskanian was also cited as calling for a “prompt revival” of the five
state-run Armenian enterprises that were handed over to Russia last year as
part of a swap agreement to settle Yerevan’s $100 million debt to Moscow.
This was Oskanian’s first official visit to the country since becoming
Armenia’s foreign minister in 1998.
Lavrov, who was the Kremlin’s longtime representative to the United Nations
before becoming foreign minister recently, used the opportunity to reveal his
ethnic Armenian roots to journalists. “I have Armenian blood,” he announced.
“My father is an Armenian from Tbilisi.”

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Azeri Soldier Captured In Karabakh

Associated Press
July 2, 2004

Armenia forces in Nagorno-Karabakh detained an Azerbaijani soldier who
allegedly crossed into Armenian-held land, authorities said Thursday.

The Azerbaijani soldier, identified as Aidyn Huseinov of the Azerbaijani
capital, Baku, was detained along the eastern section of
Nagorno-Karabakh border on Wednesday, officials in Nagorno-Karabakh
said. Nagorno-Karabakh officials said they notified the International
Committee of the Red Cross and the Organization of Security and
Cooperation in Europe about the detention, and that the Red Cross was
welcome to visit the captured soldier.

Meanwhile, in Azerbaijan, the Foreign Ministry said it was concerned
about the U.S. Congress’ move to grant US$5 million in aid to
Nagorno-Karabakh. The money “could be directed at the encouragement of
illegal activity, extremism and aggressive separatism on the territory
of Azerbaijan,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part B (Russia)
July 2, 2004, Friday

CIS SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL

SOURCE: Vremya Novostei, July 2, 2004, p. 5

by Arkady Dubnov

Seven CIS presidents attending a NATO summit is something truly
unprecedented. This was truly the first time that such an impressive
delegation of leaders from the post-Soviet zone attended a summit of
NATO. But the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Turkmenistan, and
Uzbekistan were absent.

As for Vladimir Putin, much has been said already about his motives for
turning down the invitation to Istanbul. Given the situation, his
presence at the summit would have signified the Kremlin’s silent
approval of NATO eastward expansion.

German political scientist Alexander Rahr commented: “In alphabetical
order, the president of Russia would have found himself sitting at the
summit between the representatives of Romania and Slovakia… As far as
Moscow is concerned, equality in the Russia-NATO Council with novices
of the Alliance is difficult to swallow. Half a century ago, Russia
made decisions for all these countries, and even now it considers
itself a world power.”

There is no need to explain why president of Belarus was absent. As for
president of Armenia, he could not go to Istanbul, the capital of the
country that sides up Baku in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. With
regard to NATO as such, however, Armenia doesn’t sense any
idiosyncrasy. And the Turkmenbashi is the Turkmenbashi. No one in
Istanbul was particularly sorry about his absence.

It is much more interesting to try and gauge the motives of Uzbekistan,
the only GUUAM country whose president was absent from the NATO summit.
Invented as a counterweight to the pro-Moscow CIS Collective Security
Treaty Organization, GUUAM was established by presidents of Georgia,
Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova in 1997. Tashkent joined GUAM (and
transformed it into GUUAM) in 1999, when Islam Karimov attended
celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Alliance in Washington. All
Karimov’s colleagues in the bloc dutifully flew to Istanbul but he
opted to stay home. It should be regarded as official Tashkent’s
gesture of loyalty to Moscow – quite in line with the policy of
strategic partnership with Russia Uzbekistan is demonstrating these
days. The authorities of Uzbekistan certainly made their point because
even presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan (Moscow’s
strategic allies and members of the Organization of the CIS Collective
Security Treaty) attended the NATO summit.

Some observers do not rule out the possibility that there is another
ulterior motive at play here. Tashkent may regard itself as a key
center of another geopolitical axis – the one with Moscow and Beijing.
Unlike the aid that was promised by the West but never materialized,
China’s promises of economic assistance look like something that may
really be counted on. Moreover, Beijing doesn’t demand economic and
political reforms in return for the aid. Karimov said on two occasions
in the last twelve months (both times in Putin’s presence) that the
period of euphoria in connection with economic cooperation with the
West was over.

But let’s get back to the CIS leaders who attended the NATO summit. Has
the Alliance lived up to their expectations? Apart from Leonid Kuchma
of Ukraine, they would probably say yes. Kuchma was given to understand
once again that Ukraine’s eagerness to join the European Union would be
met halfway only if the upcoming presidential election in Ukraine is
recognized as democratic. Baku and Tbilisi in their turn were reassured
that they would be permitted to approach NATO’s threshold even closer.
Mikhail Saakashvili said that Georgia might become a NATO member in
four years. Well, the trend is undeniable. The decision was made in
Istanbul to appoint NATO special envoys to the Caucasus and Central
Asia. Needless to say, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov could
only announce that “we should view this decision as a reality.” What
else was there to say?

Observers were amused yesterday to hear of the statement made by Andrei
Kokoshin, chairman of the Duma’s CIS affairs committee. Kokoshin warned
CIS countries aspiring to NATO membership that they would “certainly
lose part of their sovereignty” and advised them to stick to Russia
instead, as a “guarantor of this sovereignty.”

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/30/2004
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1. EU’s Talvitie Strives for Mutual Trust in Resolving Karabagh Conflict
2. Karabagh Foreign Ministry Brushes off Azeri Assertions
3. Turkey ‘Sincere’ in Seeking Rapprochement with Armenia, According to FM
4. Saddam Handed over to Iraqis
5. Navasartian Ball

1. EU’s Talvitie Strives for Mutual Trust in Resolving Karabagh Conflict

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress/ArmInfo)–Speaking from the capital of Mountainous
Karabagh Republic on Wednesday, European Union (EU) special representative for
the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie said that in order to reach a peaceful
settlement, the sides to the Karabagh conflict must establish an atmosphere of
mutual trust.
“I have no illusions regarding a speedy regulation of the conflict, but the
peace talks continue within the framework of OSCE Minsk group, and there is a
hope that some possibilities for regulation will appear,” Talvitie told a
press
conference, summing-up the results of his two-day visit to MKR.
He said that the EU is pushing for a peaceful regulation and is ready to
support a political arrangement, considering the outcome will affect the
stability of the region.
European structures, he stressed, have taken a new interest in the South
Caucasus, and want to extend equal opportunities for their [each country’s]
development.
Asked whether the EU plans to implement economic development programs in MKR,
Talvitie said interest lies in developing the entire region, and the
implementation of programs is directly dependent on the progress in regulating
the conflict.
Talvitie noted MKR’s progress in various sectors, saying “[progress] meets
the
interests of the European Union and conflicting sides, because it speaks about
stability in the region.”
In an earlier meeting with Talvitie, Karabagh president Arkady Ghoukassian
stressed that MKR has proposed to Azerbaijan, on more than one occasion, the
need to implement joint measures, but that Baku has rejected the offers.
Ghoukassian said that the democratization of Karabagh’s public and political
sectors is irreversible in nature. “Mountainous Karabagh aspires to become an
integral part of the European family.”
Talvitie also met with speaker of MKR parliament Oleg Yessayan, prime
minister
Anushavan Danielian, foreign minister Ashot Ghulian, defense minister Seiran
Ohanian, National Security council secretary Karen Baburian and refugees
residing in Shushi and Lachin. Talvitie and his delegation were to also meet
with MKR Security Council secretary Karen Baburian

2. Karabagh Foreign Ministry Brushes off Azeri Assertions

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)–A statement released on Wednesday by Karabagh’s
Foreign Affairs Ministry, stressed that the upcoming August 8 elections is
another step in building a civil society in Mountainous Karabagh Republic
(MKR). “We proceed from the fact that only legally elected representatives of
authority are empowered with necessary power and bear responsibility for the
fate of people of Mountainous Karabagh,” read the statement.
Azerbaijan has undertaken international efforts to stop the elections saying
they run counter to international law as well as Azerbaijan’s legislation.
“Mountainous Karabagh has been living independently for 16 years and has
nothing to do with Azerbaijan’s laws; citing them, therefore, is absolutely
groundless,” the statement says, describing Azerbaijan’s assertions as “cut
off
from current realities.”
The statement scoffs at another assertion by the Azeri foreign ministry that
the elections are invalid because the Azeri population of Mountainous Karabagh
cannot participate. “If we follow this kind of logic then all national
elections in Azerbaijan are invalid, as almost half a million of ethnic
Armenians had to flee it as a result of ethnic cleansing,” the statement says.

3. Turkey ‘Sincere’ in Seeking Rapprochement with Armenia, According to FM

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian was upbeat on Wednesday,
after his talks with Turkish leaders in Istanbul this week, saying that he
found a “sincere desire” to improve the historically strained relations with
Armenia. But he indicated that the long-awaited opening of the
Turkish-Armenian
border is still not up for discussion.
Oskanian met with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and had an impromptu
10-minute encounter with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines
of a NATO summit which finished its work on Tuesday. He described his brief
conversation with Erdogan as “quite interesting.”
“It confirmed my impression…that the Turkish government really has a sincere
desire to achieve progress in relations with Armenia,” Oskanian told a news
conference in Yerevan.
Erdogan’s Islamist-leaning cabinet, Oskanian continued, is more willing to
soften Turkish policy on Armenia than its more pro-Western predecessors were.
“There is really a difference. This government does have a desire [to
normalize
ties], it’s just that conditions are not yet ripe,” he said, referring to the
possibility of Turkey lifting its economic embargo imposed on Armenia in
1993.
Ankara signaled throughout last year its intention to stop linking bilateral
ties to the resolution of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict and reopen the
border only to reaffirm its traditional policy under Azerbaijani pressure
earlier this year. President Robert Kocharian decided to steer clear of the
NATO summit in Istanbul, indicating his administration’s frustration with
Turkish intransigence.
The Erdogan government now appears anxious to find a solution acceptable to
both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Political observers view Monday’s separate
trilateral meeting between Oskanian, Gul, and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Elmar Mamedyarov as part of that effort.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Erdogan welcomed such talks. “We
hope that this process will continue and pick up speed and that we will
reach a
solution here as well based on the concept of win-win,” he said.
“We saw the sides had a positive approach,” the Turkish premier added. “Hope,
however, is not sufficient. What is sufficient is to get results. At the
moment
we are in the phase of wishes. We see that they are determined to achieve
results. We are saying that one should continue on this path.”
Oskanian confirmed that both Karabagh and the border issue were high on the
agenda of the trilateral meeting. But he made it clear Turkey can not become a
full-fledged mediator in the Karabagh peace talks because of its staunchly
pro-Azerbaijani line. “Turkey understands very well that it can not act as a
mediator because its policy is one-sided and tilted towards Azerbaijan,” he
said.
In a related development, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev launched
renewed
verbal attacks against the Armenian side, in his address to the NATO summit on
Tuesday. “Azerbaijan will not compromise on its territorial integrity and
sovereignty,” he said, describing the Armenian-populated territory as a
“constant threat to security and stability in the South Caucasus.”

4. Saddam Handed over to Iraqis

BAGHDAD (Reuters)–Saddam Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge as Iraq’s
newly sovereign government took the first step towards bringing him to
justice–and a possible death penalty–for 35 years of killing and torture.
“Today at 10:15 a.m. the Republic of Iraq assumed legal custody of Saddam
Hussein,” said a terse statement from interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s
office on Wednesday.
The deposed dictator and 11 of his lieutenants were turned over to face Iraqi
justice nearly 15 months after US-led forces overthrew him. They will stay
under US military guard.
“Saddam said ‘Good morning’ and asked if he could ask some questions,” said
Salem Chalabi, the US-trained lawyer leading the work of a tribunal set up to
try the former president.
“He was told he should wait until tomorrow,” Chalabi told Reuters after
attending the formalities in which Saddam and 11 of his former lieutenants
were
turned over to Iraqi justice.
Chalabi, who has received death threats since he began work on the tribunal,
said the 67-year-old Saddam looked in good health and had sat in a chair
during
the closed proceedings.
Saddam’s former aides appeared nervous or hostile and one of them, Ali Hassan
al-Majid, known as Chemical Ali for his role in using chemical weapons, was
shaking.
Saddam, accused by Iraqis of ordering the killing and torture of thousands of
people during 35 years of Baathist rule, had been held as a prisoner of war
since US forces found him hiding in a hole near his hometown of Tikrit on
December 13.
He will now be subject to Iraqi criminal law, rather than a POW protected by
the Geneva Conventions. His trial is likely to be several months away. Iraq’s
national security adviser said it would be broadcast live on television.
Iraq’s president was quoted as saying the death penalty, suspended during the
US-led occupation, would be reinstated and the national security adviser said
it could apply to Saddam.
The fallen leader will be charged with crimes against humanity for a 1988 gas
massacre of Kurds, the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war,
according to Chalabi.
“Tomorrow’s proceedings will mark the start of his trial,” said an
official in
Allawi’s office.
French lawyer Emmanuel Ludot, one of a 20-strong team appointed by Saddam’s
wife to represent him, said the former president would refuse to acknowledge
any court or any judge.
“It will be a court of vengeance, a settling of scores,” Ludot told France
Info radio, saying any judge sitting in the court would be under pressure to
find Saddam guilty.
Among others to be handed over were Former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz
and three of Saddam’s half-brothers.
Those former officials and others among the 55 most wanted Iraqis on a US
list
are seen as witnesses who could help prove a chain of command linking
Saddam to
crimes against humanity.
Government offices were shut on Wednesday for a new national holiday declared
to mark Monday’s transfer of sovereignty to the interim government from
US-British occupation authorities.

5. Navasartian Ball

The 29th Navasartian Ball took place on June 26 at the elegant Biltmore Hotel
in Los Angeles, where over 600 gathered to celebrate and congratulate Honorary
Presidents of the 29th games Charles and Julie Ghailian. Master of Ceremonies
Shant Haytaian invited guests to stand in a moment of silence for longtime
Homenetmen member Haig Hovsepian who recently passed away.
Honored guests included, US Congressman Frank Pallone, US Federal Judge
Dickran Tevrizian, ARF Western Region Central Committee representative Hovig
Saliba, Homenetmen Central Executive Council members Karnig Megerdichian,
Meher
Tavitian and Manuel Marselian, representative of Armenian Consul General
Haroutiun Kojayan, Los Angeles City Commissioner Peklar Pilavjian, 2004
“Exemplary Homenetmen Members” Kapriel and Asdghig Panosian, and Navasartian
Games past presidents Andy and Aleen Andonian, George and Alice Adamian,
Albert
Shahinian, Ashkhen Pilavjian, Jirair and Serpoog Sarkissian and Sarkis and
Suzan Kitsinian.
In a symbolic act, 2003 Honorary Presidents Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian
transferred the responsibilities and duties of the Navasartian Presidency to
Charles and Julie Ghailian.
Homenetmen Central Executive chairman Karnig Megerdichian, after addressing
the ball, presented the organization’s medal of merit to Jirair Sarkissian and
Koko Balian.

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Armenia Fund Raises more than $79,000 during a reception in LA
-Five projects adopted in different regions of Armenia and Artsakh-

FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
June 28, 2004
CONTACT: Sarkis Kotanjian
Phone: 818 243-6222
Fax: 818 243-7222
E-mail: [email protected]

Glendale, CA – Armenia Fund, Inc. (AFI) is proud to announce that
$79,000 was raised during an event that took place in Los Angeles on
June 17, 2004. The event announced the launching of a new Armenia
Fund initiative called “Adopt a Project in Armenia” The event was also
organized to honor about 120 generous supporters and friends of
Armenia Fund at the residence of the Fund’s Chairperson, Maria
Mehranian. In her opening remarks, Mehranian welcomed the guests and
thanked them for their unrelenting support of Armenia Fund’s projects
in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. “These are projects that are going
to make a difference in the lives of residents of Armenia and Karabagh
for many years to come. In her address to the guests she added “You
come together every time to give whatever you got, and to do whatever
it takes. I thank you for your continuous support of Armenia and
Artsakh.” The Executive Director of All-Armenian “Hayastan” Fund,
Naira Melkoumian was present at the reception and briefed the donors
on the results of the meeting of the Board of Trustees that took place
in Yerevan in May of this year, reported on the progress of the
construction of the North-South Highway in Nagorno Karabakh and
presented the upcoming programs of the Fund. “Armenia is not only our
homeland but also our common heritage that we have received from our
forefathers. It belongs to all of us – the people who live in Armenia
and the people who live in the Diaspora. It is our common duty to
make it strong and prosperous. Hayastan Fund is the organization that
unites our resources to fulfill that duty,” she added.

The executive office of Armenia Fund then unveiled the new
“Adopt-A-Project” campaign in visual presentation showcasing nine
chosen projects in different regions of Armenia and Artsakh that are
available for sponsorship. Four out of nine projects were adopted on
the spot – water distribution systems in Artsakh’s Nor Gharachinar and
Armenia’s Medovka villages, as well as schools reconstruction projects
in Armenia’s Hagvu, Gandzakar and Karbi villages with a total cost of
$79,000. Also two projects with a total cost of $331,000 are in the
process of being adopted.

Armenia Fund, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt non-profit corporation
and is the U.S. West Coast affiliate of Hayastan All-Armenia Fund –
the largest Yerevan-based benevolent organization in Armenia. With is
affiliates in sixteen countries around the world, Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund has raised more than $100 million resulting in the
construction of 210 residential buildings, 138 miles of roads, 81
miles of waterways, 36 schools, 14 health care centers and three
electric transmission networks.

###

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

June 25, 2004

ACNIS Releases Opinion Polls on Karabagh:
Society Weighs In on Peace, Security, Status

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
today issued the results of both a public survey and a specialized
questionnaire on “Regulating the Karabagh Conflict,” which it conducted
between May 27 and June 18 in Yerevan and all of Armenia’s regions. The
announcement and accompanying analysis were made during a roundtable
discussion at ACNIS headquarters which assessed the present phase of the
Mountainous Karabagh peace process, compared and contrasted expert and
public perceptions of the issue, and summarized its possible outcomes.

ACNIS founder Raffi Hovannisian greeted the invited guests and public
participants with opening remarks. “These twin surveys, in which 50 policy
analysts and 1,950 citizens from across Armenia respectively took part,
provide a solid basis for recording, interpreting, and evaluating public
attitudes in the light of more specialized opinions. It is our hope that the
relevant republic-wide institutions will draw appropriate conclusions for
the charting of Armenian national policy,” Hovannisian said.

ACNIS legal and political affairs analyst Stepan Safarian presented “The
Aims, Methodology, and Results of the Survey,” focusing in detail on the
findings of the expert and public opinion polls. Accordingly, 60% of the
surveyed experts assert that the Karabagh question is the priority issue for
Armenia today, 32% are of the opposite opinion, while 8% find it difficult
to answer. In the public opinion poll, these indices read 64.9%, 22.1%, and
13%, respectively.

Since the raising of the Karabagh question (1988-2004), 82% of respondent
experts consider the greatest achievement to be independence and
sovereignty, 8% guarantees of physical security, 4% confidence in our own
abilities, and 4% enhancement of territory. As for the public survey, 49.7%
think that the most important accomplishment is independence, 6% guarantees
of physical security, 10% confidence in one’s own abilities, and 12.8%
enhancement of territory. 54% of responding specialists see the status of
Mountainous Karabagh as a part of Armenia, 32% as an independent and
sovereign republic, while 10% find it acceptable for Karabagh to be an
autonomous part of Azerbaijan. Among the broader public, these figures are
59.7%, 38.6%, and 1.1%, respectively.

What destiny awaits the liberated territories? In response to this question,
6% of experts suppose they will completely be united with Mountainous
Karabagh, 20% expect their union with Armenia alongside Karabagh, 40%
believe it fair to yield the liberated territories, except Lachin and
Kelbajar, to Azerbaijan as the result of compromise, 20% are for ceding the
liberated territories to Azerbaijan, save Lachin, under the same conditions,
and 8% think that they will completely be attached to Azerbaijan. The public
also is concerned about the future of the liberated territories. 30.3% of
responding citizens are for their union with Karabagh, 45.5% opine that they
should be united with Armenia alongside Karabagh, 11.2% are for dividing
these territories among the parties to the conflict, leaving Lachin and
Kelbajar to Armenia, and 1% conclude that they should be attached to
Azerbaijan.

In this connection, 50% of the polled experts think that the Armenian
parties might make territorial compromises only in the case of Azerbaijani
recognition of Karabagh’s independence or its union with Armenia, 4% in case
of Azerbaijan’s opening of roads leading to Armenia and Mountainous
Karabagh, and 20% upon signing a peace accord with Azerbaijan and ruling out
war with it, while 26% find that liberated lands cannot be subject to mutual
concessions and bargaining, even if that means the resumption of military
operations. The public opinion poll looks like this: 40.7% would agree to
compromises only in case of Azerbaijani recognition of Karabagh’s
independence, 6.4% in case of Azerbaijan’s opening of roads leading to
Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh, and 14.1% upon signing a peace accord with
Azerbaijan, while 32.4% will concede nothing even if that means the
resumption of war.

The majority of experts, 86%, are against the return of Azerbaijanis to
their places of former residence in Karabagh and the liberated territories,
and only 14% are for it. As for the circumstances under which they would
agree to such a return, if necessity dictates, 42% think it is possible only
after final regulation of the Karabagh issue, 18% simultaneous with
resolution if this can help promote the process, 26% are opposed in all
cases, while 8% believe it should turn on an equivalent step taken by
Azerbaijan and Turkey. The figures received from among the rank-and-file
citizens differ a bit here. 21.3% of polled citizens would agree to the
refugees’ return only after the final resolution of the Karabagh question,
14.7% think it should be conditional on an equivalent step taken by
Azerbaijan and Turkey, while 41.9% are unequivocally opposed.

40% of the experts are completely dissatisfied with the Karabagh negotiation
process, 32% are more dissatisfied than satisfied, 14% are more satisfied,
4% are completely satisfied, while 10% find it difficult to answer for lack
of information. In contrast with the private analysts, the members of the
public are in a more optimistic mood. Only 13.5% are completely dissatisfied
with the negotiation process, 37.9% are relatively dissatisfied, 22.6% are
relatively satisfied, and 3 % are completely satisfied, whereas 23% find it
difficult to answer for lack of information. To the extent the negotiation
process is deemed unsatisfactory, 18% hold accountable the former
administration, 42% the current administration, 8% mediating organizations,
8% the international community, 10% Armenian society, and 8% all Armenians.
In considerable measure, expert opinions and citizen attitudes do not
coincide on this question as well. 29.5% of the latter blame the former
administration, 34.6% the current administration, 1.7% Armenian society, and
3.6% all Armenians.

70% of the questioned specialists are dissatisfied with the activities of
the OSCE Minsk Group, whereas 54% of citizens are not even familiar with
them. 60% of experts believe that the position of none of the co-chair
countries in the OSCE Minsk Group corresponds with those of Armenia and
Karabagh, 18% think the United States position to be more in line with the
Armenian ones, 10% appreciate Russia’s position, and 10% mark France. As for
the public poll, the corresponding findings are 36% (none), 2.8% (USA),
28.8% (Russia), and 25.7% (France).

The overwhelming majority of experts, 90%, are convinced that the Karabagh
problem can be solved peacefully and without resort to renewed war, and only
8% think that the solution can be achieved by force of arms. In this regard
the citizens again are the more optimistic: 86% of them believe in a
peaceable resolution of the conflict, while 14% conclude that military might
is the only way. It is noteworthy that 67.7% of the public respondents are
ready to participate to their utmost in the defense of Mountainous Karabagh
in the event of a fresh outbreak of hostilities.

What do the figures reveal? Davit Petrosian, political analyst for Noyan
Tapan news agency, offered a critical intervention entitled “An Alternative
Comment on the Poll Results.” Petrosian maintained that one of the most
valuable accomplishments reflected by the surveys is that both responding
experts and citizens hold Armenia’s independence in high esteem, and this is
an encouraging affirmation. There also are, however, painful results. “We
may deduce from many of the answers that the public does not trust the
Karabagh problem to the current administration, and to be more exact only
2.5% trust it,” he said.

The formal presentations were followed by contributions by Supreme Council
Deputy Club chairman Ruben Torosian; Avetik Ishkhanian of the Armenian
Helsinki Committee; Yerevan State Linguistic University professor Hrach
Tatevian; Armen Aghayan of the “Protection of Liberated Territories” public
initiative; Artsrun Pepanian, political analyst for AR television; ACNIS
analyst Hovsep Khurshudian; Ruzan Khachatrian of the People’s Party of
Armenia; National Press Club chairperson Narine Mkrtchian; National State
Party chairman Samvel Shahinian; Tamara Vardanian of the Noravank
foundation; Karabagh analyst Alvard Barkhudarian; Slavonic University
professor Rosalia Gabrielian; and several others. Most speakers underscored
the importance of the information and supporting analyses uncovered by the
surveys in terms of facilitating a comprehensive and objective understanding
of the Karabagh challenge.

All 50 professionals who took part in the focus poll are from Yerevan. 90%
of them are male, and 10% female; 8% are 30 years of age or below, 40%
31-40, 42% 41-50, and 10% 50 or above. All of the experts surveyed have
received higher education: 20% are candidates of science (PhD), 76% hold a
Master’s degree, while 4% have earned solely a Bachelor’s degree. As for the
1,950 citizens polled, 50% of them are male and 50% female; 30.5% are 30
years of age or below, 45.2% 31-50, 20.6% 51-70, 3.7% 71 or above. 45.7% of
the responding citizens have received higher education, whereas 11.2%
incomplete higher, 17.3% specialized secondary, 21.6% secondary, and 2.4%
incomplete secondary training. Urban residents constitute 60.7% of the
citizens surveyed, and rural residents make up 39.3%. 34.3% are from
Yerevan, and 65.7% from all of Armenia’s regions.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2004, the Center focuses
primarily on public outreach, civic education, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.

For further information on the Center or the full graphics of the poll
results, call (3741) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (3741) 52-48-46; e-mail
[email protected] or [email protected]; or visit

CENN – June 23, 2004 Daily Digest
Table of Contents:

Evaluation of CENN – Caucasus Environmental NGO Network Activities
World Group Management Response to the Extractive Industries Review
Vacancy Announcements

1. EVALUATION OF CENN – CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENTAL NGO NETWORK
ACTIVITIES

CENN – Caucasus Environmental NGO Network is conducting evaluation of its
activities and would like to ask you to participate in the study by
answering this checklist as accurately as possible. The information will
help us assess the CENN activities and improve our work in the future. We
ask you to answer the checklist and return it via e-mail till June 28, 2004.

We appreciate your cooperation! Thank you!

The Russian and English Version of the checklists are available on the
following address:

2. World Group Management Response to the Extractive Industries
Review

Dear Colleagues,

Please find a copy of the World Group Management Response to the Extractive
Industries Review. At the direction of CODE (Board Committee on Development
Effectiveness), it was released on June 18, 2004 for a public comment period
of 30 days.

Inga Paichadze
External Affairs
World Bank Office Tbilisi
Tel.: + 995 32 91 30 96 / 91 26 89
Fax: + 995 32 91 34 78
E-mail: [email protected]

The document is available on the following address:
ponse.pdf

3. Vacancy ANNOUNCEMENTs

A. Terms of Reference for Expert in Gender Issues

The Kura-Aras river system is an internationally significant river system,
which is seriously degraded and continues to be threatened. Water scarcity
is an issue at many points in the river system. Water quality and quantity
constraints may increasingly lead to disputes amongst water users over the
coming years. Integrated, multi-country, trans-boundary responses are
necessary to address the threats to the river system, and their underlying
causes. Women participation in water resource management and decision making
is relatively low in region, therefore gender-balanced participation in
managing water resources must be considered and action plan suggested.

Immediate objectives to be achieved

– Analysis of existing databases and information on gender issues
related to water resources management of the Kura-Aras River Basin;
– Identification and analysis of gender issues related to water
resources management of the Kura-Aras River Basin on the basis of
sociological data obtained through sociological study;
– Development of recommendations/action plan for addressing
identified gender issues;
– Mainstreaming the gender into the Programme activities.

Duties and responsibilities

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the UNDP will hire the
Expert in Gender Isuues to perform following:

– Identify role of Men and Women in water resources management in
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan;
– Identify Women’s and men’s relative access to existing resources;
– Analyze constraints to women’s participation within the sector;
– Conduct and coordinate sociological study in Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan; These studies include focus group discussions in two sample
rural locations in each country and interviews with stakeholders;
– Provide methodological support to the study teams in Armenia and
Azerbaijan;
– Ensure the coordination of the studies in all three countries;
– Ensure implementation of planned activities on the site;
– Develop recommendations for addressing identified gender issues;
– Draft a technical report on gender issues;

Qualifications and skills required

– A higher education in relevant field;
– Good knowledge of gender issues in Georgia;
– Familiar with gender issues in water resources management;
– Working experience with gender issues;
– Good computer, communications and administrative skills;
– Fluent in Georgian and Russian, knowledge of English language is a
preference;
– Good organizational and communication skills;

Duration of Assignment

Duration up to three (3) months.

Qualified candidates interested to undertake works under the Terms of
Reference should submit their Curriculum Vitae by ordinary mail, by fax or
electronically no later than Monday, June 28, 2004, 5 p.m. to:

Ms. Nino Malashkhia, Technical Assistant
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 995 32 292742
Fax: 995 32 292742

And

Ms. Mariam Shotadze, UNDP Georgia, Programme Analyst
[email protected]

B. Terms of Reference for Legal Expert

The Kura-Aras river system is an internationally significant river system,
which is seriously degraded and continues to be threatened. Water scarcity
is an issue at many points in the river system. Water quality and quantity
constraints may increasingly lead to disputes amongst water users over the
coming years. Integrated, multi-country, trans-boundary responses are
necessary to address the threats to the river system, and their underlying
causes.

Immediate objectives to be achieved
– To analyze existing water legislation and its effectiveness, with
special focus whether or not the legal conditions for Integrated River Basin
Planning and Management are created;
– To identify major gaps, loopholes, inconsistencies and overlaps;
– To identify inconsistencies in water legislations of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia;
– To find common grounds with EU water directives;
– To identify and prioritize legislative needs;

Duties and responsibilities

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the UNDP will hire the
Legal Expert to perform following:
– Analyze water related legislation and regulations of Georgia;
– Assess the effectiveness of existing legislation, regulations and
their enforcement status;
– Compare national water legislations with EU directives concerning
the Integrated River Basin management and Transboundary Issues;
– Compare national water legislations of Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia with an emphasis on Integrated River Basin Management;
– Identify and prioritize legislative needs;
– Draft a technical report on legislation analysis;

Qualifications and skills required

A degree in law or water resource management;
Good knowledge of water related legislation of Georgia, general
understanding of existing water related legislation of Armenia and
Azerbaijan and EU water directives;
Working experience with legislation issues;
Good computer, communications and administrative skills;
Fluent in Georgian and Russian, knowledge of English language is a
preference
Duration of Assignment

Duration up to three (3) months.

Qualified candidates interested to undertake works under the Terms of
Reference should submit their Curriculum Vitae by ordinary mail, by fax or
electronically no later than Monday, June 28, 2004, 5 p.m. to:

Ms. Nino Malashkhia, Technical Assistant of UNDP/Sida Project, Reducing
Transboundary Degradation of the Kura-Aras River Basin
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 995 32 292742
Fax: 995 32 292742

And

Ms. Mariam Shotadze, UNDP Georgia, Programme Analyst
[email protected]

C. Terms of Reference for Policy and Institutional Expert

The Kura-Aras river system is an internationally significant river system,
which is seriously degraded and continues to be threatened. Water scarcity
is an issue at many points in the river system. Water quality and quantity
constraints may increasingly lead to disputes amongst water users over the
coming years. Integrated, multi-country, trans-boundary responses are
necessary to address the threats to the river system, and their underlying
causes.

Immediate objectives to be achieved
– To analyze existing water policy frameworks and whether or not
Integrated River Basin Planning and Management principles has been applied
in policy documents;
– To analyze if the general socio-economic and long term development
strategies regard the water polices/strategies;
– To analyze the effectiveness of existing water polices, with
special focus on implementation mechanisms and available resources for
implementation;
– To identify and prioritize policy needs;

Duties and responsibilities

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the UNDP will hire the
Policy Expert to perform following:
– Review existing water related polices;
– Assess integration of water polices/strategies into general
socio-economic and long-term development policies;
– Assess the effectiveness of existing policies;
– Identify and prioritize policy needs for Integrated River Basin
Management;
– Identify institutional strengths and weaknesses;
– Identify of institutional needs;
– Draft a technical report on policy and institutional analysis;

Qualifications and skills required

A degree in law or water resource management;
Good knowledge of water related polices of Georgia, general understanding of
existing water related legislation of Armenia and Azerbaijan and EU water
directives;
Good knowledge of present institutional setting in the field of water
resources management;
Working experience with policy and institutional issues;
Good computer, communications and administrative skills;
Fluent in Georgian and Russian, knowledge of English language is a
preference;

Duration of Assignment

Duration up to three (3) months.

Qualified candidates interested to undertake works under the Terms of
Reference should submit their Curriculum Vitae by ordinary mail, by fax or
electronically no later than Monday, June 28, 2004, 5 p.m. to:

Ms. Nino Malashkhia, Technical Assistant
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 995 32 292742
Fax: 995 32 292742

And

Ms. Mariam Shotadze, UNDP Georgia, Programme Analyst
[email protected]

CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

New laws to cut refugee stream

PAP News Wire
June 17, 2004 Thursday

Warsaw, June 17 — New refugee laws are expected to cut down the number
of asylum-seekers in Poland. Since May 1 [Poland’s EU accession –
PAP] rejected asylum applicants in Poland will not be able to apply
for refugee status in another country.

Asylum seekers in other EU countries whose applications were rejected
in Poland will be sent back to Poland as the original application
country.

Most asylum seekers in Poland are Chechens (82 pct), followed by
Afghans, Hindus, Pakistanis and Armenians.

Glendale News Press
LATimes.com
June 17 2004

Congratulations from near and far for grads

Hoover High’s class of 2004 graduates during ceremony on school’s
football field, drawing well-wishes from around the world.

By Gary Moskowitz, News-Press

NORTHWEST GLENDALE — The night before her graduation from Hoover High
School, Chanel Leyva got a long distance call from her boyfriend, who
is stationed with the Marines in Iraq.

Her boyfriend, Joe Martinez, called at 4:30 a.m. in Iraq to
congratulate her and apologize for not being there Wednesday at
Hoover’s 2004 graduation ceremony.

Leyva was among 551 seniors to wear a purple or white cap and gown
and graduate from Hoover this year, officials said.

“My boyfriend is one of the main people I wanted to be here, but he
called from Iraq to say he misses me and that he’s proud of me,”
Leyva said. “Graduating from high school is exciting. There were
struggles here and there, but you have to put yourself into it to get
it done.”

At the ceremony, school officials announced that Glenn Kim was this
year’s valedictorian. Alina Hunanyan, Karineh Parsanian and Anna
Schnitger were the school’s salutatorians.

During her graduation speech, Annis Khani encouraged students to
remember what they learned from their time at Hoover.

“Remain true to who you are,” Annis said. “Don’t measure your worth
by what you have, but by what you have given to others.”

Charisse Brown-Aintablian watched eagerly from the sideline of the
school’s football field to see her son, Samuel Aintablian, receive
his high school diploma.

“This is a very, very proud moment for us,” Brown-Aintablian said.
“My son is from an interracial marriage, Armenian and black, and
that’s a big thing to handle. And I think with so many kids not
graduating at all, all of these kids here graduating are setting a
good example for all the younger kids in the audience. It’s a big
accomplishment to get through high school.”

Jee Kim will head East this fall to attend New York University. He
plans to study aerospace engineering.

“It feels like we are all adults today,” said Kim, 18. “After high
school, it’s like the real world, and nobody’s there to watch over
you anymore. I’ll miss my friends the most.”