Author: Kajoyan Gevork

WORKSHOP ON ARMENIAN SYNTAX
Pithiviers (F) Monastery of Saint Gregoire.
May 22 – 25, 2005
WORKSHOP ON ARMENIAN SYNTAX
A. Donabedian, A. Ouzounian (both INALCO; Paris) and J. Dum-Tragut
(University Salzburg) organise a workshop on Armenian Syntax under the
auspices of the AIEA and in co-operation with the Centre Georges Dumezil
d’Etudes Comparatives Irano-caucasiennes (CNRS-INALCO).
The workshop will take place in the town of Pithiviers, 80km far from Paris,
in the Monastery of Saint Gregoire de Pithiviers, also called Saint Gregoire
l’armenien.
The main aim of this first workshop on Armenian Syntax is to present the
status quo of syntactic research in Armenian variants, to discuss specific
syntactic features and to show some perspectives for further research in the
field of Armenian syntax. The focus of interest, however, should be a lively
scientific discussion on various topics of Armenian Syntax, based on the
working papers (45-60 minutes) presented by participants.
Each day of the workshop has a special topic with sub-topics, which also
comprise topics such as Word-order, diachronic studies, spoken syntax and
the interaction of word order and prosody, dialectal syntax and a special
topic on comparative Syntax of the linguistic area “Eurasia” – Caucasus.
The workshop languages are English, French and Armenian.
On Sunday evening, May 22nd 2005, the participants will go together from
Paris to Pithiviers and will return to Paris on Wednesday evening. One
afternoon in Pithiviers will be free for a special social program.
Lodging and food will be provided at the monastery or in neighbouring hotels
for reasonable prices.
A reservation form including all details will be sent in September 2004.
For registration and further information on the workshop, please contact:
Doz. Dr. Jasmine Dum-Tragut,
Institut fur den Christlichen Osten, Abteilung Armenologie;
A-5020 Salzburg, Monchsberg 2a.
Fax: +43/62/842 52 11-143 or
E-mail: [email protected]

For reservation and information on lodging, please contact:
Dr. Agnes Ouzounian
INALCO
2, rue de Lille;
F-75343 Paris Cedex 07
Fax: +33 149 26 42 99, or
E-mail: [email protected]

Novinite, Bulgaria
Aug 26 2004

WHO’S WHO: Armen Nazarian

Armenia-born Armen Nazaryan continued his medal-sweeping career in
greco-roman wrestling winning the Bronze in Athens. Photo by
Internet.

Armen Nazarian was born March 9, 1974 in Armenia’s city of Masis.

He began to wrestle in 1983, but achieved his first game in 1996
while competing for Armenia in the 52kg class. Four years later he
claimed a second at 58kg for Bulgaria.

At 60kg this time, he is the second Greco-Roman wrestler to claim
Gold medals in three weight classes.

Nazarian’s 1996 title gave his birth country its only Olympic gold
medal. Atlanta was the first Games that Armenia, a former Soviet
republic, competed independently. But after those Games, Nazarian
left for Sofia, Bulgaria. He was one of many Armenian wrestlers who
sought greener pastures because of the lack of funds in their
homeland.

Armen Nazarian initially wanted to compete for France, but the French
said they didn’t have the money to take him. He chose Bulgaria partly
because his girlfriend lived there, but mainly because of an offer
from the Slavia Litex wrestling club, where six of the eight members
of the 1999 Worlds team trained.

His achievements include:

— junior:

world champion in 1993;
European champion in 1994;

— men’s:

two-time Olympic champion – Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000;

one bronze medal from Olympic Games – Athens 2004;

two-time world champion – Moscow 2002, and Creteil (France)
2003;

two silver medals from world championships – Stockholm 1993, and
Prague 1995;

three bronze medals from world championships – Wroclaw (Poland) 1997,
Gavle (Sweden) 1998, and Athens 1999;

six-time European champion – Athens 1994, Besancon (France)
1995, Minsk 1998, Sofia 1999, Seinajoki (Finland) 2002, and
Belgrade 2003;

two silver medals from European championships – Budapest 1996, and
Moscow 2000;

named World’s Best Greco-Roman Wrestler in 1998 and in 2003;

six-time champion of Armenia;

six-time champion of Bulgaria.

Messenger.com.ge, Georgia
Aug 25 2004

Chechen cards on the Georgian playing table

The current deputy prime minister in Chechnya’s pro-Russian
administration Ramzan Kadyrov this week announced that 5,000 Chechen
warriors are prepared to be deployed to the conflict zone in South
Ossetia to maintain peace.

The idea that Chechen soldiers are more needed here in Georgia is a
further demonstration of the cynicism and imperialism with which
senior Russian leaders view the independent country of Georgia while
turning a blind eye to their own problems.

The son of the assassinated leader Akhmad Kadyrov who was killed in a
bomb attack in May, Ramzan Kadyrov has excelled in creating his own
security force that both Moscow and Chechen rebels struggle to
control. Thus his threat against Georgia is more than just posturing
and all the more disturbing. On Saturday Kadyrov was reminded of the
unrest in his own land when Grozny became the scene of a massive gun
fight that left over 30 people dead, including as many as 20 police.

While hotspots like Karabakh, Abkhazia and even South Ossetia remain
so-called frozen conflicts, Chechnya remains a bleeding wound for
Russia. However, it appears like Kadyrov, who was snubbed as a
possible successor to his father, still wants to prove his loyalty to
Moscow and join with other pro-Russian groups like the Cossacks that
have entered Georgian territory. The arrival of Chechen forces would
not be the first for Georgia.

In the early 1990’s, Georgian, Russian and Abkhazian interests all
collided with Georgia holding the losing hand. It was there that
Russia played Chechen card for the first time. It equipped Chechen
warriors, trained them, organized them and sent them to fight against
Georgia. The results of the war are clear: under the weight of
Russian-backed militias, Georgia lost Abkhazia.

But the event backfired on Russia threefold. First it equipped North
Caucasus people and particularly Chechens with enormous amounts of
arms and ammunition. Though initially targeted against Georgia,
Chechens later turned their weapons on Russia. Second, it created a
myth about the undefeated victorious Chechen warriors who were able
to defeat any army. And the third, it created the precedent of a
separatist state in a former Soviet Union country.

Today Russia wants to direct its Chechen card against Georgia once
again. As Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze said, she is sure
that the Chechen people have enough common sense not to get involved
in such an adventure. However, some ultra-patriotic leaders of Russia
such as Zhirinovsky are seriously considering this intervention.

The precedent of unauthorized troops in the region has been set by
armed Cossacks and more can be expected under the current struggle
for control. According to Georgian intelligence, there are different
types of mercenaries and terrorists fighting for the separatist side.
The first group represents followers of Zhirinovsly’s Russian
chauvinism who are paid as much as USD 1,000 a month and an
additional USD 100 a day during combat. Georgian intelligence
officers describe them as mainly amateurs and non-professionals.

Another more dangerous group is made up of adventurers led by the
paramilitary leader identified in the Georgian crime journal Kronika
as Timoshenko. At the moment they are creating the most problems for
separatist regime because they are poorly organized, undisciplined
and inexperienced in fighting. In addition, they are demanding
payment from the Kokoiti administration.

As Kronika reports, trained professionals from the ranks of the
Russian army units that participated in either Chechnya or earlier in
Afghanistan are receiving USD 2,000 a month and USD 200 a day during
combat. The best-trained mercenaries and Cossacks are paid USD 5,000
a month each. These special forces units – experienced, well-prepared
and trained under Russian commando instructors – create the bulk of
the separatist armed forces.

At the moment Kokoiti hardly controls these people because he is
short of cash and therefore these paramilitaries, particularly the
Timoshenko group, are suspected of involvement in robberies,
including a massive cattle theft reported on Monday. Of course
officials of the Russian Federation do not confirm the presence of
Russian citizens in the territory of conflict zone. The fact is they
are there and they create an enormous threat to the current peace
that was only achieved with great difficulty.

Since Russia continues its solitary control of the Roki Tunnel, the
only connection between the Russian Federation and Georgia in the
Tskhinvali region, it is surely aware of paramilitary groups
infiltrating Georgian territory. Just as Russia once called Chechens
in the Pankisi Gorge terrorists, these paramilitaries in South
Ossetia are also terrorists. Under the circumstances, the addition of
Chechen groups to the conflict zone would only exacerbate tensions,
and Kadyrov’s threat thus represents another incident of
Russian-backed aggression against Georgia.

$7M TO BE ALLOCATED FROM WB CREDIT PROGRAM FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF
INSTITUTE OF FAMILY DOCTOR IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, August 24 (Noyan Tapan). $7m out of $19.5m that will be given
by the World Bank for implementation of the credit program of
modernization of health system of Armenia will be directed to
establishment of the institute of a family doctor in Armenia. Ruslana
Gevorgian, the Adviser of RA Minister of Health, informed Noyan Tapan
that within the framework of the program about 950 qualified family
doctors will be trained till 2008, as well as 20 dispensaries will be
repaired and re-equipped. According to R.Gevorgian, the process of
establishment of the institute of a family doctor in Armenia has begun
since 1996. In the previous years 81 dispensaries were repaired and
re-equipped in almost all village communities of the republic with the
credits given by the World Bank. And 2 chairs operate in the Medical
University after M.Heratsi and in the National Institute of Health for
the purpose of training family doctors. The Minister’s adviser
mentioned that at present there are about 300 family doctors in
Armenia. But, according to R.Gevorgian, their number should reach
1700. It was also mentioned that at present there are only 2
dispensaries of family doctors in Yerevan, in polyclinic N 17 and
Erebuni Medical Center.

Centre for Public Opinion and Democracy, Canada
Aug 23 2004

Armenians Fear Government Abuses, Electoral Fraud

(CPOD) Aug. 23, 2004 – Some residents of Armenia are worried about
potential government abuses and electoral fraud, according to a poll
by the Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS). 21.8 per cent of respondents believe a confrontation between
authorities and the people would be the main political danger in the
country, while 20.7 per cent mention the falsification of election
results.

According to a Human Rights Watch report, hundreds of demonstrators
were detained in April and May during a series of protests against
the government. The offices of at least three opposition political
parties were raided.

President Robert Kocharyan was re-elected to a new four-year term in
March 2003 in an election marred by fraud allegations.

Political tension provoked by the opposition, a possible attempt of
revolt and the limitation of political and civil rights are also
cited as key concerns.

Polling Data

What is the major political danger that will threaten Armenia in the
next five years?

Confrontations between authorities and the people
21.8%

Falsification of election results
20.7%

Provocation of political tension by the opposition
14.2%

Possible attempt of revolt
11.6%

Limitation of political and civil rights
9.8%

Political terrorism
6.5%

Restriction of Armenia’s sovereignty
4.0%

Armenia’s absence from regional programs
2.9%

There is no political danger
6.8%

Other
1.4%

Source: Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS)
Methodology: Interviews with 2,021 Armenian adults, conducted from
Jul. 15 to Aug. 2, 2004. No margin of error was provided.

RIA OREANDA, Russia
Economic News

Russian President Putin Looks Forward to More Active Trade and
Economic Ties with Armenia

Sochi. Late last week, President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Robert
Kocharian of Armenia discussed the two countries bilateral relations.

Vladimir Putin pins great hopes on more active trade and economic
relations in connection with the Russo-Armenian Intergovernmental
Commission, which is to begin work in the near future. Transport
Minister Igor Levitin will chair the Russian section of the
commission.

President Putin reminded that formerly Moscow and Yerevan managed to
resolve the problem of Armenias debts to Russia, when the Armenian
government allowed Russian investors to buy a number of Armenian
enterprises. In the case of double-purpose enterprises, the decision
is up to business people and in part to the government, Putin said.

Denver Post, CO
Aug 20 2004

Ridgway rallies around Armenians

By Nancy Lofholm
Denver Post Staff Writer

Post / Shaun Stanley
Members of the Sargsyan family speak about their immigration status
in their Ridgway apartment. From left, 18-year-old Hayk; 20-year-old
Gevorg, a CU student; family matriarch Susan, 52; 30-year-old Nvart
Idinyan; 62-year-old Ruben; and youngest daughter Meri, 27. Ruben and
Meri are slated to be deported by the end of September.

Ridgway – In the bureaucratic view of the Department of Homeland
Security, the six despondent Armenians crowded together on a
rose-colored couch in this small Western Slope town have no right to
be here.

They have no passports, no green cards and no valid visas. And they
have no right to stay in the United States.

But in the eyes of residents of this one-stoplight town now working
to protect the Sargsyans from deportation, they are hardworking,
principled, good-hearted assets to the community and to America.

“To me, they are better citizens than most of us citizens,” said Rob
Hunter, minister at Ridgway Community Church.

By the end of September, two members of the family – patriarch Ruben
and youngest daughter Meri – are due to be deported to Armenia, where
they say they face persecution and possibly death at the hands of the
Russian mafia. They are blamed in Armenia for a scam they say was
carried out by a former family friend.

The remaining family members may face the same fate, but they have
more time to appeal. Even if they win, however, a family bound
tightly by tragedy over the past decade will be split apart.

“It’s like life stopped,” said son Gevorg, a 20-year-old student at
the University of Colorado.

The saga that landed the Sargsyans in western Colorado and in
immigration limbo began in 1994 when Nvart Sargsyan met an American
in the Armenian capital of Yerevan. She was 19 and, by her own
admission, naive.

>From there, the details of the Sargsyan’s story are impossible to
verify, but they and others have sworn to them in immigration
proceedings as they battled U.S. efforts to deport them:

Vaughn Huckfeldt, 53, was a professor at the American University of
Armenia who also claimed to be a well-to-do minister with a nice home
in Colorado. He wore a clerical collar and a large cross. He asked
Nvart to marry him on their third date.

Huckfeldt began telling other Armenians that he could obtain visas
for them to go to the United States, the Sargsyans said. He collected
more than $1,000 each from 10 to 15 families, they said, then left
the country, taking along an 8- months-pregnant Nvart.

Back in Armenia, people who had given Huckfeldt money were hounding
Nvart’s family, accusing them of being part of a scam and demanding
they pay the money back. Eventually, some of them hired Russian
mobsters to threaten the Sargsyans, who sold nearly everything they
had to try and repay the money they say Huckfeldt took from their
neighbors.

Finally, the Sargsyans said, Huckfeldt provided them with visas to
join Nvart in the U.S. They were student visas, but the family
members were unaware that they were required to attend school here –
not work.

With the support of her family, Nvart filed for divorce, claiming
that Huckfeldt had abused her throughout the marriage. Several people
in town supported her claim, but Huckfeldt was never convicted of a
crime.

Huckfeldt responded by writing to immigration authorities, claiming
the family was in the country fraudulently on student visas.

Attempts to locate Huckfeldt through relatives, ex- wives and former
associates were unsuccessful. An ex- wife said he is living in
Latvia.

Former Ridgway Marshal Sherm Williams said he had fielded several
complaints over the years about Huckfeldt, ranging from unpaid loans
to bad-check allegations. But while Huckfeldt lost an array of
small-claims suits over the years, the former professor has not been
convicted of a crime in town.

Meanwhile, the Sargsyans have spent thousands on lawyers and court
fees – money the whole family earned doing jobs few others wanted or
could handle.

“They are some of the hardest working, finest people I have ever
known,” said Deadra Paxton, a waitress who has been acquainted with
the family since they came to Ridgway.

Friends in Ouray County didn’t know how dire the Sargsyans’ situation
was until family matriarch Susan recently broke down as she informed
Ridgway businessman Pete Whiskeman she wouldn’t be able to clean for
him anymore.

Whiskeman and friend Kelvin Kent jumped into action, and a town
joined them. In just one day, townspeople donated $1,500 to a fund
for a family that has never asked for handouts throughout their
ordeal.

“Unfortunately, I think what we have here is a prime example of
overzealous and work- burdened federal judges operating under
extremely harsh and generalized rules of homeland security,” Kent
said.

As they count down the family’s dwindling days together, the
Sargsyans say they still have a hard time believing that in America
there won’t be justice. They haven’t completely given up on that
hope.

“We are waiting for a miracle,” said Gevorg, “like we were waiting
for a miracle in Armenia.”

LIST OF POINTS OF DISPOSITION OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASES TO BE SPECIFIED

YEREVAN, August 20 (Noyan Tapan). At the August 19 sitting the RA
government approved the proposal on the conclusion of the protocol “On
the Introduction of Amendments into the Agreement “On Order of
Assignation and Use of Lands for Disposition and Functioning of
Russian Military Bases in the RA Territory between the Governments of
Armenia and Russia of September 27, 1996”. The RA government’s press
service reported about it to Noyan Tapan. The purpose of the making of
the decision is to specify the list of the points of disposition of
the Russian military bases, as well as to provide the legal basis for
returning four military villages given back to the Armenian side in
accordance with the protocol. The order of expenditures and their
compensation to the organizations servicing the Russian military
subdivisions, including the Russian frontier troops stationed in the
RA territory, as well as the service of the intergovernmental military
transportations by the railroad on the basis of the agreements
concluded between the governments of Russia and Armenia on August 19
1994 and January 26 1996 was also approved at the sitting.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 18, 2004 Wednesday

Russia, Azerbaijan start talks, including on Karabakh conflict

By Natalya Lenskaya, Irina Chumakova

MOSCOW

Russian and Azerbaijan foreign ministers Sergei Lavrov and Elmar
Mamedyarov started talks in Moscow, one of whose topics will be the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Azerbaijan minister arrived in the
Russian capital on an official visit on Tuesday.

Russia hails the continuation of the Azerbaijan-Armenian dialogue at
various levels, Tass learnt from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman
Boris Malakhov. “We believe that the participants in the conflict
should find out a mutually acceptable solution,” the Russian diplomat
emphasized. Moscow “is ready to render in this case the most active
assistance both on a bilateral basis and as a co-chairman of the OSCE
Minsk Group”, he added.

Struggle against terrorism will be also considered at the ministers’
meeting. They want to pay special attention to practical steps in
countering this threat.

Besides, Malakhov continued, the ministers will exchange opinions on
the regional and international situations as well as higher
cooperation within the Commonwealth of Independent States.

They will also discuss implementation of top-level understandings,
aimed at boosting volumes of bilateral economic cooperation,
including doubling of trade turnover. According to the spokesman,
Lavrov and Mamedyarov will discuss work on a legal status of the
Caspian and prospects for the second Caspian summit.

It is the first official visit by Mamedyarov to Russia as Azerbaijan
foreign minister. He was appointed to this post last April.

Persian Journal, Iran
Aug 19 2004

Akhundzadeh gain 2nd olympic victory

Iran’s -60 kg judoka won his second olympic clash against Armenian
player Armen Nazarian in the third round.

The Iranian who rested in the first round beat Jean Claude from
Cameroon 3-1 in his opening match earlier on the day, sending the
Cameroonian home.

He meets a player from the host country in the fourth round later on
Saturday.