Author: Karabekian Emil

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER RE-ELECTED MAYOR OF SMALL ARMENIAN TOWN

The Associated Press
10/10/05 14:00 EDT

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – The mayor of a small Armenian town who is
being held in custody on murder charges has been re-elected to his
post, election officials said Monday.

Armen Keshishian, the mayor of Nor-Achin – about 10 kilometers (6
miles) east of the capital, Yerevan – has been charged with the Sept.

24 killing of Ashot Mkhitarian, the head of a local electric utility.

In the Sunday election, Keshishian won 2,160 votes, compared to 1,840
votes for his opponent, Armenia’s Central Election Committee said.

According to Armenian law, Keshishian will govern his town from
behind bars pending the end of the investigation and the trial. If
he is convicted, he will lose his post and a new election will be held.

Keshishian possessed a pistol, which had been presented to him by Prime
Minister Andranik Markarian. Markarian’s spokeswoman Mary Arutunian
confirmed the investigators’ claim that Mkhitarian was killed with
that gun.

Since becoming prime minister in 2000, Markarian has presented 589
people with guns, which police officials say have been used in three
murders and a number of attempted murders.

Weapons are considered a treasured gift in the Caucasus. Although
their sale is forbidden in Armenia, the president and prime minister
are empowered to present people with weapons. Arutunian said law
enforcement bodies were now checking a number of people whom Markarian
plans to present with guns, to make sure they would not use them for
criminal purposes.

ARKA News Agency
Oct 7 2005

MOSCOW, YEREVAN MAYORS DISCUSS COOPERATION PROGRAM

YEREVAN, October 7. /ARKA/. Moscow and Yerevan Mayors, Yuri Luzhkov
and YUewrvand Zakharyan have discussed the implementation of the
cooperation program between the two capitals, as well as the
decisions of the 1st meeting of the working commission for
cooperation between the Moscow and Armenian Governments. The Yerevan
Mayor reported that the Moscow Mayor is visiting Armenia as part of
the Year of Russia in Armenia, Days of Moscow in Yerevan and Days of
Yerevan. Zakharyan said that the implementation of the cooperation
programs between the Moscow and Yerevan executive powers for
2005-2007 has been sped up, which is evidence of intensified
relations between the Russian and Armenian capitals. “The holding of
Days of Moscow in Yerevan testifies that it is a common festival of
multipronged Russian-Armenian cooperation, which is a striking
example of warm relations between the two fraternal nations,”
Zakharyan said.
The Moscow Mayor is to hold meetings with RA President Robert
Kocharyan, Prime Minister Anranik Margaryan and discuss the
development of relations between Moscow and Yerevan. P.T. -0–

Angus Reid Global Scan, Canada
Oct 9 2005

Azerbaijan – CIS observers begin operations

Election Date: November 6, 2005

CREDIT: Flag courtesy of ITA’s Flags of All Countries used with
permission.

At stake: National Assembly

Background

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Following the collapse of the Soviet
Union, lawmakers in Azerbaijan voted to restore the area’s
independence. Former Communist Party leader Ayaz Mutallibov became
president, while Haidar Aliyev – who had coordinated the operations of
the KGB in the region – took over as leader in the exclave of
Nakhichevan.

A war broke out in the early 1990s between Azerbaijan and Armenia
over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The area is controlled by ethnic
Armenians – who consider it an independent republic – but is claimed by
Azerbaijan as part of its territory. The hostilities ended with an
unofficial truce negotiated by Russia in 1994.

Aliyev took over as Azerbaijan’s president in 1993. The election was
boycotted by Abulfaz Elchibey, who had substituted Mutallibov as head
of state. A year later, three members of a special police force were
arrested after two political assassinations. Aliyev said the incident
amounted to an attempted coup, and declared a state of emergency.

In 1994, a Western consortium signed a $7.4 billion U.S. contract to
develop Azerbaijan’s offshore oil and gas reserves. A pipeline that
carries oil all the way to the Turkish port of Ceyhan began operating
in May 2005.

In 1995, Aliyev’s New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) won a majority of the
seats in the country’s first-ever multi-party legislative ballot. The
contest failed to meet international standards, according to
international organizations. The 1998 presidential election and the
2001 legislative election would also be criticized as “irregular” by
observers.

In August 2002, voters supported a series of constitutional
amendments in a referendum, as Aliyev seemed poised to seek a new
term in office. The authoritarianism of the Aliyev regime was
condemned by human rights organizations, and the Council of Europe
chided Azerbaijan for holding political prisoners. Health problems
forced the 80-year-old president to eventually withdraw from the
contest.

In August 2003, the National Assembly appointed Aliyev’s son
Ilham – who had already been registered as a presidential candidate – as
the country’s prime minister. The younger Aliyev had served as the
vice-president of Azerbaijan’s state-run oil company, and was elected
as vice-president of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly.

In October 2003, Ilham Aliyev was elected with 77.97 per cent of all
cast ballots. The election was once again criticized by international
monitors.

Click here for 2003 Azerbaijan Presidential Election Tracker

2005 National Assembly Election

The ballot to renew Azerbaijan’s legislative branch will take place
on Nov. 6. The election is regarded as a key test for the former
Soviet Republic, after fraud allegations led to power shifts in
Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.

On May 11, Ilham Aliyev issued a decree which outlines a series of
measures meant to improve the democratic process. The policies
include raising “the professionalism and competence” of election
officials and conducting exit polls. No changes were implemented in
the provision that sets the structure of the election commission,
where the authorities hold a majority over the opposition.

On Jul. 5, the campaign period officially began. Each candidate must
submit the signatures of 450 supporters in order to become
registered.

On Jul. 13, Azerbaijani media outlets signed an ethics code, which
aims to promote constructive and independent news coverage during the
campaign.

On Jul. 15, former U.S. state secretary Madeleine Albright expressed
confidence in the democratic process, saying, “The election campaigns
have already started and I believe the decree signed by president
Ilham Aliyev will play a basic role for holding a free and fair
election.”

On Jul. 26, the U.S. announced plans to finance an exit poll, in
order to help Azerbaijan conduct a free and fair ballot.

On Sept. 5, exiled former president Ayaz Mutallibov was registered as
a candidate in the parliamentary ballot. Former National Assembly
speaker Rasul Guliyev will also be a contender. Prosecutors have said
that both politicians could be arrested if they return to Azerbaijan.

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairman
Dmitrij Rupel expressed satisfaction with the process so far,
declaring, “The Azerbaijan authorities are taking steps to fulfil the
recommendations of international organizations and can resolve all
outstanding problems by November. Azerbaijan’s democratization is
ongoing.”

On Sept. 11, thousands of opposition supporters demanded a free and
fair ballot in Baku. The protesters wore orange-coloured clothing, a
reference to the successful campaign of Ukraine’s Viktor Yushchenko.

On Sept. 15, Islamic Party leader Hajiaga Nuriev was banned from
contention by the Central Election Commission (CEC). While Nuriev
sought to register as a contender for an opposition bloc, the CEC
claimed that his ties to the Islamic Party contravene regulations
that do not allow religious activists to run for public office.

On Sept. 23, the independent Prognoz centre announced that it would
hold an exit poll on the day of the legislative ballot.

In accordance with existing regulations, only parties or alliances
with at least 60 registered candidates can have free access to
state-run national television for promotion.

The governing New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has included first lady
Mehriban Aliyeva in its list of contenders, along with Aydin
Mirzazade, Ahad Abiyev, Musa Musayev and Jalal Aliyev – the current
president’s uncle. Mirzazade said the slate of candidates “includes
former parliamentarians and new names as well as those who have great
merits within the party. If the list would include only nationally
known personalities, it would prevent regional party members from
getting a chance to become better known.”

The opposition Azadliq (Freedom) alliance encompasses the Azerbaijan
Popular Front Party (AKC), the Musavat (Equality) party and the
Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP). AKC deputy chairman Fuad
Mustafayev explained the rationale for the coalition, declaring, “The
long-awaited alliance is designed for long-term purposes. We had to
move from an autonomous existence to co-existence.”

The New Policy (YeS) bloc was formed in April, with Eldar Namazov as
its leader. The group presented its policy platform s titled “From
Authoritarianism to Democracy, From Corruption to a Legal State,”
which severely criticizes Aliyev’s regime. The YeS list includes
former president Ayaz Mutallibov.

On Oct. 6, observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS) opened their mission headquarters in Baku. Azerbaijan’s first
deputy prime minister Abbas Abbasov said the CIS team “will be
monitoring the election campaign in all regions and cities.”

Political Players

President: Ilham Aliyev
Prime minister: Artur Rasi-Zade – YAP

The president is elected to a five-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Milli Meclisi (National Assembly) has 125
members, 100 members elected to five-year terms in single-seat
constituencies, and 25 members elected by proportional
representation.

Results of Last Election:

President – Oct. 25, 2003
Vote%

Ilham Aliyev
(Nakhichevan)
77.97%

Isa Gambar
(Equality Party – Musavat)
11.91%

Lala-Sovket Hajiyeva
(National Unity)
3.22%

Etibar Mamedov
(Azerbaijan National Independence Party)
2.00%

Ilyas Ismailov
(Justice Party)
0.80%

Sabir Rustamkhanli
(Civil Solidarity Party)
0.76%

Gudrat Hasanguliyev
(Popular Front)
0.44%

Hafiz Hajiyev
(New Musavat Party)
0.32%

National Assembly – Nov. 5, 2000 and Jan. 7, 2001.
Vote%
Seats

New Azerbaijan Party (YAP)
62.3%
75

Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AKC)
11.0%
6

Civil Solidarity Party (VBP)
6.4%
3

Azerbaijan Communist Party (AKP)
6.3%
2

Equality Party (Musavat)
4.9%
2

Azerbaijan National Independence Party (AMIP)
3.9%
2

Azerbaijan Liberal Party (ALP)
1.3%
—

Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP)
1.1%
—

Alliance Party for the Sake of Azerbaijan (ANAP)
1.0%
1

Social Prosperity Party (SPP)
—
1

Motherland Party (MP)
—
1

Ana Vatan (AV)
—
1

Yurddash Partiyasi (YP)
—
1

Non-partisans
—
29

Daily Star – Lebanon
Oct 8 2005

Prince Claus Awards honor two Middle Eastern artists
Lenin El-Ramly and Ibrahim Nabavi recognized for the political,
social and ideological satire

By Ramsay Short
Daily Star staff
Saturday, October 08, 2005

BEIRUT: For the second year in a row two artists from the Middle East
have been honored in the annual Prince Claus Awards for Culture and
Development. Egyptian comic dramatist Lenin El-Ramly and Iranian
satirist Ibrahim Nabavi will both receive $25,000 in recognition of
their work over the last 30 years, the Fund announced on Thursday.

The principal award of $100,000 goes to South African cartoonist
Jonathan Shapiro (more famously known as Zapiro) for his role in
stimulating social and cultural development in South Africa. Zapiro’s
satire in cartoon form is edgy, cutting and subtle, scrutinizing
eloquently the current social and political realities of South
Africa, the African continent and the global arena. This year the
Prince Claus Fund opted for the theme of “Humor and Satire” and not
without reason.

Around the globe writers, musicians, artists, comedians and
cartoonists are using humor and satire to critique and express their
views on the conditions in which they live, and many are virtually
unknown outside their own countries.

Last year famed Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish won the principal
award for his life’s work under the theme “The Positive Results of
Asylum and Migration,” and in what seems to be a continued theme for
the awards, an increasing number of Middle Eastern figures are
gaining recognition every year.

“The Fund is focusing on and looking for quality, and because in the
Arab world there is a lot of artistic/cultural quality, it is on that
criteria we decide to give an award,” the Fund’s media spokesperson
Christine Wagner said.

Both Ramly and Nabavi are deserved winners.

Ramly was born in Cairo in 1945 and is a man who, as a comic
dramatist, audaciously questions the social conventions, hypocrisies
and bigotries of both Egyptian society and the Arab world. His work
encompasses popular television dramas, experimental theater, and an
oeuvre of approximately 40 plays and 12 films. His dramatic
techniques vary from farce and parody to satire and the absurd.

Wagner indicated that Ramly was given the Prince Claus prize for his
emphasis on political satire and comedy, and for maintaining a
balance between popular entertainment and serious social, political
and ideological satire.

A satirist who believes his job is to unmask those who propagate
fallacies – be they politicians or clerics – Nabavi was born in1958
in Iran. He deploys his incisive wit to parody official speeches and
statements, and to undermine allegations and rationalizations.
Through his work in the Iranian press, Nabavi has single-handedly
reinstated a long tradition of political satire despite the risk of
imprisonment. In 2002 he was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

For the first time this year, recognition was also given to an
Armenian, the poplar 50-year-old actor, singer and comedian Michael
Poghosian, for using comedy and satire to stimulate the creation of
an open society and democracy in Armenia.

The Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development was established to
mark the 70th birthday of Prince Claus of the Netherlands on
September 6, 1996, with the purpose of “expanding insight into
cultures and promoting interaction between culture and development.”

This year is the ninth year of the awards, which are chosen by a
distinguished panel of judges and former laureates.

The other honorees are Kenyan dancer and choreographer Opiyo Okach,
Brazilian archaeology professor Nide Guidon, Indonesian contemporary
puppet master Slamet Gundono, Tanzanian cultural historian
Abdel-Sheriff, Zimbabwean stand-up comic Edgar Langeveldt,
Argentinian cartoonist Joaquin Salvador Lavado (alias Quino), and
Congolese painter ChŽri Samba.

For more info on this year’s Prince Claus Awards go to

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

October 6, 2005

ACYOA HOSTS PAN NORTH AMERICAN RETREAT AT ARARAT CENTER

Even in today’s fast-paced, iPod-Xbox-TiVo culture, the ancient
rhythms of the Armenian Church still have a place and value.
“Baptism: Finding Modern Meaning in Ancient Rites” was the theme of
the first Pan North American Youth Retreat organized by the Armenian
Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) on September 23 to 25,
2005.

“This retreat was a very enriching experience that went deep into
the rituals and meaning of baptism and how it is a true blessing,”
said Angelraven Tevan, 20, a parishioner at the St. James Church of
Watertown, MA. “Learning how to appreciate the importance of baptism
is so important.”

The weekend brought together 50 young people from the Eastern,
Western, and Canadian dioceses for lecture presentations, worship,
small group Bible study, creative self-expression, and interactive
sessions. The weekend activities ended appropriately enough with the
Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. Bedros Kadehjian.

“For me, the retreat was the epitome of all that encompasses both
the spiritual and social aspects of the ACYO,” said Gregory
Kalayjian, 31, a participant from the Canadian Diocese. “The only
negative comment I have is that this spiritual journey had to come to
an end.”

The ACYOA Central Council hosted the weekend at the Eastern
Diocese’s Ararat Center in upstate New York after leaders met last
year at the request of the three North American primates —
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, and Bishop
Bagrat Galstanyan.

The three Diocesan leaders wanted young people to get together in
order to discuss common concerns and challenges related to youth
involvement in the church. Each primate made a financial pledge to
make this unique retreat affordable to the participants.

“While we may have some geographical differences, hearing the same
viewpoints and priorities directly from our brothers and sisters from
the West Coast and Canada only further motivated us, as the Central
Council, to continue in our common mission,” said Maria Derderian,
ACYOA Central Council Chair. “It was an exciting gathering and could
have only taken place with the support — both moral and financial —
of our respective primates. We are very grateful for their
leadership.”

Next year’s retreat will be hosted by the ACYO of the Western
Diocese at their campgrounds in California. A joint Habitat for
Humanity trip to Armenia is also being explored by organizers.

“There are many similarities and differences between our three
regions, and we need to bridge the gap to take advantage of what we
all have to offer,” said Johnny El Chemmas, a member of the ACYOA
Central Council of the Eastern Diocese. “We have much to learn and
gain from each other,”

Leading presentations and discussions at this year’s inaugural
gathering were clergy and Diocesan staff including: Fr. Stepanos
Doudoukjian, pastor of the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, and
director of vocations and youth for St. Nersess Seminary; Fr. Aren
Jebejian, pastor of the St. Gregory Church of Chicago, IL; Fr. Bedros
Kadehjian, interim mission parish coordinator for the Diocese; Nancy
Basmajian, ACYOA executive secretary; Jason Demerjian, college
ministry facilitator for the Eastern Diocese; Jennifer Morris, the
Eastern Diocese’s youth outreach coordinator; and Daron Bolat, an
intern with the Eastern Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education.
This was the first such program involving youth from all three North
American cioceses since

1989 when the Western Diocese hosted a joint retreat with the
Eastern Diocese in Las Vegas.

“The ACYO members feel at home in the Armenian Church. Many are
driven by a passionate concern and care to reach out to other young
people who are lost sheep, while many feel a strong desire to serve
the church,”

Fr. Doudoukjian said. “I encouraged all those young men and women to
think and pray about a life in the church, either as a priest, deacon,
lay leader, or youth leader, and to consider attending St. Nersess to
study as a seminarian. My prayer is that these same young people will
be our priests and leaders to advance the faithful of our Armenian
Church well into the 21st century.”

For many of the participants, the theological discussions were just
a part of the weekend, which was highlighted by getting to know other
young Armenians from across the continent who share the same
commitment to the Armenian faith.

“It was so wonderful to get connected with our Western and Canadian
counterparts, and to know that we are all together working towards
the same goal to: bring Armenian youth into a stronger relationship
with Christ for a better future for our Armenian Church,” said Talar
Topjian, an ACYOA member form the St. Mary Church of Washington, DC.

— 10/6/05

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

PHOTO CAPTION (1): At the first Pan North American Youth Retreat, 50
young people from the Eastern, Western, and Canadian Dioceses gathered
at the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Young participants in the Pan North American
Youth Retreat discuss the Armenian faith and its connection to modern
life at the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Participants in the Pan North American Youth
Retreat, which ran from September 23 to 25, 2005, took part in a
series of workshops, discussions, and services. Here they are
renouncing Satan, which is done at the beginning of a Baptismal
service.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): From left, Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Fr. Aren
Jebejian, and Fr. Bedros Kadehjian anoint the foreheads of
participants during a discussion on baptism during the Pan North
American Youth Retreat, organized by the ACYOA, which ran from
September 23 to 25, 2005, at the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center.

# # #

TURKEY WARNED ON HUMAN RIGHTS
By Vincent Boland in Ankara

Financial Times, UK
Oct 6 2005

Turkey must improve its human rights record and make the rule of law
“an everyday reality” if it is to meet the criteria that will let it
join the European Union, a senior European Commission official said
on Thursday.

Olli Rehn, the EU enlargement commissioner, said Turkey’s continuing
political and social reforms would be under “ever closer scrutiny”
now it had begun the accession process, after he met Abdullah Gul,
Turkey’s foreign minister.

“This means rigorously implementing political reforms in the areas of
the rule of law, human rights, women’s rights, the rights of religious
communities and trade unions,” Mr Rehn said. The aim should be “to
make the rule of law an everyday reality in all walks of life”.

Amid Turkish euphoria over the start of its EU accession process this
week, the warning appeared to be a reminder of what human rights
campaigners claim are recent examples of the abuse of the law by
prosecutors and judges, who operate independently of government.

Turkey’s stance on freedom of expression is already under the spotlight
because of an attempt last month to ban a conference on the fate of
Armenians during the break-up of the Ottoman empire. It faces even
greater scrutiny in the next few weeks ahead of the trial of Orhan
Pamuk, the country’s most celebrated writer.

Mr Pamuk is facing up to three years in jail if he is convicted of
“public denigration of Turkish identity” for comments he made about
Turkey’s attitude to the Armenian issue. Mr Gul acknowledged that
Turkey had a lot of work ahead in the accession process.

Turkey’s negative image may be due as much to its human rights
record as to cultural or religious differences with other European
countries. During a civil war between the state and Kurdish separatists
in the 1980s and 1990s, there were abuses on both sides that still
shape European attitudes, despite recent improvements.

ARMENIA CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE CIVILIZED WORLD

A1+
| 19:14:50 | 05-10-2005 | Politics |

“Whatever the results of the referendum may be, it will be a turning
point in our history”, leader of the Heritage party Raffi Hovhannisian
said during the briefing with the journalists.

Two weeks ago the Heritage party had made an announcement about the
constitutional referendum. After that the Forum of Intellectuals
decided to unite the opposition, but the Heritage did not sign under
the joint announcement about the referendum. Why?

“We want our style to be different”, said Raffi Hovhannisian and
added that on Sunday Heritage will start its regional visits, during
which the party will refer to issues not only about the referendum,
but also about other problems. “As for the cooperation, no agreement
has been reached”, Raffi Hovhannisyan said.

And what has the party done in the margins of the transformational
process announced? “Transformation is not an achievement, it is a
process which will allow us to be able to compete with the civilized
world, which we are not now”, Raffi Hovhannisian said.

By the way, as for the information about Heritage creating a bloc
together with the Republican party, Raffi Hovhannisian announced,
“We have never negotiated about forming a bloc”.

SHAHNAZARYAN KNOWS WHO WILL BE NEXT PRESIDENT

A1+
| 21:37:39 | 04-10-2005 | Politics |

Today Consent Center has organized a discussion on Armenia’s political
situation with the participation of members of various organization
of liberal line.

Member of Armat NGO Vahagn Khachatryan and leader of Liberal Party
addressed the conference. Vahagn Khachatryan devoted his report to
the constitutional amendments.

“We should say “no” to these authorities and their referendum”,
he noted.

Political scientist Aghasy Yenokyan in his turn voiced opinion that
there is no belief that could unite the people in Armenia.

As for interference of west or any other forces in the internal
political processes in Armenia, the rapporteurs said that no political
force that could be approved by outside has formed in Armenia yet.

Dadid Shahnazaryan, the head of Consent NGO, who was presiding over
the meeting said that it is clear, who will become the next Armenian
President.

However he refrained form announcing his name.

REPORTS ON KILLED AZERI SOLDIER FALSE

Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 12:58

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Defense Ministry of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic has denied Azeri media reports that “October 3 an Azeri
servicemen was killed in a skirmish with NKR Armed Forces.” The
reports are false and represent a purely propagandistic move aimed at
misleading the international community, NKR MOD Spokesperson Senor
Hasratyan. “Anti-Karabakh rhetoric has especially strengthened on
the threshold of the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan.

The Karabakh party abides by commitments to observe the cease-fire
regime.

The same cannot be said referring to the Azeri party,” S. Hasratyan
remarked, reported IA Regnum.

DEFENCE MINISTER ON VISIT TO ARMENIA

Athens News Agency, Greece
Oct 4 2005

Greece’s national defence minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos on Tuesday
commenced a two-day visit to Armenia, at the invitation of his Armenian
counterpart Serzh Sargsyan.

During his visit, the Greek minister will hold talks with Sargsyan,
and will also meet with Armenian president Robert Kocharyan, prime
minister Andranik Margaryan, and Patriarch Garegin of Armenia.

The agenda of the talks include bilateral military and technical
defence cooperation and reorganisation of the Armenian Armed Forces,
matters relating to NATO and the European Union, as well as the
security situation in SE Europe and the wider region of the northern
Caucasus.

Earlier, Spiliotopoulos attended an inner cabinet meeting in Athens
that ratified four draft bills for deregulating the energy market.